It's a beautiful morning. The sky is clear, the birds are singing, the leaves on the trees are just barely beginning to change color on this early fall morning. There is only the barest hint of the night's chill in the air.
And I, Lanternlight, human guardian of Ponyville, exit my tent and get ready to start my day.
My campsite today is a fallow field in Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was kind enough to invite me to stay in her house, but I didn't want to intrude on her family. Plus, I don't think my taste in dinner dishes would be as welcome as the rest of me. The remains of a cooked rabbit (caught him trying to snatch some harvested apples last night) are packed in a bag near the fire pit. Theres enough left over for a decent breakfast, even though I gave Winona, AJ's little shepherd dog, half of it last night.
So I eat a cold breakfast of apples and rabbit meat. I'm considering my next campsite when I hear pegasus wings above me. I look up and see a grey-coated, cross-eyed pegasus in a mail cap. "Package for you!" She says.
I take a small brown package from the mailmare, who also hands me a muffin before flying off to continue her rounds. It's still warm from the oven. Well that was nice of her.
I look at the shipping tag on the package. It is addressed to me, from Canterlot. I open the box, finding a small note and a small felt bag filled with the golden coins that Equestria uses as currency. I take the note out and read it.
Dear Lanternlight,
The coins are your salary for your first week of duty as Ponyville's guardian, as well as a little bonus to help you pay for constructing a house for yourself. Treat yourself to a day on the town, we have a surprise announcement for you to hear.
Best of luck.
The Royal Sisters of Equestria
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"So where do you want to build your house?" Twilight Sparkle asks me as we walk down the street later that morning. "There are some nice empty lots on the south end of town, or maybe that place over by Rarity's. It's been empty since I got here, and you won't have to build a whole house from scratch."
I ignore the gawking faces of the ponies as we pass through. It's only been one week since I arrived in this world. At least it's a step up from my first visit to town: mares screamed, foals were rushed indoors, and the streets emptied in seconds.
"I don't know Twilight. I'd love to sleep in a nice, warm house for once instead of a tent, but so far no place has felt right." I smile as a filly waves at me before her mother pulls her back into the house. At least the kids seem to like me.
Twilight gives me a strange look. "'Right'? Is this a human thing?"
"Maybe. Perhaps. I have no clue." I'm a bit frustrated to tell the truth. "Twilight I've been in this world one week. The rules are different here than they were on Earth. Magic is everywhere and I have no idea where I fit into it."
We're forced stop in the main square. There's a huge crowd in front of town hall. I spot the Apples on the outskirts and head over to join them. "Hey Big Mac," I greet Applejack's brother. He's a solidly build red stallion, with the same blonde hair and green eyes as his sister. His cutie mark is a green apple half. He's also almost as tall as I am.
"Howdy." He's a pony of few words, Big Macintosh. He and I have been spending a bit of time together lately, and it's been a refreshing change of pace from the mares.
"What's going on?" Twilight asks Applejack.
"Mayor's called a meetn'. Got some kinda message down from Canterlot." The farm pony says. "Stop hoppin' like that Applebloom."
"But Ah can't see nothin' sis." The youngest Apple family member jumps up again, trying to catch a glimpse of Town Hall over the backs of the crowd. "Mister Lanternlight?" The little filly gives me an expectant, pleading gaze.
I cannot resist. I make a scene of it through, rolling my eyes and sighing. "All right, come here." I duck down and help Applebloom get her hind legs around my shoulders, then grab hold of her front hooves. I stand up quickly, causing the kid to laugh gleefully. That's when the Mayor of Ponyville makes her entrance.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts," classy line, "the Royal Pony Sisters have just reported wondrous news to me. After thousands of years, the people known as Humanity are returning to Equestria. One of them has decided to live in our fair town of Ponyville, and his name is Lanternlight! Let us welcome him into our town and our lives as our new guardian!"
There is a small cheer from the crowd. Most of the ponies here have already seen or heard of me, Ponyville's rumor mill already working as fast as words reach ears. The Mayor continues her speech, "That's not all. In celebration of this momentous occasion the Princesses have declared a feast is to be held in honor of those humans who have returned! Our own Lanternlight will be the guest of honor!"
Okay the announcement had not been much of a surprise. Princess Celestia seemed like a mare who liked to keep on top of her country's affairs. I have not yet met Luna in person, but from what I've heard she sounds like she has her head together. But this celebration thing catches me completely off guard. So does the loud applause from the crowd. Pinkie Pie's not the only pony who enjoys the promise of a party, apparently.
One of the ponies, either out of the loop and curios or wanting some confirmation, shouted from the crowd. "What does this Lanternlight look like?"
Mayor Mare looked around until she spotted me in the crowd. "Why, he's right over there," she says as she points a hoof in my direction. Several dozen eyes turn to look at me.
Oh dang.
I lift Applebloom off my head and set her on her brother's back. "I'll meet you at the library later," I whisper into Big Mac's ear as several of the closest ponies begin to close. They're already asking questions, talking over each other in their excitement. My head is spinning. I don't handle crowds well.
"Eyup," Big Mac acknowledges, backing of with Twilight and his sisters.
The crowd, eager to question their strange new neighbor, quickly cuts of my route of escape. This is going to be a very long morning.
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It's well into the afternoon when I open the door to Twilight's library. I have a dry throat, a headache, and I'm carrying a bag packed with 'welcome to town' gifts. At least, the ones that I could fit into one bag.
Twilight, Big Mac, and Applejack are having tea in the lobby. I set my Santa bag on the floor after I duck into the building. "How is it that I go from clearing streets with my shadow to becoming the most popular man in town?" Please let there be a chair somewhere around here. Curse these pony houses and their lack of cushioned furniture!
Spike emerges from the kitchen with the teapot as I pull a cushion up to the table and sit on the floor. The table comes up to my chin, but it's better than standing. The dragon sets a cup of tea in front of me. Mm. Smells like jasmine.
"Ya're the only man in town," Applejack jokes. I shoot her a glare over my teacup.
"They were afraid of you before, Lanternlight," Twilight kindly explains, "but the Princesses' declaration today has reassured them that you're safe. The fact that you've taken up the position of village guardian doesn't hurt either."
"Speaking of the feast, this came for you a few hours ago." Spike hands me a scroll with the royal seal. I open it, and as I suspect it is another letter. This time it is from Celestia alone, and I can almost see her laughter in the pen strokes.
Dear Lanternlight,
How did you like my little surprise? Don't worry, the feast won't be held for some time. It is partially in your honor, but hopefully it will also attract the attention of any other humans that find themselves in Equestria.
I expect you to attend the feast at Canterlot palace. A date and time are written, a few months from now. Formal attire is required, but I'm sure your friend Rarity can help you with that. I'll see you there.
Princess Celestia.
PS: Twilight, I know you're going to read this. Don't worry, you and your friends are invited too. The official invitations won't be sent for a while. Be patient, my prized pupil.
I set the parchment on the table and poor myself more tea. "Well, at least I have something to look forward to now. Other than freezing solid in my sleep."
Applejack gives me a concerned look, "Ya're more than welcome ta build yourself a house on our land, ya know."
"I know AJ. It's just not right, though." I sigh, taking another sip of my tea.
"Dangnabbit, Lanternlight!" Applejack pounds a hoof on the table. "Why do ya have to be so darned picky?"
"I don't know!" I shout. I stand up, pacing as I give voice to my frustration. "I'm restless! I'm tired because I can't get a good night's sleep in the same place twice! I have no idea why, or how I'm supposed to find a place where I can lay my head down to rest! It's just, aug!" I fling my arms up above my head. They trail fire as they rise, sending Twilight into a panic.
"No Lanternlight! The books!" She yells.
"Hey," Big Mac shouts, angry and worried. "Watch the fire, mister!"
I stand still, surprised equally that my outburst caused me to involuntarily Firebend, and at my own lack of control. I should know better than that. I'm in a tree, for gods sake. Strong emotion can amplify bending, even if the bender isn't trying to bend. I can't keep forgetting that.
I sit back down and practice my breathing for a few seconds. In, out. In, out. Slow and easy. "I'm sorry," I say once I've calmed down, "I was not thinking clearly."
Big Macintosh gives me an understanding look. "We need to find ya a place."
"Yup," I respond, taking the cold teapot and heating the liquid inside. The Firebending helps me let of some steam.
"For pete's sake, sugarcane. Ya should'a told us it was this big a problem ta begin with." Applejack looks exasperated, but compassionate.
Twilight nods, still hyperventilating a little after my light show. "Don't worry. We'll find you a place to live before the day's through!"
"Uh, Twilight, you know that only gives us a few hours right?" Spike gives being the voice of reason his best effort.
"Then we haven't a moment to lose!" Twilight trots over to the book shelves, pulling out volume after volume with her magic.
Spike sighs in weary defeat. "Of course not."
"Ah think we lost her, boys," Applejack says, looking on as the carefully catalogued library is practically turned upside-down by the industrious unicorn.
I duck back outside with the Apple siblings. I tell them, "I'll see you two later. I'm going to see if the others can do anything to help." I wave as I head off down the street, thinking about what my other friends could do for me.
Rainbow Dash flies around the area all the time. If I knew what I was looking for I could just ask her to locate it for me. She'd zip around, do her thing, and I'd have a new home in minutes. But I have no idea what I'm looking for, so that option is out the window. I have no idea where to find her, anyways.
I dismiss Rarity as a source of help. I know she's probably bend over backwards to help me, but I can't think of a way that she can. I'd probably spend all my time explaining my situation to her acting as a living clothes dummy. She's adamant about making me some new outfits. I can only imagine what is going through that unicorn's head now that the Princesses have announced the feast.
Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie. I could ask her to help, and she might just stumble across a solution by accident. It's a gamble through, and I'm not eager to spin the Pinkie roulette.
That leaves one pony left. Fluttershy knows the area around Ponyville pretty well, taking care of the animals that live around the town. If anypony has an idea where I can find a place to live, it might just be that sweet yellow pegasus.
My decision made, I turn towards Fluttershy's house when an unfamiliar pony blocks my path. A bright yellow Earth pony colt with a short-cropped red mane, he has a pair of crossed pens for his cutie mark. He's grinning at me expectantly.
"Um, can I help you?" I hope he's not here to give me another gift. Please. I have nowhere to store them.
"Actually," he says, still grinning," I'm here to help you. The names Tracks O'land, premier real estate agent in Ponyville. I've heard around town that you're in need of an abode, and I thought; Well, Tracks, here's your chance to help a fellow out. I'm sure one of my properties are just what you need." Tracks grabs my hand in both hooves and shakes it furiously the whole time he's talking.
"Well thank you for the offer, Mr. O'land, but I'm pretty sure I can't find what I need in Ponyville." I force a smile onto my face as I begin backing up. Tracks gets behind me, though, and begins pushing me down the street with all his earth pony strength.
"Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Lanternlight! You haven't even seen what I have to offer yet." I try to escape, but Tracks O'land could give Applejack a lesson or two in herding. "I know exactly what kind of property you would be interested in."
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I spend the next two hours being dragged around town by Tracks. He shows me dozens of properties, from empty lots to full-blown mansions, from decrepit shacks to town houses. In the beginning I respond to his offers with decreasingly polite variations of "No", but that only seems to encourage him. So I stop talking altogether, using my time thinking of some way to escape the real estate pony's clutches.
Finally opportunity knocks when Tracks is showing me a lot on the outskirts of Ponyville, near the Whitetail Woods. I interrupt Tracks' speech about knowing a contractor who can give me a discount. "Tracks, you've shown me a lot of great properties," but none of them are what I need, "but I have too many choices now. Let me take a bit of a walk to clear my head."
"Of course, of course! Stop by my office once you've made your decision." Tracks gives me a happy wave as I walk up the trail to the woods. Hook, line, sinker.
I walk the trail for about an hour. I admire the beauty of the forrest in autumn, but I also take my time to allow myself time to think. I have a job, but I'm homeless. I mooch of my friends for places to sleep even if it is outside. Yes indeed, this is a great start to my shiny new life in Equestria. I wish the ancient humans had left behind more than just a record of their history. Like an instruction manual.
I sit down on a stump on the side of the trail. Why didn't they leave more helpful information behind? History is great, in fact I agree that it was very important, but a little more detail about magic would have been nice. Did they think that the Exile would let them take their magic with them to Earth? Maybe. They had it for so long, perhaps the very idea of loosing it was beyond them. Still, a little consideration for future, confused generations would have been appreciated.
I've got a nice sulk going when I'm greeted by the pony embodiment of happiness. "Hi there Lanternlight!" Pinkie Pie says, coming into my field of vision from above. I have no idea how she does it, and Twilight says it's best not to question Pinkie's creative interpretation of physics.
"Hiya Pinkie. What's up?"
Pinkie zips back up and approaches me in a more normal fashion. "I'm getting sap for Sugarcube Corner's famous maple syrup," she says in her normal cheery manner. When she sees my face, she tilts her head to the side and tones the happy down a little. "Why so down, Double-L? Still camping out?"
I tell her my troubles and she sits down next to me and listens. I'll say this much for Pinkie, she's the easiest pony to talk to. She may be one fluffy pink ball of energy, and her hyper happy attitude may grate at times. But when a friend needs to talk she listens. No judgement, no advice, no apologies. She'll sit there and listen, and when you're done she'll do her best to make you smile again.
"Aww, it's too bad that you don't have a house to call your very own yet. I'm planning a huge housewarming party for you." Pinkie smiles as she continues, "I'm going to bake a big chocolate cake for you, and invite everypony over and we'll all have lots of fun! I even had Rarity help put together that Twister game you were talking about. We've got the cloth thingy and the spinner, but I think you or Rarity will win because Rarity's SUPER bendy and if Dashie plays her wing feathers will tickle me all over and I'll laugh so hard I'll collapse."
Ponies playing Twister does the trick, breaking my dark mood and causing me to laugh. "I look forward to it, Pinkie," I say as I give her a one-armed hug. "You don't have any idea where I can find the right place to build my house, would you?"
Pinkie looks off into the distance. "Nope. But he might." She points in the direction of the jagged, rocky mountains above the Whitetail Woods. Standing at the end of a trail, almost too far to see, is a human figure in a white robe. He's beaconing to me with one hand.
I get off the stump, running up the trail. The man in white steps off the trail, through a gap in the rocks. "Hey, come back!" I shout after him.
"Go get him, Lanternlight!" Pinkie cheers from behind me.
I round the corner, darting through two spires of granite. I stop and look around, trying to find the man in white. I don't find him, but I do find something else entirely.
I'm in a small valley, about a hundred feet wide and fifty feet long. The late afternoon sun shines through the mountains above me, illuminating the grassy field covering the valley floor. A brook trickles through the field, fed by a spring in the western end. The spring emerges from the mountainside, filling a series of deep stone pools before the water falls into the brook. I walk over to the closest, deepest pool and dip a finger in. The water is surprisingly warm, just about room temperature. A hot spring.
I look east, where the valley opens up to a wonderful view. I can see over Whitetail Wood to Ponyville, the windmill a little to my south. I can see the taller mountains on the other side, Canterlot perched precariously on the tallest peak. This place would have a wonderful view of the setting sun.
The valley has no other exits. The eastern edge is a shear cliff, and the northern wall is solid granite. Where did the man in white go?
Maybe… I sit down on the grass and meditate. I attempt to harmonize with the valley. I breath, as if I'm preparing the Firebend. Then I feel it. It's not a constant flow of power, like the stone circle at the barrow. I can feel a warmth, flowing into me from the ground. This place is attuned to the element of Fire, like I am. I feel comfortable here. At peace.
"Hellooooo~" Pinkie calls as she walks into the valley. "Oh, Sunset Springs. I haven't been up here in forever."
I turn to her, still seated on the ground. "Pinkie," I say, close to tears but not caring, "This is the place."
Pinkie runs up to me, gleeful excitement written all over her face. "It is?!"
"Yes." Yes it is.
"Woo-hoo!" The pink little pony leaps into the air, hoof-pumping in victory. "I'm going to get Twilight, and Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, and Big Macintosh, and, and EVERYPONY! We've got a house to build!" She zips off back to Ponyville, good as her word.
I stay, allowing the feeling of the place to linger. I'm home.
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The next few days are a blur of frenzied activity as we work on getting the house built. Every one of my friends joins the effort, and a surprising number of ponies from town pitch in as well. The plans are drawn, foundations are laid, and the frame is erected. I work hard, mixing mortar, laying bricks, and tiling the roof. My Firebending comes in handy a few times, but for the most part I work with my hands.
Finally, on the evening of the fourth day, I look upon my completed house. It is a two-story brick structure, unpainted except for the door and window-frames which are a warm yellow. The roof is red-tiled with yellow accents, with a large brick chimney. The front of the house faces east, and lanterns hang from elaborate iron hangers at the peak of the roof and each side of the face. A stone-paved pathway leads from the valley entrance to the front door. A small stone bridge crosses the brook were it intersects with the path. Another path leads from the back door to the hot springs, lined with lanterns hanging from iron poles. A small towel bar is set in the valley wall near the hot springs. That was Rarity's idea.
I wave goodbye to the townsponies who helped us today, then open the door to my fully furnished house and invite my friends in. We have a housewarming party. We eat some of the truly immense cake that Pinkie baked for the occasion. Twilight stumps us all when we play 20 questions. We play Twister, but nobody wins. Pinkie gets tickled and we all collapse in a pile of laughter. I hoof vs arm wrestle Big Mac. Applebloom falls asleep on my new couch.
It's late when the ponies leave, going to their own homes to turn in for the night. After I wave my friends good night, I extinguish the lanterns, close my door, and get some long-awaited sleep in my own bed.
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Applejack says: Thank's for readin' the story y'all. Remember to rate an' comment so the author makes more a' these stories.
Sokka says: Yah, yah. Recommend this fic to your friends, too.
AJ: Come on, partner. Those apples ain't gonna pick themselves.
Sokka: Why do I have to help you pick apples?
AJ: 'cause your big ol' critter ate half a last season's crop.
Sokka: Appa belongs to Aang!
AJ: An' you let him into the barn.
Sokka: …. That's fair. Lead on, oh Queen of the Orchard