The sun had just started to rise. Pete was already up and walking. He had to get to work before opening. His boss was a stickler for being on time daily. Despite working at a fashion shop, his wardrobe wasn’t very restrictive. Blue jeans, dress shoes, and a purple shirt. It was as close to a uniform he would have. He didn’t have a name tag. She never found the need for him to have one. It was a fair point since he was the only human in Equestria.
His situation was a short story. A few years ago, he had woken up in the Everfree Forest with no clue how he got there. First meeting with the populace was admittedly rough. Despite their best efforts though, not a single pony could find a way to send him home. So he chose to integrate into their society. He didn’t have much of a life back on Earth. He even got a nice place to live in Ponyville. It was a small house next to Apple Acre Farms. Some of the ponies pooled their bits to help him build it. It was like a studio apartment it was so small. It kinda grew on him.
“Heya Pete.” a deep voice said. Pete looked to his left. Standing behind a fence was a red stallion. His head of hay-colored hair came up to Pete’s mid torso. The red stallion of Apple Acre Farms. Big Mac. The stallion had started to make morning appearances on Pete’s walk to work since he moved next to them. He happily walked over to his neighbor.
“Hey Big Mac.” Pete said. “Gettin’ ready for the morning apple pickin’, or did you just wanna watch me walk by?” Despite the red fur, one could almost see the stallion blush. The two got to know each other well when Pete first appeared in Ponyville. Big Mac found him sleeping in the barn, and let him stay there for a little while. They got close, but nothing ever came out of it.
“Apple?” Big Mac asked. He produced an apple he had carried on his back. Pete happily added it to his sidebag.
“Thanks Mac.” Pete said. “You always spoil me. I wish I could stay, but Rarity wants to do inventory on supplies today. See ya!”
***
“Ya gave ‘im an apple again?” Applejack asked.
“Eeyup.” Big Mac answered with a smile on his face.
“Did ya finally ask ‘im out?” she asked.
“...Eeenope.” he said quietly and hung his head. He had been wanting to ask out the human for a while.
Applejack rubs her head against her brother’s neck. “Don’t worry bro.” she said. “One day you’ll get yer chance.”
***
Pete was happily chewing away at his apple. He could never get over how good his neighbor was. He would definitely have to take Big Mac out to a thank you dinner when he had the bits. His job at the boutique was good, but not a huge source of income. He often wished he could start his own business. Though there wasn’t many business ideas that a human could do better than a pony.
As he got closer to the Carousel Boutique, some of the Ponyville residents were getting up and going about their day. He got a few waves here and there. He remembered how awkward he felt walking through town on his first day to work. A few years really do fly by.
It was strange. One moment, ponies were starting their day. Walking around without a care in the world. Suddenly, all of them were frozen in place. Even the trees that were blowing in the breeze, weren’t moving. Pete looked around. It was like someone hit pause on everything.
“Hello Pete!” a jubilant voice said. Pete quickly looked around for the source of the voice. He went to take a nervous bite of his apple. “Hey!” the voice said again. “Watch where you’re biting!”
Slowly, Pete looked down at the apple. He saw a tiny noodle-like creature waving at him. Out of shock, he immediately dropped the apple and fell back. Rather than fall as well, the apple floated in the same spot he was holding it. The noodle-like creature crawled around the apple, devouring it down to the seeds. The seeds rapidly expanded like balloons. When they popped, the tiny noodle-like creature reappeared, but at a much larger size.
It was a strange creature. None of his body parts matched. He had a single sharp tooth pointing out of the upper jaw. There was something ominous about him. Pete couldn’t put his finger on it. Then he looked into his eyes.
“I...I read about you.” Pete said. “In an old book. You’re a draconequus. A powerful one.”
“Oh please.” the draconequus said as he floated towards Pete. “I prefer most powerful in the world. That, and Discord. Given that is my name.”
As soon as he heard that name, a terrified Pete immediately tried to crawl back. Discord slithered through the air towards him before he could make any distance. A paw was rubbed over Pete’s mouth.
“I’m bored.” Discord said. “I’m gonna watch you have some fun. Remember to pucker up!”
As soon as he appeared, the draconequus disappeared. The world resumed, earning Pete a few weird stares from some ponies.