//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: Emerald's Struggle 
// by The Zebra Hybrid 
//------------------------------//


Ponyville Train Station
Ponyville



Emerald felt the train come to a completely stop as he was awoken from his sleep, he watched as ponies grabbed their bags ready to depart. He let out a yawn and grabbed his saddle bags from under his seats, he was still ticked off about earlier but he knew he couldn't stay mad forever, at least he made it to Ponyville. He levitated the bags over his back and strapped the buckles before following the ponies off the train, he didn't see the conductor or that Wonderbolt, Lightning Dust, which was good because he did not want to deal with those two.

The zebra unicorn stepped off the train and observed his new surroundings, the train station here was more.....casual than the one in Canterlot and most of the ponies here don't wear clothes here either. He figured since a Princess lived here then ponies would be all fancied up but it just looks like your average town. And for the first time he never got any strange looks like he did in Canterlot, he made his way through the station and noticed as well that it wasn't as crowded as he expected.

"This place is so much different than Canterlot." Emerald said to himself as he mad his way out of the train station, where he was met with a dirt road that led to Ponyville, where he noticed what looked like Town Hall and Princess Twilight's new castle. Emerald took a deep breathe, "Okay, let's do this."

The zebra unicorn then started to make his way down the road, passing on coming ponies, he noticed to his right an orchard filed with apples with a big red stallion bucking the trees. Emerald was so memorized by his surroundings that he didn't notice he already walked into town, everypony here seemed...happy...like super happy. He never knew that a place could have this much life.

"Okay," said Emerald as he pulled out a journal from his saddle bags and looked over the list of things to do when he got to Ponyville, "Let's see here, first I need to go to Town Hall and see where my new house is, then unpack, and lastly if I have time get some groceries."

Emerald nodded to himself as he placed his journal back in his saddlebags and continued his walk toward the Town Hall. As he was walking the zebra suddenly got the feeling that he was being watched, he turned around but was met with only ponies going on with their lives. Emerald shrugged and continued on, until he finally came to what he assumed was city hall. Once he entered he was surprised to find not that many ponies here, there was a few including the mare at a desk, but that was it.

He approached the mare, who's head was down, and gave a polite cough gaining her attention, "O-oh, hello there. Sorry, what may I help you with today." She says with a smile.

"Well I was wondering if my house was ready."

"Hmm," thought the mare as she flipped through the papers on her desk, "May I have the name, please?"

"Emerald, Emerald Crescent."

"Ha! Here it is, it seems they just finished, lucky you. Just head north down the street and it'll be on you're left, Mr.Crescent."

"Okay, thanks!"

"No, problem sir!"






As Emerald made his down the street he couldn't shake the feeling like he was being watched, he turned around once again to find nopony behind him, besides the ponies going about their day. He shrugged as he kept on his path until he got to a house with the same description he got from the mare at City Hall. Smiling and letting out a breath of relief that he finally made he took the sign down from the front door and placed it in one of hiss saddle bags.

"if I'm correct they would have left the key....Ha! Under the mat!" exclaimed Emerald in victory as he took the golden key and placed it in the keyhole unlocking the door and entering the house.

The house itself was an average size, with a kitchen, living room, bathroom on the bottom floor, and two bedrooms and bathroom on the top. He smiled as he noticed that the ponies that shipped his furniture and other items placed them exactly where he wanted. "Thank Celestia, I did not want to arrange all this furniture."

The zebra made his way up stairs, and made his way to the master bedroom, dropped his saddle bags on the ground, and plopped on his bed and let out a groan of pleasure as the soft sheets touched his fur. He had finally made it to Ponyville, he'll have to unpack the rest of his stuff later, but now he just wanted to lay down and rel-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Emerald groaned in disappointment as the knock on his door, interrupted him of his thoughts, he slowly rolled off the bed and went down the stairs and opened the front door. A confused expression came on his face as he saw nopony there, with a shrug he shut the door and turned around to head back to his comfortable be-"

"HIYYAA!" exclaimed a familiar pink mare, scaring the soul out of Emerald as he fell back on his rump with his hoof on his chest.  Standing before him was a pink mare with a puffy pink mane and tail, light pink coat, and light blue eyes. He knew this mare all too well, the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pies the craziest party pony around.

"Hi! I noticed that you're new, and I love meting new ponies! But now that I think about it we haven't gotten a pony like you before? That means you must be a SPECIAL NEW PONY. Which means you can have a SPECIAL NEW PONY PARTY!! OH! I almost forgot! My name's Pinkie Pie, but wait you already know that. What's your name?"

Emerald just looked in confusion as he picked himself up off the ground, "U-uhm..Emerald. If you don't mind me asking though, how did you get in here?"

Pinkie poked his nose, "The door silly!"

"Yeah, but...never mind."

"Anywaaayyyss...I just came to give you a warm welcome to Ponyville!"

Emerald gave a warm smile,"Thanks Pinkie, bit I'm a bit tires from the trip. So if you don't mind-"

"Oh! So you want your 'Welcome to Ponyville Party' earlier!"

"What? No...I..-"

"Okey dokey! I'll see you later Emy!"

Before Emerald could explain himself, Pinkie Pie zipped out the front door leaving a trail of pink behind her. The zebra let out a defeated sigh knowing that he is going to have company over. Knowing Pinkie and her reputation here she would most likely plan a surprise party, in that case he'll take a quick nap and head out to get some groceries for the kitchen.

He wobbled up the stairs and headed back to his room and then collapsed back in his soft bed before closing his yellow irises and falling into a deep slumber.