>Your name is Anon and karma is bullshit.
>Of all the things you’ve done in your life, what caused this?
>Was it that you didn’t give change to that homeless guy on the way home from work?
>No, you went inside to buy some groceries and gave him at least a few bucks.
>Were you too disruptive in school?
>No, you did your work and shut your mouth like a good kid.
>Were you a douche that no one liked?
>No, you were close to those around you and had a large group of friends.
>Then what? What could possibly have given cause for this?
>You were just sitting in your room when the light struck and you woke up here.
>That’s when you heard the shot.
 
>You knew what a gunshot sounded like; you’d fired your fathers 9mm at the range.
>But you’re not at the range. You’re in some forest, and by god that isn’t what you heard.
>Sweat drips from your forehead as you hide behind a tree trunk, hand clenched to your chest, your heart about to explode.
>A shadow moves beyond your sight, the darkness covering him in a vague silhouette.
>You don’t know why you did it, but you followed him.
>Maybe it’s because he was another body. Maybe it was because you thought he knew what was going on.
>Whatever the cause, you followed him as he traversed the trees and brush.
>Shouting comes from before you and the one you follow seems to be checking it out as well.
>He’s probably just as confused as you.
>At least you hope.
>If he had something to do with this…
 
>”I said hold it! One more move and the next shot won’t be a warning.”
>You find a semi-large clearing, three men within the space, the rifleman shouldering his firearm.
>”Now how about you both sit the fuck down and tell me what I’m doing back in this piss pot?”
>You find a trunk to hide behind that grants a decent view, the silent man disappearing from view.
>One of the men wipes his face with his jacket sleeve and raises his hands, “Look this is a big misunderstanding so hold off on the accusations.”
>”Liar!” the second man yells, “You did this didn’t you! You want to fuck with me again, then fine, let’s do this big bro.”
>The rifleman’s draw cuts him short, “Back off short stuff, let’s take things nice and easy.”
>”I’m sorry sir. Please put the weapon down, I don’t what’s gotten into him.”
>”Don’t do it! He’ll kill you the second he gets the chance.”
 
>A deafening crack rings out and a blink of light leaves a fourth man in the grassy circle.
>His clothes are ragged and hair unkempt as if he hadn’t bathed in years.
>The question you’re asking isn’t who he is, more so, how the fuck did he get here?
>The man wakes up surprisingly calm, until he saw the others.
>”Hoh shit!” he crawls away the rifleman closing in, “Please don’t hurt me.”
>”Identify yourself civilian!”
>”M-m-m- my nam- name’s Anon.”
>He steps back, a look of curiosity on his face.
>”So’s mine,” the second man says.
>”Mine too,” another one says coming out of the brush, the one you’ve been following.
>The rifleman shoulders his gun, “Same here.”
>What in the holiest of hells is going on here?
 
>”If it makes you feel any better my name’s Anonymous,” the guy in the leather jacket jokes.
>”Shut up,” his little brother barks before looking to the newcomer, “So you’re both back to finish the job huh?”
>He ignores him and looks to the rifleman, “It’s been a while since you’ve seen a human, am I right?”
>He nods, “You too?”
>He shakes his head in return, “I know those two, but this guy?” He points to the ragged one, “Never seen him.”
>”I have a name!”
>”Yeah, and it’s the same as every other guy here if I’m correct,” he replies.
>”Except for me,” the guy in the jacket replies.
>”Do what your brother said and shut up. I’m trying to figure this shit out.”
>”That’s something I’d like to hear,” a sixth man comes out of the brush.
 
>He’s in what looks like leather armor, a sword sheathed on his hip.
>The six of them stand in silence, the rifleman breaking it, “If there’s anyone else out there, come here now!”
>You’re paralyzed in fear. You’ve got two men that were fighting, a guy with an assault rifle, someone who popped out of the air, this muscular man and a fucking swordsman.
>How the hell can you just walk over there?
>They wait and wait and wait…
>A stick smacks against your side, “Well what’re you waiting for kid?”
>Another thwack sends you into the circle, your attacker steadily walking behind you.
>”That should be everyone. I made a quick round,” he says.
>The rifleman brings you all together in a circle, keeping the fighters apart for now.
>”Got a light?” he asks, the muscular one kneeling down to the ground, a fiery orb forming from his hand.
>You step back in shock, the guy in the jacket chuckling, “New to Equestria are ya?”
 
“E-Equestria? Is that in Europe?”
>”We can figure this out later,” the rifleman states. “Let’s get the pressing issue out of the way.”
“What the hell is going on?”
>”No, what we’re going to call each other. As much as I’d like to say ‘Hey Anon, go help Anon and Anon,’ that’s fucking stupid.”
>”So what do you suggest,” the swordsman asks.
>”I think it’d be best to get to know each other a little bit. I know I haven’t seen another human in a while, so this is- refreshing.”
“Call dibs on Anon.”
>”Clever bastard,” one of them says under his breathe.
>The big guy nods, “Tell us a little about yourself Anon.”
“There’s not much to say.”
 
>You stand up and give your little spiel.
“I live in Texas, urban. I’m an area manager for a small networking corporation. Nothing much else to say.”
>”So you are new to Equestria then?”
“I would say so, yes.”
>”Fucking great, a newbie,” the guy in the jacket jokes.
>”How about you go next then big mouth,” the rifleman states.
>He shrugs and stands as you sit, “Anonymous is my name, if my little brother hadn’t made that clear.”
>”Piece of shit,” he mutters.
>”Shut up. Go on Anonymous.”
>”I’ve been here for one year today. I live in Ponyville and work various jobs. And I’m NOT a murderer. Thank you.”
>He sits down glaring at his brother.
 
>His brother stands up, “Since those other names were taken, you can call me Mickey. He was an old friend of mine.”
>”Alright Mickey, what do you do?”
>”I helped lead the resistance against Mr. Tyrant over here. He killed Discord and used his power to control all of Equestria.”
>”That’s a blatant lie!” Anonymous bursts out, “I made sure he was frozen in stone!’
>”That’s not the story I heard. He’s a monster, and that guy,” he points to the big one, “He’s the one that killed me.”
>”We’ll get to my turn in a bit Mickey, sit down.”
>He complies, anger full on his face.
>The ragged looking one stands, “You can call me Flavus. I’m a- a citizen of Canterlot, not the most well off as you can tell.”
>He smells like death itself.
>”I can tell you guys have some feud, please don’t drag me into it.”
“Nice to meet you Flavus.”
 
>The rifleman picks himself up, “My name’s Anon- call me Duff, he too was an old friend.”
>”I’m a Colonial Marine stationed in Ponyville. I helped stave off the Xeno infestation.”
>Anonymous speaks up, “You do know that Colonial Marines aren’t real. They’re fiction.”
>”Do I look like fiction to you? Does my gun sound fake?”
>”Point taken.”
>”Good,” he continues, “I don’t know what’s going on, but as long as you don’t hurt my friends we’ll get along just fine.”
>The swordsman is the next to stand, “Call me Flash, he was my best man at the wedding.”
“Congratulations.”
>”Thanks. I’m the Prince of Glaemar, but don’t let that fool you, I’m not some noble douchebag.”
>Good to know.
 
>”I helped Equestria in a war against some old cranky bitch. She and her changelings almost destroyed both and my wife’s home.”
>The big guy looks flustered at the statement and gets up.
>”Call me Light. I’m an old hero of Equestria, dead and brought back to life here somehow.”
>He looks towards Flash, “And that ‘old cranky bitch’ just happens to be the girl I love.”
>”You should pick better women,” he replies.
>Light takes a step but Duff stops him, “Tsk tsk tsk, don’t let him get to you.”
>Light closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, “Apologies. I took part in Mickey’s war, and I chose the wrong side. I slew him in cold blood, and for that no apology can fix.”
>”Damn right.”
>”But I know Anonymous who he truly is, and before I came here I ended his life.”
>Anonymous looks in awe, “Why does everyone hate me?”
>”You know, you know. Thanks, my name’s Light.”
>”I guess that just leaves me right?” the guy with the cane says, struggling to get up.
 
>”Mous is an adequate I would think. I used to be an adventurer until Equestria showed me otherwise. Rockslide broke mostly every bone in my body, and my fellows broke the rest.”
“The hell did you do?”
>”I was an asshole to say the least, but I’ve changed my ways. I live in Sugarcube Corner with Pinkie, that ball of fun.”
>He sighs, “I’ve been all across Equestria and beyond, but I don’t yearn for adventure anymore. I just want to see her again.”
>”Now that we have that out of the way, any questions?” Duff asks.
>You raise your hand like a grade-schooler, “Yes?”
“Where in the holy hell of fuck tits am I?”
>They all look to Duff to give the answer.
>”Equestria. Welcome to P0nyland Anon.”
“I don’t even…”
 
>Light wipes off his pants, “We’re all here, I don’t know if it was my doing or one of yours, but it doesn’t matter. We’re all stuck together.”
>”So who’s world are we in? I mean, we’ve all been sucked from ours it looks like,” Anonymous says.
>”Looking to rule this one too?” his brother beckons.
>”For the last time, I’m not who you think I am.”
“Both of you shut up, god damn. I just want to get back home.”
>The group begins to laugh together, “Home? Sorry to say it Anon, but there’s no going back.”
“I don’t believe that.”
>Flavus pats you on the back, “I hate pushing my beliefs onto others, but you’re just blatantly wrong.”
>”What’s our first move? I don’t know this land well.” Light says.
>Mous answers him, “We find Ponyville. I recognize this area and it’s the Everfree Forest. We can reach Ponyville by sunrise if we get a move on.”
 
“How are you taking this so easy? Do you understand what you’re saying? P0nyville? Equestria? Are you all insane?”
>They look to one another, “I don’t think so.”
“You guys really are insane. You don’t live with fucking p0nies.”
>Mous shrugs, “We did.”
>You have to find a way back home. This is just fucking crazy.
>”The faster you accept it, the easier it’ll be to take.”
“I can’t. I had a life.”
>”And you think we didn’t?”
>Well- Damn it.
“Let’s just go.”
 
>The eight of you trek through the dense forest, the occasional howl startling you.
>Mous said the wolves won’t attack a group your size, but a manticore might.
>You don’t know what a manticore is and you’d rather not know.
>Duff’s arsenal makes you feel both safe and vulnerable.
>If he were to go a little stir-crazy… you don’t want to be around him.
>In fact, you don’t want to be around any of them.
>The only guy who doesn’t look like he’ll slit your throat is Flavus and he reeks.
>But you can’t be picky these days. You’ll try and get to know him better.
>Maybe he wants to get home too.
>You step out from the forest with the others looking down towards a town.
>”I told you, here by sunrise.”
>Flavus breathes a sigh of relief, “Thank Celestia, let’s hope I can borrow one of their showers.”
>At least he’s aware.
 
>You step through the streets of Ponyville, a part of you hoping the whole ‘p0ny’ thing was a joke.
>How wrong you were.
>They’re not very big, but damn there’s a lot of them, each with different colors and branded on their butt.
>The p0nies stop and stare at your ragtag group of people.
>”Just like old times am I right?” Anonymous jokes with Duff.
>”Last time I came in shouting like a mad man, so this is a bit new for me.”
>A purple- unicorn. Fuck it, this is the norm here. Well the unicorn stops in front of your group.
>Flash looks relieved, “I’ll take care of this guys.”
>”Twilight, it’s great to see you again.”
>She takes a step back as he approaches, “Um, how do you know my name?”
>He pauses, “It’s me Anon.”
>”I’m sorry but I don’t know you.”
 
>He slumps back over to the group in defeat, “She… but…”
>”Anonymous was right,” Light says, “This land isn’t our own. Our homes are gone.”
>Your group erupts in whispers and fear.
>Mous excuses himself and shuffles off further into town past Twilight.
>Anonymous and Mickey shoot off as well, racing each other somewhere.
>”Who are you all?”
>Duff’s surprisingly tranquil about all of this, more so than the others.
>He extends his hand, “I apologize for our intrusion. My name is Duff.”
>She meets him, “Duff, care to explain just why you’re… associates, are running amuck in Ponyville.”
>”It’s a long story, you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”
>”Try me.”
 
>”When’s the next train to Canterlot?” Flavus asks swiftly.
>”It’s about to leave, but why-“
>Flavus darts away before she can finish talking.
>Turns out he’s just as weird as the others.
>Duff rubs his head, “Once again, apologies.”
>Light turns and walks away towards the exit of town.
“Where are you going?”
>”I have to see her, just in case.”
>No no, why is everyone leaving?
“Duff you have to stop him.”
>”I can’t do that Anon. He needs to see it for himself.”
>Light disappears from view, Mous bringing Anonymous and Mickey back by the ear.
>Flash sighs, “I need a drink.”
 
“I think we all do.”
>Mous lets the two of them go, “If I see you both fighting again there will be hell to pay.”
>”I won’t let him corrupt Dash again!”
>”I’m not a villain, stop painting me as one!”
>Twilight watches the two of them bicker, Duff putting on his best fake smile.
>”Care to join us for a drink Twilight?”
>She tries to make sense of your situation, but it’s clear that she’s coming up blank.
>”Fine, but you’re going to tell me everything you know.”
>”I give you my word as a soldier.”
>She looks to the others, “Where’d you have in mind.”
>”The Broken Record. If it’s still around.”
>”It’s not open yet.”
>He leads your group off, “I know where the spare key is.”
 
>All of you slip through the back door and into the club.
>”I used to work here as a bouncer before… well we’ll talk about it.”
>He grabs a couple drinks from the back and lays it out for you.
>Anonymous takes a deep breath, “I was here yesterday. It was my anniversary.”
>Mickey sit on the other side of the table away from him, “Sure it was.”
>The two of them are getting old fast.
“Flash, how’d you this Twilight girl?”
>”Remember when I said I got married?”
“You didn’t…”
>”Love works in mysterious ways, and now it’s separated us.”
>Conflicting thoughts of sadness and disgust tear you apart.
>He’s heartbroken, but he married a horse.
>This is a fucked up place.
 
>Mous pulls out a bottle and downs a pill.
“What’re those for?”
>”Painkillers. It helps me get through the day.”
>”Does it help a broken heart?”
>”Sorry Flash, no such luck.”
>He lets out a groan and finishes off his drink, “I’m going home.”
“What? Where?”
>”Twilight has a good life here, the last thing she needs is me cluttering it up. Erreda’s my only home now.”
>He gets up, “I know what you’re going to say, but Duff is right. I need to see it for myself.”
>Mous shakes his hand, “Farewell.”
>He leaves the bar, giving Twilight one last look before exiting.
“Shit.”
 
>That leaves only five of you.
>Mous sits in silence, “So how’d Pinkie react?”
>”You know Pinkie…”
>He sips his beer and returns to silence.
>”I thought you’d be happier to see other people,” Anonymous says, “We’re the first ones in a while for you right?”
>”Men are a plague, a disease, parasites. I’ve buried my hatchet long ago.”
“Do you have that little faith in your own kind?”
>”I know that when the chips were down I turned into a creature of greed and death. It’s the instincts of all men to act on self-interest.”
>Mickey replies, “Certainly sounds like a relative of mind.”
“You bring him up one more time and I’m liable to take his side.”
>”Thank you Anon.”
 
>Even though both Light and Mickey spoke of how evil this guy was, you don’t get that vibe from him.
>He’s a good guy, you can tell.
>Duff sets his bottle down and heads on over. “How’d it go?” Mous asks.
>“Twilight’s a mare of science. She took it better than I expected.”
“So what now?”
>”What do you mean?” he asks in return.
“What’s our next step to getting home?”
>Mickey moans, “Again with this guy.”
>”There is no way home, accept it. You’re stuck here,” Mous says.
>”I know this is hard on you, more so than us. We’ve dealt with this before, unlike you,” Duff tries to comfort you.
“Then, what do I do?”
>”You start a new life here with us. At least you’ll be around friends.”
 
“You aren’t my friends. My friends were supportive of me, you dash my hopes the second you can.”
>This hits them right where it hurts. “We don’t want you to put your effort into a cause with no chance to succeed,” Mickey says.
>Anonymous tries next, “I wanted to run back home too, but this place- it grows on you.”
>”It’s a chance to start over,” Mous finishes up, “To become better.”
“I don’t want to start over. I want to go home.”
>Mous loses his temper, “Then join the club. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and man the fuck up.”
>He snorts and chugs his drink, “Entitled piece of shit…”
>He does well to kill the mood, the front door of the club opening.
>”Who the hell broke into my club?”
 
>A white unicorn donned with a pair of purple tinted sunglasses walks inside with two other p0nies at her side.
>Duff freezes, “Shit. I forgot about that.”
>He turns around, “Well hello, I take it you’re the infamous Vinyl Scratch that I’ve heard so much about.”
>Her cheeks turn scarlet, “Why yes, yes I am.”
>”My name is Duff. I apologize for dropping in like this, but I couldn’t wait-”
>”To help yourself to my booze?”
>Oh god this is terrible.
>”You see-“
>Twilight steps in before he can dig himself any further.
 
>”These ‘men’ have different customs where they come from, apologies.”
>”That’s abundantly clear.”
>She explains how this was a misunderstanding and that she’s taking care of them as of now.
>Vinyl wasn’t happy in the slightest, even when Anonymous had the coin to pay her back.
>Thankfully Twilight disarmed the situation before things could get ugly.
>And then Twilight mentioned how we were in need of work.
>”Really? I could use some muscle like them around actually.”
>Duff speaks up, “It just so happens that I used to be a bouncer.”
>”We’ll just have to see what you can do.”
>”Sounds like a date.”
 
>Vinyl and Duff are left to talk and Twilight moves over to the four of you.
>”So what do you four do?”
>None of you want to be the first to speak. Thankfully Anonymous breaks the ice.
>”I’m a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy, but I do have a pretty good knowledge of Equestrian history and magical theory.”
>”Really? And where’d you learn that?”
>He rubs his hands nervously, “Well, you taught me.”
>She looks impressed. “And how about you,” she asks his brother.
>”Fighter. I help deal with problems.”
>She’s not so impressed there.
>”Name’s Mous ma’am. Ex-adventurer. Not so good at labor, as you can see, but I’ve got more than enough experience through my travels.”
>That too brings a smile to her face.
>He seems to be a steady medium between the two.
 
>”And what about you?”
>Oh shit it’s your turn.
“Area coordinator for a networking company.”
>”And that is?”
“I oversee operations in a selected area and make sure people don’t fuck things up.”
>She turns her nose up at your language, “Not one of the tamer ones I see.”
“I was abducted from my home and thrown into a land of talking horses, why should I be tame?”
>”Because this ‘talking horse’ is trying to help you.”
>She’s right and you know it.
“I didn’t meant it like that. This is a lot to take in.”
>”We know that feel,” they say.
>”Don’t worry about it. I’ll try and figure something out for you all.”
 
>Duff comes back, “Well I got myself a place to stay and a job. Hooah. How about you guys?”
>”Nothing yet,” Mous replies looking to Twilight hopefully.
>She’s quick to respond, “There’s a small house on-“
>Duff cuts her off, ”The edge of town that’s vacant. Am I right?”
>”And you’re going to talk with Mayor Mare and let us stay there?”
>She shakes her head with a smile, “I’m going to hate you aren’t I?”
>Mous picks up his cane, “Want me to smack’em for you?”
>”That’s quite alright.”
>These guys seem to know the drill.
“So are we gonna check it out?”
 
>Duff heads off with Vinyl, but promises to meet up with us later.
>On the way you decide that Mous should be the head of the house.
>He’s got age, experience and can break up a fight if the brothers get into it.
>They weren’t too happy to be sharing living quarters to say the least.
>Mickey can’t stand to be around Anonymous, and Anonymous doesn’t want Mickey to keep pestering.
>Maybe in another life he did something wrong, but you see the good guy before you.
>Twilight unlocks the door and tells you to make yourself at home.
>Not long after she left did they begin to fight, Mous having to lay down the cane.
>You don’t blame them for stopping, that thing fucking hurts.
>Your side still aches from the swift smacks he gave to you.
 
>It’s agreed that Mous gets the main bedroom while the rest of you split up the other rooms upstairs.
>You and Anonymous decide to share a room while Mickey can get a room to himself.
>He tried to intimidate his brother with a show of force, but it seems he can’t perform magic that well.
>Anonymous said it has something to do with a guy called Discord, but you didn’t pay that much attention.
>Still, Mickey’s strong physically, but you and Anonymous are enough to stay his hand.
>You lounge about the rest of the day with Anonymous and Mous, passing the time with some stories.
>Mickey was busy working out, but you know he’s probably just sleeping.
>Mous turns out to be a nice enough guy aside from the whole, men are evil thing.
>With Duff, Mous and the others, you might be able to last long enough to find a way back.
>You just need to find one.
 
>Meanwhile in the north…
>You pant and heave as you open your eyes.
>Teleportation isn’t basic level magic, and you had to pour most of your will in order to pull it off.
>Thankfully it seems to have paid off.
>You drag yourself through the tunnel and into the darkness.
>Hooves cling to your body as they help you along.
>Your family helping you.
>You’re plopped at her feet, her presence intoxicating.
“It’s good to see you again.”
>She wraps her hooves around your head, “It’s alright Anon. You’re home now.”
“I swear, I won’t leave you again.”
>Your body tingles at her touch, “Oh yes, I know. I know…”