The Human And The Well

by Zandar13

Walk With Me Human, To Beyond The Horizon

Ugh, everything hurts.

My body hurts, my head hurts, my eyes hurt, just absolutely everything feels sore.

Guess that is what happens when you push your unknown limits.

Though now that I think about it, I summoned those gusts of wind using only my feet along with the rest of my magic. So that's new. Going to have to watch out for that.

Lets see, what happened to me? I read the silver book a bit more, stormed out into the forest, had that life changing talk with Celestia and Twilight, came back, and……

“Adrian?” I heard Derpy softly call out.

I groaned a bit as I shifted my body, with my eyes still closed, as I sat up a bit and smacked my lips before letting out a yawn.

“Good morning sleepy head” she said to me.

I took a whole minute to try and pry my eyes open as a small filter of light penetrated the room and invaded my sight. But once I did get them open, I saw a beautiful mare smiling back at me.

“Good morning Derpy, did you sleep well?” I hazily asked.

“Yes, I think. Though I did have a good rest when I woke up a few hours ago and saw you here with me, holding my hoof and I decided to go back to sleep. Also, because I don't think I could easily move you off the bed to get out, I didn't have much choice but to stay in bed” she replied with a little giggle.

I gave a little laugh as well before I used my thumb to stroke her hoof and stared aimlessly through it. Derpy must of seen this, cause she used her other hoof to cover my hand to grab my attention.

“Adrian? Is….. everything all right? I was worried sick when nopony could get you to come out of your room” Derpy worryingly said.

I looked up to answer her and even though I had the answer in my mind, no words would come out of my mouth and my mouth flapped uselessly as I unintentionally remained silent. Finally, I stopped 'talking' and stared back at her hoofs.

“Adrian?” she asked.

“I love you” I finally said.

This stunned her for a moment and it was probably not what she expected to hear.

“I love you so much Derpy and I want you to know that you did nothing to upset me or anything. I was just hurt so much that I didn't want anyone with me, I just needed some time to myself and unfortunately, I responded to you all very coldly. And I'm sorry” I confessed.

“What happened, Adrian?” Derpy asked me while she stroked my hand a bit. “What happened to make you talk to us again?”

“Anger, anger is what allowed me to open up” I sighed as I admitted to that shameful truth. “Before, I just felt so numb to the world around me until I heard the word human and hearing that single word made my mind race and I realized that I hated being human and the only one of my kind. So I began to hate myself and that hatred exploded out of me and I, well, I colorfully expressed it through vulgar words and physical action”

“So, after I literally demolished a mountain and left a crater in it, Twilight and Celestia found me and unintentionally calmed me down by accidentally making my anger rise and rise until I burned myself out. Then, we had a…… little talk” I explained.

“A little….talk?” Derpy asked in return and with a nervous tone.

“Yeah…. And it was about my future here in Equestria. Which also means…..our future” I said with equal nervousness.

“Adrian?” Derpy sadly said as she clasped my hand with both of her hooves.

I could feel her whole body shake and shiver, like a cold shiver but more intense and I felt horrible and my gut twisted and turned. So I leaned forward and kissed her forehead before placing my own against it. We stared at each other for a few seconds before I closed my eyes and started to take deep breaths, hoping she would catch on and repeat it herself.

Thankfully, she did exactly that and in no time, her body returned to normal but her grasp on my hand remained the same.

“Derpy, I know this is going to be hard to listen to and you may very well hate me afterward, but I believe in my heart that this is the best course of action. Not only for myself, but for Equestria and every pony else. Do you understand?” I asked her in all seriousness.

Her eyes darted back and forth for a few seconds as she thought about what I just said and I could tell she was scared, so I gave her hoof a gentle squeeze and offered a kind smile

“I…. I'll try” She finally said.

With that, I took another deep breath to collect my thoughts and remember what the three of us talked about in the forest.

“Alright, so this is the conclusion that Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia, and myself made after talking through everything and ultimately we decided that it would be best if I left Ponyville and, well, started traveling around the world of Equus. To find my place in this new world and to conquer my powers and myself, if that makes sense” I calmly explained.

“Leave…. Ponyville?” She weakly asked as she stared at me.

“Yes, I am a huge risk to everyone with my powers and my unknown fate. Not like I believe in destiny and fate, but I do believe in the future and I don't think it is safe when I am a walking time bomb. Because of my anger, I tore a mountain down and left it a smoldering crater. Imagine if I did that in a major city! I could not bare to cause such mass destruction”

“So, I am going to go on a journey and explore this new world, and perhaps find answers to my unknown questions. That is the gist of it, though some of the details are being worked out by Celestia back in Twilight castle right now, that or she is using all her power to keep Pinkie Pie from crashing in here” I chuckled a bit at the thought but I suddenly felt a thump against my chest. Looking down, I saw Derpy clutching my chest very tightly while she burrows her head in my shirt.

I didn't need to ask what was wrong, so I simply wraps my arms around her and hugged her. But the second I touched her, she began to cry very loudly and used her hoofs to hit my chest repeatedly.

“I hate you! I hate you so much! You come waltzing into my life and make me feel normal for the first time in my life and feel loved! And now your just going to leave! I don't want you to leave! Stay here! Please!” She begged as she continued to go between hating me and wanting me to stay.

But I remained silent as I held her while she vented her new found anger. It did not last too long for I felt the beatings slow down then suddenly turned into a death gripping hug as she cried.

“I'm sorry Derpy” I quietly said as I rested my head on top of hers.

“Take me with you” I heard her say equally as quiet.

At this, I chuckled a bit under my breath as I began to pet her mane “You can't come with me silly head, you have an important job here in Ponyville and ponies rely on you to deliver their mail. You have a role to play and you can't quit now. They need you” I told her.

But she sprang her head out so she could look me in the eyes while she said “I NEED YOU!”

She sniffled a bit as her lips began to tremble a bit “I need you! I feel normal with you around, I don't feel like a failure when you help me up, I don't feel so alone when you kiss me. Please, I don't want you to go and I don't want to break up with you” she pleaded with me.

“Well, I wasn't planning to break up with you. I mean, I thought we could try having a long distance relationship. I would write to you whenever I could and send you gifts from wherever I go!” I explained to her.

“You would love me, even if you were on the other side of the world?” she tenderly asked me.

“Of course I would, love knows no bounds after all” I told her as I stroked her tear-soaked cheek.

At this, she seemed to magically calm down and she used her hoof to keep my hand on her cheek while she happily nuzzled it.

“No, I don't think it would work and it would no be fair to you” Derpy suddenly said while she smiled up at me.

“Derpy?” I called out her name in slight confusion.

“I love you Adrian, more than anything but it is like you said earlier, you need to find yourself in our world. You can't do that if you are tied down here in Ponyville, by me” she sadly stated while she held herself against my hand and breathed into it.

We sat in silence for a while as she continued to breath into my hand, with a frown and sad eyes. I used my thumb to give small strokes against her muzzle, which made a small smile form as she lovingly looked at me.

“You are so kind Adrian and I can't be that selfish to keep you all to myself during your future travels. Perhaps there is another mare out there that is worse off then me and is waiting for you to rescue them too” she sighed a bit before slumping against my chest again.

“Are you sure, Derpy?” I asked her.

“Yes, I am sure. I don't like it, but I do understand and want to support your adventure. I just wish I had something else to give you to remember me by, something more…. Permanent I guess” she said as she pawed the bed.

Suddenly I felt her whole body tense up and I saw her face explode in red, so much so that she turned her face away from me.

“Derpy? What's wrong?” I asked her.

“I-I-I was j-just thinking of so-something to give you, a-and I thought of something….. embarrassing” she cutely stammered while she pawed the bed again.

“What? Like a lock of hair to keep in a pendant or something?” I gently laughed as I twirled a bit of her mane in between my fingers.

“N-no, something much more…..intimate” she said as I started to see a bit of steam rise from her head.

I pondered for a moment what she could possibly mean until it finally hit me and my face was now equally as red.

“D-D-Derpy! A-are you s-su-suggesting what I th-think you are suggesting?” I now said in a stammering voice of my own.

But this time, she swiftly turned around with a look of determination on her face, with still a hint of red, as she said “Yes, I am. I want to give you my first time Adrian. I may not have you here with me, but I want to give you something important, because of my love for you”

Now I was the speechless one and now the whole dating a different species thought process sprung back up, doubled with what I was thinking about back in Canterlot when Doc Feathers said I could, well, successfully procreate.

I was about to say something about being sure of her actions, of the consequences, and of the morality of the thought but then I saw her face.

She was scared, every muscle on her face seemed to twitch and itch and even her fur stood on edge, yet under that mask of fear was a burning force and when I truly looked into her eyes, I saw something pure and simple. Love. She loved me so much, so much so that it scared her and was now hurting her. Yet, through all that fear, love, and confusion in between the two, she still asked such the question.

I had to now match her bravery and respond in kind. Heh, she was saying how much she needed me but now, in this moment, it now felt like I needed her and that kind of strength. Because in all honesty, a small part of me thought I was going to fold and decide to stay here with Derpy, despite everything I talked about in the forest.

That being said, however, I was speechless and did not know how to properly respond without sounding extremely dumb or like those three stallions at the club. Brrrr, that thought sure sends shivers down my spine.

I think Derpy saw my stupid face and probably guessed my thoughts, cause I heard her giggle before she gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Sorry for putting you on the spot, I kinda blurted it out myself since I was so nervous. I can't imagine how your feeling right now, but know that whatever you decide, I will happilly follow” she reassuring told me.

I chuckled a bit to myself as I gave it one last thought before I pulled her into a kiss, which surprised her but she soon leaned into it as well.

“Just one thing, please be gentle” Derpy nervously asked.

“I would never be anything but gentle, I promise” I replied back. “This is my first time as well, and its with another species, so please be patient with me as I…..adapt” I said with a nervous chuckle.

She replied with a cute giggle before she kissed me again as I made my way onto the bed, though I new thought quickly crossed my mind and I gently pushed her back “Wait! Wait, wait, wait. Do you have…..any…..protection?” I asked.

“Protection? Like what?” she asked in return.

“Like condoms or something similar?” I asked again.

“A condom? I don't think I have ever heard of that before” she told me.

GAH! How in the world do I explain this?!

“Um….well….. how do ponies make sure a mare does not get pregnant by accident?” I said.

“Hmmm? OH! I think I get what your asking. We don't really have anything like that, since mares can only get pregnant when they are in heat. Any other time, there is a zero percent chance of becoming pregnant. So you don't have to worry about that, silly” Derpy easily explained.

I let out a huge breath of fresh air that I unknowingly held in my lungs.

“Is it really different back on your world?” Derpy asked as she laid on top of me.

“Yeah, human girls don't really go into periods of heat and can, generally speaking, get pregnant at any time. Though there are special circumstances and lots of other things that can determine pregnancy. So, if you have common sense and a small portion of decency, many of us use protection and are very careful about doing this” I explained.

“Wow, stuff sounds really complicated over there” she said to me.

“Yeah, it was” I said as I spaced out a bit thinking about not having to deal with that anymore.

But I felt her giving me another kiss, which brought all my attention back to her “Well, don't worry Adrian. Right here, right now, will just be me and you. Plain and simple. Ok?” she asked me with a kind smile.

“Alright, plain and simple. Got it” I replied back.

Plain and simple, I like the sound of that.

OK! Just act natural, just act natural.

Just play it cool and don't be nervous, no need to tell them all about our private moments.

Yeah, they will have no need or reason to think about that, whatsoever!

Ok, deep, calm breaths now. Just. Be. Cool.

With that out of the way, I finally decided to push open the doors to the castle and made my way through to the library, since that is most likely where they all are.

Boy, was I right.

For the millisecond I cracked open the door and took one step inside, I was pile-drived into the floor by five different ponies.

Pinkie Pie, the CMC, and, both surprisingly and not surprisingly, Luna.

Though any resemblance of speech was thoroughly lost in the blabber of all five trying to talk to me at once. But instead of feeling super sad, I was actually feeling quite happy, knowing and seeing all the different kinds of ponies who care for me.

It took a while before any semblance of order was created and I listened to each and every one of them voice their complaints and all of their invitations to join me. The idea though of any and/or all of them joining me certainly was an entertaining thought and made me chuckle, but I had to turn them all down. I was about to explain why but Luna told me that Celestia and Twilight fully informed them about the actions that transpired in the forest and what my plans were.

And that leads me to right now, with the CMC in my lap as I alternate petting and giving them ear scratches.

“So, tell us dear little brother, how did Miss Hooves take the news?” Luna asked me from behind as she placed a wing on my shoulder.

“We….. worked it out. Words were said, tears were spent, and a few kisses here and there helped smooth everything out. And her sickness is much, much more better, so that is one less thing on my mind” I explained, very smoothly and without hinting towards anything. Oh yeah, played it out as cool as an ice cube.

“Very good, we are pleased to hear this news. So, are you two still together….. or?” Luna carefully asked.

At this I shook my head but smiled “Unfortunately, we are not. After discussing it, we agreed that it would be best if we split up. Though, that doesn't make my love for her any less than before” I explained.

“We see, we are most sorry for this terrible news but happy that you two are still on friendly terms” Luna said.

I nodded before turning my attention to Celestia, who was waiting patiently “So, when do I leave?” I asked.

“Well, you can leave anytime your ready. Though, I am not sure if your friends are ready quite yet” Celestia happily said.

“Now dear, if you are going to travel the world, you need to make sure you have clothes for every occasion! Now, I spent all of last night making you a few new suits, a couple of camping and exploring outfits, a few sleeping attires, clothes for hot and cold climates, and-” Rarity said before AJ covered her mouth.

“We get it Rares, an outfit for every occasion. Does he have room for anything in his bag?” AJ said as she looked behind and stared at the huge bag that was about to burst at any second.

“Well, a stallion such as Adrian needs to be prepared! Who knows who he will meet on his journey!” Rarity explained.

“Hmmm, I think I can help with that” Celestia said. She stepped up to the huge bag and touched her now glowing horn against in and in a flash of light the bag went from bulging to empty in a second. Did she just….get rid of them?

“There we go, Adrian. Look inside” Celestia said to me. Walking up to the bag, I opened it up and peered inside and saw a huge, open space inside with all my clothes sitting nicely at the bottom. It was very bizarre, it was like the inside of the bag was bigger while the outside looked normal.

“What in the world?” I asked out loud in confusion.

“It is an advanced spell simply called an Expansion Spell. Basically, I expand an object's internal space while retaining its external dimensions and appearance. So now, your one bag on the inside has the space of a hundred! Perfect for exploration and it won't feel overweight!” Celestia proudly said.

“Wow, thank you Celestia! That is amazing!” I said back to her.

“Yes, well I wanted to do something for you since I won't be there to protect you and I wanted to give you a lot more for your journey. As did Luna” Celestia explained.

“I still think a suit of armor would do him wonders, a wandering alien knight! We thinks it is most romantic and exciting!” Luna exclaimed.

“Oh my! That is wonderfully romantic! Oh, do you think you could stay an extra day or two Adrian and wait for that armor?” Rarity asked me while she batted her eyelashes.

“I think I can make do, though it is certainly enticing. But I think it would be hard to maintain in the long run” I said.

“True, for a journey such as yours. Perhaps we will make it a side project and make you the perfect set of armor for when you return” Luna pondered out loud.

“Luna, Luna. I think your going to spoil me at this rate” I joked with her but I was met with a sad pout.

“We wish to spoil you more since you might be in an area we cannot go. We will always be worried about you” Luna said before she wrapped her wings around me in order to pull me in for a hug.

“I will miss you as well, but I know you'll always be looking out for me every time I look up at your beautiful moon in the night sky” I told her which got a very positive result since she made a very cute and silent squee sound.

We parted ways but I still held out my arms “And of course I am going to miss you all as well” I said and Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and the CMC rushed into a big hug.

“Good luck big guy, I will talk to everyone in Cloudsdale and see if I can make sure you get awesome weather twenty-four seven!” Rainbow boasted.

“I will be sure to try and send you amazing cupcakes wherever you go! I wish I could go to every city and set up a welcoming party for you!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“I will talk to some of my animal friends and see if they can keep a watchful eye on you and let other animals to so the same! I mean, if that's ok with you” Fluttershy bashfully said.

“I wish you could stay and be with us when we find our cutie marks! I feel like we are so close to finding them!” Scootaloo told me.

“Yeah, were gonna miss ya an awful lot Adrian” Applebloom said next.

“I wish you didn't have to go Adrian, I wanted you to be here forever” Sweetie Bell sweetly said.

I wanted to give them all answers but instead I just hugged them all even more and gave Sweetie Bell a small little kiss on her forehead.

“I will be back one day and when I am, I am sure we will be talking about our own adventures for days and days. So, until then, be sure to stay awesome, amazing, and sweet and don't try to worry so much about me. Ok?” I asked them and they all gave me nods.

I finally walked over to AJ and Rarity “Be good you two and watch out for your sisters when I'm gone, though its going to be hard to not eat your delicious apples everyday Applejack and I will be sure to keep the clothes you made for me clean Rarity” I said.

“Will do partner, and don't you worry none, the Apple Family brand apples can be found all over Equestria!” AJ said with a grin.

“I will Adrian darling, Sweetie Bell will be talking about you for years to come. Oh and here is a list of what clothes to wash with what temperature water and cleaner!” Rarity said as she placed a large list into my new mega-bag. Looks like I have my own hammerspace bag now!

“Adrian, are you sure you wish to have Maelstrom and Artemis accompany you as well?” Luna asked me.

“Well, even if I didn't, I don't think any power in the verse could stop them anyway. Doubly so for Maelstrom” I said with an added chuckle.

“True, true. Please be safe on your journey Adrian and if you ever need anything, please write to us” Luna said before giving me one last hug and a kiss to the cheek. She then teleported back to Canterlot and got back to her royal work (whatever that might be).

“Twilight? Where did she go?” I asked but suddenly she popped into existence with a mountain of paper and pens.

“Alright, here is enough paper to write four complete works of War And Harmony and plenty of ink to make a small pond. Oh and here are a couple of book on good and bad plants, flora, insects, and also-” Twilight rambled on and on about what other things to look out for.

“Heh, thank you Twilight but I don't think I will be writing any novels anytime soon. But thank you for looking out for me” I said as I bent down on one knee for a hug but she was still going on about books.

“-and I also took the liberty of making you an address book and filled it in with everyone you know as well as plenty of ponies in Canterlot and how to contact the Princesses in any town and/or country. Um, did I miss anything? Any other books?” Twilight said, mostly to herself at this point, as she scanned over the pile of books she brought for me.

I gently pulled her into a hug which snapped her out of her rambling and caused her to blush “Thank you, Twilight. I am going to miss you and your nerdyness” I told her.

She ignored that last part as she gave me a hug in return “Please be safe Adrian, I am going to miss you. You and Maelstrom made the castle feel a little less empty” Twilight sadly said and I could tell she was going to feel lonely without us living here.

“Well, if you ever get those guards like we were thinking about when Cascades came through, then they could live in the castle and give you plenty of company” I told her.

“Hmmm, that's actually a really good idea. I will have to write that down! Thanks Adrian!” Twilight said just before she leapt off and began to write down some stuff and became lost in her own world.

“That should keep her busy for a bit” I said. I spent the next few minutes packing up some other stuff, since I have plenty of room now, and the two Star Swirl magic books. I also packed up Dragon Heart for when I eventually find Canterlot and return it to Raven.

Once I had everything, I equipped my backpack and returned to the library and said my final goodbyes, again.

“Adrian, allow me to accompany you for a while” Celestia asked me.

“But of course, having a Princess escort me? I could think of no greater honor” I teased her a bit.

“Then let us be on our way then” Celestia said.

So with that, and having to pry Luna and Pinkie off of my legs, I called for Artemis and Maelstrom and began my walk to the edge of town with the tall alicorn.

“I wanted to speak privately to you Adrian and reassure some things. Twilight already knows and has agreed to keeping silent but I just want to make sure you are willing to do this” Celestia asked me.

“I am willing and I think it will help me keep on track during my journey” I told her.

“Lets go over it again then, while on your journey, you will also have the side mission of being a secret ambassador and delivering these letters to the designated Head of States or similar positions of power. That being said, also tell them that you are a simple messenger and to direct any questions to myself or Luna, as to avoid any…..questionable malcontent from them” Celestia said to me as she handed me a large brown, metal clasped book.

“I also wish to give you this magic journal. You will have to provide a blood seal but doing so will not only bind this book to you, but also only allow you and you alone to read the contents. One thing I have learned after so many years is that, having ponies to talk to helps but sometimes, you just need some write down some true, personal thoughts. It helps in the long run”

“The letters are placed inside this journal, so be sure to keep it safe. And be sure to send me a letter whenever you deliver one, aside from the normal ones of course” she said with a wink.

“I will not let you down Celestia, I promise” I told her as I held my fist over my heart. I was then pulled into a long hug as Celestia finally stopped us at the edge of town.

“Please, be well Adrian. You will always be in my thoughts and in my heart Adrian and I will miss you” Celestia quietly told me.

“I will Celestia and thank you for allowing me this opportunity to help not only Equestria, but myself as well. Hopefully I will find the answers I seek to questions I don't know yet” I told her, though she began to giggle at that last part.

“You sounded a bit like Star Swirl when he was young, it was very surprising to hear” she explained.

“Well, I am his apprentice after all” I replied.

“I suppose you are. Oh and I would wait here for a minute or two after I leave, I sense a certain pegasus anxiously waiting behind that building” Celestia whispered.

I nodded and with that, we hugged one more time before she walked back to where Derpy was hiding and acknowledged her, though Derpy was very much surprised she was found.

“Come to say goodbye?” I asked the gray mare.

“Yes, just one more time” Derpy nervously said.

I kneeled down so I could more easily look into her golden eyes “Are you sure, about everything?” I asked.

“Yes, I am. Just, remember our deal. Please?” Derpy said while concentrating at the now very interesting dirt.

I smiled as I leaned over and gave her one final kiss “I will honor the deal, starting now” I said with a wink.

Her blushing cheeks puffed up in a forced pout “No fair” she murmured.

I gave a cheeky laugh in response “All's fair in love and war”

She huffed a little more before she flew up and hugged me very tightly “I am going to miss you, please write whenever you can. Alright?” she asked of me.

“Always” I simply said back.

With that, she slowly climbed back down and walked back to where Celestia was waiting, unknown to Derpty until that moment. When she was, the two of them waved me off as I began my first steps into my new adventure in Equestria.

And for some reason, I particular song sprang into my head and I laughed a bit when I sang it out loud to myself while Maelstrom attempted to match the lyrics.

♫But I would walk five hundred miles, and I would walk five hundred more.

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles, to fall down at your door♫

“Princess Celestia?” Derpy asked.

“Yes, my little pony?” Celestia replied.

“Do you think he is going to be alright, traveling the world all alone?” Derpy nervously asked again.

Celestia offered a kind and warm smile “Adrian is never alone, he will always have all his friends and loved ones in his heart and thoughts. And he also has his chaotic daughter Maelstrom and Artemis with him as well” she replied.

“How big is Equss?” Derpy asked once more.

“Oh? Wishing for a short journey?” Celestia teasingly said which made the mare blush but nod. “I believe it all depends on the pony, whether a world is big or small. But in this case, I think Adrian will find the world very big, but in a good way. And, it may not be my place to ask, but you seem to have a certain glow around you. May I ask why?”

At this Derpy stared at the very, very interesting ground and made dirt circles with her hoof. “W-well, P-Pr-Princess, le-lets just say that me and Adrian exchanged some very special gifts that can only be given once, as a way to remember each other by” Derpy carefully said.

“Ah, I see. Well, Adrian is one lucky stallion then to be so well loved. But are you going to be alright?” Celestia asked with a concerned voice.

“I will, I made him a promise and I intent to keep it. For both our sakes” Derpy said with confidence.

“Excellent. Now, if you excuse me, I have to be getting back to Canterlot. I have to re-schedule Warden Chasers apprentice training, among other things since Heart and Hooves day is in four days. Be well Miss Hooves” Celestia elegantly said with a bow of the head, which Derpy hastily returned one with.

Once Celestia teleported away, Derpy looked back to where Adrian was and watched him walk away into the distance and felt an ache in her heart

“I love you Adrian….. Goodbye” she said alone while waving. Suddenly she saw him waving back to him and a smile spread onto her face.

“Wait, did she say Hearts and Hooves was in four days? Uh oh”