Under The Blue Sky

Alfred walked into the library, amazed by the incredible variety of literature. Most of the books that Twilight had collected appeared to be too out of context for Alfred at first glance. Many of the titles were not relatable to Alfred at all but he was still incredibly intrigued. Twilight entered the library last to find Alfred hurrying frantically around the room trying to read as many titles as he could.

"Wow! Somebody's excited by books," twilight said proudly almost impressed by Alfred's eagerness. Alfred pricked his head up and turned around sharply.

"Are you kidding? This is an astonishing collection you've got here. I've always wanted to start reading more books and this variety is impeccable."

"I'm glad you like them, your welcome to take as many as you'd like and start reading at anytime."

"Thanks but I won't imagine I'll be staying here that long," Alfred chuckled to himself quietly. He continued to look around the multiple bookcases. He was truly fascinated by the selection of books. There was everything from the science of their world to mythical tales. He began to hear the others enter so he decided to turn and meet them, but before he did so he noticed his wristwatch as he placed his hand on one of the books. It was clearly broken which only now started to baffle him. It wasn't smashed or cracked. The hands just stopped moving. He didn't remember breaking it and he definitely didn't land on it when he tripped himself over on that hill. He also wasn't convinced that he needed a new battery. It wasn't extremely important but he felt unsure about it.Alfred dropped his backpack next to the bookcase.

As soon as everyone was inside they all gathered in a small circle and began to gossip. Alfred soon became aware of many important events that happened in Equestria, as well as many interesting people, well ponies. He started to learn all about cutie marks and the origins of the group's. He learnt all about how Equestria came to be and the individuals it kept. It all fascinated Alfred. Princesses and magic excited him. He wasn't a very religious man but he did enjoy stories of the supernatural so this was all right up his alley. Alfred sat completely still as if he were in a trance. He was just sucking in all this new and interesting knowledge and storing it all in an easily accessible part of his mind. The group seemed pleasantly surprised that he was so interested in what they believed to be basic knowledge.

Before they all knew it the sun had fallen and the moon had risen incredibly high. They had spent the entire day introducing Alfred to the magical place known as Equestria and all of the wonders it kept. Soon members of the group started to notice the time and were about to leave when suddenly Rainbow raised a question that got everyone's attention.

"What about you Alfred, what's your story?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, what was it like back from wherever you're from? I bet it's super interesting!"

"Uh, what else can I say. I'm a human being, so there's that."

"The only one actually," Twighlight quickly interrupted, " I've never read about anything like you before, and trust me I do a lot of reading."

"Yeah Alfie, sorry, can I call you Alfie?" Alfred nodded sharply. "You just seem like a really nice guy and I think we all want to know how you turned out to be so awesome."

Rainbow and Twilight had managed to draw everyone back to the circle and they all looked at Alfred intensely. Alfred felt uncomfortable having been put on the spot, so all he could do was shrug.

"Huh! What's that supposed to mean," Dash said in a very reactive way. Rarity placed her hoof on Alfred's shoulder, to comfort him.

"Would you like to talk about it, my dear," she said persuasively.

"It's just that there's not that much to talk about really. It was ok, I guess."

"Oh come on! Your boring us to death here man! Applejack said you have a family or something," Pinkie blurted out. Applejack looked furious but Alfred just stared at Pinkie confused.

"Hey, Pinkie!"

"What! You told me that overheard him speaking to Celestia on the way back."

"Is that true Applejack," Twighlight quickly added.

"Yes it's true but I only did it so Pinkie wouldn't start anything that she'd regret." Applejack sat there sadly, looking a little disappointed in herself.

"No, it's fine. Really, it is. I do have a normal family back home. A wife that is often a little too much to handle and a sweet little baby boy."

"Aww! What's the baby's name?" Fluttershy uttered quietly.

"His name is Luke and he's the best thing that ever happened to me."

This sentence was met with a loving reaction from the audience before him. They all gave out their 'aaww's and 'ooo's in a harmonic tune. Alfred had just found himself in the centre of girly admiration. Alfred didn't feel the same though. All he could think about was getting back to Luke and what was happening now. How long had he been gone for? Who had looked for him? Did anyone even bother to look for him? Alfred started to stare at the ground again.

Twilight noticed that something was wrong. She was unsettled by this and silently made gestures for everyone to leave. The others eventually caught on and started to get up and head to the door.

"Oh my, is that the time. I've got to go, I've got some quick errands to run. It's been nice to talk with you Alfred, I presume we're all meeting here again tomorrow morning," Rarity said with a warm voice that brought Alfred back.

"Yes, definitely. I'll see you all tomorrow. There's still so much to discuss and see. Goodbye Rarity."

Rarity turned back with an excited smile. "Goodbye dear." Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie all followed saying their charming goodbyes.

"Goodbye , mister Alfie Walfie!"

"Goodbye," Fluttershy muttered in her adorable way, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"You know you're pretty cool for a, erm, human," Dash said confidently but looked pretty awkward as she left.

"How about I introduce ya to the the whole Apple Family tomorrow, hun?"

"That sounds great Applejack, oh and hey," Alfred quickly shot up to meet her at the door. "Thanks for taking care of me back there. I can't imagine how scared Applebloom must've been." He was quickly cut off.

"Don't worry about that, sugar cube. I'm sure she's all proud now for being the first pony to come into contact with a human."

"Hehe, I guess. Could you still thank her for me?"

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, goodbye." After locking eyes with Applejack for the last time, Alfred closed the door behind Applejack and was left alone with Twilight. Twilight hadn't moved out of her seat since she felt that there was something wrong. Alfred was now standing with his back turned to her, feeling slightly awkward since he still wasn't alone. This reminded him of all those terribly nervous social meetings before. How he just simply dreaded being surrounded by people he didn't know and didn't want to meet. He longed for his loneliness. Tonight was different however. For the first time he wanted to see them all again, and soon. He wasn't sure if it was friendship or selfishness. Twilight tilted her head for a second to almost examine the creature and then quickly remembered who he was.

"Hey, Alfred is there anything you want to talk about." Alfred turned around promptly.

"Nope. I'm fine."

Twilight was still concerned. "Are you sure? It's just that when you were asked about your family you just kind of froze."

"Yeah, I suppose I did, didn't I? I just miss them, you know."

"Of course, I know exactly how you feel."

"Well not all of them," Alfred said in quite a depressed tone. "My wife, she's just not the same."

"Okay, I thought you said everything was 'normal'."

"I know I did but to be completely honest, it's not. She's often on my case just constantly snapping at my heels. I could never catch a break. There would always be some small, tiny, insignificant thing that she would find a way to moan about. She's just not, well, her. Before we had Luke we were somewhat better but she definitely got worse after that. "

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Alfred. You seem like a really nice man. It sounds like you deserve better."

"No. I probably do deserve this, somehow. After all I've got Luke, so there's the comfort I need. I just wish everything else could be better. But hey, you can only be so lucky, right? No one can have it all."

"I guess so but if there's anything you want to talk about, please, come to me at anytime. We may seem like crazy hallucinations but we're very much real and want to help."

"Thanks, Twilight. I bet this is why you're the responsible one of the group." When Twilight heard this she giggled to herself with glee. Twilight could now be sure that she was making a good impression on Alfred and she planned to keep it friendly between them. After all, Alfred didn't need another problem, he needed someone to rely on.

"You're Welcome! Oh , you're also welcome to sleep in my bed tonight. I figured you needed some good sleep after today. You seem pretty tired."

"Yeah, I guess I am. where would you be sleeping.?"

"Oh don't worry I'll fix something up down here. Plus, Spike can't be annoyed if he's not here."

"Spike?"

"Oh right, Spike's my assistant and close friend. He should be here by tomorrow morning so expect to see him when you wake up. I bet he'll be real surprised to find a human sleeping in the same room as him!"

"Okay, thanks again." After speaking these words he made his way up the long, wooden staircase carrying his backpack with him. He was instantly reminded of his time with Applebloom and how he was so lost. He figured it must've been an extremely funny thing to see. A dazed human slumping up the stairs with a young pony. Alfred smiled to himself as he spotted Twilight's bed.

As soon as his bag hit the floor he collapsed onto the soft sheets, exhausted. He had never felt more comfortable being in a bed. The sheets seemed to wrap themselves around him like a cocoon. The warmth of the fabric teased him and filled him with incredible pleasure. He stretched his legs and arms out to push his relaxation to the maximum. Although he was happily snug under the sheets he was still unsure about something.

He recalled what he had just talked about, his wife, his terrible job and everything else that went along with it. He started to make a list of all his problems like he did the night he vanished. After what felt like ages, Alfred had compiled a list of all the bad things that plagued him. The list was enormous. It was devastating. Just like that one night, Alfred felt more and more depressed after each problem was recited.

He wanted a solution. He wanted an answer that would save him from his miserable life. He wanted... He wanted something. Something to grasp onto, something to hold tight. Luke was his answer. He didn't want to ever let him go. He knew that all of this pain and misery would all be worth it to see Luke's cheeky smile again. His true love was for his precious son, not his horrible wife, not his dead end job, not even his own life.

He dreamt of his son as he gently fell asleep.