Author's Note

Smaller chapter this time, but that's just because it's to introduce the journey Devan is about to start. Also, HI! I'm back! Woo! Expect big chapters ahead.

The Start of a Journey

Desert attire? Check. Jerky? Check. Vegetable Jerky? Unfortunately, check. Looks like that's about all I'm going to need, boy am I glad that Celestia was able to find some meat for me to take. The journey is going to be hard enough with it being so far, having a nice meat 'treat' will be nice every now and then to keep my morale up. It is supposedly a week-long trek to this "Klugetown" where the dumb cloud might have went to. I don't relish having to leave a nice, peaceful area to go to some mysterious southern area that NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT SOMEHOW!

I groan audibly, startling Sweetie Belle whom is standing near me, making her fly into the air comically and onto my shoulders. I poke her rump gently and she slides down my body, nervously smiling. Patting her head, I put my comically large backpack on and head out of the door, hearing a cheery 'goodbye' behind me. As anime as I can be, I put my hand up to signal my goodbye and move on.

Jesus this thing is heavy. I have to use some basic enhancement magic just to not tire myself out. Whenever I can find a backpack maker, I'll have to get a good one and enchant it to be lighter or something... I wonder if 'Bags of Holding' can be a thing here with all of the magic. Huh..

During my thoughts, I bump into a certain pony I was trying to avoid for fear of a quiz. A purple pony that, like always, has a book in her face. While she collects herself and goes through saying 'sorry' more times than I really want to hear, she finally looks up and realizes who I am. Twilight begins to speak but notices the attire I have as well as the giant backpack on me and puts on a quizzical face before I put a finger up to my mouth.

"Shhhhhh. Don't say a thing little bookicorn, I'll be back soon, ask me things then. But here's a little tease. Follow me, and I will say nothing." I say with a teasing grin before popping out of thin air and appearing in Pinkie Pie's room.

I can't even imagine her face right now. I doubt she knew that I could teleport like she could. Hah!

Due to it being early in the morning and Pinkie Pie having a crazy 'Farewell Party' thrown for me last night, she is still asleep. I feel a smile creep up on my face and put the backpack down slowly before slinking into the bed next to her. Light seems to be shining directly onto her snout from a nearby window, lighting up the bright pink fur and causing it to glisten in a very beautiful scenic look. I can't help but admire the way she looks, her mane straight and her body curled up in a very cute manner. I move her mane after a moment and kiss her cheek. Her face shows a small disturbance before a small smile forms on it. Her eyes open slowly and her smile gets a bit warmer before she kisses my cheek in response.

"Hey there my little sweetie." I whisper, looking deeply into her eyes.

"Right back at ya, 'magic hands'." she replies, blowing a quick raspberry in a cute manner.

"I'm about to leave, just thought you'd like it if I came by." I state, putting my hand on her face and stroking it gently.

"Yeah... I do like it. But I hate that you have to go. Even if it isn't forever." Pinkie replies with a sigh, nuzzling her face into my hand.

I feel something wet hit my hand, and realize that a tear fell down her face. I feel my stomach twist and my brain almost shut down from the guilt.

She loves me that much? These ponies wear their hearts on their sleeves already, but Pinkie? I can imagine hers is thrown at everyone she meets in hopes of finding someone special. I can't let her down. Her true smile is all I want to see in the future.

Pinkie starts giggling, and I notice that I've been staring at her for waaaayyyy too long and stroking her cheek for just as long. I feel blood rush to my face and ears and slowly move my hand away. She doesn't allow this and pushes my hand back onto her face with her hoof. I can't help but get even more red, but comply.

With another small giggle, Pinkie speaks. "You're cute sometimes, you know that Devan? Wanna know a secret?"

Embarrassment and nervousness flowing through my body, I can't help but give a simple reply. "Uhh, sure?"

"I really... really... REALLLY.... hate sweets." Pinkie says with a flushed face.

I blink a few times, then a couple more before shooting up in bed. "WHAAAATT?" I exclaim in surprise. "But, but.. In the show it shows you loving sweets, and even eating them in private!"

Pinkie twiddles with her hooves and gives a sheepish smile. "Yeah... I may have had to make sugar-free sweets for me. I just hate the taste of sugar, but everyone else seems to love it! So I can't help but make some for each party, ya know? I always try to hide the fact I hate sweets. I think they would all think I'm weird, being a party pony and all that." mumbles Pinkie.

"I think my grasp on reality has just loosened a bit. But... If you really hate sugary sweets that much, why would it be weird to say so? I mean, you're still Pinkie Pie. Not liking sugar won't change who you are. You'll still go through the trouble of making sure everyone is happy while at one of your amazing parties, so just be yourself okay?" I say with sincerity, holding her hoof in my hand while feeling a smile being plastered on my face.

"D-Devan... You're such a dummy." I hear Pinkie say before her lips touch mine for a second. Backing away slowly, she can't help but look away in embarrassment. "Thank you for being my dummy. You should probably get going, I want you to come back sooner rather than later."

"Don't worry, if you ever want to talk to me, don't forget that you can using that mirror. I know it won't be the same as being near you, but at least it's something." I say with confidence, trying to motivate both Pinkie and I.

I didn't realize how much I really do care about her.. I'm surprising myself more and more recently. These ponies really know how to get you to care about them. PInkie... I guess I'm in love huh? In love with a Pony.. What would people say from Earth I wonder. Probably something stupid that would get them punched. Alright, she's right, I need to get going.

"You're right Pinkie. The faster I get back, the faster I get to hold you again." I reply without holding back my feelings.

Her face instantly turns a deeper pink and her ears let out.. Steam?

What...

I watch her faint and chuckle, knowing she should probably get more sleep anyways. Before I leave, I kiss her cheek yet again. That familiar feeling of teleportation washes over me and I appear in Everfree Forest at a hut that is just as familiar.

"Zecora? Get out here you Zebra! Don't leave me waiting, or I'll just leave ya!" I yell, smirking at my rhyme.

"I'm coming, I'm coming, don't throw a fit. You'll attract predators, and might just get bit!" sounds a voice from inside the hut, answering my rhyme with another.

Hah! How she comes up with these rhymes all the time, I'll never know. I didn't think it'd be just like the show.... I just rhymed in my own damn head.

The Zebra I know and love comes out of the hut with a small bag in her mouth. After reaching me, she leans forward a bit as if to hand me the bag. Without moving a muscle, I use my magic to pick the bag out of her mouth.

"So what's this?" I ask rhetorically while opening the bag as it floats in front of me.

"A potion or two, made to help you. Sometimes the need might arise, to deal with an unwanted surprise. The potion blue, makes no one see you. The potion red, heals you instead. The potion green, makes you stronger than you might seem. The potion white, is for when you are almost out of light." Zecora replies, pointing to each potion as it is mentioned.

"So... Blue makes me invisible, red heals my wounds, green gives me a great strength and white... Refills my magical essence?" I state, questioning my last guess.

Zecora nods before responding with a stern look. "Correct you are indeed, but never mix these in greed. A dangerous spark will ignite, destruction will leave nothing in sight."

I gulp audibly and nod slowly in response, making sure they are tucked securely in my already large sized bag. Zecora smiles warmly before continuing past me.

As Zecora walks away, I hear her voice sound one more time. "Get on your way, you're wasting the day. Be careful at night, there's more than just a cold bite. Make sure to watch the sky, sometimes the weather can lie. Farewell, my friend, don't meet your end."

I can't help but smile at how motherly Zecora is acting, and head towards the southern part of the Everfree. I decide to take it easy on my magic and just fly using the jet method that Echo taught me. Looking over the horizon, I see a vast desert awaiting me. Stopping along the way to view the nice scenery, I finally make it to where the desert starts.

"I wonder if the Mane Six ever make it this way sometime in the show. I would think so, considering that it seems like an important land. Ah well, guess I'll find out in a few years huh?" I say aloud with certainty in my voice.

"So, you don't know if this 'Mane Six' enter these lands huh? I assume you mean the Elements?" squeaks a voice from on my shoulder.

"Yes Obsidian, I have no idea what I'm about to deal wi—" I begin to say, stopping mid air and staring at a laid back, tiny Obsidian that's lounging on my shoulder.

The small tree pony smiles mischievously before saying one thing. "Boo".