Second Wind

You were really too nice sometimes. Bon Bon always said that you should be a little more discriminatory with who you help, because strangers were just that. Strangers.

I bet she's at home right now, all cozy and warm, while I run around in the rain!

Besides, this wasn't any stranger! This was a HUMAN! One that asked for your help! Kinda. You trot through Ponyville, the consistent clopping of your hooves paddling off of the rain-slick cobblestone roads. Did you mention you were terrified of thunder? Anytime it would clap, you would either freeze in fear, or trot five times as fast out of panic.

I HATE storms. This human had better be my friend after all of this...

You finally find Aaden, standing outside of Rainbow Dash's house. And by outside, you mean on the ground, staring up at the cloud house.

"RAINBOW DASH! YOU IN THERE?" He calls. You noticed he has both of his hands up over his mouth, amplifying his call to her. Hands were so useful. You trot over to him.

"Aaden? Mr. Aaden?" He turns around, rain sliding off of his golden armor.

"Oh, hello. I didn't see you there, I'm sorry if I shouted in your ear. Something I can do for you?" You smile, and stand up on your hind legs like he does, and balance yourself. You come up to his neck. If only you could be as tall as humans were...

Stay focused!

You fall back down onto four legs, and decide to tell him about the other human.

"Mr. Aaden, I'm Lyra! Lyra Heartstrings!" He smiles, and reaches a hand out to shake your hoof. You grab it, nearly ripping it off of his arm in excitement.

STAY. FOCUSED.

"Uhhm. Mr. Aaden. You know that human in the hospital?" His smile immediately melts.

"Yes, Lyra? What of him?" You tap your hoof in the mud, like a bashful filly.

"I was in there, doing some, uh...experiments. Yeah, that's right, experiments! And he woke up! He didn't say much, really. Just 'bring Aaden'. After that, he looked like he fell asleep again." Aaden, although obviously disturbed by this, maintained the calm demeanor he was noted for having.

"When did this happen?" You turn around, and point in the direction of the hospital with your hoof.

"It was literally about 15 minutes ago."

"Forgive me Lyra, but I've gotta go." He starts a fast paced walk, which then became a run. You followed after him.

"Do you mind if I come with you?" You called to him.

"Sure, just stay behind me when we get there!" He called back. This was a dream come true. In fact, you were expecting to wake up any second now. Here you were, running alongside a Human. How did he run this fast on just two legs? You have four, and you're having trouble keeping up. Did you mention how much you liked Humans?

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Bakir and Mala accompanied you on your journey through the desert known as the "San Palomino Desert". The horse puns never seemed to end. Apparently, you were going to trek through the desert to a place called Dodge City, where you would then catch a train directly to Canterlot, to meet the Princess, Celestia. But first, you had to make it through this damned desert.

Deserts bothered you. They were a lot like the beach, minus the water, wind, relaxing environment, reasonable temperatures, and animals that aren't so poisonous that you start to rot just looking at them. At least there were a good amount of Oases all throughout, and although they were scared of you at first, Mala and Bakir were good company. Mala was an explorer, apparently having traveled this desert an incredible amount of times. Bakir was a merchant, specializing in what he called "rare artifacts". If it wasn't for the two of them out searching for treasure, you'd probably still be wandering the desert aimlessly.

"So, Adam, do you remember anything about home, yet?" Bakir asked. You shake your head.

"Sorry man. I don't remember a lick about myself. I can still describe a few places to you. Like, uhh..." You wave your hand around in the air while you walk with Bakir and Mala, to gesture that you were thinking. "I come from a place called Earth. Lots of Humans there. We had 7 continents. Well. 6, really. One was just a giant frozen desert."

God damned good for nothing deserts...

"Interesting...Adam, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you have anything on you that you'd be willing to part with?" Bakir asked again.

"Part with? Whatcha mean?"

"Oh come now! An artifact from another plain of reality? That'll sell quicker than those gem scarabs I found last year!" You pat yourself down, finding a quarter.

"Here. This is some currency from a country I visited. I won't be needing it." Bakir's eyes light up.

"Oh, the bits this will fetch! How much was it worth?" You laugh.

"About 1 quarter of a bit." He frowns.

"Well, it's still one of a kind! I can surely get something for this!" Your party was approaching another Oasis, this one slightly bigger than all of the others you had seen.

"Alright boys, settle in. Night is coming. I'll prepare something for dinner. You two relax, continue your discussion of priceless artifacts." She chuckled. You walk over to one of the palm trees, and sit down. Bakir starts lighting a fire slightly away from the tree, to avoid burning down the Oasis.

"So, Bakir. Have you ever found anything interesting?" He looks up to you, still sliding the fire-making tools together.

"Well, one time, I found a golden spider in the sand near some ruins. It was beautiful. Shiny, ruby eyes, and about the size of my head!"

"That sounds fucking horrifying." You laugh. He smiles.

"My story isn't finished. I brought it home, put it next to my bed while I slept. I thought it was too valuable to simply leave alone or just lock up and forget about."

"Oh boy..." You interject. Bakir finally lights the fire, and sits down across from you.

"Well, I fell asleep. When I awoke in the middle of the night, it was sitting on top of my chest, crawling around. Turns out, it was alive. I had not found an artifact, merely an enormous desert spider." You shudder at the thought.

"Well thanks Bakir. I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyways. You know, open desert and everything. Filled with golden spiders and junk. Damn." Bakir laughed this time. You looked over him, watching Mala gather fruit and other ingredients for dinner.

"Mala, do you need help?" You call.

"Yes sister, we can help!" Bakir adds. Mala looks over at you two by the fire.

"Are you sure? I would hate to pull you away from the comfort of the fire. Plus, there may be gem spiders around here!"

"That things sounded terrifying!" You laugh. "Alright, we're coming." Mala smiles at you both.

"Gather some limes. You may have to climb a few of the trees to get them." You look up at the palm trees. Limes growing on palm trees. You were certain they didn't do this back home. You sigh, and smile.

"Alright Bakir. Give me a boost."

_________________________________________________________________________________

Alan was awake. And he didn't try to tear Lyra's throat out. He is either too injured to do so, or has completely regained his mind. Hopefully it was the latter. You make it to the hospital, bursting through it's doors, and you rush right by the receptionist desk, through the "DOCTORS ONLY" door.

"Official business of Canterlot." You say. You remember Lyra was following you. "She's with me." You go through the door, to find yourself in a maze. You could go forward, left, or right, each hallway containing staircases that go both up and down, each also deviating into different hallways.

"Mr. Aaden, I can show you the way! I've had to sneak to the human before!" You cock your head back.

"Sneak?" Lyra blushes under her coat.

"Well, e-experiments...and stuff..." You nod your head.

"Lead the way, Lyra." She leads you through the maze that was the belly of the hospital, taking you down the center hallway, going upstairs, down another hallway, and then down a hallway that led to what you imagined was the heart of the hospital. Finally, you reach a room with the door closed.

"He's right in there." You put your hand on the doorknob.

"Stay behind me, Lyra." You turn the knob, and open the door. He was awake, alright. He heard the door open, and turned to see you.

"Hiya Aaden. My head hurts." You feel a wave of relief wash over you. Alan was normal once more. You can feel tears coming again. You slowly approach him.

"Alan, you fucking idiot..." You start. "If you ever do something like that again, I'll kill you myself." You sniffle, but regain your composure.

"Oh no, I'm very well aware. Speaking of injuries and what not, can you loosen these straps? I've reeeeally got to go to the bathroom."

"Do you go to the bathroom standing up?" Lyra asks. Alan laughs.

"Uh. Yeah. Well. It depends on what I'm gonna do." She giggles. "And you, what's your name? I didn't think you were going to actually get Aaden for me."

"I'm Lyra Heartstrings! I like your hands!" She says, a big, goofy smile on her face. Alan raised an eyebrow under his bandages.

"Uh. Thanks Lyra. I knew the doctors wouldn't bring Aaden here. I like your...coat? Yeah, your coat. It's very nice." Lyra smiles, and stand up on her hind legs again. "Aaden. What's she doing?" You shrug.

"No idea. She did it earlier. Lyra, you keep standing up on two legs. May we ask why?"

"Because I can stand like you humans! Isn't it cool?" She beams with pride.

"I've never seen anything more cool in my life." Alan says. Thankfully, Lyra didn't catch his sarcasm. "Straps now?" You nod your head, and walk over to the bed.

"If you try anything stupid, I'll put you in a coma for twice as long." You say while you untie his straps. He laughs.

"No, trust me. I've had some memories come back to me. My oh-so graceful Queen is nothing more than a liar. She used me." Alan, now completely free of his straps, stands up, and stretches. "Damn Aaden." He says while he stretches. "You guys really kicked my ass. There isn't a spot on my body that I'm not sore." He limps over to the bathroom inside of the room, and closes the door.

You look over at Lyra, who was still standing like a human, wobbling around the room. Although it was silly, it was incredibly cute.

"Lyra, you seem enthralled by the presence of us humans. Can I ask why?" She smiled, and got back down on all fours.

"When I was a filly, I would always hear stories about humans. I can't explain it, but they fascinated me. I started trying to be like one, because, you know. Hands. My best friend, Bon Bon, she didn't think you guys existed, and to be completely honest, I didn't think so either! But you're here now, which means that I've either completely lost my mind, or you are real!" She looks away, narrowing her eyes. "I really hope you're real..." She mutters. You hear the toilet flush, and watch the door open, Alan limping back out of the bathroom, and onto his bed.

"THANK. GOD." He said. He pulled the blankets back up over himself, and looked at you both. "So. What do we do now?"

"I'll get go get Gauze, and alert the rest of Ponyville about you. Let them know you aren't hostile. Yeah, by the way, you're vilified here in Ponyville now." Alan shrugs.

"Eh. I did try to kill you." At least he was taking this news well. "So, it's gonna suck finding a place to stay, huh?" You nod your head.

"Although the ponies here like me, I don't think I can convince them to take you in. I don't even think Rainbow Dash would take you, and she loves me."

"So, everyone hates me? Don't blame em'." Alan said. Lyra then immediately perks up.

"I don't hate you, Mr. Alan!" Lyra smiles. Alan looks at her.

"Would you be willing to take in a fool?" He asks.

"I don't think you're a fool, Mr. Alan! I think you're pretty interesting! And absolutely, I would love to take you in! Bon Bon may be kinda of iffy about it, but I'm sure she'll be okay! You can take the guest room!" Alan looks over to you, almost like he's asking permission. You simply nod your head. Alan then looks back to her.

"Call me Alan. Mr. Alan was my Dad. And thanks Lyra. I promise I'll make it up to you." Lyra jumps in place excitedly.

"OHGOODNESS! I gotta go tell Bon Bon!" She nearly shouts with excitement. She was then immediately out of the door, and into the hallway. You walk over to Alan, and pat his shoulder.

"The ponies here are very nice. How you holding up?" He looks up at you, his eyes shimmering.

"Honestly? I'll never be able to forgive myself. My only true friend here in Equestria, and I tried to kill him. I'm surprised you didn't kill me first, the way I attacked you." You lean down, and give him a hug.

"You're my little brother. At least, I consider you that. I could never bring myself to kill you. Unless you really pissed me off." You laugh. You break off the hug. "I'm gonna go find Gauze, see what's going on with your head, see when we can get you out of here." Alan nods. "And Alan?" You add. He looks up at you.

"Yeah?" He asks.

"I forgave you the moment I realized it was you."

_________________________________________________________________________________

"What's Lyra so excited about?" Octavia asks. You look up from the newspaper, and see Lyra tearing ass through Ponyville.

"No idea. Did you hear about Aaden?" Octavia frowns.

"I did. Is he okay?" You nod your head.

"Yeah, he's alright. Says here he has an injury through his hand and foot. He was impaled through both. Poor bastard." Octavia cringes.

"I can only imagine his pain. Is he still coming to stay with us?" You nod your head again.

"Oh yeah. He'll be here in four days." You use your magic to float a cup over, and you take a drink of it.

"Well, that's good! I've been practicing a little piece I'm sure he'll enjoy." You look at her, one eyebrow raised. She notices this, and blushes. "W-well...he said he likes music. And I would like for him to feel welcome..." You smile, not looking up from the newspaper.

"Oh, I know EXACTLY how I'm gonna make him feel welcome." Octavia frowns, and seems mildly annoyed.

"Come now Vinyl, do you really think he's going to want sex the moment he arrives?"

"I know I will."

"Do you ever think of anyone other than yourself?" You smile even bigger.

"Well 'Tavi, if you don't want in on it, that's fine..."

"NONO, it's not that, it's just...he's so nice..." She said, blushing. For a moment, your smile faded. You did know how nice he was. How he treated you like a mare, and not a sex toy. How he liked to talk to you about yourself. How he seemed legitimately interested about the things that happen in your life. He was really nice. You look up at her.

"Look, Octavia, I'm gonna be serious with you here, so listen up. I think I'm in love with Aaden. And to be completely honest, I don't think I have the self control to NOT throw myself at him, you know?" Octavia's eyes widened.

"You? Love somepony? Whaaaat." She said in disbelief.

"I know, I almost kicked my own ass over it. But I want to try to show him, you know? Show him how much he means to me." You then feel another smile coming over your face. "Now, like I said, if you don't wanna join us, that's fine. More for me."

_________________________________________________________________________________

You nearly kicked your door off of it's hinges.

"BON BON! BON BOOOOON!" You shouted. She came down the staircase, looking frightened.

"Is everything okay Lyra? Are you hurt?" You shake your head as fast as you can.

"Bon Bon, we're gonna have company!" She smiles.

"Oh, really? Who?" You then enter shy filly mode, kicking your foreleg about bashfully.

"He's a human. The one from the town square incident..." Bon Bon looks at you in disbelief.

"Lyra, he tried to kill our Honor Guard. You can't be serious." You shake your head again.

"No, see, I went to go see him, and Aaden came with me, and it turns out that they know each other, and they forgave each other, and apologized and stuff! It's really okay." Bon Bon squints at you.

"I'm sure you understand if I'm a little apprehensive about this, Lyra. But..." She sighs. "I trust you." You jump in place again, and then dart off to the guest room, to make sure everything is in order.

A real, live human! And he's going to be staying with you!