Year Three in the human world

“Show me,” she whispered to her human mate. Very slowly he had opened his eyes and the symptoms were obvious. A lump caught in her throat. How long had he been like this? They hadn't been a day apart in three years. How had she only started noticing yesterday? Suddenly, tears began to flow from Pete's eyes. There were none of the other signs of crying, no labored breath, no sobbing or wheezing, just tears.

“Dash... I can't see you any more. I-I literally can't see you,” he stuttered, the reality hitting him fully now.

She floated towards him carefully and, placing her back hooves on his lap for support, wrapped her front hooves and both wings around him. “You don't need to. I'll be here, forever.”

Present

“Rainbow, darling?” Rainbow Dash snapped out of her memories to see the concerned face of Rarity just inches away from her own. “You're crying.”

“Yeah, I-I just remembered something,” she replied, wiping her eyes with a hoof.

“Was it that bad?” Applejack asked, falling in beside her. The three of them, AJ, Rainbow, and Rarity, were walking a few feet away from the others who were 'spearheading' the 'march.'

“I just remembered the day Pete went blind,” she answered quietly, her eyes fixed on the blue stallion in front of her.

“Oh, he was BLIND TOO?!” Scootaloo half yelled.

“Come on Scoot, that ain't nice,” Applebloom scolded her friend.

“Why are you so down on him anyway?” Sweetie Belle inquired, her eyebrow arched at her fellow crusader.

“He just shown up out of nowhere and suddenly he's Rainbow Dash's special somepony! We don't know anything about him and it's just... GRAH!”

“...he was an author,” Rainbow started slowly, attracting the CMC's attention.

“So he wrote books? What kind?”

“Fantasy. He was pretty good at it too. He made a whole lot of money off it and then spent it buying a huge chunk of land really far away from any other humans, just so I could fly. Before we moved we spent a lot of time inside being close to each other. We found out that we had a lot in common, same music, same kind of books, just really basic stuff. When we moved though, that's when something clicked inside me. The first day after everything was ready, a security system so we'd know if someone was coming, power, water, and a huge fence to keep other people out, I flew. I went up as high as I dared, darted all over the yard, just everything I hadn't been able to do in MONTHS, and when I landed he had this look. It was stunned, amazed, happy, and envious.”

“Envious?” Scootaloo repeated slowly, “What?”

“It means he was jealous!” Sweetie Belle explained.

“Oh, why?”

Rainbow Dash smiled at the orange filly, “Can you guess what the number one thing he wants to do, more than anything else in the whole world?” Scootaloo shook her head. “He wants to fly, and he was crazy about it. When we talked back when we first arrived in his world I thought maybe he was just kinda buttering me up, or maybe that I was just imagining it. Out there, in the country away from anyone else though, I saw it. Every time he looked at the sky I could see the same look on his face as I had a long time ago. He wanted to fly as much as I love doing it. When I saw that in his eyes something inside me just clicked. We were already really close after all that time, but that cemented it. ...and I can't tell you how disappointed we both were when he didn't become a pegasus.”

Rarity sniffled off to the side, “My, Rainbow. That was... well, beautiful.”

“So why did you suddenly think about when he went blind?” Applejack asked.

“I was thinking about how he's gonna have to go back to Canterlot to study more, and how little we've seen each other since he's been here. It reminded me of something I promised him, that I'd always be there.”

“Now don't you worry about that, RD. This here's just a phase, the guy's gotta learn these things, and ain't nopony better to teach him than Luna. Just as soon as he's done the two of you are gonna be inseparable, and probably a little unbearable, for a long time.”

The conversation continued, but Scootaloo wasn't listening at the moment. She was now focused on the same blue stallion Rainbow had been moments ago. Wanting to fly. That was something the filly wanted too, and even though she had a much better chance at it than he did it was still something they had in common. She began to mull her actions over, thinking that maybe she had been too hard on the new arrival. And to make her feel worse, she suddenly realized that he had followed them all the way to the Changeling hide out, by himself. He had risked his life to help rescue her and the other Crusaders, and he hadn't even met them. Guilt slowly filled her as she realized everything she had said, and how undeserving he was of her criticisms.

Meanwhile

Pete sighed as he trudged along, sandwiched between Celestia and her student. The morning had started off rather rough. Sleeping on the ground was NOT fun, and even after two months he still had difficulties getting his new body to function properly before he was completely awake. This had led to some very painful false starts earlier. Worse had been the way Scootaloo was acting. Normally such a thing wouldn't bother him, but she had been his favorite Crusader, and easily made one of his top five favorite ponies of all time. As the thought continued to circle his mind Pete sighed again.

“It's rather early to be sighing so much,” Celestia noted, looking slyly to her lower right at the former human.

“Not exactly my best morning in Equestria either,” Pete replied.

“Still, I think this is the most I've seen you frown since you arrived.”

“The Princess is right,” Twilight chimed in, “This is pretty weird for the new you.”

“...Scootaloo doesn't like me.”

Twilight jerked slightly, “And?”

Pete gave a wan smile, “I knew you'd miss it.”

“I assume this is another one of your 'fandom' oddities?” Celestia guessed.

“Yep. I know it sounds, like, stupid, but she was my favorite Crusader. Everyone had one, there were entire episodes dedicated solely to those three's antics. So I was kinda hoping that things would started off on a better note, but...” Pete gave a slight look behind him. The purple maned filly was currently engrossed in a story being told by her idol, Rainbow Dash. Looking forward again, Pete sighed.

“Don't worry,” Celestia reassured him, “From her perspective you're a complete stranger that has arrived from out of the blue, and is getting preferred treatment from her hero. I'm sure that she'll come to understand in time.”

With Celestia and her advanced magic powers, what should have been a three day trip took only one. When they reached the mine Twilight and her teacher combined their powers and did a mass teleportation spell that deposited them inside the Ponyville library. There was a short farewell from the princess, met with much formality from the other ponies, sans Pete of course, who was falling in line to follow her with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh, and Pete,” the co-monarch of Equestria said, looking behind her at the stallion, “It's likely to take Luna a few days to get back from Manehattan, considering her difficulty with the directions GETTING there. In light of this, and your recent adventure, I'm giving you a few days of vacation. Learning dark magic is not something one should attempt with a heavy heart and weary mind. So take this opportunity to refresh yourself, and I'll see you in, oh say, three days.”

Pete took a minute to process that incredibly scripted event. It was obvious that Celestia had been planning this for some time now, though how long was currently eluding him. Eventually he shook his head and responded with a barely enthused, “Yeah,” as he tried to cope with the shock. Causing the alabaster alicorn to laugh as she set off for the capital. There were several moments of silence as most of the mane six looked at each other, making sure they had all heard the same thing, followed by an explosion of conversation each of them trying to convince the others of what Pete should do first. Twilight was insisting they begin their research into life extension, while Applejack countered that studying wouldn't be very effective on an empty stomach and it had been hours since they'd all ate. Pinkie suggested a party, of course, and Fluttershy tried to calm them all down to no avail. It wasn't until the door to the library slammed shut and the group noticed that Rainbow Dash and Pete were missing that the conversation stopped. In a surprising act, it was Rarity that prevented her friends from chasing the couple down.

“Now wait just a minute,” the white unicorn said, stepping in front of the door, “Now I understand that most of us would like to show Pete some part of Ponyville, being as he's new and our friend and all. But I think there's something we ALL tend to forget rather frequently, and that is that those two are MORE than friends now. Personally, I can't imagine spending YEARS seeing someone everyday and then suddenly having that taken away. As good as the ideas you girls came up with were, I think that Rainbow Dash gets the first choice.”

“Ah guess you're right, Rarity,” Applejack said, hanging her head in shame.

“Yeah,” Twilight said, mimicking the action, “It was kind of selfish of us to start arguing over and not even ASKING him.”

“Well, your hearts were in the right place, I mean, how often did he talk about all the things he wanted to do here? He has three whole days though, and a lifetime after that, so I hardly think that Rainbow taking one afternoon now is going to hurt anypony.”

“Gee Rarity,” Fluttershy said from the back, “When did you get so sensitive about this? I mean, that was really insightful. ...not that you're not normally insightful but-”

Rarity rolled her eyes as the pegasus began fumbling over her words, “Well, Rainbow told us a little story on the way back...”

Just outside Ponyville

It was a lone tree in the middle of the plains. Just a regular tree that nopony thought about for more than the length of a casual glance. Today, however, it was very special. At least it was to the couple laying underneath it. Rainbow Dash was half laying on top of Pete, completely relaxed, her wings half sprawled out. Pete laying on the ground itself, his back legs crossed, knees (were they knees? He'd have to look into that later) bent, and forehooves gently holding his mate. It was a lazy position, one they used to go into after something strenuous or emotionally stressful. Today was the perfect day for it too. Warm, with just a gentle breeze every now and again.

“I miss my hands,” Pete said after a long while, causing Rainbow to laugh.

“Seriously? That's what you think of right now?”

“...I miss that apple tree we planted in the backyard, and the garden too. I miss spending entire days doing nothing at all, just laying under that tree and watching the sky. Feeling your fur on my palms as I held you, and being able to wrap my arms all the way around you without it being awkward to pull off.”

A sad smile spread across her face, though Pete couldn't see it from his vantage point, as she replied, “Me too. Do you remember the first time that tree grew apples?”

Pete gave a gentle laugh, “Yeah. I didn't think applebucking physics would work in the 'real' world, so you demonstrated it. I had knots on my head for a week.”

“I told you not to stand under it, I'm not responsible for your personal stupidity.”

“I know. I really should have listened,” Pete laughed again.

The two fell back into a relaxed silence, but a question soon began burning inside of Rainbow Dash. Finally, unable to continue without an answer she spoke once more, her tone quiet, subdued, and almost sad.

“Do you ever regret coming here?”

“...I'd be lying if I said there weren't things I missed. Like, my sister, and that one girl at the store that knew who I was as an author, but I know that if I didn't come I would have regretted it even more. Just the thought of never seeing you again is so completely foreign for me. I can't even imagine how things would have turned out for me if you hadn't jumped back through the portal. How things would be for us.”

“Yeah, I can't believe I ever thought about coming back here without you. Human or not.”

Pete gave another soft chuckle, “That's what time does I suppose. It gives us insight into our old trains of thought and makes us realize just what we were thinking at the time.”

They laid under that tree for the rest of the afternoon. When the sun started to set they made their way back into town where Pinkie Pie found them, and dragged them off to a party at Sugarcube Corner. The next two days were a blur of sights, sounds, and occasionally tastes, as each of the mane six shown Pete their own personal slice of Ponyville. Applejack shown him Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity insisted on getting his measurements so she could make him some formal wear, citing that anypony in Canterlot needs at least one good suit. Rainbow Dash, having Pete use a combination of teleportation and a cloud walking spell, gave a tour of her house, Twilight gave him a quick show of her basement laboratory while simultaneously picking his brain about own research, and on the afternoon before he was to return to Canterlot they all gathered for a picnic. The event was hilariously derailed by a certain toothless alligator and blue unicorn's odd antics.

“What in the name of Celestia are you doing?” Twilight asked the student of Luna, who was currently laying belly down on the grass, hooves splayed every which way, staring the small, harmless predator in the eyes.

The group looked between the two, then to Pinkie Pie, who shrugged.

“Don't ask me, I don't speak alligator.”

There was a sudden noise, like a squeaky gasp, as Gummy opened his mouth wide, hopped up into the air, and lunged at Pete. The stallion, his entire body still half limp, leaned to the right, then rolled himself to the left, making the two face opposite directions. Simultaneously they both shifted themselves until they were once more facing each other, with the mane six now behind Gummy, and Pete facing them. Other than Pinkie Pie, who was laughing hysterically, the group simply looked confused. After the third time, Pinkie quite literally rolling on the ground with laughter, Gummy calmly walked forward, climbed up Pete's snout and face to the top of his head, then turned to face the same direction as his new mount. No explanation was given, and Pinkie Pie declared that none was needed. The alligator and unicorn were officially the bestest of friends, according to the pink pony.

The morning of his departure dawned clear and crisp, the autumn winds beginning to blow. He had been staying with Twilight, aiding the other unicorn in her studies as best he could when they weren't showing him around town, and had said his farewells to her earlier. The mane six were busy that day, as Mondays tended to be, and the only one that had promised to show up had been Rainbow Dash. Which may have influenced the others decisions to stray away. Sitting outside the station, waiting on the first train of the day, a still half asleep Pete stretched his body and scanned the sky. There was no sign of his marefriend, and knowing her she probably wouldn't show up until the last possible minute.

“Hey.”

Pete looked back down to find Scootaloo standing in front of him, the orange filly looking at the ground guiltily.

“I-I've been thinking, and, maybe I shouldn't have said some of the stuff I said. You chased after us by yourself, and you'd hadn't even met us yet. All you knew was that Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were your friends sisters, and that I was just...”

“Rainbow Dash's biggest fan?” he offered, the filly looking up sharply.

“S-seriously? I mean, I-I know I am, but how did you...?”

“You don't think Dash and I lived together for five whole years and I didn't learn just about everything about her life did you? There were entire conversations, whole hours where I just sat and listened to her talk about all the things she used to do here, and all the ponies she used to talk to. You came up more often than you might think.”

A slow blush covered Scootaloo's cheeks, “Really?”

“Yup.”

“OH! Um,” she shook her head, trying to clear away the sudden elation, “A-anyway. The point is, you could have gotten hurt chasing after us, and you didn't have to. So maybe I was just kind of being mean when I said all that stuff to you, and I'm … I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. I know it can't be easy to just suddenly have somepony you don't know showing up out of nowhere and finding out that their really close to someone you know. Just, uh, be a little more careful next time. Just because words aren't physically real, doesn't mean they can't hurt. You and the other Crusaders probably know that better than anypony else.”

“Yeah.”

After that, Scootaloo took off, running late for school, and Dash arrived minutes later. The couple spent a moment saying good bye, topped with a passionate kiss, and then Pete had to leave. Taking his seat on the mostly empty train, he wondered just how long it would take before he was proficient enough at magic to be out from under the literal wing of Luna. Twilight had shown him over this vacation that he was still woefully behind most students of magic his age, but certainly ahead of where the average pony would be after just a couple of months. Exciting this wound to the ego was his need to learn forbidden magics that threatened to taint his heart, mind, and soul.

Recalling Celestia's words, that dark magic should not be learned with a burdened heart, Pete shifted his focus to the time that would come after. When he would take residence in Ponyville, close to his friends, and love. It was a beacon that shone a brilliant light through the darkness he was about to embark into, a personal light he was sure would lead him safely through even the most arduous of challenges.

Author's Note

Could I possibly update any more in one day?! Yes, I could, but I'm kinda sleepy so maybe tomorrow.