For the last 10 minutes, I've had my eyes shut as I was trying to keep myself from falling off of Starlight's back as she trotted us home.
My mind continues to be plagued with childish malevolence. After that pie attack from that pink weirdo, all I wanted to do was stay away from her as much as possible.
During our return home, I managed to shake most of the cream from the pie off my face. I can still feel some substance in my hair and nose. This stuff was as sticky and thick as shaving cream after you've spread it all over.
I was still crying like a wimpy kid who was just bullied. It makes sense since that's pretty much what happened to me.
As she continued to trot, Starlight briefly turned her head towards me to see my current condition. What she saw was no different than a lost child who she failed to protect. Since the day she met Zero Fate, she told herself that she would look after him. She knew that it was the right thing to do.
Starlight's eyes were beginning to well up with tears of regret. She bit her lower lip, punishing herself for not thinking this all the way through.
She should've known Pinkie Pie would get over-excited about seeing new faces in Ponyville. Sure, she may have held herself back when she and Zero first met, but it was only a matter of time until she cracked out of her shell of good behavior.
I'm a terrible guardian.
Starlight finally made it back to the castle. As she made her way up the steps in front of the entrance, the front doors opened, revealing a familiar pony. Starlight came to a halt in front of her yellow friend.
"Oh, my. Hello, Starlight." said the timid Pegasus.
"Fluttershy? What are you doing here?"
"I came by to check up on Zero Fate's condition on his legs. When I couldn't find either of you, I asked Twilight and Spike where you were. That's how I learned his new name. They told me you were giving him a tour. I was just about to go search for you until now."
"Well, that makes sense. But right now, Zero needs some time to calm down. He just had a really bad experience with Pinkie Pie and he's very upset."
Fluttershy gasped before rushing over to Starlight's side to pour over Zero.
She placed a gentle hoof on his back and asked in a motherly voice, "Zero, sweetie? You OK?"
My face was buried in the soft coat of Starlight's neck. I didn't want to show my ugly, melancholy face to anyone right now. I've already been embarrassed enough.
I responded to Fluttershy by shaking my head.
"What happened? You can tell me. I'm here to listen." Fluttershy said softly.
Hesitantly, I peeked from under the fur and looked at Fluttershy. She gave me a genuine smile that swept my paranoia away like Autumn leaves on a footpath. I slowly lifted my head and sat up straight.
I wiped away the fluids that were leaking from my face before giving Fluttershy a response.
"Pinkie Pie, she... she prepared a special pie for me. But when I was about to eat it, she... she rigged it to splatter me in the face."
Fluttershy gasped intensely.
"It's true, Fluttershy," Starlight said, "She wanted to surprise Zero with it, but she took it too far."
"Oh, you poor baby. You must've been so traumatized." Fluttershy cried, gently stroking my back.
I nodded.
"Don't worry, we'll have a talk with Pinkie later. In the meantime, would you please let me examine your legs' condition?"
I gave her another nod before dismounting Starlight. I then took a seat on one of the steps and let her examine me.
After a thorough examination, Fluttershy gave me the OK to walk around freely at 100%. She also pulled out a washcloth from her saddlebag and wiped my face clean of any excess cream. After she packs up her medical kit into her saddlebag, she invites Starlight and I over to her house for some tea, which actually sounds pretty good right now. I could use some after that traumatic experience. Maybe it'll take my mind off it.
She said she lives on the border of a place called the Everfree Forest, which is just outside Ponyville. Apparently, that forest isn't natural, according to Starlight and Fluttershy. They say that the clouds that hover over it move on their own, wild animals survive on their own and the vegetation doesn't need tending to.
Sounds just like any old forest to me...
Or so I thought if they also didn't mention the supposedly mythical creatures that live in it. Not that I don't believe them, but I'll have to see it to believe it.
After 15 minutes of being escorted through Ponyville and the outer fields, we come to our destination. It was a small hobbit-esque cottage built on top of a small hill. There were multiple bird houses hanging from it and the surrounding trees as well as a small stream that flowed through the property with a little plank bridge to cross over on.
"Welcome to my cottage, Zero Fate." Fluttershy announced.
I was quite amazed at Fluttershy's home. I was never really into country living, but after seeing this, it was making me alter my opinions.
This place just looks so... peaceful. The perfect place to have tea.
As Fluttershy leads us inside her sanctuary, Starlight and I settle down in her living room while she prepares the tea she promised in the next room.
"What sort of tea would you both like?"
"Green Tea, thanks." Starlight said.
"Same here, please." I said.
"Not a problem."
Patiently waiting, I decided to add some music to the tranquil ambiance of birds chirping. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and scrolled through my collection of music. Finally, after deciding on a good choice, I hit 'Play' and set the phone on the coffee table.
As the atmosphere began to cleanse my corrupt mind, I leaned back on the sofa and let out a long relieving exhale. I gently closed my eyes and took in this lovely soul therapy.
"Feeling better yet?" Asked Starlight, who was sitting right next to me.
Keeping my eyes closed, I replied with a smile, "Much better..."
"I'm glad to see you in better spirits, Zero."
"Me too. I've already forgotten that horrible experience earlier."
"Oh, you..."
Starlight follows my example and also veges out on the couch. After a few minutes of pure relaxation, Fluttershy walks back into the living room, balancing a tea set and tray on her head.
She carefully places the tray on the table and passes us our respected cups containing Green Tea. She takes her own cup in her hooves and hovers onto a recliner next to the couch.
"Thanks a lot, Miss Fluttershy. This is exactly what I needed after the day I had." I said.
"Likewise." Starlight added, "After sorting out a bunch of paperwork at Town Hall, getting Zero enrolled in school and that... incident, there's nothing as rewarding for the heart than a good old cup of tea."
"It's nice to see you both in good moods."
We each took a sip from our cups and sighed in relief. Shortly after, Fluttershy spoke up. "So, Zero, what's this unusual device that's playing that music?"
I knew eventually she'd question me about my phone. I'd prefer to explain all about it to all her friends rather than one at a time. After she's been so hospitable to me ever since I first arrived in Equestria, who am I to ignore her curiosity?
After giving a 10-minute explanation about my phone, Fluttershy's curiosity was sated... enough. There were still several things she didn't understand, but she was satisfied with what I've told her so far.
We went back to vegging out on these nice coaches. Shortly after, I began to hear the sound of chirping birds flying by. I turned around and looked out the window behind the coach. I saw a pair of parakeets perched on one of the many birdhouses that were hanging from a nearby tree. They seemed to be mates, judging by the way they nuzzle each other.
I stared at them, thinking about why I was so envious of their species. They've got no jobs to make a living, they're their own boss in life, they don't have to worry about making plans for the future and they go wherever they want.
But most of all, they can fly. I was never interested in becoming a Zoologist, but birds were my exceptional target of interest. Well, ones that can fly anyway.
"Whatcha looking at, Zero?" Starlight asked.
I answered her without looking away from the birds.
"Why do you think that birds fly?"
"Oh. Umm... So they can gather food, I guess? What about you, Fluttershy?"
"Well, birds fly for many reasons; foraging, escaping predators, building their nests..."
The birds then decided to take that moment to fly away out of sight. If I could decide on what I want my spirit animal to be, it'd be a bird.
I turn my attention to Starlight and Fluttershy.
"Umm... Why do you think birds fly, Zero?" Fluttershy asked.
"I think birds fly because they want to. I don't think they even need a reason. They don't fly for anyone's benefit but their own."
The girls seem to be a little shocked at my opinion. But it wasn't just an answer. It was my philosophy.
"Birds fly... because they want to fly?" Starlight thought out loud. "No other reason?"
Fluttershy was the next to speak. "I never thought of it like that. Even in all my years of being an animal caretaker, I never considered why birds do what they do. I always thought it was just natural to them."
"Yeah," Starlight added, "For somepony your age, you sure are full of wisdom."
I chuckled at that remark. "Oh, trust me, you have no idea."
I then suddenly sculled down the rest of my tea and placed the teacup back on the tray.
I let out another sigh of relief. "Thanks again for the tea, Fluttershy. It helped a lot."
Fluttershy, who too finished her tea, responded with a smile. "You're very welcome, Zero Fate. If you ever feel troubled again, please don't hesitate to come to visit me again for some tea."
"Thanks, but maybe next time I'll come over just to see you." I said, giving her a wink.
She and Starlight both giggled at my teasing.
Starlight was the last one of us to finish her tea. After putting her cup down, she got off the coach.
"Well, it's getting pretty late. I think it's about time the two of us went back to the castle. Thanks again for your hospitality, Fluttershy."
"My pleasure. You two have a safe trip home now. And remember; my door is always open if you need me."
It was now past dusk.
Starlight and I were on our way back to the castle. This time I'm not riding her.
It seems Ponyville is a lot more peaceful at night. Pretty much like any other place. This is why I prefer the night over the day.
Right now, we were cutting through the local park. As we passed the nocturnal street lights, I was wondering if they were one of those night light's that's powered during the day or it's just lit up by magic. But I guess those are questions for another time.
Continuing our walk home, I noticed Starlight looking a little mopey. Her expression showed mixed signs of worry and regret. I decided to find out.
"You OK, Starlight?" I asked.
"Oh, uhh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." She jumped. Clearly, she's hiding something. She's just too much in denial to face them.
"OK, now I know something's wrong. You can tell me, Starlight. Come on, I won't judge you."
She immediately stopped walking and just stood there. I waited for a moment to see how she'll react. Suddenly, without warning, she rushes to me and pulls me into a hug.
I was a little surprised to see her embracing me out of the blue. But since I've pretty much gotten used to it by now, I hugged her back.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry!"
I don't know why, but after that unknown apology from her, she started crying. She tightened her grip around me.
"Starlight, what are you sorry for?" I asked sympathetically, gently patting her back.
"I'm sorry for messing up our tour! I'm sorry for not doing anything about Pinkie! I'm sorry I ruined your day! I'm sorry I couldn't protect you!"
What!?
"What are you talking about? You didn't do anything wrong! If anything, I'm the one who should be sorry."
Starlight broke our embrace and looked me in the eyes. "Huh?" Her face was filled with sorrow. I can emphasize that.
I raised both my hands and gently placed them on her cheeks. "You went out of your way to help me settle into this new life because you wanted to. You're not the one who should be sorry. I am! You got me official documents, you got me enrolled in school. And when Pinkie Pie pulled that hurtful prank on me, you comforted me and took me away from there. No other living being has ever gone out of their way for me like that before. Not even my own family."
I pulled her into another warm embrace. This time, I started to mutually cry with her. But this time, out of happiness and gratitude.
"You helped me because you wanted to. I know you did. For that, I am so grateful. You didn't do it because someone told you to. Deep down, that proves that you have the wings of a bird."
"...Zero..."
"So thank you, Starlight Glimmer. I love you."
Those last words could no longer hold her back. She embraced me back while crying her heart out.
"You're s-such a sweetheart, Z-Zero Fate. I... *hic* I love you too!"
I was so glad to hear those words coming out of her mouth.
Moments after our emotional connection, Starlight and I eventually broke our embrace and cleaned our faces of the tears and snot. Once we were back on our feet/hooves, Starlight spoke up.
"Let's go home, Zero."
"Yeah."