//------------------------------// // Arrival at Mount Aris // Story: Cory: The Fear of Water // by artman7391 //------------------------------// The train to the Hippogriff kingdom was moving right ahead of schedule. Cory, Rachel, and Camden in their pony forms, as well as the rest of the gang, could be found occupying one of the passenger cars up front. They had just completed a huge hearty lunch that had been served to them with compliments to the train chefs. Cory, given his small dieting, had eaten the most amount, filling up his stomach to a satisfied quantity. Now, he found himself staring out the window, looking at a reflection of his newly shaved and trimmed face. His sister, Applejack was sitting by his side, holding his hoof for support. "Everythin's gonna be alright little brother." Applejack assured him. "You'll see. Once this is over, you'll feel like you didn't even have that fear in the first place." "And besides," Scootaloo added. "You are going to have so much fun! It'll be just like flying!" "Yeah," Cory said nervously. "Just like flying. A thing I'm still trying to learn with my wings." "This will be a great opportunity for me to learn about some undersea life forms." Sunburst commented. "I just can't wait to see what secrets the deep has in store for us." "Not to mention all the cute little animals that are in need of being saved from industrial waste." Rachel added. "I think the Hippogriffs are much more caring about their underwater home compared to your species Rachel." Twilight replied. "Oooooo, this is gonna be so exciting!!" Pinkie squealed. "First, I'm gonna catch up with Princess Skystar, then we're gonna make some seashell necklaces, then some seashell picture frames, then we're gonna sing about one small thing, and then make more seashell necklaces, and make conga lines with other seaponies, then catch up with her two oyster friends, then make even more necklaces, and then...." While Pinkie Pie and everyone else babbled on and on about what to do on this trip, Cory tried to relax with the absence of his prescribed medications. It had been awhile since his mother decided to take them away from him, and his head felt different as a consequence. It bobbled a little bit, shaking from the drug withdrawal, as if he had some form of PTSD. Doubt still swam in his mind, questioning if this form of therapy would actually work. So Applejack continued to hold on tightly to his hoof for emotional support. It was then a small filly and her mother came passing through from the next car over. "Look mommy," She gleefully said. "That's Prince Capricore." "Why yes it is sweetie," her mother said. "It's been awhile since anypony has heard of him. Excuse me Capricore." Cory slightly turned his head to their direction. "My daughter is a huge fan of your's." She continued. "She's read all about your works and wants to be an artist when she comes of age." "I made a paper about you for one of my school assignments." The filly added. "Can I have a sketch of your's please?" Cory thought for a moment. It had been a long time since anypony requested any work of his. But regardless, he was on his way to be his better self. So he grabbed a paper cup with his magic and intricately made a figurine of a griffon out of the material. Then, after shading it with a quill, he handed it over to the filly. "Now what do you say sweetie?" The filly's mother asked. "Thank you Mr. Capricore." She replied. "Uh...You're welcome." Cory replied quietly. "Final Stop: Mount Aris Station." The conductor called over the intercom. "Final Stop: Mount Aris Station." The train hissed to a stop as Cory looked out the window. The Hippogriff kingdom was a glorious sight to behold. It's shape was that of a grassy utopia carved into the side of a thin mountaintop that resembled a palace, with the buildings trickling down the side and towards the ocean. The gang grabbed their belongings and headed off the train, along with other ponies and hippogriffs. Because Cory was still gaunt in size, and his legs were barely able to stand upright Camden and Rachel grabbed him by the sides so he could walk down the stairs, with Applejack walking behind him in case he fell over. The stairs from the station to the dock were a challenge, since the slightest trip could cause one of his legs to break. "Well, here we are." Twilight said as he and the others reached the bottom boardwalk. "I think our guide should be meeting up with right about..." "TWILIGHT!" Cried a voice from the ocean. "Over here!" The gang looked out at the water and saw a cream colored seapony with a teal mane waving at them. He touched his pearl necklace and magically turned into a land dwelling Hippogriff, landing softly on the boardwalk. "Who are you?" Cory asked. "This is Terramar." Twilight introduced him. "He is going to help us overcome your fear of water." "Pleased to Meet you Cory." Terramar replied with an outstretched claw. "Twilight has told me all about you prior to our meeting." Cory extended his hoof and gave him a subtle but welcoming handshake. It had been the first time since he had ever come into contact with another Hippogriff. "So Twilight." Terramar continued. "Can you remind me the reason for this therapy?" Twilight took a deep sigh and walked him over to the side. She explained to him about Cory's upbringing, how he was mercilessly treated by his parents, teachers and peers, and how they tried to drown him in both the pool and the bathtub, giving him a nearly permanent scar in his relationship with water. "That's terrible!" Terramar replied. "It's no wonder he flees away from liquid." "I know." Twilight replied. "But we're hoping this therapy session of ours can help make peace with himself once and for all." "Well I'm happy to help your son in any way I can. Plus I think he's going to have a blast where we're going." It was at that moment Cory collapsed to the ground from weakness and fatigue. "First, we better get this guy prepared." Spike commented. "Do you know any treatments to help Cory walk on his own?" "Sure do." Terramar replied. "Follow me." Cory and the gang followed Terramar up the stairs and towards the mountaintop, where they arrived at a village composed of treehouses and gazebos. Everywhere, Hippogriffs big and small were playing, building, eating, practicing their flight formations, etc. It was then a few royal sounding horns could be played by several guards. "Announcing the arrival of Princess Twilight Sparkle and her son Prince Capricore!!" Shouted the announcer from the megaphone above. A crowd of Hippogriffs cheered as they witnessed the gang's arrival. But paused in concerned as a still weak Cory was being escorted on both sides of him. Both Rachel and Camden let go of him as he collapsed into the claws of two Hippogriffs nearby. "We apologize for the sudden shock." Sunburst explained. "Prince Capricore has been isolated for sometime, and before we help him with his problem, he requires some medical attention." "Not to worry fellow travelers." Said a rather brawn navy blue Hippogriff. "We have the perfect remedies for this kind of thing." "Hi Dad!" Terramar called. "I see you've met my new friends." "Yes son, it is most honorable to see friends among Prince Capricore. Your sister Silverstream has written many letters to me about him." A dash of guilt grew across Cory's face. "I think we even have a few statues in the Harmonizing Heights park that are his creation." He continued. "But no matter.." Tarramar's dad gave out a squawk, signaling two Hippogriff guards to come forward. "Take our guests to the doctor's wing. I believe it's time to cook up another strong shot of salmon juice and a trip to our chiropractor to have Cory walking on his own." "Salmon juice?" Cory asked with a gag in his voice. "I'm not sure if I could stomach that." "Not to worry Prince Capricore," Terramar's father reassured him. "We put the best spices and herbs we can find in our drinks." The Hippogriffs flew Cory to what was likely the local doctor's home and had him sit at a table. They checked his mouth, his eyes, his ears, his ligaments and the like. After examination, they told him to take a few deep breaths. So he did his wheezing best as he coughed out a few muffled sighs. This was a sign he required that hard salmon juice fast. So the doctor fixed him the strongest drink she could make. After a few sips from the cup, Cory felt stronger than ever. It was like a surge in the system. A lighting bolt striking every organ in his body. He felt like he could lift himself up without assistance. But he was still shaking a bit. So two Hippogriff chiropractors laid him on a nearby cot face down. Then they dipped their claws in a few magic herbs and ointments, and quickly messaged his legs, then his arms, followed by his torso and neck. At first, he felt a slight pinch, but it went away as they got the pressure points on his joints. He had never experienced this sensation before. It was as if all the tension inside him was melting away at last. As he got up from the cot, he took a moment to practice walking by himself. He stumbled a little from the first two steps, but then easily took a little stroll around the doctor's office without any problems. "How do you feel Prince Capricore?" asked one of the Hippogriffs. "I..." He tried to think of the right words. "I feel like a new Colt. I feel I can conquer anything." "FANTASTIC!!" Said Camden, who was waiting for him outside the door. "Then you should come and check out these harmonizing heights." Camden guided him outside towards a magnificent gate shaped like flower petals. Inside, he gazed at the beauty that was an impossibly large garden. Flora and Fauna spread as far as the eye can see. From Trees, to flowers, to lily pads to bushes to selections of every creature imaginable. If ever there was something as fantastical as the Garden of Eden, it had to be like this. Cory took a moment to sit down between Camden and Rachel, who was tending to some of the animals like Fluttershy. It was nice to get to see something as beautiful as this. As Scootaloo, Spike, Twilight, Applejack, Sunburst, and Pinkie Pie walked up from behind him and to their places on the cool, soft grass, Cory felt contempt and full of life. He hadn't felt this way since the new six met with him at the kirin village. It was then he closed his eyes and stretched out his hoof towards the wind, as the most gorgeous symphony of chimes echoed across the land. "So Cory," Said Scootaloo. "Ya ready to face your fear?" "You know." Cory said with a smile. "I am."