//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: The Lost is Found // Story: Get Him 3 // by Lord Blackraven //------------------------------// The Lost is Found The Elements arrived mid-morning in Canterlot by way of the Friendship Express and proceeded directly to Canterlot Castle. They had no problems entering. The guards were well informed and well acquainted with the Elements, being national heros and all. Once inside, they proceeded directly to the throne room whereupon they were greeted by the two princesses. Celestia then began to inform them as to why they had been summoned again. “My little ponies.” She began. “Thank you all for coming again. I am sure you are wondering why you are here so I will not pussyhoof around and get right to it. It has been revealed that a certain human we all thought was dead is in fact alive and has been living in hiding for these past two, now almost three, years.” All the Elements gasped in unison at the news. “REALLY!” Twilight said excitedly. “Where is he? Is he all right?” The others also began to ask a flurry of questions rapid fire as well. There excitement and relief barely contained. Celestia held up a hoof to calm them down before she continued. “Yes, he is indeed alive but we cannot divulge where he is hiding now.” “But whyyyyyyyyyyy? Pinkie Pie whined. Luna then stepped forward and spoke. “As you know already, he wanted us to think him dead. This was so that we would leave him alone because of how we all had treated him upon his arrival. Remember, he is terrified of us.” Everyponys heads dropped at the memories of how they had treated Alex and his letter stating just how he felt about each and every one of them. “But if we can’t see ‘im, then how can we apologize and make things right with ‘im?” asked Applejack. “I am secretly working on regaining his trust and helping him with his nightmares about all of us.” Luna stated. "Nightmares?" Twilight asked cocking her head to one side. "What nightmares? We've never heard anything about this." "Celestia, do you still think I should show them?” Luna asked of her sister. “Yes Luna. I do.” was Celestias reply. "They need to understand just how bad the situation is." “Very well, I think once you see why, you will understand.” Luna fired up her horn and began to show them all the horrors of Alex’s nightmares. Fluttershy and her keeping him in a cage and seeing him electrocuted. Rarity and her cruelity as Alex lay huddled in a fetal position chained to the ground trying to stay warm in a freezing rain. Applejacks greed at making him pay for the rest of his life for the cost of only two apples. Pinkie Pie and her laughter at making him into a pony just so she could throw a party. Rainbow Dash and letting him fall to his death. Twilight Sparkle and her seeing what her Hoofbell Prize brought him. A crumbling mind and a missing hand. And last but not least, Luna and Celestia. Luna turning innocent human children to stone decorations for the Royal Gardens and Celestia sacrificing a human child and her mother for her greater glory. All the Element Bearers were equally sick. All wanted to throw up. None could due to their biology. Everyones heads were bowed in shame. Tears fell from their eyes as the full weight of their cruelty to Alex came to bear. All were silent. “Now I think you all understand why we cannot tell you where he is. Should he discover you know of his whereabouts, he may disappear as he did before and we might not ever find him, again.” Celestia added. “We understand your highnesses.” They all said in unison while bowing at the same time. “We will keep you appraised of his situation as we can.” Celestia said. “Yer Highness’s? Beggin’ yer pardon, but I have a possible idea on how we might, at least, be able t’ help.” Applejack said. The sisters looked at each other and then back at her. “Go on fair Applejack.” Luna spoke. "What is it?" “It was jest occurrin’ ta me that Hearths Warmin’ is comin’ up soon so I was thinkin’ that maybe……” “That maybe we could put together some presents for him.” Celestia finished AJs thought. “Luna, what do you think?” “I think it is an excellent idea sister!” Luna said excitedly. “I have seen how he lives. I have seen how worn and shabby his clothing and living conditions are. I think that some anonymous gifts just might be what will endear him to us a bit more. Yes, I think it is an excellent idea.” “Then let us begin. Let us begin to show our lost friend what we are really like.” Celestia said. “There is one thing that I must insist though.” Luna interrupted. “He cannot know that these gifts come from us.” “Why not?” Pinkie asked. “Because if he learns that it is from us, then he will figure that we know his location and he will disappear again. Remember, he is terrified of us.” “Oh. Right.” I will be seeing him again tonight and I will be able to give you more details as to his possible needs tomorrow. As it stands right now, I do know that he needs clothing. He does not have a fur coat to keep him warm like we do, so winter clothing and hoofwear is a must.” “I can help with that!” Rarity piped up. “I will make him such an ensemble. I could use the magazine he gave me as reference too!” She clapped her hooves together with glee. “Although I will need to get his measurements in order to make him new clothes and hoof fittings.” “I will get them for you.” Luna said. “Ah could make ‘im some of ma’ familys best apple treats.” Applejack offered. “Oh I know! I could make him some of my extra special friendship cupcakes!” Pinkie chimed in. “I talked to Lyra Heartstrings and asked her to tell me all she knew about humans.” Twilight said. “And I learned that they are omnivores, meaning, not only do they eat fruits and vegetables but also… She gulped. “Meat... It’s a necessary part of their diet. Apparently they will get very sick and weak if they don’t consume any.” The others shuddered at the thought of how they had been chasing a carnivore in the Whitetail Woods a few years back. Normally it was supposed to be the other way around. Had they known early on, the First Ever Equestrian Human Hunt might have not even have taken place and none of them would even be stuck barrel deep in this mess. “Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a minute.” Rainbow said. “You’re telling us that he’s a meat eater?” “Yes. That is right Rainbow.” Twilight responded. “Yet he let us chase him?” “Yes.” Luna then picked up on the line of thought. “So each one of us was alone with him at least once at some point in time yet he never tried to attack any of us for food.” Luna spoke out loud with a hoof to her chin in thought. “Luna, what are you getting at?” Celestia asked. “Well, it’s just that he is a predator, we all would be considered prey in his eyes, and we were each alone, at some point in time, with him, even the little ones, yet he didn’t attack any of us. Instead he tried to run away. Why?” It was yet another unanswered question in the growing list of questions named Alex. “We have dignitaries from the griffon kingdom come here all the time. They are also carnivors and we have always provided for them. I will have the kitchen staff prepare some food stuffs with meat in it for him.” Celestia said bringing the conversation back on track. “Um… I have a First Aid kit that he might be able to use.” Fluttershy said softly. The conversation and planning went on for a few more hours as each pony decided on what they could contribute to their care package to give to Alex.