//------------------------------//
// Capitulo Veintinueve 
// Story: Cuatro 
// by Dirty Bit 
//------------------------------//


Capitulo Veintinueve


Embarrassment


Cuatro continued along his path in the Everfree forest, with thoughts of Luna and his love for her clouding his mind. He was more flustered than Zecora had assumed, as he tried to pay attention to the trail while moving ahead on his way.

"Luna...If it were possible, would she accept my love? Would my love get in the way of our friendship?"

It was nearly unbearable for the strange alicorn to try and process a proper answer, and he found it hard to ignore his thoughts with how much it bothered thim. He stopped once more and sighed to himself.

"What can I do? Should I try to talk to her sometime, be it tonight or tomorrow? Would she be willing to listen to my feelings?"

As he thought, several steps and growls were heard from behind, and grew in volume him from where he stood. Cuatro turned himself around to see three more wooden wolves like the ones he had confronted before. A closer look indicated that they were in fact the same wolves the strange alicorn faced with how they held the exact body features. They closed in on their prey with growls that sounded with both malice and hunger, while Cuatro stared back at them with his tail swaying from right to left once.

"How have they come back to life? Are they connected with the Everfree Forest?"

Cuatro took a step back while studying the beasts in front of him, trying to wonder how they appear unharmed from their last encounter rather than the piles of branches that became of them after they were dealt with swiftly. He felt that it would be wise to run off and avoid further conflict knowing their supposed longevity, but it was a moot thought with how the wolves would possibly pursue him back into Ponyville. He awaited the first strike from any of the wolves that continued to advance towards him, his tail swaying back to the right.

Instead of circling Cuatro, the middle wolf lunged forward with a snarl; the same tactic they had used before, much to the strange alicorn's disappointment. He simply used his tail to smack the wolf back into pieces. While the pieces of once what used to be a wooden beast shattered, the remaining wolves advanced without a second thought for their fallen comrade.

He figured they would have gone with a different strategy after their first attempt, but it would appear that Cuatro had to deal with these wolves trying to seize their prey, only to be crushed again. The two wolves dashed towards Cuatro, and the strange alicorn swung his powerful whip-like tail at them, shattering them into a pile of branches.

Cuatro counted himself lucky that his tail did not turn out splintered like before, but he was more focused on how his opponents somehow returned from the dead. He solemnly stared down at each of the piles that once made up of the wolves, and to his surprise, the many pieces were wrapped in a green aura and began to float into each other. The strange alicorn was under the impression that they would come back as three wolves once more, but instead, the pieces converged with one another into one fixed position.

Rustling was heard, and Cuatro shifted his eyes left and right to see many bushes and trees wrapped in a green aura as well. They were plucked from their rooted areas and joined the floating pieces of bark as they formed what appeared to be a giant version of the wooden wolf. Once complete, the wolf's yellow eyes glowed and leered down at its prey, and it opened its wooden maw to let out a low, guttural roar in Cuatro's face. The strange alicorn stood undeterred while its mane and tail breezed back from the force of the wolf's roar.

Cuatro looked back to see that he was approaching a vast clearing; a good place to end his foe. With one more glance at the giant wolf, he used his Sonido to blur out of its vision and appear in the middle of the clearing. While he waited for the wolf, he contemplated on his current situation, and what he had faced with the dragons earlier today.

"...Was I wrong to practice kindness when fighting the dragons? I was close to unknowingly killing one, and yet here I am about to do the same to a wolf without any remorse...Would my friends have done the same?"

His thoughts were cut short when the giant wolf dashed and bowled past the trees to arrive at the clearing to roar at Cuatro again before raising a paw to swipe.

Cuatro effortlessly dodged by flying upward and examining his attacker below while figuring out a way to destroy it. He wondered if it was justified for him to fire a cero at the beast.

"It would be the best choice, knowing its capability..."

He flew down and activated his horn while the giant wolf prepared for another strike. While he did so, however, Cuatro's focus was also met with a small thought that crept into his mind like the other times he had practiced his magic. As he compiled the thought that came to him, the green aura covering his horn slowly faded into a deep black. The strange alicorn then unconsciously uttered these words while the new aura charged up.

"...This is an espada's fully powered black cero..."

The horn produced a black ball entirely different from the green ball from when Cuatro had practiced magic in the past.

"Cero Oscuras..."

Aiming upward towards the monster's head, Cuatro fired a large black beam that made the exact sound of his previous cero. It engulfed the wolf's head entirely, along with most of its upper body; the arms were singed to where they were separated from the elbows with the intensity of Cuatro's attack. The beam had scathed some of the trees behind the wolf as it traveled upward into the sky for many to see back in Ponyville.

Lucky for him, the citizens that have witnessed the beam were able to pass it off as Cuatro practicing more of his magic, though some still feared his power.

When the beam had subsided, Cuatro looked to see that despite the trees that have suffered the newly-developed cero, what remained of the giant wolf was its lower torso and its severed paws. The lower body toppled before it leaned forward and collapsed before breaking into several larger pieces of wood. Feeling as if he had finally won for sure, Cuatro turned to leave.

Only to realize that he had dropped his map.

It must have happened when he had chose to speed towards the clearing. He looked back at the path he had taken to see that it was nothing but unrooted trees over the snow. The strange alicorn was disappointed with himself for not remembering his map, but then looked up to see that while the sky was nearly dark, it was clear enough for him to fly up and see if he were close to town. He unfurled his wings and hovered into the air. He hovered over the forest and looked around for any sign of Ponyville.

To his luck, he managed to find it looming in the distance. However, as he gazed upon it, his vision slowly faded to several shades of blue; mostly a bright shade of cerulean. Confused at the happening, he looked around to see that everything was the same shade of blue.

"What happened?"

Feeling as if he needed to look for help, Cuatro decided to get a good look at Ponyville before he used his Sonido. He landed in Ponyville to see many retire for the night, but when they looked upon them, they reacted differently. Some held shock similar to when he was first introduced to the other ponies; others, namely the fillies and colts, tried to hold back their laughter as their eyes watered. He trotted along into Ponyville, until he noticed Carousel Boutique nearby. The strange alicorn approached the front door and rapped on it three times to wait for an answer.

As expected, it was Rarity who answered "Hello? Can I hel-WAHAHA~!!" Rarity's eyes shot wide as dinner plates, and she scampered back as she looked upon her unexpected visitor "Cuatro! What happened to you!?"

Cuatro looked down at Rarity passively and replied "If you're referring to my vision, then all I can see is blue...The other ponies were reacting differently around me for some reason..."

Rarity looked back at the remaining ponyfolk going into their homes before she winced up at Cuatro "Oh dear...How did this happen, darling?"

Cuatro shifted his eyes to look back "It happened while I was in the Everfree Forest. I'm not sure what might have caused this, but a part of me wonders if it was from fighting those wooden wolves..."

"...Or perhaps a side effect from the bitter root Zecora offered to me?"

Rarity was all the more shocked at Cuatro's words "You were met with timberwolves!? They didn't hurt you, have they!?" Cuatro glanced back at the fashionista as she practically oozed with worry.

"So that is what they are called..."

Cuatro shook his head "No, they have not...Even in their fused form, I was able to defend myself..."

Rarity heaved a sigh of relief "You really shouldn't have us worry like that, Cuatro! As for your..." She gave Cuatro a once-over until she winced "problem...I have just the thing before Twilight can see you! Come inside, please!" As requested, Cuatro made his way into Carousel Boutique. Rarity guided him to the middle of the lobby and chose to have him stay "Wait right here and I'll be right back!"

"Rarity? Who's at the door?"

Cuatro did not expect to hear Spike's voice, and he watched the purple dragon waddle down the stairs to look. When he noticed Cuatro, he jumped slightly with a surprised yelp, then began to laugh after a moment of pause. The strange alicorn blinked "Why are you laughing at me?"

Spike pointed towards a nearby mirror as he laughed "See for yourself!"

Cuatro followed the purple dragon's claw towards the directed mirror, and he was surprised to see that he was covered from head to toe in blue spots of different sizes; Even his own eyes were blue rather than green. He blinked at his reflection "How did this happen?"

Spike stopped his laughter to wipe a tear "You must've stepped in some Poison Joke while you were in the Everfree Forest!" He looked down in thought "Kinda weird when I look at it. It'd be hard to spot some of them in the middle of winter. Not to mention remaining alive under all that snow! Maybe it's because they're magical plants..."

Cuatro blinked "Poison...Joke?"

Rarity nodded to Cuatro's question "It's an insufferable plant known to cause various effects to the ponies that touch them, as if playing a joke. Hence the term 'Poison Joke'. Me and my friends happened to have discovered its effects firsthoof..." She shuddered unpleasantly at the memory of having so much hair on herself.

Cuatro looked down at Rarity "Am I infected somehow?"

Rarity smiled "I wouldn't really say so since it is just those spots all over your coat and the matching color in your eyes. But don't fret! I'm sure I have a drinkable antidote up in my bathroom. Just stay put while I go get it."

Spike chuckled "I'd say you lucked out with what you got right there, Spottro!" The purple dragon laughed after spouting out his nickname to the strange alicorn.

Rarity glared sternly at Spike "Honestly, Spike, cut that out! You could hurt Cuatro's feelings! What would Twilight think of you doing this right now?"

Spike instantly stopped and fidgeted with his claws as he looked away penitently "Sorry about that..." He muttered in remorse. To Cuatro, it would seem that he would respond more quickly to Rarity than he would to Twilight.

Rarity looked back up at Cuatro "I'll be right back, darling! It won't be long!" She said as she made for the stairs

Cuatro watched Rarity trot away "I'm curious...Is Sweetie Belle asleep?"

Rarity nodded as she ascended the stairs "But of course! She has school tomorrow, after all!"

As Rarity made her way up, Cuatro focused his attention on Spike "What are you doing here at this time of night? Does Twilight know that you are away?"

Spike nodded "She's the one who gave me permission to stay here!"

Cuatro pressed on "Was it of your request?"

Spike frowned "Actually...no. She seemed a bit off while you were out in the Everfree Forest. She just wrote a letter to the princess, had me send it, then just told me to stay here for the time being!"

Cuatro stared, then looked away "I see..." 

"Either she had a friendship report of her own, or Twilight must be discussing something personal with Princess Celestia..."

Spike scratched his head "I'd say she's worried about you with how long you've been gone. Good thing you didn't stop by looking like-...like-" He held a claw over his mouth as he snickered again.

Cuatro stared at Spike, then heard hoofsteps to see Rarity descend from the stairs with a very nervous grin on her face. Spike once again instantly stopped his laughter before it could properly start. The fashionista approached Cuatro with her grin unchanged "Ummm, Cuatro, I'm afraid we have a bit of a problem..."

Cuatro stared at Rarity, knowing she returned to him emptyhoofed before he assumed the situation "You have no antidote for my condition?"

Rarity sighed "I really did not see this coming, I assure you. I was most certain I still had a bottle or two left! Sadly, this means you'll have to go to Twilight and see if she has one of her own." She looked away with a frown, already feeling sympathy for Cuatro's embarrassing appearance.

Spike pointed at Cuatro "My advice is to get to that pronto! Like I said, she's possibly worried sick about you!"

Cuatro nodded "I understand..." He shifted his eyes towards the front door and felt a shiver down his spine. Not from Twilight's worry, but from the thought of facing her in his current state.

"...So this is what true embarrassment feels like..."

The strange alicorn turned around and made for the door "I will see you both later..."

Rarity and Spike waved Cuatro off "Goodbye, Cuatro!" The fashionista replied sincerely.

When Cuatro made his way outside, his vision was still slightly obstructed by the various shades of blue. While his sight proved to be troublesome, it did not mean that he was lost. Remembering the location of Ponyville Library, Cuatro blurred out with his Sonido and managed to reach the front door.

However, before he reached a hoof to the door, he remembered that Twilight would easily catch his appearance. He felt more of his earlier embarrassment and wondered if it would be wise to just waltz in for Twilight to gawk at his appearance. Taking his time, the strange alicorn formulated a plan. When he found an acceptable strategy, he activated his horn.
_____

Twilight sat on the sofa in the library, and was busy reading through Cuatro's list of memories while the clock on her wall ticked away and broke the silence around the library. She grew both worried and impatient for Cuatro's return with how dark it was getting outside, and tried her best to remain calm 'He probably made a wrong turn in the Everfree Forest on his way to-What am I thinking!? If anything, Cuatro's intelligent enough to know where he's going!'

While she pondered on Cuatro's whereabouts, the lights in the library shut off by themselves, instantly jerking the lavender bookworm away from her thoughts as she looked up and around "What's going on?" She heard the door open, and quickly shut, causing her to jump from the sofa "Who's there?"

"I cannot let you see me, Twilight..."

"Cuatro, is that you? Did you do this?" Twilight called out as she tried to make out the strange alicorn's shape in the darkness.

"I admit to it. Know that I cannot let you see my form..."

Twilight cocked her head to the side with an arched eyebrow "Why not? Are you hiding something from me? Or did something happen?" She heard careful trotting near her and move towards the bathroom.

"I will be with you shortly..."

"Hold it!" When she managed to see Cuatro's tail, Twilight activated her horn and wrapped it in a magic aura, holding it in place "Let me just get the lights so I know what you're talking about!" Ignoring the light grunts from the strange alicorn, she tried to multitask turning on the lights with her magic while keeping her hold on Cuatro. When the lights were on, she tried to focus her sight on Cuatro...

Only to have her vision blocked by two forehooves gently pressed against her eyes.

Cuatro had his forehooves cover Twilight's eyes. It was more embarrassing than his form, but Cuatro had to do something to make sure Twilight could not see him "You can't..."

Twilight only stood with a frown despite her eyes being covered "You're awfully persistent, aren't you?"

There was an awkward silence between the two while Cuatro held his position on Twilight, and the lavender bookworm finally responded "Would you please take your hooves off my eyes, Cuatro?"

Cuatro replied "Only if you tell me where you keep your antidote for Poison Joke..."

Twilight was stunned at the response "Poison Joke? But those are hard to come by in the Everfree Forest this time of year! How did it happen?"

Cuatro felt he was stalling time with the question being asked of him "I must have stepped on one by mistake with how I was unable to detect it..." A part of Cuatro blamed himself for how badly his mind was wrapped on confessing to Luna "Now, the antidote?"

Twilight answered while her eyes were covered "Third drawer under the bathroom sink. Now can you please take your hooves off my face?" She asked in an annoyed tone. She was happy to see Cuatro comply to her request.

She was not happy when her eyes were met with a magical beam in place of Cuatro's hooves...

The lavender bookworm yelped in fright. When the beam connected with her eyes, she did not feel pain, but it was surprisingly dark "Huh? I can't see a thing!"

Cuatro calmly trotted to the bathroom while Twilight tried to feel the air with a hoof "I will be back to reverse my spell..."

Twilight figured out what spell Cuatro was talking about while she tried to move around "A blind spell? Cuatro, get back here!!" She snapped irritably. When she leaned forward to feel air, she accidentally fell facefirst onto the floor with a grunt, followed by a frustrated groan.
_____

Later, after Cuatro mended the spots on his coat and the blue from his eyes, him and Twilight sat on the sofa together and chatted, though the lavender bookworm was still miffed at Cuatro's method of concealing his appearance. Cuatro bowed "I only wished to keep myself out of your view until I was more bearable in your sight. I am very sorry for what I've done..."

Twilight sighed "What's done is done. I suppose you didn't know much about what is found in the Everfree Forest. Honestly, I never expected you to be so self-conscious after your encounter with the Poison Joke. For a stallion like yourself, you must have really developed a sensitive side while you stayed in Ponyville!" She giggled to herself.

Cuatro looked away "I must make sure to be more careful when inside the Everfree Forest...I ran into some timberwolves and dropped the map in my haste..."

Twilight frowned "Were you outnumbered?"

Cuatro shook his head "There were three...They somehow revived and merged together into a larger one...Which reminds me..." He activated his horn and wrapped his list of memories along with a quill towards him. The strange alicorn jotted down three more notes to add. He had forgotten to add 'Luz de la Luna' as of yesterday. When he was finished, Twilight wondered what Cuatro had written down, but he set it aside as he continued "I was able to defeat them finally, but that was when the Poison Joke had taken effect on my body..."

Twilight smiled "Well, at least you're safe and sound. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you by tomorrow."

Cuatro remembered something important and spoke "About that...Before I came here, I stopped at Carousel Boutique to see that Spike had taken refuge there upon your request...He mentioned that you had written a letter to Princess Celestia?"

Twilight's smile wavered "So you know, huh?" She looked away "You see, Cuatro, I made an appointment to speak with Princess Celestia tomorrow, and I'd like it if you would come with me as well." She looked back at him "I sent Spike to Rarity's so he could enjoy a small break before we come back later tomorrow. You don't mind, do you?"

Cuatro stared, and processed that he would travel Twilight to Canterlot. Perhaps tomorrow would be the right moment to approach Luna and finally admit his hidden love for her. With a curt nod, Cuatro responded "Not at all...I will gladly accompany you to Canterlot...May I ask why you would wish to speak with Celestia?"

Twilight looked away with a sad frown "Please understand, Cuatro. This is kind of a personal matter between me and the princess...I need to clear things up and hopefully get a better grasp on what I need to do in the future." She spoke in a sullen tone.

Cuatro could feel the weight of Twilight's sorrow in her voice. He wondered what had caused her to be this way, especially after enjoying one of Pinkie's parties. The strange alicorn unfurled a wing to drape over Twilight's back in order to try and give her comfort. She looked up at Cuatro after his gesture "I may not know of what your matters are, but I'm sure she will give you a good answer for your future actions...Somehow, she managed to do the same for me..." He admitted nonchalantly.

Twilight stared at Cuatro, and smiled at him before she leaned her head on his chest while wrapping her forehooves around him in a hug "Thanks, Cuatro." She then broke the embrace and hopped up from the sofa and trotted towards the stairs "I should probably get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow."

Cuatro nodded to Twilight, but chose to stick with his normal routine and go outside to the roof of the library to gaze upon the moon before actually feeling the need to sleep.
_____

(Canterlot Castle - 3 hours earlier)

Princess Celestia rested in her chambers and read her newly received message with a disapproving frown. Her day was going well, but this very letter had dampened her spirits to the point of wanting to turn back time.

Dear Princess Celestia,

We need to talk about Cuatro, as well as to why you gave the Elements to me. I plan on visiting you tomorrow with Cuatro at my side for good measure, but our conversation will be with us alone. It may sound demanding, but I need to know what exactly is going on with what you were thinking when you have done this.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle


To be continued...