//------------------------------// // Discussions, Depressions, and more Revelations // Story: World of Ponies: The Rise of Change. // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// Zecora Zecora had not expected the sudden bursting open of her door as she meditated upon her traditional bamboo stick, upside down and on her head. And of course the surprise caused her to lose balance and fall over, just like when Twilight came in with that Parasprite. What was it ponies called? Deja vu? The next thing Zecora knew, three little fillies were running and screaming through her room. The girls clothes seemed tattered and cut from running through the brush. Zecora stood and yelled, "Stop!" This caused the fillies, Applebloom and her friends, to stop and turn toward here, with wide eyes of fear and worry. "Little fillies, you must stay calm and tell me what is wrong." Zecora said, slowly so the girls could hear. The girls of course, could not stay calm and all three blurted out at once. "Zecora,yougottahelpus.They'regonnaeatCastus!" The girls screamed, looking at Zecora expectingly. Zecora blinked, leaning back from the loud volume, "I ask again, my little friends, tell us slowly what is the fuss?" "Monsters! We ran inta one when we were heading towards your hut!" Applebloom said, "We got away but Castus is still out there, we gotta save him!" "Yeah, he saved us from the ugly thing, but he needs help!" Scootaloo said urgently. "Please Zecora, please help! You must have a potion or something that can save him right!" Sweetie Belle said, hooves together in a begging sort of gesture. "Monsters near my hut? Such a thing I cannot believe, but if you say it is true, then I must believe you. If a friend is still lost in the woods, then we must quickly move." Zecora said. She didn't know fully well the picture of what was going on, but somepony was apparently in trouble, and she would not let one of the Everfree creatures take the life of a child, especially not one of Appleblooms friends. Zecora moved quickly to a shelf and pulled several vials and bottles down, as well as a stick with a hollowed out end to place the bottles in to throw them, and another that was shaped and sounded like a sort of rattle. "Come little fillies, we will track this beasts and bring it to an end and save your friend." Zecora said, heading out of her hut, the girls following close behind. Hopefully they were not too late. Castus Castus felt hazy. Like he had too much to drink at a wild party and had blacked out and woke up sort of hazy. Everything felt blurry, and his head was killing him. He hissed as he placed his hands to his temples and rubbed them hoping to ease the headache that was threatening to tear his head open. "What...happened?" Castus said as he looked around. Odd....why did his chest feel heavy...and..something furry was brushing against his skin. Slowly, closing one eye and only just barely peeking with the other as even opening his eyes made his vision swim and his head hurt by the sudden incoming light from the sun shining through the trees, he looked down at his chest and saw a large hairy, lanky arm laying on his chest. Slowly his eye followed the arm, to the still laying body of the gorilla monster from before. The creature lay still, its eye long having lost the glitter of life and its jaw hanging slack open on the ground. Castus should have felt panic, but all he could feel was a dullness across his mind and body. Besides...he knew it was dead. It wasn't going to be getting up. Ever. Grunting, and feeling pain all over his body and exhaustion like he had been running a marathon, Castus struggled to squeeze himself out from under the arm. When he did, he looked down at the dead monster, then noticed a second one. This one however was still alive, but seemed to be in the midst of a spasming seizure of some sort, dark sparks of purple black lightning fluttering across its body as the creature spasmed. Worse for it, its head was laying in the water, apparently it had fallen partly in the stream, and the creature seemed unable to move and so Castus watched with dull eyes as the creature slowly drowned to death. Castus couldn't think straight as his mind still felt cloudy. He....he knew he had to find someone...but it all was still hazy. And his back...there was a dull throb at his back. But...he was feeling very hungry right now. Slowly Castus walked, looking around for maybe a berry bush or something. What were the odds he could find a fast food joint in a forest of magical monsters? Finally he stumbled over a large root of a tree and looked up to see the oddest sort of fruit he had ever seen. The trees looked gnarly and odd, with the leaves an odd purple and the fruit.... It looked like an apple. A rainbow colored apple though. Was it poisonous? 'Food.' Castus thought, and reached up for the lowest hanging fruit and plucked it. He should be worried about poison, but his body was craving nourishment and he pushed all caution to the wind as he bit down into the fruit. It was like tasting heaven's nectar. The apple was so good! And it had a sort of zingy taste that sent a jolt through his body. 'Damn....that tastes good.' He thought as he ate the apple, and reached for another. Then another. And then another. All he could focus on was eating, and by the time his brain was able to refocus on other things he had devoured at least twelve of the strange colored apples. Well, if they were poisonous he should be dead by now. He wasn't so they must be okay. "I wonder if Appleblooms family....OH SHIT APPLEBLOOM!" Castus swore as he looked around, finally remembering what he had to find. "Applebloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo!" Castus yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth. He then stopped and looked around. 'Idiot! Don't go yelling in the middle of a monster infested wood. What if there are more around!?' He thought, mentally scolding himself. He had to find them...Maybe he should double back to where they had originally ran into the gorilla creature. That would be a good start. Before he could take another step though, Castus jumped when a...was that a jack in the box box appeared floating infront of him. Castus blinked at the box, as it hovered infront of him. Was he....suppose to crank it? 'I got a bad feeling.' Castus thought, though somehow he had an idea of what this was about. So he slowly took the box and slowly cranked it, listening to the music till finally the jack popped out of the box. But instead of a clown, all that popped out was a small Discord attached to a spring. "Ah, Castus. So nice to see you again." Discord said, the box disappearing and Discord standing before him at his full height. The odd shaped creature of chaos looked down at Castus and laughed a bit. "Ah, I see you uh...changed your wardrobe." Discord said, pointing a claw at Castus. Castus looked down at himself, and noticed that he was naked. Actually now that he remembered he had lost his toga in the chase. "Yeah. Something like that. Look, what do you want I gotta find Applebloom and her friends." Castus said. "Oh my, like that. I didn't know you liked them so young." Discord said with a snicker. Castus stopped and turned to look at the spirit of chaos and jammed a finger at him, "I-That...what....That's not it you pedophile! They're kids for gods sake! I gotta make sure they didn't get made into chow you damn bastard!" Castus blinked and covered his mouth. He was a bit miffed but he hadn't expected that sort of outburst. Even Discord seemed taken aback. "Well....they are technically nearing their teens by your standards. But you don't need to worry. They are very much safe with Zecora, and currently looking for you." Discord said as he looked at Castus with a more critical look in his eyes, all mischief gone. It made Castus a bit nervous. "They are? Oh thank god." Castus sighed in relief, "So what do you want then? I guess you were watching me while I was being chased?" "Oh I did, but don't worry I wouldn't have let you gotten eat....maybe. You are too much fun to watch, but I am here on a more serious matter. That being you and what you did." Discord said. Castus blinked, "What I did?" "That." Discord said, pointing to the two bodies of the monsters, "Taking down two full grown forest trolls with magic. Magic that you shouldn't have!" Castus blinked and rubbed his head, "Magic...I did....Agh!" He gripped his head as he slowly saw the images of the event come back to him. "Oh yeah.....I...did that....didn't I." Castus said slowly, rubbing his temples. "Yes, and frankly you shouldn't have been able to. No human from your world can use magic, so you shouldn't have been able to either. Frankly I was rather surprised, and that has only happened once...maybe twice in my entire existence. A rare feat, you should get a medal." Discord said, a medal with a Discord shaped head on it with a talon giving a thumbs up. Discord placed the medal around Castus neck, who merely looked at the....reward skeptically and with a raised brow. 'Eh....not keeping this.' He thought as he took it off and threw it away, but blinked when it vanished in a flash of light. "Fine. Don't take a medal. But that still leaves us with somethings to talk about." Discord said, two stools appearing for them to sit on. "Uh...here? Now?" Castus said, looking around. "O don't worry, Zecora can keep the girls safe, and they will eventually find your tracks and meet us here. And while I'm here no Everfree creature will even see us, let alone come near us. Besides....if any where around they would be staying away from you for sure after what you did. Forest trolls aren't a joke." Discord said as he placed a monocle over his right eye and looked down at Castus seriously. Castus felt uncomfortable under that gaze, but sat down and looked up at Discord with a frown, "Uh...okay. Can we hurry this up then, I'd get this all over and go home and get changed into some real clothes." "Yes yes, don't worry I know about your need for modesty and such. Your world is rather fascinating after all, sometimes I watch it." Discord said. "You watch it?" Castus said, then an idea came to his mind, "Hey! You're a magical thing right?" "Last I checked." Discord said with a smirk as a cup of tea appeared in his hand. Like magic. "Well...y-you know about my world and you got magic. You know of any way I can get home to my world?" Castus said, looking up at Discord with a look of joy and hope. Why didn't he think of this before? 'Well, he is the spirit of chaos apparently. I guess I naturally didn't want to trust him. But maybe I should, it's not like I got any other options right now.' He thought. Discord...looked nervous as he bit his lower lip and looked down at Castus with a frown. "I....I can....and....I can't." Discord said, the cup vanishing and the spirt of chaos rubbed his hands together nervously. Castus blinked and then chuckled slowly as he gave a smile and said, very slowly, "What. Do you mean. You can't?" He asked, his neck tensing a bit. "Well I can naturally bring you back to your world. After all, I was the one that brought you here." Discord said. "Wait you did!?" Castus yelled, "Why the hell did you do that?" He glared at Discord, feeling a bit angry. Or maybe...really angry. Angrier then he probably should. Discord leaned back a bit, lifting his hands up, "Yes...I well was...bored. I'm reformed and all and I can't cause the kind of mischief I would like. So I thought I'd bring something to this world from another and let it cause mischief or get in silly adventures to entertain me. Sort of like a cartoon." "So I was a cartoon to you. Well frankly I don't think its funny or silly. You took me from my world without my permission. You took me away from my life!" Castus yelled. "Yes yes, well I hadn't exactly meant to tell you that. But..well things have changed." Discord said, rubbing the back of his head. "Right...and why can't you send me back?" Castus asked. "Because...well, let me explain." Discord said, and snapped his fingers and created a school desk, which Castus sat in, and chalk board with Discord by it wearing college professors get up, glasses and all. "Now class. As you no doubt have guessed, the universe itself is compossed of different worlds." Discord said, writing on the chalk board. "Yeah. M theory. String Theory. Multi-verse and all that stuff. Parallel worlds and all. Things like that right?" Castus said, tilting his head slightly. Where was Discord going with this? "Correct. Well, in the universe these worlds are always separate from each other. They can never intersect or converge in the same place. But the worlds are always in a state of motion getting closer and farther away from each other in a sort of pull push motion." Discord continued. Castus nodded, "Okay....I think I follow." "Well, every once in awhile something shifts among worlds causing two or more to be able to come closer to each other then normal, sometimes fusing into one before splitting apart. Such connections can cause portals that allow things to pass through each world, or just allow for images to be seen by inhabitants of the other world. And in the case of fusion, the merging and sudden separation of worlds can have....cataclysmic consequences. And the more worlds that get involved in the fusion the worse it is. It is not uncommon for some worlds to be completely destroyed by the fusion and separation. But hey, the universe is always birthing new worlds so there is always something new to take their places." Discord went on. 'Yikes.' Castus thought. Anything that involved cataclysmic consequences didn't sound good. He hoped that wouldn't happen here or his world any time soon. "So...if I'm following right, my world and this world had gotten close enough to allow me to pass through a portal...that I think you made to allow me to come here and leave my world." Castus said slowly as he put things together. "Correct!" Discord said and placed an empty piece of paper on Castus desk with a big red A on it, "It was only a small portal, and it was the only one forming. You just happened to be the only human in that area when I reached through. Nothing personal, just accidental." "So, my being here was all just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? That's uh....well that sort of sucks." Castus said. Not that he had been expecting any sort of reason for being here...but now that he knew it had all been a matter of luck and chance, it made him feel odd. Humble maybe? "Well duh. I am the spirit of chaos. I don't plan for anything." Discord said, crossing his arms with a smile. "So why can't you just find another portal and send me back through?" Castus asked. "Ooooh. Now we....uh....get to the bad part." Discord said biting his lip. "Bad part?" Castus said, giving Discord a dirty look. Discord gulped, "Yes well you see....such meetings only occur ever hundred to one thousand years. Sometimes even millions of years. Now, these meetings always occur in the same place at the same time though. And yours doesn't have that big of a waiting period, which is probably why the portal was so small." "How small?" Castus asked. "Oh about the size of a doggy door." Discord said. "Tight fit. But how long do I have to wait before it opens again?" Castus asked, clenching his fists. "Oh well I'd say...oh......eighty five years." Discord said, tapping his chin. Castus blinked, and stared at Discord. His jaw slowly hung open, and his breathing caught in his chest. Eighty five years! EIGHTY FIVE YEARS! He was stuck here for eighty five years!?! "And.....N-nothing can be done!" Castus yelled as he got to his feet, looking at Discord with a look of wide eyed shook and despair. Discord shook his head, "No. No magic can pierce through the worlds in a way to connect them. You would have to leave the world itself and enter into the place where the worlds float across the universe and enter the world you wanted, and such capabilities have never existed on this world, or if they did no longer do so." Castus bit his lip, hard. So hard he felt pain as he bled from his lip and clenched his fist so tight his knuckles went white. "So...you.....trapped me here.....took me away from my family! My loved ones! MY LIFE! For eighty five years!!!!!" He yelled, getting angrier by the second. "Now...Castus...I know it is bad, and I am really sorry..." Discord said, "But, we need to focus on other thing right now, like-" But Castus ignored him as he sat up from the desk, and immediately regretted it as he felt pain shoot through his back and his head spin, either from a head rush or the still throbbing pain from before. He staggered a bit as he felt his vision going blurry and he glared at Discord. "Castus, now hold still, you are not in the best shape." Discord said, looking at the human worriedly. Castus growled as he placed a hand to his head, his vision swimming. He flipped Discord the bird and said, "**** you." before pitching forward and blacking out once more. Twice in one day, that must be his best record yet. Discord Discord sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He slitered over and inspected the wound on Castus back. The trolls claws cut into the back, but it was not a deep cut but it was a long one, going from right to left in a horizontal angle. Blood leaked from the wound, caking his back in a metal smelling red. Dirt from the ground had also been smeared onto the wound when he had fallen after being hit by the troll. All in all, Discord was impressed that he had managed to ignore the pain till now. Still, it would be best to deal with this now before it got worse. Placing his claw over the wound, Discord used his magic to send away the dirt and any other possible infection causing agents. He then snapped his claws together and a bottle of peroxide and some swabbing cloths appeared and began spreading the peroxide onto the wound to clean it real well, and then with a final snap the wound slowly closed shut. "There we go. Though I want you to come back in a week for a check up." Discord said with a chuckle as he placed a nurses hat on his head. Still, he found it hard to joke right now. And he looked down at the unconscious human with a frown. 'What have a I brought to this world?' He thought. The world in which Castus had come from did not allow for its inhabitants to access magic. In fact, he felt confident the humans of his world did not even have access to any sort of magical ability so by those rules, Castus should not have been even able to grasp at the magic that he had used. But he did. And that was what both worried and confused him. "Castus! Castus!" Discord looked up, hearing the voice of Applebloom and her friends. He expected they would be looking for him. "Well, I might as well ease their minds. Besides, I won't get anything done while he is out." Discord said as he stood up. He snapped his fingers and was soon adorned with a blue suit, with a red underwear on and a red cape, boots and gloves and a giant red D on his chest. He then reached down and picked up Castus in his arms, "SuperDiscord! Away!" He called and then started jogging through the woods as he made a whoooooshing noise. CMC and Zecora "CASTUS!!!" Sweetie Belle called out, cupping her hooves over her mouth to let the sound carry farther. Zecora winced at the loud tone, and gripped her potion thrower tighter. She placed a hoof on Sweetie Belle's shoulder, causing the filly to jump and look around at her curiously. "You must be quiet little filly. Least we bring to us things we cannot yet see." Zecora said, as she looked around once more, striving to listen for the slightest give away of a hidden predator. "But-" Sweetie Belle said, but stopped when Zecora cut her off. "Worried you are I know, but patience and calm you must learn," Zecora said, sighing, "We will find him I swear, but not if we running scared." "Alright." Sweetie Belle said, frowning. "Don't worry Sweetie Belle. I'm sure-" Scootaloo began, but was cut off as a whooshing sound started to near them. "Whoooooooshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" The sound came, and from the wounds jumped Discord, in a rather strange outfit consisting of a blue suit, red underwear and a cape. But what was most important was what he was holding. It was Castus, and he didn't look good. "Castus!" The girls called and they all ran over. Zecora held back and looked at the spirit of chaos suspiciously. "It wasn't me. I found him like this. But don't worry, he is alive, just unconscious." Discord said as he leaned down for the girls to get a better look at Castus. Zecora herself was surprised by the human. Well, she had originally been surprised that they had been looking for a human in the first place. But now that she saw him, she could see he did not look like most humans. Still, what confused her the most was the fact that he was still alive. If it had been a forest troll that had been chasing him, then what they should have found were remains...not a living body. So either Discord had saved him....or there was something else going on. Or maybe the human just got lucky when he hid. Trolls were not the smartest creature, cunning and savage, but not too smart. Either way, she had her doubts the spirit of chaos had anything to do with his saving. Though, maybe he did. When it concerned Discord, all of this frankly made no sense. "Is he okay? He is so pale." Sweetie said, placing a hoof gently on Castus cheek. "He will be fine. Don't worry, he just needs some rest." Discord said. "Wait...did you save him?" Applebloom asked, looking at Discord skeptically. "Why of course!" Discord said, looking insulted, "Why, I would never let anything happen to somepony or human if I could help. I'm reformed, and a gentleman." A top hat and monocle appearing on Discords head. "Right." Scootaloo said with a roll of her eyes. "Yeah...uh...sure." Applebloom said just as skeptical. "Yeah, but thank you for saving him." Sweetie Belle said, giving Discord a slight hug. Discord blinked in surprise by the hug, but stood up with a smile, "Well you found your human. I say we should all head back to Zecora's for tea while. And I'm sure she has something to help Castus right?" Zecora blinked, but nodded, "Yes I do. I have many a healing brew. Come let us go." "Wonderful. Let us go then. I'll take a cup of poison joke if you have any." Discord said with a chuckle. Zecora rolled her eyes as she lead the girls and Discord back to her hut. As they walked, Sweetie Belle asked a question. "Hey, what happened to Castus clothes?" She asked curious. Castus Castus groaned as he started to come to. He must have still been outside as he could hear a soft breeze blowing past his ears. Though for some reason he couldn't feel the breeze. He stirred slightly, lifting a hand to his head and rubbing at his eyes. "Hey! He's awake!" He heard Applebloom's voice call. "Applebloom?" Castus said, slowly opening his eyes. A gasp coming from the room as he spoke. As his eyes opened and his surroundings became apparent, Castus could see that he was not outside as he had originally thought, but inside. The soft breeze still blowing past his ears. Strange...how could there be a breeze inside? Before he could wonder on this more, Castus found himself being attacked by three small forms, and feeling himself be constricted in a hug. "You're okay! Thank Celestia." Sweetie Belle said, squeezing Castus harder. A few audible sniffs could be heard from her. "We were so worried about ya. We're so sorry we got you into this, this is all my fault." Applebloom said, tightening her own hug around Castus. The kid had a pretty good grip. "But it was so cool the way you threw that rock at that troll. Wham, right in the kisser." Scootaloo said, looking up at him with admiration. Castus grunted and gave the girls a smile, "Hey....no worries....could you let go of me now though, still a bit sore." "Oh, right. Sorry." Sweetie Belle said as she let go. Applebloom and Scootaloo following. "Thanks....where am I anyway?" Castus asked, looking around. He noticed a lot of shelves filled with plants, and vials of god knew what. Also he noticed a lot of tribal symbols of some sort, and masks of varying expressions. "Where you are is in my hut. But what you are, I know not." Castus looked over and saw a....zebra? Well a zebra like how Fluttershy and the rest were ponies. Anthropomorphic in nature, and wearing clothes, only the zebra wore a tribal garment that covered her lower regions and her chest. "A human that speaks, I have not seen. An explanation Applebloom, if you please." Zecora asked, looking at Applebloom with a critical eye, though every now and then glancing at Castus. Applebloom coughed, and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both suddenly started whistling, or trying to, as they looked in any direction but Applebloom or Zecora. Applebloom scowled at them, before turning toward to Zecora and rubbing the back of her neck. "Ah, well, ya see...." Applebloom started. "I'm human. I'm just not from this world. If you want proof, ask Discord. He'll tell you. He brought me here." Castus said, frowning and clenching his hands into fists as he remembered everything that Discord had told him. 'Eighty five years...this isn't fair.' He thought, biting his lower lip as he fought back tears. The crusaders and Zecora looked at Castus, then all looked toward a hole in the wall that led into a room with a bed in it. "I guess that's my que to step out. Just don't throw anything at me now Castus. Violence solves nothing." Discord said from the room, before slowly peeking out and giving a wave and stepping full out. Castus glared at the mixed up creature of chaos. He wanted to do hit him! To hurt him! To do something to make him pay for taking him from his life and home and loved ones. He hated him! But what would that do? Nothing. In the end....he could do nothing to get home. "Explain yourself chaos spirit. What mischief do you plot?" Zecora said. "None, well maybe a comedy show to watch, but-" Discord started. "It doesn't matter why I'm here...what matters is that I can't go home. He brought me here, but can't even send me home." Castus said, as he started laughing, staring down at his clenched fists as tears blurred his vision. "What?" Sweetie Belle gasped in surprise, "But...why are you laughing?" "Yeah, and are you really going to trust Discord. I mean, he isn't exactly the most trustworthy." Scootaloo said. "I say, I take offense to that." Discord gasped, "I spoke only the truth." "So...ya really can't send him home? No pony can?" Applebloom asked. Discord shook his head, "Not even the princesses could. These are laws that have been around since the beginning of creation. Castus is for all purposes, stuck here forever." "Why would you do something like that!?" Sweetie Belle shouted, looking at Discord with disgust. "I must agree, such a thing is low even for thee." Zecora said, giving an equally disapproving look. "Oh stop with the looks. I feel any guiltier and I'll have to wear a black and white striped vest all day. I said I was sorry." Discord said as he wilted under the looks. "You did....but it won't do anything about this will it." Castus said, eyes still down cast. "I-" Discord said, but went silent as Castus looked over at him with puffy red, teary eyes filled with hate. No....sorry wouldn't fix anything. Nothing would fix it. Nothing at all. 'Damn it all.' Castus thought, looking down at the ground again as an awkward silence filled the room. Fluttershy Lunch had been rather enjoyable, though Fluttershy felt bad that Castus had to be relegated to outside while she was enjoying some rather delicious apple fritters. To make up for it she saved one of hers to take home and give to him. She felt sure he would like it, Applejack was, next to Pinkie, one of the best cooks she knew. Especially with apples. "Well shoot, I reckon I'm stuffed." Applejack said as she finished her drink, her plates empty, "It was mighty fine having ya over Fluttershy." "Oh thank you. Lunch was very good, you're really one of the best cooks like Pinkie says." Fluttershysaid. Applejack smiled, "Aww shucks. I ain't as good as her. But Granny Smith always told me an Apple that can't cook an apple ain't an Apple." With a stretch, Applejack stood up and picked up her plate and glass, "Well time ta get back ta work, and I bet your little human is probably missing ya now." "Oh I'm sure he is fine." Fluttershy said as she stood up and took her own plate and glass and brought it with Applejack to the kitchen and placing it in the sink. She felt sure that Castus was fine. She would take him home and they would eat dinner together again, and then she would share the fritter she saved for him. She smiled at the thought, excited over what to talk about tonight. She was still unsure of why, but she found that she enjoyed being around Castus. Talking with him, eating with him. He made the cottage more.....homey. Not that it hadn't before, but it just seemed...different in a way that she liked. Heading out, the two headed first to the human pen. But when they arrived, they noticed something out of place. "Say uh...where is that little rascal?" Applejack asked, looking around. Fluttershy gasped and ran to the fence and looked around. Castus was gone! He wasn't anywhere in sight. "Oh no! Castus. Castus!" Fluttershy called, flying up and over the pen, hoping to get a birds eye view incase maybe she was missing something. "Now calm down sugarcube. I'm sure he is around." Applejack called. Fluttershy flew down and looked her friend in the eye, "But what if isn't? What if somepony snuck over and took him! Oh no! What if he got taken to one of those fight pits you hear in the paper!" Fluttershy's whole body started to shake in fear as she chewed on her hoof, her eyes wide with horror. Applejack shook her head with a sigh and calmly placed a hoof around her friends shoulder. "Now calm down Fluttershy. We're a small town and right near Canterlot. You know how the princess feels about those fight pits. Besides, even if some had tried to take him off, we would have heard a ruckus. I'm sure he is just fine, we just gotta look around a bit and we will find him. I just hope he ain't eating any more of my apples." A sudden loud crunch and chewing made both girls turn. They were surprise when they saw that indeed an apple was being eaten....if a strange yellow and green striped apple. "Discord! Are ya changing my apples flavors again? I told ya ta only do that when I asked ya, last thing I want is more hot pepper flavored apples." Applejack said, pointing a hoof at Discord and giving him the evil eye. "Well, forgive me for trying to offer your customers some exotic flavor to rather bland tart crunch of a regular apple." "Bland!? Why you-" "Discord, what brings you here? Oh, have you seen Castus maybe, please can you help find him?" Fluttershy asked, looking up at her chaotic friend with worried eyes. "Oh of course Fluttershy, don't worry your little head." Discord said, patting her mane before stepping aside, "He is right here." Fluttershy gasped when Discord stepped aside to show Castus. His face was downcast to the ground, and his blanket no longer covered his body, instead he had on a simple brown cloth wrapped around his waist to cover him. But he did not seem hurt, though she could feel that something was wrong. Beside him, Applebloom and her friends stood beside him. They all looked like they had run a marathon, their manes in a slight mess. They all had smiles on their faces, the kind of smile a kid gave when they knew they were in trouble and they stuck close to Castus. ‘At least he isn’t gone. Thank Celestia.’ Fluttershy thought; glad to know that he was not missing. “Oh thank goodness. Castus where were you?” Fluttershy said as she flew over and wrapped her hooves around him in a hug. Castus merely stood there, arms at his side and made no sign that he even registered her presence. “Castus?” Fluttershy asked, looking up to his eyes as she tilted her head slightly. Castus merely slowly removed her hooves from around him and started walking forward, pass her and Applejack, heading towards the path to leave Sweet Apple Acres. “Uh...is something bothering the fella? He’s acting kinda weird....for a human anyway.” Applejack asked, looking to Fluttershy. “I....I think so.” Fluttershy said, though she could not say what. “Well, he’s your human so I’m sure you know him better then I do. Though I want to know what exactly you were doing with him and the girls Discord.” Applejack said, looking to Discord with suspicion. “Me? Why Applejack I’m hurt, I mean I’m not the one that dragged the poor dear into the Everfree Forest.” Discord said as he turned with his arms cross and his tail tip turning into an arrow and pointing down at the cutie mark crusaders. “You little rat!” Scootaloo hissed, glaring at Discord as he placed a claw to his face to hide a smirk. “What!?” Applejack and Fluttershy gasped. Applejack turned her gaze from Discord to her sister, who gulped and rubbed the back of her head uneasily. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both takign a sudden interest in the grass. “Fluttershy, why don’t you go see to your human before someone sees him walking around alone. I got something ta talk about with my sister.” Applejack said, not taking her gaze off of Applebloom. “Oh...right.” Fluttershy said with a nod and turned to catch up with Castus. “Well I guess that is my queue to leave as well.” Discord said and quickly vanished with a flash. And so that left the dear crusaders alone with a rather miffed looking Applejack. They all gulped and chuckled uneasily as they tried to think of an explanation. Not that it would do them any good from being grounded, but hey...they could try. Fluttershy caught up with Castus without a fuss, but he kept silent the whole way back, eyes down and a grim expression on his face. And when they arrived back at the cottage, he merely went to his bed and sat down and stared down at the floor; and no matter how she tried to get some word from him, Fluttershy was only met with silence. ‘Oh, what happened to him? Is it something I did? Did he hurt himself in some way? Oh what do I do?’ Fluttershy thought, worried for Castus. She didn’t like seeing him like this, it hurt. As she prepared dinner, Fluttershy wondered what she could do to make Castus feel better. Something was obviously bothering him, but she could not tell what, but it had to be something big for it to affect him in such a way. She hoped it wasn’t serious. Her thoughts were disturbed though from a knock at her door. “Oh, who could that be at this hour?” Fluttershy asked, looking at the clock on her wall. The sun was already setting outside and the moon would be rising shortly. As she headed to the door, she saw that Castus had left his bed, and by the sound of running water in the bathroom told her he was there. Well, at least he wasn’t just staying in bed. That might be something. She then went to the door and opened it up slowly, peeking through a crack in the door. “Hello?” She asked. “Hello Fluttershy!” Discord said, his face appearing infront of hers on the other side of the crack of the door. “Ahh!” Fluttershy gasped, before opening the door when she realized who it was, “Oh…Discord, you scared me.” She placed a hoof over her heart to calm the fast beating organ. “Oh terribly sorry. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. Maybe have dinner, if it’s no trouble.” Discord said as he stepped inside. Fluttershy blinked, “What? O-oh, well I don’t see why not.” While Fluttershy was glad to have her friend Discord over, she was a bit surprised by the sudden arrival and proposal of his staying. Then again…this was Discord after all. “Splendid. Well, I think I’ll freshen up a bit.” Discord said, a powder compact and make up kit appearing in his arms as he headed toward the bathroom. Fluttershy gasped, “O-oh wait Discord, it’s-“ But she was too late as the spirit of chaos opened the door and waltzed right in, at the rather vocal surprise and irritation of the current occupant. “Hey! What the hell!? I’m trying to dry off!” Castus yelled. Fluttershy quickly turned down the hall to the bathroom, but stopped short at what she saw. The bathroom door hung open, steam from a hot shower drifting out and standing inside were two occupants. The first was Discord, who was busy applying mascara to his eyes and powdering his face, and then there was Castus, who stood with only a towel wrapped around his still slightly dripping wet body. Apparently Discord barged right in when he had just gotten out. Castus was glaring at Discord, but then looked to the side and was surprised to see Fluttershy there, staring at him. Immediately he blushed, as did Fluttershy and she quickly turnd her back to him and covered her face with her hooves. “OhmygoshI’msosorry! Ididn’tseeanythingIswear!” She screamed, feeling her whole face grow bright red. “Oh Fluttershy, could you ask Castus to step out. I can’t freshen up with him glaring like that.” Discord said as he started placing curlers in his hair. “What!?” Castus said, but only found himself suddenly lifted up by an invisible force and dropped outside to the hall and the bathroom door closed. “Hey!” Castus yelled, knocking on the door, before huffing with irritation and crossing his arms. Fluttershy herself, kept her back turned and strived to calm herself and lessen the blush that had engulfed her entire head. Why was she getting so flustered now? She had seen him naked before, when she had taken him from the pound. So why now? “Hey, why is he here?” Castus asked. Fluttershy blinked, and had to fight back to looking behind. Never the less she answered, “O-oh well, he is staying for dinner. S-sorry that he interrupted you.” “He is? Oh….great.” Castus said, a hint of sarcrasm in his voice. The two were silent when Castus said, “You know…I do have a towel around me. You don’t have to talk with your back to me.” “O-oh…sorry, I just…thought you would like some privacy.” Fluttershy said, taking a slow peek around before turning around and facing Castus, though she still hid herself slightly in her mane. “I think we are past that. I mean, not like you haven’t seen it before,” Castus said, muttering at the end lowly, “And guess it makes us even.” “Huh?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head confused. “Uh nothing.” Castus said, looking away as he rubbed the back of his head, “I…I’m gonna get some clothes on. Where are the clothes Rarity made me?” “O-oh they are by your bed…I..I put them there when we got home.” Fluttershy said. “Oh,” Castus said surprised, “Oh…thanks.” And with that, he walked off and past Fluttershy. Fluttershy opened her mouth and turned, watching Castus go, but he vanished into the living room. She closed her mouth and sighed. She had him talking, but she couldn’t bring up the matter she wished to discuss. Then again, maybe she should take it slow. "Well how do I look?" Discord said as he finally emerged from the bathroom. Fluttershy turnd and blinked and saw that Discord....looked the same. He didn't seem to have anything different about him. "Uh...you look.Good." She said, a bit confused. Had he really needed to freshen up? The crytic and mischievious smirk on the draconiques face told her, probably not. Fluttershy felt a tension in the air so thick you could have cut it with a knife. She looked between Discord, who chowed away happily as he talked about some pranks he pulled back in the day, and Castus who ate silently eyes at the table, but every so often he woul glare up at Discord when he tried talking to him, and causing Discord to clear his throat and move his chair a bit away from Castus and continue talking. 'Something happened between them. But what could it be to make Castus so hostile toward Discord?' Flutterhy thought. Maybe she should ask Discord later. Finally Castus set his fork down on his plate and stood up, "I'm done. I'm gonna turn in early today." And with that he walked toward the kitchen to wash his plate before heading to his bed. "Oh...um...okay, good night Castus." Fluttershy called, but got no answer. She then looked to Discord, who had a frown on his face, but it quickly vanished when he noticed her staring and he smiled at her saying, "Well dinner was most excelent Fluttershy." "Oh, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it, it is always nice to have dinner with friends." She said, feeling a slight smile on her face. "And it is always good to be over." Discord said as he snapped his claws and his plate and glasses floated over to the sink and started washing themselves. The two were silent a moment, till finally Fluttershy spoke. "Um...Discord." Fluttershy started. "Yes Fluttershy?" Discord asked, his head tilting it it was upside down. "Uh, well...I was wondering. Not that I'm blaming you at all, not that in the least. It's just that Castus-" Fluttershy started, stammering some as she tried to find the right words to say. Discord chuckleda bit, causing Fluttershy to look at him in surprise, but finally the draconiques frowed and sighed. "WellI figured it would be best to tell you myself. And from the way Castus is, I don't think he would be willing to say, probably because he doesn't want to admit it." Discord said with a frown. "Admit what?" Fluttershy asked. "Well...I might have had a....small part in why Castus is here." Discord started, taking Fluttershy by surprise. And so he explained, and as he did Fluttershy felt her eyes widen, till finally Discord finished. "So you see...he can't go home. If I could I would, but these are rules not even the most powerful of magics can break. My hands are tied." He said, holdling up his hands to show them bound by tight rope. "Discord...that's....how could you do that. Oh poor Castus." Fluttershy said, partly wanting to reprimend Discord, and partly wanting to rush to Castus and give him a big hug. The poor dear was probably an emotional wreck right now. "I know, I was wrong. I just....I can't always help myself." Discord said, rubbing the back of hsi head with a frown as he looked away and at the ground. Fluttershy opened her mouth to say something, but noticed that Discord did seem truly upset over his actions. And frankly she could not rightly put so much blame onto him. Even if he was reformed, Fluttershy knew enough that Discord couldn't fight his nature to cause chaos, at least minor mischief chaos, all the time. With a sigh Fluttershy placed a hoof on Discord's shoulder, "I am rather upset.....but I can see you feel bad and I know that if you could you would do everything to help getting Castus home. But I don't want you doing this ever again. Do you understand." Discord nodded, "Yes Fluttershy. I think I should go now." "THat...might be for the best." FLuttershy said. Discord frowned, but Fluttershy gave his lion paw a squeeze to put him at some ease. Discord smiled a bit as he stood and snapped his fingers to vanish in a poof of light. With him gone, Fluttershy stood alone and with a sigh she sat back down and placed her hooves to her face. What did she do now? Castus It was late in the afternoon when Castus finally awoke and washed himself. Fluttershy had tried to coax him awake earlier, but he merely asked her to leave him alone and let him sleep. He hadn't felt like getting up at that time. Fluttershy was busy with her usual chores now, seeing to the needs of the animals around her cottage. And he...well he just sat inside on the couch, bent over slightly as he tried to figure out what he did now. What could he do now? What did one do when they learned that they could never get back home, especially from a being that showed near omnipotent power? 'Do I just go on? Go on as what? Here I'm just an animal for gods sakes, what kind of freaking life can I have when I have to pretend to be something I'm not for all of my life.' He thought as he growled and gripped his head, running his fingers through his hair. He had been alright pretending to be like the humans here, somewhat. Enough to pass off, but he didn't think he could do that forever. Sure he could be himself around Fluttershy and the girls....and he figured the zebra Zecora. Crap he didn't even know if he could trust her to not tell someone he could talk. Then again, she lived in the Everfree Forest. A single breeze drifted pass his ear, the soft feeling of wind vibrating across his hearing. Even though he was inside. 'Oh yeah, and then there is that.' Castus thought as he covered his ears. But still the sound of wind he could hear. He didn't know what it was about, but he felt it was part of...whatever he had done to those trolls. Discord said it was magic, even though he shouldn't have been able to use magic. If it was the case, it only made him both scared and also angry. Here he was with magic, something that had shocked a being that lives for the unexpected, and he knew it couldn't do for him the one thing he wished it could. Not that he had any idea how to even control it, and that also scared him. 'I don't even know how I used it the first time, but I killed two creatures with it. True they were trying to kill me, but what if it happens again. I don't know a thing about this...what if I....' He groaned and got up and headed toward the door. All this thinking was driving him insane. He needed to get out and walk, maybe walking would help him get things straight. Besides he didn't feel like being stayed up inside all day. Castus stepped outside and felt a light breeze blow against his face, a wind he could feel. A real wind, not this imaginary one that he could hear but not feel; even though the other wind he could still hear as a light background noise. Not as apparent, but still there. Despite the rather grim circumstances surrounding his mood, he was happy for one thing. The feeling of actual pants. They were no jeans, but the fabric that made up his new pair of pants were amazingly comfy, which was good cause while he had pants he sadly didn’t have any undergarments on. He was really glad it wasn’t wool he was wearing. ‘That would be just too uncomfortable.’ He thought. Even his shirt was a comfy on him, light weight and it breathed very well. All in all, he could say, even without knowing her well that Rarity girl was good with cloth making. And he would admit, very pretty like Fluttershy was. ‘Agh, no don’t need that right now.’ He thought, shaking his head. He walked around the cottage to head toward the Whitetail Wood forest that bordered Fluttershy’s cottage alongside the Everfree. He knew of a small stream that ran through the river that was in still a good distance to the cottage. Even if it was out of the way, he didn’t feel a need to wander far from the one safe place he had in this world. “Oh, Castus. Are you going somewhere?" Castus stopped and turned to see Fluttershy, she looked at him with worry. He frowned and turned to face her fully. "Yeah. A walk. In the woods." He said simply before turning around. "Oh...w-well, maybe I can join you. I've finished everything I have to do and I don't-" "Alone. I'd like to be alone for a moment." Castus said, cutting her off. "O-oh....I see." Fluttershy said, her tone hurt. Castus had a feeling she was hiding her face in her mane now. "Castus....I...I've been thinking..." Fluttershy then said, her voice stuttering slightly, "I...that is...I learned.....Discord told me-" "Just shut up," Castus snapped, "Just shut up. And leave me alone." Fluttershy eeped, and Castus felt sure that he had hurt her. She was sensitive like that, but right now he didn't care. He just wanted to be alone. And he didn't want to talk about it. Because if he did....he would have to admit it. To accept it. And a part of him, wasn't ready for that yet. "I'll be back before dinner." He said, and walked off. "O-okay." Was all Fluttershy mumbled, just barely audible. Castus kept walking, and didn't look back. But if he did...he might have seen tears. Castus walked on through the forest, kicking at the dirt with his arms crossed over his chest. He had hoped that coming out side and walking around would get his brain working, but all he got was another headache and a feeling that he was a jerk. And he probably was. 'God damn it all. It's like everything is just falling to pieces.' Castus thought as he kicked the ground. What did he do now? He figured that he would have to stay here, he was stuck here. But what the hell kind of a life was he expected to live now? Hiding? Pretending to be an animal? Hoping that he didn't do something that showed he was smarter then the average bear and end up....who knew where. 'And this magic. What the hell does it mean for me? And why do I keep hearing this damn wind!' Castus thought, growling with frustration as the gentle calm of the Wind, continue to blow. What did he do now? 'Come.' Castus paused in his step and looked around. There was no one around, yet he knew he had heard something. 'Come.' There it was again, a voice...but....no. It wasn't a voice. 'Come.' There was no voice...but it felt like a voice. No, what it was, was a feeling. A feeling that was carried by the Wind. A feeling that sang upon his mind, that rang gently in his ears like the light jingle of a bell. Castus turned again, and found himself staring in the direction of the Everfree Forest. The feeling was coming from there. "Oooooh great. Now I'm hearing voices....or callings or....oh great. Great. Ehahahah." Castus chuckled uneasy. The feeling continued, but it wasn't a compulsion. Castus didn't feel a need to follow, it just felt....more like a request. It was a choice. How he knew that he didn't know, he just knew. 'I should just walk away. Right now.' He thought. It would be smart. It would be, to him, logical. The Everfree had twice nearly killed him, and he didn't want to try for a third. But the feeling just kept coming, kept making itself known. And with it's request, Castus started to feel....a calm. And feeling that calm, he felt it creep across his mind. "I should just leave.....but I'm just too stupid to listen." Castus said, and slowly walked toward the Everfree, following the sense of the Wind. It was his choice. But he had a bad feeling about it. Oh well. What was the worse that could happen? What else did he have to lose, when his whole life had been taken from him already. Castus continued through the forest, stepping over rocks and tree roots. Swearing when his foot falls caused a twig to snap, and every time freezing and looking around for something to leap out at him. He was paranoid, but he had a good reason to. Yet still he found nothing, and the feeling still continued, leading him. Though where Castus didn't know. As he continued, he felt the feeling grow strong, the sense of its intentions grow more clear. It was still asking him to come, but he could feel it was not of a malicious intent. And the sense of calm that accompanied its message grew. Yet still Castus could not shake away his discomfort. He was not in a safe place after all. 'Where is it leading me?' Castus thought, as he pushed aside a low lying branch and found himself by a cliff. The drop below lead to a gorge below, and if he went over Castus could tell enough it would be a drop that would not end well. And the feeling was stronger across the gap...on the other side. 'How do I-' Castus thought, till he noticed a wooden rope bridge that covered the gap. He walked over and inspected the planks. They were old, and when he slowly took a step on, hands gripping the rails with a white knuckled grip, they creaked and moaned. 'Oh....great. This makes me feel safe.' He thought as he slowly started to cross the bridge. The boards moaned, but that was all. Still, he didn't let go of the rail and kept his pace slow and steady till finally he reached the other side and threw himself down onto his knees with relief. "Oh thank god." He sighed, relieved to be across. Getting up, Castus saw that the ruins of an old castle stood before him, the broken stone and desiccated foundation of a once proud citadel. Who would build a castle way out here in the middle of monster wood? Castus found himself humming a tune from a certain video game as he looked at the ruins. He chuckled and then felt the presence of the feeling again, stronger then ever. 'Come!' It did not lead into the castle. Which Castus was glad for as he didn't exactly feel like entering into an old ruin that was no doubt home to any number of wild animals and crumbling stone structure. But where it did lead, was to a staircase, built into the side of the cliff and leading down into the gorge, and at the far end of the gorge stood a cave. The feeling was coming from that cave. 'Oh...unknown cave. Much better then.' Castus thought. Not like anything ever lived in caves. Yet despite his feelings against it, he found himself descending the stair well and heading toward the cave. Castus stood near the entrance to the cave now, and the feeling was at its zenith. A soft light seem to glow from within the cave, and a feeling of calm and peace washed over him in such a way that he could not help but feel safe. Feel collected. To feel at peace, despite everything that had happened so far. 'What is in here?' Castus thought, and he slowly leaned against the cliff wall and peeked into the cave. What he saw shocked and filled him with awe. "Whoa....wow." He said, and slowly walked in. Fluttershy Fluttershy looked once more at the clock. It was now eight at night, and Castus still had not returned yet from his walk. 'Oh, where is he? He said he would be back.' Fluttershy thought, pacing back and forth near the dining room. Castus was deeply troubled, and he had a reason, but still Fluttershy worried that he might do something reckless. Especailly after the way h had snapped at her earlier today. 'It still hurts...thinking about it.' She thought, biting her lip and holding a hoof over her heart. When Castus had yelled at her like that, it had hurt a lot inside. She didn't know why, but she didn't like him talking like that to her; it upset her. "Oh, I know he was angry...but I don't think he would...NO!" Fluttershy shouted, taking all the animals by surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just....no I won't think about it." Fluttershy said, shaking her head. The animals all looked at her worried. Fluttershy went to the coat rack and put on her sweater, "I'm going to go out. I'll be back soon." With that she stepped out into the night air and turned toward the forest. The dark....shadowy....forest. Fluttershy gulped, but shook her head. She wasn't going to be scared. She was going to find him. And so with her resolve set, she took off into the forest... ....after going back inside and getting a flash light.....two of them. Castus Castus stood before a tree. But it was a tree unlike one he had ever seen. In place of bark, was the purest crystal...or was it silver? He could not tell, but it gave off a light, a glow, that felt warm standing so close to it. It was comforting. The trunk of the tree bore markings of a moon, a sun and in the center a six pointed star, and at the branches were.....a butterfly, a balloon, a lightning bolt, a diamond shaped gem, and an....apple? "What....is it?" Castus asked as he stepped closer to the tree. A strange sense of welcome seemed to echo across the Wind, the gentle breeze carrying a melody of simple low bells. A feeling of safety surrounded him, and came from the tree. It felt like....the tree was welcoming him. And strange enough....Castus could feel the meaning behind the feelings carried by the Wind. He didn't know how, or why. He just did. "You....are what was calling me here......why?" Castus asked. Pain. There was pain he felt, the pain of loss. To loss something dear. A pain of missing home, and the sense of that pain being felt. Castus frowned, and lowered his head. "How did you even...." Castus mumbled. The feeling of pain soon faded, and the calm returned. The peace returned, yet there was still sorrow. Castus looked up to the tree once more, understanding. "How can I be calm? Or at peace when I can never see my home again. Never see my family again....I can't even tell them I'm safe." Castus said, looking up at the tree. The winds blew and carried the sense of the tree.....understanding. It understood his pain. The feeling of calm though was being replaced by something else...by....acceptance. "Acceptance...how can I just accept it. I have no one here! Everyone I've ever loved is there and I can never see them! I'm utterly...alone." Castus snapped at the tree, biting his lip to fight back tears. A sudden image of Fluttershy soon floated pass his mind. Her smile. Her tender care. How she helped him when he needed it, and accepted him. Gave him a home. ....cared about him. "Well...yes...she cares...." Castus said, frowning, "I....I shouldn't have....acted as I did.....to her." A feeling of sadness echoed on the Wind, and Castus frowned even more. God, he had made her sad. He had been so angry that he let himself make the one person in this whole world upset, had hurt her. Snapped at her. "God, I am such a jerk." Castus said, covering his eyes. 'Cannot change what is. But never let grief or anger control your will. There is always a light in the dark.' That was what Castus could hear from the tree, if not in words but in feeling. And as he placed his head against the trunk with a sigh, he realized that was the truth. "I....I can't go home....but....I shouldn't let it eat away at me. To make me hurt those who care about me. I can't change what is.....I just....have to move on." Castus said, admitting what he knew all along. He just needed a tree to help him out. He looked up at the tree once more and smiled as he stepped back. "I don't know what you are...or...well any of this but.....thanks. I never thought I'd be set straight by a tree." Castus said. A feeling of....humor....echoed from the tree. 'Oh god...a tree with a sense of humor.' Castus thought, laughing at the absurdity. But then again...he had been engaging in a conversation with a tree. How absurd was that? Turning, Castus looked out of the mouth of the cave and saw that the sky was now night, how long had he been here? "Oh crap, Fluttershy is probably worried sick." Castus said. 'Home.' Was what the tree sent now. What he felt from the tree. Castus turned back to it once more and nodded. "Yeah....right. Thanks." He said. Without warning a light of the purest white flowed down from the heart of the tree, down to its roots, and from the root a flower sprouted. Castus jumped slightly from the sudden action, and watched with curiosity as the flower grew bigger and bloomed, revealing a small box. 'Take.' Castus looked to the tree, then to the box and slowly approached it. He slowly reached for the box and took it from the flower, which wilted and returned to the earth when he did. Castus looked at the box,then to the tree, then back to the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a necklaces. Silver chain attached to a small silver image of a tree, six studded gems on the image, each with a similar color as the gems on the tree. Castus fingered the necklaces gently as he pulled it from the box and looked at it. An odd gift....if it was a gift. The feeling from the tree was gone now, leaving him in silence. Castus looked to the tree once more before placing the necklace around his neck and tucking it behind his shirt to hide it. He then turned and walked out of the cave. He walked back the way he came, wary of course of his surroundings, yet despite the darkness, he could feel a slight presence, offering him aid out of the forest before vanishing when he stepped back into the Whitetail Wood. Castus placed a hand over the necklace he had received from the tree. 'This was.....strange.' Castus thought, 'but....I think it was what I needed.' "Castus! Castus!" Castus turned and saw two rays of light shining from the forest, Fluttershy's voice calling him. Castus smiled and called over, "Over here!" A few moments later, Fluttershy rushed toward him and Castus had to brace himself as he felt the timid Pegasus girl collide into him and wrap her hooves around him in a hug. "Ohmygosh! Castus, thank goodness. I..I know I upset you when I tried to talk to you this morning, but I'm really sorry, I was just trying to-" Castus blinked but smiled and wrapped his arms around Fluttershy and hugged her back, "No...I'm sorry. You were trying to help, and I was just too upset to do anything but snap at you." Fluttershy looked up at him, tears in her eyes, "No, I understand. I don't know what you must be feeling. Not being able to go home again, but...I..." Castus smiled, "Maybe...but still I shouldn't have acted like that. Can you forgive me?" "Of course. I'm just glad you're safe, I was so worried when you didn't come home. Where were you?" Fluttershy asked, wiping at her eyes some. Castus opened his mouth to say something, but closed it. He didn't really know if Fluttershy would believe him about his conversation with the tree, so he simply said, "I was here. I'm sorry I worried you, I guess I just lost track of the time." Fluttershy smiled, "Well, you're safe so that's what matters. Come on, lets go home." Castus nodded and the two of them walked back to the cottage. Even if he could not go home, Castus felt glad for something as he looked at the Pegasus girl beside him, a smile on her face as she looked at him. Even if he must stay here for the remainder of his life. At least he had someone beside him.