Deep thoughts of the past.

Twilight had been running as fast as her legs could carry her to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, hopefully they both had found Spike. She needed him to send the letter to Princess Celestia as soon as possible even if she is all the way in Ironhelm.

While she was making her way past the park she noticed both Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Spike standing near the park bench searching for Leo. She skidded to a sharp halt, and quickly made her way to the trio, a lucky coincidence that they saved her the trouble of looking for Spike.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you, where have you been Spike! Can't you see that I needed you, why did you run off like that..."

At this point Twilight's words had fallen deaf to Spike's ear holes. He couldn't really stand her at the moment right now, after everything that happened and witnessed first hand. The sound of her voice just irritated the young dragon, as usual she would always babble on about how she needed to do this for that, Spike was not in the mood for that whatsoever, not after what she did.

Spike had once again pulled Leo's back pack over his shoulder, making his way past Twilight completely ignoring her. Shock was what struck her when Spike walked past her, deciding not to even acknowledge the importance of Twilight's conversation.

"Spike are you even listening!? Don't ignore me when I'm talking to you--"

"Shut it." Spike said halting Twilight's scolding, the words that he uttered alone were enough to make Twilight's words die in her throat. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash couldn't believe Spike had just said that, to her 'big sister'. They were just as shocked as Twilight, but not as hurt.

What possessed him to say such a thing?

"S-Spike..." She uttered out, with hurt clear in her voice. Though Spike felt a pang of guilt go through him, he decided not to let it get to him as there was still a matter at hand.

"Where is Leo?" He asked with a neutral tone.

"H-he's with Lyra, but I don't think-" before she could finish, Spike had already started making way to Lyra's house.

"Spike? " Twilight called out to him but he had ignored her as he kept on walking, not even turning back.

Both pegasus had taken place with Twilight, trying to snap her out as she had kept staring into the distance absentmindedly where Spike once was in the distance.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy gently placed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. At that moment, Twilight snapped back to reality, her eyes upon her friends. "Twilight, I know Spike shouldn't have said that, but he really does care for Leo in case you haven't noticed."

Fluttershy's words were almost too absurd to belive as Twilight's eyes widened slightly.

"But why?!" She said looking back into the distance. "Why would he even care for a foreign species like Leo? What is it about him that had made Spike act this way after barely even knowing him a few days? I just don't understand it? Why?" The enigma Twilight was trying to decipher of Leo's effect on Spike was enough to make her sigh in frustration as she pawed the ground.

Rainbow Dash was currently trying to solve the puzzle herself, but not because his effect on Spike.

It was his affects on Fluttershy.

She had noticed Fluttershy acting differently ever since their encounter with the other world foreigner. She had become defensive of him when they bad mouthed him back at the library. She also remembered when she was first to volunteer to house him.

Ever since he came Fluttershy had not been her usual self, the affection she showed for him was somewhat firm. What reason would she have to display this, Leo was by no means an animal as far as they all knew, so it couldn't be her animal caring nature to act this way. Her social nature was definitely off the table, she's never showed this kind of caring nature to others of sentient life in a short amount of time. How odd, there could be a few theories as to why she's like this, perhaps it was because Leo was thrown into this world by destiny's will, in the same spot he had started; alone. Or was it because he saved her and Applejack from dying a horrible death from the wrath of the timberwolves, Leo taking the place of being ruthlessly mauled. Sacrificing his own well being in order to become their shield, spearing them intense pain.

Which one was it exactly?

Too lost in the 'intellectual' recess of their minds, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight had snapped out of it as they find Fluttershy missing from her place beside them.

"Horse feathers, how long have we been standing here?!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Too long..." Twilight said while rubbing her temples, tightly clenching her eyes as the stress was begrudgingly leaving her. "Rainbow Dash, have you noticed something different about Spike and Fluttershy lately? Behavior wise." She asked her friend who was still had the thought lingering in her head as she stared into the distance.

"Yea, I've noticed it, but if you're gonna ask me why then all I can tell you is that your guess is as good as mine..." She sulked finally giving up on figuring out the problem. "...I just don't get it, why?"

"Maybe we should go and find out." What Twilight had said made Rainbow Dash do a double take. Twilight did not only poke the bear and then nearly get hurt in the process, but know she was willing to go and see said bear at the risk he might actually snap her horn off this time.

Having to watch Leo grasp her horn with his minotaur like appendages was terrifying. Rainbow Dash really wanted to help Twilight, but that Leo...his will to keep his anger somewhat purged. The intensity of those eyes felt like the fires of tarturus ready to break loose.

"Twilight, I know you're interested in learning stuff and all..." She waved her hoof carelessly as she spoke. "...but are bucking nuts!?" She shouted as her wing reflectivity took her air borne.

"Rainbow Dash, language!"

"I'm just saying, I mean common! After what happened this morning I'm surprised you're not still sobbing on the ground in the middle of town." She spoke without realizing what she said, oblivious to Twilight's glare.

"I don't have time for this." Twilight had ignored her friend's unintentional insult as she took off after Fluttershy and Spike.

And so there was Rainbow Dash, alone in the park, contemplating her options as little foals ran past her playing, on one hoof there was going with her friends to regain Leo's trust. The other was going back to her personal cloud and try forget this morning.

Help Leo in the slight risk of getting her face pulverized, or relax in the safety of the skies.

It only took a short moment before she came to a consensus. One that contradicted in her role of being the element of loyalty.

"Buck this, I'm chilling in my cloud. Maybe get a bottle of apple cider."

With that said she bolted to the general direction where Applebloom was in the town market selling their apple product merchandise.

After Rainbow Dash has taken off a brown little colt by the name of Button Mash watching the rainbow streak slowly dissappear along with the mare, also contemplating a question in his mind of what Rainbow Dash said.

Seconds pass and the young foal quickly took off where his mother was, chatting with her friends in a conversation of eligible stallions to herd with.

"Mom." The young foal called out to his mother who had her undivided attention.

"Yes Button?" She said with a smile followed by her friends.

"What does buck mean?" He asked.

Back at Lyra's house Leo stood in the kitchen, washing the dishes from the small remnants of crumbs and cheese.

Too focused on what Leo was doing, he was oblivious to Lyra's present near the entrance frame, watching Leo from afar.

A smile on his face.

It made Lyra sad, watching Leo so content with what he had said. Well, not content, it was more like accepted of what Leo couldn't change.

A heavy heart in Lyra's being felt overwhelming. She couldn't just stand there any longer watching him wear a smile on his face he learned to fake over time as she slowly approached him, it was so convincing that Leo actually believed the fraudulent mask was truly him showing his emotions.

Earth was by no means a spiraling pool of despair.

Though however, there are those chosen by life's servants which was destiny. One of life's little sisters determining the fate of majority of man. And the minority which Leo was, she was good and evil.

Cruel and kind.

After Lyra reached Leo, who was still oblivious that she was right next to him, she titled her gaze to look up at his dirt colored eye that could be seen from where she stood. Still wearing his "smile, as he was almost finished with both glasses as he rinsed off the soap.

She really wanted to help him but she just couldn't find the right words, only one thing was she able to speak.

"L-Leo..."

"Hm?" He turned his gaze from the dishes to Lyra, who had a saddened look on her face which perplexed Leo that it made his mask falter to genuine concern. "Lyra, what's wrong?" He asked.

"I-I just wanted to-"

Her thought was inturuppted as the sound of locks being shifted and a door being creaked open as hoofs were hastily being let in.

"Goddess, that was awful! Here I thought I was going to have a day off and then that awful ape had to come to the market and ruin it for me!" The voice neared to the entrance of the kitchen which made both hearts race. "Lyra are you in there?" The voice said drawing ever nearer until it reached the entrance. "You would not believe the morning I've ha-" a yellowish mare by the name of Bon Bon had stopped in her tracks along with her sentence as her gaze went from her friend, to the bronze ape next to her. "L-L-Lyra, what is that thing doing in our house?!" She shouted while pointing her hoof at Leo. "Y-you get out of our house now!"

Leo had recoiled back at the end of her sentence, the pointing didn't help either as his good mood dissipated.

"Bon Bon, calm down he isn't here to hurt anypony. I invited him over to chat-"

"You invited him over?! After what he did this morning?! Lyra, do you know what that thing is capable of? You saw what it did in the market, and what he almost did to Twilight's horn! He's dangerous, and he could hurt you! He might just even snap off your horn and do goddess knows what to it!"

The things that Bon Bon said about Leo was frustrating to listen. How could she say such hurtful things to this gentle yet tormented soul? Leo has shown nothing but charming nature since this morning, everything that everypony said about him was nothing but an exaggerated accusation.

Ready to jump to his defense, Lyra was ready to unleash an unrelenting force of scolding words. But before she could do something so hasty she had felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned her gaze up to Leo to see a look in his eyes that told her, don't'.

He knew what she was ready to do. She was going to ruin her long time friendship over a newfound one from today.

"Lyra, it's alright." He said in a gentle tone, once again wearing his fake smile, only smaller.

"But Leo-"

"It's fine." His gaze then went to Bon Bon who still stood in her place, an irritated look etched on her face. "Don't need to be impatient 'yegua'. I'm leaving."

He straightened his jacket ,made his way towards the exit of the kitchen, then to the door as it was heard open, then shut from where Lyra stood.

All she could do in that moment was stare at the wooden floor. Saddened that Leo was kicked out, yet mad that her roommate drove him out in the most vulgar manner.

As Leo shut the door that he gently leaned on, he stood there for a moment sighing deeply. Things were going so well until that mare walked in, but that is how it always went for him.

When things are looking up, they take a one eighty turn and smack Leo across his face. It's been like that for a long time which was why Leo was so calm about the situation. He had grown used to it and accepted it, though he never liked it.

"How irritating..." He muttered silently as he raised himself from the door and made his walk down the path that for some reason, ponies suddenly avoided. "...just once I'd like things to stay bright."

Just then, a flashback had appeared in Leo's mind. He remembered a time when he met this nice eighteen year old girl when Leo was still a toddler after shortly crossing the border. He and his parents ran into another group of immigrants that were most likely on the same journey as they were. Though the groups united there was still trouble that Leo's false father caused by one of his drunken outbursts shortly afternoon as they made camp hidden from the immigration force hunting them down.

Irritated Leo was of that man, he ran as fast as his little legs could take him into the woods, tearing heavily until he found himself in a clearing full of dead leaves and twigs. His legs faltered as he knelt in the clearing, sobbing quietly to himself. All his life had to deal with that man, and it was too much for him to handle over the years as his rage built up. Keeping to himself as he did not want to burden his mother any more than she needed to be.

So he just knelt in place, continuing to let his emotions seep out without any one to comfort him. That was until...

*crunch~!*

Leo let out a silent gasp from the noise that inturuppted his flash back, bringing him back to reality. He lifted his foot to see what he had stepped on.

"My cigarette bud? But that doesnt even...oh crap, did I zone out?" He muttered as he took in his surroundings.

He was at that hill that overlooked the town where the tree was, only the bench was missing.

"What happened to the bench?" Leo looked over his environment only to see that it was nowhere to be found. "Shit...shit, shit. Where am I gonna..." Leo looked back over the tree which was surrounded by the comfy looking grass. "I guess that looks comfy." Leo walked over the tree, sitting down as he leaned against the bark.

Leo sat there overseeing the town as a joyless expression came to his face, remembering that flashback.

"Idoya..."

Back in ponyville, Fluttershy and Spike finally reached Lyra's house, both hoping Lyra didn't do anything to agitate Leo.

"Spike I'm a little worried, you think Lyra would..."

"No, she wouldn't Fluttershy. She's not like Twilight." Spike knocked trice on the door shortly after it opened and Lyra emerged, her eyes red and her cheeks soaked.

"Oh, hey guys. What are you doing here?" She sniffled.

"Lyra what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Lyra wiped her tears away, desperately trying to regain her composure.

"I'm sorry it's just that, I had a new friend over. Things were going great until Bon Bon ruined everything." She finished her sentence with much gloom.

"Leo didn't..." Spike began to fear the worst.

"No, no he didn't. He just left as calmly as he could without having to escalate the situation." Her gaze went down as she remembered the things they've talked about, some good. But the bad kept gnawing the back of her mind. "Wait, you haven't seen him?"

"No, we haven't seen him. We thought he'd be here." Fluttershy's hopeful expression saddened in disappointment to see Leo was no longer where Twilight said he was. "Think, where do you think he could have gone?" She asked.

Lyra placed a hoof on her chin as she began to wonder where he could have wondered off.

"If I remember correctly, Leo was sad when he left the house. You know when I'm sad I go to my secret place where I feel most comfortable having my worries mount away. I know he's been here only a short while, but where do you think he could have gone to feel comfortable?" She asked as she looked back at the duo.

Both Spike and Fluttershy stood there for a moment, remembering the times when Leo didn't show detest for this world. Just then a light bulb lit up above their heads after they came to a conclusion where he might have gone.

"We think we know where he might have gone." Spike said as he once again threw Leo's bag over his shoulder.

"Fucking damn it, why did I have to remember that memory..."Leo said sitting sulkingly alone, wrapping his arms around his knees as he buried his face where his arms held his knees in place. "Why did I have to remember you."

That memory that decided once again make itself known. Another traumatic memory that Leo purged away hoping he would never remember.

Before he could let it sink any deeper, the sounds of heavy breathing took the place of silence, followed by footsteps coming up the hill.

"Who's that?" Leo turned his gaze where the noise was coming from. Only to see the emerging forms of both Fluttershy and Spike.

"Leo, there you are!" Fluttershy cried out as she threw herself over him. By reflex Leo opened his arms and caught Fluttershy, who was now hugging him tightly. Her nose buried on his shoulder as she began to cry.

"Fluttershy what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Leo patted Fluttershy's back gently.

"Why do you think dude, she's been worried sick after what Twilight said she'd done." Spike said as he set Leo's bag down and joined both Leo and Fluttershy. "You dummy."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you guys. I just had to leave before I caused anymore damage."

Both Spike and Fluttershy pulled away from the embrace, seeing Leo return to his cheerless mood return. He was deep in thought of another haunting memory.

"Leo what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked, but he did not respond. He remained silent, staring off into the distance. His lack of response made her worries grow, she tried again. But still no response, it was up to Spike now to help Leo open up

"Leo please tell us what's wrong. We wanna help you, and you know you can trust us. Don't you remember what you said this morning?" He still remained silent, but he lightly nodded, letting him know that he did remember what he had said. "Then please tell us what's wrong? What's got you like this?" He waited for Leo's response after a moment, he answered.

"Another memory..." He muttered silently without looking.

Spike knew where this was going, and so did Fluttershy. They both cast a glance at each other and nodded in a silent agreement. Fluttershy came closer and placed a hoof on Leo's thigh.

"Please tell us what it is Leo, we want to help. We've listened before, and we still want to listen. To let you know we're here to help. "

There was no point in arguing, Leo knew they weren't going to leave until he told them about the memory. He sighed deeply as he reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out his cigarette box. Grabbing a cigarette, at the sight of that Spike knew it was his cue to come over to give Leo a light. He knew now that he only smoked that stuff when stressed, or depressed. And right now Leo was in a state of depression. His only treatment for this was hazardous smoke as he closed his eyes while inhaling, steeling himself for what he was about to tell.

"Hmph...I guess there wouldn't be any point in not telling you, seeing as how you might not take no for an answer." He pulled the cigarette from his mouth as he stared off into the distance again.

*crunch~! *
The sound of dead leaves and twigs heard crushed under the foot of a person had startled Leo as he swung his head back to see who was spying on him.

It was that eighteen year old girl from the other group, her name was Idoya. She was standing there in the clearing where Leo was, a gap three feet between them both.

Her hazel eyes looked deep into Leo's with much concern for him. Her brown hair faintly shimmering in the gray skies. It went along well with her jean jacket and skirt with yoga pants underneath them.

"Are...you alright?" She asked Leo while gently making her way to him.

Leo just narrowed his eyes at Idoya while wiping his soaked cheek with his sleeves.

"I - I'm fine...just leave me alone..." He said in a bitter tone clearly wanting this girl to leave his sight, alone with his thoughts.

Typical, boys at Leo's age pretend to be tough as best they can but deep down the yearn for the comfort from another being.

Idoya shook her head as she kept her pace towards Leo. After reaching the boy, she knelt down behind him. She spread her legs and scooted closer to him until her thighs were besides him, to lost in his own little world to know she was right there. She stretched her arms out, reaching for the young boy until she wrapped her arms around him which made him jump.

"Let me go..." He spoke in a hoarse voice as he struggled.

"No." She spoke without hesitation, but still kindness apparent in her voice.

"Just let me go." He continued to struggle, but he was too weak to break from her comforting embrace. "Please let me go..." He sounded like he was ready to cry again.

"No, you need someone to help you right now. And I want to help...please?" She pleaded as she pulled him to her chest, his head resting on her ample bosom.

At that point Leo began to cry once again, his tears reaching his quivering mouth, tasting nothing but the salty bitterness of his tears.

Idoya gave him a comforting squeeze, trying her best to brighten his spirit, sadly it was only a little . After a moment he began to stop his crying, in place of that were just small hiccups.

"Why, why does everything have to be so-"

Idoya hushed him before he could finish, gently rocking him in place.

"Don't speak..." She pulled her arm back as noises were heard of things being shuffled in a bag. After a moment, her arm was brought back to his sight, only with two small rectangular shaped treats in front of him that had the colors of the Mexican flag. "One's for you and the other is for me." She brought the treat closer. Leo shakingly took one of the treats from her shortly after beginning to unwrap it, soon the scent of coconut filled the air. "Go on, eat it" She coaxed him.

Leo placed the treat in his mouth, chewed, and began savoring the wonderful taste.

"Thank you." He said with chunks in his mouth.

"You know you're not supposed to talk with your mouth full." She teased.

He swallowed his treat earnings a loud gulp which made her giggle. "Sorry..."

"It's fine, I was only teasing you."

After finishing their coconut treats, they sat in silence together hearing nothing. Not even nature's sounds, it was too quiet.

"Hey, what's your name?" The girl asked.

"My name is Leo...Leonardo Zarate."

"Mine is Idoya Soto."

"That's a pretty name." He said in a somewhat mellow tone, seemingly forgotten his troubles. "Hey, why are you helping me?"

There was another silence as she shifted in place.

"You just remind me of my little brother, he's still back in Mexico. Seeing you brake down like that, my big sister instincts just kicked in." She hugged him tighter, remembering what it was like when she held her brother close.

"I see..." Leo buried his face in her bosom.

She smiled down at him, he reminded her a lot of her little brother as she placed her chin above his head. They both shut their eyes, ready to fall asleep. That was until a gunshot was heard back at camp that startled them awake.

"What was that!?" Leo shot up along with Idoya.

"I don't know, but that sounded like it came from camp." She looked worryingly over said direction. "I think we need to check it out."

Before they could ran back to the campground, they heard the word that made Leo and Idoya's kind run for the hills.

It made them freeze in place as it rang in the air.

"LA MIGRA!!!"

"Oh no." Leo whispered, a death like chill running through his veins. "Idoya, what should we--"

"Run."

"But my mom's still--"

"RUN!!!

She grabbed Leo's arm and pulled him away from the sound of screams, gunshots and the sounds of footsteps and barking dogs nearing the clearing.

"Faster!" She pulled harder as she began to speed up.

Leo ran as best he could to catch up with Idoya, his breathing quickening.

As they kept running, the sounds of screams and gunshots faded distantly. They stopped near a small ledge next to a fallen hallowed out tree trunk. Both leaned against it trying to catch respite.

"What are we going to do?! Our families are still at the camp." Leo stood up straight and began to anxiously pace back and forward. "What if they got my mom!" He said, forgotten that he should be worried about his father too.

"Leo calm down." She stood over Leo, trying to figure out a way to calm him.

"I can't calm down, my mom is still at the camp. The border patrol could kill her just like they killed that man--"

A loud noise accompanied by a sharp intense pain was brought to the scene as Leo fell forward on the tree trunk, rolling it over until it fell over the edge along with him as Idoya screamed. Watching the left side above Leo's chest bleeding as he came to an abrupt stop with the log.

"LEO!!!" Idoya screamed.

Leo was sobbing as he laid in place, his mind processing the horrific feeling of lead go right through him.

It was a bullet.

He shakingly placed his right hand on the warm moisture where pain was. He brought his hand to his face as he stared at his own blood.

"I - I'm bleeding." He choked out as his hand fell with a thud.

Idoya simply watched in horror at the sight of a young boy that had been shot right before her. She knew immediately where that bullet came from, and acted quickly.

"Leo." She whispered "Crawl onto the tree trunk, quickly! And no matter what you hear, don't come out!"

Leo was in too much pain to ask why, he followed Idoya's orders as he crawled into the trunk. Laying still as his tears kept streaming down his face. "It hurts." He whispered.

Loud voices were heard outside the bark that caught his attention, especially when she heard Idoya's.

"Let me go you stupid gringo!" She struggled to pry the patrol gaurd's hand from her arm.

"I will, I will. Just tell me where that little brat ran off to and I'll let you go." The voice sounded smug, yet familiar to Leo's ears. He remembered, it was the marine. The one that killed that man in front of his family.

"He ran off as fast as he could, and even if I did tell you, you still wouldn't let me go!" She kept trying to pry the man's grip from her arm, but seeing as he was a former military dog he would not let go.

"How right you are, but seeing as I shot him he won't be going far. Who knows, maybe he'll bleed out and nature will take its course. If the bleeding won't finish him the coyotes will saving me the trouble. Either way..." He casted a dark smile at Idoya who just stood there, staring at him dead in the eye with a haunted look in her eyes.

"You're a monster." She uttered angrily.

"You have no idea." His smile shifted from dark to a lustful hungering look as his eyes roamed her figure. "You got tight body on you 'mexicana'." He said with a cheeky smile.

With that said Idoya spat at the gaurd's face, flinching back from the wet impact. Angry with her actions he smacked her across her face as hard as he could knocking her back.

"Not smart little girl." He approached her as he reached for his belt unbuckling before he reached for his zipper. "Oh, I'm going to have fun ripping you." He pulled out his hardened member from the confines of his pants.

"No..." He approached her menacingly. "NO!" She tried to crawl away but was pulled back in place as she felt his big hands reached for the back of her skirt revealing her panties.

"Oh yeah." He reached for her panties and ripped them off forcefully revealing her hindquarters.

"NO, LET ME GO! LET ME GO!!!" She shouted as loud as she could, squirming in place, begging to cry. "STOP IT PLEASE!!!" She pleaded.

"Yeah bitch, squirm for me! Fucking squirm!"

In the hollowed tree trunk, Leo could hear the horrific scene just right outside his bark sanctuary. He wanted to help her, he really did. But he was just too weak from losing blood. All he could do was lay there as his body ignored his orders to move, he tried to scream out but his voice just came out silently hoarse.

"Stooooop..." He silently shouted, but it could not be heard by anyone but himself. All that could be heard was Idoya's cries as her chastity was forcefully robbed by this coward. Before he passed out, he uttered out one final thing. "I swear...no matter what..." He shut his eyes and clenched his teeth as hard as he could. "...I will kill you!"

Spike and Fluttershy just stood there with different reactions towards the memory. Fluttershy's was that of sadness as her eyes began to get glassy.

Spike stood there, the expression of shock on his face as he could not move. His breath caught in his throat.

Leo just sat there with a dead look in his eyes, his gaze still off in the distance.

"After he was done with her, he killed her and left her to rot." He huffed out the smoke from his lungs as he retracted the cigarette from his mouth to his hand. "She was nice as my mom to help me out of the goodness of her heart. Her voice, her smile, and her kindness are what's keeping me from forgetting her. But the sad thing about that is her screams haunt me..." He clenched his cigarette in his hand feeling the intense heat burn his flesh, Leo did not show it but he was angry as a pack of wild dogs."And the sadder thing is that I won't be able to keep my word."

"And what's that?" Spike asked, waiting for Leo to respond.

Leo had stood from his place, his gaze was still at the distance. Things were silent until he finally decided to answer, but not before dropping the cigarette from his hand.

"I won't be able to kill him."

Author's Note