Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

Making the way to the cave with Tranquility, Julius returned to the fallen bridge.

"Don't suppose I can get a lift across? I don't think flapping my arms will really work," Julius joked to a likely listening Discord. As he was lifted into the air, Julius smiled. "Thank you," Julius said as he was levitated across the chasm. Walking back to the cave, Julius took time to look around the area surrounding the ruined castle and cave. "Well, it's not as chaotic or random, but it sure is desolate," Julius commented as he walked along the path.

"Oh yes, that will happen when one misuses magical items related to a greater spirit," Discord says as a spirit form of himself floats alongside Julius. "Long story. I could tell you, or Tranquility could, but it'd be better if you uncovered the truth for yourself. Rest assured; there is enough surviving documentation to piece together the whole story," Discord laughs. "Or well, you could find one pony. Honestly, I keep an eye on her. Either she's completely wrong, or she accidents into the truth, there's no in-between," Discord laughs.

"I'll take your word for it," Julius sighs as he continues down the trail. "Guessing that the items recoiled on the land or something," Julius said as he walked towards the cave.

"Yes, they did," Discord confirmed. "The magic rebounded onto the land, twisting the Everbright Forest into what it currently is," Discord sighed. "Seriously, the elements were meant to maintain and heal; how didn't they figure that out?" Discord murmured under his breath, getting a raised eyebrow from Julius. "Oh, don't mind me, musings of an old spirit and all," Discord said.

"Sure, if you say so," Julius said unconvinced as he walked into the cave. "Alright, Tranquility, I know you're here," Julius said as he looked at the crystal tree. "I've come back to," Julius trailed off as he scanned the cave, spotting some plants growing in a corner. "Is that pot?" Julius asked as he started to walk to the plants. "Fuck me, that's pot. What the hell, Tranquility, sharesies," Julius said as he continued towards the plants.

"No, no no no, no, I do not approve of this," Discord said as he flew in front of Julius.

"Oh no, a ghost is trying to physically block me; whatever shall I do?" Julius laughed as he walked right through Discord.

"Right, stupid of me," Discord facepalmed.

"No, wait, you can't take those," Tranquility suddenly said as she took a physical form.

"Oh, and why not? If it helps any, it's legal where I'm from," Julius said as he turned around to face Tranquility.

"It's not finished, and even if it was, who knows how it would affect the world," Tranquility said as Julius sighed.

"Well, any creature who consumed it would be more chill, that's about it. Also, how isn't it finished?" Julius asked as he slightly tilted his head towards Tranquility.

"Well, I," Tranquility started to say, "wait, you have this herb in your world?" she asked as she looked quizically towards Julius.

"Well, probably by a different name, or well many different names, but it counts," Julius said as he walked towards the herbs. "Marijuana, weed, mary jane, pot, reefer, and a lot more. We have a stupid amount of names for it. So stop holding out, come on, sharesies; I know how to brew it into a tea or make it into some foods," Julius said as he brushed his fingers against the leaves of the herb.

"Wait, how do you know how to use pot like that?" Discord asked as his spirit form floated towards Julius. "You don't seem like the type to take illegal drugs."

"First off, I'm from Canada; it's fully legal there. The government finally got greedy enough to pull that trigger. Second off, my father has PTSD, so he had a prescription for it before it was fully legalized. Now I'm not saying that we've made gummies or anything with it; I'm just saying innocent until proven guilty," Julius laughed as Discord stared at him. "Oh what, he also had a friend who grew it, The Chief, a good guy. So Tranquility, what do you say, up for making use of the herb?" Julius asked as he softly caressed the leaves of the plant.

"Well, I am a little curious as to what you've come up with," Tranquility hummed as she got lost in thought. "As long as it stays within this cave, and it doesn't threaten this world, I'm up for it," Tranquility said as Julius took a deep breath.

"Great! First, we'll need some butter, honey, a pot, water, and fire," Julius said as he inspected the herbs. "Also, ummm, you pick the plants to use. I can't really tell which ones are ready. Despite how much The Chief has done for us, he always kept my siblings and me from his plants; I suspect my mother had something to do with that," Julius said as he stood up. Julius saw a slightly glittering pot, a jar of golden honey, and a lit campfire as he turned around. "Well, that was quick; I take it that you're not having any Discord," Julius laughed as Discord sighed.

"You're correct," Discord said as Tranquility went to inspect the herbs. "Your father does know that there are better ways to deal with PTSD than getting high, right?" Discord asked as Tranquility carefully picked a few of the herbs.

"Yeah, you're right; he does," Julius said with a sigh. "But, well, after his last deployment, and all the stuff surrounding it, his relationship and trust in the government starts and ends at 'fuck you, you fucking daft cunts, eat a dick, eat a hairy dick, eat a million hairy dicks, go suck a fart out of a cow's dick' or well something like that. And that's on a good day," Julius laughed as Tranquility brought over a few of the herbs. "Trust, a lifetime to build, minutes to destroy," Julius bitterly laughed as he took the herbs from Tranquility. "Oh, forgot, need a mortar and pestle," Julius said as Tranquility's horn glowed, glittering in a lightly sparkling mortar and pestle. "Alright, time to get started," Julius said as he started to prepare the tea.

"Are you sure you don't want any?" Tranquility asked Discord as Julius prepared the tea.

"First off, you're well aware that I'm still only in my spirit form. I still can't eat or drink anything. Second off, no, I don't support drug use in his world, and I won't support it here. The only reason I'm not more opposed is because it's legal where he's from," Discord firmly said as Tranquility sighed.

"You know that petrifaction spell is weak enough for you to break out of; it has been for a long time now," Tranquility sighed as she looked disappointed.

"I know that believe me, I felt it, and I was watching the whole thing. I have to say I wasn't that surprised," Discord sighed with equal disappointment. "Honestly, the fact that I predicted the whole thing with near-perfect accuracy is the problem with ponies. I think I was only off by a few months, give or take," Discord said as Tranquility closed her eyes and shook her head.

"From your perspective, maybe, but that kind of stability is required," Tranquility calmly said.

"From your perspective," Discord shot back, laughing. The two greater spirits continued on their conversation as Julius brewed the tea. After half an hour, Julius took a deep breath.

"Alright, just need some cups and a strainer," Julius said as he examined the simmering tea. Noticing Tranquility's horn glowing, Julius looked around only to find two cups and a strainer glimmering into the cave. "Hah, you know, it kinda looks like Scotty is beaming them in," Julius chuckled as Tranquility finished bringing in the cups and strainer.

"Oh, now you're just mocking me, and you know it," Discord said in a huff.

"Maybe," Julius snickered as he poured the tea through the strainer and into the cups. "You know, we could add some mint to the tea if you want," Julius said as he placed the pot down.

"Could be good," Tranquility said as she brought in a few mint leaves. "Hopefully, you don't mind; the honey is lavender honey," Tranquility said as she added some honey to her tea.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me," Julius laughed as he added a little honey to his tea. "Somehow, I think I'll be falling asleep here," Julius nodded his head as he sprinkled a little mint into his tea. Following Julius's lead, Tranquility also sprinkled some mint into her tea. Giving the tea a few minutes to cool, Tranquility took a sip of the tea.

"A little earthy," Tranquility commented as she huffed. "Good thing I added the honey and mint," she smiled as she turned to a slumped back Julius.

"Geez, you grew some strong herbs," Julius laughed as he relaxed against the crystal tree. "I mean damn, I'm definitely not leaving for a while," Julius said before taking another sip of his tea.

"And thus, the reason marijuana is also called dope, you dope," Discord scoffed as Julius started to laugh at him.

"Didn't realize that you're l-seven," Julius snickered as he took another sip of tea while Discord and Tranquility looked oddly at him. Sighing, Julius put down his tea and held up a finger and thumb on both hands. "L-seven, see," Julius sighed with a snicker as Discord realized what he was saying.

"Really? That's how you're going to call me a square? Do you have any idea how old that is?" Discord huffed as Tranquility laughed.

"Do you have any idea how much I don't care? It's a lot, I assure you," Julius snickered as he slowly drank his tea.

"Geez, Discord, how long has it been since anycreature called you a square?" Tranquility jokingly laughed as she drank her tea.

"Laugh it up, you two," Discord huffed. "Besides, the only reason you're not so affected is because you're a spirit. Honestly, except for alicorns, I suspect all creatures would react similarly to Julius there," Discord hummed and hawed. "Maybe some of the Zebrican high priests would have a slight resistance to it, and the knights of the Arcturian Order, but that's about it, I think," Discord said unassured.

"I suppose you're right," Tranquility sighed as she drank her tea. "I should grow a weaker version of the herb."

"See, that's where I come in!" Discord proudly exclaimed. "While you're busy trying to maintain the world in perfect order, I'm willing to interact with it, to actively change it. If you had done that, then you'd have already known that the effects of that herb are too strong as they currently are. Also, you could have helped me in defeating the wendigoes. Seriously, have you any idea what I've seen? Celestia and Luna think they've seen the worst of them, but they haven't, not even close," Discord huffed as Tranquility sighed.

"Yes, and what happened after you dealt with them? You change the world without any care, without considering what could happen to the world as a result of your actions," Tranquility said as she continued to drink her tea.

"So I'm a little rash; at least I'm actively working towards something rather than sitting back passively hoping things will get better. Trying and failing is better than doing nothing while trying to think of the perfect plan," Discord again huffed.

"Alright, enough arguing, you two," Julius slowly said as he tried and failed to get up. "The good thing about listening to you two, I think I understand why you're so concerned about me being here. Well, that or I'm on Mars, could be either-or," Julius laughed. "You think I'll change the world for the worst while trying to make it better, and you're worried that I'll somehow bring other humans here, aren't you?" Julius asked as he finished his cup of tea.

"More or less, yes. I've heard more than enough of humans from Discord. You're going to try to make things better, and in the process, set off a chain of events that'll threaten the world in ways it hasn't been since time immemorial," Tranquility calmly said.

"Yeah, that sounds like a very human thing to do," Julius laughed. "Look whatever you think about us; honestly, it's probably justified and then some. But I promise that I'll try not to screw up too badly, and if I do, I'll come to you two for help, OK?" Julius said as Tranquility looked unsure. "I'm not perfect, and I won't try to be. If I do, then I'll end up doing nothing. But I'll try to be the best I can be, and try to get better, deal?"

"Well, there is another thing," Discord slowly said. "I've already made peace with that thing, but Tranquility and the other greater spirits, well," Discord started to trail off. "I think Eyr is pretty fine with it, she's usually very chill, and Arcturius if, and only if, what comes of more humans here helps the order," Discord vaguely says.

"I feel like you're alluding to something. You're alluding to something. What are you alluding to?" Julius asked as he started to lay down.

"He's alluding to something that hasn't happened since the disaster that was Queen Specter," Tranquility said. "Well, to be fair, she was a lesser spirit that tried to reach beyond what she should have and failed. The last to kind of succeed was Arantigos. The last pure one was Sycaecia," Tranquility said as Julius tried to stay awake.

"Surprises for later, I take it?" Julius asked as he reached out and grabbed Tranquility's glittering body. "Sorry, but I get snuggly when body high," Julius yawned as he pulled Tranquility to him. "I guess I'll find out later," Julius yawned as he closed his eyes.

"So, are you going to give it up to him too?" Discord teased Tranquility.

"Very funny," Tranquility sighed as she rolled her eyes. "He should have a bed or some bedding at the very least," Tranquility said as she struggled out of Julius's grip.

"True, I'll handle that; you clean up all the stuff that you brought in, the cups and whatnot," Discord said as a plush bed appeared under Julius, complete with a soft pillow and warm sheets.

"And done," Tranquility said as she poofed away all the things she brought in for the tea. "Now, we should get going; I feel that Luna will be here soon," Tranquility said as Discord nodded.

"Agreed, she's on her way now," Discord said as he puffed away.

"Always on the move. Taking a few moments to relax won't kill you," Tranquility sighed as she seemingly melded into the crystal tree. Entering the crystal cave, Luna looked around.

"Hmmm, his magic signature led me here, but how could he have gotten here?" Luna wondered as she walked into the cave's antechamber. Spotting Julius sleeping beneath the crystal tree Luna looked up at the sparkling tree. "So you are still here," Luna said as she flew up to the tree. "Still, I wonder, that day, all those years ago, were we right?" Luna asked as she placed a hoof on a branch of the tree. "Taking the elements, using them as we did. I was always unsure of it," Luna said as she looked at the empty spots in the tree's trunk. "Spirit magic, light or dark, shouldn't be taken lightly," Luna said as she looked away from the tree. "I wonder, could we have dealt with Discord another way?" Luna sighed as she flew down to Julius. "And you, how did you get here, and why is there a bed here?" Luna laughed in bewilderment. "Anyways, time to- wha-what?!?" Luna yelped as Julius grabbed her and snuggled up to her.

"Soft, warm," Julius moaned in his sleep. After struggling for a few moments, Luna sighed.

"Not worth it; besides, I can do my work just fine like this. Though you might feel a little odd," Luna quietly said as an orb of black energy engulfed the two.