The Severed Exile

Location: Ponyville
Time: 2 weeks later

"Well, Mr. Kaffir. It seems like you're ready to get back out there. Now you're still healing, so try to avoid any strenuous activity for the next month or so and then you can remove the bandages and go about your daily routine." Nurse Redheart smiled and nodded. "If you can please sign here, you'll be good to go."

Kaffir took a look at the clipboard before taking the quill and simply drawing a squiggly line.

"...right." Nurse Redheart shrugged before taking the clipboard. "Be safe and take care!"

Kaffir nodded and silently walked through the door leading out to Ponyville, squinting his eye as the sunlight blinded him for a moment, it being high noon and having been corralled inside for the past week not exactly helping him get used to it. As he looked around, he listened to the peaceful, cheerful chatter and clamor of ponies walking to and fro, working, socializing, or just simply strolling along, enjoying the weather.

He has never seen so many ponies out and about and without a single care in the world, their "world" being one of peace and prosperity in massive contrast to what he was used to. He shook his head at a thought, he immediately turning, trying to find his way out of this place. He saw a path leading to a bridge that lead back to the same dark forest in which he came, he beginning to trot briskly in that direction.

He approached the large bridge and began to cross it before he heard a flapping noise above him. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash lands in front of him, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Ohai! They let you go, huh?" she smiled before looking about for a moment before looking at Kaffir. "Where ya goin' anyway?"

"I cannot stay here." Kaffir shook his head. "I have to go. I do not belong here..."

"Pfft, you don't belong? We accept anypony here in Ponyville. Granted there was that one time with Zecora..." she said as she thought for a moment before shrugging. "But that's in the past. Zebras are pretty cool ponies once you get to know 'em. At least you don't talk in lyrics."

"I appreciate the gesture, but I simply cannot stay. My presence here is..." Kaffir bit back his words before sighing. "It just isn't right. Please, excuse me."

"Now hold on." Rainbow Dash said as he stood firmly in his path. "You mean to tell me I go out of my way to drag you out of that forest and get you medical treatment when you were pretty much on the verge of death and you're just going to leave! So not cool, man!"

"But I-"

"The least you can do is stick around. No harm in that, right? You might not think you belong now, but who knows, maybe you'll like it here. Plus it's pretty safe and whatever it was that nearly killed ya won't be coming here anytime soon. There's plenty of bad stuff inside Everfree, yet none of it's ever come out to do anything to us. Haven't exactly figured out why that is." Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. "So c'mon, stay with us, will ya?"

"You don't understand. I ju-"

"Pleeeease?" Rainbow Dash suddenly leaned forward, smiling really big, causing Kaffir to rear back while the cyan mare batted her eyelashes.

"...fine." Kaffir sighed, unable to resist. "I'll stay..."

"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash did a flip into the air with a powerful flap of her wings before landing , walking by Kaffir and canting her head toward Ponyville Square. "Need to get you familiar with the town if you're going to be here awhile. I know, let's head to Sugarcube Corner! I'm sure you'll get to know plenty of ponies there. C'mon!"

"Right..." Kaffir shook his head as he turned and followed Rainbow Dash back into the town begrudgingly. This was his new home now. He will either be pleasantly surprised or come to deeply regret this decision.

Only time will tell...