It was a beautiful day on Sweet Apple Acres, the birds were chirping and the sun was shining brilliantly as it streamed through the window shining down on the sleeping zebra’s face. He yawned, wondering exactly how long he had been sleeping if the sun was this strong. Getting off the bed a sharp hiss left his throat when his hoof hit the ground. Every step after that was accompanied by short pained breaths and the occasional cough.

Putting his full willpower forward he slowly inched to the window and stared out at the apple orchards far off in the distance. A lofty look entered his eyes as he took in the entire apple orchard and pushed a hoof up against the glass. So it hadn’t been a dream,, he was really out of the Everfree after all. Once again. A cold sweat started to form across his brow as his short breaths just became even sharper. The shivering in his legs made the otherwise easy position take up lots of energy.

As he started to stumble backwards images of last night replayed in his head and gave a punch to his heart, sending it racing along. It beat in his heart and echoed in his ears. Forest whimpered and tripped over a small apple and fell back onto the bed. The soft mattress and covers enveloped Forest and the small tears his face began had begun to shed. His breath slowly came still at the rooms pleasant furnishings that gave no real thought the ponies here were bad. Small curses about the Timberwolves left his mouth, cursing them for bringing him all the way out here.

It wasn’t much but the shivering in his body stopped and a small smile spread across his face when he heard a tiny gentle snore close by. Of course he would recognize that voice, that sweet adorable voice.Letting his neck muscles loosen his head hit the covers to spot a tired Apple Bloom whose tiny little head lay against the bed. With every breath stray strands of red hair were blown away from her mouth to hover in the air. Slowly he brought his hoof to her mane and brushed the stray strands back into place.

“Thank you… for everything.” It was barely more than a whisper but it was one of the most sincere things he had ever said to any-pony. Which considering how many he encountered wasn’t a whole lot. All the tension and pain from his hunched shoulders flowed away with every little errant kick of her hoof and mumble from her sleep. Foals were a wondrous thing weren’t they?

Leaning down Forest bit into the nape of her neck and gently pulled upwards, the little filly felt as light as air. He knew that wasn’t possible, but the answer was probably written across his face. Whatever the true answer was had to be connected to the soft fuzzy feeling in his chest. It was something he could get used to though. The tip of his snout nuzzled her cheek as a signal of ‘good night’ before he pulled the covers over her. Apple Bloom’s murmured in her sleep before dainty hooves wrapped around the blanket keeping it in place over her small body.

Having taken care of his…’friend’, Forest began to limp towards a chair grimacing as pain shot up his muscles and into his brain. The once proud zebra that could make his way through the Everfree with no problems collapsed onto a nearby chair and let his back drape over it. Gears behind his head slowly turned, accompanying the small moan as they constantly cracked. If he didn’t get rid of this headache it was going to kill him before the ponies in town did.

All he could remember from the previous day was racing out of the Everfree with Apple Bloom and then… Another whimper left him and his hooves wrapped around his back leg. It stayed close to his chest until the pain faded back into a dull throb. A TimbreWolf did this; one of the denizens of the Everfree had actually attacked him. Another round of tears left him, the Everfree had been his home and now it had betrayed him like everything else in his life.

Tears ran down his face and onto his coat while shudders ran through him. He grasped onto the chair and cuddled it close, the wood being the only comfort in this sadistic world. So this is why chairs were considered useful. His hoof ran over it. He would have to make one when he got the chance. His chest extended as air entered his body and he closed his eyes letting out a faint hum. The blood in his body slowed to a standstill while he meditated on the plants and everything else that accepted him. What pain in his leg began to fade as the remnants of the salve inside him dug deeper, entrenching themselves on top of the wounded area.

A tiny imperceptible smile crossed his face. No matter what Sebastian had said all those years ago this just proved why that salve was useful. Opening an eye halfway Forest took in the wallpaper and the picture of Apple Bloom and her family. The smirk grew to a grin at the remnants that resembled safety and comfort entered his view. Finally his body loosened and a large breath of air left his body. This was a comfort zone.

Considering the amount of blood loss and pain he had yesterday, how bad was the damage? Fear tinkled into his being as he slowly leaned off the chair, eyes cast to the photo of Apple Bloom’s family with longing in his gaze. Careful not to upset his injured flank his hooves made nary a sound as he hit the ground and took in three long breaths. Well… it was now or never. The back of his throat dried up and his mind came to a standstill as he discovered what happened. White bandages wrapped around his flank and gashes entered his sight. His jaw dropped open showing off his tongue and white teeth. He drooled fantasizing about pure nothing before he flinched from the little wolf that began banging on the side of his brain. What had he been doing again??? A silence filled the room before he remembered the plan for today.

A tiny moan of pain left Forest’s mouth with a deep undertone of sorrow of what was to come. There was a flash of white before his teeth dug into the bandages on his left leg, the muscles in his neck tightened and he growled before pulling on them. They were tight, refused to budge and clung to him like a tick on a pony. It must have taken them a while to do. Looking behind them, his red haired savior entered his view. He then shook his head from side to side causing his orange and brown mane to bounce.

It was time to just get up and leave to go back home… Forest’s gaze wandered over to the window and the Everfree he knew lie far beyond. He sniffled once before shambling away as slowly as he could. He didn’t have to leave little Apple Bloom’s room. A small toy train decided to ambush his leg creating a lovely scene where he crashed face first into the floor. Silently he cursed every living pony on this planet, especially that damn Celestia and growled again. All he could feel was pain destroying his mind, his body and every other fiber of his being. He was the injury and stopped being a pony long ago. His only job was to feel pain and to suffer.

The pain switched between raking it’s nails through his body and gently poking at it. It played a wonderful crescendo of whimpers from the stallion who was no more than its instrument. Forest bit his lip and ever so slowly pulled himself out of the room with his front hooves, dragging his entire body against the ground. Dirt clung to his coat before his teeth finally pierced the flesh of his lips from the newest batch of music and blood tickled at his lips, giving him a strong taste of iron. A maniacal look entered his eyes as he chuckled uncontrollably. Whether from the pain or imagining it gone he didn’t know. His hooves slammed against the ground providing a pillar of safety for as long as he made it live. Grunts left him, accompanying the shivers of his spine before he stood up.

Uncontrollable murmurs leaked out of his throat while his eyes scanned the area. A sink entered his view and he grinned before scrambled for it as best as he could; another checkpoint for control had been delivered to him. A precious mirror and sink gave his trembling hooves and shaky brain the inklings of hope even as the headache got worse. His hoof weakly turned the handle and let the magical substance flow. He splashed it around giggling to himself before shoving his face in.

The beating of his heart and his brain bled away into the freezing cold water. Slowly parts of his body woke up completely and his legs moved to a normal position. This had always been his favorite ritual, it woke him up and made most of his injuries seem inconsequential.

A small humming sound akin to a bird echoed into the room while he bounced in front of the mirror. Forest’s head craned left as he checked for injuries or anything else that could be wrong. What could only be described as a happy buzzing crescendo left him at the answer being no. Pulling the plug, the water in the sink started to drain and soon enough his ears picked up on nearby knocking. His mouth opened wide to let out a tired yawn and he smacked his lips before looking in the mirror. A red eyed version of him was knocking from the other side of his reflection.Turning his head disapprovingly, he spat into the sink before turning to leave.

“Oh come on is that really any way to treat little old me?” The copy of him leaped out of the mirror before appearing in front of him blocking his way out. “Are you still mad about last night? I couldn’t help it, we hadn’t had a visitor in ages.” This copy of him couldn’t help but giggle and began to dance in place, mocking the pony in front of him.

“You think that gave you the excuse to play with me like a puppet?” Forest grumbled impatiently and slapped him across the face hard. “Can we talk about this later? I am really not in the mood.” Spotting a large cup a smirk crossed his face at what it could be used for.

“You’re no fun right now, here take this,” The copy took a shiny metal sword out of his mane and offered it up to Forest on one knee with a serious look that would’ve fit the mayor. “You can use this against the ‘eeeevil’ slavers who have kidnapped you,” he said with a delighted, mocking grin. Forest’s entire body convulsed while sweat began to make itself known. He impaled the blade in the floor and approached his copy. “Now, now let’s just talk about thiiiiiiiiiiiiis!” Whatever it was couldn’t respond as Forest picked it up by its torso and threw it into the mirror. The mirrors surface let out small ripples while the shape faded growing ever smaller as time went on.

Forest kicked the sword with one good hoof and gave a small hmpf as he left the room. “Now don’t bother me for a while. Knowing you, you would end up giving them all sombreros.” Forest scolded before leaving to investigate the rest of the house. This early in the morning and he already had to deal with this...

Forest made his way carefully down the stairs before his hoof fell and the zebra slid down them forcing his head to be a drum as each step slammed into it. Hitting the ground he moaned and moved slightly before spitting one of the longest curses he had. Now free of his rage, he noticed a brown hat in the next room that lay by itself on a table. His eyes sparkled and heart lept at the thought of it being Apple Bloom’s sister. Struggling to his feet for the umpteenth time today he moved into what he could only guess was the kitchen, from the stove and ingredients scattered about.

Forest’s entire body froze and his eyes widened entranced as they locked onto the pony nearby. The hat’s owner was slumped over with her muddy hooves and head on the table. His eyes and head slowly wandered over her her beautiful orange fur, yellow ponytail and sleeping freckled face.

Deep inside he had to admit she was very pretty, in an athletic sort of way, which led a faint blush to spread across his face. Slowly he poked at her a soft coat stopping as he felt warmth. His breath became short and frightened, she was definitely real then. In front of him the mare jolted awake and turned to face him, locking onto him with her light green eyes. This was all real then, she didn’t have red eyes.

Hoof by hoof he backed away begin the telltale signs of hyperventilation and felt an invisible presence push him letting him fall against the ground. Her dirty hooves left to the table and slammed into his pushing them to the ground. There was an initial struggle of fur and hooves before he sighed and stopped moving entirely. “WHAT ARE YA’ DOING HERE YA’ NO GOOD THIEF, YA EVIL ENCHANTER?!” He winced at the clatter of noise the red faced furious mare was making.

“If you must know a foal was left to roam,” His voice shaking voice as he tried to calm down the infuriated mare. “I brought her here, and awoke inside this home.” Her face slowly changed into that where her eyes stayed wide open along with her mouth. Maybe she’s an invader trying to steal stuff from this house. His hooves clenched the ground and began to pull away. He was going to be absolutely screwed then. Reaching for the back of his mouth Forest’s pink tongue began to latch onto his emergency item.

Both of the ponies let out a small eep and their hearts jumped out of their chest at a stomp which grabbed both of their attentions to two figures in the doorway. The smaller one was using some sort of walker while the other was huge and towered over them like a pillar. Forest squinted his eyes, he could barely remember, but that might have been the one from last night.

“Applejack that is no way ta’ treat a guest.” The older mare scolded Applejack on her behavior. Taking another look at Applejack he smiled slightly. So the pony lying on top of him wasn’t an intruder after all then, she was her sister.

“But Grannie he was...” Applejack fumed at Granny Smith with her teeth open to spot in the day. Was it really that bad for her to let him go, is this what they do to ponies? Take care of them and then mess with them, were they going to tie him up in a cage? Forest began to squirm in place ignoring the rocks that dug into his coat..

“No buts about it child, get off him NOW!!!!” Her bellowing voice gave way to him squirming even more, they shouldn’t be messed with ever..

“Fine, Granny.” Applejack rolled her eyes and released his hooves, giving Forest the space he wanted so much. His chest expanded with every deep breath he took. Mid-way he coughed violently bending over with his hoof against his chest.

Fighting against his body’s constant screams he stood and bowed his head towards Granny Smith politely. “Thank you for releasing her hold,” He said catching his breath once again and took a quick glance at his captor while he backed up, making sure he was out of reach. “Who are you and what tale last night did unfold?”

“Ah’m Granny Smith, the big one is my grandson Big McIntosh and you’ve already met Applejack.” She motioned her head toward the pony that was pinning him down earlier. She attempted to continue on but was interrupted by yelling from upstairs.

“HE’S GONE!!!” His ears lay against his head at the worried and nervous scream that greeted them. Apple Bloom’s shouts in the morning sure did hurt. A yellow blur ran down the stairs at full speed and stopped in front of Big Mac. “I woke up he wasn’t there, he must of ran off quick we gotta-.” Applejack let a loud an excited and joyous ‘yeehaw’ and ran over to Apple Bloom.

Forest zipped his mouth shut forcing the moan to rattle around in his brain as the headache got even worse. The expression on his face softened once he saw them embrace each other in a hug, and nuzzle each other fondly. They definitely had to be family, which would explain why she was so stressed. It reminded him of when his mom used to look for him when he was lost.

“Oh little sis, ya have no idea how worried about ya I was.” The confused and angry expression was replaced by a honest grin as she held a struggling Apple Bloom close to her chest in a hug. Forest felt the jovial mood hit and trotted over to the two and to give Apple Bloom a quick tap on the shoulder. On her own she turned to spot him and in what could only be described as adorable as her face lit up.

“FOREST!” She leapt out of her sister's arms and tackled him. “You’re alright.” She happily embraced him in as large of a hug as her small filly body will allow her. Forest happily accepted this returning the hug while an eye wandered warily looking upstairs in case the interruption came by again.

“What in tarnation is goin’ on here?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at Apple Bloom hugging a zebra she’d never seen before and that was uninvited in their house.

“Don’t be mean to him.” Apple Bloom looked up from his chest and gave Applejack the puppy dog treatment. “He saved me from the scary wolves in the forest.” Forest nodded in agreement to this and was soon greeted by Applejack who started to apologizing furiously as a red blush slowly came across her face, embellishing it.

“Why do you do that there is no need to plead?” Forest waved a hoof and rhymed while he tried to understand Applejacks reaction. She was only protecting her family; he was more surprised she just didn’t kill him. “A threat was there and you rose to close that need.” He finished and rubbed her soft mane comfortingly grinning all the while.

“Thanks, now stop that would ya’?” Applejack grasped onto his hoof shoving it away before firing questions off rapidly. “So what in tarnation did happen last night? I have a right to know.” She stared at Forest, refusing to back down. Pure joy came into him for the first time in a long while. He had a feeling he was going to like here. Moving so he was comfortable against a wall he told the Apple Family of how he found Apple Bloom and rescued her from the forest and bringing her here. Halfway through the little ball of fluff sat on his lap.

“Well now.” Granny slowly murmured to herself curiously before nodding a couple times “That was quite an adventure ya’ had there young’un, ya’ remind me of myself when I was your age. MacIntosh could ya’ get us some apples for our friend here?”

“Eeyup.” He said astutely before running off to retrieve the apples. Forest spotted some tears in Applejacks eyes and the scared hunch in her shoulders. Leaning over to her he rubbed them off affectionately. She seemed a bit taken aback by this, but he didn’t care and just kept going refusing to let her cry anymore.

“Hey stop that.” Applejack blushed before she moved his hoof away. “Look MacIntosh is back with the apples.” She redirected his attention and looked away from Forest to concentrate on the portrait hanging above their heads. Big Mac headed to where they sat and dropped a big basket of apples in front of them. “Here are our apples picked fresh from tha’ farm.” Applejack boasted proudly with her back straight now that she was in her element.

Forest squinted at the things from every direction before picking one up and turning it in his hoof, poking at it a bit. Shaking his head he threw it behind him before diving into the barrel not seeing what he was expected. “Is there something wrong?” Applejack winced as some of their precious fruit hit the wall as he dug deeper.

With a failed search and a frown on his face his head popped out of the barrel to stare at them disgusted. “What is wrong with all of these, do they have some disease.” He shot a venomous look at all of them at what they’d done. The Apple Family gasped in horror at this insult and Applejack visible shook with rage.

Am apple popped out of nowhere to hit him right in the face leaving a faint bruise. Forest spasmed for a second before hitting the ground and watch as it bounced off the wall and landed in Applejacks hoof. “Even if ya’ saved my sister you do not insult the farm, these apple are perfectly dandy.” She took a large bite out of the one she had in her hoof.

Forest indignantly rubbed his mane while an eye stared at Applejack’s shenanigans and her blatant disregard for the tree these came from. “On these apples there are no rainbows, without that they do not glow. What did you do?” He sniffed the apple again not receiving a similar scent to the one he was used too, flames burst in the back of his eyes and adrenaline flooded through his brain.

Granny Smith looked at the both of them with half lidded eyes and whacked Applejack on the head. “Are ya talking about zap apples in tha’ Everfree?” A large amount of intelligence shone behind those dreary eyes, far more than he expected. He nodded once and hid behind Apple Bloom shivering again. They knew, the bad part was coming. “Have ya’ always lived in tha’ Everfree Forest?”

“Yes I have lived in the forest zone, as long as I have known.” Applejack and Big Mac both took a step away from him with horrified expressions on their faces. There’s no reason they should be scared, the area isn’t even that bad in the first place. You just have to know the safe zones in it.

“That is no place for any-pony, which must have been how you got those stripes of yours.”
Applejack paused before continuing and shoved an apple into Forests mouth stopping him before he can interject refuting her guess. “And Ya’ll aren’t gonna’ start up again with that unbearable rhyme talk ya’ got going on.”

The moment the apple touched his tongue he began to drool and the hunger he never knew he even had begun to act up. His teeth bit into it taking out a large chunk that felt like it just melted on his tongue. Forest began to shove apples into his mouth eating them in two or three bites. “Can he work here at the farm?” Apple Bloom looked at Granny while holding onto Forest.

“Ah don’t see why not, we could always use an extra farmhand around here.” There was no reason he couldn’t stay with them. Looking at the almost empty basket she chuckled, he had a big appetite alright. “He’s already one of us in my opinion, slow down there young’un we still got dinner to take care of.” She said interrupting his feast.

“Ya’ work in the morning Forest.” Applejack pat his shoulder welcomingly. “Welcome to the Apple Family. Just don’t try any of yer magic-y stuff.” Forest looked up at her, smiling even as wave after wave of tear flooded down his face. All of these ponies had been so kind to him and just kept lighting the joy and fuzzy feelings in his heart. “Ya’ should go upstairs to rest, Apple Bloom will show ya’ to your temporary room while ya’ recover.”

“Come on, come on, lets get going already.” Apple Bloom pulled weakly on his head and rushed to the top of the stairs bouncing around in circles. She was always so full of energy wasn’t she? Unlike him, for a while. He followed behind, taking his time while his eyes kept locked on to Apple Bloom.

On their way to the room Apple Bloom started to spout of words like a machine gun, never leaving even a second between each one.. “Ya’ll are gonna love it here, ever ponies so nice. Even better ya’ don’t have a cutie mark like me!” They stopped so she could open the door to a nice guest room with his belongings already in it.

“This is th’ guest room, we always have injured ponies or relatives stay here.” She boasted with her back straight and a grin. “Ya like it? Big sis prepared it last time in case we had some pony over.”

“That sister of yours seem kind, even if at times she does not act refined.” He gave a large yawn before motioning to the bed. His shoulders drooped and he moved towards it. A lazy eye looked at Apple Bloom hoping she would understand what he was trying to get at.

“Oh, ah’m, sorry I’ll leave ya alone to get some rest.” She left the room with her shoulders hunched and a dark look on her face. Stopping for just a moment she spoke from the hallway. “Suppertimes at sundown, make sure ya join us, ya’ll need some food to get better.” She slammed the door behind her and Forest just stood there listening as taking tiny bits of pleasure at the tiny hoof steps of sweet Apple Bloom.

With more energy than a pony about to go to bed should have he flew into his bag and started placing small brown balls and spread assortments of plants among the table. Biting part of his lip he made brief figures in the air and started separating the plants into piles before a presence made itself known.

“Yes!!! You’re making the happy juice again can I help!?” At the sounds of his copy his left eye twitched and a sigh left his mouth. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted his copy from earlier sit beside him chewing bubble gum. Forest’s tail pointed at the copy once before making a downward motion three times. “I’m on it, away I goooo!” It zipped out of the room letting the door silently shut behind it.

Shaking his head to a silent melody, Forest began whittling the time and some of the smaller plants away as he waited for his copy's response. He felt it was a lucky break that he never needed fire for this . “I’m back and I got the numbers.” The copy appeared out of nowhere next to him giggling and chuckling. “Applejack’s got a bigger flank than I thought.” Forest stopped what he was doing and slapped him once in the face then bucked him in the chest hard, sending his mirror image to the floor. The image’s head popped out of a nearby basket with a little grin. “Ouch no need to be so protective.” The copy made a stoic face and spoke like a robot. “B32, 66 pounds, yellow cubed and pink tangerine.”

“I sometimes cannot believe how much you like to fool around at times. Be thankful I can actually understand all of your gibberish.” He placed a strand of hair in his mouth and slowly chewed while re-running the calculations. It looked like he’d need to make a two-part one then, at least with the numbers he was given he should have more than enough.

The rest of his time working until the sun was on the horizon. The smell of fresh soup rose up from the floorboards, and he could see the family outside. “Home…” A single word that held so much wonder and longing his body could barely contain it’s joy. Turning back to his work he took a small green bud from the table, then placed it in the back of his mouth before a tiny vial full of a purple liquid was placed into his mane. Moving downstairs he left with a dark look on his face, it was time to get to work...

The dinner table was set with all of the ponies gathered round the steaming piles of soup laid out in front of them. They all started to talk as they began to eat with Apple Bloom going straight for Forest. “What have ya tried yet to get your cutie mark, huh? Ya must have done lots of things out in th’ woods, riiight?” Apple Bloom rested her hooves on the table and looked at him, expecting stories and tales.

“You really want to know? Well I…” He started to go into great deal about all of the wonders the forest had to offer and its dangers. As he went further and further his body loosened and he made large gestures to demonstrate his actions and feelings. He had a never ending story on the plant life and fauna that lived there.

“Hey ya’ll’s voice stopped going in that rhyme speak of yours.” Apple Bloom smirked from across the table giving off a small burp as she finished off the rest of her soup. Forest looked at Apple Bloom and gave a happy chuckle before continuing his meal. If he was really stopping that then it was all working out.

Finishing his soup Forest started to position the bud inside his mouth preparing to pop it at just the right time. “Well I don’t know about ya’ll but I’m might tired, Ah’m going to head off to bed, come on let’s clean up these dishes.” Applejack picked up a sponge in hoof and began piling up the dishes on her backside.

“PeekaBOO,” came a hot breath in Forest’s ear. Forest gave out a very unmanly squeal and jumped three feet into the air. Unbidden his teeth bit down crushing it into a fine golden power that blew into the air unnoticeable by all. Hitting the ground he stomped a hoof against the ground. The sound of his copy’s voice, heard by only him, rattled into nothingness as he got a hold of himself. This pony always liked to mess with him at the worst possible times.

“Somethin’ spook ya’ hun?” Applejack looked behind him before shaking her head. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, nothings gonna’ hurt you here. And if there is ya can always talk to us.” She pat him on the back only adding a weight to the guilt from what was about to happen.

“I’m sorry Apple Bloom.” He whispered under his breath and put out his hooves next to Applejack..

“What was that hun I didn’t heaaar ya’.” With her sentence completed she collapsed on the ground asleep along with the rest of her family members. Forest meticulously went over each one completely and applied bits of medicine to the bruises they received.

“HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT WHEN I’M IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING?!” Forest screamed at his copy, letting his voice tear through the air and punch the thing. It looked at him for a moment before drawing the number 84 in the air. “Bad Sebastian, you do not get to stay like that any longer, now help me bring them to bed.”

Sebastian merely stuck out his tongue playfully before running out and slamming the door behind him. Forest let out a small groan just frustrated before surveying the sleeping ponies and the kitchen. He shook his head, this was not going to be fun at all.

Night had fallen and door to the house swung letting Forest come out with his medicine bag slung back. For ten minutes stood there sweating and panting heavily against the front door. Eventually he spotted a dark shape lying nearby and began to kick it furiously grunting each time. “Do you know how long it took to bring Big Mac upstairs?”

“Probably not as long as the knee kicking you’re giving me. Stop it though; I’m not going to be able to go adventuring anymore if you do this.” The shape whined and moaned before it stretched into the moonlight illuminating its figure. Standing there was a navy blue colt with long auburn colored hair with pink highlights and a cockroach cutie mark on his flank.

“Sometimes I wonder why you even look like you do. Your crimson red eyes don’t even go with the rest of your color scheme.” Forest paused for a moment before throwing a batch of dirt at him. Sebastian’s body phased out to allow the dirt to pass through him entirely.

“You’re imagination and the power of magic oooooo.” He said the last part dramatically as he waved his hoofs through the air. Forest could feel his brain begging to punch him but what could he do? Forest slowly walked past him while Sebastian stuck out his tongue and crossed his hooves over each other indignant. “Fine I’m done, lets go.”

He stretched bathing in the moonlight as the energy he always felt on nights such as these overtook him. It was the small things like this that made him feel alive. Looking back on the house Forest mentally went over each ingredient and their strength. It should have been the correct formula for the combo; they should all stay asleep till morning.

Forest stretched out his left flank, gently cooing at the feeling of warm skin and no pain. It all finally worked. Jumping up and down he began to skip out of the farm with one hoof after another. The numbing effects of the juice were definitely helping in all this.

As he skipped, the fresh spring air filled his lungs and he slowly stopped as the bridge to the town stood in front of him. Twinges of fear crossed his face and he continuously wandered back and forth on the stream side taking brief looks at town.

“BUSH!!!” Sebastian shouted excitedly pointing to a nearby bush that was only slightly bigger than Forest. “Can we play hide and seek now?” Sebastian asked his face gleefull and his hair starting to stand up on end. Forest gave a shrug and shooed him away. Sebastian gave a squeal before running off to hide.

“Thank Celestia.” He moved to the bush evaluating the bush and it’s inner structures. “This is just purrrrfect. I’m glad to see you, little one.” He purred and nuzzled the branch before taking a bite out of it and bowed. “Thank you for your help.” More and more of the bush disappeared to fit the vision he was imagining.

Author's Note

Thanks again to Mechafone for editing this story, he's been a huge help making sure it all makes proper sense.