I tore into the eggs and hash-browns like a wild animal, tearing chunks from the slice of ham on my plate with my teeth. OHH sweet baby Jesus, MEAT... I didn't even care that I now had half the cafeteria to myself. I finished the plate off in record-time, finishing off by chugging a steaming hot mug of black coffee. "GUSTAVE!" I shouted, raising the empty mug. "You are the man!"

The portly griffon cleared his throat, trying to remain professional. "T'is a pleasure. Would you like another helping?"

I wanted to. Oh God I wanted to. But... "Nah, read somewhere that if a starving man eats too much, he'll go into shock. Thanks for letting me have some of your personal stash, though." I grinned, my one good eye shining with a sharp glint I hadn't had in three years, "it was delicious."

The griffon took a 'subtle' step away and nodded. Standing, I made my way out of the cafeteria to wander the castle.

The halls were certainly busier today, maids and various suited ponies shuffling about. Most made a point to ignore me, but some stared, as to be expected. Whenever I caught one, I gave a massive, toothy grin, staring directly into their eyes.

For some reason, they never wanted to stick around to chat. Oh well. I felt better than I had in years! Hot food in my belly, more sleep than I absolutely needed, and I'd finally managed to work out some aggression. A thin smile wormed it's way onto my face, refusing to leave.

It felt nice to smile again.

"Well you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man! No time to talk!" I sang, practically bouncing in my steps. "Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around since I was born." Darting through the crowd, I continued to pick up my pace. "And now it's alright, it's okay! And you may look the other way!" My voice began to raise as I put more enthusiasm in, "And we can try to understand The New York Times' effect on man! Whether you're a brother, or whether you're a mother, you're stayin' alive! Stayin' alive!"

I jogged through the halls, until I came across a familiar set of large doors. Hello Canterlot... Storming through, I leapt down the stairs and continued strutting through the streets. "Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin, and we're stayin' alive! Stayin' alive! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Stayin' alive! Stayin' alive!" Walking through the streets, I started down towards the train station. "Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Stayin' aliiiiiiiiiiiiive!!!"

Lucky for me, there was a train just about to leave. I ignored the stares of the ponies as I jogged towards the station. "ALL ABOARD!" I heard a pony shout, so I sped up until I ducked down behind the station. Making sure I wasn't spotted, I wiped my brow. Whew...I was SO glad the ponies were so oblivious. When I was sure none of them were looking, I snuck onto the caboose and waited.

I didn't have to wait for long. The train jolted, almost knocking me off balance before I felt myself start to move. I grinned, watching Canterlot slowly pull away from me. And good riddance, you crazy poofs... I leaned against the rail on the outside of the car, holding my arms out. "Well now I get low and I get high, and if I can't get either, I really try! Got the wings of heaven on my shoes, I'm a dancing man and just can't lose! You know it's alright, it's okay, I'll live to see another day! And we can try to understand The New York Times' effect on man!"

I've got a good feeling about this...
-----

Princess Luna had finished recounting her tale to her sister, in gruesome detail. The solar diarch looked even more disturbed than Luna, staring out past the far wall. "All that...How?" Celestia turned to her sister, an uncharacteristic pleading expression on her face. "Sister...if this is your idea of a joke, it is far from funny."

"As much as I wish it was, I saw it with my own eyes." Luna looked down, closing her eyes tightly. "Those images will stick with me for life. How any one creature could survive that...She looked up at Celestia, a deadly serious frown marring her features. "We must get in his good graces. If he ever turned against us, I dread to think what would happen."

Celestia's eyes hardened. "We can't even think of such a thing. Jason may be damaged, but he would never purposefully harm a pony. He is not a villain."

Luna turned to look at one of the many stained-glass windows lining the throne-room, and in an almost inaudible voice, she whispered "neither was I..."
-----

I hopped off the train, strutting through the familiar streets of Ponyville. With no Applejack to cave my face in and no Rainbow Dash to hit me with lightning, I felt far more at ease walking the town. "HONEY, I'M HOME!" I gave a toothy grin, despite the ponies giving me a wide berth. Nonetheless, I nodded to the ones I recognized. "Mornin' Lyra!" I waved, keeping my smile up through the strange look the mare gave me. I was full, I was rested, and...for some reason, in a ridiculously good mood. It seemed odd for me to be this upbeat, but whenever I tried to think too much about it, something would distract me. Ah well, probably not important.
-----

"You WHAT?!" It wasn't often Celestia shouted, but when she did, it was advisable to run. Luna, unfortunately, didn't have that option. "Sister...I love you. I really, really do. But why would you think sealing away his negative emotions is in any way a good idea?"

"Would it not give him an opportunity to see Equestria without his anger clouding his mind?" Luna defended, feathers ruffled slightly. "Letting him experience joy would give him a proper incentive to recover, correct?"

Celestia pressed a hoof to her face, sighing in irritation. "Sealing away any of his emotions would cause an imbalance. But an entire half of them would drive him insane." Celestia glared at her sister, her voice taking on a stern edge. "He is still in his room, yes? Go to him and remove the spell before he wakes."

Luna glowered at the floor, exhaling heavily before turning to silently walk out of the room. Sulking down the hall, she retraced her steps to the room the human was kept in...and hearing some kind of shuffling, grunting, and violent muttering.

She threw the door open with her magic, and in a booming voice, "Step AWAY from Applejack immediately!"

...Only there was nopony except for Applejack in the room. Hogtied in the corner, trying in futility to squirm out of the bonds. Luna blinked several times, trying to process the scene, before managing coherent speech. "...Where is Jason?"

"Th' dang varmint jumped me right after ya left! Tied me up n' tossed me here like a sack of apples." Applejack grunted, trying to gnaw through the thick rope.

Luna gulped. This cannot end well...