Jaze woke up and stretched. The cave was still pitch dark, and he could not see anything. He listened to Trixie’s calm breathing; they had found this cave just before nightfall. It was a lucky break; Jaze could not have imagined what sleeping in the open forest would have been like. He picked up the remains of his bow, broken when the manticore had thrown him into a tree. It was beyond repair, Jaze would have to make a new one.

He slowly stood, trying to avoid upsetting his injuries. His shoulders were intensely sore from the fight but that would not kill him. What he was worried about were the gashes on his chest; he had no bandages or really anything to cover the gashes, they could easily get infected. Trixie also had a few cuts on her sides and chest from forcing her way into the thicket to escape. She had boiled some water using her magic, which Jaze used to clean their lacerations. He just hoped that would be enough until he could return to Ponyville to see an actual doctor.

Jaze heard his newest friend begin to stir. He had stayed up to watch the mouth of the cave to ensure that no strange beasties wanted a midnight snack. Trixie’s sleep had been fitful for much of the night; he guessed she had been reliving her recent past in her dreams. He just sat and listened to her quiet whimpering; he wished he had a way to alleviate her suffering. The only way he knew how was to be the best friend he could and hope to make up for the evil way she had been treated. Seeing her crying in her sleep pulled on his heart, and reminded Jaze of himself before he had met his friends; never truly happy, even in the one place where anything is possible.

“Good morning, Jaze.” Trixie yawned.

“And a good morning to you.” He replied with a small smile.

“So, what are we going to do?”

“I think we are going to try to walk back to the town I’m staying at. The ponies there are among the nicest beings I’ve met, they can help us tend our cuts and bruises. And maybe you could stay in town with us.”

He could hear the tears in her voice, “They will probably just hate me like everyone else.”

“No, you’ll see, they will like you. You just have to be yourself, like you have been with me.” He gave another small smile, “Just wait, as soon as it’s light enough, we’ll go to my home and meet my friends.”

“What do you mean?” Trixie said with confusion in her voice.

“It’s so dark I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

“Jaze, the sun is shining strong. The cave is pretty bright.”

“…what?”

“There are only shadows at the back of the cave.” Her voice was worried, “But you can see that, right?”

Jaze’s face registered shock. He waved a hand in front of his face, “You’re messing with me. You have to be.”

“Jaze, have you gone blind?”

He sat in shock, “It would seem so.”

“How?”

“I don’t really know. Maybe the manticore’s claws were venomous after all and these are their effects.”

“What do we do now?” Trixie asked, her voice slowly turning to panic.

Jaze took a deep breath, “Simple, we leave the forest.”

“You think it’ll be that easy?” she asked in a slightly mocking tone.

“No, it won’t be easy, but what choice do we have?”

“Fine,” she huffed, “but you can’t see and I have no idea where I am.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” He gave a smile, “Trust me.”

Jaze felt around for the wall of the cave and used it to guide himself outside. He heard Trixie walking next to him. He was already missing the use of his eyes; it would have been nice to see the sun. Funny, he laughed internally, you never appreciate something until it’s gone. He had to hope that Twilight had something in the library on manticore venom cures. He could not live the rest of his life blind; he would find it far too boring. Jaze stood in the sunlight for a moment, letting it warm his cool skin.

“Is that the direction of the sun?” Jaze asked as he pointed.

“Yes, why?” Trixie asked in confusion.

“Then we need to go that way he said as he pointed in another direction.

“How do you know?”

“Everfree forest is due east of town. So if we go west, it stands to reason that we will break out of here sooner or later.” He gave a confident smirk, “Preferably sooner than later.”

“Now we can set off in the right direction, but you still can’t see.”

“That is an easy enough fix; you just got to guide us both.”

Back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were desperately searching for their missing friend. When he had not shown up to help on the farm that morning, Applejack had gone to his house to see if he was okay. There, she found both Fluttershy and Dash looking for Jaze. They both said that they had not seen him and he did not appear to be home. They confirmed this by letting themselves in. His bed had not been slept in, nor did there appear to be any sign of somepony having taken a meal there. The three asked around town, but nopony had seen Jaze since he had passed through town a few days ago. Fluttershy had gone back to tend to her animals while Dash and Applejack searched the area around Ponyville.

It was now well past noon, and still nopony had found Jaze. The six friends prepared to go into the forest, for it was the one place they had not looked. They readied themselves as best they could. Pinkie Pie and Rarity volunteered to stay behind at the library in case Jaze made it back before the rest of the group, while Fluttershy was going to stay at her house with her animals in case he came there.

As the three started to enter the forest, they could see something walking toward them.

“Jaze, I think I found the path out!” Trixie exclaimed happily.

“Thank god, you have no idea how unnerving this forest is ‘til you can only hear it.” Jaze whispered.

He had kept his eyes closed for the entire trip, that way he did not have to think on his sudden blindness too much. It still galled him to have to rely on someone else for something as simple as not walking into a tree. When he had apologized to Trixie, she merely said, “Isn’t that what friends are for?” It warmed Jaze’s heart to see that she had already taken to being someone’s friend and was so willing to help. I can’t wait to introduce her to Twilight, he thought warmly, they have so much in common. Trixie had led the blind man through the forest as best she could. There were still falls as she could not tell him where everything was, but the managed to fight the path without any more painful adventures.

The pair walked for a few hours, following the path, until finally Jaze heard the sound of wind in an open area. They had broken free of the forest at last. Jaze had never been happier to feel the wind on his skin or to feel the direct sunlight. Jaze walked ahead of Trixie a little, reveling in the sensations.

“Look everypony, there he is!” he heard Twilight call. Jaze felt something hit him in the stomach, a something that had its hooves wrapped around his waist.

“Pinkie Pie, is that you?” Jaze asked the pony that had wrapped around his waist.

“No you dork, it’s me.”

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Uh, yeah,” she said in puzzlement, “why do you ask? And why don’t you open your eyes?” she looked behind Jaze, “And what is she doing here?”

“It’s a long story, but first let me introduce…” Jaze started.

“Oh, we’ve met.” Applejack growled.

“Huh?” Jaze was utterly confused.

“Hello, Ms. Sparkle.” Trixie said stiffly, “You remember how I told you a unicorn ruined me, Jaze?”

“Yes…” Jaze affirmed slowly.

“That is her.”

“WHAT?” Jaze sightlessly searched around for Twilight, “you, you were the one…?”

“Yeah, Twilight exposed this fraud for the fool she is.” Dash took an aggressive step toward Trixie, “What did you do to our friend?”

“I didn’t do…” she tried to reply.

“Didja blind him? Didja hurt him practicing some new spell to try and bedazzle everypony?” Applejack looked furious as she saw the cuts on Jaze’s chest, “And how the hay did he get those cuts?”

“I…” Trixie tried to explain, tears of sadness and anger beginning to flood her eyes.

“What have you done?” The two angry ponies asked in unison.

“ENOUGH!” Jaze shouted in anger, “I‘m surprised by you two. She made a mistake, everypony does it! You can’t judge her only by her past.”

“Why are you defending this phony?” Dash asked.

“If you two would stop for a moment and listen, you would find out that Trixie saved my life!” The two athletic ponies stared at Jaze, then Trixie, then back to Jaze.

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asked in astonishment.

“Yeah, ya wanna explain that ta us?”

“I was fighting a manticore when Trixie summoned a thundercloud to scare it off.”

“Uh-uh!” the cyan pegasus said as her wonder grew.

“She only did it ta make you trust her, she had ta’ve done that.”

“That’s not true!” Trixie called out, “First off Jaze, don’t lie for me. You saved me. And secondly, I helped because he needed it and I could.”

“Then why is he blind?” Applejack asked, some of the hostility gone from her voice.

“I’m blind because the manticore sliced my chest and poisoned me.” He walked to where he had heard Trixie’s voice, “If she had not guided me out, there’s every chance I would be something’s breakfast right now.”

“But, manticore claws aren’t venomous.” Twilight spoke up for the first time, "Nor is there a spell that causes blindness.” She walked over to Trixie, “You say that you didn’t do this?”

Trixie shook her head, “No, never!”

Twilight nodded, “I believe you.” Those three words stunned Rainbow Dash and Applejack and made Trixie tear up with gratitude.

“But Twi’…” Applejack began.

“No buts. I said I believe her story,” Twilight looked sternly at Trixie, “But that does not mean I have forgotten what you did, the ideas that you put in two young colts minds.”

“About that,” Trixie looked ashamed, “I’m sorry for I acted. I was foolish and irresponsible. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Tell you what, you show us that you are different and I will forgive you. Is that agreeable to you?”

Trixie nodded, “Yes, I can prove I’m different.”

“But…” the two doubtful athletes started.

“No buts,” Jaze interrupted, “if nothing else, I owe her my life.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Dash said as she swallowed her pride, “Thank you for helping Jaze get back safely. It means a lot to us all of us.”

“Thank you for allowing me a second chance.”

A smile flashed on Jaze’s face, “You know, I think you have something to write Celestia about, don’t you?”

The smile repeated itself on Twilight’s face, “Yes I think a letter to Princess Celestia is in order, but perhaps you should write it, Jaze.”

“Me, why me?”

“You taught us something today. I think you could condense the lesson the best for Princess Celestia.”

“I’ll tell you what, you help me find out what’s wrong with my eyes, and I’ll write the letter.”

“Deal!”

The five gathered Fluttershy and went back to the library where Jaze and Trixie filled the others in on their story. The six were staggered by the two’s courage and showed genuine concern for Trixie’s injuries.

“Lucky I did not break anything when I hit the tree. I landed in some blue flowers that broke my fall a little and kept my front from getting busted up as well.”

“Wait, blue flowers?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, they were at the base of the tree when I landed.”

“I wonder,” she said thoughtfully, “Jaze could you open your eyes for me?”

“Sure, but I don’t see why.” Jaze opened his eyes and was momentarily dumbfounded by the fact that he could not see.

Twilight looked into Jaze brown eyes. All over the whites were many little blue spots. Spots that the astute magician recognized. The other ponies recognized them as soon as they saw them, too. They had dealt with an affliction like this before. The smile of a puzzle solved spread across Twilight’s lips.

“Hey Pinkie, could you grab me that copy of Super Naturals?”

“Sure thing,” the party pony replied as she tossed a book to the unicorn.

“What’s up? Did you figure out how to fix this?” said Jaze as he pointed to his eyes.

“I’m pretty sure, I just need to find…ah-ha! Remedy for….” Twilight became absorbed in what she was reading.

“Uh, yeah, so, what is wrong with my eyes?”

“The blue flowers you landed in must have been Poison Joke. They took your eyesight away because they thought it would be funny.” She left out the part about how the Joke only messed with something their victim took pride in, and she wondered why he prized his eyesight above much else.

“So you can fix this, yes?” Trixie asked worriedly.

“Don’t y’all fret none. Twi’ could whip up the cure for this in ‘er sleep.” Applejack had kept her tone civil; not trusting but not unfriendly either. It’s a start, Jaze thought with a sigh.

Twilight snapped the book shut, “Don’t worry Jaze. As soon as I can find all the ingredients for the herbal bath, you’ll have your eyes back, good as new.”

“Great, maybe this won’t be the worst birthday ever.” muttered Jaze quietly. Unfortunately, he was too loud, for the ponies had heard him.

“You didn’t tell us it was your birthday!” called and excited Pinkie.

“Yeah, why didn’tja tell us?” Applejack asked.

“I didn’t want you all to make a big deal of it. It’s just another year I survived.” stated Jaze.

“You still should’ve told us man,” said Dash eagerly, “Pinkie Pie can throw you the most awesome birthday bash of all time. Of all time!”

“No, that’s not necessary. Honestly, if all my friends could get along, that would be enough for me.”

“I didn’t realize that she meant that much to you already.” Rarity said as she indicated Trixie.

“It’s just that I know what it’s like to not have anypony who loves and respects you.”

Applejack looked to Trixie, “Is that true, ya really have nopony?” Trixie nodded, “What about yer family?” the unicorn shook her head, tears once again coming to her eyes, “Well, I’m right sorry fer the way I acted, we all are.”

“I understand, I was a fool and gave you all ample reason to hate me.” Trixie looked downcast.

“Hey, don’t worry,” Rainbow Dash assured her, “it’s like Jaze said, everypony makes mistakes. Yours was lying; ours was in mistreating you for your past. Can you forgive us?”

“If you can forgive me.” Trixie said.

Hearing his friends getting along put a grin on Jaze’s face, “Well, what say you that we get my eyes fixed?”

“No sweat; let me gather the ingredients and you’ll be fine soon.” Twilight responded happily as she walked out the door to the library

Jaze stood outside the library over a bucket filled with aromatic water, “You’re telling me that I just have to dunk my head in this a few times to wash out my eyes and then I can see?”

“Yeah, that should work,” Twilight answered, “just remember to keep your eyes open.”

Without further question, Jaze dunked his head into the water, holding it under as long as he could before coming up for air. He repeated this process several times, until he could begin to make at hazy shapes, then he could see details, and finally he had regained all of his vision. Never, the relieved solider thought, will I forget this experience. That was truly terrifying.

Apparently, Twilight had gone into the library at some point while he had been washing his eyes. Jaze looked up to the sky to see the sun for the first time that day. He was ecstatic at finding he could see again and the whole world had taken on a much brighter tone for him. As he turned to go back into the library, Rainbow Dash walked out. She flew up into a nearby tree and beckoned to Jaze for him to join her.

When he had climbed into the tree next to her, she said “I’m glad you’re okay. You had us all worried for a while.”

Jaze gave her a confident smirk, “What, didn’t think I could handle myself in the forest?”

“No, it’s just…” she sighed, “we did not know where you were, and we thought you might have been hurt.” She lightly touched his recently bandaged chest, “Turns out we were right to worry, weren’t we?”

The smile fell from the soldier’s face, “Yeah, I guess so. I’m sorry I worried you all.”

“Hey, you’re back safe and sound right?” The cyan pegasus looked Jaze in the eye, “What were you doing in the forest anyway?”

“Nothing,” Jaze said as he turned away.

His friend pulled his head back around, “Don’t lie to me, Jaze.”

“I was looking for something.”

“Your friends?” Jaze nodded, “And did you find anything?”

Jaze nodded as he pulled the picture from his pocket, “I found this.”

He held the picture out to her. Dash studied the picture; it was of Jaze and three other humans, another male and two females, if she was judging right. The female closest to Jaze had dark brown hair with stunning green eyes, while the other two were both raven-haired and they both had blue eyes, though the females were much lighter. Dash had not seen Jaze look so at ease and happy before.

“Are these your friends, the ones who went into the forest with you?” asked Dash quietly.

“Yes, they are.” Jaze answered in a whisper, “At least, those two are,” he indicated the green eyed woman, “she died not too long after this was taken.” When Dash looked up from the photo, she saw his eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m sorry, I did not mean to bring up such a painful memory.” the worried pegasus quickly apologized.

“No it’s okay; I think I needed to talk to someone about it.” He dried his eyes on his shirt. “I think I need to go home and change, these clothes aren’t exactly in good shape.”

Dash accepted the change of subject, “Yeah you do look pretty ragged. You should go home and shower as well.”

“Yeah, a hot shower sounds nice.”

“Mind if I walk with you?” Dash asked

“Why not? I could use the company.”

The pair slowly walked back to Jaze’s house in silence. When they arrived, Jaze invited Dash into his house while he tidied himself up a little. She mostly stayed in the living room while the scarred soldier showered and got dressed. When Jaze returned to the living room, he found his friend sitting on the couch with a question in his friend’s eyes. A question she did not want to ask.

“Something on your mind?” Jaze asked innocently.

“No, nothing.” The pegasus replied.

“Don’t lie to me, Dash. I can tell you want to ask me something, so just ask.”

“Okay, but don’t get mad at me.”

“I promise I won’t get mad.”

“Alright,” she took a deep breath, “that woman in the picture, was she something special to you?”

Jaze winced, “Now I see why you didn’t want to ask.” He sat down next to her on the couch, “Yes, yes she was. I had planned to ask her to marry me,” he retrieved the ring box from the pants he had been wearing and handed it to Dash, “this was going to be hers.”

“It’s beautiful,” Dash breathed as she opened the box, “I wish that you didn’t have to deal with something like this.” She handed the box back.

“I’m used to dealing with it now, that was about two years ago now.” he whispered.

Dash stood up, “I think we should go back to the library now, we don’t want to make everypony think you disappeared again.”

Jaze was happy for the topic change, “Yeah I guess so.”

“SURPRISE!” For the second time, Jaze had been caught off guard entering the library. And once again the place had been decorated for a party. There were streamers everywhere and a large cake with the words “Happy Birthday Jaze” carefully written across it. The surprised young man looked to Dash who; was wearing a smug smile. His look asked the question for him.

“They wanted to throw this party for you, so I volunteered to distract you while they set it up.” She looked at the ground, “I had wanted to talk to you anyway so it all worked out.”

“Well, Pinkie was the one who had the idea; we all just helped put up the decorations. She even got the cake for you and did the message herself.” Twilight smiled at Jaze.

“Thank you all, you have no idea how much I need this.” Jaze’s eyes shined with appreciation.

“Well duh!” Pinkie said as she bounced around the room happily, “everypony needs a party on their birthday. And it’s also a ‘Welcome Trixie to Ponyville’ party.”

“No, it should all be about Jaze,” said an embarrassed Trixie, “It’s his birthday.”

“Hey you’re a friend, I don’t mind sharing.” Jaze said cheerfully.

“Uh, Jaze?” Twilight asked from her seat.

“Yes?”

“Are you forgetting something?” She floated a quill and paper over to him.

The guest of honor grimaced comically, “Darn, I hoped you would forget that. Oh well,” he said as he sat down, “let me write this, then we can get to the party.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

This is your friend Jaze, who was asked by your faithful student Twilight to tell you the lessons we all learned about friendship, so here goes. Today, Twilight and the others learned that you cannot judge somepony solely by their best mistakes. Everypony makes a mistake and learning is merely finding these mistakes and how to avoid them. If everypony was only seen by their mistakes, nopony could ever be trusted. I have learned that everypony deserves love and tolerance; you never know what hardships they have faced.

Sincerely yours,

Jaze Armand

P.S. I also learned that picking a fight with a manticore is an extremely foolish idea, I wouldn’t suggest it.