When Rarity and Fluttershy eventually made it to Sweet Apple Acres, they learned that Thorn had already departed, and they had learned that Princess Celestia may have been responsible for Golden Oaks Library being in Ponyville. Twilight promptly excused herself so she could return to Canterlot to ask the Princess about this and maybe get some more information. Spike made extra sure to give Rarity her designs before leaving. For his "valiant" efforts he received a peck on the cheek, ensuring he left with a smile. The Crusaders feld to their nearby clubhouse to discuss the possibility of new cutie marks and whether or not they might be able to convince Thorn to teach them how to be ninjas. This left Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy at the farm to discuss the day’s events.

“Why do you think Princess Celestia would give that seed to Granny Smith?” Fluttershy asked the group.

“I’m not sure, but she must have had a reason. The Princess doesn’t do anything without a reason.” Rarity offered.

“Ah agree with ya, Rarity. Ah’m sure Twilight will find out why she did it. Fer now, all we can do is wait”, Applejack finished.

The three nodded and prepared to head back to their respective homes, when an odd sound stopped them in their tracks.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIT!”

All the mares looked toward the source of the sound, and spotted a pink blur speeding toward them at speeds that would make Rainbow Dash feel inadequate. The blur sped past the group and reached the edge of the Everfree. “COME BACK! I MADE CAKE!!! LOTS OF CAKE!!!” The blur, also known as Pinkie Pie, yelled. Upon realizing that the buck was long gone, the hyper pink mare’s hair and overall mood dropped. “Aaaaw, he left before he could try his first cake.”

Fluttershy then remembered the task Pinkie had asked of her earlier that day and began her feverish apology “Oh Pinkie, I’m so sorry! I forgot to bring Thorn to Sugar Cube Corner! I’m so so sorry!”

Pinkie almost immediately cheered up as she turned to face her friend. “Don’t worry about it, I'm sure we'll meet again. If anything, I'll use the cake for Pumpkin and Pound Cake's upcoming birthday!"

The ponies just rolled their eyes at their friend's persistent optimism. It seemed like there was very little that could get Pinkie down. "Well, don't mean to be rude, but I need to skedaddle. Promised Dash I'd meet her in town. See y'all 'round."

The group said their goodbye to the farm pony, and eventually the rest departed to their respective destinations. Fluttershy decided to head home for the night so she could take care of her animals. When she eventually arrived, she went through the motions as she usually did...but found herself strangely distracted. Her conversation with Rarity was still fresh in her mind. She had a crush on a deer. The idea seemed so sudden...yet, she couldn't deny it. Just thinking of Thorn and how he treated her, sent her face aglow and made her wings twitch. But she quickly smothered those thoughts with Rarity's logic and her own. She hardly knew him. Plus what if he was just being friendly? Then she'd just be getting worked up over nothing. Of course this thought, then opened itself to the devil's advocate: What if he felt the same about her? What if he wasn't just being nice?

The pegasus shook herself of the thought, this was too much to think about. She decided it might be best to finish off her choirs and perhaps wind down with a warm bath before going to bed.

The willow tree was dead silent. Thorn had just finished explaining the events of his disappearance and what had followed after. Azalea, Venus, and Ironwood were sitting on a wooden sofa while Thorn sat on the opposite side in a chair he had conjured from the wood of the willow. The older deer were looking at the young buck with an extreme amount of skepticism, while the fawn just looked confused. "I understand it's a bit unbelievable, but I swear it is true!" Thorn defended. He knew this was going to happen, he had tried to think of a way to explain it to his family and master...but, Thorn came to a very apparent conclusion: It is hard to make an unlikely story sound believable. In the end he had hoped that if he simply stated what had happened perhaps, by a slim chance, they might believe him. This was clearly not the case.

"So, let's recap. You were on patrol, when you heard yelling" Ironwood started.

Thorn nodded.

"Upon investigation you discovered a rabbid manticore assaulting two unknown targets. You managed to subdue the manticore and proceeded to check on the two unknown targets."

"That is correct, master."

"Then upon identification, you discovered that they were ponies. Both female, one pegasus, the other an alicorn. "

Thorn gave another nod.

Ironwood was silent for a time, as he took in Thorn's debriefing.

"Thorn, I don't know what happened, but you do know that ponies aren't real?" Venus interjected.

Thorn had anticipated this question, but still hadn't determined a response...in fact he'd anticipated plenty of questions, the issue he was dealing with making his explanation sound believable. However, convincing others that an old fawn's tale was, in fact, true was becoming an uphill battle. Or it was until Thorn found the simplest solution, "They are real, and I can prove it."

This got everydeer's attention instantly, even Azalea, who was still confused by what was being discussed. "I can take you to where they took me," the buck proclaimed confidently.

The older buck looked to his apprentice with a cocked eyebrow. He wasn’t certain if he was bluffing or telling the truth, but his confidence suggested the latter. “How far away from here?” Ironwood asked to test his student’s confidence.

Thorn took a moment to think on it, before responding. “It was... a few hours run from here. Maybe longer if you don’t use the trees, oddly enough they’re just outside our patrol areas. If you start the halfway point from my patrol route, then..." He stopped for a moment to determine the appropriate route, using his hooves to retrace the path he took. "Then go perpendicular from there you'll find their town."

Again the buck’s confidence astounded him. He considered how long it took to travel to from this "town" and the route to get there. Was he really telling the truth? One more press should make or break him. "Can you take me there?"

Before the younger buck could affirm, a loud and defiant, "NO!" rang throughout the willow. All eyes turned to a small, crying fawn. "Thorn can't go! He just got back! He can't leave again!" Azalea yelled as she charged toward her brother and held onto him tightly. "He can't go!"

The adults all looked to the scene. The fawn was grasping onto the armored buck as if letting go of him would cause him to vanish into the air. Thorn held his sister back and stroked the back of her neck gently. He'd never seen his sister like this before. Normally she was very enthusiastic and not much seemed to concern her, even when he came back from patrols she'd usually greet him happily the next morning. This was the first time she was so...clingy. More than likely his mother's worry must have rubbed off on her. She was a very perceptive fawn. He looked to his sister then to his master and mother. His mother looked a pained and somewhat guilty for causing her daughter to worry. Ironwood held his standard stoic appearance but there were signs that the scene was tugging at his heart.

Thorn knew he had to do something about this. He doubted Azalea would separate from him without some kind of promissory note that he wouldn't "disappear" again. He didn't want to make his sister worry any more, but he needed to prove his story. As much as it pained him to do so, he had to put his hoof down. "Azalea, I'm a grown buck and I can take care of myself. Master Ironwood and I can leave in the morning and be back around afternoon."

Despite the buck's calm yet stern response, it did little to calm the fawn. "That's what you said yesterday...and you weren't here," The fawn retorted tearfully.

The comment struck the buck deep. It was obvious this whole matter had affected her just as much as his mother. He felt his resolve wavering, if he continued this conversation...it might end with more tears. He looked to his mother and master, before motioning to Azalea with his head and mouthing, "Help me."

Ironwood decided he might be able to help here, "Thorn, you're certain about this place...with ponies?"

"Yes, master. It is real. They are real," Thorn replied definitively.

Ironwood was impressed by his apprentice's confidence, but, despite that, he still doubted Thorn's story. Ponies? They were a tale told to fawns. They weren't real. He wasn't sure why his apprentice kept asserting they were the ones who took him, but if he could take him to where his abductors took him perhaps it'd shed some light on his reasoning. "Very well, Ms. Venus. If it'll put your daughter at ease, she can accompany us on this excursion. I can promise she'll be in Thorn and my capable hooves."

Venus was uncertain of how to respond. Her guilt compelled her to agree, yet her motherly instincts were strictly opposed to such a thought. She just got over the scare of losing her son, now she was being asked to relinquish both her son and daughter. She found herself uncertain about what to do, should she appease she daughter and let her go, or have her stay and let Thorn go with his master?

The older doe let out a long sigh. "I...I need to think on it. I'll let you know before you leave tomorrow, today has been a bit too much."

"Of course," Ironwood responded in understanding. He then turned to his apprentice as he got up to leave. "We'll be leaving at first light, Thorn. I expect you to be ready."

Thorn nodded and thanked his master for taking care of his family in his absence. Ironwood nodded and took off into the forest. Thorn let out a sigh and went back to his family, who were standing directly behind him. He took the moment to pull the both of them into a deep hug and whispered, “I missed you both.”

Venus and Azalea returned the hug, and the moment was enjoyed in relative silence. When they were done the family sat down to unwind after the day’s emotional event. After some time, the family of deer decided to retire for the night. Thorn left for his room and stored his armor away for later use. As he was about to get into his hammock, he heard a knock from his bedroom door. He turned to see his sister was waiting for him just outside his room. She had a question she had been wanting to ask.

“Thorn, what’s a pony?” Azalea asked, the question being on her mind since the topic had been brought up during Thorn’s debriefing. The fact it kept being brought up and not explained has caused her no small amount of annoyance. Now seemed like a good enough time to finally get an answer.

Thorn smiled at the question. Unlike him, his sister had not been told the stories about ponies or the blue alicorn. Venus has learned her lesson from Thorn's fawnhood and opted to tell more traditional, non-scary, bedtime stories. “Ponies... are like us... but shorter and they are... surprisingly colorful, in both meanings of the word”, Thorn responded.

“So they’re... just smaller deer?” Azalea retorted.

“Erh...in a way,” Thorn replied. “They are different. Some have only one singular antler that never gains additional points, some have wings to soar through the sky, and some don’t have any of those. That and they have long manes and tails.”

Azalea cocked her head and her ears perked in interest. The idea of a deer with wings or a mane seemed odd, yet intriguing at the same time. She was definitely curious. “Are they nice? Are there any my age? Do they talk to animals? Can they control plants?”

Thorn was smiling as he moved his hoof up and down to calm his sister down. “Easy, sister, easy. Yes, they are... very nice, no they can’t control plants...I think, and I met three young fawns...er...fillies. They’re around your age, I’m almost certain you’d get along with them.”

The fawn beamed with excitement. “Can I meet them?!”

Thorn rubbed the back of his neck in uncertainty. He wasn’t entirely sure when or if he’d be able to escort Azalea back to Ponyville. It’d be a long trek, and he knew she wasn’t skilled enough to traverse the canopy as quickly as he could. “I’m sure you’ll meet them, eventually.”

The statement made the fawn happy enough that her tiny tail did a little shake of excitement and she wore a even happier grin. “Yay! New friends!” she proclaimed in glee.

Thorn knelt down and rustled the fur on her head. “Yes, yes. But for now why don’t we just relax...it’s been a long day.”

Azalea nodded and went to her room. Thorn smiled as he shut his door and climbed into his hammock...he then wished he was in that comfy hammock back at the hospital. Boy, was that thing comfy. He laid there for a what felt like hours, wide awake. When he was certain his sister and mother were well within the realm of dreams, he donned a small leafy cloak and left the willow as silently as he could. He needed answers and he needed to hear them from the Great Tree, itself. He’d only be gone for a few hours and be back before anyone was the wiser...he’d just really have to rush. Thankfully, the moon was full and bright and made the forest illuminated in it’s glow. “I’ll be quick,” He told himself as he bounded into the forest.

Foraoise was mostly silent. The only sounds that echoed throughout the city were the sounds of the forest around it and the calming song of the night. Many of the guards were asleep, but a select few still patrolled the outside wall and within the city itself. However, for the lone Guardian-in-training, it was easy for Thorn to simply waltz into the city unnoticed. Once he was well into the sleeping city, he made his way to the Great Tree. The training area was just as deserted as the rest of the city. The many students and masters had long since left for their respective homes. If there were any students left, they were more than likely at the archives reading or in one of the many training ground, both, of which, were a ways away from Thorn’s destination.

The buck spotted his destination and checked his surroundings. Narry a guard or Guardian to be seen. He approached his destination and sat before the towering tree. He took some time to draw in a few calming breaths and let his magic reach out toward the ancient tree. It barely took a second for the connection to be made and the voice of the towering mentor to speak. “Ah, Thorn! So good to see you have returned safely. I hope you are doing well,” the Great Tree greeted the buck.

“It is good to see you as well, Great Tree. I am doing well,” Thorn responded in kind. “I apologize for my unexpected intrusion and my untimely arrival, but I had some questions I wanted to ask you. It relates to my...’disappearance’.”

A feeling of curiosity and interest swelled through the tree. The tree’s tone adjusted to fit the feeling and calmly asked, “What did you want to ask?”

Thorn collected himself, and remembered the two prevalent questions that were on his mind. “I encountered some...er...I...” he stumbled, but he took just a moment more to find the words he needed to say. “Take your time, Thorn. What did you encounter?” The tree asked understandably.

“Ponies, I found ponies...and not just a hoof full. It was an entire town, full of ponies and an alicorn!” Thorn said finally. He had to force himself to say it, but he said it. His family barely believed him and his master was skeptical. He knew what they were real. He knew he didn’t make it up, it wasn’t a dream, and it wasn’t a hallucination. Yet, the more he explained it, the more he felt like maybe it...could have been a dream. “I know it seems unbelievable, but-”

“I believe you.”

“I know, but-... wait, what?” Thorn had heard what the Tree had said, but he was certain it would have been as skeptical as his family and master. But the Great Tree believed him, and there wasn’t even a moment's hesitation. “Y-you believe me?”

“Of course, I do. I know you wouldn’t lie to me. Tell me what happened,” the tree continued calmly, allowing the Guardian-in-training to continue without interruption. Their connection hinted no doubts, only patience and curiosity. Thorn wasn’t sure what to say. This was the first time today someone had openly accepted what he said...,but it was completely possible the Tree was just humoring him.

“Well, while I was out on patrol I met a pegasus and an alicorn. They took me back to their town and there were... so many of them. I was scared. Scared they'd do something to me or harm me, ... but they didn't. They weren’t cruel, they weren’t vicious, and they weren’t destructive. They were kind, caring, and helpful.” Thorn’s features scrunched as he rattled off the differences. His mind was ablaze with questions. Why were the tales wrong? How were they so close without being aware of each other? How did this Princess Celestia get a hold of a seed that would build that library? He wanted to know. Were all those fawnhood nightmares for nothing?

The fire of questions were quickly extinguished by the Great Tree’s tranquil voice in his head. “I understand you have questions, Thorn. I will help as best I can. Ask your questions, and I will answer.”

Thorn had to stop as a thought crossed his mind. Did the Great Tree already know about the ponies? It didn’t seem at all sceptical and it’s strange understanding was beginning to give him pause. He decided to press forward. Before this night was over, he was going to have some answers. “Okay...first, is the tale of the Midnight Alicorn true? Did it happen?” he started. Best begin with where his phobia started.

There was a distinct creek from the Great Tree as it spoke. “It did,” it replied sullenly. “It happened thousands of years ago. Nightmare Moon came to the forest and amassed an army of beasts to assault her sister. She was angry and was feeling as though she wasn't receiving the attention she deserved. In the end, Princess Celestia was forced to banish her to the moon for a thousand years.” There was a distinct feeling of remorse in their connection. The rustling of the many leaves caused Thorn’s ears to come to attention. It was apparent this story was a bad memory for the ancient tree, but why the remorse? It wasn’t like it knew-... Wait.

“Great Tree...these Princesses...you didn’t...know them personally...did you?” Thorn inquired hesitantly. It couldn’t be possible. Well, time wise yes, but the Great Tree didn’t associate with ponies...right?

There was another creak, similar to a long sigh being released. “I did,” the tree responded. “We were good friends. It was fun to have them around...it saddens me that I have not seen them in so long.”

The tree’s response confirmed Thorn’s suspicions. Although, he is unsure how to feel about it. The implications were staggering and it suddenly gave some credence to the Apple matriarch’s statement, could the library have been a gift? If it was, it was an incredible gift. Being awarded or gifted a tree house would be a truly gracious gift.

“Then, what happened? If my experience is anything to go by, they’re not all that bad. What happened?”

Regret was the new emotion surging through the tree this time. “Fear,” was the lone response, before the tree elaborated. “After Nightmare Moons rampage through the forest and her subsequent banishment. The king of the forest, along with all the other deer, were scared. The magic ponies wield is stronger than our own. While deer have dominion over nature, ponies wield the arcane and elemental forces. Luna and Celestia, alone control the two celestial bodies that hang in the sky. That night, it was shown that they were the stronger force.”

Thorn hadn’t really considered this fact, but it was true. Twilight was able to move him, Fluttershy, and herself a vast distance in seconds. No deer could accomplish such a feat. And the idea of a single entity being able to control the...wait, what?! “Wait, did you say they control the celestial bodies?! You’re talking about the sun and the moon?! That can’t be possible!”

“Yet it is. Princess Celestia controls the sun and Luna has control over the moon and stars. They are incredibly powerful.” The statement was straight-forward and had no hint of sarcasm or joking. So much so, that Thorn felt his legs go weak. His fear was growing again within his mind, but it was quickly squashed by the Great Tree’s presence pressing into him. There was mild annoyance in his tone and it was clear that Thorn’s mindset had clearly offended the ancient deity. “Do not fear them, Thorn. Power does not make them better nor deer weak. I tried explaining that to King Elm a millenia year ago, but his fear, and the fear of his kin had already swayed him from logic. You have met them before you knew of their power, you know they aren’t a tour de force bent on destruction. I need you to keep that in mind. Can you do that for me, Thorn?”

The young buck felt some shame creeping in. He’d let his fear rule him and worse he’d shown his weakness before his spiritual leader. The deer hung his head in shame and apologized. “My apologizes, Great Tree. It won’t happen again. They are like us and should be treated as such.”

The tree produced a small root that patted the buck’s back gently. With their connection, the tree was not angry. It was never angry, he expected much from the young buck, and he still had much to do. “It’s okay. I just want you to keep that in mind. Now, you had more question?”

Thorn nodded, “Yes, I do. In the town, there was an oak library. It was clearly of deer design, yet they were unclear of where it came from. Only that it had a note attached to it that said, ‘Plant it somewhere nice’. Would you happen to know how they could have gotten that seed?” the buck asked in curiousity.
A sense of nostalgia sprouted within the tree as it recalled an old memory. It was a sad memory, but one that now blossomed with new hope.. “Yes, I do. I gave it to Celestia as a parting gift. I gave it to her in the hopes that maybe, one day, her ponies and my deer might be reunited.” The tree chuckled at the thought. “As it would seem my seeds of hope have come to bear blossoms and hopefully soon, fruit.”

Thorn opened his eyes and looked upon the towering ancient before him. The Great Tree had waited a thousand years in the hopes that one day, deer and ponies would be reunited. Such patience and hope was...inspiring. The lone deer was in awe, but also determined. Determined to make sure that such hope would not be left to wither and die. “I hope so too,” Thorn responded as he closed his eyes yet again. “I hope my visit to the town tomorrow will help bring our two races together. Then maybe you can be reunited with Celestia’s descendants.”

“Descendants?” the tree asked in confusion. “I’d much rather talk to Celestia, herself. I’m not certain if she has descendants.”

Thorn returned the confusion, “But...she can’t still be alive. It’s been a thousand years, nothing lives that long...unless-”

The tree saw the buck’s deduction coming forward. It let out a small cheery chuckle. “Yes, Celestia and Luna are like me. They are unravished by the passing of time.”

Suddenly, a lot of things made an unspeakable amount of sense to the buck. It also dawned on him, that when the fillies said Nightmare Moon was still around...they meant it. He really, really, REALLY did not like that, but if the Great Tree was willing to vouch for the two of them, then maybe the Midnight Alicorn...Luna, might be different now. Hopefully.

The Great Tree chuckled at the deer’s train of thought before composing itself, “Now, Thorn. It is late and you should get some sleep.” Thorn nodded and was about to leave, when the tree stopped him one last time. “Before you go, might I task you with a mission of sorts?”

“Of course, Great Tree. What do you desire of me?” Thorn replied happily.