Bright rays of the sun broke through the small cracks of the blinds. It slowly crept up overtop of my face, forcing me to groan in irritation covering my eyes in an attempt to block the blinding sensation. The caressing warmth from the heat of light was beginning to send my hangover over the edge. It was causing me to wrap my hands around my head in pain.

With the refusal of retreat from my newest enemy, I was finally forced to surrender to a new day's light. In my last final attempt to fight against my opponent, I tried to roll over but was soon stopped dead in my tracks, as I lightly tapped on a familiar warm body.

I slowly cracked my left eye open to see her, and tried to rub the sleep away. For a moment, I took a look around, and found that I was in Zecora’s bedroom. I stepped out of bed making sure not to wake the sleeping zebra. With exposed feet, I stepped down onto the cold floor. Agile as I could, I grabbed my socks, and warmed my toes up by putting them on. I saw that the rest of my clothes were scattered around across the wooden flooring, much like hers. I began the process of gathering my belongings. Making my way over to my pants in the corner of the room, I pulled them on, and then my shirt. After my task was completed, I stole a glance over to Zecora to find that she was still lost within the sweet blissful sleep I was once a part of.

I left the bedroom and made my way to the living quarters, tieing on my wrist bracers. I adjusted my belt and readjusted my sleeves. I had rolled them up to make them more comfortable. With the last of the attire, I finally put on my pauldron. I stepped foot into the living room when a roaring pain pushed into my mind, and clouded my head with an evil intent. The silent, and deadly hangover. With the pain lingering, I decided to attempt to find something to ease my pounding headache. I went down the hall looking for a bathroom, but found a potion room.

I could see that there were bottles of strange liquids tied put to hooks as they dangled. Various plants had been put on the walls, and off of the ceiling. Some ground up piles of materials were sitting within jars, and a wide assortment of multicolored plants had been collected. All of them were different and varied, as if they had been collected from different regions.

All of these things were all intriguing, but the only thing I was looking for was some Advil. I searched further throughout the lab, and stumbled across a black cauldron filled to the brim of a warping and waving dark, purple liquid. Curious, I neared the cauldron. I could hear people talking. I looked into the pot, and saw the image of two ponies in the middle of a conversation. It was not what I expected to find.

“What do you mean you can’t find him?” Asked a confused looking purple unicorn.

“It means exactly what it sounds like, we can’t find him. He was supposed to appear yesterday, but even with many flights, I still haven't seen the hood, yet. Maybe, he popped up somewhere else farther. You and I, both know that John warned us about this happening.” Stated a rather frustrated pegasus with a rainbow hued mane. “All we can do for now is search. I’m sure he’ll find his way either here to Ponyville, or to Canterlot.”

The lavender pony didn’t seem too reassured, so she looked around, and took on a worried expression. “Something could have happened to him...He doesn’t know anything about this place and he’s out there, afraid and alone!” The unicorn flared her wings...wait, wings? What does that make her then?

The rainbow maned mare placed a comforting hand on the pegasus...unicorn...other pony’s shoulder, to calm her down,“Twilight, if this new guy is anything like John, then you and I both know he’s doing fine.” She claimed.

I thought back to last night, and a grin cut across my face as I thought to myself, “Yeah. I’m doing alright, I suppose.” I smirked to myself, and then turned my attention back into the cauldron.

“Ok, you’re right Dash. We’ll just keep searching, till we find the new guardian. From what John’s told me, he should look just like him.” Twilight began looking back, and forth turning back to Dash, with an awkward expression masked from her eyes.

“And that’s not entirely...a bad thing.” A blush came to the pegasus, as she continued to speak. “But this is his son right? So...like a 'young' John. I like that idea.” The blush on her face darkened into a deep scarlet.

Twilight started blushing as well, they haven’t even seen me yet, and I was the crush of the town apparently,“If he is John’s son, of course he’s going to be around our age. Let’s just get the others, and begin the search.” Twilight coughed into her hand, to distract attention. They began walking down a road towards a distant cottage near the woods, and the image started to fade.

Pulling myself away from the purple concoction, and I felt two arms wrap around my torso in a loving fashion. I turned to face the expected zebra, and smiled,“Well, Good morning Zecora. You wouldn’t happen to have anything to cure a hangover, would you?”

“I could make you something, just give me a minute.” Again, I was surprised to see that she wasn’t speaking in rhymes. She started putting things into a pot, and stirred it around for a minute, or so. She then took a small wooden cup, scooped up some of the potion, and handed it over to me. “This should do wonders.” I grabbed the cup and began drinking it. After a good solid minute, I could feel my headache slowly begin to fade.

“Whoa, that’s amazing! That taste. It wasn’t even half bad, a little strong, but good nonetheless. What was it exactly?” I asked. She gave me a small grin and pointed over towards the couch, I turned to see what she was pointing towards, and found the empty bottles from the night before. “Huh. I guess the best cure is the best solution for a slow, peaceful night.”

“The trick to a hangover is that you can cure it with just a bit more, now what will you do?”

I looked over to my equipment, and started walking over to them. I put on the armor, and while strapping it to myself, I said,“From what that purple stuff in the cauldron was telling me, some ponies in Ponyville are looking for me. I should probably head over to this place, and show them I’m ok.” Zecora seemed saddened by this statement but she soon found a smile.

“Well John, I guess this is goodbye for now then, but please visit soon.” She quickly trotted up to me, and wrapped her arms around my neck. Pulling me into a warm hug.

“Hey, I’ll try to visit you when I can. Can I ask you to help me out of the forest first? I honestly don’t know where I’m going.” I started rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment.

A smirk came to her face, and a light laugh could be heard. “Sure John, I know that. I’d love to.” She said affectionately. Her sudden tone made me smile, as well. As we exited the house, we began walking down a trail leading into the thick woods.

While we were following the ever growing trail, I asked her a few questions. “So, what is this place? Why don’t you live in Ponyville with all the others?”

“I honestly just like living out here in the Everfree." She replied. "I’m close to all the things I need for potions, and it gives me my privacy.” She seemed to go into her thoughts for a moment as she spoke. “I did live in town for a good two weeks before moving back here. It was nice and all, but Pinkie just wouldn’t leave my ingredients alone. She mixed poison joke, and sweet leaf together and then.... Well, lets just say I had to relocate, and that I’m glad I live back in the forest again.”

Time seemed to fly by as we walked down the path, and we soon reached a clear field of green grass, and a bright sun. A really bright sun. I pulled the hood over my head, and hid my eyes from the blinding rays. As the beams were cut away from my eyes, I turned to Zecora and she pointed towards a small town in the distance. “There is Ponyville, it’s not that far off.” I reached over to her and pulled her into a hug, which she accepted more than willingly.

“Thanks again, I hope i'll see you soon.” I said, as I gave her a quick pek on her cheek.

“I as well.” She smiled, and started trotting back into the forest.

Starting the crossing vast expanse of the field, the trip itself and the solidarity was in its own way peaceful. The chimes of birds danced through my ears, leaving me feeling most relaxing. The sky was clear as the blue ocean, with many miscellaneous clouds dotted around here, and there. The wind was blowing lightly against my exposed skin, and the field had housed a lot of spots to which someone could just sit around, and enjoy the little splendors of nature.

Marching forward, I continued through the field, but I heard something scurrying around in the tall grass behind me. I stopped, and eyed the large patch of grass for a moment when the rustling stopped urgently. Something was following me, from what I could tell. The very air around me seemed to grow denser by the second, but was quickly relieved by a pair of black fox ears gently brushing up past the grass. They were popping up through the very tops of the grass patches, and the pair of ears leisurely made their way towards me.

I stood there watching, then the ears jumped towards me along with the rest of the furry body. I was tackled to the ground and got my face covered in a little foxes saliva, as he rapidly licked at my cheek. “Whoa, a black fox! Aren’t you supposed to be orange?” I gave him a scratch behind the ears, as he sat on my chest. “Interesting, I like you already.” The small fox hopped off of my chest and sat on the ground, like he was waiting for me. I got to my feet, and asked my new little friend,“You going to Ponyville?” The little fox seemed to nod and began walking along with me.

Finally, the little fox to which I came to calling 'Lela', and I made our way through the streets of the once distant town. I spotted a small little cafe, and grabbed a seat on the patio. A waiter quickly came to the table and I asked,“Do you have anything that can soothe the soul?” The kind waiter nodded and left Lela, and I sitting at our table. I turned to Lela, and asked,“What do you think of this town? It seems nice.” The small, black fox gave a quick look up and down the streets, and turned back to me, and smiled. I found it odd that my new friend could actually smile, but then again, I was now in an entirely different world filled with people like Zecora, and Luna.

A few minutes had passed, and the waiter returned with a ‘leafy’ looking sandwich, and a cup of tea. My stomach was crying out for food, but this had to suffice for now. I looked to Lela, and asked if he wanted anything. He seemed to think for a minute, then quickly shook his head declining. The table waiter nodded once more, and took his leave. Just as I sunk my teeth into the sandwich, a familiar rainbow maned pony appeared to be coming towards the cafe.

I looked to Lela and his eyes opened wide, he jumped off the chair, and ran down towards the pony. “I haven’t even taken a bite yet.” I thought through pains of hunger. I looked to the waiter, and threw him a a couple dollar bills that I still had in my pocket. I quickly turned tail, and followed the little adventurous fox, and caught up.

“John? Where’s your son? He must still be looking for a town.” The mare asked. Knowing I was being mistaken, I removed my hood, and figured that it 'did' hide my identity. “Whoa! You’re not John! You're here!” Her reaction was rather surprising more than anything, didn’t she know anything about genes?

I sighed in frustration, and hunger. I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster,“My name is John, but I’m not the John you know. I’m his son. Just call him ‘Senior’ now.”

The mare quickly broke a smile, and tackled me to the ground. Her arms had wrapped around my head pushing me towards her chest. “I found you! And you’re young! Yes!”

(Version 1.3(2022))
Minor spelling errors and storyline fluent corrections.
Hope this keeps your day alive and entertained. I'll be seeming you in another chapter. Have a good day.
Keep it cool, xXCondemnedSoulXx.