Author's Note: A Stumpt story. 

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 Rik's POV:

 Ash...

 Ash was missing. 

 I don't know where he is, and I fear that the worse has happened. Once again, I lost sight of my friend, and I don't know where the hell he is. Jasmine told me that Ash was unconscious in other world while his mind was..... somewhere.

 Price told me that Ash was somewhere in this forest. This mismatched, vine covered forest. The wind felt harsher around here as if it didn't want me here. My body shivered as held my hand up and lit a flame in my hand. Price told me to not come here without him or Jasmine, but I honestly didn't want to listen. 

 I looked behind me at the long brown tail that was twitching behind me. Another one of the reasons to go alone. I can't keep up the humane look for long. Even though I glad that some of the hermits know, I wish that they didn't find out in undesirable circumstances. My tail thrashed as I sighed and returned to walking forward. 

 The vines and branches moved with the uncomfortable wind. They shied away from me and the fire. I know that plants are capable of feeling, but having them move away from me and the fire? It was.... kind of cool. A bit scary, but it was kind of cool. 

 I watched down the makeshift path as my tail thrashed. Why was Ash here? What reason could he have here in this place? I sighed as I looked around the lush jungle that moved away from me. 

 " ASH?!" I called out into the greenery at the top of my lungs. The world turned to loud chaos as birds flew away. I heard yelling off into the distance, and the sound of buzzing soon followed. I looked down at my tail as it twitched, " Okay, time for you to go away." I sighed as I forced the tail into my pants and tied it with some tape before running after the noise. 

 The buzzing grew louder and multiplied by the thousands. I stopped at a clearing and froze. Giant, fuzzy bees, the size of dogs, were buzzing around Ash. Ash, meanwhile, was curled up on the ground with large holes in the back of his ripped up shirt. 

 Ash was crying, yelling out as his tail and ears slowly started to not move. The bees swarmed him relentlessly as the hybrid buried his face with his arms. I narrowed my eyes as I felt my tail try to escape and thrash. 

 I growled as I ran into the clearing. The grass scorched below me as held my hand up and fire launched towards the insects. They made this unholy screeching sound as their wings vibrated. The wind from the wings rushed around me as I growled and continued to throw the balls of fire towards the monsters. 

 They all fled deep into the jungle leaving me and Ash alone. I turned him around as Ash's tail faintly twitched, " R..... " he whimpered in pain as I carefully picked him up. I frowned as I carefully tried to hold him up the best I could. I opened a portal and looked around. The many eyes looked at me through the trees. Their red and black eyes stared at me with anger and hostility. I snarled at them again and moved Ash through the portal. 

 When I got to the other side, Price and Jasmine were on the other side. The two stared at me with disapproval as Jasmine took Ash and took him inside. I tried to go inside, but Price stopped me. For being shorter and slightly younger than the rest of us, Price was always still a bit intimidating. 

 " Rik, you did some real risky stuff there..." Price sighed as his hoof clicked against the ground. I nodded, " I got him back though...." I sighed as I crossed my arms. Price looked up at me, " I know man, but you could've died, then we would've lost the both of you." his tail shook. 

 I nodded my head, " I'll.... I'll be more careful next time..." I told him as I felt my tail disappear. Price nodded as he went back into the house. I walked into the small building. Ash was laying down on his stomach. 

 Jasmine had explained that she had finished stitching up the wounds and wrapping them up. She wiped her hands with a sigh, " Ash is honestly lucky that he didn't get stung in the lungs or kidneys. I know we can respawn, but it would still be painful." 

 Jasmine left the room leaving Ash and me alone. I sat down on the bed causing Ash's ears to flicker, " ....Rik?" he wheezed as his tail twitched. I nodded at him, " Yeah buddy... It's me." Ash's tail twitched again as he coughed. 

 " Do youu... have....a taillllmm...?" Ash questioned in his mostly delirious state. I looked at him, " You're imaging things Ash..." I smiled as I briefly glanced back. The tail was in fact not there, so I don't see why Ash is talking about one. 

 Ash let out a weak laughter as he put his head on my leg. I sighed as I looked at him, " It... It hurts..." Ash wheezed as his tail twitched, " I know buddy.... Wanna do me a favor?" I looked at him as he blinked one eye at a time, " Whaaaat?" he questioned as I moved his head back onto the pillow, " Go to sleep Ash.... You need it..." I told him as he nodded and quickly fell asleep. 

 I sighed as I looked towards the door. I don't want to put a blanket over him in case Jasmine was going to do something. I let out a sigh as I turned to the door and turned the light off. I've honestly never seen Ash in such a broken state. I honestly hope to never see him like that ever again, and maybe I can actually stop him from getting into that state next time.... hopefully...