"IT'S SO DIFFERENT," Fern exclaimed, "IT'S SO WARM!"
     Succulentus calmed down, "Let's go!"
     As Succulentus strolled along his home, he cautiously watched for the mound of sand that he used to live on.
     "So... Are these your friends?" Fern gestured to the clumps of cacti sitting on one of the mounds of sand.
     "No, no, not yet. My friends live a little farther than here," He kept strolling along.
     They finally arrived.
     Being careful not to let Prickly see him, Succulentus slowly walked towards his friends.
     "SUCCULENTUS!" one of the cacti yelled, "I thought we'd never see you again! Did you decide to come back here? Will you stay here forever?"
     "Oh.. no... I'm sorry guys, I just wanted to introduce my new friend to our home... I guess I'll stay here for a while and leave again."
     "Aw, I understand," the other cactus introduced himself, "Well, hi there, strange plant! I'm Barb! Nice to meet you!
     "Hi, I'm Spike," the cactus standing next to Barb, "What are you?"
     "I'm grass, my name is Fern."
     "Wait," Spike was curious, "Are you a grass and your name is Fern?
     "Yep," Fern replied.
     Succulentus decided to explain to his friends what the grasslands were.
     His friends were astonished, "Wow, everything seems so beautiful and different! At least we have some similar things. I never knew The Border was like that! I didn't know it would have life and land. I didn't even know The Border existed! It seems so beautiful yet simple."
     "So... Do you wanna explore?" Succulentus asked.
     "Sorry, I would love to, but I don't wanna risk it," said Barb, "Everything just seems so stunning out there, but I know I can't. You're really brave, Succulentus."
     "Thanks.. OH, Fern, so you wanna stay here with us?" Succulentus suddenly felt dreadful as he thought of Prickly. He was not as brave as everyone thought. He really wasn't. He couldn't stand facing Prickly after all he did. Prickly was his best friend, but what if he didn't forgive Succulentus after what he did? What would Succulentus say? What would Prickly say?
     Fern was concerned again, "Succulentus, I'm sorry to bring this up again, but I know you're not okay."
     "I... I don't belong in the grasslands! I'm sorry Fern, I feel terrible, but I just couldn't!"
     "I know, Succulentus. You miss your home. You miss your best friend and... And you regret everything you did. I get it Succulentus. You can stay here if you want."
     "No, Fern-"
     "I feel the same way."
     "Really?"
     Succulentus wasn't sure what to do now. He felt like a horrible friend. He couldn't choose. If he chose to stay in the desert, he would be betraying Fern, but if he stayed in the grasslands...
     "I don't know what to do! I'm really sorry! I don't want to upset you!"
     "Succulentus..."
     "You can go back to your home if you want. I know you miss your home, too." Succulentus had never felt more lost than he did now.
     Fern sighed, "I'm staying here... For you..."
     "But Fern, it's too hot here! You can't! You'll start to wilt!"
     Neither Succulentus nor Fern knew what to do now. Everyone just stood there, trying to think of something to do or say.
     "Maybe..." Succulentus started.
     "What?" Fern wanted to know.
     "Maybe we could stay on the edge of each other's borders..."
     "But what about our friends?"
     "We'll stay in between each other. After all, we both know where we live, right? We can just visit each other whenever we want! It won't be the same and we won't get to see each other as often, but I think it will work!"
     "That's awesome, Succulentus! I guess we'll get going, now. And Succulentus, thanks."
     Succulentus knew what Fern meant, "Thanks to you too."
     Fern and Succulentus both went their own ways.
     Succulentus carefully walked over to Prickly, making sure not to startle his friend. "Hey Prickly," he tried to smile, "I'm sorry."
     Prickly couldn't believe what he was seeing, "Succulentus... Wha-"
     Succulentus was surprised. Prickly wasn't mad... "I want to talk to you," he managed to say.
     "I missed you so much! I can't believe it! I-I-I.." the feeling of joy rushed over Prickly. He started sobbing.
     Succulentus started to explain everything.
     "So you won't stay here forever?" Prickly asked after Succulentus had finished.
     "No, but I'll make sure to visit you often, I promise. I'm sorry it couldn't go the way you wanted it to, Prickly."
     Prickly giggled, "I'm just happy you're back."
     Succulentus and Prickly both bumped spikes. Once again, they said farewell, and Prickly watched with a grin as Succulentus strolled away. Everything was okay now. It was all over.