//------------------------------// // A Greater Unity (Final) // Story: Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You) // by ianv64 //------------------------------// I am forced to leave my house, I don't have a job. All the possessions that I would have kept if I could, had to be thrown away. I searched every room in the house for small portable things that reminded me of each of my family members. I grabbed "Separated wings Never Fly as Fast" to remember dad, as well as a picture of him. I grabbed a few pictures of mom to remember her... As well as Angel bunny. He even saw her break. For Treble, I grabbed his electric guitar, which hadn't been touched since he flew away. I went to put it in the case. I opened the guitar pick compartment, to see if his favorite one was there. It was, but there was something else that jumped out quicker. He had photos. He kept copies of old photos of just us as we become closer. He always said he never got the film developed. I looked at each one carefully. The first one was from after I ran away, and came back. We didn't even bother to wipe our tears off first. Mom was smiling in the background. She loved watching us grow close. The next one was from a year later, when all of us just went to fly a high distance, since we almost never got to do anything like it, since mom didn't like to fly normally. He took a few of these. Mom took this one. When I just returned from running, when he gave me the biggest hug, as we sobbed into each other's shoulders. The latest one he had, were the ones from when we took that summer flight... In fact, that's when he became skilled at guitar, and eventually became more depressed. I put the pictures back in the pick compartment, and just sat there, crying, with a slight smile. Reminiscing about the old days, running them all back through my head. I collected my things, and kept them right next to the nightstand and bed Twilight let me use in one of the rooms. I stare, and look at every single one of these things, paying attention to every detail, wondering if I missed a small detail or texture, or visual element. I would then go walking around Ponyville, to just collect my thoughts, and think about jobs, or housing opportunities, maybe ask about employment to a local shop. I looked in different directions to see different stores, or bakeries. I saw Pinkie's place, Sugarcube Corner. I walked in, and asked Pinkie for some part time work. "I think I can make some arrangements. I'd like to take some time off, now that I own the place... How about, say, 10:00 AM- 5:00 in the evening? "She said smiling a little bit. "That's be great!" I said, showing enthusiasm, even though my voice was soft. I felt like I was developing Mom's old voice. She always said she was quiet, and came off as a doormat to some ponies. Pinkie nodded, and I trotted out. As I turned in the direction of Twilight's, something caught my eye. It was a large poster advertising a new band's first tour, starting in Ponyville. The band's name made me think of dad. It was called "The Persona of Axel." I scanned the nicely designed poster, and noticed one of the ponies to the middle right of the band. He had a light blue coat like mine. I thought he was my brother for a second. He had sort of a beard, but had the same mane, except it was dyed black. It showed their names. His was "Rebel Jumper" but he just looked SO much like Treble. I began to think maybe Treble changed his name or something. It had a section of text at the bottom "For any questions about the band, or future shows, or booking, please mail all inquiries to 7934 Cirrus Ln. in Cloudsdale." I was going to do it. I repeated the address in my head until I remembered the numbers..... "7934....7934 Cirrus Ln.....7934.....7934" I got back to Twilight's, and got out a quill and parchment. ..................................................................................................................... "Please give this personal letter to Rebel Jumper... It's extremely important.... -Dear Rebel Jumper I don't know if I'm right, or just crazy, but you remind me so much of my brother who ran away, and never returned. You have the same color coat, but black mane. I'm thinking you might have dyed it, if you were him at least. If yu are him, please respond....I live in Ponyville with one of Mom's friends Twilight Sparkle. I need a conclusion. Please, respond whenever you can. Your beloved sister forever -Scarlet Rose" ..................................................................................................................... I hope it's him...Please be him.... Please..... ............................. Before I knew it, I passed out, and woke up the next morning. I got ready, remembering today was the day I went to Pinkie's place to work. She told me how to work register, and such, regulations about cleanliness and what not. "Well, I've got something I've gotta do for today. So good luck alright?" She said shooting back a smile. I nodded with a slight smile of confirmation. Sure enough, it was 4:30 PM before Pinkie got back. I left, and she said that I was aloud to miss tomorrow if I wanted. "Why so suddenly?" I asked. "Well, I feel like you might want to tomorrow." She said. It sounded like she was implying something. "Wh-what do you mean?" I asked suspiciously. "I don't know." She said smiling. "Just a feeling." I was puzzled, but trotted back to Twilight's. As I opened the door to Twilight's, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity were crowded around each other. "What is this?" I asked, still puzzled. The each moved over, revealing the stallion in the poster "Rebel Jumper." "Sis...." He said smiling, starting to instantly tear up. I couldn't mistake that tone of voice, no matter how many years it's been. He held out his hooves for a hug. My lip was quivering as tears rolled down my face. I found it hard to breathe for a second, and almost snorted while crying. Treble!!!" I excitedly shouted as I ran to him, almost losing my balance. I could feel my tears cool as I ran to him. I jumped into his embrace. I sobbed loud tears of joy, and relief. I nuzzled his neck so much and cried into his shoulders, just like so many years ago. He nuzzled back, and did the same, sobbing a little himself. I couldn't stop crying. Everyone thought he was dead, and no one knew where he was, and he now shows up, perfectly healthy, and okay. All the other ponies couldn't help but to cry a little as well. Rainbow Dash tried to look away, and not cry. He relinquished his grip for a second to wipe a few of my tears. "I'm so sorry...I missed you so much... I heard about mom, and I just knew I couldn't come back. I felt so guilty...I just..." He cried a little bit more. "You're my brother...I love you no matter what." I managed to mumble through my sobs. As we embraced each other, we both seemed to feel two extra sets of hooves lightly. We looked up, and saw two ghost like, translucent ponies. Dad, and mom, smiling, and happy to see us. Even if not in the real world. "We love you both so much." They said in perfect unison. They then smiled widely, and held each other's hooves as they faded away. Me and Treble stared in the blank space for a second or two. "Did you see that too?" I asked him softly. He simply nodded, and smiled. ................... I was excited to be at his first live show. It was crazy. I kept trying to get away from the mosh pits. In fact, I just stayed in the air the whole time. I watched him perform. The band was really amazing. Treble became so good. He told me he was able to hook up with these guys while he was on the streets for a few weeks by coincidence, and played one of their guitars. He was instantly a member. In fact, he "changed" his name to Rebel jumper as soon as he left it seemed. That's how everyone knows him. but I still call him Treble. The bond between siblings is impossible to break. No amount of anger, guilt, or unfortunate events can change it. In fact, it almost made it stronger. I haven't followed my dad's footstep's how I planned, but my dad made it his job to care, and love important people in his life. If that's how I can say I followed them, than that's good enough for me. I am the daughter of Axel Z Penn. I have been through a lot. It came to be happier in the end, thanks to my loving, amazing brother. I write a lot of their songs now. As Dad would say, all the crap we went through, helped it all work out in the end. ---THE END---