In this would-be Hour long special...Twilight and Co visit the Crystal Empire to help with Hearts and Hooves Day, and Twilight sees trouble in paradise when a well-renowned singer reveals he plans to leave the kingdom and give up his career. Naturally, she plans to sort him out.
Meanwhile, Rarity sets up an auction with herself as a Hearts and Hooves date, only things go a little awry due to her not thinking things through enough.
LESSON: Some people CAN get better from problems, but some people CAN'T.
It was almost Hearts and Hooves Day, and Twilight and her friends were visiting the Crystal Empire, at the request of Princess Cadance.
Twilight was walking along with her Sister-In-Law down the halls of the palace.
“I can’t thank you enough for this, Cadance.”
Cadance smiled at her “I figured you all could do with a little holiday vacation, especially considering what time of year it is.”
Twilight loved Hearts and Hooves Day, especially when it meant spending it in the Crystal Empire.
All over town, ponies were putting up pretty decorations, and others were exchanging gifts with their sweethearts. Some stallions were giving their mare-friends flowers, or candies, while others were serenading others in windows with lutes or flutes.
Still, other ponies of business were conducting charity events, collecting donations as their way of spreading love to help the poor and homeless across the land.
Pinkie Pie was going around town throwing white and pink confetti while shouting, “HAPPY HEARTS AND HOOVES EVERYPONY.”
Applejack came along pulling a cart full of hot and loving heart-shaped apple pies. “Pinkie Pie, take it easy! Ponies ain’t gonna want confetti all over their pies.”
Fluttershy was handing out lovely gift baskets she had made back home to all the colts and fillies, each containing a fake flower, a few chocolate hearts, and a cute little cards with witty sayings on them.
“Here you go.” she said sweetly.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and happy Hearts and Hooves.”
The kids just loved the cute remarks on their cards.
“I’m MAD about you”: A picture of an enraged fire-pony.
“I Choo-Choo Choose You”: A with a picture of a train.
“U and I Together.”: With a letter U and I and a heart in between them.
Suddenly there was the sound of a fanfare, and Rarity announced though a megaphone, “Attention every-pony! I, Rarity of Ponyville, am happy to announce that my official Hearts and Hooves Auction has begun.”
She pulled on a rope, and a large banner with a picture of herself in a large purple heart was dropped open.
“Yes! Come one, come all. Place your bids, and by sundown tomorrow, whoever has the highest bid shall win the grand prize: The honor of myself being your Hearts and Hooves day companion, just for the day, and all the money gathered shall be donated to charity.”
She gave her eyes a playful flutter, and naturally every stallion, whom was single and interested in a date began to huddle around placing their bids; writing them down on a pad with the promise to pay later, when and if they won.
Rainbow Dash was fluttering up overhead, and sighed, “Oh, brother. This can’t end well.”
She wasn’t much of a fan for Hearts and Hooves, but was glad to be in the empire.
While up in the palace, Spike saw Rarity’s stand from a window, and he sighed sadly. “I wish I could place a bid. I wouldn’t mind Rarity being my special some-pony for the day.”
Cadance and Twilight were giggling behind him at how cute he seemed, which made him feel embarrassed.
“Why don’t you place a bid, Spike?” asked Cadance.
Spike answered by playfully pinching his side like pockets, meaning he was strapped for cash.
“Besides, what chance do I have against all those handsome, rich looking ponies down there?”
Cadance had taken Twilight to her room, and Shining Armor joined them. They were all listening to a record of a love song, written by a fantastic and well renowned music artist named Strings.
The melody was soothing, and the lyrics so enlightening. The three ponies sighed heavenly.
“That Strings. What a voice.” remarked Shining Armor.
“I could listen to his works all day.” agreed Twilight, “And to think, he lives right here, in the Crystal Empire.”
Cadance giggled, “And, you’ll get another chance to hear him live.”
She then showed Twilight a programme for an upcoming Hearts and Hooves Day musical production she had written and was producing. It was a story about a lonely and ugly male pony desperate to find true love, but was often rejected and shunned for his appearance and left him feeling hopeless and bitter towards anyone who would dare try and help him.
“Never mind all that.” Cadance said “It’s a musical, and I have written a letter of request to Strings to be the narrator.”
Twilight practically leapt with excitement. “That would be wonderful. Why, imagine how many ponies would be interested in coming if they knew he was in the cast alone.”
“And that’s not all…” added Shining Armor “All the money we make from ticket sales goes to charity. We’ll be able to feed every-creature anywhere.”
As Twilight read over the play, and enjoyed the story, there was a knock at the bedroom door.
“Enter.” called Cadance.
A royal guard came in and apologized for intruding. “A letter has arrived for you, Princess. It is from Strings.”
Cadance took the letter, thanked the guard, and dismissed him.
She opened the letter, and out fell a cheque.
Shining Armor picked it up and gawked at the amount, “Twenty-Thousand bits?!”
Twilight was astounded, and wondered why Strings would enclose such an amount, but Cadance stood shocked and confused as she read the letter over.
“What’s wrong?” asked Twilight.
Her sister-in-law didn’t respond, and Twilight just took the letter and read it aloud.
“Dear Princess Cadance…
I am flattered that you would have chosen me to be a part of your production; unfortunately I am sad to inform you that I must decline your invitation. Please don’t ask why. I have my reasons.
I apologize for any inconvenience. However, in honor of the charity events, I have enclosed a cheque with a generous amount.
Sincerely Yours: Strings.
PS: Please refrain from replying to this letter, or sending me any other.”
A moment of silence followed as all the ponies looked back and forth at one another.
The donation was very nice, but Strings’ refusing, a royal invitation that many ponies would give their souls for a chance to have?!
“It doesn’t make sense!” said Shining Armor “He just refuses without giving an explanation and tells us not to reply anymore?”
Twilight examined the envelope the letter had come in, which showed Strings’ address.
Cadance was still flabbergasted. “I was preparing to tell the entire kingdom he’d be performing. I already have all the notices ready for posting.
What am I going to do?”
First thing that came to Shining Armor’s mind, “…Find another singer? I mean we still have many candidates we can ask to take the job.”
Much as Cadance agreed, she didn’t feel too much better as she really wanted it to be Strings, as he was her personal favorite and the best she knew.
“Wait!” said Twilight “…Let me go and talk to him.”
Her relatives looked at each other, and having confidence in her skills, they agreed to give her a chance.
“Don’t tell him we sent you,” cautioned Cadance “And at least try to figure out why he won’t come.”
Twilight agreed, “I’m on the job.”
Meanwhile, Rarity was starting to get bored at her stand. The big rush she had at the start was already over, and after a few hours, not a single bid had been made since the last one.
What really bothered her was that many handsome and seemingly dateless stallions passed by her stand but didn’t bother to look her way.
Rainbow fluttered down.
“Wow! It’s a regular ghost town here.”
“Obviously.” grumbled Rarity.
“So how much money have you made?” Rainbow asked and checked Rarity’s clipboard. Her eyes then bugled at the sight of the prices which were all very high.
“How much did you charge for the starting bid?”
“No less than exactly one-hundred bits. After all, one must be able to pay their way for Hearts and Hooves.”
Rainbow blinked once, but figured this was why Rarity’s business was slow. “You might want to consider starting over and lowering the price. Say… ten bits?”
“What?!” snapped Rarity “Don’t be ridiculous, Rainbow Dash. I’m a lady of class, with dreams of prestige and…”
“That doesn’t mean every-pony is. Rainbow cut in “You shouldn’t be doing this just for those who are wicked rich.
Look, just start out low. Build it up, and I’m sure loads of more ponies will want to pay for it.
Rarity pondered and given that her bids hadn’t risen in a bit, she felt she had nothing to lose, and re-opened her stand.
Applejack and Pinkie Pie came along.
“Well I just can’t believe my eyes.” Applejack said gawking at the, now, low bidding amount. “Rarity settling for minimal amounts? I must be dreaming.”
Pinkie Pie gave her own self a few pinched and pats on the face. “Nope, if I’m awake, so are you.”
Rarity was not impressed with their wit and raised her head importantly. “I happen to be as fond of charitable events as the next pony.”
Applejack and Pinkie were next surprised as two dashing and handsome young stallions came up to the stand, and one of them placed a bid.
“Hope I win.” he said giving her a playful wink, which made Rarity’s insides quiver warmly.
The two ponies went off, and Rarity sighed heavenly as she slumped softly into her seat.
“See. I told you.” said Rainbow.
Rarity didn’t seem to hear her as she was lost in a daze.
Twilight, having taken the envelope with her, flew over the village looking for the correct address.
She found it! It was a simple, ordinary house, which Twilight found odd as she expected that a great singer like Strings, who obviously had money to burn, would live in a big mansion or something in the open country. Nevertheless, this was the right address.
A neighbor stallion that lived on the block came passing by with grocery bags, saw Twilight, and cautioned her. “…If you’re looking for Strings. He might not be home. He loves to step out most of the time.”
Twilight walked up to the door, and found a sign which read “Stepped Out. Be Back Later.”
“Well maybe I can talk to his wife instead.”
The other pony chuckled. “His wife…? That kid lives here alone. I don’t think he’s ever had a date.”
Twilight blinked once in concern.
“Then again who could blame him?” said the other pony “I don’t think he’s ever fallen in love with any-pony.”
Then he went on his way.
Twilight found this to be more perplexing than ever.
She figured on maybe waiting at the house until Strings came back… when suddenly, she could hear very faint and soft sounds of piano music coming from inside the house.
It was very faint but it was there. It sounded like a very deep and moving song, almost sad even, but nobody was heard singing, just the music playing.
Twilight felt someone had to be home, and knocked on the door.
The music stopped almost at once, and she could then hear the sound of scrambling, almost franticly.
Then the door opened, and there stood a red Pegasus with a short blonde mane, and a cutiemark of musical notes on a staff. He wore a green vest and wrapped around his neck was a pure white scarf.
She also could see the padding on the inside of the door, and figured the walls in the house were padded as well to make the house near sound-proof so as not to disturb neighbors.”
Strings was surprised to see who it was. “…Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
“Um… Hello.” Twilight responded “Sorry to drop in on you like this, I thought you were out.”
She motioned at the note on the door.
“Oh. I forgot to take it down when I came home. Thank you.”
He took the note and was about to go back inside when he noticed Twilight gawked strangely at him. “Did you want something more?”
Twilight didn’t know what to say without seeming too suspicious.
“I can’t hedge around; I heard that you turned down Princess Cadance’s offer to be in her musical.”
Strings shut his eyes as if he were trying to control himself. “I have made my decision.” he said calmly but firmly. “I don’t wish to reconsider. Now if you will excuse me, I am very busy.”
“Wait!” Twilight called “The Princess would like to know why you’ve declined.”
Strings suddenly groaned and clutched his chest with his hoof.
“What’s wrong?” asked Twilight.
Strings took a few deep breaths.
“Are you sick?” asked Twilight.
“No, no.” Strings answered “It’s just a little pinch. It comes and goes.”
Then he noticed another pony was approaching his home.
“Uh… I think you should leave now.” he said in a panic, and tried to hurry Twilight along.
“Wait, what’s going on here?!” Twilight demanded to know.
“Please, just go!” Strings snapped, but it was too late. The pony was revealed to be a realtor, and she had brought a “For Sale” sign to put by the house.
“Here you are, Mr. Strings. Where do you want it?”
Twilight looked at Strings with a mixed expression of shock and confusion.
Strings, feeling overly nervous and clearly upset, simply disappeared inside his house and shut the door.
“He’s planning to move away?!” Cadance asked in shock.
“Well, at least it explains why he declined the offer.” said Spike.
Shining Armor agreed and then pondered, “But why leave the empire, and why hasn’t he told anyone?”
All three of them seemed to ponder more over what the kingdom would think when they found out. Many fans were likely to be shocked and upset that Strings would just up and leave with no explanation.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get the explanation,” said Twilight “He didn’t seem too eager to talk about it, so I just left him.”
“Sounds like whatever reason he has for leaving is pretty deep.” said Spike.
Twilight’s eyes lit up, “Of course, it has to be. And I’m going to find out why.”
Cadance stood next to her, “I’d like to know why too. So I’m going with you.”
“Wait!” called Spike “You can’t just wander off when there’s so much to do. You’ve got events to organize, a musical to plan, and you should still consider finding a new narrator for it since Strings wont.”
Shining Armor assured him, “Most of the work’s already done, and all the charities are underway, and the musical is all done too, we just need a narrator.”
He said all this while looking at his wife and giving her an expression that he was willing to let her investigate with Twilight, to which she smiled lovingly at him.
Then she and Twilight were off.
“I sure hope they can find out what’s wrong with Strings.” said Shining Armor.
“…So do I, and hopefully soon.” muttered Spike as he looked over the big stack of schedules to go over. “Then they can help with all this work!”
Meanwhile, Rarity’s work had, once again, taken a slow spell as she hadn’t had any bidders for a while and was starting to fall asleep.
Rainbow had been hanging out with her all this time, and she let out a big yawn. “Rarity, why don’t you just pack it in already? This is so boring!”
Rarity shook herself awake. “I can’t! I won’t! I am doing this out of the good of Hearts and Hooves Day, as well as so I won’t be alone on said day.”
“Uh-huh, I thought so.” muttered Rainbow. She had figured that Rarity was only doing all this for more of her own sakes-- a typical Rarity thing to do, but since she was trying to help with charity as well, she didn’t bother to scorn her.
Rarity suddenly gasped, and was standing upright with a dazed expression.
“What is it?” Rainbow asked, but then she could see, a very handsome unicorn with a golden yellow body, and a light blonde mane, was heading right for the stand.
Even Rainbow couldn’t help but quiver insight of the handsome creature, especially when he gave Rarity a rather flirtatious look and asked deeply, “…Mind if I place a bid.”
Rarity was too dazed t answer as she gazed into his big brown eyes which seemed to melt her soul, but Rainbow found just enough strength to pass him the clipboard.
“Hope I win.” he said to Rarity and gave her a flirtatious wink before running off.
“Whoa!” Rainbow exclaimed as she looked carefully at the amount of the bid, which made Rarity snap to her senses and she looked very impressed with the vid.
“I feel like the luckiest pony in Equestria.” she gloated.
Twilight and Cadance made it to Strings home, to find the “For Sale” sign placed before the house, and the “Stepped Out” sign hanging on the door again, and below it was a small sticky note which read “I am really out this time.”
Twilight could tell due to the silence from inside the house.
“I wonder where he went.” wondered Twilight.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy was in a nearby park with a small forest by a river. She wanted to express and share her love and her joy with any and all animal friends she could find.
She tied a few cute ribbons around birds’ nests, gave golden colored acorns to squirrels, all each and every time wishing them “Happy Hearts and Hooves.”
The animals were flattered. A few of them even gave her small flowers to wear in her mane.
As she walked along, she could suddenly hear the distant sounds of guitar strings coming from a little ways along the river.
She followed the sound, going along the path of the river leading into the woods.
She then arrived at a beautiful clearing where the river leaked into a large pond, and there she saw Strings, whom she knew from his pictures, sitting along the riverbank strumming his guitar, but looking a little downhearted too.
He was strumming the exact same music that Twilight had heard when she visited his home, humming to it softly, and looking as if he was going to cry-- it was such a beautiful yet sad song.
Fluttershy approached him softly, and then she suddenly stepped on a twig cracking it loudly, which scared Strings, which scared her too, and birds flew off the trees.
…Strings clutched his heart rather painfully.
“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes…” groaned Strings, and the pain subsided, “Forgive me, but you gave me such a scare.”
Fluttershy felt really embarrassed and didn’t even point out he scared her too, but it was understandable as she crept up on him.
“I’m Fluttershy.”
“Yes, I know who you are. I don’t believe there’s anypony that doesn’t know of Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends.”
Fluttershy blushed, feeling sillier than ever, so she quickly changed the subject. “That was a very nice song you were playing. What is it called?”
Strings looked a little nervous, and seemed to hesitate a bit, but finally he answered, “I can’t tell you, and you must mention this to no one.”
“But why? It sounds beautiful.”
“…Please don’t!” snapped Strings, making her jump.
He apologized most sincerely at once for yelling. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
Being the nice pony she was, Fluttershy forgave him, but still asked why he wouldn’t tell her.
So he decided to let her on a little. “This song, I wrote it a while back. It’s for my ears and mine alone. No other pony is to even guess of its existence.”
Fluttershy felt the desperation of his voice, and she found this all to be extreme. “No pony? Not even your family or your friends?”
Strings looked a sadder than ever, and hung his head low. “I… I don’t have a family.”
Fluttershy gasped softly. “You don’t?”
Strings shook his head, and told her part of his story…
“I was born and raised in Canterlot.
I never knew my father; he was a royal guard, but he died before I was born-- killed in action.
My mother was a Cook to Princess Celestia, and she raised me well, but then one day she got sick, and she passed away.
…I had no pony else.”
Fluttershy felt like crying already. “Oh, you poor thing…!” she sniffled.
Strings continued…
“So I lived in the palace foster care for orphans, but I felt so depressed, so alone. I tried to make friends, but I was often teased and bullied by bigger ponies. They pushed me around, messed up my drawings, and even stole my cookies and milk during snack time.
Then one day, as I was sitting in the courtyard, away from the other children so as not to be bullied, I met--” he paused quickly, not wanting to reveal the name of the pony he met. “Well, let’s just say, some pony taught me a song that I’ll never forget.”
He began to strum his guitar and play the very song…
Whenever you feel sad and down, and lonely as can be Or you’re so mad you just want to hit, Just listen to me There’s a better way to deal with pain A way to help other see Just channel the bad and put it all …into creativity
You’ve a voice, let it ring out loud You’ve a voice that can be heard in a crowd Give it your all, you’ll stand tall You’ll find its inside of you, see… …Creativity.
Fluttershy was enjoying this song, and closed her eyes listening to the tune warmly.
Strings continued singing…
When you look deep inside you know There’s a special magic there The feelings that you feel each day Floating in the air They’re calling out, and they’re saying “Hey, there’s a way you can use me. it’s harmless, and it’s great …It’s all creativity.
You’ve a voice, let it ring out loud You’ve a voice that can be heard in a crowd Give it your all, you’ll stand tall You’ll find its inside of you, see… …Creativity.
You’ll find its inside of you, see… …Creativity.
Strings strummed the last notes, and he sighed warmly. He had an expression that even Fluttershy couldn’t mistake-- the look of a pony in love.
Then he looked sad again, like he did when she first saw him.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Strings couldn’t answer.
“I have to go. I have things to do.”
He got up with his guitar and headed off down another path that led back to the village, when he accidently bumped into someone and they both fell to the ground.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” said Strings, but when he looked up and saw who it was, he froze on the spot-- it was Princess Cadance.
“…Strings.”
Twilight came along and saw Fluttershy, but before she could say anything Strings had quickly taken off into the sky leaving his guitar behind.
“Wait!” cried Cadance, but he was already gone.
“What is with that guy?” wondered Twilight.
“What are you two doing here?” asked Fluttershy.
Twilight and Cadance explained that they took a walk around the village waiting to see if Strings would come home so they could both try and talk with him.
Twilight told Fluttershy about Strings plan to move away, which shocked her.
“Just leave the empire? But what about all his fans…? They’ll all be very disappointed.”
“That’s one of the things we plan to talk with him about.” said Twilight.
Then Cadance said “We were passing by the woods and we could hear the song he was singing. I remember I taught him that song long ago when we both lived in Canterlot.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened “Wait…! You were the one who taught him that song?”
Twilight nodded, “Cadance taught the creativity song to me too, when she foal-sat for me. It always made me smile.”
Cadance smiled and said, “I taught any-pony who needed a perk up. It was one of my ways of spreading love to those who looked as if they needed it.”
“Love…?” muttered Fluttershy, and she thought back to Strings expression when the song ended, as well as his practically running away at the sight of Cadance.
…She had a mighty thought.
Strings flew all the way home and clutched his chest as another strike of pain hit him. “It’s getting worse!” he groaned “I’ve got to get out of this place sooner than I thought.”
He didn’t even seem upset that he had left his guitar behind either. He just dashed into his house.
Strings began to pack up immediately to prepare for his move, and then, not as if he didn’t expect it, there was a knock at his door, and Twilight calling to him.
“Strings…! Strings, please, we wish to talk to you.”
Strings didn’t even have to look outside to know that Cadance was out there too. Instead of answering the door, he simply called out, “I am extraordinarily busy.”
Cadance wouldn’t hear of this and stuck her chest up high, “Strings, open this door, by order of the Princess!”
Unable to refuse a royal command, Strings opened the door to find the two princesses and Fluttershy there.
“Please make this fast, I am very busy.”
Fluttershy softly approached him and held out his guitar. “You left it behind.”
Rather than thank her for it and accept it back, Strings bluntly said “You may keep it, I won’t be needed it any longer.”
“What?” said Fluttershy.
Twilight immediately assumed the worst and asked, “Are you planning to give up your career as well?”
Strings didn’t answer, and he didn’t have to. Just the way he stood with a hesitant expression said it all, and the ladies were nothing short of shocked and a bit appalled.
“Strings, you can’t!” cried Cadance.
“I can, and it’s for the best. I need to do this.”
“Who says you need to?” asked Twilight.
“PLEASE!!” snapped Strings, followed by a moment of silence, and the vibrations of his shouting caused the record player containing his forbidden song to start playing.
He quickly scrambled around many boxes and crates of his things and shut it off before any of the others heard too much, but Cadance had already heard a good amount of the song and thought it was lovely, even if it had no audible lyrics.
Strings looked at the ladies. “Forgive me, but please. I have my reasons, I’ve made my decision.”
“But why?” asked Twilight “What possible reason could you have to just run away and give up your career? Not to mention abandoning all your fans who look up to you.”
Strings shut his eyes tight, looking really distressed. “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you. I’d rather you didn’t know why.”
Twilight and Fluttershy suspected that whatever it was had to be something really deep.
Twilight then asked “Is it because you’re lonely?”
Strings remained still, frozen on the spot.
Cadance and Fluttershy began to agree, that would be the problem. With Hearts and Hooves Day ever so close, and all the love and joy going around, it was a terrible time for Ponies who had no family, and worse, no date.
“Strings?” asked Cadance “Don’t you have a special some-pony in your life?”
He didn’t answer, and he still didn’t have to. Even Twilight and Fluttershy could see the truth now, and part of Fluttershy’s theory was confirmed.
“Did some pony reject you long ago?” she asked.
Strings shook his head. “No, I was not rejected. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Then he felt cross with himself for letting that bit out.
Cadance approached him softly and asked, “How do you know it wasn’t meant to be? I’ve known you for a long time, Strings, and I’ve never actually seen you really interact with a mare before.”
Strings looked up at her, looking deeply into her eyes, and his eyes seemed glow softly, but only Fluttershy noticed this, and she put the rest of the pieces in place, and she held her hoof to her mouth softly, “Ohhhh…”
“Strings,” said Cadance “I’m an authority on matters of the heart. Won’t you let me help you, or at least tell me what bothers you?”
Strings snapped himself back to his senses and looked away from her. “I’m sorry, Princess, but there is nothing that you can do for this, and I already sought help.
My doctor suggested that I leave the empire and give up music, and I believe he is right. Staying here is causing me great discomfort. I can’t do this anymore, and even channeling it all into creativity isn’t working.”
Cadance felt concerned about such an opinion and order, as did Twilight. “What kind of doctor would order you to gives up what you love and leave your home?”
“Those are my doctor’s orders!” snapped Strings “And I have every intention of following them. That is my decision!”
He stopped when he realized how loud he was yelling. “Please, I don’t wish there to be any more trouble. Please, just leave me in peace and let me make my own decisions.”
He said no more, and the others decided it best not to harass him.
“Let’s go.” said Cadance, she sounded rather dejected and she walked rather down-hearted for the door.
Twilight was very livid with Strings. “You’ve known Cadance since you were young. She taught you the creativity song because she thought you were special, and now you’ve really hurt her because of some selfish need to give you and run away from your troubles?”
Strings didn’t turn to face her. She didn’t see the look of extreme hurt and regret he had, and she scorned him one last time. “Imagine what your fans will feel like.”
Then she left with Fluttershy, who was more disturbed with what she knew now rather being upset with Strings.
Strings, feeling overly remorseful of the way he had just acted, sat down on the floor as his tears fell. “I’m sorry, Princess,” he said to no one “I’m trying to do this for your own good as well as my own.”
By day’s end, Spike was exhausted. He had never done so much paperwork before, and even Shining Armor was beat.
“A good day’s work; I can’t thank you enough, Spike.”
“Don’t mention it… please, don’t.”
The rest of the gang arrived through the big doors, all having had a huge day themselves.
“Well, that’s the last of my pies sold.” said Applejack “Nothing left for me to do but wait it on out.”
Pinkie was still bounding like crazy and tossing more confetti around. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait for Hearts and Hooves! It’s my favorite holiday!”
“They all are your favorite.” Rainbow pointed out.
“Oh, right.”
Rarity on the other hoof was still daydreaming about that gorgeous stallion that placed his bid, and no pony had outbid him yet.
She couldn’t help but picture how wonderful their date would be on Hearts and Hooves, the day after tomorrow, all she could do was sigh heavenly, much to the chagrin of Spike.
Just then, Twilight and the others came back, and the first thing any of them saw was Cadance looking depressed.
“Uh, oh… Don’t tell me…?” said Spike.
Twilight nodded and explained what happened, which shocked the rest of her friends too.
“He’s giving up his career and moving away, just because he has a problem he refuses to admit?” asked Rainbow “…Talk about being selfish.”
Cadance sighed, “There’s nothing for it. I can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to, or that would make me selfish too.”
“She’s got a point,” agreed Applejack “If he wants to go, who are we to judge why?”
Pinkie nodded and then asked rather compulsively, “Can I have his guitar?”
Everyone just looked at her sternly for not having said the right thing.
“I guess that’s it then,” said Shining Armor “We’ll hire some pony else to narrate the production.”
Cadance agreed, but she didn’t feel any better. “I just really wanted Strings to be the one. I knew him all those years. He seemed like such a sweet little guy.
What’s happened to him?”
A moment of silence followed, and then Fluttershy spoke up, “Um… I think I know why.”
“What?” asked Twilight.
“What do you mean?” added Cadance.
Fluttershy chose her words carefully and asked Cadance, “We’re you and Strings ever close all the time you knew one another?”
Cadance blinked in confusion but answered, “Not really. We saw each other many times, but more like a teacher to a student.”
“Did he always act very nice when you were near him?”
“Yes, he did. He thanked me for teaching him the creativity song, and for being kind to him while others weren’t.”
Fluttershy had to ask one more question.
“Did you invite him to your wedding in Canterlot?”
“Yes, I was hoping he could play a song for Shining Armor and I to dance to, but he replied and told me he could not come, and he didn’t say why.”
She stopped and she finally started to compare things, especially how Strings looked at her when she offered to help him.
“Oh, no, it can’t be.”
Shining Armor shook his head in disbelief and looked at Fluttershy, “Are you saying that Strings is in love… with Cadance?”
Fluttershy could only nod regretfully. “He said he was in love once, and that “it wasn’t mean to be” and that Cadance couldn’t help him.
…It all makes too much sense.”
Even Twilight had to agree, “He’s in love with you, and he’s moving away to get away from you.”
No one said another after that, and Cadance was in deep shock to realize this.
Shining Armor wasn’t sure what to think from any of this.
The next day, while the other ponies had back out into the village to do their businesses, Spike and Twilight were going around hanging up posters telling of Cadance’s production opening the next day, which was Hearts and Hooves.
Twilight looked up at the palace and wondered if Cadance was doing alright.
“How can Strings do this to her like this?” she wondered.
“Ah, come on, Twilight.” said Spike “It’s not like he’s trying to ruin Cadance’s life or anything. Maybe that’s all more the reason he didn’t tell anyone.”
Twilight agreed, “But Spike, he’s just running away from his own problems, and in doing so he’s disappointing a whole bunch of ponies that still like him, admire him, and will be very upset to hear he’s quitting.”
Spike was growing really concerned, at Twilight. Whenever she spoke like this it usually meant she was getting one of her wild ideas.
This was confirmed when she gasped and jerked her head up knocking Spike off of her back, “That’s it! That’s the answer!”
“Oof..!!” groaned Spike “What are you thinking now?”
“If I can show Strings how much he’s loved here, maybe that’ll get him to change his mind about leaving. Yes!!”
Her shout made every pony nearby turn to face her in shock. She blushed and apologized, and then she went off.
“Hey! Wait for me!” called Spike as he jogged to catch up with her.
Meanwhile, Rarity was still daydreaming about that dreamy stallion who gave her the top bid in her auction.
Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow had nothing to do and were hanging out with her.
Pinkie yawned, “This isn’t much fun at all. I wish I hadn’t used up all my confetti already.”
“I should’ve baked more pies.” sighed Applejack.
Rarity sighed heavenly, “I should have ended the auction last night. Then I’d be on the date of my dreams.”
“Yeah, well, you didn’t.” teased Rainbow “And there’s a long go before sundown. Anyone could outbid that guy.”
Rarity scoffed at the thought. “Not that I mean any disrespect, but I doubt there is any other pony that has or is willing to pay such an amount.”
“Ah-Choo!” some-pony sneezed.
Rarity turned and saw a very nerdy pony-- glasses, braces, lisp, runny nose, awkward stance—placing a bid of his own.
“Hi…” he said in his geeky voice.
Rarity looked at the list and gasped. Now his bid was at the top!
The nerd rubbed his nose rather grossly with his limb. “I don’t get out much, so I’ve savd up a lot.”
Then he went off leaving Rarity aghast. “No! No, No, No…! This cannot be!!”
Rainbow couldn’t help but chuckle. “Just imagine how “romantic” your date will be with him.”
Pinkie and Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at Rarity’s predicament either.
“Shouldn’t we be helping her?” Pinkie whispered.
Much as Applejack knew better, “I think we should let it ride for a bit. It’ll teach her a lesson about thinking things through before acting.”
Rarity was in distress!
Twilight had rushed to Strings home where she found moving ponies loading all his things into big moving trailers to take to a locker he had rented before settling into his new home—wherever it was was anyone’s guess.
“Strings!” Twilight called.
Strings gasped, “Tell me I didn’t hear that…!” but mucch to his annoyance, it was Twilight.
“I need to talk with you!”
Strings angrily leapt up into the sky and began to fly away.
“Wait!” Twilight called as she flew off after him, just as Spike came puffing and panting just in time to see he had just missed Twilight flying away.
“Hey kid…” one of the movers called “Mind lending us some help moving this stuff?”
Spike could only groan and faint.
Strings flew as fast as his wings could take him, and Twilight was gaining on him.
“Go away and leave me alone!” he bellowed.
Rather than shout to him, Twilight just kept on gaining on him, and she knew exactly where to take him.
Once she was close enough to him, she teleported them both straight to the Crystal Palace, landing right in the throne room where Cadance and Shining Armor were going over other potential narrators for her show.
“Twilight?” cried Cadance “What are you doing?”
Strings gasped at that voice, and cringed most painfully as he held his aching chest.
“What’s he doing here?” asked Shining Armor.
Strings pain had passed while Twilight explained, “I brought him here so we can all talk this over, calmly and civily.”
Strings could only groan!
Rarity was pacing back and forth nervously.
“Okay. All is not lost. I mean, there is still time for another individual to place a bid. Or I could even ask someone to place a bid.”
The other three were still watching her wallow in her stickiness.
“Face it, Rarity. You ain’t getting yourself out of this one so easy.” taunted Applejack.
“Humph!” grunted Rarity. “Some friends you are.”
Then a pretty young mare came along, wearing a pink shirt with a female emblem on it, and she reached for the clipboard.
“Huh?!” cried Rarity “Whatever are you doing?”
“What else-- placing a bid.”
It was obvious to the group that this pony was a lesbian!
“See ya, sugar.” the lady wooed and left with a flick of her mane.
Rarity shuddered, while the other three laughed their heads off.
“No! No, no, no!” snapped Rarity “That does not count!”
“Sure it does.” chuckled Pinkie “You said “Any-Pony” can place a bid.”
“Yeah,” agreed Rainbow “Besides, there’s no sign that says “Men Only.”
Applejack informed her, “You could paint yourself an unpretty color if you discriminate against us girlfriends, “Girlfriend.”
“Begging your majesties’ pardons,” he grumbled “…Don’t you ponies have any decency of respect?! What I do in my private life is my own decision! I just want to move away from this empire in peace! Is that so much for you to understand?!”
He puffed and panted after his rant, while the others all expected him to react this way, and they didn’t even raise their voices in anger.
Instead, Cadance approached him softly, and she noted the nervousness he expressed as she got nearer, but she had to ask anyway. “Strings, I want to know, and tell the truth.” she paused “…Do you have feelings for me?”
As usual, Strings did not answer, and as usual he didn’t have to. Just looking up into her eyes, his expressions of sadness and discomfort, and finally, a tiny tear leaked from his eye.
“…You are.” said Cadance.
Twilight and Shining Armor felt a mix of concern, pity, and yet a little sorry for him.
“…It’s true.” Strings confessed “I was hoping you would never find out.”
He explained the complete truth…
“The day that I met you, and you taught me the creativity song; it changed my life. I was inspired to make music and wrtie songs.
You were my greatest inspiration that enflamed my growing passion for the art, and from there I began to write up songs of romance, true love, maybe a little heartbreak here and there.
I would never have become the singing star I was were it not for you.
When you complimented my songs, and expressed how proud you were of me, it was only then that I realized my feelings for you.
…But too little, too late! You were already seeing Twilight’s elder brother, you had been crowned princess.
It was then that I already knew I didn’t have a chance, especially the day that changed my life once again… Your engagment, and preparations for the Canterlot Royal Wedding.
Still hopelessly in love, I decided to keep my feelings a well-gaurded secret, fearing that your knowlegde of it would only cause you shock, discomfort, even embarassment perhaps.
But above all things, it would worry you into have concerned thoughts for me.
…I didn’t want that.”
“Why not?” asked Twilight “She could have at least tried to help you, maybe even find some other pony to love.”
Cadance nodded in agreement, and Shining Armor said “There’s plenty of fish in the sea, or in your case; there’s tons of mares out there. Many of them actually dream about being with you.”
…But Strings shook his head. “As I already explained to your wife and your sister-- that is impossible.
I tried to let it go. I even moved away from Canterlot to get as far away as I could from the princess, and came to the Crystal Empire.
If I had known she and Shining Armor would be ruling the place, I probably would have gone someplace else.
True I had many fans, many of which were female, but I knew they were not potential matches for me-- the way they would always fawn over me, only wishing to talk about music and cool things, and not one of them ever treated me like a normal pony.
Even still, my heart remained tied to the princess. My love and my true feelings were only for her, and if I could not have her, well… then I decided I would rather stay alone.”
The trio felt shocked at what they had just heard.
“You mean, just give up?” asked Cadance “Never try to experience the joys of true love?”
Strings nodded, “As I said, Princess, my feelings are only for you.”
He then turned to Shining Armor. “You were right; there are plenty of fish in the sea, but none of which that I desire. So I choose never to cast my line again.
Some men do that-- they wish no other, so they don't try again."
“But that’s just plain foolish!” protested Shining Armor.
“I agree.” said Twilight “Just because you can’t be with one pony doesn’t mean you have to throw your life away.”
“No, it doesn’t. I agree.” said Strings “But what if the life you have is no longer what you desire? What if it’s doing you no good and only bringing you great pain?
That’s exactly all I feel now, and no amount of creativity will do me well this time.
I even saw my doctor, and it was recommended that I leave the empire and stop doing what makes me unhappy, due to no other option, and it isn’t good for my health.”
“Enough!” snapped Twilight, deciding she had heard enough, “I won’t let you do this to yourself, and neither will the princess.”
Cadance agreed “Strings, you can’t keep on this self-destructive path. It’s no wonder you’re all torn-up inside.”
Strings tried to protest and warn her, “You don’t understand…”
“We understand plenty.” said Shining Armor “Look, we can understand that it was difficult for you to let go of Cadance, but you can’t just run off and abandon all your fans like this.
…They love you, and they would be crushed if you just suddenly quit.”
Strings sighed, “I am well-aware of this. But consider this: have I done anything to protest to your marriage to the princess?
Have I tried to break you up?
Have I done anything out of spite, or tried to cause you discomfort because of your love?”
The trio fell silent.
“You see! I knew the princess was happy, and I wished her and her friends and loved ones no harm. I beared no grudge. You might even consdier my trying to keep my feelings a secret as a favor to you, knowing it would cause all these emotional arguments!”
Twilight finally realized this, and started to feel maybe she was being a little too hard on Strings by trying to get him to stay, just like her friends warned her about the other night.
Now here she was dragging Cadance and Shining Armor into it too.
“I’m so sorry,” she said to everyone “I was just trying to make things better for every-pony. Instead, I may have made things worse.”
Shining Armor and Cadance felt they understood why she did, but Strings was still as outraged as ever, and before Twilight could try to applogize to him to, String, feeling ever so upset and guilt-ridden softly said, “Alright… I’ll do it.”
The trio gazed at him.
“…I will preform in your musical, Princess.”
Cadance was near speechless. “You will.”
Twilight tried to insist, “Strings, you don’t have to. No one’s force--” she was cut off in mid-sentence when Strings raised his hoof at her.
He did not say out loud that he was merely doing this to stop all the fussing, and casuing Cadance so much trouble-- he was doing this for her.
“…On one condition.” he reached into his vest and handed her some sheet music “I request this song be played at the finale durring the end credits.”
Cadance read the music, and while there were no lyrics, being able to read and recognize musical notes and tones, she could tell, “This is your forbidden song.” but rather than question him, and curious about what the song really was, she agreed to do it and went off to inform the musicians so they could practice.
“But what about your big move?” asked Shining Armor.
“I haven’t sold my house yet, so I don’t really have to leave right away.”
“So, does that mean you’re considering on staying?” asked Twilight.
Strings did not answer, and this time netierh Twilight nor her brother could tell what he was thinking.
Strings just left, jumping out an open window and flying off home to prepare for the big musical.
While Shining Armor was confused, he was relieved that String had condeced, and gave Twilight a playful nudge. “You’re something else, sis. Thanks.”
Fluttershy had been going about giving more of her Hearts and Hooves cheer to all the animals, and she was on her way back to the village to catch up with her friends, when she passed by Strings’ place and saw Spike helping the movers. He was even wearing a cute little uniform, cap and all, and did he ever look exaushted.
“Hey, thanks a bundle kid.” the lead mover said, and he and his crew went off without even giving Spike any pay or compensation.
Spike was too wipped out to protest, and he passed out.
“Oh, Spike!” cried Fluttershy, and she dashed over and scooped him up. “You poor thing. Let’s get you some water.”
She brought him back to the village and treated him to a much needed milkshake and donut at an outdoor café.
“Boy, I tell you it’s not easy working for Twilight.” he groaned.
Fluttershy couldn’t believe what Twilight had done to him and felt she owed him for this, especially when Spike had told her that she had confronted Strings in another one of her crazy schemes.
“Twilight shouldn’t have done that. Strings is probably upset enough as it is. This would all be putting too much pressure on him.
If he wants to go, they should all just let him go.”
“Oh, but don’t you know?” said Spike “Strings is going to appear in show tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
Spike explained that while he worked with the movers, Strings suddenly came home. He asked not to be distrubed as he had to prepare for his narrating role, and he had been inside his home practicing all afternoon.
Fluttershy couldn’t hear him due to the soundproof walls inside.
“Gosh, that’s awfully nice of him to take the job after all.” said Fluttershy
“I guess,” said Spike, but he was still unsure if Twilight convinced or guilted Strings into conceding.
Suddenly, he could see a big commotion happening down the street, where Rarity had her auction stand.
It wasn’t long until sundown, and the top-bid would be Rarity’s date for tomorrow.
That lesbian pony had returned to ensure that she had not been outbid, and then that nerdy pony had returned to place yet another bid putting himself back on top.
“Oh, no you don’t!” snarled the mare “This one’s all mine.” and placed another bid, and Rarity was forced to confess “I am not of your kind! I prefer to date a male creature.”
“…I’m a male.” Said the nerd, and he placed another bid, making a fullout tug-o-war for Rarity, which she found most sickening.
Even Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack were starting to feel like this was getting a bit out of hand.
“We’ve got to do something!” cried Pinkie
“We can’t.” said Applejack “Have you seen the bids?”
Rainbow took a look at the clipboard! “Whoa! Even if we all combined what money we had together, we couldn’t get close!”
“I’ll take that!” said the mare, and she bid again.
“Think again!” spat the nerd.
Rarity couldn’t take this. She would either be dating a nerdy and rather replusively mannered pony, or going out with a pony of her exact gender, and she couldn’t bear to think of what others would think of her beyond that.
“Ten minutes left until time’s up!” Rainbow pointed out.
Rarity screamed out, “Is there no pony that can save me from this horrible fate?!”
Hearing her distress, Spike imedeatley felt all his strength just jump back to him at once, and he had the perfect idea how to save Rarity.
He quickly whispered to Fluttershy.
“Spike, I don’t think you should do that.”
“Ah, come on. It’ll work, and it’s not like the Charity really gets affected by it.”
Fluttershy was still unsure and stalled a bit, but after seeing how badly in distress Rarity was, and knowing she needed help; she agreed and flew Spike to the Crystal Palace.
Ten seconds were left by the time they returned, and Fluttershy landed softly in the square.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
…Spike just managed to make a dramatc leap over to the stand, grab the clipboard, and made his bid.
Rarity gasped at the ammount. “…Twenty-thousand bits?!!”
Many gasps were heard.
The nerdy pony took a breath from his puffer, unable to compete with that, and the mare exclaimed “Wow! That’s a little rich for me.”
Spike even handed in a cheque for the money he had bid to proove he wasn’t bluffing.
Rarity was never so releieved in her life, and she made the offical announcement. “The auction is closed, and the winner is… Spike!”
After a brief applauding, the crowds departed, and Spike sighed in huge relief that he had just made, while Rarity grabbed him, smothering him while going “Oh, Spike, I don’t know what to say. You’ve really helped so much this time. I thought I’d be in for a horrendus experience.”
Spike could only sigh heveanly at all the smothering he was getting from his dream pony.
“Uh, Rarity…” Applejack pointed out “You do realize you have to make good on your word now.”
Rarity got a hold of herself and cleared her throat, “Oh, kind sir, you have won the honor of me being your special some-pony all day tomorrow.”
…Music to Spike’s ears, and he stood tall and proclaimed, “I promise you, that I will treat you with every bit of respect, dignity, and give you a time to remember.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.” Pinkie said with a sniffle and wiped her eyes.
Rainbow was very curious as to where and how Spike possible got that fortune to pay Rarity with.
Neither Spike nor Fluttershy told them that it was the donation that Strings had given to the chairty.
They both knew that taking it like that was wrong, but given that Rarity was desperate for help, and it the money was still just going back to the chairties anyway, no real harm was done, really.
The next was a Happy Hearts and Hooves Day indeed.
So much romance was in there air you couldn’t look anyplace without seeing it.
Couples walking side-by-side.
Stallions serenading their mare-friends out their windows.
Flowers, cards, chocolates, even teddy bears were given as gifts.
Every restaurant aqnd café were fully booked with reservations, and stores were sold out of everything.
Rainbow Dash and some of the Pegasi, under Cadance’s orders had shapped some of the clouds into hearts, pony-cupids…
Celestia and Luna had arrived in the Empire, being invited as VIPs for Cadance’s musical show that night.
That very night, at the Crystal Theater, many well-dressed ponies were ariving; some by coach, others were just walking casually in.
Twilight and Co were given special seats with the Royal Family, and they were all dressed up beautifully in gowns, and Shining Armor had his best red suit on, idential to his outfit form his wedding.
Spike was there too, dressed in his cute little tuxedo and top-hat. A single corsage was clutched in his claw as he stood casually waiting for his own date to arrive.
A small coach pulled up at the curb and Rarity stepped out, wearing an elegant red gown with light purple ruffles, a heart-shaped pendant around her neck, and her mane was beautifully brushed and curled at the edges.
She looked positivley stunning, even her friends agreed.
Spike had to do all he could to keep himself from drooling or faitning at the sight, especially she she looked at him with a flirtatious grin.
Spike managed to keep himself together and graciously approached her, kissing her hoof tenderly. “Good evening.”
Rarity giggled softly and allowed Spike to pin the corsage on her dress, and then they walked together across the carpet to the VIP entrance.
“I still can’t thank you enough for this, Spike. I’d probaby be on the worst date of my life by now, and I suppose it serves me right for not thinking things thorughly enough.”
Spike was just happy to have helped.
Soon, they, alone with all their friends and the royal family were seated in a special balcony box giving them a commanding view of the stage.
The musicians in the orchastra were tuning up their instruments.
“Wow, what a full house.” said Pinkie.
“I feel so honored to be sitting up here in the royal box.” added Fluttershy.
Twilight was happy to share her expriences with her friends, but she was secretly hoping that Strings would be okay, even though she knew he was present in the theater that night as promised.
Soon, the lights went out, and the audience simmered down in silence.
The royal fanfar sounded and a pony announcer called out, “Her royal highness, and producer of this production, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!”
Thunderous cheers and applause filled the place as Cadance stepped out on stage in the spotlight.
“You go, honey!” Shining Armor called to his wife.
Cadance bowed to the crowd and announced, “Welcome, ladies and gentle-ponies, and a Happy Hearts and Hooves Day to you all.
I am pleased that you are able to attend this perfomance tonight, especially because I have a very special suprise treat for you all that was not credited on the programes you received of the show.
I would like to introduce our guest narrator for tonight, that singing and music legend you all know very well, and whom I am very thankful for being here.
…Strings.”
As strings walked out on stage, dressed up in a tuxedo of his own and his hair combed slick down, he received an excellent reception of applause and cheerful hoots.
He bowed to Princess Cadance, with a fake smile.
Twilight from way up in the royal box could already tell that Strings was uncomfortable of this.
He then took his place behind a poduim and microphone where his music sheets and the lyrics to the numbers were.
Cadance then announce the show to begin, and gave a short lecture on Love.
“Love can bring forth the greatest of joy to many, but to some it can bring forth the greatest of sorrow, especially to someone who seeeks to be loved, but finds it difficult to achieve.
This is a story of how love clashed to an individual pony, and changed his life many ways and many times over.”
Cadance fluttered her way up to the royal box, sitting next to her husband, and the musicians began to play the soft music of the first song as Strings spoke out…
“There comes a tale of passion, There comes a tale of love But also of deep darkness, Which no one ever thought of…”
Then he began to sing as the curtain opened showing the scene of a quaint little village…
Long, long ago, in little town of old, A mother had birthed a boy You’d think she jump and dance, sing with glee and skip and prance, over her little bundle of joy But the lad he was born with a problem Birth defects had disfigured his face A turned up nose, and just one eye His forehead was cruved and lumpy, oh my His mother took one look and though “What a disgrace!”
The show began as the actors and singers began dancing and hoping about telling more of the story.
The mother’s heart was not big enough to put up with her ugly son, whom she regaurded as “A freak of nature.” And fearing that this would damage her reputation and her steady life, she had toaken her son far form town and simply abandonded him in a basket on a desert mountain road.
Whoever takes this child, it’s their problem now, How could I have birthed a freak with such a bad brow. That nose, his face, nothing but a big disgrace. He is no child of mine; no way! No how!
Through Strings musical narrations, and then scenes from the actors, the story continued.
The infant was fortunate to be adopted by a desert hermit who was passing by, and while he was inittally shocked by his face, the hermit took him to his camp within the desert and named him “Shame” in relation to how his face was a shame to him.
The hermit rasied the boy well, giving him love and care, but Shame couldn’t bear to look at his reflection, at how hideous he looked, and resorted to covering his face with cloth like a mummy.
His father began to teach him about Inner-Beauty, and how everyone was special in their own way, “…And as long as there is love, there will always be hope.”
Then, one fateful day, the hermit’s camp was ransacked by a band of desert theives while Shame was out fetching water from an oasis. He returned and was devastated to find his home in ruin and his father dying in the sand.
In his dying moments, the father told Shame to “…Believe in inner-beauty, and love… there will always be hope.”
Heartbroken, and alone, Shame burried his father in the sand and then struck out across the desert in search of the so-called “Hope.”
After wandering the desert for countless days and nights, he finally reached a promised land—a city bustling with a huge popoulace and golden oppurtunities for him to start over.
Or so he thought…
One look at his disfugred face, and the townspeople regaurded him as,
“Freak!”
“Monster!”
“Whoever birthed you ought to be hanged!”
To them, he was an irredemable disgrace, and they would not hear his pleas for help nor consider his feelings, and even resroted to pelting him with stones and fruit, shooing him off and out of town, and deep into a dark forest.
It was there on the outskirts of the forest that Shame had come across an old abandonded castle, which had obviously been lying in disrepair for a good many years.
Declaring the castle as his home, Shame had already given up hope of ever finding love and denounced it, promting him to assume the life of a bandit in order to survive!
He would creep into town, in a makeshift costume from old rags he had found within his castle, and steal whatever he could get his hooves on.
And any wanders crossing through the forest, unaware of his castle on the other end, were most unfortunate to have a runin with him, and he would steal their money, and whatever food they had on them.
He would not adhere to their begs for mercy, as that would be showing signs of compassion, which lead back to love, and how the only loving parent was taken from him, and all the hope he was denied from.
The more he grew, the more bitter and cynical he felt due to his isolation from the world, and eventually his remorse began to claw at him.
He felt he had become as nasty, if not worse, than the poinies who shunned him, even if he only did it for survival, which only made him more than determined to hide behind a mask he had made, and remain sheltered from the cold world outside.
Years, and years passed.
In town, there was beautiful mare pony named Lily Bud, the daughter of a florist-- and true to her name. She was as lovely as any flower she sold, grew, with a long organe mane, a beautiful golden yellow coat, and her wings spread like flower petals.
But her life was not as beautiful as many would think.
Her mother had died when she was little, and she worked very hard to help her father manage their flower shop and maintain income.
Worst of all, she was becoming of age to be courted, and since she was the prettiest mare in town, stallions of many kinds would lust for her boorishly and soley for her looks, which disgusted and outraged her.
Her stuborness and constant rejections irked her father, as he practially was pressuing her to marry, preferably to someone rich and possibly good-looking to boost their money problems and keep them from falling into poverty.
Still, Lily inisted that she wanted to marry someone out of love, who could look past her looks and see her as she wanted to be seen, as a caring, noble, and courageous young lady.
…Sadly, she feared this would never be.
Then one day, as Lily was picking flowers in a meadow outside of town, she was spotted by three surly ponies passing by, and they all thought was quite a catch, and lusted for her, promting her to fight them off to make a break for it.
This wound her up wandering through the forest and getting lost, and just as aheavy storm broke out, she stumbled upon the castle of Shame, but she didn’t know this.
Desperate for shelter she let herself in, which led her to be discovered by Shame, who scorned and balked at her for intruding into his home.
She was terrbily frightened of this stranger, and didn’t know of his disfiguration because of his mask.
He threatened her with her life to leave and never return, as well as never to mention his castle to any pony.
Stricken with fear, Lily dashed off, rushing through the forest and made it back home, near petrified and skeptical if all that was real.
She told no one of this, not even her father.
Then one day, her father had announced that he had made a deal with the richest pony in town, and arranged her to marry the son, who was rather handome, but rude, concieted, and not a very caring creature, caring more for his own looks and to feed his own vulgaris ventures of hunting, wooing village girls, showing off his skills as a marksman, and that his only willing to take a wife was to mother children for him.
Lily was outraged and vocally refused, but her father and the father of the bad pony would not hear of this.
Lily was forced to flee from home to escape her terrible fate, which once again led her into the forest, and in her fleeing, she ran into that very stranger from the castle, who dropped in out of nowhere and atempted to rob her, only recognize her and expressed outrage!
Lily tried to explain herself, when a fersome wildbeat attacked.
Shame, using his incredbile skills he had developed overed the years slayed the creature and planned to make off with its remains for food, but durring the brawl he had sustained a small wound on his side.
Lily offered to help him, to which Shame coldly rejected due to his loathing of compassion, but his injury was deeper than ever, and Lily insisted on helping him, and nursed his wound, bandaging it up.
Shame didn’t know what to say. This was the first time any pony had given him kindness, though he still did not trust it and gruffly dragged wild-beast dinner off for his castle.
Lily, though outraged with his rude behavior, still was actualy able to feel concern for him, and inistsed on following him back to the castle.
Despite his protests and threatening to kill her, Shame found out that his pain form his wound was greater than any he had ever received, and he conceeded to letting this mare help him.
Once back at the castle, Lily saw how dark and desolate the place was, and questioned him about how long he had been living like this, to which Shame wasn’t too ashamed to admit.
Lily even asked if he’d remove his mask, to which Shame angrily insisted that no pony was permitted to see his face!
The two didn’t really get off to any good starts, and Shame proved to be very difficult indeed, not willing to share his story, not showing too much thanks to the pony who saved him.
Lily was rapidly losing her patience, but given her own experiences of hardship and forcing of hoof, she began to suspect this pony had it worse than she did, and she was still willing to confide in him and tell her why she ran away from home.
Shame actually did find that horrible.
What was coming over him?
He found it harder to manitain outrage with this female, and whether it was a moment of insanity, or his his heart was awakening after many, many years, he allowed her to stay.
Over time, Shame taught her about his life as a bandit-- how he would hunt for food, or rob those passing by, which Lily found rather harsh, which finally promted Shame to explain his reasons, but he still didn’t reveal his face to her, or even mention it.
Lily began to feel sorry for the guy, and even angirer at the bigotry of her home town; feeling all the more determined never to return to it. Not even for her father…
The two seemed to grow closer and closer to each other, and Shame was remembering what he had forgotten long ago; that with love there would always be hope, but he was still fearful is Lily saw him under his mask.
Lily’s father was worried sick of his daughter being away for many weeks, and it soon changed into anger and hatred. He now saw her as a traitor in cheating him out of a chance at a great fortune.
As for other ponies in town, whom had all been victims of Shame’s theivery in the forest, were making plans on getting even with him…
…Planning to invade the forrest and flush him out of hiding, and the head of this mob was none other than the pony Lily’s father was trying to marry Lily off too.
After rallying many of the towns ponies together, the mob had grown into a small army, and armed with pitchforks, torches, muskets, spears and axes, they all ventured into the forest.
Eventually, they all discovered the castle, and Shame was forced to stand up on the battlements to adress the crowd.
Lily came out on the battlements with him, which led them all to believe that Shame had kidnappped Lily, while only her father knew the truth that she had run away, and he was all the more furious with her, and no longer caring for her as a father.
It was in vain that Lily tried to explain the reasons behind Shame’s theviery, her own towns people showed no interest, care or sympathy and regaurded him as a monster that ought to be killed, and Lily too for aligning herself with him, though she had not comitted any crimes.
The mob marched forth to the gates of the castle, hammering and pounding their way to get in, while many of the pegasi simply flew over the walls, inclduing Lily’s father, who was forcefully trying to take her back and punish her severely for betraying him, while in reality it was he who betrayed her by forcing her into a rushed marriage for his own vulgaris reasons!
Shame defended her and scolded the father for treating Lily so poorly, which made him regret his own poor treatment of her when they had first met.
The father was suddenly backed up by several other mob members, including the pony he tried to marry Lily too.
They all rushed aginast Shame at once, and as he fought them off, his mask was knocked loose exposing his hideous face.
The fighters all stopped and gawked in horror at the very sight of him. Even Lily was shocked to discover the truth.
Shame was panned by the villagers, and they were all the more determined to kill him, but Lily showed her kindness-- No…! Her compassion, or rather Love and defended Shame insisting that he had Inner-Beauty, and she denounced her former fellow villagers as “Heartless monsters!” with no compassion, understanding, or souls!
From the skills she had learned from Shame, she helped him repel the mob as best as she could, but even two ponies weren’t enough to stop them all, especially when the boorish pony tried to hold Lily off from Shame and keep them apart.
Shame, however, having had his fully awakened by Lily’s kindness, caring, and love she showed him-- even after seeing his face.
The power of this awakened love sparked a great blow of strength in him, enough to break free from his captors and fight back with the strength of an army!
In the midst of the panic, some of the villagers fled, but not before dropping their torches and setting fire to the castle.
More and more of the villagers were forced to flee as the fire spread, even Lily’s father.
But the only one who remained behind was the boorish pony, wanting to finish the score once and for all, and finish the couple, which wound up being his downfall as he perished in the fired that consumed the castle, while a rainstorm put out the flames so the fire would not spread.
The couple, wounded, but not severely, escaped the burning castle and out into the open fields, far beyond the forest or the town.
It was there the couple finally admitted their feelings to one another, and Lily expressed her full caring towards Shame, and that his looks didn’t turn her off, but it was his inner-beauty, which she helped him recognize, that helped her find someone who could see past her beauty, and love her for just as she was.
With newfound love, and hope, the couple ventured forth, living a life of adventure, and they never forgot the power of the love that they discovered to keep them going.
The theater was echoing with cheers of joy as the actors took their bows, but many of the ponies in the crowd gave Strings and good round of applause for his excellent job narrating the play.
“Bravo!” cheered Princess Luna.
“A most wonderful performance!” agreed Celestia.
Twilight and her friends applauded and Spike gave a whistle of cheer.
Shining Armor was overjoyed and pecked Cadance lovingly. “They loved it! This is some of your best work.”
Cadance had to agree.
Twilight secretly hoped that Strings could now see how many ponies admired him and were thankful for his gifts, and maybe he would decide to stay.
Cadance looked down one the stage at Strings, and he looked up at her, and their eyes met. He gave her a very sad smile, but nodded at her.
She nodded back at him and gave him the signal to go ahead with his request.
“Attention, every-pony…!” Strings announced to gain the crowd’s attention, and everyone simmered down back into their seats.
“What’s he doing now?” asked Pinkie.
“Beats me.” said Applejack.
“I am truly thankful for your cheers, as I am certain the wonderful cast is, but before this evening’s performance is officially concluded, I would like to share a very special song with all of you.
It is a song that I had written long ago and never intended to tell or reveal to any pony.”
Now the audience was overjoyed.
Some of the ponies even chattered softly.
“A new song by Strings…!”
“I just love his music.”
“Wonder what it is.”
The lights darkened down, but the musicians hadn’t started playing until he gave them the signal. He had one special speech to give.
“This story was about a young pony who felt he could never find true love no matter how hard he had tried, and then as luck would have it, fate smiled upon him and he was able to turn himself around a little.”
Strings paused and then said to the crowd, “But this was only a story. It was scripted to happen this way.
…In real life, it is not always like this.”
There was a sudden soft exchange of chattering within the crowds.
“Some of us are not quite as fortunate as Shame was. Sometimes things don’t end happily.
I am not saying you should not be happy, nor am I acting entitled to that which I seek.
What I am telling you is to simply be aware of differences, and how we are all not like one another.
Some of us do not have that special someone. Some of us will never find that special someone, and sometimes we can set our hearts on a single individual, and forsake all others, and while some ponies are able to let go of their pasts and move on from their traumas… some ponies cannot, and never will.”
Some in the audience, especially Cadance and Twilight, were feeling concerned. Even more so when Strings looked way up at the royal box, right at Cadance.
“I would now like to share with you this song, which not only reflects upon how I feel, but strangely it can also reflect upon how Shame could have felt if things had gone wrong, and even how he felt all those years in isolation, unloved.”
He signaled the musicians to start playing his song, and the lights dimmed out, with just strings focussed in spotlight as soft and rather sad music played.
He looked up at Cadance from afar, and then he looked back down as he sang heartbreaking verses of being heartbroken, grieving, being unable to move on, and how nothing-- not hope, beauty, inner-beauty, or even good or passion-- could make things better.
…If I can’t love her-- then who?
Shining Armor felt pity for Strings, but sorry for him as well, as did Cadance.
Twilight and all her friends looked down at Strings feeling very touched by his song, but deeply concerned, knowing he was singing from his own heart and expressing how he felt-- without mentioning Cadance’s name at all, not wishing for any other pony to learn the truth.
Celestia and Luna had no idea of what this was about, as they never were informed, but they, like the entire audience began to feel moved and touched by the song.
Strings continued to sing, becoming more and more emotionally serious as he let his voice ring loud and clear and reflect upon how things could have been wonderful had the love he sought come true…
…But it’s not to be!
His head dropped forth, and he looked extremely heartbroken and down. His eyes were shut tight, and he grasped his chest, only his emotions felt so strong, he couldn’t gasp or cringe at the pain he felt inside.
If I can’t love her,
Let the world be done… with… Me!
A single tear fell from his shut eye, splashed on the stage, and he just stood there as the song came to a close.
The lights came on, and the audience… just burst up out of their seats cheering and shouting louder than they ever had all night! Even the actors on stage were cheering and jumping with praise
Flowers were thrown at Strings, but he didn’t seem to notice them. He just stood where he was behind the microphone, stiff as a board. He didn’t move, make a sound, or even blink his half-opened eyes.
Celestia blew her nose with a hankie, “I have never heard anything so deep and yet so lovely!”
Luna sniffled, “I agree.”
Even Cadance had a tear or two to shed, but more feeling sorry for Strings, knowing how hurt he was.
Shining Armor could only sigh at Strings and mutter, “Poor kid. I don’t know what to do for him.”
Rarity dabbed her eyes, “I thought I’ve understood heartbreak before.”
Spike could only cuddle up to her, not trying to comfort her, but because he felt touched and wooed a bit by the song and felt bad for Strings.
Twilight, however, noticed Strings still hadn’t moved an inch.
Then the director of the play came out and walked up to Strings, complimenting him. “That was the loveliest thing I, or any pony here has ever heard.
Strings, we cannot thank you enough, but I feel I speak on every-pony’s behalf when I tell you how appreciative we are of you music talents, and how much a credit we feel you are to all of Equestria.”
Strings still did not move or even blink!
Now the audience quieted down and began to feel something was wrong, especially when the director noticed, “…He’s not breathing!”
Gasps and concerned chattering began to erupt all through the theater.
“Is he alright?” asked Applejack.
“What’s wrong with him?” added Rainbow.
“Maybe he’s just tired?” suggested Pinkie.
Fluttershy had a sick feeling in her stomach.
The director called out for a doctor, and Dr. Horse who was visiting from Ponyville came up on stage. He put his ear to Strings’ chest and felt for his pulse.
Finally, he declared with much shock, “This pony is dead!”
More thunderous gasps erupted, and Cadance put her hoof to her mouth in shock along with Twilight and the others.
Dr. Horse could diagnose, “…His heart seems to have stopped!”
He tried all he could, but it was no use.
“…Strings!” Cadance cried softly as her tears began to flow.
Shining Armor stomped his hoof on the floor in anger, sadness. “Poor guy…”
Easily, Twilight felt the most upset; it was obvious to her that Strings’ heartaches were far worse, and he did technically warn her about it when he told her that his doctor suggested he move away and stop doing what made him unhappy.
Now he was dead, of a definite broken-heart.
What started out as a glorious and entertaining evening was suddenly changed to a funeral.
Many hearts had fallen with Strings’ passing; every single one of them wondering why and what happened to him.
Only Twilight, her friends, and her relatives knew why, but still kept it a secret among themselves, even long after Strings was buried. After all, it was Strings secret, and Cadance really didn’t want any more awkwardness, or concern to be focussed all on her or her friends and family.
As for Strings’ home and things he had sent to the storage lockers, they were all going to be auctioned off by other ponies.
Still, the gang was just in the dumps!
“When I think of those last lines he sang…” wept Fluttershy “…Let the world be done with me!” It’s like he was willing to go!”
Pinkie Pie had gone through what had to be her fourth box of tissues, and her fifth helping of water. She had cried so much she made herself thirsty.
“Now we’ll never get to hear his beautiful voice ever again!”
“Buck up, sugar-cube,” Applejack said trying cover up her own sadness “He’s in a better place now; where he can sing his little heart out.”
Cadance sat miserably on her throne, clutching the sheet music of Strings’ song.
She had personally ordered the song to never be released to the public. No one was to copy it, sing it, or write down the lyrics. It was her honoring to Strings’ memory, and keeping it the way he wanted it to be-- Forbidden. Just as well too-- nobody seemed to remember all of the exact lyrics to it anyway.
Still, she was very depressed and couldn’t stop beating herself up for what Strings had gone through; especially knowing it was definitely his feelings for her that killed him.
“It’s still not your fault.” said Shining Armor.
“I know it’s not, but it still feels like it.”
Shining Armor patted her and then motioned over to Twilight at the wall. She was emotionally beating herself up worse than Cadance.
The couple walked over to Twilight.
“You okay, Twily?” asked her brother.
His sister shook her head, “I feel so guilty. It’s like I drove Strings to his death.”
“Twilight, I know how you feel,” said Cadance, and she really did the way she had beaten herself over it, “But it wasn’t any-pony’s fault. It was just something that happened.”
Twilight was unconvinced, “But I pressured him into accepting the job, and it all makes sense to why he wanted to leave…” she referred to all his constant painful attacks when he clutched his aching chest “…He was trying to leave to save himself, and we stopped him.”
She then reflected back on how Cadance was right.
While it did seem like Strings wanting to give up his music and leave the Empire was a bit selfish of him, everyone else demanding he stay and be subjected to a life that was bringing him nothing but pain and discomfort while ignoring his own feelings, was just as selfish.
Rainbow felt really bad now. It was she who called Strings to be selfish, when it finally clued in, he was just trying to protect himself from his pain, and protect Cadance by not revealing his secret.
He knew Cadance was happy, and he wished no ill on her, he held no grudge, and didn’t even make the slightest move of revenge, or anything like that-- he just tried to let her be happy by keeping out of her life.
…None of it really mattered now.
Still, one thing they had all learned was to take what Strings said seriously.
Not all ponies are able achieve a happily-ever-after.
Some are even willing to forget happiness altogether because they didn’t have the heart or courage to move on and try something new. Then again, love often expresses itself in sacrifice.
…Every pony was just different and would go about their own ways in life.
Not that self-destruction was the best move to make for many, it all depended on the severity and reasoning behind it.
Every one promised to take note of this for the many other problems ahead that they would encounter.
A few days later, the entire gang stopped off at the Crystal Empire Cemetery, and Cadance placed a small wreath of flowers by Strings monument stone.
She looked down ever so miserably at the stone and the dedication on it.
“I’m sorry, Strings.” she muttered softly “Nothing will hurt you now, but I wish things could have been better for you.”
The others all felt as lowly as she did, and no one said a thing as everyone just stood still in the soft breeze.