//------------------------------// // Act 4: What feels Right or Wrong // Story: Friendship is Failure #4: Love Doesn't Work That Way // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT FOUR Cadance, Twilight and Starlight decided to go back to Crystal Palace, and try to figure this whole thing out. Shining Armor was there to greet them as he held baby Flurry Heart. “Well, I didn’t expect all of you to come back.” Flurry cooed and reached out for her mother, Cadance scooped her up, but she still didn’t act like her normal loving self, nor did she even look down at the baby. Shining Armor noticed this, as well as his sister and Starlight all looking in the same fixed expressions. “Um… are you all okay?” Somehow, the ponies snapped back to their senses, and while Cadance felt just a tad uncomfortable saying to her husband, she had to be truthful with him and told him everything. “What? Strings is in love with you?” he exclaimed softly. “I saw it myself when I looked into his heart.” said Cadance “That’s also why he refused to play at the festival, and why he’s moving away and giving up music.” “Because of you…?” asked Twilight . “No offense, but that seems rather… selfish.” said Starlight Everyone seemed more concerned for Sun. She still had no idea, and there was no doubt she’d be completely crushed to find out that Strings didn’t love her. “I guess, we should just tell her now so it won’t hurt her more later.” suggested Starlight. “No, we can’t.” cried Twilight “We have to do this carefully, and give it time.” “But we don’t have much time…” said Starlight “Strings is planning to leave town tomorrow night, before Hearts and Hooves begins, and he hasn’t told her. What then, when she finds out he’s gone…? She’ll really be hurt.” Everyone couldn’t bear to think of that, especially Cadance. “You’re right.” said Twilight “I guess we just have to come clean, and help her get it over with but… ohh!” “Easy, Twily…” said Shining Armor “I’m not trying to be inconsiderate or anything, but well… if you really think about it, you have to do what’s better, not worse.” Even Cadance agreed, “Besides, I’ll be going with you.” The others gawked at her. “I know Strings is in love with me, but even looking through his heart only told me so much. I do want to know why he feels this way, and maybe… just maybe… there might be a chance for him to reconsider his actions.” Her husband had no objections, having good faith in his wife, and the girls agreed too. “I just wish there were an easier way.” murmured Twilight. The next day, pretty much all the decorating, all the planning, all the arrangements were completed. The entire village near the Crystal Palace was all decked up with pink and white streamers, bright red heart-shaped balloons, and stalls were set up, but remained empty with no merchandise stocked yet. Everything seemed ready for Hearts and Hooves, the next day. So many couples were giddy with excitement, and wished that today was tomorrow, but there was still plenty of time… to practice. Go on regular dates; exchange more gifts and all that stuff. Sadly some ponies still had to work that day, especially mover ponies, whom were busy loading crates, boxes and furniture from String’s house onto large wagons, ready to be shipped to the train-station. Then, at sundown Strings would catch the same train out of the empire to his new home… wherever it was, but he told no one else and gave no existing address, except to the movers, whom promised by their code of conduct not to blab. By midday, the house was completely empty and had a “For Sale” sign in front of it now. Strings had already bought his new home, far, far away from the Empire. Being a song artist, he made quite a bundle from his career. He even tipped the movers for their hard work. “Thanks a bundle, mac.” The pony said, and then called to his team to move on out. With that, the balloons lifted off into the sky and off for their destination. Once they were gone, Strings to a very hard look at his empty house. He would miss it dearly, and was deeply regretting his actions, but he felt his hoof along the door of the house, speaking softly to it, “It’s sad, but I know I’m doing the right thing. I just can’t stay here anymore. Not if it means…” he stopped in mid-sentence, unable to go on as it would pain him so. Then again, though his house wasn’t alive, he knew that it knew of his troubles, and would somewhat agree with his actions. “Farewell.” Was all he said to it before flying off to town, to get a good look at all his favorite places one last time. By the end of the day, he sat at the water near the forest, a place he would miss most of all. All the times he came to lose his worries, or be along with his thoughts and come up with new songs. The sun was starting to set as the night approached; he knew his train would be boarding soon. “Well, I guess I better get going.” he said to himself. Despite being a Pegasus, taking the train was the best way go from there. He couldn’t fly THAT far to his new home, and he’d never be able to make it through the frozen lands surrounding the empire anyway. However, as he touched down and prepared to enter the station, he found Sun there, waiting for him, and she looked rather mad. “Sun… I…” “Save it!” she snapped at him. She told him that she had been to his house and saw the “For Sale” sign, and found the place completely empty. “You’re just leaving?! Just like that… and you didn’t even tell me?” “I just couldn’t.” said String “I was going to write to you after I got to my new home.” “And THAT makes it any better?!” shouted Sun. He shout made other ponies look their way, and sensing a fight about to happen, they all filed into the station quickly. “Sun, listen to me…” “No, you listen!” snapped Sun. Strings felt a little frightened, having never seen her angry like this before. Then again, it was expected. However, he anger faded into a near tearful expression. “You can’t just leave… I don’t want you to go.” “What are you saying?” asked Strings. Sun was trembling, and biting her lip nervously. “…Because she loves you!” called a voice from behind. The two ponies looked, and saw, escorted by two guards from the palace, Twilight and Starlight, and with them was Princess Cadance, much to Strings surprise and pain. “Wait…” Strings said looking back at Sun “Sun… you…?” She nodded softly. “She’s loved you for a long time, Strings.” said Cadance “Just as… you’ve loved me.” Strings gasped, “She knows?!” he peeped, “How is that possible?” Now it was Sun who felt shocked, “You’re in love with… the Princess?” she asked in disbelief. Strings had no choice but to come clean, “It’s true; I am in love with Princess Cadance, and she is the very reason I want to leave.” He told his story of how it all happened… He grew up in Canterlot, but when he was very little, he was a very temperamental colt, always getting angry, mostly because his parents were workaholics and never had time for him. They were always working, hardly noticed him or took any interest in him. In fact, they just named him Strings because they were too busy wrapped up in their work to think of a better name. It was as if he didn’t know what real love was all about in either way. Then, one day, while visiting the royal palace on the school field trip, he was teased by bullies that threw his backpack out the window, and naturally he flew out the window to get it, but he wasn’t a skilled flyer yet, and could hardly keep his balance, and he ended up crashing hard. He was badly hurt and bruised, but no one seemed to be around to help him, and he passed out. He awoke later to find he was in the care of Cadance, she wasn’t a Princess back then as she was still a student at the magical academy, but she was an alicorn, and she was tending to his wounds and making him all better. Not only was Cadance very beautiful, but her kindness and soothing voice, and the way she helped him get better. Strings knew he was falling in love. Strings could never stop thinking about her, and after realizing whom she was, he would write letters constantly to her like a pen-pal, and she would respond giving him advice on how to change his life and really understand what love is. …He did not tell her he was in love with her though, as he still wasn’t sure it was real. As he got older, Strings’ anger didn’t seem to show much, and Cadance inspired him to turn to music, and so he became a song-writer and musician, which not only earned him his cutie mark, but it spawned his career. He had many gigs and recordings, and his favorite was performing at the palace and getting to see Cadance again. They would meet up eventually, have a few friendly talks, and he would thank her for her wonderful advice, and she called him very talented and was proud of him for what he had become. At that time, Strings ultimately realized how truly in love with Cadance he really was. She was his inspiration, the flame of his passion, the one who showed him the true light to change his ways. However, when Cadance crowned Princess, Strings knew his chances of even trying to be with her were dwindling, as he was a lowly commoner. Then, he found out she was already with Shining Armor and planning to marry him at the Royal Canterlot wedding. Strings was invited of course, especially to perform, but feeling crushed and realizing there was no chance he could ever be with her, Strings lied saying he had a performance to give elsewhere… just as an excuse he couldn’t bear to go to the wedding and see the only pony he ever loved married to another. When King Sombra was defeated, he moved to the Crystal Empire, hoping to get away from Cadance, only to discover, too late, that she was the new ruler of the Empire itself. Strings, still madly in love with her, but saddened that he could not be with her, he tried and he tried to put her out of his mind and move on with his own life, but he could never shake off those feelings he had. For the past two years, he kept his feelings a desperately guarded secret, fearing the truth would cause awkwardness and humiliation for both himself and Cadance, and regardless of his feelings… he wished her no harm, no ill-will. He knew she was happy and content, and didn’t wish to upset it. But he himself was growing worse. Unable to get over Cadance, he could never hope to date other ponies, knowing he could not give them the love they desired. He began to lose sleep, his optimism of life was starting to fade and it caused him to make nothing but heartbreaking songs. The stress even made it hard for him to focus in real life. He would burn himself on the stove, crash into lampposts where he walked, unable to keep most of his balance when flying as he got distracted…! Realizing his health was in danger; he sought help and saw a psychologist whom suggested it best he leave the empire. “And that’s pretty much it…” said Strings. All the other ponies gawked at him deeply, hardly knowing what to think or say. Even Cadance understood it all now, but she could still hardly believe it was this serious. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave.” said Strings. “No, Strings, please…” cried Sun. Tears were falling from her eyes “You don’t have to leave. You can’t just leave the empire… you can’t leave me! I love you… I’ve loved you since we were little. Can’t you see that you mean everything in the world to me?” This only made things harder for Strings, but he looked at her deeply. “I’m sorry, Sun.” he said softly “I know now that you love me, but… I never had feelings for you. It would never work out.” “But how do you know… you didn’t even try.” cried Sun “Why… why can’t you love me, Strings?” “Love doesn’t work that way, Sun.” replied Strings “It’s not something two ponies can try and make happen. I can’t change my feelings simply because you want me to. Don’t get me wrong, Sun. You’ve been a great friend… but I can’t give you the love you want, and you deserve better than that.” Sun sniffled and shut her eyes tight trying not to breakout sobbing. “I understand…” she peeped. Twilight hung her head low, “Strings, you really don’t have to do this. You don’t have to leave, and what about Sun? She’s poured her heart and soul out for you, and you just leave her?” Strings sighed, “Haven’t you been listening to anything I’ve been saying? What good would it be if we suddenly hooked up? I can’t be with her if my heart belongs to some-pony else. We’d be living a lie and it wouldn’t be fair; not to me and not to Sun.” Sun didn’t respond, but she knew he was right. “Besides…” Strings went on “I already made it clear that I can’t just stay here either. How can I keep making other ponies happy while I’m so incredibly unhappy? It isn’t healthy for me. I just can’t do this anymore.” A moment of silence followed until Starlight spoke up “He’s right, Twilight. We can’t just force him to change.” Twilight could no longer argue, and realized they were right. Cadance held her head and sighed. “Will you… ever come back?” Sun asked. Another moment of silence followed, and Strings answered as honestly as he could, “I’m not sure. I don’t know even know where I’ll go from here, but I have to do this.” He softly approached her, and removed his long white scarf, placing it around her, “But I wish the best of luck for you too.” (Music at 0:47) No one said anything more, and Sun just gazed tearfully at him as he gazed at her with deep regret, and shame of himself for hurting her, but he couldn’t turn back now, especially when the announcement was made that his train was boarding, and it was the last call. “ALL ABOARD!” the conductor called out. With that, Strings turned his back to everyone and walked off into the station. In almost no time, his train pulled out and headed off into the night. All the ponies just stood where they were feeling gloomy, upset. Starlight felt ashamed and really bad for getting Sun involved in all this only for it to blow up and end so badly. Twilight felt bad because of her failure to reach out to Strings, and in doing so, she was just as responsible for getting Sun all excited over nothing. Cadance… she knew that not all love had happy endings, but it really pained her whenever it did happen. Especially now, finding out that Strings loved her and not Sun, and while it was very sweet and kind that he wished no ill on her and wanted her to be happy in her own life and marriage, she still wished it hadn’t so hard on him that he was willing to leave because of her. Easily, Sun felt to more miserable, and she held the scarf in close, clutching it tightly. “Strings…” she peeped.