//------------------------------// // Chapter 02 - Daisy Hoof // Story: Changeling - Henry Hoof // by destinedjagold //------------------------------// Chapter 2 - Daisy Hoof "All I wanted was someone to love me and take care of me..." --- 1 This cave... Is this the cave where he and his mother used to live? Walking inside this cave... It feels so...lonely... What have I done...? I want to go and look for him, but the storm... The storm is so violent... The wind is whistling so scarily... The trees look like they could be pulled out from the ground. Ah! Lightning! I'm scared... I'm really scared... I don't want to be alone... I want you back... I want my brother back... This is all my fault... --- 2 I suddenly remembered that dream I had... I shook my head, trying to remove my mind off of that dream, and all those bad memories it carried... They're gone, but not entirely gone. They're still flashing in my head, but they're easier to ignore now. I flashed a smile, so he would know that I'm okay. "Let's not talk about gloomy stuff." I said to him, as calm as I could possibly be. It didn't seem to work. He's still looking worried. I looked out the window, and my! What a beautiful day it is today. "It's a fine day today!" I saw him look at the window as well, and from his smile, I could tell that he agrees. An idea sprang inside my head. I quickly turned to him, "Hey, I know. Do you want to come with me at work?" "Work?" He asked stupidly again, smile fading away... I don't really want to tell him how stupid his questions are but, I do try to understand. Maybe something happened to him. I wanted to know, if something did happen, but, I'm afraid to ask. Anyway, he doesn't know a lot, but I find it fun to teach him about stuff. But it does make me feel like the older sister again... "Yes, work. You know." "I...don't know..." he slowly said. "Um... How should I explain it..." I searched for the right words in my mind. Hm... Okay. "Work is like this..." --- 3 We went to Sugarcube Corner, the place he identified as the place where I bought some bread. We went to the counter. I explained to him—as an example—Mr. Cake here works as a baker. He asked about the word baker. I was about to explain it to him anyway... Bakers make bread, cake, muffin and others. Mr. Cake bakes these stuff because that's his work. A working pony will earn Bits. He asked about Bits. Sigh... Bits are money, the pony currency. I hushed him when he was about to ask about currency. I don't know a lot about currency as well. Anyway... Customers pay Bits to Mr. Cake if they want to have some bread. The amount of Bits depends on the required Bits the worker asks. As an example, inside this clean glass stand, bread and other pastries are lined up, with price tags standing in front of each. Price is the amount of Bits you need to pay if you want that certain thing. Well, I think that's about it. He seemed to be satisfied about my first example about work. I bought two pieces of bread before we left. Think of it as, a practical example of my example of work. Mr. Cake played along 'til we went outside. I think he's giving us a strange look... --- 4 "Well, we're here." I said happily. I turned to him, since, as usual, he's tailing me. I saw his amazed-looking face as he stared at the big ol' tree where I'm working. "I've never seen a tree this big..." he slowly said. That made me chuckle a bit. This tree is really one giant tree. It's not even affected by the magic of seasons. "...and a window...and a door...?" "Well, I think this is the only tree with a window and a door." I said as I turned to the big tree, slowly approaching the door. "This is where I work." I said as I opened the door with my hoof. I heard his slow footsteps behind me. He's probably getting close. I walked inside, and turned to him. He seemed a bit scared to enter, though. I looked around. The place does look gloomy. It won't be once I turn the lights on. "Come on in." After he got inside, he looked around slowly, and then faced me. "So... Where are the price tags of these books?" I took a deep breath... ...and let out a heavy sigh... --- 5 I told him that I'm a librarian, and, as predicted, he asked what a librarian does. I told him that I am the one managing the books: keeping them clean and neat and orderly arranged. Not only the books though, but also the other things around here: the chairs, tables, lamps... I'm also the one to assist the pony folks who wants to borrow books. How am I going to get Bits, he asked. Well, the mayor gives me a monthly pay. Monthly pay is a bag of Bits that you'll receive for working at the last day of each month. He looked puzzled. Since he didn't have any work at all, I asked him to help me clean. Heh... I don't want him to be a freeloader forever, I teased him. He didn't like that idea as well, so he took the bucket and the mop. I instructed him about how to use those tools. He looked like a natural, mopping the floor I mean. He gave me an angry look, and I stuck my tongue out at him as I wipe a book with an old piece of cloth. Somehow, for some strange reason, he chuckled after I said the word 'cloth'... He didn't give me a proper reply why though. Oh well. --- 6 I've lost track of time, but I think we've been here for an hour and a half now. I think... I really need to put a wall clock here. My brother moved from mopping, to putting the books on the table, to dusting and wiping the bookshelves. Wow, I guess males do work faster and get tired slow. Hm? Someone's knocking on the door. Henry is close to the door, while I am on the second floor, still wiping half of the total books here. I asked him to open the door, and he did. It was little Rarity. Her horn's glowing though, and as she walked inside, the book she borrowed four days ago is floating behind her. "Oh, Rarity! Hello." I greeted as I walked down the stairs. My brother didn't said a word though. He just blankly stared at the little filly who walked inside the library. "You could have at least greeted our guest, you know." I said after reaching the last step. "Oh, uh... Sorry." He quickly turned to Rarity, who was just staring at him. "Um... Hello and good morning...?" He then looked at me. His eyes were somehow asking me to grade his performance on his greeting skills. "That was good," I chuckled. "Is he your coltfriend or something?" Rarity asked. That made me look at her as quick as lightning. "No, of course not!" I snapped. Why would you thi--- "I'm her brother," Henry calmly said with a smile. "Oh..." --- 7 Rarity came to return the book she borrowed, and she wanted to borrow something about sewing, again. She said something about making her own clothes in school. I asked Henry to assist her, but... He told me he doesn't know how. Each month, I am changing how I arrange the books. This month, the books are arranged by category. I told him to look for the shelf that has sewing and garments on them but... He told me something I couldn't believe, even little Rarity... "I couldn't read..." Little Rarity gasped in disbelief. I sighed... --- 8 I just noticed that the sun is at its highest peak. It's noon. And look, I'm almost done cleaning everything here on this small second floor, and my brother's just returning the books to their original places. Wow, he's good at remembering things. Hm... Maybe I could teach him how to read. --- 9 We ate bread on the second floor, near the window. I asked him if working as a librarian's assistant was fun. He replied with a neutral 'it was okay'... "Hey, we're almost done cleaning," I started, "do you want me to teach you how to read?" "Yes!" He quickly replied. And honestly, that surprised me a bit. His habit of suddenly answering with a high voice is a bit annoying though... "I'm sorry..." He quickly apologized. "But yes, I would love to learn how to read." I don't know why, but the way he said that sentence, somehow, I feel like he emphasized the words 'love' and 'read'. Well, he does need to learn how to read if he wants to read books. ... Hm... I wonder how he got his cutie mark if he doesn't know how to read... --- 10 We've finally finished cleaning, and I made him sit on a chair, the very same chair he sat on while we were eating lunch. The sun is still pretty high, so he have enough light. I flashed a filly book. I don't know how long this will take us but... Oh well. It's better than not doing anything. --- 11 I've completely lost track of time, but, the sun was still out, but is ready to set. We've made a lot of progress. I couldn't believe he could learn so fast. Or... Maybe he does know how to read. Or... Maybe he knows, but he forgot, and we're just unlocking it, together? Also, the filly book I took was a story about a little filly and her...mom... I think, he noticed my tone changes from time to time. He asks if something was bothering me though. I don't want him to worry about anything else right now. Right now, all he needs to worry is to learn how to read. --- 12 I hate my mom so much... She left me, my brother and my dad. I don't know why, I don't know where she is, and I don't care. My dad died from a disease. Since then, my brother and I have been taking care of each other. We worked together in this library as apprentices to earn some Bits. We were able to own the house we're living through saving some Bits. We had a rough time, being alone, without parents. --- 13 Sharing my past with my new brother somehow felt, good inside... I've been wanting to have somepony to talk to. I do have friends here, but... I don't feel like sharing my problems with them... We're home now, night already governed the sky. We ran into some of my friends earlier; Cheerilee and Ditzy, while we were on our way home. I introduced them to my brother, and I introduced my brother to them. And I explained why we're a brother and sister. They didn't believe me though. Predictable. They gave me evil grins and raising eyebrows and weird looks. I just rolled my eyes. Henry however, seemed confused. Is he this innocent about these things? And now, we're here, inside this quiet house, enjoying some tea. Well, I'm enjoying tea, while he's having plain water. I'm expecting him to say something, but I guess he doesn't know what to say. Something to say to make me feel better. But it's okay. Knowing that he's here, listening, is enough. I feel like crying though. But I suddenly remembered him saying that he doesn't like to see me cry. So I won't. But... Sniff... --- 14 Strangely, I woke up, from a dreamless sleep... What time is it? ... Four in the morning... I feel like taking a peek, to see if my brother's asleep. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen my brother asleep. But... I'm feeling a bit scared... What if I'll see him as a black figure again? Oh, what am I thinking... I was hallucinating that time. ... Oh? "Hi sis." He's not asleep? He's just lying there on his back, our eyes locked. "Um..." "Sorry... I couldn't sleep." He slowly said. I wonder what's on his mind. I better a— "I've been thinking..." "Care to share?" He nodded. "Well, I feel like...I want to see my mother..." What? What does that mean? "I just...want to see how she is doing..." ... "I haven't really been separated from her for too long..." ... "I'm just..." He looked away... "...not used to it." "Well, I'm sure she's fine." I said, trying to cheer him up, but, it didn't seem to work... "I sure hope so..." And we became quiet for a while. ... "What about you, sis?" He suddenly said, startling me a bit. "Huh? What about me?" "What's on your mind?" Me? Well, I haven't really been thinking about anything... I just woke up... So... "Nothing, actually..." "Okay..." He simply replied as he looked at the window. We were quiet for a while again. I'm sure there are still things bothering him inside his head. ... "Hey sis..." "Huh?" "Thank you." That caught me off guard. He's thanking me... "...For what?" "Teaching me." Teaching him... --- 15 Although we have spent a lot of time together... Somehow, I feel like he doesn't want me to know him... I feel like he's still hiding something from me... But... Don't we all? I hide my reason for hating my mom from him. I don't know why, but I just don't want him to know... Maybe... Maybe I don't want him to carry this hatred I feel towards my mother? Maybe he's also thinking the same... Maybe he doesn't want me to carry his troubles, his problems, but... I better get some sleep... --- 16 We're going to the library once again. The sky is gloomy today. I think the pegasus ponies are planning to let it rain. Maybe they have an oversupply of water? They are preparing for winter, after all... After we...or, I, bought some bread from Mr. Cake, we ran into the mayor. Henry recognizes him though, and the mayor recognizes my brother. After an ordinary greeting, we were on our way. I looked back and saw Henry looking at the sky. Or maybe he's looking at the pegasus ponies putting all those gloomy clouds up there. I bet he doesn't know what they're doing. I looked ahead. The library's only a few hooves away. "What are they doing up there?" Somehow, that made me smile as I looked back to him, still walking. I was about to reply when he suddenly bit my tail, making me stop. Wait... He bit my tail! My long and beautiful tail! "Watch wer ya goin', mis!" A loud, dark and cracky voice said in front of me. I turned to where that voice came from, and right in front of me was a big blue stallion. He looks so...so...charming... But... He gave me an angry look, a dry 'hmp!' and he walked away. Henry walked beside me. "Who was that?" "Beats me," but he looks so totally charmingly cute! We began walking again. "He's probably just a visitor." I said weirdly. He does look so charming. His image is stuck inside my head. Heheh... I think I'm in love... "Wasn't he charming?" I suddenly said. I gasped. Why did I said that? Oh well. I'm feeling happy about it. "Well, I think his partner thinks the same way..." Wait... What? What!? I quickly turned to the direction to where that charming stallion took. Aw... He's already wed to that red beautiful mare... ...and they have a baby... Sigh... Oh well... At least m---! Ouch! Oh geez, the library's door sure knows how to hurt a pony... Ow... "You okay, sis?" "Fine!" I snarled. I opened the darn door and went inside. 'Are you okay, sis?' he asked. Of course I'm not okay! My poor heart's broken, and the door slammed into me! ... Strangely, my brother suddenly started patting my head, and... ...it made me feel better, well, not really... I mean... Yes, I feel a bit better, but I also feel a bit guilty of snarling at him earlier. "Thank you..." I slowly said... He smiled. --- 17 It's raining now. This rainy day is going to make the library quiet... No visitors... Sigh... A few minutes ago, I told my brother that the pegasus ponies were putting up those clouds to make it rain. And as usual, he gave me a dumb look. Hahah. And after that, another predictable question. "Why would they put clouds to make it rain?" I do wonder about that myself. Why would they ruin such a beautiful day? The only answer I gave him was for everything to be in balance. Ponyville's been having wonderful days for a number of days now. I guess it's time for a rainy day. I just hope it won't turn into a storm. --- 18 I think it has been an hour now, or two... My brother's on the first floor, reading by himself. That gave me a smile. He learned how to read in just one day... Or half a day... I'm on the second floor, near the window. I've been busy with my sketches. Not only do I love reading, but I also dream to write my own book one day. But... I need inspiration. I need a theme. I need a setting. I need...whatever else is needed to write a good book. It's still raining outside, and the wind is a bit strong. Hm... I think I should stop drawing now, and time to think of a good story. Well, I like adventure, so maybe I'll write about adventure. But I need a character first... A main character. Hm... Will this pegasus do? Sigh... Maybe a winged adventure is a bit boring... ... Hm? He just turned to a new page, and the page has a big image on it that I can clearly see. ...is that a Changeling? Why is he reading a book about Changelings? Is he a Changeling? Is he reading about it 'cause of my hallucination? --- 19 Instead of thinking of a story, the only thing rambling in my head is one question... Why is my brother reading a book about Changelings? "Hey, bro..." "Hm?" He turned to me. "Something wrong, li'l sis?" "Yeah um..." Should I ask him? Why shouldn't I? "What's that book you're reading?" "Oh." He took the book with both his hooves: one to act as a bookmark on the current page he's currently reading, and the other to turn the book to it's cover. "'Research About Strange Creatures', written by 'dee' 'ar' Glass...?" He raised his voice on the last word, making it sound like he wasn't sure what he just read. "'Dee' 'ar'?" I thought about it for a moment... "You mean, 'doctor'?" "Oh..." he looked at the book again. "So... Is this another one of those abbrevi—whatever things?" "Yep." I laughed. He felt embarrassed, I think. "Sorry..." "N-no. That just means I still have a lot to learn," he smiled and returned to reading the book. "Why are you reading that book, anyway?" "Well," he replied, not turning to face me, "you saw me as a Changeling... I am..." His voiced trailed off. He may be thinking about what to say. He is...? "...just...interested..." he slowly turned to face me. "Maybe...?" Maybe? Why 'maybe'...? "Also..." he added, slowly getting back to reading. "I find this book quite interesting to read." "Why's that?" "Well, there are so many creatures being described here that I haven't heard about." And he turned to me, flashing the current page he was currently reading. It had an image of a phoenix printed on one whole page. --- 20 Ah, finally, it's time to close the library. And it just stopped raining. I better compile these drawings of mine. "What are those?" I gasped in surprise! I quickly turned and saw my brother behind me. "S-sorry..." "Don't do that again!" I angrily replied... He looked away, and I suddenly felt ashamed, "S-sorry..." He just smiled. I saw his eyes, they're looking at the table where my drawings are... ...his looking at my drawings! I quickly stepped in his way to cover the table where my drawings are. Somehow, I'm blushing in shame, looking down on the floor. "Don't look at them..." "I think they're good drawings." "They're not that good..." I don't know why, but somehow, I added a bit of anger on my tone. "Yes they are." I looked at him, and he was smiling. "Fine..." I stepped aside. He took a few steps towards the table, and looked at my drawings. I wanted to pull him away from them but... "I didn't know my li'l sister can draw!" "You're just teasing me..." I looked away. "But they really are." I slowly turned to him, and he was looking at me. "D...do you really think so?" He nodded, smiling. He looked at the drawings again. There are notes on each of my artwork... But each one has two big words on them. He read the two big words on each of the drawings out loud... "'Daring Do'..." "It's a lame name, I know..." I turned away once more. I felt his hoof on my shoulder. "Why would you think that?" I couldn't answer... I've always been shy to show my artwork to any pony... Or... I have never got the courage to show my artwork to any pony... --- 21 "I don't know what your Cutie Mark is... But it's not related to books! So stop writing and stop drawing! Drawing isn't your talent! Stop wasting time!" "But I love to write! And draw! AH!" "Don't you dare talk back to me!" --- 22 I sniffed. I accidentally shared some of my hatred towards my mom. "Well..." He started, breaking this awful silence. "You showed it to me..." ... "And I think that took quite a lot of courage." You're just saying that... --- 23 My brother said he wanted to go back to where he and his mother used to live. He said—and he hoped—that 'it' was still there. I don't know what he meant. Why now? Oh... He did said that he missed his mom. Maybe his true intention was to see her, and not to search for 'something'...? The sun's already down... The forest is probably dangerous at night. And the sky is still gloomy... What is the time, anyway? ... Three 'til seven... If he won't come back soon, his bread will be cold by the time he returns... ... I just wish he'll come back soon... --- 24 "What's this?" I asked as I took this weird item off of my brother's hoof. He just arrived, a few minutes before the rain started, again. Now that I am holding it, it feels, wet, but it's not wet. This little, tear-shaped blue crystal...I've never seen anything like it before. "That's called an Ocean's Tear," he smiled. A...what now? "Ocean's Tear," he said again. I guess I looked like I needed him to repeat what this is. Okay, an Ocean's Tear... It really feels wet, and I'm having the urge to wipe my hoof dry, but... My hoof isn't wet. It just feels wet. This is one weird stone. It kinda glows in the dark a bit, too. "Why are you giving me this?" I suddenly asked him. He was now sitting on the wooden chair, eating his cold bread. I tried eating cold bread before... ...I didn't like it. "It used to belong to my sister, but, well...you know..." Hm... So, you are now giving this thing to me? "And earlier, I saw your drawings, and I read some of the text on it." You what?! "So I thought I'd give that to you." ... "To inspire you to write a story." ... "...your story." ... "Um... Is something wrong?" "You...read my writings?" "Um..." I closed my eyes and sighed... "I'm sorry..." "It's fine..." I sadly said as I dropped myself on his bed. Well, technic'ly, it's still my bed. I'm staring at this weird stone-thing. "My sister used to make up stories and share them with me when we were still young." "Really?" Somehow, he made me feel interested to listen. "She used to bring almost anything to life: how the sun was born, why is the sun and moon never rose together, how did mountains became...mountains, where did trees came from, rain, clouds, storm, stars, rocks..." His voice trailed off. He then sighed, smiling. "Those were the crazy days... And I believed every word of it." That must have been amusing. I couldn't hold to laugh a bit. He didn't seem to mind. "So... Since, somehow, you two have weird imagination..." That ticked me off a bit. "I felt like wanting you to have that." ... I smiled. "Thanks." --- 25 I woke up from a dreamless sleep. Somepony was knocking on the door. I was too sleepy to move... I am really really sleepy... Mmm... Oh, three sets of annoying knocks... ... Sheets... Did my brother just rose up from his bed? Please check and see who it is. Ha! The door opened. Thank you. ... I think I can hear them whispering. I better take a small peak. ... I can't see who the visitor is. Maybe he, or she, is still outside. My brother's there, his head is covered by the door. And they really are whispering. I can't seem to make out the words... ... They're quiet now... Oh, flapping sounds. Was the visitor a pegasus? My brother came inside, and he was somehow looking a bit surprised to see me awake. He...he has a grim look on his face... --- 26 What's going on? We're suppose to be at the library now. But... We're still here, sitting on chairs. I can feel my brother really needs to tell me something, but... I can also feel that he's truly afraid to tell me... "Is... Is it about your mom?" I finally said. I really don't want to be the first to say anything but... ...I also don't want to stay here, sitting all day. He slowly nodded. He sighed. "Daisy..." He said my name... ... This will not sound good. I don't know why, but I gulped. He's looking really grim and scared, and... "...I've been..." ...yes...? "I've been hiding a secret from you..." ......yes...? "A...secret that I'm too scared to tell you..." .........yes...? ... He stood up, took a few steps away from the table. He took a deep breath. Why aren't you facing me? "I don't want to see your face when I'll tell you this..." "Then don't..." I suddenly said. "If... If it's that grim, then don't tell me anything about it..." But I really want to know about it. But... "I'm afraid that you might no longer want to see me..." ... "I'm scared that maybe...maybe..." He turned his head, facing the mirror near our bed. "...maybe...you wouldn't want me to be with you..." He took another deep breath. I'm really hating the sound of this. "Please don't tell me... Please..." If this is a sick joke, then believe me, I won't laugh! I'll kick you so hard, you'll kiss the mare in the moon! Wait... Am I seeing things? His four hooves are slowly turning black...pointed...clawed... His tail... It suddenly became short and black... His body... His wings... His head... He's...! --- 27 "DAISY!" "AH!" I woke up! A bad dream! A nightmare! Blurry... But it's dark... Is it still night time? Where am I? "Daisy...?" Henry puts a hoof on my back. That felt really reassuring... ... ...... ......... EEK! I quickly jumped off the bed, and quickly turned to face him! Oh my gosh! We did... We slept on the same bed! "What's wrong?" "What's wrong!? What's wrong!?" You dare asked a stupid question like that!? "We slept on the same bed—together!" A weird silence followed. Not really quiet. My fast and deep breathing is the only thing I can hear. "What's..." he started, "wrong with that?" I can't believe this guy... How could you be so...so...innocent! He looked around the bed. "I used to sleep with my mother and sister whe—" "That's not the point!" I snarled and walked to the window. I looked up to the gloomy night sky. It's raining. ... Did I fell asleep on his bed? Oh, so it's my fault now? He could have just woken me up. "I'm sorry..." "No... I'm sorry..." It's my fault, anyway... I slowly faced him. "I'm sorry if..." Never mind. He'll be the one to figure out the rest of that sentence. There's something glowing on his side of the bed where I slept. That must have been the crystal... ... I hate this awkward silence. --- 28 I forgot to bring my spare wall clock again. Sigh... We came to the library, even though it was raining a bit. I only got one umbrella, so I gave it to him and told him of it's use. He insisted of letting me use it. He had wings, he said, so he can cover his head with them. Lucky guy... After we arrived, we started cleaning the library again, excluding mopping, 'cause the floor was still looking pretty clean. And then, I promised my brother, that after we're done cleaning, I'll tell him why I got angry earlier. ... Birds and bees... --- 29 I was feeling as awkward and red as my brother after he learned about it. I closed the book, and slowly went up the second floor to put it back in the 'adults' section. "I...ah..." I heard his low voice echoed through the quiet library. "I...think that...was too much information, li'l sis..." He awkwardly smiled. "But I promise I won't do that to you." "I know you won't." I stuck my tongue out to tease him. Teaching him that stuff was so so wrong... But, a stallion at his age, I think he needed to know that sort of thing... I think he's even older than Big Macintosh... Me, on the other hand... Well... "But... Why did I learn that again?" "Well, uh..." Let's see... "Well, it's because...that's what ponies think...if you tell them we slept together...on the same bed..." I think I felt my cheeks are burning... "So don't tell them!" "I'll...try to remember that..." I didn't do a 'practical example' this time, if that's what you're thinking. "Do you have any filly books I can read?" To shake your mind off of what you just learned? I couldn't hold to smile. --- 30 He is reading the book he was reading yesterday. The one with Changelings on it... It got me thinking... I saw my brother as a Changeling. And then I had a dream about him turning into a Changeling... What does this mean? ... Is my brother a Changeling? Is he really a Changeling? If he is, then... ...what am I suppose to do? He's very nice and all but... ...maybe this is all just a trick? I've read about Changelings. Princess Celestia allowed them here in Equestria, since she has no right to remove them from their home. According to pony history, Equestria was once ruled by all sorts of races: ponies, griffons, changelings, dragons, and some more. Changelings also helped in the war against Discord. But their reputation of leeching the life of others alienated them... They're a lonely race—at least, that's what I thought—until one day when... ... If my brother's really a Changeling...then... ...what should I do? I looked at the Ocean's Tear on the center of the table of my artwork. ... I can't draw an answer... Maybe the window? ... The rain makes me feel sad... ...and it made me feel worse... "Manticores were created by Discord? I never knew that..." I overheard my brother talk to himself. I turned to him, and he then turned to me, smiling awkwardly. "Sorry li'l sis... I thought it out loud." I gave him a weak smile. I didn't mean to give him a weak smile, but I hoped he didn't notice. The light from the window would probably cast a shadow around my face, wouldn't it? He went back to reading. He turned a page, and I can see a large image of a Manticore. Hm... Maybe he wasn't really reading all about Changelings yesterday. Maybe it was coincidence that I just saw him reading the page all about Changelings? I haven't really read that book he's reading yet. --- 31 I just inserted my drawings in between two large books here on the second floor when the door suddenly burst open. I quickly turned to the door, and was just in time to see my brother got surprised by the sudden slamming sound. No one was outside... The wind isn't even that strong to do that. The wind couldn't even blow a leaf from the ground with it's current state. The rain already stopped a few minutes ago. My brother went towards the door to close it, I assumed, but after he grabbed the door, he let it go and went outside instead. Something must be outside. I better go down and check it out. ... My brother was outside, and he noticed me coming out, so he moved a few steps to his side for me to walk out of the library. We looked around. ... Nothing out of the ordinary... ... Wait... "Somehow..." I heard my brother. We didn't looked at each other, we just continued scanning the area. "...I feel like...it's too quiet..." He's right. It's too quiet. I noticed a nearby house's window slowly opened, and a young mare shakily waved at me. She's somehow, signalling me to...get back inside. She then quickly closed her window. "I think we better head inside..." But my brother, on the other hoof, started walking away. I turned to him, and he was walking towards a... ...What's a lone Changeling doing there? --- 32 "Oh, you're finally awake." I slowly opened my eyes and saw my brother, smiling at me. "This time, I woke you up." I think he was teasing me, but I didn't bother. I didn't even notice I fell asleep... "Um..." Oh no... "Why are your papers all wet?" Eew... I was drooling while sleeping!? --- 33 I was about to open our home's door when a black pegasus pony landed beside us and started talking to my brother. "Are you Henry?" he asked as soon as he landed. My brother was startled a bit, and so was I. His completely black, aside from his dark gray mane and tail, and green eyes. "C...Cloth? Is that you?" Somehow, my brother knew who this weirdo was, and the pegasus pony nodded. But after he raised his head back again, I noticed, he has a horn as well. Another alicorn pony? Well, alicorns are a rare sight. Maybe it's my lucky day? "Well, if you're a friend of my brother, then you're a friend of mine as well." I happily said, even though he complete ignored me. It was as if I suddenly came into existence when he turned to face me a minute later. "Who's this?" Oh, wow. I just— "Anyway, that's not important." I'm not important!? "Your highness, I need your assistance," he said to my brother... ...his...highness...? I turned to face my brother, and he was completely frozen. I can clearly see his eyes, as if he saw a ghost or something. I faced our visitor. "Cloth, is it?" "I have nothing to discuss with you." He quickly said. Now that's just plain rude! "Let's talk inside..." my brother slowly and suddenly said. From his voice, I can tell, that this will not be good. --- 34 Cloth just finished explaining to my brother that his mother and the rest of her subjects were all in trouble. Something about this Cloth guy and his brother being the only ones managing to escape, but then he got captured, but his young brother rescued him, but then his brother got captured instead. Instead of rescuing him, his brother shouted to finish the mission. Which is why he is here. I didn't understand it. And somehow, it was frustrating to hear. My brother, on the other hoof, absorbed it all... He was looking so sad, and often times looking through the mirror, and then back at the table. The three of us are all seated around my tea table. The sun is setting, and the sky is gloomy, so I had to turn the lights on. We've been sitting here for minutes now. This Cloth guy is just staring at my brother. My brother is looking down on the table. I'm looking at them both. Okay... This is getting us nowhere. "What the hay are we—" "I told you, I have nothing t—" "Cloth, please..." my brother said, "...she's my..." He slowly turned to me. "She's my sister... So please..." Cloth immediately bowed at me. "My sincere apologies, mistress." I'd like to shout at him, but he's very...royal... Oh yeah... I turned to my brother. "Why did he call you 'his highness'...?" He turned away, facing the window. "How should I address you, mistress?" "Um... Daisy..." He's really weird. He bowed again. "Lady Daisy." Eew... "Please, don't add 'lady' on it..." It makes me sound old... "Just, Daisy will do." He bowed again... "As you wish." He then cleared his throat. "Sir Henry here is..." "Cloth..." My brother interrupted him as he quickly turned, facing him. He let out a sigh. "Allow me to explain..." He bowed. "Of course, your highness." "You better explain all of this..." I dared him. He looked at me. Those eyes. Somehow... They made me remember that dream I had... And strangely, he said the very same words. "Daisy..." There... He said my name... He's looking really grim and scared, just like in my dream. He turned to the window. "I've been hiding a secret from you..." Oh no... "A...secret that I'm too scared to tell you..." He stood up, just like in my dream, and he took a few steps away from the table. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to see your face when I'll tell you this..." I tilted my head down, facing the floor... "I'm afraid that you might no longer want to see me..." My eyes are getting teary... "I'm scared that maybe...maybe..." I sniffed... I couldn't believe it... "...maybe...you wouldn't want me to be with you..." He took another deep breath. I'm really hating this... How could he have been lying to me all this time? I slowly looked at him... Even if I already knew what'll happen next... "Your highness..." His four hooves are slowly turning black...pointed...clawed... He waved his head. "She needs to know..." His tail... It suddenly became short and black... His body... His wings... His head... He closed his eyes before slowly turning to face me. I felt a tear ran down my face. I couldn't believe it... I couldn't accept it... But it's true. It's all true... This is all so true... He's a... He's a... He opened his eyes, and his brown eyes glowed with sadness. --- 35 How could I have been so blind? I have been letting a parasite feed on me all this time! I couldn't believe it! Why did I waste all those time on a monster!? --- 36 I slowly woke up from a dreamless sleep... I sniffed the instant I completely woke up. I rose up... Sleeping on a soaked pillow is... ... I went down to the floor... I need some tea... A tear ran down my face. I don't care. I need to set all of these out. ... Twenty-seven minutes after five... ... I never got the chance to teach him how to tell the time... It weirdly gave me a smile. Wait...! I shook my head. Why the hell would I teach a monster that!? I carried the teapot on the table... ... I forgot the cup... I went back to the kitchen... ... Two cups? ... Just one... It's just me now... Alone, as I always was... ... I sat down... I poured some tea. Blew it to cool it a bit... ... I stared at the empty chair in front of me... It's missing somepony... ... No... There's nopony missing. I took a small sip...! Hot! I dropped the cup, spilling the remaining tea on the table. I sighed... Lucky it didn't break... ...strangely...that made me smile... Oh? Leftover bread...? Never mind... It's cold... --- 37 Another gloomy day. I just arrived at the library before the rain started. He was right. The air is getting colder... ... Who's 'he'? I laughed. After I put the lights on, the library seemed so... empty... It always was... But... This time... It's...emptier... Oh, who am I kidding. Any pony can tell that this here library's empty. A knock. Who could it be? I opened the door and saw a little white unicorn wearing a raincoat. She magically removed the water off of her raincoat and poured them out of the door, and then a book floated in front of me. "Thanks for letting me borrow this book." I took it as Little Rarity walked around the library. After I put the book down on the nearest table, I heard her whine. "Aw... Where's Henry?" I turned to her, trying my best to smile. Hopefully, it'll be— "Did something happen?" The smile was fake... Too fake for even this little filly to see through. I sighed. Slowly nodded my head. --- 38 I've been staring at my drawings for a while now... Usually, I tend to draw random stuff. Now... Not even a single dot from my pencil... ... "Even though he doesn't look like your brother..." I suddenly remembered what Rarity said to me earlier today... "...you two really looked like you really cared for each other..." ... "...But I still don't think he's your brother." I slowly smiled. "...I think... He's your very special somepony." Remembering that little filly's childish grin made me smile. That little silly filly... Still too young but thinks like a young adult mare. --- 39 I give up... I couldn't draw something... I decided to clean the books with a duster. Eventually, I saw the book my...that monster was reading... 'Research On Strange Creatures'... Hah! Monsters would have been the right word to use! I took it anyway, and started reading it after I settled on the nearby table. It's still raining outside. Plus, I couldn't bring myself to draw something, so... --- 40 Changelings... This might be interesting... Let's see how many 'love' did that monster took from me. --- 41 Changelings are known to absorb the love of other creatures... ... Changelings helped defeated Discord.... ... Changelings were killed if they get close to other races... ... Fear of death from absorbing their love... ... Don't believe that Changelings are absorbing love, but life itself... ... All but theories... ... Dragons almost annihilated all Changelings... ... Celestia stopped and reasoned with them... ... In the end, Changelings were asked to avoid other races. ... Known to live longer than even dragons... ... Difference in eye color... ... Wait... Eye color? Metamorph took the thrown of the brown-colored Changelings... ... Chrysalis took the thrown of the green-colored Changelings. Green...? --- 42 "Changelings! Run for your lives!" I heard a cry from a distance. Our little town is in flames. Black figures fly around, spitting green slime at ponies and houses. I looked around, too terrified to think of what to do. A black figure spotted me. It gave an evil smile, and spitted at me! "Sister!" --- 43 I suddenly woke up... I'm breathing deep and fast... ... Calm down... Calm down... ... Two thirty in the morning... ... I haven't had that dream ever since— ... Huh? A blue light? ... Oh... The Ocean's Tear... ... Outside, it suddenly flashed white, and faded back to black. A thunder roared soon after... ... That dream... Wasn't really a dream... But a sort of reminder... Reminding me of what happened that day... My brother covered the attack to save me. After that, Princess Celestia arrived... Along with her royal guards... They arrived in the nick of time to save Ponyville, but were too late to save my brother... My brother... How I miss my brother... A thunder roared once again... I lied down on my bed... Hm... Maybe... Maybe it was him that made me feel dizzy that time... When they first arrived... ... Brown-eyes... Different wings... ... A Changeling is a Changeling, no matter what their difference may be! --- 44 It's still raining, but I needed to go to the library. That's my job anyway... Ah! The library. Only a few hooves away. Heh... Who needs a fake-brother-changeling anyway. I have friends. I have the library. ... Oh? Why is Big Mac at the library? And it's raining! He'll get sick! I think he heard me coming. He turned to face me. He usually flashes a nice smile, but... Something must be really bothering him. I invited him inside the library, of course. I quickly went to the second floor to grab a towel. He thanked me as he wiped himself dry. ... Big Mac is a really sweet and hardworking stallion. He's also a few years older than me. I've been having a li'l crush on him for a while now. Luckily, I'm good at hiding lovely feelings...I think... ... Did I just thought the word 'li'l'...? --- 45 I usually start to clean the library the first few hours I get here. But here I am, talking to Big Mac about what's troubling him. He said he's been really missing his li'l...his little sister; Applejack. He said she went to Manehattan the day after the Running of the Leaves. He and Granny Smith has been missing her ever since. ... Then he told me that he came here to try and 'help' me with my problem with my 'brother'... He ran into Rarity yesterday. She told him about me and Henry... He gave me some advice, advice that Granny Smith shared to him as well. There were a lot, but one sentence really...somehow...moved me... "There's nothin' more special than your family"... ...Even if you're not related to them...by blood? ...by specie...? He slowly nodded his head... "...no matter how different they may be..." --- 46 Why did I went at the edge of that forest, anyway? What was I doing there...? I closed the library too early just to answer that stupid question... It's still raining... The wind's so chilly. The usual busy streets of Ponyville is empty. ... Here I am now, at the edge of this forest. I looked back. Even though it's gloomy, I can see Ponyville from here, and further... ...the Everfree Forest... ...or was it Evergreen? Evertree? Whatever... I faced the edge of the forest... ...Somehow... I feel strange here. Why did I came here that day, anyway? --- 47 "What's so important that you dragged us all the way out here, Cheerilee?" I asked after the three of us reached the edge of the forest. "Oh, nothin' really important, girls." She smiled, while Ditzy and I frowned. She turned to face the forest. She took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. "But, doesn't it feel wonderful here?" Ditzy and I looked at each other awkwardly, and then back at our friend. "I don't...get it..." Ditzy started, and I agree with her. "What's so wonderful here?" I slowly asked. She turned to face us, smiling. "Oh, can't you just appreciate nature?" I gave her a lame look. "I work inside a giant tree. I think that's enough appreciation." She laughed. Ditzy still didn't get it. --- 48 This forest is gloomy. Why did I went inside anyway, and why am I still going further inside? ... I hate to admit it... ...but I miss my brother... --- 49 She finally stopped laughing. "You know, Daisy..." She sat down on the soft grass. Ditzy and I did the same. "When we were still kids, your brother and I used to go here." Really? I never knew that. "Just the two of us..." She looked up at the sky. She took a deep breath and sighed. "He asked me to go here. He always said that he loves this place." He does, huh? Somehow, I felt sad... I stared at the grass... He never told me about this place. He never asked me to come here with him. To spend some brother and sister time. "He was a bit sad the first time he took me here..." I lifted my head to face her, and she was already facing me. My brother was sad? Why? "He wanted to show this place to you first, but..." She gave me a pity-smile. "You were too busy in the library almost everyday." ...I guess I am... ...I always work so hard in the library... "Also..." she added, "...I just thought that maybe..." "...this place would cheer you up a bit?" I lost my brother for three years now... I smiled. "Thank you, Cheerilee..." --- 50 It's true... I spend so much time in the library... Maybe to drown all of my frustration, I tend to work hard? Frustration towards my mother... Frustration of losing my brother... ... Oh, a clearing... A mountain's base... Caves on its walls... Caves... Did... Did my brother live in a cave? Here? I walked inside the nearest cave, near a pond. And after I got myself in, the rain started to turn into a storm. ... This cave... Is this the cave where he and his mother used to live? Walking inside this cave... It feels so...lonely... What have I done...? I want to go and look for him, but the storm... The storm is so violent... The wind is whistling so scarily... The trees look like they could be pulled out from the ground. Ah! Lightning! I'm scared... I'm really scared... I don't want to be alone... I want you back... I want my brother back... This is all my fault... ... "I want you back...!" "I don't care if you're a Changeling...!" "...I miss you..." ... Nothing will happen, no matter how hard I try and shout... I lied down near the cave's wall, facing the exit... ... Sniff... ... Another lightning flashed... This time, however, a shadow was casted onto me rather than the light of the lightning. I rose up... And right at the cave's entrance... A black silhouette, and green glowing eyes... "C...Cloth?" Thunder roared... ---------- End of Chapter 2 ----------