//------------------------------// // Comfort // Story: Being Brave Part II // by artman7391 //------------------------------// Cory was found in the guest bedroom on packing his suitcase when Twilight Shining Armor and Cadence entered. All three of them lightly tapped the door to catch his attention. “Cory?” Asked a worried Cadence. “Are you ok?” Cory just looked at them Blankly and the next moment continued unpacking. “If there something you need to discuss we’d be happy to talk about it.” Twilight suggested. “Everything is fine.” Cory replied. Nothing is wrong, go back to doing...” “Cory, it’s all right to be mad at your parents.” Said Shining Armor. “You have the right to be.” “Mad?” asked Cory. “Why should I be mad? I’m happy. I’ve never been more happy in all my life. You’re the one who should be banned for having me spoil your night. Please go back downstairs, I need to think this out myself.” “Cory, we know something is on your mind. That would probably know what it is. So please just let it out.” Said Cadence. “Please don’t worry about me. You all have great lives.” Cory said. “I mean look at yourselves: Two princesses and a captain of the Royal guard from one Twilight told me. What have I got. Nothing. I have no family, no friends, no home, only some tattered clothes and the skin off my back.” “Kid,” said Shining Armor. “We understand... “NO YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!!” Cory shouted. “So why even bother coming up here?” “We’re just trying to help you” Said Twilight. “There’s no need for you to let out your anger on us.” “Well you know what it doesn’t matter.” Cory continued. “I have a great life right now. I have a home, I have a job, I have friends, and an amazing teacher. What more could I ask for? I just wish I didn’t waste my time holding onto this stupid drawing I have.“ He grabbed into his pocket and took out a crumpled up piece of paper. Twilight unfolded it with her magic that’s her brother and sister-in-law took a look at it. It was a small drawing of what looked like two humanoid creature was caressing a smaller, younger thank you. Almost like two parents hugging their child. “I drew that on the day my parents abandoned me.” Said Cory. “It was to thank them for taking me on a trip. Boy what a fool I was that day. I should’ve just torn it up to pieces long ago.” The three ponies just looked at the sample but heartwarming drawing as tears started to go down their eyes. “I did plenty fine without those deadbeats.” Cory continued.“I learned to walk without them, I learned to speak without them, I learned how to dress, tie my shoes, make friends, make art, I had four great birthday parties and mom never even bothered to send a card. FUCK THAT BITCH!!!!” “Cory!” Said Twilight. “Watch your language.” “I don’t need them now and I don’t need them ever.” Said Cory, after which he continued to unpack. The three ponies just looked at him with the most concerning of faces. After a few moments, cadence try to walk over to him and place her hoof On his shoulder, to which he nudged away. “Cory...” Said Cadence “You know what it doesn’t matter.“ Cory said bluntly. “Because now I have the best teacher anyone could ask for right in front of me. And she has helped me in more ways than one. And that goes the same for her friends. Thanks to them I’m going to pass that stupid exam that I wasn’t able to finish.” “What exam?” Asked Shining Armor. “When I was in my world, every year, we had this special exam that would determine which school we could choose to go to. If we passed, We would get to go to whatever school we wanted to. But if we failed we had to stay. I wanted so badly to get out of that horrible Academy, I didn’t care which school It was as long as it wasn’t that one. So me and my friends studied our butts off to pass that exam, hoping there would be more to our lives then Stiffson academy.” “On the day of the tests, we buckled down and answered every question as fast as we could. But there was this one question that just stumped us. Tried as we might, we just couldn't figure it out. And just when we thought we knew the answer, the test was over. We were once again doomed to stay put in Stiffson. And with my friends now gone, where was I to go to get confidence? But not this time." "Now I have a new lease on life. I have a great home, a great teacher, and though I might never see my old friends again, I got great new ones, and they're gonna make sure I pass that test!! I'm gonna go to a new and better school get a job, save up my money, go to college and get an amazing degree!! What's more, I might even find a beautiful wife, have some healthy kids and start a family of my own!! And I'll be a better parent than mine ever were!! Because there aint a damn thing those two deadbeats can tell me to let me know that I'm worth something!!!!!!" With that final word, tears started to fall down Cory's angry eyes. He sat on the bed, bowed his head in shame, and started to quietly weep with his hands covering his face. A minute or two later, a hoof gently lifted his head up to reveal Cadence, who was giving him now a mother look of affection. "Why did they hate me Cadence?" He asked pitifully. "Why did they?" In an instant, he wrapped his arms around Cadence as Shining armor and Twilight soon joined in. "Shhhh. It's Ok Cory." Said Cadence. "Just let it out. Let it all out." And for the next few minutes, he did. Soon after, the four of them walked back downstairs to gobble down on dessert. “ Sorry about losing my cool back there.” Cory said solemnly. “There is no need to be.” Cadence replied. “You had the full right to let out your emotions.” “Yeah.” Shining Armor added as he gave him a little noogie. “For a kid, you are one tough champ.” “I couldn’t agree more.” Twilight added affectionately. “Let’s go downstairs. Are your mom and dad are very nice to Paris delicious hearts warming treat.” And with that, the four of them trotted down stairs. As the night went on, and Luna raised the Moon, Everyone was getting ready for bed. Twilight was found in her old childhood room, unpacking her suitcase. It was at that moment Cory tapped on her door. “No need to be shy Cory.” Said Twilight. “Come right in.” “I just wanted to explain a little bit further about you being a great teacher and all.” Said Cory. "What do you mean?" Asked Twilight. "Twilight, You have been so much more than a teacher to me. In fact, you and your whole friends and family have been more than that. In fact, you practically all saved my life. I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't stumbled into your world. I probably would have ended up in some juvenile hall with a noose tied to my neck." "Wow, thats..." Twilight tried to think of the right words to say. "That is one of the deepest comments anyone ever told me." Twilight offered Cory a place on the bed as the two of them sat down on the edge. "You know," Twilight continued. "Sometimes when I felt sad or insecure, mom would let me rub her tail. Would you like to Cory?" "I wish I had a nickel for every time I saw little kids doing that with their toys." Said Cory, to which Twilight made a look of confusion. "Never Mind. Sure I'd love to." Cory then proceeded to gently squeeze on Twilight's tail and stroke it up and down. It felt soft and silky to the touch. "Hey Cory." Said Twilight. "Did you really mean that, what you just said?" "Of course I did." Cory replied. "I have such a deep regard for you guys. In fact, I'd like to go deeper than that. I really, really like you guys. Aside from my old friends, you are the closest I ever had to a family. I know you might think I'm blowing this out of proportion...but...I love you. I love you the same way a child would love his parents. I really, really, love you. I'm not afraid to say that." The two of them looked each other in the same way a mother would look at her son. And then, after a few moments... "Well..In that case..." Twilight said softly, to which she wrapped her hooves around his back. "I love you too Cory." After a big hug and a kiss on Cory's forehead, the two headed to their separate bedrooms and hunkered down to a good night's sleep.