//------------------------------//
// Chapter 05 - The Heart of Midnight 
// Story: The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria 
// by destinedjagold 
//------------------------------//





Chapter 5 - The Heart of Midnight

----------
1. Puppeteer
----------

Henry Hoof, a brown-eyed changeling, has woken up from a weird dream.
He found himself lying down on a wide blue chair of the train's private rooms.
Slowly rising into a sitting position, he stared at the table right in front of the wide chair where his hat, his glasses and his sidebag rested.
He looked at the wide glass window. The dark sky is slowly greeting a pale blue light of the morning.
The land however, was still blanketed by the evening darkness.

He had dreamed, for the first time in a long time.
The last time he had a dream was when he fed on his sister's emotion of love.
Her love for books made him love books as well.

Now though, he didn't understand the things he saw in his dream.

...

Now that he thought about it, he thinks he now knows what it meant.

A gray, lifeless and wooden pony lied on the darkness on its belly, all hooves spread apart.
Suddenly, a giant gray hoof appeared above the wooden pony.
The giant hoof held a number of strings which were attached to different parts of the wooden pony.

The giant hoof moved slightly upward, and the wooden pony stood up.
Then, the giant hoof started moving and shaking, while the wooden pony started dancing in place.

A puppet and a puppeteer...
That was what he saw in his dream.

Was that supposed to be a dream about the gray unicorn's ability?
It was most likely.
It was probably the unicorn's talent; to make other ponies become his puppet.
And Henry became the puppeteer's little puppet.

Wait...
Henry acquired his sister's love for books after he fed on her...
Her way of drawing the characters, noting their roles, summarizing the story...
...Henry acquired his sister's ability to write a story.

...did Henry also acquired the unicorn's ability to turn ponies into his puppets?

Henry took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.
Not only that he broke his promise not to leech other's life, but now he probably acquired a very scary ability.
Wait, no. That ability will come in handy when, if fate decides, he'll come face to face with Chrysalis once again.

He smiled. That witch better watch out.

A sudden knock on his room's door startled him.
He quickly disguised himself before the door suddenly burst open.
A dark-blue teenaged unicorn stallion quickly went inside the room and immediately shut the door closed with his magic.

"Quick!" the stallion quickly said to the surprised green alicorn.
"Hide me! I'll explain later!"

"And..." Henry slowly said after he recovered himself a bit.
"...why would I do that?"

The unicorn was about to reply when they heard somepony was knocking on the door.

"Come in."
Henry said loudly, so whoever was on the other side would hear him.

The unicorn gasped. A sweat dropped from his head down to his neck. Fear was completely visible in his face.
Suddenly, he felt the air slightly ran pass from above.

The door then opened, revealing the train's middle-aged earth pony conductor.
The conductor saw their passenger, smiling at him.
He lifted his hat as a gesture of greeting the green alicorn.

"Good morning sir," greeted the conductor.
"Sorry to be disturbing you this early."

Henry simply smiled while his horn was glowing brown, in front of him was his ticket, enveloped in brown magic.
He hovered it towards the conductor, for him to stamp it.
Afterwards, Henry hovered the ticket back to him as the conductor lifted his hat once again.

"Thank you sir. We'll be arriving in Talon Valley in less than two hours."

"Thank you."
Henry replied, and then the conductor closed the door and slowly went to the other rooms.

Henry then angrily tilted his head up to the room's ceiling where he's using his magic to stick the unicorn up there.
The unicorn however, simply stared back at him with a merciful smile.

Henry sighed as he slowly hovered the unicorn down on the other seat in front of him.

"Thanks," the unicorn said as he landed on the chair.
"Name's Midnight, by the way."
He then sat down and used his magic to lift a book from his saddlebag.
He opened the book to a page and started reading it with a smile, ignoring the angry stare from the alicorn.

"Mind telling me why you're here?"
Henry asked, staring angrily at the unicorn, who's black coat is starting to reveal its dark blue color from the soft rays of the rising sun.

"Oh, no reason."
The unicorn replied without removing his eyes from the book.

The alicorn however, arched an eyebrow.
"Riiiggghhhttt..."

He noticed the unicorn didn't have a cutie mark yet.
Well, maybe he'll get himself a 'stowaway' cutie mark if he keeps this up.

---

The train has arrived in a flat grassy field, where a number of wooden houses stood near the station for ponies.
Henry and Midnight stepped out of the train's door and were immediately greeted by the cool fresh air of the valley.
Tall and flat mountain sides on the east and west, where the griffins build their homes.
Outside the small town was the field.
The fields, full of three-meter grass and a number of tall trees, has given way to a grassy pathway leading north.
The sky was perfectly blue, where thin clouds roll by. A number of griffins may be spotted flying around.

While Midnight fed his eyes with nature's art, Henry locked his sight on the far north, where the valley's two mountain sides meet, where the ancient castle of the griffins still stand.
Beyond the castle, above the cliff on the north, was the frozen desert of snow and ice, under the thick and gloomy clouds.

Midnight couldn't believe how beautiful this place is.
Unlike the dusty and dying city of Manehattan.

They both started walking towards town.

---

Henry and Midnight went inside the local restaurant.
The wooden establishment looked like one of those western bars, except here, they serve food and not liquior.
They sat down on the chairs near the counter and made their order.

"You're going to pay for those, aren't you?"
Henry asked after Midnight got his hayfries.

Midnight just started eating, eating like doomsday's around the corner, and simply ignored the alicorn's question.
Henry sighed as he received a loaf of Daisy Bread.

As Henry started eating, Midnight choked and immediately asked for a glass of water.
Henry simply ignored him.

---

The green alicorn walked out of the restaurant alone. Midnight had to use the colt's room.
This little pony town is peaceful and quiet.
Not much ponies wandering around. Maybe because it was still early in the morning.
There are also some griffins walking around, while some are talking to ponies.

He went under the tree beside the restaurant, and as soon as he got there, a yellow bird landed on one of the tree's branches.

Henry wondered if...
No... He shouldn't try...
Maybe just a bit?
No. But...

Locking his gaze on the innocently chirping bird, he concentrated his magic around it.
Usually, when he wants to lock something within his magic grip, brown magic will envelop them, just like how he lifted Midnight to the ceiling in the train.
Now, he finds it weird. He couldn't see his brown magic around the bird.

Wait...
Why is the bird just standing there? Not moving, not chirping.
Also... A weird sensation.
He can, somehow, feel the bird inside his mind.

Raise right wing...
The bird raised it's yellow right wing.

Henry gasped, losing his focus.
The yellow bird rapidly shook its head and afterwards, it flew away.

"Hello!"
Midnight shouted as he reached him.

Henry shook his head a bit before he turned to face him.
Midnight however, noticed a hint of fear on the alicorn's face.
"Hey, wazzup? Somtin' wrong?"

"Yes," Henry sighed to calm himself.
It did the trick.
He then looked at the unicorn with an annoyed look.
"...you."

Midnight blinked twice.
"Me? What did I do?"

"Why are you following me, anyway?"

"Oh! That?"
Midnight then smiled.
"Just 'cuz!"
But he immediately dropped himself to the ground, his two front hooves grabbing one of the startled alicorn's hoof.
"Please let me come with you!"
He begged, his voice loud enough to put every ponies' and griffins' eyes on them.

Henry tried removing his hoof from the begging unicorn's hold, but he couldn't.
He looked around, and they definitely have created a scene for ponies and griffins to stare at.
He looked down at the unicorn in anger.

"Stop this!" Henry hissed.
"You're making a scene!"

"PLEASE! LET ME COME WITH YOU!"

Henry immediately used his magic to lift the unicorn, but he still couldn't pull him off of his hoof, no matter how hard he tried pulling him away with his magic.
The unicorn was actually crying. Tears were flowing down his face.

"Okay, okay..."
Henry finally said in defeat as he puts the unicorn down on the ground.

Midnight however, quickly leaped back into his hooves, a very wide smile flashed on his face, and tears already gone.
"Thank you! Oh, thank you!"

Henry was startled, taking a step back by reflex.
Midnight then levitated his book and opened it to the page where he's currently reading.
Henry sadly sighed.

'Nothing like the good ol' begging plus some fake tears approach. Hahah.'
Midnight cheerfully thought to himself.

----------
2. Griselda
----------

Henry and Midnight finally reached the ancient castle of the griffins.
It took them two hours to reach the castle from the small town.

Normally, they would get tired, but they kept theirselves busy.
Henry led the way, with his notebook and quill in his magical grasp, he took down some notes of the magnificent valley.
Midnight tailed behind, busy reading the book has he levitated it in front of him with his magical grip.

Henry would be irritated by the summer heat, but the fresh cool air was blowing nonstop, tall grasses and leaves of trees danced with the wind. It was as if the sun's only purpose was to shed light. The sun's heat could no longer reach the alicorn's senses.

The journey was quiet, except for some questions by Midnight about the story.
Henry just answered, though he couldn't answer one question about one scene in the story.

"How the hay did Daring gather so much force from a limited turn of her head to throw her hat, for it to actually bounce wall to wall to push the lever?"

Henry couldn't answer that.
He just followed his sister's notes.
Oh, so now he's blaming his sister... Henry apologized to her mentally.

Midnight already finished the story, and he admitted to the alicorn that it was a really good story.
Henry wasn't sure if the unicorn was praising his work, or was just simply saying that so he could still tail him around whereever he goes. He's betting on the latter.
Midnight decided to read the story again.

Now, they stood before the huge and old castle of the griffins.
Their eyes went wide from amazement, mouth left wide open.

The castle, built from whitish-gray clay, proudly standing up against nature for all these centuries.
Griffins are still homed here.

"Whoa..." Midnight slowly said.
"Okay, that there is amazing." Midnight admitted after regaining himself.
"But how the hay are we getting up there?"

The castle is built on the flat vertical surface on the cliff.
According to the book, the height from the ground to the castle was more or less five hundred feet.

Both looked at each other. Henry however, smiled slyly as he spread out his wings.
Midnight replied with an annoyed look.

"You aren't leaving me here, are you?"

Henry wanted to, but he decided to play.
He brought his hoof to his chin, pretending to think.
A grin grew on him as he slowly returned his gaze at the confused unicorn.

"Sling shot..." he slowly said.

Midnight was surprised.
"W-what!? You're not serious!"

Henry sarcastically sighed in defeat.
"Well, you'll be staying here then."

"No, wait," he began.
He then took a deep breath, returned the book in his saddlebag, and exhaled, looking serious and confident.
"Let's do it."

It was Henry's turn to be surprised.
"You're not serious."

Midnight however, grinned as he nodded his head.
Henry then looked high up to the castle.
Midnight did the same.
Oh boy...

"Well," Henry smiled, "it might work, but what then if we decide to go down?"

"Er..."
Midnight's confidence went down the drain.
'Pony pancake,' he thought.
A cold shiver ran down to his spine.

Up above, a quietly gliding griffin spotted them down below.
After noticing that no griffins wanted to go down from their morning flight to greet the visitors, she slowly worked her way down towards them.

The two ponies stopped their little argument after a shadow passed them from above.
They looked up and saw a griffin, larger than an adult stallion, was flying down towards them.

"Good morning, ponies!"
She greeted them as she rapidly flapped her wings to avoid crashing down on the ground.
Landing in front of them, she then shook herself from head to tail, stretched herself, and then faced them.
"So," the young griffin said, "you boys wanna head to the castle?"

Both ponies smiled. Midnight however, smiled wider.
No idea why, but he finds her hot.

"With you babe, I'll let you take me anywhere."
Midnight said as he bowed. Henry rolled his eyes.

The griffin chuckled.
"Ooh, we have a sweet-talker."
She then went towards the unicorn, examining his shape as she intentionally-accidentally rubbed her folded wing against his coat, her swinging tail accidentally went to his face.
Turning from his behind to his other side, slowly walking until their eyes meet.
"I can go out with a pony like you anytime."
She said with a sly smile as she walked back in front of the two ponies.

Henry just shook his head from the lame scene as he took a note of it.
Maybe one day, he can apply that to a colt in his book, trying to seduce Daring Do.

"Name's Griselda, by the way." She winked at the unicorn.

"Midnight..."

Henry needed to finish rolling his eyes first.
"Henry..."

Taking this opportunity, he spreads his wings and takes flight to the castle.
He hoped that neither of them will notice him.
Unfortunately, even though he was under an unknown spell, Midnight still snapped himself back as soon as Henry took flight.

"H-hey! Wait!"

But the alicorn ignored him.

Midnight then suddenly felt two strong talons wrapped around his chest, and with one strong wing flap, the griffin lifted both of them in the air.

"Whoa!" The only word Midnight managed to say from the suddeness of the event.
Strangely, he's feeling sick all over, and couldn't stop himself from shaking.

The griffin laughed.
"Aw, don't tell me you're afraid of heights..."
She said, pretending to be hurt.

"N-no, of course not..."
Midnight replied, trying to sound cool, but he quickly needed to bring his hoof on his mouth to stop himself from throwing his breakfast.

Griselda simply laughed at him.

Finally reaching the castle, Griselda gently puts the weak unicorn down on the castle's solid ground.
Midnight simply lied there, feeling woozy.
She landed beside him, and quickly looked inside the castle.

"Looks like your friend went ahead." She said after failing to spot the green pony.

Midnight, after pulling himself back a bit, slowly went back to his hooves.
He rubbed his head. "Ow... Never knew I was scared of heights..." He whispered.

"Aw... Don't worry," she gently patted his nape.
"you'll get used to it." she winked.

Whoa, is she serious?
Midnight was just playing around.
He's not actually trying to win her.
Or maybe she's just playing along.

Midnight gave a weak smile.
That's the only smile he could put up from all the wooziness.

The griffin offers to give him the grand tour, and Midnight gladly accepts.

---

Long ago, during the ancient pony wars, the griffins waved to be sparred from the chaos the war has brought to the land of Equestria.
The griffins, despite their fierce and warrior-like nature, have stayed out of the war, until the pegasus ponies started to attack their kingdom.
Defenseless, they quickly fell. Many lives were lost.

Fleeing, the remaining griffins were allowed to stay and rest in the earth pony kingdom.

The griffins want to take their kingdom back, and decided to be allies with the earth ponies.

The earth ponies, unicorn ponies, and griffins.
The three races went to war against the pegasus kingdom in the heavens, and eventually won.

---

Griselda and Midnight finished reading the encrypted texts on the castle's main hall under the large engraved images of the historical events.

Midnight blinked before he turned to the griffin, who looked back at him with a smile.

"So..."
Midnight gulped.
"You're not planning on ambushing me and rip me apart, right?"

Griselda became confused.
"Why would I do that?"
And then she smiled.
"Ambush you, I might. But rip you apart?"
She leaned forward, her beak near his ear.
"If you'll break my heart, then it's a deal," she whispered.

Midnight laughed weakly.

The main hall is a spacious area. Walls made out of grayish-white clay, is now homed by a number of griffin families who built their little houses made out of wood.
The castle is considered to be the main capital of the griffins settlement in Talon Valley.
The area where the royal seats used to be is now having a small wooden house, usually homed by the leader of the griffins.
The castle has other platforms high above, yet the only way of accessing them is through flight or climbing the wall with sharp talons.

Midnight is into the adventure thing, but he lacks the attitude of exploring places.
He wants to go to places, but he doesn't like to explore what is in that certain place.
So, Midnight didn't bother to see what was on the other platforms.

Griselda then introduced him to the leader of the griffins, Grievald.
Grievald, unlike the golden-brown griffins, his feathers are brownish-red in color, and of course, much bigger.

"Griselda," said the red griffin, his voice dark, calm, and a bit rusty.
"back so soon, child?"
He then took his gaze to the dark-blue unicorn beside the young griffin.
"Ah! You must be with that green pony."

Midnight nodded nervously.
The griffin's beak is big enough to snap the unicorn's head off of him.
Those talons could even do the very same thing.

"Dad, this is Midnight."
Griselda announced.
"My boyfriend."

The red griffin gave the unicorn an arched eyebrow.
Griselda's dad is this red large griffin?
Midnight is now feeling more nervous.

Griselda nudge the terrified unicorn.
"Hey, I was kidding," she laughed.
"no need to be petrified!"

Midnight laughed weakly and nervously.

Feeling that the unicorn's not convinced, she gave him a friendly punch on his cheek.
"Hey, I'm serious! Don't worry!"

Midnight looked at her, carrying a very readable question on his face.

"Hey, relax!" She smiled.
"I'm engaged, silly!"

She has no idea how relieved Midnight felt after hearing that.
He couldn't imagine dating a griffin. Well, in all honesty, he could...
But... Yes, Griselda's looking charming, but she was not the right mare---or griffin.
Yes, he knows he's flirty, but he prefers to listen to his heart when choosing for the right mare for him to love.
Until that day comes, he's enjoying himself with flirting mares.

His brother didn't like him flirting mares for fun however...
His brother...

"Aw..."
Griselda said, catching the unicorn's attention.
"Don't worry, I'm sure there will be somepony out there for you."
And she finished it with a wink.

Midnight could only smile at her.
"T-thanks, I guess?"

The red griffin closed his eyes as he held a smile.
His daughter's been treating pony guests like this for a long while now.

----------
3. Griffins: Helios and Pyrois
----------

"So, you're engaged with Griselda?"
Henry asked as he and a griffin flew towards the last platform on the top of the castle.

When he came inside the castle, the griffin welcomed him.

"Yes, and I couldn't be any happier."
The griffin replied.

"Ooookkkaaayyy... That stupid unicorn might need that information."

"She's flirting ponies again?"
The griffin chuckled.
"Don't worry. She does that all the time."

Henry looked at the griffin with a confused look.
"And...you're okay with it?"

The griffin simply smiled.
"She doesn't mean it. She may look that way, but she's still young at heart."

While the griffin was guiding the alicorn around, Henry somehow managed to ask about the red griffin.
Eventually, their little chat reached to the point where he and Griselda were childhood friends and rivals.

When they were young, they both tried their best to outshine the other.
Over the years, they soon fell with each other.
At first, they were not willing to admit their feelings to each other.
They were, in fact, rivals.

"I'm quite interested to know how you discovered each other's feelings."
Henry said as soon as they landed on the platform.
"If it's okay with you, Griever."

Griever smiled awkwardly as he scratched his head.
"Well... We were having a race, and I was winning, but..."
He took a deep breath.

...

I slowed my speed for her to catch up.
And after we reached the finish line, we were panting for breath.
We smiled at each other.
And, that's how I confess to her about what I feel towards her.
I cursed to myself during that time.
She might use it to beat me in our next match but...
...she told me she felt the same.

...

Henry flashed a smile as he stared at the ceiling as he took some notes.
He's not writing about the ceiling, but the story of Griever and Griselda.

"You won't mind if I'll take your story as part of my book, right?"

Griever simply shook his head.
"I don't mind."

---

The brownish-red griffin came out of his home and went towards his daughter and the dark-blue unicorn.
He was carrying something on his right front foot.

After reaching the two, the red griffin showed them the item.
A bright-yellow feather, shining under the sun's rays.

Two newcomers landed near them; a griffin and a green pony.

"This is the Golden Wing."
The red griffin explained to them while Henry was busy jotting notes.
"This was from our ancestor, from the griffin leader who helped in the war to defeat the pegasi."

"Whoa, so the griffin was a made of gold!?"
Midnight gasped, only to receive four 'what the hay' looks.

The red griffin coughed to clear his throat.
"Anyway, as ruler of the griffins, it is my duty to protect this ancient treasure."
He extends his foot to the alicorn.

Henry was able to have a good look at it.
Levitating it with his magic, he scanned the feather.
Each strand of the magnificent feather was noticable.
He took a few notes.

"Hope you don't mind me asking..."
Midnight said, catching the griffins' attention.
"...but, what's so important about one single feather?"
He stared at each of the griffins.
"I mean, sure, it's from a griffin from ancient times, but why the need to protect it?"

"Helios," Griever said, "was the only known griffin that can use magic."

The red griffin nodded.
"We believe that his golden feather might hold some of his power."

"But, does it?"
Midnight asked.
A griffin that could use magic. Now that's something.

The red griffin nodded once more.
"Indeed it does. Only griffins are able to use it."

"Griffins from other parts of Equestria are after this feather."
Griselda added.
"That's why we are protecting it."

Henry hovered the feather in front of the red griffin.
The griffin took the feather.

"I have read about Helios in the books."
Henry said, all attention was on him now.
"Helios can use magic, but he only focused on fire magic."
The red griffin nodded.
"It gave him the title, 'The Fire-Breathing Griffin', and 'The Dragon', during those times."

The red griffin smiled.
"You know a lot. Knowledge is indeed a wonderful gift."

Henry smiled back.
"Helios was able to use the magic of the Elements of Balance. How he did it was not known."

"We do not know as well."
The red griffin said as he slowly shook his head.
"But it greatly aided him during the war."

"So..."
Midnight slowly said.
"Griffins are the only ones that can use it?"
The griffins nodded their heads.
Midnight smiled.
"Could you give us a demonstration?"

"Predictable..."
Griselda smiled.
"All tourists says the same."
She laughed a bit.

The red griffin stuck the feather on his neck ,and then opened his clawed hand, his palm facing to the heavens.
Suddenly, fire was burning above the griffin's palm.
The two ponies were amazed as Henry took a few notes.
They never knew it was possible for griffins to use magic.

"After the war..." the red griffin slowly said, staring at the fire he summoned.
The fire became bigger, and suddenly took shape of a griffin, flapping its wings.
"...Helios and the other griffins worked hard to rebuild the kingdom."

The griffin became a fire again, and then it turned into a burning kingdom.
"...but after a few years of peace, Helios died and the kingdom went into chaos."

The fire took the shape of a feather.
"...and instead of burying his body, the griffins greedly took his feathers..."

The fire showed them a number of griffins fighting against each other.
"...griffins battled against each other, bearing with them the thought that whoever will stand victorious will become their next ruler..."

The fire then showed them an image of a griffin.
"Pyrois, grandchild of Helios, has acquired his grandfather's feather from his father. Instead of using the magic against his fellow griffins, he followed his father's failed attempt to use it to try and save their tainted hearts."

The fire then turned into four stones of different shapes.
"But the magic of the feather was not enough. Pyrois learned about the Elements of Balance, and used them to restore the griffins' hearts."

The fire then turned into a feiry feather.
"After the griffins realized their mistake, the feathers they held burned into ashes, much like how the greed in their hearts turned to ashes..."

The fire then turned into a shape of a burning heart.
Henry smiled. It made him remember Ember and Flame...
"The griffins believed that Helios' feathers can connect with the strongest emotion in the weilder's heart. That time, greed of power consumed their hearts, but after those emotions disappeared, so were the feathers."

The flame turned into a feather once again.
"Now, only one feather remained. Helios' and Pyrois' feather..."

And the flame burned brightly before it disappeared in thin air.
The red griffin shook his foot to ease the numbness growing on his foot.

"So..."
Midnight broke the momentary silence.
"...what are the Elements of Balance...?"

But none gave him an answer.

The red griffin coughed to clear his throat.
"Child, some things are better left hidden and unknown."
He stared at the castle's entrance.
"The world is a wonderful place, yet it is also full of mystery."
He returned his gaze at the unicorn.
"If all creatures in this world know everything, would the next morning still give us a reason to look forward to?"

Midnight absolutely has no idea what the red griffin was trying to say.
But Henry figured it out, and he smiled. He agrees.
There are a lot of things around the world, waiting to be discovered.

"Wait..."
Midnight said, his face still full of confusion.
"...you said Pyrois restored the griffins' hearts. And earlier, you said you are protecting the feather from other griffins..."

The red griffin smiled. He thought wrong about the unicorn.
He actually pays attention.
"Indeed, I said those. Unfortunately, the heart and mind are vulnerable to change."

---

The heart and mind are vulnerable to change.
Those words echoed in the unicorn's head.
Even after they left the castle, and were now walking back to the small town, he still couldn't figure out why those words are in his head.
Maybe there's some hidden message behind those set of words that he needs to figure out?

"What's troubling you?"
Asked the green alicorn who was walking beside him.

After they left the castle, Henry enjoyed the cool air that greeted him again.
Being inside the castle, and learning about the griffins made him forget about the soothing air in the valley.

Midnight simply shook his head.
"I dunno... That red griffin is really stressing my brain..."
He sighed.

Henry has no idea what he meant.
After their little history talk, Henry gave them a few Bits as a 'thank you' gift.

Maybe he could think of something to try and cheer the unicorn up?
...he has no idea about this unicorn's past.

Asking him about it might not be the right time.
The unicorn is really looking confused.

"Hey," he got the unicorn's attention.
The town was only a few more hooves away.
"maybe some hayfries will cheer you up?"

And it did.

----------
4. Uncertainty
----------

The two ponies are on their way to PonyVille.
This time, Midnight proudly took a hold of his ticket.
He's no longer a stowaway.

Such small things do mean a lot to other ponies, Henry thought.

They are both seated in the coach car.
They're the only ones in that coach car.
Midnight was beside the glass window, busy feeding his eyes with the beautiful green forested hills and magnificent green mountains from afar.

It will take them a day to reach PonyVille.
So, Henry will have a lot of time to get to know this unicorn.

The train will make its first stop in Manehattan.
Both ponies didn't like that.
Henry will only remember the event that happened to him.
Midnight will only remember his friends that risked their lives there, and his brother.

His brother...
Whatever happened to him?
The police ponies didn't find his body.
Did The Boss...took care of him?

"So," the alicorn started, facing the unicorn.
Midnight turned to face him with a weak smile.
"tell me about yourself."

The unicorn's smile faded into his confused face.
"Why?"

"Of course..." Henry sighed.
"If you want to follow me around, at least let me know a few things about you."

Midnight simply blinked.
He's not sure if telling him about himself will satisfy him.

"I still don't know you, to be completely honest."

"I don't know you that much as well..."
The unicorn fired back.

Henry didn't like where this is going.
"If you'll stay being difficult, then I'm dropping you off of this train."

Midnight however, simply smiled, and then he returned his gaze at the scenery through the window.
"Nah, you won't do that."

That's it.
This unicorn simply knows nothing about respect.
A sudden thought rang in his mind.

Puppeteer...

He shook his head to dismiss the scary idea.
He needs to think of something.

...open the window and hang him there 'till he talks?
...levitate him up-side-down until his head turns red?
...won't let him eat hayfries ever again?
...tickle him to death?

Henry sighed in defeat.
But then an idea. Small things mean a lot to some ponies, huh?
He grinned as he focused his magic, opening Midnight's saddlebag.

The unicorn felt his saddlebag being opened.
He turned, only to witness his ticket levitated away from him to the green alicorn.
"Hey!" he yelled, "Give that back!"

Henry however, gave him a sly smile, as he focused his magic around the unicorn, disabling him from reaching the ticket.

"So you wanna play rough, huh?"
Midnight used his magic to try and take the alicorn's ticket.
Henry allowed him to open his sidebag, levitated his ticket, and hover it to...

Henry's ticket was now enveloped with brown magic, disabling Midnight's magic from taking control over it with his magic.
"H-how'd you do that?" He asked, startled.

Henry however, arched an eyebrow.
"Magic, obviously..."

"I know but... three objects at once?"

Henry cannot see what is the big deal is all about.
Little Rarity could lift a piece of clothing, needle, string, buttons, and all other things for her fashion projects.

"Seriously, how do you do it?"
Midnight was looking really confused and eager to know.
"I know you can lift a lot of stuff, but only if they're related to your special talent..."

"Really?"
Henry never knew that.
But of course, he's not a pony, so he's not limited from using his magic only for special talents.

Taking advantage of Henry's sudden deep in thought moments, Midnight used his magic to get both tickets in his magic grip, which he finally did and now, he quickly levitated both to him.

"Ha! Now I have both tickets hostage!"

Henry simply gave him a bored look as he easily overtook the unicorn's magic grip with his own magic, and easily took the tickets back to him.
Henry sighed as he levitated the unicorn's ticket back to him.
After the unicorn got his magic grip on it, the alicorn removed his magic grip on the ticket and on the unicorn.

"Fine. If you do not wish to talk, then I won't let you."
Henry then returned his ticket inside his sidebag.

Midnight did the same and quietly returned his gaze on the scenery outside the window.
Henry hovered his notebook in front of him and started reading his notes.

"Hey..." Midnight quietly said, making the alicorn look at him.
Midnight opened his mouth, but hesitated to talk.
After a few seconds, he shook his head.
"...s-sorry...nevermind..."

Midnight is still a complete stranger to the alicorn.
The only thing he knows about him, is that he's probably from Manehattan.
That, and some other things, like, he loves hayfries, he's afraid of heights, he loves the Daring Do book, and he's willing to follow the alicorn around.

He left him be as he continued to read his notes.

Midnight was staring blankly at the window.
A lot of things are running wild inside his mind.
Henry asked him to tell him about himself.
Midnight however, has no idea where to start.
He's also not sure if telling him about himself is a good idea.

Most of his life were about struggle.
He never enjoyed his childhood.
And it felt like he grew up fast, and broken.

He let out a heavy and frustrated sigh.

What about his brother?
Is he still alive?
If he is, is he still looking for him?
Will he look for him as well?

What if he's gone?
Looking for him would be all for nothing, then?

Daybreak...
"Whatever happened to you?"
Midnight lowly whispered.

Henry heard him, but didn't bother to ask.
Whatever he was thinking, it's not a good idea to ask, not at this moment.

---

The sun was already starting to set when the conductor left them after he stamped their tickets.
The train's first stop, Manehattan, will be an hour.

Midnight was slowly eating some of his hayfries, still locking his gaze on the scenery.
Henry wasn't feeling hungry, so he still kept himself busy by reading some of his notes, and writing down a few more things on his notebook.

"Hey..."
Henry turned to the lonely unicorn.
Midnight was still staring through the window, with the occasional movement of his hoof, from grabbing some hayfries to his mouth.
"What is PonyVille like?"
The unicorn asked, his voice a clear mixture of sadness and worry.

"Hm..."
Henry thought for a moment.
"Well, it's like that small town near the station, only with more colorful buildings and more ponies walking around, and no griffins."
He forgot about the wind, but oh well.

And it was quiet once again.
Henry went back to his notebook.

PonyVille is like that small town.
Green, fresh, peaceful...
Midnight might like that town.
But will he be staying there?

"The library has a spare room."
Henry slowly said. Midnight turned to him.
"You can stay there if you want."

What the hay is Henry thinking?
Giving the stranger a room to stay?
Henry shook his head a bit as soon as Midnight returned his gaze back to the scenery.

"T-thanks..."
Midnight slowly said, making the alicorn look at him.
Midnight didn't bother looking at the alicorn.
"I...I guess I could use a change of scenery..."
He flashed a small smile.
"I mean... Manehattan is my home, but..."
He trailed off, his smile evaporated.

Henry was slowly getting into the unicorn.
It'll be soon when the unicorn will start to talk about himself more.
Henry smiled as he returned to his notes.
"It's no problem. But I don't want you to become a freeloader."

Midnight quickly turned to the alicorn, stomping his hoof on the soft chair.
"I AM NOT A FREELOADER!"

Henry was startled, quickly turning his head to the unicorn.
Midnight quickly returned his gaze back to the window.

"I'm not a freeloader..."

"I'm sorry..."
Henry slowly said.
Well, it only took him one sentence to bring him back to square one.
He sighed as he returned his attention to his notes.

---

Midnight has fallen asleep, his head leaning on the glass window.
Henry was only able to notice the unicorn's state after he started snoring a bit...loud.

The night has already governed the sky and land.
The land was enveloped by black, while the sky was blanketed with a dark-blue color, where stars twinkled gracefully.

Henry used his magic to dim the car's coal-powered lights.
He too, was ready to have some shut eye.

Just in case, he left a note on his chair before he quietly went out of the car, heading to the other car where the private rooms are.

----------
5. Midnight
----------

A light flashed.
Midnight ran around to nowhere in particular.

Feeling like he's heading the wrong way, he stopped.
Quickly looking around the slowly dimming area, he settled on running to his left.

He felt his heart beating fast.
He's terrified, for unknown reasons.
His breath, fast and shallow.

Where is he going, he has no idea.
He was running, and he will keep on running.

The area flashed in white once more, blinding him, but he didn't stop running.
Something in him is telling him that if he stops...

"Stop...!"

"No...!"
He shouted back, to whoever was shouting at him.

The voice sounded awfully familiar, echoing in every direction.

"Stop...!"
The feminine voice shouted once again, keeping the same volume.

Midnight ignored it and kept on running.
And suddenly, right in front of him were two shadows of fillies.

Their faces, too familiar, and he's running straight at them.

"Stop...!"

And this time, he listened, he stopped.
But he couldn't.
His hooves slid on an unknown surface.
He stopped running, but he kept on moving straight at the fillies.

"Stop...!"

"I can't...!"

And he decided to do the only thing he could do at the moment.
He closed his eyes, awaiting for him to crash at the two fillies.


Midnight woke up after he felt the floor.
He was breathing fast and shallow.
The moderately air-conditioned car wasn't able to help him keep a sweat drop from his face.

After calming himself a bit, he slowly rosed up, and immediately saw a piece of paper on the alicorn's seat.
Levitating it with his magic as he sat down on his side of the wide chair.
He read the note. Henry went inside the private rooms to sleep?

Midnight arched a eyebrow as he ate the note.
He then went off of the seat and slowly went to Henry's room's door.

And as usual, the alicorn forgot to lock the door.
He helped himself inside the dark room, where he managed to see some of Henry's outlines from the lunar light.
He closed the door behind him, and sat down on the other chair of the room, locking his gaze outside the window.

"Henry?"

No answer. He looked at him.
He can see Henry breathing from the outlines.

"Henry? Are you awake?"

No answer.

Midnight sighed.
The green alicorn's asleep, he convinced himself.
He put his gaze back to the window.

He had a bad dream...
Before, when he wakes up from a bad dream, his brother would simply tell him to ignore them.
They were just some things inside his head, and nothing more.

He sighed once more.

"I know you're awake. So stop pretending to be asleep."

But once again, he received no answer.
Aside from the sound of the train's wheels against the train tracks, he could also hear Henry's quiet breathing.
He must be really sleeping.
Should he wake him up?

Wake him up, for what?
He doesn't know.
But he wants to see him awake.
He wants to know someone's there to listen to him.

To listen to him?
Henry was willing to listen to him earlier, but what did he do?
He kept his mouth shut.
He might do it again, so best leave the pony in his sleep.

He stared at...nothing.
There was nothing to stare out of the black landscape and the evening-black starry sky.
At least the cresent moon's up there.
He could stare at the quiet moon while he thinks.

But, he has a lot of things in his mind.
How can he think of one thing out of all the chaos inside his head?
Talk to himself?
It might work, but it also might wake the alicorn up.
He sighed... Have they passed Manehattan already?
They probably already have...

Well, he's really going to stay in PonyVille now...
Is he really going to leave everything behind?
...everything...is a funny word for him.

He doesn't even have anything...except for his brother...
Should he find him?

He used his magic to unlock the window.
Slightly opening the window, he was immediately greeted by the cold evening wind.
Unprepared for the sudden cold, he lost his focus and the wind slid the window close.

He could try again, but what then?
Will he jump?
If he does, where will he go?
To his brother...? Is he even waiting for him...?
Back to Manehattan? Back to struggle?

He used his magic to take his book, but he felt something else inside his saddlebag.
Lifting the other object in front of him, it was a train ticket.
...his train ticket.

His very first item that he received without using stolen money.
The very first somepony has given him without threatening or forcing them.
...well, Henry was forced a bit...but still...

And it really felt good.
Getting something not from stealing.

Staring at the ticket, he managed to smile.

If he stays in PonyVille, then he wouldn't have to steal anymore...maybe...?
But, it's a town. Maybe he can easily find a job there, unlike in Manehattan.

He and his brother couldn't land on any job there, with so many requirements and qualifications.
They weren't even able to go to school to at least finish basic education.
They learned how to read, how to speak, and how to count, in the streets.
And they learned to do what it takes to survive.

Magic, steal, run, escape...
Laugh, hurt...
Smoke, drug, sex, crime...
Repeat, repeat, repeat...

He has no future there.

His thoughts went to a halt after he blinked, and the first thing he saw, was the ticket, hovering in front of him.
And then, a thought...

"I don't want to live like this..."
Midnight whispered...

Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face.
He slowly turned to his brother.
"I know... I am, too..."

He's about to achieve that dream.
To live a new life, outside that damned city.
He could only wish that his brother would forgive him, if he's still out there...

The pegasus was about to fly when he heard Midnight's call.
He turned to see him.
"Midnight! Glad you're---wait!"

"Wait what?"

"You---You're---! Why are you here!?"

His brother grouped two large gangs to attack The Boss, believing that Midnight was taken by them.
His brother and The Boss were not found...

A tear escaped his eye.
Is his brother really gone...?
He never had the time to think these things until now.
They both were alone together, but now, he's all alone on his own.

Going back there might only make things worse.
Maybe he'll become even more broken than before...

The heart and mind are vulnerable to change.

He sighed, rubbing his teary eyes with his hoof.
He sniffed. He thinks he already knows what that griffin was trying to say.

He inhaled, and exhaled.
He repeated the process until he's no longer felt so down.

He looked at the sleeping bookwriter.
Still asleep.

He yawned. He could use some sleep as well.
He returned his ticket inside his saddlebag and rested himself on the wide chair.
He took one last look at the cresent moon before he shut his eyes to sleep.

He could start a new life in PonyVille.
It may be difficult at first, but, he'll be fine.

Henry was awake. He woke up when Midnight asked if he was awake.
He didn't reply. He feared that if he gives any indication that he was indeed awake, the unicorn might see him as a changeling.
It was a good thing the darkness of the room aided him to hide his true self from him.
He saw Midnight's expression.
He was deep in thought.
He must have been through a lot.
Henry could relate.

Midnight was now asleep. Proof was his snoring.
Henry could only smile as he used his magic to lock the window.
He still needs a few more hours of sleep, so he went back to sleep.

----------

Originally Written on July 27, 2012

Updates...
- December 9, 2012 - Added An Image