//------------------------------// // Act 2: Refusal // Story: Friendship is Failure #16: Write of Way // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT TWO Stone Heart lived in a house dug into a hill outside of the village where it was peaceful and quiet, and other houses were far away from each other. Stone’s house seemed very nice, but not the kind you’d expect a trash-picker to be able to afford. The gang had followed Stone, by following the tracks from his trash-wagon, as well as smelling the faint odor, that forced Rarity to wear a clip over her nostrils. “Why would Stone live way out here?” wondered Twilight “Shouldn’t a famous write like him live in the village where he’s closer to demand?” Starlight had an idea, “…Or maybe he doesn’t like the crowds, and he prefers to be alone?” A moment of silence followed, and Twilight decided to go up to stone and talk to him again. “Must we?” groaned Rarity “He just got off work, collecting all that ghastly garbage, and--” she stopped when Twilight used her magic to drag her along with the rest of the crew. Before they could reach him, another pony was seen coming up to his house from up the road. She was a pink unicorn with a red mane and tail. Her cutiemark was that of a smiling sun. “Stone!” she called to him. The second Stone heard her voice and saw her coming he grumbled and quickly dashed inside his house, nearly slamming the door right in her face. “Wait…!” she cried, and began to pound on the door “Stone, can’t we talk a minute?” “Go away, Sandy Beam!” Stone called for him “I’m not writing anymore stories and that’s final! And tell your father to stop sending me cheques!” “But Stone…!” “NOT INTERESTED!!” Sandy growled and stomped her hoof hard, “Stubborn, miserable mule!” “Excuse me,” Twilight said as she and the gang came up to her. Sandy gasped, “Princess Twilight Sparkle?” and then she bowed immediately. Twilight giggled, “No, need to be so formal.” Then she asked what this was all about. Sandy Beam explained her story. Her father was one of the lead publishers of the Canterlot Order of Writers, and Stone Heart was a struggling writer, always getting his books rejected, not just from them, but from other publishers in all of Equestria. Finally, he submitted “A Change of Heart.” and the Order of Writers was breath taken by it. It became their number-one seller instantly, and readers all over fell in love with it. Sandy, herself, loved it so much that she even started to develop a little crush on Stone, because his story was so sensitive and caring-- proving that even in the most difficult times, one could still rise from the ashes of defeat. “You, have a crush on Stone Heart?” asked Rarity, she tried to hide her obvious and rapidly rising sense of rivalry, even though she was feeling less attracted to Stone. Starlight then said, “We’ve heard rumors that Stone hasn’t written any other novels or stories in a long time.” “It’s true,” answered Sandy “Ever since “A Change of Heart” became the success that it is, Stone grew very angry and scornful. Not only does he refuse to write anymore books, but he won’t acknowledge his fans or supporters. He won’t attend signings or charity appearances. He even refused to appear at my daycare to share his wisdom with the children about writing and reading. He just brushed us all off like we were all nothing!” The friends were all wide-eyed and shocked beyond imagination. “Just like when he refused your invitation, Twilight.” said Starlight. “…Or when he rejected Celestia’s invitation as well.” added Spike “Good gracious!” cried Rarity “I can’t-- This is-- “ she took a moment to take a deep breath and get a hold of herself, only to panic once again, “Why in the wide-world of Equestria would reject all this?” “I don’t know.” cried Sandy “I’ve been trying to talk to him why, maybe go out with him for lunch or dinner, and we can get to know each other better. Or maybe if something is bothering him, then I could help him like a real friend, but he’s rejected me every time.” Twilight was most baffled and she levitated up a copy of the book from her saddle-bag. “Why would some-pony not be pleased with writing a good story and receiving praise that goes with it?” A moment of silence followed. “…I’ll tell you why!” Stone snapped as he came out from his house, all clean and rid of the garbage smell. Only now he was dressed in a silver slick uniform and a hardhat. “…Because that is not my story!” Everyone gawked at him. “What do you mean?” asked Twilight. Stone had a feeling she’d ask him that, and he levitated a few sheets of a basic synopsis of what his story was supposed to be like! Twilight and friends looked at it all together, and Sandy peeked too. Instead of being called “A Change of Heart” the title was called “A Change of Life.” …and the story was nothing at all like the version everyone else had read. The protagonist was the same stallion, and his mare-friend still broke up with him, but simple for selfish and col reasons, such as wanting to change her life, and living with new people. She just pretended not to know him, and threatened to call the guards on him if he didn’t stay away from her. As if that weren’t bad enough, all his friends changed too; no longer taking interest in the things he liked, or that they once all shared-- like games, arts, sciences, and imagining they were adventurers exploring the world-- which they all deemed “Babyish” or “Retarded” and insisted he move on, let go of them, and never think of them again, and when he refused, they began to insult him, abuse him, treat him like a pest and encourage others to make fun of him, which lead to isolation, loss of confidence, and building rage. Eventually, he snapped as he was pushed too far, and rather than learning how to cope with things that every-pony took away from him and how badly they treated him, he vowed vengeance. So he began to train in strength and fighting, and developed weapons and gadgets to help him, and he returned to attack the village and terrorize the ponies everyone. Many were killed, others were injured, until brave heroes came, and by using incredible miracle magic, they were able to reverse all the damage he had done, and even revive those he had killed. It was only then that the villagers realized their mistakes in driving him to insanity. The heroes convinced the evil stallion to give up his ways and start over, but while the stallion gave up his evil ways, he refused to reconcile and ran off into the world, and was never seen or heard from again. As for the villagers who started all this with their wicked ways and harshness, they were banished from their homes and forced to live as outcasts in the deserts for the rest of their lives. The gang all gawked with wide-eyes. “That was…” Spike said, he tried to find words “That was… um…” “I know what you’re thinking,” said Stone “No pony has ever said anything but harsh negativity about my stories like that. I’ve tried to send many stories like that, and it was always the same in the end!” He began to imitate all the cold and ruthless ponies that rejected him. “You know who would want to live in your world besides you? No-pony, that’s who!” “You want to throw your stupid stories in people’s faces-- Actually make it good!” “Put some effort into this!” “Get out, Retard!” The others were all horrified to hear of such harsh rudeness, but even still they didn’t think much of the story themselves. “Why would you want to write stories like this?” asked Starlight “Ponies prefer stories like the one I read…” and she levitated the other book she had read, and explained about that story she read about the noble pony and the princess, and all that stuff about losing her and looking to the sunrise. “I’ve read that story,” said Stone “…Pathetic!” Starlight gasped in horror. “The fact that a pony like that worked so hard, nearly got himself killed just to save the lives of people who don’t respect him, not to mention his own romantic-rival and lose his dream mare to him… …That’s not noble; to me it’s just plain foolishness” “Whatever makes you say that?” asked Rarity. “Yes, lots of ponies really get into stories like this,” said Twilight “Why they even base their lives around them and use them for inspiration. But if you want to write a good story, you need to listen to what the readers want.” Stone just rolled his eyes, “You have no idea how many times I’ve been told that. But it’s quite obvious to me that you and I have different ideas of what a “good story” is.” Sandy was growing impatient. “Stop this, Stone! Can’t you at least be please for making so many ponies happy with the story you’ve written, and all the charities you donated your paychecks too?” Stone was growing more and more irritable, “I am going to make this very clear to you,” he then eyes Twilight and the friends “…All of you. The only reason I wrote “A Change of Heart” was to show other ponies who were wailing at me that I CAN create stories they prefer, and that they like, but at a huge price-- the price of my pride and my dignity! I don’t like the story! I hate everything about it! And I don’t trust or like any other pony who enjoys this ridiculous stuff!” Rarity felt faint! “And those charities…?” Stone continued “I didn’t donate to them out of kindness. I did it to get rid of the paychecks that keep coming in from the book companies! I don’t want it! I refuse to take that money over something I hate. Something I’m ashamed of making, and the same goes for any praise or fame that comes with it.” All the others were completely frozen in shock, and couldn’t even blink their eyes. Sandy looked on the verge of tears. Even though he hadn’t said it directly, he had defiantly implied that he hated her for her tastes and was not willing to trust her or be nice to her at all. “I can’t believe you…!” she said tearfully. “Neither can I!” scolded Twilight “So many ponies look up to you and are inspired by your story, and this is how you treat them? If I wrote stories like this, I’d be more than pleased of myself, and I’d be happy that other ponies were happy about it, especially my fans.” The others all agreed with her. “Alright, Princess Twilight…” Stone said, and he looked her dead in the eye, “If you and your friends feel that way, why don’t YOU write stories like this, and while you’re at it, you can all accept the fame and praise and pride you feel that comes with it… …BUT GET OFF ME!!” And with that, he stormed off in a huff to his next job. Sandy began to cry, and she ran off for home, leaving the gang all angered and upset.