//------------------------------// // Kite Club/A Romantic Evening? // Story: Cory: The Fear of Water // by artman7391 //------------------------------// In is pony form, Cory was found with Starlight's after school kite flying club, just outside the School of Friendship. He couldn't figure out why he was even here, but for some reason, Sandlebar instructed him to do so and make himself a kite for this afternoon. Regardless, once again, he had spent an evening at the Apple Farm without sleep trying to perfect his gliding contraption. But it paid off however, as his work had shined among the rest, despite his attempts to soar lower so as not to show off. It was a mega dragon kite mimicked from the customs of Japanese lore, though it had more of a hippogriff tone to it's style. Not sure why, but it seemed as though he was attempting to delight that Silverstream he had bumped into several times. Standing beside him on this particularly beautiful yet breezy day were Maud Pie, Mudbriar, Sunburst, Pinkie Pie, Trixie, Applejack, A couple of other earth ponies and Starlight herself leading the team. Each of theirs was also a nice diamond or box kite, with a little ribbon to ease the strife of the wind. Everypony seemed to be enjoying their kite creations, everyone except for Cory. It had been a week since the incident at the mall. The lack of sleep had taken a toll on his well being, as he drifted in and out of a standing nap, trying desperately to stay awake. His head was shaking a little from dizzyness and nausea, and his mane and goatee were still messy and unkempt. In addition, he had not been eating much as usual, and his coat had become paler in complexion. What had become more disturbing were some random words and sentences he had started mumbling to himself. Cozy Glow, who was still able to get inside his mind, suggested he do that to memorize what was on his exhausted to-do list. This only alienated him from other residents in Ponyville, who were beginning to suspect he was losing his marbles. "How's your foreleg feeling Starlight?" Asked Twilight as she approached the club. "You should see for yourself." Starlight replied as she showed her sprained hoof in a cast. "That looks like a nasty one Starlight. Maybe I can quicken the healing process with my magic." "It's alright Twilight. Besides, I've already forgiven Cory. And I really don't blame him. Sunset told me all about this suppressed memory of his. It must've been one traumatizing event." The two of them looked at Cory and saw that he was still murmuring uncomprehending sentences, while maintaining his kite flow. Though some of the words 'trust' 'water' and 'friend' came gurgling out of his mouth, and his hoof was gently messaging the ground as if to assure himself he was still on land. "I'm not sure why this is happening now." Sunburst added. "Or why he's become this tense. But maybe with his background and previous upbringing, his memories are trying to tell him something. As if he has to combat this fear head on." "Oh, has there been any sign of him at least trying to talk out his problems?" Twilight asked worriedly. "I tried to check if he wanted to talk about anythin on his mind." Applejack answered. "Not a word. But I did see him makin a mural of a young Granny Smith and the first settlers in Ponyville the other day. So that's something. I mean, he's still expressin himself and all. And like always he's helpin out on the farm as any apple should." "He was also at sugarcube corner helping me make tea cakes with Mr. and Mrs. Cake!!" Pinkie Pie added gleefully. "Though I don't really remember him talking about anything." "Technically," Mudbriar added. "You two were making Creme Brulees that day. I saw, since Maud and I were delivering extra packs of sugar that day." "He also gave us a huge geode to share for some reason." Maud added. "Now Boulder and Twiggy have their own playhouse." "Odd." Twilight thought. "It's as if he's trying to hide any problems he has." "I know." Starlight added. "He's bottling up all his personal emotions, and only letting out ones that may harm him and others, or in the very least pretend to help others. I've had that experience before with Trixie. It did not go well." "Good thing he isn't literally bottling them up and throwing his emotions on other ponies." Trixie added. "Everypony I turned to that day acted like some mad siren." "Whatever's up with him," Said Applejack, "I can't stand to see my little brother being so quiet like again. Somepony's gotta go talk to him." It was then Sunburst volunteered. "Um, Cory? Capricore?" Sunburst asked as he approached him. "I know things have been a little shaky between us, but it would be great if you could came back and became my special pupil again. I'd pay for all the train rides to and from the Crystal Empire." Cory just stared at his kite, as if he wasn't there. "Or, whatever works for you, I'm happy to make a deal." Sunburst continued. It was then Cory turned his head and looked at him with a serious context. "You know I was thinking about what you said the first time we met." Sunburst yet continued. "About how our insecurities got the best of us. I think it's time you talk about whatever seems to be a roadblock in your life. It really helped me out and my friendship. And from what I heard it helped you out when you first came here." "Did you know that Discord would make a lovely Riddler." Cory mumbled out randomly. "Or Genie. I'm not sure." "Um, yeah. Whatever that means." Sunburst replied. "I'll just let you be." With a deep sigh, and upon realizing his efforts were for not, he slowly backed away from Cory. "This is really serious." Starlight thought. "It's as if he's in a semi-comatose state." "Why exactly is he here again?" Trixie asked. "From what I reckon," Applejack answered with a smirk. "Sandlebar told him to wait here until dusk for somethin special." "Ooooooh! Is this about that Hippogriff that's madly in love with him?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Shhhh. Keep it down Pinkie." Applejack replied. "But yeah. I think so. It really makes you proud to know yer little brother's already got a crush." Meanwhile, far off from the School of Friendship, the new six, with the exception of Silverstream, who was preparing herself, were out on their ways, planning the perfect evening for Cory and Silverstream. Ocelus was off in the changeling kingdom gathering plants and chengeling to disguise themselves as ponies. "Alright." She said in the circle "Which three of you were the bridesmaids during the Canterlot wedding." They all looked at each other, as if embarrassed to answer. "Come on." Ocelus continued. "No one's going to shame anyone." Three changelings in the back raised their hooves. "OK. Great." Said Ocelus gleefully. "I want you three to play the three violinist ponies." At the slopes of Yak-Yakistan, Yona was buying a few rugs from her allowance to make the floor nice and warm, when she came over to a bar nearby. There, several teenage yaks just finished jamming to a yovidophone session. After asking them if they could be in the orchestra to set the mood, they said yes. Back in dragon country, Smolder was thinking of what to add to her part in the romantic evening. With little option, she gathered a few gems for a sparkling feel at the site, while asking (or more like making) her brother Garble to write some poetry lyrics for the song. Yes it was painful for Garble, but facing Ember would've been worse. It was more complicated to find help in Griffonstone, as their behavior didn't really gravitate towards love. But regardless, Gallus trudged forward and collected a few props from the scrapyard good enough to be used for a set piece. It wasn't much, but he was still happy to help in any way he could. Sandlebar was off at a post office near Ponyville where he quickly mailed a letter to the Mount Aris for two percussionists. Then he went over to Fluttershy's animal sanctuary and persuaded some little critters to add to the mood of the location. Now all was finally set in place. Celestia set the sun, and Luna raised the moon already when Cory arrived at the courtyard of The School Of Friendship. It was a pleasant evening. With not a cloud in the sky, the stars showed in all their glory. As usual, Cory was buried in his studies, trying to get a last minute read through for a test he had next week. Before he knew it, he was standing in middle of a beautiful piece of nature, complete with a fountain, trees, bushes, flowers and lily pads. Surrounding the grassy floor were a few nicely quilted rugs and tapestries. Complimenting them were pure stone gems that gave them a luminescent color.Off in the background, he could hear some birds chirping, frogs croaking, and even a few bunnies and squirrels digging. "Oh, hello Cory!!" Said a familiar face on a nearby fence. "H..Hello Silverstream." Cory replied nervously. "Didn't expect you to be here." "Neither did I. Come. Have a seat." Cory walked slowly to the bench and sat next to Silverstream. It was a long time of them just staring at each other, not knowing what to say next. Though it was a relief to know they were both just as nervous. As their cheeks blushed and a little sweat came down their heads for a good 15 minutes.... "So, what brings you here?" Silverstream asked. "Oh, I just wanted a quiet place to read some of my studies." Cory replied. "I'm trying to perfect on a quiz I have on film theory coming up." "I don't know what that is." Silverstream replied. "Bu..but it sure sounds like so much fun." "So, what are you doing here?" Cory asked. "Um," Silverstream tried to think of an excuse, when she saw a few lighting bugs whizz by. "I'm just here to watch the fireflies. Yeah, that's why I'm here." "They are very beautiful." Cory replied. "It makes me wonder how they're able to do that." It was then a few dozen more of these bugs came into the courtyard, creating a little happy display of blinking lights. Silverstream and Cory sat there and watched the moment pass by, as the two fo them unknowingly rested each others heads. "C'mon Silverstream." Sandlebar whispered as he, his friends and musicians were watching and hiding behind a bush. "Profess your love already." "You think it's time we bring out the big guns?" Smolder asked. "There couldn't be a more better time than now." Ocelus replied. "Everyone. You know the drill." Every creature nodded back and took their positions with their musical instruments. Smolder stood by the gems for lighting, Gallus was the conductor, Ocellus and Yona helped with the animals, and Sandlebar became lead singer. Then, they began to play a song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnjwlRA2z9k "Ha ha." Cory laughed nervously. "Didn't know we'd get a little side entertainment tonight. "Ha. Me neither." Silverstream replied. "But it is nice to be together with a friend. We are friends aren't we?" "S..Sure we are. Speaking of which, I'd like to talk to you about that." Said Cory. "Oh Dear. Did I do something to offend you? Is my mane too ruffled? Did I..." "No, no. It's nothing like that. It's just..that, you know. Lately I've thinking a lot about you." "Really? Me too. But not just as a friend. I mean..." Cory tried to think of the right words "We have some kind of deeper connection between us don't we?" Silverstream asked sheepishly. "Yeah. I guess so. It's not just what somepony thinks. It's what Somepony feels as well." Cory replied. "I never thought I'd have this feeling towards anyone before, or any creature for that matter." "You know." Silverstream said. "In spite of being with so many other hippogriffs, I still felt, kind of lonely. Everyone was able to find their very special someone. Everyone except for me. I always dreamed one day I'd meet someone in the world that I could, you know, spend my life with, and...well..." The two looked at each other as their eyes got dreamier and cheeks more blushed. Without even knowing it, they saw that they touched each other hoof and claw, both resting on the bench. "It was really a surprise when I first came here to Equestria." Cory added. "I never thought I'd find so many friends and family here, along with the ones I left back home. It's even more surprising. I never thought I'd actually have a chance to fall in love. And now, here we are....both...um.." "So, " Silverstream said bashfully as she twirled her mane with her claw. "I guess that means.." "Yes Silverstream." Cory replied. "I guess we are." Cory and Silverstream leered towards each other, their faces coming closer and closer. Her beak and his snout began to form a kissing shape and their eyes closed as if to embrace. Meanwhile, her other friends smiled with glee as they awaited for true loves kiss to commence. When suddenly, just as they were about to touch each other's beak and lips, the two fell over backwards in a pond of lily pads. Cory got up ankle deep and soaking wet, while Silverstream swam around in her seapony form. Upon noticing where they landed, Cory's eyes turned menacing red and steam seemed to come out of his ears as he quickly scuttled out of the water. Now he was truly filled with anger. "Oh my goodness." Silverstream said in panic as she unknowingly swashed her tail at him. "I am so sorry about this. I didn't know the pond was right behind us and I wanted to tell you where I came from and..." "SO!!" Cory interrupted her with a booming voice. "EVEN YOU ARE AGAINST ME!! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN YOU WE'RE UP TO NO GOOD!! And not only that but you're some sort of..mutant...pony...Mermaid thing, Begging me to drown!!" "What are you talking about?" Silverstream asked meekly. "You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about!! Just when I'm at my weakest, you lure me into your trap, take me into my deepest memories and swivel me down a hole of inescapable tragedy!!" Soon tears began to fall down Silverstream's eyes. "Cory!" Said Ocelus as her other friends came out of the bushes. "You know that's not what we meant to do." "Oh, and I suppose you were behind this as well." Cory snapped back. "You think I don't know what's going on here. I know what's going on. It's a conspiracy, and every one around me is in on it! Just cause you got more experience you think you're better than I am!" "Actually, most of us new to this Equestria thing." Smolder tried to correct him. "You think I'm an idiot?" Cory asked. "I'm not gonna fall for any of this garbage you throw at me!! I should've known better than to trust some stinking, putrid creatures like yourselves!!!" They all stood back as Cory leered over them like a menacing creature, while Silverstream sobbed her eyes out in shame and fear. "I'm out of here." He whispered disgustingly. "I have to get to work." With that, he gathered his things and stormed out of the courtyard and towards Sweet Apple Acres, leaving everyone horrified and speechless. As he opened the door to the Apple House, he looked at himself in a mirror again, hanging right next to the kitchen sink. Upon closer examination at his reflection, he saw what would only be described as the terrifying Principal Stiffson staring back at him once more. He looked down at the floor as his things fell to the ground. "I..I'm the putrid creature." Cory shuddered with tears in his eyes. He sobbed his way upstairs into the attic, where some of his finest yet to be finished creations were still on display. Anger fell through him once more as he started to lay destruction across the room. He tore down some portraits, crashed some sculptures down, smashed a few pottery barrels etc. Then, noticing how pointless smashing things are, he collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily from his tirade. "It's alright Cory." Said a voice from behind "This isn't your fault." "Yes it is Cozy Glow." Cory replied solemnly. "I have alienated my friends, embarrassed myself in front of others, and became a complete villain of my past. Why should I even listen to you?" "Because I'm the only friend you can trust now." Cozy Glow responded. "Just like you said. They're trying to take you away from what is important. Your work. And those that distract you from your business, don't deserve to be your friends. But not me. I'll be as considerate as possible for you. And definitely not take you on a journey of reckless memories and distracting nightmares." Cory's eyes turned neutral as he cleaned up his things and went to his desk, conceding to what this Cozy Glow had to say. He grabbed his pencil and paper and started to draw away, with no interruption in sight. "Yes," Cozy Glow said behind him with a menacing face. "Just keep working. There is nothing to distract you now. You can finally work in peace. Make anything you want. And you will truly find your destiny." With that, and without Cory knowing, she disappeared with a small, evil cackle, leaving Cory all alone with his work.