//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 - Cold Winter // Story: The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria // by destinedjagold //------------------------------// Chapter 13 - Cold Winter ---------- 1. Post War ---------- The war of heaven and earth has finally reached its conclusion: the winged ponies has accepted their defeat after years of battle against the earth ponies, along with their unicorn and griffin allies. Achieving such victory was an almost impossible dream, but to those who fought in the war, it was the greatest thing they have ever achieved. Finally, their land is free from the tyranny of the pegasi. They have saved the future of their children, and for the next generation. A yellow unicorn, wearing the smile of victory, is now on a journey back home, where his family awaits his arrival. And finally, he can be wed to the mare of his dreams. The very mare that made him fight in the war, to save her dream, no, to save both their future dreams. He walks quietly, yet excitedly, in the leafless woodland covered by the blanket of snow. The sky is gloomy and gray, and snow was softly falling from the heavens. Snow... The war ended a few weeks after winter came. Snow has made the pegasi weak and shiver. They live above, afterall, and without food, their defeat was inevitable. Snow... It gave him the strength to continue to fight, for it always reminded him of the mare he wished to be with until his last breath. He will go back home to see her again, to feel her warm embrace, and finally, to receive her sweet approval. They then can finally live together in a new peaceful future. He looked over his shoulder, and he saw his sword. The sword that has slayed countless of pegasi, and the very same sword that saved him so many times. He still has a reason to carry such a weapon. The war is over, yes, but the creatures, of course, he needs to protect himself from them. He was never good with casting magic. He can only use it to carry his sword and fight. Soon, beyond the exit of the forest, a quiet town was in view. Seeing his home, he began to increase his speed, until he went to running. Ponies around town saw the newcomer approaching. An old couple smiled at the sight, and yelled his name. "Daybreak! My son!" The old couple ran towards him as fast as they could. "M'ma! P'pa!" Cried the yellow unicorn. He quickly gave the two a hug, letting his tears flow down from his eyes. It has been years since he last came home. Oh, how he missed his parents. "You're home, son..." Spoke his crying mother. "Welcome home..." "Daybreak?" Said a voice from behind the couple. The yellow unicorn lifted his head to see before him the white unicorn mare, smiling warmly at him. The old couple broke the hug, and took a step to the side, to give way for their son. Daybreak smiled, yet nervously walked towards his mare. "Snow Flake..." He slowly extends a hoof to give the mare a hug, but halfway there, the mare quickly wrapped her hooves around the startled yellow unicorn's neck, crying over his shoulder. He returned the hug. "Don't you ever leave me again!" Cried the white mare. "I promise..." He gently replied as he softly brushed the mare's mane. "Prepare the wedding!" Joked an earth pony in the crowd, and the others soon cheered, making the young couple blush as they broke their hug. In the center of the town stood an old church. A dark-blue unicorn watched the crowd a few distance away with a serious look. With his magic, he wrapped himself with an old-looking brown coat, and covered his head under a hood. He then slowly went down the stairs, heading to the crowd. The crowd gave way for the young couple. They slowly walked back to their home. As they reached the front of the door of their home, they both turned to see the new arrival. Daybreak smiled. "Brother!" He quickly ran towards him, and gave him a hug, throwing the unicorn's hood back to reveal his startled face. "It is good to see you!" The dark-blue unicorn returned the hug with a small smile. "Likewise, my brother." They broke the hug, both wearing warm smiles. They then took a step back, their faces became serious as they used their magic to quickly draw their swords. The two blades rubbed against each other. The two unicorns grinned. "You still got it, brother." The dark-blue unicorn said, returning his sword back. "Midnight..." The yellow unicorn said as he returned his sword. "...how could I forget?" Both shared a small laugh. "Anyway, brother." Midnight said, wearing his hood back. "I must be on my way." "So soon, brother?" Daybreak asked. "Can't you stay longer? A feast is under way!" Midnight shook his head with a smile. "Believe me brother. I am happy to finally see you again, and I would be even happier to join the celebration, but alas, I must go to Canterlot to announce your return." "My return?" Daybreak asked in confusion. "Brother, I am of no importance." "T'is my duty, brother." Smiled the dark-blue unicorn. "You have created such a name during the war, if you are not aware. Hence why to announce your safe return is a must." "Have I?" Daybreak looked confused, and turned to Snow Flake. The white mare smiled warmly as she nods her head. "Indeed you have, my love." "I...didn't know." Midnight shook his head slightly. "Please brother... You are so modest. It does not suit you." He laughed. "Believe me, brother." The yellow unicorn said, quite annoyed. "I hold no knowledge of such information." "If that is so, brother." The dark-blue unicorn smiled, and bowed before him. "Or should I say, Knight of Equestria." "Knight!?" Daybreak was shocked, taking a step back. "Me? A knight? Of Equestria?" "And your ears still work well, I see." Midnight joked. Daybreak shot him a stare. "That's not part of the script." He whispered. "I can improvise, can't I?" Midnight smiled. "Brother, again, t'is good to see you back." "But brother. Luna's night is almost upon us." Daybreak looked at the clouds. "Must you head to Canterlot at this hour? Surely, the creatures of the night will trouble your path." Midnight shook his head. "Worry not, brother. I am a warrior, if I need to remind you." "Well, that is true, but..." The dark-blue unicorn patted the yellow unicorn's shoulder. "Brother, please. A child, I am not." He smiled. "Besides, must you trouble yourself with me instead of your lovely mare?" Daybreak sighed in defeat. "If you must, then go." He then hold a serious look. "But promise me to be safe." "I have travelled the same route for years since your absence, brother." Midnight replied, quite annoyed. "I know my way around, believe me when I say so." He flashed a weak smile. "Then I shall hold you no longer." Daybreak smiled. "Be back soon." "But of course." Midnight smiled back. "But while I'm gone, you best be practicing your sword." He grinned. "I wish to be the first to fight one of the Knights of Equestria." Daybreak confidently smiled, and nodded. Though not brothers by blood, they grew up together with Snow Flake when they were still foals. The dark-blue unicorn bowed to the white mare before he walked away. He walked through a leafless forest, and up a hill. After he reached the other side of the hill, five pegasi ponies from above landed around him. Midnight however, simply stopped and eyed them. "Has he arrived?" Asked one of the pegasi. Midnight nodded. "Yes, he has." He then turned to the gloomy sky. "By nightfall, things will begin to change." He smiled. --- Luna's night has governed the gloomy sky. However, instead of blessing her with dreams, the ponies of a small town lit their torches around to give light for their celebration. Ponies danced around, while others enjoyed a chat and the food. Daybreak and Snow Flake sat on stools, having some talks and sweetly giving each other a bite to eat. Some ponies even teased them to get married soon, or ants will begin to eat them because of how sweet the two were. But the cheerful celebration went dead silent after a swarm of pegasi hovered around and above the town. The earth and unicorn ponies were startled and scared, while those who are brave of heart began to pick up whatever would be considered as a weapon, and prepared themselves. Daybreak stood and angrily stared at the winged ponies. "The war is long over!" He yelled. "Go back to your ruined kingdom!" A bulky pegasus pony, blue in coat, with black mane and tail, landed in front of the yellow unicorn. Daybreak stood in front of the white scared mare. The pegasus grinned. "Indeed, the war is over. And yes, our kingdom fell defeated. We are here in search." "Then what is it that you seek?" Daybreak barked. The pegasus drew his sword, holding it with both his front hooves. Daybreak drew his with his magic. "We seek vengeance, of course." He waved his sword in the air, and then points it at the unicorn. "And we'll start by killing one of the Knights of Equestria!" The other pegasus ponies drew their swords. Things are not looking well. Daybreak may be a good swordspony, but fighting while protecting the townsfolk would be too much for him. "Your king gave word that you will not attack us!" Daybreak yelled. "He might have, but we don't serve our king." The pegasus grinned. "Not anymore, after he cowardly surrendered!" "Daybreak!" Yelled his father, who was holding two large woods on his magical grasp. "We'll hold them off! Run! Save yourselves!" "No chance!" The pegasus yelled and attacked the yellow unicorn. Daybreak blocked the attack with his sword. The other pegasus ponies soon dove down and began to attack as well. Cries of the terrified ponies echoed to the sky. "Daybreak!" Yelled his father. "No!" Daybreak yelled back. "I am a warrior, and I will protect my home!" "I understand child." He hammered the head of a pegasus. "But understand this, you are still young! Do not waste your life here! Go and live!" Daybreak pushed his sword, but the pegasus wasn't budging. "Daybreak!" Yelled the white mare. In horror, Daybreak turned over his shoulder, witnessing Snow Flake on the ground, about to be stabbed by a pegasus' sword. "Snow Flake! No!" A dark-blue unicorn tackled the side of the pegasus. He quickly drew his sword and stabbed him on the neck. "Midnight!" Daybreak shouted in relief. He quickly turned to the pegasus he was fighting. He swung his sword back, making the pegasus push himself forward. Daybreak took a spin to the side, and slashed the pegasus on the back. Just when he thought things would be easier now, another set of pegasus ponies landed in town. "Daybreak!" Midnight yelled after he helped the white mare back on her hooves, receiving the yellow unicorn's attention. "You two should leave, now!" "What!? No!" Daybreak barked, as he prepared himself to attack a nearby pegasus, busy fighting an earth pony. "I'll stand and fight!" "If they'll kill a Knight of Equestria, the news will greatly cause an impact to the other ponies on the land!" Midnight yelled back, holding off a pegasus pony. "Leave now, or I'll force you to leave!" Daybreak looked at his brother in disbelief, but the dark-blue unicorn only replied with a confident smile. Should he leave them? Should he leave--- "Stop thinking and run, brother!" Midnight yelled, annoyed. Daybreak quickly ran behind his brother to get the scared white mare. "Brother... Don't you dare die on me." "I'm not planning to." Midnight said with a smile. "Now go!" Daybreak nodded and turned to Snow Flake. "Let's go." Snow Flake nodded, and both fled from the town. The two unicorns ran with their might to flee from their pursuers. Two pegasi ponies gave chase, and were inching closer to them. In a leafless forest, there was nowhere to hide. And finally, they stopped after they reached the edge of a cliff. Daybreak quickly turned around, and saw the two pegasi ponies grinning as they landed. The yellow unicorn took a few steps forward, with his sword ready. "Daybreak..." Snow Flake whispered despite her trembling lips. "Do not worry, my love." Daybreak confidently said. "I will not let them harm you!" The pegasus ponies flew straight at him, swords ready. Daybreak slammed his sword against the first pegasus pony's sword as he flew pass him. With a twist, he dodged the slash of the other pegasus, and with his momentum, he waved his sword, slashing the pegasus' belly. The pegasus crashed on the ground, and rolled until he fell over the cliff. The other pegasus flew back towards him, and swung his sword. Daybreak countered, pushing the pegasus back. The pegasus recovered his momentum, and was about to strike back, when he instead clashed his sword against a newcomer's sword. "Run!" Shouted Midnight. Snow Flake and Daybreak nodded and made their escape. ---------- 2. Snow Carol ---------- As the large red curtains covered the stage, the choir entertained the audience with music while ponies behind the curtains started removing the snowy set and replacing them with a new scene. "I thought Midnight was a villain." Complained Aurora. "Why did he helped Daybreak and Snow Flake escape?" She faced the green alicorn who was seated beside her. "That doesn't make sense." Henry smiled at her. "Well, the story just began, so we'll probably know his true intensions later on." He looked back on the stage, where the choir were on the left part of the stage, and as well as the ponies who are playing the music. "Besides, it's a way to make the audience eager." "It's annoying." Aurora sighed. --- "Seriously, that was not part of the script." Daybreak said. Midnight only replied with a chuckle. "Aw, com'on. It was boring to memorize my lines, and it's even more boring to just say my lines. I'm just adding some fun." Daybreak sighed. "Just don't overdo it." "Three minutes, ponies!" Yelled an earth pony mare. "Make haste!" --- "I'm going to get myself something to drink..." Aurora said as she jumped off of her seat. "You do realize..." Henry said, making the orange pegasus look at him. "...that you are not allowed to bring anything to eat or drink inside, right?" Aurora shot him a confused look. "Really?" Henry only nodded. "This isn't a movie theater." She blinked, and turned to her mother, who was seated on the other side of her seat. Her mother only gave her an apologetic smile. Aurora sighed. "Fine... But I'm still heading out for a drink." And after receiving the two ponies' nods, she quietly went out of the theater. --- As Aurora got out of the door, she was immediately greeted by a soft winter breeze of the evening city. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the chilly air running inside her lungs, and sighed in delight. Finally, she was outside. Establishments and lamp posts lit up the streets. Snow were falling softly. She flapped her wings, and stretched them as she turned her head around, trying to spot a building that serve drinks. She locks her sight on a simple establishment. 'Hm... "Doughnut Joe's Doughnuts"... Aw well...' She shrugged, retracted her wings, and began to walk down the steps, and stopped after she got on the street. A carriage stopped in front of her. She took a few steps to her side to make way for the door, and walked towards the traffic light. After she arrived, she looked at the pony who was inside the carriage as she waited for the traffic to stop. An old-looking black earth pony, wearing a stern look, went out of the carriage. He payed the drivers, and made his way towards the theater. As Aurora crossed the street, her eyes were locked on the establishment: part of it, however, as she stared at a young yellow pegasus filly with a fiery-orange messy mane and tail, and on her mouth was an empty plastic drinking bottle, where inside were bent bottle caps. The filly was shaking her head, creating sounds of bottle caps, as she poorly stared at the large glass window of the shop. As Aurora got to the street, an old angry earth pony came out of the building, and glared at the young yellow filly. "I have told you! Go. Away!" And he quickly collected snow from the ground, and threw it at the fleeing filly. "What the hay!?" Aurora exclaimed, catching the earth pony's attention. "What was that for!? Why'd you do that!?" She asked furiously as she got in front of the earth pony. "Mind your own business, kid." And with that, the earth pony turned back and went inside the shop, failing to notice a teenaged caramel unicorn pony who sneaked out just before the old pony turned to enter the establishment. With the teenaged pony was a brown paper bag. He puts the bag down on the ground and faced the furious Aurora with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for my grandfather..." He then turned to where the yellow pegasus filly ran off to. "She's gone..." "Who's gone?" Asked Aurora, still angry, yet now she's confused. "The filly?" The unicorn pony nodded. "Yeah... She often comes here, carolling." He then turned to the orange pegasus. "I feel sorry for her though. So, I always sneak a few doughnuts to give her." "That's nice of you." Aurora managed to smile. The caramel unicorn pony smiled. "Thank you." But he then frowned as he slowly turned back to the direction to where the pegasus filly had fled. "But I got out too late..." He sighed. "I told her not to carol, but she wouldn't listen..." He slowly turned to the orange pegasus. "My grandfather hates beggars... Can't blame him though. He was mugged a few years ago." "Still..." Aurora started, her tone a mix of sadness and anger. "...he shouldn't have just sent her away like that." She looked at the direction to where the filly ran off to. The unicorn pony did the same. "I agree." Both then looked at each other. "Name's Joe, by the way." Aurora arched an eyebrow. "Joe? As in, the name of this shop?" She points a hoof on the sign of the shop. Joe let out a weak laugh. "Yeah, kinda awkward, I know." "Joe! Get back here, this instant!" They heard the old pony's voice through the closed glass door. "I best be going back inside." He said as he gently pushes the paper bag towards the orange filly. "Could you do me a favor?" He asked. Aurora smiled as she nodded. "Of course. Bring this to that filly, right?" Joe nodded. "Thanks. Thanks, so much." "No problem." Aurora smiled as she grabbed the bag with a hoof. "Any idea where she went, though?" "Not sure, but try the park." "Joe!!!" "Comin'! Sheesh..." Joe's angry look faded into an apologetic one. "Sorry about that, um..." "Aurora." The pegasus smiled, and she then bit the bag to carry it with her mouth. "Right. Aurora. Well, good luck." Joe smiled warmly. "Nnnn frobllmmmm." She nodded as she flapped her wings, and soon, she was gliding in the air, towards the park. ---------- 3. Cold Life ---------- Aurora, Sunset and Henry arrived in the park near the theater. Daybreak couldn't let them inside yet, because the theater was busy preparing everything for tonight's play. He asked them to go and wait for him in the park. Now that they were here, they did not expect to see Midnight sitting beside a brown mare on a bench meters away from the park's entrance. Aurora and Henry sighed. "He caught another one..." Aurora slowly said. She then grinned. Another great time to play a prank. "Aurora..." Henry said cautiously. "Please don't..." She flapped her wings, and glided towards her prey. Henry sighed in defeat. 'Never did I expect Midnight to actually settle on one mare.' Aurora thought as she landed on the entrance of the park. The park, blanketed by snow, leafless trees, and lamp posts shedding light in the area. A number of ponies were around: couples dating and fillies playing. Shouldn't be difficult to spot that yellow pegasus filly, Aurora convinced herself. She smiled as she began to walk around the park. Aurora landed quietly behind the dark-blue unicorn, and quickly wrapped her hooves around the unicorn's head, covering both his eyes. "Guess who, sweetie?" She grinned. "Not amused, Aurora..." Midnight annoyingly replied. The brown mare, who was busy playing her violin, stopped. "S-sweetie...?" She sounded hurt. Midnight angrily grabbed the pegasus' hooves and threw them away from him. "Don't mind my sister..." He turned over his shoulder, and shot a glare at Aurora, who was playfully sticking her tongue out. "She does this all the time..." "Oh... I see..." Melody didn't sound convinced. Midnight turned to her and puts a hoof on her shoulder. "Hey, don't be like that..." Aurora happily landed in front of the two, and was about to say something when a gray filly ran and stopped in front of the orange pegasus. "Who are you?" She angrily asked the pegasus. 'I didn't actually mean it...' She thought as she turned her head right. And there, the yellow pegasus filly - probably the same age as her - was lying down on a cardboard box right next to the lamp post, crying quietly. Aurora felt her heart ache. "C-can you spare s-some Bits, sir?" A young orange filly, sitting on a street, asked a pony who was about to pass her by. The high-class earth pony gave her no mind, and continued walking, as if he had heard nothing. The poor filly looked down on the cemented street as the pony passed her, and then slowly lifted her head up, staring at a unicorn mare, about to pass her by. She begged her for Bits, but just like the other ponies, she was ignored. Often times, other ponies tell her to die somewhere else, others even laughed at her, and some even called the police ponies to get rid of her. Aurora shook her head to rid of the awful memory. It did the trick, but it failed to stop a tear run down her face. She sniffed, inhaled, exhaled, and stared at the yellow crying filly. She then started to walk towards her quietly. "It's okay, 'Tavie." Midnight patted the gray filly's head. "She's my annoying sister... Aurora..." He shot her a glare. Henry and Sunset arrived, and greeted the unicorn. "Henry! Sunset!" Midnight exclaimed as he jumped off of the bench and hugged the two. "Glad you guys could make it!" Henry arched an eyebrow as the hug broke. "Midnight... Are you okay?" "Huh?" Midnight's smile faded, replaced by confusion. "Of course!" "Huh..." Henry didn't sound convinced. "You just hugged me. Are you feeling ill?" "What's wrong with hugging?" Midnight asked the alicorn, annoyed, and ignored the brown earth mare's chuckle. He then smiled as he turned to the brown mare. "Hey, Melody. Meet my family...well, most of them." Aurora stopped after she reached the filly, who just rose her head up and stared at the orange pegasus with teary sad eyes. The orange pegasus swore she just heard her heart crash. She brought the paper bag down on the ground, and smiled weakly. "Hey there..." She was about to push the bag towards the filly, but the yellow pegasus quickly stood up and stepped back. "No, don't!" Aurora was confused. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." She pushed the bag, and touched the filly's cardboard bed. The yellow filly however, took another step back, her face full of fear. "Please, don't...!" Aurora was now confused as ever. She opened her mouth, about to say something, but she was cut off after a long whistle sound echoed in the park. "Oh no!" The yellow pegasus filly quickly flapped her wings and flew away. Aurora turned around and saw a police unicorn pony running towards her. 'Oh no...' She thought. "You are coming with us." Said one of the two unicorn police ponies. "W-why?" Asked the orange pegasus filly. "Sorry kid..." Said the other. "But ponies like yourself aren't allowed in the city." "Sorry miss..." Said the unicorn police pony. "...but I need you to come with me. Ponies are not allowed to give anything to beggars." Aurora shot him a glare. The orange filly, scared, took a step back, and felt sand and dust on her hooves. "She is not a beggar!" She secretly collected snow on her front hoof. The orange filly secretly collected the dust and sand on the ground. "She didn't beg!" The orange filly was now surrounded by an aura of magic. She grabbed the snowball. "And I am not as heartless as you!" The orange filly threw sand towards the ponies' eyes, and made her escape. She threw the snowball directly on the police pony's face. She quickly turned around, bit the bag, and flapped her wings and flew after the yellow pegasus filly. --- A yellow pegasus filly, with a messy fiery-orange mane and tail, quietly landed on top of a tall building of Canterlot. She quietly cried, letting her tears run down her face, as she settled down on a corner. She sniffed. She didn't want a life like this, yet, here she was: poor, starving, homeless... If Cloudsdale wasn't strict with laws, then she would still be in Flight School, enjoying each day taking every class, and coming home to see her parents again. But alas, those were but mere dreams ever since she learned how to fly. Her parents abandoned her, as the law stated. She sniffed. She heard gentle hooves landing quietly in front of her. She opened her eyes, and saw the orange pegasus from earlier, still bringing the paper bag with her. Aurora puts the brown paper pag on the ground, smiled, and pushed the bag gently towards the filly. The bag was now beside the yellow pegasus. She hesitated, but her hungry nose smelt the warm smell of doughnuts. She lifted her hoof to grab it, but she stop midway, and looked at the smiling orange mare. "W-why...?" Aurora shrugged. "No talking. No crying." She smiled as she walked towards her, and patted her shoulder with a hoof. "Just eat up." --- There were five large doughnuts inside the paper bag. The yellow filly ate the first three, took another one, and she wants to eat it, but hesitated. "What's wrong?" Aurora asked, as she sat beside the yellow filly. The yellow pegasus stared at the doughnut on her hoof for a short while until she brought it back inside the paper bag. "Thank you..." She said lowly. "But I'm going to save these...for tomorrow..." "Oh..." Aurora said, turning her head down. But then, an idea. She smiled. --- The two pegasus fillies glided down to the ground and faced the entrance of a bakery. Aurora smiled wide, while the other looked confused and scared, and a paper bag on her mouth. Through the glass door, an elderly earth pony was about to flip the 'Open' sign to 'Close' when he noticed the two pegasi fillies outside. A warm smile was on his face as he opened the glass door. "Aurie? Is that you, dear?" Aurora smiled, fighting hard to hold her tears. "Hey Gran'pa." --- Aurora was crying in an alleyway. Hungry, tired, homeless... She sobbed. "There there, little one..." Said a soft-yet-old voice from behind her. She was surprised. She wanted to fly away, but her wings refused to do so. She was too tired and hungry, but her nose was suddenly filled with a delicious smell. She turned her head, and saw an old earth pony, extending a hoof towards her. On his hoof was a piece of bread. On his face was a warm smile. --- After Aurora and the earth pony broke their hug, the two fillies were allowed inside, and both were now seated on chairs around a round table. The old pony brought tea. "Aurie, I am really glad to see you again." Said the old pony with a warm smile. "And I am glad, that you found your mother, as stated from your letter." Aurora smiled, and sipped her tea. "Thanks, gran'pa. Really." The old pony smiled and nodded, and then turned to the other filly. "What's your name, dear?" "Um..." She hesitated. She haven't even touched her tea yet. "S...Spitfire..." The old pony smiled warmly. "Spitfire. It is a wonderful name." He turned to Aurora, and smiled. He turned back to the yellow filly. "Tell me, Spitty..." Aurora chuckled. He's still quick at thinking of good nicknames. "...can you help this poor ol' pony in running this here bakery?" "...huh?" Spitfire was confused. She looked at the orange pegasus, who only replied with a smile. She turned back to the old earth pony. "I could use some help 'round here, you see..." He raised a hoof, and waved it around slowly. "These old bones get tired so easily..." He brought his hoof back down, and sipped some tea. Spitfire looked down on her cup of tea. She's not sure whether to accept or not. "Tell you what..." The earth pony said, grabbing the filly's attention. "If you decide to help, I have a spare bedroom upstairs." "I used to work here." Aurora said, averting the filly's attention from the earth pony to her. "Gran'pa's really a nice pony. Trust me." She smiled warmly. Spitfire slowly looked down on her cup of tea, and thought about it for a few minutes. The other two ponies let her be, and decided to chat with each other. After minutes of thought, a small smile appeared on her lips, turned her head up, and faced the earth pony, who quietly ended his chat with the other pegasus, and slowly turned to her with a warm smile. "I'll help out." ---------- 4. Tangled String ---------- 'What is taking Aurora so long?' Henry thought as he got outside the theater. He walked down the steps slowly as he turned his head, trying to find the orange filly. As soon as he reached the street, he finally found the pegasus. Through the wide glass window of a shop, he saw Aurora, sitting on a stool, eating some doughnuts on a table, and she was talking to a caramel unicorn pony. Though he felt relieved to see the pegasus was okay, he's feeling a bit angry, seeing her talking to a teen-aged unicorn pony. She's too young to date a pony. --- Aurora and Joe stopped their chat as the door swung open, hitting the chimes above the door. Both turned to the customer: a green pegasus pony with a dark-brown mane and tail (Henry's horn is under his white hat). "Good evening, sir!" Greeted the unicorn pony as he stood up. "What can I get you?" Henry shook his head a bit, looking a bit annoyed, and turned to the orange filly, who was only staring blankly at him. 'Don't jump to conclusions...' "Aurora," he points a hoof at the unicorn pony, "who's this?" "Oh, he's Joe." Aurora happily informs him. "He works here with his stingy grandfather." "Hey hey..." Joe said, facing the filly. "None of that 'bout my grandpa." Aurora wanted to argue, but decided to take a bite off of her doughnut. Henry took a breath and sighed. "You've been gone for a while, Aurora..." "Oh yeah..." Aurora laughed weakly. "I helped a filly earlier..." "Helped?" Henry arched an eyebrow. Joe nodded. "Indeed she has, sir." He said with a smile, catching Henry's attention. --- "I see..." Henry said. The three ponies were now seated around the table, where Aurora and Joe explained what had happened earlier. "I never knew this city is too strict with..." He trailed off. He shook his head, and faced the pegasus. "Anyway, we should head back. The play is already over." Aurora gasped. "Already?" Henry nodded, smiling. "Yes." --- Daybreak, Midnight, Snow Flake and Melody were chatting on a corner behind the stage. They, and the other ponies on the set, have enjoyed tonight's play, and were now waiting for the large audience to leave so they could start helping out with removing the large sets of the play. A middle-aged black earth pony arrived and walked towards them. He coughed a few times, both to clear his throat and to grab the four ponies' attention. "What do you want?" Midnight asked annoyingly. "To take my daughter home, of course." He replied calmly. "I am her father, if I need to remind you." Midnight shot a glare. "No need. I'll walk her home." Daybreak arched an eyebrow. He could not believe his brother would give such an offer. Melody, despite feeling great tension, blushed after hearing the dark-blue unicorn's words. He'll walk her home. That was a sweet thing to say. The black earth pony, however, shook his head. "Don't trouble yourself, son." "Trust me..." Midnight said, holding his anger. "...it's no trouble at all." He is angry at the black earth pony, yet he also needs to control himself. He is, in fact, Melody's father. If he wants to have her for the rest of his life, then he needs to win her father's approval. And that is one tough goal to achieve, Midnight admitted to himself. "Are you suggesting that I would leave my daughter's safety to the hooves of a pony I don't even know?" He calmly said, arching an eyebrow a bit. "That's one way of putting it, pops." He said as he gritted his teeth. He's not really doing a good job holding his anger. The black earth pony, however, smiled confidently. "Sorry, but I will not allow that." "Have you forgotten who you're talking to!?" Midnight raised his voice out of anger. There is absolutely no way in Tartarus that he won't walk Melody home. "Don't make such threats, son." The black earth pony grinned. "You no longer hold the elements, as far as I've heard." Midnight had to hold himself from gasping. 'Darn it, he knew!?' The black earth pony then turned to his daughter. "Now come, Melody." His grin then turned into an annoyed frown, seeing his daughter's head tilted to the ground, looking sad. "Octavia needs her mother back home." Melody slowly nodded. "I said I'll walk her home..." Midnight hissed, staring angrily at the earth pony, who simply faced him with an annoyed look. "...and I will walk her home, and I'm---" "Brother, stop." Daybreak took a step forward, extending a hoof in between the two ponies. Midnight shot him a glare. Daybreak simply smiled. "I do not want you to use the spirit of the element." Midnight shot him an angry and confused look. '...the f*ck are you talking about?' Daybreak winked as the black earth pony suddenly felt a cold shiver running down his spine. Finally, Midnight received the message, but he needed to hold his grin. The angry unicorn slapped his brother's hoof and took a step forward, casting fear around the black earth pony. "Like I said. I'm going to walk her home, and I will walk her home." His voice slowly raising with each word. He took another step, shooting a killer glare at the frightened earth pony. "And I'll make sure she gets back home." He whispered angrily, receiving the fast nods of the black earth pony. Midnight quickly took a step back, washed his anger away, replaced it with a wide smile, and pulls the startled mare beside him. "There! You see Melody?" He happily extends a hoof towards her father. "Pops here will let me walk you home." "T-t-thanks...?" Melody was not sure what just happened, but learning that Midnight will walk her home made her feel safe and easy inside. The black earth pony sighed in defeat. "I'll prepare some tea then." "Aw, don't trouble yourself, pops!" Midnight happily said. "I'll just walk her home, and then I'll be on my way." That however, made the brown earth mare frown. --- Outside the theater, Midnight and Melody were not sure how to get back to the brown mare's home. Yesterday, she invited him over for dinner in her place, and Midnight could still remember which street to take to get there. But a problem... How will Melody follow him? Midnight's taller than her, so putting her hoof on his back was not a good option. Carry her? No, Midnight said he'll walk her home, not carry her all the way there. He doesn't want the mare to feel helpless. Bite or hold his tail? That would be awkward. "Um..." He heard the mare. "We could...take a carriage." "No!" Midnight immediately replied as he spun around to face the startled mare. He immediately regretted his actions. "I'm sorry..." Melody shook her head. Midnight sighed in defeat. "I guess, the carriage...sounds good." "Why would you want to walk, anyway?" Melody asked him. Midnight took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh. "Because... Because I want to spend a few more minutes with you..." He turned his gaze away from the mare. "...before I...leave." "Leave?" Midnight raised a hoof, a gesture to call an empty carriage. He looked back at the mare, and felt his heart shattered into tiny pieces. Melody was looking confused, sad, and hurt. "Believe me..." He slowly said as the carriage arrived. "...I really want to be with you, for the rest of my life, but..." He brought a hoof over her shoulder. "...My home is back in PonyVille..." --- "Midnight went where again?" Henry asked. He could not believe what he just heard. Daybreak and Snow Flake were using their magic to fold a large red curtain. Aurora and Sunset were waiting for them outside the theater. "He walked Melody back home, uncle." Daybreak said once more, not even glancing back at the alicorn, as he focuses on folding the curtain. "I...see..." Henry replied, uncertain if things would go well or not. He needed to make sure the two will reach their destination safe and sound. --- "Just leave them alone." Aurora said as she rolled her eyes. "He's old enough to take care of himself, anyway." Good point, Henry had to admit, but still... After he got out of the theater, he immediately lets Aurora and Sunset know of his intension. But, now that he got a few minutes to spare, he thought... ...what is he so worried about? He sighed. A clear answer will forever be the obvious one. "Midnight..." ---------- 5. Crying Heart ---------- Midnight and Melody quietly rode a slow-moving carriage, which is taking them to Melody's home. Both sat beside each other, holding a hoof with the other, but Midnight focused his gaze on the direction opposite to where the mare was seated. He sadly stared blankly at the buildings they pass by. As much as Midnight wanted to be with the mare, he just couldn't. "Why...?" He heard the low voice of the mare beside him, making him turn his head to face her. "Why are you leaving me...?" She simply hung her head low. Midnight felt even more sad, seeing her like that. "I'm..." He sighed. "I...love you, Melody. Really, I do. It's just that..." He trailed off, staring down on the carriage floor. "Is...is there another...mare in your life?" "What?" Midnight quickly turned to her, disbelieving what he just heard. "No! Of course not!" He replied, with a raised voice, not caring if the earth pony driver could hear them. "Then why...?" Midnight swore he could literally hear the mare's heart breaking. His heart is in worse condition. "It's just...I just...ugh...! It's because I'm a mailpony...!" Melody rose her head in confusion, and turned to where she guessed Midnight was. Midnight turned to the opposite direction from the mare, to avoid seeing her face. He took a deep breath, held her hoof tighter, and exhaled. "I'm a mailpony... The pay is not enough for me to support you and 'Tavie..." He forced a tear not to run down from his eyes. "I don't even have my own place... I'm temporarily living inside a library where my uncle is working..." He cursed, for he failed to hold a tear. He wiped it off with his other hoof, and sniffed. He turned back to the mare, who was looking apologetic. "...but please believe me when I say this... I love you, and I will come back for you, and 'Tavie. I'll find a good job, save up for a house, and then I'll come back and get the two of you. I don't know how long it'll take me, but I promise you, I will come back and get you." He dragged her hoof over his chest, where his heart was pounding real hard. "I promise, with all my heart, Melody." A tear ran down from Melody's eye. She slowly took her hoof back, and tried to locate his shoulder. Midnight guided her hoof, putting it on his shoulder. Melody quickly extends her other hoof, and wrapped it around his neck, hugging him as she quietly cried. Midnight returned the hug, allowing a tear run down his face. "I don't want you to go..." Melody whispered. "I know..." Midnight replied. "I don't want to go either, but..." Unknown to the driver that a brown bird was on his back, quietly watching the couple. The bird's head turned down, facing the moving snow-covered ground, for a short while before it flew away. --- Midnight levitated some Bits towards the driver as payment. The driver looked at the Bits on his hooves, blinking a few times before turning back to the unicorn. "Um..." he began, "you payed too much, sir." "Keep it." Midnight simply replied, looking sad as he turned to the mare. "Um...thanks...I suppose?" The earth pony whispered, even though his passenger won't hear him. He then slowly moved away. Midnight and Melody now stood in front of a large gate of a two-storey building. A single light was eluminating the lower floor of the building. Midnight sighed as he brought his hoof to press the doorbell. Soon, a few hooves in front of them, the building's door opened, revealing the mare's father, looking sleepy. He dragged his hooves as he went towards them to open the gate. "Something the matter?" The black earth pony asked the two ponies as he pushed the gate open. Midnight simply shook his head. "It's nothing." He then turned to the mare. "Well, good night, Melody." And Midnight did something that caught her father off-guard. Midnight gave the mare a small peck on her cheeks. Though she was feeling sad, she couldn't help but blush, and feel a bit happy. Though it was not a solution they seeked, it was at least enough, for her, to continue, and try to live her life, without her stallion. "Take care of 'Tavie, 'kay?" And after receiving the mare's sad nod, Midnight bowed at her father, said his goodbye, and turned, only to stop in shock as he saw before him a well-familiar green alicorn pony, smiling at him. "H-Henry?" "Hi Midnight." Midnight took a few steps to the side to give room for the alicorn. Henry took a few steps forward, and greeted the two earth ponies. "Sir Henry." The black earth pony bowed, with a sleepy smile. "It's great to finally meet you." "You know him, dad?" Melody asked. "Of course. His book is quite popular, if I do say so myself." He chuckled. "What can I do for you, sir?" --- Melody, Midnight and Henry were all seated on a large and wide black sofa in the living room, awaiting the black earth pony, who was preparing tea. Soon, he arrived, balancing a tray of four cups and a hot teapot on his back. Midnight, without thinking, immediately used his magic to levitate the tray and gently place them on the brown rectanglular table in front of the three ponies. The black earth pony simply let the unicorn be, as Midnight used his magic to distribute the cups, and levitated the teapot, and poured some tea. When he was about to levitate the teapot to Henry's cup, the alicorn couldn't help but smile. He used to hate tea, but after living for a year and a few months in PonyVille, he got used to it. "Thank you for the tea." Henry said as he grabbed his cup with both his hooves. Here in Canterlot, ponies knew him as a pegasus, so he had to act without magic. Midnight didn't understand why though, but he didn't bother asking. "It's no problem." The black earth pony replied, and soon took a sip. "So, may I ask, Sir Henry, of what is it that you would like to discuss?" "Ah yes." Henry smiled. He then turned to Midnight, who was seated in between him and Melody. He then turned back to the black earth pony. "It would seem that my nephew here has grown, um...let's say, feelings, towards your daughter." "No duh..." Midnight whispered, making the alicorn shot a glare at him for a few moments. "Yes." The black earth pony said, his tone was mixed with a little bit of anger. "They have made me aware of that fact not too long ago." The young couple hung their heads low. Henry nodded in agreement. He too, was just made aware of the two ponies' relationship this morning. At first, Henry thought that she was just another mare that would be added to the unicorn's collection. How wrong he was for thinking such thought. "I would like to apologize for my nephew's...shall we say...rude behavior, towards you." 'Henry sounds like one of them now...' Midnight quietly sighed. The black earth pony shook his head, smiling. "It is nothing to worry about, Sir Henry. Hahah." Henry smiled back. "That is good to hear." He sipped his cup of tea. "Now then, onto the point." He puts his cup of tea down on the table. "In all honesty, my nephew has never shown quite actions to anyone before." Midnight looked at him in confusion. "I'd say, he's showing clear signs of..." Henry trailed off with a smile. The black pony got the hint. "...true love?" Henry nodded. "Yes. I'd like to inform you, that despite my nephew's behavior, he's a hardworker." "So, where you're going with this is...you want me to allow my daughter to live with him?" The black pony asked. Though he's looking neutral, his tone betrayed his expression. Midnight, though he liked to have Melody with him, was about to argue with the alicorn. Where would the tw---three of them stay? He failed to speak when the alicorn quickly replied to the earth pony's question. "Yes. Don't you think it's about time for your daughter to live her life?" Henry then turned to the unicorn. "Midnight here, my nephew, has a house in PonyVille." Midnight arched an eyebrow. Is Henry actually trying his best to help him? It sure looks that way, but why? Something's off. There's probably a catch after this... The earth pony turned to the unicorn. "Midnight, is it?" The unicorn turned to him, and nods his head. "Tell me something. What's your current job?" "Uh..." Midnight hesitated to answer, but he needed to. "I'm a mail...pony..." "Uh-huh..." He slowly turned his gaze back on Henry. Midnight closed his eyes as he hung his head low. He's about to receive a 'no' from Melody's father. "Sir Henry... He's a mailpony, but he owns a house?" Henry simply nodded with a smile. "Trust me, I couldn't believe it either." 'Duh, 'cause it's not true.' Midnight thought bitterly. If, however, some miracle happens, and her father lets them live together, what then? Will they live inside that small room inside the library? Henry must be out of his mind. But, something inside him is telling him to trust the changeling. Should he? Melody however, was focused on her own set of thoughts. Did Midnight just lied to him? About him not owning a house he calls home? But he sounded like he was telling the truth earlier. Maybe his uncle's the one who's lying? "I...I need some time to think this over." The black earth pony rubbed his forehead with a hoof. "It's true that my daughter's old enough to live independently, but her condition made me think otherwise." "But of course." Henry assured him. "You are her father, after all. It's instinct to make sure your children could live a happy life." "But a happy life, he failed to give me..." Melody suddenly said, catching everypony's attention. "I am thankful for my father, always being there to help me, but..." She took a deep breath, and exhaled. "...I no longer feel his love towards me..." "Melody, you kno---" "I feel like you're just using me..." Melody cuts him off. A tear ran down on her face. Midnight gently wiped it off with his hoof. "I'm tired, dad... I really am." Another tear rolled down her face as Midnight gently rubbed her back. "You may be there to help me go around places, but you no longer treated me like your daughter. I'm blind, dad. I've lived in the darkness. And with how you treated me, my world grew even darker... 'Tavie is the only pony who made me cling to continue on living. 'Tavie...and Midnight... Midnight treated me differently, dad. He treated me like nopony ever had." Silence reigned for a few minutes before the mare finally stopped crying. "Midnight..." She softly said. "Could...could you walk me to my room, please?" "O-of course...?" Midnight quickly turned to the black earth pony. The earth pony quietly pointed his hoof on the first door on the second floor. The two slowly walked up the stairs, with Midnight aiding the brown mare with every step. The black earth pony and the green alicorn stared at the two ponies quietly. "I'm sorry..." Henry said after he turned to the earth pony. "I did not want your daughter to..." The black earth pony sighed as he shook his head. He then looked at the green pegasus. "Will...will my daughter have a bright future there in PonyVille?" Henry shook his head. "I cannot answer that. Sorry..." The black earth pony sighed and rubbed his forehead, as Midnight greeted the brown earth pony goodnight, and closed the door, and slowly walked down the stairs. Midnight, after reaching the end of the stairs, looked at the alicorn. Henry took a deep breath, and exhaled. He then stood up and faced the earth pony. "Anyway, sorry to have cause a bother." The black earth pony simply shook his head slowly. He followed it with a sigh. "Come on, Midnight. Time to leave." Henry said, facing the unicorn. Midnight closed his eyes as he nodded. 'I guess this is goodbye...' ---------- Originally Written on August 26, 2012 Updates... - October 19, 2012 - I mistakenly thought Joe was an earth pony. He's a unicorn now.