//------------------------------//
// troubles  
// Story: Tom walks 
// by Mr Stargazer 
//------------------------------//

	Tom opened his eyes and stood up, cleaning himself off and then immediately heading out the door… He was not ready to speak to her. His heart just could not take it. How could this have happened? He was tom! He was strong! He…he had no idea what he was doing. Tom turned the corner, pondering his existence. How many centuries had he counted before that hoof had touched his stone body? How long had he been without thought or action? Tom was sitting, leaning against a building. How could he tell her the truth? What should he say? That he was older than the stones beneath their feet? That he had bound so much to earth and sky? That he had been pushing her through her entire life? That it was he who had pulled her to that stone? That it was him who had been sabotaging her career so she would be in the correct place and position to meet Twilight? It was all too much. How far back should he go? 

It was at this time that a pink mare noticed her friend sitting against a building. She jumped forward, glad to get the chance to become best friends with him. Plus, there were the questions. But those were secondary to making him happy. 

"Hello Tom! How ya doin’?" 

The stallion looked at her for only a moment before casting his eyes down once again.

“I am sitting by the road contemplating my existence. It is rather unpleasant. How can I help you?"

"WELL..." Pinkie was biting her bottom lip. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about this Alicorn thingy. I mean I know that I am different from almost everypony else, but I'm not different except that I am…"

"Pinkie. Listen to me. You are a pony who was born with equal parts of the three basic magic types in you. But because you lack sky magic you could not become an Alicorn. In order to be an Alicorn you must be bound to a Celestial Body. You can do things other ponies can't, correct?"

"Uh huh…" Pinkie Pie was staring at him, her attention completely occupied.

"What are some of those things? Specific abilities, mind you, not what you did with them."

The mare sat there a while, considering the question carefully.

"Well…I can stop falling in mid-air. I can run for a REALLY long time and REALLY fast. I remember a lot of things and I sometimes find myself in other places. Though I'm not sure how I got there…"

"Teleportation is unicorn magic. All pegasi manipulate gravity to fly and can stop mid air much like you. The running comes from both your earth pony strength and the pegasus gravity reduction. The memory is because of…well, you are a smart mare. The problem is that all of these things should have been dormant except for your increased strength. There is one thing different about you than others with you condition. You are the Element of Laughter. You do not bear the Element. You are the Element. It has been embedded into your very soul from birth. It was your destiny…  Whatever being that cast your fate must not have considered your…condition. "

The two sat there for a time before the pink one smiled once more. Pecking him on the cheek she turned and bounced away, saying something even he could not understand.

"It's ok, I forgive you."


.......................................................................................................................


Rarity watched Tom go. She had made no effort to stop him. How could she? There had been an ultimatum. He would need time…

Was this the right thing to do? What if he never came back? Rarity went to the kitchen and made breakfast. She sat there as Sweetie Belle talked. The food tasted bland and spoiled. All the wrong flavors were coming out. The eggs were slimy with the pepper coming on too strong. The orange juice tasted like water had been mixed in. 

"So do you love him?"

"WHAT!?" 

"Tom. Do you love him?"

Rarity was staring at her little sister. Where did she get such an idea!?

"Sweetie...ponies don't just fall in love like that. There has to be romantic dinners and long walks in the moonlight. Tom and I have only met recently and he has not even asked me out ye-"

She stopped; he had not asked her out yet. Yet… Had she been anticipating him asking her out? Did she like Tom? 

Sweetie Belle saw the look on her sister's face and laughed at how startled she was. It would only be perfect if she pestered her a little.

"It’s ok, sis. I always wanted a big brother."

The little demon was laughing as her sister sat there, gasping in distress. Later, after the two had calmed down, Rarity cleaned up the meal and went to work. She worked quietly without her usual singing, too concerned about Tom. What did she really know about him? He is quiet, except when he has a strong opinion. He’s honest to a fault, yet he won't tell her about his past. He is strong-willed, yet lets others decide his day. His job takes him everywhere, but does not earn him any bits. He is a fast learner but knew nothing about basic etiquette that even the youngest foal knows. He is kind and strong, weak and fearful, smart and ignorant, sad and calm… Nothing made sense. Then there was the incident in the barn. She had no idea what to think of that. Her sister falling, dying before her eyes, and then Tom runs in. She follows. He is gone. Sweetie is fine. No explanation. How could she love someone that she knew so little about? 

But even as she sat there making her dresses and thinking such thoughts, a part of her wanted nothing more than for Tom to return. Even if it was to turn him away.


....................................................................................


Tom stood up after the pink one had gone.  He could no longer think of her as the Element of Laughter. She was so much more. Leaving, he made his way to a small cafe around the corner.  It was a quiet place and Tom thought it might be nice to sit there and think for a while. However, he noticed a mare with a pink mane and three butterflies for cutie marks at a stall. The Element of Kindn-Fluttershy was buying some apples from Applejack, who was currently waving him over. Sighing, Tom walked over and placed a smile on his face. He may need to maintain good relationships with the others if Rarity did end up rejecting him. 

"Hey there, Tom! Care to buy some apples?"

"No thank you, Applejack. How are you doing?" Small talk was still so foreign to him.

"I'm doing fine. Hey, have you met Fluttershy yet?"

"No, I do not believe I have. Hello, I am Tom."

The mare was hitting her hoof against the ground while maintaining a downcast expression. She seemed unable or unwilling to look him in the eye.

“Hello…have I offended you in some way?" Tom was worried. How could he have failed so miserably? Fluttershy would not even speak to him!

"Ummm…hi. I’m Fluttershy."

"It is good to meet you, Fluttershy. "

"..."

"..."

"…eep."

"Well…Tom, could you come by the farm tomorrow? I need your help with something," cut in Applejack.

"Of course, Applejack."  He looked at Fluttershy, who seemed to be carrying a large number of bags.  Thinking on it, Tom picked up some of them.

"Oh, um…no you don't have to…"

"It is no difficulty. You are a friend of Rarity's and therefore a friend of mine. Please allow me to help you." Tom interrupted. The mare took a few seconds to respond.

"Ok...follow me."

The two headed out of town toward her house. It was only when they were out of town that Fluttershy worked up the courage to talk.

" Ummm…so Twilight told me about you. Why were you in the market?"

Tom looked down to the ground, sadness in his eyes.

"I am having…difficulty with Rarity in our interactions."

"Difficulty? Oh, my…what did you do to upset her?"	

"…I have not been open with her or anypony else. Since arriving, I have avoided saying anything about my past."

"Why would you do that? Did...you do something evil?"

"No…in fact, I have done a great amount of good. It's not that I do not want to tell her, it is that I can't."

"Why can't you?"

"I made certain promises to myself which prevent me from doing so. Now if I do not tell her the truth she will cut all ties with me."

"Really? …Have you told her this?"

"No. How could she accept that? A refusal to tell anything?"

"But it would be the truth. She will understand. If you're honest, she will accept it." 

Could it be so simple? Tell her that he can't say?

"I will do as you suggest." 

After putting her food in the house, Tom left and headed back to town. 

He walked to the library, hoping that he could find a book on relationships and not make contact with the one named Spike. There was no such luck.

"What are YOU doing here?" asked the little dragon.

"I am here for a book. Where is Twilight?"	

"Out. Why don't you go ahead and leave? You're not wanted here."

Tom was angry already. "This is a public library. I know that means I can be here without your permission as long as it is open."

"We’re closing."

"It is in the middle of the day."

"We’re closing early."

"No wonder she should of not left  a child responsible for so much knowledge. Especially one who breathes fire."

The dragon growled.

"I’m sixteen and not a child."

"I would not care if you were a hundred years old. A child is a child. "

"At least I can talk normally and know how to open a door."

"Yes, but I have the excuse of never being a part of society before. Unlike you, who has been in high society your whole life."

"I can't believe Rarity can't see through your lies. Of course you have been in society before! How else would you know how to talk? She should kick you out. I am the only pony for her."

Tom took a step back. Then stepped forward again. "Pony? Can you not even call yourself what you are? A Dragon. That in and of itself is not what will keep her from loving you. It is your childish nature."

They were about to come to blows when Twilight walked in.

"What are you two doing?" she asked, seeing the two glaring at each other.

"NOTHING. Good day." Tom walked out right past her. However, he only made it twelve steps before two guards stopped him.

"Are you Tom?" The guard seemed almost bored.

"Yes. What do you want?" Tom was still slightly angry but calming quickly.

"We were ordered to bring you before Princess Celestia. Follow us."

Tom could have said no, teleported them to orbit, and make them forget about their orders but that would alert his daughters.

"Very well. Lead on." He would need to calm down before arriving. It still surprised him how angry the young dragon made him.  


*************************************


Rarity and Rainbow Dash were sitting in her boutique talking. She had come over to say hello but the conversation quickly turned to Tom.

"Look, Rarity. I don't know what you see in him but there is obviously something. Who cares if you know about his past?"

Rarity was sometimes annoyed by her friend. "Look, Dash. I am not interested in a short fling. How can I think of being with someone if I don't know anything about him?"

"Well…he did say that he wanted nothing more than to be in this town and that his past did not matter… Do you like him?"

"Well…yes."

"What do you like about him?"

"He is good looking, smart, confident, generous, and kind. He seems to always be caring about others before himself. You know, I saw him listen to one of Pinkie’s rants in its entirety. Even responding to make sure she was not sad!"

"Could knowing his past change any of those things?"

"…No."


*************************************


Entering the room set aside in Town Hall for royal visits and leaving the guards outside the door, Tom looked calmly at his daughter Celestia sitting behind a table. Then, the door closed and they were alone. 

"Hello…Tom. It is good to see you again." The monarch was sitting there smiling, drinking a cup of tea."It has come to my attention that you have discovered a new explanation for magic. One that can actually explain how I raise the sun. What do you have to say about this?"

"Yes."

"... Yes."  She set down her cup. "Your new theory of magic has , in only two days,  completely shattered over two thousand years of magical theory. The University is in an uproar. The vast majority of texts are now completely useless. They had to be thrown out because of an earth pony and the sun ruler's personal student who confirmed his theory. Look at this. " She took a newspaper and floated over to him. The front page clearly read: The age of Star Swirl is now over Here comes Tom. There was a low quality picture under it of Tom eating a sundae. "This was the calmest newspaper response. Now, not only have you sparked a new age in the understanding of magic, a position many ponies would do almost anything to occupy, you also show that earth ponies are capable of affecting the world directly. What do you do in this position? NOTHING. You DO nothing. SAY nothing. Do you not realize that the entire academic community is waiting for your statement?"

Tom sat in shock. Had he become so focused on Rarity that he had stopped considering the implications of his actions? This was so out of his rules. Ok…ok, they think I am an ordinary pony. I will have to play that role. What should I do? Celestia saw his confusion.

"Well, luckily for you they have no idea where you are. BUT! A statement will be needed, so what should I tell the reporters?"

"Tell them…to leave me alone."

Celestia smiled. "That would only make them seek you out even more."

"Then tell them that the theory is correct and that Twilight will be the one to publish any more theories I may wish to release. Unless they come bother her, in which case I will release nothing."

The ruler sat there, looking straight into his eyes. Normally, ponies would wilt under her gaze but this one just seemed to stare right through her. It was unsettling.

" I will need more than that. They will want to know your past. Where you came from. Your supporting evidence."

"No."

" ...No. Well then, can you at least elaborate on Cadence?"

"Cadence?"

"Yes, the third Alicorn."

"There is no third Alicorn."

The Princess looked at him questioningly.

"Yes, there is. She is the Princess of Love. She is able to increase it in those around her."

Tom seemed really intrigued.

"What body is she bound with?" Inside he was wondering how he could have failed to notice such a thing.

"None. She is bound to the love of the world alone."

"…" That was quite a shock.  He had thought only the big things could have something bound to them. "How did she come to be?"

"I made her. During the time when my sister was on the moon. It was necessary that there be a back-up ruler and the Crystal Empire would be returning. I decided to bind the last daughter to love in her womb. It was quite difficult, I assure you.  Now that the empire has returned, it will be more stable with an eternal ruler."

"I…see. Well then, I suppose an Alicorn can be created if the unborn one has the right ancestry and is bound to something." Tom felt such pride. It was good that his daughter could do so much.

"Indeed… Tom. I need you to perform your magic in front of a professor. Would you do so?"

"Ask Applejack. She can do it as well now."

"No, it must be you."

"…Very well."

The scientist ran many tests as tom preformed magic of the earth type. An hour later, Tom pushed his way out, unwilling to continue. Celestia met him before leaving.

"Why won't you tell anypony about your past? If it is unpleasant, then just tell me. I will keep it in confidence."

Tom stopped walking.

"Very well. Answer this and I will tell you everything. Why did you send Luna to the moon?"

"She was going to bring eternal night. I could not stop her."

"Yes, but you love her. How could you do that to your only family?"

"…I can't answer that."

"Then I can't answer you."

He left, and Celestia stared after him for a long time before turning to her guard and ordering him to get Tom's history.



**************************************************


Tom arrived at Rarity’s, his heart beating fast. Opening the door, he was surprised to find only Sweetie Belle there. She was drawing on some paper.

"Hello, Sweetie Belle. Where is Rarity?"

"Oh, she is out. Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes," he sighed. "Everypony else seems to be today."

The young girl laughed but then became quiet when she remembered her question.

"Did you save me after the glider crashed?"

Tom froze. "…Why do you ask?"

"I remember just before I blacked out. You were running towards me."

"You remember?"

"Well…I remember up until that point, but not after."

Tom was mentally beating himself. She was a child, not an adult. Her brain was different. Even considering the circumstances it was so unlike him.

"Yes, I healed you." The filly jumped at him, instantly hugging him.

"THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! I am so grateful! If you had not been there…" She began to cry. Tom put his forelegs around her. 

"There, there, it is alright." Even his stone spirit was moved by the young crying filly. She kept it up for a long time until looking up at him.

"How did you do it?" 

"…" She deserved to know the truth. "I used magic."

"Magic?" her eyes widened. "I thought only unicorns could use magic."

"Yes, well. That is not true. All the different races have their own magic."

Her face scrunched up. "Where did you learn that?" What was with everypony today? The filly went straight to the problem at hoof.

"I learned it long ago. No, before you ask I cannot tell you. Your sister wants the same answers but I care too much for you both to give them. My past is unimportant. In some ways, I do not have one. I did nothing in my life, but the nature of that life is something I CANNOT share… I'm sorry."

Sweetie Belle looked straight into his eyes, staring into them for a while before smiling. "Ok, that is fine. I will be your friend anyway!"

They hugged again but were surprised to hear somepony crying.

Rarity stepped into view with tears on her face. She ran up and gave Tom a hug. Sweetie Belle smiled and slipped away, hoping that this was the beginning of her having a new brother.

"Rarity..." She put her hoof over his mouth, smiling at him.

"I heard everything. I am sorry I asked for something you cannot give. However, I know enough about you to know I do not want you gone."

The two hugged again, both crying. With time, they would calm down and talk. The conversation never strayed toward his past. Only the future. He told her his day and she hers. In the end, they went to their separate beds, going to sleep in order to prepare for the new day.