//------------------------------// // Problems // Story: Time Has Passed. // by bronystrongwing //------------------------------// Axel wanders the castle, no specific goal in mind. Soon, a glass door leading to what seemed to be an indoor garden catches his eye. Once in the garden, he was surprised to see many familiar plants, alongside some new ones. One flower in particular had his full attention. It had five white pedals surrounding a bright yellow center, somewhat resembling a rose. He recognized it as a flower with a depressing history. Soon, a voice spoke up. "Do you like those ones?" asked a feminine voice. Axel looked about, trying to find the source of the question. When he found none, it spoke again. "Up here." Now he looked up, finding a large, bright yellow rose hanging from the ceiling, it's roots holding it in place. "Did...did you just speak?" he asked, confused. The pedals moved as if they were a mouth as it spoke. "Yes, I did. My name's Flora, nice to meet you, what's yours? "I'm Axel, nice to meet you Flora. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find these flowers?" "I have no clue what they are, they sort of just appeared in the Everfree. Why, do you recognize them?" "Yeah, they're called Cherokee Roses. They're famous for growing along a historic trail called the 'Trail of Tears'. A sad story about a tribe of Native Americans, called the Cherokee, who were forced to leave from their homes to a settlement. 4,000 lives were lost as they traveled the thousand mile long path." He says with a somber tone. "This was the result of years of prejudice and ignorance little under 200 years ago." "How could something like that happen? Why?" Flora asked. "Well, it can be easily be traced back to the year 1830..." ------ Meanwhile Ponyville ------ Jason and Hidden Gem arrive at the Optometrist's office with little issue, aside from the occasion blank stare from random pedestrians. The entrance to office is empty, save for a few chairs and a front desk. Behind said desk is a dark blue unicorn stallion with a white coat on busily rearranging some papers, his back turned to the guardspony and human. "Hey Gem, not to be rude, but what kinda pony is that?" Jason asks, whispering as to not be heard. Hidden Gem looks at him in confusion. "He's a unicorn, like me. I thought that was sort of obvious." "Don't exactly look like a unicorn, unless y'all are insects and I was too stupid to notice." He replies with a chuckle. "Insect? what are you... oh no." Her face falls and becomes serious. She slowly trots up to the counter. "Excuse me, Looking Glass, how's the misses?" She asks. "Hmm, oh she's just fine, thanks for asking." The stallion returns as he turns around to face his guests. "Can't say I've seen anyone like you before, sir." He says looking at Jason. "That's great, just one issue." Hidden Gem says, her voice becoming even more serious. "And what might that be?" The dark blue unicorn says. "Looking Glass isn't married." ------ ------