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// prologue: An Old Mans Tale   
// Story: Hello Again 
// by Flaring Dawn 
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Give thanks for the things you have, the family that loves you, and that one person you hold dear. For one day they will say goodbye... 
~Stormdrift

Rain begins to fall upon the quiet streets of Ponyville as ponies went about their busy day. The mayor was getting ready for the Gala that was going to be held in Town Square, The Pegasus ponies maintained the weather, and others did what they did best. They were all so happy, and carefree. 
All but me. Me and the cruel fate that has enveloped me these last few years. About 20 or 30 years ago I was not the the best pony, well I was, but not to most. I was forced to work in the Factory for ten years until I had enough and broke free at the cost of my most precious treasure... My loving daughter Nimble Breeze. After I escaped I was 'visited' by my brother Grey Skies. He tried to kill me and he failed thanks to my friend Twilight. Now here's where it gets sad. 
She introduced me to her friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and...Fluttershy. When I saw her, my heart sang for the first time in a long time. We never really, well, ya know, dated or even got close to it; but that's because I didn't have the gull to ask her... Until it was too late. You see, all those years ago another thing happened. Something that hurts me to this day. The mare that I have loved, Fluttershy died in my hooves. 
On that fateful day she asked me if I loved her. I of course answered yes.  What she said after that killed me. She said she loved me too. I held her the whole time when she died... After her death I stopped caring, as if it was my fault that she died. For three years I stopped caring until one day when I went to visit her again.
When I was in the Cemetery I was visited By my late wife, Summerset Skies. She tried to tell me it wasn't my fault but I acted like a spoiled filly who didn't get a new ribbon or something like that... Shut up! I'm an old man I have the right to be confusing!! She told me that I was never alone. She was right, that much I can say. Still this emptiness inside my heart is burning like fire. I still feel like I am alone, even though that is not true. Or it wouldn't be true if Summer was still here with me. She died a few years ago in her sleep. I was devastated, as were the kids. After their mom died they all decided it was best for them to move out and see the world. I of course said it was fine. They were adults after all, and it was only normal for them to want to move out. Nimble Breeze would of been proud of me if she were alive today.  She would of wanted me to let them go. Nyte Fyre is now part of a big time Designer company in manehatten, Stargazer Is set to marry his sweetheart this summer, and I couldn't be prouder. And lastly Wild Wind is now the captain of the Wonderbolts. Her dream came true finally. So why can't I be happy?  Why in the wide world of Equestria can't I be happy for them? Could it be this dark veil that has fallen over me? I don't know the answer... My kids tell me all the time, 'Dad, we love you but you're hiding in the past when the future is creeping up behind you.' You know what, they are right... Then what of the constant dreams that haunt me to this day? Even as I walk these happy little streets I am reminded of those awful nights of restlessness. Me running down a dark alley, hoping I can escape what's chasing me, only to hit a wall, and just before I am engulfed in darkness... I wake up, sweating and feeling as if my heart is going to fly out of my chest. Every night its like this. I am off to a long time friends house now. Hoping by some miracle I may be able to figure out why I am haunted by these recurring dreams.   
Funny thing about dreams, is they always seem to mean something right? Why would I be having them if they didn't mean something? As I ponder this I walk the busy streets towards the castle where Twilight was residing.  When Tirek was defeated this castle appeared where Twilight's library once stood, Thus giving her a well deserved spot among the Princesses.  I was very proud of her when this happened and now I was hoping and praying that she could help me with my problem.