//------------------------------// // In Past Times, a Ponyville Shone // Story: Music of Tears // by Civviq Writer //------------------------------// Everything I believed in was proven to be wrong. The elements have disappeared; disharmony is ruling the world. The Magic of Friendship and Love are gone. Along with the Elements, Celestia, Luna and Cadance and Shining Armor are gone. The sun and the moon have frozen in the sky, the stars ever-present, looking down towards what used to be Equestria. The streets of Ponyville are forever covered in twilight. No laughter rings through the streets, it is forbidden now. Happiness is prohibited, mirth is shunned. There is no kindness, no generosity towards the poor souls, living on the streets, sleeping in the ever-dark alleyways. No loyalty is shown towards our superiors, no honest ways are used. What is to become of us, ponies of Equestria? Under the full moon and the thousand stars, a stallion was singing a melancholy song. His hair was muddy from the dirt of the road, flat from the many sorrows he bore. He was sitting, against the wall of one of the many deserted ruins of homes, with his accordion on his lap. His hat was lying upside down in front of him, hoping that a passing pony showed a little kindness and gave him something. But no, Kindness and Generosity are gone in this world, and the hat remained empty. He strung the last notes of the song on his accordion and sighed. Looking up to the sun, the moon and the stars, he wished for the return of his old life, full of happiness and joy. But his old life alone won’t make him happy. He needed his one true love to come back. A tear welled up in the corner of his eyes, and began to play another song. A lullaby this time to remind him of happier times. But the song was sad once again, and it only made him more homesick, of the Ponyville of the past, of the happiness he experienced – of his love for her. In past times, a Ponyville shone With happiness all around. No pony was sad, mirth wasn’t bad Everypony was safe and sound. In past times, a Ponyville shone With laughter ringing in your ears There were no worries, there were no tears Laugh away all of your fears In past times, a Ponyville shone With joy all around the streets Yet all of the good things had come to an end When the sun and moon froze in the sky… He was in Appleloosa when it happened. He immediately thought of her, and rushed over to Ponyville. He had found it in ruins – a great fight seemed to have taken place. Ponies were badly wounded, sprawled across the streets. The ponies that had survived helped the others bury their loved ones. But the elements were with neither of them. His love has disappeared, no clue where she could be. He was devastated, but he knew he had to find her. No matter what. In past times, a Ponyville shoned My love for you shone just as bright We laughed together, we shared our pain But I wasn’t there when you lost the fight. Sleep well now, my love, wherever you are And Dream of a Ponyville bright Where no pony was sad, mirth wasn’t bad Wherever you are, cast your bright light… He let the last note ring through his head, a bright image of his mare before his eyes. She was standing on a ball, juggling boneless chickens, her pink manes bouncing with every move she made. Everypony smiled by just looking at her. And later, when he met her again... Her strange antics always made his heart beat faster. He almost smiled by himself for the memory. Almost. The tune got a little lighter and the volume rose as he played along. In past times, a Ponyville shone All the villagers were full of love But my love for you, my sweetheart true Was the brightest light of them all… Several heads turned, glaring at the brown stallion. This sort of happy-sounding songs weren’t tolerated among the villagers – no, they were shunned. He flinched and shuddered under the glares and tuned down a bit, moving on to the last verse. But Ponyville is dark now, The lights are all out my love will last, somehow Of that, there is no doubt… With a final instrumental part on his accordion, he finished the song. The street he was in was silent once again. He didn’t feel like playing or singing anymore, so he put his accordion down. A squeak came from below. “Oh, sorry, Boneless 2…” He lifted his accordion and pulled Boneless 2 away. He lied the boneless chicken down next to the accordion and sighed. “I know, Boneless 2, but I just can’t go on for much longer… I’m running out of bits.” Another squeak. “I know, I know. But I don’t know what to do.” Silence. “Oh, giving Cheesy the silent treatment, are you?” Silence. The brown stallion threw Boneless 2 down. “Useless chicken…” he mumbled under his breath. Then, realizing what he has done, he sighed and pulled the chicken into a hug. “I’m so, so sorry, Boneless 2… I miss Pinkie just so much.” He looked up to the moon and the stars and sighed. A tear rolled down his cheek. “Oh Pinkie, dear Pinkie… Where are you?” Hoofsteps sounded, echoing between the houses. Cheese’s ears perked up, worried. “Guards…” He gulped. Quickly, he picked up his accordion and Boneless 2, collected his meager income and put on his hat. He galloped away, as fast as he could, in the opposite way of the guards, before they could catch him. His actions were punishable – but it was the only way a former party planner like him could stay alive. Maybe not mentally, but at least breathing. He only stopped when the faint village lights were far behind him. He was safe – for now. He lied down to rest and count his income. He sighed. “Five bits… that’s really not enough, not even for just an apple…” He turned his gaze to Boneless 2. “Oh, boneless, these are hard times..” He turned his gaze to the sky. “Hard times indeed.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “When will this come to an end?”