After Solstice and Clap had finished their ice cream, Clap’s friends came into the shop and invited him to go to a friend’s house to hang out. Solstice thought it best not to intrude and let his brother go with them. With nothing else to do, he decided to return home and take a little nap.
As Solstice entered the mansion and crossed the lobby to climb upstairs to his room, he heard his father calling from his study, “Solstice? Is that you?”
He stopped mid-way up the stairs and turned.
“Yes, Dad,” he called back.
“Could I speak with you for a moment?”
Solstice stood for a moment, his expression thoughtful. What did his father want with him?
“Yes, Sir,” came the reply as he floated back down the stairs and trotted towards his father’s study.
Unlike the rest of the mansion, the study was decorated with Padauk wood walls and a dark brown Walnut wood floor. The cabinets, bookshelves, desk, lamp fixtures and chairs were made out of dark Alder wood, hand-crafted by the best carpenters in the land. At one end of the room was a fireplace, also hand-crafted in Alder wood. A steady fire burned inside, casting a warm glow into the room.
“Have a seat,” his father said as he adjusted his black-rimmed glasses in a proper-like fashion.
He sunk into the soft cushion chair in front of Golden’s desk. He had to admit, his father knew how to make his clients feel comfortable.
“Solstice,” Golden began in his usual fatherly tone of voice, “the reason I have called you here is because I have a slight…concern about your future.”
Solstice shifted in his seat as he started to feel uncomfortable.
“Oh?”
His father took off his glasses and placed them upside-down lightly upon his desk. Afterwards, he rubbed between his eyes and leaned towards his son, his red eyes locked onto Solstice’s.
“You must understand, Son. I only want what is best for you. One day, you will find yourself living on your own and you will either be fully prepared or fully unprepared. I want the former to happen to you. So, that is why…I am concerned for you.”
“I understand that, Dad,” he replied, nodding in acceptance. “But what’s making you so worried about me like this?”
The golden pony sighed as he put his glasses back on.
“Your dream about becoming a rock star,” he replied.
Solstice leaned back in his chair and gave a few slow nods. He suspected what was coming next.
“Oh.”
Golden leaned towards him, his eyes darkened beneath the shadow of his brow.
“I heard from certain sources that you played with Deep Drive at the concert this evening,” he said in a low tone. “Is this true?”
A feeling of terror threatened to overtake Solstice. He found out! He knew it! He knew all along that he would find out! His heart felt sick.
Why did I disobey Dad like that? I feel just awful!
But before he could say anything, his father spoke first.
“I know that playing your guitar and making music brings you a sense of…enjoyment,” he added, “but you must face reality as it is!”
He settled back into his cushioned, revolving chair.
“Believe it or not, I was like you once. I had all of these dreams about who I could become and who I wanted to be. But, in the end, I realized that even though pursuing one’s dream can be exciting and such, it doesn’t guarantee to sufficiently provide for oneself or for one’s own family. So, I decided to focus my attention on something that I could do to better provide for myself and for a future family of my own. Since then, I have had no regrets regarding that decision. My decision then has made it possible for me to adequately provide for you, for your mother and for your brother. That is why I want you to learn this lesson as well—so that you can adequately provide for yourself and for a family of your own someday. Do you understand what I am saying, Son?”
“I do, Dad,” his son replied with all sincerity, “it’s just—I guess, it’s just hard to give up something I’ve always liked doing all my life.”
His father nodded with a sympathetic smile.
“I understand that, Son. And that is why I am willing to help you anyway I can with—”
But before he could say anything more, there was a knock on the door.
“Yes, come in!” he called with obvious frustration in his voice as he put a hoof to his forehead.
The door slowly opened and a nervous Mr. Spot On entered the study halfway.
“Um, sorry to bother you, Sir, but there’s a Mr. Fancy Pants at the door demanding to see you.”
The golden stallion groaned with irritation.
“Him again? What has he to complain about this time?”
“I’m not sure, Sir. He kept rambling on about the ‘integrity of [your] company.’”
Golden’s red eyes narrowed, this time they were flaming like engines on a rocket ship.
“Oh, did he now…?” his voice snarled. “Very well, then. I shall be there shortly.”
The white-haired butler nodded and disappeared back into the hallway.
“Very sorry, Solstice,” he said as he rose from his desk, “But it seems that we will have to continue this discussion later.”
Solstice nodded.
“That’s fine. Is—is there a problem, Dad?”
His father grinned.
“Do not worry. It is of no concern. Fancy Pants is renowned for over-reacting.”
He adjusted his glasses, the light reflecting off them like a camera flash.
“Trust me, this will not take long.”
With that, he exited the study, leaving the door open a crack on his way out. Solstice sat in the chair for a few moments. He had heard about this Mr. Fancy Pants before—how he was a wealthy businesspony living in the Equestrian capitol, Canterlot, and was renowned by many as one who was very formal and polite to everypony. So, what did a distinguished pony like Fancy Pants want with his father?
Soon, his curiosity got the better of him. He went out the door and down the hallway towards the lobby. He stopped just before he reached the lobby and hid behind a nearby wall. From where he stood, he could see and hear his father talking with a white sophisticated-looking unicorn, whom he presumed was Fancy Pants. Seeing them both standing there under the open doorway, he noticed how similar they were to each other. However, there were key features that made them starkly different.
Fancy Pants was a robust, white-colored unicorn with wavy, light blue hair that reached to the bottom of his neck. The top portion of his hair was combed into a part in the middle that made the front strands of his hair curve on either side like distant bird’s wings. His tail was also wavy and was the same color as his hair. If Solstice could describe Fancy Pants’ hair and tail, he would describe them as almost like fluffy, light blue clouds. He also had a thin mustache that matched the color of his hair. Also, resting in one of Fancy Pants’ light blue eyes was a monocle that completed the image of a well-sophisticated unicorn from Canterlot. Apart from his physical features, he wore a long black business suitcoat with coattails, a white shirt with yellow buttons, a darker blue vest on top and a lavender bow-tie around his neck. By the way that they looked and carried themselves, one could have easily assumed that they were brothers.
“Fancy Pants!” Golden Rocket greeted the unicorn at the opened doorway. “What an unexpected pleasure!”
The unicorn showed no signs of amusement. Instead, his face was as cold and stern as a stone.
“Do not attempt to feign your pleasantries with me, Golden Rocket,” he said in a thick English accent as he adjusted his monocle with his hoof. “You know why I am here…and I have some new and rather enlightening evidence regarding that case in Canterlot several years ago.”
Golden Rocket’s pleasant demeanor didn’t waver for a second.
“Oh? And, pray tell, what did you find?”
Fancy Pants raised his head slightly and spoke with dignity in his voice.
“That is not for me to disclose to you at this time, but I can assure you, my friend, that this new evidence will expose you as the fraud and the criminal that you really were!”
At that moment, Golden’s pleasant demeanor faded away like sand giving way to water. For a long while, his face was just as stern as Fancy Pants’. Then, his mouth broke into a sly smile as he began to laugh.
“Oh, Fancy Pants…” he said, shaking his head, “admit it. You are merely jealous of my success! You simply cannot accept the fact that a ‘common stallion’ such as myself could ever reach a station as high as yours! Ever since I became a successful businesspony, you have made it you top priority to grind me back into the Baltimare streets from whence I came. But despite your best efforts, I have always risen above your petty tactics.”
He adjusted his glasses in a gesture of victory, the light from the light fixture above them reflecting off the lens in a bright flash.
“Now, I do hope, for your sake, that this so-called ‘evidence’ of yours is not fabricated in any way, because if it is…”
He tilted his head forwards, his fiery eyes starring directly at Fancy Pants as his voice became low and distinct.
“…I would be extremely disappointed in you.”
Fancy Pants sighed as he took his monocle from off his eye.
“Oh, I can assure you, Mr. Rocket, that my evidence is indeed genuine.”
The other stallion’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Oh, is that right?” he said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Well then, tell me, what is this so-called ‘evidence’ that you have against me that is so genuine? I would very much like to know.”
The unicorn looked up as he placed his monocle back onto his eye.
“As I had before stated, I cannot reveal it at this time until it is presented at court as evidence.”
Golden breathed out a huff of both surprise and amusement.
“‘Presented at court as evidence?’ Oh! So, you think that you will be more successful this next time around, Fancy Pants?”
“Do not dare mock me, Golden Rocket!” the blue-haired businesspony warned, stomping his front hoof soundly on the ground. “I mean what I say! I am pressing charges against your integrity and you dare treat this as a jest?!”
Golden regained his business-like composure and responded with underlying mockery in his tone, “Oh, quite right. You are very serious about this, aren’t you.”
Fancy Pants sighed in frustration as he shook his head. Then, his voice seemed to curiously change, as if he was pleading.
“Golden, this is not fair.”
In that instant, Golden’s eyes suddenly sparked.
“Fair?!” he exploded. “Do not dare lecture me about what is fair (he stomped his hoof on the floor for greater emphasis), Fancy Pants!”
Unbeknownst to Fancy Pants and Golden Rocket, the light fixtures above them in the mansion began to grow brighter as the fire inside of them began to grow. Solstice noticed it and his eyes widened in response. He had never seen anything quite like that before.
“Unlike you, whose wealth came only through something called inheritance, I earned my way to the top!”
“All the same,” the white unicorn replied as he adjusted his monocle onto his eye, “I have informed the authorities and we are to appear in court the day after tomorrow at eleven o’clock. Do not be late!”
Golden Rocket grinned slyly in response.
“Oh, trust me, Fancy Pants,” he said in a snarky tone. “I would not miss this for the world!”
With that, Fancy Pants turned and stormed off with a shake of his head. Solstice could not help but notice that the prestigious unicorn seemed somehow more hurt than he had appeared to be as he left the premises. In contrast, Golden Rocket closed the door with a satisfied look on his face. As he turned and trotted into the lobby, Solstice approached him.
“Mr. Fancy Pants looked really mad,” he observed in a concerned tone. “Is everything all right, Dad?”
His father met his gaze and smiled brightly.
“Oh, do not fret, my son.” He replied, his expression cheerful. “I have already calculated our success and it is guaranteed to be one hundred percent in our favor. No need to worry.”
As he was about to trot away towards the study, Solstice pointed out, “Mr. Fancy Pants said something about ‘pressing charges against your integrity’. I—I don’t understand what he meant by that.”
His father turned to face his son. His eyes were now stern, as if what he was about to say was the final word in the conversation.
“As I said, Solstice…” he said with the same expression in his voice, “there is no cause for concern. I have everything under control. Is that understood?”
Solstice swallowed. He knew that tone of voice all too well. It was a cold tone of voice that was like the sound of a judge’s gavel, pronouncing the end of all conversation or objection. He refrained from asking any more questions and only bowed his head in quiet submission.
“Yes, Sir.”
His father nodded, still keeping his stern expression on his face.
“Good.”
With that, he turned and walked towards his study to resume any remaining work that he needed to finalize before retiring to bed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Solstice sat on his bed, feeling very much perplexed. Why was his father indifferent about his conversation with Fancy Pants, and why did he suddenly act so serious when he tried to ask him a few questions about it? And there was something else that he found very strange—the lights in the lobby…why were they glowing brighter whenever his father grew angrier at Fancy Pants?
He heard a soft knock on his opened bedroom door and turned to see his mother standing there. He could see that she was still wearing her pearl necklace; for they shined like little diamonds in the warm light.
“Are you busy?” she asked with a gentle smile.
Solstice shook his head.
“No, not really. Come in, Mom.”
She came and sat beside him on his bed.
“I came to say goodnight,” she said.
She always came to bid him and Clap goodnight every time they went to bed. He had always liked his mother for that. His father also did the same but only when he wasn’t pressed with work or something like that.
“Thanks, Mom.”
He gave her a hug and she was about to leave when he stopped her by calling, “Uh, Mom, could I ask you something?”
She turned and sat back on the bed beside him.
“What is it, Dear?”
He hesitated for a moment. He feared that she would think that he was crazy or something for asking this question.
“Um…when Dad and Mr. Fancy Pants were talking at the front door and Dad started to get angry, I thought I saw the lights inside the lobby…glow…brighter. What’s going on, Mom? What’s wrong with Dad?”
Glitter paused for a moment.
“Dad…? He’s special. He’s actually one of the very few ponies in Equestria that has magic and is not a unicorn.”
Solstice’s eyes widened. His father had magic?
“But…how...?”
His mother took a deep breath.
“Remember those stories I told you when you were a foal?”
Solstice thought for a moment.
“Yeah,” he nodded.
“Those stories help explain why Dad has magic.”
Solstice’s eyes grew wider.
“Woah…!”
His mother put a hoof to her mouth as she giggled at his reaction.
“Could you tell me those stories again?” he asked. “I don’t really remember how they went anymore. It’s been a while, anyway.”
Glitter smiled as she nodded.
“Of course, Dear.”
She got into a more comfortable position and began her story.
“Once upon a time, before the land of Equestria was named ‘Equestria,’ there were three factions: The Unicorns, the Pegasi and the Earth Ponies. They didn’t like each other and lived separately from one another.”
Solstice straightened.
“Hey, this kinda sounds a lot like the Hearts Warming Eve story.”
His mother nodded in response.
“This story’s kind of like that, yes. But it’s also different.”
With that, she continued her story.
“One cold winter day, six ponies from these tribes (Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Princess Platinum and Clover the Clever) came together for a meeting. They argued about how their new country should be run and how their factions would live in harmony with each other. Finally, after they defeated the Windigos, they decided to put their differences behind them and called themselves the ‘Equestrians’ to always remind them of the bond that they shared. Their goal was to unite their ponykind into one faction and to help create the same harmony among them that the Equestrians shared with each other. After many days, they succeeded and their ponykind called the land ‘Equestria,’ after their leaders who had helped them unite into one nation.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Solstice interrupted, “but I don’t see how this story helps explain how Dad got his magic.”
“Actually,” she explained, “I was just getting to that. Soon after the Equestrians formed the nation of Equestria, they realized that they were at a crisis. They feared that one day the Windigos or a different magical force would come again and threaten their ponykind. So, they went to their wise wizard, an Alicorn by the name of Star Swirl the Bearded, for help. He told them that a day would come when two Alicorn princesses would appear and rule Equestria in harmony and peace. In the meantime, he granted them magical power over the elements to ensure that the land of Equestria would be safe. Commander Hurricane was given the power to create a magnificent Sonic Rainboom to blow away any clouds of frost or smoke from the skies. His subordinate, Private Pansy, was given power over the animals, as well as the ability to communicate with them. Chancellor Puddinghead was given power over the earth so that all kinds of trees and flowers would spring forth out of the ground instantaneously. His secretary, Smart Cookie, was given power over fire to help light other ponies’ homes and give them warmth during the fall and winter seasons. Princess Platinum was given power over water in streams, lakes and rivers. Her adviser, Clover the Clever, was given power over keeping knowledge and magic safe so that no evil force could use it for malevolent purposes. When all of their powers were combined, they had the power to raise the Sun at dawn and the Moon at dusk.”
Solstice stared back in shock.
“Well,” he commented with a whistle, “they definitely didn’t teach that in school! How come other ponies don’t know about this? I mean, this is absolutely historical!”
Glitter shrugged.
“This story was passed down from one generation to the next through Dad’s genealogical line. Other ponies would see this as just one side of the story. In this part of the story, Star Swirl the Bearded had intended for only the Equestrians to have their power temporarily. When Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came, the Equestrians gave all the power that they had to the new rulers of their land. However, what Star Swirl did not intend was that a small fraction of these powers would continue on into these Equestrians’ genes, so that every once in a while, somepony in their family line would have power over a certain element.”
Solstice’s mouth dropped.
“Then, that means…!”
Glitter nodded.
“Yes. One of Dad’s ancestors was Smart Cookie, one of the founders of Equestria—the Equestrians.”
Solstice let out a long whistle.
“My family’s just gotten cooler!”
His mother’s expression grew sad.
“Sadly, that’s not the end of the story.”
Solstice’s ears perked up.
“W-wait, what do you mean by ‘sadly’?”
Glitter looked down.
“I…I didn’t tell you this because you were only a foal at the time. But since your older now, you deserve to know the truth. You see, your father has never shown his power to anypony because of what happened to an ancestor of ours who had found himself with this same ability.”
She sighed sadly.
“Though we’ve all lived in harmony since the founding of Equestria, ponies can still be afraid of things that they don’t understand. A few generations after the founding of Equestria, there was a pony in our family tree that inherited this power over fire as well.”
Solstice nodded.
“Yeah, I know a bit about him! He’s the first pony to have the name ‘Rocket,’ right?”
Glitter nodded in affirmation.
“That’s right! Do you know why?”
Solstice shook his head.
“That’s because when he was a foal, he was standing next to a firework during a festival and the firework ignited, shooting right into the night sky. Because of that, his parents also named him ‘Rocket’. Since then, our family’s had the name ‘Rocket’.”
Solstice nodded.
“That’s right. I remember now. You told me this before one time.”
His mother nodded.
“Well,” she continued, “Rocket, our ancestor, also has a tragic story. I didn’t tell you this, since you were young at the time. You see, when he grew up and raised a family of his own, his ‘power’ was beginning to become unpredictable, especially when he became angry. One fateful day, he saw a store vender being threatened by a wealthy pony of the upper class. He stepped in to help the poor vender but, in the process, he became enraged, causing fire to suddenly burst around the wealthy pony. The pony ran off and told many others about what had happened. Though Rocket never meant to hurt anypony, the townsponies didn’t share that same view. So, they took him away from his family and banished him into the Everfree Forest, where he lived the rest of his days in isolation.”
Solstice sat in horrified shock.
“They—they did that to him? But—but why—? Poor…Dad!”
He sadly hung his head.
“So, that’s why he’s afraid about other ponies finding out about his…‘power’!”
Glitter nodded and put a hoof on his drooped shoulders.
“Yes, that’s why Dad’s afraid of what other ponies think of him, especially about his ‘secret.’ It’s also why he’s been very passionate about the family business—it’s a way of proving to other ponies that even somepony like him can accomplish great things.”
Solstice looked back at her with confusion in his eyes.
“But—but Dad’s got nothing to prove! He can accomplish great things, even if he didn’t have millions of bits! I bet he knew it then when we had nothing! Why can’t he remember it now?”
His mother let out a sigh.
“Dearest, you know that and I know that. But Dad—he just needs some…convincing.”
Solstice turned away and nodded. He understood how his father was.
“Right.”
Glitter gave him a kiss on the cheek and said as she arose, “Now, get some sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow with your new job, right?”
The young stallion nodded and smiled.
“Yeah. Right. Goodnight, Mom!”
His mother smiled back as she slowly and softly closed the door behind her.
“Goodnight, Solstice.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Solstice stumbled out of bed early in the morning with a Ka-Thunk. He lay on the floor and starred up at the ceiling for a long time, his eyes wide open.
“What a nightmare!” he finally breathed out.
He dreamt that Fancy Pants and his father were arguing heatedly in the courtroom. As their arguing intensified, they moved closer to each other until their muzzles were almost touching. Solstice, who was sitting with his family on the sidelines, was feeling increasingly uncomfortable for some reason. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and leaped in the area right between them. What had surprised him unconsciously was that he was siding with Fancy Pants in the argument against his father. Afterwards, his father grew taller until he was towering over Solstice like an angry giant. Then, the irises of his eyes sparked into flames and a ring of fire ignited around Solstice, engulfing him completely. When he thought that he would surely be burned, the ground beneath him opened up and he fell into a dark, depthless abyss. That’s when he woke up.
He wondered what that dream could’ve meant, but he swiped that question aside, as he had to get ready for work that morning. He quickly showered, got dressed in the uniform that Red Lightning had given him, combed his hair, grabbed his saddlebag and headed out the door. As he flew towards the front door, he waved at his mother who was sitting in the living room sewing.
“Bye, Mom!” he called.
His mother waved and called back, “Bye, Solstice! Good luck at work today!”
“Will do!” he replied as he exited the mansion, shutting the door behind him.
He arrived at Red Lightning Records and was promptly assigned to help clean the floors and the shelves in the store during the opening hours. He was also assigned to assist any costumer that needed help.
“It’s all pretty simple,” Red Lightning had said as he repeated his instructions to Solstice. “if ya need me for anythin’, I’ll be right in back.”
As he was about to leave, he stopped and turned.
“I saw ya at the Deep Drive concert,” he said with a big grin on his face. “I didn’t know you played the guitar that good! How was it—playing with Deep Drive, I mean? I hear they’re a pretty tight bunch.”
Solstice shrugged.
“Yeah, it was good. I had a good time.”
Red Lightning nodded and gave a wink.
“Good to hear!”
With that, he turned and headed for the back of the store.
So, Solstice started sweeping the floor and dusting the record album selves as customers of all kinds (old and young) came in and out of the store. Finally, as he was dusting behind the special collections stand located at the eastern end of the store, he looked up and saw his brother entering the shop.
“Hey, Bro!” Clap greeted, waving a hoof.
Solstice smiled and returned the greeting.
“Hey, Clap! What are you doing here this time of day?”
Clap grinned.
“School’s not for another hour. So, I just thought I’d stop by and see how my big bro was getting along with his first day on the job.”
Solstice gave a shrug.
“Good so far. Can’t complain. Red Lightning’s such a great boss! He’s so easy-going and—”
Suddenly, his wings unfurled as he glanced over Clap’s shoulder.
“Uh, Solstice…?” his brother asked. “Are you okay?”
Solstice blushed and lowered his head, as if he was trying to avoid somepony’s gaze.
“Her,” he replied, quickly motioning with his head over Clap’s shoulder.
Clap curiously turned to see what his brother was referring to and saw a gray pegasus mare with blond hair carefully searching through a shelf filled with records.
“You mean that filly?” he asked in clarification.
Solstice quickly nodded as he kept his head lowered.
“Yep!” he replied in a whisper.
Clap leaned his head to the side to get a better look at the mare. He was surprised to see that one of her eyes stared at a different direction than the other.
“Hey, Solstice,” he said as he turned to his brother and motioned towards the mare, “did you know that one of her eyes looks weird?”
Solstice suddenly looked up with fire in his eyes.
“Yeah, so?!”
Clap’s eyes widened.
“Whoa, Bro! I was just asking!”
Solstice sighed and hung his head.
“Yeah, I know. Sorry. It’s just—I saw a couple of other ponies passing by her and they looked at her weirdly and whispering among themselves. They didn’t go over and talk to her or anything. They just…gave her 'the look' and trotted away. I knew what they were thinking. They were talking bad about her. I was so close to going over there and giving them a piece of my mind!”
It was at this point that he realized that his teeth were clenched and his nostrils were wide. He stopped and calmed himself.
“But I knew it wouldn't accomplish anything. They'd just get angry and stuff, anyway.”
He looked at Clap, who was looking back at him with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What?” Solstice finally asked, confused by his expression.
“I just remembered something. You’ve always liked fillies who are different from the rest. Doesn’t surprise me one bit that you like this one.”
Solstice gave a shrug.
“Well, I like different. Different is good.”
Clap looked back at the gray mare and then back at Solstice.
“You thinking of asking her out or something?”
Solstice’s face turned from yellowish-orange to red in a matter of seconds.
“W-well—yeah, I have....”
There was a period of silence.
“Well…?” Clap pressed.
“‘Well’ what?”
“Well…aren’t ya gonna ask her?”
Solstice turned away.
“I—I don’t know. I mean…I’ll just act dumb around her and stuff anyway. Why should I make a fool of myself in front of her?”
Clap breathed out a sigh.
“Bro! With an attitude like that, you’ll never impress a filly!”
Solstice turned back at him.
“Since when did you suddenly become an expert with fillies, anyway?”
Clap let out a chuckle.
“I’m not! But I try anyway. Remember when we moved to the mansion and I started at that new school? I was scared outta my mind! Meeting new friends was scary! But when I saw other colts and fillies talking and having fun, I decided then and there that I was gonna be just like them. So, I made new friends, even though it was hard at first. And ya know what? It was worth it! Maybe, that’s what you need to do! You just need to get out there and try anyway! And when you mess up, try again! And—who knows—you might even make that filly smile and brighten up her day!”
Solstice managed a smile. Clap was right. He could feel it in his bones. In that moment, he didn’t care if he was clumsy or if he said the wrong thing. He was going to keep trying anyway.
“Thanks, Clap. I needed that.”
Clap nodded.
“No prob! Advice is free!”
He turned to the gray mare again and gasped.
“Ooo, ooo! Solstice! That filly looks like she’s lost or something! Now’s your chance!”
He turned to Solstice.
“Go!” he exclaimed in a whisper. “Ask her if she needs anything! Quick!”
Solstice sighed and put down his duster.
“Okay, okay!” he whispered back, patting his brother’s head. “Don’t get your hooves all in a knot! I’m going!”
He started walking towards the gray mare, who had switched her focus to a different shelf.
“You go, Bro!” he heard Clap whisper loudly from behind.
Solstice let out a chuckle.
Clap, I’m seriously surprised that your Cutie Mark’s not in cheerleading.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As he approached the mare, his heart began to pound harder. What if he messed up? What if he said the wrong thing? What if—?
“You just need to get out there and try anyway!” he remembered Clap saying to him. “And when you mess up, try again! And—who knows—you might even make that filly smile and brighten up her day!”
He smiled at those words and his eyes grew fixed with determination. Right!
He cleared his throat and made his move.
“Hey, uh, Miss?”
The gray pegasus mare turned.
“You need help with something?” he asked.
The mare looked as if she was caught a little off-guard.
“Oh, uh, yes! As a matter of fact, I would! I’m looking for a record album.”
Solstice nodded.
“Well, you’ve definitely come to the right place!” he said with a nervous smile, motioning towards the rows of record albums in the store. “We have plenty of those!”
The mare smiled and gave a small chuckle.
“I’m looking for a record of Elvis Parsley.”
Solstice beamed.
“Oh, classics, huh? Well, it’s actually right…”
He turned, trotted to the other aisle and scanned the row of records with the gray mare following close behind. Finally, he took one of the records that read “Elvis Parsley’s Greatest Hits” on it and handed it to her.
“…here!”
She took the record.
“Thank you, Mr., uh…?”
The orange stallion reached out his hoof towards her.
“Solstice.”
The mare shook his outstretched hoof.
“Thank you, Mr. Solstice.”
Solstice chuckled.
“No, no. Actually, that’s my first name. My last name’s Rocket. But you can call me Solstice.”
The mare nodded with one eye looking brightly at him.
“Well, thanks again for helping me out!”
“What’s your name, by the way?” Solstice asked.
“Ditzy Doo. Ditzy Doo Hooves.”
Solstice nodded.
“Well, I’m please to meet you, Miss Hooves!”
Ditzy shook her head.
“You can call me Ditzy…or Ditzy Doo—that sounds good, too.”
“Okay, Ditzy. You live around here?”
“Nope. Just visiting a relative. I actually live in Ponyville.”
“Cool! I’ve heard of it!”
He stopped.
“I-I mean—of course I’ve heard of it! Who hasn’t, right? I was just saying that—um…”
He turned away and let out a sigh.
There you go again, Solstice!
“It’s okay,” Ditzy said. “I understood what you meant.”
He turned to see her and saw that she was smiling.
Well, that’s always a good sign….
“So, what about you?” she asked. “You live around here?”
Solstice gave a firm nod.
“Yep! Lived here all my life! I live up in the white mansion on the hill west of here.”
Ditzy’s eyes widened.
“Wow! A mansion! Must be pretty nice there!”
Solstice shrugged.
“It’s all right.”
After a moment, Ditzy’s eyes widened.
“Oh! I-I have to get going! I’m supposed to meet my cousin downtown soon!”
Solstice nodded understandingly.
“Okay, well, is there anything else you need while I’m here?”
Ditzy thought for a minute.
“Nope! I think I’m good!”
“Okay! Then, I guess I’ll see you around?”
Ditzy smiled.
“Oh, sure! If you’re ever in Ponyville, drop by! I make good muffins!”
Solstice’s mouth started to water.
Muffins! I absolutely love muffins!
“Great! I’ll have to do that! See you then!”
Ditzy waved.
“You too!”
She turned and walked towards the cashier stand, where another pony was waiting to help her. Solstice was grinning from ear to ear.
I did it…I actually did it! I talked to a filly like a Pro! That’s—!
With a grunt, he was knocked to the floor as piles of record albums flew from off the shelf that he had just walked into and fell right on top of him. The noise made all of the ponies in the store turn to look. Clap put his hoof to his face and groaned.
“Oh, smooth, Bro…” he muttered sarcastically under his breath. “Real smooth!”
As Solstice sheepishly emerged from the pile of records scattered on the floor, he heard Red Lightning’s voice from the back of the store say, “What was all that noise? Was that you, Solstice?”
Solstice sighed with unfeigned embarrassment.
“Yes, Sir.”
There was a moment of silence. Then, the silence was broken by Red Lightning’s jovial laughter.
“Okay—okay—!” his voice exclaimed between laughs. “Just—just put the record albums back on the shelf. Don’t worry ‘bout it—!”
His voice trailed off into another series of laughter. Solstice groaned. Now, he felt even more embarrassed and foolish. As he picked himself up and began putting the fallen record albums back onto the shelf, he examined them.
Thank Celestia! None of them are broken! Well, at least I have that to be proud about.
Just then, he heard familiar hooves approaching him.
“Bro! You all right there?” Clap asked.
Solstice put another record album back onto the shelf and sighed.
“Yeah…just my pride.”
Clap edged closer and whispered, “By the way, nice work with that filly! I’m proud of ya, Bro!”
Solstice snorted.
“Yeah, well, up until I made a complete dummy of myself just now, that is!” he muttered with sarcastically.
Clap shook his head.
“No, I think it actually helped!”
Solstice’s ears instantly perked up.
“Wait—what?”
“Yeah! When you crashed into the shelf, I happened to glance over towards where that filly was. She was smiling.”
Solstice scoffed.
“Yeah, of course she would! She was laughing at me!”
Clap moved to where Solstice could see him.
“She had a tear on her face.”
Solstice suddenly stopped.
A tear? Why?
“She was crying…not in a sad way but in a happy way, ya know? I think…I think you brightened up her day!”
He patted his brother’s shoulder and walked away as he added, “I’ll be checking out some records over there. See ya ‘round, Hero!”
Clap trotted away to an aisle a few rows from Solstice. For a long moment, Solstice only sat on the floor, silent.
My clumsiness…actually made somepony happy?
He felt a tinge of wetness on his cheek and realized that it was a tear. He quickly wiped it away and continued putting the record albums onto the shelf.
I…brightened up her day?
He smiled as a warm feeling came over him.
It feels…good.
Just then, he saw Red Lightning step towards him. Solstice felt suspicious—his boss’ eyes still had that sense of humor radiating from them.
“So...” the red pony asked in a serious tone, “let me guess…was it a filly?”
With that, he chuckled jovially. Solstice only sighed and rolled his eyes. He wasn’t going to let this one go, was he?
“Whatever,” he muttered under his breath.
Red Lightning gradually regained his composure.
“Ah, don’t feel bad. It happens. Nothing’s damaged anyway and you’re all right…aren’t ya?”
Solstice nodded and the red pony whistled in relief.
“Good!”
A second later, he came and started helping Solstice putting the albums back on the shelf as he said, “Here. Let me help ya out there.”
As they worked, Solstice’s boss added, “Ya know, I thought it was funny ‘cause…well, apart from the fact that it was funny (he gave a shrug as he said that), I used to be exactly like ya once.”
Solstice’s eyebrows rose.
“You did?”
Red Lightning breathed out a laugh.
“Oh, yeah! Whoo! I was so clumsy! I tried askin’ a filly out one time for a date or somethin’ and when she said ‘yes,’ I turned around and knocked ov’r vendin’ stands so that it made a whole domino effect all ov’r the city plaza! What a mess, that was! Ha! I swear, I never felt so embarrassed before in my life!”
He let out another jovial laugh and shook his head as he continued to help Solstice carefully put the record albums back on the shelf.
“Fun times, fun times.”
Solstice looked up.
“So, what happened that changed it all?”
The red pegasus turned to meet his gaze.
“Ya mean, what happened to make me not so clumsy anymore?”
Solstice nodded.
“Well…” Red Lightning replied, “I guess I just…grew outta it, ya know? Oh, I’m still clumsy sometimes but it doesn’t bother me anymore.”
He returned to putting the record albums back on the shelf. For a moment, Solstice only sat there.
But…how can I not let it bother me? It’s just so embarrassing every time I do!
It was then that his mind remembered Dizty’s reaction.
Well, I guess it hasn’t always turned out badly in the end. At least my clumsiness made Ditzy feel better…somehow.
“So,” he turned to his boss with a slight grin on his face, “you actually did a domino effect in the city plaza, huh?”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After work, Solstice decided to stop by the marketplace to get some things that his mother wanted him to get that evening. The marketplace was located near his workplace downtown, just in the city’s plaza. When he arrived there, he saw that the plaza was relatively crowded but not as much as he had expected.
Perfect! I can just go in, get the stuff and get out in no time!
He bought some vegetables and herbs that his mother wanted him to get and, then, proceeded to a different section of the marketplace to see what kinds of recipe books were available. As he was heading for the stand containing bins of used books, he happened to glance over to his left and saw a stand that contained Flash Sentry souvenirs. He stopped as his eyes rested on a Flash Sentry necklace, a small blue shield with a yellow lightning bolt on the front connected by a thin, fine silver chain. He nodded as the idea of buying that necklace as a gift for Clap came to mind.
Clap likes the Flash Sentry comics so much. He’ll be so happy to get something like that. I think I’ll buy it!
He went over there and examined it more closely. It was the perfect size for Clap—not too long and not too short.
Perfect!
With that, he took it from its stand and went to the seller.
“How much is it for this necklace?” he asked, showing him the necklace.
The vendor looked at the necklace through her rectangular, black-rimmed glasses and nodded.
“Five bits.”
Solstice reached into his knapsack, took five gold coins from it and gave them to the vendor. Afterwards, the vendor put the necklace into a small jewelry box and gave it to Solstice. After giving his thanks, he put the box into his knapsack and went to the book stand to buy the recipe books that his mother wanted.
As he was looking through the bins of books that the vendors were selling, he bumped into a familiar pony.
“Oh, hey, Mr. Spot On!” Solstice exclaimed upon seeing him next to him.
The white-haired pony looked back and smiled in greeting.
“Why, hello, Master Solstice! How are you doing this fine day?”
“Oh, pretty good,” he replied.
Something’s different about him. He seems…happier than when he’s in the mansion, for some reason.
“So, what brings you here?” Solstice asked.
“Well, I am currently searching for a specific cookbook that I had heard was on sale today,” Spot On replied, picking up one book and looking at its cover before putting it back in the bin. “My wife is thinking about trying her hoof on some of the Spanish cuisines.”
Solstice’s eyebrows rose further.
Now I know there’s something weird about him! He doesn’t usually talk this much in the mansion! Usually, he just follows orders and doesn’t talk that much at all.
“How’s your wife doing, by the way?”
“Very well, actually. She and I are planning to spend a little vacation in Neigara Falls this weekend. It is fortunate, indeed, that she is in good health to make the trip. We have been planning this vacation for months!”
Wow! I didn’t know all that! He’s totally different here than in the mansion, for sure!
“Is your family in good health as well, Master Solstice?” the butler asked.
Solstice cocked his head.
“But you work in the mansion, right? You see us every day, pretty much.”
The aged pony sighed as he picked up another cookbook from the bin in front of him.
“The truth is, Master Solstice, I…quit last night.”
Solstice’s mouth hung open.
“Y-you quit?! But—but you’ve practically become a part of the family! W-why?”
Spot On closed his eyes.
“I…cannot say.”
“You’ve just quit being our butler for three years and you can’t tell me why?” he exclaimed.
Spot On turned away as he continued his search through the books.
“What I mean is…I cannot tell you for your sake.”
Solstice trotted closer to him.
“What do you mean?”
There was only silence.
“Please, Mr. Spot On, I have to know! What happened?”
The aged pony sighed and turned to him with a look of hesitation on his face.
“It—it is because of a secret that I have been keeping these past five years and I do not want to be the cause of any strife between you and Master Golden.”
“My dad? What’s he got to do with this?”
Again, there was silence.
“Please, tell me! I really need to know!”
Spot On turned to face him with a hesitant glaze.
“Very well,” Spot On replied. “I did not want to tell you this but you deserve to know the truth. I was going to send you and your family a letter at a future date, explaining all of this, but it seems that it is best if I told you the truth now. You see, I was once Master Golden’s assistant in the family business. When the business’ success started to decline seven years ago, he repeatedly tried to petition his business friends for help. But, in the end, they refused to help, claiming that they could not help a ‘common stallion who [was] not worth their time or bits.’ One of those friends was Mr. Fancy Pants.”
Solstice stood in shock.
“Mr. Fancy Pants and my dad were…friends?” he exclaimed.
Spot On nodded.
“In the past, yes. Master Golden thought that Fancy Pants would certainly help him in rebuilding the family business. Sadly, however, his response was similar to the others. In fact, he would not even see him.”
The orange-yellow pegasus was puzzled and surprised at the same time.
“Why?”
The white-haired pony sighed.
“Well, I have never discovered why that was, but I do have my suspicions. I suspect that it was something to do with Fancy Pants’ reputation in Canterlot.”
Solstice furrowed his eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that he was more concerned about how his colleagues in Canterlot would think of him if he chose to help Master Golden. You see, even though ponies in Equestria have been rather courteous towards each other ever since its founding, there is still prejudice to be found, especially between the Elite ponies in Canterlot and the more ‘common’ Earth ponies throughout the rest of Equestria. In the eyes of many of the Elite, your father was merely a modest businesspony—a ‘commoner.’ Ponies in Canterlot have often looked down upon other Canterlot Elite who helped or affiliated with anypony who is a ‘commoner’.”
Solstice grimaced.
“But that’s—that’s terrible! What about Hearts Warming Eve? What about the Founding of Equestria? What about—”
“Yes, Master Solstice,” he interrupted him, “ponies should and ought to be kinder towards others, regardless who they are or what social class that they supposedly ‘belong to.’ Unfortunately, the truth is that there are still ponies in Equestria who do not see it that way. There are those who still prefer their social classes, their traditions and, above all, their beliefs about other ponies. And, as they say, it is hard for ponies to change old traditions or beliefs in order to sufficiently welcome new ones. Like other things that cannot be bought with money, change—especially positive change—requires two things: Time and Choice.”
He sighed sadly.
“Unfortunately, no matter how much time that is allotted to ponies today, there are still those who do not desire to change by any means. And unless all ponies begin to want to change, I am afraid that there will always be strife and prejudice in Equestria.”
Solstice shook his head.
“That’s just…sad.”
Spot On nodded and then took another breath.
“Master Golden was never the same after that incident. He became even more driven and…well, you know your father.”
Solstice nodded in reply.
“He became angry and vengeful towards Fancy Pants and his other colleagues and he—”
Spot On stopped and looked down, a look of hesitation written across his face.
“And what?” Solstice inquired, his eyebrows raised. When the butler didn’t reply, he added, “Mr. Spot On, you said you’d tell me! Please, don’t hold anything back from me!”
Spot On let out a deep sigh and raised his head.
“All right. I am sorry, Master Solstice. I am hesitant to say this to you because I do not want to be the source of any strife between you and your father. But, if you insist, I shall tell you the rest.”
After a moment’s pause, he continued, “It was then that your father, Master Golden, developed this plan to utterly humiliate Fancy Pants and his colleagues. Among his colleagues were Mr. Filthy Rich and Mr. Jet Set, both from Canterlot. Master Golden plotted to take all of the bits that he needed from Fancy Pants’ company and then frame Filthy Rich and Jet Set for the crime. It played right into his hooves, just as he had planned it. When Fancy Pants discovered what had actually happened, he immediately sought to stop Master Golden. However, what he did not know was that Master Golden had somehow foreseen that he would do so and had already plotted his counterattack. Time and time again Fancy Pants would bring the matter before the court, and time and time again Master Golden would rebuff all evidence that was brought against him. All of this has made Fancy Pants look absolutely foolish before the court. I can only presume that this is what Master Golden had wanted all along—a way to enact vengeance for not helping him in his great hour of need, as a friend ought to have done at that moment.”
As the aged pony said these things, Solstice stepped back and stared at the butler in shock.
My dad is responsible for all that?! No…no, it—it can’t be! It can’t! Dad would never do anything like that! He wouldn’t!
“Mr. Spot On…!” he exclaimed under his breath. “Surely, you’ve got to be mistaken! Dad would never do anything like that!”
Spot On sighed as he hung his head.
“Believe me, Master Solstice,” he said with regret in his voice, “I wish that I was mistaken about all of this! But about a few days ago, I found this among the Master Golden’s business records.”
He reached into his suitcoat pocket, took from it a folded document and handed it to the young stallion, saying, “It is a financial report for a certain businesspony, detailing a transaction between him and another wealthy pony named Ms. Fleur de Lis from Canterlot about five years ago. She was Mr. Fancy Pants’ secretary then.”
As Solstice took the document and examined it more closely, Spot On added, “Master Solstice…your father was and still is not perfect, like any other pony. He also makes mistakes and, like every other pony, he still has certain vices that he has yet to overcome.”
Solstice’s eyes widened in horror as he scanned the rows upon rows of numbers and configurations printed on the document—hundreds of bits being extracted from Fancy Pants’ company with this Ms. Fleur de Lis as a conduit. In other words, somepony was bribing her to give him the bits. When his eyes had finally reached the bottom, they stopped at the grand total: 250,000 (a quarter of a million) bits. Then, he froze as his eyes settled on the space where it listed “Recipient: G.R.”
“Golden Rocket”…my dad?! He was bribing this Ms. Fleur de Lis?! But…why, Dad?!
“I am so sorry, Master Solstice,” Spot On said, his voice filled with complete sympathy. “I wish that there was some way that I could make it untrue. But when I found this document, I could deny it no longer.”
Solstice looked up as he slowly shook his head and muttered under his breath, “No…! No…!”
He stepped back, his eyes filled with disbelief and with tears. Was it true? Was all that he had believed about his father was one big, twisted lie?
The aged pony tried to step closer to him, reaching out his hoof towards him.
“Master Solstice—?”
“You’re wrong!” Solstice suddenly cried out in pain and launched himself into the sky with a loud boom that sent gusts of wind blasting in all directions.
“Master Solstice!” Spot On tried calling to him from the ground. “Wait!”
But it was too late. Solstice had already gone.