Equestria Noir Side Story "Broken"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: everyone
Tags: Rumble, Thunderlane, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Other, Romance, Original Character, Flitter and Cloudchaser
Length: 8591

A side story in the Noirverse starring Rumble and Genova

Rumble's friend Genova is dying. Genova is a filly artificially made into an Alicorn. But not being a natural born Alicorn is causing the filly to be practically falling to pieces. As Celestia does everything in her power to aid the filly Rumble recalls the events of three months previous. How he met Genny, how he became her friend...and ultimately, how she ended up in the hospital in the first place.

True Friendship has no eyes, or ears, true friendship stands despite all adversity. No matter how broken the individual...there is always a friend out there to mend them.

Published 2013-04-26 22:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-26 22:00:02 UTC

"Broken"

Equestria Noir

Side Story

“Broken”

By Jacoboby1 and Shattered Illusions

“Hey Bro.”

“Bro?”

“C’mon Rumble, snap out of it already.”

I blinked open my eyes to see my brother Thunderlane looking at me. His yellow eyes were filled with concern. We were still inside the hospital. I peeked over at the clock; it was way past my normal bedtime. I must’ve fallen asleep waiting.

Thunderlane smiled and assured me, “Rumble, don't worry, everything is going to be just fine. Celestia is doing everything she can, and I know Genny will be alright."

I looked down, that’s what I was waiting for this whole time. Genny was in that hospital room right now. I can’t believe all this was happening to her. She didn’t deserve to even be in here!

Thunderlane started patting me on the head like he used to when we were little. “It’s going to be okay, alright?”

“I guess,” was all I could muster up.

“Do you want me to get you anything?” he asked, keeping his hoof on my black mane. “Maybe a soda or something? Ice cream?”

“I’m not hungry,” I replied glumly.

“Tell you what,” Thunderlane said with a small smile, “I’ll get you some ice cream anyways. Two scoops of fudge with chocolate swirled frosting. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great,” I muttered halfheartedly.

Thunderlane left, glancing back at me worriedly. I could tell I was making him depressed, and it just made me feel even worse. Thunderlane was my big brother and my hero, so I expected him to try something like this to cheer me up. My mind just kept going back to that hospital room, however, and the filly inside it fighting for her life.

Genny…

_________________________________________________________

3 Months ago…

I looked up as the bell rang and Miss Cheerilee closed her textbook. She then began writing on the board and addressed the class. “Now kids, before I dismiss you all for the day, I do have volunteer week’s assignment list.”

Most of the class groaned, everypony had mixed feelings about volunteer week. On the one hoof, most of us got to help out at some cool places. Like Pinkie Pie would have kids make cupcakes. Rainbow Dash sometimes took pegasi to help out on the weather team. With the snow nightmare we had, I can understand the need for it.

However, most of us will get assigned to extremely boring places. This included anything from the old pony’s home, to clearing weeds out of the community garden, not fun. I hoped I didn’t get assigned to do that.

“My little ponies,” Cheerilee said, her tone serious, “it’s important that everypony here learns the value of helping others. Somewhere in your grown up lives you’re going to have to do things you don’t want to do. It’s best to start learning it now, rather then later.”

“Just so long as I don’t get assigned to Stupid Apple Acres I’ll be happy,” I overheard Diamond whisper to Silver Spoon who snickered under her breath. Applebloom glared back at them but was smart enough not to make a huge fuss.

“I hope I get assigned to work at the library,” Dinky said with a smile. “It would be nice to learn from Twilight once in a while.”

“Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo chanted under her breath. I smiled a little, while Rainbow Dash was only slightly as good as my brother; it was still nice that she had at least two fans in the world.

Cheerilee cleared her throat and lifted up her sheet. “Alright, working at Grapevine Hills, we have Pipsqueak.”

Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo looked away, their “antics”, as the owner of the vineyard called them, were rather legendary. Luckily, at least Sweetie Belle has her cutie mark, so we could expect a little less trouble.

“Working at the library this week will be Dinky,” Dinky almost leapt out of her seat cheering. She really liked Twilight, especially since they share an interest in books.

“Now working at Cranky Doodle Donkey’s house.” Cherilee’s eyes found Tailspin, “Tailspin.”

Tailspin’s jaw dropped and he complained, “You mean I gotta work with the biggest tightwad in Equestria!?”

Maybe that’ll teach him not everypony falls in love with him immediately. I had said back at the mansion that I was sorry for beating him up, but that didn’t mean I really liked him that much. We've gotten along better, but I still hated that everypony was so crazy about him. It made me kind of jealous that a pegasus who couldn’t fly or walk got more attention than I ever did.

I refocused after hearing Diamond Tiara’s assignment to work at Sugar Cube Corner. She smirked, believing she could probably sucker sweets out of the Cake family, but I knew Pinkie was going to keep her busy one way or another.

“Working at Carousel Boutique will be Scootaloo,” Cheerilee said with a smile.

Scootaloo slammed her head on her desk and groaned. Tailspin leaned in and whispered to her, “Don’t worry, just get Rarity talking about the Gala and you won’t have to model for her dresses.”

Scootaloo smiled at that and I felt a twinge of jealousy inside me. It just wasn’t fair, how come Scootaloo liked him so much? He wasn’t anything special…

“Rumble,” I looked up when Cheerilee called, “you will be working at Fluttershy’s cottage, some of the animals need help settling into their new homes after winter.”

Fluttershy? Of all the ponies I could’ve been assigned to I got Fluttershy!? This sucks! I didn’t know a thing about taking care of animals! This was the worst-

“Possible Thing!!!” I looked over and saw Scootaloo was imitating Rarity which earned a laugh from everypony, especially Sweetie Belle. Oh well, maybe it won’t be so bad…

__________________________________________________________

“It’s not going to be that bad, bro” Thunderlane said as we flew above Ponyville together. “Fluttershy’s a very nice mare, and an expert when it comes to animals. You’ll get through the week in no time.”

“Yeah,” I groaned, “that doesn’t mean I’ll like it.”

“Tell you what, you get through this without any complaints, and I’ll take you for Ice Cream. How’s that sound?” he sassed, smiling at me.

“That sounds awesome!” I smiled back at him and then gave a sly smirk. “You sure we don’t need to invite Cloudchaser too?”

Thunderlane blushed and looked away, trying to act cool. “It’s not like that, she and I are just friends,” he said.

I chuckled and gave him a shove. “That’s not the impression I got at the tornado practice.”

“Keep this up and you’ll find yourself laughing more than Pinkie Pie,” he said, poking my ribs with his hoof, causing me to laugh a little.

“Okay, I’ll drop it,” I said as we arrived at our destination. Thunderlane sure got weird whenever the subject of Cloudchaser came up. She was an alright mare, a little crazy about leaving her sister Flitter alone, but alright. I knew Thunderlane had a crush on her, but he wouldn’t admit it, even to me. Maybe it’s a family trait to fall in love with ponies and not admit how we feel until it’s too late…

Thunderlane and I walked the rest of the way up to Fluttershy’s cottage. Thunderlane knocked on the door and the yellow pegasus answered it. She peeked out with one aqua eye before realizing it was just Thunderlane. She opened it the rest of the way and smiled “Hi Thunderlane, I’m sorry I can’t look after anypony else’s animals today. I've got my hooves full helping the other critters out of their hibernating spots.”

“Naw, it’s not me who’s really here to see you,” Thunderlane said, before lowering a wing and pushing me up to in front of him. “You remember my brother Rumble?”

“Oh, hello Rumble,” she said in a very sweet voice. “I heard you would be helping me take care of the critters this week.”

“Uh sure,” I said, remembering my promise to Thunderlane. “Whaddya need me to do?”

“Well,” Fluttershy said, “You can start off by getting Mr. and Ms. Squirrel out of that tree over there. That is, I mean, it was the first thing I saw, if that’s what you’d like to do,” she managed, reverted to her shy self.

“Sure,” I said with a shrug, and started towards the tree where Fluttershy pointed. She and Thunderlane kept talking as I made my way to the tree just out of earshot of what they were saying. I spread my wings and flew up to the hollow in the tree.

Okay, this should be easy; I wake up Thunderlane from bed all the time. I stuck my head inside and shouted, “Hey Squirrels! Rise and Shine!”

That earned me an acorn to the face. I fell back, noting the squirrels haven’t exited the hollow. Okay, they wanted to do things the hard way, huh?

I flew back up to the hollow and yelled, “Hey! I know you’re cranky but ya gotta get up!”

That earned me yet another acorn to the face. It caused me to lose my balance on the tree branch. I fell down to the ground, landing on my back. The grass softened my fall but I think I might be bruised. Ow…

“Are you okay?”

I opened my eyes and saw the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. The filly standing over me was yellow, with a periwinkle and pink mane that was a darker shade then Sweetie Belle’s. A small horn stuck out of her mane and her wings were tucked at her sides. I just stared at her for the longest time.

C’mon you idiot, say something!

“U-uh yeah,” I blubbered. Gosh I sound like an idiot!

She smiled a really cute smile and said, “I’m glad, you took a pretty nasty fall there.”

I got up on my legs and almost tripped. What was wrong with me all of a sudden? I looked back at the filly and I recognized her. This was Genova; she was the filly from back at the mansion. I'd seen her before, but never this close. Gosh, she was pretty…

She fluttered her wings a little; I remembered she was an Alicorn. Not a real one, but one that was made by that crazy witch Glimmer. She kept looking at me with those big blue eyes of hers and finally asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I felt my face turn red and blubbered, “I, uh, well, I was just, I mean, I’m fine, really.” Gosh I sound like Fluttershy!

“I’m happy you are,” she said with that cute smile of hers. “Then again, you did try to yell at the squirrels to get up.”

I frowned and asked, “What? You can do better?”

“Well you don’t need to be mean to them. You just gotta be nice to them,” she said, her voice actually pretty sweet. She then proceeded to climb up the tree. Funny, she has wings, why didn’t she fly up there?

She climbed up to the hollow and stuck her head inside. “Oh, Mr and Mrs Squirrel, it’s time to wake up please.”

I watched, wide eyed, as a pair of squirrels came out without acorns getting thrown at her. Genova smiled and climbed back down as the squirrels ran off into the forest. “See,” she said with a smile.

“Uh thanks,” I said, rubbing my dark mane. “I’m no good with animals you see.”

“It’s okay,” she said, “I know you’ll get it eventually.” She then blinked her eyes and said, “I’m sorry, I don’t think I introduced myself.”

“I know who you are,” I said. “You’re Genny, right?”

She nodded and replied, putting a hoof on her chin, “Though, I can’t remember your name. What is it?”

“It’s um…” I tried to gather myself as she stared intently, awaiting my answer. Alright! I was going to impress her! Be cool! I slicked back my mane and said proudly, “My name is Mumble!”

Wait what?

“That’s a funny name,” she said with a laugh.

“Wait, no that’s-“

“Mumble! Mumble! Mumble!” She started hopping around me chanting my apparent name. I blushed bright red as she said it.

“Wait, that’s not my name!” I cried, desperately trying to get her attention. “It’s Rumble! With an R!”

“Okay, Mumble,” she said as she stopped bouncing, but seemed to ignore what I just said. “Let’s get some more animals out of their holes.”

Was this filly dense or something?

This was going to be a long week…

__________________________________________________________

The day went on and I spent most of it getting beat up by all manner of crazy critters, but Genny was always there to help me out. She'd learned a lot from Fluttershy when it came to how to treat animals. I was a little annoyed that she didn’t call me by my real name. Still, she was pretty fun to be around otherwise.

I slid my saddlebag on my back and made my way out. Fluttershy was beside me. “Thank you for your help Rumble, a lot of the critters got to enjoy the good weather today,” she said.

“You’re welcome, Fluttershy,” I said, looking up at her. “Genny did most of the work though.”

“I’m so happy you and Genny hit it off well,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “She doesn’t have a lot of friends besides me. So, thank you for working with her.”

“Uh, no problem,” I said, feeling my face get warm again. “I should get going, Cloudchaser and Flitter are waiting outside, I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

With that I left the building and saw the twins waiting for me. Cloudchaser and Flitter were almost never seen without each other. They were both grayish pegasi with light blue manes. The way you could tell them apart was how they styled their manes. Cloudchaser’s was always spiky while Flitter’s was let down with a bow in it. They were good friends of my brother and by extension me.

Although, there was one part I didn’t like about them…

3…

2…

1…

“Oh Rumble!” Suddenly Flitter flew to me and picked me up in her forelegs. She pulled me into a tight hug and nuzzled me like I was a little kid. “I’m so glad to see you! Have you grown a few inches? I hope you never grow out of being so darn cute all the time!!”

“Easy Flitter,” Cloudchaser said, walking over to us. “I don’t think Thunderlane would like it if you crushed his little brother like that.”

“Aww,” Flitter whined and let me down, much to my relief. “He’s going to get too big to let me play with him anymore.”

“I’m already too big to be strangled, thank you,” I complained, straightening my mane. Flitter always thought I was like a little brother to her. I liked the attention when I was younger, but as I got older I found it kind of annoying. At least I had Cloud Chaser to bail me out.

“Aww,” Flitter said, puffing out her lower lip. “Just promise me you won’t grow up to fast, kay?”

I rolled my eyes and Cloud Chaser rubbed my mane. “Come on, Thunderlane wants us to take you home.”

With that we flew together above Ponyville and Cloudchaser decided to open up the conversation. “So, how was working with Fluttershy today?” she asked.

“It was okay, I guess,” I said, half honestly.

Cloudchaser and Flitter looked at each other and a grin passed between them. I knew that look, I knew all the looks they had for each other. That basically translated as “Rumble’s hiding something, and we’re going to find out what it is.”

“It couldn’t have just been okay” Flitter said, pushing against me.

“You were all smiles when we saw you come out,” Cloudchaser said, pushing on the opposite side. “Now tell us why”

“I just had a good time that’s all,” I said, trying to get away but they were much bigger than I was. So I had no hope of getting out of this.

“C’mon,” Flitter begged, “you can tell us.”

“Fine,” I relented. “I met a filly named Genny and we had fun, okay? Now will you get off me?”

Both of their eyes went wide as I wormed my way out of their grip. Flitter then flew in front of me and spoke in a shocked but cheerful voice, “You met a filly! Oh my gosh I’m so happy for you!”

“Please don’t hug me again,” I begged.

“Rumble, you dog!” Her sister punched me in the arm with a grinned said, “I knew you’d snag one eventually.”

“It’s not like that!” I shouted at her. “We just met! Gosh!”

“Ooh,” Flitter said, smiling wide, “you two would be just the cutest little couple!”

“Shut up!” I growled, my face turning red. “I told you it’s not like that, so bug off!”

“We’re only teasing, Rumble, geez,” Cloudchaser said, rubbing my mane. “We’re just happy you made a friend. You’re not exactly a social butterfly like your brother”

“I guess,” I said.

I then flew off before either of them could say anything else. I can’t believe it! That they would even consider I would crush on a filly I just met officially. On top of that, the filly in question is the densest, most annoying, most irritating, cutest, sweetest and kindest filly I… Stop it, Mumble! Don’t think like that! Arrgggh! I called myself Mumble in my own thoughts! What the heck is wrong with me?

_____________________________________________________________

The next day I arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage and began setting up a bird’s nest in one of the trees. I had to hoof it to Rarity, she could make some fine places for birds to stay. I had just finished when I saw a pair of bluebirds fluttering down into it. They landed together and got settled in. I then watched as the two birds touched beaks and one of them flew off. Was that a kiss goodbye?

I sighed, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I seem to get romance out of my mind?

“Mumble!”

I looked down and saw Genny looking up at me, a big smile on her face. “Come on!” she called. “Let’s play together!”

“First of all,” I said as firmly as I could, “my name is Rumble! Secondly, I’m busy working here!”

She just looked at me, her blue eyes getting all big. “Pleease?”

Darn it! Why couldn’t I resist? Must resist the eyes. Darn it…

“Alright,” I sighed. “Why don’t you come on up?”

Genny nodded and leaped onto the tree. She tried to climb up a bit of it and then I noticed her hooves were slipping. Why didn’t she fly up? She’s an Alicorn with wings, it shouldn’t be too hard.

I watched as she slipped and fell down on her back. She got up and started tearing up. I flew down to her level and looked at her. Gosh, she was starting to cry like a foal over this. Then again, she’s only technically a few months old, despite looking my age.

I walked to her and reached over with a hoof to rub her back. She looked at me with tear stained blue eyes and seemed to calm down a little. “Mumble, I’m sorry. You must think I’m stupid,” she said, wiping her eyes.

“Nah, it’s okay,” I said gently. “You just had a bad fall is all. How come you didn’t fly?”

She looked down at her hooves and sighed. “I don’t know how. I never learned how to fly,” she said sadly.

“Didn’t Fluttershy teach you?” I asked.

Genny shook her head “No, I didn’t want to bother her with it. She’s so busy with taking care of all those animals; I thought I would be useless to her, like I was useless to Mother…” She then started crying again.

I felt a very bad pain in my chest when I saw her crying. That witch must’ve berated her pretty bad. Poor thing, she didn’t deserve to be thinking herself so useless. I should cheer her up a little…

“I could teach you,” I said without really thinking.

“Teach me?” she asked, looking at me in shock.

“How to fly, yeah,” I nodded. “Thunderlane taught me how to do it; I think I can teach you as well.”

“You’d do that for me?” she asked, her eyes glowing.

I blushed a little and replied, “Sure, but you gotta give it your best.” I reached over and wiped her eyes clear “None of this crying business okay? You gotta be strong if you’re going to learn under me.”

She smiled and then we began the training. First she needed to get used to using her wings. I had her do some flapping exercises and wing stretches to get her ready. I spent that whole day teaching her what I could.

She caught on pretty quick though it was obvious she was having some confidence issues. I’m guessing Glimmer wasn’t a very good pony to be under. She really shook Genny's confidence in herself.

But I was going to do my best for her. Nopony with wings that work should say they can’t fly.

Gosh…

Tailspin can’t…

_________________________________________________________

It was about four days into volunteer week and I found myself sitting in the cafeteria. Right now I listened in as Scootaloo was recounting her time with Rarity.

“She would not stop going on and on about Blueblood!” Scootaloo groaned “Then she made me wear all these frilly dresses,” she shuddered.

“Aww come on Scoots, it probably wasn’t that bad,” Applebloom said.

“Speak for yourself” Scootaloo replied. “You got assigned to work at Private’s office. I bet all you had to do was sharpen a few pencils.”

“Ah was doin' important work fer him,” Applebloom said firmly.

“I’m sure that you weren’t just there for work” Sweetie Belle giggled, causing Applebloom to turn a little red.

“It’s not like that and ya know it Belle!” Applebloom retorted. “Ah just liked working' fer Private is all.”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo chuckled, “and I’m sure you appreciated it when he gave that glowing review of your work.”

Applebloom huffed and I laughed a little, everypony in school knows that Applebloom has a little crush on Private. It’s always been the butt of jokes whenever the detective came up in conversation.

“Say did anypony know what happened to Diamond Tiara?” Belle asked, pointing at the pink earth pony.

Nopony knows what exactly went down at Sugar Cube Corner. But since then whenever somepony asked Diamond about it she just went in a corner, huddled into it and kept saying. “The Cupcakes…The Cupcakes….”

“Beats me,” Applebloom said with a shrug. “At least it’ll keep her from bullying us fer a while now.”

I turned back to my lunch just as a flier was laid in front of me. I looked up to see Tailspin smiling at me. “Hey, there’s still time to sign up for the dance,” he said.

I looked down at the dance flier he gave me, and then glared up at him. “Are you making fun of the fact that Scootaloo isn’t going with me?”

“No I’m not!” Tailspin cried. “Cheerilee wanted me to give these out to everypony and I thought you would like one.”

“Look you got Scootaloo, I get it!” I yelled. “That doesn’t mean you get to flap it about in my face!”

“I’m just trying to be nice to you, Rumble!” Tailspin said. “I thought you would want to know the dance is still on. I know you’re still mad about Scootaloo, but I thought maybe you wanted to go with somepony else, or just come with a group.”

“Just bug off, you cripple!” I shouted at his face “You got Scootaloo! You’re the most popular kid in school! You got all these things and I didn’t! I don’t need your pity!”

“I do not pity you!” Tailspin argued.

“Then quit trying to be nice to me! I don’t wanna go crazy about you like everypony in the universe!” I shouted.

“You know you would have friends once in a while if you didn’t act like such a jerk all the time!” Tailspin said before rolling away.

I sat back down and looked at the flier. I then looked as everypony else was quietly eating their lunch. I caught Scootaloo’s eyes and they showed she really didn’t approve. I looked back down at the flier.

Tailspin, everypony absolutely adores him. It’s just not fair, everypony likes him and all he does is roll around in some dumb chair. Especially Scootaloo…

______________________________________________________________

I finished planting some new flowers that Fluttershy wanted for her pet’s play pen. I sighed as I recalled what happened earlier today. Tailspin was just trying to be nice to me and I yelled at his face about it.

“Mumble?”

I looked over and saw Genny was looking at me with concern. “You look very sad, what’s wrong?” she asked.

I sighed and replied, “It’s nothing, Genny, and don’t call me Mumble.”

She sat down beside me and looked at me with those big blue eyes again. “You wanna tell me about it?”

I shook my head. “It’s not important. I just finished my work today, let’s see about getting that flying lesson done,” I said standing up.

She followed me to a small hill where we were gonna practice. It was just high enough for Genny to get good air time, but low enough that she won’t hurt herself too badly.

She looked over at me and admitted, “Mumble, I’m a little scared.”

“What’re you scared about?” I said, giving her a smile “You worked hard, you’ll get this.”

“I’m afraid I might let you down,” she said, her wings drooping a little.

I smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder. “You’ll do great, you just gotta have faith in yourself. My brother says that’s all flying really is. Every pegasus knows they can fly, they just gotta work hard and trust in their wings to do it.”

She smiled a little at me and said, “Thanks Mumble, I’ll try.”

“No you won’t try, you’ll give it all you got right now. Don’t just try and give a half effort. Just keep going until you do get it!”

“I’m still a little nervous though,” she said as her wings began flapping slowly.

“Just close your eyes,” I said, using a trick my brother used on me when he taught me how to fly.

She nodded and did so, flapping her wings like I showed her. She slowly hovered a few inches off the ground and I pushed her gently forward. “That’s it; just keep flapping your wings.”

“Mumble, am I doing it?” she asked, not opening her eyes yet.

“You’re doing great,” I encouraged. “Just keep going, you’ll get it.”

“Mumble, am I flying?”

“Open your eyes.”

She did and found out she was several feet away from me. She was flying just a few feet off the ground. She looked at me with bright eyes and shouted, “I’m doing it! I’m doing it!”

I flapped my own wings and went to fly beside her. “I knew you could do it, you just needed a little confidence in yourself.”

“Thank you, Mumble,” she said, a wide smile on her face. “I’m so happy that I did this! Thank you so much!”

“Now will you stop calling me, Mumble?” I asked, crossing my forelegs.

She just hovered lightly back down to earth and landed. I landed beside her, I guess I’m not going to get my nickname erased anytime soon.

But, it doesn’t bug me as much as it used to.

I kind of like it…

___________________________________________________________

I was packing up my saddle bags again when Genny walked up to me. “You’re going to be going now?”

“Yeah,” I replied with a nod. “I got some homework that needs finishing.”

Genny nodded and then looked down. I raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just this is the last day you hafta work here,” she looked at me with those pretty blue eyes.

Oh, she was sad to see me go? Well, I mean I’m glad the work is over but I had a lot of fun with her. I smiled and said, “I’ll come by once in a while, maybe show you some of my moves.”

Genny smiled wide and ran to hug me tight, causing my saddle bags to fall off my back. I blushed bright red as she hugged me. Gosh, she really liked me this much?

Ba-dump

Huh? Was that my heart?

Genny then looked at my saddlebags and noticed something fell out. Before I could get to it she let go of me and picked up the flier for the dance. I rubbed the back of my head and said, “It’s just a promotion for some dumb dance my school is hosting”

She eyed it and then looked back at me, her cheeks a little red. “I’ve never been to a dance before…”

“Well I heard there’s going to music, snacks and all sorts of things,” I said, trying not to sound excited.

“Are you going?” She asked, tilting her head.

“Nah,” I said with a shake of my head. “I was planning on asking a filly to go, but she had other plans. Sides, who’d wanna go with me anyways?”

“I would.” I blinked my eyes as Genny said that, her face turning red. She started rubbing her hooves together and said “I mean, you’ve been so nice to me and everything. I wanna go with you, Mumble. I mean, if you wanna.”

She wanted to go with me? Genny wanted to go with me?

Ba-dump

My heart again?

“You really want to go with me?” I asked dumbly.

“Uh-huh,” she said vehemently, her face still red. “You’re my best friend, Mumble, and I’d want my first time dancing to be with my best friend.”

Gosh, she wanted to dance with me? What’s wrong with me? I feel…light headed and stuff…

“Uh sure, I’ll dance with you,” I mumbled, living up to my new name.

Genny’s eyes grew huge and she hugged me again saying excitedly, “Oh thank you so much! I can’t wait!”

“Genny, hurting me…”

“Sorry,” she said, and then blushed more “Thanks, Mumble, I really can’t wait.”

I smiled shyly and said, “Uh, you’re welcome”

She then did something I never thought would happen in a million years. She walked over to me, her face red as a tomato. Then…she planted a kiss on my cheek. Before I could even react she ran up to her room.

She just…

She wants…

Oh Celestia on high! She likes me!!

Genny likes me!

And do I…like her?

Ba-dump…

That answers that question…

______________________________________________________

Present Day…

I licked the ice cream that Thunderlane got me. It was okay, but I was so anxious about Genny that I didn’t really enjoy it like I usually would. My brother looked over at me and said again, “Hey bro, everything’s going to be okay”

I looked up at him and met his yellow eyes. “She’s getting hurt in there and there’s nothing I can do to help her…” I said.

Thunderlane frowned and then I looked up to see Cloudchaser and Flitter comforting Fluttershy. Genny was practically a daughter to the yellow pegasus. I bet you she felt far worse than I did, but that didn’t make me feel any better. At least she had one good memory before everything went to heck…

The Dance…

____________________________________________________________

Two Months ago…

“Come on out, Rumble!” Flitter called as I hid in my room. “You’re going to be late for your date!”

“No!” I cried “I’m not coming out so you can make fun of how I look!”

“Aww, c’mon, bro,” Thunderlane said, knocking on my door. “I’m sure you look great!”

“That’s the problem,” I said with a groan. “I’m afraid that Flitter will strangle me again.”

“I promise I’ll keep my sister on a short leash,” Cloudchaser said.

“Ow!” I heard Flitter cry. “That’s my tail, you dummy!”

“That’s what I meant by a short leash,” Cloudchaser said with a chuckle.

“Just come out, bro,” Thunderlane said. “I promise I won’t laugh.”

I sighed and opened the door out of my room. I was clad in the suit that Thunderlane bought for me. My mane was combed back just the way I liked it. I looked up as Flitter gushed at the sight of me. “Oh my gosh you are simply adorable!” She tried to zoom towards me but was held back by her tail being stepped on by her sister.

“Nice try, sis,” Cloudchaser said with a smirk “but he’s gotta have his neck intact if he wants to dance with his sweetheart”

“Aww,” Flitter whined. “You guys don’t let me have fun with him anymore.”

For good reason.

“Hey you look great, bro,” Thunderlane said as he ruffled my mane. “I’m sure Genny will think so too.”

“Stop it,” I said, blushing a little.

“Just so long as you act like a gentlecolt you’ll be fine,” Cloudchaser said with a smile.

“You hear that Thunderlane?” I said to my brother with a smirk. “You do that and I’m sure she’ll like you back.”

My brother and Cloudchaser looked at each other and blushed a little. Flitter and I both tried to hide our laughter at their reactions. Thunderlane just smacked me upside the head and said, “Let’s just get your date, alright?”

I smiled and left, I’m glad Thunderlane found somepony he wanted to be with.

It certainly took his mind off worrying about me all the time…

_________________________________________________________

Thunderlane and I landed at Fluttershy’s cottage and my brother knocked on the door. Fluttershy answered it and smiled wide “Oh it’s good to see you two! I’ll go get Genny!”

She left to get her and I felt nervousness in my chest. After about two minutes of waiting I saw Genny walk beside her adopted mother. She was clad in a very pretty pink dress and her mane was done up a little.

Gosh, she really was pretty…

“Bro, you’re drooling,” Thunderlane said with a chuckle.

I wiped my mouth just as Genny came by, a lily levitating in her magic. Genny blushed a little and presented it to me, “Mommy had me pick it out to go with your suit.”

“Uh thanks,” I said as she went to pin it on my suit jacket. I tried not to go nuts at her being so close to me when she did it. I smiled at her and then Fluttershy spoke up. “Now don’t be out too long, Genny. I want you home by 9:00”

“Okay Mommy,” Genny said, smiling up at Fluttershy. “I know Mumble will be there to look after me if I need to leave.”

I blushed as Thunderlane tried not laugh at her name for me. But I ignored it and Genny went to stand in front of me. I smiled and said, “Let’s go already, don’t wanna waste time.

With that, all three of us started to make our way for the school. I kept sneaking glances at Genny and every time I did I felt myself turn a little redder. Did I really like her this much? Gosh…

But, she smiled every time I did look at her, did she feel the same?

A part of me really hoped so…

_________________________________________________________

After dealing with some teasing provided by Tailspin over the fact I was accompanied by Genny I found myself on the dance floor with her. It was very easy to dance with her, it meant I had an excuse to look into those eyes of hers. She kept her eyes on me the whole time.

I decided to ask as the songs slowed down, “Genny?”

“Yeah, Mumble?” she replied, looking right at me and smiling.

“Uh, you didn’t just ask me out because you felt sorry for me did you?” I asked. “I mean, a filly like you could’ve picked any guy she wanted.”

Genny just smiled and said, “None of them taught me how to fly, or was nice to me despite knowing what I was.” She then pressed her cheek to mine. “Mumble, you’re my best friend in the whole world. I wanna make you happy and this was the best way I knew how.”

I felt my heart melt as I heard her heartfelt words in my ears. She wanted to make me happy? Me, a jerk who can’t make any real friends?

Just the look in her eyes as we kept dancing was all the assurance I needed. I felt my heart beat as fast as my brother’s wings while flying. She was just the most amazing filly in the world.

My eyes then fell on her wings. I couldn’t help but notice…

One of the feathers fell off…

I then saw something as the song died down. I looked to see Scootaloo flying off with Tailspin in her forelegs. What the? My jaw dropped along with many others in the room as we watched the couple fly away.

Just where are they going?

Genny and I stopped dancing and walked over to a stunned looking Cross. I tapped Tailspin’s cousin on the shoulder. “What happened?”

Cross snapped out of his stupor and looked at me “Tailspin’s chair was sabotaged. It broke and he was afraid that he couldn’t dance with Scootaloo anymore. So Scootaloo went flying off carrying him saying that she’ll take him to a place they could dance or something.”

Hmm, I wonder who would want to sabotage Tailspin’s chair? That’s a little low…

“Cross!” I heard a voice call. Genny and I saw Sweetie Belle grab Cross’ forelegs with her own. “Let’s dance one more time!”

Cross’ face got this big stupid grin on his face. The dork was head over hooves for Belle? Somehow I’m not surprised. Cross nodded dumbly and followed her back to the dance floor.

Genny looked over at me and said, “Whoever broke Tailspin’s chair wasn’t very nice.”

“I’ll say,” I said with a shake of my head. “Tailspin isn’t my favorite pony in the world but he didn’t deserve this.”

“How come you don’t like Tailspin?” Genny asked.

I felt ashamed for hearing that question come from her. I sighed and said, “Can we talk in private where there aren’t twenty billion ears?”

She nodded and we went out into the deserted hallways. I sighed and said a little sadly, “I didn’t like Tailspin at first because Scootaloo liked him, but it was honestly more than that.”

Genny’s eyes followed my every word.

“It’s just I never had any real friends before,” I said. “I always played with my brother my whole life I didn’t really see the need to make other friends. When I tried, nopony really wanted to play with me. I couldn’t really think of why, but I think it was because I was just shy. Then Tailspin comes around and everypony falls in love with the guy instantly. He just took no effort in getting others to like him. I was jealous…”

“Mumble,” Genny said, “I don’t think you need to be jealous.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, a little confused.

“I think you do know how to make friends,” Genny said with a smile. “It’s just you were always afraid when Tailspin wasn’t. I think you just needed to be able to open up to others. Sure you didn’t make a lot of friends your way, but you made one that’ll last forever…” Then she walked to me and nuzzled me again

“Genny,” I said, before I nuzzled her back, “thanks…”

Suddenly we heard crying and I peeked around the corner. I ducked back just in time for Silver Spoon to run past, crying her eyes out. I looked where she came from and saw Diamond Tiara with a bunch of parts in her saddlebags, parts that looked like they belonged to Tailspin’s chair!

Before I could run after her Genny obliged. She chased after Diamond Tiara. The spoiled brat saw Genny and ran outside. I ran after them and when I got outside I saw them arguing.

“That was very mean, Diamond Tiara!” Genny shouted. “You shouldn’t have tried to hurt Tailspin like that!”

“Back off, freak!” Diamond shouted. “It’s none of your business!”

“It was still very bad!” Genny said, her horn glowing a little. “I’m going to tell Cheerilee!”

“Oh like she’d believe the freak that helped tried to kill us!” Diamond shouted. Genny blinked and took a step back. Diamond just smirked. “Oh, you do remember how you became a freak, did you?”

“Stop it,” Genny said, her horn glowing more.

“That’s all you ever are! Just a freak accident by some crazy witch! You’re lucky Fluttershy stepped in, if it were my choice you’d be locked up in some vault where you couldn’t hurt anypony, you monster!”

“Stop it!!” Genny cried, tears flowing down her eyes.

“That’s enough, Diamond!” I yelled, stepping between them.

“Oh this is cute,” Diamond said mockingly “Figures you’d use a freak as the rebound filly.”

“Rebound?” Genny asked, more tears flowing.

“It means he liked someone else but he’s using you to get over losing his shot at her!” Diamond said with a laugh. “Did you really think Rumble liked you?”

“Mumble…”

“Genny, she’s lying!” I turned around and saw with wide eyes.

It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Feathers were falling out of her wings like crazy. Her horn and eyes were glowing a sickly green. Her tears flowed and wouldn’t stop. She kept screaming a high pitched wail as her horn glowed brighter.

I looked back and saw Diamond Tiara ran for it. I then looked to Genny and tried to reach out for her. Genny kept saying things I couldn’t make out. A bunch of random things…

“Abandoned…broken…useless….freak….useless…” was all I could make out.

“Genny?” I asked, stepping to her. “Genny, stop it, you don’t know what you’re doing!”

I felt a burst of magic send me back as more and more tears came flowing from Genny’s glowing eyes. She was in pain…and there was nothing I could do to help her…

“Genny!!” I cried as I ran for her, I pushed myself through the magic she sent out and wrapped my hooves around her tightly. She struggled crazily in my grip as I said, “It’s me, Mumble, it’s okay it’s me!”

Slowly she blinked her eyes and they turned back to the normal blue. She then fell limply into my forelegs. I looked at her horn, it was broken and cracked. Her wings had lost most of their feathers too.

I held her tightly and tried my best not to cry. I then felt a gentle hoof on my back and looked over to see a large black Alicorn stallion standing behind me. He was big, his eyes red and his wings were kind of like a bat’s. Standing beside him was Princess Celestia herself. What were they doing here?

Celestia bent her head down and spoke gently, “Are you alright little one?”

“We felt the blast as we were flying over,” the black Alicorn said. “What happened?”

I looked down at Genny, then up at them, and begged, “Please, help her…”

_________________________________________________________

A few days later I found myself sitting in Fluttershy’s cottage. Celestia and the black Alicorn (I found out his name was Voidera) had been examining Genny as she laid on her bed. Genny didn’t move or speak as they did. I wanted to see her but they said I wouldn’t be much help until she was at least a little stable.

I overheard a conversation between the two of them and Fluttershy. Voidera’s deep voice spoke up, “Tia and I have come to the conclusion that Genova is an attempt by Glimmer to conquer the Alicorn Curse”

“I had heard about that in stories,” Fluttershy said. “Is it a force that makes sure there aren’t any more Alicorns born?”

“Not fully,” Celestia said. “It’s a curse that simply made the traits to be born an Alicorn very recessive. Our people suffered from it a long time ago and the three pony races are the result.”

“So what’s happening to Genny?” Fluttershy asked. “Please tell me!”

“Simple,” Voidera said “The curse will not allow an Alicorn to be made this way. Genova was forged out of parts of several ponies. As a result, her genetic material just isn’t as firm as others. Being put in that dire emotional state caused the parts to clash.”

“So is there anything we can do?” I asked, stepping into the main room where they were.

Celestia looked down at me and said gently, “Voidera and I encountered this once before. A unicorn by the name of Izanagi was originally born a unicorn, but his parents tried to change him into an Alicorn through means that are similar to what Glimmer used.”

“The only problem is,” Voidera said firmly “that Genova was born as an Alicorn. It is risky, but we may be able to rearrange the parts by making her into one of the pony races. She would lose her alicornhood in the process. The process is risky however and it will take time to perform.”

“And if we don’t do anything?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

Voidera closed his red eyes and said, “Then she will be ripped apart eventually,”

“No…” I shook my head. “No she can’t die! She won’t!”

Before anypony else could say anything I ran upstairs to Genny’s room. I opened the door to find her asleep on the bed. I ran to her and took one of her forelegs in mine “Genny…”

She slowly opened her blue eyes and spoke softly “Mumble, I always said your name wrong, didn’t I…?”

“Genny, don’t worry about that.” I shook my head “You could die…”

“I was always a freak,” she said sadly. “You were my first real friend. I wanted to make you happy so that we could stay like that, but it might not be meant to be…”

“No!” I cried “You’re going to live! I know it! We’ll do all sorts of great things together!!”

“Mumble, no Rumble,” she said, gazing up at me, “I had a good time at the dance. Thank you so much…”

“You’re not going to die!” I cried, and then…I felt tears fall down my face…”Diamond Tiara was lying! I wanted to take you to that dance Genny! I wanted to make you happy!! You’re the first and best friend I ever had!”

“Rumb-“

“Don’t call me that!” I cried “Call me whatever you want! Even if it’s Mumble, I don’t care! It just means I’ll have Genny back…”

She looked at me for a long time and said, “Mumble…” Then she closed her eyes gently.

I held her hooves tightly and then I heard Celestia and Voidera enter. I looked at them with tear filled eyes. “Please, help her…”

_______________________________________________________________

Present Day…

It took almost a month of preparations and planning in order to get everything ready. Celestia and Voidera had Genny in the hospital twenty four seven. I came by every day after school to visit Genny.

Today, however, was when the final procedure was. If it worked, Genny would live a happy life as a normal pony. If it didn’t… I didn’t want to think about it.

I looked up as the hospital doors opened and in came Tailspin along with several of my classmates. I stared at them as Tailspin said, “We thought we’d get Genny some get well soon stuff.”

I looked down. “She’s in the operation room right now,” I said.

Tailspin rolled up to me and said with a sigh, “Look, I’m sorry none of us were there to stop Diamond Tiara from doing what she did.”

Tyran shook his head. “It’s just not right. Genny didn’t mean to do anything, Grandma made her.”

Applebloom put a hoof on his shoulder as I looked back at Tailspin. “You have nothing to be sorry for, if anything, I should be apologizing for acting like a total jerk.”

Tailspin just smiled and extended a hoof. “How bout we start over? Let whatever happened before go with the wind, and walk forward for Genny’s sake.”

I smiled and shook his hoof.

“How weird,” Pip said. “Genny was the reason most of us ended up at the mansion in the first place.”

“In a very weird way,” Sweetie Belle said, “she brought us all together.”

I smiled and looked around. “Thanks guys, for doing this for her.”

“We’re not just here fer her, silly,” Applebloom said smiling at me. “We were worried 'bout you too.”

I didn’t know what to say at all to this. I just smiled and said, “Again, thanks.”

“We’re here for you, Rumble,” Tailspin said. “Genny is our friend too, we’ll be right here no matter what happens.”

Okay, maybe Tailspin isn’t a bad guy after all.

I was just a big jerk and wouldn’t see I did have friends.

I just hoped, I wouldn’t lose the best one I’ve ever had.

The hospital doors opened and out stepped Celestia with Voidera at her side. The Princess looked at all of us as we bowed in respect. Then her eyes fell on me, a slow smile came to her face. “When we asked her before the operation what she wanted to be, she said pegasus without hesitation, so that she could fly with Mumble forever.”

My eyes grew wide in shock and I felt tears in them. Celestia then gestured with her wings to a room not far down the hall. I flew with all my might to it and ran inside before anypony else could stop me.

I looked inside, and by the window was the prettiest pegasus in the whole world…

Genny! She was alive…

She was looking out the window while lying on her hospital bed. Her horn was gone and her mane was straighter then Sweetie Belle’s and it was a deep purple now but I didn’t care. She was alive…

She looked at me and said in a happy voice, “Mumble…?”

“Genny!” I cried.

“Mumble!” she cried as well and I leaped on the bed and went to embrace her tightly. She was okay! She was okay!

Genny looked up at me with tear filled blue eyes, “I’m okay, Mumble. I’m fine, you don’t need to cry.”

“I was so worried,” I said, fighting back the tears as I held her. “I thought I would lose you…”

She held me just as tight and said, “I just remembered what you said, to trust in myself and just fly. I knew that you would want me to pull through.”

“Genny,” I looked at her for a long time and just said “Let’s fly together again…”

“So long as you fly with me forever,” Genny said, tears falling down her cheeks.

“It’s a promise,” I said and then slowly I pressed my lips to hers. I had no idea what came over me. I was just so happy to see her I didn’t care.

She returned my kiss and held me tight. Genny…

Genny, you aren’t a freak…

You aren’t broken…

Cause you’re amazing…

Just the Way You Are….