Prologue - Unforseen Reunion
Today was an uneventful day for the pony named Grey Shades. He slowly went towards his house, looking more serious than he did usually. He knew why, but never told anyone the truth, because if he did, he might lose her. His sister was coming, and he knew the lump in his heart would only grow bigger until his heart was torn out by the weight of his guilt. I couldn't save her, he thought. Why couldn't I save her? She would have done the same for me, so why didn't I do it? He got lost in his thoughts, until he shruffed it off.
As he approached the house, he knew she would come in a few minutes. It was only a matter of time before he saw her, but he didn't know how she would look after the time she had been away. Worst of all, he didn't know a thing about her anymore. He had left all he had known about her since the incident. He never even had the chance to say goodbye, so it was no wonder he was so sad about his memory.
He opened the door, put his bags near the miniature apple tree, and decided to read a book to pass the time. Eventually he heard a knock, so he put the book down, and opened the door.
"Hello?" said Grey.
"Mr. Shades," said a pony with a red mane and pink coat. "You're going to let me in."
"And why is that? What do you want, exactly?"
"The password is heartache."
He paused for a moment, staring blankly into space. "You can come in."
"Thank you." She went inside the house, knowing that he locked the door after she was five steps in.
They both went to a room with no windows, and sat there together with blank looks on their faces. They both knew who the other was, but neither of them spoke a word for what seemed like half an hour. After that, one of them spoke up.
"What are you doing here?" asked Grey Shades.
"What do you think?" said the pony.
"Well, at least say it," he said.
"You could at least be courteous to your guests."
"You're not a guest. You're a stowaway."
"Then at least be respectful."
"Look, just do it already, because I don't want to take any more of this."
"Fine," she said, before erupting into a pillar of green flame, revealing a buglike creature that resembled a pony.
Chapter 1 - Shade Of Your Former Self
I didn't care why she was here. I just wanted this nightmare to end. I didn't want any more reminders of the past. I wanted her to go away. I was about to say something, but then she said something that bit into me like a venomous snake.
"You know, it's funny how I lost my heart and became this. Do you want to know why? You're the one who lost themselves in emotion instead of me," she said.
"Shut up, you smug little-"
"Brat? That's not something to call your sister."
"You're not my sister," I said solemnly. "Not anymore."
"And why not? Is it just because I'm this now? Is that why?" That statement, coupled with the way she said it, it hurt me so much. If I actually did hate her because of that... I wouldn't know what I'd do.
"I... I don't know anymore."
"Do you have any reasons at all?"
I stayed silent, hoping that she would move on from that question.
"Tell me, please. Do you have any significant reason at all?" I knew she wouldn't have. I then walked over to the closet that used to belong to her, breathing deeply. She just watched as I opened a drawer within it, revealing a picture of our childhood.
"...I remember this day," I said solemnly. "The day when we lost our mother. We went through so much... and for this? I'm surprised we're still alive."
"If you're still living, you've still got something to live for. Isn't that something you taught me?" I did teach her that. I just didn't want to talk anymore. It was hard to recollect memories when they just caused us pain and regret. "Why not start now, and find out why?" I looked up from the picture. She was... hugging me. "You won't get anywhere unless you move ahead, right, Grey?"
"...right. Thanks for trying to help... Brighty."