Hello Again

by Flaring Dawn

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Original Character, Main 6
Length: 18033

40 years have passed since the events of 3 Years coping with a broken heart and storm has lost yet another love. Now alone he must now cope with both losses.

Its been a while... Guess I really am old and alone now that both of my loves are dead. Maybe now I can finally say that one word that has been gnawing at my heart for years.... Hello Now in his late 50's Stormdrift has lost his love Summerset after 20 years of happiness. As he tries to get over the loss, the constant nightmares and dreams he has at night might mean more then he thinks they mean.

(( NOTE: This is the final chapter to the Along Came A broken Heart series and is a direct sequel to 3 years Coping with a broken heart. I suggest reading both along came a broken heart and 3 years before reading this story

Published 2016-06-06 04:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-06-06 04:00:02 UTC

prologue: An Old Mans Tale

prologue: An Old Mans Tale

Give thanks for the things you have, the family that loves you, and that one person you hold dear. For one day they will say goodbye...
~Stormdrift

Rain begins to fall upon the quiet streets of Ponyville as ponies went about their busy day. The mayor was getting ready for the Gala that was going to be held in Town Square, The Pegasus ponies maintained the weather, and others did what they did best. They were all so happy, and carefree.

All but me. Me and the cruel fate that has enveloped me these last few years. About 20 or 30 years ago I was not the the best pony, well I was, but not to most. I was forced to work in the Factory for ten years until I had enough and broke free at the cost of my most precious treasure... My loving daughter Nimble Breeze. After I escaped I was 'visited' by my brother Grey Skies. He tried to kill me and he failed thanks to my friend Twilight. Now here's where it gets sad.

She introduced me to her friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and...Fluttershy. When I saw her, my heart sang for the first time in a long time. We never really, well, ya know, dated or even got close to it; but that's because I didn't have the gull to ask her... Until it was too late. You see, all those years ago another thing happened. Something that hurts me to this day. The mare that I have loved, Fluttershy died in my hooves.

On that fateful day she asked me if I loved her. I of course answered yes. What she said after that killed me. She said she loved me too. I held her the whole time when she died... After her death I stopped caring, as if it was my fault that she died. For three years I stopped caring until one day when I went to visit her again.

When I was in the Cemetery I was visited By my late wife, Summerset Skies. She tried to tell me it wasn't my fault but I acted like a spoiled filly who didn't get a new ribbon or something like that... Shut up! I'm an old man I have the right to be confusing!! She told me that I was never alone. She was right, that much I can say. Still this emptiness inside my heart is burning like fire. I still feel like I am alone, even though that is not true. Or it wouldn't be true if Summer was still here with me. She died a few years ago in her sleep. I was devastated, as were the kids. After their mom died they all decided it was best for them to move out and see the world. I of course said it was fine. They were adults after all, and it was only normal for them to want to move out. Nimble Breeze would of been proud of me if she were alive today. She would of wanted me to let them go. Nyte Fyre is now part of a big time Designer company in manehatten, Stargazer Is set to marry his sweetheart this summer, and I couldn't be prouder. And lastly Wild Wind is now the captain of the Wonderbolts. Her dream came true finally. So why can't I be happy? Why in the wide world of Equestria can't I be happy for them? Could it be this dark veil that has fallen over me? I don't know the answer... My kids tell me all the time, 'Dad, we love you but you're hiding in the past when the future is creeping up behind you.' You know what, they are right... Then what of the constant dreams that haunt me to this day? Even as I walk these happy little streets I am reminded of those awful nights of restlessness. Me running down a dark alley, hoping I can escape what's chasing me, only to hit a wall, and just before I am engulfed in darkness... I wake up, sweating and feeling as if my heart is going to fly out of my chest. Every night its like this. I am off to a long time friends house now. Hoping by some miracle I may be able to figure out why I am haunted by these recurring dreams.

Funny thing about dreams, is they always seem to mean something right? Why would I be having them if they didn't mean something? As I ponder this I walk the busy streets towards the castle where Twilight was residing. When Tirek was defeated this castle appeared where Twilight's library once stood, Thus giving her a well deserved spot among the Princesses. I was very proud of her when this happened and now I was hoping and praying that she could help me with my problem.

Chapter 1: The Meaning of Goodbye

Chapter 1: The Meaning of Goodbye

I knock on the massive doors in front of me. I stepped back a bit and brushed the dirt off my hooves. I knew how much Twilight hated messes though honestly I found it rather adorable when she would obsess over the small things. When the door opened I frowned. Twilight was standing at the doorway' tears forming in her eyes. I was concerned.

"Twilight? Are you all right?" I place a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her. She looked up at me and sighed. "I-I am fine Storm- I just- Spikes gone..." My face clouded over.

"Gone as in...dead?" She shook her head and sighed.... " He just... left... Said he wanted to pursue some dream of his... I am happy for him but I miss him so much..." I smiled softly and hugged her chuckling a bit.

"Oh sis... He will be back... You know that..." She hugged me back, tears falling from her eyes. "I- know but it still sucks..." Twilight chuckled and hugged me a bit tighter and then released me. "Thanks Storm... Your a good guy... anyway what can I do for you?" I Sighed and walked into the castle. My emotions still running rampant. The thoughts that plague my sleep were still plaguing me as I spoke to Twilight.

"Well... I have been having these nightmares... Every night I Dream that I am being chased by something... As it gets closer to getting me I see two figures cloaked in light. Before I can reach them I wake up. Do you have any idea what is wrong with me?" Twilight gives me a very puzzled look and looks at the ground.

"No... I don't but I'll help you as much as I can okay?" She smiled and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and sighed. "You're the best Twi..." She giggled a bit and released the hug. Twilight was always trying to help me through tough times. When Fluttershy died she was there for me and of course when I was shunned by all of Ponyville she gave me a chance to make many friends. Truthfully I was grateful, but in the back of my mind I felt as if I were alone in a world full of love. Not saying that I like Twilight in that way; But in the back of my head I was thinking maybe I shouldn't fall in love because those who I love seem to vanish with time as I stay here waiting to see them again. I digress though... Twilight Found a few books about dreams and premonitions and set them on the table in front of us.

"These should help us a bit I think. It says here that sometimes your dreams can mean something is going to happen... But that's just an old ponies tale in my opinion. What do you think Storm?" I sighed a bit and looked at her. "I don't know... Twilight can I ask you a question? One that has been plaguing me for a while now?" Twilight nodded. I Brace myself and ask the question.

"What is the true meaning of goodbye?" The question shocks Twilight a bit. She gave me a puzzled look and Spoke up. "Well... What do you think it means Storm?" I thought for a second about it. Now that I think about it I believed I knew just what it meant. I looked at Twilight and spoke.

"Well... I think it means... When someone close to you goes far away it's like goodbye, but at the same time maybe it could mean their journey might be at an end one may just beginning. I don't know why I even said that... All I know about goodbye is that it hurts Twilight... I miss them all.. Nimble Breeze... Summerset... Fluttershy... I miss them so freaking much. It feels like my heart was ripped from my chest and stomped on... Is this what goodbye is? Could loneliness be another form of goodbye? I don't know anymore..." I sat there for a moment and was embraced by Twilight. I smiled a bit and hugged her back.

"Storm... No matter how alone you feel remember that you have friends here that love you." she lightly shoved me and smiled. I smiled back. For some reason though another question was bugging me. A question that kind of hurt Twilight to hear.

"Will I ever be able to say goodbye?" Twilight flinched a bit and sighed. I looked at her and frowned. "I-I am sorry... I didn't mean to make you worry..." Twilight looked at me and frowned. "The answer is yes Storm. Everyone has to say it sometime... Only time will tell when yours comes... I just hope it isn't too soon..." She hugged me a bit tearing up. I sighed and held her there as a brother would hold his little sister. I looked at her and smiled.

"Come on Twilight... Now why would I leave you guy's all alone? I am still kind of young don't you think?" I give my best suave smile. Twilight looked up and giggled a bit and ruffled my mane. "Yeah Storm... But the gray in your mane says otherwise." I ruffled her mane and smiled again. She smacked my hoof.

"Whatever you say Twilight. I still love you sis. Thanks for listening to me. I am going to go back to their grave for a little bit." Twilight nodded and handed me a rose. I smiled and hugged her again. I left the castle and sighed. The visit helped me a bit but I still had more questions then answers about the damn dreams I have been having. I shake my head and head for the cemetery. On the way there I ran into my friend Pinkie Pie. I smiled and walked towards her though something unsettled me a bit. Her mane was straight down and she was quite skinny. I ran over to her and frowned.

"Pinkie what in the heck is wrong?" She looked at me and smiled weakly. She barely had the strength to stand anymore but she was walking. I held her so she could stand up better only to be hugged by her. Pinkie began to cry. I held her there and let her cry into my chest. I looked at her and before I could speak she said something that broke my heart.

"I miss Fluttershy.... I want her to come back Storm..." I began to tear up a bit and stroked her mane as I spoke. "I know Pinkie... I do too... Want to come with me to the cemetery? I am going to visit Shy, Summer and Nimmy if you want to come with me that's fine...You know I hate seeing you so sad..." She wiped her eyes and nodded. I then gave her a worried look.

"Have you been eating Pinkie?" She flinched a bit and sighed. "Y-Yes I have but... I can't keep it down... I miss her that much Storm... Please don't hate me..." I looked at her with comforting eyes and hugged her again. She began to cry again and she embraced the hug. I nuzzled her mane and allowed her tears to fall upon my chest. Pinkie was like a sister to me as Twilight was. I hated to see them so upset. I released the hug and looked at her.

"Now why would I ever hate you Pinkie? You and the others have always been there for me... I am just worried about you is all... I really hate seeing you so upset... I am not mad at you and I do not hate you..." She smiled a bit and sighed. "S-Sorry to worry you Storm... Can we go see them now?" I nodded and made sure Pinkie could walk. When I knew she was okay to walk we headed for the cemetery. The moon cast shadows on the town. When we got to the cemetery Pinkie smiled and walked in. I followed her and found the graves. Pinkie smiled and spoke up.

"H-Hey Fluttershy... It's Pinkie Pie... I miss you a lot... Things have been quite bleak for me... Storm's here as well and he loves you all!! I wish I could see you again Shy. I miss our tea parties and I miss all of your stories and helping you with your animals..." She began to tear up. I held her and continued. "Shy I just want you to know that I love you... Summerset... I love you as well... And Nimmy... Daddy hasn't been the same... Pinkie misses you guys so much... But I'll let her talk for now..." Pinkie smiled and continued to talk.

"It was Rarity's birthday yesterday... I threw the party of course... It wasn't the same without us all there to enjoy it though. Rarity didn't smile... Neither did I. I tried to I really did but the pain came like a wave and we all cried..." Pinkie was right... During that party no one sang happy birthday, no one laughed , and no one blew out the candles. We all just sat there. Even the children were silent. After everyone left the party Rarity embraced me and cried. The only words she spoke were Its not fair Storm!! Why her!!!? All I could do is hold her and tell her everything's okay. Except it wasn't okay. Pinkie Pie continued.

" I love you guys so much..." She placed a few flowers on the grave and smiled as a tear fell from her eye. She hugged the grave and then me. "Thank you Storm... I got to get home now... I love you Bro... bye" I hugged her back and smiled softly. "Love you too sis... Take it easy okay and eat something before I kick your butt." She giggled and nodded at me. "I will...Bye Storm." With that Pinkie left and I was the only one at the graves. I looked at the three graves and smiled a bit. I sat down and sighed.

"You see guys... Pinkie still remembers you... As do I. Something has been bugging me though. These dreams I have of the dark shadow chasing me down the alley and the two figures in the light... I think that the figures are you guys. What are you trying to tell me? Is my time coming or is it just my imagination? I don't know; But I do know this. I love you all. I hope we will meet again one day soon. Bye for now girls..." I then kiss all of the graves and place a single red rose on all of them. I walk back to my house and sigh. So many questions inside of me needed to be answered. I got to my house and sat on my chair. I look on the nightstand and smile. There was a picture of me and all my girls. Fluttershy was in the picture. Another picture of Summer and our kids was right next to it. I smiled and fell asleep on the chair. A single tear fell from my eye as I drifted to sleep.

My eyes open and I am in a dark alley. I look around and my ear drop a bit as I walk down the long path. "Hello? Is anypony there!!!?" I hear nothing as I walk a bit further into the alley. All of a sudden I hear a laugh from behind me. I swallow hard and turn to see a dark figure. It growls in my face and swings at me. I run like the wind down the alley only to trip and fall. The alley begins to change into a field of flowers as I continue to run. I look behind me only to see the figure is gone. I Turn and see three white figures standing before me. I am quite puzzled and back away for a bit. Then one of them spoke.

"Hello again Storm... How has your life been?" I recognize the voice and am brought to tears. "Fl-Fluttershy?"The light faded and i saw her and two other ponies. I gasped Nimble Breeze smiled at me and Summerset also smiled. I fell on my haunches and shook my head. "This is a dream..." Nimble Breeze giggled and walked up to me.

"Well of course it is daddy!!" I smile and get up. "But why are you here..." Fluttershy smiled and placed her hoof on the ground. The flowers and field changed into a view of Ponyville. I saw me and the other ponies at Shy's memorial. I was a bit puzzled.

"Why are you showing me this?" Fluttershy smiled and whispered something in my ear. "Goodbye is not forever..." I looked at her and spoke. "I-I know that... Why bring that up?" She smiled and Summerset spoke.

"You'll see when the time comes Storm right now we have to go..." They all started to fade away and i chased after them. "WAIT!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN!!!??" The light began to blind me and then it all went dark.

I shot up from my sleep in a cold sweat. I was delerious to the point of vomiting. I shook my head and pondered on what she meant.

"What in the buck? Why did she bring that up? what does she mean by this? Damn it!" I punched the floor and gritted my teeth. I looked towards canterlot and frowned. "I have to talk to Celestia... I need her to gather the remaining elements... we need to have a talk about this now...." With that I left my cottage and flew off to Canterlot. Maybe the answer to the puzzle was there. I only hope that she would be able to help me with this. As i land on the ground I feel a little dizzy.

"What the heck... Guess it was how fast I was going..." I shook the feeling from my head and knocked on the castle door. They opened and two guards led me to the main chamber where celestia was in. I bowed to her and spoke.

"I need your help Princess..." Celestia smiled and lifted my head. "What is it Storm? What is bothering you?" She said with a kind smile. Over the next few minutes I told her about the dreams I have been having. I then told her about the dream I had the night before. She listened very intently and smiled. I looked at her with a slight frown.

"Do you know what it means Princess?" She nodded. "My theory is that she wants you to feel like she is watching you Storm. I feel the goodbye is not forever thing is her telling you to be happy and that you will see each other again." I smiled and hugged her. She hugged me back and chuckled as i cried a bit into her fur. "Thank you Princess... Sorry I am staining your fur..." She chuckled a bit and patted my back.

"It's quite alright Storm. Now is there anything else i can do for you?" I nodded and released the hug. "If it is not to much trouble I would like to talk more about this with the other elements please?" Celestia nodded and sent a message to Twilight. I waited patiently alongside Celestia and Luna. When they arrived they were all puzzled. Rainbow Dash looked like she just woke up.

"Storm what is the matter?" Dash said with a yawn. Rarity also chimed in. "I am with Rainbow on this darling... it's not like YOU to summon us." Applejack nodded in agreement. "Exactly so what's eating you sugar cube?" Pinkie hugged me tightly and looked into my eyes. "You can tell us anything Bro!!" I smiled and hugged her back. Twilight nodded and I told everyone about my dreams. They all looked around and spoke to one another. Rarity looked at me and smiled a bit.

"That is quite a dream but what do you think it means Storm?" I looked at her and sighed. "That's just it I don't know... I was hoping for some clarity but I am stuck with more questions." Rainbow Dash frowned and looked at Twilight.

"Come on Twi your the egghead here!!" Twilight glared at Dash and looked at Storm. "Stormdrift have you been feeling different at all these past few days?" Such a sudden question puzzled me. I was honest with her though. "Well I have been getting dizzy here and there but nothing I can't handle." Applejack gave a worried look. She hid her face with her hat. "That don't sound too normal Storm." She looked at me and frowned. Everyone in the room frowned when I said that. I just gave a weird look and smiled.

"Guys I am fine... there is nothing wrong with me in the slightest I promise I am fine." Pinkie frowned and looked at me. What she said killed me a bit inside.

"Please be okay... I don't want to lose you too..." I sighed and I hugged her tightly. "I am not going anywhere I promise. I promise you all I am not going anywhere." They all hugged me and smiled. I hugged them back and looked at the Princess. "Thank you..." She smiled and we all left the castle. Something inside though told me that they had a point but I shook the feeling from my head. I said goodbye to everyone and headed back to the cottage. Back at the castle Celestia looked out into the night with a tear in her eye.

"So it is finally time... " Luna appeared near her and smiled. "What is wrong sister? Is something the matter?" Celestia smiled at Luna and sighed. She looked back out at the night sky and spoke.

"Nothing my sister, just got some things on my mind. You did a lovely job tonight Luna the stars are quite beautiful..." Luna smiled and hugged her sister and went into her chamber. Celestia looked up into the sky and smiled.

"Did you have to make it that obvious Fluttershy?" She walked down into her sleeping chambers and shut off the light. Back at my house I fell asleep on the couch. A single blue butterfly flew in through the window and landed on the Element of Kindness. A soft voice woke me from my sleep.

"Who's there?..." I ask with a tired voice. No one answered. Then I heard it again, only a little louder. ....Not forever... Goodbye...is not forever.... I shook my head and backed up into my chair with a little bit of fear in me. The voice grew louder and louder until it was right in my ear. Then it said something else that chilled me to the bone.

See you soon my love... Then it went all quiet. I sat there in my chair too afraid to close my eyes. I wrote a letter to the princess and covered my head and cried. When the letter from the princess came to me I read it.

Dear Stormdrift,

We need to talk about this one on one tomorrow come here alone and we will discuss things. I just hope you are ready to face this. Good luck!

Princess Celestia
P.S. Make sure your children are there for you... I looked toward the castle and sighed. "That's never a good sign.... What does my kids have to do with this anyway?" I shook my head and went to bed hoping that the dreams didn't plague me as they did before.

Chapter 2: A lesson of life

Chapter 2: A lesson of life

I awake to a knock at my door. I look at the clock on the wall and groan. I get out of bed and walk towards the door. I open the door and yawn as I look at the pony in front of me. "Is your name Stormdrift?" The mare asked with a smile. I simply nodded and let her in. She smiled and sat down on the couch. I looked at her and finally spoke. "Okay.... Who are you and how do you know my name...?" The mare just smiled and chuckled.

"Untrustworthy of me I see. That is quite alright but no need to be worried I was sent here by Celestia." The mare said with a smile. I Glared a bit but then calmed down enough to hear the mare out. "Okay then... Tell me why you are here.... Why did Celestia send you? And why did she send you so damn late at night?" I grumbled as I yawned a bit. The mare smiled and took my hoof. I looked at her and gave a weird look.

"What are you some kind of kissogram?" The mare giggled a bit before speaking again. "No I am not a kissogram Storm... My name is Mystic. I am a Psychic Who worked very close with Starswirl the bearded." I looked at her with astonishment. "That world make you thousands of years old but you don't look a day past Twenty three." I said with astonishment. Mystic smiled and moved closer to me. Her Azul eyes pierced mine as she spoke again.

"Celestia has told me about your dreams Stormdrift. I can help you if you want but I warn you... You may not like the outcome of this." Mystic said with a serious tone. I frowned and thought for a little bit. If she did this would my past come to her and ruin my chances at finding an answer. I looked at her and sighed.

"Tomorrow... Come to the castle tomorrow and I will speak to The princess about this." Mystic nodded and put her hoof to my face with a smile. "Alright then Storm I will. Get some sleep. By the way you are absolutely adorable when you sleep..." Mystic said with a grin. I blushed a bit and glared at her.

"Just be there tomorrow you big flirt!" I yelled a bit. Mystic giggled and teleported away to wherever she was going to. I sighed and went back to bed. So many questions plagued my head as I slept that night. Why did Celestia send a freaking psychic pony to talk to me in the middle of the night for? What is going to happen when I get to the castle tomorrow? I only can grind these questions till tomorrow however. For now I sleep hoping that the dreams do not plague me as I sleep.

I am in a corridor, wearing a white lab coat. I am very puzzled as to why until I hear a scream. A splash of blood hits my face as I as well am disgusted in what I see. A mare was being cut open and her organs fell to the ground in a heap. I gag and hunch over about to lose my lunch. A dark figure smiled menacingly as he threw the remains in a machine. Oh god... I was not in here... I couldn't be here... The factory... I ran so fast I felt as if my heart would blow out of my chest. I ran into somepony and fell on my haunches. I looked up to see Rainbow Dash only she was not friendly... She cackled and swung a knife at me. The chase was on. I ran for the exit only for it to be blocked by guards. I fell to my side and whimpered before a familiar voice rang out.

"Storm... Fight this fear inside of you!! Only then can you escape this nightmare!!" It was Luna I stood up and glared at Dashie. I charged her only to be flung into another dream. I was in Ponyville. I looked around and at myself and realized I was covered in blood. I gave a very puzzled look and took a look at the sky. A dark smoke cloud billowed from a building. I knew what was going on. Before I could speak Luna was beside me. She looked down and smiled.

"Hello again Storm. We are glad to see you are well." I nodded in return and frowned. "What is going on... My life is being replayed... What does this mean?" Luna smiled and placed a hoof on my shoulder. "Even we do not know why this happens in dreams but they happen... It is best to just let them play through." I looked at her and frowned.

"But this is... when I get assaulted by my friends." Luna shook her head and pointed to the ground. I saw myself down on the ground. Next thing I see is Grey Skies and his goons surrounding the past me. I swallowed hard. "Oh maaaan how embarrassing..." Luna sighed and pointed something out. A purple unicorn came out of nowhere and beat the hell out of the ponies and carried me away. A tear fell from my eye.

"That's right... This was all after... I lost Nimble Breeze..." Luna shook her head once more and pointed towards the ground. I saw something that brought a tear to my eye. A mare was carrying nimble on her back, smiling as the little filly slept on her. I grabbed Luna and cried a bit. Luna hugged me back and smiled.

"Always a silver lining somewhere Storm. Remember that now let us follow Twilight shall we?" I nodded and we were outside the window to the library. Twilight was wrapping my ribs and cleaning my wounds. I blushed a bit at the thought of being treated like a foal. Luna caught on. "Are you okay Storm Thou looks a bit flushed?" I blushed a bit more and glared.

"I am not flushed!!" Luna smiled and rolled her eyes as we continued to watch the past unfold. I was awake now and was being introduced to my now friends. I began to tear up at the sight of Fluttershy. I sighed and smiled a bit. Luna placed a hoof around me as the next dream took over. I was in the waiting room of the hospital. Illumi Nite and the rest of my friends were sitting in the waiting room crying. I realized where this was, and I wanted no part of this.

"Luna please... Not this... Anything but this!!" My cries were just a waste of time as I watched as my past self walked into the room. There she was as beautiful as I remembered her. I watched as my past self held her lifeless body and I watched as she was torn from his arms by the nurses. I looked to the ground and allowed tears to fall from my eyes. I continued to look on and saw another part of my life. The day I adopted Wild Wind. I smiled as the little filly jumped into my hooves. She giggled as I lay her on my back and walk to the house. I let out a small chuckle through the cascading tears that fell from my eyes. Luna smiled and spoke up.

"She was certainly a lively little filly back then wasn't she?" I nodded in response and continued to watch as I carried her. After a while I was thrown into another time loop only this time it was in a cemetery. I was standing near a grave, crying. I was puzzled and turned to Luna for answers. She looked on without a word. I watched as my past self punched the ground in fury and in heartache. I realized then that this was when I decided to visit Fluttershy's grave after her death three years prior. I began to tear up a bit as I looked on, now realizing that I acted like a fool. I saw Summerset come over and begin to talk to my past self. Another flood of tears fell down my face. Luna looked at me and smiled.

"Is it too much to take in at once? Now do you know what the meaning of this particular dream is?" I nodded. She smiled and continued to watch as Summerset hit my past self in the face. I flinched. "I can still feel that after all these years." I say with a chuckle. Luna chuckled as well. I then saw my life with Summerset and our three kids. I smiled as the memories poured in through my head and dream. I saw the entire time I had with her from beginning to her untimely death. Suddenly I was in a white room with only Luna there with me. She smiled and got closer to me.

"You mentioned before that you knew the meaning of this dream yes?" I nodded in agreement and before she could ask the next question I answered it for her. "Yeah I know exactly what it means. It is telling me that no matter what happens to me or my family, and no matter what hardships I have faced in my life there was always that little silver lining hiding away in my life. Whether it was My kids or the time I had with my family and friends. Those times I had were the silver lining through my life. Without them I would not have the strength to continue this life... Luna thank you for this.... But I have another question... You can see dreams right?" She nodded and spoke.

"That we can. And your dreams are quite the frightful but beautiful ones. I saw the dream that has puzzled you and I am sorry but I do not know what they mean." I frowned and sighed. "I guess I have tomorrow to find that out." After saying that I looked up to find I was the only one standing in the room of white. Suddenly I awaken from the dream.

I wake to the sound of birds chirping. I smile a little and get ready for the day ahead of me. Celestia was waiting for me at the castle as was that mare Mystic. I gather my things and head for the castle with the dreams of before swimming in my head.

I arrive at the castle gates and I am escorted into the main hall where Celestia and Mystic awaited me. I also noticed that Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Dashie were there as well. My children were also there. Nytefire, Stargazer, and Wild Wind all looked at me with a small smile.

"Hey dad... Long time no see. We all missed you so much!" Nytefire said as she hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and was embraced by all of my children and friends. Wild Wind was tearing up when she hugged me. Stargazer just held me like his life depended on it. "We are so sorry dad... We should of visited you more..." I sighed and held them there for a bit until Rainbow Dash smiled and gave a sly grin.

"Took ya long enough old man." She said with a smile. I smiled back and spoke. "Wouldn't be talking about old Dash, your looking a little grey under the wing." Pinkie giggled at that one and hugged me tightly. I chuckled and hugged her back lightly.

"Good to see you too sis..." She nuzzled my nose and released the hug. Rarity and Twilight also hugged me and as did Applejack. I Grinned widely and spoke. "I understand it has been a while but what is with the hugs all of a sudden?" I said with a sly grin. Everypony laughed.

Rainbow Dash broke the laughter and spoke again. "So Storm, what is with these weird dreams of yours?" The others nodded in agreement. Rarity put a hoof on my back. "Yes darling, you have us quite worried." I smiled and before i could speak Pinkie blurted her two sense. "Worrying about a friend is suuuuuuper important you know. Cause who knows you could of dreamed about being naked in front of a crowd or worse!!!" I look down and smiled.

"Uhhhh Pinkie I don't recall wearing clothes in the first place...." Pinkie also looked down and blushed "Oh yeah well still dreams can be mean!!" Pinkie said as she smushed my face. Applejack took her off me and sighed. "Pinkie, he can't really tell us if yer gonna talk over him... Now what is botherin' ya about them dreams Sugarcube?" I sighed and began to tell them everything. I told them about the Fluttershy dreams and the dream with Luna. They all nodded as i continued to tell them about Mystic's visit as well. Celestia smiled.

"So Mystic found you all right? That is good to hear." I frowned and then told Celestia about Mystic's idea. "She want's to look into my life doesn't she...?" Celestia nodded. "Yes all the way into your childhood. I hope this isn't a burden to you." I shook my head and smiled. "Nah, i can handle it... The only thing I really can't stand is how much of a freaking flirt she is!!!" They all laughed as Mystic walked into the hall. She smiled towards me and walked closer. Nytefire smiled and nodded as did all of my children. "You can do it Daddy!!" My kids said at the same time. I smiled and nodded.

"Are you ready then Storm?" I nodded and sighed. "Yes... If this gives me the answers I need then have at it." Mystic nodded and then cast a spell on me. She began to sing and I began to fall asleep. All I remember then is the quiet melody of the stars.

Flashback: Storm's Childhood

Flashback: Storm's Childhood

A calm wind blew through the calm streets of Cloudsdale. A stallion with a sky blue body and green mane was running franticly towards the hospital. He was smiling the entire time he was running. He was going to be a father soon. The stallion spread his wings and took off into the hospital's waiting room. An elderly mare was sitting at the front desk and she smiled as the stallion landed in front of her.

"Here for your son I presume Mr. Cyclone?" Cyclone Thunder, a royal guard nodded furiously as the mare pointed him in the direction of the room. When he opened the door Cyclone saw His wife, Nighttime Rain and his new born son sleeping on the bed. Nighttime smiled and chuckled.

"You are late Cyclone....." Cyclone walked closer and kissed his wife and son on the forehead. Cyclone looked down on his son and smiled. "Hey there little guy... I am your daddy... Welcome to the world..." The little colt opened his eyes and looked up at Cyclone and smiled. A faint giggle was heard coming from the colt. Cyclone turned to his wife and smiled.

"He has your eyes. And my mane... Oh dear I do hope he takes after your side of the family..." Nighttime giggled and held the baby closer as he giggled softly and cooed at his mother. Nighttime thought very hard for a moment. "You know dear we have yet to name him..." Cyclone thought as well and realized that she was right.

"Well what should we name him then? I haven't the faintest idea on what to name him." Nighttime thought and then smiled. "Why don't we name him after your grandfather, Storm Heart? How about the name... Stormdrift..." The little colt looked up at them and giggled and pulled on his daddies beard. Cyclone smiled and picked the little guy up.

"It is settled. His name is Stormdrift..." A few days later they left the hospital. Little did they know that a dark figure was looking at them from the distance.

I awoke from the spell and shot up like a rocket. I turned to Mystic and glared. "Who in the living hell was that?!" I yelled a bit. Mystic frowned and thought for a second. "I am not sure... I have never seen him before... He could very well be a key moment that we need to further investigate..." I growled a bit and stood up.

"My parents were killed by a pony in a cloak when I was a teenager... I found the pony and killed him myself... He has nothing to do with my dreams..." Mystic gave a scared look and backed away. Celestia and the others glared at me as if I did something wrong. I Sighed and teared up. I looked at Mystic and spoke.

"I'm sorry for scaring you.... I really am... But that man is dead and far away from my memory... How it the hell did he get there...." Mystic walked towards me and placed a hoof around my shoulder and spoke. "The only way to find out is if we dig deeper into your memories and see if he pops up again okay Storm... And don't worry about snapping like that.... I provoked you and that was wrong..." Twilight thought for a moment and then spoke up.

"It is very strange though... If you did cast him from your memory then why is he making a comeback?" I simply shook my head and looked to the ground. "I have no idea Twilight... I think it would be wise to do what Mystic said. Look for him in my memories... " Pinkie chimed in again.

"Oh maaan this is soooo confusing!!" Applejack sighed. "Oh brother...." Rainbow Dash glared at Mystic and spoke up.
"One thing before you continue.... That is my brother... If anything happens to him... I will hurt you..." Mystic rolled her eyes and picked Dashie up and placed her next to Celestia.

"I assure you Rainbow Dash nothing will happen to him..." Rarity also chimed in. "So you say. This is the first I have ever heard of this kind of magic, let alone seen it in use. I hope you are right darling..." Applejack groaned. "For goodness sakes, If she says it will not hurt him then Ah trust her." Nyte fire also spoke up. "If she says he will be fine then let her work!!" Stargazer flinched a bit and hid behind Twilight. The other simply shut up and allowed Mystic to close the distance between me and her. I smiled.

"And hear I thought you were going to put me back to sleep... Isn't this a bit rushed?" She smacked my nose and glared at me as her face turned red. "I was NOT going to kiss you idiot..." Storm chuckled a bit. "How is the taste of your own flirtatious medicine then?" Mystic simply smiled and poked my nose. "Just get ready you big fool..." Her horn fired up and I drifted back into sleep.

The sun rose on the horizon of Cloudsdale. A small little colt ran by another stallion as they played tag. "Your it daddy!! I bet you can't catch me!!" The stallion was right in front of his son and was smiling. The colt frowned as his father picked him up and noogied him. "HEEEEYYYY NOOOO FAIIIIRR!!!!" The father smiled and let the little colt go.

"All is fair in war Stormdrift..." Storm glowered a bit then saw his mother and ran to her. He jumped into her hooves and giggled as he was swung around the air. The mare smiled warmly as the colt smiled up at her. She looked up to her husband and smiled.

"Isn't he just precious Cyclone. He really is full of energy. Just like his daddy." Cyclone sighed and stroked the young colt's mane and smiled brightly. "Yes he is Nighttime. But I am pretty sure that his energy comes from you." Cyclone said with a sly grin. Nighttime Rain simply rolled her eyes and kissed Cyclone deeply. Storm's nose crinkled and he stuck his tongue out and smiled.

"Ewwwwww Mama and Dada are kissing~" Storm said with a giggle. Cyclone looked over to his son and smiled. "Now now Storm you will be doing the same thing when you get older." Storm raised his nose and his ears went down. "Nuh-uh!! Girls are icky!!" Just then a little filly began to cry from inside the house. Storm's ears perked up and ran to his sister Sky Shower's room and picked her up. Storm's mom and dad raised an eyebrow. Storm glared a bit.

"This girl is different. This is my sissy and I will protect her when I am old enough to become a royal guard!!"Cyclone smiled and sat by his son. His mother also sat down near him. The little filly looked up from Storms hooves and giggled and sucked on his hoof. Storm nuzzled the little filly and set her back down in her crib.

"I'll protect you Sky Shower... I will never let anypony ever hurt you... I love you sissy... Sleep well." Storm kissed the filly on the forehead and covered her up. Cyclone smiled and picked Storm up; carrying him to his bed. He laid his son down and his mother then entered the room.

"While that is a wonderful dream son all little guards need their sleep..." Nighttime smiled and kissed Storm on the forehead. Storm smiled up at his mother and spoke. "I'll make you proud mommy and daddy.... Just watch me!! I will become the strongest Royal Guard ever!!!! Cyclone looked down at his son and smiled.

"Yes we know son... We will always be proud of you no matter what happens... Even if you somehow didn't become a guard we would still love and be proud of you. You are our son Storm..." Storm thought for a moment and spoke softly. "Mommy... Daddy... Will we always be together?" Nighttime smiled and held her son close to her as she spoke.

"Remember these words well Storm. No matter where we are and no matter what happens to us... We will always be with you. Whether the sun falls from the sky and the moon falls from the stars; We will be with you...If you ever feel alone Storm just remember that no matter what we will always be in your heart to chase the dark away..." Storm smiled and hugged his mother warmly and nuzzled into her chest and looked up.

"I love you mommy.... I love you daddy...." The little colt then started to fall asleep and as he did Nighttime sang a lullaby to him.
"Hush now my dear
Rest your head upon my heart
Always remember
We will never be apart
And when the wind begins to howl
And you begin to cry
Just wash away your tears
And feel my loving light
We love you our son
So small yet so strong
Now sleep and dream
That one day we will be
Home...."

Storm then fell asleep upon his mothers chest and smiled as he slept. Cyclone covered the little colt up and smiled at his wife. Nighttime smiled back and just let her son sleep. Cyclone crawled into the bed with Storm and Nighttime and held his wife and son as they slept. He heard Sky Shower begin to cry so he got up quick and grabbed her. He then lay down next to his family and smiled as he too drifted into a deep sleep. Outside a cloaked figure looked on and growled a bit. "Enjoy your happiness Cyclone.... You won't have it for long..."

I woke up again with tears falling down his face. I sat up and buried his face in my hooves and wept. "Mom....Dad.... I love you both.... Why couldn't I save you from that awful man..." Pinkie Pie's mane flattened a bit as she rushed to my side and embraced me in a hug. I hugged her back and wept into her chest. Mystic frowned and walked over to me as well. I just glared at her. She flinched back as I looked at her.

"You... you are ripping my memories apart.... That was one of the happiest memories I have in my mind... That was private!!" Pinkie held me closer and nuzzled me as if she was trying to calm me down. It worked. Then again it WAS Pinkie. I looked back at Mystic who was now frightened. I sighed and walked over to her; hugging her and holding her to me as I spoke.

"I am so sorry for always yelling at you Mystic... I really am.... It's just... I always thought that if I kept that memory from people then I would have that one piece of happiness that others only dream of... Sort of selfish of me though isn't it? Please... Don't be scared of me. I may be a grump but I would never hurt a female." She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and she spoke.

"I am sorry as well Storm. I hate to say it but I think we have to look at the night when your mom and dad were killed..." Nightfire looked at her and whimpered. " No offense ma'am but that is very personnel for my dad..." Mystic smiled over to her as she let me go from the hug.

"I promise you that he will be fine dear." Mystic said with a small smile. She then looked at me and nodded. I nodded back and brought my friends and kids in for a big hug. "I will be just fine guys... I promise. Mystic come here and kiss me again." Mystic growled and threw a book at me as her face went red. I ducked and snickered.

"That will never get old." Mystic smiled and shot back at me with a comeback that made everypony in the room burst out laughing. "Unlike you Storm." I frowned and gave her the meanest look ever. She just giggled and actually kissed me. My face went beat red and then I fell asleep. As I fell back asleep I had the strength to mutter one sentence. "You little flirtatious demon....." Then everything went black as more memories began to pour out of me.

"Don't you dare touch my son!!!" Cyclone raced towards the dark, cloaked figure and struck him down as Storm ran for his sisters room. Still a filly whimpering under her bed. Storm grabbed her and held her to his chest. He growled as he ran past the dark figure and as he did he tripped him and made him fall to the ground.

"Leave my family alone you piece of crap!!" He set Sky Shower down where she was safe and ran back in the house. Storm's mother lay limp in the middle of the floor. A knife was protruding from her side. Storm grabbed her and stood over her protectively. The figure smiled as Cyclone was thrown to the side by magic. He glared at Storm with hatred in his eyes.

"How cute... Just like your father... So brave and yet so annoyingly persistent..." Storm was grabbed by a very painful aura and flung into a wall. Storm growled as he hit he wall. He glared at the pony and spoke.

"So what... I'm persistent... I will protect them... I won't let you hurt them... you'll have to kill me." Storm struggled to stand as he continued to speak to this pony trying to kill him and his family. "I will not let you hurt them!!!!!" Storm ran for the pony but was overwhelmed and thrown again. This time he was held down as his mother was held up by an aura. Storm's eye's widened.

"N-no!! Don't hurt my mom!!" His cries were ignored as a magical blade shot through his mothers chest. Nighttime's face clouded over and she looked at her son with tears falling down her face. " I love you.... Storm...." With that his mother was dead; the crimson rain falling from her body like rose petals off a dying rose. Storm growled a bit and tried to break free as he then held up his father cyclone and sneered at Stormdrift.

" I wonder if your sister will also scream as your pathetic father will...." He then began to rip Cyclones wings off in front of Storm. Storm screamed as this was going on. He tried to break free from the grasp of the magic. Finally he did and tried to run to his father... Only to watch as Cyclone was stabbed in the heart and killed instantly. Storm's face contorted as he held his father in his hooves.

"D-d-Dad....?" No words came from his father's lifeless body. The pony in the cloak smiled as he walked towards the door. "Such a shame... You and your sister are not worth my time.... Foals..." With that the pony vanished as Storm cried into his father's chest and screamed in pain as the realization hit him that he and Sky Shower were now alone. Sky Shower came in and saw the scene and ran over to her mother and held her.

"Mommy? Mommy wake up.... Please wake up..... Mommy......" Tears began to fall from her eyes as Storm ran to her and held her as she cried into his chest. Storm just sat there as Sky Shower cried into his chest and grasped him for dear life. Storm stroked her mane and held her closer to him and whispered his mothers lullaby in her ear. She quickly fell asleep and Storm wrote a letter to Celestia. After they cleaned up the place Storm and Sky Shower were sent to the local orphanage.

"Storm...Why do we have to be here? The ponies are so mean to us..." Storm looked at his sister and sighed as they were laying by each other. She grabbed her big brother and teared up as she continued to speak. "I wish mommy was here... She wouldn't hit us or punish us for stupid reasons..." Storm again looked at his sister and held her as she cried into his chest.

"We are here because of the cruelty of this world sis... Because mom and dad were killed by that pony in black.... I want them back more then the world sis but we can't have them back... We just have to remember that they re always in our hearts and they will always be watching over us. Also remember sis that I am here for you no matter what. I made a promise to dad that I would protect you..." Sky Shower smiled a bit and snuggled into Storm's chest and fell asleep. Storm looked out to the dark sky and frowned.

"I will find you... I will find you who hurt me and my sister and took our family away... and I will kill you... Storm then held his sister and fell asleep holding her to his heart. Two years later Storm and Sky Shower were separated due to adoption. Sky Shower held her brother close and didn't let go.

"I love you so much Storm... Be safe..." With those words Sky Shower was taken and Storm was set out on his own. As he was walking a dark figure caught him off guard and threw him into a wall. Storm growled loudly as he stood up and tackled the pony against a wall.

"you....." The pony under the cloak smiled and spoke. "My name is Nerith..... I heard you were going to kill me?" Storm's eyes narrowed and he grabbed Nerith by the throat and slammed him to the ground. All the anger and rage was fueling him to do so. Nerith just laughed and threw Storm to the side. Only Storm was quicker. He pulled out his knife and threw it at Nerith; hitting him right between the eyes. Nerith howled in pain and fell to the ground. Storm then stabbed him again and again. Then Nerith was dead. Storm's eyes filled with tears and he ran for the nearest place to be alone. Something he was all too familiar with.

I woke up again grabbing my head in pain. Mystic ran to me and held me as I got woozy. I looked around and groaned. "Oh my aching head...." Mystic giggled and shook her head. The others walked over to me and hugged me tightly. I looked at Mystic and sighed. I then spoke to her.

"See... Like I said he is dead.... He hasn't been around since that day... So what do you think these freaking dreams mean? That's all I want to know..." Mystic nodded and looked towards my family and friends. "I am sorry but I must speak to him in private." Rainbow Dash glared a bit and got in her face.

"Any harm comes to him you are dealing with me..." Mystic's eyebrow raised and she lifted Dash with magic and set her down lightly outside of the room. My daughters giggled at her and walked out of the room. The remaining elements did the same and closed the door. Mystic looked at me with sadness in her eyes. I frowned a bit as she ran to me and hugged me. She then spoke to me with tears falling out of her eyes.

"I am so sorry Storm.... I really truly am.... Please don't hate me..." Her words made me wrap her in a hug as she continued to cry. Her tears fell upon me like a waterfall of sorrow. I lifted her head and spoke to her as if I was speaking to a child who was in pain. I spoke with a soft smile.

" No matter what kid I won't hate you... Just tell me what's wrong....." She looked down and blushed a bit as she spoke to me; Her eyes glued to the ground beneath me. What she said shook me to the core. "You're going to get your hello very soon...." I froze in my place as she continued to speak.

"Those dreams of yours... They speak to you from beyond our plane of existence... Maybe just maybe you will see them again but the truth of it is... I hope I am wrong Storm... You have such a loving family and such loving friends.... Why would this world take you away from them?" I Sighed and held her tightly and the words I spoke made her smile.

"If my time comes it comes... Simple as that... My family will always hold me in their hearts no matter what happens to me I am always there for them and nothing will change that." She smiled at me and released the hug and walked towards the door. she stopped and turned to me with a semi flirty smile.

"Flutter sure was a lucky pony... To have someone like you to love her... She must have been really happy..." I smiled back and sighed. "Summerset was the lucky one... I never really got the chance to share my love with Fluttershy.... But yeah.... I guess you are right." Mystic smiled and then she was gone. Only her words stuck with me and they left an impression. What was going to happen to me? I still needed some information. So I went to Twilight. Lull and behold she didn't know anything concerning Mystic's words. Maybe this was something I needed to find out myself. With that in mind I Was now walking Pinkie home. She looked at me with a slight frown and spoke.

"are you going to go away forever Storm? Because I really don't want to lose my favorite brother in the whole wide world!!" She then hugged me tightly and I hugged back. I chuckled a bit and held her closer to me. She buried her muzzle into my chest and I felt tears falling onto my chest. I stroked her mane and spoke.

"No I am not Pinkie... I will always be with you no matter what. If I am to die or if something happens always remember I am always here with you. Not in body but in spirit. I will always be right there in your heart. " I placed a hoof on her chest and smiled. "I will never be gone forever." Pinkie smiled and hugged me with a signature crush hug and kissed me on the cheek. She Smiled widely and went into her home. Instead of me going home I had to make one more visit to the Graveyard. So I walk towards the final resting place of heroes and loved ones with my own questions gnawing a my thoughts.

A Promise Made

A Promise Made

With my thoughts still eating at me I head towards the graveyard. I sigh softly to myself as I enter the gates to the Yard of Heroes. All of the days events ate at me. Why did that mare have to dig so far into my mind? As I ask myself these questions I make my way to the grave's of my loved ones. I Sat down by the graves and sighed.

"Fluttershy... Summerset... Nimmy.... Today has been so drastic for me. This mare named Mystic tried to help me but I am left with more questions. That pony in the black cloak is dead... I killed Nerith... So why do my dreams still haunt me? I wish I knew." I place my head on the grave and tear up. A sudden noise from behind me startles me. I turn to see a grey stallion standing by another grave. Tears were filling his eyes. I smile weakly as I walk over to him.

" Sir are you okay?" The stallion turns around and I realize who it was. He glared at me and turned back to the grave. "What do you care... After all you are the reason they are here..." I flinch and walk closer to him. The stallion just kept looking at the grave. Before I could speak he snapped at me.

"What in the hell are you even doing here Storm? Why would you ever care about those you killed!!?" I looked down and sighed. I understood why he was like this. My old friend Grey Skies... How he has changed. After his family was killed in the factory he has blamed me for the whole thing. He was the one who jumped me in Ponyville. I Reluctantly placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Cause I have also lost those dear to me Grey... I have been through what you have been through..." Grey Skies looked at me and sighed. "I know Storm... I know but still... Why did you kill them? My little girl was only ten... my wife... my beautiful wife is gone... Why?" He looked down and started to cry. I sat by him and began to explain everything.

"When I was only sixteen A little filly appeared on my doorstep. Her mom died in my hooves as she asked me to take care of her... About eight years later these ponies stormed my home and took her from me... They forced me to kill to keep her safe. I failed to do so and lost her to that awful place..." I looked to the ground. Grey Skies turned to me and sighed then stood up. The look in his eyes was sorrowful and full of distain. He turned to me and gave a small smile.

"Yeah I guess you really have been through a lot huh? Still it is very hard not to blame you All those years I hated you and for what? Something I could of stopped... Am I nothing more then a failure? Oh listen to me I sound like you... Blaming myself for what fate had in mind for me. I shouldn't have been so blind." He began to tear up and he looked straight at me as he continued to speak.

"After you killed my wife I couldn't love again... I never could love again Storm... Not like you. I look at your life now and envy you. You have friends that love you, You have three beautiful children, You run an Orphanage and ponies care for you. They look at me like the bad guy..." I frown and begin to tear up. Grey Skies words cut through me like a knife through my heart. Before I could open my mouth he cut me off and continued to speak.

"Do you want to know what I see every time I look at your face? I see the faces of my little girl and wife screaming for me to save them... I hate you so much!! I can never forgive what you have done to me!! I-- I just want them back.... That is all I want..." He broke down by the grave of his little girl and he hugged the gravestone. I also began to let the tears escape my eyes. I sat down next to him and placed a rose on the grave. As I did Grey looked at me and shook his head with a smile. I placed a hoof on his shoulder and smiled back.

"I don't ask your forgiveness... I don't ask for your sympathy... I only ask that you think about the words I am about to speak. True I have done things I am not very proud of. Hell I wish I could turn time and forget all of this hatred and move on. One thing though that I have learned from all of this is that the ones I have lost are not far away. They will always be with you no matter how far away they seem. Your wife and little girl are safe within your heart. Goodbye is not forever... It is just waiting to say hello again." Grey Skies let the words I said sink in. He looked down to the ground and frowned. He closed his eyes and began to cry.

"Then why does it hurt...? Storm why does this hurt so much? How in the hell am I suppose to cope with this?" He hugged me. Something I thought he would never do. I just embraced him and shook my head as he cried. "Because it is never easy to say goodbye Grey Skies. It wasn't for me but I am told time and time again that they are still with me. You know what though Grey? They are and they won't want to see you upset." He simply nodded and then released the hug and smiled through the tears.

"Promise me something Storm. If I am to die before you please bury me by them so I can be there for them. So I can have closure in my passing." I simply nodded and placed a hoof on his shoulder. He gave me a smile and nodded at me as if he knew it was his time to go and that I would fulfill his wish. He walked out of the cemetery with a small smile on his face. Before he left the cemetery he spoke.

"All is forgiven. Thank you Storm." A few days later Grey Skies was found dead in his home. As promised I buried him next to his family. I stood next to his grave after everyone else left. I set a picture of him and his family down next to his gravestone along with a dozen roses. I gave a smile and sat down.

"As promised my old friend... I hope you finally got to say hello." I walked out of the cemetery and left the tears behind. As I arrived home I saw Mystic at my door. I groaned and walked to her. "I am not really in the mood for you right now Mystic. I just buried my friend." Mystic gave a small frown and followed me inside. Her words chilled me to the core.

"Nerith is back Storm. He says he can help you..."

Answers

Answers

I glared at Mystic with fire in my eyes. Nerith was dead. I knew he was dead so how could he be here? And why in the hell would he want to help me? Mystic backed away a bit as I advanced on her. I slammed my hoof on the ground and fell.

"I would rather die then have help from that trash!!" The words fell out of my mouth like venom. She looked at me with a sorrowful look in her eyes. She sighed and opened my door. I looked at her and got up from the ground and entered my home. What I saw sitting in my chair chilled me to the bone.

"Nerith... No impossible!!" Nerith chuckled and stood up. I lost it and charged him and tackled him to the ground; anger plastered to my face as I grab him by his throat. "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!!!!" Nerith growled and threw me off of him. I crashed into the door frame with a thud. I gasped as the air was knocked from my lungs. Nerith looked at me and scoffed.

"Hello to you too Storm... I see you haven't changed. How long has it been now?" He gave a grin as he stood above me. I growled a low and guttural growl. Mystic sighed and used her magic to separate us. She sat me down on the couch and sat Nerith down on the chair. She glared at both of us as she spoke.

"Honestly boys I thought you would be more grown up about this..." I Glared at her and stood up from the couch. I looked down at the ground and swore at myself. I looked to Nerith and fought the urge to kill him where he sat. I spoke directly to him.

"What do you think you can help me with Nerith? The nightmares? Most of them are caused BY you!! Every waking moment of my sleep is tainted by your presence!!" Tears began to fall from my eyes as I spoke to him. " All this time and now you decide to show your god damn face to me?! WHY!!! Can't I have a normal life!!? Or is that too much to ask for!!?" Nerith looked to the ground and sighed; knowing I was right. He walked over to me and looked me dead in the eyes. What he said shut me up.

"Are you sure it is me that is haunting your dreams Storm? Or is it your own conscience showing your true fear." I froze as the words escaped his mouth. I looked to the ground and chuckled. "What do I have left to fear... You made my fear a reality... My family is dead..." Nerith shook his head and placed a hoof on my head. What I saw terrified me. I saw my name on a tombstone, I saw my children surrounding it crying their eyes out. I saw my death. Nerith removed his hoof and gave a smile.

"I know Storm... It is a lot to take in all at once isn't it?" I glared at him; tears falling from my eyes. I hated to admit it but he was onto something with this. I just didn't want to believe him was all. The only reason I didn't kill Nerith right then and there was Mystic speaking up.

"Storm... Do you know what that means for you?" Mystic said with a small frown on her face. I looked to the ground and sighed. The fear was replaced with sorrow and hatred for Nerith. I looked at them and shook my head. I pointed to My families picture before I began to speak.

" It means that they will be without a father right? That I am going to die right? How is that possible for you to know?" I glared at Nerith as i continued. "You took everything from me Nerith so you have no right to say you know me... Or you don't have say on when I am to pass on... So why?" Nerith sighed and walked over to me. He placed a hoof on my shoulder and I instantly Growled at him only to be silenced by a glare from Mystic. Nerith looked into my eyes and spoke.

"Look I know you don't care to believe me Storm but I have seen it. You have seen it as well." He gave a small sigh as he continued. "You're death will come... Just as everyone's will at some point. we all die and there is nothing we can do against death's iron grip. I will leave you to ponder." He goes to leave but pauses outside the door as I yell to him.

"Then how are you here Nerith... I killed you..." He chuckled and turned around. "you saw what you wanted to see storm. All you killed was a changeling nothing more." I turn to Mystic and give a small smile. "Seems to be a pattern huh?" She laughed and walked out with Nerith. Nerith turned to me and frowned. I noticed a tear in his eye. "Storm... I know we hate each other and I know we may never really see a day when we can be friends but know this. I am truely sorry for taking your life from you... Not a day has gone by that I don't regret what I have done to you... Have a nice day Storm." With that he was gone; dissolved in a puff of wispy smoke. The only two left in the room were me and Mystic. I looked at her and frowned.

"Why after all this time did he decide to help me Mystic?" Mystic gave a sigh and walked over to me; placing a hoof around me. I begin to tear up and hug her. I felt like a colt again bawling into my mothers chest. I Didn't want to see him.. But for some reason he also apologized to me. Mystic Sighed and hugged me back.

"Storm he is truly upset that he did this to you. His life isn't the best right now. He has four days to live Storm..." My eyes shoot open and I give Mystic a bit of a glare. "And this was kept from me why? I mean I hate the guy but why was this kept from me!!?" Mystic smiled weakly as she released the hug. "Because he didn't want any unnecessary tears. He knew you would feel bad for him Storm. He didn't want that at all." I looked to the ground and tears began to stain the ground.

"I-I see... I got to go..." I then leave Mystic inside of my house and walk towards the cemetery. When I entered I saw Nerith standing by my parents grave. I sighed and walked towards him. I sat next to him and looked up. Before i could speak Nerith spoke up.

"your mother was very beautiful..." I looked at the picture I had placed on the grave. I smiled. "Yeah... I know... A lot of stallions wanted her you know. Mostly for sex but nonetheless." Nerith chuckled and looked down. His eyes had a sad feel to them as I looked into them. He spoke again.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I was forced to kill them?" Storm chuckled and looked to the ground. "Honestly Nerith... No..." Nerith gives a humble chuckle and places a hoof around my back. I just laugh with him and we both look at the grave. I looked back to him and sighed.

"I forgive you Nerith... For everything. I know that You didn't want to hurt my family..." He puts a hoof up and frowns. "I don't need your forgiveness my friend..." He looks to the graves and smiles a bit. Something inside of me told me he was truly sorry for what he did. It killed me to think that he was going to die. I looked to him and began to talk.

"So uh.... Four days huh?" I flinched a bit knowing that it was a touchy subject for him. He simply smiled and looked to me with tears. For the first time in thirty years Nerith was crying. Something I thought was not possible. He wiped the tears away and then spoke.

"Yeah... four days... All those years are catching up to me my friend. The one and only thing I wanted to do is make amends for my cruelty. I also wanted redemption for all the lives I have destroyed... Especially yours Storm... To take a young colt's family from him... Unforgivable..." A tear fell from his eye as he continued to speak.

"I have caused so much pain... Now the world is getting back at me... Funny huh? I always thought I would meet my end by your hooves." I chuckled and looked to him; jokingly putting my hooves up in a fighting position. "Hey there is still time..." He shoved me to the ground and smiled. "As if you would have a chance my friend... Storm I have to go now... Be with my family and all that jazz... Look... take care alright?" I nodded and stood up. Without warning he hugged me. "Take care of them will you? My family..." I simply nodded and hugged him back.

"I promise... I will take care of them for you..." Nerith smiled and then vanished into a puff of smoke. I was standing alone by my mom's grave. I began to walk out when I heard a voice. "Huh? Who is there?" I turn to see a shadow waving me further into the cemetery. I gave a weird look and followed it. after following it for a long time it began to take the form of someone. Who i saw made me tear up.

"M-Mom....?" I walk over to her and look at what she was leading me to. It was an empty grave. I gave a weird look and before I could ask about it she spoke. "See you soon my son." Then she wisped away. I ran out of the cemetery with a little fear in my heart. How could i die? How could I leave my children without a father? Well if I was looking for answers..... I got them.

Hello Again ( Part 1: Slumber)

I leave my home and walk towards the cemetery for one more visit. Rain fell hard onto the cold earth and the ground sank beneath my hooves with every step. I got to the entrance of the cemetery when I saw a familiar face walking out of the cemetery. I stopped the pony and smiled through the pain.

"Long time no see Dash... How are you?" Rainbow Dash looked like hell. Her wings were matted and she looked worn to the bone. She hugged me and shivered as I hugged her back. Rainbow Dash was hit the hardest when Fluttershy passed away; even more so then me. She chuckled as she spoke to me.

"Heh how do you think I am doing? First my best friend in the whole world dies in front of me and then come to find out YOU may die as well? I-i can not handle this... Pinkie hasn't been seen since Shy's funeral... Twilight is off in Canterlot on 'important missions' and who in the buck knows where the rest are... after that Mystic girl said that you might very well get your hello?... I-I-" She buried her face into my chest and bawled like a foal. I wrapped her in a hug and sighed. What she said next brought tears to my eyes. "PLEASE DON'T GO!! I DON'T WANT ANOTHER GOODBYE!! PLEASE!!" She was shaking until I placed a hoof on her mouth and smiled. She looked down as tears were still falling from her eyes.

"Listen sis... even if I am to go away it will not be forever. Remember... I am always here for you sis. I love you too much to leave right now anyway." She smiled and hugged me tightly still crying. I smiled and hugged her back warmly and chuckled. I looked at her and grinned a playful grin. "You know for your age you sure do act like a filly." She blushed and smacked me in the back of the head.

"I do not... You must be thinking of yourself." She smiled and waved as she flew off. I couldn't help but frown as I walked into the cemetery. I don't know why but I felt like... I wasn't going to see her again. I shook the feeling from my head as I walked even further into the cemetery. I stop in front of Summer and Shy's grave and smile as I began to speak.

"Hey girls... thought I might as well recollect all the wonderful times we had...All those memories of us being together and having the best of times... Like when I broke my wing and you both repaired it...." The tears were coming now. I felt like the ground would give way any moment. I sat down by the grave and continued to speak.

"I could go on forever you two but what I really want to say is thank you... Thank you for those days of happiness and joy... Thank you for a life I can be proud of living. Most importantly... Thank you for loving me. Both of you loved me so much and I loved you right back the same...Gosh listen to me... I told you I am no good at talking... Or singing for that matter." The tears fell from my eyes; clouding my vision as I continued to speak.

"I guess what I am trying to say is... If this is it.. If I am to finally get my hello and leave this world... I am happy with my life as it was. With you. I will get to see you again and even though I may leave all of this behind... I am happy with the way It has gone. My dad use to read me a poem as a colt. He use to say it helped me sleep at night..." I pulled out a piece of paper and began to read what was on the paper.

As the sun falls from the sky
There will be no more sadness and no more goodbyes
I love you my friend as much as the wind
loves to blow through the trees
And as I finish this song we laugh and we cry
For the memories of you and me...
Now I lay you down to sleep
And to bask in the moons soft grace
Until the sun rises once more
Goodnight my friend
I'll see you again
And turn a goodbye into a hello.

I put the paper back into my bag as I began to tear up. I laid down by the graves and smiled warmly as my eyes began to close. I looked to the statue of shy and Summer and held close to them. "Goodnight my loves...I'll sleep under the stars with you till the sun wakes us from our slumber." Finally my eyes close and I give into sleeps dark kiss.

Hello Again (Part 2: The Final Goodbye)

` I wake up in a room of white with flowers all around me. The sound of birds was all I could hear around me as I stood up. I looked around and frowned. I didn't have any clue as to where I am or what even happened. All I remembered was falling asleep and then I was here just staring into nothingness.

"Okay this is... strange..." Suddenly a small giggle was heard from behind me. I jumped a foot and turned around to see a sight that made my heart jump out of my chest. Standing a few feet in front of me was Fluttershy,Summerset, and my little Nimble Breeze. I tear up at the sight of them; and then I rush in to hug them.

"My girls.. My beautiful girls..." I run to hug them and as I do they stop me and smile. I was a bit confused about this until Summerset spoke up. "Are you happy with your life Storm? I mean really happy?" I thought for a moment and pondered on this question. was I happy? What did her question mean? All I could do was nod.

"Of course I am happy with my life Summerset.... I lived it to the fullest and I got to meet two of the most beautiful mares to grace me with their presence... let alone their love. But.... what of the others? I don't think i am ready to say goodbye..." Fluttershy nodded towards Summerset and her horn fired up;turning everything around me to a blinding light. I awoke from this trance to see I was in a room with a bunch of ponies. Ponies I knew all too well. My family was sitting in a vast room inside of a hospital. They were all crying and holding each other. A mare came into the room and spoke to them. It was Mystic.

"I am so sorry... I-I wish I could of saved him... I--" She was cut off by my now orphaned daughter Night Fire who tackled her to the ground. "YOU STOLE HIM FROM US!!! WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!" She screamed and ran into my room;hugging me tightly as the heart monitor barely let out a ping. Star Gazer ran in along with my other kids and did the same. Mystic was helped up by my brother. Even as tough as he was he had tears stinging his eyes. My family went into the room and surrounded my bed. My youngest Daughter smiled weakly and held my now lifeless body close to her and what she said made me want to scream.

"Daddy we all love you so much... We will always love you... Please... Please wait for us up in heaven...? I want to see you again and have fun and play and laugh like we use to daddy... Don't let this be goodbye daddy... please..." I screamed and fell to my haunches as the doctor told them To leave the room so I can rest. They did as they were told and went home soon after. Mystic was still sitting in the waiting room;tears were stinging her eyes. I was then allowed to float down to her. I tried to speak.

"Mystic? Can you hear me...?" She teared up and walked out of the hospital without giving me a glance. That was when Fluttershy appeared behind me; startling me in the process. I looked at her and tears were stinging my eyes. She didn't hesitate as she wrapped me in a hug and held me there as I cried.

"I am not ready to go... It can not be my time....?" with that I was now in a endless void. I walked endlessly towards wherever only to be stopped by Summerset. "Are you ready to relive your past?" I gave a weird look only to be met by projections that looked like screens flowing past me. Tears stung my eyes as moments from my life flowed past me. My birth, my mother and fathers death, Nimble Breeze arriving at my home and changing my life forever. My tears began to stain the ground as these images kept passing my eyes. Summerset walked up to me and hugged me as I began to cry. She stroked my mane as I bawled into her chest like a foal. I Looked into her eyes and she wiped my tears away.

"Is this real...? Is this all for real? How can this be real... How can this ever be real..." Summerset frowned and placed a hoof under my chin. I looked deep into her sunset eyes and buried my head in her shoulder as i cried. She kissed me and then vanished into the white abyss. I Turn again to see the last memory slip away from me. all my friends and family surrounding me as they all laughed and smiled. All those happy faces and moments flashing by me like a record. I fall to my haunches and smile.

"I guess this is the end...my hello has come..." Another image this time I recognized the ponies walking up to me. I froze as they approached me; their smiling faces causing me to tear up and run up to them and bury my face into their chests. My tears fell to the clouds below my feet as they hugged me in return. Through the blinding tears and deafening sobs I could only muster a few words.

"Mom...Dad....." The words were lost to me as they chuckled and held me closer. My dad Cyclone Breeze ruffled my mane and smiled. The look of his smiling face gave me a comforting feeling. Before I could speak my dad placed a hoof over my mouth causing me to smile.

"Hey soldier none of that now. I told you we would see each other again. " I chuckled and released the hug. "Of all the people I thought would be at my intervention... I am glad you all came... Witch must mean I am dead..." My mother Nighttime Rain giggled and kissed my cheek. I Sighed as she hugged me close.

"My dear you are not dead. You are...in storage...." I gave her a look and then sighed as I looked into the last moment as my kids were still surrounding me. I Teared up and my mother hugged me close. "Your kids are very beautiful... Especially that little colt~ He looks just like you" Star Gazer was screaming at the doctors to do something;and then threw a cart when they said there was nothing more for them to do. I chuckled and shook my head as I spoke.

"From his nose to his tail...He is my kid. Especially with that attitude..." Nighttime giggled and then looked at the one filly in the room not crying, not frowning but smiling...Wild Wind smiled and kissed my forehead as a single tear fell from her eye. What she said next broke me like the glass from a mirror.

"Goodnight daddy sleep well see you soon!!" I bawled as my mom held me close and stroked my mane. I began to speak but it was barely audible over my tears. "My baby...Only three...what is going...to happen...to them...I miss them...So much..." Nighttime smiled weakly and hugged me tightly.

"They will be fine my son...They are strong like you..." Her words cause me to smile a bit as she embraces me in her hooves. I began to cry again;though the tears were not of sorrow but happiness. My dad walked over and embraced me as well. I took one final look at my family as the clouds began to twirl and show me other visions. The whole time this was happening my parents cradled me as they did when I was young. I looked up to them and smiled.

"Thank you...Thank you for giving me this life...Thank you for everything...I love you...I love you so much...." The words were barely audible over my choking sobs. I looked up as the next memories appeared before me. My childhood flashed before me. I watched as some of the most happy memories that I held deep inside flowed around me like a painting. My parents stood before me and smiled as they opened their wings to reveal a memory that brought be to tears. It was when I was a colt. Me and my sister were playing in the park and laughing as loud as we could. She tackled me to the ground and in an echo like voice she said 'I love you big brother.' Then the memory disappeared and was replaced with the vision of my parents smiling.

"You were such a cute little colt back then...What happened?" My mother said with a giggle. I grinned and then sighed. "I grew up mom..." She nodded and then walked towards me;my father following her. They sat by me and smiled warmly as they each wrapped a wing around me. I looked up;my eyes still flooding the ground beneath me.

"You know...I'm scared...." They both smiled as if they knew I was going to say that. My mother kissed my cheek and held me as close as she could and sighed. My father placed a hoof on my head and ruffled my mane. It was a feeling I honestly missed. It made me feel that everything was going to be okay and that nothing bad was going to happen. I felt...at peace. This feeling of peace made me close my eyes for a brief moment and when I opened them again my parents were gone;leaving me to the flood of emotions and feelings I never thought possible. I looked to the now only remaining image before me. All my kids surrounding me as the heart monitor pinged a few times then a single long beep. Night Fire grabbed my hoof and bawled as the rest of my family tried to pull her away only to have her fight her way back to the shell that was once me. They all embraced each other as the vision faded from my sight. I smiled warmly as a blinding light overtook me as I slowly faded into nothing; The only words to escape my mouth came out as a whisper as this happened

"I am home...I am finally home....My family...please..don't mourn me for too long for I am happy to have raised you..Through good time and bad I am glad to have been your father...I will miss you all so much...I want you all to know...I am okay...So please no tears for I will see you again... I love you all...." As my body disappeared a single rose fell from my heart and floated to the world below;landing directly in front of my youngest daughter. When she picked it up she let out a small giggle and spoke with such innocence. "I love you too daddy!! See you soon!!~"

Epilogue: Words from the Stars

A cold winter wind blew through the streets of Ponyville. A stallion clad in Royal armor walked up to the creaky gates of the Yard of Heroes. He smiled softly as he opened the gate and entered;a small filly following his every step. She giggled and danced around the stallion as he picked her up and smiled.

"Now,now Sunrise...We are going to visit a very special pony today...You must be on your very best behavior..." The filly nodded and hugged close to him for warmth. The stallion snuggled her close to keep her warm as they continued to walk towards a gravestone. The little filly gave a confused look as the stallion sat down by the grave and took off his helmet. Sunrise jumped on the stallions lap and looked up at the towering statue that read Here lies Stormdrift. Famed for his loyalty to his friends and family. Missed by all now dancing in the stars above.

"Big brother Star... who was this pony??" Stargazer looked down at his little sister and smiled warmly as he hugged her close. She giggled warmly and nuzzled into his chest as Stargazer sighed. A tear fell on Sunrises nose. She looked up at her big brother and frowned. She wiped the tears from his eyes and hugged him. He hugged her back and smiled warmly.

"He was many things...Brave,bold,loving....but most of all he was...our father." Sunrise gave an innocent giggle and looked to the grave. "So this was daddy!! Hi daddy!!!~" Stargazer chuckled and held her close to him. Sunrise laid back and looked up at Stargazer with her big blue eyes and spoke.

"What was daddy like?" The question made more tears fall from Star's eyes as he spoke. "He was...The best dad I could of asked for...He loved us with all of his being and wasn't afraid to protect us from all that would harm us...He was funny as well...He was even a Wonderbolt!!" This made Sunrise's eyes light up.

"A WONDERBOLT!!!~" Stargazer nodded and then continued. "Yes..He was the best flyer there... He worked for the Princesses as a guard...even was a bodyguard to a lot of royal blood. Even with that schedule he had time for us kids...He never made excuses and he never took a day off from giving us a life worth living...He was..the most amazing pony ever..." Stargazer began to tear up and held his sister close. Sunrise smiled and hugged him close.

"Hey cheer up big brother!! Would daddy want to see you sad?" Stargazer gave a chuckle and picked her up and held her close as he noogied her softly;causing the small filly to giggle softly. Stargazer stood up and set her on his back. The filly yawned as she snuggled into his mane and began to fall asleep.

"Goodnight daddy....I love you...Sweet dreams." Sunrise fell asleep leaving Stargazer alone with his thoughts. Star covered Sunrise up and laid her next to him as he sat by the grave. He smiled weakly and placed a hoof on the cold stone of the monument. Tears began to fall as he spoke.

"Isn't she beautiful dad? She's a rescue...I saved her like you would of...She has a strong heart like you." Stargazer rested his head on the grave and began to choke up as he continued.

"I made it to the Royal Guard...just like you said I would...Thank you for believing in me....The orphanage is doing well Sky Seeker is seeing to that...Gotta say he is as stubborn as you are when it comes to that place..." Sunrise began to shiver and cuddled closer to Stargazer. He held her close and sighed;tears falling from his eyes as he continued to speak.

"I miss you everyday...I cry myself to sleep at night wishing you were here.... I miss all those times we spent together and I cherish them all. You were the one pony to really get me...Like father like son they always say right dad?" Stargazer wiped the tears from his eyes and reached into his bag and pulled out a large picture frame with Him,storm and the rest of the family smiling and having a good time. The sight of his dad's smiling face brought tears t the young stallion's eyes as he sat it by the grave and cried.

"I always see you in my dreams dad...every night you are there telling me it will be okay... Telling me that I have nothing to be sad about...You tell me that you will always be there for me... I know you will is what I say and right before I can embrace you I wake up..." Star looked at his sleeping sister and smiled.

"It's funny how this world works..How this life works.. So many lives come and go leaving behind a legacy all their own... One legacy I will never forget is yours dad... I love you so much...Remember that..." Star stood up and set Sunrise on his back. He saluted the grave and spoke once more.

"It was an honor being your son...Goodbye my father,my friend,and my guardian...I will see you again soon... Be at ease.." He then turned to walk out of the cemetery; He was stopped by a feeling of warmth. Star turned to face the grave and gave a weird look. There sitting on the grave was a purple rose. Stargazer smiled as a vision of his father appeared and smiled. It then spoke

Goodbye my son...I am proud of you...Take care of them..." It then vanished leaving Star smiling warmly as he left the cemetery; memories of his life then and now playing through his mind. All the while he was singing quietly to himself the same song heard so many times before.Rest your head upon the clouds...No more worries no more frowns...

Author's Note

This story is dedicated to the memory of:
Joel W Morse. A loving father and amazing friend. May he rest in peace. Rock on Joel. I love you.
Alan Bailey. Who treated me like his own son and who was always there for me when I needed him. May his soul be in peace with god. Goodbye my friend but not for long.
The Along came a broken heart series is also dedicated to those who are suffering with the loss of a family member. Remember they may not be with you in person... But they will always be in your heart. Goodbye is not forever...

~~~THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!~~~

Diary of Regrets

I got back to my house and slammed the door behind me. I was scared out of my mind. I run to a diary I have been writing in since this whole thing started. I opened the diary and began to write inside of it:

Friday,March 18

I am in danger of dying. Not by anyone's hooves or even my own but I have this strange feeling that I will be gone very soon. I just wish that this was all just some messed up dream but I guess it isn't as easy as that. I have been seeing things almost every hour of the night. My dreams are plagued with the same words. 'Goodbye is not forever...' I am very troubled by this. Even if this is just me being paranoid I do have some things I wish to tell anypony who receives this Diary. I am not a saint nor a hero... I have many regrets on my chest all of witch haunt me to this day. 40 years of regrets and wishing I could take it all back... All those screams that still haunt me to this day. Maybe if I tell you about my life up till now It will bring me some closure. 40 years ago I lost the love of my life Summerset Skies and years before that my best friend Fluttershy. That's not my whole life though. Back when I was just a small colt my family was killed by A pony named Nerith. I hated him for this but now I feel as if I was the bad guy for not talking to him sooner. He is gone now; alone in the sky with his family dancing in the clouds above. After that I was forced to kill multiple foals and adults alike in a little place known as the Rainbow Factory... I destroyed it and still regret ever being there... I thought my daughter was killed but come to find out Queen Chrysalis allowed them to take one of her sick changelings and replace Nimble with it. Ponies say I don't regret watching that little guy be killed in place of my little girl.... To be honest I do... You see I am not what I seem to be. Yes I help foals who have no home and yes I protect this place with my life each and everyday... But I am still just me and I feel pain like the rest of you... And I also feel fear... Do I deserve this title of Guardian? Do I deserve the love of my children? According to most I do but deep down I feel like I don't... I don't know why I feel this way but I just do... Hell I even question if I deserved the love of Fluttershy and Summers half the time... Though I know I would get smacked by Summer if she could read this right now.

I sigh and set the quill down and rub my temples. I look to the picture of Fluttershy and me and I begin to tear up;the tears staining the paper in the diary. I look to the ground and allow the tears to fall. All these thoughts and questions flood me as I pick up the quill and continue to write in the diary:

I keep telling myself that goodbye is not forever but I have this feeling that... Maybe it is... ahh what am I saying... It may be forever but it still needs to happen... To end this note I would like to say to my children that I love them to the end of the earth and back. If I a to die and leave this mortal coil then I would like you all to know that you made everyday worth a million. From the day you were born to the day you grew up into my beautiful children... You made me the happiest stallion in the world.. Thank you all... And good luck in life... Daddy will always love you and be there for you even if it seems that he is not. Goodbye my cherubs... Be all that you can be...

Stormdrift

I set the book down and begin to cry. Why would I have to leave them to be alone? Why did it have to be this way? I throw the book across the room and smash a window as I screamed and cried. I fell to my haunches and sobbed till I couldn't anymore. I looked up to see Mystic staring at me with a sad smile. I stood up and walked to her and held her as I cried. She smiled soothingly and held me closer and stroked my mane.

"Oh Storm... it will all be fine..." I look up at her and frowned as I spoke. "How will this be okay? I am going to fucking die...." I growled a bit and slammed my hoof to the ground and scream. She holds me close and slammed me to the ground. I flinched as she did this and my ears fell back.

"CALM YOURSELF DOWN THIS INSTANT!! Would you want to scare your child?" I look to the doorway and see My youngest daughter Wild Wind standing at the doorway. Tears were falling from her eyes. I rushed over to her and held her close as she cried. I stroked her mane and kissed her cheek.

"Shhhhhhh.... Daddy is here sweetie... Daddy is here for you..." She wiped her tears on my chest and whimpered in my hooves as I spoke to her. She looked up to me and what she said broke my heart. "D-Daddy are you going to go away from us? Are you going to... die?" I held her close and teared up as well;still holding her as close as I could.

"Honey... Daddy will still be with you no matter what... I promise you... pl-please stop crying your eyes are too pretty for that." She smiled and wiped her eyes again and released me from the hug. I booped her nose and spoke.

"Now go and have some fun while I talk to miss flirty there." Nimble giggled and walked out as Mystic smacked me in the head. "Ow...." Mystic smiled and turned to leave but before she did she spoke to me.

"Storm... You may want to visit the cemetery again... It may bring you some closure..." She then walked out of my house and left me to my thoughts. I sighed and looked back at the picture of me and Fluttershy and smiled as I picked it up. I traced my hoof across the picture and spoke.

"I will be with you soon Shy... Just be there to say hello...