The Family Equestria

“Buck up, Av,” Jonathan said, trying to cheer up his downed brother. Avram was seriously down in the dumps with the thought of leaving Bronyville and Jonathan was running out of positive ideas.

“’Buck’,” Avram repeated slowly, “Very funny.”

“Oh right,” Jonathan muttered apologetically, remembering the word’s origin. He was never really into My Little Pony, no one in their family was except for Avram, and he had no idea what he could say to bring back his brother’s happy demeanor.

They walked in ominous silence along Mane Street until they reached the top of their street, Fetlock Corner, which they walked down until they arrived at their house. It was an average 3-storey building with a white paint job and plenty of space. The real problem was that it was really far from their parent’s work so they were going to move to a closer city. Jonathan was beginning to understand how his brother felt. He had lived in this house most of his life and this sudden change was going to be hard. But he convinced himself that it was something that had to be done, one way or another.

They walked up the patio and pushed the door open. Boxes and crates littered the once tidy interior of the house. Belongings stacked seven feet high and fragile items encased in bubble wrap stood in the corners. The grand piano still sat in its place by the staircase, waiting for everything else to be loaded onto the trucks.

Avram and Jonathan walked into the kitchen, where they found their mom making a pot of pasta. Grace was an excellent cook and was often asked to make desserts for parties and bake sales. Although the packing was taking a toll on her energy she held onto her positive view on life.

“Hey boys, welcome back,” she said warmly as her two sons came forwards and hugged her. When they finished their embrace, she turned back towards the stove and stirred the pasta, saying “Lunch will be ready soon. Why don’t you go finish clearing your room?”

“Thanks mom,” Avram murmured and dragged himself towards the stairs.

“What’s up?” Grace asked Jonathan the minute Avram was out of hearing.

“Same old thing,” Jonathan replied. “Leaving town. Friends go bye-bye. Gotta hoof it.”

“Maybe a last-minute party will cheer him up.”

“We ran into the bronies in the park. Next party is next week.”

“Oh dear, that won’t do the trick,” Grace muttered. “Something has to be done.”

“You know what, mom,” Jonathan admitted. “I think something is being done.

Back upstairs, Avram entered his room. The bookshelves were either folded on the floor or bare on the walls. Most of the clothes had been packed away into the boxes on the desk. The only thing that stood out from this tidy territory was a single shelf right beside his bed. On the shelf were dozens of plush dolls, figurines and various items, every single one a My Little Pony item. He knew every character’s name and had even thought up his own set of pony names for his entire family, although he never used them in conversation with them. He found an empty space on the shelf and held up his newest plushie. He looked at the large purple eyes and the bright pink star on her flank and couldn’t help wondering: What would it be like to see and live as they do? Of course, that was every brony’s dream, to live the lives of their favorite characters, that was why some bronies wrote fan fiction. Avram had read several fan stories but it was never enough. He wanted to know what it was like to live in Equestria, use magic and write letters to the princess. He wanted to learn, play, live, love and tolerate on his own four hooves. He wanted to go to the place where he felt he belonged.

Placing Twilight amongst his other ponies he sat down on his bed and sighed. For 2 years he had been a hard-core brony and here he was, about to leave his best friends and his beloved hometown for a new location. He wished it didn’t have to be so but financial situations had backed them into a corner with only one way out: The one he didn’t like.

He left his room and walked back downstairs. Grace had finished boiling the pasta and the steaming pot sat on the table with Jonathan beside it already helping himself. Plopping down in a chair by the table, he pulled a plate over and began serving himself some pasta, topping it with cheese and ketchup. He ate in silence, pondering the future while the rest of the family sat down to eat.

Avram finished eating and was about to go back to his room when he heard an unbearably loud noise coming from the computer in the corner of the room. The rest of the family turned as well, having not heard such a racket from the computer since Avram’s brony discovery.

Avram skipped over to the computer where his little brother Shachar was trying to control the buzzes, beeps, songs and dings that the loudspeakers were blaring. Avram sighed, reached over for the volume control and muted the sudden symphony. The family sighed in relief when at last all was quiet.

The young brony glanced at his younger brother, who was wearing one hell-of-a creepy grin. “What happened here?” he asked, putting on a fake calm tone.

“I dunno,” replied Shachar, squeezing his joystick, “I was just sitting here playing when the Internet popped up in front of me. I think I lost.”

Ignoring his brother’s complaining, Avram opened the window in question. It was Bronyville’s Facebook group. Someone had posted an important message. It was Arch System.

Avram read the post out loud for the rest of the family. “Hello everypony. After speaking with our party organizers we are announcing that the Brony Dance Party is being moved to tonight, where we will be making an important announcement. Be there, for 3 good reasons: 1. Everypony likes to party. 2. The announcement will take place when most of the bronies are there so if you’re used to being late start early. 3. CUPCAKES! The party will begin at 17:00 and we’ll drag it on for as long as we can.

Arch System. Bronyville architect”

Avram cracked a smile at the sight of the post. He was quite sure he knew what this was all about. The family was also intrigued by the news. “Looks like you’ll be attending one more party before we go,” Hannah said.

Ezriel was pondering the ‘three reasons to go’. “What’s all that about cupcakes? I really don’t see the connection to anything.”

Avram facepalmed. This was one of the things that lead him to discovering his saying, ‘too much phony, not enough pony’. He wasn’t going to try explaining now.

“Can I go to the party?” he asked his parents nervously.

Elijah and Grace looked at each other. The whole room was suddenly quiet as the family waited for their answer. The eldest son Byron was tapping his tablet absent-mindedly. Nixie was giving Hannah a fierce hug of comfort. Ezriel and Shachar were obnoxiously rolling their eyes which got them stern looks from Jonathan. Avram simply looked on in anticipation, hoping that his parents would let him have the packing night off.

Finally their father broke silence. “You can go.”

Most of the kids were shocked. “Why does he get out of packing the boxes?” Ezriel complained loudly.

“Unlike you, Avram has socialized with most of the town and has worked very hard. Since this will probably be his last party here obviously he should be allowed to attend. Of course, he’ll have to get back to work as soon as he gets home once the party’s over.”

Avram ran over and hugged his parents. “Thanks mom! Thanks dad!” he shouted as he ran upstairs to get in some more work before he left.

Byron shook his head and smiled. “I've got to clear up my desktop,” he told his family, referring to both his room and his laptop. He got up from the table and went upstairs to his room.

“I got stuff to do too,” Hannah admitted, rising from her chair and heading for the kitchen. The remaining family members took a hint and all went back to work, each person radiating a positive aura.

*

At quarter to five that afternoon, Avram dropped his scissors and tape and ran to his room to dress appropriately for the upcoming event. He went to his closet and pulled out his favorite shirt. On the front was a picture of Twilight Sparkle with the caption ‘Bronies Forever’. The shirt was one of the first pony items he bought and the memory was still bright in his mind. He put it on and went downstairs, told his parents he was off to the party and left the house with a hop, skip and a jump.

As he made his way along Mane Street Avram thought. He did a lot of thinking but this time it was different. Like everything else that happened that day it was because of the moving. He was excited about seeking new friends to make and introduce them to My Little Pony and maybe even build a new brony community in their new home, but at the same time he wondered how his brony friends here would manage without him. He was the lodestone that kept them going, the glue that held them together, the key to Bronyville’s friendship. The bronies might even fail and disband without him.

No, he told himself. We’re stronger than that. Even without me Bronyville will continue to live on, in our lives and in our hearts. And once we get to our new home I’ll be able to start all over again, making new friends and starting a new brony community.

The positive thoughts brought the smile back to his face and he walked on with a joyful skip in his step towards the convention center. He looked at his Rainbow watch and realized that his thinking session had delayed him, so he decided to take the shortcut through the Boulevard of Equine Dreams

The boulevard was named after a parody written by one of Bronyville's musicians. It was a popular place for bronies to hang out and also a great place for graffiti, with its high walls and winding paths. As he walked along, Avram saw someone in a black hoodie put some finishing touches on a piece of graffiti. When the person left, Avram approached the wall. It was a picture of Vinyl Scratch, the pony D.J., with the word 'Wubs' beside her. Avram cracked a smile at the art of vandalism.

As he drew near the convention center, he took a minute to study the building. It was approximately 50 feet high, built in the shape of a semicircle. The interior was one huge chamber with a second floor built into the walls. It was designed with pretty much one purpose in mind: Loud, explosive parties.

Avram drew closer towards the center, targeted by the lights spilling out the transparent doors and the music blaring from every window. Inside, the sound of singing, shouting and laughing could be heard. Every now and then a loud explosion sounded followed by the happy cries of startled bronies.

Party cannon, Avram thought to himself. Those thing are always good for a laugh. Eager to get the night started he put on a burst of speed and ran the rest of the way, up the stairs and right to the door. He took a second to make sure he looked okay and pushed the double doors open.

The sound and light hit him like a shooting star. Rap Seed was up on the stage playing their favorite tunes, inviting people up to the microphone for karaoke. Bronyville’s baker, Ember Waffles, was at the buffet table on one end of the room, making sure there was always something to eat while his sister, Sober Sip, set up beverages at the bar beside him. Looking around, Avram began recognizing other bronies. He saw Spectrum, the town’s leading pilot, talking to Cut Above the tailor. He saw Splicer Watt working with the lighting controls while making wild hand gestures to his younger brother, Voltage Fuse. Slowly he made his way towards the dining tables, where Arch System was sitting with Principal A+, the headmaster of Bronyville Elementary.

When Arch saw Avram approaching, he quickly rose from his seat. "Bro, I'm so glad you could make it!" he cried energetically, raising a fist.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world, Arch," replied Avram, lifting his own hand and completing the brohoof with the architect.

Principal A+ walked over to them. He was dressed for the evening, foregoing the outfit he usual wore for school time for a more dance-worthy gear. He brohoofed with Avram before speaking, "I'm so glad you came, Avram. It just wouldn't have been the same without you."

"That's what everypony keeps telling me," the young brony replied. "I'm sure that you'd manage just fine."

"I don't want to imagine Bronyville without you, my young friend," A+ said. "School would also be rather dull without you."

"Come on, you old stallion," Arch butted-in. "Stop depressing everypony and lets go get a drink. See you 'round, Av!"

"You too!" he called after them. Looking around, Avram began to notice other things besides. He watched a group of bronies drag in boxes of fireworks and spare party cannons. Other bronies were relaxing at the tables, chatting with their friends or dancing in the center of the huge room.

Avram finally dragged himself over to the bar, where he sat himself down on one of the stools. "Hay, Sober Sip!" he called. "Can't a brony get a drink here?"

A pegasister popped up on the other side of the bar. Sober Sip was slightly older than Avram and an excellent brewer. She was one of the main caterers in Bronyville, although she mostly did drinks while her brother worked with the baked goods. She picked up a towel and a wet glass and started drying. "Hay there, Avram," she said in her cheery voice. "What can I get'cha?"

"Just a Sweet Apple Cider, please."

"Coming up!" Sober Sip whirled around and went to work, taking only a minute to produce the cider. She plonked the foaming mug down in front of Avram, waiting for him to finish before speaking. "It's good to see you here."

Avram placed the glass on the countertop. "That's what everypony else has been saying."

"Only because it's true. You're the town's favorite brony, the boy who earned us our reputation as Bronyville. Also, I would never have discovered my talent in brewing if it wasn't for you. I owe my financial life to you."

Avram was almost lost for words. "Gee, thanks Sober Sip."

"No problem," she replied happily. "Excuse me, I gotta get back to work."

"Okay." Getting up from his seat, Avram made his way towards the stage. When he got halfway there, three kids ran passed him, their arms laden with fireworks. These were the town's Crusaders, but they seemed to enjoy a good prank almost as much as they enjoyed crusading for their talents. Chasing the three youngsters was X-Pression the school teacher, who was being lead on a merry chase around the convention center by the Crusaders.

What a joy it must be to still be looking for your place in the world. Avram found himself at the side of the stage, where Rap Seed was singing 'Winter Wrap Up' with Checkout. He closed his eyes and listened to the two bronies sing, the familiar tune and the recognizable voices combined to recreate one of his favorite songs. He sighed as he watched the two bronies wrap up the song. They make an interesting pair, he said to himself. Maybe next Hearts and Hooves Day.

His train of thought was interrupted when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he found Bronyville's mayor, Egalitaria, and his secretary, Even Out. The mayor was dressed in a bright blue suit with a rainbow tie, a patch displaying a brohoof over his lapel. Egalitaria was a very good spokesperson and an excellent mayor. When the brony craze began he decided to give the show a chance, and soon he was up and organizing celebrations with the rest of the herd.

Avram stood up respectfully and held out his hand in greeting. "Good evening, sir," he said politely.

The mayor just smiled. "Non of that formality tonight, my good friend," he declared. This is our night." He held up his fist.

Returning the smile, Avram responded to the brohoof. The mayor then continued, "Tonight is a special night, but it is also very important. We both know why," he added, his face now wearing a serious expression.

All Avram could do was nod in agreement. "All right then," Egalitaria said, "Looks like Rap Seed is done for now. It's time for the announcements." He climbed the steps onto the stage, his secretary following behind him.

Avram steered himself to the dance floor, where bronies were beginning to gather, waiting eagerly for the mayor's speech. Ember and Sober Sip came away from their stations and found their places in the crowd. X-Pression, having caught the Crusaders and returned the fireworks to their rightful place, was attempting to herd the troublesome threesome into the group. Splicer Watt finished setting up a projector, casting a picture of the town's banner on the wall behind the stage. The bronies cheered loudly, waving their hands over their heads and brohoofing the closest person.

The mayor raised his hands and the crowd fell silent. When the last whisper was uttered, he began to speak. "Dearest friends and community members. Before I begin, I would like to congratulate our newest military brony, Guided Missile, for his service in the army and now for our city." He gestured to a man standing at the side of the crowd and paused to let the bronies finish cheering for Guided Missile before continuing. "We are gathered here tonight for our annual celebration, showing our thanks and gratitude to the people behind the making of our favorite equine characters. We are the most ponyfied community in the world, something which we hold dearly. The support we give each other and the love we share is what really makes us special. Each person in this room, different in their own way, contributes their best qualities to the herd, making us better, stronger and, most importantly, united. Standing together as one, getting through hard times as a group, that is unity. Together we will see it through. We will keep calm and brony on!"

"Keep calm and brony on!" the crowd echoed, followed by their clapping hands and clopping feet. Avram found himself joining in the shouting and stomping. This was why he loved the fandom: everyone loved and tolerated, worked together, celebrated as one, kept the fire alive. Every person in the building was proud to be a member of the world's most fan-populated city, Bronyville.

The mayor signaled for silence once more, and the bronies hushed up. "This leads us now to the second piece of news that was mentioned in the last friendship report on the town's Facebook page. For this, I would like to invite the one who started it all, the colt with the most, the pony of popularity, the one our town owes it's world-wide renown to -"

"CRIMSON GLOW!"

The bronies went wild. Splicer projected an image on to the wall: a six-spoked wheel, the spaces in between the spokes filled with a different color. Avram, known by everypony elsewhere as Crimson Glow, climbed up onto the stage as Egalitaria and Even Out took their leave. He looked down at the bronies before him, cheering for him. He had earned the respect of every brony in town, having been the first to reveal himself as a fan of My Little Pony and leading them all through very successful times and events.

Avram waved once, wishing to begin. The bronies ended their symphony of joy, bringing silence to the convention center. "Hello, everypony." This was greeted by a great deal of clapping and whooping. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be here tonight with all of you. Everypony in this room has brought something special into my life. Working together, you helped make my dreams come true. Living here in Bronyville is, without a doubt, the best thing I could ever hope for." He stopped. Arch System was standing beside the stage, looking up at him. Avram returned the stare with a raised eyebrow and watched as Arch's face slowly became a mask of melancholy. The young brony understood what the architect was trying to tell him without alerting the herd. Facing the bronies again, Avram continued, "As much as I would love to keep the high-spirited atmosphere at its absolute maximum, I'm going to have to bring something to your attention. As most of you know, the Brony Dance Party was supposed to be held next week." Murmurs and whispers of agreement spread through the crowd. "The party has been moved to tonight, everything arranged in record time, for one single reason." He took a deep breath. "Me and my family are leaving Bronyville."

In comparison to the sounds that he heard right then and there, the bronie's outburst in the park was like a feather hitting the ground. Between the shouts of confusion and cries of sorrow were quite a few "NO!"s, "Mother of Celestia!"s and hopeful "April Foals?"s. The only ones who didn't react were Arch System, Checkout and the other bronies form the park, who had braced themselves for the announcement, and the mayor who stood at the side, wearing a dismayed look on his face . Avram waited for the bronies to calm down a bit before going on. "Because of financial difficulties, we have no choice but to move to a city that's closer to my parent's work. I would have let you know sooner, but I just couldn't summon the courage to tell you all." He was on the verge of tears and lowered his head. "I'm sorry, everypony. I can honestly say this hurts me as much as it hurts you and I hope you'll-" He never finished his sentence. Liquid misery flowed down his cheeks, the sound of his sobs echoing throughout the convention center. Checkout climbed up onto the stage and embraced the tearful boy, who responded in kind. Everyone in the room felt the sadness emanating off the two and each brony hugged the one beside them. No one could bear the thought of losing the town's leading brony by themselves, so instead they shared their pain, making sure nopony stood alone to carry the painful burden.

The sad spell lasted for a whole minute before being broken by Checkout. She held Avram's head before her's, staring into his dark-green eyes which were red from crying. She looked out at the crowd of pony fans and declared "Alright, everypony! This will probably be Crimson Glow's last party, so we have to make it the very best party we've ever thrown. Turn up the music! Pour out the drinks! Get out the party cannons!" The librarian gestured wildly at the bronies, who started doing exactly as she said, rushing to and fro, sometimes running into one another in the midst of the chaos. "Light the lights! Set up the cameras! Hit the dance-floor! Only together we can make this the BEST NIGHT EVER!"

"YEAH!" The music was blasted back on, the lights flashing everywhere, bronies dancing like whirling dervishes. Now they had a purpose to party. Now their friendship would light up the night like never before.

Avram and Checkout clambered off the stage, while Rap Seed and the other bronies jumped up and sang out as one. The young brony smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes. Everything the bronies were doing was in his honor.

Checkout took him by the hand and led him to the dance floor. "Come on, Crimson," she said. "Let's party."

His eyes shining bright, Avram whirled the pegasister around him. "Yes. Pinkie Pie style."

*

While the party raged on, high above Bronyville, perched on a rocky cliff, two figures crouched in the shadows, watching, listening, spying.

"Looks like we were right," one of them whispered to the other. "They are moving tomorrow."

"I guess we'll be launching it on time after all."

Nodding, the first one said, "Let's go and tell everyone. They'll be eager to hear this." The two shadowed people disappeared into the dark  night, unseen by anyone.