Chapter 1 - Cherry Blossoms
I hate this town
Its too filled with memories I would rather forget
I wake up and go to school, hang out with my friends, then I go back home.
There’s no place I’d rather not be ever again.
Still, I wonder if anything will ever change. Will that day finally come?
A young filly stood at the bottom of the hill leading to Ponyville High School. The sakura trees were blossoming, beautiful petals scattered across the grass. I didn’t take notice of her since I was too far away. I didn’t see her until I got closer, realizing she wasn’t taking the same pace I was, instead she was frozen in place. I stopped, curious. I glanced at her, she had her eyes closed, as if she was focusing on something. She twitched around a bit before speaking, “Cupcakes!” She said to herself. I found this a little odd, but I had no time to think before she started speaking again.
“Do you like this school?” She said, opening her eyes. They were filled with a deep cyan, glimmering in the sunlight. “I have to say I like it very, very much. But soon everything changes, well at least it does eventually.”
A filly I don’t know. She isn’t talking to me…Is she? She’s probably talking to someone in her heart.
“Fun things, happy things…They all eventually change someday you know? But…But can you still love this place?” She said, looking up into the sky, her cyan eyes dazzling brightly against the rays of the blazing sun.
“Just find something new” I said, catching her attention. She was surprised, turning around to meet my gaze. She was a pink coated filly, with a light red mane. It was frizzy, and seemed unnatural, but that wasn’t what caught my attention. The whole world seemed to light up when I met her gaze.
“All you have to do is find other fun and happy things, doesn’t seem so hard?” I said, not asking in a direct manner. Looking back at my watch I realized I was almost late for class. “Come on, let’s go.” I said, nudging the space between us, gesturing forward. I sigh, trotting forward without warning. She took hint, and followed.
So it begins…The long, long upward journey.
((Original Name presents,
Journey
Ponified rewrite inspired by the Visual Arts novel, “Clannad” by Key. ))
School was over, and the sun was beginning to set. Ponies of various colors were gathering outside the school gates. Fillies, and colts having their own conversations among themselves. Some couples sitting around together, flirting in their own ways. The blossomed sakura trees pelted the road with the soft pink petals, giving the previously bland road a whole new color, and meaning. I smiled, as I liked the sakura trees, it made this disgusting town so much better, more purpose. I was on my way home, walking on the side walk passing by the new unicorn technology; mechanical carriages. They run on some sort of liquid, or ‘gas’ as they call it. I don’t really pay much attention to them, seeing as how I can just walk. This town isn’t even that large anyways, so what’s the point? Laziness must be the answer. Actually, that does make sense. Yesterday I remember seeing a Pegasus driving one of those carriages. It’s ridiculous, I mean give me those wings if you don’t want to use them.
After the short walk back to the dorms, where I stay instead of home, I trotted in to hear the all too familiar sounds of conflict. I facehoofed, turning the corner. What stood before me was something I saw every single day. My roommate, Clyde was being pushed around by the flight team. He saw me, and screamed for help.
“I swear it’s the same thing every day!” I said.
“Flame, don’t just stand there! Help me!” He pleaded, his eyes showing how pitiful he was. To put it simple, I rejected his request.
“No way, I’m not turning into a loser like you.” I said, turning my head the other direction in denial.
“You can be really cold-hearted you know?” He said, while being thrown across the dorm room. The guys beat on him real hard until I heard the familiar sound of the motherly voice of the dorm mother running down the hall-way. The team already heard her hoofsteps and locked up in fear.
“Quiet, quiet!” She screamed, heading down the hallway toward us. I ran for cover behind the corner, while the other guys dropped Clyde, and ran out the door into the sunset. They grunted, some running into each other, causing them to fall. But they were gone, that’s all that matters now. They left the door open, so it was now even hotter in here.
“Those stupid colts…I’m the one all the darn neighbors complain to you know?” She said, rubbing her forehead to relieve herself of some of the stress.
Must not be easy being the dorm mother…
Clyde grunted, grasping the edge of the dorm mothers dress. “Rarity, you should have come to save me sooner...” He whined, sarcastically.
“Oh quiet! You’re just as much at fault, Clyde. Now I hope you learned your lesson?” She asked, getting a simple ‘yes mam’ from Clyde. I sighed, realizing this how every day goes.
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“Eugh…Damn those flight team jerkoffs…” Clyde grunted lowly, his head on the table.
I smiled, “No one can hear you if you whisper.”
I got up, trotting over to the wall behind me. “DAMN THOSE FLIGHT TEAM JERKOFFS!” I screamed, making sure they got the message. Clyde freaked out, having his own little spas attack at what could happen if they actually heard that. A second later, the wall shook causing one of Clydes elementary school art creations to fall off. “WHO SAID THAT!?” The voice muffled, yet clear from behind the wall. I chuckled, before getting a punch to my shoulder.
“That isn’t funny you know!” He complained, not much to my level of caring.
I facehoofed, “You’re such a wimp you know that?”
He looked off into a different direction before sighing, “Well if it was just one of those colts it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s just too many of them you know?” Clyde sat up, going back to reset the fallen picture. He had a serious determined face on himself. “But just you wait and see, before graduation day, I’ll let you; as my best friend, have my back!” He smiled, trying to give a cool impression.
“I’m so lucky…You can count on my brother!” I smiled, sarcastically.
Clyde paused, looking at me suspiciously. He stared for a good 2 minutes before sighing to himself, “You aren’t going to do it aren’t you?” He asked.
“Let’s face it, I’m more neutral in these cases.” I responded, turning the other direction.
Clyde moaned, going back to his pillow seat. This whole room is a mess, kind of like my room. I’m a neat guy and all, but my room is like a whole new territory. Well, this is Clydes room anyways, and I expected it to be messy. Rarity, the dorm mother comes storming in here every once in a while, forcing him to clean up, even if he’s in is undies. She’s strict, really strict.
And so this day ends like any other…The same routine over and over. Nothing to be worried or feel passionate about. Just another unexceptionable day.
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A world that has ended, a world with no purpose, or existence. Nothing is born, or dies here. However, there is one thing here that bothers me. The filly, she has always been here. I don’t think she has noticed me yet, but I wonder if she ever will. How did she get here? Why is she here? What is this place?
I worry about her, wondering what will happen. For some reason, I am bothered by this filly…
I yawned, opening the classroom door that stood before me. I casually trotted in, silently gathering no attention from any other students. I already missed first period, but I didn’t care. I took my seat gently, making little to no sound whatsoever. My seat was next to the window, so I could look down at campus during class if I ever got bored. I glanced at the glass taking notice to my general appearance. I am red coated, fire yellow mane with a tint of orange at the tips of my hair. I guess that’s why I was named Living Flame, due to my appearance.
“Oh um, Flame?” A voice came from my right. I faced toward the direction of the source of the sound to see my friend,
Fluttershy. She was a natural at being shy. It’s extremely ironic that she lives up to her name….Oh wait.
“Hmm? What is it, Fluttershy?” I responded in a kind manner. I always do with her, since she’s pretty sensitive.
“Well I see you’re late to class again.” She said, a hint of concern in her voice showing.
“Yeah, so?” I retorted.
She shifted around, “I just think you should come to school on time, that’s all.”
I sighed, closing my eyes. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do.” I said, waving my hand.
“Oh um…I can read your fortune for today if you want…” She asked, her voice lowering a bit.
It wouldn’t hurt would it? “I guess…”
She perked up almost immediately opening her bag with a quick motion from her mouth. She dug deep inside pulling out some cards. She set them on my desk, “It’s kind of hard to do this being a Pegasus and all, but I’m sure I can manage…” She cut herself off, as the cards flew from my desk all over the floor.
“Oh man…You should really be more careful Fluttershy.” I said, getting from my seat to pick up the cards. She stopped me unexpectedly, looking at the cards. “I think I found your future!” She said, much to my confusion. Is throwing the cards everywhere part of the ritual?
She squinted her eyes, trying to read the cards. “On your way to school, you’ll have a romantic meeting with a sweet filly. You’ll forget all about the time, and that’s why you’re going to be late!” …What the hell? Why does this feel so familiar?
“Living Flame!” An all too familiar voice came from the right. I almost by complete instinct ducked. As expected a book or some item flew past the area where my head would have been if I had not ducked. I got up smiling like a dumbass, “Not this time, Applejack. You see…I can see through your” I said those words proudly, not expecting another flying object to connect with my skull. I should have never let my guard down…THUNK!
“Augh! What…What the?!” I moaned, rubbing my wounded area. My moans were replaced with whimpers as the ‘bully’ of my entire high school career approached. Applejack, with her incredible strength, picked me up by hoof and held me suspended in the air. “Hitting my sister are you?” She asked, her voice completely replaced by one of a demons.
“Hey, hey, hey relax! I was only just speaking to her. Besides, she started the conversation anyway!” I pleaded, not wanting to get my skull beaten out.
Fluttershy whimpered, desperately trying to get the courage to stand up against her sister. However, she finally found some. “Sister please, he was only talking to me, nothing more!”
“Hmm…” She glanced over at me, the fire still burning in her eyes. “Well…In that case, yer free ta go.” She lowered me down to ground level, where I regained my posture. The entire class was staring, but once Applejack turned back to look at them, they all scurried back to their work, and mingling.
Applejack chuckled, returning her attention back to us. She noticed the cards on the ground, “What’s this? Were you having Fluttershy read your fortunate?” She asked, which I solemnly nodded.
“It said I was going to have a romantic meeting with a sweet girl, or some nonsense.” I sarcastically moaned, receiving a snicker from Fluttershy.
Applejack grinned ear to ear, “Is that so? Well lovercolt, I think I’ll be making my departure…” She said, trotting away in an awkward manner.
What was that all about?
I trotted down the hallway, wondering where I should eat my lunch I packed myself. I know right? I’m such a big boy, packing my own lunch. …I really need to stop talking to myself like this.
With a quick laugh from within myself, I trotted slowly past a group of colts.
“So apparently there’s a ghost wandering around…” One said.
“You mean the one of that girl who died in that carriage accident?” The other said
.
“Yeah, they say she haunts this school or something like that…It’s a bunch of horse…” A ghost, huh? I don’t believe it. That kind of stuff is for children . Ah freshmen, they will believe anything you tell them.
Turning the corner, I saw that girl I met on the way to school the other day. She was sitting by herself in the courtyard, under a tree. I approached her, “Why are you eating out here? Shouldn’t you be inside with your friends?” I asked, with no response. I was getting a little upset, so I asked her again. “Hello? Are you even listening?”
She swallowed her bread, “No, I’m currently eating my delicious batch of cupcakes.”
“I can see…” I said, taking a seat next to her.
The next several minutes were spent in silence. Despite the birds chirping and the tree moving by the wind, it was pretty awkward. Every second I didn’t say a word, I cursed myself for it. But what is she doing out here anyway? Why isn’t she inside with her friends?
The silence was finally broken, but not by me. “So…What is that you wanted?” She asked, poking her crazy mane.
“Oh nothing really, I just wanted to know why you were eating out here all alone.”
She said nothing, instead changing the subject. “Let me ask you something. Do you like this school?”
“Well, not really. I have good times here every once in a while, but nothing too serious to make me like it.” I said, speaking my heart about this god forsaken fortress.
She frowned a bit, picking her head up to the sky. “I love this school very much. I used to have many friends that went here.” I took a bite of my sandwich, intrigued by this story. “But when graduation came, I couldn’t go with them…So I was left here.”
“Well didn’t you join any clubs?” I asked, trying to change the sensitive subject as quick as possible.
“Well I really wanted to join the school drama club. I really like acting, and I really, really, really like throwing parties…” She trailed off, “It’s just that I’m not physically capable for some of those things…”
She looks perfectly fine to me…
“You know, you can’t spend the whole year looking so sad. You’re going to have to make some new friends, some time or another.” I glanced above me, seeing two fillies. I think their names are Bon Bon, and Lyra. This is her chance. “See, up there.” I motioned to the two fillies, which the pink filly was now looking at. “If you ever want to get some friends, just put on a big smile, and wave.” She looked back at me, unsure, but with a quick nod she turned back. She tried her best to put on a smile, and wave, but as she did so, the two already were walking away.
“I guess I don’t stand out much…” She said, frowning.
“huh..”
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The sounds of roaring engines filled the skies, as the familiar sound of unicorn technology scootered around the baseball field. Two senior jockeys brought their Mini-C’s to school, and they were skating around the field, attracting a lot of attention. Clyde was there with a juice box, enjoying the show.
“Clyde, what’s attracting everyone’s attention?” I asked, which he laughed in response.
“It’s that new exchange girl over there!” He pointed to a filly with a blue coat, and a rainbow mane. “She’s a maniac! Walking out into the field, what is she going to do? Give them a lecture?” Clyde laughed. I remained silent, watching from afar.
I don’t know, Clyde. But something about her makes me uneasy.
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“She’s outnumbered, I have to do something!” I said, beginning to trot off into the field. Before I could begin my little epic battle, I was stopped by a group of juniors. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Don’t you know who that is?” One of them asked, but before I could even bare to answer they began explaining.
“That’s Rainbow Dash, the new exchange student. She transferred here as a junior. She may look fragile, but she’s really strong. If you went out there, you would only get in her way, and possibly get hurt.” Another one said, worry planted upon her face.
I sighed looking back out into the field. She approached the two colts, flaring her wings outward. I didn’t actually notice she was a Pegasus until now. Awesome…
I smiled, taking a seat to enjoy the show. As I sat down I heard an excruciatingly painful sound, almost like an explosion fill the air. I glanced back at the field seeing the two colts lying on the ground, with their Mini-C’s completely demolished. How the…?
Cheering and applaud filled the crowd of ponies as Rainbow Dash walked away, heading back to her classes. I was in shock, not being to believe that the battle ended that quick…
“So is she the new exchange student?” The pink filly asked, now back at our original meeting place under the tree.
“Yeah, she seems to have the same situation as you. It’s just she’s more popular. I guess it’s how you handle things.” I said, cursing myself. Who am I to lecture her?
“Well I have to go. I’ll see you around?” I said, getting up from my spot under the tree.
She perked up, getting up from her seat as well. She looked me in the eyes, “Thank you very much for eating lunch with me!” She said, smiling. Her smile…
“Oh, I’m Living Flame from class D.” I said.
“And I’m Pinkie Pie from class B!” She said, her smile growing.
I chuckled, “It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Mmhm, same here! Living Flame…”
“Living Flame…” What?
“FLAME! DUDE! HELLO!?!” A voice rang from in my ears, snapping me from my daydreaming.
“Wha-What!?!” I said, gaining the whole attention of the class.
“Flame, do you have something to say?” Ms. Cherilee asked me.
“Oh, um…No, I don’t. Sorry for my outburst!” I said, frowning at Clyde.
He snickered, “Dude, I want you to come with me after class.”
I nodded, expecting the worse.
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“I really want to make this self-defense you know?” Rainbow said, cracking her neck.
“Clyde, can’t you just give it up? I mean honestly, who cares whether she did or not.” I said, chewing my gum.
“No way, Flame! I will never believe a girl beating a guy, it’s just not right!” Clyde said, his determination showing again.
Without warning Clyde suddenly jumped at Rainbow, trying to deliver a kick with his hoof.
At that exact moment, “I remembered that there used to be a filly in this town who was incredibly strong, yet beautiful. She went around beating up on guys who tried doing stupid things.” I said to my friend who was now lying face down on the ground.
“Or that’s at least what I heard.” I said with a snicker.
Rainbow grunted, “And don’t come back.” She said, trotting off down the hallway.
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I trotted up the stairs to the third floor, where I can remember the clubs being stationed at. As I entered the third floor I saw Pinkie Pie standing before the drama club entrance. She was whispering something to herself….Now muffins? What’s with her and randomly saying random food?
After she gained her confidence, she opened the drama club entrance door, but didn’t enter. I could see something was wrong, so I sprinted over to her. I glanced inside to see nothing but a ton of boxes and empty space.
“Now I remember…Drama club has been hiatus since march.” I said, lying down in the grass outside of the school building. The sun was setting and classes were being released. Pinkie sat next to me, her sad expression once again planted upon her face.
She sighed, “I always heard they needed more ponies.”
“Well yeah, hiatus means they can get going once all the requirements are assembled.” I said, explaining it to her. Fluttershy happened to be walking nearby, and noticed Flame talking to her. She gasped, flying off into the distance, Flame not noticing her at all.
Pinkie was silent for a while, before speaking up again. “If you don’t mind me asking…Why are you so nice to me all of the sudden? I mean you only just met me.”
This is a good question…”I’m not sure…A good question, I just don’t know the answer.” I said. She smiled, before we made out departure.
I walked back home, stopping by a few stores to spend some cash on snacks and other items. I was trying to avoid getting home as much as possible. But I know there’s nothing I can do about it. I remembered Pinkie telling me about her house on Sugar Cube Corner. She apparently lives with her parents in the bakery. I spit my gum out, walking into the bakery.
“Hello? Anyone home?” I say, looking for any kind of life. The store was well lit, and pastries were everywhere. Some of them I’ve never seen before. Most of them were gone however, leaving only a few left behind in every batch. Before I could speculate anymore details on the store I was interrupted by a mare, which I presumed to be Pinkies mother.
“They look delicious don’t they? Take a bite of one, it’s my new masterpiece!” She said, gesturing to the batch of buns beside me. I looked at them, seeing as how not even one was sold yet; I had my doubts. I nodded, saying my thanks. I took one, taking a bite. It was awful.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. She could clearly read my facial expression.
I sighed, “Look I’m going to be honest with you here. These things are too hard to eat. I can see how they didn’t sell…” Is she…Crying?
“S-So…Y-you don’t like m-my pastries?” She sniffled, tears forming in her eyes.
“Wait, no I do it’s just that!” I tried to calm her down, but she sprinted out the door crying. She disappeared into the night, without any trace. What have I done…Well, mother like daughter I guess?
“Hey!” I heard a voice from behind me say. I felt a sharp sensation in my back, as if I was stabbed by something. I quickly realized it to be the sensation of a hoof stabbing your back. “What is it?” I said, turning around. Big mistake.
“You damn punk, you should have just said they were good. Where is your sense of kindness, charity?” A stallion said, much larger than me. He had a cigar in his mouth, which he got close to my face, blowing the smoke right into my face.
“I swear kids these days have no sense of respect…” He said. “It’s unbelievable… FOR SO MANY YEARS THE COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS TOLD HER THAT HER PASTRIES WERE GOOD! IT’S WRITTEN LAW, AND AS A CITIZEN YOU WILL FOLLOW IT AS WELL!” He screamed, pushing me against the wall. I smiled like a fool, trying to get my way out of this mess. “I’ll beat you so bad, nopony will be able to even recognize you!” He said, causing me to flinch. He stopped, glancing down at my uniform.
“Hey…You seem to have the same uniform as my daughter…You wouldn’t happen to be her friend would you?”
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“Hey! Why didn’t you say so sooner!” He said, patting my back. His wife came in a while ago and I was having tea with them.
“I’m sorry for the way my husband treated you, he’s always harsh on colts around here.” Mrs. Cake said.
“It’s no problem really, I don’t mind.” I said, rubbing my head shyly.
Mrs. Cake squealed, “To think that Pinkie would bring a friend home so soon after starting school. And it to be a colt as well!”
Mr. Cake grabbed my head with his hoof, pulling me in to his gaze. “A colt you say?” Did he just realize that?
“I bet he’s her coltfriend!” Mrs. Cake said, having her own little fantasies.
Mr. Cake laughed mockingly, “Coltfriend? There’s no way I’ve give Pinkie to some wimp like you. Get out of here, leave!”
I rose from my seat, “Well I guess I’ll be making my departure now.” Before I could stand completely back up, Mr. Cake pulled me back down. “And you call yourself a stallion. If I were you, I’d take the mare I love and run,” Mr. Cake laughed harder now, clearly trying to make me suffer as much as possible. “But there’s no way I’d let you do that, now would I?” Why is he doing this to me?
Pinkie walked in, chuckling to herself of her fathers’ silliness. I guess I have to admit he is pretty silly. Pinkie made dinner, and we ate like a family. A family…Something I never had.
Afterwards, I thanked them for the meal and went home. It pained me to go home, but I finally walked inside. It was dark, so I searched for the light. The destroyed, messy house that I have come to make amends with displayed before me. My father, who was asleep over in the corner, booze surrounding him, was snoring loudly. I sighed, trying to wake him up. As he woke up, he greeted me like I was some kind of stranger.
I can’t stand this…I just…Can’t! I cursed myself mentally, grabbing my stuff before running out the door into the night. My mother died when I was really young. I never knew her personally, and I was left with my father. Since my mothers’ death, my father has been drowning himself in alcohol to forget his past. He spends too much time doing that then taking care of his own son.
I ran for hours, or so it seemed. Finally I came at a stop, finding myself back at Sugar Cube Corner. I glanced over to my left and saw Pinkie. She was wearing a beautiful dress, and the world seemed to focus entirely on her. She stood under a lamppost, the light shining on her like a spotlight. She looked at me, her expression unchanging.
“Would you like me to take you somewhere special?” She said, glancing up to the sky.
She looked back at me with her deep cyan eyes, “To a world that has ended?”
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Journey
Chapter 1, Cherry Blossoms
Written by: The Lich King
