A pony sits at his desk, working on his latest project, a three-hundred page novel. Tiresome work, and the company wanted it by Friday. He's been working on the double staying up most nights to finish it. He's not sure he'll make his deadline, as distractions from his past keep making appearances. Distractions taking the form of horrid flashback to his schooling years, and the one pony that though he was worthless and wouldn't make it in this world. Sharp Shooter.
He has been dealing with Sharp ever since he set hoof into a classroom. He was a bully, and a very cruel one at that. When school finally ended for him, He was glad he would no longer deal with him. And it was all because of His writing that he was even picked on. Sharp hated it, making fun of it and destroying it. But no more, thank Celestia.
But it has left scars in Him. Anytime he tried to work, his mind would drift back to those days, and tonight was no exception. Try as he might, he couldn't shake the memories. He became less focused and began to write badly, going back way too often to fix mistakes. His eyes became blurry as a vision started to take over. He blinks, trying to ignore it, but it just appears brighter and more clear. And soon he is back in Elementary School...
*Riiing*
He rushed to his seat as the bell rang. If you're not in your seat when the bell rings, you get marked, and He wasn't the type of pony for getting marks. But Sharp was. he could already see him smirking at him from the table in the back, biding his time. he ignored them, pulling out his small writing notebook to continue the little story he was writing.
The teacher seemed to be running late that day, which game Sharp his opportunity to strike. he stood up, walking over smugly to His table, ignoring the others and just focusing on Him. He tries to ignore him, but Sharp put's a hoof on the notebook, preventing him from continuing any progress.
"Hey. Whatcha working on kid?" Sharp asked, tapping the notebook.
"Nothing Sharp, go sit down. You'll get in trouble," He said.
Sharp snatches up the notebook, smiling. "I don't care. I want to see what you're working on." He begins to flip through the pages, judging the written material with his eyes, then his mouth. "This sucks kid. I was hoping for something better."
He frowns, but looks up. "Just give it back Sharp. Please?"
"Oh, no," he says, "This needs to be destroyed. It's eye torture for the world and doesn't need to be anymore." Sharp begins to tear the pages to shreds, smiling evil as he does.
"Stop!" He screamed, reaching out to grab him, but Sharp moved and he fell out of his chair and hit the floor with a hard thud. All he could so was watch the shreds fall, and seeing Sharp's hooves walk away, hearing him laugh. He picked himself up and tried to salvage the torn pieces. Right then was a bad time for the teacher to come in.
"Why are you not in your seat, Mister?!" she asked, her voice sharp and serious.
He jumps, turning around quickly. "I-I was... t-they.... My story..." He stammered, trying to speak about the events that had just arose.
"You know the rules, young man. That's going to be a mark against you. Two more and I bring your parents in about your behavior." The teacher used her magic to levitate a piece of chalk and marked a check next to his name. He frowned and picked up the rest of the pieces, setting them on his desk and slouching into his seat, putting his head down. In the background, he could hear Sharp holding back laughter, enjoying the pain he had caused Him...
"Aah!" His head shoots up, back in his study. He's sweating and his heart is beating out of his chest. Once his eyes focus and He realized he's back, he sighs, relieved. He knows what happened, He had another flashback. Another horrible, horrible flashback, that he wishes would stay away.
"I'm never gonna get this done if that keeps happening," he says, relaxing as he continues his work. About five minutes into it, his eyes begin to blur again, trying to take him back again. 'Why again?' he thinks, shaking it off and continuing. But it has no effect, as it covers his eyes again and brings him to another day in school, years later...
His locker, number 1987, east hall. He shuts it, already obtaining what he needed from inside. It was a good day so far, no trouble at all. But he knew that'd change when he saw Sharp when he turned from his locker, staring him down. He began to walk away, trying not to look at the bully, but Sharp moved quickly, blocking his path.
"Hey buddy. How are you doing?" Sharp asked, looking menacing.
"J-just getting to class Sharp. Maybe you should be too?" He said, trying to move along, but Sharp stepped in front of him again, smirking.
"We have time. Any new stories for me to laugh at?" he says, snatching the notebook out of the pile of books and supplies He was carrying. Sharp begins to flip through smirking evilly at what he was seeing. "You draw now too? Hah, that's even worse than your writing!"
"C'mon Sharp, give it back," he said, reaching for it, but Sharp acted quickly, turning and bucking him with his legs, not too hard, but enough to knock him over, sending his stuff tumbling with him. Sharp just laughs and continues looking over the notebook, chuckling at everything he say.
"Yep, this needs to be terminated. When you going to learn that you suck and will never be good at what you do? Huh? Because it's just going to lead to me, setting you straight over and over." Sharp walks over to the water fountain, pushing it on and holding the notebook close.
"He tries to pick himself up, but his hind leg bent when he fell, injuring him. He looks up to see what Sharp was doing. "Please don't! I've worked hard on those!" He tries to stand up again, falling down.
Sharp laughs at His struggles, plunging the notebook under the water, soaking the pages and ruining His work. All He can do is watch in horror as his work is destroyed. All them hours, late night spent, making it all, now being washed away. Sharp turns it off, letting the notebook sit in the fountain as the bell rings for the next class.
"Better hurry. Gonna be late for class." Sharp walks off, leaving the injured pony crying on the floor, begging for someone to find and help him. Help never came...
"D-don't ruin it!" He flails, knocking over his mug and sending papers flying everywhere. He's sweating, his heart beating a mile a minute, focusing his eyes to see the familiar walls of his study once more. "That's already two tonight. Why are they so active?" He reaches down and picks up the mug and papers, shaking his head in desperation. Why can't he just continue to work in his novel and not be interrupted by flashbacks? Once he settles himself back down again and ready to work, he pauses, making sure everything was still real. After touching a few objects, including himself, he concluded he was still in reality, and went back to work.
Hours passed, with no interruptions of a vision or flashback. He worked happily, smiling and getting quite a bit done. Then, while letting up to stretch, that feeling hit him, and his vision started to fade once again. "No, no no no not now please." But nothing could stop the clouds in his eyes from blinding him from reality into the dreamland where his flashbacks were held. This time, it took him to his final day in school ever...
Ten minutes left until that bell rings, and all the students were on the edge of their seats, ready to leave. He was most anxious, ready to start pursing his career he had been dreaming of since a colt. Plus, no more bullying, no more problems. He just had to survive ten more minutes. But as he saw the look on Sharp's face, he knew he'd have a struggle to face before the day was over.
He got up to throw something away, passing Sharp, not even giving him the satisfaction of a look from Him. He threw his trash away and turned around, looking at his desk. As he guessed, Sharp took the chance and took his writing binder. Frowning, not in the mood, he walked back, stopping at Sharp's desk with a glare.
Sharp looked up innocently. "Oh, hey. What you need?"
"I want my binder back," I growled, holding out my hoof.
Sharp smirks, looking at his desk, then back up at Him. "No idea what you're talking about. If you don't need anything, just go sit down."
"I need my binder. Now Sharp."
An angered look growing on his face, Sharp stands abruptly. "I don't have your binder, stop bothering me," he says.
"I'll go when you give me my binder. There's too much work in there just to let you keep."
"Oh really?" Sharp laughs. "The only thing in that binder is crap. You're not getting it back, so sit down and go away from me."
"Or what?!" He gets in Sharp's face, face reddening in anger. He has had enough, he was tired of the bullying, he would fight back this time.
Other students, the ones who already haven't taken notice, began to find the source of the commotion and waited impatiently for what seemed like an inevitable fight. Even the teacher stood, preparing for the worst, telling the two to sit before they were referred to the main office.
He stood tall, not backing down as Sharp stared him down, trying to put intimidation in His body, but it was to no avail. Sharp picked up the binder and shoved it into His arms, angrily. "Have it, keep thinking you're actually good at something in life. But when you realize it, you'll thank me for trying to stop it."
"I am good, and I will never thank you." He walked back to his seat and sat down. As he hit the chair, the bell rang. School was over, thank Celestia. He will never have to deal with Sharp again, and he will live a life of happiness because He can fulfill his dream of becoming an author. No more bullying, no more Sharp, nothing but happiness....
His eyes shot open, blinded by daylight, it was morning. He had fallen asleep at his desk, and his flashback as taken form as a dream, one he has seen too many times before. It was his favorite one, as well as his least. It was such a repetitive one that he was sick of seeing it, even though it was the only one that ended semi-positively.
Lifting his head, he rubbed his eyes and looked around, adjusting to the new light. Looking at his desk, he saw a letter from his wife, she must've not been able to wake him. He took the letter and began to read what she had wrote:
Morning sunshine! Couldn't wake you up, must've had another late night. Oh, my poor baby, you can't work yourself so hard. Did you at least sleep well? I so hope so. Don't worry about the kids, I took care of them and took them to school as well. I have my hair appointment at ten, so I won't be back until around noon. See you then. Love you! XOXO
The pony smiles at the note, feeling fuzzy at the words of his wife. He loved her so much, just another positive aspect from his life. That, plus his two kids which he loved dearly as well.
He stands and stretches, still adjusting to the morning. Coffee, he needs coffee. Lazily he begins to make his way downstairs, stumbling from tiredness as he enters the kitchen. Finding the cupboard, he opens it and looks inside. He sighs, no coffee grounds. To double check, he opens up the rest of the cupboards, and not a single ground.
There was a coffee shop downtown that he would have to go to then. Without his coffee he barely functions, so he needed some in his system. Walking over to the door, He grabs his hat with a wing, a jacket with the other and tossing them on like a daily routine, and heads out into the morning.
Baltimare, such a sprawling city of ponies in all species, and He was just another number in the large population of the city. But still, he knew the city like the back of his hoof. Even so that he could walk the streets with ease instead of fly above the morning commute. But seeing as how tired He still was, walking was to more of his benefit. Didn't want to run into any walls.
Passing his fellow commuters, he would nod, sometimes tipping his hat in greetings. Many ponies knew him, even by name. Very popular Stallion, especially in his neighborhood. It made him happy to know that he brought a smile to so many ponies faces. Too bad the farther he got, the less ponies knew him, and the less he knew, so closing in on the last block to the coffee shop, he kept to himself.
The shop was also located in a very poor neighborhood, run down shops and trash littered the street. Despite the neighborhood, it was still his favorite. Closest one to his home and he knew the owner very well. So well he got discounts, and a little spooky street wasn't going to scare him away from a good deal.
Something caught his eye as he made his way down. A homeless pony sitting against a wall. Now, this was not an unusual scene, as many are homeless in Baltimare. But there was something about this one.. He walked a little faster to get a better view of the Pegasus pony that sat.
When the pony's face came into view, His heart sank into his stomach. It was Sharp, his school bully for so long, the one who tortured him everyday, told him he would never succeed, is right in front of him again. But this time it was different. Sharp was defeated, starving and dehydrated. He was weak to the point that when he asked for bits, he could barely get the words out.
As Sharp asked though, his expression changed, from sorrow to shame, as he looked down. "It's you. You found me. Are you going to mock me now?"
Sharps looks away from Him. "Why would I mock you?" He asks.
"Because look at me! I thought I'd do great things in life while you didn't, and the opposite happened. I'm broke, no job, no family left, I have nothing left in life."
"You know that's not true."
"It is! I have nothing left..." Sharp breaks down, beginning to cry, hiding his face away with his wings. He sits next to him, pulling him into a hug. "J-just go away..."
"No, c'mon. You need some food and water. Come with me into the coffee shop, I'll hook you up."
Sharp sniffles, removing his wings and looking at the pony savior. "R-really? Y-you'd do that for me? Even after all I did to you?"
"Of course I would. I'm not heartless. Now let's go." He grabs Sharp's hoof, helping him stand, being patient as he struggles. Once he is standing, he leads him to the shop, opening the door for him. "Find a seat, I'll get you something." Sharp goes to a corner booth as he makes his way over to the counter, seeing one of the owners is working the register today.
"Howdy!" the owner says, "I take it you want the original?" Starts to make the coffee.
"Also can you add an ice water and a few doughnuts for my friend here?"
"Sure!" Fills out the order and sets it on the counter. "Six bits please!" The pony hands him six bits for the order and takes it and goes over to the booth where Sharp sat. "Here, I got you food and water." He sets down the doughnuts and water in front of Sharp, as he quickly grabs it up, eating the food quickly and downing the water. So quick that He had barely sat down before Sharp was done.
He waits a minute before speaking. "Why are you being nice to me? It doesn't seem right."
"Because I hate seeing a pony like you with potential sitting out on the streets."
"Potential? Like I said before I have nothing."
He frowns, changing the subject. "So since you're here, why did you treat me so badly back in school? I'm sure I never did anything to truly upset you."
Sharp sighs, rubbing his head. "Listen, I know I shouldn't have acted the way I did. It was wrong of me to do. I was just jealous because you had a talent, and I didn't. Even my cutie mark represents that I have no talent, a large red circle with a line through it. My life is nothing."
"Stop talking like that! You have meaning, you have value. You just got to find it. You showed me that I had value because I went to findit after you said it didn't exist. Now look at me, my life is cut out for me now. And now, my friend, it's time you cut a path for yours."
"H-how?"
"I don't know, but I will help you."
"You don't have to help me. You don't want to help me."
"Sharp, something you should know about me is that I live by a system called forgive and forget. All of your actions in the past mean nothing to me now. I forgive, and forget what you have done. Right now, all I want to do his help you."
Sharp looks up at him, an unsure look about his unshaven face. "You really want to help me?"
"Yes, I'm going to get you a new start." He pulls out a piece of paper, writing down an address. "When we leave, head to this address. It's my mother's place. Tell her I sent you and to feed you. Tomorrow, we start. I would today, but my time is taken up by work. I need you to trust me on this alright?"
"I-I trust you"
"Good." He looks up at the clock in shock. "I must get home. Listen stay safe my friend. My mother will take good care of you." He holds out a hoof for Sharp to shake, and he takes it with a firm grip, smiling.
"We shall meet again tomorrow ki- Inkwell." He smiles, as that was the first time Sharp had called Inkwell by his real name since Kindergarten. Inkwell smiles in return, standing and walking out the door, and back home once again.
A pony sits at his desk, his mind free to create his work as he sees hit. No distraction from his world, nothing bothers him anymore. Today he shall start a new project, one of a new life for somepony he once resented, a pony who said he'd never amount to what he as accomplished to this day. Seeing Sharp in the state that he was he knew that was what Sharp saw in Him, and he doesn't wish that upon anypony. But now, he considers Sharp a great friend, and he will do everything in his power to help him have a happy life.
