POV: Twilight Sparkle
I smile faintly as I hear the chatter around me going on. I give my friends a smile and I see their smile back at me before they turn back to their conversation. I frown in consternation as my emotions hit me full force.
“um...Twilight? Are you okay?”
I jerk my head up and glance at Fluttershy. I nod hurriedly. “Yes, I'm fine...I'm just thinking.”
“Um...thinking about what...if you don't mind me asking?”
I sigh. “Nothing.”
“Then...um...I hope you don't mind me saying so, but it is a very big nothing.”
I glance at her. “What makes you say that?”
“I know things...things no one else does.”
“Like Pinkie?”
She giggles lightly while looking at the pink mare bouncing happily around the rest of my friends. “Not quite. Pinkie...she knows about happiness, but for all her happiness she can't see.”
I raise my hoof. “Fluttershy...you do realize Pinkie Pie knows everything about everypony.”
“She doesn't.”
I open my mouth in protest before I feel a soft hoof close my mouth.
“Twilight Sparkle, will you come for a walk with me?”
“Uh...sure. If they don't mind?”
She giggles. “They won't mind.”
She stands up and motions with her wings to follow her. I walk up beside her and match her leisurely pace. “What were you saying Fluttershy?”
“Oh...right. Sorry.”
“It's fine. Continue.”
“Pinkie Pie knows a lot about ponies. While her story is a sad one, you can just see the joy in her eyes. She loves everypony, and the thought of being alone...it breaks her.”
I nod, thinking quietly back to her birthday party.
“However, because she fears being alone, she grows to know everypony. She bends everything to her will, and her connection with those she knows makes her stronger. The more she makes friends, the more she gives happiness. The more she receives smiles, the more she will continue to give. But you know that already.”
I nod, wondering where this conversation is going.
“But there is one thing that Pinkie cannot understand, and the one thing she can't help. She can't help others loneliness. She refuses to see it, cause she knows very well that she can't help. Besides, she doesn't want anypony to go through the same sadness she had as a foal.”
“I...”
“Shhhh...”
I glance ahead at the trail and notice the slow marching to the evergreen forest. I open my mouth, and then I hear Fluttershy's quiet voice speaking once more.
“She seeks the company of others, I seek solitude. She seeks to make sure no pony is ever alone, I make sure no pony ever suffers alone. She removes the light sadness of the heart, the sadness of torn friendships, and she will do anything to repair friendships, both her own and others.”
I notice with a start that we are far past the border of the everfree forest. The sky gets darker, but Fluttershy steps with a practiced ease. Like...she has traveled these trails before.
“I am different. I see the wounds of the deepest heart. I can see depression, I've seen the thoughts that drive ponies to the brink of despair.”
She turns around and looks at me.
“I've seen you.”
The sentence processes in my brain. “Wait...what...how...”
A soft hoof shushes my mouth. She smiles lightly, but behind the smile are her eyes. Eyes that seem to say, trust me.
“Twilight. I've seen you. I've seen the frowns that you hide behind the smile. I've seen the tears in your eyes as you try to hide. I've seen the looks you've given your legs, contemplating...considering...deciding.”
My wings flare in surprise.
“You're lying!”
She smiles sadly at me. “I don't lie Twilight. Not in these matters.”
“How did you know?”
“The eyes. They don't lie...”
I feel the tears coming to my eyes. “How...why...”
“Remember this Twilight Sparkle, if you need someone to depend on, come to me. However, I want you to follow me.”
She gestures me inside a cave. I light up my horn to light up the passage and I walk slowly forward. I see a sleeping form in front of me. I freeze in my steps.
“Who is this?”
I hear a gentle sigh. “I found him yesterday. Zecora showed me him, and she has been taking care of him ever since he was abandoned. I would love to take him in, but I can't. When I saw your depression, I realized something.”
“What?”
“Maybe...just maybe, what you need to get over it...is to know that you're needed by somepony else.”
“What do you mean? Spike needs me!”
“No...he doesn't. At least...not the same way a colt needs you.”
She walks a few steps closer and gently lifts the sleeping form to me.
“I know this is a lot to ask...but can you take care of him?”
“I...” I look down at the sleeping colt and my heart slowly melts. I see the firebrand hair, with the brown fur. He yawns tiredly and his eyes flutter open for a second. In that second, I'm lost in his eyes...one eye green, one eye blue. He rolls over and continues sleeping.
“I...Yes. I will take care of him.”
“Good.” She nuzzles me. “Twilight, do not be afraid to come on over whenever you need to. I'm here for you...and now.” A smile adorns her face. “You're here for him.”
“What's his name Fluttershy?”
She smiles. “That is for you to decide.”
I look downwards at the sleeping form. “Burning...Burning Fury? No...that's not right.” I see him turn sideways and I look at the shape of the sleeping form. “Burning Axe. His name is Burning Axe.”
Dear Princess Celestia,
I know I'm a Princess now. I know that technically, I should be the one teaching you and your sister. But that doesn't stop me from writing this.
You're still my mentor.
Here's what I've learned today. No matter how sad or depressed you are without reason, there will be somepony who will pick you up. But sometimes, you have to go looking for that pony. I was lucky enough to have Fluttershy take the first step towards helping me.
Look, I'm still depressed. But as I look on this sleeping form on my bed, I can't complain. Fluttershy was right...he needs me, and I need him.
I'm going to have to write more on this subject later. Maybe when I'm not so emotionally tied.
Yawn
Or maybe not. Perhaps, I should deliver my friendship lessons from now on in pony. After all, my friendship is not one that can be described with words. It can only be seen now...
You know what? I'm fine with that. My next lesson will be delivered to you in person.
Until then, Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
Author's Note
(A/N: I wish I had a Fluttershy in my life...actually scratch that. I wish I had somepony that wanted to care for me... This is why I don't write in the middle of a severe depression...hope it turned out well)
Author's Note
Author's Note: This was supposed to be a one-shot. This was supposed to be a one-shot....THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A ONE-SHOT!
I need to cry...life just threw me a curve-ball. So thus, Burning Axe, your wish for a sequel is fulfilled.
…
This is going to suck...writing this.
Quick question...and seriously answer this. Have you ever had an emotional pain so deep that you couldn't believe the pain...and you would rather have your arm cut off then feel the pain?
That's me right now.
And I'm writing...
DAMN THIS LIFE!
The Promise
POV: Twilight Sparkle
I look up from my writing as I hear a voice calling me. “Mama mama!”
I smile as I see the form of a brown pegasus running towards me. “Burning Axe!” I lower my book. “How are you doing my so...” I trail off as I notice him crying. “What's wrong Burning?”
“Mama...” He buries his muzzle into my chest. I wrap my wings around him and hug him close.
“What happened Burning?”
“Mama...remember that silver pegasus I told you about?”
I smile. “Yes, I remember. You were so enamored with her.”
“I asked her out last week.”
“I...I recall.”
He sobs once more into my chest. I hold him close to me. “What's wrong?”
“She...she started avoiding me. She...refused to say hello at all...I had to find out.”
My heart freezes in my chest. “She said no?”
“No...not that...” I breath out a sigh of relief.
“She said that she didn't want to be my friend anymore.”
“WHAT?”
“Uh huh mama.” He sobs once more.
I feel the anger growing in my heart. “Who was she? You don't deserve that!”
“No...I do...”
“What makes you say that?”
“I...I accidentally walked into her changing...”
“Oh...”
“Mama...I...”
“Sshhh, it's going to be all right.”
“Mama” I feel the tears pooling at my hooves. “If love hurts this much...”
I remain silent.
“I don't want to love anymore. It hurts wayy too bucking much.”
“Burning! Language!”
“I'm sorry mom” I ponder his words, then I decide to tell him what I was writing.
“But, you are right. Love does hurt.”
He cries harder. I sigh. “Do you want to see my journal?”
He looks up at me. “Your...journal?” He hesitates. I nod. “But you never show anypony your journal...”
I nod.
“But...but why show me now?”
I levitate the journal over to me. “Let me read what I wrote this morning. Okay?”
He nods with tears. “Do you feel the pain? The hurt? The tears? Do you feel the hate? The love? The war between the two?”
He nods confusingly. “But what does that...”
I smile comfortingly at him. “Cause I've been there myself. I've felt the wound across your heart...as the world seems to end.”
“How?”
“Burning, my parents died two days before I brought you into my family.”
“Oh...”
“Burning, it hurts to love sometimes, but that doesn't mean not to love. You can feel the pain across your heart, just don't cut your heart off. It hurts to forgive sometimes, but that doesn't mean do not forgive. Wounds are still fresh in your mind, but don't drink the poison of endless swing.”
“Why mama? Wouldn't it be easier not to love and not feel pain?”
“Cause...” I hesitate for a second. No...I will tell him, he is old enough and he deserves to know.
“It hurts to give at times, right?” He nods. “But pain is your growth.”
“What do you mean?”
“Love is painful, others will hurt you, but through this pain is where the deepest friendships are forged. This is how you gain your closest friends...and even your special somepony.”
“Really?” I see the tears start to dry and I smile at him.
“Yes, really, that's how I got my special somepony.”
“Oh! Well, that's great!” He frowns at me. “But it still hurts.”
“Remember these words Burning Axe. Love, no matter the cost. Forgive, no matter the price. Give, and keep on giving, and keep on loving and keep on forgiving.”
“I will...but what?”
“Cause if I hadn't loved despite the pain, I would never be your mama.”
I see his eyes. “But...but...you love me so much! You love everypony so much! I can't imagine you not loving anypony! How do you do that?”
“How?” I shrug. “It's cause I keep in mind what loving does to others.”
“What does it do?”
“For every act of love, somepony's life is saved. For every forgiven sin, somepony's future is restored. For every gift you give, you breath out life.”
“Breath out life? What?”
“The power of life is in the tongue, with the words you speak. It's a scary thought, trust me I know. Use it well, and use it wisely cause lives are shaped, changed and saved by your act of love and compassion. Promise me that you'll remember that.”
“I...I...yes. I will.”
“Pinkie promise?”
He grins at me. “Only if you promise with me.”
I grin at him. I repeat the words as I perform the familiar motions. “Cross my heart, hope to fly and stick a cupcake in my eye.”
“Thank you mama. I'll remember it.”
“I'm sure you will.” I say as I embrace him in a hug.
(That night)
I open my eyes and smile as I see the familiar dreamscape surround me. Let's see...what kind of dream does Luna have for me tonight?
“WHAT WERE THOU THINKING?”
I smirk as I hear the Canterlot shout from behind me. “I expected this from you Luna. Thou soundest pissed.”
“OF COURSE I'M BUCKING PISSED! YOU JUST TOLD A FOAL THAT!”
I shrug. “He had to learn sometime.”
“I GET THAT! BUT WHY TELL A BUCKING FOAL THAT BULLSHIT? THAT IS SOME DEEP STUFF!”
“Because if he doesn't learn now, then when will he learn? I was lucky enough to have somepony rescue me from it...but if no one is there...then he has to know beforehoof.”
“I...but...I...”
“Am I right?”
“Well...yes?
“Then let me have my dream.”
“Ugh...fine.”
I smile as the dream forms around me. Finally, now I can chillax.
(The next day.)
I fly by the schoolhouse and I hear the bell ringing. Hmm...let's see how Burning Axe is doing today. I land on the ground and I wait as the flood of ponies come out the door. I see the Cutie Mark Crusaders run out the door screaming something about skydiving cutie marks. Eh...that's normal.
Wait! What? Mental note to self, tell Rainbow Dash to keep an eye on them.
I see Burning Axe trot out of the door and I smile as he see me. “Mama!” He runs towards me and I give him a hug.
“How's my favorite colt doing today?”
“I'm good! We had a lot of fun going to the Canterlot garden! And...” He trails off as a green pegasus walks by. I smile as I spot a blush cover him.
“Aren't you going to say hi?”
“But mama...what if I get hurt again?”
“Remember our Pinkie promise.”
“Yea?”
“What was it?”
“To love even when I'm scared of being hurt.”
I smile. “Technically not the exact words, but close enough. So...”
I see him glance between me and the green pegasus. I cock my head sideways.
“So...?”
He nods slowly. “So...I should go say hi? And maybe...see where it goes?”
“Correct.”
He nuzzles me. “Thanks mama! I'll see you at home!” He runs off in the cute little canter that foals his age have. I giggle happily.
“Well, Twilight Sparkle, looks like I was right.”
I jump upwards and glare at the pegasus next to me.
“Oh, com'on Twilight, don't be like that.”
I land softly and glare at Fluttershy.
“You have seriously got to get a bell Fluttershy.”
“I know, I know.” She laughs. “But I was right?”
“Yes. Yes you were. I needed him...like I needed you.”
“Needed? What is with the past tense?”
“I said that wrong.”
“Uh huh. So you still need mama?”
“Yes...wait what?”
She laughs at my confusion. “Com'on Twilight Sparkle.” She pecks a kiss on me. “I dare say we have a couple of hours...as Burning Axe is occupied with Natures Fury.”
“Who?”
“The green pegasus. I brought her into town this morning. She's a little shy...”
“Like yourself?”
“Sometimes...but I can get a little feisty.”
I blush. “Yea...I remember.”
“Hehe...I don't.” She nibbles on my ear. “Care to remind me?”
“Sur....sure. Lead the way.”
She smiles at me and gestures with her wing to follow. I follow her slowly.
This day is going to be just perfect.
Author's Note: So...normally...I'm not a Twishy person. But the story kinda wrote this without me doing anything.
Anyways, hope you liked it!
(Now...I need to figure out a way to make life bite itself on the butt...again. I seriously hate life right now.)