Chapters The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 01 - Ember's Flame
Author's Note
Updates
Chapter 01 - Ember's Flame
Chapter 1 - Ember's Flame
1. Street Thief
The soft rays of the rising sun made its way through the transparent glass window of a moving train that was heading to Fillydelphia, and landed softly on the eyelids of a sleeping black changeling inside one of the train's private rooms. The soft rays weren't enough to wake him. Soon however, the train finally started to stop, and rocked the room which woke him up by surprise.
"Alright, I'm up! Geez..." he groaned as he rubbed his eyes. He let out a long yawn as he slowly disguised himself as a green alicorn pony. His name was Henry Hoof. He levitated his glasses to his face that fell from the table to the red soft carpeted floor.
Finally, the train went to a full stop. Through his window, he could see that the train stopped inside a large structure; Fillydelphia's Train Station. A lot of ponies stood and walked and flew around the busy place. It didn't look as orderly as Canterlot's train station.
Here, small business stalls were circling the large pillars of the structure. Sales ponies shouted their products at the ponies who passed by their stalls. The four ticket booths were having long lines of ponies, and the wide staircases leading outside to the city was crowded as well. Some ponies even sat on the stair steps, where some were playing their guitars and drums, and some were just begging for Bits.
Suddenly, just right in front of him, he saw a fast-running unicorn pony being chased by three other ponies who wore police uniforms. Henry stuck his head on the glass window, hoping to catch a few more of the action. The other ponies ignored the event while some just tried to extend their hooves to make the running unicorn get off of their balance. Henry didn't get the chance to see the conclusion of the event, for it was now blocked by ponies who were now exiting the train.
"Rarity was right..." he slowly said, "...that book I read about this city truly was outdated..."
He sighed as he turned to the red wide chair of his private room where his sister's brown sidebag lay, and as well as his white journey hat that little Rarity made for him. He smiled as he remembered showing little Rarity his sister's drawing of Daring Do, and he requested to make him the very same hat on the drawing. Little Rarity complained about the out-of-fashion hat request, but she did it anyway.
He wore his sidebag, wore the hat and headed out the door. He moved towards the train's exit and felt kind of nervous and doubtful of stepping outside, but he needed to, because he was already creating a line of annoyed ponies behind him.
As he went out, he immediately felt the weird atmosphere of the area, and the dusty air. His nervousness quickly vanished when he spotted a vendor stand selling Daisy Bread, his favorite bread. He managed to slowly walk towards it, despite the large number of ponies walking pass him in random directions. He was only a few feet away when his path was finally cleared from ponies. He smiled as he continued on until a random pony bumped into him, but fortunately, none fell off of their hooves.
"Oh, I'm so sorry...!" said the yellow mare earth pony with a dark-blue messy mane and burned tail.
"No no, it's no problem," and Henry bowed, but the mare earth pony hurried away, leaving the alicorn confused .
He payed her no mind as he walked towards the stand and made his order. Five Bits seemed to be a bit expensive for one Daisy Bread, but he still wanted one. He used his magic to open his sidebag to get his pouch bag where he kept his Bits and...
"Hm..." he couldn't sense his pouch bag inside, so he moved his sidebag in front of his face.
"Is something the matter, sir?" the orange male middle-aged unicorn pony asked.
Henry dropped his sidebag from the brown aura, revealing a shocked look on his face. His pouch bag was not there, he just got mugged!
Who could have—that yellow earth pony that bumped into him!
He needed to chase after her, but before that, he landed immediately in front of the vendor, "I'll be back!" and with that, he flew straight to the stairs.
Outside, he immediately felt the dusty wind of the city, but he payed it no mind. He quickly looked around, and to his right, he saw a glimpse of a running pony in the shadows of an alley. He smiled as he dashed after her, only to be stopped by a pony police.
"Whoa there, youn' fellah."
"Sorry officer! I just got robbed!" he quickly replied and ran around the police unicorn pony to make chase.
The police pony called the attention of his two other comrades who were eating on a doughnut stand. They then quickly followed the green alicorn.
The alleyway was a dead-end. The yellow earth pony disregarded this fact and continued running towards it with her current speed. Henry just got inside the alleyway and saw the earth pony jumped towards the wall and managed to take a few more steps on the vertical wall to reach the top, and immediately jumped to the other side. Henry was somehow enjoying this little chase of theirs. He flapped his wings hard to immediately bring himself in mid-air.
The yellow pony however thought that her victim was a unicorn, so she was now convinced that she won't be followed as she slowly decreased her speed until it seemed like she was just walking with the other ponies in the street, as if nothing happened. With her black sidebag, and with the weight of the pouch bag she snatched, she grinned for she caught a big one today.
Fillydelphia, a city full of grey buildings and dusty streets where ponies walk towards their destinations. Each mind their own business, unless they meet someone they recognize in the streets. She crossed the street on the pedestrian lane after the traffic light was red for carriages to stop, and for ponies to cross. She was heading towards the city's oldest bridge that connected the city to an island from a distance. She flashed a smile as she stared at the island.
The bridge was full of moving carriages. Under the bridge, on the sandy shoreline stood a small house built from wood and different worn-out clothes stitched together. This part of the city was quiet and free from a crowd of ponies. The yellow earth pony climbed up the bridge's fences and finally went to the other side, where the ground was now sand instead of cement. She then slowly walked towards the house, smile gone, replaced by a worried look on her face. She heard a weak set of coughs coming from the house.
"Brother..." she softly said as she moved a clothe with her hoof for her to enter, where on a dirty brown thick folded blanket lies a small red earth pony with an orange mane under a blue rag he used as a blanket. Under his closed eyes are very black eye bags. Though it wasn't cold, he was shivering, and coughing weakly. The very sight broke the yellow earth pony's heart as she slowly sat beside her sick brother. She puts her hoof on her brother's head, and slowly rubbed his head. Their poor house had no ceiling, though the bridge took care of that.
"...big sis..." he slowly moved his head, but he was hushed by her sister.
"Don't exert yourself, brother... Please..." she then took the pouch bag she snatched and placed it in front of her, and oh how her eyes widened when she saw a large amount of Bits. "Brother... I can finally get you healed...!" she whispered, making her brother flash a weak smile.
"That must mean you have a large amount of Bits there!" said a loud voice from outside.
She gasped, for she knew who that voice belonged to. She quickly placed the pouch bag back inside her bag, and then she went outside, where three unicorn stallions stood a few feet from her, grinning mischievously.
"Hello Ember," greeted the gray unicorn, "a fine day we're having, huh?"
"What do you want this time!?" Ember, the yellow earth pony, snarled, "I thought I already entertained you guys earlier this morning!" she continued as she wagged her burnt tail twice.
"Entertained is right!" laughed the blue unicorn.
"Well, Ember," said the white unicorn, "we just happened to pass by, and oh, what good news did we just hear!"
"You heard nothing but nonsense, Whitey!" she spat.
"Okay, let's cut to the chase then," the white unicorn said, unamused by the earth pony's attempt of hiding it, "give us the dough and we will not hurt you this time."
The three unicorns' horns started to radiant some magic aura, making the earth pony feel nervous.
The gray unicorn grinned. "Looks like our leader here wants to end this fast."
"So we'll have to count from one to ten," the blue one said, "...one..."
A sweat ran down from Ember's nervous face.
"...two...NINE...!"
The earth pony gulped as she closed her eyes. No way she was giving the Bits to them. She needed them, more than anything right now, even if it would mean be burned by the three unicorn's magic.
"TEN!"
And in an instant, the three unleashed beams of energy from their horns, all directed to the earth pony.
She expected to be fried right about now, but after a few seconds of nothing, she slowly opened one of her eyes, only to see before her the three bullies being enveloped within white magic from three police officer ponies.
"You sirs, are coming with us!" said one of the police unicorn ponies.
Startled, she took a step back, but she bumped into another pony behind her. She slowly and nervously turned her head to see who it was. It was a tall and very familiar green pony with a horn, like those of a unicorn, and he was wearing black glasses and a white hat, and he was angry at her.
"I'd like to get my money back, if you please." Henry said sternly. He then heard a set of weak coughs, but he decided to ignore them for a while.
She couldn't run from this, she thought. Tears started to form on her eyes as she slowly took Henry's pouch bag out from her bag. She slowly put it down on the sand as tears started flowing down her face.
A police pony rolled his eyes as he walked towards the green alicorn while the other two walked away, bringing with them the three unicorns. Henry used his magic to put his pouch bag back inside his bag.
"Trust me sir," the white police unicorn pony said as he reached them, "these street rats are better than actors when they're caught."
Though the earth pony did stole his money, she at least had a good excuse of committing the crime, unlike those three. He turned to the police who was about to envelop the thief with his magic.
"Please wait," Henry said, catching both ponies' attention. He turned to the earth pony, "Ember, right?"
She slowly nodded, and looked down on the sand.
"I forgive you," he smiled.
Both ponies couldn't believe what they heard from him. Ember shook her head in disbelief.
"Sir, this here is a criminal."
"Yes, I am aware," he looked at the police pony, "but there won't be a reason of putting them in jail if their victims forgive them, right? (at least, that's what I read in the books )"
"Er... I...suppose." He looked around, doubtful. "Alright then," the police pony sighed, nodded, and walked away.
"You didn't have to do that..." the earth pony slowly said, looking down on the sand, trying to hold her tears as she heard another set of weak cough.
"Tell me, are you from that island over there?" Henry looked at the island in a distance, and even pointed with his hoof.
Ember didn't bother moving her head. She knew what island he was talking about. "Y-yes..." she said as she closed her eyes.
"If you needed money that badly," Henry looked at her, "maybe I could hire you as my tour-guide?"
That didn't seem to make her feel anything near better. Yes, she needed money for her brother, but now she has to work to get them, plus, she has to go back to her home. She shook her head.
"No thanks." she replied coldly, to Henry's surprise.
"B-but..."
"I said 'no'! Now get lost!" she shouted angrily at him, making Henry take a step back.
He frowned, he only wanted to help. Of course, earlier, he wanted this thief to be brought to justice, but while we was stalking her, he saw her smile when she saw the island far away. He also saw her little brother's condition while he was hovering above their little house. If she doesn't want his help, then he won't force her. He slowly turned and started walking away, but he stopped after he heard a weak voice.
"S...sister..."
It was quiet for a while. None moved an inch. Finally, Henry heard a heavy sigh behind him.
"I'll...take the job..." Ember said, completely hating herself for this decision.
Henry smiled as he turned to face her. "Thanks." Though his smile quickly evaporated when he saw her worried look while she stared at her house. "First thing's first..."
Ember looked at him.
"Let's get your brother to a hospital."
2. A Favor
In a white clean room inside Fillydelphia Radiant Hospital, Ember's brother is lying down on his back on a white comfy bed. He is wearing an oxygen mask and on his right foreleg was a thick and small tube connected to a hung-up dextrose. On the left side of the bed was Ember, sitting on a white chair, her head and both her front hooves were resting on the bed, asleep.
Earlier that afternoon, the doctor confirmed the filly's recovery, and he'll be back in good shape in two weeks time. Though it was good news, Ember felt like a heavy gravity is pulling her down. Where would she get the money for her brother? Even though she got hired as the island's tour guide for that green alicorn, it wouldn't be enough.
But after Henry noticed the grim look on her face, he flashed a small paper in front of her. She read whatever was written on it, and she was surprise after finding out that it was a receipt. Henry already payed for her brother's stay in the hospital. Tears immediately formed on both her eyes, but Henry asked her not to cry and not to hu---she quickly hugged him tight, thanking him. He joined the hug.
Henry soon left the hospital and he flew back to the train station to get himself a Daisy Bread. He flew back to the hospital after he bought two pieces of bread, only to see the sleeping brother and sister in the room.
Near the room's door was Henry, seated on a white chair. With his brown magic, he floated his notebook and quill, writing down the things of what happened earlier. He thought that maybe those events will be useful for his book, or a sequel if he gets the chance. He stopped writing after he noticed Ember slowly waking up. He's been wanting to ask her about, with her age, why hadn't she got her cutie mark yet.
She looks as old as Cheerilee, maybe older, but she...maybe she hadn't figured out her special talent yet?
Ember smiled as she gently rubbed her brother's head.
Finally, she's awake. Henry's been wanting to go now. He took a deep breath, and...
"Let's go." she announced towards the startled alicorn.
Both ponies walked out of the hospital and took a carriage in front of a line of carriages in the parking area of the hospital near the entrance. Henry told the drivers(since they're also the ones who'll pull the carriage) their destination.
Ember has never been inside a carriage before. She was looking really excited and cheerful as she turn her head left and right to see the scene outside of the carriage's windows. Henry just smiled, for she somehow reminded him of his little sister.
It took them roughly twenty minutes to get to the island.
"This is Little Filly Town," she said as they both started to walk on the earthy path of the town.
The small town, aside from the bridge, is surrounded by trees. The houses are made from wood, and the houses' roofs are made of bamboo stalks. Unlike PonyVille, the town has a less number of residents. It was because everypony on the island dreams to live big in the big city, Ember explained.
"Is that why you and your brother were in the city?" Henry asked, but all he received was a frowned look on Ember's face. He didn't bother to ask further.
Ember took him to the other side of the town, where an earthy path in between the trees lies ahead.
"This route will take you to Ember Town. It's the nearest town if you want to visit the ruins." Ember explained, looking straight at the path. She took a deep breath, and exhaled.
Both looked at each other. Ember then smiled.
"Well, I'll be here to wait for you."
Henry didn't like that idea.
"What? You have wings. You can fly there no problem."
He arched his eyebrow. A sweat ran down her face.
"Is something wrong with going to Ember Town, Ember?" he asked, though he couldn't hold his smile. She and the town had the same name though.
She looked down to the ground with a weak laugh. "N-no, of course not."
Henry blinked. He didn't realize the time. The sun was already setting, and it'll be dark soon. He sighed.
The town only had one inn, and it had two available rooms on the first floor, and four on the second floor.
"Why spend two rooms?" Ember asked out loud as she opened her room's door, which was just in front of Henry's.
Henry remembered about what his sister had taught him a year ago. He laughed weakly and greeted her good night.
Henry's room was small and dimly lit by a candle on the windowless wall. The other two walls each has a window, showing the town under the evening blanket. Each were partially covered by brownish-white curtains. His bed was medium-sized, made out of wood and has a white matress on top, covered by a lavender-colored two-layer blanket, and one small lavender pillow. There was also a wooden table and chair near the right window. He took off his hat and sidebag with his magic and puts them on the table. He turned to his bed when he heard three soft knocks on his door.
"Oh, uh, come in..." he said, startled a bit. He wasn't expecting anyone.
The door knob turned and the door slowly began to open, revealing a sad-looking Ember. She took a few steps inside.
"Um, may I come in?" she asked, nervous.
Henry gave her a flat look. "You already are..." he sighed.
"Well..." her voice trailed off as she pulled the door back with her foreleg, and continued to close it with her hind leg.
This will take long, Henry thought. He invited her to sit on the chair as he sat down on his bed.
"Well uh..." she stared at the foot of the bed, "...why'd you help me and my brother?"
Henry formulated some words in his head before he answered.
"I know that..." she said with a cold voice, "But that's not the answer I was expecting."
Henry was about to get off of bed to pat her shoulder or back, but she quickly stopped him without looking.
"Don't stand, I'm fine..." she said, her voice slightly squeeked on the word "I'm"...
Henry couldn't really answer that question. He doesn't know as well.
"Are all...alicorns like to help, whenever they can?"
"I'm..." Henry started slowly, "...not really an alicorn, though..."
"Then what are you?" she immediately replied, angry a bit as she faced him.
Henry looked at himself before he answered.
"What's the difference?"
"Well, she's powerful, of course, and much...bigger(?), in size, and she's royal, and...uh..." he trailed off...
"So, you've met her?"
"Well yes, I have---wait..." he just noticed that their conversation switched direction.
She tilted her head slowly to the floor as her expression changed to sadness.
"C-can I ask a favor?"
"Hm?"
"Please...?"
Yes or no, Henry couldn't decide.
But she didn't respond.
He sighed as he used his magic to lift his glasses off of him and puts it down on the table.
He immediately used his magic to lift his bag towards him, opened it and...the pouch bag is still there, as well as his notebook and quill and ink bottle.
A relief. Finally, he no longer has to worry about her taking his stuff.
3. Tied Together
It took them two hours of walking to reach Ember Town.
Ember Town is looking the same as Little Filly Town, except, this town's bigger and has more houses, and more ponies.
"Let's get this over with..." she grumbled as she started to walk until Henry called her name, making her stop and turn to him. "What?"
"Is there a reason why you're angry all of a sudden?"
"Nothing." she plainly replied, "Let's just go and..."
A pale-red earth pony walked behind Ember and greeted them. Henry smiled and greeted the young colt back, disregarding Ember's shocked expression. Henry soon noticed that the colt hasn't acquired his cutie mark yet.
"Hey, Ember!" the colt patted her back with his hoof as soon as he was standing beside her.
The young red stallion hushed everyone so Ember will get the chance to talk as Henry hid himself in the crowd. Luckily for him, he's as tall as the rest of the middle-aged ponies.
"Now, com'on Ember," the colt started, removing his hoof on her back, "sorry if we all don't 'ave a welcomin' party for yeh return, but welcome home!"
"Home?" Henry asked himself as the crowd cheered.
Ember responded with an awkward and nervous laugh. And suddenly, to her surprise, the young colt grabbed her right hoof with both his hooves. He looked at her romantically, blushing slightly, while Ember was both blushing and feeling nervous. The crowd's eyes were glittering, while Henry was looking at the two ponies awkwardly while sticking his tongue out.
"And here I thought you'd never return..." the young colt whispered, making the green alicorn roll his eyes.
Ember was feeling really nervous. She needs to do something. Without moving her head, she scanned the audience, and there!
"Um..." she managed to say.
"Yes?" he responded, his head slowly getting closer to her.
"Actually...I ah..." she gulped, "...I'm...engaged..."
The crowd gasped. The young colt, feeling his heart just break, immediately let her hoof go and took a step back.
"S-say that again..." the young colt dared her. He couldn't believe it. How could he believe it?
"I'm...engaged..." she lied as she nervously turned her head to the audience, and lifted her hoof and pointed one of them.
The audience cleared the way to reveal a green alicorn busy taking notes. Henry, noticing like a lot of eyes were looking at him, returned his attention to his surroundings and found himself being pointed by Ember.
The young colt stomped his hoof angrily on the ground.
Henry blinked once more, slowly processing what is happening. The young colt angrily turned his head to Ember.
Ember gulped as Henry finally caught up to what was happening. He flashed an angry look.
"Now wait a minute! I've got n---"
Ember quickly dashed to him, stopped beside him, grabbed his head, closed her eyes and pulled his head to her and kissed.
Ember and Henry broke the kiss, and she immediately turned to the young stallion.
A number of ponies overheard him say those last two words, and repeated them around as if they were an endless echo.
"Yes!" Ember announced, "We've talked about it last night."
"Where are you going with this?" Henry whispered, but Ember payed him no mind as she took a step forward.
"And we're going to have our honeymoon at the ruins."
Henry lowered his head in embarrassment and covered his face with his hat.
The crowd however, slowly flashed a smile. It was a sign that they respected her decision. Unfortunately for the young colt, who was crying now, suddenly ran away.
4. The Ruined
Ember was once again reunited with her parents. She twisted the truth a bit when they asked about her little brother.
Henry however, received a lot of back pats (and even hurtful ones) from Ember's family relatives, especially from her father, who was really happy and started treating him like his best buddy.
Henry just...played along. He sighed.
It was time for sleep. Ember's family cleaned her old room for them to stay for the night. The moonlit room was somewhat bigger than his room back in the inn. The only thing Henry was worried about is the bed. There was only one bed in the room, and he didn't like where this is going.
They looked at each other; Ember flashing a weak and 'please forgive me' smile while Henry flashed a very very angry glare.
Ember escaped the death glare and walked towards the bed. Lucky for Henry, the room has a wooden stool and table. He didn't bother to remove his hat or glasses as he sat down on the chair and puts his head on the table, looking all tired and satisfied.
Ember jumped on her old bed and lied down, and just noticed her alicorn companion.
"Aren't you going to join me in bed?" she asked with an annoyed tone on her voice, "We are couples, after all."
Henry just replied with an angry stare. He then covered his face with his hat and then he closed his eyes. Ember rolled her eyes and went to sleep. A lot of things are running around in Henry's mind, but one thing's certain, he needs to be awake for the whole evening.
After an hour, he heard Ember's soft snoring. He waited a couple of minutes before he stood up and slowly went to the door. He went outside the room and slowly worked his way out of the house. He's sleepy, and he plans to sleep in the nearby trees. He only needs a five-hour sleep anyway, so when he wakes up, he'll just return to the room and pretend like nothing happened. But after he got out of the house, he saw the young stallion who Ember dumped ealier, sitting a few feet and blankly staring at the wooden roof, his mind deeply lost in thought. Henry was just standing in front of the door, blankly staring at the colt.
Finally, after a few minutes, the young colt let out a heavy sigh and slowly brought his sight towards the door, where he just noticed the green alicorn who stole the one he loves the most. The door slowly closed itself, creating a quiet sqeaking noise in the process.
"Er... I know you're angry and all, but uh," he slowly looked around the dark and quiet town, "ponies are sleeping at this hour, so, uh..."
"I don't care 'bout nothin', you good fer nothin' piece of sh**!"
He cursed! Henry couldn't believe it. It was his first time to hear a pony curse.
While Henry was a bit lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize that the young stallion was already in front of him, and punched him hard in his face, throwing him to his left. His glasses escaped his face as he landed hard on the ground. He was about to get back on his feet when the stallion kicked him with both his hind legs, throwing him further, and bumping on a neighboring wooden house, enough to wake the residents nearby.
"Ember, I..."
A small crowd quickly formed, bringing with them some torches, providing enough light for him to see what he has done to the green alicorn. Blood was flowing down both his nose and head, and several bruises on his body. Henry was terrified.
He didn't mean it. No, maybe he did, but...
"W-wait...!" Henry, despite his injuries, shouted at the fleeing pony, but he was ignored.
Ember sighed, and slowly turned to the alicorn with a worried look. Henry didn't bother to look at her as he got himself back on his four feet. He's feeling angry, but not towards the colt.
He took a deep breath, and exhaled. He then faced her.
Her parents quickly rushed to aid the alicorn back inside the house, leaving Ember on the spot, no longer sure what to do next.
Henry sat down on a stool and he was quickly being nursed by the family members in the house, even though he asked them not to worry about him too much.
"Why did Ember left this place, anyway?" he managed to ask them after noticing that they finally slowed their pace.
Ember entered the nearby forest.
"When she was young, Ember, like many other young ponies, had always dreamed to live in the big city of Fillydelphia. She and Flame, the one who, injured you, were very close friends."
Ember stopped after she reached a large clearing, where a pond is silently reflecting the full moon's image, and on the edge of the pond was Flame, silently sitting down, his back facing her, head looking up to the moon.
"They have always spent almost everything together, despite their different dreams in life. While Ember dreamed to live big, Flame however, just wanted to have a normal peaceful life here in the town."
"Flame...?" Ember slowly and nervously said as she slowly walked towards his childhood friend.
"Go away, Ember... Be with your alicorn. And tell him I'm sorry..." he sobbed soon after, somehow, Ember felt her heart broke, and continued to walk towards him.
"Two years ago, if I could remember, she decided to go to the city for her to find her place in the world. She promised us that she'll return wealthy and successful, but Flame didn't want her to go."
Ember sat beside Flame, which he quickly turned his head away from her.
"I said go away, Ember..."
"Flame, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to---"
"You didn't mean to!?" he quickly faced her angrily, startling her.
"To try and stop her, there, right in front of us, and in front of her, Flame told her he loves her, more than just best friends. But my daughter already set her mind, and refused to accept his love. She was not being prideful. She has another reason why she wanted to go there. She wanted to earn a lot of money to cure our sick son, her little brother."
"I love you, Ember. Of all the ponies in the world, you're the only one I love..."
"A year ago, our son was gone, leaving behind a letter. On it, it said that he missed his sister and he wanted to go and look for her. The young filly couldn't possibly be serious, so we searched the entire town and the nearby forest, but there was no trace of him. My husband and I decided to go to the city, and Flame came along with us."
Ember looked down on the ground, blushing, and unsure of what to say.
Those words were too hurtful to hear for Flame. He tried his best to pour all of his feelings, but still rejected. Hurt, he slowly looked down on the ground as well.
"I'm...just...not ready..." Ember slowly said.
Somehow, it ignited a faint glow of hope. Flame slowly faced her. Ember slowly shook her head.
"Even with the police's help, their whereabouts are unknown... But now, at least we can finally breathe freely."
Henry smiled. He at least was able to help them out.
"Tell me," the old mare said, her voice, clearly, it'll be a change of topic, "how does a changeling like you end up being a wanderer?"
That took him by surprise! How did she know? Is his disguise down? He immediately looked at himself, hurting his head in the process.
"Calm down, dear, it's okay," she smiled, reassuring him as she fixed the ice bag on his head. "I won't tell nopony."
He nodded as the front door slowly opened, and a happy-looking Ember came inside.
Ember blushed, "More than well..."
That however, evaporated her mother's smile.
Ember was surprised to hear such a thing.
"I don't want to hear about it!" and she walked back inside her room, leaving the two of them alone.
Henry looked at her and grinned, making Ember blush even more.
5. The Ancient Relic Castle
A new day has arrived, and Henry was all set to go into the ruins after joining Ember and her family eating breakfast (hay and milk, his most disliked meal combination). He looked south and he can see the brownish-red pyramid-like ruins from afar, sticking out of the green leaves. He took a deep breath, stretched his wings, jogged in place, exhaled, and then...
"Wait up!"
He turned around and saw both Ember and Flame walking towards him.
"Good morning, love birds." Henry teased, making the two blush.
"Uh, yeah, uh..." Flame scratched his head as the two looked away in opposite directions.
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, "what happened last night was truly going to be useful for my book."
"You wanted to get hurt on purpose?" Ember innocently asked, making Henry frown.
"Of course not!" he fixed his glasses, "who'd want to get hurt, anyway?"
"Well," Ember smiled, "shall we head to the ruins?"
Henry nodded, and faced her lover.
"A-actually, I better stay here. I need to fix the wall I destroyed last night."
"Oh," Henry recalled, "right, that...well..."
"What are you trying to say?" Flame asked, clearly not amused.
Henry laughed, a clear sign that he was joking. The two eased up.
"But seriously though..."
Flame just nodded.
Flame smiled, "Good! Well, good luck!"
They soon began to take the earthy path leading to the ruins. As they walked, Ember couldn't help but tell him how happy she was with Flame, telling him that she was such an idiot for running away and go around the big city for nothing.
"That reminds me..." Henry managed to ask, "why didn't you just return home?"
"Well..." she slowly turned onward, "...I really wanted to but..."
"Well," Henry looked onward, "you are."
"I am?" she looked at him with a confused look. "How?"
"You have a family to return to, and a stallion to take good care of you."
It took them an hour of walking to reach the entrance of the ruins.
The Ancient Relic Castle, surrounded by trees, and standing on the center of the island.
Now, the ruins is now a home for bats and fireflies, and other small rodents and snakes and some other bugs.
They slowly approached the royal seats. They stepped on the elevated floor, and as soon as Henry had all of his feet on the floor, something sparkled underneath the left chair that caught his attention. He walked pass Ember, who just wore a smile. With his magic, Henry lifted the object right in front of him for what it seemed like a...
"A goblet?"
He asked out loud as Ember walked beside him.
"So..." Ember slowly said, "...you understood what the drawings meant?"
Henry looked at her, who was looking confused. He simply smiled.
"Well," he started, "from the looks of it, the unicorn and earth ponies teamed up with the griffins to defeat the pegasus ponies."
That managed to satisfy the yellow earth pony's confusion. Henry then puts the goblet inside his sidebag.
Henry managed to write every detail he needed on his notebook as they looked around.
It took them almost two hours inside the ruins before they decided to leave the quiet place.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"I just arrive, 'onest."
They broke their hug as Henry reached them.
"So, Henry sir, how was the ruins?"
"Pretty ancient." he laughed.
And they soon walked back to Ember Town.
Ember's little brother needed to stay in the hospital for a week and a few more days.
"By the way..." Henry said as he turned to the couple.
Ember hesitated, "B-but I thought my brother's hospitalization was the payment?"
Henry shrugged, "No idea."
"What do you mean, 'no idea'?" Ember asked, a bit annoyed.
The goblet slowly hovered back to the deep-in-thought alicorn. Finally, he had an idea.
"Henry, seriously..." Ember said. "We don't need that thing."
"I want it!" her little brother cheered as he grabbed the goblet.
Ember simply sighed, defeated.
Henry smiled.
Flame shook his head, "Please believe me when ah say this, Henry sir, but we should be the one thankin' ya."
And after another exchange of goodbyes, Henry went out of the hospital, took a deep breath of the dusty air as he spread his wings, and as he expected, someone calls out his name from behind.
"Thank you," Ember slowly said, trying her very best to hold her tears.
Despite the large number of ponies in the area, he payed them no mind and returned the hug.
And with that, he flew to the train station. He needed to head back home.
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The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 02 - PonyVille Diaries - First of Many
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 03 - Reaching The Dream
Chapter 3 - Reaching The Dream
1. Dream Come True
Henry woke up inside the train's private room. He got out of the red wide chair as he puts his glasses on him with his brown magic. As he took a few steps toward the glass window, he changed the way he looked as a green alicorn pony.
He originally planned to go to Manehattan, but he decided to go to Canterlot to publish his book instead.
As he went back and sat down on the comfy chair, he smiled as he remembered the things that happened a month before.
He attended Mister Cake's wedding with a mare that little Rarity described as 'chubby', and indeed, she was a bit chubby.
Cheerilee was sick for a week, so the mayor asked him to be the school's substitute teacher.
From what the little filly described, it was a city just like Fillydelphia.
And then he remembered his chat with Mister Cake about Pinkie having a blast at the school's annual talent show.
Oh, why did he even mentioned the word 'cannon'...
He smiled again, realizing how great his life is, minus the getting hurt part.
He then took a black shirt from his sidebag, and wore it.
With his magic, he wore his hat, this time, covering his horn, and wore his brown sidebag.
A memory hit him again.
Finally, the train went to a full stop, sending a rocking wave through the train.
He exited the train and felt the warm atmosphere. It was now summer.
He pulled the glass door open and entered the building. He smiled as he went to the counter.
"Ah! Sir Henry!" a cheerful young orange mare pegasus pony with white mane and tail greeted him.
"Yes, please." He smiled as he got to the counter.
Even though he's disguising himself as a pegasus, the young orange pegasus already knew him as an alicorn.
The royal capital city of Canterlot is built on the side of one of the tallest mountains in Equestria, where the rising and the setting of the sun can be witnessed.
He puts the bread inside his sidebag and quietly made his way to his first destination.
Henry quietly walked inside Canterlot Cemetery, and walked his way towards his sister's resting place.
He said some things on his mind, as if he's trying to talk to his little sister in his mind.
He took his Daisy Bread, and split it in half with his hooves, and puts the other half on the grass near the tombstone with a smile.
His sister always bought the same bread back in PonyVille, and they would eat together either in their home or in the park under their favorite tree.
Oh, how the time flew...
Suddenly...
"Thank you, sis..." he whispered.
And as he slowly opened his eyes, the warmth slowly faded.
A carriage stopped in front of the Caterlot Castle. Henry got off of it and payed the drivers.
As he got in front of the glass door, two security unicorn ponies who were inside used their magic to open the door for him. He thanked them as he entered the building.
The floor was air-conditioned and spacious, with chairs on the left and right corners, where a number of ponies are seated. In the center of the room was the counter, separated by three sections; information, inquery, and the one with the longest line, publishing.
Information is where ponies will ask questions related to the building and publishing.
He went in line in the publishing section.
Alicorns are rare, if he remembered correctly, so he pretended that he was a pegasus pony.
She arched an eyebrow as she took the next page.
She read it for a few moments, and finally returned the papers back in the envelop with a smile.
"Adventure, Sir Henry?" she asked as she flipped the envelop and with her magic, she stamped on it with a red 'For Review' stamp, and puts it down on the stack of other brown envelops.
Henry simply smiled back at her.
"Well," she said, "I do hope it'll get published. I got bored of all these fantasy love and romance stories being submitted here."
Both chuckled.
"Be back here tomorrow in the Inquery section about the status of your book."
Both smiled as Henry worked his way out of the building.
As he got out, he felt so, so relieved.
He was about to call an empty carriage when he heard his name being called.
It's not illegal to fly around, except beyond the castle walls, so he flew to the other side and landed in front of the gate, where two royal guards were just standing there.
"Hello Twilight."
"I was until I saw you."
Henry took his hoof back and pretended to be offended.
He then noticed a large white pony walking out of the castle door a few meters away, and slowly walked towards the gate.
"Oh, Princess Celestia!"
She smiled at the little filly, and then brought her eyes to the green pony outside the gates.
Henry bowed before he answered.
"Well, if you need a place to stay for the night, you are very welcome to stay in the castle."
"Thank you princess, but, uh..." he slowly scratched his head.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all."
The guards opened the gates for Henry to enter the castle.
"I should probably follow her before I'll lose sight of her..."
"I think you should."
2. Magic Training
Princess Celestia has already started to rise the sun from the horizon when Henry woke up. He was excited to know the status of the book, but the building was still close.
Henry, unlike other changelings, can use his magic other than disguising himself.
Though convenient, Henry never liked to use his magic other than lifting stuff, and blasting beams to protect himself.
Twilight made him read a dark-purple covered book.
"Teleportation Spell ? This spell will allow you to--- "
He cut himself off when he noticed the little filly was already concentrating, her horn was glowing purple and white, and instantly, her whole body became white and she disappeared, and she reappeared a few feet from where she was.
"Not bad," he admitted.
"I did it! I did it!"
The spell might be useful one day, so he brought his attention to the book once again and started reading the procedure.
"There are two different ways to use the spell. The first is the easiest one, where you need to see the spot where you want to teleport yourself into. The second is extremely difficult, where you'll need to picture in your head the place you wish to teleport yourself into. "
He allowed Twilight's magic grip to hold the book as he started to concentrate some magic energy around his horn, flowing to all parts of his body, as what the book instructed.
"That was great, Henry!" cheered the little Twilight.
"Indeed," said an unfamiliar voice. "very impressive, changeling prince."
Both Twilight and Henry turned to where the voice was coming from, and they saw a black old-looking earth pony with a very white and messy mane and tail, who seemed to just arrive in the garden.
"Good morning, doctor!"
"Good morning." Henry bowed as he reached them, catching both ponies' attention.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"My name's Henry, Henry Hoof, and I think I'll stick to calling you as 'doctor'."
"Suit yourself," the doctor shrugged.
"Doctor! Doctor, did you see that? Henry can teleport, too!"
The doctor smiled, while Henry let out a shy laugh.
"Indeed I have." the black pony nodded and faced the green alicorn.
Henry was about to say something when the doctor suddenly turned around to leave the garden.
"Bye doctor!" Twilight waved a hoof.
"He seems nice."
Twilight then turned to him.
Henry smiled as he nodded.
The two ponies practiced the spell for fifteen minutes when Princess Celestia arrived in the garden.
Twilight then told her about Henry being able to use the teleportation spell.
Now that they're alone, Princess Celestia looked at the green alicorn and frowned, to Henry's confusion.
"So, you were able to do the teleportation spell?"
"Yes I have, princess..." Henry replied, doubting if it was best for her to know about it.
"If you are able to perform magic spells..."
Henry, after hearing the very name of the queen of the green-eyed changelings, ignited a flame of anger inside him.
Henry looked down on the ground.
Although he wouldn't see her, she nodded her head.
"I'm sorry..." Henry slowly said.
The princess shook her head as Henry returned his gaze at her.
"I'm sorry to disturb you princess," he then looked around the garden.
"Hey Shining!" Twilight greeted the young stallion as she ran passed him, being followed by a wooden tray with bread and milk.
"Thank you." Henry smiled.
"Twilie," the stallion said as he stopped behind the little filly, who then turned to face him.
"I know, I know... But you were still asleep when I woke up."
The white stallion sighed.
The two alicorns looked at them leave with a smile on their faces.
That reminds him of his and her book!
She smiled.
And with that, he left the garden, bringing with him the bread Twilight gave him.
3. Stranded
In an early afternoon, a train is running on a plain desert tracks.
Henry and a number of passengers are seated in the coach car of the train.
Earlier, Henry went inside the Canterlot Book Express building and joined the line of ponies in the Inquery section.
After saying his goodbye to Princess Celestia and Twilight, with her baby dragon, he went outside the castle's gates.
He couldn't believe that his and his sister's book has been approved and will be published.
He went back to the quiet cemetery. He spent a few minutes telling his sister the great news.
His destination, Canterlot Train Station, so he can head back home.
He covered his horn with his hat, so he could appear as a green pegasus pony to the other ponies' eyes.
"Is this seat taken?" asked a feminine, young, and very familiar voice.
Henry turned to see who it was, and saw a young orange pegasus pony with white mane and tail.
She smiled as she sighed in relief, and sat beside the green alicorn.
"Why so?"
"I don't know anypony there, so I decided to check this car, and I found you."
Henry managed to hold his chuckle.
He doesn't really know much about this filly, except for some facts that she's working, despite the strict Canterlot law not allowing minors to work. She's cheerful, at least, to the customers. She has an aurora-like cutie mark, green to blue in color, standing out from her orange-colored coat.
The pegasus pony then faced him with a smile.
"It's going to be published soon."
"Really?" she sounded really excited and happy. "Congratulations!"
Henry laughed weakly.
They became quiet for a while, and Henry noticed her looking from left to right, probably looking through the windows.
They exchanged seats, and now, Aurora's gaze was locked on the desert scene through the glass window.
The train later started to slow down for the first stop of the journey; a small town in the desert, in between two tall cliff-like mountains that shields the town from the harsh sun, except during noon.
The ponies are somewhere in between friendly and unfriendly towards strangers, from the looks on their faces as they saw a small number of ponies who exited the train.
"Who would live in a place like this?"
"Ponies who call this place their home."
Aurora slowly shook her head, though what the alicorn said did made sense, but still...
"Listen up everypony!"
"I guess we're stuck here for a while."
Aurora unlocked the locks, opened the sliding glass window, poked her head and looked ahead.
"Well?"
"There's a nasty storm up ahead..."
Henry blinked, and now noticed the whole car was starting to get a bit noisy from the whispers and chatters of the other ponies. He looked through the window, examining the small town.
The ponies in town, some stared at the storm cloud far away. Those who did, grinned and started to look like they need to be prepared.
They both exited the train after they got the conductor's word that the train will wait for them to return before the train starts to move.
Aurora wasn't feeling confident in the town, but thankfully, she has Henry to be with for a while.
Soon, they stood in front of a wooden building. Ropes were tied on the ground and the cliff's wall behind the building, securing the roof.
"I'll take it, then."
Without moving an inch, she used her magic to hover the key to the counter.
Finally reaching the wooden door, Henry held the key with his hoof and unlocked the door.
"Why aren't you using your magic?"
"Well," he said as they both entered the room.
"So?" Aurora asked as she closed the door behind them as Henry sat on a wooden stool near the table.
"Well, I just don't like to get unwanted attention..."
"Why not?"
Henry looked at her and shook his head.
"Well, thanks, I guess?"
They heard a faint thunder roar as she went to the bed and covered herself with the blue blanket.
"Uh... I'll pretend I didn't hear anything..."
Suddenly, they heard rattling noises and strong wind gusts from outside.
They then heard a set of knocks on the door.
"Come in."
The doorknob was enveloped by white magic, and then the door opened, revealing the old unicorn mare from the counter, lifting a tray of bread.
"This here storm's gonna be runnin' wild all night long."
Aurora and Henry both looked surprised.
"I'm too young..."
Henry then took out his Daisy Bread from his bag.
"I sure hope so..."
4. Storm In The Night
They were quiet for a while. The wind was still busy outside.
"Hey Henry..."
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Well..."
The quill suddenly stopped writing as Henry blinked.
"Yes, I...had..."
"Well, two things actually..."
"I see."
"...and...nevermind about the second one..."
"Uh... Okay?"
"So... You said you had parents... Can I ask, what happened to them?"
Henry felt sad all of a sudden.
"Oh... I'm...sorry..."
Both then became quiet, not moving from their current positions.
Henry then took a deep breath and exhaled.
"What? Oh... M-my parents?"
Henry simply nodded.
Aurora looked down on the blanket, unsure if she's willing to tell him.
"If you don't want to talk about it..."some things are better left unsaid '."
"T-thanks..."
She saw him nod his head.
Henry was starting to feel sleepy after what felt like hours.
He went outside the room.
Despite the violent sound of the wind from outside, they heard a loud slamming sound from the door, and was quickly followed by scratching noises.
The three unicorns stood in their stances, forks lifted and tilted, their pointed spears facing the door.
"Don't worry son!"
"Handle what?"
And suddenly, another loud slamming sound erupted as the wooden door was destroyed to pieces, and instantly, three golden-brown wolves leaped inside, jaws open and ready, only to get stabbed by the hay forks of the unicorns, who appeared confident and prepared.
"Water!"
As the first wolf came to be, it instantly jumped at the mare, to the three's surprise.
Henry, now revealing his horn, quickly used his magic to tie the strings of his hat under his head, so it wont fly off from the strong wind. Aurora and the other ponies renting the other rooms just got outside of their doors to see what happened.
He again blasted a beam at a wolf who was about to enter the inn.
"Fill me in on how to defeat these things!"
"Water!" the old mare shouted as one of the old stallions ran back to a room.
Henry again blasted a beam at a wolf.
The whole town is blanketed in darkness, filled with sounds of the wind, growls of the wolves, scratches on wood, battle cries of ponies, and splashes of water.
The dusty wind is giving him a difficult time to focus his sight.
Aurora, with a candle lamp on her mouth, flew out of the inn and hovered above the alicorn, shedding enough light for him to see.
Henry, despite feeling a bit angry at her for not listening, was glad she was here to help.
Other ponies were already fighting the wolves outside, shedding some more light around town.
The event managed to capture the attention of other ponies, and those who are unicorns started to take some of his water to help defeat the wolves.
Things were starting to be great with the ponies until they saw, on the far end of town, opposite to where the train tracks were, a huge wolf was starting to take shape, half the size of the cliff.
Its eyes glowed yellow as it howled to the stormy heavens above them.
Though in panic, the ponies stood their ground, preparing to fight, while those who gave in to fear, ran to the train.
The giant wolf took a step forward.
"We should leave...!"
Out of all the ponies, only the pegasi ponies would be able to leave the place unharmed, but...
Henry looked around, and he saw the scared-yet-determined looks on the ponies.
"Can we pour water on that thing!?"
"No! We can't do that!"
"And why is that!?"
"Sand wolves won't be able to become sand again if they get wet!"
"So!?"
"If the sand wolves do get wet, they become a solid permanent figure!"
"How bad could that possibly be!?"
"They become more powerful if they do!"
Henry didn't understand the logic there, but these old ponies look like they're experts on that matter, so he'll just have to trust them.
He quickly turned around with a determined smile.
"I have an idea!"
The ponies nearby heard him and slowly walked towards him.
"I need you and the rest of the ponies to gather up a huge amount of water from the water pumps!"
"That's good and all," yelled one of the ponies from the crowd.
Henry turned, and raised his head to see the wolf straight forward.
The crowd of ponies looked at where he was looking at, and a smile flashed on their faces.
"Well son! Don't you dare fail us!"
Henry nodded, and soon, he concentrated a large amount of magic energy on his horn, aimed at one of the cliff's walls.
"Incoming!"
"Water ready!"
Henry, despite appreciating the ponies' attempt to help him, he doesn't want to see them get hurt just for his sake.
After a few seconds of checking his aim, he fired the intense brown beam towards the high parts of the cliff walls.
After a few seconds, the wind started to calm and the black clouds started to fade, allowing the moon to shine down.
Aurora just stood there with a smile on her face.
After they broke their hug, Aurora quickly flew towards him and surprised him with a hug as she cried.
Henry, after recovering from the state of slight shock, returned the hug.
5. Welcome To A New Life
The train became operational again in the early morning.
The conductor made sure that no passengers were left behind before the train started moving.
Henry and Aurora were back on their seats, enjoying some bread the pony folks gave them.
They were having small talk while they were eating inside the train.
"---and then when the rocks fell over on that giant wolf, my heart was really pounding hard!"
"Well, they needed some help."
"Yeah, but you don't know them..."
Henry weakly laughed as he scratched his nape.
Ever since he settled down in PonyVille, he learned the value of helping others, even if they didn't asked him to help them.
Aurora, suddenly looking sad, turned her head down, staring at the gray carpet of the car.
Henry's smile evaporated.
"I never liked my dad...and my mom..."
Henry puts his hoof on her shoulder.
I was born in Cloudsdale with my parents. My father was born there as well, while my mom was from PonyVille.
My mom loved us so much. So was my dad, I think, until one day, when I was still a little filly, and I learned how to fly.
I don't understand why. Before, my dad would always encourage me to try to fly. He and my mom always smiled at me when I try, and it really cheered me up. But when I did learn how to fly, that's when things went bad.
My mom and dad started fighting. I don't know why. I never understood why.
It went on for weeks. I kept crying... Maybe I shouldn't have let myself learn to fly... But it was too late.
One day in art class, I read myself a filly book, and I saw a drawing of an aurora. Somehow, it made me smile. I don't know why, though. So, since I couldn't bring the book with me, I decided to draw it.
My teacher saw what I was doing, and she liked it, and so were my classmates. And, that's how I got my cutie mark.
My teacher said that it'll really make my parents happy. And it gave me hope. Finally, they'll stop fighting when they see my cutie mark... ...but... ...I guess...my hopes were too high...
Henry haven't really realized it yet that he was already brushing her mane slowly, trying to make her feel a bit better.
She was still staring outside the glass window, but staring at nothing.
"My dad became a very violent pony..."
Henry does understand why her father acted that way.
In ancient history, the pegasi were a very proud nation of warriors.
Henry concluded, that Aurora's father might be trying to leave her, but her mother, coming from PonyVille, doesn't want to leave her. If ever they're caught, they'll be either jailed or banished.
One day though, Aurora will learn the truth, but her young mind might need to rest for a while.
"My mom and dad disappeared one day... I was left alone..."
She shook her head in anger and quickly burried her face on Henry's chest, wrapping her hooves around him as she shed her tears.
Though he read a few books with scenes like this, actually feeling it in real life is strange.
Henry thought, that maybe she's not really going to PonyVille for a vacation.
But what if she's not there?
The thoughts saddened the alicorn.
Aurora then broke the hug, and started to wipe her tears.
Henry smiled weakly.
The train started to slow down.
"Mister Henry..."
Henry thought about it for a moment.
"It's okay if you don't... I understand..."
"I'll..." he paused. He really needs to think this through.
Aurora slowly turned her head, looking at him.
It was late afternoon when the train arrived in PonyVille.
Aurora smiled after seeing the peaceful and merry town.
Up ahead, the new arrivals were greeted by a little pink earth pony, shaking their hooves with a smile as she hands them some pink invitation letters.
Henry smiled.
Pinkie Pie stuck an invitation letter on his mouth, disabling him from talking.
"Sorry Mister Henry. But lots of new ponies in town! I better give them these invitation letters fast so I can set up the party!"
'I thought you can quickly do that with your party cannon.'
"Is she always like that?"
Henry smiled in defeat, "Yep, that's our Pinkie Pie..."
They then worked their way to the library, where Henry is hoping that the second floor's spare room will be okay for her.
"About time you got here. Mister Mayor wants to see you."
While they continued talking, Aurora couldn't help but stare at the pegasus.
They were quiet for a while, to Henry's confusion.
"Aurora? Is...is that you?"
Aurora's eyes suddenly went teary. She couldn't believe it.
Her mother quickly returned her hug.
Reunion...
Originally Written on July 20, 2012
Updates... - November 7, 2012 - Added An Image
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 04 - The City of Darkness
Chapter 4 - The City of Darkness
Aurora and her mother had settled down in PonyVille. Her mother is working in the mayor's office, while Aurora decided to become Henry's assistant in the library.
Sunset, Aurora's mother, explained that she and her husband were sent to Cloudsdale trial for having a filly that already knew how to fly. As punishment, her husband was sent to jail, and as for her, since she was not born in Cloudsdale, she was no longer allowed to be in the city, thus, she was exiled.
Aurora didn't care. What was important was she found her mother back, and they are reunited and will spent the rest of their days together again.
For a while, Aurora accidentally called Henry 'father'. She apologized soon after.
A month flew by fast. Henry and Aurora were able to replace the old books inside the library with new ones. Henry's book also became a best-seller, and he's been receiving a lot of fan mails and invitations to conventions from different cities of Equestria.
After hearing the news, a lot of ponies wanted to borrow his book, but the library only had three copies, not including his very own personal copy.
He became a bit of a buzz around the town, about his well-written adventure book. He didn't like the attention though. He never knew writing a book could lead to this so much attention, but eventually, the flow returned to normal.
He appreciated the first few days of receiving letters, but now, he literally put the barrel beside his house's mailbox just to accommodate the flood of letters.
Frustrating as it may be, he did appreciate every single one of them, though he can't find the time to actually read them all.
It also allowed him to have some small talk with his friend Ditzy. Her job required her to fly all around Equestria, delivering mail and packages, thus they were unable to see and talk to each other, until now.
Henry was also starting to write another Daring Do book; Daring Do And The Griffin's Goblet.
Henry didn't wrote the book for popularity. He only did it to achieve a dream. Didn't they read the dedication page? He sighed.
Well, at least he can still go to the ancient castle after the convention.
Manehattan it is.
1. The Dark City
The busy city of Manehattan, lit up by light bulbs of all sorts of colors and sizes, lighting everything except for the dark alleyways in between tall concrete buildings, the only parts of the city where the darkness of the night can touch the city floor.
Police ponies running around, chasing criminals on the run, either an escapee or recently commited a crime in some parts of the city.
Mares on the street, busy chatting to each other as they wait for stallions to call them for 'fun'.
Traffic lights for carriages and ponies to have order, were usually ignored. Ponies cross the street despite incoming carriages, dodging each passing carriages just to get to the other side of the road, ignoring the annoyed yells of the drivers.
A treeless city were dust is their oxygen. A city where ponies and rodents could almost live side by side.
Secret societies, crime masters, drug lords, gang mobs...
Two teenaged unicorn stallions ran for their lives, taking each alleyways just to escape from their pursuers. Both their horns lit up to remove obstacles on their way, and return them on their tails to slow the angry mob behind them.
Panic and exhaustion filled their faces, they're living a nightmare of no chances of ever waking up.
One quick turn into an alleyway was the only move they needed to meet a dead end.
"Well, well, well..."
The other ponies laughed behind him; two unicorns, two earth ponies and a pegasus pony.
"B-brother..." the dark-blue stallion managed to say despite his trembling lips.
The other was looking aggresive, determined to protect theirselves from them.
"B-but Daybreak... I can't leave you behind."
"Yeah, Daily," said one of the ponies, "don't leave your weak bro behind."
"Midnight..."
"Listen, kiddos," said the pony in front, "let's make a deal."
"Predictable..." Daybreak snarled.
"We only want Midnight, so hand him over, and we'll leave you alone."
"Yeah, hand that brat if you value your flank!"
"That 'brat' you refer to is my twin brother."
"Oh, well, have it your way, kid."
"Daybreak, don't do this!"
"Too late, kid."
Midnight closed his eyes. He was crying now.
"GET THEM!"
"MIDNIGHT! NOW!"
Daybreak's shout caught Midnight's attention.
Midnight's horn glowed in dark-purple, instantly lifting a nearby trashcan and throwing it at the mob, where only the pegasus managed to fly away on time and quickly dived down at him.
"Throw that brick at us and we'll throw his lifeless body to you." grinned the scarred earth pony.
More like no choice.
"Yeah, you both will be sorry!"
Midnight's eyes went wide open in fear.
"Hurt your brother?" the scarred earth pony looked surprise as he took a step back.
Daybreak struggled, only stopping himself after feeling his throat rubbed against the knife. It managed to give him a small cut, and red blood slowly flowed down his throat.
"Picture this kid..."
Midnight was in the state of shock now.
"Bro..."
"Well then."
And in an instant, Daybreak became white and vanished, reappearing behind both Midnight and the startled pegasus. With all his might, he gave the pegasus one nasty punch in the chin, knocking him cold on the ground. He then quickly lifted the bricks as the others just got their senses back. Daybreak shouted as he ripped the bricks in midair, turning them into small pieces, and started shooting at them. One of the unicorns took the trash bin and used it as his own shield as the others received nasty injuries, knocking them down.
It's their chance to escape. Daybreak quickly looked at his brother, who was still under shock.
Daybreak ran in front of him, and softly punched his brother's shoulder.
He annoyingly shook him, but still nothing.
"Bruhhh...huh?"
"I told you to get away, you d---!"
"Bro, I'm sorry...!"
Daybreak however, annoyingly broke the hug.
Midnight nodded, and they quickly ran away.
"This...isn't...over..."
2. The Convention
The train has arrived in Manehattan. Henry stood in front of the train's door, waiting for them to be opened by the conductor. With his hat, sidebag and glasses, he's quite...not ready to enter the city...of uncertainty...
He sighed as he exited the train. He wasn't able to read the new book about Manehattan, so all he has with him are little Applejack's sketchy description of the city, and he dreadfully admitted to himself that the city is far too sketchy from the filly's description.
He had hoped that the city would look at least the same as Fillydelphia, but the morning sun is almost looking misty from the dusty cloud forming above the city. The air is definitely full of dust. How in the world would ponies around this place could even survive a minute here?
The city buildings are made of cement and concrete, gray and full of worn-out and/or torned paper posters. Garbages almost in every corner. Ponies acting no care whatsoever in their environment. Police ponies lazily sat on doughnut stands, giving no flying 'ef' of jaywalkers around the streets. Ponies fighting in alleyways. Ponies quietly working their hooves on elderly ponies' bags, taking whatever was inside. Teenaged ponies talking about 'something' Henry never thought would have already been in their youthful minds. Rats almost in every alley.
Henry thought that he must only be in the 'dark parts' of this huge city, but still. If this is how the city welcomes their visitors, might as well visit hell instead.
How was Applejack managed to get through this city, he'll never find it out.
"New in town?"
A driver of an empty carriage stopped beside the road, a few feet from him.
"Wont be surprised if you're already disliking this dying city."
Henry gave a weak smile.
"Bro..." Daybreak annoyingly said to his brother as he locked his gaze outside the window.
The two unicorns were inside a small, messy and dirty room with a broken glass window.
Midnight was seated on the bed with a brown book on his magical grasp.
"Have you forgotten what happened last night?"
Midnight was saddened by that fact. If they weren't lucky enough, one of them, or maybe even both of them could have died that night.
"I don't know how I did that teleport spell, so don't raise your hopes that I can use it again to save us."
Midnight sighed as he levitated the book in front of him and turned the book to a random page.
He sighed again.
They mug people to survive, and with their magic, they can do it easily, but what Midnight did was far beyond their capabilities.
"I don't want to live like this..."
Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face.
They have been wanting to leave the place, but where will they go?
Midnight dropped the book from his magic grip, landing on the piles of clothes.
Henry was amazed by how large the crowd was inside the building of Book Express Manehattan.
He led the alicorn to a small stage right in front of the seated crowd.
Henry was glad that he decided to show himself as an alicorn instead of a pegasus. He had no idea how to sign all of their books with his mouth. He shivered at the thought.
After what felt like hours, Henry finally signed all the books, and the crowd finally started to leave. The owner of the company then introduced to him a middle-aged unicorn, a director, and asked if Henry would allow him to make a movie of his book.
Midnight is starting to hate himself.
No turning back now. He was finally here. He saw a green pony went out of the building. At first he thought he was a unicorn. The pony smiled as he walked pass him.
He shrugged as he walked towards the building's door, only to be stopped by the guard.
Oh no...
But as he ran after the carriage, he stopped momentarily as a realization hit him.
The two unicorn drivers grinned at each other as they used their magic on their passenger.
"Hold on tight, sir." said one of the drivers with a grin.
Henry was startled and angry at whatever was going on.
"What?" the other unicorn replied with a grin, "that would ruin the surprise."
"You wouldn't mind if I'll scream, right?"
"There," said the other driver, "now we won't mind if you'll 'shout'."
Henry couldn't move his body, and he couldn't shout for help.
3. Three Way
"Where the hell did that idiot go!?"
He's cursing in whisper as he went to a certain place where he knew his brother usually hangs out.
The cloth that covered Henry's head was removed, and he was immediately greeted by the dim-lit room, where he found himself strapped on an iron chair.
In front of him was a long table, were a group of bad-grinning ponies were seated around.
Henry looked at the other ponies. He recognized the two unicorns, the ones who abducted him.
He's angry, and he wants to use his magic so badly to either escape or knock these ponies unconscious.
"Bet your wondering why you're here."
Henry rolled his eyes.
He was immediately slapped on his cheek with a water pipe, almost losing his consciousness.
A magical aura surrounded Henry's head, and forcefully made him turn his head back at them.
"I think you get the idea, bub."
The magical grip on Henry's head vanished, dropping his head down as he took some deep breaths.
His sidebag floated in mid-air, and with magic, it opened and the contents hovered out of the bag: a brown envelop with pieces of paper, a quill, an ink bottle, and his pouchbag.
"A hundred Bits!?" the unicorn who was using the magic exclaimed in disbelief.
"I knew something was off..."
Henry lifted his head up a bit to at least see the pony in the shadows.
Silence reigned in the room while the two unicorns opened their mouths in disbelief, one of them dropping the pouchbag and the Bits to the table, creating a momentary noise.
Henry cracked a small smile. Somehow, it made him remember Flame.
Both ponies were enveloped in white magic and returned them to their seats.
With the magic grip no longer holding their heads, the two quickly dashed away from the room. Henry was able to see where the door was. Now he knew where to go, all he needs now is a plan, if he won't be released 'safely' and 'properly'.
"So, what will we do with this one?"
All they heard was a sigh. Henry was able to see an outline of his hoof, rubbing his forehead.
Henry felt an extreme painful wave echoing inside his body. He wasn't even able to control himself from shouting from the pain. It ached his brain, his body.
And after half a minute, the pain was gone, dropping his head again. He almost lost his consciousness there. Taking deep breaths as he stared at his black set of hind hooves. He heard gasping sounds, but he didn't care. The sudden pain he felt still locked him in the state of shock.
Midnight was nowhere in sight. Daybreak was beginning to worry. Was his brother captured? If he was, then...
The park was right next to the seawall. The breeze here's refreshing and clean.
He shook his head. No time for silly filly moments. He needs to find his brother.
Midnight stopped in an alleyway, shielding himself from the sun. He's tired, and he's taking in deep breaths. He lost sight of the carriage. No...
He sighed in disbelief. He missed his chance.
Wait. The author needs to get back to the train station.
Midnight got back up and started running to the train station.
Yeah, he's certain he'll see him there.
"So this little...winged...unicorn's a...monster?"
"A changeling," said the pony in the shadows.
Henry was still weak to raise his head back, taking slow and deep breaths.
The scarred earth pony smiled.
The pegasus and the other earth pony grinned.
"Sorry..."
"Oh, don't worry..." said the scarred earth pony.
The changeling wondered what he meant, but suddenly, the iron straps around him snapped and he floated in mid-air, enveloped by white magic.
He continued to change himself out of his will as the ponies watched him, grinning.
Midnight just turned to the staircase leading down to the station as Daybreak just happened to run pass him as he worked his way to his destination on the side of the street.
Reaching the end of the stairs, Midnight quickly looked overhead, trying to spot the green unicorn, but so far, no luck.
After a pony got his ticket, he immediately went in front of the line.
"Hey!" shouted the pony who was next in line.
"Zip it, bub. I only need to ask a question!"
"Um... Less than twenty minutes..."
"Thanks beautiful."
Twenty minutes.
Daybreak ran pass two police ponies. Both ignored him, even though Daybreak was on the bottom list of criminals to be put behind bars.
Midnight was walking up and down the staircase, trying to kill his boredom.
Taking a peak, he saw them talking to a middle-aged unicorn, and suddenly, one of them punched the unicorn out cold and both put him in a nearby carriage.
Should he go after them?
Daybreak stopped for a moment, leaning on a traffic light, catching his breath.
A carriage stopped near him. A red light. Time for him to cross.
He needs to save his brother, he will take him back, and they will take him there.
4. Limit
Henry was forced to change into the ponies that look like the ones in Manehattan's government, snapping his picture with mares and with drugs and alcohol.
The carriage stopped in front of a bar. The drivers quickly lifted the unconscious unicorn, and instead of going inside the bar, they went inside an alley, and went inside the door, heavily guarded by muscular earth and pegasi ponies.
Daybreak remembered his first visit in this place. He was lucky they let him go after he mugged one of them months ago. They took him inside, beat the hell out of him, and threw him outside.
Now's not the time to think about the past.
He couldn't believe that none of the ponies walking around gave an 'ef' to those two unicorns, lifting an unconscious pony in the middle of the street.
The train already closed its doors, and it slowly started to move out of the station. Midnight was sure he didn't saw the unicorn he was looking for. Twenty-seven minutes, wasted for nothing. He was beyond frustrated after he learned that the next train will arrive in less than an hour.
"What the hell is taking that unicorn so long to get here?"
Henry woke up after hearing the door slammed open. He was startled a bit after he saw a unicorn being dropped on the table in front of him, and what was worse, even with his blurry sight, he recognizes the unicorn; the director who wanted to put Daring Do in the big screens.
He found himself strapped on the same chair again.
"We'll deal with him later."
Then, from him, he hovered photographs to the center of the table, the photographs of Henry disguised as other ponies.
"Yeah, it looks so darn real, boss!"
The pegasus pony just got back in the room and quickly flew back to his seat, and started looking at some of the photos.
The changeling simply listened to their talk, unable to save himself. He's weak, powerless...
Daybreak had no other choice. He can't fight them all on his own.
The Boss, one of Manehattan's most wanted crime lords, will be in hot water.
Daybreak grinned as both gangs settled down their differences for this day and to help their fellow pony. And, both had been holding a long grudge against The Boss. From stealing their hard-stolen money, to beating some of them, to actually killing a few of them, it's about time for revenge.
Without wasting any more time, they brought up a plan as other pegasi members flew to gather even more of their members.
Midnight has been sitting on the staircase for a while now, bored out of his skull, waiting for the unicorn. He saw a number of his friends on the street, busy talking to each other, but he didn't bother talking to them. He might miss the unicorn.
Traffic has hit the streets of Manehattan. The road in front of the bar was filled with teenaged ponies, all eyes locked on the single floored establishment.
The plan?
"ATTACK!"
Unicorns lifted bricks and stones and other things and started throwing them at the establishment, as pegasi ponies battled other opposing pegasi ponies in the air. Earth ponies went to physical attacks. Far outnumbered, Daybreak and a number of ponies worked their way towards the alleyway, and after clearing the ponies in the way, they quickly went inside the door.
Midnight sighed as he turned towards his friends a few feet away. He then saw a pegasus landed near his friends. After talking a bit, his friends immediately ran to one direction.
The pegasus was about to fly after them when he heard Midnight's call.
"Wait what?"
"You---You're---! Why are you here!?"
Daybreak slammed the door open, immediately greeted by a scarred earth pony, punching him on his face, and throwing him back from the impact. The other ponies who were following Daybreak stormed inside and started beating the ponies inside.
Ignoring the battle inside the dimly-lit room, he ran towards the other door.
Daybreak found himself inside the sewers, were the disgusting water was only a few inches in height. They spotted the running ponies, and quickly gave chase.
Midnight and the pegasus arrived at the block, where ponies are running in panic, carriages were left empty in the road. The scene was not what Midnight expected.
Blood flowed on the battlefield. Ponies breathless and lying on the road, ignored as others continued the battle. Pegasus ponies flying in the air, beating each other.
Fearing for the worse, Midnight cried as he ran towards the scene, only to stop himself after a series of explosions echoed in the streets and the whole scene was covered in grayish gas.
Quickly landing beside him was a full-grown pony, wearing a black and familiar disguise.
As the smoke cleared, all of the ponies lay on the bloody floor, either dead or unconscious.
Cornered, The Boss and the scarred earth pony found theirselves in front of a dead-end of the sewers. Behind them, Daybreak, two pegasi and one unicorn ponies stood behind him.
The Boss, an adult gray-colored unicorn with long black hair and mane. On his back was Daybreak's brother, Midnight, unconscious.
"Give my brother back, you scum!"
The scarred earth pony quickly ran towards them. Daybreak and the other unicorn however, easily enveloped magic around the earth pony and slammed him on the walls of the sewer.
Unconscious, the four brought their focus on the gray unicorn, who was just smiling calmly.
"For the last time," Daybreak snarled, horn glowing, "give me my brother back!"
But to their surprise, Midnight suddenly jumped off of the gray unicorn's back and slowly walked in front of him, facing the teenaged ponies.
"Midnight! What's with you!?"
'S...sister...?'
Henry's too weak to even listen to his own ears. The pain waving inside his head was too much burden to bear.
Midnight blasted a brown beam towards Daybreak, who immediately dodged it in time, hitting the two pegasi ponies instead, and quickly knocking them unconscious.
"Midnight! What the hell!?"
"Sorry 'break."
Daybreak was left to face his own brother. The gray unicorn simply smiled behind Midnight, annoying him.
"Midnight! Snap out of it!"
5. Broken
Midnight has been standing on the spot, blasting beams towards the dodging Daybreak. He's starting to wear out.
He continues to dodge the beams as he secretly casts his magic beside his target.
After dodging yet another beam, he tried to act like he's completely worn out.
"Before I'll end you," said the gray stallion, "I'd like to tell you that your brother is not here."
But as soon as the beam was about to make contact, Daybreak's whole body became white and disappeared. Startled, the stallion quickly noticed a white light beside him, and before he could react, Daybreak gave him a powerful punch on his neck, and he followed it quickly with another punch on the head.
Before Midnight collapses, Daybreak caught him.
"Brother! It's me! Wake up, you idiot!"
But Midnight's body suddenly turned into a darker shade of black, and the Midnight he's holding turned into a monster.
Anger quickly filled within him, but before he could let it out, he was enveloped by white magic and he was slammed on the other wall of the sewer. His lungs immediately ran out of air as he slammed.
"I told you..." the gray unicorn slowly stood up as an iron snapping sound echoed through the sewers.
No... Was he too late?
Daybreak was lifted in the air once again.
"Now..." the gray unicorn said with a calm smile.
And in an instant, he slammed the golden-brown unicorn on the wall, and Daybreak spat blood from his mouth before he fell to the watery ground, his back severely bruised and bloody.
Breathless...
The gray unicorn slowly walked away. He sighed.
He suddenly felt his energy draining away from him as he noticed brown aura enveloped him.
He forgot!
Slowly rising on his feet, the changeling's brown eyes glowed intensely, his face full of anger.
"Big mistake."
His vision started to get blurry.
"Oh... I've never fed like this in a long while..."
The gray unicorn noticed his hooves were getting thin. His ribcage was already visible from his thin body.
Out of nowhere, a black-dressed pony appeared and immediately threw three bat-shaped boomerangs at the changeling.
The changeling simply used his magic to stop the boomerangs in front of him. But after a few seconds, the boomerangs exploded, consuming the whole area in black smoke.
Batmare quickly activated her mask's heat sensor, but to her surprise, the changeling was already gone, leaving the gray stallion, scarred earth pony, and two teenaged pegasus ponies behind.
She was about to approach The Boss when, unknown to her, white magic enveloped her and slammed her onto the walls. The gray stallion, despite his weak state, managed to get back on his hooves, and made his escape.
Henry flew back to the dimly-lit room, carrying with him the unconscious Daybreak on his back, assisted by his magic. After sensing his glasses, he immediately floated it on his face to see his...sister?
He heard voices nearby. He immediately took his items inside his sidebag, took his hat and flew back to the sewers.
Police ponies suddenly came inside the room. Some lifted the unconscious bodies of the ponies in the room.
Midnight was eagerly waiting for the police ponies to get out for him to see the ponies. He feared that his brother may be one of them.
As he saw each ponies being lifted, his hope crashed landed.
Midnight stayed in the area until the sun was ready to set, where no other pony but him was there.
He quietly left the area, heading nowhere in particular...
"I don't want to live like this..."
Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face.
They allowed the silence to govern for a while.
Midnight looked at him.
"...we'll be able to meet the author of that stupid book of yours and let him sign it."
"If only I listened..."
The evening has already goverened the sky.
A green pony walked down the stairs, and stopped after he noticed the sad unicorn.
Midnight saw his book being signed by the author himself, Henry Hoof, a green alicorn pony, with a brown sidebag, white hat, and black glasses.
Henry returned the book to the unicorn's hooves.
In a quiet alleyway, a gray unicorn stallion was lying on the ground, breathing deeply. His life has been absorbed. How could he revive his guild again?
"GAH!"
"Daybreak, please!"
But without warning, the gray unicorn's neck bent to an unimaginable angle. The yellow aura around the gray stallion vanished, allowing his lifeless body to drop on the dirty floor.
"You killed my brother..."
Batmare prepared herself.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 05 - The Heart of Midnight
Chapter 5 - The Heart of Midnight
1. Puppeteer
Henry Hoof, a brown-eyed changeling, has woken up from a weird dream.
He had dreamed, for the first time in a long time.
Now though, he didn't understand the things he saw in his dream.
...
Now that he thought about it, he thinks he now knows what it meant.
A gray, lifeless and wooden pony lied on the darkness on its belly, all hooves spread apart. Suddenly, a giant gray hoof appeared above the wooden pony. The giant hoof held a number of strings which were attached to different parts of the wooden pony.
The giant hoof moved slightly upward, and the wooden pony stood up. Then, the giant hoof started moving and shaking, while the wooden pony started dancing in place.
A puppet and a puppeteer...
Was that supposed to be a dream about the gray unicorn's ability?
Wait...
...did Henry also acquired the unicorn's ability to turn ponies into his puppets?
Henry took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.
He smiled. That witch better watch out.
A sudden knock on his room's door startled him.
"Quick!" the stallion quickly said to the surprised green alicorn.
"And..." Henry slowly said after he recovered himself a bit.
The unicorn was about to reply when they heard somepony was knocking on the door.
"Come in."
The unicorn gasped. A sweat dropped from his head down to his neck. Fear was completely visible in his face.
The door then opened, revealing the train's middle-aged earth pony conductor.
"Good morning sir," greeted the conductor.
Henry simply smiled while his horn was glowing brown, in front of him was his ticket, enveloped in brown magic.
"Thank you sir. We'll be arriving in Talon Valley in less than two hours."
"Thank you."
Henry then angrily tilted his head up to the room's ceiling where he's using his magic to stick the unicorn up there.
Henry sighed as he slowly hovered the unicorn down on the other seat in front of him.
"Thanks," the unicorn said as he landed on the chair.
"Mind telling me why you're here?"
"Oh, no reason."
The alicorn however, arched an eyebrow.
He noticed the unicorn didn't have a cutie mark yet.
The train has arrived in a flat grassy field, where a number of wooden houses stood near the station for ponies.
While Midnight fed his eyes with nature's art, Henry locked his sight on the far north, where the valley's two mountain sides meet, where the ancient castle of the griffins still stand.
Midnight couldn't believe how beautiful this place is.
They both started walking towards town.
Henry and Midnight went inside the local restaurant.
"You're going to pay for those, aren't you?"
Midnight just started eating, eating like doomsday's around the corner, and simply ignored the alicorn's question.
As Henry started eating, Midnight choked and immediately asked for a glass of water.
The green alicorn walked out of the restaurant alone. Midnight had to use the colt's room.
He went under the tree beside the restaurant, and as soon as he got there, a yellow bird landed on one of the tree's branches.
Henry wondered if...
Locking his gaze on the innocently chirping bird, he concentrated his magic around it.
Wait...feel the bird inside his mind.
Raise right wing...
Henry gasped, losing his focus.
"Hello!"
Henry shook his head a bit before he turned to face him.
"Yes," Henry sighed to calm himself.
Midnight blinked twice.
"Why are you following me, anyway?"
"Oh! That?"
Henry tried removing his hoof from the begging unicorn's hold, but he couldn't.
"Stop this!" Henry hissed.
"PLEASE! LET ME COME WITH YOU!"
Henry immediately used his magic to lift the unicorn, but he still couldn't pull him off of his hoof, no matter how hard he tried pulling him away with his magic.
"Okay, okay..."
Midnight however, quickly leaped back into his hooves, a very wide smile flashed on his face, and tears already gone.
Henry was startled, taking a step back by reflex.
'Nothing like the good ol' begging plus some fake tears approach. Hahah. '
2. Griselda
Henry and Midnight finally reached the ancient castle of the griffins.
Normally, they would get tired, but they kept theirselves busy.
Henry would be irritated by the summer heat, but the fresh cool air was blowing nonstop, tall grasses and leaves of trees danced with the wind. It was as if the sun's only purpose was to shed light. The sun's heat could no longer reach the alicorn's senses.
The journey was quiet, except for some questions by Midnight about the story.
"How the hay did Daring gather so much force from a limited turn of her head to throw her hat, for it to actually bounce wall to wall to push the lever?"
Henry couldn't answer that.
Midnight already finished the story, and he admitted to the alicorn that it was a really good story.
Now, they stood before the huge and old castle of the griffins.
The castle, built from whitish-gray clay, proudly standing up against nature for all these centuries.
"Whoa..." Midnight slowly said.
The castle is built on the flat vertical surface on the cliff.
Both looked at each other. Henry however, smiled slyly as he spread out his wings.
"You aren't leaving me here, are you?"
Henry wanted to, but he decided to play.
"Sling shot..." he slowly said.
Midnight was surprised.
Henry sarcastically sighed in defeat.
"No, wait," he began.
It was Henry's turn to be surprised.
Midnight however, grinned as he nodded his head.
"Well," Henry smiled, "it might work, but what then if we decide to go down?"
"Er..."
Up above, a quietly gliding griffin spotted them down below.
The two ponies stopped their little argument after a shadow passed them from above.
"Good morning, ponies!"
Both ponies smiled. Midnight however, smiled wider.
"With you babe, I'll let you take me anywhere."
The griffin chuckled.intentionally-accidentally rubbed her folded wing against his coat, her swinging tail accidentally went to his face.
Henry just shook his head from the lame scene as he took a note of it.
"Name's Griselda, by the way." She winked at the unicorn.
"Midnight..."
Henry needed to finish rolling his eyes first.
Taking this opportunity, he spreads his wings and takes flight to the castle.
"H-hey! Wait!"
But the alicorn ignored him.
Midnight then suddenly felt two strong talons wrapped around his chest, and with one strong wing flap, the griffin lifted both of them in the air.
"Whoa!" The only word Midnight managed to say from the suddeness of the event.
The griffin laughed.
"N-no, of course not..."
Griselda simply laughed at him.
Finally reaching the castle, Griselda gently puts the weak unicorn down on the castle's solid ground.
"Looks like your friend went ahead." She said after failing to spot the green pony.
Midnight, after pulling himself back a bit, slowly went back to his hooves.
"Aw... Don't worry," she gently patted his nape.
Whoa, is she serious?
Midnight gave a weak smile.
The griffin offers to give him the grand tour, and Midnight gladly accepts.
Long ago, during the ancient pony wars, the griffins waved to be sparred from the chaos the war has brought to the land of Equestria. The griffins, despite their fierce and warrior-like nature, have stayed out of the war, until the pegasus ponies started to attack their kingdom. Defenseless, they quickly fell. Many lives were lost.
Fleeing, the remaining griffins were allowed to stay and rest in the earth pony kingdom.
The griffins want to take their kingdom back, and decided to be allies with the earth ponies.
The earth ponies, unicorn ponies, and griffins. The three races went to war against the pegasus kingdom in the heavens, and eventually won.
Griselda and Midnight finished reading the encrypted texts on the castle's main hall under the large engraved images of the historical events.
Midnight blinked before he turned to the griffin, who looked back at him with a smile.
"So..."
Griselda became confused.
Midnight laughed weakly.
The main hall is a spacious area. Walls made out of grayish-white clay, is now homed by a number of griffin families who built their little houses made out of wood.
Midnight is into the adventure thing, but he lacks the attitude of exploring places.
Griselda then introduced him to the leader of the griffins, Grievald.
"Griselda," said the red griffin, his voice dark, calm, and a bit rusty.
Midnight nodded nervously.
"Dad, this is Midnight."
The red griffin gave the unicorn an arched eyebrow.
Griselda nudge the terrified unicorn.
Midnight laughed weakly and nervously.
Feeling that the unicorn's not convinced, she gave him a friendly punch on his cheek.
Midnight looked at her, carrying a very readable question on his face.
"Hey, relax!" She smiled.
She has no idea how relieved Midnight felt after hearing that.
His brother didn't like him flirting mares for fun however...
"Aw..."
Midnight could only smile at her.
The red griffin closed his eyes as he held a smile.
3. Griffins: Helios and Pyrois
"So, you're engaged with Griselda?"
When he came inside the castle, the griffin welcomed him.
"Yes, and I couldn't be any happier."
"Ooookkkaaayyy... That stupid unicorn might need that information."
"She's flirting ponies again?"
Henry looked at the griffin with a confused look.
The griffin simply smiled.
While the griffin was guiding the alicorn around, Henry somehow managed to ask about the red griffin.
When they were young, they both tried their best to outshine the other.
"I'm quite interested to know how you discovered each other's feelings."
Griever smiled awkwardly as he scratched his head.
...
I slowed my speed for her to catch up. And after we reached the finish line, we were panting for breath. We smiled at each other. And, that's how I confess to her about what I feel towards her. I cursed to myself during that time. She might use it to beat me in our next match but... ...she told me she felt the same.
...
Henry flashed a smile as he stared at the ceiling as he took some notes.
"You won't mind if I'll take your story as part of my book, right?"
Griever simply shook his head.
The brownish-red griffin came out of his home and went towards his daughter and the dark-blue unicorn.
After reaching the two, the red griffin showed them the item.
Two newcomers landed near them; a griffin and a green pony.
"This is the Golden Wing."
"Whoa, so the griffin was a made of gold!?"what the hay ' looks.
The red griffin coughed to clear his throat.
Henry was able to have a good look at it.
"Hope you don't mind me asking..."
"Helios," Griever said, "was the only known griffin that can use magic."
The red griffin nodded.
"But, does it?"
The red griffin nodded once more.
"Griffins from other parts of Equestria are after this feather."
Henry hovered the feather in front of the red griffin.
"I have read about Helios in the books."
The red griffin smiled.
Henry smiled back.
"We do not know as well."
"So..."
"Predictable..."
The red griffin stuck the feather on his neck ,and then opened his clawed hand, his palm facing to the heavens.
"After the war..." the red griffin slowly said, staring at the fire he summoned.
The griffin became a fire again, and then it turned into a burning kingdom.
The fire took the shape of a feather.
The fire showed them a number of griffins fighting against each other.
The fire then showed them an image of a griffin.
The fire then turned into four stones of different shapes.
The fire then turned into a feiry feather.
The fire then turned into a shape of a burning heart.
The flame turned into a feather once again.
And the flame burned brightly before it disappeared in thin air.
"So..."
But none gave him an answer.
The red griffin coughed to clear his throat.
Midnight absolutely has no idea what the red griffin was trying to say.
"Wait..."
The red griffin smiled. He thought wrong about the unicorn.
The heart and mind are vulnerable to change.
"What's troubling you?"
After they left the castle, Henry enjoyed the cool air that greeted him again.
Midnight simply shook his head.
Henry has no idea what he meant.
Maybe he could think of something to try and cheer the unicorn up?
Asking him about it might not be the right time.
"Hey," he got the unicorn's attention.
And it did.
4. Uncertainty
The two ponies are on their way to PonyVille.
Such small things do mean a lot to other ponies, Henry thought.
They are both seated in the coach car.
It will take them a day to reach PonyVille.
The train will make its first stop in Manehattan.
His brother...took care of him?
"So," the alicorn started, facing the unicorn.
The unicorn's smile faded into his confused face.
"Of course..." Henry sighed.
Midnight simply blinked.
"I still don't know you, to be completely honest."
"I don't know you that much as well..."
Henry didn't like where this is going.
Midnight however, simply smiled, and then he returned his gaze at the scenery through the window.
That's it.
Puppeteer...
He shook his head to dismiss the scary idea.
...open the window and hang him there 'till he talks?
Henry sighed in defeat.Small things mean a lot to some ponies , huh?
The unicorn felt his saddlebag being opened.
Henry however, gave him a sly smile, as he focused his magic around the unicorn, disabling him from reaching the ticket.
"So you wanna play rough, huh?"
Henry's ticket was now enveloped with brown magic, disabling Midnight's magic from taking control over it with his magic.
Henry however, arched an eyebrow.
"I know but... three objects at once?"
Henry cannot see what is the big deal is all about.
"Seriously, how do you do it?"
"Really?"special talents .
Taking advantage of Henry's sudden deep in thought moments, Midnight used his magic to get both tickets in his magic grip, which he finally did and now, he quickly levitated both to him.
"Ha! Now I have both tickets hostage!"
Henry simply gave him a bored look as he easily overtook the unicorn's magic grip with his own magic, and easily took the tickets back to him.
"Fine. If you do not wish to talk, then I won't let you."
Midnight did the same and quietly returned his gaze on the scenery outside the window.
"Hey..." Midnight quietly said, making the alicorn look at him.
Midnight is still a complete stranger to the alicorn.probably from Manehattan.
He left him be as he continued to read his notes.
Midnight was staring blankly at the window.
Most of his life were about struggle.
He let out a heavy and frustrated sigh.
What about his brother?
What if he's gone?
Daybreak...
Henry heard him, but didn't bother to ask.
The sun was already starting to set when the conductor left them after he stamped their tickets.
Midnight was slowly eating some of his hayfries, still locking his gaze on the scenery.
"Hey..."
"Hm..."
And it was quiet once again.
PonyVille is like that small town.
"The library has a spare room."
What the hay is Henry thinking?
"T-thanks..."
Henry was slowly getting into the unicorn.
Midnight quickly turned to the alicorn, stomping his hoof on the soft chair.
Henry was startled, quickly turning his head to the unicorn.
"I'm not a freeloader..."
"I'm sorry..."
Midnight has fallen asleep, his head leaning on the glass window.
The night has already governed the sky and land.
Henry used his magic to dim the car's coal-powered lights.
Just in case, he left a note on his chair before he quietly went out of the car, heading to the other car where the private rooms are.
5. Midnight
A light flashed. Midnight ran around to nowhere in particular.
Feeling like he's heading the wrong way, he stopped. Quickly looking around the slowly dimming area, he settled on running to his left.
He felt his heart beating fast. He's terrified, for unknown reasons. His breath, fast and shallow.
Where is he going, he has no idea. He was running, and he will keep on running.
The area flashed in white once more, blinding him, but he didn't stop running. Something in him is telling him that if he stops...
"Stop...!"
"No...!" He shouted back, to whoever was shouting at him.
The voice sounded awfully familiar, echoing in every direction.
"Stop...!" The feminine voice shouted once again, keeping the same volume.
Midnight ignored it and kept on running. And suddenly, right in front of him were two shadows of fillies.
Their faces, too familiar, and he's running straight at them.
"Stop...!"
And this time, he listened, he stopped. But he couldn't. His hooves slid on an unknown surface. He stopped running, but he kept on moving straight at the fillies.
"Stop...!"
"I can't...!"
And he decided to do the only thing he could do at the moment. He closed his eyes, awaiting for him to crash at the two fillies.
Midnight woke up after he felt the floor.
After calming himself a bit, he slowly rosed up, and immediately saw a piece of paper on the alicorn's seat.
Midnight arched a eyebrow as he ate the note.
And as usual, the alicorn forgot to lock the door.
"Henry?"
No answer. He looked at him.
"Henry? Are you awake?"
No answer.
Midnight sighed.
He had a bad dream...
He sighed once more.
"I know you're awake. So stop pretending to be asleep."
But once again, he received no answer.
Wake him up, for what?
To listen to him?
He stared at...nothing.
But, he has a lot of things in his mind.
Well, he's really going to stay in PonyVille now...
He doesn't even have anything...except for his brother...
He used his magic to unlock the window.
He could try again, but what then?
He used his magic to take his book, but he felt something else inside his saddlebag.
His very first item that he received without using stolen money.
And it really felt good.
Staring at the ticket, he managed to smile.
If he stays in PonyVille, then he wouldn't have to steal anymore...maybe...?
He and his brother couldn't land on any job there, with so many requirements and qualifications.
Magic, steal, run, escape...
He has no future there.
His thoughts went to a halt after he blinked, and the first thing he saw, was the ticket, hovering in front of him.
"I don't want to live like this..." Midnight whispered...
Daybreak closed his eyes and sighed, sadness drawing on his face. He slowly turned to his brother. "I know... I am, too..."
He's about to achieve that dream.
The pegasus was about to fly when he heard Midnight's call. He turned to see him. "Midnight! Glad you're---wait!"
"Wait what?"
"You---You're---! Why are you here!?"
His brother grouped two large gangs to attack The Boss, believing that Midnight was taken by them.
A tear escaped his eye.
Going back there might only make things worse.
The heart and mind are vulnerable to change.
He sighed, rubbing his teary eyes with his hoof.
He inhaled, and exhaled.
He looked at the sleeping bookwriter.
He yawned. He could use some sleep as well.
He could start a new life in PonyVille.
Henry was awake. He woke up when Midnight asked if he was awake.
Midnight was now asleep. Proof was his snoring.
Originally Written on July 27, 2012
Updates... - December 9, 2012 - Added An Image
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 06 - The Blue Sea
Chapter 6 - The Blue Sea
After arriving in PonyVille, Henry and Midnight went straight to the library.
Henry and Midnight cleaned the spare room inside the library's second floor.
He left the unicorn alone to settle down.
Aurora also asked Henry about what she heard; about him being a changeling.
Since Aurora didn't like to give the unicorn a tour of the town, Henry did it instead.
Well, Manehattan also had smiley faces, but those were dirty smiles.
Midnight is also trying to look for a job.
Henry suggested that he should apply as the town hall's accountant, but Midnight's not confident with his math skills.
They went to the post office, and the unicorn got the job.
They then went to Henry's house, where the first thing they noticed was the barrel, full of letters.
Little Rarity happened to walk by, and noticed the green alicorn pushing the barrel inside his house.
After opening it, he read the contents.
Goodbye summer?
Seasaddle Beach it is.
1. Beach Day
The Sunday morning sky was blue, clear of clouds, and extremely hot.
A group of fillies, led by Cheerilee and Henry Hoof, are hiking through forested hills to reach Seasaddle Beach.
It was only three hills away from PonyVille.
And after they reached the end of the third hill, they were immediately greeted by the fresh salty breeze from the sandy beach a few hooves away.
From all their walking, the sea is really looking as if its inviting them.
They continued to walk until they reached the sandy beach.
While Cheerilee gave them a few instructions and reminders about safety and precautions, Henry immediately took the blue umbrella he was carrying and set it up on the sand, only to be blown back to the forest by the strong wind.
"Darn it..." he whispered.
"I'll get it!"
The fillies giggled from the event.
Midnight puts their picnic basket on the sand.
"Thank you for noticing..."
Midnight laughed a bit as Aurora landed near them with the folded umbrella.
"But, I think I'm going to be fine now."
Aurora was setting the umbrella while the fillies already ran to the water, swimming and splashing each other.doing something with her party cannon.
"Er..."whatever she's planning to do."
He remembered the whole library became a disco house when he came back after taking a shower in the alicorn's home.
He gulped as he approached the filly.
"That won't end well."
A few hooves from the shore, Big Macintosh was busy building a sand castle with his sister Applejack.
Pinkie Pie went inside the mouth of the cannon as soon as Midnight reached her.
"Oh, hi Midnight."
Midnight could sense her rolling her eyes.
"Hey~!"
"Pinkie, stop yelling!"
"I can't see a thing in here... Oh! I know!"
Midnight's eyes went wide from horror.
Scccrrraaatttccchhh...
Suddenly, everypony heard a loud explosion. All eyes looked to the source, and all they saw was a pink cannon, it's mouth was smoking.
Pinkie Pie came out first, and then she was lifted further up.
"Oopsie..."
The others laughed.
"Can I join them?"
"Of course you can."
Aurora then flapped her wings and flew above the unicorn, and immediately retracted her wings.
Midnight gave her an angry look as well.
"I hate you two..."
"Aw..."
Aurora laughed as Midnight tried to get the pink filly off of him.
Henry took a look at Midnight and Aurora, only to witness the pegasus trying to stand on the unicorn's head, allowing her to take flight.
Henry suddenly noticed a heavy sensation.
The unicorns' horns glowed, all their magic focused on the green alicorn, lifting him up in the air.
Henry was tossed to the sea.
Splash.
The unicorns cheered as Aurora flew above them, cheering as well.
Henry was still underwater.
Facing the ocean floor, he opened his eyes to see, a blur.
He swam down to the sea floor, and after putting his hooves on the floor in front of his glasses, he discovered that his glasses were on this blue blur thing sticking out of the sandy floor.
He was really surprised to see what he saw, making him lose a few air inside him.
"GAH!"
"Uncle! You scared us to death!"
He saw Aurora flying above him, looking worried.
"I'm fine..."
"You okay Henry?"
Henry simply nodded.
Midnight and Aurora looked at each other, both their worried expressions turned into light chuckles.
He went down again for him to see the sea floor.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
The blue pony with a fish-like tail was no longer there...
2. Ocean's Pearl
Midnight, Aurora and Henry both sat on the sandy beach under their blue umbrella, enjoying some sandwiches for lunch.
And he draw that pony pretty well, despite only managing to land a glimpse on him...or her...
His notebook suddenly hovered away from him, and stopped in front of Midnight with his magic.
"A maremaid?"
To Henry, that's a perfect excuse to why he drew that.
"It's a really good drawing..."
"Don't do that...!" He hissed.
"It looks so real!"
"Oh please..."
Aurora looked at him angrily.
Both opened their mouths, ready to fire words at each other, but sandwiches suddenly stuffed their mouths.
Both decided to go back to eating.
Henry looked at his maremaid drawing.
He sighed as he stood up.
Henry forgot his hat. Something's on his mind.
'Should we follow him?'
'Yeah, we should.'
And they both nodded.
Henry was slowly walking on the sand where the sea waves could reach his hooves.
He had to admit, he thought maremaids are only created in imaginative minds of ancient ponies a long time ago.
Even the fictional land of Atlantis was created, where the mythical sea ponies lived, but a catastrophe sunk their land to the bottom of the sea.
But Henry saw one of those sea ponies!
Their first meeting, and Henry already sent it an 'oh my goodness a sea pony get away from me you freak of nature ' message...
He stopped, and slowly looked back.
A huge boulder was lying on the sand, where Midnight and Aurora hid themselves after they noticed the alicorn was about to look back.
They need a safer way to follow the alicorn.
Midnight and Aurora hid behind a bush in the forest's edge.
Henry was closing his eyes, simply feeling the soothing salty breeze.
He opened his eyes, and there, a few hooves in front of him was the blue pony.
His action startled the blue pony, and immediately sank herself back to the water, only her eyes and a part of her head remained visible.
They remained in their current poses for a few minutes.
Henry opened his mouth, he wanted to apologize for startling the pony but...
"Uh... H-hello...?"
He only received a blink.
"Uh, um... Hi? I ah um...sorry, if I scared you...earlier...if, that was you? I mean..."Now I talk like Fluttershy... '
Another blink.
"Um..."
Surprisingly, the blue pony chuckled a bit.
Henry heard her voice. A very soothing, melodious, calm, lovely voice he has ever heard.
"Muh...my name's Henry..."Why am I introducing myself? 'And why the hay am I asking her name!? plus lovely smile.
"Pearl... I'm Ocean Pearl..."
Oh, her voice echoed inside Henry's head like crazy.
Pearl simply chuckled a bit.
Wait... She's approaching...
Pearl stopped a few hooves from him.
Henry was able to have a good look at her.
Henry quickly turned his gaze away, cheeks blushing red-hot.
Behind the bushes, Aurora and Midnight left their eyes and mouths wide open.
Pearl however, was saddened.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Henry felt his heart broke from her sad voice.
"No, no... It's not your fault..."Well, it is really... You look lovely and all... '
"Oh..."
"Well uh..."
None of them knew how long it took them to keep on staring at each other's eyes.
"Well... Staring is nice..."
She quickly tilted her head back to her hooves, blushing, and hoping the alicorn won't notice the slip.
"T-thanks...?"
Pearl looked at the sky, and Henry became breathless.
Oh, an idea!Why...? '
Pearl quickly looked at him, with an excited smile.
Now she sounds and looks like Fluttershy, Henry thought.
"It's no trouble at all."I have no idea why I am saying all of these... '
Pearl looked at him with a smile.
3. Ripples
Aurora and Midnight watched as the green alicorn enveloped the blue sea pony with brown magic, and as soon as he flapped his wings to get himself airborne, he lifted the sea pony up in the air.
Aurora was smiling, contrasting Midnight's frown.
"Aw... Aren't they sweet?"
Midnight rolled his eyes.
"Unlike you..."
"Now what does that mean?"
"You flirt every mare you meet!"
"Well, I can't help it if I meet a lovely mare!
Aurora then grinned as she land her gaze on him.
Midnight blushed.
"Yeah, but you flirted me..."
Midnight, still blushing, gave her an annoyed look.
"I'll still go out with you. Hahah."
"Now look who's flirting."
Aurora slapped him on the face.
After noticing Pearl was really looking scared, Henry let her rest on his back, where she quickly wrapped her hooves around his neck, choking him in the process.
All fear forgotten after seeing a cloud, she slowly extends one of her hoof to touch it, but her hoof went through.
Satisfied of how a cloud would feel like, she returned her hoof to Henry's neck.
"What? Of course... But..."
Pearl suddenly pushed herself away from the alicorn, landing her whole body on the puff cloud, and she simply went through the cloud, and was now heading straight back to earth.
"Pearl!"
Henry grabbed the sea pony, and quickly opened his wings to stop their fall.
Henry, though felt really good with the hug, was more worried that they're falling, literally.
He wasn't able to finish when Pearl landed her lips on the alicorn's.
They slowly parted their lips, smiling at each other.
"You...are crazy..."
Pearl chuckled.
Aurora and Midnight were still spying on the two ponies behind the bush.
Henry was now sure he's in love...with a sea pony.
But they both are worried about one thing; will they part soon?
Pearl sighed, making Henry look at her.
"You can tell me..."
"Well..."
Henry felt her sadness.
"...and...I'll be alone...again..."
Henry has no idea how to deal with this problem...
It's true, Henry needs to leave soon.
A tear ran down the sea pony's face.
Henry wrapped his hooves around her, giving her a comforting hug.
She took a deep breath, and exhaled.
Their lips soon parted.
But then, Henry felt like he's lying at her.
Pearl smiled as she brought her hoof on the alicorn's mouth.
"You...you knew...? Yet you still...?"
She simply nodded.
Henry smiled. That was a big load off of his chest, but now...
They stared at the horizon.
"Can...I ask a question?"
"Under the sea..."
"I know..."
"Well... we have little settlements on deep oceans... I think in comparison to land ponies, you call them towns..."
Henry tried imagining a town underwater.
"So...why has nopony ever seen you sea ponies?"
"Well, I'm not sure... I didn't like history..."
Oh, they also have schools. Nice.
"...but...from what I remember, um...we hid ourselves because we're afraid of the power or something about the sky ponies...or something."
"But...even today?"
Pearl simply nodded her head.
"So... Why did you allow yourself to be seen by...me?"
Pearl chuckled.
Henry felt his cheeks blushed.
"I just don't really know. I mean, I've been secretly looking at land ponies, but I felt strange when I saw you."
"You mean...love ?"
Pearl simply smiled.
"Well, I don't love you either."
"I was really afraid. But I'm glad I did it."
Glad...
"Will...I ever see you again...?"
Pearl's smile faded.
'Think so ?'
She removed herself from the alicorn's comfortable shoulder.
"...can't you stay with me...?"
Henry folded his wing back as he brought a hoof to her cheek.
She smiled.
'Like she was? '
Henry was about to give her a hug when she quickly hugged him, her head on his chest.
Henry hugged her, gently rubbing her back with his hoof.
After a few minutes, Pearl stopped crying.
"I like you... I really do... Even if I don't know much about you..."
Henry smiled weakly.
Pearl looked at him with a smile.
And they stayed quiet, staring at the blue horizon, allowing the ocean's breeze to comfort their hearts.life goes on ...
Well, for now, he can sit with his lovely sea pony, watching quietly on the horizon.
Pearl slowly removed her head on the alicorn's chest.
Or, he could enjoy swimming with her.
4. Under The Sea
"I am so glad we left that place..."
Aurora was following behind the unicorn, looking annoyed.
"Look, let's leave those lovey-doveys alone."
"Hmph..."
"Look kid, you're still too young for those kind of things."
"And you're old enough for it?"
"Well, yeah..."
Aurora smiled evilly.
Midnight shot an angry look at her.
"Oh?"
"Er..." Midnight suddenly felt sad.
Aurora wanted to ask why, but the tone the unicorn used made her decide not to ask instead.
"Still..." she slowly said.
"Zip it, kid."
"You even flirted Miss Cheerilee during her class!"
"I said zip it!"
That was when he was delivering a letter to her and---why is he thinking about it?
"So..."
"Uh-huh. Like myself, I couldn't use magic."
Henry smiled as he compared it to the land ponies.
Henry was brought back to reality when he felt a soft kiss on his cheek.
Pearl parted her lips from the alicorn's blushing cheeks.
"S-sorry... I tend to do that a lot..."
"Oh, hey, I know..."
"I'd like that."
The sea pony smiled before she turned her back on him.
Henry brought his hooves around the blue sea pony's neck, making her blush even more.
Henry chuckled a bit before he took a deep breath.
She swims fast, must faster than what both expected.
After a minute, Henry looked up, and saw the surface of the sea was too far above.
The blue sea pony finally slowed her pace.
Henry looked at the sea floor to witness in front of his eyes the magnicifent art of the sea.
"Relax, he won't bite."
The shark was getting closer, and the alicorn could only close his eyes, awaiting for...nothing...
"See? I told you he won't bite."
With the shark out of his worry, he returned his gaze on the wonderful aquatic scene.
"Hey, stop that... Oh! Out of air? Okay."
Henry took some air as soon as he was out of the water.
"So, what did you think?"
"It was lovely."
The sea pony blushed, holding his hoof with her own.
She slowly leaned her head towards his for their lips to meet.
They parted after they heard heavy flapping sounds.
"Eew..."
"Sorry..."
Pearl submerged herself underwater.
"Er..."
"Hi Pearl!"
The blue sea pony slowly showed her head.
"Oh, hey, uncle, everyone's already preparing..."
Henry was saddened by this fact.
"Aurora... Why are you saddened by this?"
The pegasus scratched her cheek, smiling awkwardly.
Henry blinked.
"So uh...we kinda...um...found out about your...marefriend...as a...maremaid..."
"Promise not to tell..."
Aurora nodded her head.
Henry stared at the direction where she was heading, and he found himself quite a distance from the beach.
"She seemed...nice..."
Henry smiled at her.
"Um...so..."
Henry was sad hearing those words.
Pearl laughed weakly.
Henry closed his eyes, tilting his head to the sky.
"Don't worry..."
"Please no!"
Pearl simply laughed.
Henry slowly wrapped his hooves around her neck.
"But...I want this moment to last so... I'll swim slower."
Henry rested his head on her nape.
5. Goodbye...For Now
Midnight and Aurora sat on the beach, blankly staring at the setting sun.
Midnight was starting to get irritated from all this waiting.
Finally, they heard a faint stroke of water.
Midnight sighed in frustration.
Pearl rested her head on the alicorn's shoulder, while Henry rested his on her head.
While they were slowly swimming to the beach, Henry told her that he's a writer.
Pearl had told him the reason why she was here.
If they're going to part today, it would be best to set out the sea pony's burden, so at least, she would feel a bit at ease.
I was born in Coral Edge. It's a faraway settlement from Seasaddle Beach. Surrounded by large coral reefs, and homed by a large number of sea ponies, both fish-tailed ponies like me, and the magic-using seahorse-tailed ponies. I lived with my parents, and we were, in sea pony statistics, the richest sea ponies in the entire ocean. You could say I could have anything I wanted. Yes, I can have what I want, but I couldn't get what I need... My parents were always so busy. Ever since I grew myself a conscience, I never actually spent half an hour with them... Though they're my parents, I feel like I don't know them. I don't even know if they loved me.
As for my education, I was educated at home. My tutor wasn't the nicest sea pony around, but she's very patient.
One day though, I think it was three year ago, my parents came home early with a male sea pony of my age, or maybe older by a few years than me. I didn't understand why they sent my tutor home early for me to spend some "quality" time with a sea pony I don't even know, until dinner came.
They told me that I am to marry that sea stallion. An arranged marriage. They said that it would give me a great future. The said stallion is the son of the third richest sea ponies in the ocean.
Marrying someone was a dream come true for sea mares. I liked the idea at first, and the wedding was a few months away.
But, the more I spent some time with him, the more I started hating him... He doesn't like my long hair. He doesn't like it if I do things wrong. He doesn't like it if I look down when he's talking.
...and I think you get the idea... ...I could tell everything but...
...anyway, instead of liking him, I grew to not want to see him again. I told my parents about it, but they told me to adjust to the stallion's standards. They told me to try my best to be the "perfect" mare for him.
I couldn't go against my parents, so I listened to them and tried my best. I did everything the stallion wanted me to be.
But the more I tried to be perfect for him, the more I felt...imprisoned... Like I was his personal pet eel.
I told my parents I couldn't live like someone I wasn't, but they didn't listen... My own parents wants me to be someone I'm not.
They never let me out, they never gave me love, and then they won't let me who I am... ...it was too much.
Then one night, when all ponies were sleeping, I did the only thing I could think of... ...I swam away.
No idea of the world outside my home was terrifying, but I kept on swimming. I knew that if I stop, or swim back, my life would be a mess.
I didn't want money. I never wanted a perfect life. All I wanted was for someone to love me as who I am...
...and I found this place. A quiet and peaceful place.
I've been living here, for three years... ...all by myself...
I knew that if someone spots me, either I'll get hunted, or I'll be sent back to Coral Edge. So I stayed hidden...until I saw you...
I...don't know what came into me. When I first saw you writing on the sand...I started to like you. I saw you thrown to the sea, and I felt really worried. So I quickly swam towards you. I saw your glasses fell off, so I took it.
During that time, I was fighting my thoughts of either swim away or talk to you... I knew that it would be risky if you saw me, but... Something in me wants to talk to you.
Pearl removed her head from leaning on the alicorn's shoulder.
Henry sighed.
Pearl smiled, despite her tears flowing down her face.
They slowly leaned towards each other, their lips finding the other.
Aurora squeeled silently, ignoring Midnight's loud snore.
After their lips parted, Pearl brought her hoof on his cheek.
"I promise."
"You better..."
Henry blinked.
Henry grabbed the hat with both his hooves, and slowly put it on Pearl's head, careful not to hurt her fin-like ears.
Pearl blushed even further.
"Honestly..."
They both laughed.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you more."
Henry looked at them. Aurora was waving a hoof.
They looked at each other, and after one quick kiss, they said their goodbyes.
After reaching the ponies, Henry looked back at the sea pony, who was waving her hoof goodbye at them.
And after Pearl was satisfied, she submerged under the sea, swimming swiftly with a smile and the alicorn's hat on her hold.
Henry stared at the quiet sea a few more minutes before they started heading back to PonyVille.
Maybe one day, they can be together, forever...
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 07 - Warning Signs
Chapter 7 - Warning Signs
"I couldn't believe how much I've missed you..."
"Neither would I..."
It took Henry two months to finish writing the second book.
He managed to dry his wet notebook with his magic.
The season of autumn already came.
Those two months were a bit difficult for the love-sick alicorn.
Midnight and Aurora were getting along, with the usual arguing, and with Henry as their usual medium of breaking their argument.
Ponyville became a bit busy lately.
On the quiet beach, there were no other ponies but them.
"Well, I'd best be heading back..."
The blue sea pony was saddened.
Henry smiled.
Pearl brought her hoof on the alicorn's lips.
"Well, I may leave everything behind, but not forever."
"Of course I'll let you."
"Then it's settled then."
Afterwards, they said their goodbyes.
1. Gray Castle
Henry woke up on a white comfortable bed inside the castle's dimly lit guest room.
The room was, if he could still recall correctly, was the same in size as the room when he first woke up in the castle. The only difference however, is that outside the window, he could see the castle garden instead of the sky.
He blinked. It was still night time.
He arrived in Canterlot a few hours before noon.
The air was cold, but he payed it no mind.
He wiped his eyes before a tear ran down his face.
As soon as he got inside, he was instantly given a warm welcome by the owner of the company himself.
Afterwards, he was once again about to call an empty carriage when the purple filly unicorn spotted him, and called his attention.
Henry once again woke up from a dreamless sleep.
He rose into a sitting position, and looked through the window.
He went out of bed and changed his looks as he used his magic to wear his hat and his sidebag.
He opened the door. As the door opened, what revealed on the other side horrified him.
He poked her, but his hoof went through her.
He shook his head. He needed to figure this out.
He looked around the quiet and gloomy hallway.
He took a deep breath, exhaled, and walked towards the royal hall.
The door to the royal hall was locked. No matter how hard he tried to open it, both physically and magically, it didn't move. He'll have to go back and try the castle's gardens.
To his relief, the door to the garden was already open, though he couldn't move it.
He looked around. Royal guards were still standing tall, but all were gray.
What is happening, he asked himself, but he received no answer.
Now that he was outside, he flew to the front of the castle.
He was now above the castle's front yard. He was about to land when he noticed something...
He slowly landed in front of the castle's large doors, where four royal guards stood, frozen in gray.
He tried to open the door, but just like before, the door didn't move.
He could try and smash through the used-to-be-colorful glass windows of the hall, holding important drawings of the history of Equestria.
But...
He smashed through one of the windows of the royal hall, but the shattered pieces all stopped in mid-air.
He landed in front of the two royal seats, where he saw Princess Celestia, looking angry and seemingly preparing to attack, but attack who? Or maybe what?
He looked towards where the princess was facing, but saw nothing but the gray environment, and the large doors at the end of the hall.
He whispered the princess' name as he tried to wrap her around his brown magic, but he achieved nothing from it. He couldn't even manage to surround the princess with his magic. It was as if the princess was not a solid figure.
He flew outside from where he entered, and tried to fly beyond the castle walls.
He was flying around for a few minutes, trying to figure out what is happening when he saw an open window on the highest tower of the castle.
Cautious, he looked what was inside first before going in.
Out of all the things, the first thing he noticed was the open door.
All he found was that this room was full of old worn-out books, rusted shields and spears, and other scientific junk; both around the room and inside old and dusty boxes.
He found himself on a staircase spiralling down on the walls of the tower.
The first thing he noticed after he landed, was that the room beyond the slightly opened door was eluminated with light.
The room was lit by a number of torches (where their flames are moving normally) around the walls.
On the opposite end of the room where he entered was another door, but it was closed.
He slowly landed in front of the closed door, and brought his hoof to the doorknob to try to open it.
He sighed and turned around, only to be startled by the presence of a baby purple dragon floating right in front of his face.
Henry Hoof, a changeling, disguised as a green alicorn pony, was frozen gray.
2. Preparations
"It's almost time..."
Somewhere, hidden in the darkness shadows, five figures stood in a circle.
"...are things in order?"
The other four figures nodded their heads.
"Very good."
"Yes, it is sad news..."
"That reminds me..."
"Have you forgotten, my friend?"
The figure with a swirling torrent of water acted surprised.
The four looked at the unicorn pony.
"It is in the past now. The future is still clear, even without him."
"Ah, young lad."
The figure with a horizontal-pointed head smiled.
But the one with a swirling water finds this disturbing.
The unicorn-figure shook his head.
"Flawless."
"...but..."
For a while, it was quiet.
"...indeed, there is."
All except for the pony surrounded by the vortex of water gasped soundlessly.
"...and that is why we have gathered them."
The figure with the messy mane laughed.
He received the other's nodding heads, but the pony with the young voice shook his.
"I have seen the flow. They will be gathered."
"It's sad to be reunited with her like this..."
"Relax, it's for the best."
Somehow, the figure around the vortex lifted his head up with hope, but after noticing the pony with a young voice lowered his, his hope crashed.
"...she will die, but not at our hands..."
"...is there a way to save her?"
The pony shook his head slowly.
"It's just one mare."
The figure around the vortex quickly took his gaze at him with an angry look.
"The conflict between the two of you is also ahead."
"One of us will die?"
"You're actually looking forward to die?"
The receiver simply shrugged.
"Tell me why you're here again...?"
"To do my part, of course. Although the plan is painful to bear at first, but the end-result would benefit a lot of ponies."
"You mean, 'sacrifices are common'..."
"Oh, hush, you swimming dictionary."
Suddenly, they heard loud flapping sounds from above them.
"Late as always..."
The dragon landed as quietly as it could.
"It's time for phase two..."
The four nodded their heads, and their outlines faded into the darkness.
"Where is Chrysalis?"
The dragon simply closed its eyes as it slowly shook its head.
The pony sighed.
3. Second Phase
The sun was about to rise when Midnight woke up.
He walked to his only window, pushed it open, and poked his head out to see who it was.
At first, there was none, until a big orange head appeared right in front of him.
"Aurora! You scared the sh...crap out of me!"
"Good morning too, grumpy face."
"Not funny..."
"Oh nothing..."
"Yes you were..."
"Anyway, I came to get the keys of the library before you head out."
Yesterday, Aurora caught him flirting two mares at once in PonyVille market.
Midnight sighed.How are you going to ruin my day this time...? '
"Good morning, beautiful."
Ember moaned as she pulled the blanket to cover her head.
Flame smiled as he rose up from the bed, slowly walking to the rear-end of their bed, and pulled the blanket, revealing a sleeping dark-blue maned yellow earth pony.
"Wake up, sleepy head."
"Okay, okay... I'm up..."
"Careful now."
"What baby?"
"Now now, sleepin' in isn't all healthy."
Ember took her hoof back from Flame's hold.
Flame quickly dashed to the door before her, and opened it for her.
"Flame, really..."
"Aw, com'on... At least let me help you."
"Faaayyynnn..."
The calm Seasaddle Beach was as peaceful as it was.
She never actually spend her time eating breakfast on the shore, but it all changed ever since she met the green alicorn.
Her love to him was enough to disregard the intimidating alicorn's true black figure.
As dreamy as the thought is, she's feeling a bit sad.
If only she was born as another pony, then maybe they could truly be together.
There might be a chance, but she doubts that she'll fall to him the same way she fell the first time she saw him.
She smiled. At least she knows she loves him, and he loves her back.
She sighed, wishing the days will go fast so Sunday will come quickly.
She ran out of seaweeds, and she still feels a bit hungry.
She went back to the water to get herself some more.
A dusty street of Manehattan was abandoned by all life.
Police ponies hid themselves behind a corner.
On the center of the dead-silent street stood two ponies, furiously facing each other.
One, the city's most wanted crime-fighting vigilante. Her mask was already ripped in half, revealing half of her face. Her cape was burned, her outfit was dirty and bloody.
The other was a golden-coated unicorn, enveloped by his own fierce magic, levitating himself from the cemented road.
For a while now, he has killed quite a number of ponies who are wanted by the law.
Of all the ponies he has faced, BatMare has been the toughest one.
Of all the criminals the mare has faced, this one's the most frightening of them all.
"...we need to remove those who would be able to stand up against us..."
Midnight and Pearl were seated outside SugarCube Corner, enjoying their breakfast.
Ember and Flame were busy picking the grapes hanging down on their garden.
Pearl is enjoying her seaweed as she sat on the sandy beach, staring at the blue horizon.
BatMare jumped to the side on time before she got herself evaporated from Daybreak's mighty blast of golden-yellow magic beam.
"...we need to remove those who would be able to stop us..."
"Hello, young one."
Midnight and Aurora turned their heads to the source of the old and rusty voice.
"My name's Doctor Psycho and---"
Aurora tried her best to hold her laughter, while Midnight bursts in laughs.
"Y-yes, well, anywho, I'm here to deliver a message."
Aurora glanced at Midnight angrily, shutting the unicorn up.
"Hello doctor."
"Yeah, hi doc."
"Well, anyway, to the point."
Flame and Ember have gathered enough grapes in their baskets.
"Howdy!" Flame greeted the pegasus, despite feeling intimated by the pegasus' muscular body and scary look.
"Actually..."
"O-oh? A message?"
The pegasus nodded.
Pearl was enjoying the quiet melody of the sea when suddenly, a small whirlpool started forming a few hooves in front of her.
A blue-green seahorse-tailed seapony slowly nodded his head, a great sadness painted on his face.
Pearl just sat there, frozen in shock.
Pearl's father looked at his daughter in great sadness.
BatMare was once again slammed onto the road. This time however, she could no longer manage to stand up.
Daybreak slowly levitated towards the mare as he began to envelop her with his yellow magic.
BatMare could only stare at her foe's death-yellow glowing eyes.
The police ponies have finally started to run at them, with their magic already focusing on the threat at hand, but Daybreak easily sent out a wave of magic, enough to push them back with unimaginable force, knocking them unconscious before they could get back to the ground.
"I'll rid this city from criminals like you..."
The mare closed her eyes slowly, awaiting for her fate.
A shadow flew past him, and the source landed a few hooves in front of the golden pony.
"Daybreak, correct?"
The levitated mare managed to turn her eyes to the source of the voice.
Daybreak said no word, nor made any action.
The griffin nodded his head.
Still no response from the golden unicorn.
The griffin sighed.
"...whatever they will do, they will not escape the already written lines of their destiny..."
The black earth pony immediately installed a weird device around his left hoof, and immediately fired at the startled pegasus.
"Aurora!"
Aurora was hit by a thin ray, and instantly turned her gray and petrified.
The ponies who witnessed the event ran away in panic while some called the police.
The doctor immediately pressed some buttons before focusing the device at the pegasus, and soon, Aurora was absorbed to the device.
Midnight, fueled by confusion and anger, ran towards the old earth pony.
Henry thought him about respect, but he won't apply that now.
"I'd say, I'm impressed."
"Give me back Aurora!"
The black earth pony shrugged.
"...I have studied every possible outcome of different courses to take. And I am confident that no one will be able to stop us..."
The white pegasus instantly appeared in front of the pale-red earth pony, and with a mighty punch, Flame was out cold, leaving Ember to shed tears of fright.
Managing to snap herself back, she quickly ran to her lover, but she was stopped by a strong hoof holding her neck, and lifting her off the ground.
"I'd suggest you cooperate if you don't want your foal to die inside of you."
The pegasus was about to fly when Flame gave him a powerful double back-kick, managing to drop the mare back to the ground.
"Run Ember!"
Ember ran away as fast as she can while Flame docked to dodge a powerful punch.
"Strong..."
"...I have gathered the most talented ponies in all over the world."
"Pearl," the blue-green musculin sea pony slowly said as he gave chase to his daughter.
Pearl did not answer, and continued to swim as fast as her fins could do.
"Pearl! Listen to me!"
Ever since she left, he began to realize how much he cared about her.
"Pearl!"
"Go away!"
Her father however, managed to reroute the rock with his magic.
Pearl was about to pick another rock when she suddenly felt strange all around her.
'Henry... '
Pearl crashed on the seafloor, leaving a long trailmark on the floor.
"...Not even the princesses of the seven kingdoms of the world could stop us."
Daybreak quickly removed his grip on the black-suited mare as he quickly shifted all his power on the griffin.
The griffin however, spreads his wings, breaking the yellow magic that was surrounding him, sending a shock of pain in the yellow unicorn's head.
The griffin took flight, and summoned a fierce flame from his mouth, burning the golden unicorn.
The flames vanished, revealing a burned unicorn, still on his hooves, eyes glowing golden-yellow.
Daybreak sent a massive bolt of magic energy towards the griffin, but it was easily evaded.
Daybreak was sent flying, but not unconscious.
The griffin cried in pain, to Daybreak's delight as he enveloped himself with his own magic once again to levitate himself, cancelling gravity from slamming him on the ground.
The griffin recovered his flight and immediately flew towards the unicorn.
"...We will change this world."
The dragon roared with all its might, rumbling the dark area they were in.
4. Aftershock
Henry woke up feeling horrible and found himself lying on a gray floor. He saw his glasses and his hat on the floor in front of him.
Now that he's up, he found himself on the same, yet gray room where he saw that terrifying purple dragon face to face.
He looked around, and sighed in relief. At least the dragon was no longer around.
"T-that's..." he managed to stand back up, though still shaking from fright.
He shook his head to calm himself. It seemed to work.
Confused as he stared at his gray disguise in front of him, he formulated some thoughts, and finally settled on a theory that the 'Alicorn Henry Hoof' no longer exist, for the time being.
He instead turn around and slowly started to walk as he was deep in thought, until his attention landed on pieces of paper on the table, each were stacked in a messy way.
"Research On Space and Time "
Space and time, he wondered.
He needed to calm himself, so he closed his eyes and started breathing deeply.
If his disguise, somehow, saved him from being frozen, then he needs to disguise himself again.
Did he lost his ability to disguise himself?
He's starting to feel fear once again.
Suddenly, seemingly from out of nowhere, he heard a faint and long yawn coming from the door behind his gray disguise.
He saw yet another set of spiralling staircase leading down.
He jumped to the center and used his wings to slow his fall to the surface floor.
This time, he saw a large yet gray library.
In the middle of the room, he saw the baby purple dragon, curled on the carpet, sleeping.
'Okay, so the dragon's asleep... ' to his relief.
Henry thought...
Wait, he can use his puppeteer skill.
The dragon stood up on its two small feet, its back on the changeling.
The dragon stopped, to his relief.feel his puppet.
He remembered the gray unicorn managed to make him change his disguise.
He could try to use it on the dragon.
He'll try to make sense out of all of this later.
He managed to make the dragon float, though he has no idea how he did it.
What else...
Midnight and Aurora's mother immediately took the train to Canterlot.
Flame, after recovering his consciousness, immediately got himself back on his hooves, only to drop himself back to the ground after he felt pain around his body.
"Flame!" Shouted a familiar young voice.
"I don't know... Ugh..."
The young filly nodded with great sadness.
The police ponies slowly regained their consciousness.
BatMare finally allowed herself to rest.
She breathed deeply, and although she hated herself for losing, she thanked Celestia she was still alive and breathing, and currently suffering from a severe aching body.
She knew who that griffin was, but she has no idea why he took the yellow unicorn with him.
5. Phase Three
The morning of Canterlot was full of surprised and worried ponies, as they gather around the castle, only now, there was no castle, but an empty hole on Canterlot.
There was indeed, no more castle, and the hole is real.
Suddenly, behind the royal guards, a bright light occured, revealing two tall and mighty alicorns, the same height as their princess.
A brown alicorn, with black long mane and tale, carrying an hourglass in front of a starry background as his cutie mark.
Those ponies who have read the legends recognizes them.
The pale-blue alicorn rose his hoof, and the instant he did, a soft wave of wind swept all over the area.
While the pale-blue alicorn looked frighteningly serious, the other looked childishly bored.
Henry was able to open the double door after a few minutes of trying to sense how the dragon can open them.
Behind the doors was a hallway that circles around the library's outer walls.
If only he remained there for a few more seconds, he would have noticed a strange white light swirling above the castle's walls.
After reaching the end of the stairs, he found himself in another hallway.
He took this as an opportunity to try and see if he can 'unfreeze' the ponies here in the castle.
He levitated the dragon right in front of the royal guard's face.
He thought about it for a moment as he released the aura out of the dragon's mind.
Sensing that this is beyond the capabilities of Fillydelphia Police Department, Flame decided to take the train to Canterlot. He needs the help of the royal guards.
Their parents would have wanted to join them, but Flame needed them to run the grape business while he's away.
Finally recovering some of her strength, BatMare stood up and slowly worked her way back to her base to recover.
Sunset, Aurora's mother, is trying to calm the angry dark-blue coated unicorn.
The pale-blue alicorn is concentrating his magic on one spot of the used-to-be Canterlot Castle.
Out of all the ponies present, he's the only one who could still see the castle.
Now, he's trying to create a portal, so he could fly inside and return the castle back.
The other alicorn however, has already grown bored.
"Are you done yet?"
"Patience, brother."
"Are you pulling my leg here?"
"I see no reason to repeat what I just said."
"Then I guess I should help."
"Do not add to the stress of the unbalanced fabrics inside."Why is it taking me so long to stabilize a simple portal?
The brown alicorn nodded and flew through the portal.
Knowing that his brother managed to get inside indicated that he's in fact opening a portal, but the reason why he couldn't stabilize it to keep it open without the aid of his magic is something he couldn not understand.
His river of thoughts stopped and his focus on the portal almost broke after a mighty dragon's roar echoed around the city.
'Brother, get out of there, now! '
The dragon was now above Canterlot, where the castle was supposed to be.
"Begone, you fiend!"
The mighty black dragon ignored the alicorn's message, and instantly opened it's mouth, and snapped the alicorn inside its mouth.
Inside, the alicorn's magic focus was broken, aching his head.
"You shall not get away with this!"
And, he found himself surrounded by a green gas coming from inside the dragon's neck.
The brown alicorn, standing a few hooves from the castle's closed doors, heard a loud electric snap from the vortex.
'Hey bro, what's happening? 'Bro? '
He then heard the castle's doors opened.
The changeling was startled after seeing the presence of the brown alicorn.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 08 - Early Winter
Chapter 8 - Early Winter
1. Retelling
An old black earth pony with a messy white mane and tail bowed before Princess Celestia, and beside her was her student, a young purple unicorn filly, Twilight Sparkle, and beside her was her baby purple dragon, curled into a sleeping position on the carpeted raised floor of the royal seats.
With the old black earth pony was a potion bottle, filled with gray liquid of some sort. He raised his head to meet the Princess' smiling face.
"It is good to see you, princess."
The princess bowed to him with a smile. "You need to get out of your lab often, doctor."
Both laughed a bit, managing to wake the sleeping dragon. The little Twilight Sparkle tried to help the dragon go back to sleep.
"Quite..." the doctor said a bit loud, to clear his throat instead of coughing. "Ahem... Anyway, I'll do just that, princess." He opened the potion bottle and placed it on the floor in front of him. "As you can see, my research is complete. Hahah!"
"Research about what, my dear doctor?" The princess asked, still holding the same lovely smile.
Both Twilight and her dragon stared at the doctor confused.
"This, my dear princess..." the doctor took the potion with his hoof. "...is a potion that can stop both time and space!"
A tall brown alicorn and a black changeling gasped as they watched the event that happened before the castle became gray.
The princess frowned the instant she heard what the doctor had said. Twilight however, looked impressed.
"You can stop time? Really?" The little purple filly asked in excitement.
The doctor simply nodded his head, quite feeling proud of his achievement.
"Doctor," the princess began, still frowning, "although it is a great discovery, I do not think messing with time and space is such a good idea."
"Indeed," the doctor nodded, still feeling proud, "and I should inform you, princess, that I have taken extreme measures of not disturbing space and time with this."
The princess shook her head, somehow disbelieving the doctor's words. "I am sorry doctor, but I find it difficult to believe your words with only months of research."
The doctor grinned. "And, that is why I only made a small amount." He shook his hoof a bit to emphasize the potion. "And as proof that I am right, I would need a test subject."
"No, doctor." This time, the princess is flashing anger on her face. "I am sorry, but I would like to ask you to dispose what you are holding." Mentally, the princess is surprised that the doctor isn't surprised after hearing what she just have said, but she disregarded it for the time being. "We shouldn't create such things to cause uncertain events in the peaceful flow of time and space."
Still grinning, the doctor puts the potion down on the ground and instantly installed a metallic device around his hoof and pointed it directly at the princess. Instantly, he fired a thin ray of light towards the princess, who was about to counter the sudden attack, but unfortunately, the ray of light was too fast. The princess turned gray in an instant.
Twilight quickly recovered from her sudden state of shock. She quickly ran towards a door to the guest's rooms. The doctor immediately gave chase, leaving the potion vulmerable to the curious crawling purple dragon.
The purple baby dragon, after reaching the potion, drank the contents. The instant the dragon finished every drop, it looked around, trying to find more, but the area where it's eyes land, it turned gray, until the whole royal hall turned gray.
The brown alicorn and the black changeling continued to watch the dragon, who suddenly began to float in mid-air, and flew towards the door where Twilight and the doctor took.
Satisfied, the alicorn stopped his magic, and the whole royal hall then dimmed.
"So," the alicorn said as he turned to face the changeling.
Henry wanted to stop him, but he remembered that the alicorn's magic is strong enough to counter the dragon's eye.
The brown alicorn heard the castle's doors opened. He turned to see who or what opened the door, only to witness a brown-eyed changeling walking out, wearing a white hat and a brown sidebag, along with a levitating baby purple dragon with green spikes.
The changeling was startled after seeing the presence of the brown alicorn. The alicorn immediately went to his fighting stance, summoning great amounts of magic to his horn.
"Who are you!?" the alicorn asked, his voice enough to send the changeling into a startled state.
The changeling took a step back, lost his balance, and went into a sitting position. "W-wait! I have nothing to do with this!"
"A changeling shouldn't be inside a castle of ponies!"
"I-I can explain!"
"You better!"
Henry slowly shook his head to dismiss the thought.
The alicorn then summoned magic on his horn, making it glow.
Fasten the dragon's time...
The alicorn was about to do what he planned when the dragon suddenly fell back to the carpeted ground.
"Don't worry..." Henry said after the pain he felt was gone.
The alicorn arched an eyebrow, and then looked at the windows, which were slowly regaining their color, and he did notice a broken window.
Henry then felt a flow of magic energy coming inside of him. He wondered what it was until the strange feeling vanished. Remembering about his disguise, he tried to become a green alicorn again, and to his relief, he's a green alicorn again.
"You know... You can't hide your true self from the alicorn's eyes."
"Ha!"
Unable to prepare himself, he took the powerful magic attack, sending him towards the slightly opened castle doors, losing his consciousness.
"Goodness!"
Henry immediately ran towards the alicorn as well, leaving the sleeping baby dragon, and disregarding his name that echoed around the castle, and a loud slamming sound of a wooden door that followed.
"What the...!?"
Sunset also couldn't believe what she's seeing.
"What in tarnation is goin' on here!?"
Coal was looking confused as to why everypony in the area where looking shocked at a giant hole on the ground.
"Prin...cess..."
"Hush, child..."
Henry and Princess Celestia immediately used their magic to carry the brown alicorn inside Henry's room to rest and recover.
"Don't talk just yet... Rest up."
The brown alicorn simply nodded with a smile before he closed his weakly-opened eyes and went to sleep.
Almost everything in the castle has returned to normal.
The royal guards and as well as Twilight Sparkle tried to ask him to stop, but he didn't listen. If the brown alicorn managed to get inside, then there should be a way to get out.
He only stopped trying after he heard Princess Celestia whispering to the little purple filly to get back inside the castle.
A strange wave of energy was starting to form around the large hole where the castle used to stand. The ponies around the area were all shocked and confused from the event.
The instant the ponies recovered their sight, the castle was back in its rightful place.
2. Regroup
A yellow earth pony with brown mane and tail, and wearing a black belt, has arrived in Canterlot, and was now working her way towards the castle.
Ever since that brownish-red griffin appeared in Manehattan, things were starting to get...colder, than usual.
As soon as the ponies around the castle snapped back into their senses, they immediately tried to go inside the closed gates, where the royal guards, both outside and inside the castle's gates, barricaded the group of ponies.
Sunset flew to get away from the chaotic crowd, leaving Midnight to work his way towards the gates by pushing the other ponies blocking his path.
Flame had to carry the young Coal out of the crowd. Things will start to calm down after a few moments, and he was right.
Princess Celestia appeared behind the castle's gates, and the crowd immediately stopped from pushing each other, except for a dark-blue unicorn who continued his way towards the gate.
"Get outta my way!"
"Sir, I'd like---"
"I said get outta my---!"
"Midnight?"
Hearing the green alicorn's words, the royal guards assumed that they indeed know each other, so they allowed the unicorn to get near the gate.
"Henry! Thank goodness. It's Aurora... She's..."
"Henry sir!"
Both the alicorn and the unicorn turned to the source, and from the crowd came out a pale-red earth pony with a red filly on his back.
"Flame!?"
A yellow earth pony found herself behind the crowd of ponies in front of the castle's walls.
Henry led his friends in the castle's garden. Whatever they wanted to say, he could tell that it's really important, judging from their expressions.
Satisfied, he turned around to meet their gazes.
"Aurora was kidnapped!"
All of his four friends said in unison, startling the green alicorn.
"Aurora and Ember? Kidnapped? How?"
"After you, sir."
"Henry," Midnight started, "there was this crazy black earth pony who...shot something to Aurora. She..."
Henry wasn't convinced, but seeing that Aurora's mother was also here, he forced himself to believe what Midnight just said.
"Right..." Flame slowly said, inhaling, and exhaling, to try and bring himself together.
Two of his friends were kidnapped. By who?
"Funny how all of this happened at the same hour..."
Everypony turned to the newcomer, and Henry was taken aback.
"D-D-Daisy...!?"
The earth pony simply shook her head as she reached them.
Henry and Sunset find it hard to believe. The earth pony before them looked exactly like Henry's younger sister. Her coat, her mane, minus her judge's hammer cutie mark, looked exactly like Daisy.
"The name's Rose Hammer," she bowed, "president of The Rose Industries in Manehattan."
"And...why are you here?"
Henry however, was still finding it difficult to accept that Rose is not Daisy.
"Midnight, correct?" Rose asked, receiving the unicorn's confused nod.
Henry looked at her in the eye, and, somehow, he's not quite sure, but he noticed her eye pupil in her left eye was strange.
"Earlier this morning, in the streets of Manehattan, a griffin appeared and kidnapped a yellow unicorn."
"Yeah, so?"
"That griffin kidnapped your brother."
Midnight's mouth opened wide in shock and disbelief.
Rose gave a simple nod before she tilted her head up to the sky.
The others looked up as well, and noticed thick gloomy clouds completely covering the entire blue sky.
"A storm?"
Princess Celestia quietly walked towards the garden.
Rose shook her head.
Sunset, Flame and Henry quickly turned to the earth pony with shock.
Coal poked Flame's hoof, managing to catch the pale-red earth pony's attention.
Midnight would love to know as well, but his mind was busy accepting the information that his brother is still alive.
"So my assumption was right..."
"It's not their work."
How, Henry would love to ask, but there are more important things to worry about.
"So, what now?"
Everyone then noticed a snowflake gently falling to the ground in between all of them.
Coal walked towards it, and bent down to investigate it.
"Windigos feed on hatred..."
'Like us... ' Henry managed to thought to himself, despite the large amounts of thoughts rushing inside his head.
"...Equestria is full of hatred. It'll only take them a few hours for snow to cover the lands."
"'kay, so I'll ask again..."
"We can't just wait here..."
Henry and Princess Celestia nodded in agreement.
"Wait here..."
"Sunset just said we shouldn't just wait here..."
Flame and Coal sat on the grass. Flame was assuring the little filly that everything will be okay.
Henry sat down with Midnight and Sunset, gathering some information of the event. He might find something that would give him small hints of...whatever was going on.
Rose simply sat by herself, staring at them, busy with her own thoughts.
"A white messy mane!? An old black earth pony with a white messy mane!?"
"Geez, blackie... You don't have to shout!"
'Blackie? ' Rose thought.They know of him? '
Henry stomped his hoof on the grass.
At least now she knew who the other one was, now she needs to know the pegasus.
Muscular. White coat. Long black mane and tail. Cutie mark?
"Rose?"
"Yes?"
"You said Midnight's brother was taken by...a brown-and-red griffin?"
Rose nodded her head.
"Henry..." Midnight said, catching the alicorn's attention.
Henry was about to assure the unicorn that he was not thinking that Griselda's father was the culprit, but Rose nodded her head.
"Indeed, it was him that took your brother."
Henry turned to her, with a doubtful look.
"Fire."
Midnight was left speechless.
The heart is vulmerable to change...
'What did he mean by that? '
3. Choice of Harmony
If it was like any ordinary day, Henry would probably feel a bit angry to hear that publishing his book will be delayed.
The sky is starting to snow.
Henry and the others were called by a royal guard, telling them that the princess wants to see them in the royal hall.
After reaching the spacious hall, they saw Princess Celestia, standing on a raised platform of the royal seats.
"I have received disturbing news. Cloudsdale is not causing the snow. They could not even control it. Also, a dragon was seen in Canterlot when the castle was...absent. They say that a large black dragon has taken the alicorn of space. Royal guards were able to follow it until they got knocked out by a...strange magic. The last sighting of the dragon was it was flying towards the Crystal Mountains in the Frozen Nurth."
Dragon?
Alicorn of space?
Crystal Mountain?
Frozen Nurth?
Those were echoing in the minds of the ponies, except for the busy-thinking yellow earth pony, who is trying to tie all the information together.
"This 'Crystal Mountains '..."
The princess nodded.
"So, dis dragon kidnapped an al'corn..."
The princess nodded as a royal guard, who just arrived in the royal hall, was walking towards the princess.
"It would seem so..."
The royal guard bowed before his princess, and with his magic, he lifted a golden box towards her.
The princess opened the gold box, and gently puts it down in front for the ponies to see what is inside.
"Elements of Harmony?"
The princess nodded.
With her magic, she lifted the orbs, and summoned great amounts of magic, making the five levitating orbs to glow in different colors.
"The elements will choose its wielders."
Slowly, the orbs floated towards the ponies.
The red-glowing orb stopped in front of the nervous Flame.
The orbs glowed in white, and transformed into necklaces, and locked themselves around the chosen's necks.
Flame... You have stayed waiting, even though you were in doubt if Ember was ever going to come back.
"Huh...?"
And, you have even tried to save her. Unfortunately, you have failed, but you are still determined to save her.
"Well of course!"
You have showed enough loyalty to be chosen.
"Loyalty? Of course! I love her! She's everything to me!"
...fair enough.
Coal...
"Yes? Who is it?"
I am the Element of Laughter. And I chose you because you have showed enough reason for others to smile.
"...uh..."
But, you have caused your family to be sad after you disappeared.
"...but..."
But, you did it because you were needed elsewhere. Your sister needed someone to bring her back to the right path when she found herself lost. You gave her a reason to smile, despite being lost.
"I don't...uh..."
You have showed enough reason to give me a smile.
"Is...is that a good thing...?"
Hahah. Of course.
Henry... Despite being different, you chose to become a pony. Was your reason was so you could leech ponies' lives?
"What!? Of course not!"
No, I didn't think so either. Your only intention was to live like a normal pony. You wanted to get away from a boring changeling life.
"...Well..."
But you achieved more than that. You gave a pony someone to look up to. You helped a pony to be reunited to her family. Not one, but two ponies. Also, you helped a pony find a good place he can call a home. And, you gave a pony someone to love.
"Er..."
Aren't you generous? And you did all those from your heart.
"I...only did those things 'cause they felt like the right thing to do."
Uh-huh. Your heart is pure. Don't ever change that. Because you have showed enough generosity for me to choose you.
"Wait... I get to carry the Element of Generosity?"
Sorry if I disappointed you...
"What? No! Of course not. I...uh..."
Midnight...
"A voice? Who's there? Show yourself!"
I am the Element of Kindness.
"The element of...what? I can't see you from all of this white...ness..."
Your life has been a struggle.
"Hell...yeah, it was..."
You have never seen your parents. You have never seen the proper road.
"..."
But, despite all those, you stayed with your brother.
"O-of...course."
You grew up together, in the streets. You have made friends, as twisted as the two of you.
"Hey, watch it!"
You mug ponies, even threaten to kill them just to get what you want. You never showed pity, you never showed kindness.
"And how are we suppose to survive if we did just that, huh?"
You even thought your brother was dead.
"..."
After all you've been through, you simply gave up on believing that he must still be alive.
"...shut up... You weren't there when it happened..."
Yes, that is correct, but I can see everything in you. Even the...naughty ones.
"...get the hell away from my mind!"
I can't see a reason why you are qualified to carry the Element of Kindness.
"And I thought you can see everything..."
Tell me. Why are you qualified to carry me?
"Gee, I wish I knew."
...Who is Aurora to you?
"What? She's a brat. She's annoying. She always puts her nose in my business."
...And yet...?
"...and yet what? Sure, she's annoying and all, but...she...she's just a little pony. I feel...I feel like I should keep a watchful eye on her, to prevent bad things from happening."
...and yet...?
"...but I failed to save her..."
...save her?
"You heard me! I failed to save her, okay!? So now what, you're going to tell me how much of a fail I am as well of not being able to save my brother!?"
...I could do that, but did you even realise it?
"...realise what?"
You are kind enough to watch out for Aurora.
"...I...no. You got it wrong. I was just...just..."
Simple kindness. Your heart is full of darkness, and yet, one small spark of kindness managed to grow inside of that dark heart of yours. Tell me, out of all the obvious choices inside your heart, you prefer to choose that small, almost-invisible light. Why?
"...heck, I don't know. All I know is I shouldn't be wasting time talking to a stupid voice! I should be preparing myself to kick that Psycho guy so hard to the pits of Tartarus!"
...unkind words for a kind action... I think you'll qualify.
Sunset stood beside Princess Celestia as they watched the five ponies surrounded by a bright white light.
Soon, the radiant white glow that surrounded the ponies started to fade, revealing all five ponies with their eyes closed. The five slowly opened their eyes, seeing the alicorn and the pegasus standing in front of them; the alicorn wearing a smile while the pegasus was looking worried.
"I never would have thought that the Elements of Harmony will decide to choose you."
Flame and Coal looked at each other. Flame was looking uncertain while Coal was looking excited.
Suddenly, a royal guard came inside the royal hall, rushing towards the princess.
And then, another royal guard came in.
And another royal guard.
And another royal guard, and then another.
4. Towards The Destination
The City of Canterlot is now having a severe snowstorm.
The castle's garden, now covered by white snow.
Curious, yet they kept silent.
Soon, they heard a strange noise from afar, and from the grayish atmosphere surrounding the far-reaches of their eyes, they could see a black silhouette approaching towards them.
With a press of a button, the bat-like aircraft slowly started landing down.
The four left their mouths open in disbelief.
"You...! You're BatMare!?"
Rose smiled, not turning to face them.
The four nodded their heads as Princess Celestia reached the group.
The princess smiled.
The four looked at the princess in disbelief.
"I will come with you."
The aircraft's windshield slid open, revealing one pilot seat and two passenger seats.
"Wait!"
Everypony turned to the source, and saw Sunset, just landing near the group.
"Please, let me come with you."
Henry was about to say something when Midnight walked towards her, and placed a hoof on the pegasus' shoulder.
The unicorn smiled warmly.
"B-but..."
Midnight shook his head.
Henry smiled.
Sunset cried as she immediately hugged the unicorn.
Midnight returned the hug.
After they broke their hug, Rose asked Midnight and Flame to take a seat inside the aircraft.
"We'll fly slower for you two to keep up."
The two alicorns simply nodded their heads.
Soon, the aircraft flew up, and boosted forward to their destination.
Sunset was left in the garden, staring at the black aircraft as it slowly faded into the grayness.
A blue sea pony finally regained her consciousness.
Near her were three other spheres, and inside those spheres were other ponies, still unconscious.
She looked around, but she could see nothing else from the darkness.
She tried to remember why she was here, but the only thing she could remember was her father chasing after her...
Her father...brought her here...?
She tried breaking herself free once again, but to no avail.
Devastated, she allowed gravity to gently pull her to the bottom of the sphere, her head hanging low with sadness and disbelief.
'Henry... '
"Ah...?"
"Something wrong, Sir Henry?"
Henry shook his head a bit.
Despite the severe snowstorm, the two alicorns fought against the strong wind to tail the aircraft.
Was he dreaming or imagining it?
"There is trouble approaching..."
The dragon simply nodded and flew upward.
"Is it them?"
The unicorn simply shook his head.
"Ah! The changeling queen? Here?"
"Why would the changeling queen come here?"
"I invited her."
The pegasus grinned.
"Clever?"
"To remove her from existence."
"What?"
The unicorn nodded.
"Heeeyyy!"
Henry and Princess Celestia turned their heads without stopping from flying, and both spotted a familiar brown and winged pony flying from behind them.
Soon, despite the strong snowy winds, he caught up with the two.
"Princess..." the brown alicorn began, facing the princess as he flew in between the other two alicorns.
The princess reflected the alicorn's frown.
"Hate him?"
"The royal guards said you are going to where a black dragon was heading. They also said that the dragon took my brother! So I'm coming along, whether you like it or not!"
The princess opened her mouth, but decided not to speak. She shook her head and lands her gaze on the aircraft a few meters in front of them.
Griselda was launched into the castle's walls with great force, surrounded by green aura of magic.
The castle of the griffins, standing tall despite the strong snowy winds, was homed by a number of griffins who took shelter from the sudden snow.
The griffins however, have now fallen into unconsciousness after a large number of green-eyed changelings invaded the castle and started attacking them.
Griselda was lifted from the ground once again, and levitated in front of a large black changeling.
"I'll ask once again, missy."
"I have told you..."
Chrysalis, however, smiled evilly.
She was cut off after a loud and strong flapping sound echoed around the castle.
The dragon suddenly let out a mighty roar as it flew higher and used its feet to kick the castle's walls, creating a large hole for it to enter.
The changelings inside began to panic.
Princess Celestia and the brown alicorn were flying a few hooves behind the green alicorn.
If only the Windigos were a solid figure, then Henry would have tried to deal with them directly to stop the snowstorm. He knows how to stop the Windigos, but it would desperately require him a lot of time and effort in explaining to the ponies, plus, he still needs to rescue Aurora and Ember, and Midnight's brother.
The brown alicorn suddenly heard a faint echo of cry from below. He wasn't sure what it was, but it kind of sounded like a dragon.
"I'll catch up."
The princess wasn't able to say anything to ask why, so she decided to trust him to catch up and continued to fly.
The brown alicorn was right. What he heard was indeed from a dragon.
Anger quickly filled his horn, and immediately blasted a large bolt of beam at the dragon, sending it down to the ground.
Chrysalis however, took the chance and escaped, being followed by her changeling minions.
The brown alicorn landed on the snow-covered ground, meters away from the rising dragon.
The dragon roared as it summoned a fierce flame from its mouth at the alicorn.
"And then..."
The four looked at the young unicorn.
"...phase four."
5. Face-off
"I am detecting a number of heat source from that area."
She detected quite a number of heat source earlier, including a very large entity. She decided not to trouble themselves with a dragon.
She wasn't being honest, but no one asked her if she detected something ealier, so that doesn't count as lying, is it?
She began to land the aircraft on the deserted snowy area.
After the aircraft landed, the windshield slid open, and Midnight quickly jumped out of the seat and landing on the soft snow-covered ground.
Flame jumped next, and helped Coal get off of the aircraft.
The two alicorns soon landed near the group.
"So!?" Flame shouted for his voice to be heard from the loud sound of the wind.
Rose pointed her hoof at a large hole at the snowy ground a few meters away.
The hole was an underground diagonal tunnel.
Henry was impressed. BatMare does have a lot of handy gadgets.
They were about to enter the tunnel when they heard something landed a few hooves behind them.
"CHRYSALIS!?"
This is it. The moment Henry can avenge his family and his beloved sister.
Chrysalis however, simply smiled.
"I wish I could say the same, queeny..."
"And Henry darling, never knew you're still alive."
"You won't be when I get my claws on you!"
'Henry... 'Go with them. I'll handle her... '
'But...no! 'I'm fighting her! '
'Henry, you need to go with them. '
Henry couldn't see the logic on that, but, strangely, the princess' voice sounded like she's telling him where he's really needed to be.
"Chrysalis, today might not be the right time to fight you..."
Chrysalis only grinned.
Ignoring her, Henry turned around and quickly ran inside the tunnel, and the others immediately followed him.
"If you're the obstacle I need to take care of, then so be it."
"You will not defeat me."
"A dead end!?"
After walking for a few minutes, they found themselves in an almost circular space, with no other available paths.
Flame began to touch the walls of the cave, but they were no illusions.
"Are you sure this is the right place!?"
Rose simply ignored him as she tried to fix her device.
"If this is some sort of puzzle," Henry said, his voice was still mixed with anger.
"It's a plain ol' dead-end! How can this be a puzzle!?"
Henry was getting annoyed at his volume, but he tried to keep himself calm, despite the raging anger inside him.
Suddenly, Henry found himself surrounded by a white magic sphere. Midnight was inside one as well. Rose as well. Flame and Coal were inside one sphere.
"W-what's going on!?"
Henry summoned a small amount of magic on his horn for it to glow, but it couldn't penetrate the darkness around the sphere.
Suddenly, the darkness faded, as well as the sphere.
"Henry!"
Snapping back, he quickly turned around to see a muscular and large blue-green seahorse-tailed sea pony with a sharp horn on his forehead. He was surrounded by a quiet swirling vortex of water.
Despite the fact that he's looking at a green alicorn, his eyes can filter any magic disguises, and can clearly see the newcomer's true identity.
Midnight landed on a cemented chamber, where the area was clear of any exits.
"Midnight!"
Midnight flashed a smile.
"Ah, hello there."
"You're dead!"
"Flame! Coal!"
Flame and Coal immediately ran towards her.
"Stay clear, Coal!"
He was about to lift his two front hooves when they heard something large landed behind them on the grassy ground of the chamber.
"Do that, and she'll die."
Flame shot the pegasus with an angry glare, preparing himself to fight him, while Coal hid himself behind Flame's hind hooves.
Rose found herself on a rocky surface inside a chamber.
She disregarded her whereabouts as she focused on the two breathing entities in front of her.
Is she here to save the criminal who almost killed her?
Daybreak couldn't land a glance on her.
"How strange of you to come here to save the pony who tried to kill you."
"Believe me, I would be happy to choose another option if I was able to."
Above the cities of Manehattan, Los Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Canterlot, PonyVille, Fillydelphia, and Baltimare, the thick gloomy gray clouds started to flash an image.
Nopony were able to notice, until a voice echoed all throughout the wind.
"Ladies and gentlecolts..."
A young voice echoed. Ponies who were near a window looked through their windows, trying to find the source of the voice.
"...as you are aware, Equestria is suffering from a horrifying storm of ice and snow."
Midnight forced himself to stop to listen to the voice as he stared at the image on the chamber's ceiling. Aurora and the doctor did the same.
"I would like to thank every pony, for it weren't for you, for any of you, none of this would be possible."
"What the hay?"
Henry was staring at the image on the ceiling of the chamber. The two sea ponies were as well.
"Windigos... Elemental spirits that feed on hatred. The ponies of Equestria is full of hatred."
Henry stayed silent.
Rose was looking on the image on the ceiling of the chamber she was in, as well as the griffin and the yellow unicorn.
"Ponies became corrupted by greed, anger, lust... Ponies even kill each other just for them to be above the rest!"
'Sad but true... '
Flame and Coal looked up on the ceiling, where an image appeared.
"Ponies driven by such emotion, will do anything to gain more. Have they seen the effects they caused? Of course not! And even if they do, did they do anything to change themselves? No..."
"What's he talking about?"
Flame couldn't argue. All the things that pony is saying is true.
"Fillies are supposed to look up at the older ponies as their role model. If their role model is corrupt by heart, what will happen to the fillies? Yes, they will become one of them one day. And the cycle will continue. I will not allow this to happen! Realize what you have done! You all have created a great amount of heartaches among your fellow ponies! Every place is the same. And now that I hold the power to change the course of the future, I do not want a future where I will be filled with corrupted ponies! No! I want a world where ponies can live together in peace and harmony! That's my dream! That's my goal! And that's what I am planning to do with my power! I will freeze this land, and then the rest of the world, and begin a new era of ponies for a brighter future! But do not fear. The Windigos will only freeze those who are corrupted by heart. Yes, the pure ones will be spared, but how many? That, I do not care. Enjoy the rest of your pathetic lives while it last! But don't give up hope. Who knows? Maybe one of these five ponies will be able to stop me. I present to you all, the wielders of the Elements of Harmony! The five ponies who are fighting my comrades to try and stop me. Watch them, and pray that they will stop me, if you want a corrupted future!"
And the image changed into four images, where Henry and the others were inside chamber-like areas.
They noticed the chamber was starting to freeze. Their time inside is limited.
"Battle...start..."
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 10 - Melting The Ice
Chapter 10 - Melting The Ice
Henry allowed the oricorn's magic to hold Pearl as he, Midnight, Daybreak, Flame, Coal and Rose stood in front, preparing themselves to battle the young unicorn pony.
Ember and Aurora stood near the levitated sea pony.
Suddenly, the unconscious ponies lying on the dark floor were enveloped in darkness, and disappeared.
Those who witnessed the event gasped in horror.
The pale-yellow unicorn shook his head.
"Magic! What are you doing!? "What the...? "
"The space here is unstable."
Suddenly, the shadowy walls started to flash some images of them battling their foes earlier.
The unicorn however, took a look at one of the images, where it shows them Midnight battling the griffin to save his brother Daybreak.
"These images you see..."
An image displaying Midnight, using the element to defeat the griffin flashed before them.
"Midnight here was suppose to defeat Helios and to rescue his brother."
The image disappeared, and then an image flashed where Sunset just used her element power to defeat the pegasus.
"That one was suppose to be a little family reunion of Aurora's mother and father."
The image faded into the darkness, and then the other image flashed where Rose had killed the oricorn.
"Rose here would have defeated Pearl's father, even without the aid of the Element of Honesty."
The image disappeared, and the last remaining image flashed before them, where the black earth pony decided to escape.
"And here, the doctor makes his escape, allowing the two earth ponies a free win."
And the image disappeared.
The oricorn wasn't sure what to feel that he was supposed to die at the hands of the yellow mare earth pony.
Henry however, was confused. Why was he not in any of those images?
"As for you, Henry..."
Henry felt a bit surprised to hear those set of words.
The unicorn nodded.
A flame of anger was ignited inside Henry, but he's willing to listen further.
"Your sister, Daisy..."
Rose was startled a bit after hearing the name.
An image flashed in front of them, showing Henry's sister, writing a book inside the library, wearing a smile.
Rose's left eye adjusted, focusing on the image.
Henry's sudden anger was blown into sadness after seeing his sister, looking so peaceful and happy. A tear would have run down his face if he didn't wiped his eye with his hoof on time.
"...would have continued to live in PonyVille, writing a book of her dream, with you as her inspiration, and..."
The image before them shows them a red earth stallion walking beside her, and both gave each other a kiss.
"...she would have lived a normal happy life with a stallion named Macintosh."
The image then slowly faded into the air.
"...as I have said," he stared calmly at the startled alicorn-disguised-changeling, "you are a mistake in time and space. Your very existence ruined the already written future."
"Yes, about that..."
Daybreak gave him a confident smile.
The others did the same while Henry looked back at the others behind them.
The oricorn nodded.
The alicorn returned his gaze at the foe at hand.
"Magic... Seriously... Why are you doing this? "This isn't like you! "
The unicorn shook his head.
"What? "
"Magic is...controlling that child...! "
"No! He couldn't! He...shouldn't... "
The unicorn smiled.
"Please, Magic... Don't let us do this! "
The unicorn simply shook his head.
The unicorn before them flashed great anger on his face.
Finally, Kindness broke the silence.Starswirl... Please... "...don't do this... "
"I have made up my mind, Radiant... Even with the five of you, you can't surpass my magic."
Silence has governed the place once again.
Midnight stomped his hoof, and he did not expect to create such a loud noise, but he didn't care.
"Learn your limitations, dear Midnight."
Midnight was taken aback.
"Like I said, with this child's ability, I am able to see the past, and future."
Daybreak and Midnight were shocked to see themselves as foals.
"T-that's..."
"...mom...?"
Then they saw a white pegasus, a pegasus so familiar. The pegasus lied down next to the unicorn mare, and nuzzled her neck.
"Sonic Wave...?"
"That Sonic-dude's our...! No!"
The unicorn shook his head.
"That's a lie! That has to be a lie!"
"Yes, Aurora's this unicorn's big sister."
Midnight quickly turned his head back at the unicorn with a shocked expression.
The image changed where the two foals were crying beside their mother, who was lying down on the alleyway, bathed with her own blood, as Sonic Wave was being beaten by a group of ponies.
Everypony could not find a single word to say something, anything...
"Sonic Wave was devastated by the death of his mare."
The image changed where the two foals were sleeping quietly inside a cardboard box, and the bruised pegasus was looking at them with a neutral expression. He then flew away.
"He left the two of you alone."
The image changed into the magnificent city of Cloudsdale, where Sonic Wave was talking to Aurora's mother.
"Sonic lived in Cloudsdale for years. Since he was born in Cloudsdale, he easily got a job, that he hoped would help him erase his past. There, he met Sunset."
The image changed where Sunset and Sonic were arguing inside a house, and behind one of the cloud-made chairs, was a little pegasus filly, hiding in fear.
Aurora looked down. The memories were flashing right back into her mind.
"Years later, their love bore a pegasus filly they named Aurora. But the day she learned how to fly, things started to get sour on their relationship. Sunset and Sonic knew about the strict rules of Cloudsdale about fillies learning to fly. Sonic was okay with it, but Sunset was not. She had a plan, that they should move out of the city of clouds, but Sonic disagrees, for he feared that he may one day meet his unicorn children on earth."
The image changed, where it now displays Sonic in front of the Cloudsdale trial court.
"After two weeks since he was imprisoned, he was also sentenced to exile."
The images changed where Sonic was getting drunk inside a bar, where a number of sexy mares were comforting him.
"He became a broken pegasus. Always drinking, always spending time with random mares."
The images changed where Sonic was confronted with a mare, using her magic to carry a unicorn foal, a pale-yellow unicorn foal.
"And a few years later, Sonic was confronted by one of the mares that he pregnated, demanding support for their child. That foal, was this unicorn before you."
The image changed, showing them a poorly built house, where the two twin foals were taken care of by two old earth ponies.
"An old couple found the two foals, and decided to take care of them, and with hopes to raise them as their own."
Daybreak and Midnight felt their heart ached. Not only that they need to accept that some ponies did took care of them, but the place the old couples were was awfully familiar: their apartment back in Manehattan.
"The two of you were named after their names; Crimson Daybreak and Midnight Star."
The image changed, displaying again the scene where the two foals were crying beside their dead mother, and Sonic was beaten.
"Notice the group of ponies beating the white pegasus."
After a few seconds of silence, everypony heard Rose's gasp.
The unicorn nodded his head.
The image changed, where Rose's father was holding a blood-stained knife, and in front of him was the shocked Sonic, and the dying mare.
"Rose Petal, the name of your mother, was also the wife of Silver String, Rose's father."
"No..."
"After finding out that Rose Petal bore twin foals with another pony, Silver String was beyond angry. He was suppose to kill Sonic, but Rose blocked the knife."
The image changed into a scene inside a beautiful garden, where a crowd of high-class ponies where gathered to witness Rose Petal and Silver String being wed.
"Your mother, Rose Petal, was wed to Silver String, in an arranged marriage. Silver String loved her so much, but Rose Petal didn't return his love. Still, they bore a foal, and they named it after the mare herself, Rose."
The image changed where Silver String led a group of ponies in the shadows.
"Losing his beloved mare, and unable to kill the pony who stole her from him, Silver String lost the sight of the light, and became the most feared crime lord in Manehattan."
The image changed where two young filly twins where beaten unconscious, beside the old couple.
"A few years after, the old couple were killed by Silver String's group of ponies. That was during the time he was testing his ponies to see if they were capable of robbing and killing."
The image changed where Silver String was behind Midnight, firing a brown beam of magic at the dodging Daybreak in a sewer.
Daybreak and Henry gasped, while Midnight was confused. He did not remember facing his brother.
"After a few years, where the ripples in time and space occured, Henry Hoof, a brown-eyed changeling, was captured by Silver String, and used his form-changing ability in hopes to make big money out of it. But a large number of teenaged ponies, led by Daybreak, has broken into his layer, bearing the thought that Silver String has his brother, however, what he didn't know was that the Midnight attacking him was no more than the changeling himself."
Rose remembered that event.
The image changed where Daybreak was enveloped by his fierce yellow magic, levitating himself in front of the thin Silver String in the dark alley.
"Daybreak, angered, killed Rose's father."
Daybreak looked down on the black ground.
The image changed where a young pale-yellow unicorn pony was taking shelter under a thin tree, from a rain.
"The unicorn before you lived by himself. Both his parents left him, hoping he would die in the streets, but he, however, tried his best to survive, despite his young age."
The image changed where the filly found an orb inside a cave.
"And here, this was the time we first met each other. He heard rumors that this old abandoned cave held treasure, and he wanted to get it so he could get enough money to survive, and he indeed landed on a treasure."
The image faded into the darkness.
"...me."
"And that, my friend..."
The pale-yellow unicorn took a step back, his face wore confusion.
"You said it yourself. Silver String and Sonic Wave, despite their past, have agreed to be in peace. That is a perfect example of friendship. That is a perfect example that even the most twisted, broken, and corrupt ponies, they still have the ability to change and accept the light of friendship!"
The pale-yellow unicorn flashed anger, and was about to speak when Midnight interrupted.
"So our family is full of broken ponies, big deal."
Rose was not sure if it was merely coincidence, or he really did aimed it at her.
Midnight turned to Aurora.
Aurora flashed a smile.
Midnight turned to his brother.
"You don't have to shout, brother..."
Flame nodded in agreement.
"There is always a pony, or even not a pony, who has a pure heart, and who is willing to help other ponies!"
"Yeah! And what's important, is that everypony can smile and be friends!"
"So I really did lived with a lie, but that doesn't mean I should stop on believing in other ponies!"
"Give them a chance and they will start to change!"
"And who knows, maybe one of them could be the pony who you'll be spending your entire life!"
"The heart is vulmerable to change!"
"Forgiveness and acceptance..."
"Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness, and Laughter."
"You dare fight me!?"
"Is he deaf or is it only just his old age?"
"Ignore him."
"Ahem..."
"I said 'mostly '..."
Suddenly, Daybreak's neck shined in white, and what revealed was a necklace, mirroring the pale-yellow unicorn's necklace.
In an instant, Daybreak's entire body glowed green, and when it faded, he was now wearing a green-plated full armor.
The pale-yellow unicorn took another step back in shock.
Daybreak was startled, but dismissed the thought immediately and prepared himself with the others.
The six necklaces glowed with their respective color.
"I guess we now have a new Element of Magic... "
"The Element of Friendship? "
"Hello... "
"Whoa! It's a she! "
"Easy, tiger... "
"Right...ahem... "
The six ponies arched their eyebrows, but they then resumed to their poses.
The six was now enveloped with white light, and levitated above, as white magic began to lock the pale-yellow unicorn in place.
"You can't win against me!"
The unicorn's body glowed, and revealed before them a rainbow-colored full armor worn by the unicorn. His eyes glowed in white, and blasted a rainbow-colored beam at the six ponies.
An invisible barrier stopped his attack from reaching them.
"Starswirl of the Element of Magic... "You who founded the arts of magic, you who were always the wise, you who always tried to believe in a peaceful conclusion, you who always saw the good in other ponies...have turned to become someone who you are not. You believed that with your power, you can change the world alone, where sacrifices must be made to fulfill your goal. We of the Elements of Harmony will not allow your evil ambition to reach it's conclusion. Allow us to cleanse you from the corruption that stained your pure spirit! "
"Yes, I, who hold the greatest magic ever known, will not allow the six of you to stop me from cleansing this world from all the corrupted spirits. Now, you have made it clear that you will indeed stand in my way, I will eliminate all of you. It is such a shame. We could have worked together!"
The pale-yellow unicorn pony fired yet another rainbow-colored beam, and the six countered his attack with their own.
The two beams collided, sending a powerful wave of magic in the area, as they brought their force on their beams to push the other.
Soon, however, the colliding beams exploded, blinding the whole area with bright white light.
After everything returned to normal, the oricorn, Pearl, Ember and Aurora brought down their hooves, only to find themselves on the flat snowy surface, where in the far distance, a black aircraft stood.
Before them were the six wielders of the Elements of Harmony, lying unconscious on the ground, and a few hooves in front of them was the pale-yellow unicorn, standing and breathing deep.
Behind the pale-yellow unicorn was a pale-blue alicorn, the black earth pony, the griffin and the white pegasus, all lying on the snow unconscious.
The four could not believe it; the Elements of Harmony...lost?
Their armor began to fade, bringing a grin on the pale-yellow unicorn's face.
He stopped himself after he noticed something bright high above them.
Princess Celestia and Time Keeper quietly landed behind the unicorn.
The strong wind was starting to weaken.
"Child..."
The unicorn slowly turned to face his princess.
The princess flashed a warm smile.
"But...!"
"The land of Equestria as received your message, and..."
"Uh..."
The princess smiled as she nodded her head.
The previous fire of friendship died a few centuries ago...
The princess chuckled.
The land of Equestria.
Long ago, this land was at war against many opposing foes. The chivalrous pegasi, the powerful unicorns, the fearful dragons, the frightening changelings, the serpentine Discord, the fiery phoenixes, the icy Windigos...
The land has faced a lot of bloodshed, and I was there to witness all of them. Along with my five friends, we overcome all obstacles that comes our way. We have proven so many times that our friendship can win over battles, and even wars.
Only one foe has taken us down... Princess Luna. We could not bring ourselves together to fight our friend.
Despite what happened, we didn't regret anything.
But, now that I think about it, has my old age made me forget the true value of friendship? Has my old age blinded me to see the possible spark of change in the hearts of each ponies?
I have come to a conclusion that it was I who became corrupted. I only hope my friends could forgive me one day.
Until then, I will remain hidden, for myself and for Equestria to enjoy peace.
I know one day I will be needed. And when that day comes, the power of friendship will summon me, the same way Friendship herself was summoned before us.
It's time for this old timer to take a long nap.
Forever your faithful subject... The Element of Magic...
Starswirl The Bearded.
P.S. Allow my five friends to rest in the old castle in the forest. Please believe me on this one. And no, this is not for them to have a private time alone. How many times do I have to repeat that?
One month later...
"Ah still can't believe that awful snow disappeared just before Zap Apple Season!"
The weird thundurous storm from the Everfree Forest has already made its way above the Apple Family's orchard.
Henry, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith sat behind the excited little filly.
Henry was busy taking down notes.magically grow leaves on trees.
Finally, they heard a fierce zapping sound coming from every trees' roots.
Applejack jumped so high. Every year, the Zap Apples always cheers her up.
Big Macintosh and Granny Smith shared a nod, while Henry groaned in disappointment.
He sighed, to Big Macintosh and Granny Smith's amusement.
They then heard a faint howl of a wolf, which immediately brought the old earth pony back on her hooves and ran to the barn as fast as she can.
"The Timber Wolves ah'comin'!"
Henry joined Midnight and Daybreak, who were having lunch in the park.
Henry and Daybreak were shocked.
The ball allowed gravity to pull it back on the ground, allowing the annoyed unicorn to see the apologetic look on Aurora.
"Yep... That's my brother..."
They both shared a chuckle.
"So, how's your work as an accountant?"
The unicorn shrugged.
He remembered earning his cutie mark during his first day of work.
Midnight finally caught the pegasus with his magic, and dragged her in front of his face.
A scarlet blush appeared around the unicorn's cheeks, losing his focus on his little pegasus sister, dropping her on the ground.
And as predicted, Midnight floated himself towards the mares with a stupid look on his face.
"Well, that won't end well."
Daybreak nodded in agreement.
A carriage stopped in front of a construction site.
"Ah! Miss Hammer! Good afternoon!"
"Drop the miss, or I promise you, I won't be in our wedding day."
The unicorn chuckled.
"How are things, anyway?"
They both looked at the nearly complete structure.
"Only a week from now 'till the orphanage is complete."
Looking at the structure made her remember that day where she came along with Midnight and Daybreak, to relive their past memories on the abandoned apartment before they'll let Rose reconstruct the place.
It sure gave them a lot of awful memories, but it also opened some hidden memories.
They remembered the old couple.
They could almost remember all of those bits and pieces.
"Watch out!"
Rose jumped to him, grabbed him, and immediately did a barrel roll to avoid the metal bar.
Though terrified, the engineer flashed a smile.
She smiled, and kissed him.
A loud whistle echoed through the grassy fields outside of PonyVille, where pegasi fillies were lined up.
"Listen up, squirts!"
The cyan filly with a rainbow mane and tail grinned.
"And now, it's time for you to put yourselves into the test!"
The fillies whispered to each other excitedly. They knew that Sunset's hayfries is very very good, and the rainbow-maned pegasus is sure to get herself that big bag of hayfries all to herself!
Sonic saw Sunset, giving him the sweetest of smiles.
"Right. On your mark!"
The fillies prepared themselves.
"Get set!"
Rainbow Dash locked her gaze on the cloud from the far distance.
A loud whistle rang in the atmosphere, and the fillies quickly vanished, allowing the white stallion to walk towards Sunset.
Rainbow Dash excitedly flew above the annoyed white pegasus.
Ditzy arrived in front of the library, where Henry was about to open the door to resume his work after his short break.
She didn't brought her little foal, to Henry's disappointment.
Henry invited his friend for a cup of tea, which she happily accepted.
Aurora immediately took the four books, stacked the three, and stole the other one and brought it to the second floor, where she settled down on reading it on the table near the window.
Doctor Magnifico Psycho decided to teach in Celestia's Magic School, in the subject of science of course.
He didn't mind it though.greatness in science, and it also increased his determination to teach.
Twilight however, would rather study magic than science.
"Miss Sparkle!"
The purple filly leaped in surprise, making her classmates chuckle.
"If my discussions are boring to you, you may head out of the classroom!"
The filly felt sad about her teacher's words.
"Not about magic, I know..."
"Huh?"
"They rely on potions as well! And where do potions come from?"
"Um... From science?"
"Bingo!"
Twilight smiled and nodded.
"Father, I still cannot believe what you have done!"
"Ack..."
Because of what he did, the griffins no longer want him to be their leader.
Now though, Griselda's having a hard time trying to be a wife and a caretaker.
"S-sorry..."
Griselda stared at him angrily, and she then sighed.
"Twelve Bits!? That's outrageous!"
The griffins near their home overheard them, and they chuckled.
Rose stepped out of a carriage and payed the drivers.
"Aunt Rose!"
Rose returned his hug.
Since Rose was wealthy, she asked Sonic Wave if he'll allow her to take care of Golden Time, the pale-yellow unicorn pony.
"What brings you here, Auntie?"
"You were supposed to be home three hours ago."
"Huh? Oh? Oh! Uh...oops?"
Rose sighed.
Gold nodded happily.
"Imagine ourselves, brother and sister, dating each other! Eewww..."
The unicorn mail pony was near the library's door, who brought some mail for the alicorn.
Midnight gave her a glare.
Henry rolled his eyes.
Rainbow Dash was enjoying her victory with her friend Fluttershy inside her cottage near the Everfree Forest.
Fluttershy was simply listening to her with a smile as she and Angel ate some hayfries.
Daybreak was not happy in the slightest.
And who else to lead the party but the party pony Pinkie Pie herself.
"Happy One Month Of Getting Your Cutie Mark And Your Job As An Accountant Party? "
He still has a lot of papers to finish.
Suddenly, the pink pony hopped towards him and handed him a large pile of papers.
"Oh, silly!"
Daybreak double-checked some of the papers...
The pink pony grabbed all of the papers, zoomed to his table, which was pushed to the side to make room for the dance floor, put them inside the drawer, zoomed back in front of the yellow unicorn, smiling as wide as she can.
The party pony pushed her a little too close for the yellow unicorn.
The two unicorns looked at each other's blushing faces.
Daybreak smiled weakly.
"Hi..."
And they both were lost of words as they looked around aside from each other.
This isn't good, the party pony thought.
She zoomed to the music player.
Daybreak, realizing what was happening, blushed further.
"Um... Shall...we dance?"
The mare shyly accepted his hoof, and they soon began to dance.
'Mission accomplished! 'But all this romantic stuff's boring... Oh well... '
Aurora has no idea how she got into this mess.
The little Rarity has been using her as the one to test her latest designs, and she's not liking it in the slightest.
Wait, now that she thought about it, she did remember.
Inside the letter states that Rarity wanted to see her.
She used the letter as a bookmark to indicate which page she left the Daring Do book and she soon flew towards the filly's boutique.
She's going to get her revenge once she gets out of here!
The door opened, hitting the bells above, indicating a customer!
At least Aurora can rest from posing.
"Hey sis!"
Aurora quickly hid herself behind Rarity's mannequins.
"Oh? Do you like it?"
"Honestly Midnight, it's rude to play pranks with your little sister."
"Yeah, yeah. Just having some fun, yah know?"
"Ugh, boys will always be boys!"
'Okay, it is on! '
He knew Aurora will get him, so he'll have a delay-revenge if she does get back to him.
"Now these are pancakes!"
Griever and Griselda smiled at the old griffin as they continued to eat.
"Mom!"
Her father only gave her an apologetic smile.
"Mom! Please! I'm tired...! This is the seventeenth mall we've visited!"
But her voice somehow didn't register on her mother's brain as she was joyfully muttering to herself about how wonderful she would look. She already took ten wedding gowns now.
"I wish I never came back home..."
It took her a month to gain the courage to tell her mother she was already in love, and now, she regretted it.
'I wonder how Pearl is doing... '
"HENRY!"
Henry shook from surprise, making his chair fall behind with him as the library's door suddenly bursted open and Aurora shouted his name.
"MIDNIGHT IS UNBEARABLE!"
"And I thought something was new..."
Frustrated that the alicorn wouldn't help her get back on the unicorn, she flew towards a nearby cloud to rest her mind, but as she flew nearer, a grin grew on her face.
"The perfect revenge..."
Flame and Ember helped each other in carrying the heavy basket-full of grapes back inside their home, leaving the little Coal watering the roots of the grapevines.
Winter is fast approaching, and they need to finish the thousand-bottle of grapewine that was ordered by the Rose Industries in Manehattan.
"That Rose fellah sure knows how tah make a business, huh?"
He quickly took the towel on the table, and wiped Ember's forehead, to her annoyance.
"Now, now... No complainin'."
Ember rolled her eyes.
Midnight just gave Cheerilee her letter in front of the school teacher's door when they heard a voice from above.
"Look out below!"
Aurora laughed seeing the unicorn slightly wet and shivering from the cold, and was looking angry at her.
Cheerilee managed to hold her chuckle.
"Crazy party, huh?"
During their dance, he managed to ask her name; Snow Flake.
The mare shyly nodded her head.
Her voice was very lovely to hear.
They stopped and took a seat on a bench, staring at the fillies playing around the park.
Yet, it felt really great being with each other...but...
"So, uh... Snow..."
She looked at him, and found him kind of cute, staring at the sky like that.
"Really?"
Snow Flake smiled.
Behind a nearby bush, Pinkie Pie was sneaking up on them.They're not doing a good job! I need to think of something, and fast! '
"EEK!"
"Aw, honey..."
Her father, however, was not doing a good job hiding his laughter.
Aurora began to cry as Sunset rubbed her back.
"Hey gang!"
Aurora shot him a venomous glare and kicked his stomach, sending him to the ground in pain.
"Serves you right!"
Daybreak has no idea where that rose beside him came from.
Snow Flake's cheeks blushed crimson red.
Daybreak lets go of the rose, but it fell off from the mare's grip.
"Oh!"
They both said and they both leaned down to get the rose on the ground, only to have their hooves touch each other.
Their cheeks burned crimson red, their hearts pounding really hard.
'This is it! '
After all that research and attempt to bring Mr. and Mrs. Cake together, she's sure she won't fail this one.
Their heads moved closer.
Pinkie's eyes went even wider.
Closer. Wider. Closer. Wider. Just a bit more.
A blue ball hit Daybreak's startled head.
The two unicorns turned to the source, and saw a cyan pegasus filly with a rainbow mane and tail taking the ball.
Pinkie Pie angrily went out of the bush and started walking towards the pegasus.
"Rainbow Dash! Do you have any idea how difficult it was to bring these two together!? Huh!?"
"I-I'm..."
"And don't say you're sorry 'cause you are definitely not!"
Applejack sighed and went towards them to calm the pink pony down.
The two unicorns blinked, and then faced each other.
They soon, however, stopped after they heard two disgusted voices from the fillies.
"Come on, AJ, let's go away from all this sappiness."
"Ahm with yah on this one, RD..."
Pinkie Pie cheerfully hopped away.
And the two of them were alone on the bench.
"So, uh..."
Snow Flake smiled warmly at him.
Aurora landed on the sand quietly near Henry and the three sea ponies.
Henry just introduced himself to Pearl's mother, but the sea pony did not like her daughter to be wed with a changeling.
Pearl's parents swam a distance away from them to talk, leaving their daughter with a worried look.
"She'll come around, eventually..."
"I sure hope so..."
Aurora was not sure if they noticed her presence, so she sat beside the alicorn.
The alicorn and the sea pony turned to her.
"Hi Aurora. Sorry if I closed the library without you."
Aurora shook her head.
The three looked at the sea ponies in the distance, and from their gestures, they could tell that things aren't going well.
"What if...my mom will not let me be with you?"
"We've been through a lot."
Pearl chuckled a bit.
They've been through a lot.
View Online
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 11 - PonyVille Diaries - Second of Many
Chapter 11 - PonyVille Diaries - Second of Many
That There Zap Apples
"Why hhellow there Mister Filthy!"
He flashed a weak smile.
"Aw, shucks, Filthy. You are so modest."
Filthy Rich has no idea if she clearly heard what he said, but anyway...
"Ah reckon yah're here for the'e Zap Apple Jam?"
The brown earth pony smiled, nodding his head in agreement.
The old pony blushed.
The brown pony sighed.
A static electric spark sound echoed from the apple orchard of the Apple Family.
A sudden white flash, and the gray apples became electric red, and then rainbow rays started to beam from apple fruit to the other, and another, and another, until all apples got rainbow-colored patterns on them.
The gloomy cloud quickly returned to the Everfree Forest distance away.
The two earth ponies looked at each other.
"The usual, Granny Smith."
"Sure thing, Filthy!"
"Please, Grann... Oh nevermind. Good day!"
Granny Smith waved a hoof at him.
It took the green alicorn a lot of hours and effort to bring the dark-blue unicorn with him to Sweet Apple Acres.
The alicorn wore a brown sidebag, black glasses and white hat.
The unicorn wore nothing but frustration.
"I can't believe I'm spending my Saturday bucking apple trees..."
Henry laughed a bit. That was a nice personification.
Midnight just replied with an annoyed stare.
Henry looked at him with a weak smile.
"Four...precious...hours...!"
"Hey, you two!"
"Every time I hear that word..."
Henry lifted his notebook over the unicorn's head and gave him a pound before the unicorn could finish what he was about to say.
Midnight grunted, and mumbled a few impossible-to-decipher words as he grumpily went to the nearest apple tree to get it over with.
Henry watched him, a bit amused
"Hi Aurora."
Aurora lay the basket of vegetables down on the ground for her to speak.
"Oh, nothing much...really..."
Aurora smiled widely.
Snow Flake blushed further, tearing her gaze away from the pegasus, and locks onto her basket of vegetables.
"No need to be shy about it!"
Snow Flake smiled, and then frowned.
"You know, I could give him a message. I'm not a mailpony, but at least I do a good job than Midnight!"
They both chuckled.
"Thanks."
"She wants us to go where again?"
He woke up a few minutes just before Aurora got back in their parents' house.
Aurora puts the basket on the dining table.
And he did felt nervous.
"I think I'll go to Sweet Apple Acres as well."
Sunset nodded in agreement.
Aurora then went to her room upstairs and leaned down under her bed, as she tried to reach her saddlebag.
She quickly flew down the stairs and was about to grab the doorknob when she heard her mother called her.
Sunset grabbed her daughter's hoof, and placed the pouchbag on them.
"Thanks mom."
The bathroom door opened and came out a yellow unicorn, with a towel hanging over his neck.
"Might as well eat something first."
Daybreak used his magic to hover a toasted bread towards his little pegasus sister.
"Why, hellow there Snowwy!"
Snow Flake smiled as she approached the old earth pony who just got out of the barn, wearing a white hat and carrying a basket.
"Good morning Granny Smith!"
She heard a few bucking and grunting sounds from the orchard, making the two mares turn their heads to the source.
Midnight was furiously sending a lot of force on his kicks on the apple trees as he mumbled something out of his angry and sweaty face.
Midnight was electrecuted by the tree for a few seconds before the electricity stopped, making him fall on the ground flat on his face.
Henry sighed as he stopped beside him.
Midnight angrily lifted his head so the alicorn can hear him clearly.
Henry blinked.
"Fun? No sleep, no magic, just good ol' kicking some stupid electric trees is fun!?"
Henry smiled.
Midnight was shocked.
"It'll zap you again."
"This is the last time I'm going to somewhere you call 'fun '!"
AppleJack and Big Macintosh shared a chuckle before they went back to bucking the Zap Apple trees.
Granny Smith and Snow Flake laughed a bit.
"Well, 'ung one, I'd best be on my way! The Zap Apples won't jam 'emselves, now wou' dey?"
Snow Flake, curious, turned to where the old mare was facing.
Daybreak and Aurora were walking towards them with a smile on their faces.
Snow Flake smiled after seeing her unicorn.
"Oh! Midnight's here!"
Daybreak nervously continued walking until he reached the two mares.
The old mare nodded.
Curiosity got Daybreak, as he quickly looked at the white unicorn's face. Was something wrong with her?
The old mare shrugged.
How to break the stare? How to break this silence? Should I smile? Should I tore my gaze away? Should I say something? How long have we been staring at each other like this? Ow, my heart is pounding so hard right now...
"How long are you two planning on staring like that?"
Finally, an excuse to tore their nervous gaze on each other.
"Oh!"
The three ponies looked at the source, only to find a wide-grinning Pinkie Pie and a nervous Fluttershy.
"Hello Daybreak! Hello Snow Flake! Hello Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, instantly sending herself airborne, and landed in front of the two fillies, making the yellow pegasus leap behind the happy pink earth pony.
"For the jam, of course!"
Hearing the jam, Fluttershy smiled as she slowly walked her way beside the pink pony.
"Oh? A jam!?"
"I meant the Zap Apple Jam, Pinkie..."
The pink pony's eyes grew wide in horror.
Rainbow Dash brought a hoof on the excited pink pony's mouth.
The pink pony nodded.
The cyan pegasus disgustingly rubbed her wet hoof on the ground, shivering a bit.
The pink pony rolled her eyes.
"Wait..."
Daybreak and Snow Flake were only staring blankly at the three fillies.
"Why, hello everypony!"
The five of them turned their attention on the white unicorn filly with a blue expertly styled mane and tail, wearing black shades, bigger than her eyes, and an umbrella stuck on a blue saddle that was wrapped around her back.
"Hello Rarity."
"Oh, Fluttershy. I just happen to remember that today is the last day of the Zap Apple Season."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
"We should probably leave them alone..."
Snow Flake simply nodded her head, and the two quietly worked their way towards the green alicorn and the dark-blue unicorn in the apple orchard.
As the two were walking away, AppleJack was heading to the opposite direction, bowed her head at them as they continued on their destinations.
"Howdy y'all!"
"For the Ja---"
The other fillies nodded in agreement.
"AppleJack, your family makes the best jams."
She could go on forever, Rainbow sighed.
"There is nothing to compare to its greatness!"
"It's simply marvelous."
"Yeah! And they make a great frosting to cakes and cupcakes!"
Noticing that Rarity was no longer the one talking, Rainbow Dash removed the small puffs of cloud she stuck on each of her ears.
AppleJack smiled at each of them.
A sudden electric sound caught their attention.
Henry gave him an apologetic smile as the unicorn shook himself to remove the black dust around his coat.
"You really should take it easy."
"Wanna be a tree?"
The two siblings stared at each other angrily.
"Now now you two..."
Midnight slapped the alicorn's hoof off of his chest and marched towards the earthy path leading to town.
"Yeah, go to sleep!"
Midnight stopped and looked over his shoulder, staring angrily at his sister.
"Clean your ears, for Celestia's sake!"
Henry immediately ran in between them to stop the two from reaching each other.
"Ya know, I'm still angry at you for kicking me in the gut!"
"You deserved that, you stupid lazy featherbrain!"
Midnight grinned.
Aurora felt even angrier.
"Midnight..."
"Yeah? Says you."
Aurora angrily faced him.
Henry began to push them away from each other again.
"You two, stop this..."
"Oh, I'll be kind when she starts being kind to me as well!"
"I didn't even do anything today!"
Henry's ears were begging for mercy now.
The two continued to shout at each other.
It went on for a few minutes before Henry had "Enough!"
The two ponies rubbed their aching heads with their hooves as the brown magic around them vanished.
Henry was now the one looking angry at them.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at each other.
"You two are supposed to be brother and sister! But you both are acting like you owe the other a huge amount of Bits, trying to kill the other!"
"Geez, Henry... This is how you get angry---ow!"
Henry slightly used his puppetry skill on the unicorn.
"Yeah yeah..."
"Sorry, but I needed to repeat it to make sure it goes deeper into your head."
"Midnight killed her."
"Yeah right..."
Henry sighed.
"Yah know..."
"Work things out huh?"work this out ."
"I don't follow..."
"Duh! It's obvious!"
"A what now?"
Midnight points his hoof at the pegasus.
"What!? Nu-uh!"
"Hey! Why not? You should go for it!"
"Rainbow, please."
"Oh, what do you know, anyway?"
'Uh oh... '
"You don't have any siblings."
"Neither do you..."
"Yeah, you're right. That's why a competition will be ~awesome!"
Rarity closed her eyes and removed her attention away from her.
"Pff... Rarity, you're just saying that 'cause you're a chicken."
Rarity shot her with a glare.
Rainbow Dash looked at her with a grin.
"Then it's on!"
"We're not agreeing to this..."
On a clearing in the apple orchard, the ponies were grouped together by pairs: a young adult and a filly.
The green alicorn sighed.Here we go again... 'of course '..."by me with my magic '..."
Those who were offended complained.and I still have no idea why ', and wings gives the pegasi an advantage, so..."
Rainbow Dash annoyingly tried to remove the ropes, but her small hooves couldn't reach them.
"Now then..."
Everyone stared at the fruit that was levitated in front of them.
"I think this is a perfect example as to why we shouldn't use our magic on these fruits."
"Oh my... The poor poor thing..."
"Yer gonna pay for that, right?"
Henry nodded his head with a weak smile.
The unicorns arched one of their eyebrows.
"Oh! Yah mean like what happened last year?"
Henry weakly smiled, recollecting the event.
The unicorns were shocked a bit.
"A-anyway... Shall we begin?"
"Wait!"
"Oh, Rainbow!"
Both fillies glared at each other.
Fluttershy took a step forward, catching the alicorn's attention.
Henry flashed a 'why? ' look.
"Well, um, you see..."
"Hm..."
"I think it would still be fair if we could use our wings, um...if that's okay..."
Only the quiet dance of the leaves with the wind was heard for a few moments.
"I wouldn't mind at all!"
...
......
.........
............
...............
Henry simply used his magic to remove the ropes with a forced smile.
"You're welcome!"
Midnight shot the alicorn an ultimately confused look.You actually understood what she just said? '
And Midnight has read the alicorn's reply through his weak smile.I have no clue... '
Rainbow shook her head to remove the pink pony's weird statement.
"Hmf!"
Rainbow retracted her wings and rolled her eyes.
"By the way..."
"No complaining!"
Henry sighed.
The pairs turned around, facing different trees.
"Set!"
"One moment!"
Aurora arched an eyebrow on her filly partner, but whatever.
Henry flipped the hourglass up-side-down.
And the pairs ran and flew to their target.
Henry quickly puts the hourglass down on the ground, and used his magic to lift five barrels, moving each one near each pair.
AppleJack and Big Macintosh had a great start; bucking a tree together, making all the Zap Apples fall on the ground. They quickly picked each one and put them inside their barrel.
Snow Flake and Pinkie Pie stared at their tree.
She turned her back on the tree, lifted her hind hooves, and kicked, and...nothing happened.
"Hey!"
Snow Flake blinked, and then a leaf fell right in front of her.
"Aw, don't feel bad..."
And out of nowhere, Snow Flake was surprised to see the pink pony's pink cannon, aimed closely at the tree.BANG! ", startling the other ponies in the area.
She smiled widely as all the Zap Apples on the tree fell on the ground.
"Hey! That's cheating!"
"Nope!"
"But-uh!?"
She sent all her frustration on a powerful kick, making the tree shake, and Zap Apples started falling. She and Midnight hastily picked the apples.
Rarity angrily looked at each pair.
"Rarity, why are you talking and hugging a tree?"
"Hush darling, I'm working here."
Aurora was about to drag the filly out of the way so she could buck the tree, but then the apple fruits started to fall, to her surprise.
"See darling?"
Aurora could not answer.
"Oh, the poor poor tree..."
Daybreak quietly watched the filly in annoyance and confusion.Is she always like this? '
"There there... No need to be scared. Just one not-so-hurtful kick, and we're done."
Daybreak sighed.We are so not going to win at this pace... 'Not that I mind, anyway... '
Henry boringly watched the pairs around as he concentrated his magic on the barrels to follow them.
After another loud 'bang' from Pinkie Pie's cannon, the Zap Apples on the apple tree fell on the ground.
Seeing the pink pony waving her hoof at the alicorn, Henry levitated the marked barrel and puts it on the ground a few hooves behind him.
"Ahoy Henry-sir!"
Henry turned to her, and noticed their barrel was already full.
He sighed once again as he slowly turned to the hourglass.
'This is going to be a loooooong day... '
"Hey, Henry!"
He levitated the barrel, and hovered an empty one towards her and Midnight.
Another bang echoed in the apple orchard.
Rainbow Dash and Midnight shot an angry glare at the pink pony and her cannon for a short while before they began bucking their apple tree.
Fluttershy was rubbing both her ears.
"S-sorry..."
"It's-it's okay..."
Snow Flake saw them, and blushed a bit.
"No time for blushing! It's time for bucking!"
A weak smile and a few nods was enough for the pink pony to vanish from her sight, making way to see Daybreak chuckling a bit, and made her blush further.
"Yoo~hoo~"
Henry levitated their full barrel, and hovered an empty one at them.
Granny Smith arrived in the farm, and noticed quite a number of ponies bucking their Zap Apple orchard.
"Haven't seen the farm so lively for quite some time."
A loud boom echoed inside the barn, but she didn't move an inch.
"Pinkie!"
Rainbow Dash, as difficult as it sound, has to agree on the whiny white unicorn.
Pinkie Pie brought a hoof on her chin as she thought about it.
Everypony stopped for a moment and looked at whatever the pink filly was up to.
"What's she up to?"
And so were the rest of the ponies.
"Aha!"
She got herself out, her whole body now covered in black ash, and on her hoof was a...black...box...thing...
The ponies blinked.
"What the hay is that?"
"It's a soundbox! See?"bang ' sound.
Shocked, the cyan pegasus fell on the ground, her heart was racing, and her ears were aching.
The pink pony giggled, and hid the box inside her cottoncandy-like mane.
"Wait!"
The pink pony quickly pulled the rope-trigger.
Daybreak quickly rushed to Snow Flake, and helped her get back on her hooves.
"I'm...fine... I think?"
Their faces locked into each other, and a scarlet blush painted their cheeks as they quickly moved their heads away from each other.
The other ponies were still confused.
"So...lemme get this straight..."
Pinkie Pie cheerfully nodded. She then looked around excitingly.
Snapping back, the other pairs quickly went back on their trees.
Hooves kicking, cannon firing, trees shaking, apples falling, barrels filled, barrels floating...
Lifting heavy barrels full of apples was also tiring.
He turned back to see the ponies bucking the apples.
He turned back on the barrels once again.
Now that he thought about it, why are they having this silly competition anyway?
He overheard Midnight's tired voice.
The original plan was to use twenty-five barrels, but as the competition progressed, he was forced to use the other empty barrels nearby, and now that there were no more available barrels to use, should the game be stopped?
His river of thought was stopped after a cyan pegasus filly flashed in front of him with an angry stare.
"Er... No more barrels?"
Rainbow Dash looked puzzled, hovered sideways, and saw no more empty barrels to fill.
Henry flashed a small smile and gently patted her head.
Soon, other pairs called his attention.
The ponies dropped themselves on the ground, panting, except for Aurora and Rarity.
"Oh, what better way to finish a competition but to look as good as you began."
Aurora then lands her gaze on a dark-blue unicorn, slowly rising on his hooves.
Midnight, panting, smiled.
The pairs were all gathered in line, awaiting for Henry to announce the winner.
Daybreak and Fluttershy already knew they lost, but they shared a smile.
Soon, Henry walked in front of the group of ponies.
"First, let me just say that everyone did a fine job in bucking apples."
Midnight chuckled, only to stop after he saw the alicorn's glare.
"Anyway," Henry adjusted his glasses with his hoof as he looked at his notebook.
Aurora blushed from embarrassment.
"You both have filled the least of barrels..."
"WHAAAAAT!?"
Midnight and Rainbow Dash laughed, who were beside them.
Rarity glared at the two, while Aurora kept her head low, ashamed.
"Now then..."
Midnight was surprised; his brother filled the least barrels?
Daybreak replied with a simple smile as he shrugged.
Rainbow Dash simply sighed.
"Third in place is Midnight and Rainbow Dash."
"What!?"
Henry simply smiled.
Both dropped themselves into a sitting position.
"Hey," Midnight started, giving the filly a soft punch on her shoulder.
Rainbow Dash looked at him with a weak smile.
"Aw com'on..."
Rainbow Dash looked at him again, seeing Midnight winking at her, and then pointed her head on Aurora and Rarity.
"Second place goes to Big Macintosh and AppleJack."
"Here that brother? We're in second!"
"And that means!?"
Henry simply let them be.
Aurora now dropped herself on her belly, frowning.
Rarity was feeling furious a bit, but waved a hoof on the air to dismiss it.
Midnight and Rainbow Dash both rolled their eyes.
"Midnight and Rainbow Dash filled fourteen barrels."
"Not bad."
Rainbow Dash flew up and brought her own hoof to meet with the unicorn.
"Big Macintosh and AppleJack filled eighteen barrels."
"Whooo-wee!"
Big Macintosh smiled as he nodded in agreement.
Daybreak was beginning to worry.
"And finally, Snow Flake and Pinkie Pie filled twenty-two barrels."
A loud gasp echoed from the pink pony, who immediately stopped, looking surprised at the alicorn.
Snow Flake found herself on Daybreak's back before she fell on the ground.
"T-thanks..."
"N-no p-problem..."
Midnight and Rainbow Dash rolled their eyes yet again.
Pinkie Pie quickly ran in front of the green alicorn.
"Uh..."
Pinkie Pie brought a hoof on her chin to think about it.
Henry blinked.
Inside the barn, everypony were enjoying a few Zap Apple Sandwiches.
Everypony were happily chatting with one another.
Midnight was enjoying a few small talks with Rainbow Dash before the cyan pegasus' attention was caught by Pinkie Pie who sat beside her.
Midnight and Aurora quickly retracted their hooves as they shot a glare at each other.
Somehow, Midnight was annoyed by her action.
Aurora didn't move.
Midnight sighed.
Aurora slightly turned, stopping after she can see him on the corner of her eye.
The other ponies were staring at the two, but neither of them noticed.
Midnight sighed again.
Aurora quickly hugged her big brother, startling him.
Midnight smiled, returning her hug.
Aurora chuckled a bit.
The ponies around the table smiled warmly at them, even the rainbow-maned pegasus filly.
"Hey!"
Her wide mouth was stuffed with two hooves: one cyan, and one yellow.
"No!"
'Missing out on bucking Zap Apples turned into a good thing, after all. '
Granny Smith then stood up from her seat.
Pinkie Pie raised her hoof excitingly.
Midnight and Aurora both looked at each other, and the unicorn flashed an evil grin.
"Oooh no."
Henry sighed.And here they go again... '
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 12 - Midnight's Melody
Chapter 12 - Midnight's Melody
Dear Henry Hoof,
I am writing to you in reply of your letter. Everything here is fine, believe me. Gold is not really doing a good job in school, but what can I say? That filly still needs to focus more on classes than casting magic with his friends. Now that I have thought about it, I remember him planning to try and manipulate the snowy weather here with his friends. I'll be looking for him after I leave this letter in the post office.
As for the orphanage, it's doing quite well. You can't imagine the number of fillies in there. Such poor souls. But to see their warm smiles as you help them is...sorry, I'm not really the type of pony that goes all emotional.
Anyway, you should visit us here some time. I promise you, Manehattan has dramatically changed after the Windigo incident. Of course, there are still criminals running around, but it's nothing to worry about.
And also, BatMare is no more. So please stop teasing me in your letters. It's getting annoying, in all honesty.
Hope to see you soon.
Respectfully Yours, Roselyn Hammer
P.S.
Attached with this letter is the mouthpiece you asked me to make. It will filter the water so you can breath underwater. If you don't mind me asking though, what is this for?
1. Blind Attempt
"Are you sure we're going in the right direction?"
With her was a green alicorn pony, his front hooves wrapped around the sea pony's neck. With a metallic mouthpiece on his mouth, he is able to breathe under water for their travels.
Henry Hoof was already planning to write the third book, but he has no idea how to write a good description of the sea. He already wrote a few notes of how will Daring Do end up in the fictional land of Atlantis, but he needs to experience an underwater journey towards their destination.
He has read about a story of the great sea traveler Ferdinand Unicorlian. One of his sunken ships was believed to be carrying many relics that was supposed to be used to expand the religion to another land.
His plan is to make Daring Do ride a ship, which then sank by Atlantis' gate guardian creature. He's quite not sure if it's going to be a good book, but he'll do his best.
Pearl slowed her swim after they began to swim across a trench. The darkness beneath has given them the shivers. Not a lot of sea creatures swam above this trench, in Pearl's knowledge.
Henry has spotted a large number of sea turtles swimming in the distance.
The vast blue ocean was spectacular. To Henry, it was as if he was on a flying pony in the blue sea up above. The turtles, the whales, the rays...they looked like they were swiftly flying than swimming.
"Henry..."
Henry could not answer her. If he would, then the mouthpiece might float off.
"That's not helping..."
A mountain-like land-form stood above the trench a distance in front of them. A few distance below the peak was a wooden ship, looking as if the mountain had stabbed it.
"Is that it?"
Midnight and Daybreak were seated on chairs, both were facing each other as they read a bundle of papers floating in front of them, levitated by their respective magic.
"Why are we here again?"
A week after winter began in Equestria, Daybreak and Midnight received a letter from Snow Flake if they could help them with their annual play.
"Just think of it as a change of pace."
Midnight snorted. Both of them had to play the rolls of the two unicorns that play a very important role in the play.
"And the play is tomorrow!"
The ponies were practicing their piece, preparing the props, practicing the musics.
"Yes, and that is why you should concentrate, bro..."
Despite the loud environment, both could hear the lovely voice of Snow Flake, practicing her song on a corner, with her vocal teacher, who was closing her eyes, listening to her voice.
Daybreak, despite that fact, could still focus on memorizing his lines.
The large old sunken ship was...really old.
The ship was now covered with pale-blue sand. Henry swam over the deck, and tried to wipe the sand off, but after touching the sand, a weak crack echoed, making him stop his attempt of wiping the sand off.
Pearl was busy staring at a number of crabs on the deck, picking something on the sand with their claws, and eating whatever they pick up.
Midnight has been trying to memorize one sentence, and it's driving him insane. How the heck can he memorize a fourteen-word sentence if the place is full of all sort of noise?
He was about to stand up from frustration until his ears heard a soft tune. He looked around, and found the source.
Her swaying body, her closed eyes, her warm smile, her soft tune...
Her violin, he could see the notes dancing around her swaying brown body.
"You okay, bro?"
There was nothing out of the usual.
Daybreak blinked twice.
Midnight brought a hoof on his brother's forehead.
Annoyed, Daybreak grabbed his brother's hoof with his own and removes it from his forehead.
Midnight stood up.
Daybreak didn't mind him. Midnight might need to clear his head or something.
With his horn providing some light, Henry and Pearl swam inside the large sunken ship with care. The pathways were gloomy. The floor was also full of sand, were a number of crabs, shells and starfishes rest on it. The decaying wooden walls were dangerously weak.
Pearl wanted to leave, but her curiosity got the better of her. She swam slowly, tailing the alicorn in front of her.
Soon however, they reached the part where the rock mountain's wall was visible inside the passage, and on the wall was a cave.
He turned to see the sea pony, who only nodded, signalling him that they should explore the cave.
It was a good thing that a park was nearby the theater. Midnight used his magic to rid the snow blanket, and sat on the grass under a leafless tree.
He has been sitting there for an hour now, where he was able to concentrate on memorizing his lines.
In the park, a number of fillies were building some snowponies, while some were playing with snowballs.
But despite this, Midnight could still not remove the image of that brown violinist in his head.
He flirts a lot of mares, yes. Even gets the chance to spend a night with some of them, but that was it. It was all for fun and pleasure, and nothing more. Easy to flirt, easy to get, and easy to forget, and the cycle goes on, if no interruptions from a certain young pegasus, however.
But that brown mare. He didn't know her, and heck, he didn't even flirted her, so why is he thinking about her a lot?
Well, at least he has a goal today, and she's part of the play, so he can easily grab the opportunity to ask her out.
Satisfied, he went back to memorizing his lines.
Sure, he knows how to act. He and his brother used to act when they were stealing stuff from ponies, but that was a long time ago.
A snowball suddenly hit him on his head, covering both his eyes.
Oh, whoever did that is go---
His sight landed on a brown mare, sitting on a bench a few meters in front of him.
"This is your fault!"
"I-I...I didn't...I didn't mean it!"
The unicorn filly grabbed both his shoulders and shook him.
The pegasus filly slowly stopped crying, and nodded weakly.
Midnight brought his two front hooves on the fillies' heads, and rubbing them slowly.
He removed his hooves on the fillies, and they both nodded with a wide smile, and ran.
Midnight closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and stood up.
He took a step forward, only to step on his papers.
Okay, no more distractions.
Midnight took a step back, gasping silently.But she looks so young...! '
2. Heart's Song
Midnight quietly sat under the leafless tree in Canterlot's Western Park. Though he looked like he was reading pieces of paper levitated in front of him, his mind was focused on the brown mare, sitting on a bench and playing her violin a few meters in front of him.
He knows that he should concentrate on memorizing his lines for the play tomorrow but...
Earlier, he was sure to ask the mare out, but after seeing that she has a child...
'So what if she has a kid? She still looks sexy anyway... '
He took another look at the mare.
A black middle-aged earth pony slowly walked towards the mare, and after reaching her, he coughed a bit, to clear his throat.
"Let's go."
The filly jumped to the snow-covered ground, as the brown mare slowly and carefully puts her violin back on the case.
The dark-blue unicorn only looked at them as they slowly walk towards the black earth pony, who was already standing on the street, with an empty carriage.She... She's...blind...? '
The black earth pony helped himself inside, looking rather annoyed at the two slow-moving mares.
Midnight felt disgusted. That black earth pony didn't even bother helping that brown mare to get inside!
The black earth pony shouted something to the drivers, probably to signal them to move.
"...the hell!?"
He is disgusted at how insensitive that black pony is.
He got up and ran after the carriage.
Henry and Pearl were swimming straight down for minutes now.
The semi-circular cave has a diameter of five and a half meters.
The walls of the cave hold nothing of interest whatsoever.
Finally, they reached the very bottom of the cave.
Pearl quickly picked it up and gave it to the alicorn.
They looked around until their gaze landed on a horizontal tunnel.
They looked at each other, and after a few seconds, both nodded and began to swam inside the tunnel.
"Hey Daybreak."
Daybreak lowered the papers and smiled at her as he stood on his four hooves.
Both gave each other a small and quick kiss.
"So..."
Daybreak smiled weakly.
"Oh? Really!?"
Daybreak nodded with a warm smile.
Snow Flake smiled, and then looked around.
'Oh yeah... '
They shared a small chuckle before walking towards the exit.
"So..."
Midnight stood a few hooves away from the carriage.
After seeing that the black earth pony has no intentions of helping the mare out of the carriage, he began to march towards them, anger clear in his face.
He didn't get the chance to reach them however, seeing that the brown mare finally got off of the carriage. She then lets her filly put her hoof on her back.
Midnight began to walk and stopped in front of the restaurant.Indigo Music Restaurant ..."
He walked towards the glass doors, where a white unicorn stallion wearing a black tux opened the door and bowed.
Midnight nodded weakly, not bothering to face the pony.
"Right this way, sir."
Midnight followed as a carriage stopped in front of the establishment.
Daybreak went out first, and gave a hoof to help his Snow Flake off of the carriage.
Midnight seated on a table near the corner of the establishment. The tux-wearing pony left him with a menu.
"May I have your order, sir?"
He settled on the cheapest one on the menu.Alevines del Heno -thing."What the hey did I just ordered? '
The waiter calmly wrote his order on a notepad.
"Water. Not in the mood for any other at the moment..."
The waiter bowed and left him.
Daybreak and Snow Flake were seated on a table, near the other corner of the establishment.
After sharing a stare and a smile, Daybreak let his eyes wander around the establishment.
A windowless restaurant, a bit spacious, and dimly lit. The tables on the center of the establishment only has chairs for two, where a number of them were filled by ponies of high-class.
On one table, if it was not occupied, Daybreak would have seen Midnight on the corner, and Midnight would have seen his brother.
A microphone echoed quietly as a black earth pony on stage grabbed it by his hoof.
Midnight eyed him, like a falcon ready to dive down on a clueless mouse.
"I hope you all are enjoying your meals."
'Melody... So that's her name... 'Wait... Miss? Miss!? '
The place echoed a soft round of applause.
3. Broken String
"Your order, sir."
He didn't know how long it took for him to get what he ordered. His mind was locked on the brown mare on stage, playing a soft and melodious tune with her violin.
His hypnotized state was broken after the delicious smell of food entered his nostrils and made his stomach growl a bit.
A pony seated nearby arched him an eyebrow, but Midnight payed him no mind, as he blankly stared at his food.Hayfries!? That Avalanche-thing is a small bowl of hayfries!? And for twenty-four Bits!? '
He took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.
'Damn... She sure looks sexy, but...she's blind...and she has a kid...yet she's a "miss"...? Does that mean she's single? Doesn't mean she's available... Sigh... 'I spent with mares who have kids before... Why am I having trouble with this one? '
There was a small stain on the side of Snow Flake's mouth that she didn't notice.
Midnight was once again brought back to reality after he heard the fork softly pounded on the bowl.It's like I've wasted twenty-four Bits for nothing... '
A waiter arrived, handing him his bill.
Midnight lifted his glass of water and drank.
Twenty minutes had passed.
But in truth, he wanted to leave, yet here he is, and he has no solid reason why he's still inside.
He growled lowly, angry at himself.
Is he here to bring some sense to that black stupid old earth pony?
No mare has given him trouble. Not even those who played hard-to-get.
The brown mare finished her music, receiving a lively round of applause.
Her...Melody...is perfect.
After a few minutes of swimming, the sea pony and the alicorn pony found themselves in a dead-end.
A treasure chest was lying on the cave floor, near the dead-end wall.
It was chained and locked, but even those were rusty, and a small effortless pull unlocked the lock.
Inside, the ponies' eyes went wide in disbelief.
As the black earth pony was once again on stage, saying a few thanks, the brown mare was guided by her gray earth filly towards the backstage.
Scanning the place, nopony seems to be focusing on the stage now.
"Daybreak..."
Daybreak, confused, turned over his shoulder, and he saw the dark-blue unicorn pony who just went backstage.
Daybreak went towards the stage after receiving Snow Flake's doubtful nod.
"That was a lovely performance, Miss Melody."
Midnight heard a voice behind the curtains.
"You never disappoint me when it comes to your violin."
The brown earth mare smiled warmly, nodding her head.
Midnight's heart pounded hard for a few seconds.
"It would be an honor to have you there."
The glass-wearing pony smiled.
The black earth pony smiled wickedly, slipping the cheque inside his saddlebag.
Judging from the looks of the pouch, and how easy the filly took it, it must have only a few amounts of Bits inside.
Daybreak got through the door, and arched an eyebrow after he saw his brother, sneaking under the curtains.
"Now hold on a minute!"
Daybreak gasped in surprise.Idiot! What are you doing!? '
"Just who the f*ck do you think you are, taking this lovely mare's hard-earned Bits, huh!?"
The earth pony however, quickly returned to his high-class state.
Midnight smiled. He's used to that.
He took a look at the cheque first before the black angry earth pony took it back with his hooves.
"Stealing is an unforgivable act, son."
"Fifty Bits..."
After hearing this, the brown mare's ears dropped, lowering her head in sadness.
The black earth pony doesn't seem to be affected by this.
Midnight returned the Bits inside the pouch bag, and levitated it towards the filly.
"I asked; what is your poi---"
Both mares gasped.
Midnight arched an eyebrow, but quickly flashed a smile.elemental on you, I suggest you show kindness to this mare here."
"I-ah...Y-yes...! Of course!"
"Yeah..."
The black earth pony bowed panicky, and quickly walked towards the curtains, only to stumble down the floor after he accidentally walked over a yellow sneaking unicorn.
Midnight and the gray filly looked at the event.
"D-Daybreak!?"
Daybreak brought a hoof on his head, rubbing it slightly as he rose up.
4. Melody of the Heart
Midnight was slowly walking on the street. His head was held up high, and his eyes on the path in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere.
"You shouldn't have done that..." "You shouldn't have troubled yourself..."
"What do you mean?" Midnight asked, disregarding the fact that Daybreak is with them. "I couldn't just let him get away with the money you earned!" It's difficult to properly earn Bits, and somepony taking advantage of somepony else's disabilities is...in truth...Midnight doesn't care about other ponies, but...
The brown mare shook her head. "I'm sorry..." She lifted her hoof, and trying to find her filly. "...'Tavie...?"
The small filly grabbed her mother's hoof, and lets it land on her back.
"...Let's go..."
"What?" Midnight gasped. "Where are you going? Hey!"
"Bro?"
"Huh?"
"Is something bothering you, Midnight?"
Midnight flashed a smile before returning his head.
"Well..."flirt ...any one of them..."
Daybreak chuckled.
The dark-blue unicorn scratched his nape awkwardly.
"Bro..."
Midnight only shook his head and walked on.perfectly ...fine...!"
Snow Flake and Daybreak looked at each other.
"He's in love."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Daybreak nodded his head.
"Mom?"
"What is it, 'Tavie?"
"Yes... You..."
"Oh..."
The filly then stopped after they reached an unoccupied bench.
"I am okay, sweetie."
"Why didn't you thanked him, mom?"
"Thanked him?"
"Yes. That unicorn... He helped us."
True, that was indeed true, however, the brown mare was saddened.
The young filly rose her head and stared at a pony who was slowly approaching them.
"Oh?"
Midnight stopped a few hooves in front of the two female ponies.
"For what, my dear?"
Midnight stared at her with an arched eyebrow.
"Thank you."
Midnight lifted his head to meet with the mare, and was startled a bit that their eyes locked at each other, until he remembered that she's...
She was simply holding a small yet warm smile.
"Eheheh..." Midnight laughed weakly.Damn it! Why am I feeling so stupid near her? '
They allowed a few moments of awkward silence, until the brown mare spoke.
"Uh... Oh... Yeah uh... Midnight..."
"Midnight..." She echoed with a smile.
'Nice...name? 'Ugh... What happened to me...? '
"Would you care to join us?"
"Um...thanks, but I already ate..."Wait! No! Why did I rejected her offer!? Stupid!!! '
Melody chuckled slightly.
'Oh, right... To sit, of course... 'It's a damn simple offer... Why is it so hard to accept!? '
He nervously sat beside her, giving himself a respectable distance from the mare.
"You're too far."
"I-I'm happy here, thanks!"Oh, I just rejected an offer to cuddle her... Swell... '
"Well, if you are, then I won't force you."
The filly lied her head back on her mother's hind leg.
"So uh..."
"Thank you."
Silence...
"You uh...look nice..."
"Thank you."
Another set of silence.
Henry and Pearl finally decided to head back to the beach.
The treasure chest was full of worn-out and wet paper. The context were already unreadable, to Henry's disappointment.
"So, what are you going to do with that cross?"
'I can't go on like this... '
"Thank you..."
"Uh...for what? I haven't said anything yet..."
"...for your help earlier."
"Well of course!"
Melody simply smiled as she listened to him.
"Nopony, and I mean nopony should take advantage of you! Just because you can't see, doesn't give any pony the permit to do something like that!"
"He's my father..."
"---meyerablvhtlasrtlyhy-huh?"
"...and I know he takes a few Bits that I get from playing my violin..."
"He's... He's your father!?"
Melody simply nodded.
"I-I can't believe this..."father would do that to their child!?"
"The forgiving one..."
"The forgivi-what?"
Now though, Melody no longer holding her smile.
"Wait, no. I'm sorry."
Melody simply shook her head, smiling slightly.
His heart pounded hard after hearing his own name from the mare's mouth.
"And I should thank you... Nopony has ever helped me the way you did..."
'Too poetic... I don't follow... '
She then brought her gaze down to her filly.
"Now stop."
Melody has no idea what to feel right now.
"You are a perfect mare."
"Violinist."
"Yes, that."
The filly smiled, nodding twice in agreement.
Midnight brought his hooves on the ground.
"Octavia."
"Whatever. Point is, don't beat yourself up. Yes, you're blind, but so what? You do great in things others aren't. Things that either has anything to do with your cutie mark or not."
"I prefer, 'Tavie... But yes, my mom is the best mom!"
"And also...uh..."
Melody grabbed him by the neck, pulled him closer and hugged him as she cried over his shoulder.
Midnight was stunned, no, petrified.
The little filly gave her mother a hug as well.
Melody wasn't crying because of hurt, or pain.
As they broke the hug, so did the filly.
Both ponies gasped, immediately turning to the filly.
Both of their cheeks blushed, making the filly chuckle.
5. Song of the Heart
After my mom left the world, my dad has been really overprotective of me. That is why I don't know any other ponies, except for a few of my neighbors. I was blind at birth. I never got the chance to see what colors are. What trees look like, what ponies look like... But it didn't become a hindrance to feel happiness during my early years as a filly. I have friends. We spent a lot of fun times in our home's front yard. The front yard was the only place I was allowed to go, where my father could keep a watchful eye on me.
One day however, my dad had to leave to attend a business meeting. He made me promise not to go beyond the front yard. That was seven years ago. And what was worse, I am blind, so I have no idea where my friends were taking me. They told me that we were heading to the backyard of our house, so I was fine.
At first, I thought everything would be fine, until they tied my hooves and put something on my mouth so I couldn't scream. And...that's where the worst of my nightmares happen. My friends...raped me.
And because I am blind, I didn't know who did it... As what you said... They took advantage of me...
Since then, I never talked to anypony anymore. I have brought all my trust to my father, but I never told him about what happened. He started to worry about me when I decided not to go out of the house to play with my friends. I don't want to hear their voices...
One day however, I felt sick. That day, my dad sent me to a hospital, where we found out that I was pregnant. It would be an understatement if I tell you that he got angry at me.
Back home, he wanted to know the truth, and was willing to beat me to know everything. I told him what happened, but it was a losing battle. I don't know who did it, and even if we knew, those who did it were still minors, and they wouldn't be brought to justice.
I was too young to carry a baby, my father pointed, and wanted me to go through the process of abortion... But I couldn't... It's like I agreed to kill an innocent pony. He gave me an option: abortion and live with my father, or I'll have to live by myself and raise my baby by myself.
I love my father, but I would never thought that he would let me choose. But...if I do live with him, the guilt would forever linger withing me... So... I chose the latter.
Midnight quietly listened to Melody's story.
"That's..."
Melody shook her head.
"Y-yeah..."
"So...what now?"
"What now?"
"Well... In all honesty, Midnight..."
"That's 'cause those guys were cowards."
Melody was clueless.
"What now, you asked? Simple."taking advantage of her , right?
Melody simply shook her head.
"Nopony's as better as you!"
"B-bu---"
"And no 'buts' and other excuses."
Melody blushed.love me...?"
"Wait, what?"like you!"
She smiled, blushing.
"Yes! Wait, no! I mean..."
Melody chuckled as Midnight took a deep breath and sighed.
The mare nodded.
"Now then... Can you play me a tune? My heart's acting crazy at the moment..."
Melody nodded and took her violin from the case.
"Anything."
"Anything?"
"Yeah."
And soon, she started playing a soothing-and-cheerful tune with her violin.
"You look lovely when you play the violin, by the way..."
"It's okay..."
"Really? Sounds like you played it a hundred times!"
'Yes, I have indeed played this tune a hundred times. That was during the time I lived in darkness. Each day, I've always hoped to live out of the fear of my thoughts of other ponies. It was my heart that kept me going, my heart kept playing this tune, giving me hope each day, that one day, I could finally be able to live happily, and with a pony that will accept me. '
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 13 - Cold Winter
1. Post War
The war of heaven and earth has finally reached its conclusion: the winged ponies has accepted their defeat after years of battle against the earth ponies, along with their unicorn and griffin allies.
A yellow unicorn, wearing the smile of victory, is now on a journey back home, where his family awaits his arrival. And finally, he can be wed to the mare of his dreams. The very mare that made him fight in the war, to save her dream, no, to save both their future dreams.
He walks quietly, yet excitedly, in the leafless woodland covered by the blanket of snow. The sky is gloomy and gray, and snow was softly falling from the heavens.
Snow... It gave him the strength to continue to fight, for it always reminded him of the mare he wished to be with until his last breath. He will go back home to see her again, to feel her warm embrace, and finally, to receive her sweet approval. They then can finally live together in a new peaceful future.
He looked over his shoulder, and he saw his sword. The sword that has slayed countless of pegasi, and the very same sword that saved him so many times.
He was never good with casting magic. He can only use it to carry his sword and fight.
Soon, beyond the exit of the forest, a quiet town was in view.
Ponies around town saw the newcomer approaching.
"M'ma! P'pa!"
It has been years since he last came home.
"You're home, son..."
"Daybreak?"
The yellow unicorn lifted his head to see before him the white unicorn mare, smiling warmly at him.
Daybreak smiled, yet nervously walked towards his mare.
"Don't you ever leave me again!"
"I promise..."
"Prepare the wedding!"
In the center of the town stood an old church. A dark-blue unicorn watched the crowd a few distance away with a serious look. With his magic, he wrapped himself with an old-looking brown coat, and covered his head under a hood.
The crowd gave way for the young couple.
As they reached the front of the door of their home, they both turned to see the new arrival.
Daybreak smiled.
The dark-blue unicorn returned the hug with a small smile.
They broke the hug, both wearing warm smiles.
"You still got it, brother."
"Midnight..."
Both shared a small laugh.
"Anyway, brother."
"So soon, brother?"
Midnight shook his head with a smile.
"My return?"
"T'is my duty, brother."
"Have I?"
The white mare smiled warmly as she nods her head.
"I...didn't know."
Midnight shook his head slightly.
"Believe me, brother."
"If that is so, brother."
"Knight!?"
"And your ears still work well, I see."
Daybreak shot him a stare.That's not part of the script. "
"I can improvise, can't I? "
"But brother. Luna's night is almost upon us."
Midnight shook his head.
"Well, that is true, but..."
The dark-blue unicorn patted the yellow unicorn's shoulder.
Daybreak sighed in defeat.
"I have travelled the same route for years since your absence, brother."
"Then I shall hold you no longer."
"But of course."
Daybreak confidently smiled, and nodded.
The dark-blue unicorn bowed to the white mare before he walked away.
"Has he arrived?"
Midnight nodded.
Luna's night has governed the gloomy sky. However, instead of blessing her with dreams, the ponies of a small town lit their torches around to give light for their celebration.
But the cheerful celebration went dead silent after a swarm of pegasi hovered around and above the town.
Daybreak stood and angrily stared at the winged ponies.
A bulky pegasus pony, blue in coat, with black mane and tail, landed in front of the yellow unicorn.
The pegasus grinned.
"Then what is it that you seek?"
The pegasus drew his sword, holding it with both his front hooves.
"We seek vengeance, of course."
The other pegasus ponies drew their swords.
"Your king gave word that you will not attack us!"
"He might have, but we don't serve our king."
"Daybreak!"
"No chance!"
Daybreak blocked the attack with his sword.
"Daybreak!"
"No!"
"I understand child."
Daybreak pushed his sword, but the pegasus wasn't budging.
"Daybreak!"
In horror, Daybreak turned over his shoulder, witnessing Snow Flake on the ground, about to be stabbed by a pegasus' sword.
A dark-blue unicorn tackled the side of the pegasus. He quickly drew his sword and stabbed him on the neck.
"Midnight!"
Just when he thought things would be easier now, another set of pegasus ponies landed in town.
"Daybreak!"
"What!? No!"
"If they'll kill a Knight of Equestria, the news will greatly cause an impact to the other ponies on the land!"
Daybreak looked at his brother in disbelief, but the dark-blue unicorn only replied with a confident smile.
"Stop thinking and run, brother!"
Daybreak quickly ran behind his brother to get the scared white mare.
"I'm not planning to."
Daybreak nodded and turned to Snow Flake.
Snow Flake nodded, and both fled from the town.
The two unicorns ran with their might to flee from their pursuers.
And finally, they stopped after they reached the edge of a cliff.
"Daybreak..."
"Do not worry, my love."
The pegasus ponies flew straight at him, swords ready.
Daybreak slammed his sword against the first pegasus pony's sword as he flew pass him.
The other pegasus flew back towards him, and swung his sword.
The pegasus recovered his momentum, and was about to strike back, when he instead clashed his sword against a newcomer's sword.
"Run!"
Snow Flake and Daybreak nodded and made their escape.
2. Snow Carol
As the large red curtains covered the stage, the choir entertained the audience with music while ponies behind the curtains started removing the snowy set and replacing them with a new scene.
"I thought Midnight was a villain."
Henry smiled at her.
"It's annoying."
"Seriously, that was not part of the script."
Midnight only replied with a chuckle.
Daybreak sighed.
"Three minutes, ponies!"
"I'm going to get myself something to drink..."
"You do realize..."
Aurora shot him a confused look.
Henry only nodded.
She blinked, and turned to her mother, who was seated on the other side of her seat.
As Aurora got out of the door, she was immediately greeted by a soft winter breeze of the evening city.
Establishments and lamp posts lit up the streets.
She flapped her wings, and stretched them as she turned her head around, trying to spot a building that serve drinks.Hm... "Doughnut Joe's Doughnuts"... Aw well... '
A carriage stopped in front of her.
An old-looking black earth pony, wearing a stern look, went out of the carriage.
As Aurora crossed the street, her eyes were locked on the establishment: part of it, however, as she stared at a young yellow pegasus filly with a fiery-orange messy mane and tail, and on her mouth was an empty plastic drinking bottle, where inside were bent bottle caps.
As Aurora got to the street, an old angry earth pony came out of the building, and glared at the young yellow filly.
"What the hay!?"
"Mind your own business, kid."
With the teenaged pony was a brown paper bag.
"Who's gone?"
The unicorn pony nodded.
"That's nice of you."
The caramel unicorn pony smiled.
"Still..."
The unicorn pony did the same.
Both then looked at each other.
Aurora arched an eyebrow.
Joe let out a weak laugh.
"Joe! Get back here, this instant!"
"I best be going back inside."
Aurora smiled as she nodded.
Joe nodded.
"No problem."
"Not sure, but try the park."
"Joe!!!"
"Comin'! Sheesh..."
"Aurora."
"Right. Aurora. Well, good luck."
"Nnnn frobllmmmm."
3. Cold Life
Aurora, Sunset and Henry arrived in the park near the theater. Daybreak couldn't let them inside yet, because the theater was busy preparing everything for tonight's play. He asked them to go and wait for him in the park. Now that they were here, they did not expect to see Midnight sitting beside a brown mare on a bench meters away from the park's entrance.
Aurora and Henry sighed.
"He caught another one..." Aurora slowly said. She then grinned. Another great time to play a prank.
"Aurora..." Henry said cautiously. "Please don't..."
She flapped her wings, and glided towards her prey. Henry sighed in defeat.
'Never did I expect Midnight to actually settle on one mare. '
The park, blanketed by snow, leafless trees, and lamp posts shedding light in the area.
She smiled as she began to walk around the park.
Aurora landed quietly behind the dark-blue unicorn, and quickly wrapped her hooves around the unicorn's head, covering both his eyes. "Guess who, sweetie?" She grinned.
"Not amused, Aurora..." Midnight annoyingly replied.
The brown mare, who was busy playing her violin, stopped. " S-sweetie ...?"
Midnight angrily grabbed the pegasus' hooves and threw them away from him.
"Oh... I see..."
Midnight turned to her and puts a hoof on her shoulder.
Aurora happily landed in front of the two, and was about to say something when a gray filly ran and stopped in front of the orange pegasus.
"Who are you?"
'I didn't actually mean it... '
"C-can you spare s-some Bits, sir?" A young orange filly, sitting on a street, asked a pony who was about to pass her by.
The high-class earth pony gave her no mind, and continued walking, as if he had heard nothing.
The poor filly looked down on the cemented street as the pony passed her, and then slowly lifted her head up, staring at a unicorn mare, about to pass her by. She begged her for Bits, but just like the other ponies, she was ignored.
Often times, other ponies tell her to die somewhere else, others even laughed at her, and some even called the police ponies to get rid of her.
Aurora shook her head to rid of the awful memory.
"It's okay, 'Tavie." Midnight patted the gray filly's head. "She's my annoying sister... Aurora..." He shot her a glare.
Henry and Sunset arrived, and greeted the unicorn.
"Henry! Sunset!" Midnight exclaimed as he jumped off of the bench and hugged the two. "Glad you guys could make it!"
Henry arched an eyebrow as the hug broke. "Midnight... Are you okay?"
"Huh?" Midnight's smile faded, replaced by confusion. "Of course!"
"Huh..." Henry didn't sound convinced. "You just hugged me. Are you feeling ill?"
"What's wrong with hugging?" Midnight asked the alicorn, annoyed, and ignored the brown earth mare's chuckle. He then smiled as he turned to the brown mare. "Hey, Melody. Meet my family...well, most of them."
Aurora stopped after she reached the filly, who just rose her head up and stared at the orange pegasus with teary sad eyes.
She was about to push the bag towards the filly, but the yellow pegasus quickly stood up and stepped back.
Aurora was confused.
The yellow filly however, took another step back, her face full of fear.
Aurora was now confused as ever.
"Oh no!"
Aurora turned around and saw a police unicorn pony running towards her.Oh no... '
"You are coming with us." Said one of the two unicorn police ponies.
"W-why?" Asked the orange pegasus filly.
"Sorry kid..." Said the other. "But ponies like yourself aren't allowed in the city."
"Sorry miss..."
Aurora shot him a glare.
The orange filly, scared, took a step back, and felt sand and dust on her hooves.
"She is not a beggar!"
The orange filly secretly collected the dust and sand on the ground.
"She didn't beg!"
The orange filly was now surrounded by an aura of magic.
She grabbed the snowball.
The orange filly threw sand towards the ponies' eyes, and made her escape.
She threw the snowball directly on the police pony's face.
A yellow pegasus filly, with a messy fiery-orange mane and tail, quietly landed on top of a tall building of Canterlot.
She sniffed.
She heard gentle hooves landing quietly in front of her.
Aurora puts the brown paper pag on the ground, smiled, and pushed the bag gently towards the filly.
The bag was now beside the yellow pegasus.
Aurora shrugged.
There were five large doughnuts inside the paper bag.
"What's wrong?"
The yellow pegasus stared at the doughnut on her hoof for a short while until she brought it back inside the paper bag.
"Oh..."
The two pegasus fillies glided down to the ground and faced the entrance of a bakery.
Through the glass door, an elderly earth pony was about to flip the 'Open' sign to 'Close' when he noticed the two pegasi fillies outside.
Aurora smiled, fighting hard to hold her tears.
Aurora was crying in an alleyway. Hungry, tired, homeless... She sobbed.
"There there, little one..." Said a soft-yet-old voice from behind her.
She was surprised. She wanted to fly away, but her wings refused to do so. She was too tired and hungry, but her nose was suddenly filled with a delicious smell. She turned her head, and saw an old earth pony, extending a hoof towards her. On his hoof was a piece of bread. On his face was a warm smile.
After Aurora and the earth pony broke their hug, the two fillies were allowed inside, and both were now seated on chairs around a round table.
"Aurie, I am really glad to see you again."
Aurora smiled, and sipped her tea.
The old pony smiled and nodded, and then turned to the other filly.
"Um..."
The old pony smiled warmly.
Aurora chuckled.
"...can you help this poor ol' pony in running this here bakery?"
"...huh?"
"I could use some help 'round here, you see..."
Spitfire looked down on her cup of tea.
"Tell you what..."
"I used to work here."
Spitfire slowly looked down on her cup of tea, and thought about it for a few minutes.
After minutes of thought, a small smile appeared on her lips, turned her head up, and faced the earth pony, who quietly ended his chat with the other pegasus, and slowly turned to her with a warm smile.
"I'll help out."
4. Tangled String
'What is taking Aurora so long? '
He walked down the steps slowly as he turned his head, trying to find the orange filly.
Through the wide glass window of a shop, he saw Aurora, sitting on a stool, eating some doughnuts on a table, and she was talking to a caramel unicorn pony.
Aurora and Joe stopped their chat as the door swung open, hitting the chimes above the door.
"Good evening, sir!"
Henry shook his head a bit, looking a bit annoyed, and turned to the orange filly, who was only staring blankly at him.Don't jump to conclusions... '
"Oh, he's Joe."
"Hey hey..."
Aurora wanted to argue, but decided to take a bite off of her doughnut.
Henry took a breath and sighed.
"Oh yeah..."
"Helped?"
Joe nodded.
"I see..."
The three ponies were now seated around the table, where Aurora and Joe explained what had happened earlier.
"I never knew this city is too strict with..."
Aurora gasped.
Henry nodded, smiling.
Daybreak, Midnight, Snow Flake and Melody were chatting on a corner behind the stage.
A middle-aged black earth pony arrived and walked towards them.
"What do you want?"
"To take my daughter home, of course."
Midnight shot a glare.
Daybreak arched an eyebrow.
Melody, despite feeling great tension, blushed after hearing the dark-blue unicorn's words.
The black earth pony, however, shook his head.
"Trust me..."
He is angry at the black earth pony, yet he also needs to control himself.
"Are you suggesting that I would leave my daughter's safety to the hooves of a pony I don't even know?"
"That's one way of putting it, pops."
The black earth pony, however, smiled confidently.
"Have you forgotten who you're talking to!?"
"Don't make such threats, son."
Midnight had to hold himself from gasping.Darn it, he knew!? '
The black earth pony then turned to his daughter.
Melody slowly nodded.
"I said I'll walk her home..."
"Brother, stop."
Midnight shot him a glare.
Daybreak simply smiled.
Midnight shot him an angry and confused look....the f*ck are you talking about? '
Daybreak winked as the black earth pony suddenly felt a cold shiver running down his spine.
The angry unicorn slapped his brother's hoof and took a step forward, casting fear around the black earth pony.
Midnight quickly took a step back, washed his anger away, replaced it with a wide smile, and pulls the startled mare beside him.
"T-t-thanks...?"
The black earth pony sighed in defeat.
"Aw, don't trouble yourself, pops!"
That however, made the brown earth mare frown.
Outside the theater, Midnight and Melody were not sure how to get back to the brown mare's home.
But a problem... How will Melody follow him?
Bite or hold his tail?
"Um..."
"No!"
Melody shook her head.
Midnight sighed in defeat.
"Why would you want to walk, anyway?"
Midnight took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Leave?"
Midnight raised a hoof, a gesture to call an empty carriage.
"Believe me..."
"Midnight went where again?"
Daybreak and Snow Flake were using their magic to fold a large red curtain.
"He walked Melody back home, uncle."
"I...see..."
"Just leave them alone."
Good point, Henry had to admit, but still...
After he got out of the theater, he immediately lets Aurora and Sunset know of his intension.
He sighed.
5. Crying Heart
Midnight and Melody quietly rode a slow-moving carriage, which is taking them to Melody's home.
As much as Midnight wanted to be with the mare, he just couldn't.
"Why...?"
"I'm..."
"Is...is there another...mare in your life?"
"What?"
"Then why...?"
Midnight swore he could literally hear the mare's heart breaking.
Melody rose her head in confusion, and turned to where she guessed Midnight was.
Midnight turned to the opposite direction from the mare, to avoid seeing her face.
A tear ran down from Melody's eye. She slowly took her hoof back, and tried to locate his shoulder.
"I don't want you to go..."
"I know..."
Unknown to the driver that a brown bird was on his back, quietly watching the couple.
Midnight levitated some Bits towards the driver as payment.
"Keep it."
"Um...thanks...I suppose?"
Midnight and Melody now stood in front of a large gate of a two-storey building.
Midnight sighed as he brought his hoof to press the doorbell.
"Something the matter?"
Midnight simply shook his head.
And Midnight did something that caught her father off-guard.
Though she was feeling sad, she couldn't help but blush, and feel a bit happy.
"Take care of 'Tavie, 'kay?"
"Hi Midnight."
Midnight took a few steps to the side to give room for the alicorn.
"Sir Henry."
"You know him, dad?"
"Of course. His book is quite popular, if I do say so myself."
Melody, Midnight and Henry were all seated on a large and wide black sofa in the living room, awaiting the black earth pony, who was preparing tea.
Midnight, without thinking, immediately used his magic to levitate the tray and gently place them on the brown rectanglular table in front of the three ponies.
The black earth pony simply let the unicorn be, as Midnight used his magic to distribute the cups, and levitated the teapot, and poured some tea. When he was about to levitate the teapot to Henry's cup, the alicorn couldn't help but smile. He used to hate tea, but after living for a year and a few months in PonyVille, he got used to it.
"Thank you for the tea."
"It's no problem."
"Ah yes." Henry smiled.
"No duh..."
"Yes."
The young couple hung their heads low.
Henry nodded in agreement.
"I would like to apologize for my nephew's...shall we say...rude behavior, towards you."
'Henry sounds like one of them now... '
The black earth pony shook his head, smiling.
Henry smiled back.
Midnight looked at him in confusion.
"I'd say, he's showing clear signs of..."
The black pony got the hint.
Henry nodded.
"So, where you're going with this is...you want me to allow my daughter to live with him?"
Midnight, though he liked to have Melody with him, was about to argue with the alicorn.
"Yes. Don't you think it's about time for your daughter to live her life?"
Midnight arched an eyebrow.
The earth pony turned to the unicorn.
"Uh..."
"Uh-huh..."
Midnight closed his eyes as he hung his head low.no ' from Melody's father.
"Sir Henry... He's a mailpony, but he owns a house?"
Henry simply nodded with a smile.
'Duh, 'cause it's not true. '
Melody however, was focused on her own set of thoughts.
"I...I need some time to think this over."
"But of course."
"But a happy life, he failed to give me..."
"Melody, you kno---"
"I feel like you're just using me..."
A tear ran down on her face.
"I'm tired, dad... I really am."
Silence reigned for a few minutes before the mare finally stopped crying.
"O-of course...?"
The earth pony quietly pointed his hoof on the first door on the second floor.
The two slowly walked up the stairs, with Midnight aiding the brown mare with every step.
The black earth pony and the green alicorn stared at the two ponies quietly.
"I'm sorry..."
The black earth pony sighed as he shook his head.
Henry shook his head.
The black earth pony sighed and rubbed his forehead, as Midnight greeted the brown earth pony goodnight, and closed the door, and slowly walked down the stairs.
Midnight, after reaching the end of the stairs, looked at the alicorn.
Henry took a deep breath, and exhaled.
The black earth pony simply shook his head slowly.
"Come on, Midnight. Time to leave."
Midnight closed his eyes as he nodded.I guess this is goodbye... '
Originally Written on August 26, 2012
Updates... - October 19, 2012 - I mistakenly thought Joe was an earth pony. He's a unicorn now.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 14 - Stolen Rainbow
The train to PonyVille has already arrived a few minutes before the sun started to climb the heavenly sky.
The said unicorn, however, was feeling so downhearted to head back home. He could not even raise his own head to face the brown mare standing before him.
Midnight is going back to PonyVille, with no specific date of his return. The previous evening, he promised the brown mare to return, wealthy enough to support him, her, and her filly.
The previous evening, the unicorn failed to provide himself with sleep, for he was busy thinking of ways to be with this mare.
The unicorn shook his head slowly.
"All aboard!"
The train has already started shaking a bit, preparing to move as its engine was fed with coal by two earth ponies in the engine car.
"Midnight..." Aurora slowly said.
"You should go, Midnight..."
Her father was waiting impatiently on a carriage. That sparked a small anger on the unicorn's heart.
Daybreak, Snow Flake, Aurora and Sunset had slowly walked inside the train, leaving the changeling-disguised-green-alicorn pony and the dark-blue unicorn.
Midnight closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.
The filly could only manage a weak nod.
Midnight then rose up, and slowly wrapped a hoof around the mare's neck, giving her a small hug.
"Bye Midnight..."
He angrily closed his eyes, wishing he wouldn't leave.
He was about to broke the hug when Melody unwrapped her hooves around his neck, but instead of returning them on the ground, she slowly slides her hooves from the unicorn's nape, reaching to his cheeks.
Midnight returned his hooves on the ground while Melody has both her front hooves on his cheeks.
Melody, after she convinced herself, pulled Midnight's head towards her, and as quick as she did it, their lips have found the other.
Midnight was startled for a brief moment before he returned the kiss.
The train let out a whistle, signalling the passengers that the train will soon depart.
Melody sadly ended the kiss, and wrapped her hooves around the unicorn once again.
They broke their hug afterwards, and after saying their sad goodbyes, Midnight leened down and gave the filly a hug before he walked inside the train.
Midnight sat beside the wide window of the train in the passenger car, sadly staring at the two female ponies.
Henry sat beside him, and soon, the train started to move.
Midnight tried to see them for as long as he could, until the train could no longer provide the required angle to let him see them.
Daybreak, Snow Flake, Aurora and Sunset, who were sitting on different couches, could not help but feel sad and worried about Midnight.
The train was now slowly moving towards a tunnel through the mountain, which will lead them down to the base of the mountain.
Midnight shifted his head from the window to the foot of the back of the wide chair in front of him, emotions running wild inside his heart, and thoughts rioting inside his mind.
Midnight slowly shifted his gaze on the window, or to be specific, on the lock of the window.
He let out a frustrated sigh as an earth pony conductor reached their chairs to check their tickets.
The train ticket was the very first thing he obtained from anypony who he did not forced them to.
But now, he has finally earned the love of a mare, and he's going to let it be taken away from him?
"Your ticket, sir?"
Midnight casted a glance on the conductor, who was waiting boringly for his ticket, and Henry was looking rather confused as to why the unicorn suddenly grinned.
And in an instant, Midnight ripped his ticket in half, and throwing them to the ground, startling both the conductor and the alicorn.
"Oh no," Midnight said, still grinning, "does this mean I'm a stowaway?"
"Midnight!?"
Midnight shot him and the rest an apologetic smile.
He rolled on the ground, and stopped as soon as he hit the tunnel's walls.
Henry poked his head out, and after seeing the crazy unicorn slowly standing on his hooves, he smiled as he took a deep breath.
"Will do!"
He ran as fast as he could, jumping back on the station, and ignoring the startled and confused looks of the ponies that he passes by.
Say what the ponies want, but he will not care, so long as he listens to his heart.The heart is vulnerable to change '
He could not even believe that he has changed, just by simply following what he believes is right.
The mare's father was also as surprised to see him standing there.
"Midnight?"
Hearing his name from his angelic mare eased his tired body, as he slowly let his hooves walk on the snowy ground towards the mare.
"Hey Melody..."
"But I thought--"
"Hush, I'm here, aren't I?"
Their hug broke after hearing the mare's father cough a bit.
"Eeyup."
The black earth pony sighed in frustrated defeat.
Melody could not help but smile, now that the stallion who loves her will stay.
A month had passed since Midnight stayed in Canterlot. The unicorn had sent them letters at least twice a week.spend a night with any of them, now that his heart belonged to a certain mare, and her filly, of course.business trip in Las Pegasus.
However, after Melody's father left them, she started to feel as useless as ever.
But even so, Melody and Midnight were both glad that Octavia was there for her.
Thankful as he might be for her, it's not good for the filly to not start school.
During the month of Midnight's absence, Henry has already finished writing chapter two of the third book of the Daring Do series.
He turned to see Aurora, who was sitting on the small couch on the first floor of the library, busy reading the second Daring Do book.
Ever since Midnight left to be with Melody, Aurora had a rather sad mood during the first few days after they returned in PonyVille.
She thanked the earth filly soon after, and since then, she's feeling okay now, though she still misses Midnight.
A week before Henry goes to Fillydelphia, Snow Flake went to Manehattan to attend a singing contest, and Daybreak went with her.
And as Henry rode the train to Fillydelphia, Aurora took over the library, and her mother decided to help her out.
Chapter 14 - The Stolen Rainbow
Flame and Coal were seated on the steps of the stairs of Fillydelphia Train Station, awaiting the arrival of the train from PonyVille.
As soon as the train arrived in the station, Flame waved a hoof at the train, and Henry, despite the large crowd, was able to notice the waving hoof from the sea of ponies.
"Welcome back, Henry sir!"
Henry returned the greeting, and greeted the small pony as well.
The earth ponies nodded their heads as the three of them started climbing up the stairs.
"Drop the sir , please..."
"Well, if ya say so then."
"Howdy y'all!"
She knows that she should be quiet inside, but since the library was full of noises from the ponies inside, she decided to add her own.
"AppleJack!"
"Look who's talking."
"Good morning you two."
"Hey Aurora," AppleJack greeed back, "don't trouble yerself, we're just here lookin' fer Rainbow."
Rarity nodded in agreement.
Aurora started digging inside her mind.
AppleJack and Rarity shared a worried look at each other.
"Why?" Aurora asked.
"Well, we're just kinda worried, is'all."
"Oh," Aurora said, who suddenly smiled after remembering something.
Two pegasus stallions perked their ears up, secretly eavesdropping the three ponies' conversation as they are browsing for a book.
"Uncle Henry said that she and Rainbow are close friends."
"Huh, I haven't thought about that."
"Well alrighty then, let's head over to Fluttershy's!"
Aurora quietly waved back, and then she closed the door.
The two pegasi stallions looked at each other, and both nodded their heads, as if they have agreed on something.
"Five two seven, East Solar Street..."Five two one... Two two...three...four...ah! '
A quick glance left and right, he crossed the street, heading towards the house.
After inserting the letter inside and closing the mailbox, he looked at the letters inside his saddlebag, and sighed in frustration.
"A few more to go..."
He found one, and returned the rest as he slowly walked towards the next address.
Daybreak and Snow Flake were having breakfast inside the large dining room with Rose, her husband, and Gold.
"So Snow," Rose said, "how's the contest?"
Snow Flake smiled slightly.
"I see." Rose replied.
"There were a lot of contestants."
Rose chuckled.
"You got that right."
Gold and the blue earth pony shared a laugh.
"Angle, not you too."
"Sorry hun..."
Rose grumbled as Snow Flake and Daybreak chuckled.
A carriage stopped in front of the large building in Fillydelphia.
Henry inhaled a gentle falling snow flake, making him stop and sneeze.
"Gesundheit."
"Thanks."
The green alicorn turned his head left and right, and spotted a few fillies playing in the street.
"R-Rainbow Dash?"
The fillies stopped and stared at the shocked green alicorn pony.
Midnight was about to slip the letter inside the mailbox of a pretty simple yet elegant house when the door of the said house slowly opened, revealing an old unicorn mare, who smiled as she saw the mailpony.
"Good morning, dear sir."
Midnight smiled warmly. There has no one that ever greeted him before while doing his job as a mailpony in Canterlot.
The old mare chuckled a bit.
"Rainbow Dash?"
An earth pony butler excused his interruption.
Rose smiled as she nodded.
"No need!"
The ponies in the dining area stared at the excited filly opening the front door, greeting his friends.
Out of the four of Gold's friends, one of them shocked both Snow Flake and Daybreak.
"Isn't that...Rainbow Dash?"
Daybreak shook his head slowly.
But both indeed saw the filly right.
After a few knocks, the door of a cottage outside the Everfree Forest opened, revealing a smiling yellow pegasus filly.
"Howdy Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy quickly frowned.
The fillies stopped and stared at the green alicorn. Their faces sharing confusion.
"Are...you referring to our friend Rainbow Streak?"
Henry blinked.
"Excuse me," began the rainbow-maned filly, looking rather confused at the unicorn mailpony, "but are you maybe refering to me?"
Not only does she look high-class, but her voice and her tone and the way she spoke as well...does not resemble the Rainbow Dash.
"Your words are such a disrespect in the presence of two mares."
"And..."
"My name, dear sir, is Rainbow Grace."
"Rainbow Grace?"
The old mare's smile and nod confirmed that the young cyan pegasus is not the pegasus back in PonyVille...is it?
Two pegasi stallions landed behind the mailpony, but Midnight payed it no mind.
Fluttershy let out a surprised gasp, making her two friends wonder what made the yellow pegasus act that way until they noticed that they were now under a large shadow coming from behind them.
Turning around, they saw two large pegasi stallions, looking straight at the pegasus filly.
"We have heard that a cyan pegasus filly with a rainbow mane and tail is here."
"Uh... I ah..."
The two stallions looked at each other, arching an eyebrow, and they returned their gazes on the fillies.
Snow Flake, Daybreak, Accurate Angle and Rose Hammer resumed eating until they heard a group of fillies' screams on the front yard.
The four immediately rushed outside, only to witness the fillies screaming in fear as two large pegasi stallions were holding on the unconscious cyan pegasus filly, where blood was streaming down from her head.
As the two pegasi stallions took flight, Daybreak tried to stop them by enveloping them with his magic.
Though they temporarily stopped in mid-air, they easily broke free from his magic, sending a massive and painful wave back to the yellow unicorn.
"D-darn it..."
Rose quickly ran towards the streets, trying to spot a police pony before running towards the police station.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
"Now that ain't proper!"
Fluttershy only hid behind her mane, trembling from fear.
Whatever happened was just too fast for Henry to register it in his mind.
The fillies cried out of fear as the pegasi stallions quickly grabbed the cyan filly and took flight.
Not wanting to waste time, the captured pegasi stallion delivered a powerful kick on Flame's face, sending him down on the ground as he lost his grip.
Before the pegasi stallions could fly away further, Henry snapped back on his senses, levitated his hat to reveal his glowing horn, and fired a thin ray of brown magic, hitting one of the stallion's wing, causing him to fall back to the ground, and landed on a carriage.
The other pegasi who was on the air quickly flew away, barely dodging the green alicorn's follow-up attack.
Henry flapped his wings to give chase, but the pegasi already hid himself in the thick clouds above.
"Oh no..."
"I can't stand this no more!"
"AppleJack..."
True, she's strong, but she is not about to abandon the place.
"Worry not, Fluttershy..."
Two pegasi stallions walked pass Midnight, and were approaching the cyan pegasus, which stared at them confused.
Midnight shook his head in defeat, and was about to turn around and leave when he saw one of the pegasi stallion lift his hoof in the air, and delivered a powerful slap on the cyan filly's cheek, losing her consciousness completely.
"What the...!?"
"Police! Police!"
Quickly looking around, Midnight spotted a garden hose near the front door of the cyan pegasus.
"Please help! Help!"
Sensing trouble, one of the pegasi stallions dove down and tackled the startled mailpony.
The royal guards gave chase as Midnight could not find the strength to stand, but instead brought a hoof on his forehead, and rubbing it slowly.
The vision of the pegasus stallion, who was about to open the lower drawers of the kitchen sink, became black, as he felt a silk-like clothing forcefully wrapped around his head, and soon, around his hooves and wings.
Rarity used her magic to levitate the sofa's clothing and some pillow cases, and wrap them around the pegasus stallion. She quickly began to tie the clothings in place as the pegasus stallion struggled to break free.
The pegasus stallion, losing his balance, fell to the wooden floor, making a loud noise that startled both Fluttershy and the other stallion in the second floor.
A white bunny suddenly rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a hold of a frying pan near the sink, and jumped towards the head of the stallion.
"No!"
The stallion slowly rose his other free front hoof.
"Rainbow! Rarity! Fluttershy!"
Hearing Rainbow Dash's yells, Rarity, despite feeling tired, rushed towards the second floor, only to reach in time to witness a large and powerful hoof decend upon the back of the cyan pegasus' head, which almost made the filly lose her consciousness.
Rainbow Dash was hanging on the hoof of a large pegasus stallion as she tried to fight to remain conscious, but the warm and aching pain behind her head, and a blurry and dizzy sight is making it difficult.
Rarity, out of anger, summoned her magic around the clothes inside the wardrobe, and she began to mummify the stallion.
In the kitchen, the clothes were ripped apart as the stallion regain his strength. The white bunny was about to strike with his frying pan on his paws, but decided to run and escape an earth shaking hoof that was suppose to squish the white fluff, but instead, it created a crater on the wooden floor.
"Angel!"
Witnessing his caretaker in that state struck the white rabbit with fear as he quickly rushed towards her.
As the mummified pegasus stallion lose his grip on Rainbow Dash, the other pegasus stallion landed behind the startled white unicorn filly.
Fear struck the cyan filly's heart and mind.
"Fly, R-Rainbow..."
Just before a hoof managed to grab a hold on the cyan pegasus, Rainbow Dash flew upward, and flew straight towards the window where Rarity was.
The window crash startled Aurora, AppleJack and the police ponies, who all stopped outside the fences of the cottage.
"That's them!"
She has heard all the rumors, stories and myths, but none of those came into her mind. The only thing in Rainbow Dash's mind at the moment was to run, fly, and escape her pursuers.
A flash of light blinded her for a moment as lightning cracked the dark clouds above the Everfree Forest, and it was eventually followed by an earth shaking roar of thunder.
She kept going. She kept flying.
She thought that leaving Cloudsdale and stay in PonyVille would finally bring her peace.
Another flash of lightning blinded her vision, and as quickly as it appeared, so was to regaining her vision, only to see in front of her...
"No..."
Above the sea of trees, she and the rest of the ponies saw the two pegasi stallions, escaping the place with haste, and with them was the unconscious cyan pegasus filly.
Even though the two pegasi stallions flew straight to the thunderous clouds above the Everfree Forest, the three pegasi police ponies flapped their wings, taking speed in pursuing the criminals.
"No!"
The furious filly stopped as she felt a hoof on her shoulder, coming from the sad Aurora.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 15 - Rainbow Extraction
Cloudsdale, a magnificent city in the heavenly skies. The home of the fierce pegasi ponies, where the freedom of flight is a test to determine each individual's future.
In ancient times, Cloudsdale has fallen in defeat after the earth ponies became allies with the unicorns and the griffins.
But the past is over. Now, Cloudsdale is the provider of clouds, rainbows, and weather, for all of Equestria.
Their government, for years, no, for decades now, are aware of the heartaches their law brought to all of their citizens, but they decided to ignore them.
That law however, began to crumble after the Windigo incident, where a lot of pegasi became frozen, and even the city of clouds fell to the ground.
The news that Cloudsdale is undergoing a drastic change has spread all around Equestria like wildfire.
Chapter 15 - Rainbow Extraction
1. The Black Rainbow
In a large dimly lit and windowless room, filled with bookshelves, tables, chemical apparatuses, scattered papers, and floor-to-ceiling cylindrical-glass containers, a black pegasus stallion, with a maroon-colored mane and tail, was seated on a stool, his elbows resting on top of a table, and his head rested on both his front hooves, blankly staring at the documents on the table, where some were pinned down by his elbows.
He had lost track of the time that he spent in that position, staring at the documents, where the only noises his ears could faintly hear were his own slow and deep breaths and the ticking of the wallclock.
The only source of the room's dim lights were coming from the tall cylindrical-glass containers of some sort, where inside were filled with blurry water, lit up by faint green lights from inside the containers.
The dead silence of the room was making the pegasus' mind even more chaotic, for it only grants him even more reason to think of...everything.
Finally, for what felt like an eternity, he let out a very heavy and depressing sigh, slowly sliding his head from his hooves to the table.
He knew this day would come. He just knew. That is why he and his late father began these experiments. He knew this day would come, but he never gave up hope that, if by a miracle, something will happen to prevent this day from ever happening.
But alas, such thoughts were nothing more now. He needed to face the facts, no matter how difficult and painful it may be.
If there was another...other ways to do this, then he would take it by a heartbeat.
He slowly rose up into a standing position, staring at the document on the top of all the other piled-up papers on the table.
The contents of the document was marked with a very bloody red approval of the board. The message he dreamed never to come true.
"...Approved ..."
It only took a couple of minutes before the sounds of numerous hooves became louder and louder, until silence reigned once again.
The black stallion slowly turned around to meet the newcomers: bulky pegasi stallions, with them were unconscious cyan pegasi fillies with rainbow mane and tail. The fillies' images hurt him inside, but he never showed such weakness in the outside.
"Strap them..."
The pegasi stallions nodded their heads as they slowly walked pass him, towards the flat tables near the other corner of the room.
As he quietly watched the pegasi stallions, he heard another set of hooves descending from the staircase.
He fought hard to avoid to sigh.
Seven pegasi fillies.
And now that he's alone again, he let out yet another heavy sigh.
...no.
Fillies who begin to learn to fly will be sent to Flight School to learn more about flying. There they stay for years of training and developing their minds and bodies for the duties they one day achieve, and they will accept their tasks forcefully.
If however, they decide not to accept their fate, or fail in any of their flight exam...they will be deemed unworthy to be called a pegasi...and then...
He slowly walked around the table to get it over with. The sooner, the better.the colors of life from other sources.
He was also beaming with confidence, after witnessing a multi-colored wave across the heavenly sky a few years back while he was studying a cherry tree.
Now however, a painful red mark of disapproval from the board crushed his hopes and dreams. Ever since that day, he began to doubt is very own cutie mark, the symbol of his special talent and skill.
His cutie mark, a rainbow, the same as his father, except, his cutie mark has a faint yellow sun near the other end of the rainbow.
How sad it was for him to provide the colors of a lovely painting in the sky, hiding the grim and dark secret it holds behind the magnificent colors.
He sighed.
Fillies of Cloudsdale who fail their exams will no longer be...extracted...of their color.
He continued to walk towards the row of tables where the cyan pegasi fillies were strapped in place.
He stopped midway, slowly landing his gaze on each one of his and his father's 'creations '.
At first, he thought that he and his father finally found the answer to save the poor fillies of the city of clouds.scientific research ', they both burned their eyebrows for days, weeks, months.
These fillies before him... They're fake ponies.real ', he does not have the heart to do his task.
If only the board approved his proposal of gathering colors from other sources of nature. Not only it would save lives, but it would also add more possible jobs for ponies!
After the Windigo incident, he resubmitted his proposal hoping that, since Cloudsdale is under major reformation, it will be approved.
But even though the city is reviewing their laws, they're still strict of deadlines, and he is nearing his, to provide enough color for rainbows in the approaching spring season.
If only his father was still alive, then he wouldn't be the one doing this.
He slowly and grimly walked towards a box-like machine, were on top lies a small screen, and a couple of levers and buttons.
He pressed one last button before one side of the room's wall slid down, revealing the other parts of the room, where a weird machine-like contraption is attached on the ceiling of the newly revealed part of the room.
One of the table slid under the spider-like machinery, and as the table stopped, it sent a tiny shake that slowly arouse the filly to consciousness.
The black pegasus pushed a few more buttons before walking to the newly revealed room. Soon, the cylindrical-glass containers containing blurry water and emiting faint green light slid and stopped on a corner of the newly revealed room.
Four flourescent lights turned on, shedding enough light to see everything inside the room.
After the filly's eyes adjusted, she found herself strapped on a table. Looking around, she saw the grim-looking black pegasus, a scary-looking machine above her, and tall empty cylindrical-glass containers in different color.
Each container has tube-like pipes from the top, reaching the ceiling, and continued to the machine above the filly.
"Where am I...?"
A number of the strapped fillies began to recover their consciousness as the black pegasus stallion walked and stopped on the left side of the table.
To him, seeing her scared eyes looked too real.
She tried to set herself free, but she was strapped in place.
A box-like machine slid beside him, and he gave it a momentary stare, to divert his attention from the filly's eyes.
He swallowed his fear as he brought himself to press the button, making the machine above the filly alive.
The filly was already in panic, eyes opened wide, pupils shrunk, and breath fast and shallow.
"...and he...has a younger brother..."
The machine shot a wide red light to the top of the table, and slowly working to the other end, scanning whatever was lying on the table.
"...and they both dreamed to become great flyers one day...
Even the fillies on the other tables began to shiver from fear.
"...But one day...everything changed."
"AHHH!"
2. Flapping Wings
"Wake up, you two." A pegasus mare gently said as she poked her head from the slightly opened door.
A groan echoed in the room, coming from two pegasi fillies, who were desperately trying to get back to sleep.
"Five more minutes..." Whispered the black pegasus filly as he turned to the other side, his forehooves lay resting on the head of a smaller pegasus filly, with a blue coat and cyan-colored mane and tail.
The mare chuckled as she walked towards the side of the bed. "Come on now. You don't want to miss your first day of practicing to fly, do you?"
"Sleep...good..." Whispered the smaller filly.
"Yeah..." The black filly agreed. "Sleef...good..."
The mare rolled her eyes. "Fine." And she began walking towards the door. "Oh well, more pancakes for me then." And with that, she gently closed the door as the two fillies sprang up to a sitting position.
"No fair!" "Pancakes!" The two fillies yelled in unison as they both jumped out of bed and quickly ran downstairs and towards the kitchen, where on the table were two plates filled with pancakes.
They quickly scrambled to the chairs and began devouring the pancakes, but they slowly ate their food properly after hearing their mother's snort.
"That's better." Their mother nodded, chuckling a bit.
The needle-like arms of the arachnid-like machine pulled away from the gray and lifeless pegasus filly, and slowly retracting itself back on the ceiling.
The once empty cylindrical-glass containers on the corner of the room were now containing liquid of different color, though it still need a few more for each to be filled completely.
The room was now echoing with fearful and nervous cries of the fillies, except for one, who was trying her best to pull herself out of the straps.
'Come on...! Come on! '
The black pegasus, who was sharing a story while the machine was draining the color of the filly, has momentarily stopped his story-telling as he pressed a few combination of buttons.
He stared at the lifeless gray filly for a few seconds before he began to slowly press a combination of buttons. He then slowly walked towards the lifeless body.
"No!"
"That day..."
The machine spreads its seven needle leg-like parts as it cry a mechanical roar.
Cloudsdale is a majestic and huge city, built on a large mass of clouds, floating at ease above the grassy fields northwest of Canterlot.
The sun was almost out of the horizon when two pegasi fillies and their mother reached the eastern edge of the city, where no buildings would be any obstruction for those who yearned to learn to fly.
The two fillies, excited for their very first flying lessons, started to flap their wings rapidly, but they could only lift half of their bodies, leaving the other on the cloudy ground.
With their mother's guidance, the two fillies were able to properly flap their wings, and for what felt like hours, they were finally able to lift themselves vertically.
The black filly, overjoyed by the accomplishment, and while still on the air a few hooves above her mother's height, he tried to fly forward, tilting his body forward, but it only made him fly diagonally straight down on the soft cloud ground.
His blue brother however, have managed to fly forward, sideward, backward, and everything else with clear ease. The black filly groaned as his mother gave him an appreciative pat on her head.
"Come on, big brother!" Said the blue pegasus as he swirled around near them. "You can do it! I know you can!"
Thankful for his little brother's encouragement, enough to ward off the shame in his heart, he began flapping his wings again, and as soon as he got in the air, his brother stopped beside him, and shared to him what he did.
A demonstration later, and the blue filly was already flying around. Eager not to be outshined, the black pegasus filly applied his brother's advice, and he soon found himself flying forward.
The two of them were flying around, and careful not to fly over the edge of the city. The black pegasus filly was chasing after his brother when he suddenly noticed his mother's sad expression on her face.
Noticing him, her mother quickly flashed a smile, and waved a hoof at him. But it then struck him... ...He and his brother learned how to fly...
The seven needle-like arms pulled itselves away from the gray and lifeless filly, and the machine retracted itself back on the ceiling as it oozes out liquid of different colors of the rainbow through the transparent pipes, travelling towards the seven large cylindrical-glass containers in the room.
The very sight made the other fillies' fear even worse as the black pegasus stopped his story-telling.
Earlier, while the machine was busy with the screaming filly, the black pegasus pushed a few buttons on a container that was filled with blurry water.
The black pegasus pressed a button under the table, which released the straps, and he then carried the lifeless gray filly, and threw it inside the capsule.
"...Another life lost..."
Rainbow Dash was already fearing for her life, but she still managed to stay cool and was still able to think clear. She saw the black pegasus, pressing buttons under the table that released the straps.There must be a way... '
A few pressed buttons, and one of the tables slowly slid underneath the machinery, where a very scared filly was in panic; breathing fast and shallow.
"Just so you all know..."
The machine began scanning the filly.
"...evenly..."
The arachnid-like machinery spreads its seven sharp legs as it roared, and immediately brought its legs towards the frightened filly.
3. Crushed Wing
"Do we have to go...?" The blue pegasus filly managed to asked in between his sobs.
The black pegasus was quietly crying, his hoof rubbing the mane of his little brother to try and help him feel better, but reaching no luck on that goal.
Their father, after hearing the news, quickly left his work and met them halfway to their home, where they first enjoyed lunch before the adult pegasi ponies informed them about Flight School.
The black pegasus was already aware of this, but it still hurt, nonetheless.
"I'm afraid so..." Their mother slowly replied.
"But...I don't want to leave!" Cried the blue filly. "I don't want to stay in school! I wanna be with you!"
"I'd love to be with you, too..." She said as she wiped a tear from her eyes. "...but you must understand..."
"No!" The blue filly yelled as he stomped both his front hooves on the table. He then leaped out of the chair, and flew towards the door.
"Cerulean! Wait!" Yelled his mother as the black pegasus filly gave chase.
After getting himself out of the door, the black pegasus quickly turned his head around, trying to spot his brother. As he was looking, his father came out from the door and joined the search, until... "There!" The black pegasus yelled, pointing a hoof at the faint blue dot from far away. It it weren't for the white clouds, he would have never seen his brother from the blue sky.
Both pegasi flapped their wings and gave chase.
After throwing another lifeless body inside the capsule, the black pegasus began walking back to the busy machine.
The room was filled with painful screams as the cyan pegasus filly was slowly turning gray.
"Keep in mind that..."
"'Joy and happiness ' your face, you freak!"
Inside, he flinched, but outside, he showed no change in his blank expression as he turned his gaze towards her.
"Who the f*ck gives a damn about your story when you're gonna kill us anyway!?"
"Such a foul-mouthed filly..."
Soon, the screach of the filly slowly went to a stop as her gray eyes slowly closed.
Sensing no life from the filly, the machine retracted its legs and itself back on the ceiling as the black pegasus turned his attention on the buttons.
Another table slid under the arachnid-like machine as the black pegasus continued pressing a few buttons.
"Now then..."
After scanning the filly, the arachnid-like legs stretched out and dug itself on different parts of the filly's body.
As the tortured filly screamed, and the black pegasus continued sharing his story as he walked towards the containers, Rainbow Dash tried to exhale a lot of air, to try and squirm out of the straps.
They're going to be tortured, suck their lives out of them, and disappear as if they never existed!?
Cerulean may be able to fly, but he was not a fast flier, as well as the black pegasus filly. Their father, however, was quickly catching up on the blue pegasus.
"Cerulean!" Their father yelled. "Stop!"
"No!" Cerulean shouted back as he was now flying outside the borders of Cloudsdale.
The very thought of flying outside the border was too much for the young filly to comprehend, for fillies were always warned of how dangerous the outside world was. Fear struck his mind, where he could no longer focus on his wings, and he began to fall.
"Cerulean!" Yelled their father as he dove down after him.
The black pegasus filly, seeing his brother falling, struck him hard inside. He wants to save him, his mind tells him so, but his body was not obeying. His wings froze open as he glided down to the cloud ground.
He crashed, but it was a good thing that clouds are soft. He stayed lying on the ground for a short while, his body and mind no longer in unison. He could faintly hear the crowd of ponies gasping and whispering around the surroundings.
He didn't budge an inch, as fear overwhelmed him. He only managed to recover after hearing his brother's sobs above him. He weakly lifted his head, and he saw his father, staring worried at him, carrying his younger brother on his hooves, crying.
Reunited, but they will be separated soon...
"...but at least my brother and I were still together in Flight Camp..."
"You are all products of me and my father's research..."
Rainbow Dash is seriously running out of time. There's two of them left now...
"'Pity those who have souls ', an old mare once told me..."Souls are given by nature ', she once told me..."
4. Broken Flight
A year had passed since the two pegasi brothers were sent to Flight Camp. The evenings of their first few months were full of tears, but at least a number of pegasi fillies helped them, for they too were sad to leave their families to attend a stupid school.
The training was difficult and tiring, but each day, they managed to stay on their hooves. Not only do they have each other to support themselves, but they also have friends to help them along the way.
But as easy as they earned friends, they too easily acquired pegasi fillies who bullies them. The black pegasus filly will often times try his best to stand up and protect his brother from them, and most of the time, he and some of their friends end up getting hurt, and what was worse, no one in the institution gives a flying feather. Their excuse? It is part of the training, for one to become a strong pegasi.
After a year in the school, their father payed them a visit, and both were surprised and happy to see him. Once in a while, their mother checks up on them, but their father never payed them a visit, until now.
Fillies enrolled in the institution were not allowed to leave the premises, unless there are natural calamities that would reach the floating city.
They talked in the audience seats in one the school's flying race tracks, away from any other ponies' range of hearing.
The reason of his visit was for him to wish his sons well in the upcoming annual flight exams. He wished them, he prayed for them, and he begged them to pass.
He hesitated at first to explain to them why, but after he got the courage to explain, a pegasi officer called their father's attention, stating that his visiting hours is already over.
One last hug, and their father left, with the officer following him.
"My father..."save ' us during our first year in the school..."
Rainbow Dash's attempt of removing most of the air in her body to try and squirm out didn't work. She tried again multple times, only to land on failed attempts of escaping. She could no longer hold her own fear as she could no longer think of any other ways of escape.
The black pegasus turned to the cyan pegasus who, earlier, was trying to escape.
Rainbow Dash, though hastily taking breaths out of fear, was shooting him a venomous glare.
"You gave up so easily..."
"Like you care."
He wanted to slap her for such a behavior, or yell at her for how inappropriate spitting was, but his own body refused to listen, instead, he calmly brought a hoof on his face, and wiped the saliva off of him.
Rainbow Dash, despite her current situation, rolled her eyes.
The black pegasus stared at her with a blank expression for a short while before returning to the lifeless filly's table.Out of all the seven creations of my father... She's the only one who managed to fight the false memory that was implanted in her head. '
He would have loved to figure out why Rainbow Dash managed to remember her early memories in the lab, but unfortunately, if he needs his life spared, then he needs to fill the seven containers of different color.
Pressing a combination of buttons, another table slid underneath the spider-like machine, leaving Rainbow Dash alone on the corner.
She needs to think of something fast. If she couldn't...then...!
The machine finished scanning the filly on the table, and it then stretched it needle-like arms.
"Let us continue..."
The pegasus brothers, along with other pegasi fillies, were gathered in one of the racing tracks of the institution. Judges were summoned and were seated on the judges' panel.
A whistle was blown, and the fillies scrambled and settled in a horizontal line, all were facing the race track in front of them.
Their instructor, a muscular crimson pegasus stallion, marched in front of them as he gave them a brief explanation of the exam.
The first part was a twenty-lap race. The second part was cloud-clearing. Third part would be flexibility, where fillies will fly around every obstacle. Final part would be a combination of all three parts of the exam: a race, avoid obstacles, clear their designated clouds, and reach the finish line. Each part will have five fillies participate at a time.
Their instructor then shouted their names of their designated groups
The black pegasus was glad that his group consisted of his friends, but fear struck him when he learned that his young brother was with the pegasi that bullies them.
He tried to reason with his instructor, or even asked to swap places, but the stubborn instructor shoved him off, or he'll instantly fail the exam.
"Just like her..."
The black pegasus came in fourth place. Not bad for a weak flier such as him. He and his group went to the audience's seats, but instead of cheering one another, they became dead-silent as they watched the blue pegasus filly fearfully preparing himself on the starting line, together with the group of grinning pegasi.
"The race started, and instead of racing fairly, they delivered wing pounds, hoof punches, and headbutts to my brother, but he kept going, until he could no longer hold himself, and he was instead used as a ball, being tossed and passed towards the other racing pegasi, until I could no longer stand watching my brother in that situation..."
He pressed a combination of buttons, and the table of the dead pegasus filly slid towards the green-lit cylindrical-glass containers, and Rainbow Dash's table slid under the arachnid-like machine.
She struggled, using all her remaining strength to free herself, but just like the others before her, struggling was useless.
"That's right..."
The machine finished scanning her, and slowly, it stretched it's needle-arms around, each pointed at the helpless filly as the black pegasus stallion slowly pressed a combination of buttons.
"Just in case you forgot..."
5. ...Save Me...
The black pegasus leaped from his seat, flapping his tired wings furiously, and he's flying straight towards the race track. He collided with the other racers, sending the four bullies and himself rolling dangerously on the race track, as the unconscious blue filly flew straight to the walls of the race track. Even though the tracks and the walls were made out of clouds, the ones used in the race tracks were slightly more solid than the ordinary clouds used as a ground for pegasi to walk on to.
The blue filly crashed head-first on the walls of the race tracks, cracking his skull and bleeding.
Despite the protest of his body to lay down and rest, the black pegasus ran and flapped his wings to reach his brother. He wrapped his hooves around him as he cried for help.
As the machine roared, a faint crashing sound echoed from above the ceiling of the room.
"Unfortunately... No one dared to help me..."
The fillies around the race track all wanted to help, but the fear of helping others during an exam left them immobilized, for if they do help, then they'll instantly receive a failed mark on their exam.
The black pegasus remembered this fact despite his panic, and he immediately stopped shouting and begged his body to move as he flapped his wings and began to trot towards the clinic.
A loud crash echoed around the room, and though calm, the black pegasus mistakenly pressed the wrong button, making the arachnid-like machine on the ceiling roar as it quickly brought its seven needle-arms towards the table, barely landing on the target, to the filly's relief.
"Something's behind this wall!"
"Hm..."
"Help me!"
Soon, the room was now filled with powerful pounding sounds and the neutral cry of the machine.
The black pegasus filly slammed the clinic's door open, and quickly shouted for help.
The nurses tried their best, but his brother was no more. The black pegasus filly cried the whole afternoon, seated beside his brother's bed, his face buried on the white bed where the blue pegasus was laying.
Soon, his instructor and a number of officers carried him and his brother, for they both failed their exam.
"Help me!"
Soon, the wall was slammed down, revealing six of Princess Celestia's Royal Pegasi Guards.
The black pegasus stallion calmly turned his attention at them as he continued pressing buttons on the machine.
The arachnid-like machine extended itself down, and turned towards the new arrivals.
Wasting no time, the royal guards spread their wings to pound the black pegasus, but they instead begin to dodge the sharp extending legs of the machine that is trying to stab each one of them.
Rainbow Dash, realizing that the machine's attention was no longer on her, began squirming, desperately trying to escape, as the black pegasus pony continued to stare blankly at the dodging royal guards as he continued pressing buttons with his hooves.
They were brought in the secret basement of the Weather Factory, where he saw his father, the head of the rainbow operations.
Their father swallowed a huge lump of fear and shame, seeing his sons in that room, where the two fillies were strapped on two tables.
Thankful for his golden-plated armor, a royal guard was pushed by one of the needle-arms towards the green-emitting container.
At first, Rainbow Dash feared for the worse, but after the royal guard quickly got back up on his feet, he quickly rolled to the side to evade the attack.
Their father was used to these kinds of operations: extracting the colors of the fillies who failed their exams, but to do the process to his own sons...
He hesitated, and begged the government officials, who were always present during the extraction, to spare his sons, but he was silenced of his cowardice with a beating.
A royal guard leaped forward to avoid one of the leg's attacks, and as he came to a stop, he found himself in front of the calm black pegasus.
He quickly got up, and took a step to the side to avoid the royal guard's tackle.
Their father was forced to press the combination of buttons, and soon, he closed his eyes, wishing there was a way to shut his ears, as the machine stabbed the black pegasus filly, and began extracting the filly's color.
The black pegasus stallion flapped his wings and landed in front of the box-like machine, and he was about to press another button when another royal guard tackled him and pinned him on the floor.
As the machine was shut off, the government officials left the basement, leaving the father of the two extracted fillies crying.
After what felt like hours of grieving, he slowly removed his children's body from the table, and gently placed them inside the large cylinder-shaped glass container.
Pressing a few buttons, the containers slid close, and soon, green light began to flash from inside the containers as it was filled with water, floating the two gray lifeless fillies in the center of the container.
He slowly raised a hoof, and gently placed it on the glass, as if he's trying to touch his son's head one more time...
A royal guard managed to reach the machine of buttons, and desperately started pushing random buttons, making the arachnid-like machine on the ceiling act crazy, roaring ear-piercing cries echoing around the room.
A royal guard, who received a powerful kick on his face, finally recovered his consciousness, and worked his way towards the filly, and trying his best to pull the straps off.
As soon as the black pegasus filly slowly begin to melt, their father returned to his table, and started coming up with solutions to one last problem he has to solve before he could finally begin to achieve his year-long research of cloning.
Dissolving the body was his concluded way to preserve every fabric of DNA of any fillies who were extracted, cancelling the body and any other cells to begin the process of decomposition.
It took him a few more months until he managed to land on one uncertain answer, but if it will brings his children back to life, then it's worth the shot.
Mixing chemicals, careful measurements, combination of buttons, and soon, the glass container began to glow, and inside, the once empty water-filled container began to show a small pony, soon turning into a gray filly.
A few more commands and pressing buttons, the gray fur slowly turned black, and the mane and tail slowly turned crimson red.
After a few minutes, the filly's eyes slowly opened.
More royal guards came down and tried to bring a stop to the rampaging arachnid-like machine.
One of the royal guards heard the filly's cries, and immediately worked his way towards her, and followed her rapid instructions of pressing the buttons underneath the table.
The straps went loose, and the filly immediately flapped her wings to try and get away, only to accidentally be pounded back to the floor by one of the enraged machine's legs, which almost made her lose her consciousness.
A royal guard carried her and made their escape.
The black pegasus pony calmly watched everything that was happening around him, ignoring the guard who was still pinning him down, disabling him from moving.
His father's doubts were right. He may have achieved to bring his son back to life, but the emotions were no longer present.
But his father was wrong. The black pegasus' emotions were still there, but it was the body that could not understand how to perform emotions. He wanted to tell him that fact, but his own body would not allow him, which scared him inside.
His father spent a few more months, studying and finding a solution, and finally, he did find a solution, but at the same time, he was caught by the officials.
But instead of begging for mercy, his father thought of an idea: an idea that would help the fillies of Cloudsdale.
After hearing his proposal, the officials requested him to submit his proposal on paper, for them to further study the plan.
It only took a day for his father to receive an order to test his proposal. Unfortunately, there was no other available corpse to use...except...
Outside Cloudsdale's Weather Factory, royal guards barricaded the area, preventing pegasi ponies from approaching further.
Princess Celestia confidently yet angrily stood hooves away from the tall structure, awaiting her guards who went inside after her order.
Beside her was Aurora, her mother Sunset, and her friend Fluttershy.
Soon, a royal guard came out, carrying a weakened cyan pegasus filly.
Later, royal guards came out from the structure, and with them was a chained black pegasus stallion. They stopped in front of the princess, and as one of the royal guards explained what happened to the princess, the black pegasus locked his attention on the still-frightened rainbow-maned pegasus filly, and ignoring the worried and angry looks of the other three pegasus ponies.
"Just remember..."brother ..."
Princess Celestia angrily marched inside Cloudsdale's House of Laws, where the city's law-makers were all present, seated, and shocked to see their ruler.
She stopped in front of the president of the house, and levitated a folder of documents, and angrily slammed it on the table in front of the startled pegasi stallion.
On the folder was a large red message of disapproval, which then glowed in white, and as the white light faded, the folder now carries a new message.
"Approved by the Princess of Equestria "
Author's Note
I am aware of the fanfic 'Rainbow Factory', however, I did not and will not be reading it. I couldn't stand/read/stomach gore-ish fics. I only know about the fic's story through my brother. He gave me a short summary of the said fic.
Also, I accidentally saw a fan-made video of the said fic on YouTube. Fortunately, the video was not that gore-ish, I think. The concept of draining the pony's color really caught my interest.
Anyway, I hope this is not a complete copy of the said fic, though.
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The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 16 - PonyVille Diaries - Third of Many
Chapter 16 - PonyVille Diaries - Third of Many
1. Returned Rainbow
It was already late afternoon when the convension finished. Instead of staying further, Henry immediately went back to the station and took the train to PonyVille.
He would have stayed for a few days, but after the news about what happened in Cloudsdale reached Fillydelphia, he felt the urge of either going to Cloudsdale, or head back home to check on a certain filly.
The train arrived in the peaceful town of PonyVille two hours before noon.
He went to the library, where Sunset and Aurora told him about what they saw when they went to Cloudsdale.
Winter made the cottage look so deserted. The usual animals weren't around, except for the number of chickens around the chicken coop.
Henry quietly landed in front of the cottage's door, and knocked a few times before he heard gentle hoofsteps from inside.
The door opened slightly, enough for the yellow pegasus filly to see who it was.
Henry smiled and patted her head.sir '."
"Oh, um... I'm sorry..."
Sometimes, seeing her so shy is irritating, but for the filly's sake, he decided to shove the feeling away.
Fluttershy faintly turned her eyes on him.
"If you want, you can call me 'uncle '... Sounds okay?"
It somehow did the trick, for unknown reason.
"Anyway," now that's settled , "I'm worried about Rainbow Dash..."
Fluttershy slowly shook her head.
Henry sadly sighed.
"I don't think she wants to see anypony at the moment..."
"Oh, uh, okay..."It must have been hard for her to go through that kind of experience... '
Fluttershy reflected the smile back.
Henry frowned.sir ...uncle ...without my name..."
Henry was seated on one of the chairs and tables outside Sugarcube Corner, as he quietly read a newspaper and ate some Daisy Bread.
The newspaper's headline is about a mad scientist who extracts colors for rainbows in Cloudsdale, and a big photo of a black pegasus pony and his basement laboratory is printed.
Earlier, he asked the Cakes if they saw Rainbow Dash, but neither of them saw the filly since yesterday.
If a pony needs cheering, then Pinkie's the right pony for the job, and it made him feel reassured that the pink earth pony will do her job well when she finds Rainbow Dash.
As he turned to the next page of the newspaper, he saw a bright pink color on the corner of his eye.
The pink filly, after seeing the green pony, quickly threw her sad face away and immediately replaced it with a smile as she ran and stopped on the table.
Henry couldn't find an opening to interrupt, so he decided to paste a smile as he waited for the energetic pink pony to stop, but he instead brought a hoof over her mouth when she was about to plan to give the alicorn another welcome back party.
"Pinkie, no parties. Not today, okay?"
And, once again, as predicted, the filly frowned, and slowly nodded her head.
Couldn't reach her... Then she's probably above that gloomy blanket of clouds.
The pink pony closed her eyes and sighed.
Henry patted her shoulder.
She then opened her eyes, her face painting an angry expression as she stared at him.
Henry only smiled.
"Trouble me?"
Henry took a breath and sighed to calm himself.
"She has no idea how much trouble I went through yesterday to think of some ways to try and cheer her up!"
"Y-yes, Pinkie...?"
She leaned closer, slowly.riiight ?"
'Yes...or no...? '
After spotting a little gap in the clouds, Henry flew through it to get above the sea of clouds.
He has been soaring above the gloomy clouds for a while now. At first, he was feeling a bit scared to fly over the clouds, for he has never done that before.
Though it felt amazing, he didn't forget the reason why he was flying up there, but unfortunately, after spending minutes of gliding, he couldn't spot the rainbow-maned filly.
Finally giving up, he dove through the gloomy clouds to get back to the ground, which was a pretty bad idea. The clouds were too cold for him, almost feeling like he was being frozen, but to his relief, it only lasted for a few seconds as he dove through the clouds.
He shook off the shivering cold before regaining his flight, and he then glided towards Sweet Apple Acres. Maybe Big Macintosh or AppleJack saw Rainbow Dash.
Henry was about to land in front of the red barn of the Apple Family, when he spotted a very white puff of cloud hanging above the leafless apple trees in the orchard, but what really caught his attention was a rainbow-colored tail hanging on the corner of the small cloud.
He flapped his wings to regain flight and slowly hovered himself towards the cloud, where he soon saw Rainbow Dash on the said cloud.
At first, he feared that she may still be crying, or maybe just sobbing. Or she wishes to be alone, not to be bothered, or gets annoyed when anypony approaches. She may as well be shivering from fear that still hung around her mind and heart.
All those thoughts were banished after seeing a peaceful snoring cyan pegasus filly, sleeping with no care in the world.
He could not help but smile at the peaceful scene.
Not wishing to disturb the peace, he turned around, and was about to fly away when he heard the filly began coughing, rising her to wakefulness.
Henry turned as the filly rose into a sitting position, and yawned as she rubbed one of her eyes.
"You okay, Rainbow Dash?"
"Huh?"
'Wow... She recovered quickly? '
"If you're here to ask if I'm okay, then..."
"Uh... You sure?"
"Yep."The Dash down."
She rubbed her other free forehoof on her chest as the green alicorn rolled his eyes.
"Anyway..." Henry began, "everypony else is worried about you."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I can see that..."
Rainbow let out a frustrated sigh.
"Eeyup."
"Pfft... Fine."
Henry nodded in agreement.
Rainbow Dash then let herself fall back on her cloud.
"Rainbow..."
"Okay, okay... Sheesh..."
2. Heart's Desire
Despite the cold winter weather, a lone and sad blue seapony sat on the snowy shore, staring blankly at the gloomy horizon as she held a white traveller's hat on her embrace.
Even though her father was on her side, her mother, each of everyday, is trying to reason with her to stop seeing and loving the changeling.
She knows what changelings are, but she is certain that Henry is not feeding her love of him. But if that were to happen, then...no. That's impossible.
Ever since her mother learned who her heart beats to, both her parents started arguing each of everyday.
Even during some of her Sundays with Henry, her mother would even dare swim this far just to collect her, and Henry, a good soul he was, couldn't argue with the seapony's mother.
She was beginning to worry about their relationship if this keeps up. She wondered if this continues, eventually, his love for her will fade away?
She let out a frustrated sigh as her ears picked up faint padelling sounds echoing from afar. She scanned the horizon, and soon, she saw, from a distance, a bamboo raft, where a pony of some sort was pedalling towards the shore.
Terrified, she quickly jumped back to the water, not even in the slightest care if the pony on the raft noticed the splash of water on the shore.
She wondered who it was as she swam back to her cave, but as she got near the entrance of the cave, her curiousity began to run wild in her mind, the same as what it did to her when she first laid her eyes on Henry on that summer day.
She turned and quietly swam towards the raft, paying in mind to keep herself close to the sea floor, which was a bit of a disappointed after she got under the raft, for she couldn't see who was on the raft .
Curious, she ignored the possible risks, and quietly swam a few hooves behind the raft, poking her head above the water, enough for her to see a black and white striped pony.
The pony was humming a tune as she continued pedalling with a flattened bamboo stick. On the raft, aside from the pony, were wooden masks, pots and jars of different sizes, a wooden box, a very big cauldron, ropes, a basket with slightly-rotten fruits, and a rolled blanket.
The sea pony slowly and quietly tailed the raft, though she was a bit annoyed of how slow it was moving.
"Don't be afraid of me, my dear," the pony suddenly said, leaving the seapony curious to who she was suddenly talking to.
The pony closed her eyes as she shrugged, and she then focused her attention towards the shore as she continued to hum.
'She...she saw me! 'B-but...she didn't look scary...I think... '
She then felt the soft sandy sea floor on her back. She slowly tilted her head to stare at the raft, which was still far away from the shore.
'But she said I shouldn't be afraid of her... 'What would Henry do...? '
But...
On the raft, the black and white striped mare was humming smilingly, containing her excitement to reach her destination.
It was a long and difficult journey, but her heart told her where she must be, and her heart she follows, for it has never been wrong to her.
Her peaceful hum was interrupted by a quiet emerging sound from the water.
Pearl blinked.
"I apologize if I scared you. The shore is where I must be, could you lend a hoof to a pony like me?"
"Uh..."She's...weird... '
The pony on the raft smiled and returned her gaze to the shore as she continued to pedal.
Pearl couldn't help but smile awkwardly at the way the pony talks.
"You must be wandering of what I am. I am a zebra from a far-away land. My people have practiced herbal medicine. This new land I came to continue my training. There are still many things to learn. Excited am I to reach my destination."
"O...kay...?"
"Ah, your voice is lovely like the sea. They sound like music bringing peace and harmony."
Pearl pulled a hoof back and scratched her nape. She then returned her hoof to push the raft, still wearing an awkward expression.
"I hope you don't mind my dear, but what is your name? I would love to hear."
"Pearl..."
"Hm, a lovely name for a pony such as thee, to hold a beautiful name from the sea."
That part, Pearl failed to understand.
Soon, they have finally reached the shore. The zebra pony helped the seapony push the raft towards the snow-covered sand so it wouldn't drift back to the ocean.
The zebra however, simply smiled as she climbed on the raft.
As the zebra opened a large pot and began looking inside, Pearl's curiousity got the better of her, and she began slowly swimming near her.
The zebra, after spotting what she was looking for, smiled as she reached a hoof inside the pot. She then pulled out a purple heart-shaped flower. She then showed it to the seapony, who was on the edge of the raft.
"W-what is this?"
"Heart's Desire is its name. Granting one's wish is its aim. If your wish is what your heart wants for you, then that plant will make it come true."
Pearl's eyes grew wide. Could such a flower hold great power?
"One wish, that flower will grant, so think carefully before you chant."
One wish... One wish...
She tore her gaze away from the flower, and settled staring at the gloomy sky.
A hopeful smile grew in her face as she slowly returned her gaze on the flower.
"Have you decided my dear? If you have, your wish, I would need to hear."
The sea pony slowly turned her gaze on the zebra, who was smiling at her.
The zebra was surprised.
Pearl, despite feeling weird for Zecora's way of talking, smiled warmly at her as she slightly hugged the flower that was given to her.
The zebra nodded.
3. The Blue Mare
The sun was already setting in the horizon. A magical and wonderful scene that Henry often spends time to watch, but unfortunately, the thick and gloomy clouds had other plans in mind.
He sighed as he closed the window on the second floor of the library, and went back to cleaning and arranging the books in the library with Aurora's help, so all they will need to do tomorrow was to open the library.
Rainbow Dash has already apologized to her friends, except for Rarity and some other ponies she felt that their not her friends , and now she's seated on a couch beside Pinkie Pie, who was busy reading a book about aeronautics.
Earlier, she spent twenty minutes looking for the pink earth filly around town, until she decided to try the library, the very bottom of her list to go look for the party pony.
Either way, she needs to get her attention if she wants to get out of the library. Henry and Aurora won't let her leave until Pinkie Pie hears her apology.
It wasn't even her fault that she was foalnapped!
Desperate, she flew above the pink filly, grabbed the book, and flung it to somewhere.
"Listen Pinkie Pie..."
Henry looked over the railings of the second floor, seeing Rainbow Dash's apologetic-sheepish grin and Pinkie Pie's soft giggles.
"Anyway..."
The pink pony simply smiled.
Rainbow replied with a small smile, and then flapped her wings faster to get herself on the second floor's level.whoops ?"
The green alicorn sighed as he closed his eyes.
Rainbow Dash took that as her cue, and immediately bolted out of the front door.
A blue earth pony, with a very long black mane and tail and wearing a white traveller's hat, waved a hoof on the entrance of the very feared Everfree Forest.
Fear suddenly run wild in her mind as she turned around, trying to find some source of light, and as if the heavens answered her internal prayer, she spotted a faint rainbow trail in the sky, approaching the cottage a few meters from her location.
She was still afraid, but the cottage is her only light source for the time being. She won't accomplish anything if she'll just stay on where she is right now.
For an ordinary pony, it would have only taken them merely less than fifteen minutes, but after almost half an hour, she finally reached the door of the cottage.
Houses of earth ponies weren't really that any different from the houses from where she came from, at some point, at least. The noticable comparison she had taken note of were the walls for the house's shape, windows to see the other side, mailbox for...mail, and a door for exit and entry, though there was no doorbell anywhere.
She decided to use an alternative: one of which were practiced in her neighborhood if doorbells weren't present.
"Hello!?"
The door quickly swung open inward, revealing an annoyed flying cyan pegasus pony.
'Chimney? '
"Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes once again before flying back inside, and after a short while, a yellow pegasus filly with a pink mane and tail came to the door.
The blue mare smiled warmly.
And then there was silence.
Normally, owners of the house would welcome her inside, the blue mare thought.
After a while of nothing, the filly finally broke the silence.
'Things must be different here on land, I guess... '
The yellow filly slightly removed her face from her mane.
The blue mare smiled. Finally, she wouldn't need to go far.
She was about to walk inside when the cyan pegasus filly flew to the door, blocking her way.
The blue mare, surprised, took a step back.Oh my, where are my manners!? '
The yellow filly finally recovered as she slowly slid her face out of her mane.
The cyan pegasus didn't seem quite convinced.
Pearl blinked.
The cyan pegasus became furious as she pointed a hoof at her.
Both Pearl and Fluttershy blinked.
"B-but Rainbow Dash..."
"Looks can fool, 'Shy."
"And...I thought they were after...you..."
Rainbow Dash lost her angry face as the realization struck her.
Pearl shook her head.foalnap you...whatever that means..."
"Who are you to him, anyway?"
Pearl suddenly found interest on the base of the doorframe as a small blush rose from her cheeks.
"Wait, no!"
Pearl followed the direction of the filly's hoof, and saw a small settlement in the distance, with a large tree poking out of the edge of the settlement.
"Henry's down there, probably in the library."
Fluttershy then came out.
Pearl tore her gaze away and shifted it to the filly, who was shyly hiding her face behind her mane as she rubbed a hoof on the snowy ground.
After receiving a smile from the filly, she began to trot towards town.
'Walking is really...weird... It's tiresome... '
"I don't trust her."
Fluttershy decided not to comment.
The cyan pegasus then flapped her wings.
"I don't think you have to worry, Rainbow..."I hope she can handle the mushiness. '
Rainbow Dash carefully took a small puff of cloud from the sky, and used it to hide herself as she followed the blue mare who was happily trotting towards PonyVille.
So far, the mare is unaware that the cyan pegasus filly is following her.
4. Pearl's Visit
At first, the mare was nervous after spotting a number of ponies walking around town as she got there, but after receiving a number of smiles from them, and not minding her, her fear began to fade, and was simply replaced with amazement and wonder, as she happily walked through town, her head turning left and right, enjoying the buildings and the other things she has never seen before.
She reached PonyVille's market place, where a number of ponies were already starting to close their stalls. She just watched the busy ponies doing their tasks, having no idea what they were doing.
Wait...
She quickly started walking towards the nearest pony: a red earth pony stallion with a lime-green colored apple as a cutie mark.
"Howdy miss," Big Macintosh greeted with a nod, "care tah buy som' apples?"
"Hello."
Whatever she said next was completely lost as the stallion started to see things.
And he coughed.Finally ' his lungs sighed in relief.
"Oh my goodness!"
He hung his head real low as he gave his lungs the air it needed. His cheeks were really heating up, even his red natural coat couldn't hide the crimson-red blush that was plastered on them. And what was worse, his brain couldn't perform the simplest task of saying something. And worst, her hooves are running from his mane to his back, sending the shivers through his spine, and down to his hooves, were immobility became an understatement.
In short, he was frozen.
Up above, the cyan pegasus filly felt disgusted as she rolled her eyes, that even a tough stallion such as Big Macintosh could also have that stupid mushiness.
Other ponies started wondering what was going on, and a few started helping Big Macintosh.
"You okay, Mac?"
Pearl has brought her hoof back on the ground, still looking worried for whatever happened to the red stallion.
"Y-yeah... Just tired, Ah suppose..."
"Are you sure?"
'Oh... '
Pearl turned to where he was pointing at, and nodded.
"That there's the library."
Pearl turned to him, and gave him a warm smile as she nodded her thanks.
Big Macintosh took a huge amount of air, and let out a deep, nervous and sad sigh.
"Aw, cheer up, Mac."
The red stallion replied with an appreciative smile.
It was beginning to get dark, but the town was lit up by street lights, shedding good amounts of light for ponies to walk around town. A number of the ponies outside waved a hoof at her, some simply smiled.
Their weekly meeting has become sore ever since the green alicorn was running out of ideas of how to impress her mother.
She noticed the door of the library opened, and a white unicorn filly came out, with a book levitated behind her, and the filly began walking on the opposite direction where Pearl was taking.
Eventually, the two's paths collided, and instead of the usual smile or wave of a hoof Pearl received from other ponies, the filly stopped her as she examined her with a sharp eye.
"Um..."
Finally, as the measuring tape went back inside the saddlebag, the filly's serious expression was suddenly replaced by an excited squeel, which confused her further.
"Eh..."
The white unicorn filly clapped her hooves in excitement.
Pearl took a step back, as she was starting to freak out from the filly.
The filly however, composed herself as she levitated the blue mare with ease.
"W-wait, what?"
But the filly's ears were filled by her own excited murmurs to herself, making the cyan pegasus above almost feel sorry for the blue mare.
"Aw well."
Too excited, Aurora didn't even notice that she took the second Daring Do book without checking it out when she went back home earlier.
The blue mare was crying for help, but nopony seems to be willing to lend a helping hoof, and they have no idea why would they even help.
As the filly and the mare passed the orange pegasus by, Aurora couldn't quite be sure why the blue mare looked awkwardly familiar, until her gaze saw a glimpse of her cutie mark.
"P-P-Pearl!?"
Henry was using his magic to mop the floor of the first floor of the library. He was supposed to close the library an hour ago, but lately, he's been spending his time inside to continue writing the third Daring Do book.
"Henry!"
The library's door swung open, and Aurora quickly ran inside, leaving a trail of snow behind.
"What?"
Henry turned his gaze on the floor behind her, and Aurora turned around, and found the reason why the alicorn was angry.
Henry's angry stare turned into a more confused stare.
"Rarity foalnapped Pearl!"Well, not really, but hey, adding a little bit of fun won't hurt anypony...right? '
"She---what?"
Aurora shook her head once again.
Henry would love to see Pearl if it were true, but he also knew it was impossible.
"Ooh! Ooh! A new pony's in town?!"
"Pinkie!"
But it was too late. In a split of a second, Pinkie wiped her things away and went out of the library.
"Ugh..."
Rarity was disappointed that a very important fabric for her project is already out. But, as a fashionista, she couldn't just bring the bad news to her customers now, would she? Of course not!
Fixing the blue mare in front of a large mirror, the white filly excitingly pulled a huge number of her wonderful designs.
In a magic of a second, Pearl found herself staring at her reflection, where she was wearing a wonderful gown of yellow, edges sparkling like diamonds, and paired with a very beautiful yellow hat, where she admitted to herself, that she looked wonderful. White stripes ran down on the spine of the dress.
Pearl smiled with shining eyes, while the white filly brought a hoof on her chin, examining the blue mare.
In a magic of a second, Pearl found herself wearing a light blue dress, where the tips were curled out-side-up, with laces of red on the back, and paired with an arched-shape blue hat.
The white filly brought a hoof on her chin, examining the blue mare.
In a magic of a second, Pearl found herself wearing a red gown, with a cut on one of the sides to reveal one of her hind legs. Black laces were stiched on the corners of the gown, and silver-white linings dancing from the bottom to the top of the dress.
And the fashionista agrees.
In a magic of a second, Pearl found herself wearing a green gown, with brown linings running down on the dress, and orange laces on the back, forming a cute little bow, almost unnoticable. And it was paired with a green hat.
"Ack!"
"I'd say... I'm hurt."
Both mares gasped, and the white filly quickly spun around and saw the green alicorn, comfortably seated on a white chair, and eating popcorn.
"Oh, no no no!"
Pearl, after convincing herself that she wasn't dreaming or something, smiled.
The green alicorn waved a hoof.
5. Winter Wrap-Up
Henry finally has a reason to go back to his house after working in the library.
"Are you sure they know?" Henry asked while they were helping each other in cleaning the house.
"Mm-hmm." The blue mare replied as she nodded, while wiping the windows with a wash cloth.
"How? You said that this Zecora-pony turned you into an earth pony before the thought of informing your parents came into mind."
Typical Henry, Pearl thought. Always trying to see the sense of things before convincing himself. "Oh, I asked a friend."
"Oh." But then it struck him. "A...friend?"
"Yep." She smiled, trying her best to hold a giggle. "A really good friend of mine."
Henry was beginning to feel angry, but tried to set it aside. Not jumping into conclusions, he thought. "Who is this friend?"
"Ah, oh? He's a good friend. Reliable, fast, and patient." She replied calmly.
"So...this friend's a 'he'...?" He failed to control his voice a bit.
Pearl noticed the tone of his voice, and decided to let it go now, before it gets worse. She turned to him, and gave him a lovely smile, contrasting the green pony's angry frown. "He's a turtle, silly!"
Now, weeks after, the sky became clear, though the gloomy clouds were still hanging around.
"Ladies and gentlecolts!"
Henry and Pearl both were wearing green-colored clothes, and were standing side-by-side, listening to Mayor Colt. A few ponies in front of them were Daybreak and Snow Flake, and both were wearing tan-colored clothes, and Aurora, who was beside the yellow unicorn, was wearing a blue-colored clothe, as well as her mother, Sunset, who was standing beside her.
"You know the drill ponies! Everypony here should do their part to wrap up winter, so we can finally welcome spring!"
The crowd cheered, especially a particular yellow pegasus filly, who was wearing a tan-colored cloth, hovering above the sea of ponies, and beside her was the rainbow-maned cyan pegasus filly, who simply smiled at her best friend.
"For those who are new in PonyVille, we ponies here in this little town don't use magic to change the seasons. It has been our tradition since the first earth ponies began PonyVille."
Happy chatters and whispers echoed around.
Pearl turned to Henry with a confused look.
Henry smiled as he opened a wing, and wrapped it around the blue mare's back.
Pearl flashed a small smile.
"Okay everypony, you all ready?!"
"Yeah!"
Mayor Colt smiled.
"WE'RE READY!"
"Well, what are you all standing around there for?"
And the crowd cheered.
"Three months of winter coldness, a chilly holiday~ "
"We've kept all our hooves warm at home, time off from work to play~ "
"But the food we've stored is running out, and we can't grow in this cold~ "
"But spring is coming and it brings new stories yet be told~ "
"The time has come to welcome spring And all things warm and green~ "
"But it's also time to say goodbye It's winter we must clean~ "
"How can I help? I'm new, you see What does everypony do? How do I fit in without some knowledge? I haven't got a clue! "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer~ "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"Bringing home the southern birds A Pegasus' job begins~ And clearing all the gloomy skies To let the sunshine in~ We move the clouds And we melt the white snow~ "
"When the sun comes up Its warmth and beauty will glow~! "
And everypony then took a deep breath.Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer~ Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~! "
"Little critters hibernate Under the snow and ice~ We wake up all their sleepy heads So quietly and nice~ "We help them gather up their food Fix their homes below~ We welcome back the southern birds So their families can grow~! "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer~ Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~! "
"No easy task to clear the ground Plant our tiny seeds~ "With proper care and sunshine Everyone it feeds~ Apples, carrots, celery stalks Colorful flowers too~ We must work so very hard It's just so much to do~! "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer~ "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~! "
The sunlight has finally managed to get through a few holes on the gloomy clouds, and started melting the ice on the lake.
"Now that I know what they all do I now know my place~ "
"And help with all of my heart Tough task ahead I face~ "
"How will I do without my magic Help the Earth pony way~ I wanna belong so I must Do my best today, Do my best today! "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer~ "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! "
"'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"'Cause tomorrow spring is here~ "
"'Cause tomorrow spring is here~! "
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 17 - Music of Midnight
Chapter 17 - Music of Midnight
Part One of Two
Music Of The Violin
"I can't read anymore..."
A blue earth pony mare chuckled at her green pony. She was seated on the other side of the table, busily reading one of the many letters Henry received in the past few months.
They have been reading the large amounts of letters for hours now, ever since they finished eating breakfast and washing the dishes.
"Oh, come on."
"Guh..."
"Well, it's your fault."
It's been almost two weeks since the ponies of PonyVille welcomed spring. The weather in those days were as clear and bright as ever, but now, the Sunday gloomy sky is about to rain, as what was posted on the weather bulletin in front of town hall.
Only a number of ponies were walking on the earthy path of PonyVille, and they were walking at a rather fast pace, trying to get to their destinations before the rain starts.
Soon, the heavens started to shower the land of PonyVille, and as Pearl read another letter, Henry was running a hoof on the table, randomly shifting the letters around until one of the letters with a familiar seal caught a few available light in the area, causing it to shine and catch the bored eyes of the green pony.
He grabbed the letter after recognizing the seal. It was from the princess. From the princess! How could he have not seen this sooner!?
Dear Henry Hoof,
I am writing to you to inform you of the status of the search for the other changeling races, and as well as Chrysalis. But first and foremost, I would like to apologize for a rather slow progress of the search, but allow me to inform you that the search teams have finally finished searching every parts of Equestria.
Now, for the other changeling races. We have discovered a hidden cave located in San Palomino Desert. The said cave goes underground, until the narrow path ended in a very wide and spacious underground lake, and the walls of the cave were filled with holes all over. On the center of the lake was a giant floating crystal of yellow energy, giving off enough light to see everything around. Unfortunately, what we found were corpses of changelings. And judging from their eyes, they are the fallen race of the yellow-eyed changelings. The place was full of evidence of a harsh and grim battle. And their piece of the Emotion Stone: the Earth's Tear, was not in the said location.
I am sure you are aware of our meeting with Chrysalis back at the Frozen Nurth a few months ago. I should probably let you know that after Chrysalis was defeated during our battle, her minions created a distraction, enough to save their queen and fled from me. I would like to admit that my injuries during the said battle prevented me from stopping her, and for that, I would apologize.
I would believe that her presence in the said location was for her to retrieve the Heaven's Tear from the white-eyed changelings who are more adapt in living in the cold environment of the Frozen Nurth. Unfortunately for her, we managed to stop her, and created enough time to warn the changeling race in the said location, and we believe that they have fled outside of Equestria from Chrysalis, but unfortunately, we also believe that the green-eyed changelings, which is led by the said queen of changelings, gave chase to the fleeing white-eyed changelings.
I would like you to know that I have sent letters of the said information to the neighboring regions, though I have yet to receive their response, if they are so willing to. The changeling race is, unfortunately, a race greatly despised in other regions, but I would still linger to hope that the leaders of the other regions would be merciful.
I believe that you already know about the Emotion Stone, since you are the librarian of my beloved PonyVille, but allow me to remind you of what it is, that is, if you have forgotten, or gained minimal knowledge of the said stone. The Emotion Stone is an ancient artifact that holds great magic. The stone was created by Starswirl himself during his early years, and it was during the time where Equestria is slowly starting to unite. Starswirl's purpose of creating such a stone was for him to provide us an easier way to unite the different races of ponies in different parts of Equestria. During those times, even though the war of heaven and earth has come to an end, the walls in each heart of ponies were still too high and too thick to accept unity. Unfortunately, we have encountered quite a number of problems that Starswirl was not able to use the said stone. One of such events was the Windigos, where Equestria was in the brink of death, but fortunately, a tiny glimmer of hope and friendship that was formed by an earth pony, a unicorn and a pegasus pony managed to create the Flame of Unity, and it was then that Equestria was slowly starting to unite for a better place to live.
We however, do not yet know what would Chrysalis want to accomplish from obtaining the stone.
I would like to end my letter here. If you are not busy, I would like to invite you to the castle for a meeting. If however, you are not able to attend, then I will understand.
The Ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia
The trip to Canterlot was both quiet and fun. Fun, for Pearl, at least, for it was her first time to be inside a train. She always roam around, looking at every window where she thinks has the best view of a number of scenery.
After an hour, the sky became clear again, giving the sun the chance to dry the land of Equestria.
During the last hour of the trip, Pearl sat beside the green pony and apologized, though Henry simply shrugged it off.
After arriving in Canterlot, Pearl stuck close to Henry. Even though going to a new place excited her, seeing a lot of ponies still made her feel scared, though a tiny bit, since she was with her stallion.
"Henry!"
Both Henry and Pearl turned to see a dark-blue unicorn mailpony, who was cheerfully committing jaywalking just to reach them.
Henry smiled as Pearl tried to hide on the green pony's side.
"Been a while, Midnight."
Midnight frowned for a little while, until he quickly replaced it with a small smile.I don't believe you ' frown.
"Why so?"
Midnight then turned around, and pointed at the large school building on the other side of the street.
Henry took a glance at the school's name, engraved above the school's gate.Canterlot Music School '
Midnight flashed a small smile.
Pearl spoke, giving the unicorn some friendly and supportive words, though Henry did not focus on their conversation as he slowly turned towards the city's clock tower from afar.
"...yeah. It's a bit of a good thing that 'Tavie's schedule is only during the morning..."
It is sad to hear the unicorn struggling. And in such a young age. He needs to help him, but how, and if he can, will it help or will it ease their problems a bit?
"...she's starting to get lonesome, being alone..."
A mailpony's salary isn't that big. It was a good thing that they are not paying rent. At least Midnight only has to worry about daily food and Octavia's school. But Melody is helping with their financial problems.
"...around once or twice a week. Yeah, she's still receiving invitations to play..."
So once or twice only in a week?
"...expensive, yeah, but we can manage, for Octavia. That's her dream, anyway."
So he does know. Adding his salary, plus Melody's...
"So..."
Henry, Pearl and Midnight stopped and stood in front of an old and unkept-looking five-storey apartment building. The red paint of the structure was already fading and gray. Some of the windows are even broken.
"Why are we here again?"
Midnight took a few steps forward and stopped in front of them and turned to face them.
"What?"
Midnight closed his eyes as he took a breath and sighed.
Midnight turned and walked towards the brown door, and Pearl slowly followed.
Once inside, Midnight walked to the counter and told the receptionist that the two ponies are his guests. The old earth pony mare in the counter simply shrugged and went back to reading the daily newspaper.
Henry and Pearl followed Midnight, who led them to the third floor of the apartment.
Henry heard a voice from inside, and Midnight then responded, but neither voices couldn't process the words in his head has his thoughts were consumed of how sad this place is, and what was worse, this is where Midnight, who stood in front of the opening door, Octavia, a filly who opened the door, and Melody, who quietly sat on an old-looking sofa, live.
The room itself was small, but still big enough for a family of three or four. The room had a sofa, an old bed, big enough for four ponies, a small dining table near the dirty-looking sink, an old brown tall cabinet for cloths. There was a small room with a closed door, probably the bathroom.
"We have guests."
"Oh?"
"You already know Henry. You know, my uncle?"
Melody let out a small yet warm smile and waved a hoof to where she hoped was in front of her, and fortunately, they were, but Pearl was struck by the realization that the mare in front of her is blind.
Henry noticed Pearl's actions, and placed a hoof on top on her own. Sensing her stallion's hoof made her feel better, at least a bit.
Henry gave her a small smile before facing the couple in front of them.
Midnight sighed.
Henry nodded.
It started after 'Tavie passed the entrance exam. The three of us were so happy that she passed, and we decided to celebrate, but when we got back to the house, Melody's father was there, standing in front of the gates.
It was fine that he was there, that was the first thing on my mind, but after he told us that he sold the house, I got furious. I don't think...I need to go into detail of how I beat the crap out of him, but I know, no matter how much I beat him, I couldn't do a thing to stop him.
He was determined to sell the house and get the money for himself, and what was worse, he left Melody and Octavia, and told them that he no longer wanted to see them ever again. And worst, to prove his point, he threw Melody's violin on the ground, and it broke to pieces...
That hurts...it really hurts to see Melody and Octavia crying like that, and it made me even angrier to see that damn pony easily said those set of words to his own kid and grandkid. I mean, how heartless could that f...creep possibly be!?
It was no use, and I needed to find a place for us to stay. We spent a night on an alleyway, trying our best to hide from police ponies. And the next day, I found this place.
Even though we're living here, I am still thankful...no...we are still thankful, for at least we have a place to sleep through the night, and ponies around who I meet along the way often times gave me invitations for Melody to perform. Maybe once or twice a week, in different restaurants in Canterlot.
But we needed to rent a violin for her to perform. Damn it, violins are too expensive. But at least we could rent some, so I guess that'll have to do...for now.
Henry went out of the apartment to feel the cold city spring air, so he could calm himself. Hearing Midnight's story made him angry, really angry, and so he excused himself. They understood, to his relief.
He came to Canterlot to see the princess, but that will have to wait. He needs to do something for them.
Probably from his tone or from his facial expression, the concerned ponies decided to ignore him, to his request. As a number of ponies started to bug him to bring back the annoyance inside him, he stood up after the last pony walked off, and he went inside the music shop just beside the old apartment.
As he swung the glass door open, it hit a bell above, signalling his arrival.
A large piano, cellos, xylophones, trumpets, drums, flutes, and many others.
He stopped after his eyes locked on a glass case on a table, and inside was a very fine piece of instrument. He is no musician, but from the looks of it, he could tell that it was crafted well, probably by an expert of music. Seeing the surface, he could imagine how smooth the wood is. Even the strings looked perfect, even though they only looked plain and simple.
"Ah, we have another sharp eye."
Henry could only nod in agreement, not even bothering to remove his eyes on the violin.
"Y'know..."
"Is that so?"
The old stallion nodded.
Henry took a look at the price tag, and he had to hold his surprise after seeing the price.
"Yep, sorry, but this baby's that expensive. Used to be displayed in one of the museums here 'till it was given to me during my younger years as a prize when I won in the grand championship musical tournament here in Canterlot."
Henry snapped back to reality after reaching his words. He took a glance at his cutie mark, and of course, a violin, though in a different angle of view if compared to Melody's cutie mark.
"Yep, this baby used to be my partner, but sad that I could no longer manage steady hooves to play a single simple note when I became old. Ah, the memories."
"I'll take it."
"Well, that's a fine...wait, what?"
Henry looked into his sidebag as he used his magic to open it and lift his pouch bag.
"Now how'd you do that? You're a pegasus, for pony's sake."
Henry lifted the glass case where the violin is and levitated it towards the counter as the old stallion kept on taking as he went back to the counter.
"I used to play inside the castle all the time! I sure made a name back in those days."
The door swung open, and the bells rang, and came inside was a dark-blue unicorn pony, and quickly made his way towards the counter.
"Henry," Midnight started as he reached them, "hey, we were starting to worry about you."
"Hey there, boy."
Midnight ignored the apologetic-look on the old stallion as he faced Henry's smiling face in disbelief.
Henry patted the unicorn's shoulder.
Midnight carefully removed the violin from the glass casing with his magic, and slowly brought it on Melody's hooves.
With teary eyes, she embraced the violin as she said her thanks.
He had to admit, that violin was damn expensive, but, he returned the hug, for he knew it was worth it.
"Also..."
"No...!"
Not really a good set of chosen words, but Henry understood what he was trying to say.
Part Two of Two
Magic Of The Piano
Melody is invited to perform in one of the famous music restaurants in Canterlot, near the castle. It was convenient for Henry, for not only can he go to the castle to see why the princess wanted to see him, but after that, he can also go there and listen to Melody's performance.
Knowing Henry will be there made Midnight feel a bit nervous, no matter how many times Melody and Octavia told him to relax, even after Henry and Pearl left the restaurant.
It was now five in the afternoon, and Melody is to perform at around seven. They came early for Melody to practice with the restaurant's pianist.
As Melody began practicing, Midnight was curious and stared at the stallion who was on the piano. He had to admit, playing the piano looked simple and fun. Too bad he has never played any musical instruments before, except for tin cans turned into drums, if that counts.
The royal guards have already recognized Henry, and so he and Pearl were allowed to enter the castle's gates, even without the princess' presence. Whatever they meant by that, the guards didn't say, so they simply entered and worked their way towards the royal hall, only to find the little filly Twilight, her pet baby purple dragon, and a pale-pink alicorn, almost as tall as Princess Celestia.
"Henry!"
"No Twilight! Wait!"
The alicorn caught the filly with her magic, and quickly sent the filly on her back as she growled at the green alicorn.
"What is a changeling like you doing here in the castle?"
"Princess Cadance, wait!"
"Uh... Hi?"
"So..."
Twilight nodded.
"I am truly sorry about earlier..."
"Oh," Henry replied, "well, it's good to...make your acquaintance, princess."
Pearl waved a hoof at the princess, and she received a smile.
"And I was hoping to see Princess Celestia to talk about something..."
"Well, you can talk to me, if that is no problem."
Henry flashed a sad smile.
"Oh..."
Henry looked around for a little while before returning his focus on the princess.
Cadance brought a hoof on her chin as she focused her gaze on the sky, deep in thought.
"I see..."
Henry and Twilight are discussing about magic in the garden, while Spike, the filly's baby dragon, is curled on the ground and sound asleep.
A few hooves from them, Princess Cadance and Pearl are enjoying some tea as they sit on one of the garden's tables. The two are taking about life under the sea, since Cadance sensed a strange magic aura surrounding the blue mare.
"I don't think I can perform this spell, Twilight..."
"Why not?"
Henry could neither read the calculations nor listen to Twilight, for he is clueless to both the written measurements on the paper and the things the filly just said.
"Is...she always like that?"
Cadance simply nodded her head as she sipped some tea.
Pearl blinked as she flashed a smile.
'I'm not good with music and all that, but listening to Melody's violin sounded really good with the piano... '
It's going to be a an hour from now before Melody performs in front of the eating customers of the restaurant, though he wondered if the customers could actually hear the music behind the thick curtain. No, he knows the music could be heard.
Beside him is a stool, where the filly Octavia is curled and asleep.
Soon, the music ended, and as Melody made small adjustments to her violin, the stallion pianist turned his head to see the unicorn behind him.
"How did that sound?"
Midnight could only smile.
Hearing his voice, Melody managed to smile while adjusting the strings of her violin with closed eyes.
"Hey thanks."
Midnight, after seeing the bathroom's door closed, turned to the piano. He brought a hoof over a random key, and gently pressed it, making the piano sing a tone, slowly fading.
He thought that if he gets himself a piano as his cutie mark, then he could probably resign as a mailpony, and actually start performing some music around Canterlot, and to be with Melody all the time.
But as he randomly pressed a few more keys, his hopes of getting a piano-themed cutie mark is fading away, together with the last key he pressed.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"Midnight?"
"More like randomly pressing the keys..."
After saying their goodbye, Henry Hoof and Pearl slowly made their way towards the restaurant where Melody will be playing. Only less than thirty minutes left before her performance.
As they walked on the sidewalk, Pearl is enjoying the scene with a huge smile on her face as she turned her head left and right. Canterlot was slowly enveloped by the darkness of the night, and a number of street lights were beginning to light up.
Henry was simply cherishing the moment, seeing his mare enjoying the scenes here on earth.
"W-what!? Really!? Where!?"
"She's in Canterlot General Hospital!"
He and Melody were practicing their music when the younger stallion came barging in, bring with him the news that the pianist's wife was sent to the hospital not long ago to deliver a foal.
It's great news for him, but bad for both Melody and Midnight.
"Congratulations."
"T-thanks, but..."
Melody closed her eyes as she shook her head.
"But what about---"
"You heard the mare."
After a few seconds of debating in his head, the pianist nodded his thanks and the two earth ponies hastily walked out of the restaurant after he informed the manager of the establishment.
"So...what now?"
Both her parents let out a sad sigh.
Ponies, even Henry and Pearl, pushed themselves on the wall on a building to make way for two rushing ponies.
"Sorry! Wife giving birth!"
Other ponies resumed their walk with either annoyance or ignoring what just happened, while others smiled and silently wished them well.
Henry and Pearl turned to each other with smiles on their faces.
"I wonder what it's like to give birth..."
Henry was about to answer casually, when his mind wandered to another direction.
He let out a chuckle as Pearl playfully pushed him away.
"But really though, we'll get there when we're ready."
She returned it with a turn of her head, and slightly kissing his lips.
Midnight was peeking through the curtains, and saw Henry and Pearl came inside the restaurant. The two were guided by a unicorn waiter to a table right in front of the stage.
Henry, after he was seated, noticed him and gave a wave of a hoof. Midnight replied with a nervous smile.
He then pulled himself away from the curtain and slowly went towards Melody and Octavia.
They talked to the manager just a while ago, and assured them that even without a pianist, Melody will still perform. With or without a piano, Melody can still perform, the middle-aged unicorn assured them.
Well, at least they can make some bits tonight, though it was a bit sad that Melody won't be accompanied by the piano.
He patted the violinist's shoulder, and kissed her on her cheek.
Melody smiled back and said her thanks.
Soon, the middle-aged unicorn stallion came up and informed them that they'll begin in five minutes.
Midnight and Octavia gave the violinist a good luck hug before heading to the side of the stage where the piano stood.
As they got to their places, both ponies turned to face the mare, who is now seated on a stool in the middle of the stage, facing the curtain. She slowly positioned her violin and placed the bow on top of the strings.
Octavia sat on a stool and watched her mother prepare while Midnight's eyes were on the music sheet on the piano. He really wished Melody's performance could be accompanied by the piano.
Midnight took a breath and walked towards the piano. He was staring at the pianist earlier, paying close attention to the keys the stallion pressed during the practice. He memorised a few, but that wouldn't be helpful.
"Two minutes."
Midnight took another breath and stared at the keys. None of them made sense to him. He dared a look on the musical sheet, which is opened on the song Melody's going to play. He levitated it with his magic, and turned to the first page.
After the unicorn pony on stage greeted everypony in the restaurant, he then introduced the well-known violinist of Canterlot; Melody, as the curtains were slowly being raised.
Melody took a deep breath to calm the nervousness that were still lingering inside her. And as she let out a quiet sigh with a smile, the place slowly became quiet for her music.
Unknown to the violinist that Midnight is having a difficult time controlling his nervousness and as he look back and forth from the ripped page of the musical sheet, where it shows the basic notes and where in the piano are the right keys from Do to Ti, then to the musical sheet itself, where the randomly placed notes in different shapes were placed along the five-line grid that always starts with a weird 'S' shape, and then to the piano where he hastily place his shaking hooves to press them.
Henry could actually see how nervous Midnight is, but he has to admit that Midnight, so far, is playing quite well with the piano. He smiled after noticing a faint light from the unicorn pianist. Pearl, on the other hoof, closed her eyes and let the rhythm of the music carry her. The other customers enjoyed the music, while some tried to ignore the nervous pianist so they could actually enjoy the music.
They were already in the middle of the song, where Midnight noticed the next following notes were quick and numerous, meaning he needs to quickly press keys after keys after keys. He saw the pianist did those with ease, and he wondered if he can do it as well. Swallowing his doubts, he tried to catch every note.
Melody noticed that something was a bit off with the pianist tonight, but she decided that he may only be suffering from either excitement for having a foal, or nervousness or tiredness, or maybe all three.
Midnight's eyes are shifting rapidly, that it almost looked like he's seeing blurs, as he quickly shifts his eyes from three objects in a fast pace. He didn't mind the sweat that were crawling down from his forehead. He already gained full control of his hooves, with the absence of the shaky nervousness.
Finally, they're reaching the end of the song, to Midnight's relief. There's a part of the end where the piano becomes quiet for the violinist to do her magic with the music, and as he rested the last note for a while, he dared a glance at the crowd.
He expected frowns or faces of disgust. Not only does he is sweating, but he is not wearing the proper clothing for a pianist. Now that he thought about it, it may ruin Melody's reputation for having a pianist such as he, but he saw himself wrong.
He saw Henry, smiling at him with a hint of 'you have some explaining to do ' on his eyes. He replied with a nervous smile before going back to the piano. A few more keys and the music will end.
After Melody slowly stroked a fading note, Midnight started playing the piano with rapid keys, signalling the end, and Melody followed, and afterwards, they both ended the song together.
A second of silence. That simple second lasted too long for Midnight's ears, and it was enough to spark the uncertainty within him. He thought he didn't care, but now that the song was over, rapid emotions of doubt and fear ran through his body. Will he be the one to ruin his mare's career? He could not bear to hold that.
A hoof hitting the floor echoed through the quiet restaurant. It was followed by another, and another, and then another, until the hooves turned into a heartwarming and cheerful round of applause.
Midnight's emotions earlier slowly faded, and it all went away and replaced by pain after the filly Octavia tackled him from his back, giving him a tight hug. The force threw him towards the piano, hitting a few random keys with his chest and hooves.
The crowd didn't seem to mind. In fact, they liked seeing them with their heart-filled hug. It somehow blended well with the song's end.
That alone gave Melody the thought that it was not her pianist that played with her today.
"Midnight?"
"Yeah?"
"Were you..."
Henry and Pearl simply continued clapping their hooves.
Pearl somehow just recently noticed it, and she then turned to Henry with a smile yet worried look.
Henry simply shook his head.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 18 - Henry's Tear
Henry and Pearl stayed in one of the guestrooms in the castle, since Henry was about to finish writing the third book of the Daring Do series.
The next train to Ponyville will be arriving in Canterlot's Train Station for a few more hours, so the two ponies decided to check on Midnight and Melody.
And to their relief, everything was going fine. Ever since that night where Midnight accompanied Melody's violin with the piano, the couple have received quite a number of invitations.
After saying their goodbyes, Henry and Pearl rode the train to Ponyville, but not after checking the castle, seeing if Princess Celestia has returned.
Arriving in the peaceful town, the couple went directly to the library to resume Henry's job as the librarian, and to give Aurora a break she deservely needed.
Now that she thought about it, she might as well go with her dad. She's not a good flyer herself, so she may learn a few tips if she's there.
Ever since spring came, Ponyville became peaceful and quiet yet again, for those who only came during the winter season for a vacation has already left to other places in Equestria.
An hour or so later, the couple heard a hoof knocking on the wooden door of the library. Pearl opened the door, and on the other side was a gray pegasus mare, wearing a mailpony uniform.
Henry introduced the two mares to each other. Ditzy to Pearl, and Pearl to Ditzy. After receiving a question about her foal, and replying that Derpy's a-okay and already learning how to fly for such a young age, she took a package from her delivery bag and gave it to the green alicorn. After signing the papers, she said her goodbye and flew to her next destination.
The said package was wrapped in brown paper. The shape and size is that of a dictionary, and a white paper was stamped on the top of the flat surface of the package, where it states that the receiver of the package is Henry Hoof, and to whom it was from was not stated.
Placing it on the table, Henry used his magic to open the package, and before the two ponies revealed a brownish-yellow wooden box. Lifting the lid, inside was a white folded paper, and on top of it was a very familiar blue tear-shaped gemstone, which is radiating a very faint blue light.
Henry stared at the gem for quite some time, and he was no longer aware that he stopped breathing. Pearl slowly brought her hoof and took the gem. She felt weird after grabbing it and pulled it away from the box so she could have a better look at it.
The gem felt like it was wet, but it's not really soaked in water. It just simply feels wet, to Pearl's annoyance, as she is fighting the urge to wipe her hoof.
Henry simply chuckled slightly, his surprise and worry were set aside momentarily after seeing the irritated expression on his mare. He then lifted the letter and began reading the contents.
To His Highness...
First and foremost, your majesty, please excuse me for sending you this message. I originally intended of meeting you, but under unfortunate circumstances, that option became scarce.
Secondly, I would like to apologize for leaving you and Miss Daisy. I have thought that it would be best if the two of you will go back, and not to have me around, to save the trouble of the two of you seeking help. Again, I would like to apologize for my actions. I have learned quite well that changelings are despised. Seeing two would probably give the both of you the trouble of seeking aid.
Third, I have successfully retrieved the Ocean's Tear. I am sure Miss Daisy would be very happy to have that back. But, if I may, I ask to keep the stone safely hidden from anyone. Thank you, your highness.
Fourth, after I have left you and Miss Daisy, I promised myself to avenge King and Queen Metamorph's deaths, and as well as my brother's death. I have been travelling all this time, tracking down that witch Chrysalis. It was one of the fortunate times that I have found her and her minions flying away from the Frozen Nurth, that I managed to steal the Ocean's Tear, and as well as the other two.
Fifth, I sent you back the Ocean's Tear, for it rightfully belongs to you and Miss Daisy. But, again, I ask for you to keep it safe and secure. It was difficult to fight all of her minions just to get these stones from her.
Sixth, I hid the other two, so if she were able to capture me, she won't be able to get them. Unfortunately, I am having the feeling that she's saving me for last, and instead, gave chase to our white-eyed cousins who fled the frozen land of the north.
Seventh, I am going to give chase and put a stop on Chrysalis, even if it costs me my life. I am sorry, your highness, but if I were to calculate, I am no longer in Equestria as you read this.
It would have been a great honor to see you and Miss Daisy once again, but alas, I need to put a stop on Chrysalis. I know that it will increase my chances of getting caught, but I will not concern myself with that for the time being, for right now, someone needs to stop her. I need to stop her, because I do not want to see anyone to lose someone they love because of her.
If faith is so forgiving, I would hope to see and serve you again, my prince.
Faithfully Yours,
"...Cloth..."
"So..."
After she finished reading the letter, the two of them sat on the couch. Henry took a long intake of air, and let out a slow yet heavy sigh with his eyes closed. He never actually shared his past with Pearl, and it's probably the right time for her to know. He just hopes that she'll still love him just who he is, and not what he is...or was.
Chapter 18 - Henry's Tear
After the war of heaven and earth, peace resumed in the land of Equestria. The teamwork of different races in defeating the pegasi have created a spark of trust to the earth ponies, unicorns, and griffins. That very spark was the foundation of other races to trust others. And as the time went on, Equestria was filled with different intelligent races.
Despite their fall, there were still small groups of pegasi vigilantes causing trouble in the land, which made the princesses and their six loyal ponies busy. However, even that did not leave a rust on the solid chain of trust of the races living in peace in different parts of the land.
If I remember correctly...I think it all happened...maybe a century ago?
"...Mom...!"
"Oh, but you're filthy, my dear."
"But I'll get dirty again when I start to play with big sis!"
His mother turned her eyes on the sky above the sea of trees surrounding the base of the mountain as she brought one of her front foot on her chin and hummed as if she was thinking about what her child just said.
Her face was serious until she turned her attention back to her child with an evil grin.
She continued as she disregarded her child's whine and splashing about, and disregarded the odd looks they received from the other changelings.
The brown-eyed changelings were peacefully making home of the tall mountain surrounded by large trees. Their location is far from other races, which suited them fine. The brown-eyed changelings are more adapt on a cool atmosphere, and they prefer to walk that fly, and the place is perfect for them. The surrounding trees providing the cool air they loved, even during summer, and the land is flat, perfect for walking.
"There,"
The young changeling let out an annoyed grunt as he walked out of the water. An idea popped into his young mind. With a vengeful smile, he stopped beside his smiling mother, turned his head up to meet her eyes as his sly smile grew wider, contrasting his mother's face of horror after realizing what the young changeling has in mind.
"Don't you da---!"
The young changeling shook his body rapidly, raining the water all around him. His mother could only lift her two front feet to try and shield herself, but alas, she was soaked.
"Why you little---!"
The changelings in the area could only roll their eyes in amusement.
Long story short, we enjoyed a few years of peace and harmony, and often times, it was boring, but I am just thankful that my sister was always there to kill the boredom.
But...our peace and quiet was one day...on a brink...when dragons suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The morning sun has finally started to climb up from the horizon, however, its soft golden rays were blocked by the tall trees from reaching the base of the mountain of the brown-eyed changelings.
The said mountain is filled with holes and caves, where the changelings rest and take shelter for the night.
The light did reached those who were occupying the top parts of the mountain, but either the changelings weren't woken by the quiet intruder, or they simply turned their backs on the sun and decided to go back to sleep.
Birds are lively and cheerfully singing in the branches of the trees, their lovely songs echoing to the mountain, and reaching the ears of a young changeling, which slowly woke him to wakefulness.
He quietly pulled himself into a sitting position. He brought both his fore feet to rub both his eyes, and he then lifted and stretched both his fore feet up as he let out a long yawn.
He blinked to clear his vision as he brought his fore feet back on the ground. He turned around, and saw both his parents and his big sister, still sleeping side-by-side near the end-wall of their little cave.
He got up and quietly walked out of the cave, and slowly worked his way towards the small pond just a few feet in front of their cave. He sat on the edge, leaned his head over the water, and took a slow drink to refresh his body with the cool water.
His ears suddenly stood after he heard rustling noises from the trees. Usually, it would only mean that squirrels were playing around, but the rustling noise just now was too loud for even squirrels to make.
He rose to a standing position and scanned his surroundings. He's feeling a little fear, but he was tought to be brave and learn of his stalker before taking action: fight back or flee. After all, he did have wings to fly himself to safety, though he could count the number of times he actually flew above his mother's height.
There was that noise again. He quickly turned left and spotted the bush near a tree just in time before it stopped shaking. His fear had increased, slightly reaching the levels of running back inside his cave, but he somehow fought over it as he managed to take a step towards the bush.
It was quiet. Too quiet.
He dared taking another step. And another, and another, until he was actually three more steps away from the bush. He flared his wings out, ready to flap so whatever was behind the bush, he could flap his wings to send him back a few meters away than his feet could provide.
But as he was about to take another step, red angry orbs flashed through the bushes. Red, angry, soul-piercing set of eyes, coming from a large, scaly, scary head of a dragon, slowly emerging through the bushes, slowly nearing the stunned changeling.
It's sharp mouth provided a gap of a few inches from touching the trembling form of the black changeling. The red dragon flared its wings up as it's front claws quietly stretched from its body, digging its claws on the earth.
After managing to grab a hold of his trembling body, the changeling managed to take a slow step back. Achieving that however, made the dragon lift its head a few feet higher than the changeling's height, where the dragon's mouth opened slightly with a hungry grin, allowing its sharp teeth to send death messages to its prey.
"Changeling..."
"Changeling..."
A few more voices followed, echoing from all around.
"Look, the guy's eyes are brown..."
"I can see that, thank you."
The other smaller dragons snickered. Their voices echoed towards the other caves, where other changelings began to lazily exit their caves to feel the morning air.
"Oh, hey look!"
Hearing those unknown voices made the other changelings look at them. The changelings were surprised to see dragons there, and were not sure of what to do with the current setting.
The red mighty dragon stood on its two hind legs, its tall body towering above the tall trees. It let out a mighty roar, a signal for the small group of dragons to attack.
The young changeling managed to snap back after the roar, and dropped himself on the ground in time to dodge a dragon's fierce flame. After the flame evaporated into the air, the changeling started running back to his cave as he yelled for help.
I reached the cave as soon as both my parents came out, and they quickly told me to hide inside, not that I had any other choice during that time. I did not know how the battle went, since my sister and I were hugging together, crying in fear. The sounds of battle was scary...
At that time, peace was supposed to reign in the lands of Equestria. So, having dragons to suddenly attack us was a complete surprise.
"Ohhh...what's this?"
The dragon flapped its wings, and dove straight towards the two shaking changelings. But without warning, the older changeling pushed the smaller one away, and before the dragon's claws could reach her, the female changeling flapped her wings as she pushed her feet up, jumping out of the way in time, making the dragon crash on the cave's wall.
I was too terrified to move, and so was my sister back then, but... I guess you could call it an instinct of older siblings to protect their younger siblings...
The older changeling landed in front of the younger one, and growled at the rising dragon who was rubbing its head. She went into a fighting stance, digging both her front feet on the earthy ground.
"So you wanna play rough, huh?"
Seeing that her little brother was too terrified to move, she instead stood her ground and braced herself, shielding her brother from the flames.
Once the flames were gone, the older changeling collapsed to the ground. The younger changeling was stunned and terrified. His mouth was trembling from fear. He wanted to do something, but found it too difficult to accomplish.
The dragon approached them, and grabbed the unconscious and burned changeling.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The sudden attack made the dragon lose his grip on his breakfast, and quickly found his back pushed against the solid cave's wall, throwing his head up and hitting it as well.
After landing on all four of his feet, the small changeling then drew his jaws and dug his teeth on the scaly skin of the dragon's leg.
The dragon yelped in pain. It then started to kick its painful leg around, trying to throw the changeling away, but to no avail. It then brought its hands and grabbed the changeling, and started to pull the beast off of its grip on its leg.
"Let GO!"
The changeling felt the dragon's claws were starting to dig deeper through his skin, and it was too painful, but he dug his fangs deeper into the dragon's leg.
On the upper corners of the changeling's eyes, he noticed a bright flash of red and orange, and as soon as he realized what it was, he found his whole body wrapped in flames.
I don't know what happened after that, unfortunately. The only thing I could remember during that time was, my skin felt so hot and painful at the same time, which was too much for me to handle. Those reds and oranges were dancing through my eyelids until everything went black...
The sun has witnessed the gruesome battle of the changelings and dragons. It had enough, and decided to begin its retreat in the horizon.
Consciousness... Black...
Fire!
Quickly getting up on his feet, he stood, but his sight became darker than the dark cave, and his body felt numb for a little while. After quickly catching his consciousness, he felt a weird cold sensation brushing out of his body as he blinked a few times to find himself lying on the ground on his side.
Did he collapse? He must have been.
"...Brother...?"
The young changeling turned to the source of the feminine and familiar voice. On the corner of the cave was his older sister, pushing herself to a sitting position.
"Thank goodness, you're okay..."
Ignoring the itchy pain he's feeling all over, he stood up and walked towards her. He sat down in front of his sister.
He was cut off as his sister wrapped her front feet around his neck, bringing him into a tight hug, which made the burning pain around his neck and back even more painful.
She felt him struggling, and heard his breathing turned into gasps, so she released him sooner than she wanted to.
He wanted to yell at her as he brought a foot to gently rub his nape, but as he gazed at his sister's worried face, his angry stare softened. After what happened earlier, it was probably natural for his sister to do that.
He threw himself towards his sister, and wrapped his front feet around her chest.
His sister gritted her teeth, for her brother's hug is worsening the pain she's feeling all over, but she tried her best to ignore it, and remembering that her brother was also in the same pain, she gently patted her little brother's head.
Mom and dad weren't there though. I wanted to go out and see how the others were doing, but my sister told me that it was a bad idea. Though I did heard digging sounds from outside. I did not know what that was until I grew older. During that time, the others were digging the earth to...bury our friends... It was five or six years, I think, when I realized that.
Also, the reason my parents weren't there was because they went to Princess Celestia's castle. They must have told her what happened.
She told me that the princess called the presence of the other leaders of each races, for them to discuss the matter.
My mom told me that the reason why the dragons attacked us that day, was because of revenge. The dragons thought that all changelings were the same, and so they attacked us.
Revenge. Their reason was because changelings were draining them and weakening them, but we, the brown-eyed changelings, did not do such a thing.
As it turned out, it was that wi---it was that Chrysalis of the green-eyed changelings. After she became their hive's queen, she ordered her people to leech the dragons, for their..."experiment".
Although she promised never to do that again, my mom said that she did not trust Chrysalis. She then showed me and my sister that stone: the Ocean's Tear.
My mom said that it was the princess' way to show to us that she trusts us, and in return, we, the four changeling races, should hold true to our promise never to harm another intelligent being again.
After that, we enjoyed a few years of peace, until one day, Chrysalis payed us a visit...
It was another wonderful day, and the sun was almost at its highest. In the peaceful mountain of the brown-eyed changelings, the young ones were playing around the base of their mountain.
Two of them, a brother and sister, and both children of the changelings' leaders, were busy drinking water from the small pond a few feet in front of their cave.
The taller one finished drinking and threw herself into a sitting position, and smiled as she brought her attention on her brother.
"Oooh. Someone sure is thirsty."
Annoyed, the smaller changeling took a lot of water, filling his entire mouth, barely managing to close it as he faced his sister with an evil smirk.
Before his sister could react, he squirted water towards her from his mouth.
"EEW!"
The elder sibling quickly got to her feet and ran for cover towards their cave, and her little brother followed her, still squirting water, barely managing to land a hit.
I know it was disgusting, but we were kids back then, okay?
After their little water chasing game, the two settled down inside the cave, where the elder simbling was busy telling her younger brother a story about the moon.
"...and then with the five powerful gems, the alicorn princess was able to use her full power to seal her evil sister."
"Whoaaa..."
It was always the same. Every time his sister tells him a story, he always found himself off his feet though as if he was experiencing the story.
"But, since her sister is also an alicorn, her magic was also powerful, so the alicorn princess, even with the five magical gems, could not destroy her evil sister. If she wants to bring peace back in her land, she would need to rid of her sister. And so, she decided to imprison her in the moon, using her magic and the five gems. The bright light was blinding them both as the alicorn princess began the spell. She was hurt, seeing and hearing her little sister crying from pain, but she knows she has to do it, if she wants to save her people. And after the bright white light vanished, her sister was gone. She looked up at the moon, and there, on the face of the full moon was the face of her sister, imprisoned in the moon."
The elder sister finished her story, with a stick on her fore foot, scribbling a moon with a drawing of a pony head on it.
"And now, time for a game!"
"Yeah!"With sticks instead of swords .
"Nah," his big sister dismissed his idea as she brought her feet back down, "we did that already."
"Tidal wave?" More like splashing around the pond .
"We did that too..."
"Monster hunting?" More like hide and seek .
His sister smiled at the idea.
"Yeah, why not?"
The younger sibling smiled, and then frowned.
Her smile grew even wider.
"But you were the prey last time!"
The elder sibling dropped her smile and pouted her lower lips, with wide eyes. The younger sibling brought his foot to cover his eyes.
"Ah! No fair! You're using the pouty-powers!"
She leaned forward. He dared take a peak, which was a big mistake.
His sister chuckled as she ran outside the cave to hide. He turned around and covered his eyes with both feet and started counting, and he mentally took note to get her as fast as possible.
After reaching ten, or rather, after he was convinced that he correctly counted to ten (since he doesn't know how to properly count yet ), he brought his feet down and saw his father lying down on the ground in front of him with a warm smile.
"Be sure to get that pouty-mouthed sister of yours, son."
The young changeling smiled confidently. He then turned around and decided to start looking behind the large rocks inside their cave. He noticed how quiet the outside world was, but he ignored it and continued his search. But after he took a look at every large rocks inside the cave, he gave up and decided to try outside.
After getting outside, he was immediately greeted by the cool breeze and the heat of the sun. After turning his head around to try and spot his sister, his gaze fell on her mother, standing in front of another changeling with the same height as her. Behind the two staring changelings were smaller changelings.
His mother was talking to the other tall changeling with green eyes. Her wings were thinner, almost transparent, unlike his mother, which was thicker, wider, and opaque. The green-eyed changeling also had more holes around her feet than his mother, and her horn was closely like that of a lightning bolt, than his mother and the rest of the brown-eyed changelings, which were straight, like that of a unicorn.
The two tall changelings were talking to each other at a slightly loud tone, but the young changeling did not mind them. He turned towards the cave and was about to go back inside again when he heard his mother's and the other changeling's shouts.
The young changeling turned around to see what was going on as his father walked beside him from the cave.
The two seemed to be arguing, and their voices were at maximum.
His father tilted his head to reach his ears.
He hesitated, but he sensed the seriousness from his father's tone. He nodded instead and was about to turn around when the green-eyed changeling brought a foot to his mother's face.
"Kill them!"
The green eyed changelings hovered in the air and started spitting green slime, aiming towards the evading brown-eyed changelings.
The young changeling's father quickly rushed towards his mother as his sister leaped out from the bush near the pond. She pushed her feet to get to safety, and trying her best to ignore the buzzing sound from behind her.
He was terrified; seeing her sister running towards him as she was being chased by a green-eyed changeling.
Seeing the fear on his sister's face stunned him, however, a spark was ignited within him, and before he even realized what was happening, he ran towards his sister, jumped just before they collide with each other, and tackled the green-eyed changeling, throwing it a few feet from the young changeling that just landed on the ground.
However, the young changeling's attack was not powerful. The green-eyed changeling quickly got itself back on the air. Angry that it was interrupted, the green-eyed changeling prepared itself to spit slime on the young brown-eyed changeling.
Seeing the danger, the young changeling quickly turned and ran towards the cave, where he saw his sister shouting at him.
I really do not know what happened. All I remember was everything became black again. When I came to, I saw my mother, being treated. I found myself being treated as well. Even from the darkness of the night, I could still see the sad expression from my mother's face, as she quietly let the tears run down from her face, as she stared at the...lifeless forms...of both my sister and father...
My mom told me that my sister risked her life to save me...
And...the reason why Chrysalis attacked us was because my mom refused to work with her. It was something about conquering Equestria... She told me that Chrysalis planned on using the four stones Princess Celestia gave to each of the four changeling races.
I am not sure if Chrysalis is stupid for thinking that obtaining the four stones could help her achieve her plans, or she's just really really crazy. But she was serious about it, which is a scary thought.
Anyway, a few months after the incident, well, everyone were starting to get depressed. Changelings feed on emotion, and the brown-eyed changelings feed on hatred and loneliness, and it worsened our condition. We started to hate each other, no longer talking with one another. It was a nightmare.
Until one day, a lone green-eyed changeling came. Of course, seeing him sparked an angry fury in everyone's hearts, and wanted nothing more but to rip him apart. He said that he came here for a purpose, and my mother welcomed him, and reasoned to us that she knows him, and will help us.
He was Cloth, and he thought us how to sense and feed on love instead of hate. Days passed and we started to recover ourselves.
"When I grow up, I want to be just as strong and loyal as you are, Cloth!"
Cloth, the green-eyed changeling, could not help but smile. Though small it may seem, it was genuine, and he tried his best to hide it for the months that he stayed with his cousins.
Cloth just dismissed the young changelings to try and hunt down any living creature, and feed on their emotions. His smile was gone when a brown-eyed changeling approached him.
"Cloth?"
Cloth turned to face the newcomer, and bowed.
The son of the brown-eyed changeling queen felt a bit irritated being addressed with such title, but he got used to it, slightly at least. He shook the thought away.
"That is correct, your highness."
"Well, what if," he scratched his nape, "we're not really feeding on emotions?"
Cloth could not help himself but to give him a confused look. After a few seconds of hesitation, he decided to ask.
The brown-eyed changeling turned his head left, staring at the trees.
Cloth was expecting him to finish, but after a few seconds of nothing, he convinced himself that he needed to say something.
He turned to face the green-eyed changeling. His green eyes were still slightly intimidating.
Cloth took a breath. It was his first time to be asked about his opinion on something. He would only respond on questions that require specific answers, and all are based on facts, not on his own opinion. He took a moment to think of ways of responding, but after realizing that he was taking too much time, he responded.
The brown-eyed changeling was not satisfied with Cloth's answer. It sounded as though the green-eyed changeling simply repeated the question, but turned into a statement. Realizing that his question would not be answered by him, he sighed.
He then walked towards the pond, and sat on the edge. Realizing that the prince was not satisfied with his answer, Cloth turned his back on him, and sighed. Now that he's going to stay with his cousins, he needed to work on his opinion-based answers.
The green-eyed changelings feed on love. If they truly are, then why aren't they...loving one another? They, instead, are attacking other races... Cloth seemed to be the only one to realize the stupidity of Chrysalis' rule, so he decided to leave them and join us.
That was actually his second time leaving the green-eyed colony though. It was why my mother recognized him. My mom said that the first time he came to us was when I was still a few years old.
The reason I asked him that question was because of Chrysalis' actions of causing harm, even though they feed on love. At first, I thought that feeding on emotions do not drive a changeling to the emotions he had. But if that were the case, then why did we of the brown-eyed changelings struggled to get back to our senses every time we feed on hatred and loneliness?
It didn't make sense during the time, and even now.
"Um..."
Henry was simply staring at the table in front of him. They both moved on the second floor of the library, seated around the table near the window.
"So uh..."
Henry blinked. Of all the questions he was practicing to answer in his head, he did not expect that one. His expression changed into annoyed and hurtful.
Pearl flashed a shocked and hurt face, but then she chuckled until she let out a laugh. Henry's expression softened at his strange mare and joined the laughter.
"But..."
Henry took a breath. Her question may be serious this time.
Pearl brought a hoof on her chin.
Henry used his magic to save his glasses as he let his face fall on the table from his mare's nonsense, giving the library a loud echoing thud sound.
"Anyway..."
Henry smiled as he sighed in relief. He then lifted his head back up, and stared at his mare's loving black eyes.
Pearl blushed a bit. And after a minute of silence, only staring into each other's eyes, Pearl spoke.Miss Daisy '?"
Henry replied her curious look with a warm smile.
Pearl arched an eyebrow in confusion, so Henry told her the story of his first day of arriving in Ponyville, about Daisy Hoof, about their boring life as librarians, and other things that happened.
Above the vast blue ocean, and under the clear spring skies, a black figure is flying through the air with speed matching that of a pegasi.
But now, even rage, the only emotion he thought would be enough to fuel him, his body was already growing tired, and accompanied by his vision which was slowly blurring from fatigue. He tried sipping the emotions of two dolphins the day before, but that accomplished nothing to ease his tired vessel.
Finally, his body was beginning to collapse. He stared up one more time, and locked his gave on a nearby cloud. Oh, how he wished he was a pegasus. He could simply rest on top of that cloud, but unfortunately for him, he is a changeling. And as his body began to fall, his vision was consumed by the darkness of unconsciousness.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 19 - The Shore
Seagulls are gliding through the strong wind the ocean was carrying. Each were talking in their own special language that only they could understand. The slowly rising sun is starting to paint the sky of its morning. Thin wisps of clouds slowly roll through the sky.
The calm waves of the ocean calmly rushes to the sandy golden shore, and retreats. It has repeated the process for Celestia knows how long, and it has existed to see and hear every events that happened in the world. Now however, the ocean is about to witness another story, as it quietly touched the unconscious changeling that was lying on the shoreline.
The shore, aside from the sea, is surrounded by two large boulders, and the trees of the nearby forest. A large bluish crab is busily picking up food near the head of the unconscious changeling. It is completely unaware of the threat of the beast, if ever it wakes up, and also a poorly made butterfly net that was already hanging above the crab.
Sticking his tongue out, and with eyes focused on the target, a young pegasus with a coat as blue as the sea, and a short yet messy mane and tail as white as the clouds, he struggled to keep the mouth of the net over the large crab as he balanced himself on top of the boulder. Finally, the crab moved a few inches away from the black obstacle. In a quick scoop, the crab found itself floating in midair. The pegasus had captured the crab successfully, and he cheered.
"Yes!"
His excitement was put to a halt after realizing that the black thing, which at first he thought as a rock, or wood, or cloth, was actually a creature that he was all too familiar with. Sadly, it seemed like it was dead.
He shrugged. Not that he'll care, anyway. What was important was that he caught a big crab that he could sell when---
The black creature coughed...a lot, removing the water that entered its lungs. The young pegasus was startled, though only a bit. The creature groaned weakly, as it turned to lie on its back, taking deep breaths to ease itself.
"I'm..." it quietly said, "...alive..."
It quietly settled on simply lying there for a moment, gazing quietly on the soft blue sky. His vision was suddenly blocked by a big blue pony face, with deep-green eyes.
"AH!"
"Sorry to startle ya, bud."
"Yes," the creature replied, "quite..."
"Heh, I wish." he chuckled once more.
"I should have been..."
Having a sharp sense of hearing, he heard the quiet whisper of the creature.
"Please excuse me," it replied, "but I am not 'bud '."
The blue pony, though looking serious, chuckled.
The black creature made no action and simply listened to the pony as he spoke.
"Doesn't matter," he smiled, "you're kinda friendly, despite looking really scary."
The black creature blinked right before the pony was hidden behind the trees and bushes. It shook his head and turned to the ocean.So I am washed ashore. I was flying for two days. How many days was I floating to get here? No, where in the world am I? 'I need to know where I am... 'Oh hell! Ack... ' it took a large breath to try and ease the pain running through his body.
"You okay, bud?"
"Spare the obvious..."
The blue pony smiled. Finally, a question! It's the beginning of friendship, he could tell!
"I ain't in the mood for jokes, kid."
"Okay, well, we're on a beach."
"Look," it said, its green eyes are furious now, "ah, nevermind."
The creature stopped from its tracks when the blue pony ran and stopped in front of it.
"More like a few seconds ago..."
"It's just that, things here are really boring, ya know? So I got used to being silly at times just to enjoy myself, and to let others smile, too."
'If what you are saying is true, then you have a good reason to be acting like a complete idiot... '
"We're in White Tail Beach, by the way."
"No," the creature said, cutting the pony off.
"What?" the pony asked, completely surprised in disbelief.
'It's a mystery... '
He extends a hoof towards the creature.
"Blue Sky..." the creature whispered.And hopefully, you'll run away. '
"Changeling?" Blue repeated as he tilted his head after returning his hoof back on the sand.
Cloth gasped.Changelings are known all around! How the heck could HE not know!? Wait, no... '
Blue chuckled.
"And...you're not intimidated?"
Blue shrugged.
Cloth narrowed his eyes.
Blue scratched his nape as he chuckled.
Cloth arched an eyebrow.
"Aw..." Blue said, disappointed, "seriously, an earth pony? Everypony in the village are earth ponies..."
"Are you saying that you're the only pegasus pony?"
Blue nodded with a disappointed look.
Cloth arched an eyebrow, again.
Blue sighed.
Cloth then sprung black wings, though he kept them folded on his back. He received a weak smile from the blue pony.
"Hey, no biggie," his smile grew, "and you could even stay with me in my house, if you'd like."
"I already answered that inquiry, and it will still be a 'no '."
Blue rolled his eyes with a smirk.
Another eyebrow was arched.
"Well, wait, take note, this ain't a joke. If you can't fly, then it would mean that you're rather be safe near the village."
"You forgot that I'm a changeling."
"Yep, one changeling."
Cloth was not liking whatever the blue pony has in mind if he stays. And he indeed needs to rest to recover. Lie or not, he could sense the danger inside the forest.
Blue looked over his shoulder, and saw the crab was still in place, already tired from struggling to set itself free.
"...and then the landsharks swam all over the place, but it was a good thing that the ponies and I were wearing the rockhooves so they could not sense the heat on our hooves, and then..."
Blue Sky has been yapping ever since he and Cloth began walking back towards the village. It was farther than Cloth imagined, and he was already desperate to get there, with the hope to shut the mouth of the blabbering blue pegasus colt. Cloth even reached a point of envying the crab on Blue Sky's stick, where it could, maybe, hide its ears inside its shell, to save itself from its blabbering captor.
In the distance, the two could already see the small settlement by the shore. It had shed a tiny glimmer of hope to shut the pony up, but that tiny spect of light was quickly washed out when Blue kept on talking.
Cloth, at this point, already gritted his teeth, narrowed his eyes, and hung his head low as he continued to tail the yapping pegasus.
"...and then one of them suddenly jumped out from the sand, but I quickly swung my mallet and hit the bastard's skull and sent him flying to Tartarus! But then more jumped out, in every corner of town! But as what I did, the other ponies swung their weapons and hit the sharks..."
Cloth let out a groan, much louder than he had expected, but it was still completely drowned from the loud voice of the pegasus in front of him.
"...and then the sharks finally swam away, and everypony cheered!"
Cloth quickly caught the second of momentary pause.
Blue blinked twice while still holding a cheerful smile.
"No more stories."
"Later, then!"
Cloth was about to say something when he saw the blue pegasus was tackled and thrown back a few feet, and other ponies started jumping and landing on top of him, except for one, creating a pile of laughing ponies.
As the ponies got themselves out of the pile, Blue got up and dusted the sand off of his coat as he smiled at everypony around him.
Cloth forced himself to hold a sigh. He bowed.
The ponies were having mixed reactions. One of them thought he was weird. One was envious of how well-mannered he was. One simply and slightly bowed back. One shyly turned her head away. And one playfully punched Blue's shoulder.
"Well, I think we have a room for another weirdo."
"Well, I certainly love the new dude's manners and stuff."boring '. He rolled his eyes at them.
"My name's Earth Current," said a bluish-green earth colt as they started walking towards the small settlement. "but my friends call me 'Easy', 'cause, ya know, letters 'E' and 'C' on my name. Heh." Easy shrugged, and Cloth bowed his head at him.
Cloth then turned his head to a pale-orange earth filly, who was walking beside Easy.
Cloth simply nodded and turned his head over his shoulder to see the other pale-green earth filly who was walking behind the group. She saw him, blushed, and turned her gaze away. He felt a hoof on his other shoulder. He turned and saw Dandy staring at him with a sad smile.
"She's Gentle Leaf," she looked at her for a moment and then back at Cloth, "and...she's mute."
Cloth blinked. He then turned his head to Gentle Leaf, who still had her gaze on the edge of the forest with a small smile. Feeling that he needed to let her know that he knows her, he called her attention, and she slowly turned her head at him. Cloth slightly bowed his head at her.
Leaf quickly returned her gaze at the forest as a blush build up on her cheeks, and slowly made a small nod.
"Hahah, don't worry," Dandy said, catching Cloth's attention, "she's always like that."
Cloth wanted to know how she is able to communicate with them, but decided not to press the question out of his mouth. Talking about someone behind their back, unless necessary, is wrong, especially if the one they're talking about is just right behind them within hearing range.
"Welcome to White Tail Village!"
White Tail Village is a small settlement near the shore and the edge of the forest. Houses are made of brown wood, with ropes running from the wooden roofs to large rocks near each house, probably to hold the houses against strong winds. Wooden sailboats are lying on the shore, where earth ponies were busy either preparing to set sail or already putting their caught fishes in wooden barrels. The center of the settlement has a small circular clearing where small fillies were playing around. Near one edge of the village were a group of griffins and minotaurs, busy with the fish business.
"Oh," Blue exclaimed, "can I have my crab back, bud?"
"Stop calling me 'bud ..."
"I'll think about that," he replied as he turned around, "nah~!"
Dandy went to Ash and the two chatted. As a changeling, Cloth sensed something between the two ponies.
"They really need to just say how much they love each other..."
Gentle Leaf quietly stood behind the three, and was simply staring at the two soon-to-be-couple ponies.
"Both of them insist that they're just friends," Sand Stone whispered, "and they insist that they don't like each other more than just friends."
'Young love... '
The four then formed a small circle and started chatting.
"So Cloth," said Sand Stone, "where are you from?"
"I don't see a problem," Cloth simply replied calmly, "and if I'm correct, White Tail is located in the western edge of Equestria."
"Oh, you're a traveller?" Easy excitedly asked.
Cloth nodded.
Easy was about to ask something when Gentle Leaf started gesturing with her hooves. After a while, Easy understood what she was trying to say.
"I think Leaf here is asking if you were travelling by hoof or by wing."
"Both, actually," Cloth replied, "whatever fits the situation."
Meanwhile, Blue finally found the griffin he was looking for. She was seated on the edge of the forest, staring impatient at the incoming blue pegasus.
"Took you a while..." she said with a bored look.
"Eheheheh..." Blue scratched his nape, "s-sorry Griselda."
Griselda's eyes glittered, but only for a moment.
"Hey," Blue said with a hurt smile, "blue crabs are rare, ya know!"
Griselda sighed.
The ponyfolks of White Tail Village doesn't seem to mind having Cloth around. Some either greeted him or didn't care at all. Every pony were too busy with fishing for them to earn enough Bits for the market day tomorrow.
The sky has already welcomed the evening, where the moon was half and the stars were glittering like pearls in the sea of darkness. Most ponies were already preparing for the night, while some were double-checking their boats.
"Twice a week," Blue said to Cloth while eating some wheat bread.
The two and their other pony friends were seated around the fire near the edge of the village, and everypony, except for Cloth, were eating bread and hay.
"...there are groups of ponies coming here to sell us stuff, like fruits and wares, and some other things business ponies bring with them around." Blue continued.
"Our little town is far away from any market place," said Sand Stone, "so ponies coming to town to sell us stuff is convenient."
"They're mostly accompanied by unicorns," said Dandy, "'cause unicorns can use their magic to fend off those bloody forest wolves."
"Forest wolves?" Cloth echoed, receiving nods from the ponies.
"Yep," Blue said with a small smile, "but they're smart enough not to stir trouble here in the village."
Gentle Leaf waved a hoof to get everypony's attention. She then moved her hooves around, which Easy easily understood.
"Oh yeah," Easy said, smiling at Gentle Leaf, "Leaf is telling us that some ponies in the village also provide additional protection to the business ponies arriving."
"Oh yeah," Sand Stone agreed, "tomorrow, my dad and my uncle will be joining the aid team."
"The aid team?" Cloth asked.
"The aid team is a group of ponies who will go through the forest path to meet the business ponies in the train station." Dandy said.
Hours passed by, and they kept on telling stories and jokes. All in all, everypony enjoyed their usual evening hang-out. All except for Cloth, who simply listened to them. As the hours went by however, the ponies grew tired of fighting the sleep that has been consuming them, and one by one, they excused themselves to head back home, until Blue, Gentle and Cloth were the only ones left after Easy stood and greeted them goodnight before he walked back home.
"Well," Blue said after a yawn, "suppose it's time to hit the hay, ei?"
Gentle Leaf blushed a bit as she nodded her head. She then stood up and nodded goodnight to Cloth, which the black pegasus returned with a nod as well.
"I'll be right back, Cloth."
Cloth opened his mouth to respond, but stopped himself. He took a breath and let out a quiet sigh, and he settled on simply staring at the fire in front of him. After a few minutes, he decided to try and stretch his wings. While doing so, he didn't feel any pain, not until he was about to fully stretch both his wings when a powerful wave of pain ran through his body. He gasped and dropped himself on the ground.
"Hey hey!" A voice shouted, followed by sounds of running hooves on sand.
"I'm fine..." Cloth said after recovering a bit.I suppose I am stuck here for a while... '
A wolf's howl echoed in the evening. The two pegasus turned their gazes on the forest.
"Well, I don't wanna become wolf chow..."
"Shouldn't you be asking for your parent's permission, first?"
Blue frowned after hearing Cloth's words, and he quickly turned his attention away from the black pegasus.
"I'm sorry," Cloth quietly said.
Blue, still looking elsewhere, closed his eyes as he sighed.
Protesting would be useless now. The evening is a bit cold, and the forest is dangerous, from what he is sensing.
The quiet and melodic atmosphere of the sea floor -- where fishes swam in schools, shells and corals lie dormant on the sandy floor, starfishes and crabs go their daily routines, and eels and octopuses await in their burrows -- were broken after a series of splashes echoed in the area, as ponies of different colors dived down from their wooden boats from the surface of the water.
A blue pony swam towards the floor with the aid of both his hooves and wings. He pulls an end of a net with his teeth as he swims down. A few hooves away is another pony who has a hold of the other end of the net. After finding a sturdy coral, the two ponies tied the net around it, and after satisfied with their work, they turned to each other and nodded their heads before swimming back up.
While other ponies did the same, the others carried small knives on their mouth, and after reaching a few large yet closed shells, they brought the knives on their hooves and began to push the knife inside the closed mouth of the shell to pull it open.
On one of the wooden boats was a black pegasus pony, staring blankly at the horizon, where a few rays of the sun were already showing up. Instead of admiring the beautiful mixture of darkblue and golden orange colors in the horizon, the pegasus' thoughts were elsewhere. Even so, he is still aware of his surroundings.
"I ask of you not to do what you are planning of doing."
"Aw..."
"I believe I'm aware of that, yes."
Blue took a piece of towel and started drying himself. Cloth turned his attention back to the horizon.
"Hey, tell me somethin'..."
"It..."I honestly do not know...
"Why?"
Cloth took a few seconds to think for a moment.
"Young for what?"
"Young for..." Cloth sighed as he turned to him.
"Then why are you going around places?"
"Like I said, it's none of your concern."
Blue, after he was done drying himself, placed the towel on a wooden crate.
He stopped when Cloth turned to him with a neutral expression, but his eyes told him something deep: something he couldn't dare put a hoof at.
"I think it's fair," Cloth quietly said.
Blue opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out when Cloth quickly turned to face him.
"With exceptions."
"Tsk... You're no fun..."
Cloth slightly narrowed his eyes.
"Well, yeah, I guess there's one thing I really wanna do," Blue said with a smile, "and I think you can help me."
Cloth was doubtful, but he already gave his word. He might as well hear it first then.
"Remind me again why we are doing this?"
"'cause ya owe me. Simple as that."
"Need I remind you that I have done nothing else but to stand and talk?"
The two were on top of a boulder where Cloth was washed ashore. Finally, after Blue was satisfied, he slowly started spreading his wings. After fully extending both his wings, he started flapping them slowly.
"Have I ever told you that this boulder could provide you enough height for your flying practice?"
"Yeah," Blue replied as he began flapping his wings faster, "seventeen times, actually."
After a few seconds, Blue began to furiously flap his wings. A few more seconds, and Cloth could actually feel his back was already hoof-free. He turned over his shoulder, and saw the blue pegasus. Blue was tightly closing his eyes, concentrating all his senses on his wings.
Feeling like an eternity has passed, although it was barely a minute when his hooves left Cloth's back, Blue let out a frustrated sigh as he opened his eyes. Much to his horror, he found himself high above the air. Losing his sense of concentration, which was immediately replaced by fear, his wings went frozen-still, and his boy began to fall as he screamed from fear.
Blue was certain that he would feel his butt either hit the hard solid boulder, or the not-so-solid-but-still-will-be-quite-painful-to-land-on sand. But before he could land on either one of those, Cloth jumped and caught him on his back, but the impact made him fall to the ground first, cushioning the blue pegasus' fall.
Blue was still screaming, until he felt like it was taking forever for him to get a painful landing. Quieting down as he opened his eyes, he found himself on the ground again, or on the back of a grunting changeling.
"Get..." it was painful to even breath, "off..."
Blue quickly got off of the green-eyed changeling. He helped him get back on his four feet.
"I..." Cloth quietly said as he rubbed his head, "feel like having a pony for breakfast all of a sudden."
It took a few minutes for Cloth to recover. As he brushed the sand on his body, Blue sighed in frustration for another failed attempt at flying.
"That is because," Cloth began as he turned his full attention at the blue pegasus, "you don't know the basics."
Blue fell into a sitting position, "I don't even know the basics!"
Cloth rolled his eyes.
Blue chuckled a bit as he brought his hooves back on the ground.
"Then let me teach you."
The blue pegasus was surprised after hearing the changeling's offer.
'I have nothing else to do... And the aid team already left... '
"Aye aye, cap'n!"
Cloth took a few steps back to have a better view.
Blue began flapping his wings, and Cloth was observing him.
"Stop!"
Blue froze in place, uncertain of what he did wrong. Cloth approached him and walked around him, scanning the pegasus' posture.
"Winged ponies are no different than my brown-eyed cousins..."
Blue very slowly flapped his wings, and tried to see his error, but after a few flaps, he gave up.
Cloth took notice, and sighed.
Now that he was provided with clearer information, Blue turned his attention on one of wings again and started flapping at a more faster speed than before, and he did notice that he flaps them in different angles.
"No, you can fly," Cloth replied, "but if you are flapping like that, then you cannot stay airborne for very long."
Blue stared at him for a moment before nodding his head.
"To pull yourself in the air, yes."
Blue smiled as he nodded his head.
A train is slowing down as it approached a small platform of nowhere. The place however, is not deserted, for it was full of ponies with wagons. The said ponies were mostly earth ponies, while unicorns are in a small group of circle, talking to each other.
The train has finally stopped, and its doors opened only for a number of ponies to exit the mechanical transport. One of them was a young adult red earth pony, with a green apple as his cutie mark. He went to the cargo car and retrieved his wooden cart as he was assisted by the earth pony conductor, and the red stallion's companions: a green pegasus stallion and a blue earth mare.
The wagon was full of crates, which was full of jars of Zap Apple Jam. The blue mare jumped on the wagon and made herself comfortable on a few spaces available. The two stallions then installed the harness which was attached to the wagon, and both then started pulling it out of the cargo car.
As they work their way towards the small crowd of ponies, they saw a group of earth ponies who were walking towards them as they walk on the narrow forest path.
"Are you always delivering these here, Mac?"
"Eeyup. A few weeks after winter."
Henry was quiet as he pulled the wagon and used his magic to levitate his notebook and quill. He's taking down notes for the fourth book of the Daring Do series, where he plans that the yellow pegasus adventurer wakes up on the shore after barely escaping the underwater city of Atlantis from the third book.
"They're really colorful..."
After reaching the other ponies, Big Macintosh and Henry had a small conversation with the other business ponies for a few minutes until the village's aid team caught everyponies' attention. They announced their warm welcome and thanks, and they then led the business ponies towards their village.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 20 - White Tail Village
Chapter 20 - White Tail Village
Part One of Three
Fanged Forest
The brown earthy path from the train tracks leading to the fishing village was narrow, only providing five to eight meters in width. The business ponies and their unicorn companions have been taking this path for far too many times now, and it was clear from their smiles and chatter that they're used to the dangers which were poking behind the thick trees that surrounded the path. Even the red earth stallion was wearing a calm smile, and Henry, despite feeling a bit scared, continued to keep his calm.
He took notes of the path, the air, the feel and the heavy pressure he's applying to push the wooden wagon he and Big Macintosh were pulling. Pearl, somehow disbelieving that simply staring at the rainbow jam bored her, started to let her eyes wander in her moving surroundings and quietly hummed a tune as she sat on the available space inside the wagon which was filled with wooden crates.
The three ponies were in the middle of the group of ponies. Earth ponies, who are among the aid team, were spread around, walking on the sides, front and back of the group. They kept a watchful eye in their surroundings. They need to, if they want to provide safety to the business ponies. After all, they are going to get paid for their services--either in bits or the items the ponies sell.
Henry took notice of the trees. Each tree has their leaves, and all were green. Were these trees unaffected by the magic of the seasons? The trees back in Ponyville were still starting to grow their leaves back. Well, he thought, there are trees which are indeed unaffected by the changing seasons. Maybe the trees here are one of them? So much are needed to be taken note of, which made the green pony smile.
When they were still in the train, Henry asked about the place, and Big Macintosh gladly filled him in. The only relevant thing Henry still has on his mind was about the wolves in the forest. If it weren't for the aid team and the unicorns, the path would be too dangerous to cross.
The Apple Family needed the Bits while their apple orchard was still recovering their leaves, so he understood Big Macintosh's condition of providing the needed Bits for his family.
A loud rustling bush echoed in the quiet air of the path, making everypony stop and look around.
...nothing...
They continued their walk, but only this time, they're more quiet and more alert now. The aid team prepared their wooden weapons on their mouths. Unicorns started chanting their magic mentally.
Henry decided to stop writing. He returned his quill and notebook back inside his saddleback. He turned his head over his shoulder, and saw Pearl. She was still humming, but already aware of the situation. She saw him, and flashed him a reassuring smile. Henry smiled back.
Just then, a loud rustling noise echoed around the air once again, and after a few seconds, a large creature jumped out of the forest, and stopped a few hooves in front of the herd of ponies.
"H-how am I doin'?"
Cloth simply smiled. They have been in that area for almost an hour now, and teaching the blue pegasus to fly is starting to fruit. The pegasus colt has managed to steady his wings in flapping downward. Although he was tiredly panting, he was grinning after he noticed the black pegasus' smile. It somehow flashed him a message of a good job he's doing, and he's eager to continue his training.
A quick rise of the colt's wings was like time became still to Cloth as he noticed something on the wingtips of the young pony.
Did he do something wrong again? He was certain he already got it right, at least, that's what he thought. He slowed his pace, slowly losing his altitude, and his hooves finally touched the sand.
Cloth closed his eyes as he slowly shook his head.
Blue blinked twice before turning his head over his shoulder as he extends a wing.
"Your wings are tired, Blue. Rest up for a while."
"B-but," he faced the black pegasus with a tired look, "I'm not tired! Not in the slightest."
Cloth arched an eyebrow.
"But I'm fine!"
Cloth took a breath.
Blue smiled, slightly hopping in place.
"But don't blame me if you permanently damage your wing."
At that, Blue froze in fear. If a broken hoof meant difficulty in walking, then a broken wing would mean... Blue quickly trotted beside the boulder, and lied down to rest.
Cloth smirked.
Now, it was Cloth's turn to exercise his wings. He slowly opened and extends his wings as he noted to himself that if he feels pain, he'll stop and take note of his wings' limit before starting his wing stretches. Blue quietly watched the black pegasus a few hooves in front of him.
In the forest near the shore, a small seedling was stepped on by a large green hoof with sharp claws. The owner of the said claw had blood-red eyes, which were fixed on two ponies on the shore.
A large wolf-like creature appeared before the group. It has the height much taller than any ponies present in the area. Its green leaves around its body provided the creature warmth and protection like fur. Each of its four feet showed sharp sets of silver claws, matching its razor teeth as it let out a growl through them. Its eyes send messages that blood will be spilled that day.
"A forest wolf..." Henry whispered as he mentally took note of the wolf's features.
Meanwhile, the other ponies prepared themselves. Unicorns stood in front of their employers, preparing their magic as their horns began to glow, as the aid team tightened their grip on their wooden weaponry on their mouths. Pearl grabbed a piece of her own as Big Macintosh and Henry removed the harness around them and went to the back end of their wagon where Pearl was seated.
Two forest wolves came out and stopped behind the group of ponies. Noticing that those were closer than the one in front, Henry and Macintosh focused their attention on them. Two wolves then appeared in either side of the group, making the aid team who were near to take a few steps back. Two wolves then appeared in the front, and then both sides and back.
"Interesting indeed..."
"Eeyup..." Macintosh replied.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Do not panic!" one of the business ponies shouted, making the wolves growl furiously.
Testing that theory, a wolf on the front dashed towards them. With a flick of magic, a wall of air slammed the approaching wolf, and sent it flying back towards the forest. Angered that their companion was hurt, the other wolves took that as their signal to attack. As the rest of the ponies prepared themselves, Henry grabbed his hat with his hoof, revealing his horn intensely charged with brown magic.
Cloth yelped in pain after trying to fully extend his wings, despite his mental note not to do so. He fell to the sand as Blue got up to try and help him out. Reaching him, he grabbed a hoof to help him up.
"You 'kay, bud?"
Cloth weakly smiled as he folded his wings back.bud ' only applies to those whom you don't know."
"Yeah well..." Blue stared at the sky, looking for something to say, until a recollection came.stranger ."
"I suppose I did," Cloth whispered with a smile.
They suddenly heard a fast set of running hooves on sand. Turning at the same time, before their eyes was a fast-approaching forest wolf. It jumped after it got in range. It's mouth opened wide, revealing sharp sets of teeth. It's front feet stretched forward, where its claws were aimed at them.
Acting in defensive reflex, Cloth quickly leaned back and jumped lower, successfully delivering a headbutt on the wolf's stomach. The attack sent the wolf back, landing on its side.
"Gah!"
Cloth quickly spun around and saw the blue pegasus running towards the water while desperately flapping his wings in fear as another wolf chased after him. He was about to go after them when a sharp sense hit his nape. He jumped forward in time to dodge the wolf's claw from making contact. As he was about to land, he saw a glimpse of the blue pegasus desperately splashing and throwing rocks at the wolf, who was having a rather difficult time keeping up in the water. Satisfied that the blue pegasus is safe for a few minutes, he quickly turned to face the wolf after he landed, only to see before him the wide jaws of the creature.
The sound of battle echoed in the air as ponies and wolves did their best to achieve their tasks. As Henry blasted a brown beam at a wolf, Macintosh dashed forward, turned around, and delivered a good ol' tree buckin' kick at a leaping wolf. The massive power the stallion gave shook each fiber in the wolf's body as it was sent farther than Henry's beam did with the other.
"I seriously need to work on my magic..."
"Duck!" a female voice shouted, making Henry to do so. A metal rod hit the wolf, sending it flying back to the forest after Pearl's successful swing.
"Home run?"
"Questions later," she winked, "saving our butts first!"
Henry blinked twice, completely lost at that.
A forest wolf dug its fangs around Cloth's face. It began to move its head left and right to make its prey dizzy for an easy kill. It stopped after it noticed a green glow from its jaws, and before it could react, its mouth was blasted with green sludge. The force pushed the wolf back, dragging Cloth along until the wolf's jaw opened its mouth further to lose its grip on the black pegasus. It tried its hardest to remove the awful green slime on its mouth. The wolf was completely distracted, unable to notice the black pegasus' glowing green eyes as it created a wall of green barrier in front of it. Quickly, Cloth pushed the sand, delivering a much powerful attack with the solid green wall of slime, and followed by his own head delivering a headbutt. The wolf was thrown back and hit its head on a tree, completely losing its consciousness.
Disregarding his wounds, Cloth turned and saw two wolves were already chasing the blue pegasus. One was chasing him in the water, while the other was waiting on the shore. He was about to jump up and fly when a cruel thought reminded him that he cannot fly. He dismissed the plan and instead dashed towards the wolf on the shore.
As the battle continues, the cries of ponies wondering of how many and how powerful the wolves are is already joining the echoes of chaos in the area. After blasting another wolf away, Henry turned back to the wagon and saw Pearl repeatedly slamming the iron rod on the skull of a wolf. He did not notice how that wolf reached her, but he was glad that she could keep herself safe. To finish it off, she lowered the rod and swung it sideways, hitting the wolf's lower jaw and sent it back to the forest.
"Hole in one!"
"Even golf?"
Pearl simply chuckled as she jumped off of the wagon.
"Danger is...fun?"
Blue slipped on a slippery rock underneath the water, completely losing his balance and falling to the water. The wolf took advantage of his accident and quickly worked its way towards the pegasus, only to stop after half of its face was covered with hot green slime. It yelped in pain and quickly thrashed around a few seconds after realizing how cool the water was. As it drowned its head under the water, Blue rose up and coughed a few water out of his lungs after breathing some when he fell. Panic was making it difficult to control one's breathing, after all.
Blue turned to the shore to escape the wolf. As he did, he saw Cloth, pushing the head of another wolf down to the sand. With an exposed neck, Cloth quickly dug its fangs on the wolf's leafy neck. The wolf screached in pain, making Cloth tighten his bite.
Blue was about to get out of the water when he noticed two wolves were trying to wake an unconscious wolf on the edge of the forest. He stood still after a wolf ran pass him from his side, and continued its retreat back to the forest. One wolf dragged the falled wolf inside the forest as the other locked its gaze on a panting pegasus.
The wolf quickly dashed towards him as Blue cried in fright. As the wolf leaped in the air, another wolf was thrown and hit its side, throwing both away from the scared pegasus. Turning, he saw Cloth, breathing fast and deep, and with green angry glowing eyes. What made Blue shiver in fear was Cloth was smiling.
A wolf leaped and aimed its claws and jaw on Henry's back, when a painful pull from its tail denied his intentions. Big Macintosh bit the wolf's long leafy tail and spun in place before letting go, sending the wolf way over the height of the trees.
"Just like haybales in the rodeo..."
"I'll...take a note of that..."
The wolves were already short on number, and after realizing that they're no match for these group of ponies, they slowly began to retreat back into the forest. After the last of the wolves was sent flying, the ponies cheered for victory. Soon, they started treating the wounds of their fellow ponies. Fortunately, nopony was severely injured or have died. As Pearl and Big Macintosh checked their wagon, Henry sat on the ground and took his notebook and quill. He began to write the things that happened. Something this intense would be great for the fourth Daring Do book.
Part Two of Three
Love On The Sand
The two wolves retreated into the forest, to Blue's relief. He fell into a sitting position, breathing deeply to calm himself as he tried to ignore the glowing green eyes of a certain black pegasus.
Cloth was seated as well, where his back was on the blue pegasus. He just noticed the fear in Blue's eyes when he threw that wolf to save the pegasus. It was a good thing that he could control himself, else, who knows what he could have done to that pegasus if he allowed his changeling greed to consume him. No, he knew he can control himself. For years, he has mastered that, after all. Still, he needed to assure the blue pegasus that he has nothing to fear...at least...for the time being?
"I'm sorry," Cloth said.
"Hey bud..." Blue whispered, turning his gaze down.
Cloth turned around and sat where he can face him. He was about to ask about how the word 'cool ' has anything to do with what just happened, until he remembered it's other meaning. Ponies and their ways of talking... Cloth quietly sighed.
Blue only slowly shook his head.
"Hm..." Cloth took a few seconds to think.
"Only if we're inside the village, yes, but uh..."
"Put me down this instant!"
"Worry 'bout nothin', bud! We'll get there soon enough!"
The ponies were aware of the noises echoing from the forest, and they knew that the wolves must have attacked the aid team assisting the business ponies once again. What they weren't prepared to see was the wounded black pegasus being carried on Blue Sky's back. The other ponies didn't need any other things to know as they quickly and carefully grabbed the wounded pegasus and carried him to the biggest hut in the village. Inside were five beds on one corner, and tables on the other, where jars containing different herbal and liquid medicine were contained, and a few medical kits. Cloth suddenly found himself lying on a bed.
Ponies quickly cleaned and disinfected his wounds as Blue told them what happened, with his usual exaggerations of the events. Cloth wanted to point a few things, but his mouth was being closed shut by two ponies cleaning his wounds. He could only sigh through his nostrils. He closed his eyes as he listened to Blue's ridiculous version of the story.
Now that he thought about it, it was probably for the best for Blue to tell the story than him. He couldn't just simply tell these ponies that he spitted slime, bit a wolf's neck, and other things. Besides, Blue's doing a good job revising those points he was worried about. Now if only he could tone down the exaggerations a little...
The large group of ponies were welcomed by the earth ponies of the little fishing village. As the ponies of the aid team embraced their loved ones, while some received a mouthful of concern to those who got wounded, the business ponies started to sort their wagons and arranging their items to sell in the village. Soon, the ponies were ready for trade and business. After Henry and Pearl finished helping Macintosh from setting up the jams, they both excused themselves as they went to the shore.
The two ponies allowed the cool sea water to touch their hooves as they quietly stared at the horizon.
"Been a while since we last spent time just by simply staring at the ocean..."
Henry followed, and his shoulder met the leaning head of his mare. He leaned his head on her as he wrapped a wing around her back, pushing her closer.
Although the place wasn't as quiet and private unlike in Seasaddle Beach, they didn't care. All that mattered was them at that moment, where they could enjoy each other's presence by just staring at the horizon, sitting on the shore, and hearing Cloth's name.
'Wait, what? Cloth? '
Yearning for her stallion's head to be over hers, she brought a hoof on his cheek, and dragged it back on top of her head.
'Cloth could wait, I guess...? '
Blue Sky leaned closer to the circle of his friends with a seious look. His friends leaned closer with wide eyes, waiting for whatever intense action Cloth did to save Blue's pathetic life. He narrowed his eyes, and his friends' breaths became short until they stopped breathing.
Already aware that the story's been put on hold, Blue's friends sat up and turned over to the couple. Indeed, the two were really sweet. Gentle Leaf blushed as she randomly and unknowingly began digging a hole on the sand with a hoof. Easy and Sand Stone looked at each other with knowing smiles, and they then leaned closer to the other two ponies' ears as they whispered in unison 'aaawww ', making both the receipients, which were Ash and Dandy, blush furiously. The two took a side glance at each other, and turned their heads away from each other. Successful, Easy and Sand Stone laughed as they brough a hoof to meet the other, and Blue laughed along with them, making the couple-to-be ponies turn to them with a death glare. Gentle Leaf satisfied herself with a quiet laugh, making Ash and Dandy blush even more after seeing their timid friend teasing them as well.
The two blushing ponies awkwardly turned to each other, and then quickly turned away in perfect timing. Blue crept behind the two and hung each hoof on the two's shoulders as he pushed his head in between theirs.
Both of his friends' heads turned to him with glares each, which he planned them of doing. He quickly chuckled, winked at them both, pulled his head away, and quickly pulled his hooves for his friends' noses to touch the other, burning their cheeks even redder than before.
Blue, Easy and Sand let out a chorus of cheers, and Leaf's doing her best to cheer as well, as the four got to their hooves and started walking away from the red-cheeked ponies.
Their glares ignored, the two ponies sighed in frustration, and awkwardly raised their heads up to stare at the two ponies on the shore, and then on the blue ocean, and then on the clouds, until they stared blankly at nothing. It was a bit quiet, but it was noisy inside their bodies, where echoes of loud heartbeats could almost deafen the both of them. Ash took a side glance at the filly beside him, and she did as well, and both turned away again with blushing cheeks.
"So, uh..." Ash began, awkwardly scratching his nape as he locked his gave on a wonderful piece of pebble on the golden sand.
"Y-yeah..." Dandy awkwardly replied, satisfied by simply staring at a broken piece of tiny shell on the sand.
"F-fo-for...how long?"
"D-dunno... You...?"
"Me ne-neither..."
Both chuckled weakly, not willing to remove their embarrassed gazes on their items of choice on the sand.
"So uh..." Ash broke the awkward silence of three seconds.
Dandy awkwardly nodded her head, as if Ash could see it.
And they both allowed a few seconds of silence. It then turned to minutes, but they're not willing to make it to hours. Slowly, Ash turned his gaze to her, his cheeks still burning.
Dandy, slowly turned her head to face him, and the instant she did, their eyes met the other, and both were lost in each other's eyes. They were friends for a long time, yes, but never did they notice how beautiful the eyes of the other really were. Ash's deep blue eyes were like comfortable ocean waves. Dandy's brown eyes were so soothing to look at. A rattling sound awakened their hypnotized states, and quickly realizing how close their lips are from the other, and their soft breaths were aready touching the other. Their cheeks burned furiouly as they turned their heads away from each other.
A few hooves away, Blue Sky and Easy were killing Sand Stone for creating such a noise while the three of them and Leaf silently watched behind the barrels of the clinic hut. Leaf was desperately trying to top the three from making a corpse while Ash and Dandy laughed at them.
Cloth watched the six pony friends on a window where he's sitting on the side of the bed. Strangely, the scene made him smile. Ah, the joys and stupidity of young souls. Satisfied, he returned his gaze on the two ponies on the shore. Specifically, he stared at the familiar green pegasus pony. No, not familiar, he indeed knew who that pony, or changeling, is.
So, even his majesty found someone he could love. What's with ponies and love these days. Is it because it's spring?
Cloth smiled. Somehow, seeing Henry being happy also made him happy. Does this mean he did a fine job of returning him and Miss Daisy back to Ponyville safe and sound? Maybe. No, definitely. If he didn't, Henry wouldn't be happy right now. But what of Miss Daisy? Is she fine? Of course she is. She and Sir Henry are probably not together all the time, if Henry is happy to be with that blue earth pony mare.
He saw them both helping a red stallion with selling some jars of jams. He watched them with a satisfied smile until he saw the blue mare looking at him...no, staring at him. He noticed her confused stare, and she quickly turned to the green pony, murmuring something. She pointed a hoof at him, and Henry followed the hoof's direction. And there, Cloth and Henry saw each other for the very first time in a long time. Henry flashed a smile, and Cloth refected it back.
Part Three of Three
Sand And Bond
Cloth, Henry and Pearl sat on the sand on the other end of the village. They allowed the calm and cool water to wash their hooves and flanks. They welcomed the salty and refreshing breeze of the sea. They also allowed the calm quietness of the area for them to recover from the emotion they were feeling at the moment.
Henry just finished telling Cloth the things that happened after he left them in Ponyville. Cloth could not believe it: he failed. He failed his task to bring them back together safe. He silently cursed his name to hell.
He felt a wet hoof on his shoulder, and droplets of water flowed down to his shoulder to his hoof. He turned to see Henry, flashing him a sad smile.
"It's all right, Cloth," the green pony assured him, "you don't have to blame yourself for what happened."
"I'm sorry, your highness," Cloth looked down, somehow he felt like he could not look at the green pony on the eyes. "I have failed to bring the two of you back safely..."
"Cloth, do I need to repeat myself?"
Cloth took a slow and deep breath, closed his eyes, and let out a sad sigh. He then lifted his head and opened his eyes to see Henry, still wearing a sad yet reassuring smile.
"Cloth, really... Thanks to you that we even made it back to Ponyville. So please..."
Is it fruitless to keep this up? It has to be, since Henry's trying his best to end the discussion in a calm and reassuring way. Cloth took another breath and sighed. Finally, he nodded his understanding.
"Oh yeah..." Henry lifted a hoof in between them.your highness ' or 'your majesty ' or any other titles."
"Aw..." Pearl, who was seated beside Henry, pouted.
"You're not helping, Pearl..."
"Uh... If that is what you wish, Sir Henry..."
"Oh, and stop treating me like one as well, Cloth."
Cloth stared at the hoof for a few moments. He lifted a hoof and made contact, and slowly, they shook their hooves.
Henry rolled his eyes as they both returned their hooves.
"Indeed I have..." Cloth smiled.
The trio then turned to the horizon, and simply watched in silence, until Henry broke it.
"So Cloth..." he asked without any of them turning, "what are you going to do next?"
"I still need to stop that witch, Ch--" he quietly sighed.
"But she sounds so powerful..."
"I have my ways..." Cloth simply answered, making Henry face him.
The trio fell silent for another minute or two until Henry broke it once again.
Cloth nodded.
"Wow..."
Cloth nodded, "for revenge as well."
He cut himself off when he felt a hoof on his shoulder once more.
Cloth nodded his agreement.
The couple smiled, and were about to nod their heads when they heard something was being dragged on the sand from behind them. The trio turned and saw a blue pegasus dragging a wooden boat, and stopped a few hooves in front of them.
Blue spat the rope that was attached to the front of the wooden fishing boat, and smiled at the three ponies. He then fixed his gaze at the black pegasus.
The couple blinked in confusion while Cloth narrowed his eyes.
Blue pouted, "aw, com'on Cloth. Don't be like that."
"Young pony..." Henry spoke, "...you are aware of---"
Blue waved a hoof at him.
Henry glared at him.
"Anyway, I'm ready for all those," Blue nodded.
"I recall teaching you how to fly made us even."
"Yeah, that!" Blue exclaimed.
"You are aware that I can easily toss you overboard and leave you alone with the sharks, right?"
"Nah, I'm a good swimmer for a pegasus."
"Ya sure we can't change your mind, Blue?"
The other four nodded in agreement.
"Sorry guys," Blue replied as he let Cloth's hoof go.
Cloth narrowed his eyes.
Blue chuckled slightly.
Easy sighed, yet he smiled.
"I'm not agreeing to this," Cloth said, but reached deaf ears.
Blue blinked.
"Exactly why I don't want anyone to come with me."
Blue smiled.
Cloth arched an eyebrow.
"While you heal, you can teach me more about flying! And then, once you're all good and ready, we can fly there."
Cloth took a breath and sighed in frustration. He turned to Henry and Pearl, and both looked away.
"Some friends you two are..." Cloth smirked.
Blue shut his eyes tight as he leaped in the air and yelled victoriously. Cloth rolled his eyes as he turned to his five friends.
"It'll take a while for me to heal. During that time, convince him not to come along, please?"
"We can't promise anything, Cloth," Ash said, "but we'll try our best to turn that idiot around."
"H-hey! I'm not an idiot!"
Cloth turned to the couple, and Henry flashed him a smile.
Cloth sighed, yet he reflected the smile back.
He looked at the six ponies, and wondered what crazy days awaits him as he let time and rest heal his injured wings. He shrugged. He looked at the sky, and noticed that they still have a lot of daylight to waste. He turned to the couple with a soft smile.
"Sir Henry," Cloth said, catching the couple's attention, "I would love to hear a few of your adventures while you wrote your books."
Henry blinked.
Cloth nodded, "but of course."
Henry smiled.
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The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 22 - PonyVille Diaries - Fifth of Many
Outside the quiet and peaceful town of Ponyville lies the most feared and creepy forest, where everything -- the trees, the forest animals, and even the weather -- are wild, unpredictable and untamed. So many scholars have tried to research and understand the forest, only to achieve failure. So many pegasi have tried to control and manipulate the weather above the forest, but only to achieve failure as well. Worst case scenario, if any of the said ponies would die. The ponies who tried to understand the forest, have concluded that it was best to leave it alone, and the forest will leave anypony alone as well.
However, ponies who are young and always seek adventure will not be stopped by simple words alone. Those type of ponies need to experience the stories before they'll believe it, unfortunately...
"All right everypony!" Shouted a white unicorn scholar as he turned to face the mouth of the cave which was surrounded by thick trees and thin mist. With his horn, he casted a white light to illuminate his gloomy surroundings.
From the cave came four other unicorn scholars with saddlebags. Some of them were enjoying a little chat as they trot.
"Come on, now! No time to waste!" announced the white unicorn as he turned to the narrow earthy path. "Daylight is almost over, and I don't want to spend the night in this dreadful forest!"
"What's the rush?" asked a brown unicorn with a grin, "And here I thought you're the explorer type." He earned a glare from the white unicorn, and a few chuckles from the other unicorns.
"If this forest wasn't feared by the ponyfolks in Ponyville," the white unicorn began as he turned to face his comrade, "then I would have sent a letter to the academy to extend our research. But alas, I value my---our!---lives more!"
"Relax," said a gray unicorn mare in a calm manner, "we haven't ran into any of the said monsters on our way here now, have we?"
"No," the white unicorn replied as they began walking towards the path, "but that does not grant us freedom to explore or to shove the dangers away of this place. We should be..." he trailed off after he saw a faint purple glow from the brown unicorn's saddlebag. "...cautious..." He walked and stopped in front of the brown unicorn, glaring at him. "What in Equestria---!?"
The brown unicorn blinked as the others stopped.
"Don't 'what ' me!" The white unicorn snarled as he pointed a hoof at his comrade's saddlebag. "I told you not to take things from that cave!" With his levitation spell, he grabbed and levitated a large stone from inside the brown unicorn's saddlebag.
The stone was almost the same size of an average adult pony's head. It was purple, and was faintly glowing as it faintly radiant strange mana energy.
"Er..." the brown unicorn gulped, "h-hey, how did that get there...?" He earned glares from his comrades. He coughed awkwardly. "Aw, com'on! I couldn't just leave it inside! That thing might be something worth to be researched! By us! Who knows!? We could be able to provide something in the magic academy!"
"This is a mana stone," the white unicorn sighed. "Though rare for it's color, mana stones are common in different areas of the world."
"Yes, rare!" The brown unicorn exclaimed, failing to notice the other unicorns' attention were on the cave now. "Mana stones have different uses! I know each of their functions, but never did I saw a purple one before! Com'on, at least let us see what it truly does, and then we can return it back inside!"
The white unicorn placed the stone on the ground.
"Uh, guys...?" one of the unicorns said, but failed to catch the two stallions' attentions.
"Return it inside, and then we'll leave!" Demanded the white unicorn.
The brown unicorn angrily stared at him. "Yeah? Who are you to order me, huh?"
"Guys..."
"I'm the team's leader," the white unicorn hissed, "and I am also part of grading my members' researching abilities!"
The brown unicorn glared at him, and opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted.
"Guys!"
Finally, the two stallions looked at their comrades, who were staring fearfully at the cave. They turned, and saw no cave, but a waving darkness which was slowly crawling its way towards them. The unicorns took a few steps back. The white unicorn casted an illumination spell, however, the white light was not able to go through the darkness. It was as if the darkness was a black waving wall, slowly working its way towards them.
"Do you see the trouble you created!?" hissed the white unicorn.
"Me?" the brown unicorn turned to him. "What did I do!?" He earned a glare from the others. "Oh..." he turned over his shoulder, and his sight landed on the purple glowing stone, "...right..."
The brown unicorn summoned his magic and levitated the stone to try and give it back to the darkness, however, as the stone floated in midair, ghostly whispers started to echo all around them as the darkness' ripples worsen. The unicorns took a few steps back, and the darkness crept closer in a faster pace, and the whispers grew louder and scarier. Out of fear, two unicorns shouted and ran on the earthy path, making the darkness silently explode and expand its rays of blackness all around. The other remaining ponies took this as their cue to run away, with the purple stone in tow.
Chapter 22 - Ponyville Diaries - Fifth of Many
The Everfree Darkness
A zebra was humming to herself with a smile as she makes her way around the forest. She has been living in the forest for a few months now, and she has learned first hoof about the unnatural forest's behavior. She has found the plants to be extremely dangerous if not careful. She has learned that the forest animals do not know reason. However, despite all these things, she was still walking around with a smile, collecting her needed plants for her brew back inside her hut that she built with the help of a blue earth pony.
She has been walking in this forest for months now. During that time, she has cleared her usual path for it to be a little bit safer and easier to walk on. She flattened the path and removed the thorny weeds crawling on the earthy path.
Living in South Zebrica, she has learned to brew a few potions to ward off predators, and she was proud to learn that those were also effective to the weird and massive creatures in the Everfree. Manticores, Timber Wolves, Cockatrices, and even very large Hydras and Dragons! She could ward them off, but her ingredients are running low.
As she turned her head to the tree's branches, she stopped on her tracks after she saw one of the ingredients that she needed: a hanging blue vine. Touching its green small silk-like leaves could leave a living creature having a very nasty itch that would last for a few days. Spotting a long stick nearby, she took it with her mouth and used it to pull the vine down. After a few seconds of struggle, a small portion of the vine fell on the ground in front of her. She smiled. It was long enough to last for a week or two. Taking a small knife out of her saddlebag, she carefully removed the small leaves before putting the blue vine inside her saddlebag.
A bright flash of light blinded her for a blink of a second, and thunder roared and echoed in the forest. She looked up and noticed the heavy black clouds swirling like a whirlpool. She shrugged, for it was a usual sign that it might rain soon. She returned her gaze to the surface, but noticed something different: her surroundings became darker than a few seconds before. The wind was cold and still, and carries a strange feeling that made her shiver.
Another roar of thunder.
She decided that it would be best to head back to her hut for shelter. Whatever the forest is brewing , it didn't look like she wanted to find out. She turned around and began her trot back to her hut, but her eyes are starting to lose the faintest of light available to help her see her path. That, or the forest is really getting darker by the second. Spotting a thick stick nearby, she took it with her mouth as she grabbed a vile from her saddlebag with her hoof. Removing the cork on the vile, she poured a small amount of transparent liquid on one end of the stick, and instantly, she had fire on the stick. She returned the vile, and using the lit stick as a torch, she continued her trot. Her torch provided her enough light to see a small diameter of her surroundings, but as the seconds pass by, even though her torch was still alive, the shadows of darkness crept closer, as if the fire on her torch was getting smaller.
Thunder roared.
She looked up, to at least give her a few seconds to forget her worry about her surroundings, but she could no longer see the sky. All she saw was black, and it seemed to be getting closer.
She blinked as she turned her gaze ahead, around, behind. The shadows were getting nearer and nearer. If her heart was not doing its best to make her deaf, she could have heard the quiet ghostly whisers being carried in the stagnant cool air.
She no longer knew which direction to take. She turned and turned, trying to see a path -- any path -- that could get her away from this place. The shadows were inches away from her now, and she began to sweat. Something grabbed her fire's light. Turning an eye, she saw the fire on her torch was consumed in the darkness. In panic, she spat the stick and dropped herself, praying for mercy as she covered her eyes with her hooves. Her body shook as her eyes were tightly shut close. Her breathing became very fast and shallow, as her heart was beating like crazy.
Daring to open an eye, she saw...the forest. Opening both her eyes as she removed her hooves on her head, she slightly lifted her head and scanned her surroundings. A flash of white from a lightning bolt danced through the dark and thick clouds above. She blinked to recover her sight. Was she seeing things? She saw the forest around her. She saw her torch a few hooves from her. The fire was out, leaving torched grass on its resting place as thin gray smoke danced up before it faded with the air.
Thunder echoed in the forest as she got back to her hooves. She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves before trotting back to her hut. Just when she was convinced that things came back to normal, the wind started to get strong, making the leaves dance and rustle. A few seconds, and the wind became violently strong, blowing the zebra back to the opposite direction. She grunted as she stood her ground, only to pull herself forward and making her fall towards the ground as the wind suddenly came to a full stop. One of the forest's weird weather, she thought to herself.
Grunting, she stood up and dusted the dirt off of her coat and muzzle before continuing her trot. After a few minutes of silence, her hut was finally in view. She smiled as she continued making her way towards her home in a faster pace than her usual.
Her hut was built right underneath the large cave-like hollow of a massive Everfree tree. Reaching the wooden door, she lifted a hoof and pulled the door wide open. Her smile became wide, seeing her belongings were still in one place, dimly lit by a number of candles. Around the hut's semi-circular interior were wooden tables filled with jars, small chests, viles, plates and many other things. Hanging from her ceiling were vines and tree roots. A small bed with a thin dark-brown matress on a corner, which was hidden behind a thin hanging semi-transparent curtain. In the center of her hut was a large cauldron on top of large rocks that surrounded lighted coal, wood and dried leaves. The cauldron had a bubbling purple liquid of some sort.
Removing her saddlebag and settling it on a wooden chair near the door's frame, she turned to close the door, reaching a hoof on the door, only to stop after seeing a black blob figure a few hooves from her door's stair-like steps. The figure was...nothing more but black. Rubbing her eyes and blinking a few times, she's convinced that she's not seeing things.
Seconds felt like forever, until she noticed the figure moved forward. Without warning, the figure quickly sprang itself towards her. Fear suddenly stole her breath as she suddenly slammed her door shut just before the figure reached her.
"...and then the headless pony pulled her outta the table!"
The library was then filled with screams and screaches from the fillies and colts as they squirmed inside their sleeping bags. As they screamed and scrambled inside, Aurora could not help but chuckle at the sight.
The library was dimly lit by a candle on the nearby table on the first floor. A quick glance on the wallclock startled the orange pegasus filly a bit.
"Oh my! It's getting late!"
She glanced to her left, and saw her big brother, a yellow unicorn named Daybreak, who laid asleep on the couch with his back facing them. Small cotton puffs were stuffed on his ears as he let out quiet snores. Beside him was his marefriend, a white unicorn named Snow Flake, also fast asleep with cotton puffs on her ears.
One of the young ponies yawned, and it quickly spread to the other young ponies. Agreeing that it was time to sleep, they said their goodnights before Aurora blew the candle's fire out. Blinking a few times to adjust to the moonlit library, she trotted towards her sleeping bag beside her little brother, who was yawning. Squirming inside, the siblings said their goodnights before going to sleep.
A powerplant located on the outskirts of Ponyville was busy with repairs. A number of unicorns chanted a light spell from their horns to provide enough light for work ponies to see what they're doing.
A whistle rang through the sounds of sparks and metal, silencing any other sounds and making the ponies turn to the source.
"Okay everypony," shouted a middle-aged unicorn pony, "that's enough for taday! Rest up and resume the repairs tamarrow!"
With that, the ponies began collecting their equipment and said their goodbyes and goodnights to each other as they walked back to Ponyville.
The middle-aged pony turned to the generators. He sighed for they failed to finish their maintenance on time. As he turned around to walk back to Ponyville, he convinced himself that the town will just have to deal with a night without electricity. He satisfied himself with the thought that this was not the first time Ponyville will be sleeping without power. And after all, the ponies are very understanding.
As he walked on the earthy path, he noticed that the moonlight was dimming. Curious, he looked up and saw a large black cloud covering the sky. There must be a storm scheduled this night. With a shrug, he fasten his pace towards home.
Unbeknowst to those who aren't weather pegasi, the clouds covering the evening sky are not clouds at all. Sonic Wave, who just arrived home from the factory, looked up and noticed the strange weather clouds covering the sky. Narrowing his eyes as he stretched his wings, he noticed that the black clouds were waving like the calm ocean, for some strange reason. He flapped his wings and brought himself above the height of the houses, and noticed that the edge of town was also slowly being covered by the darkness, further darkening the quiet and sleeping town. He noticed one part of the town has lights, probably from the unicorns who just arrived from the factory.
A very loud series of knocks came pounding on the zebra's wooden door. Her heart was pounding fast as fear took over her, however, after hearing the cries of ponies on the other side, she quickly trotted to her door, unlocked the locks, and the door bursts open, throwing the zebra back as unicorns quickly ran inside and immediately closed the door.
Henry woke up after hearing murmors and whispers from a group of ponies outside his home. He removed his embrace from Pearl as he sat on the bed, rubbing his eyes. Noticing that lights were coming through the window, he changed his disguise as he walked out of bed and sleepily trotted to the door.
Outside, he saw the group of factory-working ponies whispering to each other as they looked around the town. Wondering what was the commotion all about, he quietly closed the door and took a few steps forward as he looked around, only to notice how dark the town was tonight.
Sonic Wave landed a few hooves in front of the green pony, where a few factory ponies went to him, and began asking if he knew anything about the phenomenon.
"This isn't a weather condition." Sonic said, making Henry turn and walk towards him. "I don't know what's going on either..." he replied to one of the questions of the ponies around him.
Henry walked through the crowd, and Sonic noticed him. "What's going on?" he asked, but Sonic only shook his head.
Then, the whispers died in silence after everypony heard ghostly whispers echoing all around town, making them shiver as they turn and look around.
"Uh...?" A pink filly woke up after she felt a weird sensation. Crawling out of her bed, she sleepily walked towards the window, pushed it open, and saw the illuminated area of the town from her room on the second floor of Sugarcube Corner.
After a yawn, she turned to her wallclock. "Huh... A party this early?" Suddenly feeling awake, she took a look back on the group of ponies again. "But... It's so quiet. A party should be loud and fun!" She giggled, and then gasped after a thought hit her. "I know! They must be waiting for me there!" She said excitedly as she went towards her drawer and pulled out her party cannon. "Nopony can have a party without Pinkie!"
As she hid her party cannon in her pink poofy mane, she hopped towards her room's door, grabbed the handle, twisted it, pulled the door open, and saw waving darkness on the other side.
Rainbow Dash groaned and shivered from the cold air that surrounded her. With an angry growl, she kicked herself into a sitting position on her cloud bed. Stretching her limbs as she yawned, she looked around and found her cloud still floating above the market place. She noticed the illuminated area near Henry's place, and wondered what was going on.
She spreads her wings wide open to fly, but stopped after hearing her name from an annoying filly down below. She didn't want to go down and meet her, but after another shiver from the cold, she flapped and glided down the market place and landed a few respectable hooves in front of a white filly, who was clearly very sleepy.
"What?"
"Uh..." Rarity yawned, which affected the rainbow-maned pegasus. "S-so sorry to wake you, Rainbow Dash, is just that..." she tapped her chin with her hoof as she turned around. "Could you and your pegasi friends remove this chilly weather please?"
Rainbow tilted her head on one side, clearly not understanding what the filly wants from her.
Rarity turned to her with a sleepy smile. "If it's not too much trouble, that is. The weather schedule in town hall says that tonight's supposed to be a clear warm evening." She shivered as she finished her sentence.
Rainbow shook her head. "We didn't do any of this weird weather stuff..." she turned around and noticed the weird darkness rippling. "...whatever this weird stuff is..."
The library's door swung open and an orange coated pegasus filly came out as she rubbed her sleepy eyes with a hoof. Other residents of the town also came out from their homes with candles and glowing horns.
"Whu-what's going on?" asked a pale-yellow unicorn colt as he came out from the library and stopped beside his elder sister.
Aurora shook her head. "I'm not really sure," she replied as she looked around, and noticed the rippling darkness.
A yellow pegasus filly woke up after soft white paws violently shook her sleeping head awake. COnvinced that the filly's awake, albeit startled, the white rabbit hopped and hopped on the bed, with his paws pointed outside the filly's door.
Wondering what her bunny was trying to say, she crawled out of her bed and walked out of her room as the rabbit hopped on her back.
"What is it, Angel?" the filly asked without removing her gaze on her living room, where her little animal friends were looking at each other with worried and scared faces. "What's wrong, everyone?"
Angel Bunny jumped off of her back and hopped towards the front door of her cottage. He jumped and jumped, trying to reach the handle to open the door. Fluttershy got the idea, and went towards the door and opened it.
She gasped. In front of her cottage was the dreadful Everfree Forest, and she noticed above the sea of leaves of the said forest has a strange rippling black stream-like thing was flowing from the trees, and headed towards the nearby town. She gasped once again, for Ponyville was completely covered by the darkness.
"Oh-oh my! What's going on!?" she exclaimed in her usual low voice.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
A very loud scream of a filly echoed all around town, making the wall of darkness ripple violently. The ghostly whispers became louder as a pink earth filly jumped out from her room's window, and landed in front of Sugarcube Corner without any clear signs of hurt.
Soon, the loud ghostly whispers became screeches as rays of darkness stretched towards the town, and some even tried consuming the fleeing and panicking ponies.
Pinkie Pie jumped to the side on time to avoid a fast ray of darkness that tried to take her. She dared a look, and saw the ground where she was exploded on the darkness' impact. Her eyes grew wide and her pupils shrunk from fear. She screamed as she started to flee away, dodging both ponies and darkness.
Henry casted a small brown barrier that surrounded him, Sonic and a few factory ponies, while those who weren't reached by the alicorn's barrier either ran away or casted their own barriers.
A loud crash echoed in the area. Looking around, Henry saw a ray of darkness came inside his home through the roof.
"Pearl!" he shouted as his mare cried in shock.
Young as he might be, but he was able to cast a powerful barrier that surrounded him and his elder sister, protecting them both from the rays of darkness that tried to...whatever it'll do to them.
As Rarity jumped left and right to avoid the rays of darkness, Rainbow Dash expertly dodged the rays as she took the air, and even managing to deliver an uppercut to an incoming ray. She dodged and punched a few more times before a realization hit her: the darkness can be physically touched. Thinking that it might be a useful information, she tried her best to fly low and yelled to anypony about the darkness being physical.
A brown beam exploded on impact, cutting the ray of darkness and freeing Pearl from its grip. With Henry's magic, he caught the falling blue earth pony and sets her down gently.
She hugged him, but immediately pushed him away and jumped back before a ray of darkness landed on the two of them. Henry ran beside her and casted a protective barrier around them as a rainbow-maned filly flew past them, yelling something.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie met up and ran together and turned inside an alleyway, which was a dead-end. Shocked, they quickly turned around and noticed a ray of darkness heading towards them. They hugged each other and screamed, only to expect nothing to happen. Daring their eyes open, they saw two adult unicorn ponies hammering the ray with wood and metal on their magical grip.
"Those..." Rarity spoke quietly, "those..."
Pinkie Pie, immediately catching what her companion was trying to say, grinned.
The pink filly galloped through the alley with her pink cannon in tow, making the white unicorn wonder where that even came from. Shaking her head to dismiss the question, she focused her magic on her horn and found something nearby, under the ground.
"Interrupting my beauty sleep, are we?" she asked coldly with a grin.
Sonic Wave flew and dodged the rays as he flew straight to the wall. He had an idea he wanted to test, and after he's within reach, he dove towards the wall with speed, his front hooves extended in front of his face. And as the filly yelled, the darkness really was physical. He hit the wall, creating a circular violent tide from the impact as it let out a loud screech.
Thinking that it cried from pain, SOnic punched and bucked the wall until a ray grabbed him and pushed him towards a roof hard, and even pushing him through to the floor.
The group of unicorns led their zebra companion to where they found the purple stone after a lot of convincing from the zebra. On the way, they met a large Manticore, which seemed to be scared and decided to ignore them as it continued to find itself a safe place to hide.
As they continued on their gallop, Zecora explained to the unicorn scholars that the stone they took was the very same stone she offered to the forest when she first arrived and decided to live in the forest. Though it made her wonder how and why the stone was found inside the cave, and not on her small altar that she made under a tree which was a bit far from her home.
They found the cave, where a stream of darkness was coming out and flying above the treetops. What really caught their attention was a small yellow pegasus filly standing near the cave's entrance with a small white rabbit.
Surprised and worried, the white unicorn, despite the danger, ran and pulled the filly away from the cave.
Rays of darkness came through the library, and grabbing the ponies inside. Seeing his mare pulled away from him, Daybreak enveloped the ray with yellow magic, and sent massive amounts of psychic energy, dropping him back on the ground outside the library. Without thinking, he grabbed a piece of wood and flung it towards the ray that took the white unicorn mare. Cutting through, Snow Flake fell towards the earth, only to be caught by Daybreak's yellow magic. As Snow Flake got back on her hooves, a ray of darkness consumed the yellow unicorn's head and pulled the pony upward.
Crying in surprise, Snow Flake grabbed her stallion's hind hooves with her front hooves, and tried her best to pull him back down.
After delivering an uppercut, a ray of darkness hit the rainbow-maned pegasus on her back, and pushed her towards the ground hard. Gasping, she squirmed to try and escape. The ray quickly pulled itself back, carrying the filly with it. As she cried for help, a loud explosion sound shut her ears down as she felt the ground. Lifting herself up, she saw the pink earth pony firing party materials on rays. She would thank her if only her rescuer didn't deafen her...
A very fast ray of darkness destroyed Henry's barrier, and consumed his entire head as the ray pulled him up. Pearl was about to try and rescue him when she felt something grabbed her hind hooves. Before she could react, the ray pulled her up.
A large green gemstone flew through the ray of darkness. Pearl landed on the ground, still a bit stunned to process what just happened.
Wasting no time, Rarity's gem flew back to her like a boomerang, and as soon as it returned, it quickly flung towards another ray, losing its grip on Henry.
A fierce yellow ray pass through the ray of darkness, losing its grip on Daybreak. Snow Flake quickly hugged him, and quickly broke the hug as another ray of darkness flew towards them.
A very small and very smooth and very fluffy white paw punched the stars out of the unicorn's head, losing his grip on the yellow pegasus filly.
As the unicorn landed on his back, they saw the end of the dark stream came out, leaving the cave safe to enter. The yellow pegasus suddenly found herself hiding behind her mane in shame from what her bunny did to the unicorn. Angel jumped and landed on her back and reminded her of the task at hoof.
As the unicorns helped their comrade get back on his hooves, Zecora quickly trotted and stopped in front of the pegasus filly.
"Whatever you are doing, my dear, please stop, and leave from here."
"Oh, but I must..." Fluttershy whispered as she hid her face behind her mane. "M-my friends... I need to help them..."
Zecora shook her head as the unicorns stood before the mouth of the cave along with the stone enveloped with magic. She turned to them, and with a nod, the unicorns entered the cave.
"You don't understand!" Fluttershy whined, "You're going to anger him! Please stop!" But her words were easily dismissed by the unicorns as they entered and illuminated the cave with their magic.
Zecora however, arched an eyebrow as she turned to the shivering filly.Him ', my child? Whoever ar---"
She was cut off after loud screams echoed out from the cave, making the pegasus filly jump and flap her wings and quickly flew inside the cave.
Darkness grabbed the white unicorn filly, and began pulling her up. As she screamed from fear, she lost her magical grip on her gemstone. Henry charged his horn with magic, and was about to fire to save the filly when a ray of darkness pushed him to the side and immediately pulled him as another ray consumed his entire head.
With an iron bar on her mouth, Pearl jumped and waved her weaponry, cutting the two rays in the process and dropping her stallion back on the ground. Before she could land, the two rays she attacked did not retract, but instead, pulled itself and grabbed the blue earth mare up.
Shaking the darkness off of his face, he locked his gaze on his mare and...two more rays of darkness grabbed him.
Unable to get through the colt's magical barrier, rays of darkness wrapped themselves around the barrier and began carrying the two foals up. Aurora panicked as Time tried to think of ways to escape. He could not perform two magic spells at once...
Purple and brown lights flashed inside the dark cave as unicorns were enveloped with black aura. The mysterious black magic disables their ability to either move or cast magic to save themselves.
A large black creature stood on the center of the circular part of the cave. It's height could almost reach the eight-meter height of the cave. It has front limbs resembling that of an ape, and hind limbs resembling that of a frog. It's large, transparent, crystal-blue dragonfly-like wings are extended left and right. It's serpent-like head has purple-glowing eyes as it concentrate it's magic on the unicorns, and also probably on the nearby town.
Zecora lost all words as she stood before the creature, completely frozen in fear. She snapped back to her senses when she saw the small filly...talking ...to it in a gentle voice. What even made her disbelieve what she is seeing is that the creature directed its gaze on her, somehow, paying attention.
"T-the stone...!" One of the unicorn stallions managed to whisper, making the zebra turn and face him. He tried his best to point his hoof at where the stone was dropped.
Following the hoof's direction, Zecora found the purple stone behind a large boulder.
Seeing his little brother and little sister being carried by the darkness, he enchanted his horn and was about to envelop the darkness with his magic when rays upon rays of darkness quickly flew towards him in every direction.
Pinkie Pie fired party items at a ray which was pulling Rainbow Dash up. After rescuing her again, a ray of darkness flew and grabbed the pink cannon. The pink filly was about to save her beloved cannon when another ray grabbed her hind hooves and pulled her on the opposite direction.
Hearing the pink filly's cry for help, Rainbow Dash viciously shook the darkness off of her and flapped her wings hard and kicked the ray. Not enough to cut it, she spun and...a ray consumed her entire body.
Picking the stone up, she slowly walked towards the filly as the eyes of the massive creature turned its attention on the zebra. Seeing the stone, the creature let out a growl, making the zebra stop on her tracks.
Curious, Fluttershy turned and saw the zebra with a purple stone on her hooves. She then felt her white rabbit jumping in place on her back. Turning over her shoulder, she saw Angel excitedly pointing his paws at the zebra.
Groaning that his mistress did not understand him -- again -- he jumped off of her back and hopped towards the zebra. He then jumped and pointed a paw on the stone she was carrying.
"Oh!" Fluttershy exclaimed, making Angel sigh in relief that she finally understood. The yellow filly turned to the creature once again with a gentle smile. "Is that the special rock that was stolen from you?"
"I didn't steal it!" the brown unicorn stallion exclaimed as the creature nodded it's serpentine head. "I found it lying ar---"
"Zip it or I'll report you to the instructor!" Hissed the white unicorn as he glared daggers at his companion. "You're the cause of all this, if you need me to remind you!"
Fluttershy turned to the zebra with a warm smile. "He wants it back. He said that it's special to him, saying that a...zebra..." she let out a quiet gasp, earning confused looks from Zecora, her bunny Angel, and the unicorns. "Y-you gave him that stone?"
Zecora blinked, and smiled as she nodded. "Indeed it was I, my dearest." She then faced the creature. "It was a gift I offered to the forest."
The creature slowly extends one of its hands at the uncertain zebra, as the unicorns were slowly lowered back on the ground. Opening its palms , Zecora placed the stone on it with a smile.
The darkness stopped in the small town of Ponyville, making the ponies stop and wonder what is going to happen next. Soon, gentle whispers echoed around the town as the rays lowered their catch back on the ground. And as the darkness began to retreat, soft rays of the rising sun began to bath the quiet, peaceful, and a bit destroyed town of Ponyville.
Big Macintosh and Applejack happily pulled a wooden wagon filled with grapes and Zap Apple Jam as they walk on the earthy path from their farm to Ponyville. But as they got closer, their usual happy smiles faded and replaced with confusion as they saw rooftops smashed, wood splinters on the ground, weakened ponies lying around, and a dizzy pink earth filly leaning on her party cannon, where inside the mouth of the cannon was Rainbow Dash's head poking out.
"Um... Pinkie Pie..." Applejack said, catching the pink filly's attention. "Ya might wanna turn your party skills down a bit." She smiled awkwardly as she let her eyes wander around once again. "If you keep this up, there won't be a town left."
Big Macintosh nodded in agreement, "Eeyup."
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash looked at each other lazily, and groaned.
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Prologue
Henry Hoof is the last of the brown-eyed changelings, disguised as a dark-green young adult alicorn pony, with brown mane and tale, and he wore black-framed glasses.
It's been a year now since Henry settled down in Ponyville. Despite him being a changeling, and everypony in Ponyville knew that fact, the ponyfolks still treated him like an ordinary pony.
So much has changed during that time. And as for Henry, living an ordinary life wasn't as boring as he thought it would be. Of course, he'll have to change the order of things so he won't be bored with a uniform daily or weekly routine.
He became the town's librarian. The first few weeks, he made some mistakes, but he learned and got the hang of it. He also read the available books in the library if he's not busy. He learned a lot since.
Little Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack attended school, and often times, he was asked to teach the young fillies in school as a substitute teacher, and that went for a month or two before Cheerilee decided to teach.
Henry also helped out in Sweet Apple Acres when he got nothing to do and bored of reading. Though little Applejack helps out, Big Macintosh appreciated his help all the time.
Since he swore to no longer leech pony's emotions for him to feed, he decided to eat like a normal pony. He became a regular customer in Sugar Cube Corner, where the little Pinkie Pie is helping around the place. She even takes care of the place if Mr. Cake is out for a date with a mare that 'stole his heart '.
Little Rarity is living by herself in Carousel Boutique. Her parents are always away, and for what reason, Henry doesn't know. He never got the chance to talk to her parents.fashion projects '. She even gave him a 'dazzling' cape one day. He uses it as a pillow case back home though.
He also lend a helping hoof in building Fluttershy's little cottage on the edge of Everfree Forest. He had to, since the little blue bird was forcing him to help. His newfound ability to use his magic other than leeching helped in building the cottage.
The little yellow pegasus filly was too young to watch for herself, so since no pony in Ponyville bothered to keep an eye on her, at least, that was what he thought, he payed her a visit from time to time and helped her out with the animals.
He went to Canterlot on the anniversary of his little sister's death. Her mother was there as well. They spent a few hours sitting in front of the stone tablet. Afterwards, she invited him over for lunch where they had a few small talks, and their small conversation continued even on their way to the castle, where he had the chance to read some more books with the little Twilight Sparkle. They read books about magic, which bored him to the extreme, but tried his best not to show his boredom to Twilight. They even held a little magic contest in the castle's garden where Princess Celestia and a number of royal guards became their audience. Of course, Henry had to lose. He knew his magic is powerful, but to the little filly's sake, he let her beat him. At least he got the chance to see a real life 'baby ' dragon, owned by Twilight. He is always afraid of dragons, since dragons once threatened to wipe the changeling race from existence a long time ago. He considered it a chance to 'face his fears '.
Now, one full year has gone by, and Henry is still willing to continue living an ordinary life. Though this year, things are going to be a bit different. He learned so much, and for him, it's about time to accomplish his little sister's dream; to write a book. He had already drawn the characters, the story, and the sequence of events. All he needs now is an experience of adventure so he can write it down, for the readers to feel the adventure, through reading.
He learned about an ancient relic castle near Fillydelphia, and that's where he wants to go for his...no...for 'their ' book; Daring Do And The Quest For The Sapphire Stone.
He could fly there, but he settled down on waiting. Not only does he prefer walking than flying, but he grew to like trains when he is going to Canterlot and back to Ponyville from time to time.
And finally, the day has come, and the announcement reached everypony in Ponyville that they can now travel to Fillydelphia. With his excitement under control, and things he needed are inside his sidebag, he took one big breath before walking inside the train.
Originally Written on July 8, 2012
Updates... - September 28, 2012 - Fixed Some Grammar Errors
The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 09 - Breaking The Limit
Chapter 9 - Breaking The Limit
Midnight and Daybreak left their gazes on the ceiling. They could not believe what they were seeing.
"Daybreak!"
"Don't waste your breath, boy."
Midnight turned to him in anger, dismissing the fear he's feeling at the device aiming at him.
He need to do something to fight back.
The black earth pony laughed at the unicorn's pathetic display.
"Stop it!"
Midnight, after jumping out of the way, bumped on the wall of the chamber, losing his balance.
He fired a ray of light, hitting the startled unicorn.
Daybreak quickly got up on his hooves after seeing his brother was in trouble.
Rose immediately took a folded metallic boomerang from her belt while in mid-air, and instantly unfolded and threw it at the griffin the moment she got back on the ground.
With the griffin's burning claws, he easily held the boomerang on his grasp, managing to melt the metal, but then a beeping, to the griffin's confusion, and just before he got the chance to react, the item he held exploded fiercely.
Rose could not see the conclusion of what happened from the black thick smoke that enveloped her foe.
But as quick as a blink, a fast cloud of flame flew towards the startled mare.
The white pegasus installed a meter long sharp sword-like claw on both his front hooves, giving Flame the message that talking this out is not an option.
Ember begged the pegasus to stop, but her pleads were simply ignored as the pegasus took flight, and after satisfied of the height, he dove straight at the two earth ponies, his hooves ready to cut them in two.
Flame has no idea how to counter, so he did the only thing he could think of at the moment...
"Darn it!"
The pressure of the water was too powerful, that if he didn't flew away on time, he'd probably hit the ceiling pretty hard.
Taking aim, he fired a brown bolt of beam towards the oricorn, but the sea pony swiftly dodged the attack, sliding on the watery surface of the area, slightly levitating from the water, the vortex still followed him.
"Dad! Stop this!"
"D-dad?"
The oricorn quickly summoned another geyser, which the alicorn managed to dodge again on time.
Henry took notice of the vanishing geyser, to the sea pony's advantage.
"HENRY!"
"Something's not right..."
Flame could not believe that he docked in time.
"Too close fo' comfort..."
The pegasus grinned.
He dove towards them as he wondered; would he kill them quickly so he could get it over with, or would he kill them slowly to enjoy himself?
Flame noticed the pegasus was flying lower this time, probably to get a higher chance of cutting him if he docks again.
Coal quickly ran away in panic.
Just before the pegasus could land his blades on him, Flame jumped towards him, higher than the startled pegasus.
The moment the pegasus was below the earth pony, Flame tried to grab the pegasus' mane, but the speed of the pegasus made him grab the tail instead.
The sudden carried weight slowed the pegasus' speed, and the sudden pain from the his pulled tail made him lose his balance, and both ponies fell back on the ground.
Daybreak, after satisfying himself with the amount of magic he focused on the spot outside the sphere, immediately surrounded himself with magic to teleport himself to his destination.
'No use... 'I suggest you reserve your energy, B---Daybreak... '
Confusion and anger sparked inside him as he tried to envelop himself with his own magic.
Fire and smoke cleared their respective areas, revealing a severely burned earth pony, still on her hooves, and a large griffin, forcing himself to bear the pain from losing a claw.
A bright red feather on the griffin's neck turned green.
Rose took this chance and threw another boomerang.
At least now she knew how to deal with him.
The black earth pony frowned.
He turned around, and was startled as he saw the unicorn's flank a few hooves in front of him, giving him a back kick.
Midnight quickly turned around to face his foe, his horn glowing intensely.
The unicorn grinned.
The earth pony was still startled as he stood up.
Midnight has already contentrated enough magic around his horn.
Startled as he noticed a flash of white on the corner of his eyes.
The old earth pony grinned as the unicorn looked at him with shock.
Henry was hit on his chest, throwing him towards the walls of the chamber.
The oricorn summoned a geyser just underneath the startled alicorn.
Pearl cried to her father to stop, but the oricorn tried his best to ignore her.
The oricorn quickly moved towards his prey, with his horn glowing intensely.
Despite his blurry vision, the alicorn could tell that the oricorn is fast approaching.
Henry is focusing his magic on the oricorn with his puppetry skill.
"W-what's this?"
Despite feeling sorry for her father's situation, Pearl felt really glad to see her alicorn was taking control over the battle.
If the alicorn was wearing his glasses, his clear vision would have seen the warning on the corner of his eyes.
"A changeling like you..."
Henry, with his blurry vision, looked at his attacker as he groaned in pain.
His poor eyesight managed to inform him that the oricorn he used his puppetry skill on was still in midair, but was already deforming into water, and it soon fell to the watery ground.
"...aqua mirage ...?"
"...able to perform Silver String's ability?"
"FATHER! NO!"
Henry, already too weak to keep his disguise, tried his best to stand back up.
Unknown to the pale-blue alicorn, the unicorn pony just opened his eyes, and a confident smile flashed on his face.
"So..." he quietly said to himself.
Flame quickly got back up and quickly ran in front of the pegasus.
That was only for distraction. The real attack, he immediately turned around, and gave him a double back kick, and this time, he exerted a lot of force on his attack, sending the pegasus flying and landing on the ground on his back.
Taking this opportunity, he once again ran and stopped in front of the pegasus' face, immediately lifted his front hooves, and with great force, he stomped on the two sword-like blades with each his hooves.
He overheard his beloved earth pony and her brother cheering for him.
The pegasus however, flew up in the air, just in time to avoid the earth pony's hooves.
Flame was not expecting the pegasus would do the dive attack again.
Flame lay on the ground a few hooves in front of the sphere.
The pegasus, still in the air, removed whatever was left of his weapon from his hooves with annoyance, yet he grinned.
Now that the shepherd is gone, it's time to deal with the sheep, he thought as he lay his eyes on the crying little filly, trying to wake the pale-red earth pony.
Even though the griffin was not using any fire attacks, Rose still finds him a difficult foe to beat.
Taking the feather off of the griffin wasn't as simple as she thought it would be.
And Daybreak's yellow magic light is distracting her at some point.
She jumped to the side just in time before the griffin's wings or talons could give her another wound.
This time, this boomerang exploded, and instead of a boomerang, a wide net flew towards the griffin.
She was about to sit down to catch her breath when the griffin started to burn, snapping the net, and setting the burning griffin back in the air.
She cursed. She should have taken the feather!
She jumped back to get away from the griffin's burning tackle.
The black changeling turned white, and instantly, he vanished from the spot, startling the oricorn, losing his focus on the other oricorns under his magic. The other two oricorns immediately became water, and created a splash as they hit the wall.
The oricorn turned around to witness the changeling just got his glasses on his face.
The changeling summoned a bit of magic around his glasses so they will not fall off again.
He dodged a beam of magic from the sea pony.
He's too weak to use his magic now.
The pegasus grabbed the little filly by his mane, lifting him to his eye-level.
This is too easy.
Then, he felt something grabbed his hind hoof.
"Let...him go..."
His condition has only widened the pegasus' grin.
"Flame...!"
Midnight landed on his back after receiving another punch.
The doctor laughed maniacly before he vanished, only to reappear far away from the unicorn.
'Darn it! 'How am I suppose to win? '
Henry found himself trapped inside a tornado of water. The water spun fiercely fast, making his heart race in fear.
Focusing a bit of magic, he managed to surround himself with magic, to try and shield himself as he plans to get through the torrent of water, but he was too weak to hold his magic to form a barrier around him.
The magic energy around himself exploded outward, creating an invisible shockwave which instantly evaporated the tornado of water.
He blinked.That'll do .'
He caught a small glimpse of his friends on the images being flashed on the ceiling.
'Wielders of the elements... '
'...how...are we suppose to win...with these...? '
He heard his sea pony's voice, crying out his name, but he could no longer find the strength to even stand up, or even move.
Daybreak was now satisfied with the intense amount of magic energy that is flowing inside and around him.
But the wave of powerful magic bounced back towards him after it hit the walls of the sphere, enveloping his entire body with powerful pain instead, that he couldn't even manage to scream the pain out.
'...I told you so... '
Rose threw another boomerang, landing on the griffin's burning wing, and exploded on impact.
Now's her chance.
She ran as fast as her weakened body could, and locked her eyes on the feather.
Vines wrapped her hooves, her neck, and her body, dropping her on the ground as the griffin slowly got back to his feet.
"You can't keep this up forever, boy!"
Midnight admitted to himself that he could not keep his barrier up for long.
Midnight stared at the pegasus he's trying to save, and the pegasus locked her teary eyes on him as well.I made a promise... A promise... A stupid promise... '
'...that one day...we could live...together...forever... '
'...to live in peace...to love...each other... '...but...I'm too weak... '
'...I couldn't even protect myself... '...Elements of Harmony...what garbage... '
Rose was starting to lose her consciousness, her lungs burning the desire for air.
She couldn't believe it...that after all this trouble...she would end here...
Rose... You have lost your parents at a very young age.
"I do not wish to talk about my past."
The past hurt, does it not? But you should try to dismiss your past. It will help you turn into the proper 'you'.
"...it did."
No, you did not. You turned into someone you shouldn't be. Yes, the past is difficult to let go, but you should learn to l---
"Let it all go!? Are you insane? Those criminals killed my parents, and you want me to just let it go!?"
...the past, yes, I think it did helped you carry such anger, turning you into a mare you should not have become.
"Those fools needed someone to bring them to justice!"
...why not leave tha---
"Leave them to the authorities!? Ha! The very same 'authorities' who got paid so the ponies who murdered my parents would not get into prison!? F*ck that!"
...just...let it go...
"And why should I?"
...because you have turned far away from the truth.
"What truth?"
...the truth of who you really are.
"Just shut up if you're talking nonsense."
...I am indeed not talking nonsense, child.
"Then what are you saying?"
...the simple truth. Live your life to the fullest. Stop living with a lie...
"Living a lie? I fail to follow."
...you have been living your entire life as...BatMare... A pony who brings justice to ponies who needs to be judged. That is not---
"Not the real me? I chose to be who I am, and the city needed someone to bring those fools behind bars!"
...if you won't step out of the path of shadows, you will never see the light of truth...
"I plan to be who I am until I can no longer be."
...you...are not qualified...
'Maybe you can reconsider? '
Despite losing her consciousness, she felt as though time slowed down, allowing her to talk to the voice inside her mind.
"Who...? "
'...I admit, I'm hurt... You forgot about me all that quickly? You have been wearing me all this time, just to give you a hint... '
"The Element...of Honesty...? "
'Indeed, it is I. '
"...I'm...dying... Go bother...someone else... "
'...yes, I can feel that you are on the brink of death. So... '
"...Have...have I been...really...living on a lie...? "
'Well, in all honesty, no. But you do live almost all of your life as someone whom you are not. BatMare is...a fictional character, created by pony's creative imagination. You did a good job of bringing that to life, but that is not you. Of course, avenging your parents' deaths is understandable, but you need to learn to let go and move on. Sure, they're gone, but they will still be inside your heart, guiding you to the right path. '
"...You talk as if you know how it feels... "
'...let me share a short story from a very long story. We of the Elements of Harmony used to be living beings. '
"...Oh? "
'...we helped Princesses Celestia and Luna bring peace in Equestria, but unfortunately, that was no easy task. With the princesses' magic, they materialized our souls into the elemental stones. So don't you dare tell us we don't know how it feels to be alive. '
"...I'm...sorry... "
'...I...suppose I could accept your apology. Now then, why don't we start from the beginning, shall we? '
Midnight was lying on the ground. His body, full of bruises, his eyes, both were closed.
"What a sad sight."
'You're not dead yet, are you? '
"I...might as well be... "
'Oh, you compared me to garbage... That was not really a kind thing to say... '
"I...suppose...watching me to die...is a kind thing...to do, huh...? "
'S-sorry... I couldn't help you if one of us couldn't accept one of you to wield us... '
"One of us...? "
'Yes. But now, I think he can accept her now... '
"Her...? Rose...? "
'But...I'm sorry... With your current state... I can't... '
"...garbage... "
'Hey, hey! '
"Hhhhhh..."
'Hey! Don't you dare die! '
"..."
'Flame! '
The black changeling was pushed towards the sphere by a fierce beam from the oricorn's horn.
He dropped himself on the watery ground in front of the sphere.
Pearl cried out the changeling's name as she began to tackle and punch the sphere to escape and do her best to help her beloved.
Henry was no longer moving.
'Henry... '
"I...could use...some help... "
'I'm sorry... I wish I could, but you are no longer in good shape... '
"...I see... I'm...good as dead then? "
'No! Don't give up so quickly! '
The oricorn stood in front of the weakly-lying alicorn, still surrounded by his vortex of water.
He shifted his stare to his daughter, his crying daughter, desperately trying to set herself free.
Did the changeling do something to make his daughter act like this?
A sudden torrent of anger fueled the oricorn's bloodstream as he immediately focused all of his magic power on his horn, levitating the changeling in the air.
"DAD!"
The oricorn ignored her.
"I LOVE HIM!"
The oricorn gasped, completely losing his magic from his horn, dropping the levitated changeling back on the ground.
"Oh, look at that..."
Ember was crying. She could no longer bring herself to look at either of the two ponies who tried to rescue her.
The pegasus grabbed the filly's mane and lifted him up.
Despite his weak and beaten body, Coal managed to weakly half-open one of his eyes, and slowly lands his gaze on his big sister.
Oh, how she wished she didn't.
Coal weakly flashed a small smile.
"Aw... Ain't that sweet?"
Ember doesn't know if she could still shout, but...
"Not yet, just one...last...punch."
Coal's necklace glowed brightly white, and quickly enveloped the little filly's entire body.
Even as an element, Honest is still taking a lot of time to prepare himself...
"H-huh...?"
Oh, Coal. It's nothing. Anyway, with the five of us now fully accepted all of you, it's time.
The white pegasus took a few steps back, one of his front hooves in front of him to cover his eyes from the bright light coming from the little filly.
"Uh...wha...?"
Flame was not sure if he's seeing things, but he could see his blood, flowing back inside of him through his wound instead of the other way around, and he was regaining his strength.
'You scared me for a moment there, Flame... '
Flame blinked. This was no dream.
"Flame! Thank Celestia, you're okay!"
Flame turned to meet her eyes.
Both earth ponies were surprised to Flame's necklace, which suddenly began to shine brightly white.
A beam of light came out of nowhere, and hit the earth pony.
Rose wasn't sure if this comforting sensation was because she's already dead, or something else, but she was betting on the former.
'Guess again... '
The voice of the element irritated her.
"Wh-what's happening...?"
'Laughter's grand entrance. Took her a while, though... '
Rose, somehow, found a strange reason to smile at that.
She looked at the griffin a few meters away. He was covering his eyes from the light with his clawed foot.
She brought her attention to the griffin as the light around her began to fade.
'Oh? Why is that? '
"So I can get back to my life."
'Your life...? '
Rose smiled.
The griffin was glad the light was bearable now, but as soon as he brought his foot back on the ground, the earth pony's necklace began to glow in white, making him cover his eyes once again.
The black earth pony stopped as he noticed a bright light was shining from behind him.
Midnight wasn't really sure what was going on, but as long as he can stand up and continue to fight...
The unicorn quickly dashed towards the black earth pony, stabbing his horn on the earth pony's chest as he brought all of his strength on a headbutt, throwing the earth pony back with a stab wound.
"Sorry, pops, but you are so f*cked now!"
'Sigh... That was not a very kind thing to say... '
"Oh? So now what? Be kind to my enemies who tried to beat me to death? "
'...Good...point... '
"So, the elements have activated?"
"Hey pops, guess what?"
Finally, he saw Aurora smiling once again.
'You could do that... '
"No! Ponies who don't show kindness to other ponies must be taught a lesson!"
He was about to blast the doctor a mighty blast of energy beam, but his necklace suddenly shined brightly white.
"W-what the...!?"
'Sigh... Unkind words for a kind action... I don't think I can get used to that... '
"You...love...this changeling...?"
Pearl was exhausted from trying to set herself free from the sphere, but she still continued, but now, her tackles and pounds deliver no power.
"Pearl!?"
"He did!"
"Nonsense, child!"
"Everything I ASKED!? You weren't there when I had a bad dream!"
"Child, we only did that---"
"And then you want me to be someONE I'M NOT FOR A PONY I HATE! YOU WANT ME TO BE WITH A PONY I HATE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! THAT IS NOT WHAT I HAVE ASKED FOR MY LIFE!"
"Ch...uh..."
Pearl once again locked her gaze to her father.
The chamber was quiet for a while.
Both sea ponies noticed a shining light from the chamber's ceiling, but none payed any attention to it.
"I'm..." the oricorn started, but...
"No... I can't forgive you..."
Silence of sadness once again reigned.
The silence broke after they heard a series of coughs, not from the sea ponies, but from the changeling.
"Henry!"
Henry groaned weakly, as he tried to stand up, but after he did, he fell back to the ground, but before he could meet the watery ground again, a magic force stopped him, and brought him back on his hooves.
Henry no longer had any idea what was going on.
The oricorn looked at him, his face a mix of sadness, anger, confusion and shame.
Henry was not sure if he should answer his question.
Pearl smiled slightly, trying her best to reflect the changeling's smile.
The light from the ceiling faded.
'Laugh's healing magic doesn't affect changelings!? That's just sad... '
Henry ignored the element's voice.
"You...showed me mercy...?"
Henry smiled, and shook his head.kill ...you... I was hoping there was another way to stop you, and I thought the element could help me with that... That's why I tried to wait."
'Please excuse me to say that your idea was definitely a stupid idea. '
Henry looked up at the ceiling. He wanted to see his friends' condition.
The sea ponies looked up as well.
The changeling smiled.corrupted ...ponies. But I believe there is another way to change them."
The unicorn hidden in the shadows smiled.
"Stay loyal to those you care."
"Always bring a warn smile to everywhere you go."
"Live your life with honesty."
"Be kind to every pony."
"The Elements of Harmony..."
The changeling brought his gaze back on the oricorn, who was already staring at him, with a weak smile.
"You should be willing to help those in need, share your blessings, and assist those who need help."
The three were startled after the changeling's necklace began to shine in bright white light.
'I never knew a changeling could be so dramatic... '
"So... Do you think the five of us can do it?"
"Sad that Magic isn't around to help us."
"I agree. It would be almost like the good old times."
"Sigh... Oh well. Even without him, I believe we are enough."
"I think my wielder's foe is no longer willing to fight us."
"Really? The oricorn?"
"Yes. So I'm just going to sit back and watch the show."
"Hey, hey, you're being unfair!"
"I'd like to see it as...you four are being unfair. I'm missing all the action..."
"Hahah, good point. Too bad for you."
"Okay, let's do it, then."
The bright white flash faded, revealing a dak-blue unicorn, wearing a mighty white armor around his body. He opened his eyes to see his frightened foe, taking a few steps back.
"Doctor Magnifico Psycho."
Before the griffin was a yellow earth pony, now wearing a blue-plated armor around her body. She opened her eyes to see the startled griffin.
"Helios the Sixth. Ruler of the Northern Griffins."
The pegasus returned his hoof on the ground after the light faded.
Flame and Coal were standing tall, proud and confident. Both ponies now wore full armor.
"Sonic Wave."
"You have brought pain and suffering to the hearts of your victims. You have poisoned their reason to believe in the future. You have given them the pain to thicken the walls in their hearts. Ponies like you, no longer value change and acceptance, must not be allowed to continue to hurt another. Your hearts are full of darkness. Your minds are full of evil. We, the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, and the spirits of the Elements, will put you in your proper place!"
The four wielders of the elements said in unison.
"S-Sonic...Wave...?"
The three ponies screeched in pain.
The doctor managed to reach his hoof with his other, and started pushing some buttons.
"Coward."
The other two now have fallen into unconsciousness.
They then slowly walked towards the spheres.
Reaching the spheres, they used their magic around it, and soon, the sphere slowly disappeared, allowing freedom to the imprisoned ponies.
Soon, the ponies' glowing eyes returned to normal, and the four instantly brought a hoof to rub their aching heads.
A green alicorn wearing a full blue armor was facing the sphere, his glowing eyes slowly fading after the sphere disappeared, allowing the water and the pony inside to be set free.
"Ow..."
Realizing that her Henry Hoof has returned, she jumped towards him and gave him a tight hug as she cried.
The startled alicorn returned the hug, rubbing her beautiful long mane.
The oricorn could still not believe his daughter was in love with a changeling. There has to be something going on here, but, he's an expert on magic, and even he can tell if a changeling is using magic on itself or on others.
Love...truly is a weird emotion...
He returned his gaze at the two, and saw them in the middle of their passionate kiss.
The doctor coughed a bit before he faced the oricorn.
"Ah, my friend. It's---"
The oricorn sighed.
"Then what is all of that!?"
The oricorn was now reflecting the doctor's anger.
"Nonsense!"
The oricorn, despite his anger, nodded in agreement.
The doctor laughed.
The brain does need water to function properly.
"Don't you dare talk to my father like that!"
"Oh?"
Henry walked and stopped beside the oricorn, providing himself a little distance to avoid the oricorn's swirling water.
"This sea pony beside me has the heart to see his actions."
The oricorn couldn't believe the alicorn is willing to fight for him, despite everything he has done.
"Unlike you, who is blind to see the power of harmony and friendship the Elements hold!"
"Don't make me laugh, boy!"
The alicorn and the oricorn heard Pearl's gasp from behind them.
The doctor laughed maniacly.
Henry could not believe how stupid he was for leaving Pearl there alone.
The oricorn, despite his strong magic, found himself useless in this situation.
"Gah...!"Mind control...? '
Henry was using his puppetry skill, but then, he felt a sudden rush of magic energy inside him.
The doctor's entire body was enveloped in white, and began to levitate in the air, still unable to move.
"Doctor Magnifico Psycho."
The doctor looked at him with fear.
"Death will suffice your wrong-doing, but it is also a severe punishment. Allowing you to continue to live will be too generous. Allow me to let you taste what its like to be taken something from you."
The two ponies glowed in white, and soon, the light faded.
"T-thanks..."
The chambers began to shake, and it soon stopped.
A sudden cold wind greeted them, and reminded them that the chamber was slowly starting to freeze.
Flame carried the unconscious pegasus on his back as he, Ember and Coal walked up the stairs.
Rose began to walked up the stairs, who was followed by Daybreak who was using his magic to carry the heavy griffin.
Midnight and Aurora walked up the stairs.
Henry used his magic to levitate Pearl as they went up the stairs.
He used his magic to carry the black earth pony and began to follow them.
The ponies have no idea how they reached a dark place, where a little light was the only thing that made them identify each other.
At first, they were all quiet.
Henry broke the silence.
Flame, Coal and Ember smiled as they nodded their heads.
They suddenly heard hoofsteps from somewhere.
What the ponies, and even the elements, didn't expect to see, was the unicorn was wearing a same kind of necklace.
"Welcome..."
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The Adventures Of Henry Hoof In Equestria
Chapter 21 - PonyVille Diaries - Fourth of Many
Chapter 21 - PonyVille Diaries - Fourth of Many
The New Kid In Town
"Good morning, class!"
"g'Morning Miss Cheerilee!"
The room has a wide black (green) board on the north-side of the room, where the teacher usually writes about his or her discussions and other things for teaching. The east side of the room has an open doorway for entrance and exit, windows for fresh cool air to enter, and bookshelves for references in study. The west side only has windows and bookshelves and charts. The south side of the room has posters and reminders and pinboards on the wall. The room also consisted of rows and columns of chairs and desks for students.
"Before we'll start out lesson for today," Cheerilee said with her usual bright and hearth-warming smile as she trotted to her desk, "I would like everypony to welcome our new student," she turned and extended a hoof towards the door, "Golden Time."
A sad looking, head-hanging-low, pale yellow coated, black-colored mane and tail, unicorn colt slowly went inside with nervous hooves. After taking a few steps inside, he stopped, and slowly lifted his head to look at his new environment.
He saw the walls, the bookshelves, the desks, the chairs. But what really caught his attention were the ponies. Everypony, well, almost, were looking at him with very warm smiles. The unicorn colt blinked, somehow forgetting his nervousness as a smile formed on his dry lips.
"H-hi...everypony..." Golden Time greeted as he awkwardly lifted a hoof and slowly waved it at them.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" exclaimed a pink earth filly as she began bouncing on her chair, smiling pretty darn wide with eyes sparkling like stars as she stared at the new student.
"Now Pinkie---eh?"
She grabbed his hooves and began dancing in circles as she hopped and jumped and exclaimed how happy she was to meet a new pony. Golden Time was getting dizzy.
Golden Time kept on spinning on the spot with swirling eyes. Soon, his spin slowed and stopped, and he openly welcomed the school's wooden floor's embrace.
Pinkie Pie then quickly looked at the wallclock above the black board, completely ignoring the sighs and weak laughs of her classmates.
"C-could you uh..." Golden Time spoke, wobbling a bit, "...stop going in circles, please?"
Pinkie giggled, "Silly, I'm not circling around! Something's wrong with your eyes!"
She shook his head a bit before letting it go. After a few wobbles, he stood still and shook his head. He let out a breath of relief after everything in his vision is back to normal.
"Uh...thanks?"
She happily extends a hoof towards him.
"Now Pinkie," Cheerilee spoke, "shouldn't the class introduce themselves instead?"
"Great idea!" she shouted as she leaped in the air and dashed back to her chair.
'Goldy...? '
The rest of the fillies and colts introduced themselves. After the last one introduced himself, Golden Time blinked in confusion as he turned to the teacher.
"Yes, Golden Time?"
"Uh, I was just wondering... Why aren't there any pegasi here?"
Cheerilee was about to answer when an orange earth filly spoke first.
"The pegasi have flying classes t'day," said the orange earth filly.
Golden Time smiled at her and nodded, "thanks, uh, Applejack, right?"
Applejack nodded.
"Now why don't you find a seat and settle down."
Golden Time nodded and walked his way towards an empty seat. He settled down on the fourth row of seats, beside a white unicorn filly on his left and a caramel earth colt on his right. Both were staring at him, which made him feel uncomfortable.
"Um... This seat isn't taken yet, right?" he asked innocently, receiving the two ponies' shaking heads.
The earth pony spoke first with a grin, "nah, but watch out for that white unicorn."
"I beg your pardon," the white unicorn with a blue stylish mane and tail hissed, "but I do not and will not turn anypony into something they do not want."
Golden Time turned to her, "Rarity, right?"
"Don't talk to her, dude," he said, ignoring the death glare of the white unicorn, "and if I were you, I'd find a seat away from her."
She was not liking that colt at all. Ever since classes resumed when spring came, he has been doing nothing but to make her angry. She turned her head forward with closed eyes with her snout raised.
His grin grew wider.
Golden Time turned to the filly with a small smile.
She turned to him with a small smile, ignoring the caramel colt's rolling eyes.
He flashed an awkward smile, though Rarity didn't see it, and he then turned to the caramel-coated colt. The colt flashed him a knowing smile, and he returned in writing down notes.
'Well, ' Golden Time thought as he levitated his newly bought notebook and pencil from his saddlebag and settled them down on his desk, 'everypony has their differences, I guess... '
It was recess time, and every filly in class were outside to enjoy the warm clear day as they played and talked to each other. Little ponies were on swings, some were playing tag, others were playing jacks, and other things.
Cheerilee was seated on her chair inside the school building. On the other end of her desk was a yellow earth mare and a blue earth stallion, and both were seated on stools. The three ponies were discussing about a certain unicorn.
"He's a very intelligent unicorn," Cheerilee spoke with her usual calm voice, "he was able to answer questions and was able to explain to class a few things or two."
"That's our Golden Time," the yellow mare said with a smile, and she followed it with a chuckle.
The three turned to the windows, where outside, they saw the pale-yellow unicorn colt, playing tag with other ponies. He was currently chasing an orange earth filly with three red apples as her cutie mark, and both were clearly having a great time. Running pass a gray earth colt, Time skidded to a stop, made a sharp turn, and immediately dashed towards the startled colt. He didn't have the time to avoid Time's hoof that touched his shoulder.
"He's been really down, ever since his pegasus friend was abducted a few months ago..."
"At least we can clearly see that he's happy now."
The yellow mare nodded in agreement as a small smile formed on her lips.
"Don't worry," Cheerilee said, "I'll be sure to make him feel welcomed and loved."
The two ponies nodded.
"Thanks, Miss Cheerilee," said the blue pony.
Cheerilee waved a hoof at him.
The blue earth pony shrugged.
Cheerilee rolled her eyes. She then pulled her drawer and took a few pieces of paper from inside. She placed them on the desk in front of the couple.
The couple took the first two pieces of paper on the top of the files.
Rose and Angle took the pen which Cheerilee was hoofing, and after signing the papers, Cheerilee took the papers back and put them inside a brown folder on the right side of her desk.
"Thank you, Miss Cheerilee."
"Oh, it's no problem, really," Cheerilee smiled at them, "I'll send these papers to the principal after class."
"Bye, Miss Cheerilee!"
Cheerilee waved a hoof at the little ponies who were slowly working their way out of the classroom. Outside, Golden Time and Applejack were walking towards one of the picnic tables near a tall tree in the school's yard. On the seats were Pinkie Pie and a gray earth colt, chatting and laughing until they noticed the two of them approaching. Pinkie waved a hoof at them, and the colt turned to see them climbing on the seats.
"So," Pinkie started, "how's your first day of school in Ponyville?"
Time smiled at her.
Applejack and Pinkie Pie, who were seated side by side, blinked at him, twice.
"I mean that, uh, classes are only during the mornings? No afternoon schedule?"
"Sorry 'bout that, sugarcube..."
"'Sugarcube ...?"
Applejack waved a hoof at him to dismiss the thought.
"Oh," Time scratched his nape, "I guess that makes sense, but uh..."
Applejack shrugged.
Pinkie Pie nodded.your party!"
"Do you have to give me a party, Pinkie?" he asked.
The fillies shared a chuckle, and Pinkie spoke first, "Don't be silly! You're new, and every pony who's new in town deserves a Pinkie Party~!" she sang.
"Yep," the gray colt nodded in agreement, who was seated beside Golden Time, "even I was given a Pinkie Party when my parents and I moved here from Fillydelphia."
"What's it like, Boulder?" Time whispered.
"Hey!" Pinkie shouted, catching both colt's attention.
The gray colt smiled and gestured to zip his mouth with a hoof.
"Aw..." Time pouted.
"Anyway, sugarcube," Applejack got his attention, "what are ya be doin' this afternoon?"
Time blinked.
"Where is he?" asked Boulder, "Will he be here to get you?"
Time shook his head with a smile.
"Dude..." Boulder playfully punched the unicorn's shoulder.
Time blinked twice.
Pinkie rolled her eyes.
"Oh, uh, I didn't know that..."
"Then what are you sittin' 'round here for?"
"Yeah! Go to him!" Pinkie cheered.
Boulder nodded his agreement.
Golden Time had no idea where he was going. When he was inside the train, Ponyville looked really small, but now, he wondered how big the town really was. The first half hour of walking, he convinced himself to look around the edge of town, but then he realized that it was almost noon. Maybe his father went back to town for lunch?
He began asking the ponies he met along the earthy path. If his dad is well-known, then it should be easy to find him if he asks for directions. Unfortunately, the "go straight, and turn right when... " and "when you see the building called... turn right and... " directions he got from other ponies were too difficult to remember if almost all builings in town looked exactly alike.
"Hey little brother," called a young female voice from behind him.
Golden Time turned around and saw an orange pegasus filly approaching him with a warm smile, which was completely contrasting his tired frown.
Her smile became weak after she noticed how tired he was.
Despite feeling very hungry, Time managed to eat like a proper pony. Aurora led him to Sugarcube Corner, and they ordered a few unsweetened bread products and ate on the tables outside the establishment.
"Here you go!"
"Thanks Pinkie," said Aurora as she took a sip from the straw.
His sister's smile was enough for Time to know that it was a very good drink. He followed suite, and his eyes brightened.
"I'll take that as a sign that I did a great job at making my first grape juice!"
"It's really delicious, Pinkie," Time smiled at her.
"Nah~ah~ah~!" she waved a hoof at him.
"So," Aurora said with a smile, making her little brother look at her as he took a sip through the straw.
"M-hmm..." he replied, not removing his lips from the straw.
Aurora chuckled.
Hearing that, Golden Time wanted to know what a Pinkie Party was like. His chance to ask her was gone in the instant when the pink earth filly leaned her head outside the door and gave the orange pegasus a scary glare, and slowly moved her lips, quietly sending the two of them the message "no spoilers". Afterwards, she smiled and went back to work.
"I guess you're going to have to find out on your own, Time," Aurora said with an apologetic smile. She then gave him a wink, "but I could tell you one thing about it: it'll be fun."
Aurora and Golden Time walked out of the edge of town, and were now heading to a hill near the feared Everfree Forest. The hill had earned the name 'Sonic Hill ', because that hill was where Sonic Wave teaches the town's young pegasi ponies. They reached the top, but found nopony there, except for a low-hanging cloud a few hooves above them, with a rainbow tail dangling on one of the edge of the white fluffy cloud. A soft set of snores could be heard from it.
As Aurora turned her head around, trying to spot anypony else, Golden Time fixed his gaze on that rainbow tail with disbelieving eyes.
"Rainbow Blast? Who's that?"
To answer her question, Golden Time pointed a hoof towards the cloud. Aurora looked up, and then back to him.
"That's Rainbow Dash..."
Hearing her name, the rainbow-maned filly groaned and turned. She was sure that she was already asleep earlier. She heard a colt's voice said her name...or rather, questioned her name. Wait, somepony doesn't know her? Taking a deep breath, she stood on all four, stretched her hooves and wings, wiped the drool on her mouth, and she finished it with a crack on her neck. She then flapped her wings and glided down and landed in front of the two ponies.
"Hi Rainbow Dash," Aurora greeted the sleepy-looking pegasus filly.
Rainbow waved a hoof to dismiss the apology.
"Oh, uh..." Time shook his head a bit, sighed, and hung his head low.
"Hey," Rainbow spoke again, making the colt look at her, "why the long face?"
Time took a breath and sighed.Angle and Rose were probably right. Maybe it was time to move on, but, it's just too difficult to lose a best friend... '
"Heh," Rainbow smirked, "nice to meet'cha."
Aurora rolled her eyes, "yeah right..."
"Don't be such a kill-joy, Aurora," Rainbow replied with a smile as she landed in front of them.
"I'm looking for my dad," Time replied, "have you seen him?"
"Er..." Rainbow stared at him boredly, "you need to be more specific than that, dude."
"Oh, uh, sorry..."
Rainbow raised a brow.too specific."
"It's complicated, Dash," Aurora said, "so, you've seen him?"
"Of course I did," she replied flatly, "he's our instructor, duh. And he's your dad too. Haven't you seen him?"
"I haven't seen him since he flew here earlier this morning."
Rainbow shrugged.
"Gee," Aurora said lamely, "thanks for being specific, Rainbow..."
"Hey," the cyan pegasus spoke, "I'm not going to be following his tail wherever he flies to, y'know. Even though he's cool and all, I have my own things to worry about."
"Like napping...?"
"Hey, practice is tiresome, and I need my sleep! Heck, everypony needs sleep!"
"Whatever," Aurora shook her head, "thanks anyway."
Time nodded, and Aurora began walking down the hill towards town. He turned to the yawning cyan pegasus.
"Time for me to hit the clouds, heh heh, get it?"
That was a lame joke, Time noted, but he smiled, nonetheless.
Rainbow shrugged, "Nah, don't worry about it."
"We met in school, yeah," he shrugged, "do you know her?"
Rainbow smirked.
He noticed a small cottage near the far-edge of the forest, and Rainbow Dash seemed to be flying towards it.
"She's kinda weird..."
Sonic Wave was not at home, and Sunset doesn't know where he is. Time was no longer sure if he still wants to go and look for him. Why was he looking for him, anyway?
Remembering that she needed to go to the library, Aurora said her goodbyes and flew towards the giant library tree.
Convinced that he was looking for his dad for no reason at all, he decided to stay at home and help his step-mom in doing chores. It also granted him the chance to get to know the dark-orange pegasus mare, and for her to know him as well. They asked and answered some light questions as they went on with the chores. It only took them half an hour or so for them to complete their chores. Both ponies then settled down on the comfy bluish-white sofa in the living room. They sat with a respectable distance, and in silence. Time simply stared at the round glass table in front of them with no thoughts in mind.
"Something wrong, dear?"
Golden Time shook his head slightly.
"Well, how about homework?"
"Already finished them before school ended..."
"Hang out with friends?"
"Applejack and Pinkie Pie said they're both busy. Boulder is as well."
"Well, how about your other friends?"
Time put a hoof on his cheek as he thought about the other ponies he knew in Ponyville.
"How about Angle and Rose?"
"They told me that they're going back to Manehattan when recess was over. They promised that they'll pay me a visit from time to time."
"Well, anypony else?"
He tapped his forehead, deep in thought.
'Wow... I can't believe she actually owns this place... '
The white spacious place was home to different kinds of fabric which were rested on wooden shelves on corners of the place. A large curtain hung from the ceiling to the ground, covering the dressing room. Mannequins were stood in line on a corner. Pieces of sketching paper were stuck on a wall inside an office-like room with a large table in the middle. A staircase leading to the second floor. Another room for the dining area, and another for a large bathroom. And layers of scattered papers and fabrics lying around the floor near a small wooden table where the little white unicorn filly was trotting over.
"So so sorry about the mess, Golden Time," Rarity said as she got to her sewing machine beside the wooden table.
He shook his head with a smile.
"Oh, you flatter me," Rarity said with a small blush as she continued to sew, "it's nothing, really."
Time quickly faced her with shock.
The white filly replied with a smile and took a few seconds before returning to her work.
"Oh, but uh---"
"And besides," Rarity cut him off, "I'm sure I'll be able to finish these a few days early."
Golden Time blinked.
"Oh, but of course!"
"Er, sure," he scratched his nape, "I...guess?"
Rarity, upon reaching the unicorn colt, began levitating the measuring tape around him. She jotted down the measurements on her notepad as she murmured the numbers in an almost non-understandable blabber. Completing her task, she nodded her thanks with a smile and began trotting back to her sewing machine with her items floating behind her. She removed the pieces of sewed fabric on the machine and rested them on a nearby mannequin. She then turned to face him.
"Oh, uh..." he let his eyes wander around the different colors of fabric in the room.
Rarity brought a hoof on her chin as she thought about what the colt just said. She returned her hoof on the ground with a smile and a nod.
Rarity became busy with making Golden Time's 'suit ', as she called it. She was too busy that she could hardly even remember that the pale-yellow unicorn colt was around. He politely excused himself before leaving her boutique, and he was now on his way to town hall. On the way, he asked for directions, until the establishment came into view.
He went inside and noticed the warm atmosphere in the area. Wooden chairs and desks were neatly and orderly placed for ponies to work. A staircase leading to the next floor on the right, and on the far-end of the room was the mayor's office. He spotted the pony he was looking for, and went towards the desk near the window. As he got closer, the yellow unicorn stallion looked to him and smiled.
"Hi Time," Daybreak greeted the colt as he reached him.
Golden Time smiled and happily accepted his older brother's hoof patting his head.
"So," Daybreak spoke has he pulled a small stool with his magic, levitating it behind his little brother.
Golden Time climbed and sat on the stool before replying.
Daybreak shrugged as he returned his gaze on the papers on his desk.
"What are you actually doing, anyway?"
"To make it easy to understand," he paused for a moment as he levitated the paper towards the left pile of papers, and then levitated another from the right pile, and he started writing down on it, "I'm checking the monetary flow of taxes, and I'm also in charge of approving the financial loans the ponies request for their needs."
Golden Time was smarter than he looked, and he replied with a smile and a nod.
Both ponies allowed a few minutes of silence until Time spoke once more.
"Actually, I have nothing else to do, and that is why I'm going around places."
"Morning schedule, huh?" Daybreak smiled without removing his eyes on the paper he's working on.
Time was confused, but nodded nonetheless.
Daybreak smiled at him before returning his gaze on his work.
Golden Time nodded, and guessing his brother's inquiry, he spoke, "yeah, and the other reason was, uh, to ask you something."
Daybreak turned to him with a confused expression. "Oh?"
"Yeah," Time smiled.
Daybreak blinked and stared at the ceiling.
"The Wind Hills?"
Daybreak nodded.
As Golden Time followed Daybreak's instructions on how to get to Wind Hill, he ran into Boulder. He was also on the way to the said hill.
"Your parents work there?"
"Yep," he swallowed, "well, my dad is there. Mom has the day-off, so she's at home."
"I see," Golden Time nodded.
The two colts have reached the end of town, and were now heading to the large building on the foot of Wind Hill. From their viewpoint, they could tell that the hill is very tall, even taller than the Sonic Hill. A few windmills were also visible from their viewpoint.
"My dad said, when he was still a young pony, he helped in the construction of those windmills."
The unicorn guard pony used his magic to open the gate's door for them to enter.
Noticing his friend's confused look as they entered, Boulder chuckled.
The two colts entered the large open entrance way as sounds of sparks and electricity echoed out. Inside, the place was spacious. Looking up, Golden Time could actually see the roof above. Wires and metal rods were stuck on walls. Power generators were slightly shaking the concrete floor of the place. Ponies in brown uniforms and yellow helmets were monitoring the generators, meter boxes, and other machinery in the place. Others were seated on chairs as they work on paperworks on their desks.
Golden Time cringed, not because it was cold inside. It was actually warm, but not too warm.
"You'll get used to it," Boulder laughed.
"What is it?" Time asked, staring at his hoof and noticing his fur sticking out.
"Static," Boulder simply replied with a smile.
Golden Time looked at him with a concerned look.
Boulder's eyes went wide in horror, his mouth slowly hanging low. He was about to say something when a uniformed stallion came towards them.
"Knowledgable, for such a young pony."
"D-dad..."
Boulder's father chuckled lightly, and soon shook his head.
The unicorn nodded and trotted towards them.
Boulder's father turned to face the fillies as the unicorn stopped beside him.
Light Rod blinked.
Time nodded, "Right, well..."
"Oh, that," Light Rod smiled.
"A filter spell?" Boulder echoed, receiving a nod from the unicorn workpony.
"If you little guys are worried about the health hazard of the generators, then that's what the filter spell is for."
"It..." Golden Time spoke in confusion, "...filters our worries about the hazards?"
Light Rod blinked twice before laughing his lungs out.
"Oh," Golden Time nodded his understanding.
Light Rod nodded in agreement.
After learning that Sonic Wave was not seen in the factory for the whole day, the two young ponies decided to climb the tall hill, since Sonic is the usual pony to check the windmills if any have anything that need repairs. Midway, they were now high above the factory's height, and the wind was strong, cool and refreshing. After they reached the top, the plain field was covered with green grasses and dark-brown soil. Rows upon rows of white tall windmills stood with large white metal boxes on the base of each mills. The wind is definitely cool and strong.
After recovering from awestruck, Golden Time looked around the area. It was easy to convince one's self that nopony was there, except for them.
With a sigh, he sat down and stared at the spinning propellers of a nearby windmill.
Boulder sat beside him and stared at the same windmill.
Golden Time turned to him and noticed his friend's smile. He turned front, and closed his eyes as he concentrated on feeling the cool wind brushing on his coat.
Both Time and Boulder had no idea how long they stayed on Wind Hill. It didn't matter to them, for it was worth it, they told each other. After reaching the foot of the hill, Golden Time waved a hoof goodbye at his friend who was going to spend a few more hours inside the factory. Golden Time trotted back to Ponyville. Since he had nothing else to do, he planned to spend the few remaining daylight inside the town's library tree. He smiled as he walked on the earthy path of the town. It did seem kind of weird for a library to be built inside a tree.
He didn't need to ask for directions this time, for the leaves of the giant tree is poking above the rooftops of the houses. As he worked his way towards his destination, he saw a familiar pink filly up ahead with a basket hat on her head with letters inside. She was cheerfully handing letters to the ponies she passes by. Golden Time wondered if those were probably the invitations for the party. He noticed the ponies who received the invitations were all so happy to be invited.
"Hey Pinkie," Golden Time greeted the filly, who was still waving a hoof at the couple who were already trotting away.
Pinkie turned to him with a big grin on her face.
"Tonight?"
"Aw, don't worry," Pinkie smiled as she took a letter from her basket hat.
Golden Time chuckled, making him lose his magical grip on the letter. He levitated it once again before grabbing it with his hoof.
"Howdy y'all!"
The two turned to her and both flashed smiles.
"Getting busy for the party, Ah see."
"Uh huh," Pinkie nodded, "and you already got an invite!"
Applejack rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Heheh, thanks," Pinkie smiled.
Golden Time waved a hoof at her before turning back to Applejack.
Applejack smiled and shrugged.
Golden Time took a few seconds to process what the filly just said before chuckling a bit, making the farmfilly to arch an eyebrow.
Applejack smiled.
Golden Time nodded.
"True that the Apple Family only has the apple orchard on the farm."
"Sweet Apple Acres, huh?" a green pony asked with a smile before taking a sip from his levitated cup of tea.
Golden Time nodded, ignoring the fact that Henry must have already knew where party will be held, since he and his marefriend already received their party invitations. The filly was busy looking at the books in the bookshelves, trying to see any book that might catch his attention. Aurora was quietly reading a book on the second floor.
Pearl, who was seated beside the green pony on the couch on the first floor, took a glance on the wallclock.
"Already?"
Aurora removed her concentration from her book as she looked at the clock.
Henry simply chuckled.
"Don't you dare finish that line!"
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh brother..." Aurora whispered as he rolled his eyes.
Aurora joined her little brother's quiet walk to Sweet Apple Acres as both Henry and Pearl went back to their home. He didn't hide the fact that he was happy that she's walking with him. The two siblings have already walked out of the edge of town, and were now walking on the earthy path towards the apple farm. They exchange a few questions and answers before they reached the farm.
As they arrived, Golden Time let his eyes wander on the trees of the apple orchard. The trees were still working on growing all of their leaves back. The air was cool and refreshing, and strangely carries the aroma of apples.
They continued their walk and stopped in front of the brown wooden door of the large red barn of the farm. Curious, Golden Time rested an ear on the door as he tried to hear the faintest of sounds.
...nothing...
Aurora chuckled as the colt withdrew his ear from the door with a frown. With a shrug, Aurora lifted a hoof and pulled the door open. They were greeted by the warm air that went out from inside of the barn, silence, and darkness. He could see nothing, hear nothing, and even smell nothing from inside. He turned to his sister with a concerned look.
"M-maybe we're in the wrong place?"
Aurora simply shrugged as she slowly went inside.
The colt took a few steps inside with worry. Aren't they both trespassing? They could get in trouble.
He was cut off when the barn's lights turned on, almost blinding him as large group of voices sprang out and yelled "SURPRISE!" in unison. He rubbed his eyes and stared at the large crowd of ponies as confettis and streamers started flying and falling everywhere. Ponies of different ages were present with big warm smiles and all eyes were fixed on him, before the pink earth filly popped in front of his vision out of nowhere.
"Surprise!"
Golden Time, surprised by her sudden invasion of personal space, took a step back and bumped onto somepony. He was about to turn around and apologize when a large hoof covered his eyes and another went around his chest and lifted him off the ground.
"Guess who, squirt?"
His worry immediately vanished, and instantly replaced with glee. He grabbed the hoof covering his eyes, pulled it away, and turned his head and saw his father's grinning face.
"I heard you were looking for me?"
"Daddy!"
Everypony, even Pinkie Pie, gave them a few minutes to enjoy a father and son moment. As Henry, Pearl and Sunset went inside, the two broke their embrace, and Sonic puts his son down on the ground. He patted his son's head and turned his gaze on the crowd. Noticing their expressions, he arched an eyebrow as Sunset walked beside him.
"That's right!"
As the music began playing a lively tune, the ponies started dancing and talking to each other, while others simply ate and drank. Golden Time was about to turn to his dad and talk when pink hooves grabbed his shoulders and pulled him towards the crowd as Pinkie Pie said about him needing to meet everypony present. He turned over his shoulder, and saw his father flashing an apologetic look as he moved his mouth, saying "later" quietly. He nodded as Pinkie Pie introduced him to a shy yellow pegasus filly with pink mane and tail, who seemed to be trying her best to hide herself under the large wide table.
As he let the energetic pink pony drag him around to meet new ponies, he thought of how different Ponyville is from Manehattan. Sure, he had friends there, but they weren't really helpful when he was feeling down. Here, he just arrived, and almost everypony were like his best friends. He snapped out of his thougts when Rarity came towards them with a suit in tow. She said something about it being her welcome gift to him. He accepted the gift, nonetheless, and thanked her with a smile, but as usual, the white filly waved a hoof and insisted that it was no trouble.
With friendly ponies, heartwarming smiles, and friends, and family, he knew he'll have a great and wonderful life here.
