With Love

by Phoenix Heart 27

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Slice of Life
Length: 2801

Love can transcend years and distance. For two ponies, this couldn't be more true.

A Letter can be a very special thing. Can often bring wonderful, neutral or even horrible news. For some it's a simple way to communicate to one another. For two ponies...It's a whole lot more. Read on to truly see how two words can mean so much.

"With love,"

Published 2017-10-01 03:50:06 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-17 18:46:06 UTC

Ch. 1: Prologue: The Meeting That Started Everything

(Las Pegasus: Summer, 12 A.L)

The day was comfortably warm as a group of ponies gathered around a street performance. Left and right, ponies passed around a old industrial bucket to fill with bits as they watched the young performer work her “magic” as she sang and used her body to tell a story through dance. The crowd around her was positively mesmerized by not only her voice but by her incredible dance skill. Eventually she did stop to a cheering crowd, to which she unceremoniously folded her ears back in pain before collecting her hat and bucket and silently slinked off to quieter grounds. Thanking the crowd as she moved on. After finding her way around the massive buildings, she finally stopped at a food vendor. Right as she was about to order something, she got blindsided by a colt who looked to be in a rush.

“Hey kid! Watch where you’re going! You almost ground me into the cloud.”, the filly yelled irritatedly as she was unceremoniously tossed aside by the colt.

“Sorry, I just need something real quick. One hay BLT please?”, the colt hurriedly ordered as he put some bits onto the counter.

“Coming right up.”, the vendor replied as he went to prepare the food.

The colt looked around nervously as if he was looking out to avoid something or somepony.

“HEY! THERE YOU ARE! GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE RUNT!!!!”, a older stallion yelled as he started running towards the stall. The colt in question shrieked and ran in the opposite direction as soon as he heard the stallion bellow.

All the while, the filly looked on in curiosity. Something about this colt seemed intriguing and she somehow found herself not only picking up his order but ordering her own food as well before heading off in the direction of the colt. After what felt like forever, she finally caught up with the colt as he was hiding out in a jungle gym on a playscape.

“Hey there. I’ve been looking for ya everywhere!”, the filly exasperatedly said as she scooted into the crevice.

“And why is that?”, the colt replied coldly.

“Well...the main reason being you kinda left your lunch back there.”, the filly said as if she were discussing the weather. With a nod of thanks, the colt took his sandwich and wolfed it down savagely. To the obvious shock of the filly. That is, until she got a closer look at the colt. His exposed ribs and the way he scarfed down that sandwich were evident to her immediately but, being the respectable young one she was decided to not bring it up.

“Here--” she paused as she broke half her sunflower and sweetgrass sandwich off and passed it to him as well as some of her hayfries and half of her water “--this should be enough to actually fill ya up.”, she finished as she started on her own meal.

The colt couldn’t believe what she did! This filly he didn’t even know just hunted him down only to return his food to him. Not only that, but she even shared her own food with him. To say he was at a loss for words would be an understatement.

“Uhhh...t-thanks...this...this means a lot, it really does.”, the colt replied after a sip of water.

“No problem, I’m Sunny Rays by the way but my stage name is ‘Wisteria’.”, Sunny Rays replied with a funny little bow.

“Sunny--beautiful name! I’m River.”, River responded in greeting as he nervously shook her hoof.

“Thanks! By trade, I’m a traveling performer...or at least I aim to be. For now, I’m just a filly with a radio and a set of pipes who goes around the streets trying to make some extra bits.”, Sunny said as she finished off her food.

“Really? That’s so cool! I am aiming to join the ranks of the military when I’m older. But for now, I’m just a tough as nails colt from Manehattan.”, River said.

“Aww! What you’re from Manehattan? That’s unfair, because I’m from Detrot.”, Sunny replied sadly.

“Aww rats! I’m just here because my mom’s on a business trip here in Las Pegasus. The jughead who was chasing me, was my older brother Lake. He’s...a whole different story.”, River said equally sad.

“That stinks on the whole different city thing. I finally make a friend on this stupid trip and he lives approximately 8 hours by train from me!”, Sunny said as she stomped down on the floor with a forehoof.

“Yeah that sucks! The first friend I make in a while and she lives in a whole different city.”, River agreed as he mimicked her actions of stomping on the floor.

“Well….I don’t leave til tomorrow afternoon. Wanna make the best of a situation?”, Sunny suggested with a small smile.

“That sounds awesome Sunny!”, River said with a growing smile as the two new friends climbed out their makeshift shelter to enjoy the rest of their time together.

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And that’s exactly what they did. For the remainder of the day they spent together. Be it when they were playing on the playscape or busy trying to con some ponies out of some serious bits (at River’s request as he also got a chance to see Sunny in action with her singing and dancing). They were simply having fun as foals should, all while getting to know one another better.

“How crazy is that?! We’re both 10 years old and about to enter our 5th grade year. Coincidence? I think not!”, Sunny said in an over dramatic tone.

“No, what’s crazy is what you just told me. I mean...is there any cure for that?”, River asked.

“To what my mama and those nice, but creepy nero--neuro---neurologists told me, no. It’s a mental disability. I haven’t done much research into it but I feel like I should.”, Sunny Rays said in a somber tone.

“Well, If there’s anything I can do to help your research, I’ll be glad to assist you.”, River said in an optimistic tone.

“You will? Sweet Celestia that’s great news! Oh! But we’ll need to be able to contact each other if we’re really gonna be doing this.”, Sunny realised as they walked through a street fair.

“Oh totally. Hey! Look there’s a photo booth! Wanna take some?”, River suggested.

“Absolutely! C’mon River!”, Sunny squeed as she dragged him into the booth. They struck silly faces and they struck scary ones too. The last picture took them both by surprise as Sunny ended up kissing River on the cheek, causing him to blush a deep red with a goofy smile as Sunny hugged him.

“Hey! These turned out great!”, River said.

“Almost…” Sunny said as she grabbed his copy and wrote something in pink pen “...there! Now they’re perfect”, she finished as she passed him his copy. On the back was her address. River quickly did the same on her copy but with a blue pen.

“There. Now we can write each other! That’s most effective.”, River agreed as he re-capped his pen.

“Exactly! That way we’ll never lose contact. Honestly meeting you had to be the most fun part about this boring trip!”, Sunny said as she heard the sound of a mare calling her name.

“Oh! That’s my mother. I gotta go. See ya later, River!”, Sunny called out as she galloped away.

“Until next time, Sunny Rays!”, River called back as he walked off in the opposite direction. Confident that the next time he hears from her would be in the form of a letter.

Ch 3: Second letters

(October, 12 A.L.)

Dear River,

Okay, so I know it’s been like a month since I last wrote to you. What can I say I’ve been crazy busy! Well, I’m sure you’ll be happy to know that not only did my first day of school go great but, I also met a new friend (don’t worry, she’s nice and apparently she has Autism just like me!) So far the only concerning part is that they put me in an entirely different classroom than I’m used to this year. There’s a lot of fillies and colts in there with ‘special needs’ too. A lot different than what I’m going through. Hey! A little update for ya, I went back to those doctors I told you about before. They ran some sort of tests on me which involved me reading (which I’m really good at) long passages and I had to do a little math. Now that was the hard part because I really suck at math. Like really bad. It’s amazing how I’ve passed all these school years with how bad my math skills are. Oh look at me, rambling again. Anyways, It’s getting close to Nightmare Night! Eeeeeeeehhh!! I’m sooooo excited! Guess what. After some convincing to my mama, I’m gonna be a werepony! Before you write it, yes I’ll send you pictures via messenger bird. I’m gonna be so super scary (try saying that 5 times fast). What are you gonna be this year? As is expected at least half the colts in my class are going as a superhero or fantasy warlord. Although there is this one colt who said he was going as Princess Twilight. Wouldn’t that be a sight! Okay, I gotta get ready for bed now. I really miss you. I wish I could somehow find a way to get to Manehattan.

With Love,
Sunny Rays

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Dear Sunny,

Yeaaah a month’s a long time but, I’m known to be a patient pony. I can completely emphasize on that aspect of being busy! Let’s just say I...got in a bit of trouble recently...though don’t worry! I’m alright. That sucks that they put you in a different class, but at least you’re making friends. As far as those tests goes, what in Equestria kinda tests involve reading and math?!? Crazy is what it is (and you’re right! I couldn’t even say that 1 time fast)! Frankly I’m not the best at math, but I at least can pass with a “B-”. It’s okay that you ramble. It’s what makes you--well you! On the subject of Nightmare Night, I’m gonna be a zombie clown (I know, weird combination). Trust me, NOPONY is as excited about Nightmare Night than me! As I am the “Nightmare Night King” (self-proclaimed title) it is my duty to uphold the tradition of candy collecting and in the event no good candy is given, tricks are dished out. Trust me I got some good ones planned too! With the colt who wants to be Princess Twilight, that really would be a sight. All I can say is let him be whatever he wants to be for Nightmare Night. Definitely send me those pictures and I’ll send pics of my costume and haul. Sorry to cut this short, but I gotta get ready for school. Maybe one day you will be able to come to Manehattan. I could show ya all the great places to hang out. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be able to get a train ticket to Detrot. Wishful thinking I suppose.

With Love,
River

Ch. 4: Third Letters

(December, 12 A.L.)

Dear River,

Okay please don’t be mad that I haven’t written in like 2 months. Life got...complicated? Yeah complicated. Anyways, I’ve been alright. This year’s Autumn Harvest Celebration was...for lack of better words...chaotic! I’m talking my mama burning the oat casserole, dad giving me a black eye accidentally during a game of hoofball kind of chaotic! Yeah don’t worry, I’m good now. While that was a low...we did end up going over to my grandmare’s place for a real feast! Haha! Okay I gotta say it, I did get your pictures and dang! You weren't kidding when you said you were the “King of Nightmare Night”! Cool costume. As you probably saw, mine was waaay more scarier than I originally thought. I actually ended up scaring a group of 4 year olds so bad they peed themselves! That was hilarious….until my dad made me apologize to them. Bummer but still no regrets. Anyways it’s almost Hearth's Warming Eve again and that means my family’s annual trip to my aunt’s house in Fillydelphia….*groan* I hate going there because of my cousins. Those 4 are little nightmares! All 4 are colts younger than me and I wish there were a machine that could magically get rid of a pony’s bad attitudes, that’d be awesome. Then maybe they wouldn't constantly get coal and clothes for Hearth's Warming. I gotta go now. Daddy’s tellin’ me to get ready for bed. Still praying that we’ll see each other again soon.

With love,
Sunny.
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Dear Sunny,

Has it really been 2 months? Dangit! I thought we’d be more careful about that. Wow, okay your Harvest Fest dinner sounds waaay more fun than mine was. It was so stuffy and boring, I had to practically beg my mom to let me and my older cousins and brother to go outside and play some buckball! No lie, I actually said the words: “Mom, if we stay in here any longer, we’ll be old stallions and mares by the time dinner’s ready! Besides, you're always complaining that we don't spend enough time outside! So please let us go!!”. Yeah...after that she let us go...but then we all ended up being forced to eat out on the front porch with the door open. Considering the fact that it got cold fast...yeah not fun. I got your pictures and let me tell you, WOW! I knew one day somepony was gonna out do me in scary costumes. Glad I got a bit of competition eh? Hahahaha! Anyways I hope your Hearth’s Warming goes well. Oh! I almost forgot! Over New Year's, my mom has a seminar to attend in Detrot! Which means, I get to go with her by myself this time! Not like last time when my brother was with me. Isn't that great! That means we can meet up again. Well gotta go. Brother's ragging on me to finish up in the room so he can drop me off at school.
With Love,
River

Ch 2: First letters

(September, 12 A.L.)

Dear River,

It’s me, Sunny Rays! But you already know that duh. Anyways by now it’s been 3 weeks since we’ve returned from our trip to Las Pegasus and the most horrible day of the year is upon us tomorrow: First day of school! I for one, have no worries about my studies. It’s the whole “meeting new teachers and classmates” thing that’s got me shakin’ like a leaf in my fur. I probably told you this but I really don’t do well with change. Yet as my older sister says, you just gotta make a good first impression in order for the day to go swell (I don’t know why she said “swell”. She’s weird!). While I’m not sure what she means by that I’ll just go with it. Things could be a lot worse right? Anyways, I hope your first day goes great and pray that I don’t make a mule out of myself.

With Love,
Sunny Rays

(P.S.: Don’t ask why I signed off “With Love” I felt it fit right!)
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Dear Sunny,

I thought I’d recognise that pretty hoofwriting! Anywho, has it really been 3 weeks? Wow! Time sure does fly like that. Also you’ll be happy (or angry, not sure) to know that due to our photoshoot in the booth, I got relentlessly grilled by my jerky older brother and his friends when they saw my copy. Sometimes, I really hate them. I feel your pain on the whole “Back-To-School” thing. I almost always get ganged up on on the first day so, no worries. I am, however excited that one of my best guy friends, Zipline is gonna be in the same class with me this year. We weren’t in the same class last year which was rough. I think your sister’s right on making a good first impression on the first day. How you act on the first day can affect how the rest of the school year plays out! Take it from someone who almost always embarrasses himself on the first day, It’ll be fine. My dad doesn’t care that I write to you and my mom actually beamed at the idea that I made a “pen pal” (her words, not mine) to write to. Anyways, Mom’s calling us down for dinner now so gonna end this now. Write ya soon!

With Love,
River

(P.S.: That sounds like it really does fit to sign off a letter. So long as my brother doesn’t see. Ha!)