Friendship is Failure #12- Amending Hearth's Warming

Chapters

Intro: All but one
Act 1: The three-legged pony
Act 2: Refusals
Act 4: Betrayal, misfortune and loss
Closing Act: Not Deserved
Act 3: Disaster for Dinner

Intro: All but one

INTRO

Snow fell from the skies as ponies all over decorated for Heart’s Warming, which was less than a week away.

Starlight Glimmer had gone to Canterlot to visit Sunburst for the holidays, while Twilight would be spending her holidays with her family, once they arrived that is.

Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike were walking through Ponyville in the evening, and admiring the sights of all the happiness. Spike was holding his tongue out to catch the falling snowflakes.

“Got one!” he cried!

Twilight giggled, “I used to do that with my brother all the time. I can’t wait for the family to come! We’re going to have a great Hearth’s Warming!”

“From the looks of things, it already IS a great Hearth’s warming.” Spike said, and he was right. As the sun set, cute lights began to shine on all the houses. One-by-one, a house would light up, making a perfect line down the block, all the way up to the Friendship Palace which also lit up. Then the lightning carried down to the other side of the block. One-by-one the houses all lit up and right at the end…

…The last house remained dark. It had no lights strung up, no decorations, not even a holly wreath on the door.

“Why isn’t that house lit up?” wondered Spike.

“I don’t know.” replied Twilight “Maybe whoever lives there just hasn’t decorated yet.”

Then, they saw two little fillies walk up to the dark house and knocked at the door. The door was answered by a pony they couldn’t recognize due to being too far away, but the silhouette seemed to show one of his hind legs strapped into a walker dolly.

The two fillies wished him “Happy Hearth’s Warming” and offered him a holly wreath for his door, to which the pony rudely and angrily threw into the snow. He then gruffly sneered at the girls, “I don’t want a wreath!”

“But Mister… It’s Hearth’s Warming.” One of the fillies cried.

“I don’t care!” snapped the pony “I hate Hearth’s Warming, and I don’t want any decorations! Now go away and leave me alone!” and he slammed the door shut, frightening the poor little fillies away.

Twilight and Spike were livid! “That wasn’t very nice.” snapped Twilight. “Totally…” agreed Spike “What’s that pony’s problem?”

Twilight still didn’t know, and she was about to march over to the house and find out, when suddenly, “Hey Twily…!”

She knew that voice, and she turned and saw none other than Shining Armor, Cadance with Baby Flurry Heart, and her parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light.

She ran over to her relatives and they all shared a huge group hug, “Happy Hearth’s Warming, every pony!”

“Happy Hearth’s Warming.” her father said while smothering her softly.

“What am I, invisible?” Spike teased, and then he joined in the group hug as well.

“We would’ve come over sooner,” said Cadance, “But Shining Armor realized he forgot Flurry’s favorite rattle.”

Her husband giggled and blushed nervously, “Yeah, and then I forgot she was holding it all the time.”

The baby shook her rattle and laughed, and everyone shared a laugh as well before Twilight escorted her family to the castle.

On the way, she and Spike stopped to look back at the dark house of the grumpy pony.

“What’s wrong?” asked Velvet.

“Oh, nothing, really.” replied Twilight. She and Spike decided not to think of it… for now.

Act 1: The three-legged pony

ACT ONE

The next day, the family went out for a winter walk. Twilight smelled the air and sighed, “Ah… smell that crisp cool air.”

Her brother smelled the air, “I guess I’ve been in the Crystal Empire too long. I miss this smell.”

“I just love this time of year.” said Cadance “There’s so much love and joy going around.”

A song played a band of stallion singers sang a small song for Hearth’s Warming, as all the ponies around began to give, share, and help one another.

(Lightning Dawn is in this)

The ponies were decorating houses and the street lights. Other ponies were ice-skating, and some kids were just playing in the snow, but that Christmas song was so wonderful.

Shining Armor extended his hoof to his wife, and Cadance blushed as they began to dance to the music. Velvet and Night began to dance with each other too, while Twilight and Spike stood side-by-side, rocking back and forth to the beat, and Twilight used her magic to rock little Flurry in her carriage to the point where she fell asleep.

When the song ended, ponies began to give donations to the singers. That was what they were singing for anyway; to help raise money to help the poor and homeless.

Twilight went up to the singers and graciously donated a few bits to the cause, and one of the singers held out a candy-cane to her as thanks. “Thank you very much.” said Twilight.

“No… Thank you, Princess.” one of the singers said.

No sooner did Twilight go back to her family did another pony approach. He was an indigo colored Earth Pony, about the same age as Twilight’s father. He had a dark navy blue mane and tail, but he had no Cutie Mark! Not that it really mattered as he was dressed in a thick black fur robe and a hood that hid his face from view, and his right hind leg was all bandaged up and in a wheel dolly.

He offered the singers a considerably handsome donation-- a small but very full bag of real gold coins. Not ordinary bits!

“Whoa!” one of the singers cried “Dude! This is awesome! How can we ever thank you enough?”

“Don’t mention it…” said the pony, and he suddenly growled “…Ever!” and then he walked off. His dolly made soft squeaking sounds. “Hey, wait, you forgot your candy cane!” another singer called. “I don’t want it!” snapped it the pony “You already got what you wanted. Now leave me alone!”

Lots of other ponies looked at him as he walked off, and Twilight’s family noticed him too, especially her parents. He noticed the pony’s bandaged leg, and could almost recognize his voice. “It can’t be…!” said Night. “I think it is…” added Velvet.

Shining Armor and Cadance didn’t know what they were getting at, but Twilight and Spike looked at the pony, and recognized his voice and his leg. “That’s the same grumpy pony from the dark house last night.” said Spike.

Twilight agreed. There was no mistaking it.

As the pony walked along he suddenly gasped as his leg began to hurt, and he suddenly slipped on a small patch of ice and tipped over off all his feet.

Twilight dashed over to help him, “Here, let me help you up.” she said as she used her magic to get him back up safely. “Oh, thank you.” the pony said, but when he turned to see who it was that helped him, he gasped, “Princess Twilight…?”

His hood had also fallen off exposing his face, and Twilight’s parents gawked at him. “It is…!” cried Velvet.

“Helper Soul.” added Night.

“You two know him?” asked Shining Armor, before his folks could answer, they all watched as Helper began to back away from Twilight with a strange look on his face. “What’s the matter?” Twilight asked as she tried to approach him. “No! Stay away! Keep away from me!!” and he ran away leaving a trail of footprints and wheel tracks in the snow.

Twilight stood where she was shocked and confused at the way he had just behaved.

“What was that all about?” Spike asked.

Velvet and Night looked very sad, “He still hasn’t forgiven me.” Night muttered. “Oh, Night Light.” His wife said comforting him.

“Um… sorry to sound nosy,” said Cadance “But who was that?”

“I’d like to know that too.” Twilight added as she came back up to the gang, but her father looked almost ready to cry as he cringed and tried to stay strong.

“Dad…?” said Shining Armor.

Night sighed and finally explained, “His name is Helper Soul, and he and I go way back.”

And his mind trailed off to many years ago when he was a colt.

“We were like brothers, we always did stuff together and we loved to share with one another.”

“You know what Night Light?”

“What Helper?”

“Someday, I want to be Captain of the Royal Canterlot Guard, just like my father was.”

“Hey, that’s a great idea. I bet your dad would be proud… you know if he were. Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean--”

“It’s okay. I miss him, but I know he’s looking at me and helping me move forward, and you know what’s even better?”

“What?”

“That you got my back too.”

The family felt touched, “So, what happened between you?” asked Spike.

Night Light sighed and looked down, “The years went by and we were still close. We often lent helping hoofs to other ponies, and that’s how he got his Cutie Mark, for helping others.”

Velvet then spoke, “Then I met your father and Helper in our graduating High School Year. We all became close. We worked together, we helped each other. It was almost like I had two colt-friends.”

Cadance smiled at such an idea, one mare getting much love form two stallions.

“Still, my love was for Night Light!” Velvet said, and she pecked her husband lovingly on the cheek, flattering him.

“But then, one Hearth’s Warming Eve. Our school was having a little get together for family and friends.” said Night, “Though he seemed to be acting a little strange to me and Velvet. Almost cold and distant, but he seemed alright. He chatted with us, and we all hung out together.

…However, it was snowing so hard, the roof began to collapse!

I jumped free, but Helper and Velvet-- many of the tables were tipped over in the impact, and one of them fell onto your Velvet, pinning her down, and Helper was trapped under a mound of snow that had fallen on him.

Naturally, I wanted to save my love first. She assured me she was fine and that Helper needed the help more, but I just didn't listen-- I was in a panic. So I levitated the heavy table off of her until she could get free, but before I could go save Helper from the snow, the roof collapsed some more, and a huge metal beam fell on Helper, crushing his right hind leg that was exposed!”

Night Light shut his eyes tight remembering his friend SCREAMING in extreme agony, and the others all looked in shock and fright.

Velvet continued “We didn’t know what to say to him. His leg would never be the same again, and he wouldn’t ever be able to join the Knight Academy.”

Night Light looked the most remorseful, “I should've saved him first, but I didn't, and it cost him his leg, and his dreams! I feel I betrayed him!"

“Oh, Dad!” cried Twilight. She felt tears coming to her eyes.

Her father hung his head really low and looked near tears of shame. "Not a day or not has gone by that I don't feel remorse. I could have saved him. I should have saved!"

“Man!” said Shining Armor. “That’s so sad.” added Cadance, “But what happened after that?”

Her father in law looked up almost tearfully at her, “We never saw him again.”

“What?” snapped Spike “Just like that?”

Velvet nodded, “A week after the New Year began, we heard he had dropped out of school, and just moved from Canterlot. No pony knew where he went, but Night Light and I soon did, because a letter was addressed to Night Light’s home with no return address.”

“I remember that letter too well…”

“Night Light, Velvet Sparkle…

Goodbye, Forever!

Our friendship is no more; I want nothing to do with either of you two again for what you have cost me and the pain I am in.

I wish you both the best of luck.

…Helper Soul.”

Enclosed in the letter was a picture of the three friends, torn down the middle, separating Helper from the couple. This was his ultimate confirmation that the friendship was through.

Author's Note

To those who actually MAY care (I know my haters don't)

If you're thinking of his leg being amputated, GUESS AGAIN!

Ponies and horses CANNOT have amputations. They cannot have their limbs removed like humans can and live. No, in the real world when a pony/horse is in that much pain it's either keep them alive and in pain... or they get put down.

Act 2: Refusals

ACT TWO

Velvet couldn’t hold her tears back, nor could her husband.

“I can’t believe he did that.” said Shining Armor, “Just up and leave like that!”

“Well, it was because of him his leg got wrecked and he lost his dream.” said Spike.

“Spike!” snapped Twilight, “No, he’s right.” her father cut in. “No matter how you try to look at it; I am largely responsible for what happened. If I hadn’t gotten stuck…”

“You can’t keep blaming yourself.” said Cadance “It was just an accident, it could’ve happened to any pony.”

“Ya…” Flurry Heart cooed, almost as if she were actually agreeing with her mother. All the others agreed to, but while Night appreciated the comfort, “Knowing all this doesn’t stop my guilt or my nightmares.

And judging from the way he just acted, especially towards Twilight. It’s obvious he hasn’t forgiven me.”

Twilight hated to see her father looking so down, and then her old friendship spark began to shine. “I think you two should patch-up, you too, Mom”

Her parents blinked at her with deep thoughts. “Um… I don’t know, Twilight.” Her mother said, “It’s been a really long time.”

“Nonsense.” said Twilight “It’s never too late to resolve a friendship. Like me and Moondancer. We worked out just fine.”

“Yeah, only it almost didn’t quite work when she shunned you so much.” muttered Spike.

Twilight couldn’t argue with that, but she wasn’t willing to give up “This year, I’ll give my parents the best Hearth’s Warming present ever, a reunion with an old friend. I’m sure deep down he misses you too.”

Her parents tried to protest again for her not to do it, “Don’t bother arguing.” said Shining Armor, “You know Twily… once she sets her heart on something you can’t talk her out of it.”

So, the parents had no choice but to at least try.

The first step was to at least confront Helper Soul, and it didn’t take too much trouble to find him; he had left a distinguished trail of footprints and wheel tracks in the snow which lead towards the neighborhood where he lived, suggesting he had gone home.

Even in broad daylight, his house looked a little miserable with no pretty decorations all over it. “This is where he lives?” asked Cadance. Spike nodded and replied, “We saw him last night before all of you came along.”

Twilight remembered, but she bravely went up to the door and knocked. There was no answer at first, so she knocked again.

Helper finally made it to the door and opened it a crack. He looked rather groggy, “I just fell asleep!” he grumbled, but then he recognized who it was, “You again?!”

Twilight maintained her cool and cleared her throat, “Helper Soul, I brought some ponies here to see you. It’s your old friends, Night Light and Velvet Sparkle.”

He opened the door wider and saw the two, and his eyes widened.

“Um… Hi, Helper.” said Velvet, “Hello old friend.” added her husband. Helper looked really shocked now. “I think it’s working…” Twilight whispered to the others, but Helper growled really fiercely and slammed door shut, scaring Flurry Heart into crying.

Her parents comforted her, and Spike went, “Well, that’s a start.”

Twilight couldn’t believe how Helper had just behaved, and her parents looked very sad. “I told you, he hasn’t forgiven us.” said Night Light. “I know you mean well, honey, but maybe it’s best we don’t peruse this.”

Her parents walked off, and Twilight hung her head low.

“I’m going to take Flurry back to the castle.” said Cadance “She needs a nap.”

She hugged her husband and walked off, “I’m going to stay with you, Twily.” He said to her “I know you. You’re not giving up that easy. Besides, I wouldn’t mind talking to this guy myself.”

He was offering her support, which she smiled and thanked him for, but Spike sighed, “I think I know where this is going.”

For the past two days, they watched Helper from the terrace of the castle with telescopes. “Are you two still watching him?” Cadance asked “We’re supposed to be here on a family visit.”

“Don’t bother, I tried telling them that.” said Spike.

So far all Twilight and Shining had seen was Helper leaving his house every day, most likely on his way to work, and then he’d come home and that’s it. “No pony else comes out of that house or even goes in.” Twilight said “It’s like he has no family, or even any friends.”

“Well that doesn’t sound cool.” said Shining “Maybe that’s why he’s so grouchy. I know I’d be if I was alone for so many years.”

Twilight thought deeply, “Maybe we should all try talking to him again.”

“Twilight, he doesn’t want to talk, remember?” said Spike, but Cadance actually disagreed, “I think maybe we should. If he’s an old friend of your father then maybe it would help if we all pitched in and tried to help. Maybe we can all try to befriend him.”

Spike sighed, “Now you’re starting to sound like Twilight, but I’m with you guys all the way.”

Twilight smiled at him, “Now, how are we going to arrange some kind of meeting with him; one that he can’t refuse?”

With that, it was off to the pony profiles in the study. As the Princess of Friendship, Twilight had to keep tabs of every pony in Ponyville and around Equestria. Just basic information like ordinary security files, nothing nosy.”

“According to this, Helper Soul sells insurance... for a long time now.” said Twilight.

“Hey!” said Spike, “We never took out any insurance on this castle ever since it was created.”

“Yes!” cried Twilight “And insurance sales-ponies can’t refuse or deny an audience with a customer. We can invite him here for a business dinner, and while he’s here we’ll try and find out more about him.”

Cadance and Shining Armor thought that a confusing idea. “I don’t know, Twily. I don’t think turning an insurance deal into personal issues is a good idea.”

“And I don’t think your folks would go for it either.” added Cadance.

Twilight thought of that too, but seeing as she could see no other way to even approach Helper Soul and get him to express his troubles, “We still have to try.”

When Helper got home that night, he found a letter in his mailbox, “Strange, I don’ usually get letters.” he said to himself. He read it, and was already dismayed that it was Twilight, “Can’t she leave me alone!” he groaned, but as he continued to read and saw how she wanted to take out an insurance policy on her own castle, he thought it over.

Though he suspected this was a trap, he knew the company policies, “I can’t turn down a potential buyer regardless of personal emotions, and if I covered that castle… it could be substantial.”

He groaned and rubbed his head, still frustrated with his suspicions, but his inability to refuse ultimately won. “Why do I think I’m going to regret this?”

Act 4: Betrayal, misfortune and loss

ACT FOUR

No sooner did Shining Armor storm out did the rest of the family and Spike take off after him, wanting to stop him before he made things any worse than they were.

“I know Shining Armor when he gets angry!” cried Cadance. “So do I!” added Twilight “I hope we’re not too late.”

Suddenly, they all came to an intersection that had so many footprints in so many directions it was merely impossible to tell which way to go. The wheel tracks were nowhere to be seen making it harder.

Cadance gave Flurry heart to her grandparents and Spike to watch over, “You guys keep looking down here. Twilight and I will search from the air.”

The parents agreed, “Please be careful.” said Velvet.

The girls promised, and then took off into the sky.

“I sure hope they can find him.” said Spike.

“I hope so too.” said Night Light, but he said it only to himself.

Meanwhile, Helper Soul had stopped halfway across a large bridge that overlooked a frozen river below. He had stopped to rest and sooth his aching leg from dragging it on his broken dolly for so far on his way home.

The pain was so immense it burned him inside, actually warming him from the cold, but this was complete torture for him.

“You!!” shouted a voice, and Shining Armor galloped up to him.

“UGH!!” groaned Helper “Haven’t you caused me enough pain already?!”

Shining Armor realized he was already in enough pain, and if there was one thing his nobility as a knight taught him; it was never to kick a pony that was already down, and a knight was supposed to help someone, regardless of personal judgment.

“Let me help you up.”

“I said I DON’T WANT your help! Just leave me alone!”

Shining Armor looked ready to burst, “What is your problem?!” he snarled “My sister went out of her way to try and patch things up between you and our father, and all you did was act like a stuck-up jerk, and not just to him, but to all of us.

Look, I can understand you’re upset because of how your leg got busted, and true, my dad could've and should've save you, but things just happened. You can't keep blaming him and grouching at him, or his family!"

Helper just sat there, not sating saying anything or even looking at him, until finally he hissed softly, “Your father’s done more to me than you think. Your mother too…

They caused me so much pain, it’s not funny”

Shining Armor looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

Helper cringed softly, he hated being reminded of such things and was hoping not to have to explain it.

“Your parents were once my friends, especially your father. He was always there for me, always being supportive of me, and I supported him back.

In High School, the three of us, he, your mother and I… we were a great team. We were always there for one another. We helped each on school assignments, and together we even came up with a new kind of magic to help improve industrial technologies… thanks to my calculations and studying.”

“This is amazing!” cried Velvet “With this kind of magic, think of the improvements we can make on society.”

“Helper Soul, I can’t believe you came up with this.” added Night Light. “Well, I can’t take all the credit.” said Helper “You guys were my inspiration.”

“Soon I would be on my way, to train for the Canterlot Knight’s Academy, but as time passed, I grew to love your mother, and deep down I thought she shared my feelings as well.

Things would have been so perfect…!”

It was all planned. About a week before Hearth’s Warming, Helper planned to propose to Velvet, he had bought a ring and everything that he had kept in his locker, waiting for the right moment.

“Hi, Helper…”

“Oh! Hey… Velvet.” He said nervously, “Um… listen, I… I have something I’d like to talk to you about.”

“I have something to talk to you about too.” Velvet said excitedly, and that’s when Helper noticed she already had an engagement ring around her horn. “Night Light proposed to me! Isn’t that neat?! We’re getting married after we graduate!”

Helper felt his insides being crushed like eggs, but he tried his best not to show his hurt feelings. “That’s… that’s wonderful!” he said with fake emotions of happiness.

“Your father betrayed me! He took her away from me! He took my one and only love, and I saw how happy they were together. I tried not to let it get to me, but that’s not’s all that your parents did…!

They stole my chance at making History!

We presented our ideas to a group of scientists and engineers, and even though most of the findings and discoveries were made by me, the ponies only seemed to pay more attention to your parents, and your parents. They explained all my findings to the ponies, and didn’t’ bother to mention me.

Though we all had our picture taken together, they became the talk of the school more than I was! I couldn’t believe what they were doing to me, and began to distance myself from them.

Then came that night of the Hearth’s Warming Eve dance, where I was trapped under a mound of snow, and your father was too busy saving your mother.

That’s when It happened! That strong beam fell from the roof, landing on top of me, crushing my right hind-leg, because your father didn't help me out when he should have! Even your mother was sane and fine enough to urge him to help me!”

He paused a minute to remember the immense pain he felt and how he SCREAMED in agony!

“I was rushed into surgery immediately. The doctors did their very best, but my leg would never be the same again!”

“I’m afraid your leg was damaged much too severely. Even if by some miracle the bones heal, you’ll always have sudden episodes of weakness and pain. I’m afraid you’ll never be able to walk on it again.”

"We also can't amputate your leg on the count the internal damages to the nerves and connections being far too severe-- from down at the phalanges all the up to the femur.

Removing your leg would kill you instantly, and even if not, a prosthetic cannot be fitting on you-- you'd never be able to stand or walk!

I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it."

“That was it! My life was forever changed! Now I’d never be able to be royal knight. Never be captain. Never live out my father’s legacy that I promised!!

I just couldn’t believe this. First my friends betray me, and then they rob me of self-esteem, and to top it all off, my so called best friend betrayed me and didn't help me!" he paused and looked down at his leg "And THIS... THIS is a result of your father's betrayal!"

He took a moment to catch his breath. “I knew that I couldn’t stand to be with them any longer. I hated them both, especially your father, but I couldn’t bring it upon myself to lash at them. It wouldn't make things any better. I didn’t want them to be unhappy, so I did the only sensible thing… I packed up and left Canterlot as fast as I could; leaving a letter telling them I never wanted to see them again, and destroying the picture that was taken of us!

I thought that by leaving them and my past behind there was nothing more I could lose, but I was wrong…!

My mother was very upset to hear about my accident and my leg. She loved the idea of me following in my father’s footsteps and being captain of the royal guard, but that was forever lost now!

We both tried to cope with it as much as we could, I even had my Cutie Mark permanently removed because your father helped me to earn it, but still, as the months passed, it was clear that my mother was severely depressed. It was as if I, losing my leg and my chances, was like hearing of my father dying all over again. It crushed her!

When Hearth’s Warming Eve came, she collapsed, she had fallen ill with grief and sorrow from supressing her emotions so long, and she died of a broken heart!

I was all alone. I had no one! No family no friends…! Just me and my busted leg which ached like my heart!

I began to detest Hearth’s Warming, as all of my misery started on that night and long before, all because of your parents. For that, I decided to stop celebrating it. How could I celebrate that when it would celebrate my betrayal, my misfortune, and the death of my mother?!

I managed to complete my education and became an insurance sales-pony. I remained secluded; always preferring to keep to myself and not make any new friends. I couldn’t bear the thought of being betrayed again after all that I lost!

I never had a family of my own. No mare wanted a pony with a busted leg and who couldn’t do much and had constant aches and pains that required treatment!

As the years passed, I began to heal a little, at least in my heart, and forgot all about things…” he paused and gawked at Shining Armor, “Until I heard of You…!!”

“Me?”

“The Royal Canterlot Wedding of Princess Cadance, and Shining Armor, the captain of the Royal Canterlot Guard, and son of Twilight Velvet and Night Light!

My wounds were opened up really wide that day. It was hard enough hearing of your parents again, but you were captain of the guard, My dream…?!

And then your sister, Twilight, she became the Princess of Friendship, adding more to your families great fame and honor.

…And then, you and your wife had that brat of yours!

You and your family were all living my dreams! All Things that I could have had, while all I had was my boring job, my lonely life, and this leg… this cursed leg that constantly ached and pained making it hard to sleep sometimes!”

He stopped, his voicing sounding tearful and angry at the same time, “Your father robbed me of my life and cost me everything I had and ever wanted, and the anger and hatred I felt was so immense it made my leg hurt, but not as hurt as my heart…

And yet, I still never wished any harm on him. I never wished harm on any-pony! Sure I had a few mood swings, but I didn’t hurt anyone. I even continued to donate to causes and to Hearth’s Warming Charites because I didn’t want others to suffer the same pain I go through.

…But no amount of nobility, friendship or amending will ever allow me to regain what was taken from me!

I hated Hearth’s Warming, I hated Night Light, and I hated his family, close friends, and anyone of anything to do with him.

Everything was dead to me!”

That was all he had to say!

Author's Note

I like to portray most Equestrian mares as Shallow as Rarity (To ensure Helper could never find a wife)

Mares want a Stallion who's handsome, rugged, or magical. Some mares even want to get married just to be waited on hoof and foot (Their husband goes to work, they stay at home)

They don't want nerdy ponies, handy ponies, and the do not want ponies that have busted legs and require constant care

Closing Act: Not Deserved

CLOSING ACT

It began to snow all around, and Shining Armor, he honestly didn’t know what to think or say. Sure that all was pretty awful stuff, but he couldn’t turn on his father like that.

“I never told your father any of this, and I never wanted him to know.” said Helper “I didn’t want him to feel any guilt or shame, and I didn’t want to be reminded of it either… but now thanks to your sister and your whole family, I’ve never felt so hurt in my life!”

Shining Armor still couldn’t believe that this pony before him had suffered so much, but he still didn’t know what to tell him. What was there to tell him?

Then, despite Helper being an Earth pony, he began to sing to a song describing his woe, and like magic, four images seemed to appear before him, each one representing a spirit of some-pony he could have been…

#1: A renowned founding father of engineering in magic; dressed in a white lab coat and wearing glasses.

#2: Captain of the Royal Canterlot guard; all dressed in the fancy armor Shining Armor wore.

#3: Twilight Velvet's groom all dressed in a black tuxedo.

And #4: Himself as a Colt with his Cutie-Mark again, and how it used to be when he was friends with Night Light.

[Helper]

Here on the eve of Hearth’s Warming,
On that night the darkness and pain were swarming
And fallen from the love and friendships band
The screams of pain were heard across the land

There wasn’t much to gain, only to lose.

[Helper #3]

The loss was harsh, and not what we did choose
Facing all the problems that did stand,

[Helper]

The tears and cries did spread across the land

[Helper #2]

The world was shattered, and sealed our fate

[Helper#4]

Buried in snow which fell at a fast rate
With cold winds, and a whispering so sad

[Helper #2]

We knew we’d lost all things that we had had

All others basked in light, and we did not

[Helper#1]

We prayed for miracles before the shot...
Across the skies with stars that shined so bright

[Helper #2]

We sang again the song with all our might

Silent Night… no sound was heard

[Other Four]

Through peace and faith there still exists the word…

[All Five]

All’s lost, all’s gone, all dreamers as they stand

[Helper #2]

On Hearth’s Warming Eve day in all the land.

[All Five]

And on the day of Hearth’s Warming the light had shone
And we all felt it was time to move on
But nights were long and restless and getting out of hand

[Helper]

‘Cause my heart had died on that eve in the land.

[Helper #2]

Silent Night… no sound was heard

[Other Four]

Through peace and faith there still exists the word…

[All Five]

All’s lost, all’s gone, all dreamers as they stand

[Helper #3]

And those young ponies sing…

[Helper #2]

And their spirit still rings…

[Helper]

For the hurt and the pain it brings…

[All Five]

In Aaaa-Aaaa-All the la-a-a-a-a-a-and!

Sleep in Hearth’s Warming peace!

The song ended, and the other four images faded into the darkness, and Helper… he wasn’t moving anymore. He didn’t even blink his eyes.

“Helper…?” Shining Armor said to him. Helper didn’t respond… he just keeled over!

Shining Armor gasped, and he put his head to Helper’s heart…

…Nothing!

“Please No!” Shining cried, and in a desperation, he gave Helper’s sore leg a huge slap with his hoof hopping he’d react and scream in pain… but he didn’t, not a flicker!

He was gone; died of a broken heart from so much inner trauma and pain, as well as the pain from his leg.

Devastated, Shining Armor cringed and he pounded the ground angrily!

Other ponies approached him; it was the rest of his family and Spike. They had long since spotted them, thanks to Twilight and Cadance and had been standing away from the two. They had heard the entire story and Helper’s song.

“Is he…?” Twilight fretfully asked, and her brother turned to face his father and regrettably shook his head.

Velvet gasped softly, putting her hoof to her mouth. Her tears began to fall instantly.

Cadance and Twilight stood shocked, and Spike… he decided to take little Flurry away from the scene, not wanting her to be near this saddening sight.

As for Night Light, he approached Helper’s body. After everything he had just heard and how upset and angry Helper was, it was no wonder he was gone. He never told him, not wanting to hurt him, and now, they could never talk about it and even hope to resolve any problems with it all.

Overcome with grief and guilt at the loss of his old friend. Night Light could only scoop the body up in his arms and actually hug it as he cried softly, “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry!”

He meant it too, he never wanted to hurt his friend, and though Helper was not very polite and such things, he felt he didn’t deserve to die.

The entire family was heartbroken.

It was a very sad Hearth’s Warming for them all, and when Twilight’s friends had heard what happened, they expressed their sadness and apologies to Twilight and her family.

“That’s just so heartbreaking!” cried Pinkie, and she really meant it.

“A guy dying on Hearth’s Warming?” said Rainbow “That’s… I can’t even put that into words.”

“And to think…” sobbed Rarity “He only distanced himself because he never wanted to hurt your father or your family.”

Twilight wiped her eyes, and hugged her friends. She needed it, “Thank you all for caring.” she said. This was a real eye-opener for herself, her family and everyone else involved. Just because it was Hearth’s Warming didn’t mean it was a happy one… not for every-pony, and they would always have to consider that just because it was Hearth’s Warming didn’t mean strange and terrible things wouldn’t happen.

“How’s your dad takin’ it?” asked Applejack. “Not very well.” replied Twilight “He and my mom wanted to go out on a long, long walk, and search through their feelings. My Dad still blames himself for all this.”

“It’s not his fault at all, Twilight.” Spike said, “He couldn’t help it that your mom loved him, and what happened to Helper’s leg was still just an accident.”

Twilight knew he meant well, but she shook her head at him and repeated her father’s words, “Knowing all this doesn’t stop the guilt and nightmares.”

Twilight felt bad for Helper, and while she agreed it was unfair the way he had it so bad, she would never go against her father, just like her friends wouldn’t go against her. They wouldn’t hate Hearth’s Warming either, they didn’t want to make the same mistakes Helper did and let the bitterness get to them.

“Will you and your family be okay?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight nodded sadly, “We will be. It’ll be hard, but it’s just one of those things we’re going to have to live with, and in a way at least Helper doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”

Her parents were strolling through a cemetery on the far outskirts of Ponyville where Helper had been buried, but they wished no public service given, since nobody really knew him at all, and they wanted to keep this amongst themselves.

Velvet laid a bouquet of flowers on the memorial stone, which read,

“Helper Soul”

“Unfortunate Soul: May he finally be at peace.”

Her husband looked down grimly at the stone, still feeling horrible for all this, but even after all that had happened the past few days; he still did and would always think of Helper as a friend.

Under all his bitterness he still retained some morality; the way he donated to charity, and didn’t wish to bring his pain upon others.

“Sleep well… my friend.”

Author's Note

I'm not saying Christmas/Hearth's Warming is meant to be miserable, and people are supposed to be upset...

But you should take heed from what you have read. Not everyone is Merry/Happy, and bad things can still happen that you should beware of or prepare for.To some people, Christmas/Hearth's Warming is "Just another day"

That's why you should always think and pray for others, not just yourself.

This is my own video of the song up there, but it has a dedication on it

Act 3: Disaster for Dinner

ACT THREE

The next night, the eve before Hearth’s Warming Eve, Twilight’s mother cooked up one of her best feasts for the dinner to work, “I still think you’re pushing this too far.” she said to Twilight, but Twilight insisted, “Mom, I’ve explained all this, we’re trying to show Helper we want to be friends and he doesn’t have to be so cold with us.”

Her father didn’t look any better, if anything he was more nervous than any-pony else was. “Hey, come on, Dad.” Shining Armor said “Maybe it will work out okay.”

His father sighed, “I hope so.”

Soon, everything was set, and the table was spread out. “Here he comes.” Spike said.

“Okay, this is it.” said Twilight, and she went downstairs with Spike to welcome their guest in, while the parents were quivering nervously.

Shining Armor and Cadance felt worried about them.

Downstairs, Twilight and Spike opened the door to the castle, “Good evening, Helper Soul. Glad you could make it.” Twilight said politely. Spike stood alongside her smiling, but Helper didn’t exactly seem too thrilled. “If you don’t mind, can we skip with all this pleasantries? I had a hard time getting here.” he motioned at his leg dolly.

“Sorry about that.” said Twilight, “Won’t you please come upstairs?”

“But I just came to drop off the policy here for you to review.”

“I’d just rather talk about it upstairs. Please follow me.”

“You better do as she says.” Spike whispered to Helper, which only further aroused his suspicions, but he complied and followed Twilight upstairs.

When they arrived in the main gathering room, “What is all this?” he asked as he looked at the well spread table, “I didn’t agree to any dinner arrangements.”

Twilight didn’t respond and instead, clapped her hoofs for the rest of the family to come out and sit at the table, including her parents.

Helper cringed angrily, “I knew it!” he snapped “I knew this was some sort of ulterior plot to get me to talk to you all! I’m out of here!”

“No, no!” Twilight snapped, and she used her magic to halt his dolly so it got stuck and couldn’t move, “Look, I’m sorry I deceived you, but I really do want to take this insurance deal, and more than that I want to get to know you. You were a friend of my father, and I want you to see you don’t have to be scared or angry with us.”

Night Light looked at Helper sincerely, “Helper, please, I want this, and want you to get to know my family.”

“Please, Helper…” added Velvet “We did all this just for you and it is Hearth’s Warming time.”

Helper shuddered in anger, but he decided to stay, “The only reason I am staying is for the insurance deal; nothing more!”

Twilight grinned; at least he agreed to stay.

Still, as Helper sat himself down, everyone noticed that his flank was blank; he had No Cutie Mark. “I thought you said he had one?” Spike whispered to Night Light. “He does, or at least he did.” Night replied softly “I know he earned one, I helped him earn it.”

Soon, everyone sat down to the lovely dinner. They family seemed to get along well as they all talked and shared a few jokes and laughed, but Helper did not seem to eager to make conversation.

“So, what else have you been doing with yourself?” Shining Armor asked to break the ice.

Helper didn’t even look up form hi plate at him and simple answered, “Selling insurance.”

A moment of silence fell, “Okay, anything else?” asked Cadance.

“Nope…”

“So, that’s all you ever do; sell insurance?”

“It’s all I actually can do.” Helper replied hinting at his leg "There's not much I can do with this! So I could only take calm and quiet jobs, and this was the best I could do.

...Speaking of which."

He then handed Twilight the policy, “Look over it, and if you want it, just sign on the dotted line.” He was hoping she would hurry up so he could leave, which everyone else seemed to note.

Twilight began to fret inside. Things were not going as well as she had hoped, and she motioned to her parents to say something.

“So… um…” Velvet said as she tried to find words, “How’s your mother doing?”

Helper only cringed and looked a mix of furious and miserable, “She’s dead!”

All the others gawked in shock, “Oh, I’m very sorry to hear that.” Night Light said trying to show compassion, but Helper looked at him crossly and sneered softly, “She’s been dead for over twenty years!”

Night Light looked more shocked than ever, “I… I didn’t know.”

“Of course you wouldn’t know! I didn’t want you or any-pony else to know.”

“I’m just trying to show compassion!”

“Who’s asking you to try?!”

Flurry Heart began to fuss and cry in her highchair, “Oh, see what you two have done now!” Cadance scolded as she comforted her baby.

Helper snuffed and didn’t even bother to apologize. “I’ve had enough!” and he pushed himself away from the table and planned to leave.

“Wait!” Twilight snapped, and she teleported right in front of the doors blocking him off. “What is with you?” she asked sternly, “I put together this entire event so you and my father could make amends!”

“Aha! So you admit it!” said Helper, “I should’ve known you’d try a stunt like this!”

Shining Armor was growing cross now, “Hey, pal, don’t you go talking to my sister like that! All we were trying to do is help you, and just because you’re upset with our father is no reason for you to hate on us too.”

“Ha!” scoffed Helper “If only you really knew.”

“Really knew what?” asked Twilight, but before Helper could say another word, Flurry Heart, still fussing and fidgeting in her little tantrum, threw her rattle at the table, knocking over the candelabra, which launched a single candle straight at Helper.

“No!” Night Light shouted, and quickly used his magic to stop the candle in midair before it hit. Everyone sighed in huge relief, but Flurry Heart, in her tantrum fidgets, fired a huge blast of magic from her horn that hit a wheel of the dolly, breaking it off and the dolly slammed down hard on the floor.

“YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAOW!!!” Helper shouted as his leg ached severely from the force of the impact!

“Flurry!” snapped Cadance.

“THAT DOES IT!!!” thundered Helper, and he dragged himself and his busted dolly right through the doors.

Twilight tried to help him, but he brushed her off, “Leave me alone! ALL OF YOU!!!” and he continued to painfully drag himself to the elevator, riding it down to the main floor and he left the castle, dragging himself across the snow.

Twilight hung her head low, feeling hurt and upset. Her brother comforted her.

Velvet cried softly that the dinner was ruined, and Night Light… he slowly knelt down to the floor, hung his head to face the tiles as painful tears streaked down his face. “He… hates… me!” he cried softly “He really… really hates me!” he couldn’t hold it in anymore. He was too hurt; too upset… he began to weep softly, which everyone hated to see. It broke all their hearts as well, and they all huddled around him, holding him tightly.

Shining Armor then looked out the window, and even from where he stood, he could see the tracks in the snow that Helper had left behind.

His rage boiled up inside of him, and he just took off in a fiery huff.

“Bro!” cried Twilight.

“Shining Armor…!” Cadance called, but he had already dashed out the door and was galloping furiously along the grass. “No one hurts my family like this and gets away with it!” he thundered to himself “I’m going to get to the bottom of this once and for all!”