Cha*ter 7: The story before the story

Cha*ter 7: The story before the story

...

...

...

… ... ...Who...

Who... I am?

Who I am?

What... I am supposed to be?

What is my name?

Oh wait.

It's coming back to me now.

My name... is Floral.

But I find that name a little pretentious.

So I prefer to be called Flo.

It's more cute.

I am a little earth pony who lives at my hometown of Happy Town.

What I like the most?

The pond where I like to sing.

The smiling faces of all my neighbors.

But above all else.

My dear big brother.

My cutie mark?

A pretty sunflower.

The destiny it represents?

Bringing happiness to all...

...

...

Oh!

Ooooh. Right.

Now I remember.

I threw that destiny away.

Yes. Now I remember everything.

...

...

...

So. Would you like to hear my story?

But let me warn you.

Do not expect a happy ending.

Today is sure is a beautiful day. Let me tell you something about beautiful days. You may think that after seeing a lot in your life, that they may gradually lose their magic and that in the end, like so many things, will become just a mundane occurrence that is simply, well, nice. But what is so special about good days, and I'm not sure how to properly explain that, is that no matter how many times I had lived them, each one is still as peaceful, beautiful and wonderful as the last one like if each time, it was something new. Which it is I suppose. Talking with your friends work with the same principle don't you think?

Anyway, back to the topic. That day was one of the best. The air was so clean. The rays of the sun were warm and welcoming. The spring was dazzling. Butterflies were flying, their wings sending flash of light at each flip of their fairy like wings. In short, the view before me was like a piece taken from the deepest and purest recess of the heart. Sheesh. It was even taking me into a poetic mood. Or maybe a certain pony was rubbing on me.

From where I was, I was singing a simple song without lyrics. It was just something that was coming from the top of my head, nothing too complex. But the butterflies seemed to like it. A pink one even went to land on my muzzle and lazily spread and un-spread its wings.

‘’Oh, you like my performance? I'm very glad but could you please find another seat, it, heheh, it tickles.’’

My giggle made it fly away so instead it landed on my blank flank.

‘’Hihi, not there, it's even, hihi, worse!’’

I shake my butt to gently shoo away that little imp. It at last flew away and went up toward the rising sun. ... ... Wait a minute?

‘’Huh! That strange. If the sun is at that position... then that's mean it's... it's way pass noon!!! Oh shoot shootshootshootshoot, I did not see that so much time had flown away, I'm gonna be late, I'm gonna be lateee!!!’’

It was like I had spring-boots on my hooves. I had no time to lose so I galloped straight toward Happy Town.

‘’Now if I want to arrive on time, I will have to put the turbo.’’

Today, the streets of Happy Town were especially full of life. At every corner, ponies were doing their things and greeting each other with good mood. And that also includes the little filly darting pass them. Filly who is me.

‘’Why hello Flo. So good to see you.’’

‘’Good to see you too. Sorry I'm in a hurry.’’

‘’Flo! Good morning little one.’’

‘’Morning. We catch up later.’’

They are always so welcoming. It sure has a way to make you feel at home.

I saw that the street before me is too crowded to properly pass. Don't have a choice, has come across the terrace of the restaurant of Mister Golden Truffle. It shouldn't be a problem to go around the tables, well unless//

‘’Sacrebleu, it is that chérie Flo. Are zou here to give me some help?’’

Golden Truffle, carrying two plates on his back, was coming toward me, right on my path.

‘’Heh Goldy, watch out, watch out!’’

Alas, I had hit him. He had dropped his plates but I managed to catch them in-extremist with my hooves. But it didn't stop my momentum and I precariously spin around on my lower legs while making sure I don't drop the plates. As I tornadoes toward a table, I dropped one the plate before the mare sitting on it. Even said to her:

‘’Oh, you had taken the roasted oak bark, excellent choice.’’

And I spin toward the next table and dropped the next plate before a stallion.

‘’The pasta mushroom sauce, tell me about it, they are divine.’’

What? Even if I had been dragged into the job of waiters against me, I may as well do it right.

When I fall back on my four hooves, I continue my run without having lost any speed.

Don't ask me how I had managed to make those acrobatics, I had no idea. As I go away, everypony at the terrace are clapping at me, even Golden Truffe.

‘’Merçi Flo. Zou are such a précieuse pearl.’’

Yes, I had said they were welcoming but it seem they had taking quite a liking to me. I am not ungrateful, quite far from it. But I don't think I am that special. I just like to help when I can, that's all.

I am soon to pass the boutique Chic Garments and OH! Is it not Distinguished Topper from that cheese aficionado group. Those ponies always insist on sharing their loves of cheeses with me. I admit the main reason is that I don't know how to say no to them since I don't want to hurt their feelings.

I noticed that he is among the outside boots in front of the fitting mirror and that he looks very troubled. Two hats are levitating beside him and oooooh, I see. Now I have a pretty good idea of what the problem is. He can be so silly sometimes.

‘’*sigh* What to choose, what to choose? That jet-black top hat sure look stylish. But that blue-navy is rather dashing. AaaaAAAH this is a nightmare! I had tried to decide for more than an hour. Is there no one to save me from that heartbreaking choice?’’

A grabbed a bowler hat with my teeth, jumped over him and drop it on his head on the way.

‘’Take that juniper-green, it emphasizes your eyes.’’

I had said while landing on the ground and dashing forward. All hesitation was now gone from it.

‘’Ah but of course! It's so oblivious. Thank a lot Floral.’’

The pleasure to help somepony is a joy that never gets old. As I continued my run, I suddenly felt the strange sensation that my hooves were no longer touching the ground. Wait a minute? But... but they really are no longer touching the ground! I am flying?! Was all this time, I was pegasus without ever knowing it?!

Or a simpler answer is that Sturdy Hoof of the brotherhood of the Barrel Builders has grabbed me by my neck to help me run faster. Which now I realize it is a really weird answer too.

‘’Hello Sturdy Hoof. Such a good day is it not. It's not that I do mind but is it any reason for you to catch me like that?’’

Sturdy tossed me in the air and I landed on his head.

‘’Well Flo, I did notice that you were in a hurry so I could not resist giving you a little help. With my strong and grown-up legs, we will go much faster.’’

‘’And you did that without even wondering where and why I was running in the first place?’’

‘’Well, say it like that, haha. I just acted before I was thinking.’’

‘’Hehe. That all right, it's pretty nice of you and I am running out of time. By the way, how is it going with your wife?’’

‘’It's... a little tense, I'm afraid. My work at the brotherhood is taking up all my time. I barely stay at home. She is supportive but I can tell that she is feeling neglected.’’

‘’Humm I see. Seem complicate. I'm wondering, can you take holiday?’’

‘’I did think about that but I hesitate to ask my confreres and I am not sure a couple of days will make a difference.’’

‘’Okay first, after all the help that you have given, I am sure they will understand. Are they not brothers like you said. Secondly, I suggest using those holidays to do a special activity with just you and your wife. Trust me, if she knows you are doing that just for her, she will know you do care.’’

‘’Yes! Yes, you're right, it sounds so simple. Thank a lot, you always know the words to lift our spirits.’’

‘’Just happy to help.’’

‘’I am going right now tell her the good news. See you soon at the next choral at the chapel.’’

‘’I will miss that for nothing in the world. I had even practiced hard to improve, you will see.’’

‘’I can't wait to hear that. See ya Flo.’’

Sturdy darted right toward an alley, leaving only a trail of smoke. Leaving also me still hanging in the air.

‘’Hey hey wait, what about my lift, WAAAH!!!’’

When gravity decided to kick back, I luckily landed well and I had to continue my running.

Now I am sure that you find weird that a grown-up adult is asking life advice from, well, a child. It turns out that I have a knack for advice. Their opinion by the way, not mine. I like to help when I can and now, pony came specifically for me. Guess I have a kind of reputation.

Speaking of it, a bunch of young kids saw me and came running with me like little puppies.

‘’Heh Flo, what you are doing? Is it some sort of game?’’

‘’Hello kids. Sorry, I have no time to play with you today. I must hurry and go to my brother and I may not make it in time unless... ohhh.’’

It is when I noticed that one of the kids was rolling on a skateboard.

‘’Sayyy, would you mind that I borrow your skate? I promise I will give it back.’’

‘’Sure, anything for you. But you have to see us tomorrow to play the new game we have invented.’’

‘’Deal.’’

He sends me the skate and I jumped on it while still running. I did not lose time to push my hoof on the ground to make it roiling faster and faster until I reached top speed.

‘’Wait Flo! Should you not take my safety helmet too?’’

I think I had heard him say something but I am already too far to understand clearly. Building and ponies are becoming blurring and the wind pressure made my hair flying. It is really great. Now I should have no problem to arrive at my house on time as long as nothing go into my way//

‘’Blimey, it is Flo! Lucky us. We want your advice on something.’’

Why did I naively say that, knowing it always leads to trouble?

Two pegasus from the Dangerous Sports Club are a hanging banner saying in capital letters: MONOTONY AND BOREDOM AVOID WITH HIGH AND EXTREME SPORTS. I sure had always loved their enthusiasm but to spread that banner before me, putting right on the path of flying cute hair-braided torpedo. On dense can they be? Now there is no way for me to avoid... well... the word AVOID that came closer and closer. It's funny in a way.

‘’What do you think Flo? We want to make it the new motto of our club but heh oi oi oi oi oiiiii!!!’’

I teared across the banner, snapping it in two as I continued on my road, leaving those ponies behind.

‘’... ... ... Yup. She's right. See Risky, she agreed with me. I'd told you we could have come out a way better motto than that lazy one.’’

I continued to roll without control because my view is blocked by that piece of banner stick to my face that won't come out no matter how much I tried to trash it.

‘’Heh get out, get out! Ah, there. !!! Oi!’’

No, literally. The piece I had taken had the letters O and I on it.

At the distance, the old mare Soft Pastry came out of her bakery and she was transporting on her head a plate with a piece of cake.

‘’Deary Floral, the pony I was searching. I had tried a new cake recipe and since you are my favorite food tester I would like your opinion on it.’’

She held the plate before me. As I zoomed before her, I gulped the whole cake in one bite and continue my way because slowing down is beyond me.

‘’Wait Floral! Where is my verdict?’’

Did you think I will really leave her hanging there? I had left the piece of paper with the O and I and it softly flew down until it landed at her feet. At the reverse position.

‘’Ten points, really! Oh sweet.’’

After all the road I had rolled on, I must soon arrive to the plaza. And there it is. I can even see my house. Now all I need is, *gulp*, find a way to stop that thing.

Well, since I don't have a lot of options, the only thing I can do is using my hoof as a brake. Which I did. It wasn't a good idea.

The shock made the skateboard took off, making us fly in the air and everything went round and round and round. Luckily, I managed to land with style and without even opening my eyes, I caught the skate with just on hoof.

Okay, that was a lie. I just landed face first on the dirt and the skate landed right on my head. Yup. Turn out wearing a helmet is really super important.

You might think that was awful. And indeed, it did hurt a lot and my head was still ringing. But I am not the kind of pony to mop down over something so little. That whole debacle has been so fun. Once I got back on my hooves, I could not help but to giggle like a filly.

As I shake my head to chase off all the dust, the bells of the clock tower sang their beautiful song signifying that the hour had passed. It was limit but I had managed to arrive on time. I walk toward my house with blue walls. Its appearance is a little old but personally, I had always found that this antique look was quite charming and cozy and, well, homely. As I climbed into the terrace, I was about to open the door but I stopped in mid-track because I had heard music coming from inside. Pipe organ music. I see that my brother is composing a new song. Because of his work, he has renovated the inside walls to make them more sound-proof but still, that organ is so noisy that I, and probably our neighbors can well hear it from outside. The notes that he is playing conveyed a feeling of ominous and yet of majestic. It was enough to send a chill in my heart. I rolled my eyes at my brother inside. And he wonder why he got such a gloomy reputation.

I opened the door and entered. The music is now so loud and I had to carefully maneuvering around the maze of various stuffs littering the place. It might seem jarring but when you had lived all your life with an eccentric artist, this is become daily life.

And there he is. His back facing me, his hooves tapping on the keyboard and the soft rays of the sun shining from the window on his gray fur.

‘’Hi Mel. I'm home.’’

At the sound of my voice, Mel stopped playing. He stays there immobile for a moment before slowly, very slowly turning his head toward me revealing...

The warmest smile and affectionate eyes that only he has the secret.

‘’Ah there you are little sis. I was just practicing while I was waiting for you.’’

‘’Yes, I... heard. Trying once again to be a prince of darkness, humm.’’

‘’Ha ha, very funny. It's just I had an uncontrollable urge to express in music many depressing and raging feelings and I just could not resist.’’

‘’Oh. Another of your dark moments?’’

‘’Ah no, this time I wanted to force myself to go in there.’’

‘’You... wanted to go in a depressing state... on your own accord! You so weird you know.’’

‘’You won't find more weirder than me. Anyway, are you ready for tonight.’’

‘’Sure I am.’’

‘’Good. All that's left is to find my violin. It must be... somewhere in that mess. I'm sure.’’

Mel left his chair and went to the piles of various stuffs, dinging and spreading hazardly their content, making an even bigger mess. Sometimes I wonder who is the true older siblings.

‘’Your violin is on the shelf near your writing atelier. You have left it there two days ago.’’

‘’That right! Thanks little sis.’’

‘’You mean thanks little maid.’’

‘’That too.’’

‘’Hey!’’

He went to where I had pointed to get his instrument. Speaking about writing, it made me wonder about something.

‘’Say, how did it go about publishing your new story?’’

‘’I'm afraid it's another refusal. They had said, I quote: ''Thank you for your draft, we recognize you have talent but we are afraid that your avant-garde style does not correspond to our target demographic.'' A polite way to say: ''Your writing is too disturbing and might traumatized our readers. Sorry.''’’

‘’Oh, that suck. Well... maybe you should see that as a sign that you will have to change your style. It is not like you don't know how to write fun stories. The ones that you had written for me when I was young were so funny.’’

‘’That's true. I can. But I wouldn't have the same passion that I have when I write tragedies. It is my true talent after all.’’

My brother pointed at the stylish teardrop on his flank. I admit I had always been envious of his cutie mark but the talent it represents... that, I have difficulty to understand why it exists. What is the reason to be of making sad things?

Bah. I had asked myself that question many times but it is useless. He just like that.

‘’Then I guess all you have to do is try again and again. One day will eventually come a pony who will give you a chance.’’

‘’I don't know Flo. I think my view of the world is too unique, too drastically different. People don't feel safe with what is not familiar and prefer to stick with what is more common.’’

‘’But when you think about it, do all things that are common were not necessarily once unfamiliar at their beginning? Like in our childhood. So then, if it is the proof that they know how, then why people tend not to be that open mind?’’

‘’You got a good point. But ponies have a selective memory. They like to think that what they have learned is not things they had learned but simply... what it is. The truth. The way. Like that, they are able to believe that there exist a, how to say that? A guideline for life. And that sure reassure. That may seem presumptuous, but since forever I was somehow aware of that and I wanted to kinda open their eyes to new ways. Sorry, that might be a little complicate to explain. So in short, I am afraid that my tragedies that have for goal to shock and traumatize are too much for the innocent hearts of ponies.’’

‘’... ... I don't get it. If you have no hope that you will be recognized then why are you continuing all that hard work?’’

‘’That's simple. It is because I love what I am doing. It is impossible for me to stop, I must create. Because I know that no matter how the world reject me, I will at least always have one fan. Me. The most important is to love what you doing.’’

‘’I'm... not sure to like that.’’

He may have been sincere or not, but still it looked to me like an excuse to more digest his own isolation. I guess I was grieving more than I thought I look because Mel went alarmed at me.

‘’Hun! Heh wait wait! Sorry Flo, don't make that face, I swear I really don't see my situation as sad. I didn't mean to be gloomy.’’

‘’Hum. Good job.’’

‘’Please don't be like that. I did not... ... !!! Tell you what, I think, yes I think it is time that I tell you a secret. A secret that I have never revealed to anypony.’’

‘’A... secret!?’’

My hears parked up and I admit I was intrigued. If he wanted me to forget about my bum out, well it was working.

‘’Yes sis, a secret on my writing process. You see, for years I used one special trick to help get into the skin of my characters, to more easily feel what they are feeling and make them more realistic. And today, I am going to reveal that trick just to you. Wait for me.’’

Mel went into his writing atelier, the place where he has for habit to seclude himself for hours. Once inside, I can hear him moving various stuff in his usual messy way.

‘’Tell me Flo, what do you know about our grandfather?’’

‘’Grandfather Tinker Scrap! Even less than on our parents. Just that he was a unicorn that had graduated from the School for Gifted Unicorns and that he was... an eccentric fella.’’

Mel came back from the atelier with a small box on his back.

‘’Eccentric is the word. He worked his whole life to invent many magical inventions that were, hummm, not that successful. The lantern working with solar energy. The mixture that changes any potions into simple tap water. The pills that make you temporary blind. Yeah, a bunch of weird and crackpot ideas. But this. This one, was a success.’’

He put the box on the ground before me. Then to make the suspense last, he opened the lid slowly. And inside, was a beautiful jewel of a deep blue.

‘’Oh! Pretty. But what it is?’’

What you see Flo, is magical jewel that have the power to change your appearance.’’

‘’It can what?!’’

‘’Do you know about changeling? Those creatures that have the ability to take the form of whoever they wish. Well, from what father told me, grandfather was fascinated by that power and wanted to find a way to duplicate it. So he used a simpler version. This gem does not transform you but instead cover yourself with a... projection. Like a cloak. But with that, you can disguise as anypony you want.’’

‘’You're serious!’’

Mel took the blue gem on his hoof.

‘’Demonstration.’’

The gem made a faint glow and something strange happened. It was like the light around my brother shifted and that his body was distorting itself. When the distortion was gone, it... !!!

It was no longer my brother that I was in front of me but a pony that I had never seen. Instead was a stallion wearing a stylish old jacket and a cool hat with curly brown hair under it.

‘’Impressive? I often use it to take the appearance of the characters of my books. By wearing their skins, it is a like I am becoming them.’’

He changed again and now he was a pale little filly with red hair wearing a black cloak with a hood and a butterfly brooch. But the fact that filly was talking with my brother voice was making the thing so uncanny.

‘’That way, it becomes easier for me to more realistically feel what they are feeling and to better know how they will act. Plus it is very fun.’’

The illusion vanished. He became back the brother I always knew.

‘’So Flo, what do you think of it?’’

‘’This, was, AMAZING! That the coolest stuff I have ever seen. But why were you insisting on keeping that trick a secret?’’

‘’Oh hum... it's just a little phobia that I was afraid that if other authors get wind of that trick, they think that I had an unfair advantage. In the long run, hiding it just became a habit.’’

‘’Always complicate for nothing are you. Anyway, can I try it please please pleaaaase?’’

‘’But I had hoped you will say that. Go on, use it at your heart content. Remember, you need to always hold the gem if you want the illusion to stick.’’

Mel gave the blue gemstone to me.

‘’Oooh, I am so excited. With this I can really transform as anything?’’

‘’As long it's a pony and that it is not too lavish.’’

‘’Anypony I want?’’

‘’Even one coming from your imagination.’’

I just could not wait to use it but then I realized... that I had no idea who I wanted to be. He had said I could use somepony from my imagination but my imagination is not as fertile as him. So... somepony I know? Then the answer came to me in a flash. He will be so surprised.

As the light shimmer around me, my appearance changed and when my brother saw the result, he was so in shock he took a step back.

‘’Wo! That's... special.’’

I looked at my hooves and yes indeed they were now bigger and grayer. I had become a perfect copy of my own brother. I even had his cutie mark. It was so fun that I could not help but to giggle like a little filly which I'm sure was ruining the image.

‘’Heh don't make that face. You should feel honored. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.’’

‘’Sorry sorry, it's just seeing my sister has... has me is so, so weird. Good thing it can't change voice. Grandfather never could have solved that default.’’

‘’Oh, you mean like this?’’

Oh, did I forget to mention that I could imitate the voice of Mel to a pitch. I often use that vocal trick to freak him out. Which he does look like right now.

‘’Oh oh oh, riiiight, you can do that. Okay now I am feeling uncomfortable.’’

‘’Why, what's wrong with me? I am Melancholia, the pony with the most creative mind in Equestria. You should admire me.’’

‘’Okay seriously, stop that.’’

‘’Heck you're no fun.’’

I gave him back the jewel, changing me back to a little filly. He put it back in the box.

‘’Seriously sis. Voice imitation and awesome singing. How come you didn't receive any cutie mark for those golden vocal chords?’’

‘’Oh you know, I see that more as a hobby than a vocation.’’

I had never told him but the reason if I had become good at singing in the first place is because I wanted to be closer of my brother. When I was really, really young, I wanted to be able to do something artistic like him so we can have more in common. Mel knows how to do everything except one thing. Singing. I had asked the brotherhood for help because they are well-know fanatical singers. I had learned fast. Turn out I had a natural for songs. Then one thing lead to another and before I knew it, here I am, singing chorals for all Happy Town. But above all else, this gave birth to the special activity we are doing each week, just the two of us.

‘’Speaking of hobbies, don't you think we must hurry Mel? I know we still have a few hours before the night but today we planned to do a picnic before our usual nocturnal concert and I can't just wait.’’

‘’Hahaha, alright alright. You know I am looking toward it as much as you.’’

The pond tonight was a sight coming straight from a dream. The stars were shining like jewel on the night sky and also on the reflective water surface. The moon was full and bright, its craters showing to us the image of the Mare in the Moon, watching over us. And of course, there was the reason why we are going at our pond in the evening. The Midnight Lotus. Those flowers always emit a pretty purple light but it is only during the night that they show their true shine. It was like the water was filled with floating lanterns shaped like lotus flowers.

It is the favorite spot of Mel because he finds that place so inspiring. He brought me here when I was young and I fell in love at first sight at this vision of fairy tale. It then became our secret garden for just for the two of us. And to make it even more beautiful, we came out with a little tradition.

Mel held his violin between his hoof and head and his archer in his mouth. The light of the moon was reflecting on his eyes.

‘’Are you ready?’’

I took a deep inspiration as my hair floated in the cold breeze.

‘’Always.’’

I opened my mouth and sang my song.

It's a simple song without lyrics but full of my feelings. I began softly to bring the mood. But then I explode in crescendo, expressing all the beauty I have for life for then toned down in continuous but strong choirs conveyed my admiration and reverence for it.

My brother played his violin in synchro with me.

When I was strong, he was giving a sweet melody that was at the same time making you sad and happy. When I was soft, he was giving strong hits of his archer, adding to his melancholic tune a hint of exuberance.

Both of our music are as opposite as it can be. Day and night. But yet, they combined as seamlessly as puzzle pieces, embellishing each other. And as the notes drifted in the sky, they danced in harmony to form the most wonderful ode to beauty itself.

Tomorrow morning, we had our usual breakfast of pancakes. As I was about to take a bite, I noticed from the window that... a... lot of ponies were galloping like crazy. And what's more, and they were all running in the same direction. Mel noticed it too and we both agreed it was very strange. But that was not all. From where we were, we could hear the footsteps of somepony running on our stair and even before we had the time to be worried or surprised, our door was wildly open and from it came bursting a pony who was out of breath.

‘’What *pant**pant* what are you two doing here! Snap Shot has come back from his trip to Ponyville and he saw something incredible. Hurry, come downstairs, everpony is at the plaza in front of the mayor house.’’

My brother tilted his head in incredulity.

‘’Wait wait! Something incredible? What did he see?’’

‘’An unbelievable story.’’

He emphasizes, pointing his hoof in the air.

He ran back downstairs. Me and Mel just stayed here, looking at each other. Then we got up from our chairs and like him, galloping to the outside.

As he had said, a bunch of ponies were gathered in front of the mayor house. We came closer to see what it was all about and there, right at the center, was the unicorn Snap Shot telling his story while gesticulating widely. Mayor Paternal came out of his house, curious about all this.

‘’Well well, that sure is gathering. Did I forget there was supposed to be a town assembly? Wait, is that it? Did I organized a town assembly and I forget?! What is the meaning of this?’’

Snap Shot turned toward him.

‘’It's me mister Mayor, I have some incredible news and I can't keep them for myself, I have to share it with everypony. I will restart from beginning so you can all understand.’’

He went to his audience, speaking to nopony in particular, taking little time to take breath in his speech.

‘’As I had said before, yesterday I had made with my friend Fresh New a trip to Ponyville for The Summer Sun Celebration. It was on Ponyville that this year celebration was held so me and Fresh went there because it was our chance to get some photo of the princess. That night, all the town, me and Fresh include were reunited at the town hall to see Princess Celestia raise the sun. But but but, but when the curtain was raised, oh you will not believe it but she was not there. Because at her place was another Alicorn. A black one, an evil one!’’

Everypony was looking and whispering at each other, no sure what to make of that tale.

‘’You have to believe me. She was there. I saw her. She had called herself Nightmare Moon. I swear, it was like seeing an evil enchantress from a fairy tale. She said she had been imprisoned on the moon for a thousand years. That she was planning to overthrow Celestia and that she was going to brink the eternal night. And it really did happen! The day did not come!’’

So many had their eyes wide open in bewilderment. Myself include. I whispered to my brother.

‘’Psst. Mel. Have you any idea of what he is talking?’’

‘’I am not sure but... but what he is telling look a lot like the legend of the Mare in the Moon. But it is just an old maretales. Is it? But... but I did notice that the night was far longer this it is supposed to be and I'm sure I am not the only one who had noticed that.’’

‘’Mel, I have to tell you something. I had awake in the middle of the night to take a glass of water but when I looked at the moon through the window, the craters forming the image of the Mare in the Moon had... vanished! Like if they were never there!’’

‘’What? What!’’

Snap Shot continued his tale.

‘’I swear everypony, I am telling the truth. Wait look. I have taken several photos. Here, look look.’’

He took from his saddlebag numerous photos and spread it on the ground.

All ponies went to look at them. And there she was on the pics. The one I was seeing was showing a cackling black alicorn under a cloud of blue smoke throwing lightning. Now we had all to face the facts. My brother took the picture I was looking and slide closer to him. It was easy to see how stunned it was and rarely he gets stun.

‘’Dear Celestia. So that legend was true! But... but wait Snap Shot! If that Nightmare Moon is real then how come daylight is still here?’’

‘’That is the best part of what I want to tell you. That villain had been stopped. By heroes. Six mares coming from Ponyville.’’

All got excited at that declaration. The mayor in particular was very intrigued and came closer of the new storyteller.

‘’Heroes? Wait! You mean... genuine living heroes! Oh please, you must tell us more about them.’’

‘’Yes yes. So, so so so these six mares didn't cower in fear, no instead they bravely went after that villain who was hiding in a dangerous forest. The Everfree Forest I think they call it. They had faced many mortal perils, went into the ruins of an old abandoned castle and even found there magical artifacts that helped them to defeat her. That the part I do not quite understand yet but I think I heard that they are six objects, each filled with the power of a virtue. And with them they win against her but but but here the best part. They didn't annihilate her, no, they had purified her, purged her of all evil and made her good.’’

All crowd was now ecstatic. Happy Town is a sucker for happy and feel good stories. Now they all wanted to hear more.

‘’Turn out that Nightmare Moon was all along a princess. Princess Luna, the long lost sister of Celestia.’’

Celestia had a sister! That was new for all of us.

‘’Mel, you knew that?’’

‘’No Flo, I had really no idea.’’

‘’Those that mean we now have two princesses?’’

‘’Shush, let's hear more.’’

‘’And when it was all over they made a great celebration at Ponyville. Everypony was singing and dancing, it was so incredible.’’

The mayor nudged at the shoulder of Snap and asked:

‘’Did you take photos of that party? Because I would really like to see that.’’

‘’Of course mayor, I had made tons of it. Here take a look.’’

He grabbed a bunch more, gave them to the crowd. They all looked at them with fascination, sharing them with others. Some were showing the ponies of Ponyville partying. Some were showing Princess Celestia with another alicorn, far smaller that has to be the Luna he made mention. But the subjects on the most photos were that of six particular mares.

‘’You seeing those six mares? Those are the heroes I had mentioned. Me and Fresh News did some research on them. The lavender unicorn is Twilight Sparkle, a personal student of Celestia. She is the only one who didn't initially lived in Ponyville but now she does to study friendship. The earth pony with the hat is Applejack. She is responsible of an apple acre called Sweet Apples Acre. That pony with cotton candy hair is Pinkie Pie. She is a baker and supposedly one of the best party planners in Equestria. That yellow pegasus is Fluttershy and from what I have heard, she loves taking care of animals. This white unicorn with the stylish mane is called Rarity. She runs a dress shop, Carousel Boutique. And finally, that pegasus with the rainbow hair is Rainbow Dash, a weather pony and as everypony says, one of the best fliers.’’

The curiosity of all was now excited to its peak. They all wanted to know more about those six mares like if they have already become celebrities. And they were all begging Snap Shot to give them more details.

‘’I'm sorry everypony. That's all I know. I was too impatient to tell you about them. But Fresh News has stayed in Ponyville to research more about those mares. Soon we will know more about them.’’

All town was filled with the sound of happy voices. Mel looked at them and could not help but to give a small chuckle.

‘’Aww seriously, they could be such child sometimes. Just because they suddenly heard about people who have a big positive influence, they go hooks and sinkers about them. You don't think so Flo? Huh, Flo!’’

But I didn't hear him. My gaze was fixing on a picture of those six friends in an embrace. Something in them... I don't know how to explain it... but it was like... I could tell they were the kind of ponies I would like to become.

‘’Heroes, hunnn.’’

My brother once told me that at that day... it was like I had stars in my eyes.

A lot of time has passed since then. And life has stayed relatively the same and we were all doing our usual occupation. For me, today was a day where I had to sing at the chapel.

As I had once said, I had tried hard to become good at singing and before I knew it, all the town fell in love with my voice.

Mayor Paternal was so impressed that he felt then that talent must be shared to all. So he came up with the idea of singing performances at the chapel. Since I could make so many happy with my voice, I had, of course, accepted. So now I sing at the chapel at least two or three days a week and even if it's voluntary work, for me, I consider it an important job.

Once I finished singing the last note, everypony calmly get up from their chairs without applauding. It is normal, my songs are here to give peace in their hearts. It would be impolite to ruin the quietude.

Once I go outside under the bright sun, Mayor Paternal called me.

‘’Ah Flo, that was another great performance. Each time, it's hard for me not to cry.’’

‘’Ah, dear mayor. Why does each time you compliment me, you must always exaggerate?’’

‘’I stick to my words. Anyway, what are you doing?’’

‘’Nothing special. I just planned to go home and relax.’’

‘’Then would you mind to make a quick trip to my house before? It took time but they finally came out.’’

‘’The sunflowers! They bloomed at last! Oh sure I want to see them.’’

I get along well with all Happy Town but I admit that Mayor Paternal is a special case. For as long as I remember, he had been present in my life, going to our house to see how me and my brother were doing, opened nice conversation with me each time he had the occasion, or invited me to tea. He pretends that if he wants so much to hang up with me is that I am good company. But I think there is another reason. Mel once told me that Paternal was good friends with my parents. So when they died, maybe he saw a little of them in me and talking to me make him feel closer to them. But I am fine with that. I had seen him so often that I consider him family.

The trip didn't take more than one minute or two. The mayor house is impossible to miss since it function both as the town hall and the famous clock tower. The mayor pointed toward his window but specifically the flower-bed under it.

They were so beautiful. He really did an incredible job. They were going so high that they were blocking the view of the window. I am afraid we will have to put them somewhere else. But their heads were huge and straightforward and their petals were all healthy and of a bright yellow. You could easily mistake them for mini suns on stems.

‘’They are wonderful! You have taken good care of them.’’

‘’I knew you will like them. I had told myself that if happiness is the motto of our town then why not grow flowers that are the symbol of it.’’

‘’True, but now that you mention it, I had always wondered why. Why sunflowers are a symbol for happiness?’’

‘’Well, for many reasons. First because they look like suns. When you see them you immediately think of a sunny day and if there is one thing that made you smile is that. Also they're big and bombastic. But... there is a deeper reason. You see, what differentiates sunflowers from other flowers is that they always grew up. Not in any direction. Always straight up to get the most sun. When you think about it, this could be a good metaphor for somepony going straight toward happiness and joy without detours. A little like us.’’

‘’Wowww. I see now. In a way, they are kind of a life model to follow.’’

‘’Exactly, we Happyvilians are all trying our best to be like those wonderful flowers. Hum, speaking of life models , did you read the story about the Mane 6 that came yesterday?’’

‘’Oh yeah. Once it came to my mail, I had devoured it in least than ten minutes. Those mares know how to be funny, I had stomach cramps. But the lesson that came out of it. So inspiring. I intend to follow it for the rest of my life.’’

Alright, alright. I was not quite honest when I had said that life had stayed the same. You remember when we had received news about six awesome mares, that we wanted to know more and that ponies were stationed at Ponyville to discretely find more information on them? Well, it was supposed to stop there but... it turns out... those six ponies had a pretty eventful life. Seriously, events full of drama and fun were always falling on them. We were lucky if it happens no more than once a week. And I did not mean big extraordinary heroic events, though it was still occasionally happening, but day-to-day life events. That means at the end that there was no shortage of anecdotes to tell.

It make our view of them change. Before, we were just admiring them, seeing them as models of virtues. But we had realized that they are also... normal ponies. And that make them relatable. More identifiable. However, the best was, at our eyes, that they were still those incredible and virtuous heroes. But they were now more like heroes of ordinary life. This had for effect that we genuinely feel like we can become like them.

That and the fact that there were always new stories about them. These two factors made the popularity of the Mane 6 spread like wild fire on Happy Town. So much that today, the admiration of the Mane 6 could be considered part of the identity of Happy Town. I too had become a fan of them. Without bragging, I consider myself their number one fan.

We constantly send ponies to Ponyville to act like discreet reporters. After a time, they come back to take a break and other take their turns. Their jobs are to discretely take photos, discretely find information on their adventures and misadventures, discretely talk with whiteness to have a better perspective. Emphasize on the word 'discretely'. It has become an art for us. We don't want to bother or embarrass the ponies we admire the most. And it as nothing to do with the fact that being discovered may force us to stop our search for new contends. Definitely had nothing to do with that. Nope. Nada.

‘’You're right Flo. They really are wonderful. The lessons about friendship they are giving will sure enrich even more our life. To discover them was truly a benediction.’’

‘’Since I had discovered them, they had become my role models. All they did to make the world better. I hope that one day I would become as helpful as they are.’’

‘’But Flo. On that you are already as helpful and wonderful as those mares.’’

‘’You know, that flattery begins to become old.’’

‘’Floral floral floral. Floral. It is time that you start to realize how important you are for Happy Town.’’

‘’Important!? That's... excessive.’’

‘’Of course you will be too humble to notice it. But for years, you had a positive impact on all of us. Since the day you were able to walk, you show us all that you were special. Ohhh, I still remember those days. You were so pure. Even as a toddler you were caring more about others than yourself and at your eyes, all that surround us were... so bright and shiny. We're all pursuing the ideal of happiness. We're all trying our best to find new way to bring joy. But you surpass us all on that quest. And that makes you a beacon that we all want to follow.’’

I... I was simply at lost for words. I am used to him showering me with compliments. But this time... it's different. I can tell he is thinking every word of it.

‘’Mayor! I... I... I don't know what to say.’’

‘’But the mayor is right you know.’’

Surprise, I turned around to see who had talked. Turn out that the many passersby around us heard our conversation and felt they had to enter the conversation. So many ponies voiced their opinions.

‘’He is right. We all think the same. Nopony is as nice and positive as you.’’

‘’Your smile is so infectious that it is hard not to do the same.’’

‘’You are always here to help and you ask nothing in return. It makes us want to do the same.’’

‘’When we're in trouble, we know what to do thanks to your advices.’’

‘’All my kids love you so much. I even consider you family. And I am sure it is the same for many ponies.’’

‘’You are so bright we all want to follow your example. It might sound weird to say, but for us Happyvilians, you're the center of our community.’’

... ... ... ... Was... it true?! Is it how everypony sees me? I knew as was well-knew and well-loved around all town but... .... I am really that important to them! I... had no idea. I had really, really, no idea. To think that all this time I was so loved, so important to them. This made my head spin a little.

The mayor noticed it and gently put his hoof on my shoulder. This help to alleviate a lot of my vertigo.

‘’Oho. A little overwhelming for you I see. But at least you will now at last understand how much you are adored. And it's all legitimate. Just like the bearers of the Elements, you are a guide for us. You are like... like those sunflowers!’’

‘’I am like the sunflowers?’’

‘’Yes. Like them, you're always going to the top, straight toward happiness. And just be looking at them, we want to smile and follow their example. So you are like a symbol of happiness. Just like those flowers. Floral is even your name now that I think about it. But I want you to understand how much we are grateful that we were blessed by that little angel that is you. ...!!! Hum... angel. Yes. Yes!’’

Without warning, he lifted my little person, and I, and my burning cheeks, was resting on his head, well under the view of the entire crowd.

‘’What do you say friends that we give to our dear Floral, aka Flo, the fitting title of... angel of Happy Town? Hum. Flo, the angel of Happy Town. It has a nice ring.’’

All of them, all singles of them, approved and applauded. Some even went whistling.

You cannot understand what I was feeling right now because even I had no idea. It was like my heart was about to explode and it was so overwhelming. But what I can tell, is that among the storm of feelings in me, there was a warm sensation growing in my chest. I decide to trust it and... please don't laugh at me but... since fillyhood I had always dreamed of being an angel. A silly child fantasy of mine.

Anyway, I need to properly thank them.

‘’Alright. Then I... IIII suppose I must do some sort of speech. Uh-hum. Thank you everypony. But really thank you. That, sure took me by surprise. I just don't know how to react before so much praise. This could make me my head swell so much it will make me fly to the heaven and then I will truly be an angel. Ahah. That was lame.’’

A bunch of ponies laughed at that bad joke.

‘’But in seriousness, I... I... . You know what, let me tell you something personal. For a long time I have been worried about finding my purpose. There are a few things that I am good at but nothing that really click. I had tried to work my brain on what I want to do with my life but it has always been a blur. I had never thought that much about all the time I had help you. Happy town is my home. And you are those I care the most. This place is so joyful that I and just wanted to give the favor back. But... but right now you all made me realize something. Helping you is what I love the most. If you say that all the little gestures I had made are that impactful to you, then I will be glad to take the role that you ask of me and...!!! Hum? Why are you all looking at me with those weird mouth wide-open faces? Did I say something wrong?’’

The crowd was frozen, their iris dilated and jaws hanging. It was giving me goosebumps. One pony decided to raise his hoof and pointed it toward me. I followed its direction and threw a glimpse at my blank flank!!!!!

My... blank flank... who was no longer blank.

‘’It... can't be!’’

I thought my eyes were playing tricks. I blinked several times but no. No, it really was there. There, clear as day on my fur, the image of a sunflower, just like those of Mayor Paternal.

‘’It's... It's a cutie mark. ... ... IT’S A CUTIE MARK!’’

I am so overjoyed that I danced around on the head of the mayor.

‘’I GOT MY CUTIE MARK, I GOT MY CUTIE MARK. I AT LAST FOUND MY TALENT, I FOUND MY PLACE IN THE WORLD.’’

The mayor was so overjoyed that he took me in his arms and hugged me, well more like crushed all my bones to dust.

‘’It's miraculous! It's a true miracle! This must be a sign, it as to be. Your cutie mark must mean you do are a bringer of happiness. Oh my people, let us all rejoice.’’

Everypony exploded in joy and rushed toward me, grabbed me and throw me in the air repeatedly while chanting ‘’Horray. Horray. Horray.’’ in my honor. I admit, all this adulation was making me feel ecstatic. Is it so wrong? I did not care. It was making me feel great.

They threw me up again and again. Until they realized that without knowing, they were now no longer throwing up a pony but empty air instead. Confused, they looked all around to see where their new idol has gone.

I used that confusion to sneakily crawl under their legs and slip away from this mass of ensnaring, but so nice, fans and quietly tiptoed toward my house.

‘’(Sorry folks. But there somepony important that I must tell about my mark and I just can't wait.)’’

I busted the door open, not caring about noise or furniture damage, and rushed in.

My brother was here, sitting at a desk, his back facing me. He was reading some sheets of papers.

He was a little sad. But like the naive fool that I am, I had noticed nothing at that time.

I had learned later that those papers were more refusal letters.

Instead, I joyfully exclaim:

‘’Mel Mel Mel, this incredible you will never guess what had happened to me.’’

But still, he did his best to smile at me, as my dear brother always does.

‘’Well well, what made you in such a mood, little firecracker?’’

‘’It's my cutie mark. I got my cutie mark, look, look.’’

I showed him my sunflower on my flank and he was so surprised. With one swift sweep of his hooves, he threw away all his paper like if they had no place to be here and get out of his chair with such violence that it fell. In all my life I had never seen him so joyful.

‘’No! No! You're serious! After all this time, it finally came! Your cutie mark!’’

‘’Yes, yes. My cutie mark means that my talent is to bring joy to others. I at last know what I have to do in life.’’

‘’A cutie mark, a cutie mark, my sister has a cutie mark! Come here you.’’

He grabbed me with his hooves and lifted me in the air and danced around with me. Both of us were laughing at heart’s content without stopping.

It was, and is still, the best moment in my life.

‘’Here you go Flo. A nice piping hot cup.’’

‘’Ah thank you Mayor. I really needed it.’’

I took a nice sip of tea from the living room of Mayor Paternal house. I can feel energy coming back to me.

‘’Aaaaah, won, der, ful. It is perfect, my back was killing me.’’

‘’That sentence is weird when you say it. Especially since a pony of my age is supposed to say that kind of thing.’’

‘’Well the day was particularly intense. Helping the elderly, sharing advice, give a hoof in helping fix a roof and my singing at the chapel. I will soon have barely time to sleep.’’

‘’They are asking too much of you?’’

‘’Rest assure, so few actually ask for help. My work is always voluntary.’’

‘’It's good to hear that. But don't work yourself to the bone. Take some rest sometime. There is only one of you.’’

‘’I take good notes.’’

‘’Still, look at you now. Soon to be a grow mare and you are already such a wonderful pony. It may have been one year ago but for me it still felt like yesterday when we all acknowledge you as our ang*couf**couf*, hum I mean as our model citizen. Your parents must be so proud.’’

He had wept a tear from his eyes like if he was a proud father. He had nearly called me an angel again. It was one year since I kinda accepted that title but still, I had strongly insisted not to be called that in front of me because I find it a tiny bitsy arrogant. Though it doesn't stop them from calling me that behind my back. To put some levity, I decided to tell an innocent joke.

‘’Hum, proud of only me? And what about my brother? The poor.’’

That... didn't work. Instead he became embarrassed and it was clear it was a tricky subject for him.

‘’No hum, no. It's not that I want to say bad things, I swear. But you know him. He is so hard to approach. When you are around him, you can't help but to feel... weird. And he is so stubborn about pursuing his obsession that is leading him nowhere.’’

‘’... You know, for not wanting to say bad things... this is a rather poor job.’’

‘’Look, I am sorry, I truly do. But I had seen some of his work. It... hit you at the core and it follows you for days. Sorry if I can't describe it better. But I afraid he is creating more harm than good. Tell me Flo, do you think he should continue that passion of his when until that day, it had only given him rejection and isolation? There are so many miseries in life so what is the point to add it more even if his just on paper?’’

‘’I... ... was thinking the same recently.’’

I had said while somberly playing with my now empty cup.

I could not help but noticed but that not only his writing drafts but also his paintings and music was receiving no recognition. Sure, it's not like in Happy Town there is a market for, hum, bummer stuffs. But even outside of town, his craftsmanship was... ... let's say the world is still not ready for his vision. Or... at least that what I was telling myself all those years. But it becomes harder and harder to see him like that. All those rejections of his hard work was making him miserable. And not the 'miserable' that he likes. I had tried to give him a more solid place in our community but it had mixed results.

For the mayor it was apparent that this conversation was making me sad and he wanted to correct that.

‘’I am sorry, I should never have talked about it. Wait I know! To forgive me, I will show something I think you will like.’’

‘’Something I will like!?’’

The mayor get up from his chair and went to the doorway.

‘’Follow me, it's at the floor above.’’

I jumped from my chair and went after him.

‘’If it is about the mechanism of the clocktower, you had already shown me that.’’

‘’No no, what I want to show you is least impressive but I find it fitting that you see it.’’

Strange. It was not in his habit to be enigmatic. He is usually as easy to read as an open book.

We climbed the stair to the first floor and he guided me toward a door. He took a flower vase that was near, on a stool, and under it was a hidden skeleton key.

‘’This room is sadly never use. I only go there once a week to clean it of the dust.’’

He took the key with his mouth and put it in the keyhole. The door opened and I saw that inside...

‘’Wow! Wow. Is it what I think it is?’’

There was only one window but it was more than enough to bathe with the light of the day on all those pieces of history before my eyes. Glass displays with old colonial artefacts. Other displays holding in them, newspaper articles at least a century old. Walls full of photos in black-and-white or brown-and-white. And a lot of plates with short description written on them.

‘’I had no idea you had that in your house. So it is like a museum of the history of our town?’’

‘’Welll, I won't have the arrogance to call it a museum.’’

He had said embarrassed. His statement was compressible. The room was small. Smaller than the living room. Calling it a museum must be exaggerated and it might be fitter to call it a tourist attraction. A very minor one. Still...

‘’I like that place. But why did you want to bring me here?’’

‘’Nopony follows our philosophy better than you so I had told myself that it will be good that I show you how it had begun in the first place. Besides, that room must serve for at least something. Our ancestors built it to show our history to tourists but thought our town is a nice place, we're not exactly a highlight of Equestria and I now use the town hall as my house and in the end it was just too complicated. But enough of that. Let me give you a little tour.’’

He guided me to one of the glass displays. I could see that resting inside was a pickaxe, and miner helmet, other stuffs that I didn't recognize but that I could tell it was used for mine work. But the most important piece was a black-and-white photo, nearly faded out. It was showing smiling ponies dressed in miner get-up, all dirtied with dirt, in front of a mine entrance.

‘’You see Flo, a long time ago, before Happy Town was, well, Happy Town, there was the gold mine. A vein of gold was found at the surface of Mount Heaven. Words were spread and soon, ponies all over Equestria came to dig at the new mine, dreaming of riches.’’

‘’How is that I had never heard of that?’’

‘’Oh it's no wonder. Turn out that vein was actually, very poor. In short, the mine was a bust and many had abandoned it. But not all of them. Some of them did not lose hope and even built a settlement to continue digging even deeper.’’

‘’Why? If the mine was that empty then it seems to me to be a futile effort.’’

‘’There is a reason for that. On what our ancestor told us the ponies that had stayed had... miserable lives and they were all hoping the gold would give them a chance make them better. That is why they could not give up.’’

‘’What do you mean miserable lives? That's rather vague.’’

‘’Oh on that point, nopony knows exactly what they meant. I'm sure they all had their own story but they preferred not telling them. They wanted to put the past behind them and not bother the next generation with it. A clean and fresh start. Anyway, like you had said, it was a futile effort. There was no gold. It was obvious at that point. But even if they had given up on the mine, they did not despair. Now I will show you the crown jewel of that exhibition.’’

The mayor walked toward one of the walls and shown me another photo. It was indeed treated with more care than the rest since there was a noticeable space between it and the other exhibits. It had for effect to emphasize it. The glass where it was encased did a wonderful job to conserve it because even though the photo was old, it also looked brand-new. The label on the glass was saying: 'Grand inauguration'.

‘’That, is our beginning. Our true beginning. To accept that all their efforts had been for nothing was quite a blow. But. But they had remembered the feeling of optimism that had allowed them to pursue that endeavor in the first place. So, with nothing else left, they had decided to firmly grasp on that feeling and to never look back at anything else.’’

The brown-and-white photo was of a bunch of ponies dressed in contemporary clothes, cutting with big scissors an inaugural ribbon. You could see the whole of the clocktower. That was when I realized the inauguration was not just about the town but also about the clocktower.

‘’To make sure to never forget that vow, they decided to stay at their settlement and to build a community based on the principles of happiness. They dismantled the old houses to build the essential buildings for a town. The buildings that are now Central Plaza. And to cement their resolve, they poured the little bits they had to pay the best architects of the time. And with their help, made the clocktower.’’

‘’Wait wait wait wait wait! They used the little money they had to make... a landmark instead of something more, I don't know... useful?! Say it like that, it sounds like a waste.’’

‘’It might seem crazy indeed. But they wanted a symbol of their promise. Something that will remind them, every day, every hour, what they are searching for. And it did. Each times those bells sing, they tell us that tomorrow will be bright. If we ran straight toward happiness.’’

‘’I... I had really no idea we had that kind of past.’’

‘’That's why I find the history of our ancestors so inspiring. Their dedication to happiness was to a whole other level. You know... you make me think of them.’’

‘’Me!’’

He grabbed me by the sides and lifted me toward the photo.

‘’Yes. That is one the reasons I wanted to make you our local hero. I have a feeling you might teach us to better follow in the hoofsteps of our ancestors.’’

‘’You think so! But what can I do to help even more my town?’’

I asked while I looked at the reflection of me situated just beside the founders like I was part of them. The mayor answered:

‘’I don't know. But I am sure you will do great things. Great things.’’

From our dining room, Mel was busy giving struck of paintbrush to one of his paintings in progress while I just rest my head on the table, being bored. The day was quite uneventful and nopony seems to be in need of my help. I know I should rejoice but this made me realize that I don't know what to do when I am left on my own.

It was then we both heard knocking on the front door below. Without shifting his gaze from his work, my brother had said:

‘’It must be for you Flo. Go see what it is.’’

He had said that because nopony ever comes to see him or buy his shop articles. It's so sad when he says it as such a de-matter fact. If only he could at last understood why. I went downstairs to open the door on our house and when I saw the scroll lying on our doorstep, I quickly run back upstairs with the scroll in my mouth.

‘’Mel, Mel, the mail has given us another adventure of the Mane 6.’’

I sat down on my chair and quickly read the whole scroll in least than three minutes. When I finished, I hug dearly the story to my chest. Mel came sitting at the opposite of me.

‘’You really are a fan of them.’’

‘’Excuse me. I am, the, number one fan, thank you.’’

‘’But you know, I... cannot really feel comfortable with that. I mean, we spy on them without their knowledge. I don't know, you sure it is not... voyeurism?’’

‘’We had already been there. We are not doing anything illegal. Believe me, we had feared that many times. But we have consulted many lawyers that had confirmed us that because we live in a liberty of expression country, we can take photos of them, search personal information on them and write stories about them as much as we like without risk of being accused of harassment. Provide that the ponies in question don't complaints that we don't use said items for malicious intent or that we don't use their names and images for profit. Can you image us creating merchandise of them? So disrespectful.’’

‘’Sometimes I wonder if Equestria laws aren't too lax for our own good. Still, I don't think these six mares would take it with a good eye that we veneer them like gods behind their backs.’’

‘’Here come the big words. Gods. We're not that die-hard fans.’’

‘’Oooh! Then what with this stupid name you call them. Mane 6! That sound like a bad ripoff of the Power Ponies. Who is the one that had come out with such a corny name? Haha.’’

I had said nothing. Instead, I just silently looked at him with my most innocent smile. For long.

He was confused.

Then he understood.

‘’!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!... aah... aah... cor, corny can be good sometimes.’’

His face was so priceless that that I burst of laughter. Guess even angels can feel the need to torture a little their family.

‘’Ahahaha, it's alright it's alright, no hard feelings. Though I find a shame that you don't like them.’’

‘’Don't put words into my mouth, I had never said that. In fact, I do think they are indeed wonderful and inspiring mares who deserve all the praise that you give them.’’

Wait! Was he serious! That will sure fill me with joy to share my biggest passion with my brother.

‘’You are not kidding, you really love them!? But you never mentioned that before.’’

‘’Wellll, he... took me so time to warm up to them. Because... say... can I tell you something embarrassing?’’

‘’Of course Mel. You can tell me anything.’’

‘’There was a time when I was really jealous of them.’’

‘’What! I don't get it!’’

‘’It was childish, really. Before it used to be me the pony you admired the most. But after you, hum... seen them has role models, I was gradually feeling like I was losing you.’’

He had said while playing with his front hooves in shame.

‘’And then their popularity had risen through the roof in our town in so little time while I stay... unpopular. And there also that job of keeper of Mane 6 fanworks that you had given me.’’

‘’Oh! Riiiight.’’

I turned my head downstairs at my right. Where at the floor below is the writing room of Mel.

Let me clarify something. Although that admiration of the bearers of the elements was already strong by itself, I may have used my influence to make it even bigger. Like that giving that name, who is not corny and that I worked really hard to find. But more importantly, I had influence the trend of ponies writing stories about the Mane 6. All I did was just make a suggestion and it had spread like wildfire. But, there was a reason that was more than simple fun if I spread that trend. I was hoping to thin the gap between my town and my brother by making them share something in common. Writing. Hum. Say it like that, it sounds a little devious.

Anyway, a lot of ponies became prolific fanfic writers, and I had proposed that my brother became the keeper of their works since his reputation as a writer is well known even if... you know. Both sides agreed. But I realize now mostly because of me. And thought Mel had never complained... maybe deep down...

‘’Were you having resentment?’’

‘’*sigh* Yes. I know it was unfair and irrational but at that time, I had really hated them. It had even come that I me too I went to fanfic writing to vent my frustration.’’

‘’Really, you did!’’

‘’I, kinda needed it. And they were not like the funny one everypony else did. They were... aaanyway, as I had said, it was really childish of me but I wanted to find a way to take revenge on them. An inoffensive way. So I had created a few stories with my, hum, own touch. But now, I'm assuring you all that unfair resentment is all gone. I'm seeing them for what they really are and I understand why you are in adoration before them. I think... I think I even would like to meet them one day.’’

‘’I'm glad. I'm so glad. Say. Those stories. Did you keep them?’’

‘’Hum, yes?’’

‘’Could I read them?’’

‘’Hum no you know what no I'm not sure that hum it won't be I mean it would be better hum, no.’’

I half-closed my eyes and show my mild disdain.

‘’Brother of mine. You didn't treat my heroes too badly in the stories of yours?’’

Mel in the other hoof could hardly look at me straight.

‘’I may have went all out.’’

‘’Oh. It is so bad that that even you, the master of sobering and creepy pathos, is ashamed. And you wonder why nopony wants to frequent you.’’

‘’Heh don't look at me like that. Knowing how to put your most disturbing thoughts on paper 'is' a good sign of moral health.’’

‘’Hum. I wonder.’’

‘’Please, let us, let us speak about something else, I am already embarrassed like that.’’

‘’Alright, alright. What do you want to talk about?’’

‘’Wellll, there is something.’’

Gone was the shame and instead was replaced by an eagerness that usually came when he found good ideas for his art. He leaned closer of me and I swear, there was sparkles shining in his eyes.

‘’It is about the time when the mayor had taught you about the founding of our town. You know, what you had told me once. Didn't you mention something about an old abandoned mine?’’

‘’It's nice of you to come but you did not have to accompany me.’’

‘’And who would keep an eye on you? When you are left alone, you can get carried away. So no. I am following your basks to make sure you are alright.’’

‘’Yes mom.’’

‘’It's momma Floral for you, my big brother.’’

‘’Seriously, since when did you become so cheeky?’’

‘’Pleasantry aside, I do wonder what you find fascinating in that empty tunnel.’’

‘’Empty! Oh no no no, it's far from empty. Look around you sis.’’

He had said, waving his hoof around with such a great mood. We were right now exploring the abandoned mine, both equipped with saddle bags on our backs and lanterns hanging on our necks. I had only told him a vague location but it was enough for him and he insisted for going now, saying he could not wait. I went with him because as I had said, I couldn't leave him alone. Besides, I was finding that going on a little adventure would be rather fun. It took us an hour to go to the outskirt of the mountain and another hour to find the entrance of the mine. It wasn't the hard to find, its entrance was rather big.

I had often wondered why it had never been used as a tourist attraction or even why nearly nopony knew of its existence. After walking down that tunnel, I knew why. It was boring. There was nothing there. Apart for a few foundations and abandoned tools, that madepony corridor was empty. It was quite spacious though. Those miners sure went all out in their digging.

We were now crossing a part of mine that was definitely not madepony. A ravine so deep that you could not see the bottom was coursing below our feet like a nasty wound. Luckily, there was a natural stone bridge that was looking pretty sturdy, allowing us to cross the ravine. My brother was as excited as a kid in a candy store.

‘’It's wonderful! This place is really wonderful!’’

‘’I still don't get what you see in it.’’

‘’Flo, this is not just a piece of history, this is one that had been forgotten by time, nearly likes if it had never been here. And what's more, it is one filled with broken dreams and hope that did not pay. Hum, *sniff**sniff* I think I can even smell them in the air.’’

‘’I find that place desolated, dark and creepy.’’

‘’Even better.’’

Deep inside, I was gritted my teeth. Today his enthusiasm was at its paroxysm and it was beginning to get on my nerve. In my first years, when I was a young filly, I was fine with how he was but... as more time passed, least I felling I understand him. I wonder what had changed.

After crossing the bridge, it didn't take a lot of time before we reached where the digging had stopped. Before us was a bumped wall of rock artificially made with tools but half-finish.

‘’Well Flo, end of the line it seems. I propose that we take a break here.’’

‘’I agree brother. My feet are killing me.’’

We put our lanterns and saddlebacks on the ground. I use a flat stone as a makeup chair while Mel went around, looking in every direction, barely staying put on his hooves. Since for now we all stay at one place, it means one lantern is fine. So I put out the second one to economize fuel. Because the mine was huge, breathable air was in plenty but it was dusty. The lone lantern was making a circle of light, making the dark outside darker. It was like being around a campfire. But in more creepy.

I... did no longer find that trip fun. And I could not understand why Mel was having so much fun. I used that break to rest and gather my thoughts. I thought about my brother and how he was specifically irritating me today. But the frustration of a day became the frustration of a lifetime as I was looking back at all his past actions. I was looking at them with a new eye and I was wondering so many questions. Wondering why he was still stubbornly doing that unproductive job. Wondering why he had those weird tastes. Wondering... what he was hoping to give to the world. Wondering, wondering, wondering, so many wonderings pilling in my chest. It was too much, I wanted answers and I had said:

‘’Mel.’’

‘’Humm. What is it?’’

‘’Why are you writing tragedies?’’

That, took him by surprise. Since he nearly tripped on his feet. He looked at me, puzzled.

‘’But Flo, I already told you. It is because//

‘’No this time, I want to hear the true reason.’’

There is not a single shred of levity in my words. It is my pure and unfiltered desire.

I could tell what my brother was thinking. Although he was confused, he understood how that question was important for me. All my life, he had always taken me seriously. And this was no different. He decided to answers my question seriously.
He came closer and sited on a rock in front of me, the lantern between us. Its orange light was shimmering on his iris.

‘’Alright. It is complicated but I will try my best to answer it. When I had said that I have a passion for making sad and scary stuffs, I wasn't lying. They tug at my heartstrings, as weird as I know it sound. But that not all. There is another reason, a deeper reason if I feel I have to make art about the negative side of the emotive spectrum. I want... to teach.’’

‘’To teach? Teach what?’’

‘’Well, most of us see negative emotions as feelings that are better as not having and as to get rid of it as soon as you have them. But I had always had the feeling that they were more than that. That there were answers hidden in them and that we have to explore deep down to find them and make our lights brighter. Aaaah, I feel I don't make any sense. How can I explain that more properly? Wait! I know. Let me ask you a question.’’

‘’I am listening.’’

‘’What do you think growing up mean?’’

Now it was my turn to feel I was being asked a question out-of-field. And what's more, it was a very complicate one. But I know that when he is like that, I must listen to him. So I will answer his question as seriously as he had tried to answer mine. I closed my eyes and pondered a lot. Not once my brother interrupted my reflection. Then inspiration came and a light bulb in my head was lit.

‘’Oh!’’

I rummage into my bag and took out the scroll with the next adventure of the Mane 6. I had taken it with me in case I would need some reading. Even if I had already devoured it top to bottom, I find them so good that I reread them at least twenty times.

‘’Well, I suppose that your answer is the same as why I love the stories of those six mares so much. Each one of them came with a moral on relationship and life. It is easy to say to be good but it is another to carefully analyze the lesson and to explain the practical advantages of it. That what they do and that's why you know the message work and that it will stick with you for long. So more and more I read of their stories, and more and more I acquire knowledge on how to be better. Like how having more cards in your hooves to make more possibilities. So I guess growing up is that. Learning gradually more and more and becoming better. After all, don't we always say that the difference between children and adults is experience?’’

‘’I see. So you see growing up as an accumulation of knowledge. Well, your version is surely how most of us see it and it is not wrong. But... but I have another version.’’

‘’Which is?’’

‘’Well, ponies, no, everyone from their youngest age observe the world and try to form an image in their head. But the problem is that image is always incorrect and twisted. You cannot blame them. Just like you had said, when we are young, we are inexperienced so, of course, even if we try our best, it came out wrong, it just can't be helped. But if we want to later get a view of reality more correct, it is necessary to... destroy the first one that is too idealistic. Because it takes so much place that there is no place for a new one. Wait! I got an idea that might help you to understand better.’’

He too grabbed his saddlebag and put his hoof inside. He took it out and he was holding a hard-boiled egg that was to be used as a snack for our expedition.

‘’It is a hard-boiled egg but for the sake of this lesson, image it is a normal egg with a chick inside.’’

‘’Al... right?’’

‘’When does a chick born?’’

‘’Huh?! Well, it is when the chick hatch from the egg.’’

‘’Ah, that is a common misconception but the chick is already well-born inside the egg. But he needs to break the shell if he wants to properly live. Otherwise, that shell might as well be a coffin. That is what I am trying to do with my art. To help destroy that shell that we are trapped inside so that we can all see the world that is hidden behind it. I don't say ideals should be discarded, quite the contrary. By getting rid of that shell, you can build ideals that are more solid. And more beautiful. You understand what I mean?’’

‘’I... guess.’’

‘’Great.This, in the end, is the reason why I write tragic stories. No. That might be the reason why those stories exist in the first place. When you think about it, they must have a purpose. They make a change in us. Gives us a new perceptive on sorrow and happiness. But above all, they show us that there is beauty in the sadness, no matter how much we can't see it. That is why I know they are worth telling. Those... magical and beautiful stories of anguish.’’

‘’Magical... and beautiful stories of anguish!’’

‘’That's right. Now, enough about philosophical talk. I propose we stay a few minutes more, the time to let me well immersed in this place, and then we pack-up and go back home.’’

He threw the egg and gulped it in one bite. Then, he resumed his trotting around the place while I stayed there, sitting, absentmindedly playing with a pebble. At that moment, I had so much on my mind.

And it was not pretty.

‘’(Destroy! Is that what he is trying to do! He wants to destroy our way of life! The one we took years to build. A shell! Is it how he sees us?! Like chicks still trap in a... a twisted and incorrect view of the world. Our pursuit of happiness is it really that wrong and twisted? Is it looking down on us that much?! Could it be... I... I didn't want to believe it... could it be they all were right about my brother! Stop stopstopstop. It can't be that. It must be more complicate than that. He must just be misguided, that all. He's not to blame. Yes. It's just a question of misunderstandings to clarify and... twisted! Twisted! We are maximizing joy and happiness. What could be wrong with that? Our ways are not twisted. Our ways are not twisted!)’’

My heart was alternate between smothering passionate anger and coldness. It was the first time in my life I was feeling like that.

I was not sure to like that.

I didn't even understand why I was reacting like that.

In the end, I shook my head, forcing my heart to calm down.

‘’(Stop thinking like that. This is not you. And it's not fitting of an angel. Put it to rest and go back to being the jovial filly that you are. It is much better that way.)’’

Having took back control of myself, I tossed the boulder behind my shoulder and jumped back on four hooves. Then//

*crack*

That noise gave me a fright and I turned back. I grabbed my lantern with my mouth and lighted in front of me. On the wall at the end of the tunnel, I could see a crack on the rock, right at the center and the boulder I had tossed just beneath it. Apparently, it seems I had accidentally made that fissure by throwing that small stone.

With that small stone of nothing at all! I did that, really! That wall must have been more fragile than we thought.

Oh yes, it really was, because the crack expended and spread on its surface. The noise of the rock breaking was nerve wrecking and even my brother was alerted.

‘’Flo! What have you done?!’’

‘’I, I, I don't know!’’

The wall could no longer hold itself and it crumbled in a smoke of dust. We were coughing and blinded by it until it dissipated and when it did...

We were holding our breath and wondering if we were dreaming. Because it was like something coming from a fairytale.

Before us, like if it was the most natural place to be, was a door. A double door so white that it was like it was shining a light on that gloomy mine. It was so beautiful.

We still did not know at the time, but we were soon about to discover an old wound of a forgotten past.

A wound... that will help to create a fresher one.

Author's Note

Yes, I am still alive. Sorry for this long gap. Between making that difficult chapter and rewritten my very first one, it had been hard months. But there is it. The first of the three back-story chapters about Flo and Mel. The chapters that will at last explain why everything happens. If you know my style, then you will guess than that first one is the more light of the three and that the heavy stuffs will soon follow.

That back-story was the first part of my story that I had detailed crafted in my mind and I was very impatient to finally share it with you. Floral and Melancholia are both characters that are very dear to me and are the core of my story and the message I want to convey. At first, their relationship was very nebulous (for obvious reasons), but now you understand how unite that pair of siblings was. On a side note, although it was never mentioned, it was because of Mel if Flo has such a rich vocabulary for a filly of her age.

The reason if that chapter has been so hard is it was difficult to craft the character of Happy Town. (And yes, sometimes a place can be a character.) I wanted to make a location that makes it clear why its citizens love their town so much and why they act the way they do. But also that make ring a subtle, but I say subtle, alarm in the heads of the readers. All the while, making all that psychologically coherent. Finding the right balance is very tricky. I don't think Happy Town could have existed any other place but in the MLP universe.

Stay tune for the next chapter. Hopefully it won't take as much time as that one.

PS: I had put in that chapter a reference (actually the title itself is also a reference) of a literary work that I consider a great masterpiece. But what is that literary work? That, I am not telling you. Find it yourself.