Not what it seems

by 4719axey

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 2573

She found joy after so many years of loneliness and hurt in her heart.

Hearth's warming is coming up and every pony is excited, except one her name is ironic for she is the opposite of what her name represents. She hates Hearth's warming and everything about it, even though its the day she was born, it was on Hearth's warming that the most important ponies in her life died and left her. She learns the truth about the holiday and what it means because nobody ever told her the story. This is the story and how Joy found joy again.(I might change the story of Hearth's warming but I don't know yet)

Published 2019-12-30 21:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-01-01 15:30:36 UTC

Prologue

Once there was a pony named Joy, A pony with a winter white coat that could camouflage in the winter if it wasn't for her pastel yet bright mane of mint with purple and pink highlights with royal blue eyes full of wonder and curiosity. She was one in million born on Hearth's warming day, her voice was as sweet as honey and she could make the coldest of hearts thaw. She was understanding, smart, danced and could sing more beautifully than a humming bird. At a young age she understood more than a filly should, she would never gloat or brag, and as a filly she did know how to comfort some pony in need.

Though like all, had flaws and hardship, with all the good quality's she had she didn't have the best life, her father was NEVER proud of her and when she did something right she was given higher expectations. Her mother and older brother was always there for her, on the weekend the three of them would always good on picnics with each other. She loved her brother like no tomorrow, close as they may be they do act not so nice to each other sometimes but always makes up in the end. Her mother was something else in her eyes always willing to do what she can to protect her family and that's one of the reasons she loved her, she loved how her mother put her children before her, she wanted to be like her.

Joy's fathers eyes were hard and cold, colder than a winters night with the wind stinging you in the face with every cold breeze. With a coat as dark as the night sky and a dark blue mane with blood red eyes that could stare into your very soul and make the toughest of ponies cower in fear. He was very strict unable to see many good things in the world except from his beautiful wife and handsome son. He never wanted a daughter or a second child, but when his wife did tell him he was going to have another child he hope he would have a son, the PERFECT son.

He didn't, he got a DAUGHTER instead, a daughter he never wanted. He would always tell her how disappointing she is compared to his son but does it when they are alone. When his wife is home though he acts like nothing has change, that they are all one perfect family. Sometimes though he will insult his daughter in front of his wife but only when it's for a good reason.

Her brother was amazing and loving even though he had a few problems like anxiety and panic attacks. Tanzanite loved her with so much of his heart. He cared for her when her father didn't, his warming light red eyes helped her when she needed someone. His coat was light gray and his mane was light pink with a single streak of black and dark purple. He was different than most ponies and he was her protector from her father.

He loved his baby sister and mother, he was raised to be a true gentle colt and polite. When he was having a mental break down he went to his sister, for she was always there when their mom wasn't there. His dad spoiled him rotten but he doesn't take it for granted instead he gives to ponies who aren't as fortunate as he is, sadly one of those ponies is his sister. His dad never treats her right but some how Joy can always see joy in the world even though she DOESN'T have joy herself, he loves her for that and for that he is proud to call her his sister.

Her mother was kind and sweet she was always there for her children and husband. she had a pure white coat and pink and blue mane she was stunning in her husbands eyes, she had light blue eyes that could make in pony lost in them like a deep ocean. She would get mad at her husband when he would treat their daughter like nothing compared to their son. The reason they are still together is because they still loved each other dearly and treats each other with kindness and respect. they have been together for so long that breaking up would be weird for both of them because they are so used to each other.

She always wanted to be a mother so when she heard her husband being mean to their daughter she was heart broken, she had always seen her husband as the nice, kind, protective stallion he his but seeing him like that to their daughter was horrible. She loved her daughter with 1/3 of her heart the others are for her son and husband, she was always able to take her out and talk about life she never lost interest in her daughters wild imagination and her crazy ideas. Her son though crazy, has a heart of gold and could make anyone happy.

One moment changed Joy's life forever, at that moment every thing changed, it all happened at once when she was about 10 years old and her brother at 14. She became cold and depressing and even scary all who knew her wanted to know what happened on that faithful night. No one asked her father because they were scared of him and starting to get scared of the pony they relied a lot on. They still did though but she wasn't the same, she didn't tell her crazy story and she lost the sparkle in her eyes that every pony smiled at. She became a shell of who she really was and all that happened was because of one moment. That moment was on what was suppose to be the happiest and most fun in history, but not for Joy, for Joy lost all her joy on that very night, the night her birthday was on.

Later

Years later still in the same town as always, Joy turned into a beautiful mare, she's changed since the "incident,"after a few years she started to be her old self. She still had her mint mane with pink and purple highlights and royal blue eyes, but there was something deeper that was missing from her something important. No pony could think of what was different, maybe it wasn't a physical thing on her maybe it was the feeling you get when by her,no one knew but they just hoped that it would return. It didn't for many years later.

She became her old self years later after "the night" she became the pony every pony wanted and got, the happy, loving and understanding pony she is. Joy never celebrates Hearth's warming or Hearth's warming eve it reminds her of too much and gives her painful memories she had stuck in the deepest darkest caverns of her mind. Joy had many friends, for she was friends with everybody in her small little town, but she had one best friend her name was Stardust.

Light yellow coat that could light up a room if it wasn't for her bright smile she had a dark blue mane with a bright purple streak in it with big purple eyes. She was crazy, that's all she was crazy she told stories that never made sense she was always fulled with endless energy and could always say the randomness things in the world. She was always happy though she did have her bad days where no one really spoke to her and that made stardust more happy the next day, every one needs solitude every once in a while. Her cutie mark with a purple star with little pink specks following it.

It was currently Hearth's warming eve and every pony in town was getting ready for the upcoming celebration. Joy was locked in her house, no pony dare to come to her while at this time or talk to her on these sort of days. When it's this time of year she's always scary and every pony can understand that though. No pony knew what happened 12 years ago and not many ponies do, if it can turn the happiest pony in the town into a shell of who she once was then it must have been bad.

Stardust and Joy has been friends for a few months now but they were still best friends, Stardust didn't know not to come to her house and disturb her on this kind of day so when she got there on Hearth's warming eve to give Joy a present she wasn't met with the best reaction. It happened on Hearth's warming and Stardust was trotting to a small yet warming cottage with pale pink ear muffs and a bright yellow scarf to keep her warm on her way to the cottage. The cottage was not exactly in town but really close to there, so Stardust went there with a small box in her blue aura in her grasp smiling to herself. When she got to the cottage she was surprised to see it...bland, no dull. Joy's house always had some lights to it, either it be a lamp outside or the fairy lights outside her house, but Stardust annoyed that fact thinking it was just nothing. Oh how wrong she was.

Once she came to the porch and knocked on it Stardust could hear some sound but couldn't figure out what it was. Finally the door opened to a angry looking Joy staring into Stardust's purple eyes. Before Stardust could say anything Joy cut her off.
"What are you doing here Stardust?" Joy said in a voice that was dangerous and low, a voice Stardust never heard from her best friend. The tone made her flinch on surprise but quickly recovered and smiled again.
"Um well i'm here to give you a present!" Stardust said in her happy voice that always seems to be on.
"Well I don't want the present I only want to be alone and you should know that!" Joy almost yelled at her with her eyes glaring at Stardust.
"Oh sorry I didn't know" Stardust said in a sad voice and looking down at the ground with a few tears at the brim of her eyes. Joy knew how sensitive Stardust was and imminently felt bad.
"I'm sorry Stary but I just don't like this day and you have to understand that during this time of year I like to be alone, okay?" Joy said while having her hoof on Stardust's shoulder to try and comfort her more.
"Oh it's okay I guess, but why do you hate this holiday? It's the most exciting time of year!" Stardust said while jumping up and down to show her excitement for one of her favorite holidays.
"O-oh well I don't like to talk about it" Joy said while having her eyes some where else to avoid any more questions.
"Can you pppllllleeeeaaasssseeee tell meeeeee??? We're BEST friends!" Stardust said while clinging on to Joy and putting on her best puppy god face and even quivering her lip.
"Yes I know but I just don't want to talk about it." Joy said while pushing Stardust off of her and giving her a look.
"But why?? Is it because we aren't as close as we think we are?" Stardust said looking into her eyes and still giving Joy her best look to convince her, though that didn't work.
"I just don't want to okay?!?" Joy yelled getting annoyed by stardust.
"BUT WHY WE'RE BEST FRIENDS AND WE TELL EACH OTHER EVERYTHING!" Stardust yelled.

For the first time in a long time Joy looked scared, Stardust NEVER yelled EVER, but she was yelling now. Joy didn't want to talk she just wanted to go in to bed and think about when she was younger, but stardust had to come over and ruin it not that she blamed her of course, but what she did blame her on was she was bugging her with questions she didn't want to answer. When stardust yelled at her it was like something deep in Joy snapped into millions of pieces and all joy wanted to do right now was smack the mare. But she couldn't, after all she was her best friend and as mad as she was she couldn't do that to her. So instead of smacking she yelled.She yelled hard.
"SOME THINGS YOU JUST DON'T TELL OTHERS OKAY!?! SOME THINGS PONIES DON'T WANT TO SHARE NOT MATTER HOW CLOSE THEY ARE!" by the time Joy was done she was slightly panting and staring down Stardust with a strong glare.
"O-okay I'll um i'll just leave this for you and not bother you" Stardust said with tears and she set the present on the ground and ran off.

immediately after Joy felt horrible, she just yelled at her best friend. She looked down at the present and open it carefully not caring how cold it was or how the snow glistened in the sky. Inside was a golden frame that was decorated with all sorts of things and the picture was of her and Stardust the day the meet in the park and instantly became friends.

That day was a good day for Joy and she was in the park reading a book and in the corner of her eyes she could see a pony on the bench and crying her eyes out. Joy got up to see the new pony in town.
"Hey what's wrong?" Joy said while getting on the bench and sitting down beside her.
"Oh well I just moved here and I don't have any friends to hang out with so i'm a bit upset about that, then my parents were arguing about something so I came to the park to get away" the light yellow pony said with more tears coming down her face.
"Oh I've been here for all my life and I could always make new friends!" Joy said in her somewhat happy voice.
"REALLY?!? You would?!?" The pony said getting up and hugging Joy till she popped like a balloon with too much air.
"Yes,I-I would if you could stop squeezing me to death"Joy said starting to chock.
"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" the pony said while letting go of the white mare that had been gasping for air a few moments ago. From there they started a wonderful friendship and got to know each other

Joy sat there remembering that day, the day she meet her best friend . Joy got up and got her scarf and ear muffs from her house and started to run. Running to the park where she knew she could just sit there and be left alone, cause why would anyone be out on the night of Hearth's warming eve? She wanted some solotuid but not in her house she wanted it where she first meet one of the most important ponies in her life, but now she lost her best friend like all those years ago. She knew this would happen, history repeating it's self for Joy, getting close with ponies you love then losing them...forever. She got to the very park and the very bench she meet Stardust on and sat down, and for the first time in along time she cried.