Kimono

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Next Pony
Chapter 3: The Waters of Tears
Chapter 4: It's Time Part 1
Chapter 5: It's Time Part 2
Chapter 2: House of the Dead

Chapter 1: The Next Pony

1 The Next Pony

Betrayed

Abandoned

Regret

It shouldn’t matter right? Kimono is just 1 single pony. It’s better to have 1 single pony suffer then all of equestria right?

Don’t risk 1,000 lives. Just to save 1. The very concept of that quote means that it would be morally right if just 1 suffered while the others were happy.

Or even worse. Everyone becomes happy because of your suffering. But then you ask. Is that real happiness? And is emotional abuse worth the happiness of truly terrible people inside who live and died off of your misery?

You just want to be modest though. You know it’s wrong. You need to leave. And it’s not right to stay. But it’s not in your heart to let souls down.

Especially if they were once beautiful to begin with. Those who stayed up at night debating themselves due to their depression. They’re feelings matter, they’re not making excuses, they are really great pleasant people deep down.

Taking someone out of context just means you assume something of them. Never ever assume they say. They’re right.

It’s something we all need to learn. To take each other seriously, empathize and understand where we are coming from.

We just really need to listen.

Kimono sat down on her table. In deep thought.

Until somepony knocked at the door. “Hello. Ms. Kimono? Are you there I have your Groceries for you.” A pony with a purple coat and dark purple mane opened the door to see the smiling face of Derpy Hooves with several bags by her side.

She however was not happy. Her face looked worn out.

“Thanks.” She said depressingly as she carried each bag inside. After they were all in. Derpy flew off.

Kimono spent the next hour putting groceries away in their designated places. After she finished however she simply sat on her sofa doing nothing. She spoke “I can’t sleep. I already took 2 naps today. But what else can I do?” She said uncertainly. “Hmm. Well maybe I can walk outside just not into the village.” And so it was. She walked outside of her house.

Kimono’s house was very isolated. It was right next to a small waterfall that flowed into a creek. And in front of it all was plains of grassy hills.

After an hour of walking it was now sunset, kimono looked to her right to see ponyville in the distance. She immediately turned her face away with a fearful expression. But when she turned left she swore that she saw a strange shadow on one of the hills looming over her.

She fell on her back in a brief jumpscare. “Agh!” She said. But when she stood up again the figure was gone. Then she just sighed. Not wanting to look back at ponyville. She decided to walk back home as night was coming soon.

But as she started to walk she saw a a pony in the field below, that she thought she would never see again.

Her best friend. Cloud shade. She didn’t exactly know what to do. However to add more confusion he seemed to be out looking for something.

Kimono was hesitant though and then she sat down on the ground. She whispered “if only I could you precious thing…” sheding a tear. Looking on the ground she looked up to see another shadow figure. This time right in front of her.

It was really tall. Looking down on her. She fell back again. “Ahhh! Get away! Get away!” But once again she looked up and saw that the shadow was gone. But she noticed something else. Looking back at the field. She saw cloud shade running up the hill towards her. Looking at her.

Kimono couldn’t help herself. She ran down to him.

Then they’re faces met again. Cloud spoke up. In a cheerful voice. “Kimono…is that you?” His smile then disappeared looking sad.

Kimono looked like she was about to cry. “Cl…cloud?” They then hugged each other in a loving embrace.

Neither of them cried but they looked very comfortable in each others embrace. Cloud’s face then came to a peaceful expression. “I haven’t seen you since. The incident…I missed you.”

Kimono was also peaceful. But her face let out one tear at that. “I did too. I missed you so much cloud. But I have to get home.”

Cloud shade then let go of the hug. “Kimono. Are you ok? I’ve been worried about you.” She started walking home but then she looked back and said “I…yeah. Well…I don’t know I need to go home before nightfall.” Cloud then flew in front of her and said. “Ok kimono but. Can we both meet out here tomorrow? So you can show me your new house?”

Kimono was awestruck. “Can you-?”

Cloud Shade said. “Yes. I can. It’s outside the village right?” Kimono said. “Yes” with a smile as she walked home. And cloud shade flew away.

When Kimono Returned it was already night. And started to eat in the dining room.

But she felt more content. For a while she couldn’t get Cloud Shade off of her mind. There was just something comforting about it. Finally seeing a best friend after so many years. And after something so terrible had happened.

Kimono closed her eyes. Scared. “No…” she said quivering. Just then she heard breathing she looked up to see. The shadow on the ceiling.

“Ahhh!” She ran out of the dining room. And into the kitchen pantry. She then got a broom and ran out again to beat the figure. But when she ran out to fight it was nowhere to be found.

Kimono sat on the floor and broke down crying. “I *sob* just need to…*sob* sleep. Read a good story…” she turned all the lights off and walked into her bedroom.

On her bookshelf she grabbed a book she never read before. But still it bought her some comfort. As she hadn’t read anything new in a while.

The book title was. “I love the real you” which at first sounded like a pleasant title. She opened it and started reading in her head.

“I can’t leave, I loom. I watch you from within your home.

I saw what you did. You feel bad. You’re trapped and can’t return.

You feel depressed and want to burn.

The best distraction? Happiness? But I come back when you remember.

If you want to stop the bla…”

Kimono soon had a terrified look on her face as she was reading and turning the pages the book seemed somewhat familiar but not in the traditional sense.

She started to shift through the pages. Reading a few sentences along the way. Things like “stalker, depressed and even death were scattered throughout.”

And then she stopped. “Wha…what is wrong with you?” Kimono said. She then squeezed her eyes closed and threw the book at the wall. The crash knocked 2 picture frames off.

She then fell asleep. Crying the whole way. Little did she know something emerged from her closet and grabbed the book and put it back on her shelf.

The shadow figure stood there. Looming over her bed. Only this time. 2 White circles appeared on it’s head. It’s eyes.

Chapter 3: The Waters of Tears

Another week passed. One night Kimono sat down next to Cloud Shade in front of a TV. Just after finishing dinner.

The 2 really started to become closer and closer.

Meanwhile in Ponyville.

An officer pony stepped into an office. “Miss Cloud Shade hasn’t been home for 2 weeks. Ponies are getting worried. Shall we start a search party?” The pony at the desk said. “No. He’ll come back. He’s my friend. And I have a good feeling of where he might be. If we need to look for him.” The officer stepped out. “Alright then. Miss Era Somme, call us if you need us.”

Back at Kimono’s House.

Kimono thought. “I want to walk outside. Something is on my mind.” Cloud looked at her and smiled. “That would be great. We haven’t been out in a while.”

The 2 walked outside not too far from the house into the plain hills.

“So tell me. What’s on your mind?” Said cloud. Kimono sighed and said. “I don’t know if it's just. I don’t feel.. Complete yet.” Cloud Shade looked confused. “What do you mean Kimono?” So kimono said. “Cloud I love having you around. These past 2 weeks have been great. And I will admit I’ve been happier lately. But I can’t stop thinking about ‘the incident’ “

Cloud started to understand. “Ok I think I know what you're talking about. You feel like you never ‘dealt with it’ is that it?” Kimono said. “Well I was thinking about it like that. And it just might be. I feel like I need to do something about it now. 3 years later.”

Cloud Shade spoke part of his mind too. “You know Kimono, I’ve sorta been feeling the same way.” Kimono looked with concern. “How? You still have a job & a life in Ponyville.” Cloud decided to speak up “I know but. I guess if I’m going to be completely, perfectly honest. My problem is intertwined with yours. I too have had some regrets about that incident.”

Kimono looked back at him with wonder. Cloud elaborated. “Kimono you know I care about you. A lot. And when you were being blamed I knew what ponies were thinking was wrong. Something told me it just wasn’t true. It couldn’t have been. But I didn’t take that seriously at the time…”

Cloud sighed. “Even though I really should have. Spending time with you has already proven that.” Kimono looked shocked. “What do you mean cloud?” Cloud then looked to Kimono with a smile. Kimono loved it when he smiled. She grew very accustomed and comforted seeing it.

“Kimono. I keep telling you how happy I have been because it’s true. You know how I don’t have anything to do for at least a month? When you left I barely did anything. A machine broke down in the weather factory leading us to literally build clouds in jars for a while. Only the puffer machine worked. And I was laid off.” Cloud said depressingly. Kimono said “So you’ve been without a job?”

Cloud said. “I’ve been without my dream job. I loved working there and it’s still not fixed. And I lost it all. We really do have lots in common Kimono.” Kimono smiled.

“Well cloud. We have each other. You’ve made a positive impact in my life. And I can’t thank you enough.” She said happily while prancing backwards. Cloud shade smiled back and said. “Well you did the same to me. You gave me something to be proud of. Making me happy for the first time in a while.” He said, flapping his wings.

Kimono giggled “The wing flap.” Cloud said with a smug look. “What’s wrong with a wing flap?” Kimono said “because it’s actually really cute.” Cloud laughed. “And you're trotting backwards isn’t?” The 2 laughed away into the night and kimono went back to walking by his side.

Throughout the night the 2 walked along. Occasionally looking each other in the eyes. For once Kimono really did feel at peace. And cloud shade felt the same. The 2 were just outside of ponyville.

And in the distance Cloud Shade saw it. “Oh hey look. That’s my house!” The 2 ran towards it and Cloud shade flew Kimono up to the cloud where it was standing. She stood there and remembered “well that cloud walking spell didn’t seem to leave.” She said with relief.

She walked inside with cloud and looked at the amazing things within the house. As they walked in though, Cloud looked at his mailbox and tried to sort it out.

“You take a look around Kimono. I’m going to look at this mail.” Kimono nodded and headed upstairs. Cloud looked through his mail and found out something interesting. He was apparently successful in securing a delivery job with friend Derpy Hooves. And he knew it would only be a matter of time before he had to leave Kimono and start. At least for a while.

Kimono meanwhile just walked around his room and the 2nd story of his house. She found nothing of any interest except for a scrapbook of her and Clouds old friends together. And happy.

For a while she simply looked at the pictures and pages. Intrigued with her own past. But she sighed “why can’t we be like this again…this whole situation is pointless. It means nothing. What has banishing me done!?” Kimono had a stunned realization. She really was right.

The banishment came with an out of nowhere trial. Based on non-existent fear from ponies who refused to listen.

The banishment did nothing but make at least one of her friends miserable. Even if it was indirect. “I could’ve been here to help him.” Said Kimono. “Nothing would have ever been lost if I stayed!”

She started to get angrier. “It’s been 3 years! How could I be taken away from everypony I knew, and everypony I LOVED!?” Cloud Shade stood in the doorway. Which startled her a bit. “How long were you there?”

Cloud said. “The whole time.” Cloud then smiled. “You know something Kimono? You’re right.” Cloud’s smile then disappeared. “Kimono. I’ve been accepted. Into a delivery job while I was gone.” Cloud showed her the slip and she looked at it. Then at cloud.

“Kimono. It says here I start in 2 days. After tonight. I may have to leave again. For a while.” Kimono didn’t cry or weep. She simply said. “I’ll manage. For you I promise.”

Cloud was amazed. “I guess we really helped each other grow out of our prisons.” They both smiled at each other. It was true. They really needed this and it would only be a matter of time before they saw each other again.

“We still have to walk back to my home.” She said with a determined smile the 2 wanted to make the best of the night as they walked out of the house.

After walking back to Kimono’s house.

The 2 smiled at each other. Cloud said “Tonight was fun. It seriously felt like the good old days. But no matter what, I love spending time with you Kimono.”

Kimono then looked at Cloud Shade as they were walking inside. Then he smiled. Kimono closed her eyes and blushed a deep red. She felt heat rise up to her face.

Cloud then looked at her and then started to realize what he just said. He blushed and started to cry and hugged Kimono. As she returned the hug. She looked into his eyes and he looked into hers.

“You’re right Cloud Shade…but it was better then the good old days.”

And then. They kissed each other on the lips. Tears flowed out of both of their eyes.

After they broke the kiss. Kimono simply said. “I really do love spending time with you. I love you cloud shade.” Cloud shade replied with. “I love you too Kimono.” The 2 then got ready for bed.

More peaceful then they had ever been.

-later that night-

In the middle of the night. Kimono had a brief nightmare that woke her up. She was a little shaken. But she was relieved to see cloud was still there.

She looked around and saw that the bedroom door was open. And she heard hoof steps.

She pulled the covers up in front of her. Then she heard a voice.

“Ka-ka-ka-kamonooohhh”

She then decided to put the covers back down. She saw the shadow figure again. It crawled across the ceiling until it was right above her.

Kimono horrified looked right into the shadows head. And then it fell off the ceiling right onto her.

But then it was gone. Kimono sat up on her bed. As her eye color turned from Green to Black. She got up out of the bed.

And stepped into the kitchen to find it was midnight.

She sat down on the couch and turned the TV on. Where she watched an odd video she never saw before.

It was a strange avant-garde film. There was no sound but several odd shapes would twist and contort. But one of them formed into the shadow figure. It said one spoken word. “I can’t leave. But he can.”

Kimono blinked at that and shed a small tear.

The next morning came and Kimono was asleep on the couch with the TV still on.

Cloud shade walked out of the room and found Kimono there. He looked really confused. Then he looked at the TV and tried to turn it off.

“It’s the cold shaped pump. With MFP fluorite, the maximum fluoride protecti-“ the TV played a weird toothpaste advert when he turned the TV off. He held the remote as Kimono opened her eyes.

“Kimono? What were you doing sleeping out here?” Kimono tiredly responded. “I don’t know. I guess I had a nightmare.” Cloud then asked. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” Kimono replied. “I didn’t want to bother you.” Kimono then got off of the sofa and started getting breakfast ready.

“Now let’s get breakfast ready. Then you can go home…” cloud then sat down at the table. “Alright then. When you sit down can we talk?” Kimono replied “ok”

She got both breakfast plates ready after they finished they had a conversation about what happened last night.

Cloud spoke first. “Kimono. I would love to start a relationship with you. If our kiss makes us a couple.” Kimono replied with. “Why not Cloudy? We already said we love spending time with each other. We love each other. Why not make something better and start a relationship?” Cloud agreed. “Kimono. That’s not my biggest worry. For now I would like to keep our relationship a secret. With you being out of town and all. No offense.”

Kimono said “None taken love. And I would like that too honestly. But my biggest concern is with this new job of yours. Do you think you’ll be too busy to see me again..?”

Cloud’s ears perked up. “Absolutely not honey. I will always make time for you. I promise you I can manage both.” Kimono smiled at that. “You can also tell some of your friends that we’re a thing. The ones that won’t have a problem with me.”

Cloud said. “I don’t think they will. Like you said it was 3 years ago. Ponies aren’t like how they were then.” Kimono wasn’t too sure about that part but for now she was assured enough.

“Ok love. When do you want to meet up again?” Said Kimono Cloud thought about it but he figured it was the only date that stood in his mind. “How about Next Weekend. Derpy usually works full time Friday and Saturday and Sunday is an off day.” Kimono replied “ok Cloudy. I’ll see you then. Goodbye.”

With his bag packed. Kimono stuffed a picture of herself into the bag. And gave him a kiss for goodbye.

After he flew off she closed the door. And shed a tear. “I’ll miss you. You precious thing.”

Over the next few weeks. Cloud Shade’s visits were scattered. There was barely a consistent day they visited. He did however manage to secure a way to visit on weekends but it only lasted 6 weeks. Despite the inconsistent visits. The relationship between the 2 managed to prosper and grow. The 2 grew even more closely.

Back at his job Cloud Shade made the effort to tell a few of his friends at the delivery service. Many of which were enthusiastic for the 2. And kept his secret well.

But whenever Kimono was alone things weren’t pretty. And little did she know. Things would unfortunately get worse.

After a 5 day visit from Cloud Shade. Cloud Shade would not show up for nearly 4 months. Longer than any previous time before. Although he did manage to stay in touch with her via letters from Derpy.

Kimono’s mental health took a toll. She was frustrated from the lack of visits. But she barely had the energy to complain. Even though she knew she would have to at some point.

What frustrated her more than anything though. Is that, so much time had passed and she couldn’t tell anypony about her new relationship. Even if she was in contact with somepony else she couldn’t. So if she ever wanted to talk about it or vent her frustration it had to be with cloud and only him. If she wanted to get the whole truth out.

And cloud was not much better. Dealing with the exact same frustration.

4 months earlier however Cloud Shade had a problem. He was now under the thumb of Era Somme. Someone who became suspicious of his whereabouts ever since his disappearance.

Era Somme came to his home to ask why. But after a heated conversation with Cloud she made an ultimatum that cloud was devastated to hear. “Mr. Cloud Shade. I won’t ask where you have been. But if you disappear again. I will need to ask you.” She then walked out of the house as cloud started to cry.

In the present day, Kimono was of course unaware of all of this.

It got to a point where she regularly cries herself to sleep. She desperately wanted to go to his home to find him. But she was hesitant. Eventually she did try to do it.

Kimono went to the front door. But she didn’t open it. She opened the lock. And then closed it again.

She looked back to her dining table with the most recent letter from Cloud Shade sitting on top.

She opened the lock. And closed it again. This would continue several times. Until she finally closed it and shrugged her body down the door.

Crying

Depressed

Then enraged

Cloud Meanwhile had the same issues. The best he could do was send kimono a letter explaining everything for real.

The letter she got was the full truth.

“Dear, Kimono.

I have some bad news. I don't know how I’m going to visit you now. Nor do I know how you would visit me.

For the past 4 months I’ve been under the threat of Era Somme. The same prosecutor from your trial.

She’s suspicious about my random visits and disappearances and I don’t know why.

But regardless I can’t leave. And I don’t want you coming closer as I now fear police may increase security and spot you or me.

I love you dear. And I promise I’ll make a change to this. No matter how bad it hurts.

-Cloud Shade”

Chapter 4: It's Time Part 1

2 months passed

Kimono was able to make somewhat of a recovery. But she was not nearly as well as when Cloud Shade was around.

Especially now that she knew what was going on.

She started to assume much worse was happening. She felt Cloud Shade was specifically told to stay away from her. Thus in a matter of time ending the relationship.

Kimono had to make some effort. Cloud wasn’t specifically clear on if anyone was outside of Ponyville guarding it. So she figured she could try to sneak up to his home.

This scared her. She really didn’t want to go back to the outer borders of Ponyville. But it was worth doing. If anything, to see her boyfriend again just once.

So later right after dinner. She got herself ready.

However one of her eyes temporarily turned green. Then back to black.

Later that night. Kimono arrived at the outer borders. And Cloud Shades home was in sight. She was scared but she was close now. And there wasn’t anypony or police out.

She started running towards Cloud Shade house. How she was going to get up to it was another matter. All she could really think of right now was to pick up a small stone and throw it into the clouds hoping he would get the message.

If he was even home.

She found a stone and she picked it up.

She was then underneath the house. And threw the stone in. It went through the cloud perfectly but it didn’t come down.

Nothing.

But then she saw him. Cloud Shade was just flying into his house. Kimono shouted. “Cloud! It’s me! It’s kimono!”

Cloud flew onto his house porch. And then he came right back down to her. Snatched her up and quickly bought her inside.

Inside

Cloud was worried but relieved to see Kimono alright. “What are you doing here love? Didn’t you see my warnings in the letter?” Kimono sat down and started to quiver. “Yes. But I…wanted to see you. If you want me to go home I will.”

Cloud spoke “um. No I’m glad you're here Kimono but didn’t you see the towers?” Kimono was confused at that. “Towers?”

Cloud took her to a window and showed her 2 watch towers. 1 in the front and back of the house. This confused Kimono. “Is this a warning?” Kimono couldn’t help but notice these were the only 2. And they were simple designs just put up around this house. She didn’t notice any other towers.

Kimono then explained. “Cloud. Honey. This is the first time I’m seeing these. I went across most of the border.” Cloud knew this. You had to at least walk along the side to make it to his house.

Cloud started to put 2 and 2 together. “Wait. These towers. They were meant to watch me. If I ever went anywhere else.” Kimono was still confused. “But why? Are there that many ponies concerned about you disappearing?” Cloud thought about it. But he started to think about it more rationally.

“Well. I think it’s because no pony knows where I have been. Our relationship is still a-“ clouds expression turned to that of stress.

Kimono’s face then turned sad & sour. “Love…I think I’ll go home. This was pointless.” Cloud grabbed her hoof. “No!” Cloud looked at her and she looked at him.

“Please at least stay here tonight.” Kimono’s face turned back to a smile. She sighed and said. “That would be nice. I haven’t been doing too well lately. Maybe I just need you after so long.” Cloud smiled. And the 2 went to sleep.

But once again. Kimono woke up in the middle of the night.

She walked down stairs and saw the stone she threw. She dropped it and it went through the clouds. She thought of something terrible. Awful.

She walked outside of clouds house. To the edge of the platform. Knowing well it would be a nasty fall.

She then closed her eyes and tried to jump.

But when she did. She didn’t fall. She was just standing there. She closed eyes again. But once again the jump failed.

She opened her eyes. “No…I can’t do it. He…” her left eye blinked. She opened it again and it turned green. “He’ll be devastated.” Her eye turned black again. “No one wants you. And you won’t care when you’re dea-“ Kimono blinked again, this time her right eye turned green.

And then she started to cough. She started to cough up a black liquid as she did.

The loud coughing immediately got Cloud to wake up.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Cloud immediately knew what was going on. Kimono started to break into tears. But this time the tears she shed were black. “I-I Sorry. I won’t, but what-who.” Kimono started stuttering “Kimono? Why is there black liquid coming from your mouth? And why are your tears bla…your eyes. You have a.” Kimono sat down.

Cloud started to get concerned “Kimono something is wrong. Please let me look at you. You have one green eye and one black eye.” Kimono shouted. “NO! You shouldn’t care. I was banished!” Cloud said with a stern look. “And not that I’ve been away for so long? You’re not my girlfriend.” Kimono’s left eye turned angry. The black one. “What did you say?” Kimono said in an angry voice.

Cloud shouted. “I said! You’re not my girlfriend!” Kimono go up in an attack-like stance and said. “I AM YOUR GIRLFRIEND!!” And she jumped. Cloud snatched her up but he accidentally knocked her head on the cloud platform. Knocking her out temporarily.

Cloud knew what was happening. “She’s possessed”

Later

Kimono woke up inside clouds room. Tied up. Both eyes black colored. Cloud said “both eyes are black.” Kimono looked confused. “What is happening?” Cloud showed her a mirror. “Kimono look! Both eyes are black colored. Your eyes are supposed to be green.” Kimono realized it immediately. “What is it!? What is going on!?” Kimono shouted.

Cloud Shade said. “Kimono there’s a demon in you. You need to purge it. And I think I know how.” Kimono realized that the one thing she didn’t want to think about was what she needed to face.

“Come on kimono. I know what you have your mind on. Think.” Said cloud.

In Kimono’s head she thought of it. She thought of Era Somme. Her screaming. “You thought it would be fun!” Instead of looking away she kept her eyes open looks straight at it. Replaying it in her mind.

She said, “YES! I thought it would be fun! To reconnect with you! I wanted to give things to you!” The sound of the jury. “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU.” She screamed. “NOTHING!!!! I Didn’t do anything to creep you out!” She said it. And screamed it out as best as she could.

“I DON’T CARE IF I WAS BANISHED. IT WAS WRONG!!!!”

This scream was heard by the 2 towers outside.

She broke out of her ropes and she threw up a black inky liquid that pour through the cloud and poured onto the ground below. Her eyes turned from black to green in an instant. She passed out again. “Kimono.” Said cloud.

Some pegasi from the watchtowers noticed something pouring out of the cloud. They investigated. “What is this? Is it like pen in or something.”

The black liquid formed into the shadow. And it spoke. “No. I am Kimono. It’s time.” It disappeared.

Back in the house. “Kimono. You did it to wake up.” Kimono opened her eyes. “Ugh…owww my head…Cloud. Oh my god cloudy. I’m sorry I tried to.” Cloud hugged her.

Cloud shade said in tears. “I don’t care, I'm just glad you’re ok. I’m so glad you got that thing out.” Kimono then thought of something as the 2 Pegasus guards knocked on the door.

“Cloud shade is everything ok up here?” One of the Pegasus guards looked at the crying kimono and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Wait Kimono the wise? Is that you?”

Kimono got up on her hooves. She looked back to cloud, And said to cloud. “Cloud Shade…I’m doing this for you. I need to make a change, a sacrifice if I have to. For you. For all of us.”

The other guard turned to kimono and said, “Kimono what happened to you? I haven’t seen you since-“

She cut them off and said. In a stern voice. “Take me to see Era Somme.”

Chapter 5: It's Time Part 2

Sacrifice. Is built on Change.

I was willing to lose it all. For the one I loved. For the ponies I loved. The ponies who used to be my friends.

Deep, deep down. I cared for them all, it wasn’t in my heart. To make the same mistake twice. Yet why did I care? I was outed by them?

And even her. Era Somme.

Kimono was once again deep in thought. She walked with the guards to Era Sommes office. The one who rallied against her in court.

Cloud Shade followed suit.

Meanwhile ponies around Ponyville. Enjoying the nightlife. Heard the commotion and saw Kimono. Walking in the streets of Ponyville for the first time in 3 years.

Not helping. Was just behind it all. Was the shadow.

Ponies were nervous. Others had mixed feelings. Others didn’t like her. Others tried to greet her back with open hooves.

Ponies stopped in their tracks to see her walking by. And some tried calling out to her.

“Hey Kimono. Welcome back!” Said a pegasus flying in the air. “Kimono? Is that you? Are you ok?” Said another pony walking by.

Several of these ponies were her former closest friends. Some teared up. “I missed you!” One pony said.

“Kimono! I missed you too!” Said another.

Kimono however was largely unfazed. She wanted to stay focused. Hey eyes immediately turned to city hall. As she saw Era Somme also being escorted outside.

Then the 2 met. “Kimono? So Cloud shade. Is this who you’ve been seeing?” Era Somme said with a condescending tone.

Kimono spoke up. “Now. About the incident. I want to address it.” Era Frowned. “That is why you wanted to come out here? To have a pity party?”

Kimono said “No. it’s because I still have friends here. Who I want to change for. Because I have a boyfriend who would be better off if this drama ended. Everypony would be better off if we didn’t argue about anything anymore.”

A pony in the audience called out. “Era! She’s right! Cloud told me she was his significant other a while back. If cloud cares about her I do!”

Era still looked unenthusiastic. “You’re not excusing yourself for how many ponies you scared though.” Kimono shouted “I WILL NOT!” Just then a black hand reached out and grabbed Era Somme. Kimono looked around to see it was the shadow. The lights in city hall went out. Shrouding the town square in darkness.

“Era!” Kimono shouted. The shadow turned around and looked at Kimono and confronted her.

Kimono screamed “what do you want!?” It started to loom over her. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” The shadow then shrunk to Kimono's height. But kept Era Somme floating in the air.

Kimono looked straight into the shadows eyes. And then it spoke. “I could take her away~” Kimono realized what she meant.

Her eyes got angry. Tears flowed out. But she didn’t care.

Then…

“You’re regretting…what have you done for anypony.” The shadow hissed.

“YOU’RE NOTHING!”

Ponies behind her started shivering.

“You never helped us! Go away! Give her back!”

The shadow roared

“They’re my friends! I never wanted to make them scared! I promise I never will!”

Ponies then looked at each other confused.

“I just wanted to reconnect with you all. NONE OF US WANTED THIS!”

She said as she turned her head to the ponies behind her. Then to the shadow.

The shadow grabbed cloud but kimono grabbed his hoof.

“NO! You! You are what scares all of us. The old incident is what scares us!”

The shadow dropped kimono and era somme.

“IF YOU SCARE ANYPONY EVER AGAIN I’ll FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!!!”

The shadow grew larger as Era Somme appeared from behind.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The shadow then shrunk below Kimono's height. Then it fell on the ground.

Kimono started to walk towards it.

Cloud shouted. “Kimono no!”

Kimono then touched the shadow. Then it spoke one last time. “You did it~ you conquered me. Make the changed worth it.” The shadow then disappeared into Kimono's actual shadow.

Era Somme looked at her. Kimono looked at her.

“I…I’m sorry.” Said Era. Kimono said “I’m sorry too.” The 2 hugged each other as the lights came back on.

“You’re right. It’s old. Caring about that old incident is pointless… I’ll give you the chance to improve for the better.” Era said with sincerity.

Kimono looked at her and said. “I don’t want a chance Era. I just want to show that I never meant any harm to any pony. And I never will. And you. I want you to help me.” Era Somme smiled. “You’re gonna have to listen though. But I’ll be happy to be your friend.” Kimono replied with. “That’s what I specialize in now.”

Era Somme got up on the city hall podium and said. “Kimono’s exile is officially over. She is a changed pony. I swear on my heart to not ever assume, and to never take her the wrong way again. I shall let bygones be bygones. I hope you shall too.”
Some ponies walked away. While others cheered for her.

Kimono and cloud looked at each other and knew that the time of reconciliation had only just begun.

The 2 kissed.

-Hearths Warming Eve-

Kimono now had her old home in Ponyville back. Living a happy life with Cloud Shade.

After coming home from the annual Hearth’s warming play with a few friends. The 2 were dropped off. “Goodnight Kimono and Cloud Shade. I had fun.” Kimono smiled back and said. “I did too. Goodnight.”

The 2 stepped inside the house. And Kimono grabbed a small container as she headed into the basement as cloud said. “You think you got this love?” Kimono smiled back and said “yes I’ll take care of it.” Cloud then went upstairs and said. “Ok love but after that I want to show you something.” Kimono said “ok love.”

She went into the basement and opened the container. It had soil in it.

In the basement the shadow ran up to her. She said “hey, it’s ok. I bought you something to eat.” The shadow snatched it out of her hooves and started eating it.

Kimono went out of the basement and locked the door.

-The End-

Chapter 2: House of the Dead

2 House of the Dead

The next day Kimono woke up drowsy. After having breakfast she remembered cloud shades request. And she prepared to go out once she was finished.

After she finished she walked outside into the fresh morning sun. Which was comforting enough to make her smile. And she started her walk to the clearing they met yesterday.

When she arrived he came in a minute later. “Hi Kimono” he said cheerfully. He was more then excited to go to her house. “So may you lead the way?” He replied.

Kimono and Cloud then started the walk to her home.

When they finally arrived Cloud Shade was a little taken aback when he saw where the house was. “This is where you live? Right next to a waterfall? Doesn’t that get loud?” Cloud said slightly concerned. Kimono said “sometimes but it’s small. I got used to it after a while.” Cloud then shifted his eyes to the house. And he noticed that a pile of rocks was just above the roof.

Cloud then got a little bit more worried. “Kimono have you seen those rocks up there? They could crash down at any moment.” After he said that she really looked at them and she noticed. But she said. “Well I am an Earth pony. What else can I do?”

Cloud then flew up with a smile and said. “I’ll remove them.” Kimono’s face then turned to concern. “NO!” She then paused and then said. “I mean you don’t have to do that. I never wanted you to do that for me.” Cloud then flew back to the ground and said. “I don’t care. You’re my friend and I am helping you weather you want me to or not.”

Kimono started speaking again. “Don’t I don’t mean to be rude. But I don’t want you to. It’s not…” then she stopped right there. Cloud looked at her with confusion. “It’s not, what? And no I don’t think you’re being rude, really I don’t. But you could get hurt from that.” Kimono held her face to the ground. Cloud spoke up “kimono. Why do you not want me to help? What is simply saving your life not!?”

Kimono the shouted. “It’s not modest!” The 2 then looked with shock. “Kimono? What are you talking about?” Said cloud. “I mean I shouldn’t have asked you. You should’ve just…how do I put this?”

Cloud shade then looked a little sad. “I get it now. You don’t want to be demanding ever since the-“ cloud then stopped talking and started work on move the rocks into the river bed.

After that the 2 walked inside and never spoke of this again.

And the 2 seemed to be having fun. They saw a movie they loved, had lunch together, caught up with things & even did a small race outside. (Kimono won)

Cloud was happy with the time he was spending with her. And even Kimono looked happier than yesterday.

Kimono with a smile said. “Thanks cloudy. I had so much fun today. More then I had in so long.” Cloud shade said. “Anything for you kimono. I had a lot of fun too. I needed this.”

Kimonos face then looked shocked. “Oh sorry I forgot I needed to water my garden.” Cloud offered to help but kimono said. “No, no. All I really need to do is move the roof gutter to the waterfall, and move the spout to the garden.” Cloud smiled at that. “Ooo nice strategy. Very resourceful. And I noticed that garden. A lot of those veggies look ripe.”

Kimono smiled and said. “You’d be surprised what I am able to do after being out of town for so long.” Cloud then kept that in mind. When he realized he hadn’t fully explored Kimono’s room yet. “Say Kimono I haven’t see your room yet. Can I take a look at it while you’re watering?”

She said “I guess so.” She said as she then walked outside to begin her work.

Cloud walked through a small hallway and into her room. “Wow. This actually looks pretty good. Nice furniture.” Cloud had a fondness for architecture. And as he was admiring he came across the 2 picture frames on the floor. And the book.

Cloud was confused. “What happened here?” The frames contained not pictures but documents.

Cloud started to read.

“LOCAL CITIZEN CAUSES MAJOR CONFUSION.

Kimono the wise. Banned from ponyville for creepy behavior and items.

Items include a painting, a plush toy, and a board game and a hand written book. among many others.

Kimono claims these items to be “gifts for friends.” We at the Ponyville press can assure you they are not.

Kimono was clearly on the boarderline of stalking with these gifts. And they were clearly meant to be harmful in someway.

Many suspicious decisions and design choices seem to prove this. Kimono will be banished from ponyville today. As her trial as decided.”

Cloud started to look scared. “I…remember that.” He picked up the other picture and started reading.

This was a transcript of Kimono’s banishment trial. However as cloud read it. He started to become very suspicious of the prosecution. And her criminal record. “Kimono charged with crimes of: stalking, demanding, etc.”

And the list went down a bit. But Cloud Shade. Someone who knew Kimono more then anyone else. Knew something everypony else did not on that day. “She must have felt awful on that day…*sob*” cloud shade shed a small tear. Trying to imagine the trauma his best friend went through when she was sent away.

Cloud Dried up his tears. “Maybe. I could…I don’t know. I don’t really have anything to do for about a month.” Just then he heard. “This is why I live out of Town.” There stood kimono in the doorway. With a sad look on her face.

Cloud was about to panic. “Kimono I’m sorry I didn’t want to-“ kimono cut him off with a sad tired tone. “No no. I thought I cleaned this up.” Cloud calmed down and said. “Kimono? How bad did it feel?” Kimono just said. “Why do you want to know? I was banned from town because what I was trying to do for my friends was stupid. So what?”

Cloud shade knew that was wrong. “No. Kimono that’s not stupid that’s just being a friend. Everyone just took your actions out of context.” Kimono sighed “why did I get banished then? Why were ponies still AFRAID OF ME!?!?”

Cloud was shocked. And kimono broke down and hugged him. “That was the worst part for you wasn’t it?” Kimono was crying and said a small “yes…I just…” Cloud cut her off. “You just thought it would be fun?” Kimono then went wide eyed. “That was your last defense for the trial. I read the transcript. But look at this.” Cloud broke the hug to show her.

“This is what I read. KIMONO: I thought it would be fun. JUDGE CHERRY: You thought it would be fun?!. ERA SOMME: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Era somme was the prosecution. Somepony you tried to be nothing but nice to like me? Do you not find that suspicious Kimono? That has to be taking what you did out of context for the worst.”

Kimono cried again. “That’s what I remember the most from it…*sob* was the screaming…the fear.” Cloud then gave her a hug again. “Kimono I was just trying to make a point. You are not a bad pony and you never will be.” Just when he said that Kimono looked at the wall and saw the shadow again. But this time it disappeared right before her eyes. Kimono smiled at clouds kind words and started to calm down. “But *sob* how do you know?”

Cloud whispered into Kimono’s ear. “Because I know you. You used to be the kindest of the kind in Ponyville before everything went down. You used to lend a hoof to ponies you barely even knew. You gave so much to ponies who needed you, even when they didn’t know it. You always just went above and beyond for anypony. And I know for a fact. That you never meant any sort of harm at all when the incident happened I promise you. And well Kimono. I can definitely say.” Cloud sighed and said the words “ponyville really has, never been the same without you.”

Kimono hugged him as she cried tears of joy. “If only everypony understood like you… I just wanted to be nice to everypony.” Said Kimono. Cloud shade spoke up and said. “You want to talk about it?”

The 2 sat on the bed. And Kimono described her true intentions. “So remember how rough Hearth’s warming was before the incident?” Said kimono as Cloud shade immediately remembered. “Oh celestia that was stressful! Barely any food and supplies. I never felt so hungry.”

Kimono went on. “Well that’s why I wanted to cheer everypony up that Spring. I tried doing all sorts of things like making art, toys, puzzles, and new ideas for stories. That’s why I thought it would be fun. But I don’t know. Everypony took it the wrong way and I just sort of shut down.”

Cloud shade then responded. “Kimono. I don’t think it’s excusable. But I do think it’s understandable. What else are you supposed to do when the whole town has your back to the wall?” Cloud replied. “I know. It’s just been lonely ever since. No pony to help. No smiles…smiles is what made me happy. And yes. I considered suicide at one point.” Kimono said firmly.

Cloud then decided to do something unprecedented. “Kimono. Do you want me to stay here with you for a while? I have nothing to do for the next month.” Kimono replied. “Um…I don’t know if I. Do you want to?” Cloud said. “No unless you want to. If anything just to keep you company.”

Kimono then agreed. “Ok cloud. But won’t ponies get suspicious? What if they find me? What if I can never ever change again?..” cloud shade looked with concern and said.

“Kimono. I promise you. We’ll find a way. And look if everypony thinks you can never ever change. They condemn you to just that. They basically give you permission to be bad. Show them, really show them you’re not when the time comes to it.” Cloud said with a relaxed grin.

Kimono smiled at that. She was still smart deep down. She knew that Cloud Shade was right.

1 week had passed. Cloud Shade was actively making her life better. Her behavior improved significantly but she wasn’t complaining back. Sometimes she felt like she was taking advantage of him but in reality she wasn’t. He did everything to make her life better and he didn’t seem to mind.

It soon got to a point where the 2 decided to sleep in the same bed. As she was worried for Cloud’s wings potentially having problems on the couch. He shared similar concerns. It was awkward at first but it didn’t take long for it to be ok.

Especially as nights were getting harder and harder for Kimono to sleep through. Sometimes due to powerful nightmares Luna was having a huge problem with.

But she always found comfort in his hooves. But every single night had something in common. The shadow.

She looked up at the ceiling one night. Seeing the shadow looking over her. But it disappeared after closing her eyes.

But when she woke up from nightmares the same shadow seemed to appear. Weather outside the window or on the ceiling. But it all got concerning when Kimono woke up early one morning and saw.

The book. Just sitting on the dining room table. “What?” She picked it up and read through the pages. All of them were now blank. Except for 1. That read.

“Nice distraction. But I can’t leave. So let’s play a game.

The more you deny me, the bigger I will get. I will linger and loom, until you properly purge your gloom.”

The page at the ending cover had a crude drawing of the shadow on it. This scared Kimono and she immediately threw the book in the trash. Cloud Shade came into the kitchen and said. “Kimono? What was that?”

Kimono now got concerned. This meant cloud didn’t leave it there. She said all she could. “I don’t know.”