Chapters Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
I remember my childhood quite well. I was raised by my dad, who is a famous author. He has one book that was a huge hit, jump starting his career. It was nice that my dad was around a lot, seeing as his work was being at home. My mother is an extremely nice mare. Her name is Fluttershy. She tells me her, and my dad had met as children, but were separated around 9 years old. She never told me how, or why at that point. I was too young. I never asked either, I just accepted it as it was.
My dad loved to read my brother and I bed time stories. He wrote them, or made them up sometimes too. My favorite one was "Perseverance" Which was about finding yourself as you grow up. It always made me feel like one day, I'll be good at something. I'd love to be able to write like my dad. I loved his stories, and I thought, maybe he could teach me when I get a little older.
..........
My mom came to pick up my brother and I from school early. She looked really worried. Her emotions were always obvious. Even a little filly like me could tell when she was scared, or hurt, or angry...She looked really anxious.
"What's wrong mom?" I asked. Treble, my brother, didn't seem to care. He was like that though, care free.
"Oh. Uh....nothing, honey, don't worry about it." She assured me. She was really scared of something, I just knew it, but she didn't tell me.
"Where are we going then?" I asked another question.
"We're going to the hospital, to see if Daddy is okay." She almost teared up. My stomach twisted. I was worried now too.
"What's wrong with Daddy?" I asked, also sharing the worry.
"I...I don't know..." She said, holding back a tear.
We arrived to the hospital. We waited in the waiting room for about 10 minutes. Treble fell asleep in the chair. Does he even care about anything?" He's my twin brother, you think since we're twins, he'd care about something.
The doctor came through a door. She asked if my mom could talk to him in private.
"Stay here, okay?" She asked, stroking my mane. She walked off with the doctor, and went through the door to the offices. His just happen to be behind the check out desk, in the distance, where I could see my dad, and her through the glass. I looked, and spied on them. My mom had her hooves to her mouth, in anxiety, next to my dad. The doctor began to talk. Since it was behind glass, I couldn't hear anything. After the doctor said something, my dad looked down in disappointment, and my mom broke down in tears, and hugged my dad tightly, crying into his shoulders. He hugged back. Treble was still asleep. I didn't know what was going on, so I didn't wake him up, but whatever it was, I knew that is was bad.
We got home that day, and everyone was silent. Treble didn't talk much anyway. Mom was staring at the wall, and dad just sat in his office, and locked the door. I was tired of being left in the dust. I needed to know. I trotted to his door, and knocked.
"Daddy?" I said, through the door.
"One moment." He unlocked the door, and opened it.
"Yes?" He said in a neutral tone, trying to hide his feelings.
"Can I come in?" He thought for a moment.
"Yeah, come on in." He opened the door wider. I closed it after I stepped in.
"Daddy, what's happening to you?" I asked with my ears down.
"What do you mean?" He responded.
"I saw you two in the office through the counter glass, and mommy was crying...What's wrong?"
He sighed. "I guess you should know while I still have time."
"What?..." I thought I knew what that meant.
"Daddy is sick, honey. I...I don't know how long I'll be here...I might not get to see you grow up." He put it so blunt, and didn't sugarcoat any of it.
"Why?..." I said tearing up, and sniffling. "Why won't you be here? Are you leaving? Won't you get better?" He looked away a few times
"I wish I could get better honey, but It will get worse. I know you can't see what's wrong yet, but you will pretty soon...I hate to have to tell you so bluntly, and plain out, but that's just how it is." He wasn't tearing up, or crying. I don't know ow my dad can be so strong, and emotionless at this point.
"Daddy..." I gave him a huge hug. He hugged back tightly.
Days afterward, my dad began to lose his hair, and he became really skinny. He didn't eat, he looked so pale. His dark blue coat grew light, and ugly. It became hard for him to talk.
The fateful day came. My mom picked me and Treble up from school again. This time, we went to see him. He was in a bed, strapped to a machine. It was a heart meter.
"Daddy..." I said, crying, and running over to him.
"Scarlet, Treble...Please, promise me one thing." He said
"What is it?" We both asked.
"Promise me, you'll take care, and be good to your mother" His eyes were closing.
"Daddy!" I shouted.
"promise.......me...."
"I promise." Treble said.
"I promise too!" I said.
"I love you Fluttershy...Be...good...."
I heard the meter go blank. Mommy broke down. She cried really hard. It was painful to watch. When mommy cried, I felt bad, no matter what it was about. It's hard to watch your mom cry. We all got close, and hugged each other.
We got home that day. I didn't go to school, neither did Treble. We missed a whole week. Mom just sat there and cried. She frowned, and when the tears dried up, she would cry again eventually. She loved him so much. We all did. Equestrian readers from all over wrote to us, and felt sorry for us, hoping we'd be okay.
I'll miss you Daddy....
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
Here I am, a few weeks later, at his funeral, with my brother, and my mom. my brother was crying, but I could tell he was trying to hold his tears back. My mom made no effort to stop them, she was quiet, but the tears flew out. She'd sniffle every minute or so. I was crying too. It hurt so bad. What would we do now? My dad would have no more work to put out.
I looked up again. We were the closest ponies to his tombstone, which was located right next to My aunt's, and Grandfather's. My grandma was right beside us. She was probably the most devastated. She lost her husband, her daughter, and now her son. My grandma hugged my mom, and all of us. I looked behind us for a second. There was quite a crowd. My mom's friends were near. All five of them stepped up.
"I'm sorry, sugar cube. I kknow this hurts really bad." Said a southern sounding pony, putting her hoof on my mom's shoulder.
"Darling, I wish I could help." Said an English sounding pony. They all hugged her. Me and Treble were invited to the group hug too. I didn't know any of them, but it was okay, I guess.
Later in the funeral, someone I would never expect to be there, attended, and gave a eulogy. Princess Celestia? Was he THAT famous? As she trotted to the podium, I had some weird flash back, or something. I saw a letter, it had my Dad's name in it. I couldn't make it out long enough to read it. I flashed back to reality. It stayed on my mind the whole time.
We got home, and My mom fell asleep on the couch, probably exhausted from crying so much. I saw something on the coffee table. It was a book. "Separated Wings Never Fly as Fast" I didn't pay too much attention to it, and moved on.
`.....................
It's now been a couple years. I've been getting random first person flash backs. At random times. One time, when I looked at Dad's tombstone, I saw the other two beside it. I remember the two bottles that were right there. One for my Aunt, and one for my Grandpa. I got a flashback, and saw what looked like my dad writing a poem.
Another one happened just today, this one has to mean something. I saw a book in my mom's room, "Separated Wings never Fly as Fast" I've seen it before. But a flashback came with it. Many of them at one time. I saw what looked like younger versions of my mom, and my dad, at like 9 years old. Mom was crying,and dad was hugging her. I had another one, My Dad jumping off of a cloud. That was it. This can't be coincidence. I grabbed the book. I went back in my room to read it... I was now 10. I saw a new flashback every chapter....This book was about my Dad, and my mom meeting each other.
I read the first chapter. My dad was a young colt, lonely, and friendless. How is that possible, for such an amazing pony to be lonely? I got a flashback of it. After reading the first chapter, I put the book down...This is freaky.
.............
I took the book to school the next day. I looked at it during free time, and recess. A filly from my class, who I considered my friend asked if I wanted to play tag today.
"No thanks, maybe some other time." I replied.
I looked at chapter two. It was about My mom and dad separating, after only just meeting. Mom fell off the cloudsdale flight camp race track. That's weird, she would have been dead...
Recess ended. When we got back in class, we were told to write a story. Something random.
I didn't think too much. I wrote a story about Treble getting in trouble at school. It wouldn't ever happen normally. I wrote that he was being made fun of and just snapped, and kicked some other pony's butt. I thought it was weird, but whatever.
Later that day, I got home, and mom was yelling at Treble.
"He was REALLY ANNOYING!!" He yelled, already in the middle of a conversation.
"It doesn't matter! You don't beat up somepony, just because they make fun of you!"
What?....Did I just write out the future?! That has to be coincidence. I'm going to try again.
I wrote a story about me finding 100 bits on the ground tomorrow after school. If this happens, I'll be convinced. Just to make it random, I made a weird number 154 bits.
Next day, school ended, and I walked home. I saw a small bag on the sidewalk. I looked at it. It was pretty heavy, and it felt like.....money. I looked in it....bits....lots...NO WAY!!! I...How is that.....HOW?
I took it home, and ran to my room, and counted it.
"149...150...151...152....153...............154......." I....I can write the future....I...I....I have to USE THIS!!!
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
I went a month or so writing random short stories to try and alter the future. I didn't do much for myself. Once in awhile maybe. However, I usually helped a friend or two. One of my friends said her brother was really sick. He was getting close to death. I didn't want her to have to go through the pain of losing a loved one like I did. I wrote a story about how he would get better, and live. The next couple days, the story became reality. She was rejoicing when she found out he'd be okay.
I've grown up a little bit. I was in 6th grade. One of the students became a bully to me. She spread rumors, and made fun of me, and made me feel awful about myself.
It got really bad one time. She got others to believe her. Her, and others tormented me, and chanted as a group to make fun of me. I was against the wall, and tried to plug my ears. I could still hear the hurtful words coming from their mouths. I started to cry. I ran off. I went outside, and ran off campus. I eventually stopped. I began to feel angry. I had so many mixed emotions of hatred, self-loathing, depression, and hopelessness.
I got out a notepad. I grabbed a pen, and did what I felt was needed. I wrote a story that was soon to be reality. I grinned as the pen wrote out how this young mare would die. I laughed inside. I finished, and went home. The school day was only half over. My mom came into the living room to the sound of the front door opening.
"What are you doing here?" She asked with almost angry concern. She then saw that my head was down, and saw that I had been crying.
"I hate myself mom..." I said, tearing up again.
"What happened?" She asked coming closer, about to comfort me.
"Don't worry mom, it doesn't matter." I said, starting to trot to my room.
"It does...Please tell me." Her voice went softer
"These people keep making fun of me, and spreading rumors, and....I'm starting to hate myself" A tear rolled down my face.
"I know what that feels like." She said. I stopped trotting, and looked behind.
"You....You do?" I asked.
"Yes....I was always made fun of for being a bad flyer, and being a doormat." She told me.
My mom informed me of her childhood, and her trouble through life. Her name gave away her doormat mentality...Fluttershy... The shy one who was afraid to be loud. But when her friends were in trouble, she said she felt different, like a force of volume just flew into her. Rage was only occasional, but it always worked...
It was inspirational. I need to not care what people think of me, and just ignore the bully, and just be who I am and not be concerned of other's opinions.
..........
The next day was tragic. The bully didn't come to school. There was an announcement, stating she jumped off of a bridge. She left a note, and the principle read it.
"I'm sorry for all the people I hurt. I'm sorry that I'm an evil pony that only makes friends because I hurt others. My home life actually sucks, and I'm just taking it out on all of you. I can't myself, or my life anymore...Goodbye cruel world...."
I remember something about this. I looked into my notebook. And I wrote that exact situation...I did this...I killed her....I...I'm awful...I'm evil...I..."
I sat there, with my head down. No one else was affected it seemed. Did she really not have friends? Was she that lonely? I took a life. I could have just written about her being a better person the next day, but I was mad. I'm worse. I'm a disgrace to this world of so called kindness. I murdered her with my power....No....It's a curse.
I went home that day, my mom was out to the store. Treble went somewhere with a friend after school. I was alone. I went into my room, and cried. I cried my little evil heart out. I feel so awful. I feel like I should be the one who's dead. Not her. No one will ever know that it was me.
I took the page I wrote the story on, and ripped it. I got another piece of paper out. And I wrote out a punishment that I thought I deserved.
I finished the short half page story. I deserve every bit of events that will happen tomorrow.
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
I woke up for school. They say the "New day" Feeling helps, however, for me it strengthened the pain I felt. The night before, I wrote out a punishment for myself. As soon as first period ended, it would be executed, and put into action.
I arrived to the school yard, and saw a large young mare stare at me with anger. Phase one of the plan. I looked away, and walked off, trying to ignore her. She got up, and pushed me slightly, getting my attention by force.
"Hey!" She said angrily. Phase two. I ignored her more.
"Hey, Princess!" She kept trying to get to me. I kept walking.
The bell rang, and I ran off. She got lost in the crowd of ponies going to class, and walked off.
I went to first period, and slept through it all. I got into class, and sat in the very back, as I always did, and put my head down, in between my hooves, and closed my eyes to go to sleep.
It felt like not even 5 minutes had passed with my eyes closed. A flashback came to me. It was a first person view, it was my dad as a teenager. I saw two police ponies, telling him that "She has no pulse, and we couldn't revive Scarlet. I'm sorry sir..."
I remember that I was named after my aunt. That must be how she died. It was never clear to me. My dad never told me.
After the flashback, I saw my dad for a quick second.
"You deserve better, honey. Don't do this." It was quick. He immediately faded, and my eyes opened as I heard the bell for second period. I saw that I had been tearing up as I slept. My hooves were wet, and my eyes were moist. I dried them up as fast as possible. When I walked out, the teacher looked at me. I looked back for just a second, and trotted off.
I felt a large force push me against the lockers. Oh yeah...The punishment. It's now inevitable, phase three. She held up her hoof and cocked it back, and aimed towards my face. I didn't resist. I closed my eyes, but it hurt really bad. She hit my cheek, and then kicked me upward towards the stomach. Tears flew down my eyes with every hit. I didn't sob, or even show sign of pain. I just took every strike. She ran out of energy it seemed,
"Don't EVER ignore me again! Got it?!" She said with her face so close to mine.
I glanced down, breaking eye contact. She walked off like nothing happened. I deserved this pain. I struggled to get up. No one helped, they just stared in shock, fear, and probably sympathy. I stumbled a couple times, but managed to regain balance. My wings were untouched. Phase four.
I walked off. No one said anything. I walked towards the door that led to the side of the school field. I pushed it open, and walked down the field and flexed my wings, and flew off.
My dad flashed into my head again. It was a voice.
"Don't do this." I kept flying
"Please...Your mother will never forgive herself."
"Scarlet, please, don't run away."
Tears flew down, as I accelerated. Every sentence brought more guilt. I couldn't take it
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!!!" I flew as fast as I could. I sobbed to myself as I flew.
I got tired. I've been flying for at least 2 hours. I slowed down, and descended. I saw what seemed like Canterlot. Fancy, and colorful. I reached the ground. I didn't know anypony, so it could be easy to blend in. Except that I had bruises and obvious injuries from being beaten. I tried to walk again. It was a struggle. I stumbled for awhile. A couple ponies looked at me with concern.
"Honey, are you okay? What happened to you?" The trotted towards me. I was walking slower than I thought I was.
I lost it. I cried, and sobbed. My body collapsed as the world seemed to get blurry.
I suddenly saw a bright, city like place. It was glowing with glorious aura. Everything looked so happy. Pony children were playing with each other, and running around in pure joy. It wasn't like anything I've ever seen before. Could this be...Pony heaven? Am I just dreaming?
"Am I dreaming?" I said out loud, not aware of it. I felt a hoof touch my shoulder. It was dark blue, like a very familiar, kind pony that I knew.
"Technically, you are." It was my dad.
"Dad!" I turned around, and spread my hooves to hug him. However, right before we reached each other, I woke up.
"Thank goodness you're awake." Said a very divine voice. My vision still needed to focus.
"Wha...?" I was groaning, trying to become fully conscious.
"Are you okay, dear?" She said again. My vision finally cleared. I still thought I was crazy. The figure standing before me, was none other than princess Celestia.
"What?..." I was confused. I seemed to be in a hospital.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"I'm okay I guess." I said softly.
"Good. I was worried about you." She said. Princess Celestia? Worried about...me? How?
"Wait...How were you worried about me? You don't know me...do you?" I asked raising an eye brow, with slight anxiety.
"I do." She began. "You're mother is also worried, as well as your brother."
"How long has it been?" I asked.
"Almost 3 days" She said. My eyes widened with fear.
"Wait, how do you know my mother?" I asked with concern.
"She writes me all the time. As well as her friends. She wrote me recently to help her find you." She said with sincerity.
"...And you answered?" I asked.
"Of course. I wouldn't just let one of the citizens of Equestria suffer If I can do something to help." Her and I fell silent.
"Oh, wait." She began. "I'm sure your mother would want to see this." She conjured a used piece of parchment, and unrolled it.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm scared. My daughter has been missing for almost two days now. No one knows where she went, or has any leads... I'm worried. My stomach turns, and I cry every time I try to think what could have happened to her. Please help me. If she's alive, I know you can find her... Please...I don't want to lose my daughter, just after losing my husband.
Your loyal subject, Fluttershy."
The letter had tear marks on it. It looked sloppily written, as if she just wanted it sent, and didn't care if it was neat or not. She just wanted to get the word out.
"Will you promise me something?" She asked.
"Promise what?" I asked, teary eyed.
"Promise you'll go home." She said. "Your mom needs you more than you think."
"I promise." I said back
"I know your father would want you to go back. It's the right thing." She said softly. I forgot she knew my dad at least a little bit. I haven't made the connection though. How did it start?
I flew off. Back home. It took a long time. about an hour and a half this time. Ponyville was in view, and I descended right by our house.
I took a deep breath. I hesitated opening the door three times. I backed up each time. The fourth time,I opened it. Point of no return.
"...I'm home..." I said. My mom trotted in. She saw me, and ran towards me. She threw her hooves onto me in a large hug of relief. She broke down. She nuzzled me, and sobbed loudly. I tried to contain my tears, but i couldn't. The part of me that hated seeing mom cry was still there 100%. I returned the embrace.
"I..I'm sorry mom..." I said through my sobs, and almost coughed.
"I'm so glad you came back." We held each other there for awhile. I saw Treble there in the kitchen. He cried a little too. I could tell he was happy to see me, even though it wasn't exactly obvious.
I'm sorry...Dad... I Promise I'll be better...I promise.... For you, and for Mom...
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
Forgive, and Grow Stronger.
My mom kept hugging me tightly. She seemed as if she never wanted to let go. I couldn't make any eye contact with her. I finally spoke. I began to talk over her fading sobs.
"I'm sorry Mom." I said almost not audible. "I'm sorry I'm an awful daughter. I don't deserve a mom like you." I began to cry, and sob again as I finished my sentence. My lip was quivering, as I tried not to cry.
"No..." She said, tightening her embrace again. "You aren't a bad daughter, honey. We all make mistakes, and rash decisions. No one makes the right choice every time." She stopped sobbing. Tears still flow through her now red, irritated eyes. I looked deep into them. I haven't looked directly into my mom's eyes in a long time. She spoke again. "I will always love you my little Scarlet." She smiled through her tears. I tightened my embrace again. She finally let go.
I trotted off slowly, into the kitchen. As i crept my head into the room, I saw Treble shedding a few tears. Even one tear was extremely rare. The fact that he cried because of me made me feel a little guilty still. I walked closer. He tried to dry his eyes before I reached closer. I stretched my hooves, and grabbed him in a tight hug. He returned the embrace. He cried, and sobbed softly, and sniffled into my shoulders.
"I missed you sister." He said through his sobs.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry..." I began to cry again. My mom came in, and stretched her hooves over the both of us.
"I wish your father could see this..." Mom said nuzzling us.
I felt another hoof grip my shoulder. I glanced back. It was dad, but he looked like a ghost. He smiled at me. I almost spoke. He put his hoof to his mouth, signaling not to speak. He then waved, and faded out of my vision.
"I think He'd be happy..." I said.
..........
I came clean an hour later. I sat down next to both of them. My stomach twisted as I thought about what they would think of me if I told them I could write the future. Or even worse, that I can see Dad. As we sat down, I tapped my hooves together as I tried to find something to open with. I took a deep breath.
"I don't know if you'll believe me, but it's true, and I have proof." I took another deep breath. "I have this curse or something. It started a long time ago. I found out it was real when Treble got in trouble at school the first time. Before I got home, and saw Treble, I wrote a story for school that Treble got in trouble at school by hitting that kid that annoyed him." Treble looked very confused. Mom began to look anxious, and thoughtful. I kept going. "See? The exact same date, in writing class, the exact same date! And also, I wrote another short story that i would find 154 bits outside on the street somewhere. I did. Exactly 154. In fact, I also wrote out something I will never forgive myself for." Mom began to look nervous, and scared as to what I was going to say next. "Somepony bullied me a couple years later, and I was insanely mad, and depressed at the same time. I wrote out her death, and forgot about the curse. The next day, it was said that she killed herself out of guilt for people she hurt. I-I-I felt so guilty. That next day, I wrote out a punishment for myself." I began to tear up again. It makes me sick to think back to that. "I wrote out that another bully would come to school, and beat me mercilessly, and then I would fly away, and just disappear." I began to cry harder. "I tried....I went all the way to canterlot before I crashed of exhaustion. I went into a coma for a few days, and Princess Celestia came to my room, and told me you were scared. She read me a letter you wrote to her. I felt so guilty. I flew back. I-I-I just don't know who I am anymore..." I broke down, and plopped on the floor, and just cried my eyes out. The tears I didn't get to cry before were flowing out like fountains of sadness. Mom came down to hug me again. She rocked me back and forth as if she were trying to comfort a baby.
The next day, I was allowed to stay home. Mom was out for the whole day to work. I woke up at about 10:30 AM. I woke up thinking really deeply. About my life, Dad, my brother, my curse, everything. What was the reason for it? What divine force is giving me such power? If I can even call it that. I Paced around my room. As I look at the dresser, I notice a book I haven't touched in a long time. "Separated Wings Never Fly as Fast," By Axel Z. Penn. I remember my Dad giving himself that name.
I picked it up, and read it. I sat in my room, not putting it down. It was short. I read the whole thing in a few hours. I finished it, and closed it. It was so beautiful, it was about my dad finding himself through all the crap that was thrown at him. How he met Mom at such a young age, and didn't see her for 7 years. They got married, and had two foals named Scarlet Rose, and Treble Cleff. I flipped through the back pages, and something caught my attention that almost never would. The publication date. it was published 2 years before Mom and Dad were married.
My mom came in, looking at me surprised.
"Where did you find that?" She asked curiously.
"It was in your room a long time ago." I said. "I wanted to read it."
"I've read that book front to back at least a hundred times since your father passed." She said, sitting next to me.
"It's very sweet." I said.
"You know, he actually wrote the plot, and finished writing it at about 12 years old." She said.
"That's impossible." I shot back, puzzled.
"Or is it?" She said, as if she was hinting something.
"You mean....?" There's no way....Is that even possible? My dad had the curse too? It sounds like more of a blessing.
"Yup." She said, almost smiling. "You father had the 'curse' too. But you see, he didn't know about it for a long time. He wrote the whole book in one year. When it was finished, he wanted to forget about the book, because he wanted to forget me. He thought I was dead. Everything in the book happened to him exactly as he wrote it. In the end, he wrote a happy ending. After that, he stopped writing stories about him, his life, and other's lives. Instead, he wrote fictional stories. That's why every other book he's written is a children's fiction novel, or a poem." My dad had this curse. He was so happy though. It's as if it was never on his mind. My mom spoke again. "After the book was written, and we got married, we talked about the 'curse'. He told me 'If you control a curse, you have to turn it into a blessing'. What I mean is, you can change it!" It was so obvious. I didn't think of it before. I could write happiness!
I began later that night. I thought of something that would be happy. My mom has a crappy position in her job. I will start my positive change. It was quite simple. My mom goes to work and clocks in, and her manager approaches her, and promotes her, with a pay raise. I hope this works. I felt satisfied with the wording, and story in general, and I went to the bathroom to wash up before bed. I looked at my flank, and I saw a cutie mark. I almost shouted. I smiled really wide. I didn't actually look at it until a minute or so after celebrating to myself. It was something I didn't expect. It was a heart. I'm not meant to express art, or music, or even literature. I'm meant for something different. I'm meant to express something everypony needs. I was meant to love, be compassionate, and kind.
I went to bed, and smiled as I slept. I can sleep a little better tonight, knowing I'm not the horrible pony I always tell myself I am.
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
Oh, how years pass without you even realizing it. I'm now 16 years old. The heart on my flank represents my "talent" to love. Since the night I got it, I've tried to think of other always. In fact, I can't even think of a time where I was put first. Oh wait. That's right. When I tried to run away. It had been in the past. I never wrote down what I wanted to happen in life anymore. I didn't need to. My life was going in a positive direction. I still loved to write, even though it would never be anywhere near as good as my dad's.
I wasn't the only one who seemed to develop in our family. My brother, Treble, transformed himself after middle school. His cutie mark is, an electric guitar. He was so good at it. When he'd play by himself, I'd listen carefully. He liked to play loud. It was beautiful. His soloing, and song writing skills were outstanding. During any time He felt uneasy, or stressed, he played his heart out. I know mom was happy that we developed well. She never got over dad, but who could blame her?
..........
Treble was acting different lately. In the past week, he'd come home quiet, and just play his guitar. Sometimes not even eat. Day by day, he seemed to eat less, and lock himself in his room. My mom and I began to worry.
Today, he came home, and said nothing. He ran upstairs, and slammed his door. I could here his saddlebag being thrown at the wall. Mom wasn't home yet. I trotted up quickly, and tried to open the door. It was locked.
"Treble, are you okay?" I called through the closed door.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said, with an irritated voice.
"Do you wanna talk about it? Something has to be troubling..." He cut me off
"Just go away!" He yelled.
I didn't say anything back. I went into my room, and just sat there. Waiting to hear him play something. All I heard was a few angry growls and things break. I know he didn't break his guitar, or amp. For a few minutes it stopped. I trotted back out.
"Treble! Please! Let me in!" No response. My heart pounded. I bucked the door open. He was opening a large bottle of pills he was about to take.
"TREBLE! NO!" I ran to him as fast as possible, and knocked the bottle out of his hand, gripping him in a tight hug, not daring to let go.
"Let go!" He commanded.
"Never!" I shouted back.
"Let me go! I can't do this anymore!" He kept struggling to get out of my grasp. I began to tear up while trying to hold on to him.
Mom came home. I heard her run up the stairs.
"What's going on!??" She saw the pills spilled all over his floor. She looked at us, me holding him down, and him, after he gave up trying to escape.
"I wanna die!" He said sobbing in my arms. Mom came over, and embraced him. All three of us, hugging each other, not daring to let go. Just like when dad passed. We just all felt the same pain. And mom and I wouldn't dare want to feel it again without Treble.
"There there...It's okay honey." Is all she could say. We don't really know if it will. But the fact that my mom says it, seems to calm him down.
Our family is crumbling, and I don't know if any of us can stop it...
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
The Talented Heart is Broken
Ever since Treble's suicide attempt, no one ever looked at him the same way. Mom and I were so scared for him. After that day, we wanted to know what happened. He wouldn't tell us...
He opened his mouth, but he wouldn't say anything that happened. .
"Don't worry about it...It's stupid..." He said, trying to brush it off of us.
"Honey, you tried to kill yourself. It has to be something big." Mom suggested, rubbing his back, trying to comfort him. Treble guided Mom's arm off of his back.
"Don't worry about it! Please!" Treble got somewhat aggressive.
"Please, Treble. You have to tell us or we won't know." Mom began to get emotional. It became easier and easier for her to.
"EXACTLY! THAT'S THE POINT!" He yelled. "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!" Treble stomped, and opened out door. It was the middle of the night now, and he flew off really fast.
"TREBLE!!!" I yelled. Trying to locate which direction he flew. It was too dark. "Treble...." I looked back at mom. She was crying to herself. What's wrong with us? We're the family of Axel Z. Penn. One of the greatest recent authors in Equestria. People don't know about this, and I don't think they ever would want to know. I went to mom. And I gave her the first hug. She hugged me back. It was always her to open her arms first. She was the first to show she cared. Now I need to do it for her. I guess since I have this heart cutie mark, I might as well practice it.
Treble hadn't shown up for a couple days. Days then turned to weeks... Which then turned to years. Two full years since Treble went missing. No one was ever able to find him. We looked all over Equestria for him. Nothing. No leads. He was assumed dead later that year. My mom was never more sad. First her husband, now her son. It was almost me first. Her life is full of worry, fear, and loss.
I was now 22 years old. My life has now hit rock bottom. My dad is dead, my brother is assumed dead for 2 years, and my mom kills herself. My mom, the soft, kind, loving Fluttershy, lost her angelic halo, and fell into a pit of despair...and took her own life. Leaving only me. The last of my family. Mom couldn't have actually thought deeply, and rationally enough to make that decision in the right mind. But it's too late now.
There was a funeral for both My mom, and Treble. I was the only direct family member there. Except for Grandma. Grandma and me, were right by all of their tombstones. Treble's,which didn't have a coffin in it, mom's,Dad's, My aunt Scarlet's and Grandpa. Grandma hugged me tight. I've never actually been close to Grandma, since I don't see her much. There was another family near mom's grave. I've never seen her before. She looked a little older than mom.
She had a light colored mane, and coat like mom. It must have been her sister. She didn't talk to me, or Grandma. Mom's friends came to us. All of them crying their eyes out. I hugged each of them individually.
The one with the rainbow mane tried not to make eye contact, and the brightly colored pink mare hugged me unexpectedly tight, and sobbed loudly. Not many words were said that day. If any at all. The purple one told me I could live with her for awhile if I need to. She lived in the Library. I agreed out of desperation. I don't think life can even get any worse than this. Everyone in my immediate family is dead... My heart is shattering into pieces...
Following His Footsteps (Sequel to They'll Never Hear You)
I am forced to leave my house, I don't have a job. All the possessions that I would have kept if I could, had to be thrown away. I searched every room in the house for small portable things that reminded me of each of my family members. I grabbed "Separated wings Never Fly as Fast" to remember dad, as well as a picture of him. I grabbed a few pictures of mom to remember her... As well as Angel bunny. He even saw her break. For Treble, I grabbed his electric guitar, which hadn't been touched since he flew away. I went to put it in the case. I opened the guitar pick compartment, to see if his favorite one was there. It was, but there was something else that jumped out quicker. He had photos. He kept copies of old photos of just us as we become closer. He always said he never got the film developed.
I looked at each one carefully. The first one was from after I ran away, and came back. We didn't even bother to wipe our tears off first. Mom was smiling in the background. She loved watching us grow close.
The next one was from a year later, when all of us just went to fly a high distance, since we almost never got to do anything like it, since mom didn't like to fly normally. He took a few of these.
Mom took this one. When I just returned from running, when he gave me the biggest hug, as we sobbed into each other's shoulders.
The latest one he had, were the ones from when we took that summer flight... In fact, that's when he became skilled at guitar, and eventually became more depressed.
I put the pictures back in the pick compartment, and just sat there, crying, with a slight smile. Reminiscing about the old days, running them all back through my head.
I collected my things, and kept them right next to the nightstand and bed Twilight let me use in one of the rooms. I stare, and look at every single one of these things, paying attention to every detail, wondering if I missed a small detail or texture, or visual element. I would then go walking around Ponyville, to just collect my thoughts, and think about jobs, or housing opportunities, maybe ask about employment to a local shop.
I looked in different directions to see different stores, or bakeries. I saw Pinkie's place, Sugarcube Corner. I walked in, and asked Pinkie for some part time work.
"I think I can make some arrangements. I'd like to take some time off, now that I own the place... How about, say, 10:00 AM- 5:00 in the evening? "She said smiling a little bit.
"That's be great!" I said, showing enthusiasm, even though my voice was soft. I felt like I was developing Mom's old voice. She always said she was quiet, and came off as a doormat to some ponies.
Pinkie nodded, and I trotted out. As I turned in the direction of Twilight's, something caught my eye. It was a large poster advertising a new band's first tour, starting in Ponyville. The band's name made me think of dad. It was called "The Persona of Axel." I scanned the nicely designed poster, and noticed one of the ponies to the middle right of the band. He had a light blue coat like mine. I thought he was my brother for a second. He had sort of a beard, but had the same mane, except it was dyed black. It showed their names. His was "Rebel Jumper" but he just looked SO much like Treble. I began to think maybe Treble changed his name or something. It had a section of text at the bottom "For any questions about the band, or future shows, or booking, please mail all inquiries to 7934 Cirrus Ln. in Cloudsdale." I was going to do it. I repeated the address in my head until I remembered the numbers..... "7934....7934 Cirrus Ln.....7934.....7934"
I got back to Twilight's, and got out a quill and parchment.
.....................................................................................................................
"Please give this personal letter to Rebel Jumper... It's extremely important....
-Dear Rebel Jumper
I don't know if I'm right, or just crazy, but you remind me so much of my brother who ran away, and never returned. You have the same color coat, but black mane. I'm thinking you might have dyed it, if you were him at least. If yu are him, please respond....I live in Ponyville with one of Mom's friends Twilight Sparkle. I need a conclusion. Please, respond whenever you can.
Your beloved sister forever
-Scarlet Rose"
.....................................................................................................................
I hope it's him...Please be him.... Please.....
.............................
Before I knew it, I passed out, and woke up the next morning. I got ready, remembering today was the day I went to Pinkie's place to work. She told me how to work register, and such, regulations about cleanliness and what not.
"Well, I've got something I've gotta do for today. So good luck alright?" She said shooting back a smile. I nodded with a slight smile of confirmation.
Sure enough, it was 4:30 PM before Pinkie got back. I left, and she said that I was aloud to miss tomorrow if I wanted.
"Why so suddenly?" I asked.
"Well, I feel like you might want to tomorrow." She said. It sounded like she was implying something.
"Wh-what do you mean?" I asked suspiciously.
"I don't know." She said smiling. "Just a feeling." I was puzzled, but trotted back to Twilight's.
As I opened the door to Twilight's, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity were crowded around each other.
"What is this?" I asked, still puzzled.
The each moved over, revealing the stallion in the poster "Rebel Jumper."
"Sis...." He said smiling, starting to instantly tear up. I couldn't mistake that tone of voice, no matter how many years it's been. He held out his hooves for a hug.
My lip was quivering as tears rolled down my face. I found it hard to breathe for a second, and almost snorted while crying.
Treble!!!" I excitedly shouted as I ran to him, almost losing my balance. I could feel my tears cool as I ran to him. I jumped into his embrace. I sobbed loud tears of joy, and relief. I nuzzled his neck so much and cried into his shoulders, just like so many years ago. He nuzzled back, and did the same, sobbing a little himself. I couldn't stop crying. Everyone thought he was dead, and no one knew where he was, and he now shows up, perfectly healthy, and okay.
All the other ponies couldn't help but to cry a little as well. Rainbow Dash tried to look away, and not cry.
He relinquished his grip for a second to wipe a few of my tears.
"I'm so sorry...I missed you so much... I heard about mom, and I just knew I couldn't come back. I felt so guilty...I just..." He cried a little bit more.
"You're my brother...I love you no matter what." I managed to mumble through my sobs. As we embraced each other, we both seemed to feel two extra sets of hooves lightly. We looked up, and saw two ghost like, translucent ponies. Dad, and mom, smiling, and happy to see us. Even if not in the real world.
"We love you both so much." They said in perfect unison. They then smiled widely, and held each other's hooves as they faded away. Me and Treble stared in the blank space for a second or two.
"Did you see that too?" I asked him softly. He simply nodded, and smiled.
...................
I was excited to be at his first live show. It was crazy. I kept trying to get away from the mosh pits. In fact, I just stayed in the air the whole time. I watched him perform. The band was really amazing. Treble became so good.
He told me he was able to hook up with these guys while he was on the streets for a few weeks by coincidence, and played one of their guitars. He was instantly a member. In fact, he "changed" his name to Rebel jumper as soon as he left it seemed. That's how everyone knows him. but I still call him Treble.
The bond between siblings is impossible to break. No amount of anger, guilt, or unfortunate events can change it. In fact, it almost made it stronger.
I haven't followed my dad's footstep's how I planned, but my dad made it his job to care, and love important people in his life. If that's how I can say I followed them, than that's good enough for me.
I am the daughter of Axel Z Penn. I have been through a lot. It came to be happier in the end, thanks to my loving, amazing brother. I write a lot of their songs now.
As Dad would say, all the crap we went through, helped it all work out in the end.
---THE END---
