-
1.
>Almost all of your lunch is gone.
-
2.
>You really were not that hungry, but mamma says if you want to be big and strong like her, you have to eat regardless.
-
3.
>She’s upstairs at the moment, getting ready.
-
4.
>Just before lunch, one of her friends from work showed up to talk with her.
-
5.
>They spoke in private, so you couldn’t hear what they talked about.
-
6.
>Since then, she’s looked kinda upset.
-
7.
>When you asked why she was, the answer was something about hard times.
-
8.
>There seems to be a lot more of those lately, but you don’t know why, so of course you asked about that, too.
-
9.
>She said the same thing as always: it will pass soon.
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10.
>Mamma hasn’t ever been wrong when she tells you something, so she has to be right about this.
-
11.
>You set aside your bowl, then turn your attention to the sliced up orange.
-
12.
>Taking a quick glance around to ensure you’re alone, you messily gobble it up.
-
13.
>Although it’s fun to do, mamma doesn’t like it.
-
14.
>She says you need to focus on being good and pure.
-
15.
>You’re not sure what she means by that, because you always do both of those things all the time.
-
16.
>Well, maybe not ALL the time, but it still should count.
-
17.
>Perhaps she actually means it’s apart of growing up?
-
18.
>Again, you’re not sure, it’s not like you know how growing up even works.
-
19.
>Someday though, it will happen, though.
-
20.
>After putting your dishes into the sink, you wash your hooves and face.
-
21.
>“Oh good, you finished eating,” says a familiar voice from behind you.
-
22.
>You wipe yourself up with a towel, then turn around as a smile grows across your face.
-
23.
“Yes, mamma.”
-
24.
>She starts walking towards you, to which you meet her halfway, and the two of you exchange a warm, gentle nuzzle.
-
25.
>“That’s my girl, so polite.”
-
26.
>Her words make everything feel lighter, like you could fly off into the air.
-
27.
>Maybe not today, but you’ll eventually be able to fly just like her and every other pegasus can.
-
28.
>“Are you all set, then?”
-
29.
“Mhm!”
-
30.
>She nods as she breaks the embrace, and you follow her out through the front door.
-
31.
>The warm, summery afternoon greets you kindly, with the sun shinning brightly above.
-
32.
>A swell of joy wells up from within your little chest.
-
33.
>Deep down, you know that today is going to be even better.
-
34.
-
35.
>A lot of ponies are out today, just like mamma and you are.
-
36.
>Some pegasus ponies can be seen working with the clouds in the sky.
-
37.
>Others – namely unicorns and earth ponies – are either in the market or building new houses.
-
38.
>More ponies are coming to live here soon.
-
39.
>If they’re anything like the other newcomers, they’re going to be a bit… off.
-
40.
>It’s not that they’re ugly or anything like that, it’s just that they are always tired and look really unhappy.
-
41.
>You’ve overheard that they all seemed to have lost something important.
-
42.
>No pony will tell what that was, though.
-
43.
>Instead, the adults say that that those newcomers are coming from a bad place, far, far away.
-
44.
>They’ll like it here, just like everypony else does.
-
45.
>All the ponies are nice to mamma and you, in fact, every pony here is super nice in general.
-
46.
>Any and all arguments are short lived.
-
47.
>All ponies share in each other’s labors, which makes them stronger.
-
48.
>And each pony is ready and willing to help another whenever, if ever.
-
49.
>Most of all, all the ponies here are united, with them being close enough to be family.
-
50.
>It helps that they’re all lead by your aunts and mamma.
-
51.
>They do so much, like protect it, provide for it, and more.
-
52.
>A lot of ponies say how they’re beautiful, smart, and strong.
-
53.
>When it comes to your point of view, all of them just plain awesome.
-
54.
>Hopefully when you get your cutie mark, you will end up just as awesome as them.
-
55.
>Some ponies greet mamma and you as you two trot along the street.
-
56.
>Usually, it’s with a good afternoon, or even a simple wave; a few salute mamma.
-
57.
>She always returns the gesture with one of her own.
-
58.
>You try to do it exactly like she does, but it’s never quite as cools as hers.
-
59.
>You just have to keep practicing, and someday, you’ll get there.
-
60.
>The walk comes to an end at a large, but fairly well-known, house on the far side of the village.
-
61.
>This place is similar to most of the houses, though it has a fancier look to it.
-
62.
>The two of you pass through the small front yard, and up to the door, then she lightly knocks.
-
63.
>While waiting beside her, butterflies flutter inside of your tummy.
-
64.
-
65.
>The door opens, revealing a tall, white earth mare, with a blonde mane and tail, along with a set of icy blue eyes.
-
66.
>A smile blossoms on her face, and her features soften as she looks at you both, “Good afternoon, Kyrie and Luftkrieg. What brings you two here?”
-
67.
>Mamma nods with a slight smile, “Good afternoon to you as well, Aryanne. I know you’re busy, but an important errand has come up that I need to take care of, so I was wondering if you could watch Luft while I take care of it?”
-
68.
>“I wouldn’t mind.”
-
69.
>You can’t help but utter a tiny squee as you flutter your little wings.
-
70.
>You knew you were right about today.
-
71.
>“Thank you. I promise I won’t be gone for too long.”
-
72.
>“It’s fine, I know how those errands tend to be with you,” replies auntie with a wave of her hoof.
-
73.
>Nodding, mamma turns to you, and gives you a nuzzle that you eagerly return, “Please behave for aunt Aryanne while I am out, Luft.”
-
74.
“I will, mamma. I promise.”
-
75.
>Her smile widens, “I know you will.”
-
76.
>As she steps away a short distance, with the best part about to come.
-
77.
>Her big wings spread open wide, and her eyes dart around, then, with little to no effort, she takes off into the sky in a flash.
-
78.
>She’s so incredibly fast as she soars across it, leaving nothing but a white blur in her wake.
-
79.
>Your eyes linger on her for as long as they can as she vanishes into the distance.
-
80.
>Someday, you want to be just as fast as her.
-
81.
>Auntie comes to your side, and pats your head, “Come along, Luft.”
-
82.
>You nod as you follow her inside.
-
83.
>The outside may be big, but the inside of the house is even bigger.
-
84.
>It has to be some kind of magic as to why it’s like that.
-
85.
>Both of you enter the living room, which has a number of paintings that decorate some of the chocolate colored walls.
-
86.
>Some of those paintings were made by auntie, while a few were made by you.
-
87.
>Like the framed one by the fireplace – it’s of the meadow just a short distance from the village.
-
88.
>That one was a really special, because it was made when every pony was gathered together for an festival.
-
89.
>Other than the paintings, there is the huge bookshelves filled with books that sit along one side of the room.
-
90.
>They are a mix of history, science, and poli-poli… grown up stuff.
-
91.
>You’ve been told that you will have to learn all about that someday.
-
92.
-
93.
>“Have you been practicing your singing like we discussed?”
-
94.
>You nod with a smile as you look to auntie.
-
95.
>Her blue eyes are something really special to look at; they are so hard to not look away from, like a warm and inviting bed during winter.
-
96.
>“Good, then let’s have you do a warm up.”
-
97.
>She walks over to her grand piano nestled in the corner of the living room.
-
98.
>It would be nice if you could play more, but the adults always say that work comes before that.
-
99.
>You come up just next to her, and your ears perk up at the sound of several notes played in succession.
-
100.
>For whatever reason, auntie always looks so serious when she does that.
-
101.
>Her eyes go to you briefly, “Ready?”
-
102.
“Yes.”
-
103.
>Nodding, she starts off by playing a simple scale for you to follow.
-
104.
“Doe, ray, me, fa, so, la, ti, doe.”
-
105.
>“Again.”
-
106.
“Doe, ray, me, fa, so, la, ti, doe.”
-
107.
>Little by little, the warm up continues.
-
108.
>Some parts are about holding higher or lower notes, while others are on breathing properly or some other stuff.
-
109.
>It’s all really complicated, but it’s important to be able to sing at moment’s notice.
-
110.
>Song is among the ways that ponies are bound together in harmony.
-
111.
>Only ponies are able to use the magic of music, with no other living thing being blessed with that gift.
-
112.
>School taught that, as did your aunts and mamma, too.
-
113.
>The warm up ends with every bit of your little body buzzing with energy.
-
114.
>That just goes to how true all of your lessons are.
-
115.
>“You did wonderfully,” she says with a wide smile.
-
116.
“Thank you, auntie.”
-
117.
>With a kind nod, she pats your head, “You’re welcome.”
-
118.
>She flips to another page of her music book, then hoofs you a sheet from it.
-
119.
>“I would like you to sing this one, then we’ll move onto something fun, okay?”
-
120.
>You look the sheet, and warmly recognize the song.
-
121.
“Mhm.”
-
122.
-
123.
>Nodding again, she plays a few notes before actually starting.
-
124.
~The sun on the meadow is summery warm~
-
125.
~The stag in the forest runs free~
-
126.
~But gather together to greet the storm~
-
127.
~Tomorrow belongs to me~
-
128.
>With each word uttered, the world around slowly melts away.
-
129.
~The branch on the linden is leafy and green~
-
130.
~The rage has deserted the sea~
-
131.
~But somewhere a glory awaits unseen~
-
132.
~Tomorrow belongs to me~
-
133.
>Any previous thought about anything else passes.
-
134.
~The foal in his cradle is soundly asleep~
-
135.
~The blossom embraces the bee~
-
136.
~But soon says a whisper;~
-
137.
~’Arise, arise’~
-
138.
~Tomorrow belongs to me~
-
139.
>There is no fear nor no hate, and nothing is wrong; leaving only purity and love.
-
140.
~Oh fatherland, fatherland, show us a sign~
-
141.
~Your children have waited to see~
-
142.
~The morning will come where the world is mine~
-
143.
~Tomorrow belongs, tomorrow belongs, tomorrow belongs to me~
-
144.
~Tomorrow belongs to me~
-
145.
>The last and final note of the song carries throughout the living room for a little while, lingering as if it were a memory.
-
146.
>With it, a sense of invigoration floods into you, making everything else feel even greater than before.
-
147.
>Auntie’s smile widens further, and she gives a light applause.
-
148.
>You in turn, curtsy like you were taught to do.
-
149.
>“Wonderful, simply wonderful. I swear, you get better every time you sing, Luft.”
-
150.
>Heat floods into your cheeks as you look away from her.
-
151.
“D-do you really think so?”
-
152.
>Her hoof reaches under your chin, and draws you back into looking at her blue eyes.
-
153.
>“I know so, little one.”
-
154.
>She, like mamma, is always right.
-
155.
>Shortly after practice, auntie gave you some cookies and milk.
-
156.
>These cookies are much better than any other you have had before.
-
157.
>It’s actually making it hard to not devour them all in one go.
-
158.
>But you have to resist, because auntie would absolutely catch you and get upset.
-
159.
>Even if you are in a different room from her, she some is always able to know.
-
160.
>Her ability to seemingly know everything has to be another reason so many ponies look to her.
-
161.
-
162.
>“How are you enjoying those cookies?”
-
163.
>You take a sip of milk before answering her.
-
164.
“They’re super delicious, auntie.”
-
165.
>“That’s good to hear. You know, these are new recipe that your aunt Franziska has made.”
-
166.
“She really created these?”
-
167.
>She nods slowly with a smile.
-
168.
>You would have never guessed it, as aunt Franny hasn’t made any food before, or at least, not that you know of.
-
169.
>Although she is super smart, she is your oddest aunt.
-
170.
>Her way of talking is weird, and she is super messy, with her laboratory being the biggest, yet most chaotic place in the village.
-
171.
>Mamma and you don’t go there often, though when it does happen, that place is always active, more so anywhere else.
-
172.
>Aunt Franny will show you the stuff she is working on, even if you don’t understand any of it.
-
173.
>There are times where she has you do some tests.
-
174.
>They’re nothing like those you take in school.
-
175.
>Like the one where you had to run on a treadmill while wearing an odd thing on your muzzle.
-
176.
>Or that time when you were put into a harness, then had to beat your wings hard as a big fan blew against you.
-
177.
>Then there was the thing involving all the different shapes and how they fit into a picture or something?
-
178.
>All of it was so strange.
-
179.
>Mamma doesn’t really like any of them, and often gets mad at aunt Franny when she has you do tests.
-
180.
>You eat your last cookie, then finish your milk in a few big gulps.
-
181.
“So what are we going to do now, auntie?”
-
182.
>Her eyes flick over to the clock, and she rubs her chin slowly.
-
183.
>A smile creeps up on her lips, “How do you feel about a round of hide and seek?”
-
184.
>You sharply gasp as your wings flutter.
-
185.
“I’d love that!”
-
186.
>Uttering a small laugh, she nods, “I thought as much. Okay then, I’ll seek, and you go hide.”
-
187.
-
188.
>You rapidly nod, then take off while she takes care of your dishes and prepares.
-
189.
>Even if this place is huge, there isn’t a whole lot of good places to hide in.
-
190.
>But despite that, there have been times where you were able to elude auntie, so you’re not going to give up.
-
191.
>To the second floor is where you venture, and it’s just as big the first.
-
192.
>There are so many more rooms up here that you have had yet to explore.
-
193.
>It’s strange that even though you have been here often, you still have not seen everything.
-
194.
>A lot of rooms are forever locked, but it’s probably because no pony is ever supposed to go into them.
-
195.
>Any of the places that you have hid in previous are ignored as you quickly move about.
-
196.
>Whatever rooms you haven’t used yet are checked, but they don’t look like they have good hiding spots.
-
197.
>There isn’t a whole lot of time left before auntie comes along, so you have to pick a place soon.
-
198.
>One of the last rooms in the hallway is entered at random, with it being dimly lit.
-
199.
>You look about, finding some boxes gathered together, along with several pieces of furniture covered in sheets.
-
200.
“This furniture should work.”
-
201.
>You just barely manage to get underneath a lounge chair as the telltale sound of auntie comes up the stairs.
-
202.
>Your breathing slows, and your heart rate quickens.
-
203.
>Some soft buzzing is in your ears, though you try to ignore it while listening for auntie.
-
204.
>One of the doors in the hallway opens, and is accompanied with her muffled voice, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
-
205.
>This is always fun, and it’s hard not to giggle.
-
206.
>Surely she won’t find you underneath here; it’s so small and unnoticed, it has to work.
-
207.
>Then again, she has surprised you so many times before.
-
208.
>Another door is opened, with this one being closer.
-
209.
>A call out, similar to the one she made mere moments ago, follows it.
-
210.
>She might be getting closer to you, but you are not at all worried.
-
211.
>Excitement is on your mind, with it being strengthened by the fact that if you can elude her, she will give you a prize.
-
212.
>Usually it’s candy, but there have been times where it was a toy, a book, or even-
-
213.
>The door to your room opens, which makes you freeze.
-
214.
-
215.
>Auntie’s hooves softly clop on the carpet as she slowly enters.
-
216.
>“Oh where, oh where could little Luftkrieg be?”
-
217.
>You do your best to stifle a giggle that threatens to give you away.
-
218.
>She keeps moving about the room, “Is she… here? No.”
-
219.
>Even though you can’t see her completely, her hooves pass by your spot, “What about… here? Nope.”
-
220.
>Continuing on, she goes to the door, “It seems she simply is not in here…”
-
221.
>Ha! You knew you couldn’t be ca-
-
222.
>“...unless.”
-
223.
>Auntie seemingly vanishes from your sight.
-
224.
>How did she do that?
-
225.
>Never mind it, you have to rely on hearing out for her.
-
226.
>Nothing comes about, save for the light buzzing and the racing of your heart in your ears.
-
227.
>Without warning, you’re pulled out from you spot and into the light with a cry, “GOTCHA!”
-
228.
“Eeep! Nonono! Please!”
-
229.
>Auntie begins her assault on you without any mercy whatsoever.
-
230.
“Hahaha! W-wait- hahah- aun-auntie! I-I ehehahahihi!”
-
231.
>Laughter erupts from you as she tickles you relentlessly.
-
232.
>Try as you might, any of your attempts to escape or resist are futile against your big, strong aunt.
-
233.
>She slows down the attack with a grin, “Oh, are you giving up so soon?”
-
234.
“Ahaha! Y-yes, please! I give, I give! Hihihi!”
-
235.
>At that, she stops, though never loses her grin, “ Very well then, it seems you were punished enough, no?”
-
236.
>As you rapidly nod, your blonde mane lightly bounces in your face.
-
237.
“Yeah-huh.”
-
238.
>Her grin fades into a soft smile, then she presses the tip of your muzzle with her hoof, “Boop.”
-
239.
>Your cheeks turn bright red in an instant, contrasting your snow white coat.
-
240.
“H-hey! Don’t boop me.”
-
241.
>“And why not?” She says with a slight tilt of her head.
-
242.
“Because…”
-
243.
>She arches a brow, “Because…?”
-
244.
>Seizing the moment, you shoot your hoof forward till it presses against her muzzle.
-
245.
>You stick your tongue out.
-
246.
“Because I will boop you right back!”
-
247.
>Auntie’s smile widens further, and she shakes her head slowly as you withdraw your hoof, “I see that I underestimated your speed.”
-
248.
“I’ve been practicing to be faster, just like mamma told me to.”
-
249.
>“That’s excellent to hear. I’m sure that you’ll surpass one day.”
-
250.
>A smile instantly overcomes your face.
-
251.
“Really, do you think I can actually do it?”
-
252.
>Nodding, she nuzzles you, “I am absolutely certain.”
-
253.
>If auntie says it, then it must be true.
-
254.
-
255.
>As she stands up, you roll over and get back up on all four hooves.
-
256.
>“How about we read a story, would you like that?”
-
257.
“Yes, auntie.”
-
258.
>She nods as the two of you leave behind the dusty, dim old room, and return downstairs to the living room.
-
259.
>While she pokes around her bookshelves, you wait patiently on her couch.
-
260.
>It’s very plush, with each cushion being rosy red, and every one of those has a gold design that lays across them.
-
261.
>You’ve looked them over before, but never gave them much thought.
-
262.
>The designs appear to be interlocking crosses that look almost exactly like auntie’s cutie mark.
-
263.
>With one of your hooves, you idly trace one that leads to another, then another; seeming as if they can go on forever and ever.
-
264.
>“Do you know what they mean?”
-
265.
>You look up to see auntie’s smiling face, with a book held close to her.
-
266.
“No, I don’t.”
-
267.
>Nodding, she sits next to you, “I thought as much.”
-
268.
>With a small, happy sigh, she traces one of the crosses like you are, “Each cross represents beauty, purity, and strength.”
-
269.
>While still tracing them, her smile grows, “Furthermore, each one is of a pony; of whom, work together in harmony for the betterment of all.”
-
270.
“They are?”
-
271.
>“Yes indeed, Luft. Every pony is capable of such greatness.”
-
272.
“Oh, that makes sense.”
-
273.
>Oddly, everything is starting to feel a bit heavier.
-
274.
>“Mhm. Now then, are you ready to read?”
-
275.
>You look to the book in her hold.
-
276.
“Which one is it?”
-
277.
>Her eyes fall to it softly, “It’s called: The valley of two Mares.”
-
278.
>A small yawn leaves you as you shake your head.
-
279.
“I’ve never heard of that one before.”
-
280.
>“I’m not surprised that you haven’t, it’s an old tale. But, this a very special tale, and has to be shared with a special pony.”
-
281.
>You give auntie a wide smile.
-
282.
“Like me?”
-
283.
>“Of course, you will always be special, more than you know.”
-
284.
>She opens the book, and lets you snuggle up close to her.
-
285.
>“Comfy?”
-
286.
>Once more, another yawn leaves you when you nod.
-
287.
>“A long, long time ago, in a valley far, far away. There lived a pair of pair of mares; one as white as snow, and the other, as red as a cherry.”
-
288.
>As the story slowly unfolds, your eyelids keep closing for longer.
-
289.
-
290.
>It’s getting harder to focus on listening to auntie, but you keep trying, anyways.
-
291.
>You yawn yet again, though she does not seem to mind, and just keeps reading to you.
-
292.
>Her voice is always so nice to hear, especially when she reads a book.
-
293.
>Something about it is relaxing, if not, calming, like that pond by your home.
-
294.
>Your mind drifts to that place., where the dragonflies and other insects dwell.
-
295.
>Those waters have small ripples that are memorizing to see.
-
296.
>Mamma likes to take you there sometimes.
-
297.
>Auntie’s voice begins to fade.
-
298.
>Everything is giving away the more you sit here with her.
-
299.
>Maybe if you just close your eyes for a bit, this feeling will pass.
-
300.
>…
-
301.
>…
-
302.
>…
-
303.
>Light murmuring comes, then goes.
-
304.
>Soon thereafter, movement can be felt, which prompts you into your opening your eyes a little.
-
305.
>You’re outside, with the world being much dimmer than it was earlier.
-
306.
>In addition, it is moving by, yet somehow, you yourself are not physically moving.
-
307.
>There is something else – you’re laying on something soft, with a strong scent that you perfectly know of.
-
308.
>You crane your head a bit, though upon doing so, a silky blond ponytail, along with a white coat fills your vision.
-
309.
“M-mamma?”
-
310.
>She turns her head just enough for one of her emerald eyes to fall on you, “Yes, my dear?”
-
311.
>If you’re out here with her, then that means…
-
312.
“I’m sorry, I d-didn’t mean to fall asleep at auntie’s.”
-
313.
>“It’s okay, you had a long day.”
-
314.
“I did?”
-
315.
>She nods as she looks forward again, and keeps walking along at a leisurely pace.
-
316.
>If she say’s so, then it’s true.
-
317.
>You tiredly look about, realizing that you’re laying on the space between her large, beautiful wings.
-
318.
>This spot is always so nice, warm, and welcoming to be on.
-
319.
>That comfort is enough to draw out a tiny yawn.
-
320.
>One of her ears flick back, “You can go back to sleep if you like.”
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321.
>Considering how tired you still are, it’s impossible to not do just as she suggested.
-
322.
>You curl up again, with your thoughts swiftly going elsewhere.
-
323.
>Someday, when you get big and strong like her; you’ll lead and protect ponies like she does.
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324.
>Someday, every pony will be happy and united like they are here in the village.
-
325.
>Someday, there will be no more fighting, just peace.
-
326.
>Someday, someday…
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon