Author: Anomalous
Pastebin URL: Azp6TFnV.html
Date: Apr 13th, 2013

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>You're old, and you've been here for a few years now.
>All your friends and family are back home, but that didn't bother you.
>You made new friends here.

>It's early in the morning, just a little over sunrise.
>The market hall is being filled by stalls for the day and you decide to take a stroll.
>"G'mornin' Uncle Anon!" you hear a voice in one of the stalls.
Good morning, Applejack, how's Mrs. Smith?
>Usually it was Granny Smith that runs the stalls but she collapsed a few days ago and is currently hospitalized.
>"She's doin' better, Doc said she needs to stay in bed for a few days, and she's gettin' restless."
That's good.
>Looking at the things she's selling you notice that Applejack already has her things set up.
>All apple related products of course.
>The smell of it fills your nose and it makes your mouth drool.
>You've always loved apple pie back home and Applejack makes the best in Equestria.
>"See anything you like?"
I'll take one apple pie, and can you put it in a picnic basket?
>"Special ocassion? Maybe a date?" she asks and you might have seen her give you a wink or two.
No, no. Nothing like that.
>You say laughing.
>You're too old now and the thought of dating has already disappeared from your thoughts.
>Just a quiet picnic alone is all you wanted today.
I thought some alone time outside would help my old bones
>"Sounds lovely. Sure wish I could take a break from workin'," she says, slightly sulking.
Why don't you then? I'm sure you deserve a time off once in a while.
>"But my Granny Smith needs me to work the stall; I can't just leave them and take the time off."
>You smile at her.
>She's always thinking that working is the most important thing you could do for your family.
Applejack, take a break. Spend some time with your grandmother.
>"But who's gonna run the store?"
Don't open the stall today. A mare should never neglect her family for her business.
>You tell her, staring into her eyes.
>You need to get your point across.
Please, spend some time with your grandmother.
>"Okay..."
And make sure to bring your sister and brother with you.
>You pat her head and leave her while she closes down her shop.
>One day she will realize that family always comes first.
>"Thanks for helpin' me Uncle Anon!" you hear her scream behind you
>You wave back and smile.

>Walking through Ponyville you spot a yellow Pegasus silently crying to herself.
>Fluttershy has always had some self-esteem issues and everyone knows it.
>Deciding that you can't just ignore her, you walk up to her and place your hand on her head.
>She flinches and looks up at you and starts to cry even more.
>Placing down your picnic basket you kneel down and hug her.
What's wrong honey?
>"I do-don't like myself..." she cries on your shoulder.
What do you mean?
>You stroke her mane, trying to calm her down.
>It seems to be working since the sobbing has stopped quite a bit.
>"I tried doing some flying tricks, to be like a normal Pegasus...but-but I keep failing!"
>You silently stroke her mane trying to sooth her, letting your shirt dry hear tears as they fall.
Fulltershy, just remember; every Princess was once a crying baby and every building was once a picture. It’s not about where you are today but where you will reach tomorrow.
>She looks at you, her eyes puffy and red.
>She's confused, but you don't say anything, letting your words sink in.
>Nodding, she finally understands your words.
>She thanks you and she hugs you tighter.
>"Hey! Fluttershy!" you hear a voice up above you.
>It's Rainbow Dash.
>"Oh, hey Uncle Anon, mind if I take Fluttershy away from you? I want to show her this awesome trick!"
>You kiss her forehead and you let go of her hug.
>She holds on to you a bit more until letting go.
>But before she leaves she says something to you.
>"Thanks for helping me Uncle Anon."

>Picking up your picnic basket, you notice that your clothes are all dirty.
>A visit to Rarity is a good idea.
>She's the most lady-like pony you know, and she has a cute sister that adores you.
>And it surprises you that you see Rarity giving a lecture to Sweetie Belle, in public.
>You decided to intervene, to stop Rarity from further embarrassing herself, and to stop Sweetie Belle from crying.
>You hate it when they cry.
>Before you can reach them however Rarity walks away, leaving a teary eyed Sweetie alone.
>Walking to her, you kneel down beside her.
>She doesn't say anything but you know she's upset.
>You gently pick her up and walked away from the crowd gathering.
>"My sister hates me," Sweetie finally says.
No she doesn't.
>"How do you know?" she's crying now.
>This is the second time you've seen a pony cry today, and you'll make sure you help her too.
Because you're her sister.
>"B-but! She kept screaming at me!"
>You pat her head trying to calm her down.
>Placing her down in the shade, you kneel down beside her.
Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.
>She's looking at you, confusion in her eyes.
>She's still young, and you remember being that young once.
>Always fighting with your brother.
>And in the end, you two grew apart, hating each other.
>You don't want that to happen to her.
What I meant to say is, sisters fight, but in the end, they're still sisters. And that's the most important thing.
>"I guess..." her head hang low while she paws at the ground.
And you need to apologize too.
>"But-"
And she will apologize to you too.
>Grumbling, she nods.
>You escort her back to Rarity's and knock.
>Watching them reconcile brings a warmth to your heart.
>You just wish you could still do that with your brother.
>"Hello, Uncle Anon, thanks for bringing Sweetie Belle back."
My pleasure Rarity. I actually came here for some new clothes.
>She looks at you and agrees.
>"My heavens! Look at you; you need to change here now!"
>And with that, she pulls you into her home.
>And you see Sweetie Belle mouth the words 'Thanks for helping me, Uncle Anon'.

>With your clothes fixed, you decide to find a spot for your picnic.
>You travel through the parks looking for a nice place.
>And you notice Twilight and Celestia.
>The Princess and you have never talked much but she knows you.
>"Ah, Anon, good morning," she says.
>How she speaks reminds you of your mother, it makes you feel warm inside.
Hello Princess and hello Twilight.
>"Hello..." she says quietly.
>It's different from her usual 'Hello's, it's less cheery than before.
Anything wrong Twilight?
>"No."
>One word answers, definitely something wrong.
>You look at Celestia to get some answers.
>She leans in as whispers in her ear, "She's nervous about her new royal duties."
>That's right; she's a princess now too.
>"Since there's no book on how to be a princess, she feels lost."
Say no more, I think I can help.
>You walk towards Twilight and you notice Celestia taking a few steps back.
Twilight...
>Her ears perk up, but her head is still down.
Twilight, why are you nervous?
>"What if I...fail?"
>You told Celestia you knew what to say but in reality, you're winging it.
You will.
>She looks at you, angrily at first, then shock, and then scared.
>Acting quickly, you place a hand on her back.
Twilight, don’t worry about the hard times ahead, because most of the lessons we have in life comes from changes & mistakes.
>"What if I make a big mistake?"
Then you'll fix it, I know you will.
>You stare at her, you’re confident she won't mess up...too badly.
>She slowly gets her confidence back.
>"Yeah, you're right! If I mess up, I know other ponies will help me!"
That's the spirit.
>"Sounds like you're feeling better Twilight," says Celestia.
>You didn't even notice her behind you.
>"That's right Princess, Uncle Anon here helped me."
>Celestia turns to face you now.
>"Anon, you sure know how to cheer ponies up."
It's a gift that comes with old age.
>"And yet, I still haven't mastered it," she lightly laughs.
You're still young Princess.
>She laughs again, more audibly this time.
>"Maybe you should move to Canterlot and become a teacher. I'm sure you know things that I don't."
No thank you Princess, I like it here in Ponyville.
>"If you change your mind, you know how to reach me."
>And she walks away, towards the chariot.
>You wave and walk the opposite direction until you were stopped by Twilight.
>"Thanks for helping me Uncle Anon."
>And with that you walk away, finding a place for your picnic.

>You reach a clearing at the edge of the forest.
>It's...peaceful and quiet.
>A lone tree stands on a hilltop.
>The view overlooks Ponyville and further out.
>It's the perfect place for the thing you have planned.
>It is perfect.
>You lay down the blanket beneath your feet and emptied out your picnic basket.
>Taking out a picture hidden in your jacket, you lay it on the side of the tree.
>It's a picture of your son.
>It's been years since you've last seen him.
>Just a child when he was ripped from your grasp.
>War had taken him.
>And today is his birthday.
>You lay the apple pie in front of his picture.
>His favorite.
>Tears starts falling down your cheeks, unable to prevent them any further.
Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile, tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little soldier boy
Come marching home
Brave soldier boy
Comes marching home
>You remember all the ponies you helped today.
>You remember how your words helped them.
Happy birthday, my son. If only I could have helped you.
>And you remember how you couldn't help the one person you loved the most.