I'm in Heaven When You Smile (pt. 3)

>You stared out the window and kept an eye out.
“How mad do you think they’re going to be?”
>Pound sighed, “Really mad.”
“Maybe they didn’t see us.”
>Pound scoffed, it made you smile; a brief warmth in between your shivers.
“Yeah, they definitely saw us.”
>You examined the Poison Joke in your hand; twirling the stem between your thumb and index finger so you could watch it spin.
“Do I look any different?”
>You peered over your shoulder and Pound looked at you and shrugged, “no. Why?”
“Poison Joke is supposed to be able to change you or something like that.”
>”You don’t look any different to me.”
“Maybe I’m immune to it, like it only works on ponies or something.”
>”How would it know the difference?”
You scratched an itch on your head, “I don’t know.”
>You stared at the dark blue flower and thought about what Cheerilee said last week.
>If you grew into a plant, you’d probably grow into Poison Joke.
>You wondered if this whole day would somehow affect your growth.
>Though, you weren’t really sure you knew what you were thinking about.
“Here they come.”
>You turned away from the window, and Pound sprung up from the floor where he had been playing with a toy train.
“What are you going to say?”
>He smiled confidently, “I ain’t scared of them. Not after me and you were just facing down a huge Everfree monster.”
>Pound let out a self-assured chuckle, and you nervously laughed along with him.
“At least we got away from the Manticore.”
>”Don’t worry about it, bro.”
>He moved to the door, “at least Pinkie is cool; I’m definitely not getting out of this without being grounded for a couple of months.”
>Pound was halfway out the door when you called his name, and he looked at you expectantly.
>If he was going to be gone for a couple of months, you wanted to say something to him while you still had the chance.
“Thanks for coming after me, Pound.”
>He smiled, “don’t worry about it.”
>You shifted in your seat.
“After all, we’re in this together, right?”
>He gave you a nod, “yep, always.”
>As soon as he shut your door, you heard the front door open and the stomping of angry hooves.
>You continued to twirl the Poison Joke in your fingers.
>Then something occurred to you and you felt your stomach drop.
>You quickly got up and looked around for a safe place to hide the flower.
>If mom knew you had Poison Joke she’d make you get rid of it without a second thought.
>The sound of hoof steps could be heard very clearly now and you knew you only had seconds to find somewhere to hide the flower.
>Then you heard your mother call your name and your door creaked open.
>You slammed your dresser drawer shut and quickly jumped back on your bed.

>”Nonny, what were you thinking?”
>Your mother held you close, and her sobs were muffled in your shoulder.
>The best you could do now was hold her even tighter.
>”Do you know how worried I was about you? Do you know how scared I was when Pumpkin told me you went in the Everfree Forest?”
>You began to rock her.
“I’m sorry mom.”
>”I don’t ever want you to go back in there again,” she let go and did her best to regain composure.
>There were still tears in her eyes, but she spoke strictly.
>”Promise me you won’t ever go back in there again.”
>You looked away and spoke weakly.
“I promise.”
>She grabbed your hands and made you look at her.
>”I want you to Pinkie Promise me, that you’ll never, ever, scare me like that again, Nonny.”
>Sighing in shame, you made sure to do the appropriate gestures that go with the promise.
You pointed at your heart and made an x, “cross my heart.”
You brought your hands to your head and fluttered them, “hope to fly.”
You covered one of your eyes with your hand, “stick a cupcake in my eye.”
>She brought her hoof away from her eye and hugged you again.
>You held each other for a while, and you heard her breathe, and you heard a light brushing as she stroked your hair.
>”Please don’t ever scare me like that again, Nonny.”
“I’m sorry.”
>She squeezed you tighter, “I know you are, Nonny.”
>She let go and gave you some space; she was wiping her tears away now.
>”What made you want to go in a place like that anyway?”
>It suddenly felt as if a light was shined on you, and you swallowed nervously.
“I don’t know, mom.”
>”Nonny,” her voice had become lower, softer, and it demanded your attention, “you can tell me why, I’ll understand.”
>You rubbed your thighs, her prying, motherly gaze was seeing right through you, and it made your mind race.
>What were you supposed to tell her?
“I, um…”
>You wondered what Pound was telling the Cakes.
>You couldn’t help but feel like you were going to make things worse again.
>The overwhelming worry swirled your thoughts together into a dark mud.
>It made you bury your face in your hands.
>Mom put a hoof around your shoulder and held you.
>”It’s okay, Nonny.”
>Your eyes met and she smiled lovingly at you; the sun, your mind was clear.
>”We’ve both had a long night,” she got up, “we can always talk about it tomorrow.”
>You smiled weakly, a huge weight lifted off your shoulder.
“Alright, mom.”
>You let a deep breath run out your nose; slowly, your eyes closed, like they wanted to be.
>A groan escaped when you yawned.
>”Now, it’s time for you to get nice and cozy, you’ve got school tomorrow mister…”
>You wondered why she stopped talking, but then you saw that she had opened your dresser.
>There was a look of shock and confusion on her face as she stared in the drawer.
>For a moment you felt out of the world; like you were an observer peering through a window.
>Then your mother turned to you and you saw her sky blue eyes, and they asked you questions you wanted to shelve and forget about.
>”Nonny, why is there Poison Joke in your pajama drawer?”
>You stared at your hands and couldn’t put any words together.
>Mom walked up to you.
>”That Poison Joke. Where did it come from, Nonny, and why do you have something like that?”
>Your mom sighed, “Pound didn’t put you up to this, did he?”
“What?” You said with disbelief, “no. He didn’t do anything mom, I swear.”
>Pinkie put up a hoof, “alright, alright Nonny, I believe you; I was just wondering cause he was in the forest with you.”
>”And you and I know how he can be sometimes.”
“If anything he was helping me,” you said defensively.
>”What do you mean by that, Nonny?”
“Oh, um,” you stutter a bit as you try to come up with something, “nothing. I didn’t mean…”
>Your shoulders became tense and you made an effort to look at anything in the room that wasn’t your mother.
>”Nonny,” she said tenderly, “look at me.”
>You reluctantly turned to face her, and you raised an eyebrow when you saw she was holding the Poison Joke flowers in her hoof.
You pointed to the flowers, “when did you even grab those?”
>Then, with a completely straight face, she ate all three bulbs right there on the bed.
>All you could do was sit there slack jawed at what just happened.
>”These are really chewy,” she said as she scrunched her nose and turned to you, “kinda like eating a big pile of bubble gum.”
>She eventually swallowed the wad of blue goo and turned to you with a smile; some bits of the blue petals were stuck in her teeth.
“Mom, do you know what you just did?”
>”Yep,” she giggled, “I’d say I just gave myself reason enough for a relaxing moonlight bath with Gummy.”
>How could she be so calm about this?
>Your lip quivered as thoughts of your mother turning into a monster flooded your mind.
“You’re gonna be okay, right mom?”
>She giggled, “of course I will silly. Don’t you worry a bit about me.”
>Then a scheming grin came across her face, that you were well familiar with, and the tension left your body.
>”Of course, I may be a bit,” she turned away from you for a second and began fiddling with something, her elbows flailing wildly.
>When she turned back to face you her tongue had become enlarged and spotted, and it was tied in a knot, “thunge teyed, for a while.”
>She then began to laugh at her own joke, so hard she started to snort and hold her sides.
>”Do you ghet it, Nonhy?” She asked excitedly, and pointed at her knotted tongue, “thunge tide.”
>Against your will you found that the corners of your mouth had widened.
>You didn’t mind though.
You pointed at her tongue, “yep. I get it, tongue tied.”
>Your mom wiped away some tears and quickly sprang towards you and hung herself around your neck.
>”Thaht’s what I like to sphee, Nonny.”
You rubbed her back, “I know, mom.”

>Mom left as soon as she made sure your pajamas were on, and you were all tucked in.
>The night had left you frenzied, but the glow of the moon, and your Wonderbolt nightlight, brought you solace.
>A pale glow illuminated your baby blue blanket, but the bright yellow of the nightlight was peeking over the eastern horizon of your vision.
>You turned towards the yellow and watched your door; then you thought of Pound.
>”We’re in this together, right?”
>The words you spoke to him kept repeating in your mind against your will.
>No matter how hard you tried to think of something else, visions of Pound lost in the Everfree lingered and made you toss and turn.
>Then you sighed in defeat.
>And you went after him.
>You hopped out of bed and opened the door, slowly, so the hinges wouldn’t creak.
>Then you went down the stairs, and you peered around the corner before entering the second floor hallway.
>There was a small slit of light escaping from under the bathroom door, and you figured it must be mom.
>You made sure to pass the bathroom door extra quietly, as your mother can be a bit unpredictable and amazing sometimes.
>And you wouldn’t put it past her if she somehow knew you were out of bed.
>When you felt you were a safe distance away you let out a breath you didn’t even know you were holding.
>You then walked past the Cake’s bedroom, and you noticed the light was off.
>Just as you are about to round the corner to the twins’ bedroom you come face to face with Pumpkin.
>She looked at you, but quickly turned away and rubbed her forearm.
>”Anon, I wanted to-“
“It’s okay,” you interrupt.
>”No,” she confessed with a tinge of shame, “it isn’t.”
>She turned around and motioned for you to follow her.
>You turned the corner and saw light escaping from under the crack of the twins’ door.
>Pumpkin picked up an empty drinking glass that was sitting by the door and gave it to you.
“How long has he been getting it?”
>Pumpkin looked at the door with concern, “pretty much since they got here.”
>You put the glass up to the wall and pressed your ear against the glass.
>Then you shut your eyes.
>Slowly, three distinct voices became louder.
>The first was familiar, and the smallest, “I don’t wanna go. I’m already a great flyer.”
>”You’re going, and that’s final. I don’t want to hear any complaints out of you, Pound.”
>”But dad-“
>”No complaints.”
>The smallest voice started to sound more desperate, and you really had to focus to hear its tiny gasps of helplessness.
>”Mom, I don’t wanna go.”
>”I know dearie. But your father and I think that it’s for the best.”
>”No.”
>”Oh sweetie, come here.”
>”No, I don’t wanna.”
>”Don’t ignore your mother. You think this night is just about you? Your mother and I were worried sick about you all night.”
>There was a sigh.
>”Hug your mother Pound. Please.”
>You could hear the creaking of some bed springs.
>Then there was some sniffling and a couple of loving shushes.
>You opened your eyes and noticed that Pumpkin was standing by the corner where you both came in.
>She made a jerking motion with her head and you nodded.
>You noticed a picture before you left, and you gave it a quick glance.
>A framed photo of you, Pound, and Pumpkin, standing under Princess Celestia.
>Her wings were wrapped around the three of you; Celestia was laughing.
>Three filthy children; children with dirt all over and leaves in their hair, laughing the day away with the stark white princess of the land.

>You were running through an orchard.
>Dodging trees to and fro as they got in your way.
>Kids couldn’t compete in the Running of the Leaves, but that didn’t stop Pound.
>As the runners trampled the well-trodden dirt trail, which had seen the same fall event many times over, the three of you followed their tail.
>Just enough to see the last of the runners from the tree line.
>And just far enough to be in your own world.
>The leaves fell as you continued forward, and collages of dark oranges and musty yellows filled your vision, and the leaves occasionally brushed your face.
>Dozens of hooves beating on the ground created a beat for you to hear besides that of your heart.
>Your face was hot and wet, and your breathing was labored.
>Pound, Pumpkin, and you; racing towards a finish line that meant nothing.
>And smiling the whole time, as you both traded playful barbs.
>And the three of you would briefly sweep ahead of one another.
>The leader would peer over their shoulder to see how determined their brief victory would make the others.
>Pound would grin widely and show his teeth, and his wings would always somehow begin to flap faster.
>Pumpkin narrowed her eyes and licked her lips, content to lag behind and try to save her energy, and then release it all towards the end in order to try and ensure her victory.
>You don’t remember who won, but Pound claims it was him.
>That was childhood.

>Pumpkin sat on the floor in your room and she took her blue bow out of her mane.
>”So,” she said apprehensively, “what’d you hear?”
>She looked at the floor in shame.
>You were lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, a poor replacement for the nighttime sky.
“I think Pound was crying, and he kept saying he didn’t want to go somewhere.”
>You turned to Pumpkin and saw her examining her blue bow.
>Her orange mane was now down around her shoulders; the shape, wavy like a shutter, like her mothers.
“Are you okay?”
>Your voice made her drop her bow and she looked up at you, her bottom lip quivered.
>”Pound’s going to hate me now. I told him not go in the forest. I told him to go get mom and dad.”
>You watched her with a heavy heart, unsure of what to say.
>”What was he thinking? He’s faster than me, he should’ve went and got mom and dad.”
>She held her face in her hooves and her chest began heaving, “Why couldn’t he just listen to me.”
>On the bed you were frozen, and you sat there and watched, powerless.
>Strained chokes escaped from her throat, despite her efforts to hold them back, and the small warm glow of your nightlight bathed her body.
>But the bright of the moon was overpowering as its glow rushed the window.
>Pumpkin’s face was pale.
>You slowly got off the bed, and weakly walked over to her.
>You eased down and sat next to her on the floor.
>Seeing her like that; you didn’t want her to be alone.
>Her crying ceased, but she occasionally sniffled, and she put her forearm around you and held you close.
“What’s going to happen to Pound?”
>You already knew the answer.
>Pumpkin swallowed a lump in her throat, she spoke like you were engaged in a confessional, “they’re gonna put him in flight school.”
>Out the window a shooting star flew past; you only saw it for a second, and you barely followed its tail.
“I just don’t see why though,” you sighed, “Pound’s a great flyer.”
>You turned to Pumpkin and she shifted away from you; her eyes refusing to meet yours.
“Pumpkin?”
>She shook her head.
“What’s wrong?”
>Her head shook; this time hard enough for her mane to twirl.
“Pumpkin, I want to know-”
>”He sprained his wing,” her eyes were beat red and she had heavy bags under them.
>She leaned into you and pressed her hoof in your chest.
>”He was flying over the forest, looking for you, and he sprained his wing.”
>Your breath was still, “he landed in the middle of the Everfree. I thought that both of you were goners for sure.”
>She was glaring at you now, her voice full of spite and hurt, “I screamed for help all the way home. Had to tell mom, dad, and Pinkie why I was crying.”
>”And they started yelling at me, and asking questions, and I couldn’t answer them cause…”
>Her voice was interrupted; she hiccupped and sobbed too much to continue.
>She turned away from you, and you stopped yourself from reaching out to her.
>You screwed everything up again.
>Let everypony down.
>Let yourself down.
“I’m sorry,” you gripped your fists, trying your best not to cry as your cheeks began to burn.
“Pound,” the name stung you, “I, shouldn’t’ve gone in there. You were right.”
>You watched her back; nothing changed, she continued to shudder and sniffle, and curl up further into herself.
>You turned away; not wanting to look at her anymore.
“I’m sorry.”
>The night lingered on despite your wishes.
>One sibling would soon be gone, and the other was in tears beside you.
>There was nothing you could do.
>You felt there was nothing you could do.
“I’m,” you sniffled now as snot ran down your nose, “I’m gonna miss him too.”
>A warm, voice came from your closet.
>“Hey.”
>You watched in a stupor, as your closet door slowly swung open with a soft tap.
>Mom stood there; her hoof outstretched and her eyes glum.
>”I was wondering why you were out of bed.”
>She cautiously approached, “I was gonna surprise you.”
>Instinct brought you towards her and she opened her breast.
>You wrapped yourself around her forearm and fell; it all came out.
>”It’s okay, Nonny.” She cooed as she rubbed your back.
>“Pinkie’s here.”
>You felt something warm brush up against your shoulder.
>Then it grabbed you and drew you close.
>”Pinkie’s here for both of you.”
>Pumpkin’s bow was still on the floor; the pale and bright lights illuminated the baby blue.

>Pumpkin’s voice was soft and weak, “did you hear everything, Pinkie?”
>You had retreated back to your bed, and Pinkie held Pumpkin; the exact same way she held you.
>Pumpkin sat in Pinkie’s lap, and her head leaned on Pinkie’s chest; her eyes were closed.
>Mom rubbed Pumpkin’s back; she smiled, “I’d like to hear it from you. If that’s okay?”
>”Alright,” Pumpkin sniffled. “Can I start from the beginning?”
>Mom nodded, but Pumpkin didn’t look.
>”I woke up this morning right when mom came in to get us. I had to shake Pound awake, as usual.”
>You could tell mom wanted to comment, but she didn’t.
>”I went to the bathroom and made sure my mane was done.”
>You noticed the bow on the floor, “I decided to put in a ponytail today.”
>”I went to the kitchen and everypony was already seated and eating breakfast. Mom made us all oatmeal.”
>”I didn’t want to eat mine though, cause Pound spit in his hoof and slicked his mane back at the table when mom started complaining about his bed head.”
>Mom smirked and let out a giggle, but she quickly corrected herself.
>Pumpkin smiled at her, “he can be so gross sometimes.”
>You all shared a quick chuckle, and Pumpkin’s speech wasn’t as tense when she continued.
>”We grabbed our lunches and headed out.”
>Pumpkin playfully poked your mom’s side, “and I saw you sneak cupcakes into our lunches again when mom and dad weren’t looking.”
>Mom just winked at her.
>”So I ate that on the way to school. Cheeriliee taught us our multiples today; I think I’ve got them down too.”
>You were too busy drawing to remember anything Cheerilee taught today, and you’re pretty sure Pound slept through class, again.
>Pinkie brushed Pumpkin’s mane, “then what happened?”
>Your eyes met Pumpkin’s; she spoke hesitantly and stressed every word, “well, then we all sat together and had lunch.”
>Pumpkin.
>She frowned, “and after lunch…”
>Please don’t tell her.
>Her eyes retreated from yours and hit the floor, “and after lunch Cheerilee taught us some division.”
>A stressed feeling escaped from your chest and you closed your eyes.
>It was still there. Not all of it, but some of it.
>”Pumpkin?”
>You opened your eyes and saw that mom had been looking at you.
>She was smiling shyly now, “do you think you could tell me about the forest now?”
>Pumpkin nodded, “yeah, alright.”
>”Um…” Pumpkin looked at you briefly and rubbed her forearm, “do I have to tell you everything, Pinkie?”
>”Pumpkin, you aren’t in trouble, silly.”
>Your mother sweetly smiled and gestured to you, “only Pound and Nonny are in trouble. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
>Pumpkin swallowed, “alright. Thanks Pinkie.”
>Mom pulled her closer, but Pumpkin soon took a deep breath, and then they parted.
>Pumpkin paced the room, “well, it all started when Pound decided that we should all meet at the Hayburger after school.”
>”That’s where he told us all about his idiotic plan to get some Poison Joke out of the Everfree.”
>Pinkie shook her head, “I still don’t know why you guys wanted some of those icky flowers. I’d rather have a hayburger any day.”
>”Yeah, that’s my point,” Pumpkin exclaimed. “I told him it was a really dumb idea, but he wouldn’t listen.”
>Pumpkin groaned, “He never listens to me. He doesn’t listen to anypony.”
>”So I told him that if he went through with it I’d tell on him. I mean, he thinks he’s alone in this or something, but Anon was with him. What if Anon got hurt?”
>She looked at the ground, “so he did the usual, threatened to beat me up, to never speak to me again, all that stuff.”
>”He eventually left and took Anon with him. I didn’t leave until I finished my food, and wrapped up what they left behind so I could take it home.”
>Mom smacked her lips, “so that’s where those came from.”
>Pumpkin smiled, but only briefly.
>”I went home and immediately got the feeling that something was up. Mom asked me where Pound and Anon where when I went in the kitchen.”
>”I told her I didn’t know, and she asked me to go find them.”
>”Nothing new to me,” Pumpkin grumbled.
>Pinkie sighed, “where you angry, Pumpkin?”
>Pumpkin cocked her head, “about what?”
>”About my son silly. You were just talking about him after all.”
>Mom sighed, “Does it upset you to have to be the responsible one all the time, Pumpkin?”
>You watched Pumpkin as she slightly opened her mouth and her eyes blinked a bit.
>”Well,” she searched the ground, “yeah.”
>Pumpkin stamped her hoof, “Yeah. I am tired of it. I’m sick of always being reluctantly invited with by Pound. I hate being the tattletale. I hate that mom and dad always tell me to watch out for Pound.”
>She rubbed her head, “why should I watch after him? He’s the older brother. He’s the one who should be looking after us, not me.”
>”And what do I get?” She began pacing. “I do everything right; I get good grades, I stay out of trouble, I always do what mom and dad tell me to, and I get ostracized for it.”
>You and mom shared a look of confusion; Pumpkin sighed.
>”It means,” She hung her head, “it means excluded. To keep something, or somepony, away.”
>She squeezed her eyes.
>”Alone.”

>”Come on, let’s ditch her.”
“But we said we’d wait for her.”
>Pound leaned back and groaned, “Yeah, we said that. But we weren’t actually goin’ to do it.”
>He jumped off the fence post and ran away; motioning for you to follow him.
>Looking in a window you saw Pumpkin, still cleaning her mess from today’s arts and crafts project.
>She stared at the mess in front of her leaned her head forward.
>Nothing happened for a long time, and then she stamped a hoof and began sweeping off her desk.
>She wouldn’t let you see what she had been working on until it was done.
>The bell had ringed and you still hadn’t seen it.
>”Come on, we’ll find her later! She’d just tell on us anyway!”
>Pound was already starting for the path out of town.
>You wanted to protest.
>Instead you stopped leaning on the fence and ran after him.
>The two of you ran down a dirt trail that was only used by the traders, and crossed through an orchard of pear trees where you helped yourselves.
>Sunlight warmed your cheeks and kept you awake after the usual school day, and soon today’s lessons were gone.
>You both went up a steep forested hillside where vines and roots, and unfortunately the occasional thorns, snagged at your feet.
>Pound hovered over it all and snickered at you.
>You would occasionally pick up a stick or a rock to throw at him, but he would dodge it with ease.
>Then, when there had finally been too many burs in your clothes to pick out, and the dirt under your nails had turned them black, Pound pointed at a clearing.
>”Right through there, follow me.”
“It’s been like an hour. Where are we going?”
>He swiftly turned in the air and flew backwards, “something cool I found.”
>You stepped on thin grass and jerked your leg free of some dry twigs and vines.
>Before you stood Pound, staring off into the yonder of a great cliff.
>On the edge you came up behind him and peered.
>A great forest lay beyond; there were more trees below you on the vast landscape than there were castles in the whole of the world.
>Barely a pin prick on the horizon to you, but definitely enormous none the less, stood a mountain, with a fog covering part of its body like some kind of mysterious ring.
>Your head turned right and left many times as you tried to scan all of the land before you.
>You looked down at your school notebook and frowned.
“I’m gonna need a bigger piece of paper if I want to draw all this.”
>There was silence, instead of the chuckle of acknowledgement you were expecting from Pound.
>You spun in circles and scanned the area.
“Pound?”
>Anxiously, you peered over the cliff, and cupped your hands around your mouth.
“Pound! Did you fall?!”
>An echo answered back.
>Looking down the cliff made you feel like you were standing on top of Canterlot Castle, and you started to get dizzy.
>It was definitely a height to make anypony wary.
>No hope of survival if you fall down there.
>You turned away and put your hands on your hips.
>You weren’t too worried about him falling, not only was he a Pegasus, but he also happened to be a bit of a prodigy.
>Well, actually.
>That reminds you.
>There is one direction you haven’t looked yet.
>You lean back and shade your eyes from the sun.
>The sky is a clear blue, with a couple of fat clouds.
>It was also Pegasus free at the moment.
>”Alright Anon!”
>The second you look up.
“Where are you?!”
>”Over here! Look in the trees!”
>You eventually fixed your gaze at the top of a tree, Pound waved frantically to get your attention.
“What are you doing up there?!”
>”Something cool! Watch this!”
>The Cake’s would have a heart attack if they saw how high up Pound was right now.
>That tree he was in  had to at least be as tall as town hall, and he’s at the top leaning on the end of a branch.
“Hey be careful up there!”
>Pound jumped off the branch and extended his wings to glide on a full breeze that brushed your hair.
>He headed straight for the cliff drop and didn’t stop.
“Pound, don’t go over there!”
>He was so high up that he was barely the size of your thumb held to your eye.
“Pound, come back!”
>And he was getting like that distance wise as well, as he drifted further and further away from the cliff, and further from you.
“Pound!”
>Then you felt the breeze cease.
>And Pound’s body drifted forwards and down, head first.
>Suddenly your gaze fell down as you watched his body plummet towards the forest below.
>You screamed his name so loud that your throat itched, and you reached out.
>He continued to fall, and he was getting closer to the trees below every second.
>You thought about how long it would take you to run to back to Ponyville to get help.
>Or maybe you should go after him yourself.
>But then, he didn’t hit the ground.
>Your jaw dropped when you saw Pound spin a couple of times and suddenly shoot towards you.
>He glided along the tops of the trees and the branches swayed wildly, and the leaves popped off the wood and leaped into the air behind him.
>Towards the cliff he sped faster than anything you’ve ever seen; any train, or athlete.
>Leaves created a firework trail behind him, and you cautiously approached the cliff edge to keep him in view as he sped closer and closer.
>And you swear, you absolutely swear to this day, that he tapped the cliff wall before beginning his ascent.
>You watched him barrel towards you, the sound of the air breaking getting louder and harder to ignore as he reached you.
>And when he rushed past the wind following knocked you over onto your back.
>The green grass tickled your neck and Pound escalated into the blue with his front hoof outstretched like some kind of divider.
>He barreled towards one of the clouds.
>It was about the size of a small house.
>It didn’t stand a chance.
>Pound began spinning and he tore a hole through the cloud which left the opening looking like some kind of spider web ridden hole.
>At that moment you heard nothing.
>”I do love my brother. I think he’s a very special pony.”
>And the cloud split apart into a million tiny little pieces as a cream colored dot poked out the other end.
>”In fact, he’s kind of amazing. But that’s really what makes me feel so bad.”
>The pieces drifted away on a light wind, and the sky had become a garden covered with tiny little white flowers.
>”I don’t know, Pinkie. It just feels like my brothers are two of the most amazing ponies in the world.”
>It reminded you of blowing on a dandelion.
>”And I’m just the nerdy tattletale. No matter how hard I try, or how much I wish it weren’t true, I’m the late bloomer.”

>Pound smirked, “pretty cool how I made the cloud explode, huh?”
“Are you kidding me?” You slapped your hands together, “boom! You destroyed that cloud.”
>You both sat in the grass now and watched the tiny pieces of cloud in the air drift away; the sky was turning a light pink now.
“That was awesome bro! The way you made the leaves come off those trees, and that fall, and the-“
>”It was awesome.”
“Yeah!”
>You inhaled through your nose and laughed.
“I was really scared when you fell,” you both laughed now; “I thought you were going to die.”
>”I wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you did.”
>Pound sighed and got up.
>He kicked a rock down the cliff side and stared out at the vast land before him.
>”Nopony in Ponyville has ever been over here. Did you know that bro?”
>The leaving sun peeked at your brother, and the water that lightly coated his blown back mane became bright.
>”I asked a ton of grownups in town about what was out this way, and none of them knew.”
>He peered over his shoulder and tilted his head towards the cliff, “come look at this.”
>You got up and stood next to him.
>The forest, the mountain, the horizon, all back in view.
>”We must be the only two in town who know about this. Can you believe it?”
>Pound kicked another rock and watched it fall, and you heard it crack against the wall twice.
>”I mean, who knows what’s out there. What do you think is out there?”
>You shrugged.
“I don’t know.”
>”Exactly, you and me are gonna go explore this during the summer.”
>He couldn’t stop looking out at the unknown, “we’ll pack some knives, maybe a couple sandwiches until we can find something else to eat, and you can make a map.”
>You looked at your notebook again and pursed your lips.
“I’m gonna need some bigger paper if I’m gonna make a map.”
>”We can get that,” he quickly added, “we got till summer. Then we’re out of here.”
>He trembled, “who knows what we’ll find out there.”
>You pointed at the sky.
“Sun’s goin’ down.”
>Pound spit, “shoot. Guess we gotta go.”
>You turned and started towards the tree line.
>Pound eventually joined you.
>”It’ll probably be dark when we get back.”
“How mad do you think they’ll be?”
>”Pretty mad.”

>”That sounds like fun, Nonny.”
“I guess. Pound was excited about it.”
>Mom brought the blankets up to your neck and told you to rest your head.
>”Just make sure to write to me every day while you’re on your little adventure.”
“I’ll talk to Pound about it tomorrow.”
>”And make sure you take a bath every night.”
“Every night?”
>”That’s right mister. You came home really dirty today, and your adventure hasn’t even started yet.”
“I’ll just get dirty again,” you smirk. “Why should I take a bath every day?”
>Mom narrowed her eyes and stifled a couple giggles, “because I can’t give you kisses when you’re dirty silly.”
>She assaulted your nose and cheeks with tiny little pecks and you both laughed uncontrollably and you told her to stop.
>”Alright, no more horsing around, time for bed.”
>You both sighed and the butterflies left your tummy as mom tucked you back in.
“Mom,” she hummed in response, “did you finish my new bedtime song?”
>”Not yet Nonny, maybe next time.”
“Okay.”
>Mom kissed your forehead and shut the light.
>You turned to your side and faced the moon.

>”I want you to apologize to Pumpkin, Nonny.”
>You nodded and got off the bed.
>Pumpkin sat still as you bent down to her eye level.
“I’m sorry Pumpkin.”
>You swallowed and sighed and looked down.
“And not just for today, I’m sorry for everything.”
>Your heart skipped as you felt your sister grab you and squeeze your arms.
>”I’m sorry too.”
>She nuzzled your chest, and couldn’t quite get her arms around your body.
“What do you have to be sorry for?” You stroked her mane.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. If it wasn’t for you Pound and I would’ve been Manticore food.”
>Pumpkin shook her head, “I yelled at you, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t’ve done that.”
>The morning would be met with baths, anxiousness, and many talks.
>But right now, there was none of that.
>And you and Pumpkin held each other until she began to cry again.
>”Please don’t cry anymore Pumpkin,” your mother cooed, “come with me.”
>Your mom led Pumpkin out of your room and left you.
>You picked up Pumpkin’s bow and pocketed it.
>She’ll ask you for it in the morning.
>You crawled into bed and patiently waited for your mother to return.
>And when she did, you could tell she was as tired as you.
>”What a night, huh Nonny?”
>She brought the blankets up to your neck.
“Mom, I don’t want Pound to go away.”
>”I don’t either to be honest Nonny. But if the Cakes decide to send him to flight school, then I can’t argue.”
>You both searched the silence for a while.
>”Tell ya what; I’ll talk to Mr. and Mrs. Cake tomorrow. How does that sound?”
>You snuggled under the covers.
“Thanks mom.”
>She smiled, “we can try.”
>Mom kissed your forehead and you watched her purse her lips and stick her tongue out.
>”You sure are dirty Nonny. You’re gonna have to take a bath before school tomorrow.”
>You smiled and mom brushed your hair out of your eyes.
>”Do you wanna hear what I got for your bedtime song so far?”
>You nodded.
>”Alright,” mom said gently, “I’m gonna sing really quit though, like aunty Fluttershy does.”
>Mom cleared her throat and gave you a confident smile.
>Her eyes closed.

>”You are the party I haven’t yet thrown”
>”You are the flower that hasn’t yet grown”
>”You are the happy feeling in my heart”
>”That wakes me when I dream that I’m alone”
>”You are the warmth in all my smiles”
>”I’d like one more before we hit the hay”
>”I know you’re sad cause our time is over”
>”But tomorrow is another day”
>”You are my Nonny”
>”My only Nonny”
>”You make me happy”
>”When skies are grey”
>”You’ll always know son”
>”How much I love you”
>”Please don’t take my Nonny away”

>Though you were asleep, you saw your mom.
>Calm, and happy at that moment.
>Her skies were clear, and beautiful, and new to look at.
>She kissed you on the forehead again.
>”Goodnight Nonny.”