Author's Note: Please read this first. This is my first OCxCanon pairing. I've had this idea in my head since last year, December at least. I take writing seriously and have redone this story quite a few times in my head until I felt confident in it. This is also my first story outside of my usual fan fiction category. It may take time for updates since I do writing outside of fan fiction, but I am determined to have complete stories no matter how long it takes. I'm sure we already know this, but please be kind on reviews. I'm not here to make foes. :)

From Romance and Friendship

Chapter 1

One Chance

Everything in nature that could make nighttime beautiful was already out. The moon was shining and the stars were sparkling against the black sky. The grassy floor of the valley was almost silver from the shimmering light. The small tufts of the new Truffula Trees barely swayed from the gentle breeze. The clean river slowly ran and the small, but precious amount of creatures who returned all savored the coolness. The Lorax was slowly walking about smiling to himself. It felt good to be back. The saplings gave joy when he looked at them. The devastating sight of smogulous smoke and schloppity-schlopp was gone for good. Ever since he had come back every day had been bright and nights relaxing. Everyone in Thneedville would have agreed. It felt good to see a real sky, dark or light. Nobody would have a complaint. As of that night, everything was quiet and peaceful, but happy.

At least, outside is was quiet, peaceful and happy. Inside the Lerkim, it was anything but. If one had gone inside at that moment they would have found in the kitchenette a table with a little safe on top. It was open with wrinkled and musty papers splayed out and already examined. Most were not important; Thneed order requests, gift certificates, junk mail or special offers for the entrepreneur. All were out of date, but there was an envelope that had been opened and its information was heartbreaking to its reader. The reader was now slumped against the wall, head low and tears forming.

It was a complete surprise to have found the safe in the first place. He had gone through some old belongings that he had forgotten and it was there. Out of curiosity, he brought it up and easily opened it with one tap of his ax. Now, he couldn't believe he hadn't had realized its contents earlier. The Lerkim was its own labyrinth, small looking, but full of secret places that he had designed. It seemed like forever since he had designed it and that cursed factory. Some places he didn't care for over the lonesome decades. Now he hated himself for not finding it sooner. The question "what if I had" came through and it was killing him. He had only one chance to have made things right and he only just found out.

His head tilted up and finally his light blue eyes allowed the tears to fall. He felt guilt returning, but this wasn't over the destruction he had caused to the trees, the animals or The Lorax. It was for an entirely different reason, one that he never even expected to happen in his life while he remained isolated from the world.

He looked down at the wrinkled papers in his bare, smooth hands. He was trying to wear gloves less since The Lorax had given him a rare, but precious second chance. A second chance he now felt he didn't deserve. The papers of faded pink had been folded perfectly with a lingering scent of wildflowers. A scent he once loved. The writing was in beautiful calligraphy as if the writer had been trained professionally. The ink was blue. He hadn't seen that penmanship since…since forever it seemed. Pouring out on the two pages, front and back, was information that was expected to have arrived in time. Along with it were tiny photographs that had been tucked behind the letters. He couldn't look at those again, for now at least.

Dear Once-ler, I see your thneed idea has gone sky high. Congratulations. I always knew you would succeed. I'm sorry I haven't been in contact with you, but a lot has happened since you left home. I have much to tell you-

He couldn't read anymore.

His eyes met the words again and it only threatened more tears. He didn't bother drying them. His face only got wetter as they raced over his freckled cheeks and ran into the smooth crevices of his lips. He brushed his bangs back over his eyes. He inhaled a shaky breath and tasted the salty droplets with the tip of his tongue. It was a habit he had always done as far back as he could remember.

Memories came back. Earliest being crawling out of his crib at only two years old to the appetizing smell of pancakes from downstairs. Latest being only two days before when he woke up and found his reflection with full, black hair, no longer sore joints and a clean shaven face. He had screamed just like when he awoke in his cottage finding The Lorax in his bed. This provided proof that his voice was renewed too. He didn't exactly know how or why but he knew The Lorax did it. What else could it be? The Lorax had done it, but he refused to say how.

"Don't ask Beanpole," he only said with a smile. "You deserve it out of all people."

"I don't," The Once-ler thought running a hand over his head in grief. "I deserve to be aged and live in misery."

He deserved it. Looking at the letters again, he thought of what might have happened to its author. If things had boded badly that person didn't deserve it. He would never wish anything bad on her.

"If she's still alive," he thought. His head slumped back hitting the wall and he bit his lip. "I'm sorry."