Hey guys! So, this is the second chapter of Forgotten Promise! I honestly don't have much to say, so enjoy!

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Many years ago…

"Mom, what was grandpa like?" Claire asked as she brushed Bessy, the Star Cow. Pony, (who's birth name was Jill, but had changed her name when she turned 18), stopped brushing Gill, the Star Bull.

Claire nervously brushed a strand of her light brown hair, (which had been black when she was born), out of her eyes. "I-It's just that you never talk about him," Claire stuttered nervously. "Whenever I ask Takakura about him, he just tells me to ask you."

Pony smiled sadly at her daughter, and smoothed a strand of hair that feel out of Claire's low ponytail. "You remind me of him." She paused for a moment. "He was very gentle, but also hardworking and ambitious." Pony's eyes became distant as she continued to speak, her eyes sweeping over the lush grass of the pasture. "My father's life wasn't easy. Both he and Takakura both had to endure years of verbal and physical abuse. When they turned 18, they ran away from home, seeking refuge in a remote valley, where they knew their parents couldn't find them."

Claire stared wide-eyed at her mother, soaking in every word she spoke. Pony turned to face her daughter. "It was there they developed a farm from the ground up with a small plot of land to work with." Claire's mouth formed an 'o'.

"Refuge Farm," she murmured. "Our farm!" Pony nodded.

"They had been here for 10 years when your grandfather met your grandma. She was just a traveler from the city passing through, but your grandpa was entranced. What originally was meant to be an overnight stay for her turned into a year-long vacation." Pony began to frown slightly. "They knew that they were going to marry each other. Unfortunately, they couldn't agree on where to live. Your grandpa wanted to continue living here, but your grandmother was adamant about living in the city. After arguing about it for a long time, your grandmother finally convinced him to move away, though not without a tremendous amount of heartbreak." Claire felt a lump form in her throat as Pony's face adopted a sad expression. "Of course, Takakura, being his brother, was more than willing to continue taking care of the farm, expecting his brother to retire here in Forget-Me-Not Valley. Unfortunately, that was never a reality, causing Takakura to have to sell all of the animals when he wasn't able to take care of them anymore."

Pony sighed quietly. Claire gulped, "But then you eventually came here." Pony's head lifted to look at her daughter. "I can't help but feel that you were destined to come back here at some point," Claire said. "It was here you met dad, and then you had Mark, and then you had me," Claire finished, grinning.

Pony smiled. "Yes, that's true."

She looked over at the small crop fields to see her husband taking care of the banana trees. "That brings back memories of when I first met your father. My goodness, he was such an intimidating person. He frowned all of the time, and just seemed to continuously mope about how his life was so terrible because he had to move away from the city for his health!" Marlin's head shot in Pony's direction.

"Hey, I heard that!" Both Pony and Claire laughed. Claire glanced at her watch.

"Oh, I gotta go mom. I'll see you later!" Claire almost started to sprint towards the fence, but Pony blocked her path.

"And what in the name of the Harvest Goddess are you leaving for?" Claire huffed, annoyed.

"I thought I already told you! Mark needs me to pitch at the ball game that's being held! Now, if you excuse me, he's counting on me to be there!" Claire tried to hop the fence, but Pony grabbed her shoulders.

"Not so fast young lady! It gives me no pleasure to say this, but you'll have to miss this game." Claire's head shot up. "What?! I can't miss it! Mark's counting on me!" Pony sighed.

"I'm sure he'll make do with what he has. I need you to stay here with me because we have a Poultry Farmer from Mineral Town coming here to check on the chickens."

Claire's heart started pounding. "Are the sudden changes in their behavior serious?" Pony folded her arms as she closed her eyes.

"That's the thing, I don't know. I've never dealt with anything like this before. I figured it's best to have someone with more experience take a look. I need you here to fill him in on what's been happening." Claire's shoulders slumped slightly.

"Ok." Pony smiled and ruffled her hair a little.

"Excuse me, but would you happen to be Ms. Pony?" A gentleman's voice inquired. Both Pony and Claire turned around to meet a blonde-haired man.

"Yes, I am she." Pony said, shaking his hand. "I gather that you must be Mr. Rod. It's a pleasure to meet you." Claire noticed a younger male standing beside Rod. "Rod, this is my daughter, Claire." Claire shook the man's hand shyly.

"I hope that it isn't an inconvenience, but I brought my son here with me today," Rod said gesturing towards the young male. He reached out is hand towards Claire.

"It's nice to meet the both of you. My name is Rick."