Once upon a time, the world decided to create something of itself, becoming order and thought rather than chaos and illusion, so it stretched itself out and slid apart into five bodies of light. And these became the embodiment of life.

The first was thought, and could see everything. But with this sight, the world became even more confusing. If everything was so clear, why couldn’t his brothers see as he could? And what if he couldn’t really see at all? And so thought visited Emotion, who smiled and stretched her rainbow fingers along the ground, her breath fogging the air.

Can’t you feel it, Brother?, she asked. I can, she told him, eyes sad and happy, old as time and young as life, I can feel it all. And with that, she turned and slid down into the sky, leaving him on his own. And he saw how curious her behavior was, and how she didn’t appear to see the trees on the ground, or the air above them. He decided she must see in a different way, and was almost satisfied. But each question lead to another, and so Thought sighed and sought out Knowledge, the young brother.

Coming upon knowledge, he was staring intently at a tree branch, tenderly running his fingers over the barks spine, a tear slipping down his compassionate cheek. Brother, called Thought, you must see as I do! Look at how you stare at that tree! And Thought was relieved, for now he could answer several of his questions, but as Knowledge turned to him, he shook his head sadly.

I do not, answered Knowledge, and nobody does. He stepped closer, lightly touching his brother, eyes filled with sadness. You will always be alone in that. And with that, Knowledge turned back to his tree, and Thought felt more alone than he ever had.

Finally, desperate, Thought sought out his least favorite sister: Change. Change was what was bothering him; that he could suddenly think, and none of it made sense. That Emotion didn’t have the same thoughts that he did, that Knowledge would cut himself off from Thought. The world had changed, and Thought didn’t like the idea of it doing so any further. The thoughts threw him into a rage, and he stumbled about in the terrain Change lived in, bumpy and smooth at the same time, twisting its way about.

Change!, he bellowed, How could you do this!

And Change smiled and slipped out from between to planes, skin rippling. Hello brother, her voice answered, rising and falling as she spoke, such a pleasure.

His hands shook and it wasn’t because he was angry, but because he wanted to be angry, but none of it added up! He had been so whole before, and now he was alone, and nobody understood. How can I change this back, sister?, he asked, ashamed of his behavior and irrational emotions; he was Thought, for heavens sake.

With a sigh, Change pointed Thought to an area behind herself and into a different plane. Tentative, Thought edged closer, calling out a desperate hello. But as he grew closer, all he could hear was himself, his tattered thoughts echoing from every side, and slowly, ever so slowly, came the thoughts of the others. Here was Knowledge, torn over knowing the heart wrenching past of all and the never better future. Here was Emotion, who felt the highest of joys, and the deepest of all depression, splitting into a million different directions. There was Change, who liked all things, and was constantly sad to see them go. And there, buried far beneath them all was Pain, gaining volume and determination.

Here, Pain was saying, Let me take that for you. Let me take your thoughts and heal your Pain, he murmured, the voice low in Thoughts ear. But Thought was full of to many thoughts now, holding close to his siblings, and crying out into their minds, and was surprised to hear their voices reply, strong, sure.

Don’t, came the odd tremble of Knowledge, Emotion and Change, as One, We love you. We can’t be whole without you.

But you don’t understand, was his mental reply, skin crawling at the nearness of Pain, thoughts ripped apart, cruel logic tearing into every whisp of idea.

But We do, came One, We know everything about you, We feel everything you feel, and We can change this.

And, suddenly, it made sense. The thoughts fell into place, the missing piece sliding easily into its empty spot. They were whole, but separate. They cared. The knew. They changed, but in their love, they never separated, never truly changed. Thought brushed off Pain and smiled, opening his eyes to the world and truly seeing it all for the first time. Confusing, mixed up and bleeding, but perfect and never flawed.

Pain writhed in the darkness, taking all the pain Thought had cast off, and hated each of them more with every passing moment.