The white unicorn mare lay on her side, panting heavily. She was in the middle of the San Palomino Desert. Nopony would find her there. or any other creature, for that matter. She sighed. That was just how things would have to be. Oh, how she wished at least her friends were there.
Suddenly, the mare drew in a breath. She could feel the unborn foal within her shifting restlessly. "Hush now," she murmured, gently placing a hoof on her swollen belly. "Quiet now. It'll all be over soon." She gazed up at the night sky for possibly the last time, marveling once more at Celestia's perfect placement of the stars. "And then we'll be free," She held on to that one word, as if it were her only hope. Free. Free from that world of troubles and sorrow. Free from pain and heartbreak. Of course, they'd also miss joy and laughter, and the warmth of love. She hated to do this; to leave the world and take her foal with her, never having been able to draw its first breath. But it was better this way. Her child wouldn't have to suffer through life without a home or a friend, or to bear the mark of her parents.
It is better this way. She kept telling herself. It is. Isn't it? The mare sighed heavily as the weight of her decision sank in deep.
A spark in the distance caught her eye. A glint of shimmering yellow, followed by a flash of azure. She struggled to life her head up and glanced around hopefully, but it disappeared. The mare recalled reading something about an illusion called mirages long ago, back when she was studying. He couldn't be here anyway. she thought to herself.
Feeling hopeless, she laid her head back down, only to have a gust of wind blow straight towards her face. The mare recoiled and coughed dryly as she choked on sand and bits of her rose-colored mane. She could feel the foal inside of her begin to move again.
"Shh...be still, my child," she whispered. She paid no mind to the wind as it gradually increased and beat her with sand. "Listen, small one," she said. "And I'll tell you a story..."
