Solar

Chapter 1- Introduction

The road from Canterlot down to the Hollow Shades wasn’t long. But it seemed to drag on more than it should have for the young mother aboard. The trains didn’t usually run this late, she was lucky to find room aboard a car that was filled with seeds, and fresh vegetables.

She clung to the small, messy bundle of blankets in her saddlebag. He was small, only sixteen hours old. But he slept peacefully. His light orange coat already had streaks of brown where the infamous birthmark was bound to appear. She sighed; he was going to be trouble. She knew it just from the devilish glint in his eyes.

Outside the window the dark woods began closing in on the car. The forest grew thicker by the second, almost suffocating the young unicorn inside. She clung close to her child and prayed. Not only for her child, but so that she might see him again

someday, when he grew up.

Slower now, the car began losing speed. It wouldn’t be long before the goodbyes were sure to come. She bit her lip, tears in her eyes. It was a decision she knew she had to make, but that didn’t make it any less painful. In such a short time, she had grown attached to the colt, (her motherly instincts overpowering her common sense).

Small lights flickered outside the window, she smiled a bit, and fireflies soared into the car and danced around the two like a glowing ballet. His eyes opened and he smiled, giggling at the dim light given off by each of the bugs. Not realizing he was on his way to a new family, and a new home out of his loving mother’s protection.

The screeching of brakes came like an electric shock back to reality. The feeling of panic arose in the mare’s throat, choking her, and rushing her thoughts. She began second-guessing wondering if what she was doing was in fact, the right thing to do.

A slow stop, the car gave a tiny lurch forward and the world went silent, nothing but darkness and the faint glow of fireflies. She heard the light hoof steps of the conductor making his way to the car.

“Miss, I’m afraid we’ve arrived at our destination.” His voice was rough, he was a big earth pony, but his tone was soft and sincere, as if it truly pained him to see the mare in pain. He sauntered back, to help unload the other cars.

For the first time, the smell of fresh carrots and cabbage crept into the car. The small colts eyes lit up as he reached his tiny hoof into the air, trying to grab at the bugs, still dancing, high above his tiny eyes. The mare picked up a soft carrot and gave it to the baby. He grinned and stuck it in his mouth. He had no teeth, but sucking on the carrot suited him just fine.

The mare’s name was Meisha. Her coat was a cotton candy pink, her mane was darker, tipped with jet black, and spiked up. It wouldn’t go flat no matter what. She hid it under her long dark brown travel cloak. Hiding her face, she scooped up the baby and trotted out of the car.

The town was dark, hidden under a very thick canopy of trees. It never got much lighter than this, the town was eternally dark. Mushrooms and other fungus grew under foot. The ground was damp, and Meisha could see eyes from unknown creatures peering at her from the woods around.

As she walked she could make out a pub, full of stallions laughing and enjoying the night. She smiled, silently picturing her own son, laughing and having fun when he grew older and made friends.

Farther down were the neighborhoods. She peeked into each window, trying to find a good family to leave the child with. She spotted an older couple, with two young mares sitting around the table smiling and eating. It looked like the people inside were a family, and the two young mares were at home visiting.

Meisha ignited her horn, and used her special magic to see the good in all the people’s hearts. It was her gift; she was able to sense the sincerity, honesty, and kindness inside of a person’s soul. This family had good intentions, a loving and caring group of people.

This was to be the place she left the child. She crept to the front door and laid the baby down, arranging his blankets to a more presentable condition. His spiky orange and yellow tipped mane was the same as hers, but different in color. He had drifted back into sleep, and his chest rose and fell gently as he blew a bit of hot air out of his nostrils. On top of his head, his horn was still small and underdeveloped. And on his back, were two delicate wings. A rare case, when a Unicorn and Pegasus mate they have a very small chance to produce an Alicorn.

Several problems usually arose from this. Often either the magic was unstable, or the wings to weak to fly. The royal family wasn't too fond of it either, he would be labeled and often things would be expected of him that he just wasn't capable of doing. It was only another part of the reason he couldn't stay with Meisha in Canterlot.

She wrapped him back up and kissed his forehead. A small handwritten note was tucked beside him in the nest of blankets; he would read it when he was older and hopefully forgive his mother for what she had done. But for now, she would leave him in the care of these capable people. She tapped on the door and galloped off. Tears streaked down the sides of her face as she forced herself not to look back.

“Good luck, my beautiful boy.” She whispered to the night air, and whatever else was listening, hoping that it would carry the message back to the baby, wrapped tightly in the bundle on the porch.