Illusions

It’s not unusual for me to feel lonely.

I often do, even when I’m surrounding by the gleaming faces of my friends and when I’m being praised by my idol.

But I always hide it behind a smile.

A smile makes it easy to hide the pain.

But today, it was a real smile. Today, I didn't feel lonely.

Today, I was going to feel alive.

Few clouds drifted across the blue sky. The sun was high and bright. It set the town in a blistering heat, but that didn't stop ponies from doing their day to day duties.

I was currently standing on my favorite scooter. My purple helmet with white stripes was placed on my head with a look of determination plastered across my face, My eyes locked on the ramp in front of me.

Today, I was going to fly.

Maybe not fly. Maybe not even glide. But I was going to try. I had fun in riding my scooter, so it didn't matter to me either way. I'd still feel free from everything. Free from the pain I often feel.

Other ponies had stopped. They were watching me. They were observing me. Curiosity was overwhelming them. I swear I even saw a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail out of the corner of my eye.

She was watching me too.

I knew I couldn't fail now. Not in front of her. It'd be really embarrassing.

My friends were ahead of the ramp, standing next to the mattress that was set there. They were waiting for me.

If only I had ponies waiting for me to come back home.

I licked my lips, something I often did to prepare for something like this. I don't know why. It's just a habit. I have yet to find out how it started.

I was ready.

Using my back leg, I pushed off the ground. And I continued pushing off the ground. I was picking up speed quickly.

Once the wheels started running over the wooden planks of the ramp, the ride became a bit bumpy. But it didn't bother me. Not at all.

And then, I was in the air.

Time seemed to slow while I was in the air.

I pushed myself off the scooter. It fell to the ground, bouncing a few times on the mattress before coming to a rest. I remained in the air for a few moments longer. I even spread out my wings in hope that I would glide a bit further. It worked for a few seconds before I too plummeted toward the mattress. I bounced myself a few times. Then I came to a stop on my back on the springy surface, my eyes looking up at the sky. A grin spread across my face. I was breathing heavily.

For a few moments, I was able to feel free.

Alive.

Happy.

I was suddenly lifted back into the air by Rainbow Dash. My friends Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were cheering. Rainbow nuzzled me.

"That was awesome, Squirt!" she praised me.

I smiled in return. "You really think so?" I already knew the answer.

"Of course I did!" She grinned.

These were times I wish I could have more. These were the feelings I wish I could have more. But I didn't tell her that.

I simply smiled.

* * *

King Sombra watched the young filly and chuckled darkly. His plan to gain his rule was again was forming. And he was sure this one would not fail.

Ponies who knew about Sombra would be shocked to see him standing there. Afraid, too. He was destroyed, after all.

But Sombra knew how to piece his body back together again, so that's what he did. He used the black magic he knew. And now, he was standing there. His magic was slowly but surely recovering.

As the former tyrant was watching the filly, he could sense it. He sensed the emptiness in her heart. And he planned to fill the void with darkness. And with that darkness filling her heart, he could use it to his advantage. He could gain his rule once again.

Sombra slipped back into the shadows, chuckling darkly once more to himself.

Phase one would begin tomorrow.

* * *

It was nighttime now. The full moon had risen, and stars twinkled beside it. The moon wasn't lonely.

I am, though.

I was currently sitting in front of the window. My elbows were propped up on the windowsill with my head resting in my hooves. The other fillies who were assigned to this same room were already fast asleep.

But I didn't want to sleep. Not yet.

If I went to sleep, the memories of today would fade away. I didn't want that. Not yet.

I kept replaying the day in my head. For the first time in a while, I didn't feel lonely. I felt real happiness. The smile I had today was real. I didn't have to force a smile for once.

My thoughts trailed to my parents. I didn't like thinking about them much. If I thought about them, I thought about how they were dead. As if them being dead wasn't enough, the way they died only added to it.

The way they died was too... horrible.

I didn't like thinking about that.

I decided to finally crawl in bed and go to sleep. I didn't want to think about my parents anymore.

Once in bed, I curled myself into a ball, and fell asleep.

* * *

Another day. Another day of pain. Another day of loneliness.

But it's okay. I'll make it through the day like I always do. I don't have to put on a fake smile today though. Today, I'm spending the whole day at the orphanage. I'm not going anywhere today.

I entered the dining hall for breakfast. All the other fillies and colts were already there, shouting and creating a ruckus. Some odd things were being thrown around too.

Just as I took my regular seat in the dark corner, the owner of the orphanage entered. "Quiet! Quiet!" her voice cracked. All the ponies immediately shut their mouths. They knew it wasn't good to get in trouble here.

No pony knew what the old mare's name was. The owner had a gray coat and her once blonde hair had grown white due to age. Her hair sprawled out in many directions and tied into a messy bun. Wrinkles adorned her once beautiful features. Her sapphire eyes had lost the life they once held. A smiling face of a filly and colt was shown on her flank, proving working at the orphanage was what she was meant to do.

Though she didn't seem to be happy with doing so anymore.

I heard she used to be beautiful and cheery, but something happened that turned her into an old grouch.

She stood there, glaring at everyone for a few seconds before she opened her mouth and let her husky voice ring through our ears again. "Today, we have someone new joining us. Don't ask me how or when, but one of the assistants found 'im in front of the orphanage sometime last night. He has no parents or other relatives to stay with, so for now he's staying here." As the owner was speaking, I swear the colt was staring right at me, smiling the whole time.

He had a gray coat with the darkest of black hair. He had emerald eyes and a gray horn was planted on his forehead.

"Well, go on! Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" That voice crackled again.

"My name is Shadow Heart!" he said keeping his eyes on me.

He kept on looking at me. I don't understand why though.

Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. Maybe he's smiling at the fillies or colts in front of me.

But I was wrong.

The grouch pushed him forward telling him to find a seat and stomped out of the room, mumbling to herself. She mumbled to herself often.

He still had that smile on his face as he began walking toward me. All the other fillies and colts had already gone back to their usual shouting. A few fillies called for him, obviously growing a crush on him. But for the most part he was ignored. And he ignored the fillies that did yell for him to sit by them.

He continued walking toward me. It was as if I was in a trance. My eyes were locked with his. I couldn't seem to move my gaze at all.

He took the seat in front of me.

"Hi! I'm Shadow Heart!" his cheery voice.

"S-Scootaloo," I replied. I didn't quite understand why my voice was shaky. It could be that I was surprised somepony had chosen to sit with me.

With our names said, the food was brought out by the chef. It was all on many plates, rolling on a cart. It was pancakes and eggs, as usual. Once everypony had their plates, we said our thanks for food like we had to do before starting to eat.

He swallowed a bite. "So, what are the other fillies and colts here like?"

"They're alright, I guess," I answered. I didn't really know what else to say, since I hadn't gotten to know the others.

He only nodded in response. I guess he didn't know what else to say, for we ate the rest of our breakfast in a silence.

* * *

Every filly and colt, including myself and Shadow Heart, were now outside, playing. Many fillies and even a few colts were surrounding him, asking him many questions.

"Where did you come from?" they asked.

"The Crystal Empire," he answered.

"Then why isn't your coat all... crystaly? I thought everypony from their had their coats all sparkly," they asked.

"They are, until you exit the empire, that is," he answered. They continued to ask, and he continued to answer. Their faces would gleam in admiration at every answer he gave.

I, however, was sitting on my swing again. Alone.

I sighed. I knew that little spark me and Shadow had wasn't going to last long.

I guess I was wrong about that.

Shadow must've grown bored of the questions, for now he waved them off with his hoof, shaking his head no saying he didn't want to answer. After many repeated attempts, the fillies and colts gave up and instead starting playing with each other.

Shadow, on the other hoof, walked toward me, and asked me a question I never thought I would hear. At least, not at the orphanage.

"Would you like to play with me?" He held a hoof out.

I was shocked at first, but I slowly nodded and put my hoof in his. He pulled me off the swing and we began playing tag. Soon, the other ponies started joining in too.

I was smiling.

I was laughing.

I think me and Shadow are going to be good friends.