The Element of hope

Chapter 1: happy birthday Travis

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever heard of the Everfree forest? If so, I hope you don't plan on ever going inside unless you want to end your life, heck; I'm not even sure why I'm in here. All I know is that I heard a foal cry coming from inside, it could be my old age playing tricks on me, well at sixty-seven what would you expect? Carefully searching around for the source of that noise, turning around every once and a while to make sure that a timber wolf, or a Manticore, isn't following my white tail.

Remembering the old tales that ponies tell to scare their friends didn't help much, this dark, muck covered, quite horrifying place was no place to be. One of the only things visible was the gold coloured part of my cutie mark.

It was a golden arrow going straight through a black heart. This would puzzle some of the ponies I'd have conversations with, sparking some controversy about what it was. Some would guess that I was good at archery, and others would guess that I had a pure heart. Those ponies would be correct. It's even in my name, Pure Gold-heart.

The crying of the foal was now more apparent, I could pinpoint the location. Quickly busting out into a run so if i get there, the foal wouldn't be a Manticores lunch.

Bushes are rustling as I run past, glowing yellow eyes could be seen from distances. That didn't scare me, I could use my Unicorn horn to defend myself for a little, and at least I would live a fraction more of my life before getting torn to pieces.

I could finally find the source of the crying, it was a little basket, with a white blanket covering the body. Quickly turning my head so i could look around the area, just in case a blood thirsty creature would try to attack me because of all the noise. Giving the basket one more look, I use my magic to move the blanket out of the way.

Underneath the blanket, was a strange creature that I have never seen before. Instead of hooves, this creature had some sort of non sharp claws, his hind legs had the same claws as it’s upper. The lack of a tail was very apparent; everypony has a tail, as well as dragons. It was around the same size as a foal.

This unique creature was still bawling its eyes out, so I tried to calm it down before it gets both of us killed.

"Shhh. it's okay little.....uhh." I tried to sooth the baby, but I couldn't tell if it was a colt or a mare. I give a glance at its intimate area, and discover that it was a boy in fact. "It's okay little guy, do you want to come home with me?" I questioned obvious that i was trying to hold a conversation in the middle of the most dangerous place in Equestria.

His eyes began to open as he calmed down and looked at me, with those bright teal eyes. At least I think so; it's a little dark in here to get a good look.

"I'll take that as a yes." I thought. As I begin to wrap the small child back up in his blanket, I hear a roar. I think it's time to leave.

I levitate the basket carefully; I don't want to hurt its occupant. Placing it on my back, i begin to use a spell to make sure that it doesn't fall off as I run.

I began to escape the forest, making sure not to slip on mud, or hit a branch. A light was visible from the spot i was at, freedom was near. The light grew, and grew, and grew, until I was met with the familiar buildings in the town of Manehattan.

The sudden change of light was something I had to get accustomed to at first, squinting my eyes so I could see, than opening my eyes all the way when I was used to the brightness.

I made it back inside my nice, warm, cosy house. Using my magic to ignite a fire, just so I could warm us up. I think that the child fell asleep on the way back. Then I remember, he needs a name.

"Hmm... You never came with anything that has your name on it" I said while pointing at the child. "I need to think, something original, something that only he will be known as, something that nopony in all of Equestria would pick" I placed a hoof to my chin.

The name soon comes to me after thinking for a bit. I let out a smile. "Hello....Travis Gold-heart".

I leave the room to go sleep in my bedroom, satisfied at the name I picked.

...Many Years Later...

P.O.V: Travis

I was finishing one of the walks around town, I use those times to clear my head. Rubbing my hair with my hands, or claws if you're one of the ponies who hate me. The main reason why I take these walks is because of the insults I get for being different, the different kinds of taunts I get go through the roof. I tend to ignore them, but something inside me just permanently burns them into my brain.

It also doesn't help that I have a lack of friends, the only pony who doesn't make fun of me is my Grandfather. Grandpa isn't really a friend either, more like family. This was one of the reasons of why I am home schooled, others being obvious, the insults.

I wasn't in the mood to talk to anypony, I've become more shy, and paranoid over the years because I can’t talk to a single pony without being bashed in one way or another.

"Mommy, mommy, what's that?" I hear a little filly ask.

"We're not supposed to associate ourselves with creatures like that." the mother replied looking away from me in discus. I couldn't help but reply.

"It's not easy being different around here, because of ponies like you not even giving me a chance" I was able to overcome my shyness at that moment, not even thinking twice I resumed my journey back to my house.

I walked inside the house with a look of disappointment on my face, my grandfather couldn't help but notice.

"What's wrong Travis?" Grandpa asked with a look of concern on his face.

"It's just that, the other ponies never want to talk to me other than it's an insult" I shifted my eyes to the floor.

"Remember what I told you?" Grandpa asked me, putting his hoof on the blue shirt that I was wearing.

"That they're just jealous that their not as unique as me?" I asked making sure I was right.

All he did in response was nodding his head. "Happy birthday, you know you're twelve now right?" he handed me a box.

"Yes I do" was all I said back, I open the box that contained some new clothing in it. "Who’s the pony that makes my clothes?" I asked curious on who would take time out of their lives to do something for me.

"Her name is Rarity, she's around the same age as you, and she told me that it helps her practice. Rarity wants to have her own boutique when she grows up." Grandpa explained Rarity's plans.

"Well thank you" I say giving him a hug.

"I feel it again" Grandpa said while closing his eyes.

"Yeah right" I was doubtful on what he was about to tell me. "I'm not even a Unicorn"

"Well everypony has a little bit of magic inside of them, some more than others" He informed. In short terms, he thinks that I could learn magic. But boy was I wrong...

...Seven Years Later...

Grandpa and I are standing on a field, around ten feet apart.

"So Travis, you know the rules right?" Grandpa asked me, trying to see if I remember how we spar

"Of course I do." I reply, the rules are to break the shield spell that Grandpa has on, any means necessary.

Grandpa's horn glows the familiar green colour, a transparent shield surrounds him.

I get into my fighting stance. We stood in silence for a minute, but I broke it by shouting at the top of my lungs "HAAAAA!!!"

Rushing towards Grandpa with everything I got, striking the shield with some punches and kicks, in a random order. Every time I hit his shield, it flashed a not that blinding white. I could tell this was ineffective, so i tried something else.

"Is that it?" Grandpa asked a little displeased.

"Just getting started Gramps" i inform. Pulling both my arms to my chest, focusing my magic, a teal aurora surrounded me. Separating quickly caused an instant shield to form for a few seconds. The spell caused Grandpa to fly back, sending him off balanced.

I focused my magic in my right hand, and began to charge up a magic ball spell. Once it was finished the teal orb was radiating some heat, which causes my hand to become sweaty. Throwing it as hard as I could in his direction, the ball smashed right into the shield causing an explosion. Wind began to rush past me as the smoke started to clear.

I see a ton of green magical orbs fly out of the smoke, I quickly dive out of the way, staying down so I wouldn't get hit. I stand up after it was safe, my black shirt and grey shorts were now covered in grass stains.

Grandpa's horn starts to charge up, he shoots a green beam with orange rings around it at me. "WOOOOAAAAH!!!" i shouted as the high speed beam approaches me.

I get the idea of using the air gust spell to jump up high enough to dodge the spell. When the spell was charged enough in my hands, i shoot it at the ground to fly up enough to dodge the oncoming attack. The beam misses me and pierces through a bunch of rocks.

I see that Grandpa's horn is glowing, a huge rock covered in his green aurora is being levitated behind him. I see some sweat drip down his face, i could tell that it was heavy just by looking at him. Using what i guess is his full strength, the huge rock flies right at me.

I sprint up to the boulder, jumping up to the rock, and then use my air gust spell to push the rock right back at its sender.

Grandpa quickly teleports into the air, that gives me an idea.

I charge up my air gust spell, and shield spell inside both my hands, squishing the spells together to combine both of them together. Gripping the spell in my right hand, i shoot it right at the ground to send myself flying towards my Grandpa at a high speed. I stick out my hand before i impact the shield, as soon as i hit the shield shatters instantly.

"That *pant* was *pant great." Grandpa said in between pants as we both fell towards the ground...

...Hours Later...

I was sitting in my bed, it was made of hay, and i have to say it was quite comfy for what it was.

"Happy Birthday Travis!!!" Grandpa surprised me, i almost forgot.

"Wow, thanks" i thanked him. He levitated a card towards me.

I open it up, and read what’s inside. "Thank you for being a fantastic kid, i know you're growing up so i got you this." i read the card aloud.

Inside was a one way train ticket to Ponyville!!! "r-really?" i asked. Grandpa nodded his head.

"You just need to go meet Twilight Sparkle, at the cafe around 2:15." i nod my head. "One more thing."

"What is it?" i asked.

He took a deep breath. "When you were a kid, i found you in the Everfree forest alone. I couldn't just leave you there, so i took you in and raised you." Grandpa confessed.

I always knew that we weren’t ever related in blood, but i never could guess that i was from the Everfree forest. "Did you see who left me behind?" i questioned.

"I found you all by yourself in a basket." he exclaimed.

"Oh...i think I’ll go to bed now." i said disappointedly.

"Okay, goodnight Travis." Grandpa left the room.

I blew out the candle next to my bed. "while I’m gone, i will find out more about myself, i promise" i thought with determination in my mind