Chapters Shadow was sitting beside a lake, looking at the moon. He had always liked the moon, ever since that he was a baby. Every time he looks at the moon, he felt warmth .It feels like the warmth of having a family. As if he had a home with parents to love, siblings to care and everything a filly with a family could have. But the fact is, he didn’t have it. It was just a part of his imagination. Shadow sighed of tiredness as he recalled his memories a few days ago…..
It was a fine, sunny day. Shadow was trotting happily down the streets of the morning bazaar of his town. While he kept on his trotting, he accidently heard a discussion of two mares:
“Do you know about the rumor?” the first mare asked the second mare.
“What rumor?” the second mare asked back.
"The rumor about Shadow Blade of course!” the first mare exclaimed.
“The filly that stays at the orphanage?” asked the second mare.
“Yes! They say that Shadow is the brother of Nightmare Moon…” the first mare explained.
Just then, all of his happiness ended when he heard the rumor. Shadow’s mind went as blank a sheet of paper. He didn’t know what to do. Then, he quickly ran back to the orphanage and locked himself in his room. Not noticing that his friends and the orphanage rector, Miss Starshine is calling him outside. He hid his head under his pillow, calling himself not to cry. But he can’t control his tears, causing them to fall. After all, He’s just a nine-year-old filly…
A few minutes later, he heard Miss Starshine using the keys to open the door. Shadow quickly pretended to fall asleep .Hoping that his little trick would work, making Miss Starshine to go away. Instead of letting all the other fillies coming into the room, Miss Starshine told them to wait outside and continue their activities.
‘Miss Star Shine is a kind pony after all…’ Shadow thought to himself.
After going into the room, Starshine closed the door and walk towards Shadow, softly. Shadow slightly shivered when Starshine went closer to him. And when she got beside him, Starshine uses her magic to levitate the blanket off Shadow.
“Gotcha.” She said as she saw Shadow stared at her, slightly frightened.
She chuckled softly when she saw Shadow’s frightened face. Causing Shadow to get a little mad and taking back his good impression to Starshine just now.
“It’s okay Shadow; I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay.” She said softly to Shadow.
Shadow quickly shook his head. He didn’t want anypony to get into this mess he’s in. He wanted to solve his own problems by himself.
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?” Starshine asked Shadow suspiciously.
Shadow shook his head again.
“Well, just call me if you need me okay?” Starshine told Shadow before going out of the room.
Shadow just nodded as Starshine went out of his room. When he made sure that she closed the door, he went down his bed and to his window. He felt lucky because that he was appointed to this room when he came to the orphanage. This window was the only one that he could get a good view of the moon. Shadow looked at the moon for a long time before going bed, telling the moon about his feelings today. He don’t know why, but the moon seems to listen to him. As if the moon was his best friend. After a few minutes, he bid goodbye to the moon in his heart and went to bed.
The next morning, he woke up and went to the dining room to have his breakfast. He was happy today, not to worry about the rumor he heard yesterday. When he arrived at the dining room, he saw that everypony were staring at him and whispering something. Shadow felt odd.
‘What are they whispering?’ Shadow thought curiously.
As Shadow sat down on the bench to have his breakfast, the fillies beside him quickly moved away, making a disgusted face. Shadow’s heart sank. The rumor already spread to the orphanage. Shadow ate his breakfast silently, hanging his head, causing his mane to cover his face as he was sobbing. After finishing his breakfast, he ran out of the orphanage, hoping that he could just go away from this world and to a place that he could fit in...
* * *
After 1 hour of non-stop running, he finally stopped at a meadow. The meadow was full of fragrant smelled wild flowers and green grass. The sun was shining brightly in the blue, cloudless sky. Shadow was absolutely amazed when he saw the meadow.
‘Maybe this world isn’t so bad after all…’ he thought.
While he was strolling happily on the meadow, he heard a familiar voice coming behind him:
“Shadow, come back here you silly foal!” Starshine shouted.
Shadow turned his back and saw Starshine running towards him. He was completely surprised. He didn’t know that somepony would come and look for him.
“Come; let’s go back to the orphanage.” Starshine told Shadow as she levitated Shadow’s hoof, taking him back to the orphanage.
Shadow was defenseless. He could throw a tantrum like other foals at the orphanage and making Starshine to give up and leave him alone at the meadow, but he just…Can’t..
Shadow was only able to take a last look of the meadow before going back to the orphanage. He was not capable of telling Starshine that he wanted to stay there. When they arrived at the orphanage, Shadow saw that everypony was doing their own things silently. No more gossiping, whispering or staring. It was just like as if nothing happened before. Full of confusion, Shadow slowly went into his room while Starshine went to do her chores. He quickly closed the door when he got into his bedroom. He had already decided to go away from this town. He packed his luggage and kept it at a corner. Now, he just needed to wait for the correct time…..
After dinner time, it was bedtime for all foals. Shadow quickly went into bed and waited for the lights to turn off. After a few minutes, all the lights were turned off. Shadow took his luggage silently and tip-toed out of the orphanage. While he was walking, he suddenly heard a sound. He turned around and saw that it was only a rat.
‘Whew, that was close’ Shadow thought, slightly relaxed.
Then, he quickly went to the kitchen and got some bread to eat in his journey. After that, he went out of the orphanage. Now, he was free.
The grass was soft; the moon was covering the land of Equestria with silver, white light as Shadow walked slowly along the town streets. There weren't many ponies up at this time. The only ones who were up are students who are studying for good grades and workers that are working hardly late at night just to earn a living for their family.
The street was very quiet. Not like most of the times in the morning. It was always noisy, lively and busting with excitement. But now, there was nothing but silence. But Shadow liked this kind of silence. The silence was calm and gentle. No noises, just a few friendly bugs chirping happily as if they were humming a melody.
When he finished walking through the town streets, he took a final look at his town and started off his journey to a new town, searching for a brand new life.
‘Hopefully Miss Starshine wouldn't be worried…’ Shadow thought. He didn't want anybody to be worried just because of him. It just doesn't feel right…
* * *
After a few days of travelling and resting, he finally arrived at a town at. Shadow’s heart beat in excitement. He had finally arrived at his new home. Shadow began to look around to search for some signs. He didn't want to enter the town without knowing its name. He searched for a few minutes and finally found a wooden sign.
The wooden sign was quite simple. It doesn't have decorations or patterns on it though. There were only a few lines of red-inked words on it. “Let’s see; Welcome to Ponyville…” Shadow mumbled.
He raised his head to take a good view of the town. The town was full with typical designed houses that are timber framed with distinct thatched roofs and overhanging upper floors. Even though, he did saw a few different buildings like the biggest building at the center of the town’s square which Shadow found out fascinating as he didn't knew that ponies could build such a big building.
Shadow walked towards Ponyville which is mentioned on the wooden sign. Though, Shadow wasn't very sure about this name.
‘Maybe it was a prank from somepony else…’ Shadow thought in his heart.
* * *
As Shadow walked towards then town, a few fireflies surrounded him. As if they were welcoming his arrival to the town. Shadow smiled for the first time. He don’t know why, but he felt happy when the saw the fireflies. Maybe it’s because of the lights coming from the fireflies were twinkling like the stars in the skies. Besides the moon, he also likes the stars. He had always believed that his parents were one of the stars in the skies, watching over him.
When he finally reached the town square, he only realized he didn't have a home! Shadow started to panicked a little. But then, he saw a cave beside a lake. There was also a waterfall there. Shadow quickly ran to the cave full of excitement. Well, at least he won't have to sleep beside the road…
Shadow began to settle down in the cave when he arrived there. He placed some hay he found beside the cave and took out his blanket.
“There, nice and cozy.” Shadow said while looking at his “new bed”
Then, Shadow went into his bed and slept soundly. He felt as if he was falling into another world. All the twisting and turning while he was falling made him feel a little sick. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was back at the orphanage, lying in his bed. Shadow started to look around. The same old bed, same room and even his luggage are there. No doubts. It was the same orphanage that he stayed a few days ago. Shadow slowly got up.
‘It was only… a dream? ‘Shadow thought, but he still couldn't believe that it was only a dream. All of it just seemed so real…
After dazing for a few seconds, Shadow opened his room door and went outside. He gasped. Everything was the same. The same old kids and even Miss Starshine was there. He stood there agape. Not knowing what reaction he should give to this case.
* * *
Not for long, Miss Starshine the other foals realized that Shadow was there. And then, Shadow saw them getting bigger and bigger and they all began to laugh at him. Some of them made disgusted faces; some of them were whispering and gossiping. Shadow usually didn't care about these. But this time, all of them were laughing, pointing and gossiping only about one foal. And the foal they were gossiping about was him.
“Go away!” a filly shouted
“Yeah, we don’t want you to be in our orphanage!” another colt cried.
Not only they, other fillies and colts also began to surround Shadow to mock him, making Shadow to feel scared and covered his ears with his hooves.
“Stop, Stop it please! I beg of you!” Shadow cried.
But the mocking still came on, and it was getting louder and louder and finally, Shadow opened his eyes and woke up from his nightmare.
“A... Another nightmare?” Shadow asked himself.
He tried pinching his face and it felt hurt. Now, he was confirmed that it was only a dream. Shadow tried to sleep again but he couldn't. So, he decided to go out and talk with his loyal friend--The moon.
And then, he just sat beside the lake for a few hours and talking to the moon in his heart until now…
“Can you tell me what to do?” Shadow asked the moon.
But he got no answer, just pure silence. Shadow took a deep breath and bid goodbye to the moon. He scrambled into his bed and started to sleep. Now, he just needed a peace, restful sleep. He had a big day to start tomorrow. Hopefully, he could make enough money and rent a new house when he grew up in the future. He can also buy a bed by then. A nice, comfy one...
Thinking these happy thoughts, Shadow slowly went into the realm of the dreams. The only thing different was, he had a smile on his face.
Chapter 2: Going To School
Shadow slowly opened his eyes. All he saw was just a grey colored ceiling. Shadow was somewhat taken aback for awhile, but he immediately came back to himself. He should have already known that there was no turning back when he walked out of the orphanage a few days ago. Shadow got up and made his bed. Even though that his bed didn’t have much to tidy but still…
Happy with his work, Shadow smiled to himself and walked out of the cave. Outside the dark cave, the sun was shining brightly, bringing light and warmth to all the citizens of Equestria. After taking a deep breath, Shadow trotted happily towards Ponyville.
Inside the town, it was brimming with excitement. Every inch of the town was full of laughter and warmth. It wasn’t like the town he lived a few days ago, everypony in that town only care for themselves and didn’t care about anypony else. Well…Except for Miss Starshine that is.
‘What a nice town this is…’Shadow thought to himself.
As Shadow was walking leisurely, he accidently bumped into a filly.
“Ouch!” The filly shouted.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Shadow apologized quickly, not wanting to be hated at his first day in this new town.
“Its okay, I’m fine.” The filly said again as she got up from the ground.
Shadow looked at the filly he bumped into just now. She had white-colored fur and a pink-colored mane and tail. Also, she had a pair of sapphire blue eyes.
“My name’s Star Painter, what’s your name?” The filly said while helping Shadow to get up.
“M…My name’s Shadow Blade.” Shadow said nervously and slightly blushing while getting up from the ground.
“Cool name!” Star exclaimed after listening his name.
“Y…You really think so?” Shadow asked while looking at her.
Star nodded her head excitedly.
“By the way, are you new here? I’ve never seen you before here in Ponyville.” Star asked Shadow curiously.
Shadow just nodded awkwardly.
“Want me to lead you the way to school?” Star Painter suggested.
Shadow went stunned for a few seconds and finally asked: “Do you need school fees to go to school?”
Then, there was an awkward silence for a while until Star Painter burst out laughing loudly. It was a good thing that it was noisy there or her laughter would probably attract a crowd here. Shadow stared at her as she laughed. Did he say something funny just now? Shadow thought in his mind.
After a few minutes of laughing, Star finally went back to herself and got back to her own position. And then she asked:
“What were we saying just now?”
Shadow almost face hoofed after listening to her remark.
“Uh… I was wondering do I need to pay for the school fees to go to school.” Shadow repeated his question, choosing his words carefully as he didn’t want Star to have a sudden laugh again. On one hoof, he didn’t want to catch anypony’s attention. And on the other hoof, he wouldn’t want to be jump scared again. His heart couldn’t accept it again.
“Actually, you don’t need to pay for the school fees. The Mayor pays for our school fees you know.” Star explained to him.
“Oh…”Shadow replied, silently thanking the Mayor that Star mentioned. If he needed to pay for the school fees, he’d rather not to go to school and work for somepony already.
“So…want to join me at school?” Star asked Shadow intensely.
“Okay?” Shadow answered her question unsurely. Well, nothing could happen right? At least he can learn at school again.
“Great! Let’s go then, what are you waiting for?” Star said while having a big grin on her face.
* * *
After their little conversation, the duo walked towards the school together. In the distance to the school that Star mentioned, Shadow just followed Star silently as if he wasn’t there. Well, it wasn’t like he didn’t want to talk with Star. He actually likes talking with her. It’s just that he didn’t know what to talk about…
A few minutes of awkward silence and walking, they finally arrived at the front of the school. Shadow looked at the school and began to daze again until Star spoke:
“Here we are, this is our school.” She said with a proud look on her face.
Shadow just nodded plainly. Well, the school doesn’t have a really special look at the outside. Its just a plain, normal sized building.
‘I wonder how does it look like inside.’ Shadow thought curiously.
“Lets go in, the classes are starting.” Star told him, waking him up from his daze.
“Oh, right…” Shadow mumbled as they went inside the school together.
* * *
Inside the school was a classroom. The classroom only has a desk at the front and nine seats at the back. There is also a blackboard behind the desk. It looks kind of small but everypony still fits in perfectly. The classroom was full of fillies and colts. Everypony are having a little fun before class time. Some are gossiping, some are folding paper airplanes and some are even playing with their magic. Shadow looked at the class and then looked at Star helplessly. Star looked at him and sighed.
“Maybe you can go and look for a seat?” Star suggested.
Shadow made an “Oh, right!” face and went to look for a seat. After looking around the class, he finally decided to take the seat at the left corner of the class. There were two reasons the chose that seat. The first reason is because he can sit beside Star, so he can ask her if he had any questions. Second, that seat is the most unnoticed seat in the class. So he could probably stay unnoticed by other foals and the teacher for the rest of the semester.
As Shadow reached for the seat, another filly with blue and light pink mane snatched his seat and said:
“Hey! Get off of my seat!” the filly shouted as she pushed Shadow aside.
Shadow instantly felt his cheeks are getting as red as an apple and quickly apologized to the filly. After that, he looked around the class. Every seat was taken already. Just then, a purple colored mare came inside the classroom. As she stepped inside the class, everypony fell silent. Shadow looked at the mare.
‘Maybe she’s the teacher.’ Shadow thought to himself.
“Good morning everypony!” the mare greeted cheerfully.
“Good morning Miss Cheerlie.” The other nine foals including Shadow greeted back in response.
“Okay, let’s start our classes shall we?” Miss Cheerlie said while tidying her books.
Shadow started to panic a little and looked at Star Painter for help. Star Painter looked back at him and gave him an “Its okay, I’ll handle it for you” face to him.
“Uh… Miss Cheerlie? Shadow here doesn’t have a seat” Star told Miss Cheerlie while raising her hoof.
Miss Cheerlie looked confused after listening to Star’s words until she used her hoof to point at an obviously feeling embarrassed Shadow.
“Oh, so…you said that his name is Shadow right, Star?” Miss Cheerlie asked Star Painter.
Star Painter nodded repeatedly.
“Well then, Shadow you may sit with Star Painter until we have another empty seat.” Miss Cheerlie announced.
Shadow and Star’s face both went red and blushed in embarrassment at the same time, making other foals in the class to start gossiping and whispering to each other.
“Okay everypony, let’s start our classes now!” Miss Cheerlie said with a smile on her face.
After that, everypony started to take out their textbooks as Miss Cheerlie got ready for their class while Shadow went to sit behind Star nervously.
‘What else could go wrong?’ Shadow thought to himself.
‘Come on, come on…’ Shadow thought while looking at the clock, not bothering to listen to what Miss Cheerlie’s talking about. Sweat dropped from his forehead.
‘Three.’ He count downed in his mind.
‘Two.’ Shadow could feel that his heart was beating faster and faster.
Just then, he felt a hoof patted his shoulder. He turned and looked at the pony who patted him. It was Star. Shadow gave her a confused look. Star just looked at him and in front of him. Full of curiosity, he turned and looked in front of him. It was Miss Cheerlie.
“Ahem.” She coughed.
“I asked, do you know that who are the ones that saved Equestria from eternal winter?” She repeated the question she asked him while he was dazing.
“Uh…” Shadow stammered. It wasn’t that he didn’t know what the answer was, it was a very simple question. It’s just that he couldn’t remember the answer.
“Well?” Miss Cheerlie asked him impatiently.
And after a second, the school bell rang.
Miss Cheerlie sighed.
“Okay class, its recess now. You can go out and play but don’t go too far and remember to come back before eleven o’clock.” She reminded all the fillies and colts in the class.
After that, everypony rushed to outside the classroom. They wanted to treasure all of the recess time to play with their friends and to have a rest. It was pretty tiring while listening to Miss Cheerlie talking about the history of Equestria.
Shadow sighed of relief as Miss Cheerlie announced the recess time. He was kinda scared that she would give him a detention. Well, it wasn’t his fault to forget the answer to that question that Miss Cheerlie asked just now. It just…well, slipped off his mind…
“Shadow is it?” A familiar sound came from his back. Just by then, a cold chill went through his spine.
He turned around and saw that it was Miss Cheerlie.
‘Please don’t give me a detention; please don’t give me a detention.’ He closed his eyes, ready for his punishment.
“Well, all I wanted to say is that you should cool down Shadow.” She said softly.
Shadow opened his eyes slowly and took a peek at her.
“I know you’re nervous because you just came in this school but try to keep calm. I know that you are a special colt.” Miss Cheerlie added with a friendly smile.
Shadow could feel that his cheeks were burning red.
“T… Thanks Miss Cheerlie.” He said quickly and ran outside the classroom.
‘Phew, that was close. I thought that she wanted to give me a detention…’ He thought.
‘But still, she is a kind pony though. But Miss Starshine was still way much kinder than her.’ Shadow thought again as he trotted towards the playground to find Star.
But then, he hesitated. He couldn’t just stick with Star for the whole day. She has her own friends. He just can’t go and ruin everything. He took a step back. Suddenly, he felt that he knocked over somepony at the back.
“Hey!” the pony he knocked yelled.
“I… I’m so sorry.” Shadow apologized as he turned around and saw a small sized unicorn colt with a turquoise colored fur.
“Don’t you look when you go backwards?” The colt yelled at him again.
“I…I…”He stammered, not knowing how to answer the colt’s question. He didn’t knew that he was at the back of himself.
“Hey, Snips! Miss Cheerlie called you to see her just now.” A familiar voice came.
Shadow turned his back and saw that it was Star. She gave him a wink and turned back to Snips again.
“She said that she wanted you to help her with something.” She continued.
“Oh okay.” The colt who was so-called Snips by Star quickly went into the classroom to find Miss Cheerlie.
Shadow looked at Star with a grateful expression.
“Thanks, Star” He said thankfully.
“Don’t mention it, friends always help each other.” Star said with a smile.
Shadow smiled back and asked her:
“Aren’t you playing with your friends?” He asked her curiously.
“I was, but then I saw that you were having some trouble with Snips. So I came to help you out.” She replied him immediately.
“Oh…” Shadow murmured while bowing down his head. He implicated Star again.
“Don’t feel sorry, we were almost getting to an end anyway.” Star comforted him while patting him with a hoof.
"Well, it's just that I don't want to involve you in my problems. Again..."Shadow blurted out something that he wanted to say for a long time. He didn’t like watching people involved in his mess.
“Friends always help each other.” Star told Shadow seriously.
“And I won’t just sit there and eat popcorn while my friend’s got problems.” She continued.
“So don’t be silly and think that you’re implicating me in your problems. “ She finished.
After listening to Star, Shadow’s eyes were filled with tears. He hugged Star with excitement. He was touched by Star’s words. It was his first time to meet a friend like Star. His friends in the orphanage always dumped him when he was in some kind of trouble.
“Uh…Shadow, ponies are looking at us.” Star told Shadow while slightly blushing.
“Oh, I…I’m sorry.” He apologized as he realized what he was doing.
“You know, you’ve already said a lot of ‘Sorry’s today.” Star teased him.
The duo laughed loudly.
Just then, the school bell rang again to signal the students that it was time to go back to the classroom again. Everypony rushed into the classroom as they didn’t want to get scolded by Miss Cheerlie. And then, Shadow and Star also walked into the classroom to start their classes.
Then, when Miss Cheerlie started teaching, Shadow saw a piece of paper in front of him.
It said: “Good Luck!”
Shadow turned to look at a winking Star. She smiled broadly at him. And the, he smiled back at her too.
“Okay class, let’s start now!”
* * *
“Okay class, that’s all for today.” Miss Cheerlie said while keeping her books in a saddlebag. “Be sure to finish your homework and pass it up by tomorrow.” She added.
Ignoring her, the students quickly stuffed their textbooks, papers, notebooks and other things into their saddlebags and rushed outside the classroom. Miss Cheerlie could only smile and sigh.
After keeping her textbooks, Star turned to Shadow excitedly” Hey, wanna walk home together?” Perhaps she could meet Shadow’s parents. She was extremely curious about Shadow, she hasn’t heard of anypony moving into Ponyville recently.
“Uh…Well…” Shadow stammered, not knowing how to reply Star. Finally, he thought of an excuse. “Well… My parents are still busying in organizing our new home and plus our home is still messy, so they told me not to invite my friends home yet.”
Star looked at Shadow suspiciously.
Shadow gulped. Cold sweat was dripping down from his forehead slowly.
‘Great excuse, Shadow.’ He thought to himself.
“Oh well, I guess I’ll walk home with you some other time.” Star said, slightly disappointed.
Shadow sighed of relief. Then, they waved goodbye to each other and went back to their homes.
The sun was setting slowly. Shadow walked leisurely towards his “home”. He took a deep breath and sighed. It has been a long time since he had been so relaxed. He never did fit in when he was in the orphanage. Everypony seems to think that he’s weird or something. They seem to avoid from him.
When he arrived at the cave, he began to settle down and have some rest. It was quite a tiring day for him. Within minutes, Shadow began to fall into a deep sleep.
