A Lost Soul in a Lonely World

by flawlessvictory20

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo, Slice of Life, Cheerilee, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sad, Romance
Length: 12587

One day my life was perfect. Isn't it funny how one bad thing can change your whole life? My name is Golden Wings and this is my story.

I will always remember that day...the day when I lost everything. It seemed like a normal day. My mom dropped me off for my first day of school, I met a few of my classmates, I even met an interesting orange filly. But that all change when there was a rumbling resonated through Ponyville. Now I have nothing left... No home and no family. My name is Golden Wings...and this is my story.

This will be a First-pony POV OCxScoots fic

This story was given to me with permission from Griffon Claw.

Editors: The Notebook and Sycamore

Published 2013-12-10 03:20:03 UTC
Last updated 2017-02-15 17:48:51 UTC

Chapter 01 - How Could This Happen to Me?

My name is Golden Wings, and this is my first day of school. It was a pleasant autumn day in Ponyville. The sun was shining, birds were chirping merrily in the trees, and ponies were going on their way through the quaint little town. We look upon two Pegasus ponies who were going down a beaten dirt path towards the schoolhouse.

The one on the right was my mom. She sports a mint green coat, a gray-bluish mane, and periwinkle eyes. I stand to her left with a grayish-blue coat, a dirty blonde mane, and periwinkle eyes just like my mother.

As we approach the schoolhouse, I notice my growing excitement. I have been waiting for this since the day that I learned to read! As we get closer, and the laughter of the other foals increases in volume, only one, single thought barrels through my mind:

What if the other ponies start bullying me? I mean I heard about two prissy fillies that are always calling other ponies names, like ‘blank flank. ‘What if they're in my class? Oh please Faust, don't let them be in my class.

As the fear starts to get control over my nerves, I started to lose my enthusiasm for heading to school.

“Mom, I really don’t want to go to school. Can’t I go some other time? Like maybe tomorrow?” I say as we start to closing in on the schoolhouse.

My mom looks at me with genuine concern on her face, and asks,

“What's wrong, Golden Wings? I thought you wanted to go to school? You've been talking about going all week. Did something change your mind?”

“It's just...” I nervously ask, “What if the other foals don’t like me? What if they pick on me for being the new kid?” I say as I look up.

I then felt a reassuring hoof touch my shoulder. My view is greeted by my mother's gentle smile.

“Oh my little Goldie, you're gonna be fine. Just be yourself and I'm sure the other
foals will like you,” she said.

“Are you sure?” I ask, feeling my nervousness starting to fade.

“Of course sweetie, I'm sure you'll probably make plenty of new friends on the first day. Just you wait and see,” she said, her voice full of optimism.

“You mean it?”

“I promise,” she smiles.

Hearing her words made my nervousness disappear almost immediately. I look up at my mom with a smile. It never ceases to amaze me how she could always find the right words to make me feel better.

As we reach the front gate of the schoolhouse, the bell rings letting everypony know that class was about to begin. A magenta mare came out of the school to reign in the students.

“I guess this is it! Bye mom, I love you,” I said trotting next to my mom, just about to gallop to the schoolhouse.

“Love you too, sweetie. Have a great day. I'll be here to pick you up after school,” Mom states before turning and trotting back into Ponyville.

Reaching the door of the red bricked schoolhouse, I’m greeted by the magenta mare.

“Why hello there, are you the new student I was told about?”

“Yes I am,” I reply.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Ms. Cheerilee and I will be your teacher for the school year.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Wait here for a moment, and I'll introduce you to the class.”

“O-okay.”

She walks into the classroom to get the attention of the rambunctious class.

“Alright class, settle down.”

Once the students give her their full attention, she exclaims,

“We have a new student joining us today.”

Taking that as my cue, I enter the classroom. As I'm trotting up to the side of Cheerilee's desk, which seems to tower over me as I get closer to it, I look to my new classmates. They were a plethora of multi-hued foals, and they were all staring at me.

“Could you please introduce yourself to the class, and say something about yourself?” Ms. Cheerilee asks.

Where do I begin doing this? Well I should probably begin with the basics.

“Um, hello there, my name is Golden Wings, and I just recently moved to Ponyville. I enjoy reading, but I really don’t like being put in the spotlight like this,” I stated, shifting nervously.

This was met with scattered applause, along with occasional snickering from a few foals.

“Thank you for the introduction Golden Wings,” whispered Ms. Cheerilee.

As she looks around the classroom, she spots an open desk.
"You can take the seat right behind Sweetie Belle," she concluded, pointing toward the back of the class.

Looking around I notice a white filly with a purple and pink mane waving to me.

That must be her.

Making my way to the desk, I pass by a grey filly with a lighter grey mane color. I hear her whisper to her friend,

“Great, another blank flank, as if it weren't bad enough already.”

Rather than confront her, I chose to ignore that comment. It's like my mother always says: “If you fight back, then you're only giving them what they want.”

Sitting down at my new desk, I notice three fillies staring at me with smiles on their faces. One was an orange Pegasus filly with grape colored hair. Another was the white unicorn filly in front of me; I believe her name is Sweetie Belle. The other one was a butter yellow earth pony with a red mane and a dark pink bow. I had no idea why they were staring at me, but I didn't pay it any mind. As they turn around, I notice that all three of these fillies didn't have their Cutie Marks either.

At least I'm not the only one.

As Ms. Cheerilee was starting the math lesson, I see a pink filly with a light purple mane and tail (which had a white streak running through it), with a tiara for a cutie mark, passing a note to one of the blank flank fillies that was staring at me earlier.

They were caught, and Ms. Cheerilee walked over to the filly and confiscated the note. She started reading it and walked over to her desk then gave them both a slip of paper, most likely a detention notice.

The class continued after that and we didn’t learn very much. Soon after the history lesson there was a slight rumbling that increased in ferocity over time. The whole class started vigorously shaking like there was no tomorrow. Books were falling off the shelves, along with anything else that wasn’t bolted down. Everypony started running around in fear of what was happening.

“Everypony get under your desks now!” Ms. Cheerilee’s commanded as her voice rang over all the screaming foals.

We did as we were told and the shaking continued, as well as the screaming, but we stayed under our desks hoping that Ms. Cheerilee was right about this whole desk thing. After a few minutes the shaking subsided.

“Is it over?” one of the fillies in the class asked.

After a minute, Ms. Cheerilee got out from under her desk to check for any damages to the classroom, stating,

“I believe so. Students it is safe to get out from underneath your desks.”

Seeing that the only damage was to the books, the globe, and the picture frames in the back of the class. Ms. Cheerilee looks at the clock and notices it is already three o’clock pm.

“Class is dismissed.”

As everypony made a mad dash for the door, I take my time to leave figuring that my mother probably wasn’t here yet. As I was exiting the classroom, I’m approached by the same three fillies that were watching me before.

Okay, these fillies are starting to creep me out.

“Hey there, kid,” the orange Pegasus says. “You're name's Golden Wings, right?”

“Yeah,” I state with uncertainty in my voice.

She extends a hoof to me.

“Pleased to meet ya, I'm Scootaloo!”

“Nice to-”

“This is Apple Bloom,” she points to the yellow filly. “And you already know Sweetie Belle.”

The white filly waves at me.

“Hi. Um, is there something I can help you girls with?” I coaxed.

“Well, we just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out with us, since your new and everything,” she says, as the three fillies smile widely at me.

“Sorry girls, but my mom’s supposed to pick me up right after school. Maybe we can hang out some other time,” I say.

“Aww...” they groan.

They then head to a small red wagon attached to a blue scooter. The yellow and white fillies jumped into the wagon, as the orange Pegasus’ wings fluttered as fast as a hummingbird.

“See ya tomorrow Golden Wings,” Scootaloo says with a wink.

I don't know why, but that wink kinda made my heart race. She then propels them forward pass the school gate, and down the road. Watching them disappear off in the horizon, I couldn't help but be impressed.

Wow, that's pretty cool.

I go and take a seat over on the doorstep, and wait.

About an hour later, as the sun was starting to set on the horizon, I sit on the doorstep diligently waiting for mother. At first I figure she was just running late, but now I’m really starting to get worried.

I wonder what's keeping mom, could something bad have happened to her?

I quickly shake my head to remove that negative thought from my mind. I soon turn to see Ms. Cheerilee closing the door behind me.

“Oh, Golden Wings,” she was obviously surprised. “Why are you still here, class let out an hour ago?”

“Well, I was supposed to be picked up by my mom, but she hasn't shown up yet,” I explain.

“Would you like for me to walk you home?” she asks.

Well if I go, mom might come here when I’m gone. Then again, she might also be very busy with something. So I could just wait for her at home. I might get into trouble, but I’m smart enough to know what I'm doing. It probably isn’t a good idea to keep waiting here, especially, when something could happen, say when night comes around.

Finally, after my internal debate, I figured that waiting at the schoolhouse might not be the best idea. No matter what the consequences maybe later, it would be safer to be at home, doing something that I enjoy.

“Alright, thank you, Ms. Cheerilee” I agree.

Walking through town with my teacher was actually enjoyable. We talked about my life in my hometown, Fillydelphia. We also talked about what I have learned so far from my old school; she was really surprised that I knew multiplication. As we approach the street near my house, we notice a group of ponies gathering at the end of the street.

What's going on down there?

Getting closer, I see that they were gathering around my house.

Why are ponies outside of my house?

“Ms. Cheerilee, I'm gonna go in for closer look,” I declare.

“Maybe you should wait back here, Golden-”

Before she could finish, I was making my way through the large group of ponies. Passing each pony, I notice they each had worried looks on their face, like they were looking at an accident. As soon as I made it to the front of the crowd, I see that my house is completely demolished. The local fireponies on the scene are searching for something or somepony. As I try to enter the scene of my wrecked home, a tan Pegasus firepony with an egg white mane who blocks me.

“Sorry young colt, nopony is allowed in th-“

“Fireproof, we found something,” another firepony calls out.

I look to where the voice came from to see that they were lifting a large piece of debris. When the debris was gone, I felt my very core turn to ice, for I saw my mother lying in a pool of blood.

“MOMMY!” I yell running at a full sprint to her.

I feel a knot grow in my stomach, and my throat gets drier the closer I get to her. When I arrive at my mother's body, I feel the tears stream down my face as I saw what happened to her. Her face was severely battered; there are cuts and bruises that stand out on her coat. Blood continued to pour down into the puddle beneath her.

Mommy... Mommy...

I couldn't believe my eyes. The only pony who I held dear, was taken from me.

“Mommy?” I whisper.

At that moment, her body began to slightly move. I saw as her eyes slowly open.

“G-Goldie...” she faintly inquirers.

“M-Mommy!”

She weakly places her battered hoof on the side of my face. I look in her periwinkle irises and I see tears swell up in them.

“M-My little Goldie... I-I'm sorry...I didn't come to...get you from school,” she weakly says.

“Mommy, don't talk...” I turn to the fireponies and desperately plead, “Please! Somepony help her! Please!”

She then turns my head to her.

“It's too late for me, Goldie.”

“No...please mommy...don't leave me...” I say, tears running down cheek.

Trying to comfort me and calm me down, she gently brushes my cheek.

“My Goldie...I'm so sorry...,” she manages to say between sobs. “Golden Wings...”

She used my full name... I thought. She only uses that when she is serious...

“I want you...to promise me something...”

“Yes, mommy?”

“Promise me...that you’ll never forget...that I'll always love you...even if I'm not around...” she says. “And...try to...to live...ha...ppy...”

Her hoof then leaves my face and falls to the floor.

“Mommy...Mommy...MOMMY,” I wail as I shake my mother.

I soon feel the fireponies hooves carry me away from my mother's body.

“NO! LEMME GO! SHE NEEDS ME! LEMME GO! MOMMY!” I scream.

I look back to see if that it was the same tan Pegasus from before. Despite my thrashing about, he manages to keep me from getting back to her.

“Flamestomper, take him away so we can handle this situation,” Fireproof orders, as he hands me to another firepony.

I'm now in the hooves of an orange Pegasus firepony with a crimson mane. He immediately carries me away from the site. I desperately try to get away from him, but I just couldn’t.

“Listen kid, I’m really sorry that you had to see that. Nopony as young as you should have to be put through something like this,” Flamestomper say, I hear the sadness gripping at his heart. “Kid, I just have a quick question. Please be honest with me, do you know where your father is?”

As soon as I hear those words I start to cry harder than before, remembering the last time I saw my father: the funeral, a black box holding his body. How the pegasi fly it into the horizon of a setting sun, at the end of the funeral. I fall to the ground hysterically, as I bury my face in my hooves.

I’m only nine years old and I lost both of my parents. How could this happen to me? What am I gonna do? Am I going to be next?

My whole world has been shattered. My home...my life...my mommy...they were all gone. My response to his question, gave him all the answer he needed.
“Kid, I-I'm so sorry,” he says, fighting back the tears.

He picks me up, and my immediate reaction is to cry into his shoulder. I know colts aren't supposed to cry this much, but at this point I don't care. He then places me on his back.

“Come on, kid. I know just the place to take you,” he finishes with a sorrowful sigh.

Author's Note

I picked up this story because it has a lot potential and I didn't wanna see go to waste.

Chapter 02 - My New Broken Life

It was a long silent walk for the two of us. The night was empty of life, just like my heart. I try to close my eyes, but all I see is my mom dying in my hooves. Flamestomper had tried to ask me a few questions to try and keep my mind off of what had just happened. He'd ask me my name, what I like to eat, things like that. I know he was genuinely sad for me was trying his best to cheer me up, but I didn’t respond. The only joy in my life had been taken from me.

They approach a Windsor tan colored building, with a red door, and a hay roof. The exposed wooden beams holding the house were an eggshell white. There was a small gated yard with a few toys strewn across the yard. On the front, it read 'Ponyville Orphanage'.

'So this is where he's taking me...'

Flamestomper then set me down on my hooves and led me in through the front door to the admission office. In the office was a dark purple unicorn with a bright yellow mane, who sat behind a rather large the mahogany desk. I looked up to see that on the desk was a wooden name tag, engraved with the name ‘Summer Hooves’.

“Hello, how may I help you today?” she asks cheerfully.

Flamestomper then removed his hat before speaking.

“Yes, I’m here to admit this young colt.”

She then walks over to me and looks me over.

“Oh my what's this?” she says pointing at my hooves, covered in dry blood. “What happened?”

“Well, Cerberus was in town today. He went on a rampage, which sadly caused the death of this young colt's mother. She died in this poor foal's hooves merely minutes ago. I can't imagine anything worse than that.”

Taking one look at me, her smile quickly fades into a sorrowful frown. She then wraps me in a tight hug. It felt warm and calming.

'Just like mom...'

“You poor thing. Let's get you cleaned up,” she warmly smiles.

She trots over to the door and spots a colt walking in the hallway.

“Dusky Night...”

Hearing his name the auburn unicorn colt walks inside the office, looking like he had done something wrong.

“Yes, Ms. Hooves...”

“Can you take this young colt to the bathroom to get cleaned up, please?”

Walking up to me, he smiles and says,

“Sure thing, Ms. Hooves.”

As we begin to walk away, Ms. Hooves calls out to us.

“And Dusky Night, make sure to tell him the rules of the house.”

“Yes, ma'am. So are you ready to go?”

Still in the shock of ‘losing the most important pony in my life’ I barely registered the young unicorn's question. Though he looked at me with a carefree smile, I still couldn't find the means to return it. I simply nod my head.

I follow the colt out of the room, but not before turning to the Flamestomper and uttering a simple thanks. But there was something weird about the way Ms. Hooves was acting when we were leaving. I couldn't hear her words, but I could tell that her personality changed.

As I walk away in my blank, I state wasn't able to really tell what was going on. Everything seem to just slowed down, as if I were in slow motion. However at the same time, it was going by all too quickly. I didn't enjoy the way I was feeling right then, not at all. I didn't my like the way this place felt either.

'None of this should have happened why couldn't I couldn't I have stayed home today? Maybe I would be with mo... No! Bad thoughts. Mom wouldn't want that.'

It took me a while after looking up to register the fact that I was being asked a question, and frankly, I didn't feel like answering them...or anypony.

“So what's your name?” asks the young colt.

I wanted to curl up in the darkness and cry, just lie there in complete oblivion and cry. But my body and mind didn't have that option, or I thought it wasn't. Choosing not to reply I instead pretended I hadn't noticed anything that had been said.

As I follow the auburn unicorn up the stairs, my mind trails off once again onto the current situation. I felt really sick as if I had just received a heavy blow to the stomach.

'I-I can't believe she's really gone... Mommy...'

I let out a brief sniffle.

“My name's Dusky Night,” the young colt smiles. “So, are you new to Ponyville?”

I gave no response. I knew that he was just trying to make conversation, but I was too deep into shock to make any sort of effort to engage him.

“I guess you're not in the mood to talk, huh?” he asks.

I simply nod my head.

“Okay, well I hope you'll wanna talk soon,” he says, with a sincere smile.

We make our way up to the second floor and continue down another hallway. As we are walking, he starts explaining the 'house rules' and whatnot. But I just tune him out. I didn't have time for such nonsense. After a few seconds, we made it to the bathroom.

“You can get cleaned up here, then I can show around. Would that be okay?” he asks.

Once again I nod, then head into the bathroom. As I turn the knob to the shower, I let the water flow down my mane. Washing my hooves, I watch the once dry blood flow down the drain. With the water swirling around the drain, my mind to begin to drift.

“Now, Goldie. Make sure you wash your hooves properly, okay,” my mom says, turning off the water to the bathtub.

“Okay, mom,” I said trotting up the tub.

She picks me up and gently places me in the tub. As I was playing with my toy boat, mom starts to wash my mane.

“Mooooom, I'm not a little foal,” I whine.

“I know, Goldie,” she warmly smiles. “But you always forget to wash your mane.”

I puff my cheeks with annoyance.

'I hate it when she does that,' I pout.

She giggles at my reaction.

“No matter how old you get, you'll always be my little Goldie.”

“But, I'm a big pony!” I huff.

“True, but...” she starts. “You'll always be my baby.”

“Aw, mom...” I say.

After rinsing the soap out of my mane, she gives me a loving smile. That smile always has a way to make me feel loved. While washing my hooves she asks,

“So, are you excited about school tomorrow?”

“Yeah!” I almost shout.

She laughs at my response.

“My, my Goldie. Eager aren't we?”

“Of course mom. You know I love school!” I say with a grin.

“I know you do,” she says, picking me up out of the tub.

After drying me off, she wraps me up in a warm hug. With a quick peck on my forehead, she simply says,

“I love you, my little Goldie.”

“I love you too, mom.”

With that memory, new tears began to flow. I fell to the floor, as I wept loudly crying out for my mother.

'Mommy...why...why did you leave me?' I whisper.

I hear a knock on the bathroom door.

“Hey, are you okay in there?” asks the young unicorn.

“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” I screamed.

I hear the colt's hoofbeats fade down the hallway. I didn't mean to yell at him, I'm just having trouble handling the realization that everything that I had is gone.

'My toys...my bed...my house...my m-mom...all gone...' I silently cry.

I have no idea how long I was in the bathroom crying, nor did I care. I soon turn off the water and dry myself. As I leave the bathroom, see the same colt I yelled at earlier standing outside the door.

“Are you feeling any better?”

Strangely enough, I did. Though my head did hurt from crying so much I did feel a little better. I nod in response.

“I'm sorry for yelling earlier...” I apologized, looking at the floor.

I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked up to see him smiling at me.

“It's okay. I was the same when first got here too. So, how about I give you the tour?” he beams.

I knew he's just trying to get my mind off things, but all I wanted to do is curl up in a little ball somewhere.

“If it's all the same, I would actually like to lay down,” I flatly say.

“Oh, okay. Follow me, I'll show to your bed,” he says.

As we walk down that hall, we were greeted by an older filly. She has a violet and a has a cutie mark of a shinning sun.

“Hey Dusky,” she says waving a hoof.

“Hey, Sunny,” he waves back.

“Who’s the new kid?” she asked with a smile.

“I don't know his name yet, but he just got here a little while ago,” he explains. “I’m supposed to show him around and make sure he understands the rules and stuff.”

“I see...”

She then extends a hoof to me.

“Hi there, my name is Sunny Daze. And what's your name?” she smiles.

As I met her gaze, her face said it all. What was once a warm smile quickly turns to a sorrow frown, as she looked into my eyes. I could tell that she saw the pain that was resonating in my eyes.

“Say, Dusky. Why don't you just show him to his bed and give him some space.”

“Huh, why?” he asks, with a confused look.

“Well, look at him. It easy to see that he's been through all today. So just give him a chance to get over the shock,” she explains.

“I guess you're right,” he replies.

I followed him into the bedroom where everypony sleeps, regardless of gender. There were 6 beds total, three on each side of the bedroom. The beds looked very uncomfortable, as if they were nothing but a brick with padding on it. The sheets weren’t much better, each having tears in various spots. Above the beds were blackboards, which state the name of the foal the bed belong to. From right to left it read: Sunny Daze, Dusky Night, Mist Twister, Scootaloo, Spirit Runner, and Thunder Runner.

“Well I guess you’ll be taking Mist’s old bed because she was adopted,” Dusky said leading me to the bed in the farthest corner of the room.

It looks like I'll be sleeping across from Scootaloo.

'Scootaloo? That name sounds familiar...' I thought.

As I got into the bed, I turn to the wall and try to fall asleep. I hear the hoofbeats of the two ponies leave the room.

“We leave to give you some space,” says Sunny Daze.

I slightly turn my head and utter a simple 'thank you' before facing the wall. After a few moments, I slowly start to drift off.

In my dream, I was walking down a moonlit road. As the cool night breeze caressed my face, I see a figure down the road. Focusing my eyes, I see that the figure is my mom. She was facing away from me, but I could tell it was her.

“MOMMY!” I yell.

I desperately gallop to reach her. But no matter how fast I galloped, couldn't reach her. Just when it feet like I'm getting closer to her, she begins to walk away.

“MOMMY...WAIT FOR ME!” I yell, trying to catch up with her.

As she continued to walk away, the tear began to flow from my eye.

“Mommy...please don't leave me!” I plead.

She then stops and began to slowly turn toward me. I stop in my tracks when I see her face. It was all scratched up and bleeding. The image reminded me of what happened to her. I curled up in a ball and cried into my hooves.

“...olden...” I hear.

I look up from my hooves to see my mother is gone. I look around to see that now I'm in a black void.

“olden...ake...up...”

Looking around, I try to find the source of the voice.

“H-Hello? Who's there?”

“GOLDEN WINGS, WAKE UP!” yelled the voice.

The sheer volume caused me to jump up. I woke up and went crashing onto the floor. Rubbing my head, I get to my hooves to see who woke me up. To my surprise it was the orange pegasus filly from school.

“What's was that for?” I said, a little drowsy. “I was trying to sleep.”

“Well you wouldn't have gotten up otherwise,” she says, with an annoyed frown.

“Well, what do you want?” I ask as I climb back into my bed.

“I came to get you for dinner,” she explains. “If we don't hurry up, we won't get to eat.”

“So what...”

“Look, I know you've been through a lot today. But you're not gonna get any better unless you eat.”

“I don't care...” I sigh, pulling the sheet over me.

“WHERE IS SCOOTALOO AND THAT NEW FOAL?” bellowed a voice.

That voice sounds like Ms. Hooves, but something off. She sounds nothing like the sweet mare I met earlier. After a few muffled responses, she bellowed again.

“Go find them, NOW!”

Not soon after that, we here the patter of hooves running across the floor. We then hear them ascending the stairs. The orange filly then looks at me with eyes pleading.

“We should leave already. You don't wanna get in trouble on the first day, do you?” Scootaloo asks.

To be honest I couldn't care less if I got in trouble. My world had been taken from me, so what else do I have to lose. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I turn to see Dusky Night panting slightly.

“Dusky, thank Celestia you're here. Can you please help me get him out of here? I don’t want him getting in trouble,” she pleads.

“It’s fine Scootaloo, just go downstairs and eat,” Dusky says nudging her towards the stairs.

“Sure, just get Golden Wings downstairs quick okay. You know how Ms. Hooves hates it when we're late for dinner,” Scootaloo says before leaving the room.

Dusky then turns to me with a sincere smile.

“So, you're name's, Golden Wing, huh?”

I nod in response before laying back down.

“Ok Golden Wings, let’s see if we can get you downstairs,” Dusky says before moving closer to me.

I didn't feel like being bothered by anypony right now, especially other foals.

“What’s the point?” I respond.

“So we can eat, duh.”

“I’m not hungry,” I said before turning away from the colt.

He trots over to the side I'm facing.

“Come on, you don’t want to starve. I mean we only get to eat once a day,” he explains.

I turn back to the other side and he moved back to side I was on again.

'Can't he take a hint?' I thought.

I move again, and he moves right along with me.

“I can do this all night, y'know,” he states.

“So, you’re not going to leave until I go with you, are you?” I ask with a sigh.

“Nope! I’m going to stay here until you decide to come and eat. So are you coming?” he says with confident smirk.

“Might as well,” I sigh, as I slowly roll off the bed.

“That's the spirit, Golden Wings,” smiles Dusky Night.

'It's not like I have anything better to do' I mentally sigh.

With that thought, I trudge behind the colt. As we made our way down the stairs, we head toward the dining room. We open the door and see all the foals were sitting around the table, with Ms. Hooves sitting at the head of the table. As we step inside the room, we're greeted by the scornful scowl of Ms. Hooves.

“Dusky, I thought I told you to explain to him the rules?” she says, with a slight firmness in her voice.

This definitely a different mare than the one I met when I first got here. She now seems cold and uncaring. Turning the Dusky Night, I see him shifting nervously.

“I-I did, M-Ms. Hooves,” he stutters.

'Why is he acting like he's in trouble?' I wonder.

Ms. Hooves then gets up from her seat to make her way toward us. As she did, I hear the foals around the table begin to whisper amongst themselves.

'What's with everypony?' I ask, a little confused.

As she stands in front of us, I feel like a mouse standing before a vicious lion. Using her magic to lift us off the floor, she glares daggers at the two of us.

“If that's true, then why was he late for dinner?!” she says pressing her snout against his.

“I don't know,” he gulps.

'I didn't want him to get in trouble because of me. '

I clear my throat to speak, which made turn her attention to me.

“Ms. Hooves, it's my fault,” I start. “He did tell me the rules, I just wasn't hungry so I decided stayed upstairs.”

He then looks at me with mixed look of confusion and relief. She looks at him with a sharp glare.

“Is this true, Dusky?” she asks.

“Y-Yes, ma'am!” he responds.

She releases him and he quickly made his way to his seat. She then presses her snout again mine.

“Let's get one thing straight, you little brat!” she starts.

'Little brat?'

“I don't care that you lost your mom today or the fact that she died in your hooves. We have strict rules here and I expect you to follow them. For example, being on time for dinner,” she explains, in a dark tone.

“But I...” I start.

Her magical grip on me starts to tighten. After a few seconds, it starts to hurt.

“And there will be no talking back. Do you understand?”

Taking the hint, I furiously nod my head.

“Yes...” I strain.

“That's not correct response. You either say 'Yes, ma'am' or 'Yes, Ms. Hooves',” she says with a stoic look.

“Y-Yes, M-Ms. Hooves,” I quickly respond.

“That's better...” she speaks, with a smug grin.

As she releases me from her magical grip, I plop onto the floor.

“Now, hurry up and take your seat.”

“Where's that?” I ask.

She then points to the seat next to Dusky Night and that orange filly, Scootaloo I think is her name. I then took a look at the small amount of food on the table. There was but a single plateful of hay, that look they've lying on the ground for weeks at time. The apples that the nastiest worm wouldn't want. Not to mention our so-called water look like something you would get from a dirty bog. But then I turn to see that Ms. Hooves plate is filled with fresh hay, ripe apples, and she had crisp, clean water.

'Why do we have eat like this and she doesn't?' I silently huff.

She looks up from her plate to catch me staring at hers.

“Is there a problem?” she says, with her words lace with venom.

I quickly turn back to my plate.

“N-No, ma'am.”

After the disgusting dinner, which tasted like it came straight from a landfill, it was time for us to go to bed. As I start walking back to the bedroom, somepony calls out to me.

“Hey, Golden Wings.”

Turning around, I see Scootaloo trotting up to me.

“Hey,” I replied downheartedly.

“So, it looks like we're gonna be living together, huh?” she says, as she made circles with her hoof.

“I guess so...” I reply.

Before she could reply, Ms. Hooves shouts for the dining room,

“Stop talking and get to bed!” she demands.

With that, both Scootaloo and I went towards the bedroom and join the other foals. As we walk up the stairs, Scootaloo turns to me.

“Hey Golden,” Scootaloo said getting my attention.

“Yeah?”

“Now that you’re responding, I'm guessing that you weren't really paying attention to Dusky when he was explaining the rules, huh?” she asks.

“Not really...” I admit.

“Well, they're pretty simple. There's no running in the house, no yelling, be home by nightfall, bedtime 10 o'clock sharp, and be at dinner on time,” she explains. “But the most important rule here is...no talking back to Ms. Hooves. EVER!”

Not sure why she put emphasis on that last part, but at least I now know the rules.

“Well, what happens if we break any of them?” I ask.

“You get sent to the basement for the night and you don't get dinner,” Scootaloo says as we walk into bedroom.

Consider the meal we just had, I wouldn't really call that a punishment.

“Well, it's getting late and don't wanna have Ms. Hooves upset at us, right,” she winks.

I don't know why, but that wink made me slightly chuckle.

“I guess you're right, Scootaloo.”

We both went to our respective beds and wrap ourselves with our tattered sheets. Once everypony was in their beds, Ms. Hooves appeared at the door.

“Good night, little foals,” she says, with a fake smile.

“Good night, Ms. Hooves,” we say in unison.

With that she shuts off the light and closes the door. With the events of today still lingering in my head, I slowly close my eyes to try and get some sleep.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait (life y'know :twilightsheepish:).

Chapter 03 - Where do I go From Here?

It was long night for me. When I would get comfortable enough to sleep, the images of my mom dying would fill my mind. After tossing and turning I eventually was able to get some sleep. That time was brief because I was woken up by Ms. Hooves busting the door opening. Still a little groggy, look to see her scanning the room to see if everypony is still asleep.

“Wake up, brats! It's time for school!” she barked.

I then see everypony leave their beds and line up in front of her.

Geez, what is this place? A boot camp?

Given what I've been through in the last 24 hours, school was the last place I wanted to go right now. So, I simply wrap myself with the tattered sheet and lie in my bed. Before I could drift off, I feel myself being levitated off my bed. I then look to see that it Ms. Hooves who has me in her magical grasp.

“And what do you think you're doing?” she hisses.

“I don't feel like going to school tod-” I start.

This was quickly cutoff by her thrusting me to the floor. I see the other foals slightly winch, as they hear me crash to the floor. While still in her magical grip, I rise to my hooves. She levitates me to where I'm looking into her eyes. Pressing her snout against mine, she says,

“Are we really going to start off the day like this, brat?” she yells.

Why does keep calling me that?

“But I-” I try to say.

This is cut short by a familiar pressure around my body. As it is lightly crushing my being, I see the sinister glare on Ms. Hooves face.

“Listening up, ya little grass stain. If all you little foals don't go to school, this orphanage doesn't get the money it needs to stay open. And that would mean all these foals would be without a home. But more importantly, I would be without a job. And we wouldn't want that, would we?”

Frankly I could care less if she didn't have a job, but I didn't want the other foal to be homeless.

“No...” I strain.

“I didn't think so,” she says, with a smug smirk.

Releasing me from her magical grip, I plop onto the floor.

“Now get in line!” she barks.

Not wanting to cause any more problems, I quickly get in line. With all of us now in line, we march down to the front door. Once the at the door, she then casts a spell over all of us.

What was that?

“Okay, no hurry up or you'll be late,” she says with a fake smile.

“Yes, Ms. Hooves,” we all say.

As we walk out of the house, she gives us each a kiss on the forehead.

“Have a wonderful day, my little angels,” she says, as a few ponies pass by the front gate.

I hear the audible 'aww' come from the passing ponies. As I see trot off in the distance I could help but chuckle.

If they only knew.

+------------------+

“Crap! I'm gonna be late!” I say, dashing through Ponyville.

I had made detour to my old home to see what had became of it. I have no idea why, but I just had to see it one more time. I was shocked to find out that they had already tore it down. I was there longer than I intend to, and now I'm barreling to Ponyville to make to school on time.

I'm pretty sure there's a punishment for not getting to school on time, I say to my self. If I cut through here, I should be able to make it.

As soon as I turn the corner, I crash into an unsuspecting mare. Lying on the ground I soon regain my composure. I then look to the mare is still on her haunches.

“I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to run into you,” I say, extending a hoof.

Accepting my gesture, the shy blue unicorn rose to her hooves.

“Oh it's okay, little one,” she says, in a melodious voice. “What's your hurry? If you don't mind asking.”

“I'm running late for school. I really am sorry,” I continue to apologize.

She then pats my head.

“Don't worry about it,” she says, with a warm smile. “Now, why don't you run along now.”

“Okay, I will...” I say, before looking at her.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Her flowing black, which cascades down the left side of her face, her gentle brown eyes. Well aside from her color being a unicorn, she was the spiting image of my mother. My thoughts were interrupted by the mare voice.

“Um....something the matter, little one,” she asks, tilting her head.

“Oh, sorry,” I apologize. “You just look like somepony I knew...”

“Oh....well okay then. Um, don't you have somewhere to be, little one?” she asks.

Somewhere to be?

I then hear the school bell ring.

Oh, crap!

“Uh-oh, I gotta go Miss...uh...”

“My name's Shy Heart,” she replies.

“I'm Golden Wings,” I say, turning to run to the school. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Shy Heart.”

“Bye, Golden Wings. It was nice meeting you, too,” she says, with a smile.

With no time to lose, I make a mad dash to the school.

+------------------+

Completely winded, I finally could see the school in my sights. Ms. Cheerilee was just about to close the door when she sees me galloping. As I reach the door a sat on my haunches to catch my breath. Looking up at Ms. Cheerilee, I could tell she was surprised to see me at school.

“G-Golden, I thought that you would've stayed home today?”

“I tried to but Ms. Hooves wouldn't let me,” I explain.

“Wouldn't let you? What do you mean?” she asks, with an arched eyebrow.

“Well, she-,” I start.

Then feel a slight pressure on my throat, which caused me to cough.

What the hay?!

Clearing my throat, I try again.

“She forc-”

The same thing happens again. Ms. Cheerilee looks at me with a concern.

“Are you okay, Golden?”

“Yeah...just a little tickle in my throat,” I lie. “Anyways, Ms. Hooves-”

Again I couldn't say anything.

What's going on? Why can't I-

At that moment, it hit me like a ton of bricks. That spell she cast on us before we left the house. It must be stopping me from saying negative about Ms. Hooves.

I can't believe how sadistic that mare is...

Gathering myself I then look at Ms. Cheerilee, who has look on her face that was a mixture of confusion and worry. I try to think of an excuse that wouldn't be a lie. Then I thought of it.

“I just had to come to school, Ms. Cheerilee. I know my mom would've wanted me to keep up my schoolwork,” I say.

I then feel Ms. Cheerilee's hoof on my shoulder.

“Golden, I know you've been through a lot. You can go home if -”

“NO!” I nearly shout, which made her retract her hoof.

The last thing I want is to be alone her, I think to myself.

I then clear my throat.

“I mean, thanks for being understanding Ms. Cheerilee. But I think I'll be able to get through class.

She looks at me for a moment, and then gives me a warming smile.

“Okay, but if you need to step outside for a moment you can. Okay, Golden Wings,” she says.

“Yes, ma'am,” I reply.

“Alright now let's hurry in, class is starting,” she says, ushering me inside.

I quickly make my way inside. Before I could get all my hooves in the door, Scootaloo calls out to me.

“Golden, there you are,” she says running up to me.

Her two friends also trotting up right behind her.

“Hi, Golden Wings,” smiles Sweetie Belle.

“Uh, hi... Sweetie Belle right?”

“Yep!”

“We were thinking that you weren't coming,” says the yellow filly.

“Why's that?” I ask.

I see them turn their gazes toward the ground.

“We...heard about your mom...” says Sweetie Belle.

“Oh...” I respond.

I figured the other foals would've heard about it by now. But I didn't think it would've been this fast.

“Yeah I really don't wanna talk about it,” I say.

“Well, if y'all ever need somepony to talk to, you can come see us,” Apple Bloom.

That kinda made me feel better.

“Thanks you guys,” I smile.

“Well, if it isn't Cutie Mark Losaders,” says a voice behind the girls.

We turn to see the pink and gray fillies from the other day. As I see the three of them glare at the two of them, I immediately knew that these fillies were not friend.

“What you doing here Diamond Tiara?” frowns Apple Bloom.

“Anything we want losers,” the gray filly replies.

“No one asked you Silver Spoon,” said Scootaloo.

Not wanting to be part of this fight, I try to make my way to my seat. But before I got too far, Silver Spoon steps in front of me.

“So are you going to join their little loser club too, blank flank?” she asks.

My patience was already on the low side and this filly was already pushing it. I neither want nor need to be involved with their petty squabble. I look at her with a cold glare.

“First off, my name 's Golden Wings, not blank flank. And second, I've been through a lot the past 24 hours so if you wouldn't mind I'd like to get to my seat,” I say coldly.

Taking the hint, she quickly moves out of my way. As I made my way to my seat I could hear the other foals whispers, but I could care less. Sitting in my chair, Ms. Cheerilee is ready to being class.

+------------------+

During classes I would catch that Diamond Tiara filly glaring back at me. Ignoring her as best I could, I hear Ms. Cheerilee is asking for a volunteer to answer a problem on the board.

“Golden Wings...” she calls out.

“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee,” I answer.

“Would you mind solving this problem?” she asks.

“Sure thing, Ms. Cheerilee,” I reply.

Getting up from my seat, I make my way to the board. Before I reach the board, I feel something hit the back of my head. As the foals in class were laughing, I turn around to see a ball of paper on the floor next to me.

“Okay, who was the foal that threw that?!” Ms. Cheerilee asks.

No pony answers. After looking around, I see Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara snickering to each other.

Real mature, you two...

“If no pony speaks up then I'm canceling recess for the rest of the day,” Ms. Cheerilee threatens.

We all knew who threw it, but we also follow the unwritten 'No Snitching' rule.

“Very well, recess is canceled for the day.”

The whole class groans as their recess now taken away because of some immature foal. I shrug it off and proceed to the board. Looking at problem (7 x 3 = ?), I easily knew the answer. Taking the chalk I write the down the answer (21).

“Very good, Golden Wings,” smiles Ms. Cheerilee. “You can take your seat.”

“Okay.”

Making my way back to my seat, I'm tripped by Diamond Tiara. I look back to see her sticking her tongue at me.

This filly is really pushing it with me! I seethe.

“Golden are you okay?” asks Scootaloo, offering me a hoof up.

“Yeah, I just tripped,” I say, glaring back at Diamond.

She looks at Diamond and then to me.

“Oh, I see,” she says.

Helping me up, Scootaloo helps me to my seat. She leans in to whisper,

“Don't let them get to you,” she winks.

I don't why, but that made me smile a little.

“S-Sure,” I whispers.

Went back to my seat and the class continues.

+------------------+

It's lunch time now, and I'm sitting underneath the tree at the end of the playground. While a reading book, I hear hoof steps approaching me.

“Hey, Golden,” says a familiar voice.

I look up to see that it is Scootaloo and her friends.

“Hey, Scootaloo.”

“Mind if we sit with you?” she asks.

“Umm...no. Go right ahead,” I reply.

The three filly's form a semi-circle around me. After an awkward silence, Scootaloo speaks up.

“So, you're pretty good at math huh?”

“Yeah,” I say rubbing the back. “I learned it at my old school.”

“I was kind wondering if you can help us out with our math homework?

“Umm, sure. Are you guys bad at it?”

They nervously chuckle.

“You could say that,” Sweetie Belle smiles sheepishly.

“I see...”

Another awkward silence later, Sweetie Belle speaks up this time.

“So...um...,” Sweetie Belle starts. “I know it's sudden, but would you like to join the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

“The who?” I asks.

“That's the name of our group,” Apple Bloom smiles. “We do a buncha stuff to try an' get our Cutie Marks.”

“Sounds interesting...”

“So, what do ya say, Golden. Wanna join?” asks Scootaloo.

“Well...” I say, tapping my chin with my hoof.

Before I could give answer, Diamond Tiara made her way over to us.

“Hey you!” she says, pointing a hoof at me.

“What...”

“You're gonna apologize to my friend for what you did to her earlier,” she sneers

She gotta be joking right?

“We're not in the mood for you Diamond,” Scootaloo sighs.

“Oh look, I didn't know chickens could talk?” Diamond scoffs.

Chicken?

Next thing that I knew, Scootaloo was snout to snout with the pink filly.

“I dare you to say that again!” Scootaloo yells.

“Ooh, the chicken's angry...” Silver Spoon teases.

“Sh-Shut up!” Scootaloo shouts.

“Yeah, she is not a chicken,” Sweetie Belle explains. “She's a dodo.”

The other foals began to laugh.

“Sweetie that's not helping,” says Apple Bloom.

I finally say something.

“Why are you calling her a 'chicken'? Did you wimp out of a dare or something?” I ask.

Diamond looks at me and chuckles.

“I forgot you're new here, so you don't know. Scootaloo hear is a pegasus pony...” she explains, circling Scootaloo. “Who can't even fly. How embarrassing...”

As I see the other foals laugh, I felt a stirring in my chest. I reminds of the foals from my other school that picked on me. Seeing that Scootaloo was almost on the verge of tears, something in me snaps.

“What's wrong with being a pegasus that can't?” I yell.

My angered words causes the crowd to fall silent.

“What was that?” Diamond says, glaring at me.

“I said, ' What's wrong with being a pegasus that can't?'”

“Well, for starters. She already eight-year old, but can't fly. Even Pound Cake was flying within a month after he was born.”

“So what. Some pegasi take longer to fly than others,” I say, defending Scootaloo.

“Why are you sticking up for that chicken?” she asks.

“That's not her name!”

Diamond flinches at my words.

“Why do you care? It not like you can't fly either...”

I take a step back at her words. She then smiles smugly at me.

“Now, I see. I guess birds of a feather flock together, huh,” she teases. “What's wrong, blank flank? Did your mommy not have time to teach how?”

“Don't you dare talk about her like that!”

“Oh, hit a nerve, did I? Or maybe she didn't because she thought it would've been a waste of her time.”

Hearing that, my blood came to a boil. In my rage, I tackle her to the ground. As I reached back to deliver a stomp to her face, her friend knocks me off of her. Before anything else could happen, I was grabbed Ms. Cheerilee.

“Golden Wings, what is the meaning of this?!” she bellows. “Why are you attacking a fellow.”

“It ain't his fault, Ms. Cheerilee,” speaks Apple Bloom. “Diamond Tiara started it.”

“Oh really?” she asks, with and arched eyebrow.

Before she could question me, I run from the schoolyard. Ignoring the pleads from my friends and Ms. Cheerilee for me to stop, I continue to run into town.

+------------------+

After running for a few minutes, I came to the park. Finding a bench, I sat down to take a rest. Rubbing my eyes, I lightly sob.

“Stupid, Diamond Tiara...”

She had no right to talk about my mother in that way. As I think about what happen I hear soft voice call out to me.

“Oh hello there. Why are you crying, little one?”

I look to see that it was the mare from earlier today. Shy Heart I believe her name was. Wiping her eyes, I turn to her.

“Huh? Oh hi, Ms. Shy Heart. It's nothing,” I say after a sniffle.

She then places a hoof on my shoulder.

“Well, it doesn’t look like nothing to me,” she says with a concern frown. “You want to tell me what's wrong?”

“Okay. I was at school a filly named Diamond Tiara who was picking on me. I normally ignore stupid foals like that, but I've been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours.”

“Oh... Well, don't worry her,” she says, with a gentle smile. “You should just be happy, and not let that filly get to you.”

Just hearing her say that gave me a little comfort. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I smile at her.

“That's something my mom would've said...”

“Would have? Where is you mother, little one?” she asks.

No sooner than I hear her say that, my eyes begin to water. Fighting back the tears, I turn away from her. As I try not to cry, I hear slight gasp.

“You mean... Oh I'm so sorry...” she says, as she wraps me in a hug.

This simple embrace gave so much comfort. I nuzzle her chest as I melt into the caring hug.

“It's okay. You didn't know,” I sniffle.

As she let me go, she looks at me with a gentle smile.

“Say, would you like to get some ice cream?” she asks.

I could feel my face morph into massive grin.

“Ice cream? Yes!” I nod furiously.

She giggles at my reaction.

“Come on, its my treat,” she smiles

“Yay!” I say, bouncing in place.

We then head to Sugarcube Corner.

+------------------+

While at Sugarcube Corner, we both enjoy our ice cream cones. As I was eating she asks,

“So, where u from?”

“I'm from Fillydelphia. My mom and me moved here after my dad passed away,” I say, a little melancholy.

“Oh.... I'm so sorry to hear that.”

“That's okay. It was rough but my mom pulled us through it,” I say, with a small smile.

I then stare at my ice cream.

“Y-Yesterday, my m-mom died in my hooves,” I say, as I feel the tears start to surface. “She was all I had left in the world and now she's gone.”

As the tears stream down my face, I feel her hoof lift my chin to meet her gaze.

“Hey don't cry anymore. You don't ever have to feel that you're alone,” she says with a warm smile, then places a hoof on my chest. “Because they'll always be watching over you. And even if they're not here physically, they'll always be in your heart.”

Her words move me down to my very core. At that moment, everything seem to be right with the world. After wiping away me tears, I give her a tight hug.

“Thanks, Ms. Shy Heart.”

“You can just call me Shy,” she replies.

“Thank you, Shy,” I smile.

“Anytime, Golden Wings,” she smiles back.

This tender moment was interrupted, by the chime of the door bell. I look to see that Scootaloo had just came in. The way she is looking around, I guess she is looking for somepony. She then looks my way and smiles.

“There you are Golden. I've been looking everywhere for you,” she beams.

As she walks over to our table, she notices Shy Heart.

“Hi there. I'm Scootaloo, who are you?” she smiles.

“Oh, my name is Shy Heart,” Shy answers.

“Nice to meet you.”

Scootaloo then turns to me.

“Ms. Hooves is looking for you,” she says, nervously shifting.

“Really? Why?”

“Beats me...” she shrugs.

“Okay. Well, I'll see you around, Shy. Thanks for the ice cream and the talk it really helped.”

“No problem. I'll see you around,” she says, with a warm smile.

We then leave Sugarcube corner.

That time I spent with Shy Heart helped my put my circumstances in perspective. True I may have lost my mom physically, but with her memory in my heart she will never truly be gone. I feel a smile form on my face, as I look back to Sugarcube Corner.

Thanks, Shy

Author's Note

Many thanks to fluttercord45 for allowing me to use her OC character Shy Heart.

Chapter 04 - Diamond and Rust

As we made our way to the orphanage, Scootaloo remained eerily quiet. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I decided against it. When we made it back, Ms. Hooves was waiting for us.

“Both of you...my office…Now!” she spoke in a bemused tone.

From the tone and scowl on her face, you could tell she was upset about something. We followed her into her office and took a seat at her desk. She then closed the door with her magic. After a few moments of silence she finally spoke.

“The first one of you to correctly guess why you’re in here is the one who gets to have a pillow at bedtime tonight.”

That statement made me feel a bit uneasy.

“Umm...I don’t have a clue why-” I began before being cut off.

“If you don’t have an answer then don’t speak!” she hissed.

I flinched at the harshness of her tone.

“I don’t know either ma’am,” Scootaloo added. “Why are we–”

Ms. Hooves then let out a bemused sigh.

“Ok...let me explain this in a way that even two brats like you can understand. Today’s incident was inexcusable,” she spoke with a sneering scowl.

“Huh?” replied Scootaloo.

“What’re you talking about?” I asked in confusion.

“Seriously? You don’t think that there was anything wrong with your behavior at school today? You think that attacking a student was acceptable?!” she barked.

“What?! The Tiara brat started it!” I responded. “She dared to insult my mother.”

“Yeah. Golden just reacted to her–” Scootaloo defended.

“I don’t care what she said!” she seethed. “You cannot be fighting at school! Do you have any idea how thin the ice here is? Do you have any idea how many times the town’s been petitioning to stop funding this place; which the two of you are depending on for everything?!”

“But she had no right to say those things–” I started.

“No…she didn’t. She had no right to say what she said; but I am also saying you had no business attacking her!”

It was clear that it didn’t matter to her that that brat offended my deceased mother, but rather the actions I took to retaliate. I just rolled my eyes in response.

“Whatever...are we done?” I huffed.

“No! We’re not done! We are far from done! As long as you live in my orphanage; you will respect its rules and myself! You don’t have to like living here; but it’s the best you’ve got now!”

I just let out a huff.

“So what’s my punishment? Sleeping in the rat’s nest you call our beds?” I quipped as you looked toward the window.

“Look… at…me…” she commanded with a firm manner.

Her tone caught my attention and I quickly turned to her.

“What?” I replied.

She took a deep breath as if to compose herself.

“I am not your mother. This is not your home. But for now I am your legal guardian and this is the house you live in. You don’t like it here? Well, neither do any of the others but I am the best that any of you’ve got.”

“I know you’re not her...nopony ever will be,” I sighed.

“You have it hard; but so does everypony else here. My strict rules of conduct are the only things keeping the roof over your head. As of right now; you are the only two who are threatening that. Am…I…clear?”

“Yes ma’am” we both replied.

“You might not think so now but I care about all of you,” she spoke before giving us both a stern look. “Which is exactly why we’re going to make sure that no more fights break out.”

“And how’s that?” I asked

“Since you’re both suspended for a day. You for fighting and you Scootaloo for your excessive tardies, will spend the whole day scrubbing down the rooms you call a rat nest.”

“What?!” whined Scootaloo.

“That’s not fair. She started it!” I defended.

“And then you escalated it; and now I’m ending it,” she stated steadfastly.

“I lost my mom yesterday. How did you expect me to react?” I disputed.

She then rose from her desk and walked over to us.

“You want to hit somepony?”

She stood in front of me.

“No...yes...I don’t know...I just...” I stammered, not able to gather my thoughts.

She then leaned down to meet my gaze.

“You just what?” she calmly asked.

Just remembering what that arrogant filly said began to make my blood boil.

“I…I just don’t want anypony disrespecting my mother’s memory. The things she said…I just lost it,” I explained.

“And are you going to lose it again?” Ms. Hooves asked.

I looked away from her.

“I don’t know…” you softly spoke.

She then guided my gaze back to hers by using her magic.

“Well, I suggest you figure that out soon,” she sternly spoke.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh Ms. Hooves,” chimed in Scootaloo.

“Clearly I’m not being harsh enough; if I were, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” she countered.

“Whatever…like I care,” I huffed.

“You should!” Ms. Hooves warned.

“Well I don’t,” I said with rolled eyes.

“And why not?” she asked.

I knew nothing I would say would change her opinion on the matter, so I chose to keep my mouth shut.

“I asked you a question!” she snapped.

I remained silent.

“Fine then,” she huffed. “If you won't talk to me; then you can talk to Diamond Tiara. When you go back to school you’re going to apologize to her.”

‘WHAT?!’ I internally screamed. “I’m not apologizing to that self-entitled brat.

“Yes…you are…” she spoke in an ‘as a matter of fact’ tone.

I looked dead in her eyes.

“No, and you can’t make me!”

Her glare felt as if she shot a dagger into my very soul. She then recomposed herself, before she turned to Scootaloo.

“To be honest; I expected this from you. You’re usually the one causing trouble for me. Obviously you’ve been a terrible influence on him.”

‘Is she kidding right now?’ I questioned.

I looked to see the panic and fear that emanated from Scootaloo’s eyes.

“What? No ma’am. I didn’t-” she started.

I stood in front of Scootaloo.

“She has nothing to do with it,” I defended.

She then looked down to us with a great sense of authority.

“Let me make this clear. This home’s ability to house so many children has been challenged. I REFUSE to send anypony away without a fight...but if it comes to that to keep this place running...”

She doesn’t say anything else, but keeps eye contact with both of us for a while longer. Scootaloo let out an audible gulp, but her scare tactic didn’t really work on me.

“I don’t care. I’m not apologizing for defending my mother’s memory. That filly had it coming,” I pouted.

For a brief moment, she looked like she is ready to break down right there in front of us.

“Out! Both of you! And don’t be late for dinner!” Ms. Hooves instructed.

“Yes ma’am...” we responded, as we’re ushered out of her office.

We didn’t say a word, and head to our room to unpack.

Upon reaching the room, I toss my bag on my bed and flop on to it. As I stared at the ceiling, the events of what happened at the school flooded my mind. I can just see the smug look on her face, the shrillness of her tone, the way she carried herself like she was better than you were. Just remembering it, started to make you angry. As a result, you ended up hitting your ‘mattress’ in frustration.

“Stupid Diamond Tiara!” I growled.

I covered my eyes with my forehoof and tried to calm myself down. As I did I heard faint hoofsteps approach my bed.

“Go away!” I groaned.

“Oh...ok...” spoke the voice.

I immediately recognized the voice.

“Scootaloo?”

“Yeah,” she timidly replied.

I sat up to look at her.

“What’s up?”

“Well it’s...um...,” she stammered as she shifted around nervously. “I can come back later...if you’d rather...”

“No it’s fine,” I waved it off. “Did you need something?”

“You still up for helping me with my math?”

‘Huh? What is she–’ I thought before I remember our conversation. “Oh right, sorry I totally spaced it. Got a lot on my mind right now.”

“I figured...”

“Anywho, so let’s get started,” I said as I made room for her.

She then hopped onto the bed and settled in. She set the math book in front of us and began to flip through the pages. As she laid next to me, I notice the pleasant scent of raspberries.

‘She smells nice,’ I thought before shook my head. “So what problems are you having with math?”

“Well...I just don’t get fractions...” she admitted.

“Fractions? I remember those. So, what don’t you get about them?”

“Well...all of it...” she sheepishly grinned.

I let out a small chuckle.

“Okay let’s start with the first problem.”

She grabs a piece of paper and pencil from her saddlebag. I look over the problems on the sheet and see that it’s basic addition and subtraction for fractions.

“So where are you having trouble?” I asked.

She pointed to the first problem on the sheet.”

“This one...I just don’t get it,” she said scratching her head. “2/3 + 3/4 should be 5/7…right?”

‘Okay, I see where the problem is,’ I deduced. “No…no…you don’t just add the two. You first have to find the common denominator.”

She looked at me with a confused look.

“...common what?” she queried.

I rolled my eyes.

“The common denominator. It’s the numbers at the bottom,” I explained.

“What about them?”

“See, they have a number that they both have in common. Now, what number does 3 and 4 go into?”

She closed her eyes and thought for a minute, then snapped open her eyes.

“Oh! It’s twelve!”

“Good…”

“Okay...so...it’s now 2/12+ 3/12?”

“Not quite. Now, multiply four with the two and three to the three since 4x3 is 12. So it will be 8/12 + 9/12.”

“So...that would make it 17/12. Which is…um…1 and 5/12, right?”

“You got it Scootaloo.”

“Really?” she smiled

“Eeyup, see it’s just that simple.”

“I think I got it…”

“Let’s try the next one.”

She nodded with enthusiasm as we tackle the next problem. To my surprise, she was a very quick study. With each one we did, she would be able to figure them quicker and quicker. After what seemed like a few minutes, we decided to take a break.

“You seem to be getting it Scootaloo,” I praised.

“Ya thing so? Thanks,” she beamed. “You’re a really good teacher.”

“It’s nothing. My old school just had an advance curriculum is all,” I replied.

“Well in any case. I owe ya big for this…”

When I saw her carefree smile, it somehow made me feel better. Something as simple as earning a smile for helping her with her homework was enough to make me smile in return. He began to chuckle at the thought.

“Huh...what so funny?” she asked.

“That doing something as simple as homework is enough to make me feel better,” I stated.

“Glad to hear it...I know you’ve had a rough day…”

“Well, you were there. That whole thing with Diamond Tiara. Plus, Ms. Hooves yelled at us.”

“Yeah…”

“But just spending time with you like this was...well it was fun.”

“It kinda was…even if it was homework...”

To that, we both let out a much needed laugh. It felt good to be able to laugh like this again. After we were able to compose ourselves, I look at the clock and noticed the time.

“Uh-oh. We’re late for dinner!”

“Oh no...Ms. Hooves is going to be mad,” she gulped.

We packed up everything and quickly head downstairs.

Once we arrived we are met with a stern glare upon as we enter the room. Scootaloo quickly spoke up.

“Sorry we’re late. Golden was helping me with-” she began.

“Did I ask why you are late?! I don’t care why! It doesn’t matter what you say; the fact remains you two are late even after I explicitly told you two to be here on time!” she barked.

The firmness in her voice made both of us flinch.

“Sorry ma’am. It won’t happen again,” she bowed.

Though Scootaloo hurried to her seat I was in no hurry to get to my seat.

“Anything you want to add Golden Wings?” asked Ms. Hooves.

“Not a thing,” I replied.

She let out an annoyed huff as I say down to await the deplorable dinner ahead of you.

“Fine, be that way,” she scoffed.

She the levitated a plate of stale bread with overdone rice and vegetables.

“Eat up, brat.”

Just as I was about to I noticed that Scootaloo’s and the other foals plates were empty.

“Um Ms. Hooves? Where’s our food?” Scootaloo asked.

Ms. Hooves then looked straight into my eyes.

“After the complaint we’ve had about the food here, we’re going to address one of them. Golden Wings is the only one with a filled plate. Eat up; show us exactly how much a serving this ‘garbage’ needs to be,” she explained.

“You can’t be serious?!” I replied in disbelief.

“Oh yes I am very serious. I take my role as provider very earnestly; and that includes complaints,” she spoke.

“So, if I don’t eat then nopony does?”

She narrowed her eyes to emphasize her point.

“Not…a…single…scrap!”

I couldn’t believe the lengths she would go to make an example out of me. I wanted to refuse but then I saw the hungry foals around the table. I couldn’t in good conscience deny them a meal, no matter how bad it may be.

“Fine!” I said with a steely resolve.

I then picked up my fork and put the first bite of carrots, celery and rice in my mouth. It wasn’t as bad as the first meal I had, but it was still a challenge to eat. Both the rice vegetables were mushy and felt like I was eating expired paste. In spite of this, I kept eating. With each bite, I fought off the urge of wanting to throw up and push through the meal. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ms. Hooves diligently looking at me, as if expecting me to crack.

‘There’s no way…I’m losing to you!’

Through force of will, I managed to clean my plate.

“There…I’m done,” I proudly spoke.

“Well...clearly it's not as bad as you it’s made out to be,” Ms. Hooves smugly grinned.

True to her word, she then filled everypony else’s plates. As she made her way back to her seat she began eating as well. Once again, the quality of her food far exceeded our own.

“Well Golden; clearly it’s not as bad being part of this family as you like to say it is.”

Fighting off my upset stomach, I looked back to her in defiance.

“You’re right. It’s worse,” I replied.

“What was that?”

“Nothing...if you’ll excuse me. I think I’m about to hurl.”

“You miserable, ungrateful brat! Every colt and filly here lost their home and I open mine to all of you! If this is the thanks I get...then clearly I’m not doing my job,” she barked as she slammed her hoof on the table before she rose from her seat. “…Fine. You clearly think I'm some cruel monster who wants you all in misery. If that’s the case…no more charity from me.”

“Charity? What’re you-?” I started.

Without another word, she grabbed her plate and left the room leaving a room full of foals confused.

‘What was that about-' I uttered.

After stomaching the deplorable meal, I found myself in the bathroom for quite some time. Once I was done, I headed back to our room to try and sleep off the meal. Along the way I bumped into Ms. Hooves in the hall. When she saw it was me, she looked at e with a hard glare. Not knowing what state she was in mentally, I chose to be cordial.

“Sorry, Ms. Hooves,” I spoke then walked around her.

She turn her head to give a small huff.

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” she spoke

“Don’t get use to it,” I replied.

“Trust me, I won’t get too attached to it. The sooner you’re gone; the better…” she said as she headed to her room.

“The feeling’s mutual...Ms. Hooves…” I muttered under my breath.

I continue on to our room knowing tomorrow was going to be a miserable day.