Apple of my Eye

The train, the tracks, the engine. All of them are bringing me farther from my past, closer to my future. I don’t know one and want to forget the other—great start! The steel behemoth comes to a screeching halt at the station, the conductor unsympathetically ringing his bell and ushering all of the ponies off. It’s as if he doesn’t mind it’s two in the morning, nor the fact that I’m the only other pony on here.

He stares at me the entire time as I trot down the hallway and off of the train. Before I can even reach the bottom step, the doors slam shut behind me, and the engine roars to life. Thankfully I grabbed my bag. Considering how small it is, I am lucky I remembered it at all.

I watch the train chug off into the distance, catching myself wondering how much money the train just lost hauling one passenger halfway across Equestria. Not my place to judge; so long as I had the bits to cover the fair, the conductor didn’t seem to mind giving me a personal ride. I look at my ticket, reading over the name: “Canterlot.”

Wait. I turn around to find the sign proudly presenting the town’s name. Ponyville. Oh Tartarus! Canterlot was the last stop, and I slept through it!

No, no, this is some kind of cruel joke. Princess Luna has just poked a little fun at my dreams, certainly! I’m still asleep in the train, being watched uncomfortably closely by the director through the little faded window on the door. The newfound pain flaring in my cheek begs to differ, however, and I slowly lower my hoof.

No doubt about it, I’m stuck here. The three bits in my bag taunt me, circling above my head and only serving to reinforce my dreaded reality. I stop, holding the three measly coin in my hoof, wondering what in the wide wide world of Equestria would be my next step. My stomach offers an idea, emitting a growl that rivals the train screeching along its tracks.

The bits jingle softly in my hoof. What place would even be open this late? Early? Semantics. A cold wind ripples through the already chilled air. Before me sits, apparently, Ponyville. If I remember correctly, this is the current housing of Princess Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony.

Buck.

The town is dark before me. Seems everypony is asleep. I certainly don’t blame them, I could use some sleep myself, but I don’t get these luxuries. At least not yet; I have to find myself a suitable… bench to rest for the night.

Walking through the town is as eerie as small rural life can get. No lights shine through any windows, no ponies are walking the dirt streets, and no signs of life anywhere, really. Reminds me of ho—no! I refuse to go there. New town, new start! My stomach erupts into another bout of the empty symphony, second movement. Same problems.

I let out an audible sigh and look around. Apparently I had been walking, and now found myself in what looks to be a cafe. Or something like it, anyway. There’s chairs surrounding tables, and even a bench! Sweet! I trot over, tripping over a rock in my haste, and collide hard with the metal framework of the bench. And then… black!