Chapter 1: Departure & Arrival
“Are your bags ready yet?” Aurora asked. “I’m nearly done, Aurora.” Moon replied. “Stardust, are you almost done?” he asked. “Almost ready.” called Stardust. “We gotta hurry or we’re gonna miss the bus.” Aurora thought to himself. “Okay, I’m done.” said Stardust. “Me too.” said Moon. The two came rushing towards the door as if it was a race. “Alright you two, you ready to get moving?” asked Aurora. “Yep!” said the two. “Okay let’s go.” Aurora said.
When they get out of the elevator, the three said their goodbyes to the cashier. “You three leaving already?” the cashier asked. “Yep. It’s time to go find a new home.” Aurora said. “But do you know where to go?” the cashier asked. “Oh my Celestia, you’re right! I was so caught up on living at a new home, I forgot to find a town or city to live in.” Aurora said. “Well I know the perfect place where you three can move into.” the cashier said.
“Really, where?” asked Moon. “It’s a wonderful place where many ponies can get along really well.” the cashier replied. “Where is that at?” Aurora asked. “It’s a little town called Ponyville, my friends.” the cashier said.
“Ponyville? Never heard of that place before.” Aurora said. “Believe me, you’ll love it.” the cashier said. “Oh you’d better get going you three, don’t wanna be late for your bus now do you?” he asked. “Yeah, come on Aurora, let’s go!” Moon said. “Emerald, thank you so much for what you have done for us.” Aurora said. “No problem, Aurora.When I heard that my distant ancestors took care of you for all those years, I just knew I was also meant to take care of you and your family. But now you three need this opportunity new life.” Emerald said. “Okay guys, let’s go.” Aurora said. “Bye Emerald.” Moon and Stardust said. The three ponies were on their way to the bus station hoping to go get tickets for the bus ride to Ponyville. Excited to meet young fillies there, Moon was so happy thinking of all the friends she’ll make. During the walk to the station, Aurora couldn’t think about anything else other than thinking he succeeded in keeping his promise to his parents before they were captured. So unfocused, he didn’t realize that he was heading right into a wall. “OW!!!” Aurora said with pain to his head. “There’s a wall there, just to let you know, bro.” Moon said. “Who’s bright idea was it to put a wall in my face?” Aurora said trying to get his vision back. “The Manehattan Orphanage idea.” Moon replied. Aurora looked at the population of kids in the orphanage.
“One, and it also said there’s only been one for about three months now.” Aurora said. “I feel sad for the kid who’s been alone for three months.” Moon said. “Can we get him or her?” Stardust asked. “Why?” Moon asked. “Because we can be nice to him or her.” he replied. “Poor kid. They’ve been alone for three months with barely anypony to truly love or care for them. Seems like the same situation we’ve been in.” Aurora thought to himself. “Big brother?” Stardust asked.
“Yeah, Stardust?” Aurora replied. “Can we save him or her?” Stardust asks. With a tough thought to Stardust’s question, Aurora thought to himself that no kid should be without anyone for a long time. “Yeah, let’s go get them, but we gotta hurry, the bus doesn’t leave for another hour.” Aurora said. As the three walked into the office of the orphanage, they were greeted quickly. “Welcome to the Manehattan Orphanage, I’m the headmaster, Joan Elma. Please tell me, would you like to adopt a child or let one go?” Joan asked. “I would like to adopt a child, but I hope I don’t need an interview, I need to hurry because we need to catch a bus soon." Aurora replied. “Well since we do only have one child left, I suppose an interview will not be needed.” Joan said. “Ms. Heart, please bring Sophia to my office.” she said into the intercom.
“This will just take a minute or two.” she said. When they waited for two minutes, an employee entered the room and introduced the little child. “Everypony, meet little Sophia. She’s a beloved little filly to this orphanage who has spirit and hope for her to have a family someday, and for you Sophia, that day is today.” Joan said.
Sophia gave a gasp. “Really? This is my new family, Ms. Elma?” she asked in excitement. “Yes little Sophia, this is your new family.” Joan replied. As she gave a cheer, she quickly introduced herself. “Hi. My name is Sophia. I’m eleven years old, I love to play with little ponies and...and...I’m just so happy to have a new family.” she said with joy.
“Well, miss Sophia, it’s an honor to have you in the Knight family.” Aurora said. “Aurora, the train.” Stardust said “Oh yeah! Okay, so how much do I need to take her with me?” Aurora asked. “Well since the normal child payment is 100 bits, and since you’re in a big rush, I suppose I can give her to you for 50 bits.” Joan said. “That’s more than enough for me.” Aurora said. As he payed Joan with 50 bits, Aurora checked the clock and realized he had only 45 minutes left.
“Oh shoot, we gotta hurry.” Aurora said. “Thank you for your time miss Joan.” Aurora said. “No, thank you. Now please, take good care of little Sophia.” Joan said. “Joan, consider it a promise.” Aurora said. “Okay Sophia, ready to go?” Aurora asked. “Yep!” Sophia said. The four ponies were on their way to the bus station as fast as they could before the bus to Ponyville left. When they did arrive at the bus station, Aurora went to grab four tickets. “Hello, sir. What would be your destination, and how many ponies will you be taking with you?” the ticket man asked.
“I would like four tickets to Ponyville, please.” Aurora replied. The ticket man gave four tickets to Aurora. “Here you go, and have a nice trip.” the ticket man said. “Thank you.” Aurora said. Aurora walked back to the three to give them each a ticket. “One for you. One for you. And one for you.” Aurora said. “So when does our bus leave?” Moon asked. “Good question, and another good question is, why aren’t we on the bus?” Aurora replied. The four found their bus and boarded it.They presented their tickets and found their seats. “Okay everypony, listen. This is going to be a new life for all of us. We’ll be meeting a lot of ponies we don’t know, so the best thing we can do when we reach Ponyville is to keep our cool, try not to act too ridiculous and more importantly, be on your best behaviors, okay?” Aurora asked. “We will.” Moon said. “Though, there is gonna be a problem.” Aurora said.
“What kind of problem?” Sophia asked. “A long time ago, the dark forces of Nightmare Moon attacked my home. Even though she’s back to her normal self, I can’t risk that anypony, who fought alongside Nightmare Moon, might recognize me. So, when we get to Ponyville you three will have to call me something different in public.” Aurora said. “Okay, Aurora. But what should we call you?” Stardust asked. As Aurora put some heavy thought into it, he could think of only one name. “Call me, Chaos.” Aurora said. “Why?” Sophia asked. “Because, if something bad happens to any of you, I’ll bring the ones responsible for it total chaos.” Aurora replied.
“Though I promise you three, that as long as I’m around, nothing bad will happen to any of you.” Aurora said. “Okay.” Sophia said. As the conversation ended, the bus to Ponyville started to depart. “Okay guys, we begin our new lives here and now. There’s no going back to the lives we once knew. We can forget the dark pasts we all experienced, instead we can look onto a brighter future and see what destiny has in store for us.” Aurora said.
After two hours, the bus was about to arrive in Ponyville. Moon, Sophia, and Stardust were all sleeping, but not Aurora. He glared out the window thinking about what he promised his parents. “Aurora, you’re old enough to know, that we can’t go with you.” Leo said in a flashback. “But mom, dad, why not?” Aurora asked.
“Because we have to stay for the sake of Canterlot.” Ruby replied. “We may never see each other again, Aurora, But that doesn’t mean we’ll all forget each other.” Leo said. “Stardust will be growing up with no parents, Aurora, but please take good care of your brother and sister.” Ruby asked. “Okay, mom. I will.” Aurora said as he started crying. “Hey, hey champ. Don’t start crying on us now.” Leo said.
“Remember when you were 9 and we all went to that play in the auditorium?” Leo asked. “Yes.” Aurora replied. "I gave you note that had specific words on it. Do you remember what those words were?” he asked. “They said stay strong, no matter what happens.” Aurora replied. “Promise me and your mother that you will take good care of your brother and sister, stay strong for us, and most importantly, never stop believing in yourself.” Leo said. “Okay, dad. I promise I’ll look after them.” Aurora said. “Thank you, sweetie.” Ruby said. “They’re coming. Quick Aurora, get on that train.” Leo said. As the flashback was over, Aurora thought to himself. “Mom...Dad...did I keep my promise, to look after those I loved, I tried to be the best guardian I could. Sometimes, I don’t think I did well enough.
But I promised you dad, that I would stay strong for them. I know that you’re still alive somewhere. I also promise, nothing will stop me from finding you.”
The train arrived at the destination. It’s time for Aurora to keep strong if he wants to keep the kids safe. This is their new life. Their new beginning.
