It was a beautiful starry night. Not a cloud in the sky to obscure the arrangement of stars that Luna masterfully crafted. Sadly, not something I can take in and enjoy. Not right now. I flapped my wings hard, panting and gasping for air between my sobs, not looking back to what I decided to leave behind. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew it would be better than…back there. My tears blurred my vision, but I think I could see…lights in the distance? A town, most likely. My wings were tiring out so I guess I can take a look. It’s getting late, and I need to find someplace to stay, at least for the night. Maybe I can move to this town here…Ponyville, was it? I think that’s the one I’m going to if I was heading in this direction. Anywhere would be good, actually. I just need a place to call home again. Someplace where I can find happiness again. No…perhaps happiness is too much to ask for. Peace…yes, peace will do.

Suddenly a dark, dank, wispy cloud came up in front of me, as if it moved on its own. I crashed into it, immediately dispelling it. I coughed and coughed. Just what in Tartarus was that? I looked behind me and saw nothing anymore. Must've been a stray cloud of some sort. Really strange...but I have no time to think about it right now. I landed near the outskirts of this town, finally giving my sore wings a well-deserved rest. First thing I see is what appears to a relatively large farm. Nice plot of land, littered with trees, crops, and produce. Most of the trees are apple trees, to be precise. I wonder…is this where they make that delectable nectar that is apple cider? Most certainly could be. As I walked pass the orchard, the most notable thing I can see a large, red barn. That must be where they keep their stock. Trotting along, I spot a slightly smaller orange house, guessing that would be the place of residence. Lights are out, though. Not surprising, given the time. Moving along…

I walk down the path that seems to be paved by various ponies and carts in front of this large complex. Must be because it’s a common business place. Farther down the road, my suspicions are cleared. I spot a sign on top of the entranceway. No mistake about it: that’s Sweet Apple Acre’s brand. No wonder the road here is well-worn. I didn’t think it would be located near Ponyville though. Ponyville is still very much a town, not a city like Manehattan. With such a prominent business company like Sweet Apple Acres, one would think the amount of money it receives would bring lots of development for the town. I have to wonder about this quaint little town…then I shake my head. There’s already too much on my mind. I shiver at the thought of revisiting my memories. I can’t complain, and it shall eventually reveal itself why. I turn to head into Ponyville.

Being a town, there’s not much lighting the streets. Not a worry, as Luna’s moon provides just as much light as one would need. I scour around, trying to find some kind of inn or hotel. Before long, something caught my eye. It wasn’t an inn but a house, up for lease. It was a cozy-looking home. I can even spot a small balcony on the side, a welcomed surprise for those like myself who can fly. Not many homes on the ground are built with wings in mind. I look at the price. Shame…I don’t have that kind of-

As I rustled my wings, I felt it. A bag of bits. I almost forgot I had it. It was for…I felt anguish and anger boil from my stomach and filling my throat. I try to take a deep breath, trying not to sob. Water under the bridge, right? Still, it left me with a good amount of bits to use. It just wasn’t only for me…I stomp my right forehoof to try dispelling the sadness, the sound echoing softly in the night. I worked for this. It doesn’t matter if I was going to share it with somepony or not, it’s my bits and mine to use however I wish. I shall keep this place in mind. I look at the details to set up a leasing plan. Have to contact the mayor of this place, huh? A bit unconventional but this is a relatively small town after all.

I turn to my right, spotting something surprising. A tree. Not just any tree. A GIANT tree. And it has windows. And a door. How strange. I see a sign. Golden Oak Library. I chuckle to myself as I recall the legendary “Tree of Knowing” from old folklore. Such a fitting nickname for such a place. Oddly enough, I see the lights are on but only in the upper level. Must double as a home for the residential librarian perhaps. Smiling, I turn once again to roam the streets.

I see a crossroad of sorts. In the middle, there’s a large impressive building. If I had to take a guess, that would be town hall and the subsequent area the town square. No doubt where I would probably find the mayor of this place. That’s nice to know. As I walk over a small bridge, I spot an even more impressive building. Not so much in size as it is…showy. I try to ignore it and find an inn but it keeps pulling my face towards it. I sigh and let my curiosity take over. I walk over to it and look at the sign on top of its door. It’s Carousel Boutique’s mark. This is very odd indeed. Yet another big business makes its home in the quaint little town of Ponyville. Carousel Boutique stands out more than other clothing departments because of its variety and accessibility. The amount of common ponies that wear this place’s clothes is just as big as the amount of Canterlot royals that do. This seems more of a manufacturing building than it is a store, though I can see there are displays on the windows with price tags. Perhaps one can order custom-made outfits here, no doubt for a price, but many would agree to it if it’s Carousel Boutique quality. With my curiosity sated, I walk back on the bridge, for I have reach the end of town before it heads off to someplace else. I don’t quite have the energy or drive to make another trip like I just did before.

I head into town square again and take a different bridge. Nothing really noteworthy on this path. Nothing except the building that looks like it’s made out of food. Wait, what? I quickly spin my head to face what I thought I saw and sure enough, the building is there. I trot a little closer. It’s certainly vibrant. It looks like it’s made out of sweet things like cookies and cupcakes. I suppose that that is its theme, which would mean it’s a restaurant of some kind or perhaps a bakery. A confectionery shop? Interesting and convenient. I always had a bit of a sweet tooth. I looked around it a bit more and found the tell-tale sign. Not really a well-known brand this time around. Perhaps something a bit more local. Sugarcube Corner…definitely not a misnomer. I might decide to come here for breakfast or a snack to see if they have my favorites. Still, not quite what I’m looking for right now. I sigh to myself and continue my search.

This is getting a little ridiculous. As much as I said this town was small, I’m having trouble finding someplace to stay. One might even say a bit lost. I don’t really feel like flying unless I have to. As I was grumbling to myself, I barely noticed that I yet again reached the outskirts of town. Ugh, this is getting a little frustrating to say the least. As I was about to retreat my steps, the house here looked quite different. It was solitary, quaint, maybe a little lonely, and so far away from town even for the outskirts. Lush vegetation grew everywhere, but not because it was unkempt. There was a kind of…natural beauty to it all. All the more striking that, as I looked it over, a dark looming forest was nearby. It was like…next to a completely different world. The Everfree Forest…it’s kind of scary how close this town is to it. I almost forgot this place existed. Maybe Ponyville being just a town isn’t as strange as it seems. Why even start a town here, however? So close to danger, on the brink of it even. Not to mention the pony who lives here. This pony must be exceptionally brave, knowing how close danger can be. As I began to nod off, I realize that standing here isn’t going to be helping me much. I turn back to where I came.

Does this town not have many visitors that they don’t even have a hotel of some kind? I might have to sleep on a bench or something. I guess that what awaits those who don’t plan ahead. Still, how could I have expected this? I had everything I wanted ready and prepared…I had happiness within reach, only for it to be simply like air, transparent and unobtainable. Was that all it was, smoke and mirrors? No, implausible. It was genuine; we both put our hearts on the line. Yet I was the one suffering the most…my heart aches. I turn to look at my flank and scoff. Imagine that: a pony with a heart-shaped Cutie Mark cannot find true love. The irony isn’t lost to me. It’s so easy to help other with their relationships. So many of my friends came to me for relationship advice, even though I never had a lover before. Well, “before then” is what I meant. It’s so easy to understand the hearts of other ponies yet I can’t use that knowledge to help myself somehow. I should be happy being able to make others happy, but I yearn for the same kind of happiness that they have. And I had it! Finally, I get to experience what I helped others achieved. Only to lose it. It wasn’t just any kind of loss. Not only was it my first love, but I had a deep connection with this pony. We both felt it. Like it was meant to be and last forever. What changed? I know it wasn’t completely my fault but I can’t help but blame myself. If only I did things differently…

I look up and I scrunched my face. Speak of the devil, a cloud-house. The memories kept trying to force themselves in my mind. It just won’t stop. Why did it have to be a cloud-house here? It reminds me too much of home. No…it is not my home anymore. It can’t ever be my home again. The one place that holds the source of my sorrows will never be my home. I feel the depression well up inside me. Am I so weak that I can’t even look a house that looks so much like Cloudsdale without crying? My ears and wings droop. What did I honestly expect to achieve coming here? Run away from my problems and never see them again? I can try but the problems will always be there, waiting. No...the problem is within me. It will always be until I learn to confront and overcome it. But wounds take time to heal. Time and care. And rest. I yawned. I’m not going to be able to fix this overnight, but I can at least spend some of that “overnight” resting.

With drowsiness clouding my judgment, I spent the last of my energy flying up to the base of the cloud-house. I tear off a piece just big enough for myself to sleep on, making sure it’s not one of the more important pieces for the foundation. I made it more comfortable for myself and laid it down in the sky, near the cloud-house. I’m not such a coward to take the cloud and sleep farther away. I’m not really hurting anyone and I just really need a place to sleep. If I woke up before whoever lived here, I would put it back where I took it from. If not…well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I yawned once more and let sleep overcome me.

Author's Note

Not really expecting this to go well. It's just a big passion project for me and something I need to get out of my mind and depression. You have no idea how nervous I am about all this. Mostly because I have no idea what all these darn buttons do.