Introductions

"I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way."

                             -Carl Sandburg

    *Crash*

    "Anything broken?"

    "Not that I know-"

     *crack*

     "-of..."

     "Cancel that then."

      The Cutie Mark Crusaders had tried their skills at zip lining across Ponyville from the town hall to Twilight's castle. They nearly made it too. But, like the Crusader tradition, nothing goes to plan.

      "Come on Scoots, we'll get you to the hospital in no time."

      Nyx let out a long sigh. "You three are fourteen and yet you haven't gotten your cutie marks yet. It seems sort of trivial, don't you think?"

       "Nyx, think about the cutie mark spirit." Sweetie Belle paused. "Though it's true we had to endure half a decade of injuries. We might just run out of luck and get one of us killed one day."

      "Fine. We put off a bit of crusading for awhile, but we ain't stopping." Appleblooms interjected. "I don't wanna be a blank flank for mah whole life."

      The little group slowly made their way to the hospital. "So, did ja hear about the new student?"

       "Other than that she's a girl, nope."

       "Well, I sure hope she'll be a crusader too. Everyone in class likes us, but because they have cutie marks, they don't join."

       "To be a crusader is to help others, not have a cutie mark." Nyx stated, which got a unanimous agreement from the entire group.

                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------

         Dawn sat in the second passenger car of a 16 coach train, tapping a foot, heading to some backwater town all on her own. 'Well, I bought this on my own, anyway. No use complaining.' She thought remorsefully.

          When Celestia tried to cuddle her, she pushed her away saying that she was grown up and she didn't need a shoulder to lean on. When Dawn asked if Celestia would come, she dismissed her saying she was a big girl and she would be fine.

           At least she had a map.

          "Next stop, Ponyville!"

          She gathered her backpack and prepared to disembark. Some castle servant would bring her trunks to Twilight's castle, whoever she was.

          Dawn hung off the railing, jumping off just before the train stopped completely. She began pushing her way through the crowd of people trying to get on the train. Suddenly, she felt a pressure on her left foot and she fell over onto the stone tiles.

          "Oh, I'm so sorry, here let me help you!"

          It was a young boy about the age of six or seven. Dawn gave him a glare before she continued on.

          "Some nerve..." His mother muttered under her breath.

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------

          "Good morning class." Cherilee singsonged.

          "Good morning, Miss Cherilee." The class chorused.

          "Today, we're welcoming a new student today."

          The Cutie Mark Crusaders all looked at each other giddily.

          "Her name is Dawn. Can you please come up?"

           There was nothing.

           "Is this Dawn a ghost? I don't see anyone in front of me." Diamond Tiara quipped.

           Suddenly, the door slammed open and Dawn stepped in. Her hair was disheveled, she was panting heavily, and most definitely not happy.

            "I heard that, you know. Next time you try to insult someone, try to say it so that they don't hear it." This got a couple giggles from the class, at Diamond Tiara's cost.

             "Dawn, can you explain why you were late?"

             "Blame it on the Conductor of Engine 14 of the Union Equestra line. Pulled in five minutes late and I couldn't even tell the difference between houses around here. It took me half the night to figure out where everything was laid out." She gushed.

              "What about the other half?"

              "Avoiding a pink menace who shall not be named. Where do I sit?"

               "Over there."

              She quickly trotted over and plunked on her desk.

              "So Dawn, tell us about yourself."

              "Did I come to the wrong place? I thought this was school."

              "That's speaking volumes." Dinky piped up. She was awarded with a silencing glare.

              "I take you don't like sharing anything about yourself?"

             "No, this is just what we don't do in Canterlot." The alicorn replied. She took the backpack from her back and opened it up. "What's the first subject?"

             Everyone gasped. "Your an alicorn too?" Nyx asked with the excitement of a three year old.

              A sudden hint of sadness came across her face, but was quickly replaced by anger. "Yes, I'm an alicorn. Is there a problem?" She half-shouted.

             Everyone was taken back by the verbal assault. "No, we were only just excited..." Twist muttered "On behalf of my class, I say sorry."

             Dawn just grumbled, "Just leave me alone and we will get along just fine..."

                                       --------------------------------------------------------------

            Dawn sat in the shade of the schoolhouse, munching on a flattened peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She notice Nyx getting closer, and prepared herself for the worst.

            "Hey, Dawn." Nyx chirped.

            Dawn's jaw fell slack. "You know, I wouldn't have expected you to be this nice after, you know, my attitude."

            "Mum said that the best way to deal with mean people is to be nice to them."

            "Yes you're gonna love and tolerate the shit out of me."

            "Can't you tell me why you're always so worked up?"

            The flash of sadness again. "No." She stated bluntly. "That is only for me and my mother to know."

            "But who is your mother?"

             "...Luna..." She whispered softly.

             "Nightmare Moon, wasn't it?" Nyx replied, equally soft.

             Dawn looked at the ground, vision blurred by tears. 'No crying...no crying....crap'

             Nyx handed her a handkerchief, which she greatly accepted.

             "So, are you ready to tell me?"

             "It's a long story, so pay attention. I'm not repeating anything."

                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------

             "So, that's why you're always so cranky."

             "I guess..."

             Nyx rose from her spot. "Can I tell Miss Cherilee?"

             "Do what you must. My life is full of fuck I can't sort out."

             Nyx nodded. She was on the verge of tears too after hearing her story. "Thank you for telling me. We'll get you some hope in no time."

             "I hope so. I really do."