Feather Paw's Destiny

by Midnight Strike

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 17623

After getting her cutie mark Feather Paw wonders what she's supposed to do now, but when her life takes a sudden twist she doesn't know if she can handle it

Feather Paw moves to a new town in Equestria called Ponyville. She lives with her brother shining sword, her mother Aqua Wish and her abusive father Night Paw.
After deciding that she didn't want her brother to grow up this way she runs away with him, they get on the train and things take an unexpected twist.

Cover Art by: Nightglimmer22

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-11-20 07:39:41 UTC

Who's the new blank flank?

When I moved from Manehatten I moved to a queit town called Ponyville. Ponyville was a quiet, small town in Equestria that seemed really nice, I mean we'll be living in a house right down the street from the train station. Before I came to ponyville, we lived on a quiet street in Cloudsdale. When we came to Ponyville.... It just wasn't the same. First it was kinda overwhelming knowing that I had to start over in a whole new school with no friends and absolute no idea who were the bullies, and it's not just that but the thought of actually being in the classroom and sitting there with a bare flank for every pony to laugh at was also overwhelming. The school that me and Shining Sword will be attending starts in a week and don't get me wrong I really am looking forward to it but I don't know where the school is or how I am supposed to get there, I barley know my home address for ponysake and now I'm supposed to walk to school everyday?  My dad was supposed to walk me to school today but he said him and mom are trying to unpack the house and look for new jobs. I guess they have a lot on their plate right now but I'll do my part and make sure everything is organized by making a checklist. I tried helping but they told me to unpack my room, so I went upstairs and I started unpacking and I did have a lot of unpacking to do.

When I went into my new room I looked at all the old stuff in all the boxes and took them out one by one. Just the thought of having to unpack all these boxes made my stomach turn.

About an hour later my parents called me down for dinner. I was so hungry I could eat our dog Charley! After dinner ended it was time for dessert. We had apple pie from the bakery around the corner, it was delicious. When dessert ended my parents told me to go to bed. By the time I got in bed it was already 9:00pm.

       Today school starts and and I am so excited, I got up at 6:30am and made my bed, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, and then worked on my flying.

"Hey mom?!" I yelled. "Can you tell me where I am going and how to get to school?"

"You're dad is going to walk you to school" she replied

"But I thought you said he couldn't."

"That was before we found out your school isn't very far from here" Mom yelled while coming downstairs.

"Oh, okay. Bye mom!"

"Ready to go?" My father asked.

"Yup" I replied excitingly! "Come on Shining!"

And with that we walked out the door and on to the street. We walked for about 5 minutes before we came to a dead end with a big red building that looked like a barn but when we walked inside it was a classroom with a teachers desk and all these other desks aligned in rows... Kinda looks like my old school. When the teacher came in, she introduced herself as Ms.Cheerlie. She was a magenta pink pony with pink hair and a cutie mark of flowers with smiles on them, when we sat down I was in the middle of a yellow earth pony with red hair and another one to my right who was silver and her cutie mark was a silver spoon. I guess I may have heard the yellow earth pony talking to her friends which appears to be a orange Pegasus and a white-coated unicorn and none of them had their cutie marks! But I heard them talking,they were saying

"See the new blank flank?" Asked the earth pony

"Yeah, but what's her name? Does she know about Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara?" The Orange pony asked.

"I dont know, maybe. But what if she doesn't?" The orange one asked.

"Then we'll need to warn her about them,but how can we approach her? She seems so shy." The unicorn asked.

"Hmm..." The earth pony said but was interrupted by the teacher saying it was time for lunch!

When I got outside I sat down on a school bench and opened up my favorite book called "Tales from the Hayloft" it's all these different and olden pony tales from long ago, it's basically a book with all these different ghost story's in one!"

That's when the two fillies that were next to me came over to me, the one with the silver mane and the one wearing a tiara.

"Hey Silver Spoon! Look at the new BLANK FLANK!!"

"BLANK FLANK! BLANK FLANK!" They scream at me. I was so embarrassed. I completely froze! I didn't know what to do! But that's also when those other three fillies came over. The ones without their cutie marks and told them to shoo and stop making fun of me.

After that they introduced themselves.

" I am Sweetie Belle, this is Scootaloo and Applebloom, pointing to the two other fillies next to her.

"Thanks for standing up for me, my name is Feather Paw, I'm new here."

" Yeah we can tell, but don't worry just don't talk to those other two fillies that just approached you." Scootaloo said. "If you haven't noticed by all their teasing they're kinda mean, they do it all the time to us!" Scootaloo added.

"Hey maybe since youre new to Ponyville and all we could give you a tour! Maybe after school if you're free today or tomorrow we could meet up at the Cutie Mark Crusader treehouse at Sweet Apple Acres and we'll show you around!" Said Sweetie Belle. The two other fillies nodded in agreement.

After lunch ended we went back inside and unpacked more school supplies from our backpacks and met all the other fillies in our class. When the last bell finally rang and everypony ran out of school we all met up at the school courtyard and decided our plan: first we would go to my house and tell my parents what we were doing and then we we would go to Sweet Apple Acres and go to the treehouse then they would give me a tour of Ponyville.

When we got to my house I went inside and told my mom and dad about my new friends

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!"I yelled

"Hi Feather Paw" mom said "Who are your new friends?" She asked

"Oh this is Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom, if it's okay with you and dad they were going to show me a tour of Ponyville!" I said eagerly "And look! Their blank flanks too!"

"Glad to see you made some friends.Be home before seven." They said

"Thanks mom, thanks dad!" I screamed while running out the door with my new friends.

"To the Crusader treehouse!" announced Sweetie Belle, half way out the door.

"Bye mom!"

As we were coming up to Sweet Apple Acres Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon cornered us and backed us in to a tree, they started bragging about how good their cutie marks are and how we don't have our yet and we'll probably be stuck with the worst ones in Equestria. At that point I was so angry at them I felt like I was going to burst into tears so I shoved past them and ran away crying with tears in my eyes. I know I don't have my cutie mark just yet but that doesn't mean they get to rub it in... after a while of running I realize they were following me, chasing me, yelling out my name and calling me a blank flank and then I realized the crusaders were chasing them telling them to stop, I didn't know how much more of this I could take so naturally I did the only thing that came to mind... I stopped my self from running and flew away. I flew up to the highest branch in a tree I could find. When they couldn't find me they walked away, but when my friends couldn't find me they ran up to an orange earth pony with golden hair plowing the fields.

"Hey Applejack, have you seen a filly with no cutie mark run past here?" Applebloom asked

My footing was beginning to slip and I didn't want them to know I was in the tree, just in case those two other fillies were lurking somewhere close by.

"Sorry sugar cube, can't say that I have I've been working in the fields all------" suddenly being cut of by me screaming because I was falling out of the tree.

I didnt have time to stop myself. As I fell I landed with a really hard THUD.

"Oww" I said still bamboozled from my fall. Then all four ponies ran over to see how I was, but who knows, I mean, there could've been sixteen of them. As Applejack helped me to my hooves I fell down just as quickly as I got up. It was because of the bruises on my body I couldn't get up they were making my body really sore.

"You fillies stay here I'm going to go get the first aid kit" Applejack ordered

"Ow... you have a really bad cut on your left ear Feather Paw" Scootaloo said

When Applejack came back she put an ice pack on my hoof, and some ointment on my ear.

"Thanks Applejack" I said

AppleJack helped me up and told me to take it easy for a while, so I did as I was told. We walked to the treehouse and they called a meeting. I went over but they said it was for Crusaders only. After a couple of minutes went by they said...

"Good news! If you'd like we have an open spot for another crusader." They happily announced

"Sure but what do you even do in the crusader club?" I asked quite intrigued

"Well we help ponies like ourselves find their special talent and help them get their cutie marks!" Scootaloo answered

"Awesome, I would love too!"

"I have an idea!" Applebloom said " We should write a letter to Babs Seed saying we have a new crusader!!"

"Yeah totally!" Sweetie Belle agreed

"Wait?" I said " Babs Seed as in BABS SEED?! As in the pony in Manehatten?!"

"Uh yeah, how'd you know?" Applebloom asked

"She's been my BFF since diapers"

"No way! That's my cousin!" Said Applebloom

"Really?!" I asked

"Yes, come on let's write her a letter!" Applebloom said again

As we got out a peice of parchment paper and a quill they said maybe I should write it and then all of us will sign it! I said that I'll gladly write if they want me to but I didn't know what to write so Sweetie Belle said maybe instead of a letter we should send a care package from us to her with pictures of us and her and also some cards from us saying we miss her and want to see her!

So when everyone agreed it was going to be a care package we got to work we got the box and took pictures of ourselves and put them in and then after that we all made her a card saying we miss her and we need to get together soon. When we finally made everything and put it into the box we walked to the postal service and sent it.

"Come on, lets go back to the Crusader treehouse, and uh, sorry about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. That was quite a way to be introduced to somepony who's new here. Anyway come on." Scootaloo said.

"Alright"

When we got back to the treehouse they said they needed to preform a ceremony for me, so I would be an official member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

When the ceremony ended they told me I was an official member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and that tomorrow we will start trying to find our cutie marks.

"Awesome! Where will we meet?" I asked

"Oh right, um, meet everyday after school in the courtyard and we'll take it from there." Scootaloo said

"Yeah but there's only one problem with that Scoot" Appleboom replied "What about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?"

"Hmm... I got it" Sweetie Belle said "we can wear hats!"

"Well if thats what will keep them away then sure!" I replied "Thanks guys, that was fun! I really do appreciate all you did for me today."

"Oh no!" Scootaloo

"What is it Scoot?" I replied in shock

"We still need to give you the tour!"

"That's right" Appleboom said "come on!"

The Tour Of Ponyville!

"Alright, so over here we have Sweet Apple Acres! Home to the Apple family and your local orchard!" Applebloom announced

As we went through the barn and the apple trees we bumped into Applejack.

"Howdy y'all!" as she spotted us walking towards her.

" Hi Applejack!" we said stopping in front of her. "Scootaloo Sweetie Belle and I are giving Feather Paw a tour of Ponyville!"

"Why, that's mighty nice of y'all to do that for her. Have fun!"

After we ran off Appleboom took us into her house and showed us around in her house, showing us the kitchen and the living room and then we went upstairs and she showed us Applejack's room and her room.

"Oh and this is Big Macintosh's room!"

"Eeupp" he replied walking past them.

"Oh, we need to show her carousel boutique and the Golden Oak library and--- umm never mind." Sweetie said eagerly.

"Don't worry Sweetie we'll get to that later---" Scoot said

"Oh and I almost forgot! Winona! Come here girl!

"Aww she's adorable!" I said. "you know I have a dog too!"

"Cool." She replied

"Oh and heres our Cider mill!" Applebloom said.

"Anyway let's continue on with our tour!"

As we walked down the main road of Ponyville we came to the mayors office and spotted mayor mare.

"Hi, Mayor Mare!" they said

"Hello girls!" she replied

As we walked around some more we finally came to the Carousal Boutique, when we walked inside Rarity rushed over and said

"Oh thank Celestia you girls are here! I need your opinion, do you think this outfit is a little to tacky to go to a picnic with Twilight and the others? Try them on please?"

"Rarity, we're trying to give Feather Paw here a tour of ponyville!"

"And you can continue your tour after you try on these outfits, okay Sweetie Belle?"

"Ugh fine we'll try on your outfits"

"How do you know her?" I asked

"She's my sister" she replied wit ha tone in her voice.

As we tried on the outfits I thought the outfits were a little too sequenced with sparkle and when we walked out of the changing rooms Rarity said she came out with inspiration for a new line and needed us to stay just a little while longer so we stayed but what was supposed to be ten minutes turned into twenty minutes and that turned in to a good half an hour. That's when Sweetie Belle decided she had enough and dragged us into the changing room, forced us to take off the wardrobe and dragged us right out the door.

"Okay where next Applebloom" she asked angrily

"Um.... the Golden Oak Library!"

"We have a Library?!" I asked "Can we go?"

"Yeah thats why we are giving you a tour of Ponyville and you're going to love Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

"Princess? She lives in an library? Cool."

As we walked inside the library Twilight welcomed us and asked if we were looking for a book we said we were giving our new friend her a tour of Ponyville. When we asked her if she had seen Rainbow Dash anywhere she said she had but she was at the picnic already at the parkthat point Scootaloo wanted me to meet Rainbow Dash so badly that she walked us right out of the library and ran straight for the park.

"Wow it's so pretty" I said in amazement as I looked around.

"Okay, heres the plan, we need to find Rainbow Dash" Scootaloo said "Hey guys do you know she's the first pony to ever achieve a sonic rainboom!!"

"yes we know. You've told us a million time Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle told her

"Oh I was talking to Feather Paw" And even I who had only heard this once was starting to wish that Scootaloo would just help us find Rainbow Dash.

As we split up in the park all separate way I thought to my self that maybe we should've stuck together.

"Hey there, aren't you Scootaloo's friend?... Feather Paw?" she said

"Yes"  I replied "and you're Rainbow Dash! Scootaloo just won't stop talking about you... she keeps saying you're the first pony in Equestria history to achieve a sonic rainboom!"

Rainbow blushed "That's right little filly" she replied

"Awesome! You know she really looks up to you Rainbow Dash, she told us that you're like the older sister she never had!" I told her

"Scootaloo is an awesome little filly... do you know where she is? Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, actually I think she was looking for you. But I think I know where she might be I can bring you to her if you'd like" I said as politely as I could.

"Alright, thanks and welcome to Ponyville" She said as we started walking towards Sweetie Belle

"Hey Sweetie belle! Do you know where Scootaloo is?" I asked

"Yes. I saw her go that way!" She replied meeting up with us.

As we walked for a while with Rainbow Dash by our side.

As we met up with Scootaloo she went crazy when she us with Rainbow Dash. She ran over to us and literally went and stood right next to Rainbow Dash.

"H--Hey Rainbow Dash" She said tripping over her words

"Hi Scootaloo. Why are you for here?" She asked

"Oh we were going Feather Paw a tour of Ponyville, and we justhappened to run into you. So have you done any more awesome things since your  awesome performance of a rainboom and then saving Rarity form plummiting to her doom?! " I looked at her confused and with a startling look as I thought to myself what I would give to be some pony as heroic as that.

"Yeah, you know she did a sonic rainboom and saved Rarity!" She told us once more

"Yeah, we've all heard that story Scootaloo" Applebloom chimed in with an annoying look on her face

" Well, thanks for everything" Scootaloo said to Rainbow Dash waving goodbye

When we started walking home they thought that maybe before we go home we should go to Fluttershys house. We walked away from the park and toward the Everfree forest. As we got closer to the Everfree I thought maybe we were going in but when we got to the beginning of the forest we turned a corner and hen we were in front of a little cottage... It had a lot of bird nests and animal burrows around it. When we kicked on the door we expected a pony to answer it, but to our surprise it was a white fluffy bunny that opened the door, when we stepped inside we found Fluttershy in the kitchen making food,

"Hi Fluttershy!" Sweetie Belle said

"Oh hello girls" she said in a quiet steady tone

"Meet our new friend Feather Paw!" Applebloom said

"Hi I'm Feather Paw" I said holding out my hoof to shake hoofs with her

"H---Hello" she said in an high squeaky voice

"Oh Angel you didn't tell me we were having company." Fluttershy said looking at Angel Bunny

"Is that his a bunny you're talking to?" I asked looking at her cutie mark wondering... why butterflies? But now that I thought about it I could see the resemblance.

"Would you girls like something to eat?" She said going in the fridge and getting out carrots

"Sure" We said

"Okay, let me just finish making this for Angel" She said putting her carrots in the pot

Oh, Feather? Did we ever tell you the time we came here and tried getting our cutie marks in creature catching and carpenters?" Scootaloo asked patting a spot next to her on the couch.

"Uh, no..." Wow I thought to myself but why carpenters?

So we came here on a sleepover all three of us and we were determined to get our cutie marks so first we tried to be the cutie mark carpenters but when that didn't work out we didnt know what to do Thats when Fluttershy put us upstairs in bed. Then we didnt really want to go to bed, we saw that on of her chickens got loose so we snuck past her and into the Everfree forest, we followed the tracks of the chicken bu when we finally found it there were two of them so we tried getting both of them and that when Flutershy saw we weren't in the bed and my cape tore!" Scoot said "And then"....

"Are you trying to make this a ghost story Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked looking at her with a confused expression

"No, I'm just trying to keep it interesting" she replied back " Okay so, um,"

You were at the part where Fluttershy saw the bed and you guys weren't there." I said

Oh yeah! Okay so.... And the she came into the Everfree forest to see what was going on and when she found us she screamed that there was a cockatrice on the loose! It's part chicken part dragon but it can turn you to stone, and then she told us to get behind her so we did and after she was almost turned to stone but she sent it home using her stare! That's why we call her the stare master!"

"Cool!" I replied

"Girls!! Dinner's ready" Fluttershy said from the kitchen

"Coming" We all replied

As we sat down at her kitchen table and ate we really enjoyed what she made even though we didnt know what she made, but whatever it was it was good! As we continued to eat and talk with Fluttershy, she got us some water, when dinner was over each of us cleared our plates, washed them off and put them in the dishwasher. That was when I realized how dark it was getting my parents were going to be furious with me.

"Girls? Do you want dessert?" Fluttershy asked

"No thanks, I have to go home my parents are probably wondering where I am" I told her "Thanks for everything though and have a nice night"

"Alright girls I'll see you around" She said back and we walked out the door

When I got home that night I open the door and heard mom and dad arguing. Saying that they were going to try and keep this as far away from the kids as possible and that I've been out and about almost every night and I've been coming home late but thats not true it was just this one time! I had a feeling this is not a good night to come home.

"I'm home!" I yelled from the bottom of the stairs

"Oh great, Where were you? My father asked

I was at Fluttershy's house. I told him walking to the table.

"Who in the hay is that?" My father asked raising an eyebrow

Okay, stop. She came home late one night It will be fine." My mother said putting a hoof on his shoulder

Well I need to talk with her. Come here"

"Fine, what?"

Okay you need to stop coming home late you are not being a good influence on your brother and I for one agree." He whispered

"Look, you didn't need to come into this family, we never told you too, one day you just walked in and the next thing mom told us was that she was getting married. Which is weird because I know for a fact she deserves some pony a lot better than you." I looked at him with a hard darkened expression

"You know what's also weird?" he asked in a sarcastic tone

"What's that?"  I replied in a sweet sarcastic tone

"Do you know what the word responsible is?" He asked stomping his hoof on the ground "It's the exact opposite of you! Not only that but now you have you're brother asking if he can stay out with his friends and now they wondering in the woods trying to find their cutie marks just like you and your friends"

"Ugh, first of all let the kid have a little adventure, second of all why can't you be a good father! not that I count as one"  and third of all please for Celestia's sake, let me have fun" I screamed "Let me tell you what it is! It's the exact opposite of you! I flew away.

To be continued------

The letter from Babs

When I woke up that morning I remembered the fight that Dad and I had, but in all honesty I tried really hard not to think about it. As I did my morning routine I had noticed mom and dad were screaming at each other when I walked into the hall way. And then I saw Shining peeking through the little crack in the door that was left open overnight...

"What are you doing?" I asked him

"Nothing" He quickly replied looking like he had just seen a ghost

"Um... I find that hard to believe. That was way to fast of a nothing to not be doing something" I said going up to mom and dads door and peeking in.

"Okay, come with me and I'll tell you what I was doing next to mom and dad's door this early..." He told me

As I followed him to his bedroom and closed the door behind me I realized he was glancing at everything nervously in his room and thats when I decided to speak up and ask him what was really going on with mom and dad at 6:30am in the morning.

"Well, you see... Dad still is mad at you for being rude toward him and they were yelling about you. Dad was saying he'll threaten to kick you out if mom doesn't tell you to get out before tomorrow or else he'll move out and leave mom to pay for the bill and care for two foals herself. And you know mom, before she married dad she didn't have much money..." he said "He was also being really mean to mom in my opinion, he was screaming at her and I heard her crying and saying she wasn't going to choose between her marriage and her kids..."

"What?!! I screamed Dad can't do that!" I told him and walked out of the room

As I headed for the door of mom and dads room some pony put there hoof on my mouth and pulled me back, when he let go I saw it was just Shining.

"What?!" I whispered to him

"You can't tell mom and dad what I just told you, I might be younger thanyou but if they know we know they aren't going to be happy." he whispered in my ear

"I'm not going too! I replied and walked toward mom and dad's room again.

"DAD?! I need to talk with you outside" I told him biting my tongue so I didn't say anything i'll regret "Just what is your problem now?" I asked gritting my teeth together in frustration

"Look, ever since I came into this family. I have helped your mom I got a job, I got everything! Before this.. I was living on the streets!"He snapped "When I came here everything went my way.. I was the king and I control your mom. She obeys every one of my commands and l told her if you keep acting this way I will not hesitate to throw you out of here, and when I have enough money to pay for my own life instead of hers I'm going someplace nice!"

"Wow. Sounds like you got your life planned out..." I told him "But why would you do that to me, mom and Shining" I asked

"Because I don't need you... Any of you, so either you'll get out of this house and go someplace else. Or i'll make you!" He yelled at me and walked away

As I walked away from him I hesitated, looking back at him and snorted. My mom didnt deserve some pony like him She Deserved better. And I wasn't going to stand for it. So as I went back inside and sorted through the mail I found a letter from Babs, as I opened the fancy envelope I pulled out the letter. But it was weird because there was another thing in there! It was a picture... A Picture of her flank.....

And her...

Cutie Mark!!

I didn't know how to react. Should I be sad we lost a crusader? Or should I feel happy that she has had that turning point in her life! I really was stuck and didn't know how to react I mean, I'm happy that she got her cutie mark, it was a pair of sissiors. So I ran over to the Crusader treehouse and I showed them these pictures. And I don't think they knew how to react either because they looked in complete shock! As Scootaloo read the letter aloud from Babs, this is what she said

"Dear the Cutie Mark Crusaders,

I am so happy that you sent me a care package and all with pictures and notes and stuff... But I need to tell you something .... Something really important. And I don't want you to be mad at me. But I may have gotten my cutie mark.

Have you guys gotten yours? Anyway thanks for everything and we need to get together soon. Also I'm visiting Ponyville!

From,

Babs Seed"

"Guys! Did you hear what Scootaloo just said! She's coming to visit Ponyville." Applebloom said

As we sat in silence for a few minutes that's when Sweetie Belle broke the silence and asked us how were were planning on getting our cutie marks today!

"Apple bucking!"shouted Applebloom

"Flying! Scootaloo screamed

"Magic?" I said very quietly

"Potion making!" Applebloom suggested

"cooking!" Sweetie Belle said

"extreme scooter tricks!" Scootaloo yelled

"Sewing!"said Sweetie Belle

"Writing" Applebloom suggested

"Animals?" I said in a low voice

Clearly we all had very different things in mind on how to get a cutie mark, but that didn't stop us!

"Okay Everypony, so who wants to do what? We can do flying for Scootaloo since she's the only pegsi here and magic for Sweetie and I and for Applebloom apple bucking! So Applebloom... you'll need to go to Sweet Apple Acres and see how you can help Applejack and Big Mac. Scootaloo... go outside where there are no distractions and work on trying to fly and Sweetie and I will work in the clubhouse, but first go to the Golden Oak Library to see what we can find on a book about spells." I told them and we all rushed off.

As Sweetie Belle and I ran off to the library. We got there at a really bad time because when we came Fluttershy was still mad about last night and having Twilight let us borrow her ballon. As we walked in we looked at them and decided to leave them alone and go look for our book before they dragged us into the conversation because believe me... my parents already yelled at me last night and I really don't want to go through that a second time, because once was bad enough. As we looked around this little baby dragon came up to us and asked us if we were looking for a book.

"Yes actually we are. Can you show us where the magic spell books are?" I asked

"Please follow me, and I'm Spike!" He answered

"Wow, thats a lot of books!" Sweetie Belle said

"yes it is! Do you need help looking for a book? Spike asked us.

"No we can take it from here, thanks again Spike!" I said as we started looking around for a book

We started looking around for a book until we came to the agreement that we were going to each get a book from the library, Twilight said that we could take them out anytime or renew them for as long as we want as long as she gets them back. When we took them out we immediately went back to the treehouse and started looking through them for a simple spell.

When I found a spell I told Sweetie Belle that I was going to try it out, and she said she would watch. It was a spell to let you lift things. When I tried it out... I completely failed. My magic wasn't fully developed and I'm not very strong, when Sweetie Belle tried it at least she actually got the book of the ground, but it was only for about five seconds before her magic failed on her too. I felt uderly useless and stupid with this whole magic thing. I was a complete fail at it! So that's when I decided to look through some others pages of the book and see if there was anything easier to learn. While I was scanning the pages there was a spell that really caught my eye... It was a spell that could make your magic more advanced! So I tried it out but it looked really difficult, but I tried anyway and also I really wanted to get my cutie mark before Babs comes. All in all it was an awesome spell, but it looked really insanely tough. When I tried it I completely failed. Not like that's new or anything though. But at last I gave up and decided that I would get my magic to advance. When I returned my book to the library the following day I asked Twilight where I could find somepony to help me advance in my magic, she said she could help me after school everyday except Tuesday's though. So that's what I did... Everyday after school I would go to Twilight's library so she could help me improve on my magic. By the end of that week I had learned eight new spells! And I was so proud of my self! I couldn't wait to show the others.

"Guys! Guys! Guess what?!"

"What?" Scootaloo answered

"Yeah, you haven't looked this happy since you joined the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Sweetie Belle said

"I just learned some new spells! Eight to be exact!" I told them with a grin on my face "Can I show you?

"Hey. That's awesome.... for you. Sweetie Belle said sadden.

"You alright Sweetie?" Applebloom said concerned.

"No I'm not!" She said "It's not fair... everypony else is really excelling in everything they put their mind to.... But ME!"

"Hey, don't worry. Maybe we can help you!" I tried saying positively.

After that I decided maybe it wasn't the best time to show them what I had learned at Twilight's library. After that little break down we continued on with our day. Playing games, crusading, and talking. That day we all went to Twilight's library because Sweetie Belle (After her breakdown decided she wanted to do research on unicorns and some illnesses that may have stunted her growth in magic.)

When Sweetie Belle Finally found a book that suited her very picky taste, she finally checked it out! After we had heard that we were all so happy because we were there for hours on end. I'm not even kidding. I think we were there for about two hours and forty five minutes before she finally found the "perfect book".

Hey guys my parents want me home now, okay? I'll see you tomorrow! I said to them

"Alright, see you later!" Scoot said

When I got closer to home I saw Shining walking around the yard.

"Hey!"

As he turned around I saw that he had a bruise on his left shoulder

"What happened" I asked running over to him "Did you get bullied at school? Did sompony bump into you? Did you fall?

"No... But I would stay away from dad if I were you." He said coming over to me with tears in his eyes

"Shining, are you okay?" I asked concerned "Why, what's dad--- Wait... Did dad hit you?

He only nodded, he didn't say anything.

"Okay I'll be right back" I told him "Where's mom?"

"With him" He replied walking away looking at the backdoor

"Where is he?" I asked being suddenly interrupted by the door being opened

As I looked at the door I saw charley standing there. Then he came out and played with us,but I needed to find mom. As I thought to myself my thoughts were interrupted by screaming coming from mom and dads bedroom again. So I quickly ran to the door and told Shining to stay with Charley and that I would be right back...

As I ran up the stair and down the hall I heard the screaming and arguing get closer I heard dad and his voice get really strong and yell at mom saying where was I... As I came to a stop I realized I was right in front their door and I knocked softly. As the arguing died down and the door open I saw dad in the doorway and mom right behind him crying with tears streaming down her face.

"Hi mom, hi dad" I said slowly waling in "Why is mom crying?" I asked turning to dad for answers

"Oh, its none of your concern, we were just working an issue out" Mom said grabbing a guesundhoof to wipe her tears away.

"Oh, okay..." I said looking at dad "Is that right, you were just working out an isssue..."

"Yes, Yes it is" he said hugging mom saying he was oh so sorry for hurting her feelings. I gritted my teeth and mumbled under my breath as walking out the door.

I didn't believe one word that creep said... Looking out the kitchen window watching Shining and Charley play in the backyard.

We Flee

"Guys!"  I yelled through the window. "It's time to come in!" I said opening the door for them. "Come on Shining it's time for dinner!" As I came in I found Shining following me closing the door behind him, going into the kitchen I took out some daisy and daffodils.

"Hey do you want daffodils and daisies with an apple? I asked Shining opening the door to the refrigerator

"Sure, hey um, Feath?" He asked getting the plates from the cupboard

"Yeah?" I replied looking in the bottom draws of the fridge for the apples

"Do you know why dad is acting this way"

"Yes I do... but I-- I can't do this just don't say anything to him or mom.

He didn't respond.... as I got the apples out of the fridge, I ran over to the bowl on the counter and got some daisies and daffodils out then I put in the daisies and daffodils in a bowl and tossed it. I cut the apples and then put all of them on the stove and when they were done put them on plates and asked Shining to put the salad and the grilled apples on the table. After that I went up to mom and dad's room and knocked on there door ever so slightly and told them it was time for dinner. When I came down Shining was setting the table and putting napkins down under the silverware.

Hey, maybe I'll get my cutie mark in sword fighting" he said picking up the fork and swinging it around before jabbing it in the table. "Um Feather? I think I got the fork stuck in the table..."

"Of course you did" I said rolling my eyes and prying the fork out of the table.

When mom and dad came down we all ate a peaceful dinner, sadly there was a lack of conversation between mom and dad and an awkward silence between dad and I. As I looked over at mom I realized she had tear stains down her face and her face was also red. I also realized that mom and dad had been in their room for the entire day screaming at one another. So I had a feeling that dinner was not going to go well if one of us opened our mouth and by one of us of course I meant dad.

After dinner mom made dessert and dad cleared the table, after dessert mom told us it was time to go to bed. When Shining and I went upstairs and brushed our teeth and went into our rooms, I always read before I go to bed and I always close my door but as for my brother he liked keeping the hall light on and his door open. When I started reading my book it was so quiet downstairs I thought mom and dad had left, there was no yelling, no fighting, nothing. Not a peep. And it was actually quite nice not having any noise it the house.

After a good half an hour of reading I decided maybe it was time to go to bed. Let mom and dad work out there differences downstairs and let us get some rest.

During the night I was woken up by the light of the hallway shining into my room, but I was so sleep deprived I thought I was hallucinating. So I closed my eyes again, a couple seconds later I was woken up again some pony jostling me around and tapping me on the shoulder.

"ugh" I moaned "five more minutes"

As the tapping continued I groggily opened my eyes and sat up in my bed "What do you want" I groaned "It's one forty-five in the morning" I said looking at my alarm clock

"Feather Paw? I'm scared" My brother replied sitting on my bed "It's one forty-five in the morning and their screaming at each other."

As my body allowed me to wake myself up I was more aware of my surroundings and the noise going on around me. I realized that coming from mom and dad's room there was a lot of noise and yelling.

"Can I sleep in your room tonight? Please?" He said

" Shining Sword?! What are you still doing up though?" I asked

"I told you... they're screaming at each other" He replied

As I looked at my clock once more I realized it was now one fifty four the morning and went back to bed, but before I had the chance too, Shining asked me a question.

"What do you think their fighting about?"

"Probably us and their marriage and what not..." I told him slowly closing my eyes drifting off to sleep. "Get some rest. At least try. Everything will be better in the morning."

As I closed my eyes and drifted off I looked out my window and saw the moon, knowing the moon was out was just comforting to me some how. Then I went to sleep.

Later that night I had a dream... there were many nightmares or something like that surrounding me and as I looked at all of them they looked... negative. Let's see, there was one that I saw that looked weird. It was Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, they came up to the door and knocked, then I answered. My mane was really messy and so was my fur... looked like I hadn't brushed it in months,

"What do you want" I scowled at them

"Um... want to come out and play, we were thinking of trying to earn our cutie marks again" Scootaloo said

"Go away! You know I'm not apart of that anymore!" And shut the door in there face

In the next little nightmare I was in my room, my door closed, and my room all messed up you know. Stuff on the floor, things in my drawers hanging out. And I was sitting on the floor hunched over a checklist saying must check and recheck and check it again. I didn't know what I was checking but I heard mom and dad yelling and told them to be quiet. And in another nightmare it was about my mom. She was in the house sitting at the table reciting things under her breath using sock puppets to act something out... one looked like dad and the other one was her I'm assuming and she was mumbling and saying things to herself that made absolute no sense like divorce, no pony can't and kick them out, they don't care to stay. Which I felt was really disturbing.

In my next dream I was in the present and my dad was telling me to leave and kick me out, mom sat at the table and watched dad kick me out, when I walked out the door he shut the door and locked it. And I walked away from the house with my head down.

When I woke up from a cold sweat I though to myself maybe it was better if I left. Mom and Dad might not fight anymore, and Shining and I might be able to... to run away from all that's happened.

As I got out of bed I got a piece of paper and a quill and trotted into the bathroom, when I got into the bathroom I closed the door and taped the paper to the back of the door. Then I started thinking what I would need to bring with me, as I started to think I knew that I would definitely need

-Food

-Water

-The bag of bits

-My Saddle bag

-Dry Clothes

and obviously there was more to come but Shining could put some stuff in his saddle bag. When I was done making my checklist, I went into Shining Sword's room and dug through his closet.(Trust me, that was not one of the things on my bucket list.) When I finally  found his saddle bag I went back it to my room using my horn for a flashlight and got my quills, parchment, and some of his dry clothes and put them into his saddlebag. When that side of the bag was full I bought both my saddle bag and his saddlebag down to the kitchen and filled it with some bottles of water, apples and oats. Than when I came back to my room I made packed a little more into our saddlebags and then decided we were ready.

When I was about to wake him up I looked at him. Peacefully sleeping, I didn't want to wake him up but I had no choice if I wanted to make it out of the house by a quarter to three

"Shining, It's time to wake up...."

"Wha--- wait why... Celestia hadn't even risen the sun." He replied putting his head back to the pillow.

"Yes, that's why we need to leave. NOW!"

"Fine" He said getting up and out of the bed. "Where are we even going"

"I'll explain on the way. Come on!" I said dragging him out of the bed "Here, I already have your saddle bag packed, can you use your horn to make a little flashlight glow while I write?"

"Sure" Shining replied

I took a piece a paper from the drawer and began to write

Dear Mom and dad,

I know you guys are going through a lot right now, but if you and dad are going to be fighting around Shining and I maybe it'd be best if we had left. I love you both even if you don't love me back, but I do know one thing. I am not going to make you choose between your marriage and your kids, and maybe while we are gone. You might be able to solve your problems. I am so sorry. And while I really don't want to write this I have too, me and Shining Sword are leaving. But don't worry maybe we'll return in a couple of moons.

Love always,

Shining Sword and Feather Paw

I taped the parchment paper to the dining room table and left the quill next to it. And then we walked over to the door.

"Say your last goodbyes and a last look, because we'll be gone for a while" I told Shining Sword thinking where we would go.

And then opened the door and walked out.

-----To be continued

A Rough Ride

We step on to the cold hard concrete of our driveway. Wow I guess I might need to let the other crusaders in on what I'm doing. I'll have to leave them a note I think to myself.

"Okay, here's the plan I need to leave a note on the crusaders door saying that I won't be here for a while. I am giving my mom and dad space to work stuff out. So can I have a piece of parchment and a quill?"

He hand me a piece a parchment and a quill. I walk up to the door, and tape it to the door and began to write. What should I say? I thought to myself, maybe something like... Hey guys, It’s me Feather Paw. I know that we only met a while ago but I am leaving Ponyville. That gave me a brilliant idea. Okay, only have one shot at this so I have to get it right I repeat in my head over and over again.

Dear CMC,

I am so glad you were my first friends in Ponyville and thank you for everything, the tour, the time together but I'm leaving Ponyville for a while. You could say it's more of a temporary move for now. Tomorrow you could try knocking on my door but I won't be there. It will only be my parents, I have no idea where I am going but it won't be here. Also I do Pinkie Pie Promise that I will come back. Maybe in a couple of years, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. See you guys in a couple of years.

Love, Feather Paw.

As I left the note hanging on the door by a piece of tape I looked back at it and prayed they wouldn't go on one of their crazy adventures to find me and Shining Sword. "Come on" I say nudging him along. We walk and walk until we got to the train station, I tell him to go and sit on the bench and wait for me until I get our tickets. When I walk up to the machine, I put in four bits for two tickets and right on time too because when I walk back to the bench Shining mention that the train was coming.

"Come on!" He says pushing me along.

"Alright Alright. But Shining if anypony asks I am fourteen not twelve." I say looking at him sharply "Got it?"

"Okay..."

I look at him before we got on the train, as we hand the pony our tickets he stopped us.

"Oh, Hello sir" I said trying again to get on the train  "Where's the cheapest ticket that also happens to be a long way from Ponyville?"

"That would be Manehattan" He tells me looking at me suspiciously "Say, aren't you a little too young to go riding around on a train all around Equestria at three in the morning?"

"Nah, I'm fourteen... my parents got divorced and I am going to visit my father in Manehattan, my mother lives in Ponyville" wow that was a really cheesy cover story I think to myself.

"Then I would like to get permission from this mother of yours." He says looking at his watch.

What do to... What to do! I can't tell him that my mom is sleeping or that my whole story was a lie. Then he definitely won't let me on the train. That's when I came up with a brilliant idea, but before I could even announce the first word I heard somepony's voice. It’ss raspy and somewhat mare-like voice. When I look up it’s none other than Vinyl Scratch.

"Hey, these guys are my kids. They were just getting me tickets"

I guess he’s surprise by the resemblance between Vinyl and I because he looked astonish. He let us on without a fight. When we get on, we all sat down and start talking.

"So why are you guys getting on a train at three in the morning?" she ask.

"Family reasons, you know horrible dad. My mom married him right before we moved from Cloudsdale, but he was only nice for about two seconds and since then he been rude but I had never had dad before this and I don’t think I want another dad."

"Oh, jeez sorry to hear that kido."

Sympathy isn't what I need. I need a home, money, a family, food to feed Shining and I. I need a lot more than sympathy.

"It's not your fault. I'm tired so I'm going to get some sleep" I tell her.

That night instead of nightmares I had pleasant dreams, dreams of being back home in Cloudsdale. Getting reunited with Babs Seed and catching up with her while she was gone. I had another dream of coming home to mom and another stallion, they looked happy. And I was back home with mom and that other stallion. My last dream was horrible. It was Shining Sword, and I in school. We were in class learning but then the my alarm clock went off in the middle of class. My alarm clock. Everypony was pointing and laughing but the teacher was not amuse.

I wake up, my heart still racing from my dream and hooves shaking uncontrollably. practically falling out of my seat being jostled around the train.

Everything is chaos when I wake up. The train was going at an uncontrollable speed and everypony around me was screaming in fear. The train lost control! Now we are going even faster than we were before and Shining is nowhere to be found. I’m looking around trying to navigate between the screaming ponies, I look out the window and realized that the train was on the brink of going off the tracks. I look around the train until the train sound like it hit a bump and then everything went black.

I wake up with my vision being blurry "Shining!" A million thoughts are racing in my head, where would he be? Would we get off the train alive.

I slip and slid around the train bumping into everyone running towards the door. I didn't know where to find him but if I’m going to get out alive and possibly find him and hope he already gets out I would have to go now. But before I could get to the door, the train went off the tracks and everything went black.

Memories

I wake up and find everything’s fuzzy. I’m lying on the window on the flip over train. I quickly realize Shining is still missing, I get up. As I get up there is a throbbing pain in my right wing but I ignore "Shining Sword?" There are ambulances and guard carriages all around the train. I need to find Shining. I look for a long time, I shout out his name as I wander around, but there was no sign of Shining Sword.

At that point I'm so angry and sad that I grab the random object I could find and chuck it at the window. The window makes a shattering sound and there was a hole big enough for me to fit through, I quickly take my chance and jump through, landing hard on my hoof and getting a few scrapes I realize, I must clean myself if so it doesn't look like I was here.

I ran to the nearest public bathroom and went to the sink, took a paper towel, and wiped off my face and clean my wounds. I didn't do a very good job but it looked better than before. I walk around not knowing where I am but I just keep walking. I walk until I think I was in a forest, but it definitely wasn't the Everfree. It's also getting dark so I settle under a tree for the night.

I wake up to being nuzzle, I open my eyes, and to find a deer. She wrap me in her warmth and settle down around me, there were also other animals too, like bees, birds, skunks, possums, bunnies, and other animals. The skunk even give me some berries. I eat the berries and stand up saying thank you to all of them. The birds start gathering around my tail for some reason. They were all there in a circle and they were chirping so loudly, I couldn't hear myself think. I look at them, then back at the deer who had so generously kept me warm throughout the night and then look back at the birds, I didn't understand. The deer finally get up and walk over to me and all the birds fly upward. She look at the birds for a moment then back at me as if trying to tell me something. She look at my flank for a moment more before nudging the place where my cutie mark should've been. She nudge the spot again before I get her message. I look at my flank and then I see it. My cutie mark, I got my cutie mark, It was a paw print with a feather going directly diagonally of it. It’s a cyan, but maybe a shade or two lighter. I couldn't believe my eyes. I poke at it just to make sure it was real and it was.

That got me thinking of Shining... who hadn't receive his cutie mark. However I bet it would've been awesome. It even may have been better than mine. I say that and pray that to him wherever he is. Tears trickle down my cheeks, luckily the deer was here and she lick my tears away. I quickly stop crying. Maybe the animals didn't know it but I know Shining is gone. Deep inside me I just have a feeling. The really sad thing is I know I am right.

"Thanks guys" I tell the animals

I never knew that this was going to be my destiny, now that I think about it though it does kind of make sense. I wonder around the forest for a while before coming to a fork in the road. I choose right path, because I knew it was going to be the path that leads me out of the forest.

I walk and walk for what seem like an eternity but I finally hear voices and all the noises of the streets. I start sprinting toward the streets and finally came to the big Manehatten. I starting walking again to my friends old apartment which was really close to where I am, I turn a couple of corners and bump into some other ponies along the way. I get to her old apartment which is shut down for Health reasons, I fly inside and use the stairs to get her apartment 8B, I unlock the door with the spare key that was always under the doormat and invite myself inside. I remember this place and it bring back so many memories. Memories of me, Shining and her playing tag in the living room and hide and seek too. Spending cold nights by the fire and having a sleepover together. But now there’s no fire going in the chimney, there is no bunk beds in our room that I shared with her. There was just a mattress in the middle of the floor, and there was no family to sit on the couch with and tell funny stories, but the thing that bother me most was that there is no Shining Sword and no Sparky Night here.

I push that thought aside and get the dust pan and start sweeping the floor in the old room and I shake out the mattress so I could sleep on it. After that I use the food from the pantry and heat it up. After I ate dinner, I decide that it was time I take an early night. So I clean up, and did the dishes. I walk back to my bedroom. I pull an old dusty blanket from the closet and a pillow from the closet and went back to my room. I put the pillow on the ground and get in bed, I pull the blanket over my body and fall asleep.

The next morning I wake up and fall right back to sleep. I didn't gets very good night's sleep at all. I went out and try to scrape together some money for food. Sadly I only got seven bits. Today nothing much happen, I did that and then I work on trying to find a better place to stay. However I couldn't find anywhere to stay. Fortunately I know a couple of ponies that might help me in my time of need. I didn't go to them right away I decide it would've been best to see what I could do for myself. I went back to the apartment where I spent the rest of my spare time either cleaning or working on things in the house. The apartment that is shut down due to violating the Equestria Health code. When night fall came around I came back to the apartment and fall asleep fast.

Can I Really Call This Home?

I wake up and jump out of bed. I've been here for a couple of months now and it's bringing back my memory of where everything is. I usually hold up a sign outside my apartment that said Homes? Eventually this old couple came around and decided that they wanted to adopt me. I was hesitant to go with them but after a couple of minutes of getting to know them they were alright.

We went back to their apartment and they showed me to a spare bedroom where they said would be my room. It had two windows and one of them was an emergency window. There was a blue blanket bunk bed in the corner of the room and a little nightstand next to it. I had a closet and a desk too. It was a small comfortable room. After getting to know them they were really nice, the old mare's name is Bright Wish and the stallion’s name is  Scarred Snow; he's very grumpy. Anyway I can tell he doesn't really like me but that's okay because he said I don't get in the way most of the time.

"Can I go outside?" I asked politely, they were preparing dinner and I really wanted a chance to explore their yard.

"No" Scarred Snow replies.

"C'mon... she can't do any harm." Bright Wish says.

I was about to point out that I could do harm to their yard, if I really wanted too, "Fine, go outside" he says at last.

I jumped off the chair and raced to the door.

"Don't go beyond the yard!" Bright Wish calls after me.

"I won't" I reply and then shut the door behind me.

There yard is very nice indeed, it has a flower garden, with gnomes, and weeds, wow I think to myself. It does look like they did put a lot of work into this garden. I'll help them out by pulling the weeds so they don't have to deal with it. As I started to pull the weeds Scarred Snow came outside and caught me pulling the weeds.

"What are you doing?!" he ask suspiciously.

"Pulling out the weeds so you won't have to deal with it" I say with a grin.

"What?!" he’s practically yelling at me now, "NO----! Go inside and don't come back out!"

"Why" I ask clearly baffle by the fact he is yelling at me for helping.

"JUST GO!" he shouts clearly losing his temper with me.

I head inside without further instruction and sit down next to Bright Wish at the table.

"Um..... Bright Wish?" I ask.

“Yes, sweetheart?" She replies turning to me from the T.V

"Um... So I was out in the garden and I---- I started pulling weeds, but apparently Scarred Snow like me pulling the weeds. They weren’t flowers but I didn't know that and Scarred Snow came out and spotted me. He got really angry with me and told me to go inside. I didn't mean too. Honest" I say quickly

"I believe you, and he does get really-" she pause for a moment before continuing "let’s say that the garden is probably the best thing that happened to him after something happened last year with his parent. Don't worry about him he loves that garden and when something happens to it he takes care of it like it's his child" she answers.

"Oh I--I didn't mean----" I’m cut off mid sentence by Scarred Snow entering.

“What's for dinner?” he ask in a grumpy tone.

"Um... What do you want?" Bright Wish says.

"Do we have any pasta?" he asks glaring at me.

"Yes, I'll cook us some pasta" She say as she heads into the kitchen.

We are sitting down at the table eating, with the TV on. I’m watching Bright Wish flip through the channels. She stop at the news channel, while I’m watching I could feel Scarred Snow glaring down at me through the entire meal. After dinner I was asked to go to my room and stay there until I was called down again. I walk up the two flights of stairs and head into my room. My room, the paint is a bright baby blanket blue with decals of my favorite ponies like Sapphire Shores and Photo Finish. After waiting in my room for a good half an hour I heard yelling coming from downstairs I decide I was done waiting in my room and I’m most certainly not going to be talk about behind my back. I make an choice.

I’m going to wait and listen at the top of the stairs. I walk to the stairs ever so quietly and listen to the so called conversation going on a floor below me.

"I don’t understand! You're getting so upset about this and there's absolutely no reason too!" Bright Wish had said firmly.

“Yes, there is! I won't take it.... She has been here for months and I feel like we haven't set down stern rules!" Scarred Snow yells.

"Why? Of course we did! She knows what she's not allowed to do and what she is allowed to do" Bright Wish says.

"No she doesn't! She’s a wild child!"

"Fine!" she snap "then what do you want us to do?"

"I have a couple in mind! We put her back where we found her, or we could put her up for adoption!"

"Let's talk to her first, I think she's had a hard life, and-" Bright Wish's voice turn soft and comforting but she’s cut off.

"Oh, and I haven't had a hard life?" Scarred bark.

'I never said you didn't!" She replies her voice suddenly not so soothing anymore "I know you had a hard life, I know what happened to you when you were younger! But this is not about you! This is about Feather Paw and how we can make this the best home possible for her."

"That's only because you wanted to have a kid in the house, I only wanted you to be happy! I never agreed but I wasn't against it!" He reminds her.

I’m done listening to the conversation. Replaying the conversation in my head makes me so angry and the more I think about it. The more angry I get the more fear I’m going nag at me. What happened to him? I fear that they would put me up for adoption. I didn't want to leave. They were such a nice couple.

My heart was pounding, and my eyes welled, I’m beginning to think that I’m getting too attached to this family is an bad idea. Just then I’m call back downstairs. I brace myself and walk down the steps. I pray they wouldn't ask about my past or about my brother who didn't make it from the train wreck a couple of months ago.

“So um... Scarred Snow and I have been talking and we" she took a painfully long pause before continuing on "We--- We can't...."

"We can't take care of you anymore" Scarred says sounding actually half sad.

"What?!" So wait... are you? What are you going to do with me?" I ask holding back tears.

“Um... tonight we are going to search up orphanages and we’ll find a great one for you" Bright Wish didn't sound very enthusiastic about the idea.

“Why though? Did I do something or say something?" I ask.

“No... No It's just.... that..." She didn’t continue on after that.

“It’s JUST WHAT?” I shout at the top of my lungs, "WHY? BECAUSE I TRIED TO HELP AND I MESSED UP! BECAUSE I CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT? BECAUSE HE HAD A DIFFICULT PAST BUT I HAVEN'T? BECAUSE I CAN'T... CAN'T" I stop I wasn't able to finish my sentence. I just storm up to my room and slam the door shut.

I pack my belongings, and hang the backpack on the door I reorganized things so they wouldn't have to after I left. Maybe they wouldn’t have to worry about as much either. After I’m done organizing I took a piece of paper from the printer and grabbed a quill and with my magic I wrote ....

Dear Bright Wish and Scarred Snow,

Thanks so much for having me and taking care of me, these past few months have been hard for me and I appreciate your understanding. I know I am not the neatest nor the messiest, you made my life so much brighter and I thank you for that. Not only have you fed me and cared for me but you bought me all the things I wanted but never had. You bought me a bed, you painted my room, you to me a gameboy, and you let me keep my hamster Buddy even though you don't like rodents. You have done the impossible and made my world great again. I am so very dearly sorry that I was naughty and bad. I should've known better and if I find a family I will treat them with the respect and kindness you gave me! I heated the room so after I am gone you won't have to worry about cleaning up after me. May all the days before you be bright! You were the best! Thank you so much for everything.

With love forever and always,

Feather Paw"

I tape the piece of paper onto the desk and head to bed.

Just A Dream

"You're staying with us!" she announce, "I'm so sorry we---" she stop but I know what she is going to say and I just smile, knowing that I wasn't going anywhere for a long time.

"Yeah kiddo, you're actually not bad!" He replies patting my head.

"Thanks for giving me another chance" I reply smiling at both of them knowing there is somepony out there who care for me and I just have to find them.

"What do you want to get for dinner" Bright Wish ask, "we could go for Chinese food or pizza or anything you want."

I stand there thinking for a moment.

"Feather Paw? Feather Paw?? Feather Paw? FEATHER PAW!!!"

I wake up immediately follow by the sound of heavy breathing, I look up and who stand before me. You'd never guess who, Scarred Snow. I was hoping if I stay still and didn't move he wouldn't see me like the Wendigo in my game.

"Get up!" Scarred shout, "we're on a very strict time limit right now! Getting to your appointment on time at the orphanage and then dropping you off there!"

"Ugh" I reply "fine, I'm up. Let me just put a comb through my hair" I walk over to the vanity where my comb sat but then remember it’s in my bag. So I rush over to my bag and use my magic to comb my hair. I then put my backpack on and walk downstairs escort by Scarred Snow and Bright Wish, who is waiting by the stairs.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask looking up at them both.

Bright Wish sigh and look at her husband "We do it not because we don't love you. It’s because we're running low on money and we've got our personal stuff that we need to deal with."

"Oh okay." I say looking down and trying not to cry.

"Okay, let’s go. We've got to get you there by seven forty five. It’s seven twenty eight." Scarred Snow interrupt.

We walk out of the house and I look back once more and in my head said bye to the house. The house with the blue door.

On our way nopony said much. Bright Wish is the first to break the silence "I think you'll like it there."

"You think.?" I ask, "I mean honestly, I could compare you to my "So-called family" you're just like them! Except just a bit better!”

"What do you mean. We love you but we can't afford to take care of you, your hamster and ourselves" Bright Wish replies.

"Right there!" I yell "That's what I mean! They act like they love you, they act like they'll be there forever and then one day they'll kick you out and keep their love with them leaving their twelve year old child to fend for herself and her brother" I couldn't see straight anymore "I know what it's like to be in an orphanage. I know, you know why? Because I was there for the first four years of my life!" I start walking again the pavement then became a blob. I didn't even look like anything anymore but I kept walking away remembering to keep twelve hooves steps ahead of them. When the orphanage came into view I run. I run to the door, the red door.

Ever so carefully I open the door trying not to be seen or heard, I thought maybe I could get in, find my age group, sneak in and have them think I was always here. My thought shortly faded as I walk into a room that look like a play area when you go to the doctor's office to keep the little foals busy while you check in. I'm walking around inspecting every element of the room when Scarred Snow and Bright Wish came in, they look at each other than at the room I’m standing in and continue on into the next room which was a check-in office.

"Hello how may I help you today?" the pony behind the desk ask.

"Hi, we’re here to drop off a child into your care" Bright Wish replies.

"Is she a returning child?"

"No---"

"Then please take a seat in the other room and fill out this waver" She give it to Bright Wish and look away "Oh I'm sorry, but there are no pets allowed in the orphanage" little have I known she is talking to me and the mini cage on top of all my stuff. I walk away not listening to what she have to say, let alone even acknowledge that she said something.

I walk into the other room and plop myself down on a seat next to Bright Wish and look over her shoulder as she writes. She ask me a couple of questions here and there, some of them that I couldn't answer. I walk around the room some more and inspect things that I didn't see before, they have walk in. Meanwhile they are sitting in their chairs whispering, I pretend to look distract and absent-mind while they talk. I ponder thinking why would they do this? There has to be more to this, and what happen to Scarred Snow when he is a kid? The questions tug and nag at me for a long time until I decide, I was NOT going to be mistaken for a coward. I’m going to ask him before they leave.

The form was at least four pages long and in addition to that they both had to read, agree and sign a contract. When they turn the form in that's when they can leave me here to live alone for the rest of my life. I’m constantly looking over Bright Wishes’ shoulder to check the information they put down. I’m also head with Bright Wish when she heads to the main desk to ask a question, considering they don't have my adoption papers some of the questions. I'm supposed to know, that I don't, but I know that's not my fault. Taken into consideration they are long gone by now just like Bright Wish and Scarred Snow will be soon. It pain me to think about it but I'm probably going to think about them for the rest of my life whether I like it or not because they gave me the head start I wasn't able to give myself. They fed me, they took me to parks and concerts (actually they've only ever taken me to one and frankly it was the only one I ever saw and probably will see.)

"I'm finally done!" Bright Wish shouts with relief, I look over at her in disbelief. She quickly gets the memo and reword said. Not that it made it much better.

"I meant that it was a long form and it was tiring"  She responds.

"Suuuuure" I grumble to myself.

She walk into the other room and since the end of our time was nearing I rack up the courage to ask him what happen.

I walk over to him, uneasy and wobbly. Lifting my head up and staring him right in the eye, "I need to ask you a questio" I tell him still looking in the eye. He back look at me, his expression remains unchanged from what it is before. Staring at him I began ask, "I want to know what happened to you when you were little?" I ask him, "you talk about it as if it were something that will change someone's life but you never specified it."

"And I don't have too" He replies.

Just then Bright Wish walk into the room "What's going on?"

Staring at her I couldn't believe what I had just done! I can't even, I just ask him straight up.

"She wants to know" Scarred Snow clarified.

I looked at him. My eyes darted nervously around the room  as she sat down, avoiding her gaze I looked at Scarred Snow.

"So are you going to tell me?" I ask glancing around for something to do other than this. Avoiding his gaze was hard, I look at Bright Wish who look at him with a soft expression. He nods in her direction and she look at me. Staring at her my courage drop massively as to what she was going to say, but I keep my gaze as if to say I'm not afraid and I will not back down.

She open her mouth and started to speak "When Scarred Snow was young, very young. Maybe about two and a half years old his mother died.... She died from a drug overdose. His father loved his mother very much. After that happened he was punished for his mother's actions. He was not allowed to go outside or hang out with his friends after school. He was forced to come straight home, start his homework and take care of cooking dinner and doing dishes. That's because after his mom died and his dad got very depressed and turned into an alcoholic. Not even bothering to go to work anymore after that. When he was fourteen years old he had to get a job, after getting a two weeks overdue bill notice for the electricity" She paused for a bit, "after that things went downhill. He got more confused and went to a support group every Tuesday because he didn't want to end up like his dad, also I should mention after that he start rebelling against his father. After school he hung out with his friends and started going places" she stopped

I’m stunned. I didn't know some pony could've had it even more rough than I, but that was before I knew that and that was before I thought of everypony's future and outcome of their childhood.

"Wow, I didn't know that. Sorry for everything I've done, you guys are great, no matter what did or didn't happen because I've had lots of fun staying with you for these past couple of months and you gave me the head start my parents weren't able to give me."

"Bright Wish" a pony calls from the next room

We walk over to the desk and stared at the pony behind the desk, her nametag reads “Lightning Streak”. She walk out from behind the desk and over to us.

"Hello, my name’s Lightning Streak and I'll be directing you to your room" she says pointing a hoof at me "Let's go!"

She guides us into a back hallway and through a door that leds outside and into another building. There she open a wooden door and walk in, "This is where she'll be staying" she points a hoof around the room.

There are beds aligned with the wall and they look super comfortable. They were all bunk beds but apparently they had good quality mattresses.

"We had a new bunk bed come in just yesterday for her arrival, the staff here helped set it up. So over here on the back of the door are rules. There are twelve other fillies living in this room including herself. Now just very brief: no fighting, no stealing, no bullying, you have to make your beds every morning, and if something gets lost and you can't find it got check the lost and found because lots of things end up there and what we do is by the end of the year if nopony claims it then what we'll do is we will give it to the homeless" she assures us that I would be in good hands and then left us to check out the whole building.

Um, aren't we the homeless?" I ask her. But she ignores me and continues on.

"So where do we start? I want to go see the lunch room" Bright Wish ask.

"Sure, Feather Paw. Are you up to it?" Scarred Snow ask quite calmly.

"Yeah, sure. Not like it will really matter though. I mean what's the point? You guys aren't coming back. So why?"

"Okay, we don't have too. We can help you unpack and then leave or we could get something to eat." He suggests.

"Sure, let's get something to eat."

We follow the map until it led us to a big room with tables everywhere and a nice salad bar. Yes we get to pick what we eat, not wait for ten minutes on a lunch line.

We find a table right near the salad bar. I head up to the salad bar and bring back a daisy sandwich. I eat it fast, I guess I was hungry after all.

Bright Wish and Scarred Snow just got plain salad with tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. It takes us about twenty minutes to eat.

We walk back to my room and sat down on the bed. No pony talked. No one moved. We just sat there for a while, in silence.

"Whelp, we need to go because Bright Wish has a haircut appointment at two pm" I looked  at the clock, the time is one thirty.

"Oh, okay." I look away and then look back up to see them staring down at me

"We're sorry!" Bright Wish says in her soft tone "If I had my choice you would not be here" she starts to cry.

I stay put staring up at her, not moving, not saying anything, I just watch her sob into her husband's shoulder.

I look at both of them. I know they loved me and they were doing this for me but it feels weird to be here.... In an orphanage with some pony crying because they'll actually miss me and I would miss them. The walls became blobs and Scarred Snow’s face to was now just a smudge of grey. I felt a tear trickle down the right side of my face. Who was I to fool around with? I am going to miss them and when they walk out that door I'll never see them again.

"Come on Bright. Let's say our goodbyes" Scarred Snow replies.

Bright Wish let out a long sob. She look at me and takes me into her embrace, I hug her back and sniffled.

"I'm going to miss you!" She tells me quietly.

"I'm going----- to miss you ----- more" I say, between sniffs "Come back for me."

"I will, let all we taught you be a lesson and remain in your life. Don't let anyone put you down about what you like and don't let anything get in your way! Keep your hamster because he loves you. Let your plushy toy be a reminder that we are always here for you and support you in everything and anything!" She tells me these things before but hearing them for the last time in my life was different, "I love you Feather Paw."

"I love you too, Wish" and for the last time we all have a group hug. Bright Wish kiss me on the forehead before walking towards the door. "Bye" she says in a high pitch and squeaky voice. I watch them walk out the door and the heard a loud cry outside the door. I walk over to my bed and lay on my back. I muffle my sobs into the pillow.

Just then six other fillies walk into the room and stop when they see me on my bed crying into my pillow. I turn to look at them, some of them snicker at me for crying but others just stares as if I was... I was a wild animal that is trap and they want to help but didn't know how. I just want to go home wherever that may be. The other fillies are still standing in the doorway staring but quickly walk to their own beds minding their own business. I flop back down on my bed and press my face against the pillow and inhale heavily. I’m quickly interrupted by weight being put onto the foot of my bed. I look up and see a  pegasus filly with bright blue eyes and dark blue hair, almost a nighttime blue and a with a icy blue streak in it and her coat color is also a midnight blue. She’s tiny and cute, and her cutie mark is a pink feather with two mini stars above it.

"Hey, are you okay?" she ask me.

"No, not in the slightest bit." I answer honestly.

"It gets better, I promise. Trust me... I've been here for six years" she says, "anyway I'm Midnight Gem. I'm from Cloudsdale. My parents were divorced and my mom got depressed and my father didn't have enough money to take care of me."

"That's horrible!" I exclaim, "um... I'm Feather Paw" I look at her for a moment. She’s beautiful.

After introducing ourselves we sit on my bed and talk for hours we must've talk for a long time because the pony that was taking care of us told us that it was time for bed. Luckily her bed was right next to mine and she is on the bottom as well.  Now we could talk and follow directions at the same time.

“So... Why are you here?" She ask me “sorry sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me. You don't have to say if you don't feel comfortable though. Since you're new here and all I don't want to push you to do anything.”

“Oh no, it’s quite alright. Not much, just family issues actually, I ran away almost a year ago now and I ended up in my friends old shut down apartment building. It was shut down due to health reasons. Apparently it was unfit to live in the conditions. Anyway then I went to the street everyday to see if I could rack up some spare change for food and all that. Um, oh yeah an old couple adopted me a couple of months ago maybe about 7-8 months ago already and then they were running low on money so they needed to give me up for adoption" I say.

"Oh, I'm sorry" She replies with real sorrow in her voice something of which I had not heard of in a long time.

There was one thing... one thing I was keeping from her though. One major thing that throw my life into a haze, my brother. I haven’t seen him since the train one year ago and next Saturday will be the one year anniversary of not having him around.

"Feather?" I’m awaken by my dream of memory lane.

"What? Yes?" I say still staring into space.

"You alright?" Midnight had ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine! I wasn't doing anything. I was just thinking thoughts. That's all" I assure with a snappy tone, "you know what? I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed" I say as turn to my side "good night."

"Good night?" I hear her body shift and then I close my eyes continuously repeating to myself in my head that tomorrow is another day.

The Runaway Ponies

I awoke to the sound of drawers being open and close and hoof steps quietly making their way back across the room. The only shape I could make out is a  vague sihouette of a pony with longish mane and a dark coat. I look at my alarm clock that reads, four twenty three, it’s still dark out so I can only assume that it’s morning. More hoof steps of the mysterious figure lurking in the dark, so I get up and prop my back against a pillow and look up at the figure. The figure stop when it sees me.

"Who are you?" I whisper to it.

"Your worst nightmare," it said back to me, "who do you think it is? It's Midnight Gem."

"What are you doing.... At four thirty in the morning?" I ask her.

"What do you think? I'm packing" She snap.

"Packing?" I repeat.

"Yes, packing"

"Why?" I ask.

"What do you think?" She ask going through her drawers.

"You're running away, but where too?" I ask still completely baffled.

"Well, I've been here for a long time.... Nopony likes the older kids and I know that no pony is going to want me"

"Can I come?" I couldn't believe those words just came out of my mouth I mean I haven't even been here for a day.

"Sure, but you better get packing now though."

I slowly allow my body to wake up and get out of bed and walk over to my dresser,  I take out all my stuff and put it into my little backpack.

"Are you ready?" Midnight ask.

"Yeah" I say, confident, I have everything.

"Then let's go" Midnight whisper.

I follow Midnight to the window, and watch her flap her wings as she open the window.

"We're not going to fit, we'll have to get to the front of the building and go through the back door, it'll be easier and they don't guard the backdoor as much as they do for the front door."

I nod and follow her to the door, we hear hoofsteps approaching and we quickly ran back to the bed. The night guard pony checks in and walks right back out closing the door behind him. After the hoof steps walked away we got up and walked back to the door. We look in the crease of at the bottom of the door and see the flashlight go down the hall and take a turn, just like that the light was gone. We open the door and look both ways before running down the hallway and taking a sharp turn to the left. I see the back door but before I could get much further I feel a sharp tug on the back of my mane, I was about to shriek when my mouth is cover as well.

"Are you crazy?!" Midnight tells me "don't you know that there is a front desk pony taking a night shift."

"No, I'm sorry" I whisper back “but ow, what was the tug on the back of my mane for?"

"That was for almost getting us caught" She snap, "okay we are going to have to army crawl our way around the desk and to the vent. That way when we get to the vent, you will turn off the lights, when the pony gets up there is a screw driver in the drawer, unscrew the vent, and then we'll get out" she tells me. "Now this pony's shift ends five thirty-five, right now it's--" She paused and look up at the clock, "five thirty-two, so that leaves us three minutes. After she starts leaving we'll probably still be here trying to unscrew the vent, so I'll use my flight and distract her by turning off the lights and making shadows on the wall and then after I lead her away I'll come back and we'll leave"

We cautiously army crawl around the side if the desk, keeping quiet and we made our way around the desk and got to the vent. I go to the deak, open the drawer and grab the screw driver and grab the screws one by one removing them quietly and carefully. It’s now five thirty-four and I have one more minute to get everything done. I wait and wait, for five thirty-five to come and when it finally did I made my way inside the vent and wait for the audio cue that would signal Midnight to distract the guard. I heard the pony get up and put all four hooves onto the ground. Midnight is waiting right around the corner. She sees me waiting inside the vent, and then pony came into view and made her way towards the vent. I quickly realize that I have left the opening to the vent on the floor. I scoop it up and toss it up, flying up fast right before she sees me and put it high above so it touch the ceiling and she wouldn't see it. Just than the lights went out and a shadowy figure soar pass the guard. The night guard wasn't happy, she turn around and almost catch my friend but thankfully the guard didn't. Midnight's shadow follow close behind her as she makes a sharp turn. The guard didn't even bother. She turn around and head to go turn on the lights, when that didn't work I know we are both in big, big trouble. Midnight lands softly on the ground and I do too. I crawl inside the vent wait for her to get inside.

"Shove over, I need to get in there." Midnight whisper.

I crawl further inside the vent and ask her why the power isn't going on when the guard flipped the switch.

"That's because I head down to the basement and flip a switch, so then the power wouldn’t go on" she tells me.

We crawl to the end of the vent and I and dismantle the next opening of the vent. We crawl out of the vent and onto the green grass, we did it. We manage to get out of the building, without getting caught.

"C'mon I have a friend, who'd be willing to let us stay with them" Midnight tells me as we runs off.

A Friend For Life

We walk along the road, side by side not saying a word.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask her looking sheepish.

“I’m fi------uh, I was just doing some thinking” Midnight look over at me, but quickly turn away. We remain silent as we keep walking. I feel that we both have an hard past. We were neglected by our parents and for us it was hard to share our feelings. Midnight still didn't know about my brother, but I didn’t want to say anything.

Midnight look over at the little development to the right. She sigh and look at the sign that reads “Haybrooke Falls”. “I remember I would go over there every weekend” we stop and she look at it one more time “she doesn't live there anymore, she passed away.”

“Who?” I ask as she starts walking toward the house.

She doesn't answer, but she just continues rambling on and I carry on listening.  “Nopony lives there anymore, it’s been for sale for over two years.” Tears stream down her cheeks. I walk over to her and with my hoof I touch her cheek and wipe her tears. “I want to go in” she says with more tears falling down her face, she sniffles and trots toward the house.

“WHAT?!” I inhale sharply. I know she wanted to something from there, maybe she want to remember, maybe she want comfort, insure what else to do I follow her inside the house anyway.

There is a big, open space when you walk in with rooms to your right and left and a little further down there are stairs. She slowly makes her way up the stairs and take a sharp turn. She then follow the path leading to the door and pushed it open slowly.

I take Buddy out of the little critter cage and played with him. He start looking old, and sickly. He didn’t look well at all. I look around for Midnight, but she is nowhere to be found. I come around a corner and see her sitting on her rump, staring down at the ground.

“I’m sorry” I feel sheepish knowing that one do much but she looks up at least. “It wasn’t you. I---” she stop as I hug her and plant a kiss on the top of her head. I  sit down beside her and strok her mane as she carry on crying.

“Do you love me?” she asks looking at me. I look at her for a moment, yes I did love her but I don’t know if I wanted to admit it here and now. I took a deep breath.

“Yes I do love you, and you’re talented and beautiful, but you know it’ll have to play itself out. We should get going.”

“Right” she says following me to the door, we walk downstairs and walk out the door.

"C'mon, we're almost there!" I start galloping after her.

"Wait up!" I catch up to her and trot next to her. We walked upon the road and came to quaint house.

"Here it is!" she says to me and we gallop to the front door. Midnight knocks on the door and we wait a few moments before some pony comes and opens the door, she looks young maybe only about twenty or late teens.

"Midnight Gem?!" she shrieks "Omigosh! It's been forever! How are you?"

"I'm good, yeah, uh. This is, Feather Paw. She's one of my friends. That I ran away with."

"Oh, cool" she turned to me "Hi, Feather Paw.”

"I'm Mythic Note. One of Midnight's friends from Cloudsdale" the young pony known as Mythic.

"Nice to meet you" I say to her.

"Why don't you guys come in" Mythic says to us.

We enter her house and it's not as tiny as it looks to be honest. It looks really big on the inside. Mythic give us a tour and tells us to go wash up for dinner. We do as we are tell and go to our rooms.

"These rooms are huge" Midnight tells me

I nod and walk to my room. My room is a dark blue. Almost the shade of Midnight's coat color. The ceiling is a slightly lighter shade of blue and when you walk in there is a bunk bed and a desk with some papers on them. There's a nice closet and a stand with a T.V. on it. Connected to my room is a bathroom and I think Midnight has the same thing.

I get wash up and knock on Midnight's door. "Hey... Are you in there?" I knock once more but a little harder and then turn the doorknob, I walk inside Midnight's room and find her hanging up photos.

"Hey, why didn't you answer the door?" I ask.

"I did, I said come in" she replies and moves about her room hanging up posters. "Can you help me?" She asks me.

I walk over to her backpack and take out some clothes. "Hey, I'm going to put your clothes away. Just so you know and after you're done I'll tell you how I sort everything" I start going through her clothes and making piles of shirts, shorts, and accessories. I start putting them away but quickly hear Mythic Note's voice calling us down.

"Coming" We reply in unison, we walk downstairs and into the kitchen where Mythic have made us corn, peas, and apples in a sort of lasagna the looking dish. I try it and it was really yummy but I didn't quite know what it actually is. We finish dinner and clean our plates and once again and I thank her for having me. We rush upstairs and halfway upstairs we are called by Mythic. We walk downstairs. "So before you guys came here, I was offered a job in Cloudsdale and I accepted the offer. The job starts in two weeks so I'm really going to need your help packing up."

"What! You can't leave. What about Feather Paw and I?" Midnight asks awaiting a response, you could tell just by looking at her she was really mad and ready to cry. I hear her in my embrace and also began to wait for a response.

"Well, you would come with me, of course." Mythic says. Midnight's ear perk up a bit and she looked happier than she did before.

"YES!!! WE’RE GOING TO CLOUDSDALE!" She have an excited expression on her face and I’m just happy that she was. I flap my wings and soared high above the both of them. She joined me and so did Mythic. "Thanks Mythic" I tell her before Mythic and I race around the corner and upstairs.

"Oh wow, I've only been there once! I'm so excited" I flap my wings and soar up to the sky, this is going to be awesome I think to myself. Just then I remember about Midnight's past.

Prologue

My name's Feather Paw and I'm a Pegasus that move to Ponyville from Manehatten. I don't have my cutie mark yet either and I was being teased back in Manehatten at my old school However, I did have one friend. Who wouldn't make fun of me because she's a blank flank too. Her name is Babs Seed she's been my BFF since diapers. Both of us were really close but now that I moved its kinda hard to make friends, if you don't know where to start. My family, my brother and I moved on to a street near the train station, My parents say I should be outgoing more with other ponies because I'm so shy but I keep telling them that I do have friends. I have my dog and my hamster and also my books, back in Manehatten my mom worked as the librarian in our school, her cutie mark is a scroll with a quill on top of it and I believe that represents her knowledge of books. Her name is Silver Scroll. My dad worked at an animal shelter, his cutie mark is a pawprint with a chew toy on it that goes diagonally to make a cross, his name is Night Paw, but he's not your typical dad. He's weird. Now like I said I don't have my cutie mark yet and neither does my younger brother, Shining Sword. I wonder when I am going to get it because all the kids in class would just laugh.  It maybe a small town but I still don't even know where to start.