Prologue- Without a Father
Illuminate opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in a tickley substance similar to the color of her coat. This substance was a pale rose, and it caused the young Pegasus foal to sneeze. This substance lifted, and Cherry discovered at that very moment it was the feathers of her mother's, Snowi Rose, wings. "Hello there, my sweet little blessing. Welcome to your home, Equestria," The pale mare murmured gently. "Welcome to the world." The breeze stirred Rose's white mane, a lilac delicately woven into it. Cherry spoke her first words. "Mama? Where Dada?" She whinnied. "Oh." A tear started rolling down Rose's cheek at her daughter's words. "He's..." How could she put this? The foal's father's life had been taken in war. Think Rose, think! Rose thought. "He what?" Cherry questioned. "He's... Gone." Rose sighed. She remembered that note. The one that stated her husband's death.
Dear Snowi Rose, we are required to inform you that your spouse, Coal Dash, has had his life taken due to a fight with the dreaded Changelings, slain by their queen herself. He fought valiantly, and will be known for eternity. We understand you will grieve him deeply, and that he has a foal that he wishes a good life.
Our Regards,
The Royal Guard of Canterlot and Equestria.
Chapter 1- A Day as a Filly
This story only has one chapter with the main character as a foal. Take note of this and just read the story.
"Happy birthday, Cherry!" Snowi Rose cheered as she passed a shaking present to Illuminate Cherry. The hyped cherry Pegasi filly tore the present open, to find a newly hatched Pheonix peeping at her as if Cherry was her mother. "Hey there, little guy! I'll call you Sunflame!" Cherry cooed. The little bird chirped with enthusiasm. Snowi smiled. She passed a card to Cherry.
The card read: **Hey there my little blessing. I am at war, protecting foals and ponies like you and Mama. I would like you to know that if I don't make it back, that I really miss you.* Hey there little one. It's time you knew the truth. Daddy is dead. But believe me darling, he is in a good place right now. Stay strong... Mommy and Daddy*
Cherry started crying, and the crying turned into a bawl that sprayed the room in tears. Rose wrapped Cherry in her wings, like she had the day Cherry opened her eyes. Rose started crying, too. " It's ok. I'm... Ok now." Cherry sniffled. They sat next to eachother on the couch in their cloudy living room. Sunflame peeped, and just barely flapped onto Cherry's shoulder. The young filly smiled a little bit. But she frowned again because she realized she did not have a cutie mark. "Mommy, when will I get my Cutie Mark?" "When you find your special talent." Rose brought her daughter closer to her. "My Cutie Mark resembles my talent for caring for plants. " The pale rose-colored Pegasus said, as an example. A rose bush scored her flank to resemble her ability to care for plants with ease. "Is it possible to never get your Cutie Mark?" Cherry asked, anxious if she would get her Cutie Mark. "Yes, but it is rare. In fact, it's more possible for Princess Celestia to come visit us! And that's rare. Just like each and every pony is rare. Difference is key, and is great to have. Equality is also important in some means, child. But difference is the best thing about us. Remember that. Even if you don't get a cutie mark, ever," Rose told her. Cherry smiled. "So, no matter what I'm like, I'm still amazing?" The filly asked gleefully. "Yes. You know, that Pheonix is like you! You both have no Cutie Marks, and you love eachother." Rose pointed out.
Cherry flew alongside Sunflame as they scanned the land, Snowi Rose not far behind. They flew over Princess Twilight's castle, along with the whole town, anyway. Cherry waved as she noticed Rainbow Dash flying about. Rainbow winked back at her. Cherry grunted as she crashed into a colt flying towards her. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Cherry blushed in embarrassment. "Oh... Em, it's ok!" The colt replied, blushing as well. His coat was a pitch-black, and his short green hair glowed neon. His blue eyes met with Cherry's rose ones. "Well, I'm Illuminate Cherry. But you can call me Cherry," Cherry said. "What's your name?" "Neon Skies. Call me Neon." The colt replied. A flash of pale rose appeared. "Well, my mom's here. Bye!"
Chapter 2: Differences Are Key
Cherry (a mare now since previous chapter) read the note over and over again. It had come from one of her good friends, Pop Icicle. She smiled softly at her friend's words.
Hey, Cherrs. Did you know how amazing it is to be different? Be grateful for being a blank flank. Maybe you will get your Mark! Have a good day- Pop Icicle
As she read it, a stallion approached her and sat at her table at the Hay Cafè. His coat was pitch black, and his hair was neon. His eyes glistened blue with memories Cherry suddenly remembered. "Neon?" Cherry asked. "Uh... Yeah. And you're Cherry? If I remember from our collision as foals?" Neon replied. Cherry nodded, and then she immediately covered her flank with her tail. She blushed for no apparent reason. "It's ok. I know you're still a blank flank. I've... Seen you. We should get to know eachother more than name. Yah know, become friends and that stuff?" Neon wondered. "Well, OK. Hey, I haven't ordered any food yet, want to eat lunch with me?" Cherry agreed, questioning when he would want to start being friends by inviting him to lunch. "That would be splendid, thank you." Neon answered, blushing. They chose their meals. The waiter approached, and asked the two what they would like. "I shall have a simple hay sandwich." Cherry ordered. "And I will have the 'Ultimate Oat Burger' please." Neon requested. "So a hay sandwich and an oat burger?" The waiter repeated, just to make sure. "Correct." Neon said. "We will be with you shortly." The waiter quickly whinnied as he whisked away Cherry and Neon's menus.
As Cherry and Neon walked about PonyVille, Cherry looked at her companion's Cutie Mark. A neon lightning bolt with an arrow through it was what it was. "Hey, what does your Cutie Mark represent?" She asked. "Oh. Well, I found out I'm good at controlling weather, especially lightning storms. And the arrow is like direction and force," Neon explained. "Well, gotta go! See you later!" Cherry flew to her cottage, similar to Fluttershy's. Sunflame greeted her with a "caw" when Cherry came through the door. "You know, 'Flame, it's good to be different." She said, meaning every word. "It really is."
