The great blue line, blocking me from my dreams. I look out everyday, hoping to see a shape made out in the horizon, but it never appears. Equestria is what I'm talking about, land of green plains and many creatures, little and big. Father kept saying

That land is no longer safe... It's full of savages ever since their princess has fallen

but I don't believe him, I can see more out there, but only a glimpse. I shall leave sooner or later, for the stars be my compass to where I need to go.

"Star, wake up," A voice said behind the void of my mind. "Starlesa Moondust, Wake up," It started to said as it pushed me out of dark and into the light. Waking up sucks when you dream about something you wanted to much. I felt a gentle sensation of laughter to be let out, I slowly opened my eyes to see.

"Father I'm awake, stop it," I said through my giggles as father tickled me awake. His methods prove very effective then just shouting or shaking one.

"You need to get your dress on missy, we're meeting with the other houses today," He said as he spat the feather out. "And your mother's funeral today," He said with a sad tone. I totally forgot about mother's funeral was today. She was murdered by somepony for, just reasons unknown. Some say its because she's a unicorn while others say it was political. Reasons ponies argue are absurd nowadays.

"Why today for everything," I muttered to myself. I was hoping for a few more hours of sleep.

"I don't know why, but do get dress and ready please," Father said before leaving my room. What a cheerful old pony. I just walked up to my closet, looking for my purple and sleek black dress. Not the fanciest out of the bunch, it stood out. I grabbed it and proceeded to put it on... and I was failing already, normally mother helps with her magic but with her gone it proved challenging. Finally fitting my wings through the slits and proceeded outside.

Same cold damp cave floor, with the dim lights for others living among us. I felt a faint tap on my shoulder and turned around to see who it was.

"Sorry to bother you Miss Moondust but you missed your dueling practice yesterday," The olden unicorn stallion said.

"Ace, I promise to come today to make it up, after the meeting and funeral and once I'm out of this dress," I replied.

"You do look stunning in that dress, why not go to the shop with me once you're done?" Ace asked with an eyebrow raised.

"You're a bit too old for me Ace, and you know the true reason why I reject stallions," I said, blushing very little.

"Yes, the thing this very place doesn't want. You'll need to tell your father soon, or at the very least leave," Ace said, rubbing my one bat ear. I just rolled my eyes before trotting away. "Do remember to come after all of this, you need your lessons on how to handle a pistol without magic," He shouted towards me before I got out of his range. Gee, I must be some kind of mare for stallions to be all over me. Beauty or nobility, which is the real reason why they are kissing my hoof? Both seems about correct as I trotted faster to the funeral grounds. Got to be there before the ceremony starts, I'm known for coming late.

Only my father and few friends came, sitting down on the available benches. Mother was one with the ponies but those who didn't show up were afraid of being targeted. I don't blame their weariness. Only other pony who I noticed was Sugar Pop. She's a unicorn who came here from Equestria a while back. We were filly friends and mother just loved to hang out with her mother. I understand why she was here, her mother most likely was too upset to come. I just wished for this to be over with so we can get the meeting done with. Dueling practice takes up a lot of my time and I wish to get it over with.

Grand Hall, where the four houses meet. Bluefang, Silverwing, and Mellowhoof, the other three houses. Mine, the Moondust, were the bottom tier one, least favored by civilians but still important to running this place. We handle the crimes while other handle the taxes and other boring jobs. That's one reason why I have dueling practice.

"Hello there gentlecolts, I brought my daughter here with me today, if that's fine with you all," Father said.

"The young lady, she is welcomed anytime," Mellowhoof, the youngest of them said, kissing my hoof. I blushed at that comment and pulled my hoof from his grasp.

"Now's not the to flirt with the lady Mellowhoof," Silverwing said, glaring at him. "We have business to attend too" He said, gesturing to the meeting room.

"I just remembered father, I had lessons with Ace today, I need to get to them," I said, backing away.

"Yes the lessons, go ahead. The meeting won't be for long," Father said, gesturing me to go. I left the room and quickly ran home. I needed this dress off before doing anything else. Being pestered by a father at the age of 20 sucked.

Taking my dress off and quickly getting my holster and dueling pistol equipped, along with barding to protect from the bullets. They were pellets yes but they do sting and damage my hide and I rather keep it intact. Leaving for the dueling grounds, I made sure nothing was out of place.

"You need to learn that magic doesn't make handling a gun any easier," Ace said. "It makes it harder for the opponent to win," He said before drawing his with his magic. "You need to break their focus or beat them at a draw," He said before putting his gun away.

He stood on the opposite side and gestured to start. I got into my stance and was waiting for the countdown. Heartbeat, slowing down and time itself. I drew the gun as the last number lingered away and shot it towards Ace. I leaned to my left to dodge his incoming bullet before hearing my impact.

"Surprised you don't have two pistols for a cutie mark," Ace grunted with pain. "You are getting better, just know not to slow down in an actual fight," He said as I helped him up.

"Cutie marks are a weird magic. Define one true self and yet I have this single star," I said. "I don't understand what it means," I said, holding him upwards as he regain his balance.

"Try outshining everypony else at anything you put your heart to," He said lamely. "You beat your teacher who was a master at this art," He said as he started trotting home. I myself, started to walk home and thought about what he said. Outshine, it could be true, being better at what I put my mind to. I'll see once it comes true later in another activity.

Author's Note

Hope you all enjoyed, I edited this heavily from the first version of it. Leave feedback, it is needed and I promise to make more soon.