Of Broken Innocence and Shattered Realities

It was aware.

Always...

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

For most to any sentient living mortals on the realm of Equus, the cloudless view of the night sky would be considered a marvel to behold.

Not because to the luminescence of the countless and unique masterpiece that represented the Sun’s rest. Far from that actually.

And as a matter of fact, it was due to the lack of those glittering beauties that made this place, so fascinating: Las Pegasus.

Las Pegasus, also known as the city where “trotting dreams canter to the Elysian Fields”.

Some would consider it a mouthful, however, its slogan was given after one of the first newspaper article review; about a new city created in a deserted land.

Financed by one of the oldest line of the wealthiest earth equine families to ever live,

it was also partnered by a group of half-bird / half-lion hybrids, and one bipedal bull to conduct business whenever the construction would be completed.

At first, many thought the idea as an insane, and mostly stupid project: to build a gigantic city in a desolated and lost desert, similar to a place called, ‘the Badlands’.

Even the bringer of the Sun, ruler of the land of Equestria, was advising against its creation, due to the economic backlash that such an investment would bring upon the State, and for future generations. That is, if the State were to ever financially supported the idea.

But now, that last and insignificant detail was only known by a few remaining and living individuals...

...

Thanks to the many candles, the numerous luminescent crystals and the countless magical light spheres, the environment became so bright with intensity and vibrant colours that, if one would look at the skies above, they would believe the city to be in a perpetual state of sunset.

The night sky of Las Pegasus, truly was a marvel to behold.

And anyone who visited this haven would feel proud to confirm this statement.

…

Anyone, who visited...

…

In the quiet suburbs of this city, where the previously countless lights would now amount to a few snuffed candles; where the activity of the people would be considered as quasi non-existent; where untold deals and practices were mostly done in dark alleyways; where very young and innocent female minors are rumoured to participate in … questionable activities, there was a building.

This building, barely grand enough to house a family with three children, was in fact, a soon-to-be-demolished store.

And inside this building, despite its neglectful state, a dark blue equine could be seen by one of its windows, watching, surveying, waiting.

For more than a dozen minutes, the figure stayed there, unmoving, unblinking, eyes piercing the horizon above, as if hoping for a sign to appear, to manifest itsel-- There!

The sign! The equine’s dark-green eyes grew wide as it took in every details of what it could perceive in that fraction of a second.

It would have been unbelievable if not for the uncounted studies, researches and experiments that were made to confirm this theory, ‘his’ theory.

And now, now that same equine had a substantial proof on its hooves. No longer would it be mistreated, disrespected, shunned by its kin for his past mistakes. All that it would take would be t-- Again!?

A-another sign?!

…

A-ano-another sh-shooting star? Impossible!

It would have to be a mistake. Surely, the creature might have been deprived of a proper resting place for a very long time. Or at least, that is what it was trying to convince itself.

But in the back of it’s head, it just knew that on this very night; the moment it saw that second burning mass on the night sky of Las Pegasus, everything had went galloping through the proverbial window of his psyche.

“For more than three years, I’ve been observing, and studying”, it whispered to itself.

“On every night of the full moon, six hours before the rise of twilight, one shooting star would fall from the edge of the world”, it continued.

“This phenomenon, would be the signal that announces the approaching return of a powerful being in our land.” Murmured the fearful equine.

It stood there, tears forming into it’s eyes, before it continued on.

“But, If the cycle is ever tempered before the prophecy comes true, then another being far greater than the previous will make its way to reclaim our realm...” ended the trembling being.

“Maker! Please! May my findings be false.” Cried the hornless unicorn.

“Please...”

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

Far, far away from the outskirts of the realm of the Equestrian borders. A few miles near the center of all routes that is considered to be the capital of the world: Canterlot, a small town could be seen from far below.

In this town however, a particularly small two story house made itself clear amongst the numerous grand, and presentably decent settlements.

And throughout one of its upper windows, a grey pegasus could be seen, tightly hugging a small filly between her fore-hooves, and shielding her using her wings from an invisible foe.

It had been a few minutes of silence bonding between mother and daughter. And despite the quiproquo that took place a few minutes prior, all seemed to have come out resolved with the universal act that was known as ‘unconditional maternal love’.

Ditzy and Dinky, both unaware of their mutual misunderstanding, did not wish to continue upon the discussion. It may have been guided by the fear of losing one another, or preventing unease and suffering to take place. So, they stayed there, resolute in their silence.

It took them a while before the little filly could recompose herself, and cease her sniffling tears from staining her mother’s coat any further.

And it may seem questionable to say this, but they sure both needed it.

Slowly, Dinky Doo broke the embrace, and took it upon herself to look at all the mistakes she has made from the moment of her troubled rest, up until now.

Through her blurred vision, she could see her snout leaking, indicating that she still had tears to shed. She could also see the stain that was left on her mother’s chest, wet and viscid.

And most importantly, she could now feel the wetness of her bed sheets for what they truly were.

Those reminders would have been sufficient enough to create another wave of sobbing from the little one.

However, this time, her mother was now prepared for the situation.

“Ah ~ la! Ah oh ah la ~ la.” Ditzy had begun to sing, softly exercising her vocal chords for the upcoming lullaby.

Dinky, upon hearing the first of those melodic notes, instantly recalled a blurry memory.

From a time far, far hidden under the layers of her infant past.

“When Momma Félina woke up from her slumber,” she stopped sniffling, her curiosity increasing sky high.

“She counted her cubbies, sleeping under her fur.” Dinky realised that at the time, she could not remember those words, meaning that she might not have been able to talk at her age.

“But when she realised one was missing from her,” It felt strange, but somehow, the filly was becoming less tense by the seconds.

“She searched far, high and wide to find her lost daughter.” Lost? Thought Dinky, her trance to the sweet lullaby was now utterly complete.

“The coldness of the North would never reach through her.” How could Momma Félina..., she thought.

“For her love was warmer than all combined fire.” Be so brave? she continued.

“The heat wave of the South was never a bother.” Is this somehow related to..., she mused at the idea.

“For her mind was frozen on finding her treasure.” Mommy? she finished her thought.

“Until finally, all her efforts had paid her.” …

“She finally found her small cub, her lost daughter.”

…

“That was pretty, Mommy”, the filly was finally able to say. She had a genuine smile on her face, which served to conclude that everything was truly fine on this beautiful morning.

“Now, how about we go grab something to eat?”, said the elder mare, smirking, while having one of her eyes drifting into random directions.

The other occupant immediately complied, jumping out of her bed, only to be expertly caught by the instincts of either a professional juggler, or a kind hearted mother with years of experienced love and care.

“It might be too sudden for you,” stated Ditzy, who was now drifting with her daughter between her hooves out of the room, only to stop momentarily to glance to the side of her foal’s haven space. “And I know that you’ve been asking it for a few weeks”, she stole her gaze away for the exit the chamber.

Dinky, curious as always, quickly craned her neck to the side, to look at the discarded toys her mother was looking at: a potato with straws hardly taking the shape of a quadruped being, an old doll who had seen far too many days, Mrs. Sweetie, and a wooden toy chariot that was found in the park without an owner to reclaim it.

“So, understand my surprise when I was only able to get a confirmation for about last night.”, added the mare.

“But,” she stopped hovering, then proceeded to gently place the filly onto the ground. “Maybe you can go on another day? I know I wouldn’t want to go after a nightmare”, she said with a light chuckle.

Dinky’s left ear twitched at the mention of the word ‘nightmare’, then tried to recall a conversation that would allow her to understand where her mother was getting at.

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

- “[...] able to get my cutie mark?”, recalled the little filly who screamed out of excitement.

• “And not only that”, said her mother with a smirk, “you might even be able to learn about everything on Equus, even more than the Princess herself”, she had teased.

- “Wow!”, responded the amazed little one, her mouth open wide enough to catch two full grown parasprites. “Can I really do that?” She hoped in disbelief.

- “It all depends”, Ditzy, murmured to herself, momentarily caught in a nostalgic memory. “But right now”, she resumed with a serious tone in her voice, “I’m doing my best to get you enrolled as soon as I can. All that is needed now, is to complete the deal with Mrs Cheerilee. I’ll just have to borrow a few from the bank, then Equestria will finally see you for who you truly are.”

- “Haha! Mrs Cheery~lee”, parroted the foal. “What is ‘the deal’ with her?” She asked with foalish innocence, unaware that her words might have be interpreted as rude.

- “Well, it is Mrs Cheerilee”, corrected the elder, “Although I trust that you can learn by your own, as I did when I was younger. Getting to School is different: you have to pay the teacher so she could teach others, and maintain the building as well. Oh! And she is none other than Ponyville's newest and only [...]

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

“Teacher?”, said Dinky, coming to a sudden realisation of what was being said. “School?”, the word slipped out of her mouth, as if her thoughts were being vocalised.

“Yes.” confirmed Ditzy, hiding her embarrassment in front of her foal. “I should have told you of this sooner. At first, we had some ‘misunderstanding’ with the bank, but I took care of everything as always, so don’t you worry. But, if you want, you can go tomorrow? Or even next week as we are Thursd~” nervously said Ditzy, before being interrupted by a high pitched sound.

“Yay!” Exclaimed the filly in an explosion of pure joy. “Today, I’m going to School. This is too good to be true”, she continued, until she stopped to correct herself. “No, it is even better: this is Great!”, she then proceeded to effortlessly repeat to herself in a sing-song manner, while chasing her own little tail in the process, “I’m going to sc~hool. I’m going to sc~hool.”

Her mother, on the other hoof, half-defeated and half-victorious, could only shake her head while taking in the radiant innocence that was displayed before her.

“Oh! Well”, she chuckled to herself. “we might be rushing things a bit, but at least, you’re now as happy as any foal can be.”

“What did you say Mommy?”, questioned Dinky, realising that her mother was talking just seconds ago.

“Oh! Nothing important. I was just glad to know that you’re OK going to school, even if everything barely passed in the last second.”, Ditzy sincerely said, with a true smile of her own.

“As a wise Zebra said: ‘if you are happy, and I am happy, then we should always have muffins for breakfast’”, stated Dinky, who started giggling after her statement.

“Euh! And who is this ‘Oh! Wise Zebra’ that came up with this wonderful truth?”, questioned the elder mare, an eyebrow raised, and a smirk forming at the edge of her mouth.

As a response, Dinky, who saw her mother following along her antics, finally burst out laughing, and started to slowly gallop away from her, to the bathroom, where she would clean herself up.

“Dinkiky Do-doo the School Learner, and if you don’t catch me, euh. If you don’t catch her, all the knowledge of Ponyville will be lost, for~ever.”

“Oh! No you don’t” chased her mother. “Get back here, Dinkiky Do-doo the Not-Going-To-School Learner”, she said while playing along the line of yet, another great moment of bonding between mother, and foal.

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

It was aware.

Always...

And it had to act. Now!