Of Broken Innocence and Shattered Realities

Pears, oranges, lychees, strawberries, grapes, mangos, and bananas.

These are the six fruits that Dinky Doo has found herself enjoying throughout her short life.

Indeed, in the years to come, and if luck is watching over her, she might discover more sweet and natural delights on which her tongue would be grateful to discover.

Ever since her mother could afford to buy one of those small baskets, she had developed, and just couldn’t find the strength in herself to resist eating them all.

And so, each time mother Ditzy came home with a bag full of groceries, it came as no surprise that those formerly mentioned fruits would disappear before the next day.

Pears, oranges, lychees, strawberries, grapes, mangos, and bananas.

In the past, the small filly had firstly favoured apples amongst all things edible.

They were the most unimaginable, tasteful, juicy and not to mention flavour exploding experience she ever came across.

However, while being introduced to the same great taste time after time, something had changed in her perspective toward those fruits.

It was slow, but it was there nonetheless. The shine in her eyes slowly dulled into boredom.

Each time, the apples she ate were made with less energetic bites.

And unconsciously, she accompanied them with other drinks or food instead of eating it alone.

Until one day, she surprised herself having totally lost interest in the apples when they were starting to turn brown after a few days of going untouched.

And now, here she is, staring at two apples on the small two seater dining table. Her mouth biting on the strap of the first aid kit she took from the bathroom moments ago.

Her mind, thinking of the time when she expressed love, joy and excitement during the days her belly craved for those 'best Sweet Apple Acre's apples'.

She felt ashamed.

If she was any other filly or colt, she probably would have never remembered those small anecdotes of the past. Such as the times when she was carefree, like this morning before taking a bath, playing with her mother.

She would have loved to forget every single jokes, so that she and her mother would both laugh again, and again over the same 'knock-knock' phrases and terrible puns.

She would have loved to forget about the sad expressions plastered on her mother's face, only to remember the smiles and the euphoric laughter they shared, instead of having all.

She would have loved to forget about the silent cries her mother would make during the night, or the strange words that would come out of her mouth that, for the most part would confuse, and sometimes frighten her.

Dinky heard the sound of hooves reaching for downstairs. Whatever her mother was doing, it hadn't taken long.

"Gnagny?", inquired the pale purple filly as her mother reached the kitchen.

She directed a hoof to the first aid kit in her mouth, then pointed it in the direction of her mother's head, "Kang I helk, klease?"

As usual, Ditzy's eyes wandered in random paths, until she understood what her daughter wanted to do.

Indeed, she still had that trikle of blood from breaking the door to the bathroom. She thought her daughter was in danger, or that somepony, or something wanted to do her harm. So it would be normal for someone like herself to ignore something as such.

And as it turned out, she could only come up to the conclusion that poor little Dinky might have locked the door by mistake. And might have also had her head under the bathtub's water playing when she cried out her name.

But she could also be wrong. It wouldn't be wise for a mother to guess when things aren't understood by her. If anything, her daughter could help her understand the situation if she just asked what went wrong.

So, with a defeated sigh, the grey pegasus sat on her haunches and let the little one do her work.

"You win doctor Dinky," she said. "I guess I went a little to far with that door", she continued; laughing a little at her own joke.

Doctor Dinky nodded, placed the small box on the floor, then opened it to survey its content.

She was met with a bottle of transparent liquid, a few cottons, a roll of bandages, and three band aid.

She already knew that the bottle would cause 'hurt' if applied to any wound. And she would have never wished to bring pain, even if it was necessary. So to do it on the one pony that she loved the most? She ignored the bottle.

Also, she had never seen her mother use the bandages. And added to the fact that the wound looked very small, she decided not to use it as well.

That only left the band aid and the cottons to be used. She could work with that.

The unicorn picked a sizable cotton with her mouth, then tried to apply it on her patient's head, which was a little higher than expected.

Said patient, while witnessing the whole event, silently lowered her head with a smile plastered on her face.

Her bundle of joy, while concentrated in action, was just too cute to resist smiling at. She was just thankful that she did not let an 'aww' escape when the small one was hesitant in using the antiseptic bottle.

However, her concerns resurfaced as soon as she was applied the cotton on the forehead.

"I was afraid something bad had happened to you," she started conversing "I didn't know what to think of when the door was locked, and that you couldn't respond to me. I guess, I was afraid of losing you when you hadn't replied."

Dinky pause for a few seconds, then proceeded to lower the now crimson cotton down in order to reach for a band aid.

The view of blood was one of the things that frighted her to the spine. It would have paralyzed her to just think of the taboo meaning of seeing blood on another living being.

But knowing that this substance was leaking from her mother, momentarily rendered her oblivious to her past and minor fears.

"No. It's my fault", the filly confessed while taking one band aid and trying to peal it open with her mouth and hooves.

"You know you can tell me anything", the mother conveyed. "Good or mean things will never separate us, no matter what. So please Muffin, tell Mommy what happened."

"I. I tried to use magic, but every time I do, it goes meanie. I thought today could be different. But, as always : meanie" finished the foal.

"Is that why you couldn't hear me calling out to you?" finally understood the mare, who was responded with a nod.

"Well, if that's the case, then I don't think it went meanie on you."

"Huh!?" Was the only thing the small one could say, before she was embarrassed in a warm and strong hug.

"I can't believe you made it ! I'm so proud of you Dinky." Again, she was surrounded by warmth and confusion.

"I. What did I do ?" finally questioned the unicorn who was getting more lost by the seconds.

"Think Muffin, every time you try to use magic, it fails. You were never able to cast a single spell ; not even light up your horn at all." Those words strung on Dinky for the duration of those phrases. "But. But today, even if things didn't go as you wanted, you were finally able to use magic for the first time."

Dinky's eyes widened at the realisation, while her mother continued on.

"If you couldn't hear me, then the spell you used must have given you trouble listening or something."

How could Dinky not have thought about it up until now ? The disturbing absence of emotions, the flow of magic, the voices, it all made sense now. It was her first experience ever on the uses of magic, so maybe things like visualising an alien creature with cuffs and chains is considered normal for unicorns ?

She would have to think about this for later.

"Maybe a sound proof spell?" asked her mother to herself, until she shook her head in disapproval.

"Nan, the books say that's too advance. So, perhaps you were too focused to notice that I tried to call you ?" She said while eyeing her daughter.

"What spell did you want to cast, before I literally crashed in ?", she said with a smirk.

But if the pegasus could compare her smile to that of her small unicorn, then she would surely lose the contest.

"I tried to--- I tried to bring a towel with magic," she nearly screamed in overjoyed excitement "Magic ! I tried magic to bring a towel to me !"

"So, levitation spell huh. Well then congratulation Muffin on your first magic spell." and again, the filly was greeted by a hug, however, this one was tighter then the previous embarrasses. "It doesn't matter if you succeeded in levitating the towel. Or even if you locked the door in the process now. I'm just so proud of you right now."

Little Dinky was happy. She couldn't contain her wide smile or think of sad memories anymore.

She was just happy that despite it all, some things at the very least, would end on a happy note for the both of them.

"So, how about we eat now," Ditzy proposed while glancing at the kitchen clock. "School is supposed to start in about forty minutes. That leave us plenty of time to eat, then head outside. What do you say Doctor ?"

"Doc--. " stuttered the unicorn, before looking back down of the first aid kit, the forgotten and unapplied band aid, and the bloody cotton.

"I ---", she never got to continue her phrase when her mother pressed one fore-hoof on her muzzle.

"Nah! Nah! Not on my watch," Ditzy countered. "This is a special day for you, that means I have to spoil you as much as I can. You've been able to take a bath on your own, you were able to use magic after all those times. And now, you're going to have the best breakfast ever before going to school. And let me tell you, that's where I hope you make your first classmate friends ! Isn't this exciting ?! I know am, so just take a seat and wait for Mommy while I prepare everything for you."

Little Dinky wasn't going to crush the mood that brought happiness for both her, and her mother. So she complied, and sat on one of the two seater table's chair, while her mother quickly applied alcohol on a piece of cotton to be put on her bruise, then went upstairs with the aid kit fully repacked on her back. The pegasus made one last look at her foal, before vanishing as fast as she could to prepare for the day.

When Dinky looked at the table's content, she was met with the two apples that stared at her before her mother came downstairs.

She didn't like apples anymore. Sure, they were good to eat, but they always felt dull to her taste with its predictable flavour.

However, she really did not want to drag the happiness away from them both.

"Guess, I'll have to like you once more Mr. and Mrs. apple", she said with a mixture of boredom and happiness. "For Mommy..."

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

Both mare and filly stared at the quiet morning fog that blanketed their small town.

At first, the former of the two was confused as to why the weather team had not taken care of their namesake duty by now. Being involved in past misfortunate accidents over time, made her aware of how small changes in the climate could lead to potential dangerous situations to anypony. And there was no way in Tartarus that she would dare fly with her filly on her back with that visibility. So she made the both of them walk their way to the latter's new place of learning.

And besides, it would serve as a good excuse to make small talk and help the foal remember her way home on the way back. Just in case Ditzy is forced to stay at work for an extra hour or two...

Pride...

Pride is the emotion we feel when our long dedication, devotion, and hard word rewards us in ways we sometimes don't expect.

It is commonly felt when a fellow co-worker finally shows you true respect. When your artistic passion is viewed in high regards to the public...

When your foals thank you for everything you've done ever since they were greeted to their lives.

Well, close enough. Ditzy might not be ready for more than her muffin. She might also not be ready to... make one.

But maybe her Dinky will understand, not having a little brother, or sister. Maybe...

The grey pagasus violently shook her head.

She had to get her attention on track. For crying out loud, it is her filly's first day at school, and already she was wandering in her mind, in the middle of their path.

Thankfully, while Ditzy glanced at her daughter, the latter seemed to have not seen her weird behaviour.

At that, a sad smile graced her muzzle. She just hoped her angel's innocence would last for a few more years.

Hopefully, a little bit longer than herself, after she had lost her daddy.

"Dinky?", started the mare, earning the smile of her little accomplice. "I've been thinking about some things in the past."

"Oh! Yay!" cried the filly in joy. "Something new already? From the past of Mommy? Oh! let me guess, let me!" she pleaded-demanded.

"Why would I ever stop you muffin ? Go on, go crazy", Ditzy continued.

It was rare for her to see Dinky so talkative outside their small wooden haven. She always ever preferred to play with her mother, or Mrs. Sweetie, and rarely with other foals. And when she does gets to play with them, it was mostly with colts who liked dangerous games such as racing, play tag, or pretend to be a superpony and fight crimes and evil kings. No tea-parties, no dolls and play house. Both mother and foal had plenty of that with themselves already.

"Am I going to be able to use all the kitchen? Like, the stove and everything to bake muffins like you do? Or, maybe I'll finally be able to broom the house? You never let me because you say I can get sick with dust, but [...]"

Ditzy was paralysed.

In the world of magic that is Equus, their exists many races in which, one in particular stands out amongst the rest : the ponies.

They are represented by three tribes which are the earth ponies, the unicorns, and the pegasi.

The pegasi, are capable of flight, and in their own domain can harness the element of the climates : shaping clouds and cool breezes, as well as provoking thunderstorms and hails.

However, for those who have a minimum of in-depth knowledge in species and the sharing of traits, they would know that these creatures were the recipient of countless gifts that were improved and mastered over the generations.

And it just so happen that Ditzy had a gift of her own. A rare trait, different from the vast majority of ponies and their abilities.

Unknown to anypony, her daughter included, she had developed the passive ability to detect if somepony, anypony was tracking or spying on her.

At first, in her past, the mare thought she was going mad ; that her traumatized childhood drove her to paranoia and maybe worst. She was so far from the truth, and yet so close.

And now, she could distinctively feel the presence of three individuals. Stalking her. Watching her. Judging her. Thus the reason why she halted.

She looked to her left, and saw a blue coated and pink mane mare following another pink coated mare sporting a blue mane heading towards the town spa. Probably the owners of the place, going by their features and synchronised march. Twins. Sisters, daughters of a moth--

Ditzy shut her eyes while silently cursing to whatever beings were letting her mind wander who-knows-where.

She looked to her right, and saw that Dinky had also stopped in her tracks to stay close with her mother. Past the filly, she saw a stand owner stallion who was preparing his place of market. He had stopped in his activity to watch the citizens pass by, and unfortunately his wide eyes and sudden urge to look at his products confirmed Ditzy that he must have been the first out of the three onlookers.

Dinky however, was about to ask if her mother was feeling alright. But she never had to question her worries as a new voice made itself known.

"Hey! Hey, Derpy! Are you lost in dreamland again or something?" asked the raspy voice of a female from above.

By the voice alone, Ditzy already knew the pony to which it belonged. And sadly realised that this one must have been the second 'stalker'. So with a sigh, she gestured for her foal to continue on their path with her, and ignore the foreign voice. She could now see the school house from afar. And a few colts and fillies, some of them accompanied by their elders as well, taking the same path as her.

She was close, an instant glance also confirmed that Dinky was still at her side, but watching behind herself.

If luck was still with her, then she could have her muffin open a little more while talking. Just enough for the nearby foals to have an interest and her, and maybe become her first school friends? First is crucial after all, no matter the field.

A pity, for she never had to enact on her plan, as a cyan blur shot down and made contact with the ground in front of the duo.

The impact was just enough to gather their attention, as well as several others. But not to hard to result in minor discomfort or pain.

"What?! What kind of freaking Hydra bit you to think you can just ignore me like that ?", exclaimed the newly arrived pegasus.

"First you fail at work, forcing me to fire you because of your disability, and now here you are foal-sitting ?" she said while raising her voice, thus gaining the attention of more passerby.

"Does this filly's parents even know how much trust they put on your shoulders if an accident ever happens Derpy ? Do you ?" she said with disbelief, mixed with a ting of fear.

"Mommy! Why is this pony meanie ?" questioned the filly, who startled the cyan blue mare.

"Mommy?... As in, what the buck ?!..." she said. "When did that... you're a mom... how did I not... who's the father... Is this real life ?!" Exasperated by her own shock and revelation, the pegasus shot herself in the air, and away. And started to clear out the clouds and the fog in her attempt to think clearly about what she just heard.

Ditzy frown. She knew that this troublesome arrival would end her duty faster than any other pegasi. She knew that she would be questioned once more in public, and earn more stares than she could hope to not care about.

The few colts and fillies that had witnessed her were now resuming their journey.

She just hoped that they weren't the type to start rumours. Or else, her poor daughter might become a new and potential target for bullies, or worst.

"Mommy ?" now questioned the little Dinky in a hushed tone.

Her mother looked at her, and saw that she was now feeling nervous.

The very excitement that carried the little one from the safety of their home, to their actual location seemed as if it never was.

More foals were now coming to view as the rays of sunlight was finally able to pierce through the fog. She had to make a decision, or else her daughter would suffer the consequences. She would curse herself later, but for now, she had to act.

She calmed herself. Took a deep breath. And spoke. "I just remembered something muffin. I'll be late for work too if I don't hurry up." she lied.

"But--" attempted to respond Dinky, who was quickly cut off.

"Don't worry, you can now see the school house up the hill, can you?" the little one looked at the other trotting younglings, and hesitantly nodded in the direction of the red building atop the hill.

"Just follow the rest of the foals, and you'll be alright, I promise." the pegasus forced herself to smile.

The morning fog was almost completely gone now.

"Oh! And take this as well", she opened the saddle bag that was strapped on her side, and took out a small metal box.

"Inside, I made you your favourite lunch for recess. And if there's too much, you can always share it with your new friends. I know they'll love it too." Dinky silently took the box with her mouth by the strap handle.

"And remember" a gentle kiss was made on the filly's forehead. "I'll do my best to come get you after school. But if I'm not their, I also put the house keys in the box. Just in case."

"Gnagny ?--" the little one tried to gain her elder's attention.

"I love you too muffin." She spread her wings in preparation. "My little Dinkiky Do-doo. I'll always love you."

And she took flight. "Always." Leaving her little muffin behind, on her new experience.

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

A few seconds later, the cyan blue pegasus from before landed a few meters from Dinky. She looked to her left, and right as if in search of somepony. The attempted to converse with the underage.

"So..." she trailed off. "You know where your mommy went ?"

She was greeted by silence.

"... Oh! The silent treatment, huh!", the adult mare snickered, before tilting her head as if in realisation. "Or maybe you don't talk to strangers ?"

Again, silence was her response.

"Yeah! I'll go with answer number two. Oh buck! I really wanted to give her a piece of my mind to that.." She cut herself off with both hooves covering her muzzle. "Sorry! huh. Guess I got carried away there." She offered out her right hoof for a shake. And that's when Dinky started to back off from her.

"Don't worry little bud. I may look tough, but I'm no evil monster. By the way, just call me Rainbow Dash. Or RD for shorts... You know what, stick with Rainbow Dash, that way you won't mix it up with Rainy Days or Rising Dream. Oh! Did I mention that I'm also the fastest flyer in all of Equestria ?"

Dinky did not feel like talking. If anything, she wanted to scream, yell and demand why her mother had remembered about her job, only after this 'Rainbow Dash' had come and called her that. She already considers the name that was spoken to describe the one she loves as a bad name, and insult. All thinks to this other pegasus with rainbow coloured mane.

She could fight back. She could fight and protect her mother by correcting, demanding that pegasus to stop calling her the way she did. She knew a few colourful words herself to which she had not the definition of, yet. They were picked, and stored in her memories, as almost everything else. A mare who screamed a name at her supposed husband, a royal guard talking about a prisoner, and old donkey who was splashed with mud by accident, while holding a box of chocolate and a bouquet of flowers. Her mother would be happy to know that--

Dinky had to retract from her actual thoughts for just a moment. She wondered if her mother would be happy. The latter herself did not try and correct the name calling when it was made. And instead, remembered that she had to leave, and very fast. Their was also the strong possibility that Rainbow Dash would just simply ignore her. Her options were getting smaller and smaller by the seconds.

Rainbow Dash, on her side was getting nervous and impatient. She never knew that Ditzy had a daughter. In fact, she may have never known Ditzy at all. As of now, she still believes that the cross-eyed and grey pegasus's actual name, is in fact the 'nickname' that was given to her long ago : Derpy. And the one she found out to be her offspring is not easing the situation with her silence. So in her opinion, maybe it was a lost cause to begin with, to clear out the clouds as if clearing her mind, than demand an explanation out of a frightened filly who would probably be late if she stayed longer with the 'stranger' that she is.

The mare sighed. "Well, nice talking to you little bud. But, can I at least know your name before you get late to school ?" The words just came out of her mouth as the pegasus thought. If she had considered her words, then maybe the filly wouldn't have realized that she had to go there in a hurry, even if their was still time to spare.

Unfortunately, for the cyan mare, Dinky galloped away from her, lunch box in her mouth as well as an unreadable expression on her face.

...

"Dang it !" Rainbow cursed to herself. "Nah! But seriously! It's times like these when I want to know how Flutter does it." she continued while watching the little one gallop with her little hooves, almost reaching the hill where the school is located. "Danm it Derpy! If I knew you were that screwed up to not let le know you had a foal for all those years, I would have..."

She stopped herself, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, than opened them. She had nothing to do here and now. Derpy had vanished to Celestia-knows-where, and the latter's daughter was too spooked to even tell her own name. She took a few seconds to clear the clouds and replace them with new ones, but got around two minutes to get rid of the fog. Her job was done. And all that she could do now was either go back to sleep, or start her morning exercises that she had halted in order to spy on what she thought was Derpy's job as a foal-sitter.

She wasn't expecting THAT.

Rainbow  Dash took flight, and soared in the direction of the town's library. She heard from Mayor Mare (the mare of the village), that a few ponies were assigned to accommodate the public building so that one could actually live inside. They were shutting down storage rooms for books to create a bathroom, a kitchen, and even a bedroom for two.

While not being a fan of books, she could volunteer and help carry a few supplies here and there. And not getting paid was no issue at all. If anything, it would work as a substitute form of workout for her. She helps others, and helps herself at the same time. Win-win situation.

Yeah! she could work with that.

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

Dinky slowed her pace upon arriving near the gates of the school building. There were now more fillies and colts than she had ever seen, all gathered in one singular location. All of them, here to learn under one roof. Discover and experience all the wonders life has created, and the possibilities they could use to grow, and become what they've always dreamed to be. A place where they could learn just enough to gain their true mark.

She looked behind her, where she saw the cyan blue 'Rainbow Dash' had previously taken to the air, to land in front of her and her mother, after the latter had tried to ignore the insult that was directed towards her.

Now, she couldn't see the cyan blue mare anymore. She even tried to spot her on a cloud nearby, but only resulted in looking as if she was lost.

A sigh of relief was made as a small smile graced her lips. She was finally away from the pony that made her mother unhappy.

She was starting to feel something crept on the back of her spine.

"Hi there!" startled, Dinky tentatively turned around to see who had addressed her. And thankfully, it was just another one of the foals who came with her.

This one was another filly just like her, but without a horn, or a pair of wings. This one was an earth pony. Her fur was light brown with no gradient or spots on her body. Her mane however, had two sets of colours which were both a shade of light red and dark pink. It looked as plain as any earth pony could get. And what surprised her was that this other filly wasn't alone.

The unicon's hooves felt warm and cold at the same time. But never did it cause her pain nor displeasure. It was... strange.

There was this other filly, a second one, who was a little nervous at the idea of making eye contact with Dinky. He fur was orange, and her mane was purple. And besides the fact that she may seem nervous, the pale purple unicorn was starting to think that pegasi as a whole were very unpredictable ponies based on her memorises of the few ones she was able to interact with, as well as her mother, and most lately, Rainbow Dash.

"Euh! Sorry to bother you but" the earth pony brought Dinky's attention to herself. "We saw you on our way, and we were both wondering if you were related to Rainbow Dash or anything."

Dinky's face automatically morphed to the most neutral face she could come up with. She didn't like the old cyan blue mare because of what her mother had to do after they had both met. And already, the first foals her age who she could speak to, were curious to know more about that rainbow mane pony, who insulter the one she loved by calling her 'Derpy'.

Too much was too much. Maybe an adult such as her mother would be able to swipe it off, and think of something else. Maybe her mother would be able to think clearly where either something strange or unwanted or awkward was happening, as this very moment. But Dinky Doo wasn't Ditzy Doo.

Her emotions were now shifting.

She wanted to send them off, tell them that she didn't like this Rainbow Dash, and would never affiliate herself with her. That her mother was the best in the whole wide world of Equus, and probably much, much more.

Dinky lowered her muzzle to bring the lunch box on the floor in order to speak. And when she spoke, everything seemed to have betrayed her previous thoughts.

"Who are you ?", she spoke in a monotone voice. "Why do you want to know about me and Rainbow Dash", she continued on. "Is she that important to you two in some way ?"

The previously shy orange pegasus seemed to have lost her nervousness in a pitch. "What ?" she exclaimed. "Rainbow Dash is the best flyer in all of Equestria! She's like... totally famous around all the pegasi here. So of course she's important to the both of us."

"By the way", cut the brown filly from before "our names are respectively Ladybug and Scootaloo." She pointed one of her hoof while speaking.

"Respectively ?", inquired Dinky with an eyebrow raised.

"It means in order. I talked to you first, then Scootaloo here felt like correcting you. So," quickly returning on topic "We're kind of fans of ponies who do great stuff around ponyville. There's Rainbow who is super fast, but there's also this guy Bulk Biceps who's super-super strong. Oh! And there is this stallion who is super intelligent when it comes to make great adventure stories. I think his name is Gyro, or maybe Gizmo ? What do you say Scootaloo ?"

"Meuh! Poindexter's good at telling stories for fillies that doesn't bore us to death" said the orange pegasus. "But Rainbow's way better at acting, rather than talking. You get what I mean, do you ?"

Ladybug nodded in approval. "I think I see your point. But wouldn't Rainbow Dash constantly talk about her exploits all the time ? And make stories that show how awesome she is, instead of letting others shine in the spotlight alongside her ?"

Scootaloo felt offended at this point "What ?! Dash doesn't make 'stories'! Everything she says are adventures that truly happened. No questions asked."

"Like that story where she fought a manticore bare hoof, in single combat and without using her wings ?"

"She's an athlete, so of course she could do that. I mean, she trains all day and all night to be the best. Oh! And before you counter me with the time she takes to rest and restore her energy, I'm not taking that as slacking off or being lazy. At all. So if you [...]"

Dinky silently watched the friendly dispute without knowing what to do next. She was as stiff as a statue. With only her eyes moving from left to right in the direction of the fillies who spoke.

She first wanted to have no business with those ponies. But then again, didn't feel anything towards them to be annoyed at anymore. Strangely, it was as if her emotions had completely vanished, ceased to be, spirited away.

Almost as if she felt,... at peace.

Her mind, in a state of placidity.

But this time, she didn't try to fight it. She hadn't internally panicked or anything such as this morning with her mother.

After all, why would she? She was finally at school. The place of learning she had always been fantasizing about.

No Ladybug, no Scootaloo, and certainly no Rainbow Dash were going to stop her from gaining the unknown knowledge she needed to become somepony.

Then she would return home, and amaze her mother with all the information she had gathered.

The two bickering fillies had stopped talking when a bell situated at the top of the red building started to ring.

Immediately after, an adult earth pony mare came out of the building by the front doors, to greet everyone.

"All right, my little ponies, time for class!" she said in her most enthusiastic tone. Probably the teacher of this place : Mrs Cheerilee, by Dinky's memories.

"Come on you. We gotta line up by two if we want to get in" said Ladybug, who brought Dinky alongside her, and the orange pegasus behind her.

"By the way," wispered Scootaloo when the foals were attempting to be quiet. "We both know you're new here cause we've seen you in town once or twice, but never at school. So what's your name ?" she questioned.

Dinky silently broke off from the line to retrieve her lunch box that she had left on the floor, then went back in line before the earth pony teacher could tell her to do so. She lowered the box once more on the ground, then turned to Scootaloo, then Ladybug before speaking as well in a whisper.

"My name is Dinky. Dinky Doo." she said in a calm, almost bored expression.