You have no idea.

Aria was kneeling next to a tree. Like usual She was cut and bruised. The other ponies could be so mean. At first they were nice, but after a while they got angry at her singing. It wasn't her fault she had a singing talent. So she just ran away from her town. In the distance she could see two colts coming closer. Frightened she tried to stand, but the pain in her leg was to much. Aria let out a cry and fell. The two colts stopped and began to run towards her, probably to beat her up. Even more scared she tried to get up again. This time she let out a shriek of pain and fell. The two colts increased their speed and got even closer. Now they were within thirty feet of her and began to slow down. One was a little taller than the other while both of them were a little too slim. He had a silver coat with a black mane that had red highlights. The other one had a charcoal gray coat with a dark gray mane with steel gray highlights. Now that they were closer she could see that they haven't eaten well in a while. Their ribs were showing and their eyes were like pools of black ink. They were unicorns.

"Leave me alone!" She tried shouting at them, but her voice came out all weak.

"Your bleeding," the silver colt said.

Aria looked down and opened her eyes in fear. One of the meaner unicorns opened a gash in her leg, but she thought it clotted. Her blood soaked the grass where she was kneeling. Her thoughts went back to the two colts and she turned back to them.

"I won't let you hurt me like the others," she said defiantly.

The two unicorns who appeared not much older than she was looked at each other. From the look of their eyes, these two knew the horrors of the world better than she did. They gave each other concerned looks then turned towards her.

"Were not going to hurt you," The gray colt said calmly.

"Are you sure you're alright?" The silver colt asked.

Aria opened her mouth to say something, but she saw a flash of red and everything went black.

Adagio POV

Adagio sat in the carriage with her adopted family. Lord and Lady Goldwood sat opposite of her and talked about the party they were going to. He Lulamoons were a very wealthy family that were even more wealthy then the goldwoods. While they talked she gazed outside. Outside she saw a small cluster of yearlings walkin together. One was a silver Philly with ink black hair that had red highlights. Behind her was a really pale gray colt with a white mane. He other one was a smaller colt with a pale green coat and a emerald green mane. Lastly was another colt with a ink black mane and light gray colt. They all seemed to be slowly circling a food stand.

Turning her gaze she saw a large castle looming in the distance. It was slowly coming closer as they closed the distance. She got excited, but the sight of phillies and colts stealing for food made her stomach fill with butterflies.

"Adagio honey, what's wrong?" Lady Goldwood asked.

"Nothing really, it's just that I saw three yearlings about to steal food. I was able to see their ribs," Adagio said.

"Thieves, gutter trash. They're the reason the world is full of crime." Lady Goldwood said between her teeth.

"Calm down Ember. And Adagio, some ponies aren't doing so good. They were not born with the privileges we were. Try and remember that when you pass a begged on the street." Lord Goldwood said.

"We can't help all of them Stoneheart," Lady Goldwood said.

"No we can not, so Adagio remember that your top priority is your own. Everyone else can wait," Lord Goldwood said.

Half an hour later they arrived at the Lulamoons Castle. Already many people arrived, but a young cornflower blue unicorn with a light gray mane greeted them.

"Welcome to my family's castle. My name is Star Swirl Lulamoon. If you need anything then please let me or one of the servants know." he said.

"Thank you Lord Lulamoon," Lord Goldwood said.

After that they entered the castle ball room and Adagio was free to wander around. While she was walking she heard the band play a beautiful melody that Adagio swayed her head to. While she was dancing to the music she noticed a Philly with a beautiful gold coat and bronze mane darting from table to table. Adagio immediately knew she was high born by the way she appeared. However she also knew that what she was doing wasn't Lady like.

Adagio followed her at a distance as the bronze haired philly exited the hall. Adagio thought she saw her carrying a armful of food. When she turned the last corner she darted back and peeked back around. The bronze haired philly was giving her smuggled food to three yealings. One was a silver pony with a silver mane. The other was a light red colt with a fiery red mane. Another was a small colt with a pale golden coat, and a black mane.

"Thanks Noctis," the philly said.

"No problem Sivera, and remember if you guys ever need a place to stay, come to my family's estate," Noctis said kindly.

"Thanks for the offer, but you know we will never want to be a burden," The fiery colt said.

"Just putting it out there Inferno," Noctis said.

Adagio went back to the hall a little shocked. Those ponies looked like zombies. Her mind quickly cleared when she heard the music. With it her thoughts disappeared. She began swaying to the music and humming. Before long she was singing. While she was singing she slowly went into a daze. The sounds all drifted except the music until.

"ADAGIO! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING?" Lady Goldwood shouted.

Adagio snapped open her eyes and looked around as the music screeched to a halt. With dread she realized why all sounds drifted away. The whole party surrounded her in awe and went silent to listen to her voice save the musicians.

"For for the love of- Let the girl sing!" Lord Goldwood said loudly. The whole rooms heads snapped from Lady Goldwood to Lord Goldwood and back to Lady Goldwood again

"Sing? She's a nobleman's daughter, NOT A JESTER!" Lady Goldwood shouted back.

They said more, but Adagio ran by then with tears in her eyes. She didnt stop for a short while. When she turned back she was surprised to see how far the castle was from her. Taking a breath she counted to ten. When she finished she didn't really feel much better, but good enough to deal with her adopted mother. Her father would back her up. He loved her singing.

When she started to walk back, she grunted as a unicorn rammed into her. Gasping she looked and saw a brown unicorn with a blue mane grinning at her.

"Your going to pay for that, my father is Lord Goldwood." Adagio screamed.

The pony grinned at her evily. Adagio's eyes opened wide as she realized his dark intentions. She screamed for help as the unicorn rammed her again. Adagio fell to the ground and coughed blood. The unicorn slowly walked towards her when she heard a shout.

"Leave her alone!" a young colts voice shouted. Adagio turned her pained head and saw the pack of thieves from before running at them. The light gray one with a black mane had a sack of Apple's across his back

The silver coated philly was the only unicorn.

The brown unicorn groaned in annoyance, then pain as the pale green colt rammed into him. He roared an angry roar as the young ponies attacked him. As brave as they were, he was a lot bigger and more powerful. He roared and kicked the Philly the light gray ones, but the pale green one who was quite handsome got his horn across the face. The young colt screamed as a cut opened from below his ear to underneath his eye. The brown unicorn might have done more, but several Lulamoon guards swarmed him.

Adagio groaned in pain as she saw the silver unicorn motion towards the white haired pony.

"Ghost grab him, Comet come on!" She shouted. While the Lulamoons were focused on the brown unicorn, the young ponies disappeared into the night. The green colt who got cut saw still screaming with his hooves held to his face. A second later Adagio passed out from the pain.

Sonota POV

Sonota sang to the crowd surrounding her. She was surrounded by poorly ponies who were more generous than the more wealthy ponies. They filled a small basket she set up with bits when she finished. Sonota knew that they didn't leave much, but she didn't mind. It was the singing that she loved. So what if she went to bed hungry many nights, at least she made people happy.

When she finished the day she counted the amount of bits she received. In title she made twenty two bits that day. .She bought herself a bag of oats, a basket of apples, and a barrel of Apple cider. The store owner loved her singing and gave her what she wanted for the little she had. Smiling she found a comfortable clearing to sleep in. While she sat down and began to eat she noticed a light gray colt with a violent mane. Next to him was a philly with a violet coat and a red mane with yellow highlights. She could both see their ribs as they walked up to her.

"Excuse me, but do you think you could spare a mouthful of oats?" The colt asked.

Sonota didn't want to share her hard earned food, but these yearlings looked like they were about to die of hunger.

"Sure, help yourself." Sonota said.

"Really?" The philly asked.

"Yeah, I can always get more," Sonota said.

The two ponies sat down and began to slowly eat their food. Not a good sign.

"Whears your parents?" Sonota asked, but she kind of knew the answer.

"Were orphans," the colt said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a orphan too," Sonota said.

"Dont worry about it, and what's your name? the philly asked.

"I'll trade you name for name," Sonota offered.

"I'm River," the colt said.

"Glint," the philly said.

"Sonota," Sonota replied.

"After eating their fair share which was less than Sonota expected they both stood up and thanked her for the meal.

"Say, do you have anywhere to stay tonight?" Glint asked while looking at a few approaching clouds.

"I was thinking of staying here," Sonota admitted.

The two ponies looked at each other then to her.

"Want to stay with us? It's the least we can do after that meal," River said.

"For realzies?" Sonota asked.

The two ponies looked surprised before smiling. "Yes,"

Sonota smiled and almost shouted "Yes please!"

"Come on then!" Glint said excitedly.

Within seconds they packed up her supplies and ran into the woods. When they finally reached their destination Sonota hid her disappointment. She hoped for a house, but she saw a old beaten down cabin.

"Dont worry, they get better inside." River said noticing Sonota' s disappointment.

Inside wasn't the best, but bit was a better set up than Sonota expected. There was six beds than were on he floor, a fireplace, and even a small bathroom in a separate room.

"Need a bath?" Glint asked. Sonota was in the bathroom with the door closed before she finished.

Half an hour later they were sitting next to the fire place.

"So Sonota, while you were taking a bath, River and I talked. And we would like to come with us to meet the rest of our gang." Glint said.

"For realzies?" Sonota asked.

"Yup, you'll love it if you say yes. Dusk and Dawn are the bestiest unicorns you can meet. And if you want, Noctis will give you food if you ask her," Glint explained.

"Yes," Sonota said In joy.

"Okay good, we normally meet at Noctis's families summer home every couple of months, but we never stay." River said.

"Wait until you meet Meadow, he's very handsome pony," Glint said in glee. River rolled his eyes.

"I can't wait to meet them," Sonota said.