A thousand or so shattered dreams
Far from the land of Equestria lies Ravenshire, a land much different and harsh. Cadence lives among the industrious land looking for Hope, for a will to live. Her struggle defines her and her journey is one to remember.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that, hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that" - Martin Luther King JR.
Ravenshire was quite run down an industrial region advanced, but spiteful. The factories blocked out the decaying sun, and the land itself seemed to have given unto the horrors of industrialization. Pegasus used steam powered contraptions unknown to outside regions a truly stunning site indeed, you could hear the zeppelins give a loud roar in the distance, sirens boomed into the desolate air, this was beauty here in the city of steel.
Cadence a fairly young alicorn is among many in a world of missed opportunity, the land is a spreading disease beneath her hooves, and she is the unknown cure. Daring to question each day if there is a tomorrow, sitting among the skyscrapers looking past the zeppelins and thick smog to question if something lies beyond. She had not known yet of the land of Equestria or her thick roots, to imagine a place as that would be impossible and it would be selfish to ask for it. As all children do Cadence sat at the right hand of mercy, in a land of unjust persecution.
The winter season was upon the land; the white supple snow would purify the land of its past mistakes and pave the way for new evil, the coldest winter ever.
Cadence had walked past the old soothsayer’s tent a few times before but had never thought of daring to peak into her own fate, such a thing frightened her, such things were better left unknown.
Sitting among clouds at night she could just barely make out the brightest of stars that of which gave hope, hope that not only existed a bright future, but existed a better life. She gazed down to a photograph under the bitter sweet snow froze a tear beneath her eyes.
"They told me I would do great things"
And they were right.
Tethered with tears in her eyes, she is the hidden beauty of a heart’s desire.
She sat there beneath the forgiving stars and gods beside the only mare she had come to love, the shadow she had come to trust as safe and secure.
"Where's your ma and pa cadence?"
"Their gone"
"Where"
"I...I don't know"
"Are they ... Dead?"
"It’s complicated"
"Where is your home, dear cadence?"
"Home, my home is with you"
She looked into the eyes of a shadow, a reflection of herself she saw a mare of one who could not hate ever, but love all, and would not dare to think or act otherwise. And so this is how it began a mare and her shadow among equals in a world of vice and virtue, the winter winds and broken hearts.
Cadence trotted down the streets the snow bitter sweet stung her hooves. there was a filly no taller than ye high trembling beneath the ice and crystals snowflakes and ash. Young cadence spent a good hour just staring into her eyes, she saw a filly of many unspoken words and many failed actions. Within her was the will to love; within her was the will to change. She had lived the pictures that have become the past, and was willing to paint the canvas of the future.
"What is your name my dear?" Cadence spoke
A picture is work a thousand words, the eyes of this filly could shatter a thousand swords, and beat a million broken hearts.
"Hope" was said under the filly’s breath, and so it was.
Every waking dream brought about another strange day; Cadence could not help but look at her dreams as if they were gold. A thousand words had gone unspoken all hanging on the tip of the tongues. We all say we will change, but somehow life gets in the way.
Hope had a smile that would soon teach cadence to smile back. Cadence had become more and more susceptible to the crippling embrace of darkness, but Hope had awaken a part of her unseen since her early childhood.
Cadence looked back at Hope, and took the emotion and heart to smile and embrace her. They had each other, and could not ask for more.
Cadence and Hope sat inside a rather run down building, beside each other Hope was reading a book trying each word for size the book titled little red riding hood was charred the ending missing and forgotten.
"Mommy what happens at the end?"
"What did you call me?" Cadence was shocked and surprised.
Hope paused for a good time then replied "mommy"
A cord struck inside Cadence, and a tear began to form unto her cheek. Cadence had not questioned where Hopes mother was, though deep down she knew the truth and if she responded with a no it would only bring up the question of who and where she is.
Hiding her tears Cadence relied with a shy "Yes, yes my dear"
"The end mommy?"
The filly hope had seen violence but not every story needed a bad ending. Not red riding hood, and not this one.
"Red has cookies with her grandma" Cadence, attempted to conceal the truth.
"Your hiding something mommy"
"No I’m not Hope, don't think such foolish things"
"Okay, what's a cookie?"
Cadence nearly began to cry, Hope had missed but all her filly hood.
"Are you okay mommy?" remarked Hope
"Mommies okay, its getting late you need your sleep"
"Aww, do I have to mommy?"
"Yes, both of us"
Cadence lay beside Hope, and when she drifted into her slumber Cadence drowned herself in her tears. She wish she could give so much more, the night was forgiving though Hope dreamt of a land far away a land unknown, a land known as Equestria.