Being Brave Part I

It was nighttime over the sleepy town of Ponyville. The sun was shining its last glow of the day before turning in for another evening. Everypony was getting ready for bed, brushing their teeth, washing their faces, the usual. Meanwhile, Cory was already at work with another creation of his: It was a commissioned mural of Manehattan made out of discarded cardboard boxes and paint, to which he was asked to create after a letter came earlier that night. It was the first time a non-ponyville resident had requested one of Cory's creations. Just as he was putting up the finishing touches, he heard a knock outside his window. It was Rainbow Dash with a satchel around her back.

"Hey Cory." She said as she opened the window sill and flew in. "How ya doin?"

"Fine." he answered tiredly.

"Sorry we couldn't talk one on one first time around. Been kinda busy being Ponyville's weather gal. You know how it goes."

"That's OK."

"Turns out I got some time on my hooves starting tomorrow."

She then reached into her satchel and presented what looked like three tickets.

" I got tickets to the next wonder bolt show. Front row seats."

"That sounds great." He replied almost sarcastically as went back to work on his mural.

"Look." Said Rainbow Dash. "I know how difficult it was for you to talk about your shady past but..."

"I saw them coming!!" snapped Cory. "Those hall monitors were right there! I knew we'd get in trouble for playing music on the school grounds! We should have done it somewhere else! At least that way I would have still had my friends. I wish they would have left us alone."

Rainbow Dash thought for a moment and flew towards him.

"I know you're upset Cory, " Said Rainbow Dash "and you have the right to be. If I was there I would've pounded those bullies with a Sonic Rainboom. But you also keep thinking: 'If only I could've done something different. If only I could've warned them.' But there's nothing you could've done. There's nothing either of us could've done."

Then she went to the side of the wall she bowed her head down as if in remorse.

"You too?" asked Cory.

"Well, my situation was more my friends fault than someone else's. But the pain is more or less the same. See, I had this griffon friend named Gilda. We were best pals at Junior Speedsters school, and we did everything together, even played pranks on our coach. But, as we got older, and grew more apart, she became less of a friend and more of a jerk. One day, when she came over for a visit, she turned into a complete bully and made a fool out of herself in front of my friends. Ending our relationship that day was the hardest thing I ever had to do, cause it felt like..."
Tears began to fill her eyes

"...like someone I knew had died."

"Does that hurt ever go away?" asked Cory.

"I wish I could say yes Cory. But it's gonna get better, especially for you. I promise."

Then she spread out her wings and brought him in for a big hug.

"So, from what I've heard, you struggled a lot in your athletic skills huh?"

"Mmm Hmm" replied Cory.

"Yeah, I can help you with that."

"Really?"

"How would you like for me to be your personal trainer. Plus I can teach ya some awesome self defense moves."

"It's a deal." Said Cory as he wiped away his tears and hugged her again.

Suddenly, another knock was heard at the window. Cory and Rainbow Dash ran over to see who it was. It was Pinkie Pie throwing what looked like ball at the window pane.

"Yoo Hoo!! Anypony home?!" She shouted enthusiastically.

The two of them climbed down the side of the barn and landed on the soft, grassy lawn.

"I know somepony who needs some cheering up right now!!" Said Pinkie Pie

Then she magically presented in front of them what looked like a large music box. She pushed a button to the side but nothing seemed to happened. Then she pressed it again and again, and shook it out of a moment of frustration. Finally, after throwing it onto the ground, a large springboard threw a pie into her face. At that moment Cory started laughing.

"There it is! There it is!" Shouted Pinkie Pie pointing to his smile.

So Pinkie continued with a few more pranks while Cory and Rainbow Dash laughed at her antics. It felt so good to see a bit of humor after such a long life of tragedy. Then he chuckled himself to sleep as Rainbow Dash carried him back into his room and tucked him into bed. He didn't have any bad dreams or memories. Just hopeful predictions and exciting wonder for the day that lied ahead. He was among friends now, so he had a reason to live

END OF PART I