Purpose in Creation

Outskirts of Canterlot

Not many ponies were out and about in this colder, more desolate part of the city. Most had either already left for work, and those that hadn’t were likely sleeping in. The sounds of the busy marketplaces of Canterlot were barely audible, and against it was only the sound of the wind against the worn down houses and cobbled roads.

Had anypony been late to work today, they would have seen a brilliant display of neon green magic appear in a blinding sphere. In an instant, it came and within it was a tiny figure. Just as it had appeared, it dissipated into nothing, leaving the small thing within left on the cold stone. It didn’t move at first, but looking closely you could see it shivering. No noise came from it, and time passed as it continued to lay there.

As the sun rose, illuminating the figure in a golden shine across it’s dark red fur, more details could be made out. A small pegasi, with wings that seemed a little large in proportion to its body, and a pitch black mane that contained streaks of purple. He made no movements, just simply stared into the distance with his almost unnatural green pupils lined by silver within his bright white eyes. Not quite dazed, but anypony that looked at him could tell he had gone through something, but no one would believe what had actually happened. Not that it mattered though.

He stayed silent.

* * * * *

Shortly after he was dropped off, an ear-splitting boom shook the foal as he winced at the sound. He looked towards the noise and saw a dazzling rainbow off in the distance. He gazed at it, emotions of confusion, fear, and curiosity dancing across his face in wonder at the sight. As the colors began to fade away, he finally moved, getting up from where he’d been delivered.

Eventually, the sun began its descent, and as everypony went home, some noticed the foal. Even though few ran around this part of Canterlot, no pony recognized this new young one that now wandered around. No one approached him though. He was obviously a kid that was headed home, or would be found by his mother and be brought home and scolded for being out so late. He wasn’t their kid, so not a soul came to him. So, he continued wandering, exploring his new surroundings as the sun eventually set and nighttime came about.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, kid!”

Startled, the foal hadn’t noticed that he was about to walk right into another pony. She was not much bigger than him, and in the moonlight, he could make out the unicorn’s blue fur matched with a matted mane and deep purple eyes. He immediately noticed the dirt and grime that covered her body and tangled in her hair, as she continued to scold him.

“I’m looking for my brother, slightly smaller than you, orange fur earth pony. If you haven’t seen him, then outta my way,” she growled at him. He didn’t give her the slightest whimper, and instead looked back at her with a scared look. “Well? You got something to say or are you gonna beat it?”

He moved over slightly, making room for her to pass, and looked down at the ground. She brushed past him, mumbling, as she continued her search, leaving him alone in the dark. He stood there for a bit, looking onward towards where she went, long after she had rounded a corner while calling out for her brother.

* * * * *

"This isn't a game anymore, Phillip! You need to come out already!" She'd been searching for about an hour now, and just like every other time he left her side, it gave her immense anxiety. He was still too young to understand these things though, so he continued to wander off by himself, either because he thought he was playing a game or simply because he liked exploring too much for his own good.

For Celestia's sake, what does it take to keep him still for two minutes? I really couldn't have asked for a more difficult little brother. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, though. All they had left was each other, and it was up to her to make sure they were always safe. It’d been this way for 2 years now, and Amber had her mind set on keeping it that way for as long as it’d take.

For 2 years, Amber had been taking care of herself and Phillip. 2 years now, that their parents had left them behind for opportunities in Manehattan. The nightmares of that night came back to her now.

Please, mom! Dad! Don't leave!

We're leaving you in great hooves until you see us again, I promise.

She had to stop to hold back the emotions. Promise, huh? We're still here, where are you guys, huh? Bitter words filled her mind. She blamed them for everything, and how could she not? Her parents left them when they were most vulnerable, and without any remorse.

She shook her head, trying to clear her head, and continued onward in her search. She'd managed this long without an adult, she refused to give in and go to somepony else for help. They'd just do the same mom and dad did.

Then she heard it, that faint bit of held back laughter. She pricked her ears to the right towards some crates, and it grew louder.

She sighed, "Phillip, I know you're behind there. Come on out."

The orange earth pony stepped out of hiding, a bright smile painted on his face. His mane had some mud plastered on it, and it looked uneven, as if it'd been cut by an amateur.

"How'd you know, sis? Did you cheat?"

"You know I'd never cheat," she replied. She wiped her hoof on her chest and bopped his nose. "You need to learn to be more quiet."

He giggled some more, then was right at her side. Whenever he wasn't out and about the outskirts, he was inseparable from Amber's side, acting like her shadow.

"We need to go now, and I can't have you run this far anymore, you got it? It's already dark and we now have to walk all the way back."

They started trotting back the way Amber had come.

Phillip looked down at the ground. "Sorry Amber, I just saw some other ponies and wanted to see if they'd play. They all said they had other things to do though."

"I'm sorry buddy, but you know that everypony else has their own life. Besides, what have I said about talking to strangers?"

"To only do it if you're there. But these weren't strangers! I've seen them before."

"Do you know their names?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Unless you know their name, they are still strangers. You know how I feel about you trying to meet new ponies without me being there to protect you."

"But I don't need protection, everypony is so nice and none of them would ever hurt me."

"You don't know that. What if one of them tries to take you somewhere with them? If I wasn't there, they could just snatch you and I'd never be able to find you. I'd be worried sick, then"

They continued in silence for some time. As the night drew on, more and more houses they passed started turning out the lights as ponies went to their beds for the nights. A luxury that Amber and Phillip did not have.

"Hey, Amber?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it too late to play?"

"I'm a little tired, Phillip, so I'd have to say yes."

"Could I go play with him then?"

Amber turned to her brother, and saw he had stopped a couple paces back, and was looking back the way they came. She squinted, and could just barely make out a figure against the wall way behind them. It was that pegasus from earlier, the one that didn't talk.

"Come back Phillip," she said, quiet but firm. Phillip read the tone in her voice and quickly backed up, shrinking behind her.

"You wanna step out of the shadows there, little guy?" she called out. The foal stepped out into the middle of the road. In the moonlight, the purple streaks in his mane stood out amidst the void that made up the rest of his mane. And his eyes almost seemed to glow, a stunning green-gray mixture that must've been very rare.

He still made no effort to talk, but rather stood there, simply waiting to see if she'd say anything else.

"Are you lost? I can't help you get back to… wherever you came from, unless you tell me where you need to go."

He stayed silent, but nodded his head at the question. He took a small step of faith towards her, seeing how she'd react. She didn't know what about this kid seemed so particularly odd, but the situation was so bizarre and all her instincts cried out at her to do something other than just stand there.

"Do you know where you live? I can give you directions if you can tell me something."

He hesitated, then shook his head. There was definitely something wrong here.

"Do you know where your parents are?"

Again, a shake of his head. She gritted her teeth as she asked her last question.

"Do you have anypony to take care of you?"

No. He didn't even need to acknowledge that question, she knew it was probably so.

"We could take care of you," said the voice of her little brother from behind her.

"No, Phillip we can't just-"

"But he's just like us! And I wanna be his friend!"

I have no clue who this kid is, it's already hard enough taking care of Phillip and myself, I can't even convince myself that this kid is at all what I think he is. Her thoughts and instincts rebelled against the idea of even letting him any closer.

"Phillip, I can't just-"

"Please? Just for tonight, at least. I really want a friend."

I'm going to regret all of this.

"Ugh, fine." She turned facing the red foal, "Kid, if you want, you can tag along. But don't do anything funny, you hear me?"

She may be young and untrained, but she knew that she could do something with her horn if the need ever arises. Sweet Celestia, he’s just a pegasus, a foal at that, why am I even considering a last resort? This is just for the night, after that, he’ll find somepony else to cling to.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Phillip screamed in jubilance. “Nice to meetcha, new friend! I’m Phillip, what’s your name, so that we’re not strangers?”

The foal looked at Phillip, mind half concentrating on observing Phillip, the other half debating. For the first time, she heard the kid speak.

“Dusk.”