Dawn's new day.

"NO, not again," I groaned as I rubbed my muzzle with my hands. That's not quite right.

"Die again?" My friend/brother Josh replied through my headset, though it didn't fit quite right.

"Yes, dang bitters got me while out doing an oil setup for the base." The two of us were playing Factorio on one of the competitive servers with a few other people. Before he replied though my long ears flickered as I heard a loud 'Boom' causing the lights to flicker.

"Well that sucks, also should you be Playing during a storm?" He sounded more mocking than worried.

"Yeah ill be fine, my desktop has a battery and even my house is fully backed up now, remember?" I had gotten a solar system with battery backup a few years ago so never lost power, it was great.

"Ah right, considering I use a laptop I never really think about it anyway." He was always traveling for work so it made sense.

"I could never play from a laptop, desktop all the way," I grabbed the mouse in my magic since I respawned and used my hands on the keyboard. Wait magic? "Well lets get back to..." my voice cut out as my skin began to tingle, it was the strangest sensation, right before a deafening explosion and everything went black.

I woke up in a cold sweat breathing hard and objects floating around my bedroom suspended in my light blue magic. What the heck was that?! It took a few moments for me to realize it was all just a dream. Calming down I took a look outside my window and decided to head back to sleep. Still night time and I'm ok.

When morning did finally arrive I was woken up by my mom yelling from downstairs, "Up and attum Kiddo, It's time for breakfast!"

Heading downstairs I found my mom making pancakes, using her wings to hold the handles. I never noticed she has great control of those things. It kind of made me jealous that I couldn't fly. Maybe someday we will. I joked to myself.

"Morning Mom, where's dam?"

"Meh, she had to head out early to finish up some work for the bakery since you two are heading off to Canterlot tomorrow."

"Oh, Makes sense I guess," I plopped into my seat at the table while she kindly brought over breakfast balanced between her wings. Pancakes, eggs, and orange juice, Nice.

"Yep so, it's just us this morning before I have to head out for the afternoon shift. " she smiled and sat down in her own chair after ruffling my mane with her wing as she passed. "You going to be ok on your own for that?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not a baby foal any more mom, I'll be fine. Besides I plan to visit Starlight later to let her know the good news." I couldn't help but bounce in my seat a bit at that.

"Ohh," my mom smiled with raised eyebrows and gave a knowing nod, "Going to visit the filly friend before the big Trip huh?"

I sputtered and blushed a bit, stupid young colt brain, heck we have been married before. Wait I was? "No, she's just a friend." I looked away, but thinking more about my ex than Starlight.

My mom laughed, breaking me from the memory, as she finished a bite, "oh they grow up so fast, only one day with his Cutie mark and he is already starting his own little herd."

"Mom~," I wined playfully at her.

"Just messing with ya sport," she pointed the fork in her hoof at me, "anyway after breakfast you and I will be running some errands and if you are good you know what that means?" She trailed off with a smug look, Dang expressive ponies.

"Books?" I beam back at her. Guess we're one of them too now.

"Right in one, Books. Though Considering you got your cutie mark your dam and I were thinking of getting you something special anyway before your big test. Ah, don't tell her I told you," She ran a hoof in front of her lips to 'Zip' them.

I giggled, "I wont mom."

She nodded and we finished up our breakfast, "good."

After we finished I helped out by using my magic to clear the table. I noticed right away that preforming magic had become much easier since getting my mark. My mom noticed too since she commented right after, "Dang colt, look at you go. Just a few days ago you had trouble with holding two things at once and now your clearing the whole table without missing a beat."

"Heh, yeah I'm surprised too. Though when Sunburst got his he put back a whole two shelves worth of books so I have to be at least that good or I wont make it at Celestia's School," I noticed my mom sag a bit at that.

"Yeah that's true."

"You ok mom?"

"Yeah, Just going to miss ya. I'll be super happy if you get in but," she shrugged with her wings.

I quickly walked over and gave her a big hug while a few tears leaked from her eyes. After a few moments though she sniffed and, "ok, enough of that. We have errands to run and they wont run themselves. No matter how much I wish they would." We both laugh at that then head outside after grabbing our saddlebags and getting them comfortable.

"Ok sport, hop on," My mom had lowered herself so I could easily climb onto her back and wrap my forelegs around her neck. It wasn't the first time she had taken me flying to one of the larger towns for supplies but today felt more exciting. We guess a fresh perspective will do that.

Flying was amazing, It was nothing like riding an enclosed airplane. Being able to feel the wind blowing through my Teal mane and Sky blue Coat felt, well, awesome. During the trip my mom even pulled off a few loops which just blew my mind, even when I fell off and she had to catch me I was never truly scared. Better than any rollercoaster on earth.

"Hey, be careful." she chided even though she had a hard time keeping a straight face with my infectious excitement. "I always find it strange a unicorn foal like you loves flying so much, even your dam hates it."

"How could I hate flying, especially when my mom is one of the best fliers?" I throw my forelegs up once back on her back, holding on with my hind legs. "It's awesome."

The scowl quickly leaves her face and she just shakes her head while continuing to fly towards our destination, Baltimare.

When we do eventually land close to the large grocery store, one a bit cheaper than in our small village even with the train ride back. My mom then takes a few moments so I can climb off and stretch her legs and wings then adjust her saddlebags. "Dang colt, you are getting heavy. Just a few more months and you won’t be able to ride on my back anymore."

I roll my eyes at her, "mom you say that every time you take me flying, you're in to good of shape to worry about that."

She buffs her forehoof on her chest, "Dang right I am." we both laugh at the running joke. "Now, why don't you help me out with the cart today using that fancy magic of yours," she bumps me as we head inside. We're in much better shape as a colt than a human, surprisingly fit for a unicorn also, probably my mom's influence. I finish another self observation while easily trotting behind my mom.

Grocery shopping quickly became boring. Sure it was interesting at first what with the new perspective and everything, but after finding out it was basically the same as on earth it got old fast. Mainly it was because there were no foals my age and my mom kept stopping to chat with every mare that she recognized, which was a suspiring amount, about my cutie mark and upcoming test. I guess when you're part of a heard species with no internet its not that strange, especially since mom works all around the area to manage the weather.

Letting out a huff I continue to follow along. At least using my magic keeps things a bit interesting. as we moved around the store while pushing the cart and placing items into it I noticed that ponies really didn't do frozen or even refrigerated food. Sure there was milk and juices but even then it was only kept cool using magic. With everything being mostly organic and plant based It makes sense, I had to keep reminding myself while noting the differences between Equestrian and Human markets.

The first thing to really catch my attention was when mom paid, Bits had just as many denominations as the Dollar as far as I could tell. Interesting the show didn't go into much detail and as a colt money hasn't mattered yet outside of what class taught. The next thing though really blew my mind, Everything from the cart was transferred into my Mom's saddle bags, Magic bags with space expansion and preservation. I tested my own out and found it had a similar enchantment. Is this normal or are we well off?

While following mom out of the store towards the bookstore I took some time think about it. As a human we were middle class, owned our own home and all that, even after the divorce. In Equestria though I had no clue.

Mom must have noticed my musings because she looked down at me and asked, "Everything alight sport?"

"Mom, Are we well off?"

The question caught her so off guard she stopped and sputtered, "now why would you ask that?"

"Well... In the store I finally noticed we both have some nice saddle bags, and dam is from canterlot, and you guys can afford to send me to Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns, and you're about to buy me another book, and, and," my breath hitched. "I guess I'm just overwhelmed and worried about paying for it all!" I plopped down right there on the side of the road with my ears splayed back about to cry. Stupid emotional colt brain.

"Oh Dawn," She nuzzled the top of my head, and I felt lucky city ponies weren't as curious. "look, your dam and I will be just fine. Not to brag or anything but we both make good money. I'm a weather team captain and she does plenty of accounting work on the side."

"Really?" I sniffed. ok maybe we're just overthinking, kinda hard not to.

"Really, really." she ruffled my mane and fluffed he wings a bit, "Now why don't we break for Ice-cream, young colts need their sugar to keep up their magic." I guess the show was right about that.

"Ok mom," I beamed up at her and got back to my hooves. "I'm going to get chocolate."

"Yeah? I think I will too."

It didn't take long to stop by a corner shop selling Ice-cream and on the way to the bookstore we stopped in a small park lay in the grass and eat. It's almost surreal how similar it is to earth, aside from the Inhabitants and language like 'everypony'. Way more real than the show depicts but not all inaccurate either, I mused while licking the ice-cream.

Ever since yesterday my mind had definitely become more, is in tune the right word? Ug no that just sounds wrong. Harmonious, of course that's it, I can focus more and definitely notice more than two days ago. what else should we expect with thirty extra years of memories shoved into my head and getting my cutie mark.

Snuggling under my mom's wing I get close to finishing my treat while enjoying the warmth, both of us just basking in the sunlight. No wonder Luna got jealous when Celestia gives perfect days like these, granted as a human I always enjoyed the nights more. Tilting my head back and forth with my internal debate about the best time of day, I put the rest of the cone in my mouth to crunch it up.

"Still thinking a lot sport?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, I was just thinking about Luna and the best time of day ya know?" My eyes went a bit wide at my slip but luckily mom didn't notice.

"Luna? Is that another friend of yours?" I almost sighed in relief.

"Not really, just some~~o-~~pony I know." It actually took some concentration not to say 'Someone'.

"Another filly friend? should your dam and I be expecting a little herd around?"

"Mom~, not again." I whined and covered my face with my forelegs as she laughed at me, though she had a tough time since she was finishing her own ice-cream.

"Just a joke sport, I know you are way to young to worry about that." she got a bit more serious, "Especially if you want to keep up with your school studies. No filly friends till you are older young colt, even with that new cutie mark. Speaking of time of day, it's about time we head out." She finished up her own cone.

"Yeah yeah," I waved her off with my front forehoof and stood up to stretch with my ears perked up. "books?"

She rolled her eyes at me, "books," and we both trotted off.

When we entered the shop the smell of old books filled my nose as I took a deep breath. "I swear colt, you and your dam both do that every time."

"What, books smell great, it reminds me of all the stories and knowledge they hold." I reply from over my shoulder since I was already scanning the shelves. "Besides, little quirks are why you LoVe us."

"True, I couldn't be with just any Mare, or have any average colt," She replied as she and the clerk at the counter chucked. "Though I'd love you no matter what sport," she finished a bit lamely while nuzzling my head. Ponies are so affectionate.

Scanning the shelves I quickly made it to the magic section while my mom chatted with the clerk. She may not have had the same love for books but she still enjoyed them. I on the other hand loved them, maybe not at Twilight's level but still well enough. Even back on earth we enjoyed reading, though more about Si-Fi, and fantasy, or random stuff, like new tech, from online articles. Man I'm going to miss computers, maybe I could mix technology with magic, like in the newer Gens, I shuddered, I wasn't a fan of the newer animation style. Thank harmony my memories ended up in this generation/universe.

"Hey sport, try to pick a book out soon. We still have a train to catch so I can get to work on time." I hadn't even noticed the time passing until my mom called out. After shaking my head a bit my eyes caught site of a book that looked old and out of place 'Earth pony and Pegasus magic'. Cool, this might come in handy... hoofy? Bah, useful later.

I plop the book down on the counter, "Interesting choice there young colt, not many ponies read into this kind of subject. I'm honestly surprised we have an old book like this." The unicorn clerk mentions while my mom pays for the book.

"It looks interesting and maybe it will help with my test." I smile up at him, switching to an innocent act.

Before he could ask my mom interjected proudly with, "he's applying for CSGU."

"Ahh," the clerk nods, "no wonder you like strange magic books, well good luck young colt."

I smile and thank him while putting the book in my bag.

Trains were wonderful, I never got to ride many as a human maybe only twice. Cars are just the worst, what with traffic and city sprawl, but not Equestrian City Planning. It's so much better organized without parking lots everywhere. No, things here were just so much nicer, the train station was nice and clean, the train was on time, and the passenger cars were super comfortable for the price with pony sized benches. The only complaint was the speed, but even then it was only a 20 minute ride back to Sires Hollow. We always rode back since moms bags didn't have weight reduction and made flying too difficult but today I was really enjoying the ride.

"Today has been pretty great so far, eh sport?" My mom stretched her wings a bit and looked a bit sad, "I just wish I didn't have to work so we could celebrate tonight."

"It's ok mom. I'll miss you too. And hey if I don't pass I'll be home before you know it." I was a bit shocked when she brushed me with her wing playfully.

"Like you could fail you little troublemaker," her mood quickly bounced back just as the train pulled into the station.

After disembarking the train she gave me a hug, "alright, go play with your friend while I take this food home."

"Thanks mom," I galloped off with my new book towards Starlight's house. When I finally arrived I knocked on the door and her sire answered. "Well hello there Dawn, here to see Starlight? She's in her room." He smiled down at me and let me inside. If I was human that would never happen, Granted the roles are a bit reversed here.

"Thanks Mr. Firelight," I passed by as he chuckled.

"No problem Dawn," I then quickly made it up to Starlight's room.

"Glimmer," I made sure to knock first then barged in like any proper best friend, "I'm here to visit my," my voice cut off as I noticed her laying in bed covering her muzzle with her forelegs and mumbled.

"What do you want?" Her voice filled with sadness.

I huffed and jumped up onto her bed. She had been pushing me away lately and I had been letting her. Now that I understood it better, "to bother one of my best friends and show off my cutie mark to them."

I could actually see her tense at that as she mumbled "not again" under her breath.

After circling her I noticed that she now had her mark as well but didn't bring it up, instead, "so Glim-Glam, how you been?" I flopped down next to her and nuzzled under her chin. I knew her and Sunburst were close even before we met but this is bad, no wonder she turned evil, I shook my head a bit. But she isn't yet.

When she finally did speak up, "Glim-Glam? Where did that come from?"

"Well figure you were due for a new nickname so just wanted to try it out," She huffed but managed a smile at my response then finally looked at me. Smart kids always have rough emotions, though we get to cheat a bit to get the best of both smarts and emotional maturity.

"So you really got your mark too, huh?"

"Yep, looks like you did too. Isn't that great? Will you also be going to CSGU to try out?"

"Why bother?" She snorted and buried her muzzle into her pillow, "You and Sunburst will probably do better anyway."

"Now that's not true, sure Sunburst is book smart, and I have unique ideas but you have the raw power and application."

She didn't move though the swivel of her ears betrayed her, "you really think so?"

"Yep so you should go with me and my dam tomorrow for the open testing and get yourself out of this funk." I shoulder checked her.

"Will you still be my friend even if I don't pass?" she finally poked her head up.

"I pinky promise," I even went through the motions which caused her to finally laugh and I heard the echo of 'Forever' in a young pinkies voice causing me to shiver. How does she do that? Magic silly.

After getting Starlight out of her funk we spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out. Luckily she had games like checkers so neither of us had to spare much concentration as we caught up. At dinner, she easily convinced her dad to take her for the test as well which we both celebrated.

When it was time to leave, she was looking much better. "Bye Starlight."

"Bye Dawn," She gave me a quick hug then headed back inside after we parted at the door.

Well, that's one first big change. I smiled to myself and shrugged. Well too late to worry now. Bring it on butterflies, I thought to myself while heading home, cutie mark glowing ever so slightly in the twilight.