“A bubble? What is this? Is somepony there? Can you hear me?”

“Who… Who is that?”

“A young colt? Who are you? Where are you?”

Beep… Beep… Beep…

“Mm—That sound…”

“Wait—!”

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

“Haah… Uugh… Aaah…” Cheeks nuzzled against a fluffy and soft fabric; my sight faded in and out. A hoof reached to the side, knocking the alarm off the cabinet beside my bed.

Well, that means it’s morning time.

The alarm went off on the floor. I had no choice but to overcome sleepiness, leave my bed, and turn the signaling device off.

Sigh.

Why did waking up early in the morning have to suck so much? Though, to be fair, I spent a decent thirty minutes by the bay outside of town last night. Nopony except myself to condemn—or the unbelievable beauty the world presented that night.

In any case, my room was shamefully basic. The first thing I witnessed as I awoke was a wooden door, and to the right was a closet full of clothes I had never worn. On the right-hoof side of me was a small pale brown storage cabinet with a lamp. Even further, a window stared. On my left was a wooden wall. That’s it.

After deactivating the alarm, I descended the stairs and headed to the dining room, the smell of breakfast clear. Hold on… I’m not the only beast in the house pursuing prey, allured by the hypnotic scent of sizzling pancake batter.

“Honey? Am I receiving a whiff of your fine cooking?” My father blurted. Forest Seed was his name, and flirting with my mom was his game. My fur coat resembled his, a brownish orange. Yet I didn’t adopt his mud-brown hair. I had my mother to thank for that. Dad’s mane was shorter than mine, which had bangs, more volume, colors, and length.

“Haha! Stop it, dear. What did I tell you about over-complimenting my average cooking?” Just like Mom, she meant the opposite of what she said. Beneath her emerald mane and fern-hued highlights, she was blushing under that yellowish-beige pelt. And her braided hair traveled down to her chest, where it must’ve been beating from the romanticist. “It’s not all that.”

“Au, contraire, contraire, my beautiful mare.” And just like my dad, he squirmed his eyebrows flirtatiously towards Mom.

“Dear!” she exclaimed, bringing a hoof to her cheek.

Air bursted out of my nose. I could not handle any more of their antics. ”Stop, stop! You’re going to make me throw up before I even get to eat.”

With my thoughts exposed, my rear eased into a familiar wooden chair by the family dinner table, savoring the inviting scent of breakfast. Dad was sitting on the side nearest to the living room. Mom sat across from him, near the lime green fridge, silver sink, black stove, and dark brown cabinets. I sat between them, but not in the middle.

”You say that now, Thorn. But soon enough, you’ll do the same thing,” Dad commented.

Never will I ever act in such a manner.

”No way in Celestia.”

”Forest Seed, he’s just thirteen years old. It’ll still be quite a while before that happens.”

”Misty Fleurs, this colt right here will grow to be one of the most outstanding stallions in Equestrian history!”

”You constantly extol that, even though I’m still a blank flank, Dad,” I remarked, not wanting such levels of praise to drill their way into my ears.

Mom quickly plunged into the conversation. ”Whittle Bramble! There is no self-doubt in this family! I’m sure you’ll get your cutie mark real soon. And when you do, we’ll celebrate all day—no, all week!”

”A grand idea, honey bug! His cutie mark will be marvelous, no doubt!” Dad exalted, banging on the square-shaped dinner table.

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with maple syrup and butter entered my mouth.

Ah, the staple of pancakes, my favorite. Who needs all those unique flavored syrups, anyway?

White plate now empty; I finished eating breakfast through my parents’ nonstop adulation. So, I sprung from my chair and cleaned the sticky gunk off my muzzle before leaving for school. ”Alright, I’m off. Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad.”

”Bye, my Whittle Bramble!”

”Knock ‘em DEAD, son!” Dad shouted, following me outside the door.

Misty Fleurs, mouth agape, widened her eyes. ”Forest Seed! Don’t say such things!”

”Sorry, sorry…” I rubbed the back of my head.

”You just get so worked up sometimes, you know that? What if somepony else heard and assumed the worst?”

She’s right. But if I compliment her, she’ll overlook things and move on. ”Well, thank Celestia, I have you to take me down a peg or two, eh?” I winked at the beautiful mare.

”Oh, how sweet.” Hooves covered her blushed cheeks.

”Speaking of sweet… How about those world-famous… hmm… desserts you be whipping up?” I licked my lips.

”…”

”…”

Upon that remark, her expression flatlined. After a few seconds of silence, Misty Fleurs stared into my eyes. ”Forest Seed.”

”Yes?” My cheeks pulled back as my eyes lit up, showing white teeth.

”…Were you buttering me up all week hoping to get me to fix those desserts from the Ponyville Sugarcube Corner recipe book?”

Reluctantly, I closed one of my eyes halfway, still in a staring deadlock with my wife, afraid to utter the answer. ”Yes…?”

”Get inside,” Misty Fleurs stated with a stern hoof stomp.

”Yes, ma’am.”

Mom and Dad. Other ponies probably cannot tell initially, but I love them immensely. That is a guarantee, and it will always be. And so, on my way out, I was greeted by a snow-fallen grey sky as I continued marching.

A light layer of snow crunched and sunk beneath my hooves as I trotted. I was on a dirt trail, which had to be cleared of snow at times, depending on the weather.

Today, the dull grey atmosphere was accompanied by the touch of snowflakes—the clean scent of our town’s wintry air familiar to me. Every white breath hung in the frigid space, momentarily fogging my view. Other than the scenery, watching that heat dissipate into the cold happened to be the most exciting thing to happen on my trots.

Beyond that fleeting vapor, everypony was awake. They went about their day, working, playing with pets, going on dates, reading a book, and eating at a local restaurant. In every sense of the word, this town was an ordinary one, doing nothing special. But it’s this familiarity that made it home.

The pathway to each wooden cottage had a lamppost with a sun symbol head reminiscent of a princess’s cutie mark. But since it was morning time, they weren’t lit.

I left the residential district after ambling through the cottage-lined pathway. I continued down that path through a snowy expanse and some ice-glazed trees, accompanied by the distant sight of white-tipped mountains dominated by others. Behind them was the kingdom of yaks, Yakyakistan.

Soon, I would be nearing the school building within the next ten minutes. Around the nine-minute mark, a young colt’s voice pricked my ears. “Heyyy! Nature Thorn! Over heeere!”

My friend Ice Whistle, a young icy blue colt with a horn protruding through his white mane. He had magenta irises and wore a black and grey striped beanie and scarf. He waited near the school entrance with the other students, spotting me from afar, white specks clinging to his accessories’ dry fabric.

Joining the rest of the students, I inspected the school building. Somepony painted it green and white, leaving an unpainted brown fence surrounding it. ”Hey there, Ice Whistle. Another monotonous day at the Luna Bay Schoolhouse.”

With a pang of frustration, small clouds of vapor billowed out of his mouth. ”There you go again… about our lives being dull.”

I rolled my eyes in a rainbow arc. ”Because they are. By the sheer definition, nothing ‘exciting’ ever happens here.”

”Ha! You’re not wrong. Equestria has never been better after Princess Twilight and her friends defeated the Legion of Doom.” Ice Whistle huffed. ”Listen, everyday life isn’t a bad thing, Thorn. Then again, who would Nature Thorn be if a typical day didn’t swelter him so?”

I’d be no one, Whis.

”Did you say something?”

”No…”

”Oh, how odd.” Ice Whistle appeared dazzled, but somepony would soon draw our attention.

“Okay, my little fillies and colts. Sorry I’m late. My dog Hazel was quite the troublemaker back home.” My teacher, Miss Scarlet Petals, started with an excuse. An earth pony with colors resembling red velvet cake with purple icing used her mouth to grab a key from her green saddlebag (which I wanted) and opened the door to the school building. ”Can everypony please enter and go to their assigned seats at a leisurely pace? The class will proceed shortly.”

A lot of chatter among the young ponies gathered as we tried walking inside. Sixteen students. The class’s width was around seven meters, while the length was nine. The inside is about what anypony would expect of a schoolhouse. Desks for students filled the room, while the teacher’s quarters were at the front by the chalkboard. At the back of the class was some extra stuff. It included a bookshelf full of books, bean bag chairs, and a wide cabinet packed with essentials in case we didn’t have our own.

Thirty seconds passed before Ice Whistle and I arrived at our assigned seats. Luckily, we sat side by side. It was better than last year when we were three seats away, which made conversing difficult.

We talked a bit more since we had a little time before class began.

“Have you made any progress with your whistling?”

“Nope. Even though my name is ‘Ice Whistle,’ I’m still the absolute worst at whistling.” He bitterly crossed his hooves. “It’s impossible!”

“That’s too bad, Whis.”

Ice Whistle lifted an eyebrow. “Whis?”

I rested my chin on my hoof. “It’s short for Whistle, duh.”

“Ohhh… I like it. Whis and Thorn!” Ice Whistle thrusted his hooves in a repeated boxing motion.

“Thorn and Whis roll off the tongue more nicely,” I shot back matter-of-factly.

“Ehh…”

Before coming to a consensus, the class had officially started.

“Okay, enough chatter, little ones. Let’s start this exciting day of learning!” the crimson mare proclaimed enthusiastically, like the obscure weirdo she was.

It should be illegal to be that ecstatic about learning. Her words and the way she said them pained me. “Ugh... Please don’t torture me any further with such excruciating words, Miss Scarlet Petals.”

The teacher furrowed a brow. “Excruciating? …Nice to see some of our vocabulary lessons still hold up. Keep up the adequate work, Nature Thorn.”

“Pfft!” Ice Whistle snickered, covering bloated cheeks with two hooves.

Miss Scarlet Petals had taken notice. “Ice Whistle, you’ve just earned yourself the right to answer the day’s first question.”

“Dang it.”

Seeing that, I struggled to hold back my suppressed laughter, too. “Pfft!”

“And you’ll answer the one right after, Nature Thorn.”

Thwarted, I sank further into my chair. “Crud.”

Everypony in the classroom giggled.

Just another day it was being the clown duo of the school. Although, it left immutable memories we could laugh at.

—Memories have a tenacious hold like superglue. They aren’t physical, yet they can bind us to where they were perceived. Memories… are dangerous.

“Hmm…”

Vanhoover, a lively coastal city sitting atop the Luna Ocean coastline—Vanhoover, with its countless skylines and ponies of all races trotting to and fro, had earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns living their day-to-day lives. A subtle scent of salt wafted through the air and the view of mountains stood in the distance.

Outside the train station, paper rustled, drowned out by the chitter-chatter of passengers leaving and arriving. That rustling parchment was a map of Equestria, and my pair of pistachio-green eyes locked onto it. I was standing outside the train station because this is where the train tracks stopped—in other words, the end of the railroad.

Not long after, we walked through the city, coming across an active street lined with various stands and entrances to many large buildings. The area was filled with the enticing smell of fresh baked goods and the sound of vendors calling out their wares.

“Hey, Brave and Glorious, how long will you stare at that map?” Words spoken by a close friend of mine, Thorax. A greenish-looking insect creature with orange horns and purple buggy eyes, and happened to be the leader of the changeling hive. Despite his responsibilities, he had accompanied me on this journey to Vanhoover. I was grateful for his company.

Not peering away from the map, I responded. “I’m just trying to ensure we get through, Thorax. I don’t believe I’ve ever been here or to our destination.” I was feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about our journey, and I hoped that Thorax’s calm, innocent demeanor would help ease my anxiety.

“You’re such a worrywart. It’ll be fine… If we get lost, we can fly.”

“True, but Luna Bay is a freezing environment, and I’m a dragon. A flying dragon in the cold doesn’t bode well.”

“Ohhh, I didn’t think of that. My apologies, Spike.”

At first, I hid my face behind the parchment, but after examining it again, I rolled it up. “There’s no train to take to Luna Bay; Vanhoover is the closest stop. We’ll have to take a carriage ride or walk the rest.”

“You’ve grown up…” Thorax murmured.

“You sure it’s acceptable for the hive leader to be away from the hive?”

“Why not? My brother does a splendid job protecting the hive from harm. He also improved his leadership skills. One day, he’ll be a fine co-ruler—perhaps hive leader! Then you and I will be able to hang out more, and I’ll also be able to do my own thing.”

Then, suddenly, a curious stallion called out to us from a nearby lemonade stand. “Hello, visitors! Can I be of help to you?”

I shoved the map into a small dark purple bag hanging by my side, slightly distracted by the twinkling baby blue jewel pin brooching on the front. “No, no. We’re just passing through.”

Thorax couldn’t help but voice his curiosity about my handbag as I engaged with the nosy stallion. “I’ve been meaning to ask… What’s the story behind that purse?”

“Huh?! I-I-It’s not a purse, Thorax!”

Thorax further examined the bag. “Did she make that? Hm? Hmm—”

“I dare say that is a mighty fine purse!” the nosy stallion exclaimed; his eyes opened wide, ready to pop out of his head.

“Urgg… You know what? Is there a carriage ride that’ll take us further northwest of here?” I asked and pinched the bridge of my scaly nose, agitated.

“Yesiree! Just go north up this path, and a carriage riding service will sit right before the Pear family farm.”

“Gee, thanks. Let’s get moving, Thorax.”

“You got it,” Thorax chuckled, “Spi-key-wi-key~.”

My insides seemed to twist. “Urgg!”

As Thorax snorted, his eyes widened when he saw a front window display showcasing baked goods. “Wait, are those donuts?! I’ve always dreamt of sinking my teeth into one!”

“We should really get moving here, Thorax.”

Thorax knocked his face on the bakery store’s front window display and licked his lips and the glass. “How pretty… Some even have gems on them…”

I stopped in my tracks, no longer following the concrete sidewalk. I may not have completed my objective, but I say I deserve a treat.

Bagel Lox, a pegasus running a bakery in Vanhoover, was living his best life. He married the mare of his dreams and had two adorable fillies. His shop even received a nomination for the best bakery in Vanhoover.

There was nowhere else to go but down.

He would only improve his baking to ensure nopony who laid eyes on his store would pass it up. A literal gold mine, the perfect bit-making machine.

He counted the bits in his register while listening to a song on the radio.

~🎶 We’ve got hearts… As strong as horses! 🎶 We’ve got hearts… As strong as horses! 🎶

He sang along to one of his favorite singers, Sweetie Belle. He thought the other two were fine. Bagel Lox considered listening to Countess Coloratura next. That’s when he heard a slam, followed by the notifying sound of the shopkeeper’s bell ringing aggressively. “What in tarnation!”

Two unusual figures stepped inside. With a hesitant voice, Bagel Lox mustered the courage to ask a question, struggling to swallow the lump in his throat. “Are you two customers?” One seemed to be a dragon, and the other…??? He wondered whether that creature was local to this side of Equestria.

The unusual and hungry-looking pairing yelled in unison. “DONUUUTS!!”

Bagel Lox will never forget that day. Neither will he forget the two monsters that rampaged through all his donuts and the awkward process of them standing by the register, paying for what they gobbled up.

After lunchtime and idling around during recess, we were finally almost there. The desire was not only mutual but also familiar. Not limited to school but extending beyond… to that bay.

“Ahem—” Miss Scarlet Petals coughed to grab our attention. “Classes for the day are almost over, and I’m aware you’re all ready to march straight out that door!”

A hastened response escaped me like a reflex. “Yes!”

“Ahem—” Miss Scarlet Petals shot me a brief glare and continued. “The last thing we’ll be doing today is learning about the geography of Equestria.”

“This is your favorite subject, right?” Ice Whistle whispered to me, his scarf swaying from his neck. It seems the specks of snow had already melted and been absorbed.

As a response, I slid and slumped further into my chair. “It’s better than the usual, I guess.”

Ice Whistle chuckled. “You’re such a slouch sometimes.”

“Mehh…”

We’re always so focused on Equestria. We know a lot about it now. It underwent noticeable changes after Princess Twilight and her friends left for the outskirts of Equestria and returned. So, what about the outside? What about it, Miss Scarlet Petals? The question popped up and enveloped my mind like a thick rubber balloon filled with an eternal incoming water supply. The tortuous ideation would not dissipate.

Unable to contain myself any longer, I raised a foreleg at a sloth’s pace.

“Dear all Princesses, is Nature Thorn asking me a question related to the subject?!”

It’s like Miss Scarlet Petals had seen a ghost pony. All the young students in the classroom, their eyes widening like full moons, gasped in surprise. From my peripheral vision, Ice Whistle, his mouth agape, stared at me with a soft expression—his profound eyes locked on my lips.

My throat, parched and constricted, became dry. “What about—” And a thump, a pounding from within, audibly raced. There was no restraining it. The beat would not have stopped even if it was squeezed and crushed. “What about the outside?!”

My words reverberated throughout the room, through the ears of all… but not through someponie’s heart. Like cockatrice victims, all the faces in the classroom remained still, devoid of interest. Truly, the room had become distant, and I detached.

“Hmm? We understand little about it.” My heart sank further as her indifferent words left her red velvet muzzle. “As a matter of fact, we’ll never need to. Don’t worry. It’s not something you’ll ever have to concern yourself with. I mean, just think about how treacherous the lands outside Equestria might be…”

Might be? Do you hear yourself? Who cares? That’s precisely what makes it so incredibly captivating. Just how perilous can that journey be? The vastness of this mysterious world is so…

“A little pony should never make the tread. They couldn’t! They would never make it far. Plus, Equestria is where our loved ones are. Our home. Which is all we need.”

Gravity went beyond chaining me down, like wading through heavy water. How could we ignore something so vast and unknown?

I didn’t have claustrophobia, but it was as if I was at the core of the world when I proposed the question. And upon receiving the answer, the world had become infinitesimal with me trapped in it.

Shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t…?

Coming to terms with the sincere remark shattered something. “…R-right.”

The class restored the current subject and disregarded my question as if it had never existed. And like the unknown, it stayed unknown.

Ice Whistle glimpsed my way with worry. He’s accustomed to seeing me as lazy or slumped, but not like this. But he’s never seen me in a state where a dark cloud floating above my head wouldn’t be questionable.

I held my hoof up to my black and grey striped scarf and stroked it.

Everypony began packing their saddlebags because the day’s last class had ended. My best friend had a disparate ambiance toward him halfway through the earlier lesson. Not knowing how to amend the situation, I still wanted to help him. Which would also mean coming to an understanding, and this is Nature Thorn I’m talking about here. I gandered his way once more. There’s only one practical choice. I’ll have to speak to him, and it would start with me moving one hoof forward. “Thorn, let’s get out of here and hang out. Whaddya say?”

“Sure.” Nothing about him or the surrounding atmosphere changed.

I’m decent at performing magic for a short duration, but only telekinesis. So, for my next move, I’ll use my birthright as a unicorn to move this immovable object. My horn glowed a magenta hue. The magic aura shrouded Nature Thorn, levitating him with telekinesis. I took him outside. Then, a filly from our class called out to me.

“Um, I-I-Ice Whistle, I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” she stuttered and mumbled.

That filly’s name was Starry Vision. A unicorn with long, teal-colored hair covering one of her eyes and flowing down to her chest. She also had a turquoise coat.

She had my attention, but it dispelled to disinterest. “Sorry, another time? There’s something I have to do.”

“O-oh, sure thing.”

I felt terrible, but I had plans. As a last resort, I had a specific destination in mind. An extraordinary place my friend might need.

At first, I dragged him to my house. I talked to him in my room for hours, trying to cheer him up, but no dice—just an occasional groan.

Last resort it is, then.

I grew weary of relying on magic to transport Thorn, so I clamped onto his triple-striped tail with my teeth and pulled the fighting weight onward. We gathered a few suspecting looks from the other residents of this small town. Since the population isn’t that high, it took no effort to remember somepony. In other words, it’s easy for them to remember who you are, too, so yes, this was certainly embarrassing.

Later, a pool of water expanded before us. I had dragged him to that place.

After dragging Nature Thorn’s rear end through this nameless town, we reached our destination and waited for about an hour until the sky darkened.

It was the staple of our icy-cold, petite home. Whenever somepony looked at a map of Equestria, they would find that it doesn’t have a name—that it’s recognized solely as Luna Bay. We’re a side piece, and nopony here has a problem with that. There was no way of outshining the bay neighboring us—an inlet of self-reflection.

We say our town isn’t unique, and that’s not wrong, but the bay itself is. The history of Luna Bay goes as follows.

During the origins of this town long ago, a unicorn was the first pony ever to lay eyes on this bay. Her name was Ocean White.

Sometime during the night, Ocean White gazed upon the body of water and saw something in the reflection. It reflected her; specifically, it showed you who she would be. It told her the future the universe had in store for her. Strangely enough, the reflection would show you all that, but not your cutie mark.

Ocean White was content with what she had seen. She would continue to live a fulfilling life. And since the bay showed her living her dream life, she named it after the pony who governed the literal ‘dreams’ throughout Equestria. Princess Luna.

“Remember that day? What I professed about this place?” Most ponies who were aware chose not to peer into it and would instead achieve their goals on their own. But Thorn needed this, even if I had to force him to stare at the water’s surface. “Do me a favor, Thorn. Walk out into the bay and find your reflection.”

Nighttime had begun. The shoreline was a mix of clammy sand and occasional pebbles, which birthed an interesting texture. Water lapped the shore, and mellow swishes resounded as it retreated into the bay. Despite the snow’s determination, it faced a relentless battle. The water’s constant assault on its attempt to cover the sand often broke it down. A snowy beach. An unusual but mesmerizing sight. The opposite of a warm, sunny beach, with its night sky dancing on the surface. The scenery gave off what I call a ‘beautiful eeriness.’

To the right of the shoreline was a miniature peninsula extending out into the bay—where Ice Whistle and I settled.

Why did you bring me here?

I was already aware of the answer when he dragged me in this direction. I understood his endeavor. Ice Whistle, you’re not in the wrong for trying to help me, and you’re not an idiot for bringing me here. It was a good idea through and through. There was no better plan. But unfortunately for you and the pony you lugged, they had already given up on themselves quite a while ago. It’s not your fault for not knowing. I kept it a secret from you, my parents, and the entire town.

That’s right. One night long ago, a hammer struck a nail of curiosity deep into my heart. I was fed up with myself. In response, I went to the bay for the first time, sneaking out under the cover of darkness. The ripples of the water waved the radiant stars above. But the pony gazing into it, was not present. This shattered my spirit. It was at that moment, as I watched the world around me continue to move, that I gave up on myself.

I tried to repress myself. I couldn’t – shouldn’t – give up on the ponies close to me. Even though I’m thirteen years old and still have no cutie mark, my mom and dad still glorify me to an insane degree. They show me so much parental love, guidance, pride, and care. To betray them and put them in a depressing, heartbreakingly painful state wouldn’t leave a favorable taste in my mouth.

Then there’s you, Ice Whistle, my classmate and the one who always seemed to have something to say. The other young ponies in this town aren’t jerks or bullies. There is no disdain here. They’re ordinary, and in my foolish eyes, in some ways, that’s worse. I didn’t converse with any of them, so in return, they didn’t converse with me. Yet, even when I hardly said anything to you… you continued mouthing off to me.

You broke my expectations. You broke out of that ‘everyday pony’ sphere. As for the residents of this town, I’m still deciding.

It doesn’t matter anymore. I gave up on myself but would not give up on those around me. That is why, to this day, I would sneak out every night, hoping to see my reflection. The second time I tried, it was a bust. The third was another failure, and the fourth ended up no different.

The eighth.

The sixty-third.

The two hundred and eighty-eighth.

The seven hundred and sixty-ninth.

The one thousandth… After a while, the count became hazy. There was also yesterday, but it was a no-go. This scene would never change.

“Do me a favor, Thorn. Walk out into the bay and find your reflection.” Ice Whistle told me that, but I already saw how this would play out. I ignored his request because I did not want to see this broken record replay again. So, I said nothing. “Then I’ll prove to you it’s not a superstition; it will show you what you seek. It’s never failed anypony that’s looked into it!”

Just one.

Without haste, Whis looked into the water’s reflection. He deliberately announced the occurring event. “Whoa… It’s trying to show me something!” Ice Whistle stopped his narration. I didn’t hear another peep until a few minutes later. Then Ice Whistle strode back to me. He saw his reflection, future, and who he was meant to be. I had the opportunity to see it, but that would be rubbing salt into my wound. Who am I kidding? This entire situation was. “Nature Thorn... It worked! I know what kind of pony I’ll grow to be.”

“I’m happy for you, Whis.”

I genuinely felt thrilled for him. I only wished the best for Whis and nothing more, even if I couldn’t express it here and now.

It reminded me of the day he got his cutie mark, a symbol of his unique talent and destiny, three years ago. Sadly, I could not describe the mark because I never examined it. Intentionally, my eyes averted from his flank. I did it to everypony, as foolish as it may be.

“Will you please look now?” Ice Whistle asked. The same answer as last time: complete silence. “Fine. I’ll have to resort to desperate measures.”

Wait, you wouldn’t—

It was too late. Even if I dashed off, I could not escape the range of this last resort of his.

“It’s time to end this, Thorn!”

The next thing I knew, I was lifted into the cold air and hovered over Luna Bay. I stopped making excited facial expressions filled with anticipation around the fortieth time. It was the same this time, too. The only ponies’ reaction you wanted a glimpse of was not mine, but Ice Whistle’s.

With a visible puff of breath, eyes widened as they fought the biting cold. “Where’s your… reflection?” He had trouble letting out the words as the scene took him aback, so much so that his rear end plopped down onto the snow-covered sand of the peninsula.

Continuing to look out at the bay, ears tucked back, not looking Ice Whistle in the eye, an icy-cold reply escaped. “I don’t have one.”

“Thorn, did you…?”

“Yeah. I knew.” Those words pierced through him like an icicle spear. They were also the last wisp to linger before trudging back home.

As mentioned, this scene was the same as always. The only difference this time was me getting forced into it. The irony. Of my volition, I always came here and recoiled. Sometimes, life is just weird like that.

After trudging through town, I finally reached the solace of home. The absence of anypony was a relief, as it meant I could let my guard down.

Mom and Dad were probably out, which I welcomed. I didn’t want them to see the turmoil within me. So, I climbed the stairs to my room to confront these foolish emotions.

Later, the opening and shutting clack of the front door resounded.

“Thorrrnnn, we’re home with some hayburgers!” Dad hollered.

“If these hayburgers aren’t to your liking, I can whip up a proper dinner for you, Thorn,” Mom called out, her voice loaded with concern. I descended the stairs and assured them that the hayburgers were fine. Then, I joined them at the family table. Mom, always the conversation starter, asked, “How was school today, sweetie?”

“You know, same-old, same-old,” I replied, voice devoid of emotion and mouth full of food. Honestly, it should be a struggle to express anything more.

“Err, your old stallion here figured you’d say that. That’s why I got us our favorite hayburgers. A stallion needs their hayburgers. They make us BIG and STRONG. They’re what makes us, you know, STALLIONS!”

“No shouting while we eat, dear.”

“Apologies, love.” Dad readjusted his voice and continued in a normal tone. “Also, son, the ultra-tasty food in your belly might help improve your motivation to make it through school tomorrow. We know it can get boring at times. I tried telling your mother here, but she doesn’t believe me.”

“This is not dinner,” Mom stated tediously.

“By the way, Thorn, where have you been? We haven’t seen each other since this morning.”

“Hanging out with Ice Whistle,” I replied, my voice muffled by a mouthful of hayburger. As always, it was delicious.

Mom lifted her face from her plate. “I figured. They have been friends since they were foals, dear.”

From your perspective, it may seem like we’ve been friends since foalhood. But it wasn’t until a certain moment that I truly felt a connection with him, a moment that made me consider him a real friend.

“Mom, Dad.”

“Yes?” they both replied in unison. The only difference being Dad, who almost choked on his food.

“Thanks for dinner. I’m going to call it a night.”

Again, the first to open their mouth was my mother. “What? You usually sleep at ten, so you still have a few hours left.”

“I know, but I’m tired and want to hit the sack for the rest of the day,” I replied while causing the stairs to creak.

“Oh, okay. Goodniiight.”

“Dear, what was that?” I asked, touching a cheek of mine with a hoof, looking back at my husband. “You don’t think something is wrong, do you?”

“He’s a growing colt, Misty Fleurs. I told you those hayburgers would work wonders.”

Seriously?

Left eyebrow raised, Forest Seed’s eyes darted around as sweat dripped down his head. “I’m… going to watch the buckball game on the television.”

“Uh-huh. Go do that.”

Soft, muted lighting. That’s how I would describe it. It was a welcome sight, a signal for me to relax. I had no qualms about it. I hoped to rest until the alarm went off, undisturbed in this peaceful setting.

Upon entering, I glanced left and right to ensure no arachnids were hiding. Those eight-legged creatures tended to give me a case of jitters. After determining there were not any, I laid eyes on a mattress. There it was. My checkpoint for the day. I walked up to it and leaped into the air, landing on the surface back first, all four legs sprawled out, absorbing the fresh chill. The bed squeaked a few times. Then, silence followed, as if somepony muted the small space with magic—or time had ceased.

At that moment, a haven of peace enveloped me, belonging to me and me alone.

I didn’t bother to cover myself with the blanket. My scarlet eyes just stared at the shadowy ceiling, my sight fading into complete darkness as I prepared for the next ordinary day to come and pass.

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!

In the dead of night, placed atop a hill overlooking a coastal town nearby, flaunting its lighthouse, dock, and small bobbing boats in the water, a large glowing double-layered tent was adequately propped up. The vibrant orange and purple tent stuck out compared to its backdrop of piling houses scattering throughout a harbor amid large mossy hills of rocks. The warm homes in the distance lit up with artificial lighting. Some ponies slept, or maybe a young filly or colt or two secretly stayed awake. That is what one of the attentees (pun) believed as she stared at the coastal town of Silver Shoals from her camping ground.

“Luna, what’s troubling you? This morning, you awoke with a start, and now you’re out here. Is there something you’re not telling me?” Celestia, a white alicorn, asked, her voice tinged with concern. She struggled to step outside, her long white horn unable to fit through the tent’s opening.

Inside, the sleeping quarters were in disarray with two sleeping bags and a small lantern casting a warm orange glow.

As Celestia mentioned, her younger sister had jolted out of bed with heavy breathing. So tonight, Celestia kept an extra eye on her. But instead of bouncing awake, her sister had simply exited the double-layered tent of her own accord.

“Everything is fine, sister,” another but smaller alicorn responded.

Celestia gave up on walking through the tent, but she heeded her younger sister’s words. She returned to her sleeping bag, zipped up the second inner layer of the tent, and turned the lantern off with a distinct click.

“I’m certain it’s nothing,” Luna murmured, her voice barely audible over the crackling campfire. The warm orange bathed the right half of her body as she sat, her gaze fixed on the harbor town of Silver Shoals.

A distinct click broke out again. “What was that?” Celestia ardently asked.

“I said I’m certain you could at least use magic… You know, to teleport out and eat some s’mores with me?” Luna said, smiling and breaking out in a sweat.

A gasp escaped the tent, and then the hiss of a zipper followed. Celestia still tried walking out. After recalling what her younger sister had said, she took the advice and teleported. Right next to her sister. “Luna! You know I love s’mores! As if I’d ever pass up the opportunity to eat them alongside you!” Celestia exclaimed, her voice filled with delight, hugging her sibling tightly.

Luna’s forehead crinkled from furrowed brows. “How…sweet…”

“Oh, they will be!” Celestia turned to the section before the sleeping quarters, eager to grab the bags of marshmallows, chocolate bars, and box of graham crackers.

Phh!

Just as Celestia was about to re-enter the tent, her long horn hit the zipper tape and the area above, halting her. She could only sigh from embarrassment. “Haa…”

“Magic, sister… Magic,” Luna alluded, pointing at the dark blue horn on her head.

Hoooo! Hoo! Hoo!

Then, under the moon and backdrop of lit piling houses, the two retired alicorns dug their teeth into the crunchy, chocolaty gooeyness of a perfect s’more, the orange glow of the crackling flame complementing their crumb-covered smirks.

Author's Note

That marks my first ever written fimfic chapter, 'The Small Town of the Winter Night Sky' (excluding the prologue). For this chapter, I wanted to introduce and focus on the leading players in Nature Thorn's life: his parents and best friend, Ice Whistle. I also wanted to depict his day-to-day life without cycling through the entire week while revealing his main issue. Truly, it's nothing special. But alas, that issue instills a particular emotion into him, hence his self-acknowledged grief.

Obviously, Nature Thorn is the main character and focus. However, I'll constantly change between scenes from the perspective of other characters (third person, too, but rarely). So, later on, we'll explore the expanding cast as we move forward. I'll discuss more in the next chapter's 'author notes.' Now that we got some drama out of the way, I'll slow things down. I hope you can enjoy the upcoming slice of life to connect with the characters more.

By the way, this story will take on a two-act structure.

P.S. The number of times I've tried editing this is on the verge of mere insanity. I mean, I have fun doing it each time, but when is enough... enough?