“Looking for volunteers to travel Equestria and find Contestants to compete in the Best Song Bird Symphony!” Crystal heard an announcer pony yelling. Crystal turned and looked at the announcer waiting for him to repeat what he said. Soon enough he did and added that there would be pay if you find a contestant that wins the symphony contest. That’s all that Crystal needed to hear and trotted over to the pony next to the announcer and asked to sign up asking a single question “Do you pay for the volunteers to travel?” Crystal looked at the mare that was much older than she was and knew that was the symphony manager. “Yes.” the mare answered Crystals question and watched her sign up immediately at the answer.
“You what?!” a big colt said loudly and perhaps a little too loud, because now the entire street was staring at him and Crystal. “Sorry everypony, just a little startled by my sis here.” He said so everypony stopped staring as he pointed at Crystal accusing her. “Now again, you did what?” the colt asked again in a much calmer tone. “I signed up to travel Equestria to find a contestant for the Symphony thing.” Crystal finished smiling at her big brother who looked a little annoyed with her repeating herself. “I heard that part, and it's the Best Song Bird Symphony. But why are you volunteering? I mean we are barely getting by now and you want to go running off for something stupid.” The big brother finished speaking still upset by the situation. “It's not stupid! It's music and that's beautiful art. I already asked the manager of the contest if they support you by giving you money to travel.” Crystal said countering her brother. “That's not the point. You are leaving me and your mother behind chasing after a dream that is never going to happen. You are all grown up now and need to start facing reality, not spending your time day dreaming!”
At that Crystal felt hurt. “Like I haven't sacrificed enough for mom. I've spent my whole life scrapping up what I can to help out and as soon as I get old enough to leave you want me to forget everything I ever wanted and help you support the family!” Crystal said with her eyes starting to glisten with tears and her voice starting to get choked up. “That's not..” the brother started but was interrupted by Crystal who yelled “That is what you meant and you are just trying to keep me from running!” Crystal yelled this so that everypony in the street was startled once again and started staring at the two fighting ponies interested in all the commotion. “Crystal stop yelling.” the brother hissed through his teeth demanding Crystal to settle down. Crystal in defiance went and stood in the middle of the street and yelled back to her brother saying “What?! Got a problem with being the center of attention once!” Crystal paused and said his name “Burnish!”
“Sorry folks, looks like I got a crazy dopey sister.” Burnish said to everypony who kept staring at the pair. “Try looking in the mirror.” Crystal said insulting her brother, apparently not sad anymore just angry at Burnish. “Now, I've had enough of you! If you want to leave and live a dream, go ahead and try. But remember when it doesn't work out I tried to stop you, and remember how you a banded me and mother.” Burnish turned away and went back to the alley way where his mother was and left Crystal sit there and decide in the middle of a crowd of ponies.
Crystal now looked stupid in the middle of the street by herself and left the staring eyes of the ponies quickly. “I’ll show him I’ll become respected and have money because of this and be able to live my dream.” Crystal told herself and left for the train to Ponyville where she was assigned to find a contestant.
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Burnish walked through the small door to his old apartment building under a pitying family. He walked over to his mother’s room and walked in to sit by her mat on the floor that she was resting on. “Burnish? What’s wrong? Where is Crystal?” Burnish’s mother woke and was always full of questions full of excitement to hear about her son’s life, but now they were full of worry. “She’s gone mom. She left to go live her dream.” Burnish said with depressed eyes. “We had a fight when she told me she was leaving. And now she is gone looking to meet famous pony’s and travel Equestria.” Burnished finished with a sigh. “Oh. I thought it was really serious.” Burnish’s mother said and relaxed Burnish of course got angry. “Not serious? Are you crazy! I know you’re sick but, is it affecting your reasoning?” Burnish said angrily but trying not to insult his mother. It didn’t work “Now you just sit down and think about what you just said mister. No I’m not crazy, and keep your head on!” Burnish’s mother scolded him for his outbreak.
“Yes ma’am.” Burnish responded to his mother. “Now I may not be in the best of shape right now but I’m still your mother and you will not argue with me unless you have facts that I’m wrong. But it’s actually good that Crystal has left. She was never meant for this place like you can with stand it. She hates living like this and wants to be up there where she will be respected and have her opinions actually affect ponies lives. If she wants these things then you should support her.” Burnish’s mother finished and looked at Burnish who then countered saying “But it’s rude of her to just leave her family behind in this dump part of Manehattan.” Burnish said indicating that he was trying to protect the whole family in part.
“See now Burnish this is a lesson for Crystal that we cannot teach her, she has to experience it and learn the mistakes she has made, and if she fails it will teach her the lesson that you have never had trouble with. Taking what we have and make the best of it while taking few risks that aren't needed.” Mother finished and Burnish said “I was only trying to protect her from getting hurt.” His mother looked at him and said “She is an earth pony, strong and proud. But either way this will only come out as a positive no matter what happens. Don’t worry yourself over it Burnish, rest and remember that Crystal is a fighter she will succeed in her quest anyway she can.” His mother finished and they drifted off to sleep without another word except goodnight.
