To the Dogs

Chapter 5: Departure
The next morning, the two of us set out on our journey to Ponyville. Given the circumstances of my inability to walk, Scrape had to carry the weight of everything. This included me and all of our supplies. I really felt bad for the poor guy. Although he had the muscles, it was an awful lot of baggage to support. Perhaps the worst part of it was the fact that I could do so little without my legs.

"Is it comfortable?", barked the dog, referring to me resting upon his broad, furry shoulders.

Nodding viciously, I squeaked, "Oh yes, of course."

After we reached the borders of the Whitetail Woods we came to the rickety tracks of the Equestrian Southwest. It was hard to believe that a whole year had come and gone since I last saw such works of ponykind. Not so distant memories overcame me, as the painful thoughts of the world I left behind rattled around in my skull. It was going to be a very long day.

"Maybe we catch train back to pony town.", suggested my loyal counterpart.

"I don't think so.", I sighed. "This line only travels westward."

Scrape then lowered his head, whimpering in disappointment. Then it hit me. He was going to have to walk the both of us all the way to Ponyville.This was a task far too demanding for just one dog, especially one as sensitive as him. The poor mutt was giving his all for me.

I then scratched his fuzzy head and whispered into his ear, "You don't have to push yourself too hard. We've got plenty of time to get there."

"Aye.", he replied. "Thank you, pony."

I found myself staring up into the pale, grey mass that was the sky. It seemed as if all the emotions which once rested within me had hovered away, filling the atmosphere with my dark, melancholy lamenting. What I had learned not even a day ago hung menacingly over my head. I loved my mother very much. In times of my loneliness and despair, she had been the only one there to comfort me. I remember how she used to tell me that life would soon get much better for me. Seemed as if her predictions for my future were turning out to be quite inaccurate. During the past year I'd lost both my legs and my mother. My life was at the lowest point it had ever been.

There was, however, something marvelous I gained. Not only did I realize my ability to take care of another, but I also made the first real friend I had ever known. Although he was not a pony, Scrape was the kindest creature I had ever met. Even with his unrefined literary skills, he was also surprisingly intelligent. Despite the crippling losses I had endured over the past four seasons, I felt like the hole within my heart was finally filled.

I had the future to look to.

Author's note:
Sorry for a short chapter after such a long wait. I've been going through quite a lot here lately. Please bear with me, as these struggles are helping mold this story.