Different

Hello. I'm Midnight Rain. I've been laughed because of me not having a cutie mark. I wouldn't be laughed at if they knew what I really am. I can't tell them. I've been sworn to secrecy by Princess Celestia herself. This is my story of my arrival to Equestria, how I told my secret and the lesson of difference.

~Different~

"Next!" yelled the princesses' assistant. I walked in between two guards, my head down. "Her majesty Princess Celestia." the assistant said. I looked up, seeing Princess Celestia's not angry, but concerned face. "Midnight Rain, by rights you should be executed, but as I see in you being here, you have been abandoned." the princess said softly.

"Yes, your majesty."

"You can't go back I'm guessing?"

"They wouldn’t want me there, your majesty."

I felt my heart beating hard. I don't know what she is going to say next, yet I don't want to know. "Midnight Rain, I want you to know that I understand what you are feeling. Your ruler wouldn't accept you and the others will ignore you completly. I have decided that you will be sent away to Ponyville, but we first must get you to sign this." A scroll was levitated in front of me.

By order of her majesty Princess Celestia You must be sworn to secrecy. When you sign this waver, you may not show or tell your true self. Please sign the line under your category.

I know what I am. I signed my name under "Changeling" The scroll was rolled up and put away. "Thank you, Midnight. A chariot outside will take you to Ponyville. Please do not change forms." I was walked out of the throne room and then outside. Well, here goes nothing.

It was a long ride to Ponyville, but we got there in decent time. I jumped off just before the chariot took off back to Canterlot. I sat down and rubbed my hoof around in the dirt. I was alone again. I was back to square one. When is this going to end- BOOM! Next thing I knew I was on my stomach, dust all around me. A cyan Pegasus stood up and looked around. When she saw me she tried to help, but I was all ready to run. Just ignore everything she asks. "Whoa, are you ok mister?" she asked. "I'm fine." I said. What happened to IGNORE everything she asks?

"Wait, I've never seen you before. Are you new?" she asked. Don't answer, don't answer! "Yes." Wow. You stink on ice. "Well, I'm Rainbow Dash, what's your name?" she asked. "Midnight Rain."  I said softly. Now I was thinking about ignoring everything she says or asks. "Well, I've got to go. Nice meeting you!" Rainbow Dash said. She flew off, towards a lighthouse. There now that she is gone, you can go find that salad. As I was walking, I noticed an oddly shaped building. For some reason it looked like a dozen different foods that are sugared. ‘Sugarcube Corner?’ I thought. I walked over and started smelling the most amazing things. Fresh pastries, cakes and a lot of other things that shouldn’t have smelled good together, but did, filled the air around the building. The salad could wait, because this was one amazing experience.

I walked inside to see tables filled with ponies and decorative items in the front room. Behind the counter I could barely make out the kitchen, but I knew for sure it was back there. I walked up to the counter when a pink mare bounced up to the other side, her eyes closed. “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner where everything is super good, super sugary, and just super super! What can I get you-” She said opening her eyes, apparently wide with excitement.

“You’re new here and I know because I’ve never seen you before! This is so amazing! And Now I’m behind on throwing a ‘Welcome to Ponyville Party!’” she almost shouted. I almost ran, but to make sure I didn’t look stupid, I just shrugged and walked out the front door. OK, now I want my salad. I was still walking, when I ran in to a purple unicorn mare with a book. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! Are you ok?” she asked with a worried look.

“I’m fine.” I responded, rubbing my head. I stood up and she looked like she was about to blush. “Sorry about that, sometimes I get so caught up in reading that I forget to look where I’m walking. Oh dear your new her, aren’t you.” She said. “Yes” I replied. She looked nervous, but she said something else. “Watch out for Pinkie Pie, she throws a party to every new pony that comes to Ponyville.” She said, almost giggling nervously. “Pink mare, energetic, always seems to smile?”

“Yep”

“Too late.”

~ ~ ~

When I finally got to the restaurant that had decent looking salad, the sun was going down. There were still a few ponies sitting at tables, but not too many. I walked up to the counter and ordered a dandelion sandwich and a nice sliced carrot salad. I was wondering where I was going to stay tonight, but that was the least of my worries. I was actually able to walk around without drawing too much attention. And I finally wasn’t feeling abandoned anymore. When my food got to the table I was at, the waitress looked at me funny.

With luck after I told her I was new to Ponyville, She said I got a free meal. If she felt bad for me, then I thank her for caring, but sometimes that just feels weird. When I finished eating, I said thank you then walked out the door. In the beginning, my first day wasn’t all bad so I was actually ready to call it a night. I looked around for a place to stay, keeping watch out for any signs of vacancy. Soon, I found a library with a light on inside.

I knocked on the door and waited. There was some rustling and then the door opened. It was the mare from the street. “Can I help you?” She asked. “Do you know of any places to stay for the night?” I asked, hoping for her to tell me the location of a hotel. “Come on in.” she said.