//------------------------------//
// 'Sin' City 
// Story: Duality of Perception: Black and White 
// by sweeT2010Tooth 
//------------------------------//

Dear Journal,

These new bright lights didn’t seem as far away as the first ones. However, it was dark out so I made haste only stopping to grab a snack from my sack. I didn’t know how far the monsters were willing to go to catch me, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. In my hurry, I still could hear movement behind me. Mama, why am I being chased? What did I do? Once again, I hid from my followers in a nearby shelter. It was there, under cover, that I saw what looked like hooves passing me by. So ponies were following me? Why mama? I waited until the followers left and crept away toward the bright lights.

This ‘city’ was not only bright but much brighter than the other. Mama, I never would have imagined a ‘city’ could have these many lights. It was true that nopony slept either. I walked down a street brighter than the sun in amazement. It was so much to take in! The ponies here were strange though. They seemed excited when entering the huts but came out angry. Once in a while, a pony would come out jumping up and down in excitement only to enter the next hut. I decided it was best to continue my search for papa.

These ponies were rude and very weird, mama! I found out the hard way not to ask the angry looking ponies any questions when one spat in my face. What did I do? Some said some nasty words like I made them ‘have a losing streak.’ What does that even mean? Nopony would look me in the eyes either…not even the calm ones. They kept talking to themselves about their winnings and losses. Winning and losing what, mama?

I continued down the street in dismay of finding papa in a ‘city’ like this. Three ponies approached me and asked where I got such a fancy sack. I told them my mama made it to which they laughed and knocked me to ground. They took my sack, mama! I’m sorry! Ponies in official uniforms came by soon after to ask what happened so I told them that some ponies took my sack. They told me it was most likely my fault in thinking it wise for a little colt to come to this place all alone. They offered me a ‘ride’ to a local ‘station’ to get home. I thought about it for a moment but somepony behind me spoke up.

“He’s with me,” is all that the strange earth pony said. I tried to speak up for myself, but these official ponies wouldn’t hear any of it. Satisfied, they left me with this strange pony. They left me mama! They did nothing to help me get back my sack and left me with a stranger! The earth pony with a black coat, light red mane, and white eyes had a wide smile on his face. Before he could say anything, I ran. There was something unsettling about him. I took off into one of the huts and knew he was close behind. I soon lost him in the crowd of ponies that crowded tables and played cards. Forgetting my pursuer, I noticed that ponies were continuously throwing bits down before playing cards. The ones that lost became upset and the ones that won kept throwing bits they won back down. Was this winning and losing, mama? As I was about to leave, I noticed the same three ponies that attacked me earlier come in. I ran up to them and demanded that they return my sack. They laughed again and knocked me down. One even threw a bit down at me and said, “There’s your mama’s sack!”

Mama, I don’t like this ‘city.’ I left as quickly as I could before anything else could happen to me. On the outskirts of the ‘city,’ I looked back at it confused. It seemed like all the ponies here only reveled in darkness with no concern of seeking the light.

I walked as far as I could from that ‘city’ to escape with my health intact. Mama wouldn’t want to see her son bruised and with a bleeding muzzle. I looked up to the sky and noticed the sun coming up. The most beautiful pony I had ever seen flew across the sky with a flowing mane. It was as if she was raising the sun. Mama, was this the Princess of Equestria I heard about in school? It was so beautiful watching her glide across the sky in a graceful manner. I noticed she headed in the direction of a ‘city’ on the side of a cliff. Maybe papa would be there? Mama…papa…whatever happens to me on this journey know that I love you both…

Mama used to say not everything is Black and White. But, mama, all I ever see is the darkness and the light.