//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Back To The Start 
// by Spooky 
//------------------------------//

Everything was ready, my stuff boxed up, the university documents all in order, my mom by my side holding back the tears, giving me one of those famous bear hugs.

"I'll miss you so much, are you completely sure about this?"

"Come on, it's not like I won't ever come back, I'm just starting college... And yes, I'm one hundred percent sure, and I think it'll be uncomfortable fly 4 hours just so I can study. And daily? Forget it" I said chuckling.

"You could travel by train" Giving me a tentative glance.

"Mom, °sigh°... We both know that we can't pay for train tickets every single day". Was she so eager for me to stay?. "And don't worry, I think I'll be fine with Caramel"

"I want you to know that you can always come back, anytime. This doors will always be open for you" She said, hugging me once more.

"I know, and I really appreciate it" Hugging her back. "You don't know how much this means to me, and how thankfull I am for all you've been doing for me"

It was hard to think that I'll go away from where I've been literally my whole life. I mean, it's not like I haven't been in another cities, like Cloudsdale or Fillydelphia, though it was comforting to make a change of atmosphere. Living in Manehattan isn't exactly living calmly, with all those ponies running here and there, always busy and embittered. I don't blame them though, it's the consequences of living in a city like this.

And it wasn't like I can't study here, since I had a scholarship thanks of years of good qualifications and remarkable behavior. I could perfectly stay here, but I need to begin again. That implies a total change, implies that I'll have to leave the few friend I have left, but also implies leave all the nightmares in the past, even though I knew they'll be there, deep inside me, bothering me, waiting for the worst moment to go out and poke into my mind.

The train whistle announced the departure. Mom slowly start to lose the grip, now with her eyes slightly red. She couldn't keep holding the tears.

"You don't know how proud I am, Thunder" I felt how my own tears began to slip through my cheeks. "I knew you could do it... Now go, and don't ever let anything stand between you and your dreams" Her gaze penetrated mine through the tears.

"Thanks Mom, for everything" Wiping the tears from her cheeks. "And don't worry, I'll write you often" I said giggling. I knew she was able to fly there and destroy half city looking for me if I didn't show sings of life... I preferred not to take that risk.

With a last quick hug I finished saying my goodbyes and get in the train. I placed myself in my respective seat, there was no other ponies close to me. I look out the window and shake my hoof to my mom, she did the same giving me a concerned gaze. The train start moving slowly, giving me a complete view of the city. Memories of it start to fill my mind, all the things I went through to be where I am now. All this would have been much easier if I would have took the right choises... But you never know, how... every little details can change the things, and how quickly can happen. I felt my eyes watered once more.

'No... I'll never let that happen again. I'm gonna do things right this time...' I lowered my head, holding back the tears. 'Just as should have been all those times'.

A single tear slip from my eye... The last the I will drop in that city.