//------------------------------//
// Hardship 
// Story: Loneliness and Friendship 
// by RustyKat 
//------------------------------//

"Y-you mean... No, it possibly can't be true!" sputtered Granite with tears in her eyes.
"Iah'm sorry, Granite... Ah just don't know what to say..."
The little filly gave Melody a tight hug, as she began to sob.
"Oh honey, y'all don't need to cry..." Reassured Melody, as she returned the hug. "At least you're safe, that's all that matters."
They stayed like that for a few moments, before Granite looked up from her crying. "Thank you, Melody, for saving my life."
Melody gave a small smile. "And thank you, for bein' my only friend."
"I-I'm your only friend?" said Granite incredulously.
Melody gave a small sigh, "Sadly, yes. I know no pony.. and I've lived in basically nowhere for most of my life. For the first time in a long while, i'm finally happy."
Granite hugged the pegasus. "I'm glad to be finally some kind of importance to some pony."
"Oh, you are worth more to me than y'all can ever imagine, sweetie." Replied Melody, with that same grin on her face.
"Now that we've met, shall we go to a shaded place?"
Granite saw Melody's wing. "Ooh, are you okay? That looks awful!"
Melody sighed, "No, but ah'll will be fine."
Granite asked uncertainly, "You sure? You don't look fine"
"Well, you don't have wings, so y'all wouldn't know what it feels like." Melody replied, as she got to her hooves.
"I'd like to know what it be like having a pair." said Granite thoughtfully. "Flying among those white fluffy clouds, full of dreams..."
" Granite,Come on ........ if y'all so concerned about me, ih'll will go into a town, and have a doctor look at it. I don't want you to worry about me, it'll makes all sad, and ah don't like seeing y'all sad."
Granite lit up like a candle, with a huge smile on her face. 
"Awesome! We're going somewhere! I really like being your friend. Thanks for letting me be yours." And with that, Granite hopped onto Melody's back, and they headed for Ponyville.