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// Prologue 
// Story: Ponymunity 
// by ShortHilt 
//------------------------------//

Along the cobblestone streets of Canterlot, a young pegasus was on her usual morning route to get her groceries. Except this time, her venture was a little different. Her coat was a pale violet and her brown mane was cropped to a short length. It had a blond stripe over the top of it, and her tail was long and loose. She sported a purple bag with a latch similar to her sword cutie mark, with plenty of room for supplies.

She stood on her hinds and placed her hooves on a vendor's wooden stall, "Hey, Buckshot! Lovely weather, huh?" She flapped her wings as the stallion turned to her.

"Ah, Short Hilt! Yes, it is quite nice out today," His auburn coat shone brilliantly as he came out of the shadows, "What can I getcha? The usual bushel of apples?"

A smile tugged at the sides of her lips, "Actually, I need travel supplies today. I'm finally leaving." She was both delighted and heartbroken, but she had to follow what her heart was telling her.

"Leaving? I-I'm sorry, I don't think you ever told me about this," Buckshot's eager tone was replaced with concern, "Where are you going?"

Her hoof slammed to her forehead, "Oh! That's right...I'm sorry. I can be a bit featherbrained about keeping ponies in the loop. For the last few months I've been asking Princess Celestia for certification to create my own town. She told me there were a few spots I could scout out, though she was just as vague as usual," She stifled a laugh and continued, "So I decided I may as well get ready to go today!"

Buckshot sighed, "Are you sure you really want to? Starting your own town is a big responsibility."

Short Hilt sputtered, "Pffft of course I want to! My gut's never lied to me before~!" As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly, "And it seems she's hungry."

He laughed, "Well, I'd better get you a few things," He returned to the back of his stall and rummaged through his shelves and chests, as well as his fruit carts. He levitated the supplies and set them on the counter in front of his customer, "Here is plenty of food to last you for at least a few days. And here is a map and compass in case you get lost. Do you need anything else?" 

She thought for a moment, "Nah, I think I'll be fine. I'm just planning on scouting out possible locations. Plus I don't think I can fit any more," lifting a small pouch out of her bag, she set it on the counter, "What's the damage?"

"How about forty bits?"

"Sounds fair to me," She smiled and counted out a few coins from the pouch. 

Buckshot levitated the supplies and placed them into her pack for her, "Be safe, okay?"

"Of course. Thanks Buck. For everything," She lifted of the ground, saluted, and bolted off to the west.