//------------------------------// // Prologue One: Just Past Midnight // Story: According to You // by Razor Blade the Unicron //------------------------------// Midnight was a rather miserable time to be a train conductor. The train had to make it around the normal route, but there were rarely any ponies to pick up. Even so, it was important to have the train run late enough for everypony, as dull as it was. There could be a last-minute crisis, or completely unexpected emergency. The night was gray, with clouds that needed to be busted in the morning lingering in the sky and blocking out the stars. The train rolled quietly into Canterlot station, the doors opening to allow the lights within to flood out into the darkness. A unicorn laid on a bench, half-asleep with several bags beside her, along with a distinctly separated upside-down hat. She blinked rapidly to try and wake up, and then sluggishly boarded the train with her bags held loosely in her light blue magic. She haphazardly placed her bags on a seat, very carefully placed the hat down on the other side of her, and curled up to go to sleep. Her eyes were bloodshot with large bags under them. Her purple mane was frizzy and her pink coat was scratchy, as if she hadn't taken care of them in days. "A bit young to be traveling alone," said a gentle voice. The unicorn sat up and rubbed her eyes. A rather tall unicorn stallion sat down in the seat across from her, carefully adjusting the jacket he was wearing. His short blue mane was neatly coiffed, complementing his sleek white coat. He wore a monocle over his left eye, which appeared to have just been put on. "I'm eighteen," she responded in deflection. "As I said." He gave a warm smile. "Not just turned, I hope. Running away from home is not as great of an idea as you'd think." "I'm from Manehattan, not Canterlot." Her eyes became glazed for a moment. "I'm sure you've heard about... what happened." His smile fell away. "Yes, of course. A terrible tragedy. I can see why you would want to leave." She looked out of the window. "If I may, what is your name?" "Starshine Swirl, but I go by Star." She paused, her eyes showing pain. "But... I don't think I want to. Anymore, I mean." "Is it your mark name?" "No." She gaze remained firmly towards the window. "You haven't told me your name, yet." "Apologies, I'm Fancy Pants." There was a moment of silence. "If I may ask, Miss Swirl, where are you going?" "Ponyville," she replied confidently. "It's a little Earth pony town." "Trying for some place calm, are you?" Star shrugged. "Something like that." She looked away from the window. "A place away from pain." He didn't press on the matter any further. "I... see. Do you have a place to stay?" "No." She went back to looking out the window. "Do you know if there's a place for you to stay at?" "No." Her tone was colder. "Then what exactly are you planning to do?" "Find a job." Fancy couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. "And are you sure there's any job openings?" Star responded with a glare. "No." "That seems rather... bold of you, then." "I suppose I am." There was a rising anger in her voice. "I apologize if I'm upsetting you, Miss Star. I'm just concerned on whether you'll be able to provide for yourself." Her anger fell away. "It's not me I'm worried about." Her horn lit up in a soft glow, and she carefully levitated over the hat. "It's her." Curled up in the hat was a tiny pony-like creature. She had a yellow coat and poofy two-toned aqua mane. She had long attenae and oddly large butterfly-like wings, making her seem almost part insect. Fancy was quite surprised. "Is that a breezie? "Yeah," said Star softly. "She got seperated from the others." "I thought that the Royal Guard was trying to prevent any of the breezies from getting lost." "They missed her," she stated in a matter-of-fact way. "She was in the castle gardens." "And you happened across her," he finished in assumption. "She happened across me." A sliver of joy finally emanated from her. "It's funny to think that she was the one doing the helping. I suppose I'm just... returning the favor, now." Fancy didn't respond. Star woozily placed down the hat holding the breezie, shaking slightly. "Miss Swirl?" She arched an eyebrow. "When was the last time you slept?" She shrugged. "Yesterday, maybe. Why does it matter?" "Just wondering," he casually lied. "Pardon me a moment, I need to speak with the conductor." Star collapsed from exhaustion before he even made it to the next train car. She woke in a panic, fearing she had missed her stop. Star quickly looked out the window, just as the train came to a halt. She exhaled in relief as the conductor announced that it was Ponyville Station, and went to gather her bags. They were stacked neatly beside her, with a long gold ribbon tying them together. Fancy's kindness was lost on her due to exhaustion, but she did notice his generosity when she went to grab the hat with the breezie in it. Next to the breezie was a large blue sapphire in presitine condition. She stared at it for a moment, before quickly scooping up the hat, breezie, and gemstone in her magic. She quickly exited onto the station platform, and continued into Ponyville. The small, personalized cottages were completely different for any other place she had been. She was used to apartment complexes and large stone houses. Even the roads were different, being made entirely of grass and dirt as opposed to being paved. It was a nice change of pace, especially for her hooves. It was hard to make out everything due to the clouds and lack of streetlights, but her shimmering aura provided enough light. The brief "nap" she had gave her back some of her energy, but constant use of her magic was really wearing her down. To try and stay awake, she began to think of names. Star had the half-nickname-half-mark-name of Sparkler, but she didn't want to be Star and Sparkler anymore. She wanted to be Sparkler and something else. The thought of being Clear Cut passed through her mind, and she quickly pushed the idea away. Instead, she settled on Amethyst, as it was the color of her eyes. So she was Amethyst Sparkler. That was a nice name. It had a part that was old and a part that was new, and she was determined to be that new part. She could leave the pain of the past behind, and look forward to a new life. Amethyst Sparkler and her breezie friend, who's name she still had to find out. She nodded in satisfaction, and then collapsed from exhaustion once again. This time she wouldn't wake until morning.