//------------------------------// // A glimmer of odd smiles and the CMC // Story: A reforming child // by Flamingsheild //------------------------------// Sombra was walking close to spike as the train that Twilight was on left a hour ago. Spike noticed this nervousness and acted accordingly. "Let's go to Sugarcube corner and get something to eat okay"? Spike said with a comforting smile. Sombra only nodded sadly. Sugarcube corner was hard to miss while traveling in Ponyville. It was the only building that looked like candy. Three eager looking faces looked at the new colt from the alley. "See what did I tell y'all he doesn't have a cutie mark". On the train heading for the outskirts of Equestria "And that's what happened". Twilight said as they got of the train. "Gee Twilight looking after a youngin is a lot of responsibility but I can't think of any pony more responsible than you". Applejack said awed at the new responsibility that was put on Twilight's shoulders. "If I can reform discord you can reform Sombra even though he is a colt and we'll be here for you every step of the way". Fluttershy said comforting her friend. "Thanks girls any way we're here". "Well let's go". Rarity said starting to go to the town. "Wait! We know that the map wanted us to come here but we don't know if it is safe". Twilight said teleporting in front of Rarity. "Stay behind me girls I'm on it". Pinkie said with a fierce look of determination. "Be careful pinkie". Applejack said as Pinkie got to close to the edge of the cliff. Pinkie rolled down the cliff edge and behind a rock with such skill it was scary. She then dashed and hid under two rocks before lifting a giant rock and making the coast is clear sign with her hoof before getting crushed by the giant rock. Once they managed to get a good look at the town and they realized it only had one street and all the buildings looked the same. "I can't believe the map sent us here. It must be the most boring place in all of Equrestria". Rainbow complained. "Its just a ordinary village filled with ordinary pony folk just like Ponyville". Applejack said. "Well unlike Ponyville it could certainly could use some architectural flourishes". Rarity said back. "I think it's lovely". Fluttershy whispered. "I don't like it. Not one little bit. I know smiles and those just aren't right". Pinkie said suspicious of the small town. "Smiles?!? Look at their cutie marks". Twilight said. All the ponies in the village had the same equal sign as their cutie Mark. "Okay that's weird". Rainbow said looking even more suspicious. Back in Ponyville Spike and Sombra were walking back from getting a snack at Sugarcube Cornor. "Okay let's go to the school house". Spike said looking at a list that Twilight wrote. "Why"? Sombra asked Spike. "Because we need to get signing in papers from the school house so you can go to school". Spike said. Sombra looked downcast at this so Spike thought of something they could do. "Tell you what after we deliver the papers to the castle I'll take you on a tour of Ponyville". Spike said smiling. Sombra seemed to cheer up an even started bouncing like Pinkie. "If he goes to the same school as us we can do more stuff together". One of the three fillies following the pair said excitedly. Back in the strange town "An entire village with the same cutie Mark is impossible". Twilight thought out loud. "I bet there's a terrifying evil monster behind this". Rainbow said eyeing the village suspiciously. "Why do you say that"? Twilight asked. "Because fighting a horrific monster would make me ten times more awesome". Rainbow said getting excited. "I reckon the best plan would be to head into town, talk to some locals and find out what's going on". Applejack's said. "Great idea AJ". Rainbow said hovering in front of her. "Those smiles are bad news". Pinkie said frowning. As the group headed into town all the locals said was just one word. "Welcome". In a creepy tone. "This must be the most welcoming place in Equestria". Fluttershy said looking around happily. "Thanks a lot map. You sent us to the one bad place in Equestria that Fluttershy likes". Rainbow said facehoofing. "Welcome. Pardon my forwardness but are you an alicorn"? Asked a villager wearing a brown straw cloak. He was a unicorn with a light blue coat and a dark blue mane and tail. His cutie Mark was an equal sign. Twilight smiled awkwardly. She was still getting use to this being a princess thing. "This here is the Princess of Friendship". Applejack said covering Twilight's awkwardness. "Well you certainly came to the place for friendship". The stallion said before flashing a weird smile. "What brings you to town"? Asked a white stallion. "Well we aren't really sure". Twilight said awkwardly. "I see. Well all are welcome at our little town. My name is Double Diamond and and this is Party Favour". Double Diamond said. "Howday Double Diamond. I'm Applejack, that's Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow dash, Rarity and Twilight". Applejack said gesturing to them. "And you all have your own unique cutie marks". Double Diamond said looking at Pinkie's cutie mark before she covered it up with her tail. "If you don't mind me asking has there been any trouble around here"? Asked Twilight suspiciously. "Trouble. Why I don't think that we've ever had trouble in our little town". Double Diamond said smiling. "That's true. You will see". Party Favour said walking away. "Maybe you can see the town founder Starlight glimmer if you like". Double Diamond said walking in the same direction as Party Favour. "Maybe all of Equestria should be as friendly as these ponys". Fluttershy said smiling. "I've got my eye on them. Somethings rotten in what ever this town is called". Said Pinkie in a huff. The two stallions knocked on the door two times at the same time." Starlight. We have some new visitors". Double Diamond said in a cheery tone. Meanwhile in Ponyville "That's the end of the tour of Ponyville". Spike said as they stopped at the castle. "Ponyville is really big". Sombra said in wonder. "I knew you would like the tour". Spike said puffing up his chest in pride. "But what am I supposed to do now"? Sombra asked Spike. Spike got a ball from inside the castle for Sombra and tossed it to him. "Play with this for a while". "Okay". Sombra said headbutting the ball into the air. Spike went inside for a nap which left Sombra alone. Sombra was smiling and playing with the ball when he bucked it too far. "Eep". Sombra said chasing after the blue ball. The ball stopped underneath a pink filly's hoof. "Thanks for stopping my ball". Sombra said trying to grab it but the filly kicked it away to her friend a gray filly wearing glasses. "Um excuse me but that's not yours. It's mine so can you please give it back"? Sombra asked shyly. "No it landed under my hoof and Silver Spoon and I are playing with it so it's mine". Diamond Tiara said aggressively. "But it's not yours it's mine. I was playing with it in the first place and Spike gave it to me". Sombra said a bit more forcefully. "No it's not yours it's mine because you don't deserve a ball like this. Do you know why"? Diamond Tiara asked even more aggressively. Sombra slowly shook his head in fear. "Because you're a blank flank". Diamond Tiara teased. "A pathetic little blank flank who can't even get his own cutie mark". Silver Spoon teased making Sombra's eyes water. "What's wrong? Is a pathetic wimpy colt like you not going to run to his mommy"? Diamond Tiara said teasingly. "I don't have a mommy". Sombra said crying. "Ha ha ha! You're so pathetic that your mommy abandoned you. You're nothing but an ugly orphan that no pony wants". Diamond Tiara said laughing. Silver Spoon looked at her friend shocked that she would say such things to an orphan. "Leave him alone"!!! Back in the strange village "Be ready to fight AJ. We don't know what's going to come through that door". Rainbow whispered to her friend. The door opened to reveal a pink unicorn mare." Welcome! I'm so pleased to have you here". Starlight glimmer said cheerfully.