//------------------------------//
// The Beginning 
// Story: A Cold Promise 
// by SkaterStreak 
//------------------------------//

The Beginning

Life in Equestria was often depicted as a care free. However, this wasn't the case for everypony. Many citizens of Equestria still struggled;some homeless and others living in poverty. One of these citizens was Skater Streak. Skater was a coach of the Ponyville roller derby team. However, her job wasn't paying enough and she struggled to make ends meet.  

She didn't feel sorry for herself at all. She knew that her actions led her to this point. Skater decided to lead a team over pursuing a 'real' career, according to her father. But one couldn't deny their cutiemark. Hers; a pink heart and a pair of skates. 

Skater closed the shop up for the day, her team long gone. She trotted from the rink to her small apartment on the outskirts of Ponyville. It wasn't much but it provided warmth and shelter. 

Upon entering her home, she turned on the TV and set water to boil. She was so hungry and pasta sounded amazing to her. Once sitting in her recliner; she could hear the roar of thunder. Since spring had come it brought many thunderstorms. Skater watched her show, All My Foals for a few hours. They always ran re-runs; it reminded her of her mother and it brought warm memories from her childhood. 

Skater glanced from the TV down to an empty dog bed. 

'Monster',She thought as her ears drooped. She missed the pitbull. Things seemed rather empty now that it was just her in the mossy apartment. 

She tried not to reminisce; that would just bring tears. Skater perked up and grabbed a newspaper after turning off her TV. It was the same carbon cut-out routine she had grown accustom to. She wished for a change.

She swiftly skimmed through the newspaper before an ad caught her eye.

It read, 

"Miserable with your life? Happiness will be granted." 

"How can someone guarantee happiness?" Skater pondered as she continue to read the ad. It had an address on it. Curious, Skater wanted to see who could promise such a thing. She made to leave to said address but the thunder hissed at her.

"Maybe... After the storm..." She spoke to herself..

....