//------------------------------// // Midnight Train // Story: Children of the Night // by Wolfen Spirit //------------------------------// After I walked for a few miles I came across a train station. I looked up and gasped at it's smallish figure. I expected it to be larger. I took the midnight train. Of course I did, why would I take the morning train. That was when I sleep. This wasn’t uncommon for my family. We were Night Dwellers. Over time it was illegal to be out in the day. Dad said it was because we did most of our work during the night. Mom told me a different story. As I gave the slightly drowsy young stallion my ticket that I had bought moments before, and moved to the train cart, I ran my hoof over my saddlebag. Inside was the rest of the money Mom gave me, and a map of the "capitol" called something like Canterdot or Canterlot... The money was heavy. It was a lot I guess. It had been carefully, packed in my bag. Anyway, so my mom told me that so many ponies awoke in the day got captivated by the suns beauty that they went out seeking more. I believe that story more. ^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ I sat down on a bench. I thought about my family that I left for who-knows-how-long. Mom always believed in me. She always appreciated and was happy about my magical ability. I was more magic-capable then any other unicorn in my tribe. My sister. Oh dear Night Moons. She, like me, was a unicorn. But she couldn't even levitate her favorite book, but I always tried to help her with her magic. She was very focused. But, as a young mare, she focused elsewhere. Then there was the business she started with her friends, oh what was it called... oh yes NNN Pet Sitters The three N's for her and her friends names. The train whistled and I looked out the window. Most ponies looked asleep on their hooves as they barely made it off the platform. One mare was still here, sleeping on the bench near me. I hope she didn't miss her train stop. I hope I didn't miss my train stop. Another whistle and I watched the sleeping mare doze the whole way through our departure.She twitched in her sleep. Her drool spraying everywhere. I stayed where I was until I couldn't make out my hoof in front of my face. I looked around nervously. A few hours later I saw a faint strand of sunlight. I shut my eyes and put the hood of my cloak back on. The train screech to a stop. "Canterlot. Everypony left, we are at Canterlot." The little squeaky voice box spoke with exhaustion. As usual with night travel, the landscape was nothing but shadows. I could see the sun on the horizon, and with knowing that that the sun was rising I ran to find shelter. I stuck to the shadows. Every dark corner and alley way was covered in my search of a place to sleep. I still had many alleys left to cover, no matter how... scary it might seem. An alley cat jumped out of the darkest of shadows. I gasped. The black and orange cat looked at me, it's yellow eyes glinting. "Meoow". After it spoke it leaped away. I glanced around and saw a dry-ish looking box with a small blanket on it decorated in stars. I shook my head. Too small. I glanced back at it while heading to the next alley way, sadly I could make out the distant shapes of other ponies. They don't sleep in the day?! I was very confused and snuggled my cloak closer to my body. I occasionally saw the beady eyes of rats and other creatures staring at me, but I chose to ignore them. All indistinct, all mysterious, and all scary. I folded my ears down with fright as I heard a voice. "Are you ok?" A young feminine voice spoke out. I turned around slowly and shrank back when I saw another pony looking at me. She stared at me expectantly so I answered her with a slight shake of my head. no. The young filly held out her hoof, "Come with me. You look tired." I accepted gratefully with a nod of my head. Most ponies in my tribe were taught not to trust strangers. I was taught it too, but she looked trustworthy enough.With her pink and white mane bouncing she took the lead, I followed very far behind. Every time somepony came close to me I flinched back, which of course they thought was weird and stared at my curiously, well some of them did, others just stuck their noses up in the air and "Hmfed" at me. To take my mind off it I started to sing, "I'm in a city of the unknown, I have no idea where to go, I am lost in vain, and my hoof is throbbing in pain. I laughed quietly at continued, I am in Canterlot, city of wonder, And all I see is what's well under my expectations. I guess that nothing is what it seems, but I guess that's expected in dreaaaammms. I sang louder, which got ponies attentions, but I didn't care, I'm here to see Luna, Princess of Night, I will stop at nothing to find her alright, I realized that I seem different, but it doesn't mean I can't fit innnnnnnnnnn. The city is more than I expected, starting with its size. I can't believe thiss isn't a disqui--- I then noticed all the ponies stares and I averted my gaze. I looked up and saw a castle. I caught up with the filly and smiled at her to thank her. She tried to stop me as I galloped towards the castle. Before I reached the gates a bunch of stallions in armor stopped me. "HALTE" One stallion with a mustache spoke at me. I shrank back. "Who may you be? Show yourself!" I realized I had to talk to them. I gathered up my courage and put down my hood, "I am called Nightly Red and---" The filly from before interrupted me, "And she's with me. We must see Luna." Mr. Mustache bowed and let me and the mysterious filly pass. I turned to her, my hood back on, "Who are you?" She smiled. "I am Minutte. My mother works here as a royal adviser, so they know not to mess with me." she giggled. I smiled at her and continued to walk by her side. When we reached the front gates of the castle more guard were there. But this one was... B-biggerr "Stop. Hello Minutte," he turned to me, his nose looking down at me, "and you are?" I shuffled my feet and looked up slowly, not willing to take off my hood and turned to Minutte, she shrugged. So I answered him, "A traveler," The guard looked at me curiously, "Where are from young one," I answered as vague as possible, "Somewhere... far." The guard didn't seem satisfied with that answer but before he could question me further Minutte took that moment to but in, "Well Sir um Prince Armor, we should be going," "Prince Armor shook his head and looked at me eye level, "What is your name?" I stared right back at him challenging the so called "prince.", "That's for me to know," I pushed him out of my way and went in to the castle. Minutte laughed behind me and was talking about his face, of something like that. I just let her talk.