On a train headed for Ponyville, a cream-colored, black-maned stallion watched the scenery go by, a bit fascinated at how different the clean, open environment looked compared to the bustling city of Manehatten. A soft “Hello there” disrupted the quiet trip as the stallion turned his head towards the voice. A dark blue-coated, white-maned colt stood in between the aisles with a very bright smile.
“Is it okay if I sit here? It’d be nice to have someone to talk to so I can pass the time.” The polite colt asked.
“Sure, go ahead.” The stallion replied, agreeing that it’d be better than sitting all alone.
“Sweet, thanks!” The colt said back, taking a seat opposite the stallion. “So, what’s your name?”
“I’m Bass Treble.” Bass responded.
“That’s a cool name. It’s pretty fitting for a guy like you with that Cutie Mark.” The colt commented after he noticed the clarinet on the stallion’s flank.
“It’s also the instrument I have in this case here.” Bass added, addressing the brown case next to him. “Speaking of Cutie Marks…” He said, wondering if he could guess the colt’s name from his mark alone. It was a green leaf; not quite descriptive enough to make him think of a name.
“Trying to guess my name with that, huh? It’s actually not as hard as you might think it is.” The colt said, sounding like he was used to ponies trying to guess his name.
“Nope, my mind’s drawing a blank.” Bass replied. “I dunno, Leaf Storm? Hidden Leaf?” He took a couple random guesses.
“Nice try, but nope. Those both sound really cool, though. But, my name’s New Leaf.” The colt answered.
The name made Bass want to chuckle a little, but it also drew some fascination. He always wondered how parents could possibly come up with names that either predicted the future of their child, like himself, or manage to perfectly represent a catchphrase that they would eventually embody. “Ah, I get it. That’s a nice name.”
“Wow, you’re the first person I’ve met on a train that didn’t laugh from that.” New Leaf said, making Bass instantly regret the near-chuckle he had. “Hey, I don’t mind when people do it, I just laugh along with ‘em! They all turn out to be nice people anyway, so I just seem to luck out with that.”
“Do you ride the train a lot?” Bass asked.
“Oh, I’ve lost count by now. It’s just so exhilarating to meet new faces every day. And the feeling when you see someone you’ve seen on a train ride years ago…man, nothing beats that for me. I feel like I’m the first step to people turning over that New Leaf!” New Leaf explained, laughing at his own pun. His good mood allowed Bass to laugh along with him. “So, where are you headed?”
“Ponyville.” Bass replied.
“Ponyville, eh? It’s a nice place, I hear.” New Leaf nodded. “So, what are you going there for? A music tour or something?”
“Actually, I’m moving there.” Bass answered.
“Ooh, a moving trip! Oh, it’s been so long since I got to greet someone doing that!” New Leaf replied, quite excited at the response. “Actually, it’s only been a few months, but it’s felt like…I dunno, 11 YEARS or something!”
“Well, you’ll get to see me off, then.” Bass said, smiling at the colt’s positive attitude. Between his somber departure from his parents and the somewhat boring train ride, he was really enjoying having a friend to talk to.
“Speaking of which, we’re almost there! Look!” New Leaf said, pointing a hoof outside to the approaching town of Ponyville. New Leaf’s expression, however, quickly went from excited to a frown. “Aww man…I just realized you’re gonna have to leave in a couple minutes. And we just met, too!”
“I take it these good-byes are always a bit tough for you?” Bass asked.
“Yeah…especially when I don’t know if I’ll see any of them again.” New Leaf said back, picking himself back up again. “But, that just make the reuniting that much better! Hay, the last person I reunited with said they became the MAYOR of their new, little town! How’s THAT for a story to tell?”
“That sounds pretty awesome.” Bass said as the train started to slow down. “Well, I gotta go.”
“See ya, Bass. Say, what were you moving here for anyway, before you go?” New Leaf had to ask as Bass got up.
“Well, I came here for some quiet space to practice my music. I’ll need a good first step to work at getting into the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra someday.” Bass explained, hoisting his clarinet case onto his back.
“Whoa, now that’s dreaming big!” New Leaf said, amazed at the confidence of reaching for the top. “I hope you make it, Bass.”
“Thanks. You know, as soon as I got that in my mind, I’ve been taught something I’d want to call my mantra.” Bass told him as he walked to the door as the train came to a stop.
“How about you leave saying that?” New Leaf suggested.
“Sure. ‘Go and reach for the stars, even if they look pretty far. You’re gonna find your own way, as long as you take a chance on today.’” Bass said as he waved good-bye to New Leaf. He stepped off the train, turning to see New Leaf waving good-bye as well. “Sweet Celestia, that kid’s happiness is contagious.” He said to himself with a chuckle as he trotted towards his new home. He did make one note before he left the train station, however. “Wow, it’s kinda windy today.”