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// Chapter 1 
// Story: Reflections 
// by Visual Spectrum 
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Winter was a harsh season for everypony, but it was especially harsh for two brothers, Snips and Snails. They worried about what they would eat, or if they would be denied that pleasure. The ground was covered in snow, but that didn't stop the two unicorns from trying to find a way to put food on their table.

Snips has been collecting coupons every since he could remember. However, the coupons only helped reduce cost. They were completely out of bits, making coupons useless. He looked around, hoping to find an open shop. His search was not wasted, for there was a light on in a building: Sugar Cube Corner.

Snips and Snails ran towards the window and looked inside. A few ponies were inside enjoying hot chocolate and eating cake. The brothers walked in hungrily and looked around at all the delicious food. The aroma of cakes filled the air. The oven gave off a welcoming warmth, beckoning the colts in.

They were greeted by a plump blue mare with a pink mane, Mrs. Cake, "Hello, boys. What can I get ya?"

"Nothing," Snips replied. "We can't afford anything. It's just cold outside."

"Oh dear! Do you want any free samples?" Mrs. Cake offered.

Snails said, "Yes. That would be nice."

Mrs. Cake grabbed two small cupcakes and gave them to Snips and Snails. The colts took them and walked to a table and sat watching the cupcakes. They stared for what could have been hours at the cupcakes before Snails finally took a small bite.

Snails almost fell out of his chair. "This is the best tasting cupcake I have ever had!" he exclaimed.

"This is the only cupcake you’ve ever had, doofus!" Snips responded.

Snails glared at him, but Snips ignored him and took a bite of his cupcake. Snails was right. That was the best thing he has ever tasted. The cake itself was a moist vanilla, but the peppermint icing added to the already perfect taste.

The unicorns slowly nibbled on their food, enjoying the rich flavor in every bite. Their eyes watered as joy filled their hearts. They looked around at the other ponies, who were equally, if not more joyful. After the events of last winter, they never thought winter joy could exist, especially not for them. Both of them remember that day like it was yesterday.

Snips and snails waited inside their room for their mother to return. It was not uncommon for her to be late, but she was never more than three hours late. She did not return home for two days. The two ponies, worried, walked outside and looked around. The ground was filled with snow, but a small corner of a newspaper poked out from the snow.

Snips eagerly grabbed it hoping to find coupons. Upon picking it up, he dropped it in despair. Snails levitated the newspaper to read what Snips had read. "Cart Crash Kills Six" There were photographs of six ponies, one of whom was their mother. Just like Snips, Snails dropped the newspaper. Tears filled up their eyes. They could not believe it. Their mother was gone.

They hugged each other and walked back into their house. There was some food in the kitchen for them to last if they ate sparingly. They couldn't starve, so they had to find something to do that would get them money. They decided on being street comedians. They weren't getting anywhere, but they still enjoyed making ponies laugh.

After they finished their cupcakes, Snips wondered, "Do you think that is why we admired Trixie? Because she was a successful performer?"

"She seemed a lot like Mom," Snails admitted.

Snails was right. Their mother made money doing magic acts. She didn't have a big audience, but it got the food on the table. They wanted to follow in their mother's hoofsteps. They never forgot the day they won the award for best magic act. Unlike most ponies who only fit into one category, Snips and Snails fit into two.

The colts got up and left and looked for a place to sleep. They've long since lost their home and have been sleeping in temporary shelters. They refused to go to an orphanage. They were bullied by the fillies at school. They did not want to be bullied by fillies all day, every day.

Snips and Snails had poor grades in school, but they were not stupid. In fact, they were able to survive an entire year on their own so far, and they knew that they could last much longer. However, nopony in Ponyville believed in them except Spike, a dragon who enjoyed them for who they were.

"Do you think that the Cakes would let us sleep there for the night?" Snails asked after they searched for a shelter for hours.

"I don't know, but there's no harm in trying," Snips replied.

The two of them walked back to Sugar Cube Corner. The door was still unlocked, but the Cakes were cleaning up. Snips and Snails walked in. Mr. Cake continued working, but Mrs. Cake tended to the brothers.

"Welcome back, dears." She greeted.

"Do you mind if we sleep here for tonight?" Snips asked.

"Don't you have anywhere else to sleep?" Mrs. Cake asked, concerned.

"No. We're homeless, but we don't want to go to the orphanage," Snips said.

"It's terrible there," Snails agreed.

Mrs. Cake thought for a moment. "Sure, why not. I expect you to help around here, but you can stay here as long as you like."

"That's very nice of you, Mrs. Cake," Snips said, blushing.

Mrs. Cake led the unicorns upstairs in a room. The room was empty except for one bed. Snips and Snails didn't mind sleeping on the same bed. They were brothers, and they were best friends. They got into bed and fell asleep after a few breaths. Snips and Snails knew that they had each other. That made all the bad things that happen worth it. They knew, despite all they went through, that they would not trade each other for anything.