//------------------------------// // Chapter one // Story: Cold Hearted // by SkaterStreak //------------------------------// Winter. It of course is the best season of all. Well...to me it is. Not everypony likes the cold. My horn glowed a seaming pick as a wrapped a scarf around my neck. The snow was beautifully falling from the gray sky. Sometimes I wish I were a pegasus so I could fly and feel the sensation of the cold running through my mane. A small whimper pulled me from my brief day dream. My dog was whimpering at the door. I knew this meant he had to go out. I walked to the door slowly. No pony was in sight. I used my magic to put the leash on my dog's collar. My dog, Monster, he dashed out before I could grab the leash with my hoof. " Hey!!!" I shouted irritated. I ran out into the snow to chase him. Monster was running fast as the wind. A earth pony mare was pulling a cart full of apples outside. She sure was stupid to be trying to sell them in this weather. Monster ran into the cart. I rolled my eyes as he got up. The mare just stared at me. Monster was just sitting down. His eyes wide and his tongue hanging out. Before he could make a dash for it, I grabbed his leash with my magic. The earth pony just stared at me. " WHAT?!" I snapped. The earth pony, formally known as Apple Jack, stood back. " Ya dog just knocked over mah supply of apples!" Apple Jack shouted. I snorted before replying, " So? You're name is Apple Jack. Your whole families is apples. You can just get more." I retorted. Apple Jack just frowned and took a few more steps back. When she didn't answer, I took Monster home. I know my rudeness gets in the way of me making any actual friends. I sighed. Monster walked to his dog bowl and started munching away. I believe Monster is the closest thing to a friend I can get... I received him as a puppy. Typically like most ponies do. Monster ate his food at a fast pace. I try telling him that eating his food faster isn't gonna make more appear. I have a budget on how much dog food to buy. He doesn't seem to see that just yet. Monster finished and ran onto the couch. He sat in his favorite spot. I walked over to the couch and I sat next to him. He laid his head on my lap and he stared at me with those big blue eyes. I gently petted his white furry back. He yawned which I knew was a sign that he was tired. I started clearing my throat so I could sing him a lullaby. I know it's weird and he could just go to sleep on his own, but no matter how old he gets he will always be my puppy. I sighed before singing. " Hush now, Quiet now!! It's time to lay sleepy head!! Said, Hush now, Quiet now!! It is time to go to bed!! Driftin' off to sleep!! Leave the day behind you!! Driftin' off to sleep!! Let the joy of dreamland find you!! Hush now, quiet now!! Lay your sleepy head!! Said hush now, quiet now!! It's time to go to bed!!" I sung. I know I am not the best singer, but the song seemed to put Monster to instant sleep. " Cold Hearted?!" A voice came. I ran outside to see who was yelling my name. It was no other than Pinkie Pie. Pinkie had a wagon full of treats harnest to her back. I rolled my eyes at her. " Yes Pinkimena?" I asked. Pinkie Pie smiled and looked into my eyes. " I've got treats for you. It's a harth's warming eve gift. From me to you. " Pinkie Pie stated. I wasn't the biggest fan on sweets but this was a chance to make Pinkie Pie a friend. I took a deep breath and thought of some kind words. " Thank you...Happy Hearth's warming eve to you too, Pinkie." I said. With my magic I took the harnest off of her back, leaving her with a huge smile. She basically bounced up and down around me. She pushed at my flank and forced me away from my home. I liked the cold but it was beyond freezing. I shivered slightly. Pinkie Pie insisted I'd come over from the holidays. I wasn't gonna leave Monster all alone. I ran back inside and grabbed him. This time I held the leash with my magic so he wouldn't go anywhere. We walked over to sugar cube corner. Pinkie Pie was asking me all sorts of questions. I answered some of them. The rest was ridiculous. " Have you ever been shot out of a cannon at a beehive? And mere seconds before you hit the somepony caught you in butterfly net." I closed my eyes. I couldn't even imagine that scenario. I knew she was stupid but I went with it. Before we got inside she told me this, " What ever you do...don't be rude!" Pinkie yelled. My ears flattened against my head. That was gonna be a bit hard. My horn glowed blue as I laid a spell on me. The spell was a temporary one. It helped me to say and do kinder things. The problem is the spell isn't fully developed and it still needs work. Last time I was scaring everypony how nice I was. At first everpony was happy with the idea...but things slowly got out of control. What happened wasn't relevant. The door to Sugar Cube corner swung open, the cold air filling the bakery. The rest of Pinkie's friends were sitting down at a table in the corner of the bakery. They all were drinking hot chocolate. Some hot chocolate would sound amazing right now. Pinkie Pie made me sit down at the table across from them. Monster sat down on the chair across from me. He was panting from the walk. Apple Jack was avoiding eye contact with me. I frowned, feeling slightly guilty. " Stay right there, Cold! I'll be right back." Pinkie Pie said as she dashed into the kitchen. I frowned looking down. Pinkie Pie came with a muffin for me and my dog. I ate mine slowly. The others just stared at me. I put the muffin down and stared at the,. " You act like you've never seen somepony eat a muffin!" I snapped. They all looked at me with a disgusted face. I placed a hoof over my mouth and frowned. I was suppose to be acting nice. " I-I'm sorry...." I whispered. Fluttershy was the only one who perked up. She smiled and sat up straight. " It's fine. We all have those moments." Fluttershy explained calmly. I didn't get why she was being nice. I didn't answer and I only ate my muffin. Monster stared at me. Deep into my eyes. " What?..." I asked, acting like I was actually going to get a response. Monster had a look in his eyes. It was staring into my soul. I used my magic to levitate the sugar cube corner menu to cover my face. I had a feeling he knew what I wanted. He whined. I sighed and put the menu down. A blue short stubby mare,whom I assumed was the owner,walked up to me. I had forgotten my bits at home...again. " Is it alright if I pay later? I forgot my bits at home." I said, feeling slightly embarrassed. " It's on the house." The mare said, in a comforting tone. " On the house?...What does that even mean?" I asked, sounding upset. Twilight stood up as her and her friends began to leave. " Cold, it means it's free of charge." Twilight replied. I frowned. Usually when I don't pay ponies throw me out of places and ban me from that place. But on the house?...Who invented such a saying? " Well...Thank you. Mrs?" " Cupcake. My husband is Mr. Carrot cake." The pony replied. I nodded. She walked back into the kitchen and as a question slowly rose in my head...Does she eat the inventory? When no pony is looking...Stop! She's probably just big boned. I sigh and facehoof. All these negative thoughts... I collected myself before getting up. I was about to leave when Twilight walked in front of me. " Well...the snow is coming down pretty hard...your house is all the way across town... I was wondering if you wanted to spend the night at my place." Twilight spoke slowly. I frowned. She was right. I didn't want Monster to get cold... " That would be nice...I guess...I don't want Monster to get cold from the walk." I lied. As much as I wanted to go home, it was too far and the temperature had dropped. I admit it was cold outside. Twilight levitate her saddle bag on her back. " Good. Follow me," She said. I followed her to this small tree. I'm bit confused. Why wasn't she living in some huge castle,with a million servants. Twilight threw her saddle bag on the floor. Spike was sleeping already. Twilight set down a few scrolls on the floor. " Sit," She ordered. I reluctantly sat down. She opened a rather long scroll. She cleared her throat. " This scroll was from Princess Celestia. She asked me to teach you about magic and friendship. I wasn't so sure how to react. I wanted your opinion on this before I say yes." Twilight said, pacing back and forth. I frowned. A teacher? I'm pretty good at magic. I don't need a teacher to tell me what to do. " As nice as that sounds,Twilight, I'm going to have to pass." I replied, looking around. Twilight choked a little bit. She took her neck into her hooves before clearing her throat. " H-how could y-you pass on the chance to w-work with a Princess?" Twilight asked, her voice sounding slightly hoarse. I rolled my eyes. " By saying pass." Twilight frowned and nodded. " Of course well let's get to bed." Twilight said, walking to the stairs. I nodded. I walked upstairs. She was making a bed on the floor. I rolled my eyes. Again. " I'm assuming I will have to sleep on the floor," " You get the bed. I'm taking the floor." Twilight said, as she laid down. I looked at her as if she was crazy. I laid on her bed. It was comfortable. " Can you turn off the light?" Twilight asked. I nodded and reached over for the light. Before turning it off I said, " Uh, Twilight?" I asked, awkwardly. Twilight yawned. " Yes?" " T-thank you...." Twilight smiled half asleep. " No problem. Anything for a friend.." Twilight said, falling asleep. I turned off the light. Anything for a friend?......