//------------------------------// // 1. Introduction // Story: The Life and Times of Jaded Dawn // by DawningJade //------------------------------// Jaded Dawn was a young pegasus colt, on the verge of becoming a stallion. His 17th birthday was just a few months away. He looked forward to his birthday, and yet dreaded it at the same time. He was excited to be an adult and all that, but he was scared of drifting away from his parents. He was not the fittest of pegasi, nor the fastest, but he was a decent flyer. He lived in the city of Trotsdale, with his mother and father. He knew he was going to move, and he had already decided where he would be moving. There was only one question left. “When?” Having just graduated from high school, Jaded needed a job. After asking around town, he found he could work at the local grocery store. There he met a young mare who was about his age. Morning Glory was her name. She was a yellow unicorn, with a bright orange mane, and a matching tail. She bagged the customer's purchases, and he was a cashier, so they worked together often. Each got used to the other being there, and they became good friends. Jaded knew he was going to move soon, and that he probably wouldn't be seeing her for some time, but they could still keep in touch through letters. The time soon came when Jaded was leaving Trotsdale. His birthday had been two weeks ago, and only four ponies were at his party. He preferred it that way, as he didn't like large crowds. The four ponies were his mother, his father, his little brother Sunny Skies, and Morning Glory. Now he was leaving home for the train station, after saying bye to his parents and brother. He went to the large train station, purchased a ticket, and sat on a nearby bench. As the train approached, he heard a familiar voice over the hustle and bustle of the train station. “Jaded!” Looking around, the sky blue pegasus saw Morning Glory running towards him. She looked out of breath. Had she run all the way here? “Jaded, were you going to leave without telling me goodbye?” asked Morning, after catching her breath. “I may or may not have forgotten.” “How do you forget something like that?” “My mind was elsewhere.” “What do you mean?” “I have been thinking of a way to make some bits once I get where I am going.” “Where are you going? We have talked about this for weeks, and I never even thought to ask,” “See? You forget things too.” Feeling Morning's hoof smack the back of his head, he continued, “To answer your question, I am moving to a small town called Ponyville.” “Ponyville? I have a cousin who lives there. Her name is Lyra.” “Nice. I hope to meet her soon.” “You say that now.” “Well, I guess I'll see you later, Morning. I'm going to miss you. Please visit soon, and if you can't do that, at least write.” “We'll miss you too, Jaded. And, besides, who says I can't do both?” Having said their goodbyes, the two parted ways. Morning Glory went home, and Jaded set out on a train, eager to begin his new adventure. For the duration of the train ride to Ponyville, Jaded was sitting in a train compartment by himself. 'Just my luck,' he thought. 'Here I am, ready to meet new ponies, and stuck by myself.' He was so lost in his thoughts, that he nearly missed his stop at the Ponyville train station. Covering his ears with his wings so all the noise of the train station wouldn't hurt his ears, he was surprised to see it was nowhere nearly as loud as he had expected. With all the daily commotion in Trotsdale, he had gotten used to the noise, and the quiet atmosphere felt almost odd. He decided that before making his way to his new home, he would get acquainted with the layout of the city. While walking around, he saw a few things that were odd, to say the least. There was a building that seemed to be made entirely out of candy, and the sign above the door read, “Sugarcube Corner.” “What kind of building is this?” Jaded mumbled as he walked in. Upon entering, he smelled the most heavenly aroma he ever could have imagined. It was a bakery! “I should have guessed, considering the architecture.” There was also this weird forest near the edge of the town, that seemed really dark, even though it was still early in the morning. Near the edge of the forest, was a cottage that seemed to be built in part of a hill. Grass and flowers adorned the roof, and small animals scampered about. There was a small stream nearby, in which many animals were swimming and frolicking about, while others chose just to drink the water. While admiring the animals, and the beauty of the place, that managed to be so wonderful and cheerful even though it was next to that weird forest, he failed to notice the yellow pegasus who was tending to some of the animals. She had a yellow coat, similar to that of Morning Glory, and a long hot pink mane and tail. Remembering he was here to see the town, and to meet new ponies, he decided to walk up to her and introduce himself. “Hi, my na--” “EEP!” The mare seemed to be hiding behind her mane, and Jaded was worried that he had frightened her. “Ma'am? Are you okay? Did I frighten you? I'm sorry. It really was an accident.” Jaded was sad, as he supposed he had angered the first pony he had met in his new town. “I-i-it's okay. I know you didn't mean it. I forgive you.” Jaded could not have been more happy than he was upon hearing those words. He might still be able to become friends with her! “My name is Jaded Dawn, and I am new in town. I was just looking around, when I saw this place. Do you know who lives in that cottage? I was wondering if they might know how to get to the place I will be staying.” “Oh! That is my house. And where are you going? I might be able to help you find your way there. Where are my manners? I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Fluttershy.” “Nice to meet you, Fluttershy. Anyways, I am going to be an assistant at the Golden Oaks Library. Thanks for offering to help, by the way.” “No problem, I love helping animals, as well as ponies. And besides, I know exactly where the library is. My friend Twilight Sparkle is in charge of it, and she and her other assistant, Spike, live there.” Off they went through the town, with her showing him landmarks and other such things as the two went along. There was an orchard that went on for as far as the eye could see. She said it was called Sweet Apple Acres, and her friend Applejack and the rest of the Apple family cared for the trees and harvested them by themselves every year. Jaded asked her about Sugarcube Corner, and she said it was run by the Cake family, with the help of her friend Pinkie Pie. Up on a hill near the edge of town, was a stylish building that Fluttershy kept calling “Carousel Boutique.” Apparently it was run by her friend, Rarity. 'Is she friends with everyone in town?' Jaded thought to himself. “Here we are. The Golden Oaks Library.” Jaded really wasn't sure whether to be happy at living in such a cool place, for he had loved to read for his entire childhood, or to facehoof at living in a literal tree-house. Jaded was about to knock on the door, when it swung open, hitting him directly in the muzzle. “Spike! Did you hit someone with the door again?” Came a voice from inside the library. “I don't think so Twilight.” He peered around the door. “There may or may not have been an accident involving the door and a stallion's muzzle!”