"Mia, Mia! Where are you? Come on out it's not funny!"
I giggled happily at the confusion of my sister, Iridescence, who struggled to spot me. I hunkered down lower in my desired hiding place. She would never find me here! Iridescence' s cries grew more frantic as time went on but I ignored them having too much fun tormenting her. Soon her cries abruptly stopped. After a few minutes I slowly crept out and made my way toward the house.
My family, Mom, Dad, and Iridescence all lived in a small one story house in a remote town of Equestria. We lived humbly and peacefully, bothering no one on our small acre of land far from the village. I whistled tunelessly and skipped along the path anticipating the scare I would give my sister. I rounded the corner and stopped.
My eyes grew big and my breath hitched. No. No. NO! It couldn't be true. I don't know what I'm seeing. In front of me sat the ruins of our small country cottage and in front of the house sat three bodies. I ran over to the bodies and shook the body of my little sister weakly. I screamed her name until my voice was hoarse. This couldn't be happening. It just wan't possible. One minute I was teasing my sister, and the next she was.... gone. I sobbed uncontrollably and soon fell to the ground shaking.
I must have fallen asleep because I awoke later in a strange bed. I immediately bolted upright in bed. I regretted that action because I felt nausea come over me in waves. I groaned and fell back into the bed. I quickly surveyed from my position in bed. The room was small and quaint. Most likely a village residence. A delicious aroma filled the house with cinnamon and cherry blossom. An odd but surprisingly good combination.
I put my head back down and sighed. A tear crawled it's way down my face at the memory of what happened yesterday. I hastily wiped away the tear when a pony walked in. A small female earth pony walked and headed for a pot on the corner stove. The pony was mint green with a light yellow mane. She took the pot and poured it's contents in a small earthen bowl. She then carefully took it and brought it to me.
"Good your awake. Here now eat this."
She handed me the bowl. I took it but gave her a suspicious look.
"Who are you and why am I here?"
I asked while slowly sipping the contents of the bowl, which turned out to be a thick soup.
"Oh where are my manners. My name is Minty. I found you collapsed in front of a house with three bodies, which I took to be your family. Am I right?"
Minty asked tensely. I simply nodded mutely.
"I don't know what happened to them though."
I barely whispered to her.
"I might know."
Minty replied. I nodded again to let her know to keep going.
"There have been reports of a wild dragon on the loose ravaging villages and killing hundreds. That would explained why your house was burned."
I sat stone cold still and processed what she had said. My parents, my sister, my whole life, gone because of a random dragon attack. I was suddenly mad, no furious! I started screaming and sobbing uncontrollably. Minty stood by helplessly while I raged. I just couldn't believe it all. I still was under the illusion this was all a dream and I wake to the sounds of breakfast. My body just couldn't handle the shock. So for the second time that day I collapsed into unconsciousness.
I awoke once again in Minty's house. This time Minty was by my side looking concerned. I sat up slowly and fought of the nausea.
"I'm sorry Minty. I just am shocked that's all."
I gave her a small smile.
"Darn right your shocked! I would be too, if my family was taken from me by a random attack. Don't worry about it."
Minty waved a hoof as if too take away all my doubt.
"Anyway, I never did get your name."
Minty asked inquisitively.
"Mi Amore Cadenza or Mia cadenza. Mia Amore is a family name, that's why it's so eccentric."
Minty sat back in her chair and rubbed her chin.
"Pretty name."
Minty simply stated. She then abruptly sat up and got her saddlebags.
"What's up Minty?"
I asked confused.
"Mia we are going to Canterlot. A pretty filly like you should go somewhere nice to get over the shock. It helps if it's away from the scene of the accident."
Minty answered looking me straight in the eye, just daring me to argue. I gulped and nodded without saying anything. Minty simply turned an filled her saddlebags with food and money. I slowly got out of bed and shook myself out. Minty finished filling her bag and grabbed a flower from one of her many vases. She pushed it behind my ear.
"There now you look presentable. Let's go."
Minty opened the door and took me out of her house. She led me down the small lane of our tiny village to our equally small train station. The train to Canterlot was just leaving. I think Minty had this planned out from the beginning. She led me up the platform and quickly put the saddlebags on my bag. I tried to argue but before I could, Minty hugged me and whispered in my ear,
"Go to the Royal Palace and tell them Minty sent you. They'll help you."
Before releasing me and sending me off. I nodded and boarded the train. I picked a spot by the window and watched as Minty, the village and everything I had ever known, become a speck in the distance. It was the end of my beginning and the start of a new beginning.
"Next stop Canterlot! Next stop Canterlot station!"
The conductors broke me from my thoughts and took me into the present. I stretched and peered out the window anticipating the sight of the grand city. As soon as we rounded the corner, Canterlot came into sight. I gasped, it was a whole city perched on the edge of cliff. I had never seen anything like it in my entire life. I stared in wonder at this amazing feat until we reached the station.
We arrived at the station and I tried to slowly step off the train but was quickly hurried away by the push of the crowd. I soon broke free though, and stared up in wonder at the amazing sight in front of my eyes. The building were all tall and grand, and everypony seemed to have a destination of great importance to get to. Some ponies were sitting in outdoor booths enjoying tea and the nice weather.
"Iridescence would have loved this."
As soon as the thought came to my to my head, tears sprang to my eyes. The loss was still fresh, but that was why Minty sent me to Canterlot. To get me away from all the memories that would haunt me. I shook my head to get the depressing feelings out of my head, and plastered a small smile on my face. I had to remember what Minty told me right before I got on the train.
I scanned the area around me and saw the spires of the royal palace up ahead. The palace seemed to be the center of town, so I needn't worry over directions. I headed straight for the royal palace at a determined pace. I tried to walk with the rush of ponies but in many cases I was fighting the crowd.
In the end it took an hour to finally reach the palace. I was once again wonder struck at the sheer magnitude of the whole palace. The palace doors alone were three times the size the ones on our cottage door. I walked slowly up the stairs to the doors and was blocked by a couple of guards.
"Halt."
One guard commanded harshly.
"What business do you have here filly?"
The guard inquired gruffly.
"I have been sent here by a pony from my village."
I barely whispered in reply.
"What village and what pony."
He again asked harshly.
"I am from Cherrywood on the other side of Equestria and the pony who sent me is named Minty."
I answered sincerely. I saw understanding register in the guards eyes.
"Oh, you must be the filly Minty said she was sending to us."
The second guard spoke up. The first guard looked at the second and gave him a questioning look. The second guard nodded.
"Well then filly, if Minty really did send you we will have to take you to the Princess herself."
My eyes grew big at the thought of meeting the Princess of Equestria. I nodded rapidly and followed the guard though the large doors. He signaled to another guard to take his place and beckoned for me to follow him. I took my place behind him and followed as he lead me thought the palace. I looked around and gazed in amazement at the glass murals on the sides of the rooms. They depicted many of the great battles the Princess fought and simple pictures as well.
I kept having to speed up to catch up with the guard, when I got caught up with one of the murals. We soon arrived at the door that I guessed led to the Princess's receiving chamber. The guard stopped in front of the chamber and instructed for me to wait there until the doors opened to let me in. I nodded again and thanked him. He told me to stay put one more time before turning and leaving.
I straightened my hair and tried to look presentable. I fidgeted with the saddlebags on my back for a few minutes before I heard the sound of hoofbeats. I straightened and took a deep breath. I quickly ran what I would say though my head again. Before plastering a big smile on my face. The door opened a few moments after and let out a small stream of ponies. The chattered among themselves and ignored me completely. They all trickled out after a few minutes and I waited to be called.
I grew frightened they wouldn't call me when the doors started to close. But I heard a small 'wait' before the doors completely closed. A regal voice commanded the guards to let me though. They tried to protest but the voice cut off them off. One of the guards turned to me and ushered me in. I took tentative steps into the room and tried to look demure by looking at the floor. I slowly walked over and bowed deeply in front a the throne.
"Lift your head up little one."
A sweet but commanding voice reached my ears and I immediately looked up. I gasped slightly when I saw the Princess. She was beautiful! She was tall, taller than anypony I had ever seen, and her white coat positively shimmered. Her mane was amazing! It floated around her head and was split into three muted hues. I was positively breathless.
The Princess laughed at my reaction, and I strayed again. The sound of her voice was honey to my ears. It was almost too much to take in. I started to breath in little gasps. My prepared speech flew out my head and I was rendered speechless.
"Little filly it's okay, there no need to panic. I won't put you in the dungeon for not saying the right words or any words at all."
The Princess's voice was filled with concern.
"Pr- Pr- Princess, I am okay. I am just a l-l-little overwhelmed. Thank you for your concern though Majesty."
I stuttered a little but was able to get my words out.
"That's good that your okay little filly, but there is no need to be overwhelmed. I am after all a pony just like you."
I gasped and quickly tried to protest but the Princess held up a hoof to silence me.
"Don't worry about it little filly. Now let's get to the matter at hand. First what is your name little filly?"
I took a breath before answering.
"Mi Amore Cadenza Majesty."
I replied rather loudly. I winced st my loud exclamation.
"Mi Amore what an interesting name. Beautiful but interesting. Is it by chance a family name?"
I nodded quickly.
"Do you by chance have a nickname Mi Amore?"
The Princess asked innocently. I almost answered Mia but I stopped. I had a new beginning, so why not take a new nickname?
"Cadence Your highness."
Slight surprise registered in the Princess's eyes but she gave no outward reaction.
"What a nice nick name. Cadence. Well I quite enjoy that. Now, Cadence why are you here?"
This time I didn't hesitate.
"I was sent here by a pony in the village by the name of Minty, who found me and helped me after the accident. Minty had found me collapsed in front of my families cottage which had been burned down by a passing dragon. That dragon killed my entire family as well. That is why I am here, to have a safe place to recuperate away from the memories."
Tears were streaming down my face by the time I finished and I moved to wipe them off, but the Princess got there first. She gently wiped my tears and gave me a hug. I was shocked into silence for a moment but then to my utter shock started sobbing. I hadn't realized until that moment how must the loss had affected me. It wasn't until somepony had put there arms around me to comport me that the floodgates had broke open.
The Princess rubbed my back and comforted me until I quieted. Then she slowly pulled away and looked me in the eyes.
"You poor, poor filly. I am truly sorry. If it is any comfort to you, I lost my parents at a young age as well. I know your feelings all to well."
Surprise flickered across my face but a feeling of warmth accompanied it. I felt better knowing that somepony else shared my pain. I nodded tearfully at the Princess and wiped my eyes.
"Thank you Princess."
I smiled at her happily.
"Enough of this Princess and Majesty stuff. Call me Celestia I insist. After all you are going to be staying here from now on."
My jaw dropped and I couldn't believe my ears. I was going to stay in the palace with the Princess.
"Oh thank you Prin-, I mean Celestia. Thank you so much!"
I started crying again and I could even see moisture in the Princess's eyes. That's when I felt it. Contentment. I knew right then and there I would be happy from there on. I could leave my loss behind and be happy. I just knew it. I was starting over.
