We ended up going to a small cafe that Silver Spoon's mom owned. It was a little pricey, but the massive cookies we got were totally worth it. I ended up getting one for each of us, seeing how her mom wasn't in. Good thing Miles gave me so much money. This is probably more then what Lantern and I would make in a month.

"So is that frea... uh... guy your dad or, like, something?" Tiara asks before taking a bite of her cookie.

"Um... I don't think so. Maybe? I've only known him for a day now, so...."

"He must be loaded then to give you..."

PUNCH

"OW! Tiara!" Silver says as she rubs her arm. They begin to bicker to one another quietly, letting me eat my cookie in peace.

"Anyway." Tiara says as she looks back to me. "So, since you're pretty cool and all, we're going to give you some friendly advice," she says as she leans in. "Watch out for the other blank flanks here."

"Huh?" I ask with a mouthful of cookie. "Why?"

"They pretend to be all nice and stuff but its all an act. They actually only want to make fun of you behind your back..."

"Rude." Silver adds with a bit of sass.

"Right? Anyway, there are three of them. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell..."

"I met Sweetie Bell already. She seemed nice... I guess..."

"See? She was going to take you to her friends farm to make you do.. like chores and stuff..."

"Could you imagine?"

"Uh...."

"I know. Trust me, they usually only..."

"SHADOW!" I look back to see Sweetie Bell and two other fillies running up to me. "Where have you been? I thought you were following aft.... whats going on?" She asks as she eyes Silver and Tiara.

"Iffin you two are tryin ta..."

"See what we mean? We didn't even do anything and they're already trying to bully us." Tiara says as Silver sticks her tongue at the others.

"WHAT! You two are the bullies!" Scootaloo says as the other two hold her back.

*Munch*

"Why don't you go and try some other stupid crazy thing to get your cutie marks..."

"Why don't you... go... away!" Scootaloo tries, getting the other two to facehoof.

*Munch*

"That was almost as lame as your dumb scooter."

"Whatever. I'm leaving..."

"Good, nopony wanted you here anyway Scootaloo."

"C'mon Shadow. You don't want ta be around these bad eggs." The other filly, Applebloom I'm guessing, says as she moves to my side.

"She doesn't want to go with you loser!" Tiara says as she moves to my other side. I begin to shrink back as they continue to glare at one another. What would Lantern do...

"Uh... guys?" I asks weakly, getting both their attention. "I... uh..."

"See, she wants to stay!"

"No she doesn't!"

"Uh, yeah she does."

"No, she doesn't."

"Yeahuh."

"NU-UH!"

"GUYS!" I yell, getting both of their attention. "I don't want to go with either of you! I don't know you three and I only met you two a few minutes ago. As far as I can tell you both bully each other and don't even care what I have to say. I just want to sit here and eat my cookie on peace and quiet." I blurt out, getting stares from all of them.

"Fine." Applebloom says before walking off. The other two look between her and me before running after her.

"Uh..."

"If that's how you really feel then fine! We'll go to then." Tiara says before they both get up and walk away, holding their heads up high.

I sit there alone for a bit longer before the waiter tells me to buy something or leave. Not wanting to spend anymore of Miles's money, I walked off. I kept close to the buildings as I tried to avoid everyponys stare. I eventually get tired of all the ponies and decide to head back to Miles's place. I didn't really want to leave, some of the shops looked pretty interesting, but I couldn't stand another minute of all the staring. Usually I would hide behind my Lantern, but... I can't anymore. I never really noticed how alone I was without her. Without her...

"... three day. Be sure to be there or we'll miss our chance." I hear Miles say in the distance. I look over and do a double take as I see him talking to a massive colorful gem dragon.

"I'll be there. Don't worry." The dragon says before launching himself into the air. I stand there for a second, debating whether or not to approach him, until he turns back and sees me.

"Shadow? What are you doing here? I thought you went out with Sweetie Bell and her friends." I look away from him as I think back to what happened. "What happened?" He asks as he begins to walk towards me.

"Nothing." I say as my voice trembles a bit.

"Nothing? Shadow you can tell me what happened. I promise I won't get mad. Did someone do something to you? Was it the crowds? Talk to me." I feel my eye begin to strain as tears begin to fall from my eyes. The moment I look over to him I lose control and begin to wail.

"I'm so lonely!" I sob as I run over to him and latch on. "I want my sister back! I want to go home! I even miss the mines! Please! Take me back! I don't want to be alone anymore!" I cry into his chest. He doesn't say anything. He just picks me up and holds onto me lightly. So I just cry.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................

We sit out in the field for who knows how long until she finally stops crying. I feel completely horrible. I knew this was coming, I just didn't know how to prepare for it. So I just do the only sensible thing and hold onto her.

"Shadow?" I ask, getting her to shake her head. "I need to meet up with some people real quick, but afterwards we'll head home, OK?" I say as I stand up. She doesn't say anything, she just buries her face in my chest and tighten her hold.

As I walk to Sweet Apple Acres I feel her begin to loosen up, even taking her face out from my chest. I suddenly pretend to drop her, catching her immediately. She giggles a bit, so I do it again; more dramatically and with more giggles. She looks up to me and gives me a smile, so I set her on my shoulders again and continue on.

"Howdy there Miles, Shadow. What brings ya ta Sweet Apple Acres?" Applejack asks as she conveniently comes out of the front door.

"I need to have a word with Big Mac, where is he?" I ask as we approach one another. I feel Shadow shrink back, trying her best to hide from Applejack.

"Well, last night he went ta Fluttershys, but he should be back soon enough. Wanna hang around till then?"

"Sure."

"Miles." Shadow whispers to me as she taps the side of my head, "you said we'd go home..."

"Yeah, after I talk to Big Mac and Storm. Sorry, but they need to hear this." I say, getting her to pout.

"Why don't ya go see what Applebloom and the others are doin Shadow? I saw them runnin back to their club house."

"Um..."

"Actually we'll come back later." I say quickly as I feel Shadow start to shake. "I just remembered we still need to go buy a couple of things for Shadow here, right?"

"Uh... right." She says quietly.

"Sorry AJ, maybe next time." I say as I start to walk away.

"Aw shucks, why don't ah go with y'all. I need to pick a few things up anyways, iffin y'all don't mind."

"Not at all." I say, making Shadow hit me. I look back to her only to get a scowl in response.

"Great. Jus give me a sec ta go get mah bags." she says before running inside.

"Miles!" I complain.

"What?"

"I thought it was going to be just us."

"Oh... well... sorry. It's a little late for that." I say as I take her off my shoulders and set her down. "I'll make it up to you though, after everything today we'll do something special, just the two of us."

"... really?" She asks as her face softens.

"Promise.... and I don't break my promises; or else." I say seriously.

"Or else what?"

"Exactly." I say, getting a confused look from her. So that's what its like to be Inficiunt... not bad.

"....ah don't care. Ah need yer help ta bring the supplies back. You can play with yer friends later. Now lets go Applebloom." Applejack says as she marches out the front door, followed by a pouting Applebloom. "Sorry bout that, lets get going."

.................................................................................................................................................................................................

We make it back to the shopping district relatively quickly. The entire time I try to keep my distance from Applebloom, I can already tell she doesn't like me. I think Miles has noticed, cause he kept trying to move so we'd be next to each other, only to have me run to his other side. After a couple of tries he finally stopped trying and continued talking with Applejack.

"... and then it'll be cider season."

"What's cider?" Miles asks.

"Its a beverage we make here on the farm. One of our best sellers, right Applebloom."

"... yeah." She says distantly.

"Whats the matter Applebloom? You haven't said a word since we left. Ah thought you and Shadow here woulda hit it off swell..."

"Ah'm just... deep in thought ah guess." She says as she shoots me a look. I try to hide behind Miles's legs, but cant find a way to escape her glare.

"A seven year old deep in thought... that's scary." Miles says with a chuckle. "Well, here we are. Lets get to it already."

"We need ta head ta the blacksmiths, why don't we meet up at Sugar Cube Corner later fer lunch?"

"Sounds good." Miles says before walking off. I glance back to Applebloom before running after Miles. Why does she look so mad? "So, what happened between you and the others?" Miles asks as we make our way through the street.

"What do you mean?" I ask as I try to avoid the subject.

"Applebloom is usually teeming with energy, and she seemed really upset back there. Last I checked you left with Sweetie Bell, one of Applebloom's best friends. Something happened. Are you going to tell me?" He asks as he comes to a stop and looks down to me, crossing his arms.

"Promise you wont me mad." I ask as I shrink from away from him.

"I promise. Now what happened?" He asks as he kneels before me. I tell him everything that happened, separating from Sweetie Bell, the stranger, meeting Silver and Tiara, the fight, waiting by myself. He doesn't really move, he just sits there and listens intensely. When I finish up I take a step back and wait for him to say something.

"Well..." I ask as he continues to just sit there and think.

"I think you should go to all of them and apologize for snapping at them."

"But..."

"Even if they were the ones being rude, that doesn't excuse you. Go apologize and you'll see which ones will be your friend."

".... right now?"

"No. But the sooner the better. Now lets go get you your stuff." He says as he stands and walks off.

"Sorry Miles..."

"Don't be. I know if I were your age I would have probably started a fight with them." He says with a chuckle.

"Really? Why?"

"Growing up in an orphanage like the one I went to... it came with the territory." I look up to Miles for a second before continuing on, feeling slightly better.

Shopping with Miles was a ton of fun. He's a total goof ball. No matter where we went he was able to make me laugh, Colgates dentist shop, some spa for shampoo, a candle store, soaps and brushes, and then some grocery shopping. Everything went fairly normally, but for some reason everypony made Miles pay WAY too much. He'd haggle them down of course, but fifteen bits for a brush is just outrageous. Once we bought the last of the groceries; luckily I convinced him to get mostly fruit, we started to head over to Sugar Cube Corner, until I saw them...

"Something wrong?" Miles asks as he looks down the road.

"No... hold on real quick." I say as I walk on without him. I take a deep breath as I try to calm my nerves for what I'm about to do.

"Oh... its you. What do you want?" Tiara says with disgust.

"Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I don't really talk to ponies and when you were arguing... it wasn't right of me to say what I did. You're not bullies and I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. Friends?" They look to each other for a second before bursting out laughing. I just stand there nervously as I wait for them to finish laughing. I can already feel all of the eyes on the street on me, but I ignore them as I wait for the to start talking.

"HAHAHA... wow. No. We aren't friends you blank flank, get out of my sight!" Tiara says.

"I can't believe you actually didn't figure out that we were messing with you." Silver says as she continues to giggle.

"But thanks for the free cookies." Tiara adds, making them both laugh harder. I begin to walk back as they continue to laugh at me until I hit something. I look back to see Miles standing there, not looking happy.

"Excuse me? I think you two should apologies for what you did to Shadow." He says firmly, getting them to stop laughing.

"Ew, its that freak from the Everfree. What do you want?" Silver asks as they stare up at him in disgust.

"What I want is for you two to act like decent people, but obviously that's too much to ask. Come on Shadow..."

"Excuse me sir! What do you think you are doing?" From out of the building comes a brown earth pony with a black mane thats styled back and a red tie. He has three money bags for a cutie mark and has a tired demeanor about himself.

"And you are?"

"I'm Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara's father. Who are you and why were you lecturing my daughter?" He asks as he closes the distance between him and Miles.

"They seemed to have a problem with being humble. Now if you don't mind..."

"No, I do mind. How dare you speak of my daughter like so! Leave and don't let me ever see you talking to my daughter..."

"Or you'll what? Bitch and complain?" Miles asks, getting Filthy to glare at him. "Let me give you some friendly advice. To make a threat, you need to be threatening." He says as he towers over him.

"Leave before I call the guard..."

"The guard?" Miles asks with almost a chuckle.

"I said leave!" Filthy barks.

"Alright, alright. Don't get your panties in a bundle. We're going. But this isn't over Filthy. Not by a long shot. Lets go Shadow." Miles says before walking off.

"Good riddance scum bags." Filthy says as he holds his head up high. Miles stops in his tracks and walks back to Filthy, getting right up against him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you from over there. Did you call us scum?" He asks as he towers over him.

"You heard me scum. Do us all a favor and leave already." He growls back.

"Hehe. Scum you say? I've always hated that word you know. I don't think using it would be very smart." Miles says as he glares at Filthy, clenching his fist shut.

"Scum... bag."

"Ostendam tibi spumae!" Miles yells as he moves to grab Filthy, only to stop when Storm Cloud flew by and grabbed his arm.

"OK then! I need to talk to Miles real quick..."

"LET ME AT HIM!" Miles yells as he tries to break free of Storm Clouds grasp.

"You have a good day now!" Storm says as he drags Miles away. I look back to Tiara and Silver before running after Miles and Storm. Once we get far enough away from them Storm finally lets go of Miles and lands before him. "Are you insane!? Why are you trying to fight him!?"

"That fu...fu... he called me scum!" Miles says as he points back to him.

"AND?!" Storm asks in astonishment.

"*sigh* sorry, I got caught up in the moment. Shadow was trying to do the right thing and... things got ugly. You OK Shadow?" He asks me.

"Were you really going to fight him because he called us scum?" I ask as I sit between the two of them.

"Y-yeah... I was called scum a lot as a child. The word doesn't sit well with me. Sorry you had to see that."

"Its alright, I'm fine." I say, getting a smile from him.

"Since you're here anyway, I'm calling all Spartans tonight for a mission detailing..."

"Already? You just got back..."

"Don't worry, I'll explain later tonight. Just be at my place around midnight."

"Alright." He says as he looks back. "See you then. And Spike should be at your place already."

"Good. Catch you later then. Come on Shadow, lets get going." Miles says as he starts to walk off. Storm waves bye to me so I wave back before running after Miles. Why does he walk so fast?

"Miles..."

"Shadow, don't do what I did. I know sometimes people can get under your skin, but you're too sweet to be a fighter..."

"Miles..."

"I know that its not always an option, but try to use words instead of you fists..."

"Miles..."

"Trust me on that. Fighting... it should be a last resort..."

"MILES!" I yell, getting him to stop. "Slow down, I can barely keep up." I say as I close the distance between us. He just smiles and laughs a bit, I'm not exactly sure why.

"Sorry about that short stuff."

"I'm not short! I'm just.... not tall." I say, getting him to laugh a bit more.

"Ok, well not tall stuff lets get a quick snack before heading back home." He says as he walks up to some building and holds the door open for me. I run up and instantly become overwhelmed with the aroma of bake goods and sugary treats.

"I like this place." I say as I close my eyes and inhale.

"A bit crowded today." Miles says as he walks past me. My eyes shoot open and begin to dart around. This room is completely filled with ponies. I begin to quicken my breath as some of them begin to stare at me... "Shadow? You OK?"

"Uh...." I mutter as even more eyes fall on me. I can feel sweat begin to form as I shakily begin to step back.

"GLAN SAKES! Ah never thought ya make it Miles! Come on over here, we saved you two a seat." Applejack yells over the crowd, gaining everypony's attention. I sigh in relief and run to Miles side as he makes his way through the takes. We finally find one with Applejack, Applebloom, and two other ponies.

"Thanks guys. Big Mac, Fluttershy, I don't think you had a chance to meet Shadow yet. Shadow these are a couple more of my friends." Miles says as he sets our bags down and takes a seat. I climb onto the other one ans look to the other two as they stare back at me.

"Uh... hi..." The mare says quietly, even for my standards.

"Eeyup." The other one says in a deep voice.

"Hi." I say getting them to smile. I look back over to Applebloom and offer her a smile, only to get her to narrow her eyes.

"Well now that that is out of the way, Big Mac, we have a Spartan meeting tonight at midnight. Be sure to be there."

"Eeyup."

"Whats happening? Why do you need him so early?" Fluttershy asks, being as quiet as before.

"Something is coming. Something big. That's all I can say for now. But let forget that for now, have you guys ordered yet?" He asks as he takes a menu.

"Waiting on you." Applejack says as she takes a menu as well.

"I already know what I want. Here Shadow, take a look." Miles says as he offers me the menu. I hesitate from taking it, getting Miles to lean over. "Everything alright?"

"I lean closer to him and whisper, "I can't read." I blush a bit as he nods slowly.

"That's OK, I can't either," he says as he opens the menu. "But they have pictures." I take a look at all of the pictures, slightly drooling from all the sugary treats.

"Do they have double chocolate chip cookies?" I ask as I take the menu, looking for them on the next page.

"Of course we do." A new voice says from behind. I jump a little as I spin around, finding some stallion standing behind me. "Is that what you want?"

"Uh..."

"Make it two orders of that Mr. Cake." Miles says happily.

"Of course, and for the rest of you?" He asks as he goes around the table. I look back to Miles and offer him a smile, getting one in return. He ruffles my mane a bit before turning to the others and listening in on their conversations. I look over and see Applebloom leave the table... *sigh* only for Miles. I let Miles know that I'm going to the bathroom before running after her, finding her upstairs in a hallway.

"Hey... Applebloom." I say, getting her attention.

"Shadow." She says as she faces me. "What do ya want?"

"*sigh* look, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just... I don't like ponies staring at me, and you and Tiara were staring right at me. I don't think you're a bully, and I'm sorry for snapping.... friends?" I feel myself begin to shake as she looks me over. Hopefully this will go better then with the others.

"Alright. Friends." She says with a broad smile. "We blank flanks need ta stick tagether right?"

"Hey, I have my cutie mark! It's a shadow!" I say in my defense.

"Really?" Applebloom asks as she raises an eyebrow to me.

"*sigh* no. Just... don't tell Miles, OK? I told him I have one and I don't want him thinking I'm a liar." I say as I lower my head a bit.

"It's alright. Celestia knows the things I went through to try and get mine." She says as she looks back to her blank flank. We both share a small laugh before heading down the hall together. I don't know where we're going, but I feel better knowing I have at least one friend now.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................

"Are you sure about this Miles?" Big Mac asks.

"I can't really say no, can I?" I say as I look around the crowded room.

"But, what if they say no?" Applejack asks.

"I'll have Luna's support for sure, but Celestia may take some convincing." I say as I look back to them. "We can send the little ones to Moosden for safety. But Ruptor is coming, and from what Alistair told me, mobilization is required."

Next Chapter: Chapter 143 Your Trust Estimated time remaining: 52 Hours, 15 Minutes