Years before the events of Winning Pony: Road Not Taken, Sparkler didn’t know her big sister. She didn’t have one.

For as long as she could remember, Sparkler had been in a foster home, under the care of Equestria’s Foal Services. It hadn’t been perfect, but life had been pretty good while she waited for somepony to adopt her.

Thirteen years is a long time to wait, though, and she had all but given up on ever leaving. Given up, until she found everything she knew suddenly and violently pulled out from under her. Hurt, scared, and alone, she’s found herself in a sea of new faces. Some help, some smile, most just fade into the background.

None of them seem interested in her, though. Not enough to take her home.