"That was smart thinking, just really retarded who you chose to use it against," Light scolded. I groaned. We were on the road again. My actions had costed us a suspension from the pack as I am "not yet suited for the ways of being a wolf." 

   "But she's a jerk!" Light shook his head.

   "She can be whatever she is to you, but she is one of the top hunters in the pack." I rolled my eyes.

   "How the hell was I supposed to know? The last time I saw her was when she ran off from Ponyville." Our pace slowed as we talked, our legs have grown tired. It's been nearly a day since we were walking. Light planned on making it all the way to Fillydelphia.

   "It doesn't matter, ponies and wolves can change a lot in a few months or years." 

   "Ok fine whateve-" I was stopped by a paw in my mouth.

   "Shhhh," he hushed. I almost bit down, which would've left some pretty nasty marks. A bush rustled from around twenty feet away from us and a rabbit hopped out, nibbling a leaf of grass. Light looked at me and smiled.

   "You up for some dinner? My treat."

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   "Luna, have you located somepony suitable for the Element of Loyalty yet?"

   "Tia, I haven't yet, but when I held the element the other day, the power surging from it felt ten times weaker than it did when Rainbow Dash was its host."

   "Ah, that one, she was quite a pony. I haven't seen anypony more loyal than her in all my life."

   "That's a lot of ponies."

   "Yes I do agr- Hey!" Celestia realized her sister had just dissed her. "Are you calling me old?"

   "Are you calling a thousand years young?" The sisters laughed at the small joke for a brief second.

   "You know how much I mean it when I say I've missed you." 

   "Who hasn't?" Luna looked up to her older sister, and wrapped her arms around her for a hug. The two embraced in a warm hug, holding each other tightly and forgetting about the subject at hoof.

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   Sun creaked through my eye lids. I groaned. My mouth had a taste of blood in it. Rabbit blood to be precise. What was under me felt soft. Could it be? I sat up and looked beneath me. I almost screamed from joy. It was a bed. A bed isn't that amazing but after sleeping on rocks for the past few months it felt like heaven. I looked around the room, half expecting my Wonderbolt posters on the walls. The room was nearly empty except for a desk, a dresser, my backpack which was in the corner and the bed I was on. I rubbed my eyes sleepily. Where was I? I got up, stretched my legs and wings (I don't know why since they are no longer a use to me as they can't carry my weight) and opened the door. It lead to a small corridor. Down the corridor was a washroom and somepo- someone else's room. The room was empty, but I reconized the smell that lingered inside the moment I stuck my head in. Light slept here last night.

   "Light? Are you here?" I called down the hall. No reply. At the end of the hall were a set of stairs leading down. I hopped down the stairs by twos and soon landed on the marble floor. It was icy cold and sent chills through my legs.

   "Seriously Light, where are you?" I was beginning to get mad. He had completely ditched me, what a jerk. When I get my paws on him, I'm going to rip him inside out. I entered the kitchen. A fresh auroma welcomed my nose and my mouth began to drool. On the breakfast table was a plate of chicken. It was cooked but didn't seemed to have been touched since it was made. I walked closer to the table and upon inspection, I noticed a note beside the plate.

Rainbow Dash,
   After eating that rabbit meal last night, you had passed out from fatigue. I had carried you on my back all the way here to Fillydelphia. Unfortunately, urgent buisiness with the pack had brought me away from you. You must live on your own for a little while, say, maybe a week or two? I have taken the courtesy to cook your breakfast, it may be a tad cold by the time you've read this. The fridge is stocked up with meat, it will last you a while. Please do not feed on any of the citzens of Filldelphia, or I will seriously kill you when I get back.

Missing you,
Light

   I rolled my eyes. What am I going to do for two weeks? It was sweet what he did for me last night but couldn't he have told me in person that he was leaving? I clamped my jaw over a chicken leg and bit down. The tender meat ripped easily and I chewed, mushing the meat into something that could be swallowed. This could be my chance. I can take off now, go back to Ponyville and continue my life there. Within weeks, the past few months of my life would feel like nothing but a bad dream. Everything can go back to normal. Everything should go back to normal. I shook the thought off. There was no way my friends would believe it. I'm supposed to be dead, and what would they say when they learn I'm a wolf now? It'd be impossible for me to explain. I finished the rest of my chicken, and walked over to the bookshelf. After scanning the shelf for good books five times, I sighed and plopped down on the couch. I can understand this is a rented house, but maybe the retailers or whoever signs these away should at least find a better library than freaking bibles and foal books. With my legs crossed and arms comforting my head, I fell asleep as I had used to on clouds as a pegasus. 

--------------------------------------------------------------

   The streets of Filldelphia were more fancier than the ones in Ponyville, but only by a bit. The tiles on the ground were different shades of gray, the street lights were a different shape: most had a small twirl at the bottom, and many of the shops sold more expensive items. I've been worried about leaving the house for the first time, but this is the third time I've come walk the streets. Apart from some dirty looks I've been receiving from some ponies, the citzens of Fillydelphia seem really nice. Some shop owners welcomed me into their stores to test some samples and products. They said it's rare to see a wolf and a lot of them believe ponies and wolves should live in peace.

    I sat in the park, watching foals and fillies that are playing on the slides and swings. A few motherly mares had whispered to their children and pointed at me. I watched some of their pupils grow large with awe. From the expression they wore, I'm guessing their mothers had told them something similar to "Hey, that's a wolf", or "Check that thing out". I sighed and sunk down on the bench I sat on. Some fillies were taking turns pushing each other on the swings. They had such content smiles on their faces. I wish I could be one of them, I wanted to be a pony again. I want to be able to eat Applejack's pastries, borrow books from Twilight's libraries and fly the skies as a pegasus once more. I felt a pang of jealousy as the giggles of the ponies fluttered over to my ears.

   A few hours passed, and ponies came and go. Maybe I could just sit here for the rest of the two weeks. It's not like I can go anywhere until Light is back. My stomach grumbled, and I decided it was time to go back home. I stood up and walked out of the park. The sun was setting, and the buildings casted long shadows. The streets were emptying as ponies closed up their shops. Alone. It felt like the world was shutting off around me. Light isn't with me, I don't have anyone else. I sulked my thoughts and continued the walk home in silence. Silence, yeah that's the word. I listened to the silence. The silence and the little hoofsteps. Hoofsteps? My ears perked and I strained them to listen. It wasn't very faint, and I scowled at myself for being oblivious to the sound. I stopped walking.

   "Oof!" Something, or someone bumped into me from behind. I turned around only to face a small yellow filly. Her large blue eyes stared up at me. Her jaw was agape and her pink mane was curled. I checked for wings, she had none, but if she did I would swear she was a mini Fluttershy. 

   "Hey kiddo, whatcha doing out here?" I asked.

   "Are you the boogeyman?" She asked, her eyes shined with determination.

   "No? Who are you? Why are you following me?" I snapped.

   "Everypony is talking about you. We're all wondering what a wolf is doing here in Fillydelphia!" She squeaked. Well that certainly isn't like the quiet pony that lives back in Ponyville.

   "Yeah, well I'm only here for a little while. Why don't you scurry home before it gets dark?" I tried to nudge her into the direction she came from.

   "My name is Morning Bird, what's yours?" I sighed. Kids just won't listen.

   "I'm Rainbow Dash." Morning Bird nodded. She turned to the side and showed me her flank. It was blank.

   "Us ponies get something called a cutie mark, you get it once you learn your special talent!" I flicked an ear, listening carefully to the filly's explanation. "I don't have a cutie mark yet, but I think mine is going to be just awesome, I know it!"

   "Thats great kid, why don't you go home now?"

   "Hey, there's a play showing tomorrow at the theatre, do you want to take me? It's free." She looked up at me with large pleading eyes. I couldn't decline. Besides, there wasn't anything else for me to do other than bum around the rented house until Light returns.

   "Sure I guess."

   "You know where the theatre is right?"

   "Of course!"

   "Prove it."

   "Um, maybe a little refresher would help." After hearing the address for the theatre, I waved Morning Bird goodbye and walked home. I didn't know where Light was, and I really didn't care, maybe being in Fillydelphia will help me. It'll give me a taste of life as a pony again, it's just what I needed.

--------------------------------------------------------------

   "Did you use the washroom before coming?" Morning Bird asked. I laughed.

   "Haha, I'm the one who's supposed to be asking that, kid. Your parents know you're coming with me?" I didn't want anypony to think I'm a foalnapper. That wouldn't end well.

   "Of course! I told them I met the coolest pony yesterday, and that she was going to take me to the theatre! They didn't care much about the details and I sort of lied about you being a pony." What a kid. Wish I had parents to lie to when I was young. 

   "You told more truth then you think you did." I winked.

   "Huh?"

   "Nothin'"

   "Just don't look like you're going to eat somepony when we enter the theatre."

   "What are we watching anyways?"

   "It's a play about how Equestria was formed." That sounded familiar, I turned on my ears. "This play was performed in Canterlot once, but it was so well improvised by the actors that they decided to use their script instead of the original one." I remember that, I played as one of the commanders in that play. "I always wanted to see it, but my parents wouldn't take me all the way to Canterlot just to watch a play. I think it's about time Fillydelphia got something good around here." Morning Bird grinned, and then pushed me in through the doors of the theatre.

   I admire the kid's braveness, I really do. What other filly would walk straight up to a wolf near sunset and ask her to take her to a play the next day? Morning Bird looked at me, and began to talk again.

   "I once read a book on wolves before," she said.

   "Oh?"

   "It described wolves as large hairy monsters that eat little foals. You don't look like a monster, what do wolves really eat?" I took a seat and sat.

   "Well, I'm pretty sure you don't wanna hear about it," I warned.

   "No, I do!" She looked up to me with large puppy eyes.

   "Aw fine. We eat meat, it's not like we can help it though. We NEED meat to survive. I tried to live without eating it, but my brain got groggy and I nearly killed someone I would call my sister." It was Fluttershy, I had nearly ripped the kind yellow pony apart because I couldn't control my crave for meat. 

   "Oh. It's alright if you didn't kill her though, we all have done things we couldn't control." Morning Bird smiled, and then turned her attention to the stage. 

   "Yeah we-"

   "Shhh! It's starting." I shut my mouth and looked to the front. The curtain lifted and the first scene started.

   I wasn't really interested in the play. Neither were the ponies around me. Many turned their heads and just stared at me. I pretended I didn't notice they were staring, and just looked up to the ceiling, but honestly, I was enjoying the attention. I closed my eyes and eavesdropped on the ponies around me.

   "Hey, aren'tcha gonna watch?" Morning Bird asked.

   "Oh, sorry, I'm a bit sleepy, haven't gotten much shut eye since I got here," I lied, "Mind if I nap through this play?"

   "Not my problem if you miss the greatest play in pony history." I closed my eyes and pretended to doze off. I listened to the whispers of the ponies around me.

   "What reason do you think it's here for?"

   "Shhh! It might hear you."

   "This is the first time I've seen a wolf, let's get a closer look."

   "If you don't stop picking your nose right now so help me I will tell that mean looking wolf to take you away."

   Eventually, I got tired of listening to the gossipish whispers and actually fell asleep. I hadn't noticed how tired I was since Light was gone. I've been sleepless without someone at my side keeping me warm, I've already forgotten how it felt to sleep underneath a blanket. I don't know how long I was asleep for, but Morning Bird shook me awake. Her name really did fit her, because she woke me up with not a friendly shake, but one that I'm sure shook loose some of my filling.

   "Hey, the play is almost over," Morning Bird whispered.

   "Huh?" I looked at the yellow pony.

   "You must be really sleepy eh? The final scene is on. The one where the commanders freeze and the warmth of their advisors melt the ice." I rubbed an eye and laughed.

   "Yeah, wake me up when it's over."

   "No, you're going to watch whether you like to or not." I sighed, and turned my gaze to the front. As I've said, I've already seen this play. Wait no, I was IN this play. There really isn't anything new for me to see or learn from this. I was just about to close my eyes and fall back to sleep when every pony in the room stood up and clapped their hooves. There goes my afternoon nap. The actors took a bow and then headed backstage. I looked groggily at Morning Bird, who had stood up and is now clapping. She felt my eyes on her and whipped her head around to face me.

   "Where do you wanna go now?"

   "What do you mean? The plays over, you're going home and I'm going to mine."

   "No way Rainbow Dash! I want to spend more time with you!" She grinned from ear to ear. I was about to object but she grabbed me by the paw with both hooves and dragged me out of the theatre.

   "I know a place where I can get us some free grub." I rolled my eyes. I really don't want to go but it's not like I have anything else to do. 

   Morning Bird brought me across town to a fancy restaurant. It was tiresome to follow the energetic pony but I have a magnetic feel towards her. Maybe she or someone she knew could restore me back into a pony. It was a crazy thought but I was really stuck to the idea. Jump at every opportunity you get, that's what I believe in.

   "This is it." Morning pointed at a building. The sign that hung over it read Fine Cuisine. I had expected her to bring me to a shabby run-down sandwich restaurant but this was beyond the best restuarants in Ponyvilles. The exterior was painted white with gold streaks and the windows were carved into fancy shapes.

   "Free food here?" I laughed, "You'd be lucky if they even give you a cup of water!" Morning Bird smiled, and then opened the door for me.

   You ever get that feeling that you don't belong? Like a stallion in fillyscouts? That is exactly how I felt the moment I walked in. Ponies dressed in tuxedos or fancy dresses shot me dirty looks and grinder their teeth. I can get at the fact that I'm a wolf, but that's not way to treat someone new. Morning Bird acted as if it was all normal and was oblivious to the looks we were getting. The door to what I think is the kitchen opened and a waiter carrying a platter of drinks walked out. His eyes fell upon Morning Bird and immediately set down the drinks and ran back into the kitchen. I looked down at Morning Bird, shooting her a questioning look but she just smiled. A few seconds later, a fancier dressed mare walked out. Her mane was curled and her mascara was obvious to the eye. Her furcoat was bleach white and she had a black colored mane. She cocked her head around, looking at the customers she was getting. Then her eyes met Morning Bird's. I watched her lips curl into a content grin.

   "Ah sweetie! Here for lunch? How was the play?" For a second there, I was confused. Who was this pony? Why did she show such hospitality to Morning Bird?

   "It was just fine, mom, although the one who took me sort of fell asleep." Morning laughed, and then nodded at me. Mom? This sort of made sense to me now. The white mare's cheery attitude suddenly dropped when she noticed me.

   "What is THIS doing in my restaurant?" she snapped.

   "She's my friend!" Morning Bird protested.

   "So she's the one who took you? You told me you were going with another pony!"

   "Yeah I did, otherwise you wouldn't have let me go!"

   "Of course not, she's a wolf."

   "She's not like others, she doesn't eat ponies like you think."

   "What have you-"

   "Mom!" Morning Bird's eyes softened. "Just trust me on this one." The mare sighed and then smiled.

   "Sorry honey, I just didn't expect you to bring in another creature that isn't our kind." She looked at me, and then raised her right hoof. "My name's Lotus Dawn. I'm the owner of this establishment." I smiled and shook her hoof with a paw.

   "Rainbow Dash."

   "Yes, my daughter has spoken of you last night. She has a fond towards you, as if you're something special. I'm frankly sorry for the way I've acted before, it just didn't occur to me that my little girl would be brave enough to befriend somepo- er someone who's kind once hunted us for a living." I laughed.

   "Yeah, she's quite a pony." Lotus Dawn looked at Morning Bird.

   "So what would you two like for lunch?"

   "Anything would be fine," said Morning Bird.

   "You?" Lotus Dawn turned to me. I managed a shy smile.

   "Whatever she's having." Lotus nodded and returned to the kitchen. Morning Bird and I found a two pony table and sat down.

   "So sorry about my mom's behaviour, she's a bit off and sometimes acts ruder than she really is," Morning Bird blushed.

   "Hey, don't worry, I never had parents but I still know that they're always looking out for you. Lotus is right about being careful who you hang with."

   "It's not just that." Morning closed in to my face and whispered, "She's overprotective and never let's me have fun. It's always study this and study that, daddy is even worse, if I don't make it top score on every test, he gets very angry." She moved back and looked down. "You're well, the first friend I've ever made." I gulped.

   "I've dropped out of flight scho- er uh wolf math many times, I'm sure you've done better."

   "My marks are really high, and I don't feel good about them because having good grades and no friends gets really lonely." Her eyes widened. "Hey... What were you about to say?"

   "Nothing, it was a simple slip of tongue." Morning Bird offered a sly smile.

   "Oh no it wasn't, silly me, I haven't realized you carry that backpack around with you where ever you go. What do wolves bring with them anyways?" I smiled shakily.

   "You know, a doll, a diary, some photos." Morning Bird narrowed her eyes and then smiled.

   "Meh, I'm not interested in your private life." I let out a breath of relief. I don't want anypony finding out my past.

   The waiter brought the food on a silver platter to us. When he lifted the cover, a not so simple sandwich sat on the plate. The sandwich had lettuce, pickles, black olives and a slice of cheese between two slices of rye bread. I took a bite out of my sandwich. It didn't taste as good as meat nor do I think it gives me the nutrients I require, but it was food. Within ten minutes, our plates were empty and we were both full from the meal.

   "So what do you want to do now?"

   The afternoon was spent hanging around with Morning Bird. She showed me around town and the parts I haven't explored yet. The filly sure knew a lot. She filled me in with some of the town's history, and I have to admit it was way more interesting than anything they taught in the schools back in Ponyville. Fillydelphia was founded by a filly that was part of a travelling group. The group had nowhere to live and food was scarce until the filly had strayed away from them in search of water. What she found was a forest filled with berries, apple trees and streams. They had set up camp on the cliff of a nearby canyon where the sky easily blanketed them and eventually brought more ponies to inhabit the new forest. The newcomers built houses and set up shop and their home was named after the founder. 

   Our paws and hooves soon grew tired from all the walking and there was nothing else for me to see. Morning Bird and I sat down on the bench in the park to watch the sunset behind the houses.

   "Thank you Rainbow Dash," Morning Bird murmured.

   "For what? I didn't do anything special, you were the one who showed me around and took me to the play."

   "This has been the best day of my life. I never spent a day with somepony else unless it was mom, daddy or a tutor." She grinned. "Do you have time to hang out tomorrow? And the day after that?" I sighed, and after a moment of silence, I answered.

   "Yeah, no problem." How could I say no? Besides, this kid reminded me of all my friends. Her looks were almost identical to Fluttershy's. It was like Celestia had created her just for me to remember my times in Ponyville.

   I found myself growing attached to Morning Bird. Each day, she would come to my front door and wait for me to come out to play with her or as I call it: "hanging out". She brought me to stores where she loved to shop for cheap knick knacks and showed me where she used to hang around before she befriended me.

   It was all so tiring to go outside every day and follow a pony younger than me around. I soon grew fatigue and lost some sleep. I started sleeping earlier to rest my tired paws and slept in. Sometimes Morning Bird would be angry that I come out late but I just get myself off the hook by making up lame excuses. She's taking me to the canyon in a few days, to show me where the founders had first settled. I might as well as get some sightseeing done while I wait for Light. Speaking of Light, he hasn't returned yet and it's been two weeks already. I've grown a soft spot for him over the past few months we have travelled together and with full of regret I now say I think of him as a mate, or something like that. I don't know where he is, most likely back in the mountain where the pack lives. Is it wrong for me to love him? I don't know. I mean, I've been thinking about him for a while and there's this lonely gap in between. Morning Bird has filled this gap for the temporary moment. I just have the feeling it won't last.

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