The editor looked at the sample pages, tapping her chin. She looked up at the young colt sitting in front of her who smiled at her. She went back to the pages, give it a final look and sighed.

“These are really good. You certainly have a way with story-telling. The action is well paced, dialogue could use some work and I will reduce the sound effects. But, it´s a pretty solid work.”

The pegasus was as radiant as his rainbow themed mane.

“Now, the thing here...”

“White Canvas, ma'am,” he finished the sentence for her.

“Kind of a ironic name,” she pointed and he simply shrugged. “As I was saying, the main issue here is that I don't think this will ever catch on.  Superhero stories are very old fashioned. Especially one like these. Mare-do-well, that´s the best name you could come up with?”

“Well, it wasn't me who named her...” White Canvas murmured but the editor missed it.

“Maybe if you went with a more grim approach. This story is too squeaky -clean. You should try making things more realistic. After all, nopony is going to believe there´s an alicorn walking around town like that.”

“But she uses magic to hide her wings.”

“That´s even more unrealistic. Sorry kid, do you have anything else to show me?”

White Canvas sighed and showed her a few other drawings but he barely heard what she said about those.

****

Ponyville Old Retirement House lived up to its name. It was an old and rusty building. The medical care was top-notched but there was no doubt the old tree-house had seen better days. White Canvas often wondered why they build a house inside a tree but previous generations were odd like that.

He had to dodge when walking inside because a slipper flew over his head.

“I didn't steal no slipper! Go bother another somepony else, young lady!”

The nurse passed by next to Canvas, murmuring some curses.

“And don't talk to me like that, Sweetheart! I knew your grandmother and she never behaved like that! Arrogant child. Hey, look who's here!”

“Good morning, Granny Scoots.”

Despite her age, Scootaloo had enough strength to give her favourite great-grandchild a strong hug. Too strong as far as Canvas was concerned.

“Now, how´s my favourite author? Did you get that job at the big city?”

Canvas shook his head. “No. They said that it was too unrealistic. Apparently, kids these days aren't interested in superhoes.”

“Kids these days. Don't get me started on them. They wouldn´t recognize a changeling even if it bite them in the flank!”

Scootaloo noticed how White Canvas sighed.

“What´s wrong, squirt?”

“Nothing, Granny. It´s just...remember all those stories you told me when I was a baby? About Princess Sparkle and how she could do all these cool magic spells?”

“Yes, sir. Twilight was the best there was. Last and best princess of Equestria.”

“Wish I could share those stories with kids but I guess they would just laugh at them. I mean, how could believe an unicorn could swap Cutie Marks? That´s...ridiculous.”

Scootaloo gave Canvas a light smack on the head and told him to come with her back to her bedroom. She then searched in an old trunk while complaining out loud:

“Damn kids! It took just a few generations for them to forget who they are. Damn Magic Regulation System. Pegasi flying in strict lines. Rainbow Dash would have died of a heart attack had she lived enough to see that...”

White Canvas sighed once more, letting her elder sibling ramble. He had heard a lot of “how things were different before” and “how ponies are tied by these dumb rules” but he couldn't really understand her. This was the world he had been born, a world of regulations and schedules. Where pegasi fly in a straight line from city to city and unicorns magic was regulated by special bands. It was a dull world but it was also a peaceful world. Canvas felt like the only fool who dreamed of a world of superheroes and adventures.

“Here it is!” And Scootaloo pulled a suit from under the trunk.

White Canvas only needed one look to recognize it.

“That´s...wait, is that a costume, right? Just a Nightmare Night costume, right Granny?”

“Of course not! It´s the original Mare-do-Well costume! Well, one of the four original ones. Sweetie Belle managed to steal this one from her sister. Clever girl.”

“That means...she was real. Mare-do-Well was real? How is that even possible?”

Scootaloo sighed and rubbed hr forehead. “Kids these days. Let me tell you a story...”

*****

The editor looked at the pages, tapping her chin.

“Better, a lot better. I like the twist you added, of having three different types of ponies, all playing the role of Mare-do-Well. I especially like the personality you gave to the pegasu one. She is bold. Any inspiration?”

“Heh, well she kinda resembles my great-grandmother.”

The editor smiled and put down the papers.

“So, when can I expect the first issue?”