The Shadowy Dreamer

Chapter One

Sunlight shined just over the mountain tops surrounding Ponyville as the sun rose higher into the sky, bathing the quiet town in an orange glow. By the time the sun peeked over the peak of the mountains, the entire town was bathed in the warm rays. Bright beams of light crept through windows, waking ponies and letting them know to start their day. Not everypony could see the light from where they slept, and thus continued to snooze the day away.

A dark blue pegasus colt snoozed soundly in an alley, ears completely oblivious to the hustle and bustle of busy ponies scurrying about town on their morning regiments. An old newspaper was draped over the tiny foal's back, tears and holes noticeable throughout its pages. It provided little warmth, especially on a chilly spring morning like this one. It didn't bother him though, he had long ago grown used to the discomfort.

A warm sensation suddenly shocked the pegasus awake. He drowsily pried open his eyelids, revealing two soft, green eyes that made themselves busy scanning the immediate area. He looked up to see the sun was now directly overhead, shining straight into the alleyway. He had slept straight into the afternoon. Not that he minded it all too much; it wasn't like there wasn't anywhere important he needed to be.

He struggled to push his legs up from the cobblestone pathway he slept on every night. His legs wobbled as he strained himself to rise. The pegasus hadn't eaten much in the past few days, and suffered poorly for it with a sever lack of energy. He eventually brought himself steadily to his feet, and let out a long yawn as his mind brought him fully into consciousness. Feeling rigid from the routinely uncomfortable sleep, the foal stretched his tiny limbs every which way, hearing various pops and cracks with each movement.

Ah. That feels much better. He thought to himself. After adjusting to the sunlight, he stepped out from the alley and looked around. Ponies everywhere were trotting about, each with a cheery grin plastered on their faces. It always bothered him seeing everypony so cheery. Why wouldn't they be in a good mood? They wake up to a nice, warm bed every morning. I would like to see anypony try sleeping on the ground outside.

Those bitter thoughts were all that permeated his mind whenever he woke up. It ain't fair. Life ain't fair. Having managed to once again depress himself so shortly after waking up, he went about his usual routine. That routine however, happened to be of a nature frowned upon by just about everypony who caught him doing it. Stealing.

Hmm. Sugarcube Corner. I think i'll treat myself today. The pegasus was no stranger to nabbing the many confections concocted by Ponyville's local bakery; he was more than familiar with how to maneuver around the sweet's shop undetected. He slunk through the back door, and found his nose suddenly bombarded by the sweet smell of baked goods emanating from a nearby oven.

Darting his eyes around the room, checking to make sure nopony was in sight while he is committing his dirty deed. All clear. Content that he no longer had to worry about maintaining the stealthy facade, he happily trotted up to the counter and spotting a large box with a red bow wrapped over top of it. That could mean only one thing. He thought aloud to nopony.

He jumped up onto the counter and lifted the lid of the box, revealing a dozen cupcakes covered in pink frosting, and laced with sprinkles. Happy with his discovered bounty, he shut the box and clenched it between his teeth, galloping quickly towards the exit, lest he be caught in the act. It would prove pointless however, as he was met with a familiar voice as he neared the exit.

"And what do you think you're doing with those!"

Stopping in his tracks, he turned around to see Mrs.Cake, brandishing a rolling pin in her mouth, a looked of unbridled rage toward the little thief who was making off with her bread and butter. Dropping the box of cupcakes, he darted towards the exit and continued to weave through ponies through the streets with Mrs.Cake in hot pursuit, intent on giving the nabbing varmit a piece of her mind.

Today would prove to be his lucky day, though, as he was able to duck through an alleyway undetected by the aggrivated mare. Trying to hold back heavy pants from the lengthy chase, he listened to the clopping of hooves around him. Eventually, all sound disappeared, signalling that it was okay for him to collapse into a heap on the ground, gasping for breath from the adrenaline-fueled escape from the enraged confectionist.

Jeez, it's just cupcakes. That is one mare that needs to learn to take it easy was the only thought he could focus on. It wasn't like he wanted to steal, but he couldn't not eat. Unfortunately, it didn't look like he was going to get anything from that bakery for a while. Luckily, he always had a backup plan. It just took a bit of a walk is all.

After peering out from the corner of a building to ensure he wasn't about to be ambushed by a certain Sweets Shop owner, he began to trot off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. He liked that place. The orchard was too large for him to get caught snagging a few apples, and it was easy to get away throught the think undergrowth if need be. Not that he ever needed to, of course. He was way too cunning and stealthy to let that happen.

Well, almost. He had gotten caught once. He remembered it very well; an orange earth pony came bursting from a barn, galloping after him shouting profanities against him as she chased the pegasus through the orchard. He got away thought. I always get away. He didn't know why he was proud of that, but it was at least something to be proud of. Perhaps stealing was his special talent. That would be rather akward to explain, he thought.

He had long since learned not to pick apples so close to the Apple family's barn, so as the orchard came into view, he hopped over a fence and went trotting deep into the trees so as not to be spotted. Satisfied that he had avoided detection once again, he slowed his pace and looked around at the apple trees, trying to locate the perfect apple to wet his appetite. It proved not to take long, as he soon spotted a lucious, juicy, ripe apple dangling loosely from a branch.

He hastily climbed up each branch of the tree, not wanting to waste any time in retrieving his meal. His stomach had been growling for some time now, demanding to be satisfied. Once he had managed to climb high enough to reach it, he leapt at the apple, grabbing it with his teeth before plummeting back to the ground, wherein he tucked into himself and rolled across the grass, unharmed by the fall.

Apple still clenched in his teeth, he got back to his feet and began enjoying the spoils of his labor. He really did know how to pick 'em; the apple was just as succulent as he had hoped. The hardships of his days melted from his mind as he took in the blissful feel of the sweet fruit caressing his taste buds. The feeling was so relaxing, he took to leaning against the tree he had recently explored to claim his prize.

After having finished the apple, he decided he would take a quick nap underneath the tree. The shade provided by the tree tops was so nice, the foal took to resting his eyes. The grass was so much softer than the cold cobblestone streets he was accustomed to. It was so much better in fact, somepony might even fall asleep from such a relaxing feeling. Not him though. He needed to keep his guard up, wouldn't want to get caught napping on somepony else's property...

---

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

The loud sound of hooves stomping into dirt was all that met the tiny pegasus' ears as he woke. The realization that he had fallen asleep caused his eyes to shoot wide open, immediately scanning through the thick orchard for anypony. He was surprised to notice that he was moving. Not only that, be he wasn't even touching the ground. That was when the panic set in.

He could feel the breath of somepony behind him against his coat. In fact, he could feel teeth clenched on his coat in the same spot. He was being kidnapped! He struggled and wriggled to no avail, the captor's grasp was too tight for him to break free. "Let me go right now! Or else! I'm warning you!" He tried threats in an attempt to hide the sheer terror in his voice. This is bad. Real bad.

He couldn't turn around to see the face of the pony who had grabbed him, so he simply stared in the direction the were headed, letting his mind play out horrible scenarios as to what would happen to him. Eventually the familiar sight of the big red Apple Family barn came into view, and he suddenly felt another tinge of panic wash over him as he realized exactly who it was he was being held by.

He saw an orange hoof reach out in front of him and push open the door to the barn, both of them entering the room, though one of them didn't really have a say in the matter. Yup. I'm doomed. The words repeated in his mind. Doomed. Doomed. Doomed. The barn door was locked shut, and the pegasus' heart jumped, and began beating faster and faster. The teeth that had began leaving a mark, along with a lot of saliva, on his coat released him and let him drop to the floor.

Stumbling back onto his hooves, he turned to see a set of angry green eyes locked on him. He felt a lump rise in his throat, blocking out his attempts to speak. All he could let out was a barely audible squeak that did little to deter the earth pony's probing eyes. The silence was the worst part. It was deafening, and felt like it had been going on for an eternity before the orange mare spoke.

"Well look what we got here. 'Nother thieving varmint tryin'a sample sum'a mah family's livelihood. I knew you'd be back. Ain't no pony can resist the taste ah Apple Family apples." He didn't reply. He was still trying to find his voice still stuck inside his throat. His mind was desperately telling him to run, but his legs remained locked in position.

The earth pony's stare only got more and more unbearable with each passing second, be he couldn't tear his eyes away from their gaze. It was almost like they were staring into his soul, probing the deep recesses of his mind for untold secrets.

"Well? Ain't ya got nothin' to say fer yerself?"

The words suddenly pulled him out from his stupor. "I- uh, well..."

Nevermind. He couldn't even formulate a proper sentence, instead opting to descend into incomprehensible ramblings and gibberish. It had at least managed to change the mare's expression from that of rage, to complete confusion at the sight of the gibbering pegasus foal before her. That was at least enough to put his mind at some ease; but standing there saying a whole lot of nothing wasn't getting him anywhere.

"Well, what am I gonna do with you? I catch you snoozing after invading my property and trying to steal mah food again... I think you're in for quite a punishment, little mister."

Yep. Doomed. The thought was much louder now, almost enough to completely drown out the words of the pony speaking to him.

"Where're yer parents, kid?"

Hearing that snapped the foal back to reality. He quickly looked away from the earth pony, trying to hide the solemn expression on his face.

"What'sa matter? All I said was- Oh."

The foal turned his gaze back to the orange mare and their eyes met. She now wore a sad look mirroring his own. He could've sworn he heard the pony curse under her breath.

"Look, if'n you promise not to go running through mah family's orchard no more," The mare's face turned back to a stern expression as she spoke. "Then I 'spose it wouldn't hurt tah let ya sleep out here 'n the barn tonight."

His face lit up at the offer. He immediately took to diving into a pile of hay, making quick work of fastening it into a makeshift bed for himself as he settled himself in.

"But-"

He looked back to the pony who was still glaring daggers at him as she spoke.

"Don't you go making me regret this. Now g'night." She exited the barn, but not without making a menacing glance towards him.

Wow. Everything went a lot better than I expected. I guess I'm not doomed after all. He let the sweet scent of the night air fill his nose. Life seemed pretty good, at least for the time being. 'That mare is either the nicest pony I ever met, or the dumbest.' Next Chapter: Chapter Two Estimated time remaining: 56 Minutes