Prologue

In the Land of Equestria

Nightfall has arrived and the Goddess of the Night Princess Luna raised her moon fully against a dark blue canvas. A soft white glow showered over the land of Equestria, and was accompanied by a small group of twinkling stars. A peaceful silence fell over the small town of Ponyville as all of the residents were sleeping comfortably within their homes. All except for a shy, timid, yet truly caring pegasus.

Within a cottage that sits atop of a hill above Ponyville lives a pony whose fur is a smooth cream color as well as her wings of grace for she is a pegasus. A flowing light pink mane adorns the top of her head that gently falls on the right side of her face and effortlessly cascades over her neck. Matching her mane, she has a smooth flowing light pink tail and she has three pink butterfles that are carefully placed in the shape of a triangle on the left side of her flank. Her eyes are a stunning sky blue that would charm even the darkest of hearts or strike fear into the most defiant of villians if she is forced to use her infamous stare. This beautiful pegasus is known around Ponyville as the shy and timid Fluttershy.

She lives in her cottage with an array of animals from birds to bears. While her animal friends were asleep in their respective beds Fluttershy laid in her bed in her room on the top level of her cottage. She had her front hooves gently tucked under chest and stomach as well as her back hooves. She stared up at Luna's moon outside her window right above her bed, and the glow reflected in her eyes as she let out a calm sigh.

"Oh, how I wish I could have a foal or colt to call my own. I know I have my precious Angel Bunny, and all of the other little ones to take care of, but I just wish I could have a son or daughter. Twilight has Spike who is not only her loyal assistand, but like a little brother to her. Rarity and Applejack has Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to look after as their little sisters. Rainbow Dash is like a big sister to Scootaloo, but I don't have anypony to call my little brother or sister, or even son or daughter."

With the thought of not having anypony to look after, Fluttershy looked at Luna's moon and closed her eyes. "Oh, precious moon of Luna's, please grant me this wish I wish tonight. I wish to one day become a mother or big sister to a little colt of foal." She opened her eyes and softly wiped away tear that was starting to form. She carefully laid on her said pulling the blankets over her and closed her eyes peacefully to sleep.

As Fluttershy slept soundly in her bed, the voice of Princess Luna spoke softly in the evening air. "Thou has heard your wish young Fluttershy and your wish shall come true in time." A lone star twinkled brightly against the dark blue canvas of the night sky.

Meanwhile on the planet Earth

August 14, 2012

The morning sun rises against a sky blue canvas as it cascades a shower of warmth across the small town of Willow Creek Falls. It is eight o' clock on a Sunday, and while the families of this quiet community were beginning their day with a hearty breakfast, Toby Mason was just waking up. Toby is only six years old, but has experienced events in his life that adults go through.

Flashback to 2011

One year earlier on the day of April 12, 2011, just two days before his fifth birthday, Toby was waiting outside of school at two thirty for his mother Ashley Mason to pick him up. An hour passed, but Toby thought maybe she had to stay after work at the diner where she worked, so he waited. Two hours passed, but there was no sign of his mother anywhere. Toby started getting worried and went to the principal to see if he could call the diner and see if his mother left yet.

At six o' clock a big black pickup truck pulled up to the front of the school, and it was Toby's father James Mason. Toby ran out of the school's lobby, through the double doors, and ran into his father as hard as he could with his arms wrapped around his waist. Looking up at his father with tears in his eyes he asked "D-d-daddy, where is mommy?"

James simply patted Toby on the shoulder and lifted Toby into the truck for him to scoot over to the passenger's seat. As James climbed up into the driver's seat he pulled the door shut with authority and pounded his fist against the steering wheel. Jumping a little out of fear, Toby looked up at his father and nervously asked " you okay Daddy?"

Tears started streaming down James' face as he turned toward his son with his lower lip quivering "Toby, your momma has been in an accident. She was on her way to come pick you up from school when she lost control of her car and went off into a ditch off the side of the road." Reaching over to place a hand on Toby's shoulder, he took a deep breath and continued "son...she didn't make it." James suddenly pulled Toby into a tight embrace as he couldn't control his tears any longer as they came pouring out.

While in his father's embrace, Toby's face went pale and his body started shaking nervously. After spending what seemed like forever hugging his son close to him and trying to comfort him in this dark time, James started the truck and drove home. Silence consumed both of the Mason men on the way home and Toby fell asleep. Pulling up in the driveway, James got out of the truck and carried Toby into the house and climbed the stairs of their two story house to his room. He carefully took Toby's shoes off and tucked him warmly underneath his Superman covers. James sat on the edge of his son's bed and lowered himself to kiss Toby on the forehead. He quietly whispered "don't worry son, we will be all right. Your momma will be watching over us."

A private funeral of only Toby and James took place on August 14, Toby's birthday for his mother. It was not until he saw the casket being lowered into the shallow ground that the realization that his mother was gone hit Toby, and he broke down in tears. He didn't want to celebrate his birthday that day, but spend time alone in his room and remember the good times he shared with his mother. Months passed, and Toby was still heartbroken, but he was slowly start to heal with time. However, the same cannot be said for James,because he started to work more at the mill to earn enough money to pay the bills, but he also went to spend time at the local bar. He would stay out at late hours leaving Toby alone at home worried and sad.

When James would arrive home, he would stumble through the door toward the living room sofa, and eventually passing out. During the midnight hour Toby would find himself waking up to discover his father sleeping on the couch. Concerned and worried about his father, Toby would place a blanket over him and tell him goodnight. As time went by, James' drinking became more and more heavier. Then without warning he would start yelling at Toby. One night when James came home drunk, he walked upstairs groggily and entered Toby's bedroom.

Toby could hear the heavy footsteps and shoot up to see his father, but he did not appear as his father, but a monster. James stumbled over to Toby's bed and stood over him yelling "You worthless litte brat! If Ashley wasn't on her way to pick you up from school, she would still be alive today!" Toby couldn't believe what his father was saying and started crying looking up with his eyes stinging with tears. "Stop crying you baby! You know that is the truth, and it makes me sick to look at you!"

With his painful verbal barrage on Toby, James finally left his room slamming the door, and staggered to his own bedroom.

After hearing those heartbreaking words, Toby cried himself to sleep. He was truly terrified of the man he called father.

Now

As Toby carefully climbed out of his bed, he placed his eyeglasses on and got up to go into the hallway. Carefully making his way down the hall, Toby opened the door to his father's bedroom to see him sleeping on his stomach with his head laying on the side on his pillow. He walked into James' room and over to his bed. Putting his hands on his father's arm and shaking him with the lightest of strength, Toby spoke softly "Daddy, it is time to wake up and eat breakfast." James just smacked Toby's hand away and turned his head away. A distraught Toby turned and walked out of his father's room and back out into the hallway to make his way downstairs to the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen Toby walked to the refrigerator to get out some orange juice. He took out the gallon of orange juice and reached up to place it on the kitchen counter. At only six years old, but small for his age Toby stood at only three feet seven inches tall. He walked over to the kitchen table and pulled a chair over to the counter adjacent to the refrigerator and climbed on top of it to get a glass. He reached up and got a glass and climbed down from the chair to go pour him some orange juice. After filling his glass and putting the orange juice back in the refrigerator Toby walked into the living room to turn on the television.

This was Toby's usual routine for the entire day if he didn't have school is watch television, do some drawing in his sketchpad in his room, read a book, and occassionally check to make sure his father was okay. Even though James was verbally abusive toward Toby, the young boy still loved his father. However, this night was enough for Toby. After another verbal assault by his father that left him in tears, Toby walked to his window and looked up to the full moon in the night sky. Shedding a few more tears he looked up to see a bright shining star that had a mystical blue sparkle to it. Holding his hands close to his heart and with his eyes closed he started to whisper

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have this wish I wish tonight.

"I wish to live in a new home with a new family who will love me and never be mean to me." He finished his wish and kissed his closed hands. He looked up at the bright full moon one more time and whispered "Goodnight mommy, I love you." He then climbed into his bed and covered up tightly as he closed his eyes softly.

As he was sleeping soundly, a sudden white light gently surrounded him with its warm aura and engulfed him in its light. Then when the light disappeared so did Toby, for he was no longer sleeping in his bed.