Okay, so this is my first fanfiction story ever. Feel free to leave helpful and constructive criticisms and don't be afraid to speak your mind. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's.

An Ordinary Beginning

The train chugged along as the afternoon sun cast its light upon the world. Ahead lay a seemingly endless set of tracks. Aboard the train, passengers patiently waited for their next stop, talking amongst themselves or staring out the window at the fleeting scenery. All was well; all was as it should be.

Then, things took a turn for the worse. The train began to shudder and rattle uncontrollably. It's wheels left the track, no longer keeping the train on course. The crew dashed off trying anything they could to stop the inevitable, desperation and fear evident on their faces. But it was all for naught. At an upcoming turn, the train surged forward right off the tracks. The locomotive struck the ground followed by the cars behind. Soon, car after car began to run right into each other in a massed pile of destruction. Screams from the many passengers melded together in an unbearable cry of fear and desperation. A spark of light betrayed the presence of a fire. It grew larger and larger as it consumed every last inch of the train just before… BOOOOOMMMM! The explosion expanded outward with the force of a hurricane, the sound deafening. Thick, black smoke billowed out from the inferno that continued to grow.

Nightfall jerked awake from the nightmare he had just witnessed. Sweat coated every inch of his body and he found himself short of breath. He was gripped by an icy chill that enveloped his body and refused to go away, a single overriding emotion that now controlled him: Fear. That nightmare, it was relentless, a curse that he, for whatever reason, now bore. But it was far more than just another nightmare for Nightfall; it was a painful reminder of the day he lost his guiding lights, his guardian angels, his parents.

Nightfall shakily got out of bed and headed for the bathroom where he proceeded to splash his face with cold water. It helped, but not much. He raised his head to look at his reflection in the mirror. What greeted him was a gray-coated unicorn with obvious signs of a restless night. His midnight blue and black mane was ruffled with loose strands of hair sticking out in every direction. His eyes sagged with exhaustion. And still he continued to stare into the mirror, lost in thought. "Ten years," he thought to himself. "It's been ten years."

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Nightfall took a glance at the clock: 7:00a.m. "I'd better get moving. Still have that final exam to take."

Thirty minutes later, Nightfall was walking along the stone hallway toward the science wing of the university. Two years ago, Nightfall had enrolled at Canterlot University, the most acclaimed academy in all of Equestria, to further his studies of astronomy. It was always his dream to become and astronomer and his cutie mark, two silver shooting stars outlined in gold, confirmed this. Nightfall studied day in and day out for the past couple of years and today was the day he would put all his knowledge to the test. If he passed, he would achieve his dream; if he failed…well….he didn't want to think about that.

Nightfall now found himself outside of room 207. A plaque hanging by the door read:

Professor Quantum

Astronomy and Physics

Nightfall shook with nervousness and anticipation. Luckily for him, Professor Quantum would be overlooking the exam. This was enough to put some of his fears to rest because Professor Quantum was Nightfall's favorite teacher and he the professor's favorite student. Professor Quantum was more than willing to help Nightfall whenever he could, taking him under his wing and teaching him far more than just the basics learned in class. In short, Nightfall had become his apprentice of sorts.

Nightfall opened the door and walked inside. Rows of desks were lined up in a semicircle, all facing the professor's desk. And at the desk sat the professor himself. Looking up from the papers he was reading on his desk, Quantum smiled at his prized student.

"Good morning Nightfall," he greeted warmly.

"Good morning to you too professor," Nightfall responded in kind.

"I trust you are ready for the exam?'

"Yes professor, as ready as I'll ever be."

"Excellent! Now if you would take a seat we can begin."

Nightfall walked to the nearest desk and sat down, pencil levitating beside him.

Professor Quantum proceeded to slip the test onto his desk. "Remember, you have as much time as you need to finish, so don't rush it. Take your time and do the best you can." He walks towards his desk before turning back. "And Nightfall, whether you pass or not, you will always be my greatest pupil."

Nightfall smiled at the professor before turning his attention to the paper before him. The professor's words inspired him and he was not going to let him down.

….3 hours later…..

Nightfall walked back and forth along the stone floor, patiently awaiting his test results. His previously banished worries were beginning to return and he couldn't help himself from worrying. "What if I failed? What will happen to me then? What will the professor think? Will he refuse to continue being my teacher? So caught up in his thought was Nightfall that he failed to notice that Professor Quantum had returned.

"Ahem"

Nightfall's mental struggle was brought to an abrupt end as he turned to see the professor right in front of him. "O-oh hello professor."

"I have some wonderful news Nightfall. Not only did you pass but you achieved a perfect score as well." He smiles amusingly at his now stunned student before continuing. "Because of your latest achievement and all your past success, I have decided that the time has come for you to take on a role of greater responsibility. From this point on you will be in charge of your own observatory, which I had built specifically for you. You will need to report your observations to me but beyond that you are free to do as you wish. Now, do you accept?"

Nightfall couldn't believe it. Not only did he pass the exam but he had achieved a perfect score, which was nearly unheard of. And beyond that he would now be in charge of his own observatory. In a single instant all of his previous concerns and doubts were cast aside like a boat caught in a tempest. He now had hope for the future and he had Professor Quantum to thank for it. It was all Nightfall could do to keep himself from rushing over and hugging his teacher.

"Yes, I accept! I can't thank you enough Professor for all that you've done for me. I promise to continue doing my best and to make the most of this opportunity you have given me."

"Your quite welcome Nightfall and I would expect nothing less from my top student. Now you had better hurry if you wish to reach your new home before sundown."

"But where will I be going professor?"

"Ponyville."

So the journey begins. I would really appreciate your feedback on how I am doing and what I can improve on. Like I said, all criticism is welcome as long as it's beneficial.