A few hours later, when the two started to rest for a nap, the door opened, showing a weak Pegasus being pushed inside. With such kindness in his heart, Shine flew towards the prisoner and placed a blanket of his on the stallion.

"Th-thank you, young pony..."
"Come. There are food and water for you."

While Shine led him towards the food and water, Blaze and Sprinkle glanced toward the two.

"Why bother that pony?" Sprinkle asked, "he's far too weak."
"Yeah," Blaze agreed, "I mean, ponies know that you need to survive on your own."
"Why?" Shine asked, "My Master has taught me to show kindness to all pony kind."
"A master telling you to show kindness? What was she like?"
"Well, I remember when I first met her. We both had our differences at the start."

As he glanced towards the sky, the smoke started to appear towards the sky. Star Shine started to walk slowly off the train and noticed chaos all around the land. Though he was led towards the slave market, he was astonished to the view. Suddenly, while the owner of the slaves was getting directions, Shine was able to catch something in his eyes. At that moment, the most beautiful mare in the land was walking through the kingdom, greeting her ponies as usual. Within a moment, both her and Shine looked towards each other, blushing like crazy. Shine had never thought of meeting such beauty before.

"Madam," whispered one of the servants to the mare, "We must go."
"Yes, of course." she agreed.

When she prepared to leave, the pony threw a single jewelry towards Shine. He quickly caught the jewelry before he was led away. Though he didn't know what to do, Shine hid the jewelry under his wing and prepared for the outcome of this slave market.

"Come one, come all!" the unicorn named Copper announced, "What you see before you is nothing you can't live without. Your very own slave pony!"
"If you want to get your chores done," another unicorn named Bronze continued, "These particular ponies can do the work for you!"
"If you want them to be able to cook your meals for you, they can do it too!"
"Hurry, hurry! Once they come, they'll not last for long!"

While they ranted on, Shine stared at all the other ponies, scared or weak. Since a few of those contained scars on their backs, they were as strong as before. Thinking deeply of what may happen to him, a pony entered the market.

"We have the perfect stallions here that can do the work for you!" Copper assured.
"No need for perfection." a mare replied, "I just need one that is willing to serve and listen to me. Trust is my #1 priority!"
"Of course, Madam Apricot! We can show you this magnificent stallion who has been known to work as much as possible with an iron hoof and a flashing whip."
"Pass."
"Well, why not this pony? He's a tough unicorn with magic beyond all compare."
"No thanks."
"Well, we don't know which one you would want."
"Let me decide and I'll let you ponies know my answer, alright?"
"Of course."

When Bronze and Copper started to leave, Apricot started to walk near the slave ponies. Suddenly, she stooped in front of Star Shine as he shook in fear. Apricot glanced at him carefully through his midnight blue eyes. Even though he was dirty and chained up, Apricot knew that this pony, in particular, was different.

"What about you, young one?" Apricot asked, "Can you work?"
"Y..yes ma'am..."
"Can you obey immediately without hesitation?"
"Yes..."
"And what about trust? Do you have that in you?"
"I never broke any promises. Even if it's very special, I keep my word."
"Is that so?"

She looked at the side and noticed his feathers chained and fluffed. Apricot knew every slave based on either looks or attitude, but with Star Shine, he felt so scared.

"Sirs, I'm going to buy this pony."
"Well, well," Bronze stated, "you decided to select the one of our rare collection. Though he seems like a brand new pony, why don't we offer you about thirty thousand bits."
"Now hold on there," she argued, "thirty thousand bits seems to be outrageous for a Pegasus like him. And seeing him this young in your collection, I'll offer only three bits."
"Three?"

Apricot nodded. Though it was a small amount to pay, they knew that one must not mess with the captain of the Pharaoh's guard.

"Sold! Three bits for the Pegasus."

After those words left their lips, the chains which held him were loose. The only thing which held him was a cuff with a rope tied on Apricot's royal crest. She dragged him towards his new home, where he would work for the rest of his life. However, when he prepared to face the worst, she released him from the rope and walked away for a moment.

"Mistress, is something wrong?"
"Well, I can't have my new servant work with dirt on his body. I want you to first clean yourself outside the palace. Then, meet me in the kitchen."
"Yes, ma'am."

However, as he walked a few steps away, Shine didn't know where to clean himself. Within a few minutes, he had found a small lake just outside the palace. When he had finally cleaned himself spotless, Shine started to walk around to find the kitchen Apricot mentioned. Suddenly, without looking, he bumped into another pony who was walking in the opposite direction. When he glanced towards the pony in question, Shine was both scared and worried about the pony in question.

"Oh, I'm sorry, madam. I... I wasn't watching where I was going."
"It's okay..."

As they looked at each other, they couldn't help but blush lightly.

"It seems like you found your place after all."
"Yeah... Oh. Where are my manners? My name is Star Shine."
"Please to meet you," she replied with a curtsy. "My name is-"
"Slave!" cried Apricot from another room, "what in tarnation is taking you so long?"
"Apricot Jack," the girl declared, "I wouldn't expect you to be rude to the new colt."

Apricot stood shocked as the mare turned around with her most assertive look.

"Mistress Oceana, I didn't realize you were here in this part of the palace. My apologies."
"No need for that, Apricot. Is this Pegasus your new slave from the marketplace?"
"Indeed, but from what I can see from this pony, he's not a slave type who can work any hard items inside the palace."
"Why not allow his work in your kitchen? He seems like the type who can cook."
"Hmm. Now that you mentioned it, he may start there. Come along, slave."
"You must refer to him as Shine." corrected Oceana.
"Of course. Come along, Shine."

While Shine was shocked to see his own master being obedient to her, he couldn't realize that the pony was also very important. As he walked towards his master, Shine glanced towards Oceana.

"Will I see you again?" he asked.
"Soon."

He smiled lightly and started to walk with his master.