"We will be arriving to Canterlot in ten minutes" The speaker echo around the train. Derpy and Cloudkicker were very excited and so was I but I still felt a bit more dubious of the trip. The closer we got to the heart of Equestria the more worry I got but the relaxing bump of the train swinging me smoothly left to right, was oddly enough calming my nerves. I miss this traveling the long distance.

"Lyra, I know you want to check the shelter, but can we visit Lemon Hearts first" Derpy said. I was falling asleep but still acknowledge her.

"Yeah, no problem" and they continue talking among themselves, I didn't feel like joining in the discussion but there was something bothering me. I'm by no means a celebrity, I was a small fish compare to actual popular ponies. But it still did not deter my concern. When I left the spotlight. Yes, my band member where a big reason but it wasn't the whole story. There was an incident I rather forget. Realistically, the chances of being caught in the street and be reminded of my embarrassing memory where low.

We finally arrive to our destination we grab our bag and head out, already seen the culture clash. You could tell who's from where, by the way the dress or lack of thereof. All if not most pony in Canterlot like there fashion. It could be from a simple shirt, hat, jewelry or strange hair color in their main. We didn't need to walk very far to see the mass of human walking next to what I presume is there owner. Some wear cloth which I though look weird but other look ordinary. I never would have thought of getting my own pet but reading Ink's book 'How to Train Your Human' gave me a general idea on how these creature work and act. Hopefully we get to see that today. I read that human pets could be very expensive, so I brought with me five thousand bits. That all I could take without putting myself in financial need.

"Keep up, where close to Lemon house" Clouds call for my attention when I was getting distracted by my surrounding. We stop in a fancy house and the best part of this home was that I could view the castle from afar. Where the princess rule over Equestrian. I Never seen her before, maybe one day.

We knock on the door and it was quickly was answer. There was no talking, only the sound of my two new friend high pitch scream while a yellow pony stare at us in a bored manner. "Hearts did you miss us!" Ditzy scream.

Lemon Hearts had a yellow coat and a cerulean mane with three hearts, two light blue and one light green as her cutie mark. "Probably" She responded to Ditzy with a disinterested tone, but there was no ill will behind her words. "Is not like I want it to say this but" she fell silent for a second before murmuring "I'm glad you guys made it ok"

"Aww" Clouds cutesy said while trying to embrace Lemon Hearts. She put her hoof up to prevent her from a hug. Cloud struggle to past her strong hold.

"I didn't miss you that much" she responded while looking at the new face on the group. Hooves notice the attention she was showing towards me.

"Oh, we brought a friend with us" pulling me to the front. Already anxious to be put on the spot. "Lemon Heart this is".

"Lyra Heartstring" everyone look surprised when she knew my name. Derpy eyes where googly and wide "Gasp, I didn't know you could read minds"

"I don't, I seen her perform a couple time in Manehattan"

"Really? Was she good!?"

"Maybe" Heart unhumorous said.

"Probably not the best but we did try" Heart want it to continue the conversation, but I slightly shook my head and she understood my silent plead.

"That too bad, not because I like your music or anything"

"Maybe she could sing us a couple songs" Clouds jokingly ask.

"Sorry, I'm retire" I said in a jokingly manner.

Derpy star gaze eyes where fill with curiosity "Clouds and I don't know anything about your band. You need to tell us everything"

I was uncomfortable with the whole conversation, so I try to dance around the topic. Trying to forget my past screw up was not easy when everyone keeps bringing it up. "Another time, hehe" I awkwardly said while scratching the back of my head.

Hooves Look disappointed when I denied her request. "Don't worry muffin tops, she tells us everything eventually" Cloud try to cheer her friend. Noticing in the small time I been around this two. There close, probably as close as two ponies can be reminiscing on my childhood with Ditzy. We would talk all day and night, have sleep over, secret birthday party in my house, come over for dinner with my parents, everything you could probably think of and I hated to admitted that I felt stab of jealousy watching Clouds take over my spot. I'm I allow to have does feeling when I was the first one to walk away. "Hey Heart, to you know where we can adopt a pet" Clouds spoke to Lemon.

"Dogs, everywhere" she deadpan.

"No silly, a human for Lyra"

Heart was bemuse by the response "They aren't for economical ponies"

"Yeah I know but I think I brought enough" taking out a small heavy bag full of bits.

"Umm, I can't promise anything but perhaps we can find a frugal pet"

I didn't know what frugal means, but hopefully it was cheap. We leave our bag on her house and when to the city. Hearts strikes me as a reclusive pony. Most sentence where delivery in a monotone volume while she denied Clouds hug. Wouldn't friends want that closeness or intimacy with other ponies. I keep staring at the back of her head. Lemon saw my one of my performance. My last show was on Manehattan, maybe she saw my disaster act. No, I'm overthinking, I hope.

o - o - o - o -o - o - o - o

Is been a couple days since the two 'caretakers' have taken over the store under the boss order. My arm has been slowly healing but still hurt if I apply pressure. There not much to do in this hell hole so I spy on the hard-working animals thinking to myself of home much they pretend to be human like have jobs and relationship. An after spending some time with these two idiots, it was easy enough to see that Jets has a thing for Cherry, but that guy is a dense as they come. Right now, they were arguing in front of my cell and there where discussion my behavior when it comes to food. "You can't keep feeding her" Cherry was visually irritated.

"She need to eat" Jets retorted.

"But she doesn't eat, She'll just throw it away"

"Sometime she eats…"Fizzy wanted to continue the fight but saw how Jets demeanor sadden

"I don't understand what you see in her"

"Believe me when I say, this human is special Cherry, she smart and look different she acts and more importantly it, she helps other human like Ace"

He look my way and I was just scratching my greasy hair. I have spent days lock in this cage and I yet to take a shower or eat properly and I'm not feeding of that disgusting soup thing they keep bringing over.

"All that I see is just a dangerous girl"

"your wrong, don't let Dr. Fauna lie get to you"

"She not, but there a reason she hasn't been adopted yet. She scares every single customer". That true I'm not going to be anyone's pet when I'm clearly superior to all this animal.

"Sh-she not violent" Jets denied the accusation.

"It doesn't matter, I never seen a human waste so much food anyways. I wouldn't be surprise if the higher up give the order put her down". My eye wide when I hear the word put down. As in kill, like someone is going to come over here and put me six feet in the ground. The female pony didn't retort his statement, so I assumed there was no mistake and he was right. I'm not going to lie to myself I was pretty scared, really angry but more scared than anything. My first thought was to trash the place, but it wouldn't get me anywhere, I knew that yet I didn't know what else to do.

Cherry left the pegasus by herself with a plate of some gross food on a bowl. She got close to the bars of the door. "I really wish you could understand me. I try so hard to look for a home just for you, but Fizzy right. I can't help you if you don't want to help yourself". Jets sniffs a couple time trying to hold her strong emotion and pass her hoof one of her eyes "I really believe your special, that why I don't want to give up on you". She put the bowl down inside my cage and walk away. I was standing by the door and I slightly lift it my foot and tip over the bowl yet again.

Jets seen to actually care about my faith, but it was a strange thought. For the pass couple days, I been trying to figure out how to escape but maybe I have to settle for whatever pony still wants to adopt me at this point. I done a good job in gaining a small reputation on being the scary human of the base. Scaring animal was an easy job just stand tall and give then a glare. The dirty cloth and the metal device on my head probably help. To some of this pony I probably look like a monster. Know how to I get adopted.

o - o - o - o -o - o - o - o

Lyra and her friends when to a royal guard base but none of the worker have gold plate armor but stander gray. Lemon Hearts said that this place was a training ground for new guard and or test weapons. To enter the store, we needed to stop by the check point we have to show I.D and sign our names. This base look like a small city inside the big city itself. We were escorted in a minicar to a shop name 'Shelterly' with a stable above it and two cartoonish face of happy humans in each side. Inside we were attended by two worker name Jets who had a pleasant smile and a stallion name Cherry. The first thing I notice was the he looks tired he looks. "Hello" I greeted.

Jets was the first one to respond, "Hello ma'am, how could we help you today". While his companion threw a dispirit "Hey"

"Were here to watch humans and maybe buy one" Heart was more abrasive than me.

"Were just looking around, I hope there no problem with that?" Harp quickly fix Harts response.

Jets didn't take offence to Lemon comment "It's no problem ma'am, come with me". She took us to the back and by what looks look like and older hairy male human and he was playing with his bowl. He probably one of the only humans I ever seen with minimal scar. "He's one of our shop friendlies pets and fully train" as an example Jets raise her hoof and the human stand up with a happy expression. "He's one of a kind if I do say so myself"

"Whoa, how much does he cost" Lyra was already curious.

"This one goes for twelve thousand bits" When she mentions the price my hope diminishes. The book I was reading said that prices vary and over time may change but it never specifies how much would a human generally cost, it said that I could ask around and that was a good idea.

"Could we see another human" I gawkily said

"Sure, this one is our most expensive pets, but we have more alternative. Like this one" she shows a mature woman not too far away from the first one. She was laying peacefully sleeping unaware we were watching her. "Her training not done yet but she the sweetest thing you'll ever see"

"She look so cute" Derpy and Clouds seen to agree with me. They jump on the opportunity to pet the human. Jets and Cherry open the cage and let them in. I stay by the back not really interested in the human they show so far. I felt like I wanted something different. In the corner of my eye I saw I young girl leaning her head on the metal bars. She looks beautiful, Smooth with no scar on her skin, the short hair and strange cloth. The way she stands and looks around was so strange, but it was intriguing. While everyone was distracted, I approached the girl in the back of the store. Her eyes never left mine and they look sad. When I got close, she lowers herself to be the same high as me and I extended my hoof and touch her face. "Hey girl, are you ok?"

Lyra was shoved back by Heart who look concern. "Are you crazy?"

"What?" not really understanding her.

"Look at what she is wearing" looking closely the girl was wearing a metal device on her head. I did read about sick human and how they put protected gear, but she doesn't look hostile to me.

"Ma'am please don't get to close to that one" Jets was the first one to notice us.

"Why?" Lyra ask.

"This human is not a big fan of ponies"

"But I just pet her" Jets was taken back doubt Lyra.

"That can't be, she… not a bad human but she is very… playful" Cherry notice the commotion and came up next to Jets.

"How much for this one"

The worker look bewilder. "I'm sorry ma'am but I have to recommend that you that you choose another one" Cherry said. Lyra pet the girl again and if Harp turn her head left the girl would repeat the movement mimicking the pony.

"Wow, how are you doing that" Jets was amazed.

"Doing what?"

"How to you make her follow you like that"

"I don't know, I just read that some human need more care and love than other" Harp did the same motion as Jets did on the first human. "Up" and the supposedly untrained human stood up. "Good girl. How much for this one" I ask again.

Jet was speechless so Cherry responded "Ma'am I really have to insist that you look for a-" But was shut by her companion who put her hoof on his mouth.

"Yeah, she umm, how much do you have" Jets quickly said.

"Five thousand"

"Perfect, that how much it cost"

"Are you sure you want this one, she kind of smell" Heart cover her noise as she said the obvious.

"Well I think she perfect" Ditzy seem supported of my decision. "Well if Muffins say she perfect, I'll agree" clouds repeated.

"Is your decision ma'am, are you sure you want this one" the worker ask again.

"Yes, I do" Lyra enthusiastically took the offer.

"Perfect, well start the process as soon as possible. Could you please wait in the front" Harp nod and left with her friends to the front of the store.

"Jets, you know damn right that she not five thousand bits. To you want to get fire" Cherry said with a worry tone.

"I know, I know, but did you see how the girl reacted with that pony"

"Yes, I agree is weird but what if she" Cherry hesitated to speak his thought "Attack somepony"

"She won't, I know there no evidence but can you trust me on this. That all I ask" he ponder for a second ad against his better judgement he trusted his partner

"Ok I'll trust you, but we can't lower the price of eight thousand bits"

"I was thinking of putting the extra three thousand"

"To you have that kind of bits?"

"No…" Jets look upset of the though.

Cherry sigh "Ok, what if we split the price. I put half and you put the rest"

"Really?!" before her partner could talk she threw herself on him "thanks you, thanks you, than-"

"I remember I time when I said she would make me one rich stallion" he pouted.

"You'll be rich in friendship now, isn't that better" Jets joke and Cherry did his dramatic fake cry.

o - o - o - o -o - o - o - o

I couldn't help but grin. There too easy all you have to do is look cute they gush over me. Jets open my cage up and flew to me with a leash on her hoof. "Ok girl, I not going to hurt you. I'm just going to put this rope thingy in your neck" attaching the leash with no hitch and walking out of that filthy cage. The first thing I notice was the bright sun and how it hurt my eye.

"Here you go" Jets hand the leash to the new owner as she signs some paper. Before we left the shop, Jets warned my 'owner' to have me separated from large group and to be caution when dealing with my cloth because I don't like being naked and she was right. Jets keep staring at me all the way through the process she approach ones almost petting my leg but she pull back and wave goodbye. I didn't care about any of this horse I was just happy to leave this place. Feeling the warm on my skin and the fresh air as soon as the door was open felt great. I took a big gulp of air, but I choke and cough. Hearing one horses laught at me made me furious. Already preparing myself to smack over the head I notice a cute yellow main horse with googly eye and a nice big bright smile giggling. I didn't have the hurt to hurt something so cute so whatever, she can laugh. I felt my leash been pull by my new owner to stroll behind her. "Were to go now? I don't know my way out of this base" Lyra spoke.

"I don't see the minicar to drive us back. Maybe we can explore a little" Clouds responded.

"Great" Hearts sarcastically said. The yellow pegasus fur-ball took off the ground and started flying next to me jolting me a little.

"Careful Muffin" Clouds warn her friend.

"Aww, but she so cute, I actually never seen a human like her" she was petting my dirty hair and It felt nice, so much that I close my eyes and felt my leg wobble. I got worry looks by the new ponies. My owner asks what happened but the fur-ball just shrug. I continue to follow the minty pony who keep throwing glances toward me. Probably checking to see if I was ok. Please, I can take care of myself, I have before and I still am. Looking around this place I notice that it looks like a military base. There were a couple stallion working with a weapon on top the truck. The weapon would shoot a spear like bullet and travel through a piece of thick wood like a paper. Grateful I wasn't the one getting shoot at.

o - o - o - o -o - o - o - o

Nurse Tenderheart has been working with Dr. Fauna for a couple month now. To work with such a smart pony like her was a privilege. I knew I wasn't anything like Fauna, she was a genius and I was just me. We barely talk she would request simple task and I accomplished them with no complain. I was just happy to be of server to somepony I look up to. Recently she been staying after work for around three day now. I was worry, so today I gather the courage to ask if she ok. she was looking through a microscope while she writes something down on some documents.

"Umm, Miss Fauna"

"Dr" she responded without taking her eyes out of work.

"Sorry, Dr. Fauna?"

"Mmm" she dismissive responded

"To you need help"

"No" Fauna quickly reply.

"Miss Fauna, you been lock up in this room for three days now, is everything all right"

"Is Dr-" Fauna sigh "Nurse, can you not see I'm working"

"I'm just worry for my mentor" Fauna though the new nurse was annoying. Trying to figure out how exactly she got the job here and I'm not trying to be mean when I say this but she not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Still she could do her work well enough. Fauna look at the nurse and debated if she should share her thought "What would you do if you happened to find a DNA of an advance specimen"

"Like what?"

"Let's give an example. like a dog, that could think just like us. What would you do with that information?"

"Wow, you found a smart dog Miss Fauna"

"What! No" taking a deep breath "The dog is the example. Again, what would you do if you knew a dog had the capacity to understand us"

"What would I do, mmh" touching her chin with her hoof "Well, I would want people to know about it and see if we can become friend, because dogs are cute"

Fauna roll her eye, but wait maybe that not a bad idea. Maybe this airhead nurse is not just a pretty face. Presenting a big smile before speaking "You know what. I think your right"

"I am?"

"Of course you are smarty-pants. You know what, I going to the shelter and visit that new girl"

"Oh, I hear she was adopted today!"

"What! By who" the doctor cry out

"I don't know probably a tourist"

"Who in their right mind would want a viole-!, I mean such a strange human"

"Uh, me, I want one" the nurse raise her hoof.

"Of course" breathing in and out again "Miss?" I extend my hoof and waiting for her the nurse to say her full name.

"Yes" the disregardful nurse spoke

"No… your name is?"

"Tenderheart!"

"Well thank you Tenderheart. I think I'm going home tonight. You can go home too I'll close after you"

"Are you sure, I could stay and help"

"No, no please. Rest that pretty little head of your"

"Ok" she said while walking out with her medical equipment on. Where not supposed to take them out of the office but I was just too tired to say anything, but Tenderheart was right about one thing. From the D.N.A I gather from that beast who attack me I discover some interesting stuff like how interesting different she was from the average person. When I mix some infected sample with her blood, they would mix but the blood cell wouldn't die or spread, they would disappear. In all my life I never seen anything like it. I could only theories that this girl could not become infected. I approach a bag fill with personal file I need it for work but there was a book in the back. Checking if I was indeed alone and I open the textbook fill with detail of human's experiment. Inside the book I place sample of the human girl. I Know I seen does eyes before fill with rage and hatred, but I couldn't remember where.

"Lower being like yourself don't deserve to be friend with us" she set the book down and recall on how she ruined my nose. I was over it I mean how could I possible be angry with such a beautiful creature. "But I do crave for you, you brute. You left but haven't escape yet and is a matter of time before I have you under my hoof like every human should be". The doctor forms a wide smile and mix the girl blood with and grab her documents "Oops, what this? This random human blood is creating a new kind of infected and it looks like she could spread the disease to other humans" I sarcastically said to no one. "Well I better write that down just in case I forget"

o - o - o - o -o - o - o - o

"Hey Jets, to you feel like your forgetting something?"

"Like?" I question.

"I don't know?" Cherry said while making a weird thinking face.

"While you're over there, can you grab me something from the fridge"

"Sure, what do you want?"

"Anything please"

He made his way to the back of the store just to call me "Jets, can you come over here". I sigh, walking up to him "What?"

"Why are there two cell doors, open?"

noticing that they were indeed two door open and only four human "Uh Cherry, did you close the door for the non-purchase human?

"I though you did?"

Oh no. Hearing front bell ring and an angry voice call us "Cherry, Jets. Where are you!". We were visited by our boss Steel Hooves and next to him was the missing women, she had a bit of a belly now. "To you mind explaining why a human was eating the emergency supply in the cargo area"

"Maybe she was hungry" Cherry answer the question in an honest manner. The boss looks livid with Fizzy response but suppressed his anger even if you could see his vail pop out. I just drop my head in shamed and wish this was over already.

Next chapter will be short compare to the usual length.