A Ponyville Ghost Train

Hope's Backstory

As Hope reached the river, he looked for a way to fill the tender. He didn't have any buckets and there weren't any water towers nearby. He needed a way to get the water into the tender, but it was looking like he wouldn't have any luck.

'What I wouldn't give to be a unicorn or pegasi,' he thought.

"Need some help?" a voice from behind asked. Hope turned and saw Caramel, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash walking over to him.

"To be honest," Hope replied. "I could. I don't have anyway to fill the tender and it takes a lot of water."

"I can help," Rainbow stated. "I'm on the weather team so I can get the water you need really quick." True to her word, Rainbow began to fly over the lake, creating a vortex of water and guided it all the way to the tender. Dusk, who had been sitting on the tender, gasped and rushed to open the tank, allowing the engine to be partly ready to travel again.

"Thanks," Hope said as he sat down. "Might as well get comfy. Dad will be a bit on gathering the wood."

"While we wait," Rarity began. "Why don't you tell us about yourself. I mean, all we know is what you did for a living and that you were married and had a son. What else could you tell us?"

Hope sighed as he looked in the water. He never really talked about his past, but now it seemed that he would have no choice. Something in his mind told him that they would find a way to know about him.

"I was born in Canterlot hospital," he began. "My mom was an earth pony by the name of Terra Shield. She died when I was young, about eight years old. When she passed, I asked my dad to let me take her maiden name to honor her. As you can tell, he agreed. It was when I was in school that I met my best friend."

Ten year old Hope was walking alongside his dad on his way to school. It had been two years since Terra's death and Crimson was doing his best to take care of his son. He had left the guard and began to work in the local bakery to earn some bits as well as be home more often to take care of his son.

"I'll pick you up after school," Crimson said. "Be good and don't get into any trouble."

"OK dad," Hope answered. Hope could only look at the ground, afraid to cry in front of his father.

Crimson sighed and lifted Hope's head to look at him.

"It'll get better," Crimson said. "I know it's hard. I've been out of the guard for a few years now and I've gotten a steady job. I just need time to get everything settled more."

"How much longer dad?" Hope asked.

"At the very least another year," Crimson answered. "Until then, keep your chin up. You're a Crown. We may not be royalty, but we do show the rest of Equestria that we never give up. That's also where your Shield name comes from. Also protect those around you."

"Sir," Hope replied, saluting his dad. Crimson laughed and walked his son to the school steps.

"I love you son," Crimson said.

"I love you too dad," Hope replied. Crimson left for work as Hope walked into the school building.

School was about the same for Hope as it was everyday since his mother died. He had just sat down and got out his supplies when a student went over and tripped his chair. Hope fell to the ground on his back as the other students laughed. The laughter died down as the teacher walked into the room. The teacher looked and saw Hope on his back.

"This is not a game, Hope Crown," the teacher stated. "If this keeps up I will have to have a talk with your father." The teacher went to her desk and got ready for the lesson.