Different

Chapters

Prologue: Monsters
Hearts That Heal
First Impressions
Sleepless Nights Cured
Tears Upon White Sheets

Prologue: Monsters

Cold...

The sound of screaming filled her ears. It sounded so familiar, but she just couldn't place it. She stood still in the dark hallway, the mares fearful screaming piercing her ears. She took a step forward, the cold stone floor biting at her already freezing hooves. She took another. And another... Just a few more......

* * * * * *

Raine woke with a start. Something loud and almost feral had cut through the silence of the Manehattan Orphanage, it's walls heavy with dust and no small amount of stains from Celestia knows what. Squinting her eyes, she tried to adjust them to the dark faster. It didn't take long, her eyes were weird that way. Well, not just because they adjusted to the dark really fast. They were like a monsters eyes. At least, thats what the other kids in the orphanage told her. Her eyes were just like everypony elses. The were white with a circle of color in the middle. Hers were a deep reddish purple color, like that stuff she saw Ms. Care drink when she thought the colts and fillies weren't watching. But the thing that scared the others the most were her slit pupils. Sharp as knives and full of malice, a true terror to Equestria.

The true terror of Equestria was currently shaking under her blanket, trying not to wet herself from the loud growls that hung in the air like a thick fog.

Her eyes finally adjusted, Raine peeked one out from under her blanket, trying to find the monster in the room full of peacefully slumbering foals. When she didn't see any sign of a monster, she carefully looked under her bed, finding nothing there either. Suddenly, another growl exploded just feet away from her. Jumping high in the air, she looked in the direction of the sound, and almost screamed in annoyance. Heavy Set, a colt four years older that her, not to mention four times her weight, snored loudly in the bed next to hers.

Standing up and hopping out of her bed, she opened Heavy Sets bedside drawer and pulled a thin strip of fabric with a sticky side out. It looked like a band-aid, but it was stiff. Walking over to Heavy Set, she carefully stuck the sticky thing to his nose and wrapped it on both sides of his muzzle. As the sticky strip tried to weakly reform back to it's stiff originality, Heavy Set stopped snoring.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Raine hopped back onto her small bed, pulling the blanket back over her. Shortly afterwards, she drifted back to sleep.

* * * * *

Raine woke up to the sound of Ms. Care's voice. "Wake up everypony. It's a beautiful day outside and I just know you would all love to go out into the yard and play your adorable little games!" Raine groaned as the overly sweet voice cut into her brain. She could swear she lost a few necessary I.Q. points. Sitting up in her bed, Raine rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Trying not to yawn, and failing, she slid out of her bed with no small amount of protesting grumbles. Looking over at the strange filly, Ms. Care shot her a vehement glare, one she reserved for Raine every time she looked at her. "Good morning to you too, Ms. Grumpy Hooves." Raine thought to herself as she walked passed the matron.

Raine looked herself over in a nearby mirror. Running a hoof through her mane, she pulled a small knot loose. Sighing to herself, she walked back to her bed and pulled her mane brush out of her drawer. Brushing her mane and tail out thoroughly, she tied it up in a bright red ribbon. Looking at herself in the mirror again, Raine looked for small flaws and blemishes wherever she could. Her snow white mane was in perfect condition, well as perfect as cheap shampoo and mane conditioner goes. The light purple stripe in her mane was even and straight, just the way she liked it. Her tail was the same build of perfection she loved. Her black coat was smooth and sleek, just like silk. The patterns in her fur, just above her hind hooves were even, not a hair out of place. Her horn shiny and clean. And finally, her wings were stretched out and ready for the day. She gave her wings an awkward glance. None of the other pegasus foals had wings like hers. They all had feathered wings, but hers were like a dragons, or a bats, or some other weird creature that made her shiver.

Shaking her head and clearing her thoughts, she walked to the kitchen to get some breakfast. As she entered the kitchen, some of the other foals gave her an uneasy look. She knew that look. Everypony gave her that look. It said "We don't want you here, freak!" Bowing her head, she walked to the counter and hopped up the stool. Grabbing a box of oats and a bowl, she looked around for a spoon. Seeing one, she reached for it, accidentally brushing against Zig Zag, a unicorn not much older than herself. The colt suddenly shrieked, screaming for help. "Shes gonna eat me! Heeeeelp! I don't wanna be gobbled!" Surprised, Raine fell off the stool, hitting her head on the tile floor. Dazed she didn't see the rush of colts and fillies descending upon her, until she felt a sharp pain enter her left forehoof. Raine screamed in pain holding her leg close to her, a fork stuck in the space above her hoof.

As quick as lightning, Ms. Care was standing in the room, surrounded by foals of all sizes and ages trying to tell her how Raine attacked Zig Zag in they're own little versions.

"She tried to bite his hooves off-"

"She was punching a kicking and saying really mean things-"

"I saw her throw an evil frying pan at his head!"

Raine sat in a corner sobbing, shivering and clutching her injured leg. Why did everypony hate her so much? She couldn't hurt a fly! It had always been like this, for as long as she could remember. But why?

Ms. Care stood over Raine with an evil look in her eyes. "Raine, what do you have to say for yourself?" Ms. Care glared daggers at her, stabbing more and more hurt into Raine's little heart.

"I j-just wanted a s-spoon... I d-didn't h-hurt Zig Zag." Raine cried even harder.

"The odds are against you Raine. Confess and it will be much easier on you." Ms. Care glared at Raine even harder.

Raine looked at Ms. Care incredulously, then at Zig Zag, who didn't have a single mark on him. "B-but he's not even hurt! I only a-accidentally touched him and h-he started t-to yell! I'm t-the one w-whos hurt!" Raine held up he leg gingerly to emphasize her point, presenting the fork that was still dug deeply into her leg just above her hoof.

Ms. Care looked at the leg with no concern. "Very well. Go see the nurse and then go to your room immediatly afterwards." Walking out of the room, Ms. Care and the other foals left Raine to cry in her corner.

* * * * *

Raine lay in her bed, clutching her haphazardly bandaged limb. She cried. And cried... And cried......

She hated it here. She hated being singled out. She hated being seen as a monster. And most of all, she hated Ms. Care. "Why does everypony think I'm a monster?" she thought to herself. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

The other foals ran about the room, playing on beds and talking to each other excitedly. Raine hid under her blanket and tried not to let them hear her crying softly to her pillow.

Hearts That Heal

Twilight Sparkle sat in the Carousel Boutique, sipping on a cup of fresh green tea, with just a hint of jasmine. She looked around the colorful little shop, home to one of Equestria's most popular fashionista's, and one of her best friends. Dresses circled the room, all forms of fabulous made into solid matter made up of thin strands of....

Twilight chuckled to herself. She was doing it again, over analyzing everything and thinking way too much. Spike was right, she needed a break. As she sipped her tea, a unicorn, pale as the purest snowfall, with a royal purple mane styled to perfection, and a thin coat of make-up that must have taken her hours to do, even though it was only a five minute job, walked into the room, a concerned look upon her face.

"Twilight darling, do you mind helping me for a minute?" Rarity spoke up, looking around the room.

"Sure Rarity. What do you need?"

"Oh I've lost my diamond encrusted ribbon again and I simply must have it for a very important clients order. I thought I might ask you for your help before I had another, erm, episode, as it t'were."

Twilight giggled behind her hoof at this statement. She remembered the last time she lost the brilliant gemed ribbon. She had cried and flailed upon her chaize lounge until she spotted it across the room. What was even funnier, was where it was now.

"Um, Rarity," Twilight giggled. "You have a little something on your flank."

Rarity looked behind her, expecting the worst. What was it? Spiders? A leech? Or, Celestia forbid, dirt? Opening her eyes slowly, she saw her diamond encrusted ribbon sitting upon her flank.

Rarity blushed slightly. "Oh. Thank you Twilight."

"No problem. So what were you saying before you ran out?"

Rarity perked up. "Oh yes! Well I was thinking that my life has taken an unexpected turn. You see, making dresses and bringing a whole new light to the world of fabulosity is well and good, but I'm starting to slow down, darling. I fear I am starting to grow old. I feel I'm losing what little I have left in life to keep me on my toes. Honestly Twilight, when was the last time the fate of Equestria was hanging in the balance and it was up to us to stop the forces of evil from tipping the metaphorical scales and creating Tartarus on Equestria?"

Twilight held a hoof to her chin and thought for a moment. "You make a good point, but Rarity, your only twenty-three. How could you be getting old? You still look as beautiful as ever."

Rarity sighed at this. "It's not so much as outward appearance, darling, but more inward. I'm waking up later every day, I have nothing to do but make dresses since Sweetie Belle went with Mother and Father on one of they're vacations last month. I need something to keep me busy, and I don't get enough clients to keep my schedule full."

Twilight put her hoof on her friends shoulder sympathetically. "I understand, Rarity. But what will you do?"

* * * * *

Raine sat in her bed, looking out her window at the foals playing in the yard. She stopped going outside, stopped talking, stopped leaving the room, and stopped eating. All the other foals ignored her, but it made no difference to her anyway. No one cared about her, so why should they?

Raine sighed to herself, her depression digging deeper into her core. Her stomach rumbled, but she ignored it. She was getting really skinny. She could see her ribs. Her eyes were sunken and her mane and tail were a disheveled mess. Her coat no longer held it's usual slight luster, and her eyes were slowly becoming hollow and emotionless. A single tear traveled down her cheek and pooled at her chin, dripping off and landing on the dirty bandages on her leg. Her leg hurt, but her chest hurt even more. No, her heart hurt. She started crying in earnest now, burying her face in her pillow and sobbing delicately into the fabric.

All she wanted was to have someone there for her. A family. If not a family, then a friend. Or even someone to talk to, even if they weren't listening. As long as they looked like they were listening, she would be happy. But no matter what, she was still alone. It had been so long now. Almost ten years since she was left at the orphanage. She had been here longer than most of the other kids, but as they had come and gone, adopted by loving fimalies, she was still alone. Almost ten years, and not one friend.

She started to cry harder, staining her pillow with tears. Her sobbing echoed off the dirty walls, heard by no one but herself. She wanted to be loved, if only just once in her life. She wanted to be wanted. She wanted ponies to care about her as if she wouldn't last long very long. Maybe she wouldn't though. Maybe it's easier to let go. Just give up. Quick Step did it just a few months ago, and it seemed so painless. He just hung there from the rafters, not a single emotion betraying his face, his bed sheet his only salvation from this cruel place.

Raine looked at her bed sheet with empty eyes filled with tears, wondering just how fast it would be.

Suddenly she heard voices, but only one familiar. Ms. Care's was easy to make out, but who was the other one? It was obviously a mare, but she sounded weird, like she wasn't from here. She sounded happy, too. Like nothing was wrong with this place. Raine didn't get up from her bed, she instead layed back down and faced the wall away from the door, and continued to cry softly. Why did it matter. She has seen hundreds of parents-to-be come through here and give her the same disgusted look over and over again. This one wont be any different. Suddenly the voices were in the doorway. Raine could hear Ms. Care's voice. "Well it looks like those were all the children. Now have you made a decision, or do you want to wait?"

The mares voice brought Raine's attention back from her sorrow. "What about this one?"

Ms. Care's voice made a quick counter. "Oh you don't want 'that' one. She is quite a trouble maker. Why last week she attacked one of the foals and then tried to tell me she didn't." Ms. Care looked at Raine's curled form with disgust. "Plus, she's deformed and would surely scare anypony else in your household."

Rarity raised an eyebrow at that last comment. Looking at the filly with piqued interest, she walked up to her. The first thing she noticed was that she was crying. The second was her wings. They looked like Princess Luna's royal guard's wings. Like bat wings. Further stimulating her curiosity, she sat on the little filly's bed. "Hello there." Rarity looked at the filly, waiting for a response. She continued, "My name is Rarity." She smiled. "What is yours?"

Raine laid there, surprised. But she knew the moment that this mare, Rarity, saw her, she would shriek and then run out of the room. Just like everypony else...

Rarity waited but no response came. Then she saw the filly's appearance. She was filthy and her mane was matted. But what shocked her the most was the fact that the foal was so skinny, she could count her ribs. "Darling, what ever happened to you?!"

Raine was confused. She had never heard this tone of voice before. It was surprised and frightened and also... Caring? Raine looked up, almost forgetting her bodies strange look. But she noticed too late. Before she could turn away, Rarity had her face in her hooves, looking directly into her eyes. Her monsterous, dark, vile eyes.

And Raine saw concern etched on her face.

"You simply must get this filly something to eat! She looks like the could fade dead away!" Rarity directed this order to Ms. Care, shocking the matron to the core. Shaking her head violently, Ms. Care left the room. Moments later she came back with a plate full of spagetti and daisy tomato sauce, setting it next to the filly with a grudging look in her eyes.

Raine looked at the food, the look at Rarity, confusion all over her face. The purple maned unicorn smiled at her and nodded. Raine looked at the food, and picked up her fork with her magic, and though it wobbled a little, she delicately twirled the pasta around it, taking a careful, slow bite. The two mares watched her, one with hate, and the other with interest.

When Raine had finished, she sat up and looked down. Then, opening her mouth, she spoke, her delicate voice hoarse from lack of use. "Thank you."

Rarity beamed, smiling at the filly. "Your very welcome, darling. Now, why don't you tell me your name, hmm?"

Raine scratched her foreleg with a hoof. What's going on? Why is she so nice to me? These thoughts kept flashing through her mind, but regardless, she answered the beautiful unicorn.

"Raine."

Rarity smiled even wider. She could feel her heart pounding harder with each little word the filly, Raine, spoke. Her voice was soft and very well carried, though a bit gravely. Rarity knew it. This was the one! So she was a little... different. After all, she had never seen anything like her before. Wings and a horn? She couldn't be an Alicorn. But these things meant nothing to her. Different was Rarity's life! And she would be damned to the moon before she let something so sweet as this filly go without a home.

"Ms. Care, I do believe I have made my decision."

Ms. Care looked up and smiled, but it fell from her face as soon as Rarity looked at Raine. She wouldn't. No. She wouldn't think to... Would she?

Ms. Care smiled again. "Wonderful! Who will you be adopting then?" Ms. Care willed a bead of sweat to not drop from her forehead.

"I will be adopting her." Rarity said, facing Raine, whose face was a mix of shock, disbelief, and uncertainty.

Ms. Care kept smiling through the fear of the freakish being this mare wanted to adopt. "Are you quite sure Ms. Rarity? There are many other foals in the yard."

Rarity nodded. "Yes I am quite certain that this is the one I wish to adopt."

Raine couldn't believe it. Someone wanted to adopt her. Her! The most disfigured, scary looking, creepiest, weirdest filly in the world.

Ms. Care, unable to legally do anything, sighed inwardly. "Very well then. I'll draw up the paper work, and then you and your... filly, can be off to your new home."

Ms. Care walked away to her office to print the legal documents for Raine, when Rarity spoke to Raine. "I know you didn't do any of those horrid things that awful mare spoke of. I honestly think she has some sort of prejudice against you because of your appearance, but let me assure you that I find absolutely nothing wrong with you, darling. Now, why don't we get you some new bandages for that leg of yours, hmm?"

Raine looked at Rarity with bewilderment in her eyes. Was this for real? Was it a dream?

"Darling, are you coming?" Rarity asked, a bit of concern returning to her voice.

Raine nodded and followed Rarity through the door and down the hall to the nurses office.

"How can any of this be real? Is this a joke Ms. Care and the other foals are playing on me? If it is, it's not funny." Thoughts of uncertainty raced through Raines mind, clouding her concentration. Without noticing, she walked straight into the doorframe of the nurse's office. Rubbing her nose apprihensively, she looked up at Rarity, who didn't laugh or make fun of her, but crouched down and took her muzzle in her hoof.

"Are you ok, dear?" Rarity asked, worried that the filly might have something worse than a hurt leg, like an infection, or deleriousness from sleep loss or blood loss.

Raine saw the worry in the pale mares eyes, and suddenly, all doubt was lost. Rarity's eyes didn't hold malice, or hate. Not ever fear. Instead, there was care. In that instance, Raine knew that Rarity's actions were sincere. Her vision was starting to swim, and her legs fell out from under her as she started to cry again.

"Darling, what ever is the matter?" Rarity layed next to the filly, brushing her tears away with a hoof. Before she could react, small legs were wrapped around her as Raine cried into the crook of her neck. Suprised, Rarity looked down at the tiny body pressed against hers as the filly cried into her neck. With a smile, Rarity wrapped her forelegs around Raine, rubbing her withers with a hoof. "Shush, Darling. Everything is ok now."

Raine couldn't believe she was finally leaving this horrible place. Every day spent wishing she had never been left here, or even worse, born, was finally coming to an end. But she had to know why. Why was this mare any different from the other ponies that had come and gone, leaving her feeling worse and worse wth each visit.

"Why aren't you scared? Why didn't you pick any of the others. Why me?"

Rarity's brow furrowed at this. Was this filly really put through that much?

"Darling, I don't see why you haven't been adopted until now. You are such a sweet and well mannered filly that anyone would simply die to have you." Rarity brushed a stray bit of mane from Raine's face as she looked at the soft features of the well groomed mare she had her little legs around. "You're features alone make you an extremely remarkable filly. Yes, you aren't exactly something one sees very often, but that in itself makes you all the more special." At that, Rarity smiled at the surprised filly. "Now, shall we continue to the nurses office?"

Raine wiped her eyes and nodded with a smile.

* * * * *

"Well she was less than friendly." Rarity stated, Raine following behind her with a freshly bandaged leg, actual effort having been put into her injury.

"She's always like that when I'm around. No one's really liked me before." Raine shuffled along behind Rarity, her head low to the ground.

Rarity looked back at the unfortunate filly, a frown cressing her face. "Well don't worry about them darling. They're just close minded is all. Unable to see true beauty in such rare things."

"Speaking of beauty, I look like a wreck." Raine pouted at her poor state.

"Never fear, darling, for I have many products to make your coat shine with fabulosity beyond your wildest dreams." At that, Raine's eyes shimmered with anticipation. "Now I have a cairrage outside waiting for us, so go fetch your things and I shall finish up with the paperwork including my adopting you." Raine nodded and trotted to the room where she and the other foals slept. As she walked through the halls with a smile on her face, she chanced glancing looks at the others, almost giggling at they're confused looks that they gave her.

"Why is she so happy?" one foal had whispered to another.

"I heard she's getting adopted."

"What? By who?"

"That one mare that came though. The one with the purple mane."

"Weird. Didn't think she'd take to the freak."

Raine rolled her eyes. She didn't care what they thought. She was leaving this horrible place for good. Stepping into the bedroom, she trotted straight to her bed, pulling open the drawer and taking out her only possessions; an old mane brush, a book of poems that she found under the orphange last year, and a feather from a bird she saw flying overhead that had dropped one. Looking around to see if anypony was around, she stuck her hoof into the drawer and felt around the underside. When she finally found it, she pulled it out, the tape she had used to hold it there offering little resistance. An old ring box, red and velvety. When she opened it, she saw her favourite object in the whole world; a bright white stone with a swirl of red on the inside. She didn't know what it was, but it was her most precious possession. stuffing it in her bag with the rest of her items and taking it in her teeth, she trotted out of the bedroom and to the door of Ms. Care's office.

"And all that is needed is your signature here. Are you sure you wouldn't reconsider, Ms. Rarity? She really is quite the misbehaving type. Not only that, but her inability to socialize with the other foals will only cause trouble." Ms. Care's voice could be heard clear though the thing walls, her words cutting a little into Raine's happiness. But then she heard an indignant scoff from Rarity.

"Now look here Ms. Care, that filly has been nothing but the sweetest since I met her and she has done nothing what so ever to make me think otherwise. And further more, I would like to make it known that because you treat her like she is nothing more than a bratish thing ment to be looked down upon constantly, the other children think the same way. It is only your fault that Raine connot make friends in this poor excuse of an orphanage." Raine heard a few light scratching noises, and then a huffing noise, and Rarity came through the doorway, her nose in the air. Seeing Raine's worried look, Rarity winced a little. "Too much?"

Raine just stared at Rarity for a few seconds, and then burst out laughing. After a minute, Rarity started to laugh with her.

"Come, darling. Our cairrage awaits us."

Raine smiled and stepped next to Rarity. She was too excited to stop smiling, even after the other foals shot her dirty looks. Stepping outside, Raine saw a small cairrage waiting for them. As they climbed inside, Raine turned around, looking at the other foals who stared at her through the windows and the fence. Before she closed the door, she gave one final wave goodbye to the ones who would never treat her wrong again.

First Impressions

Rarity looked up from her romance novel, "Led Astray", and glanced out of her window. Water droplets streaked the surface of the glass, distorting her reflection ever so slightly. It had been raining for a while now, and it didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon. Raine slept soundlessly on the seat across from Rarity, a slight smile playing across her lips as she dreamed. The carriage had dropped them off at the train station little more than an hour ago, and they were now on they're way back home to Ponyville. Boarding the train, however, had proved a little awkward for Raine. Ponies all around her stared and grimaced at her, sneering as they turned back to whatever they were doing previously. Rarity had told her to ignore them and to keep her chin held high. But Raine was still uncomfortable, so Rarity had gotten them a private compartment on the train, where prying eyes would not cause Raine any more discomfort. And it had proved to be a good idea, as Raine had passed out not ten minutes into the train ride home.

Rarity looked back to the filly she had adopted into her life and family, smiling to herself. She looked so sweet when she was dreaming. Her nose crinkled in the cutest way as her forehoof twitched. Stifling a giggle, Rarity looked to the hills in the distance. She could just barely make out the silhouette of the mountains near Hollow Shades. It would be another hour and a half before she would see the Foal Mountain. If she were to guess, they wouldn't reach Ponyville for another six hours, so it would be close to nightfall by the time they arrived. Sighing to herself, Rarity stood up from her seat and stretched her legs, working out the stiffness in them. Deciding to stroll down the train car, she would go to the concessions car and get her and Raine something to snack on until they reached Ponyville.

Stepping out of the compartment, she shut the door quietly, so not to disturb the slumbering filly. Hearing the door click, she set off in search of food. As she walked, she began to wonder how her friends would react to Raine. The ponies in Manehattan had been absolutely dreadful towards her, and she would hate to have to put that upon the poor filly if her friends were the same way about her. If her friends and the rest of her family acted rashly towards Raine, what would she do? She very well couldn't move as her boutique was her source of business income as well as her home, and she was most definitely not taking Raine back! It would be incredibly wrong of her to put so much hope and happiness into the poor dear, only to shatter those hopes with a most unforgivable act of betrayal. And she just couldn't give up such a kind and adorable little filly. She was well mannered, she kept her physical appearance very well maintained, and she was exactly what she needed to bring her dull life out of the black and white.

Rarity shook her head, chiding herself. How could she think so ill of her friends? They had been through so much together, been on so many grand adventures, and saved Equestria on multiple occasions. They were more like sisters to her than friends, and she was absolutely sure that they would not show any prejudice to Raine for her unique appearance. Fluttershy would definitely love her, as they're personalities are almost alike. Rainbow Dash would undoubtedly find her... erm, what were the words? Radical? Awesome, maybe? Twilight would definitely find her interesting, though if she tries to conduct any kind of experiment on Raine, then she and Rarity would most assuredly have words. Applejack.... Rarity wasn't sure. She didn't know where Applejack would stand on the subject, but if she sees Raine just as she did, then there surely wouldn't be a problem. Pinkie Pie? Oh sweet Celestia, Pinkie Pie. Rarity would have to warn Raine about her, as to avoid the poor dear having a heart attack.

As Rarity walked back to the compartment she and Raine shared, two apples in tow, she began to wonder about her sister. What would Sweetie Belle think of Raine? How would she deal with being an Aunt? And at such a young age. Raine was just barely younger than Sweetie. Hopefully they would get along.

Opening the door to the compartment, she found Raine still sleeping peacefully. Her mouth was slightly open, and her hooves stuck out over the edges of the seat. Rarity's lips curled into a soft smile as she looked at the filly she would come to call her daughter. Setting the apples down on the compartment table, she quietly brought herself up onto the seat with Raine, and, positioning herself carefully, laid with the young filly, curling her body around Raine's small form, her head resting on one of Rarity's forelegs, while Rarity draped her tail softly over Raine's tiny body. Laying her head down, Rarity closed her eyes, and soon after, fell asleep.

* * * * *

Twilight was in her basement, carefully tilting a vial of green liquid into a beaker of orange liquid. She had to be very careful not to add to much of the green to the orange, or the results could end up worse than last time, and she did not enjoy being three inches tall. Climbing the steps up to the library had been an all day effort just to get to spike so he could help her reverse the effects of the chemical mistake. Tilting the vial ever so slightly, she watched a drop of thick green liquid liquid slowly drip into the beaker. Quickly snapping the vial back up straight, she levitated a quill and parchment to her side and jotted down a few notes while she watched the orange liquid in the beaker change blue. Squinting her eyes, Twilight watched feverishly as the liquid changed again. "Please don't be yellow, please don't be yellow, please don't be yellow!" Eyes growing wide, she bolted out of the basement as fast as she could as the yellow liquid in the beaker started to glow brightly, before exploding in a cloud of dandelion smoke.

Spike was in the library, reading a magazine, when Twilight suddenly burst through the basement door, slamming it shut. Spike cocked an eyebrow as he saw a steady stream of yellow smoke trickle out from under the door way.

"Too much green?" The young dragon asked.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she caught her breath. "Yes, Spike. Too much 'green'."

Spike chuckled as he set his magazine down. Hopping down from the couch, he walked into the kitchen and shortly after returned with a glass of water. Twilight gratefully took it in her magic and drained the glass in seconds. Gasping for air, Twilight smiled and slid her back down the door until she was in a sitting position.

"Maybe you should take a break, Twilight. We need to go get the others and head to the train station to welcome Rarity back."

Twilight looked tat Spike, then at the clock, and let out a sigh. "Your right Spike. Besides, I can't wait to see who she brought back with her." Twilight smiled as she remembered the conversation she and Rarity had a week prior. Standing up, she walked towards the door of the library. "Come on, Spike. The sooner we get the girls, the sooner we can get to the station!"

Spike smiled widely and ran up to Twilight, jumping onto her back. With that, they left the library, and started off for Sugarcube Corner, the towns favorite sweet shop.

* * * * *

Raine woke up slowly to the sound of the trains wheels click-clacking on the tracks. Smacking her lips in a futile attempt to bring moisture to her mouth, she raised her her up a few inches, looking out the window. It was considerably darker than when she fell asleep, and it wasn't raining anymore. Stretching her legs outward, she noticed something blocking her advance. A set of snow white legs with very shiny hooves. Tilting her head in confusion, Raine followed the legs until she found the owner. Rarity was asleep on the seat she was in, and she was wrapped around Raine in a way that reminded Raine of how mommy lions protected they're babies. Raine also took notice of the expertly styled and flawless tail spread across her body. 'No wonder I'm warm.' Raine thought to herself. Figuring she might as well enjoy it while it lasted, Raine snuggled into the warm mare surrounding her tiny body. With a contented sigh, Raine smiled. She was finally going to have a home, and real food, and maybe ever friends! Raine giggled to herself at the thought. Friends. She definitely could go for some of those.

As raine giggle, Rarity stirred from her slumber, raising her head from the compartment seats cushion. Fluttering her eyelids to clear the slight fog in her vision, she yawned, startling the filly in her embrace.

"Oh, your awake! Sorry, I didn't mean to be loud." Raine looked up at Rarity, worried she might have done something to make her angry.

Rarity yawned again. "It's quite alright, dear. It looks as if I woke up just in time." Looking at the lush green hills, Rarity could see Ponyville in the distance. "It seems we are but a moment away from our destination."

Raine hopped up quickly, looking out the window to see the small town nearing them with every passing second. Suddenly, a frown split across her face. "Miss Rarity..."

Rarity looked to see the troubled face Raine had taken upon herself. "What is it, darling?"

"Do you think I'll make any friends here?"

Rarity looked at the young filly with a smile. "Of course you will. I know for a fact a certain three fillies would love to be your friend."

Raine looked back to Rarity, worry still written on her face. "But what if no one likes me? What if they get scared of me like everypony else?"

Rarity bit her lip, trying to think of a way to reassure the filly. Rarity sighed and smiled. "Don't worry about that, darling. If someone doesn't like you, there is still a whole town of those who just might. And if anyone tries to lay they're grime covered hooves, I have enough sharp objects in my boutique to 'persuade' them to apologize." Rarity said this as several sewing needles flew from her bag, floating before Raine in a field of Rarity's magical aura.

Raine giggled at this and smiled up at Rarity. "Thank you Miss Rarity."

Rarity held in her own giggles. "Oh darling, just Rarity is fine. I didn't hire you, I adopted you." Rarity pulled Raine gently closer into a hug to emphasize her point.

Smiling, Raine nuzzled into the embrace. This is what she waited for all her life . Someone to show her that they cared about her. Someone to hold her and keep her safe. Rarity may not know it, but this simple hug meant more to Raine than anything in the world. Just the feeling she got from it, a gentle warmth, was enough to make Raine's every worry melt away.

As if on cue, the train whistle blasted through the silence, snapping the two from they're moment of affection. The train had stopped and the window no longer held an image of rolling hills and trees, but was now a train station, full of ponies in suits or tourist garb. With a bright smile, Rarity sat up and stretched out her stiff legs.

"Shall we then? Rarity asked, looking back at Raine.

The young filly looked out the window, and with a look of determination and a smile, she looked back to Rarity and nodded.

* * * * *

The train station was packed, but not to bursting. Just enough to make it uncomfortable for a certain group of ponies, plus one dragon. The train had arrived and the passengers were stepping off the platform. Everybody knows that five pair of eyes were surely better at finding somepony than one pair, but when it came to Rarity, anyone who knew Spike the Dragon would definitely be placing they're bets on him. And without much surprise, it was aforementioned dragon that spotted Rarity first.

"There she is, Twilight!" Spike said with wide smile and a sparkle in his eyes.

Twilight giggled as the dragon swiftly weaved through the crowd of ponies, trying to keep up with him and not bother anypony else by bumping into them, the rest of her friends following close behind. Withing seconds, the 5 mares (plus one dragon) were standing at the platform with gleeful smiles.

"Welcome back Rarity! Did you find what you were looking for in Manehattan?" Twilight asked curiously.

"I most certainly did, darling, and she is the sweetest young thing ever."

An orange mare with a straw colored mane stepped forward. When she spoke, it her voice carried a thick southern drawl. "Well then, lets see her! Applebloom's been all excited 'bout makin' a new friend and it's been a might difficult to keep her calm this past week."

"Yeah! Scoot's has been pretty excited herself. Hard to keep up with her once she starts buzzing around." A Pegasus mare with a prismatic mane and tail said, flying just barely above the crowed.

Rarity smiled brightly at her friends enthusiasm. Looking behind her, Rarity spoke to the young filly behind her. "It's ok darling. You can come out now."

The five friends watched eagerly as a small form stepped out from behind they're sixth. When she finally stepped out for them to seem, a pink blur shot out and scooped her up into a hug.

"Welcome to Ponyville! I'm Pinkie Pie, the official go to party pony of Ponyville! I can't wait to start throwing you a party so we can be best friends because I'm friends with everypony in Ponyville and I mean EVERYPONY! So whats your name?" When Pinkie finally stopped talking she set Raine down and looked at her with a grin so wide it hurt Raine's mouth just looking at it.

"I-I'm Raine." The stunned filly replied. Looking behind her at Rarity, she saw the fashionista give her an apologetic smile. Deciding it would probably be a good idea to save Raine, Rarity stepped forward and introduced her to the five smiling mares (and puzzled dragon).

"Raine, these are my friends, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and you've met Pinkie Pie of course, and last but not least, Spike." Spike perked up considerably as she pointed out her friends as she named them, her hoof stopping at the young drake.

Raine stood in awe as she looked at the faces of Rarity's friends, noticing that not one of them held a look of disdain or disgust. Before she knew it, the mares stepped forward to properly greet her. She hardly heard them though, as she was still in shock. No one was looking down on her, or giving her a cold stare. All she could feel from the present company was genuine interest and what she hoped so very much to be friendship. As these realizations took hold, her smile only grew wider as tears slowly sprang into her eyes.

"Darling, whatever is the matter?" Raine heard Rarity say as she wiped the tears from her muzzle with a hoof. Raine looked at Rarity, and without saying a word, she rushed forward and hugged Rarity tightly.

Looking down at the filly who held her tightly, she noticed that these were not tears of sadness or fear. Rarity soon overcame the surprise as it dawned on her. Placing a hoof around the filly, her filly, she hugged her closely as her friends looked at her and smiled warmly. Her new life had finally begun, and with it, a brighter future. And all because of Raine. Her Raine, her filly, her daughter.

Sleepless Nights Cured

Rarity sat at her sewing machine, finishing the last of the hemming on this one particularly tricky order. 'Mrs. Pearl Shine in Fillydelphia will surely be satisfied with this dress.' Rarity thought to herself. Finally clipping the end of the thread on the stitch, she let out a sigh of relief. The dress was done and she could now relax. It had been quite the eventful day, and she was glad it was coming to a close. After she and Raine had arrived at the boutique, Raine was so tired from all the new experiences that she had immediately fallen asleep. Literally. She just collapsed right on the floor. Of course Rarity had panicked at first, but when she realized Raine was asleep, she let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. With a sigh, Rarity carefully scooped Raine up with her magic and carried her to the spare bedroom she had cleaned up for more permanent uses.

Rarity looked up at the clock on the wall and winced at the late hour. That dress had taken longer than she thought. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she stood up from her desk and stretched out her tired limbs.

"I really do need to get to bed. Beauty sleep doesn't happen unless one is actually asleep, and a lady should never miss out on such things."

With that, Rarity walked up the stairs to her room. 'I really must remember to send a letter to Sweetie about Raine. It would certainly not do to leave her in the dark until her return from her trip with mother and father.' Rarity thought to herself. She was quite certain Raine and her sister would get along famously, but still, it would be best to inform her of her new family member as Sweetie did not do well with surprises unless the involved sweets.

Closing her bedroom door behind her, Rarity walked to her vanity to remove anything unnecessary for sleep. Looking in the mirror, she saw the bags that had started to form under her eyes. Groaning at such hideous things, she began to remove her false eyelashes and mascara. Usually, such things would take a pony at least fifteen minutes to apply and remove, but Rarity had been doing this since she was a foal. That and fabulosity was in her nature. Natural talent for beauty was in her blood, though she wished it was in her parents blood as well. They didn't exactly scream glamour or refined. More like they screamed tourist and gaudy. Chuckling to herself at the image of her parents wearing high society formal wear and those Celestia awful tourist hats, she finished removing the last of her make-up.

With another heavy sigh, she walked to her bed. She had been doing that a lot lately. It was very unbecoming of a lady. Climbing daintily into her bed, she settled down for a nights well deserved sleep. With a final yawn, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

* * * * *

Raine awoke from her slumber. Glancing out of the window, she noticed the sun wasn't even up yet. 'Ugh, this is going to become a normal thing now, isn't it?' She thought to herself. Without Heavy Set's snores to wake her up anymore, she could finally sleep as much as she wanted, but her body apparently thought otherwise. Flopping face down into the fluffy pillow Rarity gave her, she tried to fall back asleep, but after five minutes of restless groaning, she finally gave up.

Jumping out of her bed, she decided she would get herself a glass of water. Padding her way across her room, she activated her magic, slowly coating the doorknob in a ocean blue aura, turning it and opening the door. Her tongue sticking out, she concentrated further, and lit the tip of her horn up so she could see in the dark hallway. With a satisfied smile, she walked softly to where she guessed was the stairs. She never got the full tour of the house, as she had fallen asleep as soon as Rarity closed the door. With a few stumbles, and walking into the wrong room twice, she finally found the kitchen downstairs. She was about to open a cabinet to look for a glass, when she stopped.

"Wait, what if I'm not allowed to go through the cabinets, or even be out of my room yet." Raine said to herself. "What if I get in trouble for walking around the house at night." She was starting to panic now, afraid to get in trouble again. She knew Rarity was nothing like that mean old caretaker at the orphanage, but she didn't want to make her mad.

"Raine, darling, whatever are you doing up at this hour?" She heard a voice say behind her. Whirling around, she saw Rarity standing inside the doorway of the kitchen. She didn't look angry, but still...

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, um.. I just..." Raine stuttered, trying to find her words. "I was thirsty, and I thought if I got a glass of water, then I might be able to get back to sleep."

Rarity made an 'Oh' face, as if to understand, and looked back at the filly, a bit of worry on her face. "You didn't have a nightmare, did you?" Rarity asked.

Raine shook her head. "No, I just woke up and couldn't get back to sleep."

Rarity nodded, pulling a glass from the cabinet with her magic. Filling it with water, she floated it to Raine with a smile. "I can relate to such a problem. It seems sleep betrays both of us this night."

Taking the cup in her magic with some concentration, she drank deeply of the cool water, the glass now considerably easier to levitate. With a contented sigh, Raine looked back up to Rarity. "Thank you. So, um, if you don't mind me asking, why can't you sleep?"

Rarity chuckled at the filly's reserved question, and motioned for them to sit at the table, where she levitated a couple oranges from the fridge. Expertly peeling them and setting them up in slices, the levitated a plate of the juicy fruit to Raine. With a gleeful smile, Raine jumped up on the chair and sat down, back straight and hooves together, Rarity noticed with a smile. Taking a seat herself, Rarity took up an orange slice and daintily nibbled at it before she spoke.

"I suppose it's the lack of, oh whats the word, fulfillment my life has had lately. Fewer and fewer dress orders are coming in, my friends are busy with their own lives and I can't seem to catch any of them on their free time. Applejack is busy preparing for cider season, Rainbow Dash has been back and forth between Ponyville and Baltimare to help with the weather out there because some of the pegasi got injured in the last big storm, Pinkie Pie is taking care of Mr. and Mrs. Cake's twin foals, Fluttershy has enough on her plate with Discord and her animal friends, and Twilight is studying an ancient text sent to her from Princess Celestia. I guess with a lack of anything to do, I'm getting restless." Rarity finished, nibbling at her orange slice again.

Raine sat across from her, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide. Cider season, Discord, Princess Celestia? She had already met Rarity's friends, but they seemed to sound weirder and weirder as Rarity described their daily lives.

"And what about you, darling? Why is it you are unable to sleep?" Rarity asked, looking at Raine with some concern.

Raine rubbed her foreleg with a hoof, casting her eyes at the spotless tile floor. "I'm just used to being in a room full of other colts and fillies. The noise kinda became a normal thing for me. I mean, I love how quiet your house is, it's a lot better than trying to sleep with a jungle for background noise. I guess all that time in the orphanage with the constant waking up and falling asleep and waking up and falling back to sleep became routine for me." Raine shuffled in her seat, poking at her last orange slice. "I don't miss being at the orphanage. I'm glad I'm out of there, but it's kind of lonely, even if none of the other foals liked me."

Rarity sat quiet for a moment, pondering the filly's dilemma. With a small hum, she stood from her chair and turned for the door, looking back at Raine. "Come, dear. Why don't you spend the night with me." Raine looked up with a surprised expression on her face. "We'll go into town tomorrow and see if we can find something for you to sleep with, but until then, we must get some rest."

Smiling, Raine hopped down from her chair and made her way to Rarity's side. "Thank you, Ms. Rarity!"

Chuckling, Rarity placed a hoof across Raine's withers. "You needn't use such formalities, darling."

"Then what do I call you?"

Rarity smiled. "Call me whatever you please, dear, but family shouldn't address each other by formal title. Formalities are used when addressing someone who is of high status and or those whom you converse with outside you circle of friends and family. For example, lets say you were talking to..." Rarity thought for a moment. " An important pony in the fashion business. I would use formalities such as 'Good evening, Mr. or Ms. or Mrs. Fashion Pony'."

Raine giggled and nodded. "Okay, I think I get it."

"Good. Now, I'd say it's about time for us to be making our way to bed." Rarity looked towards the wall clock next to the fridge, noting the early hour.

Raine nodded in agreement. "Good idea. I'm bushed and sorely in need of some beauty sleep."

Rarity laughed at that. "As am I, dear."

With that, they left the kitchen, and made their way back up the stairs towards Rarity's bedroom. Opening the door, Rarity entered the large room, Raine following close behind.

"Wow! This room is huge!" Raine exclaimed as she looked around.

Giggling at the young filly's surprise, she moved to the bed, and, after climbing within the warm confines of the comforter, patted the space next to her for Raine to sleep.

Grinning, Raine climbed carefully into the bed. Taking care not to mess up the immaculately made bed, she slid into the comforter next to Rarity. Hesitantly, she slowly snuggled up to Rarity.

With a small smile, Rarity placed her forelegs around her adopted daughter. "Good night, Raine."

Closing her eyes and taking in the warmth of the embrace, Raine snuggled closer. "Good night, mommy."

Tears Upon White Sheets

Twilight Sparkle walked through Ponyville's market, checklist floating close by in a magenta aura as she triple checked it for the second time to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. With a satisfied nod, she stowed the list away into her saddlebags and took in a relieved breath, glad that the mornings shopping was finished early.

"Phew, what a day." Twilight said with a sigh. "I'm surprised I got everything without forgetting something this time. Usually I have Spike with me to help me remember, but he's in Canterlot on royal business, so I guess I'm winging it this weekend."

With a chuckle to herself, she began to walk home at a relaxed trot. "Maybe I'll go visit Rarity and see how she and her new daughter are doing. Maybe there's something I can help them with." With that, she altered her direction toward Rarity's boutique.

After a few minutes, and a couple greetings to the residents of Ponyville, she found herself on the doorstep of the Carousel Boutique. Raising a hoof, she knocked on the door.

"Hello? Rarity?" Twilight called out. After a couple of seconds, she heard a reply from the other side.

"Just a moment, darling, and I will be right with you." Came the distinct voice of Rarity.

Twilight smiled, and took a step back, so as not to be directly in her friends face when she opened the door. She had read that that makes people very uncomfortable in most cases. Shortly after, the door opened, and she was greeted by her friends smiling face. "Twilight! It's so good to see you, dear." Rarity stated, beaming. " Why don't you come inside, I just finished making a pot of Jasmine tea."

"That sounds lovely, Rarity." Twilight replied. Stepping inside to follow Rarity into the kitchen, Twilight looked around the business/living space of the fashionista. "Where is Raine?" Twilight asked.

"She upstairs playing with the new doll I bought her this morning. The poor dear was having trouble sleeping last night, so I thought that it would help." Rarity explained.

"Did she say why she was having problems sleeping?" Twilight puzzled.

Rarity walked into the kitchen to fetch the kettle and a pair of tea cups, but continued to explain. "It would seem, though the place was absolutely dreadful, that she was used to sleeping in the orphanage with all the other little colts and fillies. Even though they didn't exactly treat her well, the company apparently helped her sleep. However, when I adopted her and took her home, she no longer had that company. It could have been the secure feeling of twenty or so more foals in the same room, or the white noise that helped her sleep, but hopefully, that doll will help some." As Rarity finished, she poured Twilight and herself a cup of tea, the steam rising from the two cups in lazy curls.

Twilight took a light sip from the still hot tea, but something else tugged at her mind. "What was that injury on her foreleg from? It looked quite painful when I saw her limping a little when she stepped out of the train."

At this, Rarity frowned deeply. "That was the result of extreme discrimination." At Twilight's puzzled look, Rarity continued to explain. "While she was at the orphanage, she was treated as.... Well, less than Equish. Far less. She was ostracized by the entire orphanage, even the caretaker. She had no friends, no one to confide in. It was terrible. Then, from what I'm told by the caretaker and Raine, one day a foal had stabbed her leg with a fork. The caretaker said that the foal was merely defending his friend because Raine had attacked him, but Raine says that she had just barely touched him as she reached for a box of cereal and the little colt panicked. Honestly, I believe Raine more than that horrible caretaker. But when I found her, she was curled up in a terrified ball on her bed, a dirty bandage barely wrapped around it." Rarity took a deep breath and sipped at her tea. After composing herself, she continued. "I am thinking about taking her to see a doctor to have it looked at. I fear it may become infected."

As Twilight listened, her horrified expression grew into a sickened look of disbelief. "Rarity, that's horrible! Please, let me take a look at Raine's wound. I may not be a doctor, or even a nurse, but I know a few First-Aid spells that will help."

Rarity smiled at her friends willingness to help her on an immediate notice. "That would be wonderful, Twilight. Thank you."

At this, Twilight nodded. As they both stood to walk to Raine's bedroom, they heard a voice in the kitchen doorway. "Mommy?"

Rarity and Twilight turned to see Raine in the kitchen entrance, her eye's half shut and her stance unsteady. "I don't feel so well." Raine said, her voice hesitant. With that, she collapsed into an unconscious heap.

With a panicked gasp, Rarity was immediately at her foals side. "Raine! What's wrong? Raine!?"

Twilight galloped over to where the unconscious foal lay. Focusing her magic into her horn, she cast a spell over Raine's body, enveloping it in her magenta aura. With a look of hurried concentration, she looked over Raine's body. With a gasp, she turned back to Rarity. "We have to get her to the hospital now! Her injury is already infected!"

Terrified, Rarity looked down at her daughter's wake-less form, Raine struggling for breath.

"Rarity!" Twilight yelled, snapping the alabaster unicorn out of her daze. Nodding quickly, Rarity lit her horn and began to levitate Raine in her light blue aura. Turning to the doorway to the outside world, she galloped at full speed, just barely opening the door before she slammed into it. Looking back to see Twilight just inches behind her, she continued her terrified rush to the hospital.

* * * * *

Rarity paced about the waiting room of the Ponyville General Hospital, the sound of the wall clocks incessant ticking the only noise that reached her ears. She had been waiting for almost two hours, with no word from anypony about her daughter's health. Just as she was starting to think about charging into the emergency room with a mothers conviction, a white earth pony mare with a candy pink mane pushed open the door to the waiting room and walked in.

"Rarity?" Nurse Redheart called into the waiting room.

Rarity almost ran to the nurse, eager and yet hesitant to hear the news.

"Yes? That is me. Is Raine OK? Please tell me my daughter is OK."

Nurse Redheart smiled and nodded. "Your daughter is well and currently healing in room 311 if you wish to see her.."

Rarity smiled as tears welled up in her eyes. She thanked the mare profusely and trotted as fast as she could to the room Nurse Redheart mentioned. After a few minutes of eyeing door plaques, she finally found the room where Raine was being kept. She quickly opened the door and stepped inside. There, sleeping peacefully in the bed across the room, was Raine, her leg neatly bandaged, a small bottle of antibiotics on the table next to her bed. Rarity crossed the room and sat next to Raine's bed, her tears not yet dry.

"Oh Raine, my little filly. I am so glad you are OK." Rarity said aloud, though she knew Raine was to deep in her slumber to hear hear. With fresh tears in her eyes, Rarity laid her head next to her daughter's still sleeping form, and fell asleep. It had been a long day, and she could no longer keep herself awake. She would be there when her daughter woke up.