The Everfree Guide's Daughter

Chapters

The Things You Find
Can Be Great
The Daily Struggle
Another Day
Meeting The Princesses
Cutie Marks
The Loner
The Truth
The Miasma
The Fight
The Asylum
Princess vs Princess
The Only Way

The Things You Find

The day started normally enough for me. I got up and walked out of my home, a large boulder that I'd hollowed out; windows, doors, furniture, the works. It had a bed and bathroom, a kitchen and living room. It had a small dining room and a porch to walk on in the warm sun or cool night. But it had always missed something ever since I moved in. What was it? Hmm... Aha! The only thing it missed was company. I brushed my teeth, I combed my mane, I cleaned the candelabra atop my head with some polish and a rag, combed the fur that went over my hooves, and watered my tail's three green ivy leaves. I made sure the chain to my lantern was on tightly and ate breakfast; oats with fresh green grass. The grass wasn't as tasty as the oats, but they were both quite delicious in my opinon.

For a Nitor Pony, I was quite... different. I didn't stick with the clan like most did, no, I went out and lived in the Everfree Borders. I knew the Everfree, not to mention Equestria, like the bottom of my hoof. Photographic memories and a love for guiding ponies drove me to live here and help others in the forest.

I sighed and trotted out into the Everfree Forest, my lantern on my tail jingling to the beat of my hooves on the dirt. Every day ever since I moved to he Everfree Forest, I went to my friend Zecora's for tea. She was a Zebra, and I adored the way she spoke in rhymes. I loved her attire and her knowledge and aspired to be like her in a way.

I was relatively in far enough when I heard a noise. It wasn't a frog gurgling. It wasn't a crow screaming its cacophony song. Trust me, I know what a crow sounds like. Black Quill was my pet crow ever since she'd hatched. It wasn't a Timber Wolf howling. What was it? I cautiously trotted towards the sound and stepped back, astonished.

How could some pony do something like this?! How could any pony do this?! These thoughts and more ran through my head as I walked toward the bundle. It cried as I woke it, but as I picked her up, her crying hushed. A small, blue-gray Unicorn filly was bundled in pink blankets.

"Why would some pony leave you out here?" I asked her, combing her teal mane.

She stopped crying and opened her eyes slowly, revealing two pink orbs that were cuter than anything I've ever seen. I carefully bundled her blankets around her and around my neck, so she hung by my chest like a sash. I galloped home, the thumping of my hooves calming her, making her crack a small smile. I closed my door behind me and laid the filly on my bed. I was shocked to see her crawl out of the blankets and flex her wings. Wings! She was an Alicorn!

I was astonished. She looked at me with a smile and played with my chops as my mouth gaped open. She enjoyed the smacking sound they made as she opened and closed my jaw for me. She stopped after a while and closed it for me, sitting down and staring at me like I was supposed to do something.

As she tilted her head, I heard a jingling noise from her neck. I found a dog tag on a chain around her neck. I pulled it off her neck and looked at it, narrowing my eyes to read the small print. Steam Snowflake. She had a beautiful name with a color scheme to match.

She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling. She looked no more than two years old at the least. Quill flew over and perched on my back, looking at Steam Snowflake sideways. Black Quill didn't usually take a liking to any pony besides me, so this next part came as a surprise.

She hopped onto the bed and put a large wing around her, cuddling the filly before flying back to her cage. I was more than astonished... I was... It was unbelievable! The filly looked up at me with a smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. She chuckled, and sat on her back hooves, reaching up to me.

I didn't know what to do, but my body decided to pick her up and cradle her like she was my own baby. It was odd, yet it felt... right in a sense. I snuggled her close to me and looked down at her, her pink orbs looking up at me. I wanted to keep her. Forever. I knew she had to have parents, but what parents would leave her in the Everfree Forest?! All alone?!

"What happened to you, I wonder." I said softly.

My ears perked when she spoke in a filly's grammar. "Mama."

I looked down at her and she smiled up at me, as if asking for a reward. I didn't know what to do. I thought for a moment and nodded. "Mama. Can you say Lenora Lantern Glow? Len-or-a Lan-turn G-low."

"Wenowa Wantern Gwow." She babbled, smiling as I nodded.

I thought for a moment. Would the guards take her away from me? I didn't know, but more importantly, I didn't care. I had some pony who depended on me. Finally, some pony relied on me to take care of them!

I laid her down in my bed and tucked her in, sitting by the bed and looking to my right, looking out the window. I planned on going to Zecora's house tomorrow. I glanced back at the small filly, watching her chest rise and fall slowly, signalling she was asleep. I looked back out the window.

Maybe tomorrow.

Can Be Great

I blinked lazily. I had stayed up all night to make sure Steam Snowflake wouldn't fall off the bed. Sure, it got boring, but she needed me. I couldn't just leave her in the Everfree; I couldn't just fall asleep while she did and have the possibility of her falling off. I think that's part of what helped me stay awake. The agonizing worry that she'd get hurt. It was comforting and strange at the same time. She wasn't my child, but I treated her as if she were my own.

She yawned and opened her pink eyes, giving me a small smile. She tilted her head and stood up, stretching her legs. She frowned, making me frown. Her stomach gurgled in response and she looked up at me with sad eyes.

"No, sweetie, don't cry," I cooed, picking her up in one arm and walking to the kitchen.

I carried her as I got milk out of the fridge and poured it into a glass. I didn't have anything to feed her properly with! I thought for a moment and she must've seen the glass, reaching for it. I blinked slowly, setting her down and putting the glass next to her. I chuckled as she tried to lick it out of the glass.

I picked up a bowl and poured the milk into the bowl and laid it down, putting the glass in the sink. I heard her lapping up the milk and turned, watching her get milk all over her muzzle and fur. She quickly finished it and looked back up at me expectantly. I tilted my head.

"What?" I asked.

"I wove mama." She smiled crawling over to my legs and rubbing her cheek against them.

"I love you, too, Steam Snowflake," I beamed, rubbing her mane.

I picked up a napkin and tilted her head up and wiped her chin and muzzle, getting it nice and clean. She grinned and giggled in amusement as I threw the napkin away. I kept my eye on her as I walked backwards into the bedroom, picking up the blanket with my tail. I walked back to her and wrapped her in te pink blanket, making another sash with it.

I walked out of the front door and began to walk to Zecora's, walking through the Everfree Forest, the sun occasionally shining down on us in warmth. She smiled again and closed her eyes, occasionally looking up at me. I trotted gently down the path, looking at the leaves and trees. They were so beautiful in autumn.

Snakes slithered and bunnies hopped, Steam sometimes looking at them with a smile. I trotted as she watched the forest pass by slightly fast, but she was content through and through. We eventually found Zecora's hut in the beautiful tree. I knocked on the door and she opened it with a smile.

"Hello, my brown friend, I have much time to spend." She smiled, then noticed the bundle over my neck in the sash. "Oh, what's this? I thought you were not a Mrs., but rather a Miss."

I smiled and chuckled. "I found her in the Everfree Forest yesterday. She was all alone and I couldn't leave her there, so I took her home. I... I love her. What should I do, Zecora?"

"The filly is special, that much is true, but the question is, can she be raised by you?" She asked, tilting her head with a smile.

I put a hoof to my chin and Steam held onto the long fur, putting it in her mouth and suckling it with a smile. I hugged Zecora with one arm and turned around.

"I'll come by tomorrow, Zecora. I want to take care of Steam first."

"A good idea, my lovely friend, I do hope you keep her and win." She smiled, closing the door to her hut.

I was. I was going to win the right to have Steam Snowflake. I trotted at first, then broke into a full on gallop to Ponyville. I was out of breath by the time I got to Ponyville, and slowed to a trot. I could see Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle. True, she wasn't higher up like Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, or even Princess Cadance, but she was good enough for now.

I trotted to the castle and surprisingly, there was no line to get to the six Elements. I knocked on the door and it opened in violet aura, and I walked in slowly.

"Hello," Twilight Sparkle spoke with a smile.

"Hello, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, I've come from the Everfree Forest to ask you something. I know it's strange, but I don't think going all the way to Canterlot or the Crystal Empire would be worth my time if all of you were here."

They had astonished expressions, but Twilight soon spoke. "Tell us this strange event, please."

"I was walking in the Everfree Forest yesterday when I came across this filly. However, she's an Alicorn, but I don't know how. I don' want to give her up to the foster system and I don't want to give her to an orphanage. So my question is, can I adopt Steam Snowflake as my daughter?"

"Did you name her or something?" Rainbow Dash asked.

I shook my head. "No, she had a dog tag with that name on it. I left it back at my home, but I... I love her as if she were my own child! Please, allow me to raise her!"

They all exchanged glances before Twilight Sparkle spoke again. "We must discuss it between ourselves first. Please wait outside while we speak."

I nodded and closed the doors behind me, looking down at Steam. She played with my mane and giggled, smiling at me. Her pink eyes looked up at me as if I were a queen.

"Mama." She smiled so warmly.

I nodded with another smile. "Mama."

We waited out in the hall for a small time, but it felt like forever. I was soon allowed to reenter the room. I stood in the middle of them, facing the Princess.

"We will all voice our opinions to you first and then I shall give you the ruling to make sure we're on the same page." Twilight announced.

"I think she should be allowed to care for the filly," Rarity spoke with a smile. "She obviously seems fit to care for a filly. What's your name, dear?"

I couldn't believe in my haste I forgot to give my name! "My name is Lenora Lantern Glow, but please call me Lantern. I'm a Nitor Pony."

"You are very fashionable, I love your candelabra, dear! And your lantern is positively fabulous!" Rarity squealed.

"Ah think she should care for the filly. She clearly cares about her deeply." Applejack smiled.

"I think she'd make a great mommy! I mean, look at her face!" Pinkie Pie smiled, squishing my face.

Steam tapped my face and smiled. "Mama!"

"See, even Steam agrees!" Pinkie smiled before sitting back down.

"You're a good mare, Lantern. I think you should keep her." Rainbow Dash said.

"I agree with Rainbow Dash... You are very kind," Fluttershy squeaked quietly.

"Then it's settled. Lenora Lantern Glow, Steam Snowflake is your adoptive daughter from her on out. We will investigate what happened to her, however we make no promises."

"Th-Thank you all! Thank you so much!" I smiled, holding Steam up in the air. "Say mama!"

"Mama mama! Mama happy!" She giggled.

The Daily Struggle

Being a mother was the best thing that ever happened to me. After I spoke with Princess Twilight Sparkle, I immediately went to the foal store on the other side of Ponyville. I bought a cradle, a play pin, a proper foal sash, and a few other things a foal would need. I had the owner give me a cart to use to pull all of the items in it, and even if I wasn't strong, I was determined; though it was nice of him to give me the cart for free.

The things ponies do these days. Such a kind stallion. Steam Snowflake fell asleep as I pulled the cart, and I got it home with only four stops along the way. I parked the cart outside my home and carried the sash in first. I set it down in the living room that I counted as a foyer and I opened it, putting Steam in it and putting it around my neck. It was black in color but it worked fine. I threw the trash the the garbage bin outside my home and pulled in the play pin very carefully.

It took a little while but I got it open. The next part was even worse. True, it came with tools and instructions, but it was way more difficult than it needed to be. But once the red, yellow, and blue colored foal container was assembled, I put Steam in it. I watched her through the mesh material and she looked around with a smile.

I quickly galloped back to the cart and got a bouncy ball and a stuffed brown dog, and put them in the pin. She picked the dog up and played with it, hugging it and rolling around with it. I picked up the cradle and began the horrible task of opening the box and putting the thing together. I closed the front door and began building the cradle whilst keeping an eye on Steam.

After about two hours of confusion and mysterious tools, I finally finished the cradle. I pushed it into my- our bedroom and laid the mattress, pillow, and blankets on it. I trotted back out to Steam and she smiled up at me, carrying the doggy in white magic already. I was astonished, but amazed once she flapped her wings, bumping her nose against mine affectionately.

I smiled and hugged her and she giggled, hugging my neck as best she could. "Mama! I wove mama!"

"I love you too, Steam," I grinned as I petted her mane.

I set her down and stood before her as she looked up at me with a smile. If she was going to use magic and fly, she'd have to have rules. "Okay, Steam, you can't fly out of the house without mommy, okay?"

She nodded with a smile, closing her wings against her body. It was a good start.

"You can only use magic when mommy says it's okay to, alright?"

She nodded again, still hugging the doggy toy. I smiled and laid down next to her. She played with my mane and her toy and had the most fun she could ever have.

"What's your doggy's name?" I asked.

She thought for a moment, her pink eyes looking at the ceiling in wonder before telling me. "His name is Mr. Woofs."

"Mr. Woofs? That's a lovely name." I smiled, making her smile.

"Mr. Woofs is my friend." She smiled, hugging the plush dog close.

I stood up and looked out the window. It was almost noon. I walked to the fridge and listened to Steam play with Mr. Woofs for a while, as I prepared our lunch. I chopped up some carrots into teeny tiny bits and made some corn, putting them in a bowl and setting it on the table. I made myself some oat cereal and set it down across from the other chair, looking at Steam.

She had wandered over to watch me sometime between the corn and my cereal making. She looked at her wings that were pressed against her body and she looked to me again, then at the chair. She held Mr. Woofs in her mouth and tried to climb up the rungs of the chair, but couldn't quite get there. I used my hoof to boost her the rest of the way up and she set Mr. Woofs by her bowl with a smile.

"Can I have milk?" She asked, her adorable foal lisp still present.

I nodded and poured a glass of milk, setting it next to her. As I ate my cereal, I watched her carefully. She set a single piece of corn and two tiny bits of carrots next to Mr. Woofs with a smile. She ate the rest of her food quickly but not too quickly as to get a tummy ache.

"Are those for Mr. Woofs?" I asked.

Steam nodded with a smile. I was surprised at how well she could speak and how intelligent she already was for two years. She picked up the corn and carrots in her hoof and pretended to feed Mr. Woofs, then ate them herself.

"Mr. Woofs can't really eat, so I eat for him," She explained with a bright smile.

I nodded and helped her down the chair, then set her in the play pin. I walked back to the kitchen and cleaned up the bowls and glasses, putting them in the sink. I sighed. Being a mom was great but all that had occurred really took it out of me. I walked over to Steam Snowflake and chuckled softly as she snored slightly. I guess a full tummy did make one sleepy.

I carefully walked around the play pin, my hoof steps quiet as a mouse. I sat on the sofa and closed my eyes. I thought it was a minute... maybe even four seconds before I heard her whimper. I fell off the couch in surprise and jumped over to her, as she was waving her arms around and crying slightly.

I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Scary closed eyes time," She said, looking up at me before burying her face in my fur.

"A nightmare, huh? Aw, don't worry, sweetie. It was just a bad dream. Those happen sometimes, but they're not real." I assured her with a smile.

She nodded lazily and her eyes blinked less and less often, eventually snoring being heard once more. I walked into our bedroom and laid her in the cradle- it would probably be more comfortable. I went back and picked up the doggy, laying it next to her. I turned the lights off and cracked the door open slightly and sat on the sofa, reading one of my old books.

It was a romance story, a lovely one at that, and I knew I had lullabies and story books in my bookshelf, but my filly was already asleep. Might as well indulge myself in some romantic literature.

Another Day