Rainbow Stripes - Element of Compassion

A young mare looked out her window at the full Moon that was casting light into her room. "On the darkest nights, you send me light," She murmured, "Thank you..."

"You can't...!" Her ear flicked at the sound of a distraught voice and she looked around. Her two roommates were still asleep, but there was artificial light filtering in from under the door. She quietly trotted over and pressed her ear to it. "You can't do this... You can't shut down Angel Orphanage...!" The young mare's eyes grew wide. Shut down the-?!

"I'm sorry, Miss Halo, but you didn't meet the bit requirement this month to keep this place going." Not enough...?

"That shouldn't matter...! This is a place for foals who have no home...!" She sounds like she's crying... The young mare quietly opened the door and poked her head out. Both mares stared at her in surprise. Amber Halo was a golden-tan Pegasus with an amber mane and yellow eyes. Her cutiemark was a comet with a fiery tail, looping around in a circle. The mare beside her was an Earth Pony with a dark blonde with a black mane in a loose ponytail. He cutiemark was hidden by the lavender dress she was wearing. "Rainbow, what are you doing up?" Amber Halo asked nervously.

"Is it true," I asked softly, "Is Angel Orphanage shutting down?" Tears stained Amber's cheek fur and my heart sunk.

"I'm sorry, young one," The foreign mare murmured, "But you don't have enough to keep this place running. If I could help you, trust me, I would, but-"

"I'll raise the money, then...!" I exclaimed softly. Both of them looked even more surprised at my words.

"Very well," The business mare said, "I'll give you four months. That's all the time that I'm allowed to give you, but it should be enough."

"And how much do I need to earn?" I asked timidly and the blonde mare sighed.

"Twenty-five thousand bits." My eyes grew wide, and both my ears and mouth dropped. "Four months," She repeated, "You should try to get work in Ponyville; there are plenty of ponies in need of help, there." I nodded, calming myself.

"And what's you name, in case I need to contact you?"

"Honey Bee. Yours?"

"Rainbow Stripes."

"That's a strange name, but I understand where you get it," I nodded solemnly, "Now, I suggest you leave as soon as Celestia raises the Sun." I nodded again.

"Thank you, Miss Bee." She smiled.

"No problem. This place has done wonders... It'd be a shame to see it close down."

"Indeed, it would."

"Any who, I should be on my way. My condolences, once again. I wish you luck on your quest. I'll see myself out." And with that, she was already trotting down the stairs.

"You shouldn't have intervened, Rainbow." Amber said sternly, but I met her gaze evenly.

"And let young fillies and colts be cast out to the streets? We're the only orphanage around here for miles...!"

"She's right, miss." I turned to see both Storm Trotter and Dream Quill standing in our doorway. Storm had a firm expression, while Quill had tears in her eyes. "And we're going to help." I shook my head.

"You two need to stay here and look after the foals while I'm gone. Miss Amber will need help." After a moment, they both nodded.

"You three... Have done so much for this place. But Rainbow, I don't want you going out there and getting yourself hurt...!" There were tears in Amber's eyes again, so I smiled reassuringly at her.

"Please, it's only Ponyville. What's the worst that could happen?"