Rainbow Stripes - Element of Compassion

Most of the land around the little town my orphanage was in was just meadow and field. A large field separated my town, Saddleburgh, from the Everfree forest, which was the quickest route to Ponyville. I heard it was dangerous and at first I was nervous, but in the face of adventure, Rainbow Stripes never backs down from a challenge! A challenge I had yet to face, because it was already growing late. "It sure is cold out here..." I muttered as Moe and I relaxed in a soft, grassy meadow. Moe shivered, as if to agree, then snuggled into my mane. I smiled and pulled out my star-patterned blanket, laying down and resting my head on my case. As I heard Moe begin to snore softly beside my ear, I gazed up at the stars and Moon, unable to find enough peace to sleep. "Oh, Luna... How am I ever going to raise enough bits in time to save Angel Orphanage...? Twenty-five thousand..." I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to relax. The patterns of the stars still danced behind my lids and the Moon still shined down upon me in the blackness of my mind.

I woke up slowly in the morning, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I heard a tiny yawn and smiled at Moe. "Mornin', buddy." I chuckled and he blinked his sleepy eyes at me with a groggy smile. He squeaked in response nuzzling my cheek before beginning to scout around. As he flew about, I refolded my blanket and opened my case before putting it back inside. Then I reached in and retrieved an apple, smiling brightly; apples were my favorite food, after all. I munched on it happily as I watched the clouds roll by, sometimes blocking out the Sun. Once I was finished, I buried all of the seeds and the core separately. Perhaps, in a few years, this will become a field of apple trees. A small squeak brought me out of one of my many fantasies, and I grinned at Moe. "Ready to go, Moe?" He grinned back and nodded vigorously, then glanced up at the sky. "You wanna fly for a bit?" He was even more eager to nod this time. I laughed softly and swung my case over my back before stretching out my wings. "Come on, let's fly!"

As I soared through the air with Moe by my side, I noticed that the skies were clear enough to close my eyes while I flew. "Mm..." I almost immediately entered another one of my daydreams. In this one, I was one of Luna's royal guards of the night. I was fighting the Changelings, and we were winning. Take that! Haha! I grinned, performing a swift barrel roll with my hooves at front, then flashing open my wings again. They caught the wind and slowed me down to my original speed. In my mind, a Changeling was diving for my side, trying to aim for my wings, but I ducked quickly to the side and bucked him away with my hind hooves. Yes! Victory! And already, all the Changelings were falling out of the sky and to their dooms. Luna herself congratulated me for being such a brave soldier, promoting me to Major status. I beamed with pride, then sighed happily and opened my eyes to see that the bright blue skies ahead were slowly turning pink and purple in twilight's embrace. Beside me, Moe was grinning at my antics but looking a bit tired. "How about we take a break for tonight, buddy, and continue on hoof? You can rest in my wings." He looked at me gratefully and we quickly landed. To my surprise, we were already at the border of the Everfree forest. Moe shivered at the dark and looming trees before nestling himself in my feathers and letting out an exhausted sigh. What a great time to go on hoof...