An Orphan's Dream Life.

Chapters

An Orphan's Dream Life
A New Reality
Stories and Nightmares
Going Home

An Orphan's Dream Life

Wheat, clean and freshly cut, as far as the eye can see. The fields were cut even with the horizon, which dawned upon them. Nightshine looked at her work of the day, the tall hay bales scattered around the farm, the searing heat of the summer sun setting in the distance, creating a rich, beautiful, red sky. A smile slowly appeared on Nightshine's face as she began trotting back to her stable. She gave a nod to the other work-horses as she passed by, then to the human farmers riding them. The horses nodded back. The humans waved.

Walking across the long path, down to the farmhouses and stables, she kept smiling as she thought about all the wonderful times she's had growing up on this farm, such as the time when she was learning to fly and nearly toppled over the hen-house, or the time she nearly gave Old Granny Bertha a heart attack during her visit when she realized that the family had a talking bat-pony from a different dimension living on the farm.

The horizon of crops slowly gave way as her stable slowly came into view. She trotted slightly faster now that the thirst and strain set upon her body from a hard day’s work. The harness she was wearing and the cart she was pulling didn't help with her tired hooves either. She approached the stable, an old beat up wooden building with doors half the height of a regular horse lining the width of this ancient work of craftsmanship. Nightshine was told stories of how, her provider, Allen’s great, great grandfather built this stable and how it’s stayed up ever since. This was odd remembering how back in Equestria, “Barn Falls Down” was the most common occurrence in the news, or at least in the newspapers that Serenity read.

She walked up to the side of the stable where work equipment was held, lining up with the other carts as she crawled out of the harness. She stood up, ruffled her wings, and for a second just enjoyed the relief on her shoulders. Her hooves were covered in dirt from trudging through the fields, her mane ruffled and filthy from sweat and dirt. After a long yawn, she walked around the corner back to the doors separating each horse’s stable until she reached the last door on the building, which, unlike the others, was slightly smaller, cut down to fit Nightshine's height so she could still hang her head outside without opening the door.

About to enter her room, she was stopped by a familiar voice,

“Nightshine!”

She turned her head to see Allen waving at her from the farmhouse steps.

“Are ya comin' to after-harvest dinner?” he shouted across the grassy field between the farmhouse and the stables and barn.

“Of course! Just need to wash up!”

Even though Nightshine slept in the stables, she still ate with the family since she was technically a person. She thought that the other horses might be jealous but (even though they can’t talk) they seem to enjoy their hay.

Nightshine opened the creaking door to her room. It was decorated with small knick-knacks and things from her childhood. She had a proper bed with cotton wool mattress and blanket. It was soft and kept her warm during the cold winter nights. She always felt like she was treated with special care. She picked up an empty bucket with her mouth and carried it outside, kicking the door shut with her hind-leg. Walking around the corner beside her door to the side of the stable, she noticed the other farmers were arriving and dismounting their steeds to lead them back into their home. At the side of the barn, there was a hose that was used to wash the horses, but it was too strong for her so she had this bucket which she placed in a hook sticking out of the wall. The bucket had a lot of small holes on the bottom of it creating a shower. She grabbed the hose from the ground with her teeth and started flapping her wings, elevating herself from the ground she placed the hose into the bucket. Nightshine landed gently on the ground, leaving the dust undisturbed. She turned to the valve and twisted it ever so slightly for the water to start flowing. The water came down cold, like an icy river pouring onto her, and she felt instantly awake.

After a thorough washing her hooves were clean enough to see her own reflection in them, she closed the valve, lifted the bucket and placed back inside of her room. The dinner bell rang and Nightshine lifted her head in excitement. The family always had a huge dinner after the last day of the harvest. Galloping up to the farmhouse, she thought of the many fruits and vegetables that were prepared. Once she got to steps she could smell the cooking and quickly ran up the steps, only turning at the door to see Richard, who was feeding the horses, also start walking up. She entered the house and an aroma of roast carrots and fresh lettuce filled her nostrils. She followed the scent into the dining room where the whole family, save for Richard who was entering right after her, were gathered.

“Nightshine! Take a seat! I've made some of them chocolate chip and sugar cookies you love so much!” said Rachel, Allen's wife, while she was setting down a plate of mashed potatoes. Rachel was preparing this entire lovely feast which caused Nightshine's stomach to rumble.

Her seat was in the middle of the table and slightly raised so she would be at eye level. Putting both hooves over it and then extending her wings to aid her in her climb, her wings flapped frantically as her legs scratched off of the chair legs until she landed on her belly on the soft cushion on her chair. She sat on this tall chair looking around at the food on the table. It was all steaming with deliciousness.

Everyone was around the table chatting. Allen, Grandpa Ricky, and Johnathan (the eldest son) were trying to figure out how much money they would make this year from the bountiful harvest. Jesibel (the eldest daughter, a couple years younger than Johnathan) was being silly to amuse the two children, Michael (the slightly younger twin) and Laurna (the slightly older twin), and finally Richard, (the middle brother) who was just taking his place sitting right beside Nightshine.

“Had a good day’s work?” he said as he rubbed his hands together gazing upon the food on the table.

“As fun as long, hard work is, I think this is the best part,” said Nightshine while her smile grew wider.

“Don't worry, I agree.”

Suddenly coming out of the kitchen door, was Rachel holding a giant plate with a metal top. She placed it down into the center of the table where there previously was an empty space in the plates scattered about the table. She lifted the lid to reveal a glossy, meaty leg of lamb.

“And not to forget about Nightshine...” She leaned over into the kitchen and came out holding a platter of cookies “Here's for our favorite little herbivore.”

She walked over to Nightshine's side of the table where she slid the cookies onto her plate. The pleasant, chocolatey heat that arose from them made it nearly unbearable to not dig in.

Everyone settled down. Talks of money ended and children sat in their seats. Nightshine sat with her hooves in between her legs, resisting eating the cookies. Her attention was then turned to see Rachel sit down beside her husband. Everyone joined hands, and Nightshine reached out her hooves to those beside her as she closed her eyes.

Allen spoke out, “We thank you Lord for the meal we are about to enjoy. We are grateful for this year’s harvest and the produce that has came from it. We thank you Lord for all that you have blessed us with. We thank you for our family and we thank you for our own little miracle that is Nightshine (Even though no one saw, she smiled at that). Amen.”

“Amen,” said everyone in the room in unison, including Nightshine, who immediately started stuffing herself with cookies.

Hands filled the table as everyone started picking up pieces of food and passing dishes. Allen started cutting the lamb and passing it around to each plate. Richard eventually looked at Nightshine.

“You want anything or are ya fine with your cookies?”

Nightshine's attention left the beautiful, melt-in-your-mouth, chocolatey goodness of the cookies and realized that there were so many delicacies she was missing out on.

“Oh, right. I’d like some of that spinach and the roast carrots please.”

Richard reached over to each of the items and scooped them onto her plate. Nightshine then started to eat again but every now and then pointed with her hoof at what else she wanted.

It was a great dinner.

The evening sun set in the distance as the family finished up their meal. Everyone was tired and well fed, but before everyone was to be off to bed, they sat to talk and joke after dinner.

“...and that's why your grandmother will never leave the house without her knitting gear.”

Everyone gave a laugh as Allen finished a story from his childhood. As the laughter died down, attention was turned to Nightshine

“Nightshine, why don't ya tell us a story about Equastria, huh?” said Richard with an insistent look

“Oh, come on, you've already heard all the stories I have from that dusty old orphanage.”

“And you know we'd love to hear them all again,” said Allen, lifting his glass and taking a sip.

“Don't worry, Nightshine. No matter what you say, it'll still be more sense then one of Grandpa's stories,” said Johnathan, giving their grandfather a joking smile.

“Alright, I’ll tell you all a story,” said Nightshine, who then saw the two twins, whom she noticed were keenly listening, jump up from playing with their toy trains and dolls and scuttered over and sat beside her chair.

“Oh! Oh! Please tell the one about the princesses!” said Laura excitedly.

“No, I want her to tell the one with the changelings!” said Michael, trying to be even more excited than Laura.

“Please, please. Calm down. How ‘bout I tell you the story of how I first came to Earth, huh?”

It didn't seem that they cared as much about what her stories were about, as much as the children just loved to hear about Equestria.

“Well, I was about twelve years old and I was just told by Serenity that I was too old to ever be adopted. I went to my room and I started to cry into my pillow. That night I wrapped myself in my wings and I tried to make myself believe that it was somepony hugging me, telling me that it will be ok. I nuzzled into my pillow, pretending it was somepony that loved me. I couldn't sleep that night for some reason and I sat there wondering why I was I destined to be alone...”

The curtains waved by the window. Glimpses of lightning peered through the openings. Nightshine wrapped her wings around herself even tighter. She was frightened by the thunderous crackle in the wind. As she whimpered in her bed she whispered under her breath, “Why... w-why...” She sniffed and wiped her eyes from the tears flowing down her face. “I-I...” Nightshine let out a squee as thunder rumbled in the air and light flashed through the small gaps in the curtains, causing her to jump back. “I-I didn't do anything wr-wrong-ng-g...” her quiet voice deteriorated into sobbing.

Another flash of lightning came from the window. Nightshine's eyes were closed and pouring with tears, slowly making their way down to the pillow she oh-so wished was somepony to comfort her. She wiped her eyes and slowly stopped crying and with a few sniffs she lifted her head to wipe her eyes once more. she noticed that the light from the lighting was still there. It was still shining.

The window shined with a pulsating white light brighter than the sun. It beamed down into Nightshine's room. The window slipped open as the locks gave way. The sound of wind bashing against bushes and branches of trees grew in size until it encompassed the room. The window slammed open, pushing the curtains to the sides and revealing the source of light.

Nightshine sat up in her bed, no longer crying, and wiped her eyes one last time to make sure this was in fact really happening. The giant ball of light outside was shimmering with a dark blue magical aura with a center of pure white light fluctuating in both size and brightness. Nightshine sat there, jaw open in awe at this miraculous sight.

“You wish to be loved?” It spoke, but voice didn't come from its direction. Instead it felt like it surrounded her. She jumped back, quivering once more in her bed, scared and confused. She wrapped herself in her thin blanket for what protection it gave, and crumpled herself into a ball experiencing a magnitude of fear that she hadn't ever felt in her life. “H-Hello...?” The words were difficult to muster with the fear that enveloped her body.

“Do not fear me young one. I am not here to inflict you any harm. Instead I wish to help you, Nightshine. You wish to be loved, yes?” The voice was gentle and serene.

“Y-You you're here to help m-me?” Her tight grip on the blanket loosened a small bit as she poked her eyes passed the rim of her thin shield.

“From the information that I have gathered, it is most likely that you will not ever be adopted, correct?” This reminder given in such a blunt way brought another tear to Nightshine's eye.

“Y-Yes, that's r-right.” She let go of the blanket and it covered her limply.

“Do not feel worried child. I am here to send you to a place where you will be loved, but I cannot force this. You must enter the portal of your own volition.” Nightshine's head perked up slightly, was it... serious? Could it be? She's heard of portals to different dimensions before when that librarian visited the orphanage. What was her name? Moondancer? Yes, that sounded familiar. She slowly raised herself upright and slid the blanket off of herself. She stared at the ball of light once more.

Screw it. Even though something absolutely terrible could happen the second she touched that portal-thing, she doubted that it could be worse than spending her life in this orphanage. She scooted to the side and hung her legs over the edge of the mattress. She pushed against the bed with her hind legs and stamped down onto the wooden floor. The portal floated closer to the window and Nightshine backed up until she hit the door behind her. The bright blue and white corona of magic floated through the window, and with it came the winds, causing the curtains to flail and her bed sheets to blow away. Nightshine stared into the ball of light and suddenly colours appeared in its center, starting to form a picture.

She saw a grassy field filled with wooden buildings. She saw shops, horse-drawn carts, and a park in the center. Something in particular caught Nightshine's eye. There were these tall, two-legged creatures all wearing clothing. They had long arms with which they held objects with like an ape would. Nightshine raised her hoof toward the portal. The winds pushed her back, but with a step forward she could reach it. She closed her eyes, gave a quick prayer to Celestia and then Luna, and lunged herself forward.

“And when my eyes readjusted, I found myself in the middle of the town. The first night, the priest let me sleep in the back of his church, and eventually I was adopted into this family and well, I guess you know the rest.” Nightshine smiled to see the children trying to stay awake. She turned her head to the grandfather clock, it was 11:19.

“I think it's about their bedtime,” said Jesibel sitting up from her place at the table, coming over to the twins sitting on the floor and held out her hands to lead them out. They both yawned and stood up to toddle out up to their rooms with Jesibel.

“Well, I guess it is becoming a little late. It's probably time to clean up. I loved the story though, Nightshine.” said Allen as he went to stand.

One by one, everyone stood up. Rachel and Allen cleaned the table. Johnathan was helping Grandpa get to his room. Richard pushed his chair back, stood and stretched his arms in a yawn. “Yeah, great story, Nightshine.”

“Yeah, I guess...” Nightshine yawned and stretched, not realizing how tired she was before now. “I'm off to bed,”

Nightshine hopped down to the floor, belly full, head drooped down and eyes semi-closed she walked to the exit.

“Hey, Nightshine?” She turned her head to see Richard. “Yeah?” Nightshine turned her head back.

“You said how back in the orphanage you wished for somebody to love you unconditionally. Well, I hope that this family has provided that.”

“Don't worry.” Nightshine walked back in towards him, jumped up on her hind legs and wrapped her wings and hooves around his chest in a big hug. “You have.”

Richard hugged her back after being taken by surprise. Nightshine nuzzled into his shirt and tears formed in her eyes and a wide smile formed on her face. The hug, which seemed to last years, eventually came to an end as Nightshine stepped back down, and started walking back to the door.

She bit the door handle and edged the front door open. The air outside had cooled as the moon rose over the fields. The moon moving on its own without any magic was one of the many things Nightshine found very strange and new about this world when she first arrived, but those were the things that made moving to earth such an adventure. She walked down the stairs, looking up at the stars sparkling like glitter on a black fabric that encompassed the sky. It was a beautiful and clear night. Her stable door gave a squeak as it opened and she stepped in. Her bed was waiting and Nightshine, being led by her tired eyes, managed to stumble onto her mattress where she snuggled up under her covers and laid her weary head on her pillow.

She thought about her family. She thought about her town and the people in it. She thought about how lucky she was. She thought about Equestria and what happened after she left, but that didn't really matter, because she was no longer an Equestrian. she was Amish, living in America, living on Earth. She thought about her entire life and realized that right now, her life was perfect.

She drifted off to sleep.

A New Reality

Stories, Nightshine loved stories.

Her adventure to Earth gave her a sense of absolute wonder that she’d never known before. She sat in the church, listening attentively to the stories the priest told them: stories about a giant defeated by a young brave man, stories of entire seas split in half, stories of a god and his people. Back when she first came to Earth and stayed in the church on her first night, she told the priest all about Equestria, all about Celestia and Luna and how their were the goddesses of where she was from.

The service was coming to a close, The priest finished the final prayer and everybody stood up, Nightshine hopped down off the pew, looked up at Richard who was sitting next to her.

“Blueberries?” Richard asked her already knowing the answer.

“Blueberries.” replied Nightshine with a smile.

After church her and Richard would normally go down to the grocers and buy something nice, Nightshine loved the Blueberries they grew here and always got some.

The sun was sitting high in the sky, Beaming its golden rays on the town. They walked out of the church and walked along the dirt-marked pathways lined with grass up the town. The sun glistened on the windows of the buildings as they walked by, Nightshine found the coloured pane windows especially dazzling. The heat was (as always) scorching and air thick as it was humid. They arrived at the grocers, a humble little shop stocked with everything essential for daily life. Bread, carrots, lettuce, apples and many other produce that came from their farm stocked the shelves. There were sweats on the counter top beside the store clerk. Tools and firewood were put off to the back of the store. Fabrics and plain clothes were in the center isles, along with a loom. Nightshine and Richard walked in and heard the bell jingle as the door pushed past it.

Nightshine went to the fresh produce and picked up a basket of blueberries with her mouth and started walking up to the counter. Richard went and picked up a bag of hard candies and walked up to the counter. Nightshine fluttered her wings enough to lay the basket on the counter and smile at the woman that was working there. Richard took out his wallet and handed over several dollars. Nightshine thanked the store clerk and flew up to bite the handle of the thatched basket that was filled with little blue spheres of fresh juicy deliciousness.

They left the store, nearly brushing past another customer that was just entering. A park bench waited in the center center of town surrounded by lush bushes and trees. They sat down onto the ridged wooden bench, Richard peered up around the park while Nightshine's attention was fixed on the blueberries. Putting her muzzle into the basket she started to gobble up the blueberries. Richard chuckled at Nightshine when she lifted her head to reveal her mouth was completely covered blue.

“Hey, did you hear about how the Thomsons’ son made th-” Richard turned his head up as he was interrupted by an unusual sound coming from up the town.

The sound was a low rumble combined with earth being ground. A shiny metal box-shaped thing rode along the ground being moved by four wheels made with some black, soft looking material covering the outside with metal beams holding it up from the inside. Nightshine's eyes opened wide. She had no idea what she was looking at, but whatever it is, it looked awesome. Nightshine, not prepared to have her mind blown any further, watched as it rolled down the dirt pathway stopping parallel to them. It opened its black-tinted windows to reveal a person inside. A living human being! inside of this... whatever it was! This left Nightshine's jaw thoroughly dropped. Richard looked more baffled than impressed and he stood up and went to the man inside of the metal cart that moved all by itself.

“Can I help ya, sir?” Richard didn't even seem fazed by whatever it was, which made Nightshine realize she should also get a closer look.

“Ah, yes. I am here to speak with the mayor of this town. This is the Amish town of Wingston, correct? I'm here on governmental duties.” The man spoke from inside his metal container.

Nightshine hopped onto the ground, galloping up to it. She gave a look back to the bench making sure the berries remained in their spot.

“Mayor's in the big building over there.” Richard pointed to its direction further down the town at the house peeking above the rest.

The drivers head turned back to thank Richard but his eye was caught by something else, he found himself staring eye-to-eye with a astonished, green-maned, black-coated bat-horse with a mouth covered in blueberries.

“Ahh, tha- umm... h-hello..?”

“Howdy! I'm Nightshine! What’s this thing?” she put her hooves against the door of the car.

Richard concerned of what the stranger will think, crouched down to Nightshine's level

“Nightshine, what did I say about introducing yourself to strangers?”

“I know, I know, but do you know what this is? It’s like a cart with the wheels bu-”

“Nightshine!”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

The stranger had a hard time forming a reaction to this. The words “IT’S A TALKING HORSE!” did blurt out of his mouth in the end.

“Actually, I'm a thestral, but people just call me a bat pony!” Smiling, she fluttered her wings to show their bat-like texture and properties to the stranger until Richard glanced back at her to stop. He then stood up and went to the car window.

“Look sir, I told ya where the mayor’s house is so go do your business, aright?”

The man, still confused and shocked, glanced back in the direction of the mayor’s home, “Y-Yeah I-I think you’re right...”

He kept his head forward, trying to force himself to not look back, fearing the heat might be getting to his head. He put his hand onto the gear stick and foot on the pedal, releasing the car to start rolling down the street once more. He left mumbling something about the people in this town being crazy.

“Nightshine! what did you go on an' do that for? I thought you knew not to go up to strangers like that!” Richard said after making sure the man was out of earshot.

“I do! It’s just... DID YOU SEE THAT THING? I mean it looked sooo cool! Do you even know what it was!?” Nightshine hopped up and down so energetically, she felt like a filly in a candy store.

“That there I believe is called a car”

“A car? Why have I never seen one before? Ooooh! Can we get one?”

“No. We don’t have cars and we won’t, ever.” Richard spoke in a tone that was unbeknownst to Nightshine. It was so strict and harsh, almost reminding her of Serenity's voice.

“W-why?” Nightshine's perkiness faded as she sat down on the ground. Richard went down on one knee and put his hand on her shoulder.

“We’re Amish, Nightshine, and cars would only pull our community apart. If we had cars, then people would start leaving.”

“But... but... but!” Nightshine's bottom lip quivered until she laid her head down. Nightshine understood what he was saying. Even though she was still curious, she knew she shouldn't make a big deal over it. “Ok...” she replied in a soft voice.

“Good. Now, don't we have some blueberries to get to?”

Nightshine moved her eyes up at him and smiled once more. They walked over to the bench they were sitting at and enjoyed the rest of their blueberries and sweets before heading home.

Nightshine looked out of the attic window onto the town. She had been asked to fly up here and get some paint for the chicken coop, but when she peered out of the cracked, dusty window she saw the car's tracks leading out of the town. The man from the big city had left after doing some governmental business, leaving his imprints on the dirt of the road. Her imagination spurred with ideas of the big city; If she wasn't told about cars, then what other wonders does it hold?

“Nightshine, did ya find the paint?” Allen shouted standing under the hatch of the attic.

“Yeah, it’s right here.” Nightshine went and picked up the buckets by their thin metal handles and walked back to the hatch, looking back over her shoulder to the window before flying down to Allen.

“Thanks, I'm gonna go paint the coop. If you wanna come along and help, I'd appreciate it,” Allen said while he picked up the bucket of deep red paint.

“Actually, I think I've got something else to do,” Nightshine replied and without hesitation she started walking down the stairs. She put on her saddlebags and left the house. Allen found this very peculiar; Nightshine always loved to help him do work around the farm. He decided she might wanna go play with the twins or something. Either way, he had a chicken coop to paint.

Nightshine trotted into town and followed up the road till she came to the end of the houses. She stood looking out onto the road, car tracks leading their way up to the horizon. As far as the eye could see, there were these two imprinted lines. Who knew how far they could go? Maybe they would never end? No, that would be ridiculous, but the entire concept of a car seemed ridiculous so Nightshine left no possibility closed. Anything could happen, which is when the thought of running away first came across Nightshine's mind. She thought about walking down the trail, leaving just like that.

This was a familiar feeling, wanting to just leave. That is what she felt every day when she was in the orphanage, but the difference was that this time there was nopony that could stop her. But was she seriously considering leaving her family, leaving this life? No, she wasn't going to leave them. Nightshine let out a sigh then turned around and started to walk back into town with her head down.

Nightshine raised her head suddenly and looked behind her at the tracks. She didn't have to leave forever, it would only be a day or two, just so she can see all there is to see in the city and then she would come right back. But what if Allen or Richard got mad? What would she do then? She could lie to them, tell them she fell asleep in the cornfield because she was really tired.

She sat down on the path and laid her head down on the dirt with her hooves on her ears. Nightshine has never been so conflicted on doing something in her life and this made her head spin. When Nightshine took a few breaths and raised her head she opened her eyes to see she was right in front of the store.

“Buck it,” Nightshine said to herself. She knew no matter what was going to happen after she left, if she didn't go, her curiosity would devour her from the inside every single day wondering what was in the city. And even if it turns out it’s a horrible place, with nothing interesting or nice there, it will still be an adventure, a story that her and her family could tell at the next harvest dinner, and Nightshine loved stories.

But, if she was going to go on a trip like this, she needed supplies. She turned towards the store and trotted in with determination, eyebrows crossed, a strong feeling of adventure in her bones. She picked gathered a bunch fruits and vegetables and put them in her saddlebags, then walked up to the counter and threw some money down alongside the bags.

“All of this, please.”

“Are ya sure darlin'? What’re you gonna use all this for?” The store tender was suspicious; Nightshine never really went shopping on her own.

“Uhh...” Nightshine realized she was a terrible liar. She’d never had a reason to lie, so she had no idea how.

“It’s...” An idea popped into her mind. “Rats! They came and ate a bunch of our food. I was sent to get more food while Allen dealt with them.” Nightshine thought that sounded somewhat reasonable.

“Uhh, I hope everything’s fine, then.” The store tender was doubting, but she couldn't imagine Nightshine would do anything too bad. She looked through the bags and then took the money from the counter and nudged the bags over to Nightshine.

Nightshine bit down on the straps of the bags and bolted out. Once outside, the feeling of intense nervousness had turned to blissful giddiness. Nightshine jumped up and down in place, excited for the journey ahead of her. Her thirst for adventure would no longer have to be sustained by listening to stories. She was going on her own adventure now! Nightshine started to skip out of town thinking of all the possible things that she could experience! She was on her way out before she suddenly stopped just at the edge out the town. She turned around and looked at her farm.

“Don't worry. I’ll be back.” Whispering to herself, no one could hear this promise she made. She planned to keep it at any costs, but first, she had to know what was out there. Nightshine turned back to the road, the car tracks still reaching beyond the reaches of the world she knew. She stepped her right hoof forward, then her left.

Nightshine stepped her right hoof forward, and then her left, for what seemed like an endless cycle she had gone through a million times already. The town had dropped from the view below the horizon hours ago. Nightshine was already tired, but she was used to that being a workpony, so she carried on. The sun was at the brink of disappearing, making the sky that rich vibrant red colour with not a single cloud to stop the rays from reaching the earth. Nightshine was debating on whether to go back. She had already eaten a good chunk of the carrots and might not have enough to make it all the way. That was a problem, as she had no idea how much further it was to the “big city.” The only thing keeping her going was the fact that there were now more tracks, and they were imprinted deeper into the soil, this meant that there were more cars and that meant she was getting somewhere. So she stepped her right hoof forward.

The sun finally set and Nightshine was amazed, not for the sun, but what it showed once it was gone. Out in the distance, Nightshine saw a light illuminating some sort of building. It had a giant overhanging roof held up by archways. Nightshine forgot about her tiredness and started to run. This feeling she had right now, the feeling of escape, the feeling of freedom rushed through her veins as she rushed forward, gaining speed. She loved it!

Nightshine watched the light as it drew closer. She was able to make out a sign, trying to read it as she got near, but it didn't seem to move at all. Nightshine was at full galloping speed trying to reach it, but instead of getting closer, when she pushed herself forward, a voice emerged from inside of her own head.

“You can’t leave this place! You’re too old to be adopted!” It was a strict, harsh voice and Nightshine dreaded the thought of having to hear again. It was Serenity.

“Wh-what? N-no, no! I-I have a home! I was adopted!” Nightshine tried to run faster, but the building just stayed where it was, she couldn't gain an inch towards it.

“Do you? Why aren't you there then? Why isn't your ''family'' here to comfort you and tuck you into bed?” Serenity's voice filled with malice and rage. “Why isn't there anypony to love you?”

Nightshine's world was falling apart beneath her hooves. The sky wore away like a fire dying out. There was nothing but darkness beneath her, she saw the building in the distance fall down into a thick dark fog.

“I-I just, I...” Nightshine had no answer, she wanted to say that she is loved but something deep down inside of her told her otherwise, She started to fall into the void, until she was enveloped by the darkness of her own mind. She kept falling, and falling, and falling... Then came the crash.

Nightshine woke up on top of a soft, linen seat, with two people looming over her, a man and a woman, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She was inside of some small room, but it only could fit two seats in the front and a long seat at the back where she lay. The roof was very close and made of a shiny silver metal. There was a wheel in the front and glass panes on all sides. She was in a car.

“Do you think it's ok?” the woman said to the man.

“I don't even know what it is!” the man protested.

Nightshine could barely make out anything. Her eyes were squinted tight for she had not yet adjusted to the light level inside the vehicle. She had realized that it was still night time, the sun having set about a hour ago, and moon gently drifting into the sky. From the open door behind the man, she could see she was still on the road that she was travelling by. Nightshine's head was hurting. It soon became quite obvious that when Serenity was mocking her and the world was tearing away, that it was only a nightmare, and nightmares were just dreams turned into bad stories.

Nightshine hated nightmares.

Stories and Nightmares

Strangers, Nightshine was looking up at two strangers, strangers who had never had seen a pony like her before. Nightshine was always told to let Richard prepare strangers before they saw her, but it’s not like that can happen now.

“Should we bring it to a hospital, or a vet, or something?” The woman was concerned and started to inspect Nightshine's forehead. As her fingers lifted up Nightshine's mane, Nightshine could feel the bump that was painfully throbbing on her head. Nightshine lifted up her hoof and placed them on the injury in an attempt to ease the pain.

“Honey, it’s moving!” The woman grabbed the man's sleeve and averted his attention towards Nightshine.

The man put away some sort of flat device that had one side illuminated. “Does that mean we can leave it outside?”

Nightshine thought about the notion of being left to walk all by herself again, in the dark night, cold and tired. That did not sound pleasant.

“Harry! We nearly run over a never-before-seen type of horse-thing and you want to just leave it for dead?”

Nightshine's eyes widened and jolted back and forth between them. She wasn't sure whether or not to speak up, right now they think she is just an animal.

“Look, it’s scared!” The woman leaned down to Nightshine and scratched behind her ear

“Don't worry little guy, I won’t let the mean man hurt you.” Nightshine started to smile; She loved being scratched like that.

“Alright, alright, but if it sheds all over the back of the car it’s your fault.” The man went out to the front of the car and sat behind the wheel.

The woman who was standing at the door of the car now slid in and scooched Nightshine over to the side of the seat to make room for herself. The woman then closed the door and the car rumbled when Harry turned the key at the front.

“Hey there, my name is Lynda.” The woman stroked Nightshine's mane. Nightshine scooted over and placed her head on Lynda's lap. “Aww, aren't you adorable?” Nightshine felt adorable.

“You know it doesn't understand you, right?” While Harry was not amused, Nightshine, completely understanding what they were saying, resisted letting out a giggle.

“You know, you really shouldn’t be so negative all the time,” Lynda told Harry as he pressed his foot down on the pedal. Nightshine became greatly excited as she was about to drive in a car for the first time in her life! If it were not for the pain in her head, she would be hopping up and down with glee.

“Look, we’ll take it to a vet, they will find out what on earth it is, and we will go on with our lives.” Harry sounded grumpy.

The car picked up speed while Nightshine gazed out the window. The environment slowly changed outside, trees passed by more often and the road felt less bumpy after a while. Nightshine was laying comfortably, getting ear scratches and belly rubs, something she could get used to.

They have been travelling for a good while now and Nightshine has been thinking about how to tell them that she can speak, or whether she should speak at all. She ran the possibilities through her mind. If she did speak she could tell them who she was and why she was here and maybe Harry would even stop being such a jerk toward her. On the other hoof, she might scare them and get kicked out of the car. Right now everything seemed fine, they were heading in the direction she was going and she was enjoying herself. Nightshine decided to not speak until she needed to and nuzzled into Lynda's belly, closing her eyes to go to sleep, as it was quite late.

Nightshine tried to open her eyes, but a bright light shone down upon her, making her raise her hoof to block the rays. At first, Nightshine thought she was back in her stable, on her mattress, and the sun was peering on her from the top of the doorway. Then Nightshine regained her surroundings. She was in a car and that light shining on her wasn't the sun. The light was pure white, unlike the sun’s golden rays. Nightshine hopped up on her hooves and wiped her eyes to reveal a spectacular sight.

It was still night time but the moon had glided further across the star filled sky, meaning she had been out for a couple hours. The light was coming from a long metal pole sticking out of the pavement, but what was much more amazing was what the light illuminated. There was a building like she had never seen before, it was big and had huge glass panes. There were bushes and trees and grass surrounding it. There was a beautiful silver gate with a lion symbol on it being held by two painted brick pillars. The gate led to a pathway that was made of bright white stones paved into the ground, running up to the building.

“Someone have a good night's sleep?” Nightshine once again noticed Lynda sitting right beside her.

“Y-” Nightshine nearly spoke, but remembering last night, she instead made a horse’s ''neigh'' and brushed up against her.

“Can you hurry up? I've got to bring this thing to the vet.” Harry was still at the wheel. He looked tiresome and his voice was more gravelly than before.

“Yes, yes, I'm going.” With a final ruffling of Nightshine's mane, she pulled on the handle of the door and stepped out.

Nightshine tried to hold onto her arm with her hooves but she couldn't keep her grip, Nightshine put one hoof forward in an attempt to leave but was stopped by Lynda.

“I'm sorry, but you can't come with me. Don't worry. Harry will take you someplace safe.” Nightshine doubted that.

Before Nightshine could try doing puppy-eyes, the door was shut in front of her. Nightshine watched Lynda walk up and open the gate, but before it could open she was tugged forward by the car. Harry started driving again, down into the city.

Nightshine rubbed her head again and regained her balance, she then fluttered her wings to fly through the small gap between the front seats, she sat down on the seat beside Harry. Harry was a bit startled and veered a little back and forth on the road.

“Jesus Christ! You could have warned me a little! Stupid animal!” Harry shouted at her. Nightshine backed up to the door and curled up slightly. She did not like when she was shouted at. It made her feel small and scared and reminded her of Serenity.

“uhh...” Harry rubbed his forehead with one of his hands “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout... Look at me, I’m talking to a horse with wings. What are those called again? Pagesi? Pegasus? Yeah, that's it, I'm talking to a freaking pegasus.”

Nightshine looked forward at the road. She really wanted to talk to him, but now she was afraid he might crash if she did. Nightshine looked around. There were houses lined one after another all looking like the house she saw Lynda walk into but each one was designed differently. Nightshine's jaw dropped, eyes filled with wonder.

The car trip was breathtaking, every house, every car and every person that they passed was immensely brilliant and beautiful. Everything she saw filled her with a fascination of how it worked or what it was. Nightshine pressed her hooves against the dashboard, getting a better vantage point.

“So what are you really? Cause from what I know, there are no flying horses in the desert.” Harry took his eye's off the road for a second to look at Nightshine. She didn't give much notice to him.

“Are you like some sort of experiment? From, like, Area 51?” Nightshine had no idea what ''Area 51'' is, but it did not sound nice at all. Nightshine pivoted her head towards Harry. She wanted to say something so bad. The silence she was keeping made him nearly unbearable.

“Well, doesn't matter I guess. Once the vet has you then you’re their problem.” Nightshine now was curious what a vet was. She’d never heard of it back in Equestria and they didn't have one in her town on earth either, but that was yet another question she couldn’t ask.

A few minutes passed and Nightshine marvelled at everything she saw. The buildings were changing now. There were many more things with flashy lights and stores. In fact, the buildings seemed to get taller now, but much less fancy. Nonetheless, they were spectacular to Nightshine. She saw many different people all wearing strange clothes with many colours. She saw a school, and a church, and many shops with hundreds of items being showcased, such as foods and those strange, flat devices like the one Harry owned. She even thought she saw a picture of an equestrian pony alongside of some other toys, but the car sped too fast for her to get a proper look.

They were passing by some small residential district when the car stopped very suddenly, sending Nightshine flying into the windscreen. She stopped most of the impact with her hooves but it was still quite unpleasant. This had happened several times to her already. Nightshine thought that they needed to add some sort of safety feature to cars to keep you from getting launched when it stops moving, but she didn't feel like giving advice on how to build cars. She wasn’t even aware of their existence before today.

“We're here,” Harry said with such delight and relief it worried Nightshine. She tried to shake her head as she was dazed but found that she was being picked up by Harry. With difficulty he had lifted Nightshine by her stomach and placed her down onto the seat and he preceded to open the doors on both her and his side. Nightshine hopped down out of the car. Her muscles felt weak as she supported herself. She stretched her hind legs, one at a time, and then rolled her shoulders around now standing steady on her hooves.

Nightshine raised her head to see several people stood on the concrete path observing her. She felt slightly awkward until Harry came around from the other side of the car and walked up to her.

“Come on...” He let out a sigh then walked towards the building in front of them. It was a colourful little segment in the wall of apartment blocks and shops. There was a sign which shone in a neon green the words ''Pet Health'' and the 'a' was shaped as a dog’s paw.

Nightshine reluctantly walked behind Harry. Why was he bringing her here? She's not a pe- Nightshine jumped back when the two glass doors slid to the side automatically. She looked around the vet clinic and saw rows of people sitting with their animals: some dogs with bright golden coats that had cones around their heads, a fluffy cat inside of a small crate wearing a collar with a Opal gem on it, and a child sitting petting their bunny which had no tail.

Something was wrong. Harry did call her a stupid animal before, but Nightshine wasn't just an animal! She was a talking, intelligent being! What would they do to her if they thought she was just an animal? Were they going to take her away? Would she ever be able to come home to Richard? She refused to break the promise she made. She would get home. She had to.

Nightshine turned around to look at the bystanders still gaping at her. Harry noticed her stop and went to move her into the clinic.

“W-w... Wait!” Nightshine blurted out, falling down onto the cold pavement and blocked herself from Harry with her hooves.

“Did, did you just talk?” Harry stepped back.

“Umm... Yes, and uhh, I can understand everything you say too.” More people gathered in the crowd around her.

“What? Then, then... what!” Harry stumbled over his words, he put his hands on his head trying to comprehend the situation.

She was attracting an audience. Even some of the people in the animal clinic had come out to see her. Lights started to flash from the newly formed dense crowd around her. She twitched her head around, looking at the people. Nightshine started to get scared. She tried to stand up and run to the car, but someone sidestepped in front of her. She was pacing around in a circle, feeling claustrophobic, then Nightshine remembered something and turned to Harry.

“I'm not a pegasus, I'm a thestral!” Nightshine spread her wings and flapped with all of her might. As she left the ground, she began to soar over the crowd, more lights now flashing at her. She tried to fly, away but it seemed, as she went over the street, she was just attracting more attention. Nightshine veered into an opening in the buildings, a dark alleyway.

“Now, where do you think you’re going?” Oh no. Nightshine screamed at the sound of Serenity's voice.

“You always have to mess it up, don't you?” She was being shouted at again. Nightshine floated down to the ground and covered her head with her hooves. She looked up at the sky to see the stars clump together into a pony’s head. Serenity looked down at her with eyebrows crossed and muzzle strained, mouth fiercely open to continue her expression of rage.

“EVERY TIME SOMEPONY THINKS OF ADOPTING YOU, YOU GO AND ACT LIKE THAT!” Nightshine backed away into what she thought would be a solid brick wall but instead she stepped her back left hoof into a hole.

She twirled her head around to see a star-filled void behind her. She scrambled back onto the floating platform above the nether space of her nightmares. In all directions the stars formed the head of Serenity, There was no escape. Everywhere she looked, Serenity was there, scolding her.

“THIS IS JUST LIKE WHEN YOU ACTED LIKE A COMPLETE BRAT TO THOSE PONIES WHO WANTED TO ADOPT YOU! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN ADOPTED, BUT INSTEAD YOU CHOSE TO LET THAT OTHER PONY TAKE YOUR SPOT!” Nightshine remembered that filly. She was a couple years younger than Nightshine but she wasn't eating and needed the help. If she hadn't gotten adopted, she might have starved to death. Nightshine began to cry, and her crying deteriorated into sobbing.

“I-I was helping her! She needed he-” Nightshine's voice was blown away by the monstrous yell of Serenity, “NEEDED WHAT? YOUR PLACE? YOUR HOME? YOU MIGHT HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ANOTHER CHANCE, AND EVEN NOW WHEN YOU DID, YOU STILL BLEW IT!”

Nightshine sunk her head into herself. Tears poured out of her eyes and down her hooves, dripping onto the ground, creating a small puddle of her sadness in which she laid.

“Uh, hello?” the voice echoed through the alleyway, bouncing back and forth, coming from all directions.

“Little, umm, thestral? Is that you?” It wasn't Serenity any more, that was the voice of Harry and he was concerned.

“J-just leave me,” Nightshine forced herself to say through the tears. She did not want to see anyone at this point.

“I came here to apologize, I think.” Harry stepped into the gap between the two buildings, his shadow looming over Nightshine from the street lamps behind him.

“I didn't mean what I said, when I called you a stupid animal.” Harry stood still for a moment. The alley became quiet, leaving only the echoed sound of Nightshine's crying to fill it.

Harry stepped forward once again until he was in arms reach to Nightshine and put his hand on her forehead.

“Do you have a name?” Harry seemed to genuinely care; His voice was soft and had lost its harshness from before.

Nightshine peeked out from behind her hooves. Harry looked into her bloodshot eyes, drowned with tears.

“N-nn-Nightshine...” Her throat was dry and irritated. She wanted to keep crying but knew she would eventually run out of tears.

“Nightshine? Thats a lovely name.” He placed his hand on her forehead and scratched behind her ear. She didn't smile at first, but given time, the corners of her mouth slowly rose.

“All of those people taking photos, they’re gone now.” Nightshine looked up at him.

“And if you want you could come home with me and Lynda, you can stay for as long as you want.” Nightshine edged herself closer to him, wrapped her hooves around his stomach and started to cry once more.

“I'll take that as a yes. I guess I’ll go get the car.” He went to stand up but Nightshine's grip tightened around his waist.

“Please don't leave me,” Nightshine pleaded to him. He looked down at her puppy-dog eyes
and let out another sigh.

“Fine, let’s go together.” This time, when he stood up, he put his arms around Nightshine and helped her to her hooves. It took a minute for Nightshine to let go of him, but she stood by his side smiling up at him.

The lights in the street began to be overwhelmed by a new light source, awaking from its nightly slumber. The sun was beginning to rise back up into the sky, and the stars were fading away like water droplets slowly evaporating in the heat of the sun. The sky shone a deep, beautiful red, a colour gave Nightshine hope.

“Come on. Let's go home.” He slowly made his way forward towards the entrance of the alley, Nightshine following him, stepped her right hoof forward.

Nightshine missed home.

Going Home

“Huh.” Nightshine stared at the light posts they passed, pondering everything that had happened recently. The car drove out of the city that Nightshine never wanted to see again. She considered why she left in the first place. Was it because she wanted an adventure? That was what she told herself. On the other hoof, it might have been to escape for a while, but why would she want that? She was loved back in her town. She had a family like she always wanted. Something felt wrong, like it was not meant to be this way, like this wasn't real. Nightshine looked into the sky. It was becoming brighter as the sun rose, but still not enough for the lights to go out. Nightshine spotted something, even though the moon had gone, she thought she could see it behind one of the clouds, it had two bright circles that looked like eyes.

The car stopped. Nightshine was mesmerized by the lights, causing her to, yet again, be launched to the front of the car. Harry reached out his hand out, stopping her from falling over this time.

“You really should use the seat belt next time,” Harry chuckled, opening the door on his side before stepping out and holding it open for Nightshine.

Nightshine perked up and hopped between the seats and onto the ground. She raised her head to see the shiny silver gates looming over her. Harry shut the door and went to a keypad on the right pillar. He pressed a series of buttons until it lit up green and sounds of moving gears filled the night. The gates separated in the middle, leaving the lion in two halves. They turned on their hinges to their respective sides to allow entry into the massive house.

Nightshine regained the feeling of amazement that she had when she first came to this place. The path swerved to the left, scattered with small pebbles hidden between the openings of the cobblestone pavement. There were stubby lamps lining the path, leading all the way up to the doorway, gently illuminating the garden. There were rose bushes of every colour she could think of, and a magnificent oak tree standing proud between the house and the gate. Its leaves had fallen off of it and down onto the grassy plane below. There was a small notch in the grass that began to spray water, back and forth throughout the lush plant life. Nightshine stepped her right hoof forward, walking up to the house.

Harry was right behind her at first, but once he saw Lynda waving him over through a window, he began to sprint. Nightshine followed suit.

The door opened with Lynda smiling gleefully. “Harry, he's taken his first steps!” She reached her hand out to bring Harry in before noticing Nightshine. “Quick! Come inside!” Harry burst into the house into the living room. Lynda knelt down to Nightshine and ruffled her mane. “I'd say I'm surprised to see you here, but, to be honest, Harry is a big softy and wouldn't leave you at any vet. Don't tell him I said that though. He likes to keep up a 'tough guy' act,” Lynda whispered playfully into Nightshine's ear and then winked at her. Lynda guided Nightshine into the living room, where Harry was sitting on the coach holding the hands of a young infant who was standing up and giggling.

Harry moved his hands up and down, playing with the child, a wide grin on his face. Lynda and Nightshine walked into the centre of the room with Harry and the child. The baby was wearing a blue jumpsuit and had a few hairs poking out of his head with a bright smile and huge eyes. The baby noticed Nightshine and wiggled his way out of Harry's grip. He wobbled over to Nightshine and spread his arms around her neck. Nightshine smiled nearly as wide as the child.

“Well umm, little horse, this is our son, Sea Stride.” Lynda patted the child’s head.

Nightshine's eyes widened. Did she just say Sea Stride?

“Her name is Nightshine,” Harry told Lynda. Nightshine started to tense up, not because of what Harry was saying, but the fact that Lynda called her son Sea Stride.

“Oh, did you think of that?” Lynda still didn't know about Nightshine's ability to speak, but Nightshine only cared right now about the boy's name.

Harry noticed Nightshine stressing. “Yes, I did, you know, because we found her at night and all...” Harry winked at Nightshine. He was keeping her a secret for now.

“I like that name.” Lynda turned to Nightshine and her son. “Well, Nightshine, this is our son, Samuel.” Nightshine eased herself, thinking she must have just misheard her.

“So how long is Nightshine staying with us?” Lynda picked up Samuel and sat down beside Harry.

“Well, first I'm going to look for her owner, but if they don't show up, we might keep her.” Harry began to wiggle his finger in front of Samuel and the baby wrapped his tiny hands around it, giving it a tug.

“Samuel seems to like her, so lets hope, huh?” Lynda handed over the baby to Harry who proceeded to make silly faces. Samuel laughed a lot at them.

She stood up in front of Nightshine. “Come on, you must be exhausted after a long night like that, let’s get you someplace to rest.” Lynda led Nightshine towards a small closet in this massive building. She opened up the door and it squeaked in a way that reminded her of her stable. Inside there was a stack of clean white blankets, Lynda picked several up from the top and shaped the remaining two into a little hole that would serve as a bed.

Nightshine put her hoof into it and pressed down. It was as soft as a kitten. She put the rest of her hooves into this make-shift bed and curled up, a snug fit for a pony her size. Maybe it was the lack of sleep that night, or the pure comfort of the bed, but Nightshine closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.

Nightshine found herself in a vast nothingness, pure darkness in every direction. She wandered around, searching for something, something she knew she wouldn't find.

A speck of light appeared in the distance, and she cautiously trotted towards it. As the light formed a shape, she found she was now standing in front of Serenity.

“You just won't stop trying, will you?” Serenity's voice was lacking of any anger this time, instead in its place was a low, quiet voice of disappointment.

“I told you that you couldn't leave this place.” Serenity had her head facing down at the ground, eyes closed.

“You always try to escape, always to here, deep inside your own head.” Serenity opened her eyes and gently raised her head to come into eye contact with Nightshine.

“But no matter where you go, no matter how far, and no matter how different and bright that place is...” Serenity stepped towards Nightshine.

“No matter what, you are always stuck right here with me.” Serenity crossed her eyebrows as her voice gained a sinister tone.

“These little fantasies of yours, these dreams, they are not real, Nightshine!” Nightshine dropped her head, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

“I-I, I'm going home now. Harry will take me back to Richard.” Nightshine muttered under her breath as her first tear dropped off her face.

“Oh, really? You still believe somepony is coming to get you? Bring you home? I told you, that isn't going to happen.” Serenity walked around Nightshine, staring at her the entire time.

“S-Someone is coming for me! I-I know, he w-wouldn't leave me!” Nightshine watched her tears fall down and hit the pitch black ground creating a tiny puddle.

“Again with your fantasies, Nightshine. I told you, you're too old to be adopted.” Nightshine lifted her head. Serenity had disappeared.

She found herself surrounded by four walls and a roof, Nightshine saw her bed from her old orphanage, its covers were thrown to the side like she just got up.

“You wish to be loved?” The voice came from the window behind her. It was open and the curtains were flailing in the wind that now thrust itself into Nightshine, pushing her back until she began to hold her ground with her hind legs.

Nightshine raised her hoof to block the heavy winds. She noticed her hoof was smaller than normal. Nightshine looked down at herself and noticed she was the size of a young filly, about the age of twelve and a half.

A ball of light entered through the open window, bringing the winds with it. It floated down toward Nightshine and spoke again. “You wish to be loved, yes?” This time it spoke in a softer voice, that of a little girl.

Nightshine lowered her hoof and watched this ball of light dim, revealing a filly standing in its place. Nightshine rubbed her eyes, but when she looked again. she saw herself standing there.

“I’m here to send you to a place where you will be loved.” The Nightshine she was looking at reached out her hoof towards the real Nightshine. She closed her eyes, slowly and reluctantly put her hoof out to grab the other Nightshine. She lunged herself forward, and, to her surprise, her hoof was grabbed by a hand.

“Nightshine? Nightshine!” Someone was shaking her hoof. Nightshine tried to open her eyes but the ceiling light was very bright. Eventually, her vision adjusted and Nightshine hopped out of the bed to hug Richard.

“Nightshine! I thought I would never find you!” Richard smiled as he felt Nightshine’s tears trickling down onto his shoulder.

“I'm so sorry! You were right! Cars only tear people apart! I’ll never run away again, I promise!” From all the times Nightshine had cried last night, she nearly forgot what tears of joy felt like.

“Don't worry. I believe you.” They savoured the moment and hugged for a little while in silence.

“I guess I’ll be waiting in the car. Take all the time you need.” Harry was standing behind Richard as he began to walk towards the door.

“Richard?” Nightshine whispered into his ear.

“Yeah?”

“Tell me that you love me and everything will be ok, please?”

“Nightshine, I will always love you. Don't ever forget that and don't worry. I'm here now. Everything will be ok.” Nightshine's tears were drying up. She loosened her grip and slipped down to a sitting position.

“Can we go now?” Nightshine's eyes were yet again bloodshot from crying, but this time she was happy; She was loved and that was all that mattered now.

“Yeah, let’s go.” Richard stood up and reached his hand out to pick up Nightshine.

They walked out of the house together, down the stone path, and through the silver gates with the lion on them. They moved up to Harry, sitting in his car, parked right outside the gates. Nightshine and Richard hopped into the back of the car where they hugged once more. Nightshine nuzzled into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, not planning to let go any time soon.

“You guys ready?” Harry asked from the front of the car. Both Nightshine and Richard nodded. Harry started the car and began driving back in the direction of Nightshine's home.

“How did you find me?” Nightshine asked Richard.

“When you didn't come back home that night, I went looking around town. The grocer lady said she saw you walking out of town.” Nightshine's smile faltered a little when she remembered how foolish she was when she made that decision.

“When I reached the gate I saw your hoof prints leading out alongside the tracks left by that car” The car that started it all. Why was she so fascinated anyway? Now she knows cars just caused trouble.

“So I told all the family that you left town, and that I was going to go after you.” Nightshine knew that he would follow her. He always did his best to protect her.

“So I went and bought some food and prepared myself for the journey.” Nightshine also did that, but she wasn't thinking properly back then.

“I followed your hoof prints for hours until I came across your saddlebags. They were left on the side of the road, where your tracks ended.” That's where Nightshine must have passed out and been picked up by Harry and Lynda.

“I went to the gas station just a bit up the road and asked if they had seen you.” A gas station, huh? That must be the building she ran so uncontrollably fast toward. It seemed so mystical at the time.

“They told me that they didn't see any ponies, winged or otherwise. They said it was a very quiet, and that they only saw one car pass by through the entire night.” The car that they were in right now. What would have happened if it hadn't come by? Who knows? That didn't matter any more. She was with Richard now and she was safe.

“I hitched a ride with someone and they brought me to the nearest town, where I saw Harry putting up posters with you on them. They said 'MISSING THESTRAL FOUND’' and I was so delighted!” That was sweet of Harry, trying to find her family that early in the morning.

“Next thing I know, I was hugging you.” Richard tightened his hug and Nightshine snuggled further into him.

“But you're going to have to tell me your story too you know, I didn't come out all this way to not hear about your adventure,” Richard chuckled.

“I’ll, I’ll tell you, but first can you do something for me?” Nightshine opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“Can you tell me everything will be ok, again? I want you say it again, just, just for me to be sure.” Nightshine rested back on him and closed her eyes waiting for him to comfort her.

Nothing happened.

“R-Richard? You still love me, right? Everything is ok?” Nightshine opened her eyes to look up at Richard, sitting there crying. Nightshine looked around and saw that it was yet again night, pitch dark with nothing but the moon lighting the road.

“R-Ri, Rich-, R-R...” Nightshine tried will all of her might to say his name, but no matter how hard she tried, she felt it slip out of her memory.

Nightshine began to panic, shaking her head around. Harry was gone, and so was the car. It was just her and this man whose name she couldn’t remember gliding across a dirt road towards infinity.

“W-Wait, No! Tell me that you love me! Tell me it will be ok!” Nightshine pleaded with the man. She no longer recognized his face. It was just a blur now, lacking of any detail or emotion. Nightshine tried to remember who he was but her mind was missing any memory of him. The only thing she knew was that he was someone that loves her, or at least he did, but he wasn't there any more.

Nightshine turned her head again to see walls form around her. The moon in the distance was visible through an open window, two curtains at the side gently blowing in the wind. Nightshine stared into the glowing white orb in the sky and saw... Luna? Nightshine looked down to see she was now in a bed. She inspected herself to see she was yet again a filly, not much older than twelve.

Nightshine was breaking down. She was rapidly swinging her head back and forth, watching every item from her room appear again. She tried to scream but her mouth wouldn't open, leaving the scream inside of her.

Then Nightshine heard a voice that came from The Abyss outside of her mind, the only voice that could make this any worse than it already was.

“Nightshine, what are you still doing in bed?!” The harsh voice of the headmistress pierced through her dreams, making Nightshine sit up in a flash.

Nightshine saw the room she was in, back inside her orphanage. She tried to remember her dream, but the sudden waking from Serenity had made it difficult to cling onto any shreds of memory. She could only remember a few things: she dreamt she that she wasn't in this orphanage any more and that she was adopted; She dreamt about escaping to a fantastic place that was far away from this dirty little orphanage; And most importantly, she remembered is that she was loved, that someone was hugging her and telling her it was going to be ok. Nightshine looked down at her wings, wrapped around her body to make it seem like it was somepony else, and for a moment, she actually believed it. Nightshine realised that she had cried herself to sleep last night, like she did most nights.

Nightshine thought that her dream was some kind of lie she’d told herself to give her hope where there was none. But Nightshine had no way to know how much her life was about to change. However fictional the world she dreamed of may be, there was a perfectly real home waiting for her. She was about to begin a real adventure with a real person who would actually love her and who would actually go across all of Equestria just for her. The thing is, she still had to meet him.

“I have just received a letter from Princess Twilight herself that someone is coming early today, and they have plans to adopt somepony!”

“Huh?” Nightshine groaned.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this story about Nightshine and hopefully you enjoyed it.

when I first decided take part in this competition it was mainly because I just wanted to test my writing skills, but when I read the main story I really got into it and I will be following it from now on!

I hope this strange cross-over Alternate universe (but not really) was enjoyable.

once again thank you for reading and any feedback would be appreciated <3