Warframe: The Next Generation

by REDMAMBA

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Human, Science Fiction, Crossover
Length: 6677

After many years or marriage and with our friends now supporting their own families, Twilight and I decide to adopt a foal and start our own family. Since were seperate species and all.

Twilight and I have been married for sometime now. I have since hung my blade and retired and let the Lotus and the surviving Tenno take over as supreme Guardians of the Origin System and Planet Equin. Over the last few years our friends have married like my wife and I, but unlike them, we cannot have children. With me being human and Twilight being a pony, we will never have a child of our own. That leaves us with only one option.

Adoption.

Wish us luck.

(This is for the Nightshine writing contest hosted by The Abyss. This is a non-canon story to my story Warframe: The Planet Equin Incident. So certain events may or may not have happened depending on the other story. Hints maybe dropped for future chapters from it though.)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-30 16:49:22 UTC

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Location: Castle of Friendship, Ponyville, Equestria, Planet Equin.

I sat at my desk reviewing some paperwork, nearby Twilight was reading a book on the couch. It was hard to believe that we had been married for some time now. Just thinking about amazed me. One thousand years blows by in an instant, and the last few were rather slow. With the help of the Lotus and my various allies, Equin had become a major hub. Humans and aliens alike could come here for the peace.

Most were referred to me, since I’m the prince and all. It is what it is. Even though neither of us preferred the title, we cannot get away from what we are. I married into this lifestyle and me being classified as ‘royalty’ in other galaxies didn’t add to my situation.

Placing the paper I was reviewing down I rubbed my face momentarily before going back to it. In the last few years, Spike finally maned up and asked Rarity on a date the minute he matured into a full grown drake. Three months later they were married, eleven months after that they had little dragon pony, Radiance. Supposedly they have another on the way.

Or Rarity is lying again…

Dash married Soarin and had a little colt named Stormy Skies. Pinkie married her male equivalent, Cheese Sandwich. Honestly they’re going to blow this town up someday. Together they had a set of twins named Chocolate and Vanilla Shake. Vanilla being a boy and Chocolate a girl. Applejack met a nice stallion that is almost the spitting image of her brother, damn near the same build and look except for color. He goes by Caramel and is just as stubborn as his wife. I can only imagine what Caramel Apple and his little sister Green will be like when they grow up.

Next, Fluttershy.

She ran into a pegasus just as shy as she is. Her husband Butterscotch took forever to finally propose. But he was the happiest stallion ever when she said yes. He wouldn’t stop bragging to us on our little guy’s night shortly after he proposed. We were so happy since he was the last to do it out of all of us. Secretly, I hope their daughter Sweet Breeze is a little more assertive when she grows up.

Then there was Luna and Discord, they married shortly before I returned from the war. She just had their daughter Eris, a more equal looking Draconequus, who somehow hatched from an egg? Shortly after that her younger brother Equinox was born, who is just a standard unicorn, except for the chaos magic from his father.

Finally, Cadence had given birth to my niece, Flurry Heart some time after i had left to finish the war with the Grineer. She was a cutie and was rather big when I first met her. Being the first natural born alicorn since Celestia and Luna, it was a real shock to the world. Didn’t help that she almost destroyed the city I worked so hard to save. But she’s great when I get to actually spend time with her. So out of everyone…

That just left us…

As much as we… ‘tried’ both of us knew we would never have a child of our own. Our DNA just wasn’t compatible and never would be. I remember when Daring Do, I mean, ‘A.K. Yearling’ told us of this special artifact deep in the Amazonian woods that would make it work, but at a cost. Swapping genders is not my forte. Upon finishing the sheet, I was reviewing I gave it a quick signature before placing it to the side.

“Hey, honey?” Twilight asked while looking up from her book.

“Yes?” I replied while grabbing a separate sheet of paper.

“I was thinking… why don’t we adopt?”

Lowering my arm and looking up at the wall, I thought about what my wife just asked.

“I don’t know why I never thought of that,” I said while going back to my paperwork.

“I mean,” Twilight said before going back to her book and flipping a page. “You know how much I want to have a child.”

She wasn’t wrong. The conversation came up often. She was so sad the day realization truly set in. It was the night we left the hospital after Rarity successfully gave birth, it was pretty emotional. And personally, I wanted to have back what I had started, but I knew that would never happen. I had a wife, yes, but a little girl to call my own and raise?

That box would forever be blank.

Placing the sheet of paper down, I turned my chair to face my wife.

“Where’s the nearest orphanage anyway? Canterlot?”

“Probably,” she replied with a turn of a page.

I leaned back in my chair and let a breath out. Wiggling my fingers occasionally I glanced to the side in thought. In all honesty, Adoption isn’t a bad idea. Save a life or two, hell… maybe three depending on how we feel. It allows us to just skip the whole baby faze. No diapers, screaming at 3 a.m., no dealing with the magic spurts. The castle doesn’t need that. It’s impossible to find crystal cutters outside of Draco. You’d think there’d be some in the Crystal Empire! Worst joke ever…

“… Wanna go tomorrow?” Twilight looked up from her book, giving me her full attention. “I mean… we have the time, money will never be an issue, the castle is in perfect condition.” I leaned forward in my seat and rested my elbows on my knees. “Personally… I’d love to see a little more life here…”

The castle only had two occupants at any given time. We never wanted guards, you know, Princess of Friendship and all. The Tenno that were willing to work for Equestria kept a majority of the peace, so crime was always at an all time low. The only people or ponies that were here were either the girls, my sister or old team, the occasional visitor and the kids. Ninety-five percent of the time it was just Twilight and I. Starlight moved out to live with her fiancé in the Crystal Empire and Spike was living with Rarity.

I’m pretty sure I just heard a cricket.

“I know what you mean…”

I spun back around in my chair and picked up my sheet of paper again.

“So, tomorrow?”

I heard the closing of a book, the shuffling of a body, and finally the steady clip-clop of hooves on the floor. A few seconds later, I felt a pair of lips on my cheek as Twilight kissed me lightly.

“Sounds fine to me.”

Turning my head, I gave her a warm smile. Smiling back, I leaned in a gave my purple pony light peck on the lips.

“You know I love you, right?”

Twilight giggled, “I know. And you know I love you too?”

The right side of my mouth curled up as I gave an amusing blow of air out of my nose.

“I do.”

Twilight leaned up and kissed my cheek one more time before nuzzling it.

“What do you say.” She stopped the embrace and gave me a lustful gaze, “We try…’again’?”

Without breaking eye contact I slowly I placed the sheet of paper on the table. Easily catching the hint, Twilight turned around and sauntered out of the room, giving her flanks a little extra sway with each step. Following close behind, I closed the door and headed for our bedroom.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Location: Canterlot Orphanage, Canterlot, Equestria, Planet Equin.

Twilight and I stood in front of the rather small building. From outside we could hear the sounds of foals playing from inside. The building itself was only two stories tall, had a fenced in area behind it with a little play ground; that was it. I gave my wife an apprehensive look. Returning the same looked, she offered her wing, taking it in my hand we headed for the door. As we entered, a little bell jingled above the door, signaling our arrival.

“Coming!” a voice said from a nearby room.

Waiting, I looked around the room. A lone desk with various stacks of paper sat out front. Pictures of various families and little foals lined the walls. Some said family ‘so and so’ and little ‘blank’ was adopted and is living happily. The sound of hooves clip-clopping on the floor caused me to turn my head. From a nearby room a lone mare in a simple white shirt with a black dress walked out.

“Hello and welcome to- your majesties!?”

She immediately dropped to the floor in a bow upon realization of who was standing right in front of her. I couldn’t help but drop my head and laugh.

“Please rise,” I said kindly.

The mare slowly rose back up and looked at us nervously.

“W-What c-can I do...” she gulped, “For the prince and p-princess?”

Twilight glanced at me before releasing my hand and taking a step forward.

“Please, call me Twilight,” my wife said before holding out a hoof to me, “And my husband Excalibur.”

“Y-Yes your ma...” she stopped herself and cleared her through, “I mean, Twilight.” Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, the mare recomposed herself. “How can I help you two?”

Twilight and I looked at each other for a moment.

“Were looking to adopt.”

***

Nightshine sighed heavily as she sat in her bed, head resting limply on the railing. Another day, another day of questioning. She always wondered if she would get out of the orphanage. At her age, her chances were become more and more slime each day. She was ten, and well over the age most foals were preferred to be. In eight years she would be an adult. She always dreaded that feeling. Being stuck here… alone… for eight more years as her friends left.

At least she still had Sunny Ray.

But how long would that last?

Sunny was seven and still of a good age to be adopted. Nightshine had a feeling that somepony or maybe even ‘somebody’ would come and take her away. The two were inseparable since the day they met. And, in a way, they were like sisters. The little orange unicorn was always attracted, it’s funny, a bat pony and a unicorn with the name sun in it.

Since bat ponies like the dark and all.

“Hey, Nighty!?”

The little bat pony huffed in amusement. She always loved it when Sunny called her that. It filled her with love. The love that she has cherished for years, the love she may never receive. Turning to face the voice, she saw the happy face of Sunny as she bounced lightly on her hooves.

“Wanna play?”

“No thanks…” Nightshine replied saddened before putting her head back on the railing.

The little filly next to her stopped her bouncing as her ears fell flat against her head.

“O-Oh… okay…”

Turning around, the little filly walked away with her head hung low. Taking her head off the railing, she rested it against her pillow. Moving her tail in between her legs, she stroked it lightly. It always gave her a sense of comfort. A lone tear ran down her cheek. She tried to stay quiet as she felt yet another crying fit coming on.

Just like the many before it…

“Children!” she heard the head mare, Morning Star, call out. “Could you please gather ‘round?” All of the fillies and colts dropped what they were doing and headed for the mare. All… but Nightshine. She just grabbed her blanket and pulled it over herself. Nearby, she could hear as the rest of the children listened closely.

“Listen close little ones!” Star said enthusiastically.

Nightshine smiled lightly, she loved how nice Star was to each of them. There was a high chance Star could have been really mean.

“I have a special announcement! Today we have a couple of visitors and they are looking to adopt a special somepony!”

The last sentence caused the young bat pony to turn an ear toward the door.

‘What’s the point?’

She just had this gut feeling she would be rejected like so many times before. No pony would want her. Just a bat pony, and an older one at that. These thoughts tended to run wild. The rest of the children started to murmur to each other.

“Before I bring them in, they requested that you all call them by name. Okay?”

‘Why?’

“Please welcome… Prince Excalibur and Princess Twilight!”

Nightshine shot straight out of her bed. Her ears had to be deceiving her. There was no way the Prince and Princess would come to an orphanage…

Would they?

Pushing the blanked to the side, the young filly jumped out of bed and ran toward the door. Peeking and eye around the corner. Both of them went wide. Star wasn’t lying! She watched as the tall human stepped in first with a shorter, but tall for a pony, purple alicorn follow close behind. Looking down, the human smiled warmly at the group in front of him.

“Hi everyone,” he said with a wave.

Nightshine had seen humans before. After the return of the prince from one of his many adventures, the species followed. She heard the stories of the pair, Star would tell them often, without the gore of course. But she remembered the story of him landing in Equestria, how he returned the Crystal Empire, his rescue of Ponyville when those vine thingies’ attacked. He was the one of the ones that brought so much and asked for so little. He was an inspiration.

Immediately the pair were overwhelmed by questions. Both smiled widely at each other. Sighing, Nightshine felt yet another tear run down her cheek. Turning away, she headed back for her bed. Climbing in, she felt her previous crying fit coming back.

Little did she know, the human saw her disappear.

She didn’t know how long she cried. It could have been seconds, minutes, or hours. All she knew was that her eyes hurt and her nose was running. She was so preoccupied that she didn’t notice the shadow in the door way. He watched her silently with his arms crossed as he leaned against the door frame.

“Hey, sweetie.”

Nightshine gasped heavily. The voice was deep, masculine, full of wisdom, and for some reason… warm and welcoming. Turning toward the door, Nightshine quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.

“H-H-Hi,” she responded nervously, very nervously, “Y-Your majesty!”

The man dipped his head and held up a hand.

“Please. Call me Excalibur.”

“Y-Yes your… Y-Yes, Excalibur.”

He walked into the room and took a knee in front of the young filly. He smiled at her. It was a smile like so many others. Hope, wonder, love. The list goes on. But there was always that feeling of dread, lies, and false hope.

“I saw you hiding back here,” he said, “How come?”

Nightshine just looked into his deep brown eyes. She tried to come up with a response, anything, she didn’t even cared if she lied. If she lied to royalty.

“I-I… I don’t feel good…” He chuckled lightly and closed his eyes. “W-What?”

He looked at her, a small half smile on the right side of his mouth, “I know you’re lying young one.” Her cheeks turned red. She was caught, she knew it, and the blush defiantly gave it away. “Don’t worry… I won’t tell Morning.” The filly stayed quiet and looked down at the blanket in her lap. “So… what’s your name?”

“N… N-Nigh… N-Night… shine. Nightshine…”

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him nod in thought.

“Nightshine,” he repeated quietly, “That’s a cute name.”

“T-Thank you…”

Silence filled the air. For the filly it was awkwardness, for the man, it was a time to study. He looked her over. She was light grey in color, had a dark green mane, tail and leathery wings, the little tufts of fur on the tips of her ears, and the deepest set of blue eyes. She was cute, no doubt about it.

“Y-You should p-pick, Sunny R-Ray…” Nightshine said to the man.

She just threw out her own chance of being adopted. But she would have much rather watch her friend leave with a loving and caring family than herself. He didn’t want to admit it, but it was better that way. Tears started to flow freely as she started to cry for the third time that day. She was so distracted by her little sobbing fit she didn’t notice the body next to her move and sit on the bed.

“Eep!”

She tensed up as a pair of hands picked her up and placed her in their lap. Looking up, shocked, she saw the face of the prince looking down at her with the same warm smile. Lifting a hand, he gently rubbed her cheeks, removing the tears.

“Sunny spoke highly of you,” he said softly. “She even said the same thing.”

“R-Really?”

He nodded. She couldn’t believe her closest friend would throw away her chance so she could be chosen. It would be yet another reason why she loved the little unicorn. She was going to regret the day they would be separated. Reaching up, the man scratched one of her fuzzy ears. She tensed up for a second before relaxing and leaning into the embrace. She never felt that sort of thing before…

And she loved it!

“Excalibur!” Looking toward the door, the pair heard the man’s wife calling for him. “It’s time to go sweetheart!”

Nightshine had that sick feeling return. Even though she was only held for a few minutes, she didn’t want it to end. She was loving the attention, and that scratching! All to be taken away just as fast as it appeared.

“Coming!” he called before looking down at the little filly. “Unfortunately, I have to go now.” He gently lifted her off his lap and placed her back on the bed. She could feel tears forming for the fourth time. Before he stood up, he noticed her sadness. “Hey, none of that. Okay?”

Nightshine looked up at him with accidental puppy eyes. Wiping the tears away yet again with his thumb, she did her best to compose herself. Sliding off the bed he took a knee in front of the filly. He gave her what is probably at this point, a patented smile.

“Be brave, Nightshine. Okay?”

She gently rubbed both her eyes. “O-Okay…”

“Alright.”

Standing up, the prince turned and headed for the door.

“W-Wait!” she pleaded while holding out a hoof. The man stopped and turned to face her.

“Yes?”

She sat down on her bed and tapped her fore-hooves together while avoiding eye contact.

“D-Did… did you decide?”

He stood there shocked for a moment before smiling yet again.

“Not yet… but I’ll make sure you come up.”

He gave her a wink before walking out of the door and out of sight. Nightshine sat there in silence as she listened to the sound of his footsteps fading before a door opened and clicked shut. Lying back down, she grabbed her tail and stroked it. Tomorrow is a new day. She hoped and prayed, she would be picked.

Even though there was still worry in the back of her mind.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Location: Canterlot Orphanage, Canterlot, Equestria, Planet Equin.

Nightshine sat in her bed, Sunny right behind her braiding her mane. She let out a heavy sigh. It was starting to creep up on 3 o’clock. She was starting to believe that the prince and princess had decided to change their minds and go home. Why would they care about a sad little orphan anyway? They have a country to run, adventures to go on, and problems to solve…

Why drag it down with a dirty little bat pony…

Right behind her, Sunny noticed Nightshine’s depression.

“You okay?” she asked innocently.

Nightshine felt a tear run down her cheek. She sniffed lightly.

“…No.”

Just then, she heard the door to the playroom open and close. After that she heard the steady clip-clop of hooves. It was Morning Star, she knew it. No pony had that heavy of a step in the orphanage except for an adult. She could hear her asking the others for something. After several seconds, she heard Morning Star walk into the room.

“Nightshine, Sunny Ray, could you come here please?”

Sunny stopped her braiding and looked at Nightshine. Both shared a nervous glance before hopping off the bed. They thought they were in serious trouble.

***

Earlier.

Twilight and I sat in front of Morning Star’s desk as she rummaged through a nearby filing cabinet. One that was over flowing at that. Every so often she would grumble and say ‘no, that’s not it’. I’m pretty sure at one point I saw the front half of her disappear into a drawer.

“Aha!”

She held a manila folder high in victory before smiling happily and walking over to her desk. Placing the folder down, she took a seat and opened the folder. I just glanced over at the over filled filing cabinet.

“Star?”

“Yes?” she replied not taking her attention away from the folder.

“Do you ever want help with the filing?” she looked up at me. “I could easily have everything converted to digital for simplicity?”

“Honestly your… Excalibur.” She went back to the folder. “Most ponies prefer to see the actual folder.”

“How about help?” I offered. “To at least make the filing more organizable?”

She looked at me yet again. Her face was neutral, but I could see the joy in her eyes.

“Really?”

I shrugged lightly. “I know plenty of ponies that could use a job and would love to help.”

She opened her mouth and looked between Twilight and I in an attempt to form a single sentence.

“I-I’m sorry,” she replied before going back to the folder, “We do not have the funds to pay for a new worker.”

“I’ll handle that!”

She looked up at me, shocked.

“I’m sorry, I must have misheard. Could you say that again?” she asked while rubbing her ear with a hoof.

“I said that I can pay for a new worker and, if you’d like, have a large sum of gold donated to the orphanage, anonymously and possibly get you a raise?”

“… Y-You’d do that?”

“I’d be honored,” I replied honestly. “I believe that all of our subjects, both human and pony, live long and happy lives. Whether they be orphans… or their caregivers.” I gave her a wink when I finished.

The mare blushed, Twilight just rolled her eyes and smiled. It was easy to see that Star was doing her best to hold back tears as she held a hoof to her mouth.

“T-Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” my wife replied.

Star lowered her hoof and took a shuddered breath and cleared her throat.

“A-hem, yes well…” Star went back to the folder. “We can discuss all that later?” she looked up at me to make sure. Nodding my head in conformation, she looked back down at the folder. She mouthed the words ‘thank you’ before saying. “Have you made a decision?”

Twilight and I looked at each other knowingly before looking back at Star.

“We have,” we answered in unison.

***

The two fillies followed close behind their caretaker. The main thought in their heads was that they were in trouble. But both knew they hadn’t done anything bad. They were so lost in thought that they didn’t even realize that they had bumped into each other. They stopped for a seconds and shared the same scared look.

“Come along little ones!”

Both of them looked at Star before running to catch up to her. A small walk later and they stood in front of the head mares door. This is the place where the good and the and both happen. Most of the time, it bad. Somepony did something wrong and they were going to be punished.

Opening the door, Star stepped inside. Following close behind, both ponies closed their eyes and held their heads low. Subconsciously, they headed up and right in front of the mare’s desk. They didn’t say anything as they expected to be punished.

“What did you do, Star?”

Both fillies gasped as their eyes shot open. Their legs started to shake as a burst of adrenaline shot through their systems. Turning their heads to the side, they slowly looked up at us. Twilight and I smiled at the two fillies. Nightshine’s lower jaw moved up and down slightly in an attempt to speak.

Walking up, I took a knee in front of the young bat pony.

“Told you I’d mention you,” I said with a smile before winking ta her.

To the side Star giggled.

“You two thought you were in trouble, weren’t you?”

Both fillies turned their heads and slowly nodded to the mare.

I looked up at Star.

“I guess there’s only one thing to say now?” both fillies looked up to me while Star just nodded. Twilight stepped forward and leaned down to Sunny’s level.

“Girls… how would you like to come home with us?”

Both girls looked at me shocked. Slowly tears started to form. Holding my arms open, Nightshine immediately jumped into the embrace as I wrapped my arms around her and held her close as she sobbed into my shirt. Next to me, Twilight opened her forelegs so that Sunny could hug her new mother. Both girls cried tears of joy as we held them close. In my arms, the little bat pony looked up at me with wet cheeks.

“T-Thank you!”

I smiled back at her in an attempt to held back my own tears.

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” I said happily while nuzzling her cheek, causing her to do the same thing. “I could see the sadness in your eyes.”

Nightshine gave me a shaky smile before diving back into my chest and crying yet again. AT this point, I couldn’t help myself. I cried tears of joy myself. I didn’t just have one little girl to call myself, I had two. Sunny spoke so highly of the little bat pony, that I couldn’t force them to be apart. Twilight wanted to help the little unicorn so badly that we just came to the agreement of taking both of them.

“Wait!” she pushed herself away from my chest and looked at Sunny. “You know what this means!?”

Sunny just looked at her with a confused stare.

“What?”

“We’re sister!”

The little unicorn had a massive smile slowly creep across her face as realization set it. Both girls squealed loudly before the bat pony jumped from my arms and landed on the ground before running up and grabbing her sister in a massive hug. Watching, I couldn’t help but get a warm feeling in my chest. That hole was just filled in an instant. Walking over, I knelt down yet again and placed a hand on each of their head, grabbing their attention.

“Girls… what do you say if we go home?”

Both of them smiled and leaned into my hands while nodding slightly.

***

Nightshine sat on the top of my head while Sunny rod on Twilights back.

“Where are we going?” Sunny asked while looking around. “Isn’t the train station the other way?”

“Yes it is honey,” Twilight stated. “But we don’t need to take the train.”

“Why not?” the unicorn replied. “Are we going to walk?”

“Nope!” I added. “We’re gonna fly!”

I felt the young filly sink down on my head.

“B-But… I can’t fly that well…” she said nervously. “And neither can you or Sunny… and Twilights too small to carry all of us…”

“Don’t worry,” Twilight said. “We have the means to carry all of us.”

Both stayed silent as we walked. As we approached the hangers and docking bays at the edge of town, the activity started to increase. Aliens and species of all kind wandered the area, many passed us without a second thought, others waved, some even bowed. The sounds of roaring ships taking off and landing could be heard as they either arrived or departed.

As we entered our dock, two Tenno guards, an Excalibur, and a Volt. Both saluted as Twilight and I walked past. Giving a salute myself, they went back to their posts. Walking up, I smirked as the two fillies looked on in awe of the massive ship. The back door opened as we approached. Walking up it, Twilights hooves and my shoes, tinked on the metal floor.

Walking past the lower area and up to the cockpit, I reached up and grabbed the little bat filly and gently placed her on the ground where she immediately started to look around with wonder. Twilight grabbed Sunny in her magic and gently placed her on the ground.

“Welcome back, Excalibur, Twilight.”

“Ah!”

Both fillies immediately jumped in fright at the voice and ran. Nightshine took cover behind my legs while Sunny hid between Twilights. Rolling my eyes, I bent over and picked up the shaking filly. Twilight did the same.

“It’s okay girls. It’s just Ordis.”

Nightshine uncovered her eyes and looked at me nervously. I gave her a reassuring smile before nuzzling her cheek. Visibly relaxing, I placed her back on the floor.

“Who’s Ordis?”

“Ordis is the ship,” the cephalon replied. “I was built to serve the operator, or as he prefers it, Excalibur.”

“The ship?” Sunny replied, confused.

I chuckled.

“Ordis is the artificial intelligence that runs the ship.” Both of them looked at me. I had thrown them for a loop and a knew it. I just playfully rolled my eyes and grabbed my face and laughed. “I’ll explain it later.” I turned my attention to the ship. “Ordis, let’s go home.”

“Yes, Excalibur.”

As the engines came to life the ship hummed loudly. Slowly it lifted off the ground and turned toward the castle. The ship started to accelerate as we shot for open skies. I couldn’t wait to get the girls home. I just wanted to sit down with my daughters and…

‘I’m a father…’

I couldn’t be happier.

Now I just need to pry the shaking filly from my shins.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Location: Friendship Castle, Ponyville, Equestria, Planet Equin.

Nightshine laid in her new bed. She was still very excited that she had been adopted! With her closest friend too! Even after so many hours of exploring the castle, eating the most amazing dinner, and being showed her new room, she couldn’t calm down. Turning her head, she looked at the nearby bookshelf. It was filled with books of all kinds. Her new mother stacked it personally. Right next to it was a simple oak desk. It was a little big for her, but she would grow into it easily. As of the moment the room had nothing else, except the bed next to hers where her sister slept.

Over time, she will be able to fill the walls with pictures, and drawings and populate the room with all kinds of nick-knacks and toys of all kind! Now… well, she didn’t dread looking forward to tomorrow, because she was going to wake up and see her new parents smiling happily at her.

“Nighty?”

Adjusting her head, Nightshine could see her little sister sitting up on her bed.

“Yes?”

“I can’t sleep…” Nightshine had a feeling Sunny was suffering from the same ‘ailment’ as her. “Can… can I sleep with you?” the young bat filly smiled. She always loved it when Sunny and her shared a bed back at the orphanage. Mainly because she was so soft!

“Mhm!”

Immediately, the little unicorn threw off the covers and jumped off the bed. She struggled to get on the bed for a second but was quickly able to get on completely. Lifting the covers, the little unicorn wasted no time in snuggling up to her older sister. Immediately the little bat pony wrapped her hooves and wings around the unicorn.

Sighing happily, both parties closed their eyes.

It didn’t last long.

“I can’t sleep…”

“Me either…”

Both ponies sat in silence for a few seconds.

“I want to be with mom…” Sunny said, a hand of sadness in her voice.

“I want to be with dad…” Nightshine added with the same hint of sadness.

It was as though they had planned it, because in unison both ponies threw the blanket off the bed and headed for the door. Silently, they opened the door and peered out into the massive crystal hallway. Now it was just a matter of remember where their parents room was.

Operation find and cuddle mom and dad is a go!

Both fillies opened the door completely and slipped into the hallway. Making sure to stay silent, the explored. Coming to the first door, they opened it. It revealed a closet. They were off to a good start… closing the door, they headed for the next one.

As they searched deeper into the extensive halls of the castle, their search only lead to bathrooms, or simple study rooms. They searched for what seemed like hours in an attempt to find their parents. But each turn was a dead end. At one point they entered a room with a map of Equestria and seven thrones, one being smaller than the others.

Their adventure was starting to look like a failure. Sort of. They intended to find their parents, no doubt about it, but they were starting to feel a little apprehensive and nervous. The dark halls and dead ends made them nervous. Opening yet another door, Sunny stepped inside and absent mindedly flicked on the lights.

“Woah!”

“What!?” Nightshine said as she stuck her head in the door and looked around for a second.

Lifting a hoof, Sunny placed it on Nightshine’s head and turned it toward the far wall of the room.

“Woaaaah!”

Opening the door fully, both fillies stepped into the room. Both of them looked around in awe. There were paintings, pictures, and other things that portrayed their father. One of them was of him clad in some sort of armor with a sword in his hand as he faced a solid black unicorn with a red horn. Another was of him with these weapons that spewed fire.

There was one of him and mom with five other girls, but they were human? But, also not? They Two had wings, all of them had pony ears but their father, and they all had long manes. There was another one of what the girls believed to be a Centaur surrounded by five giant metal things. There were also news articles.

Hero Returns!

Back from the Dead!

New Prince is Crowned!

Equestria’s newest couple and bridge of peace!

Both were so mesmerized that they didn’t realize that they were about to walk into a giant glass case.

“Ow!”

Both fell to the floor and rubbed their now aching heads. Respectively, both of them rubbed the sore spot and looked up. Gasping, their jaws dropped as they looked up at the suit of armor shielded by a simple glass case. It was dark red in color, the right arm, shoulder and abdomen looked a lot like stone. It had red in some areas and purple highlights.

To the right sat a massive black rifle with a white skull painted on it. To the left, sat a small white pistol. Finally, hanging above the suit, was a set of crossed swords in front of a shield with their mothers and the princess’ cutie marks on it. The longer one was red in color, with a black hilt and red energy like blade. The smaller one was gold in color and about the size of a sword dagger. They couldn’t believe that the stories were true!

“Girls?” Both fillies tensed up. “What are you doing in here? You should be in bed?”

Nervously, both fillies turned to look at me.

“We didn’t do anything! We swear!” my little orange daughter said frantically.

I glanced up at the suit of armor. It had been a while since I wore it. For the longest time it was my only piece of ‘clothing’. I only set the room up on request that my deeds be made into a learning tool. Ponies, aliens, and school groups from all around come to visit the castle to learn about my various adventures and see the suit.

I looked back at the fillies. I could see beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads as they gulped and glanced to the side. Silently, I walked inside and kneeled down in between the two fillies and looked up at the suit once again. Both girls turned to face the case as I placed a hand on both their backs.

“What do you think?”

“Is it true?” Nightshine asked before looking up at me. “Miss Star used to tell us the stories of when you saved ponies.”

I couldn’t help but laugh lightly. Turning to look at her, I could see the wonder in her eyes.

“Yeah…” I looked back at the suit. “I saved the Crystal Empire when it returned. I saved your mother when she was kidnapped by Changelings. I was there when she became an alicorn and even escorted her down the aisle during her coronation. I saved Ponyville when the vines attacked. And saved it yet again when Tirek attacked,” I clarified.

“So… daddy is a superhero!”

I took a small but addible gasp. I felt a warm feeling overwhelm me. I had wished so long to be called a ‘daddy’. A lone tear rolled down my cheek. Wiping it away quickly I continued to look at the armor. So many memories. Both good and bad.

“Yeah… I sort of am…”

Silence filled the room.

“What are you three doing up?” Turning around, I could see my wife in nightgown rubbing her eye with a hoof. “It’s late. Especially for you two fillies.”

Both of them looked at the floor in shame.

I smiled down at them. “Come here.” Wrapping and arm under each of them, I stood up and held them close so not to drop them. “What were you doing up anyway?” Both of them looked to the side making sure to avoid eye contact. I glanced at Twilight, who simply yawned. “You two want to sleep with us tonight?”

That sure grabbed their attention. Both of them nodded enthusiastically. I gave them one last caring smile before kissing them on top of the head, Sunny just below her horn. Heading for the door, they leaned against my chest as I walked. Twilight stood on her back legs and placed a hoof on the door frame and gave me a light peck as I walked by.

Turning off the lights, Twilight closed the door and slowly joined in behind me. A few minutes later I was back in my room. Gently, I placed the two fillies on the center of the bed before climbing on to my side. Right behind, Twilight climbed onto her side. Pulling the blanket over all four of us, I laid my head against the pillow.

Next to me, Nightshine snuggled against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, she sighed happily before relaxing. Next to me, Sunny did the same as Twilight wrapped her fore hooves around Sunny Ray. Pretty quickly, both fillies were snoring softly. Twilight and I looked at each other, joy written in our gazes.

“We did it,” Twilight sniffled. “Were parents…”

“Yes we did.” I looked down at the little pony in my arms. I felt a tear form. “Yes we did.”

Giving Twilight one last loving kiss, settled into a comfortable position before letting sleep finally overtake me.