Nightshine's Incredible Journey

    Twilight climbed the steps of Filthy Rich’s house and heard shouting from one of the rooms. She pressed her ear to the wood and heard Spike and the orphans laughing. Twilight took a peek and saw the foals were running around the room with Spike chasing them.

Eventually, he got Nightshine, who immediately turned on her heels and darted after him. She leapt up high and came crashing down on him, causing the both of them to tumble to the ground.

“Gotcha!” She climbed up off of Spike.

“Alright, you got me.” He got onto his feet and brushed away some of the dirt.

Twilight opened the door and walked inside. “So, are you all doing alright?”

The four looked up at Twilight with excitement and pounced into Twilight’s lap. They all tried to snuggle her, causing her to laugh and fall to the floor.

Short Stroke rubbed his head into Twilight's belly. Feeling her body, he whispered,” You're so warm.”

Twilight sighed as the orphans continued to bury themselves into her fur. “I apologize in advance, but I need to talk to you about something.”

The ponies got off and looked up at Twilight. Spike came up and sat among the little colts and fillies before Filthy Rich came up to see the ponies all together.

“Now I know that you all want to be adopted, but you left the orphanage and I’m going to have to tell the caretaker.” Twilight frowned

The ponies gasped as Nightshine shook her head wildly. “We can't go back! Not now, not ever!”

Honeycomb began to whimper and Chrono Teared up as Short Stroke began to cuddle them both.

“I know you don’t want to go back to that place, but on the bright side, I can try to help you find some parents.” Twilight gently stroked their backs.

Nightshine let a second gasp slip from her lips. “Y-You’re going to help get us adopted?!”

    “I’ll do my best.” Twilight gave Nightshine a maternal smile.

    “Twilight, I’m sorry. This… This is all my fault.” Short Stroke choked as he walked forward and hung her head. Twilight brushed his mane and looked at him with kind eyes.

Filthy Rich then said, ” So I guess we should try to find them a home now.”

“Right. Let's find these orphans some new homes.” Twilight gave him a smile and a nod before she brought the fillies and colts into a big hug.

They all shouted and cheered in glee and raced downstairs with Twilight, giving Filthy Rich a small smile as he bowed his head and climbed back down the stairs.

“So… Did you lie to them or are we really going to find them parents?” Spike raised a brow at Twilight as he walked down the stairs with her.

“Truth be told, I’m not so sure, Spike.” Twilight looked at Short Stack, Nightshine, Honeycomb, and Chrono. “They seemed so desperate. It would break their hearts if I let them down…”

Filthy Rich was putting on his finest suit when Nightshine came up to him. “Uh, Filthy Rich? I need to ask you something.”

“Well, ask me anything, sweetheart.” He tousled her mane.

“Is Twilight lying to us?” She raised her eyebrows.

Filthy Rich froze up as he looked down at the filly. He was unsure of whether or not Twilight would be able to pull it off. “No, she isn't. In fact, she has me in charge of helping you find homes.”

Nightshine sighed. “How long do we have?”

Filthy Rich thought for a few moments. “A few hours at best. Maybe more, I can’t be sure.”

She sat on the couch and let out a long sigh as she slammed her body down, one of her hooves dangling over the edge. “This was such a stupid plan. I should’ve stopped Short Stroke when I had the chance.”

“Are you two close?” He asked, looking at the discouraged Nightshine.

She nodded. “Short Stroke is like a little brother to me.”

“So this is all for him?”

“I came because I was scared for him. He’s always getting into trouble. But he cares more for others than himself.” She looked at Short Stroke with the other ponies. “I just don’t want him to be alone. That’s all.

“Would he have left without you?” Filthy asked.

She shook her head. “He would’ve came back if I stayed.”

“I shouldn't have asked that, should I?” He sighed himself and slumped back into the couch himself.

“Just promise me one thing. If you do find a home for him but no pony wants me, don't tell him. I don't want him to go back to the orphanage.” She looked up to him.

Filthy Rich held her close and let her hold him close. “I promise I'm going to find you and Short Stroke a home.” He leaned into her ear and whispered.

Nightshine gently pushed him away “Just promise me that, please.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” He nodded, gently stroking her mane.

“Thank you.” She shed a single tear and hugged him once again before she jumped off of the couch, feeling more determined than ever.

Filthy Rich walked towards the door where he saw the orphans looking each other over, trying to comb their manes and cleaning themselves for their presentations to their new potential parents. The foals were arguing and fussing over how they looked most of the time.

“Hey, you look fine now.” Filthy walked up to them and gently rubbed their shoulders to distill the tension. “Now, I need you four to pay full attention. While we're out you're going to need to follow three simple rules. First, you stay together; Second, no exploring on your own; Finally, listen to everything I say until we find you some new parents. Alright?”

They all nodded together.

“So where are we going first?” Short Stroke tilted his head to the side.

“We’re going to see a pony who knows everypony in Ponyville.” Filthy smiled and opened the door to the outside world.

“Who's that?” Nightshine asked as she trotted out with the other orphans in tow.

“Just you wait and see.” He smiled and closed the door behind him, making sure to lock it up tight. Once he was done, he and Twilight accompanied the foals into the town.

“Oh, they’re so adorable!” In Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie cuddled the four orphans as tight as she could, almost suffocating them. “I just want to eat them all up and poop them out again!”

“Thanks, but could you let go?” Nightshine’s face was beginning to turn blue due to lack of oxygen.

“Oopsie! Sorry about that!” Pinkie immediately let go of the foals. “I got carried away.”

“So are you going to help us find parents?” Chrono began shaking in anticipation.

“Of course I will!” Pinkie then heard the children’s stomachs begin to rumble. “But first, you four must be starving. Do you like cupcakes?” She immediately produced a tray of cupcakes, all different colours and flavours.

The orphans bounced in their seats as Pinkie put the tray down on the table. They all reached over for the cupcakes and took three each, choosing between the different colours on display.

”Hey, Pinkie, do you really know everypony in Ponyville?” Chrono lit up as he digged into his cupcake, some of the frosting already on his mouth.

“Yes indeedy! Everyone except you four!” Pinkie nodded. “We should get to know each other right away!”

“I'm Short Stroke.” He pointed towards himself. “I’m going to turn five next month and I love board games and playing hoofball.”

”Then you and I are gonna get along just fine, Shorty!” Pinkie smiled. “Do you mind if I call you that?”

“As much as I would get a bit mad at that name, coming from you, it doesn’t seem half bad.” Short Stroke rubbed the back of his head and began to blush.

    “My name is Chrono.” He nodded and bit into his cupcake once more. “I love fixing things and reading books.”

    “Ooh! So you’re an egghead like Twilight?”

“A bit.” Chrono nodded. “Though, I like to call myself special or talented if that’s alright with you.”

    “H-Hi. I’m Honeycomb.” Some of her hair drooped down over her face. “And… I like flowers.”

    “I like flowers too. Especially the super-duper yummy ones!” Pinkie pulled a flower out of nowhere and bit into it, causing Honeycomb to laugh.

“And I’m Nightshine.” She finally added, swallowing the last bit of her first cupcake. “I’m the oldest of the group at nine years old, and I don’t really have any talents.”

“Aww, c’mon. I'm sure you're good at something.” Pinkie Pie slid up next to Nightshine and gently elbowed her hooves. “What do you like doing?”

“Well, I do like helping other ponies.” Nightshine smiled and looked at her friends from the orphanage.

“I’m great at helping ponies too,” she said.

“Well I think you can help us find loving ponies to care of these little wonders, Pinkie.” Filthy  Rich nodded and looked down at the children. “So you four eat up and tell me when you’re ready!”

The four orphans returned to their cupcake meals, diving into their second ones, getting the icing all over their face once again. Using their tongues and hooves, they very messily licked their lips clean before taking another bite, essentially putting the grime they had taken off right back on.

When the foals started on their last cupcakes, Short Stack sighed and slid his hoof across the table.

“What's wrong, Short Stroke?” Nightshine noticed that her friend had stopped.

“Nightshine, I have to admit. I didn't think this would actually work.” He exhaled heavily. “In fact, I only went through with my plan because I was worried about you.”

“Worried?” Nightshine parroted.

“Yeah.” Short Stroke took a small nibble out of his last cupcake. “Who cares about whether or not I get adopted? I didn’t want to see you suffer in a place like that for the rest of your life.”

“You didn't have to do all of this for me, Short Stroke, I wouldn’t have been able to have this much of a chance without your plan.” Nightshine looked into his eyes.

“I know. That’s why I decided to hide in the cart with you, Chrono, and Honeycomb.” He swallowed his food. “Despite my efforts, I didn't want you to lose hope.”

“So do you think we can find parents now?” Nightshine asked once he had eaten his food.

“I sure hope so, Nightshine.” Short Stroke laid one of his hooves on her shoulders. “I don’t want you to be sad because of what I did. If anything, I want you to feel happy that I’m helping you find parents.

“Thank you, Short Stroke. Thank you.” Nightshine teared up and pulled Short Stroke into a little hug.

After they were done embracing each other, Short Stroke jumped off of his seat and followed Pinkie as she walked back to the kitchen. He gently tugged on the back of her left foreleg and looked up at her.

”What’s up, Shorty?” Pinkie turned around and looked back at him

“Can I make a request?” Short Stroke gently banged his hooves together.

“Sure! Anything for my new friend!” Pinkie Pie slipped into an apron. “So what would you like?”

“Well it’s not for me exactly.” He lightly chuckled. “I want to make a birthday cake for Nightshine, but I don’t know how to do it. Can you help me?”

“Sure, Shorty!” Pinkie Pie lead him into the kitchen. “Follow me, and I’ll teach you the ABCs of baking a cake!”

As Short Stroke followed Pinkie into the kitchen, he took one more look back at Nightshine. No matter what, he wanted to make sure that at least she got adopted. He would do anything to make her happy, and he would always stand beside her, no matter the cost.