Nightshine's Incredible Journey

Filthy Rich was walking down the road with Diamond Tiara trotting by his side. Cheerilee approached him Honeycomb next to her.

“Hello, Filthy Rich.” Cheerilee smiled. “I'm so glad to see you.”

    “Hello, Cheerilee.” He looked down and saw Honeycomb nestled up to Cheerilee’s feet. “Oh, and hello there, Honeycomb.”

“Hello, Filthy! Thank you for helping me get adopted!” Honeycomb flew into Filthy Rich and wagged her tail vigorously.

He then looked up at Cheerilee. “You adopted Honeycomb?”

    “Yeah I did.” She nodded. “I would've adopted all the orphans but even with a teacher’s salary I wouldn’t be able to afford to care for all three.”

“Ooh! I don’t think I’ve seen you yet.” Honeycomb wandered up to the filly by Filthy Rich’s legs. ”What’s your name?”

“Diamond Tiara” She stepped forward.

“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Honeycomb.” She pointed to her chest.

“So you're an orphan?” Diamond Tiara asked.

”Well I was, but now I got a mommy and she's the best!” She bounced around on the spot.

“Alright, honey bun. Stop pestering the Riches.” Cheerilee gently pushed her daughter back a few paces.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Filthy Rich asked hesitantly, “Did you see the other orphans running about?”

“Yeah, I did. They were up the road near your house not too long ago.” She looked over towards the street. “I was actually coming by to see how Diamond Tiara was doing.”

          ”Alright. Well, thanks again for the help.” He nudged Diamond Tiara as she waved to Honeycomb, watching the filly wave back.

“If the other orphans are nice as her, I wouldn’t mind having one of them as a  sister or brother.”

”Well, we better hurry and find Pinkie before they get adopted.” He went off towards the town with Diamond Tiara close behind him.

Eventually, both Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara saw Pinkie trotting back with her head hung low with a sobbing Short Stroke slunking alongside her. From how the two of them looked, it was as if everything that could’ve gone wrong happened all at once.

”Pinkie? What happened?”

“I failed.” Pinkie swallowed heavily. “I didn’t get Nightshine adopted in time and that snob Serenity came and took her back to the orphanage.”

“We were so close to getting her adopted too! It’s not fair!” Short Stroke burst into tears and slammed his face into Pinkie’s cutie mark.

“No, it’s not. It really isn’t in the slightest.” Filthy Rich brushed away some hair dangling down over his eyes. ”Pinkie, I need to know. Did they go to the train station?”

”Yeah. The orphanage is back in Marelybone. I’m sure that's where they were headed.” She sniffled, sucking up some small snot that had been seeping out of her nose. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m personally going to adopt her!” Filthy Rich charged down the street. “Come on, Diamond Tiara!”

“OK!” She ran after her dad, leaving Short Stroke and Pinkie behind.

Serenity now held Nightshine’s hoof as they came to the ticket counter at the train station. Nightshine hung her head and struggled to pay attention when Serenity turned back towards her.

“Well, Nightshine, it seems the probability of you being adopted is little to none.” She feigned some sense of mercy in her tone of voice. “So maybe instead of having to try and have you adopted, I’ll just have you do chores every day for the rest of your life. Make you pay for this trip of yours and maybe get you something nice.” She lowered her brows. “MAYBE. Sounds fair don’t you think?”

“Yes, Mrs.Serenity.” Nightshine sighed and curled up her tail.

“Good. At least you still kept your manners.” Serenity cracked a small smile. “In fact, I’m glad we got rid of that little troublemaker Short Stroke. Such a nuisance.”

    Nightshine looked back at Ponyville one last time, seeing the townsponies going about the open and inviting streets. The statue of Celestia could be seen in the distance. She felt a few tears running down her cheeks as she felt that like an eternity would pass before she would ever see the  town and Short Stroke again.

“All aboard!” The conductor bellowed as the doors to the train opened.

    ”Nightshine! Time to go!” Serenity called.

    Nightshine hung her head and slowly walked towards the train, hoping for a miracle. When she made it to her seat next to Serenity, she heard the mare complaining.

“Twilight could’ve just brought you back herself, you know. Instead, she had me come all the way out here.” She spluttered. “When we get back, I'm definitely going to report her abusing her power as a princess.”

Nightshine just rolled her eyes and clambered to the window. She gently pressed her face against it and watched the town starting to pass. As the train slowly but surely gathered momentum, she didn’t even notice Filthy Rich running with the train.

    “Stop that train! Do you hear me?!” Sweat ran from his head as he kept up with the vehicle.

    The conductor looked back at Filthy Rich as if he was crazy and heavily pulled on the train’s brakes. The train suddenly jerked and screeched against the metal tracks before coming to a stop.

“Filthy Rich?” The conductor asked. “What in the world is going on?!”

“Sorry. I’ll pay for any delays” He climbed onto the train. “I just came to see a filly.”

“What’s going on here?!” Serenity demanded as Filthy Rich approached her.

“Are you Serenity?” Filthy Rich asked.

“Yes. To what do I owe the displeasure of meeting you?” She huffed.

“My name is Filthy Rich, and I'm adopting Nightshine as my daughter.” He brushed his chest and hugged Nightshine.

“Really? You’re going to adopt me?” Nightshine’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, Nightshine. Yes I am.” He brushed the back of her mane. “You’re going to be part of a family at long last.”

“I’m terribly sorry to bust up such a happy moment, Filthy Rich, but she can no longer be adopted.” Serenity pushed her way in between the two of them

“What do you mean by that?” Filthy’s brows were raised.

“Well, it’s just that I don't have any adoption forms. In order to have her formally adopted, she’ll have to go back to the orphanage.” Serenity explained. “You can adopt her next week.”

“Not so fast!” Pinkie Pie popped out of nowhere and pulled out another adoption paper. “I knew there’d still be hope, so I held onto the last paper just in case.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Nightshine beamed and gave Filthy Rich a massive hug.

“You’re welcome, Nightshine.” Filthy kissed her on the forehead. “Welcome to the family.”

“How happy.” Serenity scoffed and turned away. “Well, since you managed to pull off some kind of foal’s story ending, I suppose I should take my leave. Good day, Nightshine, Filthy.”

“Just Rich is fine,” he responded.

Filthy, Pinkie, and Nightshine all climbed off of the train and watched as it travelled away into the distance.

“We’ve gotta tell Shorty the good news!” Pinkie dashed off. “C’mon! He’d love a ‘We Did It’ party!”

Diamond Tiara and Nightshine gave each other a smile as the two of them followed Filthy Rich down the street and back into Ponyville.

Shortcake was eating a piece of pie in silence with his newfound parents sitting by him. After what had happened with Nightshine and Serenity, his confidence had all but been shattered.

“Why’d it have to be her?” Shortcake asked as he bit into his pie once more. “She didn’t deserve that…”

“I’m sure everything will be okay, Shortcake.” Mrs. Cake gently brushed Shortcake’s back. “You have us, now. And if you could get adopted, then I’m sure she will too.”

“Yeah…” Shortcake struggled to find happiness in those words. The orphanage’s punishments were extremely strict and he thought that Nightshine would never get adopted at all after his hair-brained scheme.

Suddenly, the door burst open, with Nightshine coming flying in. “Short Stroke!” She called, tackling him.

“Nightshine!” Shortcake immediately

“What are you doing back here?” He asked, smiling as he cuddled with her. “I thought for sure that Serenity would’ve taken you back to the orphanage.”

“Daddy came to save me.” She moved aside and let Filthy Rich step forward.

“Daddy?” Shortcake looked up at Filthy Rich. “You adopted her, Mr. Rich?”

“Yes. Nightshine’s officially part of the Rich family.” He nodded and pulled his new daughter next to him.

“This is great! I knew you’d get adopted, Nightshine!” Shortcake trotted up to her with a spring in his step. “And you’ve got yourself as sister too!” He walked up to Diamond.

“Nice to see you. I’m Diamond Tiara.” She nodded. “What’s your name?”

“My name’s Shortcake.” He nodded. “I was originally called Short Stroke, but the Cakes allowed me to use their last name.”

“Shortcake. That’s a lovely name.” Nightshine walked up to Shortcake and gave him a smile before looking back at Diamond Tiara. “My name’s Nightshine. Me and Shortcake were friends back at the orphanage.

“So, you’re going to be my new sister?” Diamond asked Nightshine.

“Yes I am. Is that alright?” Nightshine tilted her head.

“Yeah, of course it is!” Diamond Tiara hugged her new sister and felt Nightshine hugging her back. “But, what about mother? She’s gonna be livid.”

“Don’t worry about her, Diamond.” Filthy Rich nodded. “She won’t be a bother. I’ll make sure of it.

“Ahh, I love a happy ending.” Pinkie Pie pulled out a tray of cupcakes and laid them down on the table. “Cupcakes, anyone? I made extra!” She sing-songed.

The ponies all tucked into the frosting-topped cupcakes with big smiles on their faces. Now, all four of the runaway orphans had been adopted, and Shortcake and Nightshine and reunited.

“So, you adopted the filthy bat pony.” Spoiled Rich confronted Filthy Rich in the mansion later that evening.

“There’s nothing you can say that’ll reverse this, Spoiled Rich.” Filthy crossed his hooves. “And the more you deny it, the more you’ll be shooting yourself in the hoof.”

“Fine then. I guess the Rich family lineage has been absolutely shattered by your arrogant goodwill.” She used her magic to generate a couple of suitcases. “If you wish to soften up and love the ponies of this dirt-poor, downtrodden, and downright despicable town, then you can do it on your own.”

  “Fine then. Go.” He opened the door himself. “I see now that after everything that happened after Diamond Tiara made friends with those three fillies, you’re still nothing more than a stuck-up cow. We don’t need you anyway!”

Spoiled Rich let out a gasp, shook her head, and stomped off, carrying the suitcases with her.

“What’s going on here?” Twilight stood in the way of the door.

“Move it!” Spoiled Rich rammed Twilight out of the way and walked off. “Prissy little princess could never live up to the true hierarchy of her title anyways…” she mumbled under her breath.

“Spoiled Rich left me all because I adopted Nightshine.” Filthy helped Twilight back onto her hooves. “I think it’s for the best, though. She’d just keep moaning and groaning about it anyway.”

“Nightshine got adopted? That’s wonderful.” Twilight smiled briefly, but it faded away shortly afterwards. “But what are you going to do now that your wife’s left you?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me.” Filthy Rich brushed his chest. “There’s plenty more mares out there. I’m sure any of them would love to be Nightshine and Diamond’s new mother.”

“So, how’s Nightshine doing?” Twilight asked. “Can I see her?”

“Of course.” Filthy Rich stepped aside and let Nightshine run into Twilight’s chest, giving her a warm hug when she collided.

“Hi, Twilight!” Nightshine said energetically.

“Hi, Nightshine.” Twilight waved. “Looks like Pinkie Pie did her job well, didn’t she?”

“Of course I did!” Pinkie popped into Filthy’s house with Chrono, Honeycomb, and Shortcake following her. Diamond Tiara and Nightshine saw the three new friends and shook their hooves. “That’s why I decided that these four new ponies could have a slumber party together. Just to get them settled into Ponyville.”

“We did it, Nightshine. We really did it.” Shortcake hugged Nightshine as tightly as he could. “We’re all adopted.”

“Yeah.” Nightshine gently rubbed the back of his mane. “I’m so glad to have you as a friend, Shortcake.”

“Aww…” Twilight smiled at Shortcake and Nightshine’s affection. “Well, I gotta approve these documents. Just to make sure that it’s legally sound.” And with that, she walked out of the house. “Have a good slumber party, everyone!”

“So, what about mother?” Diamond asked, looking out as she could barely see Spoiled Rich in the distance. “Where’s she going to go without you?”

“We’ll figure that out later. Right now, you and your new friends should enjoy yourself.” Filthy Rich gently patted Diamond’s back.

Suddenly, Shortcake’s stomach began to rumble, as did Nightshine’s.

“Sounds like you’re pretty hungry, huh, sis?” Diamond asked Nightshine before leading her off to the kitchen. “Just wait until you see the chef. He’s amazing.”

“I’m sure he is.” Shortcake chuckled to himself before following his friends.

Nightshine and the other foals were all together in Nightshine’s room, all laying down together on the same bed for the slumber party. Some of them were snuggled into the covers while the others were on top of the sheets.

“So, Chrono and Honeycomb, how’s your parents?” Diamond asked as she looked over at them.

“Dad’s the best.” Chrono gave her a smile. “Together, we both repaired watches and played around with some sciencey-type stuff.”

“He sounds like a great guy,” Nightshine said. “What about you, Honeycomb? How’s Ms. Cheerilee been treating you?”

“She’s amazing!” Both Diamond and Honeycomb said together before they looked each other in the eyes. “Jinx!”

“Sounds like everyone’s happy,” Shortcake said. “That’s good to know. I wouldn’t want them to feel sad with their new moms and dads.”

“I don’t think we’ll have to be sad anymore, Shortcake.” Nightshine gave him a small kiss on the forehead.

“Lights out, everyone.” Filthy Rich came into the room and reached over for the lightswitch. “Now, I know you’re all happy to have new parents and all, but foals like you still need their sleep. So come on, now.”

He watched the ponies all cover themselves up with the bedsheets and wriggle around until they were comfortable.

“Aww, look at you all snuggled up like that…” Filthy Rich’s heart melted at the sight. “It’s so moving, isn’t it?”

“I love you, dad.” Diamond and Nightshine spoke together as they laid their heads on the pillows.

“I love you too, girls.” Filthy Rich flicked the lightswitch off, darkening the room instantly. “Sleep tight, everyone.” And he walked off and closed the door.

“Goodnight, Nightshine,” Shortcake whispered to her.

“Goodnight, Shortcake,” Nightshine replied as she closed her eyes.

And just like that, the five children all laid their heads down and shut their eyes, dreaming pleasant dreams of them all getting to play together with their new parents. They snored lightly and didn’t move an inch as they drifted off into dreamland. They knew that from here on out, things were only going to get better for them.