Luna stepped gracefully from her carriage. Her guards bowed to her, then went back to standing at attention. Luna turned her eyes on the dull red-bricked building looming in front of her. A weathered gray sign read "Canterlot Orphanage" in block lettering.
A small yellow Earth pony waited respectfully by the door, bowing as Luna made her way inside. The environment changed drastically. The walls of the lobby were brightly colored, and decorated with flowers, butterflies, and little toy trains.
"Your Highness," the yellow mare said, stepping up beside the majestic Alicorn, " I am Dandelion Jewel, the owner of Canterlot Orphanage. You wished to speak with me?"
"Yes, I did," Luna said, smiling slightly. She took a deep breath, remembering to use more modern vocabulary. "I have decided to take in a student, as my sister has."
"Am I correct in assuming you wish to adopt one of our orphans?" Dandelion Jewel asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Indeed you are," Luna replied, feeling proud of herself.
"Why, that's simply wonderful!" Dandelion beamed. "Would you like a tour?"
"Yes, I would, thank you," Luna said, following Dandelion down a long corridor.
"What age are you thinking of adopting, Your Magesty?" Dandelion questioned.
"Just old enough to start school," Luna answered.
"Filly or colt?"
"Filly." Dandelion nodded, and veered to the right. The decor of this corridor was not as foalish, it had turned to more mature colors and designs. Deep purples and pinks, hearts and peace signs.
Dandelion pushed open a door, revealing a row of beds on each side of a narrow room. Young foals of all sizes and colors were sitting in front of the beds, fidgeting with excitement.
"This is our filly ward," Dandelion explained. Luna smiled warmly at the fillies, walking slowly down the aisle between them. The youngsters bowed their heads to their princess.
"These fillies have been raised well, Miss Jewel," Luna announced, turning back to the mare. "Might I ask for a room to give these foals a test?"
"Of course, ma'am," Dandelion said quickly. "You will taking Unicorns only, correct?" Luna nodded in response. Dandelion called for the Unicorn fillies, and Luna, to follow her. Luna trailed in the back, watching each filly. Several looked sickly and weak, while most seemed healthy and strong. Luna was looking for a strong-willed Unicorn, one who wouldn't give up in the face of failure. She also needed a filly with a strong magic aura. Quickly, Luna cast a magic detection spell over the crowd of fillies. It would help Luna tell how strong their magic was without making them test themselves in front of their peers.
Not many experienced Unicorns could detect a spell such as that. A tall filly, however, perked her ears up and turned her head towards Luna, locking eyes with the Princess. The filly was a deep purple, with a rose colored mane and tail. Her mane was pulled into a high, sophisticated ponytail. Her magical aura was strong, as well.
"Miss Jewel?" Luna called. The blue maned mare turned to her Princess, puzzled. "I've made my decision."
"Already, Your Highness?" Dandelion asked, baffled. Luna nodded.
"You there," Luna said, pointing her hoof at the purple filly. "What's your name?" The filly cast a haughty look at her peers before answering, "Midnight Rose, Your Highness."
"Miss Rose, you will be accompanying me back to the palace. I suggest you pack your belongings," Luna said. Then to Dandelion, "I assume I have some paperwork to sign?"
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"You will get used to castle life," Luna assured Midnight Rose.
"I hope so, Your Majesty," The Unicorn replied, gazing out the carriage window. "Does this make me a princess?"
Luna chuckled, amused. "Not quite, little one. However, you will, of course, be treated as one."
"Awesome," Midnight Rose grinned.
"What would you prefer to be called?" Luna asked. Midnight Rose was a mouthful.
"Midnight," She answered. "Do I still have to call you 'Your Highness' all the time?"
"Goodness, no. In private company, you may call me Luna. In public, I must ask that you call me 'Princess'," Luna answered.
"Yes, ma'am," Midnight responded, her grin stretching from ear to ear.
"I am impressed with how respectful you are," Luna complimented. If at all possible, Midnight's smile grew wider.
"May I ask why you chose to adopt me?" Midnight asked.
"A number of reasons," Luna replied. "You aura is strong, and your confidence in yourself is high." Midnight nodded and continued to stare out the window. "Did you have friends at the orphanage?"
"One. A Pegasus colt, Slate. He and I were pretty close," Midnight said, her smile fading.
"Were pretty close?" Luna pushed.
"We got into a pretty big fight," Midnight said vaguely.
"I see," Luna said letting it drop. The carriage jolted to a halt, and the door opened. Canterlot castle rose magestically before them, as Luna stepped out. Midnight hopped down behind her, looking up in awe.
Standing by the doors was Celestia, who did not look at all pleased. Twilight Sparkle, of course, flanked her.
"Luna, what in Equestria-," Celestia began.
"See, Tia? Anything you can do, I can do better," Luna smiled sarcastically. Both Celestia and Twilight looked shocked. "Come along, Midnight. I'll show you to your room. Guards, bring her bags."
All the way through the castle, Luna was distracted. Estatic that her sister was confused, but distracted because she was completely unsure of how to raise a filly.
"Is everything okay, Luna?" Midnight asked, breaking Luna from her trance.
"Yes, Midnight. I'm alright," The Princess answered, magically opening Midnight's door.
"It's beautiful!" Midnight exclaimed, galloping to the center of the circular room. The walls were a plain white, and everything was trimmed in gold. The bedsheets were made from the finest silk, and the curtains of the finest velvet.
"Welcome home, Midnight Rose."