Luna swooped down into the soundproofed basement and stifled a cry as she gazed down at the severely malnourished, bruised, brutally beaten colt, no more than five years old, who lay unconscious and gasping for breath, chained to the wall, choking on his own blood on the filthy floor. She knew what had been done to him as soon as she saw him, and she vowed to give an excruciating end to whoever had hurt this innocent soul. Luna knew this foal well; she had saved him from terrible nightmares on a nightly basis for five years, but now he was in the place where Luna had prayed he would never, ever end up. She tried to save him, as she had tried so many times before, but she knew that her efforts would be futile tonight. Finally, she sighed in defeat and entered the Sacred Hall of the dream realm, where the little black and white foal, whose body was now completely healed and strong, was playing in the beautiful meadow that served as the "holding area" for all incoming foals under the age of ten--those who were still alive on Earth but had no chance of survival.
"Hello, Max," Luna called. The colt’s ears perked when he heard Luna’s voice, and he trotted up to her excitedly.
“Hi, Princess Luna,” Max said. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re dreaming, young one,” Luna explained, “and as the princess of dreams, I can pop into anypony’s dreams to say hello, especially when that pony is one of my favorite ponies.” She grinned and ruffled the colt’s mane, making him laugh.
“So,” Luna said, “I decided to show up here because I just had a wonderful idea: I thought it would be fun to grant three of your greatest wishes. First, however, I want to give you a present: This is your angel gown." Bowing her head, Luna surrounded Max with a turquoise aura that changed him into a pure white gown.
“Thank you, Princess!” Max cried, his eyes widening. “Wow, I know exactly what I want. I wish mom and dad wouldn’t hit me anymore, and I want a beautiful house to live in, and a puppy!“
“Max,” Luna gently interrupted, “your first wish has already been granted; in a few moments, you will go to a place where nopony will ever hurt you again. You will be safe, happy, and loved forever. Now, tell me more about what you want your new house to look like. What color would you like the house to be?"
"Hmmmm," the colt said thoughtfully, "I want... a white mansion with pale green shutters, and I want it to be big enough for all my new friends to play with me in it all day. I want tons of toys in every room, and--" he looked up, startled, as if he had just realized something. "Oh, Princess, I didn't mean to sound spoiled, but I... I've never had a toy in my whole life. Mommy and Daddy just kept me in the basement..." he trailed off as Luna gently lifted his chin with her hoof so that his eyes met hers.
"I understand, child," the alicorn said. "You do not need to apologize for asking for things that are wanted by every foal your age. You were not given those things in life, so I will give you as many toys as you'd like; in fact, yes, every single room in your house will be stuffed with toys, and I will speak with the one in charge of your new home about letting you keep it after our little meeting is over. Now, relax." Luna grinned and winked at the small colt, then swept her horn in a gentle curve, leaving a trail of purple glitter in its wake. "Close your eyes, and don't open them until I tell you to do so," Luna told Max. The foal squeezed his eyes shut, and Luna chuckled as she swooped her horn in a clockwise motion and released a hot pink bolt of glitter into the air. The bolt exploded like a firework, and the dreamscape changed so that the two ponies stood in front of a massive white mansion with sea foam green shutters.
"No peeking, now, Max," Luna teased. She slowly swept her horn counterclockwise, creating a giant playroom filled with billions of toys, board games, video games, and books. She did the same with every room in the palatial house, then sighed proudly and admired her handiwork.
"All right, Max," she said, "you can open your eyes now." The little colt did as he was asked, and he was rendered speechless. Luna chuckled and wrapped her wing around Max in a loving embrace as he hugged her right foreleg.
"Thank you!" he yelled, running and diving headfirst into the nearest pile of toys. Luna giggled at the foal's antics, ignoring the fiery tears that were building up in her eyes. She quickly wiped her eyes and refocused on the task at hand.
"Are you ready for your next wish, Max?" Luna asked the colt. Max's eyes widened, and he bounced up and down excitedly, nodding.
"Max," Luna said, "the puppy I'm about to give you is in the exact same type of situation that you're in. He arrived a few moments ago, and I think he needs somepony very special to love him forever and ever. His owners treated him very poorly, and, like you, he only wants to be loved. Will you promise to take good care of him for me?" Max's jaw dropped, and he nodded rapidly, his face serious.
"Yes! Oh, yes, Princess Luna, I'll be the bestest puppy owner ever, I promise! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" He squirmed with excitement, and Luna chuckled.
"Okay, Max," she said, charging her horn, "meet Teddy." Luna swept her horn counterclockwise with a flourish, and a little Golden Retriever puppy appeared. As soon as Teddy saw Max, he bounded up to the colt, yipping and covering Max's face with kisses.
"Oh, thank you, Princess!" Max yelled as he frolicked with the puppy. Luna looked at the ground for a split second to conceal her tears as the dreamscape lapsed; this time, however, the lapse created a different pathway to Heaven's gates. The usual white walkway that led to the gates was gone, and a shimmering rainbow bridge stood in its place. Like so many of the other foals who had asked Luna for a pet, Max and Teddy ran across the Rainbow Bridge and through the gates without hesitation. Once the gates had shut, Luna bowed her head and wept for a few minutes, as she did every time she was given the opportunity to unite two kindred spirits. Whenever a foal's final wishes included a pet, Luna always sifted through the incoming dogs and cats--now all puppies and kittens again--who had died homeless, cold and alone, had been just another name on a shelter's euthanasia list, and/or had been abused. This was especially rewarding for Luna when she was given the opportunity to unite an abused foal with an abused animal; by doing this, Luna ensured that both foal and pet would be able to give one another the love that they were deprived of in life. Smiling through her tears, Luna watched as the colt and his new puppy--who had been an old, abused dog upon his arrival--became smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared into the angelic light beyond the gates, then she turned and headed back to the Sacred Hall. There were many more wishes yet to be granted.