//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Terra Flora // Story: Midnight Star: Recovery // by Nebula Star //------------------------------// Midnight Star: Recovery By Nebula Star Terra Flora *** Summer, three years after the Battle of the Badlands The room was stark and sparsely furnished, with simple cement walls painted white and only a small table with a couple small benches to sit on. Only one door, currently closed, adorned the wall in front of Midnight and to the side was a large two-way mirror. Neither held her interest. Her eyes were down, looking at the table without really seeing it. She’d lost track of how long she’d been waiting. Really, she hadn’t thought about it. She’d been lost in her thoughts. They both had. The door was locked of course, not that a locked door would have stopped her if she wanted to leave. Nor could the dozens of city guards or the Manehattan police officers that were in the building. No, she stayed by choice. There would be consequences she knew, but she wasn’t going to run. She’d gladly take whatever punishment was coming. It was worth it. There was a soft click and the door opened admitting a single pony. Tall with a slender build, her dark blue coat shown in the harsh lighting of the interrogation room, but her immaculate grooming was overshadowed by her flowing aethereal mane. Like a living piece of the night sky, it flowed gently on a wind that neither could feel. Midnight barely glanced up at her. Even so, she caught the glare Princess Luna was giving her. She could feel the other alicorn’s anger. The door clicked shut again and locked even as Midnight felt Luna casting a spell; likely one for privacy. Glancing at the two-way mirror, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the sheet of darkness covering the glass. “You’ve read the reports?” Midnight asked softly, not really expecting her to answer with anything but a positive. “I have.” Luna said in a tone that could freeze a pony’s blood as the room seemed to chill around them. “But I wanted to give you a chance to explain yourself.” “Does it really need explaining?” “Indulge me.” She commanded. Midnight sighed. “Fine.” ~~~ “MOMMY!” The terror filled scream, heartfelt and blood curdling as it was; barely reached the sidewalk where Midnight Star and Wind Blade had been walking back to their hotel. They were heading back from a late show on Bridleway with their daughter, Star Bright, asleep in her carrier, when they’d heard the scream. In fact, if they hadn't been passing the narrow alley where it had originated, they most likely wouldn't have heard it. But they had heard it, and it set every nerve in Midnight's body tingling. The area they were in was far from the worst part of Manehattan; but the alley wasn’t well lit and had an ominous feel to it. “Wind…” Midnight said softly as she carefully levitated Star Bright’s carrier over to him. “Stay here.” “Midnight, what?” He asked confused but didn’t have time to say more as Midnight became a cloud of magic and sped into the alley. Dodging past trash bins and stacked pallets she followed the echoes of the cry to an old door with a broken lock. Unlatched it was slightly ajar and swung open noisily as she barreled through. She didn’t bother with stealth. There was a foal in danger. The room she found herself in was some kind of shipping warehouse with crates of all sizes stacked in haphazard rows that left much of the room in shadow. She heard a shout from further back and a foal’s cries. Like a wraith she sped through the aisles searching for the source of the cries. She reached a back corner, where the stacks of crates formed a small enclosure, and there found a scene she would never forget. Several stallions were there looking like they’d been just about to leave. What they’d been doing was all too clear. A mare, beaten bloody, lay motionless on the hard floor, blood pooled around her, and the smell… The scent in the air made it all too clear what they’d done. Those bastards! Midnight hissed in their mind, though Midi maintained control, her eyes seeking the foal. There, a filly, still years from earning her cutie mark, held by one stallion that had clearly been in the process of tying her muzzle shut. The tiny earth filly’s tear-stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes spoke volumes. They’d made her watch. Rage filled Midnight and in an instant her cloud form engulfed the stallion even as the rest shouted in fear and began to bolt. Wrenching the filly from the stallion’s grasp, she swatted him away. His body hit the wall hard and he fell to the floor unmoving, unconscious or dead, Midnight didn’t care. The filly screamed in fear, unsure what was happening. Ignoring the fleeing stallions to care for the foal, she carefully severed the filly’s bindings even as she rematerialized, wrapping her in a gentle embrace. “Shh, shh, it’s alright now, I’ve got you.” Midnight said with her most motherly voice, the same soothing tones she used to calm Starbright when she cried. “Mommy! I want my Mommy!” She cried, struggling to get free. A glance was all she needed to know that it was already too late for the mare. Wrapping her wings around the filly she held her tight, not wanting her to see more than she already had. “She’s gone, little one… she’s gone.” “No! Mommy! Let me go! Mommy!” “I’m sorry… She’s gone.” ~~~ “It is indeed a terrible thing to happen.” Luna said softly. “They were predators of the worst kind. They offer loans to desperate mares with young foals and nopony else to turn to, then use what underhanded schemes they can to make sure that they cannot pay off the debt; all the while still wringing what money out of them that they can. When the time is right, they take what they were really after. That filly would have been sold into slavery, and the mare… well she was likely too old to be worth the effort, and they couldn’t let her live.” “They made her watch!” Midnight hissed glaring up at the night princess. “I know, Midnight.” Luna said firmly. “THEY MADE HER WATCH AS THEY BRUTTALY RAPED AND BEAT HER MOTHER TO DEATH!” Midnight was on her hooves as she shouted with all the strength of her alicorn lungs. The walls shook and dust fell from the ceiling tiles. Luna’s eyes hardened and her horn flared, forcing Midnight to sit back down. She didn’t resist. “I am not denying that you had good reason to be angry!” Luna told her, her voice showing a little anger of her own. “But you brought the filly in, reported the crime! Why didn’t you just leave it at that!?” Midnight looked down. Why hadn’t she? She’d spent the hours alone before the princess’s arrival pondering that very question. She’d saved the filly; why hadn’t she just been glad and left it at that? Sure she’d crippled a stallion in the process, likely for life, but it was in defense of the filly. Perhaps she could have been more careful, but no one would have blamed her for using a little excessive force in that situation. Perhaps it was because she’d never thought she’d have to see a filly suffer so in this world. Sure after the war, there were a lot of colts and fillies that had lost parents; but they had been shielded from such horrors by distance. They hadn’t been forced to watch. Not like her. Even now she could see clearly the hydra’s teeth piercing her mother’s body, pulling, tearing, as two of the heads fought over the meal; and the gruesome sight as they both claimed their prize. She’d seen terrible things during the battle in the badlands, but none really compared. They were terrible to be sure, but by then she’d been hardened by the lives she’d lived. Not so when she’d lost her mother. Back then, she’d been an innocent filly. Sure, she’d lost her brother the year before, but she hadn’t seen that; he’d simply left one day and never come back. After being brought to this world; especially after the war; she’d hoped she’d never witness another filly go through such horrors. Hoped that no one would ever suffer as she had. Seeing what that filly had endured… and at the hooves of ponies no less, not even monsters. Monsters at least were just following their nature, for ponies to subject a filly to such horrors… She hadn’t ever felt such rage before. Terrible as they were, none of her crimes in her past life had compared to this. ~~~ Midnight watched through the window as the young filly spoke with a mare with a kind smile and gently understanding eyes. She wasn’t saying much. She hadn’t said much of anything since Midnight had brought her to the station. She’d sent Wind back to their hotel with their daughter, telling him she didn’t know how long she would be. He’d gone reluctantly, knowing that Midnight wouldn’t be able to rest until she’d taken care of the filly. Focused as she was on the filly, she still didn’t miss the sound of the local police captain approaching. “Any news?” She asked without even looking at him. So far only the stallion she’d injured while rescuing the filly had been caught, the rest had fled the scene abandoning the injured stallion. He’d regained consciousness, but his injuries were severe, and the doctors didn’t think he’d ever make a full recovery. Due to this, questioning wasn’t an option yet. The officer didn’t say anything at first, and instead took a moment to observe the filly as well. “It’s tragic,” he said softly. “It is,” she agreed, then asked again; “Any progress on finding the other suspects?” He sighed. “None, but they were definitely members of the Triad.” Midnight looked at him questioningly. “It’s… a gang that’s known for organized crime. One of the largest in the city. The one found injured at the scene has the mark.” He explained. “What mark.” “Three lines scarred into their necks, where it can easily be hidden under their manes. Every full member of the Triad has that mark. Unfortunately, just having a scar isn’t evidence enough to arrest them.” He shook his head. “At this point, I’m afraid that, except for the stallion you injured, the rest of the killers of that filly’s mother will get away with it.” She stared at him in shock. “What!? No! Those bastards have to pay for what they did!” Unable to stand still she began pacing back and forth. “I showed you my memories! We have their mane colors, coat colors, even a few cutie marks!” “Their mane and coat colors were changed by spells or temporary dyes; and the cutie marks were all fakes.” “What!?” Midnight gasped, turning to face him. He sighed heavily. “It’s how the Triad operates. Every group acts individually, with little communication between them. And whenever any of them do commit crimes, they’re always disguised at the time. So unless we capture them at the scene, it’s near impossible to tie the individuals to any specific crimes. By now all those you saw will have completely different appearances, they might even style their manes and tails differently” “So you’re just giving up!?” “We’ll continue to search the crime scene for clues, but there’s not much else we can do at this point.” Midnight shook her head, feeling her anger at the situation rising. “No, you said that all the members of this triad have that mark, the scar!” He nodded, patiently. “Yes, all of them. But not all of them were involved in this crime. Most of them probably didn’t even know about it. Like I said, each group acts individually; what’s more we believe the members of each group change almost daily. For pre-planned crimes, usually just one individual will know the plan and inform the rest group that night. Almost none of the crimes are on the orders of the gang’s leadership. Because of this, by law, we can’t charge the entire Triad with any of the crimes; we have to charge those crimes to the individuals involved. We also can’t charge the leaders with any crimes unless we can prove they gave the orders, which of course, they almost never do.” “So they’re just going to get away with it!?” “Most likely.” He said sounding more than a little bitter about it himself. “We’ve had dozens of murders and foalnappings in just the last few months that we know were committed by the Triad gang, but we haven’t been able to do a damn thing about it.” “Foalnappings!?” He nodded. “We’re fairly certain they’re involved in slave trafficking.” He gestured to the room where the filly was. “That’s probably what they wanted her for; they were likely going to sell her. It was probably why they killed her mother. So far, we haven’t found any other living relatives; it appears the mother may have been an orphan, never married. The most we’ve found is a few friends, none of whom sound particularly close. She was an ideal target for them. If you hadn’t caught them in the act, it may have been weeks before anypony even noticed she was gone, and that little filly would have been long gone.” “And who is buying these foals that they steal!?” He just shook his head. “As far as we’ve been able to find out, they’re being sent out of Equestria, to some distant pony lands. But that’s all we know.” Midnight stared at him, rage building deep inside. “How many? How many foals have those bastards taken!?” He was starting to look nervous now, having noticed Midnight’s mood. “There have been seventeen foalnapping cases that we were able to tie to the Triad in the past year…” “How many total!?” He winced. “I don’t know the exact figures, but for foalnappings, it’s around two hundred, over the last seven years…” “And in how many of those cases were the mothers murdered!?” Midnight demanded through clenched teeth. “More than two thirds of them.” He said sounding almost scared. It was then that Midnight realized why; in her anger, she’d lost control of the flow of magic to her mane and tail. They’d transformed into their ethereal form, spreading out, filling the hall and surrounding her in a pitch-black night sky with only the faintest of stars. She didn’t bother changing them back. “And I take it that’s not the only crimes they’ve committed?” She asked, her voice cold. “N-no… we’ve also linked them to numerous other crimes including dozens of other murders.” He told her reluctantly, clearly not wanting to anger her any further. “And you haven’t done anything about it!?” “We can’t… not unless we catch them at the scene, or in the act.” “You’re telling me, that the stallions that forced that filly to watch them rape and murder her mother, as well as many others that have committed similar crimes are going to get away with it!?” He swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid so.” “No.” Midnight said softly, her anger reaching a critical point. “This ends now.” The police captain’s eyes widened. “Lady Midnight, there’s nothing that can be done legally.” She glared down at him, her horn lighting ominously. “Are you going to try to stop me?” “The princesses won’t approve.” “Then they should have done more themselves to protect their ponies!” With that she became an ethereal cloud and sped from the station before he could object further. Once outside she rematerialized flying toward the hospital where she knew the stallion she’d caught was being cared for. ‘Midnight,’ she thought to her other self. ‘I need you to take control.’ Are you sure? Her voice came back icy cold, her own rage possibly even more intense. You know what I want to do. ‘I know. It’s what I want as well. I just don’t know if I could go through with it myself.’ I don’t want you blaming me for this later! No regrets, got it!? “Agreed,” Midi said softly, then surrendered control to her other side. Immediately her ethereal mane and tail both began thrashing about in a more chaotic manner than their normal gentle wave, and with a strong beat of her wings, Midnight Star accelerated toward her first target. The injured stallion would know how to find at least one of the others. Each of those he knew would then lead her to others… When she arrived, it only took a few moments for her to locate the room where the stallion was being held. Using her ethereal form, she had no trouble entering the room without anyone seeing, despite the guards at the door. Immediately as she materialized, she cast a sound blocking spell around the room. The stallion was awake and glared at her as she let her own fury show in her crimson eyes. “You!” he rasped clearly still in a lot of pain despite the drugs she knew he was likely on. “Who were the others!?” Midnight demanded knowing he wasn’t going to answer. “You’ll get… nothing from me!” He said defiantly, wincing in pain. Midnight gave him a cold, threatening smile. “You don’t have to give me anything; I will take what I need!” Her horn lit and her magic enveloped him. He screamed but she hardly noticed as she delved into his mind, digging out every bit of information he had of the Triad. It wasn’t much, he was a fairly low thug, having barely earned his mark. He did have three contacts, one of whom he had been working with that night. In addition, she also saw just how they earned their marks, and even that made her blood boil. They weren’t given their mark of the Triad until they’d committed three murders in service to the gang. Every pony that bore that mark had gotten away with at least three murders. She dug deep, not caring if she was causing his mind any lasting damage as she did. There wasn’t any more information on the Triad itself, but she found his memories of the three murders that had earned him his mark. Two of them had been mares and he’d raped both before killing them. Upon seeing this, Midnight’s anger surged and without hesitation she used her magic to crush his heart. Alarms began blaring as the monitoring equipment he was hooked up to registered his heartbeat ceasing. The door burst open even as Midnight returned to her ethereal form. She didn’t care if anypony saw her; she was just getting started. The stallion’s contact that had been with him earlier was next on her list. By dawn, the Triad gang would be no more! ~~~ “You killed them all.” Luna stated coldly having been given the full report, though more dead were being reported every few minutes, already nearly fifty had been reported killed during the night all bearing the mark of the Triad. Though there were no witnesses for most, Midnight had admitted to all of them. “Yes… every pony that bore that damn mark… all but one.” Luna raised a brow, that had not been in any of the reports. “You let one of them live? Why were they spared your wrath?” ~~~ Stone Grade tossed his head to the left as he made his way through the dark halls of his home. It was a habit he’d had for years to make sure his mane was hanging down the left side of his neck. There wasn’t anyone to see, and dark as it was, it probably wouldn’t matter if there was. But still, he always kept his mane hanging down the left side. Quietly as he could, he walked down the hall to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He didn’t turn on any lights; he didn’t want to wake anypony, and there was enough light to see filtering in through the windows. Pulling a glass from the cupboard he then went to the enchanted ice box, pulling out a pitcher of cold water. After pouring, he replaced the pitcher, closing the ice box. He sighed contently, and took a drink. Everything went black. It wasn’t bright to begin with but still the sudden loss of all light startled him. Then small points of light appeared all around him like stars. “Who’s there.” He breathed, still not wanting to wake anyone. For a moment there was no answer, then a soft and icy cold voice spoke. “You bear the mark…” What mark the voice meant was made clear as he felt his main pushed up away from the left side of his neck. He knew what lay there. It was something he’d once displayed proudly like the fool he was, but now kept carefully hidden. A scare; three parallel lines. He knew there was no use claiming it was anything other than what it was. “I’ve already ended the rest of the Triad. Only you remain. You were a founding member. One of the leaders… and yet only one of the others even knew about you.” “I was one of their leaders; once…” He admitted softly. “I saw where things were going; I knew I had to get out while I still could.” “Three lines… three lives ended… and that was only the start of your crimes.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I know… I knew that my past would catch up with me one day. I know what I deserve.” There was no figure to watch, no body language to observe, but he got the distinct impression that whoever this was were surprised by his words. “You’re not going to resist?” “There’s no point. I could never atone for the things I did. For what I helped start. If you’ve truly ended the Triad; then I thank you, for correcting the greatest mistake of my youth. “You still deserve to die.” The voice said after a few moment’s silence. He nodded. “I know… may I ask you a favor though? A last request?” “Perhaps…” “Make sure my son isn’t the one that finds me… I don’t want him going through something like that.” Again he felt surprise and hesitation form the darkness surrounding him. For several moments nothing happened. Then as suddenly as the star studded darkness had appeared, it vanished, leaving him again standing in his kitchen. But even as it did, he heard the voice speak one last time. “Don’t waste it.” He gasped, falling to his knees, tears coming to his eyes as the realization hit him. “I won’t!” He breathed, not even knowing if they would hear him. “I won’t.” ~~~ “So you spared him because he was like you.” Luna observed. Midnight looked up at her. “I spared him because he was better than me!” The princess raised a brow. “He chose to leave his old life behind to be a better pony… I had to be forced. I don’t think I ever would have made that choice on my own.” “I see… Well I suppose I’m glad that you weren’t so far gone in your anger that you couldn’t recognize that.” Midnight lowered her eyes to the floor again and for a moment the room fell into silence. “So what now?” Midnight asked. “I’ve yet to decide.” Luna told her coldly. “You murdered dozens of ponies, Midnight.” “Every one of them deserved to die!” Midnight growled. “Whether they did or not is irrelevant! You do not have the authority to make that call!” “Then where were you!? Or Celestia!? Where were Equestria’s protectors when your subjects needed you!?” Midnight shouted back. Luna glared back at her for a moment before answering. “For your information; my Nightguard has been gathering sufficient evidence on this and several smaller gangs in Manehatten for me to justify taking direct action against them! We were days away from rounding up the Triad members for judgement!” “Days away.” Midnight snorted in disgust. “What comfort is that to that filly in there!?” She gestured vaguely toward the door to the rest of the station. “That’s days too late!” “What happened to the filly is tragic; and I do wish my efforts had been in time to prevent it.” Luna said firmly. “But even for a princess there are rules that must be followed; a certain trust that we must maintain with our subjects, lest we become tyrants.” “Well I’m not a princess.” “No, you are not;” Luna said firmly. “I happen to agree that the ponies you killed deserved to die. Non the less; you have not been entrusted with the authority to pass judgement, nor to execute punishment. And yet that is precisely what you did. But truly acting without authority is the lesser of your transgressions!” “Then what’s the greater?” Midnight asked. “That you acted in anger! You let your wrath control you! And for somepony of your power, that is something that cannot be allowed!” Luna practically shouted. Midnight stared at the floor in silence, both her sides recognizing the truth of that statement. In her first life she had constantly let her emotions control her. Let her bitterness and anger turn her into a monster, and all of Equestria had suffered because of it. “Do you understand?” Luna asked. Silently, Midnight nodded. Luna watched her a moment more, then finally nodded. “Good…” she sighed heavily. “Midnight, I do understand how you feel, and in your place… I don’t know if I would have done differently. I’d like to believe I’ve learned to have more control than that, but I cannot honestly say that for sure. But at the same time, whether I agree with your actions or not, I cannot allow you to take the law into your own hooves.” “I understand.” Midnight said softly. “I really hope you do, because this cannot happen again.” Midnight looked up at her, catching the implication. Luna looked her in the eye making sure she had her full attention. “In repayment of the debt we owe you, and for the sake of your family; I will cover for you this one time.” Midnight’s eyes widened in surprise. Luna was clearly still upset with her, but there was understanding there as well, and perhaps a little guilt? “I have told the captain that you have been working with my nightguard in these matters and though your anger caused you to act prematurely, we were intending on dealing with the Triad and other gangs, and you were therefore acting under my authority.” “Luna… I…” “This one time!” Luna repeated firmly. “But if you ever lash out in anger like this again, we will be forced to act against you.” Midnight nodded understanding. “Thank you, princess.” Luna’s expression softened. “In the future, if you wish to help protect the ponies of this land, I would prefer if you would work with me; I could certainly use your help in such matters.” Midnight considered it for a moment and nodded. “I’ll help however is needed.” “Very well. I will be sure to contact you the next time I have something I believe you can help with.” Luna agreed. “For now, though. I am certain your family is worried. I will finish clearing things up with the police and local guard.” Midnight nodded, then glanced at the door. “Luna; what’s going to happen to the filly?” Luna sighed heavily. “Little Terra Flora is currently asleep, but I understand that they have not been able to find any living relatives; it appears her mother was an orphan herself. They also have searched the mother’s apartment and questioned her neighbors, but still have found nothing concerning who her father may be, nor have they found any will or even emergency contacts. It’s still too early to say, but if they don’t find anypony, she will likely be sent to a city orphanage.” “No.” Luna looked at her in surprise. “No?” “What that filly’s been through… she watched her mother die.” Midnight said softly. “She’s going to need somepony who understands; who can help her work through it; who knows how to comfort her. She won’t get that at an orphanage.” “What is it you propose then?” Luna asked. “I watched my mother die…” Midnight said, the true Midnight having taken control. “And I didn’t have anypony… Nopony that understood that pain.” She looked up at Luna. “If she doesn’t have anypony else, then let me take her. I’ll be there for her.” “Are you saying you wish to adopt her.” Luna asked. “Yes.” Midnight said simply. “You don’t wish to discuss this with your husband first?” “Wind will understand.” Midnight told her confidently. Luna frowned. “Even so, perhaps it would be best for you to discuss it with him and think it over. This is not something to rush into. The police will need time to complete their investigation, anyway.” Midnight looked about to insist, but then realized Luna was probably right. She should at least discuss it with Wind before she made such a life changing choice. She knew it was what she wanted, and that he would understand and likely agree, but he would be hurt if she left him out of such a choice. “Okay… But assuming they don’t find anypony; will you make the arrangements if we do decide to take her?” Luna looked at her a moment more, then nodded. “I think you are right that she will need special attention. And I suppose you are one of the few who could truly sympathize with her.” She took a deep breath. “For now, though, let’s get you back to your family; Speak with Wind, get some rest, and if you still wish to adopt the filly when the investigation has concluded, then I will see what I can do.” “Thank you, Luna…” Midnight said softly. ~~~ It was nearly two weeks later by the time the investigation had concluded and arrangements could be made. No family was found, nor friends that were close enough that they’d be willing to care for little Terra Flora. True to her word, Luna had made the arrangements for Midnight and Wind to take her. All that remained was gaining the filly’s approval. After all, Luna would not force the filly to go with Midnight if she didn’t want to. When they received word, Midnight and Wind returned to Manehattan. Starbright, they left with Twilight, who was happy to watch her granddaughter for a few days. Midnight had told Twilight everything, including her desire to take in the orphaned filly. And while, like Luna, she’d been disappointed in Midnight for letting her anger control her; she also understood. It was the morning after they’d returned to the city that they made their way to the orphanage where the filly had spent the past two weeks. “You’re here for Terra Flora?” The matron asked nervously seeming to wish there was more than just a desk between them. Midnight would have sighed, but ponies being nervous around her had become far too common in the last couple years. So instead, she just nodded. “Yes, if she will have us.” “Uh, yes, right… we received word that you would be coming… um… this way.” It was clear the matron wanted to simply get this over with as quickly as possible. Midnight glanced over at Wind, he shrugged and followed the matron out of the office, Midnight right behind him. She led them down the hall to a small room with some chairs and a couch. “Wait here.” She said, “I’ll go get Terra Flora.” Midnight gladly took a seat on the couch Wind sitting down next to her. “Do you think she’ll want to come with us?” He asked having never even met the filly. “I hope so,” Midnight said softly, looking anxiously at the door. Wind looked over at her. They’d spoken often over the past few weeks about Midnight’s desire to adopt the filly. Wind had been hesitant at first, but the more they’d spoken about it, the more he’d realized how much it meant to her and had decided to support her in the choice. It wasn’t only Midnight’s choice, however. “If she doesn’t want to; we can’t force her.” “I know…” With a reassuring smile, he stretched his wing around her, holding her comfortingly. A minute or so later, the matron returned holding the door to let little Terra Flora enter. She walked in, her eyes turned downward, clearly not happy to be there. She didn’t look up until the matron had closed the door behind her, then recognition flashed through her eyes when she saw Midnight. “Hello.” Midnight said softly, with a smile she hoped would convey how much sympathy she had for the filly and what she’d been through. “You’re the one who saved me.” She said softly looking at Midnight. “Yes. My name is Midnight Star.” “You didn’t save my mom.” There was no accusation in her tone; it was merely a simple statement of fact. Still, it pained Midnight. “I wish I’d been in time to save her. I really do,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. Terra studied her for a moment in silence seeming to be considering whether to believe her or not. “Now you want to replace her.” Midnight was rendered speechless for a moment, that wasn’t a response she’d expected; and yet, she should have. Of course, that’s what it would look like to the filly. Midi wasn’t sure what to say, but Midnight did and took control. “No! No of course I don’t want to replace her. Nopony could ever replace your mother; I know that… I wasn’t much older than you when I lost my mother. I know what that’s like; and I know that nopony could ever replace her… I know…” With her wingtip, she futilely wiped the tears from her eyes only to have more take their place. She’d avoided thinking of her mother’s death and the pain it still caused for so long “Then why are you here?” She asked softly. “Because I want to be there for you… to be whatever it is that you need me to be. I just… I want you to know that you’re not alone.” Terra looked at her a moment longer then glanced over at Wind. “Who’s he?” “This is my husband, Wind Blade.” Midnight introduced. “Hi.” Wind said softly. “I’m pleased to meet you, Terra Flora.” She looked at him a moment. “Just Terra.” “You prefer going by Terra?” She nodded looking down again. “Only my mom used my full name.” “Then Terra it is. I’m pleased to meet you.” He said with a gentle smile, though she wasn’t really looking to see. “Pleased to meet you, too.” She said softly knowing it was the proper response. For a moment there was silence in the room. Midnight wasn’t sure what to say and Wind was at a loss as well, finally it was Terra who spoke. “Where do you live?” “Ponyville,” Midnight answered. “Have you heard of it?” She shook her head without looking up. “Well it’s a fairly large town; but nowhere as big as Manehattan; and it’s just south of Canterlot. We have a great view of the mountain and the castle.” “Is it nice?” “It’s a very nice town. With some of the friendliest ponies you’ll ever meet.” Midnight told her. She was silent a moment, not looking at any of them. Midnight glanced over at Wind, her worry clear. “Okay.” They all looked at her in surprise. “Okay?” Midnight asked softly. “I’ll go with you… I don’t like it here.” The matron looked at her, surprised. “Are you sure, Terra!?” Midnight gave her a look. The matron knew very well she wasn’t to interfere or try to influence Terra Flora’s decision, and it was all too clear she was one of those that didn’t think highly of Midnight. She likely thought she’d be protecting the filly by convincing her not to go with them. Seeing Midnight’s look, though, she fell silent. Terra Flora just nodded again not even looking up. Midnight smiled, with unshed tears in her eyes. “I… We promise, we’ll do everything we can to make our home yours as well; and to be whatever it is you need us to be.” Terra sniffed, still not looking up, but then slowly raised her eyes to meet Midnight’s. Midnight locked her gaze with the filly, trying to convey all her sympathy and understanding through that gaze. Suddenly, to her surprise, Terra jumped forward throwing her tiny hooves around her. Midnight caught her, out of reflex, but then wrapped her wings around her in a comforting embrace as she whimpered softly. She didn’t say anything; neither of them did. She simply held Terra, letting her know that she was there for her. In that moment, holding Terra in that small room at the orphanage, she knew; that while it wouldn’t be easy, she’d do everything she could to ensure Terra would have the same chance at happiness that had been given to her. She knew she would do anything for this filly. She’d gained a second daughter.