//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven: A Canterlot Celebration (Edted) // Story: A New Home // by APoeticHeart //------------------------------// The Friendship Express came to a slow, and steady stop at Canterlot Station. Outside on the waiting dock to welcome the ponies, and young human stood a white unicorn stallion. His mane and tail were three shades of dark, moderate, and light blue, he had sky blue eyes, grey hooves, and on his flank he had a symbol of a royal blue shield with a lavender star on it, with three little light blue stars over it. As the passenger cart's doors opened Twilight immediatly galloped to the stallion, who was her brother. "Shining!" She smiled with a beaming glow. "Twily!" Shining Armor responded with the same excitement. They lifted their forelegs in a playful manner to greet each other. "How has my little sister been doing since becoming Equestria's newest princess?" He asked teasingly She giggled and playfully punched him in the chest with a forehoof. "Oh, Shining you know I am still getting used to becoming an alicorn princess. Yet, I have just been overlooking the daily activities of Ponyville, and making sure harmony is maintained." Shining Armor nodded. "Well, at least you aren't trying to battle an evil sorcerer who is trying to overthrow your home." Speaking sarcastically as he sighed softly "Cadence is so excited to see you and the girls again! Her mom, and dad are at the castle." He noticed the rest of the group standing behind Twilight. "Hello girls and Spike." He looked at the group carefully and turned back toward Twilight. "So Twily, where is this guest of honor that Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna have been telling us about?" Twilight looked behind her at the group of ponies and baby dragon, but didn't see the little colt. "Hmm.. I don't know." She turned around looking at the three fillies and Spike. "Spike, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, where is Toby?" Sweetie Belle motioned with her forehoof toward Fluttershy's tail "He is hiding. When we stepped off the train he saw Prince Shining Armor, and got nervous, and hid under Fluttershy's tail." She along with everypony watched the little shaking movement of Fluttershy's tail with concerned look on their faces. Fluttershy smiled nervously at Shining Armor "Um..I am truly sorry Prince Shining Armor. He is very shy, and timid around new ponies. He is still shy, and timid around all of us." She turned her head toward her tail, and cooed softly to calm the little colt. "Toby sweetie, you can come out. The prince is real nice like all of us, and he would like to meet you. Please don't be scared." Toby peeked his head out from underneath her tail, and nodded softly. He carefully stepped out from behind her, and walked slowly toward Shining Armor. The others smiled at him warmly as he stepped in front of the prince. He lowered his head in a bow "H-hello P-Prince Shining Armor. I-it is good to meet you." He lifted his head, and smiled softly up at the stallion. Shining Armor stepped his left foreleg in front of his right foreleg, and lowered his head in a bow of his own. "Well, it is an honor to meet you as well Toby. You have nothing to fear from me." He smiled at the little colt, and patted gently at his shoulder. He leaned into whisper. "Anyways, if somepony tries to bother you, you just come to good ol' Shining and I will take care of them for you." He winked as he raised his head with a smile. Toby giggled lightly as he felt a wing on his back, and turned to look up at Twilight. "See there sweetheart, there is nothing to be scared of. Shining Armor here is my older brother, and you will meet my other family when we go to the castle." She smiled softly down at him as he returned the same smile. He carefully walked back over to Fluttershy who was lowered on her forelegs ready for Toby to climb on. He climbed up on her carefully. She smiled softly back at him, and asked "Toby sweetie, how would you maybe like to fly? I will be very careful, and I promise I won't let you fall." She nuzzled at his cheek. With a smile on his face he nodded "O-okay Fluttershy. Th-that sounds like fun." He carefully hugged her neck a little tightly, but not too tight to hurt her. After the group departed from the train station Fluttershy looked back at the little colt. "Okay sweetie, hold on." She lightly flapped her wings, and hovered in the air. She could feel shaking on her back, and turned back to Toby noticing his eyes were closed shut. She nuzzled at his cheek. "It's okay little one, open your eyes." Toby opened them slowly, and shot his head back, and forth looking down at the group trotting below him. He looked around as he was in the air as Rainbow Dash came up beside them with Scootaloo on her back. Toby smiled as he felt the gentle breeze blow against his face, and skin. "Th-this is fun Fluttershy. Th-thank you." Fluttershy smiled as the little colt was actually having fun for the very first time since he had arrived in Ponyville. "You are very welcome sweetie." Although she was smiling on the outside, she was frowning on the inside. "I just wish he wouldn't be so timid around us. He is so sweet, but his voice is so small and sounds broken. I hope when Princess Luna takes us into his dreams we find out what caused him to be so timid." She thought to herself as she flew carefully in the air. As the group arrived at the palace Fluttershy carefully lowered to the ground landing softly. The guards stepped aside opening the palace doors to let the group through. While they were trotting through the main hall a thought came to Toby, "Mommy always loved pretty places." This brought a tear to his eye which he quickly wiped away with a hand, so no pony would notice. Shining Armor came to a stop at two tall golden doors that looked like they lead to another room. He turned back to the child on Fluttershy's back. "Hey buddy, if a prince may ask, could you maybe close your eyes for a little bit?" Toby nodded. "Y-yes Prince Shining Armor." He closed his eyes shut as he hugged Fluttershy's neck. He could hear the big doors slowly being opened, and felt Fluttershy start trotting. After a few trots he felt Fluttershy come to a stop. He started to shake as he could hear nothing but silence. Fluttershy turned her head to the nervous little child, and nuzzled at his cheek. "It's okay Toby, you can open your eyes now sweetie." He carefully opened his eyes, and swallowed nervously as he looked through the lens of his eyeglasses. He sat up a little on Fluttershy's back as he could see he was in what appeared to be a ballroom. There were many ponies in attendance, most of the ponies he saw were dressed in elegant gowns, and nice suits. He recognized them as the ponies that lived in Canterlot. The other ponies he saw didn't have any clothes, just the fur on their body, manes, and tails. He guessed they were ponies from Ponyville. He looked around at everypony nervously as he heard them mumble to one another. The group he was with slowly trotted down the red carpet leading to the center where Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna stood. Beside the two princesses he saw another pony who had wings and a horn, and knew she was another alicorn. Shining Armor trotted up beside her, and Twilight trotted up to the other side of the royal sisters. She had light pink fur, purple eyes, a mane and tail that were both flowing like Fluttershy's with light yellow, dark pink, and purple, she had golden-like hooves. On her flank, a symbol of a heart that looked like crystal. She wore a golden necklace around her neck just like Celestia and Luna, and a golden crown. Fluttershy and the rest of the group trotted up, and stood at the side of Twilight as Toby looked up at all four princesses. Princess Celestia began to speak with a royal yet elegant voice. "All mares and gentlecoats. Today myself, and my sister Princess Luna would like to welcome you as we celebrate the arrival of a new guest here in Equestria. Now he is a part of the species known as humans. He comes from a distant land called Earth, but I vow he brings no threat to us ponykind or to all of Equestria." The crowd stopped their mumbling, and smiled knowing that the human was not a threat to them. She turned toward Fluttershy. "Our very own, The Element of Kindness ,and caretaker of all small and big animals. Fluttershy was the one who discovered this little one." Fluttershy nervously lifted a wing, and waved at everypony in attendance. Celestia looked toward the child on her back. "Little one, would you like to come up, and let everypony see you? I promise no pony is here to harm you sweetheart." Toby swallowed nervously as he looked at Fluttershy, and beside him at the others as they all nodded at him reassuringly with warm smiles. He then turned toward Celestia, and nodded. Fluttershy gently knelt on her forelegs as he carefully climbed down off her back. She stood back up, and gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head to keep him calm. He carefully walked toward Celestia as he looked up at Twilight who gave him a warm smile. He stepped in front of Celestia, and lifted his head slowly to look at all those before him. He started shaking when he felt a warm wing over his back and shoulders. He tilted his head back to look up at Celestia, smiling softly down at him. She looked at all her guests saying, "this young human child is Toby..." She lowered her head softly down to him. "Toby sweetheart, if a princess may ask, what is your last name?" She asked gently. He softly whispered in her ear "M-Mason, Princess Celestia." He gave her a light smile. She lifted her head back up, and cleared her throat. "This young human child's name is Toby Mason, and although he is small, he has a big heart, and has treated us with great respect and kindness." She looked down at the little colt, and thought back to the day before she met him. She started to tear up a little bit which everypony looked on concerned even Toby, who tilted his head back to look up at her. "My sister and mysef would greatly appreciate it if you all would treat this little one with the same respect, and kindness, for he has suffered a great loss in his life, and has endured a broken heart." Everypony in the crowd gasped, and looked at the little child with worried looks as they all nodded in unison at Celestia, and Luna. Celestia blinked her eyes to subdue her tears as she looked up at everypony. "Our faithful Element of Honesty, Applejack, and the Apple Family from Sweet Apple Acres brought all of their great apple delecacies for everpony to enjoy. Our very own Element of Laughter, Pinkie pie, brought music, games to play, and an array of sweet treats baked by herself with some help from the Cakes of Sugarcube Corner. Later we will all may go outside to the palace courtyards to see the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash, will be performing her Sonic Rainboom and for Fluttershy, our Element of Kindness, is going to soothe us with her bird choir. Now may this joyous celebration begin." With that a blast was heard throughout the ballroom, and everypony turned to see it was Pinkie Pie setting off her party cannon. Streamers, confetti, and balloons showered over the ballroom. Laughter erupted from everypony. Everypony bowed their heads respectfully to the princesses as they all started moving around. Some were conversing with one another, some headed over to the apple cart where Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith stood at, some went over to enjoy some of Sugarcube Coners top sweet where Mr. and Mrs. Cake. A few went over to participate in some games operated by Pinkie Pie, who had a bright smile on her face. The Cutie Mark Crusaders each gave Toby a warm hug before going off to hang out with the colts, and fillies who were invited, Rainbow Dash gave him a gentle rub on the head before flying outside to prepare for her Sonic Rainboom. Applejack trotted up to the little colt, and smiled softly down at him. "Ah' reckon I will get over to the apple cart Toby, and make sure everything is running smoothy. There are plenty of apple dishes there for ya to try when ya get ready, ah'right little feller?" He nodded as she reached a forehoof up, and rubbed gently at his shoulder before trotting off toward the apple cart. Rarity trotted up to him next, and gently wrapped a foreleg around his small form pulling him in a warm hug. She gave him a gentle kiss on the top of his head, and softly spoke. "Toby darling, I will be mingling with the other ponies if you need me, okay precious?" He nodded, and gave her a soft smile, she returned it before trotting off to mingle with the others. Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna smiled down at the little child. "Young Toby, Tia and I officially welcome you to Equestria." Luna spoke with a soft tone as both royal sisters lowered their heads, and lightly touched each of his shoulders with their horns. Fluttershy trotted up to Toby, and the princesses. She looked up at both of them, and shyly asked "Um..Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia...if it is okay with you both..um..could i maybe speak with you?" They looked at each other, then looked back at Fluttershy, and nodded. She smiled at them, and then looked down at the little colt. "Toby sweetie, I will be right back, okay? I am just going to talk with the princesses." He nodded as she lowered her head, and gave him a tender kiss on the top of his head. Toby smiled softly as Fluttershy trotted off with the princesses off to the side some. He felt something soft over his shoulders, and back. He tilted his head back to see Twilight smiling down at him softly. "H-hi Twilight." "Hey Toby sweetheart. I would like to introduce you to a few special ponies. They will be very happy to meet you." She smiled, and gently guided him over to her family who were all together in a small group talking with one another. "Hi Cadence!" She beamed as Princess Cadence done the same. "Twilight!" They both performed a special greeting they created when Twilight was only a filly, and Cadence was her foalsitter. "Sunshine, sunshine Ladybugs awake Clap your hooves and do a little shake." They giggled happily as Twilight carefully placed a wing over Toby, and gently brought him forth. "Cadence I would like to officially introduce you to Toby. Toby this is Princess Cadence, Shining's wife, and my sister in law." Toby smiled up softly at Cadence and bowed his head respectfully. "H-hi there P-Princess Cadence. I-it is good to meet you." Speaking softly in his usual small tone. Cadence smiled softly down at the little colt, and lowered her head to him to look him in his eyes. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you young one. There is no need to be nervous Toby, we would never dream of hurting you." She gave him a reassuring smile, and reached up with a foreleg, and rubbed lightly at his arm. He smiled up softly at her. Twilight smiled at the interaction between Toby, and Cadence as she very gently turned him toward two new ponies who were both unicorns. One was a female unicorn with pearl white fur, eyes of light cerulean blue, both her mane tail had lavender and white stripes, on on her flank she had a symbol of three lavender stars. The other was a male unicorn with light blue eyes, yellow eyes, his mane and tail were both were a deep royal blue, and on his flank he had a big yellow crescent moon with a smaller yellow crescent moon inside the curve. "Toby, I would like for you to meet my mother, and father, Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle." She had her wing gently laid across his back, and shoulders. He smiled up softly at them "H-hi there M-Mr. and M-Mrs. Sparkle. I-it is good to meet you both." They smiled softly down at him and lowered their heads to gently touch their horns on each of his shoulders. While Toby was meeting Twilight's family Fluttershy, Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia trotted off outside, to get away from the crowd to talk. Celestia spoke softly to the caring Pegasus. "My loyal and kind Fluttershy, what is on your mind?" Fluttershy had a nervous look on her face as she took in a deep breath. "Um..well, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna..um..something has been troubling me ever since I discovered Toby." She lowered her head hiding behind her mane. Celestia looked down worriedly at the timid Pegasus. "Oh, my little pony. What is the matter? Maybe myself, and Luna can help." Fluttershy took another deep breath and looked up at the two princesses. "Well, um...I really care for the precious little one...but I am concerned of how he actually ended up in Equestria. I mean...um...I discovered him at the base of a tree at the entrance of the Everfree Forest...um..but that is all I know." She lowered her head again with a tear falling from her eyes. Luna gently spoke up "Fluttershy, I believe I have the answer you are looking for." She turned to her sister. "Tia, being a goddess of night I am able to hear the wishes, prayers, and inner thoughts of those in Equestria." Fluttershy looked up shocked but Luna calmed her by putting a forehoof up. "Well, our caring and kind Fluttershy made a wish three nights ago that she could have a colt or filly that she could call her own." Celestia looked at Luna with a shocked look. She turned to Fluttershy who had her head lowered back down under her mane and smiled warmly at the Pegasus. "Is this true my little pony?" Fluttershy nodded nervously. "Tia sister, I also heard another wish the same night." Fluttershy, and Celesita both looked at her surprised, and she nodded, "yet this wish was not from anypony in Equestria, but from another land. You see, not only am I able hear the mind of everypony of our land, but I am able to hear the minds of others from different lands." Celstia looked at her sister with a soft smile, but frown. "Let me ask sister, do you have this ability somehow due to the reason of me banishing you to the moon one thousand years ago?" Luna nodded solemnly, but nuzzled at her sister's neck. "Tia, that is the reason, but not to worry for that was the past. For the moon being a part of the vast universe beyond our land, I am able to connect with life of other distant lands." Fluttershy, and Celestia nodded. "The night Fluttershy made her wish, I heard a wish similar from the heart, and mind of a young colt. His wish was that he would live in a new home with someone who would love him. That young colt was Toby." Fluttershy looked up with tears forming in her eyes as Luna nodded, and continued. "So with him sleeping peacefully in his bed I concentrated all of my magic, and I used it to envelope his small form in a warm aura, so it wouldn't wake him. I transported him here to Equestria, I feel awful though, because I transported him at the entrance of the Everfree Forest, but I knew he would be discovered by you Fluttershy. As you lived near the forest." Fluttershy smiled tearfully up at Luna. "Oh my. It is true maybe that him, and I were meant to discover each other..um..right Princess Luna?" She nodded softly as Fluttershy smiled as she closed her eyes to subdue her tears. "Um..Princess Luna..um..there is a question I would like to ask..um...if it is okay with you?" Luna smiled at the Pegasus, and nodded. "Of course kind Fluttershy, what would you like to ask?" Fluttershy bit her lower lip. "Um...well, Toby is such a polite little gentlecolt..um..,but it is sad to see him so nervous around everpony he meets. He still talks nervously around me and my friends. He always asks us to not get mad at him for asking a simple question, and he still shakes timidly. His tone is so small, and broken that it hurts me. Um..I was wondering..um..if we could..um if we could enter into his dreams while he is asleep..um..if it is okay with you Princess Luna?" Luna looked at her with a warm smile. "Yes, I think we could. Yet, I believe it would be best if we look into young Toby's memories to discover why he is so timid in behavior. It is the same as going into somepony's dreams, but we can recall his most beloved, and worse memories." Fluttershy nodded, and looked up at the night princess "Um..it won't hurt the little one though, will it Princess Luna?" Luna softly shook her head. "Oh, no. I will make sure to make Toby calm, and peaceful as he is sleeping." Fluttershy softly smiled, and turned toward Twilight as she was introducing the little colt to her family. She bowed her head to the two princesses. "Thank you very much Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna for your understanding. I am going to go join Toby now so he doesn't get worried about me." She smiled up at them, and gently trotted off. Celestia smiled at her sister. "Luna, I trust you, and I hope that you, and the others can discover what is wrong with the poor dear." Luna nodded in agreement as the sisters looked at the celebration. Fluttershy trotted up to Twilight and her family as they were welcoming Toby. "Hi Twilight, um..could I maybe speak with you for a second..um..if it is okay with you?" Twilight nodded, and Fluttershy looked down at the small child. "Toby sweetie, I will be back in just a minute, and I will take you around, okay?" He nodded softly as he carefully walked over to Twilight's family, so he wouldn't be alone. "Fluttershy, they absolutely adore Toby! I knew they would, but he is just so timid." Twilight frowned a little as she looked over at the little colt, then back at Fluttershy. "What is on your mind Fluttershy?" Fluttershy sighed heavily. "Well..um..I talked with Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna about my wish three nights ago, and also how I was concerned about how Toby showed up here in Equestria. Luna told me that she was the one who brought Toby here." Twilight gasped. "L-Luna brought him here?! H-how?" Fluttershy bit her lower lip. "Well..um.. she said that she heard my wish that night, but also heard a wish Toby made." Fluttershy looked at Twilight, with tears forming in her eyes once again. "Twilight, he wished to have a new home, and a family who would love him. So, Luna used her magic to bring Toby here to Equestria." She reached up with a forehoof to wipe away her tears. Twilight smiled warmly at her friend then looked over at the little colt standing with her family. "Aww..the poor little sweetheart. I never knew Luna could hear the wishes of others from different lands. Very interesting." Fluttershy took in a deep breath, "um...also Luna agreed to allow us all to go into Toby's dreams...um...well memories. She believes his memories will reveal why he is so timid and nervous like he is." Twilight nodded "I totally agree. Tonight when Toby is sleeping peacefully, I will get the girls, Celestia, and Luna, and we will meet you in your guest room. I am sure the princesses won't mind us staying the night." She smiled softly. "That sounds like a good idea Twilight." Fluttershy returned the smile, and looked over at Toby. "Well, let me go, and take Toby around to meet other ponies. I am sure everypony would like to meet him." Twilight nodded in agreement as they trotted back over to the small child, and Twilight's family. Fluttershy trotted up to Toby and looked down at him "Toby sweetie, are you ready to walk around and maybe meet some new ponies?" He looked up softly, and nodded. "Okay..um..if you would like you can hold onto my tail so you can stay close to me..um..if that is okay with you." He smiled up softly and nodded* "O-okay Fluttershy." Cadence walked up to Toby before they left to join the festivities. She sat on her haunches, and gently gave Toby a warm hug. "Well, it was nice meeting you little one. You are certainly precious, and very polite. Maybe one day you can visit the Crystal Empire where me and Shining live. It is very beautiful, and all of the crystal ponies who live there are very nice." She smiled down at him as Shining Armor stood beside her. He smiled down at the little colt, and gently rubbed at the top of his head with a forehoof. "Yea buddy, you would like our home. We would be honored to give you a tour if you would like to come and visit." Toby smiled up softly "Th-thank you P-Prince Shining Armor and P-Princess Cadence." He gently grabbed hold of Fluttershy's tail, and waved at Twilight, and her family as him and Fluttershy walked off. While Fluttershy was leading Toby through the crowd, the other ponies would smile warmly down at him, and 'd'awwed' at how cute he looked in his outfit. Fluttershy stopped behind a line leading to the apple cart. She looked back at the sweet, and timid little colt "Toby sweetie, you can choose whatever you want and I will pay for it, okay little one?" He looked up softly, and nodded. After the pony ahead of them got an apple pie, Fluttershy trotted up to the cart where Granny Smith was handing out the apple dishes, Applejack was collecting bits, and Big Macintosh was making sure everything was going smoothly, and not out of control. Applejack smiled at the duo and tipped her hat. "Howdy there Fluttershy and Toby." She smiled down at the little colt and bent her head down to gently ask "What would you like little feller?" Toby smiled up softly at the country pony, then looked at the cart. He scanned the array of tasty looking apple dishes, and finally laid his eyes on an apple fritter. He looked up at Fluttershy and gently asked "F-Fluttershy, could I-I maybe have an apple fritter?" Fluttershy smiled softly down at him and nodded. "Of course sweetie." She turned to Applejack. "Two apple fritters, please Applejack." "Ya got it, that will be four bits." She smiled happily as Granny Smith picked up two apple fritters. Fluttershy reached back to her saddlebags. and lifted a flap to one of the pockets and pulled out four bits. She handed them to Applejack. "Nyah...here you young whipper snappers go. Two homemade apple fritters, enjoy." Granny Smith said as Toby gently reached up, and got his while Fluttershy did the same. He looked up at Granny Smith, and softly spoke "Th-thank you Miss Granny Smith." Granny Smith looked down with a warm smile "Aww..aren't you a polite little gentlecolt. You are very welcome little fella, and you can just call me Granny Smith." She winked at the little colt. Toby took a bite of his fritter, and the taste made him smile happily. He could taste the perfect crunch of the fritter's crust, mixed with the warmth of freshly baked apples, and cinnamon all in one. He looked up at Applejack and Granny Smith. "Mmm..this is very good A-Applejack and G-Granny Smith!" He continued to eat at the apple fritter gently. Granny Smith just smiled warmly at the little colt, and Applejack tipped her hat. "Well, thank ya very kindly sugarcube. Ah' would love to show you around our apple farm of Sweet Apple Acres one day. Maybe you can even help Granny Smith, and Applebloom bake some apple fritters yerself." He smiled up at her and nodded, and she gently rubbed at the top of his head with a forehoof. Fluttershy smiled softly Applejack. "Thank you Applejack and Granny Smith. Delicious as always." She was just finishing up her apple fritter. She reached for a couple of napkins one for her and one for Toby with a forehoof. She wiped at her maw, while she handed Toby his napkin. Toby smiled as he took the laste bite of his apple fritter and wiped as his mouth with the napkin. Fluttershy smiled down at him "I am glad you enjoyed your apple fritter Toby." She leant her head down and nuzzled at his cheek. She looked up at Applejack. "We will see you in a little while, I am going to take Toby over to Pinkie Pie next to see what games she has for him to play." She smiled softly. Applejack nodded. "Sounds like darn good plan Fluttershy." She turned towards Toby. "You have fun sugarcube and Ah' will see you in a little while." He nodded, and waved as he gently grabbed hold of of Fluttershy's tail, and followed behind her as she started to trot. As they were heading toward where Pinkie Pie was, Toby looked around, and saw what appeared to be a big pair of speakers with a table that had a record player on it. Behind the table stood a pearl white unicorn with a frizzled mane, and tail that had both light and dark shades of blue in a stripe pattern, and she wore big black thick rimmed oval glasses with purple lenses. On her flank she had a music note. She was turning the discs and playing retro music which all the ponies, even the fancy dressed ones danced to. Toby smiled at all the fun going on and gently asked up at Fluttershy. "F-Fluttershy, who is that pony over there?" Pointing over at the music table. Fluttershy smiled softly down at him. "Oh, her name is Vinyl Scratch. She owns a music store in Ponyville, and she is always available for a party." He nodded, and smiled up softly as they walked up to Pinkie Pie who had a party hat on, cheering on a pony who was playing a round of Pin The Tail on The Pony. She spotted the two and cartwheeled over to them. "Heey there! Are you both enjoying the party so far?" They both nodded and Pinkie looked down at Toby "I have a special surprise for you little wittle Toby, but you have to close your eyes." He nodded and closed his eyes as he held onto Fluttershy's tail. Pinkie waved a forehoof in front of the little colt to make sure he couldn't see. "Okie dokie lokie, follow me!" Fluttershy giggled lightly at Pinkie's excitement Toby laughed as well. Fluttershy carefully led Toby as she followed Pinkie Pie to a large red velvet covered object. Pinkie Pie grabbed the cover with her teeth and removed it. "Okie dokie lokie little wittle Toby, you can open your eyes now!" She sat on her haunches with a big bright smile awaiting his reaction. Toby opened his eyes, and he was in awe at what he saw. Before him was a big three layer cake that appeared to have chocolate icing smoothly spread on all three layers, pink icing as the outline of each round layer, a cherry placed on the very top, and each layer had words written on them in pink icing. The top layer read 'WELCOME", the middle layer read "TO EQUESTRIA", and the bottom layer read "TOBY!". Pinkie beamed with excitement and asked "Do you like it?" Toby lit up with a bright smile which was the first time Fluttershy ever saw him smile so big. "Y-you made that f-for me P-Pinkie?!" She nodded still beaming. "Of course silly willy! I hope you like chocolate!" Toby gently let go of Fluttershy's tail and ran up to Pinkie Pie wrapping his arms lightly around her neck. "Th-thank you Pinkie! I-I love it!" He said happily as Fluttershy watched on. She thought to herself. "Hmm..he acted the same way when Rarity gave him his new outfit with that little golden heart sewn into it. I have a feeling that he never had anyone to think of him enough to give him anything special except for his mom." Pinkie reached up with a forehoof, and rubbed at Toby's back. "Aww..well, you are welcome little wittle Toby! Would you like for me to cut you a piece?" He nodded up happily at her. She randomely pulled out a knife and stood up on her hind legs reaching up to the top layer to cut a slice. She placed the slice on a napkin and handed it to the little colt. "Here you are Toby! There is plenty if you want to some more!" Toby took a bite of the cake, and smiled warmly up at Pinkie. "Mmmm..th-this is very good Pinkie Pie! I-I love chocolate!" He giggled lightly as he ate at the cake. Fluttershy just smiled at him as he ate at his piece of cake. After Toby finished his piece of cake in a couple of minutes Pinkie gently placed both forehooves on his shoulders. "How would you like to play a game of Pin-the-Tail-on-The-Pony little wittle Toby?" He smiled and nodded. Pinkie Pie gently led him over to the game while Fluttershy followed behind. While everypony and Toby was having fun inside, Rainbow Dash was finished warming up. "Alright, I am ready to give the kid an awesome show!" She looked to see that Celestia's sun was slowly begin to set. "I better go get the gang to bring him out before it get's dark." She hovered back into the ballroom. She scanned around the ballroom in search of the little colt. She saw Twilight standing with her family, and decided to hover over to her. Twilight spotted Rainbow. "Oh, hey Rainbow. Have you warmed up long enough?" Rainbow nodded, and wiped at her shoulder. "Oh, yea. I am ready to show the kid an awesome Sonic Rainboom! Get the others while I go get Fluttershy and Toby." Twilight nodded as Rainbow looked to see Toby over with Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy and hovered toward the three. She smiled down at the little colt blindfolded, and trying his best to pin the tail on the pony while Pinkie gently guided him by the shoulders. She lowered down by Fluttershy. "How is he enjoying the party so far Flutters?" Fluttershy eeped. "Oh..Rainbow Dash..you startled me. He is enjoying it very much I believe." She looked at Rainbow and softly asked. "Are you ready for your Sonic Rainboom? Then I can get my birds to sing him a song." Rainbow clapped her forehooves together, "you bet I'm ready." She looked over to see that Toby pinned the tail perfectly, and trotted over to him. "Hey kid, are you ready to see something awesome?" She kindly smirked down at him as he nodded. She hovered in the air, and flew towards the balcony. Fluttershy knelt on her forelegs. "Toby sweetie, you can ride on my back outside to the balcony..um..if that is okay with you." Toby smiled softly, and carefully climbed up onto her back, and she started trotting towards the balcony with everypony following behind. Toby saw the others along with the princesses standing outside who gave him a warm smile. He looked up to see Rainbow Dash hovering above. "Alright kid, and everypony, be prepared to witness the AWESOME, TOTALLY COOL, and AMAZING SONIC RAINBOOM of RAINBOW DASH!" She flew up high above the palace performing the required steps before the final step. "All or nothing, here I go!" Then she plummeted to the ground at a increasing amount of speed. Reaching the ground she put all her effort into it, and soon a blast could be heard all over the kingdom of Canterlot as a rainbow explosion expanded over the land. Everypony on the balcony, and those who could see it from inside looked up in awe. Toby's mouth was agaped as he looked in amazement. He smiled brightly, and clapped his hands as he saw Rainbow come flying down in front of the balcony, and landing. "W-Wow! Th-that was very pretty, and cool R-Rainbow Dash!" He said with a little excitement in his voice, and the others nodded in agreement smiling softly. "Thanks kid. I did that just for you!" She reached up, and rubbed at the top of his head. Fluttershy smiled at the little colt on her back. "Now Toby sweetie, I have a special gift of my own." She started humming in a soft tone as a group of birds came flying, and perched themselves on the ledge of the balcony. There were a few mellow larks, mockingbirds, and bluebirds lined up in a row. Fluttershy smiled at her birds. "Okay my little ones, this is for Toby." She spoke softly and started to count. "One..two..three", and the birds started to sing in a sweet tender melody. Toby smiled softly as he listened to the birds play their tune, and thought to himself. "They sound just like mommy when she used to hum to get me to go to sleep." He reached up to wipe at his eye which was about to shed a tear. Without anypony noticing he yawned lightly, and curled up on Fluttershy's back. He softly closed his eyes, and quietly fell asleep. After the birds were done with their singing, Fluttershy and the others noticed that Toby was asleep. They all along with the princesses, and everypony in attendance d'awwed at the little colt. "I guess I will take the little on to bed." Fluttershy spoke softly as she turned toward her friends and the princesses. "Thank you all for doing this for him, he absolutely loved it. I could tell." They all nodded and smiled warmly as Fluttershy trotted carefully from the balcony back, and into the palace. She trotted out of the ballroom, and searched for a guest room to stay in. She found one, and gently trotted inside toward the bed. She walked up to the side of the bed, and gently used her wings to carefully lift the sleeping child on her back, and placed him on the bed. She grabbed the sheets with her forehooves, and softly laid them over his small form, and then very tenderly lifted his head to lay it on a soft pillow. She leant into give him a gentle kiss on the forehead "Goodnight sweetie. I promise we will all take good care of you. You will be loved Toby." With that she quietly trotted out of the bedroom, and left the door open slightly opened. While Princess Celestia was bidding the guests a goodnight with Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, and Twilight's parents being the last ones, Princess Luna was with the others. "Twilight Sparkle and friends, that was a good celebration for the little colt. Now, let me tell you all something. I know you are all wondering how Toby ended up in Equestria, am I correct?" They all nodded in unison. "Well, I brought him here. As you all may guess, I can hear the wishes, prayers, and thoughts of ponies during the night. Not only can I hear the wishes of those in Equestria, but I can also hear the wishes of those from other distant lands." The group all gasped with the exception of Twilight. "Well, I heard Fluttershy's wish of how she would like to have a colt or filly of her own she could love and care for. Well, the same night, I heard the wish of the young colt we have come to care for as Toby. His wish was that he would have a new home and new family who would love him. So, upon hearing his wish I concentrated all of my magic and eveloped him in a warm glow to bring him here to Equestria." The others smiled warmly at Princess Luna's gesture, and had tears forming in each of their eyes. "Now Fluttershy asked me if I could take you all into Toby's dreams, so we may find out why he is so timid and nervous around us. I agreed, but I recommended we go into his memories. Maybe if we do that, we will discover more to his behavior and figure out a way we can help. We shall do it when Fluttershy says he is comfortable and asleep." They all nodded in agreement as Fluttershy came trotting back into the ballroom. "Um..girls..Princess Luna and Princess Celestia...um...Toby is asleep now. I tucked him him and he is sleeping comfortably." Luna bowed her head and looked at them. "Well, it is time. Let's go exploring into the mind of our young friend." Twilight and the others with the exception of Princess Celestia who decided to stay behind followed Fluttershy to the guest bedroom where Toby was sleeping.