A Pony Named "Twilight"
She was found at dusk.
It was dark, and there was barely any light left in the sky. But, as the old matron was closing the doors for the night, a soft cry stopped her. Now, Matron Merry Day was old, and getting on in years, but she could easily tell the cry of a small filly apart from the usual sounds of Cloudkicker City. She considered closing the doors anyway. It was probably just the cries of an infant, and would shortly be silenced by its parents. Of course, running an orphanage in the middle of one of the poorest districts in all of the Empire quickly disillusion you to such mundane followings. So, after a moment's brief hesitation, she quickly opened the doors once more. Only to hear the child cry out again. This time, it sounded louder, and much more like a keen than a cry. Bracing her old bones for the cold, Old Matron Merry made her way outside.
Not even a block away from the orphanage, she found what was causing the cry: a young little Unicorn, nestled in between what appeared to be her parents. Believing herself to be a fool, the Matron quickly found herself turning around, when she heard the filly cry out once more, even louder this time. Why hadn't the small thing's parents done anything yet...? Turning about once more, she took a closer look at the filly's protectors. Upon closer inspection, she let out a small gasp, almost fleeing in fright. Both parents would not answer their child, as there was no possible way they could in their condition. That condition being that both were locked in death's cold embrace. Malnourished and frozen, both parents had huddled together, their child held tightly between them, they had apparently expired in the cold, freezing night. Right near the crying child, a note had apparently been etched into the cobblestone street: "Our suns have set, in order to see our daughter's rise. Please, take good care of her."
What else was the old mare to do? Just let the poor thing freeze and die out there, in the cold? No. Not on her watch. So, she carefully made her way up to the small thing, and raised her hands slowly towards her.
"Come here, filly...It will all be alright soon..." she cooed, hoping that her voice would calm the frightened filly. As the Matron drew nearer, the Unicorn turned and met eyes with her. Her eyes were the deepest shade of lavender she'd ever seen. As it was, Merry could've sworn that she saw...something...pulsating in her eyes with each pump of the filly's little heart. But, then again, that could just have been the years weighing on her. Still, she finally managed to reach her, and swiftly pulled her from her frozen protectors. Much like any small pony, being forcefully removed from your parents was not met with positive results. As soon as her bare flank hit the frozen night air of Cloudkicker, the small being immediately let out a small shriek. Acting quickly, the Matron wrapped her up inside of the coat she wore, rocking her to and fro, cooing all the time.
"Hush now, little one. There's no need to fret...Merry is here, and will chase away the Night Mares..."
After a small smattering of seconds, the foal quieted down, to at least more manageable levels. Still, the occasional grunt or squeal let Merry know that she now held a life in her hands. As the foal settled, Merry spared a glance back at the deceased. Upon their frozen faces, she saw that they died with a smile on their faces. Surely, they believed that someone would come for their daughter. They had done everything to make sure of that fact. Shaking the small tears that threatened to make their way out of her eyes, she quickly made her way back to the Orphanage. As she walked, she found herself thinking out loud.
"So...they let their own suns' set, in order for yours to rise. I think that I'll call you...Twilight."
As she said this, the small bundle in her arms moved, and made a noise. Looking down, the old, weathered matron gave but a small smile.
"Yes...that will do nicely..."
---THIS IS A SCENE CHANGE. IGNORE THIS TEXT, WHY DON'T YOU?---
It was awfully cold in the Orphanage. Even though there were plenty of colts and fillies about, it was always cold at night. It didn't matter if you slept right next to the radiator or the window, you were always cold. I think it was because we (at least, the older kids) knew that no one was going to come for us down here. We were nothing more than cast-offs. No pony wanted us, so there. I know that I should be much more positive, but really. Who am I fooling? No pony cares about us. Well, maybe except for Matron, but still. She won't be around much longer, and I don't particularly care for sitting around, waiting for what's maybe the one good thing in my life to die off. I'm going to get out of here one day, and make a name for myself. That'll teach everypony to not look down on me. I mean, it's not I CHOSE to have no parents. I want them. I REALLY want them. In fact, I want them so bad sometimes, that it hurts. IT HURTS SO MUCH...But, that's just dreaming. Why would ANYONE want to be my parent? I'm a Unicorn. That means I'm nothing. Well, nothing to people who REALLY matter, anyway. But, when I get older, I'll show them. I'll show them all. I'll be great. I won't be weak. I won't be trash. I won't be forgotten! I'll be somepony!
...Wait, what's that sound? Is that Matron?
---VIEW CHANGE-O-MATIC THING-A-MA-BOB---
The little filly quietly crept out of bed, being careful not to step on anypony's tail as she made her way to the hall. Normally, Matron Merry would have already closed the doors already, and have gone to bed in the room nearby. But, it seemed like she was struggling this night, and the cold probably wasn't helping much. Peering out, the filly caught a glimpse of the Matron struggling with the doors, trying to close it with just one hand. Well, that was both silly and dangerous, seeing as the old oak doors probably weighed about as much as one fully grown mare, and the old matron wasn't in the best of shape. Quickly, she made her way down from the hallway, and rushed to her guardian's side.
"Matron, do you need help?" she asked, her eyes shooting to the old mare's face.
With a small bit of effort, Matron Merry replied, "Yes, little Trixie, I believe I do. Please, be a dear and help me close the door? It's mighty cold out there, and a night not fit for beast or pony."
Nodding, Trixie threw herself at the door, eager to help. Normally, Matron had no problem with the door (as she was of Earth Pony descent). As the door slid shut, even against Nature's worst attempts for it to stay open (with biting winds buffeting them), Trixie looked over at Merry. She seemed...tired. Then, she noticed something moving within her coat. Moving back slightly (she wasn't afraid, really!), Trixie found herself asking, "What is that, Matron?"
With a small glow in her eye, the Matron quietly responded, "She's going to be staying here...Her name is Twilight."
As she finished speaking, a little noise made itself known. Apparently, the little blob of lavender fur didn't like being talked about without being able to represent herself. A disheveled mane poked out of the top of the coat, a deep royal purple with streaks of the early pink of oncoming night. Twilight, indeed...A small yawn, and she looked at the filly Trixie. Small, purple eyes stared into light, almost lavender ones. Twilight then nodded once, and lay back down in the Matron's arms.
Chuckling slightly, Merry looked up at Trixie.
"It appears she likes you."
Trixie just stared at the young foal, as if expecting her to get back up and do something else. What in the world was that all about?
"Trixie..."
Shaking her head, Trixie returned back to reality. "What is it, Matron?"
"Do you think you can get Twilight situated? I feel...tired. Would you look after her for me?"
A firm nod shot out of the sky blue filly, her eyes burning with determination.
"Of course, Matron! I'll do anything you want me to!"
"Good...Good...Now, take her, and get to sleep..."
Carefully, Trixie picked up the dozing foal, and her eyes gleamed for a moment.
"She's...so small..."
Another small laugh made its way out of the old mare.
"Yes. Foals tend to be quite small."
With but one more nod in the Matron's direction, Trixie carried the small bundle back up to the room, and crawled into bed with her, not even willing to let her go, lest she disappoint the Matron.