Of Parentage and Piracy

Two Weeks after the Nightmare Moon Incident

The Skies of The Holy Griffon Empire

A lightly armored airship slowly drifted through the skies. The ship’s balloon was covered in patches of hastily tacked on repairs and older, more permanent repairs. The ship’s two leveled gondola was also a mess of tacked on repairs. Crew members; a mix of pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies and a few griffons continued along their task, cleaning the ship, wiping windows, checking cannons and other various tasks.

The Captain’s Quarters

The dimly-lit room was filled with hoofblades, stolen treasure, the hat of a Griffon Captain, and maps. In the middle of the room, a sleeping pegasus laid atop a desk, a bottle of liquor nearby. The pony snapped to attention as the door opened.

“You wanted to see me, Captain?” the newcomer, also a pegasus, asked.

“Whazza... oh, right.” The Captain smirked as she tossed a newspaper at the newcomer, “Take a look at this.”

The pegasus caught the newspaper and scanned it, “What am I suppose to be looking for?”

“That big article right in the middle of the paper,” the captain smiled.

The pegasus looked down at the paper and a picture: two earth stallions, two unicorn mares, a pegasus stallion and mare stood triumphantly in front of Discord.

“The New Elements of Harmony? So wha…” the pegasus did a double take, “Wait…”

“Yeah, ain’t that her?”

“It is.”

“It’s been what, nine years now?”

“…Yes.” The pegasus trailed off.

“….Listen, We don’t have any major jobs right now,” the captain paused for a moment, “well, we got an offer from Birdvaria, but fuck’m. Griffon wars ain’t my business. Anyway, we got a friendly family near there, so we can touch down if you want to.”

“Thank you, Captain,” the pegasus smiled, “I appreciate it.”

“No problem. CHASER!” the captain hollered.

A light blue pegasus mare with a spiky pale blue and white mane, three large scars over her left eye and an elaborate winding tattoo going down the right side of her face stuck her head into the room.

“You called Cap?”

“Take us to the Rock Farm,”

“You got it boss.”

---

My Little Pony, My Little Pony

Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh,

My Little Pony

I never cared about what friendship could be

My Little Pony

But times have changed, and now I see

Hard work and effort

Reliable care

Ol’ fashion charity

A story to share

Unlikely kindness

It’s a fantastic feat

And magic makes it all complete

You have My Little Pony

Don’t you know you’re all my splendid friends?

---

One Week Later

A Rock Farm on the outskirts of Ponyville

The blue pegasus touched down and bowed to a stern-looking earth pony couple.

“The Captain is a bit busy sleepin’ off her hangover, but the crew of the Firefly gives you their heartfelt thanks, Mister and Missus Pie,” the pegasus responded.

“It’s fine Miss Cloudchaser,” Mrs. Pie responded, “I see that ship is in need of repairs once again.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Cloudchaser chuckled, “Dog fight with some griffons when we were heading here. As usual, we’ll pay in Republic bits…”

“The first mate isn’t here,” the stallion cut in, “What happened to her?”

“She has business in Ponyville,” Cloudchaser’s expression grew darker, “I will caution you not to try and learn more, if only because it is a matter of family. I’m certain you’ll understand.”

“She has family in Ponyville?” the stallion, Mr. Pie, frowned.

“It’s complicated, that’s all we can say on the subject,” Cloudchaser shook a hoof, “That topic is over, finished.”

Ponyville

School Yard

“So your brother fought an Ursa Minor?” Rumble, Scootaloo, Sweet Wheat and Dinky stared at Applebloom in shock.

“Yep! He said that he tried ta fight it, but he had ta run,” Applebloom nodded.

“And then Rarity told us she’s the one who beat it!” Sweetie Belle beamed.

“Are you really so stupid that you’d believe a story like that?” Another voice cut into the conversation. The six turned to see a smirking white coated earth filly with a curly red mane and a cutie mark of two crossed peppermint sticks.

“Don’t say that, Twist, that’s what really happened,” Applebloom countered.

“Pfft, So your brother really fought a giant zombie bear and beat two unicorns?” Twist laughed, “I don’t think so. That stupid hick couldn’t beat up a-”

“Don’t say that about Applebloom’s brother!” Dinky cut her off, “He really did fight Nightmare Moon, and I didn’t see your dad do anything about it.”

“At least I got one,” the filly shot back, “and at least I know who my real mom is.”

“Hey! Take that back!” Scootaloo stood up.

“Make m-”

Scootaloo interrupted Twist’s  response with a hoof to the face. The pegasus brought her hoof back for another blow, but abruptly stopped as Miss Pinkamena trotted over.

“…I’m waiting for an answer, Twist. Scootaloo.”

“It’s nothing Miss Pinkamena,” Twist gave the school teacher a false smile, “Scootaloo’s being a jerk again.”

“She made fun of Dinky because she doesn’t know who her father and mother are!” Scootaloo shot back.

“…I think this calls for another Parent-Teacher conference, for both of you.” The school teacher frowned, “Quiet frankly, I expect much better from the two of you. See me after school.”

“But…” Twist trailed off as Pinkamena glared at the filly, “Yes Miss Pinkamena.”

Elsewhere in Ponyville

Sugarcube Corner

The doorbell rung as a pegasus entered. Mrs. Cake walked out of the kitchen to greet her.

“Welco…oh!” Mrs. Cake blinked in surprise at the visitor, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It has, Cup Cake,” The pegasus smiled, “How have you been?”

“Rather busy lately. Between the twins and the rebuilding from the Nightmare Moon incident, we haven’t had much time to relax,” the baker sighed.

“Twins?”

“I had them recently, Maybe later you can see them,” Mrs. Cake stepped towards the display case, “Now I imagine that you want your usual from all those years ago, right?”

“If you still have them,” the Pegasus chuckled.

“Is one dozen enough?”

“More than enough,” the pegasus chuckled, “Don’t worry, I have Republic bits.”

“It’s no charge,” Mrs. Cake replied before she began to load a bag with muffins.

The kitchen door opened and Dizzy Twister exited, carrying a load of scones, “Cupcake, I got the or-”

Dizzy dropped the load to the ground as she noticed the other pony standing there.

“….Oh my Discord.”

“Hello, Dizzy. I’m sorry to come by unannounced but…” the pegasus shrugged, “We were nearby.”

“It’s been nine years, now, hasn’t it?” Dizzy shook her head, “I…I really didn’t think you would keep that promise.”

“To be honest, I didn’t think I would either,” the pegasus agreed, “But… but I saw the article about you, and your friends and…”

“I understand,” Dizzy nodded, “Cupcake, I think I’m going to need some time off.”

“I don’t blame you dear, take whatever time you need,” Mrs. Cake placed the bag of muffins on the counter, “If the girls come by, I’ll send them home. Actually, do you want Scootaloo to know?”

“…I haven’t thought about that.” Dizzy sighed, “I think she’s going to have to know, but not just yet.”

After School

Dinky, Rumble, Sweet Wheat, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom trotted out of the schoolhouse.

“It’s alright, Dinky,” Sweetie Belle stated, “Twist is just a jerk, we still like you.”

“It doesn’t matter, Sweetie Belle,” Dinky brushed away the thought, “I still got the best step-parents ever.”

“But don’t you ever think about what happened to them?” Applebloom pressed on, “I mean, Big Mac, Applejack and Granny Smith don’t want tell me what happened to my parents, but Miss Roseluck sort of…well, she explained it to me.”

“…I don’t really think about it,” Dinky shook her head, “I’m sure mom and dad have a reason for keeping it from me.”

“Still…” Sweet Wheat trailed off, “We could go to Sugarcube corner and get something.”

“Yeah, Rarity finally gave me my allowance!”

“I guess so; we have to wait for Scootaloo, though,” Applebloom pointed out.

“I can wait for her,” Rumble offered, “It’s fine.”

“Alright, we’ll see you later Rumble.”

Dizzy pushed open her front door and the two pegasi trotted in.

“Just take a seat in the kitchen, I’ll have some coffee up soon.”

“Thank you,”

The pegasus took a seat as Dizzy began to fiddle with the coffee maker. As she waited, the pegasus stood up and walked over to a picture on the wall; a younger Dinky and Scootaloo beamed at the camera, each holding a large fish.

“When was this taken?”

“That picture? Must have been two years ago now. Thunderlane offered to take them all camping,” Dizzy shrugged.

“Thunderlane?”

“Oh, he’s Rumble’s older brother and on the weather team. He’s also the Element of Kindness.” Dizzy responded.

“The gray pegasus? He must have been…fairly young the last time I was here.”

“He was,” Dizzy set a cup down on the table and beckoned for the other pegasus to return.

“I want to ask you exactly how you plan on doing this.”

“…I don’t know.”

“I don’t think it’s going to work if you skimpily tell her that,” Dizzy shook her head.

“You know her better than I do, what would you suggest?”

“…Even I don’t have the slightest clue how to do this,” Dizzy shook her head again, “We never told her what happened to you, but Dinky’s smart enough to realize that it probably means you’re dead.”

“Heh. If I had a bit for every time somepony thought I was dead, I would be able to buy my own airship,” the pegasus chuckled.

Dizzy sighed, “Well, school just got out, so we’ll see.”

“What’s it like?”

“What?” Dizzy shot the other pegasus a confused look.

“Being an Element of Harmony. Saving Equestria from the end of days. Punching out a goddess,” the other pegasus smiled, “I really didn’t think you had that in you.”

“I did not punch out Nightmare Moon, I was only able to knock her down.” The baker countered.

“And shatter her helmet, as the rumors go.”

Dizzy blushed, “...Okay, that part was true.”

Sugarcube Corner

The four fillies entered the shop and headed for the counter.

“…Isn’t your mom supposed to be working today?” Sweet Wheat asked Dinky. The filly shrugged.

“Sometimes she is, sometimes she isn’t.” Dinky responded.

Cup Cake exited the kitchen, carrying a tray of baked goods.

“Hi Mrs. Cake!” all the fillies beamed.

“Oh hello dearies,” the mare beamed back, “Where’s Scootaloo and Rumble?”

“Scootaloo got in trouble at school, so Rumble is waiting for her.” Applebloom responded.

“Alright then,” Mrs. Cake shrugged, “Oh, and Dinky, after you finish your cupcake, go home. Your mother needs you for something.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for Scootaloo?” the unicorn inquired.

“…No, it’s… a surprise.” Mrs. Cake trailed off, “Now who wants what?”

“So…” Dizzy sighed, “…you weren’t responsible for that?”

“No, no, no.” the other pegasus shook her head, “We don’t ship corpses. The boss has standards. Luftcaptain Gilda and Heartstrings the Science-Pirate don’t.”

“Well, that makes it easier to introduce you to Mac, Rarity and Turner.”

“…I’m certain we’ve met before.”

“Rarity and Mac were kids. Now Rarity’s running her own mechanic shop, and Mac is in charge of the Apple Collective.”

“…” the other pegasus sighed, “I missed a lot, didn’t I?”

“That’s life,” Dizzy shrugged.

Dinky continued down the street.

“…Why would mom want me but not Scootaloo?”

“Hello there Dinky.”

Dinky looked up at Big Macintosh and Carrot Top.

“Hi Mr. Macintosh, Miss Carrot Top.”

“Goin’ home now?” the stallion chuckled, “Applebloom an’ Sweet Wheat are still at the bakery?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, you best be on your way, don’t want to keep Dizzy waiting.” Carrot Top interrupted Big Macintosh’s response.

“Alright. Bye!”

Dinky continued on her way, eventually reaching her house. The filly pushed open the door and entered.

“Mom?” Mrs. Cake said you wanted to see me?” she called out.

“In the kitchen, Dinky.” Dizzy’s voice responded.

The filly trotted down the hall and into the kitchen. Dizzy sat at the kitchen table, across from a grey pegasus mare with a tattered blonde mane. The other pegasus also had multiple scars, new injuries, and a missing patch of hair on one of her legs. Finally Dinky noticed that the mare’s eyes remained unfocused; one stayed on Dinky while the other drifted up towards the ceiling.

“Mom? Who’s that?” Dinky inquired.

Dizzy looked down, “Dinky…

This is Ditzy Do.”

“Hello Dinky,” Ditzy smiled.

“She’s….” Dizzy sighed before continuing,

“She’s your mother. Your birth mother.”