year 1000 AD (After Discord)

Day 1:

Dear diary...ugh I can't believe I started with that but whatever. My mother thinks I should record my thoughts about what happens during the day. I'm not gonna' lie this is probably my tenth attempt at keeping a diary... The other times I never really got into it and I ended up forgetting about it, or wrote entries that were so short they could be used as a bad one liner. But hopefully this enchanted quill a friend of mine got me will do the trick, it's so much easier to talk at something about your day and have it record it, rather than writing it down by hoof.

As for how the day went, my mother has been coming home less frequently due to the fragile state the Pegasus cities are in. I know my mother can't be too happy with how things are going, and overseeing building repair and other similar tasks must be stressful on her. She's a warrior at heart though, in fact she got her cutie-mark in being a warrior pony.

She must be pretty brave to be willing to stand against Equestria's enemies all the time, but mom's just cool like that. It's also how she met my dad surprisingly enough, although I doubt any pony under the rank of being a general would have been able to handle her.

My thirteenth birthday is tomorrow and mom is insisting that dad should take me out to play with some of the soldiers to see if I get a cutie-mark in it like they did. Dad isn't too keen on the idea, I always was his little filly, but mom insists that it is why I am so late when it comes to receiving my cutie-mark. She also believes that I might be good enough to one day get into the elite military group known as the Wonderbolts, but personally I hope for something that doesn't involve killing others.

I've heard from mom that It's not likely that I'll see action, but it feels like she's so enamored in this vision of me that she doesn't think about what I want to do... Sure I don't really have an idea of what I want in life considering I'm only twelve, but I just don't think soldering is something that's too cool. Sure my mom is amazing and undoubtedly the coolest mare alive, but I want something else... I want my talent to be... me.

Ugh when did I become so sappy? If I keep this up the next thing I'll know is that my cutie-mark will be in writing love stories...Bleh! Unfortunately they are about the only things being printed right now other than school books. It’s like they’re trying to make me the girliest pegasus alive.

School's pretty cool, I get to see all of my friends and I get to stretch my wings during recess. The teacher is very adamant about staying in the schoolyard, from what I heard there was an incident with a timber wolf a few years back at another school. As far as bullies go I don't receive too much attention from them, but they do like to make fun of my flying skills. I'm pretty good when it comes to going fast, but maneuvering has always been a bit of a problem for me, which causes the jerks at school to say my last name should have been crash instead of Dash.

I'm not the weakest flier in my class by a long shot, that honor belongs to Cirrus Cloud, a mare that is a little too thin to be healthy, I swear if those changelings from mythology class are real Citrus Cloud would be able to put her whole leg through one of their holes. I know Pegasus cities aren't doing too well right now, and I'm a bit on the thin side, as well as most of my class... But mom would tell me if food was hard to come by... right?

Anyways out of all my classes I'm embarrassed to say that I enjoy learning about Aeroturgy, or Pegasus magic the most. Allegedly Commander Hurricane had a few Pegasus magi develop a move known as a sonic rain boom for use as a weapon against large crowds or high profile targets. I'm not too sure about that since Commander Hurricane preferred physical attacks, and wasn't an avid user of magic. Most Pegasi tend to let our hooves do most of the talking and things such as flight and normal weather manipulation don't require any magic outside of our latent magic.

Unlike egghead unicorn magic Pegasus magic is almost always weather related, doesn't emit radiation, and seriously cool stuff can be done with it. I mean how cool is it to be a living lightning bolt or funneling the full power of a blizzard at an opponent... Although Windigoes have made snow and ice manipulation a bit taboo... It must suck to have a talent like that right now. Well that's all I've got for today... Now how do I get this quill to stop writing again...?

Day 2:

Today was a day like most others, the only difference was that it was my birthday. Mom came home today and I'm happy she's back, but I'm also kind of sad. She may hide it but I can tell she's utterly exhausted and those white hairs in her mane weren't there the last time.

My party was fairly simple and the cake that was there is the first one I've seen in over a year. It wasn't an extraordinary cake, it was just a cake. I had fun going around with my parents for the rest of the day though.

Like I had thought, my cutie-mark didn't show up, unlike my friends who did. Their company was short but enjoyable as my family wished to spend time with me. Octavia was there with her grandpa Octavian, a Pegasus who plays the violin. Derpy was there along with her mother as well. We played a few games with each other and we all had a blast.

My father didn't let me wrestle the guards when mom took us there, which I'm thankful for as I'd rather be doing something else, but I could still kick their flanks into next weak if I wanted to. I did get to hit a few training dummies with a rod though. It was a bit fun, but I already hit enough ponies when I get angry and that never ended well. It's even to the point where they think I should take anger management.

By the time lunch came around I was starving, even my Parents could hear my stomach! During lunch I could see my parents talking to each other, but I couldn't hear them. All that I could make out was the worried looks that briefly passed over their faces.

After lunch my parents took me to the Cloudoseum and we watched a few ponies go head to head. Unlike most of Cloudsdale the Cloudoseum is a newer building and every once in a while there's a day with free entrance. These days occurs about once a month and usually have some free food and drinks there as well... The food and drink aren't fancy or anything. The food usually consists of slightly stale bread and some fruit that are starting to get a little too ripe. As for drinks it's mostly water.

My parents have been taking me on the free days more recently and they don't seem to notice when I gorge myself on the free food, not that I can stuff that much down my throat anyways. Other than that nothing happened today.

Day 23:

It's been awhile since I've wrote anything in here, not that much outside of school normally goes on. Today was different though, as I was invited to the funeral of Octavia's grandpa.

The whole affair was pretty depressing, being a funeral and all. I have to say I'll miss the guy. Octy the Derpster and I would usually listen to him play violin while we played or listen to one of his epic stories. He was as much my grandpa as he was Octavia's... Don't cry, mustn't cry... Why..!?

I'm back... I... had to calm down a little. The old coot was about forty-five years old when he went. It's a tragic fact that Pegasi are notoriously short lived, in fact no Pegasus has ever made it to fifty. It's also why Pegasi marry when they are still young, but most Pegasi are still orphaned when they reach their late teens.

As a result of a pegasus's short lifespan Derpy and I didn't know our real grandparents and Octavia's grandad filled that gap. I think he even considered us his honorary grandkids. It's a shame he never got to see any of us get our cutie-marks.
It's a little embarrassing being a blank flank when you're practically middle aged, especially when your mother is begging for you to get a date before you die an old maid.

The funeral was a traditional one for those who served in the Pegasus military at one point. Not that many Pegasi do anything outside of weather control or battle anyways. With such a short lifespan protecting the flock is usually an important concept... Which was made very clear by the Pegasus priest.

I don't remember what the message said exactly, but it'd main gist was he served the flock with his life, blah, blah, blah. He was blessed with a long and full life because of his dedication, blah, blah, blah. May his soul find eternal peace in Elysium... Praise the flock. Or something like that.

Surprisingly Derpy took it the hardest, she even refused to believe the guy was dead. Octavia looked pretty shaken, and she had obviously been crying earlier. Her mother was even worse off and looked like a necroturge did a number on her.

Aside from immediate family I didn't recognize many of Octavia's relatives, and those that I did worked closely with my mother. After the procession nothing else really went on that day other than giving Octavia's family our condolences.

Day 28:

Derpy's finally come to terms with what happened concerning Octavia's grandpa. Unfortunately that left her a sobbing mess until today, which only improved to occasional sniffling. Then the douchebags came and decided that they had nothing better to do than pick on her during flight practice.

Things got a little out of control once they started making fun of her eyes. Normally somepony would think she'd get a lot of remarks about her eyes, and she does get a few, but these jerks were beyond cruel. It went from never bring a good flyer, to never getting her cutie-mark, to saying "Octavia's grandpa is happy now that he doesn't have to see your messed up face".

I was seeing red by then and I told those jerks to go away, which prompted them to insult me. I knew I was going to punch one of them and try killing the others at that point... But then the perfect idea came to me... Show those jerks they’re not so hot by beating them in a race. I mean I’m a pretty awesome flyer, so I was sure I could show those punks who was boss.

Feeling insulted that I would even think I could beat them they accepted . Derpy said that it was okay and that I didn't need to prove myself to them, but this wasn't just about me. Those jerks needed to know that somepony would stand up to them, and stand up for Derpy.

As the race started I felt pretty good about my chances of winning, that was until the turns came in. I didn't ram into things like I normally would've, but only because I managed to slow down enough to narrowly miss them. As the race dragged on I was left in the dust, I wasn't able to make up for the lost speed. I was starting to feel... Bad about my decision to race them. A lot of a pegasus’ ability to fly comes from their magical abilities, which was one of the reasons why I felt bad about being in last place. I was beginning to wonder if maybe I was just a little filly who had overstepped her boundaries, and that maybe my dreams were too far out of my reach, but I wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

As the race reached the sprint to the finish I poured on as much magic as I could muster trying to at least get a respectable position, causing a rainbow afterimage to follow me as my magic peeled off of my wings. My speed kept increasing as my magic formed an oval like shape around me. Unfortunately the magic began to be stripped off and the front of the oval was collapsing fast as a weird barrier came into view. I reinforced the magic though and put more of it up front.

I passed up my competition in no time at the speed I was going and then I realized that I had set up what the books on aeroturgy describe as a sonic rainboom. Like I said before the move was created as a WEAPON meant to clear crowds. Before I could stop it a sonic blast erupted around me brimming with Pegasus magic, filling the rippling air with a rainbow of colors.

The force of a sonic boom alone would have been enough to shatter the windows of every house for a few yards around me, and those close to me would have suffered severe structural damage and have even collapsed. This wasn't just a sonic blast though, so not only was the destruction ten times worse, but the discharge of that much Pegasus magic caused all of the clouds nearby to form the worst thunderstorm in recorded history. After I slowed down the cops showed up and I had to explain to them that I didn't mean to let off a level six Pegasus weapon in a crowded area, this took an hour to accomplish. After finding that nopony was seriously hurt, a benefit to making houses out of clouds, I was let off with a warning and had a note sent to my mother... Let's just say that when I tell lies she puts me in a headlock, now try imagining what she would do to me for destroying a small village that she helped repair...yeah I was freaking out.

It wasn't until I went back to Derpy that I found out I had gotten my cutie-mark! It...was in Aeroturgy, and a cloud with Rainbow colored lightning is the usual symbol for the field...a symbol that is now emblazoned on my plot for life, telling others my talent is magic. Derpy also got her cutie-mark... Although I'm not entirely sure what it means, but she said something about being good at drifting through the air and riding the currents...like a bubble...not sure how she found out during the race though.

Aeroturgy is probably the coolest thing a Pegasus can learn, but I can hear the bullies shouting egghead at me already... Most ponies already know by now my...aversion to reading. I'm not dumb by any means, even if I come off as the super sporty type. I've just never been able to deal with others making fun of me for being smart, at least in sports I can kick their plots into next week. In smarts though, you can only really ignore them and if you know me I don't ignore things like that, and I usually kick their face in. I still read, just not publicly anymore, although it can be fun to actually talk with smarter pegasi now and again about the stuff. Now I have to deal with ponies knowing I'm an egghead...ugh maybe I can hide my cutie-mark somehow… or tweak the truth and say that it means I’m good at going fast since that requires pegasus magic...

My mother totally flipped out when I got home. I was absolutely sure she was going to kill me and dance on my grave. Instead she swung me around the room saying how proud she was of me...right before pile driving me into the floor, and telling me I was grounded and had to help fix what I destroyed. After that the rest of my physical punishments were handed out and then she picked me up and took me out to a restaurant for dinner with some pie for dessert as a reward for getting my cutie-mark. The pie was amazingly delicious, but it still didn't stop my face from hurting, or anything else for that matter.

Dad argued with my mom about pile driving me into the floor, spoiler alert, neither of them came to a conclusion. Mom shifted the focus onto me becoming a battle Mage and advancing my studies... Ugh! With what she's talking about I won't have anytime to be with my friends.

Dad sensed my discomfort in her ideas and said maybe I could perform or something. It sounded alright, it's definitely better than skewering ponies for a living...depending on who you ask. Actually I'd probably really enjoy living in the spotlight. That way everypony would truly know how awesome I am and they’d come from miles around just to see me.

Dad carried me home and played with me for a bit. He's trying to hide his age, but his greying mane betrays his efforts. Mom doesn't look as old as him, but not by much. It...worries me a bit. Well nothing else happened today.

Day 48:

Today I was taken to the doctor's office to get a checkup. I don't know about other ponies but I really hate going there. It has to be done though. Anyways I got looked at and then I got the bad news. I was done growing...at two foot two I was done. Considering the average mare is three foot three, excluding the princess who is five foot two, I'm tiny.

Then there's the fact that I'm ten pounds underweight, and at my size ten pounds is a lot. Ugh...it's not like I can just force more food into my stomach. He did mention that the magical scans revealed that the extensive bone injuries I had gotten a few years ago had caused my growth plates to prematurely fuse. He said this halted my growth to the point I nearly stopped growing, which is why I’m the size of an eight year old.

I have to say that I hate shots the most when going to the doctor. It's always the last thing they do too. So you have to just sit there and anticipate getting poked with a needle. At least they don't last long though.

After the doctor's appointment we went to Octavia's and met up with Derpy. Octavia was busy practicing the Bass when we got there. After her grandpa passed she took up the instrument and she even got her cutie-mark in music.

Only today did I realize that I was looking up at the two quite a bit. Out of the three tribes Pegasi have the shortest puberty lasting from about eight to fourteen for both genders. I believe Unicorns go from about nine to sixteen and earth ponies take just a little longer. So Derpy was about as big as my mom at that point and Octavia was a good deal taller than me and I never noticed. At least they didn't point out how short I am.

I'm not a midget pony by only six inches. Being one foot eight inches tall is considered the biggest a midget can be. Who even came up with that kind of scale anyways? No wonder everypony thinks I'm eight years old, or a Shetland. Even ten year olds are taller than me and they haven’t even hit their bigger growth spurts yet.

There's probably a bright side to this.... I mean no pony likes hurting fillies normally. Even bad guys in books usually just capture them instead of killing them. Speaking of which I could probably squeeze myself into some tight places and slip out of most shackles. Villains aren't exactly walking around town in public nowadays though. Equestria is no longer untamed wilderness and I'm not living in some silly story either.

I guess food will be easier to pay for since I'm not exactly capable of eating a whole lot at my size. I'm probably faster at this size too, and I could probably exploit the eight year old thing. Okay I can definitely exploit that. It's still embarrassing, but it won't be too bad.

Oh! After the whole Rainboom incident the bullies have been leaving Derpy and I alone. It turns out when you get your cutie-mark after using a legendary weapon nopony wants to mess with you. That didn't make repairing the damage the rain boom did any easier though. I had to help during the whole repair period which lasted almost two weeks. I'd probably be able to build my own home now with how much cloud construction work I know how to do.

Octavia's been getting a bit clingy to us recently, even wanting to walk us home. Not in a romantic way, but in a "I don't want you to go" kind of way. It's a little odd, and maybe borderline creepy but hopefully she grows out of it.

Day 96:

Today my mother came home early to tell me that we were going to move in with Octavia. I was confused at first, I mean why would we move in with her. Then I was told that Octavia's parents were too busy to take care of her, that was why we were moving in. She wasn't telling me something and I knew it, but I had packing to do.

Day 146:

Did I mention that an advantage of cloud houses is that you can just push them to a new location. After all of my stuff was moved over mom and dad brought the house down and quickly merged it with Octavia's. Now the thing serves as some sort of storeroom instead of an actual living space.

The problem with living here though is dealing with Octavia's brat of a brother. Just because he's older than me he thinks he can tell me what to do. Not to mention that he truly believes that I'm eight. Ugh... He even convinced my mom to tie a bow on my tail right near my dock.

Now I'm cute, and short... Hopefully this doesn't become a routine, otherwise I may never stop wearing this stupid thing.

(-000000-)

"Ugh! Mom! Do I really have to wear this stupid bow?" Rainbow Dash whined.

"It's not that bad honey, really. At least it doesn't chafe. Now let me look at you."

Rainbow's mother looked over her child and smiled at the sight. Sure her daughter was short and thin, but that glimmer in her eyes showed a deeper purpose. Not that she was very good at understanding that purpose. Sure Rainbow’s mother was a mare that could be rather strict and she loved her daughter dearly, but that didn’t mean she understood her daughter that well.

"Oh you're so adorable! It's not much when in a war, but maybe you can find a way to weaponize it."

"I want to study some cool things to do with Aeroturgy, not waste time hanging around a bunch of lame stallions with too much testosterone in their system."

"I barely understood what you said, but I assure you only ten of them are lame. The rest still have all of their limbs, or can use them at least. I also thought you were worried about being called an egghead."

"Ugh, Aeroturgy is cool mom. Why can't I go flying super fast or become a living lighting bolt! It's my destiny!"

"I don't believe in destiny, I believe you have a choice for your future and no supernatural force like destiny can control your path. If it did then we wouldn't have free will."

"Says the mare who is Tartarus bent on seeing me join the military."

"I never said others couldn't try to influence your choice. Now go play dear I need to talk with Octavia's parents about our current arrangements."

"Alright! Let's see if I can freeze a branch on that oak tree!"

Octavia's house could only be described as one most earth ponies typically had. The house had two stories to it and roughly six bedrooms with Octavia sharing one with her little sister, while Rainbow Dash was stuck with Octavia's older brother. the wood panelling on the building was slightly peeling and it looked odd with the cloud addition but it served its purpose nonetheless.

The land around the house consisted of an acre of land devoted to a small farm owned by Ocavia's mother. Like most farms if the land wasn't already paid for, it wouldn't have provided enough income to pay most of the bills. Fortunately that wasn't a problem as the farm had been paid off over six generations ago when Octavia’s great grandmother Golden Carrot happened upon a small fortune for having been of service to the crown.

Octavia was found playing on a small swing tied to the oak tree that lived in the front yard. It was gnarled and looked like something from a horror story in the dark, but it's peeling bark and ancient feel had an appeal to it. It was also surprisingly sturdy enough to withstand the weight of Octavia, a maturing filly who had become famous among the colts for her pillowy flanks that had made it nearly impossible for her to fit into one of the desks for a filly her age. As a result of her maturing body Octavia’s flanks had become an almost endless source of embarrassment for her that she’d rather ignore.

"Hey Octy!"

"Rainbow Dash, it's good to see you."

"Yeah, you too. Uh Octy I was.wondering something."

"Yes?"

"Well before the move I noticed that you were getting a bit clingy. I was just wondering if everything is alright."

"I'm fine Rainbow. I just don't want to lose somepony else that's close to me without having spent enough time with them, it hurt to lose my grandfather. I'm surprised you're not curious about the move though, it was rather unexpected was it not?"

"I've been asking about that ever since I found out about it. Nopony is telling me anything."

"I'm not entirely sure this is relevant but I've heard rumors...something about an eminent depression that Celestia's been trying to pull us away from. From what I've heard she's failing, but I don't feel depressed."

"Maybe they're talking about something else."

"I guess it's possible, but that's all I know."

"It's more than what I had to go off of before, thanks Octy."

"Bye the way, you look adorable with a bow in your tail."

"I'm not adorable!" Rainbow said while stomping a hoof, making her look even cuter.

"And I'm not an earth pony." Octavia replied.

"Why! Why must I be adorable, I'm supposed to be cool!"

"I've heard ponies get a stronger personality the smarter they get, I never once thought that it applies to their ego as well."

"Just tell your brother he's a dork, I mean he's having me wear a bow because it's a family tradition. I'm not even in your family."

"Say what you want but you live in my house now, and just so you know bow ties are cool."

"Whatever, listen I'll catch ya later. If you need me I'll be trying to freeze a tree solid."

"Don't hurt yourself."

"Got it!"

The rest of the day went on fairly normally for the petite mare. The tree had stood before her challenging her to fulfill her threat against it. The wooden foe withstood most of the tiny mare's attempts to freeze it, as she started her wintery assault. However, the tiny Pegasus did manage to freeze its smaller branches, and the rest of the tree was left with a small layer of frost coating it.

When Rainbow returned to the house Octavia had already returned and was practicing the Bass. Octavia's brother was lounging nearby and noticed Rainbow Dash entering the room. The pony was a light brown in color and his mane and tail were a dull grey that lent no insights into the personality of the pony. His cutie-mark was a page filled with random symbols dealing with various philosophies, a trade that held almost no lucrative value outside of writing down various thoughts. To Rainbow Dash Octavia’s brother was a truly dull pony who could find staring at rocks to be a form of entertainment.

"There's cookies and juice on the table for you." The pony responded in an even monotone that threatened to lull Rainbow Dash to sleep.

"Really! That's awesome! I mean...I'm not a little kid!"

"Keep telling yourself that kid. I've got to admit that you're pretty talented when it comes to that magic of yours. What do you plan to do with it?" He asked in that same unchanging tone, but somehow still managing to come off as vaguely interested if only for a reason to talk to the filly.

"I'm not sure exactly, I was thinking of possibly being a performer or... Maybe advance the field of weather magic considering that advanced aeroturgy can radically change the way we look at the way we can manipulate our environment to what we want."

"Sounds about right, although you are the first egghead Pegasus I've ever heard of." He said managing to sound slightly condescending in his dull drone.

"I'm not an egghead! Aeroturgy is the coolest thing a Pegasus can do!"

"I never said you weren't cool. Don't take it too hard either, you're a bright kid."

"Ugh thanks? I guess."

"Don't forget your cookies."

"Cookies!" The tiny mare practically screamed as she ran to the kitchen.

"And she says she's not an eight year old." The pony said while managing to smirk just slightly.

Year 1 day 12:

Sometimes I wonder if this ever gets read if ponies will just skip to the interesting entries. I wouldn't blame them considering most of the other entries just detail random thoughts about some pretty dull things. But it seems all of the interesting stuff in my life is sad in some way or another, but the normal days are usually filled with the normal happiness a pony gets just by being alive.

It's been a little tough now that dad is gone, he didn't even look like he was going to go, and then it happened a month ago. Unlike Octavia's relatives my parents married later in their years. It's also a reason why I only have a little sister named Scarlet who was born a little while ago. Mom doesn't want to mention it but having a child this late in life for a Pegasus is frowned upon, especially since she isn't looking so hot.

She says I'm Scarlet's guardian when she's gone, but Octavia's parents will take care of most of the work early on. With such short lives Pegasi make it so that you can legally marry at age fifteen which also happens to be the drinking age. Guard training can be joined at close to the age of ten and full on guard duty can be achieved at age fourteen, not that I have any interest in standing around all day wearing armor.

Lil Scarlet has already taken a liking to me, and the kids adorable. Her coat is red like her namesake and the little tuft of mane on her head is a light blue. Her eyes are a vibrant green and she just loves my company. She keeps trying to steal my bow though.

I can't believe that I grew attached to the thing. Now I can't imagine not wearing it, it reminds me too much of dad. I was always his little filly and he just adored it when I wore the bow. Now it's the only real thing I have to remember him by.

I found out that we moved in with Octavia so we'd have food if the economy collapsed, and lo and behold Celestia dropped our failing economy so hard it fell through the floor and went straight to Tartarus. Now usually when times get tough grass is usually a staple food, but all of the grass is going to the nobles who are buying it all. Not to mention I live in an area with very little grass and the sheep, cows, goats, and donkeys eat most of the grass.

Money became next to worthless and Derpy moved in as well. To say our three families are close is pretty accurate as all of our parents go way back. Octavia’s grandpa would tell us stories of what our parents would do together when he was still alive. They were a pretty crazy bunch apparently and couldn’t stay out of trouble no matter what they did. Those days are over now though.

The fact that Derpy came alone is worrying and she wouldn't speak to any of us for three days. Now we occasionally get something akin to a grunt, and I can tell she's been crying when nopony is around. I think it's safe to assume her parents aren't coming.

Year 1 day 115:

I think one of the toughest things about this time is the constant farming we do. I make the clouds for the rain since nopony can afford to buy them and I'm one of the few Pegasi that can form clouds without a machine to help. As I said before aeroturgy is highly linked to all things pegasus, making it a very useful talent.

I also tend to the fields like everypony else. Derpy does most of this and is still keeping relatively silent. I talk to her but she doesn't reply most of the time, she’s even requested being called by her real name which is Ditzy Doo, instead of the nickname that she became synonymous with… and now I even sound like an egghead, ughh!

I may have forgotten to mention it before but with the economy basically dead Pegasi don't tend to the weather as much. In fact we've been pretty much stuck in a perpetual state of summer since the collapse. This has caused rampant droughts and most of the grass is now dead and only the wealthier farms are able to get weather right now. So not only are we going through a depression but we're also caught in the middle of a famine. The farm I'm on gets all of its weather from me so that's a plus...I guess.

Scarlet is starting to try talking and doesn't seem to mind that our diet now consists mostly of carrots. In fact the little filly loves them. At the rate she eats them her coat will be orange before the year is out. Although if that does happen I highly doubt that the little filly would even care, she might even enjoy it more.

Octavia says that the economy isn't improving any. Stupid Celestia sitting on her throne and smoking cigars as if her life depends on it. I've heard it's a nervous tick she picked up when the things first came around, but I'm not buying it.

Speaking of Octavia she's about the only one Derpy is speaking to. I knew it hit her hard losing both parents but I'm worried about her. I’m afraid she might hurt herself one of these days, but there’s not much I can do for her right now.

(-00000-)

"Can I please have something other than carrots?" Rainbow Dash whined.

"It's all we have to eat this weak honey." Rainbow's mother replied.

"You've said that for the last two weeks!" Rainbow said in indignance.

"And I'll keep saying it. All we have is a carrot farm, so we're going to be eating carrots for a while."

"But I hate carrots!"

"They'll grow on you trust me. I hated them once too."

"Ca! Caa!"

"Well your little sister likes carrots." Rainbow's mother said while feeding the baby orange mush.

"Ugh! They're so gross!"

"Don't forget that you still need to tend to the carrots in the fields."

"Why do I have to tend the fields and control the water supply?" The Pegasus moaned.

"I'm sorry honey but we need as many ponies as possible working the fields and you're the only one here capable of summoning clouds out of thin air."

"Fine... Hey has Derpy said anything?"

"No... Poor girl losing so many ponies at once, please keep an eye on her, she needs her friends. And little Scarlet will need her big sister in the near future."

"Cawoo!" The little filly demanded before being fed another spoonful of orange mush.

"No! You can't go! There's still plenty of kick left in you."

"Iris... I'm in my mid thirties and I can feel the end nearing. Accepting that I'm going soon now will help lessen the blow."

"You haven't called me Iris since I was five."

"Your father hated your name you know. It's why we called you Rainbow, jokes on him though since Iris means rainbow. You can go by either name Iris, but please let me call my daughter by her real name until my time comes."

"Of course. It may feel weird after all these years but I think it's reasonable. Are you sure you're going soon?"

"Honey if my mane gets any whiter ponies would confuse it for snow."

"Ca... Cawo... Cawot!" Scarlet demanded.

"Scarlet you said your first word!"

"Was my sister's first word carrot?"

"I was hoping it'd be mom, but yes it was carrot."

"Cawot!" The little filly proclaimed, earning another spoonful of the mashed vegetable.

"Anyways, your friend Octavia is already out there in the fields and I'm sure she'd love a little extra shade."

"I already said that I'd do it you didn't need to guilt trip me."

"I know, but its fun. Anyways have fun out there Iris." Rainbow's mother said while resuming feeding Scarlet, much to the little filly's delight.

When Rainbow Dash got to the fields Octavia was already out there like her mother had said. Seeing the mare out there with Derpy sweating under the harsh rays of the sun prompted Dash to take to the skies and use her Aeroturgy to draw in moisture from the air. Then she used her magic to pump the heat away and watched as puffy clouds formed around her.

Sure there were a few other things that went into making the clouds such as drawing in more surrounding air as the air pressure increased, and removing any charge but they were trivial matters, and a few of them only needed her monitoring as they happened naturally on their own.

Octavia looked up as Rainbow created the shade and sent cool drafts of air down among the workers. The pony in question motioned for Rainbow Dash to land and talk. The prismatic Pegasus obliged her friend and landed near her, scattering bits of dust and dirt among the many green stalks of the carrot tops..

"To what honor do I owe the goddess of weather to smile upon me?" Octavia said in an amused tone.

"Put a sock in it Octy. I am no goddess, nor will I ever consider myself to be one."

"Have some fun Dash. Your studies and this constant work leaves you no time to have fun otherwise."

"I have plenty of fun."

"Really? Unless you consider work to be fun I don't think you do."

"The Aeroturgy is fun. Tending the fields just makes me sweaty, and my free time is tons of fun."

"I've noticed your boasting has been toned down. Something is troubling you isn't it?"

"Mom is feeling like her time is coming and I'm not sure I can take care of Scarlet. As for the boasting I read a book that said if you have to brag to everypony about your accomplishments then your actions are not worthy of notice in the first place."

"You're taking life advice from a book? Who are and what have you done with the real Rainbow Dash?"

"I'm the real Dash, if you want to know about the book your dorky brother had me read it. It actually makes some good points."

"You annoyed him didn't you?"

"A little... Okay a lot, so he gave me a book to read in order to pass the time since I had nothing else to do."

"Well these carrots won't tend to themselves."

"Yeah you're right. I seriously hope I don't farm for the rest of my life."

"It's not that bad really."

"You're an earth pony though, your magic makes this naturally easier."

"It's a bit easier for me I'll admit it, but this simplistic life is nice. Sure I wish for more than just carrots to eat and the pay may not be the best, but it's honest work where you reap what you sow and earn what you worked for."

"Octy as far as I know you've never had a job before, but you already sound like you're ready to give up your special talent in music and farm."

"Music is everywhere Dash, if you listen closely nature will sing to you."

"I'm not sure if you became a philosopher, lost your mind, or if this is just an earth pony thing concerning nature."

"Mother always said I was a bit nutty, but that was for thinking that I could make a living in music. It doesn't help to have a brother who's special talent is philosophy either."

"Or maybe the carrots are turning our minds to mush."

"Derpy is insisting on being called Ditzy now you know. Something about the nickname Derpy reminds her too much of her parents, and she's still not over them yet. I didn't know this but the bullies were the ones who came up with it."

"Does everypony go by a nickname or is it just me?"

"It's not unusual for somepony to go by a nickname right now. It's more prevalent in ponies with names from the old languages spoken by the three tribes before they came to Equestria. I've also heard stories where the darker magics are being practiced again, and that power holds a strong tie to names. Maybe it's a good thing to go by a nickname right now. Although there are some ponies where hating their real name runs in the family."

"My dad hated my name."

"Really? But I thought he liked the name Rainbow."

"My real name is Iris."

"It's a lovely name. It means rainbow doesn't it?"

"Yes..."

"Do you mind if I call you Iris? It's too lovely a name not to be used, and I simply adore the flowers as well."

"Fine... So how is Derpy doing."

"Still acting like the strong silent type right now, but I can tell she's still grieving for her parents. I honestly hope she doesn't hurt herself. She’s traumatized by what happened to her parents you know, but it’s not my place to discuss that if she doesn’t want me to."

"Yeah... I should talk to her. I've lost a parent as well and maybe she'll listen, but even if she doesn't she needs to know that I care."

"She's over in the western part of the fields. Good luck... Iris."

As Rainbow approached the western fields she could see Derpy meticulously removing weeds. She wore a face of indifference and occasionally would eat a dandelion when she found one. The rest of the weeds went into a bucket she was carrying around.

"H-hey Der- I mean Ditzy. I was wondering how you were doing."

"..."

"I guess things are pretty hard to accept right now. My dad passed away but you knew that. It's pretty hard on me knowing he's dead, and mom is saying she's going to go soon too. Little Scarlet isn't going to look at me like a sister, with how much I'll have to care for her I'll probably be seen more as her mother. I don't want to replace mom, but I'm going to have to. I don't know what I'll do once mom is gone to be honest, but no matter what she says I'll be just as tore up about it whether or not I expect it. But I want you to know with the passing of my dad, that I understand some of the pain you're going through."

"I'm sorry Dash but you can't know my pain." The mare steadily said.

"I've lost a parent too, please let me help you."

"My parents were killed Rainbow. Timberwolves came out of nowhere and attacked us. I flew away but my parents were too slow, a-and t-then I watched th-them get ripped to pieces while I-I couldn't do anything. I can still hear their screams, and I still have nightmares about it. I know it wasn’t my fault, but sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I had tried to save them."

"Oh Derpy I'm so sorry I didn't know. I don't know what to do, but I'll always be here for you if you ever want to talk. I would never hold you accountable for anything that happened there."

"O-okay... And I think you'll make a great guardian for Scarlet, Rainbow." The mare said perking up a little.

"As if! I may be awesome but I'm also lazy and irresponsible."

"You're also a great big sister who loves her family, you're loyal, and you're incredibly talented, I'm sure you'll do fine if you put your mind to it."

"This situation is a little funny if not ironic."

"What do you mean?"

"I came over here to help you get over your problems and you end up helping me."

"He-he I guess you're right! I-it’s actually nice to talk about things with more than one pony. Thanks Rainbow."

The two friends worked together and talked while they worked. Time ticked by as the two continued to catch up on lost time. Derpy wasn’t up to talking anymore about what happened with her parents, but was content to talkk about anything else. As the sun approached the horizon Octavia came running into the western fields.

"Hey Octy where's the fire?"

"Iris your mother has collapsed and she's barely breathing!"

"Where is she!"

"She's currently on the couch and Scarlet is in bed. Your mother is asking for you to be there."

"On it!"

"Wait who's Iris?" Derpy asked in confusion.

"Later!" Octavia shouted as she ran back towards the house.

As Rainbow Dash made her way to the house she feared that she'd be too late. More than once the pint sized Pegasus wished there was a way for her to teleport, instead she opted for flying close to the speed of sound. As she crashed onto the porch she could hear a few panicked voices emanating from inside the building.

"I'm here ma!" The cyan Pegasus yelled as she rushed to her mother.

"He... I never thought you would pick up a bit of farm slang."

"You're going to be alright right?"

"Iris my time has come, please take care of Scarlet for me and love her like I wasn't able to. If the economy gets better I'd have loved to see you in a Wonderbolts uniform, you don't have to join them, but please grant a dying mare her last wish... Now that I've said my peace Scarlet is now yours to protect. Make me proud Iris..."

"Of course mom... Mom? Mom!"

"Iris she's gone. I'll-I'll go help prepare the grave." Octavia said as she left, having managed to make it into the room just before Rainbow’s mother passed..

Rainbow stayed with the body of her mother until Octavia's brother came in to take the body. Rainbow followed them outside to the hole that would serve as the tomb for Rainbow's mother. It wasn't a traditional Pegasus burial, as doing so would be too expensive, but a fusion of a Pegasus and an earth pony burial.

Unicorns would burn their dead viewing it as returning the body to the power they wield, by charring the body with the energy of fire to represent magic. Earth ponies bury their dead to return to the earth they are born from and Pegasi bury their dead at sea whose churning depths and flowing currents represent the sky they love. Rainbows mother was buried next to a small pond where the grave would perpetually be filled with the ponds gifts.

Later that night many ponies in the house heard the crying of a grieving mare, and this time they knew it wasn't Derpy...

NC.

Year 7 day 218:

H-hey it's me Iris, I haven't picked this thing up since mom left. I think I'm finally past her death enough to pick this up again. To tell you the truth this reminded too much of my mother at the time, although I always said I had to take care of Scarlet. With Octavia calling me Iris all the time Scarlet started doing the same, now it’s as common for me to go by Iris as I did Rainbow.

The little tyke has grown quite a bit and I have found that I've grown to view her as a daughter. It was hard to care for her at first, and she wanted her real momma. After the first year I began to notice that she wasn't as fussy and then I learned what every parent goes through during the terrible twos. Scarlet is six years old now and the only food she's known is carrots. She loves them and after gagging on the things for over five years I've learned to enjoy them as well.

The most startling thing I ever had happen with her was have her call me her ma. I was both horrified and incredibly happy at the same time. I was horrified because I never wanted to replace my mother, but I was happy because the little filly I viewed as a daughter viewed me as her mother.

Ditzy is pregnant now and she isn't telling anypony who the father is. I secretly believe Octavia's brother is the father, he's quite the catch. I still don't particularly like the stallion, but he's still attractive physically. As far as personalities go he is probably the most likely stallion to die a virgin.

If it wasn't for Scarlet I'd probably have a kid of my own right now. Unlike the other tribes Pegasi have a strong desire to have children as soon as puberty hits. Scarlet helps alleviate that desire, and it's a good thing too otherwise Octavia might kill me and Ditzy for having slept with her brother. It doesn't keep me from flirting with the stallions when we go into town though.

It's embarrassing that when we do go to town I tend to hit on the stallions who are better off. Nopony is really well off, but these stallions usually work on more productive farms or can purchase more food. I'm a little nervous to admit that I'm a bit of a chubby chaser. Whether it's because I've been starving all my life or some other reason I just really find their plump squishy forms attractive. They make me just want hug them and snuggle into their warm fur... Eh he if this wasn't a diary I would be so embarrassed right now...

Octavia's mother is the only one of our parents that is still alive being an earth pony. She's getting close to fifty right now and is starting to complain about everything. It's actually a little comical if not annoying at times and I find myself spending a bit more of my time with the mare. Octavia’s sister stays out of everypony’s manes and is usually doing something alne or flirting with the local stallions in town..

The famine and depression are still going on and Celestia is flipping out. Sometimes I wonder what she's actually doing up there, especially when she can't get any cakes right now. I've heard some stories about the unicorns in Canterlot eating any meat they can get ahold of because things are so bad there. That magic of there's better help with digesting that gunk.

(-00000-)

"Hi Ma!"

"Scarlet I've told ya I'm not your ma."

"Ah know sis, but ya act like a momma should. Ya tuck me in at night and scare away the monsters. Ya also sing me ta sleep sometimes and ya take care of me."

"I guess ah do kiddo. So what has you so excited?"

"Ah get to help with the carrots! Maybe ah'll get ma cutie-mark!"

"I think you're the only Pegasus who would want a carrot cutie-mark." The mare said while lightly chuckling.

"Well they just don't know how amazin' carrots are."

"Don't you want to get a flying cutie-mark, or maybe somethin' weather related?"

"Ah don't like all of that nonsense, the ground is ten times more lovely than those giant cotton balls that float around."

"I swear you should have been an earth pony. Well go on and run around ah've got to tend to Octavia's ma."

"You've been hanging around the market haven't you, Iris?" The aging mare asked as she sat on a rocking chair.

"What makes ya say that?"

"You're accent. You started picking it up at the market and now its gotten thicker with Scarlet hanging around there with the other fillies."

"Well ah can't help it if ah picked up an accent. Scarlet needs more to her childhood than work."

"You're just like your mother sometimes. You both can't see where the ones you’re taking care of are truly happy. Although I think the accent has more to it than Scarlet."

"There's a major difference between us though, ah do this because ah care for her and want her to have a childhood. If she likes working the farm that's alright, but she needs to play and make friends."

"I always knew you were bright Iris. So when are you going to bring home a stallion, I want to see your kids before I turn eighty."

"Ya sound like my ma used to when I was younger. Ah guess ah'll bring a stallion home when one finally has a personality ah can stand to live with daily."

"Word of advice Iris, a stallion will talk almost nonstop when company is over or when they're in a crowd. At home they become quiet and will have next to nothing to say. They also view doing things as bonding instead of talking, trust me and you'll do fine."

"Wow that's weird."

"Yes, but I've lived with a stallion so I know a few things." The mare chuckled prompting a small fit of giggles from her companion.

The two mares chated for a little while longer, while Iris tended to any refreshments that were needed. The older mare wasn’t entirely to the age of being unable to work anymore, but injuries that never healed from when she was younger finally caught up to her. Now the mare simply enjoyed the company of her old friends daughter.

"Ma! Ma! Ah got mah cutie-mark!" Scarlet screamed as she ran into the living room.

"What is it!?"

"It's a carrot and a carrot cake!"

"Where'd the cake come from?" Iris asked playfully.

"Sorry Iris I had her help me make a few carrot cakes after we picked some carrots and it appeared." Octavia said.

"Yup! Mah talent is picking carrots and baking. Preferably using carrots in baking!"

"So ya really like those things huh?"

"Yup!"

"Well ya can help around the farm more when you're older but ya can help us bake whenever ya want. It's about time to head to town. Maybe ya can show yer friends yer cutie-mark."

"Yay!"

The two Pegasi wandered their way through the lackluster market as Scarlet led her maternal figure to where her friends would be at. As they approached the place where Scarlet's friends were at Iris noticed a stallion struggling to move a cart on his own.

"Do ya think ah'll be as tall as you when ah'm older ma?"

"You'll be even taller Scarlet. Yer already almost as tall as ah am, ya might get to be bigger than Ditzy by the end of it."

"Woah! That big!" The little filly said in amazement.

"Yep, to tell ya the truth ah'm on the short side, now run along ah've got something ta take care of."

"Got it ma!"

"Ya look like ya could some help there. Mind if ah give ya a hoof?"

"Thank's ah appreciate it, yer pretty strong fer a little filly."

"Ah'm just short. Ah'm eighteen ah just didn't grow much. Although you look like ya don't need any help there."

"Ya'd think apples would be healthy, ah'd prove ya wrong. Ah eat too many Apple deserts and that undoes whatever exercise ah get."

"Well ah always say that a plump stallion just knows how to be sweet."

"Now ah wouldn't know about that one miss. Set the cart here, ya can stay and help with the sales if ya want, not that many ponies can afford anything mind ya."

"Might as well, ah've got a sister running around with the neighborhood fillies and ah can keep an eye on 'em easier this way. So any reason why ya were pulling this cart alone."

"The pony ah usually pull the cart with is injured, so its just me. Not that ah mind since ah got ta meet a nice young lady."

"Careful with that much flattery ah might just take ya home with me."

"Ya've got spunk ah'll tell ya that. Ah'm Apple Fritters the third by the way."

"My name's Iris."

"Well Iris yer welcome to come by here any time."

"Maybe ah will, maybe ah won't. Depends on what kinda pony ya are."

"Well alright. Ah can understand where yet comin' from. Ah'd hate ta find out ah was sweet on a no good crook or something."

"Yup."

"Ya take care of all the weather on that one carrot farm right?"

"Ya been talkin' to Octavia?"

"A bit. She said ya were the brainiest Pegasus to ever live, and that ya were the most loyal pony around."

"Ah won't deny it."

"Well she forgot ta mention how cute and humble ya were."

"Oh my..." Iris said visibly blushing.

"Sorry ah was bit out a place there."

"Well ah certainly don't mind. Well ah think ah hear Scarlet ah'd better get going."

"Hey ma! Are ya gonna take that stallion home!?" The little filly asked.

"Ah was just talking to him Scarlet. He's nice but ah'm not sure he's mah type. Although he might surprise me."

"Mah friends were talkin' bout the princess today, what do ya think she's doin' right now?"

(--?--)

"So using that hermaphrodite spell and impregnating all of the noble mares hasn't given me more time to fix this mess."

"It did, for about two years. Now the noble houses are wanting their little princes and princesses to live with their 'daddy'."

"Ugh! What are the noble houses descended from my brother doing?"

"Nothing currently."

"Good! They were the only noble house to refuse my offers, thankfully. I just wished that I didn't have to act like a whorse in order to keep the nobles from storming the castle. I can't even go outside anymore without seeing one of them feasting on a corpse of some sort... Do you think we'll be able to fix the meat eating thing?"

"Possibly. As long as some outside force doesn't solidify meat eating as a genetic trait this should be reversible. Otherwise there'll be very little we could do to fix this without using the entire population as guinea pigs. It's easy for magic to add a genetic trait, but all Tartarus breaks loose if you try to remove them."

"Yes... Do the recently birthed children show these... Traits."

"Even if they did I doubt it would be broadcasted as most ponies are dying of starvation in our streets."

"Are the guards showing these... Cravings for flesh?"

"I wouldn't put it past them, I've seen a few eyeing me like a prized watermelon earlier."

"Are the ordinances showing any changes in economic activity?"

"Very little change was recorded your highness."

"Damn. Are the unicorns near farming communities showing signs of wanting flesh?"

"Most are, very few have managed to procure enough vegetable matter to sate their hunger. It seems even today the three tribes stay mostly to their own kind."

"Yes, but we must let them mingle on their own. If I were to impose anything forcing the three tribes to live together it would only drive them further apart. The only thing I can do to help them intermingle is remove or detain individuals who wish to divide the tribes. How are the Pegasi doing?"

"They have taken to working on farms as a water supply and are reasonably fed. They aren't dying of starvation, but like the earth ponies they aren't exactly well nourished."

"At least I don't have to worry about them... How are the thestral camps doing?"

"Their main diet of fruits and nuts has diminished slightly, but with their usually close proximity to mountain springs and their affinity for weather magic the lack of money is their main problem. They have started eating more bugs as of late to compensate for the more restricted food trade."

"At least they’re normal... Have you found any of thestral legions that managed to escape into the mountain caves after my brother’s defeat?"

"No. All of our search parties either vanish or come back with nothing. It's a fool’s errand to search for them, might as well focus on preparing for anything they might throw at us."

"Of course. Keep an eye on the noble houses from my brother's bloodline. They tend to cause trouble and they have a penchant for talents in advanced medicine, they could try genetically adding the meat eating trait."

"If that is all my liege house Twilight, a side branch of house Solarium, wishes for another mating session with you."

"Ugh!! I seriously wish I read that contract I signed with them. They can make me show up anytime they want now for no other reason than they want to sleep with me."

"I'll get the royal carriage ready. I'd hate to see somepony get eaten, again."

(---?---)

"Whatever Celestia's doin' she better be helping make things better otherwise she's in fer a world of hurt."

"Ya don't like the princess?"

"She's alright as a leader, but she's not a deity."

"A what?"

"She's not some sort of goddess. Unicorns are the only ones that truly believe she is. Earth ponies just hate alicorns period, and you'd be hard pressed to find a Pegasus that worships Celestia over the flock."

"What's an alicorn?"

"They're like a Pegasus, earth pony, and unicorn smooshed together. They're also immortal like vampires and dragons."

"Vampires ain't real. So Celestia is like a big immortal Pegasus with a horn?"

"Pretty much, and who said vampires ain't real? Ah've heard that they were one a Nightmare's experiments before he was defeated. When Celestia found them they say she killed all of them but one. That one managed to escape before Celestia noticed and vanished into the night. They say it spread its condition to those it liked after finding refuge. They say if ya know who to talk to ya can find a vampire coven in any town in Equestria."

"That's just some dumb mare's tale meant ta scare ya. Celestia also sounds kinda lame."

"Ya won't let me get ya off that train of thought will ya?"

"Nope!"

"They say she moves the moon and sun ya know. Is that lame?"

"Yer ten times the mare that Celestia is. Movin' the sun and moon is fine and dandy, but yer amazin'. The very sky is under yer control, ya can do so much with yer Magic that even if the sun and moon got stuck we wouldn't go hungry. Ya'd just heat up the air or cool it down and then there's some of those routines ah've seen ya do and those would blow any showmare out of the water."

"Ya weren't supposed ta know about the tricks yet. Not that it matters really. By the time this depression and famine ends ah'll be joinin' ma in the afterlife. There won't be a place fer me ta show my stuff or fulfill ma's wish."

"Ah'm sure things'll get better. Celestia's doin' her best right?"

"Probably, but she's never been one ta deal with finances. She's probably promoted the royal accountant to an advisor to help her fix the mess Equestria's in."

"Hey ma?"

"Yes?"

"Do ya think Ditzy's foal'll like me?"

"Ya can count on it."

Year 9 day 218:

Ah guess ah'll start with how things are goin' with the economy... Nothin' has changed. Ah've heard Celestia is exhausting all she knows ta do trying ta fix it, but she's not gettin' anywhere.

Scarlet's been growin' like a weed lately. She's a bit of an early bloomer and ah find myself progressively looking up at her. She's nowhere near Ditzy or Octavia in size, but she's getting bigger.

Ditzy's little one has been rather rambunctious today. The little filly managed to get into the deserts and ate half of them. She's not feeling well after that but little Amethyst is a trooper. The father is still a mystery especially since the little filly is a unicorn.

Actually it's easier to guess who the father is. There are only a few unicorns near town and unicorn traits aren’t exactly dominant traits. So the father was a unicorn and we don't know who it is, but Ditzy insists that it doesn't matter.

Scarlet is startin' to get interested in colts, and by interested ah mean interested. She hides it but ah know her cherry's been popped. Ah went ballistic on her when she came home smellin' of sex. Whoever that colt was is dead if ah get mah hooves on 'em. An' ah swear if Scarlet is with foal ah'll hunt the bastard down and mount his head on a pike... Ahem ah mean ah'll approach him politely and then kick his flank into the next century.

The silly filly is only eight and she's already fornicating with the local colts. What am ah gonna do? She needs ta know that she can't just do that and expect to get away unscathed. Ah worry about what'll happen if somethin' bad comes up,or worse.

Octavia's talkin' to her about the birds an the bees right now, although ah think Scarlet already knows about that. She's upset that ah didn't go anywhere with Apple Fritters and has started calling me an old maid. That girl has some audacity ta speak ta me that way.

Ah was never this bad when ah hit puberty. Sure Scarlet alleviated most of my parental desires, but that was at the tail end of puberty for me. She's barely a year into it and she's already rolling in the hay with a random colt. Did ah do somethin' wrong? If ma could see Scarlet right now she'd be trying to get out of her grave to challenge the filly to an MMA cage match...

Octavia's been hangin' around a strange group of ponies lately, but that's my opinion. There's really not much to say concerning Octy right now other than her mother joining in with Scarlet to call me an old maid. As if mah problems couldn’t get any worse.

Ditzy found out about my preference for stallions with a bit extra around the middle. She said that she doesn't care about my preference, but she has pointed out a few stallions that she thinks Ah'll like. Ah'm beginnin' ta think everypony is tryin' ta get me a stallion before ah keel over and die.

Ditzy has been tryin' ta get me ta meet a pudgy thestral that comes into town ta sell some wares. Those ponies may not be allowed ta live outside of those towns, but they are allowed to leave them fer a bit.

(-0000-)

"Iris you really need to meet this pony. Ditzy says he's very nice and that you two would get along together quite well."

"Ah swear ya think ah'll die before ah find a husband."

"You're already middle aged Iris."

"So what if ah'm twenty-one. Ah'll marry who ah want."

"It won't matter if you marry if you're nearly dead."

"So how'd ya find this thestral anyways?"

"He's one of the many thestral traders that come throughout the week. He comes here about every day."

"Ya been stalkin' him?"

"No! Ahem... What I meant to say was that Ditzy and I give him a lot of our business and his wares are excellent."

"Sure ya do. So who are those ponies ya hang out with?"

"Just some friends."

"They are kinda shady Octy. Ya sure they can be trusted?"

"They're very nice ponies when you get to know them, their shady appearance isn't intentional or accurate. Hey Iris he's over there! Good luck!" Octavia said as she pushed Iris towards the stallion.

"Hey Octy wait ah don't even know his name! ...oh hi mister..." The cyan mare said as she bumped into the stallion.

"My name is Silent Moon. You must be that Iris pony that earth pony and Ditzy told me all about."

"Yes..." Iris said her cheeks visibly reddening.

"Your friends are a little eccentric aren't they?"

"A little..."

"Ah, smitten are we? I've been told that you might like me."

"W-what! No, no way. Ah'm just... Nervous."

"I'm sorry if I make you nervous. I'm not really used to talking with a cute mare."

"C-cute. Ya think I'm cute."the mare said feeling oddly elated instead of insulted.

"Oh no don't tell me I've offended you now! Oh I'm so bad at this." Clueing in Iris that the stallion was interested in her.

"No I'm not offended. Do you maybe want to go get dinner or something?"

"Sure, that way we can get to know each other a little better." He said looking visibly relieved.

"Okay... Wait where are we goin' ta go? There's not exactly many diners in business right now."

"A homemade dinner wouldn't be too bad."

"Ah thought thestrals had to go back to one of their towns after dark."

"Actually if you have a pass like most thestral traders then you don't have to return for a month."

"Well a guess ya can come over. Do ya know where Sun's Harvest carrot farm is?"

"I've heard of it. It's the carrot farm to the south of town next to the pond that's right by the northern Everfree right?"

"Yup. Ah'll see ya at sundown then."

"See you then."

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I've finally got a date! Oh what do ah do? Relax, yer too awesome to let this get to ya Iris, whatever ah come up with will surely be good enough."

"So Iris I take it things went well." Octavia said as she walked back over.

"Sorta. He's coming over for dinner tonight and ah'm not sure what ta do. Ah've never had a stallion over fer company, let alone a date. What if a scare him off?"

"You'll do fine Iris. Now come on we've got a date to prepare for."

As the two cantered home after spending time reminiscing with friends in town they paused to take in the sights along the path. Ever since the depression and famine all that could be seen were stretches of dead earth dotted with the occasional barren tree. Being close to the Everfree did have its charm though.

Unlike every other place the Everfree remained a green and dense forest. Although that was only a comforting thing considering most of the lands were barren wastelands. The dangers within the forest kept most ponies away and very few towns were ever founded near it.

The town the two mares lived in was up to the north of the Everfree and had a small thestral town next to a nearby mountain. The two towns had a history with each other for friendly interactions and it was a common sight to see thestrals and ponies in both towns. Even though thestrals without a pass have to return home at the of the day the two towns were close enough that the trip wasn't a problem.

Marriage was always a problem though. The three tribes had become open minded about marrying outside of your tribe, but marrying a thestral was always a problem with their living arrangements. So anypony marrying a thestral always moved in with the thestral. A problem that Scarlet was all too vocal about.

"Ya can't date a bat pony if ya fall in love yer gonna' have ta move out!"

"Ah'll still be able ta see ya even if a do marry him and yer still in trouble fer earlier young lady."

"Right... Ah'm sorry ah went an' did somethin' so stupid. Ah wasn't thinkin' an' he was rather persuasive."

"Yer apologizing?"

"Well yeah! An' ah'm sorry fer sayin' those mean things about ya. Ah was embarrassed, scared, kinda angry, and ah wasn't thinkin'. Ah never really meant it."

"So are ya just hoping to get out of trouble, or do ya really feel bad about what ya did."

"Ah really feel bad. Octavia also told me about what was goin' on with me an' helped me realize that ah made a huge mistake... Also ah used that magic crystal thing ya'll got ta check if ah was pregnant."

"What did the crystal say?"

"..."

"Ah'm not dumb Scarlet, so ya'll are with foal then?"

"Yes..."

"Oh boy. Who's the daddy then."

"... Ah don't know his name."

"Ya did that with a colt and ya didn't catch his name!?"

"It wasn't on Mah mind. Ah was just talkin' to a colt from town as he passed by. He was sweet an' charming an' before ah knew it we were... Well ya already know what we did, but ah didn’t know what was happenin’ really, he just kinda walked me through it..."

"Oh Scarlet... Ya just don't let a stallion bed ya because he's sweet. Ya could have got yer self in an even worse mess than yer already in. And just so ya know if a stallion can court ya for a few years he's actually in love with ya, but if he's not willing ta wait that long then he really doesn't care about ya. It also gives him enough time for any infatuation ta wear off so ya can actually see if yer actually capable of handling that kind of relationship."

"Octavia's ma has been givin' ya datin' advice again ain't she?"

"Well it's good advice an' it still applies. Now are ya gonna' help me fix a cake?"

"Not if its ta impress that bat pony."

"Well then you'll just have to live without a cake fer dessert tonight."

"Alright ah'll help make the cake."

"So have ya thought of any names fer the foal yet?"

"Ma ah just got pregnant! Of course not."

"Ah was just wonderin'. Ah've got a few if ya ever have trouble thinking of one."

"Yer taking things pretty well."

"Ya already told me what happened and ya know it was a mistake so ah forgive ya. But if that colt comes around here or is anywhere near ya he's dead."

"Yeah. Alright."

"Yer a good kid, yer just stupid sometimes, but we've all been there. This was a particularly stupid one but try not to get too banged up over it. Ya've got a family that'll help ya through this an' yer dreams aren't goin' ta be ruined by this either. Ya can still run a carrot farm with a baby, now if ya were currently being schooled it would of caused some problems. Yer still grounded and all, but at least yer not dumb enough to do somethin’ like that again."

"W-will it hurt... Having the child ah mean? Octavia said it hurts."

"Yes, but it'll be worth it..."

"How do ya know if it'll be worth it? Yer a virgin fer cryin' out loud."

"Yes, but ah've raised a foal before. Ya may be my sister, but I'll always consider ya to be my daughter."

"Sorry yer right. Ah might as well be yer foal since ya raised me since before ah can remember."

"Yeah might as well be. Ah'm sure ya will like Silent Moon once he gets here."

"No ah won't! He'll just take ya away from me."

"Calm down Scarlet. It's not like ah'll go live in the Draconic lands. Now ya better go set the table supper will be ready in a minute."

"Yes ma."

As much as Scarlet hated to admit it she did like Silent Moon. He was a fun pony to be around and she admittedly liked his stories. Were he not a merchant Scarlet surmised that Silent Moon would have made an excellent story teller. What Scarlet didn't like was that her mother was falling head over hooves for the stallion.

Sure she knew that her mother wouldn't be far away if they did decide to marry, but she hated the idea of having her mother go away. She pondered if she was just actually jealous, but quickly threw that idea out the window. In her selfish desires an idea emerged, maybe she could make the bat pony leave and never come back. If it worked her mother would ever have to leave.

"Hey mister Silent Moon, my ma here just loves carrots, but ya don't grow any where yer from."

"Actually there's a few ponies that do grow carrots near town, and they are pretty generous."

"Well uh... She hates pears! Her reaction to them is worse than what happens when ya show Celestia a cross." The filly stated knowing that bat ponies were particularly fond of pears.

"Ah actually like pears Scarlet... Yer tryin' ta ruin our date aren't ya?"

"Was it that obvious?"

"As obvious as the wings on mah back, and how many times do ah have ta tell ya that ah'll always be there fer ya?"

"But he'll take ya away! Ah don't want ya ta ever leave."

"Oh Scarlet... Ah'd never leave ya."

"You should trust your mother. If it ever gets to that point you can always move in, or you can stay here. Since I always set up shop here it wouldn't be too difficult to manage."

"Thanks Mr. Moon."

"Now if yer done with yer dinner ya can go wash up before bed."

"Right." The mare sighed before heading to the washroom.

Scarlet didn't know what to feel as she closed the door behind her. There wasn't anything she could think of that was wrong with her mother liking Mr. Moon, yet the very thought of them being together made her angry. She figured that maybe she was jealous no matter how she rationalized that she didn't need her mother's complete attention. Then there was herself.

Scarlet had initially been excited about the prospect of having a foal, that was until she realized she had no idea what she was getting into. She had no way of knowing how to care for a child or if she would even be a good mother. What if her child hated her, or what would she do if it was born with a defect. These thoughts swirled around in Scarlet's mind until she heard her mother laughing at something Mr. Moon said.

Scarlet smiled a bit and secretly wondered if she just really wanted Iris to help with the child. Sure it was a bit selfish, but with Octavia's mother getting older and the others in the house always being busy, Iris would have been the only one to really help. Then there was the father.

Scarlet hated thinking about what happened. The event was hardly consensual and Scarlet barely knew what she was doing at the time. Had she been given Octavia's talk earlier she would have known not to do as the colt asked.

"Hey you said you wanted to join our little society. This is our little initiation if you will."

"I-it hurts a little."

"Trust me, it'll feel a whole lot better soon."

"O-okay."

If Scarlet ever met that colt again she was in a world of trouble. He was part of a pretty big group though and harassing him was probably only going to get her into a worse mess. Why couldn't she do anything without causing trouble? That wasn't mentioning the chaos that would ensue if her mother got involved.

As Scarlet stepped into the washtub she nearly yelped from how frigid the water inside was. Sometimes Scarlet wished she had her mother's skill at magic so she didn't have to worry about manually heating the water, but she had no such luck. Scarlet could barely fly let alone perform advanced Aeroturgy, a fact that haunted the young Pegasus. Her magic was incredibly weak and as a result she wasn't able to fly more than two inches off of the ground.

Scarlet once asked her mother if there was a way to increase her magic, but she was just given exercises to help control it. It was only later that Scarlet found out that you can't increase your magical capacity outside of black magic, and a rumored part of light magic. Scarlet wasn't about to meddle with the dark arts just so she could fly better, that only invited insanity and demonic possession.

Then Scarlet had remembered what her mother had said about vampires. This led Scarlet on a quest to find out more about these creatures and she found out quite a bit. Apparently a vampony has really strong magic and physical strength, but unlike popular belief they don't die in sunlight, or sparkle for that matter. Instead they lose all of their vampiric powers and are like a normal pony aside from the immortality.

This lead Scatlet to try finding a coven in order to get turned as a vampony's magic would only drop to that of a normal pony's during the day at minimum. She would be able to fly, sure the blood drinking thing would be weird, but apparently that was a mistake on the Nightmare's part as it didn't want vamponies to need food.

"We're almost done babe now all I need to do is give you a little bite and you'll be mine forever."

Scarlet nearly fell over when she remembered that event. She frantically checked the her neck in the mirror while brushing back her fur to reveal two puncture wounds. Not that she could actually see herself in the mirror.

Scarlet began shaking as the realization of what she'd done set in. She hadn't just becomes vampony but she had bound herself to that colt for all eternity. The only way out of her pact with him was death on either end, further cementing her mistake as a true failure.

"Scarlet! Are ya alright ah heard ya scream?!" Iris said through the door.

Scarlet had no idea if she had screamed it not, but it wouldn't surprise her if she had. That colt was depraved and had more mares bound to him than Celestia had ponies trying to court her. She wanted to break down and cry, but she knew that it would only make her mother come in and find out the truth. So instead she merely sighed and answered her mother.

"Yeah ah'm alright, just slipped. Ah'll be out once ah've finished washin' up."

"Alright! Also little Amethyst needs a bath soon so ya may want ta make it quick!" Iris yelled through the door.

Scarlet complies with her mother and finally took a short bath. She tried to forget the events that had taken place earlier but they had been seared into her brain. The mare listlessly dried herself off and managed to bump into Octavia on the way out of the washroom.

The mare stood there looking down at Scarlet with an oddly scrutinizing gaze. Little Amethyst was on the mares back cooing happily while wrapping her cloven hooves around her ride. Octavia's passenger did nothing to make Scarlet feel like the mare before her wasn't staring into her soul.

"You've made a grave mistake Scarlet, but don't let what has passed bother you. You should instead worry about securing your future. Now if you don't mind little Amethyst here needs her bath."

Scarlet quickly nodded her head and bolted for her room. Meanwhile thoughts raced through her head all saying that Octavia knew what she did, while the rational part of her mind kept telling her Octavia was talking about the pregnancy. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that Octavia knew exactly what she had done.

Author's Note

I'm back and I've brought something unexpected into this... Also before you say anything Rainbow Dash is... my second favorite of the mane six behind Fluttershy. The rest of them kind of all occupy the number three slot.

If you are confused about the timeline it will make sense in the next chapter

Okay so this is Dash's backstory for the most part, excluding spoiler content for as to what Dash's big secret is although you can probably guess it from a mile away at this point.

I actually debated the accent for a long time and i still might take it out if I need to considering I read all of Dash's lines in Apple Jack's voice until the last diary entry.

As mentioned before summer is a slow period for me, especially when my brother is on the only computer in the house all day because he's addicted to League, although I have my own computer now so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

It is a common pegasus misconception that all unicorn magic emits radiation, this is in fact false.

Fluttershy's backstory unfortunately makes it impossible for her to be there during the rain boom or any of Dash's life until Ponyville.

In the period between now and Ponyville Rainbow took on her nickname again and ditched the bow unless she wants to exploit her childlike appearance when visiting other towns.

As for no comments about Dash's height earlier, most ponies in Ponyville are already aware of her condition, except for Pinkie who believes Rainbow is an eight year old. As for Twilight she was informed of Rainbow's condition by the mayor's notes on the paper about who she was supposed to meet even though it wasn't mentioned, although without her bow Rainbow appears to be a Shetland instead of a child... Also I've never mentioned height in great detail until now so... yeah, also it was kind of unimportant.

Of the CMC Scootaloo is the tallest being being roughly 2 ft. 8. This also makes the small wings thing a bit sad now knowing that she'll likely never fly.

Unicorns have cloven hooves like the more traditional renditions, also I think you've realized that I tend to leave out a few details in descriptions... sorry, I'm trying to get better about that.

At parts I felt like Rainbow Dash was too much like AJ after the accent came in. Also no Rainbow Fritters for you.

Also Celestia's smoking habit... Let's just say when you live long enough to where you've seen Cigars invented you tend to form a few habits. Celestia layed off of them after they were discovered to be unhealthy, although when she gets nervous she tends to break out a box. Even though nopony can confirm whether or not alicorns can get cancer Celestia still pours money into the research for non cancerous tobacco, although all she's managed to get is having cigars smell like incenses instead. It is rumored that when Celestia gets stressed that her room smells like vanilla incense for a few days.

Wow, apparently when faced with cannibalistic unicorns you can buy some time by having children with them... Okay so the whole contract with Celestia is what led to House Twilight being removed from nobility through a small loophole in the contract saying The Noble House of Twilight. Now any noble titles a Twilight receives is viewed as unofficial even if they keep all of the other benefits.

The implied stuff with Scarlet is as close to clop you'll get, sorry I'm not going to go there.

Also go away Dr. Moon! Erhm... sorry.

I will not be going into detail on the relationship between Rainbow and Silent Moon in this fanfic as there are already too many ships in the water considering the canon ships will be included in this one... although I don't exactly have to follow any canon ships do I? I'll most likely be posting another fanfic called Scarlet Guardian sometime soon with this as the first chapter before going into detail what's going on with Scarlet and all the rest so don't worry too much about that if you want to see more.

If I made any mistakes please tell me, I typed this entire chapter on my phone so a mistake is almost a given. Although I did do a quick spruce up on my computer.

Well I'm done talking and as always let me know how I did and if you didn't like the chapter tell me why, I love reading comments and I would like to improve this story in any way that I can.