A Rude Awakening
I’ve never done something like this before, so I don’t really know where to begin . . . horseapples, this is so annoying! Why do I need to write this stupid thing in the first place?! Look, I know we didn’t really end on a good note before, but I want to say that I'm sorry. I can’t say that I would be surprised if you wanted nothing to do with me, but I have to try. Please Dash, I’m calling in every favor I have left, even that thing at Bristleback Creek; if not for me, then at least for my son. We ran into some trouble while back, and are on our way to Ponyville. I understand if you want nothing to do with me anymore, but it was the first place I could think of that would be safe.
Your Awesomer than You Friend,
Gilda the Gryphon
Rainbow Dash wasn't sure if she read the letter properly the first time. A few more tries did not change the contents though - they were still weird. When Gilda said she had a son- that was obviously a... "metaphor", right? A lot of Twilight’s books talked about using this stuff to talk about new life and whatever other boring crud that eggheads enjoyed. Is that what Gilda was now, an egghead? No, using mumbo jumbo like that wasn't her style. Was this some kind of joke then? Today wasn’t Wednesday was it? Did Pinkie come up with another Prank Day? If she did this wasn’t her style. There was no way she would use something personal as a prank! Speaking of personal, only Gilda would know what happened at Bristleback, and they vowed never to speak of it again! Blushing, Rainbow Dash skimmed over the note once more before realizing what the note was actually saying. Gilda has a son!? Was it hers? No, of course not, that was impossible; so she has a special somepony then? When did that happen? How come she didn’t have a special somepony herself yet? Sighing, there was only one pony she could talk to about her less-than-awesome problems: Fluttershy. With her hopes of relaxing for the day destroyed, she rose from her cloud and made a beeline for her friends’ cottage.
The wind whipped her mane and screamed in her ears. The sound was awesome the most awesome in all of Equestria, second only to the Sonic Rainboom. No matter how focused she was when she flew, her thoughts drifted back to Gilda. She remembered when she freaked out in Sugar Cube Corner. They all but said that they wouldn’t see each other again, and she knew that Gilda wasn’t somepony to take back her word. Gilda saw her as an uncool flip-flop, so why was she eager to see her again? Of course, they were pretty tight in flight school, and Rainbow couldn’t help but smile as she remembered all the pranks she and Gilda pulled at Flight camp. Of course, while their school work was terrible, they were the rulers of the sky! Their times on the courses were unbreakable! Then there were the times they snuck out of the dorms so they could have the adventures of their life! When the school went on lockdown for the Dragon Migration, they were right there taunting them for being so slow. Gilda teased her for having half of her fur singed off for weeks! Life was totally awesome back then, but it was obvious that things have changed. The last time they saw each other, Gilda, stole from ponies, tried to break off her friendship with Pinkie Pie, and terrorized Fluttershy! That was not cool.
Deciding that being lost in a death spiral of confusion and uncertainty was not the way she wanted to spend her weekend, she focused her thoughts outward. For the first time she realized that she was at Fluttershy’s cottage, her hoof raised in an attempt to knock on the door. What’s wrong with her? What about the fact that her screw up, foalhood friend getting somewhere in her life while she was stuck chasing after the Wonderbolts, only for her to come by and do a victory lap upset her so much? Wait a second . . .
“Rainbow?” A soft, timid voice pulled her out of her reverie. “A-are you alright?”
How long was she standing on her doorstep? Keeping her cool, the cyan mare pretended like she meant to flick her hoof through her mane and smiled.
“H-hey Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash said, her voice only slightly wavering. “I was wondering if I could talk to you about something . . . a bit personal.”
“Of course Dashie!” Fluttershy stepped aside and directed her towards her comfy couch- Rainbow’s favorite. “Let me put some tea on and I’ll be over in a second.”
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes. The warmth of the room steadily sank through her fur and feathers, soothing her nerves. Being wrapped in a blanket of coziness, she couldn’t help but jump as the clinking of teacups against the coffee table snapped her out of her light nap.
“I’m sorry Rainbow!” Fluttershy whispered gently, handing her a cup of tea. “I saw you resting and I tried to place the tea down quietly so I wouldn’t wake you up but . . . I guess it didn’t work out too well.”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but chuckle. She didn’t know anypony else who would worry about that sort of thing. “It’s alright Flutters’, thanks for the tea.” She took a generous sip of the tea and sighed contently. When Fluttershy took a seat, she pulled out the letter. “I got this in the mail today . . . and I didn’t know anypony else to talk to about it.”
Rainbow Dash watched anxiously as Fluttershy read the note. First she skimmed it, than she read slower. Each time Dash could tell what part of the note she was on by the look on her face. Confusion, sympathy, shock; all of these were present. At the end of the note, a tear streaked down her cheek. “A-are you going to let her come Dashie?”
Rainbow Dash sighed. “I . . . don’t know. A lot of bad memories are tied in with Gilda ya know? She was a friend, but she treated you terribly in flight school! What makes things worse is that she comes back and acts like an even bigger jerk!” She growled in frustration and took a second gulp of tea. “It’s not only that though . . . look at the end.”
Fluttershy quickly reread the note and gasped. If not for me . . . than at least for my child? Rainbow Dash nodded. “You have to help them Dashie! Even if you don’t like it you need to!”
“I know that!” Rainbow sighed in frustration. “It’s just that . . . she’s a mother, and I’m . . . nothing.”
Fluttershy gasped. “Rainbow, that’s not true! You’ve accomplished much more than a lot of ponies! You won the Best Young Flyer Competition two years in a row, you’ve saved Equestria multiple times, and you are an element of harmony!”
“But what about becoming a Wonderbolt?” Rainbow Dash huffed.
“What do you mean?”
“I spent years of my life trying to become a Wonderbolt . . . it shaped so much of what I am that it’s terrifying. The Wonderbolts are just a stunt flying group! They don’t do anything that affects ponies! I’ve spent so long working on this entire project and after all of my accomplishments I’m still not good enough. I haven’t accomplished anything sense I got out of school, and the only pony who was like me at the time was Gilda. I became a weather manager, and Gilda . . . she’s a mom! She’s actually doing something with her life, while I’m just . . . doing absolutely nothing.”
“Well Rainbow . . . you just need to ask yourself what you want to do and work towards it.”
The cyan mare thought about the question for a long minute. Eventually, it dawned on Fluttershy that she has never really seen her friend think about something so hard. Rainbow was silent for a long time, and five minutes later, Rainbow Dash came up with an answer.
“I want to help Gilda raise her foal.”
“That’s great Dashie! I’m so excited for you!” Rainbow Dash set a hoof on her friend’s shoulder before she could start getting any crazy ideas.
“Easy now Flutters’, it’s easier said than done!” No matter how she put it though, couldn’t avoid the little twinge excitement. “There’s always a chance she doesn’t want me anywhere near her foal, and I still need to tell the others about this. . .”
Fluttershy could sense how worried her friend was about that little piece of information, and could realize that their friends might not be so excited about Rainbow’s decision . . . she would need to be brave for her friend. Even if it was in order to help a terrifying Gryphon raise her significantly less terrifying foal. “I’m here for you Dashie, every step of the way.”
Rainbow Dash smiled and shook her head. “Then let’s do this then, whether they like it or not, I’ve come to a decision. If it’s smart or not may be obvious to others, but I need to try.”
It was only during the journey to Rarity’s house that Dash realized that only Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy have met Gilda first hand. That would make things easier . . . wouldn’t it? Within minutes, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash gathered everypony to the library. Soon, Rainbow was psyching herself up for a speech she never prepared for.
Rainbow Dash shifted nervously as Spike handed out tea to their friends. If she couldn’t put up a good case, would they refuse to help her? Soon, she could no longer use the surprisingly distracting clanging of tea cups as an excuse for silence. Looking at Fluttershy’s encouraging smile, she decided it was time to give it a shot.
“Girls . . . I could use some advice.”
Applejack looked at her curiously. “What do ya need Sugarcube?” Applejack’s eyes were filled with worry. That gave Rainbow some hope. “You’ve been fussin’ with yer hooves for a few minutes now.”
Dash chuckled nervously. “Yea, sorry. I called you guys over here because I recently got a letter from an old friend saying that she needs my help.” She has everypony’s attention. Would they really help her out? “It made me realize that I’ve been wasting my life going after the Wonderbolts.”
Rarity gasped theatrically. “Rainbow Dash! That was your dream- your life’s work! What could make you possibly throw all that hard work away?”
It was now or never. Pulling out the letter, she handed it to Twilight who read its contents out loud. By the end of it all, they sat in a stupor, unsure what to say.
“She has a little colt?” Applejack asked, completely stunned on who, or what, would want to have a foal with a jerk like her.
“That’s what the note said,” Rainbow Dash sighed. “It didn’t give any details, so I’m not sure what happened. It’s just that,” Dash cursed to herself for her voice cracking. “the one thing Gilda said she wouldn’t want to do is have a foal, but now that she has one, what else has she accomplished? I can’t help but remember how happy the Cakes were with their twins. It made me realize how jealous of her I am.”
“Oh Dashie!” Pinkie Pie bounced up to her wrapped her in a bone crushing hug. “You would make a wonderful mommy! Besides, there’s nothing for you to be jealous about! You’re awesome! You can do things that most ponies only dream of!” Before she lost all the oxygen in her lungs, Rainbow Dash pried herself free from her friends’ colossal grip. “If you want to be a mommy so much, why not adopt Scootaloo?”
There it is. Somehow, Rainbow wished she could have avoided this entire topic of discussion in the first place. The fanatical filly encouraged her to do so much, and to push her limits beyond belief. But the thought of raising the foal on her own? Something about that frightened her to no end. Wasn’t that the same thing as helping Gilda raise her child? Why was she eager for one and not the other?
Sensing her unease, Fluttershy guided her to the next question that they rehearsed for. “How do you feel about Gilda returning to Ponyville?”
Rainbow Dash visibly relaxed as the topic changed. “I . . . don’t really know to be honest. I haven’t seen her in years, and knowing that she has accomplished something like this makes me feel . . . like I’ve wasted all my time going after some obsessive fillyhood dream.” Dash hung her head. “Gilda and I have been through so much together, whether it be bad, or awesome, or just absolutely crazy, I never really thought about what I would be missing out on without her.”
So this was the truth, wasn’t it? Fluttershy knew that she held Rainbow Dash back during flight school, but she just assumed that her friend was perfectly fine with the all the sacrifices that she made for her at the time. What else could she be wrong about? What else has her dear friend sacrificed for her sake? The yellow mare fought to keep herself under control, but she couldn’t stop a tear from streaming down her cheek.
“Are ya sure about this Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
“Of course I am!” Rainbow Dash said defiantly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“We just think you’re rushing into this Darling.” Rarity added. “If all you wanted was to be a mother, Scootaloo could use one right about now.” Rainbow turned towards the white mare. “I don’t think this is just about parenthood, Rainbow Dash, I think you want to get closer to this long lost friend of yours.”
The cyan mare nodded. “Despite everything that happened last time she was here, I can’t just abandon an old friend when she asks for my help!” With her resolve steeled, and her heart aflame, she challenged anypony to object her decision.
“We’re here for you Rainbow.” Twilight said warmly, her wings tucked comfortably to her sides. “If you need any help, promise you talk to us, alright?”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Thanks guys, this means a lot to me.”
“Of course Darling, we’re always happy to help!”
Ecstatic, the cyan mare didn’t even struggle when Pinkie pulled her into a suffocating group hug.
“This calls for a party!” Pinkie cheered as confetti exploded from her mane.
“I’m not sure if throwing a party for Gilda would be the best idea Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash laughed. “but the next party I’m totally down for.”
By the time Rainbow Dash left the library, she felt like a huge rock has been lifted from her back. Before she could take off into the slowly darkening sky, she heard a small voice behind from behind.
“R-Rainbow?”
“Oh, hey ‘Shy! What’s up?” As soon as Rainbow Dash turned around, she knew that something was wrong. Although she couldn’t see her perfectly, she could tell that her friend was upset.
“Um, about flight school . . .” What was with her? Why’s she acting even more timid than usual? Shuffling her hooves, her eyes were glued to the ground.
“What’s wrong?” Dash tried to wait patiently for her friend to spit out whatever she was trying to say.
“Did I . . . hold you back in flight school?” Her voice shook heavily.
Horseapples. How could she be so careless?! “Fluttershy, I don’t regret a single thing I did back in flight school, and if I had to choose between going off with Gilda again, and staying to help you out, I would help you every single time.” Rainbow Dash dried her tears. “I didn’t mean it like in the library. It’s not that I regret staying with you in flight school, I just wonder what she went through when she left, y’know?” Fluttershy nodded. “Gilda was a close friend of mine, and her doing something as unexpected as becoming a mom caught me by surprise. It just felt like she’s coming back to rub it in my face.”
Fluttershy gasped, concerned. “She wouldn’t do that to you, would she?”
“Of course not!” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Fluttershy, may I ask you a favor?”
“Anything.”
“If Gilda does let me help her with her colt, I’m going to go crazy. I've never done anything like this before, so you think you could help me from going over the deep end?”
Fluttershy smiled. “Of course.”
"Thank's Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash blasted off into the air.
There was still one place she had to visit: Sweet Apple Acres. If there was anypony she could talk to about raising others, it would have to be Applejack. Setting a new personal best for getting to Sweet Apple Acres from the library, she flew up to AJ’s window. It was a bit weird peeking in on her friend while she slept, but this was important. Looking around, she saw her friend fast asleep, her body curved somewhat to allow room for her dog Winona to sleep with her. This was almost too easy.
Tapping a hoof against the glass, Winona bolted upright and growled loudly enough to wake her master. Rising from her bed, the farm mare groggily looked around. Rainbow watched as she stumbled around her room for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. Once Applejack saw her friend in the window, Rainbow gave a sheepish smile and a casual wave. Grabbing her Stetson, she opened the window to greet her friend.
“Rainbow?” She whispered, sitting on the edge of her bed. “Ya do now what time it is, right?”
The cyan mare rubbed the back of her head. “Yea, I’m sorry, this just couldn’t wait.” Applejack pointed to the other side of her bed. Taking a seat, Rainbow Dash sighed. “Applejack, how do take care of Apple Bloom so well?”
Dash heard her sigh. She knew that AJ’s family history was very sensitive, but she didn’t need to know anything about that. All she needed was how she could work so hard throughout the day, and still have time to take care of her little sister. “Please Applejack . . .” Dash’s voice waivered. “Ponies have told me to picturing success is the first step towards achieving it, but I can’t do that.” Her eyes shifted to the floor. “I’m so afraid that I would end up making things worse!”
Appplejack gave her a hug. “Don’t ya worry about that Sugarcube,” Applejack rubbed her hoof across her friend’s back. “Nothin’ ah can say can prepare ya for it, and absolutely nothin’ to fear about a few things going wrong.” Rainbow Dash slumped slightly. This definitely wasn't what she was expecting to here. “The only thing you need to fear is that absolutely everything goes wrong all at once causing all of Equestria to explode.”
Rainbow Dash jumped to her hooves. “That can happen?!”
Applejack chuckled. “No! Ah’m just pullin’ yer tail.” Dash sighed. She couldn’t help but chuckle a little at her own stupidity. “Listen Rainbow, it’s important that ya know not to push a foal too hard. Like trainin yer muscles. Ya know how ya want them ta be, but it won’t get that way all at once.” The Pegasus nodded slowly, thinking about it. “Each foal is different. Just because ah can make a workout routine for ya, doesn’t mean that same routine will work fer Fluttershy.”
Rainbow Dash smiled. Despite her answer though, there was just one other thing she had to ask . . . “Applejack?” The farm mare’s ears flicked. “How do you do it?”
“Where ya really not listenin’ to a thing ah just said? You really don’t pay much attention to stuff-”
Rainbow Dash shook her head. Looking directly at her emerald green eyes, she reiterated her question. “How can you stay so strong for so long?”
Applejack couldn’t meet her eyes. The usual façade of strength that usually greeted the Pegasus faltered. Now all that sat before her was a lost and confused mare. Without waiting for a response, the Pegasus gripped the farm mare in a powerful hug. Rainbow Dash felt her friends’ breathe hitch against her neck. Before long, the cyan mare felt a wet tear melt into her fur, and seconds later, was helping muffle the sounds of sobs that escaped into the night sky.
Rainbow Dash found herself laying on a stray cloud. Overlooking all of Ponyville, leaving the previous hours buzzed through her mind, she absolutely hated to admit that Applejack was the true Iron Pony or anything, but raising a foal appeared to be a hay of a challenge. Was she really up for it? The Pegasus was getting ahead of herself. She had no idea how much help Gilda and her husband would need, but she was eager to help them in any way she could. With her eyes glued on the entrance of Ponyville, she eagerly awaited the arrival of her foalhood friend.
Author's Note
One thing you should learn about me is that I am absolutely terrible with tagging my stories (I'm not even sure if this would be considered a Slice of Life story 
), so please, if you think that the story should be tagged differently or that something should be added, let me know in the comments!
