The long song of a thousand years. Most know it, and most do not. In any case, that is what is known as my soul song. That is, at least from what my parents told me when I was little. Who am I you may ask? My name is Rainboom. I know that might sound strange to some, and believe me, I've thought a couple times. I've always wondered as to why was named after something so strange sounding. That is.....until I experienced one. That my friend, is a long story. But a story, you will soon know.....
I mentioned my soul song being somewhat........unique. I believe my parents thought this as mine, because that song played on the day that I was born. One quiet little village, known to the ponies of Equestria as Hollow Shades. It is a small town over the Foal mountains.
In this small town, the light of Celestia's golden sun shines through the general hospital. In this hospital, a couple sits behind closed doors. A young purple unicorn mare lying in bed, and blue pegasus stallion standing beside her. In her forelegs, she held a newborn foal, sleeping peacefully. The purple mare sighed longingly.
"Isn't he beautiful Astral?" she asked.
"He's very beautiful, Nighty. Almost as beautiful as you." her husband replied.
"He's got your eyes"
"Well he's got your mane color." They both looked longingly into each other's eyes. Another chapter in their lives was about to unfold, and their futures seemed to finally be looking up. Suddenly, a unicorn doctor bursts through the narrow door.
"Ah, Astral Thunder and Starry Night. I'm sorry to disturb you," he said.
"Don't be," replied Astral, a smile on his face, "I'm too happy to care."
"Just be lucky you didn't have to give birth to this foal darling," retorted Starry Night, with a slight snort. Her husband knew this all to well. As if on cue, the small foal slowly opened his eyes.
"Hey there sleepy head," said Starry Night, smiling brightly and widely at this little foal.
"Anyways," said the doctor, levitating a clipboard, "I hate to trouble you, but our records are going to need a name for the paperwork. Have you two thought of one for him?" The couple looked to each other and nodded. They knew exactly what to name him.
"Yes doc, we have," said Astral. He looked at his wife, and she slowly nodded his head. He nodded back, and resumed his gaze with the doctor, "His name will be.......Rainboom."
"Rainboom?" asked the doctor quizzically, "What's a Rainboom?"
"Yes," said Starry Night, "We were sitting in a field one day while I was pregnant. We saw what looked like a sonic boom, and a rainbow happening at the same time. It was so beautiful.........almost like a beacon of hope. So........we decided to name him Rainboom, to always remind our son that he's our hope for a better life......a better future."
"My word," said the doctor, a small tear forming in his eye, "What a beautiful story. All right then, Rainboom it is." He then levitated his pen over and wrote it down on one of the papers on his clipboard.
"Rainboom is a beautiful name for him," said Starry Night in a longing manner, "Rainboom." The little foal reached his little hooves out of the blanket he was wrapped in, and reached for his mother. He was giggling happily, and smiling brightly, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Hey," said Astral, "He knows his name already. And I think he likes it." The foal didn't do anything but giggle, and kept his little legs in the air. Suddenly, the blanket fell off of him and reveled a tiny green, earth pony body.
"Huh? He's an earth pony," said Astral, "Neither my wings or your magic."
"We'll still love him all the same," said Starry Night, "He's our baby, and deserves love." Astral looked to his wife, then to the little foal, sitting in his mother's forelegs with a big smile on his little face.
"You're right dear," he said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
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"But mommy, daddy! Noo!!! Please don't go!" the little child called, clinging to the forelegs of his mother.
"I'm sorry Rainy," said Starry Night, "But mommy and daddy are going out tonight. Ever since you were born, most of our time has been focused on you. Now mommy and daddy need some time to focus on ourselves." Rainboom said nothing; he just lowered his head.
"Hey, look at me," said his mother. Rainboom did as requested. "Daddy and I will be back okay? We would never leave you forever." Rainboom didn't say anything, merely nodded his head. "Astral! Come in here and say goodbye to your son!" Soon, the blue pegasus came into the room, wearing a black bow tie and a very strong fragrance.
"I'm coming honey," he said, "Just had to find a way to get this damn bow tie on." Starry Night just stared at her husband, whiffing the smell coming off of him.
"Darling," she said, smiling with half lidded eyes, "You put on your Wrangler?"
"Yep, never go out in public without spritzing it," he replied.
"Anyways, come say goodbye to your son." Astral walked over to the little green foal, and picked him up. He then pulled him into a tight hug.
"Goodbye Rainy," he said, "I love you." Rainboom hugged his father back, a few tears streaming down his little face.
"I love you too daddy," Rainboom said between sobs. Astral then put him down. Starry Night then came over to him and hugged him, resulting in a little colt clinging to his mother again. "I love you mommy!"
"I love you too Rainy," she replied. The colt was then removed from her dress and placed him down.
"You will be back won't you?" asked Rainboom.
"Yes honey," replied his mother, "We will be back. I promise. But we're not leaving you alone at the age of 5." Suddenly, there came a ring from the doorbell.
"And there she is," said Astral.
"Who?" asked Rainboom.
"Your foal sitter," said Starry Night. She opened the door to reveal a pink alicorn pony with lavender eyes, yellow lavender and pink shaded hair in a pony tail, and a crystal heart cutie mark.
"Ah, Cadence," said Starry Night, "So nice to see you again. Please come in."
"Thank you," replied Cadence, stepping into the room, "It's nice to see you too Ms. Night. I came as soon as possible. Wow, you guys have a lovely home! Now, where is the little guy?" Astral scooped up Rainboom and carried him over to Cadence.
"Here he is," replied Astral.
"Aww! Aren't you a cutie!" exclaimed Cadence, picking him up and pulling him into a hug, "You're so cute I could squeeze you to death!" She lightly giggled before setting him down, "I'll gladly look after him for you two. He's in good hooves."
"Glad to hear it," said Astral, "Ya hear that son; you've got a new friend." Rainboom didn't know how to feel. But......he managed a small smile.
"Rainy, I think Cadence would like to see your toys," said Starry Night, "Why don't you show her."
"Oh yeah," said Cadence, "That would be nice." She winked at Starry Night, mouthing the words 'I'll take very good care of him'. Astral took his wife by the hoof and the two walked out the door. It then closed behind them with an audible slam. A short silence plagued the room.
Soon, Cadence spoke up again, "So, your mommy says you have cool new toys huh?" She smiled at him. Rainboom did nothing but shyly back away while his head was turned a different direction, rubbing one of his forelegs.
"Y-y-yeah......I do...." he managed to utter, unsure of what he was supposed to say with a new pony in the house, whom he had never met before.
"Well why don't you show me?" she asked, "I won't break any, I promise." He blushed lightly, and started walking off towards the back rooms of the house. There appeared to be a cluster of doors, scattered about the hall. Two however, were on the left side. The first door, Rainboom opened. Inside was a a large box shaped like a treasure chest, that had the word 'toys' ascribed on the front in rainbow lettering. There were also shelves that holstered a variety of delicate models from trains to boats and air crafts.
"Wowza," said Cadence, "You have quite a lot of toys in here."
"They're not all mine......" Rainboom replied shyly, "Those ones on the shelves are daddy's. We're not allowed to touch them without him here."
"Ah, I see," she responded, nodding her head slightly, "So your daddy plays trains with you, does he?"
"Sometimes......when he's not busy with working.......which he must do a lot, since he's not at home a lot." Hmm, said said Cadence to herself, Must be why they're having this date night then.
Rainboom walked over to the toy chest, and started digging through the massive sea of toys that lay inside. He eventually pulled out a small blue train and a smaller green train. They also appeared to have their own wagons attached to them as well, "These ones are mine. Daddy says they're better for me, cause they can go anywhere and don't need tracks." He looks at them, then back at Cadence, before pushing the green train along the ground to her. It stops when it hits her hooves, "I only gots two but, you can have this one." He smiled brightly at her.
-3 hour later-
The lovely couple re-entered their home late that night, Starry Night being carried on Astral's back. "Starry?" said Astral, in a somewhat seductive tone, "Starry, wake up! We're home now~" Starry Night opened her eyes.
"I don't wanna get up.......five more minutes......" she replied teasingly.
"Well we have to check on our son," said Astral.
"Alright, alright. I'm awake." She hopped down, and the two walked down the hall, and turned the corner into the living room. Cadence was there, on the couch, reading a small novel. She looked up to see them.
"Ah, you're back!" she said, "Hope you two had a fun time."
"We did," replied Starry Night, "The meal was amazing! Thank you for recommending it by the way."
"No problem," Cadence replied
"How's my boy?" asked Astral, "Did he do anything bad for you?"
"Oh, no no!! He wasn't any trouble at all. . He was a little shy at first, but soon warmed up to me. We had so much fun, and I made sure he ate a healthy dinner. But I tired him out, so I tucked him in, and now he's asleep. I must say, you've raised a wonderful colt."
"Why thank you," said Starry Night.
"Now," interjected Astral, "I do believe you'll be wanting your pay." He reached into his jacket to grab his wallet.
"Oh no, that's all right," said Cadence, "I can come back at the end of the week to pick it up."
"Oh....okay then." Astral looked to his wife, and she looked back at him. After a few moments, he turned back to Cadence, "Wait, so you're becoming our go-to foal sitter?"
"Hmm...........I'll have to think about it," said Cadence, "But I can definitively do this week. I would like to help you both though with him, if Aunt Celestia can help me cover the train fair."
"Excellent," said Starry Night, "We look forward to hearing from you." Cadence smiled, and gathered her belongings. She said her goodbyes and headed out the door.
Astral and Starry then headed towards the room of their son. Astral's hoof slowly turned the door nob and the door opening with a slight creak. The room was very dark, but Luna's moon out the window helped to brighten it up a little. The bed sheets were neatly tucked around the little colt, who was laying peacefully in his bed.
"Awe, he's sleeping," said his mother, "Let's not wake him up." All of a sudden, there came a slight yawn, and the little colt turning over to the other side of the bed in his sleep. Little hooves made their way up to his little eyes, and started to rub them. The eyeballs soon slowly opened up.
"Mommy......Daddy?"
"Hey sport," said Astral, "Sorry we woke you up."
"It's alright," Rainboom responded, still a little sleepy. The two adult ponies soon walked over to the bed where he was in, each on a side.
"Did you enjoy your time with Cadence honey?" asked his mother.
"Yes mommy, I did. But um.........mommy? Daddy?"
"What is it son?" asked his father.
"Are you guys going away tomorrow night?'
"Why son," asked Starry Night, "What is it?"
"I was wondering........can I play with Cadence tomorrow?"
"Come on Rainboom, you said you could catch me."
"I'm trying Cadence, I'm trying! But I'm not as fast as you, my legs are half the size."
Rainboom and Cadence were playing a game of tag in the backyard of the house. She now would come over every other week to foal-sit him. The two had become really close ever since Cadence started watching Rainboom, and it has been almost three years since that day. They both enjoyed each other's company in a great respect. However, there were times when the young colt would fall into a state of depression. Cadence would always be there to help pull him out of it, and to be there as a shoulder to cry on. As of now, they just wanted to have fun.
The young colt tried desperately to catch up to the pink alicorn. However, despite his best efforts, he fell over flat on his face, straight into the grass.
"Ouch!" cried Rainboom, "That hurt!" He slowly stood up, and lifted his head to see the pink alicorn staring back at him. She ran over to him, to inspect for injuries.
"Are you okay Rainboom?" she asked.
"No," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. He began to rub his nose slowly, "I'll never be as fast as you" His little head slowly went down.
"Hey buddy," she said, putting a hoof on his shoulder, "You're getting there."
"Cadence? How did you get to be so fast?"
"Well, I just run a lot, and exercise." The young colt looked at her puzzled.
"That's all?" he asked, "That's all you have to do?"
"Well yeah. You know what they say, practice makes perfect."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," replied the little colt, but hung his head low, "It's no use though. I'll never be as good now or ever."
"Hey, you listen to me right now..." the pink alicorn rested a hoof upon his shoulder, "Don't you ever say that again. You don't know where your life is gonna take you. Just because you haven't found what you're good at yet, doesn't mean you aren't good at anything. You said those other's in school were picking on you right? Well they're wrong about you; you are special Rainboom. You have two loving parents who tell you how much they love you every day; you have a big house with a roof over your head; your mommy makes you yummy food for you to eat; and you have me to look after you and play with you and be your friend. You are a great young colt, soon to grow into the perfect stallion. Any mare.....er, anypony would be lucky to have a friend like you."
The little green colt stared back at Cadence, tears forming on the crest of his eyelids. He then ran right to her and embraced her in a tear-filled hug."Thank you Cadence," he said through sobs, "No pony's ever said that about me before. Mommy and Daddy call me special, but they don't spend as much with me anymore, as you and I do."
"You're welcome little buddy," said Cadence, hugging him back, "You're my little buddy now, and always will."
"Cadence?"
"Yes?" she asked him.
The little colt looked down, and then to both his left and right. Then he smiled widely, as he looked up at her, hugging her foreleg tightly, "I love you Cadence! You're my best friend!"
Cadence nearly fell down in surprise. This little colt had just said this about her. She then smiled, bending her head down and kissing his cheek. This instantly caused his face to heat up, and for him to blush heavily.
"I love you too, my little Rainboom. And you're my best friend too." She smiled brightly at him, with her eyes slightly lidded.
"Cadence?"
"Yes? My little buddy?"
"Promise me something...."
"What is it?"
"Promise me.....we'll always be friends? No matter how far away we are from each other, or how old we get?"
Cadence stared back at him with a tilted head, for what seemed like an eternity. At last, she answered, "Of course Rainboom, I promise." Soon, the two separated from their hug and went back to playing. After about a good hour or so, the sun began to set. This signaled that it was time to go inside.
"Come on Rainboom," said Cadence, "It's getting dark out, so we have to go inside."
"Alright, I'm coming!" called the little colt. He hurried to catch up to the pink alicorn. Soon, the two headed inside.
"Almost dinner time little guy," said Cadence, "What'cha hungry for?"
"Oh, just some salad from last night," replied Rainboom, "I'm not too hungry."
"Alright then." So Cadence headed off into the kitchen to prepare for dinner. Within the fridge, she found a bowl of salad still left from the night before. Moments later, it was out and on a serving platter.
"Rainboom!" she called, "It's ready!"
"I'll be right there!" the little colt replied. He rushed out into the room with a little brown teddy bear ridding on his back.
"So, Mr. Fuzzy wants to join tonight?"
"Actually," replied Rainboom, "I...." He looked down at the bear, clasped tightly in his hooves. He then slowly released his grip slightly, and hoisted it up to her, "I want you to have him."
"What!?" Cadence was quite taken aback by what he was offering her, "But Rainboom...he's your bear...that's your favorite bear."
"I know.....but....I want you to have him. Please Cadence. Take him." Cadence hesitated, but soon, slowly lowered her hooves to the bear, and took it in her forelegs.
"Thank you Rainboom," she said, "and.....I promise I'll take good care of him."
"No, thank you Cadence, for being here for me."
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Within the hour, the two had finished their meal. Cadence cleared the table of their dishes and proceeded to put them in the sink.
"Rainboom," said Cadence, "Why don't you go play with your toys while I clean up. Then when I'm done, we can play a board game."
"Okay!" cried the excited little colt. Rainboom loved it when Cadence babysat for him, for obvious reasons. Who wouldn't want her as their foal-sitter. She was so sweet, kind, and gentle; she was also very smart, caring, and always had a plethora of humor. But the most important thing, she was always able to cheer him up, even when he was feeling down.
Little Rainboom had rushed over to his room and had closed the door. He was so excited to get the chance to play. But he was rather upset that Cadence wouldn't be playing with him, at least not yet. However, he knew she had work to do, and instead began to find things to make him happy. He reached under his bed, and pulled out a rather large box. He opened the lid, and revealed a big red train set. His parents got it for him the previous year for his birthday, and he instantly grew to appreciate it; not only for the fact that it was a train toy, but that it was only sold for that year, which made it an extremely rare toy. As such, he took measures to make sure it was in good condition.
After getting the little track set up, the put the red train on the toy rails. Along with this train, the set came with a rare pair of dull orange passenger cars. With such care, he placed them behind the train and hooked them up. Then, began to push the little train around the track. To any pony, this would seem weird, for a young colt to be playing with this toy by himself. Little Rainboom however, enjoyed this type of playtime immensely. This of course, was short lived.
"Rainboom!" came the call. He knew that voice.
"Coming Cadence!" He replied, and set the train down. Then came out of his room to where she was standing in the kitchen, putting the last few dishes away, "What is it?"
She looked at the cupboard doors, before sighing and turning her attention to him, "Rainy........I know you and I are best friends, and I always love your company........but don't you ever feel.......bored or lonely sometimes, when it's just me and you?"
Rainboom was slightly startled, but mostly confused, by the question, "W-well........not really. I love spending time with you Cadence, and you always make me happy." He smiles at her, but a drop of sweat ran down his forehead.
"Right," she said, smiling back at him, "But you do know that I can't be around forever right? You'll eventually grow up and be off to do things on your own." Upon hearing this, his small head tilted downwards, and his face formed a frown.
"Buuuuttt," she interjects, "I'm not trying to say that I won't always be your friend. No matter what I'll always be your friend, and I promised you that. But what I am saying, is that I'm not always around to babysit for you. So......I'm trying to say.....how about I try to help you make new friends?"
He then raises his head. While his expression wasn't of sadness anymore, it had transformed to one of confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"You're not the only little foal I sit for," she said, "I live in Canterlot, and have to ride the train to get here. But where I live, there is one little filly I sit for who is like you."
"Really?" he asked, "I have a hard time believe that.........not to sound mean or anything of course! But um........what's she like?"
"Well, she's shy, very smart. Practically at the top of her classes! But she's also very sweet and nice, and likes to have fun. I'm sure you could get along with her if......I dunno, I bring her here with me next time I have to sit for her, and for you."
"Wait, you have to sit for me and her on the same days sometimes?"
"Of course! She's mainly in the afternoons. You are usually in the evenings," Cadence replied. After hearing this, Rainboom nodded, as it did indeed seem to make sense.
"So what do ya say buddy?" she said, "Want me to make you a new friend?" Rainboom looked into her magenta colored eyes. He had, to him what seemed like, a rather important decision to make.
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Another month seems to fly by, and Rainboom is waiting at the train station with his parents for Cadence. The two adults were taking the train to the Baltimare, for their anniversary. They had agreed to have Cadence bring this filly with her when she was to foal-sit for Rainboom. They had trusted her so well with their son that they, in essence, didn't mind what they did together.
At last, a large pink locomotive pulled into the station with several large passenger cars. The doors opened, and ponies swarmed onto the platform. From the fifth car from the engine, stepped out Cadence, with a small filly in tow. This particular filly, I should mention, was purple in color with matching eyes. Her hair was also purple, but a lot darker, with a pink strip running through her little bangs, as well as her matching tail. Rainboom was taken aback at seeing her. She was not what he was expecting, and looked rather cute, at least in his eyes. These eyes in question, were widened in her presence, and didn't seem to stray from her.
Cadence walked herself and this little filly up to the three whom were on the platform, "Ah, Mr. and Ms. Night-Thunder. Thank you so much for helping me arrange this. You have no idea how much convincing had to take place for her parents to willingly allow her to come with me today. As you can see, they came 'round to the idea."
"It's no problem Cadenza," replied Astral Thunder, "It'll be good for the two to socialize with each other."
"Ahem," spluttered Starry Night, "Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend, Cadence?"
"Oh yes," said Cadence, "Starry Night, Astral Thunder, meet Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, This is Astral Thunder, and Starry Night. The mother and father of this handsome colt, Rainboom." She points to him for her, and giggles. This in turn causes Rainboom to blush brightly, before forming a 'pouty' face, and looking at the ground with his forelegs scuffing it. Twilight meanwhile says nothing. She just clings to Cadence, and hides behind her foreleg
"Sorry about this," said Cadence to the parents, "She's shy around new ponies. But she's quite friendly really."
"I see," said Astral, "Well, have fun buddy." The two parents hugged him, before they boarded the train. It backs up slightly, before being switched to another track, and going around a loop line, before passing the station again. It whistled loudly as it does so. Rainboom and Cadence wave at the train, until it's out of sight.
"So," said Cadence, "Twilight, this is Rainboom. Rainboom, Twilight."
"N-nice to m-meet you," Rainboom stuttered, but smiling, "Cadence has t-told me you l-like books."
Twilight came out from behind Cadence, and looked at him for a couple seconds; but then, she looked away again. "Um......is something wrong?" Rainboom asked.
"It's nothing with you Rainboom," replied Cadence, "She's just not used to this place, or to meeting new ponies."
"Oh......well, that's okay. Can we get home now....please?"
"Of course Rainboom," said Cadence, "Come on Twilight." She then slings the little filly on her back. She then proceeded to walk off the platform, and onto the dirt path towards the town.
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"We're home!" young Rainboom cried in excitement, speeding through the doorway. Cadence smiled warmly, before helping Twilight inside, and closing the door behind them.
"Alright my little ponies," Cadence announced, in a soothing and somewhat pleasing timbre, "It's only a couple hours until lunch time. So, why don't we all go play?" She smiles brightly, "Twilight, I'm sure Rainboom wants to show you his toys." Twilight didn't say anything in return, simply turning her head to the side.
"What's the matter?" asked Rainboom, slowly approaching her, "You've been very quiet since you've gotten here." Twilight looked up at him for a brief moment, and then back down to her hooves. In response to this, Rainboom simply shrugged and walked off towards his personal playroom. Cadence walked up along side Twilight, lowering her head to make eye contact with the little filly.
"Twilight," said Cadence, "You don't seem like yourself. Where's the bouncy little filly I watch all the time?" Twilight still remained silent, her hoof rubbing against her foreleg. Cadence sighed, "I know you're nervous Twilight," she said, "But you do know you can't be in your room all the time reading? I admit, this might have been a stretch going all the way out here. However, it's not that bad. I know this young colt, and he's really nice. He also needs to make some new friends too," This appeared to peak at the little filly's interest, as her head slightly lifted up to look at Cadence, "Besides me and his parents....he doesn't have anypony really. From what he's told me, others his age always tease him for being different."
Twilight listened to what Cadence told her. "Just...like me?" she asked innocently. Cadence appeared quite startled by the question.
"Well um.........I suppose in a way, yes. I know you've said other fillies say you're weird for liking to read books. So.....maybe you and Rainboom could hit it off. You think you can give it a chance?"
Twilight looked at her hooves for a moment, and then back up to Cadence before taking a light sigh to herself. After giving a gentle nod to Cadence, she turned around and began to walk off towards the room that little Rainboom had wandered into.
Author's Note
Thank you all so much for being patient and waiting for this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long, but I promise I will try to write more often. I have recently managed to have spare time in college, so I may be on more often to write. Thank you all so much for reading; and if you have any hopes for future chapters please feel free to leave them down in the comments below or feel free to pm me at any time. Apart from that, as some of you might notice, this chapter has been rewritten. I feel as though now it adds a little big more interesting depth to my character's background. What do you think? Thank you so much for being so patient and I will see you all in the future. Bye for now!
