A Dash of Love Soared Through the Skies

A Dash of Love Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter 14: Vacation

After a long, and rather uncomfortable plane ride, Soarin, Dash, Sandstorm, and Stronghold all made their way out of the plane, taking in the warm weather with a smile.

"Ahh... Feels good, doesn't it, kids?" Soarin said, looking over to where Sandstorm and Stronghold were. They nodded.

"Yeah! This place is great!" Stronghold said, jumping onto his father's back. Soarin chuckled, and looked over to where his wife was standing.

Rainbow Dash had her head down, and wasn't really paying attention to anything that was going on around her. Soarin gave her a worried look, and trotted besides her.

"You okay, Dashie?" he asked. Dash snapped up, and stared at her husband. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and nodded, looking to where the kids were.

"Yeah. I'm fine," she said. Soarin raised his eyebrow, but decided not to investigate further. He knew was it was like when you got on Rainbow Dash's nerves. He had been married to her for eight years now!

"Um... Alright then, but if you need anything, let me know," he said. Dash smiled, and nodded, trotting up besides her children.

"So! Here's the plan. We're going to stick with all our previous airport rules just like back home. But just in a new airport this time. If you see anypony you think might look familiar, I want you to ignore them. Understand?" she asked them sternly. Sandstorm and Stronghold hung their heads, and nodded.

"Okay, Mommy, we won't go running off like that again," Sandstorm said. Dash gave her a nod of approval, and took to the air, spinning around, to take in her surroundings.

"If we want to make it to immigration without standing through a super long line, we should really get going," she said, starting to pick up speed. Soarin nodded.

"Yeah, guys. We should go now," Soarin said, flying up besides his wife, and beckoning for the kids to come up as well. Sandstorm and Stronghold both shrugged, and flew up, until the four of them were side by side, flying through the airport.

"Ace. You know something," Firefly said to her daughter in-law, as they separated themselves from the group. "... who were those foals?" she finished. Ace sighed, and beckoned for her husband to come over.

Spectrum noticed his wife's gesture, and gave Crystal Rain to Blaze. "Take care of her. I need to go see what Ace wants," he said, before making his way to where his wife and mother were. "What is it, Sparky?"

"Spec... When me and Mom left for coffee... Something happened," Ace started. Spectrum raised an eyebrow, and gestured for her to continue.

"What happened?" he asked. Ace glanced over to Firefly.

Slowly, she explained everything that happened. From when Sandstorm and Stronghold made their appearance, to when Dash left them with Soarin and the kids. Spectrum's jaw dropped, and he turned to his mother.

"You... saw all of that?" he asked cautiously. Firefly nodded.

"Yeah... and I'd greatly appreciate it if one of you were to tell me how you know all of this stuff. You know, with Rainbow Dash and Soarin," she said impatiently, tapping her hoof on the ground.

"Alright... here goes nothing. About seven and a half years ago, we discovered that when Rainbow Dash and Soarin eloped, they came to the Crystal Empire," Ace started. Firefly gasped.

"What? And you never bothered to tell us?" she asked. Ace and Spectrum shrugged.

"Sorry... Rainbow and Soarin made us promise," Spectrum said, before continuing with the story. "Anyway. When we first had our encounter, Dash was about five months pregnant. She and Soarin were actually heading over to the hospital to find out the gender of the baby that same day."

"Wait a minute... I have more grandchildren?" Firefly interrupted. Ace nodded.

"Yeah. You have another grandfilly, and a grandcolt. Anyway, Dash tried to hide from us, but she wasn't able to. So we all went to the hospital together, and Dash and Soarin found out they're having twins! Which was awesome!" she said.

"Wow..." Firefly mumbled under her breath. Spectrum then cleared his throat.

"A few months later, Rainbow Dash finally had her foals. A filly, Rainbow Sandstorm, and a colt, Stronghold Skies. They lived in peace for the next seven years. And now, we're here. That's really all we know," he said. Firefly thought about this, and sighed, closing her eyes.

"I still can't believe they were right in front of me the whole time..." she said. Ace and Spectrum glanced at each other, and nodded.

"Hey, Mom? Have you seen my journal anywhere?" Crystal Rain asked, coming up to the trio. Ace and Spectrum's heads snapped up, and they turned to their eight year old daughter.

"Oh! Um... I think it was in your grandfather's suitcase," she said. Crystal raised an eyebrow, but shrugged, and went back to where Blaze was. After she was gone, Firefly turned to Ace and Spectrum once again.

"I still can't believe this. Dashie ran away, married Soarin, and then had foals?" she exclaimed. Ace and Spectrum simply nodded. Firefly shook her head... "And I saw Soarin entering the plane for the Hawaii flight... Meaning they're going to be here on vacation with us.. oh dear... what if Blaze sees them?" she mumbled.

"We'll just have to make sure he doesn't then. Who knows what he'll do if he sees Dash with children!" Spectrum said. Ace nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. We'll just have to make sure they don't meet."

"Come on kids! We're going to the beach!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, grabbing a few towels, and gesturing to the front door of their beach house. Sandstorm, Stronghold, and Soarin all came out from their respective rooms.

"Ooh! That sounds fun! Right, kids?" Soarin asked, turning to the two little seven year olds. Sandstorm and Stronghold both nodded.

"Yeah! Let's go! I'll bring the volleyball!" Stronghold said, running out, and returning a few seconds later with a giant beach ball in his hooves. He kicked it over to his sister.

"Last one to the beach is a rotten pile of hay!" Sandstorm cried, running out of the house, Stronghold following shortly after. Dash turned to Soarin with a sly grin.

"They think they can beat the two of us?" she said. Soarin grinned, and spread his wings, bending down slightly.

"Want a lift?" he asked casually. Dash giggled, and climbed onto his back, and they both flew out of the house at an incredible speed.

Sandstorm and Stronghold glanced up, just in time to see their parents flying over them. Dash looked down at them, and stuck her tongue out childishly.

"Look who's a rotten pile o' hay now!" she teased playfully. Soarin chuckled, and nodded, as the two overtook their kids. Sandy and Strong looked to each other, and grinned.

"Let's go!" Sandstorm cried, pushing herself off the ground, and into the air. The two foals slowly caught up to their parents, mostly because Dash's weight was slowly Soarin down a little. But he didn't mind.

The family arrived at the beach in a fit of giggles, splashing their way into the ocean. Dash and Soarin started roughhousing in the water, and Sandstorm and Stronghold lept into their arms.

They were having loads of fun, and they didn't want anything to ruin this moment.

Too bad a certain other pegasus stallion existed.

"Oh come on, Blazey! It'll be fun!" Firefly insisted. Blaze roughly shook his head.

"Sorry, Fire. But I'm not coming to the beach..." he said. Firefly frowned.

"Please? Do it for me?" she begged, pouting her bottom lip out. Blaze looked at her with a glare, before sighing in defeat.

"Oh alright. But just for a few hours," he said, turning to Spectrum and Ace. "Are you three coming?"

"Oh yes. We wouldn't miss it!" Ace said, picking up Crystal Rain, and putting her onto her back. "We can collect seashells! Right, Cryssie?"

"Yeah! That'll be fun!" Crystal Rain said happily, as her mother carried her out of the beach house, and onto the grainy sand.

Blaze and Firefly followed Spectrum, Ace, and Crystal as they made their way to the beach, Firefly glancing up at Blaze every now and then.

She still couldn't believe it.

Her daughter... after running away, got married? And had foals to top it off? She just didn't know what to say... but she was pretty sure what her husband would say if he found out.

"Stronghold! Pass it to me!" Soarin said, calling to his son with his hooves flared into the air. The baby blue colt threw the volleyball up, and lightly bounced it over to his father. Soarin jumped up, and smacked it high, making it bonk Rainbow Dash right in the nose.

"Oh! Sorry, Dashie!" Soarin called to her, as Dash stumbled backwards, sending the ball flying off into the distance. Soarin flew up, and went after it, while Sandstorm and Stronghold ran up to their mother.

Rainbow Dash stepped backwards after the impact of the ball hit her.

It didn't hurt, just caught her by surprise.

She felt a body up against her back, as she and another pony collided. Dash winced, and quickly turned around, stammering an apology.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so-" she started, before noticing who she collided with. She instantly gasped, and took a few steps back, her eyes wide as she saw a periwinkle coat.

"Blaze! Crystal Rain is-" a pink pegasus mare said, flying into view. Firefly's wings instantly snapped to her side, and she fell on all fours to the ground, once she saw Dash and Blaze looking at each other. Her eyes dilated, as she glanced back and forth between the two ponies.

Rainbow Blaze stared into the magenta eyes of his long lost daughter, as she stared right back into his. He mumbled a few inaudible words, as he stepped back.

Rainbow Dash felt a little tug on her tail, as she whipped around to see Rainbow Sandstorm and Stronghold Skies behind her, looking at her with a confused glare.

"Mommy? Do you know these ponies?" Stronghold asked, walking into view of Firefly and Blaze. Sandstorm followed him, and trotted besides him. Rainbow Dash bit her lip, and she turned back to her parents.

Slowly, she closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, glancing down at her son.

"Stronghold Skies. Go find your father. Bring him here. Rainbow Sandstorm, stay with me," she said firmly. Sandstorm and Stronghold's eyes widened. Their mother only ever used their full name when she meant business.

"Uh... okay, Mommy. I'll be right back," Stronghold said, spreading his wings, and taking to the sky. Sandstorm stepped up, and looked over to Dash.

Firefly flew up besides Blaze, as she stared upon her fully grown daughter, Blaze doing the same.

There was a swish of wind behind Dash, as Soarin landed, placing Stronghold besides his sister, and trotting up to her.

"I came as quickly as I could! What's wro-" he started to say, before he saw Dash looking at something. He followed her gaze, and gasped as he saw Rainbow Blaze and Firefly.

"S-S-S-Sir..." he stammered lightly, looking into the eyes of Blaze, and patting his hooves on the sand.

The two families just stared at each other, not daring to believe what was in front of them.

Art By: ME

Blaze suddenly glared at Dash and Soarin, completely ignoring the foals besides them. He stepped up to Soarin with a hard expression.

Dash's eyes widened, as she grabbed Sandstorm and Stronghold, and pushed them away. Then, she slowly backed away herself, as Blaze grew nearer.

Rainbow Blaze raised a hoof, and pounded it tightly. Soarin gasped, as he realized what was about to happen.

"Soarin! Get away! Quickly!" Dash said, but just mere seconds too late.

Blaze's hoof made contact with Soarin's cheek, as a loud SLAP was heard around them, causing Ace and Spectrum to look over, gasping at the sight.

Art By: Rainbows-In-Reality

"ARGH!" Soarin yelled, clutching his cheek. Dash put her hoof to her mouth, gasping in shock. Blaze rubbed his hoof on his other foreleg.

"RAINBOW BLAZE!" Firefly yelled to her husband, marching over to him, and spinning him around. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" she kept yelling.

Rainbow Dash ran over to Soarin, as he fell onto his knees. She ran a hoof over the light bruise that was starting to form, as a few tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Soarin glanced up at her, and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"Dashie... please don't do anything you'll regret," he said, glancing over to Blaze. Dash looked at him, before her expression turned into a ferocious glare. She whipped around to face the periwinkle stallion quickly, and stomped up to him.

"DAD!" she yelled. "THIS IS HOW YOU START? YOU'VE JUST SEEN ME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS, AND THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS SLAP MY HUSBAND?"

"Husband?"

"WHAT YOU GONNA DO NEXT, HUH? BEAT UP MY CHILDREN?"

"Children?"

"OH! I KNOW! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL US ALL, AREN'T YOU! AS A FAMILY! Yeah! Go on! KILL US!" she yelled, putting her hooves up, and heading over to Sandstorm and Stronghold.

"Mommy... this is Rainbow Blaze? The one you wrote in your diary about?" Sandstorm asked. Dash closed her eyes, and fell to her knees, sobbing into her hooves. Sandstorm and Stronghold gasped, and went up to their mother. Soarin looked at his wife, and turned to Blaze with a harsh glare.

"Well? Are you happy now?" he asked in a strangely calm voice. Blaze's eyes widened, as he remembered how his last conversation with Soarin went.

Soarin just kept staring at him.

"I mean, this is what you wanted all along, right? To emotionally stab your daughter?" he continued, pouring salt in the wound. Blaze took a step back, and glared back at the baby blue stallion.

"Do you even have an ounce of brain in that thick skull of yours?" he started. Soarin didn't move. "She left me! Eight years ago, she left me! And it was all. Your. Fault."

"How in Equestria was it my fault?" Soarin asked him, still glaring. Blaze scoffed.

"You took her away from me! You... you fool! She meant everything to me! I tried so hard for her!"

"What did you ever do for her? Ya know, besides trying to kill her coltfriend?"

"I protected her!"

"From what?"

"From idiots like yourse-"

"Stop Dad," a new voice entered. Everypony turned around to see Spectrum Dash walk up to his father. Ace was right behind him. They were both wearing deadly glares.

"What?" Blaze snorted. Spectrum didn't move his position.

"Seven and a half years ago, me and Ace met Rainbow Dash and Soarin. Turns out, they had run away to the Crystal Empire," he started. Blaze's eyes widened, as he glanced over to Soarin and Rainbow Dash, who were busy comforting their scared children.

"When we met, Rainbow Dash was five months pregnant," Ace continued. Blaze backed away from them. "We saw Soarin and Dash go through the ups and downs of pregnancy, childbirth, and raising their very own twins."

Ace and Spectrum continued to tell Blaze the tale of the two ex-Wonderbolts. Blaze didn't believe it.

Sandstorm and Stronghold were scared out of their wits.

After reading Dash and Soarin's diary, they knew what Blaze had done to their father. He had purposely broken his wing, emotionally abused him, and many times, even hardcore physical abuse got mixed in.

"Mommy... what if he tries something again? Stronghold asked nervously. Soarin shook his head.

"He might not be the best influence, but he does love Rainbow Dash and I very much," he said, lying through his teeth. Stronghold looked up to his parents, and gave them reassuring smiles.

"Don't worry, Mommy, Daddy. If Grandpa Blaze tries anything, I'll protect you. Besides, isn't that what my name means? Stronghold?" he said cutely. Rainbow Dash and Soarin looked to one another with small smiles.

"Of course it does, honey. You'll make an excellent military pony, one day," Dash said, kissing her son on his forehead. Stronghold giggled, and nodded.

Ever since he was just a little colt, Stronghold had wanted to join the Equestrian Army. He had pretended he was a knight many times in the house, saving his sister from many pretend foes over the years.

Sandstorm was the next one to speak.

"Will everything be okay?" she asked. Soarin gave her a small smile, and squeezed her hoof.

"Of course it will, Sandy. Your daddy is here. Your daddy will always look out for you. I will always be there for you, my little storm," he cooed, taking the little filly into his hooves.

Sandstorm smiled, and returned her father's loving embrace. Dash put a hoof on Soarin's shoulder, and made him get up.

"What is it, Dashie?" he asked her, his voice wrought with concern. Dash sighed.

"Could I talk to you?" she asked, guiding him over behind the bushes, out of sight from anypony else.

Rainbow Blaze glanced over to his daughter, seeing her drag Soarin away. His eyebrows instantly furrowed, and he started to follow them. Firefly put a hoof on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" she asked him. Blaze turned to her, and frowned.

"That player is getting away with my daughter!" he insisted.

"They're married, and sensing by the kids, they've shared intimacy before," she said. Blaze's eyes widened at the last comment, realizing what it meant.

"Which is exactly why I need to follow them!" he said, pulling himself out of his wife's embrace. Firefly sighed, and then turned to her granddaughter.

"Hello there, I'm your grandma, Firefly," she said, bending down to Sandstorm, who gave her a small smile in return.

"What happened, Dashie?" Soarin said, as Dash led him to a nearby bench. They sat down, and Dash instantly took Soarin's hooves in her own.

"Okay, first thing's first. Are you alright?" she asked him, looking at the light bruise on her husband's cheek. Soarin smiled, and nodded.

"I'm fine, Rainbow. But I'm glad you're concerned," he said. Dash nodded.

"Of course I am... you're my husband!" she exclaimed.

"And you're my wife," he said.

"And no matter what, we'll always be there for each other," they said in unison. Dash looked up in surprise, and gave him a small smile, which he happily returned. They shared a brief embrace, before pulling away. Dash rested her head on his chest, and wrapped her hooves around him.

"What will Sandy and Strong think now? They've seen the rest of their family..." Soarin asked her. Dash closed her eyes.

"I'm not sure... do you think the Empire was a good choice?"

"What?"

"I mean... If we had gone anywhere but the Empire, we wouldn't have met Ace and Spectrum. And I wouldn't have seen Mom at the airport yesterday..." she said. Soarin let go of her, and gave her a confused look.

"Yesterday?" he asked. Dash blushed.

"Oh right. I never told you about that..."

"Care to explain?"

"It's a long story... maybe later," she said. Soarin chuckled.

"Oh alright," he said softly, before leaning in, and pecking her on her lips. She frowned.

"That's it?" she asked. Soarin grinned.

"Hmm..." he mumbled, giving her another kiss, this one longer, and much more passionate.

When they pulled away, Dash snuggled into his chest fur.

"Mmmm... I love you, hubby," she sighed. Soarin ran a hoof through her mane, and smiled.

"I love you too, wifey," he said goofily.