The Derpy I Know And Love Volume 4: And The Children Shall Lead

Scootaloo flew home after her day at work. She worked as a supervisor on one of Rainbow’s Weather Teams. At first the other ponies thought there was a bit of nepotism going on and she got the position because of being Rainbow’s daughter. But it turned out her skill with the weather and not to mention her command of magic, gave her a distinct advantage. Her team now welcomed her leadership, and appreciated her skills.

On entering the cloud house, Scootaloo could smell Pinkie’s cooking. That alone had been worth the adoption. But she really did appreciate the family she now had. Not a day went by that she didn’t think how lucky she was to be the daughter of Rainbow and Pinkie Dash.

“I’m home!” called out Scootaloo.

Pinkie came trotting out of the kitchen. She gave Scoot a hug and a motherly kiss.

“How was my favorite daughter’s day today?” asked the pink pony.

“It was good,” said Scootaloo with a smile. “And I’m your only daughter.”

“Then I guess if you want to look at it like that, then you’d have to be my least favorite daughter,” giggled Pinkie.

“Oh mom!” laughed Scootaloo.

Pinkie hugged Scoot again. It wasn’t only Scootaloo who enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship. Pinkie loved children so much, even the grownup ones. And it didn’t matter Scoot was adopted. She was her daughter and next to her relationship with her wife (and lovers) it was the most important thing in her life.

After the adoption of Scootaloo, Pinkie decided to become a full time ‘house wife’. She enjoyed taking care of Rainbow and Scootaloo and wanted nothing more out of life.

“Go clean up,” said Pinkie, “dinner will be ready soon, we’ll eat when your mother gets home.”

“Clean up?” said Scoot, in (by now) an old joke with Pinkie, “I work all day with clouds full of water.”

“Just do it silly,” said Pinkie giving her daughter a kiss.

Scootaloo trotted off laughing to her room and then to the bathroom. Pinkie went back to the kitchen.

It wasn’t long before Rainbow came through the front door. Her wife and daughter greeted her. It was hard for Rainbow to believe at one time she’d wanted no relationships to tie her down. If she could pull a ‘Twilight’ and go back in time to the past Rainbow, she’d have her past self slap the horse-apples out of herself for being so stupidly closed-minded.

Dinner was fantastic as usual, and the little family sat around after, enjoying one of Pinkie’s cakes and some coffee.

Then Scootaloo suddenly looked uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong Squirt?” asked Rainbow, noticing her daughters look.

“Mom, don’t take this wrong,” said Scoot uncomfortably. “I need to ask something, and I know it may be none of my business, and if so tell me. But Dinky and I were talking and we’re concerned.”

“Concerned?” asked Pinkie.

“Concerned about our parents. No offense, but the four of you’ve been acting a bit goofy, and for some time now. You’ve been having these overnight ‘meetings’ more and more often. We aren’t foals, so we know what's going on.”

Scootaloo paused;

“We want to know why it’s going on for real. We love you all so much. We just want to understand.”

Rainbow and Pinkie looked at each other. They knew that someday they’d have to come clean about the special relationship that they shared with Twilight and Muffins.

“Sweetheart,” said Pinkie, taking Scootaloo’s hoof, “you’re right, there’s ‘something’. And you and Dinky do deserve to know the whole truth. And it may be more than you realize. We need to talk to Twilight and Muffins, and then we promise we’ll tell you and Dinky everything.”

“That’s all I ask, mom.” Said Scootaloo, getting up kissing Rainbow and Pinkie and going back to her room.

That evening, the Dash’s dropped in on the Sparkles. They were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping some delicious wine. As it turned out, Dinky had the same talk with her mothers that day as well.

“We knew this would happen, one day.” Said Twilight, “and as I see it we have two choices. Come clean to our families and end this relationship.”

There were troubled looks all around. Rainbow was looking in Twilight’s eyes; a sad look crossed her face.

“Or?” asked Muffins.

“We come clean about all this to ALL our family and friends, we go public. We continue the relationship and face the consequences.” Said Twilight, there was trepidation in her voice. “For the record, I’m for the second one. But the ponies who need to really make this decision are you, Muffins and Pinkie. Rainbow and I are in a position that’d make us unable to make an unbiased decision.”

“I’m all for the letting everypony know.” Said Pinkie, “but I’m just as involved as the two of you. However, Muffins, you didn’t go through the underworld, you didn’t experience the feeling of the displacement of time. And I know how much you’ve enjoyed the four of us together; but you’re probably the only one who can make a decision without any influence from the experience.”

Muffins sat quiet for a moment, all eyes were on her.

“I know if I said I wanted to put an end to this, all of you would honor the request, I’ve no doubt of it. But I’ve no doubt none of you’d be happy, at least fully happy until the situation changed, and that’s when Pinkie and I are gone. And I hope it won’t be for years to come. I don’t think Pinkie and I could put up with the two of you sulking around for years.”

“Darling,” said Twilight, “don’t let that be the deciding factor. Rainbow and I have already told each other we’d always abide with whatever you and Pinkie wanted.”

“Is that true?” asked Muffins to Rainbow.

“It is, we love each other but we also love you two more than anything. And if it was your decision. We’ll do what you say. No sneaking around, no moping, no anything.” Said Rainbow.

Muffins thought, there was an odd look on her face.

“Pinkie, would you come over here?” asked Muffins. She motioned for Pinkie to come over.

“Yes, Muffins?” answered the pink pony.

Muffins motioned for Pinkie to come closer. Pinkie leaned in. It looked as if Muffins was whispering in Pinkie’s ear. Then the way Pinkie started to tremble and moan, it was apparent that Muffins was kissing Pinkie’s ear with her tongue deep in it.

Pinkie grabbed Muffins and proceeded to kiss her quite passionately.

“Do you two actually think Pinkie and I want to give all this up?” said Muffins breaking the kiss. “We love our wives dearly. But according to Luna, we’re all our wives.”

“Then I take it you’re for breaking it to all our friends?” asked Rainbow.

“I do,” then Muffins turned to Twilight, “I think it might be a good idea to send a message to Luna to ask her advice on this.”

A week later, there was a dinner at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie had the chance to decorate the place. It wasn’t as ‘over the top’ as some of her parties, but it was lively enough.

There were in attendance; Rainbow, Pinkie and Scootaloo Dash. Big Mac, Cheerilee, Applejack, Rarity. Apple Bloom Apple was with Zecora and everypony could tell the affection the new couple were showing each other, much to the delight of Apple Bloom’s moms. Twilight, Muffins, Dinky, Dawn Sparkle along with Sparkler Star. Lyra and Bon-Bon Heartstrings. Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles. Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch (Pinkie made a note [no pun intended] to herself to ask about why her friend was with the white Unicorn so much, but she had a good idea why). Filthy, Spoiled, Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle Rich. There were also Silver Spoon and her new husband Shady Daze.

Rainbow, Twilight, Pinkie and Muffins were at a table, talking low. Several of the ponies gathered could tell that they were looking nervous. Rarity and Applejack walked over to check on their friends.

“’kay,” said AJ, “y’all look ‘more nervous than a worm in an apple on cider makin’ day’. You goin’ to tell us what’s up or is this all to try to distract our attention from somethin’?”

“I think what my darling wife is trying to say;” said Rarity, “you four have been acting odd for some time. We thought we were all PFF’s. If there’s trouble, we want to know. We’ve always been there for each other.”

The four looked at each other; they all nodded in consent to Twilight.

“You’re right,” said Twilight, “I think it’s time to tell everypony.”

All four ponies at the table took a large drink of wine. Twilight stood up and called out.

“Everypony, I’d like to tell you all something.” Said Twilight, then taking another slug of wine.

“You all know about the thing which happened about eight years ago when, who we thought was Muffins late ex-husband returned from the past. At the same time, Pinkie was in that dreadful accident which nearly killed her.

Shooting Star had put a restraining order on me to keep me from my family, he even threatened to kill me if the law didn’t work. As you might understand it depressed me. Then I found out Pinkie wasn’t going to make it, I’d overheard Rainbow telling Pinkie when Pinkie did pass away, she was going to kill herself rather than go on without her.

That plus the perceived loss of my family caused me to consider a rather extreme measure. I was going to use a spell to give my life force to save Pinkie. I didn’t want to go on without my family or friends.”

There were some murmurs from the gathered ponies, some had heard this before and for some, it was the first time hearing the details. Twilight continued;

“Before I could do this, Shooting Star knocked me out and did the spell and gave his life-force to Pinkie in a selfless act for a pony he didn’t know.

Or so we thought. It turned out he was only incomplete copy of Shooting Star, some evil and uncaring copy. His actions were a deeper plot to get control of my power by holding part of Pinkie’s spirit hostage in the underworld. It was to get me to come to him in a situation I would’ve been at a disadvantage. He was going to use his knowledge and my power to take over Equestria, and then the world.

By the skills of our friends Zecora and her now student and marefriend Apple Bloom, Rainbow and I went to the underworld to save Pinkie. We defeated Shooting Star with the help of Pinkie who learned magic while sharing minds with Shooting Star.

This, most or all of you have all heard. And for the most part it’s all the important points.”

Twilight paused, she looked at her companions, who gave her a look of ‘go ahead’;

“What you don’t know is how we were able to defeat Shooting Star when he had the advantage of the situation knowing how things work different in the underworld.

His intent was to distract us enough so we couldn’t learn how to cope with the differences in time, physics and magic to properly defend ourselves and save Pinkie.

This is the part you’re going to have to take on faith or go talk to the princesses to get verification.

Time in the underworld doesn’t work the same as here. Past, present and future are all accessible at the same time. Shooting Star had learned in the distant future, after Muffins and Pinkie were gone, Rainbow and I would look to each other for comfort and fall in love.”

More murmurs from the ponies. Twilight went on;

“He took advantage of the situation and made Rainbow and I not only realize this fact, but by using the odd time flow, made us feel the feelings of that future time, and perhaps some feelings which were there to begin with. He’d hoped to confuse us, by distracting us and having to deal with these feelings he’d be able to overcome us and take over my body and return to the real world and conquer.

But being he was what he was, he forgot the power real love can have on a pony. I was willing to let Shooting Star take over my body, counting on the fact Rainbow would kill me when we got back. I was willing to die for the ponies I love. However, Rainbow was willing to take Shooting Star to limbo herself, and sacrifice herself to save the ponies she loves.”

Twilight paused. She wasn’t sure if she was getting the points across she was trying to. The ponies in the crowd were talking among themselves.

“What are you trying to say Darling?” asked Rarity.

Twilight took a deep breath.

“The feelings we were made aware of were not some illusion. They were real feelings we would’ve felt in the future. But because of the situation, they became a part of us now. Rainbow, Pinkie, Muffins and I have become in love with each other equally.

It’s nothing we intended, but now because it has happened, it’s nothing we can overlook. We’ve been afraid to let you know, our friends and family, for fear of what you might think. We’ve tried to be discreet but it has become harder as time goes by. As all of you know, love, good love, grows.

Princess Luna explained it to us, she said it was as if we four are now truly married to each other.”

Twilight sat down and the four ponies hung their heads, as if they were ready to receive ridicule from ponies they respected greatly. The other ponies around talked among themselves. Not sure what to think or what they were hearing.

Then Filthy Rich stepped forward as if to talk to the four ponies but he turned to talk to the ponies gathered.

“I know most of you ponies know what I went through when Diamond and Sweetie were dating. I had my head so far up my flanks it looked like I needed to have a window installed in my stomach so I could see where I was going.” Several ponies chuckled, Filthy smiled. “I learned then love isn’t always what I judge it to be. My thoughts are not the rule, only the heart is.

Had I not learned to be open to what love really is, I would’ve lost my wife, my son, my daughter and the pony who turned out to be the best business partner ever, my new daughter, Sweetie Belle. And the result of my changing my mind was a more satisfying and fulfilling relationship with my family and friends.

Plus, I don’t think there’s a pony here that’d go face to face with Princess Luna and tell her what she thinks about love is wrong.”

Most ponies that had known Filthy before were in shock to hear him talk thus.

“If four ponies are in love with each other, I say fantastic! If there’re any problems with such a relationship, then it’s something they have to work through among themselves. I for one will be here to support them, just as they supported my daughters when they were going through their time of discovery.”

Cheers broke out among the ponies gathered. There were hugs and well wishes to the four ponies.

Most went back to snacking and talking among themselves. All but AJ and Rarity, they just stood by until all the other ponies had finished talking to the four.

“What’s wrong?” asked Muffins.

“Didn’t you trust us to tell us up front?” asked Rarity, sounding hurt.

“No! Celestia no!” said Twilight, “every time we’ve talked this through. We’ve always acknowledged the two of you were the last ponies we had to worry about. It’s only recently that we’ve even decided to come clean about this.

We’ve kept it from even our closest family. It wasn’t our intention to hurt yours or AJ’s feelings. We’ve been emotional wrecks for the last eight years. Having to hide our feelings. Trying to hide our relationships. While being deeply in love with each other, not just lust, and not just some sick game. But the real, life changing love which strengthens and completes a pony’s life.”

Twilight started to have tears roll down her cheeks.

“Twilight! Darling!” Said Rarity, “I didn’t mean anything bad by asking. We can tell what you’re saying is the truth. It’s just it might’ve been easier to approach us first. We might not love you four like you now love each other. But we love you more than just casual friends.”

Rarity hugged Twilight; AJ joined her as did Rainbow, Pinkie and Muffins.

Rarity then giggled;

“You could’ve at least bragged to us about it! So tell me, is it just loving each other? Or is it LOVING each other?”

“Rarity!” Muffins smiled and said in the best imitation of Rarity’s ‘proper’ voice, “A lady doesn’t talk about such things!”

“Sounds like fun to me,” said AJ.

“You’ve no idea!” said Pinkie.

All laughed.

It was noticed Dinky, Scootaloo and Dawn were standing close by.

“So we want to know, what this means to us?” said Dinky. “Are we going to have to fight for attention from our parents?’

“Or do we have four mothers now?” asked Scootaloo.

The four just looked at each other.

“If you want to have four mothers, that’d be fine with all of us,” said Rainbow.

“Goody!” said Dawn. “I know my new mom Pinkie will give me all the candy I want, just like before. But now I don’t have to worry about it because she’s my mom too!”

“Pinkie!” exclaimed Rainbow, Twilight and Muffins together.

Pinkie blushed as all laughed.

Later that evening, the four were sitting in the living area of the library. The entire extended family was there; Dinky, Dawn, Sparkler and Scootaloo.

They’d had dinner together, the talk had been light. Scootaloo and Dinky told them they had figured as much about their relationship. Dawn was still slightly naive to some of the workings, but she was willing to accept Rainbow, Pinkie and Scootaloo as part of a now extended family.

“So I suppose now everything is out in the open,” said Scootaloo, “you’ll be upgrading your living arrangements.”

“To tell the truth, Squirt,” said Rainbow, “we haven’t gotten that far with this yet.”

“Yes,” said Twilight, “that’s what we were hoping to talk about this evening. The library is too small to accommodate three more adult ponies.”

“And the cloud house is a little too small to add four more ponies and make room for Sparkler’s visits. Plus accommodating to Unicorns is a little tricky. Twilight can make it where you can walk on clouds. But the logistics of getting from the ground to the house and back could be a problem,” said Rainbow.

“Dinky is starting to manage some teleportation, but I’ve never been able to manage it,” said Sparkler, “not that mom hasn’t tried to work with me on it. I’ve started looking for my own place, but it’s nice to visit my parents.”

“It’s okay Darling,” said Muffins, “I’ve learned from Twilight that not all Unicorns are able to do that.”

“And I really don’t think there any homes in Ponyville which might be big enough to hold a family of seven with guest room.” Said Pinkie, thinking out loud.

“I guess this is something we have to look into.” Said Twilight, “perhaps one of the princesses would have a suggestion. They have access to more info that anypony here.”