Chapter 1View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 1It's a new day when Sky Stinger enters their house in Cloudsdale. "Hey honey," he says with a smile. "How's it going?" "It's going well," responds Vapor Trail smiling. "I wish I could go to practice with you, but alas, baby belly says otherwise." She laughs. Sky just smiles. "Yeah, I know you miss practice, but I'm sure you're just as excited as becoming a parent as I am." "For sure," replies Vapor Trail in her sweet, innocent voice. "Three months left. I just have to survive three more months." Sky kisses Vapor on the cheek and goes to put his stuff away. He can't wait to be a dad and he knows that she can't wait to be a momma, hopefully to a larger family than she was born into. Three months later, on a sunny day with a rainbow in the sky, Vapor Trail gives birth to a healthy little filly, whom she names Airess. She smiles down at the little filly in her hooves. "She looks like her momma," whispers Sky into her ear. Vapor just smiles. "Shouldn't you be at practice?" Vapor asks. "I'm on lunch break, dear," he replies, kissing her on the cheek. He then looks up at the sky and realizes that it's almost noon. He says goodbye and flies off back to headquarters. Vapor Trail just smiles. She's so glad to be a mother and she hopes that this won't be the last of the children they have together.
Chapter 4View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 4That afternoon, while Vapor Trail rests in the main room, Sky Stinger tends to all the baby's needs except for nursing of course. Sky can't help but smile. He's so glad to be able to help with their daughter. A few minutes later, Vapor enters the nursery and takes the little filly from Sky to nurse her. Once she's done nursing little Airess, she burps her then returns her to his arms and goes back to her place on the couch with her book. Sky takes the baby with a smile on his face. He's loving this whole father gig. A few minutes later, he gets a call from Sky Gazer, his sister. He hands the baby back to Vapor and picks up the phone. "Hey Gazer," he says over the phone. "Hey Stinger," she replies. "Did you forget about me coming over to visit you, Vapor, and my new niece?" "Oh shoot, it completely slipped my mind," replies Sky. "It's okay, I'm still an hour away. I'll see you then!" replies Gazer. An hour later, Sky Gazer knocks at their door and Sky Stinger lets her in with a smile on her face. "It's good to see you, big sis," he says. "Good to see you too, little brother," replies Gazer. "Now where's my little niece?" Sky Stinger leads his sister back to the nursery, where Airess is playing in her crib. Sky Gazer looks at the little filly with wide eyes. "What's her name?" she asks. "Airess," replies Sky Stinger. "That's a beautiful name for a beautiful little filly," replies Gazer with a smile. "Can I hold her?" Sky Stinger nods and picks Airess up out of her crib and hands her to Sky Gazer. Sky Gazer smiles as she rocks the little baby in her hooves. She's so glad to be an aunt to such a beautiful little filly. She can't help but consider herself so lucky. A few hours later, Sky Gazer enjoys dinner with Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger before finally heading back to her home in Las Pegasus. Afte all, she still has work in the morning as a waitress at the Flim Flam Cafe in the Golden Hotel. Sky Stinger smiles as he puts the plates in the sink. He's so glad he got to see his sister again. He's also glad that she liked her niece. He couldn't ask for more. That's for certain.
Chapter 7View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 7The next morning, Airess wakes up to the smell of hot pancakes and a note on the fridge from her parents. She grabs the pancakes and then the syrup out of the cupboard and then the note off of the fridge and reads it as she sits down. "Dear Airy," she reads, "Captain Rainbow Dash and Soarin needed us at Wonderbolts Headquarters for a meeting. We'll see you in a little while. Enjoy your pancakes! Mom and Dad." She puts the note down and begins to eat her pancakes. A few minutes later, she finishes the pancakes and goes off downstairs to read her Commander Blaze comics. It's the only thing she has to do right now since she's not allowed to watch the TV when her parents are gone. She reads her comics for hours before she hears a knock on the door. It's her parents. She flies to the door and embraces them in a hug. "How'd the meeting go?" she asks. "It went very well," the two reply. "Now, who's ready to watch some TV?" The three go over to the couch, sit down, and put on the TV. Airess is just glad her parents are home now for the rest of the day. After all, she will never give up being super attached to her parents because of the fact that she is an only child.
Chapter 8View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 8A few days later, Airess goes with her parents to the Wonderbolts Arena, where she sits in the stand and watches them perform alongside the rest of the team. As she sits in the stand, she can't help but cheer. She's so proud of her parents. As she's sitting alone apart from the other spectators, she is soon greeted by two of her closest friends: Soara, RD's daughter, and Flitzy, her flying buddy from Young Flyers Assistance Group. "Hey Airess," say the two as they climb up onto the bleacher beside her. "Hey Flitzy, hey Soara," replies Airess with a grin. The three then quiet down and watch the performance, snacking on their popcorn as they watch. A few minutes later, Vapor Trail, Skystinger, Captain Rainbow Dash, and Soaren fly right past them at full speed ahead. The three cheer and wave as the four pass by them. "Wow! Your parents are amazing!" says Flitzy as she turns to face Airess and Soara. "Thanks," reply Airess and Soara in unison. "What do your parents do for a living?" The two ask curiously. "My mother is a therapist and my father is a retired member of the Royal Flight Team," replies Flitzy. "The precursor to the Wonder Bolts." "Oh cool!" replies Soara. "Yeah, that's awesome!" adds Airess. "Thank you guys," responds Flitzy with a blush. Her father then comes over and sits down beside them. "Hey girls," says the stallion, "my name is Hogan Harthoof, I'm Flitzy's dad." "Nice to meet you," reply Soara and Airess as they shake his hoof. "Hey daddy," says Flitzy, "I was just telling them how you were part of the Royal Flight Team back in the day." "Yep I was," replies Hogan Harthoof. "I was the commander of the team. I was second in command to Captain Storm Shadow. She was a great pony and a spectacular leader. Our team was respected and world-renowned. Heck, we even had the favor of both the princesses. They had us perform for them several times up until Luna's banishment. After that, Celestia didn't have us perform for her anymore. We toured all across Equestria. Several years later, we disbanded and went our separate ways. I still keep in touch with Storm. She has her own bakery now called Sunshine Delights by Storm. It's a very popular bakery and a place where I've run into the other members of our old team on several occasions. Hey, I'll take you girls there after the performance. Just ask your parents first." "Okay!" exclaim Soara and Airess. "We'll see you there!" "Great!" replies Hogan. He then goes off to get a soda before coming back and sitting beside the girls. Two hours later, the performance comes to an end and Soara and Airess run off and get permission to go to the bakery from their parents who happily agree to let them go. They then fly off and join Hogan and Flitzy. The four then head off to the bakery, Hogan carrying Soara on his back all the way there. A few minutes later, they arrive at the Sunshine Delights bakery. They are then greeted with a sweet hello from Storm. "Hey to you too, Storm," replies Hogan. She then comes out and greets him and the girls. "And who are these three little ones?" she asks. "This is my daughter, Flitzy, and her friends Soara and Airess," replies Hogan. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Storm," reply the girls with a curtsy. "What kind of cupcakes would you guys like today, on me?" she asks sweetly. "The triple chocolate pecan one for me," says Hogan. "The strawberry one for me," replies Flitzy. "The rainbow cake for me," replies Soara. "And a lemon snickett one for me," replies Airess. "Sure thing, I'll be right back with those," replies Storm with a smile. A few minutes later, she walks out and hands each of them their cupcakes then goes and rings them up on her personal tab. She then comes out from behind the counter and talks with them for about an hour before they leave her shop and return Soara and Airess to their parents. She can't help but admit she was glad to see Hogan again and glad to meet his daughter and his daughter's friends.
Chapter 10View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 10The next day, after she comes home from school, Vapor and Sky tell their daughter the exciting news. "Airess, honey," the say, "sweetheart, you're going to be a big sister." The filly's jaw drops. She then begins to squeal. "I'm gonna be a big sister! I'm gonna be a big sister!" She continues this nonstop for several hours straight. As for Vapor, she whispers into Sky's ear. "I hope we don't go past two or three foals. I don't want to end up having to deal with like ten like your parents." "I know sweetheart," responds Sky as he kisses her on the cheek and takes her hoof. The two then work on calming down their daughter before finally sitting down and enjoying dinner as a family. They're so glad she took the news so well.
Chapter 11View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 11Six months later after a routine trip to the doctor, the two find out the gender of the new foal. Another filly. Vapor is thrilled and can't help but cry tears of joy. "I can't wait," says Vapor to Sky with a smile. "Can't wait to do this all again." "And neither can I," Sky responds with a smile. The two then leave the doctor's and go out for ice cream with the happy news in tow. Meanwhile at her preschool, Airess happily tells the other colts and fillies about how excited she is to be a big sister. Her teacher and friends can't help but smile and congratulate her. Back at the house, Vapor turns in for a nap while Sky heads off to train new recruits at Wonderbolts headquarters with RD and Soaren. "So, another one on the way already? Congratulations," says Dash with a smile. "I can barely handle Soara. She's a handful on her own." "Well, we're both excited as is Airess. She can't wait to be a big sister. I heard earlier from a call from the preschool that she won't shut up about it." "That's sweet," responds RD. The three soon fly and land at the Wonderbolts headquarters where they soon meet the new recruits. Most of them stand there, stark and terrified of the three Bolts but mostly Rainbow Dash. "What are your names, recruits?" demands Rainbow Dash. "Sky Fire," says a mare with a winged flame cutie mark. "Dusty," says a stallion with a wheat field cutie mark and pale yellow-orange coat. "Diver," says another stallion with a dark blue coat with white tail and mane with a bunch of birds as their cutie mark. "Dartman," says the last stallion with the light gray coat and bullseye cutie mark. "Huh, smaller bunch than last year," Soaren whispers to the other two, "which is kinda weird." They then proceed on with training exercises and flight exercises for the recruits. As for Vapor, she's off picking up Airess and Soara from the preschool as a favor for Rainbow Dash and letting the filly spend the rest of the afternoon at their house. It's the least she could do. After all, it'll keep Airess busy so she can rest some more.
Chapter 2View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 2That afternoon once he was done with work, Sky Stinger flew home as quick as possible. As he burst through the door, Vapor couldn't help but laugh. "I'm glad you're home, sweetie," she says with a grin on her face. "I am too," he replies as he comes up and nuzzles her and gives her a kiss. "Where's little Airess?" "Sleeping in the nursery," replies Vapor with a smile on her face. The two walk off to the nursery and peep in, smiling as they watch their daughter sleep. The two then quietly back away from the door and go and grab dinner from the fridge. As the two eat their leftovers, the two talk. Sky talks about practice and Vapor Trail talks about their daughter. All the while, they can't help but smile at each other. A few hours later, Vapor Trail walks off to nurse the now crying Airess. In the nursery, as Vapor nurses little Airess, she hums a sweet little tune. "Sleep, sleep, sleep, the blue birds keep you in your slumber, don't cry, don't cry, I'm right here, there's no need to fear, so sleep, sleep, sleep, momma's right here. Momma's right here." Vapor then finishes nursing Airess and puts her back down to sleep and then leaves the room and heads off to her and Sky's room for the night, where she gets into bed beside him and falls fast asleep. Sky smiles as he watches her sleep. Not long after, however, he falls asleep himself, so glad tomorrow that he gets the day off because Spitfire has family business and has no time to host practice at all.
Chapter 3View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 3The next day, Sky wakes up before the sun only because he was awoken by the baby. He rubs his eye and goes to the nursery and rocks little Airess. "Sleep, sleep, please don't cry. Dad is here now, no need to fear. I have you, I won't ever let you go. I'm here and I love you, I want you to know. Sleep, sleep, please don't cry. Listen to my soothing lullaby. Sleep, sleep, there's no need to fear. Daddy's got you. Daddy's right here." This works and little Airess stops crying. Sky lies her back down in the crib and goes and sits in the rocker on the other side of the nursery. He sighs a sigh of relief and then a few moments later, falls asleep in the chair. A few hours later, Vapor appears in the doorway and smiles. She's glad Sky was able to get little Airess back to sleep. She comes into the room and plops down at his side and falls asleep once again, her head on his shoulder. As she sleeps, she can't help but smile. Three hours later, Sky and Vapor finally wake up and go off and get some coffee. As the two sit over coffee, the two talk. "So, why aren't you at work?" "Spitfire's on family business and Soarin's out of town on his anniversary trip with Rainbow Dash," replies Sky. "Oh, okay, well, I'm glad you get to stay home today," replies Vapor, "it means you can help with the baby more." "Yeah, I'd like that," replies Sky. The two finish up their coffee and put their cups in the sink. The two then go for a short fly, hoof in hoof. Everything is perfect and they'd have it no other way. They can both agree to that.
Chapter 5View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 5Five years later, Airess watches from the stands as her parents do the Wonderbolt day training exercises alongside Soaren and Captain Rainbow Dash. In the stands, Airess sits there and talks to Rainbow and Soaren's daughter, Soara. "So, we're the children of Wonderbolts," sighs Soara. "Yep," replies Airess, "but I don't mind it that much. I always have an Auntie nearby in Las Pegasus that'll always play with me." "Well, I don't have that, all I have is mom and dad, who never have time for me," replies Soara with a long sigh of sadness. "Wanna have a sleepover tonight then? I'm sure my mom and dad won't mind," Airess responds. "Sure, alright, my parents are chill with me going off to sleepovers," replies Soara. "Great! I'll see you tonight then!" The two then get back to watching their parents practice. That night at Sky and Vapor Trail's house, Soara and Airess grab the popcorn and go and enjoy a movie in Airess's room. Sitting and eating popcorn, not speaking a word, as they watch. The two girls are glad their parents agreed to let them have the sleepover. Two hours later, the movie finishes and the two girls then proceed to paint their hooves and braid each others' manes. All the while, they laugh and joke. They can both agree that they are definitely going to soon become the best of friends. The next morning, the two girls wake up to the smell of pancakes. They come down to the kitchen and Vapor flips the pancakes onto their plates, the two girls then grab their forks and begin to chow down on the syrup covered pancakes. Once they finish up their breakfast, the two girls go outside and play toss the ball, laughing all the while. Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger smile from the window as they watch the girls play. They can both agree that their daughter has indeed found a best friend in Rainbow Dash and Soaren's daughter, Soara.
Chapter 6View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 6That afternoon, after flying Soara home, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail take their daughter, Airess, to the movies. A few minutes later at the movie theater, the three buy their tickets then go inside and enjoy the movie titled The Princess and Her Prince. The three sit down quietly and the movie begins to play. As it plays, Airess contently pops pieces of popcorn into her mouth. She's glad to have this time alone with her parents. They stay at the movie for the full two hours before going off to dinner together. At dinner, Airess goes on and on and on about how much she enjoyed the movie. "I'm glad you liked it, sweetie," says Vapor Trail with a smile on her face. "Are you kidding? It was the best movie I've ever seen!" replies Airess with a smile. She then sticks a bite of breadstick into her mouth and then follows that by several bites of pizza and a sip of her apple juice box. She then gets back to babbling about how much she liked the movie alongside some other things such as school and young fliers camp entrance practice. All the while, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail can't help but smile. They're so glad that their daughter is happy. A few hours later, the three leave the pizza place and head home. Once they're back at home, Airess goes off to bed and Vapor Trail does the same. Sky Stinger, however, goes out back and tends to his lightning bolt collection. They're the one thing he got from his father, so he wants to make sure they stay shiny and bright for as long as possible. After all, if he doesn't, his dad will nail him hard for it.
Chapter 9View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 9That night back at the house, Airess sits down to dinner with her parents. "How was your day with Flitzy and Soara dear?" ask her parents with a smile. "It was great. Meeting Flitzy's dad and Ms. Storm was great!" "That's great!" responds Vapor with a smile. The three then dive into their dinner. They enjoy mashed potatoes, hay steaks, and green beans and even fresh corn on the cob. A few minutes later, they finish up their dinner and go outside for a family fly. As they fly, Airess can't help but smile. She's go lucky to have friends and a family that loves her. She honestly couldn't ask for more. A half hour later, they arrive back at their house where they plop down on the couch and turn on the TV. As they sit and watch the movie that's on together, Airess gladly cuddled up under her mother and father's wings. A few hours into the movie, Airess falls fast asleep. Vapor then takes her upstairs and puts her to bed for the night. As she's in the bedroom with Airess, she begins to sing her daughter a lullaby her mother used to sing her as a child. "Quiet, quiet, it's time to sleep. Let your dreams guide you and your imagination as you sleep. Sleep on, sleep on, I'll watch you as you sleep. I'll keep you safe, so don't cry or make a peep. Quiet, quiet, it's time to sleep. Sleep on, sleep on, I'll be right beside you as you sleep." She then leaves the room and quietly closes the door behind her. She then returns back downstairs and curls up beside Sky Stinger and continues to watch the movie with him. Two hours later, the movie comes to an end and Vapor Trail turns in for the night followed by Sky Stinger soon after. Once in bed, the two fall fast asleep, his hoof around her. Come tomorrow they'll tell Airess their little secret. Until then, it'll stay a secret for one more night.
Chapter 12View OnlineLifelong PartnersChapter 12Back at Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger’s house, Vapor fixes snacks for the fillies before sending them off to play upstairs. Vapor then goes back to lay down on the couch and passes out, fast asleep. Meanwhile upstairs, the fillies laugh and giggle as they play with Airess’s toys. “So, you’re going to be a big sister? Lucky!” Says Soara to Airess. “Yeah, I’m super excited!” Squeals the filly. “I can’t wait to be a big sister!” The two get back to playing. A few hours later, Sky Stinger returns home to his wife, daughter, and their guest. “RD hasn’t finished up yet,” says Sky Stinger, “she said if we’re okay with it, Soara can just spend the night here and she can pick her up in the morning.” “Yeah, that’s fine,” says an exhausted Vapor. “But I’m going to go on to bed.” “Okay,” responds Sky. “Goodnight.” “Goodnight,” yawns Vapor. She then flies off to their room, curls up into bed and falls fast asleep. Sky goes upstairs and tucks the little fillies in for the night. He then turns in for the night himself after a quick dinner after his own returning downstairs. He soon hops into bed next to Vapor. “Hey love,” he says as he kisses her on the cheek, “goodnight.” He then rolls over and falls fast asleep himself. The next morning around 11:30, Rainbow comes and picks up Soara, thanking the couple for letting Soara sleep over. “Don’t mention it, it was fun,” says Vapor with a yawn. “She can spend the night anytime.” Vapor then heads back off to bed while Sky talks with Rainbow for a few more minutes. “Did you figure out why the lack of current recruits?” Asks Sky curiously. “Yeah, half of them dropped out last minute due to wing injuries among other things, it’s such a shame, but they should be back and healed in time for spring training for new recruits,” responds Rainbow, “wing tips crossed.” “Yeah, wing tips crossed indeed,” agrees Sky. RD picks Soara up with her wings and puts Soara on her back and they take off and fly home. A few minutes later, they arrive home where they are greeted by Soaren. Soara hops off her mom and runs right into her father’s arms. “Always a daddy’s girl,” giggles RD. “Yeah,” responds Soaren with a smile. He picks her up with his hooves and plops her on his back and they take off for a short fly around the house. RD smiles as she watches from the ground. Meanwhile at their own home, Sky Stinger plays with his daughter. He smiles as he watches her stack the blocks in front of her. He giggles a bit. He’s so grateful and blessed to be a father and he can’t wait to be one again. He just can’t wait. Vapor and their family is his world and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
