Prologue: Finding the Foal
Celestia's sun peeked over the mountain's in the distance, it's rays bringing the rooster to action. The small feathered fowl strutted towards it's post and crowed loudly. Not a creature stirred from it's rest, as per usual, which allowed the rooster one simple joy. A couple weeks back the wall eyed mail mare had dropped off a special package. Retreating to the coop, he returned with a microphone half his size. Clicking on the device the rooster crowed again, it's voice, now amplified, echoing all throughout the meadow. Birds took to the air and most satisfying, the lone attendant of the house woke. The rooster saw the pony through the curtains get up with a shock, and smiling inwardly, the bird strutted back to his nest.
~~~~~~
Inside the cozy cottage, a lone, pink haired pegasus rose from her bed. “Where did Sir Beaksly get that microphone,” she questioned to nobody. She opened her curtains and allowed the warm rays to fill her room. After making her bed, the young mare walked down the stairs and went to her kitchen. Hopping around like mad was Angel who quickly darted towards his meek friend.
“Yes, what is it Angel?” asked the yellow coated pegasus. The bunny pulled on her tail and tried to drag her towards. The small white bunny continued to point in the direction of the door. “Do you have to go outside?” Fluttershy asked, wishing she knew how to understand Angel when he made his manic motions. Giving in, the pegasus followed the bunny to the door. The closer she got to the door however, she noticed a faint crying. Fluttershy opened the door and looked down, only to be greeted by a foal. “Oh-oh-oh my,” gasped the pegasus as she peered in closer. The foal was no older then 2 or 3 days. Fluttershy turned to Angfel and said. “Quickly go get some milk out. This poor darling is hungry.”
The bunny saluted and ran into the house and Fluttershy gently brought the foal out and held her gently in her front hooves. She could finally get a good look at the young being. Her dishevelled mane was emerald green in colour and coat was a golden brown. Fluttershy gently nuzzled the baby, quelling its cries. She hushed her softly and held the tiny figure close to her.
Returning to Fluttershy, Angel handed the pegasus a small bottle who then in turn gently offered it to the baby. The foal's lips found the nipple of the bottle and gently began to suckle at it. Using a hoof, Fluttershy brushed some of the dishevelled mane behind the ear of the young mare. Placing her gently back into her basket, the light yellow pegasus carried the basket into her home.
For the next few hours, Fluttershy busied herself with her work in chores, stopping occasionally to check up on the foal, who was sleeping soundly. Noon hit and Fluttershy jumped when the door knocked. Creeping over Fluttershy looked out the window and saw Rarity's smiling face looking back. The regal ponies voice called through the door. “Fluttershy dear, are you in there?”
The yellow pegasus opened the door and smiled faintly. “Oh hi Rarity,” she said meekly. “Is today our spa day? I am so sorry I missed it.”
“Oh it was no problem. I thought you would busy, so I decided to come give you a facial here at home,” Rarity said, procuring several smaller bottles of various cleansing lotions. “Oh we'll have so much fun,” the ivory unicorn squealed.
“Umm Rarity...” Fluttershy began. “Can you take a rain cheque? I kind of have something going on now.”
“Oh?” Rarity began. “Does my winged friend have a colt friend over? Oh my did you have night of passionate romance straight out of a Harleneigh romance book?” At this, Rarity practically swooned.
Fluttershy's cheeks reddened at her friends comments. “No no. It's nothing like that Rarity.”
Rarity picked herself up and eyed the meek pegasus. “Is it another mare? Oh my Fluttershy! I had no idea you were into mares. Is it Rainbow Dash? Are you and Rainbow dating?” Again, Rarity nearly swooned.
Fluttershy's face went into a deeper shade of crimson. “No no no Rarity,” the pegasus said. “It's nothing like that.”
“Then what is it dear. I don't think I have it in me to feign a third swoon,” Rarity said.
Before Fluttershy could respond, the faint sound of crying began and Rarity's ears perked up. “Is that a foal?”
Fluttershy nodded. “I'll put on a pot of tea and explain everything.”
~~~~~~
“So you found the baby this morning?” Rairty repeated as she sipped at the sweet cherry and apricot tea.
“Yeah,” responded Fluttershy as she held the foal close to her. “No note or anything.”
“I see.. So what are you going to do?” Rarity asked. Gone was the drama from her eyes, replaced by concern and worry for her friend.
“I-I-I dunno,” Fluttershy replied weakly. “I was thinking of raising her myself.”
Rarity thought for a second before she responded. “Fluttershy, sweetie listen to me. Raising a foal is very difficult. While I don't know from personal experience, I've seen Ditzy do it and she tells me it is difficult for her. She's said that without Carrot Top or Big Macintosh she wouldn't know what to do.” Fluttershy looked somewhat despondent upon Rarity's comments. “I'm not saying you can't do it. I am just telling you it's going to be difficult.” Once again, Fluttershy looked even more nervous. “How about you ask Ditzy? I am sure she would be glad to help you and give you some advice.”
The yellow pegasus smiled warmly. The two mares continued to talk well into the afternoon. Rarity looked at the clock and gasped. “Oh dear, I'm late. I told Sweetie Belle I would be back in an hour. Who knows what she's done.”
Fluttershy thought about responding, but she knew how enthusiastic Sweetie Belle was and her good intentions often led to disaster. She shuddered at the memory of dealing with the cockatrice. “Would you like some company back to town? I wanna take her to Nurse Redheart to give her a check up.”
Rarity smiled. “I Would love the company.” Using her magic, Rarity lifted the small basket and strapped it gently to Fluttershy's meagre frame. Opening the door Rarity ,left the cottage followed by Fluttershy and the two friends walked through the meadow into the sleepy town of Ponyville.
~~~~~~~
The two mares made their way to the town. A warm spring breeze blew gently through the crowded streets. The main square of Ponyville was the center of commerce. Along the side of the streets were a variety of shops while the center of the square was dotted with various stalls, selling various products. Near one of the apple stalls, a carmel brown pony was chatting with a purple unicorn. If one tried, they could almost see hearts floating above the two love struck ponies.
“It looks like Twilight has taken a real shine to that Caramel fellow,” Rarity said with a slight smile. Fluttershy looked over and saw the two.
“Oh my,” the yellow pegasus said softly. “How long have they been going out?”
Rarity paused for a moment and thought. “I have no idea. She has been trying to keep it in hiding, but you know how good she is at keeping secrets.”
Fluttershy allowed herself a small chuckle and continued on her way to the clinic. There the two ponies parted ways. The timid pony entered the clinic and much to her relief, the clinic was empty. “Umm, hello,” she called out.
From behind a curtain, an older, somewhat more tired voice called out. “Yes?” From behind the curtain a head popped out and Fluttershy immediately recognized it as Nurse Redheart. She was an older mare, her once pink mane now fading with age. Her pale alabaster coat showing signs of age. “Ahh yes Fluttershy. How can I help you?” She asked as she approached the desk.
“Nurse Redheart. I found this little filly on my doorstep this morning. I-I was wondering if you could give her a check up?”
The older mare smiled. “Sure thing. Bring her to the back and I'll give her a lookover.” Fluttershy nodded and followed the nurse back to the room. There, she removed her pack and gently took the foal from her basket. Upon grabbing her, the the foal yawned opened up it's eyes and looked at Fluttershy. She smiled at her and sighed before falling back asleep.
“She sure is a tiny thing,” the nurse said as Fluttershy placed the foal down.
“Yeah,” Fluttershy said. “Poor thing was abandoned on my doorstep. No note or anything.”
The nurse looked over at Fluttershy with concern. “Was there any clue of who this foals mother was?” Fluttershy shook her head sadly. “I see.”
“I was thinking, seeing as she was abandoned, I could...adopt her,” upon asking this Fluttershy pawed at the floor and looked away.
Nurse Redheart looked her over with a sideways glance. “Fluttershy, I know you are good at nursing animals to health, but are you sure you are capable of this? Taking care of a child is quite difficult.”
Fluttershy nodded. “She is so young, And to send her off to a foster home or an orphanage at such a young age would be devastating, wouldn't it?”
Nurse Redheart sighed and looked over the foal. After some time, she placed her gently back into the basket. “Fluttershy, I'll get the papers ready. Are you sure you?” Fluttershy nodded fiercely. The nurse smiled. “Alright. What's the name for the birth certificate ?”
Fluttershy looked over the sleeping foal and smiled. “Clover. Her name will be Clover.”
Chapter 1: Delightful Dinner With Ditzy and Dinky Doo
For the next couple of days, Fluttershy busied herself at home. For the most part, Clover slept in her little bassinet. When she would wake up, Fluttershy would feed the foal and sing to her. Clover would look up to her and smile, one which made Fluttershy nearly breakdown in tears. “Oh sweetie,” she said, holding her close. “How could anyone get rid of such a precious filly like you.” Fluttershy nuzzled the filly's cheek and sang to Clover until she fell asleep. The filly's gentle breathing indicated that she had fallen asleep so Fluttershy placed her daughter back in her basket.
Fluttershy quietly left the sleeping area she had set aside for her daughter and went to her kitchen and began prepping supper. Angel sat on his stool reading an overly large newspaper while munching on a plate of carrots. Fluttershy looked over at the lazy lagomorph and sighed. “Angel, those carrots were for dinner. I already got your food out.”
Angel looked at the timid pegasus over the paper and blew a raspberry at her. He flicked the paper up and began to read the paper again. Reaching out to the side, the bunny grabbed another carrot and began munching. Fluttershy sighed and approached Angel. Using her front hoof she pulled down the paper and stared at the bunny. “Angel. Those carrots are for dinner. Please stop it.” Angel looked up at Fluttershy and his ears fell limp. Dropping the paper, the bunny jumped and left the chair, heading to to his bed and hiding under his blanket. Fluttershy let out a low sigh.
A gentle knock at the door brought Fluttershy out of her thought. “Miss Fluttershy, you home?!” called a loud voice. The noise woke up Clover who began crying.
“Just a second,” gasped Fluttershy as she quickly trotted over to her daughter and began to rock her bed. “Go back to sleep dear,” she sang gently. Clover continued crying and Fluttershy sighed. Leaving the filly in her bed for a moment, the young mother rushed to the door. Opening it, she saw a young unicorn filly bouncing in place. She was smiling and her eyes were closed. Standing beside her was a grey pegasus pony who seemed to be blushing. “Oh hello Ditzy, Dinky,” Fluttershy said. “Come on, make yourself at home.” Fluttershy smiled as she led the mother and daughter duo into her abode. Dinky immediately hopped over to the crying Clover and looked at her with her gold yellow eyes.
“Aww don't cry baby,” Dinky said with a large grin. “Cute babies don't cry.” Dinky looked over to Ditzy and asked, “Mama, why is she crying?”
Ditzy smiled and petted her daughters dusty light yellow hair with a hoof. “She's crying because she was probably asleep and a certain muffin who will remain nameless yelled loudly.”
Dinky's mood changed and she looked away, her face flushed. “Sorry Miss Fluttershy,” she said meekly. “I didn't know she was asleep.”
Fluttershy smiled gently and approached the rocking bed. Gently picking the foal she held her close to her body and sat on the floor, rocking her back and forth, hushing her daughter gently. The crying slowly stopped and she fell asleep. Fluttershy kissed the top of her head and placed her back in her bed. The yellow pegasus looked over at the mother and daughter with a smile.
“Muffin, what do you say?” the wall eyed mail mare questioned, looking down at her daughter.
Dinky gently tapped the floor with her front hoof and looked off to the side. “I'm sorry Miss Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy sighed and got up, placing a reassuring hoof on the young foals cheek. “It's okay Dinky. No harm intended.” The young foal seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you two hungry?”
This seemed to have brought the life back into Dinky's eyes and she happily bounced over to the table. She looked at the food and her eyes went even wider. She was drooling as she gazed at the various goodies, but what had caught her attention was the large stack of cookies. Thinking that no one was watching her, she attempted to use her magic. Her mind focused on magically grabbing the cookie. In the recesses of her mind she tried to visualize her telekinesis grabbing the cookie from the bowl.. The aura on her horn flickered to life and Dinky closed her eyes tightly, trying to focus on sneaking the cookie.
Ditzy looked at her daughter's attempted sneaking. Placing a hoof to her face, the mail-mare sighed. “I'm sorry Fluttershy. I couldn't get a sitter tonight. Big Mac is in Appleloosa and Carrot Top is visiting Golden Harvest.”
“It's okay Ditzy,” Fluttershy smiled. “She's really no problem. She always seems to have boundless energy.” Upon saying that, Fluttershy noticed that Ditzy's ears has drooped and she slump forward. “Did I say something wrong?”
“That she does. Sometimes it does get over whelming for me,” Ditzy said lowly so Dinky wouldn't hear. However the small filly was too preoccupied trying to sneak a cookie with her magic. “I love her to pieces, I really do, but it is so hard to do it alone.”
“But you have Carrot Top and Big Mac to help you right?” asked Fluttershy looking at the mail mare in the eyes.
“I do get help from them. Plus my poppa helps me as much as he can,” Ditzy sighed. “But they can only help so much. I am the one who has to raise her.” Fluutershy felt her heart sink. She didn't talk to Ditzy that much and when she did, the mail mare was usually very happy and chipper. But now she seemed so sad. Fluttershy went over and gave her a hug. Ditzy smiled weakly and looked at Fluttershy. “Yeah it is hard, but I am happy. I have wonderful friends and family. And Dinky always brings a smile on my face.”
No sooner had Ditzy said that, there was a large crash. The two pegasi quickly turned and saw Dinky and a flipped over table. On her head was the salad bowl and it's contents were littered around her. She was busily munching on a cookie and smiling. Fluttershy's ears drooped and Ditzy slumped forward. As if on cue, Dinky saw the two mares and instantly froze. “It was Bunny. He did it!” she shouted, pointing an accusatory hoof at Angel.
Upon hearing the word bunny, Angel peeked up from his area and looked at Dinky. He lowered his black eyes and glared at the Filly who had accused him. He hoped over to her, stuck his face into hers and glared. In only a few seconds, Dinky broke down and ran to Ditzy's legs, crying. “It was me momma. I brokened the table,” she bawled.
Ditzy sighed and nuzzled her young daughter. Fluttershy smiled at the mother and daughter and took a glance over the table. Luckily nothing seemed to be broken on the table and the only real damage seemed to have been to the salad. Nudging the bowl over, the meek pegasus grabbed a broom and began to sweep up the spoiled salad.
Dinky was still sobbing holding onto her mothers leg sobbing uncontrollably. “Mommy please don't get too mad,” she cried. “I jus wanted a cookie. Please don't sell me to a circus.” Ditzy closed her eyes in humour and gently rubbed her filly's mane. “I promise no more magic till I'm older,” the young filly bawled.
“Sweetie I would never sell you to a circus. You are my baby and I would not trade you for all the muffins in Equestria,” Ditzy said with a warm grin. She hugged her daughter close and stroked her main, calming down the filly.
In the small kitchenette, Fluttershy watched the scene. She looked on and many questions began to pop up. What will happen to Dinky tonight? Will Ditzy punish her? Does she deserve such a punishment for making a mistake? What would she herself have done instead? These questions would weigh heavily on Fluttery's mind while she cleaned up and prepared a second salad. She would have to ask Ditzy in private later. She set the salad on the table and called for dinner.
**/\**
All throughout supper the kitchenette hummed with chatter. Dinky would tell story after story about school. How she was in Cherilee's class one day with her other kindergarten playmates and heard a story about the founding of Ponyville. The young filly also went into detail about how her, Cherry Pinch and Pipsqueak went out on a pirate adventure, even finding gold down by a creek near Whitetail Woods. Ditzy feigned interest having heard the stories countless times before, however Fluttershy listened closely.
Dinky was about to continue her verbal avalanche when Ditzy raised a hoof. “Muffin. How about you clean up the dishes because Miss Fluttershy made such a wonderful dinner?”
Dinky smiled and jumped off her pillow. “Okie dokie,” she smiled and grabbed the dishes taking them to the sink, getting ready to clean them.
Fluttershy looked to Ditzy and asked her in a low voice. “Umm, Ditzy I have a question? I saw how you reacted to Dinky with the salad and I wonder if-”
“-I should have punished her?” Ditzy finished smiling. “I was going to punish her, but there was no real damage as you said. And besides, she was crying pretty hard. She is honestly her own worse enemy sometimes,” Ditzy sighed. “While she can be mischievous, if she knows she made a mistake, she will hate herself for the longest time. I remember my babysitter Sparkler was watching her one night while Big Mac and I were out on a date and when I came home, she told me that Dinky spent most of the night crying her eyes out.”
Fluttershy looked back? “What why? Other then the salad incident she seems perfectly happy.”
Ditzy looked away in embarrassment. “She is not a well liked pony in kindergarten. Cherry and Pipsqueak are her only friends. Some girls make fun of her for being my daughter and usually are quick to blame her for any messes.”
“Oh my,” said the yellow pegasus sadly. “Surely she doesn't believe that?”
“They also make fun of her because of my condition. Being a single mom with only a GED and a lazy eye does not give one child the nest outlook on life.”
“Don't say that Ditzy,” replied Fluttershy kindly. “You have done great. You did finish your education while taking care of a newborn. You've done wonders raising her by yourself.”
The grey mare smiled. “I know that. Everyday is a trial and most often I do win. There are some bad days as every pony is entitled to. But to a little filly like my daughter...”
Fluttershy put a comforting hoof on Ditzy's shoulder. The wall eyed mare looked at the yellow pegasus and smiled. “You are going to do fine Fluttershy. It will be a trial but I know you can do it. And the reward will be worth it.”
“Reward?”
“Watching her grow up and start her own family. That is the reward at the end,” Ditzy smiled. She was about to say something when Dinky bounced out of the kitchenette smiling. “Did you finish Muffin?” she asked. Dinky smiled and nodded.
Looking at the clock Ditzy let out a low breath. “Well Fluttershy it was a great evening, but now it is time for me to head home and get Dinky ready for bed.”
“But mommy,” protested Dinky. “I'm not tired.” She continued to protest as Ditzy nudged her to the door.
“Yes you are muffin. Now say goodnight to Fluttershy”
Dinky tried to say good night but the moment she opened her mouth she yawned and felt her eyes close. “G'night Miss Fluttershy,”
Fluttershy smiled and said goodnight to the duo as they left her small cottage. Feeling tired herself, Fluttershy went and laid back on her couch and closed her eyes and had a dream. In this dream she was several years older and sitting in the audience of the Ponyville High Graduation. There, at the podium spoke her daughter giving a heartfelt address to the class. At the end of the speech, Clover called out Fluttershy's name thanking her for everything. The dream faded and Fluttershy smiled once again. “We will succeed Clover. I promise.”
