Our Daughter

Chapters

CH2: Asking the parents
CH3: A Secret Kept?
CH4: Proposal (5 weeks pregnant)
CH5: Upsets (7 Weeks pregnant)
CH6: Caught (7 Weeks pregnant)
CH7: Moving Forward (7 Weeks pregnant)
CH9: The Beginning of Forever (10 Weeks Pregnant)
CH10: Growing Bundle of Joy (10 weeks pregnant)
CH11: Offers of Adventure (four & a half months pregnant)
CH12: On the Pathway of Dreams (four & a half months pregnant)
CH13: The Grand Adventure (four & a half - five months pregnant)
CH14: Wild Run (Six months pregnant)
CH15: Trials and Realizations (8 Months pregnant)
CH16: Family Revelations
CH17: Arrival
CH18: Family
CH19: Showtime
CH20: Decisions
CH21: Finale
CH1: Young lovers mistake
CH8: Pre-Wedding Jitters (10 Weeks pregnant)

CH2: Asking the parents

“Son, what is your intentions toward my daughter?”

“What?”

  “Dad!”

“Honey, I know he’s been your friend for a long time, but I still need to know this. The two of you look like foals caught with your hoof in one of my rainbow pools. By the way he is still sitting on your bed, I would say the two of you were getting rather cuddly there. I know what it’s like to be young, I’ve been there.” A ghost of a smile played upon the stallion’s muzzle as he paused to fix his gaze upon the highly nervous Soarin. “So, I ask you again. What is your intentions toward my daughter?”

Soarin looked so nervous he might pass out “S-sir.” The poor youngster took a deep breath to steady himself before he continued. “If I may be so bold, sir... I would like your daughter’s hoof in marriage.”

Tempest Wind quirked an eyebrow, a smile slowly slid across his muzzle. “Really now? Is that you asking me officially? Or are you going to wait until after your final year of schooling is over like I thought you would?”

Soarin did a double take, “you thought I would what?”

A deep chuckle escaped the deep orange stallion. “I know the two of you are pretty good in public, but around here, I’ve seen the way you two act. To be honest, I had been hoping this moment would come soon after you two finished advanced flight school.”

“Really? Well, to be clear, yes, I do want to marry Spitty and if its okay be you I would like this to count as me asking you officially. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to do this again.”

“Of course you may.”

“Yes!” Spitfire barreled into Soarin and they both crashed into the cloud wall. “Alright Pie Boy! Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Spitfire could hardly believe what had just transpired. Within less than an hour she had been transformed from a mare who had just lost her chance at glory to a bride to be. Now all they had to do was hold a secret wedding then ditch the foal and make a comeback to her life as a future Wonderbolt. If the two pulled it off right, not only would her parents be none the wiser over their mistake, but she could also make it into the Wonderbolts with her husband. Her dreams would be achieved and all would be good with the world.

“Alright, now you had better make the proposal a good one.” Spitfire gave her coltfriend a smirk as she relished the moment.

“Doesn’t that count?” Soarin cocked his head questioningly at his mare.

Spitfire rolled her eyes at her coltfriend, “of course not.”

“Don’t worry I got this.” Soarin grinned confidently back.

“I bet. But if you try and pull a lazy one on me, I’ll tell you to try again.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” Spitfire leaned against Soarin, content.

“I would believe her kiddo.” Tempest laughed, “But I know you got this.”

As Celestia’s sun slid below the horizon, Cloudsdale's soon-to-be-engaged couple entered the dining room to find Tempest lounging on a chair. Without glancing up the stallion spoke up, “you know, the Wonderbolts don't usually like couples working together.”

Spitfire glanced at her coltfriend to check his response and found him looking right back at her with a raised eyebrow. Good thing they had already talked about this. “That’s alright dad. That's why we think it would be a good idea to have a secret wedding. Keep it to only a small family feast.”

The reclined stallion held his silence for a few moments before he slowly responded. “You think so?"

Both teenagers both nodded earnestly.

"Then I will look into what I can do. I might be able to pull a few strings and keep the paper trail hidden. However, unless you two have something to hide..." Tempest paused to eye the couple with a cautionary look. "Then I would advise that you go the traditional route. Invite your friends and family, make a proper day out of it. Have a full on feast for family and friends, exchange a primary feather, sign the legal documents and let the world know you are together. Mind you, however you choose to do this, I expect your new husband to provide for you.” Spitfire rolled her eyes at her father. “I will happily pay for whatever dwelling you two choose to call your own, but that’s where my financial assistance must end. For whatever reason, you two are going to be married earlier than I expected. I do not mind. But since it is your intention to start your lives together so quickly, I expect you to be ready to face the world together earlier too.”

“Yes, father. Of course, we will be ready.” Spitfire replied dutifully. She was thankful that although she was expected to leave her parents home after becoming a married mare that at least they would have someplace to call home and allow for greater secrecy around her pregnancy. They were sure to figure something out from there.

"But if we marry and make it too public, won't that be a problem when Spit' and me try and join the Wonderbolts?" Soarin asked.

"If you are the best, I'm sure they won't turn you down." Tempest smiled. "But I'm also sure a word in the right pony's ear about how you two keep the lovey-dovey stuff at home will help, provided you both ace the tryouts."

“Dinner’s here!” The announcement broke the atmosphere as Spitfire’s mother entered the room.

Stormy Flare spotted the young colt next to her daughter and her face lit up with a big smile. “Soarin! Hello, it's lovely to see you around again. Will you be staying for dinner? I only bought us a lazy dinner. Hay fries and salad.”

“It’s okay, I should probably be heading home.”

“Soarin here has something to ask you.” Tempest smiled knowingly at his wife.

“He does?” Stormy Flare eyed the suddenly nervous young stallion with a curious smile as she placed the bags with their dinner on the table.

“Y-yes,” was the best Soarin could get out before his voice failed him.

Stormy casually continued with setting out the meal for her family. After a moments awkward silence, she paused to set her sights on the still nervous youngster. “Well spit it out.”

“I uh... Can I-” Soarin looked down at his forehooves. Why was this so hard?

His nerves were shattered by an elbow to the ribs from his fillyfriend. “Hey!”

Spitfire gestured to her parents as if to silently order him to hurry up. “I- I asked Temptest already ...If maybe I could have your daughter's hoof in marriage.” He nervously played with his forehooves as Stormy Flare eyed him silently for a few moments.

The older yellow pegasus glanced at her husband to read his face before she turned to her daughter. “Is this what you want Spitfire?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Well then. Get married, claim him as your stallion and be happy together. Congratulations.” Without further ado, she continued laying out the meal. She made a point to serve the still slightly nervous teenage stallion. “I know you said you should be heading home, but after dropping a question like that on me, you will be staying for dinner.”

“Oh, well thank you.” Soarin accepted the serving he was given, thankful that both parents appeared to have been okay with the sudden question.

“One moment, no pony start eating yet. I just want to quickly heat something up.” With a swish of her deep orange tail, she left the room.

“Good one Slick.” Spitfire snickered.

Soarin shot his fillyfriend a look, “what? Your mom is like, intimidating and stuff.”

"I thought I was supposed to be the intimidating one?" Tempest asked with a cheeky grin as he leaned forward in his chair.

"You are. But I dunno, mothers are worse somehow." Soarin replied.

"Too right. Don't worry. One day long ago, I was in your seat too." Tempest replied. "It's natural to feel like your about to pass out."

"You felt that too when asking Stormy?" Soarin asked.

"No way. I'm talking about normal ponies here. I'm too boss to get nervous." The deep orange stallion lent back in his set, a smirk on his muzzle.

"Right." Soarin wasn't exactly sure he believed the cocky older stallion, but wasn't about to challenge him on the topic.

After a few moments silence, Spitfire grabbed her coltfriend's forehoof under the table and they quietly held hooves while they waited for the return of Stormy Flare.

When the matriarch returned, Soarin’s eyes lit up with delight at the sight of the apple pie. Stormy laid the piping hot pie on the table in front of the young couple. “I had one of these saved up and figured now was a good time.”

“Yummy. Thanks, Mrs Flare.” Soarin licked his lips, a massive grin upon his muzzle.

Before he could dive in and ignore the rest of his meal, Spitfire took a bite out of it. She grinned at her coltfriend’s shocked look. “Oh come on, don't tell me you expected to eat that all by yourself.”

“Uh... yea?”

“As long as you can share with your bride to be, I don’t mind missing out.” Tempest smiled as he dug into his own meal. “Oh and, Soarin. Would you do me a favour by meeting me at the Rainbow Factory this weekend?”

Soarin paused his fun pie time to glance inquisitively up at his soon to be father-in-law. “Sure, why?”

“Oh... I just want to spend some time to get to know you some more, one on one.” The orange stallion smiled back.

“Okay. Uh... Sure.” Soarin nodded before resuming his attack on the delicious pie with his fillyfriend.

CH3: A Secret Kept?

Spitfire strode confidently into her morning lesson in advanced flight class as if nothing had ever been wrong. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nope. No pony had to know she was pregnant. Everything was fine as usual and she was all set for another day of learning.

Soarin paused in the doorway behind her to take stock of their classmates as all gazes rested on the two late comers. Although she felt the need to stop with her soon to be husband and gather her thoughts, she refused to break her mask. She seated herself calmly in the front row of the small class beside her friend Fleetfoot and smiled “Morning Fleet.”

“Hi, you two.” The teenaged mare grinned back. “Somepony is a bit late.”

Spitfire shrugged.

“Hey Fleetfoot,” Soarin greeted as he too took his seat, right beside Spitfire in the middle of the front row.

The light blue teen lent toward the pair, “lucky the teach left to grab something or you two would be in real trouble. Apparently, we have bookwork for an hour then the rest of the day is practical.” She quickly withdrew at the sight of somepony rounding the corner into the room.

“Alright class,” the grey stallion paused in the doorway. “Glad to see you two finally chose to show up.”

“We’re only five minutes late,” Soarin commented quietly.

“Only?” The stallion strode to his desk and deposited the papers he carried on his back on his desk. “You wish to use your time in my class to advance to the Wonderbolts academy, correct?”

“Yes,” Soarin confirmed. As if everypony didn’t already know this.

The grey stallion continued after a moment of staring at his student. “As a Wonderbolt do you think it would be okay to be five minutes late to a show?”

“No sir.”

“What about five minutes late to a press meeting? Or missing the start of a days training?”

“Of course not.” Soarin’s reply was softer now.

“Well then. Why are you late to my classes? If you don’t wish to learn to be the best I can have you returned to the regular classes in this school.”

“I’m happy here thanks.”

“So you do still want to be a Wonderbolt?”

“Of course.” Soarin quickly confirmed.

“Then act like one,” a grey hoof impacted with the desk. “Or at least try. Be early. That way if something comes up you will be late and still arrive in time to start.”

“Yes, sir.”

Spitfire almost felt sorry for her coltfriend. This, of course, was why she did not open her mouth. It was better to not fight professor Greywing.

“Right, now where was I?” Professor Greywing asked the class.

“Pegasus magic theory.” A light pink teenaged mare spoke up.

“That’s right, Snowflake,” professor Greywing smiled broadly at his students.

“Boring...” complained Soarin under his breath.

Spitfire rolled her eyes. It might not have been the most exciting topic but pegasus magic was important for them to understand if they were to pull off the most epic moves possible.

Lunchtime rolled around quickly for the class and soon enough the trio were flying off to their usual spot in the clouds to eat their lunches.

“So, lovebirds, how’s life?”

“Same as yesterday.” Spitfire shrugged before she dug into her sandwich.

Soarin eyed his fillyfriend.

Spitfire eyed him back, “no.”

“Why not?” Soarin cocked his head to the side in question.

Spitfire felt the need within her to kiss his stupid, cute face. She quickly schooled her mind back into gear. This was not the time or place. There were other ponies about and it would not do to have her deeper relationship with him become public knowledge.

“Just drop it pie boy,” she did her best to play it off as nothing before their friend caught on.

“What’s going on?” The light blue mare lent closer toward the couple, concerned. “Did you two break up or something?”

“Look. It’s nothing.” Out of the corner of her eye Spitfire caught a ripple of hurt in her young stallion’s eye. It ripped at her heart and made her wish she had chosen a different set of words.

“Okay. Just as long as you two haven’t gone and done something stupid or broken up. I don’t want things to get any more awkward, I’m already the third wheel here.” Fleetfoot cracked a grin and threw her white mane off to the other side of her head.

“Well we might have done something stupid, but we haven’t broken up,” Soarin replied earnestly.

Spitfire groaned inwardly. Now Fleet was sure to keep digging till she found out.

The light blue pegasus let out a sigh. “Oh thank goodness. I just wondered why the two of you are being a little weird today.”

“I’m not acting weird.” Spitfire deadpanned, the sooner this topic was dropped, the better.

“Yea. Spit and me are fine.” Soarin added.

“Look, it’s just the way you two are acting together. What happened yesterday after school, what did I miss?”

“Can you drop it till after school?” Spitfire’s question came out more like a command yet the light blue pegasus before her inched closer, a grin on her face.

“It’s that good huh? Must be something special.” Fleetfoot mused with a thoughtfull look upon her muzzle.

“Just finish your lunch Fleetfoot. Then the three of us are going to race." Spitfire replied, eager to shut her friend up and enjoy herself.

“Yes, oh mighty leader,” Fleetfoot replied with a cheeky grin.

Three young ponies landed on a large cloud on the outskirts of Cloudsdale. With school over and Celestia's sun lower on the horizon, the nearby clouds were touched with golden rays. Soarin immediately relaxed next to his fillyfriend while Spitfire sat upright, her attention on the lands far below. Fleetfoot chilled next to Spitfire, her gaze wandered expectantly between the pair.

"I wonder what its like down there." Spitfire mused out loud. "To explore and perform to everypony in Equestria."

“So, what’s that thing you were going to tell me?” Fleetfoot asked, an eager grin upon her muzzle.

“What thing?” Spitfire feigned ignorance.

“You know... whatever it was you were not able to say in school even though no pony was listening in to our conversation.” Fleetfoot reminded her with a sly look on her muzzle.

“Well-” Soarin began but was cut off as a yellow wing covered his muzzle.

“Hey, let your coltfriend speak.” The light blue mare protested.

“You’re really not gonna stop asking until we tell you what happened aren't you?” Spitfire replied dryly.

“Yep.” Fleetfoot grinned back.

Spitfire sighed. How much to tell? Should she stop with her upcoming engagement or tell the whole story? After a moment’s deliberation, her coltfriend beat her to it.

“Spit and I are engaged.”

“No way!”

“Yep.” Soarin grinned triumphantly back.

Spitfire glanced around to check that their little party was alone. Good. The few ponies in view seemed to be going about their business with no interest in the youngsters.

“That’s so crazy. You have to tell me how you popped the question. Was it high in the skies on your own cloud, just the two of you someplace romantic?”

“No.” Spitfire quickly shot back.

Fleetfoot gave her a look but the fiery young mare refused to let herself react for fear of giving anything away.

“Okay, shoot. How did he ask you?”

Spitfire turned to her happy coltfriend, “we've not yet engaged you, big dummy. You just asked my parents if you could marry me.”

“While you were there.” Soarin smiled back. “Surely that has to count for something, right?”

“Yes, it means you have to make it good. Or I’ll tell you to try again," Spitfire wore a smug look on her mug as she pressed a hoof into her coltfriend's side to emphasize her point.

“Ouch. That’s a bit harsh.” Fleetfoot giggled.

“No, it’s not. I know he can pull something off that will amaze me. I just want to make it clear that I will accept only the best.”

“Aren’t I already the best for you?” Soarin asked as he laid a wing upon his fillyfriend.

Spitfire shook the wing off, “don’t do that in public.”

“I see who’s gonna wear the dress in this relationship,” chucked Fleetfoot, her eyes on Soarin.

The teenage stallion huffed.

“So, when are you gonna have the wedding then. After we finish school?”

“Too long,” Spitfire responded. "I was thinking sometime in the next few months."

“But its only another year and a half more of schooling. Surely you two can wait.”

 Soarin cast a meaningful glance at Spitfire and she felt her insides churn. No. No, they could not wait. In fact, the sooner they married, the better. But how to break it to Fleetfoot?

“We uh... can’t wait,” Spitfire heard her coltfirend mumble.

A moment of silence passed. A time in which Spitfire sure hoped her friend had not heard her coltfriend’s quiet response.

“Wait? Did I just hear that right? Why did he say you two can’t wait? Did he do something to you?” Fleetfoot turned her attention to Spitfire and the fiery pegasus couldn't hep but squirm a bit under her friend’s gaze.

“Come on, you can tell me.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence.

Spitfire wasn’t sure how the words slipped out. Yet from the look on her friend’s muzzle, she had not imagined the slip-up.

“What?”

“You heard.” Spitfire snapped. “I’m pregnant, Soarin’s the father. If we don’t get married before my parents and the school find out, I’m dead.”

If it were not for the severity of the moment, Spitfire would have laughed at the light blue mare’s dumbfounded look.

“You’re gonna be a teen mother?” Fleetfoot scoffed, “the mighty Spitfire, of all ponies pregnant? Please, tell me this is a joke.”

Awkward silence.

Spitfire shifted uncomfortably once more but settled as she felt her coltfriend’s wing upon her.

“It’s true.”

“Wow. This... uh... so this is why he asked your parents then huh?”

“Yep.” Confirmed Spitfire with a sigh. “I know we were going to get married one day. I just figured that one day would be after us three made it into the Wonderbolts and were all secure and stuff. I guess some things just move the timeline up a bit huh?”

“Yea.” Fleetfoot agreed, pensive as it the magnitude of it all settled in. “Hey, why don’t you just get an abortion? Then no pony has to know.”

“Because I can’t be bothered flying all the way to Canterot just to have a stranger do things to my body," retorted Spitfire, she brushed her coltfriend's wing off her back with her own. "Not in public Soar'."

Fleetfoot grinned at the continued dominance of her firey friend before she became more serious, “I mean, being in a relationship is gonna make it hard enough for you both to get in together. But if you have a foal, the Wonderbolt’s aren’t gonna pick you!”

“I know!”

“Alright. Then what are you two gonna do about it then? Because I can see Soarin totally has your back.”

“Always,” the young colt confirmed with a confident grin as he returned his winged hold to his lover.

This time Spitfire didn’t shrug it off. His feathers on her back were a comfort after all and after her little admission, comfort was good.

“Spitfire and I already came up with a plan.” Soarin declared.

“That's fast,” Fleetfoot grinned, “it includes me too right?”

“We are gonna ditch school just as Spitty here shows then we are gonna go travelling, have the baby then head back in time to join the Wonderbots.”

“That’s not what we agreed on.” Spitfire reminded her colt. “Only I am to disappear. You have to keep up the schooling so I can rejoin with minimal fuss.”

“You know I’m totally not gonna leave you right, love?” Soarin rubbed his nose along the side of his mare’s cheek and grinned as it turned into a gentle nuzzle.

“What happens if...” Fleetfoot trailed off thoughtfully, her gaze skyward, purposely away from the cute couple before her.

With the attention back on her, Fleetfoot chose to continue. “Since you both want to get married so soon, what happens if you tell everypony you're going on your honeymoon. Sometime like during the coming holidays or something. You guys extend it as long as you need while I cover for you the best I can. Soarin, you can keep training like you do now. Spitfire, you just do the best you can. You both are already great perofrmers, so I'm sure Soarin could at least earn a few bits by performing for ponies. Then after you’ve ditched the foal, you refresh then come back here and show everypony just how awesome you are! We could even meet up when your feeling ready to rejoin and run over a quick routine together to wow everypony!”

“You, know. That’s not such a bad idea,” Spitfire conceded with a slow nod.

“That’s pretty much my idea though,” complained Soarin.

“Except I improved it,” Fleetfoot replied with a smug grin. “Now it might actually work.”

Soarin scowled back but held his silence.

“So, do I get to be the best mare and help plan this feast for family and friends?” Fleetfoot leaned in a bit closer, a hopeful grin upon her muzzle.

“Sure. I don’t see why not.” Spitfire shrugged.

The weekend rolled around soon enough and before he was ready, Soarin found himself being led into the Rainbow Factory by his soon to be father-in-law.

“Why are we here?” Soarin wondered aloud as he trailed after the older stallion around the magnificent inner halls.

Tempest Wind smiled to himself. “I just wish to show you something. Hopefully also give a glance into what I do here, a little father-son time if you get me.”

“Okay, sure.” Soarin sped up for a moment to catch up as his guide continued to stride purposefully on through the weather department and into the rainbow pools.

The duo quickly exited the main rooms, as Tempest Wind led the way into a rather bland looking cloud hallway.

The stallion quietly posed his companion a question, “Son, are you sure you can provide for my daughter?”

“Uh... Yes.”

The older stallion raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, of course.” Soarin tried to sound more confident in the presence of the imposing pegasus.

“Do you have a job?”

“Not yet.”

“Hmmm...” Tempest Wind hummed to himself. "Okay, so why do you wish to marry my daughter all of a sudden? Like I said the other day, I thought the two of you would wait until you had at least finished your schooling."

Soarin tensed, he should have been ready for such a question, after all, something like this was sure to raise a few questions. "Uh, um... because," he took a deep breath, here goes nothing. "I love the most awesome filly in all of Equestria and I want to keep her by my side always. We've been friends forever and been dating for two years. When you caught us cuddling, I just figured it was worth a shot to take things to the next level."

Tempest Wind smiled, considering the poor colt was put on the spot there, that was a surprisingly good and clearly honest answer. "Unable to wait any longer are we?"

"Yes."

The deep orange stallion eyed the younger pegasus and made sure to lock eye contact before he spoke, a sly grin upon his muzzle. "Beds getting a little cold at night without her around aye?"

Soarin's cheeks flushed crimson. "Y-yes."

"Okay. Fair enough. I know how that feels. I guess I can't fault you, I married Stormy after only courting her for a year and here we are happily married all these years later."

The older burned orange stallion stopped at a rather solid looking cloud door in the middle of the rather quiet hallway and turned to Soarin as he drew up alongside. “You know where we are now?”

Soarin shook his head.

“This place is restricted to high ranking staff only. One last question before we head inside so I can show you around. Has either of you given the wedding more thought? Do you want a nice public feast with all your friends and family or a private, top secret one?"

Soarin thought for a moment, "a nice family and friends one should be fine. We don't have many close friends so it would be mostly our two families there to witness Spit and me exchange a feather. As long as the Wonderbolts know that we mean business as a couple, then Spitfire and I don't see any problems."

"Sounds good. I'm sure I can always talk to a few friends and help you two. I also have a friend in mind who could officate the signing of the legal documents and not kick up a fuss at marrying such young ponies.” The deep orange stallion tuned to face the solid cloud door once more, “Tempest Wind, GM.”

Without a sound, the door dematerialized to reveal a room filled with skinny walkways over the top of vats of different colors and in the middle of the room, a massive water tank, half full. Off to the right side lay a control panel of sorts with all kinds of data on display that Soarin failed to comprehend.

“I personally oversee this room. It holds all the stock we need for making clouds, rainbows and snow.”

“That's kinda cool,” Soarin agreed quietly, his gaze continued to roam the room as he was led along the central walkway.

The older stallion slowly led him over to the large yellow vat of unmixed rainbow and casually asked, “do you know how it feels to fall in one of these?”

“No, sir.” Soarin had a feeling, he probably was not going to like the direction this conversation had just taken.

“Did you know, Rainbows after they have been mixed taste bitter and sting badly if you fall in.”

“N-no.”

A sly smile played on the lips of the older stallion. “Then I guess you also don't know that unlike mixed rainbow, the vat you see before you of pure yellow rainbow matter doesn't just taste bitter and sting, this stuff can give a pegasus a severe stomach problem if ingested and make all your hair fall out. That includes your feathers. Now if you were to fall in... well, that could very well land you in hospital. I’ve had staff here fall in. In fact, the one who fell into the raw red rainbow was unable to work anymore.”

Okay, now Soarin was starting to feel really creeped out. Was this crazy stallion threatening to push him in and make it look like an accident?

“Now, I’m sure being my daughters best friend and an athlete, there won’t be any problems. But if you break my daughter’s heart or wrong her, it would be a shame for you to be found in one of these vats now wouldn't it?” Tempest Wind casually turned his head to face the frozen younger pegasus.

Despite feeling like he could wet himself, Soarin forced an answer, “y-yes sir.” He swallowed and hastened to continue before his future father-in-law got the wrong idea and pushed him in. “I won't let you down. I love Spitfire with all my heart. No matter what happens, I could never leave her.”

Now the smile on the older pegasus became genuine. “That is wonderful to hear. Please understand that I just wanted to make my side of things absolutely clear.”

Tempest Wind turned and unhurriedly made his exit, Soarin hastened to join him.

“I do hope that the two of you wait before having foals though. It would be a shame for two of our most promising youngsters to fail to make it into the Wonderbolts because they couldn’t wait to become parents.”

“Yep,” Soarin quickly replied. “I agree.”

"Trust me son, it's a whole lot harder to not bang your special mare when your sharing a nice comfy bed with her every night."

Oh, as if Soarin did not already know that. His cheeks burned in silent shame at his inability to keep his desires under wraps. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind sir. She is very nice to cuddle though, so I'm sure living together won't be a problem."

That drew a friendly smile from the tough older pegasus. “Alright, then let me show you the rest of the Rainbow Factory, I promise the rest of your tour will be more enjoyable than this room.”

“Sure.” Soarin agreed, unwilling to deny the stallion who had just threatened him anything for fear that an ‘accident’ may happen. Soarin dreaded to think what Tempest Wind would do to him if he discovered Spitfire’s pregnancy.

“You know, a bright young stallion such as yourself could make a great employee here while you finish your last two years of schooling before you join the Wonderbolts. What do you say?”

“I’ll think about it.” Soarin agreed. While a job to help support Spitfire and himself would be nice, he didn't particularly want to work under his future father-in-law. Maybe he should start looking for a job somewhere though, maybe his local Cloudsdale bakery? Free pies and get paid? How hard could it be to find a job for three months? After that it would probably be time for a little road trip to hide an incoming foal anyway.

CH4: Proposal (5 weeks pregnant)

Soarin stood in line at his local bakery with a massive smile on his muzzle. Lunch time. One of the best times of the day. Especially after the morning he’d had. The best part of it was Spitfire thought he was having a lazy Saturday morning, sleeping in. Instead, he had been out getting important things done. It had been two weeks since his world had been turned upside down and it was still strange to think he was going to be a father. It felt good to be taking steps to somewhat correct his mistake. Standing here in the small line of ponies at his usual cloud bakery was a wonderful return to normalcy or at least a good attempt at it. It was a simple cloud building that overlocked much of Cloudsdale, two sides open to the public. In front of the kitchen there were three large clear cabinets, one a pie warmer and two housing units with all kinds of baked delights. All in all, it was enough to make the young stallion's mouth water. He licked his chops as the pegasus before him finished ordering and at last moved out of the way.

The older, deep red stallion behind the counter smiled at him, “Howdy Soarin, the usual I take it?”

Soarin nodded, “Yes please.” He paused as his confidence faltered andglanced behind himself to make sure that he was a line of one. “Say, you don’t happen to need an extra hoof around here do you?”

“What, like offering a pegasus like you a job?”

“Yea.”

With a snort the red stallion pulled out an apple pie. “No, I see no need to offer one of my best customers free pie.”

“Worth a shot I guess, I’m mostly after some job experience.”

“Experience huh? why not apply as a janitor for the Cloudsdale arena or even the rainbow factory, that place is always after new blood.”

“Yea, I guess I just wanted to try you first.” Soarin placed the required bits down on the countertop.

The stallion behind the counter thought for a moment. “Well, I guess I could give you a trial run. If its experience you want and you really want to work here, I can talk to my wife and see if she will let you on board. I can’t promise you great pay though.”

Soarin shrugged, “I don’t mind.”

The big red pegasus spotted another customer enter the shop and scooped the payment off the counter. “How about I see you tomorrow at closing time.”

“Thank you.” Soarin grinned. He grabbed his pie and doughnut and flew off.

Much later that same day, two teenage pegasi touched down on a cloud that sat over Cloudsdale. It was the perfect size for two, just as Soarin had requested. It was also in the perfect place to watch the sun go down over their home city at the end of lovely Saturday. The pair sat in silence for a few moments, content to watch the last of a peaceful day.

‘Is he going to do what I think he is?’ Spitfire wondered to herself. ‘This isn’t half bad.’

Celestia’s sun sank lower, as if the ruler herself was about to put a end to the day. The city in the clouds lit up with a slight golden sheen to it. The suns rays cut through the thinner clouds and lit them with the golden-orange brilliance of Celestia’s sunset. In the distance Canterlot sparkled too. Soarin grinned. It was time. He shuffled slightly as nerves hit his system with the force of slamming into clouds at high speed. He extended a wing and pulled his mare closer.

Together.

Moments like this, with the feeling of her warm coat pressed up against his, were truly something special. He wished Celestia would keep the sun around just a little bit longer so he could prolong the moment. He grinned as his mare snuggled into his side. This was perfect. ‘What did you come up here for?’ Great, his mind just had to kill the perfect moment. His inner thoughts were right though.

He took a deep breath, for this had to be done before their princess decided to lower the sun. He stood. Spitfire cracked a half smile as she too stood, as if she were anticipating his next move.

The young stallion positioned himself so that he had all the splendor of their home beyond behind him and knelt down in front of his mare. Out of his small pouch he withdrew an ornate hoof band, swirls of gold mixed with silver and bronze. It was a pegasus engagement band.

“Spitfire, will you marry me?”

“Yes! Yes!” Without hesitation, Spitfire tackled her lover so hard that her momentum carried them off into open sky. In an instant, they were in free fall and in his surprise Soarin fumbled with the band and it slipped out of his grasp. “No!”

Spitfire pushed off from her disorientated wingmate and sped toward the falling hoof band. Not one to be beaten, Soarin righted himself and took off after her. He forced himself to go faster and faster till he passed his mare and snatched at the trinket.

One swipe, it spiralled away from him through the air. ‘Darn it hooves!’

Spitfire sped past him as he lost momentum, and with a single effortless movement cupped the band with her wing. With a victorious grin at her lover, she slipped it onto her right forehoof and held it out for him to see. Soarin grinned, success! She was his to keep now!

Spitfire reopened her wings and shot off into the skies again. Soarin hastened to follow.

The pair realighted just in time to witness the sun dip below the horizon. The last rays flickered across the horizon then vanished as the moon slid out.

Spitfire immediately turned to her wingmate and showed him her forehoof. “Kluz, how could you drop such a beautiful engagement band?”

“You tackled me!”

“What did you expect me to do?”

“I dunno,” Soarin sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Not that, I guess I could have asked your dad for a bigger cloud.”

“Ya think? Come, sit.” Spitfire plopped herself down and gazed out across the land as lights came on and stars came out.

The light blue stallion sat beside his wingmare and once again laid a wing across her. She snuggled up to him and held out her right forehoof for him to see.

“Thanks for the band. It looks amazing. Should I even ask how you got it so fast?”

Soarin shrugged. “I looked around for the perfect engagement band, the one shop in Cloudsdale was too expensive so I went to Canterlot. It was even worse there and I even had a few ponies ask me what a colt my age was doing looking for such a thing.” He gave a short laugh, “those ponies are so snobby, it’s unreal. Anyway, I got back home still empty hoofed and my mother asked me what I was doing. I told her and she offered me the band my father gave her when they became promised to each other. I then went out for lunch and found a job at the best bakery in all of Cloudsdale. I’ll be meeting both owners tomorrow to figure out how best to make it work. Then I chatted to your dad for a moment, then found you.” A grin overcame his face at the thought of working at his top bakery.

Spitfire cast him a look, “you told me you were sleeping in this morning.”

“You said you wanted to be surprised. I had to set this all up somehow without you knowing.”

“You could at least have told me you were thinking of getting a job. We could even both work for my dad. It would be better pay than that bakery.”

Soarin scowled for a moment, he liked that bakery. “Your dad was too scary. I can’t work for a pony who threatened to throw me into his raw rainbow pools if I mess up.”

“He did what!?”

“Don’t worry about it. I have a job, we have a future together and we have a foal to think about.” Soarin rested against his lover and let out a big breath as he relaxed. “Now your mine forever.” A cheeky grin crept over his face and he reached across her barrel and held her protectively with both wing and hoof. “This is mine. No one else can have. I also claim exclusive peeping rights.”

Spitfire giggled, “wait until the family feast and the little ceremony pie boy. With your feather in my mane, then and only then you can claim ownership.”

Soarin scoffed, “I got you pregnant! That’s like, supposed to be the last step in this whole getting married and starting a family thing. Don’t talk to me about order!”

“Right.” Spitfire relaxed back into her lover and closed her eyes. “For the record, I think you popped the question well enough to warrant that yes.”

“Thanks.”

“You maybe could have done a bit better. But I’m not going to complain.” Spitfire smirked as she nestled deeper into his hold.

“You really know how to make a stallion feel good don’t you?”

“Of course.”

After what felt like a moment's cuddling, but really could have been half an hour or more, Soarin felt the temperature begin to drop. His tummy had also informed him it was dinner time.

“Hey wingmare, wanna go out for dinner?”

Spitfire smiled at his use of the term, “sounds good. What do you have in mind?”

“See down there?” A light blue hoof pointed toward a village with a few lights, barely visible amid the dark of the night.

“You wanna go there?”

“Yea, Ponyville. Apparently, they have some really nice places to eat out. And it’s not Cloudsdale so the chances of somepony seeing you with that band on and recognising us is super low.”

Spitfire shrugged, “sure, why not.”

Soarin took flight and heard the rustle of feathers as he was joined in the sky by his wingmate. He tilted downward and made a slow easy spiral toward the town.

The pair alighted on the outskirts of Ponyville beside a windmill. The road was quiet but they could see ponies further down the main road around what Soarin assumed was the town hall.

“Let’s go this way.” Soarin motioned toward a spiral tower behind several houses.

“Sure, it looks quiet enough that way.”

The pair fell into silence as they wandered along. Spitfire made sure to stay on Soarin’s right, further away from the busier side of town.

They continued on until they came to a decent sized pub on the edge of town, Hay and Clover. The squat building was painted a mix of greens and earthy browns, almost as though somepony had thrown hard cider over a field of clover and swirled the mix together haphazardly. The hanging sign depicted a bushel of hay with a single four-leaf clover overlaid.

“This place looks good,” Soarin noted as he gazed inside.

“More importantly, it’s quiet,” Spitfire added.

As the couple entered, they noticed that the quiet looking pub actually had a busy bar where several ponies were drinking. They were hit with the scent of hard cider and Soarin turned to his wingmare. Spitfire shrugged and marched up to a spare spot on the side of the bar. She placed her forehooves up on the bar and leant forward to get a better look at the menu on the wall.

“Does this place make good food?”

The light purple pegasus barmare finished pouring a cider, passed it to the brown earth pony colt at the bar in front of her then sauntered over to the new arrivals. “Not from around here huh? Take a seat over there and I’ll bring you the menu. I can promise you’ll enjoy the food here.” Her eyes sparkled as they fell on the hoof band Spitfire wore.

Spitfire was quick to remove her forehooves and made her way over to the table for two near the window.

The barmare poured two drinks, placed them on a tray, slipped it onto her back then strode carefully over. “Engaged wingmates I see, congratulations on finding that somepony special at your age.” She turned to Soarin, “did you just pop the question?”

“Yep.” Soarin grinned.

“Well then, have a free drink, on the house.” With the assistance of her wings, she slid the two pints onto the table and grinned.

The newly engaged wingmates could smell that it was a bit more than just regular cider they were presented with and Spitfire pushed her drink slightly away.

“We’re a bit too young to be drinking the hard stuff,” Soarin replied.

“Psh, take it. You’ve just become engaged, earth pony rules apply down here so have a drink. Trust me, this is the good stuff from Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Earth ponies drink hard cider when they get engaged?” Spitfire asked tentatively.

“Sure. Especially around here. I’ll be back with your menus.” The pegasus strode confidently off.

Soarin lent toward his wingmare and shifted her drink closer toward himself as she reached for it. “No drinking for you.”

“But I want to give it a try.” Spitfire protested.

“No you don’t. I’ve read that alcohol can be bad for our foal if you drink while pregnant.”

“Just a taste.”

“No.”

Spitfire relaxed back into her seat, her slight scowl the only ruin to Soarin’s otherwise happy evening. “Come on Soar,’ don’t you think you're overdoing it?”

The crimson pegasus returned with two menus and set them down before the couple. “Alright, let me know when you want to order.” She wandered off back to the bar as another customer called for a refill.

“Okay, thanks.” Spitfire opened her menu and skimmed through the contents.

“Hey look at this,” Soarin turned the menu to face his wingmare and pointed at the item at the top of the second page.

It read, ‘The Stallion. An extra plus sized, large pie for stallions who think they can eat enough to feed a small family. Your pick of apple, pear or pumpkin filling.’

“I want this,” Soarin confirmed. He took his first swing of the alcoholic cider and his eyes almost popped out.

“Are you sure you can finish it?” Spitfire asked, a smile on her muzzle. “It sounds like a big pie.”

“Sounds like a fun challenge.” Soarin grinned, he took another sip of his drink. “This cider is stronger than I thought it would be. But quite nice. What do you think you want to order.”

“I might just get some hay fries and a clover burger.” Spitfire mused. “You looked kinda funny when you took that first sip. You sure it’s not too much for you?”

“I’m fine.” Soarin took a bigger sip to prove his point, belched, then held up a hoof to motion that they were ready to order.

“Hay fries, a clover burger and some water, thanks,” Spitfire slid her menu toward the waitress.

“And I’ll have ‘The Stallion’ with apple filling,” Soarin added confidently.

“Are you sure?” the waitress asked.

“Of course,” Soarin confirmed.

The pegasus pointed to a board behind the bar with a wing, “you see that? That sign lists all the ponies who have managed to finish ‘The Stallion’ by themselves in one sitting. If you manage to finish it by yourself, you get your name on that board.”

“But it looks like there's only six ponies names on that board.” Soarin squinted as he checked.

“Seven, but yea. Tough challenge. Are you sure you still want to try it solo? We can hold off on the burger for your wingmate.”

“I’ll finish it, don’t you worry. I love my pies.” Soarin slid his copy of the menu toward their waitress.

“Alrighty. Enjoy your drinks.” The waitress scooped up the menus and trotted off.

Spitfire leaned toward her lover and locked eyes with him. “I don’t want to carry your fat arse home if you eat too much and can’t fly.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Soarin grinned his best charming grin, lent forward then kissed his beautiful mare on her nose.

“Cheeky.”

Soarin smiled back then took another big swing of the hard cider. “You know... this stuff isn’t bad.”

Fifteen minutes later, the waitress returned with Spitfire’s food and company. Two earth ponies flanked her, both dressed for the kitchen. Soarin guessed they were the cooks. The older mint green earth pony carried on his back a tray with the biggest piping hot pie either young pegasus had ever seen. The steaming family sized pie was as wide as Soarin’s barrel and at least as tall as three regular large pies. Soarin’s mouth watered at the sight. Spitfire found herself wishing she had only ordered the chips for herself. There was no way her to-be husband could finish that.

“I hear that somepony is crazy enough to attempt our legendary pie all by himself.” The deep bass tone of the mint green chef spoke up.

“Yep. That’s me.” Soarin grinned.

“Good luck son. I’ve seen stallions twice your size try this and fail.” The red earth pony chef assisted his companion in placing the monster pie in front of Soarin while the pegasus waitress gave Spitfire her food. Soarin’s gaze was locked on ‘The Stallion’ and he licked his lips in anticipation.

“Alright. Enjoy.”

“And I’ll be watching from the bar.” The barmare added, “just in case you do actually manage to finish it all by yourself. Just be warned, if I see your wingmare even look like she might be taking a bite, then your chance to be up on our honor board is gone.”

“You got it.” Tired of waiting, Soarin plunged into his pie and began scoffing it down like he hadn’t eaten in days.

“Hey Spit, this pie is amazing!”

“You’re not going to finish that.” Spitfire challenged.

“Watch me.”

And for the next several minutes, Sptifire did exactly that.

Soarin loved every moment of this challenge. Each divine bite led to an explosion of taste as the warm pie gradually but surely filed him up.

Both young pegasi enjoyed their respective meals and all too soon, the fiery mare found herself spectator to her wingmate as he continued to eat his monster pie solo.

He worked with obvious pleasure to make the pie and both ciders slowly vanish. Her light blue stallion’s eating slowed as he munched on the last quarter of the now destroyed pie. Spitfire felt like the two of them had begun to attract some serious attention. She glanced around the pub and saw that most of the patrons were watching and whispering. Spitfire discreetly moved her forehoof that bore the band off from the table and out of sight.

With only a small portion left to go, Soarin pulled away and lent back in his chair. He closed his eyes and let out a satisfied groan. “You’re carrying me... Can’t ...move... uh... too full.”

“Go young-un!” A middle aged deep orange earth pony stallion called out.

“Finish it off!” an older mare from across the room added.

Several other spectators called out a further mix of encouragement and caused Soarin to grin. A light blue forehoof drew circles around his tummy as if to try and lessen the feeling of fullness as he continued to lay back. The athlete felt as though if he ate any more food he would most surely explode.

Spitfire rolled her eyes, she pushed her chair back and made her way around to her lover. She gently kissed his muzzle, “if you don’t finish that pie now, I won’t carry you home and you can sleep here.”

“Aww come on Sunshine...”

“You told me you could finish it. So, take your time and finish it. You’re nearly there.” She nudged his hoof off his tummy and took over with her own, bright yellow on plush, light blue. “Be the winner I know you are and get your name on the board.” Spitfire gently nuzzled the extra full stallion who had long since won her heart. He was silly to accept such a challenge and it would result in them requiring to sleep in Ponyville. However, since he had made it this far, she knew that if he had a few moments to recover he could win a place on the pub's wall of honour.

Soarin leant into his lover and sighed with contentment. “You feel so nice... you know that?”

Spitfire’s muzzle flushed at the public display of affection and she had to restrain herself to not recoil at the odd mix of alcohol and apple pie on his breath. She didn’t stop him though. Somehow, in this small town pub where no pony knew them, it simply felt nice.

The attention of those around the couple slowly drifted as Soarin continued to take his time.

As Spitfire began to wonder if she should prompt her lover to consider continuing before his meal went cold. She lurched as the relaxed mountain of stallion that had been leaning on her shifted.

“Ready to watch your stallion win?” Soarin grinned.

“Of course, pie boy.” Spitfire playfully nudged his shoulder.

Without a further word Soarin leant down and slowly continued his meal.

Cheers rang out across the pub as he gobbled up the last bits then collapsed into the crumbs, all that was left of the once massive, tasty pie.

“Congratulations kiddo.” The barmare sauntered up and grinned at the light blue destroyer of pie.

The earth pony chef with a red coat approached from the kitchen area, a grin upon his face. “What’s your name?”

Spitfire chucked as her stallion groaned in response.

“His name is Soarin and I think he's gonna to explode,” chucked Spitfire as she slowly rubbed her lover’s back.

“As long as he doesn’t explode everywhere in here, I’ll happily put his name up on our board of honour.”

Several chuckles followed the chef's words as ponies turned back to their previous conversations and once more gave the couple their own space.

The barmare grinned as she carefully slid the tray out from under the collapsed stallion’s face. “Boy, the way he can pack it away, you’re gonna have a heck of a time cooking for your soon to be husband, aren't you?”

Fiery yellow cheeks darkened. “I’m ...not much of a cook.”

“Oh. Well if you ever want to learn a few things, I could teach you. Trust me, your guy is gonna love it if you cook for him. I would know.” The light purple pegasus smiled confidently.

“Thanks. I’ll have to keep that in mind if I’m ever in town again.” Spitfire replied.

“Cool. Let me know if you need anymore drinks or anything.” With a swish of her tail she turned and strode off.

Spitfire turned her attention to her loved one. “How are you feeling?”

“Amazing. Full. This pie tasted almost as good as you do.” Soarin leant back into his chair and grinned suggestively at his wingmare.

Spitfire’s already warm muzzle heated further and she facehoofed in embarrassment as she slowly stood. “Yeah, real nice compliment to share in a restaurant, pie boy. I’m going to go and pay. Then I’m going to drag you out of here and find someplace to stay.”

A rather unstallion like giggle escaped the young stallion, “hey, I can pay.” Soarin ungainly stumbled out of his chair and stretched. “Oooh... still too full... Carry me?”

Spitfire scoffed and rolled her eyes but stayed by her lover’s side and assisted him as they made their way toward the bar to pay.

As the bright yellow mare was almost finished dishing out the bits required for payment she felt Soarin lean heavily on her side. He pressed himself toward the bar and grinned up at the waitress.

“That cider was pretty good! Where you get it from?”

“Apple family secret recipe hard cider. Glad you enjoyed it.”

“Yea, it was great!”

Spitfire counted out the last of the bits and turned to leave. Soarin stumbled a bit at the sudden movement but was quick to follow. “Slow down, I’m still too full to move properly!”

Spitfire turned to face her future husband. “You sure it's not because your drunk too?”

She nudged open the door and waited patiently for her scowling stallion to follow.

After a further moment of silence between the two, Soarin staggered outside. “You don’t have to be rude you know... It was only two drinks. And I did eat a lot...”

“And how do you know your not a featherweight? I can smell what you’ve been drinking from here.” He was only a step away, but that was not the point.

Soarin did his best at a sad face, he pouted, lip out and wings limp as he stood a mere step away from the love of his life.

“Uuugh, come here you.” Yellow met light blue as the young mare pulled her wingmate close into a hug. “I’m not angry at you. I just think you could have stopped after one drink.”

Warm fuzzies erupted in the night as the pair fell into silence outside the Hay and Clover.

“Uhh... why did I do that...?” Soarin moaned as he relaxed into his lovers hold.

“Because your eyes are bigger than both our tummies put together and because you’re silly.” Spitfire paused for a moment to gaze lovingly into the pair of emerald green eyes that gazed up at her in the moonlight. “But your my silly young stallion and I love you with all my heart.”

“Awww.. thanks. I love you two Sunshine.” Soarin unleashed a massive sigh of contentment as he slowly nuzzled his way under Spitfire’s chin. “You know... If I hadn't eaten so much, I was going to find us a cloud and show off my cloud shaping skills by making us a place to stay for the night.”

Spitfire scoffed. “You, make us a house for the night?”

“Yeah, I got many hidden talents. Just you wait and see.”

“Oh really?” Spitfire smiled mischievously. “Like stuffing yourself with the biggest pie known to pony kind?”

“Exactly!” Soarin grinned with pride. “But you know... other stuff too.”

“Come on fatty, I guess I'll try my hoof at cloud shaping.”

Soarin staggered slightly as Spitfire withdrew. It must have been from the sudden lack of contact, yea. He wasn't drunk. No way.

A short time later, Soarin sat at the edge of ponyville where town met farmland. Waiting for Spitfire sucked! ‘Why didn’t she let me help!’ Soarin complained to himself. Sure he might be a little bit unsteady and slower than usual, but so what? He should be up there showing off his skills, not down here waiting like some standard earth pony.

He caught a hint of movement in the night and his wings fluttered with excitement. “Sunshine!?”

A blast of cold air bufferted the colt as his lover hastily alighted next to him. “Keep it down. I thought I told you, you’ve had too much to drink.”

“Have not.”

“This isn't an argument Soran, shut up. I have something to show you.”

Soarin grumbled something under his breath till his golden mare moved closer.

“Do I need to carry you up, or do these things still work?”

“Hey, I told you I’m not drunks.”

“Right. Keep up then.” With that, Spitfire took off.

With a slight wobble in his usually perfect flying form, Soarin took off after his lover and kept pace not far behind her. The pair flew in silence for only a few moments before Soarin beheld the most uggly cloud structure he had ever clapped eyes on.

The pudgy, hastialy thrown together blob floated in place like a reject from the cloud factory. It looked like three whispy clouds had been rammed togeher and hollowed out. The hoofwork of the mare who sculpted it was easily spottable along the joins between the trio of clouds and the middle looked like a cloud that had its insides kicked out.

“Hey, don’t look at it like that.” Spitfire's defensive tone broke the peaceful silence of the night.

“Even with a drink or two, I can do better than that.” Soarin giggled as he landed unsteadily at the entrance to the two pony bubble of space. “Here, you just do this...” He trailed off as his hooves went into action.

He easily slipped into the actions of reforming and smoothing out their sleeping space. Soarin worked as fast as he could, mindful of the happy tingle in his brain that was sure to impair his work if he lost his concentration.

“There!” Proud of his quick fix, Soarin turned with a wide smile to face his mare. “Pretty good huh?”

“I must say, I'm surprised.” Spitfire conceded as she landed gracefully next to him.

Spitfire pressed a quick kiss to her lover’s muzzle then tackled him into the soft floor of the cloud den. A few giggles erupted into the night as they playfully wrestled for a few moments in their new bed. Cuddles soon took over and bright fiery yellow mixed with light blue as the two came together as one.

For two young lovers, all was right in Equestria this night.

Author's Note

So yea, cuddles and stuff happens :pinkiehappy:

This chapter came about when I decided to see what would happen for the proposal rather than go with my initial idea of breezing over it to later events. I'm rather happy with how this has turned out.

CH5: Upsets (7 Weeks pregnant)

Spitfire’s room was lit with soft predawn light. Soft enough that she could close her eyes and pretend there was still plenty of time left before she had to face the day. Yet she knew it was not so. Sometime soon, Celestia’s sun would peak through the curtains in her cloud room and announce the start of another active day. Spitfire rolled over in bed to face the ceiling. It felt like forever since her life had been flipped upside down. To think it had only been seven weeks since she had found out that she was carrying new life inside her. It was crazy. It felt both like no time at all, yet also it felt like forever. Spitfire glanced down at her tummy, she knew it would be some time still before she started to show yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that big things had definitely changed within her body. She sighed and did her best to relax into her bed. Tomorrow was the weekend. Tomorrow was sure to be a fun morning of cuddles and practising tricks with her favourite colt. She was thankful that his parents were happy to hear about their engagement. That brought another thought to the front of her mind. Three weeks to go. Just three weeks, then she would be a married young mare. The first rays of dawn broke through the curtains and spilt into her room. She flipped around and buried her face into her pillow to avoid the harsh rays. Nope, she did not feel ready for this day to start quite yet thank you very much.

Her tummy did loops and swirls as she continued to lie there. Come to think of it, today she might not be feeling all that well. That’s odd. Yesterday she was fine.

“Spitfire! You’re usually up by now. Get up, lazy bones.”

“Yes, mom!” With a sigh Spitfire extracted herself from the bed.

As she ate her oats for breakfast, Spitfire couldn’t help but wonder why her tummy continued to feel a bit off. Oh well, no time to wonder about why her body was acting weird, it would soon be time for her morning flight to Soarin’s house to drag his lazy butt out of bed. A usual start to her day that had been going on for several years now. She didn’t mind the extra exercise. He might now be her betrothed wingmate, but it clearly did nothing to get him out of bed any faster.

The answer to why her tummy felt a bit off came soon after she made it to school. Fleetfoot touched down nearby the young couple, Soarin waved at her while Spitfire felt the sudden and desperate need to rush to the bathroom. She made it just in time before the contents of her stomach decided it was time to evacuate. She hunched over the loo panting, just in case anything else unwelcome decided to exit her system.

“Spit! Spit! Are you okay?” The worried tone of her coltfriend made it to her ears just before he reached her side.

“Sunshine, Are you okay?” he asked again.

Despite the unpleasantness of her situation, she couldn't help but smile a little as his snout brushed against the back of her neck.

Spitfire slowly sat up as the nausea cleared and she cleared her throat in the nearby sink. The proud pegasus sat up straight and turned to face her concerned colt. “I hope so. We got a full on day of school.”

“Alright. But if you start feeling sick, I’m gonna take you home.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “I’m fine pie boy, now get out of the little fillies room.”

“Oh, right!” Soarin put a wing around his young mare and guided her out of the filly’s bathroom. He made sure to caress her with the tips of his feathers as he withdrew his wing.
 Fleetfoot stood in wait in the corridor. She smirked at the display of affection from Soarin. “It’s funny seeing a colt rush into the little fillies room like his tail is on fire. Especially when she’s ‘just’ his friend.” Her attention shifted to the pegasus at his side, “are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Just had an upset stomach or something. Let's go to class.” Spitfire led the way.

Fleetfoot shot Soarin an enquiring glance and he shook his head and mouthed back, ‘she’s fine.’

Spitfire and Soarin exited the school together at a leisurely pace. Another day of learning was over, it was time to enjoy themselves.

“Hey Spitfire!”

The duo turned to face a lanky pegasus colt with a deep blue coat and a grey mane as he approached them outside of school.

“Yes?” Spitfire asked cooly. She wondered what Cool Breeze could possibly want. He was not the kind of pegasus to usually talk to Soarin or herself.

“Hey, uh... me and the guys were wondering, are you two like ...dating or something?”

Spitfire wasn’t entirely sure how to answer that, however, she noticed a sudden grin etched on Soarin’s muzzle.

Soarin turned to his engaged wingmare, “hey, that’s like... a great idea, hey Spit, would you date me?”

Spitfire ignored her future husband in favour of answering the laky pegasus before her.

“No. Why?”

“Uh... would you be interested in going out to dinner with me? It is a Friday and I figure... if you’re not busy...” the nervous colt trailed off into silence.

“Sorry. I’m not interested in dating and I don’t need a coltfriend. Besides, Soarin, Fleet and me had something planned tonight.” Spitfire replied. Of course, all of that was true, thanks to Soarin. She was not simply dating him anymore. Technically he was her engaged wingmate, not her coltfriend.

“Oh. Right.” Cool Breeze bowed his head, defeated.

“Hey, keep your chin up, I’m sure a nice young colt like you will find the right someone one day.” Spitfire offered.

“Thanks.” With a sigh, Cool Breeze wandered away from the couple.

Once out of earshot Soarin leaned into his mare and whispered, “did you know he liked you?”

“Not at all.” Spitfire shrugged.

“Hey guys,” Fleetfoot wandered up and paused. “What did I miss?”

“Cool Breeze asked me out.”

Fleetfoot stifled a snicker. “Oh yea, I caught him admiring you at least once. I didn’t seriously think he would ask you out.” She took off into the air and flew close to the pair.

With a smirk, the arctic blue pegasus continued, “but we all know you and Soar were like together since you were little. I’m more surprised you both weren't dating before junior flight school.” Fleetfoot shot back cheekily.

Soarin recoiled a bit, “Feet, Spit and me were like five back then.”

“So? You two made a cute young couple at that age.” The cheeky pegasus shot back as she took off into the skies, laughter trailing in her wake.

“Let's get her.” Spitfire turned to her lover, her wings up and ready for speed.

“Race ya’.” Soarin grinned back.

Scootaloo sailed through the air on her scooter. Her tiny wings worked the air like crazy. She closed her eyes and smiled. Moments like this were the best, she could pretend as though everything was perfect. As if she could fly and everything was right in life. She cracked an eye open and spotted Rumble just behind her, his wings were working just as hard. Greens and brows flashed by as they soared through the final leg of the race through the trees. She did her best to put on an extra burst of speed before she landed hard on the ground and lurched as she nearly fell off her scooter. Her friends erupted into cheers.

Rumbles friends, Tender Taps and Button Mash joined in the cheering as Scootloo dismounted and grinned at Rumble. “I won!”

“Yea,” the young colt panted, “you’re fast as a speeding pegasus on that thing. I didn’t seriously think you could keep up. Good job Scootaloo” He smiled back at her.

“Thanks. I just wish I could fly for real though.”

The young dark coloured pegasus colt shrugged. “Hey, I’m sure you’ll get there someday.”

“Yea, I guess.”

“Aww, don’t worry Scootaloo, I’m sure Rumble is right.” Sweetie Belle chimed in.

“I know, It’s just... it already took us so long to earn our cutie marks. I don’t want to have to wait forever to fly too.”

“Well how about I try and help you.” Rumble offered.

“Really, you’d do that for me?”

“Sure,” he replied with a smile and a shrug.

“Ya know, Rainbow Dash has already tried teaching her, right?” Apple Bloom spoke up.

Rumble gazed between the girls, “maybe she just needs some help from someone her own age, right?”

“Worth a shot.” Scootaloo shrugged.

“Anyways, I had better get home. My brother promised to take me out somewhere cool before dinner.” Rumble announced.

“Yea, I guess we should probably head off too.” Tender Taps added.

“Okay, see you boys at school tomorrow then.” Apple Bloom replied with a wave to the departing young colts.

“So, do you girls have anything planned tonight?” Sweetie Belle asked as she turned back to her friends.

“Homework? I’ll probably also need to avoid all the foals.” Scootaloo replied casually.

“Why avoid them?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“We had a new arrival yesterday, dropped off from somepony in Canterlot, so everypony is really excited. Plus, I kinda wish I wasn’t there anymore you know.” Scootaloo responded as she slowly trekked off, her scooter in tow.

“You don’ often talk about that place,” Applebloom observed quietly. “Something wrong?”

“Well... you know how it's my eleventh birthday in a few days.”

“Yea.”

“Well, I think it kinda sucks that I’m nearly eleven and still don’t have a forever home or even know who my parents are or what they do. I don’t even know why they left me.”

Both friends moseyed in nice and close and gave Scootaloo a quick hug forcing her to stop dragging her scooter.

“Thanks,” Scootaloo smiled a little as she picked up her scooter.

“I could ask Rarity if it’s ok for you to spend the night with us if you don’t want to go home.” Sweetie Belle offered.

“Or I could ask Granny Smith, I’m sure she would say yes!”

Scootaloo considered her friend’s offers for a moment then brightened up, “okay. Just let me tell Sun Lilly that I have a sleepover tonight. How about I sleep over with you Sweetie tonight and this weekend I’ll come round to the farm for a sleepover?”

“Sure.” Scootaloo’s friends answered in unison, big smiles all around.

With that, the trio split ways.

Scootaloo raced along the streets. As she neared the edge of town, she suddenly slammed into somepony tall and yellow wearing saddlebags.

“Fluttershy!”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Scootaloo eyed the orphanage up ahead, it almost felt like Fluttershy had come directly from the orphanage. However, it was hard to tell because she had been so focused on going fast. Why would Fluttershy be going to such a place? “Say, what are you doing out here?”

“Just out for a walk, I also visited the foals and said hi to Sun Lilly. They are waiting for you before they start the party.”

Fluttershy knew? Great... Scootaloo forced herself to not sigh, “alright thanks. But please don’t tell anypony about this, I don’t need anypony thinking bad of me because I’m an orphan. It’s already bad enough having wings that don’t work properly.”

“Scootaloo, don’t put yourself down,” Fluttershy warned, her tone a little bit too motherly for Scootaloo’s liking, this mare wasn’t a mother after all.
“Rainbow Dash and I think you are amazing, just the way you are.” She lent down and offered a light nuzzle.

Scootaloo allowed the warm fuzzy moment to end before she took a step away from her elder, “alright, well I better get going then.”

“I’ll see you later then,” the buttery mare smiled as the orange filly jumped on her scooter and powered the rest of the way to the orphanage. Now it was time to figure out the best way to get permission to enjoy a sleepover with her friends.

Spitfire smiled as she lay there in Soarin’s wonderful grasp. When she came by at her usual early hour on a Saturday, cuddles had recently taken the place of their early morning exercise. Not that Spitfire minded, it felt wonderful to be snuggled up against her own very special colt.

As she lay there, her tummy did a few flips and she hoped that this morning would not turn into a rush to the bathroom like the previous day at school had done. However, as she continued to lie there, cocooned in her partner’s love, the sinking feeling continued to build faster and faster. Spitfire wished she had skipped breakfast or something. This didn’t feel good. The world began to feel a bit skewed and Spitfire caught the evil sensation of her breakfast upcoming. She darted out of the warm confines of Soarin’s hold, rushed along the corridor, wings in motion to speed up her rush to the toilet.

Soarin was thrust out of wonderful dreamland by his wingmare’s sudden exit. The groggy young stallion dragged himself up, “whaa- Sunshine?”

He heard the muffled sounds of her retching and all traces of the peaceful morning fog of sleep vanished. His love was in trouble!

He raced out of bed and down the hallway. He skidded to a stop in front of the bathroom and much to his horror spotted his Sunshine losing what little was left of her breakfast. Unlike at school, it seemed she had not quite made it to the loo in time and Soarin cringed at the sticky, yellowish-brown mess on the floor near her. This would not be pleasant for her to clean up. No! Soarin’s inner resolve caught him, now was the time to help.

He kicked into action and carefully made his way over. He brushed back her mane then rubbed her back soothingly.

“What’s gotten into you Spitty, you eat something funny?”

“I don’t think so...” Spitfire managed around the rather nasty taste of recycled breakfast mixed with juice.

A light green mare with a flowing rich sky blue mane barreled into the doorway, “my dear, are you okay?”

“I think I am now,” Spitfire replied, her eyes were closed and her insides knotted, but at least it felt like the sensation had passed for now.

Having a foal was going to suck if this was what morning sickness felt like. Spitfire hoped this was only food poisoning or something, but the wiser part of her mind reminded her that Soarin had been rather overbearing whenever they were out. There was no way she could have picked up something from meals at home either.

With a shiver to try and dispel the pukey feeling from her system altogether, Spitfire turned and froze under the older mare’s gaze. Soarin’s mother was studying her carefully with crystal green eyes and Spitfire could tell that what was about to come would not be good.

“Clean that up you two. Then I want the both of you downstairs at the table. We need to talk.” With a final piercing look, she departed.

A few stunned moments passed in the wake of the matriarch of the house before Soarin turned to his wingmare, his normally happy features were panicked. “We’re dead. I know it. Mom’s gonna kill me,” he whispered as he sagged slightly into his mare.

“Calm down,” Spitfire hissed back.

“Okay, okay,” the light blue colt withdrew and took a few deep breaths. “Let’s get this all cleaned up.”

Author's Note

Aaaand let the fun begin :pinkiehappy:
Time to roast some young pegasi?
Or will Soarin's mother be easily convinced that all is fine?
What do you think?

CH6: Caught (7 Weeks pregnant)

Scootaloo paused outside her home, the Ponyville orphanage. It was a nice enough place, but sometimes the young filly wished she had a normal home to go to like her friends. Although the last two nights sleepovers had been wonderful, she did not live in either of her friend’s houses and it did feel rude to try for another night out. That left here, the only home she ever really had; Ponyville Orphanage. The rustic, squat brown building blended in with the edge of Ponyville. It was a fairly long building, big enough to house dorms for those who had no other choice but to live there. Just as she was about to enter she spotted a rainbow blur approaching. She sighed, Ponyville Orphanage was never a good place for a chat, especially with her hero.

“Hey, Squirt!”

“Hey, Rainbow Dash. Whatcha doin’?”

“Oh, you know... about to go inside. The girls and I had a fun day at school and all, but they all had real homes to go to.”

“Hey, you got a home.”

“Yeah sorta, I guess.”

“Would you prefer that someone took you home?” Dash asked inquisitively.

“Well yeah, of course.”

“Well, how about my girlfriend and I take you on then? upgrade you from honorary sister to daughter?”

“Really?” Scootaloo could hardly believe what she was hearing, was this for real?!

Then her brain caught up with the rest of what her hero had said. “Wait. Girlfriend? I didn’t know you had a special somepony.”

“Yea, sorry. About that.” Dash paused, a slight blush upon her cheeks. “Fluttershy prefers we keep it quiet for just a little bit longer. She’s also afraid of how some ponies might take the news of a lesbian Wonderbolt.” The short, but well-built pegasus scoffed and muttered something under her breath.

“You and Fluttershy huh?” Scootaloo quirked an eyebrow, “I remember you told everypony you weren't interested in romance.”

“Yea, well. I’m not, but I got Fluttershy and she’s special. And for the record, she asked me soon after we kicked Tirek’s butt.”

Scootaloo looked at Dash like she had suddenly grown a second head. “No way! Wait, that means you’ve been going out for a whole month and not told anypony! No pony else knows?”

“Well, now you know, squirt. Anyway. I really came because I knew it was your birthday soon and as because I didn’t get you anything, I decided to ask you if you were interested in being my foster daughter.”

“Yes! Yes!” Scootaloo threw herself into Rainbow Dash just as Fluttershy alighted next to the polychromatic mare and joined in the hug.

Fluttershy spoke up, a big smile on her face as she withdrew, “I see somepony likes the idea of having a new mom. You know, we have all the paperwork ready. If you want, we can hand it in now.”

“That would be so awesome!” Scootaloo cheered.

“Then let's go.” Dash nudged her two companions forward and led the way inside.

The wooden building carried a colorful interior, built to appeal to foals. The reds, greens, yellows and blues were textured in all sorts of patterns around the four walls of the boxy room the trio stood in. Across from them was a single doorway. Next to it stood a simple wooden reception desk with a green and yellow earth pony behind it.

Sun Lilly looked up at the sound of company and smiled a the sight of the trio. “Hello, Rainbow Dash. How may I help you and Fluttershy today.”

“Hi.” Dash paused and glanced at Fluttershy. “Fluttershy has all the paperwork. I hope you still don’t mind us counting as a family for Scoots here.”

“Not at all, as long as you both are in a committed long-term relationship I see nothing wrong here.” Sun Lilly smiled pleasantly.

Fluttershy pulled the required papers out of the small saddlebags she wore. “Here you go, I do hope everything is in order.”

“Yep. Fluttershy and I might not have been dating for long, but since we’ve been friends since forever, I’m sure it will be fine.” Dash smiled confidently.

Sun Lilly smiled at the response, took the adoption papers and examined them carefully.

Moments passed as she carefully sifted through the papers. A few earth pony foals peeped around the corner. Scootaloo waved at the preschool colts who waved back then quickly withdrew behind cover.

Sun Lilly looked up from the papers, “alright. These all look in order. It is wonderful to at last see Scootaloo off to a good home.”

“Scootaloo gets to go to her forever home?” A tiny voice asked.

Attention fell upon the speaker as the young earth pony filly was thrust out by the two preschool colts behind her.

“That’s right.” Rainbow Dash confirmed with a smile, “and she gets to come home with Flutters and me right now.”

“That’s so cool!” one of the foals called out, excitedly.

Fluttershy smiled brightly, “it’s going to be wonderful, I’m sure.”

That drew the rest of the hidden youngsters and pretty soon all 5 young orphan earth ponies along with the orphanages only unicorn foal were gathered around. They quickly mobbed the new family. Soon hugs were all over and the excited group of foals trailed their caretaker and Scootaloo to the door.

Before Scootaloo knew it, she was on Rainbow Dash’s back and cursing through the skies. Her other new mother, Fluttershy held her scooter as she kept pace.

“This is your new home. ‘Shy and I decided to make her home our permanent home cause you still have problems flying.”

“But your cloud home!” Scootaloo protested.

“Isn’t going anywhere. I’m gonna rent it out. After all, it’s super cool, every pegasus outside of Cloudsdale is gonna want to live there.”

Scootaloo took a few moments to process this information, still blown away that her longtime sister had actually adopted her. She was broken out of her thoughts by her sister-turned-mother.

“Anyway, let’s get you settled in!”

Two pegasi in their late teens entered the dining room. The cosy cloud room had enough space for the small oval table, chairs for the family and some decorations on the walls such as the collection of family photos next to the hallway entrance. At the head of the table sat a rather concerned dark blue stallion with a ruffled light red mane, looked like he had been only just dragged out of bed by his wife, who sat to his right at the small oval table.

“Can somepony please tell me why I was woken by my wife to the sound of sompony being sick? Are you okay my dear?” Tyson leant forward in his chair, concerned for his soon to be daughter-in-law.

“I think I’m fine,” Spitfire answered as she took a seat opposite the half-asleep stallion.

“Was it something you ate?” Asked Tyson.

“I don’t know,” Spitfire replied. She was pretty sure she knew what it meant, but admitting that it might be because she was pregnant would put the both of them in a lot of trouble. She didn’t feel ready to face either Soarin’s parents or her own.

Soarin’s mother, Dawnrush waited a few moments, allowing awkward silence to take hold. Her gaze shifted between both uncomfortable youngsters. “I want to know why I have a feeling that you both are hiding something from me.”

“What?” Soarin had no idea what to say to that. He could not lie to his parents face, but to tell them the truth? They both may as leave home now and find a rogue cloud outside of Cloudsdale to live in together till the wedding was over.

“Son, I’m giving you both one chance, right now. What aren’t we being told?” Dawnrush’s tone made it clear that lying to her was a very, very bad idea.

Silence reigned. From the nervous expressions on the younger ponies faces, it was clear they both felt caught under the older mare’s gaze. Under the table, light blue and sunny yellow touched, each seeking the other’s comfort.

“Okay then. I’ll start guessing.” The lime green mare paused to allow this to sink in. “Spitfire, do you realize you may be pregnant?”

“What? No.” The teenaged mare felt herself fill with dread at what was to come.

“Well, you are a healthy young mare. You’re not sick. You have a tougher stomach than my son and you both always eat out together. It would stand to reason that he would be far worse off than you, my dear. However, I remember when I had Soarin. About eight weeks in I could not hold my breakfast. My husband also became rather overprotective of me after he realized we were going to be parents. I had wondered if it was my imagination playing tricks on me, or if my boy was acting ever so slightly different toward you. Your teachers mentioned it to me recently but I thought nothing of it. But this morning’s incident makes me suspect that Soarin has known for some weeks that you are in fact carrying his foal.”

This statement elicited different responses from each pony in the room. Soarin’s father wore his outrage thinly veiled on his face. Spitfire had traces of panic flash across her muzzle till she schooled her expression. Soarin sighed in defeat, utterly crushed. His mother was right. “Yes mom, Spit is pregnant. It’s why we are getting married so soon. But I’ve loved her for so long it feels like the right thing to do.”

“The right thing?” Soarin’s dad burst, “the right thing was to keep it to yourself and not go getting your filly pregnant! I thought we raised you better than this!”

“You did, but it was a mistake.” Soarin was about to continue when he was cut off.

“Well, it might just have cost you both your careers. I need to tell Tempest. He’s going to want to hear about this.”

“No! Please don’t tell my dad! Not yet...” Spitfire urgently spoke up.

“You both want to live with the consequences? Well, this is it. Come on honey, I don’t care if they are sleeping, our friends need to hear this.” Tyson shoved his chair away and strode away.

As the two older pegasi left the building on a mission, Spitfire found herself in a tight hug. “It’s gonna be okay Sunshine. I’m never going to leave you.”

“Of course your not, but my parents are going to kill us. My dad threatened to throw you into one of his rainbow pools.”

“I know.” Soarin gave his love a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s get this over with.”

Spitfire drew a ragged breath, she was totally not ready. But they no longer had a choice. Their secret was about to be thrust out in the open, despite how hard they had worked to keep the accidental pregnancy quiet. “Let’s catch up to your parents.”

One simmering stallion and his agitated wife touched down in front of the home of their longtime friends. A deep blue hoof slammed on the cloud door. Locked.

“Tempest Wind, Stormy Flare, open up!”

As Soarin and Spitfire touched down behind their angered elders, a deep sunny head with an orange fiery mane poked out. “What's the meaning of this? Why are you disturbing us at the crack of dawn?!?”

“I’m sorry to wake you both, but we really must talk,” Dawnrush spoke up.

Stormy Flare squinted down at the group, her gaze flickered between the agitated adults and nervous children. “Why?”

“Because it can’t wait,” Dawnrush insisted.

“Okay. Give us a minute.” The still groggy Stormy Flare disappeared inside.

The two grown-ups stood in stony silence while Soarin and Spitfire stood awkwardly behind, waiting for the door to open. As much as Soarin wished to give his wingmate a comforting hug, this was a public space and it would not do to be spotted. His wings itched to cover his love and he resolved to do so, as soon as they were inside.

Spitfire snuck closer and closer to her source of comfort as the agonizing wait drew on. It felt like forever since her mother disappeared inside. Did it really take this long to wake her father and head downstairs? Despite the fact that somepony may see them, Spitfire soon found herself pressed up against her source of comfort. The vibrant young pegasus found some measure of peace amidst the overwhelming sense of doom that engulfed her.

Both youngsters sense of dread skyrocketed as the front door finally opened. The half-awake sunny yellow mare greeted them with a concerned, almost confused gaze. She eyed each of the four ponies on her doorstep up before she stepped aside. “Welcome. Care to tell me why my daughter looks like she’s just had her wings clipped?”

Tyson and Dawnrush quietly entered, highly aware that what they had to say would likely lead to two very pissed off pegasi. With a slight nudge from the light blue teen at her side, Spitfire scuttled inside, pinned to her lover’s side. The darker yellow mare kept a close watch on her daughter the whole way. It was clear that she was trying to work out what could be so wrong to cause the normally comfortable couple to act so ... afraid?

Dawnrush took a deep breath, “I hate to tell you both this, but our children have a very serious reason for desiring to marry already. It is something they both have kept from us, until they got caught out this morning.”

“What are you talking about?” Tempest Wind asked, concern filled both his voice and facial features.

Four sets of eyes fell on the young couple. Spitfire’s head disappeared under Soarin’s wing and he gazed back at his wingmate’s parents stoically.

Tyson’s red mane swished as he looked between his soon-be-to-daughter and her parents. “Your daughter is pregnant, and my son is going to become a teenage father.” He shot the nervous teenager a look. “Isn’t that right?”

The accusation stung, but Soarin held his ground.

The room fell dead quiet. Then Tempest Wind exploded, “they’ve done what!?!”

Despite being past his prime, the Burned yellow stallion was on Soarin before anypony else even realised he had moved. He tore the younger pegasus from his daughter and pinned him to the cloud wall of the entrance room.

“Tell me that’s not true!”

“It- it is.” Soarin’s voice nearly failed him at the fearful sight of the enraged stallion in his face.

“That’s it! I’m throwing you in my rainbow pools!”

“Dad!”
“Tempest!”
“Dude!”
“Honey!”

“Please don’t,” begged Soarin as the hot angry breath of his soon-to-be-father in law rippled over his muzzle.

“You thought I was bluffing?” The strong orange stallion slammed his face into the cowering youngster in front of him. He threw Soarin into the floor and towered over him in a rage. He smashed a hoof into the teenaged pony’s side, hammering home his words as he continued, “I-” Smash “Will-” Smash “Make-” Smash “You-”

Spitfire rammed into her father. She was quick to position herself in between him and her love, wings flared fearfully. “Leave him alone!”

“I warned him what would happen if the two of you failed to wait. Now get out of my way!”

“No.” Spitfire stood strong yet also quivered ever so slightly in fear. She could feel the anger in the air, she had called down her father’s wrath.

The powerful stallion thrust his daughter out of the way as he aimed another attack at Soarin. The light blue pegasus rolled out of the way of the incoming hoof and winced in pain as he stood.

Using his wings to propel himself, Tempest threw himself at Soarin. He tackled the young pegasus to the floor and threw head-but and hoof-stomp at the one who had wronged his daughter.

Spitfire tacked her father and received several blows to the face and upper body in the process. She cried out in pain and her father paused to throw her out of the way. He rammed his forehooves down on Soarin once more only to find himself blocked by dark blue. He shoved at his longtime friend, his wings flapped for extra power. Tyson was quick to copy and the two butted heads.

“Get out of my way!” Tempest Wind growled.

“Calm down, dude!” Tyson shoved the angry orange aggressor back.

Tempest Wind kicked and thrashed madly as he tried to reach his target. “No! Let me at the scum! I’m gonna kill him!”

Tyson’s eyes grew wide with the realisation that his soon-to-be-inlaw was seeing red. Nothing else mattered to this stallion right now except exacting revenge upon the youth who had done his daughter wrong. He had never seen the commander of the rainbow factory anywhere near this angry. His grip slipped and he found himself thrown against the wall in an instant.

“Enough!” Stormy Flare bellowed as she rushed into her husband’s way, wings erect in a display of power. “Honey, stop! Your daughter is pregnant and you just hurt her!”

Tyson took the opportunity to place himself in Tempest’s face once more. The two stallions adrenaline filled glares locked with one another and held as they both stood panting, watching for an opening.

“Stormy’s right. Please don’t damage the baby.” Soarin’s mother chimed in as she hurried over to the downed Spitfire, checking the still slim yellow tummy for any marks.

Tempest Wind huffed, rage continued to flow through his system as he glared at the troublesome colt. He shoved at Tyson who pushed right back defending his son who lay on the floor. “She shouldn’t be pregnant in the first place.”

“Well she is and hurting Soarin won’t change that.” Stormy shot back.

“She’s right you know,” Tyson replied, his expression stony as he turned his gaze upon his wounded son. “That’s not to say he doesn’t deserve something for his actions. But I think you have done more than enough, my friend.”

Tempest Wind seethed. He shoved at the dark blue pegasus in front of him but stopped as Dawnrush joined her husband.

“Spitfire. Care to explain how my upstanding daughter is pregnant like some low life teenaged idiot?” Stormy Flare spoke as she too placed herself between her enraged husband and his targets. She faced the teenagers, her gaze hard. “When did this happen? Have you two been having sex during your little cuddle sessions?”

“No! And it happened almost two months ago, Soarin and I made a mistake alright. But this doesn't change the way I feel about him!”

“Really?” Tempest challenged. “I should never have allowed you to be alone with my daughter when we were out!”

“Dad! It didn’t happen here or at Soarin’s place.” Spitfire shot back.

“You expect us to believe that?” Scoffed Tyson as he turned to face his son.

“I’ve seen a lot of teenage parents fail.” Soarin’s mother spoke up, a mixture of disappointment and sadness strong in her voice. “You’re both too young to become parents, how do you know this won’t tear you apart?”

“Because-” the light blue colt picked himself up and staggered over to his wingmate, his wings stuck out oddly as he moved, several feathers were bent well out of shape. “ Because I love Spitfire with all my heart.” Soarin drew his loved one close. “There is nothing I won’t do for her.”

“You idiot, you’ve done more than enough. You might have cost my daughter her career in the Wonderbolts!” Tempest Wind pushed against the pegasus blockade but found himself held in place.

“Can’t they get rid of the pregnancy in Canterlot?” Asked Soarin’s mother, “I heard that there is a recently created spell that can abort a fetus.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of that,” Spitfire admitted with a sigh. She really did not want to go there.

“Then why didn’t you do it?” Stormy Flare asked, “if you were so desperate to hide what you’ve done from us, isn't that the only way?”

Tempest Wind spoke up before either youngsters had a chance to reply, “I demand you both fly to Canterlot right this instant and pay for this spell. I don’t want a foal to ruin my daughter’s life!”

Spitfire stepped forward, “What is growing inside me is the result of my love for Soarin and his love for me. What we did was a mistake, yes. But-” She was cut off by a slightly damaged light blue wing as it curled protectively over her back.

“but we decided to accept our mistake and live with it. I was going to marry Spitty anyway. This just sped things up. We probably won’t keep our foal, but I refuse to let you kill what’s inside my wingmate. It will make it harder to get into the Wonderbolts and we both accept that. But we already discussed this together and we thought it best to take our honeymoon as soon as Spitfire begins to show.“ Soarin was quick to take over the explanation as he stood tall in the face of his wingmate’s angry parents.

Tempest Wind shoved his friend aside but was halted by a bold yellow wing to the muzzle from his wife.

Deadly silence fell over the room. No pony moved a muscle till Spitfire continued, quieter this time, “I know I have disappointed you all, but there is nothing you can do to separate me from Soarin or stop us from bringing this new life into the world. I promise you all, it won’t stop me becoming a wonderbolt and I’m sure my wingmate will be at my side the whole way, just as he always has been.”

“I still want to throw you in my rainbow pools boy,” growled Tempest as he tugged against his wife’s secure embrace. “But seeing as how my daughter seems so attached to you that she would even follow you into that world of pain, I will hold off for her sake.” The frustrated stallion huffed and sat back.

Stormy Flare turned to her husband. “What are we going to do dear? I for one, still support their union,” her muzzle turned to the youngsters, “even if they have gone and done something very stupid.” Both young pegasi’s eyes fell to the floor in shame.

Tempest huffed. “Throw them out on the street is what I want to do.” Soarin’s parents kept their silence, waiting while their soon-to-be in-laws reach a decision.

“My daughter,” Stormy Flare walked up to the couple and cupped her only child’s chin. She slowly raised it till she was looking right into the tearful orange eyes. “I trusted you. I trusted both of you. You have betrayed that trust and lied to both your father and I. As much as I love you, I cannot tolerate deceit in my house. With or without your father’s help I will assist in finding you both a place to stay and then I advise you pack your things and move out. You are soon to be a married mare, Spitfire. I hope you are prepared to live with the colt you so willingly gave yourself to.”

With a hint of tears threatening at the edges, Spitfire softly replied, “I am, mom. After what I’ve done-”

“We,” Soarin interjected as he squeezed his mare tighter in his protective grasp.

Spitfire rolled her eyes, “we have done, you don’t have to help us.”

“Nonsense!” Tempest spoke up angrily, “you’re still my daughter and I told you my wedding gift to you both would be to buy your first home here in Cloudsdale. But your mother is right. You broke our trust and so I must ask you both to leave my house. Now.”

“Really, Tempest?” Soarin’s father spoke up. “They don’t even have their own place to live yet.”

“I don’t care. You do what you see fit with Soarin, but I’m throwing my disgraceful daughter out.”

“Dad!” Spitfire cried, tears threatened to overwhelm her eyes as she fought to keep her distress in check.

“You had months to abort your foal or come clean and tell us you both made a mistake! But no, you got caught! So I’ll see you on your wedding day when I fly your pregnant ass down that aisle!”

With a distressed gasp Spitfire galloped out of the room in tears, Soarin hot on her hooves.

“Rough much?” Dawnrush tugged at her rich sky blue mane as if to try and settled both it and her frayed nerves.

“What? You expected me to give her a hug and forgive her? That we would celebrate this with drinks and partying?” Tempest Wind snorted and stomped an orange hoof into the soft cloud floor.

“No, we did not. I do hope my son’s wings are okay. If he can’t fly properly, school will question why.” Tyson sighed, he wandered to the nearest wall of the entrance and collapsed against it.

Tempest Wind scoffed. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Honey, did you even see what you did to that poor colt?” Stormy Flare shot her husband an irritated look. “He was going to call you his second father one day soon and you almost knocked him out!”

A moment passed, three pegasi against one. The orange stallion snorted softly “guess I did, huh?”

Tempest Wind took a dark yellow wing to the face, Stormy Flare swatted him again before she replied, “no kidding. You’ll be lucky if your daughter speaks to you again before the wedding. They might be good at acting like friends in public, but I’m sure you’ve seen how devoted they are to each other.”

“Very much,” Dawnrush agreed.

“Yes, yes. I’m sure everypony in our two families has seen.” Tempest Wind replied, his anger had receded slightly, but he still kicked at the floor again. “But I’m not going to change my mind. Spitfire no longer lives here.”

Dawnrush glanced over to her husband for a few thoughtful moments. “What if we took them both in for a few days?”

“Alright,” Tyson agreed with his wife. “Let us know when you have them a house. I want them both to realise that a foal is life changing.”

“But how are they supposed to pay the ongoing costs of a home in Cloudsdale?” Dawnrush asked. “The job my son has found does not pay him very much.”

Stormy Flare shrugged, “even a cheap place near the outskirts will cost a few bits each month.” She shot her husband a look, “I might have a talk with her and encourage her to try and find a job for now.”

Tempest Wind held his wife’s expectant look but said nothing.

Tyson picked himself up and placed himself beside his wife, “that’s their decision, and one they don’t have a lot of time to make. Doesn’t look like any of us are willing to take them back in if they fail.”

“I’m sure they won’t.” Dawnrush gave her husband a light hug. “They are born champions.”

Tempest Wind sighed, his wings sagged and he closed his eyes to stifle the pain that filled the place of his rage and adrenaline. Suddenly the middle-aged stallion looked as though he had aged years in a few minutes. “I never, not once thought she would do that to us.” Silence reigned for a few moments before the orange stallion continued. “It will bring me some measure of peace to know that you will take them both off our hooves for a few days. It shouldn't be long before my wife and I find someplace quiet they can live.”

“Thank you.” Soarin’s mother spoke up. “I will be sure to keep an eye on your girl till then.”

Stormy Flare hugged her husband to try and continue to calm him some more, “I don’t yet know how to feel about all this, beyond feeling betrayed by my own daughter.”

“Well-” Soarin’s father paused as the young couple re-entered the room.

Soarin’s mother barely suppressed a gasp at the sight of her son. He had a black eye, bruised muzzle and many other painful looking bruises, cuts and hoof marks across his chest and forelegs. His wings were a mess and he carried himself as though he had been kicked out of the Wonderbolts. The mare at his side also bore several marks, including a rather large bruise on the right side of her barrel, dangerously close to where new life was sure to be growing inside.

“I’m ready to go,” Spitfire announced, her eyes were bloodshot and her jaw set firm. “Mom, Dad. I’m sorry.”

The dark yellow mare approached and gave her daughter a hug. “Be careful out there, honey.”

Soarin’s father spoke up, “we have decided to allow you both to live with us for a few days until a house is found for you both to live. I expect you both to be on your best behaviour, or you can live on a rogue cloud.”

“Thank you dad,” Soarin replied. The teenaged colt removed his protective, ruffled up wing from his wingmate as the pair prepared to leave the house.

Author's Note

So what do you think now that the parents know?
The scenes with Scootaloo were fun to write and the last part was a challenge, but I'm rather pleased with how everything has shaped up.

CH7: Moving Forward (7 Weeks pregnant)

Fleetfoot and High Winds cruised along on the morning air through the outer edges of Cloudsdale, enjoying a morning flight together.

High Winds put a burst of speed toward a cloud that floated above the homes in the area ahead.

Fleetfoot spotted something yellow and blue in the edge of her vision and banked toward the couple. High Winds noticed the change in direction and was quick to follow after her friend.

Fleetfoot slowed as she neared Spitfire and Soarin. The two young pegasi were huddled in between a row of houses in an alleyway.

Fleetfoot landed in front of the couple, “hey, hey. What are you two doing all the way over here? Sneaking off for some-” words failed her as she noticed their injuries.

“What happened to you two?” High Winds asked as she landed.

“We-” Soarin paused, uncertain. He moved a hoof to slightly hide his black eye as he tested his bruised jaw.

“It’s okay, High Winds is cool,” Fleetfoot insisted.

“Ow!” Soarin cried out as a damaged feather was wrenched out by his wingmate.

“Sissy. You tell them, I’ll keep preening your poor wings.”

“Okay.” Soarin lay down once again, relaxed a bit and offered his roughed up left wing to his lover. “You sure she’s cool?”

“I am.” Fleetfoot confidently responded.

“Okay.” Soarin sighed, “well, our parents found out. Tempest Wind kicked my arse and hurt Spitfire too when she tried to defend me.”

“Found out what?” High Winds wondered.

Fleetfoot spotted the bruise on Spitfire’s barrel as she shifted up the wing. “Woah, I hope your poor baby is okay!”

The bright yellow pegasus fluffed her wings and covered the spot defensively. “I’ll be fine. I think our son is okay.”

“Daughter,” Soarin immediately countered.

“Whatever pie boy,” Spitfire muttered as her mouth returned to damaged blue feathers.

“Wait, wait, wait. What!?” High Winds held up her forehooves to get everypony’s attention. “Did I just hear that right? Spitfire is preggers!?

“Yea. And if you tell anypony about it...” Spitfire paused. “Just don’t tell anypony. Or you’re no longer invited to our wedding in a few weeks time.”

“No need to worry about me. I can keep a secret.” High Winds was quick to defend herself. The light grey pegasus leant against the cloud house she sat next to. Her stunned gaze roamed around as she processed the shock of the unexpected new information. Her attention returned to the couple who were huddled up just out of hoof reach on the other side of the small alleyway. “I can’t believe it... I- I thought I was one of your friends.”

“You are. But we even hid this from our parents, so please don’t be offended,” Spitfire responded with a tired tone.

“How do you expect to keep a baby bump hidden?” High Winds asked.

“Spit isn’t that pregnant yet. No need to worry about us.” Soarin grimaced as pain lanced along the wing his lover was working on. “We have a plan. We just forgot to think about what to do if our parents found out like this.”

“Well, you two could always crash at my house,” Fleetfoot offered.

“Na. My parents said we can live with them till a house is found for us to live.” Soarin shot another look his mare’s way as her ministrations continued to bring his wing pain.

“But how are the two of you supposed to afford a house?” High Winds wondered out loud.

“My dad can,” Spitfire stated simply then carefully nudged the wing she had been working on back into its place on her wingmate’s side. She carefully stepped over her young stallion. “Next wing.”

Soarin shifted slightly then offered his right wing.

“Can you even fly with those?” a rather concerned Fleetfoot asked.

“Sure. Just not well,” Soarin replied. “Ow! Spitty!”

High Winds grimaced as the yellow pegasus spat out a light blue feather.

“What? I’m helping.”

“Yea, but can you... I dunno. Be more gentle or something?”

“If it’s gotta come out, it's coming out.”   Spitfire replied as she continued her preening.

“Why don’t you just... do it yourself? You know...” High Winds asked shyly.

“Cause Spitfire likes to play with my wings,” Soarin replied with a grin.

“I’m sure that's not the only part of you she likes to play with. Aye Spit?” Fleetfoot wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Spitfire sat up straighter and returned her friend’s look with a smirk of her own. She relinquished her hold on her lover’s wing. “You can be sure of that. What about your little fillyfriend? Gotten past the wings with her?”

“I don’t know who you could possibly be talking about,” Fleetfoot shot back.

Spitfire shot High Winds a pointed look.

“Me?” The light grey pegasus receded behind her cobalt blue mane.

“Sure. You’ve never noticed how much she seems to enjoy your company?” Spitfire grinned.

“Uh, because- I’m her friend.” High Winds offered as her gaze turned from yellow to arctic blue young mare. “Right?”

“Uh... of course,” Fleetfoot responded with a slight blush.

“She blushes,” Soarin laughed softly.

“Come on you two, relax. I was having you on. Although, you two would look cute together.” Spitfire leant back down to resume preening her colt.

“I might just uh... go. Yea.” High Winds hovered uncertainty for a moment then took off.

“Thanks you two,” Fleetfoot rounded on the couple. “You have no idea how long it took to build up to today’s flight.”

“What- wait. You really do like her?” Soarin sat up in shock. His wing slipped out of his wingmate’s maw and lightly slapped her on the muzzle.

“Duh, thicko!” Fleetfoot almost exploded. “But I dunno if she even likes fillies. I was trying to get a bit closer as friends before I even ask something crazy like that.”

Spitfire chucked, “relax. I’m sure she will brush it off as harmless fun between friends. You just gotta ask her to practice with you more often outside of school again. Besides, there’s no fillyfoolers in school that I know of anyway. So I don’t think she’s gonna realise one of her good friends is strange yet.”

“Thanks,” Fleetfoot sourly responded. “Do you see why I’ve been quiet about my crush for so long.”

“Well if you keep her quiet about us and our baby, I’m sure Soarin and I can keep your little secret too. Who knows, maybe we can even try set you both up,” Spitfire offered with a playful smile.

“Maybe,” Fleetfoot gazed off in the direction her crush had flown. Then her attention returned to the injured couple. “So, what are you gonna tell everypony? It’s gonna look a little weird that you both are beat up so bad.”

“Thankfully, I’m not feeling too bad,” Spitfire replied. “I’m worried about my colt. You should have seen how he stood up for us both in front of my parents. My dad was super pissed off.“

“I can imagine,” Fleetfoot nodded slowly. “Well, unless you want my help to get to the doctors or something, I’ll be off, I guess.”

“We’ll be okay.” Soarin did his best to smile up at his friend.

“Alright. Take care you two. If you need me, just let me know.” Fleetfoot took off and quickly flew out of sight.

Spitfire entered the classroom and strode toward her usual seat. Her wings were held in position to hide the bruise on her barrel while she left the other marks on display for all to see. Along the way, she tripped over somepony’s bag. All eyes were on the still slightly beat up young mare as she hurried to her seat. Soarin entered as she sat down. All eyes came to rest upon the beaten up light blue colt with the black eye and bruised jaw as he shuffled his way over to his seat. It was clear from the whispering that everypony present was wondering what had happened to them.

As her wingmate took his seat, one of the other colts in the class spoke up, “what happened to you?”

“Yea, you look like you got into a bar fight with an earth pony.”

Spitfire shot the classmates behind them a dirty look then once again turned to face the teacher up front.

“Are you sure you are fit for school?” Professor Greywing paused from sorting his papers to stare at the colt.

“Yes.” Spitfire quickly replied.

“That’s nice to know. But I was specifically referring to Soarin.”

“I’ll be fine,” the light blue colt quickly responded.

“Alrighty then. Are we at least allowed to know what happened to you both?”

“I got attacked. Spitfire tried to break it up. We both took a few hits, but yea...” Soarin trailed off.

“Interesting. Well, as long as you both are on your best behaviour and don’t go starting any fights and can fly then I guess we shall get on with the lesson at hoof.”

“Yes, professor Greywing,” both young pegasi quickly answered.

Spitfire stormed into Soarin’s parents home. Her wingmate hurried in behind her and almost had the door slammed on his tail. The agitated young mare almost ran into something light green. She jerked back in surprise as she realised it was a pony.

“What’s going on here?” Soarin’s mother asked, not all that pleased with almost being rammed into.

Spitfire shot the older pegasus a look.

Soarin was quick to answer for them both, “we had a rough day at school.”

“Hormones kicking you around hun?” Dawnrush carefully placed herself right in the fiery yellow pegasus’s face and looked her right in the eyes.

Spitfire shuffled uncomfortably, “maybe. I kept messing up on the course. Soarin, my duo partner couldn’t fly fast so we ranked in last and I couldn’t focus in the theory classes.”

“Well, somepony did get herself kicked out of her parents home,” Dawnrush replied dryly. “I can only imagine how that must mess with your system, especially with being pregnant.”

Spitfire wandered on past the mare of the house, into the dining room then sank down into a chair at the dinner table. Her head came to rest upon the table and she unleashed an annoyed groan.

Soarin quickly seated himself at her side, careful of their injuries he settled in close and placed a comforting wing over her.

The older mare placed herself at the table beside her treasured youngsters, “I hear your parents have found you someplace earlier today. I expect my husband will be letting you both know how soon you will be able to move out.”

Silence fell for a few moments before the light green mare continued. “How about I make you both something to eat to make you feel better? After all, this might be the last time we all have this sort of opportunity.”

“A nice apple pie?” Soarin was quick to perk up.

“If I remember right that was one of the delicacies I could always eat while carrying you.” Dawnrush smiled at her son, she then turned to her long-since adopted daughter. “How about it Spitfire, would you like some Apple pie?”

“That sounds lovely, thank you,” Spitfire sat up and leaned into her wingmate.

“Well then.” Dawnrush headed out and into the kitchen.

“Your mum is really good to us, you know that.” Spitfire murmured softly.

“Yea. I dunno what we are supposed to do for food once we get our own place.”

“I could always accept that nice barmare’s offer and learn how to cook.”

“Spitty, I would love to taste your cooking.”

“What if I burn all the food?”

“Don’t worry.” Soarin responded confidently “If it tastes as good as you do, I’m sure I’ll love it.”

Spitfire shot her wingmate a look, “that won’t feed you.”

With a silly grin upon his muzzle, Soarin replied, “doesn’t it? Well... it won’t stop me from enjoying it.”

Spitfire scoffed, “gee. Now that we’ve done it a few times, I see somepony can’t stop thinking of sex.”

Soarin nuzzled up nice and close then poked his lips right next to his filly’s ear, “with you, mmm yea...”

Spitfire withdrew and immediately spotted the look on his face and knew what that particular grin meant. “I want cuddles.”

“We could always head out while my mum bakes the pie,” Soarin offered.

“Come on stud. I want cuddles. Now.”

“Okay,” Soarin submitted.

With that Spitfire lead the way to Soarin’s room for their quick cuddle session.

Tyson landed at the doorstep of his family’s dwelling. With a sigh, he paused to enjoy the simple sight of the fluffy white block that was soon to be home to two fewer pegasi. Truth be told, it had been nice with both Soarin and Spitfire around.   Now that tempers had been allowed to cool he would not have minded if his son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law were allowed to remain at his house till after their wedding. Spitfire had long since become a part of the family and it felt right to have her there by his son’s side. But Tempest Wind’s wishes were not to be disobeyed so here he was, about to send his son and daughter-in-law away. Off to live in their own home at the edge of Cloudsdale, a few minutes flight from where either of their parents lived.

A dark blue hoof rose to push open the door and he once again found himself unable to move under the burden of his thoughts. What if he delayed a few days? No pony had to know if he showed the young couple the papers he had in his saddlebags a few days late.

But what if Tempest Wind found out? Would that stallion come after Soarin again? Tyson sighed. His friend had been acting a little off the clouds since the discovery of Spitfire’s pregnancy. It was probably better to send their children off now, rather than later. Providing his wife agreed, they could still invite them round for dinner a few times a week though right? He knew his son’s ability to sort out a meal at home to be ...less than stellar and he could not remember ever sampling any of Spitfire’s cooking. Did she even cook? ‘Yea, I’ll ask Dawnrush to invite our kids round each week. I hope she’ll like the idea.’

With a deep breath to steady himself, he pushed open the front door and entered.

Spitfire looked up from the half-demolished pie and spotted a rather serious looking stallion as he entered the room. She nudged her wingmate.

Soarin glanced up and swallowed his mouthful, “Dad! You’re home already?”

“I am, yes.”

  “What’s wrong, honey?” Dawnrush asked as she rose and approached her husband.

“Oh, nothing. Just had a long day.” He took a seat at the head of the table and placed his saddlebag off to the side before he accepted a slice of the pie from his wife.

The family ate in silence until Tyson finished his slice then sighed loudly. Dawnrush shot him a questioning look.

“I visited my old friend, Tempest Wind.”

Spitfire bristled slightly at the mention of her father. Soarin noticed and placed a comforting wing across her withers.

“What did that featherbag have to say?” Dawnrush asked.

“Well.” Tyson paused as he reached into his saddlebags and withdrew the documents he had withheld. “He gave me these. The deed to our children's own home. He expects they will be able to move in within the next day or two.”

“Well, I’m glad to see he at least still keeps his word,” Dawnrush commented dryly as she took the papers and gave them a once over.

“D-did dad say anything about me?” Spitfire asked hesitantly.

“Uh... no.” Tyson awkwardly responded. “He simply handed me these and told me that he expected you both to move in within the next day or two. I thanked him for his help and he sent me on my way.”

Spitfire turned away and nuzzled under her colt’s wing to hide the slight leak her eyes suddenly suffered. She rubbed her muzzle into the wonderful, warm coat as she fought to control her breathing. As much as she did not want to admit it, her father’s behaviour and apparent attitude still hurt.

“I know he is bad at showing it, but your father loves you Spitfire,” Tyson spoke up sympathetically.

“How can you be so sure?” the fiery young pegasus’ voice muffed by the blue coat she had buried herself in.

“It’s a guy thing. But I can tell, bro to bro that he still loves his girl with all his heart. He’s just too set in his ways to change now. It’s unfortunate. But you both made your choices and I’m done with fighting him.”

Soarin nodded in understanding. His father did seem to be talking sense. ‘Guess this might just be my last pie while living here.’ The light blue colt sighed in resignation.

Two young pegasi who still bore the marks of their recent fight entered their new home. They carried small saddlebags with the possessions they chose to move house with.

It was rather empty.

Okay, very empty. Spitfire sighed, it felt desperately in need of something to cover the bare fluffy cloud walls and she carried precious little in her saddlebag to fix that.

The small square room they found themselves in had an entrance to the simple looking kitchen on the right.

“Well, I can see my dad was being rather generous,” Spitfire commented dryly as she gazed around at the empty space.

“Well he was annoyed at us,” Soarin murmured. “I’m surprised he bought us a home at all.”

“True. That would be an understatement.” Spitfire agreed with her colt. “Ah well, let's check this place out.”

She led the way into the kitchen where she quickly assessed the bare countertops and small dining table with two chars in the middle. With little more than bare white cloud walls to stare at, the couple moved on to the next room.

The bedroom was large enough for two ponies to fit around the double cloud bed but that was about it. There was a final doorway that led into the bathroom. Spitfire poked her head in to check that the bathroom was small too. With that confirmed she turned around to find her wingmate lying on the bed.

“Well, it’s not the most comfortable cloud I’ve ever laid on,” Soarin commented as he wriggled around. “But it’s better than having to hunt for one myself.”

The young sunny pegasus stood transfixed at the sight of her lover on the bed and ideas began to form in her mind. Steamy ideas that were made even more vivid and alluring by the position of her relaxed wingmate as he closed his eyes and relaxed on his back. Those naughty ideas made her wings itch to rise.

They were alone.

It was their new house and there was a bed in need of breaking in.

They were going to be married soon and she was already pregnant. So what harm was there in a little fun?

“Soarin?”

“Hmm?” The relaxed young stallion gazed up at his companion.

“How about I take you up on that offer from earlier?”

“What offer?”

  “When you asked for sexy time yesterday. Remember?”

“Oh.” Light blue wings flared out on either side of the young stallion as he continued to lie on his back. A grin quickly covered his muzzle, “yes, I think I remember. Even better now because guess what, Spitty?”

“What?” Spitfire asked as she slipped onto the bed and positioned herself over her companion.

“This uh... this new bed is in need of us to bless it.”

“You know, I’ve been thinking the exact same thing,” Spitfire replied then placed a kiss on the light blue muzzle in front of her.

CH9: The Beginning of Forever (10 Weeks Pregnant)

“Soarin, Soarin! Wake up!”

The young stallion felt himself thrust into the waking world by his two younger cousins. Red and green hooves withdrew from their contact with his side as he rolled over to face the troublesome pre-teen duo.

“Can’t a colt get a few last minutes sleep around here?”

The duo shook their heads, grins upon their faces as they did so.

The cornflower blue colt sighed, “alright. Shoo, I’ll be down in a minute.”

The pair remained in place. The red filly with a bright yellow mane giggled into her hoof. Her brother fidgeted with his sky blue mane, “s-some pony looked like he was trying to cuddle his pillow. Do you miss your little sunshine that much?”

“Hey,” Soarin sat up, a scowl etched its way along his face, “nopony calls Spitfire that, except me.”

“Aww, big cuzzie misses his snuggle-buddy!” Cooed the filly.

“Orion and Fire Lilly. Leave your cousin alone,” instructed a rather strict sounding mare. Moments later the door pushed open to reveal a slate grey mare with a light blue mane. “Come on.”

“Awwwww!” the youngsters bemoaned as they dutifully left the room.

“Thank you, aunty Obsidia.” Soarin flopped onto his back and gazed up at his aunt.

“You’re most welcome. I hope you’re more excited than they are by what is going to happen today,” the grey mare smiled down at the relaxed colt.

“Yea, just let my mind finish kicking into gear, then I’ll be good to go.”

“Missing your morning cuddles?” Obsidia smiled keenly down at her nephew.

“Uh...” Soarin flushed slightly.

Soarin’s aunt laughed softly, “hun, it’s normal to enjoy such contact with your special somepony once the two of you settle down. No need to be embarrassed, it’s one of the high points of my day when I get to cuddle with my husband.”

“Oh, good to know.” Soarin smiled appreciatively as he rose into a seated position on his bed.

“Now, I know one of the reasons you are probably getting married this young is because you two are made for each other. Also, eager for sex. Am I right?” Obsidia smiled knowingly. “But believe me, as great as it feels, nothing beats the sweetness and bliss of cuddles. Just watch out. I’m sure you both would appreciate getting into the Wonderbolts before having children.”

“Errr... Thanks.” Silently, he did agree with his aunt. Soarin hid his burning muzzle in shame by giving it a light scratch, trying to at least keep something of a smile there to hide his feelings.

“Too much?” Obsidia asked.

Soarin nodded, embarrassed for reasons he hoped his auntie never would have to discover.

Obsidia took a step backward, “alright, but you know, my sister loves having you two around. I do hope you continue to visit regularly once you and your lovely young mare are married.”

“Of course we will keep coming round, mom has been making the most amazing meals for us. It’s like she’s trying to lure us home with food,” a light laugh escaped the youngster.

“That is exactly what she is doing,” the grey mare nodded knowingly in agreement.

“Oh. Well, then I would hate to disappoint mum then.”

The older pegasus laughed softly, “anyway, don’t miss your mare too much. Or you won’t be in time to the ceremony and will really miss her. Your mother is making us all a nice breakfast before we head out for the final preparations.”

“Okay, thank you.” Soarin slid out of bed as his aunt left the room.

As he hurried to the bathroom, Soarin buzzed with excitement. Today was the day! Before noon he would be a married colt and Spitfire would be his, forever!

Soarin’s aunt led her two children and her husband out of the dining room. Soarin heard the front door open and close. He turned to his parents who remained seated in front of him. “What’s going on? Shouldn’t we join them?”

“In a minute, son.” Dawnrush soothed her son.

“We have something to present to you before you fully accept Spitfire as your bride.”

“Okay?” Nerves sparked up inside the young stallion. What could his parents possibly have for him now? It would be good, right?

“Son,” Tyson paused for a moment as he took his son and wife by their forehooves and brought them all together. “We are not rich like Spitfire’s parents, but we thought long and hard and we have decided to gift you both three hundred bits.”

“Three hundred-” Soarin’s maw fell loose.

That was a lot of money for a young colt. Certainly, more than he would make in all his time at the bakery before their extended honeymoon.

“We know your job at the bakery does not pay all that well,” Dawnrush softly spoke up. “As your parents, this is our wedding gift to you. Hopefully, it will help secure your futures financially so that you both can focus on making your dreams come true. We both know how much it means for you both to become Wonderbolts and I personally know how hard it is to carry a foal for almost a year.”

“Thank you,” Soarin squeezed his parents' forehooves. Did they save all that money for Spitfire and him? Lightheadedness began to take over and he tightened his hold. It was unbelievable! With a slight shake from the elation, the colt leant forward and pulled his parents into a winged hug. It was awkward, hugging with the dinner table in the way, but right then and there Soarin wasn’t sure if his legs would hold him properly if he tried to get up to thank them properly.

Yellow hooves reached out for the warmth that should be there up came up empty.

No Soarin?!?

The young mare sat bolt upright in bed. She fought with the heavy weight of sleep only to realise it was her old bedroom.

...She was in her parents home.

No Soarin.

Dam.

‘Why did I even bother coming back?’ Spitfire sighed. Morning cuddles with her colt would have been nice about now. She peeked out the window and noticed how high the sun was in the sky. That must mean her parents were up getting ready. Why had her mother not woken her up earlier?

Her mind drifted from her family to her colt. He most likely would be on his way to the big cloud for their wedding. She would see him soon. Her tummy bubbled with excitement. At least, that’s all Spitfire hoped it was. ‘Come on, behave yourself today.’ She slowly rubbed her tummy, slowly, carefully. Round and round her hoof went. Calm down, come on. This had become her colt’s job, tending to her when she had a rough morning. She smiled to herself, it was like the two of them had become attached at the hip or something. While she wasn’t some helpless filly, it did feel nicer when Soarin did things like this for her.

The speedster rapidly grew tired of tending to her nervous tummy and stretched. Time to hurry this up, she had a wingmate to see.

Soarin and his family touched down on an extra large, flat cloud that floated near the unicorn ranges. It had been a good flight from Cloudsdale and the young stallion was thankful of the distance from home. No pony could accidentally come across their union without being invited. At least, that was the plan. It was great to see that Tempest Wind had made them an excellent cloud with a slight fluffy rise on one side for the couple to stand and plenty of room for the few family and friends who were invited.   His gaze turned in the direction of Clousdale. Even from a distance, Soarin could imagine his Spitfire preparing to make the trip. He tingled with excitement, it was almost time!

Stormy Flare touched down on the extra large cloud that floated near the unicorn ranges. It was satisfying to see many of the ponies from her family on one side with Soarin’s smaller group of family on the other. Their children's few friends sat in the second row back with her son-in-law’s family. It was good, everypony looked like they were here.

“My daughter is on her way, expect her within the next minute or two.”

An old purple-grey pegasus with a mane grey from age and sharp green eyes walked from the front row of Soarin’s side to the front and sat, center stage. “Alright Soarin, please rise.” She pointed to a spot on her right, in front of the young stallion’s family.

Soarin did as he was instructed by his grandmother. Once up front he sat and turned his attention to the skies in the direction of Clousdale. After a few moments, he spotted two dots on the horizon. The young stallion grinned, there she was! As the dots began to grow the colt could hardly contain himself. He rocked back and forth on his hooves, his wings itching to propel him up and away to meet his beloved. Time seemed to crawl past as Soarin waited and waited for the dots to grow. Slowly, painfully they gradually became ponies.

Although there were two dots, one orange and one yellow, Soarin only had eyes for the beautiful yellow pegasus who was to become his wife. Her hoof band sparkled in celestia’s sunlight as she flew. Her mane trailed neatly in a fiery wake that made Soarin want to be right there beside her.

The beaufiful young mare alighted on the cloud to many wows and awww’s. She had her coat groomed to perfection and even the flight here had not put a single feather out of place. Her father held himself proudly at her side. He too looked rather dapper for an older stallion.

But Soarin had only eyes for one.

The young pegasus who took his breath away. As she began to walk slowly down the isle between the two families, Soarin realised his jaw was loose and snapped his mouth closed.

Spitfire smirked back at her soon to be husband. It made her feel good that he liked what he saw. She felt what she hoped were just nerves swirl around inside. ‘Yes, yes little one. Please let mommy get married to daddy without making me lose my breakfast.’

All too soon Spitfire found herself at the front. She gave her father a hug then withdrew. She once again faced Soarin and felt her father lift up her right hoof.

The grinning young stallion accepted the offering and nodded solemnly to the older pegasus who then walked off to his place beside his wife. Soarin guided Spitfire into place beside him, facing forward toward his grandma.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together on this day in front of family and friends to witness the union of two lovely young souls as they are joined for eternity. Although marriage is a big step for anypony, these two have assured me that despite their young age this is exactly what they want: To spend the rest of their lives together. They wish to become Wonderbolt’s side by side. Although they had recently moved in together, I am made glad by their desire to marry before they take any other major steps in their relationship.”

Spitfire’s father coughed rather obnoxiously and muttered something that sounded rather rude under his breath.

Gale Force shot Tempest Wind a hard look. “You know, it’s also a rarity that a grandmother is given the opportunity to marry one of her grandfoals. I for one would like to enjoy this day.”

Soarin smirked to himself.

“Alright. Now, before you both go exchanging primary feathers, I ask that you recite your chosen vows to one another. Make it loud and clear dears, I’m sure some in the audience are deafer than I.”

After a moment's silence followed by a encouraging nudge from his wingmare, Soarin realised it was his turn to speak. “I Soarin ...take you spitfire to be my wife.” The young stallion took a deep nervous breath as the full weight of what he was doing settled on his shoulders and his left eye began to leak. “To fly with you through the good days and the stormy days. I will do my best to provide and care for you and I will love you forever.”

A light cheer went up and many ponies stomped their hooves on the soft cloud.

Spitfire’s insides fluttered at the sound of her colt’s voice. The utter assurance that came from him believing every word he said. Now it was her turn.

“I Spitfire take you pieboy-” She smirked at the shock that covered his muzzle. “I mean Soarin... to be my husband. I will fly with you through the storms of life, and be with you in the good days and bad. I will do my best to care for you and will love you forever.” Spitfire itched to nuzzle her companion, but stayed where she was knowing that their moment was soon to come.

Soarin wasn’t quite as patient. He snuck in and gave his lover a quick nuzzle and his wings fluttered as she reciprocated.

All the pegasi present stomped the cloud in support for the young couple.

Vows finished and mind buzzing, Soarin withdrew and turned to eye his parents. His mother was wiping her eyes on his father’s coat while his dad’s jaw slightly quivered with barely contained emotion. The stallion nodded fondly at his son. The young colt’s heart soared.

Spitfire cast her eyes at her own parents and spotted her mother with a delighted smile upon her muzzle. Her father was less easy to read. Rather than attempt to figure him out, she returned her attention up front.

Gale spoke up once more, “I can see you both are eager for your first kiss. But first, your primary feather exchange.”

Soarin nodded.

“Before I continue, please, Spitfire remove your hoof band.”

The young mare did as she was bidden and handed the band Soarin had given her over to their martricarh. The old mare carefully accepted the ornate object and eyed it for a moment. “This band, typically handed down from parents to son and then to the mare he wishes to wed signifies not only his wish to take her as his wife, but is also a sign of purity.”

Tempest Wind coughed rather loudly.

Gale shot him an irate look. “Do you have something in your throat, or do you wish to say something?”

“Purity?” The stallion scoffed back. “Do you know what that idiot grandson of yours did to my filly?”

Sptfire’s insides turned to ice. No way! Her father was not about to say what she dreaded he was?!

Soarin shot the now clearly angry stallion a pleading look.

Gale Force glanced between the couple up front with confusion. “What is he talking about?”

Many other ponies in the audience were also sharing confused looks and murmuring softly.

Tempest Wind’s gaze drilled into Soarin. “Because of this young colt, my filly is pregnant. It’s because Spitfire is pregnant that they are getting married so soon and I have been very disappointed with them both ever since I had the news broken to me by Dawnrush and Tyson who discovered their little secret by accident. If they had their way, they would have continued to hide their little accident from us all before they run off to birth the little bastard. Tyson even refused to give his son their family hoof band. He is a disgrace!”

The collective audience turned from the angry stallion to Soarin’s parents. Tyson shot the speaker a hard look as he stood. “Why you flankhole!” the dark blue stallion’s wings powered as he crossed the aisle and landed in front of his old friend. The two fathers lightly butted heads as they glared at one another.

Spitfire wished she could crawl into some cloud far away with Soarin and hide. Her father was destroying her wedding day!

“How could you do that!” Tyson demanded as he shoved Tempest Wind.

“I’m not the problem here, Tyson. Your son is!” The deep orange stallion scoffed as he pushed against the blue pegasus in his face.

"Shut up Tempest! My son has taken serious steps to fix this problem."

"Oh you're not so different to me, come on," Tempest Wind scoffed. "You didn't give Soarin your family hoof band."

"Yes, I did!" With each word, Tyson shoved a forehoof into his old friend's chest. "We aren't all-"

“Be quiet younglings! Spitfire, Soarin, is this true?” Gale Force’s wings shot to full extension and her voice boomed out over the tense atmosphere.

“Y-yes.” Spitfire shrank under the stern gaze of the mare who had almost finished marrying them. “I am pregnant with Soarin’s foal.”

Several gasps erupted from pegasi present.

Soarin hunkered fearfully under his grandmother’s gaze as she turned sternly to him. He shook slightly as she held him there. “Tell me truthfully young colt. Does this change anything?”

“N-no.”

"Show some backbone boy. I don't believe you."

Despite the fear of his grandmother, the young stallion forced himself to stand tall. "No. It does not change anything. I want to marry Spitfire. Today."

“If Spitfire were still pure and without your foal, you would marry her today and not wait?”

“Absolutely!” Soarin forced his quaking body to stand up strong. “I love Spitfire and think she is the most amazing mare in Equestria. Nothing will change that.”

“Right.” Gale nodded slowly, her gaze shifting carefully between the couple. “What will you both do about this foal?”

Spitfire stiffed her resolve as she felt all eyes fall on her. She did her best to ignore the heavy gaze of the audience and focus just upon her lover and their matriarch. “We intend to give our foal away once he or she is born. We created this life. I will not end it before it has had a chance, but we are not in a position to start a family yet. So...” The young mare sighed, "Soarin and I have agreed to find a suitable place for our foal to grow up and that is where we will take them as soon as the time comes."

“That sounds like a bold plan.” Gale sighed. “While I wish- I wish you had waited and I’m sure you’re aware of this fact-” she shot Tempest Wind a hard look. “I am glad you chose to get married. Your union has lighted up my life and I feel only happiness for you both. Please ignore anypony who tells you otherwise. I still think you’re both amazing.”

“Thank you,” the young couple did a slight bow to their elder, amazed by her kindness.

Several pegasi muttered to one another. As the murmuring grew in volume, the mare in charge of the proceedings loudly cleared her throat.

Silence fell. Gale shifted as she eyed the guests then returned her focus to the uncomfortable couple up front. “For the record, I too got married young. Although other specifics were ...different it does not change the fact that my husband and I are proof that young marriages can stand the test of time. Now. If we may continue...”

A few more moments passed. When no pony made a noise the greying mare fluffed her feathers, rather pleased with herself. “Now... where was I?”

“I had ...removed my hoofband.” Spitfire tentatively offered.

“Ah yes...” the old mare smiled as she brightened up. Gale held up the hoofband. “As you have removed your engagement band, I bid you both, pluck out a primary feather and place it in your lover’s mane behind an ear. Soarin, you first.”

The young couple did as they were bidden. Soarin carefully tugged free a large strong blue feather. He reached over and lightly placed it in his lover’s mane. The colt withdrew with a giant grin. The light blue stood out in stark contrast to the fiery colours of the mare who wore it. His mind buzzed with hyper levels of joy, for Spitfire was officially his wife. She now bore his feather in her mane. She was his. She really was his.

...Breathe...

Spitfire quickly yanked out one of her bright golden primaries and eagerly placed it in the mane of her grinning lover. Her colt, her wingmate... Her husband.   The fiery young mare stepped back to admire her handiwork and the bright yellow feather that stuck out from the dark blue mane like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. It almost felt like her little one inside was doing tiny flips of joy. Or maybe it was just her. Spitfire was brought back down to Equs by the sound of their matriarch's voice.

“Now that you bear each other’s feather, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share a hug or a kiss.”

With a slight flare of her wings, Spitfire went in for the kiss. Strong blue forelegs wrapped around her neck as Soarin hugged her and they shared their first kiss as a newly married couple.

Cheers rang out and Spitfire withdrew. Oh yea, there was like... forty ponies watching them pash. She flushed lightly as her husband continued to wrap her in a winged hug.

“This mare, is now mine. Yes!” Soarin proudly declared with a sweep of his hoof.

"Ya big doofus," Spitfire chucked and lightly shoulder barged her new spouse. "I guess I should then introduce everypony to my husband, piebrain."

Several ponies chucked.

Soarin huffed.

The young firey mare smirked at her husband and gave him a quick nuzzle. He immediately perked up as if nothing was ever wrong. Spitfire's heart soared at the sight.

With a thankful nod to their celebrant, the newly-wed couple headed toward Spitfire’s parents. They paused and with a flourish of their wings they bowed.

Tempest Wind stood, unfurled his powerful wings and lightly touched the couple on the head with one wingtip each. “I trust that you will take care of my daughter in the manner of which she is accustomed. My assistance to you both financially ends here.”

“Of course,” Soarin replied as the feathers lifted from his head and he rose.

“And to you, father.” Spitfire murmured, glad that he was at least civil for this part of the ceremony. She turned to her mother, “thanks for all your help.” Spitfire lent in for a hug and after nestling in close whispered the last part of her message; “you know, I don’t know how you put up with that pig.”

Spitfire’s mother smiled at her daughter as the fiery youngster withdrew. “I wish you both luck.”

With everypony watching, the couple made their way over to Soarin’s parents and they bowed slightly as his father rose. Rich blue wings stretched out and lightly brushed against his two treasured young ponies. He smiled warmly at them with a tear in his eye and shot a look at his wife who nodded back.

“You both are welcome at our house anytime. And unlike somepony... We do wish to see our grandfoal when he or she is born.”

Still covered by his father’s feathers, Soarin shot his wife questing look. She nodded back and together they rose to face smiling stallion before them. “That sounds like a great idea dad.”

Spitfire nodded, “you can be our last stop before we find our daughter-”

“Son.” Soarin was quick to interject.

Spitfire playfully nudged her lover, “daughter a home.”

“Thank you,” Soarin’s mother spoke up as she wiped tears from her eyes. “That would mean so much to us both.”

As the couple turned to march off down the middle of the gathered ponies, Soarin was sure he caught Tempest Wind roll his eyes. What is up with him?

Many ponies gave their congratulations and asked about their foal as they both wandered down past everypony. Soarin’s head spun with all the words and mostly happy faces. It was really happening! He was about to take off and fly for the first time with his wife!

The couple reached the end of the cloud and Spitfire brought her husband to a stop. She pulled him back with a hard tug. The overwhelmed colt had almost prematurely fallen off the edge. “Are you okay?”

“Yea... I- yea, better than okay...” Soarin trailed off as he lightly squeezed his mare with his wing that he had draped over her barrel. “This just kinda feels surreal... I mean... we are actually about to fly together... first time with you as my wife. It's- it's cool. Its-”

“Well let’s not keep them waiting.” Spitfire playfully nudged her companion back and slipped out from under his wing.

“Hurry up slow pokes!” Fleetfoot cried out. “If your this slow at the auditions the Wonderbolts will get bored!”

The couple shared a look and smiled at each other.

Soarin decided to poke the hornet's nest and called back; “my Spitfire is more radiant than the sun. Of course she’s going to get noticed.” The cocky young stallion leapt into the air then nosedived off the cloud in a tight corkscrew. He pulled off and flew away from the cloud. His wife was right on his tail, close enough that she could bite it.

The duo pulled off a series of tight loops as they climbed higher and higher till they broke off from one another and sped as fast as they could in ever increasing circles, closing in on the large cloud their friends and family shared below.

The two blurs of speed met in the middle and with a massive gust of wind they span up higher then dived down toward the cloud together. As they fell within a few hooves of their audience they once again broke off. Most of the pegasi ducked in shock at such close contact with the young areal aces. As though they were of one mind, the young couple slowly circled back around till they met above the higher section of the cloud where they were wed. Blue touched yellow as their forehooves met with a soft click. With their forms upright and their hind legs loosely hanging, the newlyweds began to slowly circle almost as though to some kind of slow waltz.

With their wing beats in sync, they slipped their forehooves closer till Spitfire was resting hers on his strong shoulders and he slipped his hooves ever so slightly around her barrel. Their wingtips almost touched as they danced around above their family below.

With a nudge of her nose, Spitfire tucked her feather more securely into her husband’s mane then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She felt butterflies in her tummy as he grinned back like a lovestruck fool.

It was only each other there in the sky. Slowly circling slowly down till their back hooves touched soft cloud. The cheering of their family and friends drew the pair out of their own little bubble and they smiled to one another as they withdrew and settled down to stand normally.

“A lovely first flight for our young couple,” Gale Force congratulated.

Another round of applause followed.

Most of the ponies present took this moment to come forth and congratulate the couple. Though all the hoof shaking and smiling, Spitfire found herself practically glued to her husband’s side throughout.

The time passed in a flash of activity and all too soon, it was time to fly off for the feast. Lunchtime.

As Spitfire was about to take off Soarin sidled up beside her, “oh wife of mine. Heh, so cool. You’re my wife! She's my wife! Yea!” The grinning stallion paused as he was poked in the ribs by his companion.

“Yes?” The fiery yellow pegasus side eyed her husband as other pegasi took flight.

“Righ. Uh- can I... carry you?”

“What?”

“Well you know... I think it would look cool. Plus, you can snuggle up while I fly us...”

As her expression failed to change, Soarin sighed. “Nevermind.” He leapt into the sky.

Spitfire checked out his well-toned flank as he gained altitude and pondered to herself if it would be better to fly alongside him, where they could do tricks and race one another ...or to be carried by him?

‘Too late.’ With a beat of her powerful yellow wings, Spitfire took off after her husband.

“And this is where we are having our lunchtime feast.” Soarin proudly announced as he landed outside his favourite venue in Cloudsdale. The Pie in the Sky. The bakery had a ‘closed’ sign over the front, but the door was open. There were a few tables set up outside on the clouds along with several seats. He grinned as many of his family members appeared pleased by his decision.

“Hey, Soarin!” A deep red stallion with a light purple mare at his side came out to greet the newlyweds. “How’s married life treating you?”

“Pretty good so far,” Soarin pulled his wife in for a quick hug.

As many pegasi began to filter into the establishment to take a look at the food, Tempest Wind turned to the newly married couple. “I honestly thought you were joking when you said this place would provide the family feast.”

“And I told you, we can do it,” the red stallion was quick to respond. “Don’t worry, go see the food and enjoy.” He turned to the young bride and groom, "it was actually rather fun cooking a whole lot of other food like this.”

“You did get the full pie order too?” Soarin asked hopefully.

“Yes, we both know how much you and your folks like our pie,” the purple mare replied with a laugh.

Soarin tried to leap inside but was held back by Spitfire. “Let the others go first. I don’t need you taking all the pie and eating till you pass out.”

“Hey, I would never do that!” Soarin shot back.

“Oh yes you totally would,” Obsidia was quick to chime in. “I remember when you were little when you would come over for a visit.”

Spitfire smirked. “Remember that time in Ponyville too?”

“That was the single best pie I’ve ever eaten.”

“Yea, you also almost passed out from a food coma.”

Soarin grinned at his wife. “At least I have somepony awesome and strong to carry me if I ever do it again.”

Tyson laughed loudly as he passed the couple with a plate filled with veggies and a pie. “I think the stallion is supposed to carry his bride, not the other way around son.”

“Yea, pie boy.”

Soarin rolled his eyes then hastily joined the line of pegasi who were waiting to grab their food from the layout inside. The queue progressed quickly and the lucky young stallion soon found himself in front of trays of delicious food. Pies, chips and smaller savoury pastries lay before the conquering stallion. He ignored the stuff like the salads. Those were not stallion fuel! His tummy rumbled eagerly. “Time for the conquering stallion to claim his reward. Ooooh, where have you been, lovely?”

The biggest pie on the food table found itself under the watchful gaze of the mighty destroyer of pies! Soarin grinned as he slowly picked up the well-chrispened apple pie and licked his lips. He gleefully cast a look at his wife who rolled her eyes and added some greens to his plate. He poked his tongue out at her. She batted him playfully with a wing and added more healthy food to his plate. With a scowl he added more baked goods then flew off to his table, plate held carefully in his forehooves.

Spitfire shook her head but couldn't help but grin as she chose a variety of rather more healthy looking foods for herself.

“Still like what you’re getting yourself in for?” One of Soarin’s aunties asked Spitfire as the older mare grabbed a pie.

“Wouldn’t have him any other way,” Spitfire grinned back.

“Good. Don’t expect him to grow up. My husband sure hasn’t.”

A small laugh escaped Spitfire, “thanks.”

The fiery pegasus followed her spouse to the head table outside. On Spitfire's side, Fleetfoot and High winds sat. To Soarin’s left, his father and mother chilled out. The two stallions eyed their pies, shot each other a grin then dug in as though it was a race. Their respective wives couldn’t help but smile at the silly activities. Dawnrush lay a wing across her stallions back and lightly tickled him. Tyson sat up rigidly, accidentally spraying a few pieces of pie crust. Spitfire placed a wing over her own lover.

“Don’f eben try it,” Soarin shot his missus a warning look.

“What? This?” The bright yellow pegasus cheekily tickled her lover as she ran her wing down his back.

Soarin chomped down on his mouthful of pie as he sat up and tried not to laugh. He nudged his wife who simply winked at him and ran her wing back up, then down once more. With a big gulp, the young blue pegasus playfully fought his mare off. “Nooo- Sunshine, don’t be mean to your new husband.”

Spitfire laughed as her husband sprayed a few flakes of pie crust at her. As he collapsed against her in a fight of giggles, she allowed her aggressive tickles to turn into a light embrace.

A few “awww...’ went up from their guests and the newlyweds blushed lightly.

Fleetfoot carefully placed a wing on High Wind's shoulders. The greyish-white mare shot her companion a look, “don’t you try that too.”

“Reminds me of when we were freshly married,” Tyson commented. He playfully nudged his son who sheepishly smiled back.

“Yea?” Tempest Wind spoke up. “Because your ticklish like a foal or because you got her pregnant so she had to marry you.”

“Oh shut up Tempest Wind,” Tyson shot back. “You’ve done enough damage already.”

“Me?”

Spitfire groaned and face planted into her plate.

Apparently unaware of his own daughter’s reaction to his outburst, Tempest Wind continued; “it’s your colt who did the damage.”

“Oh, and you’ve been so helpful...” Tyson replied sourly.

“I’ve been more help to them than you have.” Tempest Wind stood from his place at the table in front of his daughter. “I bought them a house, I even helped with their marriage registration to help keep this abomination a secret and not bring more dishonour to this family..”

“Dishonour, really?” Dawnrush rose. “Have you stopped to consider your own daughter? Or are you still only concerned about your own image around the high and mighty?”

“Yea.” Fleetfoot tentatively spoke up. “Our friend Soarin is a wonderful friend and coltfriend to Spitfire. I’m sure he will be an excellent husband.”

“Here, here!” One of Soarin’s uncles shouted in agreement.

Several other pegasi joined in with supportive cries.

Obsidia turned to face Tempest from the table she sat at. Her gaze was almost enough to set fire to the cloud he sat on. “Well, I can see why your wife stopped after one.”

“What?” Tempest turned to face Obsidia.

The grey mare fluffed her light blue mane then placed her foreleg proudly around her husband’s shoulders. “This stud and I have three children. He’s so good to me in every way and makes sure to treat his mare and her family proper. But I can see why your wife stopped at one and let you do your important work at the rainbow factory.”

Several ponies gasped while others stifled laughter. Attention swapped between the stern slate grey mare and the rather annoyed stallion.

“If it weren't for my job, we would not have many of the luxuries it affords. Isn’t that right dear?”

Stormy Flare sighed. “Just sit down... you're embarrassing me and even worse, look at our daughter.”

Tempest Wind shot his daughter a glance and faltered.

The bright yellow pegasus was hidden under a light blue wing. The young stallion offering her shelter was glaring at the older, burned orange pegasus.

“Get it in your thick head Tempest. We. That’s Spitfire and I- made a mistake. It happened. We are here. Either be happy for us, or please leave.”

“Come on dear, we’re leaving.” Tempest tugged at his wife as he stood, wings ready to take off.

Stormy Flare sighed once more as she resisted her husband. “No dear. I would rather be here, with both our children. After all... like it or not, Soarin is our son now. He has done all but one of the steps to marry our Spitfire perfectly.”

“Fine. I’m out of here...”

“Good, get lost you featherbrain and leave us in peace!” Obsidia shook a forehoof at the departing pegasus.

“I’m sorry,” High Winds softly spoke up. “I didn’t know your dad was such a flankhole.”

“Neither did I...” Spitfire replied as she, at last, emerged from her husband’s comforting wing.

Two newlyweds touched down in Ponyville side by side. Spitfire took a moment to fix up the feather in her husband’s mane and smiled as she realised he was checking her out. She grinned at him then trotted ahead a few paces and wigged her flank slightly. Spitfire turned slightly, enjoying the slight blush that adorned his muzzle. He hastened to catch up and placed a wing across her withers.

“So much for being discreet?”

The young stallion scoffed. “We just finished our wedding. I want to proudly show everpony my awesome wife.”

The bright yellow pegasus glanced around. No pony took special notice of the couple.

“Long as we are down here, I guess it’s alright.”

Fleetfoot touched down beside High Winds and waved at the newlyweds. “Hi guys, mind if we join in for a quiet party of our own?"

"Sure. Can't be any worse than the reception my dad flew out on." Spitfire shrugged.

"Yea, we were gonna hit the local pub then find a cloud to snuggle on." Soarin grinned.

"Riiiight, sure you are," Fleetfoot waggled her eyebrows as she grinned back.

"Got someplace in mind? Or do should we just wander around town for a bit?" High Winds softly asked, eager to steer the conversation away from her friend's father.

"Yea, the Hay and Clover serve an amazing pie as well as good drinks," Soarin offered confidently.

Spitfire shook her head with a laugh, "you don't need anymore food Soarin."

"But pie!"

"What did I say?" Spitfire shot her husband a cautioning look.

"Colts," Fleetfoot scoffed.

"I know, right?" High Winds agreed with a snigger as she bumped her fillyfriend.

Soarin pocked his tongue out at the fillies then strode off.

With a wing-propelled leap, Spitfire landed at her husband's side and nudged him playfully. "Don't worry, I might still let you have some pie when its time for dinner."

Soarin huffed, "I thought you loved me Sunshine."

"I do. That's why I might let you have some pie for dinner. If you’re a good boy."

"She's a real slavedriver that one," Fleetfoot grinned at Soarin. "I can see who is gonna be the captain both at home and out there in the sky."

"Yea, yea..." Soarin mumbled.

Sometime later in the Hay and Clover, the atmosphere was buzzing, the drinks were flowing and many ponies were having fun drinking with friends. Two young couples relaxed together at a corner table away from most of the hub hub. These young pegasi looked too young to be drinking hard alcohol but did have a mug of regular cider each to enjoy.

“Cheers to the newlywed couple, two of my bestest best friends!” Fleetfoot cheered as she raised her tankard.

It was met with a clink and a hearty reply before the quad took a draught from their ciders.

"So," Spitfire settled back against her husband as she placed her tankard on the table. "When are you two gonna take the next step?"

High Winds flushed and shot her fillyfriend a nervous glance.

Fleetfoot laughed. "Unlike somepoies we haven't been dating since kindergarten. But if I'm lucky, High Winds will stick with me, like you stick with Soarin."

High Winds nodded, “personally I don’t care for getting married myself. But still think you both are lucky, settling down so soon and all.”

Soarin grinned as he stuffed his face with pie. "Yep, I'm one lucky colt!" He threw a wing around his wife and hugged her tighter. The young pegasus planted a kiss on the smiling yellow face of his lover.

Spitfire playfully shoved Soarin off and whipped the pie crust off her muzzle. "Now that your a married stallion, I'm going to need to teach you how to eat without making a mess everywhere."

"I'm a colt Spit. I’m allowed to make a mess."

"You're all grown up now, you should act like it." Spitfire pressed a forehoof into the light blue chest to further bring her point across.

“And I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

"Yes, I am. Look... it's a guys thing, okay?" Soarin pulled off his best appealing gaze as he checked out his wife.

“What, to not grow up?” Fleetfoot interjected.

“No,” Soarin shot the two giggling fillies across the table a look. "You wouldn't understand."

"I understand you. That's why I happily married you." Spitfire smirked as she prodded her colt in the ribs.

"And bucked him too right?" Fleetfoot leaned forward with a cheeky smile. "Yea... Now she takes over from your mom. Poor girl has her work cut out for her."

"What do you mean?" Soarin shot the grinning filly a cautious look. "I'm easy... I'm not a lot of work."

Spitfire fought back a giggle. "Nevermind them Sorin. They don't know how wonderful it is to have a stallion.” She embraced him slowly and nuzzled up good and close. “...Even if you are a lot of work."

"Yea... Hey!"

The last of Celestia's sun lit the sky with its brilliant sunset rays. One patch of cloud high above Ponyville's farmlands glowed golden. It was here our newlywed couple lay cuddled up on a cloud together. They faced the town below with smiles of contentment.

"Thanks for an awesome day Soarin. It feels good to be your wife."

"Yea, it's pretty cool to be able to say... this-" he tightened his hold on his wife's barrel and his grin increased. "Is my wife. She’s mine. All mine. No pony else can touch. Or peep. And... I get exclusive shagging rights!" Soarin shot his lover a cheeky wink.

Spitfire briskly raised her forehoof almost as if to smite him. Soarin quickly shrank back. After a few moments, Spitfire’s hard gaze broke and she rolled over dragging her husband into a playful tussle. The couple rolled around laughing on the cloud, nuzzling, hugging, kissing and throwing in the occasional cheeky prod or two.

The joyful noises eventually subsided, replaced with faint birdsong.

Spitfire softly nuzzled her husband, "thanks cheeky. You’re right. It does feel pretty good."

The pair turned their attention back to the setting sun and the town below. They shared a cuddle as they enjoyed the sights and only moved once the sun had set fully.

"Well..." Spitfire rose and stretched. "Are you ready for some action?"

Soarin grinned as he checked out his mare, "I sure am. How about that final step in our marriage?"

"You mean the one we accidentally did first?"

"Yep."

Spitfire slowly sat back on her haunches. Her gaze fell to her tummy while her right forehoof rose to tenderly probe the spot. "The reason I'm carrying your foal?"

At her quiet words, the young stallion gave a reproachful pause. "Well... yea." He rose and placed his light blue forehoof beside the sunny yellow one. Together they rested where they imagined their new family member to be. “But I’m glad we are where we are, despite our mistake, you know? Our... daughter-”

Spitfire grinned and waited for her husband to continue.

“-Is still gonna be born into a loving family, even if we can’t be the ones who raise her... or him.”

The bright yellow pegasus playfully shoved her husband onto the cloud. “Definitely a she.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just know. I’m her mother after all.” The sunny young mare leant down and snuggled up close. She nuzzled up to her husband's ear where she softly whispered; "I'm all yours."

Two blue wings extended in anticipation as the young stallion grinned back.

Blissfully alone under the new moonlight, husband and wife came together as one.

Author's Note

... For you know... cuddles of course :twilightsheepish:

At last, the wedding. So much for me keeping to short chapters... this took a lot longer than expected, but I wanted the whole wedding contained in one chapter and I'm rather happy with it now. It's funny, cause I'm also planning a Flutterdash wedding fic and while I think the pegasus rituals fit, there's sure to be differences. No Tempest Wind for one. Hopefully, you enjoyed it too.
I took inspiration for their sky dance from the likes of

While earth ponies and unicorns would dance on their hooves for their first dance, newly wed pegasi put on a little duet in the skies.

With this, I think I can finally say the first act of the story is complete.
Next up, second act. Soon they will be on the road, expecting foal :pinkiehappy:
And Scootaloo's new family is up for a few surprises too.

CH10: Growing Bundle of Joy (10 weeks pregnant)

Author's Note

Welcome to act two of Our Daughter.

I was surprised to find a picture of these two with Scootaloo. Hence, have some cover art for part two :pinkiehappy:

CH10: Growing Bundle of Joy (10 weeks pregnant)

“Good morning ...oh wife of mine...” Soarin grinned as he stretched.

“Woah...” The sunny pegasus scrunched up her muzzle. “Watch where you aim that morning breath, husband.” At the final word Spitfire couldn’t help but smile herself.

“Not even married for a day and already telling me what to do?”

“Pie boy, I’ve been telling you what to do since we were foals...”

“Okay, so maybe you have. But that we’re married there’s gotta be some perks for me, right?”

Spitfire stretched and unleashed a giant yawn. “Well, the stallion is supposed to be head of the family. But I dunno... I feel like you’re my support, not my head.”

Soarin flexed his wings, enjoying the sight of his wife (heh, wife) as she continued to stretch. “But what if, being the husband grants me more brainy things and puts me in charge?”

“Then you better put those new brains to use rather than waste them thinking about your next meal and flying.”

The young stallion scoffed, “of course I can do that. Just you watch, I’ll show you.” He struck what he thought was a cool pose.

Laughter erupted and quickly felled the yellow pegasus, “oh my sides!”

Soarin pouted. “Okay, I wasn’t being serious but you don’t have to rub it in.”

With several rapid deep breaths Spitfire relaxed. “I’m sorry, but you just looked so funny like that.”

“I had hoped for handsome.”

“I think you look cute,” Spitfire offered cheekily.

“Really helpful Sunshine.”

“Does my little cutie-wootie want another cuddle before we fly home?” Spitfire asked as she made a silly baby face.

Soarin did his best pout, “no.”

Spitfire did a double take then smiled slyly, “what? Afraid you’ll melt under my affection? You always like your morning cuddles...”

“No, I mean... ugh. I meant no to flying home right after cuddles. How about we have our cuddle then go get breakfast in Ponyville. We have one day left for the weekend and I figure yea... Breakfast?”

“But I thought we were tight on money.”

“We are... but my boss slipped me a little extra yesterday and my parents gave us three hundred bits to help too.”

The young mare wasn’t sure if she heard the last part right. “Wait... three hundred? As in bits?”

“Yea. My dad was all like, take it, we’ve been saving and want you to-” A yellow hoof silenced the blue colt.

“Cuddles, bath, then we go find someplace nice to eat.” Spitfire drew her lover in close, “I just gotta make sure this husband is the same pony he was before we married.”

“Oh yea?” Soarin grinned as he playfully swiped his wife’s hooves from under her. They landed sideways onto the soft cloud and rolled around for a few moments giggling and play fighting before they came to rest in each other's hooves.

“You’re lucky it’s a big cloud,” Spitfire noted quietly as her gaze trailed off the edge. They were so close to falling off their manes hung half off the side of the cloud. “Some idiot nearly made us fall off our cloud.”

Soarin scoffed, “dunno who that might be. He sounds terrible. You better cuddle up with me for safety.” Blue wings encased the precious yellow mare and Soarin wriggled them further toward the center of the cloud once more.

Spitfire grinned to herself. Yep, it felt wonderful to be married to her pie-boy.

“Hey, Scootaloo!”

Just down the road from the Ponyville schoolhouse, the CMC turned to greet the grey colt as he hurried out the school gate to catch up to them.

“Hi, Rumble.” The orange pegasus filly replied.

“Ready for your lessons?”

A cheeky grin sprouted across Sweetie Belle’s muzzle.

“You mean you wanna try help me fly today?”

“Well, yea... unless you have something else planned with your friends.” Rumble nervously replied.

“Nope, she doesn’t,” Sweetie Belle was quick to reply.

“Great!”

Two young pegasi came to a stop at the top of one of the hills in the farmland. Behind them lay the Apple family farm. In front, the hill sloped off steeply into a green field that continued on for some way till it disappeared into more hills and the Everfree forest. The orange pegasus at Rumble’s side shot him an inquisitive look.

“This is where my brother took me when I learned how to fly.”

“You mean he didn’t just throw you off a cloud and expect you to fly?” Scootaloo asked incredulously.

“What, no way!” Rumble shot his companion a cautious look, “wait... Did Rainbow Dash do that to you?”

“Nope,” Scootaloo grinned cheekily. “I just thought it might be funny if that’s how your brother taught you to fly.”

Rumble shook his head, a slight grin upon his lips. “You have some crazy ideas Scootaloo, I see why Rainbow Dash likes you so much. She must be awesome to have as a sister figure.”

“Yea...” Scootaloo wondered for a moment if she should tell her friend there was more to it now? But were they close enough to share such things? Hardly anypony knew Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were even together.

“Hey... uh...” Scootaloo sat upon the soft grass and gazed up at the skies above. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Sure? What’s up?” Rumble sat attentively by her side, gazing hopefully at the pretty young filly.

“Y-you promise you won’t tell anypony? It’s kinda a secret.”

“I promise.”

The filly cast her companion a quick guarded look.

“I Pinkie promise,” Rumble added as he did the motions taught by the party master herself.

Scootaloo returned her gaze to the skies and after a few quiet moments she spoke up; “what if I told you Rainbow Dash is now my foster mom?”

A grin ripped across the colt’s muzzle, “then I would tell you that sounds super cool!”

“Really?” The orange filly turned her gaze to Rumble in surprise.

“Yea, it sure is!” Rumble nodded so fast, one could almost imagine his head flying off.

Scootaloo giggled at the display. “Well, she and Fluttershy and now officially my moms.”

“That’s even cooler! Wait, you mean two friends can look after you like that? What if Rainbow Dash or fluttershy get a coltfriend?” The youngster cocked his head to the side.

Scootaloo scuffed the ground with a hoof, she may as well break the news to him now...
“Well... uh, you see... that’s kinda not really a problem.”

“Why? What do you mean?”

Was this guy really that innocent and naive? Scootaloo suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. “I mean... they are kinda... together. They just don’t want everypony to know yet, but they still want to look after me as if I was their own.”

“Oh...” A light blush covered the colt’s muzzle, “sorry, I didn’t realise they were together like Lyra and Bon Bon are...”

Scootaloo giggled softly, “yea. I didn’t even know Rainbow Dash knew what romance was.”

“Tell me about it...” Rumble joined in the laughter.

The pair fell into silence. It slowly turned awkward as neither knew how to continue the conversation properly.

“So...” Rumble fluttered his wings and cleared his throat. “Wanna try and fly? That is kinda why I bought you out here.”

Scootaloo brightened up, “yep!”

“Cool. Alright... Uh... watch me first, then we will try together.”

“Okay.”

With that, the young colt stood, stretched confidently and strutted a few paces forward. “Wings out.” His small wings extended. “Then you can either do a running take off, or a hovering start.” With a light buzzing, he began to hover a few hooves up off the ground.

“Cool. But how?” Scootaloo stood as her companion landed with a thoughtful expression upon his muzzle. “I flap my wings a whole heap when I’m on my scooter. The best I seem to do is boost my jumps.”

“Okay,” Rumble replied thoughtfully. He approached his fellow pegasus and eyed her wings. A slight blush covered his muzzle when he caught Scootloo watching him inquisitively. He coughed awkwardly, “uh... yea. So your wings look okay to me. Just try to take off into a hover, like I did! Like this!” His wings fluttered to life and he gently lifted off the hillside.

Scootloo grinned at his ease and began to frantically flap her own wings. Faster and faster they flapped, frantic for something, anything! She lifted onto her back hooves, straining to help herself take off somehow. Her hind feet finally began to lift off but suddenly she crashed down onto the hilltop. With heavy panting, the filly rose onto her forehooves. “Can’t do it...”

A thoughtful scowl etched itself across the young colt’s muzzle. “Yes, you can.” He landed and carefully approached. “Was that you standing on your hind legs there or your wings?”

“I think that was just me, standing taller trying to sorta take off or something... yea,” Scootloo admitted bashfully.

“Hey,” Rumble tenderly reached out and lifted the orange muzzle in front of him so they could once again meet eyes. “I know you can do it. In fact, I’m sure you even hovered a little before your wings gave out.”

“Okay.”

A grey hoof rose then hesitated. “Uh... you uh, don’t mind me touching your wings and stuff do you?”

“Uh, no.”

“Cool.” With his grey muzzle colouring, Rumble carefully ran his right hoof along the orange feathers. ‘What am I looking for...?’ His hoof lingered at her tips as his mind wandered off.

A soft clearing of somefilly’s throat brought the colt back down to Equestria and his muzzle heated up even more. “Sorry about that. I was just wondering...”

“What? Do you think you know what’s wrong with me?”

“Wrong with you?” Rumble scoffed. “No way, there’s nothing at all wrong with your wings. Although your feathers could maybe do with a bit more attention.”

“Yea... I know. Kinda hard to do that some days at the orphanage.”

“Mmmmm...” The thoughtful colt moved from her left wing to her right and once again began examining every inch.

Scootaloo began to itch as the light grey hoof felt around her feathers and she fought back a giggle as tingly sensations ran down her wing, hitting her spine in pleasurable bursts.

With a drawn-out sigh Rumble sat back, his attention riveted upon the wing he had relinquished. “I don’t know. Your wings are like, totally perfect, besides needing a preen. Give me a flap.”

The filly briskly worked her wings.

“A slower flap. Like... super slow.”

Unsure of what he was trying to achieve, Scootaloo nonetheless obeyed with a very slow motion of her wings.

Rumble cocked his head to the side. “Again.”

Feeling like a beast on display, Scootaloo worked her wings.

“A bit faster?”

Orange wings beat faster and faster till a grey hoof rose to indicate stop.

“I think that maybe, just maaaaybe you could work on your coordination. It feels just a feather off.”

“Oh? You can tell?”

“Flap both wings exactly at the same time,” Rumble instructed his gaze intense upon his companion’s feathers.

Two orange wings rose then fell.

Rumble scrunched up his muzzle in thought, “I think your left wing is slightly slower on the down beat.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Well,” Rumble positioned himself by his companion’s side and rose his wings to sit level. “I don’t know if there's any proper training, there probably is- I’ll-I’ll check it out for you! But for now, how about we try a few things?”

“I’m ok with trying,” Scootaloo confirmed, ready and waiting.

“Copy me.” Grey wings sprung out then settled out horizontal from his sides, as though ready for a glide.

Orange wings brushed against grey feathers as Scootaloo rose to stand and copy him.

With a slightly flushed muzzle, Rumble took a step away to separate their wings. He coughed softly, “er, sorry about that.”

“I-it’s fine!” Scootaloo blurted back. “Let’s just give this a go.”

“Right! Of course.” Rumble faced the steep side of the hill. “We are gonna run and jump then see how far we can glide. Just keep your wings out and level. Try not to flap them or do anything fancy. Okay?”

“Yea, sure.” Scootaloo nodded, awaiting her companion’s next move.

The pair fell into silence as they waited.

Waited.

“Uh... Rumble? You okay?”

“Of course, I’m just waiting for a bigger gust.”

“Oh, right.”

“It’s fine,” Rumble did his best to smile encouragingly.

Scootaloo was sure she felt his eyes linger longer than necessary but by the time she returned her gaze to him he snapped forward as though caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.

“Alright, I think this should be okay.” The young colt took one step back then rushed off the edge of the hill. With his wings outstretched, he caught the gust and was blown higher.

Scootaloo rushed to copy and fought against the feeling inside that told her to flap her wings. As the gust caught her she fought to keep her wings level. She noticed her companion banking slightly and carefully angled her wings too. A grin erupted across her muzzle as another light breeze caught them both and carried them further out across the field. “I’m flying!”

“Yea, sorta!” Rumble shouted back.

As the wind lessened Scootloo tried to compensate with a light flap. She dipped lower then fell into the soft grass with an ‘oof!’

Rumble neatly landed nearby then rushed over to help the filly up. “I think you did pretty good for our first try.”

“Yea, I don’t think I’ve ever flown that far before!” Scootaloo responded excitedly. “That was super cool!”

“Just wait till we figure out how to get your wings to keep in time, then I’m sure we’ll have you flying like Rainbow Dash in no time.” Rumble sauntered over and offered a hoof.

Scootaloo accepted the offering and stood with gusto. All the exciting energy led to her bumping muzzles with the good looking young colt. She hastily withdrew, blushed lightly. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine!” Rumble replied a little too fast. “Let’s just kinda, try that again?”

“Of course.” Scootaloo hurried on ahead, back up to the top of the hill they had been standing on.

With Celestia’s fading sun lighting up the world in golden hues, two young pegasi touched down in front of Fluttershy’s cottage.

“So, this is your new home then?” Rumble mused aloud.

Scootaloo nodded eagerly, “yea. Isn’t it cool!?”

“Yea. Guess I should be going now though.”

“Yea...”

The young grey colt turned and began trotting down the path.

“Hey, Rumble!”

The colt in question turned, Scootaloo grinned back. “Thanks, I had fun today.”

“Yea, so did I,” Rumble responded, then flicked out his wings.

The sound of the cottages front door opening drew both youngsters attention. “Hello, Scootaloo. And Rumble too! Would you like to come in?” Fluttershy offered.

“Uh... no thanks. I gotta get home to my brother.”

“Okay, be safe and thank you for returning Scootaloo home,” Fluttershy replied softly.

“It was no problem. Seya Scoots!” With that, the youngster took off.

“Scoots?” Dash chuckled as she emerged by her fillyfriend’s side.

Scootaloo flushed red.

A sly grin crept across Dash’s face. “Never heard anypony call you that.”

“Neither did I, okay?”

“Somepony found an admirer?” Dash’s grin grew wider.

Scootaloo hurried up and gave her mothers a hug. “Just pretend you didn’t hear him call me that okay?”

“I think it’s sweet.” Fluttershy cooed as she drew her two in for a warm hug. “Just be sensible and don’t rush into anything.”

“Yea, yea. It’s not like I like him that way anyway.” Scootaloo hurried inside and plonked herself on the comfy chair in the corner.

“Fluttershy thought you might like him,” Dash remarked and was quick to be poked in the ribs by a yellow foreleg. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of kiddo, it’s just life and stuff. Anyway, how was flying with Rumble?”

At the mention of flying, Scootaloo brightened up. “Awesome! N-not that your flying isn’t super cool or anything, it’s just different being taught by somepony my own age.”

“Hey, I get it. I kinda taught Fluttershy here.” Dash dragged her fillyfriend over to the couch and relaxed, side by side.

“Really?” Scootaloo perked up.

Fluttershy nodded, “she was the only pony who refused to give up on me. My parents knew I was a late bloomer, like you. But Dash kept insisting I could fly. She made us do all kinds of things until I started to fly. It was rather sweet.” A yellow wing pulled the blue mare in for a light hug.

Scootaloo did her best gag at the sight of her mothers being sappy. Yet she also felt encouraged, that somepony her own age who she got along well with and who miiiiight like-like her was teaching her to fly. If it worked for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, hopefully, it would work for her. “Thanks, I think that makes me feel better.”

“And if you ever need some extra help or advice you know where to look, right?” Dash offered.

“Of course. I think I wanna try a few more times with Rumble first.”

“Alright. Well, dinner is almost ready. Please set the table while I finish.”

“Okay.” Scootaloo hurried off to do as she was told while her new parents did their thing.

In a small cloud house in Clousdale, two pegasi, now nearly two months wed were soon to settle down to a nice dinner together. It was going to be romantic and sweet. Just them two...

“Do I smell burning?” Soarin popped his head into the kitchen of their small cloud house.

“I got this!” Spitfire yelled back as she frantically dropped the carrot onto the salad on the bench and threw open the oven door. The telltale smell of burning food intensified as a small wisp of smoke escaped.

“Uhh... you sure?” Soarin cautiously entered the room.

“I got this, now shove off,” Spitfire growled as she pulled their overly crispy veggie pizza out of the oven. A small cloud of smoke followed blackened pizza’s progress.

Soarin cringed. It was ...edible. He had burned worse and eaten it of course. It was sweet that his wife was trying so hard. But she maybe wasn’t the best cook. Not that it stopped her trying nor could he could say it to her face, especially when she was like this.

Spitfire scowled, “the salad is fine, don’t give me that face.”

“The pizza looks okay too...” Soarin cautiously replied.

“No, it’s not,” Spitfire growled then shoved the overly crispy pizza into the bin.

The young stallion half leapt forward then caught himself. “Nooo pizza....”

“Get over it.” Spitfire huffed as she turned away.

Soarin stepped forward and gently reached out. He pulled his wife in for a hug. He licked her cheek then allowed her to burrow into the blue safety of his chin. After a few moments of cuddling, she began to relax. “It’s okay Spitty. I would have eaten that.”

“But it’s burned... Me- I can’t feed you that.” Spitfire squeezed her eyes shut as she fought back a torrent of tears that suddenly threatened to break loose.

Soarin felt a wet patch on his neck and realized his wife was crying. Why did mares have to get so emotional when they were pregnant? ...Well... I did this to her. We chose this... The young stallion set his jaw as he quickly came up with a response. “You know I’ve done worse and I promised to eat your cooking.”

“But I want to cook for you... Properly. Not give you burned offerings like that!” Spitfire withdrew, fire in her tearful eyes.

“So what if we go out to dinner?”

“We can’t just keep eating out!” Spitfire exclaimed. “We have a honeymoon to save for! I need to disappear soon and I am getting fatter.” A yellow hoof motioned to a now ever so slight baby bump that you could spot if you were looking closely for such a protrusion.

Soarin sighed then stepped forward and placed himself right in front of his wife. She was being silly. If he didn't pay special attention, there was no bump. She wasn't anywhere near fat! “Spitfire. You. Are. Not. Fat. You hear me.”

“But I am getting fat! I feel big already!” Yellow wings flared and the blue stallion took a step back from the dangerous looking young mare.

“No your not.”

“Yes I am. And it’s all thanks to you, stupid colt!”

Fed up with the words coming out of his wife’s mouth, Soarin hurried forth and captured her in a hug. He winced as a hoof shoved his tummy.

“Stupid. Stupid. Dumb-”

“Spitfire. Please.” Soarin gasped as another hoof impacted with his gut.

“What!?” The fiery young pegasus threw her husband off.

“Calm down. Please stop fighting me.”

“Fine. Eat your burned pizza. I’m going to lie down.” Spitfire shoved her way past the cornflower blue colt and disappeared from the room.

Soarin sighed. Was it something I said? Or just the pregnancy hormones? Little one... You had better be something... What to do? What can I do? He scratched his head as he looked around the kitchen. He spotted the mostly prepared salad and a thought came to mind. He shot the doorway a careful glance. Yes, Spitfire was certainly gone, but she would still be hungry. Time to experiment and see if it was possible to save the situation.

Spitfire lay curled up on the bed in their small room. Tears wet her cheeks as she let the torrent of emotions consume her. How did she let a pizza burn while making a salad? Was it thinking about their future? Their foal? A yeow hoof beat at the soft bedding. Stupid! Dumb! Idiot! Looser! The light puffy pillow turned to wisps of vapour under the angry young mare’s assault. With a cry she rolled over and curled up in a winged ball. She wanted off this crazy ride! Why did Soarin have to go and get me pregnant? It’s not fair! That colt is supposed to come and comfort me! What are you even doing? “How could anything be more important than me?”As her hoof once again stuck out at their bed she realised she may have spoken the last line out loud.

Oh, what did it matter? That pie brain probably didn’t even hear.

More tears escaped the fiery mare as she rolled around. After a small eternity of letting the overflow run wild, Spitfire felt herself begin to calm down. With a shaky breath she rolled onto her back and began to gently stroke her lower tummy with her forehooves.

“Little one... what are you doing to me?” She chuckled to herself. “This is crazy you know. I’m talking to you and you’re not even born yet. Lucky Soarin isn’t here. He might think I’m crazy.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy.” A soft voice from the doorway spoke up.

The bright yellow pegasus jolted and sat bolt upright. “Soarin!?”

“I think you’re beautiful.” The young stallion in the doorway bore a kind smile upon his big mug as he stepped closer. “I also think you’re smart, driven and amazing. I also think it's cute that our foal is already being spoken to by mom. You might be a bit hot headed sometimes, but you're still amazing.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes.

Her husband chuckled to himself as he slid onto the bed. “Seeing what you did to our bed, I’m glad you didn’t choose to take it out on me.”

The young mare glanced down at her hoofwork and cringed. The once pristine and comfy cloud was littered with holes and their pillow was nowhere to be seen. As regret plunged her heart low into the sea of despair a light blue hoof pulled her chin up to gaze into keen green eyes.

“Looking up here sweetie. I’ll fix it later, don’t worry.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.” Soarin pulled his wife in and everything else fell away.

Spitfire relaxed and sighed as she felt herself pulled down on top of her husband who lay on the damaged cloud bed. As long as she closed her eyes, she could pretend that everything was okay. He was here. The strong, constant beating of his heart drew her in and she shifted a little to place her ear on his upper left chest where she could most loudly hear the beating. With each beat her mind let go of the little things she had done. The burned food, the harsh words, the bed... all that fled her mind as the slow powerful beats of her husband’s heart filled her.

Soarin lay on his back with his wings relaxed outward from his sides. On top of him lay a peaceful yet tired looking angel that he dared not disturb. He slowly began to stroke the mane of the mare who was listening to his heart. He knew Spitfire enjoyed placing her head on his chest like that to listen to the slow beating of his heart and there was no way he would deny her wish. Yet he did also kinda have something ready downstairs that he hoped would also lift her spirits further. Hopefully.

A few more moments of cuddles wouldn’t hurt. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of lifting his Spitty up then down with each breath.

After a while, Soarin cracked open his eyes. “Sunshine?”

Spitfire hummed softly but kept her ear pressed to the light blue chest. Soarin grinned, she looked so cute when she used him for support. It made him feel important... valued. Soarin could feel his insides glow warm and fuzzy. A few more moments maybe?

Bloodshot eyes cracked open as the young mare shifted to look at her husband. “Yes?”

“Uh... I did kinda set something up downstairs if you wanna check it out.”

“You finished off dinner?”

“Sorta? I experimented. You know what I’m like.”

“You didn’t burn the kitchen down did you?”

“I didn’t touch anything that requires heating.”

“No pies? I’m shocked.”

“We could go out for pie.” Soarin grinned up at his wife.

Spitfire scoffed. “Not with me looking like this.”

“I can help with that.” Soarin lent up and licked her cheek, eliciting a small giggle from his lover.

“Oh yes, very helpful.”

“See?” Soarin’s smile continued to grow.

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Awww...” The blue colt pouted.

Spitfire poked her tongue out at her companion. “Now who’s being touchy?”

“Who me? Always when we are alone...” Soarin’s smile became predatory as he ran a hoof down his wife’s side and tickled her cutie mark with a wing.

Spitfire unfurled her own wings to defend herself from the feathered attack. As she towered over her husband on their bed she quickly found her legs knocked out from under her. She landed heavily on the cloud bed on her side and lightly stuck out. Giggles broke out from the couple as they play fought. After a few moments of wiggling their hooves and free wing at each other, they relaxed with big grins.

“Did you notice I could have made you land on me, but I didn’t want you to hit your tummy, so made you land sideways on the bed next to me?” Soarin asked, hopeful.

“Now that you mention it, yes.”

“Gotta be a good dad and care for my wife and growing baby you know,” Soarin extolled proudly.

Spitfire smiled slyly. “Aren’t you the hero?”

The smile upon the young stallion’s muzzle soured.

“But seriously. Thank you for being considerate of my... condition.”

“Anything for my Sunshine. Anyway... dinner?”

“Lead on.”

The pair extracted themselves from the bed and Soarin offered his wife a hoof up. She accepted it with a smile and followed him down the stairs.

Soarin was quick to step aside once he made it into the room and grinned expectantly at his lover.

“You-” Spitfire paused in the doorway to their small part dining part living room. “You really made us dinner?”

Indeed it appeared that something of the sort had happened. For in front of the couple, the table for two had been set and the salad sat between the two plates, with added ingredients and colours to what had been a green salad.

The young stallion shot his lover a sheepish look, “well... more sorta finished off what you were doing. Although I like to think my time at the bakery helped.”

“I’m still impressed. You never cook.”

“Say that once you try it.” Soarin challenged as he took his seat. “I just kinda threw stuff in to try bulk up your salad.”

“So... what exactly did you put into my salad?”

“Try it.”

Spitfire obliged her husband, taking a portion of the food and trying it. “It- it’s good. Weird. But good.”

The cornflower blue pegasus took one mouthful and scrunched up his face. “Too much bell pepper and too much of that other thing too...”

“Hey, whatever you did, it’s working for me,” Spitfire replied as she took another mouthful.

“Our little one seems to have weird tastes,” Soarin noted.

“She doesn’t have weird tastes, I get cravings.”

“Right. Isn’t that kinda the same thing?”

“No. And just because you got lucky this time making us a weird salad doesn’t mean you can try experimenting on me again.”

“What if you burn the pizza again?”

Spitfire shot her husband a look. “Mention that again and you’ll wear it.”

“Yes, boss.” Soarin poked his tongue out only to be pelted in the face with loose greens. He caressed his nose, “rough... gotta hit me right in the sniffer there, don’t you?”

“That I do. A girls gotta know how to aim. Gotta defend myself.”

“In case of what?”

“Cheeky stallions.”

“Mmmm... How terrible.” Soarin agreed softly as he took another bite of his salad, careful to select bits that looked more palatable.

The conversation fell into a lull as the pair continued to eat in contented quiet.

Then, just as she finished her own meal, Spitfire sighed. “Soarin, is this really a good idea?”

“What?”

“Us going through with... it?”

“Well we’re married, aren’t we? It’s been working out okay so far.”

“Yes. But you're a stallion. I’m not far out from starting to show. And I know you and my parents have already noticed something change. I’m changing, my body is changing. Soon I’m gonna get really fat. Then everypony who sees me pregnant will know I’m about to become a teenage mother. You won’t get that.” The challenging tone to the young mare’s voice killed the relaxed tone the couple had shared.

A blue hoof massaged its owner's forehead for a few moments. “Spitty...” A sigh followed then silence for a few moments. “I really don’t know what to say to that. I take full responsibility for my part in getting you knocked up. But I love you. I’m your husband and best friend and I’m not gonna just leave you for anything.”

“I know. But so few ponies know for certain that we are together. What if they start to gossip? What will that do to my chances of getting into the Wonderbolts, huh?”

“You will knock them dead. Nothing stops you.”

“Well, what if something does?” Spitfire challenged. “What if I don’t make it into the Wonderbolts because of something silly like being a teenage mother or some medical complication?”

“Pfft- won’t happen.”

“But what if it does? Soarin, I might be all confident and stuff out there, but I’m also feeling scared. What... what if I don’t make it?” Her last words were quiet as she trailed off with her question.

Silence hung over the table until Soarin shifted and made his way over to sit beside his wife.

“You know what I will do if you don’t make it?” A blue wing settled on yellow fur.

“What?”

“Well, you are my dream. I’ll stick with you, hay, we could even go pick up our foal from the orphanage and raise him or her.”

“But the Wonderbolts. Your dream.”

“Our dream.” Soarin was quick to cut in with his reminder. He followed up with a light kiss to the pretty yellow muzzle.

“Would you really give up your dream to be a Wonderbolt for me?” Spitfire asked as she levelled her gaze at the green eyes that stared back at her.

“Anything for you. We hung out as foals because we both wanted to be awesome Wonderbolts when we grew up. We’re nearly there. But if something stops us... I’ll pick you over the Wonderbolts even if it means I don’t make it.”

“What if I asked you to make it big for me?”

“Sure. Although....” A cheeky grin crept onto the light blue muzzle as he trailed off.

Spitfire gave her stallion a cautious look. “Although what?”

“I really can’t picture you as a stay at home mom.”

“Bonehead.” Spitfire chuckled as she lightly nudged him. “Neither can I, Pie Boy. Neither can I...”

The light yellow mare snuggled up closer, nestling in under the strong blue chin of her love. She sighed softly, “I hope I don’t have to give up on our dreams because of our mistake.”

“Neither do I Spitty.” Soarin agreed softly. “But you know what?”

“What?”

“I’ll fight for you every step of the way.”

CH11: Offers of Adventure (four & a half months pregnant)

It was lunch time at Cloudsdale central school. Teenage ponies played in the spacious playground and flight courses, all designed for growing fliers of various skill levels.

One young pegasus was all alone inside the office’s hallway. She marched along with a great sense of reservation. Something felt off. And it wasn’t morning sickness. The growing sense of dread was something else. She had never been summoned to the headmare’s office all by herself. What could it be? Did Mrs. Sweets wish to commend her for her recent scores in the assessments? Maybe it was something to do with the joiner Wonderbots. No... that didn’t sound right. The Wonderbolts were not due to visit for another half year. Maybe it was... uh...?

Spitfire found herself in front of the door to her destination. She slowly pushed the cloud door open then entered the headmare’s office. The side walls of the dull white room were covered in trophy cases showcasing various exploits of the headmare and her close family. There was a large window on the opposite side of the desk, facing out toward the playground. A white mare with light candy pink tips on her mane and tail sat, perfectly poised by the large window, watching the school beyond. The middle aged pegasus sat rigid as though ready for action should any wrongdoing be spotted from the school playground below.

“Mrs. Sweets, you wanted to speak with me?” Spitfire carefully asked as she took a seat in front of the desk in the middle of the room.

Silence greeted the young mare’s question.

Yellow wings itched for action as Spitfire continued to sit in silence, awaiting her elders' response.

“Do you know why I asked you to stop by?” The older mare at last asked softly, her expression unreadable.

Spitfire shook her head. She then realized the head teacher had not spotted her action and spoke up; “no. Why did you ask me to?”

“Teenage mothers are not welcome at this most prestigious school. Especially in our elite flying classes.”

Icy fear shot through the young pegasus’s system. There was no way this mare could know she was pregnant! Each of their close friends who knew had promised to keep it a secret.

“Mothers?”

“Teenaged mothers, yes.” The mare turned and levelled her hard gaze upon Spitfire. “You are pregnant. Yes?”

Despite her best efforts, the fiery young pony found herself wilting under her seniors' gaze. This was bad. This was very, very bad! Maybe they should have left school already! Staying till the end of the term was clearly a very bad idea!

“Well?”

“No.” Spitfire spotted the stony lock on Mrs. Sweets face, the mare clearly wasn’t buying her lie for some reason.

“Maybe..?” No change in the headmare’s countenance. Damn.

Spitfire sighed in defeat. “Okay, fine. I am... okay?” The last part came out as more of a growl and the young mare, flinched, half expecting her elder to dismiss her from the school immediately.

A sigh escaped the headmare as she strode over to her desk and sat down. “Care to explain why one of my top students is currently pregnant? Is this to an unknown stallion or your friend, Soarin?”

Spitfire felt herself growing ever smaller under the stony eyes that faced her. “S-Soarin...”

“You mated with your best friend?” Another sigh escaped the white pegasus. “What am I going to do with you both...?”

“He’s my husband now,” Spitfire muttered, her face red. A poorly contained scowl wrote its way across her face as she continued to sit there in the awkward office.

“Well, that’s something at least...” The powerful white mare muttered. She regarded the awkward filly before her in judgmental silence. “Is that before or after the deed was done?”

Spitfire cringed “...After. But before that he was my coltfriend, we were trying to keep it quiet.”

“But then you both had an accident?”

Spitfire’s head hung low. The words from the icy pegasus stung as though she had been struck. “We- yes...”

“There is nothing wrong with dating or marrying your best friend. In fact, that’s what I did, many years ago. He’s made a fine husband and a wonderful friend for life. Ah yes... Best way to have it I think.”

Spitfire sat up straight and faced the stern pegasus. ‘Where was this little speech coming from?’

“But if the Wonderbolts discover this little accident as I have, it will harm your attempt at entry into their ranks. They hold every part of life to the highest standard, as you should know. A life conceived out of wedlock is dishonourable. Doubly so as teenaged parents. A foal will also change your life. The Wonderbolts are more than just a career, it will become your life. You will not have time to start a family and be in the ranks of the most elite pegasi. Then there’s the matter of your new husband-”

“Soarin and I have already decided to give up the baby. And we’re married now.” Spitfire spoke up then immediately ducked as the mare behind the desk scowled at her for being cut off.

The older pegasus regarded her student keenly for a few moments. “Hmm... I advise you to disappear for a while until you birth this life you have created.”

“That’s actually what Soarin and I were about to do in two weeks.”

“The holidays?”

Spitfire nodded, “yes... take an extended holiday.”

The white mare settled back into her chair as she continued to silently judge the young pegasus. After many long, painful moments, she wrote something down and once down, returned her attention to the nervous filly before her. “I advise you to leave sooner if you do not wish to be discovered by your classmates.”

Spitfire shot up with anticipation, “you mean... it might be okay to skip school like that? But won’t ponies begin to wonder where we have gone and why we both just vanished?”

Mrs. Sweets held her silence for a few moments as the young mare before her stewed nervously. “Not you both. I’ll send a third. Maybe a fourth or even fifth. I don’t wish to cause the school embarrassment over your actions.”

“What are you going to do with me?”

“I will recommend to both your parents that you embark on a little trip for about...” The mare’s eyes assessed the younger pegasus’s barrel. No clear signs of anything except maybe the tiniest hint of a possible baby bump. “...six months. That looks like enough time for you to pop. Then I expect you both here in time for the local tryouts for the Wonderbolts. They will be visiting the school in the last week of term four. I expect you both to ace the tryouts as though you had continued to attend this school. If you fail to hone your craft while carrying, don’t come back. In fact, if you even think for a moment you might score anything other than the top marks I expect from you when it comes to flying, don’t come back either. Are we clear?”

“Y-you’re expelling me?”

“Incorrect.”

“Okay.” Yikes, this mare really could be hard as ice. Spitfire cringed internally as she worked through the ultimatum she had been given. “So you're sending us off ...then you promise to let Soarin and I come back for the joiner Wonderbots tryouts?”

“Providing you meet my criteria, yes.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Sweets,” Spitfire bowed slightly. “But what was that about a third or fourth pony on our trip? Isn’t this just between Soarin and I?”

Mrs. Sweets rose and strode to the window. Her gaze roamed the clouds that made up the school below. She followed a group of young pegasi who were enjoying the advanced flight course.

Spitfire itched to do something while the white pegasus casually gazed upon sights outside. The silence dragged on and the vibrant young mare wished she could just leave and return to her friends. Lunch time was wasting away and here she was.

“I am thinking.”

Spitfire jumped at the unexpected words.

“If I dismiss both of you, ponies will begin to wonder why. If I send a collection of my best students aboard to experience the world and hone their craft, then your misdeeds could be turned into something beneficial to several ponies and none need be the wiser.”

“Oh, that sounds like a great idea, actually.” Spitfire almost collapsed with relief. “So that would be Soarin, me and two friends we trust?”

 Silence met the young mare’s question.

Mrs. Sweets carefully regarded a small group of late teenaged pegasi practicing nearby. “I will have the final say on who is selected and I see no reason to pick your friends just because they are in your confidence. That would defeat the purpose of the new project I have set up.”

“Oh.” Spitfire sat back, a little bit put off that she might have let strange ponies into her trust.

“I’ll give you more details once I have finished drafting this new program. It should be ready by the end of the day.”

“Okay, thank you Mrs.” Spitfire replied to her headmare’s back. ‘What is so interesting outside that she is ignoring me in here?’

“You may go now.” Mrs. Sweets dismissively flicked her left snowy white wing.

“Right, sorry.”

As the youngster turned to leave the headmare once again spoke up; “oh and Spitfire.”

“Yes, Mrs?”

Finally, Mrs. Sweets turned and staunchly faced the fiery young pegasus. “The conditions stand for the both of you. Since you two are a team, I expect you to remain one.”

“Thank you, Mrs.”

The middle aged mare smiled, “it’s not often one finds love in their best friend. Keep him close, he seems like a good catch for you.”

Spitfire’s wings fluttered a little in surprise, “thanks, I will.”

“Then go. I will compose a letter to your parents then finish this high flyers program.”

“Okay. ...Thank you.” Spitfire nodded in thanks then departed the headmare’s office, desperate to break the news to her spouse.

The lone cottage of Ponyville’s resident animal caretaker stood tall and imposing in front of a lone, bluish-grey colt with a two toned dark grey mane.
It was a Saturday morning. The perfect day to sleep in, enjoy time out with friends, or relax at home. Yet here he was. Outside the dwelling his crush now called home. He could back off. Come another time. Even see the pretty orange filly after school and-

Yeah. No. That would look even weirder if he approached her then. It was now or next week.

  Next week felt appealing.

But he had discovered something! It required urgent attention.   The colt took a few hesitant steps over the small bridge.

Was this really a good idea?

Rumble took a deep breath then strode resolutely up to Fluttershy’s cottage and knocked on the door.

“Coming!” The soft voice of Fluttershy was barely audible from inside.

Too late to back out now. The youngster nervously tapped a hoof as he waited for Fluttershy to arrive and open the door. He snapped to attention as the wooden door swung open.

“Good morning Rumble,” Fluttershy greeted with a smile. “I take it you’re here to see Scootaloo?”

“Yeah. She’s not with the CMC or anything... is she?”

“I’m coming!” The energetic voice of Scootaloo rang out.

Fluttershy smiled. “One moment please, she’s almost ready.”

“Sure.”

“How have you been?”

“Oh, uh... fine.” The nervous colt gulped and he adjusted his mane slightly. “I’ve spent the last week and a bit trying to look up whatever it is that I think Scootloo has.”

“Any luck?”

Rumble nodded, “I think so. The books were all in adult speak but Twilight was very helpful.”

  Light purple eyes spotted movement behind the yellow mare and the colt couldn’t help but smile. “Hi Scootaloo.”

“Hi.” The orange filly trotted up alongside her adopted mother. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I might come by... see if you wanted to try flying again?”

Scootaloo lit up, “you mean you know what's wrong with me?”

“Stop saying that,” the light grey colt’s muzzle contorted. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

“But you found out what I need to do so I can fly?”

“Well... maybe?”

Scootaloo eagerly looked up at her adopted mother. “Can I practice flying with Rumble, please?”

“As long as you are back by dinner time, I don’t see why not,” Fluttershy softly replied with a smile. “Would you like me to quickly prepare some lunch for you both to share?”

Scootaloo grinned but Rumble beat her to the chase; “no thanks. I wanna take her somewhere. T-that is if you don’t mind, Scootaloo?”

The filly grinned at the suddenly bashful colt. “Sure. Although I have this thing with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom in the afternoon.”

“That’s fine. Practice won’t take all day.”

“Okay, just let me grab my scooter,” Scootaloo hurried off.

Rumble glanced at Fluttershy who smiled knowingly at him. “I’m sure you’ll take good care of her, won't you?”

“Of course,” Rumble confirmed.

“Good. Have fun,” Fluttershy turned and retreated back inside.

Scootaloo dodged around her adopted mother as she rushed out the door. “Come on let's go!”

Fluttershy smiled as she watched the duo. Rumble flew alongside the speedy scooter. They already appeared to be in high spirits together. The light yellow mare closed the door and continued to smile as she made her way across the room to take care of her animals.

Rumble landed on the same hill the duo had practiced on well over a week ago. The speedy scooter driver skidded to a halt close by. She was a little sweaty, but the smile on her face made the young pegasus’s heart flutter. He suddenly felt very nervous. What if she thought his ideas were dumb? What if it didn’t work and she never was able to fly?

What if she didn’t like the lunch he had planned? Come to think of it, he didn’t even know her favourite food.

Why was this a good idea, again?

“You okay?”

Rumble realized he was staring blankly at his crush and she wore a concerned look upon her face. ‘Oh no. How long has she been staring at me like that?’ “Yeah... I’m fine. Of course I’m fine.”

“You looked kinda out of it for a moment.” The orange filly dismounted her scooter and wandered over to his side. “I’m not making you nervous am I?”

The poor colt gazed into those stunning purple eyes. His heart rate spiked as though he were flying in a race. His insides churned as though under the assault of a thousand butterflies. All in all, he felt weird. Really weird. ‘Whats wrong with me? Am I sick?’

“I’m okay,” Rumble hastily replied. “Say, what’s it like to ride a scooter. Mind if I have a go later?”

“You sure can, yeah.” Scootaloo quickly agreed.

“Okay, thanks,” Rumble smiled then fell silent.

Scootaloo gazed at her companion expectantly.

The silence turned awkward as Rumble continued to gaze at the filly beside him as though he was stunned.

“Uh... Rumble?” An orange hoof waved in the face of the stunned colt. “You okay?”

The young pegasus grinned at the pretty filly. “Yeah, yeah... I’ll be okay.”

“Okay? So have you found out what's wrong with me?”

Rumble sighed. There she went again. “There’s nothing wrong with you, you’re perfect just the way you are.” The passion in the young colt’s voice filled the air.

The pair froze.

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and took a step toward her companion. “What did you just say?”

“Uh...” Rumble stuttered into silence. He took a faltering step back, away from the pretty filly who was now in his face.

“Do you have something you want to say to me?” Scootaloo asked with great trepidation.

“N-no. Of course not.” Rumble staggered back a few more steps. This was not good!

“Really? Because my friends have been making fun of us sometimes.”

“T-they have?”

“Yeah. They keep calling you my coltfriend.”

“O-oh...” Rumble’s gaze fell to the ground.

“And no pony has ever told me I'm perfect just like I am. Especially how you just did now. So, uh... do you like me or something?”

“Uh...” Two grey forehooves fidgeted. Rumble shrank back a little before he softly uttered; “maybe... yes.”

Scootaloo took a few steps forward to better gaze into the fallen face of the normally brave colt. “So why not ask me out?”

Light purple eyes grew wide at the suggestion and Rumble’s head snapped up. “I- I... well you see...” He trailed nervously off and his gaze once again fell to his forehooves.

Light grey wings sagged. “I kinda never felt brave enough to ask.”

The young colt’s heart fluttered as an orange hoof lifted his muzzle.

Scootaloo felt her tummy tingle pleasantly. Her heart and head felt like they were high in the sky. Everything was rainbows and sunshine. If her stupid brain didn't know better, she felt like she could fly to the moon right now. She smiled, “so ya, wanna ask me out now? It’s not like I don’t know now.”

“Heh, yeah... would you say yes if I do ask you out?”

“I dunno.” Scootaloo poked her tongue out at the nervous colt. “I think you should ask the question properly and find out.”

“O-okay... S-say...” The light grey pony quivered nervously. “W-would you g-go out w-with m-me?”

Scootaloo felt her heart flutter and grow so much her body could explode. “Sure! Long as you take me somewhere nice.”

Light purple eyes shot wide open. “Wha- y- you mean you will?”

“Well yeah,” Scootaloo giggled. “I think you’re cool. Plus, I’m kinda past the whole stage where I think all colts have cooties. So... uh, yeah.”

“Okay.” Rumble's wings flittered with joy and he suddenly took off into the sky. “Yes!”

Scootaloo grinned at the wonky spirals. He was funny too.

The grey colt landed heavily in front of his crush, “yes! Yes yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes! Thank you!”

One hoof pump later and he finally seemed to settle down. A hearty blush darkened his muzzle as he seemed to realize who had just witnessed his little explosion of joy.

Scootaloo grinned smugly at him. “Now I wish I had done that in the playground. Then everypony could have enjoyed the show. It was so awesome and cute!”

Horror flashed across Rumble's face, his wings shot out he froze.

An orange hoof playfully punched his shoulder. “I’m just kidding! Oh boy, you shoulda seen your face!”

Rumble poked his tongue out at the filly who broke out into a fit of giggles and fell to the ground.

“Alright then,” Rumble declared. “You’ve asked for it.”

The colt leapt at the downed filly and began to mercilessly tickle her sides. Scootaloo howled with laughter. She fought back, her hooves found his sides and they exploded into a frantic tickle fight. The brief bout ended when the orange filly ran out of air and began crying for release.

Rumble elected to cease his tickle attack and collapsed winded by her side.

The pair panted flat out for breath as they continued to share smaller giggles. Their eyes met several times. Each affectionate glance was withdrawn the moment they realized the other was looking too.

“Ah... that was good...” Scootaloo sighed.

“I think I won,” Rumble smirked at the filly by his side.

Scootaloo wriggled closer and playfully batted his muzzle with a wing. “You want to try that again? I’m sure I can beat you anytime!”

“How about we practice flying instead?”

“Like we planned before you asked me out on a date?” Scootaloo grinned cheekily back.

“Kinda?” Light grey forehooves began to fidget again.

Scootaloo noticed and placed her own forehoof between the two grey ones.

Rumble froze.

Scootaloo giggled. The cheeky filly withdrew her forehoof then stood.

Rumble slowly followed. Once upright he rather loudly cleared his throat. “So. Uh, with Twilight’s help, I think I might have something.”

“Okay. What?” Scootloo prompted eagerly.

Rumble couldn’t help but smile at the energetic filly as she bounced on the spot. “You either have to train your brain to properly coordinate with your wings and move them at the same time in the same way, or you have some kind of thing with the balance of your pegasus magic. A-at least, that’s what Twilight managed to find when she helped me.”

Scootaloo settled down a bit. Although she was still eager to hear what he had to say next, it was a little disheartening to hear that something could be wrong with her pegasus magic. She didn’t even know much about the topic other than that pegasi could play with clouds and control the weather.

“Okay. So...” Rumble continued carefully. “If it’s a coordination thing, I think I’ve found a few exercises to help you. But if it's not a brain and muscle thing, I’m not sure how to fix it if it's a magic thing. Twilight has said she will look into it more though.”

“Okay, thank you.” Scootaloo tentatively offered a hug and was pleased to find Rumble accepted the gesture.

The pair sat there, sides pressed against each another as the sweet hug turned awkward. As time wore on, the hug turned into a prolonged silence. Neither knew what to do next and so simply sat there enjoying the unusual but nice contact.

The orange daredevil haltingly withdrew.

Rumble grinned. “That felt a lot nicer than when mom or my older bro does it.”

“Yeah?” Scootaloo beamed back. “So... you liked it?”

“Of course, did you?”

The purple mane swished around as Scootaloo nodded briskly. “Yeah. We should try it again sometime.”

“Okay. Cool.” Rumble paused as his brain fought to contain the bubbly feelings that rushed through his system like a whirlwind. “How about we start with a few glides? See if you can make it further than last time. Then I’ll take you through the stretches and stuff.”

“Okay,” Scootaloo rushed to the top of the hill and posed, ready for take off.

Rumble couldn’t help but admire the dazzling filly as her wings stretched out and settled carefully at her sides.

“Oi! Stop looking at me and get ready to glide!” Scootaloo giggled. “You look funny like that. It's like you're trying to catch flies with your mouth for some of Fluttershy’s animals.”

“S-sorry...” Rumble hastened to Scootaloo’s side. “Okay, just uh, forget you saw me do that.”

“Nuh, uh. No way.” Scootaloo poked her tongue out at him. “Three, two, one, GO!”

“Wait!”

  Orange hooves faltered mid rush and two short wings fell closed. “Huh?”

“The wind, remember?” Rumble pointed out, “we need to wait for a bigger gust.”

Scootaloo flushed crimson. “Right! Sorry!” She hurried back up the hill and stood bashfully by the side of her date.

“It’s fine, seriously. Just maybe wait for me to call it next time?”

“Sure,” Scootaloo was quick to agree as she settled beside the equally nervous colt.

As the advanced flight class was about to finish for the day, their flight instructor Maelstrom, a stormy blue and grey stallion called for the class to land on the central cloud in the flight zone. Twenty young pegasi hurried to obey their teacher.

Several spotted the headmare incoming and began to whisper.

“Alright, cut that out,” Maelstrom called out and his class fell into obedient silence.

Soarin spotted his wife’s expression and knew why the master of the school was on her way to see them.

The white middle-aged pegasus mare landed with graceful ease in front of the class. She greeted the stallion with a nod, “thank you for calling in your class. There is something I wish to share.”

At this, more whispers broke out but died under the hard gaze of the stern white pegasus. “I have been drafting an additional course for our most outstanding students to participate in. Maelstrom and Greywing have both assisted and recommended a few of you for this.”

  Excitement met the mare’s words as those in the class wondered what this new course could be and who was good enough to have qualified for it.

“This course,” Mrs. Sweets continued, “will assign four or five of you to fly aboard, find challenging new places to practice and perform, then return in a bi-weekly system. When you return we will assess your progress and assign new tasks. You will be given a taste of real life. You will need to find your own way. This includes seeking out accommodation and sorting your own meals. Depending on how well you budget, your cloud-shaping skills may also come in handy for fashioning a place to stay. If you need help, both your practical and theory teachers will be more than happy to help, although it is preferred that you try things yourself before seeking assistance. Your teachers may also periodically visit. It is expected that this course will allow those selected to expand their skill sets in new ways. You will also be expected to keep up with all written components of course work. If those selected fail to live up to our expectations then you will return to school here. For those who find success, the course will be allowed to run until the time of the Wonderbolts tryouts near the end of the year.”

The information took a few moments to sink in while the assembled students conversed quietly about the potentially cool, life changing offer.

Maelstrom cleared his throat, “I have chosen... Silver Zoom.”

The grey colt with a white / light grey two toned mane glanced around at his peers in surprise. “Me?”

“Should you accept, yes.”

“Well, I’ll have to talk to my folks about it, but sure! T-thanks.”

The stormy blue stallion grinned at the teenager's response. “Second... Spitfire.”

Several of her classmate’s cheered and the vibrant yellow filly grinned. Her eyes locked with the headmare. “Thanks.”

“Third...” Most of the young pegasi in the class buzzed with rising eagerness. The teacher grinned. “Fleetfoot.”

Pink eyes shot open wide, the light arctic blue teen squee’d with excitement and hugged Spitfire. “I get to go with you, this is gonna be so cool!”

“Yeah.” Spitfire grinned as she gave her good friend a quick hug in return.

High Winds offered a quick celebratory hug to Fleetfoot once the fiery pegasus was finished. The pair settled down as the headmare continued:

“Maelstrom and I have also agreed to open two slots to the following students; Blackout, Fire Storm, Razor Wing and Soarin. We will only allow a maximum of five of you to go. So please, be prompt in your responses. This will require parental confirmation and support. My office opens at eight tomorrow morning.”

Spitfire caught her coltfriend’s desperate glance before he hid it under a layer of calm. As the class bantered around her, Spitfire felt her world spin off kilter. Why was her husband not offered one of the primary spots? What if Soarin didn’t make it? They had to make sure they both got in!

The last warm glow of Celestia’s sun shone across the hills in a splash of warm colours. It would soon be night.

In the cottage at the edge of Ponyville, three pegasi sat around the small table in the middle of Fluttershy’s dining room.

Rainbow Dash eagerly loaded her plate up with a variety of veggies. She quickly began placing them haphazardly on the bottom burger bun that sat ready for loading on her plate.

 Scootaloo watched the Wonderbolt load the burger then place the top bun carefully in place. The burger was taller than the bun was round and filled with a variety of reds and greens with the veggie patty in the middle.

“There,” Dash grinned at her monster burger.

“You could always have more burgers, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy commented as she carefully laid out four slim layers worth on her own burger then closed it off.

The speedster scoffed, “I got this, just watch.”

Rainbow Dash carefully picked up her tower burger and crammed it into her mouth.

Fluttershy ignored the spectacle in favour of enjoying her own, much smaller burger.

Scootaloo giggled as she watched a trickle of sauce run down her hero’s jaw. A rogue piece of cabbage popped out from the overstuffed burger. It landed on the floor. The speedster failed to notice as she enjoyed her oversized mouth full.

Dash carefully placed the bitten tower burger back onto her plate. The discarded cabbage leaf hit her in the back of the head.

“Hey,” the speedy mare span around and caught sight of a cottontail just as the rabbit made himself scarce. “Come back here Angel! I thought Fluttershy told you not to throw things at me.”

“You did drop it on the floor. Maybe he was just returning it to you?” Fluttershy softly countered with a smile.

Dash huffed then stuffed a few hay fries into her mouth. “Not helping Flutters.”

Scootaloo broke out into a fit of giggles.

“So...” Dash spoke up, keen to shift the subject to a new one. Her gaze fell on her adopted daughter and she couldn’t help but grin. “I hear you were out and about with Rumble today.”

“Yeah,” the orange filly nodded. “It was fun. We did some gliding, some exercises then he took me out to lunch.”

Dash gazed at her adopted daughter in surprise, her burger halfway to her gullet. “Really? It wasn’t a date, was it?”

Scootaloo jammed a hoof full of hay fries into her mouth and carefully chewed on them, pointedly not looking at her long time hero.

“Scoots?” Dash glanced at her marefriend for support but only received a supportive smile in return.

Once the filly was done chewing she eyed her two mothers then nodded briskly.

“You went on a date?” Dash broke out in a giant grin, her monster burger forgotten in her forehooves.

“Well, he did kinda ask me out. I thought it might be fun... he’s cool. It was a little awkward.”

“Did you enjoy it?” Fluttershy softly asked.

More nodding from the orange youngster.

“Wow...” Dash at last seemed to remember her burger and took a huge bite out of it.

Scootaloo spotted the white rabbit waiting near the speedster’s chair. He was clearly hopeful that something else would get dropped so he could toss it back. The filly suppressed further giggles. Oh, the world seemed so bright, vibrant and fun now. She really wanted to just laugh and let it all out!

This time Dash didn’t drop anything on the floor. Once the mangled burger was returned to her plate, Angel pouted and vacated the space before any of the older ponies took notice of his presence.

“Would you like him to take you on another date?” Fluttershy gently inquired.

The orange filly nodded briskly.

Fluttershy looked delighted while her marefriend looked happy if a little surprised.

“How was practice?” Dash prodded.

“It was fun. Although I think asking me out left Rumble frazzled. He kept crashing into things or tripping up. I sometimes did too! It was really funny!” Scootaloo giggled. “Although he says it's either a coordination thing with my brain and wings and them flapping out of time ever so slightly or I have something wrong with my pegasus magic.”

“Oh.” Concern rippled across Dash’s face. “I thought you were a late bloomer, like Fluttershy. I didn’t know you could have something out of balance with your pegasus magic or that you had coordination issues. You always looked so awesome on that scooter. And I never heard of other pegasi having that, so I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Scootaloo replied softly. “And besides, you’ve done so much for me already. You’re the best big sister and now mom that I could ask for.”

Dash nodded, her mind clearly elsewhere.

“And don’t worry about me.”

That got the speedy mare’s attention once more. “Why? I’m sure Fluttershy and I could help you.”

“Can you please let Rumble try first? Remember you promised.”

The two adults shared a glance. Fluttershy beamed.

“Well, okay. Sure,” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I’ll let you two have some fun first. But I will step in if he’s not helping or if he hurts you. Then I'll kick his flank.”

“It will be fine, he’s only Rumble.”

“Yeah...” Dash grumbled something under her breath as she took a bite out of her collapsed tower burger.

“Rainbow Dash is only concerned because she didn’t know what romance was until after I asked her out.” Fluttershy brightly pointed out.

“Did so!” The speedster insisted.

Fluttershy smiled sweetly back.

“I just thought it was dumb,” Dash played the topic off as she stuffed the rest of her tower burger into her mouth.

“Well, I don’t know if it’s love. I just think he’s cool.” Scootaloo spoke up, her muzzle slightly flushed at the thought of her date.

“That’s wonderful to hear, sweetie. I hope you both take it slowly and enjoy it. If it turns out to be love, then I can tell you from experience, it is unlike anything else.” Bright green eyes twinkled as Fluttershy gazed at her mare.

Scootaloo faked a gag. “Get a room mom.”

Fluttershy giggled softly, “sorry.”

“But seriously, thanks. Your support means a lot,” Scootaloo replied as she happily finished off her burger.

“Would anypony like another bun for another burger?” Fluttershy offered.

“Yes please.” Scootaloo quickly spoke up then began to gather ingredients off the central platter.

“Me too please, you’ve done a great job preparing it, they taste better than bought ones.” The speedster proceeded to gather most of the chips then much on them as she awaited the return of her mare.

“Okay.” Fluttershy trotted over to the kitchen, leaving the other two ponies to their own devices.

“Are you staying here or at your place tonight?” Scootaloo asked between bites.

“I think I’ll crash here,” Dash confirmed. “Actually, I’m wondering if I should rent my place out or something.”

“If you do, every pegasus will want it,” Scootaloo eagerly pointed out with a grin.

“Yeah? Well, you know who made it, right?” Dash grinned.

“You?”  Scootaloo gazed at the overconfident pegasus in disbelief.

“Yep. My parents helped though. Mom’s the best cloud shaper. I think she's the only pony who’s better at it than me,” the proud pegasus boasted.

Scootaloo lapped up the words of her hero. “That’s so cool! Now I really wanna see your mom and dad.”

“Be careful what you wish for kiddo. They are- uh... well let’s just say I haven’t talked to them in a while.”

“Oh. Can I still meet them?” Scootaloo eagerly asked.

Rainbow Dash shrugged, “sure.”

That evening, Scootaloo was still buzzing and as she settled down to rest in her small bed. The orange filly withdrew a crumpled piece of paper from her small bag of stuff. She stared at it for a few moments before she carefully opened it up and began to read the small note by candlelight. It was supposedly the note left when she was abandoned and was the only thing she had to remember her parents by. She wondered if the smeared bottom We love her so much was because her mom had been crying or if the lower part of the paper had been wet later.

She liked to think it was because her parents found it hard to leave her.

Why did they leave?

Who were they?

As the little filly traced the untidy mouth writing she realized something. It was so similar to her own, it was almost as if she had unconsciously copied her mother’s writing. A smile broke out.

At least she had inherited something from her parents.

And now she had two moms to love and care for her!

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were more than she could ever ask for.

Yet as Scootaloo lay there in the candlelight, she could not help but wonder who her birth parents were.

‘Have they forgotten all about me?’

A sigh escaped the young pegasus. With great care, she folded the munted paper and hid it in her small bag of stuff again.

Scootaloo blew out the candle then settled down and closed her eyes. Never mind the poor souls who left her as a baby. Tomorrow was sure to be another day of fun with her friends and family.

Scootaloo found her dreams filled with two mighty pegasi, their forms wreathed in shadow. They felt comforting and homely to the young pegasus. They played with her, flew with her, Rumble and her two moms.

Suddenly the real ponies vanished from her dream and she was left with the two mighty shadows. The spectral ponies gave her a hug. In their care, Scootaloo’s soul found rest and she slept peacefully in their care for the rest of the night.

Author's Note

Yay!
This story is back and in the process of writing this chapter, I found there was so much more to explore, so this chapter has turned into two and I’m further expanding on a few things in part two. Then I can post that too and get this show back on the road. After taking forever to start the first Scootaloo section, I'm now really happy with them.
More folk are finding out about Soarin and Spitfire's little secret. How do you think that's gonna work for them?

All three of my primary fics are alive and kicking. All this time in quarantine is good for something :pinkiehappy:

CH12: On the Pathway of Dreams (four & a half months pregnant)

On a cloud high above Canterlot, two middle aged pegasi were cuddled up as Celestia raised her sun above the skyline. The pale blue one stretched, yawned then snuggled back into his wife. The sunny yellow mare smiled as she shifted slightly on the soft white puff. The couple continued their quiet cuddles in the dawnlight. One would occasionally shift leading to the other seeking closer contact. Eventually, the call of the day grew to the point where neither could ignore the golden sun's might.

“I feel like I dreamed of our daughter last night...” Spitfire mumbled as she rose slowly.

“Yeah...” Soarin agreed. “It was like we got to play with her and then cuddle her. It was weird, but cool. D-do you remember what she looked like?”

Spitfire shook her head slowly, “na. She was all shadowy. I think I may have caught hints of her colours but no more than that. You?”

“Same... I think I saw her mane shine purple in the moonlight for a moment...” Soarin mused slowly.

The sunny mare perked up at this. “You think that might have been Princess Luna’s work? I hear she has freaky powers over dreams.”

Soarin rose, pecked his wife on the snout then shrugged. “Dunno... I might have kinda asked her to though.”

Spitfire stared at her husband in shock for a few moments. “What?”

“Yeah, remember... we talk sometimes about meeting Scootaloo but we can’t find her... so I figured... uh, yeah. I asked Luna... she said she might be able to help and she did.”

Spitfire smiled as she relaxed. “I’m glad you asked. We need to thank her sometime. Our daughter was really full of life. Feels like she's a young athlete. Maybe you might even lose your job to her.”

Stark horror sank upon Soarin’s face. “No...”

Spitfire rolled over then again onto her back. With her tummy and legs facing her husband, she curled up almost like a cat, presenting her sunny tummy. “You don’t think she’ll be faster than you when she grows up?”

“Well, she might be.” Soarin carefully thought for a moment, “but... I know how to make her replace you and not me.”

Spitfire’s grin became coy, “what do you propose, oh husband?”

“Get you pregnant again,” a predatory smirk crossed Soarin’s muzzle as he stalked toward his cute wife, all laid out in front of him. She was perfect...

Spitfire relaxed, open, inviting. “Dear husband, are you seriously considering a foal now?”

“What if I am?”

Spitfire chucked. “I can still boss you lot around with a foal.”

“Oh really, my dear wife? Are you sure of that?” Soarin’s wings shot up in full display.

Spitfire continued to smirk back at her long time best friend and lover. “How about I see some action and we find out?”

“Mom..?” Scootaloo mumbled softly as she stretched in bed and shoved her purple mane out of her vision.   No. Neither of her foster mothers had slept cuddled up to her.   Strange... it had felt so real.

Then it hit her. Her date with Rumble was today!

A date.

The sound of hooves on floorboards caused the young filly to roll over and face the door to her small room. The motherly figure of Fluttershy appeared in the doorway and Scootaloo couldn't help but smile back.

“Good morning, Scootaloo. Did you have a good night's sleep?”

The filly nodded, “yeah. It was kinda weird though.”

Concern rippled across the yellow mare’s face. “Weird? You know that if you ever have a scary dream-”

“It wasn’t like that!” Scootaloo half rose, tangled in bedsheets, frantic to dispel her mother’s low key panic.

Fluttershy slowly approached the bedside and waited patiently for her adopted daughter to continue.

Scootaloo felt tingles race down her back as Fluttershy ran a hoof gently through her mane. “It was like... I think I dreamed of my parents. My real parents.”

The young filly was quick to spot the smile. Fluttershy glanced up at Cloudsdale, “that sounds like a wonderful dream.”

“Yeah. It was weird though. It was like they were really there. Reaching out to me from their dream to mine.” Scootaloo gazed hopefully up at her mother figure, “Do- do you think we might ever find my mom and dad? I- I know they left me. And you and Dash are super cool. But...”

“It would be nice to know who they are and why they left you?” Fluttershy offered softly.

Scootaloo nodded briskly.

“I could ask around.”

  Scootaloo and Fluttershy turned to the doorway where the mare who had spoken stood.

“Y-you could?” Scootaloo rose hopefully.

Rainbow Dash nodded, trotted over to the pair then scooped the filly up. “If that’s what you really want.”

Scootaloo sighed and turned her vision to the window. The outside world looked vibrant and inviting. A fresh new day. Out there somewhere were her parents. “I’ve wondered for years who they might be. But now you two are my parents... and as much as I wanna know who my birth mom and dad are... I don’t wanna lose you two.”

“Just because you find out who your birth parents are doesn’t mean you must live with them. You can still live with us... if you want to.” Fluttershy replied tentatively.

Still holding Scootaloo with her forehooves, Rainbow Dash placed a supportive wing across her mare’s back. “Yeah. You’re a cool daughter and I don’t wanna give you up either, even if we find the uncool ponies who ditched you.”

Scootaloo grinned at the mares who she now had the privilege to call her own family. “Thanks.”

“I’ll make us all breakfast.” Fluttershy offered. “You need all the energy you can get for your date.”

Scootaloo blushed. “Yeah...”

  Fluttershy cooed softly at the sight of her adopted daughter trying to hide tinted orange cheeks in Dash’s coat. After a few moments enjoying the cute sight the yellow pegasus vacated the room.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Come on. Let’s go. That’s enough cute and cuddly for the day.”

Scootaloo giggled. “Does that mean you used up all your time with Fluttershy already?”

The polychromatic mare snorted. “She doesn’t count. Just like I’m sure Rumble won’t either.”

The younger pegasus blushed, “Hey, Rumble and I are still like, friends. I think. We’re just trying this date thing. Whatever.” Scootaloo leapt out of the blue forelegs that held her and landed poised and ready on the wooden floor.

Rainbow Dash grinned, “I don’t mind what you do. Long as you two are awesome and cool to each other..”

A smirk crept across the blushing face of the orange filly, “yeah. He’s cool.”

“Good. Now let’s go get some food.”

“Okay!”

With that, Rainbow Dash trotted out of the bedroom, her foster daughter hot on her heels.

Eight o’clock in the morning and Cloudsdale central school had just opened for teachers along with the few students who desired an early start before class.

Soarin met Mrs. Sweets as she was about to open her office door. The teenaged colt yawned. Curse early mornings, especially after enjoyable late nights. “Hi Mrs.”

The snowy middle aged mare entered her office without a backward glance. “Enter.”

The light blue pegasus was quick to obey. He placed a letter on the desk in front of his superior and straightened. “All signed and stuff. That- means I’m in, right?”

“You are the second one to confirm. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at school this early.” An amused gin slipped out across the white mare’s face.

Soarin squirmed in the hot seat. “Uh, yeah. Well, you know Spitty and I are together right?”

“Married yes,” Mrs. Sweets nodded slowly.

“So, why didn’t you put me as one of the first three, given priority to enter?”

A chuckle escaped the headmare as she settled back in her seat. “Well that one there is easy. I didn’t wish to give any connection between the two of you.”

“Oh, okay,” Soarin nodded. That made sense.

The powerful white mare lent toward the young stallion. “You are also not ranked in the top three of your class. You did not deserve a confirmed place in this elite course.”

A scowl erupted across the colt's face. Ouch.

Mrs. Sweets shuffled a few papers with well practiced precision, her gaze no longer upon the youngster. “I was not sure you even deserved a place. But your teacher insisted... so here we are.”

The stern snowy mare levelled an unimpressed stare at the colt. “Besides. Your actions forced me to finalize a course I had been working on as a background project for three years now. I’m still awaiting confirmation from Princess Celestia to make this addition to the school’s offering legally a part of our system.”

“Oh...”

A knock rang out. Two heads turned toward the door. Soarin grinned.

  “Enter,” Mrs. Sweets announced. “Glad to see the troublesome filly herself.”

Spitfire shrank a little under the gaze of the headmare. She hurried to her husband’s side and tentatively drew close. The fiery filly reached into her saddlebag and pulled out two papers. “Here you go Mrs. My dad’s confirmation and our marriage certificate, just so you know I was telling the truth.”

The headmare gathered the papers and read the marriage license with great interest. Once finished she passed it back and checked the young mare’s confirmation letter. She gave a nod. “All in order, thank you. I appreciate you sharing the license with me too. I suppose congratulations are in order.”

“Thanks,” Soarin replied, surprised by the softer tone the naturally cold pegasus used.

“Even though the date of the wedding makes it appear to be in reaction to your little surprise.” The snowy mare turned her gaze to Spitfire.

Spitfire stood, a nervous blush upon her muzzle. A white hoof rose and she plonked herself back down. Headmare Sweets cleared her throat, “before you go, I wish to add a little something. Since your parents pay a decent sum of bits for your attendance here, it has been decided that you will be allowed a set amount of bits each week to assist with living expenses. Providing you pass the by-weekly challenges with flying colours, we will gladly look after you the best we can.”

The white mare turned to the yellow filly; “Spitfire, today is your last day here. Take Thursday and Friday off. I have a few things I wish you to accomplish in Cloudsdale. You will be joined by your peers and husband on Monday. Soarin, no slacking while your missus is not at school.”

“Okay,” Soarin shrugged. The instructions sounded fine to him.

“What do I need to do over there?” Spitfire wondered aloud.

A white hoof pulled out a few papers and slid them toward the nervous filly. “This should start you off. On Monday you will meet your peers in Ponyville, a nearby town to start the special course as a group.”

“Oh, okay.” Spitfire cast her colt a nervous glance.

Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. That sounded like a major trip by itself. The thought of going alone filled Spitfire with a sinking feeling but the young mare fought the sensation off. She would be fine. She gave the papers a quick scan.

Attempt to authorize the program. Easy.  Possibly meeting Celestia?
The princess?
Me???

Spitfire glanced up at the stone faced mare before her.

“Well go on. Go and enjoy the skies or something. I have work to do.” Headmare Sweets turned from the couple and fished out several forms.

“Yes, Mrs.” Spitfire hastily rose with her colt and left the room.

The young couple spotted Fleetfoot and High Winds strolling down the hallway headed for the headmare’s door.

Soarin immediately perked up and rushed over to his friends. “We’re in!”

“Good on you,” Fleetfoot replied cheerily. “Just let me enter too then I’ll join you both outside.”

“Okay,” Spitfire agreed. “Hey Soar.”

“Yeah?” Soarin grinned at his wife as they continued along the plain cloud hallways.

“The headmare appears to have set me up to visit the princess and petition her to hurry the course up.”

“Cool!”

The vibrant young mare shot her husband a dark look. “Why would she even talk to a filly like me? What am I supposed to say?”

“I dunno...” The colt shrugged as he strode out into the warm rays of Celestia’s sun. “But I’m sure somepony as cool as you could think of something. Besides... Who knows, you might not need to meet the princess.”

“Gee... thanks.”

Soarin grinned at his wife, enjoying the sight of her mane sparkling in the sun. “You’re welcome. Wanna find a cloud to cuddle on while we wait for those other two?”

The young mare rounded on her spouse, “you know we’re at school. Right?”

A light blue hoof scuffed the cloud, “I don’t see anypony around... and it’s crazy early... plus, Fleet and High Winds will be out in a minute.”

“Still, I’m not risking it.” Spitfire replied resolutely as she sat to the left of the door, waiting for two ponies to emerge.

“So....”

Spitfire carefully eyed her hopeful husband, “so why don’t you go and find a cloud to lean on and I’ll check you out.”

“But what happens if I wanna check you out too?” Soarin pouted.

“You’re not subtle. No checking me out at school remember?”

“Yes madam,” Soarin cheekily saluted. He sauntered over to a section of the admin building’s wall further off to the left, sat down and lent against it.

Spitfire grinned, pleased by the sight.

Green eyes scanned the surroundings. With no other pegasi nearby Soarin slouched a bit. “Like what you see?”

“I liked it better when the stud wasn’t slouching,” Spitfire replied coolly.

“What stud?”

Spitfire leapt in shock and spun around to face High Winds who stood smirking in the doorway.

Soarin stood up straighter, “this one.”

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. “I don’t see the hot pony you’re talking about. I only see Soarin.”

The lone colt pouted, “just because you can’t spot a good looking colt when you see one doesn’t mean he’s not hot, right Spitfire?”

“Who are we talking about?” Spitfire smirked back.

The light grey face of High Winds split into a cheeky grin. “Ooh, maybe we’re talking about Fleetfoot, are we talking about Fleetfoot?”

Light arctic blue met grey as Fleetfoot hoof bumped her companion, “I don’t mind talking about me. Hey, that’s a great idea, everypony talk about me!”

“And how good looking you are.” High Winds added with a smirk.

Soarin rolled his eyes, “get a room fillies.”

“You’re one to talk,” Pink eyes glinted as Fleetfoot pointedly eyed the colt who continued to chill against the wall of the admin building. “And what is it with you dumb colts and leaning against stuff?”

“It’s cool.” Soarin’s gaze lingered on his spouse, hopeful for her support.

The young mare hesitated a moment, “I always think you’re cool.”

A grin split the light blue muzzle in two. “How about we go flying and I show you a thing or two?”

“You, show me?” Spitfire playfully shot back.

“I bet he’s shown you plenty of things before. Right?” Fleetfoot grinned suggestively.

High Winds suppressed a giggle, “don’t be rude.”

“That’s not being rude. Talking about what goes on, on lone clouds... That can be ri-dick-ulusly dirty. Like an earth pony in the mud.” Fleetfoot winked back.

“If anypony wants me, I’ll be on the flight course.” Soarin pointedly took to the skies with a twirl.

Spitfire shook her head, shot her cheeky friend a dry look then raced off after her husband.

“That was funny, right?” Fleetfoot turned to her only remaining companion who shrugged.

The tips of a smile tugged at High Winds muzzle as she replied softly: “I mean, it was. But sometimes I wonder about that mind of yours.”

“My mind is fine.” Fleetfoot held herself high.

“Well, as your date tonight, I don’t want to be constantly dragging your mind out of the sewers and back into the skies.”

Fleetfoot grinned back, “but that’s where it's the most fun!”

A light grey wing playfully slapped the cheeky pegasus. High Winds gracefully took to the skies, promptly joined by her best friend.

Night fell on Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle just in time for a blue mare with a rainbow mane to crash through the door to the large dining room. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie paused their conversation around the long dinner table.

“Hi girls, sorry we’re late.” Rainbow Dash was quick to find her seat. The speedster grinned down at the meal before her.

“Hello, Dash. Did you leave your girlfriend behind?” Rarity asked.

“No.” The soft voice was quickly followed by the yellow pegasus herself. “But somepony wanted to make an entrance.”

“So I did,” Dash added with a smirk as she sat back in her seat and snatched up a quick bite.

Fluttershy took her seat beside her partner, “sorry we are late. Dashie and I had to drop Scootaloo off first.”

“For her date?” Rarity asked.

“Yep. Date number two. Those two really seem to hit it off.”

“Just like Button Mash and Sweetie,” Rarity added with a rather pleased smile.

“Are those two dating?” Fluttershy turned to the alabaster unicorn in surprise.

“Oh no, of course not. But I have seen the way she looks at him.” Rarity’s expression turned far off, as though imagining some creature who looked at her like that.

“I could plan them a super duper party?” Pinkie Pie was quick to offer.

Rarity faced the eager pink pony. “It might be best to wait until they are officially together, dear.”

“Yeah yeah. Enough with the lovey dovey stuff. Or I’ll need to leave the room.” Rainbow Dash cut in.

“You’re one to talk, dear,” Rarity replied with a bit of snark in her tone. “You can be absolutely precious when you think you’re alone with Fluttershy.”

The blue pegasus flushed red and glared at the fashionista. “Hey, just because I may or may not be doing something with my pal Fluttershy does not mean other ponies need to know. I have a reputation to uphold.”

Applejack snorted. “Being cool and tough doesn't mean ya can’t be sweet too.”

“Whatever...” Dash snatched up some lettuce and tore into it like a hungry beast.

Fluttershy neatly placed some hay and tomato slices in on her own lettuce leaf then daintily took a bite.

Rainbow Dash stuffed the rest of the tomato her fillyfriend had used into her own mouth.

The other girls took a few bites of the shared meal as silence fell upon the group for a few moments.

Twilight finished her mouthful and washed it down with some water. “Has Scootaloo shown any progress?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, “She’s made some progress, but I dunno. Have you found anything that might help her?”

“Luna and I may have found something, yes.”

“You told the princess?” Rainbow Dash stared back at the young alicorn in shock.

“Well, we are kind of dating and she does make an excellent study partner. So yes... I did.” Twilight twiddled her hooves, playing with her food nervously.

“What did you two find?” Fluttershy inquired softly.

“As of this day, scant information.” A shadow stretched out from an open door behind the young alicorn. From the backlit hallway stepped the princess of the night herself. “And where is young Scootaloo?”

The two pegasi shared a glance before Fluttershy replied to the dark alicorn, “off on a date. She has a little admirer.”

“How sweet.” Luna smiled blissfully as she took her seat beside Twilight and offered a quick nuzzle. “When next I am in Ponyville I would very much like to meet Scootaloo. With her permission, Twilight and I would like to test her wings magically.”

“Is it safe?” Rainbow Dash cautiously asked.

“Yes.” Twilight was quick to reply. “We can’t promise anything, but it may tell us if we can help or not.”

“I’m sure Scootaloo would like that, thank you,” Fluttershy replied with a thankful, delighted smile.

“Scootaloo also asked me to look for her parents.” Rainbow Dash said as she took another bite to eat.

Luna tensed at the mention of the youngsters' parents. Twilight noticed and glanced at her marefriend. “What, Luna?”

The dark mare hesitated, feeling the gazes of all in the room upon her she took a deep breath. “I may have connected Scootaloo with her real parents a week ago.”

Fluttershy perked up, “Scootaloo did tell Rainbow Dash and I that she felt like her parents met her in a dream.”

“Do you know who they are?” Rainbow Dash asked, keen for an easy answer.

“A light blue stallion with a dark blue mane approached me and asked that I find Scootaloo. He asked that I connect his wife and himself with her in the dream realm... if it were possible.”

  “It is?” Rarity asked, intrigued.

Luna nodded slowly. “Although I only ever condone connecting members of one's family. Or lovers.”

Sensing a wonderful learning opportunity, Twilight excitedly turned to her mare. “Can you show me how you did it?”

“Later my love.” Luna placed a kiss on the excited mare’s purple snout then turned back to the rest of the group.

“Does that mean you know their names?” Dash eagerly asked.

Luna shook her head, “nay. My sister is the master of remembering ponies names. Theirs... I cannot remember at this time. But the stallion’s wife was called something about fire. I think he was soaring... I think... something.”

  Twilight giggled. “And there I thought your memory was amazing.”

Luna shrugged, “tis for many things. Not names.”

Rainbow Dash slouched and continued to feed her own face. “Soaring..? Did he have a second part to his name or something? Like Soaring skies or Soaring thunder or... uh...”

“Tis all I can recall at this time. If I remember, I can inform you.” Luna replied softly.

“At least it’s a start, right Dash?” Fluttershy offered hopefully.

Rainbow Dash nodded as she continued to eat thoughtfully. “You don’t happen to know any pegasi like that, do you Pinkie?”

“Well...” The pink mare scrunched up her muzzle in thought. “Hmmm... Nope! Oh! I know! I can help you ask around!”

The side door to the dining room opened and in toddled Spike with a bowl of gems, “hey everypony.”

The young drake paused, “did I miss something?”

  Rarity eyed the gems. “Scootaloo wants to meet her biological parents and Luna may have connected her with them in a dream recently. But she can’t remember their names.”

“Oh. Wow, well I hope it goes well. I can kinda understand her wanting to know more. Although I've settled for my pony family.” Spike hurried over to sit content, between Rarity and Twilight.

“I’m sorry, but this application can not be hurried along by some young mare and her petition.”

  A firey pegasus in her late teens growled softly as the proud pale white unicorn brushed away the papers she had presented to him. Spitfire was standing in the royal palace, seeking assistance and finding none. This particular room consisted of several booths along one wall. Unicorns sat comfortably in said booths, read to be of service to those seeking help with legal matters of importance. At this time, late in the morning, there was already a queue behind the young mare that led halfway down the room toward the door.   After a solid moment’s gawping, Spitfire scowled back. “But this official... from Cloudsdale-”

“We are already processing the headmare’s request. We shall inform the school of our decision in due course.”

Spitfire scowled. Why was she required if they were already processing the course? “Will you at least read what I’ve put in front of you?”

The unicorn glanced at the papers. “These will be passed onto the correct pony to review.”

Spitfire sighed, “can I talk to that pony then?”

“Your request is declined, I’m sorry.”

Spitfire scowled at the stallion. He blinked passively back.

“Is everything alright, Silverquill?”

“Princess?” The off-white stallion span around to face the royal mare. He took a swift bow, “everything is fine. This young filly was just leaving.”

“No I wasn’t,” Spitfire shot back.   Princess Celestia gazed with interest at the young mare. Spitfire recoiled then hurriedly stopped into a low bow, joining the rest of the room on their knees. “Sorry... I-”

“My little pony, why are you here?” The serene princess asked softly.

“To ask permission for a new course at Cloudsdale’s advanced flight school.”

“As far as I know, that application is being processed, is it not?” Celestia replied thoughtfully.

“Correct, your majesty. It should be processed sometime within the next three months.” Silverquill was quick to respond.

Celestia nodded, “then there is no problem, is there?”

Spitfire tentatively glanced up at the intimidating alicorn. Spitfire's mind noted that those white wings were probably longer than her whole own body, “I have been sent to humbly ask if you would grant permission for a group of students, myself included to try out this program starting next week.”

That heightened the princess's interest. She levitated the papers close and after a quick once over of the front sheet, the princess returned her attention to the nervous yellow filly. “Please follow me.”

Spitfire’s wings shot out in shock, “m-me?”

“Indeed.” Celestia smiled. “What is your name, child?”

“S-Spitfire, your majesty.”

“A lively name for a lively young mare.” The serene alicorn turned and strode off.

Spitfire hurried to follow, careful to shoot a smirk at the unicorn who had hampered her.

Most of the ponies in the room joined the shocked stallion in gawping at the pair as they exited.

As Spitfire kept pace with the royal mare, Princess Celestia carefully read over the paperwork.
Yellow wings twitched with poorly concealed nerves. What if the princess turned her down? What if-

“I see nothing wrong with this request. However, I must ask.” Princess Celestia came to a stop in the middle of the palace hallway.

“What?” Spitfire tentatively replied as she froze several paces away from the large alicorn.

“What has caused the sudden need for this course to be official now? And why did Mrs Sweets send you?”

“I- I... I don’t know...” Spitfire submissively replied. Her wings drew tight to her barrel.

“I heard you were the best in your class.”

Spitfire’s coat bristled with shock. “Y-you did?”

Celestia nodded. “Yes. But I feel that there is more to this request than meets the eye. Such as your marital status.”

Spitfire's wings shot out and she froze.

Celestia strode to the window and looked out over the castle garden. “It is a wonderful feeling to find love at any age. Treasure it.”

“Y-you’re okay with my husband and I... you know... on this program?”

Celestia smiled encouragingly back. “I think that is wonderful.”

“E-even if we need the time away from school to uh...”

The princess nodded, “it is most noble to keep a life, even if they were conceived by accident. Do you love him?”

  “With all my heart,” Spitfire replied wistfully, her gaze far away, longing for the colt she so loved.

Celestia summoned a quill and carefully wrote something onto the last sheet of paper. “For your honesty, I give this course full official status as of now. Besides, it’s a good course, I trust that you will succeed.”

The princess levitated the papers back to the shocked young pegasus. “T-thank you.”

It was lunchtime at Cloudsdale’s advanced flight school. A trio of pegasi in their late teens sat on one of the high clouds that overlooked the school's flight courses. At the opposite end of the large flight zone, the trio could see the headmare’s office. The white pegasus inside was busy at her desk.

 Soarin turned to the two young mares at his side. The light grey filly with a dark blue/grey mane called High Winds chilled, her forehooves dangling over the edge of the cloud as she watched those below play and enjoy their lunches. The arctic blue pegasus met the colt’s gaze as she finished wolfing down her meal.

“Why does school feel so slow today...?” Soarin bemoaned.

“Missing your mare?” High Winds asked casually as she took a bite of her meal.

The young stallion nodded. “Have you heard who got picked for this adventure?”

“Well,” Fleetfoot stuffed her lunchbox into her saddlebag. “I think I was fourth to hand in my letter. Blackout’s parents were concerned about his course work but I think they let him in. Apparently, he met the boss at the gate. Then I think I saw Silver Zoom heading to Mrs. Icyflank’s office after our morning class. But if he was after you and Blackout then he might not be in.”

High Winds piped up: “I don’t think Fire Storm or Razor Wing got permission.”

“Oh, do you think that’s why Fire was looking kinda bummed this morning?” The young stallion asked.

Fleetfoot shrugged, “why else? He’s like top on the racetrack and second in show talent to Spitfire.”

The trio sat in comfortable silence for another few moments till Fleetfoot rose, “hey, think you can trust those two with your secret?”

The pale blue colt shrugged, “dunno. Guess we have to, right?”

Fleetfoot grinned cheekily, “well we can always hope they bail after a few weeks and leave just us three to enjoy the trials.”

Soarin grinned as he rose to stand beside his friend, “yeah. That could be a lot of fun if it ends up, just us three. Maybe we could even ask if High Winds can join after they all leave?”

“Aww, guys... I’m not that good.” The light grey teen bashfully responded.

Fleetfoot gave her friend a light hug. “Of course you are. I just think Mrs. Icyflank doesn’t want two couples on the trip.”

Soarin grinned at that, “but that could be so much fun... we could organize a whole lot of doubles tricks.”

“Which would leave the fifth pony out, if we ever got one.” High Winds pointed out softly.

Soarin shrugged. “Would still be cool, right?”

“Of course, you and Spitfire are always fun to fly with,” confirmed the light grey mare.

“Hey, ya wanna take another run of the main course?” Offered Fleetfoot.

“But we just ate.” Soarin pointed out. “And I always need some time after pie.”

“You and your pie.” Fleetfoot gave the colt a playful shove.

High Winds spoke up; “I have no idea how you are gonna survive without the local bakery when we leave Cloudsdale.”

“I don’t know how that bakery will survive without him,” Fleetfoot remarked snidely.

“Maybe you could learn how to make them for me.” Soarin cheekily offered.

High Winds scoffed, “She's not your misses. Ask Spitfire, or better yet... didn't you work in a bakery?”

“After one uh... little incident they didn’t wanna let me bake. I mostly served other ponies.” The admittance left the two fillies with a clear mixture of concern and shock. Soarin couldn’t help but grin at their responses.

Fleetfoot directed a pointed look at the colt by her side, “and drooled over their baked goods?”

Soarin fluffed his wings in embarrassment. “No.”

“Yes, you do too! You were doing it when Spitfire and I stopped by that morning recently, remember?!” Fleetfoot almost exploded with mirth.

The young stallion shot the grinning shark of a pony by his side a pointed look. “I’m going for a glide.”

“I’m only coming if we get a run of the main course before class.” High Winds piped up.

The light blue colt pulled off a flip then hovered a few pony lengths away. “Na. I’ll let you two enjoy that. I’m cruising on a full tummy of pie.”

 Nighttime in Canterlot was a vibrant, lively affair.

Spitfire wandered through a busy street in the large city, hopelessly lost. She was supposed to find a place to stay for the few nights she was here. Yet she felt no closer to success than when she started two hours ago. Now that night had just fallen, her already poor sense of direction had worsened. Every street felt like the last and her head was beginning to spin. The young mare turned into a less busy street and continued to wander, her gaze upon the various buildings of businesses that were empty at this time of the evening. Somewhere there had to be a hotel of some kind that was not fully booked. Or any place to stay really...
Spitfire sighed.

“Hey,” a large red pegasus stallion alighted right next to the vibrant young mare. She instinctively gave him a wide berth. Something about him just felt... off. The young mare was suddenly very aware of how empty this particular stretch of road was.

The stallion stepped closer, right back into her personal space. Spitfire shot him a dark look to try and make him get lost.

The red pegasus grinned as his eyes wandered along her body, it made her feel dirty somehow. “You look like you could use a little help. I could offer you a place to stay in exchange for certain services.”

“No. Thank you.” Spitfire shot back. The young mare took up a brisk stride to try and put on a bit of distance between herself and the unwanted stallion.

“Come on, you don’t gotta be like that. I-”

“Not. Interested. Now get lost.”

“Or what?” The stallion towered over Spitfire. “You look like a fun young mare. I’m offering you a fun night.”

The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she took off like a rocket down the street then into the sky. The cries of disturbed ponies carried across the evening air but Spitfire paid them no heed. She had to get away. This was all a mistake. Or some kind of punishment.

Something slammed into Spitfire and ripped her out of the sky. She lashed out and her right forehoof collided with a light blue muzzle.

“Ow! Spitty!”

She was being carried by a strong pair of light blue forehooves. Her husband had found her!   Relief flooded Spitfire’s system and she collapsed, quaking into her husband’s hold. “Oh thank goodness! This city is huge... I got lost... It’s- it’s-”

“Hush...” Soarin gave his fillyfriend a quick kiss then continued his flight away from the big city.

The young stallion eventually alighted on a large cloud high above the rising Canterlot mountain. He carefully placed his quivering lover down and settled beside her.

Spitfire glanced around, still slightly on edge. They were alone. No sign of any other ponies. Just the dark forest immediately below them and the city in the distance. A further wave of relief washed through her system. Spitfire lovingly wrapped her husband in a tight hug.

Soarin smiled back, delighted to have found his wife after such a long flight.

The couple continued to canoodle on the large cloud and Spitfire wasted no time in showing her husband her gratitude and love.

Spitfire and Soarin lay, cuddled together on their own private cloud in the afterglow of their reunion. The stars twinkled overhead and the moon shone, illuminating the couple with its pale light.

Soarin gave his lover a quick kiss. “So... uh, how do you feel now?”

“Amazing...” Spitfire hummed as she nuzzled her husband. “Although, I think you felt a little more eager than normal. Did somepony miss me?”

“Yeah,” Soarin nodded. “Did you miss me?”

“I did. It was weird not having your big dumb face around,” Spitfire slyly replied.

“Well thank you, hot flank.” Soarin shot back playfully.

“Sore flank, you mean.” Spitfire giggled.

The colt’s grin fell away, replaced in an instant with concern. “Was I too rough?”

“No,” Spitfire gave her husband a tight hug. “You were wonderful. Made me forget the tough day I had.”

“Oh. How did meeting the princess go?” Soarin tentatively asked.

Spitfire nuzzled her husband for a few sweet moments before she relaxed into his side and met his shining eyes, aglow with love for her. The young mare smiled, “she’s really nice. But when I arrived to follow up on the headmare’s application I got lost. Arrived late then got fobbed off by some snarky unihorn. Princess Celestia herself put that snob in his place. She accepted the program and gave us her best wishes. She’s actually super cool! Like, really cool!”

“You got to meet thee Princess Celestia? Get outta here!” Soarin stared at his mare with wide eyes.

“I did. Apparently she even runs a special school for gifted unicorns and likes meeting outstanding students. Anyway, after totally getting the course okayed by the princess herself, uh... I had a late lunch at this nice looking place on the edge of the city, near the front gate. Owned by a nice pink pegasus. I’ll need to take you there, she’s nicer than a lot of those snobby unicorns. Then I did two laps of the mountainside and then tried to find a place to stay.”

The young stallion’s countenance darkened, “Okay, but then you seemed all distressed when I caught you.”

Spitfire eyed the black eye that was forming. “Sorry about that, by the way.”

“Huh?”

“Me, hitting you. Your right eye looks terrible.”

Realization lit the face of the pale blue colt. “Oh yea, I totally forgot once we got started.”

“I dunno what you’re gonna do when I get too big for us to have sex,” a playful shove followed Spitfire’s cheeky response.

Soarin blushed.

“I’m teasing, love you,” Spitfire giggled.

“Love you too,” Soarin lent in and their lips connected for a sweet, pleasant moment.

“But seriously. I feel like we should stop having sex soon. I know the baby is only really small still, but I don’t wanna risk anything.”

“Sure,” Soarin quickly agreed, his eyes upon his wife’s barrel. “He will be worth it.”

“She.”

Soarin rolled his eyes then planted his gaze upon the pretty face of his mate.

“So, how was your day?” Spitfire almost purred as she nuzzled into her strong lover’s side. She gave his foreleg a light squeeze and shamelessly began to feel his muscles.

Soarin grinned like a lovestruck idiot. “Fine. Paperwork and practicing on the new course. But soon as school was over, I left to find you. Took me over an hour of looking around, I was really glad when I saw you speeding along like you were on the run from a mighty beast.” He playfully nuzzled her back then realised her reaction was not one of fun and games. “Wait. Were you on the run?”

Spitfire’s gaze fell to her forehooves. “I... don’t wanna talk about it.”

The pale blue colt pouted, “aw, come on. I’m your husband. You can tell me anything.”

Spitfire gazed at him reproachfully, “fine. But it was just some creepy pegasus stallion.”

Two blue wings shot up and Soarin half stood as he clutched his wife close as though to protect her from the world. “He didn’t touch you did he? Please tell me nothing happened to you. I could never forgive myself if-”

“Sssssh...” A yellow hoof silenced the worried colt. Spitfire couldn’t help but enjoy the way her hubby’s body tensed and his wings flexed as he stood protectively over her. “No. I high tailed it out of there before he did anything.”

“Oh good,” filled with relief, Soarin collapsed back into the cuddle with his wife.

A light blue hoof sneaked down the yellow coat of Spitfire till it came to rest upon her cutie mark. “This is mine. No pony else is allowed to touch. And I will protect you, even if I gotta skip the last day of school to do it.”

Spitfire huffed. “Don’t do that, ya dummy. I’m fine.”

Soarin shot his wife a challenging side glance then snuck in a kiss on her jaw. “Nope. Minds made up.”

“And what if they kick your dumb ass out for leaving early?”

“Then I’m staying here, at your side where I belong.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “And if I command you to go back to school for Friday?”

“No,” Soarin poked his nose up in the air in defiance.

Happy to play his game, Spitfire offered an alternative. “And what if we spend tonight on this cloud, you go to school tomorrow morning, then we meet at the front gate of Canterlot at six in the evening? Have round three or five of giving our baby a bumpy ride.”

“But I wanna stay with you.” Bright green eyes sparkled and blue cheeks puffed out as Soarin did his best puppy eyes.

Rather than submit, vibrant orange irises dazzled back and a yellow lip poked out as Spitfire pouted cutely back.

A light blue lip poked even further out.

Spitfire tilted her head a bit and batted her eyelids.

A brief sparkle of laughter rippled across Soarin’s face but was suppressed before it reached his lips. He fluttered his wings and rolled over then tucked his forehooves in like a little colt.

A sneeze of laughter erupted from Spitfire. She crawled closer, placed her muzzle in contact with her husband's then widened her eyes in her best cute stare.

Soarin matched her growing cute eyes as best he could.

The couple gazed at one another in a silly yet tense silence that grew and grew till both young ponies were stretching their facial muscles to the extreme.

Sudden laughter erupted into the night. Neither pegasus knew who broke first. It felt as though the dam of ridiculousness burst like a volcano.   The couple rolled around laughing on the large cloud till every last tear of mirth and shrill cry was extinguished. Both pegasi lay there knackered and gasping for air.

“Oh, my sides...” Soarin wheezed.

“Hurt... I wonder what our baby is thinking...” Spitfire gasped.

“I bet they are wondering what mommy and daddy are doing.” Soarin scooped his misses up, placed her in the center of the cloud then resumed snuggles.

A peaceful silence took over as both youngsters enjoyed gazing into each other's eyes. Bright orange irises were the first to wander as Spitfire checked out every detail on her lover’s face. Soarin joined in with a grin.

As the cheeky colt’s gaze fell to the cloud, a light yellow hoof booped his nose. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,”

Spitfire grinned back. “Whatcha thinking?”

“I wish I had made it out here earlier.”

Spitfire scoffed, “well if somepony had at least told me they had this grand idea of sneaking over to Canterlot after his wife...”

“It only just occurred to me when I arrived at school and saw High Winds and Fleetfoot flying together this morning.”

Two pretty yellow ears perked up. “How are those two doing?”

Soarin scuffed the cloud with a forehoof as he gazed away. “Fine, it’s weird. But they seem to be enjoying it.”

“That’s good,” a giant yawn escaped the aspiring yellow wonderbolt.

Soarin snuggled up a little closer, “I guess I’m seeing you at the front gate of Canterlot tomorrow just before six. I don’t wanna leave you right now.”

“So you’ll be good and attend school?”

“Yes, I will. I’ll be a good little colt and go to school. But... it's like... more than an hour for a speeding pegasus like you or me to fly home.”

“Then you better get up early,” Spitfire concluded with a smug grin. “I can help with that.”

“Yea, but you’re so snuggly... you make me wanna never get up...” Soarin moaned softly.

“And I love kicking your flank out of bed. It should be fun kicking you off this cloud just before seven. I wonder how far you’ll fall before your wings work.” Spitfire smirked.

“Fine. Sleep time then.” Soarin lifted his right wing and his wife was quick to settle under the pale blue canvass of feathers.

The vibrant young mare closed her eyes as she nuzzled up close. “Good night.”

“Night, nite.”

Silence fell.

The blissful peace of night settled.

...

“Hey... Spitty?”

A soft groan escaped the young mare, “I thought we were sleeping?”

“Well, yes. But... uh... I’m- I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I know. Love you too, pie face.”

“Fire mane.” Soarin smirked.

“Big belly,” Spitfire shot back.

“Cuddly Wuddly.”

Spitfire cracked open one eye and regarded her lover with disdain. “Lazy bones.”

“Hot flank.”

Spitfire smirked and bumped her flank against her lover. “Silly willy.”

A bright green eye lazily opened to regard the shining orange iris of his mate. “Well, my silly willy worked its magic on you. I guess that makes you the oven for our bun.”

Spitfire snorted then burst into giggles. “That’s gotta be the dumbest way you could possibly call me pregnant.”

“You wanna bet?” Soarin grinned back. “I’m sure I can do better than just a bun in the oven joke.”

The vibrant young mare lent over ever so slightly and kissed the lovestruck colt’s snout. “I’m sure a well endowed young stallion like yourself can. But right now I wanna cuddle you and sleep so that I can kick you off this cloud come sunrise.”

“Love you Sunshine.”

“Love you too, pie boy.”

With soft nuzzles and the slight shifting of wings, the couple settled peacefully down once more.

For this happy young couple, all was right in Equestria. Tomorrow was sure to bring fresh challenges. But for now, both teenagers were content together.

Author's Note

This was both fun and hard. The SoarinFire parts flowed wonderfully.
But I wanted a lot more to the chapter and for a while that had me stalled. I was going to write the Rumble & Scootaloo date, but it didn't fit in anywhere here. Maybe we might get lucky later and I'll bring some hints of how well Scootaloo and her coltfriend are doing.

Had some recent ideas that should be fun to add to the mix here. Some ponies lives are about to change big time.

CH13: The Grand Adventure (four & a half - five months pregnant)

Ponyville.

An old fashioned, simple looking town that carried a relaxed and friendly vibe.

A young Soarin strode away from the Ponyville florist’s stand with a bunch of colourful flowers. Although the mare behind the counter had been very helpful in picking a variety of tasty, great looking flowers. The young stallion could not remember the name of a single one. He spotted the others in their little group who had come from Coudsdale, Blackout, Fleetfoot and Silver Zoom.

“Who’s that for?” Blackout, the midnight black young stallion with a deep blue mane asked.

Soarin transferred the flowers from his mouth to his right forehoof. “My special somepony.”

“You have a special somepony?” Blackout laughed. “No way, I thought you were gay or something the way you hang out with fillies all day.”

Soarin scowled, Fleetfoot giggled.

Silver Zoom, the grey stallion with a light grey and white mane observed the reactions of the other teens. The teenager turned to Soarin, tense. “You’re not talking about your best friend, are you?”

The light blue colt in question broke out into a huge grin as he spotted the young mare who had just entered Ponyville’s airspace.

The young speedster cut her speed back to legal levels and Soarin waved at her. The others in the group glanced back to see who he was waving at. Fleetfoot smirked and muttered something. Blackout waved, his face otherwise impassive. Silver Zoom looked happy to see their final member. Soarin noticed the look on his face and felt a pang of jealousy shot through his system like hot fire.

Spitfire pulled off a tight loop and landed in front of Soarin. The couple grinned at each other, delighted to be reunited. The colt offered the flowers to his young mare.

“You got me flowers, you must be happy to see me.” Spitfire chuckled as she accepted his gift.

Soarin could not help but notice the shock on Silver Zoom’s face, something inside him felt really good seeing that surprise. “Well, I am glad to see you. Guys, meet Spitfire. We’re together.”

“I thought that was just some silly rumour.” Blackout muttered. “But whatever, good luck.”

“Hope you had a good flight here,” Fleetfoot strode up to Spitfire and gave her a hug. “You’re so lucky having your special somepony with you, my girl has to stay back in Cloudsdale.”

“Your girl?” Silver Zoom scrunched up his muzzle, “oh, you’re one of those fillyfoolers, aren’t you?”

“Who I sleep with, snuggle and love is none of your business.” Fleetfoot held her head up high and sat pointedly beside Spitfire.

A blush crept across the grey stallion. “And you let her hug you, that-”

“It also does not stop her from giving friends a hug.” Spitfire cut Silver Zoom off, her tone cold as ice.

“Yeah,” Soarin added.

Silver Zoom rubbed his forehead with a grey hoof. “Whatever... this is weird… Just- let’s get on with it, shall we.”

“Alright,” Blackout agreed.

“Who’s boss?” Fleetfoot asked, ready for action.

“What?” Blackout eyed the arctic blue mare, “why do we need a leader?”

Fleetfoot shrugged. “You know... every squad needs a leader... so I just thought, maybe Spitfire could be ours.”

The fiery filly cautiously eyed her friend, “I dunno about being a leader, Fleet.”

“Yeah. Maybe I should be our leader.” Silver Zoom puffed himself up proudly. “I am really good at teaching others and leading and stuff.”

“Go for it dude, I don’t care.” Backout shrugged.

Fleetfoot narrowed her eyes and warily regarded the grey stallion. “You sure you don’t wanna be our leader, Spitfire?”

“Silver Zoom wants to do it, I say let him.” Spitfire shrugged.

“I’m with Spitfire.” Soarin added, “so I guess that makes Silver the lead pony here.”

“You’re always with Spitfire,” Fleetfoot muttered as she rolled her eyes.

A small tightly knit group of pegasi flew over the Everfree Forest at breakneck speeds. The trees were blown this way and that as feathers and hooves came within inches of impact. Silver Zoom led, eager to show off his skills. Blackout kept pace, focused and ready. Behind him flew Fleetfoot and Soarin both of whom were currently exchanging silly faces. Spitfire smirked as she caught sight of her husband hanging his tongue out and allowing it to blow wild as they sped along.

At Silver Zoom’s guidance, the small group cut through three wild clouds, sped through the outer trees then alighted outside the forest’s boundary.

“Alright. That’s part two done.” Silver Zoom smoothed his mane. “How about we break for lunch and check out what book work we should be doing this afternoon.”

“How come we leave class and still gotta do the boring bits?” Soarin wondered.

“Theory helps you refine the practical side. At least, it does for me.” With a cocky grin, Silver Zoom took to the skies.

“I mean hey, it might end up being helpful depending on what sorta jobs we get. But don’t worry, I too am looking forward to the day we finish all the book work too.” Blackout smirked then took off after the pale fiery colt.

Soarin turned to his wife, “there isn’t much writing for this course, is there?”

  “No. I took a quick look through the paperwork submitted to Celestia. We have way more flight time than everypony in class.”

“Oh good.”

  Fleetfoot cracked a grin, “afraid you won’t get enough action there?”

“No, it’s not that?” Soarin shook his head.

The icy blue mare gazed from mare to stallion, sly and sure as she continued to grin.   “Hey, I mean… if you two wanted to sneak off for a quickie I could always cover for you.”

A hopeful smile radiated from Soarin and he looked to his wife for confirmation.

Spitfire rolled her eyes then scanned the surroundings. Seeing nothing but the retreating forms of their two other classmates she shook her head. “Not today. Baby has left me feeling like I’ve flown twice what we did.”

Concern killed the joy and Soarin was quick to give his mare a hug. “Are you okay? Do you wanna sit out the extra laps next time?”

Orange eyes blazed with defiance as they met care laden green irises.   “And look weak?”

  “Would you rather look weak or wear yourself out?” Fleetfoot interjected.

“If I slow down, those two will ask questions.”   Spitfire retorted.

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. “And you’re gonna have to tell them sooner or later.”

  “I know…” Spitfire sighed. “But a part of me isn’t ready to tell them yet.”

Fleetfoot eyed the barely visible baby bump. It was still small enough that it could easily be mistaken for a bit of extra body fat or missed entirely. “Well… I only see something because I know it’s there. But I’m sure more and more ponies are gonna notice and when those other two realize, well… I’m sure it will be better if you two say something first.”

  “I know.” Soarin nodded in agreement as he gave his fiery mare a winged hug. “Just uh.. give us like another week.”

  “Alright.” With a stiff nod of acceptance, Fleetfoot unfurled her wings. “Come on you two. We got four hungry pegasi to feed.”

As the arctic blue pegasus shot off toward Ponyville town Soarin lit up with a pleasant smile. He gave his wife’s barrel a careful brush with his forehoof and tightened his winged hug just a bit.

Spitfire snuck in a quick kiss then took to the skies. “Hurry up pie boy. Like Fleet says. I’m eating for two here.”

  “Oh! I have the perfect pie for you!” Soarin eagerly joined his mare.

Spitfire scoffed, “I said two. Not a whole army. Besides, I’m sure the pub is closed at lunchtime.” The fiery mare twirled gracefully, her limbs sore but still flight worthy.

  “Oh yeah… Hey, how about we go there for dinner!” Soarin twirled then clipped a nearby tree. The eager young stallion quickly righted himself, grinning sheepishly as he flew to his wife’s side.

“If you don’t smack into a tree and knock yourself out first.” With a snicker the speedy young mare took off, leading her husband into town.

As the sun set over Ponyville, four large clouds hovered on the outskirts toward the Apple family farm.

Silver Zoom’s cloud was roughly moulded for himself to comfortably curl up. Backout had hollowed out his cloud enough to fit himself and saddlebag inside. Fleetfoot gave her carefully flattened cloud a gentle press in the middle then glanced over at Spitfire and Soarin’s cloud.

Idled with her forehooves over the edge lay Spitfire. With great care, Soarin worked around her. Rather than simply hollow the cloud, Soarin worked to build up two soft walls on either side of his mare. With skilful hooves, he crafted a covering for them using a second cloud. He attached the two sides from the lower cloud to the upper one. With a not so subtle look at his wife’s hindquarters, the blue stallion formed a rounded wall on the rear, thus joining the two sides. This left one way out, the way Spitfire faced. Occasionally the fiery mare would drop a comment or ask for a part of their interior to be adjusted. With very little direction, Soarin even formed a small lip to the opening that comfortably supported her hooves and chin. As Soarin ceased work on the inside, it became clear there was ample space for two pegasi to stretch out inside and even a small raised space for their bags to sit.

Soarin darted outside and formed small swirls in the outside of the dual cloud. As he finished his creative work, Silver Zoom caught his attention.

“I see you're already her servant. You're not gonna have much fun if you marry her.” Silver Zoom lay down, smirking.

“I ask, he does. It’s a working system.” Spitfire smirked back.

“Well you certainly have picked a pony who knows how to work clouds, I’ll give you that much.” Backout casually commented as he relaxed on his own cloud. “Maybe he could even help others to improve their cloud shaping skills sometime?”

“Well sure.” Soarin shrugged as he took his place at Spitfire’s side. “But you’re not that bad.”

  Blackout scoffed, “says the pony who made a small house out of three clouds. I bet that will easily last your stay here. Our cheap jobs won’t last a day.”
Backout directed his gaze pointedly at Silver Zoom, “I mean… my cloud is just a simple hollow out job and some others haven’t even done that.”

“Hey,” Silver Zoom retorted. “At least I’m better than her.”

All eyes followed the grey hoof’s direction. Fleetfoot sat up, offended. “You’re not better than me.”

“Yes, I am. Your crummy job looks like a foals attempt at cloud shaping.”

“It does not!” The light arctic blue mare stood, her wings quivering, ready for action.

“I could make a house.” Soarin broke into the argument.

Everypony turned to the blue colt. He took a step back, shyly. “I- I mean, I probably could make us all a cloud house to share.”

  “Why?” Fleetfoot questioned, her wings relented and she settled down a bit. “I’m okay with what I made. I can sleep on this. And it would take you at least a week of hard work to make a full size house to fit every pony. We’re not even staying around here that long too, so it would be a waste.”

Soarin glanced at his wife. After a quiet moment, she shrugged.

“Well, I mean. It could be a fun challenge.”

“And maybe everypony could help him and learn something too?” Spitfire added as she too turned to face the others.

Blackout and Silver Zoom shared a look. Blackout shrugged and settled down, “not tonight. I’m tired and feel like sleeping.”

“A proper house does sound nice. But are you sure the teachers would allow it?” Silver Zoom asked.

“I don’t see why not,” Spitfire replied. “Long as they know we made it… well, that might even help our grades.”

“Alright.” Fleetfoot nodded, “sounds like something to consider. Now, I’m gonna agree with Blackout. It’s time for some shuteye. Sun’s going down and everything.”

“You two won’t keep us up, will you?” Silver Zoom cast a pointed look toward the couple.

Spitfire scoffed. “Of course not. What do you expect us to do besides cuddle?”

Fleetfoot struggled to keep a straight face as she shared a glance with the other two solo pegasi. “Exactly.”

“Had to ask.” Silver Zoom replied. "Already heard of two idiots in school getting caught banging behind the flight course." With a flap of his wings, he propelled his cloud further away from the collective group. “Good night.”

“Good night.” Spitfire quickly responded then span around to face her husband and nuzzled up close.   As her lips reached his ear the mare felt a smile slip across her muzzle. “You hear that stud? No sex while this lot are around.”

Soarin nodded and whispered back; “sneak out after dark?”

Spitfire shot her mate a deadpan look. “You might as well announce that we’re off to have sex right now.”

The light blue stallion grinned. “You want to, or shall I?”

A yellow hoof shoved the cheeky stallion away. He lightly impacted with the wall and lay there, still grinning, pleased with himself.   Spitfire shook her head and settled down for the night.

 “You know I was joking, right?” Soarin whispered as he cuddled back up to his mare.

Spitfire nodded. “Yeah. And you know I’m joking when I say you’re getting laid tonight.”

Green eyes flew wide open. “Okay… I get it. I get it.”

“Good boy.”

The next two weeks flew past. By day they trained under Silver Zoom’s command. Their practise sessions were filled with a mixture of fun and laughter as well as focus and hard work. The slacking off was usually led by Soarin while Spitfire or Silver Zoom were usually the ones to corral every pony back on to task. The group often referred to the notes their teachers had left them in a keen effort to progress through the assigned work quickly. Although Silver Zoom was their chosen leader, Spitfire found herself often pointing out the intricate details of their flight. The trio of friends enjoyed frequent competition among themselves. After the first few days, it became clear just how driven Soarin’s companions were. By the end of the first week, Soarin had been taken aside three times by Spitfire during their training and given a hard word or two. Any time they were not in the middle of complex practice it seemed the absence of teachers naturally led to the chill colt goofing off. At times Fleetfoot could be almost as bad because she enjoyed provoking him. The arctic blue pegasus also proved rather good at picking fights with Silver Zoom and many a session was disrupted by their heated but brief bickering. There was the odd morning that Spitfire was grouchy. On two occasions Soarin was the only one to show up in the morning with a generic excuse for his partner. By the time Spitfire later appeared in the midst of their training, she appeared fine. Blackout was the quiet one of their team. He followed Silver Zoom like a dark shadow through the lessons as they unfolded.

In the evenings, Soarin led the construction of a cloud mansion large enough to house the whole team. Soarin flittered between shaping the most intricate parts of the house and guiding the other pegasi as they worked on shaping the walls, halls and archways. Two days a week Spitfire would disappear into town for cooking lessons, leaving her companions to continue on without her. The four bedrooms were the first to take shape along with the large fluffy base that Soarin had great fun shaping into one extra large swirling cloud. The skilled young stallion extended the cloud base outward to form a platform outside the front door with tendrils at its edge.

The weekends were a time of rest and relaxation for the group. In this time Fleetfoot would spend the day in Ponyville or Cloudsdale with High Winds. Spitfire and Soarin would either join their two friends or fly off for their own, more private time.

As the second week came to a close, the cloud house was mostly finished. The dwelling was a little rough in places and it was obvious that hooves of varying skills had worked on its creation. But it was good enough for five young pegasi to live comfortably.

As another week of intense learning flew by the five teens found themselves relaxing with a few ciders on the soft porch of their dwelling.

A figure appeared on the horizon. The pegasus was clearly flying at great speed against the wind. Blackout was the first to point out the incoming form. “Guys. Look at that. Somepony is coming in fast.”

“Maybe it’s a Wonderbolt doing a speed run..?” Soarin wondered as his wing slipped around the yellow barrel of his missus.

Spitfire gave her husband a cautioning sideward glance but let the intimate gesture slide.

Silver Zoom stood and stretched. “Wonder if it’s a teacher, they were supposed to check up on us today.”

“Oh yeah…” Fleetfoot grinned. “Good thing most of us-“ her gaze met Soarin who scowled. “Are doing really well.”

“I’ll do just as well as you when they test us.” Soarin shot back.

“Remember some of this course is not yet finalized. You might find yourself in trouble Soarin. You don’t have the rest of the class to make you look good.” Silver Zoom commented then took to the skies. “I got a feeling this is our teacher. I’ll be right back!”

Soarin poked his tongue out at the departing form of their pale firey classmate. He stood and cast a glance toward the home he was responsible for creating. “You think they will like our house?”

  “Are you joking?” Spitfire rose and playfully shoved her mate. “This will blow them away. No one at our school has made a proper house.”

“Yeah, but it’s not yet a proper cloud house.”

  “What did you tell us?”

Soarin glanced around, “uh... it’s not done?”

“No.”

“…Two more weeks?”

Spitfire nodded, a pleased smile upon her lips. “Exactly. I’m sure our instructors will be understanding.”

In no time at all the incoming pegasus and Silver Zoom drew near and it was clear that it was indeed their flight instructor. The stormy blue and grey stallion slowed his flight and looped around the small mansion a few times. With his gaze impassive, the weathered pegasus landed in the middle of the front cloud porch then strode up to the front door.   “Who did you hire to construct this?”

“Soarin.” Spitfire casually replied with a pride laden smirk.

“Really?” Maelstrom turned to Soarin, a light smile on his muzzle. “Somepony has a gift I see. Has this rather large project been in place of the assigned school work?”

  “No sir,” Soarin answered. “We have been building this after the day’s assigned work is done. I’ve done the more complex bits and every pony else has helped by making the walls and stuff you walk on. It’s been kinda a cool challenge since I never really got to make something this big at school.”

The stallion nodded, thoughtful. “And it meets Cloudsdale building regulations?”

“It will. We need another two or three weeks to finish it.”

The flight instructor nodded thoughtfully. “And what if I tell you to move to a new location before then?”

Soarin shrugged, “we take it with us.”

The stallion nodded, pleased by the answer. “May I take a look inside?”

  Soarin shared a glance with his fellow students. “I mean, sure.”

With a nod, Maelstrom pushed open the door and entered. The kitchen and living space were currently blank and their walls were still rather pudgy. Eager to show off the group’s real progress, Soarin pushed forward into the hallway that had five doorways, four bedrooms and at the end of the single straight hall, the bathroom.

A glance into the first bedroom on the left revealed Blackout’s room, neat and lean. The teacher nodded to himself then opened the doorway to his left. Before him was the messy living space of the group’s couple. The double bed was unmade and there were several pie tins on the nightstand opposite the bed. “Ah yes. Spitfire and Soarin’s room right..? Considering your marital status, I guess this is reasonable, even though students are not normally allowed to bunk with peers of the opposite sex.”

Spitfire and Soarin froze.

“Marital status?” Silver Zoom blinked a few times then gazed at the young couple, shocked. “What?”

“Does this mean they are engaged or something?” Blackout questioned from the back of the group.

Maelstrom glanced around his small group of elite students, realization quick to dawn on him. “My apologies. I was unaware that Spitfire and Soarin had chosen to withhold this information from their peers. Considering the timing and all.” His gaze came to rest on Spitfire.

The fiery young mare suddenly felt highly nervous. Why did she have to become the center of attention now? This was bad. She instinctively placed herself closer to her husband. “Soarin and I are married. Okay?”

  “What?” Silver Zoom almost exploded. “How could you marry that lazy colt?”

Spitfire rounded on the grey colt, “because I love him.”

“Yea. Right now. What happens when-“

“Alright, calm down everypony.” Maelstrom intervened sternly.

“Calm down?” Silver Zoom shot back. “How can I calm down when these two have lied to us. Why- I bet those nights you two were late you were sneaking off to-“

“And this is exactly why they didn’t tell you!” Fleetfoot cut the angry colt off, her wings flared touching the soft hallway as she faced off against him.

“The filly fooler is in on their little game? You haven’t been sneaking off to lay with your little minx too have you?” Silver Zoom sneered.

“I-“ Fleetfoot stuttered, “no!”

“Like I would believe a fillyfooler like you!”

“Alright. That’s enough.” Maelstrom placed himself between the two antagonized students.

With a flick of his grey wings, Silver Zoom turned. “Fine. I’ll be outside. When you’re ready to assess us, I’ll be ready.”

Fleetfoot slumped against the wall, her frown laced with pain. Spitfire hurried to her side.

“Are you okay?” Yellow wings reached out and offered a comforting hug between friends.

  “I’ll be fine…”

“Does he do this often?” Maelstrom spoke up, his voice unusually tender for the usually hard stallion.

“Sometimes..? It doesn’t matter if I have a fillyfriend instead of a colt does it?” Fleetfoot gazed up at Maelstrom desperate for an answer.

Maelstrom sighed. “Who you love is your choice. Ignore him.”

 “Right… right…”

“I know it won’t stop his words from hurting, but…” The stallion sighed. “Look. I’m no good with these things. And I’m here to see how you five are progressing with your flying. Do you feel ready for action or shall I return tomorrow?”

  All eyes rested on Fleetfoot as she sat there. “I- I think some flying would be good.”

  “Then let’s go.” Maelstrom led the way out, his tour prematurely ended.

With that everypony hastened outside, Fleetfoot at the rear. Upon exiting she shot the pale firey colt a death glare. He turned his nose up at her then faced the flight instructor, ignoring her.

"You would do well to watch your mouth, Silver Zoom." Maelstrom addressed the pale colt. "Or I may have you sent back to Cloudsdale."

"What about those two!" Silver Zoom pointed at the young couple. "You should send them home for indecent acts."

"Well, they are married." The flight instructor shrugged then faced the young couple "I assume you both are being responsible."

"Well yeah. It's not like we're disrupting their sleep or anything." Soarin replied as casually as possible.

"Right. Then I see nothing wrong here. Everypony take flight. I want to see what you have all been working on for the last three weeks." With his instruction issued, Maelstrom's wings flickered into life and he shot off into the sky.

Soarin poked his tongue out at Silver Zoom then followed.

The light brownish grey colt huffed then raced off, keen to lead the pack. Spitfire, Fleetfoot and Blackout kept close behind the leading colt as he flew.

Under the command of their tutor, the group ran through the drills and the routines they had worked on over the last three weeks. There was an icy atmosphere hanging in the sky. It was particularly stagnant between Silver Zoom and Fleetfoot as they refused to acknowledge each other.

 Added to this, was a rising level of awkwardness, two colt’s stares were often directed at the married couple. With one of their two secrets out, both pegasi did their best to act professionally as they flew together.

After flying with the five teens, the flight instructor bid them goodbye and began his flight home.

The small team alighted on the soft porch of their cloud home. Soarin was quick to head for the door but froze when Blackout cleared his throat. The light blue colt sighed and turned to face his teammates.

“So… why are you two married already?” Blackout’s gaze flicked between husband and wife, keenly seeking answers. “We got a lot of couples at school. But no pony gets married this early unless they got an extra special reason.”

  Spitfire and Soarin shared a glance and after a moment’s silent communion they faced the two teenaged colts.

Soarin cleared his throat. “Spitfire and I are married because… she is pregnant with our foal.”

“What?” Blackout took a step back and his wings shot out in shock.

 “No way!” Silver Zoom retorted, “That’s an affront to our school! Why… you should be expelled from the course for something like that!”

“Thank you, not helpful.” Fleetfoot cut in, her stern gaze fixed upon the shocked grey colt.

Silver Zoom quickly collected himself and gave the icy blue mare a hard stare. “And what if I have more to say, fillyfooler? Do I need to hide my sister from you too?”

“What? Eww… No! I mean shut up!”

Silver Zoom scoffed. “Whatever. I’m out of here.”   With that, light brownish grey wings flicked to life and the angry colt flew off toward town.

“And don’t come back!” Fleetfoot cried out.

“What is his deal?” Blackout wondered out loud.

“I dunno. But with that attitude, I wouldn’t hire him if I was looking for new wings for the Wonderbolts.” Spitfire commented dryly.

“Yeah. You know… you could be the boss…” Soarin offered.

“Yeah. And kick him out.” Fleetfoot added sourly as she sat and folded her forelegs in a huff.

Spitfire sighed. “I’m starting to consider it… especially since I only have another month or two of high speed flying in me before my baby slows me down.”

“So… How long have you two been hiding this…” Blackout wondered cautiously.

Spitfire cracked a dry grin, “just over five months. And uh… the last two were getting a bit hard.”

“So that um… little extra weight you're carrying isn’t you bulking up then..?” Blackout ventured cautiously.

Spitfire shot the colt a dangerous glare. “Did you just call me fat? Soarin, did he call me fat!?”

  “No. No he did not.” The blue colt was quick to jump in. “You’re beautiful and skinny and very hot.”

  “But what if I feel fat, thanks to you?”

As Spitfire’s muzzle impacted with the panicked blue nose of her husband, Fleetfoot sprang into action and tackled Blackout, carrying them both over the edge of the cloud.

“What are you doing?” The dark colt asked, surprised by the sudden action.

“I think you set her off. It’s safer to just get out and let Soarin deal with it.” Fleetfoot replied as she let go.

Concern ripped across the young pegasus’s face as he righted himself. “Are you sure? She looked ready to hit somepony.”

  “Have you ever spent much time around a pregnant mare?”

“Uh… no.”

“Then trust me.”

With a final glance back at their dwelling, Blackout sighed. “Alright. How long do we need to wait?”

“Let's do a loop around town… come back. Then we can relax.”

It was dark outside. Yet Spitfire lay awake in bed. Her husband slept peacefully by her side. He occasionally wiggled around a little bit or muttered something about fire and pie. Each time his forehooves found her own, he would relax and a huge dopey smile would fill his muzzle.

At least she was pretty sure he was smiling. The room was pitch black and but Sptifre knew her mate’s body almost as well as her own and something was telling her, he was currently rocking a grin large enough to split his face in two.

A sigh escaped the vibrant young mare.   “Come on… sleep already…” her annoyed mutter broke the silence.

With a snort, Soarin snuggled closer and his warm breath tickled her cheek. A smile escaped and Spitfire felt a little bit better.   Now if only sleep would come. Tomorrow was set to be another intense day of training and study followed by work on shaping their kitchen.

Yet the conversations and residual mood from the day left the young pegasus with a sour taste in her mouth. Her lower abdomen was a swirling mess that left her unsure if their slowly forming foal was reacting to her mood or if it was all her.

“What are we doing..?” Spitfire mused quietly.

“I dunno…” Soarin whispered softly in her ear.

 Spitfire shot up in bed. “Soarin, don’t do that…”

“Do what?” Groggy with sleep, the young stallion sat up in bed and gave his wife a sloppy kiss.

Spitfire melted into the affectionate exchange and quickly found herself straddling her husband.

“That’s not your leg I can feel is it?”

“Nope…”

Spitfire rolled her eyes, thankful that her reaction could not be seen in the darkness. “Think you can fly?”

“I mean… sure. Why?”

“Then let’s go.”

“Does this mean we get to, you know?”

The fiery pegasus extracted herself from their shared bed and smirked as she hauled her husband up too. Without another word she snuck out of their room and headed for the world outside. As Soarin opened the front door something crashed into the soft cloud deck.

Instantly awake, the young couple rushed to the aid of whatever poor creature had left such an indent.

“Oooh…”

Spitfire promptly backed off from the crater as Silver Zoom staggered to his feet. She could smell him better than she could see him under the light of the moon.  The almost adult stallion smelt so strongly of alcohol, Spitfire worried it might affect her too.   Light blue wings shot out as Soarin hauled the grey pegasus out of the crater. Silver Zoom promptly unloaded the contents of his stomach onto the cloud under hoof.

Soarin leapt backward in disgust. “Woah.. what happened to you?”

Bloodshot eyes stared back at the light blue colt. Even in the dim light of the moon, you could see one eye was swollen. “avay… get- I... Oof.” Silver Zoom face planted into the soft cloud.

The couple shared a look. A snore rang out from the downed pegasus.

“Should we take him to his room?” Soarin pondered aloud.

“I could leave him out here for now,” Spitfire replied then took off into the night.

A moment’s hesitation was concluded as a second snore rang out. Soarin gave his classmate a poke, decided he looked okay then took flight.

After several minutes of flying in silence, Spitfire found a cloud over the Apple family’s farmland and settled down upon it.

“So… I take it we won’t be having sexy fun time?” Soarin concluded as he alighted next to his mate.

Spitfire huffed. “No. Sorry, hot stuff. I uh… wanted to talk.”

  “Oh. That’s cool too…”

With a loving nuzzle, Spitfire snuggled up to her colt. It was nice to just lie here, outside. Out in the open air.

“So… What’s up?”

Spitfire’s eyes flickered open. Since when did my eyes close? Her gaze was met with the inquisitive, loving stare of her husband. Soarin’s green eyes illuminated her world, washing away her fears.   Yellow met blue as Spitifre initiated a slow, loving kiss. Time passed blissfully on as they held onto the shared show of affection.

They eventually parted to reveal two lightly panting ponies who shared a smile.

“Love you Spitty.”

  “Love you, Soarin.” The fiery young mare lent against her lover.

Soarin allowed his mare to take her time. He was in no hurry. Despite the late hour, he was happy to enjoy snuggling. Any lack of sleep could be a problem for tomorrow’s Soarin.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

  Soarin jerked in surprise at the admission. “Huh?”

Spitfire scoffed and scuffed their cloud with a forehoof. “I know. Since when do I not sleep..?”

“No. I get it.” Soarin quickly lifted his mare’s beautiful face so that he could gaze into her eyes.

  “You do?”

“Yeah. I had hoped we could keep our son a secret just a bit longer…” Soarin trailed off, prepared to have his lover correct him.

No correction or smart comment was forthcoming.

The light blue colt took a deep breath, somewhat surprised by a lack of retort. “So… poor sleep. Should I make us a new bed?”

  “No. That cloud is perfect. I’m glad you put it in our room.”

“Today was kinda wacky, wasn’t it?”

 Spitfire gave her colt a loving nuzzle, “yeah…”

  “How do you feel, body not too sore or anything?”

  “I- better than yesterday I guess. I think our little one is as hungry as you. I feel like a pig when we eat out.”

  “I like eating out. Especially when it’s you I get to enjoy.”

“Soarin. I’m serious.”

“Sorry.”

The couple fell into silence.   For Soarin, it was a rather awkward silence as he had no idea what to say to take back his stupid comment. So he instead opted for trying his luck with a gentle nuzzle. He smiled as his mate reciprocated and their soft action led to a sweet kiss.

Spitfire was the first to pull away. “Think you can be serious for a moment?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  The sunny yellow mare rolled onto her back and gazed up into the stars above. “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Well yeah, but not as pretty as you,” Soarin murmured as he inched closer.

Spitfire tore her gaze from the spotted canvas above and immediately spotted the luminous green eyes of her lover gazing down at her. With a tender smile, she looped a forehoof around his neck and gave a tug.

Soarin was quick to shuffle closer and found himself met with a kiss. As spitfire slowly withdrew and relaxed against the soft cloud she spoke up; “I did ask you to be serious.”

“And I am...”

Spitfire gave a slight nod. “What are we doing here?”

“Cooler school stuff?” Soarin offered.

“Yeah...”

“And hiding our baby.”

“Yeah...” Spitfire’s gaze fell away from her husband.

“And this is how we will get into the Wonderbolts.”

Spitfire’s gaze snapped up to meet the loving gaze of her husband.

“We will get into the Wonderbolts. I promise you.” Soarin followed up with a quick kiss.

“You had better work harder then. You’re falling behind.”

Soarin sighed. “Yeah... I know...”

As the light blue stallion rose, yellow forehooves and wings ensnared him. “So... this promise you just made. You know how to keep it?”

Soarin nodded. “I’ll try.”

Spitfire shoved her mate off. “Stop saying that every time...”

“I”m sorry! I’ll- be better.”

“And?”

“And... I won’t make dumb notes and sleep when we do book work.”

“And?”

“And... I’ll focus properly when we are flying and doing team stuff.”

Spitfire rolled over and settled onto her side. A yellow wing rose, an offering for cuddles.

Soarin tentatively accepted and settled down right next to his sunny mare.

“I will do it,” Soarin spoke softly. “But I want to see what you are like as our leader.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think you’ll make a wonderful leader.” Soarin nuzzled up close and planted a kiss on his mare’s cheek. “Maybe even the best.”

Author's Note

Welcome to the final act of the story.

It's great to be here. The climax is coming and with that, families are soon to grow and change. I hope you are enjoying the journey and I'm keen to know your thoughts on the story.

CH14: Wild Run (Six months pregnant)

On the outskirts of Appleosa, a regal cloud home hovered, sparkling in the evening sun's rays. This dwelling was clearly able to service a small group of pegasi. The squared outer walls were smooth with a pair of small, rounded windows looking out from the bedrooms on the top floor. The lower level bore larger windows on the sides looking into the living area and a large front door. The impressive dwelling was capped off by a spiral ceiling that wound around like the top of a giant ice cream. The front had a wide open veranda, easily able to fit four or five ponies. The base of the whole construct was soft swirling clouds with a hint of rainbow swirled through.

Spitfire and Soarin alighted on the veranda. While the pale blue colt bore saddlebags full of food, his wife was sporting a small but growing baby bump.

Silver Zoom opened the door and gave the couple a nod. "Hey, did you remember my sweets this time?"

"Yep, they're somewhere in there..." He strode over to the right hand rear corner of their singular downstairs room and deposited his saddlebags. A few chairs and a large table were central, pushed up against the back of the room and on the left, opposite the kitchen, a spiral staircase ascended to their bedrooms and shared bathroom above.

Spitfire was quick to put away the various foods in the cupboards of their corner kitchen. As she worked Soarin couldn't help but check the hot flank and growing barrel out. While he had a few doubts many months ago about how Spitfire's looks would be impacted he was glad she was still in fact the prettiest mare he had ever seen.

"Dude."

Soarin jolted as a midnight black hoof tapped his shoulder. "Huh?"

"We live here too you know. Geeze..." Blackout gave the lovestruck colt a dry look.

"Right, sorry." Soarin nervously glanced around the room and caught Fleetfoot smirking his way.

The dark young stallion chuckled dryly and shook his head as he headed over to the kitchen bench and fished out a bag of sweet oats.

"When you find somepony special... you'll know what I'm feeling," Soarin returned his attention to his mare and a dopey grin slid across his muzzle.

"I hope not. You look stupid." Silver Zoom stated.

Soarin rolled his eyes. "Thanks."

"Not as stupid as you looked a few days ago." Fleetfoot smugly interjected.

"Hey, I told you not to bring that up again." Silver Zoom rounded on the pale arctic blue mare.

"So?" Fleetfoot lounged against the counter and took a bite out of an apple. "Quit being a butt."

"Guys!" The room fell silent at Spitfire's outburst. "Shut up or take it outside."

"Sorry, Spitfire." Fleetfoot was quick to reply looking somewhat abashed.

Silver Zoom huffed. "What about sorry to me?"

The cool blue mare eyed the light grey stallion. Both teenagers locked eyes and one could almost feel the temperature in the room rise with their tempers.

"How about no. I've had enough of you for the day. I'll be back for dinner." Statement made, Fleetfoot left the home.

Spitfire sighed.

Soarin eyed the grey-white maned young stallion who stood in the middle of the room.

Silver Zoom met the pale blue pegasus' gaze and sighed. "Sorry about that."

"I can't imagine being on tour with you two." Blackout muttered as he left the room and headed up the spiral staircase opposite the small kitchen.

That evening three colts and a light grey mare sat around a large table that had been shifted into the middle of the room. Laughter filled the air as Spitfire and Fleetfoot brought a mixture of burgers and wraps over from the kitchen counter. The two platters contained a combined assortment that looked like enough to feed at least eight ponies.

Soarin was quick to nab a large homemade burger from Spitfire. The hungry colt was quick to sneak a quick thank you kiss in too. The firey mare smiled as she placed her platter in the middle on the table next to Fleetfoot's. The two other males took their pick. Fleetfoot sat next to High Winds while Spitfire sat between her cool blue friend and Soarin. After a brief moment's thanks, the two other colts were quick to dig in.

Spitfire rubbed her lower tummy as she gaze around at the small pack of ponies. A smile slid onto her muzzle. This felt like home. As if these crazy ponies were family. The little one inside would be joining them later in the year and by now Spitfire was both terrified and excited by that prospect. The proud soon to be mother was disrupted from her thoughts by High Winds.

"And how’s our soon to be mother feeling?"

The fiery mare shrugged. "Hey, I’ve still got like five months of this to go.”

“You're hiding it well.” High Winds mused. “Baby’s still only a little bump.”

A sigh escaped Spitfire, “I dunno how much longer that’s gonna continue. I’ve been given one month more of performing and the doc told me after that I really need to slow down.”

“Yeouch.” High Winds grimaced. “Can’t imagine needing to slow down.”

A loud belch from Silver Zoom broke the mares conversation. “Enough with the baby talk. This food is great.”

“Yeah, thanks for putting on such a nice spread for us.” Blackout added as he reached out for another wrap.

Soarin paused with his mostly eaten burger inches from his snout as the darker stallion started on his second morsel. With a sense of urgency, Soarin hurried to finish his burger.

Fleetfoot stuck her tongue out at Silver Zoom. “Hey, it took High Winds a few hours to get here, least she’s allowed to do is ask a few questions.”

“I would rather not be reminded that we have a teenaged parent hiding from the wider school. It’s bad enough seeing Soarin fawn over here every day.” Silver Zoom retorted.

Fleetfoot huffed. High Winds hoof on her shoulder killed any smart retorts and she instead focused on her meal.

A light blue wing settled on the fiery pegasus as Soarin snatched up his second burger and hastily chowed into it.

“Slow down, big guy.” Spitfire promoted.

“Nu uh-” Soarin managed as he chewed on a large mouthful.

Blackout smirked and took a bigger bite to match.

The two stallions kept an eye on one another as they scoffed down their helping and quickly reached for another burger. Table manners forgotten, the two young stallion’s continued to guts down as much as possible.

Silver Zoom did his best to ignore the show while Fleetfoot gave a playful cheer for Soarin. High Winds watched with a bemused expression.

Spitfire meanwhile observed out of the corner of her eye. She carefully selected a second wrap for herself and carefully ate her food.

A large piece of lettuce fell from Soarin’s wrap, joining other pieces of carrot and other food shrapnel. Despite the mess, neither stallion slowed down and pretty soon they were onto their fourth full helping.

As Blackout finished half he began to slow.

Soarin, having caught up with the darker pegasus had also slowed his hasty eating due to feeling somewhat full. However, he was still a colt on a mission. Soft talking came from the three mares as they continued to catch up. Despite the wonderful voice of his wife, Soarin did his best to focus on the mission at hand, beat Blackout.

The black colt leaned back as he finished his fourth helping. “Ooooh... these are some well packed... Just mmm...”

Soarin paused, one mouthful left, “you finished?”

Blackout shook his head, “just need a moment...”

Silver Zoom reached for one of the last two wraps. Adding a little extra lettuce to it, he put it on his own plate. “Well, now you two need to share.”

“I guess I win then.” Blackout smirked as he hastily reached for the last wrap.   Soarin stuffed his last mouthful into his gob and launched himself at the last morsel. Forehooves clacked together as the stallion’s vied for their victory helping. High Winds laughed as Soarin’s hooves got knocked out of the way and a rather proud looking Blackout took the prize.

Soarin sat there horrified as the food he knew to be his was slowly devoured with great exuberance before him. “But- but...”

A rather painful minute passed for the defeated colt as his adversary enjoyed every last bite and then collapsed against the table in a food coma.

“So... full...” Blackout moaned.

“We have a winner!” Fleetfoot cried out. The ice blue mare rose and hurried over to the kitchen bench.

“So, Soarin’s discovered a fellow hungus?” High Winds observed with playful smile. "I do hope you don't run out of food too often."

Spitfire nodded. “Eating competitions like this are frequent enough. We carry enough food to feed a small army for a reason.”

“I’ll get you ...next time.” Soarin eyed the winner as he rubbed his full tummy. “That was some good food..."

"Anypony want dessert? We got fresh ice cream and the winner's favourite treats." Fleetfoot returned with a small tub of ice cream and assorted berries.

Blackout sat up and stretched. "Serve it up. I'm sure I've got a little more room somewhere."

Soarin chuckled, leaning against his wife, "want to share with me?"

Spitfire accepted a helping of the berries and ice cream from Fleetfoot and slid it closer to Soarin. "Long as you don't make a mess."

Soarin took the spoon his maw and carefully offered a mouthful to his wife. Spitfire smiled as she accepted.

Across the table, Silver Zoom rolled his eyes and muttered something rude under his breath as he accepted his own helping of ice cream. Fleetfoot giggled as she settled into place, ready to enjoy the desert herself. Unlike the married couple, High Winds and herself had their own bowels.

Spitfire took her turn to lift the spoon and feed her husband. The wing on her back twitched as the cold hit. It was clear from the blissful expression on his face that Soarin was enjoying himself. The grinning stallion nuzzled his wife then took the spoon. As he lifted up a serving of ice cream, an annoyed grunt sounded the exit of Silver Zoom from the table.

Soarin sat up, "if we are putting you off-"

"Don't worry about it." Silver Zoom insisted as he continued to stride toward the front door, bowel in hoof.

"But-"

"I feel like enjoying my pudding under the stars. There's no rule against a little affection in your own home." As the grey stallion left the house he sighed and turned his gaze to the stars. After a moment, he began to enjoy his ice cream and berries.

Blackout soon joined the young hothead, "you alright?"

"Yeah, only so much gogo-silly eyes I can take. I thought it would be nicer outside." Silver Zoom replied.

Blackout gave a dry laugh at his companion's comment. "I hear you. This is a wild time for us all and even with them being a little too sweet sometimes, I'm enjoying this."

Silver Zoom nodded. "Yeah."

Inside the two couples were lost in their own world. They had taken over opposite sides of the table and were enjoying the peaceful moment. Soarin licked the rest of his shared bowel clean then pressed a cold kiss to his mare's snout. Spitfire gigged. Soarin licked her lips. She poked her tongue out at the cheeky stallion.

"Looking good there, Spitty. Wanna go snuggle?"

Spitfire glanced at the other couple in the room. "Sure, why not."

One month later...

Five pegasi flew low over the fast flowing water of the Neighagra falls. Spring had brought a burst of colour to the otherwise tough mountainous landscape. Large trees and shrubs lined the bank of the wide river. Soarin allowed his forehoof to carve a wake as he sped downstream. The normally chilled out colt was second in the pack, his gaze set, movements precise. His wife's tail fluttered in the wind as she led them between gnarled trees, rocks and other protruding obstacles. The team broke off from the main body of water, following a stream into shrubby bushland. Spitfire barrel rolled over a protruding log then tore through some vines. Both wingtip and left hind hoof touched the greenery. Quick to stabilise her areal wobble, the pregnant mare cursed her growing tummy and ascended above the treeline. She motioned for Soarin to hold his course.

The light blue colt pulled up alongside his wife. The concern on his face faded as he checked to make sure she was okay. Spitfire motioned to the party below. “Down there, I didn't ask you to follow me!”

“Had to check! You should be taking it slow.”

“I’m fine! Now go!”

With misgivings clear on his face, Soarin dived to rejoin his companions.

Silver Zoom had taken lead, slowing the breakneck pace to precisely dodge low through the mountainside with its numerous trees, dips and hidden surprises. Soarin looped to the right around a large cluster of trees, splitting from the group as they flew left. With a burst of speed, he careened around, quick to catch the other three as they navigated their way.

Soarin took the lead and forced the trio behind to speed up as they entered a ravine. With a smirk on his otherwise determined face, he zigzagged through the rocky land. After many tight turns and a few near misses, they exploded out through a tight gap into the wide open skies beyond.

Quick to spot a flash of fire high in the sky, Soarin wheeled about and jetted toward the incoming pegasus. The lazily looping Spitfire entered a dive, quick to gain speed as she aimed for the river below. Soarin spiralled high into the sky then followed his wife. Fleetfoot took position to his right while Silver Zoom drifted to his left. Blackout maintained his rear standing, completing their little formation.

High speed winds buffeted the pregnant mare as she held her dive, faster and faster toward the waters till it felt like her flight goggles were about to be ripped off. Sudden fear welled up inside. Her tummy felt as though it slammed into the river as she pulled up, eyes wide. Exhilaration filled Spitfire and she fought with burning wings to slow the crazy speed as she careened downstream. Soarin pulled up alongside, grinning like a crazy pony.

Their party burst over the gigantic waterfall and wheeled about in huge wide circles, their speed fading as they came into land on the porch of their shared home. With heaving breaths, Spitfire almost collapsed in the middle of the hardened cloud veranda.

Soarin was quick to support his lover and they shared wide smiles as they recovered their breaths.

"Good flying everypony..." Spitfire straightened up to address her team. "I think another two runs of the mountainside tomorrow and we will be ready to move on."

"Are you okay?" Fleetfoot asked.

"Of course. This extra weight is killing me, but I'm not giving up yet." Spitfire stepped toward the edge of the cloud and began to stretch her wings.

"How about slowing down?" Blackout asked as he too began warm down stretches. "Pretty sure you nearly took yourself out back there."

Spitfire scoffed. "I'm not some clumsy filly."

"Never said you were." Blackout muttered loudly. "But that's twice one session-"

"I watched you guys as you flew." Spitfire cut the dark pegasus off with stern authority. "You need to hold formation better. The Wonderbolts only ever break formation to roll into another spectacle. Soarin, diverging from the group and rushing through terrain you don't know is dangerous and will lose us all points." Spitfire commanded.

The pale blue colt rolled his eyes as he joined his wife's routine. "But I was only taking over like you wanted me to."

"Don't give me that. If Silver takes the lead. Let him lead. Once I'm unable to lead, he will reclaim pole position."

"Oh... well okay..." Soarin sagged a little, pausing mid stretch.

Fleetfoot sniggered. "Or I could lead."

"No." Spitfire eyed her longtime friend with a critical eye. "I saw how you cut Silver Zoom off, twice."

"Did not."

"I saw that too." Blackout added. A smirk slowly grew on his muzzle as he added; "being at the back means I see things."

"Then you can help be my eyes up close," Spitfire replied. "Because your right Blackout, I will have to slow down, like it or not. May as well be useful while I get fat."

"Spitty... you're not getting fat." Soarin was quick to offer a winged hug.

The firey mare huffed as the blue feathers forced her to sit. "Speak for yourself. My wings feel like they are hauling a train. You have no idea how different the air currents feel."

"That sounds rough," Fleetfoot commented softly.

A soft rumble escaped Soarin's tummy.

"And somepony sounds hungry." Spitfire dryly commented.

"Burned a lota energy. And there's a pie with my name on it." Eager to eat, Soarin headed inside.

"Well, he's easy to please." Blackout smirked as he followed the light blue colt.

"Simpleton." Silver Zoom muttered as he too wandered inside.

Fleetfoot sniggered. "Would you agree, Spitfire?"

The firey pegasus shurgged. "I love him just the way he is. And I agree, it is lunchtime."

With their cloud home high in the sky above, five teenagers played in the water on the opposite side of the large basin created by the giant waterfall. The sun had just begun to descend from its zenith, granting the land below a great deal of warmth in the afternoon.

Breaking off from the water fight, Spitfire allowed herself to float off, pulled toward the center of the lake. The sunny pegasus allowed the struggles of the days flying to fade, wings splayed to her sides and hooves dipping into the cool depths below.

Soarin spotted his mare drifting off. As he was about to join her Blackout biffed water into his face. Soarin shook himself, sinking into the shallows before he bounced back and used his wings to send a return blast. By his side, Fleetfoot received a blast of water from Silver Zoom.

The ice blue mare turned to her darker companion. "Let's get them!"

"Yeah!" Soarin agreed.

The water fight shifted into a frantic team fight. Both pairs of pegasi danced ungainly across the shoreline, sinking into the odd hole as they threw water at their opponents.

Spitfire lifted her chin out of the water a bit to cast an eye at her companions. She smiled and closed her eyes once more. Let them wear themselves out and have fun. Her growing foal was enough of a burden. And honestly, right now she really felt like relaxing.

And the water was nice and cool... the sun on her back sent warm tingles across her mane and down her spine.
This was a glorious day...

A trio of pegasi stood at the door to Fluttershy’s cottage.

Fluttershy withdrew from hugging the proud pegasus who stood outside the door, laden with a well packed saddlebag. Rainbow Dash grinned at her partner and adopted filly. Scootaloo stood inside, by Fluttershy’s side.

“Alright, you’ll be good while I’m gone right?” Rainbow Dash playfully ruffled Scootaloo’s mane.

The orange filly giggled, “of course. I hope they like your flying so much they ask you to join them!” Scootaloo leapt joyfully.

“Then all your dreams will have come true,” Fluttershy added as she gave her mare a quick nuzzle.

Rainbow Dash grinned. “Once the Wonderbolts see me in action they’ll have to say yes.”

"Just keep safe. I'll see you this weekend." Fluttershy promised and gave a quick peck to her lover's cheek.

Rainbow Dash's smile intensified. "I'll be home before you know it Flutters."

Rainbow Dash shared one last kiss with her partner and after a final family hug, departed from her home. Her initial swift take off was halted as she gazed down at her family. She smiled as they both continued to wave up at her. With a final return wave, Rainbow Dash resumed her course, bound for Cloudsdale.

Author's Note

More.

Finally.
As New Zealand has had gone into lockdown in recent weeks, I've had more time to write.
I think this story is worth the time investment to finish.

CH15: Trials and Realizations (8 Months pregnant)

In the foothills of the Foal Mountains, a double story cloud home of five young pegasi floated high above a sea of green. Several clouds had been formed into hoops, haphazard poles and other course markers at varying altitudes above the forest. A monstrous tree towered above the canopy at one end of the course. Four pegasi banked hard as they rounded the giant tree then ducked and dived through a series of hoops.

An obviously pregnant Spitfire sat on the porch overlooking the course laid out for her team, wishing she could join in the fun. The little baby bump had grown to a clear bulge in her lower barrel and flank. Not yet large, but the added pounds were clear now as she sat with more care, wings draped across her tummy.

Malestrom, sat on the opposite end, focused on the speeding forms of the pegasi before them. The team of students finished their final lap and hastened to meet with their inspector. The stormy blue and grey stallion took a few notes as the four young ponies hovered before them.

"Very good. I will now fly with you and I expect Silver Zoom to lead me as though I were a member of your team. Show me this routine you have been working on then finish with two laps of my course."

"Yes sir,” Silver Zoom agreed obediently.

Malestrom turned to Spitfire. "I understand you had a hoof in this route?"

Spitfire nodded. "I helped."

"She did more than just help," Fleetfoot retorted proudly. "She has this amazing talent for making cool moves fit together."

"As should any who lead.” The dark stallion regarded his pupils for a moment.

The wingbeats of the four airborne pegasi filled the silence as the younger ponies waited for their teacher to continue. Soarin looked like he wanted to say something but held his silence.

“Hmm... I have an idea." Malestrom mused as he regarded the young cloud bound pegasus. "GIven your condition, your team will reflect your grade."

"They will?" Spitfire perked up.

"As though you yourself are flying." The dark stallion smiled keenly.

Soarin and Spitfire shared a look. The light blue colt nodded with a confident grin. Spitfire smiled and relaxed, "thank you."

"Alright! Lead on Silver Zoom." Large stormy wings flared. The moment the younger pegasi moved, the flight instructor launched himself into place at the back of their unit.

Blackout withdrew to the side, surprised.

"Blackout, up front. You take far right!" Silver Zoom ordered.

The young dark stallion promptly took up his new place, beside Soarin. Fleetfoot held her position steady on Silver Zoomk's left as the four pegasi banked hard and began to twist and turn through the air.

Spitfire sighed as she watched the rather impressive display from above. The foal growing inside her felt like an anchor, pinning her to the cloud. She was supposed to be out there... flying fast and having fun... performing.
Not sitting here with a fat lower belly that by now was a clear giveaway of the new life carried within. If this was how unwieldy her body already felt, then she did not look forward to the next two to three months.

A burst of color shot past her vision and Spitfire jumped.

The frazzled mare tucked her wings back down and forced herself to sit and watch the areal display. Soarin waved at her as they arced past the cloud home then sped high into the sky. Spitfire's gaze locked onto the pale blue stallion’s form as he flew with great precision, keeping in position with his peers as they looped around wild, high clouds and made the final dive toward the forest below. Spitfire smiled, delighted that her husband was on form. The whole group was doing her proud today.
With the routine finished, the group settled into single file and sped around the large course.

Spitfire rose and glided down to the second to last turn of the course. Soarin pulled a silly face as he zipped past. Spitfire giggled as she watched the pack of pegasi finish their lap. Now they were onto the final lap. With the coast clear, she flew around the turn then put on a small burst of speed, easily ducking and diving through the series of hoops that led to the final corner. Maintaining her comfortable, yet annoyingly slow pace, Spitfire headed for the finish line then pulled off to the side.

She didn’t have to wait long for the speeding pack of pegasi to round the final corner and sprint for the finish line. Seeing he was being watched, Soarin put on a burst of speed, he passed Fleetfoot and drew level with Silver Zoom, aiming to secure first place. The vibrant stallion noticed and was quick to match his competitor's speed. Faster and faster the two stallions flew till they basted past the finish line in a tie.

 Buffeted by her peers' gusts, Spitfire withdrew further to the side. Soarin arced around, returning to his wife. He pulled off a nice little flip as he drew by her side.

“How was that?”

Spitfire grinned at her husband, “you flew well, you get pie tonight.”

“Yes! Wait... I didn’t know we had any more pie.” Puzzlement filed the young stallion and he hovered there.

“You didn’t need to pull that stunt at the end. Spitfire took quite a blast of wind as you two flew past.” Malestrom reprimanded as he joined their conversion. The teacher locked eyes with Soarin then gazed the guilty looking Silver Zoom at his side who shot a brief sheepish smile back.

Alarm bells went off inside Soarin as his actions hit home. “Are you okay? I’m sorry I-”

“I’m fine.” Spitfire cut her suddenly worried husband off. “You were showing off, I get it.”

“You sure?”

“Soarin, just because I’m pregnant doesn't make me fragile.”

Green eyes surveyed every inch of the precious mare. “Right. So I still get pie?”

“Yes. There's a town nearby that should be able to fill an order for one glutton...” Spitfire smiled.

“Foaledo is a nice little town,” Maelstrom added. “And I happen to know that The Rose Down Under makes excellent pies as well as many other popular meals. I would gladly shout you all a meal there tonight if you like.”

Soarin lit up, “thank you, sir.”

The others who had followed their teacher chimed in with other words of thanks, all keen for a good night out.

The stormy blue and grey stallion chuckled. “Aside from that silly stunt at the end, you all impressed me today. Fleetfoot and Silver Zoom. Your tandem flying was excellent.”

Silver Zoom's chest welled with pride and his two toned white and grey mane shone proudly in the sun. “Well, I was leading-”

“Doesn’t stop me from being your equal.” Fleetfoot cut the cocky pegasus off.

Malestrom stared at the duo as they hovered just off the deck. “Every leader needs a good wing pony.”

Fleetfoot drifted over to Spitfire, clearly pleased with herself. Silver Zoom huffed as he began to head back up to their home.

Malestrom led the others as they leisurely followed suit.

“Soarin.”

The young pegasus in question turned his attention to his teacher.

The dark middle aged stallion took a moment, “you’ve made great progress in the last few weeks. I don’t know if it has anything to do with Spitfire being benched, but I can assure you that if you keep this up, you will pass with flying colors.”

“Thank you, sir.” Soarin grinned as he pulled off a delighted flip.

 The group of pegasi alighted on the veranda of their home and took a moment to stretch their wings and wind down.

“Since yours shouting us dinner, do you wanna come inside for a bit?” Spitfire offered.

Maelstrom lay down near the edge of the cloud veranda. “I think I’ll enjoy the view, thanks.”

Soarin settled down beside the older stallion. “So... know any other good places to eat in these smaller towns?”

The dark storm of a stallion smirked. “As a matter of fact, yes I do...”

As evening fell, the lights inside the Rose Down Under shone bright, inviting all inside into the vibrant atmosphere. A large ornate carved rose hovered over the bar. Several ponies hovered around the bar drinking with several more small groups seated at ornate circular tables. In the corner sat a certain group of students and their teacher, everypony except Spitfire had a cider next to their mostly eaten meals.

“I ate like a pig…” Soarin sighed happily as he relaxed back into his seat, meal demolished.

“That’s because you are a pig.” Spitfire playfully ribbed her spouse.

“No, he’s a pony.” Fleetfoot giggled.

“Who can eat like a pig.” Blackout smirked as he finished off his own rather large morsel.

“Speak for yourself.” Soarin shot back at the dark pegasus.

“I am. And I’m glad I can out pig you.” Blackout poked his tongue out at Soarin.

“Stallions… This isn’t a measuring contest you know.” Fleetfoot muttered.

“Hey, it can be.” Blackout straightened up. “I bet mine is bigger too.”

“Don’t go showing off, Spitfire might want her deposit back.” Silver Zoom added pointedly as he took a swing of his hard cider.

Horror shot across Fleetfoot’s muzzle. “Woah, Silver, come on...”

Spitfire shot Silver Zoom a dangerous look as she lent on the table, facing off against the stallion who had spoken out against her. “What did you say?”

“You ain't deaf.” Silver Zoom scoffed as he downed the rest of his drink, rose then headed for the door. “I’m going to cruse.”

"He's not a lightweight is he?" Malestrom stared, shocked after the moody colt. "I mean... that was one drink."

"Na. Hes just an ass." Fleetfoot replied sourly.

"Well... I'm afraid I will have to note his poor attitude toward his peers." Malestrom sighed as he resumed his meal.

"That's fine." Soarin carefully pried his wife's forehooves off the table and gave her a cuddle, "hey, you okay?"

“If he mentions our foal like that again and I’ll bash him.”

Blackout shrank back into his seat, “remind me never to piss you off again.”

Soarin began to rock his mare gently from side to side. "You're okay Spitty... I'm here..."

Spitfire sighed and relaxed into the light blue coat. “Our little one is a happy mistake. She... She...”

"I know." Soarin softly murmured back.

Malestrom glanced around the table. "Are you okay Spitfire?"

The pegasus in question noded. "I'll be fine..."

"Alright. I'm going to finish my meal in peace then head home. Unless you all want dessert?"

"What about Fire?" Blackout asked.

"If he doesn't come back, that's his problem. He knows where the house is." Malestrom shrugged and resumed his slow and steady enjoyment of his meal.

Fleetfoot smiled. "I would love some dessert."

"Yeah." Soarin rubbed his forehooves together eagerly.

Malestrom chucked. "Well go get it while it's free."

Soarin eagerly pranced off, Backout hot on his heels to order dessert.

"They could have just asked a waiter..." Fleetfoot giggled.

"Na. Food bin wants it now." Spitfire smiled as she admired the delight on her husband's face as he ordered at the bar and swaggered back.

"Miss me?" Soarin asked as he slipped in beside his mare.

Spitfire poked her tongue out at her husband. "Seat's gone cold. Where were you?"

"On an important mission." A light blue wing snuck out and fell into place over Spitfire's shoulders.

"I bet..."

Rainbow Dash strode onto the Wonderbolts training ground. This was where she was meant to be. She would show everypony just how awesome her flying was and by the end of the tour would be a permanent part of their team.

"Everpony, meet our newest member." Spitfire declared. "I'm sure Rainbow Dash will become a valuable part of the team while Fleetfoot is away. Please try and make the rookie feel at home."

Rainbow Dash smirked. Rookie? "What happened to Fleetfoot?"

"Maternity leave." Spitfire shrugged. "Team put in a vote and you were chosen. Don't let us down."

Rainbow Dash stood tall and proud, "you can count on me."

"I hope so. We will be running through some drills and warm ups. Then it's routine time."

An ever so slightly rounder Fleetfoot strode up to the collected group of Wonderbolts. "I'll guide Dash through a run. You learn quick, right?"

"Yeah."

“Good.”

Rainbow Dash banked hard and found herself out of position as the tight knit unit of pegasi swiftly passed around the large cloud. "Hey!"

The young speedster put on a burst of speed to catch up. As she pulled into place once more, Soarin caught her eye. The light blue stallion nodded once then returned his gaze forward. Rainbow Dash returned focus to the front as they looped around, dodging several other hopes and clouds before thundering toward the finish line where they split, spiraled around then landed neatly together.

Fleetfoot watched the group from the top of the headquarters building. She leaped off and glided down to meet her teammates. "Not bad. I want to run the middle with Rainbow Dash slowly a few times before we give it to her full speed again."

"I can do it."

"It’s not all on you Dash. Once you can fly with me, you can rejoin the others." Fleetfoot leaped into the skies.

Rainbow Dash sighed. It was no fun flying at pregnant mare speeds... She quickly took off and caught up to the cruising Wonderbolt. "But more fun when we do it faster."

"I want you to get the rolls and flashy group turns right. It's a lot of maneuvers to remember so pay attention. I'll be Soarin." Fleetfoot instructed.

Rainbow Dash held her peace, opting to fall into position next to the ice blue Wonderbolt.

With Spitfire nearly nine months pregnant, the traveling band of students had set up house over the Tenneighsee River near Las Pegasus on the west coast of Equestria. As they had made good time with the morning's travel, three of the team had elected to spend the afternoon in Las Pegasus. Spitfire had elected for a nice easy flight over to the sea. Soarin naturally insisted upon joining her.

Cool wind buffeted the couple as they flew at an easy pace across the bushland toward the sea. Soarin slowly led his wife through the easy parts of their routine. Despite her growing lower section, Spitfire dived slowly then looped wide. The extra drag on her lower barrel and wing strain led to her falling into a glide afterward.

Quick to notice, Soarin fell back to her side. “You okay?”

“Fine. See that inlet?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I wanna float downstream.”

Soarin nodded and blew his wife a kiss. With an easy burst of speed, the light blue colt took the lead once more and the couple began a circling descent toward the wide river below.

The light blue stallion flipped around to glance at his wife, pulled a silly face then resumed course. Spitfire rolled her eyes. Now he was being silly and annoying. There was no way her weird new center of gravity would allow her such maneuvers. However, he was just begging for a response so Spitfire tentatively allowed her dive to collect more speed.

Soarin noticed and flipped onto his back, forelegs spread out to accept contact. Spitfire lightly docked with her stallion and leveled out a hundred feet above the treeline. Enjoying their tender embrace, belly to belly, the lovers locked lips. During their tender kiss Soarin gently flipped them over.

Now upside down, Spitfire broke liplock, a light smile played across her muzzle. “You’ve got me?”

  “I do.” Soarin gave his wife a light peck on the cheek. “You’re safe.”

Vibrant yellow wings drooped as Spitfire allowed the wind to simply wash over her wings. Soarin dipped as the added weight hit. A few large flaps lifted them higher once more. Spitfire nuzzled her lover’s chin, enjoying the secure feeling of his hooves wrapped around her body. Although his grip on her upper body was perhaps a bit tight, Soarin had successfully avoided putting pressure on their growing foal. Spitfire closed her eyes and resumed pleasant, sensual nuzzles. She enjoyed the weightless feeling of being carried through the skies. Upside down was admittedly a bit unusual for extended periods, but it was still nice. A smirk crossed her face as she felt how her colt’s muscles worked to keep them together and airborne. She could even feel his building excitement and respected that he wasn’t trying anything cheeky. To test, she added a few kisses under his chin then nuzzled back in close. Right on form, Soarin’s breathing hitched a bit but he otherwise held his course.

“Cheeky minx. Time for a swim.” Soarin gave his mare a quick kiss then carefully flipped over so that he was on the bottom.

Spitfire’s wings protested at the sudden weight as they kicked back into action. She carefully relinquished hold on her husband and gained a few feet of air before allowing herself to fall into a gradual descent. Soarin pulled up alongside and together they glided below the tree level and dived into a deep looking section of the river.

The cold water sent a shock to Spitfire’s vessel and she promptly shot back up to the top. Both pegasi broke the surface gasping for air.

  “Cold!” Soarin gasped.

Spitfire laughed at her husband’s reaction as she relaxed. A few brief shivers shot through her system and she took a few deep breaths to settle herself.

“Spitty! Help! Cold!” Soarin kicked and splashed, floundering around as he fought against the cold shock of the water.

“Relax dummy! You get used to it. The water’s actually kinda nice.”

“No, it’s cold!” Soarin continued to flounder as he was carried along.

Spitfire closed her eyes. “Stop splashing me.”

 The loud sloshing of Soarin stilled and Spitfire quickly shook her face. When no further waves hit her, she opened her eyes and beheld a sheepish looking young stallion.

“You know... maybe it’s not so bad...”

“No kidding,” Spitfire rolled her eyes.

Soarin used a wing to flick some water at his mare. “Hey, just because you like the cold more than me...”

Spitfire again shook herself. “Doesn't mean you have to flounder around like an idiot.”

“Yeah, I guess...” Soarin trailed off as his eyes wandered from his mare to the thick forest around them. “This place is nice...”

“It’s private.” Spitfire kicked off and joined her husband in the middle of the wide river.

“You know... before you well... I got you pregnant... uh... this place would totally be a good spot for some loving.” The light blue stallion grinned.

Spitfire smiled at her husband. “Snuggles are nice... and loving.”

“Heh, yeah. Wanna go snuggle on the beach?”

“Sure. Gives us some time to enjoy the cool water.”

After five minutes of slowly floating downstream and the couple passed under a train bridge found themselves among sand dunes. Spitfire headed left out of the water and up the large bank. Soarin vigorously shook himself then eagerly cantered up the hill.

Spitfire smirked at the display, enjoying the view. She followed slowly up, her hooves sinking slightly into the warm sand. As Spitfire reached the top she found her husband admiring the beachscape the led off toward Las Pegasus. The cloudy city lay inland and was a distant puff of white that stood out over the treeline.
To their right, across the river's opening, lay the flat beach that led to San Pranciscolt. The distant city stood tall and proud, jutting out into the sea with many boats on the move. Small forms of ponies playing along the beach brought a smile to the young mare. Spitfire turned her back on them and returned her gaze to the side of the beach they had emerged onto.

It was peaceful, with not a single soul in sight before the beachline vanished around the coast. The dry golden sand was warm on their hooves and the wind was crisp in their manes. Spitfire closed her eyes and allowed the sun to soak into her. Sunny wings sagged as the mare enjoyed the soft breeze.

Soarin watched, a huge grin on his face. The happy stallion admired his mare, content to watch her being at peace. Away from all the stress of their course and life's complexities, it felt good to see her simply happy. This wonderful creature really was his special pony.
His Spitfire.

Soarin slowly drew close and from the way Spitfire’s smile shifted, he knew his presence was felt. The light blue stallion reverently approached the rounder lower barrel and pressed his snout against his mare’s side. He drew slow circles round and round then stopped.

He felt as much as heard the soft hum from his long time friend. Soarin tenderly kissed the spot he figured was close enough to where their foal was growing. With a dopey grin, he withdrew and found bright orange eyes watching him.

“I love you, you know.”

Soarin again pressed a tender kiss into his mare’s pregnant side, “love you too, Spitfire.”

“You sound awful serious, stud.”

Soarin drew alongside his lover. He placed a wing carefully over her back and nuzzled chin to chin. “Yeah, you’re looking really beautiful today.”

A dark comment about her harsh reality faded before it even formed on her lips and Spitfire simply smiled and kissed her husband back. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Yeah...” Soarin grinned back.

Tearing her gaze from the loving green irises beside her, Spitfire admired the windswept beach. There were tiny specs far down the beach of a few pegasi enjoying the ocean skies. Otherwise, there was not a single pony around. It was wide, wild and calm. The young mare smiled. “I think we have our own personal slice of beach.”

 “Agreed.” Soarin used his wing to gently prompt his wife and together they wandered down the large dune and began to meander along the beach.

Spitfire once again allowed her attention to drift off as she admired the waves as they washed up against the golden sand. The couple simply wandered, enjoying the moment together. Spitfire eventually found a good place to stop and together they snuggled up on a sand bank just above the lapping tide.

Neither pegasus knew how much time passed as Spitfire drifted off into a nap. Soarin lay there, holding his mare, too fascinated by her close his eyes. Here she was, his little spoon. Precious. Carrying new life that was bound to enrich the lives of many other ponies too. Each time the wind ruffled her mane he would tenderly nuzzle it back into place. A happy tingling ran through him at seeing her pretty face revealed and mane free. She was his angel.

It was so nice...

So warm...

Soarin snapped awake and quickly sat up. He was sure his power nap had only lasted a few seconds yet his body felt limp and his buried foreleg was tingling sharply. Spitfire, his wonderful mare was sleeping on his right foreleg and it felt very dead.

A chill ran down his back.

Since when was it getting cold?

And why had Celestia's sun sunk quite far down the horizon?

A yawn broke from Spitfire's maw and she stretched.

Soarin ripped his foreleg out from under her side and grimaced as sharp tingles exploded through his leg. He rolled on his back and shook it, trying to restore feeling.

Spitfire blinked owlishly a few times as she watched the light blue hoof shake madly in the air. “I think somepony is getting cold.”

“No...” Soarin refuted her. He ceased his wriggling and shuffled closer. "My leg went to sleep is all."

Spitfire nuzzled up under her stallion’s chin. “I can feel the signs. I woke up and felt that little shiver you do when your starting to get cold. How about we cruse and see if the others have made it home yet?”

“Sure.” Soarin agreed.

Soarin helped Spitfire to her feet once more. The firey pegasus shook some of the sand off her coat and flicked her wings. “I think one of my wings is full of sand.”

“I can fix that.” Soarin was quick to investigate.

Spitfire giggled as his hot breath tickled her feathers. “I was thinking of a swim.”

Soarin paused, mouth half open. The blue maw snapped shut. “That works.”

“Were you going to give my wing a preen?”

  “Uh... maybe?”

The sunny pegasus chucked. “Oh sweet, sweet Soarin. I appreciate the gesture, but no.”

“Okay.”

With a quick nuzzle, Spitfire led the way back to the stream. “Come on loverboy. Want to give me a wash in the stream?”

  Soarin lit up and was quick to catch his wife.   Spitfire laughed at his eagerness. “Thought so.”

“Hey, I’m here to help.”

“Like you need an invite. Pretty sure somepony can’t keep his hooves to himself.”

“I’m being good...” Soarin pouted, stopping in place for a moment for maximum effect.

Spitfire laughed and flashed her spouse as they crested the ridge that opened up to the river. “Then be good and help your pregnant wife clean all this sand out.”

Soarin hit the water before he even realized they were headed down the other side of the dune. The shock of the cold water was accompanied by his wife’s laughter.

“Oh, you’re so easy...” Spitfire paddled into deeper water and allowed her wings and tail to drift fee.

Soarin’s wings betrayed him. His gaze tore upward to meet her keen orange eyes.

“See?”

“You’re not playing fair, you know that’s off limits.”

  “I know. But you’re too much fun to tease.” Spitfire replied as she drifted back to her spouse and presented herself ready for cleaning.

Soarin pouted as he got to work. He ran his forelegs across his mare’s coat, carefully working her coat in the water to ensure she was as clean as possible.
His frown faded quickly, replaced once more by a tender smile filled with love.

Spitfire lay on her back, alone, on her large cloud bed. Her gaze drifted from the bulge in her lower barrel to the empty space beside her. The mare rolled onto her side to gaze out the window. Clouds passed by, indicating the team outside were making good speed toward the next location they were to set up at.

Spitfire wandered over to the bedside window that looked out the side of their home. It was hopeless. There was no way she could nap alone. Soarin was outside working and she was stuck inside feeling like a walrus. A gurgle from her belly alerted her to the pang of hunger she knew was incoming.

Choosing to ignore her body's calls for the moment she closed her eyes and allowed the wind to ruffle her mane.

A sudden beat of wings caused the vibrant yellow mare to smile. Cold lips pressed sideways to her muzzle then slipped off. Spitfire opened her eyes and saw that her grinning stallion was flying alongside her window.

“What was that supposed to be?”

“A kiss.”

Spitfire leveled a stern, unimpressed look at her spouse. “Aren’t you supposed to be flying this thing?”

“Na. It’s Silver Zoom and Blackout’s turn. Fleet is already up front on lookout.”

“Get Fleetfoot to make me something really salty.”

  “I could...”

“No touching my kitchen. You’re on watch.”

Soarin pouted. “Okay, okay. I’ll- yeah.”

With a burst of speed, the pale blue colt vanished around the front side of the dwelling. A second gurgle caused Spitfire to shoot her tummy a look. “Yes, yes. I’m about to get something already. Now shush.”

Spitfire ambled away, muttering under breath about babies and strange food.

Spitfire and Soarin lay on their cloud bed.

With another relocation all finished, it was time to rest.

As Spitfire closed her eyes, she felt movement within. A most peculiar sensation that had become something of an increasing fascination for her husband. Her foal was moving.

 “Soar.” Spitfire’s hushed whisper caused her stallion to groan.

“Yeah?”

  “She’s moving.”

“He is?”   Soarin lit up and carefully shuffled around. With great care, his ear came to rest on her lower barrel. Just then a small shift was felt and Soarin grinned.   “He moved!”

“I know...” Spitfire couldn't help but smile too.

 Another tiny movement caused the powerful colt to coo softly. He pressed a kiss softly to the pregnant belly then nuzzled the spot.

A little liquid pride pooled at the corners of Spitfire's eyes. The strange movements from within that were not her own coupled with her husband's doting love was magical. She ran a hoof daintily across her lower section. Her hoof brushed against her husband’s cheek and he nuzzled her hoof too.

  “Daddy can’t wait to see you, little one. I already love you...” A hint of happy tears shone in the stallion’s green eyes as he resumed slowly rubbing his nose into Spitfire’s pregnant belly.

Eyeing her spouse atop her bulge sent a blissful rush through Spitfire’s system. "I can't wait to see her."

Soarin locked eyes with his wife and placed another kiss for their baby. "If it is a filly, I bet she will be just as pretty as you."

"And if it's a boy... I think he will take after his father."

Soarin softly nuzzled their growing young one. "Oh yes, you will... You will be the cutest little filly or colt you will. And you will be amazing, and-"

“Please, enough with the lovey baby stuff. I’m trying to sleep!” Silver Zoom called out.

Soarin sat up in bed and shot the hallway wall dark look. "He was moving, come on..."

“Wait!” Fleetfoot threw open the couple's door. “Does this mean he's headbutting again?”

  “It feels amazing...” Spitfire smiled proudly,

Fleetfoot’s eyes lit up. "Can I feel too?"

"I claim foal mountain. It's mine." Soarin sank lower till he was between Spitfire's hind legs and placed his head on his wife's crotch. With his forehooves holding her hind legs tenderly in the air, he watched the baby bump like it was some epic mountain.

Spitfire shot her husband an odd look. "I guess..."

A groan sounded from Silver Zoom's room. Fleetfoot giggled.

Soarin watched the intruder approach like a hawk, only his eyes moved as he maintained dominance of Spitfire's hindquarters.

Fleetfoot shot the defensive stallion a look. "Cool down Soarin. I only wanna feel the baby."

Spitfire carefully lifted her left forehoof and pointed to the spot she had most recently felt her growing foal move. "Try there."

Fleetfoot carefully lent down and placed her ear against the baby bump.

Soarin watched from the bottom of foal mountain as Fleetfoot waited hopefully to feel further movement.

Fleetfoot and Spitfire lit up with joy as the growing foal wiggled a little.

"He moved... So precious..." Fleetfoot squeed.

Soarin was quick to displace his long time friend, capturing the coveted mount bump. "Mine again. Get your own baby bump. I did this."

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "And they say pregnant mares are the moody ones."

Fleetfoot giggled. "Yeah. Enjoy. Thanks for letting me have a feel."

"You're welcome Fleet," Spitfire replied.

Green eyes lit up wide and greedy as Soarin gently smothered his mare's baby bump in kisses. "So precious... all mine."

Spitfire scoffed. "It's my body."

Green eyes flickered up for a moment before returning to their prize. "Mine. No pony else gets to touch."

"Uh huh... Go to sleep Soarin."

The giddy stallion lit up excitedly again. "But he's still moving a little..."

"Sleep."

Soarin returned her stern expression with a pout and nuzzled his way down mount bump. "Mmmm..."

Spitfire giggled. "That tickles."

Soarin grinned back then placed his lips to the peak of their growing foal's bump in a tender kiss.

Spitfire drew Soarin up for a proper cuddle. "Come on stud... we all need our sleep."

"Okay..." Soarin agreed and quickly snuggled up.

With the sun low on the horizon, Rainbow Dash angled toward the large open clouds far below. A field of white led to the Wonderbolt headquarters. Up ahead, Soarin glanced back at the younger pegasus and cracked a grin. He nodded to Fleetfoot who pulled up alongside Dash as they descended.

Together the trio landed neatly before Spitfire. The staunch mare eyed Rainbow Dash. “I’m pleased to see at least some measure of improvement out of you. We only have twelve days left before your first show.”

“I think she can make it.” Soarin confidently replied.   The light blue mare’s chest was quick to inflate.

Spitfire eyed the cocky younger mare. “You’re not the one she needs to impress. I can always run the show a 'bolt down if I have to. Thank you for coming in today Fleetfoot.”

Fleetfoot smirked back. “You’re most welcome, boss. I plan on spending another two days to make sure Dash is fully up to speed.”

“Take it easy.”

“Them’s some fighting words.” Fleetfoot shot back.

“They are.” Spitfire nodded. “Dismissed.”

The fiery mare immediately stalked off. Fleetfoot hurried after her boss, quick to deliver more sass.

“That was high praise from Spitfire there,” Soarin spoke up.

“Really?” Dash regarded the pale stallion curiously.

“Yep. She normally just blasts the new recruits. Long as you keep trying to be a team player, I’m sure you can make it.”

  “Thank you, Soarin. That uh... means a lot.” Rainbow Dash stood proudly as her companion wandered toward the building.

“Hey!" Dash perked up and hurried after the relaxed stallion. "You know like... a lot of ponies, right?”

Soarin shrugged. “Yeah.”

“Maybe you know this colt... uh...”

Soarin trotted up the stairs to the Wonderbolt’s HQ. “I know a few cool stallions. Why, you on the market for somepony special?” The smirk that crossed his lips as he held the door open caused the younger mare to blush.

“I’m not after any of that sissy stuff. I’m looking for a colt called Soaring something... uh... he's got a blue colt.” Rainbow Dash halted before the grinning stallion as she considered what she had been told.

“Yeah?” Soarin thoughtfully asked as he continued to hold the door open.

Dash nodded then headed inside for the showers. “Yeah. He has a daughter called Scootaloo. Do you know him?”

Soarin froze.

Rainbow Dash made it five paces before she realized she was alone. Wondering what had caused the hold up, the speedy mare turned to investigate. “Hey, you alright?”

Soarin shook himself and quickly strode inside. “Yeah...”

Rainbow Dash eyed the thoughtful stallion as he wandered up to her. “So, do you... know this pony?”

Soarin’s shocked yet thoughtful gaze returned as he once again halted in his tracks. “What did you say?”

“The Soaring part? I don’t know his last name. Is he like a relative or something?”

“No. Scootaloo. You said Scootaloo.”

“I did...” Dash agreed slowly.
...and then it hit her.

“Wait. It’s not Soaring, is it? ...It’s Soarin.” Dash stared at the stallion before her with wide eyes.

“Yep. And if we are talking about the same orange filly. Scootaloo is in fact, my daughter.”

Rainbow Dash stared at the pale blue stallion in shock.

Author's Note

This was a lot of work...

But It's also exciting because I feel like I'm on the home straight of this story.
It's become far more than I set out for it to be, but I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Reviews would be much appreciated if this story has made you feel something.

CH16: Family Revelations

“Yep. And if we are talking about the same orange filly. Scootaloo is in fact, my daughter.”

Rainbow Dash stared at the pale blue stallion in shock as his words rolled around in her brain like a huge echo chamber. Her mouth slid open wide enough to catch flies and her eyes glazed over.

Soarin chuckled. It looked as though he had broken Dash. “Sounds like I’ve found the right pony.”

Rainbow Dash shook herself. “She- you... what? Yeah. I mean... it makes sense now... Luna meant Soarin. But... she also said she found Scootaloo's birth mother...”

Soarin grinned like a lovestruck colt and allowed his gaze to wander to where he knew Spitfire’s office was. “Oh, you’ve met her...”

“Great! Wait... I have?”

“Yep.” Soarin stood tall and proud.

“So... Who is she?”

Soarin smiled comfortingly. “Somepony awesome! I gotta tell her that Scootaloo has been found.”

With that, Soarin was a stallion on a mission, off to find his wife.

Rainbow Dash trailed behind him. “Okay... but why?”

“Why what?”

“You’re Soarin. How could you abandon Scootaloo?”

 Soarin sighed and came to a stop. “Dash. Trust me I say we just couldn’t take care of Scootaloo when she was born.”

“What? You?!? But you’re Soarin for Celestia’s sake!”

A dry laugh escaped Soarin as he turned and strode off. “How old is Scootaloo?”

“Uh... eleven..?”

“So...” Soarin gave the younger pegasus the side eye. “If I’m twenty nine... how old was I when she was born?”

A second bolt of realization hit Rainbow Dash and she stuttered to a halt. “Wait, you were a teenage parent?”

“Yep.” Soarin sighed then wandered the last few pony lengths to stand before a currently closed door.

Rainbow Dash realized they were standing before the boss's office. “Wait. Why are we here?”

  “I have to tell my wife.” A coy smile slid onto the pale stallion’s muzzle as he carefully slid the door open.

Spitfire gazed up from a heap of paper work, Fleetfoot to the left of her desk. “What do you two want?”

  “Spitfire. Dash knows our daughter!”

Spitfire’s right forehoof slipped on the papers of her desk. “What?”

“Isn’t it great!”

  The shocked mare leapt over her desk and barreled right up to Rainbow Dash. “How do you know Scootaloo? Where is she? Is she okay?”

“Wait- You’re her mom? And... And-” Clearly overwhelmed, Rainbow Dash lamely pointed at Soarin who smirked back and put a wing proudly around his mare.

“Yep.” Spitfire nodded.

“But Soarin said... You- you...”

“Yes. They married. They had a foal. They had to give her up. All before joining the Wonderbolts and going on to become some of the best ever athletes Equestria has ever known.” Fleetfoot wandered lazily over. “The secret is out. Now what?”

“But- but...” Dash stammered as her mind fought against the sheer absurdity that two of her heroes were not only together but had a child before entering the esteemed elite, the Wonderbolts.

Soarin giggled. “I think you broke Rainbow Dash.”

Spitfire eyed her spouse. “Did she tell you how she knows Scootaloo?”

“Uh... no.” His eagerness suddenly tempered, Soarin shrank back a bit.

“And now thanks to your big mouth, she knows about us.”

“But it's a great thing!” Fleetfoot eagerly added.

“How is this a good thing?” Spitfire rounded on her arctic blue friend.

  Fleetfoot backed up a few paces. “Because if Dash knows your filly, she can take you to see her. It can be a great big reunion! You do wanna see her, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“So go meet her!”

“Maybe I will.” Spitfire shot Fleetfoot a final look then rounded on the still stunned Rainbow Dash. “How do you know Scootaloo?”

“Uh... my, uh... partner and I are her new foster parents. She’s totally the coolest filly in all of Equestria.”

“Really? Now that's news...” Spitfire mused. She hurried back to the desk and took her seat. Soarin was quick to take up his post by her side. His wing slipped back into position and he relaxed.

Rainbow Dash rocked back and forth for a few moments. “Uh.. how come no pony knows about you two? You’re like the coolest ponies. Everyone knows about you.”

“And that is why.” Spitfire sourly shot back as she hastily began to collect her papers.

Rainbow Dash’s brow scrunched up.

“What?”   Spitfire sighed. She eyed the confused element of harmony before her for a few moments before she turned to her husband. “Help a mare out here Soarin...”

  Soarin gave his lover a quick kiss on the cheek. “I kinda like being able to do that around other ponies...”

“I know.” A smile played at Spitfire’s lips and she relaxed a bit.

“So... why don’t you?” Dash ventured.

“Because.” Soarin straightened up. “We are the face of the Wonderbolts. What we do when we are alone is our time. And I don’t want other ponies butting in on our personal life. It's bad enough already.”

“Besides... the ‘botz don’t exactly let young mothers in and these two doofuses were not ready to start a family... like at all,” Fleetfoot added.

“But Scootaloo grew up never knowing...” Dash trailed off, her mind still working to try and figure out how such cool ponies could just leave their daughter behind.

Spitfire nodded. “We truly did intend to come back for her. But... between the crazy lifestyle and... other things... it didn’t work out.”

“But... she’s your filly. Surely she has to know!” Dash insisted.

“And she will.” Spitfire’s iron hoof came down on the table. Silence fell. No pony dared move till the commanding mare softened a little. “I do want to see my girl. Believe me.”

“I could take you now. I mean.. Ponyville is an hour away if we fly fast.”

“No.”

Dash did a double take. “What do you mean no?”

“I don’t know. Are you sure it’s a good idea? If she's happy with you and your coltfriend... I mean. I don’t want to intrude now.” Spitfire sank onto her desk in defeat.

Dash stared at the unusually hesitant looking leader of the Wonderbolts. “Actually Fluttershy is my fillyfriend. And Second... Scootaloo would love to meet her parents.”

“Are you only saying that because we are Wonderbolts?” Spitfire half sat up.

“No. Scootaloo asked me to try and find out. She really wants to know! So I started asking around. Princess Luna mentioned she had met you two in a dream but couldn’t really remember any names. Then I talked to Soarin outside and everything started to make sense. You have to come and meet her!”

“It will be late by the time we fly all the way to Ponyville.” Spitfire shot a calculated look out the window.

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure Fluttershy and Scootaloo will be up and would love to see you.”

“I think it’s best that we wait.”

“What, why?” Dash and Fleetfoot both rounded on the uncertain head mare.

  Spitfire relaxed into her seat with a sigh. “I’m just thinking. If we take Sunday off then we can fly to Ponyville early in the morning and spend the day there.”

  Rainbow Dash perked up again. “That could work.”

“Alright. But you are not to tell anypony before we speak to our daughter.”

A scowl crossed Dash's face.   “Why not?”

Spitfire levelled her best hard stare back at the eager young pegasus. “Because I want to be the one to tell her and I don’t need word of our relationship getting out.”

“Okay. Sure. I guess...”

“Soarin.”

  “Hmmm?” The pale colt gazed lovingly into his wife’s eyes.

“I think we need to get you into the showers.” With that, Spitfire was up and dragging her husband out. Soarin was too busy grinning like a giddy idiot to protest and simply allowed himself to be led away.

Fleetfoot snickered. “Ah... when the outside world isn't looking... They never change.”

Rainbow Dash turned to follow the couple but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder.   “Give them a moment.”

“Why?” Realization flashed across the speedster’s muzzle and she recoiled. “Oh, they wouldn’t?”

Fleetfoot nodded. “Oh, they totally do. Sometimes... Trust me, it's not worth the risk."

“Yeah, but what was all that about no pony knowing about their relationship?”

“That's for outsiders. I guess you’re one of us now Dash.” Fleetfoot winked.

Scootaloo and Fluttershy sat at the yellow mare's bedroom window. The pair were admiring the sun set as they finished off their ice cream, minds on the third central family member.

“I bet Dash is having the coolest time flying with the Wonderbolts!” Scootaloo sighed dreamily. "I wonder how her first day has been...?"

"I imagine it will have been wonderful," Fluttershy replied softly.

"Why did she have to stay away? Can't she just fly home, she's super fast."

Fluttershy smiled knowingly. "Well, the Wonderbolts are training very far away."

Scooaloo licked her bowl clean then placed it off to the side in contemplation. "Do you think she will be home in time for my scan? Should we have booked it a bit later on Sunday?"

"I'm sure she will be there."

"What if they don't find anything?"

A yellow wing slid comfortably around the smaller pegasus's shoulders. "I'm sure Twilight and Luna will be able to help. I know it is daunting. But have faith. I'm sure you will be able to fly. I was a late bloomer too. Trust me, it will be worth it when you finally are able to fly... free."

A smile tugged at Scootaloo's lips. "Thanks. Hey... Fluttershy?"

"Yes?"

"Would you mind carrying me up there... take us to a cloud so we can watch the rest of the sun set?" Scootaloo asked, her right forehoof held high, indicating the clouds high above the meadows nearby.

"Why of course." Fluttershy beamed as she stood and led her excited filly down the stairs.

Once outside, Fluttershy reared up on her hind legs and scooped Scootaloo up. The orange filly giggled as wind rushed through her coat. They were off.
While Fluttershy was by no means fast, the motherly mare's slow and measured pace carried them steadily upward. The orange speedster was held firmly, underslung, in Fluttershy's forelegs.

Gleefully little wings buzzed and orange hooves stretched out into the sky. As she closed her eyes and let the warm sun wash over her, Scootaloo could imagine what flying might feel like. ...Just...faster.
But that was okay, it was nice to be in the sky with somepony who cared about her.

With a light jerk, Scootaloo realized they had landed. Her eyes snapped open and she leapt onto the cloud.

Fluttershy settled down beside her happy filly. "You know... it's not often I fly this high."

"Why not? It's cool up here..." Scootaloo eyed the view, a delighted grin upon her muzzle.

"True. But I like it on the ground with all my animals."

Scootaloo sucked in a deep breath and buzzed her wings happily. "Once I'm able to fly... I wanna live up here."

Fluttershy smiled. Her gaze wandered across the landscape and came to rest on the filly by her side.

Scootaloo glanced up at her foster mother, "Do you think Dash and me could get you to live in her cloud house or something?"

"Maybe," Fluttershy replied softly. "We will see..."

It was dark.

It was late.

Yet in the Wonderbolts headquarters somepony remained awake.

Alone in one of the barracks bedrooms at the Wonderbolt's complex, Rainbow Dash was trying to settle down alone in bed. Yet no matter which direction the young speedster lay on or rolled over to, she could not seem to get comfortable.

Her thoughts kept drifting to Scootaloo and Fluttershy. She hoped her filly had enjoyed her day. Dash's previous excitement over being able to tell Scootaloo who her parents were had been tempered by the current lack of easy sleep.
It was concerning to the athlete just how much she found herself missing her lover's presence. After years of sleeping alone, Fluttershy had ruined it for her. The sheets felt cold without the larger mare there to warm them. As the smaller of the two, Rainbow Dash was used to Fluttershy cuddling up behind her. There was no winged hug. No loving sensations. No nighttime snuggles and fun.

She was alone.

And there was nothing she could do about it now.

Dash sighed as rolled onto her back and gazed up at the darkened ceiling. "Maybe I should just fly home tomorrow night... I mean... I can handle an extra hour flying. ...there. Okay, so that might suck. Spitfire works us really hard..."

Inpatient to fall asleep, Rainbow Dash tossed and turned till she found herself on her right side. A sigh escaped her.

No sleep would be worse. And she did not feel like learning how to sleep alone again. Not that she had realized there was a difference.

...until now.

And Scootaloo's parents?

Maybe that's why Scooaloo was such a speedy young filly.

Dash smiled to herself. Imagine they fixed her pegasus magic or whatever and she learned to fly.

It would be super cool...

Fluttershy...

Scootaloo's parents... Soarin... How did those two hide it for so long?

How could they not visit?

Dumb back! Get warm already! A growl of annoyance escaped the speedster.

And where was that winged blanket?!

The mostly asleep pegasus shot up in bed. Dash groaned. The morning would suck.

Dumb brain was trying to go wandering...

With a defeated sigh, Rainbow Dash lay back down and closed her eyes and tried desperately to not think.

She promised herself that she would hurry home after the coming day's practice and deal with the consequences later.

Maybe her long flight over here could even count as warm up?

Friday afternoon. Last day of school for the week.

Three fillies burst out the school gates moments after the bell rang.

Big Mac chuckled to himself as his little sister tacked his foreleg in a hug.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hurried to the stallion, both quick to greet him.

"Can we go play in the tree house?" Apple Bloom asked hopefully.

"Long as you make time for your chores after." Big Mac replied.

"Can I do them tomorrow?" The filly asked hopefully.

"Nope."

"Awww... Not even one of them?"

Big Mac shot his sister a dry look.

Apple Bloom sighed. "Fine. Come on girls. Better hurry up."

As the trio of fillies were about to scurry off, a colt's voice caused Scootaloo to pause.

"Hey, Scootaloo. Wanna hang out on Sunday? Maybe try some more gliding?" Rumble cantered up alongside his fellow young pegasus, clearly hopeful.

"I got my scan," Scootaloo replied. "I'm booked for ten o'clock."

The colt nodded, a hopeful grin spreading across his face. "Well... Good luck with your scan. I hope we can even fly together afterward."

Scootaloo perked up. “That would be cool. You know... you could come with me to my scan if you like.”

“Me?”

Scooaloo nodded. “Yeah, that is... if you wanna come... Fluttershy, Dash and the crusaders will all be there.”

  Rumble perked up. “Sure. I would love to support you.”

A moment passed. Sweetie Belle giggled.

Rumble’s wings gave a flick as his own words sank in. “I mean-”

“I get it...” Chuckled Scootaloo. "See you there?"

"Sure."

"Alright. Bye Rumble. Girls, let's go!"

Scootaloo rushed over to her scooter and boarded it. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom jumped in the trolly behind. With a wave to Big Mac and Rumble, they hurried off. The speeding filly zoomed down the road out of town toward their clubhouse.

Speed. The wind in her mane. Her wings beating hard. The joyful cries of her friends as they banked hard around a bend and dodged two ponies. With a hefty bump, the scooter shot into the air. The happy rider held her jump, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness that came with it. The trio hit the ground with a jerk and barreled onward. Scootaloo banked hard around the next bend. The trolly swung out behind her almost pulling her scooter off the road. The trolly caved a light track into the dirt path as the driver powered onward and everything fell back into place.

Scootaloo powered onward and the Clubhouse came into view. The elated filly slowed her hectic pace and allowed the scooter to coast to a stop.

"Woohoo!" Scootaloo cried as she leapt off her scooter. "That was fun."

"I feel like you went extra fast today," Sweetie commented as she carefully clambered down from the trolly.

Apple Bloom leapt off the scooter and eyed her grinning pegasus friend. "Yeah. Does this mean you're getting excited now?"

Scootaloo nodded briskly. "Yeah. I hope they can fix me. Then I'll be able to fly here even faster!"

"What about our ride?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah' don't wanna ride your scooter. And it is kinda fun having a fast ride out here."

"Of course I'll still be able to drive my scooter too. I love having you girls with me for the ride." Scootaloo grinned as she placed her helmet on the scooter then rushed into the clubhouse.

With the setting sun low in the sky, the quiet home at the edge of the Everfree Forest was lit like a warm beacon.

Fluttershy hummed softly as she flittered about the kitchen preparing dinner for two. Scootaloo sat on the sofa in the lounge working on a piece of homework.

A sudden flare of colour at the edge of the demure mare's vision caused her to glance up. Somepony was flying over the town. Fast.

And what had caught her eye was none other than the characteristic rainbow trail. Fluttershy perked up at the unexpected return of her lover. "Scootaloo. Want to take a break from your homework for a moment?"

"Sure! Why?"

Fluttershy turned and smiled at her adopted daughter. "Look out the window." With that, she hurried out the front door, ready to greet her mare.

The shy pegasus smiled as she heard Scootaloo's excited exclamation.

The orange filly made it out the front door in time to witness their speedster's final descent.

Rainbow Dash landed heavily at the bottom of the garden path. She was promptly greeted by her family.

"Dash! You're back!" Scootloo was quick to hug her hero.

"Yeah. You can't get rid of me that easy." Rainbow Dash bragged as she fought to catch her breath.

"Is everything okay with the Wonderbolts?" Fluttershy softly asked.

The tired speedster nodded. "Of course. I just wanted to come home tonight."

"It's a long way."

"Not if you're fast like me." Dash bragged.

Fluttershy pecked her mare on the cheek. "Well, you look almost ready to fall over. Come inside and rest. I was cooking dinner."

"Dinner sounds great, thank you Fluttershy."

As the taller mare led the way inside, Dash turned to her filly. "Say Scootaloo. How's school been?"

"Okay. It's fun hanging out with the crusaders."

"Yeah? Anything else?"

"Oh, and I have my scan booked for this Sunday. Ten in the morning." Scootaloo added.

"You can count on me to be there."

"Thank you Rainbow Dash. You're the best!"

"Hey, anything for my filly." Rainbow dash ruffed the orange filly's mane playfully. "Anyway, I think I need a shower. Then we can keep catching up, okay?"

"Sure. You look like they made you work really hard today."

The speedster chucked. "They sure did..."

Rainbow Dash alighted on the wide cloud that ran in front of the Wonderbolt's headquaters.

Spitfire swooped down from the sky, pausing her drills to greet the rookie. "You look all warmed up. And just in time for us to finish our own warm up drills. I hope you were able to keep our secret?"

“Yeah.”

“Good.” With a curt nod, Spitfire turned her attention on the wider group. “Alright you lot, hurry it up! Stretches then I want your asses back in the sky for the first routine.”

“Yes Boss,” Soarin smirked as he strode over to stand next to Dash. He gave his wings a stretch. “So... how’s Scootaloo doing?”

“She was pretty excited to see me back.”

  “Heh, I bet.”

“She’s got a scan coming up this Sunday morning.”

“A scan?” Concerned, Soarin cast a questioning look at Dash.

“Enough of the chit chat you two.” Spitfire strode up to the pair.

Soarin folded his wings and gave his wife a serious look. “Spit. Scoots has some kind of scan on Sunday."

“What sort of scan?” Concern sparked across the firey mare’s muzzle.

“To see if her pegasus magic isn’t working or whatever and fix it. Hopefully, help her fly. I figured since you both are her birth parents, you might wanna be there for her.”

“Scootaloo can’t fly? So it is like the doctors said...” Spitfire sat abruptly, her countenance troubled as her mind drifted back to events years ago.

“Wait, doctors said what?” Dash stared at the silent mare before her, clearly expecting some kind of answer.

Soarin sighed. “Well, I think they suggested we almost had an earth pony.”

“I honestly didn’t believe them.” Spitfire dryly muttered.

“Did you... not come looking for her because she can’t fly?”  Rainbow Dash stared at the firey mare in shock.

“I was afraid to find out.” Spitfire admitted. “But we did try to visit her her once.”

“You did?” Dash stared back, unconvinced.

  Spitfire nodded. It was at that moment, the firey mare realized she had the attention of the whole Wonderbolts on their little conversation. “Alright everypony back to work. We have routines to practise.”

“Spitfire and I will be there.” Soarin gave Dash a little nudged with his wing. “I want to see how big she is and be there for her.”

“Thank you, Soarin.”

  “But don’t tell her.”

Dash gave her wings a flick, ready for flight. “Of course.”

“Alright,” Spitfire leapt into the sky. “Lets go!”

  Rainbow Dash shot off into the sky. She maintained her pace alongside Soarin, ready for a fun day practicing.

“Happy birthday beautiful.”

  A heavily pregnant Spitfire awoke to the grinning face of her husband. She groaned, “careful where you aim that.”

  Soarin withdrew, admiring his mare with her messy morning mane and ruffled fur. “Good morning to you too beautiful.”

"Yeah. And somepony should have washed his mouth out..." Spitfire rolled onto her side and stretched. The weight in her lower abdomen shifted as the growing foal seemed to awaken too.

Soarin scowled as he shoved his own messy mane to one side then wandered to the door. He paused as his wife groaned again.

“How many more days till I get this thing out of me?”

Quick to turn and admire his wife, a smile slipped out across the lips of the loving husband. “A month? Maybe a little less?”

Spitfire shot the grinning stallion a dark look. “Oh yeah. Cause it’s all fun and games for you.”

Soarin’s delight faded. “Hey, this is challenging for me too.”

“Oh yeah? Then stop grinning like an idiot and help me up.”

Soarin hurried back to the bedside and with well practiced movements helped his mare off the bed and onto her hooves.

 “Feels like I got an alive bowling ball in there...” Spitfire muttered as she stood and stretched again.

“Well how about we get you to the bathroom and then find some breakfast for the birthday girl and our baby.”

“I’m not lame Soarin. Just carrying a foal. Feels so big already. Like... how can it even squeeze out?”

A cheeky smirk ripped across Soarin's face and he playfully booped his wife's snout. “Well, I used to fit. Little extra encouragement and our son will come out into the world no problem."

Spitfire huffed, "Soarin. Shut up."

"Alright. I'll be good. You're the birthday girl after all." Soarin gave his wife a quick nuzzle.

He placed a wing over her back as she headed for the door.

"How was that?" Silver Zoom asked as he pulled up in front of Spitfire.

The birthday girl herself was relaxing on a small cloud, overlooking the temporary course they had set up in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Spitfire eyed the others as they took up positions, hovering nearby. "Good. I want to see what it looks like if you go single file leading up to the grand dive then fan out once half way down."

"Alright." The grey stallion nodded. "Let's run the lead in one more time and see if the captain likes it."

Soarin darted in for a quick kiss before rejoining his teammates as they flew off again. Spitfire smiled. Her free wing slid down her large foal bump and settled. Content again, her gaze returned to the speeding young pegasi. She watched carefully as they shot high into the sky then dived. As the four pegasi broke single file she could picture herself in the middle of the spreading formation. She smiled. It was good. Like a basic version of one of the Wonderbolt's famous endings.
As soon as she was free to fly again, Spitfire knew she would be out there living the action. All the moves were already committed to memory.
For now, with her foal at peace, it was oddly nice to lie on a comfy cloud and observe.

Four ponies sat around the center table in their shared cloud home. Remnants of a shared dinner lay across the table. A central overhead lamp lit the otherwise evening room in a soft warm glow. Fleetfoot, their fifth member brought a cake over from the kitchen and placed it before Spitfire. On top of the fruity looking cheesecake, eighteen candles burned brightly.

"Happy birthday to you," Fleetfoot started the classic song, quickly joined in by Blackout and Firestreak.

Soarin joined in the singing too, sneaking a hoof onto her pregnant lower barrel where it rested comfortingly. The couple shared a loving glance before Soarin boldly proclaimed the ending; "You look like my Spitfire and smell like her too!"

With that, the cheeky stallion lent in and gave his wife's muzzle a sniff.

Fleetfoot and Silver Zoom giggled as the heavily pregnant mare ribbed her husband.

"Now quick, blow out your candles." Fleetfoot prompted as she took her place to Spitfire's left.

The birthday girl glanced at the stallion on her right before glancing at the two smiling young stallions on the other side of the round table. "Thank you everypony."

With that, Spitfire took a deep breath and blew out her candles.

The contented mother to be lent back in contemplation as the room fell silent. She held everypony's attention. "You know... if somepony had told me I would spend my eighteenth birthday heavily pregnant, on a cloud house crafted under Soarin's lead... with my husband and three friends here to share the day. I would not have believed them."

"Yeah. I don't think any of us saw this coming." Silver Zoom agreed. "But I'm glad to be here with you all."

"Agreed. Although we do have trials in just over five weeks. Think you will be up for it?" Blackout spoke up.

Spitfire shrugged. "Don't worry about me. As long as you perform well, I'm sure I can brush up on the finer points in time." She accepted a knife from Fleetfoot and cut the first slice off her cake.

The sunny mare noticed her husband's eyes on the desert and slid the first offering his way. She then cut herself a larger slice. Wide green eyes followed the slice of cake as she slid her plate into position. Spitfire smiled at her spouse. "What?"

"Nothing."

Fleetfoot snickered.

Spitfire cut and distributed the rest of the cake in peace.

Spitfire was about to take her first bite when she was interrupted by a throat clearing.

"Here's to our flight leader, Spitfire!" Silver Zoom cheered as he held his plate of cake high.

Soarin, Fleetfoot and Blackout joined in the cheering. Spitfire relaxed a took a bite out of her cake. What a truly memorable birthday.

Author's Note

So this chapter started out nice and small...
Then kept growing.
Hopefully, it feels as good as I think it does.
~5 chapters left. We are on the home stretch folks. It's been a great journey to share with you.

CH17: Arrival

With the dark of night over Cloudsdale, one young stallion stood outside the residence of Tempest Wind and Stormy Flare. The young stallion knocked on the door. He proceeded to wait restlessly, shifting from side to side and glancing up and down the street.

The door cracked open and Tempest Wind peered out. "What do you want? Wait- Soarin?"

"Yeah."

"What in Tartarus are you doing here at this hour? And where's my baby girl?"

"Spitfire is at home, with the rest of the flight crew."

"Home? You mean the home you built?"

Soarin sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, surprised but nervous. "You heard about that?"

"Sure did. Now, what did you come here, past bedtime knocking on an old stallion's door?"

"Spitfire would like to see her mother."

"She would, aye...?"

Soarin nodded.

"Do I get to come too?"

The younger stallion shrugged. "Sure."

Tempest measured the younger stallion's noncommittal attitude. "Well, get in here. I'll wrangle Stormy."

Soarin wandered into the family home. He passed a series of family pictures with a young cute Spitfire and into the living room. As the older stallion headed up the stairs to the right, Soarin wandered to his left and took a seat on one of two large couches. With only one light on in the room, the tidy space felt surreal to the young pegasus. He felt as though it had been forever since the last time he had set foot in this house. Lost in his own thoughts, Soarin failed to notice the passage of time until two pegasi entered the room.

Soarin rose. Time to return to Spitfire.

Spitfire sat, half asleep, at the central dining table in her home. Just as her head was about to rest on the table she heard muffled talking from outside. The heavily pregnant mare perked up. A hopeful smile slipped out and she rushed to the door. Yellow hooves speedily opened the door to reveal a surprised Soarin with his right forehoof outstretched. The stallion grinned at his wife.

Spitfire beheld her parents. Her longing erupted from within and she hurried to embrace her parents. Stormy Flare tenderly hugged her daughter, delighted to be reunited with such a special pony. Tempest Wind had liquid pride escape his eyes as he too enjoyed the moment. The deep orange stallion wrapped his wings around both wife and daughter in a loving winged hug.

Soarin stood awkwardly off to the side of the trio. He watched the happy family reunion, content to let his mare enjoy the moment. A dark yellow wing stretched out and snagged the young stallion into the group hug.

"Don't worry Soarin. We haven't forgotten about you. You are, after all, our son now." Stormy Flare winked at the surprised blue stallion.

"Right. Thank you."

"Spitfire, can we maybe touch..." Stormy Flare trailed off as her hoof rose halfway to touch the baby bump.

Spitfire nodded. "Of course, Mom."

Stormy Flare carefully reached out and caressed her daughter's foal bump. A look of wonder filled the older mare as her hoof moved slowly around.

"Can I?" Temptest Wind tentatively asked.

Spitfire reached out and placed her father's right hoof next to Stormy's. Happy tears escaped Tempest as he tenderly followed his wife's movements. The dark yellow and orange forehooves gently felt around the top of the baby bump. The older couple shared delighted looks with each little shift from within.

Spitfire chuckled. "Feels like she's waking up in there. I think she knows two very important ponies are here.

"I bet she does, yes." Stormy Flare agreed. “And I look forward to meeting our surprise grandfoal.”

Two couples walked down the spiral staircase then settled onto the two couches positioned along the back wall. The corners of both comfortable two pony couches had been shoved out from the wall a bit so that those seated could easily share in conversation.

Tempest Wind settled down beside his wife, eyeing his daughter. "Nice place you got here. Thank you for showing us around."

"You're most welcome. It's been a great home." Soarin grinned as he slipped a wing across his wife's back.

Spitfire nuzzled under her tired husband's chin and relaxed.

"How far along are you now?" Stormy Flare asked. "Last time I saw you, it was hard to notice you were in foal."

"But now you're..." Tempest Wind trailed off, a warning glance from his wife killing any potential comments.

"About ten months and two weeks. I really just want this over with now." Spitfire complained as she lightly rubbed her foal bump. "How did you do it...?"

"Well, you weren't easy..." Stormy Flare gazed out the window, her gaze taking on a faraway look. "The last few weeks waiting is a killer, that's for sure. You surprised us by coming into the world a week early. I suspect your foal will follow her mother's hoofsteps."

Spitfire nodded thoughtfully.

"Has Soarin taken good care of you all this time?" Tempest Wind spoke up, eyeing the young stallion with a hard gaze.

"Yes. He has been amazing. Although we are out of funds." Spitfire's admittance was met by dead silence.

Soarin cast an annoyed look at his spouse. "Spitty."

The fiery mare met Soarin's gaze. "What? We are."

"I thought you said-"

"Well, I changed my mind now. Okay?"

"Okay, okay..." Soarin sagged, defeated.

"So, you've asked us here because you need some bits..." Tempest Wind settled back, not impressed at all by the news.

"No. Because I wanted to see my mother and this is the closest to home we've been in months." Spitfire retorted.

Tempest huffed, "oh, so you don't care about me anymore?"

"I didn't mean that, dad."

"Really? Soarin showed up at our door asking for Stormy and my own daughter-"

"Dad." Spitfire sat up. The young mare firmly pushed away from her husband. "I do I still love you. But you didn't give birth to me. There are some things only another female pegasus would know. So once we are done here, I want to talk to mom alone."

Stormy Flare chucked and gave her husband a shove. "Stop overreacting."

Tempest Wind shot his wife a look. "Whatever."

"Oh and Mom?” Spitfire cast her best appealing look at her parents. “Would you look after our foal while Soarin and I attend the school flight exams in three weeks?"

"For how long?"

Spitfire twiddled her forehooves as she cuddled back up to her husband. "Uh... until we find a place they can go to? I also kinda don't wanna hand over a newborn..."

"You're not thinking of keeping the foal, are you?" Stormy Flare asked.

Spitfire and Soarin shared a glance. "Well, mom... you see... Uh..."

Tempest Wind settled forward his hard gaze locked on his daughter. "Stormy Flare and I cannot raise a foal. There would be serious questions raised about where they came from. And if... And I stress IF you make it into the Wonderbolts, I highly doubt you will be in a position to raise your foal either. And do not even consider trying to raise her in secret as every part of a Wonderbolt's life gets examined and scrutinized like no other pony besides maybe Celestia herself." The elder stallion paused to eye the young couple. His gaze finally settled on Soarin and disdain flashed across the old stallion's face. "Besides, what life can two broke pegasi with sky high dreams hope to live if keep your baby?"

The young couple shared a defeated look.

Spitfire began to fidget. "I... I know. But now that our foal is so close, I’m really not sure I can give them up."

Tempest Wind sighed. “Soarin.”

“Yes?” The young stallion inquired.

“Can you fly with me. I think Spitfire and her mother need a moment.”

“Okay.?” Soarin cast an inquisitive look at his mare.

Spitfire nodded. “Go.”

Soarin placed a quick, loving kiss on his mare’s snout then slipped out of the seat and followed his elder outside.

As the front door closed behind the two stallions, Spitfire’s gaze fell to her forehooves.

Stormy Flare allowed the awkward moment to linger until Spitfire finally look at her. “You're probably better off asking Soarin's parents to help. Although I think they will also agree that you should not wait too long. I know from experience how a baby can change your whole life. And you were planned.”

Spitfire slumped into her seat. “So you say I can’t hold onto her... at all?”

Stormy Flare nodded sternly. “It’s too early for you both to become parents. Besides... You promised us that you would not keep your baby. It is because of your promise I did not recommend you abort your pregnancy.”

Spitfire’s eyes grew wide and she lightly clutched at her foal bump. “No... I- I couldn't imagine doing that.”

“Mmm..." The elder mare murmured in agreement. "That baby is a product of the love you both share. But it does not excuse what you have done.”

“But... I can’t to just leave a newborn foal at some place and hope for the best. Besides, Soarin and I love each other. What is so wrong about that?”

Stormy Flare sighed, “I expect my daughter to keep the promises she makes. Especially ones of life changing importance such as a foal.” Momentary silence fell as Spitfire contemplated her mothers’ words.

After waiting a few moments, the elder mare continued softly; “Ponyville orphanage is a good place. They have taken care of at least one extremely young earth pony. Your other option is Canterlot’s home for foals. Although I would not look at Canterlot for the care of your baby, if I were you. They can be ...less kind to young pegasi than many other places. If you wish to hide her further abroad, there is of course Las Pegasus or Filly Delphia as two other good options for a young pegasus.”

Spitfire straightened, surprised by such information. “You investigated orphanages?”

Stormy Flare nodded. “Technically, homes for foals. But yes. There are none in Cloudsdale. But I think Ponyville could offer your child a good start in life.”

Spitfire hurried to her mother and gave her a hug. “Thank you mom.”

As the elder pegasus held her daughter, she softened. A smile slid out, glad that her girl had accepted her wisdom. “Now... was there something else you wished to ask me, mare to mare?”

Spitfire shrugged as she settled back. “Kind of, yeah... um... what’s giving birth like and can I do anything to make it easier... you know, when the time comes?”

Stormy Flare settled back. A proud smile broth forth as she took a moment to consider her daughter’s inquiry. “Young lady... I am glad you asked. Because, as your mother, it would be a privilege to help you...”

“Hey girls, hows it going?”

On the balcony of their clubhouse, the CMC glanced up from their game. Smiles lit their faces as they beheld the speedy pegasus hovering before them.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re here!” Scootaloo eagerly leapt up.

Said mare smirked as she continued to hover. “Yeah, practice finished early. And I did promise to be here for your scan.”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened as she realised just how soon she was due for examination.

Nervousness flickered across Dash’s face. “I hope you don’t mind... but Spitfire and Soarin were coming to town and wondered if they could swing by and support my cool adopted daughter too.”

Orange wings stood up straight in surprise. “Really?”

Sweetie and Apple Bloom shared a shocked glance. Sweetie Belle tilted her head, “but why would they want to do that? They don’t know Scootaloo... do they?”

After a moment’s frantic thought Rainbow Dash cracked a grin. “Well, they know how cool I am. And I may have mentioned how awesome you are too, Scootaloo. So... would you like to hang out with them?”

“Of course! That would be amazing.” After a moments euphoria, the young filly’s wings fell, “but what if they find out why I’m getting the scan and don’t like me?”

Rainbow Dash scoffed. She swooped down and alighted before the clubhouse. “Trust me. There’s no way they won’t love you.”

“Y-you’re sure?”

The blue mare nodded. “Of course.”

“Look!” Sweetie Belle cried out, her forehoof outstretched toward the horizon. “I think that’s them now!”

“I think you’re right.” Apple Bloom softly murmured.

“Woah...” Scootaloo admired the flashy swirls of the incoming pegasi.

With a final flick the two Wonderbolts alighted before the club house. Spitfire smiled warmly, her gaze quickly finding the special orange filly.   “Hello.”

“Ohmygosh! It really is you!” Scootaloo gushed as she raced down the steps to greet the two legendary ponies.

Dash smirked at the display, knowing who her adopted daughter really was fawning over. “I think she’s okay with you two coming along.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Spitfire. “Are you sure?”

Scootaloo shrugged. “I mean, I never thought you two would want to do something like that for a filly you don’t know.”

A warm smile crept across Spitfire’s face as she beheld her daughter. “Rainbow Dash spoke highly of her adopted daughter and you do seem like a cool filly.”

Scootaloo grinned up at her heroes’ heroes. They were by extension, ponies that she too held in high esteem.
Although Rainbow Dash was the best. Scootaloo was sure nothing would change that. “Since we have a little time before I gotta go for my scan... could you two maybe show me a few of your coolest moves?”

Spitfire coolly eyed her daughter, wings twitching. “How about I do you one better. Want to fly with us?”

“Yea! Spitfire and I could carry you while we showcase a few cool moves.” Soarin added quickly, keenly aware that his wife was barely holding onto her cool, calm demeanor.

“Really? Awesome!” Scootaloo leapt for joy, eager to be in the sky.

Eight days after the nighttime visit of Spitfire’s parents, the traveling troupe of teenagers found themselves in Ponyville. To many, this stop off was a chance to enjoy a quick break. The end of the school year was drawing close and both Spitfire and Fire Streak’s parents had flown into town for the weekend.

Celestia’s sun had long since set and many ponies had settled down for the night. As it was a thursday, few adults were out and about seeking late night fun. Spitfire and Soarin lay snuggled up together on a lone cloud overlooking Ponyville. They were currently floating over the east orchard lake with the town hall center on the horizon before them. Behind them, some way off deeper into farmland hovered their own cloud home. Yet despite the proximity of their home, the couple continued lie, content on the small cloud they shared.

Ten o’clock passed peacefully under the pale light of Luna’s moon.

As more lights winked out below, the highly pregnant Spitfire gave her husband’s wing a brief glance as it shifted over stomach.

Soarin grinned like a love drunk colt as he gazed as his wife with adoration. “You know...”

Spitfire cast a cool look at her husband. “Hmmm?”

“It’s amazing.”

“What is?”

“You.”

Spitfire scoffed. Suddenly her midsection no longer felt comfortable. With an aggravated sigh, she shifted around to try and find another position to snuggle her husband.

“No really.” Soarin raised his wing and waited for his mare to find another good position.

Spitfire settled down again and critically side eyed her spouse.

Soarin grinned back and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “Being here with you... with a new life on the way and your parents nearby just in case. I mean, even though we’ve made some mistakes-”

Spitfire snorted as a light blue wing settled over her again. “Some? I’m still surprised school is still giving us the chance at tryouts in a month.”

Soarin nodded in agreement. “True. But your dad seems to have come around and my parents are okay to look after our son-”

“Daughter.”

Soarin sat up straighter and posed smugly. “I’m the one who determined our filly’s gender.”

Spitfire playfully pushed against her husband’s side. “Yeah. But she isn’t growing inside you now, is she? So how are you supposed to know?”

The young stallion winked cheekily. “Just you wait Spitty.”

The heavily pregnant mare rolled her eyes. “Oh I’m waiting... Waiting to see our daughter. To fly fast again. ...To feel like I’m not carrying around a packed saddlebag at all times. You know... Oh wait. You don’t.” Spitfire playfully poked her tongue out at her husband.

Soarin nodded solemnly “True. True. But I have been there supporting my precious pony as best I can.”

The young mare relaxed. A slow sigh escaped. “Yeah. We make a pretty good team.”

“Agreed.”

The couple shared a loving kiss then settled back down to enjoy the night view over the town.

Time wandered peacefully on and the cool of the night settled on Soarin. He gave a light shiver. “Wanna head back and see what your parents are up to?” The young stallion glanced at his wife and noticed she was staring off into the distance. “Spitty?”

Panic settled upon Spitfire. “Uh oh.”

“What?”

Spitfire rounded on her concerned spouse. “The baby’s coming.”

Soarin’s wings shot up in panic, “what? Now?!”

“For real this time. Quick get me to the hospital then find my mother!”

“Right!” Soarin scrambled frantically to his feet then wrapped his shaking hooves around his wife.

Spitfire shoved her partner away. “You’ll drop me if you keep shaking like that! Calm down, you’re not the one about to give birth here!”

Soarin gawped at his mare as he withdrew. He stood there frozen. Desperate to help but unable to calm himself.

Yellow forehooves clutched at her lower foal bump. Spitfire rolled sideways with a groan. “Stop panicking and hurry up! I don’t want to give birth up here!”

Soarin cast a quick glance at how near to the edge his mare’s rear was. Trying to quickly toughen up, the young stallion took a deep breath. With eyes still wide and frightened, Soarin picked his wife up and sped off to Ponyville hospital.

Just past midnight a new life was born. A tiny orange filly came into the world kicking and screaming. The whole ordeal was a haze of pain for the young mother, Spitfire. Soarin didn’t fare much better as his support led to getting his forehooves almost squeezed off. As their daughter finally came into the world, the attending nurse was quick to present the messy orange foal to her parents. Spitfire cooed softly as she accepted the most precious tiny creature she had ever laid eyes on. Both parents wore huge smiles as they beheld their daughter. Opposite Soarin’s side of the bed, Stormy Flare settled down, resting against the side of the hospital bed. She was clearly tired but absolutely delighted.

Soarin hummed softly as he nuzzled his daughter with the very tip of his nose. The filly gave a loud cry and clumsily reached for the young stallion. At his daughter’s touch, Soarin looked so overwhelmed he might faint. His wings quivered and a huge dopey grin lit up his muzzle.

“My baby... You’re perfect.” Spitfire whispered as she continued to admire her precious foal.

“Welcome to the world little one.” Soarin reverently murmured as he ever so carefully caressed his daughter.

Spitfire glanced up at her mother, “thanks for your help, mom.”

Stormy Flare drew close and placed a kiss on her daughter’s head. “Don’t mention it. It’s a privilege to support my little girl.” Tears of joy leaked down the elder mare’s cheeks. “My baby girl is all grown up... Oh, I must get your father.”

The dark yellow mare wiped at her face as she turned and hurried from the room.

Spitfire watched her mother go. As the door closed the couple returned their gaze to their little girl.

“She’s amazing Soarin. Just look at her cute little wings...”

“And teeny tiny hooves...” Soarin gleefully added as he daintily touched his little filly again.

The newborn gave another little cry but settled as her orange hoof rested on her fathers far larger one.

“You think she looks like a Blaze or a Scoots?” Soarin murmured, fixated upon his daughter.

Before the young mare could answer, Stormy Flare and Tempest Wind entered the room. The elder stallion collapsed against his wife, eyes wide. “That’s- Thats my granddaughter?”

Spitfire smiled like the sun. “Yes dad.”

Aided by his wife, Tempest approached and admired the messy new born. He glanced at Soarin’s forehooves. A smirk crept out as his gaze lingered. “Looks like Spitfire squeezed as hard as Stormy did.”

“Yeah, but worth it. Just look at her...” Soarin briefly eyed the older stallion before his gaze drifted back to his daughter.

Tempest Wind grinned as he reverently approached the bed. “Agreed. So... she got a name yet? Or we still tossing up ideas?”

The young couple shared a glance. In the silence their unspoken communion was clear. Spitfire nodded, “yes dad. I think Soarin and I have found the perfect name for her.”

“So... what have you two called her?” Stormy Flare asked impatiently.

Spitfire tore her gaze from her supportive spouse to admire her foal. “Scootaloo.”

“Yeah,” Soarin agreed softly.

“Quite a name.” Stormy Flare softly mused.

“For quite the filly.” Tempest concluded.

CH18: Family

Scootaloo cheered as she shot through the sky held in the powerful forehooves of Spitfire. The filly closed her eyes and extended her wings. The wind felt amazing and the sharp twists and turns made her feel alive. The force of Spitfire’s maneuvers as she kept pace with Soarin and Rainbow was intense! Scootaloo’s small body was yanked one way then another and another.

Scootaloo opened her eyes once more just as the Wonderbolt trio looped around some large trees. The young filly’s eyes widened as her hooves brushed the leaves. She glanced upward and caught a glance of Spitfire’s face. The champion flyer was deep in concentration.

“Soarin!”

“Ready!”

“Huh?” Scootaloo’s voice was ripped from her as she found herself shooting through the air like a rogue cannonball. Heart in her throat, the teenage filly watched as the grassland filled her vision. She was going to crash!

With a yank, Scootaloo found herself snatched out of the sky by strong pale blue hooves.

Soarin smirked at his shocked filly as he looped around to rejoin his wife. “Did you like that?”

Heart still pounding, a grin ripped across Scootaloo’s muzzle. “Again! Do it again!”

“Okay.” Soarin shot skyward and launched his daughter right through a cloud.

Scootaloo’s joy filled cry followed her. The hovering blue Wonderbolt watched as his daughter began to fall toward the earth. He smirked to himself as she crashed through a small cloud. “Aim is perfect as always...”

Scootaloo herself was all smiles as held her forehooves out in front of herself, wings out, pretending to dive bomb. She waved to Spitfire and Rainbow Dash as the two mares fell into position on either side of her.

Scootaloo began to tense and unleashed an excited cry as they pulled up in a tight U formation, looped around and around and around till suddenly they shot off again toward town. The trio banked high and fast then Spitfire released her again. Scootaloo crashed through a rather damp cloud and landed on the strong blue back of Soarin.

The stallion grinned as his daughter clutched on for dear life. He slowed down to kick a cloud. “Nice of you to drop by, Scootaloo.”

The orange filly giggled. “Thanks.”

“Your jokes are still terrible, Soarin,” Spitfire commented as she drew level with the pair.

“I thought it was okay.” Scootaloo piped up.

Soarin grinned, delighted to hear such praise.

Rainbow Dash spotted her fillyfriend on the horizon and her elated smile faded she dipped to the trio’s level and pointed to the incoming mare. “Guys, I think it’s time.”

“Awww... but that was so much fun, do it again! Please!” Scooaloo begged.

Soarin shared a giddy grin with his wife. “What if we make the trip into town fun for you too?”

“That would be super cool.”

“Alright,” Spitfire replied keenly. “Hey rookie, want to join in our game of filly toss?”

“Sure. We might shock Flutters though.”

“She’ll get over it. I’m sure.” Spitfire replied cooly as she grabbed Scootaloo from her husband’s back.

As Scootaloo felt herself leave the strong shoulders of Soarin a funny feeling passed through her. The sudden areal hug felt warm and safe. Kind of like how Fluttershy’s hugs made her feel. The odd feeling was quickly forgotten as she found herself tossed into the sky again and adrenaline flooded her body.

After carefully passing the baby around and enjoying their first cuddles with newborn Scooaloo, Spitfire’s parents took their leave to rest. Soarin's parents arrived as Stormy Flare lingered in the doorway. Dawnrush and Tyson mutly greeted the tired looking mare then took their turn to fawn over their granddaughter.

"She's beautiful," Dawnrush murmured as she beheld the tiny filly.

"Yeah." Soarin agreed.

"Hope you didn't make mommy work too hard little one," Tyson joked as he scooped Scootaloo up.

Spitfire's gaze followed her foal, "Scootaloo was worth it."

"Cool name." Tyson grinned as he tenderly nuzzled his grandfoal.

Scootaloo broke into a distressed wail and Dawnrush hastially took the tiny filly off her husband.

Tyson pouted as his wife promptly calmed Scootaloo down, gently rocking her back and forth as she hummed softly. Once Scootaloo had quietened down, Dawnrush placed the tiny orange filly back into Spitfire's waiting forehooves. Spitfire nodded in thanks.

Tyson and Dawnrush lingered another few minutes, fawning over Scootaloo. The peaceful atmosphere was broken as the door opened and a nurse walked in.

“With your permission, I just need to take your foal away for a moment.” The unicorn nurse waited for Spitfire's tired nod then lifted Scootaloo up in her magic. “Don’t worry. We just need to run a few standard tests and clean her up. You should rest.”

The shattered couple found themselves in agreement with their nurse. Spitfire eyed the door as it closed behind the unicorn. With her foal gone, it suddenly felt like all remaining strength had left her. “I could sleep now...”

Soarin turned to his wife. “Want cuddles?”

“Now? I look terrible and feel ugh...” Spitfire sank into the bed.

“Doesn’t stop me from doing this...” Soarin leaned in and gave his exhausted wife a kiss on the forehead. She accepted it with her eyes closed.

"I think that's our cue to leave," Tyson murmured.

"We will return once you've managed to rest," Dawnrush added and gave Spitfire a quick hug. "It's been wonderful to see our grandfoal."

Spitfire nodded, sleepily in thanks. "Yeah..."

Soarin gave his parents a lingering hug. "Thanks for coming."

"We would not miss this moment for the world." Dawnrush gave her son a quick nuzzle. "I'm proud of you."

Tyson withdrew and gave his wife a tug. "Alright, I think these two need some time alone to recover. We'll be back before you know it."

"Thanks, Dad." Soarin returned to Spitfire's side as his parents wandered on out. As soon as the door closed the young stallion sagged. “Wanna freshen up while we wait for Scootaoo’s tests to be finished? I can help you shower.”

“Sure. Whatever...” Spitfire dragged herself slowly up.

Soarin hastened to help, cutting her efforts off and bearing her tired body.

The couple quietly showered and then wandered back into their private room. They eyed the bed their foal had been born on. Spitfire rubbed at her much smaller, but still not entirely back to normal tummy. “Feels so weird to be thin again.”

A cheeky smirk crossed Soarin’s muzzle. “I can always fix that.”

Spitfire shot her husband a dangerous look. “Not funny Soar.”

“I... yeah. I take that back.” He wrapped his wife in a loose hug.

The tough mare collapsed into her husband’s hooves. “Good. Cause right now, I don’t want to through that pain again...”

“So... cuddles?” Soarin tentatively asked.

Spitfire nodded.

The blue stallion pressed a kiss to his wife’s snout. “One sec, I’ll just clean up so we can nap.”

Soarin hurried to the bed and shoved the sheets off the other side. Presenting a cleaned bed, he eagerly assisted his mare back up and they quickly settled into cuddles. Soarin lovingly wrapped his wife in a hug and laid his wing over the top. As blue feathers settled over yellow, the young mother’s eyes fluttered closed.

“I’ll wake you soon as our girl is returned,” Soarin murmured.

With no response, the young stallion withdrew slightly to check. She was asleep.

“You did good Spitty. I love you.” Soarin allowed his eyes to close too.

The room fell into peaceful silence for a few moments till the door creaked open. Soarin eagerly met the eye of the pegasus who had wandered in. The mare carried fresh sheets but was otherwise unburdened. She was quick to notice the dumped bedding.

“How long is our daughter gonna be out there?” Whispered Soarin.

“Should be anytime soon sir. I’ll just take your sheets and leave this in case your wife wakes up...” She placed the fresh bedding on the chair next to the large bed.

Soarin simply nodded then returned his attention back to his mare. He ignored the shuffling and relaxed once the door closed again.

The young stallion did his best to keep watch. Yet as the early hours of the morning brought forth the dawn and the sun rose, Soarin realized he had dozed off for an hour or so at some point. Yet even as Soarin’s belly rumbled, demanding breakfast, he refused to acknowledge it.
Where was Scootaloo..?

A nurse poked her head into the room and eyed the young couple.

“Hey, nurse.” Soarin quietly addressed the pale blue unicorn.

The young looking unicorn mare perked up. “How may I be of help?”

“Uh... where’s our baby? I thought she would be returned to us by now.”

The unicorn glanced down at her notes with a frown and paused. “One moment. I will find out.”

“Thanks.” Soarin scowled once the attendant turned her back. He wondered why their little girl was still gone and how the staff could possibly not know where she was. Surely her scans and stuff had been finished ages ago, right?
After a few moments, Soarin grew bored. He began to fidget and play with the yellow feathers in reach.

A giggle broke from the sleeping mare and Soarin froze. Maybe it wasn’t a great idea to wake Spitfire right now.

“Whaaa...” Spitfire mumbled. She cracked one eye open and met her husband’s gaze. “Wheres-”

“They’re looking for her.”

“Looking?” Spitfire gave a shake and rounded groggily on her husband. “What do you mean looking? Did our baby get lost?”

A frantic swirl of emotions blasted the young stallion as he tried to calm his wife. “No. Bad choice of words..! She’s fine. It’s all fine. They will be bringing her in soon.”

Spitfire relaxed. With a huge sigh, she sank back into her husband’s loving hold. “Oh thank goodness...”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you panic dear.”

“Just... don’t do that again.” Spitfire closed her eyes and snuggled back up to her husband.

Centred within the lower levels of the castle of friendship, there were two large rooms. One played host to Twilight’s experiments and was packed with all kinds of weird and wonderful objects.

Opposite the experimental space was the castle hospital. A sterile space that had mostly been used to treat small injuries the six mares had suffered in their adventures. The hospital bay currently had two unicorn doctors, Twilight and Luna standing over Scootaloo, who lay on the operating table in the middle of the room. The filly in question was deep in a magical sleep with a bright pink and blue swirl of the two doctors surrounding her.

On the far side of the room Scootaloo’s parents, both by blood and adoption watched on. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom sat side by side, torn between watching and trying to not pay attention to the magic that surrounded their friend.

After some quietly exchanged words, the unicorn’s magic faded. Luna nodded in thanks to the pair as she powered up her own horn. The two doctors stepped up alongside their charge and watched carefully their horns smouldering with magic, ready to help if required.

Aided by Twilight, Luna plunged her magic into the young filly. The pair wove spells together in a swirling matrix of dark blue and purple that lit the room with an ethereal glow.

Luna straightened up as her magic found exactly what the two medical ponies had found. “Twilight, feel that.”

A frown slipped across the younger alicorn’s face. “There’s nothing there.”

“Feel my probe. Tis there. Exactly as described by thy staff.”

After a moment of deep concentration, Twilight perked up. “Wait! it’s faint... I think I can feel... something?”

“That is her well of pegasus magic.”

Twilight’s magic faltered for a moment.

“Focus, Love.”

“Sorry!” Twilight’s horn flared as she hurried to reestablish the link. “But ...how? It's so low and unusual.”

Luna leant forward as she continued to work in silence for a few moments.

Sweetie leaned toward Apple Bloom, “what do you think it means if her pegasus magic is low? She hasn’t used it up already has she?”

“No.” Spitfire sighed. “I don’t think she was born with as much as a normal pegasus. Or... it was... not right in some way.”

The two fillies looked up at the older mare in shock.

“How do you know?” Sweetie Belle wondered out loud.

“Can I please have Scootaloo’s parents over here?” Luna asked as the magic from her horn blossomed.

“Um, sure.” Soarin stood and led his wife over to their daughter.

The two fillies shared a shocked glance. “Her what?”
“Parents?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “My cool little filly has the two coolest Wonderbolts as her mom and dad. Isn't that awesome?”

Sweetie Belle fainted.

Apple Bloom looked at Rainbow Dash like she had grown a second head. “But- but... what? How?”

Early morning in Ponyville general hospital, a young couple was asleep.

A knock on the door sounded.

Both ponies jolted awake.

“Uh, come in,” Spitfire called out.

An older unicorn mare strode in. She carried a tiny wrapped up foal. Hints of orange and cerise peeked out from the soft white fabric. “Hello. I am returning your little bundle of joy.”

Both parents lit up with joy. Spitfire tenderly plucked the foal from the other mare’s care. “Thank you.”

Soarin blinked back a few tears of joy as he lovingly nuzzled his baby.

“I have a few questions. If you don’t mind.” The unicorn spoke up.

Soarin glanced at his wife, still busy doting over their foal. He shrugged. “Sure.”

“During your pregnancy, were you involved in any major crashes?”

That caught the attention of the young mother. Spitfire glanced up from her baby and gave her husband a wary look. “No.”

“Have you consumed any alcohol?”

Spitfire huffed. “What do you think? I was underage till a week ago.”

“Is that a yes, or a no?” The nurse continued to stare.”We don’t judge. But if am to be of any service, I must know.”

“She’s been good,” Soarin interjected then gave his mare a quick nuzzle. “Don’t worry.”

A sigh escaped the older mare. “Well… what about a big fight and serious damage to your lower barrel.”

“I- No. Wait… My father did hit me once. But it was very early in the pregnancy. Before I really started gaining weight.”

The nurse sighed. “How bad was it?”

“It hurt. But didn’t break anything or keep her down for long.” Soarin spoke up.

The unicorn’s horn lit and she again scanned their baby. “Unfortunate. But It sounds like your father did not do this. One final question; have you over exerted your vessel at any during your pregnancy? The likes that would have required a great deal of bed rest to recover."

"Well, no. Soarin made sure I didn't do anything too stupid." Spitfire replied. Her husband grinned, clearly pleased with the mention. With a shrug, the young mare continued; "most I can think of is a few of the fun nights we had in bed."

Quick to catch on, a brief smile cracked the serious nurse's lips. "I can promise you, there is nothing wrong with a little loving. Especially with a husband who appears to be so caring." The budding smile faded as she gazed at the foal for a few sombre moments. "I hate to tell you both this, but your foal appears to have a rare magical imbalance.”

Yellow hooves tightened around the precious young filly. "Get lost. Our foal is perfect." Spitfire gave the unicorn a dirty look.

"I am quite serious."

Spitfire scoffed. “How do you know about this if it's so rare?”

The nurse sighed. “Because I’ve seen it before. Once when I was fresh out of med school. Then one other more recent case in a small hospital just outside of Las Pegasus.”

“And what happened to the foals?”

“They, well...” The nurse glanced down at the tiny filly as silence fell. A resigned sigh escaped the older mare. “They never flew.”

“What?” Soarin exclaimed.

“Excuse me?!” Spitfire sat up.

Jostled by her parents' outburst the babe began to cry. Both young parents shared a panicked glance. Spitfire frantically tried to calm her foal down.

Scootaloo cried harder as her mother rocked her back and forth.

“Let me try...” Soarin announced as he snatched Scootaloo up and began to coo very softly as he swayed very slowly. So dainty his movements were, it was almost as though he expected to break his precious charge at any moment.

Scooaloo’s cries slowly faded till she gave a little stretch and snuggled deeper into her surprised father’s hold.

“It... it worked..?” Soarin gazed down at his daughter, filled with joy but also totally shocked by his own success.

Spitfire scowled enviously at the stallion by her side. She held out her forelegs demanding the return of her babe.

Soarin grinned impishly back. "She's mine too hon." At the cheeky stallion's whisper, Spitfire poked her tongue out at him then settled down.

Victorious, Soarin very slowly snuggled up to his wife and angled himself so that their daughter slipped into a shared cuddle. There in the middle, she safely lay, able to feel the slow rise and fall of both parents warm chests. With a contented nicker, she closed her eyes once more.

“Sorry...” Spitfire whispered to their guest.

“No, I understand. It can’t be an easy thing to hear. I’m sorry for bearing bad news at such a happy time.” The unicorn nurse glanced down at the tiny filly and a sad smile lit her face.

“Are you sure both ponies never flew?” Soarin whispered.

The nurse nervously glanced down at her clipboard. “While I admit... I never saw them grown up, I do not recall reports of either pegasus flying in their youth.”

Spitfire and Soarin shared a concerned look. The young mother shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it... no. Scootaoo will fly.”

The nurse backed up a little. “I’m sorry. Her wings will function, that much I can assure you. But without the proper magic to back it up, she may never fly.”

That got Spitfire's hackles up again. “Are you saying I may as well have birthed an earth pony?”

A disgruntled cry from Scooaloo caused the angry mother to relax. She shot the elder nurse a dirty look.

“I...” The nurse stepped back from the suddenly angry mother. “No. But please consider that your filly may be safer if you find someplace outside of Cloudsdale to raise her. Someplace on the ground. Like... here or Canterlot.”

A look of horror was passed between the young couple. Soarin gawped and stuttered a bit, unable to comprehend quite what he was being told.

“No... it can’t be...” Spitfire clutched her precious baby close as if to guard Scootaloo against the bad news.

Several moments of awkward silence followed.

“I’ll give you both some time.” The nurse ducked away. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you for sharing... that... uh-” Soarin sighed. “And she's gone.”

“She has to fly... she must.” Spitfire tenderly nuzzled her baby.

“She’s our filly. Of course she will.” Soarin placed a loving kiss on his mare’s head.

“But what if the nurse is right?”

“Then...” A long, slow sigh broke forth from the young stallion. “I guess our choice of orphanage might just be the safest place for her after all.”

CH19: Showtime

In the clean, white hospital room two tired parents were woken by their foals cry.

Spitfire moaned then lay back. “Make her stop...”

“I think she’s hungry,” Soarin commented as he tried to restore peace, gently rocking his daughter back and forth.

“Hungry?” Spitfire sat up.

“Yeah, maybe try nursing her.”

Spitfire blinked twice, then slowly it dawned on her and she nodded. “Oh... Right...”

The young mother took her distressed filly from Soarin and Scootaloo was quick to accept her first meal.

Green eyes followed the intimate act between mother and foal. He smiled tenderly. Their baby was absolutely precious.

“Don’t go getting any ideas,” Spitfire warned.

“What?” Soarin met his wife’s stern gaze.

Spitfire continued to give her spouse a dry look. “I see where you’re looking.”

Soarin drew his wife in for a winged hug. “Well yeah, our daughter looks so cute, I can’t take my eyes off her. Even when she’s having some milk from her amazing mother.”

Spitfire relaxed and snuggled back up to her husband. The room fell into peaceful silence. With a loud burp, Scootaloo announced she had finished and promptly settled down for sleep again.

Unable to believe the amazing tiny pegasus they had brought into the world, both teenage parents shared starry eyed looks.

In Twilight’s laboratory, several eyes watched with surprise as Soarin and Spitfire reached Scootaloo’s bedside.

The two Wonderbolts shared a look as they stood next to the bed their daughter lay on. Opposite them stood Twilight and Luna, the latter, horn aglow and eyes closed.

Twilight glanced down at the sleeping filly. “While this also requires the permission of Scootloo’s guardians, I first wanted to ask, do you both consent to the use of experimental magic to restore your daughter's flight?”

The Wonderbolt couple shared a look. Soarin shrugged. “Uh, if it’s Scootaloo’s best bet to fix her pegasus magic or whatever is wrong. Then sure...”

“Okay. Well... from my research, I think it’s possible to help Scootaloo by restoring her well of pegasus magic. I’m pretty sure it can be done, even if it was impaired since birth. However, it requires tapping into the magic well of her parents. Ideally both at once.”

Soarin glanced at his wife. The shocked yellow pegasus looked back, unable to believe her ears. “She can be fixed?”

Soarin smiled back. “I think that’s what she just said.”

Tears threatened to break free as Spitfire smiled. “How did we not try something crazy like this before?”

“I can’t promise the spells will work.” Twilight broke the pegasus couple’s conversation.

“But it might work?” Soarin was so eager, his wings rose and a goofy grin lit his face.

“Luna and I have tested the magic and it seems to function as it has been designed to.” Twilight’s measured response was guarded, almost as if she expected something to go wrong. “But we have never connected parents to their foals’ well of pegasus magic with the intent of repairing a broken well. It could have unexpected effects on you both.”

“I don’t care if I never get to fly again.” Soarin’s slow, thoughtful response was laden with love for his daughter. “But if it works, and Scootaloo can fly... I’ll be happy.”

“I want to see our daughter fly.” Spitfire added.”But please, be careful.”

The two doctors strode back to the small group and took up position at the head of the small bed. The blue unicorn spoke up, “Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash agree to the procedure. We are ready to assist you, Princess.”

“Thank you.” Twilight’s horn began to glow.

The pair of unicorns nodded and the bright glow of magic from several ponies lit the room.

Soarin braced himself as tendrils of purple magic entered his body. The sensation ticked and felt immensely weird. Just as he was about to relax into the feeling he felt his wings sag. What felt like a black hole appeared deep inside his being. A weight came crashing down on the stallion. Soarin’s attention was drawn to his wife as she gasped and hunkered down as if under a great weight. Yellow feathers touched blue as limp wings met on the floor.

Scootaloo found herself in a dark grassland. There was a faint purple glow across the sky and stars were peaking out from the canvas above. She could somewhat make out trees in the background. The rolling country hills made her think of the farmland near her friend, Applebloom’s home. This strange land was both surreal and relaxing at the same time.

To her surprise, two shapes began to materialize close by.

“The magical link is stable. Twilight, are you ready?” Luna’s voice startled Scootaloo.

“Wow... I was not expecting this...” Twilight gazed around.

Scootaloo stared at the two adults. “What are you two doing here? And where am I?”

“This...” Twilight paused to consider her next words “Is deep inside your mind.”

“Think of it like like a sort of dreamscape.” Princess Luna added softly.

“Oh, so I’m dreaming?” Scootaloo’s attention drifted to her bleak surroundings.

“You are asleep.” Princess Luna turned to Twilight, “how is the connection?”

Twilight’s horn glowed. After a few moments she smiled, “they match, just like you said.”

“Who match?” Scootaloo asked, confused.

Twilight smiled. “The ponies that make this whole operation possible.”

“So... who are they...?” Scootaloo wondered.

The purple princess merely smiled. “You’ll see.”

“Now relax.” Princess Luna spoke up. “I have located thy well of pegasus magic and am about to attempt something that will require considerable concentration.”

Twilight nodded, “Ready.”

Scootaloo took a deep breath and sat nervously on the soft grass. She felt a tug on something deep with herself. Something she had always assumed was normal, suddenly felt flat and shockingly empty. Luna’s horn flared and Scootaloo cried out in pain as pegasus magic swirled in blues and yellows into her small vessel.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash watched in awe as magical shapes formed around the six ponies who stood at Scootaloo’s bed. Large dark blue and purple squares solidified and then began to rotate around the seven. A dark circle formed on the floor around them and a mist began to spread outward. Thin strands of yellow and blue magic slipped out from Spitfire and Soarin’s chests and floated slowly toward their daughter. Scootaloo cried out in pain as the tendrils impacted her middle. Fluttershy whimpered. The tough blue mare was quick to hug her lover, nuzzling her softly as she continued to stare at the spectacle. Applebloom hugged her unconscious friend, worried.

Scootaloo’s faint orange magic mixed with that of her family. A thin orange trail connected with her parents. All the magical tendrils shook suddenly as a burst of magic from Twilight and Luna caused the rotating shapes to collapse in on the pegasus family. Scootaloo gasped. A forehoof stretched out as though she was reaching for something.

The ponies watching on held their breath, all eyes upon the filly on the bed as her hoof continued to reach upward, her eyes closed and wings loose.

With another burst of magic from the two princesses, the blue and yellow swirls seemed to quickly overpower the faint orange glow. The two parents sagged as though struck and Soarin collapsed into his wife’s side.

“Is... is it working?” Fluttershy wondered as she partially hid herself underneath Dash’s wing.

In the faintly lit mindscape of Scootaloo, the young filly found herself glued to the spot in the middle of a large dark blue and purple circle of magic. The once peaceful night landscape felt wired with unfamiliar and overpowering magic. Luna’s whole body was aglow as she continued to work. A beam of magic shot out from Twilght’s horn into the sky.

Scootaloo’s gaze followed the purple beam up till she saw a giant hole in the dark sky. A sunny glow peaked through the darkness but did not light the world below. Scootaloo watched, eyes wide as the forms of two pegasi darted across and vanished back into the dark beyond. Lingering in their places were sparkles of blue and yellow light. Scootaloo gasped, admiring the spectacle.

She found herself reaching out to the two very important souls who had graced the border of her mind. Somehow, she knew they were important. Their magic just felt right. It felt powerful. Like it was magic that should be inside her too.

She glanced at Twilight and noticed the alicorn looking at her, eyes aglow with magic.

Twilight gazed upward once more. “It is ready.”

With another burst of magic from Luna, Scootaloo found herself floating up, up, up. She reached out, hoping to touch the two ponies who had flown above the dark sky. Suddenly, Scootaloo realized that she had almost reached the lingering lights.

Something urged her onward and she gave her wings a flick. With a start, she realized their motion had carried her closer to the lights. With an excited whoop, Scootaloo flapped her wings hard and flew headlong into the welcoming magic. Excitement bubbled up within. Whoever these ponies were that left the sparkles behind for her, they were fast and they were family. She felt connected to them in spirit and magic. Despite the invasion of two minds and magic Scootaloo couldn’t help but smile. Whatever this was, it was making her feel amazing. Almost like she could do whatever she wanted, even flying.

Another blast of magic from the princesses below buffeted the filly. The family feeling magic that had taken up residence within began to settle. It overpowered her own meagre pegasus magic and flooded her mind. Her vision flashed sunny yellow and sky blue. The dark world around her was lit to near blinding levels that blasted through her raised hoof and hastily closed eyelids. Unable to take any more of the magical invasion, Scootaloo felt herself falling. The filly frantically flailed about with no feel for what was up or down. With a desperate cry for help, she blacked out, her mind and body unable to take anymore.

The last thing the young pegasus heard was some pony swearing in old equish and a tired male voice;

“Did it work? Spitty!”

A week after the birth of their foal, the new addition to the family was introduced to the floating home they shared. At the sight of the arriving family, Blackout and Fleetfoot rushed out to the porch to greet the trio. Both young pegasi wore warm smiles.

“This is Scootaloo.” Soarin declared with a tender smile as he touched down and indicated the foal wrapped up in his wife’s hooves.

Spitfire smiled tenderly at her baby.

“She’s cute. But how are you gonna hide her when we go for our showcase in two weeks time?” Blackout asked, a light grin on his face.

Spitfire shared a glance with Soarin. “His parents have kindly offered to take her in. As long as my body goes back to normal, I expect myself to keep up with you lot.”

“You’re gonna have to work had to make that new mom look go away...” Fleetfoot commented.

Spitfire levelled a warning glare in response.

“What, just saying, as your friend and team mate. It's kinda obvious right now and that's before I even look at the adorable foal you’re carrying.” Fleetfoot gave a flick of her mane as she slowly approached, her gaze on the baby.

“Do you think... uh, maybe I could hold her?” Blackout asked as he slowly approached.

Spitfire nodded, “sure. I guess I can trust you with our baby.”

“And what about me?” Silver Zoom’s voice was soft and careful as he stepped out onto the porch.

“After how well you’ve been leading the troops in my absence, and have kept out little secret. I trust you to hold our Scootaloo, although Blackout did ask first.” Spitfire smiled at the grey colt.

The black stallion carefully accepted the foal and a huge grin slipped out across his face as he beheld the precious young babe. “She’s... so tiny...”

“I know.” Soarin placed a wing tenderly across his mare’s back.

Silver Zoom watched on, “Ya know, I really didn’t think this was a good idea. But seeing you two’s daughter...”

“She is as beautiful as her mother, right?” Soarin eagerly responded, “and I can totally tell she will go on to do some amazing stuff.”

Silver Zoom rolled his eyes, “okay, now you really sound like a new dad.”

Fleetfoot giggled. “Where did Soarin go?”

A scowl ripped across Soarin’s face. “I’m right here.”

“But Soarin’s like cool, not all mushy over babies.” Fleetfoot grinned back.

The new dad daintily took Scootaloo back off Blackout with a thankful nod. “Well, maybe it’s because she's mine.”

Silver Zoom winced, “Oh... I think I can see a problem...”

“What problem?” Spitfire challenged.

“Well, you two had promised to give her up right? The way you're talking... I get the impression that will be real hard.” Silver Zoom lightly winced, as if expecting a strong retort.

Spitfire sighed. “Don’t remind me…”

Two weeks after the birth of their foal, Spitfire and Soarin returned to their school, ready to show their teachers just how much they had learned in their time away.

The school’s wide open playground and surrounding skies had been converted into a stadium for the end of year exams. Rows of clouds for observers to sit on lined the sides while pillars, hoops and other obstacles dotted the sky. There was a large collection of parents present, ready and waiting to watch the show.

The elite group of students led by Spitfire strode out onto the large pad on top of the classrooms. A collection of teachers and external advisors were present.

Soarin spotted one particular pegasus present in a blue flight suit and gave his wife a nudge. “Look Spitty.”

“Yes, I can see him. Now stop staring.”

Soarin huffed.

Blackout caught Soarin’s eye and grinned. “Dude, that is-”

“Alright quiet, I hope you five have a a plan to start our school showcase with a bang.” Mrs. Sweet's sharp tone made the group stand up straight, all banter forgotten.

“Yes, Mrs Sweets,” Spitfire replied dutifully.

“Glad to hear,” their teacher, Malestrom smiled. “And since you five are some of our best fliers, I thought it would be a great idea for you to lead off today's showcase.”

Spitfire glanced at her companions, “then I guess we’ll start this with a bang.”

Silver Zoom nodded, “Yeah, let's go.”

The young stallion took the lead and the five pegasi strode to the edge of the wide cloud.

Maelstrom strode to the left most edge of their large cloud. “Ready?”

The five pegasi couched, wings out.

A bang echoed from the opposite end of the stadium. Spitfire immediately leapt forward and shot out into the open air. Silver Zoom quickly pulled to the front of the unit and they took on a V formation. Spitfire and Soarin to the right, Blackout and Fleetfoot to the left.

The group flew a loop around the grounds before swooping toward the middle. They broke off the formation as they soared upward and each pony gracefully swirled around and around before reuniting near the low clouds. From there they shot off and took several hard turns around the obstacles loosely hanging around the course.

Upon completing the loose obstacle course, the group broke into two. Fleetfoot took the lead of her smaller group while Soarin led Spitfire away from their teammates. The two groups began to spiral as they flew over the heads of their classmates. Soarin and Spitfire kept an especially tight formation as they looped around. The light blue stallion was careful to maintain a slip stream for his wife to follow.

Although she was a capable flier and keen to show her best, Spitfire stayed nose to his tail. Mirroring the trio on the other side of the stadium, they shot through hoops, zig zagged around clouds then zoomed toward each other.

The five pegasi sped toward the center of the grounds, reuniting as a single unit once more.
Blackout and Soarin banked hard to avoid each other as they corrected course then sped off high into the skies above. As they reached the apex of their ascent, the group spaced out along a straight line and as one, plummeted back down toward the clouds below.

Spitfire found her body screaming at her to slow down as they cut their dive at the last moment and shot across the low clouds. Just before hitting the judges pad, they looped upward, breaking off into five faint trails of speeding pegasus. They all zoomed toward the wide open cloud and landed together.

Blackout and Spitfire both landed a bit hard but were quick to recover and stood tall alongside their teammates.

Cheers broke out from the ponies in the stands.

Their teacher smiled as he approached the recovering pegasi. “That was quite the performance. I’m surprised that Soarin led the duo.”

“I wanted him to.” Spitfire quickly replied.

“Yeah, hopefully I showed that I’m not just Spitfire’s second,” Soarin affirmed.

Their teacher cast a brief meaningful glance at Spitfire. “Fair. I have somepony who wants a word in private.”

“You mean, Fire Streak wants to see us?” Fleetfoot eagerly spoke up.

The pale firey grey stallion with a two toned orange mane leisurely sauntered over. “Got that right. Follow me.”

The five young pegasi shared brief looks. With a wild grin, Soarin was quick to lead the way off the rear of the platform.

The fiery young wonderbolt was quick to nip past the students and he took to the skies with a burst of speed.

Spitfire and Silver Zoom reacted quickly and led the party as they trailed the speeding pegasus. Fire Streak led the students in a quick loop of the school. He darted around classrooms, obstacle clouds and through hoops before finally landing on a cloud above the front gate. The five students were quick to join him, each carefully slowing their flight before elegantly landing on two nearby clouds.

Soarin gave the cloud he shared with Spitfire a quick shunt. The couple eagerly turned their attention to the young star who sat before them.

The Wonderbolt gave the split group of ponies a careful once over glance. “Interesting choice. You five like to partner off like this?”

“Yeah, this just sorted worked out best.” Silver Zoom replied as casually as possible. “Besides, Spitfire and I didn’t always get on at first.”

“But now?” Fire Streak asked.

“Oh, we’re fine now,” Spitfire spoke up.

“Glad to hear.” Fire Streak mused. “So... if I was to say... personally recommend you to my peers...”

“That would be super cool.” Fleetfoot grinned eagerly.

“Heh, yeah. The life of a professional athlete is a lot of work. I take it you all know we also function as a military unit and assist with natural disasters and the like.”

“You... don’t have to go and actually fight though, do you?” Blackout tentatively asked.

“Well, sure. I’ve been recently training with hoof and wing blades.” The firey stallion noticed the shocked expressions on the pegasi before him and chucked. “Heh, don’t worry. I haven't had to use any of that yet. We usually just help out when the weather goes a little whack or Cloudsdale runs out of snow. You know what, forget I said anything. I’m just filling in and may have forgotten the brief when Wind started yelling at me.”

“Right.” Spitfire nodded slowly. “So, you liked our showcase?”

“Oh yes. It really felt like a junior version of one of our smaller shows.” Fire Streak noticed the next group had lined up on the large cloud, ready for action.
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that from what I've observed, you five will be recommended by me to apply for our official Wonderbolts tryouts and training early next year. I have especially high commendations for two of you in particular. But your performances at our tryouts will be the deciding factor. Now, I must get back to my post. It's been nice seeing your skills live!" With a flash of fiery orange, Fire Streak flipped off his cloud and sped back to the large platform at the end of the school's stadium.

Spitfire hugged Soarin then sped off straight up into the skies. “We did it!”

Soarin grinned as he watched his teammates on their cloud also celebrating. Fleetfoot leapt across and gave the grinning stallion a quick hug.

“Come Soarin, gotta tell our parents!” Spitfire landed next to her husband and eagerly dragged him away.

Fleetfoot waved at the departing couple. “Hey, guys. Do you think they would let us stay in our cool house if we all get in?”

Blackout landed next to the grinning mare, “that would be a dream.”

Silver Zoom swooped over, “I agree. And a pretty cool dream at that. Now I don’t know about you two, but I’m going to follow those two.”

“Gotta brag to mommy?” Fleetfoot smirked.

Silver Zoom snorted, “I’ll sound cooler than your bragging.”

Blackout chucked as their friend and third teammate departed. “Is it just me or has he gotten way nicer?”

Fleetfoot nodded, “yeah. Let's go.”

“Race ya.” The black stallion crouched down, ready to fly.

The pale blue mare flicked her wings. “Three, two, one - go!”

The two teens shot off toward the clouds where their parents were seated, eager to share the good news.

CH20: Decisions

To Spitfire and Soarin, the final month of schooling felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. The couple were surviving on far less sleep than they were used to while also trying to appear as normal as possible for school. Many mornings when they had to drag themselves to school, their teacher noticed their quiet struggle. Those days Spitfire was allowed to find a place for a quick nap during lunch while Soarin did his best to pretend nothing was out of place.

Soarin’s parents faithfully cared for Scootaloo by day. Stormy Flare would often stop by to see her grandfoal and help out. Tempest Wind on the other hoof, seemed to be working even longer hours than normal. Spitfire and Soarin’s friends saw the baby more than he did.

Once school ended for the year, Spitfire and Soarin found themselves with close to two months before tryouts for the junior Wonderbolts tryouts.

Once a week Temptest Wind and Stormy Flare would stop by together and without fail the tough overseer of the Cloudsdale Rainbow Factory would make mention of Ponyville orphanage. Each week his daughter asked for more time.

With two weeks before the big moment where they would find out if they were professional athlete material or not, Spitfire and Soarin found themselves faced once more by the tough Deep orange stallion in the small lounge of Soarin’s family home.

Tempest Wind eyed his granddaughter, who Spitfire currently held. “While it is nice to see my grandfoal, I can’t help but wonder...” He turned his critical eye upon his daughter. “you only have two weeks until your trials. Why is she still here and why are you not living in your own home?”

Spitfire tore her gaze from her daughter. “Because... uh... you see-”

“It’s hard.” Soarin finished for his wife. “Real hard to even think about giving her up.”

Tempest eyed his son in law critically. “You don’t want to work at that bakery your whole life, do you?”

“Of course not. But we have another two weeks until tryouts and Spitfire and me are finding it harder than we thought to let her go.” Soarin admitted.

Spitfire’s grip on her foal tightened ever so slightly.

Stormy Flare noticed. A sigh escaped the older mare and she crossed the room and gave her daughter a winged hug. “My girl, I can only imagine how hard this must be for you. But you promised me.”

“I know...” Spitfire whispered as she stared at her foal. “Isn’t she cute?”

Stormy Flare gave Spitfire a tender nuzzle as she withdrew. “Yes. She is. But, at your age... it is career or foal.”

“I...” Spitfire’s gaze fell to her daughter and she fought back tears. “Yes, mom.”

Tyson and Dawnrush wandered in. The couple paused, quick to notice the unusually downtrodden Spitfire and the tense atmosphere of the room.

“Am I interrupting something?” Dawnrush asked cautiously.

“Nothing you haven’t seen before.” Tempest Wind replied. “And I personally think my grandfoal has dwelt in your home long enough.”

“Well, thankfully I get the final say on that, dude.” Tyson wandered up to his long time friend. “You’re playing nice, I hope?”

“Of course we are.” Tempest scoffed.

“Good. Cause I don’t mind looking after Scootaloo another week.” Tyson cast an adoring glance at his grandfoal. “But then...” The dark blue stallion glanced at his son, “I do expect to hear Scootaloo has been given away, just as you two promised. I’m sorry, but you must proceed like you are gonna blow this outa the sky. Like total home run.”

Soarin nodded slowly, thoughtful as his gaze rested on his foal. “What if I don’t make it, Dad?”

The older, darker blue stallion stared at his son for a few moments, his gaze hard but sure. “You’ll make it.”

Soarin’s gaze snapped up to meet his fathers, “But-”

“I know you both can become Wonderbolts.” Tyson cut his son off. The stallion strode up to the young couple and wrapped them in a winged hug. “You got this.”

“But what happens if one of us fails.” Spitfire clutched onto her foal.

“If you think like that, you will fail,” Tempest remarked. With a final glance at his daughter, he strode out.

Stormy Flare’s gaze lingered on the door. A sigh broke out and she shook her head. “He’s right. Why don’t you both go for a nice flight tomorrow? I’ll even stop by and look after Scootaloo while you’re away.”

The two teens shared a look. “I mean, sure...” Soarin shrugged.

Spitfire nodded. “I’ll accept a fun break, even for only a few hours.”

“Good.” Stormy Flare nodded. “Now, I’m off to find that husband of mine.”

The following day, Spitfire and Soarin were cruising along without a care in the world. It was late morning, Cloudsdale lay behind them, Canterlot was far in the distance and the landscape below was a blanket of lush green. The couple looped around and began to head toward Ponyville. After a few minutes, they could faintly make out the ponies below, going about their daily lives.

“Do you notice anything odd, Soarin?” Spitfire broke the peaceful atmosphere.

“Huh? Uh, no?” Soarin glanced around. “Pie time?”

A playful grin slipped out across the sunny mare's maw. “No. Ponyville’s weather crew. Where are they?”

“Maybe they’re feeling pie time, like me. Does it matter?”

Some way off a water tornado sprang up and tentatively reached out toward Cloudsdale.

A knowing grin crossed Spitfire’s lips. “I bet everypony is over there.”

“Looks a bit weak,” Soarin commented as he watched the swirling water slowly reach toward Cloudsdale.

“Wanna check it out?” Spitfire shot her wingmate a sly grin. “Looks like they could use some serious boost.”

“You sure it won't break apart before we even get there?”

“Only one way to find out.” Spitfire put on a massive burst of speed.

Soarin felt a fun tingle as he stared at his wife’s flank. Realizing she was getting away, he fought hard to catch up.

After a short, intense flight, Spitfire and Soarin slowed their approach and carefully landed a safe distance from the vortex just in time to see it collapse into a giant wave.

“Oh, that sucks,” Soarin complained and began to trot toward the annoyed looking Wonderbolt in charge. “Spitty... isn't that... Wind Rider?”

Realisation flooded the firey mare’s countenance and an excited grin settled in. “Yeah, wasn’t he the pony who recently set a record at the Mustang Marathon?”

“He did. Oh, this is so cool.”

Spitfire chuckled dryly as her stallion picked up the pace and hurried to meet the star.

“That was twenty five wing power short of the required eight hundred. How do you expect to get water up to Cloudsdale with such a poor showing? ” Wind Rider towered proudly over the local pegasi.

“We could help!” Soarin eagerly called out.

The blue Wonderbolt eyed the couple. “Are you from Ponyville?”

“Well... no. But we do have ties here. Can we help?” Soarin asked hopefully.

Wind Rider looked as though he was about to turn the offer down but paused. After a few tense moments, the stallion sighed. “If it means getting this load up to the weather factory. Sure. Whatever.”

A murmur passed through the collection of locals. None stepped forward to claim the pair or turn down the support.

Wind Rider turned to the leader of the local pegasi. “Since they claim to have a local link to your ponies, what do you say? Will you accept their help and try again?”

“Will our score count?” A red stallion with a dark grey mane asked.

“No.” Wind Rider quickly shot the question down.

“But they said they have ties here, surely that's good enough.”

“Enough to fly with you. Not enough to compete with the other towns scores.” Wind Rider replied resolutely.

“Well, I guess...” The red stallion eyed the new arrivals. “No offense, but twenty five wingpower is a lot. Do you two really think you can make that much of a difference?”

Spitfire grinned back and gave her wings a flick. “Why don’t we find out?”

“Cocky aye.” Wind Rider eyed the young mare. “I like a bit of attitude. Give us the horn!”

“Everypony, at the ready!” The red stallion called out. His fellow pegasi, though tired from a first failed attempt readied themselves for a second.

Spitfire and Soarin cantered over to stand beside the red stallion who appeared in charge of the Ponyville pegasi.

The red pegasus briefly sized the pair up, “alright, I guess we are ready.”

“Let’s go!” Wind Rider shouted.

With that, the horn blew and the large collection of pegasi took to the skies and began to circle the lake. The airborne ponies span round and round as they picked up speed. The momentum rapidly built toward the combined wing power critical for success.

Spitfire and Soarin kept side by side as they powered along as fast as their wings could carry them. The couple began to pass slower and less powerful pegasi and noticed that their pegasus cyclone had begun to carry water skyward. Only the red pegasus and a hoof full of others kept pace with the young speedsters.

Pleased by the difference they were making, Spitfire laid out her challenge. “Race ya!”

Soarin’s eyes widened as he beheld his mare put on another burst of power. He quickly rose to the challenge, wings beating with every ouch of strength he had. The stallion slowly pulled up alongside his mare. With a pleased smirk, he slowly passed her.

Unable to match her husband, Spitfire settled for watching his flank as water passed within a wing stretch of her.

With a rush, the last of the water passed through the spinning vortex and up into Cloudsdale’s rainbow factory. The horn sounded and the large collection of pegasi were quick to disband.

The young couple spiralled around in ever wider arcs as they allowed their momentum to dissipate. With a final loop, they landed together in style before the Wonderbolt in charge.

Wind Rider stared at the score in disbelief. “Eight hundred and six? Two young ponies made that much difference...?”

“We did it!” Spitfire cheered. She was quick to hug her husband and almost kissed him too before catching herself.

Wind Rider glanced between the elated teens and the wing power gauge. “Assuming the others all flew with as much power as the first time... together you two made up thirty one wing power. An impressive number. Far higher than I expected for two teenagers.”

“That’s so cool!” Soarin cheered and gave his mare a loose winged hug.

Spitfire grinned as she threw her husband off, eager to not give anything too personal away. “Really?”

“That's a lot of power for two young pegasi.” The red stallion agreed as he strode toward the group. “Thirty one... Wow, I wasn’t even sure you two could contribute twenty. Yet here we are.”

“Yeah... we’re pretty awesome.” Soarin was positively soaking up the praise.

“Say, I’m wondering... how old are you two?” Wind Rider asked.

“Uh... eighteen, sir,” Soarin replied, his wings closing as his elation dried up and confusion settled in. “Why?”

“Does this mean you two graduated from school this year?”

“And we’re planning to try out for the Jr Wonderbolts.” Soarin enthusiastically replied. “Spitty and me were in the special fliers programme at Cloudsdale Central.”

Realization dawned on Wind Rider as he beheld the two pegasi before him. He rounded on the red stallion. “Alright, I thank you and your team for helping us get the water to the weather factory. Rest up. Everypony has done well. I want to speak to these two alone.”

The red stallion looked surprised at the request. “Oh, I was going to ask, would you both like lunch, on me? As thanks for helping.”

Soarin lit up eagerly. “I do like the food at the Hay and Clover.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes.

The red stallion grinned. “I can meet you both there, once Wind Rider has finished with you.”

“I would love to.” Soarin nodded eagerly.

Once everypony nearby had moved on, Wind Rider turned and strode up to the wing power meter. He examined the needle, as though it suddenly held all the answers. “Impressive job today. You two wouldn’t happen to be Spitfire and Soarin, by any chance?”

The two younger pegasi shared surprised glances.

“We are,” Spitfire replied.

“How does somepony as cool as you know about us?” Soarin asked tentatively.

A keen smirk crossed the older stallion's face. “You remember Fire Streak?”

Soarin nodded, “yeah, he was super cool.”

The smirk grew, “he mentioned your names. Now I see why.”

“Really? Does that mean like, something cool for us?” Soarin asked eagerly

“Oh today's little spectacle won’t mean a thing in two weeks. And don’t get me wrong, my fellow ‘bolts will put you through the roughest tryout of your lives. But I have high hopes that we will be seeing each other more often. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to watch over the next part of this here production. Enjoy your lunch. You deserve it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Soarin replied.

The pale blue stallion half turned, ready to take off then paused as something came to mind. “Oh, and... I might be able to be talked into opening two slots specially at next weekend's display. The two of you could be part of the pre show opening at Ponyville.”

Spitfire and Soarin stared back in shock.

“Really?” Spitfire breathed. “You- us to fly at the big Wonderbolts show?”

“Well, you would only be a small part of the introduction. But yes. I trust that you two fly together often enough to have a few good tricks you could display?”

“We do. But if you're willing to expand that opening a bit to our classmates from Plume, the new advanced course... I could give you a real show.” Spitfire offered hopefully.

“What I had in mind was more of a duo offering. But I’ll talk to my fellow Wonderbolts and see what they think. Good day.” And with that, Wind Rider took off.

Spitfire and Soarin shared a glance. Surprised by both the offer and the sudden departure of the famous pony.

“Wow...” Soarin muttered. “That...”

“Yeah, that was cool.” Spitfire finished for her husband.

Soarin threw a wing across his mare’s back in a loose hug. “This calls for a celebration! Spitty... let's go!”

Spitfire smirked at her excited husband, “yeah alright. Just don’t eat too much this time.”

Soarin pouted, “Aww, but somepony else is paying!”

“Don’t care. I’m not carrying your fat ass back up to Cloudsdale.” Spitfire added a hearty winged slap to her husband’s flank.

Soarin leapt as though stung. “Hey! Watch that wing power Spit.”

“And if I don’t?” Spitfire chuckled dryly as she eyed her hovering husband. Her eyes betrayed her eagerness as they lingered on his lower section, revealed thanks to his current elevation.

Soarin realized where his mare was looking and gave an airborne wiggle. “Do you really want to start something here, hot stuff?”

The fiery mare licked her lips as her eyes ravished her husband. “Tempting. But that's the kind of thing that led to us having our first child already. Cool it stud.”

“Awww. But you're being all hot and stuff.”

Spitfire gave her outstretched wings a flick, trying to alleviate her obvious excitement. “If you're good, maybe tonight. After I’ve had my potion.”

“Yes!”

Spitfire smirked as her husband eagerly led the way into town. She quickly caught up to him and shared a smile. “Have I ever told you how easy you are?”

“Happy to please, Spitty. Happy to please...”

“No, as in...” She cut in front, flashed him, then promptly fell back into formation beside the widely grinning stallion. “See... grinning like an idiot and everything.”

“Do it again...”

“No.”

“But-”

“I just proved how easy you are.” Spitfire shot back confidently.

“I’m not easy. I simply discovered how awesome it is to be one with my soulmate.” Soarin tried his best to sound all posh like a Canterlot snob.

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Just as long as you can wait to be joined, I’m sure this soulmate of yours will find a way to enjoy it too.”

A hearty laugh broke from Soarin. “Says she who starts it.”

“Sometimes.”

Soarin scoffed. “Most of the time.”

Spitfire was about to shoot his cheeky response down when she paused in consideration. “You know... I hope this never gets old, Pie boy.”

“Oh even if you become the big bad boss of the Wonderbolts, I’ll still sneak into your office for a good time.”

“Awfully confident in my abilities there.”

“One of us has gotta lead. And it’s not me.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Spitfire admitted as they entered Ponyville airspace. “You really don’t think it will ever get old? You know... being with me like that.”

Soarin stared at his wife like she had grown a second head. “Not possible.”

“Head of the Wonderbolts and you as captain... we will be pretty busy and all too.”

Soarin cut in front as they flew down to the Hay and Clover. He stood up straight as he held the door open. “I’ll show you. Trust me.”

Spitfire gave him a brief smile in thanks before entering.

The sun had begun its descent by the time the two teenagers lifted off from Ponyville. With Cloudsdale an easy cruise away, Spitfire pulled off a lazy barrel roll and smirked at how quickly Soarin checked her out.

“Gee stud. Cool it down.”

Soarin slowed, a blush invading his cheeks. “A stallion’s allowed to check out his wife, right?”

“So attentive. How you look at me... it’s no wonder I wound up pregnant so soon.”

“Takes two to tango, Babe.”

“Yeah.” A sigh escaped Spitfire as her gaze returned to the cloud city before them. “You know... I think Mom set us up.”

“How?”

“I bet you... she knew Ponyville was playing host to this years pegasus tornado.”

Realization dawned on Soarin. “And that we wouldn't think twice about joining in.”

“Exactly.”

“But... that's good right?” Soarin slowed to an easy glide.

Spitfire looped around and fell into formation alongside her husband. “Dad. Maybe he’s been chatting around?”

“But...” Soarin’s gaze slipped from his mare to the city beyond. “But if he's been speaking to other ponies about us... what if he chatted to Wind Rider and set up this opening to perform too?”

Spitfire veered off to the side and abruptly landed on a small cloud nearby.

Alarmed by the sudden change, Soarin quickly alighted next to his wife, careful not to be too open with his affections. There was no telling who might be airborne, even this far out from the city.

It was then, that the young stallion noticed his wife was crying. A blue wing wrapped around his mare and he nestled in close. “What’s wrong, Spitty?”

“My dad is such an ass!” Spitfire took a swipe at the cloud underhoof, wings flared as frustration spilt forth.

Soarin withdrew a bit, startled by the sudden violence against their cloud. “What?”

“Don't you get it? We have to give her up now. Soon!”

“But, my parents are okay with another week.” The blue colt lent in, a sinking feeling anchoring him to their cloud as he tried to give a comforting nuzzle.

Spitfire wiped at her teary muzzle and shot her husband her best challenging look. “You think letting go of Scootaloo will be any easier in a week?”

“No.”

“We can’t perform for the Wonderbolts next weekend if I’m hiding a baby. Our parents, hay, our whole families will want to come and watch us perform even if it's only for a few minutes. This is huge!”

“Oh, Spitty...” Soarin cuddled up closer. He carefully gave a flick of his wings to spin their cloud around to face away from Cloudsdale.

Minutes passed and eventually, Spitfire’s soft crying subsided.

Soarin watched on, feeling helpless as his mare settled down on their cloud. She looked defeated. He felt rotten for putting her in such a tough position. If only he had been stronger. Able to contain himself when they were alone. If only they had kept to cuddles like the good ponies their parents thought they were. A dry laugh escaped the stallion. Who was he kidding? They were no angles. Well, maybe the beauty who was now looking up at him was.

Spitfire stared at her husband, clearly wondering where such a laugh had come from. "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry Spitfire..."

"Where's this coming from? What did you do?"

"Uh... got you pregnant."

"Hey, quit thinking what I know you're thinking." Spitfire rose to sit alongside her spouse. She met his faltering gaze with her own firey look.

"But if I-"

"No."

"But-"

"Soarin. I know it was said in jest before, but it took both of us to get here."

"We weren't supposed to want her like this!" At his outcry, Soarin was quick to cover his mouth with a wing, ashamed by his own admission.

"Yeah." Spitfire closed her eyes and nodded slowly. “But then you... and Scootaloo. I just... want more time to... I don’t know... Hold my baby before we give her away.”

Soarin gently embraced his wife. “I know... I know...”

A sob wracked Spitfire’s frame as she tried to fight off more tears, “and the hardest part... This opportunity is too good to miss. But... Scootaloo-”

“I know. It’s been too short.”

“Got that right." Spitfire withdrew from their cuddle to gaze into the heavy eyes of her husband. "How has the last few months gone so fast, Soarin?”

“It’s been an amazing ride with you Spitfire. Even more special since Scootaloo has come into our lives.”

“And now she has to... to...”

“Yes... I know.” Soarin softly murmured as he nuzzled his wife.

The couple fell into silence once more.

“This sucks.” Spitfire bemoaned. “I never thought I would be a young mom.”

“Yeah...”

“Or...” Spitfire gazed into the worried eyes of her husband. “Or that it would be so hard to give her up.”

“Yeah. But what can we do? We didn’t abort her like your folks demanded. We promised that we would give her away. But what can we do now, run away?”

A dry stuttery laugh broke forth from Spitfire. “All I wanted... was to be a Wonderbolt with you.”

“We can be the best.” Soarin offered.

“Are you sure?” Spitfire asked.

Soarin nodded, “of course.”

“It will cost us our daughter.”

Soarin lent in for a gentle nuzzle. “Then may she be a blessing to somepony else's life, like she has been to ours.”

At her husband’s words, Spitfire broke down again.

Soarin wiped at his eyes as held his wife in silence, unsure of anything else that could be said.

After an unknown duration of pain passed like water under their cloud, Spitfire settled down and lay against her husband. “Why did we do this Soarin?”

“Because we’re young... and stupid. And made some mistakes. But making you my wife has been the best decision of my life.” Soarin held his mare’s gaze, steadfast.

“Would you run away?”

“And be a family with nothing?”

Spitfire shrugged. “We could be happy, just us three.”

“Our old folks would kill us.” Soarin dryly joked.

“Yeah, there would be no going back with my dad...” Spitfire groaned. “This sucks.”

Another few moments passed slowly and painfully. Till finally, Soarin lent down and gave a rousing nuzzle to his wife. “How about this... We go back there. We spend all of the next day, two tops with Scootaloo. Then we make our dreams come true.”

“Two days isn’t enough.”

“Spitty... I have a feeling that no amount of time with Scootaloo could ever be enough. But we promised... and I don’t know about you, but I feel duty bound to give this a go. Just like we promised.”

“Alright. Anything else in mind?” Spitfire nuzzled in close under her husband’s chin.

“We spend the rest of the week working with our crew... anyone who wants in. We take our group's home to close to the Wonderbolts. Show them we really mean it. Then we smash this coming performance and become the best Wonderbolts ever. Then once we make a good life and lead the ‘Bolts... Hopefully, hopefully our precious girl will still want to get to know her folks.”

“Alright, Soarin. Let’s do this.” Spitfire stood tall, wiped her face and faced her husband. “Thank you.”

Soarin tenderly nuzzled his wife. “I love you. And I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”

The firey mare reciprocated, trying desperately to forget the pain of giving up their daughter. “Love you too Pie boy. Let’s go home. We have a baby to see.”

Soarin nodded. “Yes, let's.”

And together, they sped the rest of the way home.

Spitfire strode into Soarin’s family home, eager to see her daughter. The young mare was stopped by the sight of her mother holding Scootaloo on the couch.

“How was your flight?”

“I have a feeling you should know.” Spitfire shot back.

Stormy Flare stared up at the young couple in shock. “You didn’t say no, did you?”

“I knew it...” Spitfire fumed and hastened to collect her baby.

Stormy Flare gave Scootaloo up without a fight and sat wide eyed as her daughter stormed off.

Soarin stood awkwardly in the lounge. “We did say yes.”

“I’m glad. And for the record, it was her father who made the connections. You both should be glad.”

“I hope we will be. Because it sucks right now.”

Tyson spoke up from the hallway. “Oh, what's going on in here?”

“Dad. Please...”

The dark blue stallion approached, quick to catch the look on his son's face. “Anything you need.”

“Thanks.” Soarin sighed. “Just... maybe let me and Spitty be for a bit.”

“As you wish, son.”

As Soarin headed for his room, Stormy Flare rose. “It’s for the best.”

“You know... some days I wonder about that.” Tyson shot back.

Stormy Flare huffed and strode out.

Spitfire hesitated at the doorstep of Ponyville's Open Hooves Orphanage. The sun had long since fallen and the exterior of the sunny yellow building was dull and sad looking in the moonlight. The series of small windows toward the right hand corner of the building gave off illumination from the actives within, presumably, young ponies preparing for bed.

With his hoof halfway to the door, Soarin noticed his wife’s hesitancy. “Having second thoughts?”

“No.”

Spitfire felt her husband place a kiss on her neck, soon followed by a nuzzle. A sigh escaped the young mare. “Fine. Yes. Okay? I can't...”

“Then let me do it.”

As Soarin held out a hoof to receive his three month old daughter, Spitfire continued to hesitate.

“Come on babe. We can always watch her from Cloudsdale on our days off from the Wonderbolts. One day, we can even come back to her. But I bet she will find herself a family so fast no pony will even know she’s adopted.” Soarin attempted a smile to encourage his mare. His eyes, however, reflected the hurt they both felt at giving up such a precious young pony.

Spitfire's head lowered in defeat. They were out of time. This was the only way to get into the Wonderbots, her lifelong dream. But was it truly better for their daughter?

“I can’t. I just can’t do it.”

Soarin sidled up and gave his wife a quick kiss. “Then let me.”

With his wings, he took the precious bundle of joy from his wife, who offered no resistance, and placed the infant on the doorstep of the orphanage. Spitfire stood, conflicted, unable to move, unable to stop her husband from doing what she knew he had to. A tear rolled down her cheek as Soarin pulled out a piece of paper and scrawled a quick note to the caretaker on it:

Dear mistress of Ponyville orphanage.

My wife and I are young and not in a position to care for this wonderful foal. We pray that you will help Scootaloo find the life she deserves.
We love her so much

Soarin paused and glanced up at his wife who was watching on, in tears. He rubbed at his own wet eyes then carefully slotted the note into the blanket their baby lay wrapped up in. He placed the orange foal reverently upon the steps of the orphanage. “Goodbye, Scootaloo. Daddy loves you.”

With a deep breath, Soarin lifted his right forehoof and knocked on the door.

Silence.

Spitfire took a step closer, her tear filled gaze locked on her earth bound daughter.

Soarin slowly lifted his hoof again, but this time was beaten by his mare.

Spitfire knocked three times in quick succession. Then she lent down at gave her daughter one final kiss.

A light from the window beside the front door startled the couple. Shuffling hoofsteps told them all they needed to know.

Somepony was coming. Time to go...

Soarin quickly gave his daughter one last loving kiss, then hurried to pick up his wife. He stretched his wings just as the door opened.

The mare who beheld the young couple blinked owlishly, surprised to see a young family on her doorstep. “Do you know what time it is...?”

Soarin hastily took off carrying his wife bridal style in his forehooves. He knew that if they stayed a moment longer, it would be impossible to leave Scootaloo. Worse, the earth pony mare would catch a good look at their faces and everything would be over.

Spitfire cried into her husband’s chest as he flew up, higher and higher. The stallion carried his mare bridal style as he too felt his eyes flood.

Author's Note

The hardest chapter of the whole fic has finally been published.
The final scene in particular has been in the works for years...
I hope the finale to their past has been worth the wait.

CH21: Finale

Scootaloo lay in a starch white hospital bed reading a crumpled, old letter. Her mind wandered as she waited for her recent awakening to be noticed. She remembered the strange dream that she had under Twilight and Luna’s magic. It felt like somepony who was closely related to her had been magically connected to her during that time. Her body still could feel where magic had rushed into her and her wings tingled in strange ways. Scootaloo was hopeful that the procedure had been successful but was also too afraid to test it for herself quite yet.

Completely absorbed in her own little world, the young pony failed to notice the door to her room open and two pegasi walked slowly in.

“What’s that you got there?”

Scootaloo was startled by a mare's voice. She glanced up and her eyes widened in surprise as she beheld two Wonderbolts, the first ponies to enter her room. After an awkward moment of gawking at them as they approached, she lamely showed the crumpled paper.

Spitfire recognised the old note immediately. She shared a look with her startled husband before turning back to the filly before them. “I wonder... why do you have that old letter?”

“Because it’s the only thing Mom and Dad left me with,” Scootaloo replied softly, her gaze on the note.

“Your parents left you?” Spitfire asked tenderly.

Scootaloo hesitated for a moment before nodding briskly and returning her gaze to the old letter.

Spitfire nodded thoughtfully. “Who do you think wrote that?”

“Mom.” Scootaloo didn't even raise her eyes from the note.

The two wonderbolts shared a quick glance. The firey mare’s eyes lit up as an idea came to mind.

Spitfire dug around in the small saddlebag she was carrying and pulled out a quill and paper. “Would you uh... write something for me?”

Feeling rather confused by the request, Scootaloo nevertheless scrawled her name on a fresh scrap of paper and then gazed back up at the two pegasi.

“Now... might I be able to borrow that quill back?”

“Uh... sure?” Scootaloo pawned it over.

The firey mare passed the quill to Soarin who quickly scrawled the filly’s name down underneath Scootaloo’s writing. He then slid the paper under the old letter.

And as the letting lined up before her, Scootaloo was blown away.

All three matched. Scootaloo’s hoofwriting, matched that of her assumed mother’s writing and it matched Soarin’s writing. All right down to the flick at the end of the last o.

“But...” Scootaloo shuffled the blue stallion’s writing to sit partly on top of the note. The writing still lined up perfectly. “That looks just like my mother’s writing. Like how I write.”

“So what if it wasn’t your mother who wrote it?” A coy smile tugged at Soarin’s lips.

“Wait. What?” Little orange wings shot out in shock. “Are you saying you’re my real dad?”

Soarin nodded, delighted yet also sad. “I’m very sorry that your mother and I could not take care of you. I still remember how Spitfire cried as I carried her way that night.”

The young filly collapsed against the headboard of the lab bed. Her gaze rested on the mighty mare beside her father. “You- you’re my mom? Wonderbolts are my parents?”

“Well, we weren't when we had you.” Soarin sighed.

“I think if we had to do it again, we would have kept you. But we were young, and scared and had promised our parents that while we would not abort your life, we would not keep you. We had a career and life ahead and so many pressures... but we made a choice and hoped that you would find a life with a loving family who could care for you better than we could at the time.” Spitfire admitted softly, her head held low.

“You... what?” Scootaloo continued to gawp at her parents as she tried to process the revelation.

The orange filly noticed Rainbow Dash enter quietly. She stared longingly at the blue mare for a long moment before she tore her gaze over to her birth parents.

Soarin gave his wife a brief winged hug. “And that is why we came. Both Spitfire and I wanted to see our daughter fly.”

“Wanted to see me fly... you- wait, did you know I couldn't fly, even as a foal?” Scootaloo stared wide eyed at her biological parents.

“The nurse told us our baby may never fly. That's why you were brought to Ponyville and not an orphanage just for pegasi.” Soarin recalled the painful memory.

Hurt overcame Scootaloo as she stared at her parents in shock. “Did you abandon me because I couldn't fly?”

“No, Scootaloo we...” Spitfire took half a step toward her daughter’s bed before hesitation set in. “I didn’t want to let you go. I refused to believe that what the nurse said was true.”

“But you put me here!” Scootaloo’s outburst caused a shocked silence to follow.

Spitfire nodded, shamefaced. “I know.”

With the silence broken, angry tears threatened to break free as Scootaloo fought against the inner turmoil. “And you never even visited me...?”

“At first it felt too soon. Then we were too busy. Then suddenly, f- five years had passed-” Spitfire faltered, unable to continue.

Soarin gathered his wife in a loose winged hug. Just as Scootaloo looked about ready with a retort, the stallion spoke up, his voice hoarse. “But... as we realised our daughter was about ready to start school... the guilt really kicked in and the shame. You are right... we didn’t visit. But how could we? Spitfire and I had abandoned a precious babe. We had been her world...” The tough stallion choked back tears as he fought to continue; “Well, I-”

Spitfire returned her husband’s hug and gave him a little nudge. “We. Our shame made the simple flight to visit you seem like an impossible task. We were sure that one so precious would be adopted and forget that her biological parents had ever left her.”

Scootaloo held up the old note. “But I didn’t!”

“You had disappeared by the time we built up the courage to ask,” Soarin admitted softly, visibly unsettled by the sight of the old note. “We really thought you had been adopted and were living your best life.”

Scootaloo stared back for a few moments in confusion. “Oh, you mean when I got adopted for a bit when I was six? That lasted like... a few months? No pony wants a damaged filly.”

“Hey!” Dash spoke up as she strode to her filly’s bedside. “You and Fluttershy are my two most favourite ponies in all of Equestria. We love you. Don’t you forget it, Squirt!”

Scootaloo allowed Rainbow Dash to wipe her tears. “Thank you, Dash.”

A tortured smile played at Spitfire’s lips as she watched her baby be cared for by another mare. “You know... you can thank Rainbow Dash for what happened today. Because of her, we found the courage to come and meet you. Because of her... and this magic...”

Spitfire lifted her wings.

Scootaloo stared at the feathers for a few moments, confused. Then she began to notice something odd about the athlete’s wings. The yellow feathers looked as though they had faded, compared to her sunny coat. “What?”

Spitfire stared back at her confused daughter. “I know it’s a bit late for Soarin and I to claim the role of parents in your life. But that does not mean I haven't stopped loving you. Enough that if I never can fly fast again, it will be enough to know that my daughter can fly at last.”

Scootaloo stared back in shock as yellow wings lowered.

“I’m sorry Scootaloo,” Soarin added.

“Wait, you mean... it worked? I can fly now?” The excited filly’s wings buzzed and she lifted a few feet off the bed.

“You can fly!” Rainbow Dash cheered.

“I can fly! Finally!” Scootaloo landed on the bed and faced her hero, ready for action. “Can you take me for a flight now?”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash grinned back.

Just as Scootaloo was about to launch herself into waiting blue hooves she paused, remembering that two unexpected ponies were still present. “And what about them?”

“What about them?” Rainbow Dash softly asked as she turned to face the couple whom the filly was staring at.

“I don’t know how to feel about this all... getting my real parents who left me and flight all in one day...” Scootaloo trailed off, her inner conflict written clearly on her face.

“Take as much time as you need, if you want us... we will be there.” Spitfire promised.

“You... really mean it?” Scootaloo stared back, still conflicted. "Y-you won't just go and disappear again?"

“We mean it. Both of us want to be a part of your life... if you will let us." Soarin affirmed.

“Wait!” Twilight's voice echoed from somewhere down the hallway.

Moments later Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Rumble burst in.

Fluttershy arrived a moment later “Please don’t run in a hospital.”

Rumble rolled his eyes and then spotted Scootaloo. The two young pegasi’s eyes met and they shared a glowing smile.

Spitfire and Soarin shared a quick look. They were both quick to notice the spark between the pair.

After a moment's gawking, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom rushed to the bed and propped their forehooves up on the side as they eagerly greeted their friend.

“You’re awake!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“Does this mean you can fly?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly.

“I can!” Scootaloo eagerly showed off her newfound power of flight and hit the roof.

Twilight poked her head in the door and her cross look melted into a smile. “I’m glad to see your motor function and pegasus magic are now working correctly. But maybe wait until you're outside before you show off.”

Finding herself on the bed, Scootaloo shook her head a few times to try and clear the surprise impact from her system. “Sorry, Twilight. I’m just so excited!”

“Can she leave now, or do you need to run more of your freaky tests on her?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I would like to run one quick test. Then you may leave.” Twilight confirmed.

“Awesome!”

Soarin noticed Rumble was quietly sitting behind Scootaloo’s friends, seemingly content to admire her while others talked. The blue pony nudged Spitfire and she nodded, a light smile on her lips.

Twilight strode into the room, “please everypony, step back from the bed while I work.”

The others in the room were quick to comply and Soarin was pleased when Rumble chose to sit next to the only other colt in the room. Rumble caught him staring and grinned back. “Hi, mister Soarin.”

“Hello.”

“You’re really Scootaloo’s parents?”

The stallion nodded, “and you are?”

“Rumble.” The colt’s attention was captured by the glow of magic as Twilight began to work.

Soarin spared a glance at his daughter before returning his focus to the colt who obviously had a thing for his little girl. “Oh, just Rumble?”

A light blush crept onto the colt’s muzzle as he pointedly refused to look at the blue stallion. “Yeah.”

“I understand.” Soarin noticed Dash watching and smiled back.

“Understand what?” The young colt hesitantly replied.

Soarin gave the light grey colt a pointed look. “I think you know what I mean. I know those looks.”

“Oh.” Rumble blushed lightly as he sat there frozen watching magic wash over Scootaloo’s body. “Y-your okay with um...”

A laugh escaped the pale blue stallion, “yeah.”

“Alright, everything looks good,” Twilight exclaimed. “The spells appear to have been a success. You may test your wings outside, but please do be careful.”

Scootaloo paid the warning no heed as she jumped off the bed and glided to the floor. “Come on everypony!”

Rainbow Dash and Rumble were the first to follow the excited filly. Spitfire and Soarin watched as everyone else hastened out then shared a glance.

Soarin hesitated, “do you think it’s okay if we follow too?”

“I’m going to see my daughter fly, pie boy. And I will fly with her.” Spitfire eagerly stated as she strode on out.

“Right.”

Scootaloo flew out the front door of the hospital, Rainbow Dash and Rumble trailing close behind. The trio ignored Twilight’s shouted warnings as they sped up past the low lying clouds.

Scootaloo hit her first cloud at speed and spiralled out of control. Rainbow Dash quickly caught the rogue missile of a filly. With a poorly stifled laugh, she righted her adopted daughter. “I see you remember the basics.”

“Of course, this is awesome!” Scootaloo shouted for joy as she took off as fast as her wings could carry her. The excited filly wobbled from side to side a bit as she tried to dip and loop back upward. With wide eyes, she slowed down and crash landed on a cloud.

“Woah there speedy.” Dash laughed as she hovered near the cloud.

Rumble landed on the cloud and grinned like an idiot as the orange filly pulled her head out of the impact zone and sat up. He was quick to offer her a hoof up, “great first flight Scoots! You're already really fast.”

“Thanks.” Scootaloo smiled back. She accepted the offered hoof up then gave her wings a flick and stared at them in awe. “This is the best day ever!”

With a buzz, the eager filly slowly lifted off from the cloud and then alighted once more with a hard ‘poof’.

It was then Scootaloo noticed the other pegasi who were catching up. Scooaloo’s wings folded at her side as she stared at the odd display.

Soarin carried his wife bridal style as they flew at Fluttershy’s pace to join the group. Once they were close, Spitfire took to the skies and hovered next to her spouse. “I hope you don’t mind, but Soarin and I had to see you fly.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea how good it feels to fly now!” Orange wings buzzed with joy.

“You’re already so fast,” Fluttershy commented. “You might even be faster than Rainbow Dash once you’ve practiced.”

The blue speedster looked affronted for the tiniest of moments before a grin broke out. “Yeah, Squirt. A bit more control and some speed training and you might be able to compete against even me.”

“Really? You think so?” Scootaloo stared back at her hero with wide eyes.

“Yeah,” Dash confirmed.

Spitfire and Soarin shared a quick smile.

Scootaloo noticed two fillies running toward her cloud. She waved down at the two earth bound ponies. They waved eagerly back. “This is so cool!”

“How about we-” Fluttershy was cut off by Scootaloo diving off the edge of the cloud and racing toward her friends.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom ducked out of the way of the speeding filly. Executing a very wide turn, Scooaloo came back around and sped over her friend’s heads a second time laughing as Rumble joined her.

“How do I safely land!?” She yelled out to the colt at her side.

“Glide down. Hooves out ready for impact. Don’t tense too much. Watch and follow me!” Rumble cut in front of the orange filly and led her into a third pass.

Trailing close behind the grey colt, Scootaloo slowed her speed to an easy glide in time with him. Her eyes widened as the ground rushed up to meet them. With a sharp breath, she braced for impact. Swiftly following the clop of Rumble's hooves, Scootaloo landed heavily and barreled into the colt who had come to an easy stop.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom laughed at the two pony pile as Rumble lay there in shock with Scootaloo tangled on top of him. The two pegasi stared at each other, shocked by the closeness of their muzzles.

“N-nice first landing.” Rumble grinned, a hearty blush spreading across his muzzle.

An awkward moment passed before Scootaloo seemed to properly come to her senses. A blush erupted, darkening her own orange cheeks as her friend's giggles continued.

“Thanks.” Scootaloo squeaked back as she hastened to untangle herself.

Spitfire and Soarin shared a laugh as they trailed Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy down. The wonderbolt couple stayed back watching as Dash helped her adopted daughter up. Rumble was quick to back off a few steps, his muzzle flushed as he continued to stare at Scootaloo.

“I think that was far too fast and dangerous for a first flight,” Twilight chastised as she alighted close by.

Rainbow Dash gave the alicorn an eye roll. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever Twilight. I think Scoots performed awesomely!”

“I’m serious, she needs proper tutoring and... and look at Rumble for example. He got hit because she failed to execute a safe landing.”

“I’m fine.” Rumble countered. “I think Scootaloo did well for her first flight and landing.”

“Thanks.” Scootaloo smiled shyly at the colt.

Dash grinned at her adopted daughter, “want to try again?”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo leapt into a ready pose.

“Alright. The flight zone will be between Fluttershy’s place and AJ’s farm. Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash took off so fast that she left her signature colourful wake.

Scootaloo shot Rumble a challenging smirk as she sprang into action. The youthful pair took to the skies side by side. The grey colt was surprised at just how much power he needed to keep up with this second time flyer. Scootaloo glanced his way and poked out her tongue. “I’ll be faster than you in no time!”

“Bring it on Scootaloo!” He cheered and put on a slight burst of speed. "Yeah!"

Back on the ground, Fluttershy turned to the two remaining pegasi, “No need to wait for me. You’re most welcome to try and catch up to Dashie.”

Spitfire turned her gaze from her departing daughter, “heh, I don’t think I’ll be racing anypony anytime soon.”

At the surge of concern on the animal caretaker’s face, Spitfire waved a wing at Fluttershy. “It’s fine. I’m just glad I can see my girl fly.”

“So am I,” Fluttershy admitted.

Spitfire gave her husband a winged slap on the flank, “go! I’ll catch up.”

“But- I can carry you.” Soarin offered.

“I’m not some damsel in distress,” Spitfire huffed.

“Yeah, but-”

“Move Soarin! Go and enjoy a proper flight with our girl.”

“Yes, madam.” The cornflower blue stallion cheekily saluted his wife then shot off after the rapidly disappearing group.

“Do you really have only one foal?” Fluttershy asked shyly. "Like um... really?"

“Why?” Spitfire stared incredulously at the shy mare.

“Because you two... um... no reason.” Fluttershy’s cheeks tined ever so slightly.

Twilight snorted. “Sure. Anyway...” she turned to the two fillies who were watching where their friend had flown, eyes wide. “Girls, do either of you want a ride to the farm?”

“Yes please.” Sweetie Belle hastened over to the alicorn.

“I can carry you if you like, Apple Bloom.” Fluttershy offered.

Looking almost as though she was going to turn the offer down, the earth pony nodded. “Okay. Just... put me down in a good spot to watch, okay?”

“Of course,” Fluttershy agreed.

Spitfire watched as Twilight and Fluttershy picked the two fillies up. She carefully took flight and kept pace with the pair as they flew toward the Apple family farm. “Thank you for looking after my daughter.”

“Oh, it’s been our pleasure really. She’s such a sweet filly.” Fluttershy replied.

“Yeah, I’m glad you both chose to take her in,” Spitfire confessed as her wings worked overtime with what normally would be considered a snooze worthy cruise.

Apple Bloom eyed the less than speedy wonderbolt, “so you really are Scootaloo’s mom?”

“Yeah.” Spitfire smiled back.

“Does that mean that she will go away to live with you two?” Sweetie Belle spoke up nervously.

“No.” Spitfire shared a brief pointed look with Fluttershy. “I think she’s quite happy living where she is.”

“Alright.” A smile took over Apple Bloom’s muzzle, “but you both will visit, right?”

“Of course. As long as Scootaloo will have us... We want to be a part of her life, and for her to share in ours too. It’s been too long.” Spitfire sighed with regret as her wings continued to work harder than normal.

“It has indeed.” Fluttershy agreed softly. “But you are here now and that is what matters.”

A smile crept onto Spitfire’s muzzle as she met the encouraging gaze of Fluttershy. “Thanks.”

High above the Apple family farm, Scootaloo cried out for joy as she looped around Soarin. Rumble joined in and suddenly the stallion found himself being loosely orbited by the two young pegasi. He laughed to himself as he watched his daughter and her special friend speed around and around and around until he had to stop himself from following their movements. The cornflower blue stallion shook his head to try and clear the dizziness. He continued to grin as he noticed the two youngsters were beginning to form a small whirlwind around him.

Scootaloo suddenly tumbled out of the mini whirlwind and crashed into Rainbow Dash’s waiting hooves. The blue mare chuckled as she continued to hold her adopted daughter. “Thanks for dropping by Scoots. Good first whirlwind. It looks like you and Rumble nearly trapped your dad.”

Scootaloo giggled as she shook her head, “so dizzy...”

“Yeah, wait till you try some of the things I do. Then you’ll feel some real crazy forces on that wee body of yours.” Dash grinned back.

“Hey uh, Scootaloo?” Soarin tentatively approached the pair.

“Yes, Soarin?” Scootaloo smiled shyly at her father.

‘not dad?’ A sigh escaped the stallion. ‘I guess I don’t deserve to be called dad...’

“Hey. Soarin. What’s up?” Rainbow Dash impatiently cut into the stallion’s trail of thought.

Soarin snapped to attention. “Uh, sorry. Wanna do a fast loop around the farm while we wait for Spitfire and Fluttershy to join us?”

“Sure,” Scootaloo confirmed.

“Want a boost?” Dash grinned as she prepared to let go of her orange filly.

“Yea!” At Scootaloo’s delighted response, Rainbow Dash put on a burst of speed and threw her filly into the winds.

“Whooo!” Scootaloo cheered as she tumbled, crashed through a cloud then banked upward, wings motoring like crazy to recover from the sudden drop.

Rumble and Soarin dived to meet the ecstatic filly and the trio sped upward to rejoin Rainbow Dash. The speedster in question was doing flips and twirls as she laughed to herself. Soarin joined in with her delighted laughter and began to copy her flashy moves.

“Your dad and Dash are both really cool!” Rumble exclaimed.

“Yeah, my... dad.” The filly let herself drift into a glide as she tried to let that simple word sink in. She watched her sire fly with her idol up ahead, the two continuing to pull off an ever more complex series of moves like they were at a show.

“Is it weird to think of Soarin as your dad?” Rumble asked as he settled into her slower pace.

“It’s really sudden. And to think that Spitfire is my mom... wow...” Scootaloo cast a glance at the slower group who were approaching with two fillies in tow. “To think... their magic. Moms... magic is now in me. I can hardly believe it...”

“Yeah...”

“A-and... I can fly!” Scootaloo pulled off a loop de loop around the grey colt. She wobbled a bit as she righted herself. “This is so awesome!”

Soarin and Rainbow Dash finished their speedy circuit and fell into an easy glide alongside the younger pair.

“You’re a real natural, you know.” Soarin praised his daughter.

Scootaloo smiled back at her father, “Thanks Soa- uh... Dad.”

The stallion stared wide eyed back at his daughter. “You... called me dad.”

“Yeah, it feels kinda weird,” Scootaloo admitted with a sheepish giggle.

“Oh...”

“But also kinda nice.”

The light blue stallion’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Scootaloo nodded briskly. “Yeah!”

The filly glanced back at the two yellow mares who were finishing their drop off and something inside Scootaloo clicked at the sight. It was like this unbelievable day was finally beginning to settle in. Even though Spitfire and Soarin had tried to explain it to her, she could still not comprehend why the two mighty wonderbolts had abandoned her. And yet, Scootaloo also felt oddly at peace. Like a missing part of her life had finally been connected and made whole. That mighty fiery mare was her mother. She glanced at her father, still staring back at her with wide, loving eyes. Something inside of her knew that yes, this stallion was her father. They had come back to her at long last. But she also had two amazing mothers who had chosen to make her their daughter. Her gaze darted from the grinning Rainbow Dash as she flew upside down, to Fluttershy as the timid mare drew closer.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and turned to her dad. “When Fluttershy and Spitfire join us, I wanna fly faster.. as fast as Fluttershy and Spitfire can.”

“You got it, Scootaloo.” Soarin grinned back.

"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash chimed in.

Rainbow Dash broke formation to join Fluttershy and playfully booped the yellow mare on the nose before breaking away.

Soarin suddenly realized that Scootaloo had drifted in closer. Something clearly was on her mind. “Yes, Scootaloo?”

Orange forehooves fidgeted as she cruised along, “uh... thank you for finally coming back to me. And for helping my flight magic or whatever it is. Even though Spitfire- Mom can't fly as well now.”

“Thank you for letting us join your first flight,” Soarin replied with a grin.

“Of course...” Scootaloo trailed off as Spitfire pulled up alongside them. “You two are my birth parents and it feels so good to finally meet you and to fly!”

The delighted filly went into a dive and dipped right over the heads of her friends and Twilight. The trio seated on a hill cheered as she flew past, already clearly very comfortable in the sky.

“You don’t wanna join?” Apple Bloom asked Twilight.

“I’ll let them have their fun for another few minutes before I join. And besides... the way they are flying...” Twilight reproachfully eyed Rainbow Dash and Soarin.

Sweetie Belle giggled. “Scootaloo always loved her speed.”

“Yeah.” Apple Bloom quickly agreed. "And now we know who she gets it from."

In the sky above Rainbow Dash led the pack of pegasi as they flew around, dodging clouds, and sharing smiles and laughter. Scootaloo was alternating between flying next to Rainbow Dash and next to her parents. Spitfire and Soarin flew in the middle of the pack, content to watch their daughter. They revelled in her cheers and cries of delight.
Rumble was looping around the party, sometimes by Scootaloo’s side but often settled back to simply watch his delighted special friend. Fluttershy trailed at the back, content to be a part of the group and join in their laughter.

After two loose loops around their chosen airspace were complete, Scootaloo fell back to Fluttershy’s side. “Fluttershy, could you carry me for a bit? My wings feel like they could use a rest.”

“Sure.” Fluttershy carefully scooped her adopted daughter out of the sky and into her forehooves.

“Hey, Soarin and Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cried out as she settled in, tucked under Fluttershys chin and held secure in her forelegs.

The two in question glanced back at the grinning filly. “Yes?”

“After a quick rest, I wanna see some speed!” Scootaloo grinned eagerly.

Rumble cheered at the request, falling back to fly with Fluttershy.

Soarin and Rainbow Dash shared a look.

“I’m game.” Dash grinned.

“Same. Spitty?” Soarin turned to his wife.

“Carry me? Then once Scootaloo is ready, I’ll see what these old wings can do.” Spitfire declared.

Soarin skillfully snatched his wife up and proceeded to carry her bridal style as they slowly flew over the orchard and toward the large barn. The pale blue stallion whispered things in his wife's ear as they flew and brought a smile to her face.

As the group passed over the watching ponies on the ground, Scootaloo leapt out of Fluttershy’s grasp. “Alright, let's go!”

The eager filly put on a burst of speed, rushed to the front of the pack and dipped below a large cloud. Soarin dived, Spitire held tightly in his grasp. As they gained altitude on the other side, he released her and yellow wings shot open.

Rainbow Dash burst through the large cloud in an explosion of water vapour and sped between them. Scootaloo watched as the three speedsters twirled around each other for a moment before breaking apart and Spitfire fell back to fly with her daughter. Rumble chose this moment to dip into formation to her left and the two younger pegasi shared delighted smiles.

With Fluttershy working hard to stay close behind, Scootaloo waved eagerly back at her. The kind mare smiled and waved back. Then Scootaloo shared a smile with her parents who were close beside her. Rainbow Dash led, her tail sometimes close enough to tickle her adopted daughter’s snout.

Scootaloo giggled. A rush filled her. It felt right to have them so close. Her parents by blood. And her parents by choice. And Rumble; a colt she really quite liked. Scootaloo smiled. “Best day ever!”

Two years later...

On the outskirts of Ponyville, in the opposite direction to the Apple family farm, a large low lying cloud platform hung over the trees. Dressed in formal Wonderbolts attire, Spitfire strode to the edge of the cloud, her daughter, Scootaloo by her side. Although her feathers were still faded, the firey mare stood tall and proud, a baby bump on display. A sister, or brother to join her daughter. The pair stared down at the large crowd of ponies sitting on the grass below. Hundreds of faces gazed up at them, eager for the show to start.

“I see Fluttershy! And Rumble!” Scootaloo eagerly pointed out her caregiver and coltfriend.

“Good.” Spitfire smiled back at her daughter. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo grinned and gave her wings an eager flick.

Spitfire glanced upward at a small mansion that was so high up, it looked more like a large cloud. With a grin, she gave the discreet mic on her face a small adjustment then addressed the crowd; “Are you ready!?”

A resounding "Yes!" rocked back.

"I said, ARE YOU READY!?!"

The large clearing shook with a final cloud shaking "YES!!!"

Spitfire grinned at the large crowd. "That's better. Now sit back and please enjoy the show! Alright, On the count of three, two, one!"

With the final countdown ringing in their ears the two pegasi continued to watch the audience below. From high above came the rumble of thunder. All heads turned to the heavens. Scootaloo giggled at the sight and shared a glance with her mother before they both craned their necks toward the heavens.

And out of the distant cloud mansion shot Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Fleetfoot, and the rest of the Wonderbolts close behind her rainbow trail.

Scootaloo grinned as she hugged her fiery mother.

Spitfire turned her mic off and hugged her teenage filly back. “Enjoy the show squirt.”

“Thanks Mom.”

The pair settled back to watch as Rainbow Dash and Soarin led the wonderbolts on a terrific aerial display. Spitfire couldn't help but sneak the occasional glance at Scootaloo, delighted to have her daughter in her life.
One lucky filly. And two sets of lucky parents.

Author's Note

Almost 7 years in the making.

But at last, this story is finished...

I had the final flight and the letter scene in my mind for so long. It feels great to finally be able to share this.

CH1: Young lovers mistake

Author's Note

As a wee note, this story starts nearly 12 years before to the end of season 4 (the setting for the later parts of this story), when Spitfire and Soarin are 17 years old and in their last year of Advanced Flight School.

CH1: Young lovers mistake

Spitfire threw herself violently onto her cloud bed. Aside from her heavy breathing her bedroom was otherwise silent.

Why did the test have to show up as positive?
That stupid colt! Why did he have to do that?

What do you mean stupid colt? Another part of her mind asked herself. It takes two to do the deed.

The vibrantly coloured mare fumed to herself as a tear ran down her muzzle. She squeezed her eyes shut hard in a vain attempt at stopping the incoming tide. If they had only the sense to wait another few months, this all might have been fine!
 But no.

She just had to go and suggest they do that.

...And he just had to say yes.

But it had been wonderful to seal their relationship in such a manner, even though they were not yet married.   But once her mother found out she would kill them both for this. Her father would definitely murder Soarin.

Spitfire allowed her gaze to roam to the Wonderbolts posters on her walls. Her heroes showed no sign of care for the distressed young mare or her troubles. The walls felt like they slowly closed in on her till she could no longer move.

My heroes. I bet none of you ever did something this stupid. Now I’ll never get to fly with any of you.

She curled up in the fetal position and hid her head in her fluffy pillow. Tears escaped unchecked and untamed as she allowed herself to wallow in her despair.

“Spit.”

That voice. It sounded as though he was just down the hallway.

“Spit! Where are you?” The worry in his tone ripped at Spitfire’s chest.   “Spitfire! I’m glad I found you here.”

Spitfire snorted.

“Don’t be like that. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Spitfire curled up facing away from her best friend and lover.

“Please?” the poor stallion sounded desperate.

After a few moments silence Spitfire felt a wing tenderly wrap around her side as its owner tentatively slid into the bed with her. She became his little spoon as he carefully cocooned her in his loving hold.

“Spitty, if you don't tell me whats wrong, I’m gonna cuddle you till you do.”   Spitfire drew a shaky breath and weakly lifted his wing with her own.

“I’m serious my dear. I’m not gonna let you go till you tell me.”

True to his word, Spitfire felt his grip gently tighten. The light blue wing carefully, yet forcefully settled back over her and slowly slid around to tickle her tummy.

“Go away, you big dummy! I- I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“But... you didn’t meet me like you said. So somethings gotta be up. I know you.”

Spitfire didn't bother to fight back as blue hooves carefully flipped her around to face her coltfriend. As the fiery young mare's face left the safety of her pillow, Spitfire didn’t even have the energy left inside to wipe the tears from her muzzle.

“I’m...”

“Hmmm?” that confident grin filed the young stallion’s muzzle. A grin that helped still the tempest inside.

After a few moments more of silence, Spitfire at last found her voice. “I- I’m pregnant.”

The grin fell from Soarin’s face faster than a speeding Wonderbolt. “What?”

“You big dummy. Neither of us thought to use protection.”

“But you weren't on your cycle.”

“Like that mattered!” Spitfire almost exploded, a hint of tears in her eyes.

“Hey,” Soarin lend back down to run a hoof through his mare’s mane. “It was our first time. We probably just you know, missed something little.”

Spitfire snorted in response.

“It was still special, right?”

“Of course it was, pie face, but now I’m stuck with the result.”

“No.”

This got Spitfire’s attention.

With as much tender care as he could muster, Soarin nuzzled his precious mare. “We both did this, so we can both share this too.”

“But I want to make it into the Wonderbolts. They don’t take pregnant mares or young mothers with responsibilities who cant give it their all.”

“Well, I’m sure we can find a way.” Soarin encouraged. “Besides, your Spitfire. You're like, the greatest. Whenever you put your mind to anything, you nail it.”

“Hey, you're not all that bad yourself.”

A light chuckle from Soarin gradually fell into contented silence while the couple lay together, content to cuddle.

After what could have been hours, Soarin piped up. “Hey, uh... Should I ask your parents if I can marry you or anything? I don’t want your dad to throw me into those vats in the rainbow factory or anything when he finds out what I’ve done to you.” That at last caused a spark of a laugh from Spitfire.

“They hardly know we’re dating.”

“I know... but your folks seemed all like...”

“Traditional?”

“Yea.”

“Look, Soarin.” Spitfire paused to gaze meaningfully into her coltfriend’s big beautiful eyes. “We got a few months before I’ll show. If we can’t think of anything by then, I guess I’ll just run away for a while.”

“You cant be serious.” Soarin withdrew in surprise.

“Yes, I am. We are in this advanced course together because we want to make it somewhere in life. I will not be a nopony.”

“The Wonderbolts.” A big silly grin slid across the stallion’s muzzle, it led to a light touch of one on his companion to match.

“Exactly. If I disappear for a few months, you can stay at advanced flight school and keep up the good work. Then I can ditch the foal and then return here and we should still make it into the official tryouts next year together when our course ends.”

“You don’t want to keep it?”

“And you do?”

“I- I suppose so? I dunno. This is all Kinda ...sudden. You know.”

Sptfire rolled her eyes at that.

“How about. I ask your parents. Then we think of something from there. The sooner I ask them for your hoof in marriage the less likely they are to think we did something we shouldn’t have. Then we can have a secret wedding to keep our relationship hidden and see if we want to keep our foal or not.”

Something warm and fuzzy swept through Spitfire’s system at the mention of our foal. The only problem here was, she didn't want warm and fuzzy and she definitely did not want to have a baby! Everything about this all was wrong. Everything except Soarin. If nothing else, he would be here for her and that meant everything would be okay in the end.

"Spitfire, are you home?" the deep bass of a middle-aged stallion rang through the house.

Spitfire jerked and hurried to sit up in bed, "shit, Dad's home."

"We gotta get you cleaned up a bit," Soarin whispered as he hurriedly untangled himself from his fillyfriend.

Spitfire quickly nuzzled into her companion's chest and made sure to give an extra vigorous rubbing to try and dispel the wetness. "There good enough," Spitfire remarked as she pulled away.

"Okay then," agreed Soain.

Spitfire leapt off her bed just in time. A pegasus with a rich, burned orange coat and a short green mane with cyan tips paused in the doorway.

"Oh, hello Soarin. I didn't expect to see you here too." The older stallion paused to take stock of the room. "I do hope I am not interrupting anything?"

CH8: Pre-Wedding Jitters (10 Weeks pregnant)

In the early light of a new day Spitfire stood in front of a small mirror in their cramped bedroom looking at her own reflection. “Do I look fat?”

“No way.” Soarin shot back defensively as he sat up in bed. His mostly healed wings still had a few visibly short feathers as his wings shot out. “Why would you even ask me that?”

“It’s been about ten weeks now,” Spitfire mused.

“Yea, true,” Soarin mosyed up close and gave his mare a kiss on her cheek. “And I still think you’re the most beautiful thing in the whole of Equestria.”

“What about outside of Equestria?” Spitfire side-eyed her stallion cheekily.

“Well...” Soarin sat back as if something did in fact come to mind.

“Hey!”

“Joking Sunshine!”

Spitfire tackled the light blue colt and the pair tussled around playfully on the bed together.

After their moments fun subsided, Spitfire relaxed on her side and Soarin mirrored her movement. She admired the young stallion who filled her whole world and enjoyed the feeling his wandering eyes brought her.

“Eyes up here,” Spitfire cautioned as his gaze sank lower.

Instead, the cornflower blue colt smirked while his eyes roamed around her lower body. She licked his snout and he jerked back. Spitfire smiled brightly at her companion. “Like what you see?”

“Of course. I can’t see any baby bump either and I have no other idea what else could have made you ask me if you looked fat.” Soarin gave his mare a quick peck on her cheek. “I still think you look beautiful.”

“Well.” Spitfire paused, “We are getting married tomorrow and I wondered uh-”

“It’s going to be fine Spitty. We fly up, we exchange a primary feather and have a big famliy feast. Then we bang. Again.”

Spitfire could tell from the grin on his face exactly how appealing the last two parts of the day were to him. “You make it sound so easy. What are you going to do, carry me off someplace secret to have your way with me after the foods all gone?”

“Something like that,” the confident reply put silly smiles on both pegasi’s muzzles. “I may have a plan in mind. And since it’s the school holidays, no pony is gonna miss us if we disappear for a day.”

“I thought we were leaving the travel till the honeymoon, when I start to show?”

“We are. I simply have ...ideas.” Soarin smiled slyly as he ran his hoof slowly up his lover’s side.

The yellow side quivered under the touch of the light blue hoof, “then I look forward to seeing this surprise of yours. Anyway, time for our morning flight. I want to race you to Ponyville and back.”

“How about to Ponyville, Canterlot then back?”

“You’re on.” The bright yellow pegasus rose and stretched. She left the room to quickly prepare breakfast for them both.

Spitfire grabbed an apple each then placed them on the table. She turned to source something extra when a noise drew her attention to the front door. Was that... the doorbell?   Somepony was visiting them?

Spitfire hastened to find out as a second and third ring chimed out. She opened the door to reveal-

“Dad?”

“Hi. Errr-”

“What do you want?” Spitfire bristled. She relaxed a bit at the touch of a blue wing as it settled over her.

“Yea. Are you lost?” Soarin seconded his wingmate.

Tempest Wind glanced between two. “That’s some welcome I see.”

“You trashed my wingmate.” Spitfire’s reply came sharp as steel.

“And hurt your own daughter. What are you doing here?” Soarin added.

“Yes, yes. I don’t wish to argue with you both.” Tempest took a deep breath, “look, I’m sorry. I lost my temper and I should not have so. What you both did is wrong, but since we are here are you willing to forgive me? Could you please give your old stallion another chance?”

Silence. One uncertain stallion stood in front of two surprised young pegasi.

As the shock faded from Spitfire, she threw herself at her father and gave him a big hug. After a moment’s stiffness, she felt him hug back and a warmth that she had not felt in weeks spilt back into her system. She squeezed her eyes shut against the happy tears that threatened to spill out.

Soarin’s maw hung loose for a moment before his mind caught back up with his body and he snapped it shut.

“You too.”

“What?” Soarin asked, totally unsure as to what the older stallion meant.

“Come on, join in. I want to hug both my children.” The older stallion extended a wing in invitation.

With trepidation Soarin sidled up alongside his lover. A dark orange hoof reached out and pulled the light blue pegasus in.

After a moment's hugging, Tempest Wind pulled back and smiled at his two youngsters.

Spitfire spoke up, “look, I don’t know if I can forgive you for beating my Soarin up like that. But Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. That day you walked in on Soarin and I. You know, the one where he asked if it was alright to marry me?”

Tempest Wind’s smile fell and he nodded, “yes, I remember.”

“Well-” Spitfire began.

“That’s when my Sunshine broke the news that she was pregnant.” Soarin took over. “And all I knew was that I could not get rid of our foal. We were prepared to live with what we did, but didn’t know how to tell you. So... we planned to hide it all and give our filly-”

“Colt.”

Soarin quirked an eyebrow at his lover, “-foal to like, an orphanage or something. You could never have killed Spitfire when your wife was carrying her could you?”

Tempest Wind narrowed his eyes at the younger stallion. “Of course not. What are you suggesting?”

“Well, I could not kill something we created either. Nothing can change that.” The blue colt’s gaze drifted to his love and he affectionately ruffed her mane with his wing, “nothing can change how much I love Spitfire.”

The dark orange stallion’s gaze took on a far off look. After several moments in thought, with both youngsters in suspense he sighed. “Alright. I think I understand what you are getting at. I will continue to keep your pregnancy a secret and I will support this union. But I expect you both to continue to provide for each other without my help. Although I guess I will cover your house when you leave to hide the last few months of your pregnancy.”

“Okay, thank you dad,” Spitfire replied

“If there's nothing new you two wish to surprise me with, I have one last request before I leave.”

“And that is?” A hint of challenge entered Soarin’s tone.

Tempest looked his daughter in the eyes, “it is tradition for the mare to not see her colt on the eve of their wedding. I know you have not saved yourself till after the feather exchange but will you at least allow your parents one last night before we hand you over for good?”

Spitfire met her fathers gaze with her own hardened stare, “I’ll think about it.”

“But that’s tonight.”

“So I’ll give it some thought and if you see me at the door, you’ll know the answer. If you see me in the morning when it’s time you’ll also know your answer.”

Tempest sighed, “alright. Just make that decision before dinner. Your mother misses having you at the dinner table.”

“Okay. Goodbye dad.” Spitfire reached up and hugged her father then withdrew to her colt’s side once more.

Dark orange wings spread wide as the stallion turned then took off into the early morning skies.

“You could have just said yes you know.” Soarin turned to his lover.

“I know. But after what he did to you I don’t know if I want to go back there yet.”

“Alright.” Soarin lent in and gave his very special pony a tight hug.

The CMC burst out of school to find Big Macintosh, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash outside awaiting them.

“Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy!” Scootaloo rushed into Fluttershy’s open hooves and hugged the lanky pegasus.

Rainbow Dash join in the quick hug. “Hey Squirt, how's your day been?”

“Great! We had lots of fun at lunchtime and classes were pretty good too.”

“Cool. Want to head home now or are do you want to have some more fun with your friends?”

“We were thinking of going to the clubhouse,” Scootaloo answered.

“What happens if we have a sleepover at Fluttershy’s place after? You know, since it’s Scootaloo’s new home.” Apple Bloom put forth, her gaze came to rest on her brother, seeking his approval.

The large red stallion shrugged, “okay.”

“I don't see why not.” Fluttershy conceded.

“Yay!”

“I’ll quickly ask my sister if its okay. I’ll see you two at the club house soon.” Sweetie Belle took off toward her sister’s shop.

As the other two cutie mark crusaders rushed off, Big Mac headed into the school house. After watching the farm pony for a moment, the two pegasi turned and began their trek to Twilight’s new castle. Dash turned to her fillyfriend.

“Should we tell them tonight?”

The shy mare receded slightly, “oh, I don’t know.”

“Come on ‘Shy. Don’t you think they are gonna wonder why I’m sleeping in your bed with you?” a big cheeky grin covered the speedster’s muzzle and she nudged her companion playfully.

Fluttershy flushed slightly, “oh. True. I guess it might be a good idea to let them know we are a couple, providing they don’t tell anypony else quite yet.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, the girls were all supportive of us when they found out we were gonna adopt Scootaloo.”

“Applejack didn’t seem all that impressed.”

“Yea.” Dash nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t think she’s all that keen on half the group being into girls.”

“True.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Hey Twilight.” Dash greeted as the couple entered the library to the new castle. “What a shock to find you in here.”

The speedster’s sarcasm was not lost on the princess who shot her a look, “hey, this new library has a lot of new books that need ordering.”

Dash smirked. As she was about to shoot a reply back at the princess, her fillyfriend beat her to it.

“We were hoping to borrow a few books on parenting? The only one I’ve read so far hasn’t been all that helpful.”

“Oh?” Twilight perked up at this, “is Scootaloo being quite a hooffull?”

“Well, it’s not that,” Dash replied.

“I just want us to be more prepared for the continued care of Scootaloo.” Fluttershy added, “it’s amazing the difference a filly makes to our lives, even after just a few days.”

“I think that’s delightful, I think I shelved a few books that might help yesterday,” Twilight beamed as her horn lit and she wandered off searching the rows of books.

Fluttershy made to follow but was captured by a blue wing and snogged.

The light yellow pegasus withdrew giggling softly, “Dashie, what was that for?”

A blue muzzle pressed against the soft yellow ear, “because no pony is watching.”

“Ah ha, I think I’ve found something!” The excited voice of Twilight rang out across the library.

“Coming!” Fluttershy broke out of her lover’s hold and hurried to find where their friend had gone.

Rainbow Dash huffed then flew up, above the rows of books. She quickly spotted the princess and swooped down to meet her. Much to her pride, only a few pages were ruffled in the process of landing swiftly.

“No flying in the library,” Twilight chastised.

Dash rolled her eyes, why make things boring?

Fluttershy walked up beside the duo, “what did you find?”

“Well we have-” Twilight was cut off by a surprise teleport as somepony appeared on her right side.

Dark blue hooves wrapped around her barrel and a blush darkened her already purple cheeks.

“What has my Star found to read?” Luna nuzzled in close.

Rainbow Dash was felled by laughter.

Fluttershy’s smile almost split her face in two at how cute the two princesses before her looked.

The one unsmothered purple wing rose from surprise and sudden enjoyment. “I- two books on parenting for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Not me.”

“Parenting?” Luna realised that she had an audience and promptly broke off her hold on the smaller alicorn. “Did you test out that spell on them?”

“What? No. It’s not ready yet.” Twilight balanced, almost dropping both books in the process.

“We adopted Scootaloo to be our cool adoptive daughter,” Dash spoke up. “Fluttershy decided we could use some help because it’s a lot of hard work to raise a filly right.”

“What spell did you think Twilight used on us?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

“Do not worry about the spell. It is a work in progress designed to help couples conceive their own foal when nature would not normally permit it.”

Still slightly flushed, Twilight offered the two books out to Fluttershy in her magic, “I know I can trust you with these, just bring them back whenever you are finished with them.”

“Thank you, Twilight,” the yellow pegasus accepted the offering. “Come on Rainbow Dash, I’m sure Twilight and Luna would like some alone time.”

"Let me know when that spell is ready, it sounds like fun," the speedster smirked knowingly at the two alicorns, then trotted after her mare.

The late day sun fell on a lone cottage near the Everfree forest. This home had a rather large cloud hovering overhead with a light blue pegasus napping on it. Inside the cottage, a yellow pegasus prepared a meal in expectation of the arrival of guests and family.

On the cloud, Rainbow Dash got up and stretched. After a satisfying nap on her cloud, she figured it was time to invade her fillyfriend’s peace and liven things up. She leapt into the air and looped around a few times till she veered off and landed on the doorstep of her still rather new home.

She let herself in and wandered over to the couch. She sat facing the kitchen, with a perfect view of her mare while she worked.

“Moving from one napping spot to another?”

“Na. I’m enjoying the view,” Dash smirked.

That got the yellow pony’s attention. With a slight blush on her cheeks, the lanky pegasus approached her lover and gave her a quick kiss.

“Come on ‘Shy, you can do better than that.”

“That was only a quick one, silly, I”ll give you more kisses after the girls have all gone to bed.”

“But we’re alone now.” The cheeky speedster made herself extra comfortable and held out a hoof invitingly. “Come on, I’m sure the dinner won’t get burned if you spend five minutes with me.”

Against her better judgment, Fluttershy laid another kiss upon her lover's cheek. She slipped into her fillyfriend’s wonderful warm embrace then went in for a deeper kiss. She smiled into the kiss at the feeling of her lover’s wings as they closed around her. It was perfect, it was-

“What the-!?” The shrill voice of Sweetie Belle shattered the moment like a glass exploding into a million pieces.

The yellow mare on top shot up. Both pegasi sported blushes, highly embarrassed at getting caught by the three fillies who stood on the front door step in shock.

“What is going on here?” Sweetie Belle gawped.

Applebloom could only gape while Scootaloo stood there with her wings up in surprise at discovering her caregivers in the middle of such an act.

“Well, uh...” Dash began, she gulped at the feeling of her partner hiding behind locks of pink. “Well... Fluttershy and I are together. Romanticly. Yea.”

“Lock the door next time or something, you two are worse than my sister and Spike.” Sweetie Belle grimaced at the mental images.

“Girls.” Scootaloo at last her voice, “this is my new home. These are my two moms.”

“Really?” Applebloom asked incredulously.

“No way!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“Yep, her honorary sister has become her mom,” Dash grinned, her cheeks still flushed.

“Well, I for one think it’s rather cute,” the young unicorn said as her legs, at last, remembered to function and she strode up to the two still entwined on the couch. “But please, a warning next time.”

“Sure thing,” Dash shot back.

“Dinner isn’t quite yet ready,” Fluttershy spoke up, eager to steer the conversation away from her relationship. “What would you girls like to do.”

“Find out how you two got together.” Sweetie Belle grinned up the adults.

The speedster sighed, “Fluttershy asked me out soon after we kicked Tirek’s butt. Before that, I had no idea she liked me. Okay?”

“Okay.” Sweetie continued to grin. “What about you Fluttershy? How long have you liked Rainbow Dash?”

"A long time..." Fluttershy trailed off as her mind drifted back to earlier days.

Sweetie Belle, "Awwww."

Scootaloo shook her head, “sometimes you can be a little bit too much like your sister. Ya know?”

“Am not.”

“Am too!”

“Am not!”

“Girls!” Fluttershy quieted the heard, “if you don’t mind, please give Rainbow and I some space to finish preparing dinner for you.”

“Yea. Go upstairs or outside and play, it won’t be long,” Dash prompted.

“Alright, call us when it’s ready.” Applebloom turned and rushed out the door, the other two hot on her tail.

Dash flopped back down upon the couch, “well... now they know.”

Fluttershy giggled and flushed slightly, “true. Now about our little um-”

“Kissing session?” The blue pegasus smirked up at her lover.

“Well, I think dinner will be okay for another minute.”

“Fluttershy, I like the way you think.”

Yellow met blue as the couple once again locked lips while hooves and wings shifted to more intimately grasp each other.

In the fading light, one young mare touched down in front of her parents home. She paused at the door, was this really a good idea? Her mind drifted back to the conversation with her wingmate just before her departure.

“Are you sure you will be alright?” Spitfire asked her light blue colt.

“Yea.” Soarin sighed, “look... since you’re now going to your parents' house, I think I’ll go to mine and see if my parents will let me in for a night too. I think my two cousins and my auntie and uncle are visiting too, so I’ll have some company, don’t you worry.”

The light yellow mare nodded, “alright. Sounds like a plan then. See you tomorrow?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Sunshine, my darling. My snuggly, cuddle-buddy.” Soarin grinned back at his lover.

"Pie boy," Spitfire smirked as she stepped up to her colt and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going to miss this big cuddly beast."

"Oh, I'm a cuddly beast?"

A yellow hoof prodded a slightly less than lean blue barrel, "feels to me like some of that pie missed its chance to become muscle."

"Ouch, rough."

"Thought you enjoyed rough," Spitfire ruffled her colt's mane playfully.

"I don't know what you could possibly be talking about there, Spitty."

"Oh, you know," the bright yellow mare leant in with a cheeky look. "That thing that you're totally gonna miss tonight."

"Yea," Soarin did his best attempt at a sad pouty sigh, "I'm gonna miss our cuddles... playing with your wings in bed... our morning cuddles. You know... the good stuff."

"Right." Spitfire's expression broke her companion's fake sadness.

Both young pegasi grinned at each other.

"It's been a fun three weeks living with you Sunshine, I can't wait for more," Soarin confessed.

Spitfire felt tingles inside, it was wonderful to feel wanted and truly loved. She also felt less keen on leaving now.

Neither pegasus moved.

Another beat of silence.

“Spitty, the sun is getting lower. Soon your dad is gonna think you’re not coming.” The cornflower blue colt tentatively broke the silence.

Spitfire impaled her companion and the two landed on the soft cloud floor of their entrance room. She hugged her colt tightly and nuzzled under his chest, unwilling to let go. She smiled to herself as she felt wings and hooves wrap around her. “Sunshine, it’s gonna be alright. I’ll see you tomorrow morning for our ceremony.”

“I know.” She continued to hold on tightly to the young stallion who lay on his back.

“But?” Soarin prompted.

“These last few weeks together.”

“What about them?” A nuzzle followed the blue pegasus’s words as he attempted to raise her muzzle to look into his eyes.

“I’m not sure I want to go back to my parents' place. You’re my home now.”

Her confession left him grinning like a mad-colt while his insides fluttered. “Same here filly. It’s just for one night though. Then we can have all the cuddles and stuff that we want after that.”

Spitfire choked on emotion as she laughed lightly, her nose bopped her companion’s as she, at last, came eye to eye with him. “You mean all the cuddles I want and all the sex you want.”

“Hey, I enjoy cuddles too. And I’m sure I never heard you complain about our bedroom fun.”

Rather than reply, Spitfire lowered herself once again. She nuzzled under his chin and lay upon her strong young stud. She could feel his excitement building but knew he was right, it was getting late and she really had to go if she was to make it in time for dinner at her parents' place. The sunny yellow pegasus rose, “You better be there when I fly up tomorrow.”

“I would not miss it for anything.” Soarin gave her a great big silly grin.

Spitfire rose and forced herself out the door.

Spitfire soared over the high point in central Cloudsdale on her way to her parent’s place. She paused to watch two young fillies who looked around eleven or twelve, blue with a rainbow mane and yellow with pink as they played on a cloud. She smiled to herself, that tower had been made for young pegasi. It was good to see it in use. The two currently playing there reminded her of two certain ponies when they were young. It had been a lot of fun playing with Soarin up there. Look at them now, about to get married. She chuckled to herself. Maybe if the blue one was a boy the two friends below would get married too when they grew up, just like her and Soarin.

‘Come on. That’s just silly,’ Spitfire chided herself. It wasn't like they were a young couple destined to be married. Not like her and Soarin. The number of times their friends had made jokes about the two of them getting married when they were younger...

Good times...

The blue filly spotted her and waved. Spitfire grinned and waved back.

She knew she should really be at her father’s place already. Just get it over with, yet she found it easier to loop around, pull off a few random tricks before she made a flashy landing in front of the duo.

Spitfire put on her best smile, “hello you two.”

The yellow pegasus hid behind her blue companion and Spitfire couldn’t help but chuckle, “It’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“It’s okay, she’s just shy.” The blue filly spoke up as she rubbed her companion’s back to calm her.

“But... stranger.” The yellow one spoke so softly, Spitfire almost wondered if she imagined the words.

“Hey, she seems cool.” The rainbow maned filly turned to her companion and with a careful nuzzle, brought the shy pegasus around to face the young adult. “What brings a grown up to our tower of cool?”

“Well,” Spitfire smiled as she sat down to better reach the duo’s level. “I’m on my way to my parents' house to spend one last night there.”

“One last night? Why?” The blue filly scrunched up her muzzle in confusion.

Having spontaneously made the decision that these two were completely innocent and were unlikely to tell anypony else, Spitfire did something that was sure to draw out the time until she had to arrive at her parents place even more. She opened her mouth and began to speak, “because I’m getting married tomorrow.”

“You are?” The tiny voice of the yellow one spoke up in wonder. “I think you will make such a beautiful bride.”

As soon as Spitfire’s gaze landed on the yellow filly, she withdrew as best she could behind the blue wing and pink mane. “Thank you.” Spitfire sighed, “sadly not everypony thinks that.”

“Why not?” The bolder filly asked.

“Well-” was she really going to do this? “my wingmate and I made a mistake and our families did not take it well.”

“Well your families sound uncool. Say... you know, you have very good flying technique. Are you planning to join the Wonderbolts or something?” The blue filly asked excitedly.

“I am yes.” Spitfire smiled appreciatively at the blue filly.

“Cool! They’re like... the most awesome ponies ever!” The blue filly leapt into the air with excitement and did a little loop then landed precisely on the cloud next to her friend again. “I want to be one when I grow up too.”

“Sounds good kid. Maybe I’ll be your commanding officer one day.”

“Or maybe I’ll be yours.” The bold blue one challenged back.

“Wouldn’t that be a sight. I’ll be a Wonderbolt before you, you know.”

“So,” rainbow mane swished as the youngster stood on her hind hooves and declared;
“I’m going to be the fastest pegasus alive!”

Her companion giggled softly from her side and Spitfire couldn’t help but smile too. “It takes more than speed to make it into the Wonderbolts you know. In the advanced flight course I’m doing you also need to know how it all works in theory.”

“But why,” the young filly asked. “Can’t you just do it?”

That drew a short laugh out of Spitfire. “Kid, once you know how it works, you can work out what you can or can’t do without breaking bones. You can also draft up new moves on paper then take it outside and put it into practice faster.”

The young mare laughed a bit at the incredulous look the younger wannabe Wonderbolt shot her. “I think I should be off though.”

“Why?”

“To spend one last night at my parents' place.”

“Oh right, uncool stuff.”

“That's right squirt.” Spitfire smirked at the outspoken youngster then flew off.

Spitfire’s mind drifted back to the present and she sighed. Enough time wasting. It was either now, or she may as well fly back to her wingmate. She slowly raised a hoof and knocked on the door. Almost immediately the solid cloud door swung open to reveal a rather surprised orange stallion.

“You actually came home.”

“Yes, dad.” The young mare replied as she stepped inside and closed the door.

Spitfire found herself wrapped in a tight hug that was soon joined by her mother.

“Thank you for coming home, dear.”

With the late day sun at his back, Soarin touched down in front of his parents home. He glanced around to make sure no pony paid him any heed before he rapped on the front door.

“Go away Tempest, I’m done talking with you today!”

The young stallion blanched at the anger in his father’s voice, “Tempest? What’s he done?”

“Soarin?” Tyson’s confused voice rang out.

Moments later the door was wrenched open to reveal a dark blue stallion with a very ruffled light red mane. “What are you doing here son?”

“Well, Spitfire decided to spend her last night before our wedding with her parents as per tradition and so that we don’t see each other before the ceremony. And... yea,” Soarin trailed off.

Tyson quirked an eyebrow, “really now?”

“Well, yea. Why did you think I was Tempest?”

“Nevermind that son. Come in, it’s almost dinner and your mother will love to see you.” Tyson turned to face the kitchen, “Honey, our son has come for dinner!”

“Oh! Well, I better set two more places,” the delighted tone of Dawnrush replied.

“No honey, just Soarin!” light red mane swished from side to side as Tyson shook his head. “Come in son.”

Soarin was quick to accept his father’s invitation and the two strode through the hallway to the dining room.

A light green mare appeared in the doorway blocking the two stallion’s path. “Alright. What happened?”

“What do you mean?” Soarin wondered.

“What’s wrong? Did you do something? Why didn’t Spitfire want to come too?”

Soarin blinked slowly, unsure as to why his mother would ask such things. “Uh. Nothing’s wrong mom.”

“Then where is Spitfire?” Dawnrush stepped toward her son, concerned.

The light blue colt glanced between his parents. “Why would something be wrong?”

“Because she’s always with you,” Dawnrush pointed out.

“Well yea, when we come for dinner,” Soarin fidgeted. “But we don’t spend every waking hour together. That would be a bit weird.”

Tyson snorted a laugh down, “I’m sorry, we just thought you two were joined at the hip.”

Soarin rolled his eyes, “what’s for dinner mom?”

“Something I’m sure you’ll enjoy,” the light green mare replied. She continued to block her sons way to the table. “But first, where’s Spitfire? Are you both okay?”

“Yes, mom. She just went to her parents' place, you know... cause we are getting married tomorrow and she wants to see me on the day and all.” Soarin replied, eager to see the conversation over with.

Both parents shared a look. A rich sky blue mane bobbed as the matriarch returned to the kitchen. The way his dad followed her left Soarin sure his parents had just shared some kind of communication and come to some sort of agreement. Whatever it was, he had no idea. But if his father did not want to talk about Tempest, there was sure to be nothing he could do to get his dad to talk.

Tomorrow was sure to be quite a day.