Angel Wings, Broken Rainbows

Rainbow Dash looked up at the sun and closed her eyes. She let the warmth of Celestia's magic wash over her face. She drank in the sounds of her friends having fun with their pets on one of their many pet play dates.

Suddenly something wet and sticky woke Rainbow from her apparent bliss.

"Ew! Winona! Go lick Angel Bunny or something," the rainbow maned watched as the dog ran off toward an unsuspecting rabbit.

She looked down and saw her wonderful pet tortoise lounging at her side. "You don't have to chill with me Tank. You can go play with the others."

A smile slowly overtook Tank's face as he just as slowly nuzzled Rainbow's belly.

"Okay okay. You can keep us company," she said as she patted his shell and moved her hoof to her own tummy. She gazed out at the cavalcade of ponies and pets running and playing as if the entire world were content. Her eyes stopped on a carnation colored mane leading to golden fur. Fluttershy was trying to console a saliva covered bunny, the concern in her eyes beautifully interwoven with silent laughter at his predicament. Her heart quickened as she looked the mare she loved, the mare she had forever linked with. An overwhelming happiness filled her body and her baby kicked reflexively, as if to say it felt the same joy.

"Twilight!" a purple blur whooshed through the crowd of ponies, stopping in front of a particular lavender unicorn.

"What is it Spike? Is everything okay?"

"You.....I.....urgent message.....Celestia.....*BELCH*," green fire burst forth from the dragon's mouth as scroll formed in front of Twilight. As she read it, the look on her face became grave.

"What's it say Twi'? Everythin' okay?"

"Cadence.....Cadence has gone into labor. I have to go to Canterlot.

The words filled Rainbow Dash with a deep seated fear. She looked to Fluttershy and saw those aquamarine eyes looking right back into her own. She saw the same fear.
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They all followed Twilight back to her house. Luckily they ran into the Cutie Mark Crusaders on the way.

"Applebloom, would you guys mind takin' all the critters home for us?"

"Why Sis? Did somethin' happen?"

"Please girls. We do not have time to argue. Sweetie, please do as we ask."

"But wha-"

"Its okay Squirt," Rainbow Dash spoke up, cutting off the orange filly, "there's nothing you guys need to worry about right now."

Scootaloo nodded, and looked to her friends who seemed resigned to the request. They turned to walk away, all the animals in tow. Scootaloo turned back and met eyes with her idol. Rainbow scrambled to hide the fear on her face, but judging from her expression she saw at least a glimmer.
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Fluttershy stood by as Twilight and Spike packed the bare essentials into her saddlebags.

"I'm sorry you guys."

"It's okay Twilight. This is your family. We will be here for you and Cadence if you need us." Pinkie replied.

"No no, that's not it. You girls are just as much my family as Shining Armor and Cadence. I want you with me more than anything but....." she looked at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with tears in her eyes, "if something happens-"

It was Fluttershy who spoke, "Don't you say anything like that Twilight. Nothing is going to happen. Cadence is going to give birth to a beautiful new baby and she and your brother are going to live happily ever after."

".....You're right Fluttershy. I'm sorry I even said that. I have to go now. I promise I'll be back soon and I'll tell you just how cute the baby is."

"We'll be waiting," Rainbow said as a blinding flash of light engulfed the purple unicorn and her baby dragon companion.

"It's gonna be okay Dashie."

"I know it will." the cerulean pegasus said, one hoof on her belly.
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"Come on girls. Twilight will be back any minute. We are almost ready."

Left and right, ponies scrambled trying to prepare everything to Pinkie Pie's insane specs. Fluttershy, being the only flyer considering Rainbow Dash's current status, was flitting back and forth hanging streamers from the ceiling.

"Aaaaaaaannnnnd done! Thank you everypony! Twilight's gonna love it. Hey, what do you guys think the baby looks like?"

"Well, Cadence is just darling and Shining Armor is quite the handsome stallion. I bet the baby got the best of both of them."

"Ah say that is a fine idea. Ah say he's gonna have a coat the color of Armor's mane and a mane the color of Cadence's coat."

"You guys are waaaayyyyy off. His mane, tail, and coat are the same color as Twilight's, only a shade darker."

"And how exactly do ya know that Pinkie Pie?"

"That's a good question. I just do."

"And that's that," Rarity said with a light chuckle.

"What do you think your baby will look like Dashie?"

"I don't know Pinks. I think she will have all my awesomeness but she will be just as kind as Fluttershy. I wanna be just as surprised as everypony else by how she looks."

"Oh, but Dashie, how do you know it will be a filly?"

"Dunno 'Shy," the cyan mare said as she planted a quick kiss on her lover's nose, "Just do."

The spell that Rarity cast indicated that someone was approaching the front door.

"Places!"

Everypony hid as the door slowly began to creak open.

"SURPRISE!!!" a collective yell roared out from behind couches and chairs and they looked expecting to see the surprised yet happy faces of a certain unicorn and baby dragon.

"Twilight? Spike? What's wrong?"

Twilight looked up at her friends and then to the baby dragon sleeping restlessly on her back.

"The baby is a healthy colt. He.....he looks like me. I'm an aunt now."

Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Is Cadence okay?"

The tears broke through the weary unicorn's eyes, "Cadence.....she.....she....." They saw Spike stir and tighten his grip around Twilight's neck. She raised a hoof to caress that comforting claw. "She's gone."