Author's Note

IT'S THE FINAL CHAPTER. WOOOOOOO! We made it, guys! It's the end of another fic, and I'm really glad it turned out this well. Thank you all so much for your patience with me as I took my trip. I hope this chapter defies your expectations.

Thank you to everyone who read this piece. You guys are awesome and I would not be where I am without you. Pat yourselves on the back, because you rock.

Enjoy the last chapter! I sure did!

My Grass Is Green

Later that night, after all the other Wonderbolts had gone home, Spitfire held Rainbow Dash in her hooves, smiling kindly at her as the rainbow-maned pegasus regaled her with stories of her adventures in saving Equestria. Spitfire listened, fascinated and proud of everything she had done. And yet, even as she listened and heard exactly what she had said, her mind wandered. She thought about her earlier feelings, the ones she had happened upon after the day’s earlier game. And she figured that now would be a good a time as any to do so.

She caught a break. Rainbow had just finished telling the tale of how she had helped defeat Discord.

“…An’ dat’s how I hewped beat Discowd.” She said.

“That’s a great story.” Spitfire praised, and Rainbow beamed. Rainbow hummed, happy with herself. Spitfire looked down at her. “Hey Baby Bolt?”

“Hmmm?” Rainbow looked up at her, smiling.

“You remember earlier when you told me I won the game?” She asked.

“Uh huh.”

“You know, I was thinking. You were right, I did win the game, but I also won something a lot better.”

“Wha?”

“I got you.” She smiled. “The best gift I ever got.”

“Me?” Rainbow looked surprised.

“You.” She confirmed.

“Buh… Why me?”

Spitfire gave her a warm smile and pulled her in close. “Well, let me put it this way: you’re awesome, right?”

Rainbow nodded proudly.

“And everypony knows that you’re awesome, right?”

Again, she nodded.

“Well think of it this way- I already knew you were awesome when I met you, and now I got to be a Mama to this part of you. I know you’re not actually the element of generosity, but giving me the gift of being your mama is pretty darn close.”

Rainbow nodded, but looked unsure. “Buh Mama, Ou da captain of da Wondewbowts. Da best fwiews evew! How’m I bettew den dat?”

“Being the captain of the wonderbolts is pretty cool, but knowing you trust me enough to look after you, that’s the coolest.” She said, ruffling Rainbow’s mane. The regressed mare giggled.

“Tanks, Mama.” Rainbow said, nuzzling her.

Spitfire planted a kiss to the crown of her head. “You’re welcome, baby bolt.” Rainbow yawned a moment later, and Spitfire grinned. “I think it’s bedtime for you, little one.”

“Nuh uh! I no tiwed!” Rainbow protested.

“Oh? Then what was that yawn I heard?”

“Not me!” Rainbow said confidently.

Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “So you wouldn’t get tired if I gave you Daring Do to cuddle?”

Spitfire got up and rummaged around the bag for it. She handed her the doll, but Rainbow remained as stubborn and pigheaded as ever. “No!”

“What about if I gave you a bottle to drink?” She asked, pulling out one that she had been cooling off for a little while.

Rainbow took it and started suckling, her eyes beginning to droop, but she still retained her stubborn streak and shook her head.

“And if I tucked you in? How about then?” Spitfire pulled the covers over her. Her eyes closed, but still she tried to stay awake, though it was mostly in vain at that point.

Spitfire began to sing to her, and before she knew it, soft snores filled the room. Spitfire added one last touch and gave her little filly her pacifier to enjoy, and smiled when she began suckling. Nodding, satisfied with her work, she sat down in a chair and watched over her little one. Luckily for her, Rainbow did not stir all night.

In the days that followed, Rainbow was visited by all of her fellow Wonderbolts every day. They played games, laughed, joked, and just generally raised her spirits. When they were at practice, Mama or one of her brothers or her auntie stayed with her to make sure she wasn’t alone. The day after the Wonderbolts visited her for the first time, the doctors informed Rainbow that she would have to have surgery to repair her crushed wing. She had been anxious about that at first, but Mama had reassured her that she had nothing to worry about, and promised her that she would be there the whole time.

Not too long after, Rainbow was breathing in anesthesia as her Mama held her hoof and told her she was going to be okay. Blackness enveloped her, and kept her down for a very long time. When she finally woke up, the first thing she saw was Mama smiling down at her, and it made her smile too. She just knew that she would be okay. And indeed, when the doctor came by to see her, that’s what he said. After her wing had some time to heal, it would be perfect again. Thank goodness for magical reconstruction.

Following her surgery, Rainbow stayed in the hospital an extra two weeks to monitor how her wing was healing and to manage her pain from the surgery. She wasn’t allowed to use it yet, but the doctor said it was healing up nicely. Thankfully, Mama and her brothers had shown her all the new moves for their latest performance, so she wasn’t really missing out on anything. Mama had assured her that she would be able to do everything just fine. And when the day finally came that she could leave the hospital, Rainbow was eager to spread her wings and practice again. Even though the doctor told her to take it easy on her wing, that didn’t stop her from trying to push her limits. It wasn’t long before she was up and flying as if nothing had ever happened to her. And for that, she was grateful. She was practicing with her team again, nailing moves left and right, and they were all grateful to have her back.

When the time for their show in Canterlot for the Princess came, Rainbow gave a breathtaking performance, along with her fellow Wonderbolts. Princess Celestia had looked pleased with it, and Spitfire had absolutely been proud. After everything that had happened, this was the kind of comeback that dreams were made of.

And Rainbow Dash? She was grateful. She had the best Mama, the most awesome brothers, an amazing auntie, and incredible teammates. They were one big family, and she knew without a doubt that nothing would ever break the bonds of their family ties.