Despite All Odds

By the time Twilight had finished her story, she had cried, laughed, shook with rage, and dropped into depression.

“So that's why you hate Star Bright so much...” Fluttershy mumbled quietly.

“Yes. I can never forgive him for what he had done to me for his own personal gain and now that he's back in my life again, I've no doubt that he's up to something once again.”

Fluttershy didn't know what else to say, so instead she just continued to rub Twilight's head, coaxing her into a state of relaxation.

“Well...whatever he's up to, we'll fight him together.”

The unicorn sighed and said, “That's what I'm afraid of.” She spun, startling the timid pegasus and said, “I don't want to lose you like I lost Amethyst. I don't think I could handle that amount of pain again Fluttershy...”

Fluttershy pulled Twilight into a tight hug, feeling her body shake with each of Twilight's sobs into her chest.

“It won't come to that Twilight...I know it won't.” Fluttershy whispered into Twilight's ears, as well as other comforting words. The lavender pony eventually ended up falling asleep in Fluttershy's grasp and any other night, the pegasus would have happily fallen asleep as well but tonight had shaken her.

'From what it sounds like...Amethyst was just like me, or I was like her, or we are alike. Am I just a replacement for this Amethyst Star? What am I to Twilight? Is our whole relationship a lie just because I'm basically Amethyst Star but with wings instead of a horn and a different colour?' Fluttershy felt tears begin to stain her vision, but she clenched her eyes shut and wiped them away with her free wing.

'No! Our relationship is real and even though Amethyst and myself are alike, we are two different ponies. She was Twilight's love then, and I'm her love now. Past and present, then and there to here and now. She loves me because I'm me, not just some imitation of a pony she loved long ago...right?'

The ring of doubt still rung in her ears, but she shoved that doubt far into the depths of her mind and closed her eyes. 'She loves me now...' Was the last thought that went through the shy pony's mind before sleep gently lulled her into its realm.

Despite going to bed later than Twilight, Fluttershy still managed to get up before the unicorn and after carefully slipping away from Twilight's possessive hold on her, she hovered downstairs where she found Spike still sleeping soundly.

She flew into the kitchen and grabbed a pencil before landing and wrote, “Twilight, I've gone into town to do some shopping. Not an epic adventure, but I still figured you'd want to know where I was. Love, Fluttershy”

When she was satisfied, the pegasus grabbed her scarf and after wrapping around her neck, opened the door and quietly closed it to avoid waking the sleeping patrons of the library. The first thing that Fluttershy did was head to Applejack's apple cart to buy some things and talk with a friend.

“Well howdy Fluttershy. Chilly mornin' don't ya think?”

“Oh yes. It's definitely going to be quite a cold winter this year.”

The farmpony sighed and said, “Unfortunately so. Now then, what can I get'cha?” Fluttershy picked out what she needed and after paying lingered for a moment.

“What's the matter sugercube? Somethin' on yer mind?”

“Well...it's just...” As Fluttershy tried to find the words to explain how she felt about Twilight's story, a mare walked up and tapped her shoulder.

“Hey Fluttershy?”

The pegasus nearly jumped, but managed to control her fear. She turned and saw the town mailmare Ditzy. “Oh, hello Ditzy. How are you today?”

The cross eyed pegasus grinned. “I'm great! How're you?”

“I'm not too bad. Is that for me?” Fluttershy pointed to the package balanced on the yellow hair of her fellow pegasus.

“Yup, and this one too.” She opened her right wing and a letter fell neatly into her hoof, then held it out to Fluttershy. “If you would sign here please?” The muffin loving mare reached into her saddlebag and gripped a clipboard with her mouth and with a yank pulled out then pen that was attached via string.

“Of course.” Fluttershy grabbed the pen and quickly signed the board, taking her mail from Ditzy.

“Have a nice day Fluttershy.” The pale blue pegasus said, waving a hoof and flying away while greeting all the other ponies that called out to her, whether it be her actual name or her nickname Derpy.

“So what did'ja get sugercube?” Applejack asked in curiosity.

“Well...one is unmarked other than a small heart...and the other...” She turned the letter over and nearly dropped it. “I-it's from my f-father!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

“Is that good or bad?”

Fluttershy smiled the biggest smile Applejack had ever seen and said, “Of course it's good! I have to go tell Twilight! I'll see you later Applejack!” Fluttershy picked up the unmarked box and tossed it into her saddlebag while she grabbed the letter in her mouth and took off full speed back to the library.

“Whoa...don't think I've ever seen Fluttershy that excited, or loud before.” The earth pony speculated, slightly shocked.

Twilight had just woken up and was in the kitchen, reading over Fluttershy's letter and downing a mug of warm coffee. “Huh...wonder what she went-” She stopped when she heard the front door open followed by hoof-beats on the wooden floor.

“Twilight! I got mail!” The pegasus said in excitement.

Twilight yawned before answering. “From who?”

“My father!” Twilight searched her mind for any mention of Fluttershy's parents and came up blank.

“What does it say?”

Fluttershy set it down and within seconds, Twilight had it open for Fluttershy to read. The pegasus cleared her throat and read it aloud.

“To my dearest Fluttershy; How are you? I hope you've been well. I have recently returned to Cloudsdale and was wondering if you'd honour me by coming to see me. I would love to see you again, as would Lightning Streak. Please send us a reply as soon as you can. Love; your father Warm Breeze.”

Fluttershy could barely contain her excitement and it showed. She was shifting from hoof to hoof, she couldn't stop grinning, and the tips of her wings were flapping rapidly.

“So when do you plan on going?” Twilight asked, re-reading the letter.

“You mean WE and I'd like to go tomorrow...if that's okay.”

“Of course we can. I don't think you've ever mentioned your parents so it'll be nice to meet them.”

Fluttershy nodded and said, “I can't wait to tell him everything that's been going, especially about us getting together.”

Twilight nearly gagged on the coffee she had taken a drink of. After coughing for a moment, she said, “Are you sure you want to do it so soon after he got back? Or right after meeting me for that matter?”

Twilight could feel nervous energy begin to wash over her but began to calm down when Fluttershy hugged her.

“Don't worry. When you meet him, you'll understand my aloofness about telling him about us. Besides, I just know you'll love him.” Fluttershy skipped out of the room while Twilight's mind was reeling with questions. However, she stopped herself before it became too out of control.

'No use in worrying about it too much. I've got to trust Fluttershy.' With one last sip, her coffee was gone and she was ready to start the day by making a checklist for Spike since she would be gone for a day or two.

Star Bright was walking through the town of Ponyville, his mind slinging various insults or harsh words at whatever he deemed unfit for his eyes to pass over when a voice called out to him. He turned to his right and nearly dropped his jaw. The shadows themselves were moving, beckoning towards him.

He inched closer and after making sure nopony was close enough to hear him, he said, “Sorry, but I don't deal with dark and “spooky” things. So if you want to talk to me, you WILL show yourself.” The shadow did not move but whispered two words.

“Twilight Sparkle.” He looked into the depths of the dark mass and saw a pair of eyes gleaming back at him.

“I'm listening...”

The rest of the day went by rather quickly for the couple as they helped set up the library for Spike whilst they would be gone in Cloudsdale. “I'm also going to need you to pick up something more quills from Quills and Sofas...I'm also going to need...”

Spike rolled his eyes as Twilight continued to list of things that would need finished while Fluttershy went up to their room.

She walked over to her small corner of items and grabbed the small violet box that she had brought and opened it up. Inside were 2 items; an old photograph and a ring. Carefully, Fluttershy removed both the ring and photograph and stared at them both. The photo depicted a happy family of pegasi.

A yellow stallion with hazel eyes and a cyan mane, a grown dark orange mare with crystal blue eyes and a pink mane tied into a single braid, and a young yellow filly with teal eyes and a pink mane. On the back written in elegant cursive was “Warm Breeze, Graceful Flight, and Fluttershy”. The yellow mare couldn't help but smile fondly at the photo before putting it back. Next, she gazed at the ring as if it were the most valuable thing in the world (and in a way, it was).

“Mom...” She held back the tear that threatened to fall before putting it back in the box.

“You've never talked about your parents before.” Fluttershy turned around and saw Twilight leaning against the door-frame, a warm smile on her face.

“I know...” Twilight walked over and looked down into the box to see the picture.

“Your mom and dad?”

Fluttershy nodded and said, “My dad's name as you know is Warm Breeze, and my mother's name is Graceful Flight.”

“Wow...she's really beautiful Fluttershy. Now I see where you get it from.” Twilight said, kissing her lover's cheek.

Fluttershy chuckled and said, “Flattery will get you everywhere my dear bookworm.”

Twilight giggled and turned her attention to the ring. “What kind of ring is this? I've never seen one like it. It's like a Horn Ring, but your mother is a pegasus.”

“It's a Wing Ring. When two pegasi get married, they receive rings much like unicorns do. However, unlike unicorns, most pegasi leave their rings on. You see...they go on like this...” Fluttershy lifted the ring up and gently bit down, causing it to separate at a small nearly hidden joint. Then, she turned her head and wrapped part of it around the joint of her wing that connected it to her body, then with another bite, it snapped closed with a perfect fit.

“Wow...It's amazing...” The ring was silver with the brightest blue sapphires that Twilight had ever seen and was easily visible on Fluttershy, even when her wings were closed and at her side.

“It was my mother's wedding ring.” Twilight could hear the tone of sadness in her marefriend's voice, so she pulled Fluttershy into a light embrace.

“What happened to her?”

Fluttershy sighed and Twilight felt the pegasus tighten her hold around her neck before answering.

“She had an illness that only pegasi can get. The doctors said that she wouldn't live to be 24. She lived until she was 28...when she had me...The birthing process was too much on her body with the illness and after I was born...she passed away.”

Twilight could feel wetness on her coat and immediately began to stroke Fluttershy's back.

“This ring and photo are all I have of her.” Twilight nodded as Fluttershy took a step back to dry her damp eyes. “I'm sorry Twilight...I didn't mean to start crying.”

“It's alright Fluttershy. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had lost my mother like that...I'm glad you have a keepsake that will remind you of her whenever you need it.”

The pegasus mare just nodded and removed it with the same fluidity that she had used to put it on and within seconds was back in the small box.

“I love you Twilight.”

The unicorn smiled and said, “I love you too. C'mon. We're going out to eat; You, Spike, and myself.”

Fluttershy smiled and after putting the box back onto her shelf, followed Twilight and Spike to their destination while the snow fell around them in small flurries.

It had been another average day for Pinkie Pie. She had been working really hard since she had learned the news of her friends being in a relationship together.

“Don't they know that nothing good will come of it?” She mumbled to herself as she pulled a pan of muffins out from the stove. She carefully put them on the counter and before she could begin to add the frosting, the bell above the door rang.

The party mare put a smile on and walked up to the counter. “Welcome to Sugercube Corner. Today we have...”

Her words trailed into silence as she looked past the customer and out the window where she saw Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy walking side by side with Spike riding on Twilight. They were all smiling and Spike was laughing at something only they could hear.

“Um...excuse me? My order?”

“Yea, here.” Pinkie said absently as she shoved the bag into the customers waiting arms and collected his money. Then, she shooed him out, closed the store and after dressing warmly, took off after her friends.

She managed to catch up just as they were walking into a restaurant. She watched them through the window and quickly dove into the nearby bush when they took a seat near the window she had been peeking through.

So, she crawled a few feet away then poked her head out. The trio were still laughing and smiling and even had the waitress laughing with them. Pinkie growled a little but continued to watch. As she did, she tried to read their lips. However, she had underestimated the cold and because of that, she had under dressed.

She couldn't stop her body from shivering and when it spread to her head, it became hard to make out the words as her head shook with cold.

Finally, Pinkie huffed and began the trek home, muttering to herself. “All I got was something about parents. Ugh, stupid weather.” With one last look at the restaurant, the pink mare sighed in defeat and walked into her home.

When dawn broke the next day, Twilight and Fluttershy got up to share breakfast and coffee as they awaited a more suitable time to leave. When the time had come, the girls had woken Spike up so he wouldn't forsake his morning chores and after making sure that he WOULD stay awake, Twilight checked the hot air balloon they had drug out the small storage room behind the library.

They had allowed it to start inflating while they ate and woke up.

“Everything seems to be in order. Shall we get going?” Fluttershy nodded and as soon as the balloon was in the air, the yellow pegasus flew around to make sure there was nothing wrong with the balloon or basket.

“We're good to go.”

Twilight marked something off a checklist and began to make the balloon rise. When she was satisfied, Twilight allowed the wind to guide the balloon to Cloudsdale. Fluttershy came and joined her in the basket to offer her natural warmth to Twilight. Flying in high altitudes during cold weather meant a pony could easily freeze if they weren't prepared or were anything other than a pegasus.

The ride was relatively boring but the pair managed to keep themselves occupied by talking. As they approached Cloudsdale, Fluttershy hopped out of the basket and directed Twilight on where to go. After steering and nearly crashing a few times, Twilight managed to set the balloon down on a large cloud plateau that lead to where Fluttershy's father lived. Twilight took a moment to cast the cloud walking spell before she hopped out.

“Ready?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight nodded but couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach. As they neared the house, Twilight stopped for a moment.

“Is something wrong Twilight?”

“Other than the fact that I'm about to meet your parents? No. I mean, I'm just kinda nervous is all...what if he doesn't like me?”

Fluttershy laughed and said, “Don't worry. My dad likes everypony, so I'm sure he'll take a liking to you. Besides, he used to work at the Cloudsdale Library when he first met my mom.” Twilight's eyes brightened.

“Really?”

“Mhmm. Now come on.” Fluttershy continued to lead the way and when they got to the door, she knocked. “Daddy? You awake?” The pair heard a pair of voices and a few seconds later, the door opened.

“Fluttershy! I didn't think you'd come so soon.” He said, scooping up the mare with ease and spinning around. She laughed and hugged him tightly. The act in itself was enough to make Twilight's jaw drop in amazement. She had never seen Fluttershy act so...happy about something that normally would have frightened her. “Oh? And who is this pretty young mare?” Both father and daughter laughed as the unicorn blushed.

“I-I'm-”

“Father, this is Twilight Sparkle. She's my marefriend.” Twilight's blush darkened while one was forming on Fluttershy's face.

“Your marefriend eh?” Warm Breeze set his daughter down and walked up to Twilight, easily towering over her as he inspected her. “A unicorn huh? Well, I must say dear, you have fantastic taste. She's a very beautiful mare and I've no doubt that she'll make you happy.”

Twilight threw her nervousness to the wind and asked, “So...you don't care that we're both mares?”

He lowered his head down so that they were eye to eye and gave her a blank look. The unicorn swallowed the forming lump in her throat as the worst case scenarios played in her head. She was about to say something when he burst out laughing.

When he had finished, he wiped a tear from his eye and said, “Mind? Sweetie, of course I don't mind. The way I see it, as long as you make my Fluttershy happy, I'm happy. Well, that and I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't approve.”

“I don't follow.” the unicorn’s confusion showed on her face. Just then, another pony joined the trio. It was a stallion with a pale blue coat, emerald green eyes, and light amber mane with an even lighter amber streak running through it.

“Well good morning Lightning Streak. You sleep well?” Warm Breeze leaned back and planted a kiss on the stallion's cheeks as he yawned.

“Of course.” He looked down at Twilight and turned back to Fluttershy's father. “Umm...not to be rude but who's the unicorn?”

“Twilight Sparkle. Pleasure to meet you Lightning Streak.” Twilight answered, holding her hoof out to shake. She was trying not to over-react at the fact that Fluttershy's father was basically doing the same thing they were, but with switched genders. Lightning shook Twilight's hoof before noticing the yellow pegasus.

“Ahh, Fluttershy! You look well.” He leaned forward and pulled the mare into a hug.

“It's nice to see you too Lightning Streak. Taking good care of my father?”

“But of course. I'd hate to have you on my tail if I ever hurt him or let something happen to him.” The two laughed and after some more conversation, Warm Breeze invited everypony into the cloud home where he poured a cup of tea for each pony before settling down on the couch beside his lover.

“So, tell me Twilight...what do you do? I don't mean to offend but your cutie mark tells me nothing of your occupation.”

“I'm uh...the Protege of Princess Celestia...” Twilight mumbled the last few words, causing the stallions to lean forward a bit.

“Sorry dear, what was that?”

Twilight cleared her throat and said, “I'm the personal Protege of Princess Celestia herself...and I run Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville.” Twilight and Fluttershy couldn't help but fall to the cloudy floor as the stallion's jaws dropped, nearly joining the two on the floor.

“M-my daughter...and...the Princess's p-personal student? Catch me Lightning Streak.” Warm Breeze said, throwing a hoof in front of his forehead and falling into the waiting hooves of his partner dramatically with a smile. Once the group had recovered from their laughing fit, the mares began to tell the tale of how they ended up together.

As they spoke, Warm Breeze kept staring at Fluttershy's leg after he saw her itch it one too many times. Finally, as the girls were wrapping up their story, he cut them off.

“Fluttershy honey, why do you keep scratching your leg?” Fluttershy managed to control herself from widening her eyes in shock.

“Oh...umm...well...one of my animals lashed out at me because I accidentally pressed on a sore spot and it just itches where he got me is all.” Fluttershy smiled and hoped that he bought it. She didn't like lying to her only parent, but she also didn't want to start unnecessary trouble.

“I see...” He left the subject alone, but the yellow mare could see it in his eyes that he was doubtful of the story.

He was about to say something else when both Lightning Streak’s and Twilight's stomach's growled loudly. The blue pegasus laughed while the lavender unicorn chuckled sheepishly.

“Sorry about that. I haven't eaten since this morning and its what...three now?” Twilight asked.

Warm Breeze looked at the clock behind the horned pony and said, “two fifty-seven, but close enough. What say we go out and get some doughnuts? There's this amazing little store down the way that sells the best doughnuts in Cloudsdale.”

The others agreed and after allowing the stallions to put on some warm clothing, they headed out. While they walked, a few pegasi floating by and waved, said hello, or even asked for Lightning Streak’s autograph.

“Comes with bein’ a Wonderbolt” He told the unicorn.. Twilight couldn't stop looking around at the magnificent city. The last time she had been here, she had only really seen a small piece of the city along with the Weather Factory and the Cloudiseum. While they walked, Twilight would ask a question and either Warm Breeze or Lightning Streak would answer for her.

“So Cloudsdale is actually a recent development in Equestria?”

“Kind of. Cloudsdale has always been around since the founding of Equestria, but the pegasi were still a little cautious about sharing such a place with the other tribes. It wasn't until some 200 years ago that all the pegasi in Equestria gathered to move the city into the open. Many pegasi still consider this the capital for the pegasus while Canterlot is the capital for the unicorns.”

He laughed and said, “Some even think that Ponyville should be the capital for earth ponies simply because it's so close to the other capital cities.” The others laughed along with him; not in a mocking way towards Ponyville, but simply at the idea.

“That would definitely make the town more interesting than it already is.”

“I don't know if I'd like all those extra ponies around...” Fluttershy said, frowning at the thought that her normally quiet town would be packed with strangers.

“Well, technically we were a capital for a short time; The Chaos Capital of Equestria!” Twilight said, her voice taking on a deeper tone to try and imitate the defeated avatar of chaos. The refreshed the laughter that lasted until they got to the shop.

A small bell rang over the door as they walked in and Twilight couldn't help but gasp at the pony behind the counter. “Pony Joe? Is that you?” The stallion spun and rose his eyebrow.

“I beg pardon? My name is Pony Moe.” He thought for a moment, then smiled. “You must have me confused with my brother, the unicorn.” Twilight looked the stallion over quickly and saw that he did indeed have wings instead of a horn. “Don't worry, we both get it quite a lot since we look similar and all that.” She glanced back at his cutie mark and saw it was the same as Pony Joe's but the frosting was blue instead of pink.

“Now you never told me you had a brother, Moe.” Warm Breeze said, walking up to the counter.

Moe laughed and said, “Can you blame me? Then you'd go and try his doughnuts and betray me!”

“What? I'd never do that! I like your doughnuts far too much. Well...that and you aren't half bad to look at either.”

Moe rolled his eyes playfully and said, “Don't let my wife hear you say that. She might get jealous.” The stallions laughed and the mares chuckled.

“I heard that Moe!” A woman's voice called from somewhere in the shop.

“Heh, what'd I tell ya?”

The group of 4 eventually got around to ordering some lunch. As they sat, ate, and enjoyed each other's company, Warm Breeze continued to glance at Fluttershy's leg, but said nothing about it. When they had finished, they bid Moe a pleasant farewell and continued to walk through the town.

Warm Breeze had taken up leaning against Lightning Streak and Fluttershy had draped her wing across Twilight as evening quickly approached. Everypony was content to be with their loved ones that evening and for the test of the night, they had no trouble.

(Author's Note: Well here it is everypony. Your next chapter :3 Thank you all for waiting and putting up with my tardiness and stuff but...Borderlands 2 is just SO much fun. Well...that and I've got to do as much as I can before Resident Evil 6 comes out so...yea ^^*

And I've decided that your reward for waiting shall be...the introduction/prologue of the next story I'll be writing; No Regrets. I warn you, it hasn't been edited other than what I've done (and we all know I SUCK at editing so...don't be too surprised if it's kinda hard to read mkay? XD) Anyways, I'll just post it as the next chapter so just read on mkay? See ya in the next author's note.)