I lived my life the same way many others did, a drifter. Just a microscopic spec of dust in this realm of reality we call "Life". It was because of this that I wanted to make something of myself before I died, not for anyone else to remember me by, but to do something to remind me that life is worth living and that it is not just a blur followed by inevitable demise.
My name is Austin Parks. I spent my many of my time as a youth studying. After I had graduated high school, I enrolled in a quite prestigious University. I had a fascination with life forms, great and small. This is why I majored in Genetic Engineering.
After I had graduated, I went job searching. I was so optimistic, the world was my oyster. After a week or so I managed to get a job in a genetic engineering facility that worked for the government. It was only about a ten minute walk from my place. I had worked their for several years experimenting with many different species in hopes of creating new and completely unique life. I guess you could say I "Played God".
At first, my job was a paradise. I spent the days working away on theories, old and new. But after time the government kept making budget cuts. For a facility that once had hundreds of employees, was cut down to less than fifty in the labs. It was not only my work that had experienced financial hardship, but my city too. It seemed that my own life started to fade around me as I witnessed all the aspects of my world slowly deteriorate, along with the crumbling buildings that the city was now comprised of.
I think it was because of this that I was drawn to "My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic". I had been watching the show for quite a while now. I came across it after all the budget cuts had taken place and I had started to feel a little depressed. I hadn't felt so down since my childhood. You see I had a quite tattered childhood. My Mother died when I was born and my father had left when I was only a few months old. I was raised with a foster family and they were great and all but I still wished I could have met my real parents. Despite my foster parents being genuine people, I was a rather unstable juvenile. It wasn't until I got to my later years in high school that I cleaned up my act. After I had graduated high school I moved out of my foster parent’s home and rented a place in the city where I currently live. I haven't spoken to them since I left and since I defied them so much in my earlier years, I decided to keep it that way.
Through University I had a part time job at a local supermarket that was now closed due to the current economic state of this once prosperous city. It gave me enough money to keep my house and the pay was sufficient to allow me to buy the place over time. The landlord offered to sell it to me when he decided to leave the city. He gave me a good deal since he was a really nice guy, really down to earth. The price was also so cheap since it was such a small house. It didn't have a backyard or many rooms for that matter. It still had two levels but as a whole, it was quite small.
But back to My Little Pony. I found it to be an escape to my dim reality. The optimistic characters, the warm vibrant colours, it was so appealing to me. Each day I spent at work I just loafed around the lab without any goals or aspirations as I once had. I usually just spent the hours of the day wondering how lucky I was to not get laid off like the other hundreds that did. I stopped working on any Independent projects after majority of the funding from the government went to weaponry.
They were currently testing out a new type of machine that would change electrical warfare forever. I didn't get a job here for this. When I started working here fifteen years ago, I didn't want to be aiding in making machines to kill or in some way harm people. In fact, I didn't want to be making machines at all. But since we had so much space in the lab after so many people lost their jobs, a lot of military projects were moved here and we were expected to help, even if we weren't qualified. So I just spent the day writing theories so they didn't fire me when I was really day dreaming about all the ponies and couldn't wait until I got home so I could watch them.
It often saddened me as I walked home from work, as I walked the cracked pavement and streets littered with the shattered dreams of it's once ambitious residents. I used to walk the streets and come across many different people and new and happy faces. I would usually give a friendly nod or tip of the hat to any people I had passed but over time, people stopped passing me by. A lot of the residents packed up and left this sinking ship of a city. I had considered leaving on a number of occasions in hopes of starting a new life. But I had no family I could live with or any distant friends to go to.
I was alone.
I think the real reason I didn't leave this city was of fear. I didn't want to start something new, at least by myself. I couldn't see me just packing up and leaving all of a sudden. I wasn't that type of guy.
I think it was because of this lack of abundance in the streets and all the people that had abandoned this rural city, was why I was very much drawn into the "Brony" community. It gave me a sense of belonging in my now meaningless world. I lived by myself so being apart of something bigger than me gave me a feeling of acceptance. I really started to get into the whole Brony culture. I found myself constantly looking at Brony fan art, posting on forums and reading heaps of fan fiction.
One day I got up as I normally would, poured myself a bowl of cornflakes and milk, and made my way to work. It was a rather ordinary day to start with. I walked to work as I always had since the buses never came around much anymore. When I got to the lab I found they had really advanced in the new electric device they had been working on. I walked up to it for a closer inspection to notice it now contained a chamber at the base of it. This was the generator of energy for the entire device. The purpose of the device is to create a directional EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) that could be fired anywhere. Now this had been seen as impossible to directly aim an EMP, since it works more like a sphere and despite their advances on the structure, I had doubts it would succeed. Although the function of an EMP is to disable all electronic devices in a given area, it requires a massive amount of energy to create one. The chamber I noticed was were it was created. There was a way to enter it for maintenance work but If you were inside there when they activated it, you were in serious trouble.
As the other engineers spent the entire day activating and deactivating it, expelling many bright lights throughout the entire lab. I was just in my office, sketching ponies. I was a very mediocre artist, but that didn't faze me. Just constantly seeing and thinking about the ponies made me smile.
That day finished like many others, I said goodbye to any co-workers I passed to not seem rude. I gathered my things and headed out. As I walked the dimly lit streets and passed the closed curtains and locked doors of the houses, I eventually made it home. When I got in, I put my briefcase down and got on my computer. Since I couldn't access any Brony forums at work, I had to catch up with all of them at home. When I was flicking through the fan fiction section I came across one that I had heard of many times:
"My Little Dashie"
I decided to take the time to read it as I had heard so much about it. As I sat down and read it I was overwhelmed with how depressing the story was. Before not too long I felt a tear run down my cheek as I read it. Upon finishing the story, I headed to bed feeling overcome with sadness.
I spent the next few days with the same attitude. My Little Dashie had put things in perspective for me. It had made me realize that despite my love for the show, I am limited and will never truly be able to experience the joy of it firsthand. At work I bummed around, more than usual. But this time I didn't draw ponies or write my own fan fiction. I just sat there and thought.
After a few days of this routine, I was heading home one day. I was looking at the colourless city that enclosed me and stopped for a moment and muttered something under my breath.
"Why not? Why can't I have a little Dashie of my own?"
It was at that moment that I sprinted home as I now had a job to do. It had taken me a while to finally realize the obvious. I'm a genetic engineer. If anyone has the capability of creating their own filly Rainbow Dash, it was me.
I spent many hours of the night and all hours of the day at the lab working on ways that I could actually make my own filly Pegasus. I had gone over many theories and was confident I could actually pull it off!
After months of planning and research, I had come up with what I was going to do. Too spare you the technicalities, the plan was to pretty much combine the DNA of a regular filly, with structural cells of an eagle. The eagle for wings of course. Now with modern technology I believed it was possible to manipulate the colour of her coat and mane, as well as even getting to her speak. Their had been many breakthroughs in Europe of increasing brain capacity in animals to allow them to talk. As long as I could acquire this technology, I was sure it would work.
Over time I had constantly been watching My Little Pony. Every time a scene with Rainbow Dash had come on.. it made me quite sad. I had so much counting on this and didn't know what i'd do if I failed.
After what seemed like endless research, which in reality was about four years. Not to mention constantly contacting many different scientists to get the technology required to allow Dashie to speak. I had almost done it. I had almost every aspect taking care of! The mane, the coat, the wings and even the mental capacity.
All that was left was her cutie mark. I had decided to make it that she would have a cutie mark from birth. That would be the only way. All was going as planned and unless I had Twilight Sparkle next to me using her unicorn magic, I don't think I could have done much more.
On the day I had planned to make the fusion of all the components of the DNA, I noticed that they were STILL working on the electric device. The amount of power they must have wasted on that contraption. All that power that could have been used to drive the city. I shouldn't be talking that way about it. If it wasn't for that machine, I would have been fired for sure. With all the attention on that device, I was free to experiment on whatever I wanted, including ponies.
The plan was to fuse all the components of the DNA and the extra solutions I had composed to change the colours and brain capacity into a test tube. I would have to wait a while for all the DNA to fuse properly. Then I would add it to a machine that thank Celestia it had been created only a few years ago that would allow simple DNA combinations to be turned into organic material.
Despite the fact that not all the DNA parts were compatible, since I only added a small part of the eagle, I was confident the transformation would work. Now, of course I couldn't just summon a filly Rainbow Dash in broad daylight at work in front of everyone. No, I had to wait for everyone to leave. I offered to lock up that night which stunned many of my co-workers since I had never done so well, ever. During the day I made the finalization's to the cutie mark. When and if, the experiment was a success, she would be branded with the cutie mark almost instantly. I had to make a few modifications to the machine of course.
The time was drawing ever closer, the scientists left one by one, and each one that left got me more anxious and excited than the last. Before I knew it, there was one left. After not too long he approached me.
"So you'll be fine to lock up?" The scientist asked looking a little concerned.
"Yeah, I just have some work I need to finish up here." I replied, trying to keep a composed face.
"Well OK then. The security guard is in block 8 if you need him." Replied the scientist reassuringly.
"Will do. Thanks" I replied, still trying to look innocent.
The scientist exited the building. I waited a few moments then jumped with glee.
"YES! It's finally time!" I shouted to myself with utter anticipation.
After all my years of labor, it was finally time. I carefully picked up the test tube and brought it to the organic material conversion device, shaking with nerves. Everything was in place. The DNA was safely in the machine. The cutie mark brander was in place. It was go time.
I plugged in the instructions into the machine and placed my sweating palm onto the activation lever. I was so nervous, I almost couldn't breathe. But with all my strength, I pulled down the lever letting off a large beam of light. It was so bright it was almost blinding. I immediately shielded my eyes as I heard the machine making a variety of different sounds behind me.
After a few minutes, the sounds and lights came to an abrupt stop. I approached the machine and opened the door as the green light had signaled it was safe to enter. I opened the door and let out gush of steam. I gazed into the machine to see. nothing. Nothing! After all my labor and hard work I had received nothing! After all the years of writing theories and going over formulas it had failed, I had failed.
But wait. As the mist of the machine dissipated, I saw something in the base of the device. I saw something moving, could it be? Could it have actually worked? Do I now posses a real life filly Rainbow Dash?!
As the mist finally cleared, my heart fell. I saw a deformed filly with a brown and faded blue coat, disjointed legs and one wing. I was frozen solid.
What have I created...?
I couldn't move a muscle, I couldn't believe what I had done. As I started down at the abomination I had inconsiderately conjured, I noticed it was having difficulty breathing. I had to put it out of it's misery. I could only think of one way to help the poor creature. I picked it up, and placed it in the EMP device. I approached the control panel and activated it. After a bright flash of light, the deed was done.
I went home that night feeling horrible. I couldn't believe what I had created, but the thing that really got to me was, I failed. All the time I spent on the experiments, theories, but more importantly ; I'll never achieve in the one thing I wanted.
After the events of that night, I didn't do much anymore. I continued to do nothing at work, I stopped watching My Little Pony... I even stopped drawing. I found myself in a deep state of depression, tied between the thought of the poor helpless creature I had to kill and the fact that i'll never have a Rainbow Dash of my own. I contemplated ending my life on many occasions but couldn't summon the courage to do so. It wasn't in my nature to take such a plunge, it's the same reason I stayed in the city.
After several weeks of the same routine, I turned to something I never though I would.
Religion.
There was a catholic church in the district, only about a 15 minute walk from my place. However, despite my knowledge, the church was abandoned. None the less, I still went to the church every few days or so and prayed. The pews were faded, windows cracked and the alter was empty and chipped away. I never saw anyone in the church, or even near it for that matter. I can completely understand why. I would usually kneel down and pray for hope and the courage to go on.
But one day, I prayed for the exact thing I wanted. I approached the alter, feel to my knee's and muttered under my breath :
"God, I know this is an odd request. But please, give me another chance. All I want is a true companion. I failed last time but I don't know if I can try again. If I do and you will grant me my wish, just give me a sign. I can't go on. It has been weeks since it happened. I haven't even watched My Little Pony since what happened and I..."
All of a sudden I was interrupted by a voice behind me.
"My Little Pony? Isn't that a show for little girls?" A voice chuckled.
I turned around to a man sitting in one of the pews behind me dressed in a dark grey suit. I swear I didn't see him when I came in here, at least I didn't think I did.
"Well, I..I'll have you know sir, that even though My Little Pony Friendship is Magic was made for little girls, has a huge
influence with many older males and for good reason too!" I replied sternly.
"Now calm down big fella, I was only joking" Said the mysterious man reassuringly.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Me? Well, that's not important. Let's just say i'm a man who seeks out, um clients I guess you could say and satisfies there most ambitious wishes for a set fee. That's putting it as professionally as possible of course." The man replied with a humble attitude.
"Most ambitious wishes you say? Sounds far too good to be true. And how do YOU know what my wishes are exactly." I replied in a vicious tone.
"Well you see, I have certain, well let's just say ; abilities, to make your wildest fantasies a complete reality. And as for my knowledge of your wish, well if you recall just a few moments ago, you expressed it rather vocally if you don't mind me saying." The man replied cunningly.
"OK, you got me there. But just how do you suppose to fulfill my dreams, and what exactly are these 'abilities'. I bet you're just another con artist in this wretched city." I replied in a less than savory manner.
As I was exiting the church, the door slammed shut. I turned around to look at the man glaring back at me.
"Now let's not be rash Austin." The man said comfortingly.
"How the hell do you know my name?" I replied puzzled.
"I know much more about you than you may think. You're a frightened man. One who is without hope, stuck in the clenches of a city that won't let go. But you have a mind for greener pastures and have tried to achieve the one thing you want most. To not be alone. You failed, and quite poorly to. Trying to create a living, breathing, flying Pegasus Rainbow Dash? One with a cyan coat and rainbow mane? Even if it did work. How long do you suppose it would live? 2 weeks? maybe 3? You've tried similar experiments before on sheep and sure, you didn't put as much time and effort in as this one but as you know... they didn't even last the night. You blocked it out with denial as you were so sure of your success." The man said intimidatingly.
"Shut up!" I screamed.
"You don't have anywhere near the technology or the know-how to pull off such a creation. It's out of this world." The man stated.
"And I suppose you do." I replied sarcastically.
"As a matter of fact I do." The man said as he turned to me with a smile of his face.
"You do? Hahaha. This is too good. If a genetic engineer can't do it, I suppose a man in a suit that hangs around abandoned churches can. Why stop at Rainbow Dash? Why not bring Pinkie Pie along? And Fluttershy too!" I said jokingly.
"Well you see, the deal only calls for one pony, but for sake of example, i'll do so." The mean replied.
Picking myself up laughing I felt something press on the back of my leg. I turned around to see something that took my breathe away. It was... Fluttershy! Followed by Pinkie Pie and at the back, Rainbow Dash! I passed Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy with amazement as Pinkie hopped around and Fluttershy backed herself into a corner. I approached Rainbow Dash with my arm outreached to touch her luscious rainbow mane. I had to know my eyes weren't playing tricks on me or that this wasn't some crazy dream. As I was a few centimeters of her mane with trembling fingers, she vanished in a puff of smoke. I looked at Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie who did the same after.
I looked around and they were completely gone. Nothing was left except the man.
"Believe me now?" He asked with a smile on his face.
"How did you do that and who are you?" I asked in a serious tone.
"I told you I have certain abilities one might say, and as for who I am, I go by many names." The man replied.
"What names?" I asked sternly.
"Well, very degrading and bias names." The man replied hesitantly.
"Such as"? I asked.
"Well, let's see, uh... The Enemy of Righteousness, The Prince of Darkness, or most popular... The Devil." The man replied sternly.
"The De...? ha...huh." I replied as I ran to the exit.
But once I did so, a wall of fire covered the exit.
"I apologize for such a cliche demonstration, but it had to be done in order for you to believe me. I wish humans would be a little more faithful of the potential of the unknown. Always think i'm crazy or a drug addict. It would really speed things up if people believed right away." The man replied annoyed.
"O...OK. So you're... actually the devil. What do you want with me?" I replied terrified.
"What do I want with you? Have you forgotten Austin? It is what YOU what with me." He replied with a smile on his face.
"Oh... yeah. So, you can actually create a filly Rainbow Dash for me? Just like in the cartoon?" I replied trembling.
"Exactly that Austin. But, as I said before. There is of course a price" He replied honestly.
"A price? Let me guess... my soul?" I replied shaking me head.
"Well... conventionally yes. But, in some cases, I accept alternate payments when it comes down to the time of payment." He replied as he placed his arm on my shoulder.
"Alternate payments? Like money?" I replied confused.
"In some cases yes. But not yours. You see, I don't need money. Why would I? I don't need to buy anything. I sometimes take things that hold a particular value to someone. For instance, I may take an athletes leg or in your case being a genetic engineer, a few IQ points. I do this solely for enjoyment you see. It gets mighty boring living for eternity. But for you I may go for the soul when it comes down to payment." He replied knowingly.
"I'm not sure." I stated.
"Well of course you're not. No one ever is." He replied as clicked his fingers.
Once he did so. I saw Rainbow Dash approach me and this time I touched her mane. I was so silky and felt incredible. She had a beautiful cyan coat and her cutie mark looked perfect. I looked at her and a tear rolled down my cheek.
"It's a deal" I said.
"Great. Now to business. You will receive a filly Rainbow Dash at around the age of 5 that is in perfect health. She will maintain her coat, mane and cutie mark. She will be able to speak English fluently much like an infant child having to hear it for some time. She will grow at a steady rate and stop growing once hit full maturity. In return, I will either receive a mortal soul from one Austin Parks, or an alternate payment of a part of his person that I see fit. The time of payment is not specified but won't be for quite some time." He replied reading of a contract.
He handed me the contract.
"Once again, I do apologize for all the cliches. I do wish that the movies and stories weren't so accurate about my style of business."
I smiled and signed the contract.
"Congratulation, Austin." He replied laughing to himself.
I heard a creak behind me and looked back, he was gone. Nothing left of him.
Was all that a dream? I was still at the church so that's impossible. Perhaps a hallucination?
I walked home wondering what had just happened as I passed an alley. I heard a box fall over. I approached the box and thought to myself : It couldn't be.
The box was had : Give to good home. Written on the side. I opened the box and saw an actual, living, breathing filly Rainbow Dash! I couldn't believe it. It did happen, and what a class act too. I picked up the frightened filly and didn't even think of that I had agreed to as I was overwhelmed with euphoria. I wrapped Dashie in my jacket as I walked home. My heart was so warm and full of joy.
When I reached home I went inside and laid Dashie down on the couch, I thought it was a fitting name to give her. I went into my room and got changed.
As I was laying on my bed... I felt something. It was her. I couldn't believe this.
I decided to take a few weeks of work to spend time with... Dashie.
As I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard something behind me. I turned to see it was him, I jumped a bit, trying not to hurt Dashie. He simply looked at me smiling at said :
"I'll always be around. Don't forget me... or my face"
In a wisp of wind, he was gone.
I decided to start Dashie off eating only sliced vegetables and soft foods. She took a very keen liking to eggs and after a while, toast.
After Dashie had learned the basics of eating whole foods.. She even started talking! only a little.. But over time, she started to speak quite a lot.
I took her to an oval that was only about half a kilometer from my place. At first it was easy to get her there; I simply just wrapped her in my coat. But as she got larger I moved on to carrying her there more... stealthily. I considered adopting the method of the dog suit from 'My Little Dashie' but decided to go with a box, so it would look like I was moving... or something.
Now that I think of it the dog suit probably would have worked better.
I still disguised her as a safety measure even though it was usually abandoned. She seemed to love it so I decided to take her there regularly. We had spent many hours at that park over the past few weeks, even when I went back to work. On weekends I would often find myself walking to the oval with Dashie wrapped in a coat. Despite Dashie being so young, she was a very talented flier and never ceased to amaze me.
After a full day of failed attempts and some crash landings, she had her first successful flight! She managed to fly some quite far distances after only a few months of practicing. I admired her dedication.
After she became very comfortable with flying and well.... talking. She had many questions to ask me. For instance, what was the mark on her flank? I explained to her the aspect of a cutie mark and how it determined who she was. She became very accustomed to the idea and asked where mine was. I laughed as she asked me and assured it was only for ponies and that I wasn't still looking for my true talent.
I had tried teaching Dashie a variety of different skills such as: Sports, Writing, Cooking and even some aspects of my job. Writing was quite a tricky one as I was unsure as to where I should start. Dashie was familiar with writing but since she had hooves made it... difficult to approach. In 'My Little Dashie', she had taken to writing with her mouth so I tried that but... when I asked her to try it she gave me a blank look. I insisted that she at least try but when she did, all that we got from it was some scribble on a page and a saliva covered pencil. I think I’ll do all the writing. Dashie could still type though, so if she ever needed to write something down, she could always do that... I guess
As Dashie started to get older I decided to give a room to her. I thought it would be a good idea to do it. It would not only give her some privacy, but it made her feel... normal in a way. Despite the fact I would miss cuddling with Dashie late at night. I assured myself it was for the best. The room had a bed, a dresser and plenty of space for Dashie.
I thought cooking was an essential for her to learn for... Well.. I believe she just needed to know how, It seemed... necessary. I wasn't sure what to teach her to make so I started off with the basics... toast! I had made her toast many times for breakfast and she seemed ecstatic to make some of her own. I explained to her how simple it was. You put the bread in toaster and lower the lever on the side. I decided to not tell her when it was ready on her attempts and just told her to keep an eye on it until it goes brown. Her first attempt was... less than successful. As were the other.... ten
But Dashie stuck to it and after a loaf of bread, she had done it! She was so proud... I was so proud. After she had made it she jumped with excitement and I gave her a hug. It was a meaningful hug, I really was proud of how determined she was and that she had an end result to show it. After she had made the toast she gave me a piece of it, to show her appreciation. I took a bite and it was a little cold, but I didn't say anything. I was far too proud of her.
A few days later I was awoken a lot earlier than I usually am. I got out of my bed to hear a load of rustling of plates on pans coming from the kitchen. Now I am usually a morning person but it was a Saturday morning and it had been a long week for Dashie and I... I had been trying to teach her new things all week and at work well... I never really do anything at work now anyway. As I had made it down to the stairs I first thought I was being robbed as I saw the kitchen in such a disgraceful state. But as I looked up I saw Dashie flying around the kitchen preparing what looked like endless different types of meals at once. She seemed to be making eggs, cooking toast and heating up well... burning croissants in the oven.
"Dashie, What is this?" I asked, confused.
"Dad! You weren't supposed to come down yet! I was making you breakfast!" Dashie replied looking a little disappointed.
"Well I didn't mean to..." I said, and then suddenly stopped.
Did she just call me what I though she did?
Dad.
She had always referred to me as Austin or buddy and I always got the impression that we were just really good friends. Kind of like roommates but... Dad? She not only see's me as an important part of her life but as... family. I... I was speechless.
"Uh... Dad?" Dashie asked
"Oh... I uh... You were making me breakfast?" I replied.
"Yeah, after all the stuff that you had taught me I decided to show you how much I learned." Dashie said smiling.
"Well, Dashie... I really appreciate it but you didn't have to go to the trouble of..." I responded until Dashie had cut me off.
"It was no trouble at all!" Dashie said quite smugly.
As she had said that I couldn't help noticing what a mess she had made, a mess I'd have to clean up. I looked over to the
toaster to see she had taken a new approach to it.
She had added the jam to the toast... while it was in the toaster.
I understand her efficiency standpoint... until it caught fire.
"Fire!" Dashie screamed.
I quickly filled up a glass of water and tossed it onto the flames. Luckily I was there to put it out. I looked over to see Dashie curled up on the couch with her hooves covering her head in fear. I rushed over to comfort her.
"It's OK Dashie, the fires gone now." I said reassuringly.
"I'm sorry Dad..." Dashie replied.
"Dashie... It's OK. Just let me know before you try to do something like this again so I can supervise. So we can do it together." I said to Dashie.
Dashie just smiled back at me and wiped a tear of her face.
After I had cleaned up the kitchen I made Dashie some scrambled eggs. They seemed to be her favorite. I usually gave her toast with it but for obvious reasons and to not upset her, I gave the toast a miss.
To cheer her up I said :
"Hey. Want to watch some soccer with me today?"
"Soccer?" Dashie replied looking confused.
I brought the eggs to her and sat down on the couch beside her and turned the TV on to ESPN.
There was a documentary on some of the greatest players in history playing and Dashie seemed to take to it very quickly. I think he was the fast pace nature of the sport that drew her in, or the style or even just the flashy outfits of the players. I think Dashie was most interested at the part where they had a segment on Pelé. She seemed to really admire him. His skill, his speed and all of the excellent goals he has scored in the past.
She had talked nonstop about him for about an hour, I just smiled as she did, it's good for her to look up to someone and to be a role model. Although I think I had acted as one, it was good then she had another person to aspire to. I remembered that night we had spent hours just watching old games, World Cup highlights and "Greatest Goal" compilations. We had stayed up till about about 3 am. I noticed Dashie was dozing off, so I picked her up and tucked her into her bed. As I left to turn off the lights I heard something I wasn't ready for.
"Austin?" Dashie asked softly.
"Yes, Dashie?" I replied.
"I love you." Dashie responded smiling.
"I...I love you too.." I replied trying to fight back tears.
I went up to her and gave her a hug, then I turned off the light and just paused for a moment. I turned around and looked at Dashie as she had fallen asleep. She was beautiful. After I had made it to my room I just sat there for a while and couldn't help but smile. Smile at how perfect my life was.
The next day Dashie approached me with an old soccer ball. She must have found it in my room among all the other junk. She had just pumped it up and asked me if I wanted to go to the oval and kick it around.
Of course I said yes.
When Dashie and I made it to the oval we set up some goals with a couple of branches stuck vertically into the soft dirt, and played a one on one soccer game. The first few games I let her win but after a while, it was really hard to keep up with her. I think if it wasn't for her artificial cutie mark and if they were real, I think she would have gotten one for playing soccer!
We had spent a lot of time over the next few weeks heading to the oval. Usually one of us would be goal keeper and the other would shoot... I usually lost when Dashie was keeper because she would just fly up to stop it and was very quick. Despite my constant habit of losing when playing, it didn't faze me. We would spend countless hours at that oval which after a few games of soccer would usually be followed by Dashie flying around for a few hours while I watched. Sometimes it saddened me when I watched her. I wished I could fly up there with her
Dashie had a variety of "Phases". Usually adopted from what she saw on TV.
After she had spent weeks playing soccer which don't get me wrong, she still loved it. She just spent less time on it. She tried out juggling which, with hooves... didn't work out for the best, after that followed the comedian stage. She had told me a variety of jokes that were her own material that... weren't the best. But never the less I still laughed when she told them to keep her spirits up. Luckily that phase passed quickly and was back to soccer. I was so relieved. I couldn't keep fake laughing forever!
One morning I was walking to work and noticed a new shop had opened. A bakery.
Strange.
New shops never open much around here, in fact. I never see anyone around here. I walked up to it too see a variety of cakes out on display and saw a few happy birthday ones. That reminded me. I have had Dashie for almost a year! I had to do something to celebrate it.
I guess her birthday was the day I found her.
I had think for a bit to remember what day I found Dashie. I went over my work journal that I keep for experiments to find the day I failed in creating an artificial Dashie. I found Dashie about 3 weeks after I failed and realized, he birthday was only a week away!
I explained to Dashie the concept of birthdays that she was somewhat familiar with from what she had seen on TV. I said that I had found her wandering around the alleys one day and I took her in. Then not long after I had taught her to speak. So I told her that would be her birthday. She was so excited. Each day Dashie got more agitated and was constantly asking me what I was going to get her. I refused to not ruin the surprise.
I went back to the shop to get a custom cake made for Dashie. Once I had specified all the details of it, the cake was ready just a couple of days before Dashie's birthday. I reached for my wallet and asked how much the cake was. The man behind the counter replied :
"$6.66"
I looked up and remembered what was told me the day I got Dashie.
"How come they are that much?" I asked.
"I don't know, makes sure I make a profit." The man replied.
"Fair enough" I responded as I gave the man his fee.
The day had finally come. I came home and Dashie was jumping with utter anticipation. I told her to wait in her room so I could get everything ready. When I was finished I called her. She came in and her eyes glowed.
"Oh my god!" Dashie screamed.
From her response, I guessed she liked it.
I had set up rainbow streamers all around the kitchen and waved her over to the table. She rushed over and gazed at the cake that read :
‘Happy First Birthday Dashie!’
I had considered asking the baker to put a Rainbow Dash face on the cake but that would have been far too suspicious. It was awkward enough when I had asked them to add "Dashie" to the cake. I assured them it was a nickname. Dashie couldn't stop smiling at the rainbow coloured cake. I had them add soccer balls to the icing as I thought she would appreciate it. I think I really got everything right. By adding so many rainbows to everything I wanted to really give her the impression it was her day. That she was normal. She knew she was different and was aware of her... situation.
I told her after she blew out the candles she could make a wish, but she couldn't tell me.
After Dashie had blown out the candles I knelled down to her level and said :
"Time to open your presents!"
Her face was overwhelmed with excitement.
I put three wrapped boxes on the table in front of her. One was blue, one was yellow and one was green.
The first gift she opened was the blue one. She furiously unwrapped it and opened the box to find a new soccer ball.
She looked at it and started to juggle it on her feet for a little while. I sat back and smiled as she did, she was getting pretty good at it! She needed a new ball.The old one was starting to get worn.
"Thank you so much Dad!" Dashie said.
"You are quite welcome Dashie, you still have two more gifts to open." I replied.
Dashie stopped as if she had forgotten the other two presents on the table. She rushed back over and sat next to me to open the green box. It was a much smaller box than the other two, considerably smaller. She opened it to find a Joke Book!
"101 jokes for kids!" It read.
Dashie looked at me and looked through it. She said a few and some were actually pretty funny. She loved it which made me so happy.
"This is great Dad! Thank you sooooo much!" Dashie said.
"You're most welcome! You still have one present left!" I stated.
But Dashie hadn't forgotten about this one. She had even moved it closer to her after she opened the second present. She opened it too see a Jersey. A Brazilian Pelé Jersey. She was speechless. She just sat there for about twenty seconds.
"Um... Dashie?" I asked.
Dashie looked at me, then jumped up and slipped on the jersey.
"Oh my god! This is so awesome! You're the best Dad ever!" She shouted as she kicked around her new soccer ball, pretending to be Pelé.
After she had exhausted herself playing with her new soccer ball and reading jokes, we sat down and watched some soccer. I turned on the TV to see a game of the English Premier League. It was a rerun of a game from the day before, Tottenham Vs. Liverpool. It was a great game. I was rooting for Tottenham and just to bust my chops, Dashie went for Liverpool. It was a great game, ended 2-1 to Liverpool. Dashie had jokingly rubbed it in my face after the game for a little while, making me laugh. Before I knew it, it was almost 2 am. Dashie was starting to get tired so I said :
"OK Dashie, time for bed."
Dashie didn't protest, she was starting to get really sleepy. I quickly cleaned up the potato chips and cake we had eaten while watching the game. After I cleaned it all up and Dashie had brushed her teeth I came into her room to tuck her in. I entered her room and hung up her Pelé shirt he had left at the end of her bed. I tucked her in and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"Good night Dad. Today was great." Dashie said.
"It was great for me too Dashie. I hope you had a great Birthday." I responded smiling.
"I did. I love you Dad." Dashie said dozing off.
"I love you too Dashie." I said as I got up to close the door and turn off the lights.
Only a few months later I was at home with Dashie. We had just gotten home from the oval and I was sitting next to Dashie watching some soccer. She was still wearing her Pelé jersey. She had really gotten attached to it and was constantly watching highlights and games with him in them. It really meant a lot to me how much she enjoyed the present I gave her. Since she had exhausted her joke book after she had read them all, I guess I should have expected that. But she still loved her soccer ball! We were watching an EPL highlights video when I heard a knock on the door.
That's odd, I never hear anyone knock on the door. I told Dashie to wait up in her room so they wouldn't see her. I approached the door I hoped to god that Princess Celestia wouldn't be there followed by the other ponies waiting to take Dashie away because of a flawed spell by Twilight Sparkle. Even though I knew this was not the case, I couldn't help but think something was going to happen. I had always thought what Dashie and I had was too good to be true. I opened the door, and to my surprise I didn't see a fully grown unicorn followed by five ponies.
I saw a man. I inspected him and said
"Yes?"
"Hello, I'm... Uh... Are you Austin...?" He asked nervously.
"Yes. Yes I am." I responded confused.
"I don't know how to tell you this but... I'm... I'm your father." He replied.
I stood there stunned. I couldn't move.
"My....? Well... That's..." I stuttered.
"I saw you're name in the phone book and got your details... I had to come see you." He said.
"You had to come? So you had to come now after all these years? You couldn't have stayed when I was a baby or come when I was a child or even a teenager?!" I shouted.
"Son, I'm sorry. You don't understand. You see... I was afraid." He replied.
"Afraid? How do you think I felt growing up without parents?" I responded.
"Please, let me explain" He pleaded.
Then all of a sudden something happened I didn't anticipate. Dashie come running down the stairs and stood beside me.
"Dashie, what are you doing?!" I shouted.
"Is that your... dog?" He asked.
"Dog?! Why I outta!" Dashie said as she flew towards him. Luckily I was so close to her I held her back.
"It can talk?! And... fly?!" He asked, now overwhelmed with confusion.
"She's not an 'It'. She's my daughter and her name is Dashie." I responded.
"Your.. daughter? Surely this is some kind of a joke?" He retorted.
Dashie and I both gave him a look to let him know we weren't joking.
After that, I sat down with him and explained the situation. Well, I knew he wouldn't believe I actually made a deal with the devil, so I told him that the first experiment was a success. It took a while for him to take it all in, but to my surprise, he believed it.
He told me how afraid he got when I was born and couldn't handle having a child in his life. It made me feel better knowing I wasn't the only one afraid whilst growing up. He too was scared. Even though I was so urged to hit him for leaving me for all these years, I couldn't help but just feel happy and I really caught up with him. It all made me think of why I wanted Dashie. I did it to show that I wouldn't leave a helpless child. I know how tough it is growing up and I always lacked having this much love for family. I have never had real family and now that I have Dashie I know what it's like.
Over the next few days we had spent a lot of time together. The three of us. We all loved watching the soccer together and made our way down to the oval several times to play. At first we took turns in playing one on one but Dashie had gotten so good, we had to team her. We managed to beat her once but I think it was a fluke. When I was at work my father would stay home with Dashie. He worked out of town and had taken a break to come find me. After about a week he told me he had to head off soon to go back to his work. I told him we would throw him a going away party but he refused. I insisted be he said no because he wanted Dashie and I to go with him.
He told me that this is no place for Dashie. She needs wide open spaces. I completely agreed with him. Dashie had been living here for almost a year and a half. I often found her quite sad when leaving the oval. She also got quite sad when seeing the open fields and landscapes on TV. I knew this was what I had to do. My Dad said he owned a factory down south and could get me a job there.
I decided to do the right thing. The next day at work I told them I was leaving to go work with my Dad, the head of the facility assured me there would always be a spot available for me if I ever came back. I told Dashie where we were going and she was over the moon. We spent the day packing our bags and my Dad told us he would drive us there. Since I didn't have my license that meant I didn't have a car, which was convenient meaning I didn't have to leave a car behind. I didn't sell the house and just sort of left it. I didn't worry that anything would happen to this house, I hardly even saw people walk past it.
As my father started the car Dashie and I waved the house goodbye and couldn't help but feel sad about what we were leaving. We had a lot of good memories in that house. It was a long drive, about eight hours. I sat in the back with Dashie. When it got dark Dashie started to doze off. I grabbed a blanket I had packed and wrapped it around her. We had finally arrived. Dashie was asleep as we pulled up to the estate. I gently woke her up and as she slowly opened her eyes. I whispered:
"We're here Dashie. Our new home."
My father introduced us to his home. It was quite a lot bigger than my house and had many acres of land. He lived about half a kilometer from the factory he owned. Dashie was so excited and immediately spread her wings and flew over the open land. My Father and I both stood smiling. After a little while Dashie had become exhausted and came back to inspect the interior of the house. We went inside and were introduced to our new rooms, the kitchen, bathroom, lounge room etc. It was a very nice house and Dashie and I's room were right next to each other! It was truly a paradise.
We had settled in quite nicely and the next day I would start my new job! I had a very boring job at the factory. Since it was a office stationary factory it was incredibly boring. I just spent the day sorting pencils and pens, I would be so anxious for the day to end.
It was so nice to come home to Dashie flying around filled with joy as opposed to see her bumming around at home just waiting for me. We had a lot of good memories at that house. We had a lot more space for soccer and even got some actual goals put in!
I finally had a real family. Even though this new house was paradise, I still missed my old home and I think Dashie did too.
One day I woke up and looked at the date and realized it was almost Dashie's second birthday! I told my Dad about it and I think since Dashie was having so much fun in the new house, even after all these months, had forgotten. Also she hadn't fully learned to read yet so she couldn't read the calendar. We decided to throw a surprise party.
On the day of Dashes’ birthday she came inside after a full day of flying and kicking around her ball that had now become worn and opened the door.
"Surprise!" My Father and I yelled.
"Wha... What is this?" Dashie responded
"Happy birthday Dashie!" I replied.
It took a while for Dashie to process it but after she realized she was so happy. She went up to the cake and saw it read:
‘Happy 2nd Birthday Dashie! Hope you have the greatest day!’
Dashie was blown away by everything. We had the rainbow streamers up and soccer ball balloons everywhere. She blew the candles away and made a wish. After she blew out the candles we all had a slice of the colourful cake.
We directed Dashie over to the table to open her presents. She once again had three gifts. Two from me and one from my Father. Dashie opened her first gift which was from me to find a new soccer ball. It was a Brazilian themed ball and Dashie loved it! She started kicking it around and playing with it immediately.
"This is so sweet! Thanks Dad!" Dashie said.
Dashie went and opened her next gift from me and saw it was an authentic Brazilian jersey, but this one was the away version. I noticed Dashie had mentioned how fond of it she was several times so I got it for her. It also read Pelé on the back so she could give the old one a rest.
"No Way! This is so cool Dad!" Dashie shouted.
Dashie went to open the last gift which was from my father. She unwrapped it too see it was a picture. A picture of all three of us smiling. It was a picture he had taken of all of us when we were watching soccer. It had a caption on the bottom of the frame the read:
‘A happy family.’
It was the most sentimental gift I had ever seen. Dashie just held it and a tear dropped from her eye. She went up to my Dad, hugged him and said :
"Thanks Grandpa."
This stunned my father and I alike. Neither of us expected it and I'm guessing he felt the way I did the first time she called me 'Dad'. At that moment we all gathered around and had a family hug.
Time seemed to fly by after that. Despite my work boring me to death it seemed the months started to fly by. Before I knew it, years started to fly by. It seemed like yesterday I was bringing Dashie home in my coat but in reality it was her sixth birthday.
Her sixth birthday!
On the night of her birthday we decided to change some things, instead of giving her a colourful cake and streamers. We decided to sneak her into a soccer game. She had always wanted to see one and there was one only a few hours away. My Dad got us three tickets and the plan was to sneak her in dressed as a mascot. She could have easily flown over the game and watched but she wanted the full experience and to sit with us. We drove into the city which was about three hours away and arrived at the stadium. We went up to the entry stand showed the man running the entry booth our tickets. He inspected Dashie up and down and looked as if he had suspicions about her. Although they must have been dismissed as he let us in. It wasn't a huge game being played, It was between teams in the state league. The team we were rooting for ironically had a dog as a mascot so Dashie was at the game dressed as a dog.
The game was amazing. We had all nearly lost our voices from shouting so much and even though our team lost, we all had a great time, especially Dashie. She was talking nonstop about it the whole trip back. Once we got inside we all spoke for a bit when my father started to have a painful look on his face. I had seen this look a few times at work and he assured me he was fine, as he always did.
over the next few days, things were great. Dashie, my father and I couldn't stop talking about the game. But one night as we were eating dinner, my father had the same look on his face, the same look he had on the night of Dashies' birthday. He once again assured me he was fine, but this time was defiantly different. He clenched his left arm. I expected the worse. He was having a heart attack. Dashie quickly sat him down and I called an ambulance. Since we lived quite far away they had to fly the helicopter over. After about twenty minutes it arrived. He was still holding up but wasn't doing well. I had to go to the hospital alone for obvious reasons.
The paramedic had told me he has a history of heart problems. Once we got to the hospitals the paramedics rushed him to the ER. I had waited for several hours. I heard a door open and a doctor walk out.
"I'm sorry. We did all we could." The doctor said putting his hand on my shoulder.
I just sat there a cried. I couldn't believe it. After that, I thanked the doctors for their efforts and called a taxi home.
But as I was exiting the hospital, I saw a male nurse walk by and look at me. I didn't take much notice, but I noticed the face was smiling. It was a familiar face, a face I knew. Could it be? I approached the nurse and looked at his face, it was different.
"Can I help you sir?" The man asked.
I shook my head and walked out.
When I made it home I saw Dashie waiting on the porch crying and by the look on my face, she knew what happened.
I sat with her for the night and held her as we cried.
The months that followed were very depressing. I continued work at the factory and since I was my father’s next in kin, I was promoted to owner of factory. My father had left everything to me in his will. His wealth, his house, everything. But of course, it didn't make me happy. Work was still as boring as ever, even with a much larger pay cheque.
Every day I got home, I would find Dashie just sitting on the couch, watching TV. She never used to fly anymore. After it had been a three months since my father died Dashie and I became very depressed. My birthday was coming up but we didn't really celebrate it. The day after, I was speaking to her about my father. Dashie said to me she had to leave, that she would start to play soccer on a professional level to make her father proud.
"Dashie! You can't do this!" I assured Dashie.
"Why not? I am not doing this for me; I'm doing it for Grandpa!" Dashie shouted.
"Dashie! You're not human! You can't become a professional soccer player, it's not possible!" I shouted back.
I paused.
Did I really just say that?
How... How could I?
"Dashie, I'm so sorry I didn't mean it like that!" I pleaded.
Dashie looked at me crying and flew up to her room.
I knocked on Dashies’ door pleading her to come out and got no response. I went to my room and sat there. Hating myself.
I exited my room to see Dashies’ door open, as well as the front door of the house.
I expected the worse. Everything of Dashies’ was gone. Her posters, jerseys and her family photograph.
I ran out and screamed:
"Dashie!"
I heard no response.
"DASHIE!"
....
I had no idea where to look for her.
I knew I wouldn't be able to find her.
I spent the next week at work feeling miserable.
Work became painful. The funeral was only a week away. Since we lived so far away from, well everything, It took months to plan and organize. It would be performed at a church about an hours’ drive away.
I got home that night and went to Dashies room. I looked at her empty bed and couldn't help but tear up.
"I'm so sorry Dashie. I shouldn't tell what you can and can't do, I'm so sorry Dashie." I said crying.
What seemed like the longest week of my life passed. It was time for the funeral. There was quite a lot of people there. Mainly from work and distant relatives. It started off with the priest giving his usual blessings then it came time for the eulogy. I offered to write a eulogy when organizing the funeral. I of course couldn't mention Dashie in it so I had to replace her with a pet.
When it came time for the eulogy, I approached the podium and cleared my throat. My eulogy was a much shorter one than most. I compressed it for a number of reasons. I think the most important was that I don't think I could have spoken of my father for too long before burst out in tears.
"I hadn't known my father for very long. He left my mother after I was born as he was afraid, for both of us. He came to me several years ago extremely apologetic and even offered me and my beloved... dog, Dashie, A new place to live and me a job. We had many great times together the three of us. We would often spend time watching soccer together and even playing soccer too. I'll never forget the day he came back, even though I had only known him for years, I felt like I knew him for a lifetime. I'll never forget him, Rest in peace Dad."
Many of the people at the funeral teared up as I did whilst reading.
It was not an open casket funeral but we still went up to the coffin and said our final goodbyes before he was buried.
As I approached the coffin I said:
"Thank you for coming back Dad. I'll never forget the time we spent together. I only wish Dashie were here too."
After the funeral had finished many relatives and passed on their condolences and wished me the best of luck, relatives I had never seen before. When most of the relatives and co-workers had left, I thanked the priest for the service and caught a taxi home.
Once I arrived home I payed the driver and walked to the porch.
I saw something I didn't expect to see.
Dashie.
She had come back.
"Dashie! I'm so sorry!" I shouted
"No Dad, I'm sorry. I heard what you said at the funeral and I was going to leave after that but I realized, We're family and I
can't leave that." Dashie said as she hugged me.
The next day we both agreed we couldn't stay. With my father gone, it wouldn't be the same living here any longer. We made all the preparations to leave. I assigned a new employee to take over the managing role of the factory and resigned. Before we left I sold the house for the first price I was offered. Even though we didn't really need the money, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. To get back Dashie would once again have to dress up in her dog outfit and we called a taxi.
Although it sparked a lot of confusion with the taxi driver, It still worked.
We made it back and payed the taxi driver.
We approached the house to notice it was untouched. After we had been gone all these years, it was still there, As I expected. We went inside and unpacked our things. It felt good to be back home.
We quickly got accustomed to our old lifestyle after cleaning up the house, moving in new furniture and giving it a paint job. I got my old job back, we started going to the oval again, things were back to 'Normal'. Dashie and I had decided to adopt new hobbies than just soccer. We decided to try and learn magic tricks. Soccer reminded us of my father too much.
We had spent many hours of the day attempting lame card tricks in an attempt to fool each other. Despite nearly all of your tricks failing, it was still fun. The most amount of fun we have had since Dad passed away.
The magic tricks idea fizzled quickly. So I decided to teach Dashie a bit about the work I do. I had tried in the past but, she was a lot younger and probably wouldn't understand much of it and even now she probably won't. I told her I was a sort of scientist and that I could do things to create life forms.
"You're work sounds so awesome Dad!" Dashie claimed.
"Trust me Dashie, it get's very boring, very fast." I assured Dashie.
"I think it would be so cool, can I come with you one day Dad?" Dashie replied filled with glee.
I looked at Dashie with a sad look. She and I both knew that wouldn't be possible.
Dashie realized the impossibility of what she had suggested and her eyes fell to the floor. I put my hands under her chin and raised them to my eye level.
"Now don't fret Dashie, tomorrow I will bring you home a souvenir, straight from the lab." I whispered to her.
Dashie looked at me and smiled.
Come on Dashie, it's getting late. Time to head off to bed. Dashie usually would argue with me that she wasn't tired now that she was getting older. But after the talk we had she didn't feel like starting an argument.
The next day I headed to work and as I got there, I was pondering on what I should bring from the office to give her. I looked around the whole day and nothing seemed right, until it finally hit me!
I'll give Dashie a Bird!
They had several types of birds for testing and they had so many of each, i'm sure I could get away with taking just one. I looked over all the birds and couldn't find which one was right, until I found the answer.
A Blue Jay!
It's perfect!
It'll match Dashie and give her the idea that she's nurturing something of her own. So after all the scientists had left and there were only a few that remained that were testing the EMP device, I swiftly took the bird cage and put it in a box and left. The walk home was difficult. The Blue Jay became anxious and wanted to escape.
I finally made it home to see Dashie waiting for me in the living room.
"Dad, you're home!" Dashie shouted.
"Yeah, and I have something for you!" I replied.
I walked to Dashie and sat down beside her on the couch. I opened the box and lifted the cage. Dashie's jaw dropped.
"No way Dad!!" Dashie said as she hugged me.
I hugged her back, so happy knowing she loved my gift.
"Now Dashie, you have to think of a name for it." I told Dashie.
"Hmm, a name. Well she's blue like me, and has wings too! I think i'll call her Dashie Junior!" Dashie stated.
I really loved the name. It really gave Dashie a sense of responsibility and ownership that I think made her feel somewhat normal. On the night I picked up Dashie Jr, I also brought home several bags of bird feed in the same box. They should last a while but I had to teach Dashie to only feed her a small amount.
I told Dashie to only fill the tray at the bottom of the cage. I supervised and constantly gave Dashie encouragement as she tilted the heavy sack of bird feed into the cage. She slowly lowered it down but as the tray was nearly full, Dashie Jr flapped her wings in fright and scared Dashie so she tilted the bag to far and almost filled half the cage with bird feed. I quickly slammed the cage door shut and saw Dashie on the ground looking at me. Dashie looked at me, then back to the ground.
I just looked at her and started laughing uncontrollably. Dashie looked back up surprised, and then too started laughing.
"I think we are going to have to work on that!" I said to Dashie.
She gave me a reassuring smile.
Dashie had come quite accustomed to Dashie Jr. She would constantly spend time looking after her and occasionally I would let her open the cage and let her fly around for a little, as long as all the windows and doors were shut. Dashie constantly told me how good of a flyer Dashie Jr was and that she would get her cutie mark in it, just like herself. I had to constantly remind her that cutie marks were only for ponies.
It had been about six months since we had Dashie Jr. One day I came home from work to see Dashie on the ground crying.
"Dashie! What's the matter?!" I asked with a concerned tone.
"It's Dashie Jr! She flew away!" Dashie replied wiping tears off her face.
"She... how?" I replied.
"I let her out of her cage to fly and realized I had left the kitchen window open. I flew out to get her but it was too late. Dashie answered, devastated.
I told Dashie that we can go look for her but she knew it would be futile.
Dashie spent the next week feeling very depressed. I didn't want her watching too much TV as it would remind her of Dashie Jr, if she saw any bird-related shows. I still made sure I didn't get the hub network so she wouldn't view My Little Pony or any shows related to it. I also blocked YouTube and most internet sites. Dashie hardly ever used the internet anyways. We pretty much only had Nickelodeon and ESPN. I came to the conclusion of what I must do to cheer Dashie up. I suggested many times that we should go to the oval to play some soccer but Dashie refused. She even stopped wearing either of her Pelé jerseys since Dashie Jr had left.
The next day at work I searched for a new present to give Dashie, certainly not a new pet bird, or any pet for that matter. I found the perfect gift. I came home to once again find Dashie crying on the couch like every other night that week. It tore me apart seeing her like this.
With my hopes all counting on it, I handed Dashie a present. She didn't seem very enthusiastic about it. She opened it to see a box full test tubes, flasks and some various other, non-hazardous chemicals that could be mixed to see a mild chemical reaction. At first Dashie didn't seem very amused, until I demonstrated what could happen if I mixed two chemicals together. I invited Dashie over to the dinner table and showed her a classic. Vinegar and Baking Soda. I mixed the two together as Dashie still remained less than impressed. Until it foamed up and spread out among the whole table. Dashie couldn't help but smile. I left her try a few different combinations herself and even gave her a lab coat and safety goggles to wear while she did it.
I helped Dashie with a few different experiments and Dashie really started to enjoy herself. She would laugh at all the different reactions. After we had exhausted a few different ones I assured Dashie it was time to go to bed. She protested and asked me to do one more. I agreed, only because it made me so happy to see Dashie like this. After that it had lead to "Just one more" about eight to ten times. When I noticed it was really starting to get late I told Dashie she now had to go to bed. She eventually agreed.
I tucked her in and hung up her lab coat beside her two Pelé jerseys and placed her goggles on her dresser. We followed the same routine we did most nights, I tucked her in, kissed her fore head and told her I loved her. But as I was exiting and about to turn off the light, Dashie said something to me.
"Daddy?" Dashie asked
"Yes, Dashie?" I responded.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you." Dashie replied, then dozed off to sleep.
My heart melted. I knew it was impossible and she probably did too, but I couldn't help but feel so warm inside, like a true father.
It was once again that time of year. Time for a birthday, but it wasn't Dashie's birthday, it was my birthday! We usually didn't do a lot for my birthday and I didn't really want to. When I grew up celebrations for my birthday were pretty much non existent. But Dashie was now old enough to do something for my birthday and even though I said I didn't want anything, she insisted. The day I woke up on my birthday I went down stairs to see something I hadn't seen for years. I saw Dashie in the kitchen! I walked in and expected the worse but nothing was wrong. The toaster was still intact, there was no flames anywhere that I could see and there wasn't a huge mess.
"Dashie?" I asked.
"Dad! I made you breakfast!" Dashie said smiling.
I walked over to the table to see some scrambled eggs, Bacon and Toast with jam on it. I was speechless. It was all perfect.
"Do you like it? I've been practicing. No fire this time!" Dashie said smiling.
"Well?" Dashie said as I was staring at her.
"Dashie this is wonderful." I replied.
Dashie smiled as I sat down and ate my breakfast. After I ate my breakfast Dashie came up to me and look me in the eye and said :
"Time to open your presents!"
I looked over to the couch to see two presents. One was a very small purple rectangular box and the other was a considerably larger cube box wrapped in cyan paper. Dashie didn't have wrapping paper to work with and only had the supplies i'd given her a while ago. I was so happy when I saw the gifts. Dashie knew purple and cyan were my favorite colours. I opened the smaller box to see it was a drawing.
The drawing was of Dashie and I flying together at the oval with a soccer game on the ground. And of course, Pelé was playing. There was also a large rainbow in the background. I couldn't help but keep smiling at this present. I had attempted to teach Dashie how to draw when I tried to teach her to write. She did eventually have to use her mouth for writing and was getting quite good at it but this drawing was amazing.
"I love it Dashie." I stated while I looked at Dashie and gave her a hug.
"You still have one present left Dad!" Dashie responded smiling.
Now I was curious to what this gift would be. Dashie had no access to any shops of any kind, so what could possibly be filling this large box? I opened it to find a poster. A poster filled with all the pictures of Dashie, my father and I. They were all pictures she had saved my father had taken. Written at the bottom of the poster was:
‘A happy family.’
I was stunned. I couldn't believe how sentimental and meaningful this present was. It meant the world to me.
"Do you like it?" Dashie asked.
I looked at Dashie with tear filled eyes and hugged her. I think she got the idea I liked it.
We had spent that night the way we spent many others. Watching soccer. But we didn't for the entire night. We found ourselves doing a lot of drawing and even though I hadn't improved in my artistic skills, Dashie certainly had. It amazed me how quickly Dashie adopted new skills. If she put her mind to something and practiced, she did improve and got very good at many different talents. Of course this made me proud but I couldn't help but wonder, what would her cutie mark actually have been if they were real?
We stayed up very late drawing and showing pictures to each other of soccer, the oval, the lab and even of each other. But we lost track of time that before we knew it, the sun was rising. I had work the next day but as the sun started to rise, I put Dashie to bed and got ready for work. Just before I left for work I went into Dashie's room and said:
"Thank you so much Dashie. This was the best birthday I have ever had."
Dashie was half asleep, but she had heard what I said and smiled back to me. I really meant it. Although I had a few birthdays at my fathers place, none of them were close to this. The three of us usually just spent the time on my father and I's birthdays by just having an unusual dinner and eating some cake. My father and I weren't fond of birthdays for ourselves, but we got so excited when Dashie's came around. This was the first birthday I had ever really had. It was fantastic.
As time began to once again fly Dashie began to once again adopt new phases. She tried the artist phase which I was quite fond of. She was getting really good at it but slowed down as she moved on to the dancing phase. I think she got the idea from the celebrations from the soccer players after they had scored a goal. Dashie had come up with some really creative dances. She passed through this phase quickly and when she did go through phases, found herself always coming back to soccer.
One day I looked at the calendar to notice Dashie's birthday was once again on the rise. I had no idea what to get her since she had passed all her recent phases. I couldn't just get her another soccer related gift. I had to get her something sentimental, like she got for me. I spent the days at work brainstorming, which was difficult as all my co-workers spent all their time on that ridiculous EMP device at work which made quite a racket. Why was it still there? They had been working on that infernal contraption for years. I guess the government has big hopes for it.
As I was stumped for ideas, I decided I should try and find out what Dashie would want by bringing it up in conversation but try and make it subtle. As in I would ask her what she was currently interested in and what she desired.
I came home one day about five days before her birthday. I opened the door to find Dashie was not on the couch where she always waited for me when I got home.
"Dashie! I'm home!" I shouted
I heard no response.
"Dashie?" I asked
I looked in the living room, she wasn't there. As well as the lounge room and her room. I could not find her.
I looked and saw a light emitting from my room and realized my worst fears had come true. I slowly approached the room to see Dashie sitting at my desk, with the lamp on.
"Dashie...?" I asked filled with concern.
I saw her at my desk looking over some files. It took me a moment to realize, and to look over her shoulder to notice that they were the records of my first experiment. I don't know how this was possible, all the files were at my desk at work, how could they have possibly gotten here. Dashie must have assumed she was the first experiment.
Dashie looked at me with tear filled eyes and muttered.
"Why?"
"I..." I responded, fighting back tears.
"Why didn't you tell me I was just your experiment!" Dashie shouted.
"Dashie wait! You don't understand!" I shouted.
"You're right! And i'm going to find out!" Responded Dashie.
"Wait! Where are you going?!" I screamed.
Dashie had opened the door and flown out. In ran out after her and followed her path for quite some time. I knew the path she was following and tried to deny it, until my fears were confirmed. She was heading in the direction of the lab.
"No Dashie! You have to come back! Wait!" I cried.
I followed her all the way to the lab. She had known where it was as I had pointed it out as it's on the way to the oval.
She slammed open the doors of the lab in hopes of finding the machine she believed she was conjured in.
I rushed in after her.
I saw her in the lab flipping tables and knocking over cupboards.
"Where is it?!" She shouted.
There was only one person working in the lab who was working the EMP device. Since they were working on the next floor, they could not hear her.
"Dashie wait! Let me explain!" I desperately cried.
Then the worst possible thing that could have ever happened, happened.
Dashie, looked at the EMP device and assumed it was the organic martial conversion device. She flew straight into the chamber.
"DASHIE NO!" I screamed, crying as i did so.
As Dashie was inside inspecting the interior of the machine, the chamber closed shut.
I shouted as loud as I could at the scientist on the upper level to stop the machine. He looked at me and I inspected his face closely. It... was him. The man who I made the deal with. He looked at me smiling, then started laughing uncontrollably. I was stunned, but only for a moment.
"Dashie! I'm... I'm so sorry!" I said. At this point I was unable to fight back any tears.
"What’s going to happen to me?!" Dashie replied. Her eyes were watery and she was now to crying.
"Dashie... I'm... I'm going to get you out of this! You're going to be OK! I'm just so sorry Dashie.. Sorry I didn't explain to you sooner!" I said, struggling to get the words out.
"I..." Dashie replied, interrupted by a loud noise made by the machine.
I had heard that noise before, too many times. I knew what followed it.
I endlessly tried to open the door but it was useless. I used all my power and might to release Dashie, but it was futile.
The machine began to glow. The sounds became louder. I pressed my hand up to the glass where Dashie had placed her hoof.
My heart was pounding. I knew what was about to happen.
"Dashie, I'm so sorry! I love you Dashie" I stated with tears gushing down my face.
"I love you too daddy" Dashie replied, crying.
After that a bright light had flashed from the chamber of the machine.
"NO!" I screamed.
After the light had passed, she was gone.
All that was left was the sound of the chuckling man on the upper floor.
All my family, gone.
At that moment, I dropped to my knees, and weeped.
The time of payment had come. I didn't forget his face.
I made my bed and now had to sleep in it.
End.
