Fly Like You

Chapters

Recap Part 1
Recap Part 2
One Big Happy Family
The Arrival of Winter
Tanks for the Memories
Crystals are Cold
A Challenger Approaches
Dinner With the Family Part 1
Meeting the Princesses
Dinner With the Family Part 2
The Return Home
Retribution
Revelations
Re-uniting
Scootaloo's Tale
Convalescence
Unrequited?
Requited
A Brief Respite
Paroxysm
Sharing the News
A Night In
Setting Limits
Smoke on the Horizon
Things Get Worse
Things Get Better
Vertex
A Quiet Night In
A New Dream
The Final Chapter
Epilogue Part 1
Epilogue Part 2

Recap Part 1

"Twilight."

Twilight's mind barely registered the voice. She made a noncommittal grunt and snuggled deeper into her pillow. The pillow responded by poking her in the belly. She groggily yawned and cracked open her eyes.

Her vision was filled by a world of blue fur. As her mind rapidly booted up, she also noticed she had a feather in her mouth. Rainbow Dash's feather. She also felt the warmth of Rainbow Dash's barrel under her legs.

Oh Celestia, am I... cuddling with Rainbow Dash?!

Her mind now fully awake, Twilight threw herself in the other direction, flushing as she tried coming up with an excuse for what she had just done.

"Oh my gosh, Rainbow Dash, I didn't mean to..." Twilight stammered.

"Twilight, were you trying to preen me in my sleep? I mean jeez, buy me dinner first or something." Rainbow Dash joked, hiding the fact that she was blushing too.

"I didn't mean... I'm sorry!" Twilight apologized.

Rainbow Dash winked at Twilight, causing her blush to grow even more in strength.

"Aw, it's alright Twi. I'm used to ponies being head over hooves for me. We are married after all."

How many times are ponies going to say this? A civil union is quite different from a marriage! We're only recognized as a legally bound group on a provincial level, meaning just in Canterlot! Aside from being able to adopt a foal together, we have no rights as a couple anywhere else in Equestria!

"Oh for the last time we aren't married! We're in a civil union!" Twilight complained. "And I don't even like you that way."

Despite the fact that I was just cuddling up to you in my sleep, but let's disregard that.

Rainbow Dash fixed Twilight with her trademark smirk. "That doesn't change the fact that you were cuddling me. I never pegged you for a cuddlebug, Twi."

Twilight's mind flashed back to the dream she'd just been having. Not a nightmare by any standards, but surely the mere concept of Pinkie Pie trying to add extra-cheesy quesadillas to the Sugarcube Corner menu was enough to unnerve any sane pony. Besides, after the extremely stressful events of the day prior, could anybody blame her for having... less than pleasant dreams?

"Well I... uh... tend to end up cuddling my pillows at night. Especially while stressed." Twilight retorted, raising her voice. "It's not my fault we were stuck in the same bed!"

Twilight heard a soft squeak coming from another part of the room. She quickly lifted herself up with a hoof to see Scootaloo's panicked expression as her head popped off her pillow. She blinked a couple times and visibly calmed down, letting out a long sigh.

Oh, the poor dear. We must have woken her up with our bantering, and she's probably still not used to waking up in a safe environment.

"Are you alright, sweetie?" Twilight asked gently.

"Fine. I'm fine. Just... when I got woken up by arguing, it usually meant dad was home. And that he was drunk. Which usually led to..." Scootaloo trailed off, looking to the side.

Twilight bit her lip, knowing she needed to say something to calm the filly and lift her spirits. Fortunately, she was rescued from her troubles as Rainbow Dash rolled out of bed, electing to sit next to Scootaloo and pull her into a hug with her foreleg.

"Don't worry, you're never gonna have to worry about being hit again. And we weren't arguing." Rainbow tousled Scootaloo's mane with her other foreleg. "I was just bullying your mom."

Scootaloo beamed up at Rainbow Dash as she addressed Twilight as "mom". Twilight found herself also giving off a small smile. Truthfully, she hadn't grown nearly as close to the filly as Rainbow Dash had, even though with Rainbow Dash being in the hospital, Scootaloo had spent more nights at Twilight's place. She knew she and Scootaloo did have a healthy relationship, but the fact that Scootaloo found them close enough to look that happy when Twilight was referred as her mother warmed Twilight's heart.

Twilight was so lost in her inner thoughts that she missed the next few things Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash said. She found herself snapping back to reality when Rainbow Dash turned to look at her with that same smirk.

"So my darling wife, what's the plan for the day?"

Really, with that again? Twilight couldn't help but to roll her eyes at the comment.

"You're really laying it on thick there, Rainbow."

Rainbow Dash just smiled and waggled her eyebrows.

Twilight's mind flashed back to the letter she had received the first night in Canterlot, detailing the plans for the trip. "The chariot should be coming to pick us up in about..." She gazed out the window, taking a moment to gauge the time by the sun's position in the sky. "An hour and a half. So how about we go get something to eat and walk around for a bit?"

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo both smiled and agreed.

Scootaloo had asked about the plans for the day after the chariot had come and picked them up. Twilight, who had of course meticulously planned out the details from that point on, was all too happy to ramble on about her planning.

"I had laid out a rough plan to inform our friends of the proceedings that we would have gone through on our trip, and make sure everyone was caught up on the plan and the story. But of course, there was the fact that sending five scrolls to various locations all around Ponyville was a task I'd never attempted. I did read up on quantum tunneling to see if that might help, but figured that may not help that much after some reading. At such a range it would have... unpredictable results. However, I did manage to lock onto Rarity’s magical resonance and that allowed me to accurately get a letter to Rarity last night to let them know about when and where we should be arriving. I figure she could spread the word more efficiently than a few potentially misplaced scrolls sent all at once. I've never teleported anything that far, so I hope it was accurate. Dragonfire is always more reliable, but Spike was left at Rarity's..."

Despite how interested and polite Scootaloo was trying to look, she found herself spacing out as Twilight rambled.

"Teleporting myself, and even others with me is one thing, but teleporting other things without me is something different entirely. Especially all the way from Canterlot to Ponyville. And the really interesting thing about that is that we need much more energy in the classical picture version of magical quantum tunneling, so teleporting myself and other ponies actually makes it easier, and typically more reliable. Of course, this is assuming you have a firm grasp on the spell."

"Hey, we're almost there!" Rainbow Dash suddenly shouted, pointing toward the distant, but easily recognizable form of Ponyville.

"Wha- already?" Twilight blinked in confusion. "It feels like we've only been flying for half an hour."

They had, in fact been traveling for three times that.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "That's because you went full egghead mode."

Twilight scrunched up her muzzle and grumbled something under her breath about Rainbow Dash's lackadaisical approach to advanced magical spells. She could at least pretend to care.

The chariot touched down in Ponyville, right outside town hall. Waiting for them there, exactly as planned, were Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Applejack, and Rarity.

"Thank you very much for the ride, sirs." Twilight smiled at the two pegasus stallions who had been pulling the chariot. The trio disembarked, and traveled over to greet their friends. Scootaloo was immediately accosted with affection as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom both decided to fire a stream of never ending questions at their young friend.

Scootaloo held up a hoof to silence her friends. Pausing for dramatic effect, as she felt the eyes of every pony there watching her, she proudly gestured to Rainbow Dash and Twilight behind her. "Girls, I'd like to introduce you to... my two new moms!"

"Wait, two new mothers?" Rarity asked in confusion as the two other fillies gasped and ooh'd. "I thought Rainbow Dash alone would be adopting darling little Scootaloo."

Here we go...

"Well that wouldn't work." Twilight lectured. "To adopt while single in Equestria, you need to be at least 25. So Rainbow Dash and I were forced to enter a civil union-"

As Twilight expected, Rarity's face instantly broke out into a manic grin as she grabbed Twilight's head and brought it up to her own.

"You got MARRIED?!" She practically screamed.

And there it is. It's gonna be a long day.

Author's Note

And here we go again. Should I have left off the story of Scoots and Co. on Off Color? Eh, maybe. But I missed writing these ponies and have no inspiration to write anything else, so here we go again.

And yes, I know this is referencing chapter 20 of On the Wings of a Pegasus. I'm not gonna reference every chapter they're in after that, don't worry. I just thought this might be a nice place to start.

Although this time I doubt the story will go almost 30 chapters.

No promises though. :raritywink:

Recap Part 2

It was the morning after Pinkie Pie's party. The previous night had ended on an almost sour note, with Twilight berating Rainbow Dash for not thoroughly reading every piece of paper that was put in front of her.

We were there for hours. Am I supposed to read stupid legal jargon that entire time? I'm pretty sure anybody who isn't Twilight would just go crazy if they were forced to do that, and I figured Twilight would steer me right. I mean, she's the smart one that always has an answer for everything, and I'm the athletic one that makes everything awesome!

Rainbow idly landed near the Ponyville Schoolhouse and felt Scootaloo hop off her. Shaking her head a few times to clear her thoughts, she turned to the filly and fixed her with a smile.

"Bye Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo chirped, sharing a hug with her idol before dashing off to meet up with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.

Rainbow Dash sighed and braced herself for whatever bomb Twilight was about to drop on her. She took off in the direction of the library apprehensively, just hoping the news wouldn't be too bad.

Twilight looked up from her book as she heard somebody rap on her door. She opened it telekinetically to expose a timid looking Rainbow Dash.

"Keep this up and I'll start actually believing you're civilized enough to know how doors work." Twilight teased, attempting to break the ice.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes but did manage a chuckle. "Alright Twi, what are these conditions you were worried I didn't understand?"

Rainbow Dash was obviously nervous about what Twilight was going to say. Twilight knew that Rainbow wasn't going to like it, but she'd probably take the news better if she was in a little more comfortable a setting. Fighting back the hints of a blush, she decided that the news could wait until they were both a little more comfortable.

"Before all that, Rainbow..." Twilight trailed off awkwardly, trying to think of something to say to calm the pegasus down. "I uh... Was thinking about what you said last night. And you're right. A fully grown mare like myself should know better wing care. Can you... show me how you do it?"

Twilight winced as she realized what she just said.

Of all the things I could have said, and I went with that?! Now Rainbow's gonna think I'm either stalling some terrible news, or trying to come onto her!

Twilight peered up to see the flabbergasted expression on Rainbow Dash's face. "You want me to teach you how to preen?" Rainbow finally asked. She received a weak nod in response. "Well... okay, sure. Let's go find someplace to get comfortable and I'll help you out."

Twilight found herself leading Rainbow Dash to her bedroom. When Rainbow had said comfortable, her bed was the first place that came to mind, especially since she didn't own a couch or anything like that. She winced to herself again.

First I ask her to help me preen, then I lead her to my bed? By Celestia she must think I'm flirting with her!

Twilight chuckled awkwardly and turned to face Rainbow Dash. If Rainbow Dash was weirded out, she was doing a stellar job in hiding it. She appraised the bed with a neutral face before saying "Yeah, this looks fine. Now hop up and let's see the damage."

Twilight sighed in relief and sat on her bed, joined quickly by Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash instructed Twilight to lay down and hold out one of her wings. Twilight immediately did so. Rainbow Dash took a second to survey her wing and let out a slow whistle.

"Twilight, are you sure you even preen every week? Like, no offense, but it looks like a mess back here."

Twilight flushed. "Well, I haven't had these wings long, and I haven't really had the time to read any books on pegasus hygiene, so..." Twilight poked at one of her feathers that was broken halfway down. "Like, we can just straighten these out, right?"

"No, see this feather is broken, so you just need to yank it right out." Lectured Rainbow Dash, pulling out the feather in question.

"Ow!" Twilight complained.

"Well this would hurt a lot less if you did it daily, egghead." Rainbow laughed, as she set to work cleaning and picking out the broken feathers from the rest of the wing.

Twilight relaxed her head and sighed in content. It was definitely odd, but it was a very soothing experience. The feeling it gave her reminded her of when she was young, and had her mother taking care of her every time she got sick. They both had the same kind of soothing... caring feeling. She relaxed into the soft bed, her mind turning to mush.

"Alright, this one is done, let me see that other wing." Rainbow commanded all too soon, jerking Twilight back into reality. As she mindlessly drew her outstretched wing to her side and extended the other wing, an uncomfortable thought occurred to her.

"Uh, Rainbow Dash? Isn't two adult pegasi preening each other considered... kind of an intimate activity? Like, something you'd do in a relationship?" Twilight asked nervously.

"Now don't go getting the wrong idea here." Rainbow Dash replied nonchalantly. "Okay, yes, preening another pegasus is something you either do to your own brood until they can do it themselves, or while in a relationship. But you're a special case considering you got your wings as an adult, and your parents never taught you this. So in comes the awesome Rainbow Dash. Besides, if you trust me enough to false-marry me, then this shouldn't be an issue."

It was sound logic, but Twilight felt she had to take it further.

"It's just..." Twilight trailed off. "Well, this feels pretty nice, and with all this stuff about the civil partnership, and everyone else taking it out of context and shipping us together, it feels a bit... I don't know. If we were in a relationship I'd say it's moving too fast, but we're not, and it just feels kind of... strange. N-not that there's anything wrong with that."

Sighing, Rainbow Dash plopped on the bed beside her friend. "Twilight, be 100% honest with me. Do you like me like that?"

Twilight felt butterflies in her stomach at the question.

Why am I being so weird and awkward about this? We're just friends, and Rainbow is just helping me out on some things I never learned. There's absolutely nothing weird going on here.

"Uhh... Not in the romantic sense, no." Twilight said after a moment of hesitation.

"Then chill. Okay sure, this has been a bit weird, and I've been a bit uncomfortable along the way too, but I've come to expect weird ever since my 'little sister' became my daughter." Rainbow Dash twisted her face into a strange look. "That still feels weird to say. Look, all I'm saying is, yes, we've grown closer, and this whole... civil whatever is really weird, since I'm not so sure about how our relationship is seen... Like, if I liked another pony would that be seen as cheating?" Rainbow tapped her chin, lost in thought for a moment. "But you know who we are, and I know who we are, so stop sweating the small stuff. What's important right now is us giving Scootaloo a great life. If anything else comes up, we'll tackle it then. Sound good?"

Twilight couldn't help but fix Rainbow Dash with a warm smile. Rainbow had always been a good friend of Twilight's since day one in Ponyville, but Twilight couldn't help but like the pony Rainbow Dash had been becoming ever since taking care of Scootaloo a lot more. "Rarity is right. You really have matured recently. I was expecting you to just joke about it." Twilight looked away at that moment. "But that just kinda makes what I'm going to say a bit more awkward... Since you elected not to read some of the government documents you legally signed..." Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'm going to have to explain it to you. Those documents you signed regarding the civil union had some more... conditions."

Time to drop the bomb. Please Celestia, let her take it well.

Rainbow didn't respond, electing instead to fix Twilight with a curious look.

Here goes nothing...

"So, some of the conditions you signed for say that the... couple... has to have the same residence. And since my place here in this library counts as a public building, and therefore unfit to raise a foal... I am either supposed to move in with you, or we're supposed to find some place together on the ground to move into together. I mean, we could try to blow this off, but for the next two years we're going to get visited by FPS personnel once a moon to make sure all the conditions are met. If they aren't, they could legally send Scootaloo away to an orphanage. And then there's this thing whole thing with Scootaloo having to be able to access it, but with her current progress with flight..."

Twilight bit her lip nervously. Rainbow Dash flopped onto the bed and rolled onto her back expressionlessly. Nobody said anything for a couple minutes, and Twilight was starting to get nervous that Rainbow Dash was now angry at her.

"Well I'm not giving up my cloudhome, that's for sure. And the thing is... not that I really have a problem with you moving in, but that I only have two rooms in my house, and I don't think Scootaloo is at the point where she's comfortable sleeping alone without having nightmares... But she's going to have to get used to it soon. And my room isn't really... big enough to fit two different beds..."

Twilight felt her whole face turn red when she realized what Rainbow Dash was implying.

"I might be able to make it bigger if I move some stuff around..." Rainbow Dash said, more to herself than Twilight. "But if you promise not to try and preen me while I sleep, I suppose I can live with that." Rainbow Dash visibly brightened up. "Plus, I bet you've never slept on a cloud mattress before! They're way better than a normal box-spring like you have. The experiences aren't even comparable!"

She took that way better than I expected. But with the current situation, I suppose she feels she doesn't really have a choice. All the same, she did just offer me the chance to move in with her...

The pair were quiet for a few minutes. Having recovered from her earlier panic, Twilight found herself to be enjoying the companionable silence.

"Hey Twi," Rainbow Dash spoke up out of nowhere. "Do you think you can help Scootaloo fly? I mean, it's not like her wings are weak, she rides around on that scooter all the time. And when they were trying out for flag carrying, she scootered all the way from Ponyville to Trottingham to get on the train. And sure, her wings are small, but most fillies her age don't really have too much larger wings. Those usually come in a growth spurt. I mean, it might not mean too much to you, but it would mean the world to me and Scoots if you could help."

Twilight let out a soft hmm. While she admittedly didn't know much about the specific flight related maladies that could plague a pegasus, she never said no to a chance to expand her knowledge. "Well, I could give her a look. Scan for magical imbalances in the body, test her wing synchro, maybe take a look at the form, but I'm not going to promise results."

She heard Rainbow give off a happy sigh as she rolled onto her stomach, giving Twilight a thankful look.

"That's all I can ask for."

The two lay there in silence for a few moment more before Rainbow Dash remembered she was halfway through preening Twilight's second wing. Getting to her hooves and taking her place behind Twilight again, she proceeded to work in silence. Twilight sighed in content and buried her face into her blanket. After several more minutes of silence proceeded, Twilight found herself drifting off into sleep's loving embrace.

Author's Note

I lied. I think I'm going to be putting a lot more of this little romance than originally intended in Twi's perspective. It flows so much easier for me.

I know I said this one might be shorter (and probably will be) but I keep coming up with adorable little ideas for little side stories I want to write about this family. I may make a second story just full of one shots for the group and run it along the same plotline as this story (and the show).

Or would y'all prefer I just add it to this story? Maybe mark the chapters as side stories?

Also, I think either this is going to be the last recap chapter, or the next one. If I write one more recap chapter it's probably going to be covering the S4 finale.

One Big Happy Family

"So I was just thinking..." Twilight started mysteriously. It had been a few days since Tirek had been defeated. In the meantime, Twilight and Spike had gotten around to exploring and drawing a map of the castle, and Scootaloo and Rainbow had spent most of their time outside, working on Scootaloo's flight. Scootaloo was a little worried that she was such a wobbly flier, considering maybe she was just a naturally terrible at flying even with functional magical passageways. Rainbow had quickly shot her down, reminding her most fillies her age had been flying for years, and she was starting from the beginning.

At the current moment, all four family members were sitting in the castle's surprisingly comfortable lounge.

"Thinking? Oh that's never a good sign." Rainbow winked at Scootaloo. Scootaloo giggled in response. Twilight just huffed, but even she let out a smile at that. Recently she had it found surprisingly much harder to get annoyed at Rainbow's antics. She might be impulsive, crass, and sometimes a bit oblivious to other's feelings, but strange as it was, Twilight found herself to feel anything but content and at ease around her. She had found a way to make this strange, makeshift family of theirs something that felt new and fresh every day. Twilight had never had a friend that... oddly disarming before.

"Ignoring that little comment..." Twilight chuckled. "Do you think it may be time to get out for a bit? Maybe take a break? We could go see our parents. You could introduce Scootaloo to yours, Rainbow Dash, and I know my parents would love to see me again considering I got... married."

Rainbow Dash grinned. "You finally said it!"

Twilight tittered. "Yes well, you were correct Rainbow Dash. If everyone else is just gonna call it that, why bother even fighting it any more?" Twilight put her hoof to her chin in mock consideration. "Besides, I guess I could do worse than you. Maybe."

Rainbow gave off a cocky laugh. "You sure could. Try everyone else in Equestria! You should consider yourself lucky I agreed Twi, you made a great catch." Rainbow batted her eyelashes in a very Rarity-esque fashion.

Scootaloo lifted a hoof up to her open mouth, making retching sounds, before elapsing into a giggle fit. "Aw gross, are you guys really flirting in front of me? Get a room!"

The two mares laughed and settled into a companionable silence.

Rainbow spoke up. "I think you're right Twi. We barely spent any time with your parents when we were in Canterlot. And if we're going to visit my parents, I think we should probably do that at the end of the trip. I've told you what they're like, haven't I?"

"What's wrong with your parents?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well nothing's wrong with them..." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof. "Nothing's wrong with them. I'm very close with them and I love them very much, but... Scoot, have you ever heard of the term helicopter parents?"

Scootaloo shook her head.

"What it basically means is that Rainbow Dash's parents are a little... overbearing." Twilight explained.

"Yeah, and they're unpleasantly overpowering." Rainbow agreed.

Twilight glared at the back of Rainbow Dash's head. "Rainbow, that's literally exactly what overbearing means."

Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"But... surely they can't be that bad?" Scootaloo questioned.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash shared a look.

"Scoot, they... they hung up the diaper I was wearing when I took my first steps. And they bronzed the apple I bit into when I had my first tooth."

Scootaloo let out an involuntary snicker.

"If I come by with not only a wife, but a daughter... I don't even know what would happen, but I'm sure it'd be embarrassing. And I don't think any of us want that over our head the entire time. At least I know I don't." Rainbow finished.

"Okay, I see your point." Scootaloo chuckled. "And I thought I was bad with the Rainbow Dash fanclub."

"Nah, there's a line between whatever my parents are, and a fan club." Rainbow laughed, elbowing Scootaloo lightly. "One is clearly deserved, and one is a bit too much."

Twilight tapped her chin, lost in thought. "Actually Scootaloo, you should bring your scooter for when you come visit my parents. I think you may get along better with my mom than you thought."

Scootaloo gasped. "Does she have a scooter too?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, but you are both some crazy adrenaline junkies from what I've seen." She scrunched up her nose as she turned to face Rainbow Dash. "I seem to have an odd proclivity to attract those kinds of ponies for whatever reason."

Rainbow Dash grinned and waggled her eyebrows in response.

"But... Rainbow Dash, didn't you take a ton of leave days to take care of me earlier, can you get away with leave for that long?" Scootaloo felt a pang of guilt.

"Luckily, leave days don't have a limit, and I've been working there so long I still have a lot of time left." Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Besides, considering I've been key in saving Equestria on at least a half a dozen different occasions, I can easily get away with a lot of stuff."

Twilight turned to Spike, who had thus far been quiet. "And of course, this time we can actually bring Spike! So it'll be even better! Feel up to sending a couple letters?"

Spike nodded confidently and pulled a quill and parchment out of thin air.

"Hey Twilight..." Scootaloo hesitated. "Not trying to pry too much here, but what exactly is your relationship?"

Twilight blinked in confusion. "Oh. Well, it's not really clearly defined. I did technically hatch him and raise him, and he definitely grew on me quickly when we were both young, but I'm only like... six years older than him. So..." Twilight looked a little uncomfortable, and shot a quick look at Spike. "Hybrid of sister and mother I guess."

Spike nodded, causing Twilight to give off a relieved sigh. "I mean, we've never really discussed it, but considering Twilight hatched me but didn't lay me, that sounds about right to me. Anyway Twilight, one letter to your mom and to..." Spike looked between Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

"Bow Hothoof." Rainbow replied tersely.

Spike turned to Twilight, quill at the ready.

"So we've got the date set." Twilight chirped. "Now all that's left is the next big mystery. This." Twilight waved a hoof around the throne room of the castle. "I've asked the girls here to see what we can find out. And considering these thrones all have our cutie marks..." Twilight paused a moment to think as she sat in her designated throne, missing the small flash of light that emitted from the throne itself. "I think we're supposed to figure this out together."

Scootaloo watched Rainbow Dash take her own seat, and Spike his. While Spike didn't have a throne as big as the rest of them, he had a smaller one right next to Twilight. Scootaloo had nothing. Seeing this, Twilight bit her lip in contemplation. A moment later, she teleported off. The three remaining creatures heard some sort of magical impact, then Twilight teleported back into her throne with several chunks of crystal. As she got to work arranging a smaller throne to match Spike's, but set it between hers and Rainbow Dash's, the rest of the friend group had arrived.

Taking her new seat, Scootaloo beamed up at Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Twilight rubbed her forehead as her friends started taking their respective seats. "Okay, so let's figure this thing out." She sighed.

"We've been over it like a million times, Twilight! We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!" Rainbow moaned.

"Yes, but why?"

"I dunno, sugarcube. Maybe it's just your new house and there ain't nothin' more to it than that." Applejack piped in, taking her seat.

"I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics, there really doesn't need to be more to it. It's all simply divine!" Rarity added, climbing into hers. She missed Rainbow Dash rolling her eyes at her.

"I agree with Twilight. And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie. Oh, and probably Spike and Scootaloo." Fluttershy said, taking her own seat then letting out a frightened squeak when each of the large thrones began to glow and hum magically.

From the side of each throne came a row of crystals making their way to the center, and when they converged, a large flat table grew in front of their eyes. As soon as the table stopped growing, a holographic display of a map of Equestria sprang up upon it. And just as suddenly, the cutie marks of all the mares began glowing. A small representation of each cutie mark started floating above a mountain range quite a distance from Ponyville.

"Is that uh... supposed to happen?" Asked Scootaloo, staring at the gaping expression of everyone there.

Author's Note

Mission success! Acquired one (1) happy family! Also received: one (1) season 5 opener getting in the way of vacation plans. Friendship problems are so inconsiderate.

The Arrival of Winter

"You're kidding. You were held hostage by a crazy cult?" Scootaloo deadpanned. "Man, why do all the cool things happen when I'm not there?"

"You think being held hostage by some crazy mare in one small room while she droned on about inane things for hours would be cool?" Twilight raised an eyebrow at the filly.

"Isn't that basically what school is?" Scootaloo shot back. "Plus, I wouldn't have to deal with math class. So that makes it an improvement."

Rainbow Dash snorted while Twilight just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"So how have you been, Scootaloo? Learning anything interesting in school?"

Scootaloo groaned. "Exponents. And we're starting to read some of Spear Shaker's works. He talks more gibberish than Princess Luna did when she visited Ponyville, and he was born after she was banished." Scootaloo giggled. "We also found out Peachie Pie has a peanut allergy. Her face swelled up so much she looked like one of Pinkie Pie's balloon animals!"

"Oh no, is she okay?" Twilight questioned as Rainbow Dash fell over in laughter.

"Oh yeah, she was fine. But we're not letting her forget it anytime soon."

"How was staying at Rarity's dad's place?" Rainbow asked. "I know Spike doesn't often come with you guys. Did he cause any problems?"

"Hondo Flanks." Spike interjected.

"What is that, some kind of cereal?" Rainbow asked.

Spike and Scootaloo laughed. "No, Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo gasped in between laughs. "That's the name of Sweetie Belle's dad. And no, nothing bad happened. They did have a bit of a bake off competition."

"Which I won!" Spike boasted.

"Well to be fair," Scootaloo interrupted. "Applebloom was the only judge because every other pony was too familiar with either yours or Hondo's cooking."

Spike shrugged and smiled. "A victory is a victory."

"And there was some disagreement between Sweetie Belle and Spike on why Spike didn't just eat the castle." Scootaloo added.

"There was no disagreement!" Spike coughed. "I admitted that yes, I can eat crystal, but it's basically empty calories! Plus this castle is all dirty and has ponies living in it. Besides, gems have different chemical compositions and mineral bases! Asking me why I don't eat crystal is basically like asking me why I don't go outside and eat rocks off the ground!"

"He got just as heated then too." Scootaloo giggled. "But then Sweetie Belle was all like 'that's not a fair comparison. Stones like granite is just a ton of small crystals stuck together! It's like comparing an ice cube to snow!' and then rest of us just waited for them to stop arguing because the argument was dumb."

"Well technically they're both correct." Twilight observed.

"Oh Twilight, I nearly forgot!" Spike pulled out two scrolls. "Your parents sent a scroll back and Rainbow Dash's parents had one dropped off here while you were gone. They both said they're basically free for the next few months and to come by whenever." One scroll unfurled and hit the floor, rolling for another ten feet before stopping and portraying the large signatures of Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles. "One in a few more words than the others..."

Twilight let out a low whistle as Rainbow Dash performed the illusive double facehoof.

"They mention wanting to meet Scootaloo fourty-three times, wanting to meet Twilight thirty-one times, and wanting to see their 'little Dashie' again seventy two times." Spike recited.

"Nice to know they went light in this letter at least." Rainbow sighed.

Twilight hummed softy. "Let's at least agree to wait until after the Running of the Leaves and the start of winter first. I don't want to miss that this year. Besides, I might beat Rainbow again this year." Twilight gently flicked her tail so it hit Rainbow in the nose and smiled at her.

"Hey yeah!" Rainbow shouted exuberantly, ignoring Twilight digging at her. "Winter is my favorite time of the year! Us four and Tank are gonna have so much fun! We're gonna do so many primo things! Scoot, you ever gone cloud skating?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "I've never even heard of that. What is it?"

Rainbow grinned from ear to ear. "A pegasus super condenses a cloud, then you fly super hard at a frozen lake, and fly to the side super hard. You land on the cloud and start spinning when it hits the ice. Then when it hits snow you have to try and fly a obstacle course while dizzy! It's super fun!"

Scootaloo grinned back. "Sounds great!"

"And Twilight!" Rainbow gasped. "If we can get another critter to play, we can make a junior circuit of Horse Hockey with Spike, Scootaloo and Tank!"

"I can invite the Crusaders as well!" Added Scootaloo. "I mean, assuming the critters are gonna be goalies. I don't think Tank is quite quick enough to be on offense."

Rainbow tapped her hoof against her chin. "Yeah, you're probably right. You think Fluttershy has any more turtles?"

"Tortoises." Twilight corrected.

"Whatever."

"Good afternoon sir. Since Blueheart retired I will be your physical therapist now." Spoke a blue unicorn. She had two toned hair consisting of white and light blue tied up into a bun. Her cutie mark was a heart next to a cartoonishly broken bone. "My name is Ice Pack. Now how are you feeling today?"

Another pony blinked at the newcomer and stretched their forelegs and back out. "Thanks to this magical treatment, much better. Pleasure to meet you, ma'am." the pony spoke in a low, gravely voice.

"Pleasure is all mine." Ice Pack smiled. "Now I have your notes, and I'm afraid Nurse Blueheart was using a rather aged treatment. There are some studies on a new method of magical treatment that might you get you up and moving around like a school-aged foal again in no time. Provided you're interested, I look forward to testing this new physical therapy method and seeing improvement in your current condition. What do you say?"

The other pony let out a dark chuckle. "I can't wait..."

Tanks for the Memories

The story you're about to read is a sad one, a story of heartbreak and anguish, where out heroes limits will be tested, as well as their bonds with each other.

In the following epic, our rainbow maned protagonist will be pushed to her emotional limits, but she and the ponies she cares about will push through all the turmoil to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

And it all began with that damn yawn...

Twilight shivered violently, the chilled air settling into her coat. She blew hot air into her hooves and rubbed them together as she magically fumbled with the flint and steel. After a couple of attempts she produced sparks, which then fell to the tinder and started a small flame. She blew on it gently, shivering again, and watched as the flame grew.

"W-why is it so cold in here?" Scootaloo complained, rubbing her legs to attempt to get some feeling back into them. "And where are Rainbow Dash and Spike?"

"Crystals don't retain heat." Twilight explained. "Spike is lighting the other fireplaces in the castle and Rainbow is helping bring the snow clouds in. After we're done with the fireplaces we're gonna bundle up and join her. Since I'm all done this one, you want to go get us some scarves?"

Scootaloo nodded and ran off to go find a closet.

Twilight flew over to a pensive looking Rainbow Dash, who was fixing Tank with an unreadable expression.

"Everything's looking great, don't you think?" Twilight smiled.

"Almost everything. Does Tank look alright to you?" Rainbow Dash bit her lip, outwardly nervous for the state of her tortoise.

"Well, he does seem to be moving a little slowly." Twilight started.

"I know, right?"

"And he looks kind of sleepy..."

"Totally!"

"...just like he always does." Twilight finished, smiling at her friend.

"Yeah, ha ha, I'm sure you're right." Rainbow Dash let out a forced laugh, not at all placated by the princess' nonchalance.

No Twilight. I know Tank. I read to him every night and before Scootaloo came along, talked to him a lot more than many ponies would think is normal. I know my pet and something is very, very wrong.

Twilight saw the artificial smile dissapear from her friend's face as she grabbed Tank and rocketed off toward Fluttershy's cottage.

Twilight knew that tortoises hibernated, and she knew that Fluttershy would have the guts to tell Rainbow what she couldn't. Twilight also knew it was going to destroy Rainbow Dash.

I know I should... no, need to do something for her... but what? Might just have to let this one play out until we can directly jump in. Between Scootaloo and I, we'll have her covered.

At least she's going to Fluttershy first... Fluttershy will be gentle.

After dropping Scootaloo off to go play with her Crusader friends, Twilight went to go meet with the rest of her friends, bar Rainbow. After the Running of the Leaves, there was still all the leaves to get up off the ground and dispose of. Having nothing better to do that day, the group of friends had agreed to meet up and help out.

"So she just told me she was going to find a real reptile expert and flew off." Fluttershy finished her tale.

Twilight hummed softly. So far things had gone about as well as one could expect when it came to Rainbow Dash. Instant denial. If anybody knew Rainbow, and Twilight did, it was obvious what her next move would be. She would try to weakly fight the rapidly oncoming season. She would, of course fail, and then get more desperate. Twilight shuddered to think of what harebrained schemes Rainbow's grieving mind would come up with.

"Aww, look at the cute wittle Tankie, all snuggly-wuggly, getting ready to hibern—"

Oh no, here we go...

"Don't say that word!" Rainbow practically screamed at Pinkie. Twilight set down the mass of leaves she had been levitating and started padding over to the two ponies.

"Which one? "Snuggly"? "Wuggly"? "Tankie"? "Hibernate"?"

"That one!"

"I was just saying how cute he—"

"If you think hiber... – you know, that napping thing – is so cute, why don't you go do it?! Somewhere far away from here?!"

"Rainbow." Twilight said flatly. "Stop."

Rainbow's angry expression instantly softened a bit as she met Twilight's gaze. Twilight could still see the cold fury in Rainbow's expression, but for the moment, she had contained Rainbow's angry outburst. Still, Twilight still had her trump card.

"Rainbow Dash, please." Twilight placed a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "Your behavior has everyone concerned. Me, our friends, even Scootaloo would be worried if she was here, I promise you." Rainbow visibly deflated at the thought of Scootaloo's small concerned expression. That was like a weaponized guilt trip.

"Rainbow, let's all sit down and talk about this like rational ponies. I know you're upset about Tank, but we can help you thr-"

Twilight had struck the wrong chord. She saw Rainbow's face screw back up into an angry expression at the mention of Tank. She pushed Twilight's hoof off her and wordlessly took off into the sky, dragging Tank along with her. Twilight sighed and turned to her friends, who all wore similar expressions of mild shock.

"...What?" Twilight questioned.

"Well darling... it's just that we all know Rainbow can sometimes get in those moods, but we've never seen anybody break her out of it in one sentence. Or at all." Rarity finally spoke up.

"For all it matters. She still flew off to do Celestia knows what." Twilight scoffed.

Nobody retorted to that. They all silently agreed to keep an eye on the skies as they continued to work.

"So then Maud says 'no, pancakes aren't the best breakfast, Pinkie. I think it's oatmeal.' And then I said 'Oatmeal? Are you crazy?!'" Pinkie rambled on.

Twilight sighed internally, hoping for a distraction to stop Pinkie from recounting inane conversations from her past. Fortunately for Twilight, a distraction occurred at that moment as the loud sound of electricity crackling from miles away drew the attention of the five friends. They glanced over to the source of the noise to see one of the towers in Cloudsdale erupt in a scintillating electric explosion, smoke starting to pour out of it.

The friends gasped as the electrical energy moved to the sky outside the factory, and lightning started showing. There was a massive buildup of pressure in one of the exit tubes used to remove newly created snow clouds from the factory, and with a sudden burst, a giant snowball erupted from it, hurtling toward Ponyville.

"Everybody, look out!" Twilight yelled, turning tail and running the other direction. And then the massive snowball hit. Twilight felt herself get flung fifteen feet easily, and after the blinding pain from the explosion ramming her face first into the ground cleared up, Twilight found herself unable to breathe as she was trapped under a foot of snow.

Twilight quickly dug her way out, letting out a moan as she took a breath of fresh air and rubbed her sore temple. To her relief, she saw the rest of her friends surface in relatively good condition as well. Then she spotted the culprit pop out of the snow herself. Rainbow Dash dug in the snow around her, and among pulling out Tank's shell with a relieved sigh, pushed down on his carapace and saw the tortoise's head pop out of the shell.

"You okay Tank?" Rainbow groaned weakly. Tank merely yawned in response. Rainbow Dash looked down in defeat.

"Rainbow Dash! Are you alright?" Twilight asked, running up to her fallen friend.

"No..." Rainbow sighed before collapsing into the snow. She hugged Tank close to her, and a moment later slowly flew off toward her cloud home.

Twilight turned her head to view her friends. She'd have to cast the cloud walking spell to get them all up to help with Rainbow. She'd have to find a way to break Rainbow out of her defeatist rut.

She'd have to get her secret weapon.

-Pop-

There was a familiar sound as six ponies teleported into Rainbow Dash's room. Six sets of eyes fixed upon a morose Rainbow Dash, clad in her purple bathrobe and Tank slippers. Tank was wearing a fluffy coat that covered his carapace, and matching Rainbow Dash slippers.

"How are you feeling, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked softly.

"Whatever." Rainbow responded despondently.

"The poor thing looks so sad! Just what are we doing to do?" Rarity whispered to Twilight.

Twilight gave off a small knowing smile. "We aren't going to do anything. I brought my secret weapon."

Twilight looked down at the aforementioned weapon and nodded. Scootaloo nodded back, and clambered up onto the bed and sat right in Rainbow's field of vision. Rainbow met her gaze with a dead, defeated look. She didn't even have the will to greet her.

Scootaloo took a deep breath, bracing herself for what the reaction Rainbow Dash was gonna give her would inevitably be.

"Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo spoke in a small voice. "Over the past months, while I've been getting help, I've learned a lot of things..." Scootaloo looked around at the other ponies in the room, and got a myriad of nods to help reassure her. Scootaloo turned back to Rainbow and gently moved her head so Rainbow met Scootaloo's gaze.

"And one of the hardest lessons is that holding your emotions will just cut you up inside. If you're around ponies who care about you," Scootaloo gestured to Rainbow's friends. "as everyone in this room cares about you, then releasing those emotions is very cather... cathi..."

"Cathartic." Twilight whispered.

"Releasing those emotions is very cathartic. So Rainbow Dash... I'm sorry to be this pony..." Scootaloo shut her eyes and braced herself. "But Tank is going away, and you need to accept that your winter is going to continue on without him."

For a moment Rainbow Dash sat up with a completely neutral expression, before screwing up her face and bursting out into tears. To the rest of her friends, seeing the brave, boisterous pony that had faced down every villain without fear or hesitation, the pony who's first idea on how to get rid of a dragon was directly kicking it in the face crying like a foal was jarring, to say the least. Twilight and Scootaloo, who had both experienced Rainbow's more sensitive side, just felt pity.

Twilight moved over to Rainbow's side and sat by her side, on the opposite side of Scootaloo. Twilight sadly regarded the rainbow mare, who was currently sobbing into Tank's shell, and gently draped her wing over Rainbow's back and slowly pulled Rainbow into her side. Rainbow leaned into the embrace and rested her head upon Twilight's breast.

Twilight silently motioned for Scootaloo to join the hug, and Scootaloo scrambled over and took her place nestled between Rainbow and Twilight. With a particularly loud sob Rainbow Dash threw her right forehoof around Twilight's neck and started crying into Twilight's neck, squeezing onto Tank even tighter with her left forehoof.

Everyone in the room stayed quiet, allowing Rainbow Dash to cry herself out. After another minute or two, it seemed like she was out of tears. She pulled out of the hug and used a forehoof to wipe her nose. She took a moment to look around the room, seeing all the ponies that had come to see her. All the ponies that were worried about her.

Rainbow sniffed and let out a weak chuckle. "Thanks everybody. I don't know what I'd do without you." She turned to look at Scootaloo and Twilight, the same look of sympathy with a twinge of worry on both their faces. "All of you."

Rainbow set Tank down and got off the bed so she could be eye level with the beloved pet. "Or him. Oh, Tank... I'm sure gonna miss you." Tank slowly lifted one of his legs and set it on one of Rainbow's forehooves, giving her a smile.

The ponies were happily playing in the snow. Rarity and Fluttershy were making a snowpony while Pinkie rolled around making snow angels. Applejack was making snowballs and kicking them at a tree, her usual snowball fight opponent was still on her way. Scootaloo had gone off to go find the Crusaders again, saying something about competing to see which filly could make the "most realistic" snowponies.

The quiet sound of snow crunching underhoof alerted the ponies that Rainbow Dash had arrived. She was all dressed up in winter gear and carrying Tank in her saddlebags.

"I thought you guys might like to say goodbye to Tank. He's ready to hibernate." She said softly.

Pinkie gasped happily. "Ooh, you're using the word! Oh, she's using the word! And when Tank finishes hibernating, I'm gonna throw him the biggest welcome home party ever! Or wait. Should it be a 'welcome above ground' party? Or a 'happy wake-up' party? Maybe an 'it's about time!' party!"

"And I'll design him a very special suit just for the occasion, whichever one it ends up being." Rarity added.

"I'm glad you're feelin' a little better, Rainbow Dash." Applejack smiled at her friend.

"Yeah, me too." Rainbow sighed and she dug out an area for Tank. "So, you really wanna do this hibernating thing, huh?"

Tank slowly smiled and nodded at Rainbow Dash, who had to fight to hold back tears again.

Her friends chorused in their own goodbyes to Tank, and with Tank taking one last look at her, Rainbow saw her beloved pet scrape the dirt and snow over himself. Rainbow looked down in defeat.

"Well? Ready for some winter fun?" Twilight asked, giving Rainbow a reassuring smile.

Rainbow smiled back weakly. "Uh, I'm gonna hang here and read to him a bit. That little guy can never get to sleep without a bedtime story. I'll be right there."

Crystals are Cold

"Thanks again for us letting us stay in your cloudhome, Rainbow." Twilight chirped. "I was going to go crazy if I had to try to fall asleep in three different layers of clothes again. The castle really needs a better heating system!"

"Hey, no problem! What kind of friend would let you suffer in that cold castle?" Rainbow chuckled. "Now we don't we get you all set up? Only thing is..." Rainbow trailed off awkwardly.

Twilight raised a eyebrow quizzically. "What's wrong, Rainbow?"

Rainbow exhaled slowly. "Well, we only have two rooms. I know Spike can probably share Scoot's room without much trouble, but there's only one bed in my room. But I have a pretty nice couch. I can just grab some blankets and extra pillows while you crash there. Besides, we gotta let our princess get her beauty sleep in an actual bed." Rainbow flashed Twilight a good-natured smirk as she bumped her shoulder.

Twilight hid her frown. She hated when ponies treated her like she was above them. Especially when her friends did it, even jokingly.

"No no, that's fine. I'm not gonna kick you out of your own bed in your own house." Twilight waved a hoof in front of her friend. "I can take the couch."

Rainbow laughed and rolled her eyes. "Well then I'd be a terrible host if I let you do that. Come on Twi, you know I can fall asleep anywhere. I once fell asleep standing up!"

Twilight took a deep breath and chewed her bottom lip. "Why don't we just share it?"

"...What?"

Twilight blushed. "I... Well I mean... I think we've been friends long enough to make that... not weird. Plus, we've dealt with enough stuff together. I mean, I don't want you to be uncomfortable, and we can just stay on opposite sides."

Besides, we could conserve body heat if we were in the same room. And maybe more so if we-

Woah Twilight, calm down. You're making this weird.

Rainbow smirked. "Am I gonna wake up finding you cuddling me again if I say yes?"

Twilight flushed a darker shade of red. "Well... keep us warm and I won't have to find my own way to get warm..." She giggled awkwardly, trying to play off her joke more casually.

By Celestia Twilight, you're just digging yourself a bigger hole. Now Rainbow will just think I'm flirting with her...

...

Am I flirting with her?

"Weeelllll..." Rainbow tapped her chin with a hoof. "I could probably lengthen the bed with a bit more cloud. Perks of having a cloud mattress. That way we can both get a decent amount of space. Alright Twi, I'll do it... Just don't make it weird."

"Me? Make it weird? Hah! Good one Rainbow Dash!" Twilight gave off an obviously fake laugh. "You'll barely notice me!"

Rainbow just rolled her eyes.

Twilight felt a hot breeze on her face as she sailed through the air, following Rainbow's trail, and flawlessly pulling tricks right after her. Twilight dipped and dived, dodged and spun, portraying far more grace while flying than she ever had shown previously.

With a tired grunt, the two mares landed on a nearby cloud to take a rest.

"Good practice, Twilight!" Rainbow smiled widely at Twilight, the reaction causing Twilight's heart to flutter in response. "Are you ready to join the Wonderbolts with me?"

Wait, Wonderbolts? That had never been part of their deal. Twilight just wanted to fly around with her best friend.

Still, the idea of flying right next to her friend in those form fitting uniforms in front of a crowd of cheering ponies was-

Wait, what did I say?

This isn't right.

Twilight felt another burst of hot air hit her face, and snapped her eyes open. She found herself almost muzzle to muzzle with Rainbow Dash, completely covered in sweat. As Rainbow exhaled, her hot breath hit Twilight right in the face. Twilight blinked hard, realizing she also had one of her forehooves resting on Dash's shoulder. Taking extra care not to make any noise, Twilight removed her hoof from Dash's shoulder and inched away from her.

Why did I...

I must have been cold. Yeah, it's kind of cold in here. And that has nothing to do with all the sweat.

Twilight slowly exited the room and took a deep breath. Everything was fine. Twilight was just overreacting... Right?

She shook her head, attempting to clear her racing thoughts. Twilight ambled over to the bathroom and splashed some water on her face. She glanced up weakly, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

What's going on with me? I've never felt this weird around anybody else before...

Twilight shivered. Out from under the warm covers, her body was now subject to the chilly air, and her sweaty coat just made matters worse. Twilight eyed the shower on the other side of the room.

Well I don't want to wake anybody, but I'm not going back to bed all sweaty.

Turning to shower to warm, Twilight sat in the stream of water, silently enjoying the feeling as the warmth permeated her coat and relaxed her muscles. She picked up some of Rainbow's shampoo and idly studied the label. "Serenity's Embrace: Lilac Medley" it read.

I know Rainbow refuses to admit that she liked being treated effeminately sometimes, but I really expected her to use some overly masculine sounding shampoo.

Shrugging, Twilight lathered up her coat and mane and rinsed off. She telekinetically brought the towel Rainbow had set out for her earlier and dried herself off, before folding the towel over the curtain bar and returning to the bedroom.

"T-Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked blearily, one eye shut and the other half open. Her mane was even more disorganized than usual, falling limply over her shoulders and having a couple rebel strands fall in front of her face rather cutely. Twilight felt her heart beat faster at the sight. "Why are you up at... Celestia even knows how early taking a shower? It's not even dawn yet."

"O-oh I was... having a partially stressful dream, and woke up a little sweaty." Twilight lied.

"About what?" Rainbow yawned.

"Uh... books!" Twilight said the first thing that came to mind and internally facehooved.

Books? Could I have come up with a worse lie? There's no way she'll believe me. She'll call me out on my lie and I'll-

To Twilight's immense pleasure, Rainbow just chuckled at her answer. "Of course the Queen of Eggheads would have a bad dream about books. You're a laugh, Twi." Rainbow gave Twilight a sleepy, halfway cognizant smile and cuddled deeper into her pillow as Twilight felt her heart flutter.

It's ridiculous to think that actually worked.

Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Twilight made her way to the other side of the bed and gingerly got under the covers, facing the opposite direction of Rainbow Dash. Although the blankets were warm and soft, Twilight was filled with an even warmer feeling as she remembered Rainbow's smile. That same smile stayed in her mind as she happily gave way to the embrace of sleep.

I could get used to a setup like this...

A Challenger Approaches

"Left foreleg." The nurse instructed.

The stallion gave a grunt of effort, and managed to straighten out his left foreleg slowly.

"Wings."

The stallion took a deep breath, screwed up his face in concentration, and gingerly unfurled his wings about halfway, then tucked them back in at his sides.

The nurse clapped in excitement. "It's great that the treatment is showing results! Now, considering your hind legs aren't showing nearly as much improvement, likely as a result of being closer to the injury, I'd recommend we apply the nerve gel and try again. What do you say?"

The stallion smiled at the nurse. "If you think it will help, doc. You're the expert here."

Ice Pack smiled back and instructed the stallion to do his best to lie down. Using his one good hoof, the stallion pushed himself into a laying position, chest flat against the doctor's table. Ice Pack got to work rubbing the nerve cream on his hind legs.

"So doc..." The stallion initiated conversation. "You got any family around these parts?"

Ice Pack gave out a derisive snort. "I do not. My parents still live in Manehatten and my sister is... I don't actually know. Last I heard from her she was going on a cross-Equestria tour showing off 'stage magic'. As a unicorn. A while back she was in Ponyville and those 'Elements of Harmony' ponies everyone seems to love apparently ran her out of town. And somebody else in the town sicced an Ursa Minor on her. Maybe one of them. I know they're the supposed to be the saviors of Equestria, but running a stage magician out of town for doing her job is just kind of... dickish.

"It doesn't sound that bad but apparently it somehow ruined her entire reputation. She worked on a rock farm until she had enough bits to buy an old enchanted amulet and eventually it corrupted her so much she tried to take over Ponyville. She was pretty successful too, but one of the bearers threw her out too. I mean, they had every right to that time, but still... When your estranged sister, even one you haven't spoken to in eight years shows up at your door, crying her eyes out, you tend to keep grudges."

The stallion laughed. "I hear what you're saying about those element bearers. Everyone thinks they're the best but two of them foalnapped my child during one of her 'I hate you daddy' temper tantrums, and then paralyzed me when I tried showing up at their door to talk things out. And because of them and Princess Celestia's blatant nepotism, I'm here. They may have saved Equestria, but they're terrible ponies."

The nurse froze, an unreadable expression on her face. She blinked rapidly, then returned to massaging the muscles. "I had heard something about that but didn't know it was you. The press called you a foal abuser... Is that true?"

The stallion gave off an extra hard sigh. "No. I was admittedly never the best father, and sure, I got angry sometimes, but hurt my own daughter? I couldn't. She was my little firefly. Besides, you know how terrible those bearers are, would it really surprise you if they made that all up?"

Ice Pack hummed softly. "No, I guess I wouldn't. It's as they say, 'power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Besides, I've heard a lot about Princess Celestia's blatant shows of nepotism, so it's not like royalty is exempt from that."

The stallion sighed happily. "It is so good to find somebody else that doesn't just kneel down and kiss their horseshoes. But honestly, at this point I'm not even that mad anymore. I just want to see my little firefly and make sure those ponies haven't done anything to her. Make sure she's loved and properly cared for..."

"Nerve cream is fully applied. Ready for the magic sir?"

The stallion nodded happily.

Ice Pack charged up her horn and sent a bright blue bolt of magic at the stallion's hind legs. The stallion bit down on his lip at the temporary pain, and then moved his hind legs. Or rather, attempted to. The right hind leg curled inwards towards his body a bit, and the left hind leg just twitched.

"That's improvement!" Ice Pack chirped. "Unfortunately, this is the end of our session. Keep trying to move those limbs, and I'll see you at 1100 tomorrow! I'll go get the wheelchair for you now."

True to her word, Ice Pack grabbed the wheelchair and helped the stallion onto it. She wheeled him into a hospital containment room, his status of not being able to walk meaning he got to live in a certain part of the hospital.

"There we are, sir. You have a nice night now." Ice Pack smiled.

"Well thank you very much." The stallion replied. "And really doc, we can drop the formalities. You can call me 'Thunder Chaser'. Or even just 'Thunder'. That's what all my friends call me." Thunder Chaser winked.

Ice Pack let out a chuckle. "Alright then Thunder, I'll see you tomorrow." On that note, she closed and locked the door to his containment room.

Thunder Chaser relaxed on his bed, stretching out his cramped hind legs with some ease.

"A couple of months, huh? I don't think it'll take quite that long, sweetheart."

Author's Note

Short little chapter this time. Time to add some drama and shake up the fluff. :ajsmug:

Dinner With the Family Part 1

Author's Note

There's a bit of a time skip before the chapter. This chapter takes place between "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" and "The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows".

So yeah, Scoots has her mark already.

:scootangel:

Dinner With the Family Part 1

A purple hoof rapped quickly on the door.

A white mare with a purple and white pinstripe man opened the door and smiled.

"Twilight, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Spike! Great to see you all!" Velvet stepped aside and welcomed the group into her house. "Night Light should be home soon, he just ran to get some groceries."

Velvet paused, noticing something new adorning her grandfoal's flank.

"Well I'll be... Scootaloo, you look different somehow."

Scootaloo beamed and showed off her new cutie mark. "Yup!"

Velvet tapped her chin and pretended to be oblivious. "Hmm, is it a new manestyle? Maybe you've grown since I last saw you?"

"I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!" Scootaloo yelled excitedly, face broken out in a wide grin.

"You sure did, dear. I'm proud of you." Velvet grinned back at Scootaloo before booping her nose.

Scootaloo just started jumping up and down excitedly.

Twilight nudged Scootaloo and pointed toward an award cabinet in the library. "Go check that out." She quietly instructed. Scootaloo, now interested, trotted over to inspect some of the trophies.

"Woah WHAT?!" Scootaloo screamed a second later, before zipping over to Twilight Velvet. "You were the one who got the award for setting the highest bungee jumping record?! That was you?! That's so awesome! Can we go bungee jumping some time?"

Twilight chuckled. She figured Scootaloo would instantly bond with her mother due to their similarly daredevil natures. Although she was worried about the idea of Scootaloo doing such dangerous things, she also knew her mom would never let Scootaloo be harmed.

"Well of course I can!" Velvet smiled, tousling Scootaloo's mane. "What kind of grandmare would I be if I couldn't spoil my little grandfoal? Assuming her parents are okay with it."

Velvet stared up at Rainbow Dash and Twilight expectantly.

"Only if I can come with!" Rainbow Dash replied excitedly.

"As long as you keep an eye on her and don't let her get hurt." Twilight responded.

"Eeeeeeee!" Scootaloo screamed loudly, overjoyed, and started bouncing around. "This is the best! Best grandmare ever!"

"Aw, but what about me?" Night Light laughed, having just opened the front door with grocery bags magically in tow. "Do I get to be great too?"

"Are you gonna come with us?!" Scootaloo bounced over to him, giving him a big sad expression.

Night Light tapped his chin with a hoof. "Well, I'm not usually as much of a daredevil as my wife... But I guess if I'm going to be a grandstallion, I can give it a try once."

"Aw, come on." Velvet complained. "I've been trying to make you go for years and this little tyke manages you convince you in one question?"

"Aw dear, you know I've always been helpless against the puppy eyes of a foal." Night Light laughed, magically levitating the grocery bags into the kitchen and watching Scootaloo now happily zipping around the foyer with amusement. "Besides, now that we're grandparents we get to be more lax and spoil our grandfoal rotten."

"That we do." Velvet replied, smiling as she watching the overjoyed filly flit around.

"She didn't..." Rainbow gasped.

"She totally did!" Velvet chirped. "Big meeting with all the parents and foals of Celestia's school, and Twilight walked right up to the princess and loudly demanded to know where foals came from. You could hear a pin drop! I don't think I've ever seen Celestia blush before, or since!"

The whole room, bar Twilight, fell over in a laughing fit. Twilight just grumbled quietly and stared at the floor.

"Is this really an appropriate conversation to be having around a foal?" Twilight interrupted, drawing attention to Scootaloo.

"We learned about that last year, Twilight." Scootaloo waved a hoof dismissively. "Also, I walked in on my parents once when I was like... seven. My mom tried explaining it. Problem is, she's a terrible liar." Scootaloo gazed between her adoptive parents. "Well my blood mom, I mean."

"Nah, you're right." Rainbow scoffed, nudging Scootaloo with her elbow and flashing a smile. "Twilight and I are awful liars too."

Twilight laughed. "Says the pony who told Pinkie she was house-sitting a vacationing bear named 'Harry'. At least I had a believable excuse."

The table laughed again.

"Believe it or not," Rainbow chuckled. "she actually believed you were hitting books. That pony is too literal for one that so often defies logic."

There was a moment of companionable silence between the five ponies. Night Light, seeing the opportunity to make Twilight uncomfortable, jumped on the opportunity.

"So you've given us a grandfoal, come here married, and still won't admit you two are head over hooves for each other?"

Twilight groaned and facehooved as Rainbow Dash let out a guffaw.

"We all know Twi is crazy for me." Rainbow Dash joked, guiding a wing around Twilight and pulling Twilight to her breast. "I mean, who wouldn't be?"

Rainbow Dash and Night Light missed Twilight's face going hot pink. Velvet did not.

"Twilight, dear, would you mind following me to the library? There's a new spell I've been trying, but I just can't figure it out for the life of me." Velvet asked.

Only too glad to get out of the uncomfortable situation, Twilight hopped up. "Of course mom! Sound great. See the rest of you later!"

The two mares left the kitchen and entered the library, where Velvet whirled on her heels to face Twilight.

"So." Velvet stated simply.

"So... So what?" Twilight queried, desperately hoping her mother wasn't about to initiate the conversation that Twilight had a nagging feeling was about to come.

"Dear, your face was pinker than your friend Pinkie Pie's. My husband and your Rainbow Dash might not be the most observant, but I raised you. I can tell what you're feeling from a mile away, call it mother's intuition. So what's going on? Does Rainbow Dash not know? Or are you trying to hide it from us? Dear, you know your father and I don't care if you're into mares-"

"What?!" Twilight coughed. "Mom, I'm not gay! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Oh honey, of course you're not." Velvet crooned, placing her hoof on Twilight's shoulder in a placating manner. "Just know that whatever you are, your father and I love you regardless."

"Mom... I..." Twilight stammered. "Rainbow Dash and I are just good friends! We're not an item!"

Velvet raised her eyebrow. "Am I to believe that you act this way around all of your friends, then?"

"I... well..."

"You give them sideways looks when you think they're not looking? Laugh extra hard when they joke? Blush furiously when they pull you into them?" Velvet spoke flatly. "I know you're not really the romantic type, dear. In fact you've never had a boyfriend or girlfriend as far as I know, but even you're not that oblivious. You're acting... well, just like I did when I met Night Light."

Twilight couldn't find the words to respond to that.

I'm not... I don't think of Dash like that! ...Do I? No, that's ridiculous! We've just bonded over caring for Scootaloo! ...Right?

"Just think about that dearie." Velvet finished. "I'm sure anybody would be lucky to have somebody like you, and your father and I are behind you for this whole thing."

On that note, Velvet made her way back into the kitchen. Twilight followed slowly, head down and lost in thought. As she entered, she noticed everyone gathering around a dark blue scroll placed on the table.

"Twilight, you're finally here!" Spike exclaimed. "We got a scroll from Princess Luna asking us to stop by when we get the opportunity. She says make sure Scootaloo is there too."

Scootaloo? What would Princess Luna want with Scootaloo?

"Isn't it great?!" Scootaloo squeaked, suddenly noticing the far off look in Twilight's eyes. "Hey... Twilight, what's wrong?"

Twilight shook her head in a vain attempt to clear it. "No, yeah, I'm fine. Just..."

Velvet jumped in to save her daughter. "I'm sure she's just thinking about the spell we were discussing. It's one of Starswirl's and you know how she gets when her favorite sorcerer gets brought up."

The rest of the table believed the lie. Twilight shot a thankful expression to her mother.

"Well you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like, Twiley." Night Light announced. "We have yours and Shining's rooms cleaned up, so as long as you all don't mind sleeping in groups of two, you can sleep here tonight."

I don't know if sleeping next to Rainbow Dash is really something I want to do tonight...

"Yes. Well, how about we go see the princess in the morning?" Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. "Why don't you and Scootaloo take Shining's room? There should be some posters and comics in there you two will love. Spike and I can take my old room."

Velvet shot Twilight a strange look. Rainbow shrugged. "I'll take your word for it, Twi. You do know me pretty well."

I just... I just need to sleep on this, and I'll be fine in the morning. Then I'll realize that I've just been being silly. My mom is a smart pony but the relationship Rainbow and I have right now isn't that simple. It's bonding through stress, of course we're a little closer than the rest of our friends.

"Twilight, are you sure you're okay?" Spike asked for the fifth time that night. "I know you freak out easily, but nothing's happened. Are you nervous about meeting Princess Luna?"

"This has nothing to do with that, Spike. I'm fine!" Twilight snapped a little harder than anticipated. Upon seeing the startled look on Spike's face, Twilight took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Sorry. I'm just a little on edge. I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning.”

Twilight clicked the light off and climbed into bed.

"Twilight, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? I won't tell anybody, promise!" Spike pleaded.

What harm could it do, confiding into Spike? Wait, no. No no no. I'm not gonna give credit to that idea. That's just preposterous. I just need some rest.

"I do know that Spike, thank you. I'm probably just too tired. I'm sure I'll be perfectly fine after a good night's sleep."

At least I hope so...

Meeting the Princesses

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Dinner With the Family Part 2

"Are you ready for this, Rainbow?" Twilight questioned.

Rainbow let out a shaky laugh. "Of course. They gotta know, right? Just... so you two know, this might be... well, is going to be really awkward. And don't react too weird if they start crying, because that's also extremely likely."

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes tightly, and gingerly knocked on her parent's door. There was no answer for a moment, and Rainbow took that opportunity to open her eyes and glance at Twilight.

"They said they'd be here to-" Rainbow started, before being cut off by the door being thrown open wildly, revealing two ponies wearing matching white t-shirts displaying Rainbow's cutie mark. Rainbow Dash's dad was a tall, stocky stallion with a coat slightly darker than Rainbow's own. He had light amber eyes, a closely cut rainbow-colored mane, a five o' clock shadow, and a cutie mark that depicted a rainbow trail following a cloud behind a horseshoe. Rainbow's mom shared Rainbow's coat and eye color, and had some odd sort of cropped two toned mane, featuring two different shades of orange. She had freckles and a cutie mark that displayed a cloud being moved by a gust of wind.

Both of her parents flew in sync and threw their daughter in a rib shattering hug. Twilight could swear she heard Rainbow's breath get squeezed out of her like a balloon with a tiny leak. Rainbow returned the hug, much softer, a frozen rictus stuck on her face.

"Hey Mom, Dad. I'd like to introduce you to-" Rainbow coughed.

"PRINCESS TWILIGHT!" Bow and Windy chorused. They both quickly bowed, then Windy grabbed Twilight's forehoof in a death grip, and started furiously shaking her leg as Bow started kissing at Twilight's hooves.

"Oh that's... Please stop. Please stop." Twilight gasped. Bow and Windy both backed up apologetically as Twilight brought up her other forehoof to manually stop the hoof that was still furiously shaking hooves with a pony that was no longer there.

"And is this your big strong dragon friend?" Windy squealed, going over to fawn over Spike next. "Oh no, remind me to not get on his bad side." Spike just laughed and flexed his nonexistent muscles.

Scootaloo giggled and caught the attention of Bow and Windy.

"Oh Rainbow! Is this your dear little daughter? She's so precious!" Bow zipped over to Scootaloo, intent on plucking her up and pulling her into a tight hug. All Scootaloo saw was a burly stallion running toward her. Scootaloo shrank back, pressing herself into the ground in automatic response, a flash of fear in her eyes.

Thankfully Bow noticed this, and he slowed down to a slow walk, then slowly reached out a forehoof when he reached Scootaloo timidly.

"Uh, sorry little miss." Bow coughed, his cheeks burning red from embarrassment. In the letter Rainbow had sent to him, she did mention taking Scootaloo from "an abusive home", and Bow stared at the ground in shame. He should have thought about that before rushing the filly he'd never met.

"Oh that's... That's fine." Scootaloo lied, shaking hooves with the stallion. "I shouldn't have reacted like that." Feeling the eyes of everybody on her, Scootaloo continued. "I'm working through the issue, but uh, maybe don't make any really sudden movements near me?" Scootaloo felt her face burn too, but she also knew that during the path to recovery, you had to set limits that made you comfortable. Her therapist, Doctor Kind Mind had told her that, and as far as Scootaloo knew, he knew everything.

"Sure thing, little miss." Bow gave a half-hearted smile as his wife walked over to introduce herself too.

"So we found out she was a mimicker and named her Imp!" Scootaloo recounted excitedly. "Then we had her transform into a whole bunch of things because Twilight said they do that as kids, and ended up overloading her. I think Applebloom -another Crusader- even tried to get her to turn into an entire park once."

"I did not tell you to make her transform into everything you can think of." Twilight complained. "I said they transform themselves into a multitude of objects in their adolescence to find out what they want to be. You girls took it a step too far. However, I am proud of you returning 'Imp' to her home. That was mature."

Scootaloo beamed at Twilight as Windy and Bow looked on in wonder. Scootaloo had spent much of the last hour and a half recounting various tales of her, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom getting into trouble. So far their favorites had been stories of "Cutie Mark Crusaders: Super Sleuths".

"Anyways, then I-" Scootaloo paused, noticing a picture adorning the start of a nearby hallway, angled just so you could see it from the living room they all sat in. "Rainbow Dash, you used to wear braces?"

Rainbow Dash craned her neck to try and find the picture Scootaloo was mentioning. Upon finding it she immediately buried her face in her hooves. It was a picture of her on school photo day in third grade. She was wearing her Wonderbolts shirt, her mane was even messier than usual, and she was stuck in orthopedic headgear. Twilight, who hadn't been observing the walls, took notice and teleported over to it. The picture was surrounded by Dash's baby photos, featuring everything from her in diapers to her first days spent trying to learn to fly.

"Awwww." Twilight squeed. "Dash, you used to be so adorable!"

Rainbow Dash's face started turning pink.

"Oh that's nothing." Bow laughed. "You want to see the cutest moments of our little Dashie, we should show you the 'Rainbow Dash trophy room'!"

"Let's uh, heh, not do that, dad." Rainbow chuckled. "I'm sure they don't want to see-"

"That sounds great!" Scootaloo shouted, buzzing her wings excitedly, expecting a room full of Rainbow Dash's trophies, much like what her room in Rainbow Dash's house used to be.

"Come on then, follow us!" Windy chirped, leading the ponies out of the living room and into Rainbow Dash's room. She pulled back a curtain, revealing a door, and pushed it open to the sound of an angelic choir. Once through, Rainbow Dash decided to hide her face behind her wings.

"...Woah..." Scootaloo whispered.

Rainbow's face was plastered all across the room. There was even a giant rug depicting Rainbow Dash making a silly face. Scattered around the room were various trophies and reminders of milestones in Rainbow's young life.

"I, uh, installed the sound effects myself." Bow chuckled, opening and closing the door, turning the angelic choir on and off. "Pretty great, huh?"

"So great!" Scootaloo chirped.

"And look at this! She was wearing it when she spoke her first words." Windy boasted, pointing to a folded up diaper.

"Oh that's.... cool." Scootaloo's enthusiasm dampened as Rainbow Dash tried to hide behind Twilight. Her face was a solid pink.

Wow, Rainbow Dash wasn't kidding, her parents really are a bit too much. Who saves their kid's diapers?

"And this broken lantern is from when she first learned to fly!" Windy continued.

That's a little less weird.

"And this bitten apple is from when she grew her first tooth!" Windy grinned. She gestured at a bronzed apple with a solid bite taken out of it.

Rainbow Dash did that with one barely grown in tooth? I don't know whether I should be impressed or not.

"Please, Twilight." Rainbow whispered. "A teleport anywhere that's not here would be greatly appreciated."

Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled. "I don't think so." Twilight laughed, booping Rainbow's nose. "I had to deal with being embarrassed by my parents, now it's your turn."

Rainbow Dash just groaned.

I'm just... so happy!" Bow tried and failed to hold back tears. "My Rainbow Dash comes back with not only an abused filly she took off the streets, but an honest to goodness princess of Equestria. It's just... I..." Bow wiped his face with a hoof as an angelic choir sang out.

With a smile, Scootaloo closed the door, cutting off the choir.

"Great timing." Bow grinned.

"Great door." Scootaloo smiled back.

"Okay..." Rainbow stuck her tongue out in concentration. "I say it's... Rockhoof in the library with the candlestick."

"Yes! You got it Rainbow!" Twilight smiled, pulling the cards out of the little envelope. "Does anybody want to go an extra round or what?"

Scootaloo let out a loud yawn. "Maybe tomorrow. I'm falling asleep right here."

Rainbow nodded tiredly. "I'm a little beat too. We've been playing for a while." She turned to see Luna's moon already high in the sky. "Alright kiddo, let's get you off to bed. Twi and Spike can grab the guest room and you can use mine." Rainbow leaned in close to wink at the filly. "Don't tell Twilight, but that bed is waaaay more comfortable."

"What about you, Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo questioned. "There aren't any more beds."

Rainbow walked over to the nearby couch and flopped onto it. "I can crash on the couch. Besides, I figure Twi here is looking forward to being able to get some sleep on her own."

"Oh, you generous pony, you." Windy cooed.

"Oh I uh... That's quite alright Rainbow." Twilight stammered. "I really don't mind. Besides, sleeping on a couch can't be too comfortable."

"It's fine Twi. Besides, that bed is only a single. Two of us wouldn't even fit on it. This couch will work just fine."

"Oh... okay." Twilight replied, a little subdued.

Scootaloo let out another yawn. "Well, if that's all settled, good night everyone."

"You okay with that Scoots?" Rainbow queried. "I can come and tuck you in if you want?"

Scootaloo let out a good-natured laugh. "No thanks mom, I'll be fine. I'm not some little foal anymore."

"You sure aren't." Rainbow smiled, walking up to Scootaloo and tousling her mane. "You're growing up in front of my eyes. Why, you're almost as big as me already!" Rainbow gave Scootaloo a good night kiss on her forehead and she giggled. "Now off to bed with you, Scoot."

Scootaloo scampered off to Rainbow Dash's room.

Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles, who had stayed quiet for most of the conversation, let out a synchronized "awwww".

"Oh I just can't believe it!" Windy teared up, pulling Dash into a hug that was quickly joined by Bow as well. "Our little Dashie is already such a great parent!"

"I know!" Bow replied, also tearing up. "Just the sight of it is enough to make a pony cry."

Rainbow Dash let out a long, unenthusiastic sigh and returned the hug. "Well, I had some pretty great parents myself."

Ugh, my throat feels like a desert.

Twilight groaned, pulling herself out of bed. She ambled over to the bathroom, sated her thirst under the faucet, and exited the bathroom, planning on heading right back to sleep, until she caught sight of Rainbow Dash in her peripherals.

Rainbow Dash was staring into her old room, watching the slumbering form of Scootaloo quietly. She had an unreadable expression on her face.

"Rainbow Dash, everything alright?" Twilight whispered, sneaking up next to her. Rainbow yipped quietly, jumping in surprise.

"Jeez Twilight, don't sneak up on me like that, you scared me half to death!" Rainbow hissed.

"I'm sorry." Twilight replied. "But you didn't answer me, is everything alright?"

Rainbow turned back to regard the filly's slumbering form and paused for a moment. "Yeah. I dunno. I guess. Twilight, did we make the right choice?"

"In regards to what?"

"Well... Scootaloo." Rainbow poked at the ground idly. "Twilight, I'm not parent material. I barely know anything about taking care of foals. I mean, sure, you could do it. Probably every other one of our friends could do it, but I dunno. If she had gone up for adoption she could be handled by actual parents who know what they're doing. Not to mention the fact that we get called out to do dangerous stuff all the time. Like, before this whole thing happened, I had made peace with the idea that some day, one of us might not come back. But if that happens now, it's going to destroy her. I just..." Rainbow trailed off, leaning against Twilight in a vain attempt to draw strength from her.

Twilight paused, trying to think of what to say. "What would make you think our friends could do it but you can't?"

Rainbow let out a heavy sigh. "Applejack has basically raised Applebloom since she was a newborn, after their parents died. Rarity is somehow... together enough to run two shops and take care of Sweetie Belle a lot. Fluttershy is... well, naturally a motherly presence. Pinkie... Well who knows honestly? And you? You do everything perfectly. And even when you mess up, things always end up working out with you."

Twilight bit her lip, she had made good points. "You're selling yourself short Rainbow. And I am not perfect!"

"Really, Twilight?" Rainbow deadpanned. "Aside from your brother's wedding, name one time you went out and made a fool of yourself."

Twilight let out a small giggle. "Well, there was that one time I accidentally called Princess Celestia 'mom' during one of her classes."

Rainbow snorted loudly into her hoof. After checking quickly to make sure she hadn't woken Scootaloo, she turned back to Twilight. "Did you really? That's awesome."

Twilight nodded as she felt Rainbow start leaning on her again. "But my point is that you're doing a good job of raising her already. Look how much happier and healthier she is now."

"Yeah but..." Rainbow hesitated. "I don't know how to handle problems. I mean, forehead kisses and bedtimes stories can only fix so much... I try not to show it, but every day I'm just so terrified that something will happen that I can't deal with. Scootaloo is going to depend on me and I'm just gonna... fail. If she was adopted she'd be taken care of by ponies who know what they're doing, not... I just love her so much, Twi. But I'm so scared just... all the time. I don't think I could do this without you." Rainbow sniffed as her eyes welled up with tears.

Twilight felt her heart start pumping harder as her cheeks tinted pink. She was thankful it was dark in the hallway. Twilight took a chance and wrapped her wing around Rainbow Dash's shoulders, pulling her in gently.

"Rainbow... Scootaloo is getting help. But what she needs isn't some strangers who don't even know her for her to be safe and happy. What she needs is somebody who loves her so fiercely that that pony will be right beside her come rain or shine. She needs you."

"I don't..." Rainbow felt hot tears come streaking down her face. She buried her head into Twilight's breast. "But what if I'm not good enough? What if she gets into a situation where I can't swoop in and save her? Twilight, I've been having nightmares about that recently. I just... I'm scared."

The two mares sat in silence for a minute as Twilight worked on what to say.

"Rainbow, sometimes in life ponies may get in over their heads. But if you're in that situation, then any adopted parents she might have had would also be in over their heads. But I don't think anybody would disagree that she's probably safer with you than anybody in Ponyville. I mean, considering what happened during that fight with Thunder Chaser..."

Rainbow Dash didn't respond.

"If I'm going to be honest Rainbow. I've been having nightmares too. Just... seeing your body after that fight. I honestly thought you were dead for a second. And then when Scootaloo wiggled out of your grasp and started trying to wake you up... I thought..." Twilight sighed. "The nurse said if I was another minute or two later you might have bled out. I came that close to losing one of my best friends... A pony that means so much to me..."

Rainbow Dash looked up at Twilight and pulled her into a gentle hug. " I know I give off this whole performance of bravado and stuff, but I'm so happy that of all ponies to deal with all of this with, it's you."

Dear Celestia that was sweet. Rainbow Dash, you know I'd follow you straight into Tartarus without hesitation. All you'd have to do is ask.

"Well..." Rainbow finished lamely, breaking the hug and looking slightly embarrassed. "It's still pretty late and this pony needs her shuteye. I uh... thanks for talking with me, Twilight. It actually helped a lot."

"I'm always happy to help, Rainbow. You know if you ever need anything, I'm just a minute away." Twilight gave Rainbow a small smile. "Good night, Rainbow."

"Yeah, I do know that now." Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Good night, Twi."

Her fears assuaged and her heart feeling considerable lighter, Rainbow Dash had no trouble falling asleep as soon as she laid back down on the couch. That night the pegasus dreamed of growing old with a certain purple mare while watching over the filly who meant more to her than her own life. Rainbow Dash slept with a smile that entire night.

Author's Note

~~I think with the next chapter I'm gonna start the closing story plot. Rough guess? 5-6 more chapters.~~

So that was a lie.

The Return Home

"A Crusader sleepover was a brilliant idea, Rarity." Applejack said. "I know we've been pushing Applebloom pretty hard with cider season coming up. And I'll bet Scootaloo missed her friends while hanging out in Canterlot and Cloudsdale."

The orange filly in question was currently racing Sweetie Belle around the trees of Sweet Apple Acres as they waited for Applebloom to arrive. All five ponies were perched on the side of a hill in the eastern orchards.

"Girls!" Applebloom shouted, running down from on top the hill. "It's great to see you again!" She embraced the other two Crusaders, then turned her vision to the mares. "Hey Rarity and Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow Dash waved as Rarity smiled. "Well hello there Applebloom. Nice to see you again."

"But yeah, anyways, like I was saying..." Rainbow continued her thought from before, idly watching the three fillies playing tag. "Yeah, I can't stay. I promised Twi I'd meet her at Hayburgers after dropping Scoot off."

Rarity grinned wildly. "She asked you on a date? About time!"

"What? No." Rainbow fired back. "Nothing like that! It's just we've all been so busy with traveling around, and then that whole scavenger hunt when she found out Cadance was pregnant, it's all been going pretty fast recently. So we figured just getting some fast food and kicking back would be nice."

"Sure... and she definitely had no ulterior motives." Applejack quipped.

Rainbow Dash looked between the two mares questioningly.

"What... are you guys talking about? Twi and I are just friends. Like she said, we're not like, technically married."

Rarity's eyes gleamed. "Darling. I know you're sometimes oblivious, but think of the signs."

"Well I'd probably acting different around you guys if I was raising a foal with you as well." Rainbow retorted. "Besides, I'm at least 90% sure Twilight isn't into mares."

Applejack and Rarity shared unamused glances. Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, darling."

"Oh man you guys should have been there! It was hilarious!" Scootaloo laughed. "Twilight spent the entire day prancing around like a foal. I mean, I was excited too, it means I get a little cousin, and that sounds cool, but really. It was hilarious!"

"So that means your cousin is gonna be a prince or princess, right?" Applebloom pondered. "Is the daughter of a princess something else, or also a princess?"

Scootaloo shrugged as Sweetie Belle suddenly gasped.

"I can't believe we never figured this out! Scootaloo, you're royalty!"

Scootaloo paused.

Well I mean, I was adopted by a princess...

"Now that I think about it, yeah! She is! She's also related to two of the four alicorn princesses through Twilight's brother." Applebloom noted.

The three fillies reflected on this in silence for a moment, and then Sweetie Belle took a mock bow.

"How may I serve you, my leige?"

Scootaloo giggled and did her best to imitate a royal pose. "I require somebody to feed me peeled grapes. And uh... wine. Also deep tissue massages. Get to it, peasant."

The three fillies chuckled together and stayed in a companionable silence for another few moments.

"Well I'd probably acting different around you guys if I was raising a foal with you as well." The fillies overhead Rainbow Dash. "Besides, I'm at least 90% sure Twilight isn't into mares."

"You know, not to insult either of your new parents Scootaloo, but they're both being kind of thick in this matter." Sweetie Belle claimed. "I mean, even given our track record on romance, we've all seen Twilight giving Rainbow all sorts of not-so-subtle looks and stuff, and Rainbow Dash is a bit more physically... open to her. Like, they hug a lot."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you're right. Well, to be fair, Rainbow has been a little more physically intimate ever since... Well, you know. That one Friday all those moons ago. But yeah, it seems the only two ponies that can't tell Twilight is acting different are her and Rainbow Dash."

"Haven't they even slept in the same bed?" Sweetie Belle queried.

"Yup!" Scootaloo confirmed. "After the trial Auntie Tia replaced their individual beds with one big one, so they didn't get much choice."

Applebloom tittered. "What's it like being close and personal with all four princesses?"

"Oh it's awesome!" Scootaloo chirped. "I mean, we all know Twilight, and I've only ever once talked to Cadance, the one time she visited Ponyville, but the other two are great! Auntie Luna is always so happy and bouncy when she sees me now! And she made me that Nightmare Night costume, did I tell you that?"

"Only about two dozen times." Sweetie Belle interjected.

"And Auntie Tia is always entertaining. She's really nice and she always seems like she's got some Discord-level chaotic plan brewing in her head. She seems to love causing little bits of chaos in her day."

Sweetie Belle smiled. "I always pictured Princess Celestia as a more motherly figure, and less of a mischievous prankster."

"She's a bit of both." Scootaloo clarified.

"Alright, you three! It's about time for y'all to come back to the house. It's getting dark!" Applejack called, walking toward their house and motioning for the Crusaders to follow her. The Crusaders padded up to Applejack, content to let her lead them back.

"And you should be off if you want to make that date darling." Rarity said, right behind Applejack. She turned to flutter her eyelashes at Rainbow Dash. "You don't want to-" Rarity's pupils shrank to pinpricks. "Rainbow Dash, LOOK OUT!"

There was a soft thud as Rainbow Dash's unconscious body hit the ground. Scootaloo spun around instantly, and her breath caught in her throat when she saw what had knocked Rainbow Dash out. There was the silhouette of a stallion, and right behind him, the silhouette of a bipedal canine holding a large club in one of his paws.

Scootaloo's heart dropped when the stallion stepped forward, allowing Scootaloo to identify him immediately.

Oh no. Nononononono please no.

The stallion had a tan mane and a light brown coat.

Please Celestia no.

The stallion walked with a slight limp, and from the side Scootaloo could make out one heavily scarred wing.

Anybody but him...

"Evening, ladies." The stallion growled in a low voice.

Scootaloo felt her blood run cold and heard her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

Oh please Celestia no. It's really him...

"...Dad?"

Retribution

"...Dad?"

That one little word was all it took to set Applejack and Rarity off. Scootaloo, not even daring to blink, slowly slunk backwards, hiding behind Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, breath coming in short, ragged bursts.

No. It can't be. He was locked up! He... he can't be here now.

Thunder Chaser let out a dark chuckle, carefully stepping over Rainbow Dash's unconscious form. The Diamond Dog followed him expressionlessly.

"It's been a while, scamp. But you and I are about to have some fun tonig-" Thunder Chaser's monologing was cut short as a white hoof shot into the side of his jaw, jerking his head to the side. Staring down at the stallion was Rarity, fire in in her eyes.

"You won't lay a filthy HOOF on her!" She screamed, before whirling around. Her horn lit up and Scootaloo found herself levitated quickly over to Applejack, who instinctively wrapped a foreleg around her. "Applejack! You need to get the fillies out of here! I can handle these ruffians until you return!"

Applejack hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She quickly grabbed Applebloom and Sweetie Belle and threw them up onto her back, and took off straight for the house.

What?! No! We can't leave Rainbow Dash and Rarity! He nearly killed Rainbow Dash alone last time! Neither of them will survive! I have to go help Rainbow!

Scootaloo's panicked line of thinking was interrupted as another Diamond Dog jumped down from the tree in front of them, hoping to flank the ponies. Applejack reared back, ready to throw a punch, before the Diamond Dog was hit by two magically propelled apples. The first to the gut, the second to the side of the head. The Diamond Dog doubled over, vision blurring in pain, and gave off a howl like a wounded animal.

"Just go! I have things covered here!" Rarity cried.

Applejack took off at as close to a sprint as she could reach with only three hooves.

"No!" Scootaloo shouted, eyes misting up as she struggled furiously, pounding uselessly on Applejack's hat. "I can't leave her! I need to help her! RAINBOW DASH!"

Applejack tightened her grip around the struggling filly and sprinted along the orchard, doing her best to ignore the screaming and sobbing of Scootaloo as the filly kicked weakly at her ribs. Eyes burning and stomach twisting, she spotted the house, the sounds of the fight fading with the distance. Applejack threw her weight into her shoulder, slamming the door to the Apple's home and knocking it completely off its hinges. Applejack blinked hard as her eyes struggled to adjust to the much more warmly lit interior. Big Mac looked up from his chair in an expression of alarm, quickly fading to confusion as he saw Applejack holding all three Crusaders.

"Big Mac, get Granny and get down to the apple cellar. The farm's under attack!" Applejack spat, before turning around and making her way out of the house. Quickly finding a door stuck in the ground, Applejack yanked it open with her mouth before stumbling down the stairs, almost losing her balance given that she was still holding Scootaloo down with one of her legs.

"We can't just leave her!" Scootaloo shouted again, kicking and fighting to get free, uncontrollably sobbing and flailing her limbs around aimlessly.

She can't even fight back this time! Please Celestia, I need to find her. I need to make sure she's alright! I don't care if I have to face down my dad again! I'll kick his flank!

Applejack, having reached the bottom of the cellar, dropped off Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, still holding onto the sobbing and struggling form of Scootaloo. Moments later, Big Mac and Granny Smith made their way into the cellar.

Applejack dropped Scootaloo and pointed at Big Mac and Applebloom. "You two, make sure nobody leaves until I come back and tell y'all the coast is clear." Applejack demanded. "I'm gonna go help Rarity."

Applejack dashed out the door, slamming it shut behind her. Big Mac stood in front of the staircase, staring down at the fillies. Granny Smith hobbled around and started lighting the oil lanterns, giving some light to the room.

I can't just sit here! What if he's killed Rainbow Dash? What if she's bleeding and dying like the last time they met? I can't just sit here!

Scootaloo made a mad rush for the door, only to feel the back of her head strike the cold, damp ground of the cellar as Applebloom tackled her and held her down.

"Scootaloo are you crazy? If you go out there you'll die!"

"Get off me!" Scootaloo yelled back, unable to see through all the tears.

"No, I won't. You're being crazy!"

"I said get off of me!" Scootaloo shouted, her throat burning from all the yelling and choking on the damp mud-stinking air of the root cellar.

"I already said I won't!" Applebloom spat. "Stop struggling so much, I ain't about to let you run out there and get yourself killed!"

"Get. OFF. ME" Scootaloo screamed, rearing back her left forehoof and sending it flying into Applebloom's nose. Spurts of blood burst from Applebloom's muzzle as she reared back, crying out in pain.

Scootaloo took this opportunity to push Applebloom off her and make a flying attempt at the door, just to find herself propelled backwards as Big Mac grabbed her tail in midair and grounded her. She heard Sweetie Belle gasp as Big Mac held her down with one of his legs. Scootaloo felt all the wind get knocked out of her as the back of her head once again made impact with the ground. She struggled to breathe, Big Mac's elbow crushing against her diaphragm.

"Don't you dare hurt my little sister." Big Mac hissed, his muzzle inches away from Scootaloo's face. "Understand me?"

Scootaloo started giving off pathetic whines in between gasps, her face starting to turn blue.

"Stop! Stop it! She can't breathe!" Sweetie Belle shouted, running up to Big Mac. "Please! Let her go!"

Big Mac didn't move for a moment, then released his hold on Scootaloo. Scootaloo gasped loudly and took a couple deep breaths, before crawling over to Sweetie Belle and pulling her friend into a hug, wailing and shaking into her side.

Applebloom picked herself up off the floor. She felt around her bleeding muzzle for any damage aside from the blood. Her muzzle felt crooked. Upon touching the crooked portion, she let out a gasp of pain and sat down hard. Scootaloo caught it and loud out a loud sob.

Please... I can't... P-please just... make it stop. I can't... Let Rainbow Dash be okay... Please?

Scootaloo whined, low in her throat, and covered her face with her wings as racking sobs took her body. She curled up into a fetal position, her head between Sweetie Belle's left foreleg and hindleg. Sweetie Belle, unsure of what to do, curled up next to her friend so that Scootaloo's head was around her barrel and vice versa. Sweetie Belle placed her head on Scootaloo's barrel, hoping to soothe her friend in some regard.

But Scootaloo was not soothed.

Please let her be okay. I'll never ask for anything again, just please let her be okay...

FWEEEEEM

There was the loud sound coming from the direction Applejack ran off toward, and a second later the ground started shaking violently. And then there was silence, aside from the now gentler sounds of Scootaloo's sobbing.

After a few minutes they heard the sound of somebody running toward their position. Big Mac turned around and dropped to a defensive position. They all stayed silent as the door was wrenched open, watching with wary eyes, and let out a collective sigh when Applejack trotted down the stairs.

"Everybody's... alright. They're on their way to the hospital right now. Rarity got really messed up, but we all can-"

Applejack stopped abruptly as she noticed Applebloom's nose gushing blood. Her vision flashed between the curled up form of Scootaloo and her sister's slightly crooked muzzle. A furious expression flashed across her face for a moment before she set her jaw and shook her head.

"And clean Applebloom up first. I'll meet y'all at the hospital."

Thank Celestia she's okay... but at the hospital? I need to see her! I just... The only reason everybody was attacked was because of me... He was going after me, which means... I did this... Please don't let her be hurt too badly.

Scootaloo hated the hospital. The annoyingly bright rooms, the overpowering smell of antiseptic, the soft sounds of the hustling nurses. But mostly she hated all the memories she had of this place. The time Applebloom made her come here when her wings were broken. The time Rainbow Dash almost died.

"She's ready to see you now." Nurse Redheart breathed, large dark bags under her eyes.

The Crusaders and Applejack entered Rarity's room. Big Mac and Granny would have come too, but Nurse Redheart didn't want Rarity being crowded, especially considering she was a little loopy on painkillers at the moment.

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle cried upon seeing her sister, running over to the bed and hopping on. "Are you okay?!"

Rarity was covered in various bandages covering numerous scratches and bruises. She had the area from the middle part of her barrel on her right side over to her shoulder wrapped in bandages, and her left hind leg was wrapped in a cast.

Rarity shot her sister with a woozy look, tilting her head sideways to get a better look at the filly.

"Swwweetie Belle." Rarity slurred, holding her hooves out gingerly.

Sweetie Belle lept into the embrace of her sister.

She's this way because of me... I hurt all these ponies...

"Oh my stars." Applebloom gasped. "What happened to her?"

"I don't know completely." Applejack sighed. "But I do know she got an open fracture on that hind leg, and those bandages are covering some long nasty cuts from those Diamond Dog claws."

I'm so so sorry Rarity... But where's Rainbow Dash?!

Scootaloo whirled around, fixing her gaze on Nurse Redheart. She opened her mouth to ask the question, but noticing the look on the filly's face, Redheart answered it for her.

"Miss Rainbow Dash is stable, but we're not letting ponies see her right now."

"Wha- what? You have to let me see her! I'm her daughter!" Scootaloo protested.

"Orders are orders, Miss Scootaloo. I'm sorry." Redheart answered.

Why won't they let me see her? What went wrong?!

"But you said she was stable!" Scootaloo cried. "What's wrong with her?"

Redheart refused to meet Scootaloo's gaze. "Actually, she may still be getting attention. I'm not the nurse working with her right now."

Working with her now? But the fight ended like two hours ago! How badly messed up is she?!

Scootaloo's heart sank, turning around to try and seek comfort from her friends, she saw Applejack inspecting Applebloom's crooked muzzle, a furious expression on her face. Applejack's eyes slowly met Scootaloo's.

"Now YOU." Applejack spat with barely contained venom, getting up in Scootaloo's face. Scootaloo shrunk into the floor with a yelp. "I'm not saying I don't understand why you did it, and I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same thing for my own family..." Applejack punctuated her words with several forceful hoof jabs into Scootaloo's shoulder.

Scootaloo covered her head with her hooves and started whimpering. "I'll forgive that this once cuz yer upset, but don't you DARE hurt my sister again. Got it?" Scootaloo made a pathetic squeak and started quietly crying, shivering like a leaf.

"Applejack, back off!" Applebloom yelled, taking a defensive position between Scootaloo and Applejack. "Can't you see what you're doing to her?"

Applejack snorted angrily, eyes flickering between the crying, shaking filly and her sister, before pushing past the fillies and marching through the door, shoving her way past the affronted looking nurse, who looked quickly between the fillies and Applejack, then elected to follow Applejack and attempted to calm her down.

Not even daring to look up, Scootaloo crawled into the corner of the room, whimpering and shaking.

"I-I'm so s-s-sorry!" She wailed to nobody in particular. "P-please! I-I'm s-sorry!"

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle shared unsure glances with each other. Applebloom frowned and softly padded over to her friend. She gently put a hoof on her friend's shoulder, who replied by letting out a sharp gasp, as if struck, and trying to make herself even smaller, shaking even more ferociously.

Applebloom looked over at Sweetie Belle again, who had jumped off the bed and was standing next to her. "What do we do?" Applebloom mouthed. Sweetie Belle looked between her two friends and shrugged.

"Come on Scoots, I'm not mad at you. Promise." Applebloom whispered, attempting to pick her up and give her a hug. Upon feeling two hooves try and make their way around her shoulders, Scootaloo let out a panicked shout and started flailing.

"N-no!" She yelled.

With one more confused glance at Sweetie Belle, Applebloom decided to continue. She gently scooped Scootaloo up and embraced her, joined on Scootaloo's other side by Sweetie Belle. After a moment Scootaloo stopped flailing and gingerly returned Applebloom's hug, sobbing into her neck.

Meanwhile, in another room in the hospital, a rainbow maned mare woke up.

Revelations

Rainbow Dash awoke in a hospital.

She groaned and rubbed her head. She felt a bruise just above her right temple, but nothing else seemed amiss.

Ugh, how many times am I going to have to wake up in a hospital? It's already happened twice in the last six months.

Shaking her head softly to clear the fog from her mind, she looked around. It was nighttime, obviously. There was the faint smell of antiseptic that never seemed to go away. She was in an open room with two beds, the other bed unoccupied. She turned to glance out the window, but found Twilight there instead. Twilight was unmoving, just sitting at the window, staring out.

Rainbow Dash slowly got up, the thin hospital sheets sliding off her frame. As she stretched her skin, she felt a sharp twinge of pain from the left side of her torso. A closer inspection revealed bandages wrapped around the area slightly behind the wing. She hit the hospital floor and stretched herself about. No pain in any other areas. That was a good sign at least.

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called, starting to walk over to her friend. She received no response.

Did she fall asleep while sitting? I wouldn't really be that surprised if she did. She loses too much sleep already with her crazy studying habits.

"Twilight!" Rainbow called again, poking her friend's shoulder. Still no response. Rainbow moved to Twilight's side and studied her face. Twilight was awake, that much was sure. She seemed to be staring at something outside. Her eyes didn't move. She didn't even acknowledge Rainbow's presence. She could almost be confused for a statue if she wasn't blinking.

Rainbow tried to follow Twilight's gaze. There was nothing interesting or new outside, just a grassy field with some trees. Rainbow waved her hoof in front of Twilight's gaze, trying to snap her out of whatever trance she was in.

Starting to actually get worried, Rainbow started shaking her friend. "Twilight, snap out of it! What's wrong?!" Twilight didn't respond for a moment, then slowly blinked and looked at Rainbow Dash.

Twilight blinked rapidly a few times, cleared her throat and licked her lips. "Rainbow Dash. Are you feeling ok?"

"I've been worse." Rainbow responded dryly. "But I'm more concerned about you. Are you okay?"

Twilight returned to staring out the window and slowly shook her head.

Rainbow felt her breath quicken. "Twilight, what's wrong? Please... talk to me."

There was no response. Rainbow Dash stubbornly sat directly in her friend's vision and lifted her head so Twilight's gaze matched hers.

"Please Twilight." Rainbow's voice betrayed a bit of fear. "Just talk to me."

Twilight seemed to be staring past Rainbow.

"I... I was nearby waiting for you to drop Scootaloo off, figuring you were just talking with Applejack and Rarity, and would be coming back soon. And then I heard what sounded like a scream. I could tell it was Rarity, but what bugged me is that... it sounded like a scream of pain.

"So I just decided to make sure she was okay. I thought maybe it was her being a bit of a diva, but I was anxious and wanted to make sure it was just that. So I flew over and saw her on the ground, nursing a broken leg while a Diamond Dog was restraining Applejack's limbs and Thunder Chaser was hitting her."

Twilight blinked, then actually seemed to see Rainbow Dash for the first time.

"I blasted them off, sent Thunder Chaser through a couple of trees, and I know the Diamond Dog took off running. Applejack was really out of it for a while, and Rarity could barely stand. And then I saw Thunder Chaser was still there, and I turned and you were there... You weren't moving, and you were bleeding from the side... again. And I just kept thinking of when I saw you in that field..."

A tear ran down Twilight's face.

"So I..." Twilight shook her head furiously. "And when we got back I couldn't even think. I know you had lost a lot of blood, and I remember memorizing your blood type after last time... I knew we had compatible types, so I told the doctor to hook us up so I could give you some. He kept telling me to wait and I...

"I threatened him. I pointed my horn at him and... I don't even remember what I said. All I remember is that I was fully ready to blast him if he didn't listen... and if Rarity wasn't there I might have, too."

Rainbow Dash felt a shiver run down her spine. She opened up her mouth to respond, but Twilight wasn't done talking.

"I lost control, Rainbow. I'm a princess of Equestria, I'm supposed to be somebody ponies can look up to and respect. And just a couple hours ago I was threatening the life of a doctor. And that's not even counting what I did to-"

At that Twilight shut her mouth tightly. She pushed Rainbow's hoof away and turned to face the other direction, staring at the floor.

The pieces clicked together in Rainbow Dash's mind. She walked over to Twilight's front and raised her head to match her gaze once again. There were tears forming in Twilight's eyes and she looked about ready to break down.

"Twilight, what happened to Thunder Chaser?"

Twilight looked at the floor again, but Rainbow was undeterred. She wiped Twilight's tears away and brought her gaze to match hers one final time.

"Twilight..."

"I killed him." Twilight whispered.

Rainbow's blood ran cold.

"I... killed him." Twilight repeated breathlessly, as if she barely believed herself.

"Me. One of the four princesses. Princess of Friendship. Savior of Equestria. I lost control and I killed somebody." Twilight let out a soft sob and an involuntary shudder. "There's a pony that is now dead because of my actions."

Rainbow Dash struggled for a moment to find the proper words to say, but upon looking at the mess of a pony in front of her, she decided quickly that words wouldn't do. Rainbow threw her forehooves around Twilight's neck and pulled her into a tight hug, wrapping both her wings around her.

Twilight didn't return the hug. Instead she burrowed into Rainbow's shoulder and let out a wet sniffle.

"I killed him." She repeated, letting out a louder sob.

Rainbow gently shushed her and kept running her hoof through Twilight's mane. Twilight reached out and returned the hug, shaking Rainbow Dash with her shudders and filling her nose with the smell of sweat. She shivered as loud sobs racked her body, wiping her nose on Rainbow’s already dampened fur. As time passed her wails eventually reached a crescendo, and by the time the sun began to peek over the horizon, Twilight was out like a light, having buckled due to exhaustion.

Re-uniting

She looks so much more at peace now…

Rainbow regarded Twilight’s gently slumbering form, holding her up with her forelegs.

She deserves this rest. I can’t imagine how much the toll of taking a life is hitting her right now.

Rainbow frowned. The hospital beds weren’t exactly known for being the most comfortable things around. She needed to get Twilight someplace nice to recover. And she knew exactly where.

Rainbow scooped Twilight up onto her back, roughly positioning her hips under Twilight’s, and her back under Twilight’s stomach, she let out a sharp hiss as Twilight’s body weight jostled around whatever injury she had patched up on her left side. Doing her best to ignore the sudden body weight and the lingering stench of the sweaty alicorn, Rainbow stumbled out of the room.

Briefly taking a moment to orient herself, (she was in the west wing) Rainbow found her way back to the front desk with ease.

It’s probably worrying that I’ve been here enough times to be able to navigate this place this easily at barely sunrise.

She made her way to the reception desk and turned to address whoever was sitting behind it. It was a mare with a dark brown coat and a short straw colored mane.

“Listen, I’m taking the princess and taking off. We’ve both had a really crappy day, and I will return tomorrow with enough bits to cover this, I Pinkie Promise. But I need to get her out of here now.” Rainbow whispered to the attendant. As soon as the mare opened her mouth to protest, Rainbow wheeled around and made for the door. The mare considered calling after or trying to stop her, but considering that there was an Element Bearer carrying one of the four princesses -five now with Princess Cadance’s unborn foal, assuming it would be female-, the mare smartly decided to shut up and let them pass. Besides, it wasn’t as if an honor based system wasn’t normal in Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash pushed the front door and took a moment to enjoy the dewy scent of morning and the gentle breeze that caressed her damp coat.

Now here’s the main issue. How do I get Twilight to my house? Probably not on my back. That’s fine for Scootaloo, but Twilight is a bit too big…

Rainbow hummed softly, surveying her surroundings.

“Aha!” She announced triumphantly, spotting a flat bit of wall. Rainbow ambled over to the wall, sitting with her back facing it, and gently reared up so the wall took Twilight’s weight instead of her. Quick as mouse, Rainbow spun around and caught Twilight in her forehooves as she fell. She hooked her forehooves just under Twilight’s shoulders and squeezed tightly on her back. Taking a bracing breath, Rainbow tensed her muscles and took to the air.

Rainbow took a couple of moments to make sure Twilight was fully comfortable. Rainbow took care pulling her covers over Twilight, tucking her in to her chin.

Okay, there’s that taken care of. Now I need to just find Scoots. Gosh, I hope she’s okay considering… I have no idea how the fight ended. I’m sure Twilight would say if Scoot was injured though… right?

Rainbow let out a slow shuddering breath.

Okay, no, can’t think like that right now. Okay, assuming eve- since I know everyone is fine… Applejack probably took them back to the farm for the night. So I just have to go there and I’ll find everyone is just fine. Scootaloo will be fine… I just need to get there. To see she’s okay. Which she obviously is. Right?

Anybody in Ponyville that wasn’t already awake at that point was definitely awoken by the sound of a panicking mare breaking the sound barrier and leading a prismatic trail all the way to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Applejack!” Rainbow Dash struggled to keep her voice under a shout, rounding her way to the front door of the Apple’s house. Except the front door wasn’t there.

Oh no.

Feeling her heart rate picking up even faster, Rainbow sprinted into the house, not sure she was ready to see what lay before her. Rainbow’s breath quickened as she saw nothing out of place at first. She galloped up the stairs, throwing open the door to Applejack’s room, only to see…

Applejack. Sleeping.

Well, Applejack was sleeping. Upon hearing her door slam against the wall, Applejack snapped her eyes open and threw herself out of bed, unceremoniously faceplanting into the floor as the one foreleg in front of her failed to catch her entire body weight.

Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh, and flew over to help Applejack up.

“I’m sorry Applejack,” Rainbow chuckled awkwardly. “I just saw the front door knocked in, and I don’t know how last night turned out, so I-” Rainbow found herself cut off as an orange hoof stuck itself in her mouth.

“It’s good you’re here. We need to talk.”

That sounds bad…

Rainbow Dash silently followed Applejack out of the house, catching pace with her as they passed the broken down door. Slowing down, but not stopping, Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash, a dour expression on her face.

“Rainbow Dash I… I need to say something, but I want you to hear me out completely before you blow your stack on me, okay?”

Rainbow frowned and nodded.

Applejack let out a heavy sigh. “Last night after you were knocked out, Thunder Chaser appeared. But I’m judging by the fact that Twi was with you, you know all about that.”

Rainbow Dash nodded again.

“Rarity told me she’d hold them off while I got the Crusaders out of danger. Now of course I was worried about leaving her there alone, but Rares proved she can hold her own in a fight. She’s clever with that magic. An’ of course, Scootaloo was fighting tooth and horseshoe to get to your side, but I got the fillies out of there and to the cellar with Granny an’ Big Macintosh. Then I managed to get back to the fight and I saw…”

Applejack shuddered involuntarily.

“That face, Rainbow Dash. Twi was right pissed when she saw Rares and I gettin’ beat on, but when she saw you just lying motionless… That face was the stuff of nightmares. She had murder in those eyes, I don’t know how else to describe it. I can tell I’m gonna have nightmares about that face.”

Applejack paused to let Rainbow digest her words before continuing.

“Anyways, Twilight just tells me to ‘get the fillies’ and teleports off with you and Rarity. And then I’m all stressed, and then I get back to the cellar, and I see Scootaloo all shaken up, and Applebloom was nursing what ended up bein’ a broken nose, and I ‘bout lost it there, but I just tell them to clean up and meet us at the hospital an’…”

Applejack looked away and bit her lip, hesitating.

“An’ then we get to hospital, and had to wait because y’all were both still getting patched up. But the doc wouldn’t less any of us see you, so I’m just distractin’ myself till we see Rarity, and that goes about as well as you could expect. All dinged up, open fracture on a leg. She’s all loopy on pain killers. An’ then…”

Applejack hesitated again.

“Scootaloo’s demanding to see you all insistent like, an’ I’m looking at Applebloom’s nose, and I just… the stress of the day got to me, so I turn on Scootaloo, all mad at her for hurting my sister, and I start yelling.”

Applejack removed her hat and held it to her breast.

“I get real in her face an’ tell her to stay away from Applebloom, an’ before I know it, she’s shakin’ and sobbing, all unresponsive like. An’ I have Applebloom in-between us yelling at me.”

Applejack was cut off by a quick shove. Startled, she lost her balance and hit the still-cold ground. In a moment Rainbow Dash was in her face, fire burning in her eyes.

“You hear a terrified filly desperately calling for her mother, so you scream at her until you trigger a PTSD attack? What the FUCK is wrong with you? I get you were stressed but she was every bit as stressed as YOU, if not more. What’s your excuse for that?!” Rainbow spat. Her hackles were raised and she was breathing heavily.

“I’m trying to say I’m sorry!” Applejack yelled back. After a moment of no physical response, Applejack made her way onto her hooves and stared Rainbow Dash dead in the eye. “There ain’t no excuse for what I did. I know that. In fact, I’ve been trying to apologize to Scoot all night but Applebloom refuses to let me in and Scoot refuses to so much as look my way! Even Sweetie Belle is downright pissed at me, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that filly mad!”

Applejack picked her stetson up off the ground, idly dusted it off, and placed it back on her head.

“There ain’t no excuse for what I did.” Applejack repeated. “I just hope you and the fillies can someday find it in y’all’s hearts to forgive me.”

Rainbow went quiet as she chewed on Applejack’s words.

I know Applejack was probably worried out of her mind the whole time… And if Scoot’s really did break Applebloom’s nose... But there’s absolutely no way I can just forgive somebody who does that to my little Scootaloo just off the bat. But I guess I do see why Applejack reacted in that way...

“Alright,” Rainbow Dash finally said. “I’m not just gonna forgive you right off the bat, but I do see where you’re coming from with all this.”

Applejack let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“Oh, good. I guess it’s lucky you’re being a little more level headed than Twilight was yesterday. I wouldn’t want to tussle with that mare being angry considering how seeing the one pony she was hooves over tail for just bleeding and unconscious led her to doing… well, y’know.”

“Yeah, I agre-” Dash started. “Wait, what? I thought you and Rarity were joking. Twi isn’t into me.”

Applejack’s eyebrow shot up. “Dash, are you being serious right now?”

Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion. “Yeah? Twi and I are just friends. Why do you think otherwise?”

Applejack opened her mouth to retort, but then seemed to think again about it. Instead, she started walking toward where the fight had started and gestured for Rainbow to follow.

As they walked, Applejack went silent, deciding on what best to say. The two mares walked in silence, a gentle wind blowing around their coats and the sound of a rooster waking the farm up to another glorious morning being the only things keeping them company.

“Now…” Applejack chewed on her lower lip. “I know that sometimes you can be a bit oblivious to the feelin’s of other ponies, no offense, but you need to see this if you’re gonna believe me.”

Applejack pointed at a bunch of trees fallen in a line. “Twilight did this to Thunder Chaser after she saw Rares and me being beat on.”

Damn, imagine getting blasted through a row of trees. I hope it hurt him badly.

“And that,” Applejack pointed to Rainbow Dash’s right. ”Is what happened after she saw you lyin’ there, not moving.”

Rainbow Dash turned to see what Applejack was pointing at, and her jaw immediately dropped.

There was a giant path of destruction going as far as Rainbow Dash could see. It was about five feet deep at its lowest, and about twenty feet wide.

“Goes on for about two and a half miles before it starts fading out.” Applejack simply stated. “This was from just one attack.”

Twilight did this… for me? I know she said she was all upset after she saw us all beaten… but she lost it this bad for me?

Rainbow’s mind instantly flashed back to what Applejack had said earlier.

“I wouldn’t want to tussle with that mare being angry considering how seeing the one pony she was hooves over tail for just bleeding and unconscious led her to doing… well, y’know.”

Is Twilight… actually in love with me? By Celestia, all those looks, all those awkward moments, they all make sense now. What she said at the hospital makes so much more sense now…

“Applejack,” Rainbow Dash stated tersely. “I have to get back to Twilight. I think she’s suffering more than I knew and I shouldn’t have left. Sorry I can’t help you clean up but… Oh horseapples, I need to grab Scootaloo and get back home!”

Applejack merely nodded. “I’m sure Scootaloo would be only too happy to see you.”

Within a moment, the only sign Rainbow was even there was a prismatic trail leading back to the house.

Rainbow Dash rapped quickly on Applebloom’s door, nervously prancing in place. After a moment, a very tired and very miffed looking Applebloom opened the door, her nose stuck in a splint and stuffed with gauze.

That’s one hell of a punch, Scootaloo.

Upon recognizing Rainbow Dash, Applebloom pulled her into the room and pointed at a pair of fillies in the corner of the room. Scootaloo was curled up, her head in Sweetie Belle’s lap, facing away from Rainbow Dash, and Sweetie Belle was hugging her with one foreleg, and gently running her hoof through Scootaloo’s mane with the other, softly singing.

Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.
Now you’re drifting off to sleep, the day’s excitement behind you.
You’re drifting off to sleep to let the joys of dreamland find you.

To this place you go, no hurt can follow you, you’ll find your hope in heaven.
To this place you go, you’ll find true joy, it shall be your only expression.
Your path was made by angels, you’re irreplaceable in your worth.
Only when you go to bed, can they pick this angel up from Earth.

Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head.
I said hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.

Scootaloo gave off a small, contented sigh and snuggled deeper into Sweetie Belle embrace. A moment later she gave off a quiet snore.

I… kind of feel I wasn’t supposed to see that.

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat gently to make her presence known. Sweetie Belle’s gaze instantly shot up, her face turning red as she realized somebody other than Applebloom had heard her sing.

“Oh… um…” Sweetie Belle stammered.

Rainbow gently shushed and walked over to whisper to her.

“I want to thank you both for protecting and taking care of Scootaloo. And that right there was really sweet. You might have to teach me that sometime. But for now, I think it’s best I take Scootaloo home, and we’ll figure stuff out tomorrow. Sounds good?”

Sweetie Belle nodded wordlessly, and gently levitated the gently slumbering Scootaloo onto Rainbow’s back, where Scootaloo instinctively took hold. Nodding and thanking the two awake Crusaders again, Rainbow Dash walked out of the house and gently took off, slowly flying to her house so as not to disturb her precious sleeping package.

After tucking Scootaloo into her room in much the same way as Rainbow had tucked Twilight into theirs, she padded over to her own bed, feeling exhausted despite only having been awake for a few hours.

Jeez, when did they decide to make me the emotionally mature one? Terrible call on whoever decided that.

Rainbow Dash wormed her way into her side of the bed with a sigh, taking care not to disturb Twilight. Rainbow was all set to doze off again when she heard what sounded like a strangled sob. She opened an eye just quickly enough to see a small shudder run through Twilight.

“...seeing the one pony she was hooves over tail for…”

“...and I remember memorizing your blood type after last time… I knew we had compatible types…:

“...one of the hardest lessons is that holding your emotions in will just cut you up inside…”

Rainbow Dash frowned, but her mind was set. She worked her way through the bed, the comforter sliding uncomfortably over her left wing as she scooted her way over to Twilight. With a determined movement, Rainbow Dash grabbed Twilight’s front hooves, which were currently tucked into her own chest, and pulled Twilight into Rainbow. She also snuck one wing over Twilight and one wing and the other forehoof under her neck and pulled her into a wing hug. She placed one of her hind legs over one of Twilight’s and drew Twilight’s lower body into hers as well. She finished by placing the crook of her neck over the top of Twilight’s head, and pulled her in tighter. Rainbow heard a soft gasp, and nobody did anything for a moment. Then not-so-subtly Twilight cuddled deeper into Rainbow Dash and let off a happy sigh.

Within moments both mares were asleep.

Scootaloo's Tale

"Rainbow Dash?" A small voice called out.

Rainbow Dash let out a soft groan as she woke up. She felt a warm presence pressed against her breast and head, and seeking more warmth, snuggled up tighter to her pillow. To her surprise, the pillow snuggled back.

Wait, what?

Rainbow cracked one eye open and stared blearily in front of her, wondering why her pillow had apparently grown legs and sentience. To her surprise, she found her vision enveloped in a world of lavender fur.

Memories from the past day came flooding back to Rainbow Dash. The farm, bringing Scootaloo back, and hearing Twilight trying to suppress her tears. The two had fallen asleep cuddling. Which, while kind of weird, Rainbow Dash enjoyed a bit more than she'd ever willingly admit.

At the moment, it seemed that Twilight had flipped over during the night, and Rainbow Dash had her face firmly pressed into Twilight's neck. They were still in a tight embrace, and Rainbow could feel Twilight's tail running over her haunches.

Snapping herself out of a daze, Rainbow remembered what woke her up. She pushed her upper body up and searched for whoever had called her name. Standing in the doorway was an orange filly with an unruly purple mane, an eager grin on her face, and wings buzzing up a storm.

"Scoot? What time is it?" Rainbow asked languidly.

Scootaloo responded by bouncing up and down, her smile growing wider each second. "Were you two cuddling? Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry I interrupted you. But I was so worried and nobody would tell me anything and the doctor said I couldn't see you and then Applejack yelled at me and then-"

Rainbow held up a hoof to silence the filly. “Woah woah slugger, I just woke up, slow down.”

Scootaloo stopped bouncing and her smile disappeared. “Well it’s just that… Um… Can I uh…”

Rainbow blinked as she saw Scootaloo’s gaze flicker between her face and the bed.

“Oh,” Rainbow replied. “Yeah sure, come on up. How are you feeling, Scoot?”

Scootaloo zipped over to the bed, carefully positioning herself between Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Twilight, whose hooves had fallen off Rainbow Dash when she had pushed herself up, found a new warm body in front of her and pulled Scootaloo into a hug, clutching her close to her chest and giving off a little smile.

Rainbow Dash felt herself smiling too, and lay back down, pulling Twilight and Scootaloo closer to her with a wing before gently draping it over Twilight’s barrel. She slid down on the bed until she was face to face with Scootaloo.

Scootaloo gave off a happy hum. “I was so worried! All I saw was you falling, and then Applejack tried running away with me, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle…” Scootaloo’s smile was replaced with a frown. “And then we all stayed with Big Mac and Granny but I got really worried so I tried to escape but Applebloom stopped me and I hit her and I feel really bad and then Big Mac started choking me and Sweetie Belle rescued me and I started crying and then-”

“Woah woah woah, hold up.” Rainbow replied sternly. “Big Mac choked you? Oh I’m gonna go have some words with that assh-”

Scootaloo cut her off. “No! I mean he did, but it wasn’t like he was trying to knock me out. He was trying to hold me down and was a bit too strong and at the time even though I knew it was him I couldn’t help but think of my dad holding me down and then…” Scootaloo stopped rambling, blinking back tears. She grabbed Rainbow’s head and pulled it into her embrace, her body starting to shake.

“I couldn’t breathe and my vision started going black but Sweetie Belle started yelling at him… And then Applejack came back and said you were alive but at the hospital a-and then…” Scootaloo’s body let out an especially hard shudder. “And then we waited for Rarity to be cleared to visit and I kept asking where you were and if I could see you but nobody said anything other than you were being seen. And then we saw Rarity and they still wouldn’t let me see you and Applejack started yelling at me.” Rainbow Dash felt her cheeks grow damp as Scootaloo dried her tears on Rainbow’s fur.

“A-and I g-got really really scared and s-started doing that thing w-where I got stuck inside my own head a-and started seeing my dad standing over me that week before you found me, and h-he broke my wings, and I felt him hitting me again, a-and holding me down against the c-cold kitchen floor. A-and then I remember feeling somebody’s hooves around me and I tried to fight back but w-whoever it was didn’t let up. And then I realized I wasn’t still there. I was in a hospital. But I still kept seeing his face every time I blinked. After getting her nose looked at Applebloom carried me back to her house since they still wouldn’t let me see you and I couldn’t…

“But I was still too weak and I just hid the entire night because I was weak and after all you’ve done for me I couldn’t even help you.” Scootaloo let out a wet sniffle and released Rainbow Dash’s head, wiping her eyes and staring back into Rainbow’s face.

“What… happened? All anybody would tell me is that everyone ended up being okay. What happened with…”

Rainbow Dash bit her lip but didn’t respond.

How do I handle this? I can’t just tell an already emotionally unstable 12 year old that Twilight killed her dad, can I? There’s no doubt he deserved it, but…

Damn it, why couldn’t Twilight handle this question? She’d know how to break it to Scoot. I could always tell her he’s just in jail again, but… If Applejack were here she’d say “a terrible truth is always better than a well intentioned lie.”

Damn it. Damn it all to Tartarus.

“He’s gone, Scoot.”

Scootaloo cocked her head to the left. “He’s back in jail?”

Damn it.

“No Scoot, I mean gone gone. Like, forever gone.”

Scootaloo’s eyes opened wide and her pupils shrank to pinpricks. She pushed herself out of Twilight’s embrace and backed away from the mares, her tail tucked between her legs.

“He’s dead?”

“I uh… well you see… It’s kinda like…” Rainbow stammered. “Woo, I am thirsty. How about we go get a drink before continuing this conversation? That sounds like a great idea, right?”

“Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo demanded.

Rainbow chewed her lip, finding something interesting on the ceiling to look at. “Yo Scoot, you look hungry, why don’t I go cook you something to eat?”

“RAINBOW DASH!” Scootaloo yelled, stomping her hoof.

Rainbow instantly looked over to her sleeping friend, wondering if she had been woken. Twilight's wings shuffled in her sleep, rustling the blankets, but the yell didn't wake her. Dash ran a hoof down Twilight's withers, soothing her back to a deep sleep.

“Yes, Scootaloo. He’s dead.” Rainbow Dash sighed as she finally faced the filly.

Scootaloo opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out, just a pathetic squeak. She looked off the side, ears flattened against her head as her knees buckled. Despite the room being warm, she only felt cold. She felt coldness seeping through her coat and chilling her very soul.

“Scoots?” Rainbow Dash asked, a certain waver in her voice. “Are you okay?”

“Who did it?” Scootaloo stared into Rainbow’s eyes, feeling numb to the world.

Rainbow took a long sigh before answering. “Twilight did. She thought he had killed me and kinda… lost it.”

Nobody said anything for a few minutes.

“I...:” Scootaloo started, staring at Twilight with an unreadable expression on her face. “I know I should be happy, since he’s been nothing but a monster to me for years… But he was still the stallion who fed me and raised me before… you know. Even then he was the only reason I didn’t starve or freeze to death outside. I don’t… I feel like I lost him too at the same time. The dad I like remembering. The one I kinda… hoped we could bring back. Is that... wrong?”

Rainbow Dash rubbed one of her forelegs with a hoof.

“Sorry Scoot, I really don’t know what to tell you. I wish I could say some words and make everything clear, or make everything better, but I can’t. All I can say is that I don’t think feelings can be wrong.” Rainbow got up and sat next to Scootaloo, pulling her into Rainbow’s side with a wing. Scootaloo didn’t resist. “I’m sorry Scoots, I know I’ve only been at this whole mother thing for a short time, but seeing you this way and me unable to help just… hurts. I’m not really great with the whole emotional stuff, but you know I’m always close by if you want to talk.”

Scootaloo didn’t acknowledge Rainbow Dash’s words, just leaned into her and stared straight ahead. She turned to face Twilight.

“She killed somebody.” Scootaloo stated.

“Uhh, yeah.”

“Is mom… going to jail?”

Rainbow tapped her chin. “I… don’t think so. It could probably be ruled as self-defense, but the fact that she’s a princess could either make it go much more smoothly, or make it way harder. Either way, we’re gonna get through it together. As a family.”

There was a very pregnant silence for another few minutes before Scootaloo spoke up again, thankfully changing the subject.

“When I came in you two were cuddling, like, really hard. What are you guys now?”

Rainbow hummed softly. “I really don’t know. Last night after I tucked you in I came back into the room and heard her crying, but trying to pretend she wasn’t and that she was asleep. So I just kinda… did that because I thought it would help. It was weird… but I did kind of enjoy it.”

“She… really likes you.”

Rainbow chewed her bottom lip. “I know that now. Applejack took me to where the fight took place yesterday and… yeah. That cleared a lot of things up. I’m not even sure if she realises it yet. I know I’m supposed to be the stubborn one, but Twilight is pretty stubborn too.”

There was another pause.

“You’re not gonna make me go see them, are you?”

“See who, Scoots?”

“Applejack and Big Mac. I know neither of were purposely trying to hurt me or trigger an episode but… I don’t want to see them right now. Or ever again.”

“What about Applebloom? I heard she jumped between you and AJ when AJ was yelling at you.”

Scootaloo nodded. “Applebloom is still like a sister to me. Sweetie Belle too. I want to see them both again but… I don’t want to see Applejack or the farm again for as long as I live.”

Rainbow sighed. “To be honest, I’m with you there. I’m angry at Applejack for the same reasons. But you know she didn’t mean you any harm. She told me she spent the entire night after you got back from the hospital trying to apologize to you, but Applebloom wouldn’t let her come near you.”

“I don’t care.” Spat Scootaloo with a sudden venom. “Yesterday was the worst night of my life. As soon as my guard dropped she did that? She’s the sister of my best friend and an adult. I’m supposed to feel safe around a pony like that. I was expecting her to hit me when we were in the hospital. It was like as soon as I escaped from my dad, another abusive presence comes into life.”

Rainbow Dash felt a shiver run up her spine.

“And Big Mac could have killed me!" Scootaloo’s voice cracked. “If what he did was just a result of him trying to just hold me down, imagine what would have happened if he was actually trying to hurt me? I’d come out with broken bones at best. I know everybody says he wouldn’t hurt a fly... but he hurt me a lot.”

Rainbow Dash pulled Scootaloo closer with her wing. “And I fully intend on messing him up because of what he did to you. But I know Applejack very well. She would give up her home, her name, and everything she owned before she attacked you. Mad as we are both at her right now, I would still trust her to watch over you if I couldn’t.”

“I think I’d rather go back to living alone in the Clubhouse right now.” Scootaloo replied quietly.

There came a sudden rustling as Twilight began tossing and turning over in the bed, a grimace affixed to her face. She let out some noises that sounded a mix of a moan and words.

“No…” Twilight mumbled, starting to thrash around. “No!”

“She’s having a nightmare.” Scootaloo realized. “Wake her up!”

Rainbow Dash rushed over and picked her friend up so she was in a vertical position and started shaking her. Twilight’s eyes snapped open suddenly and instantly she pushed Rainbow off of her, gritting her teeth with a wild look in her eye.

“YOU!” She screamed.

She charged up her horn.

And she pointed it at Rainbow Dash.

Convalescence

Author's Note

Just wanted to make it clear since I've had questions about it, this takes place after the season five finale. Starlight is already reformed. I just didn't show it because it has nothing to do with this family dynamic.

Sorry for being gone so long without word. While life and lack of motivation play a part, most of the blame goes to TLoU Part 2. It's sooo good and apparently I'm only like 40% through. Please don't spoil it.

So I needed to write a subpar chapter because goddamn I forgot how to do the feelings and the writings of them horses. I hope you enjoy anyway!

Convalescence

Rainbow Dash launched herself backwards, grabbing Scootaloo and pushing her out of the potential blast zone in front of Twilight. She stared back at the alicorn, hiding her face behind her forehooves.

“Twilight, it’s me!” Rainbow cried out. “Don’t beam me!”

Twilight looked up, a spark of familiarity in her eyes. As soon as she regarded the blue pegasus before her for a moment, the look of anger dropped, and so did her jaw. Her pupils shrank as she depowered her horn, and gave off an involuntary shudder.

“Oh my gosh. Rainbow Dash!” Twilight gasped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-”

Twilight was cut off by a hoof being gently placed on her softly shaking shoulder. Rainbow matched Twilight's gaze and gave her a small smile.

“Hey it’s okay. You were having a nightmare. You just scared us, that’s all. Are you alright?” Rainbow gave Twilight a warmer smile and went to pick Scootaloo up off the floor. “Uh, sorry Scoot. Knee jerk reaction and all that.”

Scootaloo responded by shrugging and leaning into Rainbow. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash both fixed Twilight with a worried look. Twilight’s gaze dropped to the floor, unable to stand the sight of both ponies looking at her.

“I’m fine.” She said slowly. “Just like you said, I had a bad dream.”

Scootaloo gazed between Twilight, stubbornly refusing to look up at Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow Dash, stubbornly refusing to look away from Twilight. She did her best to read the situation and moments later, made up her mind.

“Well, I’m really hungry, so I’m gonna go find a snack while you two talk.” Scootaloo decided, leaving the room.

“Okay.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Scootaloo is gone. Twilight, tell me what’s up. I know you were dreaming about Thunder Chaser.”

“I…” Twilight’s eyes misted up. “I found him in an alleyway at around dawn. He was crying and blubbering on. He was terrified, but I didn’t care. He had seriously hurt the two ponies most dear to me in all of Equestria. I blasted him. He came back. I blasted him again. And again. Then you and Scootaloo were there, lying dead, and he still looked terrified. And I killed him again. I was still so... angry.”

Twilight paused for a few moments. “I still see his face every time I close my eyes, Rainbow. Before I saw you lying there last night, I had blasted him through a couple trees. I could see he was scared. And then I saw you and… I guess whatever face I made then scared him more. I can still see that exact face. Every tiny detail. It was the last face he made before…” Twilight fell onto her side and curled up into a ball. “Before I killed him.”

Rainbow laid down next to Twilight and curled around her, resting her head next to Twilight’s. She laid a wing over Twilight’s barrel.

“Oh Rainbow. How can I ever live with this? I’ve read stories and memoirs from ponies who’ve killed before and they’re never the same. This kind of stuff never leaves! I’m marred forever because I lost control.”

“Shhh,” Rainbow whispered. “You know how you’re gonna live like this?” Rainbow threw a forehoof around Twilight and nuzzled her neck. “This is how. With you, me, Scoots, and Spike. Together ‘till the very end.”

Twilight seemed to relax a little, but then immediately tensed back up. “Spike! He’s probably all alone and worried-”

“Starlight’s in the castle, he’ll be fine.” Rainbow cut her off. “Besides, if any of us were mortally wounded I’m sure they’d both know, and be breaking down my door by now.”

“Yeah…” Twilight paused, leaning into Rainbow and resting her head on the side of Rainbow’s right forehoof. “I guess you’re right.”

Rainbow rested her head atop Twilight’s and idly stared out the window. It was at least noon and she was late as hell for work, but she was beyond caring. Her boss was very understanding, and considering the fact that Rainbow was technically still supposed to be in the hospital, and that the pony she was co-parenting her adopted daughter with was deep in grief, and also a princess, she would be able to get out of getting in trouble. Still, she should mitigate the risk by actually showing up sooner than later.

“Hey Twi…” Rainbow hesitated. “So I was supposed to be at work like… a couple hours ago. Are you in a good enough state to stay here alone with Scootaloo?”

Twilight let out a short sigh. “Actually I was thinking of visiting Rarity to see how she was. I need to talk to her about something anyway. I’m sure Scootaloo wouldn’t mind playing with the Crusaders at the farm. I should probably also thank Applejack for helping the girls so much. Rarity told me in the hospital that Applejack ran off with the fillies to keep them out of harm’s way.”

Rainbow Dash chewed her bottom lip. “Actually, it’s not that simple. Big Mac and Applejack were a bit too rough with Scootaloo and triggered a PTSD episode. Scootaloo is terrified of them both and refusing to go back to the farm.”

Twilight groaned. “I wish you didn’t tell me that.”

“Wha- why?”

“Dashie, I’m… I can’t use magic. Ever since I… lost control even using a simple levitation spell freaks me out. I tried opening the curtains at the hospital with my magic last night and I… I felt like that attack was charging again. I felt like I was gonna blow up the hospital and that’s happened every time I charge up a spell. And now I hear that Applejack and Big Mac scared my precious little Scootaloo? I can’t go to the farm now, I don’t know what will happen. I’m afraid I might lose control again.”

“Oh. I’m sorry Twilight.” Rainbow chuckled awkwardly, feeling Twilight’s hackles raise against the side of Rainbow’s neck.

“No, no it’s… I’ll fly her over to the castle. Spike and Starlight are there. Then I really need to see Rarity.”

“Do you trust Starlight alone around Scootaloo? I mean, I know she’s ‘turned over a new leaf’ but she’s only been good for like… a week and some change.”

“I trust Spike will keep a close guard on her. A bout of fire from him will probably deter Starlight from doing anything crazy. But yes, I… mostly trust her around Scootaloo. I think the worst she’ll ever do is be a poor role model.”

“She better be good to my Scoot or I’ll rainboom her back to her old village. And Scoot already has enough great role models. She’s got me, and especially you.”

Twilight gave off the first genuine smile since the fight had occurred. She cuddled deeper into Rainbow Dash’s coat, enjoying the warm embrace.

“Alright Sparkle,” Rainbow breathed, giving Twilight a quick nuzzle. “I better be off. If you need me just look to the skies.” Rainbow slowly got to her hooves and walked toward the door.

“Thank you, Dashie.” Was all Twilight replied.

There was a set of three soft knocks on the door.

“Come in.” Rarity’s voice rang out.

The hospital door swung open and Twilight walked in, head drooping, eyes staring at the floor. She cast a despairing look at Rarity, and instantly cringed as she saw all the bandages and the cast adorning Rarity’s left hind leg.

"Oh." Was all she could muster. "I'm... I'm so sorry Rarity."

"Shush. None of that." Rarity ordered. "Now come inside, you're sitting down and relaxing."

Twilight did as ordered, taking a seat in the room right next to the bed, head still bowed.

"I feel just awful, Rarity. If I was a little sooner none of us would be in this position... And I... and you..." Tears started streaming down Twilight's cheeks.

"Twilight, darling, stop." Rarity crooned, lifting Twilight's chin so she matched Rarity's gaze. "There's no way in Equestria anybody can blame you for what you did. You saved us."

"B-but..." Twilight protested.

"And after all we had coming at us, I'm just glad a broken leg is the worst of it, and nobody die- uh... that is to say, that we are all alright."

Twilight returned to staring at the floor.

"Nevermind you coming to rescue us sooner. Rainbow Dash was knocked out right at the start and you don't see her blaming herself, or any of the rest of us ragging on her for that."

There was silence for a few minutes. Twilight idly poked at the chair she was sitting in before mustering up the courage to continue.

"That's uh... actually one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you." Twilight whispered.

"What is, darling?"

"Rainbow Dash."

Rarity blinked in confusion. "I'm afraid I'm not following, what about Rainbow Dash?"

Twilight squeezed her eyes shut tightly and sniffed. She knew she had to say it. She had to admit it. But why did it feel so hard?

"Oh Rarity, I think I’m in love with her."

Unrequited?

Rarity’s eyes shot wide open with glee as she pulled Twilight’s head into a tight hug, pulling her neck and putting Twilight in a blood choke.

“Twilight dear that’s FANTA-”

Rarity paused, dropped Twilight’s head, and let out of a small cough.

“I mean, that’s fantastic. I’m so glad you’ve finally come to terms with your feelings, darling.”

Twilight rubbed her neck. “Yes, well… I don’t know what to do about it. I mean, what with the whole timing being as it is. And what if I try to talk to her about this and she doesn’t think of me that way? What if asking her that ruins our friendship?! And then we’ll have to co-parent and she doesn’t even want to SEE me! And what if I don’t actually love her? What if this is all my negative thought processes latching onto the closest being portraying positive behavior to me, and all my emotions are just attempts to have her not leave me? Oh Celestia, what if me asking breaks up our entire friend group? We’ll all break apart and grow apart and it’ll be ALL MY FAULT!”

“Twilight, you’re yelling.” Rarity chuckled.

Twilight’s face turned pink. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s quite alright darling. Now let’s break this down. I want you to sit back, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and tell me exactly how you would describe your feelings about Rainbow Dash to anybody else.”

Twilight leaned against the backrest of the chair and sank into it as she closed her eyes.

“Rainbow Dash is… well, ever since she broke into my library all those months ago, panicking about Scootaloo, she’s been somebody completely different. She’s always been a reliable friend and a free spirit, but since then she’s had some kind of… something holding her down. And holding her to me. And she’s been growing as a pony, and helping me and Scootaloo to grow too.

“She has such an infectious, great personality and even when we’re not around each other I can’t get her out of my mind. She’s so nice and amazing and can so easily put me at peace, and that smile… Oh Celestia that smile. Everytime I see that cute little smile of hers I feel butterflies in my belly.

“And through Scootaloo I’ve seen a whole new side to her. Before all this, the most I’ve seen her break out of her ‘tough tomboy athlete’ façade was her actually admitting to liking to read. But she’s become a whole new pony to take care of her and I just… I love the pony she’s become. I mean, like personality wise, not just… yeah.

“And most recently, after the… incident at the farm, she’s been my anchor. Even with how recent it was… I don’t think I could be doing it without her. She has such a way with words and comfort, and after what she and I did last night…”

Twilight looked up at Rarity, whose eyes were wide open and cheeks were growing pink.

“Uh darling… What did you do last night? Did you two...”

Twilight blinked and cocked her head to the left before realizing what Rarity was implying. “Wha- No! Nonono! Not that! It’s just… I may have been crying in her bed and she came up and… cuddled me to sleep. She was just really warm and soft and…”

Twilight took a moment to sigh and rub her eyes.

“When we went to go visit my parents after adopting Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash was joking around, full of bravado as always, she pulled me into a tight hug, and I guess my mom saw the face I was making. She took me aside and basically told me that my dad and her approved of us and… well, that kind of brought my feelings to that light.” Twilight rubbed one of her forelegs with the other. “And since that, that thought, and thoughts of her have been bothering me every day. And… yeah.” Twilight finished lamely.

Rarity gazed at Twilight with a half smile and half lidded eyes. “And you think these feelings grew as a result of grief? Come now, Twilight, you’re smarter than that.”

“Well… okay. I guess I can’t deny that I might… have an interest in Rainbow Dash…”

Rarity smirked. “Darling, let’s call it what we both know it really is. I want to hear you say it.”

Twilight took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, unable to contain the words any longer. “I love her. I love Rainbow Dash.”

Twilight’s heart soared as she finally uttered those words, and she noticed Rarity clapping her hooves together, her smile growing wider.

“But…” Twilight protested. “That doesn’t change the fact that Rainbow Dash may not return the same feelings. I don’t want to put our friendship at risk trying to act on this elaborate romance I’ve planned out that she definitely doesn’t want any part of.”

Rarity rolled her eyes and huffed, but fixed Twilight with another half grin. “And now it’s time for Rarity to make what is obvious to everyone else clear to you. Twilight, how often are you and Rainbow Dash physically intimate?”

“Rarity I already told you we haven’t-”

“No darling, I don’t mean like that. I’m speaking hugs, nuzzles, cuddling, that sort of thing.”

Twilight tapped her chin. “Hmm. I’d say… at least every other day at minimum. Usually every day.”

“Well, isn’t that just so dear?” Rarity swooned. “And pray tell, when is the last time you saw Rainbow Dash hug somebody other than you or Scootaloo?”

Silence pervaded the room until the tension was thick enough to cut through.

“We all hugged after you guys fixed up my castle. And before that, the day I got my wings…”

“One on one darling. When was the last time you saw Rainbow Dash hugging only one other pony?”

Twilight didn’t answer.

Rainbow Dash,” Rarity continued. “Is not a very physically affectionate pony. In the entire time I’ve known her she’s hugged me once, and that was just because I was clearing her name in front of the Wonderbolts and she got a bit excited, as is her wont. But if you get physical affection from her almost daily, you have to admit she probably sees you differently. Not only that, but she shows her sensitive side to you all the time. The only other pony she does that around is Scootaloo, who is her daughter, and I promise you that aside from you, the pony she cares about most in the world. She still puts on her pretense of a tough, almost emotionally distant athlete around the rest of us. Just think about that for a while.”

Twilight took a few minutes to consider what to say.

“But… I mean, it’s easy to interpret what I’ve done as... attraction. But Rainbow Dash doesn’t blush much. She doesn’t get all jumbled up around me like I do around her. She doesn’t show the same signs as me.”

Much to Twilight’s surprise, Rarity let out a laugh at this.

“Darling, haven’t you ever read a romance before? Do all of those ponies show attraction in the same way?”

“I… no. They don’t.”

“My final point is,” Rarity finished. “Remember a couple months back when Applejack said one of her distant relatives passed? If I told you I went to her house to cuddle her to sleep that night, you would assume me interested in her, would you not?”

Twilight nodded mutely.

“So how is this any different?”

Twilight stared out the window, chewing gently on her bottom lip for several moments. She turned back to Rarity, a ghost of a smile on her face.

“So what do I do now?”

Requited

“Bistro del Hay?” Rainbow Dash repeated, flopping onto her cloud mattress with a soft oomf, having just returned from work. “Isn’t the waiting list for that like… months long at any time?”

Twilight sighed. “Ordinarily, yes. I went there to book a date earlier today, and they insisted on moving things around so I could book an appointment for tonight. I tried telling them no, I’m content to wait like any other pony, but they insisted they make room ‘for their princess’.”

Rainbow chuckled weakly. “Ooh I bet you loved that.”

“No.” Twilight harrumphed.

“Yeah, I’m down for that. Do you think Scootaloo would like that though? That place is kind of high class and I don’t think they have a foal’s menu.”

Twilight’s cheeks flushed. “Well u-uh, actually. I was thinking that, y’know… if it’s okay with you… it could just be the two of us tonight?”

Rainbow Dash flipped onto her back and shot Twilight with a quick quizzical look before shrugging. “Alright, that sounds fine to me. But what would we do with Scootaloo? Sweetie Belle is staying over at the orchard with Rarity still in the hospital, and I know Scootaloo would hate going there for even a few hours. Even if she was old enough to stay home alone, which I would trust her with at this point, I think she’d hate being alone too.”

Twilight hummed softly. “There’s always her staying with Starlight?”

“I thought you said that you didn’t want those two together while unsupervised after Scootaloo convinced Starlight to let a dinosaur loose on Ponyville?”

“I did say that.” Twilight replied quietly.

“Well… we can just ask her? Maybe she and the Crusaders have some other ideas. Or maybe they can stay with Pinkie or Fluttershy or somebody.” Rainbow suggested.

“More likely Fluttershy if it’s the three of them. The last four times Sweetie Belle tried staying at Sugarcube Corner she almost burnt it down.” Twilight tittered.

“Oh I remember. I was the one who had to stuff storm clouds in the window just to put out the fires. I’m surprised Sweetie’s cutie mark isn’t a lit match, or a flamethrower or something.”

“If setting things on fire was her special talent, she’d have gotten her cutie mark in the first week of being a Crusader.”

Rainbow let out a hearty laugh.

“Alright, let’s go talk to Scoots.”

“Diamond Tiara?” Rainbow Dash spat with no small hint of anger. “You were invited to a sleepover by the filly that’s been bullying you for years? And want to go?”

“She’s not bad anymore!” Scootaloo protested. “Remember? I told you we had her go good that same day the girls and I got our marks!”

“Actually,” Twilight interjected. “You just told me that there was another abusive parent in Ponyville and then gushed over your cutie mark for the rest of the day.”

“And the next week and a half.” Rainbow added.

“Oh, uh, right.” Scootaloo grinned sheepishly. “But the point is she’s good now! She invited all the Crusaders over for a sleepover at Filthy Rich’s manor mansion housey thing.” She accentuated her last words by waving her hoof around in a circular motion. “She said we can try ca-vee-are. I dunno what that is but she said it’s great!”

Twilight and Rainbow Dash shared uncertain looks.

“I mean… If you’d really like to, sure, we can drop you off there.” Twilight finally responded.

“Eeeee! Thanks!” Scootaloo squealed, pulling Rainbow and Twilight into a hug.

Twilight turned to face Rainbow, a ghost of a smile on her face. “I can drop her off right before we leave, does that sound good?”

Rainbow nodded as Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “Ooh, where are you guys going?”

“We’re gonna grab some nice dinner and have a nice little chill night.” Rainbow said offhandedly.

“You two are going on a- I mean, that sounds nice.” Scootaloo bit down hard on her lip to prevent herself from grinning like a madmare.

“Well we still got a couple hours till then Scoot.” Rainbow yawned. “Wanna knock out a couple more flight lessons?”

Scootaloo nodded enthusiastically.

“Are you sure I look alright?” Twilight fretted, messing with her mane. “This is an upper class restaurant. We should be wearing nice things. Do you have any dresses?”

“I have the dress I wore to the Gala. Don’t you still have yours?”

“I did,” Twilight deadpanned. “But that was in Golden Oaks when Tirek… you know.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Twilight, you look fine. Really, you look great.”

Twilight averted her eyes and stared at the floor, cheeks burning. “Oh uh, thank you.”

“Of course. Now come along you silly pony, let’s go get our dinner.” Rainbow flicked Twilight with her tail playfully.

As the two mares left the cloudhome and silently took to the skies, they spent a couple minutes enthralled in the beautiful pinks and oranges of the sunset. A gentle breeze blew across their coats, bringing with it the smells of the Ponyville market. It smelt like cider and pine.

“Nice evening tonight.” Rainbow Dash commented casually.

There was no more discussion until the mares reached the bistro. Once there, they were led deep inside the restaurant by one of the staff, and sat at a small table. The table had a white tablecloth, an empty, presumably decorative bottle of wine on one side, and on the other two small lit candles. Connecting the candles and bottle was a row of rose petals. In front of each of the two chairs was a fancy plate with flowers painted around the rim and utensils wrapped in a napkin.

Rainbow let out a low whistle as the two ponies took their seats. “Dang Twilight, this is a fancy looking place. Are you able to afford this?”

“Oh it’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’ve been saving up.” Twilight replied quickly.

“Here you are, madams,” The waiter said, passing out menus. “Is there anything I can get you started with?”

“How does chardonnay sound, Rainbow?” Twilight smiled.

“What is that, like a beer?”

“It’s a wine.”

“Well, I mean I trust your taste, if you’re in for it so am I.”

“Sounds good!” Twilight chirped. “Two glasses of that, if you’d kindly.”

The waiter bowed and then turned to make his leave. “Of course, Princess.”

“Oh you don’t need to call me pri- aaaand he’s gone. So…” Twilight gave off an awkward chuckle. “What’s going on with you, Rainbow?”

“Just eating dinner with my favorite egghead.” Rainbow replied nonchalantly, gazing at the menu. “How about you?”

“Oh I’m uh, just eating dinner with my favorite… uh… you.”

Rainbow lowered her menu and gazed at Twilight, a faint smile playing at her lips.

“Well I’m glad that I’m your favorite me. I’d be concerned if somebody else was your favorite Rainbow Dash instead.”

“Oh r-right. Yeah.” Twilight poked at her bundle of utensils absentmindedly.

The waiter came back with two glasses of a clear liquid on a tray, levitating them to in front of each mare. Rainbow Dash took a cautious sip and instantly wrinkled her nose.

“Ugh, this tastes…” Rainbow searched for the right word.

“Dry?” Twilight offered.

“How can a liquid taste dry? It’s a liquid.” Dash cocked her head to the side, raising an eyebrow.

“It doesn’t literally mean… it means all the sugar in the grapes fermented into the alcohol.”

“...”

“It means it has very low amounts of sugar.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you just say that in the first place?”

“...I did.”

“Ladies, have you two decided what it is that you’d like to order?” The waiter asked politely, halting the banter between Rainbow and Twilight.

“Yeah, can I get the mushroom wellington?” Rainbow replied.

Twilight’s eyes shot open. She hadn’t even looked at the menu yet. Her hooves shot out, grabbing the menu in front of her and almost knocking her glass over. She flipped it open and ordered the first thing she saw.

“And uh, the portabella mushroom risotto with truffle oil for me.” Twilight stammered.

“Very well.” The waiter responded with another bow, taking the menus and leaving again.

“That sounds fancy.” Rainbow Dash remarked. “What is it?”

“I uh…” Twilight coughed into her hoof. “I’m not sure. I just saw it on the menu and picked it.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “So how was visiting Rarity?”

“Rarity!?” Twilight sputtered, recalling her conversation with the alabaster unicorn the previous night.

She probably meant her condition…

“Oh, right. It was good. Rarity is looking much better and she should be discharged from the hospital on Sunday. Although she’s gonna have to be limping around in one of those casts that looks like a boot for at least four months.”

Twilight tried to feign a passive attitude by lazily waving her hoof around, but accidentally struck the edge of her glass, knocking it over and spilling its contents all over herself.

“Oh no, I’m sorry let me just…” Twilight stammered, grabbing her napkin with a hoof and dabbing it all over her now wet fur.

“Here, take mine.” Rainbow pushed her glass over to Twilight’s side of the table. “I’m not much of a fancy-schmancy alcohol drinker anyways.”

“No really, I couldn’t-”

“Twilight.” Rainbow smiled. “Really, it’s okay. Just take it. I promise you I don’t have cooties.”

Twilight, now staring down at the table, cleared her throat, took the glass and sipped from it.

“Thank you.” She said quietly.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, accompanied only by the din of other ponies eating and talking, and the soft music playing from speakers hidden in the ceiling.

“Your dinners, madams” came the waiter, carrying two plates of steaming food, which he proceeded to levitate over to the table. “Would you like to see the dessert menu for later?”

“That’d be great, thanks!” Rainbow responded chipperly, taking the menu. “Mm, this looks good.”

“Yes it does. Thank you sir.” Twilight smiled.

With one last bow the waiter took off, leaving the mares to dig in. There were a few tense moments when nobody said anything, instead focusing intently on their meals.

“How’s your ricotta?” Rainbow asked idly.

“It’s a risotto, Rainbow.” Twilight chuckled. “Ricotta is a kind of cheese.”

“Eh, same thing.” Rainbow laughed, taking a large bite of her wellington and then immediately spitting the bite out onto the plate. “Ahh! Ahh!! Hot!” Rainbow fanned at her mouth as Twilight tittered.

“Yeah, it just got cooked, Dashie. Of course it’s hot. Try blowing on it.” Twilight snarked.

“Thanks egghead, never would have thought of that without you.” Rainbow shot back, blowing on her meal. She blew on it a bit too hard and several specks of mushroom landed on Twilight’s muzzle. “Oh crap, I’m sorry Twilight, let me get that for you!”

Twilight blushed as Rainbow leaned over the table, wiping off her muzzle with a napkin. She stared hard to the left and took a big bite of her risotto, discontent with the mushroom’s chewiness.

Why do ponies like mushrooms? They’re tasteless and weirdly chewy.

“So, um,” Twilight eventually squeaked, rubbing her stomach. “How are the Wonderbolts?”

Rainbow’s eyes lit up. “Great! I’m at the top of the reserves list last I checked, so whenever a Wonderbolt decides to retire, I’m basically granted in!”

“Well that’s… wonderful. Do you know if any of them are planning on retiring soon?”

“Well he would absolutely thump me if I said this near him, but Fire Streak is getting a little older and slowing down. I mean, he’s probably got a couple years left in him, but he’d be my guess.”

“Well you’ve worked hard to get there. I have no doubt they’d love you on the team.”

“Well of course they would,” Rainbow boasted. “I’m the fastest flier out of Cloudsdale.”

“Humble, too.” Twilight rolled her eyes playfully, rubbing her stomach again.

“Uh, Twi? What are you doing? You good?” Rainbow asked trepidly.

“Feels like the mushroom got stuck on its way down.” Twilight frowned. “But whatever. How did you know you were at the top of the list?”

The two ponies talked as they finished their meals, Twilight fidgeting restlessly and constantly rubbing her stomach the whole time. Rainbow Dash poked through the dessert menu, seeing nothing that interested her. She handed it over to Twilight, who flipped it over and immediately brightened up.

“They have strawberry cheesecake? Oh yes! I love that stuff!”

“Well then let’s get some!” Rainbow smiled, waving down a waitress.

“Good evening, how may I help you?” The waitress greeted Rainbow and Twilight.

“Good evening!” Twilight chirped. “Can we get two slices of strawberry cheesecake and the bill, please?”

“Of course princess, they should be out in a few minutes.”

Rainbow Dash let out a small chuckle, seeing Twilight excitedly shuffling in her chair. “What’s got you so excited?”

“Whenever Shiny came home from guard training he'd always take me out to go get strawberry cheesecake from this one place in Canterlot. Having it brings me back to those days.” Twilight grinned.

“Aw, that’s cute, an excited little Twily filly.” Rainbow smirked, enjoying the blush that spread across Twilight’s face.

“D-don’t call me that, it’s embarrassing!” Twilight weakly protested, before snapping up to attention, unconsciously rubbing her stomach. “Is that it there?”

Just as Twilight thought, the same waitress came back with two slices of cheesecake and a receipt scribbled on a piece of parchment.

“That’ll be 37 bits, princess.” The waitress said.

“Oh no problem at al-” Twilight froze, reaching for the saddlebags that she wasn’t wearing. She slowly turned and fixed Rainbow Dash with a horrified look. Neither of them had brought any bits.

The waitress chuckled. “It’s not a problem princess, we don’t do this except for high ranking ponies, but if you just sign your name we can take care of everything.”

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed the quill from the tray with her mouth, raising eyebrows from both Rainbow and the waitress. She signed her name with a flourish, grabbed the plate off the tray, and joyfully scooped out a piece of the cheesecake, jamming the spoon into her mouth, and melting a little bit as the taste caressed her tongue.

Twilight’s pupils instantly shrank, and her whole face screwed up as her body gave a sudden shudder. She felt bile making its way up her throat.

With a violent shudder, Twilight emptied her stomach’s contents onto the table, flecks landing on both Rainbow Dash and the waitress, as well as both desserts. Instantly her eyes shot wide open in an expression of panic.

“O-oh Celestia I’m so sorry! I just…”

Twilight was interrupted as another wave of nausea hit her. She clapped one hoof over her muzzle and the other around her stomach, gaze flickering between the shell shocked waitress and Rainbow Dash. Her eyes started watering up.

“Oh my gosh Twilight, are you okay?” Rainbow asked, jumping off her chair and rushing to Twilight’s side.

Twilight raised her hoof slightly off her face, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry, I just wanted… I just… I’m so sorry!” Twilight dismounted the chair and galloped away, pushing open the door to the bathroom and disappearing from sight.

“I… I’m just gonna… I’ll be right back!” Rainbow mumbled out to the waitress, trotting into the bathroom to find Twilight.

“Twi?” Rainbow called out. “You in here?”

“Go away.” Twilight called back with a strangled sob. “I just wanted a nice dinner and I… I ruined everything!”

Pinpointing the source of the sound, Rainbow tried opening the door to the stall. It wouldn’t budge. Letting out a small sigh, Rainbow Dash crawled underneath the stall to see Twilight spread eagled on the floor, her wings draped out and her right cheek resting on the floor. Her eyes clenched as she held back body-wracking sobs.

“Oh Twilight c’mon, you’re getting your feathers and fur all dirty, come on up.” Rainbow Dash hooked hooves around Twilight’s shoulders, pulling her up and laying a wing around her so she leaned on Rainbow’s side. Twilight didn’t try and resist, just stayed limp.

“You didn’t ruin everything, I’ll bet-” Rainbow was cut off as Twilight let out a violent shudder, her eyes snapping open and her pupils shrinking to pinpricks. She pushed off from Dash’s barrel, grabbing the sides of the toilet and vomited into the bowl, her whole body convulsing as more sour sweat broke out across her back, soaking Rainbow’s coat. The stench of half-digested rice and mushroom punched Rainbow in the nose. Rainbow’s eyes clenched and ears flattened as she breathed through her mouth, her stomach muscles clamping down to keep her own dinner in place, instead of spewed over Twilight’s mane.

“Yes I did!” Twilight blubbered, tears silently falling down her face. “I just wanted to take you out for a special night to show you how much I appreciated you and… and I ruined everything!”

The two mares sat in silence for a few moments until Twilight felt Rainbow Dash lean into her. Twilight felt something soft and warm press against her cheek and break contact with a soft -mwah-. She felt Rainbow Dash then lean away from her again.

Twilight’s head whirled around, her jaw dropping comically.

“D-did... Did you j-j-just…”

“You know Twilight, this may not be the best first date I’ve ever been on, but it’s definitely the most memorable.” Rainbow Dash smiled.

“D-date… You mean you knew? All along?”

“Yes.” Rainbow booped her nose. “I did.”

“And you still agreed to come? But.. w-why?”

“Well, Twilight,” Rainbow smiled bigger. “We both know I’m not the best with feelings and junk, but after I figured out you had a crush on me, which I totally didn’t need Applejack’s help with, by the way… I did some thinking. And while I’ve never been into into somebody before, I’ve come to realize I see you differently than I see everyone else. I mean that cute little grin of yours, that excited squeal and little wing flaps you do whenever something really excites you, just… the sort of calm, happy aura you always seem to be giving out… I really liked those. And I really liked being close to you and hanging out and talking with you. It made me feel all warm inside."

“So… while I don’t know what exactly this is. If it’s just like puppy l-love or whatever, but if you’re by my side, I’m willing to try and figure it out.”

Twilight didn’t move. She didn’t even so much as blink. She wiped her mouth slowly. And then she blinked. And then she blinked again, and suddenly Rainbow found herself pulled into a tight hug as Twilight collapsed against her, a blissful smile on her face. Rainbow leaned down and gently kissed the base of her horn.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

The sounds of retching filled the air.

“Coming, Twi!” Rainbow called, entering her bathroom and propping up the exhausted alicorn. With no small amount of effort, Twilight made her way out into the hallway of Rainbow Dash’s home and collapsed on the nest of pillows and blankets. Rainbow left her side for a moment and placed a bowl in front of Twilight.

“Whuzzat?” Twilight muttered.

“Crushed ice. I need you to suck on these to get you some fluid. Food poisoning might suck now, but dehydration will make it way worse.”

Twilight said nothing, just lifted her head enough to grab some ice in her mouth. She felt a warm presence press against her back and felt Rainbow’s hooves pull her in close.

“Rainbow… don’t. I’m disgusting right now.” Twilight whined.

Rainbow Dash gently shushed her and laid down so the top of Twilight’s head rested in the crook of her neck.

“Not to me, Twilight. Never to me.”

It was a long night before the illness passed.

A Brief Respite

With a scream of rage, Twilight blasted him into a crater in the middle of Ponyville, and upon hearing a myriad of gasps, looked up and saw all the horrified faces. The same terrified expression he wore in his last moments. Ponies ran. She turned around to see Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, with the same terrified expression.

"Stay away from us, monster!" Rainbow said shakily, scooping up Scootaloo and flying away.

"No, wait!" Twilight called back, just in time to see Thunder Chaser reform himself and crawl out of the crater.

"You're a monster Twilight. More of a monster than me. I've never killed, you have." He sneered.

"It's not true!" Twilight blinked back tears.

"I'll never leave. I'm going to haunt you forever!" Fully reformed, Thunder lunged at her.

Twilight shut her eyes tightly and brought up her hooves to her face to shield herself from the attack, but it never came.

"Twilight Sparkle." Another voice, the voice of a very familiar mare called to her. Snapping her eyes open, Twilight wasn’t in the middle of Ponyville anymore. She seemed to be in… Golden Oak library.

A pang of sorrow shot through Twilight as she remembered this place in all its glory. But it was nice to be back. It reminded her of the good old days when the biggest problems she had was not having enough tickets to the Gala to go with all her friends, or the time she, Rarity, and Applejack were stuck inside in the middle of a vicious thunderstorm.

Twilight dropped back onto all fours, and upon immediately recognizing the mare, ran to her and pulled her into a hug.

"Princess Luna! I'm so glad to see you!"

"I must apologize Twilight, I know you've been having nightmares for some time now, but it was only tonight you dream called to me." Luna stated solemnly. "You're afraid of what will happen to you now that you have a body count."

"I... I lost control and killed one of my own subjects, Luna. I've been a princess for barely a year and I've already messed everything up! You and Celestia haven't done that and you've ruled for millenium!"

"And what makes you so sure we haven't?"

Twilight stared up at Luna, wide eyed. "You mean... you've taken a life too? But... you're so powerful! And the Elements!"

"The Elements have not always existed, Twilight." Luna replied. "Starswirl did plant the seed for the Tree of Harmony when we were relatively young, but we still had to defend Equestria before the Elements came to be.

"I... cannot say it gets easier. I still sometimes see the faces of the fallen when I close my eyes. Some were truly good ponies who had just been led down a shadowy path. Some were evil through and through. But you have to live with it anyway."

Luna paused for a moment, then resumed. "Twilight, do you know what Celestia and I are proudest of when it comes to you?"

Twilight slowly shook her head. "The fact that I... became an alicorn?"

"No." Luna smiled. "Although that is up there. What we're most proud of is you turning morally… dark ponies good. Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer, even myself. You may not realize it, but you may have potentially saved their lives. Sure, Celestia and I usually just turn our enemies to stone now, but if we had the ability to do what you already have when we were younger... We'd be a lot less haunted by our pasts."

Twilight stood there, jaw dropped and ears flattened against her skull.

"I... I'm so sorry. I didn't know you two had that problem. In the entire time I've known Celestia..."

"She never told you. Yes. To be perfectly honest Twilight, aside from Tia, you're the only other pony alive that knows. We've done a good job striking any record of our killings from the history books." Twilight flinched at that last sentence.

"Lean on your friends and family. I know they all love you very much, your friend Rainbow Dash in a very different way though.” Luna winked as Twilight's cheeks grew red. "We were all waiting for you two. Congratulations, by the way. Now we just want to stand by and watch your relationship blossom, although I do have to say, judging by some of your dreams you're already thinking pretty far ahead. Your dreams are so... vanilla though. Rainbow Dash's are more interesting. And typically involve more leather and whips."

"P-Princess! How did you-" Twilight gawked at Luna who started laughing raciously.

"I jest with you, Twilight. I do not enter dreams but to stop nightmares. Although you did more or less just confirm you do have those sorts of dreams."

Twilight's cheeks burned. "You're mean."

Luna stopped laughing with a hearty sigh and a smile. "I'm so telling Tia about that." Ignoring the horrified expression on Twilight's face, she continued. "But my message remains the same. Lean on your friends. Each and every one of them would go out of their way to help you. Even your friend Applejack."

Twilight blinked. "How did you know..."

Luna averted her eyes. "Applejack has also been struggling with nightmares, Twilight Sparkle. Most of them being about... well... you."

Twilight's ears drooped and her lower lip trembled. "Applejack's having nightmares about me? I mean... I knew what I did was maybe intimidating but... my own friends are scared of me?"

Luna sank to her haunches and invited Twilight to sit next to her. "I'm confident that while awake she realizes you would never harm her. But maybe... maybe it's time you and her had a talk."

Twilight sighed, sitting beside Luna and leaning on her, seeking her comfort and warmth.

"I don't think it's that easy. The night I... killed him, Applejack and her brother were a bit too rough with Scootaloo. Big Mac terrified her, and Applejack triggered a PTSD episode for her. I don't think I can just... forgive that. Not any time soon. What... What do I do?" She stared up at the older alicorn.

"Tell Discord they made Fluttershy cry and sic him on them." Luna suggested.

Twilight frowned at her.

"I'm being serious here, Luna."

"Then sic Starlight Glimmer on them. She's a mixed bag, you never know what you'll get. And if she runs out of ideas, she can just take their cutie marks." Luna smirked.

"Luna!"

"Oh very well Twilight. You and Tia are the same, never any fun. The wounds will take time to heal, but I suggest you speak with her. You both could stand to have a little understanding of the situation from each other. Then decide from there."

Twilight gave Luna a small smile.

"I will, thank you."

"Now," Luna got up and stretched. "I'm burning moonlight. Do think back on our words when you wake, and I do hope I was of service."

"Wait, Luna! One more thing!" Twilight called out.

"Yes, Twilight Sparkle?" Luna smiled.

"That thing with me and Rainbow Dash only happened last night. How did you already know about it?"

"Cadence." Luna tittered. “I may have extraordinary power over dreams, but if somebody Cadance cares about cements a relationship, she’ll sense it."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Of course."

Luna just smiled as she, along with the dream, faded away into nothingness. Twilight's eyes snapped open to find herself still in Rainbow Dash's house, still out in the makeshift nest right outside the bathroom door, with Rainbow Dash herself snuggling tightly with her.

Twilight smiled. Luna was right, she did have ponies she could count on. She had Rainbow Dash, and that's all that mattered in the world right now. She shifted so she was facing Rainbow, kissed the top of her muzzle, and went back to sleep, safe in the hooves of the most important pony in her life.

Author's Note

This is just a short little fluff chapter because by god does Twilight need one. Big chapter comes up next!

Paroxysm

Rainbow Dash woke up to the sun shining, birds singing, and the face of the purple alicorn in her hooves staring lovingly into Rainbow Dash’s eyes with a serene smile on her face.

“Good morning, sleepy.” Twilight gently nuzzled Dash’s muzzle with a smile.

“Twi,” Rainbow Dash yawned, stretching out her legs and then putting them right back across Twilight. “How are you feeling?”

“Well…” Twilight's smile grew wilder. “I just had the most embarrassing moment of my life, and then perhaps the best. I don’t feel sick anymore if that’s what you mean.”

“It was.” Rainbow Dash replied, pulling Twilight closer and closing her eyes with a happy sigh.

“Hey uh… Rainbow?” Twilight asked. Rainbow opened her eyes and gazed blearily at Twilight, whose ears were currently flattened against her skull and her eyes looking away. “Could you… do that thing you did to me last night again?”

Rainbow blinked, thinking hard about what Twilight meant. Rainbow Dash did lots of things last night.

“Oh!” Rainbow’s eyes widened. “This?”

Rainbow Dash planted a soft kiss at the base of Twilight’s horn. Twilight let out a small squeal and buried her face in Rainbow’s chest fluff. Rainbow bit her lip to prevent herself from ‘aww’ing out loud.

“Hey Twi?” She asked.

“Yes, Rainbow?” Twilight answered, voice muffled by the fluff.

“You’re cute.”

Twilight let out another small squee and nuzzled Rainbow’s breast. She resurfaced for air and stared straight into Rainbow’s eyes, gently resting her head so their noses almost touched.

“Hey Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah?”

“You’re a stud.” Twilight lowered her voice for the ‘ud’ part, her blush ruining all chances she had at attempting to look suave.

“You,” Rainbow Dash gently pulled Twilight’s head closer with a forehoof, stopping just so their noses barely touched. Twilight’s blush deepened. “Are absolutely right.”

Twilight felt an insane urge to kiss Rainbow on the lips right then and there. They were not even two inches apart. Twilight could feel Rainbow’s hot breath brushing past her lips. But no, she told herself, it was too soon. Soon, but not now.

“So we’re really doing this, huh?” Rainbow grinned.

“We really are, Dashie.” Twilight grinned back. “But uh… what do we do now?”

“Um... well what time is it?”

Twilight thought for a moment. “I’d say probably about one in the afternoon.”

“Hm.” Rainbow stated.

“Hm?” Twilight responded.

“Well,” Rainbow Dash hesitated. “We should probably go pick up Scoots. And then… do you want to tell her?”

“I think I do.” Twilight smiled, pushing their noses even farther together. Then, after a moment’s pause, lifted her head and kissed Rainbow’s forehead. Rainbow felt her cheeks flush. “But first let’s cuddle for a few more minutes.”

“That’s something I can definitely get behind.”

“So what was the big news that had to wait until we got home?” Scootaloo asked, bouncing around and excitedly buzzing her wings.

Rainbow snuck a wing around Twilight and pulled her closer. “Are you ready to tell her?” She whispered. Twilight nodded.

“Scootaloo, your mother and I are...” Rainbow paused as Scootaloo stared at them with a giant smile, completely rapt. Rainbow decided to throw caution to the winds and leaned into Twilight, giving her a peck on the cheek, before pulling away and looking back at Scootaloo.

Scootaloo’s jaw dropped as she sank to haunches. Rainbow could almost hear the gears grinding in her head.

“You two are…” Scootaloo trailed off, staring wide eyed between Twilight and Rainbow.

“We’re together!” Twilight giggled. “As of last night! And you’re the first one we wanted to tell!”

Scootaloo’s shocked expression slowly morphed into a manic grin. “YES!” She screamed, throwing herself between the mares and pulling them into a hug, which both Twilight and Rainbow were happy to return.

“Ooh! What happened? I bet it was the best night ever!” Scootaloo squeed.

Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other before both bursting out in laughter.

“Oh Celestia no. It was awful!” Twilight wiped her eyes.

“Wha, but… I don’t understand.” Scootaloo frowned.

“Can I tell her?” Rainbow bit her lip to stop herself from grinning like a madmare.

Twilight smiled and nodded, resting her head on Rainbow’s shoulder.

“Wellll…” Rainbow started. “It all started when Twilight spilled her wine all over herself while trying to look cool.”

“Hey!” Twilight interjected. “I was so not trying to look cool!”

Rainbow chuckled. “She was completely trying to look cool.”

Twilight lifted her head to stick her tongue out at Rainbow, before resting her head on Rainbow’s shoulder and smiling again.

“Anyway, Twilight decided to get some mushroom ricotta.-”

“Risotto.”

“Mushroom ricotta.” Rainbow continued. “And soon she starts saying she feels sick. She keeps looking more and more uncomfortable as the dinner continues, and eventually we go to order dessert, and…” Rainbow trailed off, letting the dramatic tension build. Scootaloo’s pupils grew as she leaned forward, still smiling widely. “She tossed cookies all over the dessert, the table, the waitress and me. Turned out she had gotten food poisoning.”

Scootaloo shoved a hoof in her mouth to keep from giggling.

“And then she ran and hid in the bathroom. So me, being the awesome, empathetic, awesome, and awesome pony I am, I followed her and comforted her. She ended up admitting it was a date the whole time. And I, totally already knowing that, told her she was about a subtle as a slow motion train wreck. And then I…” Rainbow felt her cheeks getting pink. “I told her I liked her too. Then we came back here, she spent half the night leaning over the porcelain throne, and then we came and got you.”

By this time, Scootaloo had a star struck expression. She tightened the hug on the two mares.

“What about you, sweetie? How was your sleepover?” Twilight crooned, running a hoof through Scootaloo’s mane.

“Oh it was awesome! We had this really fancy dinner and DT got us to try caviar, which turned out being fish eggs. They were really salty too.” Scootaloo stuck her tongue out. “Then we played games the rest of the night. We went only a couple rounds of Monopoly, ‘cause DT kept finding ways to get all the railroads and bled us dry. She said she was playing the game of ‘attrition’ or something. Then we tried some other things. Turns out Applebloom and Silver Spoon both get really competitive, even in friendly games. So when they were inevitably the only two left the rest of us just kinda made fun of how worked up they got. It was great! Ever since Spoiled Milk left Diamond Tiara is so nice!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Scoot.” Twilight smiled, running a hoof down her withers. “You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?”

“I mean… I call you ‘mom’ half the time, so I don’t really think I could say something against that even if I did care.” Scootaloo chucked.

The three sat there in a companionable silence until Scootaloo got bored. “So what now?” She asked.

Twilight frowned and looked at Rainbow. “Well…” She trailed off. “I saw Luna in my dream last night and… she told me to talk to Applejack.”

The smiles instantly disappeared from both Scootaloo’s and Rainbow Dash’s face.

“No!” Scootaloo squeaked. “I’m not going to see her!”

Rainbow’s face contorted into a silent snarl, fire burning in her eyes.

“You can stay here, Scoot.” Rainbow hissed. “I’m going with Twilight.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight was taken aback. “Cal-”

“I’m not going to calm down. You saw and heard what Applejack did to Scootaloo.”

The mares didn’t move for several moments, eyes locked on each other. Twilight desperately wanted to tell Rainbow to stay home, her unabated anger was just going to make things worse, but she couldn't. She didn’t want to risk their brand new relationship on this.

“Pinkie Promise me you won’t hurt her?” Twilight finally asked.

“I can’t just…”

Twilight lowered her head, stuck out her bottom lip, and made her best attempt at puppy eyes. She saw Rainbow wither instantly.

“Well… okay.” Rainbow managed, crossing her hoof in a X in front of her breast and then covering her left eye with it, frowning. She walked past Twilight, unable to help but brush against her side just a little. “Let’s get this over with.”

The fly over to the farm hadn’t done much to calm Rainbow down. In fact the closer they got to it, the higher Rainbow’s hackles raised, and the harder she was gritting her teeth.

Twilight spotted Big Mac and Applejack bucking trees in the same clearing, and flew down to see them.

“Applejack!” Twilight called out.

The cowpony peered into the sky, smiling as she saw Twilight. Her smile lessened when she spotted Rainbow. It disappeared entirely as she saw the look on Rainbow’s face.

“Mornin’ Twi, Dash. What can I do for y’all?” Applejack walked up to them.

“Well…” Twilight started out awkwardly, having been more focused on Rainbow Dash than how to initiate conversation. “I thought after all that happened recently, we should talk. I wanted to thank you for all you did that night. I don’t want to think what could have happened if you weren’t there.”

“Aw shucks, weren’t no thang.” Applejack smiled, wiping her brow. “To be honest, Rarity was actually doing a much better job than I’d have expected. Couple of rocks and apples magically sent into the temple? I’m surprised she only took one out. Got a new respect for that pony now.”

Twilight chuckled. “You can say that again. Anyways, while I’m here I just wanted to check if my actions… had any auxiliary effects.”

Catching sight of the scene, Big Mac strutted over the mares, a bit concerned for Applejack’s sake. This was made worse when Rainbow Dash glared at him with a look of pure hatred.

Rainbow Dash had never had much of a stance on Big Mac, never really having spoken to him much. Staring at his large form, Rainbow Dash wondered if Scootaloo had downplayed how much Big Mac had hurt her.

Applejack shot up an eyebrow at Twilight. “Aux- oh hay, Princess Luna spoke to you, didn’t she?

Twilight stared at the ground. “Yes. She did. I’m really sorry Applejack, I didn’t mean to scare you. You know I would never hurt you, or anybody else. It’s just after all he did…”

Applejack raised Twilight’s gaze to meet hers. “It’s fine, sugarcube. I won’t pretend I’m in any state to say who does and doesn’t deserve… comeuppance, but I know exactly where your heart was. And I know we’re all completely safe around you.”

“Shame we can’t say the same for you.” Rainbow Dash muttered.

Applejack locked eyes with Rainbow. “Come again, Rainbow?”

“I said,” Rainbow hissed, stalking toward Applejack. “It’s a shame we can’t say that for you. In fact, there’s a sweet, innocent filly who’s absolutely terrified of you and Big Mac. One that’s decided she never wants to see you again. An abused filly that just saw her abuser come back from the shadows and saw her protector taken out in an instant. You know what Twilight said? She wasn’t sure if I was alive when she saw me. What if Scootaloo had the same thing running through her mind?”

Rainbow found herself subconsciously taking to the air, flapping just above Applejack’s head.

“But you didn’t care. Your brute of a brother injured her when she was trying to find me, and she punched Applebloom to escape. Applebloom instantly forgave her. But YOU have the NERVE to round on a filly in the MIDDLE of a panic attack and scream at her until she triggers a PTSD episode.” Rainbow was yelling now. “You know who pulled her out of the episode? Applebloom. The entire entire reason you were screaming at her. A FOAL was more mature than you, and now whenever Scootaloo looks at you she just sees another abuser!”

Applejack removed her hat and placed it on her breast. More and more uncomfortable, Big Mac took his place at Applejack’s side.

“Rainbow, I told you this right before you picked Scootaloo up, why are you so much angrier now?”

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and landed. “Because of him-” She pointed her hoof at Big Mac. “And because I had to listen to one of the most important parts of my life sob uncontrollably while telling me how scared she is of you.” Rainbow Dash started stomping toward Applejack, an intense fire in her eyes.

“That’s enough!” Big Mac commanded, moving between the two mares, sinking to his haunches, and holding his forehooves out in a protective stance. “I think you two should leave. Now.”

Rainbow whipped around, catching sight of the nervous look on Twilight’s face. The same nervous look she had seen often on Scootaloo’s face. The filly that would likely never be able to recover fully. The poor sweet filly that was forever marred because of the heartless actions of ponies.

No. She wasn’t just gonna leave.

With a snort, she reared onto her front hooves and sent both of her hindlegs straight into Big Mac’s diaphragm. The stallion let out a wheeze and fell onto his back.

“Rainbow!” Twilight gasped.

“That was for Scootaloo.” Rainbow spat. “Not so fun when the horseshoe is on the other hoof, huh?

“That was too far Rainbow!” Applejack yelled, getting in Rainbow’s face and pushing her back. ”I get you're upset, but you don’t get to hurt my family!”

But it was too late. The line had been crossed. Something inside Rainbow had snapped.

“AND YOU” Rainbow screamed in Applejack’s face, forcefully grabbing her and taking off, soaring into the air. “DON’T GET TO HURT MINE.”

“Rainbow, no!” Twilight cried.

Rainbow Dash watched as all the color drained from Applejack’s face as she looked down. They were easily a hundred feet in the air. Applejack looked back at Rainbow, no longer angry. She looked… was that fear in her eyes?

At this point the adrenaline had started wearing off, and Rainbow started realizing what she had just done. Her pupils shrank and her ears flattened against her head. As Applejack looked down again she started shaking, wrapping her forehooves tightly around Rainbow Dash. Applejack’s breathing picked up exponentially.

“Oh my… I’m sorry. I…” Rainbow muttered, descending and touching hoof on the grass, letting go of Applejack, who instantly stumbled backwards. “I…”

Applejack was still white as a ghost. Rainbow’s bottom lip quivered and her eyes misted. She turned tail and flew away as fast as she could.

“Rainbow!” Twilight called after her. “Wait!”

It had been an hour. An hour since Rainbow had crossed the line. An hour since she threatened, and nearly ended one of her best friend’s lives. She was still shaking.

Rainbow had flown off and found perhaps the last place she wanted to find on the farm. The Crusader clubhouse. The same place where Scootaloo had ended up living after she ran away, too scared to ask anybody for help. Too scared to ask her for help. She had failed as a sister. And now she was flying off the handle, and had probably scared Twilight. She had failed as a… whatever Twilight and Rainbow Dash were. Scootaloo would probably now be afraid of Dash too now. She had failed as a mother. And had probably made Scootaloo’s problems worse.

Rainbow Dash let out a wet sniffle as she felt a tear run down her cheek. She had failed as a pony. All she needed to do was to keep a naturally happy filly happy, and be there for her friend as she dealt with the moral rebounds of taking the life of literal garbage.

She had everything she could have wanted just two hours ago, and she had ruined them all.

“Rainbow?”

Rainbow’s ears pivoted to the sound. She slowly turned her head to see Twilight. She was biting her lower lip, eyebrows knitted together in concern.

Rainbow Dash didn’t deserve concern.

“Let me guess.” Rainbow snorted and wiped her nose, turning away from the alicorn. “You’re here to tell me we’re done. I screwed up too badly.”

There was a moment of silence, then Rainbow felt a pair of wings wrap around her. Twilight sat next to her and pulled Rainbow Dash into herself, so that Rainbow’s head was resting on her breast.

“No. Never. Why would you think that?” Twilight whispered.

“I screwed up so badly Twilight. I… I could have killed Applejack! I was mad but that was way too far! And I hurt Big Mac and I scared you and I....”

The floodgates burst. Rainbow threw her hooves around Twilight’s neck and started wailing. She shuddered as sobs wracked her body, slowly turning Twilight’s chest fur damp. She gripped Twilight so hard it actually started to hurt. She took a brief respite to take a couple deep breaths, then continued shivering and sobbing, wiping her nose on Twilight’s shoulder. Eventually she relaxed her grip and started sliding lower and lower on Twilight’s abdomen, until eventually the back of her head hit Twilight’s hind legs, and she was forced to look up and see Twilight’s reaction.

Rainbow Dash didn’t know what she expected, but it sure wasn’t a smile. Twilight had a half smile on her face, and her eyes showed nothing but sympathy and love.

Twilight gently brushed Rainbow’s mane out of her eyes, and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Let it all out.” She whispered.

“But… why?” Rainbow croaked. “I messed everything up. Why are you being nice to me? I almost killed Applejack. I…”

“Shh…” Twilight gently placed a hoof over Rainbow’s lips. “How often have you been an anchor for Scootaloo and me in the last… well, year? You were forced to be the perfect pony for an abused filly with PTSD and anxiety issues, and more recently, me. The princess that’s too terrified to even use magic. And you never complained. You spent that time being perfect for us, and you had all these emotions all bottled up. I’m just sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, we might have been able to avoid this.”

“Wait… you’re not angry? Or disappointed?” Rainbow’s lips trembled. “At all?”

“Oh believe me, I’m not happy that you acted the way you did. That was abhorrent and wrong. But I do understand why.”

“What about Applejack?” Rainbow asked, not at all sure she wanted to know the answer.

“She’s still shaken up. But we talked about it and she doesn’t hate you or anything. But I do think it’s gonna take a long time to mend your relationship fully. She’s waiting about half a mile back if you want to talk to her, but I won’t make you. Big Mac is okay too.”

“Are they angry?”

“Well… yes. They’re not gonna start any fights or anything like that, but like I said, it’ll take time to mend your relationship with them. They’re gonna be iffy for a while… so I think some space would do you guys good after today.” Twilight ran her hoof through Dash’s mane. “It’s a shame they don’t know the same Dashie I do.”

After a moment Rainbow clambered to her hooves, pulling Twilight into a hug.

“Twilight… I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you.”

Twilight eagerly returned the hug. “I feel the same way, Rainbow.”

Rainbow sighed into Twilight’s shoulder. “I guess I’ll go talk to Applejack now. Hopefully we can forgive each other at some point.”

As they pulled apart, Twilight studied Rainbow’s face and again had to stop herself from the intense urge to lock lips as she did. Rainbow’s eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she had tear tracks all over her face. Her fur was matted from sweat and tears. But, she had a demure smile on her face and love in her eyes.

She was beautiful.

Sharing the News

“So Dashie, how was it?” Twilight asked as she and Rainbow Dash took to the skies above Sweet Apple Acres.

Rainbow rubbed a foreleg with her other and stared at the ground. “There was more crying, a surprisingly low amount of yelling, and well… we ended in a hug. So that’s… good.”

“Oh, well that’s nice. Do you feel better?”

“I mean I’m a little embarrassed considering I broke down in front of you, Applejack, and Big Mac all within half an hour, but otherwise yeah. I uh… hope you don’t mind but…” Rainbow smiled sheepishly. “I kinda told her about us to help break the ice.”

Twilight frowned. “How did she take it?”

“Surprisingly well. I think she realized I was assuming that she was a little y’know, old fashioned and would think it’s wrong, but she just said…” Rainbow Dash put on a poor imitation of Applejack’s southern drawl. “‘I expect y’all are expecting me to try and lynch y’all now, but I ain’t like that. There are some gay Apples I’m mighty close with too an’ if there’s one thing I refuse to be, it’s a hypocrite. I’m right happy for y’all.’”

“Oh.” Twilight replied, somewhat surprised. “Well that’s really nice of her.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow smiled. “Even better, she promised us a cask of her extra-strong cider as a sign of goodwill! I was thinking... considering how sucky things have been recently, we could break into it today or tomorrow? You know, relax and do something that won’t give us food poisoning?”

Twilight scoffed in mock annoyance. “Am I ever gonna live that down?”

“Nope!”

Twilight chewed on her lip for a moment. “Hey Rainbow…”

“What’s up, Twi?”

“I kinda want to tell the rest of our friends. Sure, Scoot and Applejack know, but Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie, Spike, and Starlight don’t. Would you be okay with talking to them? Kinda… get it out of the way?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “The only one I was really worried about talking to was Applejack, so I don’t see why not. As long as we can convince Pinkie not to throw a party. I don’t really think Ponyville will care, but if a princess is going to announce something like that, it should be her announcing it, and probably not before twenty four hours into the relationship.”

Twilight clicked her tongue. “Yes, I can agree with that. I can send them all some invitations and we can meet them in the castle library this evening?”

Rainbow tapped her chin. “In that case I’ll go see about getting that cask from Applejack.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “You’re so predictable, Dashie.”

Six ponies and one dragon sat in the library of Twilight’s castle. Rainbow Dash and Twilight in front of the grand fireplace, and the other five jumbled in front of them.

“So what’s this big surprise you had for all of us?” Starlight asked.

“Is it a big pile of gems?!” Spike questioned.

“Spike, dear, I don’t think she would call all of us if it was a surprise for you.” Rarity fluttered her eyelashes as Spike, who swooned.

“Is it a monster attack? O-o-or a surprise party? Oh please say it’s a party!” Pinkie began hopping, before giving out a sharp gasp. “Did one of you get the other pregnant? I want to see Dashie with a baby bump!”

“Pinkie… mares can’t get each other pregnant.” Rainbow stated matter of factly.

“No, you totally can!” Pinkie replied.

“Actually… she’s right, Rainbow. Scientists found a way to extract stem cells from bone marrow and turn it into sperm cells with chemicals and vitamins.” Twilight stated hesitantly. “But that can only produce fillies and has a very high chance of birth defects.”

Rainbow Dash looked between the two serious expressions of Twilight and Pinkie, before finally resting her gaze on Pinkie.

“Neither of us are pregnant, Pinkie. What we were gonna actually say is… well…”

Rainbow gazed softly at Twilight, a small smile on her lips.

“You ready?” She whispered to Twilight. Twilight responded with a small nod.

Rainbow moved forward to softly kiss Twilight on the cheek, but paused as she felt two hooves strongly grip her chin and pull her forward, finding her own lips meeting the soft warm feeling of Twilight’s lips.

Rainbow’s eyes shot open and her pupils shrank with a soft gasp. She felt her wings suddenly flare out.

And as soon as it started, it was over. Twilight pulled back, staring at the floor, her whole face turning red.

Meanwhile Rainbow, having been released, stumbled around for a moment, suddenly very lightheaded.

“I.. whuh? Buh?” Dash blinked. “Twi-”

“I’m sorry!” Twilight squeaked, unable to meet Dash’s gaze. “My body just kinda moved on it’s own! I’m sorry! I knew that was too fas-”

Twilight didn’t get to finish her thought as a feathery mass tackled her, pinning her the ground and pushing her lips against Twilight’s. Twilight let out a soft moan as Rainbow’s tongue forced its way into her mouth and began wrestling hers, each fighting for dominance. Still riding on the adrenaline rush, Twilight wrapped her forehooves around the back of Rainbow’s neck and pulled her in further. Rainbow mirrored the gesture. For that moment, nothing else existed to Rainbow Dash except the amazing mare in front of her.

That was until a pony to their left cleared her throat very loudly.

“Uhm, darlings, just a reminder before you two get too frisky, you are right in front of a crowd. Do we need to leave?”

Rainbow Dash pulled back, a trail of saliva still connecting their mouths. Rainbow Dash’s face had turned as red as Twilight’s. She politely offered a hoof to Twilight to help her up, which Twilight took with a trembling hoof.

Rainbow shakily looked up to see the expressions on her friend’s faces. Pinkie’s wild grin threatened to split her face in two. She was shaking in excitement. Rarity wore a perturbed expression, her own cheeks tinting pink. Fluttershy was trying to hide in her own mane, her own wings flared out. Starlight had her mouth covered with a hoof, trying not to laugh, and Spike pretended to retch.

“So… I’ll take it your announcement was that you and Twilight have become… an item?” Rarity asked slowly, the corners of her mouth pulling into a ghost of a smile.

“WHOHOO” Pinkie yelled. “FINALLY! TWIDASH FOREVER!” She pulled her party cannon out of thin air and detonated it, bouncing around as the confetti gave way to gravity.

“I’m so happy for you two.” Fluttershy tucked in her wings to her sides, shivering as she made eye contact with Rainbow.

“Yeah, I’m really happy for you guys too.” Starlight composed herself and smiled.

“That’s so totally awesome, you guys!” Spike exclaimed.

Rainbow had felt her jaw drop at some point, and looking from Twilight back to her friends, felt quite lost for words.

“Uhm… Yes,” Twilight spoke softly. She cleared her throat and continued in a much more confident tone. “That is why we wanted to see you five.”

“And that means Rarity owes me thirty bits!” Pinkie cheered. As everybody but Rarity turned their eyes to her, she paused in the middle of her bounce. Rarity suddenly found the curtains very interesting. Pinkie looked at her friends with a raised eyebrow and a slight frown before continuing, softly landing on the floor. “What? It was obvious. It’s not my fault Rarity can’t read ponies like I can. Like that fact that at least one of them is crazy about being bound up in chains!"

Twilight and Rainbow immediately found a new interest in the floor right in front of them, wings flared as they jumbled over their words about how ridiculous that idea was.

“Yes, well, Pinkie dear, I’m sure they didn’t call us here for us to embarrass them.” Rarity coughed daintily, before peering around the room. “ I do notice a strong absence of Applejack. Did you already tell her or are you three still… ah… at ends?”

“We’ve uh… mostly fixed that.” Rainbow muttered, gazing at Rarity. “But yeah… it might have already come out to her.”

“You told APPLEJACK,” Pinkie jumped over to Rainbow Dash and started shaking her. “Before US?! You could have invited all of us! I could have thrown a party! Why Dashie? WHYYYY?”

Pinkie sunk to the floor dramatically, still holding on to Rainbow.

“It’s a bit of a long story.” Twilight answered. Rainbow sunk to her haunches and gazed at the floor to her left with a trembling lower lip.

Twilight walked over to her and placed a comforting wing around her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. “I don’t think Rainbow is really up to telling it right now.”

Pinkie hopped back and jumped back to beside Fluttershy. “Okie Doki Loki! But can we hear it later? I love stories!”

Rainbow leaned against Twilight and thought for a moment. “To be honest guys, I’d rather just forget that whole thing happened. So uh… please don’t ask. I still feel terrible about the whole thing.”

“Oh dear… we won’t pry, but is there anything we can do to help?” Rarity quiered.

Rainbow didn’t answer. Twilight wrapped her forehoof around Dash’s neck and brought her in closer. “Maybe just help us bring in the cider and two mugs? I think it’s going to be a long night.”

Rarity nodded and left the room.

Twilight turned to Pinkie. “And no parties.”

Pinkie deflated. “Not even a ‘Dashie and Twilight got together’ party?”

“No.”

“A ‘best purple pony princess came out as gay’ party?”

“Pinkie, no.”

“A ‘Dashie and Twi are totally banging now’ party?”

“Pinkie…”

“Ooh! How about an orgy?! I’ll bring whips and chains just for you two!”

“PINKIE!” Rainbow and Twilight chorused.

A Night In

Scootaloo woke, her mouth feeling more akin to a desert than an actual mouth. With an exasperated groan she kicked the covers off her, rolling out of bed. As the chill of the room assaulted her coat, she reached up and yanked one of the blankets off the bed, throwing it around her shoulders and blearily tying it around her neck.

She slowly pushed open her door, freezing and wincing instinctually as the hinges squealed softly, and gazed out into the dark hallway outside her room.

She quietly trotted out into the hallway, determined to make no sound. The bathroom was just three doors down and to the left. Scootaloo sighed and shouldered her way into the bathroom, picking up the stool Twilight had bought for her in front of the sink, and pulled herself up onto it, fumbling with the faucet’s knobs.

After sating her thirst, Scootaloo turned the knobs the other way, shutting off the water flow. She padded back over to the door, slipping through it. She gave off a small grunt of annoyance. She was fully awake at this point. That was gonna make going to sleep even harder to do.

She rubbed her eyes with the side of a hoof, letting out a yawn. She briefly wondered if Twilight or Dash would be up for reading her a bedtime story, before quickly dismissing that idea. She’d already stated she was old enough to not need one, and both Twilight and Rainbow were probably already fast asleep.

She yawned again and then picked up the faint sound of voices. Her ears pivoting toward the noise, she listened in. It was a familiar voice, and it was laughing. It was a laugh that could only belong to Rainbow Dash.

Curious, Scootaloo followed the sound of laughter, soon hearing Twilight’s laugh as well. Scootaloo followed the voices down the hall and to the right, stopping outside the library. Peeking inside she saw a roaring fire in the fireplace, and what looked like two ponies piled over each other on the couch. Scootaloo cautiously approached the side of the couch, seeing Dash laying down on it normally and Twilight draped over her haphazardly.

“There’s no way you can solve a Rubik’s cube without any of the algorithms!” Twilight giggled, pawing at Rainbow’s face.

“Is so!” Rainbow boasted. “And I don’t even know what those are!”

Twilight leaned in close to Rainbow’s face, fur brushing against fur ever so gently as Twilight gave her an unintentional nuzzle. She whispered into Rainbow’s ear.

“Teach me.”

“Hmmmm.” Rainbow tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’ll do it for a price.”

“Name it.” Twilight breathed.

“Give me a kiss.”

And in the next moment their lips met. All Scootaloo could hear was the sound of quick, slightly labored breaths as the two mares she had come to see as parents silently communicated their love. Scootaloo felt somewhere between giddy and grossed out.

Twilight pulled out of the kiss, panting slightly.

“You’re unfairly good at that, cutie.” Rainbow simpered, giving Twilight a peck on the nose.

“A little more drink and I’ll show you some other talents.” Twilight winked.

Wait, drink?

Like alcohol drinking?!

Are they drunk?!

No! Dear Celestia no! Why would they do this?!

Scootaloo let out an unintentional squeak and froze in place, hoping they hadn’t heard. A moment later she saw Rainbow’s and Twilight’s heads poking over the side of the couch.

“Scoot? What are you doing up? Did you have a bad dream?” Rainbow asked, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

“Oh no, I, uh…”

They’re good ponies.

Nobody is gonna get hurt.

“I went to get a drink of water and I heard voices.” Scootaloo managed. “Is uh… are you two… are we all gonna be okay?”

There’s nothing to worry about… I’m just being ridiculous. Right?

“Why wouldn’t we b-” Twilight’s eyes fixed on Scootaloo, looking very unfocused. “Oh. Oh honey, are you worried because we’re drinking?”

Scootaloo looked to the side and slowly nodded.

“No need to worry, champ.” Rainbow smiled. “We aren’t gonna do anything stupid or hurt each other.”

“Oh I don’t know…” Twilight purred into Rainbow’s ear. “I might just have to kiss you to death.”

Twilight started nibbling on Rainbow’s ear and Rainbow’s wings shot straight out. Scootaloo couldn’t understand why, she doubted Rainbow could fly like that, especially with Twilight on top of her.

“Ahaheaeahe Twilight, take it down a peg, there’s a foal here!” Rainbow protested, face turning bright pink. Rainbow turned back around to face Scootaloo as Twilight started kissing her way down the side of Rainbow’s face, eventually ending up under her chin and nuzzling it with her cheek. Rainbow’s eyes fluttered as she nuzzled back. “But uh… yeah, kiddo. We aren’t gonna be doing anyTHI-” Rainbow gave off a gasp and a soft eep as Twilight rolled off of Rainbow and landed on her back, worming her way under Rainbow. “...anything except cuddle and flirt.”

Twilight poked her head back over the side of the couch, regarding Scootaloo while upside down. “I understand your reservations dear, but you have to realize not many ponies are actually angry drunks. Rainbow and I are happy drunks!”

“Twi’s also a really cuddly drunk.” Rainbow grinned, kissing a line from the top of Twilight’s muzzle to the tip of her horn. Twilight giggled madly, throwing her forehooves around Rainbow’s neck and pulling her in close.

“Can you blame me? Look at yourself! You’re amazing and adorable and awesome! I just want to hug and snuggle and love you forever!” Twilight kissed Rainbow’s cheek before slyly grinning. “Isn’t that right, Pookie?”

Rainbow’s face broke out into a furious blush. “I asked you not to call me that around anybody else!”

Twilight giggled. “Don’t lie. You love it when I call you that. Don’t you, Pookie?”

Rainbow averted her gaze. “...maybe.”

“Scootaloo.” Twilight rested the back of her neck on the couch arm again, looking at Scootaloo upside-down again, but this time with a much more serious expression. “I don’t know how to assuage your fears, but if you’re concerned about us hurting each other or you, you can stay here or with Spike. Remember Spike is just down the hall, and you know your big brother is always gonna keep you safe. Drunk or not, neither of us are messing with a fire breathing dragon.”

I mean… she’s right. And from my experiences, drunk ponies are usually really uncoordinated so I could beat them to Spike’s room.

Plus, they’re Twilight and Rainbow. I… I know they’re not going to get violent… but…

“If I um… stay here, it won’t ruin your night?” Scootaloo shivered subconsciously.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Rainbow laughed. “No matter how hard this crazy purple mare and I want to snuggle, you’re always gonna be our number one priority. We knew that when we adopted you and I know neither of us have regretted that decision. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and make yourself comfortable by the fire. Just don’t be surprised when your mom and I start making out.”

“What an idea~” Twilight cooed, pushing her lips against Rainbow’s with a soft moan. Her forehooves moved from the back of Rainbow’s neck to the back of her head and halfway down her back.

Ew.

Scootaloo padded over to the area between the couch and the fire, picking up one of the discarded cushions from the couch and using it as a pillow. She untied the blanket from around her neck and got to work tucking herself in, facing the fire and closing her eyes.

Scootaloo didn’t know how long it was. Might have been a matter of minutes, might have been an hour, she might have even fallen asleep and woken back up; but from behind her sleepy brain picked up the sound of a body hitting the floor behind her.

She instantly sprang to her hooves, fully awake.

Oh nononononono something happened. One got violent and one got hurt. Oh Celestia I need to find help. Spike! I just need to find Spike!

Scootaloo whipped her head around, adrenaline pumping hard in her veins, to see the damage. Instead of seeing one pony standing over the other, she spotted Twilight and Rainbow both half on the couch and half on the floor. Rainbow was above Twilight, pulling her into a hug as she peppered Twilight’s face with kisses. Twilight was laughing hysterically, stopping momentarily to catch her breath.

They… They’re not… hurting each other. But I always thought alcohol made you aggressive. Are they really… okay? Nobody is in danger?

It’s kinda like what Doctor Kind Mind said. Maybe I’ve been looking at the world through tinted glasses and… and these two are gonna show me that some things… some ideas I’ve been holding onto are just… not something I have to worry about anymore.

Maybe I am safe now…

With that thought in mind, Scootaloo tucked herself back in, and let the dulcet sounds of the two best ponies she knew lure her to sleep with a sweet smile on her face.

Author's Note

I know it's been a long time since I updated. Sorry. I can't promise I will fix that, since I'm now back on days, and I'm stuck doing editing shit, and actually having a social life...

I'll do my best to update once a week though.

Setting Limits

Ugh.

My head feels like Tirek used it as a punching bag.

Twilight groaned and opened one eye, instantly shutting it as an extremely bright light assaulted her eyesight. She groaned again and rolled onto her stomach, feeling around for Rainbow Dash as she tried to ignore the feeling of wanting to throw up.

To her surprise she found something other than Rainbow. Somebody had left a glass in front of her. Picking it up, she felt some kind of iced liquid through the glass.

Staring hard at the ground, she slowly opened one eye. What she was holding turned out to be a glass full of iced water. Peering around she noticed one next to Rainbow Dash too, who was still asleep behind her.

Twilight heard the sound of hoofsteps softly padding into the library. It turned out to be Scootaloo, and she was carrying a plate full of freshly cooked hash browns.

“Good morning Twilight.” Scootaloo chirped, setting the plate down between Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “I made some hash browns to help with the hangover. Greasy foods always help.”

Twilight smiled and sat up. “That’s really sweet of you, Scootaloo.” she picked one up and started chewing on it. “I didn’t think Spike knew how to make hash browns though. He’s never made any before.”

Scootaloo was quiet for a moment. “He doesn’t. I asked Rarity to teach me years ago because there was always less of a chance of dad hitting me if I helped him with his hangovers.”

“O-oh.” Was all Twilight could reply.

Scootaloo walked over to Twilight’s side, and after a moment of hesitation, started leaning against her.

“I’m sorry Twilight.” She stated.

Twilight drained her glass of water and peered down at the filly. “Sorry for what?”

“I… Well… to be honest ever since I was told what you did at the farm, I’ve been kind of… numb to the whole thing. But I know that it has to have been hurting you, and you’re hiding it. And I mean… the only reason we were in that situation was because of me.”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue but Scootaloo cut her off.

“Yes, I know I shouldn’t blame myself, and that it’s not actually my fault my dad is… was… the way he was, but… emotions are dumb, y’know?”

Twilight stuck a wing around Scootaloo and pulled her in, giving her a small smile. "I'm sorry you got dragged into the situation too. But I'm an adult. I can handle these things. And you and Spike and Rainbow Dash just being here for me is an enormous help. I'm just sorry I did what I did. I know you were hoping we could change him."

Scootaloo started at the floor and weakly poked at it with a hoof. She was silent for a few moments. “Why couldn’t we? You made Starlight change, why not him?”

Twilight frowned. “Starlight’s entire psychological breakdown was catalyzed by a traumatic experience as a filly. Imagine you grew up with Applebloom or Sweetie Belle for your entire life, but because one of you got a cutie mark, you never saw them again. Starlight internalized the pain, and it festered. It turned into hatred and she focused it on cutie marks. She changed because I broke her out of her flimsy pretext, and promptly gave her a support group.”

“And my dad?”

Twilight gave Scootaloo a half smile. “You’ve torn through every psychology book in this library, what do you think?”

“Well… he’s never shown sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies before the accident. He acted like a normal pony. He never really had anger issues from what I understand. Hm… could it be the accident gave him depression and he… resorted to alcohol because he was in pain? Then it just… spiraled out of control?”

“I think that’s exactly what it was.”

“So he was kind of like Auntie Luna. But like, with alcohol to hide the pain instead of the Tantabus to keep it going… because the accident wasn’t his fault?”

Twilight gave her a big smile. “I agree. You’re pretty smart, Scootaloo.”

“Twilight… could we have saved him at any point?”

Twilight was silent for a long time.

“M-maybe. Maybe if he saw a psychologist or a therapist when the drinking started he might have turned out differently.”

“So he could have turned out nice?”

“I don’t know, Scoots. I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers for you.”

Scootaloo paused for a few moments.

"I know. I'm sorry. And... I forgive you. Please try and forgive yourself."

“Wow, she’s really growing up. I’m so proud.” Rainbow smiled, having been filled in on the conversation Twilight and Scootaloo had several hours ago.

“Yeah.” Twilight smiled back. “I think she’s going to turn out to be a great pony. She’s expressed interest in the psychology field, and I think she’ll do well there.”

“Heck yeah she will! Scoots is awesome!”

“She sure is. And…”

Rainbow peered at Twilight quizzically. “And what?”

"Dashie, I've been thinking, and a proper part of a relationship is proper communication."

"Well we're communicating right now."

"That’s not what I meant."

"What, do you want me to communicate like a Diamond Dog?"

"Dash..."

“Eeeee! Me Dash. Pony is Twi! Pony dig!”

Twilight reached over and kissed Rainbow on the cheek.

"You're such a nerd."

"Yeah, but I'm your nerd."

“That’s true. But no, I meant like…”

Twilight chewed on her lip and idly tapped the table they were sitting at with a hoof.

“A lot of relationships fail because the ponies don’t have proper communication. They try to force their way through everything with just solid passion, and end up treading over each other’s hooves, and things start going wrong from there. So I think if we set some rules for each other, and try to be more open with communications, we can ensure we have a healthy relationship!”

Rainbow Dash flattened her ears and raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

Twilight hummed softly. “Like for one, no swearing in front of the kids. I know this hasn’t really been much of an issue but we know you can get worked up. And if you’re off doing some Wonderbolts… thing, a letter sent at least every three days. And I want you to try and keep your emotions in check near the kids.”

Rainbow smirked. "Alright Twi, you wanna play that game? No overnight study sessions."

"But what ab-"

"Unless Celestia explicitly tells you you have to."

"But what if-"

"No exceptions. If we're going to raise a foal together and have a healthy relationship, you're going to bed at a reasonable time, and I expect to see your cute little face next to me when I wake up. You can't be a good parent and girlfriend with no sleep."

Twilight’s heart beat a little faster as Rainbow called her Rainbow’s girlfriend.

I mean that is what we are, but still!

"...Fine. That's fair."

"And over the weekend you have to come out and be social with your friends. No more book sortications or whatever.”

Rainbow Dash tapped her chin.

"Last rule, every morning you have to pay the tax, Twi."

"What tax?"

Rainbow Dash suddenly leaned forward, pushing her lips against Twilight’s.

"That one."

"Ooh, I like that rule. Alright, in that case, we’re going to have nights where we get together and just… quietly read at least once a week, our schedules allowing. And you’re going to have to read more than just Daring Do.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Ugh, fine. But in return, we’re going flying once a week too. Not for training, just to enjoy flying itself. Aaaaand… we’re going to learn to cook.”

Twilight pretended to look hurt. “I can cook!”

Rainbow chuckled. “No you can’t Twilight. Neither of us can. We have our kids cook for us. That’s not the mark of a functional family.”

Twilight tapped her chin. “Alright, that sounds fair.”

“So uh… Twi?”

“Yes, Pookie?”

Rainbow Dash’s cheeks tinted pink.

“I… haven’t really read much outside of Daring Do. What uh… would you recommend I try next?”

Twilight grinned wildly as a sudden idea popped into her head.

“Rainbow, how do you feel about romance?”

Author's Note

I want y'all to give some love to my pre-reader and partner in crime Zharko Dark. He hasn't written yet but he promises to be a good one. Go give him a follow!

Also we passed 40k words!

Smoke on the Horizon

It was a beautiful dawn in Ponyville. The birds were quietly chirping, a gentle breeze blew through the dewy grass, and the sunrise painted the sky full of beautiful oranges and purples.

On such a beautiful morning, two ponies were up and about in the Castle of Friendship. One pony, the resident purple pony princess, was happily curled up on a couch in the library, basking in the heat of a roaring fire, reading an adventure novel. Moments later, she was joined rather unceremoniously by a cyan pegasus, who casually draped herself over the alicorn. She put her book off to the alicorn's right, threw a forehoof around the alicorn’s neck, and snuggled in.

“Agh!” Twilight yipped. “Rainbow, you startled me half to death! There’s another whole half of the couch.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow commented casually. “But you’re way more comfortable.”

“Ugh.” Twilight sighed in mock exasperation. “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”

“Oh don’t I know it.” Rainbow smirked back.

"So what are you reading, Dashie?"

"Fifty Shades of Hay."

"W-what?!"

"Yeah! Some of the things in this book look really interesting, wanna try?"

"WHAT?!"

Rainbow bit down on her lower lip, but failing to contain her exuberance, burst out into raucous, body spasming laughter.

"Chill Twi, I'm only messing with you.” Rainbow laughed, giving Twilight a quick peck on the cheek, which was currently bright red, mirroring the rest of her face. “I would never read that. No, what I'm reading is a surprise.~"

Twilight harrumphed.

“Not even a hint?” She asked hopefully.

Rainbow tightened her hug around Twilight’s neck and leaned further in. “Not even a hint.”

“You’re no fun.” Twilight pouted.

“Is that so, egghead? Want me to show you just how fun I can be?” Rainbow challenged with a smirk, shuffling lower on Twilight’s body and kissing from the base of her horn down the back and side of her neck.

“Uh, Rainbow Dash… I don’t think we should… What are you do-”

Finally Rainbow reached her goal. Finding the place directly between Twilight’s wings, she began gently nipping at the skin. Twilight promptly burst out into a fit of laughter and started bucking her body around, trying to escape. It was for naught though, as Rainbow had straddled the lower part of her body and all Twilight could do was flail her wings and forehooves around.

“Rain… Stop… Can’t… Breathe!” Twilight spasmed, still stuck in a laughing fit.

Rainbow got off of Twilight, plopping down next to her on the couch, a wide grin on her face. Twilight glared back at her, breathing heavily and sweating.

“Did you know, Twilight…” Rainbow bit her lower lip to contain the power of her smile. “The space right between the wings is the most ticklish part of a pegasus? Now you do.”

“I’m so gonna get you back for that.”

“You’d have to catch me firs-”

Dash yelped as Twilight tackled into her, the two wrestled on the couch for a moment, before Rainbow ended up on top, pinning Twilight’s wings with her forehooves, and Twilight’s forehooves with her body weight.

“Pinned ya.~” Rainbow boasted, only to experience Twilight’s lips pressing against hers. Dash found herself relaxing her hold as their tongues danced, and then was immediately broken out of her trance as Twilight threw her body weight to the side, ending up pinning Rainbow in much the same way she had pinned Twilight.

“And now I…” Twilight gave Rainbow’s nose a quick peck. “Have pinned you.”

Rainbow struggled for a few moments, unable to get out from the larger pony’s weight.

“That was a dirty trick.” Rainbow pouted.

“You would have done it too if you’d thought of it.” Twilight bantered.

“Hmm… True.”

“And now I win.”

“Maybe… Or maybe you’re forgetting something else.” Rainbow smiled mischievously.

“Oh yeah?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Like your other ticklish places!” Rainbow smiled, tickling Twilight’s ribs.

It did the trick. Twilight released her grip on Rainbow’s wings, and with some powerful flaps, and some assistance from her hind legs, Rainbow rolled over. The two mares collapsed onto the floor, laying side by side, staring up at the ceiling and breathing heavily.

“H-hey, uh, Twi…” Rainbow began, turning to look at the alicorn. Twilight turned to match her gaze, only to see Rainbow’s ears flattened against her head and her forehooves shuffling awkwardly. Her face was pulled into a rictus, and as soon as their eyes met, Rainbow Dash looked away.

“Yes, Dashie?”

Rainbow Dash inched closer. “I just wanted to say… Twilight, that I-I.. I lov-”

“Problem! Big problem!” Came the voice of Starlight, teleporting into the library with a familiar pop. “Twilight, there’s a giant angry mob outside the castle!”

Starlight glanced around quickly, before catching sight of the two mares on the floor together, panting and sweating, two books haphazardly thrown to the side.

“Oh uh… I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Nope!” Rainbow Dash zipped to her hooves, face flushing. “Twi, I can handle this. You stay.”

Without another word, Rainbow Dash flew out the nearby window.

“Did she… was she about to say…” Twilight muttered to herself, before gazing at the window Rainbow Dash had just exited through.

There was indeed a giant crowd of ponies in front of Twilight’s Castle. There were maybe two hundred ponies, quite a few Rainbow recognized, and quite a few more that she didn’t. And standing between the crowd and the castle was… Applejack and Spike?

Rainbow swooped down and landed next to Applejack.

“Applejack, what the hay is going on here?”

“Oh thank goodness you’re here Rainbow Dash. Somebody let slip what Twilight did to Thunder Chaser, and now all these ponies are here calling for an explanation on how a princess is getting away with murder.”

Rainbow Dash turned to Spike, who had tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry! It slipped out by accident!”

Rainbow Dash clapped a hoof over her face.

Of all the things…

“Okay, I get why Spike’s here, but why are you here, Applejack?”

“I uh…” The farmpony stared at the ground. “I heard the excitement and thought I should try to contain these desperados as best as I can so you or Twilight didn’t have to get involved. Partially because I felt it was the right thing to do… but mostly because I really want to make it up to you and Twi… and Scootaloo.”

Rainbow Dash felt her building anger suddenly dissappear.

“And I need to fix my mistake.” Spike added solemnly. “Partially because Twilight is already in a bad state, but also because all these ponies would terrify Scootaloo, and I want to be a good big brother to her.”

Rainbow felt her heart warm slightly. She’s never really had a strong connection with Spike, but at that moment, she felt her respect for him increase exponentially.

“Alright.” Rainbow muttered to herself. “Alright.”

“Listen!” Rainbow took to the air, and began shouting at the crowd. “Princess Twilight isn’t taking visitors or questions right now so I need all of you to head home!”

“We need answers!” shouted one pony.

“How could she?!” shouted another.

“Oh course that nepotistic tyrant already pardoned Twilight, didn’t she?” shouted a third.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled back, hackles raising and blood starting to boil. “Don’t insult the princess like that!”

“She had no regard for law!”

“She plays favorites!”

“Terrible leader!”

“And what about her own personal bitch of a cum dumpster Twil-”

Rainbow Dash’s blood ran cold as she spotted the mare who said it.

You can insult me...

A mare in the middle of the crowd.

You can throw me down and spit on me...

Light gray coat, dark gray mane.

But you NEVER insult my family.

Flying down as fast as she could, she tackled that pony, rolling around in the dirt before pinning her.

“Excuse me, what the FUCK did you say about Twilight?”

The mare blinked back in response, the air having been knocked out of her.

"Remember why you are even in this crowd. Because you want to go after the most powerful pony alive who easily killed in our defense. Which she did to defend innocent ponies and foals. Three innocent little fillies that would probably have been tortured to death by now."

Rainbow Dash leaned closer, her maw inches away from the mare’s left ear.

"Do you really think it's a smart idea to be calling her that, especially right next to two of her best friends? One being a pony that can easily shatter that sound barrier and one that can shatter every bone in your body with two hooves tied behind her back, right outside her door?"

"Y-you wouldn't..."

"My go-to fix for making a fully grown dragon leave Ponyville was to kick it in the face. Do you think I'm afraid of holding back? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"N-no?"

"Then shut the fuck up."

A harsh silence had descended among the crowd. Rainbow stepped off the mare, adrenaline fading, and realized she had just assaulted somebody while trying to defend her girlfriend killing somebody else.

Not a good look for us.

"Rainbow Dash!” The voice of an unknown mare called out. “Please! I need to speak to you and Princess Twilight! It's about Firefly, Scootaloo's mother!"

Rainbow Dash whipped her head around, catching sight of the mare who had just spoken. The mare was a blue unicorn, with a two toned mane consisting of white and a light blue. Her mane was unkempt and flat.

"Wait wha- Trixie?"

Rainbow Dash took to the air and blinked hard, catching sight of the mystery mare's cutie mark.

"You're not Trixie, who are you?"

"Please, I have information about her that you need to hear, but it shouldn't be exposed out in front of a crowd."

Rainbow bit her lip and turned around to gaze at Applejack, who wore a pained expression.

"Dash, you made everything here twice as bad, but go. I got this."

Rainbow Dash landed on the ground in front of the unicorn. "Follow me." She ordered simply.

Three ponies sat inside the library. Two sitting stock still, clearly agitated, and one shaking like a leaf and holding a mug of warm cocoa in her hooves.

“That’s uh… quite a mob on your front lawn.” The mare quipped.

"Yeah, it kinda showed up. Obviously, they refuse to leave." Dash snarked, instantly wilting after a glare from Twilight.

"But that's not why you came.” Twilight added. “Ice Pack, right? You said you have info on Firefly. She's in the Battered Mare’s home though."

"She... was.” Ice Pack paused. “I came to bring the news that she... passed early this morning in her room."

"Oh... we had no idea she had existing medical conditions. Were... were they from Thunder Chaser?”

"No. She, um... She committed… she intentionally overdosed. Mixed antidepressants and… and pain pills and took the whole bottle.”

There was another silence spanning several moments as Twilight and Rainbow gasped and processed what Ice Pack had said.

"Celestia's sake, that's horrible!” Twilight replied. “When were you informed? We never saw it in the papers."

"No one told me. I... was the firs... I was the first to know. I walked in... and she... right in front of me..." Ice Pack broke into tears, body spasming as she sobbed. “I was the nurse assigned to her… and I saw her las… her last breath leave her body.”

“Oh Celestia…” Twilight muttered, before draping a wing over the wailing unicorn. “I’m so sorry. That must have been horrible.”

“I just…” Ice Pack paused as her body spasmed again. “I didn’t even know Scootaloo, but I wanted to make it up to her because… Thunder Chaser was assigned to me too, and he knocked me out to escape…. So I quit and…” Ice pack let out a wet sniffle and wiped her nose. “I felt responsible so I got a job at the mare’s home and asked to take care of Firefly… and now…”

Ice Pack felt onto her side and curled up. After a moment she locked eyes with Rainbow Dash.

“So m-much suffering has come to you two because of me. A-and I’m so sorry! If I hadn’t been d-dumb in the first place Thunder’d still be locked up and…”

Ice Pack broke down, desparing wails filling the air.

“Stop.” Rainbow said forcefully.

Ice Pack instantly stopped crying and both her and Twilight stared intently at Rainbow. Twilight lifted an eyebrow, unsure whether she should try to hush Rainbow or not.

“Listen Ice Pack, I’ve spent the last year dealing with all sorts of guilt complexes and I need you to sit up, stop crying, and stop blaming yourself right now. I don’t blame you, I know for sure Twilight doesn’t either, and nobody can give you crap about being knocked out in an escape attempt.”

Rainbow stuck out a hoof, which Ice Pack gingerly took. Rainbow helped her pull herself to her hooves and then promptly pulled her into a hug. Breaking apart after a few moments, Rainbow Dash looked between Ice Pack and Twilight, a frown tugging at her lips.

“So now… what do we tell Scoots?”

Author's Note

This is one of those chapters I'm really proud of.

Even if it was basically half written by Zharko.

Also, I've officially beaten On the Wings of Pegasi for words! This is the longest story I've written and I want to thank you all for sticking around! Your support means more than you will ever know!

Things Get Worse

“Alright Twi,” Rainbow sighed, walking into the library. “I got Ice Pack all situated in one of the guest rooms. She’s still insisting she leave first thing tomorrow morning, though.”

Rainbow peered up, eyebrows raising as she saw Applejack sitting with Twilight.

“Hey sugarcube.” Applejack greeted lifelessly. “I was just telling Twilight here that the crowd has gone for the night. But I’ll bet my left hind leg they’ll be back tomorrow. I’m real sorry I couldn’t convince them to just leave y’all alone.”

“It’s fine, Applejack.” Twilight replied quickly. “We can handle it then. Do you want to stay over tonight too? It’s already getting dark.”

“No I… I still need to get some things done at the farm. It weren’t fair for me to just throw all my responsibilities onto Big Mac like I did. But I’ll be back tomorrow to try and handle them, while y’all try to handle telling Scootaloo about… well, y’know.”

“Applejack…” Rainbow hesitated. “You really don’t need to do that. I already told you, I forgive you. We’re square.”

Applejack gave off a small chuckle. “I really do appreciate that, Dash. But you’re not who I’m trying to make things up to now. Considerin’ she won’t even let me talk to her, least I can do for Scootaloo is try and manage the crowd so her family can be focused while trying to pass this hurdle with her.”

“I appreciate that.” Twilight smiled. “And I’m sure Scoots will too.”

Applejack exhaled slowly. “I sure hope so. Well, that’s enough of that, I really do need to get going. See y’all tomorrow.”

“Bye Applejack.”

“Take care, Applejack.”

Twilight and Rainbow watched Applejack leave, and Rainbow turned to glance at Twilight.

“Here Twi, I brought you this.” Rainbow pulled out an apple that was tucked under her wing. “I know you haven’t eaten recently and you need to keep up your strength.” Rainbow deftly threw the apple into the air.

Rainbow watched the apple fall in midair, then promptly stop as a purple aura surrounded it. Just then, she heard a scream from Twilight as she dropped the levitation field and clapped both hooves over her horn. A moment later, she had made herself as small as possible and was breathing rapidly.

"N-no! Not again! I can't lose control!" Twilight started trembling, eyes tightly shut as her breathing became labored.

Oh no, she's freaking out! I need to wake he-Wait! When you try to coax Scootaloo out of an episode, she can't tell what's real for a moment. I should...

Rainbow gently draped a wing over Twilight's shivering form, pulling her in and gently placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Twilight, you're safe. You're in control. Everyone is okay."

Twilight cracked open an eye, and upon recognizing Rainbow Dash, quickly relaxed.

"I-I'm sorry, I just-"

"You're going to see Doctor Kind Mind."

"Rainbow Dash, I don't need to see her. I'll be fine-"

"You just had the start of a PTSD episode. You're going."

"No, Rainbow, I-"

"No kisses or cuddles till you agree."

“That's torturing yourself too."

"Twilight please, just..."

"Rainbow, really, I'm fine."

"Twilight, I-I..” Rainbow hesitated, ears flattening themselves to her skull. “I’m sick of seeing you like this. I-I love you too much to see you continue to ignore this. To continue to be in pain. There. I said it. I love you. Now please get help. If not for you, and not for me, do it for Spike and Scootaloo."

Twilight stared at the floor silently for several moments. She slowly lifted her gaze to match Rainbow's. Twilight pulled her into a soft winghug.

"Okay... okay. I'll do it. For Spike, Scootaloo, and you."

Twilight gave off a small smile as Rainbow sighed in relief.

"And um... Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"I love you too."

It had almost been an hour since Twilight and Rainbow talked. Rainbow Dash had rushed off to go find Doctor Kind Mind and make an appointment for Twilight, and Twilight was sitting quietly in the library, trying to distract herself with a book and utterly failing.

There was the soft clip clop of small hooves reverberating off the crystals walls that pulled Twilight out of her stupor.

“Mom? You in here?”

Twilight’s head popped over the couch, regarding a young orange filly.

“I’m right here, Scootaloo. What did you need?”

I should wait until Rainbow Dash comes back to tell Scootaloo. We should both be there. Just please don’t have her ask about her.

“Well it’s just uh…” Scootaloo rubbed one foreleg with the other. “Next Wednesday is my mo- uh, my birth mom’s birthday. Heh, That’s kinda confusing when you think about it, I have three moms. But I was wondering if it’s possible to like… arrange a meeting? Just so I can tell my mom happy birthday, and that I’m doing well, and just… that I love her and miss her?”

Twilight suddenly felt all the color drain from her face as a chill made its way up her spine.

Oh…

Oh Celestia no.

How do I…

I can’t just lie to her.

“Scootaloo, honey…” Twilight chewed on her bottom lip. “Come sit next to me on the couch.”

“Uh…” Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at Twilight. “Okay…”

Scootaloo walked over to the couch and hopped up on it. Twilight made her way over to the filly and wrapped her in her wings, slowly running a hoof through Scootaloo’s mane.

“Twilight, are you okay? Have you been drinking again?”

Oh gosh, this would be better handled by somebody like Dash. She was always better at this than me.

“No honey, I haven’t been drinking.”

“Then why are you acting like this? Did something happen?”

“Yes, sweetie, I’m afraid… your mother didn’t make it. She passed this morning.”

Scootaloo’s eyes suddenly shot open. She pushed her way out of Twilight’s embrace and started into Twilight’s eyes frantically.

“No…” Scootaloo breathed.

Twilight’s breath quickened. “I just learned about it. I-I’m… so sorry. I’m so so sorry, sweetie.”

“...No…’ Scootaloo repeated, looking down as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. “Not her too…”

“I’m so sorry.” Twilight repeated, fighting back tears of her own.

Scootaloo flopped onto her side, curling into a ball as tears silently made their way down her face. “Who… How? How did it happen?”

“She… She took her own life.”

Scootaloo let out a wet sniffle. “W-why would she do that? I thought… did she not love me anymore? Was it because I didn’t visit her?”

“No honey, no, it’s not that. I’m sure she still loved you with all her heart, she just… felt like there was no other option left. Sometimes when a lot of bad things happen to a pony they fall into a wrong, damaging mindset. And then it’s like their mind is their worst enemy. If another pony is being mean, you can just go away from them, but you can’t run away from your own thoughts. Eventually they just sort of… take their toll on you. It’s very exhausting when your worst enemy is in your head.”

Scootaloo sat up and stared at the fabric of the couch silently for a few moments. Then she sat next to Twilight, leaning against her. Twilight wrapped a wing around the filly.

“So…” Scootaloo sniffed. "She just got to the point where she had no will to carry on, and just wanted to... stop being?"

Twilight sighed. “Well, yes. I can't pretend to know exactly what was running through her mind, but that's... usually how suicidal ponies think."

Scootaloo was silent for a few more moments."I uhm... I sometimes felt that way too after dad was done with me. Is that bad?"

Twilight didn't say anything, electing to sweep the filly up and hug her tightly to her breast, slowly rocking back and forth.

"Don't worry about it Scootaloo. You're safe now. You're... you're fine the way you are. Great, even. You're perfect and I... and Rainbow both love you so much."

Scootaloo silently buried her face into Twilight’s fur, slowly dampening it with salty tears.

“I just… I’m so sorry honey.” Twilight felt her own tears make their way down her face, hanging off her chin and falling to Scootaloo’s mane. “I’m just so sorry. I love you so much. I’m so sorry.”

The pair stayed that way for the rest of the night.

Things Get Better

Twilight awoke to the gentle feeling of lips pressing against the base of her horn. She let out a sleepy moan and went to stretch, only to find her left forehoof trapped under something. She opened her eyes to see a shock of purple hair laying on the aforementioned appendage.

Scootaloo? Wha- Oh… right… I told her last night that Firefly passed. We must have cried ourselves to sleep.

So wha-

Twilight pushed herself up and scanned the room. She was on a couch, and somebody had laid a blanket over her and Scootaloo, and tucked them up to the chin. On the other side of the couch was another blanket and a pillow.

Twilight looked the other way and found Rainbow Dash with her forehooves propped up on the arm of the couch near her, a soft smile on her face.

“Morning, sleeping beauty.” Rainbow gibed. “Just wanted to let you know that you have an appointment with Kind Mind in an hour and a half. Wanted to make sure you have plenty of time to Twilight around, worrying about going into therapy. Also it’s already past noon.”

Twilight yawned and stretched again, pausing at the peak of her stretch to boop Rainbow Dash on the nose. “Nope. No Twilighting for this mare. I’m all ready to get this thing going.”

Twilight’s attention returned to the filly cuddled into her. She took a brief moment to run a hoof through Scootaloo’s mane, trying to calm the raging bedmane, but it was ultimately fruitless.

“I made you guys some pancakes too, they’re in the kitchen.” Rainbow piped in after a moment. “Spike even said they were ‘passable', especially considering my past with baking.’”

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Of course he did.” Twilight took a moment to study Rainbow Dash’s face, her gaze lingering on the scar over Rainbow’s eye. “And it’s good to know that under that tough exterior, my special somebody still has a heart of gold. Let’s wake Scoots up and get ready for the day. I’m ready to destroy those pancakes.”

Twilight leaned down and gently nuzzled the filly in her embrace. Scootaloo merely responded with a groan and cuddled deeper into Twilight’s coat.

“Five more minutes…” she slurred.

Twilight shot a look at Rainbow Dash, one eyebrow raised. Rainbow Dash however, had a devious grin on her face. She extended one of her wings and gently plucked a feather from it, slightly wincing as she pulled it out. She moved it around in her mouth so she was holding the stem with her teeth, and made a face at Twilight.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she realized what Rainbow was doing, then grinned herself. She lifted the blanket off the two of them with her wing, then pulled Scootaloo in close with her right forehoof, hoping that would prevent Scootaloo from accidentally kicking her.

“Should’ve listened to your mom, kiddo!” Dash spoke through the feather, before lunging forward and tickling the spot between Scootaloo’s wings. Scootaloo’s eyes instantly flew open as her body started spasming and she began laughing uncontrollably. Scootaloo rolled over, grasping the instrument of her torture. Her relief was short lived though, as Twilight plucked a feather from her own wing and began tickling Scootaloo as well.

Scootaloo rolled onto her back, breathing heavily as she had a momentary respite from the tickle torture. She immediately regretted it as both Rainbow Dash and Twilight started tickling her ribs.

“S-s-s-sto-ha-hop!” Scootaloo giggled, rolling onto the floor to escape the feathers. She wiped her forehead and continued breathing heavily for a few moments as she got her bearings.

“That was… the worst way to wake up.” Scootaloo panted.

“I’m sure I could top that.” Rainbow smirked, spitting out her feather. “And besides, now you can enjoy the pancakes that I made and didn’t almost burn a house down with.”

“If you manage to burn down a crystal castle, I’ll be very impressed.” Twilight snarked, winking at Rainbow.

“Anyway,” Rainbow said, winking back at Twilight. “Scoots, Doc Kind Mind said it might be nice if you can go with Twi to the therapy session. Do some ‘family therapy’ or something.”

Scootaloo popped her head over the couch and stared at Twilight. “You’re going to therapy?”

Twilight’s smile faded somewhat. “Yes, Rainbow convinced me to work on those things we discussed earlier.”

“Oh…” Scootaloo trailed off, before instantly perking up. “That means I can introduce you to Kind Mind! I mean you already met her, but you’ve never had a session with her before! She’s just the coolest!”

Twilight chuckled. “I can’t wait.”

"What are you doin' here?" Big Mac questioned.

"Applejack is helping at the castle so I thought I'd help out here, 'cause I'm awesome like that." Rainbow Dash replied. "So let's grab some baskets and get to work."

Big Mac peered intensely at Rainbow Dash for a moment, before shrugging and pulling some additional baskets out of the barn, loading them into the cart.

He wordlessly gestured for Rainbow Dash to follow him and walked off into the orchard.

The duo worked in silence for a few minutes, arranging baskets and bucking -or in Rainbow's case, flying into the trees-. Rainbow chewed the inside of her cheek, a question needling at her.

"Hey uh, Big Mac, you and Applejack basically raised Applebloom since she was born, right?"

"Eeyup."

"I mean, it's not like I'm worried or anything, I know I'm gonna be an awesome parent, but uh… what's it like long term? Like, does it keep getting easier or sorta stay the same or…"

Big Mac turned to face Rainbow Dash square on. "It's gonna be the hardest thing you ever do."

Rainbow Dash landed on the ground, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Why? I mean, they're just foals, right?"

Big Mac shook his head. "They're your foal. With them will come responsibilities and difficulties." He paused for a moment. "Be glad you didn't deal with diapers."

And for a few more minutes there was silence, save the sounds of applebucking.

"I… There's…" Big Mac spoke suddenly, stumbling over his own words.

Big Mac stared at the ground for a moment, before meeting Rainbow's gaze. "Emotions. Foals are big balls of emotions, and that's what makes it hard. I'll never forget the first time Applebloom came home crying because she was bein' bullied. It hurt to see her like that. You can always bandage flesh, but emotion? That's time." Big Mac bucked a nearby tree, filling the baskets underneath. "Seems you already know about that last part."

The two continued carrying on in silence at that, until Big Mac spoke up again.

"Worst part is when you're the source of their pain. Couple times when she was younger Applebloom would tell me she hated me when she was upset. Over and over. And I believed it at the time. 'Course she apologized later, but that's when I realized I had to grow up fast. I couldn’t just be the big brother, I had to take my Da's place. This meant finding a middle ground between what I let and don't let her do. It's a challenge to say no sometimes."

Rainbow Dash landed. She flattened her ears and rubbed at her leg. "Will Scoots do that? I don't know if I can take her telling me she hates me."

Big Mac hummed. "Eeyup. And she'll believe it at the moment. But later she'll be fine. She'll really only ever hate you if you give her a reason."

"But what if I push her too hard? I mean Applejack did and Scoots is still scared of her. What if I'm too harsh and trigger an attack?"

Big Mac turned around again and regarded Rainbow Dash.

"She's gonna do things you don't like and you need to teach her not to do that. She'll try and get out of it, but you now have responsibilities as a parent. If she has an episode, you know how to pull her out."

Rainbow Dash stared at the ground and kicked at the dirt for a few moments.

"I-I'm scared. I don't want to break her." Rainbow bit at her lip to try and suppress the incoming rush of emotion.

"You won't." Big Mac stated simply, returning to his work.

Rainbow stayed still for a few more moments, digesting what she had been told.

"I sure hope not." She said aloud, to nobody in particular. With a shaky breath and a determined look, the rainbow maned pegasus returned to her work.

"Ugh, the appointment should have been over hours ago." Rainbow complained, flopping onto the bed she and Twilight shared. "What's taking them so long?"

Rainbow's ears perked up as she heard the familiar sound of the front door to the castle close.

"It's about time too. The moon is already up." Rainbow muttered to herself, standing up and flying over to the entrance of the castle. Walking in were a very tired looking Twilight and Scootaloo.

“What took you guys so long?” Rainbow asked.

Scootaloo opened her mouth to answer, but yawned instead. Twilight gave off a small chuckle.

“Sorry Dashie, we had an extra long session. I had a lot of stuff to talk about. But I feel… surprisingly a lot better.”

Scootaloo stumbled over to Rainbow Dash, pressing her head against Rainbow’s forelegs, and moments later, emitting a soft snore.

“Uh,” Rainbow paused. “Is therapy supposed to be physically tiring?”

To her surprise Twilight let out another chuckle.

“Let’s put her to bed and then I’ll tell you why.”

Rainbow Dash leaned down and slowly picked Scootaloo up, trying her best to not wake the slumbering filly. She and Twilight gently fluttered over to Scootaloo’s room, and after carefully tucking her in, Twilight grabbed Rainbow by the hoof and led her out of the castle.

Twilight led Rainbow Dash to a large cloud behind the castle.

“Um, Twi, what are we do-”

Rainbow Dash was interrupted by Twilight lighting up her horn. She immediately started breathing heavily and groaning, and Rainbow Dash rushed over to her, pulling her into a wing hug from behind and holding both her front hooves.

Twilight grit her teeth and with a soft pop, she teleported a small device to them. For a moment it sat there, suspended in a purple aura, then Twilight dropped it. It landed on the cloud with them, slightly sinking in.

The device looked like some kind of horn coming off a wooden box, and on the top of the box was a vinyl record.

“A phonograph? Twi, what are you doing?”

Twilight took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, then gently pushed Rainbow’s hooves off of her, winding up the phonograph manually, and started the song.

The song sounded vaguely familiar to Rainbow Dash, but she couldn’t quite place it. It was some sort of slow orchestral piece.

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash with a soft smile, jumping off the cloud and then flying next to her. Twilight held out a hoof to Rainbow.

“Rainbow Dash, would you do me the honor of granting me a dance?”

Rainbow Dash blinked hard. Where had this come from?

“Uh, Twilight? Hate to be a killjoy but… you can’t dance. We all saw you at that Canterlot party on your birthday.”

Twilight just smiled. She reached out and grabbed one of Rainbow Dash’s hooves, and pulled Rainbow to her. As soon as Rainbow left the cloud her wings instinctively started beating. Twilight moved the hoof that wasn’t holding Dash’s hoof to Dash’s waist, and pulled her in closer. The two mare’s chests were pressed against each other at this point.

Twilight leaned in and whispered into Rainbow’s ear.

“Humor me.”

Twilight pressed the right side of her hip against Rainbow’s, tilting the pair counter-clockwise. Twilight slowed her wing flaps, so the pair bobbed up and down in the air. Catching on quickly, Rainbow placed her free hoof on Twilight’s waist, and gave her a shaky smile, their wings unsynced.

“Uh Twi… I don’t know how to slow dance.”

“I’ll teach you.”

For several moments the two bobbed together in the air, slowly spinning. Rainbow Dash synced her wing beats with Twilight, so the pair would fall quickly, then shoot up at the same time.

“You’re a quick study, Dashie.” Twilight giggled.

“Yeah well…” Rainbow’s cheeks tinted pink. “I got a good teacher.”

“Well in that case, onto the next lesson!”

“Wait, wha-”

Twilight released her grip on Rainbow Dash’s waist, pushing her body away as the only thing that connected them was the foreleg they were holding hooves with. Twilight raised her hoof high in the air, and after a moment Rainbow realized what she was trying to do. Rainbow pulled Twilight toward her and past her side. As Twilight passed by Rainbow, she did a slow twirl in the air, and as she reached the other side, and their hooves were as far apart as they could be without letting go, Rainbow pulled Twilight back into her chest, and placed her hoof back on Twilight’s waist.

A moment later Rainbow took lead, leading Twilight in less of a rotating pattern, but in long sweeping motions going left and right, trying to hide the fact that she didn't really know what she was doing. Rainbow pushed them apart, then raised her hoof and brought it past her slower, happily watching as Twilight took advantage of the speed to spin a few more times. As Rainbow pulled them back together, Twilight rested her cheek on Rainbow’s shoulder.

“Mm, this is nice.” Twilight said.

“Yeah!” Rainbow agreed vehemently. "Damn Twi, when did you learn to dance?"

"So uh... reason I was so late? I asked Rarity to teach me how to dance for you."

"You had Rarity... dance with you?"

Twilight gave off a chuckle and raised her head off Rainbow’s shoulder to gaze into her eyes. "Oh my goodness, Dashie are you jealous?"

"I uh..."

"Don't worry, Pookie,” Twilight grinned. “I only did it for you."

Rainbow chortled and gave Twilight a peck on the lips. “You’re such a sap, Twi.”

Twilight’s cheeks tinted pink. “You love it.”

Rainbow just smiled. “I love you.”

Twilight pushed her lips against Rainbow’s for a moment, before pulling away, face far more pink than before. “I love you too.”

Twilight rested her cheek on Rainbow’s shoulder again, humming along to the song as the duo danced in the air.

The next morning the sun dawned on two ponies sleeping snuggled up on a cloud, exhausted after hours of dancing.

Vertex

It was a beautiful morning. There was a gentle wind blowing, the sunrise painted the sky a beautiful orange, and the only sound Rainbow Dash could hear was birds singing.

That is until she heard the sound of shattering glass.

Before Rainbow Dash even knew what she was doing, she was on her hooves, then leaping off the cloud and taking to the air.

Her mind flashed back to the last time a peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of something breaking. It had been when Thunder Chaser attacked and almost killed her. So naturally, her first thought snapped to Scootaloo.

Rainbow Dash made her way to the front of the castle, where she identified the disturbance. The crowd was back. Looking behind her, Rainbow Dash noticed one of the windows was broken.

Who’s the dumbass who decided to break a window on the castle of a princess?

As soon as the crowd spotted Rainbow, their insults and shouting doubled, all focused on her. They were so loud that Rainbow couldn’t hear the flapping of wings next to her. She didn’t notice Twilight was near her until she felt a hoof lay upon her shoulder.

Rainbow turned to catch the expression on Twilight’s face. Her bottom lip shook, her ears flattened against her skull. She had a hoof covering her mouth and her eyebrows knit together in a concerned expression. All over, she looked like she was about to cry.

“All these ponies…” Twilight hesitated. “Are here because they hate me?”

Twilight sunk to the ground, followed closely like Rainbow Dash, and the crowd’s volume doubled again, many ponies screaming themselves hoarse. Twilight couldn’t make out most of what they said, but she did hear some choice phrases.

“Cunt!”

“Bitch!”

“Tyrant!”

Twilight winced at every insult as if they were a physical blow, her head trying to sink into her body and her wings half opened, ready to take flight. Rainbow hurriedly laid a wing around her, and started yelling back at the crowd. Both mares were too distracted to notice one pony sneaking into the castle from behind them.

And suddenly there were things being thrown. Rocks, bottles, anything laying around. Thankfully they were more aimed at the castle than either Rainbow Dash or Twilight.

Twilight’s breath caught in her throat as her mind worked overtime. She stayed frozen for a few moments until a loud voice boomed over the area.

“ENOUGH!”

As a sharp silence spread across the crowd, Twilight and Rainbow Dash whipped their heads in stereo to find out who had yelled. To their surprise they saw Rarity, who was flanked by Starlight. Starlight’s horn was lit up, and there was a soft light blue aura around Rarity’s throat.

Starlight released her spell and Rarity turned around to thank her, her voice no longer magically enhanced. Rarity cleared her throat, and walked to right in front of Twilight and Rainbow Dash, still with a slight limp due to the cast.

Rarity adopted a protective stance and her eyes filled with fire. Her gaze whipped around the various ponies in the crowd, all of them completely silent and intently watching her.

“How dare you?!” She yelled, glaring at the crowd.

There was no response from the crowd.

“Just… how dare you? How dare you stand here and verbally attack her? Ignoring everything she’s done, she’s still a pony and a princess, you should at least grant her basic respect!”

The crowd remained silent.

“And throwing things? How foalish can you act?! Shame on you all! Ignoring the barbarian that brought you here, did you forget what she’s done for Equestria?! She stopped Nightmare Moon. She stopped the changeling invasion in Canterlot. She saved the entire Crystal Empire, saved this town when the Everfree Forest attacked, and fought off Tirek after he absorbed the magic from all of Equestria! I am disgusted in each and every one of you. Did you even give her a chance to explain herself?”

Rainbow Dash felt a small presence brush against her leg. Looking down, she noticed Scootaloo worming her way in between Rainbow and Twilight. Scootaloo stared up into Rainbow’s eyes, shrunk back and quivering.

“M-mom? What’s going on?”

“I… don’t know.” Rainbow responded simply, before looking back at Rarity.

“Now!” Rarity continued shouting. “Are you all going to act like adults and let the pony who has saved each and every one of you explain her actions like an adult, or are going to continue bickering like foals?!”

There were some ponies muttering in agreement.

Rarity wheeled around and took a couple deep breaths to calm herself down. She limped over to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, who were both staring at her with shocked expressions.

“Rarity, that was... “ Twilight sputtered.

“That was AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash grinned. “Thank you!”

Rarity just gave off a small smile and hugged the two mares. She turned to Twilight, her smile fading.

“I’m sorry to put you on the spot like this, darling, but these ponies aren’t going to leave until they get a story.”

Twilight gulped audibly and turned to the crowd. Her eyes frantically raced over the faces of each pony, and she felt her breath quicken.

“Twilight,” came a small voice from her right. Twilight turned her head and saw Spike placing a hand on her shoulder. “You got this.”

Twilight cleared her throat and nodded. It’s not like she wasn’t used to addressing crowds. She was just more used to… happy crowds.

“Do any of you know anything about the deceased… about the pony who I… who I killed?” Twilight asked the crowd. She received no answer.

“His name was Thunder Chaser. And he wasn’t some innocent pony. He…” Twilight cast a quick sideways glance at Scootaloo. “He beat his wife, broke into Rainbow Dash’s house and almost killed her, kidnapped Scootaloo, and after breaking out of jail, hired mercenaries and tried killing Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo again.”

“Why is she… not telling them about the other stuff?” Scootaloo asked Rainbow Dash.

“I think she’s trying to protect you, kiddo.” Rainbow replied.

There was silence for a moment, and then a stallion Rainbow Dash didn’t recognize piped up from the crowd.

“Why did he attack Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo?”

Twilight swallowed hard.

“Because Scootaloo… Scootaloo is his daughter. And she was staying with Rainbow Dash at the time.”

“Why was she staying with Rainbow Dash if her dad didn’t want her to?” called another mare from the crowd. “Did she foalnap her?”

Twilight slowly exhaled. “Scootaloo was not in an… ideal situation with her father. We had her taken away over concerns for her safety.”

A moment passed.

“Legally.” Twilight added.

“Why didn’t her mom take her?” called somebody.

“Firefly was in no condition to take care of a foal. As a direct result of Thunder Chaser’s actions, she was institutionalized in a battered mare’s home. To prevent Scootaloo from living in a potentially suboptimal living condition, Rainbow Dash and I, being the ones most closely involved, engaged in a civil union to adopt her, as we were both too young to adopt on our own.”

“Do you feel bad or did you just want his daughter?”

Twilight’s eye twitched.

“Actually, Scootaloo came to us, or more specifically Rainbow Dash, who she shared a surrogate sibling relationship with, for assistance. Not a day goes by where I don’t wish we had a better option than just suddenly stripping both her parents away from her, but now she’s our daughter, and I will fight just as fiercely to protect her as if she was related by blood.”

For a few more moments there was silence, and then a pony Rainbow Dash did recognize piped up. Lily Valley, if Rainbow recalled correctly.

“If you’re as strong as you are, why didn’t you subdue him instead of murder him?”

Twilight sighed. She was hoping she wouldn’t be asked this.

“When I saw him, two of my friends were being beaten on, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo and two of her friends were missing, and Rainbow Dash was lying still, a knife in her side. Considering how badly he hospitalized her the last time they fought… I thought she was dead. It wasn’t the best solution… but it was the only one in my head at the time.”

“Why did he attack Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash? Did one of them do something to him?”

Twilight didn’t respond. She turned her head and caught Rainbow Dash’s gaze. There was no way out of it. They were gonna have to spill the beans, and who knows how that would change Scootaloo’s life?

Several moments continued on in silence, until Rainbow felt Scootaloo move away from her.

“B-because of me.” Scootaloo said softly, walking in front of Twilight and gazing around the crowd, repeating herself with a stronger voice. “Because of me. M-my dad… he has... had hit me for years.”

There was a myriad of gasps.

“He… he started when I was seven, and he kept beating me for three years until he broke both my wings and I had the courage to finally run away from home. I lived in a treehouse for a week.”

“Look how nervous she is! Maybe they just told her she had to say that!”

“Why you…” Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath, wings flaring out.

“No, dear. Don’t. It’s being handled.” Rarity whispered into Rainbow’s ear. Rainbow reluctantly sheathed her wings.

Scootaloo swallowed and turned to Twilight.

“M-mom… do the spell.”

“Wha… Ostende Dolore? Scootaloo, you nearly had a meltdown last time somebody did that spell on you and only five ponies saw that. Are you sure you want this? There’s a lot of eyes here.”

Scootaloo’s bottom lip was trembling, her whole body was shaking, and her wings were tucked tightly into her side. “Y-yeah. I can do this. I’m tired of crying. I need to fight back.” Scootaloo slowly straightened up, a determined look on her face. “And to start repaying all you’ve done for me. I need to do this for you, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle… and for mo-... and for Firefly. I want to make her proud from… wherever she is.”

Twilight paused for a moment before leaning down and hugging Scootaloo.

“I know she absolutely would be Scootaloo. But in her absence, I’ll tell you myself. I am so proud of you. You’ve become a wonderful pony in lieu of everything you’ve gone through.”

“Does anybody here know of the Ostende Dolore spell?” Twilight called out, taking a step forward.

“I do!” called a mare from halfway back through the crowd. Ponies started shifting to get a better look at her. She was an earth pony with a dark purple coat and a two tone pink mane. She pushed her way to the front and stood in front of Twilight, before turning around to face the crowd.

“Miss Cheerilee?!” Scootaloo gasped.

“And what would you know about magic?” a stallion in fine wear called out from the crowd, looking like he just came down from Canterlot. “Last I was aware, mud ponies can’t do magic.”

There was an assortment of gasps from the crowd as the pony slung around the slur, but Cheerilee wasn’t phased.

“Sir, I am an educator. I may not be able to cast spells, but if a student wants to grow and go above and beyond, I will study advanced magical theory just to see them properly blossom.”

Cheerilee cleared her throat and cooly glanced around the crowd. “The Ostende Dolore spell, or as it might be more colloquially used, the ‘Show Grief’ spell shows recent damage to tissue. It shows up as a glow. It’s most commonly used by vet ponies to find out why an animal is suffering. It’s not something that can be tampered with either, so it’s occasionally used in court settings in cases of domestic violence.”

Cheerilee gazed back at Scootaloo, and gave her a small smile.

“Or foal abuse.”

There was another few moments of silence, and then a stallion piped up.

“I believe Miss Cheerilee.”

Rainbow Dash instantly recognized him as Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara’s father.

“So do I!” Called another stallion, who looked like the grown up version of Scootaloo’s classmate Snips.

“And I!” Called a mare that looked a lot like Silver Spoon.

Before long all the parents of students in Cheerilee’s class, and then most of the ponies from Ponyville in general started agreeing.

Nodding smartly, Cheerilee took her place back in the crowd.

Twilight turned back to Scootaloo.

“Are you ready, dear?”

Scootaloo nodded mutely, stepping forward so the crowd could see her, shaking viciously. She paused as she felt a claw on her withers. She turned to see Spike standing next to her, giving her a reassuring smile.

“We’re all here for you. All of us.”

“Make way! Coming through!” a country accent called out. Pushing through the crowd, Applejack, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle broke through the front of the crowd and rushed to be next to their friends. Applebloom instantly pressed up against Scootaloo’s right side, and Sweetie Belle rushed to her left, softly grabbing her hoof and holding it.

Twilight moved behind Scootaloo and lit up her horn, instantly grimacing and having her legs buckle. Rainbow rushed to Twilight and held her from behind, just as she had done last night. Rainbow stuck her head so it was right next to Twilight’s and whispered in her ear.

“You got this, Twilight. A few seconds and you’re done.”

Twilight softly nuzzled Rainbow’s cheek. Dropping to all fours, and then feeling Rainbow’s wing draped over her back, she fired up her horn again. She began breathing heavily as a purple light bathed Scootaloo.

Scootaloo screwed her eyes tightly shut and strode forward. She took a deep breath, braced herself to the best of her ability, and slowly spun around in a circle, showing all the glowing marks on her body. As she heard gasps and angry cries, she opened one eye and peeked back at her friends. Applejack and Rarity were sitting off to the side, Rainbow was looking at her proudly, holding a wing over a panting Twilight, who currently had her eyes tightly shut, head bowed. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were shifting around uncomfortably, giving off obviously fake smiles aimed at Scootaloo.

And a moment later, it was over. Scootaloo stopped glowing. She instantly felt the urge to go hide behind Rainbow or Twilight. Or maybe even one of the Crusaders. But no. Her mind was set. If she was gonna do this, she was gonna do this like a big girl. She walked quickly back to the Crusaders, who both pressed against the shivering pegasus instantly.

For several moments Twilight took deep, calming breaths. She then lifted her head and opened her eyes to see the entire crowd looking at Scootaloo.

She had to do something.

Twilight walked again to in front of the center of the crowd, flanked by Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll take any questions you have now.” She stated.

There was silence for a few more moments until a mare called out.

“Are you gay?”

“I… what?” Twilight sputtered, completely taken off-guard.

“You adopted a foal with Rainbow Dash and we all saw how she was holding you.” another stallion called out. “Are you two gay?”

Twilight blinked hard and glanced at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow just gave her a small nod.

“Uh…” Twilight hesitated. “Yes. We are.”

Silence pervaded for a few more moments before a mare in the back of the crowd whooped.

“Woo! Go first openly LGBT royalty!”

There were a couple of laughs, then other ponies chimed in.

“Congratulations to you two!”

“When’s the wedding?”

“Finally, we get some good representation!”

“I think you two are cute together!”

Twilight stared at Rainbow, jaw comically dropped. Rainbow mirrored her reaction.

“This is… not the reaction I expected.” Twilight managed.

Rainbow Dash just nodded.

“Oh sure, trust the rainbow maned dyke to poison the princess!” One pony called out. Rainbow caught sight of the mare and instantly recognized her as the light gray mare who had insulted Twilight the other day.

She resisted the urge to go out and pummel that mare. Turned out, she didn’t need to. The mare jerked to the side and let out a loud “Ow! What was that for?” This brought a smile to Rainbow Dash’s face.

Meanwhile, an orange earth pony mare approached Scootaloo. The Crusaders instantly took protective stances in front of her.

“Applejack, you best not try anything!” Applebloom warned.

Applejack stopped there and sat down, holding her stetson to her breast.

“If you’re willing to hear me out, I’d like to apologize.”

Scootaloo paused. She remembered the last time they met, but she also remembered Rainbow Dash telling her what she did to Applejack at the farm. Scootaloo hummed softly, and then replied in a soft voice.

“Okay.”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle relaxed, returning to Scootaloo’s side. Scootaloo just looked down into the dirt.

“Scootaloo, I’m awful sorry. I just was too stressed and saw my family hurtin’. I should have been mature and just spoken to ya instead of blowing my top, and there’s no excuse for what I did. And seeing the extent of the hurtin' you took I... I feel just awful. I ain’t asking ya to forgive, but please accept my apology.”

Scootaloo was quiet for a moment, but then shakily replied, still staring at the dirt.

“I-it’s okay. It was a stressful night for all of us. I… I forgive you.”

Applejack let out a relieved sigh.

“Would you like me to bring Big Macintosh up? I know he’d like to apolo-”

“No!” Scootaloo yelled, looking back up at Applejack as her pupils shrank to pinpricks.

“I-I mean… no. I know he’s sorry but… being around stallions, especially big stallions still scares me.”

Applejack returned her stetson to her head and nodded. “I understand. And I also just wanted to say what you did out there, with the crowd? That was one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen. You should be proud of yourself.”

Scootaloo took a deep breath and smiled. “You know what? I am. I don’t think I could have done that a couple months ago.”

Applejack gave her a small smile and took her leave.

Scootaloo stayed silent for a moment and then chuckled. “Well now that this whole thing is... pretty much over, wanna go play? Spike can join us and we can finally settle whether you and I are better at four square, Applebloom.”

The Crusaders giggled.

“You’re on!”

Author's Note

In this chapter we hit 50k words in this story and closed a 90k word character arc for best pone.

She hopes you're proud. :scootangel:

A Quiet Night In

“So.” Rainbow began, flopping onto the bed on her side.

“So.” Twilight repeated, curling gently around her pegasus lover.

“Well, we just basically came out to all of Equestria, and Scootaloo did the bravest dang thing I’ve ever seen. I mean, aside from the fact that our parents might be mad we announced our relationship to a rioting crowd before them, I feel we should celebrate. Or something.”

“Honestly…” Twilight yawned. “I think that was maybe enough excitement for the day. How about we celebrate tomorrow and have a nice day inside today? Relax, read some books, not be under the scrutinization of hundreds of assorted ponies for the first time since the crowd originally formed…”

“Mm,” Rainbow replied. “One condition.”

“Hmm?” Twilight laid her head on top of Rainbow’s and gave her a little nuzzle.

“You uh… uh… keep holding me like this. And tell nobody!”

Twilight gasped and smiled. “Oh my word Dashie, you like being the little spoon?”

Rainbow paused for a moment. “Promise me you won’t tell another soul?”

Twilight pulled Rainbow closer to her with her wing, then draped it over Rainbow like a makeshift blanket. Rainbow sighed happily as the warm feathers caressed her fur.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“And promise me you won’t laugh?” Rainbow’s voice wavered.

“I only promise to try.” Twilight whispered, nipping at Rainbow’s ear. Rainbow’s cheeks flushed.

“I… Well… I uh...I kinda like feeling um… protected. Like this.” Rainbow’s whole face turned red.

Twilight used her forelegs to tightly draw Rainbow’s into her chest. She hooked their rear legs together and flicked her tail so it fell over Rainbow’s rump.

“If I knew you were this adorable when I first met you Pookie, I would have asked you out years ago.” Twilight whispered, nuzzling deep into Rainbow’s neck.

“Twilight…” Rainbow started.

“Remember what I said on the farm?” Twilight asked. “If I knew you were as stressed as you were, I would have tried to find a way to intervene. To make you feel better. And now here we are. And I” Twilight kissed Rainbow’s cheek. “Will” Twilight kissed another part of Rainbow’s cheek. “Pamper you until we both drop.” Twilight finished off by pushing herself up and forward, locking lips with Rainbow.

Rainbow let out a slow exhale through her nose and the two mares wrestled tongues, letting off small pants as she reached around and grabbed Twilight’s neck, pulling her closer into the kiss. They broke apart after several moments, and Rainbow took the chance to kiss Twilight on both sides of her muzzle and once in the neck.

“Twi I just… You… I’m not great with words but you are just… the best thing in existence. Like normally I’d be all ‘kissing and cuddling? Ew.’ but then you came into my life and you just… I freaking love you so much.”

“More than Daring Do?” Twilight grinned smugly.

“Hey, let’s not get too crazy.”

Twilight giggled and buried her face in Rainbow’s mane, hugging her tightly.

“So Twi, do you wanna read, or do you just want to fall asleep in my awesome mane? That second choice is very understandable.”

Twilight took a moment to burrow deeper into Rainbow’s mane before popping out. “I do know of one series you might like. It’s not Daring Do though. It’s called ‘Ten Tons of Lost Love’. It’s real-”

“Ooh!” Rainbow exclaimed. “I already read that one. Super good series too. I loved Sapphire Heart in the third one, where she met Arctic Shot? Such a weird matching couple. But so cute!”

“I… you… wha?”

“Oh and after that fight scene where Sapphire Heart thought Arctic Shot was gonna bleed out, and she announced her love for him? That was super sweet.”

“You… read the first three books? Romance books? And LIKED THEM?!” Twilight gawked.

“Again…” Rainbow trailed off. “Tell nobody else. But yeah! I read the whole series!”

“That… That’s my favorite romance series. And you LIKE THEM?” Twilight squeed.

“Oh totally!” Rainbow rambled excitedly. “Remember that time in the second book…?”

“When Frozen Wind…”

“And then Arctic Shot fought him off? Yeah!”

Twilight paused for a moment to stare deep into the magenta eyes of the pegasus she was cuddling. The same eyes that were currently staring at her, full of joy and excitement.

“Oh my gosh I love you so much.” Twilight spouted.

Rainbow leaned over and gave Twilight’s nose a quick peck. “Baby, I know.”

Twilight purred as she buried her head back into Rainbow’s soft, lilac scented mane. A moment later she popped her head out again, struck by a brilliant idea.

“If you liked those I have a ton of suggestions about other books you may like!”

Rainbow grinned. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Hot cocoa?”

“A big blanket?”

“And a small fire?”

“And a whole day reading books?”

Rainbow paused. “You’re literally the only pony in the universe that can make that sound exciting.”

Twilight winked.

Rainbow jumped to her hooves. “I’ll go get the blanket. Meet you in the library?”

“Absolutely!” Twilight chirped.

Rainbow rocketed through the air, messing up the covers and knocking Twilight off the bed. With a small oof she landed on the floor. Blinking a few times to clear the haze, she noticed a small pile of books under the bed on Rainbow’s side.

“Huh,” Twilight said to herself. “This must be what she’s reading. I wonder what other kinds of books Rainbow had queued up. Probably some silly action books with pirates. She loves pirates.”

Twilight reached around the pile and pulled it toward herself. She noticed something off about each book, and her smile just grew larger with each title she read.

Spellbound Fireflies

Vanilla Twilight

Head in the Clouds

Dreams and Disasters

I’ll Always Be Here For You

Little Wonders

I’ll Do Anything for You

Twilight hid her manic grin behind a hoof. Not only were these romance stories, they were romance novels. When Twilight had recommended romance she hadn’t expected Rainbow Dash to actually read any, but this was all romance!

There was one more book at the bottom of the pile. Both the cover and spine were blank, and upon opening it, Twilight found hoofwritten words instead of typed and printed words.

How odd.

Twilight climbed back onto the bed, taking the featureless book with her, and settled down to read.

Aurora Prism was a very accomplished pony. Captain of the Wonderbolts, current holder of the wing speed record, and the envy of mares worldwide.

But Aurora had a problem. A big problem.

She was in love.

The subject of her affections was a simple pegasus teacher from the small hick town of Ponyville. The town was barely on the map, only known for their apple exports. Aurora had stopped there one afternoon after practice just to explore. To see more of the world she inhabited.

That’s when she met her.

Dawn Twinkle.

The pony that had ruined everything.

The pony had a simple dark blue coat and a pink and purple mane. She sometimes wore glasses, which Aurora found very cute, and taught foals with a passion Aurora had only ever seen in her team of world class athletes.

To anybody else, she might seem ordinary. Boring, even. But when Aurora looked at her, all she saw was perfection. Beauty taken form. She had to have that mare for herself.

But what would Equestria think?

This thought plagued her mind as she lay upon a cloud above Ponyville. She could see Dawn’s house less than a mile away. She was so close to the mare and yet she… couldn’t.

What would her team say? Her fans? All of Equestria? The expectation was that she would marry another athlete, or maybe some other famous pony. They would be a legendary couple, have one or two legendary foals, and live on, their names slathered in every history book in Equestria.

But every time she had gone to a party, a meet and greet, or any other place that famous ponies congregated, she thought of nothing but that simple mare from Ponyville.

The rest of her team was hooking up with big names. Her third in command, Fleethoof, had recently announced her engagement with one of the most famous actors known to ponykind.

But still Aurora’s mind went back to that mare.

Today was the day. Today… she would tell Dawn. She would walk straight up to the mare, and the mare would fall in love. How could she not? Aurora was a name everyone knew. Nary a filly and colt existed that did not idolize that fabulous pegasus.

It would all be okay.

Leaving her cloud, Aurora flew swiftly over the sleepy little town. She touched down in front of the house of Dawn, and instantly began rethinking her plan. What if Dawn didn’t like her? What if Dawn wasn’t even into mares? There were ten billion things that could go wrong.

Aurora began pacing in front of the door, internally stressing over the two warring sides of her mind. One screamed at her to leave, to salvage her dignity and find some rich stallion to marry. The other screamed back, saying that love was always worth a try. That one screamed just a bit louder.

Aurora cleared her throat, took several steadying breaths, and knocked.

Moments later the door opened, and the subject of Aurora’s affections appeared.

“Oh hello… erm… Do I know you?”

The mare didn’t even know Aurora. That took several moments to sink in. She was the name on everyone’s lips. She was a living legend. She had ponies lining up for miles just to get a picture with her. And yet this mare didn’t even recognize her.

“Um, yes.” Aurora found her voice. “My name is Aurora Prism.”

Dawn’s eyebrows knitted together.

“I’m sorry. I do recognize that name from somewhere… but I don’t quite remember.”

Aurora actually felt a pang of pain at this. She’d worked years upon years to build her legacy and the one pony who Aurora wanted to know didn’t even recognize her face.

But maybe that was for the best. The crazy fans would say anything to be close to Aurora, and if this mare didn’t know who she was… maybe it could be genuine.

Twilight hummed softly. “Strange, it seems just like any other romance book. But I don’t recognize it. Maybe I can find some notes from the author near the back.”

Twilight rifled through the book, eventually reaching the end halfway though.

“Aurora Prism, will you do me the honor of granting me a dance?”

Aurora blinked hard. She had seen Dawn dance. She was… the nicest way to put it would be... a trainwreck. But gazing into the soft purple eyes of the pony who meant so much to her, she could hardly say no.

But that wasn’t the only issue. Taking Dawn’s hoof and meeting her in the air, Aurora reflected on another glaring issue.

“Uh Dawn… I don’t know how to slow dance.”

Dawn leaned forward, their cheek fur gently brushing together as Dawn’s lips came up to Aurora’s ears.

“I’ll teach you.”

And so the two danced in the air, their graceful movements matching perfectly to the music. If Aurora didn’t know better, she could swear Dawn was glowing.

Dawn gave Aurora that little half smile Aurora had come to love.

“You’re a quick study, Aurora.” Dawn giggled.

“Yeah well…” Aurora’s cheeks tinted pink. “I got a good teacher.”

Aurora led Dawn into an aerial spin, her heart leaping as Dawn’s mutli-toned mane bounced with the flaps. Aurora had never seen such b-

“T-Twilight?” a voice called from behind. “W-what are you doing?”

This chapter is almost word for word what happened last night…

Wait, Dawn Twinkle? Aurora Prism? Those did actually sound a lot like…

Oh my Celestia. There’s no way. There. Is. No. Way.

“Hey Dashie.” Twilight fought to keep her voice even. “Just reading this great book.”

“Oh, you like it?!” Rainbow Dash responded enthusiastically. “ I mean yeah, it’s uh... good.”

“Thing is,” Twilight continued. “It’s incomplete. Who would publish an incomplete book?”

“I-I dunno. It was in your library.”

“I don’t even recognize it. And there’s no name of the book or the author on the spine. How
peculiar.”

“R-right? Super weird.”

“Aurora Prism and Dawn Twinkle, why do those names sound familiar?”

“...Couldn’t tell you.”

Twilight stared into Rainbow’s eyes for a few moments. Rainbow’s pupils had shrunk, her ears flopped against the sides of her heads. Upon meeting Twilight’s gaze, Rainbow let out a nervous chuckle.

“Dashie, I think your book is adorable. I mean, I was surprised you were reading romance, but writing it? It’s really good too! I had no idea you were such a prestigious writer!”

Rainbow Dash blinked hard. She ran through a myriad of responses in her mind, a complex show of quick, contradicting emotions, and then settled for the best one.

“You really mean it?” Rainbow chirped excitedly, flapping the outside portions of her wings. “Ohmygosh ohmygosh. I was so scared to show it to you because it was a little side project and I was kind of embarrassed and oh my gosh is it hot in here or is it just me?”

Twilight walked over to Rainbow and nuzzled her neck. “It’s just you. You’re pretty hot.”

Both mares blushed.

“You uh… promise not to tell anybody?” Rainbow asked cautiously.

“Hmm.” Twilight tapped her jaw, pretending to be lost in thought. “One one condition.”

“Name it.”

“We cuddle and you read it to me.”

Rainbow squeed. She flew over to the bed and relaxed, laying on her back. She motioned for Twilight to join her with her forehooves. Twilight walked over to the bed, and settled chest-to-chest with Rainbow. She cuddled in as she gave a quiet sigh of contentment, closing her eyes.

Rainbow eagerly threw her hooves around Twilight and flipped to the first page. She began reading.

Twilight cuddled deeper into Rainbow’s warm fluff, feeling relaxed and protected. All was good in the world until Rainbow loudly exclaimed something and clapped a hoof over her eye.

“Ow! Twilight, watch the horn!”

“Oops, sorry!”

Author's Note

There are two chapters left after this one, and then the story is completed.

There will be an epilogue though.

A New Dream

"C'mere you!" Twilight laughed, chasing Scootaloo through the air near the outskirts of Ponyville park. "I'm gonna get you! I'm gonna tickle you and then you're getting raspberries, you scoundrel!"

"Nooo!" Scootaloo cried dramatically, before giggling madly. She pulled a quick backflip in midair and landed on Twilight's back, eliciting a gasp from the alicorn.

"But first you gotta catch me!" Scootaloo teased, sticking a tongue out at Twilight before using her back as a springboard, jumping and flying in the opposite direction.

"Why you... That's it! Now you're getting double the raspberries!" Twilight whooped, turning around and chasing after the filly.

Meanwhile from a bench below, Rainbow Dash was watching the two most important ponies in her life with half lidded eyes and a serene expression.

Rainbow Dash, you made it. You’ve come a long way since you were that one pegasus who spent every night alone. This is… This is perfect. This is what I’ve been missing my whole life.

The sounds of high pitched squealing tore Rainbow Dash away from her thoughts, and glancing over, she saw Twilight gently holding Scootaloo to the ground and blowing raspberries on her tummy. Scootaloo was squealing loudly and fruitlessly attempting to escape.

“Now I hope you learned your lesson, fiend!” Twilight announced in a mock heroic tone.

"You'll never defeat me!" Scootaloo growled, breaking free of Twilight's light hold and fluttering over to Rainbow Dash. "Hey mom, did you see that flip? That was awesome, right?"

Rainbow smiled and raised her wing. Scootaloo eagerly tapped it with her own. "Excellent use of maneuver seventeen, squirt. Couldn't have done it better myself."

Scootaloo responded with a wide grin, before jumping off the bench and charging at Twilight, tackling the alicorn and laughing. Twilight squeaked in surprise.

Rainbow caught movement in the corner of her eyes. Three pegasi in blue and yellow uniforms were flying overhead. Rainbow watched as one broke out of the formation and started flying toward the park. Identifying that pony as her Captain, Rainbow trotted over to meet her, followed swiftly by Twilight and Scootaloo.

"Princess Twilight." Spitfire greeted, bowing in front of Twilight.

"No need for formalities." Twilight smiled. "You must be Spitfire. Rainbow's told me quite a lot about you. Like, a lot."

"Good things only I hope." Spitfire replied with a smirk.

"Let's just say... be glad I'm not the jealous type."

Spitfire chuckled and turned to Rainbow Dash. "I heard you two went official. Congratulations. But don't think the Wonderbolts are gonna treat you any different because you're messing around with a princess. Which brings me to why I'm here."

Rainbow Dash's grin grew as Spitfire established a dramatic silence.

"Fire Streak is retiring. The Wonderbolts need you, Dash. Welcome to the team."

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow squeaked, flapping the very ends of her wings. She looked back at Scootaloo and Twilight, a giant grin on her face. Scootaloo was smiling back with a grin that threatened to bisect her head. Twilight gave her a demure smile, but it seemed kind of… sad.

Rainbow blinked hard and her grin wavered. She turned back to Spitfire, who was waiting for her reaction, an eyebrow raised and her mouth twisted into a cocky smile.

"How uh… how often would I be able to see my family here?" Rainbow asked.

Spitfire's eyebrows knit together. "Any time we're not doing training, which you know is pretty frequent, or doing a show. At worst, you may not see them for a couple months."

Rainbow's smile faded. "Months?"

"Rainbow, what are you waiting for?" Twilight hissed behind her. "You've always wanted to be a Wonderbolt."

Rainbow looked back at Twilight and Scootaloo.

Her family.

But… can I really just leave them behind? Twilight and Scoot both are still recovering… although it's true I've been vying for this forever…

"What do you say, Dash?"

Rainbow bit her lip as she looked between Twilight and Spitfire.

This has been my dream since I was a filly.

A bead of sweat ran down Rainbow's face as she looked between Twilight and Spitfire again.

I'm sure she'll understand. I have to do this.

"Well, Dash?" Spitfire asked impatiently.

"You." Rainbow choked out.

"Great! Get-"

"Thank you, really." Rainbow walked over to sit between Twilight and Scootaloo, placing a wing over both of them. "The Wonderbolts may need me, but these two need me way more right now."

Twilight's and Scootaloo's jaws dropped in stereo.

"Dashie, what are you doing?" Twilight asked, pushing Rainbow's wing off of her. "You've always wanted to join the Wonderbolts!"

Rainbow chuckled and put her wing back around Twilight, pulling her in close.

"You two are worth it."

Rainbow bit her lip and turned to Spitfire, who had thrown up her eyebrows in surprise.

"Ma'am, I'd really appreciate it if you can move me down the reserves list. I would still love to be a Wonderbolt, but I need to be there for my family right now, with all due respect."

Spitfire blinked hard.

"You sure about this, Dash? I don’t know when the next opportunity will come up."

Rainbow hesitated.

"Y-yes ma'am."

Spitfire shook her head and paused for a moment to collect her thoughts.

"That's good of you Dash. Though I'm pretty sure the team will be disappointed. For you, and considering the…" Spitfire’s gaze flicked to Twilight and Scootaloo. "Circumstances, I'll do it. See you at the all hands practice in two weeks."

"Yes ma'am!"

As Spitfire flew off, Scootaloo escaped Rainbow's winghug and whirled around to face her, her expression a mixture of confusion and sadness.

"Mom, what was that? Your dream was always to be a Wonderbolt!"

Rainbow just chuckled and slid Scootaloo over to her, pulling her into a hug.

"That's okay. I made new dreams. Better dreams. And with you two, I'm living them right now."

The Final Chapter

"Twiiiiiilight.” came a voice from the aether.

“Mmn.” came Twilight’s subdued reply, nuzzling deeper into the warm body next to her.

The warm body squirmed and broke out of Twilight’s grip. This could not stand. This would not stand.

“Noooo, warm.” Twilight commanded sleepily. Rainbow Dash’s body was grabbed in Twilight’s magical aura and dragged back down to her. Twilight grabbed Rainbow Dash again and snuggled deep into her coat.

“Twiiiiilight,” Rainbow teased. “If you don’t let me go I’m gonna have to use my secret weapon on youuuu~”

“No.”

Twilight's face screwed up and ears flattened as Dash breathed a burst of hot, rancid, horribly citric air onto her face. Her tail swished as she struggled to get the horrid smell out of her nose.

“Okay, okay. I’m up.” Twilight complained, cracking open her eyes and staring at Rainbow blearily. “You couldn’t give us five more minutes?”

“Nope!” Rainbow replied enthusiastically. “And this is my reason why!”

Twilight suddenly found herself face to face with a giant rainbow colored cake with a violet trim.

“Happy anniversary, Twilight!”

Twilight blinked a few times, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her gaze flickered from the cake to Rainbow’s face. Rainbow was biting her lower lip and looked as though she wanted nothing but to release a bout of laughter. There was nothing but pure joy flowing in her eyes.

After a moment, Twilight’s brain fully booted up. She shook her head a few times to clear the haze, then promptly jumped into her lover’s embrace.

“Hold on, you… you baked me a cake? Aw, I love you. Happy anniversary!”

Rainbow took her opportunity to pepper Twilight’s face with kisses.

“Well… I helped. Truth is, this was made by me and the kids. Remember the last time I tried baking a cake alone? Neither you or the kids would eat my charcoal cake.”

Twilight giggled. “Cake isn’t supposed to be crunchy, Pookie. Imagine Pinkie’s face if she saw that. She’d call it an insult to baking.”

“Hey, at least I tried.” Rainbow grumped.

“Aw,” Twilight leaned over and met Rainbow’s lips. “I eventually had a slice for you. It’s the thought that counts.”

Rainbow chuckled and gazed at Twilight’s face.

“Gosh Twi, even with horrible bedmane, you’re still the cutest pony alive. That’s so unfair.”

Twilight blushed and buried her face in Rainbow’s chest floof. A moment later, she resurfaced.

“So Dashie, you wouldn’t let me know any of your plans for our one year-anniversary. What are we doing?”

“Well first.” Rainbow smiled, grabbing two plates and placing them on the bed. “I’m feeding you breakfast in bed. Now grab some cake and let’s dig in!”

The next hour passed quickly with the two mares eating, showering, and preparing themselves for the day. They happily spent their time bantering and teasing each other, and the first interruption, a very welcome one, found them on their way down the hallway.

“Uh oh, here comes trouble.” Rainbow smiled.

“Mom!” Scootaloo shouted gleefully, tackling Rainbow Dash and sending them both into a laughing pile on the floor. Scootaloo popped up to her hooves and threw a tight hug around Twilight too. “It’s so great to see you guys!”

“Jeez Scoot,” Twilight chuckled, squeezing her daughter. “You saw us just last night, what are you so excited about?”

“Well, because my parents are celebrating an anniversary and actually happy and I’m so happy because today is gonna be awesome and…” Scootaloo ran out of breath, choosing to just hug Twilight harder. “I just love you guys so much!”

Rainbow hugged Scootaloo from the other side and threw her wings around the pair. “We love you too, kiddo.”

“We certainly do.” Twilight cooed, giving Scootaloo a quick peck on the forehead. Scootaloo gave off a sound that was somewhere between a giggle and a happy squeal.

“Okay!” Scootaloo announced, dropping out of the hug, a giant grin stuck on her face. “You two have a great day to have! I’m gonna go play with the Crusaders on the farm!”

“You bet, squirt.” Rainbow bumped hooves with Scootaloo. “See you tonight!”

“Of course!” Scootaloo scampered off.

The two mares were silent for a few moments before Twilight piped up.

“She was really excited for other ponies to celebrate an anniversary. Did you tell her something?”

Rainbow chuckled. “Let’s just say I have a little surprise for you tonight, and Scoots helped me plan it.”

“Ooh, what kind of surprise?”

“You,” Rainbow booped Twilight’s nose. “Are just gonna have to wait and find out.”

“Aw,” Twilight’s lower lip drooped. “Not even a hint?”

“You’re gonna love it.” Rainbow smiled.

“Well that doesn’t surprise me.” Twilight returned the smile, pressing up against Rainbow’s side. “You do know me pretty well at this point.”

“Pfft, yeah, it’s almost like we’ve lived together for over a year.”

Rainbow went silent for a moment, staring at the ground.

“Rainbow, what’s wrong?”

“I… well, I do have another surprise for you, but it’s uh… it’s not great.”

Twilight shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll still like it.”

“O-okay. Be right back.”

Rainbow trotted over to one of the unused bedrooms and moments later, came out carrying some kind of case. With a sigh she set it on the floor and opened it, pulling something out.

“A guitar?” Twilight questioned. “You can play?”

“I… well…” Rainbow trailed off. “Sort of. You know how I’ve spent all those extra hours helping Applejack out on the farm?”

“Yeah? I thought it was because you two had grown closer after the fight and the crowd and such.”

“Well, I mean we have, but… She’s been teaching me. I’m not great yet, but I wanted to play you a song on our anniversary. And well, here we are.”

Twilight blushed and sat down, eagerly awaiting Rainbow’s performance.

Rainbow sat down too, cradling the guitar. She set herself around it and started awkwardly tuning it, slightly shaking.

“O-okay. So this is a l-love song that Applejack taught me. I hope you like it.”

Rainbow set to playing. It was a slow, melodic tune, frequently interrupted by sour notes or missed strings. Rainbow flinched every time she made a mistake, but soon started singing in a nervous, quiet voice.

We’re far apart, in every way
But you're the best part of my day
And sure as I breathe the air
I know we are the perfect pair

On a prickly path that goes on for miles
But it's worth it just to see you smile

And I cannot be pulled apart
From the hold you have on my heart
And even if the world tells us it's wrong

You're in my head like a catchy song

Twilight clapped a hoof over her muzzle as her eyes misted up. Rainbow took a moment to clear her throat and snuck a glance as Twilight. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face and Rainbow’s confidence grew, her voice now louder and clearer as she sang.

The seasons change and leaves may fall
But I'll be with you through them all
And rain or shine, you'll always be mine

On a prickly path that goes on for miles
You're the only one who makes it all worthwhile

And you should not blame me, too
If I can't help falling in love with you…

With a flourish, Rainbow ended the song, looking at Twilight anxiously.

“So what do you thi-”

Rainbow found herself cut off as Twilight threw herself into her, tightly hugging her.

“It was beautiful. Thank you so much, Dashie.”

“Y-you liked it? I thought it kinda sucked.”

“Well, the playing could use some practice,” Twilight teased. “But everything else was beautiful. Just like you.”

Rainbow’s cheeks turned pink as she returned the hug.

"Applejack told me she found her dad playing that the night after her mom died. She asked him to teach her it, and after her dad died, it became her lullaby for Applebloom when she was having trouble sleeping. Always settled her right down. Apparently her mom singing it is the only memory Applebloom actually has of her.”

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck.

“So I figured, most special song I can think of for the most special pony I can think of."

“I didn’t get you anything as amazing as that.” Twilight broke the hug, staring at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

"H-hey, it's okay. I'm just happy to spend the day with you."

"Well, let me grab your present anyway." Twilight responded, subdued.

Twilight took a couple deep breaths, and shut her eyes tightly. She lit up her horn and a moment later there was a soft pop as she teleported a wrapped gift to her. She placed it down in front of Rainbow.

Rainbow put her guitar away and eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper, taking in the sight of her present.

It was a book with a hornwritten title.

"Twilight Sparkle's Compendium of Advanced Aerial Tricks" Rainbow read.

"It has all sorts of tricks I came up with just watching you fly and doing some research. I even have a section on co-op stunts for ponies the exact size and weight of you and Scootaloo! I factored in flight speed too, and have additional parts for when Scoots grows taller!" Twilight spouted, a smile returned to her face.

"Holy… Twilight, this is awesome! This is way better than my present!" Rainbow grinned, throwing a hug around her lover.

"Nah, it was nothing." Twilight chuckled.

"What are you talking about?! This is awesome! I can't wait to try some of these out tomorrow!"

"Ye- wait, why tomorrow?" Twilight blinked.

"Because it's our anniversary and I'm not doing anything without you."

Twilight nuzzled the underside of Rainbow's chin. "Aw, what a sweetie. So what's next, Pookie?"

Rainbow nuzzled her back. "Well, I made dinner plans for about… four hours from now. I don't actually have anything planned for in between."

Twilight dragged herself along Rainbow's side, pressing herself against her. Rainbow kept her chin against Twilight's coat until her head was raised with a flaunt by Twilight's tail.

"Well Scoots is gone, it's a very special day, and Spike probably won't be up for a few more hours. I'm sure we can figure it out." Twilight purred, walked up behind Rainbow and nipping one of her ears.

"I'm sold on that." Rainbow grinned.

"Alright, I'm showered and dolled up in Rarity's dress. Now will you tell me where we're going?"

"Bistro del Hay." Rainbow smirked, pulling on her saddlebags.

"Wha- Rainbow! Last time I was there, I embarrassed myself in front of everyone! Why would you want to go back?!"

Rainbow placed a hoof over Twilight's shoulder. "It's also the site of my greatest triumph, finding myself with you. Besides, it's nice, and seems poetic considering that's where we got together a year ago today."

"Well…" Twilight hesitated. "Fair argument."

"Just try not to get food poisoning again. And maybe stay away from the mushrooms." Rainbow chuckled.

Twilight bumped flanks with Rainbow. "You're gonna hold that over me forever, aren't you?"

"Pfft, yeah. Obviously."

Twilight chuckled. "You're lucky you're cute."

Rainbow winked. “Only on occasions.”

"Alright you, let's get going. You wanna fly or is your wing still messed up?"

“Yeah, it’s healing, but I’d like to walk with you anyways."

"Well maybe you wouldn't have pulled a muscle if you weren't pushing yourself so hard at three in the morning."

"I don't see the correlation there."

"Then you're an idiot."

"Yeah, but I'm your idiot and you love it."

Twilight gave Rainbow a quick kiss on the cheek. "This is true."

And all too soon, the two were out the door and on their way to the restaurant. The familiar din of the music, the chattering couples, and the soft rose themes raised unpleasant memories for Twilight.

The two mares were seated and made their orders.

"So, Twi." Rainbow fidgeted with her wings. "You uh, having a good time?"

"Well the memories aren't great, but the company is… okay, I guess." Twilight winked.

“Pfft, bite me.” Rainbow scoffed.

“You do look like the tastiest snack here~” Twilight cooed.

Rainbow choked.

“Twilight! We’re in public!”

“I know.” Twilight winked, closing the distance between her and Rainbow. “They can watch.”

Twilight watched as Rainbow’s face flushed red before breaking out into a loud spurt of laughter.

“Oh that was perfect! Remind me to thank Pinkie for advising me to say that.”

“W-what?” Rainbow sputtered, face bright pink, wings flared widely out. “That was a prank?”

“And you said I couldn’t prank!” Twilight chuckled.

“You suck.” Rainbow moped, folding her wings back into her sides.

“Ask me nicely enough and I might.” Twilight winked seductively.

Rainbow’s wings flared out again.

“Twilight!”

Twilight fell into another fit of laughter, her hoof gently slamming on the table.

Rainbow crossed her forelegs grumpily. "You're mean."

"Love you."

"Yeah, yeah."

Twilight tittered as the waiter brought two steaming plates of food out, laying them in front of Twilight and Rainbow. With a deep bow, he left the mares to their food.

Eyeing Twilight’s dish, Dash stifled a laugh.

“I see you didn’t get mushrooms. Well, there goes my plans for some dinner entertainment down the drain.”

Twilight made a face and flicked some of her rice at Rainbow. Rainbow chuckled and wiped it away.

“Better watch it Dashie,” Twilight smirked. “I swear I’ll kick your cute butt.”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow tossed back. “You’re a pony who reads books all day, what can you do? Bore me to death?”

“I only look at the books because they’re nicer looking than you.” Twilight laid an elbow on the table, and rested her head on the front side of her foreleg.

“Ooh!” Rainbow chuckled. “Fuck you.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“Behave yourself and I'll consider it.”

Rainbow's face turned red again.

“Is this really an appropriate conversation for a public place?” Rainbow asked awkwardly, rubbing a foreleg. “I know you don’t have the best image in the papers this last… year.”

Twilight scoffed. “The tabloids will always be full of garbage, and honestly? If ponies have a problem with my flirting with my girlfriend, they can get over it. I don’t care if it’s a sexual joke or not, I’m enjoying time with you, regardless.”

Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Twilight. “Damn Twilight, you’re really horny today. Get it?” Rainbow gestured at her own forehead. “‘Cause you got the… horn?”

Twilight snorted into her hoof.

“Rainbow, even by your standards, that was an awful joke. Three out of ten, and that’s being generous.”

Rainbow harrumphed. “Remember when we first got together and I was the one embarrassing you?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we go back to those days?”

“Absolutely not.”

Before too long the couple was done eating, paid their bill, and left. Rainbow took Twilight around the back of the restaurant and began walking toward a small hill.

“So is this the surprise you’ve been building up? Stargazing?” Twilight teased, before looking over at Rainbow to see her shaking. Her ears were flattened against her head and she kept ruffling her wings.

“Rainbow Dash, are you okay?” Twilight asked, dropping the sarcastic tone. She laid a wing over the pegasus, who pressed herself deep into the alicorn’s warmth.

“U-um, yeah. You will see the surprise soon, this is just a nice place I wanted to sit with you.”

At the top of the hill, there was a simple picnic blanket and a lightningbug glass attached to one of the lower branches, softly illuminating Rainbow’s form with a golden glow.

“So... alright, here it is.” Rainbow mumbled, dropping her saddlebags before letting out a loud whistle.

Instantly, a group of uniformed pegasi burst up from the ground. They were decked in the familiar blue and yellow Twilight had seen countless times since dating Rainbow Dash.

“Is this… a private Wonderbolts show?” Twilight asked. Rainbow nodded in response.

As the Wonderbolts ducked and dived, pulling off crazy stunts and near misses, Twilight found herself entranced. Before long there were fireworks, and the stunt ended with six of the Wonderbolts releasing purple dust from a small bag and crossing, painting Twilight’s cutie mark in the sky where it was perfectly framed by the sunset.

Twilight blinked a few times and stared and Rainbow Dash. “Oh my goodness Dash, that was… incredible!”

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and turned to face Twilight, picking up and holding one of Twilight’s forelegs in both of hers.

“Twilight, I know I’m not good at sappy, but I just need you to know you’re the light of my life. The brightest star in the night sky. You’re the very image of perfection and I… I love you more than I even thought was possible.”

"So that was your surprise?" Twilight wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye. "Impress me with a Wonderbolts show then compliment me until I cry?"

"W-well… no" Rainbow replied nervously, dropping Twilight’s hoof. "None of that was the surprise."

Twilight blinked and cocked her head slightly to the side. "Then what is?"

Rainbow took a deep breath and pointed at the sky behind Twilight.

"That is."

Twilight turned around to find a large message written in the clouds.

TURN AROUND

Twilight slowly turned around and immediately a gasp escaped her lips.

Rainbow Dash was kneeling down, one forehoof in the dirt and one holding a box with a shining gold ring sticking out of it.

"Twilight Sparkle, will you marry me?"

Twilight gazed between Rainbow and the ring, eyes brimming with tears and mouth agape. Her entire body spasmed, and she took in a deep shuddering breath, her hoof shooting up to cover her muzzle. Twilight found herself unable to respond for a few moments.

A few moments too many.

Rainbow’s hopeful smile slowly died, replaced with a frown of dissapointment.

“Was it too early? I co-”

Rainbow found herself cut off as a purple feathery mass threw itself around her, clinging to her as if her life depended on it. Rainbow felt Twilight nodding furiously into her coat.

“Ohmygoshohmygosh YES!” Twilight screamed out, her enthusiasm pushing Dash over and sending the pair rolling down the hill where Twilight found herself pinning Dash to the ground, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. The pair stayed like that for a moment, then Twilight broke out to pull Rainbow into a rib shattering hug.

Twilight released the hug after a few moments and levitated the ring over to her. She gently placed it on her horn and looked back at Rainbow.

Both of them had rushes of inexplicable emotion raging through their body. They were united. They were connected. They were… complete.

Twilight could have gone on for hours about the elation she felt staring into her lover’s eyes. Her fiancée's eyes. The pure, concentrated, unadulterated happiness. But at that moment she knew she could sum it up with three little words.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Epilogue Part 1

A single carriage descended upon Ponyville, pulled by two Royal Guard pegasi. The occupant disembarked and nodded to the pegasi, stopping for a moment to enjoy the warm breeze caressing her face.

“It was a pleasure, princess. How long will you be staying?”

The mare rolled her eyes. “I already asked you not to call me that. And for a week.”

“It was something we were told to do by another princess, princess.”

The mare scoffed. “Of course. And I’ll bet I know exactly who that is. She’d find that hilarious. Thanks for the ride, you guys can leave.”

Shaking her head, the mare made her way to the castle, muttering something about kicking Rainbow Dash’s flank. Tepidly pushing the door open, she had to shield her eyes as the warmly lit interior contrasted poorly with the gentle sunset outside.

Immediately there was a cacophony of voices directed at the mare. Two very specific ones, choroused by two mares, stood out the most.

“Scootaloo!”

Scootaloo immediately found herself on the bottom of a dogpile as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both threw themselves onto their friend.

“Land sake Scoot! It’s been forever!” Applebloom shouted.

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle agreed. “And congratulations!”

Chuckling, Scootaloo crawled out of the pile and pulled her friends into a hug.

“Thanks! I’m just as shocked as I am proud that I finally got it. All those years of college, but it finally paid off!”

“I’m real proud of you, Scootaloo.” Applebloom grinned.

“Actually, that’s Doctor Scootaloo now!” Sweetie Belle grinned too.

“Oh, I love it when you call me that~” Scootaloo purred, smiling at Sweetie Belle with half lidded eyes.

“Gay.” Applebloom chuckled.

“You’re gay!” Scootaloo fired back.

“This is true.” Applebloom nodded.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” Came a raspy voice from behind Scootaloo.

Scootaloo’s eyes lit up and she spun around, throwing herself into the embrace of the pony right behind her.

“Mom!”

“Hey kiddo.” Rainbow gave Scootaloo a tired smile, tousling her mane. “I’m so dang proud of you. And it’s so good to see you.”

Scootaloo chuckled, looking her mother up and down.

“I see you went with the Spitfire manestyle, mom. And is that…” Scootaloo let out a mock gasp, pointing at Rainbow’s mane. “Is that a gray hair I see?”

“Pfft.” Rainbow scoffed. “It is not, Princess Doctor Scootaloo.”

Scootaloo let out a guffaw. “That reminds me, screw you for insisting all the guards have to call me princess now.”

“It is your title.”

“Oh, okay Princess Captain Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo teased.

Rainbow Dash made a face at that. “Alright, fair point, I’ll take my order back.”

Scootaloo giggled and shook her head. “Is Twilight here?”

Rainbow shook her head sadly. “She said she’d try her best to make it. She’s... probably still on her way.”

“...Oh.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Don’t worry kiddo, I know she’ll find a way to be here. It’s not every day your daughter comes home with a Doctorate.”

Scootaloo gave a small smile.

“Pluuuusss,” Rainbow started. “She also said she was planning on bringing along somebody very special. Somebody who you haven’t seen in over a year?”

Scootaloo gasped. “Flur is coming?”

Rainbow smiled and nodded.

“YES!” Scootaloo shouted, taking to the air and doing a flip.

Moments later the castle doors opened and a large mare stepped in..

“MOOOOM!” Scootaloo cried as she and Rainbow tackled Twilight in tandem.

Twilight fell over, laughing with the other two, and pulled them into a hug.

“And how are my girls?”

“Still totally awesome!” Rainbow replied.

“I’m great! And it’s so good to see you again!” Scootaloo squealed, hugging the alicorn tighter.

“It’s good to see you too, Scootaloo.” Twilight smiled. “I know I haven’t been able to check in with you recently, how has college been? Do you have any friends coming with you?”

“Well,” Scootaloo frowned. “As I am the daughter of the ruler of Equestria and the Captain of the Wonderbolts, and technically royalty, I was a bit… more popular than I’d like. Most ponies only really wanted to talk to me because of my title. I only managed to make some real friends after falling on my face about a thousand times in dance club, but all those ponies are busy with their own stuff.”

“Aw,” Twilight smiled sympathetically. “That makes sense. Sorry, sweetie.”

Scootaloo pursed her lips. “Yeah, and you don’t have to worry or anything. Everyone is okay and there are no concerns."

"Trust me, I'm not. Glad they’re doing well.” Twilight continued smiling.

Scootaloo blinked. “...Who are you?”

Twilight chuckled. “I’m Twilight Sparkle, leader of Equestria, wife of the coolest pegasus ever, and mother of one of the most amazing ponies known to ponykind. You may have heard of me.”

Scootaloo’s eyes flitted between Rainbow’s face and Twilight’s face. Twilight’s face showed nothing but a neutral smile, but Rainbow Dash was laughing into her hoof.

“I was… uh… expecting more of an… animated response from you.” Scootaloo admitted.

Twilight tittered. “Being the leader of Equestria means I needed to learn to be a little better at ‘chilling out’, as your mother says. Plus, being married to her for thirteen years has weathered me down a bit.”

Scootaloo hummed. “I mean, that makes sense, I guess.”

Scootaloo was interrupted again as the door to the castle swung open again, revealing one mare, one stallion, and one foal.

“Hey, you guys!.” Scootaloo chirped, throwing a hug around Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart.

“Scootaloo!” Flurry Heart eagerly accepted the hug. “It’s been forever!”

“It really has.” Scootaloo sighed. “Almost two years. How old are you now, my favorite little troublemaker? Five? Six?”

“I’m thirteen!” Flurry squealed indignantly.

“Oh, my mistake. Thirteen.” Scootaloo suppressed a snort.

“Okay, so that’s all handled, Twilight. What abou-” A voice came from behind the ponies.

Scootaloo gasped and threw herself at the newcomer.

“Spike!”

“Hey- Woah!” Spike grabbed Scootaloo just in time, before returning the hug. “Scoot, great so see you again!”

“I thought you hadn’t left the Dragon Lands yet!”

“What, do you think I’d miss my baby sister’s homecoming? No way!” Spike noogied Scootaloo.

Scootaloo deadpanned. “Spike, I’m four years younger than you. You never even knew me as a baby.”

Spike shrugged as the two broke the hug.

“So how were the Dragon Lands? You have your own harem yet?” Scootaloo winked.

Spike blushed as Flurry Heart piped in. “What’s a hare-”

“Nope. I don’t.” Spike responded hurriedly. “But I know Ember totally wants some of this.”

Spike went about flexing as everyone else laughed.

“It’s good to know that even if you’re buff now, you’re still a nerd.” Scootaloo chuckled.

“Coming from you, doc, that means nothing.” Spike smirked.

“Eh.” Scootaloo elbowed her draconic brother. “Whatever. Come on, join the party!”

Minutes passed as the party-goers mingled. After entering the castle proper, Twilight surrounded herself in a magical aura, and when it faded, she was the same size she was prior to taking Celestia’s throne. She explained that was for being able to cuddle her wife properly, since her larger form was closer to being used as a bed than as a cuddle buddy. With that, Rainbow and her took their leave, saying they were going to go raise the moon together.

Spike settled down with Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart, regaling them with tales of his life in the Dragon Lands.

As the party progressed, the three Crusaders found themselves off to the side of the party, Applebloom enjoying her third cup of cider as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stuck with party punch.

“Oh Scoots, you’ll never guess who just announced they were eating for two!” Sweetie Belle gossiped.

Scootaloo’s mouth dropped open as she looked her friend up and down. Her gaze flickered to Sweetie Belle’s cup.

“No… Did you and Half Song…”

Sweetie Belle blanched. “What? No! Not me! Pinkie Pie! Half Song and I aren’t at that point yet!”

“Oh, my bad.” Scootaloo chuckled. “ I just thought you were talking about yourself because… You are getting kinda fat.”

A harsh silence spread across the mares.

Applebloom’s jaw dropped.

Sweetie Belle blinked once.

Sweetie Belle blinked again.

And then Sweetie Belle burst out into laughter.

“Oh Celestia, Scoot.” Sweetie elbowed her friend gently. “I forgot how much you suck.”

“Ah, you love me anyway.” Scootaloo smirked.

“I do.”

“So if you’re not actually pregnant, what’s with the punch instead of cider?”

“I just felt like drinking punch tonight.” Sweetie shrugged.

“Ah, gotcha. And in all seriousness, congratulations to her. I can’t imagine how wild a foal Cheese and Pinkie will have.”

“Apparently she’s already planned his first fifteen birthdays.” Applebloom chuckled. “And his half birthdays. And his quarter birthdays.”

“Considering his or her parents, that foal is either gonna be a crazy corroboree radge, or an explosives expert.” Sweetie Belle tittered. “Did you know Cheese and Pinkie both autodidactically learned how to craft their own party artillery?”

Scootaloo and Applebloom were struck silent.

“Sweetie... I have a PhD and I don’t know what the heck you just said.” Scootaloo commented. “Maybe come back to normal Ponish, please?”

“He’s gonna be a party pony or he’s gonna be good at blowing things up.”

“Oh.”

“So anyway, in all seriousness, how are you and Song?” Applebloom interrupted.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes shined. “Oh, he’s the best! I mean, I knew he was nice considering we met while working at a charity, but he’s funny, and so cute, and sometimes he’ll take me flying which is so cool! It’s also a little terrifying, truth be told.”

Applebloom shook her head violently. “Goodness no, I hate heights. I don’t understan’ why you like ‘em Scoots. By the way, you got a stallion of your own?” Applebloom winked seductively, slinking a foreleg around Scootaloo’s shoulders. “Or a mare? ‘Cuz the farm’s always open if you decide you wanna swing that way. And my bed can fit two.”

Scootaloo pretended to retch. “Ew, romance? Nah, that’s not for me. I’ll be happy just marrying myself to my job, thanks.”

“Aw, so we can’t count on seeing any tiny versions of you running around?” Sweetie Belle winked.

“Nah,” Scootaloo chuckled. “I reproduce asexually. And with the power of me and my duplicate we will march on Canterlot and take Twilight’s throne by force.”

“How the hay are you gonna take her throne with only two of you?” Applebloom snarked.

“You underestimate me.” Scootaloo replied with a smirk. “I grew up with her, I know all the ways to get under her skin. And now there shall be Scootaloo and Scootatwo! She stands no chance!”

“That didn’t answer my question.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Alright, I’ll spell it out plain for you.” Scootaloo giggled. “No dating, and definitely no tiny Scoots ever.”

“But that’s so boring.” Sweetie Belle whined. “Where’s your sense of romance?”

“Lying dead in the backyard of my house with my sense of adventure.” Scootaloo snarked. “A couple years of psychology tests beat that out of me. Where was my self-appointed bodyguard for that, Applebloom?” Scootaloo elbowed her cream colored friend.

“Doin’ all the work at the farm.” Applebloom said casually, rubbing her hoof on her pink neckerchief. “Speaking of which, Sugar Belle just entered her third semester! We found out it’s gonna be a colt!”

“Oh, awesome!” Scootaloo chirped. “And hey, speaking of you being my knight in tarnished armor, remember Snow Shine?”

“Wasn’t that the one drunk stallion that kept hitting on you during our prom?” Sweetie Belle questioned.

“The same one Applebloom knocked out with one punch? Yeah. Did you know he needed stitches from that?” Scootaloo chuckled.

“He had it coming.” Applebloom shrugged. “You don’t freak out my Scootaloo and get away with it.”

“After you stormed off I had to literally fight to hold Spike back from doing worse.” Sweetie Belle giggled.

Scootaloo chuckled too. “I remember that. Anyway, I saw him in Manehatten a couple weeks back. He’s got a couple foals.”

“Crazy to think somebody actually liked him enough to have foals with him.” Applebloom chuckled.

“Speaking of which…” Sweetie Belle warned.

“Scootaloo! Auntie Applebloom! Auntie Sweetie Belle!” A small voice from behind Scootaloo called out, bouncing over to the trio.

“Hey Flurry Heart!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed happily. “Wow, you’re getting so big! I swear you were half this size when I last saw you!”

Flurry stuck her tongue out. “Nuh-uh!”

“Well, how’ve y’all been?” Applebloom asked.

“I’ve been okay.” Flurry replied. “I’ve missed you guys! I rarely ever see you anymore since Scootaloo has been away. You guys used to be inseparable! Haven’t you known each other like… forever?”

“Actually,” Scootaloo clarified. “We met when we were just a little younger than you.”

“Oh.” Flurry responded quietly. “How did you guys meet?”

"Well," Scootaloo began. "To meet Sweetie Belle, I had to rescue her from a dragon’s lair. It was ninety million hundred fifty thousand hundred feet in the air, then I punched the dragon so hard it caused a sonic boom that ruptured space and then exploded the sun.”

“And what about Applebloom?” Flurry asked, eyes widening.

“Oh, we met at a party.”

Flurry giggled. "You're full of hot air, Scootaloo."

"Oh, is that so?" Scootaloo smirked. "Nah, I'll show you what I'm really full of!"

Scootaloo pulled a feather out of her right wing. Flurry started backing away, a mock look of horror on her face.

"I'm full of tickles!" Scootaloo announced, pouncing on Flurry and proceeding to tickle her with the feather. Flurry squealed happily and fought to get away.

After a couple seconds of ruthless attack, Scootaloo let up, spitting out the feather as her face turned serious.

"But that aside, your mom tells me something's really been eating at you recently. You wanna tell me what's up?"

Flurry hesitated.

“I mean… I’m one of the last foals my age to get my cutie mark…”

The mares shared a quick glance.

“And I…” Flurry hesitated. “I mean, what if… I’m kinda scared of what it will be. I mean, what if all I’m meant to do is like… polish the Crystal Heart? Or just guard it? And that’s all I have to do with my life?!”

“I feel we’ve had this discussion before with somebody else before.” Applebloom tapped her chin.

“We have!” Sweetie Belle chirped. “Cutie Mark Camp.”

“Anyways, Flurry Heart, that idea is a bunch of bunk.” Sweetie Belle lectured, turning to the filly. “The idea that you’ll get locked into one purpose and can only do one thing when you get your cutie mark is fake. Ultimately, cutie marks are just a vapid symbol that you found something you’re really good at. It doesn’t mean that’s the only thing you can do.”

“I mean,” Scootaloo took over the conversation. "Take Rarity for example. Her passion and job is being a seamstress, but her cutie mark just shows her aptitude with finding gems. You know she came up with the gem hunting spell?”

“Woah… really?” Flurry asked, a smile slowly appearing on her face.

“Really, look no further than us.” Applebloom interrupted. “I work on a farm, Scoots here is a therapist-”

“Psychologist!”

“Whatever. And Sweetie Belle works at a charity. But we all got our cutie marks in helpin’ fillies find their cutie marks.”

“Basically, cutie marks are nebulous notions that show you one of the areas you shine through the brightest, but you can use that knowledge as a mere accessory if you want.” Sweetie Belle finished off.

Flurry Heart hummed and looked down, rustling her wings gently.

“So… no matter what my mark is, I can still be whatever kind of pony I want to be? I won’t be stuck in a box?”

“Exactly,” the Crusaders chorused.

“But since I knew you were all twisted up about this, we made you something cuz.” Scootaloo grinned. “Close your eyes and I’ll go grab it.”

Flurry Heart closed her eyes and held her breath. She always liked Scootaloo’s gifts. Scootaloo had a way of knowing automatically what would make you feel better, it seemed.

A couple moments later, Flurry felt something soft draped over her back and neck. It felt like… silk?

“Open your eyes.”

Flurry opened her eyes and snapped her head around to view her cousin’s and aunt’s gift. It was a red silk cape with twin yellow patches at the ends where a cutie mark would be on a pony. On the patches were images of a pony rearing up on its hind legs. A quick look under it showed that the underside was made of golden silk.

Flurry Heart looked back up at Scootaloo, stunned.

“A… Crusaders cape?”

“From this day forward Flur, you are a Cutie Mark Crusader. May your legacy bring you peace, and for the sake of Celestia, may you be less destructive than we were when we were your age.”

“I swear,” Applebloom quipped with a small chuckle. “Sweetie Belle must have accidentally set at least a hundred things on fire when we was crusadin’. ”

“The flames. They speak to me.” Sweetie Belle whispered, staring straight ahead, eyes wide open. There was a ghost of a smile on her face.

Flurry Heart let out a giggle at her aunts’ antics, then turned back again to face Scootaloo.

“Thank you!” Flurry grinned wildly.

“You got it, squirt.” Scootaloo tousled Flurry Heart’s mane. “Now why don’t we go out in town and make some new friends? I heard the Cake twins are pretty cool.”

Epilogue Part 2

Rainbow Dash let out a heavy sigh, flopping onto her bed as she watched the now-almost normal sized Twilight raise the moon.

“I kinda feel like we should be down there, partying with her.” Rainbow moaned. “We haven’t seen her in forever.”

Twilight didn’t respond, focused on her task. After a few moments her horn dimmed, and she set upon the room, binding the curtains and tidying up.

“Twi, would you just come over here and cuddle, already?” Rainbow snorted, tapping the mattress irately.

Twilight turned around and chuckled before wrapping herself tightly around her wife.

“You know just as well as I do that she’s probably gonna spend the entire night hanging out with Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Flurry Heart. She’ll go to bed at five in the morning and then she can spend the entirety of tomorrow with us. Besides,” Twilight kissed the back of Rainbow’s head. “The moon is up, so it’s your bedtime.”

Rainbow turned her head and stuck her tongue out at Twilight. “I’m the Amazing Rainbow Dash. I don’t have a bedtime.”

“Well, the amazing Rainbow Dash is bound to fall and injure herself if she exerts herself more than I know you already have today.” Twilight teased. “Also I haven’t been about to see you in months due to this blasted schedule, and this mare needs Rainbow cuddles right now.”

Rainbow let out a contented sigh and snuggled deeper into the alicorn’s embrace. “Well, I can agree with that last thing, definitely. And I’m not that old!”

Twilight chuckled as she nuzzled deep into Rainbow’s mane. “I know. I just love teasing you.”

“You suck.” Rainbow smiled.

“Give me a half hour of cuddling at least, and I will.” Twilight shot back.

“Ohohoho, is that a promise?” Rainbow laughed.

“Mm-hmn.” Twilight responded.

The two mares enjoyed a companionable silence for a few more minutes until Twilight spoke up.

“So I heard Soarin retired a week or two ago, right? How do you feel about that?”

“Nah, unfortunately Clipper retired a full two months ago. I’m the last original Wonderbolt on the team.” Rainbow sighed. “I mean, our new team is great. They’re great ponies and just as much of dickheads as the Wonderbolts team I got to know as a newbie. But it’s not the same.”

“Aw, I’m sorry, honey.” Twilight cooed.

“It’s whatever.” Rainbow scoffed.

“So,” Twilight hummed. “What’s new in Ponyville?”

“Well, Lyra and Bon Bon had their eleven year anniversary last month. Fluttershy hired some ponies to help out at her sanctuary, and… Heh, so somebody started this ridiculous rumor where you actually died in the fight with Tirek, and you’re actually a clone that possessed Celestia and made her give up the throne to you.”

Twilight snorted loudly into a hoof.

“What? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

Rainbow chuckled. “I know. It’s pretty great. So what’s the news in Canterlot? How are the princesses? You guys still write each other every week?”

“Ruling Equestria is boring and monotonous, as usual.” Twilight scoffed. “Celestia bought a puppy, and I actually heard Luna is looking into adoption. Really set on finding a filly named ‘Rose’ though, for whatever reason. Also, Canterlot Carousel has officially become the most popular dress shop in Canterlot.”

“Huh.” Rainbow replied simply. “Well, good for Rarity. But how are you doing?”

Twilight paused for a moment, pulling Rainbow tighter into her body.

“Honestly? Overworked. If I had to balance day shifts and dreamwalking at the same time, I’d be riding the edge of a nervous breakdown all the time. I’m thankful Starlight took up dreamwalking, it’d be horrid without her. And that’s not even to mention all the other stuff I have to deal with. That one pony, Mr. Bit keeps trying to create new laws that will just funnel more bits into his saddlebags, I can’t go anywhere public without a serious disguise because I get more mobbed than you were after we started selling the Friendship Journal, and honestly? If I didn’t hire Tempest as Captain of the Royal Guard, I doubt I’d ever get peace again. She doesn’t mess around.”

“Dang Twi, sounds like you need a good break.” Dash whistled.

“I… yes. A chance to decompress would probably do me some good.” Twilight sighed, before giving off a small chuckle. “But it’s not all bad news. I’ve gotten some pretty entertaining letters from the princesses. Short lived as it was, you’ll never guess who Luna went into business with last month.”

“Who?”

“Flim and Flam.”

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing, turning around to face the alicorn.

“There’s no way. I need to hear this. What did they do?”

“So they made a business plan where they sold ‘moon rocks’, but they were actually just painted rocks. Celestia was so mad, saying ‘We can’t be using our role as former princesses to con ponies out of their well-earned bits’, but Luna just found the whole thing hilarious. Celestia did get her to stop after like four days, though.”

“Oh man, Luna is always hilarious.” Rainbow chuckled.

"And..." Twilight buried her face into Rainbow's neck, trying to hold back a fit of laughter. "I almost forgot, so Celestia sent me just the best letter two days ago. Apparently Luna had been dreamwalking in her dreams, and kept trying to plant the idea that Celestia should become the lead singer of a screamo band. Celestia finally got tired of it, teleported to Luna's bed, and starts hitting her with a pillow. Luna was all 'argh! what did you put in this?!" and Celestia just screamed 'MOON ROCKS' and then they both just fell over laughing."

"Did she actually hit her with a bag of rocks?"

"No, it was just small bags filled with sand."

"That's.... just awesome."

"I have the letter right next to my bed, I still crack up every time I read it.” Twilight smiled warmly.

Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“Speaking of beds…” Twilight purred, slowly drawing a forehoof down across Rainbow’s body, gently sliding over her cutie mark and off her leg. She gave the side of Rainbow’s jaw a gentle kiss and lit up her horn.

Rainbow Dash felt a warm magic sensation sweep over her rump.

"Hey- What was that for?" Rainbow asked, pushing her upper body up so she could see what the spell had done.

"Just a little spell Starlight taught me."

Rainbow Dash looked down to see her cutie mark replaced with the words "Property of Princess T.S."

Rainbow chuckled, pulling herself back into Twilight’s embrace. "You're acting like I won't flaunt this with pride."

"I know you will, you minx. Just remember after everyone else goes to bed, I have a lot of stress to work off. Better get used to my stamina spells, old mare. I'm gonna need at least until I have to raise the sun."

Twilight winked as Rainbow Dash was struck silent. And then slowly, a grin appeared on Rainbow’s face.

"Dear Celestia, Twi. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Pookie."

Author's Note

And as we close the book on this story, I just wanted to thank you all for sticking with my throughout this whole experience.

It's been a learning experience, but moreso than that, a very fun experience sharing my story with you all, and I hope you appreciated it too.