From Cool To Cute: Aftermath Stories

“Wow, look at mommy go!” Me and Trail Blazer watched from the ground, but we were able to marvel at Rainbow Dash’s aerial maneuvers as she flew with the rest of the Wonderbolts. Their grace and speed were indeed something to behold. “Someday, I’m sure you’ll be able to fly as fast as mommy and be a Wonderbolt just like her. I rubbed my son’s mane as he answered in giggles and blubbering. “Yup, I love her too buddy.”

As I continued to watch my wife fly, I could hear a loud uproar coming from the runway. I could barely make out what was being said, because everything was so jumbled, but it sounded like a couple were cheering on Rainbow Dash, but also trying to make everyone else deaf at the same time. Whoever it was, if I could hear it all the way from the ground, it’s gotta be pretty obnoxious. “Let’s check that out, huh?” I asked my son, despite knowing damn well he can’t respond back.

I flew my way up to the runway and was met with a rather odd sight: Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Wonderbolts were interacting with a pegasi couple: the male had a rainbow mane and tail, like a certain rainbow maned pegasus, with a light purple coat; the female had orange streaked hair and a cyan coat, similar to another cyan pegasus. It took me a while to put two and two together, but it finally hit me. I landed on the runway with Trail Blazer in my arms, and made my way toward Rainbow Dash and her parents.

“Oh, hey Sam. I was just talking to—“ but I cut her off before she had the chance to finish.

“Your parents?” I asked, looking rather downtrodden. “How come you never introduced me to them? I thought they up and.. you know?” I stretched forth my hand, hoping for a gentle hoof shake from them. “Hi, my name is Sam, Rainbow Dash’s husband.” I have a warm smile, trying to seem friendly and kind. Gotta look good when meeting the parents. However, they seemed rather concerned and anxious about me. Of course, they’ve never seen something like me. Heck, we never even got to invite them to the wedding. “Hey, don’t worry, I won’t bite. Though, if anyone gives Dash any trouble, I will not hesitate to defend her.” They each reluctantly shook my hand and we finished the first step of basic introductions. Now it was their turn to speak.

“You’re Rainbow Dash’s husband?” asked the father, his eyes looking me over and his face contorted into a skeptical look.

“Rainbow Dash, you should have told us you got married,” said the mother. Her eyes traveled to Trail Blazer and her face suddenly went from anxious to excited. “Oh my goodness, is that what I think it is?” she said, pointing to my son. “Honey, look we have a grandson! Oh, look it has all of Rainbow Dash’s features: her blue coat, her wings, her eyes—“

“Ahem! Uh, mom, dad?” interrupted Rainbow Dash, looking rather annoyed and embarrassed. Now I think I understand why she never bothered to invite them to our wedding.

“Oh, sorry about that. Where are my manners?” the father asked. My name is Bow Hothoof and this is my wife, Windy Whistles. The proud parents of the best Wonderbolt in Equestria!”

“Ugh, anyway, how did you know I’d be up here?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, your little friend Scootaloo filled us in on everything. Ooh quick, group picture!” Windy Whistles pulled me, Trail Blazer, Rainbow Dash, and her husband into a massive hug as Scootaloo took our picture. I looked over to Rainbow Dash and she did not look happy.

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m documenting the moment your parents first saw you as a Wonderbolt, meet their son-in-law, and their grandson all in the same day!” she squealed with glee, as she stuffed the picture into a scrapbook. Windy finally released us from that suffocating hold and we were finally able to catch our breath.

“Oh, *sniff* I can’t believe our Rainbow Dash is finally a fully fledged Wonderbolt!” Bow said, trying his best not to cry from joy. *sniff* I’m so proud!”

“Daaaad, please! We’re in public!” Dash looked like she wanted to hide in the deepest darkest void and never come out, and honestly, I’d feel the same way.

“Oh, I’m sorry pumpkin, but... you had your goal... and you... finally achieved it.” He suddenly started sobbing tears of joy right in front of everyone, and of course Rainbow Dash is red with embarrassment.

“Alright, Wonderbolts,” commanded Spitfire, “let’s hit the showers and give Rainbow Dash some time to spend with her family.” All of the Wonderbolts left, leaving only me and Rainbow Dash to deal with this hot mess. Rainbow let out an exasperated sigh and turned toward her parents.

“Could you give us a sec?” She pulled me and Scootaloo off to the side, out of earshot of her parents.

“Rainbow Dash, is there something wrong?” asked Scootaloo, now looking rather confused.”

“Uh, yeah? You should have told me you were bringing my parents here, not just randomly show up with them!”

“Why?”

“There’s a reason I didn’t tell them I was a Wonderbolt. They can be a little bit embarrassing.”

“Really?” Scootaloo acted like she didn’t think they were embarrassing at all.

“I mean, they do seem really loud and maybe a little over the top with the cheering, but I just think it’s very encouraging,” I said, while cradling littleTrail Blazer over my shoulder.

“Well, now I’ve got a whole lot of crazy in my life!” Rainbow Dash walked off towards the stadium for her big performance.

“What’s wrong with a little support?” Scootaloo asked, looking to me.

“I know right? Even after all the support I show her, she thinks this is embarrassing?”

Pegasi gathered in the stands as the Wodnerbolts prepared for their big show. Rainbow Dash’s parents were already at the stands, along with Scootaloo and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I joined them and sat right next to my in-laws. “You know, I’m sorry we never invited you to the wedding. I would have, but Rainbow Dash never bothered to mention you before.” I said.

“Oh it’s quite alright, we totally understand,” replied Bow. “We’re just glad to see Rainbow Dash picked somepony, er, unique?” I just chuckled. I know they’re still getting used to me.

“It’s fine. I do my best to support her in every way. We’ve been through our ups and downs, a few rocky patches here and there, but we were able to pull through and have a happy family. Speaking of which, who wants to hold their grandson first?”

"I call!" Bow shouted gleefully. I gently passed my little bundle of joy over to his grandpa and he marveled and cooed to his grandchild.

“How did you two end up together?” asked Windy, “I’m rather curious about that.”

I explained everything to her: how she met me for the first time, how I was impressed with her athleticism and prowess, and her likewise. But it was mainly my support for her that drew her to me.

“Oh, you should see how she became a Wonderbolt in the first place!” Scootaloo grabbed her scrapbook from her bag and went through the history of Rainbow Dash’s road to becoming a Wonderbolt: from her acceptance into the Wonderbolt Academy and her rivalry with Lightning Dust, to her entering the Wonderbolt Reserves, to Wind Rider framing her for a false crime and then being proved innocent, and finally becoming a fully fledged Wonderbolt. Scoot even showed our wedding photo, the sonograms, and a picture of our kid when he was first born.

“Hey, guys, shows starting!” Applebloom gathered everyone's attention as the Wonderbolts began their performance.
Although every single Wonderbolt was amazing, I was mainly focused on Rainbow Dash and her awesome skills, even though everyone did almost the same exact thing. Unfortunately, the performance was interrupted by a sudden display of fireworks. I looked over to Rainbow Dash's parents who were launching fireworks and shouting as loud as possible, even using megaphones.

"WOOWOOWOO! GO RAINBOW DASH! BEST. WONDERBOLT. EVER!" Rainbow Dash's parents were making such a racket, everyone else in the stands moved so far away, some looked like they would fall out from the stands.

I looked to Rainbow Dash and saw her cover her eyes in embarrassment. Now I get what she's on about.

Bow and Windy followed Rainbow Dash to every single event. Whether it was cutting a ribbon or signing a pamphlet they were there cheering her on. Embarrassment and anger was building up inside of her every passing moment.

Dash makes it back to the Wonderbolts locker room after her long day. Me, Scootaloo, and both of Dash’s parents came into the locker room with her. Dash just hung a measly towel and her parents began to cheer again. This time, Dash couldn’t hold in her frustration and exploded like a bomb.

“Stop! This is ridiculous! Mom and Dad, you are both too supportive! This is exactly why I didn't tell you I was a Wonderbolt! You're just... too much!”

“Um Rainbow Dash? Maybe you should calm down?” I suggested to her, but my attempt at calming her down was in vain.

“Did... Did we do something wrong?” Windy asked, who actually looked like she did something wrong.

Rainbow gritted her teeth at the question. “Yes! The fireworks, the cheerleading, and-and how do you even compare who is better or worse at hanging up a towel?!”

“We're just trying to be supportive,” Bow replied, but Rainbow didn’t care.

Well, I'm tired of it! I've had enough of you two being so proud of every little ridiculous, insignificant thing I do!” She was panting. She let out every bit of anger that she’s been holding in all day, maybe even from previous days as well. We all looked at each other with shock and surprise. I’ve never heard Rainbow Dash lose her cool this bad before. “I think you should leave.” She turned her back to her parents, but in doing so, she turned her back to me and our son.

“Rainbow...” I wanted to try and comfort her, but I couldn’t. I felt something different about her. Something I had never hoped to feel about her. I felt... shame.

“First of all, great job yelling at us, sweetie. No one *sniff* can make their parents feel more worthless than you!” Windy Whistles started to tear up and her husband followed suit.

“Your words were direct, clear, and... so painful! Is there nothing you can't do?!” They both ran out of the locker room leaving a trail of tears as they left.

“Why?” Scootaloo started to cry as well, and I could tell it’s from the same feeling I had too.

“Scootaloo, you don't understand!” Rainbow Dash tried to explain, but Scootaloo wasn’t having any of it.

“I met your parents hoping to learn more about you, but I don't like what I found out!” She threw her scrapbook out of her bag and ran out of the locker room. “I'll find somepony else to do my hero report on.”

“I should head out too,” I said as I started to leave.

“Wait, babe, where are you going?” Rainbow called after me.

“I’m ashamed at you Rainbow Dash. No. Rather, I’m disappointed of you. I thought you were better than this. I need to check up on your parents and Scootaloo, after I put Trail Blazer to bed.” I left Rainbow Dash in the locker room, hoping that she could think about her actions.

“Hey, Scoot. Need help gettin’ home?” I walked alongside Scootaloo as she rode on her scooter. “I just feel bad about what Rainbow did, and I just feel like I should make it up to you.”

“It’s fine,” she replied, flashing me a weak grin. “You don’t need to make up or anything. It was Rainbow Dash who needs to apologize and make things up.” She pedaled on her scooter even faster now, causing me to slowly job beside her.

“Scootloo, Sam!” We both turned around to see Rainbow Dash trying to catch up to us. “Look, I know I wasn't myself back there, and I shouldn't have snapped at my parents! That's exactly why I didn't tell them I'm a Wonderbolt! Also do y’all think you guys could forgive me?”

Me and Scootoo stopped and looked at each other. I chuckled softly, which caused a sense of confusion to come upon Rainbow. “Babe, I never said I was upset with you. I just said, I was ashamed or disappointed is all. I love you, so of course I’d forgive you for anything.” I hugged Rainbow Dash and she returned a hug as well, totally ignoring Scootaloo’s presence.

“I don't understand. They're so proud of you,” Scootaloo said, still looking upset.

“Can I tell you something?” Rainbow asked, sounding a bit nervous. Whatever it is, must be shocking.

“Sure,” Scootaloo replied.

“Okay, but you might wanna hold onto your wings because this could rock you to your very core.” She took a deep breath. “Believe it or not, there was a time when I wasn't the best at everything.” Scootaloo’s jaw dropped. She would never have believed that Rainbow Dash was never the best at anything.

“Oh, shocker,” I replied mockingly. Rainbow Dash shot me a stern look and I shut up. But still acted nonchalantly.

Rainbow got Scootaloo’s scrapbook and turned to a page where she won a medal in a race. “Aww. Cute little Rainbow Dash,” I said, teasing her. Sometimes teasing Rainbow puts a smile on her face, but this time, all there was was a menacing look. “Fine.” I shut up for good this time. Maybe.

“See this picture? It looks like I won something awesome, but actually...” Rainbow started reminiscing about her time in the senior competitive circuit, one of her first embarrassing moments out of a hundred.

“Granted, I was the youngest pony in the senior competitive circuit. Most other ponies my age were still in the Junior Flappers' Club. I thought it was utterly mortifying having my parents cheer me on even when I lost!

“But then, when I started to win competitions – which didn't take very long, by the way – things got even worse!

“Being the best came with consequences. Very loud, very embarrassing consequences.”

“Ya know, some ponies would dream of having parents like that,” Scootaloo commented.

“Yeah, right! Name one!”

“Me.” Rainbow Dash’s ears dropped, knowing that her own fan would love to have parents as outgoing and supportive as her parents. This caused a spark of realization to ignite in her. “Growing up, I never thought I'd be the best at anything, because nopony ever told me. But your parents told you over and over again. Look! Best bath taker ever. Best carrot eater under three. Greatest napper of all time!”

She scoffed as she leaned on a tree trunk. “I am pretty good at napping. I can fall asleep anywhere.” Which she proceeded to demonstrate.

“Rainbow, babe?” I nudged her slightly, causing her to wake up.

“Huh?”

“For your entire life, your parents gave you the confidence to believe in yourself,” said Scootaloo.

“You're right. I was always so embarrassed by my parents that I didn't realize their support actually made me the awesome, confident, amazing, awesome, and awesome pony I am! [sighs] And I took them for granted.”

“And you yelled at them.”

“You know how you can still be awesome, confident, amazing, awesome, and awesome?” I asked.

Rainbows Dash let out a small groan. “You’re right. I’ve gotta make this right. I have an idea, but I'm gonna need your help. That is, if you're willing to help me after I acted like that.”

Scootaloo flashed her camera, capturing Rainbow Dash’s ashamed expression, and places it in her scrap book.

“Hm. That’s a good picture,” I commented. “Call it: ‘Rainbow Dash learns the error of her ways’!”

We all chuckled and prepared to put together a plan.

“I'm telling you, I just can't see a thing. Scootaloo, you are just so great at blindfolds!” Me and Scootaloo guided Rainbow Dash’s parents to the bleachers for a very special surprise.

“It's true,” Bow added. “You must tell me what kind of Know you used. Uh, falconer's knot? Wait, no! A farmer's loop!”

“What's this all about, anywho? Windy asked.

We all sat in the bleachers, waiting for the big surprise. Windy and Bow took off their blindfolds to see Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Wonderbolts standing at attention. Rainbow took the mic and cleared her throat. “Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof, please be seated for a super private Wonderbolt event! *ahem* Mom and Dad, welcome to the... "I Love My Parents and I'm Sorry That I Took Them for Granted and I Know That They Made Me Who I Am Today So I Really Wanna Make It Up to Them"... event. Enjoy!” Rainbow and the rest of theWonderbolts launches from the runway and performed a variety of aerial acrobatics. No matter how many times I see her in action, she always amazes me.

They finally finished their performance and Dash stepped out from the group. “Mom and Dad, I want you to know that I'm your biggest fan.”

They hugged it out, laughing and enjoying the family time. “Oh, honey, thank you. But you didn't have to do all this. It's kind of... embarrassing.” Windy said, blushing a little bit.

“Eh, it is a bit much,” Bow added, hugging his family tightly, well not all of his family. “Hey, Sammy boy, what are you doing over there, come on in... son.” I smiled and entered the family group hug and watched as Scootaloo took the final picture for her scrap book. It feels good to be part of the family.