Life's Stormby Snow QuillChaptersNo Matter The WeatherWe'll Always Be TogetherThrough Any StormUntil Daylight Comes AgainNo Matter The WeatherThe cloud is rough under my hooves, churning with energy and filled to the brim with water droplets. I push it towards the larger mass my weather team is putting together for tonight’s storm. Stellar Eclipse comes up beside me with his own bundle of rain cloud and pats it into place. The wind picks up and I raise my voice so my team can hear me, “Alright listen up, this storm cloud is almost ready, just a few more.” A series of ‘yes ma'ams!’ ring out and I fly above the cloud to supervise. I glance to my right, down at the little frontier town I called ‘home’. Ponies, mostly earth ponies, were getting ready for the rain, pulling tarps over wagons, gathering firewood, and shuttering windows. Near the back end of the town is my own home, where my marefriend is probably securing our own windows and getting some hot cider ready for when I get home. It’s almost funny, I never thought I would live on the ground in an earth pony town - much less date one of them - but what’s that saying about life not always going how you expect? Stellar flies up and salutes me, “The storm cloud is ready, captain.” I nod at him. “Good.” I raise my voice again, “Let’s wrap it up and get this storm rolling, then we can all go home.” There are whoops and cheers as I rejoin my team. In no time, we finish shaping the storm, and all that's left is to kick it off. I turn, curl up my hind legs, and then strike them out in a firm buck. The clouds rumble before starting to move forward with the wind and the gentle pitter patter of rain begins. I watch the storm for a minute before turning towards my team. “Good work today, now go home and be prepared for an early morning tomorrow, we got a tornado warning coming from the East.” There are some concerned mumbles and sidelong glances between them and I frown. “Don’t give me that, I better see all you bright eyed and bushy tailed in the locker room ready to take on some rogue winds. It’s a tornado warning, meaning if we don’t get our flanks out there,” I point to the East before pointing behind me, “our town, our home will be flattened.” More glances are had, but now there was a steely determination in their faces, the burning desire to protect home. I lift my head and smirk, “That’s more like it. Now go get some sleep.” They salute me and disperse under the storm to the small weather outpost to gather their belongings before making their way home. I hang back and watch them leave, a strange mixture of pride and...something else blooming in my chest. Pride for a job well done, obviously, but there’s something bitter about it too. This wasn’t supposed to be your life. I grit my teeth. You know this isn’t right. Shut up. You were supposed to be - I said… -captain of the- SHUT UP. I huff as I stuff the voice back down deep inside and race to the weather outpost. ~~ I am soaked by the time I open the door to my house, the gentle rainfall that had started earlier when I kicked off the cloud had given way to a steady downpour. I shake myself off on the porch, trying to dislodge as much of the water as I can. I know Fiddly will have towels ready for me, as well a hot cup of cider, like she always does when there’s a storm. I take a moment to think about all she’s done for me. When I first moved here, she was playing her fiddle in the train station with her case open for bits. I only had a few bits left on me, but the way she was playing… I was a broken mare, not even my hate could fuel me anymore but that song, her song, it gave me hope. I tossed in what I had left and she smiled, stopped playing, and tipped her hat. Somehow, I was able to strike up a conversation with her. She was kind and helpful in explaining the small town I had found myself in. She had talked to me until nightfall, and when the station was closing, packed her fiddle away and asked me where I was going to stay… ...And then nearly hit me over the head with her case when she found out I had given her the last of my bits. I grin at the memory. Even if she didn’t physically knock me over the head, the tongue lashing that came after was enough to shake something loose. She all but ordered me to crash on her couch - only to drag me off at dawn the next morning and practically throw me at the weather outpost. And now, merely a year later, I found myself captain of the weather team. I had gone from nothing to everything; a stable job, a wonderful mare, and a cozy home. It seemed like the perfect life, the kind that everyone strives for. My smile fades slightly as the voice tries to resurface. Perfect for others maybe, but you are the great Lightning Dust! You were destined for glory! You were going to be captain of the - The door opens and a warm towel is thrown in my face. I chuckle and start to dry off, grinning slyly at the mare in the doorway. “Getting impatient were we?” Her face twitches as she tries to hide her smile, “I was just hoping to bring you back is all.” “Oh? Bring me back from where?” She grins, “Space.” I blink at her in confusion, “What? I know I’m on the weather team, but that doesn’t exactly make me an astronaut.” She takes a step forward and nuzzles me, “No, but you had that look on your face again.” “...Oh. Heh, sorry. Just...thinking about tomorrow’s assignment is all.” I give her my signature smirk, “Not worried or anything of course. This is just a test, and you know how I ace every flying test thrown at me. I’m the best flier in Equestria after all.” If she hears the crack in my voice, she doesn’t mention it. Instead, she comes to my side and, smiling, nudges me towards the door. “Come on Lightning, it’s getting late. Best flier in Equestria or not, you still need your sleep.” We'll Always Be Together“Stay sharp everyone, we are looking at cat two winds with a chance of going into three. Your orders are to disperse the winds to the North and South, understood?” “Yes ma’am!” I nod and look over my team. While they aren’t Wonder- the top fliers, all of them are used to weather and agile where it counted. “Then let's go kick some tornado flank!” Their cheers lift my spirits. This would be the first time I tackled dispersing a potential tornado, but they didn’t make me captain for nothing! I’m Lightning Dust after all, there’s nothing I can’t handle. I take to the air, “Let’s move out!” ~~ Screams echo around me and I try to orient myself within the swirling vortex. We had gotten here too late to redirect the wind and got too close to avoid the formed tornado. I grit my teeth and dive what I think is downwards. If I can just get outside the vortex or find the bottom, I can try, no, I will change its direction. I can’t allow this to reach her. I can’t fail this time. I scream into the winds and burst out of the tornado, my wings flapping harder and faster than they ever have. I turn sharply and keep going down. Someone is tossed out just below me and I narrowly avoid crashing into them. I hear their scream fade somewhere to my right, but I don’t look to check. Any pegasus on a weather team should be able to orient themselves after getting tossed around in some high force winds. I reached the bottom and, after a quick check of the sky to make sure I was moving it in the right direction, began to push it to the North. I can vaguely hear more bodies being expelled, but still I keep pushing. It feels like I am moving in slow motion, like I am trying to fly in a dream, but I grit my teeth and keep pushing. I am going to stop this tornado. I am going to save everyone. I am not going to fail. “lightning.” I scream and push harder. “Lightning.” Why isn’t anyone else helping me? “Lightning!” That’s fine, I don’t need anyone else, I can do this, I “LIGHTNING!” got this! There’s a strange feeling of weightlessness and I realize I have my eyes closed. How long have they been closed? How long have I been pushing? Why can’t I feel my wings? My ears pop and I gasp as my eyes fly open. The tornado is gone, and in its place is a rapidly approaching cliff face. I try to scream, but my throat is raw. I feel something impact my side and then...I am falling. Once again, time moves in slow motion and I am able to feel everything. My mouth dry and throat on fire. My eyes like I squeezed lemons into them. My body, battered and bruised and sore. My...wing…? I try to flap, but there’s no response. My eyes are open but I can’t see anything. Why can’t I see anything? What’s going on with my wings? Why can’t I flap? Am I dying? Am I already dead? I crash on...something and feel my mind start to shut down. “F-F-Fiddle…” ~~ “Beep...Beep...Beep…” “-lucky to survive-” “-be okay?” “-low chance-” “-wake up-” “-had to remove-” “Lightning please-“ “Please wake up.” ~~ I groan and fight through the fogginess clouding my mind. Are my eyes open or closed? They...everything... feels so heavy. I groan again. Was that, did someone just move? Was that a door? I feel like I am underwater. Did I drown or something? No, I was doing something else. What was I doing? There’s something on my head, bandages? No, something warm...It’s moving to my hoof. “-ning? Lightning can-” Wait, I know that voice. I lick my lips. “F-Fidd…” There’s a happy gasp, and with it, my ears pop and once again, my world comes back into full focus. I am in a hospital bed. The beeps are from whatever machines they have hooked up to me. I still can’t see, but there is light peeking through the bandages covering my face. I try to squeeze Fiddle’s hoof, but my body still feels weighed down. “I have to tell the doctor you are awake, oh where’s that button?” I hear her move around, her hoof brushing against me as she searches for what I’m guessing is a call light. She seems to find it and sits back, “Alright, he should be here soon.” The air is tense and I can only imagine the words she has for me. The thing is… I know I deserve them. I should have turned my team around as soon as I saw the tornado had formed. I should have flown back to town and called for backup. I should have done a lot of things, precautions and procedures that were drilled into my head. But I didn’t. The door opens and I feel Fiddle squeeze my hoof before moving to the side. “Hello there, I am Dr. Bones. Can you tell me your name?” My mouth is still dry, but I manage to croak out. “Lightning...D-Dust.” “Good. Do you know where you are?” “H-hospital?” “Correct. Lastly, who rules Equestira?” I frown slightly. Thinking of the Princess’s almost makes me think of… “Well?” I sigh. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” “Very good. Thank you Lightning. For that, you’ve earned a reward. Here, drink slowly.” I feel something bump against my lips and I close my mouth around the straw, slowly taking in the blessedly cool water. Not too cold, but not lukewarm either; it was perfect for quenching my thirst. I release the straw after I am satisfied and feel it move away. “Now, how are you feeling?” “Heavy.” He chuckles, “Yes, that makes sense. How about your head? Does it hurt when I touch it here?” I can barely feel his hooves. “No.” “How about here?” “Nope.” “Wonderful! That means I can remove the bandages. Fiddlesticks, turn the lights down will you?” The pressure around my head I didn’t realize I was feeling began to lighten and I sigh in relief. As the bandages fall away I open my eyes. The room is dark and blurry, but then my limited sight is taken up by a blue and yellow blob. I watch as her hoof comes closer and she tenderly caresses my cheek. “Oh Lightning…” I try to smile but wince as a dull, aching pain makes itself known. “Is it really that bad?” Fiddly starts to come into focus and I see tears in her eyes. “Well, it’s...it’s not great hun.” She looks to the side and steps back as a green coated, white maned stallion comes into view. He wasn’t smiling. “Lightning Dust, you sustained many injuries, it is only because you were brought here so quickly that you had a chance of survival.” My lips twitch, but it's too painful to smile, “Yeah but, I’m alive aren’t I? How much rehab are we looking at doc? 6 months? A year?” He sighs and flips through papers on a clipboard. “Well let’s see. You have a concussion, severe bruising around your eyes, your nose and lower left leg was broken, you bruised several ribs, and you have hairline fractures in your front legs. At best, you are looking at 6-8 months before you can walk or run normally.” “Okay...Not great but I can live with it. How long until I can fly?” He glances away from me. My eyes narrow and I try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. “D-doc? How,” I clear my throat, “How long until I can fly.” He sighs again and reluctantly meets my eyes. “Lightning Dust, I, I am sorry but…” “But what? It’s a simple question! How. Long. Until. I. Fly.” I hate how high my voice is, how pathetic it sounds, but I don’t care. I just need him to answer the damn question. “We had to amputate one of your wings.” No. “-muscles were completely shredded-“ No, no no no no no this can’t be happening. “-was barely hanging on.” Why? “-no saving it-“ Why me?! “-look into prosthetics-“ I’m Lightning Dust! The Greatest Flier in Equestria! “-not as efficient, but can still fly-” I can’t lose a wing! “-look into payment plans-” I can’t...I need to be able to fly...It’s all I have… “-ust? Lightning Dust?” I snap back to the present. “Please tell me I’m dreaming. Or, or in a coma or something, anything! This can’t be real, this, this isn’t real…” The doctor looks away again and made room for Fiddly to hug me. I close my eyes and sob into her shoulder. She held me as tight as she could without hurting me and pet my mane. “It’s alright, I’m here hun, we are gonna get through this. I’m not gonna leave ya, not ever, that’s a promise.” Through Any StormIt was a month before I was out of the hospital. A year before I walked without assistance. But through it all, every doctor's appointment and hair pulling physical therapy session, every screaming fit where I let out all my frustration and disappointment in myself… She was there. She promised she wouldn’t leave me, and she didn’t. I’m not one to believe in soul mates or true love but, if there was such a thing, I think she would be it. It was only because of that that I was here for her now, in a stuffy dress and an even stuffier hall full of Canterlot’s elite for a charity music hall. I stifle a sigh and shift to try and find a more comfortable position. Leave it to nobles to have lavish walls but cheap seats… A hush descends over the room as the curtain rises and then… There she is, chin on her fiddle, hoof holding her string, ready to play. There were others with instruments on the stage, but I only had eyes and ears for her. She stomped her hoof to set the beat and the music began. ~~ “Absolutely marvelous! Why I daresay only angels could play better.” Fiddly giggles demurely and bows her head, “Oh Fancypants, you flatter me sir.” He chuckles in return, “The praise is well deserved nonetheless. Thank you for coming out to play tonight, I think this event has been a smashing success thanks to you and your fiddle.” My cheeks hurt from how much I have been smiling and I drape my wing over Fiddlestick’s back, nuzzling her cheek. “I think Fancypants is right about that, you were sparkling up there Fiddly, sparkling!” She smiles and nuzzles me back, a mischievous hint in her eyes as she nods to the champagne glass I have in hoof. “It looks like I’m not the only one who’s sparkling.” I chuckle nervously, “W-well I just uh, just needed some liquid courage.” She blinked at me, “Huh? What for?” I let out a deep breath before taking a step away from her and grabbing the small box I had hidden in my feathers. I wobble as I kneel down, and instantly I feel eyes from all around the room on us. Fiddlesticks gasps as I open the box, revealing a simple, silver band on a string. “Fiddly...Fiddlesticks, you know I’m not good with the mushy stuff, but I figure this is the one time I can at least try it. You are...You are a beautiful mare with an amazing heart and,” I sniffle, blinking away tears, “I don’t deserve as good as you, but yet you’ve chosen me. You have made me feel worthy of your love, even through all the horseapples I put you through. I want to spend my life with you, so, so would you please marry me?” I see her lips move and feel her crushing embrace, her verbal response lost in the cheering of the crowd. Tears run down both our cheeks as we embrace, peppering each other’s faces with kisses and laughing. This is it. I’ve finally made something with my life. ~~ It’s raining outside, only a light sprinkle to help keep the dust down. We have a window open to listen to it and are wrapped in warm blankets cuddling on the couch. “Hey Fiddly?” “Mmhmm?” I smile at her sleepy tone. “I know I keep asking this but…” I feel her shift against me, tilting her head up to nuzzle under my chin. “Dusty, I’ve told you a million times and I’ll tell you again...It’s okay.” I huff playfully. “Well maybe I need to hear it a million and two times Fiddly. I know your dream is to be a mother and, well, now…” She brings her head up to stare at me. There’s still a tired tint to her eyes, but for the most part they are deep blue pools of understanding, like a quiet lake where one could simply float and let all their worries melt away. I feel myself start to drift off in her gaze when she speaks again, her soft voice lulling me further. “I will still be a mother, just not in the way we were planning.” A familiar mischief sparkled in those lakes, a playful threat of a prank from a friend. “To tell you the truth, I’m gonna enjoy spoiling you rotten while you carry our foal.” Despite my best efforts, my cheeks warm and she grins at my blush. “I love you Dusty.” I nuzzle her. “I love you too Fiddly.” ~~ Fiddlesticks grips my hoof tightly and I return the hold, our eyes glued to the screen. The doctor moves the wand around and suddenly, the fuzzy details sharpen to reveal the shape of our foal. The doctor smiles, “It looks like your foal is developing well. Would you like to know the gender and race?” I nod, unable to speak. The doctor adjusts the wand and points at the screen, at two little shapes on the foal’s back. “Congratulations, you two are going to have a filly, a pegasus.” “A, a pegasus. Fiddly…” She is already crying as she presses our foreheads together. “I, I see Dusty. Our baby is gonna fly.” Our little girl, a pegasus, just like me. ~~ Fiddly rubs my back soothingly as I groan over the toilet bowl. “Erghh...It should be illegal for morning sickness to be anytime but the morning.” “Would you like a mint hun?” I gently lift my head, squinting as I tried to decide if my body had expelled enough. “Hmm...Yeah, like, 5 please.” She giggles and kisses my forehead before leaving my side to rummage for mints. I sigh and sit back, rubbing my low back with a hoof to try and ease the muscles. I smile at Fiddly as she hands over a small tin and I waste no time tipping it back and munching on the minty fresh tablets. She sits beside me and begins to rub my stomach and I lean into her. “Hey Fiddly?” “Yeah?” “You...You still love me right?” She chuckles and kisses my cheek, “Of course I do, what kind of silly question is that?” I flush in embarrassment, “I just, I’m scared one day you are gonna wise up is all.” I pull my wing around my side. Once, I took great pride in keeping them in top form, but ever since that tornado I had developed a bad habit of chewing on it in fits of anger. Fiddly gently runs a hoof down the battered feathers and rough, scarred skin underneath. “You and I have been through some very rough weather, but I meant what I said. I promised to never leave you.” Tears sting my eyes, “But that doesn’t mean you’ll always love me. Look at me Fiddly, I can hardly call myself a pegasus anymore, how can I raise one? I barely have half a wing left…” “Being a pegasus is more than being able to fly.” “Says the earth pony.” My bitter remark bounces off her tough hide as she continues. “You were born a pegasus, you have lived as a pegasus, and you will die as one. I fell in love with a mare from the sky and I shall continue to love her until the day I return to the earth.” “You really mean it?” “Yes, Dusty, I really mean it.” ~~ “-AHHHHH!!” I scream and sit up, wincing in pain as I pant desperately for breath. Fiddly shoots up as well and instantly has her hooves around me. “Dusty? Are you okay? Did you have another nightmare?” I nod against her, trembling as I try to hold onto her, to make sure she is real and beside me. I know being pregnant can lead to some wild dreams, but lately all I’ve been having are nightmares about Fiddly. Her dying in my hooves, her in a hospital bed after I failed to stop the tornado or worse; her under a fallen beam and bled to death. I press my muzzle into her chest and inhale her scent as she rubs my back and whispers soothingly into my mane. There is a sharp pain in my belly and I gasp, eyes widening in horror as I feel a wet mess between my legs. “F-Fidd, ba, baby.” I feel the alarm in her body as she removes one hoof from me to turn on the light. We look down, and there is a dark stain on the sheets. She curses and leaps out of the bed, trotting in place for a moment as she looks between me and the bedroom door. She curses again and nuzzles me. “I’ll be right back hun, I just need to call the doctor okay?” I nod and watch as she leaves. Another wave of pain rolls over me and I collapse back on the bed. I must have blacked out at some point, because the next thing I know, the room is brightly lit and there's commotion around me. Doctor Bones looks up at me and smiles, "Good, you're awake. You are nearly fully dilated and-" "Di-what now?" "The baby is coming." With those words, I am made aware of what was happening. Fiddly is beside me, holding my hoof tightly and there's a sort of tent over my legs made from our blanket. There are a couple nurses flitting about the room and calling out medical terms that go in one ear and out the other. I blink in confusion. All my life I've heard that childbirth is the most painful thing, yet I can't seem to feel anything. Fiddly nuzzles me, "They gave you an epidural about 20 minutes ago, don't you remember?" I shake my head, "No I don't. So what's going to-" My face scrunches up as I feel pressure in my groin. "Oooh...That's, that's a weird feeling..." The doctor pops up again and smiles at me, "Looks like you are almost there, get ready to push Lightning." I nod and look up at Fiddly, the reality of this moment suddenly crashing over me. She peppers my face with kisses and encouraging words, the hoof not holding mine cradling my head gently. "I'm here Dusty, you got this love, just deep breaths and..." The doctor's voice rings out, "Push!" Until Daylight Comes Again“Alright Star, ready for practice?” My daughter nods, beaming as I pick her up and hold her above my head. It’s a bright sunny day outside with decent winds; the perfect time to teach a baby pegasus how to fly. Fiddly is just behind us, setting up the picnic blanket. “Okay Star, start flapping!” She straightens out into an optimal flying position and starts flapping quickly. I lean back a bit, “Ready for takeoff?” “Yes momma!” “Okay, going in 3…” I extend my wing to feel the wind currents. “...2…” I adjust her trajectory just a smidge, “...1!” I fling her forwards and she whoops in excitement, adjusting her wings to catch the current and… She’s flying. I can’t tell if mine or Fiddly’s cheers are loudest, but it doesn’t matter. Star swoops upwards in an elegant curve and heads back to me. She’s still smiling, but as she gets closer my smile lessens. “Might want to slow down a bit Star!” Her smile disappears and panic enters her eyes, “I, I don’t know how to! Momma! Catch me!” I jump up and she crashes into my chest. Instinctively, I cover her with my wing as I fall on to the grass. I feel a little dizzy as Fiddly rushes over, fretting over the two of us. “Oh goodness! Are you two okay? Dusty, Star, say something!” I groan, but also can’t help a laugh slipping out as I look down at my daughter, curled against my chest. “That was one heck of a crash landing kid, you okay?” She’s shaking a bit, but that beautiful smile she got from Fiddly comes back as she gasps. “That was so much fun Momma! DId you see me? I, I went zoom, and, and then I swooped up like whoosh! And I was going so fast and then I crashed into you! Oh, are you okay Momma?” I grin and ruffle her mane. “I’m okay, it’s gonna take more than that to really hurt me.” Fiddly sighs in relief and shakes her head as she picks up Star. “I may not have wings, but it seems to me learning how to brake might be something to learn before getting tossed up in the winds like that.” I shrug and sit up, “Eh. Every pegasus has a different teaching method. My mom threw me off our backyard in Cloudsdale.” Fiddly’s eyes widen in horror but she doesn’t make a comment. If anything, she’s probably grateful I can’t fly to a cloud and do the same to Star. Not that I would...Probably. I stand and nod towards the picnic basket. “Anyways, let's take a break for snacks and try again after.” Star cheers and begins a chant of, “Snacks, snacks, snacks!” ~~ “Momma, Momma! Guess what!” I look up from the weather reports spread across the kitchen table and smile at my daughter as she skids into the room, her eyes sparkling and wings puffed out in excitement. “Well what’s got you so excited little Star?” She trots in place, her smile wide. “We had a special guest at school today! A Wonderbolt!” My heart stops, but thankfully the smile is frozen on my face. I blink, trying to stay calm. “O-oh?” She nods rapidly, oblivious to the drop in my mood. “Uh huh! He said his name was…” Her smile fades a bit as she screws up her face trying to remember, a look she picked up from Fiddly. “Thunder...flash? No, no that wasn’t it. Thunder strike? No that doesn’t sound right either…” My lips twitch. “Thunderlane?” She gasps, “Yeah that was it! Thunderlane! He came and talked to us allllll about the Wonderbolts and the flying they do. We even got to do a Wonderbolts training course and-“ I know it’s probably rude to tune out your own daughter while she prattles on about something exciting that happened to her, but I can’t help it. “-and then I had to go around these poles without touching-“ It’s been forever since I thought about the Wonderbolts, er, rather that I let myself think about them. “-flew up higher than I ever have! And then-“ It tends to put me in a rather nasty mood… “- I got first place! Thunderlane said that when I’m older, I can be a Wonderbolt too!” I stand suddenly. “WHAT?!” Star freezes, her eyes slowly widening. “M-Momma?” I stare down at her, my sides heaving as I try to process what she said. She whimpers, “Momma, are you mad?” I growl and turn away from her, sweeping my hoof across the table and scattering all the papers. My blood is boiling, but somewhere is a flicker of rationality, that I need to get out of here. Why? Why did she have to bring that up, why did they have to go to her school?! I need to get out, away from her. I scream and kick a cabinet. It’s not fair, it’s not bucking fair! Lightning stop this, you are scaring Star! I whip my head around and grab my wing in my mouth, screaming around the feathers and the pain as I bite down. Stupid, stupid useless body. Tangy copper fills my mouth but still I scream and bite. “Lightning!” Something clips my head and I stop, blinking in confusion. I realize I am mutilating my wing again and quickly spit it out, looking around to see what was going on. Fiddly is glaring at me, cheeks red with anger and eyes glistening with tears. There’s the sound of someone crying, but Fiddly isn’t… I bring my hoof to my mouth in horror, my ears flicking at the soft sobbing of Star. My child. “W-why is Momma so m-mad? Did, did I do something wrong?” My heart breaks and I open my mouth but Fiddly interrupts me, turning her head to nuzzle Star. “No, no baby, Momma isn’t mad at you.” “Then, then why is she-“ “Hush baby, it’s okay.” Fiddly turns back towards me and, almost hissing like a rattlesnake, “Momma needs to spend some time alone and think about what she did.” I am left utterly speechless by the venom in her voice. But there’s nothing I can say right now to even try and make this right. I lower my head and shuffle out of the back door. The wind is cold and howls around me. I lift my head and scream into it. ~~ “Do you think she could make it?” My daughter slices through the air above me, flying an invisible course. She’s good, almost as good as I was when I was her age, but there’s still room for improvement. I snort and glance sideways at Fiddly. “On the weather team? Of course she could. She’s easily captain material.” My eyes return to Star as she flings herself into a corkscrew. Fiddly sighs beside me. “You know that’s not what I meant. She wants to be more than a weather team captain and you know it.” I grit my teeth, “Fiddly, we aren’t getting into this right now. We are on a nice family picnic, let’s keep it that way.” I know there’s more she wants to say, but she keeps it to herself for now. She’ll probably try again later, but hopefully Star will be in bed before we start arguing again. I know Fiddly is sympathetic to my position and she doesn’t want to bring up bad memories but she’s been getting more insistent since Star expressed an interest. That day from when she was just a foal plants itself into the forefront of my mind, and, unfortunately, that was only the start. Apparently there was some sort of ‘national outreach program’ implemented, where ‘everyone can be part of the next generation’. I’ve been...better about managing my outbursts, but I’ve always been a hotheaded mare. I know some ponies mellow out with age, but I’m certainly not one of them. Neither is Fiddly. Star swoops down and lands on the blanket, panting softly as a sheen of sweat glistens on her coat. She frowns for a moment as she picks up on the tension between me and Fiddly, but it is replaced with a smile as I toss a towel at her. “I hope you worked up an appetite from all that flying, mom made her special hay fries.” She grins at me, “Are you kidding? I’m always hungry for mom’s food.” Fiddly chuckles as she passes around the containers, “Glad to hear it, I made plenty.” ~~ I wince as the door slams closed, my hoof held out in a half hearted attempt to touch the pony that just stormed out. Fiddly comes up beside me and pulls me into a hug. Her voice is tired, “You have to let her live her dream Dusty. I, I know how much it hurts you, but please, haven’t we fought long enough about this?” I can’t even cry. All my tears about...that...ran dry long ago. Instead, I sigh and sag against her. “I...I know, you’re right. I just need time.” It hurts, it really hurts, but I know what I need to do. ~~ Fiddly squeals loudly from the other room and rushes in, waving around a letter. “She sent us tickets! She got in!” I am frozen as she shoves the letter in my hooves, my heart is heavy as I read the words but… It’s okay. I feel a weight I have carried around my entire life slowly fade away, just a little bit. I...I didn’t get to be a Wonderbolt, I am never going to be a Wonderbolt, but that’s okay. Cause my daughter is.
No Matter The WeatherThe cloud is rough under my hooves, churning with energy and filled to the brim with water droplets. I push it towards the larger mass my weather team is putting together for tonight’s storm. Stellar Eclipse comes up beside me with his own bundle of rain cloud and pats it into place. The wind picks up and I raise my voice so my team can hear me, “Alright listen up, this storm cloud is almost ready, just a few more.” A series of ‘yes ma'ams!’ ring out and I fly above the cloud to supervise. I glance to my right, down at the little frontier town I called ‘home’. Ponies, mostly earth ponies, were getting ready for the rain, pulling tarps over wagons, gathering firewood, and shuttering windows. Near the back end of the town is my own home, where my marefriend is probably securing our own windows and getting some hot cider ready for when I get home. It’s almost funny, I never thought I would live on the ground in an earth pony town - much less date one of them - but what’s that saying about life not always going how you expect? Stellar flies up and salutes me, “The storm cloud is ready, captain.” I nod at him. “Good.” I raise my voice again, “Let’s wrap it up and get this storm rolling, then we can all go home.” There are whoops and cheers as I rejoin my team. In no time, we finish shaping the storm, and all that's left is to kick it off. I turn, curl up my hind legs, and then strike them out in a firm buck. The clouds rumble before starting to move forward with the wind and the gentle pitter patter of rain begins. I watch the storm for a minute before turning towards my team. “Good work today, now go home and be prepared for an early morning tomorrow, we got a tornado warning coming from the East.” There are some concerned mumbles and sidelong glances between them and I frown. “Don’t give me that, I better see all you bright eyed and bushy tailed in the locker room ready to take on some rogue winds. It’s a tornado warning, meaning if we don’t get our flanks out there,” I point to the East before pointing behind me, “our town, our home will be flattened.” More glances are had, but now there was a steely determination in their faces, the burning desire to protect home. I lift my head and smirk, “That’s more like it. Now go get some sleep.” They salute me and disperse under the storm to the small weather outpost to gather their belongings before making their way home. I hang back and watch them leave, a strange mixture of pride and...something else blooming in my chest. Pride for a job well done, obviously, but there’s something bitter about it too. This wasn’t supposed to be your life. I grit my teeth. You know this isn’t right. Shut up. You were supposed to be - I said… -captain of the- SHUT UP. I huff as I stuff the voice back down deep inside and race to the weather outpost. ~~ I am soaked by the time I open the door to my house, the gentle rainfall that had started earlier when I kicked off the cloud had given way to a steady downpour. I shake myself off on the porch, trying to dislodge as much of the water as I can. I know Fiddly will have towels ready for me, as well a hot cup of cider, like she always does when there’s a storm. I take a moment to think about all she’s done for me. When I first moved here, she was playing her fiddle in the train station with her case open for bits. I only had a few bits left on me, but the way she was playing… I was a broken mare, not even my hate could fuel me anymore but that song, her song, it gave me hope. I tossed in what I had left and she smiled, stopped playing, and tipped her hat. Somehow, I was able to strike up a conversation with her. She was kind and helpful in explaining the small town I had found myself in. She had talked to me until nightfall, and when the station was closing, packed her fiddle away and asked me where I was going to stay… ...And then nearly hit me over the head with her case when she found out I had given her the last of my bits. I grin at the memory. Even if she didn’t physically knock me over the head, the tongue lashing that came after was enough to shake something loose. She all but ordered me to crash on her couch - only to drag me off at dawn the next morning and practically throw me at the weather outpost. And now, merely a year later, I found myself captain of the weather team. I had gone from nothing to everything; a stable job, a wonderful mare, and a cozy home. It seemed like the perfect life, the kind that everyone strives for. My smile fades slightly as the voice tries to resurface. Perfect for others maybe, but you are the great Lightning Dust! You were destined for glory! You were going to be captain of the - The door opens and a warm towel is thrown in my face. I chuckle and start to dry off, grinning slyly at the mare in the doorway. “Getting impatient were we?” Her face twitches as she tries to hide her smile, “I was just hoping to bring you back is all.” “Oh? Bring me back from where?” She grins, “Space.” I blink at her in confusion, “What? I know I’m on the weather team, but that doesn’t exactly make me an astronaut.” She takes a step forward and nuzzles me, “No, but you had that look on your face again.” “...Oh. Heh, sorry. Just...thinking about tomorrow’s assignment is all.” I give her my signature smirk, “Not worried or anything of course. This is just a test, and you know how I ace every flying test thrown at me. I’m the best flier in Equestria after all.” If she hears the crack in my voice, she doesn’t mention it. Instead, she comes to my side and, smiling, nudges me towards the door. “Come on Lightning, it’s getting late. Best flier in Equestria or not, you still need your sleep.”
We'll Always Be Together“Stay sharp everyone, we are looking at cat two winds with a chance of going into three. Your orders are to disperse the winds to the North and South, understood?” “Yes ma’am!” I nod and look over my team. While they aren’t Wonder- the top fliers, all of them are used to weather and agile where it counted. “Then let's go kick some tornado flank!” Their cheers lift my spirits. This would be the first time I tackled dispersing a potential tornado, but they didn’t make me captain for nothing! I’m Lightning Dust after all, there’s nothing I can’t handle. I take to the air, “Let’s move out!” ~~ Screams echo around me and I try to orient myself within the swirling vortex. We had gotten here too late to redirect the wind and got too close to avoid the formed tornado. I grit my teeth and dive what I think is downwards. If I can just get outside the vortex or find the bottom, I can try, no, I will change its direction. I can’t allow this to reach her. I can’t fail this time. I scream into the winds and burst out of the tornado, my wings flapping harder and faster than they ever have. I turn sharply and keep going down. Someone is tossed out just below me and I narrowly avoid crashing into them. I hear their scream fade somewhere to my right, but I don’t look to check. Any pegasus on a weather team should be able to orient themselves after getting tossed around in some high force winds. I reached the bottom and, after a quick check of the sky to make sure I was moving it in the right direction, began to push it to the North. I can vaguely hear more bodies being expelled, but still I keep pushing. It feels like I am moving in slow motion, like I am trying to fly in a dream, but I grit my teeth and keep pushing. I am going to stop this tornado. I am going to save everyone. I am not going to fail. “lightning.” I scream and push harder. “Lightning.” Why isn’t anyone else helping me? “Lightning!” That’s fine, I don’t need anyone else, I can do this, I “LIGHTNING!” got this! There’s a strange feeling of weightlessness and I realize I have my eyes closed. How long have they been closed? How long have I been pushing? Why can’t I feel my wings? My ears pop and I gasp as my eyes fly open. The tornado is gone, and in its place is a rapidly approaching cliff face. I try to scream, but my throat is raw. I feel something impact my side and then...I am falling. Once again, time moves in slow motion and I am able to feel everything. My mouth dry and throat on fire. My eyes like I squeezed lemons into them. My body, battered and bruised and sore. My...wing…? I try to flap, but there’s no response. My eyes are open but I can’t see anything. Why can’t I see anything? What’s going on with my wings? Why can’t I flap? Am I dying? Am I already dead? I crash on...something and feel my mind start to shut down. “F-F-Fiddle…” ~~ “Beep...Beep...Beep…” “-lucky to survive-” “-be okay?” “-low chance-” “-wake up-” “-had to remove-” “Lightning please-“ “Please wake up.” ~~ I groan and fight through the fogginess clouding my mind. Are my eyes open or closed? They...everything... feels so heavy. I groan again. Was that, did someone just move? Was that a door? I feel like I am underwater. Did I drown or something? No, I was doing something else. What was I doing? There’s something on my head, bandages? No, something warm...It’s moving to my hoof. “-ning? Lightning can-” Wait, I know that voice. I lick my lips. “F-Fidd…” There’s a happy gasp, and with it, my ears pop and once again, my world comes back into full focus. I am in a hospital bed. The beeps are from whatever machines they have hooked up to me. I still can’t see, but there is light peeking through the bandages covering my face. I try to squeeze Fiddle’s hoof, but my body still feels weighed down. “I have to tell the doctor you are awake, oh where’s that button?” I hear her move around, her hoof brushing against me as she searches for what I’m guessing is a call light. She seems to find it and sits back, “Alright, he should be here soon.” The air is tense and I can only imagine the words she has for me. The thing is… I know I deserve them. I should have turned my team around as soon as I saw the tornado had formed. I should have flown back to town and called for backup. I should have done a lot of things, precautions and procedures that were drilled into my head. But I didn’t. The door opens and I feel Fiddle squeeze my hoof before moving to the side. “Hello there, I am Dr. Bones. Can you tell me your name?” My mouth is still dry, but I manage to croak out. “Lightning...D-Dust.” “Good. Do you know where you are?” “H-hospital?” “Correct. Lastly, who rules Equestira?” I frown slightly. Thinking of the Princess’s almost makes me think of… “Well?” I sigh. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” “Very good. Thank you Lightning. For that, you’ve earned a reward. Here, drink slowly.” I feel something bump against my lips and I close my mouth around the straw, slowly taking in the blessedly cool water. Not too cold, but not lukewarm either; it was perfect for quenching my thirst. I release the straw after I am satisfied and feel it move away. “Now, how are you feeling?” “Heavy.” He chuckles, “Yes, that makes sense. How about your head? Does it hurt when I touch it here?” I can barely feel his hooves. “No.” “How about here?” “Nope.” “Wonderful! That means I can remove the bandages. Fiddlesticks, turn the lights down will you?” The pressure around my head I didn’t realize I was feeling began to lighten and I sigh in relief. As the bandages fall away I open my eyes. The room is dark and blurry, but then my limited sight is taken up by a blue and yellow blob. I watch as her hoof comes closer and she tenderly caresses my cheek. “Oh Lightning…” I try to smile but wince as a dull, aching pain makes itself known. “Is it really that bad?” Fiddly starts to come into focus and I see tears in her eyes. “Well, it’s...it’s not great hun.” She looks to the side and steps back as a green coated, white maned stallion comes into view. He wasn’t smiling. “Lightning Dust, you sustained many injuries, it is only because you were brought here so quickly that you had a chance of survival.” My lips twitch, but it's too painful to smile, “Yeah but, I’m alive aren’t I? How much rehab are we looking at doc? 6 months? A year?” He sighs and flips through papers on a clipboard. “Well let’s see. You have a concussion, severe bruising around your eyes, your nose and lower left leg was broken, you bruised several ribs, and you have hairline fractures in your front legs. At best, you are looking at 6-8 months before you can walk or run normally.” “Okay...Not great but I can live with it. How long until I can fly?” He glances away from me. My eyes narrow and I try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. “D-doc? How,” I clear my throat, “How long until I can fly.” He sighs again and reluctantly meets my eyes. “Lightning Dust, I, I am sorry but…” “But what? It’s a simple question! How. Long. Until. I. Fly.” I hate how high my voice is, how pathetic it sounds, but I don’t care. I just need him to answer the damn question. “We had to amputate one of your wings.” No. “-muscles were completely shredded-“ No, no no no no no this can’t be happening. “-was barely hanging on.” Why? “-no saving it-“ Why me?! “-look into prosthetics-“ I’m Lightning Dust! The Greatest Flier in Equestria! “-not as efficient, but can still fly-” I can’t lose a wing! “-look into payment plans-” I can’t...I need to be able to fly...It’s all I have… “-ust? Lightning Dust?” I snap back to the present. “Please tell me I’m dreaming. Or, or in a coma or something, anything! This can’t be real, this, this isn’t real…” The doctor looks away again and made room for Fiddly to hug me. I close my eyes and sob into her shoulder. She held me as tight as she could without hurting me and pet my mane. “It’s alright, I’m here hun, we are gonna get through this. I’m not gonna leave ya, not ever, that’s a promise.”
Through Any StormIt was a month before I was out of the hospital. A year before I walked without assistance. But through it all, every doctor's appointment and hair pulling physical therapy session, every screaming fit where I let out all my frustration and disappointment in myself… She was there. She promised she wouldn’t leave me, and she didn’t. I’m not one to believe in soul mates or true love but, if there was such a thing, I think she would be it. It was only because of that that I was here for her now, in a stuffy dress and an even stuffier hall full of Canterlot’s elite for a charity music hall. I stifle a sigh and shift to try and find a more comfortable position. Leave it to nobles to have lavish walls but cheap seats… A hush descends over the room as the curtain rises and then… There she is, chin on her fiddle, hoof holding her string, ready to play. There were others with instruments on the stage, but I only had eyes and ears for her. She stomped her hoof to set the beat and the music began. ~~ “Absolutely marvelous! Why I daresay only angels could play better.” Fiddly giggles demurely and bows her head, “Oh Fancypants, you flatter me sir.” He chuckles in return, “The praise is well deserved nonetheless. Thank you for coming out to play tonight, I think this event has been a smashing success thanks to you and your fiddle.” My cheeks hurt from how much I have been smiling and I drape my wing over Fiddlestick’s back, nuzzling her cheek. “I think Fancypants is right about that, you were sparkling up there Fiddly, sparkling!” She smiles and nuzzles me back, a mischievous hint in her eyes as she nods to the champagne glass I have in hoof. “It looks like I’m not the only one who’s sparkling.” I chuckle nervously, “W-well I just uh, just needed some liquid courage.” She blinked at me, “Huh? What for?” I let out a deep breath before taking a step away from her and grabbing the small box I had hidden in my feathers. I wobble as I kneel down, and instantly I feel eyes from all around the room on us. Fiddlesticks gasps as I open the box, revealing a simple, silver band on a string. “Fiddly...Fiddlesticks, you know I’m not good with the mushy stuff, but I figure this is the one time I can at least try it. You are...You are a beautiful mare with an amazing heart and,” I sniffle, blinking away tears, “I don’t deserve as good as you, but yet you’ve chosen me. You have made me feel worthy of your love, even through all the horseapples I put you through. I want to spend my life with you, so, so would you please marry me?” I see her lips move and feel her crushing embrace, her verbal response lost in the cheering of the crowd. Tears run down both our cheeks as we embrace, peppering each other’s faces with kisses and laughing. This is it. I’ve finally made something with my life. ~~ It’s raining outside, only a light sprinkle to help keep the dust down. We have a window open to listen to it and are wrapped in warm blankets cuddling on the couch. “Hey Fiddly?” “Mmhmm?” I smile at her sleepy tone. “I know I keep asking this but…” I feel her shift against me, tilting her head up to nuzzle under my chin. “Dusty, I’ve told you a million times and I’ll tell you again...It’s okay.” I huff playfully. “Well maybe I need to hear it a million and two times Fiddly. I know your dream is to be a mother and, well, now…” She brings her head up to stare at me. There’s still a tired tint to her eyes, but for the most part they are deep blue pools of understanding, like a quiet lake where one could simply float and let all their worries melt away. I feel myself start to drift off in her gaze when she speaks again, her soft voice lulling me further. “I will still be a mother, just not in the way we were planning.” A familiar mischief sparkled in those lakes, a playful threat of a prank from a friend. “To tell you the truth, I’m gonna enjoy spoiling you rotten while you carry our foal.” Despite my best efforts, my cheeks warm and she grins at my blush. “I love you Dusty.” I nuzzle her. “I love you too Fiddly.” ~~ Fiddlesticks grips my hoof tightly and I return the hold, our eyes glued to the screen. The doctor moves the wand around and suddenly, the fuzzy details sharpen to reveal the shape of our foal. The doctor smiles, “It looks like your foal is developing well. Would you like to know the gender and race?” I nod, unable to speak. The doctor adjusts the wand and points at the screen, at two little shapes on the foal’s back. “Congratulations, you two are going to have a filly, a pegasus.” “A, a pegasus. Fiddly…” She is already crying as she presses our foreheads together. “I, I see Dusty. Our baby is gonna fly.” Our little girl, a pegasus, just like me. ~~ Fiddly rubs my back soothingly as I groan over the toilet bowl. “Erghh...It should be illegal for morning sickness to be anytime but the morning.” “Would you like a mint hun?” I gently lift my head, squinting as I tried to decide if my body had expelled enough. “Hmm...Yeah, like, 5 please.” She giggles and kisses my forehead before leaving my side to rummage for mints. I sigh and sit back, rubbing my low back with a hoof to try and ease the muscles. I smile at Fiddly as she hands over a small tin and I waste no time tipping it back and munching on the minty fresh tablets. She sits beside me and begins to rub my stomach and I lean into her. “Hey Fiddly?” “Yeah?” “You...You still love me right?” She chuckles and kisses my cheek, “Of course I do, what kind of silly question is that?” I flush in embarrassment, “I just, I’m scared one day you are gonna wise up is all.” I pull my wing around my side. Once, I took great pride in keeping them in top form, but ever since that tornado I had developed a bad habit of chewing on it in fits of anger. Fiddly gently runs a hoof down the battered feathers and rough, scarred skin underneath. “You and I have been through some very rough weather, but I meant what I said. I promised to never leave you.” Tears sting my eyes, “But that doesn’t mean you’ll always love me. Look at me Fiddly, I can hardly call myself a pegasus anymore, how can I raise one? I barely have half a wing left…” “Being a pegasus is more than being able to fly.” “Says the earth pony.” My bitter remark bounces off her tough hide as she continues. “You were born a pegasus, you have lived as a pegasus, and you will die as one. I fell in love with a mare from the sky and I shall continue to love her until the day I return to the earth.” “You really mean it?” “Yes, Dusty, I really mean it.” ~~ “-AHHHHH!!” I scream and sit up, wincing in pain as I pant desperately for breath. Fiddly shoots up as well and instantly has her hooves around me. “Dusty? Are you okay? Did you have another nightmare?” I nod against her, trembling as I try to hold onto her, to make sure she is real and beside me. I know being pregnant can lead to some wild dreams, but lately all I’ve been having are nightmares about Fiddly. Her dying in my hooves, her in a hospital bed after I failed to stop the tornado or worse; her under a fallen beam and bled to death. I press my muzzle into her chest and inhale her scent as she rubs my back and whispers soothingly into my mane. There is a sharp pain in my belly and I gasp, eyes widening in horror as I feel a wet mess between my legs. “F-Fidd, ba, baby.” I feel the alarm in her body as she removes one hoof from me to turn on the light. We look down, and there is a dark stain on the sheets. She curses and leaps out of the bed, trotting in place for a moment as she looks between me and the bedroom door. She curses again and nuzzles me. “I’ll be right back hun, I just need to call the doctor okay?” I nod and watch as she leaves. Another wave of pain rolls over me and I collapse back on the bed. I must have blacked out at some point, because the next thing I know, the room is brightly lit and there's commotion around me. Doctor Bones looks up at me and smiles, "Good, you're awake. You are nearly fully dilated and-" "Di-what now?" "The baby is coming." With those words, I am made aware of what was happening. Fiddly is beside me, holding my hoof tightly and there's a sort of tent over my legs made from our blanket. There are a couple nurses flitting about the room and calling out medical terms that go in one ear and out the other. I blink in confusion. All my life I've heard that childbirth is the most painful thing, yet I can't seem to feel anything. Fiddly nuzzles me, "They gave you an epidural about 20 minutes ago, don't you remember?" I shake my head, "No I don't. So what's going to-" My face scrunches up as I feel pressure in my groin. "Oooh...That's, that's a weird feeling..." The doctor pops up again and smiles at me, "Looks like you are almost there, get ready to push Lightning." I nod and look up at Fiddly, the reality of this moment suddenly crashing over me. She peppers my face with kisses and encouraging words, the hoof not holding mine cradling my head gently. "I'm here Dusty, you got this love, just deep breaths and..." The doctor's voice rings out, "Push!"
Until Daylight Comes Again“Alright Star, ready for practice?” My daughter nods, beaming as I pick her up and hold her above my head. It’s a bright sunny day outside with decent winds; the perfect time to teach a baby pegasus how to fly. Fiddly is just behind us, setting up the picnic blanket. “Okay Star, start flapping!” She straightens out into an optimal flying position and starts flapping quickly. I lean back a bit, “Ready for takeoff?” “Yes momma!” “Okay, going in 3…” I extend my wing to feel the wind currents. “...2…” I adjust her trajectory just a smidge, “...1!” I fling her forwards and she whoops in excitement, adjusting her wings to catch the current and… She’s flying. I can’t tell if mine or Fiddly’s cheers are loudest, but it doesn’t matter. Star swoops upwards in an elegant curve and heads back to me. She’s still smiling, but as she gets closer my smile lessens. “Might want to slow down a bit Star!” Her smile disappears and panic enters her eyes, “I, I don’t know how to! Momma! Catch me!” I jump up and she crashes into my chest. Instinctively, I cover her with my wing as I fall on to the grass. I feel a little dizzy as Fiddly rushes over, fretting over the two of us. “Oh goodness! Are you two okay? Dusty, Star, say something!” I groan, but also can’t help a laugh slipping out as I look down at my daughter, curled against my chest. “That was one heck of a crash landing kid, you okay?” She’s shaking a bit, but that beautiful smile she got from Fiddly comes back as she gasps. “That was so much fun Momma! DId you see me? I, I went zoom, and, and then I swooped up like whoosh! And I was going so fast and then I crashed into you! Oh, are you okay Momma?” I grin and ruffle her mane. “I’m okay, it’s gonna take more than that to really hurt me.” Fiddly sighs in relief and shakes her head as she picks up Star. “I may not have wings, but it seems to me learning how to brake might be something to learn before getting tossed up in the winds like that.” I shrug and sit up, “Eh. Every pegasus has a different teaching method. My mom threw me off our backyard in Cloudsdale.” Fiddly’s eyes widen in horror but she doesn’t make a comment. If anything, she’s probably grateful I can’t fly to a cloud and do the same to Star. Not that I would...Probably. I stand and nod towards the picnic basket. “Anyways, let's take a break for snacks and try again after.” Star cheers and begins a chant of, “Snacks, snacks, snacks!” ~~ “Momma, Momma! Guess what!” I look up from the weather reports spread across the kitchen table and smile at my daughter as she skids into the room, her eyes sparkling and wings puffed out in excitement. “Well what’s got you so excited little Star?” She trots in place, her smile wide. “We had a special guest at school today! A Wonderbolt!” My heart stops, but thankfully the smile is frozen on my face. I blink, trying to stay calm. “O-oh?” She nods rapidly, oblivious to the drop in my mood. “Uh huh! He said his name was…” Her smile fades a bit as she screws up her face trying to remember, a look she picked up from Fiddly. “Thunder...flash? No, no that wasn’t it. Thunder strike? No that doesn’t sound right either…” My lips twitch. “Thunderlane?” She gasps, “Yeah that was it! Thunderlane! He came and talked to us allllll about the Wonderbolts and the flying they do. We even got to do a Wonderbolts training course and-“ I know it’s probably rude to tune out your own daughter while she prattles on about something exciting that happened to her, but I can’t help it. “-and then I had to go around these poles without touching-“ It’s been forever since I thought about the Wonderbolts, er, rather that I let myself think about them. “-flew up higher than I ever have! And then-“ It tends to put me in a rather nasty mood… “- I got first place! Thunderlane said that when I’m older, I can be a Wonderbolt too!” I stand suddenly. “WHAT?!” Star freezes, her eyes slowly widening. “M-Momma?” I stare down at her, my sides heaving as I try to process what she said. She whimpers, “Momma, are you mad?” I growl and turn away from her, sweeping my hoof across the table and scattering all the papers. My blood is boiling, but somewhere is a flicker of rationality, that I need to get out of here. Why? Why did she have to bring that up, why did they have to go to her school?! I need to get out, away from her. I scream and kick a cabinet. It’s not fair, it’s not bucking fair! Lightning stop this, you are scaring Star! I whip my head around and grab my wing in my mouth, screaming around the feathers and the pain as I bite down. Stupid, stupid useless body. Tangy copper fills my mouth but still I scream and bite. “Lightning!” Something clips my head and I stop, blinking in confusion. I realize I am mutilating my wing again and quickly spit it out, looking around to see what was going on. Fiddly is glaring at me, cheeks red with anger and eyes glistening with tears. There’s the sound of someone crying, but Fiddly isn’t… I bring my hoof to my mouth in horror, my ears flicking at the soft sobbing of Star. My child. “W-why is Momma so m-mad? Did, did I do something wrong?” My heart breaks and I open my mouth but Fiddly interrupts me, turning her head to nuzzle Star. “No, no baby, Momma isn’t mad at you.” “Then, then why is she-“ “Hush baby, it’s okay.” Fiddly turns back towards me and, almost hissing like a rattlesnake, “Momma needs to spend some time alone and think about what she did.” I am left utterly speechless by the venom in her voice. But there’s nothing I can say right now to even try and make this right. I lower my head and shuffle out of the back door. The wind is cold and howls around me. I lift my head and scream into it. ~~ “Do you think she could make it?” My daughter slices through the air above me, flying an invisible course. She’s good, almost as good as I was when I was her age, but there’s still room for improvement. I snort and glance sideways at Fiddly. “On the weather team? Of course she could. She’s easily captain material.” My eyes return to Star as she flings herself into a corkscrew. Fiddly sighs beside me. “You know that’s not what I meant. She wants to be more than a weather team captain and you know it.” I grit my teeth, “Fiddly, we aren’t getting into this right now. We are on a nice family picnic, let’s keep it that way.” I know there’s more she wants to say, but she keeps it to herself for now. She’ll probably try again later, but hopefully Star will be in bed before we start arguing again. I know Fiddly is sympathetic to my position and she doesn’t want to bring up bad memories but she’s been getting more insistent since Star expressed an interest. That day from when she was just a foal plants itself into the forefront of my mind, and, unfortunately, that was only the start. Apparently there was some sort of ‘national outreach program’ implemented, where ‘everyone can be part of the next generation’. I’ve been...better about managing my outbursts, but I’ve always been a hotheaded mare. I know some ponies mellow out with age, but I’m certainly not one of them. Neither is Fiddly. Star swoops down and lands on the blanket, panting softly as a sheen of sweat glistens on her coat. She frowns for a moment as she picks up on the tension between me and Fiddly, but it is replaced with a smile as I toss a towel at her. “I hope you worked up an appetite from all that flying, mom made her special hay fries.” She grins at me, “Are you kidding? I’m always hungry for mom’s food.” Fiddly chuckles as she passes around the containers, “Glad to hear it, I made plenty.” ~~ I wince as the door slams closed, my hoof held out in a half hearted attempt to touch the pony that just stormed out. Fiddly comes up beside me and pulls me into a hug. Her voice is tired, “You have to let her live her dream Dusty. I, I know how much it hurts you, but please, haven’t we fought long enough about this?” I can’t even cry. All my tears about...that...ran dry long ago. Instead, I sigh and sag against her. “I...I know, you’re right. I just need time.” It hurts, it really hurts, but I know what I need to do. ~~ Fiddly squeals loudly from the other room and rushes in, waving around a letter. “She sent us tickets! She got in!” I am frozen as she shoves the letter in my hooves, my heart is heavy as I read the words but… It’s okay. I feel a weight I have carried around my entire life slowly fade away, just a little bit. I...I didn’t get to be a Wonderbolt, I am never going to be a Wonderbolt, but that’s okay. Cause my daughter is.
