Chapters It was a rather cold and stormy night in the town of Ponyville. Wind raged, rain poured, and spirits dropped. Shops were closed, and everypony stayed in their warm, comfortable houses to live out the unforgiving elements. That is, except for one particular earthpony.
Brave Spirit ran through the pounding precipitation, splashing through puddles on his way by. He clutched a couple of folders in his hooves that read, “Adoption Agency Application Forms”.
He ran through the deserted streets of the town, longing to reach his house before the cold and rain got the better of him. By the time he got there, he was soaking wet and shivering.
Using the key to unlock the door, Spirit entered his home, and set the application folders on the kitchen counter. He headed down the hall to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, and dried himself off.
Trudging back down the hall, he sat down on his couch, and sighed. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
The one distinct feature about his application folder for the Adoption Agency was the big red stamp on the front that read, “Rejected”.
He buried his face in his hooves, and sobbed quietly.
“What’s wrong with me……?”
His wife, who was a pegasus, had died over a year ago in a horrible flying accident. His parents had both died of a stroke many years before that. He had no brothers or sisters, and has lived alone ever since the tragedy.
A couple years before her death, Spirit and his wife had been considering having a foal. They both have always wanted to settle down and start a family. However, with one trip to the doctor, his wife was diagnosed with infertility.
Brave Spirit just wanted a foal to take care of in his life, so the void in his heart could be filled. But the Adoption Agency had rejected his application, and now, he had no one.
He got up off of his couch, and trudged down the hall to his bedroom. Maybe if he got a good night’s rest, everything will seem better in the morning.
……………………………………
Well, he was certainly wrong about that one. Or at least…partially. He couldn’t sleep at all.
For the last hour and a half, he had been tossing and turning, thinking about the rejection of his application. Finally, he decided to get out of bed, and take a walk.
He grabbed an umbrella and a raincoat from the living-closet, and headed back out into the pouring rain to clear his head.
………………………………………
Spirit slowly walked through the usually busy streets of Ponyville. However, almost no one was anywhere to be seen. Every once and a while, one or two ponies could be seen rushing by to get home through the weather. Other than that, there was no one around.
It was going to be a dreary weekend for him. The pegasi had scheduled this storm to last for a couple of days, and he had absolutely no plans whatsoever. Of course, he’d have to be back to work at the rock farm on Monday. That job seems to make his life “sunshine and happiness” most of the time.
Spirit changed direction at a forked path, and began walking through the park. The only sounds that could be heard were the pattering of the rain, and the squashing sound of his hooves on the muddy ground.
He sat down at one of the many round, covered picnic tables that were scattered throughout the park property. He rested his head on the surface of the table, and sighed.
…
For the few minutes that he sat at that bench, he started to become accustomed to the sound of the rain. After a couple more minutes however, a second noise could be heard.
His ears perked up, and he lifted his head. He listened carefully, for the noise was very faint. It sounded almost like…crying.
Spirit stood back up, grabbed his umbrella, and walked in the direction of the noise. As he walked, the noise got louder and louder.
He looked around, trying to find where the noise was emanating from. When he turned, he saw a basket sitting under the large umbrella of one of the other park benches. With his curiosity peaked, he began to approach it.
Once he had reached the basket, he found that it was covered with a blanket. He was confused as to why there was crying coming from a regular woven picnic basket that was deserted in the rain.
He carefully removed the blanket that covered it, and gasped at what he saw.
In the basket, he found a very small filly that was wrapped in more blankets. She looked up at him, and immediately stopped crying. She kind of stared, trying to figure out who this strange colt was.
Spirit stared back at her exactly the same way. Her coat was a kind of turquoise, or cyan. The part that caught his eye was the rainbow-colored mane that she possessed. What kind of pony has six colors in her mane?
Spirit looked down, and noticed a small note attached to the side of the basket. He peeled it off, and mumbled its words aloud.
“My name is Rainbow Dash. Please give me a good home!” He read. He checked it front and back to make sure he read everything, but there was nothing else. That’s all it was.
“H…have I been blessed or something? This is too good to be true!”
Spirit looked back down at ‘Rainbow Dash’. Judging by her size and composure, he guessed that she had to be maybe a week old at the most.
He looked back and forth to make sure no one was looking. Then, he took Rainbow Dash’s basket back to his house.
………………………………………
Once again, Spirit unlocked the front door, and entered his house. He took off his raincoat, and set it on the coat-hanger next to the door along with the umbrella. He took the basket containing Rainbow Dash over to the couch, and sat down.
He carefully lifted her out of the basket, and unwrapped the blankets that were around her. As he did so, he noticed a tiny pair of wings that were folded at her sides. As the blanket came off, her wings unfurled to get some air. She wasn’t wearing anything.
“Aw, you are just too precious! I can’t believe I will actually need to buy diapers from the market tomorrow! I thought that was something that I’d never have to do…”
Rainbow Dash giggled. This made Brave Spirit grin from ear-to-ear.
He looked up at the clock, which read 10:23.
“Man, it’s getting late. I guess it’s time for us to be getting to bed, huh?”
He set Rainbow Dash on the couch. Then, he took the blanket that was covering the basket, and he put it around her. Very soon after doing this, Rainbow Dash fell asleep.
Smiling, Spirit walked down the hall to his bedroom to get some sleep. He hadn’t felt this happy since his wife was still alive.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
Here I am again! I have some important information regarding this story. Some of you might find this story to be perfect, and others, not so much. There will be some pretty big time gaps here or there, like a couple years or so. In one chapter, Rainbow Dash might be three years old, and in the next, she could be eight or nine. I will make this evident at the beginning of the time-lapsed chapters, so it shouldn’t be too confusing. There is one thing about Rainbow Dash in this story that is VERY different than in the show, which you’ll find out as the story progresses. You’ll just have to read it to find out what it is!
As soon as Brave Spirit woke up the next morning, he headed straight for the phone that sat on the counter next to the sink. He dialed the doctor’s number, and scheduled an appointment for Rainbow Dash. After all, he had found her in the middle of a deserted park during the pouring rain. He wanted to make sure she was healthy, and didn’t have any permanent problems or deformities.
Somehow, the doctor had managed to squeeze in an appointment for her that afternoon at two-thirty.
Spirit put the phone down, and walked over to Rainbow Dash. She had just woken up a few minutes ago, and was getting a little bit antsy.
He picked her up, and held her in his hooves. He couldn’t see anything wrong with her simply by looking at her. She looked like a normal, healthy pegasus filly without even any freckles or birthmarks. The only part about her that wasn’t normal was her freakishly colorful mane and tail.
Spirit lightly stroked her small, fluffy wings. This made her giggle.
“Oh, so your wings are ticklish? I will make a note of that.” He chuckled.
…
Spirit heard himself chuckle, and was surprised. He hadn’t heard himself laugh at all for the past several months. For the first time in ages, he actually felt happy.
It was such a blessing to him that he found this colorful filly out in public domain where anyone else could’ve found it first. But…where did it come from? There are no ponies around in this area that Spirit knows that are in any way related to this pony.
He kept asking himself questions. Who are her parents? Why did they leave her? Why does she look so different from everypony else?
Spirit decided to set these questions aside for now, and make some breakfast. He started to get up, but stopped suddenly. What was he going to feed Rainbow Dash?
He picked her up again, and opened her mouth. Sure enough, only gums could be seen inside her young mouth.
Spirit thought for a second. He was pretty sure the only thing fillies her age consumed was breast milk, or formula or something. Well, he could definitely check off breast milk, so formula it is!
He carried Rainbow Dash over to the basket that he had found her in, which was on the kitchen counter. He placed her inside, and wrapped the blankets around her just as they were before. Rainbow Dash panicked, and began to squirm around and flap her wings.
“Don’t you worry; you’re not going to be abandoned again! You poor thing.”
Spirit really felt for this poor filly. She’d been through a lot already, being left out alone and all.
“I’m not going to abandon you. We’re just going out to get some supplies. You don’t have to worry about being left alone ever again.”
Spirit picked up the basket, and carried it out the door, heading for the marketplace.
……………………………………….
Spirit didn’t bother to bring an umbrella. There was only a light drizzle outside, which was supposed to kick off a big thunderstorm around lunchtime. It was quite foggy, and very humid.
Not many ponies were out and about at this time of day. But as Spirit neared the marketplace, more and more ponies could be seen trotting around. The marketplace was always busy.
In a matter of moments, several ponies began to crowd around the basket that Spirit was holding. Many sighs of admiration could be heard as they looked down at the adorable filly Rainbow Dash.
One of them asked him a question.
“How did you have a foal? I thought your wife died.”
“Well actually, I found this filly last night at the park, all alone. Wait…how did you know my wife died?”
The stranger shrugged.
“It’s a small town. Word gets around. By the way, I’m sorry for your loss.”
After a while, the crowd slowly began to dissipate. As Spirit walked around however, one or two ponies would approach and ask about Rainbow Dash from time to time.
…
Finally, after stopping many times to answer questions and to accept compliments, Spirit found a small shop that sold some things he needed. There were diapers, toys, mixtures for formula, and other handy foal-care items. There was even a small plush toy of Soarin, the famous pony from the Wonderbolts.
“That foal of yours is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!” The shopkeeper exclaimed.
Spirit chuckled.
“Thanks. I keep hearing that.”
“How did she get such colorful hair?” The keeper asked.
“You know, I’m not sure. I found her at the park last night in this very basket.” Spirit replied.
The keeper gasped.
“That’s quite amazing! You must feel very lucky.”
“You bet I do. Rainbow Dash is the best thing to have ever happened to me.”
“Her name is Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, out of the goodness of my heart, how about I discount your purchases for little Dashie there this one time?”
“Seriously? You’d do that?” Spirit gasped.
“Sure, why not? Just take your pick, and I’ll take twenty percent off your final purchase.”
…
Spirit stocked up on as much as he could. Everything he thought he would need, from diapers to mobiles, he bought. He even got her a rattle to play with at times of boredom or teething.
He took one last look around the shop for anything else he though was a necessity. Finally, his eye caught the one thing he saw earlier that he knew would be perfect for her.
“Before I go, I would like that plush doll of Soarin you have behind the counter.”
The keeper followed his gaze, and found what he was looking for up in display behind the front counter.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not for sale. It’s very rare.”
Spirit thought for a moment. He pulled out his wallet, and gave her his debit card.
“Please tell me how much I have on that card.” He asked.
The keeper slid the card through the scanner, and looked at the reading.
“You have about a thousand bits in your checking account.” The keeper stated.
“Would a thousand bits be enough to pay for that Soarin plush?” Spirit asked.
“Are you sure? You’d be emptying your entire checking account just for that one item.”
“Rainbow Dash is more important to me than money. I’m pretty confident in my decision.”
“Alright then. It’s your money, so it’s your call.”
The keeper walked over to the display counter, and got the Soarin plush. She walked back to the front counter, and handed it to Spirit. He put it in his bag along with everything else. She then gave him his debit card back.
“Thank you.” Spirit said.
“Good luck with Rainbow Dash!” The keeper called as Spirit walked out the door.
………………………………………
When Spirit walked in the door, he set his big bag of stuff on the floor in front of the door to be dealt with later. He took out the newly-acquired Soarin plush, and held it out towards Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash took it from him, and hugged it close. Spirit chuckled.
“Now you’ll know forever how much your new father loves you.” He whispered.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
Expect a time-lapse in the next chapter! It’s a fairly considerable one, at that.
-Time-lapse: 9 years-
Spirit sat quietly on his couch, and watched TV to pass time. For all of his hard, back-breaking work at the rock farm, his boss gave him the week off. Although he was happy about it, he hasn’t been very used to the concept of being…free. He spent most of the week in front of the TV.
Last Hearths Warming Eve, he had gotten Rainbow Dash one of those new Wii U things to plug into the TV. She still plays it all the time, and it looks like it’d be a lot of fun. If only he knew how operate it.
…
Just then, the front door opened, and Rainbow Dash skipped inside. The door then slowly closed by itself. It did that for some reason.
“Dad, I’m home!” Dash exclaimed gleefully.
“Hey, Dashie. How did school go?”
“Hey dad, I have to ask you something.”
Spirit flinched, and got ready for the “where foals come from” speech. In 3…2…1…
Rainbow Dash walked over to him, and held up a flyer.
“Can I join the wrestling club?”
Home base. He was safe for now.
“The wrestling club? Seriously?” Spirit took the flyer, and studied it. “This is a club for colts only.”
“Yeah, so? I can pass off as a colt whenever I need to. All we need to do is dye my mane and tail, and I can start talking with a low voice.”
Spirit sighed. “That is a bad idea in so many ways I won’t be able to stop listing them until I’m sixty.”
“Please, dad? Pretty pretty please?”
“I’d feel better if you joined Junior Speedster Flight Camp. You need to learn to start flying, Dashie.”
Spirit was very concerned for Rainbow Dash at this point. At the age of nine, she still didn’t have her cutie mark, nor did she ever lift off the ground once.
“I don’t want to fly! Flying’s too hard!” She whined.
“But you’re a pegasus. You weren’t born with wings for nothing.” Spirit mentioned.
Rainbow Dash glanced back at the feathery appendages that were attached to her back, midway down her spine.
“Tell you what, let’s go to the park. If you can fly up about fifty feet, do a twirl, and fly back down, I’ll humor you.”
Rainbow Dash put a hoof up to her chin, and though for a moment.
“You’re on!”
………………………………………
Spirit and Rainbow Dash walked through the park, trying to find a clear, unpopulated field area where Rainbow Dash could perform. Spirit looked around, and saw a couple sitting at the same picnic table that he’d found Rainbow Dash at so long ago. It made him shudder to think about how long it’s been.
Eventually, they both reached a nice, open spot.
“Alright Rainbow Dash, show me what you’ve got.”
Rainbow Dash began to flap her wings very quickly. A slight breeze could be felt by Spirit as air was blown around from her efforts. Her eyes were closed tightly, and sweat began to roll down her face.
She stopped suddenly, gasping for air. In her struggles, she had barely lifted off the ground a mere inch.
“I’m sorry dad…flying’s just not my thing.”
…
Spirit rubbed his chin.
“Dashie, I don’t think this is your fault.”
Rainbow Dash’s ears perked up. How in Equestria could something like sucking at flying not be her fault? She looked up at Spirit, bewildered.
“How could this not be my fault?”
“It might not be you; it might be your body.” Spirit said thoughtfully. “Come on, let’s go see if the doctor can give you a quick checkup.”
Rainbow Dash gulped. She hadn’t really liked the doctor ever since he told her to pee in a cup that one time. She still wasn’t quite sure why they needed her to do such a perverted thing.
…………………………………………
The mare at the front desk of the clinic was filing papers when the front door opened. She looked up, and saw Brave Spirit and Rainbow Dash walk in.
“Brave Spirit! It’s been quite a while since you and little Dashie came in here! How can I help you?” The mare asked.
Rainbow Dash pouted. Only Spirit was allowed to call her ‘Dashie’. Nopony else had the honor of doing so but him.
“Well, she tried flying today, and it didn’t go so well. I know that somewhere in that colorful frame of hers is a boatload of raw talent. However, I believe a medical condition has been getting in the way of it.” Spirit explained.
“Ah, so I’m assuming you’re asking for a checkup with the doctor?”
“That would be correct.”
The mare smiled. “He’s just down the hall, to the left. It’s been a pretty slow day today, so I’m sure he’ll be able to see you right away!”
“Thank you.”
Spirit held Rainbow’s hoof, and they traveled down the hall to see the doctor.
…
When the door opened, the doctor could be seen checking files on his computer. He looked up, and smiled as soon as he saw who the visitors were.
“Ah, if it isn’t Brave Spirit and little Rainbow Dash! Just the ponies we need to brighten up our day!” He exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s definitely been a while!” Spirit replied.
The doctor knelt down in front of Rainbow Dash, and adjusted his glasses.
“Why, I don’t think I’ve seen you since your diabetes exam! You don’t look like you’ve changed a bit.”
Ah, the diabetes exam. That’s why he took that perverted test. What the heck is diabetes, anyway?
The doctor stood back up. “So, what do you need?”
“Well, Dashie tried flying today, with little success. I’m thinking that most pegasi her age should be in the air by now, so I’m getting concerned.”
“And you came to me to see if she has any medical problems? Say no more.”
The doctor walked over to the chair that was up against the wall, and patted the seat. “Alright Rainbow Dash, please sit here.”
Rainbow Dash walked over to the seat, and sat down.
“Please unfold your wings.”
Rainbow Dash did as she was told. The doctor ran his hoof down the length of her wing, from the base to the tip. This made her shudder, and giggle softly.
“Sorry about that…” She said, blushing.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s perfectly natural to get physically aroused by the feeling of a wing-stroke.” The doctor responded.
"What does 'aroused' mean?" She asked.
"It means to get sexually excited." The doctor responded.
"......Oh......"
…
For the next five minutes, the doctor studied, and performed various tests on Rainbow Dash’s wings. Finally, he asked her to flap them a couple of times.
Rainbow Dash did as she was told, and a small breeze filled the room. Various loose objects blew off the counter and onto the floor.
“Hmm…”
“What is it, doc?” Spirit asked.
“That is a very unnatural wing pattern… I think I might know what the problem is.”
“What is it?”
“Your daughter here was born with a relatively rare deformity in which the wings don’t produce enough primary feathers.”
“W…what does that mean?” Rainbow Dash stuttered.
“Primary feathers are the long feathers on the very tip of the wing that play a massive role in the patterns of flight. If you don’t have enough of them, I’m afraid flight is impossible.”
Spirit and Rainbow Dash gasped. They both stared, crestfallen.
“Strangely enough, we had a newborn filly in here just a few days ago who was diagnosed with the same deformity. What was her name…Scootaloo? She was orange, and had a magenta mane and tail.” The doctor added.
Rainbow Dash trudged over to Spirit, and buried her face in his chest. He put his arms around her.
“Thank you for telling us, doc.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, I think we’re good. We’ll just be going now.”
The doctor just stood in that one spot as he watched the father and daughter walk out the door. He truly felt bad for them, especially Dashie. Imagine what it must feel like for a pegasus to never be able to fly.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
We need more comments! I feed off of feedback!
When Brave Spirit and Rainbow Dash walked in the front door of their house, Rainbow Dash headed straight for her bedroom, and closed the door behind her. Brave Spirit sighed heavily.
Perhaps he should talk to her. There might be something he could do to cheer her up. After all, how bad could it be if she wanted to pursue wrestling instead of flying anyway?
…
Spirit walked down the hall to her bedroom, and slowly creaked the door open. Inside, he saw Rainbow Dash slumped on her bed, clutching her Soarin doll, facing the ceiling.
“Hey, Dashie.” He whispered.
“Hi, dad.” She muttered back.
“So I was just thinking. I have the day off today, and thought maybe you could show me how to play that new Mario game you have on your Wii U.”
Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I don’t really want to play video games right now.”
Spirit entered her room, and closed the door. He walked over to her bed, and sat down with her.
“What’s got you down?”
Rainbow Dash ignored the question. “Dad, why am I different than everypony else?”
Spirit pondered over Dash’s question for a quick moment. “Well, what do you mean?”
“I mean, why do I have rainbow-colored hair? Why don’t I have my cutie mark yet? Why are my wings broken?” She paused for a moment. “Why don’t I have a mom?”
Spirit was taken back by that last question. That was a good question indeed. Why doesn’t she have a mom? Why doesn’t he have a wife?”
He sighed. “You know Dashie, there’s an answer to all that. However, it might shock you a little bit, so I need you to be strong. Don’t walk out on me when I tell you, okay?”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened. She anxiously nodded her head.
Spirit held his breath for a second, sighed, and then began. “Dashie, to tell you the truth, I don’t know who or where your real mother is. And I’m also definitely not your father. I used to have a wife, who died tragically in a flight accident. On a dark, stormy night a long time ago, I was taking a walk to clear my head from all the sadness. When I stopped by the park to sit down, I heard crying coming from another picnic table. When I followed the sound, I found you covered in blankets in a woven basket. You were only about a week old.”
Rainbow Dash gasped. “So…I was abandoned? And you found me?”
Spirit solemnly nodded. “Yes. Your original parents abandoned you. Since the basket that you were in was placed in the public park, someone surely would’ve found you if it hadn’t been me.”
Rainbow Dash said nothing. She looked down, trying to fathom the information that Spirit had unloaded onto her.
“You know what, stay here. I have something to show you.” He said.
Spirit got up, and left the room. A few minutes later, he came back into the room holding a large box marked, ‘Old Memories’.
“What’s in there?” Dash asked.
“Well, come over here and I’ll show you.” Spirit replied.
…
With her curiosity peaked, Rainbow Dash got off of her bed, and walked over to the box, which Spirit had set on the floor in front of the door. Spirit opened up the box, and a musty smell filled the room, making Rainbow Dash cough.
Spirit pushed aside some of the other things, like old family pictures and high school awards and stuff like that. Sitting on the bottom of the box was the basket that he had found Rainbow Dash in. He pulled it out, along with the sticky note that was inside it.
“This right here is the very same basket that you were lying in as a foal when I found you. Inside it is the sticky note that I found attached to it.”
Rainbow Dash took the rather small basket with care. She was shocked that she lied in that very same basket before she was old enough to even know it. She grabbed the sticky note, and read it aloud.
“My name is Rainbow Dash. Please give me a good home!” She read. “So…that’s where I got my name from?”
“Yes. It said on that note that your name was Rainbow Dash, so that’s what I always called you.”
Rainbow Dash was stunned. This was all too much to handle. She felt like her whole life was just an illusion.
“So…why did you decide to take that walk? What had you so down?” She asked.
Without answering, Spirit reached into the box, and did some more searching. A few moments later, he pulled out his application folders for the Adoption Agency. The big red ‘Rejected’ stamp still shown on the cover, yet it was slightly faded. He handed the folders to Rainbow Dash to look at.
“I don’t know what it was about that night specifically, but the death of my wife was really weighing in on me for some reason. I decided to apply for the adoption of a foal, since me and my wife never got to have one before she died.” He explained.
“And they rejected you?” She asked.
Spirit nodded. He sniffled a couple times, trying hard not to cry again from those painful memories.
“…Well, I’m glad they rejected you.” Dash stated.
“What? Why?”
Rainbow Dash put all the stuff that she was holding down, and walked over to Spirit, giving him a big hug.
“If they hadn’t rejected you, you wouldn’t have found me.”
Spirit smiled, and returned his daughter’s hug.
…
“Oh, Dashie?”
“Yes?”
“I understand how heartbreaking it must be to not be able to fly. With Celestia as my witness, if it kills me, I will find a way to grant you the gift of flight.”
“How would you do that? The doctor said my wings were all funky, which means I’ll never be able to fly.”
“The doctor said your wings didn’t have enough primary feathers. That’s not something I can’t fix. I plan on going into intensive study on the anatomy of pegasi, so I can find a way to make you a set of artificial feathers or something.”
“But dad, that’s so much work! Are you sure you want to do that for me?” Dash asked.
“I think you’re worth it. Ever since I found you, my life has had a little more meaning to it. I think it’s the least I can do for you.” Spirit responded.
Rainbow Dash grinned ear-to-ear, and went back to hug Spirit again.
…
After a few silent moments of embracing, Dash spoke.
“Hey dad, I think I feel like playing that Mario game now.”
Spirit laughed. “Well okay then!”
The two got up, and left Rainbow Dash’s room, leaving the box of memories on the floor.
“Now remember, you use the 2 button to make Mario jump, not the A button!” Dash told Spirit on the way out.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
What a heartwarming chapter! I feel refreshed now. Feedback please!
The Foalsitting Experience
Rainbow Dash was woken up early by the sounds coming from the hall outside. She sat up, yawned, and rubbed her eyes. “It may be Wednesday, but I actually had the chance to sleep in today.” She grumbled.
Trudging over to the open door, she looked out the hallway and into the living room. There, she saw Spirit dressing for work in his hard hat and boots, and talking to somepony.
With her curiosity peaked, she walked out into the hall, and got a better look. The mare he was talking to was a pink alicorn with a purple, pink, and yellow mane and tail. Her cutie mark appeared to be a heart made out of crystals.
Her jaw dropped. An alicorn? What in Equestria was a freaking princess doing in our home?!
Spirit stopped talking when he turned and saw Rainbow Dash.
“Hey Dashie! Come over here and meet your new foalsitter!” He called.
Rainbow Dash tiptoed anxiously toward the living room to meet her royal guardian. She almost quivered a little as she got closer.
“This here is Princess Cadence. I used to have a friend who recommended her to me, saying that she was really great with foals!”
“I am not a foal! And I don’t need a foalsitter!” Rainbow Dash pouted.
“Oh c’mon, you’ll love her! My friend has a daughter named Twilight Sparkle that just can’t get enough of her!”
Rainbow Dash continued to pout.
“My, aren’t you just the cutest thing ever? I love your mane!” Cadence said enthusiastically. She held her hoof out to shake, but Rainbow Dash didn’t acknowledge.
“She can be like that sometimes. You just have to know how to work around it.” Spirit suggested.
“It won’t be a problem for me.” Cadence replied with a smile.
“Well okay then!” Spirit checked his watch. “Shoot, I’m going to be late! I guess that’s it then, right?”
Cadence and Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Bye! Have fun!” Spirit exclaimed as he walked out the door, closing it behind him.
…
Not long after the door closed, Rainbow Dash spoke to her new foalsitter.
“Can we have breakfast? I’m hungry.”
This made Cadence smile. “Already? Didn’t you just get up like…five minutes ago?”
Rainbow Dash shrugged, and smiled back at her. Cadence walked into the kitchen to fulfill Rainbow’s request.
…
Rainbow Dash eagerly followed her into the kitchen, and sat down on an empty seat at the table. Cadence searched the pantry for something sufficient to feed her.
“Let’s see…what do you usually eat for breakfast?” She asked.
“Well, on special occasions, we would have something like pancakes and eggs. But on regular mornings, I’d have something like Cocoa Puffs.” Rainbow Dash suggested.
“Cocoa Puffs are in here. I suppose that’s what you want?”
Rainbow Dash nodded. Cadence pulled out the box of chocolate cereal, and poured it into a bowl that was sitting on the counter. After serving it to Rainbow Dash, she grabbed a carton of milk from the refrigerator, and poured it into a glass, giving that to Rainbow Dash as well.
Rainbow Dash eyed the glass, and frowned.
“Hey, I usually get chocolate milk to go with breakfast.” She mentioned.
Cadence grinned. “Nice try little Dashie, but I know you’re not allowed to have chocolate milk when you’re grounded.”
Rainbow Dash pounded her hoof on the counter, which made her breakfast shake a little. “Drat! So close!”
Shortly after her outburst, both of them burst into laughter. Maybe her grounding wouldn’t be so bad with Cadence around to foalsit her.
……………………………
When Spirit got home, it was already dark outside. His boss was really having him work long hours.
He opened the front door, and saw Rainbow Dash and Cadence playing Go Fish on the dinner table. When they saw him enter, the both rushed over to greet him.
Spirit pulled out his wallet. “Okay, how much did I say I would pay you per hour?”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I don’t need to be paid to look after your daughter. The simple joy of spending time with her is enough pay for me.” Cadence answered.
“Are you sure? Today was payday, so…”
“Please, I insist. You can use that money for something more important.”
Spirit smiled. “Well, okay then! I guess I’ll see you at around the same time tomorrow?”
“Yeah, eight-thirty sharp.”
“Okay! Bye!”
“Bye!”
After Cadence left for the night, Spirit asked Rainbow Dash a question.
“Did you guys already have dinner?”
“No. We both figured you’d make it when you got home.” Rainbow Dash replied.
Spirit scoffed. “Please. After today, making dinner is the last thing I want to do.” He walked into the kitchen.
“Wait…so we’re not having dinner?” Rainbow Dash asked, dismayed.
…
In answer to her question, Spirit picked up the phone, and dialed a number. After waiting a few seconds for them to answer, he said, “Yes, Jets? We’d like to order a large pizza with nothing but pepperoni.”
Rainbow Dash grinned from ear-to-ear.
………………………………
As Spirit and Rainbow Dash ate their dinner in the kitchen, Spirit asked Rainbow Dash about what she thought of Cadence.
“Man, she was awesome! It was like I didn’t even need TV or video games to have fun! We did all sorts of fun things, like cards, and board games, and art! I made this thing in the other room out of various household objects, and I don’t even know what it’s supposed to be!”
Spirit chuckled. “Well, maybe I should ban her to make your grounding more gruesome.” He joked.
“No! Don’t do that! I’ll hate you if you do!”
This made Spirit laugh. “Relax, it was a joke.”
…
They both took a bite of pizza at the same time. They looked around the room in awkward silence, not noticing the accidental coincidence they had just created.
“So, besides the suspension, how are you doing in school? I heard there’s a big test coming up.” Spirit asked.
“Oh you know, B’s and C’s. Nothing unusual.” Rainbow Dash casually answered.
“See, even though you’re physically challenged, I always knew you were smart.”
Rainbow Dash smiled.
“But you won’t be physically challenged forever. I have a basic idea of what your flying aid will look like.” He added.
“Really, what do you have in mind?”
“Well, the basic structure of it will be like a harness that you would wear. It would be comfortable of course, considering you’d probably be wearing it most of the time. It would attach to the wing part of the device, which would include the extra feathers that you need to fly. I plan on painting it the same color as your coat so that it’s a little more difficult to distinguish.” He explained.
“…Wow. Sounds complicated.”
“And on top of that, I’d have to constantly keep updating it as you grow. You should be hitting puberty within the next couple years.”
“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to ask you…what is puberty?” She asked.
Spirit chuckled. “That’s a conversation for another time.”
To be Continued…
Author's Note
My apologies on the late update. School's been cracking down hard on the homework recently, so I haven't had much time to really sit down and work on my story. Also, if this chapter seems a little rushed, it's because I was trying desperately to get myself out of the road block that I had written myself into. :D
Unpredicted Tragedy (Time-lapse #2)
-Time-lapse: 4 years-
“Rainbow Dash! Come in here and try this on!” Brave Spirit yelled.
An audible groan could be heard from down the hall. A few seconds later, Rainbow Dash trudged into Spirit’s office. When she came into view, Spirit shuddered. It wasn’t because he thought his daughter was ugly, because she was just the opposite of that. It was her bare flank.
Spirit always couldn’t help but to shudder a little when he saw Rainbow Dash’s flank. The normal age for a foal to have their cutie mark is about seven or eight. Rainbow Dash still didn’t have hers, and she was going on fourteen.
“What is it dad? I was trying to listen to my iPod!” She complained.
“I need you to try this on. I can’t test out my flight aid without a test subject.” He answered.
“Why don’t you test it on yourself? I’d rather be doing something else.”
Spirit gave her a stern look. “Because, genius, I’m not a pegasus. I’m doing this for you, and you should appreciate it.”
“Eh…maybe later.”
…
Spirit swiftly grabbed one of Rainbow Dash’s wings, and held his other hoof up to it threateningly. “Don’t make me do it.”
“No, please! Not that!” Rainbow Dash begged.
Ignoring her plea, Spirit used his free hoof to start madly tickling Rainbow Dash’s wing. Rainbow Dash quickly collapsed to the floor, laughing uncontrollably.
“Ah, stop! That tickles!”
Spirit smiled. “Well of course it tickles. And I’m not going to stop until you agree to try out my prototype!”
Tears began forming in Rainbow Dash’s eyes. She could barely get words out behind the never-ending waves of laughter that forcibly left her mouth and rattled her stomach.
“Gee, it’s amazing how ticklish your wings are! You’d better hope you don’t piss yourself with all that laughter!” Spirit taunted.
“I’m about to! Please stop!” Rainbow Dash laughed.
“Will you try out my prototype?” Spirit asked.
“Yes! Yes! Fine! Just please make it stop!”
…
As Rainbow Dash said this, Spirit immediately stopped tickling her rather-sensitive wing, and stood up. Rainbow Dash still lied on the floor for a second. Her face was beet red from a mixture of exhaustion and excessive embarrassment. Her breathing slowly relaxed.
…
“Now, put this on.” Spirit commanded. He held out a light harness with small attachments on the sides, which had a few feathers mounted on the edge.
Rainbow Dash, after standing back up, took the harness from Spirit, and began to put it on. As she did this, she asked him a question.
“Why do you keep doing this? You’ve been working on this thing for like…a decade, and this is only your second or third remake.”
“You do want to fly, don’t you?” Spirit responded.
“Well, yeah, but…”
“Then that’s all the motivation I need. All I really did in life was go to work and mourn about my wife and family. You’ve given me so much more to live for that I can’t even begin to explain it. This is the least I can do for you, Dashie.” He explained.
…
Rainbow Dash smiled as she strapped the last bit of the harness to her body.
“Could you flap your wings for me?” Spirit asked.
Rainbow Dash did as she was told. When she flapped her wings, the appendages on the harness did so with her, as they were strapped to the wings themselves. Also, there was absolutely no extra wind blowing things around in the room. The only air movement was directly below Rainbow Dash, and nowhere else.
When Rainbow Dash noticed the difference in the feeling, she gasped, and flapped her wings a little harder. She felt a slight lifting sensation, as the force of her wings was countering gravity.
She gasped again. “Dad, I think it’s working! I actually feel lighter!”
“Alright, calm down. This is a very early prototype, so it’s not the strongest structure in Equestria. Let’s go outside, and you can try this nice and easy.”
……………………………………
Rainbow Dash was flapping her wings anxiously, and grinning enthusiastically. She felt as if her whole life was leading up to this moment, so she had a hard time keeping calm.
“Okay, you’re going to take this nice and easy. Remember what I said earlier. It’s just a prototype, so we’re just here to test it out. Don’t do anything too extreme. Got it?”
“Yeah yeah, I got it. Can I fly now?”
Spirit shrugged. “Knock yourself out.”
…
Rainbow Dash planted her hooves in a ready position. She spread out her wings, and began to flap them slowly. A steady current formed underneath her, brushing the underside of her coat.
After a few seconds of wing prep, she began to flap her wings faster. The current under her grew more intense, and she began to feel lighter and lighter, growing more anxious with each passing second. Finally, her hooves left the ground.
She continued to speed up her wing pattern, making her rise more quickly. Once she got the hang of upward thrusting, she changed her wing pattern to fly in different directions.
She looked down, and saw Spirit looking up at her, smiling warmly. She smiled back, and waved to him. She had to be at least twenty feet in the air.
It felt amazing. She felt so free, flying about in the air without being imprisoned on the ground. She continued to climb, reaching heights of forty to fifty feet.
After she learned the basic movements of up, down, and all around, she began to experiment. She flew upwards, and then swiftly swerved downwards, diving towards the ground. As she dove, she barrel-rolled, and did a lot of sudden curves.
Right before hitting the ground, she swerved upward, and flew in rapid loops once she had reached triple her previous height. She was now flying in altitudes well over two-hundred feet.
…
She looked down toward Spirit again with a huge smile on her face.
“Dad, this is so fun! I’ve never had so much fun in my entire life!” She yelled.
When she got a closer look, she could see Spirit signaling something to her from the ground.
“What?!” She called.
“Slow down! Not so many tricks! It’s too dangerous!” He yelled back up to her.
Rainbow Dash didn’t really hear him right. “More tricks? You got it!”
Before Spirit could say anything to stop her, Rainbow Dash was back to doing loops and rapid dives and climbs. Words couldn’t express how happy she was, busting barriers through the clouds like a filly with no rules.
…
During a climb, however, the appendage on her right wing broke. Suddenly, her wing pattern was destroyed, as her right wing was now flightless.
Her climb was suddenly halted, and was replaced with a strong, uncontrollable descent.
“Hey, what’s going on? I’m falling!” She exclaimed.
She looked at her right wing, and saw the broken appendage. She began to panic, realizing that she was now in a somewhat-lethal free-fall.
“Help! Somepony help me!” She screamed.
She screamed at the top of her lungs, and waved her hooves around. Spirit watched from the ground in horror.
“Rainbow Dash!”
Rainbow Dash fell through the clouds at an ever-increasing rate. After a grueling several moments of screaming, yelling, and panicking, Rainbow Dash hit the ground with a highly audible thud.
…
“Holy crap…Rainbow Dash! Oh Celestia, no…” Spirit yelled. He ran to where Rainbow Dash had landed as fast as he could. Tears ran down his face as he ran to his daughter’s aid.
……………………………………
When Spirit had reached the crash site, he was terrified at what he saw.
Rainbow Dash lied unmoving in the grass, still wearing her broken harness. He ran over to her, and knelt down in front of her.
“C’mon Rainbow Dash, wake up.” He said anxiously, slapping her face gently. Rainbow Dash’s eyes were closed, and her body remained still.
“Dashie, come on! Please wake up!” Spirit exclaimed. When there was still no response, he began to cry loudly.
“DASHIE!”
To be Continued…
Author's Note
Cliffhangers are great, aren't they?
Apologies and Explanations
I'd recommend listening to this music while reading this chapter (Just open the link in a different tab): Country Wildflowers
Spirit sat in his office, fixing and reconfiguring his prototype while nervously biting on his hoof. His unconscious…or possibly dead daughter lied on her bed in her room. After the incident, Spirit took her straight home. No hospital could fix what he had caused.
Just before entering his office, Spirit had stayed in Rainbow Dash’s room with her. He had moved some of her limbs, and felt around her joints to check for broken bones. Sure enough, her two front legs were broken, accompanied by a slight fracture on her skull. He did what he could to fix them by wrapping them in homemade casts, and her head in gauze.
Once he had this prototype fixed, it was definitely not going to be used. Rainbow Dash had better get used to being flightless for the rest of her life. That is, if there’s a life to continue.
Although she had disobeyed his orders to not do dangerous tricks, he still felt that it was his fault. What kind of careless father tests out a new prototype on his thirteen-year-old daughter? Now, because of him, Rainbow Dash could be dying about seventy years early.
…
Spirit stopped for a moment, and tried to think of something productive that he could be doing besides fixing something that he didn’t plan on using. After coming to a decision, he picked up the phone, and dialed the number of Rainbow Dash’s high school.
“Hello? This is Brave Spirit, the guardian of Rainbow Dash. I’m just calling in and saying that she won’t be present at school for roughly the next week. She’s injured.” He explained.
Once he knew that his call was received, he hung up, and sighed.
Suddenly, he heard a voice.
“Dad?”
…
Spirit gasped, and turned toward the sound of the voice. He saw Rainbow Dash standing on her hind legs at the entrance to his office, leaning on the doorframe for support.
“Hey, do you have an aspirin? My head hurts.”
“Dashie! Holy crap, I can’t believe you’re okay!”
Spirit ran over to Rainbow Dash as fast as he could, and gave her a big hug. Rainbow Dash flinched.
“Okay, that kind of hurts.”
Spirit let go. “Sorry, I forgot that you’re still injured.”
…
“That was the coolest thing to ever happen to me! I never knew flying could be so fun!” She eyed the repaired prototype sitting on Spirit’s desk. “Just let me put the baby back on and we can do it again!”
Spirit’s eyes went wide. “Oh no, you’re not putting this thing back on unless your life depended on it!”
Rainbow Dash gave him a confused look. “If I’m not allowed to wear it again, why did you repair it?”
“…Sentimental reasons…” He sheepishly responded.
“Well, to hell with that. I want to fly again!”
Spirit gasped. “Watch your language!”
“No! Why won’t you let me fly?”
“Because it’s too dangerous!”
“Too dangerous? Dad, I’m a pegasus. I was born to fly!”
“Dashie, you don’t understand…”
“No, I think I understand perfectly! If you really cared about me, you’d let me make my own choices! You’d let me be happy!”
“My wife was a pegasus too! She died from a flying accident almost exactly like yours! If you die too, I’d have absolutely nothing!” Spirit blurted out.
…
Rainbow Dash didn’t respond. The room was suddenly silent.
“You’re everything to me, Dashie. You’re all I have.” He added.
The silence continued for a few minutes. But to them, it felt like hours. Spirit lowered his head, and sobbed quietly.
After standing in place for a couple seconds, Rainbow Dash walked forward, and hugged her father without saying a word. Spirit returned the favor.
“I love you, Dashie.”
“I love you too, dad.”
…
After their embrace, Rainbow Dash quietly left the room, leaving Spirit alone to think for a while.
……………………………….
Later that night, while Spirit worked in the kitchen to make himself a snack, Rainbow Dash walked in the room. He glanced up at her, then looked back down as he continued his work.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash. What’s on your mind?” He asked.
“Dad, I’ve been thinking.”
“Ooh, that’s dangerous.” He joked.
“Well, it’s just that…” She paused. “Look, I don’t think my flight accident was your fault.”
Spirit stopped what he was doing, and looked up at her.
“Before the experiment, you warned me that the material used on the harness wasn’t sturdy, and that I shouldn’t do anything too extreme for risks of hurting myself.”
Spirit nodded. “Go on.”
“And, well…I was so enthusiastic…so pumped to finally get to fly freely among the clouds as the pegasus that I was born to be……that I carelessly ignored your strict warning. You took precautions, and I……I screwed up, dad.”
Spirit saw a few tears fall from his daughter’s eyes as she looked down.
He put a hoof on her shoulder. “Look Dashie, I completely understand why you did what you did. I’d probably do the same thing if I finally had the chance to fly after being quarantined on the ground for my entire life. I’m also sure that anypony else would forgive you as well.”
“I came in here to tell you two things. Mostly I just wanted to tell you that I’m not ready to give up.”
“Oh really? What do you mean by that?”
“Well, your invention was working perfectly until I pushed the limits. Since you know the right design now, I’m sure if you make one more version, it’ll be perfect. It would even have a sturdier material.”
“Well yes, but sturdier materials are often heavier, so I’d have to change the design a little bit to match the weight difference. But I think I see where you’re coming from.”
“And this time, I won’t do any dangerous tricks unless instructed to do so.”
Spirit smiled. “You sound like you understand and possess the responsibility needed to take on this task.” He paused for a moment. “Okay, I will continue working on a sturdier prototype.”
Rainbow Dash smiled happily. “I knew you’d understand!”
Spirit smiled. “By the way, what was that other thing you wanted to tell me?”
“Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you. I was in the bathroom earlier today, and…well…I think I’m on my period.”
Spirit’s smile instantly vanished.
“Excuse me……what?”
To be Continued…
Author's Note
LMAO
That was the most sudden change of subject that Spirit had ever witnessed. It was time to approach this very delicately…
“Um…okay… So when did this happen?” He asked.
“About ten minutes ago, right before I came in the kitchen to tell you about it.” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Did you…um…get cleaned up before you left?”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Well yeah, of course. I’m not just some unsanitary freak who lets her bodily fluids drip all over her household.”
Spirit couldn’t help but to chuckle at that comparison. His daughter was sometimes good at putting a playful spin on words.
“So now we should probably go to the marketplace sometime tomorrow to buy…um…” Spirit stuttered.
“Tampons?” Rainbow Dash finished for him.
“Yeah, that’s the word.”
Strangely enough, this conversation was kind of embarrassing Spirit instead of Rainbow Dash, when it should’ve been the other way around.
“Can we just go today? I have nothing else to do.” Rainbow Dash suggested.
“Dash, it’s like…nine-thirty right now, and the marketplace is apt to be closed. We’ll just go tomorrow morning. Besides, who buys tampons under full moonlight?”
Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”
“I still think it’s a little late to be taking a walk.” Spirit added.
“Aw, c’mon! I don’t usually go to bed until about ten-thirty! Can we at least take a walk to the marketplace just in case?”
“Rainbow Dash, I just know it’s going to be closed. It’ll be a waste of time.”
“Even if it is, it’ll be a good form of exercise. Plus, we’ll get to hang out a little bit. Just the two of us.”
Spirit was a little skeptical of what exactly teenagers meant by ‘hanging out’, but he decided that it would probably be okay. The temperature was fairly nice outside.
…
“Okay, fine. It’s not like either of us have anything going on tomorrow, so we don’t exactly have to be up early for anything.”
“But don’t I have school tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Monday.” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I called you in for the week because of your injury. My boss is also giving me a break from the rock farm to take care of you.”
“Sweet! Now you don’t have to go anywhere the whole week! It’ll be just us from tomorrow to Friday……awesome.”
“Yes, but that also means I’m not receiving any income for the whole week. We’re going to have to cut back on extras for a little while until I’m back in the fields.”
Rainbow Dash simply nodded in understanding. Spirit walked toward the front door, and began to put his boots and his hat on.
“Why do you need to wear boots? It hasn’t rained for a couple weeks.” Rainbow Dash asked.
Spirit shrugged. “I guess I’m that kind of pony who doesn’t like getting his hooves dirty.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll just go bare-hooved like I always do.” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Whatever you want is fine. But enough about this. Are we going or not?”
………………………………
Rainbow Dash and Spirit stepped out into the mild, humid night. Various streetlights dimly lit the sidewalk that they traveled on. Not a single pony could be seen on the urban horizon.
“Even though it’s nighttime, it’s actually pretty nice out here.” Spirit observed.
“Hey, you can see where I crashed from here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
“Uh, yeah. Listen, how about we don’t talk about that for right now?”
“Well, to change the subject, I just remembered something from school that happens a week from Friday.” Rainbow Dash suggested.
“Oh really, and what might that be?”
“A dance. Our school is hosting a big dance that will take place at the rec center a week from Friday. You’ll be allowed to bring dates!” She exclaimed.
“Are you sure you’re old enough to be dating colts? Stuff like that can end very badly.”
“C’mon dad, I’ll be fourteen in like…two months. Isn’t that old enough?”
“Actually, no. I grew up with sixteen being the ideal age.”
“Why is young dating such a bad thing? I don’t see why you have to be a certain age to love anypony.”
“It’s not loving somepony that’s bad. You shouldn’t get involved with anypony is what I’m trying to say. As we already know, you just had your first period not half an hour ago. I don’t want you skipping a few bases and doing something you’ll regret later on.”
“I’m going to assume that whatever you’re talking about isn’t much of a big deal, so I’m ignoring it.”
“Unless you have full control over your thoughts and actions, high school can be a dangerous, rickety time in the world of romance. I’m just trying to keep you safe. You can go to the dance, but I don’t want you dating anypony just yet.”
“There’s no point in going to the dance if you’re not holding somepony’s hoof while you’re there!”
“Here, I’ll make you a deal. If you can prove to me that you’re responsible enough to take on the task of dating somepony, I’ll let you do so. But if you make one slip up, you’re waiting two more years. Got it?”
“Deal.” Rainbow Dash responded.
………………………………………
Rainbow Dash and Spirit walked the rest of the way in silence. The only noises that could be heard were the chirping of crickets and the flickering of old streetlights. The further the two walked, the more doubtful Spirit was becoming of the market being open. There was not a soul to be seen on the street besides them.
Many stars and planets could be seen in the night sky from Ponyville’s very dim lighting. Off in the distance, Rainbow Dash noticed various city lights coming from a massive cumulus cloud that hung far off the ground. It was Cloudsdale.
“Dad, if you ever finish that harness, do you think I’ll be able to see Cloudsdale for the first time?” She asked.
Spirit followed her gaze, and saw the giant airborne city hanging above the ground many miles away from their location.
“As long as you’re able to fly, you’ll be able to reach Cloudsdale. Obviously, the entire population is pegasi. That’s where my wife was from.” He explained.
“It’s too bad you’ll never be able to see it.” Rainbow Dash sighed.
Spirit put a hoof on his daughter’s shoulder. “Anything is possible.”
To be Continued…
Author's Note
I can never hold onto an 'Everyone' rating for long...
Okay, time for an announcement! If you take a look, you'll see that I renamed 'Saving Chunks'. It's name is now 'Twilight's Experiments: Saving Chunks'. This is because I plan on making a mini series called 'Twilight's Experiments', where Twilight teleports various parts of the cast to different worlds. As you know, the first world was Minecraft. Have you ever heard of Team Fortress 2? You will by the time my next story is finished!
Spirit and Rainbow Dash managed to arrive at the marketplace just as the last storeowner was packing up to go home. Spirit sprinted forward, and stopped the mare just before she closed up the shop.
“Oh my, you startled me there! Is there anything I can help you with?” The mare asked politely.
“Yes. We’re here to buy, um…something for my daughter here.” Spirit replied.
“And what might that something be?”
…
Spirit started stuttering again. He started fiddling with his hooves.
The mare looked at Spirit, and then at Rainbow Dash, who was smiling awkwardly.
“Say no more. I think I know exactly what you’re looking for.”
The mare walked inside the shop, and came out a few seconds later with a box of Tampons. She smiled at Rainbow Dash.
…
Spirit looked at the box.
“How did you know?” He asked.
“Just a hunch.” The mare answered. “That’ll be three bits.”
Spirit paid the money, and left the store with Rainbow Dash at his side.
………………………………………
When Spirit and Rainbow Dash reached the front steps of their home, Rainbow Dash jogged forward, and held the door open for Spirit.
“Please, let me get that for you, sir.” She said very lady-like.
Spirit gave her a suspicious stare. He lifted an eyebrow.
“Okay……thank you. I guess.” He said awkwardly. He continued to stare at Rainbow Dash as he ascended the front steps and entered the house.
…
After entering, Rainbow Dash closed the door behind her, ran forward, and flopped herself down on the couch in the living room. She used the remote to change the channel to MTV.
“Do you wish to join me?” She asked politely.
Spirit looked at the TV. The show currently broadcasting was “16 and Pregnant”.
“Are you sure this show is okay for you to be watching?” He asked.
“It seems sufficient for young mares of my age to be consuming. Why would there be a problem?” She replied.
…
Spirit smiled. “Okay, cut it out.”
“What is the problem?”
“I know you’re just acting like an adult so I’d let you have a date to the dance. I said you had to be responsible. Not a total buzz-kill.” He laughed.
Rainbow Dash started laughing too. “Alright, you caught me.”
…
“Anyway…I will watch TV with you if you change the channel. I’m too old for this garbage.”
Rainbow Dash laughed again. “Okay, fine.”
………………………………………
During her week off from school, Rainbow Dash stayed indoors with Spirit. Most of their time was spent playing games and watching sports, but time to time, Spirit would have Rainbow Dash sit aside so he could monitor her wounds.
By the end of the week, she had a few visible bruises and a slight deformation in her left calf. It wasn’t too serious though, as she could still walk with ease.
…
By the time Monday rolled around, Rainbow Dash was ready to go to school. The dance was Friday, so it was time to start hitting on some colts while she still had the chance. Or mares, depending on which came first.
After all, her school had about three females for every male. This was true for all of Equestria, so gay couples were common. No one really minded.
………………………………………
As soon as she walked in the doors Monday morning, she was shrouded with a million eyes. Eyes of wonder, worry, and confusion. Seconds after receiving such a series of stares, the horde of curious ponies surrounded her, straining to get a better look.
Seconds after that, even, she began to get flooded with questions. It all happened too fast for her to take in. Some of the paparazzi were her friends, and some were ponies she did not know. She liked attention, but not in this way.
…
“Fillies and gentlecolts, please calm yourselves. I am only accepting such attention and praise from colts that are here to ask me to the dance. If you do not desire such honor and glory, you may clear my way.” Rainbow Dash announced in a self-centered and dignified way.
Once she had finished her announcement, everyone surrounding her began to disperse and return to their everyday procedures. The only ones who remained were some of the nerdy and rather-unattractive colts who wanted to take her up on her offer. She shooed them away with her hoof.
The colt she really wanted to ask out was the hoofball team’s star quarterback. She didn’t know his name, but that didn’t really matter to her. She wanted him, and she would trample her way over anypony in the school in order to get his approval.
……………………………………
Later that day, in fourth period, Rainbow Dash sat slumped over in her seat. Her teacher was rambling on about something to do with a war, but it was flowing in one ear and out the other with her. She breathed in, and sighed heavily, blowing papers around her desk.
When she glanced up, she noticed a colt near the front of the classroom staring back at her and smiling. He sighed as well. The teacher had to urge him to turn around and focus on the lesson.
If Rainbow Dash didn’t know any better, she would’ve guessed that he was checking her out. But that couldn’t have been possible. He wasn’t ugly and nerdy like all the other colts. On a scale of one to ten, she’d give him a six or a seven.
That’s not what confused her, though. He looked strangely familiar. Something about him caught her attention in the first place, yet she couldn’t place her hoof on what it was. After he had turned around, she continued to stare at the back of his head, trying to figure out what it was that was so familiar to her.
…
“Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash!!!”
Rainbow Dash snapped out of her hypnosis. She realized that she had been staring for at least ten minutes. The teacher glared at her angrily, along with about three quarters of her classmates.
“Um…uh…what?” She stuttered.
“Do you plan on doing your test today, or do I have to call an assassin to MAKE you take your test?” The teacher ordered.
A couple of kids around the room chuckled quietly.
“Oh, uh…sorry Mr. S. I’ll get right on it.” She replied shakily.
She grabbed her pencil, looked down at her test, and began to work. The teacher turned around, and returned to his desk.
She didn’t really like her teacher.
………………………………………
After two more hours of the same similar routine, school was dismissed. Rainbow Dash pushed and shoved her way past other students to be the first one out the door, like she usually did. She didn’t really care for crowds, unless they were all admiring her.
She quickly got her saddlebags packed, slammed her locker shut, and hurried through the hallway to get out of the school. If she was wearing Spirit’s flight harness, she would fly over the students to get out. However, that obviously wasn’t the case.
Just before she got out of the building, she was stopped by the tap of someone’s hoof. She turned around, reluctant to take the time for conversation. When she saw the pony that got her attention, her eyes widened a little.
…
It was the colt from her fourth period class. She was a little surprised to see him at a time like this, when most colts were with their friends spraying graffiti on a teacher’s car.
“Hi, um…Rainbow Dash. How have you been doing?” He asked.
Rainbow Dash gave him a confused stare, which made the moment awkward for both of them. He acted like he knew her, yet she did not quite know him. He looked so familiar though that she wanted to tear her mane out.
“Uh…fine I guess. Listen, I have a lot of homework to do, so I’d kind of like to get home…” She replied.
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll be brief.” He cleared his throat. “I know that the dance is coming up this Friday, and I was just wondering if you wanted to…you know…go with me.” He asked.
Rainbow Dash chuckled awkwardly. “Um, listen…that’s very flattering and all, but…I’m kind of into somepony else.” She sheepishly responded.
“Who, the hoofball quarterback? Not to burst your bubble or anything, but he’s been taken since the dance was first announced.”
Rainbow Dash groaned in exasperation. She should’ve known that someone as hot as him would go so soon.
…
“Listen, I know we’ve had our differences, but I’ve never gotten the chance to tell you how I’ve really felt these past years.” He explained.
The more this colt was saying, the less sense he was making to her. He was so familiar to her, yet she couldn’t remember ever having differences with anypony.
“I know I insulted your mane, and made fun of you and all that. But that was only because I was jealous of how awesome you really looked. And now I know of that flying disability that you have, so I’m not willing to put you down any more. Do you want to go to the dance with me?” He asked again.
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened, and she gasped. Suddenly, she knew who he was. He was the colt that she beat up back in elementary school for calling her a freak over her mane. And now he stood here in front of her, in high school, asking her out to a date.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
Wow, I've been gone for so long...
Rainbow Dash’s conflicting feelings were tearing her emotions in half. She had so many good reasons to say yes, and so many good reasons to just walk off and never speak to him again.
“Uh…erm…I’m not really sure…” She stuttered.
“It’s okay. I’ll give you some time to think about it. I’ll see you tomorrow!” The colt responded.
Just as the colt was walking off, Rainbow Dash thought to herself. All this time, and she never got the colt’s name.
…
“Hey, wait!” She called.
The colt turned around hopefully. “Yes?”
“What is your name, exactly?” She asked.
“Oh, my name is Lightning Chaser.” He responded.
Rainbow Dash nodded thoughtfully. It was a pretty cool name.
“Okay, thanks! I’ll see you tomorrow!” She called.
“Bye!” He called back.
Rainbow Dash turned around, and walked out the front door of the school.
……………………………………….
Once she had arrived home, she closed the door behind her, and wiped her hooves on the mat. She called, but no one answered.
“Dad must be working late today.” She noted, shrugging.
She walked into the kitchen to set her saddlebags down, and noticed her flight harness prototype sitting on the bar table. A few pieces were scattered around it, and the general frame of it looked broken.
She smiled to herself. Spirit must’ve been working on it before he left for work.
…
She stared at the dismantled device for a few seconds, and then walked out of the kitchen. She had homework to do, but she didn’t care about doing it right at that moment. As she walked down the hall toward her room, she noticed Spirit’s bedroom door, which was slightly open.
She stood there for a second, debating her next move. After looking back and forth to make sure no one was looking, she stepped into her father’s room.
…………………………………
An eerie silence fell over Rainbow Dash as she entered the room. The wind from outside blew the curtains around a bit. The room seemed tidy, except for the bed, which was unmade.
She tiptoed quietly, looking around at some of the pictures and decorations hanging on the wall. There was a desk near his bed, which had a microscope and a few books sitting in a neat pile. She also noticed a picture frame on the desk, which was facing his bed.
She approached the desk, and picked up the frame. She turned it around, and looked at it.
What she saw in the picture was a beautiful pegasus mare, standing in front of some building with a great big grin on her face. She was wearing a big white dress and a white veil over her face.
Rainbow Dash took a closer look. She recognized the building that the mare was standing in front of. It was the cathedral that sat at the front end of town. And now, judging by the mare’s looks and what she was wearing, Rainbow Dash could tell that she was Spirit’s passed wife.
…
Deep in thought, Rainbow Dash set the picture down, and walked toward the closet. She couldn’t help but feel that what she was doing was not right.
She nervously opened the closet door, anxious as to what she would find.
There were a few boxes sitting up on the high shelf, and some dress clothes hanging from the same shelf. A couple more boxes sat on the floor in the closet, along with a few loose items that Spirit must’ve thrown in there while passing by.
One thing stuck out to her like a sore hoof. The box to the left read “Do not Open” in scribbly letters.
…
She started to sweat. Rainbow Dash could tell that if she didn’t stop now and walk away, she was going to regret it. However, she remained glued in her position by her demanding curiosity.
She gulped. Trembling, she reached for the box, and pulled it towards her.
Slowly and anxiously, she lifted the flaps on the top of the box, and looked inside. Upon doing so, she almost screamed in terror. Instead, she simply gasped, covered her mouth, and tried not to vomit.
…
The first thing that stood out in the box was a large noose. It was curled up and tied neatly in the box, nearly confining what sat at the bottom. Rainbow Dash reached down past it, and pulled out what appeared to be a 7” pocket knife. She unsheathed the blade, and stared at it in horror.
Rainbow Dash was trembling. Still holding the blade, she looked up behind her, and saw the ceiling fan slowly turning to provide the room with air. Could it mean…
When she turned back toward the box, one more thing caught her eye. She reached down in the box past the noose, and pulled out the last item.
It was a picture of her as a foal. She turned it around, and saw the word “DON’T” written in thick black marker.
…
Rainbow Dash was past frightened by now. She was scared. She shrieked, threw everything back in the box, and ran out of Spirit’s room like the devil was after her.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
Um...hello? Oh, okay. You're still here. XD
Rainbow Dash was hiding in her room when Spirit arrived home. He put his things on the kitchen counter, and then walked into the living room.
“Hey, Dashie? Where are you?” He called.
There was no answer. He called again, and asked if she wanted to watch some TV, but still got nothing.
This was very strange for her. Normally, she would be right on the couch watching an action movie, raiding the fridge, playing a video game, or setting something on fire. Today, the house was eerily quiet.
“Rainbow Dash? You’d better not jump out at me!”
…
He walked down the hallway towards Rainbow Dash’s room. When the door slowly creaked open, he saw Rainbow Dash shaking under her bed. As he entered, she hid even further.
“Go away!” She shrieked.
“Dashie, what’s wrong? You’re acting like I’m a vampire!” Spirit responded. As he said this, he started to approach her at her bed.
Rainbow Dash swiped at him. “No, leave me alone! Don’t hurt me!”
Spirit rolled his eyes. “Rainbow Dash, this is ridiculous. Why in Equestria would I want to hurt my own daughter?”
“I think you know why…” She muttered.
“No, actually. I don’t.”
“Yes you do! Why do you have a noose and a damn pocket knife hidden in your closet?”
…
On impulse, Spirit was about to snap at her for using foul language. He stopped when he realized what she was talking about.
He walked slowly over to Rainbow Dash’s bed, and sat down. He lowered his head, and sighed. It was time for a talk that would make the birds-and-the-bees sound like a book club discussion.
“Rainbow Dash, come sit with me.” He said softly.
“No! I don’t want to be…”
“I’m not going to hurt you! If you sit here and talk to me, I’ll explain why I have those weapons hidden in my closet!”
Rainbow Dash’s expression changed. She crawled out from under her bed, and sat down next to Spirit.
…
“Dashie…I love you more than anything in my entire life.”
“Yeah dad, I know. You tell me that a lot.” As she said this, she held Spirit’s hoof.
“As I’ve told you some times before, you are not actually my foal. I found you one faithful night at the park.” He continued.
“Yes, yes. Go on.” She responded. She did not like where it was going.
“And I’ve also told you that I used to have a wife that died many years before I found you.”
“Yeah…”
“Well, those few years I spent without anyone to love were very tough on me. I didn’t have any family to go to, I didn’t have any friends, I didn’t have my wife, and I didn’t have a foal. I didn’t have anyone to share my life with.”
Rainbow Dash fell silent, thinking about how difficult it would be to have absolutely no one for many years. She lowered her head.
“But there was one thing about all of this that I never told you. One thing that was so tragic, I still can’t bear to think about it to this day.”
“You can tell me, dad. I’m here for you.” Rainbow Dash said quietly.
Spirit swallowed, and tried not to cry. “You know how I said that we never got to have a foal before she died?” When Rainbow Dash nodded, he continued. “Well……she was three months pregnant when she died. She and the foal died on impact when her flying accident occurred.” He choked out. He was barely talking straight from the tears.
…
Rainbow Dash gasped sharply from the information. She gripped Spirit’s hoof tightly. “Oh my gosh, dad…”
Spirit sniffled a couple of times, and then swallowed again. “Of course, living life alone with tragedies like these held over one’s head can be too much to live with. One would feel like they lost their place and the world, and have no one else to go to for comfort. So…in order to cope with these problems, I kept those weapons in my closet in case I wanted to end my own life.” He explained.
Rainbow Dash started to cry. A couple of tears rolled down her cheek, and landed on the bed sheets.
“When you came into my life in that small basket of yours, I kept your picture in that box with all of the weapons to remind me that there was still hope. When I found you, I was shown that my life still had meaning. I realized that if you cope with disaster and move on in life, a miracle will eventually happen. That miracle has rainbow colored hair, and is sitting right next to me on this bed.”
…
Rainbow Dash had her head in her hooves, and was crying heavily.
Spirit wrapped his hooves around Rainbow Dash, and hugged her close.
“There’s no need to fret, Dashie. As long as you’re here, I have everything I need. I’ll always be here for you to the very end.”
Spirit embraced Rainbow Dash for a long time, letting her cry openly.
“You will always be my little Dashie…”
And finally, the epilogue.
Author's Note
Don't read this. Just go to the next chapter.
-Time-lapse: 18 years-
Rainbow Dash flew gracefully alongside Lightning Chaser. Her perfected Type 1 flight aid harness followed her every movement, letting her glide effortlessly across the skies next to her new fiancée.
Upon receiving an urgent call from the hospital, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Chaser immediately left their apartment in response. Brave Spirit’s pancreatic cancer was terminal.
………………………………
Upon arrival, Rainbow and Lightning were urged to Spirit’s room down the hallway. They were told by the nurses that his condition was declining fast.
They hurried down the hall where they were directed, and opened the door slowly and carefully. As they entered, they saw Spirit lying in his bed with his eyes closed and his breathing steady.
Rainbow Dash walked up to Spirit’s bed, and knelt down beside him. She put her hoof on his, which was still. Upon doing this, Spirit’s eyes slowly opened.
He turned to look at her, and smiled weakly. “Hey Dashie.”
A tear fell from Rainbow Dash’s eye. “Hi dad. I got some good news for you.”
Spirit said nothing, and simply listened.
“Your flight harness has been adopted by hospitals all around Equestria. Lightning and I are rich now, and foals with my condition will be granted the ability to fly for all future generations! Look dad, they even have a plaque with your name on it in the Grand Canterlot Medical Center by Canterlot Castle!”
Rainbow Dash held up a photo of the plaque for Spirit to see. The plaque read, “This plaque is dedicated to Brave Spirit of Ponyville, whose hard work, tireless efforts, and undeniable dedication for his daughter have granted impaired foals all around Equestria the blessed privilege of firsthand flight. May his generous work be remembered throughout this nation for the remainder of its time.”
…
Spirit smiled warmly. He breathed suddenly, and coughed a few times. Upon doing so, he caught a glimpse of his daughter’s flank, which sported a new, beautiful cutie mark of a rainbow lightning bolt.
Rainbow Dash followed his gaze, and noticed what he was looking at.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you! I earned this just last month by completing the 112th annual Equestrian Flight Marathon! I performed the legendary Sonic Rainboom on the home stretch, and broke a new country-wide record! All while using your flight harness.” She beamed.
“I’m so proud of you, Dashie. When I first found you, I knew you were going to do big things.” He replied.
Rainbow Dash grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, dad. But if it weren’t for your flight aid, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Spirit smiled again, and glanced over at Lightning Chaser.
…
Rainbow Dash gasped. “Oh, I almost forgot! I have one more bit of news for you.”
Spirit raised his head a bit to listen. Lightning Chaser walked over by Rainbow Dash’s side, and put his hoof around her shoulder.
“Lightning and I are expecting a foal this spring!” She announced.
Spirit’s eyes went wide. “Wow Rainbow Dash, that is amazing! That is just…so amazing. I am so, so proud of you.” He responded lovingly.
“Yeah, she’s due in early May.” Lightning added.
…
Brave Spirit looked directly into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. She looked back at him the same way.
“You see Dashie, miracles do happen. Sometimes they’re small, like inventing a flying aid to help out ponies in need. And sometimes they’re huge, like discovering a foal that will go on to become the most influential mare Equestria has ever known. Sometimes…they can be a life-changing blessing.”
As Spirit finished that sentence, his eyes closed, and his head fell back onto the pillow. His heart monitor flat-lined.
…
Rainbow and Lightning’s head lowered, and they shared a moment of respectful silence for Brave Spirit. After a few fateful minutes, they quietly exited the hospital.
THE END
Author's Note
No, no, no! No sequel! If I did a sequel, it would be WAY too similar to the Bad Luck series! Hoo...glad that's off of my chest.
While Spirit began on his life work inventing a flying aid for pegasi, he figured he should at least send Rainbow Dash to go to a flying school in the meantime. Even though she couldn’t fly, it’d be best for her to learn anyway in case she ever did in the future. As well as flight, the school also taught standard academics, so Spirit took the liberty of switching her over from her old school.
And now here she was, a week later, standing outside the principal’s office at The Ponyville Flight School for Challenged Pegasi. Apparently receiving the phone-call, Spirit was at the school in a matter of ten minutes, and walked in the front door. His expression turned stern as soon as he saw Rainbow Dash standing outside the office. She smiled awkwardly at him.
“Do I even want to know why I had to come here immediately? Or why you’re standing outside the office after school hours?” He sighed.
“Um……good question…” She stuttered back. She fiddled with her hooves.
…
Almost right on cue, the door opened, and the principal stuck his head out the door.
“Ah, Brave Spirit, you’re here! Please come inside. I need to talk to you about your daughter.”
Spirit and Rainbow Dash reluctantly entered the principal’s office, and closed the door. Spirit was surprised to see another student in the office. He was a colt, roughly Rainbow Dash’s age. When he turned around to look at Spirit, Spirit saw that he had a massive black eye. He flinched a little.
“Sweet mother of Celestia, how did that happen to him?” Spirit exclaimed.
The principal sat back further in his big leather chair.
“That’s why we’re here today. Your daughter assaulted this young colt in the hallway earlier after 5th period.”
…
Spirit gasped, and he gave Rainbow Dash an angry look. “What? Are you kidding me?”
Rainbow Dash chuckled awkwardly. “Uh…”
“Do you mind telling me why? Why did you punch him?”
Rainbow Dash was silent for a few seconds.
“He made fun of my hair color. He called me a freak because my hair was all colorful!” She exclaimed, angrily eyeing the injured colt sitting in the chair. He flinched when she looked at him.
Spirit did a face-hoof. “Rainbow Dash, being called a freak is no reason to rupture someone’s face with your hoof. It’d be a little more reasonable if he had hit you first, and you just retaliated, but it’s not okay to mindlessly hit someone over being called a name.”
“We will be giving your daughter a one-day suspension, and putting her a step up on our behavior plan. If she is caught doing this again, it’ll be a five-day suspension, then a ten-day suspension, then possibly an expulsion. Her suspension is effective as of tomorrow.” The principal explained.
“That sounds good to me.” Spirit replied.
…
After that, the principal dismissed all of them to leave. After leaving the office, Spirit walked down the hall toward the door, followed by Rainbow Dash and the colt that she had hit.
The colt leaned in toward Rainbow Dash, and whispered, “Freak.”
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash yelled, “Oh you want to go, you little sack of turd? Well let’s go!”
She leaped onto him, tackling him onto the ground. Then she started beating the snot out of him like nopony’s business. It didn’t take long for Spirit and the principal to hear the commotion and try to pry the two apart.
………………………………………
Rainbow Dash sat in her room, pouting. What else is there to do when you’re grounded for a whole week? No video games, no snacks, no TV, and no chocolate milk for a grueling five days. Now that sucked.
Spirit slowly opened the door, and walked in the room. Rainbow Dash took one look at him, and looked away, pouting again.
“Go away.”
“Now come on, don’t be like that. Those five days of suspension will be gone before you know it!”
“Not that colt’s scars and broken bones. They’ll stay with him for a while, and I’m glad for that. As for you, I don’t want to see you. Anyone who takes away my chocolate milk is public enemy number one.” Rainbow Dash ordered. Pretty rough for a nine-year-old.
“Relax, I’m just here to take some measurements for your wing. It’s going to take a lot of trial-and-error if I’m going to make you airborne.”
Rainbow Dash crossed her arms, and sat still for a few moments while Spirit used a ruler to measure some certain lengths and widths of her wing. A ruler was all he needed, being that Dash’s wing was no longer than a few inches.
While Spirit measured and wrote things down on a notepad, he spoke to his angry daughter.
“By the way, you’re going to get a foalsitter starting tomorrow. Some of my fellow workers at the rock farm went on strike for some reason, and my boss wants me to work longer hours. Until they get their act under control, I’m going to be gone until around dinnertime.” He explained.
A foalsitter? Excellent! Now she could get her special privileges while the babysitter is around, since they won’t know that she was grounded! Ha…sucker.
Spirit did everything that he needed to, and began to leave the room. On his way out, he said, “By the way Dashie, you can’t let yourself get frustrated every time someone calls you a name. You’ll get in even bigger trouble somewhere down the line. Learn to love and tolerate.”
Once he had said this, he closed the door.
To be Continued…
Author's Note
I realize this is kind of a short chapter. I have two minutes until bedtime, so it was just a little rushed. Also, I just received another proofreading request from another author, so I had to have that added to my list-of-favors.
Hey y'all, I'm finally back! For the last couple of months, my attention was turned toward a new story called, "Twilight's Experiments: The War of Mann Co". Now that that story is finally complete, production of this story can continue! However, I will be gone at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp once again for a week and a half as of tomorrow. Don't expect to see any updates until at least the 20th. Thank you for being loyal during the long wait!
