//------------------------------// // The Discovery // Story: Daughter of War // by SammyRosePony //------------------------------// The Discovery Today was another day of no fighting at the base. The soldiers were happy for days like this. It gives them time to relax from their near-death experiences. Some ponies would train while others actually spent some time to relax. Soarin and Rainbow were on both sides of the spectrum. Soarin enjoyed the time he had to relax while Rainbow wanted to train. Soarin knew his wife wanted to train, but he couldn’t help but feel worried about her. Over the past few weeks, Rainbow has changed. She’s getting tired more easily, and she isn’t as happy as she usually is when she trains. Soarin decided to take a look at where the soldiers were training. He spotted Rainbow in an instant. She wasn’t running as fast as the others, and she was becoming fatigued every so often. Soarin walked over the Sergeant Spitfire. Soarin was on really good terms with Spitfire since they had been Wonderbolts together. Because Spitfire was the captain of the Wonderbolts, she was offered the spot of sergeant. Because Soarin was on really good terms with her, she didn’t mind if he sometimes interrupted. “Hey Spitfire,” Soarin said. “Hey Soar,” she replied. “I thought you would be relaxing on your day off. Sombra hasn’t come near in awhile. He could come at any minute.” “I know. I just wanted to check on Rainbow. To be honest, I’m kind of worried about her.” The two looked out to Rainbow. She was still struggling during her training. At some times, she even had to stop herself from running just so she could catch her breathe. This was something she never did; she usually pulled through easily during these types of things. “I’m a little nervous for her too. Dash hasn’t been acting like herself for the past few weeks. She’s become weaker and has needed to take another break. In fact…” Spitfire said. “Dash! Please report over here!” Rainbow flew over to Spitfire. “What. Do. You. Need. Ma’am?” Rainbow Dash said in between breathes. Both Spitfire and Soarin could see something was very wrong with Rainbow Dash. “Dash, take a break.” “What?” Rainbow surprised. “I said take a break. You need it. You don’t look so good. You might even want to go to the infirmary. Maybe then we’ll find out what’s goin’ on with ya.” “Ma’am, I’m fine!” “No you’re not!” Spitfire said raising her voice. “You are not fine! Both your husband and I can see that! You are taking a break whether you like it or not! Understand me?” Rainbow Dash looked over to Soarin. She saw that he was worried. Very worried. Rainbow Dash knew that something was wrong, but she never wanted to admit it. What if whatever is wrong with her sends her back home away from her husband? What if something happens when she’s not here? How will Soarin do without her? “Yes ma’am,” Rainbow replied in defeat. “Come on Rainbow, let’s get you to the doctor,” Soarin said putting a wing over his wife. “I hate the doctor.” “Why? They’re here to help you.” “I know. I don’t hate them personally? I’m just not a fan of getting medical attention,” Rainbow said wiggling her metal wing. “I know, but we really got to see what’s wrong with you.” “Fine, but after can we go to the mess hall. I’m starving.” “You’re starving? Just this morning you were complaining that your stomach was hurting. You were nauseous, throwing up, and everything.” “I know, but I’m fine now.” “Okay we really need you to see a doctor,” Soarin replied. Soarin sat waiting while Rainbow got checked out. He thought of all the possibilities that could be wrong with her. He began examining all of her symptoms in his head. “Okay, she’s been having fatigue, stomach aches and other body aches, nausea, and has been eating in big portions the last few weeks,” he thought to himself for awhile. “What could it possibly be?” After examining all the symptoms, it hot Soarin like a ton of bricks. “No, she can’t be,” he thought. “We only-” “Excuse me,” the nurse said to Soarin. “Your wife is ready to see you.” Soarin walked over to the door and nodded. “I’ll give you two alone time,” she said as she walked away. Soarin looked over to Rainbow who was sitting on a little bed. She had tears in her eyes and seemed very shocked. Soarin didn’t know how to react, and tried his best to talk to her. “Hey Rainbow, everything alright?” “Soarin I’m-” Rainbow couldn’t find the words on how to tell Soarin what she was about to say. “We’re-We-I’m-” “Just breathe in and breathe out. Everything’s going to be okay.” “Were…having a baby,” she said looking into Soarin’s eyes. His hypothesis was correct. He was just as shocked as Rainbow. How did they let this happen? Now was not the right time to have a foal, and Rainbow was currently in the worst place to be while with foal. Rainbow Dash began sobbing. Soarin pulled her in and embraced her tightly. “I-I don’t know what to do Soarin,” Rainbow Dash cried. “I don’t want anything to happen to it.” “W-We’ll make it work.” “How? We’re at a base where the opposing side could strike at any minute. I don’t want to put our baby at risk.” “Technically, it’s already put at risk by you being here.” “I know, but what are we going to do? Obviously I can’t fight. I don’t want to go back home though. What are we gonna do when it’s born? I don’t think I can bring myself to giving it up.” “Rainbow, we might have to do that.” “Please no!” Soarin looked down at his wife. He had never seen her like this. For the time that he has known her, she has never acted like this. She was all about being tough and being the best she could ever be. Now, she was gaining a soft side to her. Soarin knew she wanted to keep the baby. He even wanted to keep the baby. “Please Soarin,” she cried. “I wouldn’t feel like myself if we did that.” “Why is that.” “I don’t know why, but I have always felt like I needed to be loyal to almost everypony. If we give up this foal, I honestly feel like I would be abandoning it. I know that’s not what is really happening, but you don’t know what this kid is going to feel is he or she is given away to another family. I know we have to do what’s best, but I just can’t. I wouldn’t feel loyal especially to my own son or daughter.” Soarin didn’t know how to react. The only thing he could do is bring his distressed wife closer. She breathed heavily and cried into his chest. Soarin, like his wife, hated the idea of giving up his own child. Soarin imagined what it would be like once the foal is born. Would it be safe for him or her to live on the base with them? What would the relationship between them be like? All these thoughts were scrambled across his brain. Despite the dark situation they were in, Soarin couldn’t help but feel happy about these thoughts. “Hey,” he started. “Let’s talk with Spitfire. Let’s see what she thinks we should do.” “She’ll probably say to give up the foal,” Rainbow said quietly. “She might, but she may know how to help the situation. What do you say?” Rainbow looked up to her husband. He had a small smile on his face. His smile made her smile. She felt a warm feeling inside of her. “Okay,” Rainbow started. “I’m ready to go.” The couple walked out of the room and thanked the doctors on their way out. On there way to speak with Spitfire, the both of them became very nervous. Soarin was nervous for his wife and kid while Rainbow was nervous about Spitfire’s response. Once they met with Spitfire, they told her everything that had happened. Spitfire was shocked at what she was hearing. “How far along are you,” Spitfire asked. “About four months.” “If it was up to me,” Spitfire started. “I would have you on your way back home. This is no place for a foal or an expecting mother.” “I know,” Rainbow replied solemnly. “Unfortunately, there currently is no way of getting you, or anypony for that matter, back home.” “Why is that?” Soarin questioned. “I’m not sure, but they aren’t letting anypony in or out of the base. I guess you’re lucky that we are pretty far away from the front lines.” Rainbow was slightly relieved that she wouldn’t have to go home. She wouldn’t know what to do if Soarin wasn’t there to help and guide her. “Once we get the all clear that it is safe to travel back home, you will be the first one sent. You understand me Dash?” “Yes ma’am,” Rainbow replied. Soarin and Rainbow walked back to their part of the bunkers. Both of them were filled with different emotions. Fear. Joy. Anticipation. They were happy for the little filly or colt that would soon enter their lives, but they feared what the future holds for them. Just to lighten the mood, Rainbow asked Soarin a simple question. Or two. Maybe even three. “So, do you think the foal will be a colt or a filly? Are we positive it will even be a pegasus? I’m pretty sure both of us are pure breed pegasi, but anything could happen. What about names? What could we possibly name it?” “So many questions. We still have seven months before it arrives. To be honest, I don’t care if it’s a filly or a colt, if it’s a pegasus or not, or what it’s name is going to be. Well, I mean I do care, but you get what I am trying to say. No matter what our foal turns out to be, as long as it’s happy and healthy, I will love it with all my heart.” The happy couple trotted to the bunkers with hearts filled with joy.