//------------------------------// // Happy Old Man Day // Story: Father's Day // by Spirit Shift //------------------------------//  Fluttershy finished her gliding demonstration and hovered down next to a tree. In the tree sat an impatient looking squirrel. “Alright," Fluttershy began. "Mr. Chewy, remember what I said; flying squirrels glide, not fly. So, you don’t have to flap like Ms. Hummingbird does,” Fluttershy instructed this by flapping her wings faster for a second. The squirrel made various argumentative squirrel noises in response. The timid pegasus began awkwardly rubbing her hooves together. “Yes, I know that’s how she flies, but-” Fluttershy was interrupted by more arguing noises. "14 hours and 26minutes!" “Yes. I know that she brags about it. I have been meaning to talk to her about that,” said Fluttershy, still nervously fiddling with her hooves. She never really was good at dealing with stubborn critters without using her stare on them, and she really didn't want to either. "14 hours and 26minutes!" an excited voice screamed out in the distance. However, Fluttershy had been too preoccupied with her lesson. The impatient squirrel hopped off and rapidly began flapping his arms. Fluttershy winced and lurched forward to catch him if he fell. “No, don’t jump! No wait! Stop flapping!” “14 hours and 26minutes!” Fluttershy felt a rush of wind, and blinked. Glancing back and forth, she asked, “Mr. Chewy? Where did you go?” “14 hours and 26minutes!” Fluttershy turned toward the direction of the fading voice. In the distance, she could see a fading rainbow trail. A few seconds later she watched as it made a sudden U-turn. As it rushed past her, she saw a speck of brown within the rainbow color. Quickly realizing that brown was, in fact, not a valid part color spectrum, she quickly gave chase. “14 HOURS AND 25 MINUTES!!!” “MR. CHEWIE!!” Fluttershy immediate rushed after the fading image of her pet and friend. At the mention of something other than a countdown, Rainbow Dash immediately halted in mid-air, causing her tail to whip forward, accidentally flinging the unauthorized airborne animal into the skies beyond. “Mr. Chew--” Fluttershy tried to fly after him, but found herself restrained insted. “There you are, Fluttershy!” said Dash, grabbing Fluttershy’s shoulders and releasing a Pinkie Pie grade smile. “I was looking for you. Where have you been? Are you as excited as I am? I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Do you think we should leave now, or go tomorrow like we planned? said Dash, managing to rival even Pinkie Pie in her excitement levels. “Um, I don’t know?” said Fluttershy, still scanning the skies behind Dash for the falling squirrel. Rainbow lifted her gaze in curiosity. “Should I buy a gift? Or is that too cheesy?” Fluttershy glanced around and finally tried to free herself. “Um, no?” Rainbow Dash, frustrated, shook the pegasus slightly, and yelled, “Should I get him a gift or not?” “Get who a gift?” said Shy, her attention finally focused on her friend. “If I do then you have to get one too, so I can say that you forced me," she said, ignoring the question. "That way I don’t look too cheesy.” “Who do I have to buy a gift for?” she asked, now thoroughly confused. Rainbow scoffed before finally released her and threw her hooves into the air. “For your dad of course!” She was utterly baffled by the fact that her friend had apparently forgotten what day it was. “Why would I suddenly buy my dad a gift?” “Because you’re excited! You are excited right?” said Rainbow as she leaned closer, her eyes sparkling in excitement. “Oh, my, I could be excited. I don’t really know.”  “Oh, c'mon, You gotta be excited!” Fluttershy looked around curiously for a bit before unconsciously grabbing her tail. She finally gained a small smile. “Well, I guess I’m kinda sorta excited now that you mention it,” said Shy easily getting caught up in Dash’s contagious excitement. “I thought so!” said Rainbow, pumping a hoof in the air. Fluttershy smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. “Yeah… so, what am I excited about?” Rainbow flew right into Fluttershy's face and smiled. “There’s only 14 hours and 22 minutes until father's day! Remember, we get to go back to Cloudsdale and see our popseses… our dads!” Fluttershy’s excited face cracked and shattered as her own eyes shrank down to pinpricks. “Oh, t-that is v-very exciting, IhopeyouhavefunIhavetofindmrchewienowBYE!” blurted Fluttershy, swiftly flying off in some random direction. Dash watched her butter yellow friend leave and smirked playfully, “She’s excited. I knew it! Hmm, now where can I find a pyrotechnics store in Ponyville.” “Oh sweet Celestia! Tomorrow is fathers day!? Oh, no no no, I can’t go back there, not after last time,” thought Shy, racing back to her home. I just can’t bear it anymore.” The moment she made it home, Fluttershy spared no time in barring her walls, doors, chimneys, and various entrances in an attempt to seal herself in, surround herself with animals, and wait the day out. Just like last year... ...And, just like last year, Rainbow Dash burst through the door the very next day as if the layers and layers of wood weren't even there. As a wide smile plays across her features, she yelled into the house. “IT’S FATHER'S DAY!” she yelled. Her exclamation caused Fluttershy’s animal barrier to freak out and scatter, revealing the curled up pile of pink fluff, shivering in what Dash assumed was liquid excitement. “Are ya ready, Fluttershy! Fluttershy continued to hide in the bush that was her hair. “N-n-n-n-n-no!” Rainbow glanced at the shivering mess. her smile dropped slightly and she finally began to notice that something was bothering her friend. Wondering what it could possibly, she took a step forward and said, “Fluttershy?” Finally gathering her courage, Fluttershy lifted her head from behind her tail and forced herself to use every lesson that she had learned. “No!” “Wait, wha-” Fluttershy hesitantly stood up tall and asserted her opinion. “I don’t want to go to Cloudsdale this year, Rainbow Dash, I can’t!” she asserted. Not knowing what to do or say, Rainbow Dash went with the de-facto choice in these kinds of situations. “Why not?” The timid pegasus finally became timid once again. Her gaze lowered shamefully, she whispered, “I-I just can’t, okay?” “You have to, our dads are waiting for us remember?” “Well, maybe your dad is,” Shy mumbled. “Plus, you promised, so there!” Dash said with finality. Fluttershy could only have a small sigh at the mention of her foalhood promise. She remembered how much Rainbow loves father’s day, mainly due to the fact that she grew up solely raised by her dad. As a foal, and even now, she feels like its the only day that she can even try to repay him for everything. Having become friends with Fluttershy at a very early age after she had also lost her mother, they had taken to spending the day together. They would both go see their dads, and they would both see to it that it was the best day ever. Remembering this caused Fluttershy to momentarily let her guard down, and by the time she came back to her senses, Rainbow had already grabbed both of their saddle bags, and dragged her out of her home and into the sky. She tried to struggle from Rainbow’s grip, but it was no use. “To Cloudsdale!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed triumphantly as Fluttershy simply resigned herself to her fate. ~~~ Rainbow Blaze and Soaring Wind had gotten together earlier that day at Blaze’s place, both fully aware of the impending visits that they would be getting. It was only a matter of time before Blaze’s daughter would burst in with Fluttershy in tow, tackling one of them down. “I bet it’s gonna be me,” said the ex-Royal Guard, arguing which one of them would she tackle first. Soaring Wind was a tall gruff pegasus with a dark blue coat and even darker blue mane. Noppony could ever guess that he was the father of one of the most timid ponies in Equestria. “In your dreams, Windy,” said the ex-Wonderbolt. Rainbow Blade sat in the chair opposite of Wind. Unlike Wind, however, he was the spitting image of his daughter. Wind gestured proudly to himself. “She respects me more!” While Wind gloated Blaze simply scoffed and waved his hoof dismissively. “She modeled her dreams after me.” “I spent more time with her.” “I trained her!” “She’s really my daughter!” “Pu-leeze, have you seen this!” Blaze spat, circling a hoof around his face, "And don't you have your own daughter?" Hearing that, Wind simply chuckled and relaxed back in the chair. “Dude, If you want me to look at the toilet, I could just go to the bathroom.” “Hey, you callin' me a toilet?” said Dash, fully aware of her striking resemblance to her father. Her sudden appearance served to defy everything that both stallions thought they knew about her, causing them both to fall to the ground letting out very manly screams as they did. “H-how did you do that?" Wind cried. "Changelings couldn't even sneak up on me like that... And they had cardboard boxes!” “Ehh, you learn a few things in Ponyville,” Dash shrugged. “I was gonna tackle my dad first, but I think that Windy needs a lesson on what a toilet looks like. Once I shove him into one, that is.” “Oh, so you think you can take this?” said Wind, motioning to himself. He took on a defensive stance and glared playfully at her. “Rainy may have taught you how to fly, but I’m the one who taught you how to fight, I know you’re every move.” “We’ll see about that!” said Dash as she jumped him, all seriousness gone as they rumbled and tumbled around the house. Fluttershy watched with a tinge of jealousy until she saw Blaze motion for her to come in for a hug, which she gratefully accepted. “What’s up Shy,"-- Blaze gave her a tight hug,-- "how’ve ya been since you got that place on the ground?” Fluttershy pulled away and looked up excitedly. “Oh, I’ve been just wonderful, Rainbow Dash, and I have made some great friends.” Blaze puled his hooves back and his head snapped up in surprise. “Oh snap, what? My little brat actually made some real, not imaginary, friends!?” he said dumbfoundedly. “Wait, they aren't, ya know… all colts are they?” Fluttershy blushed intently, “No, all mares. Is that ok?” “THAT”S EVEN WORSE!” Blaze screamed. He threw his hooves to the sides of his head. “Hey! You wanna say somethin to me?” said Dash, calling over from her tumble, her brief lapse in attention allowed Wind to get the drop on her, causing them both to crash into the far wall. “No, sweetie!” he called back before leaning close, and whispering to Fluttershy, “If she starts hitting on any of them, you come let me know. Alright?” Fluttershy blushed a hearty red, and hid herself behind her hair, no words managed to come out so she resorted to nodding slightly. Blaze started to laugh. “I’m just messing around. Personally, I couldn't care less about if it’s a mare or a colt, just let me know if she starts dating so that I can go embarrass her… unless,” he paused, his smirk growing in size, “you’re interested in her?” If Fluttershy’s beet red face shook any faster she would've started flying sideways. Noticing the rapid pace of her head swings Blaze quickly began to regret his joke. “Flutters! Flutters! I was just kidding. I’m just messing with you. Here, lets talk about this instead,” he said, desperately trying to change the subject so that the poor filly doesn't hurt herself. “Hey, how are-oof ‘Slapped by Fluttershy’s hair, heh, it’s been awhile,’ he thought as he rubbed his cheek.          Fluttershy, realizing what she had done, quickly ceased her shaking and looked over to her injured god-father. “Oh, no, are you alright?”          “It’s cool, I’m cool, everything’s cool,” he said, trying to avoid the inevitable waterworks, “How are the animals down there?” “Oh,” she said, cheering up instantly, “They’re all just so-” “Yes, Fluttershy, how are the animals,” said Wind. Fluttershy looked over, and she could’ve sworn that he was glaring at her. “Well, they’re just fine and umm ok… I guess.” she said, her voice trailing off into inaudible mumbles. “Oh, you two done?" Blaze sulked. He glanced behind him with whimper eyes. "Can I get my hug now?” “Fine you big baby,” said Dash as she trotted over to give her dad a huge embrace. “Dash?” he whispered. Dash tightened her hug and even gained a small smile from his embrace. “What?”          “Why do you smell like a toilet?” Rainbow Dash blushed furiously, causing both Fluttershy and Soaring Wind to giggle. She pushed him away, and stuffed a small package into his arms, causing him to release a soft grunt. “Shut up and take my present,” she said, unable to turn in his direction. Blaze could only laugh a little at his daughters tsundere-ness as he inspected the gift before him. Obviously, him choosing to taking his sweet time clearly grated on Dash patience, because she soon began to tap her hoof in impatience. “Just open it already!” Rainbow screamed. Blaze gingerly held the box aloft and said, “Hey, hey, I’m just making sure that this isn't a bomb like last year. You know you can’t become a wonderbolt just by killing an old one.” Rainbow Dash grimaced at the memory of last years failed father’s day surprise. “I swear to Celestia, that blonde pegasus didn't tell me how big the blast was gonna be!” “Well, It doesn't seem like this’ll kill me. So, I deem it safe to open,”  he said proudly, proceeding to slowly unravel the package at a pace that he knew would irritate his daughter the most. Of course it worked as she eventually snatched the package, rippied up the rest of the wrapping, muttered something about him being too slow to be a wonderbolt, and handed it back to him. He laughed at the entire thing until he saw what was in the gift. A golden trophy, with Rainbow Dash’s name saying ‘Best Young Flyer’. Right next to it, was a small photo that somepony took of Rainbow Dash completing a sonic rainboom. Blaze stared at it, dumbstruck. He had almost no words to express his feelings for what he held. “Rainbow, this is…” “Wait, hold on, I’m not done yet, come outside,” she said, characteristically dashing out the door. All three ponies exchanged looks as they followed the speedster out the house. Once outside, they all looked up to see Dash soaring higher and higher into the air, before coming back down at twice the speed. From their point of view, all they could see was a rainbow colored spec fly closer and closer, until finally, an enormous explosion rang out, followed by a cascade of colors, spreading in every direction. Everyone looked out in all of the design of colors gracing the sky. Except one, for this one’s eyes were glued to the rainbow currently spelling something out in the sky. Once she was done, everyone looked up and read what she had written with her rainbow contrail. Written clear across the sky and visible to everyone in Equestria, the message had read: ‘To Rainbo Blaze, the Awesomest Dad in the world, Happy Father’s Day’ Blaze turned over to a panting Rainbow Dash. “So, what did you-oof” at speeds that surprised her, Blaze disappeared from where he sat, and appeared in front of her quickly wrapping his arms around his daughter as tight as he could, with her returning the hug a second later. “You idiot, you misspelled my name, but I love it anyway. You make me so proud.” Fluttershy watched the father and daughter hug each other, and felt a pang of jealousy at the bond that they shared. She turned to her own father who also watched the pair intently, his expression unreadable. Fluttershy decided that she was going to get his attention, she mustered up every ounce of courage within her and turned to the taller stallion. “Um, daddy?” she said, flinching back as his attention turned to her. “If it’s okay, I also have a present for you. That is, if you want to see it.” He only sighed and turned to her, “Fine, what is it? "Oh, really? Well, um, it’s down below,” she nearly whispered, slightly excited that he was actually interested. Due to being her father, Wind had long since developed what some would call ‘Flutter sense’; the ability to hear anything Fluttershy says no matter how quietly she says it. Wordlessly, he turned back to the rainbow duo and called over. “Hey, guys, this mare wants to show me something so I’m gonna follow her down. You guys stay here, and finish up your touchy feely, father-daughter make out session.” “Hey, screw you!” they said simultaneously, causing him to chuckle slightly as he turned back to shy. “Kay, lets go, don’t fly too slowly, got it?” he ordered, his demeanor changing instantly. Fluttershy meekly nodded, the fact that Soaring didn't say her name nor referred to her as his daughter not going unnoticed. She dove through the clouds, and made an extra effort to fly at a fairly fast speed to the forest below. During the trip she angled head to take a glance back, but all she saw was the bored face of her father, clearly uninterested in the current situation. “It’s all right Fluttershy, he’ll love this I know he will. I spent weeks getting it together just for him… of course that was last year, but I hope that the animals remember the routine. Maybe I should gather them first, I just hope that daddy doesn't fly off again. Oh Please let this work!” Finally after a few agonizingly silent minutes, both pegasi landed on the soft dirt of a clearing in Whitetail Woods. Due to it still being fairly early in the morning, all of the animals were out and about. Looking back, Fluttershy noticed that her father was already getting restless and even a little annoyed. Quickly, she let out a series of complex whistles and tweets, and instantly all of the animals were at her attention. Every squirrel, bird, bee and butterfly had answered the call of the butter yellow pegasus. Taking a look back she noticed that her father had a slightly different expression, almost as if he were impressed. That simple look filled Fluttershy with equal parts happiness and confidence. Turning back to the animals, she quickly whispered a few commands, and after getting a few responses, she let out a soft squee, delighted to know that just about everyanimal here remembered the routine. “Okay, are you all ready?” she asked, delighted to hear all of the affirmative squeaks and chirps from the fauna around her. “Alright, GO!” At her signal, every animal scattered in seemingly random patterns back into the bushes surrounding them. Shy gestured with one of her hooves, and from the trees came a swarm of beautiful butterflies that swirled and flew in sync with each other, spinning around the two pegasi and covering them in their beauty before dispersing, and flying into the air. With another, came a flock of birds that sang beautiful melodies as they flew forward and backward. Every change in movement signified a corresponding change in musical tone, creating a sound that could rival any orchestra in harmony. With a third gesture, out came a large pack of squirrels and other critters carrying various flowers and plants, all planting them on the ground in a particular pattern. This continued as Fluttershy conducted the animals with her entire body. With every wink, nudge, or movement, she provided signals and guidance to all of the animals. Like a maestro guiding her band, she bent the entire animal kingdom to her will while she conducted her mighty animal symphony. It all came to a head when with one final gesture, the butterflies and birds from the beginning came back down and flew in a cyclone, causing the resulting wind to lift everything that the critters had placed down on the ground. When they all flew into the air, all of the flowers, acorns, nuts, and leaves seemed to rearrange themselves to spell out, ‘Happy Father’s Day, Daddy’ Not finished yet, Fluttershy rose herself to the same level as the message and took a deep breath preparing to sing her part. “STOP!” Or not. Due to the call of cancellation given by one irate Soaring Wind, each and every animal simultaneously lost focus, thus killing their routine, and leaving the message to fall back to the ground. Fluttershy too fell back to the ground as she watched her clearly upset father stomp over to her. Wind stomped up to her and gave her a burning glare. “What the hay is all this!” Under her father's scrutiny, Fluttershy could almost feel herself merging with the ground. “Um, well, It’s an animal-” Wind stomped a hoof to silence her. “This is a disgrace, that’s what it is. I had thought, in the beginning, that you trained these animals to form some kind of spy unit for the royal guard. ‘That’s ingenious’, I thought, but obviously that was wishful thinking on my part. I had hoped that, for a second, you didn't waste your life. But really, you haven't changed, you’re still a ground loving doormat that mocks basic pegasi nature,” he said, all but screaming at Fluttershy who had begun to sink lower, and lower into the ground, tears already threatening to fall from her eyes.  “Pegasi are meant to fly above the clouds, not lick the dirt. Pegasi are destined to control the weather, not play cutsie with the animals below. You were destined for so much more, but instead you threw it away messing around with these ground bound vermin. I am ashamed to be your father, why can’t you be more like Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy just couldn't take anymore, she had to get away, anywhere, just not here. She spread her wings, and took off, diving into the deepest part of the forest with tears streaming out behind her, her whimpers echoing throughout the forest. “Hmph,” he scoffed, “and a coward too. A real soldier would stay and fight.” Soaring Wind decided to leave as well, spreading his own wings, he prepared to take flight. He stopped when he noticed two sets of eyes sending death glares at him. He turned, and saw the near identical faces of Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Blaze. The only difference between them, was that Rainbow looked like she was ready to tear him apart. “WHAT THE HEY-” she began by yelling. “Rainbow Dash,” he interrupted, getting her attention, “go find Fluttershy, I’ll handle this.” “What? But I” “Rainbow! I don’t want her alone in this forest go find her,” he said with an unusual firmness in his voice. Dash noticed this, and turned her glare back to her soon to be ex-godfather. She really wanted to say or do something, but she couldn't disobey her dad. In a flash, she took to the sky and headed off in the direction she say her crying friend go, her last words echoing in Winds ear as she flew past him. “I would hate to have you as a dad right now…” This left Wind and Blaze alone, Blaze’s glare turned into a concerned expression as he trotted right up to the taller stallion. “We saw the whole thing you know.... It was amazing,” he said nonchalantly. Soaring Wind simply blew through his lips and shrugged. “Yea, sure.” “You know, something like that takes extraordinary talent,” Rainbow Blaze hinted. Wind simply waved his hoof off. “Sure, if she was an earth pony, but as a pegasus, it’s just unnatural.” Blaze began to get irritated, “That makes it even more special, plus, you know that’s not what Butterfly would say.” “You leave her out of this!” Wind screamed. Seeing that his words were finally having an effect, Blaze took a step forward. His expression was stern and unyielding. “Why should I? I know that she would have loved this, all of it!” “She would feel the same way I do,” Wind assured. Though, to Blaze, it sounded like Wind was assuring himself more that anything else. Blaze was now in his friends face. His voice soft, he said, “Just because you’re both royal guard, does not mean that she has to be!” “It’s not about the guard, It’s about pegasi nature!” Wind screamed in response. “No,” he said, calming himself down,” “It’s about choice, Fluttershy choose to go down there, despite knowing exactly what you thought. She’s just like her mother that way.” “No, she isn't, Butterfly was strong willed and courageous. No one could order her around, and she stood up to anyone who tried.” “Then what about Fluttershy?” “What about her?” “She’s been standing up to you this whole time, and you haven't even noticed,” he said, causing Wind to gain a curiously confused look. “Look at her, It’s been almost 5 years since she’s left, but every year, she comes up here for the holidays to see you, Wind, and no matter what you tell her, she always goes back down there against your wishes.” A look of realization dawns over Wind. Blaze saw this, and continued. “I get letters from Rainbow Dash all the time, do you even read your's from Fluttershy?” he asked, only getting a shake of the head in reply, and actually beginning to look sorry. “Did you know that she tamed a manticore?” This gained a shocked look from Wind. “Did you know that she scared a dragon off of a mountain with her stare, causing him to leave his home and his hoard?” Wind’s face gained a smile as he imagined his little filly using his wife’s most dangerous technique; on a dragon of all things. Rainbow Blaze gave him another serious stony look. “Look Wind, I don’t know when, or why, you started acting like this, but I’ll ask you a question; When was the last time you heard Fluttershy sing?" Wind took the question into serious consideration, he tried, hard, but either way he didn't like the answer. “I saw her at the end,"--Blaze continued-- "she was going to sing for you. That shy filly who could only sing for us if we spied on her in her room without her knowing. She was going to sing for her dad so she could win back his affections, she put this entire thing together, so that you might finally be impressed with her talents.” With Blaze's last sentence, Wind began to shake visibly, he was breaking, and Blaze could see it, all he needed was one more push. “Tell me, Wind, how did you fall in love with Butterfly?” he asked softly. Of course he already knew, him being there when it happened. Honestly, if he hadn't already given his heart to Firefly, he would've fallen for her as well. After a few seconds, memories began flodding into Soaring Wind's mind. Old memories that he had stuffed down into his head after his wife's passing. “I-it was her singing, her beautiful voice drew me in. I’d never heard anything so utterly amazing in my life.” Blaze wrapped a hoof around Wind's shoulder and spoke in a soft voice. “Where did you find her” “I-in a f-forest, surrounded by animals,” he said, tears breaking loose, “she always did have a way with them, “a look of realization dawned over his face, “Dear Luna, what have I done?” he said breaking down into tears. “Be an Idiot, nothing out of the ordinary," Blaze shrugged. "Now are you going to mope here like a crybaby, or are you going to go apologize to your daughter, like a manly crybaby?” Wind gave his answer by spreading his wings, and taking flight, Blaze taking off shortly behind him. ~~~ “My daddy haaaattteesss meeeee!!!” wailed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s chest. This wasn't the first time that her friend found herself crying in her arms, but it still wasn't any easier to get her to stop. “No, he doesn't. He’s just being a jerk right now.” “Yes, he does, he said so himself! He would rather have you as a daughter!” she wailed. “No, Fluttershy, she’s right,” Wind began. Both heads snapped up to see the faces of their respective fathers, though Fluttershy immediately turned hers back when she saw her dad. “I was being an idiot and a jerk, and I didn't respect your talents. What you did back there was beautiful in every way, and I’m sorry that I couldn't see it,” he said, gently coming a bit closer. The closer he got the more protective Dash herself began to look, until a look from her own father caused her to stand down. Fluttershy peeked her eye out from her own hair, “Really?” “Yes really, I am,” he paused nervously, looking down in shame, “very, very sorry, for everything, I was mean and rude and angry at you for no valid reason. If you don’t forgive me, then I under-oof,” he didn't get to finish due to a yellow and pink blur tackling him in the chest. “I forgive you!” she cried into his chest.  He looked down to see a small, pegasus filly crying in his arms, hugging him tighter than he ever thought possible for her. He realized, that all she had ever wanted, was to be in his arms again. Tears burst from his own eyes in remorse of all the wasted moments where this wasn't happening for her. He tightly hugged her back and cried his own manly tears. “I love you Fluttershy, I’m sorry about what I said. You're the best daughter I could've hoped for, and I’m so very proud of you.” Rainbow Dash trotted back over to her own dad as she watched the tearful reunion. “Pffft, crybabys,” she scoffed. “Yea, I know right, some ex-royal guard he is, crying like a wimp,” he scoffed. He craned his head to look at his daughter and noticed that she was A: not looking at him, B: blushing slightly, and D: holding out her foreleg in the universal sign for huggies. Chuckling a little, he grabbed his daughter and pulled her in for a hug, which she gratefully accepted. Whether, you’re a wonderbolt, element of harmony, or even the right hoof to the princess, you’ll always be a daddy’s girl. ~~~ After the tearful hug session, both sets separated. “Everything good now?” asked Blaze. “No, just one more thing,” said Wind. He turned to Fluttershy, and gave a small smile. “Blaze told me that you were going to sing something at the end of your routine. I want to hear it.” Fluttershy shied back and fidgeted. “Well, I guess so, i-if you want I could, but it’s not anything special, it’s short and silly and-” Wind lifted her head up with a hoof, and looked into her sea blue eyes. “I don’t care about any of that. It’s your song, and to me, it’s the most special thing in the world right now.” Hearing this, Fluttershy became more confident than she had ever been, she resolutely nodded her head and back up a few feet. She rose into the air and took a deep breath, the forest soon became filled with the beautiful sounds of her soft melodic voice as she sung her short, silly tune. D-A-D, D-A-D, Dad is my best friend. We played games, we went to the park, I wished the fun never ended! D-A-D, D-A-D, I loved to hold your hoof. It felt so good, it felt so safe, You're the best dad in this land! “I love you Daddy!”