Rainbow Dash arrived back at her cloud home, looking back at the armies of worker ponies, nobly fixing the land back to what it rightfully should have been, before finally entering her sanctuary.
“Welcome home, Dearie. Was Scootaloo okay?”
“Yeah, mom. She seemed a little upset, but I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Oh, I really do feel for that little filly. She deserves way better than what she has.”
“I know dad, I really didn’t wanna take her back. Heck, I could’a just played with her here all day! But, despite everything they’ve done, they’re still her parents. It wouldn’t ‘a been fair to keep ‘em from their foal.”
“Well Dashy, if you ask me. And I know this might sound rather mean. But, just being the biological mother or father of a foal doesn’t make you their parent! No… you have to earn that title by loving your foal unconditionally, giving them everything they need to prosper, supporting them when they’re feeling low and knowing how to punish and, more importantly, teach them when they’ve done wrong. And from the looks of things… Those two ponies have done none of the sort! It may sound a little odd, Rainbow. Maybe even down right crazy! But, in all honesty, you’re more of a parent to that little sweetheart than those two ever were.”
Rainbow froze, suddenly so static. Her purpose for returning home having been brought to light much earlier than she had anticipated. She wasn’t ready.
“Yeah mom, about that…”
Rainbow hesitated, finally beginning to understand why Scootaloo had been so hesitant to tell her the truth for so long. Her nervous were shivering, the unpleasant touch of fear, creeping up her spine, causing uncertainty filled her mind. A cloud of callous questions causing her to hesitate, a sensation that felt awfully new to her. Was she really doing the right thing for Scootaloo? Was she even ready for the responsibility? She knew that she couldn’t abort from her plan after telling her parents, her stubborn pride would never allow it. This was her final chance to stop the whole operation, forget the whole situation existed and pretend nothing ever happened! For a moment, she considered it. However, the warm, welcoming, unwavering smile of her mother quickly calmed her, snapping her back to reality and washing away any thought of retreating from her mission.
“What is it Dearie? Take your time. You know you can tell us.”
“Yeah, thanks mum. Ya see, all the things your sayin’, I totally agree! Scootaloo deserves somepony to be there for her, give her everything she needs. An’ her real parents just can’t seem to do that, no matter they love her. So… em. It’s funny that you mention that I’d be a better, parent for her, ‘cause… well, remember how I said I had a plan t’ help out Scootaloo the other night? I was thinkin’ I could…”
Windy’s face suddenly burst out in delight. Rainbow knew she didn’t even have to finish her utterance. She knew from the way her mother’s grin reached high into her cheek, from the way that her body shivered in pure excitement, from the way she almost flew from the happiness she showed. That her mother already knew.
“Oh my GOSH! Dashy, are you saying what are you saying what I think you’re saying!?”
“Yeah, yeah I am mom. It doesn’t sound to crazy, right.”
“Why, absolutely not! Darling, this is wonderful news!”
“Can somepony please tell me what in Celestia’s name you two fillies are talkin about!?” Pouted Bow, who had been waiting patiently in the background.
Windy turned to face her husband, the smile still stitched to her cheeks.
“Bow, honey. OUR daughter is going to be adopting Scootaloo!”
For a moment there was silence, the two mares unsure as to how Bow would react. He had certainly been a supportive pony throughout all his years as Rainbow’s father, jumping at any opportunity to jump at his daughter’s success, praising her to a sometimes-hyperbolic degree. However, it was no secret amongst all ponies that most fathers weren’t fond of the thought of their foals becoming parents themselves. The idea of letting their little ones out of their care and permanently into the life of a grown pony seeming stereotypically wrong to them. Thus, Rainbow and Windy waited, as Bow stood there, static in shock.
However, Bow’s cold, callous expression quickly broke down, revealing an identical, inspired, grin to Windy’s. His fur danced as he his body shivered in excitement. In a moment of pure excitement, he flew up, taking his daughter in his hoofs and spinning her around vigorously. Before coming to a sudden halt, embracing Rainbow in a loving hug.
“Oh Dashy, words can’t describe how proud ‘a you I am right now!”
“Oh, its really not that big ‘a deal. I’m not even sure if I can…”
“Well of course it’s a big deal Dashy! Why, I’ve always dreamed about the day my little filly took on her own foals. You, you won’t be my little Dashy anymore.”
Tears began to well in Bow’s eyes. The true reality of the situation beginning to sink in. Suddenly, like a damn bursting open in his eyes, the streaks of water came like waterfalls.
“I… I’m sorry Dashy. This should be your moment. But, but. I just can’t believe that you’re all grown up. Takin’ on a filly of your own. Is there nothing you can’t do!”
Rainbow patted her hoof on Bow’s shoulder, secretly flattered by how proud she was of her.
“There, there dad. Really, its not that big ‘a deal. I’m practically her biggest role model anyway, so it just seems like the right thing to do.”
Bow put Rainbow down, whipping his eyes with his hoof, the tears having stopped.
“Oh, but it is Dashy, you’re putting another pony, a foal no less, before yourself in every possible way. Moreover, you’re lettin’ her move in with her number one idol and actively voulentearin’ to be there for her when she needs you! What is there not to be proud of!”
Rainbow suddenly felt a pang of guilt, the uncertainty of weather or not taking in Scootaloo was really the best thing for the both of them still ever-present in her mind. Thus, making the admiration she was receiving from her parents feel unearned. While she was admitant to hyperbolising her accomplishments for the sake of her own ego. She detested the concept of accepting praise she didn’t deserve.
“Yeah… Thanks dad.”
“Oh, but your father’s right Dashy! Why, I’m certain you’ll be the best parent Equestria’s ever seen!”
“Forgetting somepony there, mom?”
“Oh, Dashy, we were good, yes. And we’re proud of how we raised you, but we made you feel uncomfortable with how over the top we were. You’re going to be just the mother Scootaloo needs. Why, I’m certain that the tittle of best parent in Equestria will be an understatement, with how good you’re going to be! In fact, we should be going to see that Pinkie Pie friend of yours to go plan a party to celebrate Equestria’s newest and bestest mother!”
Rainbow noticeably cringed from the repetition of being called a mother. She was Rainbow Dash! The confident, independent mare who let nopony tell her what to do or how to live her life. Could she really be a mother? Could she live with the restraints of a foal, no matter how close she was to her? Did she even have the maturity to handle the responsibility? She was becoming more and more unsure.
Windy noticed how unsettled her daughter was and instantly stopped her celebration. Though Rainbow began talking before she could ask her a question.
“I’m sorry guys. I know you’re both real prod ‘a me, but I just don’t know if I can do this. Sure, I’m a good sister, and great at giving support from time to time. But, I don’t know if I can actually be a… mother to somepony.”
Windy smiled, placing her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, causing her daughter to look her directly in the eye.
“Sweetie, I know how you feel. You’d never guess it, but before you were born, Bow and I were terrified! We didn’t know if we could handle a wild little foal running around. Did we have the time? Did we have the maturity? Could we really take care of a little one properly? It was a big mess! But, then we decided it was time, so we took that leap of faith and had you. And at the moment you were born, everything just fell into place. We knew there’d be hard times. But, that didn’t matter, all that was important was that the little filly, looking right back as us with such an innocent smile was ours, our little Dashy. We knew then that we had what it takes. Now, I know that your adopting, not having a baby, which complicates things a little. But, I’m certain, when you see that little filly, so comfortable, peaceful and innocent in your care, everything will make sense. You’ll know that you’re ready and all your fear will fade away. And remember Dashy, we’ll be there to support you to. If you ever need anything, just give us a call and we’ll see what we can do. So, stop worrying, will you? You’re going to do a fine job.”
“Th, thanks mom. I think I needed that. But, and I’m not sure what it is. But, there’s something inside me that still needs a little more convincing. So, I’ve decided that I’m gonna go talk to my friends about this. After I’ve heard what they have to say, I’ll definitely know what to do.”
Bow placed his hoof on Rainbow’s other shoulder, wanting to show his complete support to his daughter.
“Dashy, if that’s what you think you need to do, then that’s what you should do. We want you to be completely certain about this. But, just know. We think you’re absolutely, positively, one hundred percent ready to take on Scootaloo.”
“Thanks dad, it’s nice to know that I’ve got your support through all this. You to mom, you’ve both done so much for me, I could never repay you.”
Windy placed her hoof on her heart, her daughter’s words having touched her so deeply.
“Oh Dashy, you don’t even need to say it. Every time we get to help you is as much a blessing for us as it is for you. Now go on, go see your friends. It’s always good to get an alternate perspective on things.
Rainbow smiled.
“Thanks mom.”
Rainbow hugged her parents, truly thankful for support they had given her in her time of confusion and transcendence. However, Rainbow only looked forward, pulling away from her parents with a confident grin and heading out back into Equestria. As, whilst her parents loved her, and she could never truly be with out their support, the bond she shared with her friends was stronger than any force could ever hope to shatter. Thus, it seemed only logical to her that their opinions on this matter she be considered with the upmost importance. She pulled back her wings, before bursting of into the sky, vanishing in a second. Rainbow sored through the clouds, the worker ponies still labouring away on the ground beneath her, though she didn’t let the sight of them distract her from her goal. Flutershy’s cottage. Fluttershy was her oldest and most dear friend, having defended from bullies back in her flight school days and having stayed by her side since. If she could rely on anypony to be faithful and supportive with her, it was her Fluttershy. b(V,Y.g)