//------------------------------//
// The Calm Before the Storm 
// Story: A Compass to the Soul 
// by CartoonNerd12 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash was still bitter by what Lightning Dust told her but  when she saw Scootaloo rushing to meet them on the dock she smiled  knowing in the end she did the right thing as the kid jumped them.  Soarin and Dash held their little girl together until she let go and  proceeded telling them all the things she saw in the city yesterday.

They listened intently till she was finished then Rainbow declared, "Hey, I got a surprise for you."

Scoots bounced, "A surprise?! What is it?!"

Soarin was surprised himself, "Yeah, what is it?"

"Well, we are close to my old fillyhood home so…" she inquired to Scootaloo with a smirk, "Wanna go meet your grandparents?"

The  filly gasped loudly before she let out a giant squeal enough to make  windows on houses crack and for Dash and Soarin to use their wings to  plug their ears before she stopped and shouted, "Yes-yes-yes-yes!"

RD chuckled, "Okay then." and lifted Scoots on her back, "Let's go."

Soarin  was concerned by Dash's behavior toward Scootaloo like she was babying  her but he decided to wait and see how the visit goes before doing  anything.





A knock came at Bow  Hothoof and Windy Whistles' door before they answered it and to their  astonishment they saw their daughter, colorless with a bearded Soarin  and a filly on Dash's back.

Rainbow slowly started, "Hi… Mom, Dad…"

The  couple was still stunned until tears came down their faces and  immediately hugged their daughter and thankfully Soarin got Scootaloo  out of the way before it got way too tight.

Once the embracing was  over, Windy said, "When we heard about you finding Soarin and getting  married and adopting Scootaloo. Well, we just couldn't believe it, and  yet here you all are!"

Rainbow and Soarin exchanged smiles before Dash motioned Scootaloo forward, "Mom, Dad, meet your new granddaughter…"

The  older couple and Scootaloo stared at each other in wonder before  smiling bright and they held their hooves out to her which Scootaloo  touched and they escorted her into the house as she made a giddy giggle.

After  a tour of the house and four hours of embarrassing storytelling of  Rainbow's childhood, Scoots was thrilled by everything her new  grandparents had to offer her in fact they were the only grandparents  she's ever known since her previous parents told her their parents had  passed away long ago.

While Bow and Windy were just as happy to  have Scootaloo in their lives and the three kept spending time together  and that gave Soarin an excellent opportunity to talk to his wife about  his concerns.

He gestured her to go outside with him and she did.  By then there was the sun was about to set for the night and street  lighters were lighting the lamps of the city.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I  couldn't help but notice the way you acting toward Scootaloo, like you  were trying to keep her closer than you normally do. Any reason?"

Dash gulped and debated telling her husband about her recent encounter with an old rival of hers.

"Dashie…  you know we made a vow to always be there for each other… Please… let  me uphold that vow…" he used his wing to caress her face.

She sighed softly to his tough and leaned more toward it. Then she used her hoof to keep the wing tip in place as she faced him.

"First I want you to swear to me that you won't get too upset about it and that you will respect my decision in this."

He  raised a brow and was unsure if he could follow through on the promise  but in the end he agreed and she told him everything Lightning Dust  said.

When it was over there was a stunned silence before Soarin felt anger and uttered, "She would have hurt our daughter…?"

"More  like would have taken her away, but yes, she was very clear with her  terms and I decided to agree to them if only to make sure Scootaloo  wasn't going to be motherless again…"

He pulled her closer to him  and rubbed her back, "You did the right thing… But I promise you this, I  would have fought tooth and hoof to make sure she would stay by my  side… Like any father would and I still will."

That made her smile.

He sighed, "I just wish we could tell Spitfire this."

"You  know it wouldn't work anyway, she would be forced to keep a liar and  traitor under her roof in order to protect my identity and Scootaloo.  Besides, we would have to go back to the island anyway so as long as she  wants us to leave, I'm fine with that."

He smiled himself and commented, "You know, you may not realize this but you have matured greatly since our time apart."

She smirked, "What? You thought I was immature before?"

"It's not that. You just really have grown as a pony."

"Yeah… I knew that…" before kissing his cheek then they kissed on the lips.

Suddenly Bow came from behind and lectured playfully, "Should I be concerned of any hanky-panky going on out here?"

RD  rolled her eyes, "For pony sakes Dad, I'm a grown mare and married! I'm  allowed to do all sorts of hanky-panky with my husband!"

That  made the stallions laugh before they all went back inside where Windy  had dinner laid out and everypony gathered around the table to enjoy the  meal. The entire dinner conversation was nothing but sweet and funny.

Finally  as it was getting late, Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash, and Soarin had to say  their goodbyes making Bow and Windy tear up again and hugged them. The  family hug lasted for minutes before they had to let go.

Rainbow told her parents, "Thank you… for everything…"

"It's what any parent would do sweetheart." her mother said while using a hanky to wipe her tears.

Her father had his own hanky to blow his nose.

"I promise to write when we get back to the island and I'll have Scootaloo write to you too."

Windy blubbered out, "P-p-please d-d-d-do!" she sobbed and blew her nose too.

Dash felt tears coming out of her eyes, and proclaimed, "I love you!"

"We love you too!" they shouted out and they had one last hug with their daughter before she had to sorrowfully go.

As  the young family walked away Soarin placed a wing around his wife to  comfort her while Scootaloo was in the middle of them offering support.  For once Dash was glad for the color change on her coat and mane, as she  actually felt as gray as she looked. But as she looked at her husband  and daughter she knew she would be able to get through this no matter  what.





The next day, the king was  back to further the trade agreement process, as they went over the  things that would be traded from the island such as pineapples,  coconuts, bananas and all kinds of tropical fruit. Finally the king  declared out.

"As it is, I was correct to assume that a trade with  Monterufolino would be most profitable and from this list alone you  gave me is proof of that. So I would like to make it truly official."

Soarin  and Rainbow were excited to hear this but then they knew it was time to  bring up the different villagers living on the island.

Soarin  started, "We are pleased to hear that Your Majesty but there is  something else we would like to trade and that is knowledge."

Neighsay's brow rose, "Knowledge?"

Rainbow  took over, "Indeed, Your Highness, as it is we have a large assortment  of different cultures on the island of Monterufolino that I know it  could be very beneficial to learn from them as our island thrives from  these cultures everyday and-"

"Stop." the unicorn king held his hoof up, "I have heard enough. As it turns out we cannot trade with you after all."

The couple thought, Here we go… and took deep breaths.

Soarin said innocently, "Why ever not, Your Majesty? Did we do something wrong?"

"No, it is not you per say but rather that the island you come from is full of creatures that are forbidden to enter Equestria."

Dash tried to stay collected as she said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but those creatures  as you call them happen to be our friends and I find it rather foolish  of you to judge them so quickly without getting to know them."

Neighsay's voice raised, "I do not need to get to know them since I already know that they will be the downfall of Equestria should they ever enter these lands!"

"How?!" Dash challenged.

"How? I'll tell you how! They're nothing but dangerous creatures that don't have our best interests at heart!"

Soarin  shouted, "You're wrong! I know for a fact that ponies and species of  all kinds can work together and make a better life for all!"

"But  how do you that those creatures won't take what they would have learned  from here and use it against us!" he stomped his hoof.

Soarin countered, "Our friends would never do something like that!"

"Maybe not your friends, but what about other creatures that would wish us harm! What's to stop them from doing just that?!"

"Uh…"  both Dash and Soarin ended up saying, as much as they hate to admit it  but the king had a fair point even if it was portrayed in a negative  light.

Neighsay continued, "So changing the rules just for them  will simply never do! Now I believe you have overstayed your welcome and  I must ask that you leave here at once!" he motioned to the door.

The  couple didn't move a muscle and stood there in silence until Dash took a  step forward in determination and she firmly stated, "We're not going  anywhere."

Soarin did the same, "As long as it takes we will prove to you that you are making a mistake."

Neighsay glared at them and ordered, "Guards, escort the Count and Countess out."

The  guards moved in on them until a huge bang come from outside the doors  and then out of nowhere a pony with a dark orchid coat and broken horn  as blue sparks flew out of it ominously entered in much to everyone's  surprise.

She wore dark attire that matched a pirate's but to  Rainbow Dash's horror she recognized the clothes the mare was wearing  and what crew she belonged to. The Storm King…