//------------------------------// // CH16: Family Revelations // Story: Our Daughter // by lillytheomegawolf //------------------------------// “Yep. And if we are talking about the same orange filly. Scootaloo is in fact, my daughter.” Rainbow Dash stared at the pale blue stallion in shock as his words rolled around in her brain like a huge echo chamber. Her mouth slid open wide enough to catch flies and her eyes glazed over. Soarin chuckled. It looked as though he had broken Dash. “Sounds like I’ve found the right pony.” Rainbow Dash shook herself. “She- you... what? Yeah. I mean... it makes sense now... Luna meant Soarin. But... she also said she found Scootaloo's birth mother...” Soarin grinned like a lovestruck colt and allowed his gaze to wander to where he knew Spitfire’s office was. “Oh, you’ve met her...” “Great! Wait... I have?” 

 “Yep.” Soarin stood tall and proud. “So... Who is she?” Soarin smiled comfortingly. “Somepony awesome! I gotta tell her that Scootaloo has been found.” With that, Soarin was a stallion on a mission, off to find his wife. Rainbow Dash trailed behind him. “Okay... but why?” “Why what?” 
 “You’re Soarin. How could you abandon Scootaloo?” 
Soarin sighed and came to a stop. “Dash. Trust me I say we just couldn’t take care of Scootaloo when she was born.” “What? You?!? But you’re Soarin for Celestia’s sake!” 

 A dry laugh escaped Soarin as he turned and strode off. “How old is Scootaloo?” “Uh... eleven..?” “So...” Soarin gave the younger pegasus the side eye. “If I’m twenty nine... how old was I when she was born?” A second bolt of realization hit Rainbow Dash and she stuttered to a halt. “Wait, you were a teenage parent?” “Yep.” Soarin sighed then wandered the last few pony lengths to stand before a currently closed door. Rainbow Dash realized they were standing before the boss's office. “Wait. Why are we here?” 

“I have to tell my wife.” A coy smile slid onto the pale stallion’s muzzle as he carefully slid the door open. 

 Spitfire gazed up from a heap of paper work, Fleetfoot to the left of her desk. “What do you two want?” 

“Spitfire. Dash knows our daughter!” Spitfire’s right forehoof slipped on the papers of her desk. “What?” 

 “Isn’t it great!” 

The shocked mare leapt over her desk and barreled right up to Rainbow Dash. “How do you know Scootaloo? Where is she? Is she okay?” “Wait- You’re her mom? And... And-” Clearly overwhelmed, Rainbow Dash lamely pointed at Soarin who smirked back and put a wing proudly around his mare. “Yep.” Spitfire nodded. “But Soarin said... You- you...” “Yes. They married. They had a foal. They had to give her up. All before joining the Wonderbolts and going on to become some of the best ever athletes Equestria has ever known.” Fleetfoot wandered lazily over. “The secret is out. Now what?” “But- but...” Dash stammered as her mind fought against the sheer absurdity that two of her heroes were not only together but had a child before entering the esteemed elite, the Wonderbolts. 
 Soarin giggled. “I think you broke Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire eyed her spouse. “Did she tell you how she knows Scootaloo?” “Uh... no.” His eagerness suddenly tempered, Soarin shrank back a bit. “And now thanks to your big mouth, she knows about us.” “But it's a great thing!” Fleetfoot eagerly added. “How is this a good thing?” Spitfire rounded on her arctic blue friend. 

Fleetfoot backed up a few paces. “Because if Dash knows your filly, she can take you to see her. It can be a great big reunion! You do wanna see her, right?” “Of course I do.” “So go meet her!” “Maybe I will.” Spitfire shot Fleetfoot a final look then rounded on the still stunned Rainbow Dash. “How do you know Scootaloo?” “Uh... my, uh... partner and I are her new foster parents. She’s totally the coolest filly in all of Equestria.” “Really? Now that's news...” Spitfire mused. She hurried back to the desk and took her seat. Soarin was quick to take up his post by her side. His wing slipped back into position and he relaxed. Rainbow Dash rocked back and forth for a few moments. “Uh.. how come no pony knows about you two? You’re like the coolest ponies. Everyone knows about you.” 

 “And that is why.” Spitfire sourly shot back as she hastily began to collect her papers. 

 Rainbow Dash’s brow scrunched up. “What?” 

Spitfire sighed. She eyed the confused element of harmony before her for a few moments before she turned to her husband. “Help a mare out here Soarin...” 

Soarin gave his lover a quick kiss on the cheek. “I kinda like being able to do that around other ponies...” “I know.” A smile played at Spitfire’s lips and she relaxed a bit. “So... why don’t you?” Dash ventured. “Because.” Soarin straightened up. “We are the face of the Wonderbolts. What we do when we are alone is our time. And I don’t want other ponies butting in on our personal life. It's bad enough already.” “Besides... the ‘botz don’t exactly let young mothers in and these two doofuses were not ready to start a family... like at all,” Fleetfoot added. “But Scootaloo grew up never knowing...” Dash trailed off, her mind still working to try and figure out how such cool ponies could just leave their daughter behind. Spitfire nodded. “We truly did intend to come back for her. But... between the crazy lifestyle and... other things... it didn’t work out.” “But... she’s your filly. Surely she has to know!” Dash insisted. “And she will.” Spitfire’s iron hoof came down on the table. Silence fell. No pony dared move till the commanding mare softened a little. “I do want to see my girl. Believe me.” “I could take you now. I mean.. Ponyville is an hour away if we fly fast.” “No.” 

 Dash did a double take. “What do you mean no?” “I don’t know. Are you sure it’s a good idea? If she's happy with you and your coltfriend... I mean. I don’t want to intrude now.” Spitfire sank onto her desk in defeat. Dash stared at the unusually hesitant looking leader of the Wonderbolts. “Actually Fluttershy is my fillyfriend. And Second... Scootaloo would love to meet her parents.” “Are you only saying that because we are Wonderbolts?” Spitfire half sat up. “No. Scootaloo asked me to try and find out. She really wants to know! So I started asking around. Princess Luna mentioned she had met you two in a dream but couldn’t really remember any names. Then I talked to Soarin outside and everything started to make sense. You have to come and meet her!” “It will be late by the time we fly all the way to Ponyville.” Spitfire shot a calculated look out the window. 

“Don’t worry, I’m sure Fluttershy and Scootaloo will be up and would love to see you.” “I think it’s best that we wait.” “What, why?” Dash and Fleetfoot both rounded on the uncertain head mare. 

Spitfire relaxed into her seat with a sigh. “I’m just thinking. If we take Sunday off then we can fly to Ponyville early in the morning and spend the day there.” 

Rainbow Dash perked up again. “That could work.” 

 “Alright. But you are not to tell anypony before we speak to our daughter.” A scowl crossed Dash's face. 

“Why not?” Spitfire levelled her best hard stare back at the eager young pegasus. “Because I want to be the one to tell her and I don’t need word of our relationship getting out.” “Okay. Sure. I guess...” “Soarin.” 

“Hmmm?” The pale colt gazed lovingly into his wife’s eyes. “I think we need to get you into the showers.” With that, Spitfire was up and dragging her husband out. Soarin was too busy grinning like a giddy idiot to protest and simply allowed himself to be led away. Fleetfoot snickered. “Ah... when the outside world isn't looking... They never change.” Rainbow Dash turned to follow the couple but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. 

“Give them a moment.” “Why?” Realization flashed across the speedster’s muzzle and she recoiled. “Oh, they wouldn’t?” Fleetfoot nodded. “Oh, they totally do. Sometimes... Trust me, it's not worth the risk." “Yeah, but what was all that about no pony knowing about their relationship?” 

 “That's for outsiders. I guess you’re one of us now Dash.” Fleetfoot winked. Scootaloo and Fluttershy sat at the yellow mare's bedroom window. The pair were admiring the sun set as they finished off their ice cream, minds on the third central family member. “I bet Dash is having the coolest time flying with the Wonderbolts!” Scootaloo sighed dreamily. "I wonder how her first day has been...?" "I imagine it will have been wonderful," Fluttershy replied softly. "Why did she have to stay away? Can't she just fly home, she's super fast." Fluttershy smiled knowingly. "Well, the Wonderbolts are training very far away." Scooaloo licked her bowl clean then placed it off to the side in contemplation. "Do you think she will be home in time for my scan? Should we have booked it a bit later on Sunday?" "I'm sure she will be there." "What if they don't find anything?" A yellow wing slid comfortably around the smaller pegasus's shoulders. "I'm sure Twilight and Luna will be able to help. I know it is daunting. But have faith. I'm sure you will be able to fly. I was a late bloomer too. Trust me, it will be worth it when you finally are able to fly... free." A smile tugged at Scootaloo's lips. "Thanks. Hey... Fluttershy?" "Yes?" "Would you mind carrying me up there... take us to a cloud so we can watch the rest of the sun set?" Scootaloo asked, her right forehoof held high, indicating the clouds high above the meadows nearby. "Why of course." Fluttershy beamed as she stood and led her excited filly down the stairs. Once outside, Fluttershy reared up on her hind legs and scooped Scootaloo up. The orange filly giggled as wind rushed through her coat. They were off. While Fluttershy was by no means fast, the motherly mare's slow and measured pace carried them steadily upward. The orange speedster was held firmly, underslung, in Fluttershy's forelegs. Gleefully little wings buzzed and orange hooves stretched out into the sky. As she closed her eyes and let the warm sun wash over her, Scootaloo could imagine what flying might feel like. ...Just...faster. But that was okay, it was nice to be in the sky with somepony who cared about her. With a light jerk, Scootaloo realized they had landed. Her eyes snapped open and she leapt onto the cloud. Fluttershy settled down beside her happy filly. "You know... it's not often I fly this high." "Why not? It's cool up here..." Scootaloo eyed the view, a delighted grin upon her muzzle. "True. But I like it on the ground with all my animals." Scootaloo sucked in a deep breath and buzzed her wings happily. "Once I'm able to fly... I wanna live up here." Fluttershy smiled. Her gaze wandered across the landscape and came to rest on the filly by her side. Scootaloo glanced up at her foster mother, "Do you think Dash and me could get you to live in her cloud house or something?" "Maybe," Fluttershy replied softly. "We will see..." It was dark. It was late. Yet in the Wonderbolts headquarters somepony remained awake. Alone in one of the barracks bedrooms at the Wonderbolt's complex, Rainbow Dash was trying to settle down alone in bed. Yet no matter which direction the young speedster lay on or rolled over to, she could not seem to get comfortable. Her thoughts kept drifting to Scootaloo and Fluttershy. She hoped her filly had enjoyed her day. Dash's previous excitement over being able to tell Scootaloo who her parents were had been tempered by the current lack of easy sleep. It was concerning to the athlete just how much she found herself missing her lover's presence. After years of sleeping alone, Fluttershy had ruined it for her. The sheets felt cold without the larger mare there to warm them. As the smaller of the two, Rainbow Dash was used to Fluttershy cuddling up behind her. There was no winged hug. No loving sensations. No nighttime snuggles and fun. She was alone. And there was nothing she could do about it now. Dash sighed as rolled onto her back and gazed up at the darkened ceiling. "Maybe I should just fly home tomorrow night... I mean... I can handle an extra hour flying. ...there. Okay, so that might suck. Spitfire works us really hard..." Inpatient to fall asleep, Rainbow Dash tossed and turned till she found herself on her right side. A sigh escaped her. No sleep would be worse. And she did not feel like learning how to sleep alone again. Not that she had realized there was a difference. ...until now. And Scootaloo's parents? Maybe that's why Scooaloo was such a speedy young filly. Dash smiled to herself. Imagine they fixed her pegasus magic or whatever and she learned to fly. It would be super cool... Fluttershy... Scootaloo's parents... Soarin... How did those two hide it for so long? How could they not visit? Dumb back! Get warm already! A growl of annoyance escaped the speedster. And where was that winged blanket?! The mostly asleep pegasus shot up in bed. Dash groaned. The morning would suck. Dumb brain was trying to go wandering... With a defeated sigh, Rainbow Dash lay back down and closed her eyes and tried desperately to not think. She promised herself that she would hurry home after the coming day's practice and deal with the consequences later. Maybe her long flight over here could even count as warm up? Friday afternoon. Last day of school for the week. Three fillies burst out the school gates moments after the bell rang. Big Mac chuckled to himself as his little sister tacked his foreleg in a hug. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hurried to the stallion, both quick to greet him. "Can we go play in the tree house?" Apple Bloom asked hopefully. "Long as you make time for your chores after." Big Mac replied. "Can I do them tomorrow?" The filly asked hopefully. "Nope." "Awww... Not even one of them?" Big Mac shot his sister a dry look. Apple Bloom sighed. "Fine. Come on girls. Better hurry up." As the trio of fillies were about to scurry off, a colt's voice caused Scootaloo to pause. "Hey, Scootaloo. Wanna hang out on Sunday? Maybe try some more gliding?" Rumble cantered up alongside his fellow young pegasus, clearly hopeful. "I got my scan," Scootaloo replied. "I'm booked for ten o'clock." The colt nodded, a hopeful grin spreading across his face. "Well... Good luck with your scan. I hope we can even fly together afterward." Scootaloo perked up. “That would be cool. You know... you could come with me to my scan if you like.” 

 “Me?” 

 Scooaloo nodded. “Yeah, that is... if you wanna come... Fluttershy, Dash and the crusaders will all be there.” 

Rumble perked up. “Sure. I would love to support you.” A moment passed. Sweetie Belle giggled. Rumble’s wings gave a flick as his own words sank in. “I mean-” “I get it...” Chuckled Scootaloo. "See you there?" "Sure." "Alright. Bye Rumble. Girls, let's go!" Scootaloo rushed over to her scooter and boarded it. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom jumped in the trolly behind. With a wave to Big Mac and Rumble, they hurried off. The speeding filly zoomed down the road out of town toward their clubhouse. Speed. The wind in her mane. Her wings beating hard. The joyful cries of her friends as they banked hard around a bend and dodged two ponies. With a hefty bump, the scooter shot into the air. The happy rider held her jump, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness that came with it. The trio hit the ground with a jerk and barreled onward. Scootaloo banked hard around the next bend. The trolly swung out behind her almost pulling her scooter off the road. The trolly caved a light track into the dirt path as the driver powered onward and everything fell back into place. Scootaloo powered onward and the Clubhouse came into view. The elated filly slowed her hectic pace and allowed the scooter to coast to a stop. "Woohoo!" Scootaloo cried as she leapt off her scooter. "That was fun." "I feel like you went extra fast today," Sweetie commented as she carefully clambered down from the trolly. Apple Bloom leapt off the scooter and eyed her grinning pegasus friend. "Yeah. Does this mean you're getting excited now?" Scootaloo nodded briskly. "Yeah. I hope they can fix me. Then I'll be able to fly here even faster!" "What about our ride?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah' don't wanna ride your scooter. And it is kinda fun having a fast ride out here." "Of course I'll still be able to drive my scooter too. I love having you girls with me for the ride." Scootaloo grinned as she placed her helmet on the scooter then rushed into the clubhouse. With the setting sun low in the sky, the quiet home at the edge of the Everfree Forest was lit like a warm beacon. Fluttershy hummed softly as she flittered about the kitchen preparing dinner for two. Scootaloo sat on the sofa in the lounge working on a piece of homework. A sudden flare of colour at the edge of the demure mare's vision caused her to glance up. Somepony was flying over the town. Fast. And what had caught her eye was none other than the characteristic rainbow trail. Fluttershy perked up at the unexpected return of her lover. "Scootaloo. Want to take a break from your homework for a moment?" "Sure! Why?" Fluttershy turned and smiled at her adopted daughter. "Look out the window." With that, she hurried out the front door, ready to greet her mare. The shy pegasus smiled as she heard Scootaloo's excited exclamation. The orange filly made it out the front door in time to witness their speedster's final descent. Rainbow Dash landed heavily at the bottom of the garden path. She was promptly greeted by her family. "Dash! You're back!" Scootloo was quick to hug her hero. "Yeah. You can't get rid of me that easy." Rainbow Dash bragged as she fought to catch her breath. "Is everything okay with the Wonderbolts?" Fluttershy softly asked. The tired speedster nodded. "Of course. I just wanted to come home tonight." "It's a long way." "Not if you're fast like me." Dash bragged. Fluttershy pecked her mare on the cheek. "Well, you look almost ready to fall over. Come inside and rest. I was cooking dinner." "Dinner sounds great, thank you Fluttershy." As the taller mare led the way inside, Dash turned to her filly. "Say Scootaloo. How's school been?" "Okay. It's fun hanging out with the crusaders." "Yeah? Anything else?" "Oh, and I have my scan booked for this Sunday. Ten in the morning." Scootaloo added. "You can count on me to be there." "Thank you Rainbow Dash. You're the best!" "Hey, anything for my filly." Rainbow dash ruffed the orange filly's mane playfully. "Anyway, I think I need a shower. Then we can keep catching up, okay?" "Sure. You look like they made you work really hard today." The speedster chucked. "They sure did..." Rainbow Dash alighted on the wide cloud that ran in front of the Wonderbolt's headquaters. Spitfire swooped down from the sky, pausing her drills to greet the rookie. "You look all warmed up. And just in time for us to finish our own warm up drills. I hope you were able to keep our secret?" “Yeah.” “Good.” With a curt nod, Spitfire turned her attention on the wider group. “Alright you lot, hurry it up! Stretches then I want your asses back in the sky for the first routine.” “Yes Boss,” Soarin smirked as he strode over to stand next to Dash. He gave his wings a stretch. “So... how’s Scootaloo doing?” “She was pretty excited to see me back.” 

“Heh, I bet.” “She’s got a scan coming up this Sunday morning.” “A scan?” Concerned, Soarin cast a questioning look at Dash. “Enough of the chit chat you two.” Spitfire strode up to the pair. Soarin folded his wings and gave his wife a serious look. “Spit. Scoots has some kind of scan on Sunday." “What sort of scan?” Concern sparked across the firey mare’s muzzle. “To see if her pegasus magic isn’t working or whatever and fix it. Hopefully, help her fly. I figured since you both are her birth parents, you might wanna be there for her.” “Scootaloo can’t fly? So it is like the doctors said...” Spitfire sat abruptly, her countenance troubled as her mind drifted back to events years ago. “Wait, doctors said what?” Dash stared at the silent mare before her, clearly expecting some kind of answer. Soarin sighed. “Well, I think they suggested we almost had an earth pony.” “I honestly didn’t believe them.” Spitfire dryly muttered. “Did you... not come looking for her because she can’t fly?” 
Rainbow Dash stared at the firey mare in shock. “I was afraid to find out.” Spitfire admitted. “But we did try to visit her her once.” 

 “You did?” Dash stared back, unconvinced. 

Spitfire nodded. It was at that moment, the firey mare realized she had the attention of the whole Wonderbolts on their little conversation. “Alright everypony back to work. We have routines to practise.” “Spitfire and I will be there.” Soarin gave Dash a little nudged with his wing. “I want to see how big she is and be there for her.” “Thank you, Soarin.” 

“But don’t tell her.” Dash gave her wings a flick, ready for flight. “Of course.” “Alright,” Spitfire leapt into the sky. “Lets go!” 

Rainbow Dash shot off into the sky. She maintained her pace alongside Soarin, ready for a fun day practicing. “Happy birthday beautiful.” 

A heavily pregnant Spitfire awoke to the grinning face of her husband. She groaned, “careful where you aim that.” 

Soarin withdrew, admiring his mare with her messy morning mane and ruffled fur. “Good morning to you too beautiful.” "Yeah. And somepony should have washed his mouth out..." Spitfire rolled onto her side and stretched. The weight in her lower abdomen shifted as the growing foal seemed to awaken too. Soarin scowled as he shoved his own messy mane to one side then wandered to the door. He paused as his wife groaned again. “How many more days till I get this thing out of me?” Quick to turn and admire his wife, a smile slipped out across the lips of the loving husband. “A month? Maybe a little less?” Spitfire shot the grinning stallion a dark look. “Oh yeah. Cause it’s all fun and games for you.” 

 Soarin’s delight faded. “Hey, this is challenging for me too.” “Oh yeah? Then stop grinning like an idiot and help me up.” Soarin hurried back to the bedside and with well practiced movements helped his mare off the bed and onto her hooves. 
“Feels like I got an alive bowling ball in there...” Spitfire muttered as she stood and stretched again. “Well how about we get you to the bathroom and then find some breakfast for the birthday girl and our baby.” “I’m not lame Soarin. Just carrying a foal. Feels so big already. Like... how can it even squeeze out?” A cheeky smirk ripped across Soarin's face and he playfully booped his wife's snout. “Well, I used to fit. Little extra encouragement and our son will come out into the world no problem." Spitfire huffed, "Soarin. Shut up." "Alright. I'll be good. You're the birthday girl after all." Soarin gave his wife a quick nuzzle. He placed a wing over her back as she headed for the door. "How was that?" Silver Zoom asked as he pulled up in front of Spitfire. The birthday girl herself was relaxing on a small cloud, overlooking the temporary course they had set up in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Spitfire eyed the others as they took up positions, hovering nearby. "Good. I want to see what it looks like if you go single file leading up to the grand dive then fan out once half way down." "Alright." The grey stallion nodded. "Let's run the lead in one more time and see if the captain likes it." Soarin darted in for a quick kiss before rejoining his teammates as they flew off again. Spitfire smiled. Her free wing slid down her large foal bump and settled. Content again, her gaze returned to the speeding young pegasi. She watched carefully as they shot high into the sky then dived. As the four pegasi broke single file she could picture herself in the middle of the spreading formation. She smiled. It was good. Like a basic version of one of the Wonderbolt's famous endings. As soon as she was free to fly again, Spitfire knew she would be out there living the action. All the moves were already committed to memory. For now, with her foal at peace, it was oddly nice to lie on a comfy cloud and observe. Four ponies sat around the center table in their shared cloud home. Remnants of a shared dinner lay across the table. A central overhead lamp lit the otherwise evening room in a soft warm glow. Fleetfoot, their fifth member brought a cake over from the kitchen and placed it before Spitfire. On top of the fruity looking cheesecake, eighteen candles burned brightly. "Happy birthday to you," Fleetfoot started the classic song, quickly joined in by Blackout and Firestreak. Soarin joined in the singing too, sneaking a hoof onto her pregnant lower barrel where it rested comfortingly. The couple shared a loving glance before Soarin boldly proclaimed the ending; "You look like my Spitfire and smell like her too!" With that, the cheeky stallion lent in and gave his wife's muzzle a sniff. Fleetfoot and Silver Zoom giggled as the heavily pregnant mare ribbed her husband. "Now quick, blow out your candles." Fleetfoot prompted as she took her place to Spitfire's left. The birthday girl glanced at the stallion on her right before glancing at the two smiling young stallions on the other side of the round table. "Thank you everypony." With that, Spitfire took a deep breath and blew out her candles. The contented mother to be lent back in contemplation as the room fell silent. She held everypony's attention. "You know... if somepony had told me I would spend my eighteenth birthday heavily pregnant, on a cloud house crafted under Soarin's lead... with my husband and three friends here to share the day. I would not have believed them." "Yeah. I don't think any of us saw this coming." Silver Zoom agreed. "But I'm glad to be here with you all." "Agreed. Although we do have trials in just over five weeks. Think you will be up for it?" Blackout spoke up. Spitfire shrugged. "Don't worry about me. As long as you perform well, I'm sure I can brush up on the finer points in time." She accepted a knife from Fleetfoot and cut the first slice off her cake. The sunny mare noticed her husband's eyes on the desert and slid the first offering his way. She then cut herself a larger slice. Wide green eyes followed the slice of cake as she slid her plate into position. Spitfire smiled at her spouse. "What?" "Nothing." Fleetfoot snickered. Spitfire cut and distributed the rest of the cake in peace. Spitfire was about to take her first bite when she was interrupted by a throat clearing. "Here's to our flight leader, Spitfire!" Silver Zoom cheered as he held his plate of cake high. Soarin, Fleetfoot and Blackout joined in the cheering. Spitfire relaxed a took a bite out of her cake. What a truly memorable birthday.