A Day With Dad

by MyOpinionIsSuperior


Dear Princess Celestia

Princess Celestia turned to blow her lamp out for the night. As she drew breath, a knock on her door ceased the air and turned her head. Her horn sparked with magic, taking on its signature yellow aura. The door opened gently, revealing a tired, but happy cyan pegasus. Rainbow Dash pulled two envelopes from her saddlebags, allowing Celestia to take them with her magic.

“Sorry for being so late, Princess. I grabbed a bite to eat and…” she scratched the back of her head as she flashed a guilty smile. “I guess I sort’ve lost track of time. Hehehe…”

“That’s quite all right, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia replied courteously. “I’m in the mood for a good late night reading. Did your son enjoy his day as much as you had hoped?”

“That and more! Though I do wish Soarin’ had picked a different story for ‘story time’. One with less…” She flushed, spitting out the last word. “Hormones.”

Celestia fought back laughter, struggling to maintain a composed look.

“Oh! Well, you were the first mare in a long time to feel the full effects of pregnancy. It’s a good example that overdependence on unicorn magic can rob us of the miracles of nature.” She paused, giving Dash a coy smile.

“Or that excessive lying makes everypony involved miserable.” She waved a forehoof. “Go on, get a good night’s rest, you’ve earned it. I do hope to see you again soon. I’ve missed my Elements of Harmony quite dearly, but I’m so glad to see you all with happy homes of your own.”

Rainbow Dash bowed before taking her leave, allowing the Princess to unseal both envelopes and reveal the scrolls contained. She turned her gaze to the one closest to her, the beautiful penmanship drawing her attention.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned a lot about my Dad. I mean a lot a lot. I learned just how cool he can be in his own way, even if he’s a big goof sometimes. Or all the time. But it doesn’t matter. He’s a really good flier, a better teacher, and he’s even better at storytelling than Auntie Pinkie Pie! I guess what I learned today is that sometimes we don’t think some ponies can impress us at all, but when you give them a chance they can be better than whatever you wished they really were like.

I also learned that I can talk to my Mom and Dad about anything. Like how I miss them a lot cuz I don’t get to see them for most of the day. Or how I wait at home for them cuz nopony at school wants to me friends with me.

Celestia frowned at the information. She made a mental note to bring up the topic later and continued reading.

But it’s okay, cuz sometimes they get to stay at home with me, or pick me up when I sneak off to Ponyville.

Wanna know something? But you have to Pinkie Promise that you won’t tell. I had fun not being cool today. I had a lot of fun not being cool today. And you wanna know something else? I don’t think I wanna grow up fast anymore. I’m gonna listen to my Daddy and give hugs and kisses when I want to and cry when I feel like it. Well, maybe not in public. Ponies still gotta think I’m cool, even if I like not being cool sometimes. Or a lot of times. Whatever.

Rainbow Blitz

Celestia smiled and placed her hoof over her heart, making two slash motions before resting it on her eye. She placed the other scroll on top and began reading.

Dear Princess Celestia

Today I learned a lot about fatherhood. I don’t think I was ready for it when it began five years ago, but I guess nopony really is. A child isn’t something you can just feed, send to school, and come back to at Six O’ Clock and expect everything to be okay. A child needs to know he’s loved, and it isn’t always easy to tell when he’s suffering. Rainbow Blitz waits at home for FIVE HOURS while we’re at work, staying at home, and I never knew.

Celestia gaped in muted shock, but continued reading.

I never asked. I must be the worst father in the world to never even ask what he did for all that time. I just assumed asking how his day was and receiving “good” as an answer would be enough, just as I assumed he’d be really popular at school because of us.

Boy, was I wrong. They all hate him, just because they’re jealous of his heritage. Can you believe that? They won’t even give him a chance because his parents are celebrities. I’d like to request an amendment to the Wonderbolts code that requires complete seclusion during our practices. I want to bring Rainbow Blitz to work, or rather I’d like for him to come to our practices after he’s done with school. I don’t want him to be alone anymore, and if the kids in his class won’t make friends with him, then I just hope we can be there for him, even when we’re busy at work.

I also learned that not all problems can be bribed away. Sometimes the best, and only thing we can do to comfort our children is show them true love and affection. Everypony needs to feel loved, children especially. I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a father, but I can’t beat myself up over the past. Nopony is perfect, and there are plenty of ponies that are worse fathers than me. There are also plenty of ponies that are better fathers than me. All I can do is try and make Rainbow Blitz happy, and the only way to do that is to focus on the present. Thank you for your time, and with all due respect, I hope to hear a response to my request for an amendment.

Your faithful subject,

Soarin’

Celestia smiled lovingly at the letters, tucking them away with the friendship reports from past years that she had grown fond of rereading. Pulling out a blank scroll with her yellow magic, the ancient alicorn began scribing official decrees. She chuckled at her writing.

“Spitfire’s going to throw a fit, but I do know that little colt will love watching them fly.”



The End?


Next Time...

Soarin’ broke into a cold sweat and looked at his wife, paranoid that she overheard their son.

“What do you want?” he whispered back.

“Longer flight lessons,” Blitz murmured. He tapped his chin in contemplation. “And mini-golf. My friends said it was fun.”

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“I was born ready,” Rainbow Blitz barked. “Now let’s quit yakkin’ and start snackin’!”

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“In a second, Mom,” a gruff voice responded. “I’m casting a spell that hypnotizes these snakes into thinking they’re rabbits. Hehehe, you should see the looks on their faces when they see each other, hahahaha.”

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“Surprise isn’t a girl,” Capricorn grumbled. “She’s a demon in filly skin.”

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She walked up to him and got dangerously close, her eyes half-lidded in determination.

"Well hellooooo there, mah delicious zap apple cutie. Did ya'll come all this distance just to visit me?"

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A Day With Friends