Main Characters: TWP, Fluttershy, Surprise, Twilight, Del,
Cameos: Rei, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Daring Do
Original Start Date: October 26, 2012
Fluttershy happily flits about her yard caring for her animals. She leaves a small pile of seeds for a family of jays. She spreads feed for her chickens and divides stacks of flowers for the grazers. The pegasus even drops off a couple fish for the ferrets living in the nearby stream. Her tasks complete, she heads back to her cottage for a break.
When Fluttershy gets to the cottage door, she immediately senses something is not right. She slowly pokes her head in and looks around.
‘Hello? Is somepony there?’
The cottage is completely empty, and everything is exactly where it should be. The nervous pegasus breathes a sigh of relief and steps forward.
‘SURPRISE!’
Fluttershy screams in terror as a white form drops in front of her.
‘Rei, you know better than to...’ Fluttershy yells before she fully examines the pony in front of her. While the other pony is a white pegasus, she has a curly blonde mane instead of the expected blue mane. The scared pegasus curls into a ball and squeaks, ‘Mother!’
Surprise smiles at her daughter. ‘Been a while since I got you.’ She extends a hoof to help Fluttershy up. Her daughter shrinks away. ‘I don’t have a joy buzzer... this time,’ she sighs.
Fluttershy nervously takes the assistance and stands. ‘Wh-wha-what are you doing here?’
Surprise sighs and trots around the cottage, taking everything in. ‘The team has some downtime, as you might have seen by the trainer you asked for, and I felt that if Spitfire can visit Ponyville at my daughter’s request, then I could spend some time with my lovely daughter as well.’
‘Well, um, I really appreciate you coming and I don’t mind you visiting, but a little warning would have been nice.’
Surprise lifts a vase and puts it down before she sticks her head under the sofa.
‘Uh, can I help you find something?’ Fluttershy asks.
‘Just looking where you are hiding him.’
‘Hiding who? Angel Bunny?’
‘No, silly. Your husband. Where is he?’
‘My...’ Fluttershy realizes the last time she talked with her mother about her personal life. ‘Oh, no.’
The ability to outfly a Wonderbolt is an ability countless pegasi dream about and only a hoofful can develop. Some are born with the talent. Some practice for years to perfect their flying. Fluttershy just needs the right motivation, like a baby bird falling from a tree or her mother coming to visit and thinking she is still in a fake marriage that had been broken up months ago.
While the citizens of Ponyville tries to figure out what the hypersonic yellow and pink streak shooting from the edge of town to the middle of the nerd district is, Fluttershy seals herself and James in the stallion’s office in The Power Block. Fluttershy forces the desk to barricade the door before turning to face her friend.
‘Uh... Have you been drinking Inkie’s science experiments again?’ The Nervous Physicist asks.
‘This is no time for jokes!’ Fluttershy shrieks. ‘My mother is in town.’
‘Cool. I’ll tell Rei. She can thank her personally for the physical therapist.’
‘Yes, she can, but more importantly, she, uh...’
Fluttershy squeaks and hides behind her mane.
‘Confidence, Fluttershy. You know you can tell me anything.’
‘Um, well, uh, she...’
‘She what?’
‘Shethinkswe’restillmarried!’
‘Uh, once more with more breathing and whitespace.’
Fluttershy takes a few deep breaths to calm herself before breathing deep. ‘So, you know how I came clean with all of my friends and the town about how I was just pretending to be hurt in order to finally get some quality time with you, and how that ended up causing a bit of a rift between me and Pinkie which I am not quite sure is completely healed? Well, there was one other pony I told about us because I thought it would finally shut her the buck up and get her off my back for once in my bucking life, and that was my mother. But since coming clean, I haven’t been feeling as brave as I did when we were together so I was scared about telling her the truth and may have failed to mention that I was single again when I asked for her help getting a trainer for Rei. Now she is here and thinks we are still married and I am more terrified now than if we were facing a changeling Discord made of dragons and possesed by Nightmare Moon, and I think I just peed on your floor.’
James stares at the hyperventilating pegasus in shock. He goes over and comforts Fluttershy after checking the ground thoroughly.
‘Don’t worry. The floor is completely dry. Let’s just find your mother and explain everything to her.’
‘NO!’ Fluttershy shrieks, the outburst becoming the loudest thing she has said in her life. ‘She is so demanding and controlling and doesn't understand me at all, and she will be very angry at me if she finds out I have been lying to her all this time. Do you know how long it took her to stop nagging me about actually going on a date and having my first kiss? From junior flight camp to last year, after I met you!’ She starts pacing. ‘But now she thinks I am married, and we are living together, and I have a daughter...’ She stops and grabs James. ‘James! Take me!’
‘I think that is what most ponies think we are doing.’
‘Not like that! (Though thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it if I calm down enough.) I mean take me away in your TARDIS. Let’s escape to another planet or galaxy for a few years. By then, I’ll have calmed down enough to face my mother.’
James sighs and kisses Fluttershy on the forehead. ‘We’ll face her together. I’ll give you the courage to say what you need to say. Okay?’
Fluttershy looks down and squeaks, ‘Okay.’
The two ponies remove the barricades blocking the door and step out into the store. They are immediately confronted by Surprise.
‘Is this him? Is this him?’ Surprise asks. ‘Oh! He is so cute! He is so big and strong! What is your name?’
James stares at Surprise in shock. ‘Uh, hi. I am The Wander...’
‘Nice to meet you, Mr Wanderer!’ Surprise grabs James’ hoof and starts shaking it violently. ‘How is Fluttershy treating you? How are you treating her? I bet she has a lot of pent-up energies, if you know what I mean.’
Fluttershy faints at her mother’s public statement.
‘Uh, actually, um...’
‘You can just call me Surprise. Oh! I heard you had a kid. Can I meet her? Where is my lovely granddaughter? Well, not really my granddaughter, but I am sure you and Fluttershy are working on that, right?’
If Fluttershy could faint again, she would. James turns slightly and looks across the street to Neighponese Imports. Surprise looks too and sees Rei. The older pegasus dashes across the street to meet the new faces. James lifts Fluttershy to his back. She is laughing nervously.
‘M-m-moth... M-m-meet J-Ja-Jam...’ the broken pegasus stutters.
James sighs. ‘Let’s get some help while she is distracted...’
James carries Fluttershy to the residence and out of the public spotlight. Lucas cannot help but laugh seeing his boss so flustered.
Twilight glares at Fluttershy while James tries helping the pegasus regain her composure.
‘You didn’t tell your mother?’ the irritated alicorn growls.
‘I-i-i-it sort of slipped my mind,’ Fluttershy stammers.
‘Don’t be so harsh on her,’ James huffs. ‘She had to deal with Rei breaking down, telling all of you, the fight with Pinkie and Rei running away just that first day. It is understandable that she wouldn’t want to face another big source of guilt.’
‘I can understand that,’ Twilight sighs, ‘but she is your mother. She has to know. Do you want me to talk with her?’
‘Talk with who?’ a voice asks from the stairs.
Everypony looks over to see Surprise and Rei trotting into the home.
‘Isn’t obaa-san the greatest!’ Rei cheers.
‘You don’t have to call me that,’ Surprise laughs. ‘Rei is a great kid. You raised her well, Mr Wanderer.’
‘Thank you,’ James replies. ‘I did get some help from my friends, though.’
‘I am sure Fluttershy is a great mother. She has all of the best mothering instincts.’
‘Thank you, mother,’ Fluttershy squeaks.
Surprise looks around the home. ‘So, is this where you live during weekdays or something? Or does it belong to your friend here?’
‘Actually...’ Twilight begins.
‘It is my place,’ James interrupts. ‘Fluttershy stays at her cottage with her animals.’
‘Oh, makes sense. You don’t want her to keep you up all night, if you know what I mean,’ Surprise laughs.
Fluttershy squeaks and hides.
‘Actually...’ Twilight growls.
‘Your housekeeper seems to have a problem with butting in,’ Surprise snorts.
‘I am not their housekeeper!’
Surprise and Twilight growl at each other.
‘You look familiar. Are you related to Twilight Velvet?’ Surprise asks.
‘She is my mother,’ Twilight snorts. ‘Why?’
‘I thought I recognized a bit of her in you. You can always tell a know-it-all buttinsky when you see one.’
‘Well! I was trying to help my friends with a problem, but I don’t want to butt in.’
Twilight pushes her way past Surprise and stomps down the stairs. James gallops after her.
‘Twilight, I’m sorry. I know Fluttershy is too.’
‘I am not upset with either of you. I am...’ Twilight snorts. ‘You are going to tell her, right?’
‘You know we both want this cleared up as soon as possible.’
‘Good. I would hate for something bad to happen like last time.’
Twilight heads out the back of the shop.
‘Wait. Twilight!’ James calls.
‘Yes?’
‘Can you watch Del for me for a bit? I have a feeling things are going to get a little strange until everything is worked out.’
‘You know I have your back.’
‘Good, because she should be home from school any minute now.’
Twilight groans and heads back to the shop. ‘You were just looking for a way to get me to come back and kiss you, weren’t you?’
‘No, but that is an added bonus.’
Twilight sighs and gives James a quick kiss before heading back through the shop to intercept the arriving filly.
Twilight leads Del into the library. The filly steps in and looks around, sniffing.
‘Make yourself at home,’ Twilight offers. ‘Spike will be in Canterlot on business for the next few days, so you can drop your disguise if you want to.’
‘Del is fine,’ she replies as she climbs the center table to sniff the pony sculpture.
‘Do you want a snack or something before starting your homework?’ Twilight looks over as soon as Del licks the carving. ‘Or you can just do that.’
‘Sorry. Del was curious.’ She looks around. ‘When is everypony else getting here?’
‘Oh, right. James tutors Apple Bloom. I tutor Scootaloo twice a week, but tonight is not one of those nights.’
‘Oh. Okay. Del understands.’
Del starts getting out her books and paper. Twilight trots over.
‘Do you want any help or a snack? How about at least a drink?’
‘Del would like a drink. Thank you.’
Twilight sighs as she leaves Del to her work and to get them some snacks.
Fluttershy trots up the stairs to James’ home. She finds the stallion waiting up for her with a warm cup of tea.
‘Thank you,’ Fluttershy sighs as she sips the tea. ‘Mmm. You know just how to make it.’
‘It hasn’t been too long since you had to rush out to feed your animals in the middle of the night,’ James replies. He laughs. ‘Or since you had Rei do it for you.’
The tired pegasus nods. ‘And how are things here? How did my mother react?’
‘I don’t know if you noticed, but you can’t get a word in edgewise with her.’
Fluttershy scowls. ‘I’ve noticed. I’ve noticed for over twenty years.’
‘Every time I tried bringing it up, she would change the topic or get distracted by something.’
‘Where is she now?’
‘She’s in bed. Rei was showing off some of the stuff she learned from Luna...’
‘Thus explaining the light show I saw from my cottage.’
‘And the two of them are pretty worn out.’
‘Great. Those two could create the disaster of the century. Give me Discord again any day,’ Fluttershy grumbles and finishes her tea.
‘I think Rei just likes having somepony to show off for. You know how she is.’
The sleepy pegasus yawns and nods. ‘Do you have a room for me too or am I sleeping with my mother or Rei?’
‘You can stay in any room you like.’
‘Any room, you say?’ Fluttershy grins craftily and heads toward the first bedroom, pausing only to run her tail across its owner’s snout. ‘I think I am ready to take you up on your offer from earlier now.’
James whimpers, briefly considers how his frie... Fluttershy waves her tail again, and James immediately follows her to the bedroom.
Twilight Sparkle wakes in the middle of the night after hearing a strange sound at her bedroom door. She goes to investigate, finding Del scratching at the door. The young changeling has dropped her disguise and is looking around nervously.
‘Del? Are you okay?’
‘Del can’t sleep.’
‘Do you want to stay with me?’ Twilight offers.
Del quickly nods and jumps on the bed. Twilight laughs and climbs back in. The mare is careful as she comforts the changeling before finding Del’s chitin to be less abrasive than she thought. Del whimpers a bit and curls in small ball.
‘Do you want to tell me what is wrong?’
Del shakes her head.
Twilight sighs. ‘It is okay.’ She laughs. ‘You know. I haven’t had a night like this since I started taking care of Spike. He couldn’t sleep in his bed, and he’d end up curled next to me and sucking his tail all night.’
Del whines again. ‘Does Wanderer pony not want Del anymore?’
‘What? No.’
‘Then why doesn’t he want me anymore!’
Twilight hugs Del tight. ‘I told you already. There is a bit of a confusion in his family right now and it is easier for you if you stayed with me. Once everything with Fluttershy and Surprise is worked out you will be right back at home.’
‘I don’t have a home,’ the changeling snorts.
‘Yes, you do.’
‘No, I don’t. Del’s real family was killed. Del’s queen sent her away. Pony queen sent her away. Now, Wanderer pony is sending her away. Nopony wants Del.’
‘I want Del. Sweetie Belle and her friends want Del. Rei wants Del. And, Mr Wanderer wants Del. Everything will be okay. Little bumps like these happen.’
‘Sparkly promises everything will be okay?’
‘Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.’
Del laughs. ‘Del likes Sparkly Twilight.’ She looks up and licks Twilight’s face.
The princess laughs. ‘I like you too, Del. Now, get some sleep.’
Del licks Twilight again before settling down. Twilight sighs and cuddles with her guest.
Surprise follows her daughter around the fields and forests surrounding Ponyville as Fluttershy goes about her daily chores. The constant yawning from the older mare is getting on the younger one’s nerves. To make matters worse, Fluttershy recognizes a familiar cerulean form waiting for her as she trots to her next destination.
‘Good afternoon, Rainbow Dash,’ Fluttershy greets warmly. ‘How can I help you?’
‘Yeah, everypony is talking about the weird yellow and pink blur yesterday,’ Rainbow Dash says. ‘I was wondering if you knew anything about it, your yellow and pinkness.’
Fluttershy laughs nervously. ‘I might know a little.’
‘Dang. These legs aren’t as strong as they used to be,’ Surprise groans as she catches up. ‘Either that or somepony is trotting faster than she needs to.’
‘I wonder why,’ the daughter grumbles.
‘OH! MY! CELESTIA!’ Rainbow Dash gasps. ‘You’re...’
‘SURPRISE!’ the older mare shouts, throwing confetti everywhere.
Fluttershy screams and starts cleaning up the mess before any animals can choke and die.
‘Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh!’ Dash squeals. ‘First Spitfire comes to visit. Now, you. What did I do to deserve this?’
‘Well, I am here for my daughter,’ Surprise replies. ‘Just felt like a family visit.’
Rainbow Dash grabs her friend. ‘Your mother is Surprise! Why didn’t you ever tell me this!’
‘Uh, surprise?’ Fluttershy laughs nervously.
‘Wait a moment. I know you.’ Surprises trots around Rainbow Dash, examining her. ‘You’re Rainbow Dash, right? Yeah. I am literally surprised now. I would have thought you would have made Wonderbolt by now. What gives?’
Dash laughs sheepishly. ‘Well, uh, when you get the wild idea to hook up with Spitfire and Soarin’ at the same time, don’t ignore Soarin’ during and tell him you’ve had better after. He doesn’t really like that.’
Fluttershy groans and shakes her head.
‘Yeah. Soarin’ can be a bit touchy,’ Surprise agrees. ‘Just bring him a pie or twelve and he’ll forgive you. Oh! Just don’t throw them at him. He doesn’t like that either.’
‘Awesome. Awesome to the max.’ Dash pokes Fluttershy. ‘Seriously. Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Yeah. I thought you would want to brag that you have the coolest mother in the world.’
Fluttershy glares and snorts, ‘I would if I did.’
Surprise groans. ‘Oh, here we go. You’re in another of your moods, where you pretend to be grumpy or shy or scared of flying or some other cry for attention.’
‘A mood? Just a mood?!’ Fluttershy locks The Stare on her mother. ‘If you actually paid attention to somepony else for once in your life, you would know we don’t just have “moods” that go against your simple, little attention-hogging spotlight! If you were half the mother you claim to be, you would know that I HATE flying. You would know that I HATE forcing social interaction. You would know that I HATE surprises!’
Surprise steps back. ‘Where is this coming from?’
‘Where! Where! You have to ask where! It is all your fault! You’re the one that was always scaring me as a child. You were the one the forced me to enter flight school early and to go to flight camp. You were the one always forcing me to go to dances and parties and other events when it was clear that I was terrified of new ponies! You never listened to me!’
‘I hope you don’t talk to your daughter this way...’
Fluttershy pushes her mother to the ground. ‘I am a good mother for Rei! You want to know how I know?’ She stands over her mother and leans in close. ‘Because I do exactly the opposite of what you did with me.’
Surprise stares up at Fluttershy, sobbing.
Fluttershy snorts and turns away. ‘If only everypony could see the real Surprise for what she is. Just a pathetic child crying out for attention. I never wanted the attention. It was you.’
The furious pegasus stomps away, returning to her chores. Surprise takes a moment to compose herself before taking Rainbow Dash’s help to stand up.
‘I have never seen her that way...’ Surprise says, trembling.
‘Just be glad your head didn’t explode. I’ve seen it happen.’ Dash replies.
‘What?’
Dash scrunches her face and looks away. ‘Nothing.’
Surprise shakes her head. ‘Is it her husband? But he seems so mellow.’
‘Wait. She is back with Jimmy again?’ Dash asks. Surprise nods her head. ‘If she is back with Jimmy, consider yourself lucky you only got that much. I’ve seen her give a lot worse to ponies she likes a lot more.’
‘I just never knew she felt that way about me.’
Dash shrugs. ‘You just have to know how to read her. She has ways of reacting that most ponies don’t pick up on unless they know her really well.’
‘But... I’m her mother...’
Dash shrugs again. ‘Don’t know what to tell ya. Hey, drinks on me?’
Surprise shakes her head. ‘No. There are some things I need to work out.’
The upset pegasus spreads her wings and takes off. Dash watches Surprise leave before looking in the direction Fluttershy left and chasing after her friend.
Twilight and Del trot through Ponyville after school. The small pegasus rubs against her caretaker as they travel. The alicorn stops in front of Sugarcube Corner and shows her charge in. The pegasus immediately presses her face on the display case and drools.
‘Hi, Twilight! Hi, Del!’ Pinkie greets from the counter. ‘How can I help you?’
‘Hi, Pinkie,’ Twilight replies. ‘We’re just getting a treat since Del was such a good girl at school today.’
‘That is super to hear. Why are you with her and not James?’
Twilight snorts and looks away. ‘Because somepony else is in my way.’
‘Does this have to do with Fluttershy’s mom being in town?’
‘Yeah,’ Twilight huffs. ‘Surprise still thinks that James and Fluttershy are married, so I am taking care of Del until everything works out.’
Pinkie growls. ‘She is telling mean, hurty lies again...’
‘I don’t think so. Both of them seemed really determined to set the record straight, Fluttershy more than James. He could just be the confidence boost she needs to come clean.’
‘She better. I don’t like ponies telling big meany lies like that. Especially my friends.’
‘We know, Pinkie. You have nothing to worry about. Now, Del. Did you find a treat?’ Twilight looks around. ‘Del?’
Twilight and Pinkie look around the store, but Del is nowhere to be found. A crash comes from the kitchen. The two ponies find Del sitting in the middle of several trays of half-eaten baked goods with a pastry froster in her mouth.
Pinkie looks at Twilight. ‘What was that about her being good today?’
Surprise lands at the edge of the Nerd District. She looks towards The Power Block and sighs. The distraught pegasus heads to Neighponese Imports.
‘Ohayo, obaa-san!’ Rei greets.
Surprise winces. ‘Please don’t call me that.’
‘Everything okay?’ Rei goes around the counter and gives Surprise a nuzzle.
‘It is all right... Can I talk to you about Fluttershy for a moment?’
‘Sure. Come on back.’
Rei shows Surprise to the back, taking a moment to stop at the counter.
‘We’re sorry for this,’ Rei tells the customers. ‘Um, we’ll be closed until I get back. Please don't steal. I know where you live.’
Before they can exit, Daring cuts off the two pegasi as she heads into the store. Surprise stops and gasps.
‘Are you..?’
Daring winks. ‘I’ll sign anywhere, but I’m a kisser.’
Surprise’s wings pop up. ‘I’m married and have a child!’
‘Hasn’t stopped me before.’
Surprise squeaks and quickly follows Rei to the back. Daring laughs and heads to work.
After finishing her homework and an early dinner, Del has been allowed to watch some television for the evening. Instead of really watching, the young changeling is in her normal state, licking her wings. Twilight enters her entertainment room and gives Del a queer look.
‘What in the wide world of Equestria are you doing?’ the confused alicorn asks.
‘Del is keeping her wings clean. The dust builds up every few days. See.’
The changeling opens her mouth, revealing a completely brown and grey tongue.
‘I’ve never seen, nor have I done, preening like that. Why don’t you just take a bath?’
‘Del does not like baths.’
‘Not even bubble baths?’
Del perks up. ‘Full Moon has been teaching Del about the fun of bubbly baths.’
‘Good, because I have one ready for you.’
An inpony shriek, being very inpony in nature given the changeling source, echos in the neighborhood around the library as Twilight uses her magic to lift Del. The host carries the screaming changeling to the washroom and drops her in a warm bubble bath. Del glares at Twilight from behind her matted hair. The alicorn trots over, levitating a hairbrush.
‘See? Doesn’t that feel much... WHA!’
Twilight screams as Del quickly reaches from the tub and pulls her in too. The soaking princess rises from the water and glares at the smirking changeling. She smirks and splashes Del, leading to a full-blown water fight.
Across town, a tense dinner is taking place above The Power Block. Fluttershy and Surprise glare at each other across the table. James and Rei nervously watch their guests.
‘So, uh, Rei, how was school?’ James asks, trying to break the tension.
‘It was fine,’ the young mare replies. ‘Lyra brought in Colgate and taught us about good oral hygiene today.’
James facehoofs. ‘Geez. She knows who your parents are already thanks to Octavia. I can’t believe she swabbed your mouth anyway.’
‘Actually, Lyra cackled when it was Stormy’s turn, not mine.’
‘Ah. Targeting the son of the billionaire. Very subtle.’ James takes a bite of his meal. ‘How did you check out?’
Rei frowns and looks away. ‘Colgate said I was due for another cleaning.’
‘So soon!? She just examined you a few weeks ago.’ James groans. ‘I’ll schedule cleanings for you and Del. Maybe then you’ll start taking better care of your teeth.’
‘He’s right, Rei,’ Fluttershy agrees. ‘We have talked about this before.’
‘I thought you didn’t approve of a parent talking with her child,’ Surprise grumbles.
‘Well, mother, the difference between us and Rei and you and me is that Rei is actually allowed to respond, and we actually listen to her and weigh her opinion. We don’t just tell her what to think then leave to do air shows for a week.’
‘Do you think I like always doing air shows?’ Surprise stands and starts pacing. ‘We have a member who is blind as a bat pony. One who has a pathological obsession with baked goods. One who has had so many floozies and fangirls that I swear he is out to collect every STI in Equestria. And a captain who spends more time posing from swimsuit magazines and Playcolt than she does training.’ She stops. ‘And then I get here and meet the most likely new member of the team and I find she is just some air-brained fangirl who is in a weird love triangle with two of my teammates.’ She turns to Fluttershy. ‘Why do you think I got you into all of those fancy flight schools and flight camps? I wanted you to join the team so that we would have a good member. One who could replace me and make me feel proud. I just wanted what is best for you.’
‘No, you were trying to make me live exactly how you wanted me to. You never give me a chance to express myself.’
‘Well, you seem to express yourself just fine now!’
Fluttershy stands and stomps the table. ‘Maybe that is because I have friends and family that will listen to me now,’ She snorts. ‘Maybe that is because I have friends and family for the first time in my life.’
‘You have a family! I am your mother!’
‘You are just the pony who gave birth to me. I have a real family now.’
‘How dare you! If your father were here...’
‘He would agree with everything you say because you don’t let him have any independent thoughts of his own!’
‘Your father and I just happen to be in sync with our thinking. We get along marvelously.’
‘You know that he is only still with you because you would take him to the cleaners in the divorce.’
Surprise swings a hoof and hits Fluttershy in the face. The younger pegasus stumbles back, sporting a black eye. She stares at her mother in shock, tears streaming down her face. Surprise freezes with her hoof extended, her whole body trembling.
‘Fluttershy, I...’
‘GO AWAY! I HATE YOU!’ Fluttershy screams. ‘I never want to see you as long as I live!’
Fluttershy gallops from the building as fast as she can. Surprise looks around in shock. She quickly gallops to her guest room. After a moment of silence, James gets up and hugs his crying daughter.
‘Rei, would you feel safer if you stayed with Inkie or Daring tonight?’
The upset young mare nods.
‘Okay. And if you don’t feel like going to school tomorrow, send me a message and I’ll call you in sick.’
Rei nods again.
James gives his daughter a kiss on the forehead and gets one on the cheek in return. ‘You can go now. I have to talk with mommy.’
The family gets up from the table. Rei gallops to Inkie’s apartment as fast as she can. James trots to the living room, looks towards the guest room, slips his mobile into a holster and puts in an earpiece then gallops after Fluttershy.
James trots up to Fluttershy’s cottage. Her sobbing can be heard from outside. He gently taps on the door and a heavily-armed rabbit answers. Angel takes one look at the guest before pointing him towards the sobbing pegasus. James trots to the couch where Fluttershy lays and strokes her back.
‘Fluttershy... I brought some of your family here to see you.’
‘No!’ Fluttershy screams. ‘I don’t want to see her! I hate her!’
‘No, Fluttershy.’ James lifts her head up to face his. ‘I said “your family”.’
James turns the crying pegasus towards the door as Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle enter.
Surprise comes out of the guest room wearing a saddlebag. She turns toward the entryway but stops when she sees James standing in the path.
‘Sorry. I am just going to...’ Surprise starts.
‘Surprise. We need to talk.’
The pegasus shakes her head. ‘No. I am just going to leave and stay out of my daughter’s life. It is for the best.’
‘I think think you misunderstood me.’ James goes to the panel by the TARDIS and presses a few buttons. A force field appears around Surprise. ‘We are going to talk. You are going to listen.’
Surprise tries shouting, but no sound escapes the force field. She snorts and sits down. James looks back and steps out of the way as Fluttershy steps forward. The timid pegasus has an ice pack strapped over her eye. The rest of Fluttershy’s friends stand in the entryway. Surprise cringes and reaches for her daughter but is stopped by the force field. Fluttershy still flinches and backs away, out of reach.
‘Hello, mother,’ Fluttershy says, looking away so her mane covers her sore eye. ‘I... am sorry for some of the things I said earlier. Some of the things...’ She looks up. ‘But you just never stopped to listen! You never took the time to see what I wanted. What I really cared about. You spent my entire foalhood startling and scaring me. I was terrified of meeting new ponies because you pushed me into school early. I still am scared of meeting new ponies and surprises. You just kept pushing me and pushing me. Yes, you did send me to the best flight schools, but it should have been obvious that I am a weak flier. All of the other students laughed and picked on me, except for Rainbow Dash.’ She shakes her head. ‘And while she isn’t the brightest pony all the time, she is definitely not an airhead. She is one of the bravest and most loyal ponies ever. She was my only friend until I fell down here and met Rarity and then Pinkie and all the others. I thought you would have been happy that I found friends and got my cutie mark at the same time...’ She kicks the floor. ‘I like animals okay! I like them more than I like flying. I am sorry if I never lived up to what you were pushing me towards, but I had to become what was best for me, not what was best for you! I came down to live on the ground so I could live my life how I wanted to, not as your pretty little doll that you would walk out in front of guests, but as my own self. It has been solitary, yes. I have gotten lonely and depressed at times. But I never felt abandoned since I had my animals and my friends. I know that I am not the best daughter or everything you expected me to be, but I am who I am and you have to accept that. Please, mother.’
Fluttershy looks up with tears in her eyes. Surprise wipes away tears of her own and places a hoof on the force field. Fluttershy trots over and puts her hoof up as well.
‘Oh. And one last thing while I have you in there,’ Fluttershy says. ‘I am not really married to James. I got greedy and pretended that I was months ago just because I was too shy to make any other move. I couldn’t tell you when I stopped pretending since it had made you so happy. It felt like the only thing you had ever been proud of me for...’
Surprise nods and says something.
‘What?’
James lowers the force field.
‘I said “I know”,’ Surprise repeats. She looks at Twilight. ‘I told you I knew Twilight Velvet. She told me long ago.’
‘She did!’
Surprise nods. ‘But you just seemed so happy when you were together. I wanted to keep hearing you sound happy. When I came... I just wanted to see how happy you were with him. I didn’t mean to bring up so many negative emotions.’
Fluttershy whimpers and looks away. Surprise brushes Fluttershy’s mane away from her face and lifts the ice pack.
‘And if you or anypony thinks that I haven’t been proud of you since the day you were born, then they are the real airheads.’ Surprise leans in and kisses her daughter’s forehead. ‘I am sorry, Fluttershy. I am sorry I haven’t been the best parent. I know it is twenty-four years too late to ask, but can I be your mother?’
Fluttershy starts crying again and hugs her mother. Surprise returns the hug. In the entryway, Pinkie and Rarity sob, empathizing with their friend. Rainbow Dash goes to them and the three cry together. Twilight and Applejack lean against James, the three of them also shedding happy tears. Surprise breaks the hug and leans in to kiss her daughter’s head again but stops.
‘Since when did you get so tall?’
‘I’ve been taller than you for the past ten years, mother.’
‘Just another area you are better than your silly mother.’
Surprise laughs and hugs Fluttershy again.
A few days later. Surprise extended her stay to spend time finally getting to know her daughter and the real life she lives in Ponyville. The family was able to rebuild itself well enough to fit their new roles. Though they are unrelated, Surprise accepted Fluttershy’s Ponyville family as part of her own. She bonded especially well with Rei.
Fluttershy and her friends gather by her cottage to see Surprise off. Rainbow Dash grins as Surprise signs a poster, adding to the younger pegasus’ Wonderbolt autograph collection. The older pegasus puts her pen with her newly autographed Daring Do collection. Surprise smiles at the ponies gathered before her.
Fluttershy smiles and steps forward. ‘I am sorry if we didn’t have as much fun as you expected.’
‘We had more than enough,’ Surprise replies, hugging her daughter. ‘See you for Hearth’s Warming?’
‘I promise.’
‘Great.’ Surprise kicks off and starts hovering above the ground. ‘See everypony around! Be excellent to each other!’
Surprise waves one last time before flying off. The other ponies wave and start heading back to their homes. Fluttershy heads back toward town with her friends. She breathes a sigh of relief.
‘I am glad that is over. I was starting to get tired of playing the good daughter again.’ She bumps Rei a bit. ‘I don’t know how you keep it up so well.’
‘Years of practice,’ the younger pegasus laughs. She flies off to find her friends before her dad can complain.
‘I’m relieved too,’ Twilight sighs. ‘Keeping up with Del is tough. She is like a bottomless pit when it comes to food.’ She looks at James. ‘How do you keep up with her eating habits?’
‘Years of practice,’ the stallion groans.
The friends laugh at the joke.
‘Actually, there is one thing that still bothers me,’ Twilight says. She looks at Fluttershy. ‘After you confessed to your mother, how come you two didn’t go back to staying at your cottage?’
Fluttershy giggles.
‘Seriously, why did you have to stay with James still?’
‘When you are older and smarter, you’ll understand,’ the pegasus giggles.
Twilight stops, confused. ‘What? Fluttershy?’
Fluttershy leans against James. They laugh together.
‘James?’
Fluttershy looks back and sticks her tongue out. ‘That is Mrs Wanderer, if you don’t mind.’
Twilight growls and gives chase as her friends run away, laughing.