//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Of Loyalty and Love 
// by Pizzema Forte 
//------------------------------//

     White morning light peeked through the blinds and landed on Rainbow’s eyelids. She lifted them slowly and wearily sat up. It was the best night’s sleep she had a long time. Who knew how comfortable sleeping without wings was? Her back rested so easily and sunk into the bed. 
Rainbow sat up straight and stretched with a yawn. Her back cracked as her hooves reached behind her and touched each other. She looked around the room. A dresser was placed directly across from the bed. Next to her was a night stand with a lamp on top. The walls around her were made of clouds. She sighed happily. She was sleeping in the same bed she did when she was a young filly and teenager. She had to admit, sleeping over at her father’s house as a grown mare with her own home was a tad strange, but she loved it anyway. 
The cyan mare crept silently out of her bed. That’s when a familiar smell hit her nostrils and made her mouth water. The smell of sweet, powdered sugar and melty chocolate caked in butter. It was the smell that always made her happy to wake up in the morning as a filly. 
“Chocolate chip pancakes...” She said with a watering mouth. 
Rainbow opened her door and the smell more powerfully hit her again. She took in a large whiff and sighed. She walked down to the kitchen and saw her dad flipping a pancake with a spatula held firmly in his mouth. 
“Mornin’, Daddy!” She greeted him with a smile. 
Rainbolt set the spatula down returned the smile. “Oh, heya Dashie. Hungry?” 
“Oh my gosh, yes. It smells so good!” 
Rainbow felt like a little filly again. Waking to pancakes, sleeping in her old room, and calling her dad, “Daddy”. She loved it. 
Rainbolt grabbed the spatula in his mouth again and scraped under the stubborn pancake before it finally gave in and lifted. He cautiously carried it to a nearby plate and set it down in the center of the plastic saucer. “You have this one. I already ate two.” 
Rainbow gladly took the plate and sat down at the dinner table. The table had three chairs placed at it. She sat at the same one she always had when she was young. Steam rose off of the delectable pancake. Little chocolate chips were buried in batter. She took in another whiff before lowering her head and taking one bite out of the unhealthy breakfast. The warmness of the pancake filled her mouth as she chewed and she let out a long, “mmmmm…” The soft, gooey chocolate chips meted further, turning into deep, sweet liquid. The powdered sugar added a sweet, lightening flavor. She savored the treat more and more with each bite. 
Her dad simply chuckled. “You always loved these as a filly.” 
“I still love ‘em,” Rainbow commented before taking another big bite out of her yummy breakfast.
Her dad finally settled at the table after around five more minutes. He served two more pancakes to his daughter, and sat at the other end of the table with only one. How Rainbow-and even Rainbolt-loved and missed little moments like this. They were closer than bark on a tree when Rainbow was growing up. She never had a mother, so it seemed only natural to tightly bond with her father. After only that short amount of time, all of Rainbow’s regrets of her decision had faded. 
Rainbolt seemed a little awkward at first. He was taking small bites. Rainbow was in too good of a mood to notice. She wasn’t aware anything was wrong until he cleared his throat and spoke to her. 
“Rainbow… I know that you’ve really enjoyed staying with me, and that you’re going through an emotional-and physical I guess- recovery, but I’m not going to let you stay with me forever.” 
Rainbow’s pink eyes looked up at him from her pancake. She lifted her head and wiped her bottom lip of melted butter. 
“I know. You’re a grown stallion, and you need your space. I won’t stay any longer than you want me too. Promise.”
Rainbow criss-crossed an X over her chest. Rainbolt wasn’t reassured. He knew his daughter was honest and sincere, but he was also aware of her habit to get a bit too attached to ponies when she was making an emotional recovery. She hated being alone, and seeing as she had no wings, she would have a hard time getting around. Hell, she may not even be able to live in her own home.
“Two weeks Rainbow. That’s it.” 
The cyan pony took another bite out of her pancake and smiled with a nod. 
Two weeks? She thought. This’ll be a great two weeks! 
Two weeks…? Rainbolt contemplated within his mind. This’ll be the longest two weeks of my life!      

“Ugh!” the wingless pegasus grunted as she rolled around in the bonding sheets of her childhood bed. “Why did Daddy have to go to work today?” 
Rainbow knew she sounded like an immature foal, but then again, almost losing her father and attending his own funeral did make her feel depressed in his absence. Being around him made Rainbow feel as though she was living a miracle.  At this point, though, she was bored. She had nothing to do inside, and she didn’t have her wings to go for a short fly and get her heart pumping. She was aware that there were other ways to work out, but her legs were sort of… weak. She was always up in the air, and although walking and running wasn’t uncomfortable, she couldn’t get half way through a work out with her legs. Her thighs, hooves, and legs would burn and ache within ten minutes. 
Rainbow sat straight up after many failed attempts of trying to nap. The thought of taking a snooze seemed extremely relaxing, but her body simply wanted to stay awake. Last night, her bed felt softer than a cloud. Her body just fell into it and drifted into slumber easily. Now, her mattress felt far too firm and her sheets weren’t as warm and loving. How she ever slept when she was a teenager (or last night, for that matter) was beyond her. She looked around her room trying to think of something to ease her boredom. Her nightstand to the right of her had a lamp and alarm clock set on top of it. Was it still there? She wasn’t sure if her father had moved any of her stuff around after all the years she was gone. Everything seemed untouched looking back on how she left it. She took in a breath and opened the small wooden drawer in the nightstand. The knobs were spherical and wooden, and quite hard to open with only hooves. When the drawer finally slid opened, though, her eyes widened and she gasped. 
“It’s still…here…” 
Rainbow’s eyes locked on a blue journal with large, white horizontal stripes. There was a white ribbon tightly wrapped around it. She would never confess to anypony that she had a diary. She hated reading at the time and didn’t want to be thought of as girly for one moment. Writing, though she hated to admit it, helped her to get out her emotions and write down her deepest and most personal thoughts. Some things she couldn’t tell her dad, but writing them down always cured the need to tell somepony. She didn’t know how she managed to forget the book when she moved out, but she did. Rainbow bit her lip as she wondered for one moment if her father ever took a peak. She purged the thought, though, and decided to have a look herself. She removed the book from its comfy spot in the drawer. Rainbow plopped backwards onto her bed. She flipped opened to random page and read silently to herself. 

 January 5th, 2006. 
Hey, it’s me again. I’m sorry for not writing in you for almost three months. There just hasn’t been much on my mind. Lately, though… I don’t know. I feel like Daddy hates me. He’s always working and he barely ever talks to me anymore, even on the weekends. Last week I got straight A’s and he didn’t even seem to care. It makes me kinda sad, but I don’t tell him that. I know he’s really busy, especially in January. It’s a new year and his boss always works him extra hard. When he’s not at work, he’s at his desk writing. I don’t know what about, but when I ask he always tells me it’s work related. I’m trying not to think about it, though. I remember when I was 12 and he went through the same phase of ignoring me. He eventually apologized and told me how sorry he was and that he loved me. I’m sure it will happen again. I know he loves me, and I know he’s not trying to make me feel bad. I just can’t wait for this whole thing to blow over… Writing in you has made me feel better. Thanks. I’ll talk to you next time. 

“Wow….” 
Rainbow remembered that night vividly now. She had gone up to her dad and asked her if she could spend the weekend at Fluttershy’s. He was sitting at his desk in his room writing something. His response was a series of mumbles, and the only comprehendible words were “I don’t care.” She didn’t know why the words affected her so much, but she immediately went up to her room, closed the door, and wrote down her feelings.  She licked her right hoof and turned to the next page. She silently read this entry, hoping it would bring back more positive memories. 

January 11th, 2006. 
Hey, Journal. Things have definitely been better since I last wrote in you. I told my dad how I felt and he said he was sorry and he never meant to make me feel bad. He promised to make time for me over the weekend. Like always, Daddy kept his promise. He took me to a park. We bumped into my teacher there, and he made a comment about how well I was doing in class. My dad seemed so proud of me, it felt amazing. After that, he took me for ice cream. It was that old shop across the street from Vermillion Gardens. I haven’t been there since I was a little filly, but the ice cream was just as good as I remember! I got strawberry with chocolate chunks and graham cracker crumbles. Man, did it taste great. Dad got just plain old chocolate. He’s doesn’t like trying new things, I guess. We went home later that day and watched a movie. It was a great day. I haven’t felt this close to Daddy in forever. Thanks for helping me through it, Journal. I love you.   

Rainbow felt much happier after reading that entry. Her father really was a great stallion. That was a simple fact she’d know until the day she passed. She hugged her journal and thought of all the wonderful memories her and her father shared. 

The newly born draconequus lifted her head and rubbed her large eyes with a feminine yawn. She stretched out her alligator claw and wolf paw while her entire body curved outward in a stretch. She then stared directly at her creator in wonder. The first words she heard from him were “Hello Strife.” Strife. Was that her name? She felt as though she was meant to be alive, but also was clueless of the world around her. She puckered out her lips and attempted to speak. 
“Lello…. H-Hello.” She rolled her tongue around, trying to get used to producing sounds. 
“Strife…” Discord began. “My sweet, sweet creation.” 
Discord put his talon under Strife’s chin and lifted her head so their eyes met. His lips curled into a smile as he examined her finer details. “You’re beautiful.” 
Strife was still a bit confused, but for some reason, could clearly understand every word the draconequus spoke to her. She looked down and examined the rest of her body. Her body remained an unorganized mish-mash of an alligator, wolf, dolphin, cow, and sheep. Her own body now bewildered her. She looked back up at her fellow draconequus and held out her paw to touch his face. Discord allowed her to, and even placed his head against her paw. She felt his warmth and life through her paw and smiled. 
“I-I’m Strife…” She managed to say almost effortlessly. Her voice was sheepish and feminine. Discord nodded. 
“Yes you are, my dear.” His voice seemed very loving and almost fatherly. “I would know, I did create you, after all.” 
Strife did nothing but stare at Discord. She wasn’t sure what words would describe her feelings. She simply smiled at her creator and reached her paw out to gently rub his face. She wasn’t sure how to express gratitude, but her actions felt natural. Discord calmly, and gently removed the young female’s paw from his face. 
“Listen, Sweety. I’ve brought you to life for a very specific reason. As you may be aware, our race became extinct a very long time ago.” Discord paused for a moment, allowing his product to respond. She comprehended every word clearly, and gave him a slight nod to acknowledge so. “And, being the last draconequus alive, besides you now, I want our race to flourish and once again live on Earth. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? A world where ponies and draconequus can live happily side-by-side?” 
Strife seemed a bit confused. She blinked her large eye-lash boarded eyes and frowned. She didn’t know what a pony was. She didn’t know how she alone could help bring back an entire race. Why had they gone extinct? How was he the last one alive? There were so many questions she wanted to ask but simply couldn’t. Discord took notice to her confusedness and sighed. 
“How about we start off simple? My name is Discord.” He held out his talon and forced her claw into a handshake. “You’re Strife. I created you, and this is your new home.” 
Strife looked around and observed the odd scenery. The wooden shelves on the walls were filled with all sorts of oddities. There was a large bed in the center with murky-colored sheets and several layers of pillows. There was a wooden drawer and nightstand to the left of it. There was a large window with two big, violet curtains masking it, making light struggle to find a way in. 
Strife’s mind was too concentrated on her surroundings to even notice Discord snap his talon a couple feet away from her. With that sudden motion, there was now a large table set in front of Strife. She looked at it puzzled. There was a light pink table cloth across it and a white teapot in the center. With another snap, Discord held a teacup in his talon and presented it to his creation. She sniffed the ivory handle and Discord giggled at her silliness. A third snap brought the teapot to life. Strife gasped and smiled in amazement as the little container hopped over to Discord and poured the contents inside into the small cup. She giggled and reached her paw out to pet the teapot, scratching lovingly under its ‘chin’.
Discord smiled at Strife’s innocence and seemingly light-heartedness. He started to have more visions of his race and how they were. She brought back so many memories of draconequi he’d grown up around. Although he never made friends with other draconequi, he always found beauty in their chaotic nature and the sight of one made him very happy inside. 
Discord set the steamy cup of tea in front of Strife. She stopped showing affection to the now animate object and lowered her head to take in a large whiff. It smelt sweet like honey but also rich. It was a greenish-brownish and filled with herbs. She picked up the small cup and held it to her nose to smell it better. Her gaze then met Discord’s in a puzzled expression. He sighed and picked up an empty cup, held it to his lips and pretended to drink from it. 
“Now, you try. Only actually drink it.” 
With a small moment of hesitation, Strife put the ivory, smooth edge to her lips and tilted the cup. The tea slipped into her mouth and her taste buds danced in the wonderful flavor. Her throat was massaged by the warmness and her eyes closed in deep relaxation. After all the tea was drunk, she set the cup down and smiled. 
She's learning.  Discord thought to himself as a smile formed on his lips.  Soon she’ll know all the basics of living, and then my species will be reborn.