//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Fluttershy's Foal? // by Autum Breeze //------------------------------// Chapter 7 ___________________________________________________________ Twilight rolled over, unable to sleep as she felt the floor shaking as the train went down the tracks. She just couldn’t sleep. Something seemed... different. The morning she’d woken up in Applejack’s house, she’d found Fluttershy and Applejack had come back whilst she’d been sleeping and had gone to sleep laying next to her and Apple Bloom. When the adults and Apple Bloom had woken up, Twilight and her mother had joined her new cousins for breakfast (Twilight had cursed that she still couldn’t eat solid foods beyond foal food), where Fluttershy had revealed that the two of them were going to go to Appleloosa for a week. When Twilight had questioned this spontaneous decision (one she’d not been informed about until this moment), Fluttershy had gotten a sad look in her eyes for a second, so fast, Twilight could’ve mistaken it even being there, before she gave a small smile and told her that she thought Twilight should just spend some more time with Braeburn, since he was her father. Something told Twilight Fluttershy wasn’t telling the whole truth. She wasn’t lying, but there was something she was hiding. Twilight had then, for a split second, wondered how she’d known this, before she remembered that she was now a member of the Apple Family by blood, meaning she had the same instinct they all seemed to have for detecting lies or mistruths, something she’d asked AJ about a while ago, back in the other reality. So, here she was, riding a train bound for Appleloosa, to spend a week with her father, who she was still struggling to think of as that without feeling a little weird. She looked up and tried as best she could to see outside the window, which she could just see from her fold-out crib. True, she could’ve flown up to check, but somehow Fluttershy always knew when she did get out of her crib, whether back in Ponyville or the few times she’d tried during the train ride. Twilight just chalked it up to mother stuff, like Twilight Velvet had always seemed to have and Fluttershy’s slightly better hearing after the whole Vampire Fruit Bats/Flutterbat incident. From what she could see of the window from her vantage point, the night sky was very beautiful tonight. Luna had outdone herself. Twilight sighed, laying back down and closing her eyes. She still didn’t feel sleepy, but she knew she couldn’t go looking around the train to pass the time. Somehow, even though she was an alicorn and could easily use her magic to do what she wanted to anyway, Fluttershy was able to stop her by just saying Twilight’s name sternly, which made Twilight suddenly feel guilty and she’d do as told by her mother. “Aw! This is boring!” an agitated voice whispered. Twilight blinked. She knew that voice. “Scootawoo?” she asked, getting up and putting her hooves against the bars of her crib. “Huh? What was that noise...? Oh! Hey, Twilight!” the orange Pegasus said, leaning down from her bunk and waving to the foal princess. Twilight cocked an eyebrow. What was Scootaloo doing on a train bound for Appleloosa? The filly glanced around, then jumped off her bunk, buzzing her wings. She didn’t fly, not that that surprised Twilight, but her wings slowed her decent enough that she landed without a sound on the carpet. Twilight watched as she tiphoofed over, stopping in front of the crib. “Bet you’re wondering why I’m here?” she asked, a small smirk on her muzzle. Twilight nodded. This really was confusing. She knew school holidays had started, so Scootaloo didn’t need to be home for school in the too near future, but what was she doing on the same train to Appleloosa that she and Fluttershy were on? Scootaloo giggled. “It’s cause my dad’s a Royal Guard and he wanted me to come with him.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, cocking her head. That didn’t sound right. Scootaloo chuckled at her response. “I’ll explain. See, it was the last day of school and my dad came in. I hadn’t seen him in ages. He told me he’d finally been able to return after his latest mission for the princess.” She sighed. “But, just this morning he got told he had another mission.” She brightened. “But, when he learned it was simply guarding you while you’re in Appleloosa, he told me I could come with him.” Twilight blinked. Now that she thought about it, she had seen several Royal Guards on the train. She’d just assumed they were there to watch over the train for any suspicious characters, but, now that she thought about it, the idea that they were here to watch over her made a lot more sense. She was just a foal, after all. Though, that begged the question of just which of the Royal Guards was Scootaloo’s father. Scootaloo smiled, seeming amused by Twilight’s expression as she tried to remember which guards could have been the filly’s father. “He’s the Pegasus currently standing outside the sleeping cart,” she waved a hoof at the door at the end of the rows of beds. “He’s the guard with a white coat, red mane and blue tail. Oh, and his eyes were light-blue.” Twilight frowned, thinking through the guards. She had seen one who matched that description. Never would she have thought he was Scoots’ father. Though, that brought up another question, one Twilight was surprised she’d never thought of asking her back when she’d been an adult and not Fluttershy’s daughter, not to mention able to actually ask it directly to the filly. Where was Scoots’ mother? Scootaloo smiled sadly. “Bet you’re wondering about my mom, huh?” Twilight nodded and Scootaloo sighed, sitting down in front of the crib. “She died... giving birth to me. I never got to know her. My dad’s told me about her, but I never got a chance to meet her myself.” Twilight’s ears drooped and she looked down. Scootaloo had never known her mother? That was horrible. That must have been so hard for a filly her age to know. Now she felt guilty for how she’d complained at first when Fluttershy had become her mother. Sure, she didn’t have her original parents anymore, but she still had a mother and father. Scootaloo only had her father and it seemed they didn’t get to see each other too often. She felt a hoof on her head and looked up to see Scootaloo, giving her a small smile. “Hey. Don’t feel guilty that you got both your mom and your dad. I’m okay with things the way they are.” Twilight gaped. How...? How had she known she was feeling guilty? That shouldn’t be possible! Scootaloo winked. “I’ve seen that look enough times to know it when I see it.” Twilight frowned. She had a sneaking suspicion that Scootaloo was not simply talking about other fillies and colts. Now that she thought about it, she’d seen her and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle with guilty looks after that whole incident during their Twilight Time... which never happened now. Sometimes it was really depressing, thinking about all the things that had never happened because of her being Fluttershy's foal. A moan that sounded very familiar came from another of the beds. “Squirt... it’s late. I’m tryin’a...” there was a yawn, before the sound of snoring came. Twilight blinked. Why was Rainbow Dash on the train too? Scootaloo, after she gave the explination about her dad being a Royal Guard and her joining him, she could understand. But Rainbow Dash? That didn’t make any sense at all. Scootaloo shook her head. “Don’t quite know why, but ever since that meeting she had with your mom and her friends, she’s been more clingy to me than I ever was to her.” She grinned. “Not that I mind. She decided to come along and hang out with me. This is great!” Dash’s moan could be heard again. “Scoots!” Scootaloo blushed, her ears drooping. “Uh, think I’ll go to bed. Sleep well, Twilight.” She walked back over to where Twilight had seen her come down from, climbed the ladder, got under her blankets and went to sleep. Twilight sat in her crib, going over what Scootaloo had just said. Rainbow had become clingy to the filly after the meeting Fluttershy had with Applejack and the others. Come to think of it, Fluttershy hadn’t suggested this trip until after that either and she was sure Braeburn didn’t know anything about this. some of the guards had actually been annoyed she’d made such a spontaneous decision, since it meant some of them had to come along to guard the foal princess, when they’d have rather stayed in Ponyville for some downtime. Rarity and Applejack had been similar. Applejack had said she wanted to spend more time with her family and Rarity had said she was going to take Sweetie on vacation to Manehatten so they could do some sisterly bonding. Pinkie hadn’t seemed too different, though, considering Pinkie, you couldn’t expect anything. There was no telling what was going on in that pony’s head. She counted each of them off, not noticing she’d used her magic to make a checklist and quill appear, the latter starting to tick a box next to each of her friends as she counted off. All her friends and her now mother had been acting odd ever since that meeting. What could it have been about? Nothing had seemed wrong until Fluttershy told her about this trip. After that, things had changed. Twilight didn’t notice that, as she busied herself, she was getting tired, until she flopped forward, her checklist and quill dropping to the floor and she was sound asleep. ___________________________________________________________ The train doors opened and Fluttershy stepped out, Twilight in the foal carrier, Scootaloo standing by her, Dash on Scoots’ right, her dad on her left. They all looked around at the western-like town that was Appleloosa. There were cowponies walking around, chatting, transporting goods, fillies and colts running around. Fluttershy smiled. This was a good idea. This town seemed a lot quieter than the last time she and her friends had all come. “There ya do, Sheriff,” a familiar voice said from not too far off. All the ponies turned to see Braeburn hooving over several colts, teenagers, just barely stallions to the pony Fluttershy recognized as Sheriff Silver Star. The two colts had wooden stocks on the forehooves, keeping them from running off. “Nice job, Braeburn,” Silver Star said, tilting his hat. “Myabe ya’ll be the sheriff after Ah retire in a few more years.” Braeburn looked away, smiling sheepishly. “Ya think so?” The sheriff nodded. “Yer a mighty fine stallion, Braeburn. Strong, honest and a believer in justice. Now, if’n ya’ll will excuse me, I got some colts to teach the rules of the law.” With that, he walked over, the two colts grumbling as they followed in his hoofsteps. Braeburn sighed, turned and saw the ponies looking his way. He gaped. “Fluttershy? What’re ya’ll doin’ here?” Fluttershy smiled and walked over to the sire of her daughter. “I thought Twilight should spend some more time with you, so we’re staying in Appleloosa for the week.” Braeburn’s eyes went wide, then brightened. “Really? Ya’ll came to stay fer the week? Ah get ta spend seven whole days with mah li’le Twily? ” Fluttershy nodded. “I’ll be staying too, but I want you to spend a lot of time with her.” While you and her can. Braeburn was so happy he didn’t notice the sadness in Fluttershy’s eyes. He leaned down and nuzzled Twilight. She bopped him a few times playfully, finding she couldn’t help herself. Braeburn showed the ponies to his farm. His farm house and barn were pretty big, almost twice the size as Applejack’s. Though, Fluttershy and Twilight supposed that made sense, since Appleloosa was still a relatively new town and needed more stoke and supplies for everypony. Braeburn led them inside, where Fluttershy was surprised to see little Strong Heart sitting at the kitchen table, serving what looked like an apple-themed lunch. Well, little wasn’t really the right word for her now. Since their last visit, she’d grown a lot and looked like a young buffalo mare, ready to start her own family. Braeburn explained that she’d been called little back when they’d met her because she hadn’t had her growth spurt. She was actually the age for buffalo females to start looking for suitors. Fluttershy didn’t need telling that she’d already found her suitor. The look she gave Braeburn when he came in was evidence of that. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak. “Yo, Strong Heart. How ya been?” “Hello, Rainbow Dash. Very well, thank you. And how have you been?” the buffalo asked as she set the plates down and then took notice of Fluttershy, Twilight, Scootlaoo and Scootaloo’s father. “And Fluttershy and... I’m not sure who you two are.” Scootaloo’s father stepped forward. “I’m Speed Strike. I am here to guard Princess Twilight Sparkle during her stay.” Braeburn raised an eyebrow. “Are ya’ll saying mah daughter would be in danger?” Speed shook his head, smiling warmly. “Not really. It’s just protocol. In truth, I’m using this as a chance to spend more time with my own daughter.” He indicated to Scootaloo. “And I’m here to spend more time with the squirt too,” Dash said, ruffling the filly’s mane. “Well, I didn’t think we’d be having company, but we’ve some spare rooms upstairs that you can stay in,” Strong Heart smiled, coming over and nuzzling Twilight. Now, Twilight had expected it from Braeburn, but Strong Heart? She was so shocked, her foalish nature briefly took control to aid her and she gurgled and cooed like the foal she was. Fluttershy giggled and, as Strong Heart led them upstairs to show them to their rooms, she whispered, “Somepony’s really getting into the spirit of things, isn’t she?” This snapped Twilight back to reality and she glared at Fluttershy. “I cou’d’na hewp it,” she pouted, folding her forehooves. “I did’na espect Stwong Heawt to do dat too. I bwanked and my foaw mind took owew fow a widdle.” Fluttershy gave a small smirk. “Okay, Twilight. Whatever you say.” Fluttershy’s room was modest. Small and homey, much like Applejack’s room, back at Sweet Apple Acres. One thing Twilight noticed though was there was a crib. Fluttershy turned to Strong Heart and smiled. “This is very nice. Thank you.” Strong Heart smiled back. “Well, we always have these rooms vacant, just in case we get surprise visitors.” Fluttershy looked down. “Sorry about that. It’s just... I think it’s really important that Twilight spends more time with him.” Strong Heart held up a hoof. “No need to explain, Fluttershy. And no need to apologise, either. Brae’s always happy to have Twilight over.” “Eeyep.” Fluttershy jumped as Braeburn walked in, chuckling. His impression of Big Macintosh’s voice had been perfect. “Always happy to have friends over. Also, Ah know she loves readin’, despite her still bein’ a foal, so here’re some—” “Books!” Twilight cried, her eyes lighting like stars. By Braeburn’s hooves were a stack of books. And not just any books. They looked like family history books. Technically half of them were photo albums, but those were like history books, in a sense. Scootaloo, Speed Strike, Strong Heart and Braeburn stared at Twilight, their eyes wide. “What?” Twilight squeaked, shying away a little, covering her face with her wings. “She... She spoke,” Braeburn said, sounding breathless. Fluttershy’s eyes went wide. “You understood that?” “We all did!” Scootaloo said, punching the air with a hoof. “Twilight just said her first word.” Rainbow Dash snickered. “Typical Twilight. Shoulda guessed that’d be her first word, with all the books she reads.” Braeburn looked like he might cry, pride etched on his face. “Mah little girl just said her first word.” Fluttershy smiled as she realized what had happened. Though she could still understand everything Twilight said, even if it was foalish talking, everypony else had just heard her say her first word that all could understand. Twilight blushed. “My fiwst word? Weally? “Books” was my fiwst word? I wike books, but come on. Books?” Fluttershy giggled and nuzzled her, which she returned, feeling warm and happy. Fluttershy looked to Braeburn and smiled. “So, are you ready for some daddy-daughter time?” Braeburn nodded. Fluttershy took off the foal carrier and helped him put it on. It was technically designed for pegasi, with holes for the wings, but it still fit Braeburn and it wasn’t like the holes would be a problem for him. As he nuzzled Twilight, Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth and coughed a few times. “Fluttershy, are you okay?” Scootaloo asked, looking concerned. Fluttershy gave a slightly strained smile. “Oh, I’m fine, Scootaloo. It was just a tickle. But thank you for asking.” Twilight glanced at Fluttershy. She'd had a few “tickles” on the train too. It had been one of the reasons she hadn’t been able to sleep until after her one-sided chat with Scootaloo. She’d heard her coughing a few times and had wondered if something was wrong. Hearing her cough again, she felt slightly worried. Was Fluttershy catching something? These questions would have to wait for later though, as Braeburn started heading down the stairs, taking her away from the Pegasus. She decided to put her worries aside for now. She was curious about what Braeburn was going to show her. He would have her all day, after all, which left a fare amount of time to see a lot, even though it was almost noon already.