//------------------------------// // Fathers Day // Story: Friendship Shorts! // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// Rainbow glanced out of the corner of her eye, watching as Scootaloo mimicked her while they brushed their teeth, both picking up a cup, gargling the contents and spitting into the sink. The older Skyborn smirked, ruffling her adopted daughters hair. "Ready for the day squirt?" Rainbow asked. Scootaloo opened her mouth to answer, pausing before zipping over to her bag in Twilights room. She dug through it for a moment before pulling out a single red cap, setting it atop her head and grinning "Ready!" she cheered, giving Rainbow a thumbs up. Rainbow chuckled softly, slinging her own bag over her shoulder. It would be just her and Scootaloo today. Twilight had already left for Celamont the day before with Spike. "Alright, lets get going." Rainbow said softly, holding out her hand. Scootaloo smiled as she took Rainbows hand, the two making their way out of the Library and heading down the street. The walk itself was rather uneventful. A few passersby greeted the pair of Skyborn, but not much else was said. Finally their destination was in reach. "This should be the perfect spot" Rainbow mumbled, dropping her bag and digging through it, setting out a large checkered blanket underneath a large tree. Scootaloo was quick to set her bag on one of the corners, setting a basket of food on another corner to keep the blanket pinned. With everything set up, the two took a seat on the blanket and stared out over the hill and out towards Eravil Cemetary. Rainbow heaved a heavy sigh, lifting her eyes to the clouds and letting a smile touch her lips. "You know Squirt...my pop...he never got to feel the wind in his hair...never got to experience what its like to fly. But he greeted every day like a smile..." Rainbow sniffed as tears began to sting her eyes. "H-He's flyin' now though...I bet he's watchin' right now from the clouds, laughing at me for bein' a crybaby." she chuckled. Scootaloo tugged on her arm, Rainbow blinking in surprise when she spotted the girl in tears beside her. "Aw crud, I didn't mean t..." "Are my mom and dad up there too?" Scootaloo interuptted her. Rainbow froze for a moment, pulling Scootaloo into her lap and hugging her tightly. "Yea Squirt...they've been keepin their eyes on you. You know...I wouldn't be surprised if they were here right now, just sitting here with us...I hope they are...then I could thank them for bringing an awesome kid like you into the world." Rainbow grinned. Scootaloo sniffed, burying her face in Rainbows chest as she returned the hug. Rainbow kept a good hold of Scootaloo as she stared up at the clouds. Rainbow clenched her fists as she stood before a pair of headstones. Scootaloo stepped forward, setting a handful of flowers between them. "Hey mom...Hey Dad...I-Its Fathers day ya know. Heh, you never really cared for it though. You always acted like it was my birthday or somethin. I-I got adopted you know." Scootaloo lowered her head, tears stinging her eyes. "E-Even though I-I have a new mom...I-I'm never gonna forget you or mom! B-But...is it okay for me to call her mom? I-I guess I really shoulda asked before calling her that huh? I'm sorry...I know I'm kind of a screw up...b-but Rainbow and Twilight are teaching me a lot of things a-and I even brought up my grades in school. I-I'm sure I would've if you or mom weren't so busy working...geez this isn't how I wanted this to go." Scootaloo sighed, sniffing and clearing her throat. "I just wanted to say...Happy Fathers Day Dad." Scootaloo said softly, spreading out her wings, a stray feather falling from her left wing and brushing against her fathers grave. Scootaloo gasped as a hand rested against her head. For a moment she swore she saw her father, but as quickly as it appeared it was gone. Rainbow smiled and knelt down beside her. "Hey there...My name is Rainbow Dash...and I wanted to ask your permission to watch after your daughter." Rainbow said softly. "I know I can't be the mom you were, or the dad you were...But she's important to me and to a lot of other people. I probably won't ever be the kind of parents you guys were for her...but I'll try my best." She promised, blinking as she felt a hand against her head. For a moment she swore she saw a woman smiling at her. M-Must be the heat... Rainbow thought to herself. Though strangely she felt...happy. Moments later the flowers were blown towards Rainbow, a single red feather and a single green feather sitting within. Scootaloo stared with wide eyes. "Those colors...t-those are my mom an dads!" she gasped. Rainbow grinned, bowing her head. "I swear on my life...I'll take good care of her. And we'll be sure to visit more often." Rainbow promised softly. She stood, holding out her hand for Scootaloo. Together, with the feathers in tow, the two marched out of the cemetary while two figures watched them go. Vinyl took a slow breath, glancing out of the corner of her eye and smiling to herself as Sweetie Belle mimicked her. Rarity sat on the other side of Sweetie Belle, her eyes closed and a trail of tears staining her cheeks. Vinyl turned her attention back to the fire before them and the painting of their father and mother that sat above them. "Hey pops...you'd probably never believe it...but your three little girls are getting along just great. We've had a few bumps...most of them my fault...but..." she glanced at her sisters, both of them smiling up at her. "But we're doing great...we love ya pops..." Vinyl said softly, lighting a candle. Rarity was next, taking a shuddering breath and putting on a smile. "As Vinyl said...we've been off to a rather rocky start. But we've never been closer than we are now. I only wish you could be here with us." She choked for a moment, leaning forward and lighting another candle. "We love you Father..." she whispered. Sweetie Belle stood up and cleared her throat. "D-Dad? I um...I don't really remember you all that well...I kinda remember your moustach a-and the way you and mom would tuck me in at night. Vinyl and Rarity still do that for me, even though I can tuck myself in. Even though I don't remember everything...I remember that you're special to me and to Rarity and to Vinyl and I know that even without all the memories they have...that I love you." she said confidently, standing on her toes to light the last candle. All three flames died out at once, the candle directly before the painting flickering to life for a moment before dying out. "Happy fathers day pops...see ya next year..." Vinyl smiled. "Whats up Twily? You've been acting kinda weird all day." Shining chuckled, leaning back on the couch in a simple sleeveless blue t-shirt with matching jeans. It had been a miracle that he had been given today of all days off. Cadence and Twilight Velvet worked together in the kitchen to prepare lunch for everyone. Twilight of course had been told to relax, which was code for 'stay out of the kitchen'. Spike sat nearby with Twilights father, Night Light, exchanging jokes. Twilight however had been lost in thought ever since leaving Eravil. "Huh? Oh um, sorry. I just...I don't know..." she sighed. "I know that face." Night Light chuckled, adjusting his glasses and relighting his pipe. "Something big is on your mind, isn't it?" he asked. Twilight chewed her lip for a moment before nodding. "I-I know I'm supposed to be here celebrating Fathers Day with you but..." "But you want to be with your loved ones on a day that reminds them of what they've lost. Right?" Night Light asked softly. Twilight froze, hanging her head. "Sorry...Today is suppose to be about you and here I am being selfish..." Twilight sighed, clenching her fists. "That's not selfish at all Twily." Shining Armor scoffed. She blinked and glanced over at him. "You're worried about people you care about. It doesn't matter what day it is. Though uh, it's a bit late to be there." He chuckled. "I know...I'm sure Rainbow and Scootaloo are fine. A-And Rainbow did tell me I should come here today anyway...I just still feel like I should've been there for both of them." she sighed. She blinked as her father grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him and hugging her gently. "Theres always next year, or tomorrow, and the next day, and every day after that Twilight. You don't have to worry about little old me. Today is just a day that I am reminded that I'm the proud father of three amazing people." he grinned, glancing at Spike. "Yes, I'm counting you Spike. You might not be my own flesh and blood, but I still see you as my son." Night Light said with a smile. He gasped as Spike joined the hug, quickly followed by Shining Armor, the group laughing as they fell over. Cadence smiled to herself as she watched them from the kitchen, before ducking back in to help Velvet finish making lunch. "Crops are doin' well this year. Oh, an Applejack an Applebloom are doin' well too. That girl o' yers finally got the courage t' tell the truth. Things ain't been th' same since, but that ain't really a bad thing." Big macintosh chuckled. The gentle giant sat atop a hill where two gravestones sat. Before him sat his mother and father, both sharing a laugh. "Ah'm keepin' my eye on em o' course. But..." "Don't strain yourself boy. You're one man, can't be doing everything by yourself" his father argued. His mother nodded agreement. "Jus' cause ya got my strength don't mean ya can go 'round knockin' all yer problems 'round at once. Applejack's a smart gal, she can take care o' herself. Ya'll need t' be thinkin' more 'bout settlin' down than worryin' 'bout her" she beamed. Macintosh sighed, resting his hands on his knees. "Oh don't patronize the boy. He'll find someone one day. Just let him do what he does best. Making us proud" his father said with a smile. The two faded away as Applejack and Applebloom made the climb up the hill. Macintosh wiped away a small tear as Applejack sat beside him, Applebloom sitting in her lap. Applejack reached over, grabbing Big Macintosh's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Ma an Pa are doin' well. Ma still thinks ah oughta settle down an pa is still proud as ever o' all o' us." he said softly. Applejack smiled, laying her head on his shoulder and humming a soft tune their parents once sang for them. Applebloom watched the graves of her grandparents silently, the wind sweeping around them as the sun began to droop down in the distance. "Happy fathers day Grandpa..." Applebloom said softly. I know its late but damnit its been a long day. I hoped you all enjoyed today with your family!