The party ran in full swing the entire night. Ponies partied hard. Mostly the children, but that wasn't anything new. It was a children's party after all. But soon, all things came to an end, and that included the party. Everypony went home, all tired and ready to sleep. The same could be said for two participators in particular. They trotted a few steps ahead before taking to the air and flying high in the sky. They came to a rest right at the doorstep of a a certain home in the clouds. To anypony who saw it, they knew it was the home of Rainbow Dash. The fastest in pony in Equestria and friend to Princess Twilight. But not just her, no, somepony else in particular.
Make that somegriffon.
“We'll talk about this later young man.” Rainbow Dash said as she strode into the house. “Now I want you to get yourself ready for bed.” Rainbow Dash spoke in a parental tone. A tone she often didn't speak in. Least not until several years ago. Back when her life changed. For the better if one asked her.
At her side was a young griffon. A mixture of golden brown and white, with a bang of feathers hanging down his head. The young griffon averted his golden eyed gaze from the mare. The mare who was his mother.
“Whatever.” the young griffon scoffed.
With a huff, he padded over to the nearby sofa and plopped himself down, front legs crossed in a pouty fashion.
“Don't you talk to me like that Gale Force Wind!” Rainbow Dash chastised.
Young Gale still didn't move from his spot, arms still crossed and face drawn in a pout. “Hmmph!”
“Gale I'm going to give you to the count of 10 to change your tune and get back into bed.” Rainbow Dash ordained. “1.”
Still no movement.
“2.”
“3.”
“4.”
Arms crossed hard, never moving an inch.
“5.”
“6.”
“7.”
“8.”
“9.”
Time stood still, mother and son both stubborn as mules. The trait wasn't inherited due to a lack of bloodline, but it was still radiated. Years of Rainbow Dash's tutelage instilled some certain personality traits within the young griffon. Traits he wasn't one to shake off so easily. But he wasn't that solid. Not yet.
“I'm sorry.” Gale muttered.
Rainbow Dash was about to reach 10 when that one act stopped her. “What?”
Unfurling his arms, Gale dropped them lifelessly upon the sofa. “I'm sorry Mommy. I really am.”
Rainbow Dash's firm face melted away and became a face of pure sympathy. Right away, she could tell that something was upsetting her child. He had shown the same sentiments at the party, right after he had been found. Walking over, Rainbow Dash seated herself upon the sofa.
“Gale honey, what's the matter?” she asked.
Gale looked at his talons, claws outstretched as he stared himself down. The differences he had denied so fervently. Not now, not after what he had learned.
“I heard you talking with Aunt Rarity.” Gale said at last.
“Talking? About what?”
Gale let out a sigh. “That I was adopted.”
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. “Oh.......that......”
Gale stared up at her, his golden eyes shiny and wet. “Why didn't you tell me?”
Rubbing the back of her head, Rainbow Dash explained. “Well uh.....I kind of thought you knew?”
“What?” Gale said in disbelief.
“I mean yeah, it was kind of obvious.” Rainbow Dash admitted, rather bluntly at that.
Gale looked down at himself, feeling a might foolish for not seeing it sooner. “Yeah. I guess so.” he said blankly.
They both fell silent for a few moments. Then at last one of them found the urge to speak.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner kiddo.” Rainbow Dash apologized.
Gale looked back up at his mother, eyes still shiny but no longer streaming with tears. “What was my real mom like?”
“Your real mom?” Rainbow Dash repeated.
Gale nodded.
Rainbow Dash let out a breath, “Your real mom huh.” She thought for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe Gilda. “Well your mom, well she was fast like you, she as confident like you, and she was strong.” Those were some of her more positive traits. The pegasus couldn't deny that.
“Really?” Gale piped up.
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yep. But really I think Gilda was afraid. Afraid of what people thought of her.” Rainbow Dash remembered the ill fated party, when her friend lashed out at others and showed what was hidden underneath her exterior. “But I think really what your mom wanted, was for you to be safe. So she gave you to somepony she knew would raise you right.”
Gale smiled as he listened well to what his mother said.
“Trust me kid. You're the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you.” Rainbow Dash grabbed hold of Gale in a tight hug.
Without a second thought, Gale answered that hug with his own. “I love you too Mom.”
“Always can and always will!” Rainbow Dash beamed.
“Always can and always will!” Gale repeated.
“Whose the best son in the whole world!?” Rainbow Dash half asked, half boasted.
“I am!” Gale responded.
“Whose the best mother in the world!?” Gale chorused, also half asking, half boasting.
“I am!” Rainbow Dash responded.
Mother and son both cheered one and together. And then bumping their heads together, they rubbed the spots and high fived one another. And then finished up with another hug.
“Don't ever scare me like that again alright?” Rainbow Dash beckoned.
“Alright.” Gale responded.
Landing upon the cloud based ground, Gale and Rainbow Dash went off to prepare Gale for bed. First the bath, then his teeth, and then lastly, snuggling into bed. She read him a story that night, Daring Doo, his favorite, and her's. It was one of the many things they held in common. One couldn't deny they were mother and son.
And it was mother and son who soon slumbered peacefully together. Just like it was meant to be. And that was just another day on Ponyville. Another parent and child duo. And they held a love that couldn't be broken. For she was his Mommy Dash, and he was her little Gale.