Parental Glideance
Out in the park on a clear day, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle helped Scootaloo out with an insane plan. While the earth pony and pegasus fillies pushed a band connected to two posts with the unicorn filly pulling back with her magic, they moved the makeshift slingshot over to a stake in the ground several yards back. It was aimed at a wooden ramp, aimed at the city of Cloudsdale, which was close to Ponyville at the time with it being able to move about every so often with the cloudy structure moved by the wind.
"Scootaloo...is this...such a good idea?" Apple Bloom asked, grunting in exertion as the trio pushed the tightening band.
"What are you talking about? This is the best idea I've ever had!" Scootaloo insisted.
"It's just-" Apple Bloom tried to say, but the pegasus interrupted her.
"You wanna come with," Scootaloo said. "But we talked about this; non-pegasus ponies fall through the clouds."
They finally got the band to go over the stake, held taut for Scootaloo's ingenious idea. "Ah know ya have to go to Cloudsdale to finish your report. I'm just wonderin' if this is the best way to get there," Apple Bloom said with great concern.
Scootaloo pushed her scooter up to the end of the slingshot, putting on her helmet in preparation for takeoff and her saddlebag with her supplies for her project. "It'll be fine. How else could I get there?"
"A pegasus chariot?" Apple Bloom suggested.
"A flock of birds?" Sweetie Belle added.
"A hot-air balloon?" Apple Bloom said.
Sweetie Belle looked out and spotted Sora walking with Donald and Goofy, approaching their position as the trio talked. "Or you could have asked Sora," she said, pointing her hoof in their direction.
The other two fillies looked down the road, Scootaloo wincing, knowing she was going to get in a lot of trouble. It was too late to back out when Sora yelped in shock, quickly running over to them when he saw the dangerous ramp and slingshot ready to propel her off into the sky.
"Girls, what are you three doing!?" Sora exclaimed, Donald and Goofy hurrying after him. "I swear, you three have to come up with something this crazy to seriously hurt yourselves! And you already have cutie marks!"
"I'm not pulling off a stunt," Scootaloo said truthfully. "We have a school report we're doing, and I wanted to get to Cloudsdale to get more research."
Sora, Donald, and Goofy looked at the ramp, the makeshift slingshot, and the pegasus filly crazy enough to get shot off up said ramp. "Uhh, wouldn't it be easier to just fly up there?" Goofy asked, his question making Scootaloo's ears droop as she looked down at her wings.
"She's still learning how to fly, Goofy," Sora said, not wanting to put Scootaloo down more than she already feels about her lack of flight. He sighed, staring at Scootaloo in disappointment. "Why didn't you just ask me to fly you up there? I would have said yes."
"I didn't think about that until now," Scootaloo said dejectedly.
"Well, think about the consequences before planning something that could severely hurt you," Sora scolded, the filly nodding her head shamefully. He sighed again, turning around and walked over to the ramp. No one noticed the tension on the stake wavering as the band began to slip, Scootaloo sitting on her scooter and Sora in her trajectory while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stood behind the stake, knowing they were going to get an earful from him for helping Scootaloo. "Donald, Goofy, help me take down this ramp. And before I actually help Scootaloo get to Cloudsdale to help her with her report, I'm gonna have a few choice words with her par-"
The band had slipped, swiftly launching Scootaloo, who let out a yell in surprise, Sora turning around in time to get rammed in the chest by the flung scooter as the duo were launched up the ramp. "Sora!" Donald and Goofy exclaimed, shocking them and the other two fillies from the sling's slip.
Sora had the wind knocked out of him as the two soared up to the cloud city, Scootaloo forgetting her punishment as she whooped, flying through the air and ignoring the look of agony on the stallion's face. Their fun was over when they smacked into the bottom of the cloud platform, both their heads sticking out of the cloudy surface, Scootaloo's eyes rolling in her head while Sora coughed heavily, struggling to get oxygen back into his lungs.
"Nailed it," Scootaloo uttered deliriously.
"More like...nailed me," Sora corrected, grunting in pain as he felt the scooter firmly planted into his chest. His ears perked up when he heard someone coming toward them, turning to only see a push mower stop dangerously close to his face. "Whoa! Hey! Not the face! I'm not grass!...Or overly grown cloud!...Whatever grows on a cloud!"
"Are you two alright?" the stallion behind the push mower asked, Sora barely able to see his face with the sun's light shining in his eyes.
Scootaloo shook out of her daze, staring up at the stallion, only to gasp in astonishment. Sora managed to pull himself up, getting a better look himself. His coat was a pale, light grayish blue, but what struck him odd was the unique rainbow mane and tail Sora knew Rainbow Dash had, short and spiked in a mohawk, his tail almost resembling a lightning bolt. He was clearly a pegasus, obviously being a resident of Cloudsdale, wearing a green polo, his cutie mark a rainbow coming out of a cloud with a horseshoe in front of it, and he sported a five o'clock shadow.
"You're...you're...you're...RAINBOW DASH'S DAD!!!!!" Scootaloo cheered excitedly, practically popping out of the ground, hovering in the air with her wings buzzing before landing on the ground and trotted in place like an overly hyped fan meeting their favorite celebrity.
"Wait, seriously!?" Sora exclaimed in shock. It should have been obvious from the rainbow hair and blue coat, but he didn't expect to meet Rainbow's father completely out of the blue. "No way, she's not exaggerating, is she?"
"Nope, it's true," he said. "Bow Hothoof at your service, kid." Bow reached his hoof out to shake Sora's hand, but Scootaloo quickly grabbed and shook his hoof rapidly, all while letting out an ear-piercing, fanfilly scream in glee, startling both stallions. Bow looked at Sora awkwardly, the tan stallion only shrugging his shoulders with a sheepish giggle, finding it just as awkward. Bow finally took his hoof away, Scootaloo now shaking the air, all while still screaming. "Is your little sister feeling ok!?"
"She's not really my sister!" Sora said, needing to shout over Scootaloo's delighted screaming.
From the cloud home nearby, a mare walked out, wondering what all the screaming was all about. When Sora looked at the front entrance, his jaw dropped at the sight of the mare, who almost looked like she could be Rainbow's twin sister. She had the same coat as the prismatic mare he was friends with, only her hair was a short light scarlet and orange color, freckles on her cheeks, wearing a yellow long-sleeved shirt, and her cutie mark was a cloud blowing a gust of wind.
"What's going on out here?" the mare asked. Scootaloo heard her, ceasing her crazed screaming to look at her, only to practically shriek while spinning around, forcing the other three pegasi within her high-pitched, ear-blasting scream to cover their ears with the tips of their primary feathers on their wings. "Heavens to Celestia, what is wrong with her!?"
"Are you Rainbow Dash's mom!?" Sora yelled, the mare nodding her head in response. "Then you just made it a whole lot worse!"
Scootaloo walked up between Rainbow's parents, finally stopping her screaming. "Sorry! It's just you're...RAINBOW DASH'S PARENTS!!!!!!" she cheered before going back to screaming excitedly, falling on her back while her wings flapped and slid her across the ground in a circle.
"She's doing it again!" Bow exclaimed, his ears starting to grate on him.
Sora had enough too, getting in front of the filly and stopped her sliding, keeping his ears plugged to avoid going deaf. "Scootaloo, stop screaming! I know you're excited, but chill out!" he shouted.
"Yes! Your screaming might shatter my Princess Celestia commemorative plates!" Bow's wife said, though Sora was more concerned with Scootaloo breaking the house's windows with her high-pitched screaming.
She finally stopped, but was still jittery with excitement, unable to contain herself. "I'm so sorry. I just..." Scootaloo squealed a little, quickly getting up and taking off her helmet. "I just can't believe I'm meeting you two! I'm Scootaloo, and I'm doing a school report on your daughter!"
Bow and his wife looked at each other, a little surprised by Scootaloo's reason for meeting them, then at Sora, who she didn't introduce them to. "...I'm Sora," Sora said, needing to introduce himself while keeping his hoof on Scootaloo's head, keeping her from bouncing around like a puppy desperately wanting their owner's attention. "And as annoying as she is like a little sister, we're not related."
"And...you're doing a report on our Rainbow Dash?" Bow asked in clarification.
"The report's on an inspirational pony in my life, and nopony inspires me more than she does!" Scootaloo said while wagging her tail around excitedly as she explained. Sora exclaimed in shock, feeling his heart breaking when he thought he felt like more of an inspiration to Scootaloo than Rainbow Dash. Then again, Rainbow was probably the first pony to catch her eye before him, so he couldn't blame her there. Scootaloo pulled out a scrapbook, filled with all sorts of pictures of Rainbow Dash, drawings of her, but not much writing in some of the pages to make up for the grade for her report, showing them to Rainbow's parents. "I'm putting together this scrapbook for my report, and I am her biggest fan!"
"Now, little trotter, what you say is impossible," Bow said, dismissing Scootaloo's claim before he shifted into overly-proud dad mode. "Because nopony's a bigger fan of our Rainbow Dash than us!"
Proving his point, Bow opened his polo, revealing a white shirt he wore underneath with Rainbow Dash's cutie mark. His wife nodded in agreement with a wide grin, though where Scootaloo was in awe at Rainbow's true number one fans, Sora didn't know whether to cringe or laugh uproariously.
"...Do you always wear that shirt?" Sora questioned.
"Actually, it's laundry day, but it's pretty great, right!?" Bow asked.
"My name is Windy Whistles," the mare said, finally getting her name as she tousled Scootaloo's mane, hopping over joyously beside Bow. "I have to say that it is a total blast to meet some ponies who love Rainbow Dash as much as we do!"
"That would mostly be Scootaloo," Sora corrected. "Kinda hard to love Rainbow Dash when she constantly tackles me while haplessly pulling off stunts in town the first few weeks knowing her."
"Oooh. That just means she's got the hots for you," Windy said, giving Sora a wink, but the thought of him and Rainbow Dash being an item made him cringe worse than Zephyr Breeze trying to hit on her.
"I'm already in a relationship with someone else, and I'm engaged to be married with her!" Sora exclaimed.
"Well, you might be lucky to add some more mares if you're willing. You got the looks of a stud," Bow teased, making Sora blush and grumble. He was reminded of Twilight's crush on him and the disastrous results of her jealousy come out with Maleficent's "help", almost killing her and Kairi, and he did not want to go through that again with any other girl who likes him that much. "I'm just messing with you, kid. Anyway, what can we do to help you out, Scootaloo?"
"I know about Rainbow Dash's time in Ponyville, but I don't know ANYTHING about her life before that," Scootaloo said.
"Then you've come to the right place!" Bow gestured his hoof to their house, not as grand as Rainbow's house in Ponyville, but it was pretty nice as a two-story abode, even with a rainbow awning above the front door.
Scootaloo pulled out a camera from her saddlebag, snapping a photo of Rainbow's family home. Bow and Windy invited Sora and Scootaloo inside, the inside of their home suiting the look of the outside. Sora wondered what Bow and Windy do for a living aside from being incredibly supportive of their daughter. They sat at the dining room table, where Windy made their guests some food.
"Here you two go!" Windy announced, setting the two plates down in front of Sora and Scootaloo. Sora grimaced at the huge sandwiches she built, which didn't seem all that appealing with what it was layered with. "It's Rainbow Dash's favorite meal: pasta and potato sandwiches on sourdough! She just loved to carbo-load."
"Carbo-load or get a stomachache?" Sora asked.
"I can't believe I'm eating Rainbow Dash's food made by Rainbow Dash's mom while sitting in Rainbow Dash's childhood kitchen!" Scootaloo said. "THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!"
Scootaloo took a huge bite out of her sandwich, munching over-enthusiastically after stuffing half of it in her mouth, apparently liking it. What made it weird was what she did with the rest of the sandwich; stuffing it on a page of her scrapbook. Sora was sure having her idol's favorite sandwich stuffed in her scrapbook won't give her points, and it was also disgusting when it was not only a bit greasy, but she bit into it, too. He couldn't help his curiosity if Scootaloo thought it was good, taking a smaller bite of his sandwich made by the Element of Loyalty's mother. As gross as it looked, it wasn't all that bad, but he wasn't that interested in loading up this heavily on carbs with a snack like this.
They were soon given a tour of the house after they tasted Rainbow's favorite sandwich, from the living room to the second floor rooms. Down the hall upstairs, Bow and Windy showed them a wall littered with pictures of Rainbow Dash as a baby to a rambunctious teen, all with her full of energy like she is now. Some baby photos made Sora laugh, especially one where he saw a young Windy Whistles in one picture tied up in a baby leash, said leash connecting out of frame to a matching one with baby Rainbow flying around in the sky, Windy clearly exhausted trying to keep a hold of their little filly while she flew outside.
"Our little Dashie was an early learner and so rambunctious," Bow said. "The combination was-"
"Exciting~!" Windy sang with glee.
Scootaloo took a picture of all the pictures, stowing the photo to put in her scrapbook later. Their last stop was saved for last, which was Rainbow Dash's bedroom, the door bearing her cutie mark.
"Oh no," Sora uttered. As soon as Bow opened the door, he, Windy, and Sora covered their ears, knowing what Scootaloo was going to do as she screamed excitedly again as they got a look inside Rainbow's old bedroom. Thankfully, her scream was shorter unlike when she met Rainbow's parents, jumping for joy inside her idol's room as she practically touched everything in the room. "You three doomed us all."
"Worth it for a Rainbow Dash fan," Windy said.
Scootaloo snapped pictures of everything with her camera, relishing this once in a lifetime opportunity while the three older pegasi watched. "Sora, your name does sound a bit familiar," Bow pondered.
"I helped save Equestria several times with Rainbow and the rest of our friends," Sora said. "Then again, I'm sure Rainbow's fame beats my own with you two, even though I've mostly done all the physical stuff against the likes of Nightmare Moon, Discord, even Tirek."
"Oh, the young stallion with the weird key sword!" Windy said. "Must be quite the hero with all the fillies. And with your wild, spiky mane, they must be all over you with your dashing good looks."
"I just said I was engaged to someone I've loved since we were kids," Sora grumbled.
"Aww! Foalhood sweethearts!" Windy gushed. "She must be a very lucky mare!"
"Spare a few invites to your wedding?" Bow asked, making Sora giggle timidly at the mention of his and Kairi's wedding plans.
"We...haven't found a good...date just yet," Sora said sheepishly. "Uhh, how about some more stuff about Rainbow Dash I can tease her with when we get back to Ponyville!?"
"Yeah, more stuff!" Scootaloo begged after snapping another picture of Rainbow's old belongings.
"Well then, you two want to see something really cool?" Bow asked.
He walked over to a curtain on the wall, pulling the cord and revealing a secret door. Curious to see what was behind it, Scootaloo opened it, blinded by the light bouncing off something reflective in the room as, to Sora's confusion, an angel choir sang. The two walked inside, and when they could see, Scootaloo let out a gasp in astonishment, her jaw practically dropping to the floor. Inside was almost like a shrine to Rainbow Dash made by her parents, filled with all manners of trophies, pictures of her from her youth to only a few years ago, one of the biggest trophy rooms any of them have seen.
"Wow," Sora said. Windy and Bow walked in after them, the choir suddenly stopping when the Bow closed the door. "Huh? Wait, did that actually come from the door?"
"I, uh, installed the sound effects myself," Bow said, showing Sora as he opened and closed the door, where the choir respectively started and stopped. "Pretty great, huh?"
"...Ok...?" Sora uttered, tilting his head slightly in befuddlement.
"It's soooo great!" Scootaloo commented, apparently starstruck whenever anything about Rainbow Dash is in her grasp.
"And look at this!" Windy said, showing Sora and Scootaloo, to the Keyblade wielder's disgust, a diaper hanging from a picture frame on one of the dressers. "She was wearing it when she spoke her first words."
"Eww!" Sora exclaimed.
"Oh, don't worry, we washed it several times," Windy said, brushing off the disgust on Sora's face as if hanging up her daughter's dirty diaper as a foal as she spoke her first word was casual. Scootaloo took a picture of it, making the tan stallion shake his head with a heavy sigh. "And this is the broken lantern from when she first learned to fly. And this bitten apple is from when she grew her first tooth." Scootaloo took more pictures of the other "trophies" Windy showed them, sighing as she reminisced on Rainbow's baby years. "So many memories."
"You're so lucky to have all these!" Scootaloo said in awe.
"Yeah: a diaper, a broken lamp, and a laminated apple with a bite out of it," Sora sarcastically stated. "Super lucky."
"Well, I may have a lot of Dash-mentos, but I don't have any of those 'Rainbow Dash Saves Ponyville" headlines like you," Windy said, making Scootaloo gasp.
"Trade-sies!?" the filly begged.
"Deal-sies!" Windy agreed, both mare and filly exchanging items like fans would with rare objects from something they liked, but to Sora's dismay, Windy traded Rainbow's diaper "trophy" with one of the headlines in her scrapbook.
"Really? The diaper?" Sora questioned in disbelief. Scootaloo didn't seem to care, letting out a sigh as he slumped his head and shoulders. Letting the filly do her own report her own way, he looked around at all the other trophies in the room, mostly the ones where Rainbow made accomplishments as a filly or young teen. He was a little surprised seeing a lack of any Wonderbolts news, considering the daughter Windy and Bow support wholeheartedly is now a Wonderbolt, achieving a dream she had been reaching for for years. "Where's all the Wonderbolt stuff?"
"You mean Rainbow Dash's personal collection of Wonderbolt memorabilia?" Bow asked.
"No. I mean the news about her being enlisted in the Wonderbolts Academy as a trainee, getting accepted and got chosen to be a member in the flight team," Sora elaborated. Windy and Bow just stared at him as if they didn't know what he was talking about. "...Wait, you mean Rainbow Dash didn't tell you? She didn't tell her parents she became a Wonderbolt first?"
"And we were the ones to tell you instead!" Scootaloo butted in. The news finally began to dawn on Rainbow's parents, both ponies letting out a dumbfounded noise with their mouths hanging open, staring in shock. "Oh, wow! You should see your faces right now!" Scootaloo snapped a picture of Windy and Bow in their shocked states, then showed them their faces she caught on camera. "See? That's what your faces look like."
They looked at each other before returning to reeling in their surprise at their daughter's biggest accomplishment ever. "Our daughter's a Wonderbolt!?" they exclaimed simultaneously after a few minutes of processing.
The couple looked at each other, their shock soon turning into pride, Scootaloo opening the choir door to add to their elation. "Great timing," Bow commented.
"Great door," Scootaloo said.
"How come Rainbow Dash never told you?" Sora asked curiously. "If I did something impressive that my parents would be proud of me for, I'd obviously tell them about it first before my friends."
"Maybe it was a secret surprise!" Windy said. "It's just...unbelievable!"
"I know! We've got to celebrate with our little Dashie!" Bow added, the married couple hugging each other joyously.
"And after you let us know about the Rainbow Dash you know, we can tell you about the Rainbow Dash we know!" Scootaloo said. "Is she at the Wonderbolts Academy now, Sora?"
"I think so, but we're not going-" Sora was interrupted by Windy and Bow sweeping up Scootaloo, eager to see their daughter in uniform as a genuine Wonderbolt. He blinked a couple times, sighing heavily in frustration. "-because you're still in trouble for that dumb stunt..." He shook his head, dealing with the matter later. "Rainbow's sure gonna be in for a surprise when her parents finally found out..."
Sora lead Windy and Bow to the Wonderbolts Academy, where Rainbow was in the middle of practicing the flight team's routine for their next show, Scootaloo riding on his back on the flight over Before leaving, Donald flew up to Cloudsdale to check on him and Scootaloo, but he assured the mage they were fine and made sure they didn't leave Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle alone while he went off to show Rainbow's parents she achieved her dream. Windy and Bow were obviously excited when they touched down on the summit where the academy was built, watching the Wonderbolts flying around while performing thrilling and exciting feats in their routine. The moment they spotted that prismatic mane flying by, they immediately erupted in cheering, pulling out megaphones out of nowhere.
Their cheering disrupted the pegasi and their routine, causing some turbulence that threatened to throw off their hovering as they tried to figure out where it was coming from. Rainbow could swear she heard those voices before, and when she spotted the source of the cheering, she grimaced as she spotted her parents, Sora, and Scootaloo. The Wonderbolts flew down, Spitfire clearly not happy seeing unwanted tourists or guests wandering on what was only supposed to be private for Wonderbolts members and trainees.
"Alright, who broke protocol and invited unwanted guests to our training exercises!?" Spitfire demanded.
"I guess they're with me," Rainbow said, groaning irritably as she walked over to them. Ignoring the overly excited looks on Windy and Bow's faces, she tried to grin and bear the amount of humiliation she was going to get in front of the Wonderbolts, Scootaloo, and Sora. "Mom. Dad. So...good to see you."
"Oh, honey, it's great to see you, too!" Windy said, hugging Rainbow as she got closer. "And wow! You were so amazing up there with all that flying!"
"How did you even know I was here?" Rainbow asked.
"Scootaloo and Sora filled us in on everything, you modest pony you!" Rainbow quickly turned to Sora, her glare toward him turning into a wince when he father joined in the group hug, Scootaloo taking a picture of the moment for her project.
"I can't believe I'm documenting the moment your parents first saw you as a Wonderbolt!" Scootaloo excitedly commented, putting the picture in her scrapbook.
"Shouldn't you also be writing in a documentary, Scoots?" Sora asked. "Pictures are good to show an oral report, but I think Cheerliee would want you to write out any other bits of research for your grade."
"And these must be your Wonderbolt friends!" Windy flew over to Rainbow's teammates, greeting them and embarrassing her daughter like the excited mom she was. "Hello, team! I'm Windy Whistles, the mom of the best Wonderbolt ever!" Rainbow grimaced as her own mother tried to gloat about her being the best when that was supposed to be her job, embarrassing her with her energetic claims. "Just kidding. You guys were great, too! Go, team!"
"Moooom!" Rainbow whined, begging her to stop before she gets teased by the Wonderbolts for her doting parents than her nickname.
"Hello, ma'am," Spitfire greeted, amused by her newest member's expressions with her parents around. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well!" Windy said, shaking Spitfire's hoof. "And love those goggles! Love 'em! You know, I have goggles, too. But they're mostly just for swimming. Oh, and bath time."
Rainbow grimaced, flying up to Windy and pulled away from her boss, thankful for her uniform had a facial hood only leaving her muzzle and eyes free as it hid her flushed cheeks. "Mom, please!" Rainbow begged. "They don't want to hear about your bath time!"
"I do!" Sora called out, holding back his laughter, even as Rainbow Dash turned to glare at him.
She was once again interrupted from trying to beat up Sora, having a feeling he was responsible for informing her parents, her father snatching her up in a tight hug. "I can't believe it! My daughter, a Wonderbolt!" Bow said, tears welling up in his eyes while sniffling, trying to contain his joy. "So proud!"
"Dad, keep it together," Rainbow growled. "We're in public."
"I know! I know," Bow said, composing himself. "I-It's just...you had a goal, and...you achieved it!"
The stallion began bawling in pride, almost crushing Rainbow Dash in his forelegs. Scootaloo took a picture, making the mare's eye twitch as more embarrassing evidence was being made.
"Alright, Wonderbolts! Let's hit the showers and give Rainbow Dash some time to spend with her family," Spitfire said, heading off to the locker rooms with a smirk.
"Ok, yeah! Uh, great practice!" Rainbow said, still stuck under her father's death grip as she watched her team walk past her, Bow still sobbing all the while. "I'll catch up with you guys in a minute!"
The other Wonderbolts said their hellos to Sora, giving stallions in the group hoof bumps while watching Rainbow Dash get flustered. "Sir, you really raised a great flyer!" Fleetfoot said to Bow, letting out a strangled gasp at the compliment as more tears came to his eyes.
"Tears...welling up again!" Bow said, resuming his happy crying with his little filly still in his hooves, to Rainbow's irritation.
"Dad!" she whined, squeezing out of Bow's hooves, growling angrily as she looked at Sora and Scootaloo. Windy walked up to her husband to help him recompose himself, but still smiling proudly. "Could you give me a sec?" she asked, walking away while her parents waved to her. Shoving Sora and Scootaloo far enough away from Windy and Bow so they didn't hear them. "Why didn't you warn me you were bringing my parents here!?"
"Why didn't you tell your parents you were a Wonderbolt for almost a year?" Sora countered.
"I didn't WANT them to know!" Rainbow exclaimed, confusing Sora and Scootaloo. Rainbow groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Look, it's just my parents and I have a delicate relationship. I love them very much, and we're really close, but there's a reason I didn't tell them I'm a Wonderbolt. They can be a little...embarrassing."
"Really?" Scootaloo asked, genuinely confused by her idol's reason.
"I can see that after seeing their 'trophy room' dedicated to you and all your accomplishments, from your first words to losing your first tooth," Sora teased, making Rainbow Dash cringe knowing her parents showed them so many embarrassing memories as a foal.
"And no thanks to you, Sora, you just invited a whole lot of crazy into my life!" she said as she was walking back to Windy and Bow, covering her face with a wing to keep them from seeing what she said to them.
"What's wrong with a little support?" Scootaloo questioned.
"That's what parents are meant to do; embarrass the heck out of their kids around their friends," Sora explained, unaware of the filly's honest confusion about Rainbow's ire with her parents being proud of achieving her dreams. "Might not be fun if your own parents embarrass you with baby pictures or stories, but Windy and Bow take it to a whole other level of hilarity...and awkwardness." He laughed, despite seeing how dedicated they were with being there for her daughter every single step of the way. "At least Windy's not like my mom when she first came here. I bet those two would talk for hours about each of us."
Sora and Scootaloo joined back with Rainbow and her parents, Sora dying to see what else Bow and Windy will do to rile Rainbow up while Scootaloo planned to get more research for her project.
The Wonderbolts were going to be performing in Canterlot today, Rainbow having no choice giving her parents tickets for the show as they flew off to the city. Sora and Scootaloo tagged along, invited to join them, along with Donald, Goofy, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle when Sora let them know where they were going, even though the other two fillies were going to be grounded by their sisters when Scootaloo finally gets enough pictures for her scrapbook report. Sora waved down his friends and surrogate sisters as they waited in the stands of the special field meant for the Wonderbolts shows in the city, Donald and Goofy getting a bit lost before being guided by the two fillies.
"Bow and Windy, I'd like you to meet my friends Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo said to Rainbow's parents, both fillies waving to Bow and Windy.
"Greetings, small ponies," Bow said.
"And these two are my best friends, Donald and Goofy," Sora said as he introduced the griffon and diamond dog. "Guys, these are Rainbow's parents, Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles."
"Ooh, I never met a griffon who had a duck bill," Windy said. "Well, I did meet her griffon friend, Gilda, when she was at flight camp, but if anything can make you stand out, Donald, that beak certainly does."
Donald let out a squawk at the odd compliment, which turned into grumbling as Sora and Goofy chuckled at his dismay. "Nice to meet you two," Goofy said.
"Are y'all excited to see Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh, my, yes!" Windy said. "And to think we never bothered coming to a Wonderbolt event!"
"We said if Rainbow Dash isn't a Wonderbolt, then what's the point?" Bow said. "But now, she is!"
"And she earned it!" Scootaloo said.
She then regaled to Bow and Windy how Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt, starting with how she was given a spot training under Spitfire at the academy. Sora knew about what happened since he and Riku were called to help train the recruits, especially Lightning Dust. He was glad that crazy mare was kicked out after not only being so reckless, but also could have seriously hurt everyone with her dangerous stunts just to prove she was better than the rest of what was supposed to be her whole team. Scootaloo left out all the things Lightning Dust did in her version of the story, leaving Bow and Windy in suspense, especially Windy. Then came Rainbow's chance in the reserves, only to nearly have her dreams ruined no thanks to Wind Rider, the ex-Wonderbolt who wanted to keep his speed record in history and framed her for causing Spitfire to go missing. She was lucky Rarity was there to clear her name with her detective skills, probably thanks to her keen eye for spotting specific details in her work as a fashionista, then finally got her spot when a former Wonderbolt named Fire Streak retired. Sora wondered how Scootaloo managed to get some of these pictures when she wasn't around at the time, nor did anyone else ever take them at all.
"You really know your Rainbow Dash history," Bow complimented. "You're going to do great on your report."
"Just with pictures?" Donald asked. "Shouldn't you be writing important notes if you want a good grade?"
"That's what I suggested," Sora said.
"Look, the show's about to start!" Sweetie Belle pointed out, spotting the Wonderbolts begin to take off down on the field.
The pegasi began their performance, flying perfectly in sync, and the crowd was already cheering before their biggest stunts started. Windy and Bow were already overly hyped, suddenly wearing shirts bearing the Wonderbolt reserve uniforms with rainbow scarves hanging off their necks, Bow wearing a Rainbow Dash visor while Windy wore some type of headgear with Rainbow's face. If she wore that weird piece of fanwear forever, she could really be mistaken for Rainbow Dash if no one noticed her freckles.
"Come on, Bolts! Let's start this thing!" Bow cheered in anticipation.
"Wonderbolts' Big Showcase! Here! We! GOOOOOOO!!!!" Windy cheered.
"Rip it up and tear! It! Down!" Bow shouted.
"Then build it back up again and tear it back down again!" Windy added to her husband's initial cheer.
Their over-reactive cheering unnerved the crowd around them, scooting away as they hovered around and flailed their arms while watching the Wonderbolts. They even proclaimed Rainbow Dash as the best Wonderbolt while also mentioning she was their daughter.
"Boy, their parents sure are supportive," Goofy mentioned with a laugh. "Sure is a good feeling when you're proud of what your kid has managed to accomplish."
"Aren't they going a little bit too nuts about it?" Donald asked.
"Oh, you have no idea how crazy they are about Rainbow Dash," Sora said. "They have a trophy room with every single thing Rainbow's done that they think was worthy of being remembered since she was born." As he and Donald laughed, giving the griffon a mental image of the crazy memorable "trophies" Bow and Windy had, a loud boom near them startled everyone, along with an explosion of fireworks. The colorful embers made different pictures, from a trophy to Rainbow's face, and the fireworks were being fired right by the Wonderbolt's parents with a cannon, interrupting the show while still cheering for Rainbow. "W-What the!? Where did they get a fireworks cannon!?"
Up in the air, Rainbow cringed, utterly humiliated as the whole crowd and her team watched the display her parents made. It only got worse for her later on after their show resumed and finally ended. During an autograph signing, her friends and parents stood on the sidelines while she met with new fans and gave her signature to them. Her father ended up embarrassing her by ripping off his white shirt, cheering, then tossed it at a young fan, which landed right on their face. She bore a forced grin, silently apologizing to the young pony as she quickly handed them her hoof signature, then moved on to the next fan.
The Wonderbolts then headed to an opening ceremony, and Rainbow was given the honors of cutting the ribbon to open the front doors. Windy and Bow chanted "Cut the ribbon!" over and over, using megaphones to be more annoyingly grating to their daughter. She snapped and clasped the scissors shut, looking back to leer at her parents for telling her what she was going to do. When she looked back, she gasped, accidentally cutting off Spitfire's tail instead of the ribbon, her captain looking back at her in shock, which then turned into a glare. She was definitely going to get an earful for snipping off part of her superior's tail when they get back to the Wonderbolts Academy.
After that, they did a photo op with all their fans, giving each fan a picture with the whole team. On the sides, Rainbow's parents were still cheering, then tried to boost her morale by doing a pony pyramid. Sora, Donald, and Goofy joined in, the trio lowering down as the base, Windy and Bow climbing up on their backs, followed by Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo at the top with a lift from Bow's wing. At least Spitfire got a little revenge on Rainbow for cutting off her tail, mentioning her "mega-fans", making Rainbow groan in humiliation.
With their scheduled plans finally over after the fan pictures, the Wonderbolts returned to the academy to relax after all their hard work. Donald and Goofy escorted Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle back home to Ponyville, their fun coming to an end when Sora allowed them to tell their sisters that insane stunt they helped Scootaloo try to pull off earlier today. Inside the locker rooms, Rainbow was finished showering, sighing wearily as she opened up her locker, hanging up her towel on the door while she started gathering her belongings.
"You hung that towel!" Windy cheered out of nowhere, making Rainbow smack the top of her head against the ceiling of her locker.
"Wow, even just hanging a towel, they go crazy for you?" Sora questioned, his grinning muzzle twitching as he tried not to laugh, unable to help but let out a small snort of laughter.
"Greatest towel hanger of all time!" Bow cheered.
"Towel! Towel! Towel! Towel!" Bow and Windy both chanted as Rainbow rubbed the bump on her head.
She saw the smirks on her teammates faces as they left her alone with her parents, a snickering Sora, and a gleeful Scootaloo. The filly took Rainbow's picture, the chanting and the flashing bulb blinding her finally reaching her boiling point.
"STOOOOOOOOP!!!!!" Rainbow screamed, ceasing her parents' chanting, all four pegasi staring at her, surprised by her outburst. "Mom and dad, you are both TOO supportive! This is exactly why I didn't tell you I was a Wonderbolt! You're just...TOO MUCH!!!"
"Did...Did we do something wrong?" Windy asked, she and her husband both very confused.
"YES!!! The fireworks, the cheerleading, a-and how do you even compare who is better or worse at hanging up a towel!?" Rainbow questioned as she listed the number of things they did with her primary feathers.
"We're just trying to be supportive," Bow said, not liking the angry, irritated tone as it scared him and Windy.
"Well, I'm tired of it! I've had enough of you two being so proud of every little ridiculous, insignificant thing I do!" Rainbow panted heavily, getting everything off her chest after feeling the most embarrassed she's ever been in her whole life. Windy and Bow were greatly upset as Rainbow turned away from them, their support for her all these years bothering her and hated it. Scootaloo was shocked, confused by her idol despising being supported by her own mother and father, while Sora started to get cross at the overreaction Rainbow made. "I think you should leave..."
"First of all, great job yelling at us, sweetie," Windy said, choking up in sadness as she and Bow were crying from their daughter screaming at them and their devoted love to her to her. "No one...can make their parents feel more worthless...than you."
"Your words were direct, clear, and...so painful!" Bow added, struggling not to break down, but failed as he and his wife ran away heartbroken. "Is there nothing you can't do!?"
Sora was a bit struck with disbelief hearing them praising Rainbow for telling them off like that, apparently proud of just about everything she did as Rainbow said, but it didn't put her in the right for yelling at them for being supportive of her, even if it was a bit much. "...Why?" Scootaloo asked.
"Scootaloo, you don't understand!" Rainbow said, but as she turned around to try to reason with her, she was met with an angry stallion and a tear-stricken filly.
"I met your parents hoping to learn more about you, but I don't like what I found out!" Scootaloo tried to wipe away her tears, feeling just as hurt as Bow and Windy after seeing how she treated her parents. She then pulled out her scrapbook, throwing it down at Rainbow's hooves, where it opened up to a picture of Rainbow as a filly with her parents in a loving embrace, all three of them smiling happily. Scootaloo stormed off angrily, no longer looking the mare she saw as her sister in the eyes. "I'm going to do my hero report on Sora instead. At least he loves his mom no matter what."
That struck Rainbow's heart as she lost her number one fan from that statement. "Do you truly ever think about what you say before you blurt it out?" Sora questioned, turning her gaze from the old family photo to the disappointed Keyblade wielder. "In case you weren't aware, Rainbow, parents embarrassing their kids is basically their job, even if their kids friends find them cool or not. I know they were a bit over the top, but you didn't have to yell at them like that."
"Sora, you don't have any idea-" Sora slammed a nearby locker with his hoof, silencing Rainbow's weakhearted protest.
"I don't want to hear any of your excuses!" Sora shouted. "You're parents love you to death, judging by what I saw and how much they care about seeing you succeed! They had a right to see you achieve your dream of being a Wonderbolt, but you refused to do that all because of how they'll embarrass you! Hell, they even praised you for making them feel worthless, so that's a whole lot more of that wholesome confidence while making them cry! Congratulations, Dash! You have the best parents any kid could ever want, and you push them away because you're too focused on your own image, being cool and showing off!"
Sora turned and stormed out, leaving Rainbow in tears as she made the biggest mistake of her life. He caught up with Scootaloo, the filly riding off on her scooter down the landing strip, escorting her back home. Rainbow flew out of the academy a moment later, clutching Scootaloo's scrapbook as she chased after them.
"Sora, Scootaloo, wait!" she called out, but the duo ignored her, even as she flew beside them after catching up. "Look, I know I wasn't myself back there, and I shouldn't have snapped at them! You're both right! But that's exactly why I didn't tell them I was a Wonderbolt!"
"Oh, so you have a temper with them?" Sora asked sarcastically. "Great excuse, Dash."
Scootaloo stopped, still confused by Rainbow's excuse. "I don't understand. Your parents are so proud of you."
Rainbow sighed, still unable to convince them. "Can I tell you guys something?" she asked.
"Didn't you say enough?" Sora asked. Rainbow gave him a pleading gaze, making him sigh, giving in. "Alright, fine. This had better be a good reason to change our minds."
Rainbow lead Sora and Scootaloo to a nearby log, the trio sitting down as the prismatic mare wanted Scootaloo to prepare herself for the truth. "Believe it or not, there was a time when I wasn't the best at everything."
Scootaloo gasped in shock, but Sora just gave Rainbow a blank stare. "...Really? Why am I not surprised?"
Ignoring his sarcasm, Rainbow opened up Scootaloo's scrapbook report, pointing out a page with her in what looked like the end of a race as she passed the finish line. "See this picture? It looks like I won something awesome, but actually...I didn't."
"Really?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah..." Rainbow looked up at Sora, seeing a picture of winning wasn't going to convince either of them without further proof. "Sora, you have one of those magic ornament things from the tree roots back in the castle?" Without a word, seeing where she was going, Sora pulled out a round ornament, Riku's idea of keeping one of them for any untold truths really do come in handy after discovering Thorax. Rainbow grabbed it, then focused her memories on that day. "See for yourself, squirt."
The memory started from the same moment the picture she showed was taken, Young Rainbow crossing the finish line, though the announcer said it was time to hand out participation stickers. One of the judges planted one of the stickers on Rainbow's forehead, where she stood on the sides with the rest of the participating pegasus foals, and on the pedestal showing the top seven winners, Sora was actually surprised to see a young Derpy Whooves in the first place spot. On the bleachers, Bow and Windy from back then cheered wildly, just as over the top as they had not too long ago, but their daughter didn't even win or place anywhere on the platforms.
"Uh, your parents realize you didn't win, don't they?" a young Dumbbell asked, shocking Sora since he hadn't seen him or Rainbow's former bullies in what felt like forever.
Young Rainbow cringed, feeling utterly embarrassed, and with some more teasing fuel for her younger bullies to pick on her with aside from her crashing. "So, you didn't really win in that picture?" Scootaloo asked. "But your mom said you won, beat the other foals in the dust."
"I didn't," Rainbow admitted. "Granted, I was the youngest pony in the senior competitive circuit. Most ponies my age were still in the Junior Flappers' Club."
"Ok, so you managed to get into an advanced race for being so young, and got a 'good try' sticker," Sora summarized. "Shouldn't you have at least been a bit proud to have Windy and Bow cheer for you for finishing the race?"
"I found it utterly mortifying having my parents cheering me on when I lost, Sora," Rainbow said. "So, I worked harder, and eventually began to win competitions...which got a lot worse." She showed them the race again, this time watching Rainbow moving up on the placement platforms until she reached the first place spot. Sora noticed Derpy moving down as Rainbow moved up, with what he thought he saw was a filly Lightning Dust in first through the transitions, and the gray pegasus filly's eyes slowly went cockeyed more and more, which was a little bit sad to see. When Rainbow finally reached first place, her parents cheered wildly, as usual, and they had a right to this time because their daughter won first. Sadly, it was still just as humiliating and obnoxious, and Young Rainbow was just as embarrassed as she was when she came in last in her first advanced race. "Being the best came with consequences. Very loud, very embarrassing consequences."
Sora can sort of see why, but he still find it ridiculous that Rainbow didn't want her parents cheering for her if no one else did, even if she lost or failed at something. "You know, some ponies would dream of having parents like that," Scootaloo said.
"Exactly what I told you before I marched out fuming after what you said to your parents," Sora reiterated.
"Yeah, right! Name one!" Rainbow demanded.
Before Sora could retort, Scootaloo was the first to speak. "Me..."
His voice got caught in his throat, looking at Rainbow as she had the same shocked expression as he did, then both older pegasi looked at Scootaloo. "What?" Sora asked.
"Growing up, I never thought I'd be the best at anything, because nopony ever told me," Scootaloo said, confusing both pegasi.
"...Scootaloo, what are you talking about?" Sora asked, growing concerned with the orange filly's statement. "I've been to your place, and saw all that sports gear. If your parents saw you were wild about being athletic in something, they're clearly supporting you as much as any other proud parent."
Scootaloo frowned, her reaction telling him and Rainbow there was something she was hiding, looking down as she drew small, timid circles with her hoof. "...C-Can...Can I tell you later?" she asked.
"I think it's better if you explain now and get it off your chest," Sora gently said.
Her eyes glanced up at Rainbow Dash, who was just as worried as Sora was. "...I just...want to tell you, Sora...when we're alone."
"Why not!?" Rainbow exclaimed. "Is it because I yelled at my parents? I didn't even mean to blow up on them like that! I was stressed! I-"
"I just trust Sora more about this. That's all," Scootaloo insisted.
Rainbow felt hurt, feeling like she failed being an older sister-figure to Scootaloo, even when they both entered the Sisterhooves Social a couple years ago. "And not me?" she asked.
"Maybe it's like when we all went camping," Sora said. "After telling all those scary stories, she tried to act brave like you, only to stay up late with nightmares about the old mare with the rusty horseshoe and the headless horse. And she tried hiding it to keep you from 'disowning' her as a sister if you found out." Rainbow winced, rubbing her neck awkwardly as she was reminded of Scootaloo's "nonchalant" shenanigans whenever something on the forest trail spooked her after their first night. And because Sora was around, even entering her dream to help quell her nightmares, Scootaloo found him to be a closer source of comfort where she can open up her feelings to him rather than the cool, brave Rainbow Dash who knows no fear and hates showing her emotions, making her look weak. Scootaloo nodded slightly, agreeing with Sora, making Rainbow groan sadly, but she understood the pegasus filly's reasons. "Ok, Scoots. When we're alone, you'll tell me exactly what's going on in your head. Got it?"
She nodded her head, getting back on topic with Rainbow's predicament, showing her more pictures of herself as a baby, some where her parents are practically giving their infant daughter trophies or ribbons in some of the most ridiculous things. "Your parents had told you over and over that you were the best at just about everything: best bath taker ever, best carrot eater under three, greatest napper of all time..."
"At least they were right about the napping thing," Sora muttered.
"For your entire life, your parents gave you the confidence to believe in yourself," Scootaloo simplified, enlightening Rainbow with her mom and dad's ways of showing their love for her with their overly-supportive antics.
"...You're right," Rainbow said. "I was always so embarrassed by my parents that their support actually made me the awesome, confident, amazing, awesome-"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Sora said, keeping Rainbow's ego in check since she didn't deserve to boast right now.
"Right..." Rainbow looked down at the pictures again, seeing how horrible of a daughter she was after all these years. "And I took them for granted...I gotta make things right. I have an idea, but I'll need both of your help...That is, if you're willing to help me after I acted like that."
Sora and Scootaloo looked at each other, the stallion pondering whether he should forgive Rainbow Dash. "...You know, I recall you doing something dumb without thinking about why someone was doing the things they were really doing," Sora said. "That same someone who you thought would take over Equestria, wielding a key-shaped sword, and summoned black monsters with glowing yellow eyes, who was actually stopping those monsters while keeping the world from getting swallowed by darkness." Rainbow let out a groan, getting the point as Sora once again reminded her misjudgment toward him. His thoughtful frown turned into a grin, unable to deny seeing Rainbow this desperate for his help for her mistake blowing up on her parents. "...But, I'm too much of a nice guy to refuse helping you out, so...I guess I'll help you get back in good graces with your folks."
Scootaloo took a picture of Rainbow, surprising her as the filly held out the photo. "I think I'll call this, 'Rainbow Dash learns the error of her ways'," she said as she accepted Rainbow's apology.
Sora and Scootaloo found Windy and Bow, both pegasi calmed down after Rainbow verbally lashing out at them. They were still in shock after what they heard from their daughter, but they somewhat expected it from how much of that annoyance was bottled up over the years. Sora and Scootaloo escorted them back to the Wonderbolts Academy, telling them there was a surprise for them while blindfolded, keeping it a secret for Rainbow's apology for her parents.
"I'm telling you, I can't see a thing," Windy commented, making Sora roll his eyes with how she still complimented everything like it was pure instinct. "Scootaloo, you are just so great at blindfolds!"
"It's true. You must tell me what kind of knot you used," Bow said. "Uh...falconer's knot? Wait, no! A farmer's loop!"
"Oh boy, you two are too easy to please sometimes," Sora said, letting out a small laugh.
"What's this big surprise you two told us about, anywho?" Windy asked.
"Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof, please be seated for a super private Wonderbolt event!" Rainbow said over the speakers around the fields. Windy and Bow took off their blindfolds right as Rainbow flew over to them, wearing her Wonderbolts outfit. "Mom and dad, welcome to the..."I Love My Parents and I'm Sorry That I Took Them For Granted and I Know That They Made Me Who I Am Today So I Really Wanna Make It Up To Them" event," she said, saying the title quickly, unable to come up with a much better one.
"Is that a working title?" Sora teased, but Rainbow ignored him, putting her goggles on as she prepared for takeoff.
Bow and Windy sat down on the nearby bleachers, Scootaloo handing them bags of popcorn to enjoy as they watched the show. Rainbow soon took off, the rest of the Wonderbolts team flying in as they performed a private show for the Element of Loyalty's family. They flew up in a V formation, smoke trails tailing behind them thanks to the enchanted suits for their performances, then dove down, soaring over Windy, Bow, and Scootaloo, the filly sitting between them as they watched. Rainbow lead the team through a rainbow waterfall, getting covered in the liquid light as they flew back over the bleachers, rolling rapidly and shook off the colorful substance over the trio. Windy and Bow were highly impressed, surprisingly calm after their uproarious cheerleading from their first show with Rainbow on the team. The finale had the whole team fly up to a large cloud, all the pegasi flying around at blinding speeds as they formed Windy and Bow's faces. Rainbow flew around the clouds, creating a heart with her rainbow trail, and to add more flair, Sora summoned his Keyblade, aiming it at the cloud portraits and fired a beam of light, creating an explosion of heart-shaped fireworks with his magic, even adding in one shaped like Rainbow's face in sparkling rainbow embers.
That last bit touched Windy and Bow, the show over as the Wonderbolts landed back on the ground, Rainbow taking off her goggles as she approached her parents. "Mom and dad, I want you to know that I'm YOUR biggest fan," she said.
Bow and Windy got up from their seats, hugging their daughter lovingly. "Oh, honey, thank you," Windy said. "But you didn't have to do all this. It's kind of...embarrassing."
"Eh, it is a bit much," Bow admitted, seeing what Rainbow saw as they felt a little embarrassed with the ending of the private show.
"I should have asked you to not cheer for me that much, but I probably wouldn't have been the mare I am today without it," Rainbow said. "Sorry for yelling at you. You know I didn't mean everything I said, right?"
"Well, maybe we really did go...a bit overboard today," Bow said. Rainbow gave her father a deadpanned look, making him laugh awkwardly. "Ok, a lot overboard. But if we're supporting you too much, you can just tell us instead of hide in embarrassment."
"Now, if you find yourself a coltfriend, we're going to go all out and show him everything from when you were in diapers!" Windy teased.
"Moooooom!" Rainbow whined.
"Hey, you don't think it's that one stallion with the blue hair, is it?" Bow asked, pointing at Soarin. "Definitely a perfect match for my little Dashie."
"Daaaaad! No!!!" Rainbow whined again, her whole face flushed in embarrassment. Bow and Windy laughed as they teased her, Rainbow sighing and shaking her head, hugging both her parents, not willing to give them up for any other parents. "I love you guys."
"And we love you, Dashie," Windy said, both parents nuzzling their little filly while sharing a group hug.
Scootaloo snapped a picture of the moment, saving it for her scrapbook. She yelped in surprise as Sora picked her up, placing her on her back, and after grabbing her scooter, he flew off, disappointing her as he decided to take her home. They were on their way back to Ponyville, but Sora decided to take a detour out to the empty fields where several battles took place, some as training or tests where others were life or death fights. With no other ponies around, it was a perfect place for Sora to finally get answers about Scootaloo's family and what she meant wishing she had parents like Bow and Windy.
"What are we doing here?" Scootaloo asked.
"You know why," Sora said. "We're alone now. No one's gonna find us out here, or hear us." She began to understand what he meant, swallowing nervously and focused more on her scrapbook report, avoiding Sora's gaze. Sora knew she was a bit scared, but this was something he needed to know now, concerned with Scootaloo's life at home if it was too perfect from what he saw. "Scootaloo, look at me." Her ears flicked down, slowly looking up at him. "Is there something going on at home you can't tell anyone else?"
"...No...Everything's fine," Scootaloo mumbled.
"Then how come you're saying your parents never told you you're the best at something?" Sora asked. "As a matter of fact, how come they went off on some vacation while leaving you alone all by yourself during the winter? Don't they care about you?"
"They do," Scootaloo said, her vague answers not good enough for him, seeing she was still hiding something.
"Scootaloo, don't lie to me," Sora said. He moved the scrapbook away, keeping her focused on the topic at hoof. "If they're hurting or abandoning you, you HAVE to tell me! I care greatly about you! Especially after what Marluxia almost did to you when you blindly tried to save me! I want to help, but I can't if you keep-!"
"THEY'RE NOT MY REAL PARENTS!!!!!" Scootaloo shouted, startling Sora to silence. Tears welled up in Scootaloo's eyes as Sora processed what she just said. "...They're not my real parents...There, are you happy now!?"
"...What?" Sora asked, utterly baffled as Scootaloo was struggling not to break down crying. "...Scoots...What do you...?"
"I...I live in a foster home," Scootaloo admitted, sniffling sadly as she rubbed her eyes. "My real parents...a-abandoned me...w-when...w-when I-I..."
She choked back a sob, but Sora could take a wild guess at how old Scootaloo must have been if her real parents left her. "...Scootaloo...Are you really...an orphan?" he asked, his heart breaking when the upset filly nodded her head. He didn't understand why Scootaloo would be this upset if she has a family taking care of her. She lives in a good home, treated like any normal kid would with their parents, biological or adoptive, yet she didn't seem genuinely happy after telling him. "Scoots...you should be happy...Why are you so upset?"
"B-Because...I-It's not like how R-Rainbow's p-parents feel about her, or your m-mom does for you," Scootaloo said. "They...They do take c-care of me, b-but it...i-it doesn't f-feel the same with what I saw from Bow and Windy...And t-they're both earth ponies, s-so...so I...I could n-never e-even l-learn to...to..."
The dam broke as she mentioned her lack of flight, her sobs turning into wails. Sora scooped Scootaloo in his hooves, holding her closely as she cried into his chest. Now he understood why she was so confused by Bow and Windy's moral support for Rainbow Dash as something she wished she had. It wasn't just about gaining it; she wanted it from her real parents, not some ponies raising her that weren't biologically related to her. He thought Scootaloo was fine with that, but it seemed like it was impossible for her when the ponies raising her now aren't who she needed guidance or support from. He felt sorry for her, lucky to still have his mother around and pitying her for barely knowing her biological mother and father.
Sora gently rubbed Scootaloo's back as she let it all out, letting her calm down in the embrace of the one she looks up to like a big brother. After almost what felt like half an hour, her crying died out, left with only weak sobs and sniffles, her body trembling as her hooves feared letting go of Sora. He didn't know if Scootaloo's real parents truly abandoned her or not, but there might be a way to know if what she believed was true. Pulling out the ornament, he gently pulled Scootaloo away from his chest, setting her on his leg, then placed the enchanted bauble in her hoof.
"Scoots, are you really sure your real parents abandoned you?" Sora asked.
"...I-I don't know," she said, sniffling a little as she looked down at the enchanted decoration. "I...heard them one day talk to each other...about how I ended up where I lived as a baby..."
"Well, then...Let's find out together. Close your eyes, and try to look deep into your heart." Scootaloo did as Sora instructed, shutting her eyes and began to focus, the ornament flashing as it searched through the earliest memories she could remember. He wished Naminé was around to help seek out the memory they wanted to find, but he was going to wing it and try something new. Calling his Keyblade, he gently tapped Scootaloo's chest, startling her from her focus when she felt an aura of light build up right at her heart, which felt surprisingly warm and pleasant. "Keep looking. I'm trying to see if we can go further than what you could remember, back to when you were a baby..."
Scootaloo nodded her head and continued focusing. Sora's plan worked as memories of Scootaloo as an infant began to surface, years before her developing mind could create and keep her first memory. They both looked back, in her heart for the filly and in the ornament for the wielder, until they both found the moment they were looking for. Inside the memory, it was late in the night as it rained down in Ponyville. Out in the middle of the road, a mare concealed under a cloak walked through the slight downpour, her face veiled under the gloomy night sky, along with her fur and mane color, and what her cutie mark was like under her cloak. In her mouth was a big basket, which Sora knew that she wasn't carrying food underneath the sheet she was trying to hide.
She approached what appeared to be Scootaloo's current home, quietly walking up to the front door. She gently lowered the basket in front of the doorstep, the spot kept dry from the rain to avoid getting the bundle inside wet. Scootaloo opened her eyes, gasping in shock at the memory playing itself as the mare in the past unveiled the sheet, which happened to be Scootaloo as a baby pegasus, sleeping soundly in the little basket. The cloaked mare, obviously Scootaloo's real mother, let out a sad whimper, tears rolling down her cheeks as she gently nuzzled her baby, stirring a little from her mother's touch, but still sound asleep.
"I'm so sorry, Scootaloo," she uttered, making Scootaloo choke up as she heard her mother say her name. "I wish I could take care of you...but I can barely take care of myself right now..." Scootaloo's mother pulled out a note, gently placing it on top of the basket by baby Scootaloo's rear hooves. She then gave her baby a light peck on her forehead, making the present Scootaloo rub the same spot subconsciously as more tears ran down her face, her mother taking in a shaky breath as she struggled not to cry herself. "I know they'll take good care of you...I love you so much, my beautiful baby..."
She forced herself to stand back up, her nuzzling beginning to wake baby Scootaloo up. The mare quickly knocked on the front door, then ran off before the occupants came out to answer the door. The infant filly began crying as she was woken up, her mother long gone. Thankfully, the ponies inside opened the door, confusion turning to shock when they heard the baby crying. They took Scootaloo in after reading her mother's letter, but even as she was given a good home like she wanted, they both didn't get any details on her aside from the sound of her voice. At least Scootaloo knows that her real mother actually cared about her and wanted to keep her, but whatever reason there was for her being unable to raise her remained a mystery.
The memory faded as Scootaloo's foster parents brought her inside the house after searching for whoever left her on their doorstep. The filly was at a loss for words, Sora gently taking back the enchanted ornament and dismissed his Keyblade. He rubbed her head, snapping her out of her stupor as she processed what she just saw.
"I know this is a lot to take in, Scoots, but now we know your real mom cared enough to give you a better place to live," Sora said with a soft smile.
"...But...why did she leave me there if she loved me?" Scootaloo asked.
"I don't know, but she must be out there somewhere," Sora said. "I'm sure she had a good reason, so if we ever do run into her, you can ask her." Scootaloo wanted to know now, but with no leads to where her mother might be, she had no choice but to wait. "Hey, don't think the ponies who are taking care of you now aren't your family. Your family are those who care about you, even if they aren't related to you by blood. Your friends are your family, too. And, obviously being your big brother, I'm your family as well, Scoots. You can always come to me for anything. Got it?"
She nodded, too choked up to speak, but she plopped her head into Sora's chest and hugged him again. She wasn't going to forget Sora would always be her family, as well as the ponies raising her like a mother and father would. Once she calmed down enough, the two made their way back into town, Scootaloo rolling along on her scooter as they headed to her foster home. She still felt like she was hiding something else, and seeing how frustrated Sora was about them leaving her alone a couple months back during winter when she, her friends, and the rest of her friends were kidnapped by Marluxia, she needed to tell him so he didn't stay mad at her foster parents.
"...They wanted all three of us to go on vacation," she said.
"Huh?" Sora questioned, caught off guard by the sudden conversation Scootaloo started.
"I was supposed to go along with them, but I begged my...parents I wanted to stay and hang out with my friends all winter," Scootaloo said. "They let me as long as I got permission from Applejack or Rarity so I could stay over with them...But I lied, and...well...I stayed alone at the house while they were gone for the week..."
Sora frowned, disappointed as he let out a sigh. "Scootaloo..." He at least got his excuse, albeit a poor one. "You know you're going to tell them you lied to them about getting permission to sleep over while they were gone. Did they at least know about what happened on Christmas?"
"Mhmm," she mumbled.
"...Probably would have been safer for you if you did go with them," Sora said. "At least I would have had one less pony to worry about while facing Marluxia."
"But if I wasn't there, then that Marluxia pony would have taken you away!" Scootaloo argued.
"He would have done so whether I won or not, and he could have seriously hurt you after you dove down at him," Sora argued back. "Or worse, he could have killed you and turn you into a Heartless! Do you think I want that on my conscience when there were several others in the past I couldn't save!?"
Scootaloo swerved in Sora's path, blocking him while glaring daggers at him, more tears welling up in her eyes. "How about thanking me for buying you enough time for everypony else to come to your rescue!? You were losing, and I couldn't bear to just stand there and watch you fail!"
"Organization XIII is FAR worse than any simple-minded Heartless, and he could have done a lot worse if he didn't use you as leverage to get me to willingly give myself up to him and Xehanort!" Sora shouted. "It's not a game when your life is on the line! When your friends lives were in danger! I don't want to lose you or the others!"
"And I don't want to lose you! Ever since I met you, you've done so much for me, and you're the only pony I could ever trust to tell you how I'm really feeling when I try to be all tough and not act like a crybaby!" Her cheeks were streaked with tears once again, getting off her scooter and hugged Sora again, nuzzling her cheek against his chest, startling Sora a little from her yelling at him to holding him. "I know what I did was dumb...I don't care about whatever punishment you or my family gives me...I-I just...I don't want you to leave me, Sora..."
Sora's muzzle scrunched up as tears welled up in his eyes. Scootaloo and the rest of the Crusaders meant a lot to him, but she truly relied on him to be there for her source of comfort, and she was afraid her life would go back to feeling miserable if he were gone from her life. His tears finally began to fall, hugging Scootaloo tightly in his forelegs, even his wings, his heart touched by the pegasus filly as she honestly looks up at him like a real older brother.
"Scootaloo, I'm never going to leave you. None of you," he reassured. He lowered her to the ground after a long, silent embrace, both their cheeks matted with tears. "Even if I'm gone, I'll never, ever forget any of you. You'll always be right here,-" Sora held a hoof over the left side of his chest. "-in my heart..." He then moved his hoof and placed it over her heart. "And I'll always be in your heart, as long as you never forget about me. Understand?" Scootaloo let out a whimper, holding his hoof with both of hers and nodded in response. "Good. Don't ever forget me, ok? Because I know I'll never forget about you."
"...I Pinkie Promise," she said, making Sora nod, moving his hoof away.
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," they both said simultaneously, performing the Pinkie Promise and swearing to keep that promise forever.
After they both calmed down, drying up their tears so others didn't see them go through such an emotional roller coaster, Sora escorted his little pegasus sister back home to her adoptive family. Sora decided not to tell the couple caring for Scootaloo about her little stunt earlier today, having gone through enough months ago from being held hostage and almost killed by the scythe-wielding Organization member. As he slowly walked back to the castle, he had a crazy idea to help show Scootaloo she's got plenty of support from those around her. He flew off and headed back to Cloudsdale, knowing just the ponies for the job.
The next morning, at the schoolhouse, Cheerliee had her class present their reports on the ponies who greatly inspired them. Sora made it just in time as he peered through the window, Scootaloo in the middle of her report on Rainbow Dash. Behind him, the other ponies listened in as she talked about the speedy pegasus to her classmates, showing off all the pictures and mementos she got when she met her parents.
"...and that's why Rainbow Dash is the most inspirational pony in my life!" Scootaloo concluded, her classmates applauding at the incredibly detailed oral report.
"Thank you, Scootaloo. Very well researched," Cheerliee complimented. "But a little heavy on the pictures, and there was a moldy sandwich in your report." Sora spotted the nearby trash bin, where Scootaloo's half-eaten pasta and potato sandwich on sourdough bread sat, unable to help but snicker to himself, knowing she wasn't going to get points for a mushed sandwich in her scrapbook's pages. "I'll give you a B."
"Alright!" Sora cheered, slamming the window opened, surprising the whole class as he jumped inside. He was also joined by Rainbow Dash, Windy Whistles, and Bow Hothoof, the older pegasi wearing similar gear they had on when they cheered for Rainbow at the show in Canterlot, only instead bearing orange and purple scarves, orange vests, and their respective headgear matching Scootaloo's face. "You go, Scootaloo!"
"Greatest report giver of all time!" Rainbow added, the filly's cheerleader quartet grabbing her and hoisting her up in the air.
"Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo!" Sora, Rainbow, Windy, and Bow chanted together.
They ignored Cheerliee's complaints for disrupting the class, but all they cared about was showing Scootaloo their support and were her number one fans. Scootaloo beamed happily, a little embarrassed at the attention, but she appreciated it, seeing how two of the ponies she looks up to will always be there to lift her up and give her the determination she needs to be the best she can be. And she will never forget what Sora told her yesterday, even when it included her birth mother: she may have left her to a pair of ponies, unable to raise her due to unknown circumstances, but knowing she still loved her, Scootaloo will always remember her in her heart, hoping that one day, she will find and reunite with her. But, for now, her family will always be her close friends, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, her idol and sister-figure, Rainbow Dash, and, most of all, her older brother-figure, Sora.
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Wow, great chapter, nice seeing it dive into the Mystery of Scootaloo’s life and parents.
And we're back on the MLP train! Man it's been a while huh?
And their obsessive behavior towards their daughter is barely given any notice and Rainbow is made out to be that bad guy just like in the show, because why should anyone yell at their parents for publicly humiliating them several times in one day, almost getting them killed or hurt with fireworks and ruining an event for who knows how many other people?
Apologies if I cause any offense but I just didn't like this particular chapter.
great story tell me youre doing the perfect pear and to change a changling
this was a good episode. though I feel like it was stated that Scootaloo has two aunts looking after her. but I can see this happen of her real mom not being able to take care of Scoots and having to relay on the aunts to raise and take care of her. but in your version of her having a foster family, it kinda made me wonder if Ocean Breeze would ever spend time with Scootaloo.
Awesome chapter! I like how you added Scootaloo's backstory of her parents. Not to mention how much she sees Sora as the big brother she never had. It was sad but sweet.
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. idk if I mentioned this before to someone else who asked about there any references to the comics, but I'm not including the comics...even though, thinking back on "For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils", I made the Rarity in Sweetie's nightmare turn into Nightmare Rarity from the comic...
Fitting for a Dream Eater before actually introducing them?
Scootaloo being taken care of by her two aunts were in the comics, and none of them are canon in the show. There would be a lot of confusion if that were the case, and a majority of the episodes would have been altered or twisted to another outcome, which I think would be interesting for some like the alternate Equestria comic where the princesses and the Mane Six were evil and Sombra was the good guy in that world, otherwise known as the Negaverse
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I have heard of that. but from what I know, the show staff were the ones that said that who is Scootaloo is living with. even though it irks me that they still have not appeared in the show if that was to be the case. but who knows.
Nice job on parental glideance, I hope u do the next episode, honest apple next, I really like that episode.😁
Perfect job setting things up here:-)
Seeing you brining up Scootaloo's family makes me hope that the MLP staff will touch up on that as well before the show end.
But for now, I'm anxious to see how you're gonna handle the next chapter: Hard to Say Anything.
Just asking since most of the chapters might include story plot from Kingdom hearts 3 in the story. Is it possible having the mane 6, starlight glimmer, and spike travel Disney and Pixar world in future chapters? I wand to read them in Toy story and Monsters INC and how would the characters would react.
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Might be a while no thanks to life, but I'll get there eventually.
I am gonna go through the worlds in KH3, though who exactly will be coming along is not who you're going to expect to go. Got this planned for the season 8 (and maybe season 9 depending on how the rest of the final season goes), along with other things.
Hey! I'm just wondering if you plan on incorporating the movie and the Equestria Girls specials.
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Twilight's pauldron for her Keyblade Armor isn't destroyed. I know I haven't had her using it for a long while, but it would seem dull constantly having the wielders "suit up" when traveling to another world solo or in pairs. She's got a little hammerspace similar to Sora's "infinite storage leg pouch", and being a princess, wearing a piece of armor in public would seem awkward for the public, and she only uses it for world travel without riding in a Gummi ship, or if she's desperate for a bit more defense against tougher foes in the future.
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I know. Most of the links I used are dead for the Final Mix versions of both 1 and 2 for KH in my whole story. The YouTuber's videos I used were taken down, probably copyright stuff or something, and trying to reset them with new links or getting rid of them is kind of a pain with how far this story's gotten. Just ignore the links, even though some of them still work because they're from different YouTubers that still have their songs up.
In Google, Sora x Kairi (KH3) are so beautiful and so romantic.
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I know what you mean
And is true, that episode.
Good to see donald and Goofy in this chapter.
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If you want to use my backstory for Discord in your story, I don't mind it. We don't really know everything about Discord's past aside from him being a chaotic tyrant since it's up to interpretation. At least until we get some canon stuff from the show/comics, even though I mostly go by the show's canon.
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...Erm, so are any episodes from season 9 going to affect how you carry on the story when you get to that point? Specifically mid season ones.
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Well reading that your reply from may 16th I'm guessing you were surprised with the Last Crusade episode that Scootaloo living with her aunts and never was foster or orphaned is now canon in the show now huh. Well seeing that this chapter is left unaltered I'm guessing your sticking to what your were planning to do on that part. And do something different for the last crusade episode I can take a guess what you may do for that episode in this story. But im not going to say in case of possible spoilers or ends up differently than I expect it.
I can understand where Rainbow stands with her parents. Overbearing parents is something ALL kids deal with. But compared to Sora's new "familial situation" in this fic, Rainbow's got NOTHING on that!