Follow the adventures of the Mane Six, their offspring, and other characters.
Twilight Sparkle and Big Macintosh are proud parents of twins! YAY! But it's not over there, no sir. Follow the Mane Six over the years as they deal with the trials of parenthood and helping their kids find their place in the world. Most chapters will focus on one character, and not just focus on the Man Six and their spouses and or children.. I've rated T just to cover bases. Also, it won't let me post sad and comedy at once, so we'll just check comedy. But there will be some sad moments.
Recap: Twilight Sparkle decided to learn how to farm and apple buck at Sweet Apple Acres under the guidance of Big Macintosh Apple. This made Big Macintosh excited because he’s been in love with Twilight for a long time. Twilight is reluctant for any kind of romance because of heartbreak from her first ever boyfriend, Bookworm Scholar.
Eventually though Twilight and Big Mac reveal their true feelings for each other (partly helped by a visit from Bookworm and a stern talking from Granny Smith) and begin a relationship. Sometime later, Bookworm shows up again in Ponyville in a huge depression from a recent breakup. He soon gets over that though when he meets Rainbow Dash (after she accidentally crashes into him while test flying). The two hit it off instantly, helped by the fact that Bookworm is immediately enchanted with her and the fact that Bookworm has been one of the many authors of the Daring Do adventure books. Rarity sparks up a relationship with Hayseed Turnip Truck, a distant cousin of the Apple Family, who was at one point working in Canterlot, but then moved back to Ponyille and became the groundskeeper of the park. And around all this we learn Fluttershy and Snowflake have also been in a relationship. Twilight and Big Mac decide to get married.
Bookworm gets sick of Rainbow Dash not being clear with their relationship that he goes back to Manehattan for a while, writing a new book based on their relationship. Dash goes after him but accidentally creates a dangerous Sonic Rainboom, that she then tries to counter with another Rainboom that ends up in a Rainboom Kaboom! Caught in the middle, Rainbow Dash ends up with constant changing colored eyes and the ability to form a Sonic Rainboom whenever she wants; thus being able to join the Wonderbolts! Then we get a wedding for Twilight and Big Mac, and Twilight’s pregnant! YAY!
With Twilight pregnant, Big Mac is working a little less at Sweet Apple Acres. So cousin Braeburn from Appleloosa comes in. Tagging along is his best friend Malady “Mal” Wesson, who used to bully Applejack when they were kids.
But it turns out that he likes her and she likes him (but it’s not gonna be as easy as that). Pinkie and Braeburn start up a romance as well! SWEET! Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, is sick of being a Wonderbolt and moves back to Ponyville with her now husband Bookworm. With the help of her retired athlete turned realtor dad, Bifröst, they get a house built for them. Apple Bloom begins an apprenticeship with a construction worker and earns her cutie mark! YAY! Finally Pinkie and Braeburn have a date and it goes well and Applejack and Mal have one and it goes well too. Twilight goes into labor and she gives birth to twins! A male unicorn named Lil’ Macintosh and female earth pony named Shimmer! AWWWWW!
They celebrate the birth of newborns, and Rainbow Dash is now pregnant too! WHAT A TWIST! And Princess Celestia and Princess Luna us magic to allow the Apple Siblings to see their dearly departed parents. IT’S MAGIC BITCH!
Oh and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo got their cutie marks too and have passed on the Cutie Mark Crusaders legacy to Dinky Hooves, Berry Pinch, and Pipsqueak. Sweetie Belle and Spike are dating, and Spike has had a growth spurt (plus wings) but thankfully isn't greedy.
It had been over a week since Twilight had given birth to her twin foals, Lil' Macintosh and Shimmer...things weren't exactly what you would call peaceful...
Besides the fact that babies weren't known to sleep at regular hours, neither seemed to sleep at the same time, leaving the purple unicorn and her number one assistant Spike taking shifts on who watched who.
"Rock a bye, Shimmer, on the tree top," crooned Spike, eyes completely bloodshot. "When the wind blows, the cradle will...*SNORE*"
"WAAAAHHHH!" cried Shimmer.
"R-rock!" he jumped back into singing.
Making matters a bit more complicated was the fact that Twilight still need to be woken up to feed either of the twins, as she'd been told it was best for newborns to feed from the "source." Spike often had to assist in this when Twilight was too tired to hold one or both depending on when they were awake.
"I feel we've gotten way too comfortable around each other," quipped Spike, holding Lil' Macintosh and Shimmer at the "tap."
"I had to clean up after you when you were still a newborn, you know," Twilight retorted.
"I figured you'd bring that up," he rolled his eyes.
Big Macintosh wanted to help out, but Twilight insisted he needed as much rest as he could so that he could work properly at Sweet Apple Acres.
"But ah'm their father," argued Big Macintosh.
"And one of the main workers of Sweet Apple Acres," Twilight argued back. "They need you at your best."
Later at the farm, the eldest Apple sibling was in a funk.
"What in tarnation is the matter with you?" asked Applejack.
"Nothin," Big Macintosh lied.
"Ya know ya can't lie to me, big bro," quipped Applejack. "Ain't the Apple way. Why don't we take a little break, so you can tell me your woes."
"Ok," he sighed.
The two sat in the living room with some warm apple cider.
"So," began Applejack. "What's the matter?"
"Twilight," Big Macintosh replied. "The little ones."
"They ok?" she asked.
"They're all perfectly healthy," he said. "Just that the little ones ain't always sleepin at the proper times. Twilight an' Spike are workin' themselves like crazy. Ah wanna help but they both say ah need mah rest to work on the farm."
"Oh, ah see," Applejack said clear sympathy. "Got any ideas?"
"Nope," Big Macintosh said solemnly. "You and ah are the only ones that work here. Granny's too old to work and Apple Bloom's got her job workin' for Hard Hat. Just gotta keep on doin' what ah always do."
And so Big Macintosh solemnly went back to work.
"Ah'm guessin' ya heard all that?" Applejack asked to her seemingly sleeping Granny Smith. "Ah know when yer sleepin' fer real or not."
"Ah have no idea what yer talkin' 'bout," the elderly Apple replied with a sly smile. "But ah know what we can do."
A few days later, the farm got a couple visitors.
"Howdy, cousin!" exclaimed Braeburn.
"Good to see ya again!" exclaimed Mal.
Big Macintosh was surprised to see his cousin Braeburn Apple and childhood buddy Malady "Mal" Wesson back at Sweet Apple Acres. The two had gone back to Appleoosa a few days after Twilight had the twins.
"What are ya'll doin' here?" asked Big Macintosh.
"That any way to talk to yer new co-workers?" Braeburn jokingly asked.
The red stallion simply looked at the two in confusion.
"We're gonna be workin' here full time form now on, dummy," exclaimed Mal.
"Wait, what!?" exclaimed Big Macintosh, not usually raising his voice. "But, why!? Ya'll got yer own things to deal with."
"Plenty of family back in Appleoosa that can handle things," chimed in Braeburn.
"Ah got nothin' better goin' on," quipped Mal. "Ya get a lot of downtime when yer part of the Wesson family. Plus, AJ's been dyin' to see me more often."
"Ha! You wish!" exclaimed Applejack, walking up to meet her cousin and coltfriend (whom she still had trouble admitting was her coltfriend). Upon reaching Mal, she glared at her cousin and brother who immediately turned their heads so she could give Mal a peck on the cheek without anypony else seeing.
"Ya know, everypony knows we're an item," said Mal.
"Ah'm still gettin' used to this whole marefriend coltfriend thing," said Applejack. You bein' my first an' all."
"Well, ah certainly have had mahself some experience in that..." began Mal, before realizing his mistake, seeing his marefriend scowl at him. "B-b-but, none of them compare to you!"
The orange mare gave a hearty chuckle and elbowed her beau.
"Ah still wanna know why ya'll are doin' this," asked Big Macintosh.
"Cuz yer family," replied Braeburn.
"Mah oldest and best friend," exclaimed Mal.
"Plus yer a new daddy," continued Braeburn. "Ya want yer little ones to know ya as well as they know their mama."
"But..." began Big Macintosh.
"But nothin'!" exclaimed Braeburn and Mal.
"Yer gonna start workin' part time at the farm from now on, Mac," said Applejack. "Yer gonna come in around lunchtime, get off around 5PM, and have all weekends off."
"With me an' Mal workin' here, apple buckin' season will be way easier," said Braeburn with a warm smile.
"Ah doubt Granny Smith will agree to this," said Big Macintosh.
"It was mah idea!" shouted the elderly mare, slowly walking towards them with her walker.
"But, work is important," exclaimed Big Macintosh. "Ah've been taught that mah entire life!"
"Then ya should also know that family is important too," retorted Granny Smith. "In fact, ah'd argue it's even more important! Them little babies need to see their father as much as possible!"
"But granny..." began Big Macintosh, before Granny Smith stuck her front hoof in his mouth.
"But nothin!" she exclaimed. "Ya've been doin' enough fer everypony 'round here fer much of yer life. Bout time ya did somehin' fer yerself and yer new family."
And so it was decided that Big Macintosh would only be working part time at Sweet Apple Acres. He wasn't super excited about it, having been a full time worker for as long as he could basically walk, but Twilight was glad to have him home more often, Spike too was greatly relieved to have another helping hoof. Since Macintosh was so used to waking up around dawn he had no problems having to be up with one or both of the foals at the crack of dawn.
"This is gonna take some gettin' used to," he said to nopony in particular.
The new father looked down at his newborn foals, both looking back up at him smiling big and making some gurgling noises.
"But ah wouldn't wanna trade it for anything else in the whole world."
"GROUNDED!? ARE YOU BUCKING KIDDING ME, DOC!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock to Dr. Stable at the hospital. She'd been pregnant for around two months now and was receiving a general checkup.
"Please, lower your voice Mrs. Scholar," replied Dr. Stable, still maintaining a professional tone.
"I think we've known each other long enough that you can just call me Dash," she rolled her eyes. "I mean Celestia knows I've been here plenty enough."
"True, but at least this time around it's on a more positive note," quipped Bookworm.
"Hardy bucking har!" she retorted.
"As I was trying to say," continued Dr. Stable. "You're not grounded, per se. You're early enough in your pregnancy where it's perfectly alright for you to fly around. However, you shouldn't over exert yourself, no fast flying or practicing maneuvers."
"What constitutes as fast?" she asked.
"Weeeeeel," Dr. Stable thought. "I'm guessing this is the part you're going to especially not care for..."
"Just give it to me straight, Doc," she exclaimed.
"I want you to promise not to freak out," he replied.
"Aw buck," she said under her breath.
"No flying over five miles an hour," he finally said.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BUCKING MIND!?" she yelled as loud as possible.
"Now, Dashie, it's not that bad," Bookworm tried to comfort his wife.
"Easy for you to say, Bookie!" she exclaimed, albeit not as loudly as earlier. "You're not a pegasus! Flying is what we're all about! Unless you're Fluttershy I guess...If I'd known we'd be adopting Scootaloo, I'd have tried not to get pregnant!"
"Oh come on now," he put a leg around his wife's shoulder. "It's only going to be for another nine months, and then you'll be back to flying at high speeds in no time."
"Yeah," she sighed. "I guess you have a point, and it'll be nice to have a little foal around and...DID YOU SAY NINE MONTHS!?"
Needless to say, Dr. Stable was happy to have Rainbow Dash out of his examination room. He prescribed her some prenatal supplements, a list of things she couldn't eat while pregnant, and book recommendations. The latter meant a trip to the Golden Oaks Library. Twilight Sparkle was glad to have some visitors, past couple weeks it was mostly her, Big Macintosh, Spike, and the newborn twins.
"Rainbow Dash! Bookworm!" she exclaimed, with her daughter Shimmer in a harness around her neck. "It's great to see you both!"
"Hey, Twi," Rainbow Dash said solemnly.
"What's wrong with you?" asked Twilight. "I figured you'd be in a more excited mood what with being pregnant and all."
"Oh, she's still very excited about that," answered Bookworm. "She's just a little down because Dr. Stable said she couldn't fly faster than five miles an hour while pregnant."
"I see," said Twilight. "That does make sense. I wasn't able to use my magic as much while pregnant with Lil' Macintosh and Shimmer. It's not very fun. So, I'm guessing you're here to get some books on the subjects of pregnancy and foal care?"
"You'd be correct," Bookworm said enthusiastically, always excited to be looking at new reading material. The purple unicorn mare lead them in. Spike was busy fixing some food, while Lil' Macintosh was walking around in a playpen, with Big Macintosh tossing a little ball for him to chase."
"Hey, Twi? If newborns are able to walk within hours after birth, why are you carrying Shimmer in a harness?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"It's a good way to bond with your newborn," replied Twilight, who then rubbed noses with Shimmer who let out a giggle. "I can't carry them both around at once, but they're fine taking turns."
"What's Big Mac doing here?" Dash asked. "Shouldn't he be at the farm?
"He's actually part time now," replied Twilight. "Braeburn and Mal have moved onto the farm full time."
"Wow!" exclaimed Dash. "That's really awesome of them! I bet Applejack and Pinkie are happy to have them both here all the time now. I'm surprised Pinkie didn't throw a party."
"Surprisingly, Pinkie just wanted to spend some time with Braeburn alone," said Twilight. "To be fair, he is her first coltfriend. It's a whole new experience for her."
"Speaking of coltfriends," Dash said to Spike. "You and Sweetie Belle still an item?"
"You betcha!" exclaimed Twilight's number one assistant with a proud smile. "Been together over six months now!"
"She handling the wings and the growth spurt fine?" asked Dash.
"It came out of nowhere for both of us," said Spike. "It literally happened over night. But at least this time I'm not rampaging around Ponyville. Guess I'm just going through some natural dragon growth now."
"You're not gonna get as big as the one dragon we dealt with a while back, are you?" Dash asked.
"Based on some research," Twilight chimed in. "That dragon and Spike are part of a different class. That dragon stayed on all fours while Spike is bipedal. Based on some older books I've read, Spike's class of dragon don't get nearly that large typically. That incident at his birthday was a random accident that hopefully won't happen again."
"Better keep an eye on him regardless," quipped Dash, arching an eyebrow."
"I found some books!" exclaimed Bookworm, levitating a stack of what looked to be a dozen books.
"When did you do that?" asked Dash.
"While you all were talking," he said matter of fact.
"Why do you always have to check out so many books?" Dash asked her husband while facehoofing, even though she knew the answer. She knew he loved to be as informed on something as much as possible. She thought at least he wasn't as research crazy as Twilight.
"So, tell me Twi, is it all worth it?" Dash asked.
Twilight stood there for a moment, looking at Lil' Macintosh play with his father, then looking at her Shimmer in her harness smiling big up at her mother.
"It's the greatest adventure you'll have, Dash," she said.
Later that evening, at Rainbow Dash and Bookworm's newly built custom house, the cerulean mare was tucking in her protege turned daughter Scootaloo.
"This feels weird," said Scootaloo."Though in a good way."
"Yeah, I know," said Dash. "But it seems like a typical thing for parents to do with their kids, plus I better spend as much time with you as possible, what with a new baby on the way. I hear they take up a lot of time."
The two sat there for a little bit in awkward silence.
"So um, are you excited about becoming a big sister?" Dash asked.
"Sure," replied Scootaloo. "I mean...I guess so...I'm still used to being part of a new family! So much happened at once. I got my cutie mark, got adopted by my mentor, and now I'm gonna have a baby brother or sister. I doubt this happens often to other ponies, especially in such rapid succession."
"Yeah," sighed Dash. "It's crazy...guess you should get some sleep now. Sweet dreams, Scoots."
"Sweet dreams, Dash," replied Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash gave Scootaloo a bit of a nuzzle and walked over to the light switch.
"Hey, Dash," Scootaloo called out before Dash walked out.
"Yeah, what's up?" Dash asked.
"Um..." the orange pegasus fumbled. "Would it be ok...if...I called you...mom?"
The rainbow maned pegasus pony's eyes went wide as the two said nothing for what felt like forever. She rushed over to Scootaloo's bed to give her a huge hug.
"That wasn't something you had to ask," she exclaimed, tearing up in the process. "I've seen you as my daughter before I even adopted you."
The two sat there for a few minutes, crying tears of joy. Finally, Scootaloo went to sleep and Rainbow Dash went to her room where Bookworm was still awake.
"I'm guessing things went well," Bookworm said with a smile.
Rainbow Dash simply got into bed, kissed Book worm on the cheek, and rested her head on his chest.
"She called me mom," she said with a warm smile on her face.
"I thought she was already doing that," he said.
"Nah, she was too nervous at first," she replied. "But tonight she asked. Not that she needed to of course."
"It's a whole new experience for everypony," he said.
"So true," she sighed. "I think I'm gonna be ok with having to slow things down for a bit. I want as much time as possible with our new daughter."
Bookworm kissed Rainbow Dash on top of the head and flicked the light switch off.
"But once this baby is born I'm flying as fast as I'm able."
Mal had been working at Sweet Apple Acres for nearly a month, taking up residence in what used to be Big Macintosh's room. Braeburn and Pinkie Pie were already living together in her room above Sugar Cube Corner, though they'd plan on getting their own place as soon as they were able. Meanwhile, Applejack was going crazy! Her coltfriend hadn't asked her out once since he began working and living there. She finally decided to confront him.
"Think things are goin' well between you and Applejack?" asked Braeburn.
"Course they are," exclaimed Mal with a proud smile. "We're closer than we've ever been."
"HEY!" the orange mare shouted to her beau. "What the hay is wrong with ya!?"
"Um, beg pardon," the white stallion replied with what appeared to be genuine confusion. He glanced silently over at Braeburn to see if he had any idea.
"Ah should probably go work at a different section of the farm right now," said Braeburn with an embarrassed grin. "Catch ya'll later!"
The Apple cousin darted off as fast as his legs could take him, leaving Applejack and her coltfriend alone. Mal was visibly miffed by this.
"Ok then," said Mal. "What exactly did ah do this time?"
"Ya've been here on the farm a few weeks now," continued Applejack, barely noticing Braeburn had been there. "And we haven't been out on one single date. Ya bored of me that quick?"
"What!?" he exclaimed. "Course ah'm not! Ah could never get bored of you!"
"Then what's the deal?" she asked aggressively.
"Ah figured it'd be best to get plenty of work done first," he replied. "Yer all about gettin' work done on time and ah haven't been here long."
"Well...that's true," she said, hating to admit that her coltfriend had a valid point. "Aw jeez! "Ah'm sorry, Mal."
"Fer what?" he asked.
"Snappin' at ya like that of course," she replied. "Ah'm still gettin' used to even havin' a special somepony, an' my other friends are always talkin' 'bout the dates they go on with their special someponies. An' yeah gettin' the work on the farm is really important too, but ah just was startin' to feel kinda antsy about our situation."
"Ah'm glad to hear that," Mal said with a warm smile on his face.
"Why would you be glad?" Applejack asked.
"Means yer serious 'bout us," he replied.
"Well, 'course ah am!" she exclaimed. "Ah figured you'd be the one not takin' it as serious!"
"Ah wouldn't have moved all the way out here if ah wasn't serious," he retorted. "Ah ain't lookin' fer some stupid fling."
"Really?" she asked blushing a little.
"Of course!" he exclaimed. "Ah mean...after all...ah..."
"You what?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Aw, come on, you know," he said.
"No, ah don't," she replied. "You what?"
"Ah," he gulped loudly. "Ah love you, Applejack."
Applejack went wide eyed and blushed all over. Neither were sure how long the silence had lasted.
"Ya don't hafta reply right away," Mal finally broke the silence.
"How can ya just say that so soon!?" Applejack exclaimed. "We haven't been datin' officially that long!"
"But we've known each other our whole lives," he retorted. "Ah mean, ah've had these kinds of feelin's for some time. Ah don't think ah have to explain why ah waited so long to say somehin' about mah feelins. Then there was waitin' for the right time to actually confess these feelins to ya. Ah hadn't planned on sayin' it like this, but ya kinda backed me into a corner."
"Guess ah did," she said with an embarrassed tone.
"But ah'm glad ah got to say it finally," he smiled big.
"Are ya ok with me not knowing yet?" she asked.
"Sure," he said matter of fact. "Like ya said, yer new to this whole thing. But, is it safe to say ya care 'bout me?"
"Absolutely!" she exclaimed, blushing again. "Yer a very important part of my life. New in terms of the whole relationship thing, but still ah want you to be part of it for as long as possible."
Mal simply smiled and gave Applejack a big hug. She seemed surprised at first, possibly expecting a kiss, but she was happy nevertheless, hugging him back.
"Ya'll can make out on yer down time!" exclaimed Granny Smith. "Till then, get back ta workin! Ya don't see Braeburn kissin' face with Pinkie Pie durin' his work hours!"
The two stood there for a moment, now both blushing brightly.
Within a week of moving to Ponyville to work at Sweet Apple Acres full time, Braeburn Apple was invited to move in with Pinkie Pie.
"Ya think we should be movin' that fast?" he asked his new marefriend. "Hasn't been that long since we started courtin."
"Why not?" Pinkie Pie asked with the usual enthusiasm. "We know pretty much everything we need to know about each other from all the letters we sent back and forth, plus all the conversations we had face to face. I'd like to be able to see you every morning I wake up!"
"Well, gee," blushed Braeburn. "That's mighty flatterin' of ya. Ah'd like that too! And yer ok with us not bein' married?"
"Married?" Pinkie Pie blushed. "I don't think I even considered that!"
"Well, ah mean, it's what most couples do before movin' in together," said Braeburn. "But, not everypony does things that way. Ah'm fine with whatever you are."
"Um...well...," fumbled Pinkie, a rare thing for her. "Do you think marriage is a possibility?"
"Of course!" Braeburn exclaimed immediately. "But we don't have to jump into anything right away."
"Yeah," chuckled Pinkie. "You're right, we just decided to move in together after all."
"Right," agreed Braeburn. "No need to rush into anything..."
"Nope," she said. "No rushing at all..."
"Good!"
"Yup!"
"Fantastic!"
"Okie dokie lokie!"
One month later...
"YOU DID WHAT!?" exclaimed all of Pinkie's friends in unison.
"We got married, duh!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, as if it were obvious. "You guys have something in your ears making it hard to hear us?"
They were all in the Golden Oaks Library when Pinkie and Braeburn dropped the big news onto their friends.
"When did this happen!?" asked Appejack, still very confused.
"Bout ten minutes ago," chimed in Braeburn, smiling big.
"Ten minutes!?" Applejack exclaimed.
"You really need to get your hearing checked AJ," began Pinkie Pie. "But anyway, we were walking around town, just enjoying the lovely day, when we started to walk past city hall. And Braeburn said..."
"Hey, why don't we get hitched!" he chimed in enthusiastically. "And Pinkie said..."
"Okie dokie lokie!" she finished the sentence.
"How romantic," Rarity said with a clear hint of sarcasm.
"I know, right!?" replied Pinkie Pie with no hint of sarcasm and not seeming to catch onto Rarity's sarcasm. "Mayor Mare is qualified to marry people, and we got Doctor Whooves to act as our witness!"
"Doctor Who?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"She means Time Turner," explained Braeburn. "That feller that runs the clock shop. He an' Pinkie are buddies."
"Why didn't you ask one of us?" asked Twilight.
"Because we wanted it to be a surprise, duh!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "We figured the looks on your faces would be priceless!"
"An' we were right!" exclaimed Braeburn. "Glad Pinkie had her camera at the ready!"
"So what? You got married to shock us all?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Pfft! No!" giggled Pinkie Pie. "We did it because we love each other more than anything in the whole wide world! And that includes parties! I don't see the big deal, Fluttershy and Snowflake got married in private."
"Well, yeah," said Twilight. "But that's because Fluttershy didn't want a big reception or anything like that."
"We never would've guessed you'd get married without some sort of celebration, darling," said Rarity.
"Who said we aren't having a party?" Pinkie Pie asked, clearly not expecting an answer.
"We sent the invitations out to our various kin right after we signed the marriage license," Braeburn chimed in. "We'll be havin' the party next week so everypony has the time to show up!"
One week later and sure enough Pinkie and Braeburn's family had shown up to celebrate their recent nuptials. Pinkie prepared everything of course, with it all being held (again of course) at the Golden Oaks Library.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PINKIE PIE (that's me) &BRAEBURN APPLE (my husband)
Despite the quickness of their courtship and marriage, everypony was very happy for them and congratulating them.
"Another impressive party, Pinkie," said Twilight.
"Wonderful indeed, darling," agreed Rarity.
"Very nice," said Fluttershy in her usually hushed tone.
"Happy for the both of ya, sugar cube," said Applejack.
"Yeah, it's totally awesome!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Too bad I can't drink! Seven more months to go!"
"Don't worry, Dashie!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "We'll do plenty of drinking for you!"
"That makes me feel loads better," Rainbow Dash replied with clear sarcasm.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, rushing Braeburn over to her immediate family: parents Cloudy Quartz Pie and Igneous Rock Pie, along with her sisters Maudileena Daisy Pie aka Maude, Limestone Pie, and Marble Pie.
"Mom, dad!" she exclaimed with an excited smile. "I'd like you both to meet my husband, Braeburn Apple!"
"Pleasure to meet you both!" exclaimed Braeburn, also smiling big.
"I am called Igneous Rock Pie," began Pinkie's father in a matter of fact tone. "Son of Feldspar Granite Pie."
"Thou shalt know me as Cloudy Quartz Pie," replied her mother, also matter of fact.
"Tis a pleasure to meet the young stallion that hath wedded our daughter," continued Igneous. "May providence fare thee well, and the two of thee have a joyous union."
"Why thank ya'll kindly," replied Braeburn, seeing no issue with the way Pinkie's parents spoke.
"It's a very nice party," said Maude in her usual apathetic tone. "I'm having a wonderful time right now."
"Mm-hmm," replied Marble timidly as always.
"Just don't screw things up with Pinkie or so help me," exclaimed Limestone in her usual aggressive tone. "And this doesn't mean you get to run the farm! Or that you can touch Holder's Boulder!"
"Hope ya'll don't mind that we got hitched without any kind of warnin," said Braeburn, glancing over Limestone's aggressiveness. "Or that ah hadn't even met ya'll yet..."
"Pinkamena hath always been a mare of spontaneity," replied Igneous. "But she hath excellent judgment in the characters of others."
"Tis quite clear that thou brings joy to her," said Cloudy Quartz. "I haft not seen such strong feelings of romance since mine own union to Pinkamena's sire."
"Twas truly a day of joy and revelry," agreed Igneous.
"There's nopony I look to for romantic and marital bliss more than my own parents," Pinkie said with a proud smile. "Now let's back to the partay!"
It was a day like any other at the cottage of Ponyville's resident animal caregiver. Fluttershy was up to her usual morning routine of feeding her animals, and tending to her garden. Her loving husband, Snowflake, was at work as the physical education teacher, so it was just her and her animals. Suddenly, her favorite pet, the stubborn bunny Angel, came hopping towards her, tapping her hoof to get her attention.
"What's the matter, Angel bunny?" she asked with usual concern.
Angel pointed to his nose then motioned her towards the Everfree Forest.
"You smell something?" she asked. "That's nothing unusual. The Everfree Forest is full of all kinds of things."
Angel got an annoyed look on his face and began to tug on Fluttershy's mane.
"Alright, alright, I'll go with you to see what you're smelling."
The butter colored mare and her bunny companion walked into the woods. Under normal circumstances she wouldn't dare go in there on her own, but she knew not to argue with Angel's concerns.
"I'm glad it's at least day time, this place is even spookier at nighttime. I hope you're not taking us too deep into the woods, Angel, we could easily get looooooost!"
Fluttershy suddenly fell through a hole in the ground and rolled to the bottom, letting out a loud shriek. Angel had managed to jump over the hole and figured Fluttershy would notice. Seeing that she didn't he merely rolled his eyes, shook his head, and gave himself a face palm. Down in the hole, Fluttershy got herself up, shook her head to get herself reoriented.
"Oh dear! Angel!? Are you still up there!?"
Angel then came hopping into the hole to join his pegasus companion.
"Why did you jump down here!? How are we supposed to get back up!?"
Angel arched an eyebrow and pointed to the surface, showing that it wasn't very steep, Fluttershy had just been clumsy.
"Oh...um...right..." she began to blush brightly.
Angel once again motioned to Fluttershy, indicating that this is where he wanted to go.
"Further in!? What if there's some big creature down here!?"
Angel shook his head and gave motions to indicate he'd been down here before and saw nothing of the sort.
"O...ok..."
Fluttershy followed her favorite bunny a bit farther down the hole, leading into a larger area, till he finally pointed to what he'd discovered.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed, going wide eyed in amazement.
At the Golden Oaks Library, Spike was taking care of the twins while Twilight Slept; Big Macintosh was at Sweet Apple Acres till early evening. The number one assistant was very close to getting Lil Macintosh to sleep, when there came a sudden knock at the door, causing him and Shimmer to cry.
"Aw, come on!" he groaned. "I was so close!"
Spike got up from the rocking chair, still holding Lil Macintosh and rubbing the bridge of his nose. He picked up Shimmer from her sleep pen and made his way to the door, still being knocked on rapidly.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" he shouted, finally opening the door. "What do you want!? Oh...hi Fluttershy...Angel..."
"H-hi Spike," began Fluttershy. "S-s-sorry to bother you. But, Angel and I came across something very peculiar, and thought Twilight should have a look at it."
Angel motioned Spike to a cart, which had a blanket over it. Spike looked at it with no real enthusiasm and then motioned the two to come inside.
"The baby's sure are getting bigger," commented Fluttershy. "They certainly are adorable."
"Oh yeah, they're really wonderful," groaned Spike. "Been walking since hours after birth but still insist on being carried everywhere...HEY TWILIGHT! WE GOT COMPANY!"
"I'M TRYING TO SLEEP, SPIKE!" the unicorn mare shouted from her room.
"NO DUH!" Spike shouted back. "BUT FLUTTERSHY AND ANGEL ARE HERE WITH SOMETHING WEIRD THEY THOUGHT YOU'D BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT!"
"A DISCOVERY!?" Twilight replied back, this time with more enthusiasm in her voice. "I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN!"
Within seconds, the purple unicorn ran rapidly down the stares, tripping and tumbling down halfway. This antic caused her foals to burst with laughter.
"Yes...I'm sure seeing mommy get hurt is very hilarious," she groaned as she got back up. "So, Fluttershy, you say you found something?"
"Um...yes," Fluttershy began. "Angel found something in a hole in the Everfree Forest and wanted me to see. So I did and I figured this was something you'd want to see. Plus, I wasn't sure what to make of it."
Fluttershy then motioned Twilight to her cart with the blanket over it.
"What's with the blanket?" asked Spike.
"Well...um...we weren't sure how everypony in town would react..." Fluttershy replied in her usual shy tone.
Spike placed the twins in their playpen and pulled the blanket off the cart. Both he and Twilight sighed in amazement. It was a dark green egg, about twice of the size of Angel.
"WHOA!" Spike exclaimed.
"It certainly seems like a warranted response," said Twilight. "And I see why Angel needed your help getting it out of that hole."
"It was quite the surprise," said Fluttershy.
"And there was nopony there?" asked Twilight.
"When we found it, it was partly covered in dirt and dust," said Fluttershy. "Almost like it had been there for a long time. But...when I put my ear close to it..." she trailed off, as if her friends weren't going to believe her.
Twilight took this as a signal to put her ear to it herself. She leaned in slowly, she wasn't sure at first, but was certain she could hear some kind of faint heartbeat.
"This can't be possible!" she exclaimed. "If it's been there long enough to gather dirt and dust then it shouldn't be alive!"
"What kind of egg is it?" asked Spike.
"I have no idea," replied Twilight. "I've never seen any kind of egg like this in my life. Spike, find me as many books on eggs as you can."
Spike immediately went to work, finding as many books on the subjects as possible.
"Would you mind if I got Bookworm to come over and see this?" she asked.
"Oh...um...no," replied Fluttershy. "I don't see that as a problem.
Spike went out to get Bookworm, who thankfully wasn't far from the library. They returned a few minutes later, along with Rainbow Dash, now five months along in her pregnancy and definitely showing.
"Pleasure to see you, Twilight," said Bookworm as he entered the library. "Rainbow Dash insisted on coming along."
"I may not be able to fly, but I can still walk around," Dash said defensively. "I can't stay inside all the time! I'd go crazy!"
"Fair enough," said Twilight. "I certainly remember those days well enough."
"So, Spike says Fluttershy made quite the discovery," said Bookworm.
"See for yourself," Twilight retorted.
Bookworm and Rainbow Dash saw the egg, both quite surprised.
"What the buck is it?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow! Watch your language," exclaimed Twilight. "There are foals in the room!"
"What!? They can't understand me," said Rainbow Dash. "Are they even talking yet?"
"That's not the point," replied Twilight.
"It appears to be an egg," Bookworm chimed in.
"Never seen a green egg before," said Rainbow Dash.
"I concur," said Bookworm. "This is quite an oddity."
"That's why I figured I'd bring you in on this," replied Twilight. "Spike gathered as many books dealing with eggs as we have, and you're among the most well read ponies I know. Also...we're fairly certain there was a heartbeat."
"Oh my," said Bookworm. "But no parent in the area?"
"No...it was covered in dust and dirt," said Fluttershy. "Looked like it had been there for some time."
Bookworm took a closer look at the egg, eyeing it very thoroughly. He levitated a bit of dirt that was on it for a few moments.
"I need a microscope," he said.
Spike went to the basement of the library to retrieve one from Twilight's lab. The grey unicorn carefully placed the specimen in the proper position and looked through.
"Hmmm," he began. "Interesting..."
"What is it, Bookie?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"If I'm looking at this correctly," began Bookworm. "This dirt is centuries old."
"Well, yeah, but isn't most dirt super old?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yes, Dashie, but it's not usually stationary for this long," replied Bookworm. "It's almost as if it's been in some sort of suspended animation in one particular spot for some time."
"Fascinating!" exclaimed Twilight. "Fluttershy, show us the spot where you found this egg!"
"What about the foals?" asked Spike. "I wanna see this location too!"
"We have harnesses and a cart, Spike," replied Twilight. "The twin's first scientific exploration! How exciting!"
The group made their way to the hole in the Everfree Forest where Angel and Fluttershy discovered the egg.
"Now, everypony be careful," began Fluttershy, leading the way. "The hole can come a bit out of nowheeeeeere!"
Angel once again face palmed.
"Are you ok, Fluttershy!?" exclaimed Twilight.
"I'm ok," she replied weakly, most likely from her general disposition and not the fall.
"I don't know if you should be climbing down holes, Dashie," Bookworm said with concern.
"Aw, come on, Bookie!" his wife exclaimed. "I'm not a foal! If you're so concerned, just envelope me in magic or something."
Bookworm let out a sigh, knowing he couldn't talk Rainbow Dash out of this. Twilight secured Shimmer to her harness around herself, while Spike secured Lil Macintosh his harness around himself. The party made it's way down the hole, through the tunnel, and into the larger area the egg had been found. Twilight and Bookworm provided light with their horns, bringing out more details on the walls. Crude drawings adorned it, pony like figures but with a slightly different shape to them.
"Very strange," said Twilight. "They certainly appear to be ponies. But, something is off about them."
"What do you mean?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Most cave drawings, while crude, still were very clear about pegasus wings and unicorn horns," began Bookworm. "But, the wings on these ponies, appear more angular, and the horns stubbier. Definitely old, easily thousands so."
"Ok, but how could this egg be so well preserved?" asked Spike.
"I'm sensing some residual magic in the air," said Twilight. "A protective barrier left here who knows how long ago."
"They can last that long?" asked Fluttershy.
"If nopony has been disturbing the grounds, then yes," said Bookworm. "It would appear that this cave hadn't been disturbed for quite some time. Something must've disturbed this area recently, causing the barrier to eventually short out."
"You think whoever made this barrier intended it to stay up so long?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Highly unlikely," Bookworm answered. "Most likely, it was meant to be a temporary protection from danger, but...circumstances changed that."
"Oh dear," said Fluttershy. "So whatever's in the egg, the poor thing doesn't have any family?"
"That would be the likely assumption," replied Bookworm.
"So, what do we do with it?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Somepony needs to look after it," said Spike.
"But who?" asked Twilight.
"I will," Fluttershy chimed in, albeit with her usual tone.
"We don't even know what this is," retorted Rainbow Dash. "When this thing hatches, it could be some horrible spawn of some evil thing!"
"I don't care," replied Fluttershy, with a bit more conviction in her voice. "This egg has no home, nopony to look after it. I'm not going to just leave it unsafe and cold. Twilight has her foals to look after, and you have a foal coming in six months. I take care of animals all the time, so I'm the best candidate to keep it safe."
"She has a good point," said Twilight.
"You all can't be serious!?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
"Something is alive in there, Dashie," replied Bookworm. "If whatever comes out turns out to be something dangerous, it'll be young enough to immobilize and place somewhere out of danger of the town."
"I guess so," Rainbow Dash reluctantly agreed. "How long do you think it'll be before it hatches?"
"Hard to say," replied Twilight. "Given we don't know what kind of egg it is, plus the unknown amount of time it's been down here. Could be literally anytime."
"I'll watch after it for as long as I need to," said Fluttershy. Her friends knew they weren't talking her out of this one.
Winter had come, and with this season came a very special wedding. It was finally time for Ponyville's premiere fashionista, Rarity, and Ponyville Park groundskeeper, Hayseed Turnip Truck, to tie the knot. The time leading up to it had been quite hectic, with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy following Rarity's wedding plan instructions to the smallest detail; the unicorn seamstress was too busy getting her dress ready.
"You will follow my instructions to the last letter," Rarity ordered to her sister.
"I know!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, her mane in shambles from nervousness. "You've told me over a hundred times! Why couldn't somepony else make your dress?"
"Never!" exclaimed Rarity. "No other pony could possibly understand my vision! I've been planning this since I was a filly."
"What about the bridesmaid dresses?" asked Sweetie Belle. "How can you possibly get those done to?"
"I've left those up to Fluttershy," said Rarity. "She's almost as good at sewing as me, and she wouldn't dare go against my designs. But, I can't trust anypony else with my own dress."
"Bet she's nervous," sighed Sweetie Belle.
"She isn't the only one," replied Rarity. "I've been shaking for days."
"Why?" asked Sweetie Belle. "Nervous about marrying Hayseed?"
"Certainly not!" exclaimed Rarity. "Hayseed is the love of my life!"
"Then what's there to be nervous about?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"It's everything that goes with the wedding," explained Rarity. "The venue, the guests, the food, the decorations, the music, my dress, the bridesmaids, the groomstallions, the flower fillies, the ring colt. My goodness there are so many things!"
"Lucky for you, Pinkie can prepare any kind of celebration," said Sweetie Belle.
"True," sighed Rarity. "She too was given strict orders to follow my instructions. I even had her give me a Pinkie Promise, so she knows how serious I am about all this."
Meanwhile, at Fluttershy's cottage, the yellow pegasus was working diligently on the bridesmaid dresses. Rarity gave strict orders not to let her animals near the fabric, no matter how clean they may have been. This made things a bit hectic for her. The animals tried to help, but she wouldn't have any of it, lest she deal with Rarity's wrath.
"Don't even dare touch that!" she exclaimed in an almost demonic sounding tone. "Oh...um...sorry little ones...but I just can't let any of you help me with this. I made a promise to Rarity that I wouldn't let any of you near it."
Elsewhere, Pinkie Pie was getting all the decorations written down for her. The wedding was being held at the park, it being where Rarity and Hayseed had their first romantic spark. Due to the weather conditions it was agreed to have an easy to assemble shelter made that could fit all the decorations. Hayseed being a member of the Apple family meant that many were obliged to help put it together. The usually confident pink party planner was way more nervous than usual.
"No, a little more to the left!" she exclaimed. "And don't you dare wrinkle anything!"
"You doin ok, Pinkie," asked Braeburn.
"Of course I'm not ok!" exclaimed Pinkie. "I have to make sure everything is just as Rarity instructed! Down to every last flower!"
"Ah'm sure she won't mind some things bein off," said Braeburn.
"I made a Pinkie Promise!" she exclaimed, eyes seemingly turning red. "Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise! Especially the one who created the Pinkie Promise!"
"Ok, then," Braeburn replied fearfully, slowly backing away. "Ah'll just leave ya to yer business."
A couple weeks later and it was time for the big day. The decorations were set up to the absolute perfect arrangements, the bridesmaid dresses stitched exactly as told. Fluttershy was to act as Rarity's matron of honor, with the rest of her friends acting as bridesmaids. Rainbow Dash refused to not participate in the wedding, despite being nine months pregnant; Rarity allowed her to sit in a chair while the others stood. Hayseed didn't really have a close friend, so Big Macintosh agreed to stand in as his best stallion, with Braeburn, Mal, Bookworm, and Snowflake filling in for the other groomstallion positions. Rarity's mother, Cookie Crumbles, was sitting in the front row, already tearing up. Hondo Flanks, Rarity's father, was in the back, pacing nervously, waiting for his daughter to be ready.
"Aw jeez!" he exclaimed. "What in all of Equestria is taking that mare so long to get ready!? Her mother didn't take this long on our wedding day!"
The mustached stallion tried to peak in, but Sweetie Belle immediately blocked him.
"Dad! No Peaking!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "It's bad luck!"
"I thought that was only if it was the groom," her dad retorted.
"Oh yeah, that might be true," said Sweetie Belle. "Alright come on in."
"Seriously, what the heck is taking so long," he exclaimed. "We've been waiting out there for what feels like hours! Your poor mother is already in tears and..."
Hondo stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing his eldest daughter in her custom made wedding dress. An amazing shade of white, with light blue jewels smashed up to give it an amazing shimmer. Her hoofwear was white gold, her mane put up in a grand bouffant, a jewel encrusted tiara adorned her forehead with a thin veil over her face.
"Oh wow!" he exclaimed.
"I do hope that's a good reaction," said Rarity.
"Oh, you betcha it is," Hondo replied. "You look positively radiant! More than usual that is, since you always look radiant!"
"Oh please, father," laughed Rarity. "Nopony looks radiant all the time."
"Well I bet the fella marrying ya thinks ya always do," her father retorted.
"You know his name is Hayseed, father," said Rarity.
"Yeah, yeah, I know his name," Hondo said. "I'm just not super excited that my little filly is getting hitched."
"I haven't been a filly for some time," Rarity replied.
"When ya have kids of your own you'll understand how I feel," Hondo said, tears clearly forming. "Still, your mother and I are very excited for ya."
"Now, don't you start crying!" exclaimed Rarity. "Or I'll start crying, and I mustn't ruin my mascara!"
"Ok ok," he sighed. "Are we ready now?"
At the alter, Hayseed was shaking a bit.
"Ya ok there?" asked Big Macintosh.
"Sure," replied Hayseed Nervously. "Course ah'm ok. Must be the heat or somethin gettin to me."
"It's winter," retorted Big Macintosh.
"Ah know," exclaimed Hayseed.
"Perfectly normal to be nervous," said Big Macintosh. "Ah was to the day ah married Twilight. Trust me, once ya see yer beautiful bride to be, all that nervousness will melt away."
"Ah sure hop yer right," said Hayseed.
The music began to play, everypony stood up, then Rarity came into view with her father, and everypony was in awe. Big Macintosh was right, Hayseed was no longer nervous once he saw his bride to be. His smile grew to a goofy grin he was so excited. She finally made her way up to the alter. Ponyville's own Mayor Mare came into the middle to officiate the wedding.
"We are gathered here today," began Mayor Mare. "To witness the union of these two fine Ponyville Citizens, Rarity and Hayseed Turnip Truck. The two would like to share their vows, that they've written themselves."
Hayseed pulled out his vowels, cleared his throat, and read.
"Rarity, ah never thought in mah wildest dreams that ah'd end up with a mare as kind, generous, and beautiful as you. Most mares wouldn't give me the time of day. When ah'm with you, ah feel like the most important stallion in the world, like ah'm some kinda prince. Ah will do mah very best to be the best husband, and support ya in all yer endeavors."
Rarity, holding back her tears as best as she could, lifted out her vowels and read.
"Hayseed, you're are the best stallion I have ever met. In my younger years, I thought I'd need to marry some prince, or high society pony to feel special. But, you are more noble than any prince, with more class than any high society stallion. I promise to be the best wife that I can possibly be, and the best mother to any future children we have."
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," said Mayor Mare. "You may kiss the bride."
Hayseed lifted Rarity's veil and the two shared a romantic kiss. Everypony in the room cheered in excitement. The reception that followed rivaled any of Pinkie's previous parties. Once the festivities were done with, the bride and groom got into a carriage that was to take them to the train station, that would take them to their honeymoon in Manehattan.
The rainbow maned mare was nearing the eleventh and final month of her pregnancy, the last six of which had been spent not being able to fly at all. She was begrudgingly walking around the park with her husband, Bookworm, and eldest daughter, Scootaloo. Dr. Stable had informed her that while she wasn't able to fly at the moment it was still very important for pegasai to walk as often as possible for leg strength.
"At least it's a nice day outside," said Bookworm. "And it's better for you than just lounging about on the couch."
"The last time I used me legs this much was...never!" she complained. "How do unicorns and earth ponies deal with this!?"
"It's not as difficult as you think, Dashie," Bookworm quipped.
"Easy for you to say," she snapped back.
"Hey, I dealt with it for much of my life," Scootaloo chimed in, while also casually flying above them. Ever since she earned her cutie mark she'd been flying as often as possible, as if to make up for lost time.
"You're not that old, Scoots," retorted Rainbow Dash.
"Neither are you," Scootaloo retorted back. "Besides, you got a month to go and then you'll be back in the skies."
"Thank bucking Celestia!" she exclaimed in relief. "I'm excited and all, but this is ridiculous! Who decided that pony pregnancy had to last eleven months?"
"Biology, sweetie," said Bookworm. "And please mind your language, there are other children in the park.
"Yeah, yeah," she groaned.
"By the way, I'm not sure if I asked already," began Scootaloo. "But did you find out of the gender of the baby?"
"Aw jeez! guess not!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "You ok with having a little brother?"
"I wasn't expecting to have any siblings," replied Scootaloo. "So I'm excited either way. Do you know what type?"
"Based on all the poking, it's a unicorn," frowned Rainbow Dash.
"Why do you look sad, mom?" asked Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash and Bookworm were happy with how easily Scootaloo had gone to calling them mom and dad.
"Your mother was hoping for a pegasus," said Bookworm. "Well...another pegasus." He hoped Scootaloo hadn't picked up on his wording.
"Don't worry so much, dad," chuckled Scootaloo. "I know you're both getting used to seeing me as your kid. I'm still getting used to the whole new set of parents thing. And yeah, I would've enjoyed having a little pegasus brother too, but oh well at least it'll keep things interesting."
"Good way to look at it," said Bookworm.
"Hey, don't think I'm not still excited for this," Rainbow Dash chimed in. "I'm mainly annoyed about being grounded."
"We know you're still excited about it," said Bookworm.
Suddenly, in a pink flash, Pinkie Pie showed up in front of the the rainbow maned mare and family.
"Ok, I have had enough!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"What are you talking about, Pinkie?" asked Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow.
"I've been asking you time and time again when I can throw you a baby shower," began Pinkie Pie. "And you keep putting me off and putting me off! Well, enough is enough! We are having a baby shower!"
"Ok, fine," said Rainbow Dash. "When do you wanna have it?"
Pinkie gave a devilish grin and pulled out her party cannon from as usual who knows where.
"Right! Bucking! Now!" exclaimed the pink party pony.
Setting off her cannon, the particular part of the park they were in became covered in party blankets, cake, other snacks, punch, balloons and a giant banner.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BABY BOY RAINBOW DASH!
In addition to all that, all their friends and significant others seemed to emerge from the cannon, much to major confusion to everypony.
"What in tarnation!?" exclaimed Applejack.
"When did we get here?" asked Rarity.
"We were at the library," said Twilight, holding Lil Macintosh and Big Macintosh holding Shimmer.
"Oh my," squeaked Fluttershy.
"Look, mama!" exclaimed Shimmer. "Auntie Pinka is throwin a party!"
"You bet I am, Shimmy Whimmy!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, nuzzling Shimmer's nose.
"Bout time," said Applejack. "Pinkie's been gettin antsy to throw one since she found out you was pregnant."
"I know," groaned Rainbow Dash.
"Why'd you take so long to let her throw one, darling?" asked Rarity.
"I don't know," replied Rainbow Dash. "Guess I was just in a bit of a funk when I found out I couldn't fly after the five month mark. Not helping that before that I couldn't go at any high speeds."
"Have you been concerned about your figure?" asked Rarity.
"As if," exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "I've never had issues losing weight! If anything, I have trouble gaining it! High metabolism, common with most pegasai. Not at the moment, mind you, this kid wants me eating all day, every day."
"I heard you're having a unicorn," said Fluttershy.
"That's correct," said Rainbow Dash. "Guess unicorn genes are way more dominant."
"Not necessarily," Twilight chimed in. "Studies show that it is often random. After all, I had a unicorn and earth pony. Then Mr. and Mrs. Cake are both earth ponies but their twins are a pegasus and a unicorn."
"Oh right, almost forgot about them," said Rainbow Dash.
"Present time!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"You sprung this party on us, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash. "I doubt anypony besides you had the forethought to get me a gift."
"Well, actually, I did make something for your upcoming foal," said Rarity, pulling out from her satchel four pairs of blue booties with rainbow lighting bolts on the sides."
"Oh, wow!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Those are so cute! Aw jeez, these bucking hormones! It's got me excited over booties!"
"I didn't make mine," began Twilight. "But I think you'll still enjoy them."
The purple unicorn pulled out of her satchel what appeared to be Daring Do books.
"Daring Do?" questioned Rainbow Dash. "I already have these."
"These are picture book versions," said Twilight. "I thought you could read them to your foal. Shimmer and Lil Macintosh love them."
"Dawing Do!" shouted Lil Macintosh.
"I can't believe this!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "A whole new way to enjoy Daring Do!"
"They're for yer foal, sugar cube," quipped Applejack.
"Doesn't mean I can't enjoy them too, AJ!" Rainbow Dash retorted.
"Despite that little outburst, ah'll still give ya a gift," chuckled Applejack, pulling out a cask of Sweet Apple Acres Cider. Rainbow Dashes eyes went very wide."
"No way!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "I didn't think it was that time of year already!"
"This ain't no ordinary cider," Applejack said proudly. "This here's the really special stuff! Fermented over the course of a couple years. It's got whatcha would call an extra kick to it."
"Super sweet!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
"Meanin ya can't drink it till after ya have the foal," said Applejack.
"It's pretty common knowledge that you can't drink hard stuff while pregnant, Dash," chimed in Twilight.
"Yeah, yeah," Rainbow Dash groaned.
"My turn!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"This party wasn't it?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Of course not silly!" chuckled Pinkie Pie. "Everypony knows that parties and presents are different things!"
The puffy maned mare pulled out (seemingly of course out of nowhere), a coffee table sized book titled BABY FIRSTS.
"In here you can document all the first stuff the little colt will do," said Pinkie Pie. "First steps, which are typically the first thing since baby ponies walk within hours of being born, first word, and all that good stuff. Oh and I got you a new camera!"
"Wow, thanks, Pinkie!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy then timidly walked up to her oldest friend, with a gift bag in her mouth.
"Um...I have something for you too," she said through her teeth while still holding onto the bag.
Rainbow Dash opened the bag to find a tiny pair of aviator goggles.
"Those are actually mine," said Fluttershy. "From back when we were in flight school. I hope you like them..."
The cerulean mare surprised her butter colored friend with a big hug, tearing up in the process.
"Of course I like them!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "I love them! You're the best!"
She then noticed her other friends giving her looks.
"Your gifts are great too!" she exclaimed. "And yes, you can join in!"
The rest joined in on a group hug. The moment was then disrupted by something unexpected.
"Hey, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash began, with everypony still in embrace.
"Yeah?" she asked, eyes closed in the warm embrace.
"Did you spill some warm punch on us?"
Twilight went wide eyed.
"Nooooo!"
"BOOKIE! HOSPITAL!"
Pinkie Pie got everypony to the hospital as fast and safely as possible.
"Oh, Mrs. Scholar," exclaimed Dr. Stable. "What brings you and your friends here?"
"What do you think!?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, followed by a loud groan.
"Oh, I see," said Dr. Stable. "We weren't expecting you for a few more weeks."
"Yeah, that obviously didn't pan out, Doc!"
Rainbow Dash's friends all stayed out in the waiting area while Bookworm followed her into the delivery room. Her parents, Bifröst and Windy Whistle stormed into the waiting area. They'd been informed by Pinkie Pie not long after Rainbow Dash was rolled back to the delivery room.
"Where's...my...little...Dashie?" her father exclaimed while panting heavily.
"Been takin to the delivery room," replied Applejack.
"And...she's...ok?" Windy Whistle asked, also panting heavily.
"Nothing seemed out of the ordinary," replied Twilight.
Rainbow's parents sighed a heavy relief and took a seat with everypony else. A couple hours passed, each friend taking turns pacing around the waiting area; things were quiet. Then, they heard a scream.
"HOLY BUCK!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed from the delivery room. Those in the waiting area rushed to see her, when Dr. Stable came out to block their path.
"Don't worry!" the doctor exclaimed. "Mrs. Scholar is fine! No need to panic!"
"B-b-b-b-but! We just heard her scream!" exclaimed Bifröst.
"We just got...a little bit of a surprise..." Dr. Stable trailed off.
"Twins!?" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"No, no, nothing like that," said Dr. Stable. "You're just going to have to wait a moment till the father comes out."
They all went back to sitting, all tense now. After what felt like forever, Bookworm came out to the waiting area, with a very stunned look on his face.
"What's the matter, Bookworm?" asked Twilight. "Is Rainbow Dash ok?"
"The baby?" asked Rarity.
"Both?" asked Applejack.
"Yeah...yeah..." Bookworm said, albeit slowly. "Everypony is...fine...do you all want to see the baby?"
"YES!" they all exclaimed.
Bookworm took them to the viewing area, the nurse was almost done swaddling the baby.
"Everypony," begane Bookworm. "I would like you all to meet our son...Rainbow Sprinter."
Once the nurse was out of the way, everypony could see the adorable little newborn uniorn colt. He had grey fur like his father and a rainbow mane like his mother, so no surprise why he was given the name. His mane was so long it covered his eyes. Atop his head were the goggles Fluttershy had given Rainbow Dash at the baby shower.
"He's so cute!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"Adorable!" exclaimed Fluttershy.
"An absolute doll!" exclaimed Rarity.
"Cute little feller!" exclaimed Applejack.
"And a unicorn like we predicted!" exclaimed Twilight. "But, why the scream from Rainbow?"
"And your befuddled look?" asked Rarity.
"NO WAY!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "LOOK!"
Pinkie Pie pointed with her jaw dropped to the floor. Nopony could see it at first, till they made a little twitch. The rest of them went wide eyed and gasped. Their eyes did not deceive them, Rainbow Sprinter didn't just have a horn...he had wings!
"W-W-W-W-WHAT!?" exclaimed Twilight. "This can't be possible! He's an alicorn!"
"Does he have any extra magical properties?" asked Rarity.
"According to the doctors, no," said Bookworm, still dumbfounded. "Other than apparently being an alicorn, he's perfectly normal and healthy."
"My baby brother is an alicorn," said a stunned Scootaloo. "This is the coolest thing ever!"
The nurse then took Rainbow Sprinter to his mother to hold, and everypony was finally allowed to join her. Rainbow Dash looked down at her newborn colt in awe.
"So, Rainbow Dash," began Applejack. "How ya takin this news?"
The cerulean mare took her eyes off her baby for the moment and slowly turned her heads towards her friends and family.
"This is the most amazing thing ever," she said, but not in a tone they expected. Not Fluttershy quiet, but definitely not as loud and bombastic as they had expected. She then began to tear up. "He's so beautiful."
Bookworm wrapped his front legs around his wife and new child, Scootaloo soon followed, making sure not to squish the baby. Her parents then followed, and the rest.
A few days after the birth of Rainbow Dash and Bookworm's son, Rainbow Sprinter, they received a visit from Princess Celestia, as they had some questions about their newborn colt's "condition." The rainbow maned mare had Spike send her a letter the day after her son had been born.
Dear, Princess Celestia Bookworm and I have welcomed our son, Rainbow Sprinter, into this crazy world of ours! We couldn't be happier! But, there's something...off about him. You see...he has both wings and a horn! Does this mean he's an alicorn? Is he royalty? Is he gonna have to go to some fancy school? Doctor Stable said all tests showed him being normal, but I really wanna make sure of that and figured you'd be the best pony to ask. So, if possible, I hope you can come to Ponyville and examine my son and tell us for sure. Your faithful subjet, Rainbow Dash Scholar
The princess looked over the young colt for a few moments, eyeing him carefully, then she lit up her horn and surrounded him all over. The rainbow maned colt never cried during this examination, mostly making some giggling and cooing noises. After nearly half an hour, she was finally ready to give her answer.
"I can firmly say that your son is not an alicorn," proclaimed Princess Celestia.
Rainbow Dash and her husband looked at each other for a moment in confusion, not really sure how to feel about the whole situation.
"Then, what's up with him?" Rainbow Dash finally asked. "If he's not an alicorn, then why does he have a horn and wings?"
"Quite simple," began Celestia. "His mother is a pegasus and his father is a unicorn."
Again there was a bit of silent confusion, it was clear Celestia was pausing for dramatics.
"While extremely rare," the princess began again. "I'd say only once in a century or so, it is very possible for parents made up of a unicorn and pegasus to produce what I would call a pegacorn. Young Rainbow Sprinter here merely possesses the physical traits of his parents. I.E. the wings of his mother, that being you, Rainbow Dash, and the horn of his father, that being you, Bookworm."
"So, there's nothing wrong with him?" Rainbow Dash asked in an unusually timid manner.
"Of course not," replied Celestia in a comforting tone. "Your son is perfectly healthy both physically and mentally."
"Does this mean he'll have magical abilities in addition to flying?" asked Bookworm. "I hope that isn't a silly thing to ask."
"It certainly isn't," assured Celestia. "To be perfectly honest, I cannot say what his magical properties will be like. Since he is also a unicorn I can safely assume he will be able to cast some magic, but how effective they'll be is hard to say."
Rainbow Dash and Bookworm let out a huge sigh of relief. While they were reassured by most every other pony that their son was fine, being new parents they couldn't help but have a little panic. Hearing these words from their ruler was the most comforting news they could get.
They later met with their friends at the Golden Oaks Library to tell them all the news.
"A pegacorn, eh?" said Applejack. "Well, that's certainly somethin too!"
"A once in a century type pony is something to be very excited for!" exclaimed Twilight.
"Just being the son of Equestria's best flyer and the author of the Daring Do books made him special," exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "But now he's super duper crazy awesome mega special!"
"And of course he's still quite the little darling," said Rarity.
"He really is super cute," said Fluttershy.
Later that night at her home, Rainbow Dash sat in the living room quietly for a moment, holding her son and simply smiling at him.
"You're better than any Best Flyer Medal, or a million Wonderbolt air shows put together," she said quietly, never taking her eyes of him as he looked back up at her smiling. "You've made my life way more than 20% cooler little guy."
"And I didn't do that already!?" exclaimed Scootaloo, not in bed yet.
"Or me, for that matter!?" exclaimed Bookworm with clear sarcasm.
"Of course you both did!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "You've all added a huge a percentage of coolness to my life!"
"And you wouldn't trade it for anything?" asked Scootaloo, huddling next to her new mother.
"Absolutely nothing," replied Rainbow Dash, wrapping her free hoof around her daughter and nuzzling her. "You all are the most important ponies in my life. Nothing will ever change that."
It didn’t seem possible, but it had indeed been a year since the birth of the Apple Twins! Naturally, Pinkie was throwing them the biggest party any one year old could ask for (or really comprehend). All immediate family were present, the twins themselves were happily running about, playing with Rainbow Sprinter, now a few months old, not quite flying yet but able to hover a few moments. Naturally, there was also a song composed by the pink party pony.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TO THE APPLE TWINS! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! A YEAR OLD FOR THE WIN! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YOU'RE CUTE AS YOU CAN BE! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LET'S ALL SHOUT YIPPEE!
"YIPPEE!" everypony shouted, followed by applause.
"Lovely song, Pinkie Pie," said Twilight.
"That one I had a bit more time to prepare for," exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
"Ah can't believe the little ones are already a year old," said Applejack.
"It's been a crazy ride," replied Twilight.
“So, are me and Twilight gonna be the only two with kids?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Ah ain’t even hitched yet!” exclaimed Applejack, blushing in the process.
“I’d like to have some time with Hayseed first,” replied Rarity. “Children take up a lot of time, as my experience with Sweetie Belle proves.”
“What Rarity said” chimed in Pinkie Pie. “But with the Pound Twins.”
“Well...um...” began Flutteshy, but in her usual timid way. “Snowflake and I have been trying...”
“Guess you’ll be the next one then!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
A little over a week had passed since the Twins birthday party, things had more or less gone back to normal.
"I hope you hatch soon, little one," she said to the egg in her always soothing tone. "I'm very curious to know what you look like. Twilight's also very interested, though more so for scientific reasons.
For the past few months, Fluttershy had been caring for the mysterious egg she and Angel had discovered in the Everfree Forest. It seemed so unusual that it hadn't hatched yet, despite the various methods she read to help it along the way. Nevertheless, the Element of Kindness did her very best to make sure it was well cared for. Every few days or so, Twilight would come to Fluttershy's cottage to examine the egg, using various methods to try to tell what was inside it. Despite all her best efforts, there was no penetrating the shell.
"So strange," thought Twilight. "I've never come across an egg so unwilling to cooperate! The only proof we have that something is alive in there is the heartbeat. At this point we don't know if it's a reptile, a bird, maybe some kind of aquatic animal out of water. It's driving me crazy!"
"Maybe it's all of those things," said Fluttershy.
"That certainly would be something," replied Twilight. "Can't say I've heard of a fish, bird, reptile hybrid before. Have you been doing all the things needed to care for it?"
"Of course I have," said Fluttershy, almost defensively. "The egg has made little movements here and there."
"Why didn't you tell me that before?" asked Twilight.
"I thought you already knew," replied Fluttershy. "Has it not moved for you?"
"I've only ever heard the heartbeat," said Twilight. "Does it move for you?"
"I never really thought about it," said Fluttershy.
"Come over here with me," said Twilight, motioning her friend to her spot with the egg. The butter creamed mare obliged.
"Do whatever it is you normally do with the egg," Twilight enthusiastically asked her friend.
"I just talk to it," Fluttershy said a bit timidly.
"Then just do that," Twilight said, again with great enthusiasm.
"Um...ok..." she replied, trailing off a little and then let out a sigh. "Hello, little one. I hope you're doing well today. I'm really excited to see what you look like. I hope you hatch very soon."
Just then, the egg began to shake a little, stunning both of them.
"Amazing!" exclaimed Twilight. "It must know who you are!"
"Do you really think so?" asked Fluttershy.
"Definitely!" she exclaimed again. "It reacted specifically to the sound of your voice. When it hatches, it will identify you as its mother."
"Mother?" thought Fluttershy. "I hadn't even considered that. I mean...Snowflake and I have been trying to get pregnant...but...things haven't been working out..."
"Oh, I see," said Twilight. "Well...that's nothing unusual...it varies from pony to pony..."
"You and Rainbow Dash both seemed to get pregnant very easily..." Fluttershy replied.
"Well...um...that..." Twilight fumbled, but couldn't come up with the right words to comfort her friend. She simply put a hoof around her shoulder and they shared a moment of silence. Suddenly, the egg began to shake more than Fluttershy had seen before.
"Has it done that before?" asked Twilight.
"No," answered Fluttershy. "It's never shaken that much."
The egg then began to crack, Fluttershy and Twilight gasped in amazement.
"IT'S HATCHING!" they both exclaimed in excited unison.
The egg was hatching, Fluttershy and Twilight stood there wide eyed in excitement. The top of the egg was the first part to crack, it was nearly open.
"Oh my!" exclaimed Fluttershy.
"This is so exciting!" followed Twilight. "We're about to discover possibly the greatest find in scientific history!"
The top of the egg completed cracking. Then suddenly, a red glow seemed to be emitting from it; the two mares leaned in for a closer look. Suddenly, a burst of fire and smoke emerged, causing the rest of the shell to explode. Fluttershy and Twilight were flung back by the impact. Smoke enveloped the entire cottage, the animals ran out in a panic while the the two friends coughed loudly.
"What in the name of Equestria!?" exclaimed Twilight. "Did the egg just explode!?"
"I don't know," replied Fluttershy. "Do you think maybe it's a dragon?"
"I've never heard of dragon's doing that when hatching," said Twilight. "Plus none of my books identified it as a dragon egg. Then again, there was no proper identification in any of my books."
As the smoke began to clear, they saw some kind of silhouette scampering around the cottage.
"That's not one of my animals," Fluttershy quietly said to Twilight.
Whatever it was, it then let out a loud shriek, followed by another burst of flames. Fluttershy and Twilight ducked, barely missing the flame, which singed the top of their manes. Before they could get a good look, the creature ran underneath Fluttershy's sofa.
"We need to approach it very slowly and calmly," Twilight said under her breath to Fluttershy, who nodded in agreement.
The two approached the sofa slowly, not making any noise, breathing as softly as possible. The creature made a bit of a shrieking noise, making them stop in place. Then Twilight gave a look of an idea.
"Of course," she exclaimed quietly. "Why didn't I think of this before?"
"Think of what?" asked Fluttershy.
"I guess with all the chaos happening it was hard to," Twilight continued, not really hearing Fluttershy.
"Think of what?" Fluttershy asked again, slightly louder to get her attention, but not loud enough to scare the creature.
"You, Fluttershy," replied Twilight. "When the creature was in the egg it responded positively to your voice. I see no reason why it wouldn't do the same now."
"I-I-I don't know," Fluttershy said timidly.
"It's clearly scared," said Twilight. "It needs a familiar voice to assure it that nothing is gonna harm it."
The yellow pegasus was very nervous, but she didn't see any other options. Whatever this creature was, it was new to this world and needed somepony to assure it that it was going to be ok. As the Element of Kindness, it was her obligation to do so. She let out a sigh, and slowly approached the sofa.
"Come on, little one," she said, as gently as possible. "Nopony is going to hurt you. "You recognize my voice right? My name is Fluttershy, I'm the one who found you. Well, Angel found you, but I helped him bring you out of your hiding place. I've been looking after you since then. My very good friend, Twilight, has also been keeping an eye on you. I'd really like to see what you look like, Angel and the other animals would like to see what you look like too."
Angel and the rest of her animals slowly began peeking through the windows and doorways of the cottage, to see if they could get a look.
"Can you see?" she asked. "The others are trying to see what you look like. They won't harm you either. We're all family in this cottage, and we all look out for each other."
Finally, the creature began to slowly come out from under the couch. Fluttershy, Twilight, Angel, and the rest of the animals all looked in amazement at what they saw. It was unlike anything any of them had seen before.
The creature was shaped very much like a pony, everything else was very different, including the fact that despite being newly hatched it was the size of a school aged pony. It had no fur, but skin as dark green as the egg it had hatched from. The ears were more pointy than the average pony, currently posed downward (possibly from being scared), pointed snout, and even pointed teeth (baring as either a defense or out of fear, possibly both) atop its head were two tiny, black, pointed horns, and its eyelids and pupils were slit like a reptile and its irises a bright shade of yellow. And it had bat like wings!
"Amazing," Twilight said under her breath.
Fluttershy stretched out her right hoof, allowing the creature to inspect and sniff to assure it that she wasn't going to harm it. The creature finally let its guard down, allowing Fluttershy to rub the top of its head, it closed its eyes and gave a slight smile. The animals slowly came back into the cottage so they could get a better look at what they presumed to be their newest roommate. The creature opened its eyes and began to make some defensive noises.
"No, no, it's ok," Fluttershy comforted it. "They live here with me. Angel is the one who found you. Come here, Angel Bunny, come meet your new friend."
Angel hopped his way to Fluttershy's spot by the couch to see the creature closer. The two looked at each other intensely for a moment, till Angel finally gave the creature assurance that it wasn't going to do any harm. The rest of the animals and Twilight got closer to Fluttershy and the creature.
"This is absolutely incredible," exclaimed Twilight, but in a tone that wouldn't scare the creature.
"Do you have any idea what he is?" asked Fluttershy.
"None," replied Twilight. "I've never seen anything like that. Wait, he?"
"Um...yeah..." began Fluttershy, blushing. "I...noticed it's a boy."
"Oh, I see," said Twilight, blushing as well.
"I bet he needs something to eat," said Fluttershy. "Angel, go find something in the kitchen for me to feed him, please?"
The normally uncooperative bunny did as she said, hopped off to the kitchen to find something for the newborn creature to eat. He came back with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and breads. It didn't take long for it to gobble up everything Angel had given it.
"Oh my!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "You certainly were hungry."
"He did just hatch," Twilight pointed out. "Been living off yolk for who knows how long."
After he was done eating, the creature began to make some odd noises.
"I hope he's not going to be sick," said Fluttershy, in a very concerned way.
The creature then let out a very loud burp that was accompanied by a great ball of fire. Everypony was thankfully able to jump out of the way in time. Fluttershy came back to its side, the creature then let out a large yawn, curled up next to her, and fell asleep.
"I think I'll call you Fireball," she said with a loving smile.
Chapter 11: Introducing Fireball to (Almost) Everypony
A few hours later, Fluttershy's husband, Snowflake, came home after working all day as the gym teacher at the Ponyville Schoolhouse. The bulky pegasus was confused to see all the animals waiting outside the house, seemingly for him, with Angel at the front.
"What's going on?" he asked no animal in particular.
Angel hopped back into the house and came back out with Fluttershy.
"Oh...um...welcome home, dear," said Fluttershy. "How was work?"
"It was fine," Snowflake replied. "Hey, honey, what's with all the animals just standing outside the house?"
"Well...um...you see..." Fluttershy began, but was fumbling. "Something...happened today..."
Her husband merely arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"You know that...egg...I've been looking after?"
He simply nodded, having a decent idea of what his wife was trying to tell him.
"It um...hatched..."
There was a moment of awkward silence before anypony finally spoke.
"So, where is the little...fella?" asked Snowflake, unsure of how to refer to this new addition to the cottage.
"Yes, it's a he," said Fluttershy. "And his name is Fireball."
"Fireball?"
"I'll explain in a moment," said Fluttershy. "But first, I want you to meet him. He's asleep on the couch, just be quiet, he's still a bit nervous. Twilight's gone to inform the others."
"Twilight was here?" he asked.
"Of course, she's been examining the egg since we found it," said Fluttershy. "She was here when he hatched. She decided to go tell everypony else since she could explain things quicker than me. Plus, advanced warning to Pinkie Pie to not make a huge fuss of it all."
They made their way into the house, Fluttershy motioned her husband to the couch where the newborn Fireball was sleeping. The beefy pegasus looked on in amazement at what he saw.
"So, this is the little guy?" he asked rhetorically.
"Yes it is," she said with a warm smile.
"What is he?"
"We don't know yet. Twilight's never seen him in any of her books. But, all I know is that we're all he has."
Fluttershy stroked the top of Fireball's head, still smiling warmly.
"Do you think he'll like me?" asked Snowflake, making Fluttershy giggle.
"Of course he will, sweetie. Why would you ask that?"
"I know what I look like, Flutters."
"Don't worry, as long as I'm here everything will be fine."
Fluttershy leaned into the sleeping Fireball and began nuzzling his nose.
"Time to wake up, little one," she said softly. "Somepony's here to meet you."
Fireball slowly opened his eyes, let out a little yawn. Upon seeing Fluttershy he immediately smiled. Upon seeing Snowflake, he wasn't really sure how to feel.
"Don't worry," began Fluttershy. "He won't hurt you. Snowflake is one of the kindest ponies you'll ever meet. And...um...he's very special...to me." She then gave Snowflake a peck on the cheek; Fireball seemed to understand what this meant and smiled at Snowflake, which relieved him.
"So, why did you name him Fireball?"
"Oh...well...I'll show you..."
Fluttershy went to the kitchen real quickly, brought back a carrot, and fed it to Fireball. He ate it up real fast, let out a burp, followed by some a ball of fire, leaving Fluttershy and Snowflake with soot on their face.
"I see," replied Snowflake. "Is he a dragon?"
"I really don't think so," said Fluttershy. "I haven't heard of any dragons looking like him."
"But, he did come from an egg that was apparently really old, right?"
"True...even Twilight said he could be some unknown species."
Suddenly there was a rapid knock at the door. Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie pie came tumbling in at once.
"They really wanted to see him," blushed Twilight.
"So, where is the little feller?" asked Applejack.
"How big is he?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"What shade of green is he?" asked Rarity.
"When do I get to throw a party!?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"Can he really breathe fire!?" asked Spike.
"Ok, everypony needs to stay calm," said Fluttershy. "I don't want to overwhelm him on his first day in the world."
Fireball came down from the couch and slowly walked over to the group surrounding the pony he saw as his mother.
"Ok, Fireball, these are all my friends," began Fluttershy. "Or at least, part of them, I didn't want to overwhelm you with every single pony I know. You've already met Twilight, this is her assistant and little brother, Spike. He hatched from an egg just like you, he's a dragon, which you may be. This is Applejack, she runs an apple farm with her family who you'll meet more of eventually. Rainbow Dash is my oldest and best friend in the whole world, we went to flight school together, she's the fastest flyer in all of Equestria. Rarity runs her own beauty shop, sewing and making all kinds of pretty clothing. And Pinkie Pie works at a bakery, making all kinds of delicious pastries, she also loves to throw parties. She may want to throw a party for you."
"Well, not if it makes the little guy nervous," said Pinkie Pie. "Maybe when he's older."
"So, what is he?" asked Rainbow Dash suddenly, making everypony stare at her. "What!? It's not like you all aren't wondering the same thing."
"Well, yes, that is true," admitted Rarity. "We are curious as to where he came from."
"I'm still trying to figure that out," said Twilight. "None of the books I have give anything reliable."
"Then go to Canterlot," Pinkie Pie chimed in. "Doesn't it have all the books you could ask for?"
"That is true," said Twilight. "But, I can't make a trip like that now. I have two one year old foals to look after."
"Bet the little ones would love a trip to Canterlot," said Applejack.
"Princess Celestia would probably know something too," said Rarity. "She's been around long enough that I'm sure she might have an idea of what Fireball is."
"But...do you think other ponies will be scared of Fireball?" Fluttershy asked timidly.
The next day, Fluttershy introduced Fireball to the significant others, family, and children of her friends. Naturally, there was a bit of odd stares at the start, but they all soon warmed up to the new whatever he was. The first ones to greet him were the Apple Twins, with usual childlike wonder.
"Hello, I'm Lil Macintosh," the little red unicorn began.
"I'm Shimmer," the little pink earth pony followed. "Our mama helped take care of you."
"Is aunt Fluttershy your mama?" asked Lil Macintosh.
The silence that followed was impossible to describe. Fireball didn't have a response, although as far as anypony knew he wasn't able to speak.
"Um..." squeaked Fluttershy. "I don't think...he can speak...and I doubt he'd understand what mama meant..."
"How come?" asked Lil Macintosh. "He's a pony too, right?"
"He looks like a pony," said Shimmer.
"He doesn't look...odd to you?" asked Rainbow Dash, everypony gave her a slight stare. "What?"
"I think he's a mighty cute feller!" exclaimed Braeburn. "Them horns are awfully nifty too! Can he use magic?"
"Um...I don't know," said Fluttershy. "He can breathe fire though."
"Eeyup, Pinkie told me that little tidbit when she got home yesterday," said Braeburn. "He does kinda look like a dragon."
"He's not like any dragon I've seen," quipped Spike. "He has hooves like a pony, any dragon I've seen has claws."
"Them wings remind me of a dragon," said Hayseed. "Or a bat."
"Can he get a cutie mark?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"I highly doubt it," replied Twilight. "He's not a pony."
"How do you know?" asked Scootaloo.
"Because we're ponies," Twilight pointed out. "You ever see a pony that looked like him?"
"Nopony's seen anything like him," Apple Bloom pointed out. "Maybe he's some kinda ancient pony?"
Nopony had any real response to that.
"Ok, everypony," said Applejack, breaking the silence. "We all better get home and get ourselves ready for the journey in the mornin. I think this little fella's had enough excitement for one day."
"So, who gets to go on this trip?" asked Apple Bloom.
"Ya'll still got school," replied Applejack, causing Apple Bloom and her friends to groan. "Ah figure Fluttershy'll want all her friends with her, Twilight'll bring her little ones along to show em Canterlot, guessin Rainbow Dash wants to bring Sprinter along too."
"You bet!" exclaimed Dash.
It was decided that the Mane Six, the kids, and Bookworm would take this trip. Everypony else had regular jobs they had to attend to. The night before the trip, Fluttershy wasn't sure where Fireball was going to sleep; she hadn't had the time to make a proper bed for him. She decided to sleep on her couch with him, Snowball thought she'd be too uncomfortable for the trip in the morning, but she didn't seem to mind. She and Fireball laid awake for a bit, with him curled up next to her.
"I hope you're not too nervous for your trip tomorrow, Fireball. You haven't really been outside the house since you hatched. So much is already happening for you. You've got a home, you've made some new friends, you have me and Snowflake to take care of you. I'm not sure how you see us, but we'll take care of you the best we can."
Fireball began to stir and make some noise. He looked up Fluttershy with great affection, smiled, and then began to open his mouth.
"Mmmm," he began to say something.
"You are able to talk?"
"Mmmmaaaaa..."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Maaamaa!"
Fluttershy's pupils went wide with amazement.
"Did you just call me Mama?"
"Mama!" he simply exclaimed. Fluttershy teared up and embraced Fireball and the two fell asleep smiling big.
That morning, Fluttershy made her way to the train station to prepare for her trip to Canterlot with her friends. Along the way, Fireball received some perplexed looks from the various citizens of Ponyville. He didn't seem to notice, but of course Fluttershy did. Pinkie Pie came hopping their way with the usual big smile on her face.
"Good Moooorning, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed in her usual happy tone. "Nice to see you too, Fireball!"
"Oh...morning, Pinkie," Fluttershy said timidly.
"Why the long face, Flutters?" Pinkie asked her friend with genuine concern.
"Oh...um...it's nothing," Fluttershy replied.
The puffy maned pink pony arched an eyebrow, scanned the area around them, including a 180 degree head turn, and was able to understand what was going on.
"Why doesn't everypony take a picture!" Pinkie Exclaimed. "It'll last longer!"
Everypony who was staring began to blush brightly and simply went along their way. Fluttershy didn't thank Pinkie, but she knew she didn't have to. When they got to the train station, the rest of their friends were there waiting to board.
"Finally!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Everypony's here! We've been waiting forever!"
"It's been 10 minutes, Dashie," said Bookworm.
"Well, it felt longer," retorted Rainbow Dash.
"I hope the walk over wasn't too bad," Twilight said to Fluttershy.
"Oh, it wasn't too bad," Fluttershy said, looking down at the floorboards of the station.
"Except everypony was giving Fireball funny looks," said Pinkie Pie. "They act as if they'd never seen anything like him."
"They haven't, Pinkie," quipped Rainbow Dash. "We hadn't seen anything like him till yesterday."
"Even so," said Pinkie. "We've seen plenty of strange things over the years that I don't what the big deal is."
"Certainly a valid argument, deary," said Rarity. "But some ponies just have adverse reactions to things they aren't familiar with."
"We should be prepared to get some odd looks in Canterlot as well," Twilight pointed out.
"How's the little guy handing the attention?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"No...um...at least I haven't noticed," replied Fluttershy. "He's just been looking at everything around him."
"He may not have the cognition to understand what's going on," Twilight pointed out.
"Oh no, he does," said Fluttershy. "In fact, last night...he...called me mama..."
"HE DID!?" All of her friends exclaimed.
"Mama!" Fireball exclaimed.
"Oh wow!" exclaimed Pinkie. "I knew he wasn't just some simple creature! The Pinkie Sense is never wrong!"
"You had a Pinkie Sense about this?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"I don't announce every Pinkie Sense," said Pinkie.
"Based on the circumference of his skull, I'm not surprised he would have some level of intelligence," stated Bookworm.
"I guess I just didn't expect him to be talking so early," said Twilight.
"He is bigger than the average newborn critter," Applejack pointed out.
"Very true," agreed Twilight.
"ALL ABOARD THE TRAIN TO CANTERLOT!" exclaimed the conductor.
While riding on the train, Fireball barely took his attention away from the window, seeing all the landscapes there were to see along the way.
"Must be quite a sight to see, little one," Fluttershy said, patting his head. "There's a lot out there in the world. We're going to the city of Canterlot; it's the most important city in all of Equestria. Our ruler, Princess Celestia lives there, she was a teacher to Twilight."
Fireball then looked at Twilight, showing he knew who Fluttershy was talking about.
"Twi-light," Fireball uttered.
"He said your name, mama!" exclaimed Shimmer.
"Looks like he's a fast learner," said Rainbow Dash. "Bet he'll be flying real soon too!"
"I can see the castle!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "We're almost there!"
Fluttershy drew Fireball's attention to the castle on the side of the mountain, he seemed excited to see it. The train finally stopped at the Canterlot station and everypony got off and headed to the castle. As in Ponyville, the Canterlot citizens were giving strange looks towards Fireball. The others decided to walk around him and make it harder for others to see him, mostly for Fluttershy's sake, as at this point Fireball still didn't seem to notice the odd looks.
"Jeez, you think they'll ever stop staring?" asked Spike. "Hey Twi, can you just teleport us to the Canterlot Library?"
"I've never teleported that many at once, Spike," answered Twilight. "If we keep up a good pace, it won't take us long to get there."
"Can't say ah blame Spike," said Applejack. "All these looks are makin me nervous."
"Why is everypony looking at Fireball funny, Mama?" asked Lil Macintosh.
"Some ponies don't always know how to react to things they've never seen before," answered Twilight.
"But, he's just a pony," said Shimmer.
"That's right!" exclaimed Pinkie.
"Well, he clearly ain't just a regular pony," said Applejack.
"So he looks different!" exclaimed Pinkie. "That doesn't mean he's not a pony. He's shaped like a pony, he has hooves like a pony, a snout like a pony..."
"He hatched from an egg, sugar cube," Applejack interrupted.
"Ok, so he's not what you might call a normal pony," said Pinkie, rolling her eyes. "But, none of us could be considered normal! We're the Elements of Harmony, and we've saved Equestria how many times? You call that normal?"
None of them could really argue with this logic. They finally made it to the Canterlot Library, home to the oldest texts in all of Equestria. If this didn't have the answers they were looking for, nothing would.
"Of course she does," said Twilight. "Spike sent a message yesterday. She said she would meet us here when she's able. Till then, we'll just go in and look through as many ancient texts as we can."
"Oh boy," groaned Rainbow Dash.
"What about the little ones?" asked Applejack. "There a kid friendly part of the library for em?"
"I'm pretty sure there's a spot in there they can play," said Twilight. "I've never really looked."
"Don't worry, they got a spot," said Spike. "I've traversed every inch of this place, helping Twilight do research."
The library didn't have a lot of traffic today, something Twilight and her friends were honestly relieved by. This would make things significantly easier to go around and collect as many books as possible. Rainbow Dash, Flutterhsy, and Applejack agreed to keep an eye on the kids while the rest searched through the books. Twilight Rarity, and Bookworm has their magic to levitate books around, Spike had years of experience as Twilight’s assistant in his side, and Pinkie Pie had her ildefined abilities to use to their advantage.
“These are some of the oldest texts I could find on ancient creature,” said Bookworm. “Many predating Srarswirl the Bearded.”
“Pre Equestrian History seems the best rout to go,” added Twilight.
“I found some stuff in the kid section,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
“Darling, what on earth are we going to do with children’s books?” asked Rarity.
“Duh! Fireball could be from some old ponies tale written to scare foals,” explained Pinkie Pie.
“Many of those old stories are based in some truths,” Twilight responded. “At this point we need as much information as we can get.”
Meanwhile, in the kid friendly section of the library, the rest of the gang were looking after the little ones.
“Fireball seems to be gettin along mighty fine with all the other little ones,” said Applejack.
“I’m really glad he is,” said Fluttershy. “I was so nervous they’d be afraid of him.”
“Kids are way more pure than grownups, said Rainbow Dash. “They don’t see a new thing and automatically think it’s a threat.”
“Mighty fine observation comin from you of all ponies,” quipped Applejack.
“I got some smarts up here ya know!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
“Maybe Princess Celestia will have the answers we need quicker than the books do,” said Fluttershy. “I hope she can see us soon.”
As if ok cue, Princess Celestia came walking into the library. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack immediately bowed in the presence of their ruler; the children weren’t doing so as to be expected from ones so young.
“Greetings my little ponies,” began Celestia. “I understand you have a new companion you wish too...”
The princess trailed off upon seeing Fireball; her pupils shrunk to the size of pins.
Centuries before the founding of Equestria, before any sort of settlements were formed, and before some say even the existence of ponies and dragons, were a race of creatures that would be known by scholars as Draquineans. Simply put, they appeared to be a hybrid of ponies and dragons, sharing their most prominent features: the body shape and hooves of a pony, the scaly skin, membrane wings, and two sets of horns like many known species of dragons. Like ponies they could conjure up bits of magic, like dragons they could breathe fire, and like both showed levels of intelligence. In any case, they were also known to be highly aggressive.
At some point in history, that nopony can entirely agree on, ponies and dragons came into existence. Some think it was a divine grace by some kind of Ethereal Herd, some thought a magic crystal split in two and split some of the Draquineans into these two new species, some thought maybe it was some crazy scheme played by Discord in order to stir a bit of chaos into this world. Whatever the reason, nopony knew, just that there was no harmony. Ponies saw themselves as the more level headed, intelligent, and magically superior beings. Dragons felt that physical superiority was all that mattered. In the middle were the Draquineans who didn't care who felt was better than the other, they saw both as a threat to their existence.
Death and destruction spread through the land like wildfire. No creature was safe from these brutal creatures of destruction. Ponykind and dragonkind put their differences aside to fight off this threat to all their lives. Eventually, Draquineans seemed to vanish, existing only as scary stories to tell fillies and colts.
As Twilight Sparkle finished reading the passage from a book she and her friends found on ancient legends, a worry came over them. They appeared to be in possession of a creature that centuries ago caused many deaths.
“Do you think Fireball is one of these Draquineans?” asked Pinkie, in an usually timid tone.
“The description does seem to match,” replied Twilight, with worry in her voice.
“But, Fireball is so sweet,” said Pinkie. “Sure, he’s been skittish, but he’s just a baby, babies are always a little skittish when they’re just born into this world. You don’t think...he’d become something like that...do you?”
“It’s hard to say, Pinkie,” replied Twilight. “But, I doubt these things would be written if they weren’t even somewhat true.”
“Fluttershy isn’t gonna like this news,” said Spike. “She loves that little guy. He called her mama, so he obviously loves her too...”
“You don’t...you don’t suppose Princess Celestia would have harm come to him, do you?” asked Rarity. “He’s done nothing wrong. He’s an infant, only a few days old.”
“It might have been a mistake to bring him here,” said Bookworm.
“We couldn’t keep this a secret from the prIncess,” said Twilight.
“But,” began Pinkie, tears forming in her eyes. “What if she tries to hurt Fireball?”
“Princess Celestia wouldn’t harm a baby,” exclaimed Twilight. “How could you think such a thing?”
“You read the book,” said Pinkie. “They were destroyed for harming ponies and dragons! You think that doesn’t mean the babies weren’t harmed too!? That’s probably why Fireball’s egg was hidden in that magic barrier! His birth mother wanted to keep him safe! She probably died protecting him!”
Pinkie Pie’s usual puffy mane and tail deflated, the color in her fur seemed to fade slightly as well; there was no stopping the tears.
“There there, darling,” said Rarity, putting her front legs around Pinkie. “We won’t let anything happen to that little fellow. And we know Fluttershy won’t let any harm come to him either.”
A slight smile came across Pinkie’s face, but her depressed appearance remained the same.
“We need to tell the others what we found,” said Twilight. “And we’re going to have to tell Princess Celestia...”
“WHAT IS A DRAQUINEAN DOING IN MY KINGDOM!?” exclaimed the royal tone of Equestria’s might ruler.
Princess Celestia's normally regal form was replaced with a look of anger; her horn glowing with a bright intensity.
"I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN!" she exclaimed in the royal tone. "WHAT IS A DRAQUINEAN DOING IN MY KINGDOM!?
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and the little ones looked on with fear and confusion. Fluttershy ran in front of Fireball, unsure of why her ruler was speaking so harshly.
"What the hay is she talking about?" asked Rainbow Dash. "What's a Draquinean?"
"If ah had to guess, she's talkin' about Fireball," replied Applejack.
"YOU NAMED THIS MONSTER!?"
"Why's Pwincess Cewestia yewwing at us, Auntie Applejack?" asked Shimmer.
"Did she cawl Firebawl a monster?" asked Lil' Macintosh.
"Um...your highness..." Fluttershy began to say. "I...um...don't know what you think Fireball has done...but he's not a monster..."
"YOU KNOW NOT WHAT HORRORS YOU BRING TO EQUESTRIA!"
"Princess Celestia, stop!" exclaimed Twilight, making her way with the others to the front of the library.
"TWILIGHT SPARKLE! HOW COULD YOU LET THIS CREATURE COME INTO THIS WORLD!?"
"We didn't know what he was!" exclaimed Twilight. "Fluttershy found his egg in the Everfree Forest! He was born a couple days ago! We just found out what he is!"
"What the buck is going on!?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Why is Princess Celestia acting like a total psycho!?"
"YOU WOULDN'T THINK ME A PSYCHO IF YOU KNEW WHAT HORRORS THAT THING AND HIS OTHER KIND CAUSED!"
"Is she telling the truth, Bookie!?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"To some degree, yes," replied Bookworm. "It would appear that Fireball is part of a thought to be extinct race that reeked havoc centuries ago."
"THEN YOU AND TWILIGHT SPARKLE KNOW WHAT THIS CREATURE WILL DO TO US ALL!"
"But, he was just born!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, mane and tale still deflated. "You can't judge what a pony will do at so young!"
"DO NOT SPEAK OF THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING OF! IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR ONE OF THESE MONSTERS TO BECOME BLOODTHIRSTY AND SAVAGE!"
"Then it is true," said Twilight, with a quiver in her voice. "You did kill the offspring!"
The others went wide eyed in horror, their pupils shrinking in disbelief.
"You...harmed...children?" Fluttershy asked in shock.
"I DID WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TO KEEP MY LITTLE PONIES SAFE! NOW STAND BACK! THIS MONSTER MUST BE DESTROYED!"
The library then began to shake. Everypony started to take a step back in fear; everypony, that is, except Fluttershy.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, FLUTTERSHY!? MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!"
"No," Fluttershy replied, in the usual timid way.
"WHAT!?"
"I...said...NO!" Fluttershy screamed, louder than any of her friends can recall her ever doing.
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME WITH SUCH INSOLENCE!?"
"HOW DARE I!?" Fluttershy continued, not breaking her tone. "HOW DARE YOU!"
"YOU WOULD PROTECT THIS MONSTER!?"
"STOP CALLING HIM THAT!" Fluttershy exclaimed slightly louder. "HE IS NOT A MONSTER! HE HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG! HE'S ONLY JUST BEEN BORN!"
As she kept talking, her voice began to soften slightly, but still commanding.
"He was scared after he hatched!" Fluttershy continued. "He didn't know what was going on! I've been taking care of him since he was still in his egg. I talked to him. I sang to him. I made sure he was warm."
She soon began tearing up.
"He...he called me...mama" she began to tear up. "He's...he's not a monster like you claim him to be. Does...does that look like a monster!?"
Fluttershy motioned Celestia towards Fireball, who was crouched behind the yellow pegasus in horror. At that moment, Celestia didn't see some monster ready to pounce, she saw a small creature that was scared for its own life, and was seeking safety from its mother. The light from Celestia's horn began to dim, the building stopped shaking. Finally, the light from her horn faded completely and the Princess seemed back to her usual self.
"I'm...I'm so sorry, my little ponies," Celestia said in a much softer tone. "I was blinded by fear and hatred of the past. But, you are right, this creat...I mean, Fireball, he has done nothing wrong."
"So...um..."Fluttershy began, back to her usual timid tone. "I can continue to take care of Fireball?"
"Yes, Fluttershy," replied Celestia. "You have my full support."
Everypony else gave huge sighs of relief.
"But," began Celestia. "I want updates on any strange behavior the young one may show. If he becomes dangerous to others in any way...I will not destroy him. But, I will have no choice, for the safety of Equestria, to have him banished somewhere he can cause no harm. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Princess!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "I promise I'll let you know if he causes any kind of harm!"
"Very good," smiled Celestia. "Now, you should probably head to a courthouse."
"Why?" asked Fluttershy.
"Fireball is clearly not some pet," explained Celestia. "He sees you as his mother, and you see him as your son. Proper documents must be made up to indicate that you are legally responsible for him. This includes getting him a proper education when he's old enough."
"Oh my, yes!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "I didn't even consider all that yet!"
"Oh yea," said Rainbow Dash. "Bookie and I did the same thing with Scoots."
"Probly shoulda mentioned that to her sooner, Sugar Cube," quipped Applejack.
"Hey, a lot's happened in the past few days!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Back in Ponyville, Fluttershy and Snowflake had Fireball taken to the courthouse to have the proper documents filled out that would make them his legal guardians.
"I'm glad you agreed to this, Snowflake," said Fluttershy.
"I'll admit, it's a bit strange," replied Snowflake. "But, you're a good judge of character. And the little guy is definitely attached to you. Hope he likes me too."
"Give it some time," said Fluttershy with a loving smile. "He'll see you as his father."
The rest of Fluttershy's friends were also present to witness the special occasion. Mayor Mare had her assistant go over the documents thoroughly to make sure everything was in proper order.
"Alright," began Mayor Mare. "You, Fluttershy, and you, Snowflake, are taking up the responsibility of the care of young Fireball here. Please sign on the proper spaces in this document."
Fluttershy and Snowflake complied and signed the document.
"So...that's it?" asked Fluttershy.
"Yes, that should do it," Mayor Mare said enthusiastically. "However, for a year or so, you will be visited by a social worker to make sure you're taking care of Fireball properly. But, as of today, he is in your full custody."
"WOOHOO!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "TIME TO PAAAAAAARRRRRTAAAAY!"
"Actually," Fluttershy interrupted. "Could we please wait a little while on the celebration? So much has happened. I just want Snowflake and I to have some quality time with our new son. If that's ok with you..."
"Aw, of course it is!" exclaimed Pinkie, hugging Fluttershy tightly. "I'm not gonna force any parties onto you! I'm just so happy for you and your new family!"
Everypony else joined in on the hug.
Back at Fluttershy's cottage, she made up a room for Fireball to sleep in.
"This is going to be your room from now on, Fireball," said Fluttershy. "It's very close to where Mama and Papa sleep, so I can hear you if you need me. Just call for me or your Papa if anything's wrong."
She tucked her son into his new bed and gave him a nuzzle on the nose.
"I hope Snowflake and I can make you happy. We both love you very much."
"I...wove...you...too...mama," Fireball managed to get out, smiling big after saying it.
Recap: Twilight Sparkle decided to learn how to farm and apple buck at Sweet Apple Acres under the guidance of Big Macintosh Apple. This made Big Macintosh excited because he’s been in love with Twilight for a long time. Twilight is reluctant for any kind of romance because of heartbreak from her first ever boyfriend, Bookworm Scholar.
