When Rainbow Dash takes in a baby Pegasus left on her doorstep, she learns what it means to be a mother to a child with special needs when it's revealed that she is completely blind.
Rainbow Dash takes in a baby Pegasus that was left on her doorstep and affectionately names her Cumulus, she finds motherhood to be harder than it looks but loves the young Pegasus to death. But when it's revealed that Cumulus was born blind, Rainbow finds it harder to raise her with the pain of knowing that Cumulus will never see her mother's face. And as Cumulus grows, she has to fight to find her true self with her disability, and to see the brighter side of life...even if she can't literally see it.
This is a personal story for me, because I am adopted and I do have ADHD, Organic Brain Syndrome and I'm Emotionally Impaired...and trying to get through life with a disability is not an easy ride.
It was a typical morning for Rainbow Dash...she got up, got herself some breakfast and went out for a morning flight. She stopped to say hi to her friends along her flight to give herself a breather, for she was flying as fast as she could go as if nothing could stop her. This was the life for her...worry free, loose and most of all, exciting!
But on this day, when she went home, she decided to rest for a bit before going back to Twilight's and having a picnic with the others at Fluttershy's cottage. She pulled out the latest Daring Do book and read for a few hours...then there was a knock at the door, she marked the page she was on, got up and went to answer it. But when she opened the door, no one was there...there was, however, a basket on her porch. There was no note or anything! Rainbow looked around, trying to see who had left the basket there...she went up higher to see if she could spot the Pegasus flying away...she saw nopony. She came back down and picked up the basket and carried it inside. When she set it down, it started making funny noises. It was a small squeal and a coo, it sounded like a...Rainbow quickly removed the lid on the basket to see if her theory was correct.
And it was!
It was a baby!
It was a baby blue Pegasus with a white mane and tail, and a clean diaper; it looked no more than a few months old. It opened it's eyes and Rainbow was immediately in love she carefully picked it up and began rocking it while it sucked its hoof. Though it was a beautiful moment for her, she then came to a realization and panicked, 'I don't know anything about babies!' she thought to herself.
Though she knew some ponies who did!
She then got her baby blanket and had to do guesswork to swaddle the baby correctly, after 3 tries she gave up and left for the picnic flying slowly as to not upset the infant. She wanted to be the one to care for her, but, she would need her friends assistance. She hated asking for help, but there was a young life at stake right now, she couldn't and wouldn't send it to an orphanage. It would break her heart to part with the infant now that this foal had touched her heart. But a question came to mind...Why? Of all the ponies in Equestria...Why her? She thought about it for a moment but brushed it aside. The infant was all that mattered now to her. She saw the picnic in the distance and her friends looking around confusedly for her. The baby pretty much slept the whole way there, Rainbow looked down at the foal sleeping peacefully and her heart melted like butter.
Rainbow landed to see the others looking at her, "Rainbow, where have you been?" asked Twilight.
Rainbow smiled, "Oh, I got a little..."
She revealed the infant, "Distracted."
The others gasped and the baby opened its eyes though something was off about the way it was looking around trying to find where the voices were coming from.
"Where...where did you..." Twilight stammered, caught off guard by the big reveal.
"A basket was left on my doorstep, I brought it in and I found out that inside was a baby!"
Fluttershy flew up to meet the infant, "It's soo cute! She even looks a little bit like you!"
"I know...I...I actually want to keep her. That's why I came to you guys, I need your help."
"Of course Rainbow, we'd be happy to help you and...." Twilight trailed off and realized that they didn't know what the gender was. With Rainbow's permission, she unswaddled the foal, opened its diaper and checked the gender.
"You have a brand new beautiful baby girl." Twilight confirmed.
Rainbow was beaming with pride, the others took turns holding her and when she began to get a little fussy, Rarity (who was holding her at the time) handed her back to Rainbow as Twilight made a bottle of warm milk appear. Rainbow looked a little nervous when the fussy baby was handed back to her...Pinkie then cautioned, "Stay calm, they can smell fear."
Rainbow then took the bottle and fed her, she hadn't eaten in hours so she sucked it down within a few seconds. Rainbow then went by instinct and burped her. The others gave out an 'awww.'
"So, watcha gonna name her?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow pondered for a moment, the foal's coloration reminded her of the sky...and she remembered her favorite kind of cloud to make..."Cumulus."
The others agreed, and before Rainbow started eating a peanut butter and zapapple jam sandwich...she needed to get Cumulus to a pediatrician, just to make sure she was healthy. She voiced her concern to the others and Pinkie offered to take her to the Cake's pediatrician...Dr. Binky. Rainbow agreed and the others decided to put their picnic on a rain check, even Fluttershy didn't hesitate, she knew that the health of the new baby came first.
The 6 waited patiently for Dr. Binky to call Rainbow's name, in the meantime, Rainbow was getting anxious as any new mother would be, she didn't know what the outcome of this appointment would be...but she hoped it would be a pleasant one. It was funny, this morning she didn't even think of a new baby and...now, miraculously, she had one...she was an instant mother to this foal.
"Rainbow Dash?" a brown colt with a golden mane and tail, green eyes, a pair of rectangular glasses, and a binky for a cutie mark called her name.
Rainbow got up and flew slowly to the door carrying tiny Cumulus to the door, Dr. Binky closed it behind her and led her to a room with pictures of young fillies and colts at infancy while the walls were painted baby pink on one wall and baby blue on the other.
"Now, what brings you here today?" he asked as Rainbow sat down in the nearest chair and told him what happened that morning.
"I see, may I see her?"
Rainbow was a little hesitant but handed her over to him, he then placed her on the examination bed. He took out his stethoscope and listened to her breathing, he confirmed that it was normal. He took her temperature, looked inside her ears, etc. all normal. That is, when he came to the sight test, he waved a light in front of her and he looked concerned...Rainbow's heart stopped beating.
"Rainbow Dash, can you wait in the waiting room with your friends for a moment?"
Rainbow nodded and obeyed, she was then pacing back and forth, waiting nervously for him to come out and say that she was healthy. But fate had other plans, for when the doctor came out with the baby...his face looked grim.
"Is she alright?" Twilight asked.
Dr. Binky handed Cumulus back to Rainbow and sighed, he then removed his glasses. 'This is not good.' Rainbow thought.
"Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this...Cumulus...Cumulus is blind."
A gasp went through the group as the thought plucked at Rainbow's heartstrings, Cumulus would never see her, she would never see the world, she would live in a world of eternal darkness.
"But...but how..."
"There's nothing I can do, miracle only...I took a blood test and we're still examining it but...I think she was born this way."
Tears streamed down Rainbow's face as she looked at the infant anew.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do to restore her sight. But with you as a mother...I'm sure she will prosper."
Rainbow had a ray of hope that he was right, all she could do is let Cumulus know how special she was while raising her and telling her that she doesn't need her sight in life.
For somepony like Rainbow Dash, being a single mom was no trot in the park. There was the crying throughout the night first off, Rainbow would groggily fly to Cumulus' nursery that Rainbow and Fluttershy built with furniture and necessities that a baby would need from the baby shower that Pinkie set up. Rainbow would sit with her in the rocking chair; rocking her until Cumulus went back to sleep again. Rainbow, however, had not gotten any sleep since she brought the baby in. But she was determined (as always), she knew this was just part of being a parent and she was going to take it head on. Though, more often than not, when Cumulus cried Rainbow found that occasionally there was nothing wrong. Rainbow concluded that Cumulus probably wanted to make sure her mother was still there. Rainbow loved Little Cue (as she sometimes called her) from the moment she set eyes on her but when her Little Cue started flying...that's when Rainbow really went nuts. She was afraid that Cumulus, with her being blind, would fly into something and hurt herself. So when Cumulus felt bold some days and began zooming all over the house, Rainbow had to fly in front of her to catch her.
"Whoa there Little Cue, take it easy!" Rainbow would say once she caught her. Rainbow knew that her Little Cue would have the Pegasus' urge to fly someday, and would be particularly inspired by her mother's flying stories. The three Sonic Rainbooms she did, how she saved her friends at the Wonderbolts Academy, the list goes on...Rainbow could only hope that she would see why she can't do the things her mother can. She hated to be the one to rip apart her dreams like this at this age, but it was her job to keep her Little Cue safe and that's what she was going to do.
Not only was she cautious about Cumulus flying, but she was cautious about everything! When something small happened, she made a mountain out of a molehill, like if Cumulus coughed once - Rainbow thought she had whooping cough. If Cumulus got a small cut - Rainbow thought she needed stitches. The others begged her to tone it down a bit with Cumulus...she tried, but she found it to be really hard.
She knew she wasn't exactly mother of the year, and she admitted it. She was over protective, at first she didn't know how to change a diaper, it still took 5 minutes to swaddle her, she didn't know how to get the milk to room temperature, she has blown up at Cumulus because of the stress that she was under and she did her fair share of accidentally eating her mashed peas due to being so tired.
But she must have been doing a darn good job, because Cumulus was beginning to recognize Rainbow's voice. Apparently, being blind has it's advantages - better hearing. It was actually when the 6 were at Sugar Cube Corner and it was 2 months after Cumulus appeared on Rainbow's doorstep when they took notice to this.
They were eating while Cumulus was under the table sucking her hoof when she felt something fluffy against her back, she turned around and felt that is was as soft as her teddy bear, she actually thought it was her bear and hugged it. Pinkie Pie's eyes widened in surprise, she then pulled her tail up to reveal Cumulus clinging to it.
Pinkie giggled, "And what are you doing?"
Cumulus only spoke in baby mumble (Rainbow noticed that she was showing signs of talking soon) as she chewed and drooled on Pinkie's Tail as they all laughed.
"Come here," Fluttershy said gently as she removed the infant from Pinkie's tail. She then cradled Cumulus in her arms and rocked back and forth. They then continued with their conversation.
Rarity was talking about their dresses for the gala this year, "I've got the designs done for your dresses!" she said excitedly. "I just need a pallette. Rainbow, your's should be easy - Fluttershy, I'm thinking...maybe teal - like your eyes, Applejack - apple red for you, Twilight - lavender, Pinkie's shouldn't be too difficult and mine will be a surprise!" They all looked excited, the gala was in another 5 months from now; they all were ecstatic - all except for Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked in concern.
Rainbow snapped to attention.
"Are you alright?" asked Twilight.
Rainbow shrugged and looked at Cumulus. Fluttershy took the cue, "You'd miss her."
"Yeah separation anxiety," said Rainbow. Then Cumulus was fussy and reaching towards Rainbow, who was stunned! As were the others!
Rainbow reached out towards Fluttershy as she willingly handed Cumulus to Rainbow. Rainbow held the baby closer to her; she was also trying to piece together what just happened while Cumulus looked completely content now. So content, that she yawned and fell asleep.
"She knows your voice," Twilight confirmed, clearly touched.
Rainbow looked up at her surprised.
"Since she can't see, she locates you by sound," said Rarity.
Rainbow looked down at the filly smiling.
Cumulus was, without a doubt, a very intelligent filly. She was now, by Dr. Binky's guesstimate, around 7 months old and it was at this age that she said her first word. This happened when Pinkie decided to celebrate Cumulus' 7 month birthday with the picnic that had to be postponed due to her arrival. But, as the others were eating, Cumulus was entertaining herself with her new toys, a set of cloth building blocks with different feeling fabric on each side of them from Rarity, a ball in the shape of an apple from Applejack, a butterfly binky from Fluttershy, a touch and feel book from Twilight, a hat in the shape of a birthday cake from Pinkie and a hand me down pillow from Rainbow's crib when she was a baby. She was especially entertained by the blocks, mainly because she loved to feel different textures, her favorite being clouds - since that's what her house was made of. She had a corner of the block she was holding in her mouth when her mother approached, "Blocks aren't food Cue."
As she picked Cumulus up, she dropped the block and she was carried to the pony food.
"Twilight can you hand me the applesauce?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight levitated it to her and opened the jar. Rainbow then pulled out a baby spoon from the baby bag, that she carried with her when out and about, scooped out some applesauce and fed it to Cumulus. After the jar was empty, Cumulus was laying on her back between her mother's forehooves while her mother and her Aunts were discussing other matters...that was when Cumulus said it: "M-m-ma!"
Rainbow looked down at her, not sure if she heard her right. But she could have sworn she heard Cumulus call her..."Ma!"
She said it again! She called her 'Ma!' Rainbow's heart thudded as the 5 Aunts gasped and Rainbow's Little Cue said it again and reached upwards. Even when Cumulus couldn't see what her mother looked like - she still recognized her by the feel of her coat, the sound of her voice, and the sound of her wing beats. She knew every sound her mother made. The bond this mother and daughter had was a strong one.
After 3 years worth of holidays, birthdays and, not to mention, surviving the terrible twos - Rainbow applied Cumulus at the local public school. She would be attending in the fall, which was in 3 months. Rainbow considered homeschooling her, to spare her the cruelty the other foals might thrust upon her. Twilight, however, said that it would be good for her to be socialized and sending her to Ms. Cheerilee's would be best. Rainbow was reluctant, but soon realized that she was right, Little Cue would have to be around other ponies besides her mother and aunts.
During the summer months, she learned how to read Braille (Rainbow couldn't thank Twilight enough for the lessons) Twilight even got Cumulus the Braille versions of all the Daring Do books as well as some history books so she could get a head start. The rest of her aunts offered their talents as well as Cumulus grew up. Applejack offered her wisdom (as well as an extra gingerbread cookie when Rainbow wasn't looking), Rarity made her clothes for special occasions (and her onesies as a baby), Pinkie made her laugh when she was down and threw her birthday parties (all surprise parties, it was very easy to surprise Cumulus), Fluttershy often foalsat her when Rainbow was on weather duty and gave her singing lessons in the process.
Cumulus was just as nervous about school as her mother, what would the other foals think of her? She asked her mother, she simply said that they would like her. She once asked her what her eyes looked like so she could know if they knew she was blind by looking at her, Rainbow hesitated before telling her the truth that they were grey and clouded. She knew better than to lie to her, it didn't make her feel right to do so, because in the back of her mind she knew that she would find out eventually. Cumulus wondered what 'grey' looked like; by the way her mother said it - it didn't sound like an attractive color. Cumulus didn't say this to her mother or aunts because they would tell her that she didn't need it. What she wanted more than anything was to see the things she wanted to see the most! Even if it was just for a moment. She had a list of all the things she wanted to see that she had typed on the typewriters she had in her room (one typed regular text and the other typed in Braille and the letters on the keys were in Braille so she could know what she was typing.) So far on this list, she had 10 things:
1. My Aunts 2. The Sun 3. The Moon 4. The Stars 5. A Rose 6. The color blue 7. The Sky 8. A Rainbow 9. The Royal Sisters 10. Mommy
She kept the list stashed away; she typed it twice, one in Braille for her to keep - the other in regular print for her to give to Princess Celestia, hoping she could grant her long time wish. She especially wished she could see her mother when she couldn't sleep at night, she knew the way to her mother's bedroom by heart and she also followed the sound of her snoring. The creaking of the door opening made he snort awake. "Cumulus?"
She heard Rainbow get out of bed and walk towards her, "What are you doing up?"
"I can't sleep."
Rainbow learned from Dr. Binky that with Cumulus being blind, it was going to affect her sleep. She wasn't going to be able to tell whether or not she was asleep most of the time. Rainbow put her arm around Cumulus' shoulder and nuzzled her. She then took Cumulus in her arms and flew gently to her bed and tucked them both in. Cumulus felt her mother hold her close and stroke her mane. Cue was very sure she was facing her mother's chest as she did this, she felt her mother's soft coat in her face and the smell of the sky on it.
"Mommy?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Will I ever get to see what you look like?"
Rainbow was surprised by the question but remained calm, "The doctor said it...it's a miracle only honey."
"What does that mean?"
"It could happen - but it probably won't. I'm sorry."
She let that sink in for a few minutes before Cumulus spoke again, "Mommy, do you want me to see?"
Rainbow smiled and kissed her forehead, "I wouldn't change you for anything."
"But, I wanna see you! I'm tired of seeing black all the time, and I just - "
"Cue...listen to me very well. You don't need your eyes to see."
"How...how is that possible?"
"You've seen me ever since you were a baby, you knew the sound of every move I made. You even knew who I was by the sound of my voice."
"But how does that mean I can see you?"
"You see with your ears, you're blind for a reason Little Cue...you just need to find out why."
"Can't you find out for me?"
Rainbow laughed, "No, that's something you need to find out for yourself."
Cumulus wasn't fond of her mother making riddles for her to figure out herself in the future, but, she snuggled deeper and closer to Rainbow and yawned, "Goodnight Mommy, I love you."
Rainbow's heart swelled as she choked back tears of joy, "I love you too."
In truth, Rainbow sometimes wished her Little Cue could see, she wished Cumulus could share the joy of flying with her, teach her some of her tricks and Cumulus would be the future weather captain! But since she was blind and would permanently be blind, there was no point in wishing for it to happen. So she quickly took her wish back.
One day, Cumulus got a taste of how everypony treats you differently in this world if you have a disability like hers. Rainbow decided to take Cumulus to Cloudsdale with her because: she had official business with the weather factory, the fact that all her other babysitters were booked (Scootaloo and the rest of the CMC graduated 2 years ago and were now busy with their jobs. Scootaloo was now a professional Stunt Master, Sweetie Belle was now an actress and singer on Bridleway, and Apple Bloom was doing wood work at Sweet Apple Acres.) and Rainbow thought it would be a good experience for Cumulus to know where her mother grew up and Cumulus' origins. But the tour would have to wait, Rainbow had to get to the meeting with the manager of the weather factory.
Cumulus had to wait outside the office while Rainbow went inside to discuss next month's weather plans for Ponyville. While she waited, Cumulus sat on a bench not far from the door and pulled a book of her favorite fairy tales out from her saddlebag. She began decoding the little bumps her hooves touched when she heard hoofsteps approaching her, though she didn't pay any attention to it at first. Then one of them spoke, "Hey!"
Her head shot up as she jumped at the sudden, sharp voice of a colt, making her drop her book.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I-I'm waiting for my Mommy, she's in the office."
Cumulus looked straight ahead, she knew they were a few yards away to her right but at the same time she didn't want to draw attention to her being blind. Even when going through Ponyville with her mother, she could feel the sympathetic glares and the looks of confusion burning her skin. But, the fact that she didn't pick up her book right away raised an eyebrow for them.
"Are you going to pick that up?"
"Umm...yes?"
She reached down, feeling around for the book, but couldn't find it. She then heard one of the Colt step in front of her and pick up the book.
It was when he was handing it back to her that he saw the eyes, "Sweet Celestia! She's blind!"
"Seriously?" asked another colt.
"Yeah I'm serious! Look!"
She heard the other one come over and examine her.
"I've never heard of a blind Pegasus," the other colt said.
"What's your name?"
"Cumulus."
"That's a nice name...where are you from?"
"Ponyville."
Rainbow then came out and saw the two colts that picked on her and Fluttershy at Summer Flight Camp. They were talking to Cumulus with grins that said, 'what a freak!' That was when Rainbow got defensive.
"You two!" she exclaimed, Cumulus shrank into the bench; she'd never heard her Mom yell at others like she did when Cumulus was in trouble.
They jumped when they saw Rainbow, "Oh...Rainbow! Hey! Uhhh...this one yours?"
Rainbow only scowled at them and said, "Come here Cumulus."
Cumulus clutched her book and obeyed her mother.
They then began insulting her directly, while Cumulus was standing right there.
"I didn't know you turned into a softie!"
Rainbow shot back at them, "For a very good reason!"
"I always thought you'd have an athlete for a kid not...that!"
Rainbow was resisting the urge to pounce on them and pound them, but she had to set an example. So instead, she picked up Cumulus and flew out with her.
They stopped at a restaurant in Cloudsdale for lunch after Rainbow's little tour was over. Rainbow ordered a veggie burger and Cumulus ordered a carrot hot dog and fries. They were waiting for their orders when Rainbow thought of what those two colts said about Cumulus and worried, were the foals at school going to do the same thing to her? She couldn't bear the thought of Cumulus coming home crying into her pillow. She was such a timid and spry filly; her feelings could really get hurt and Rainbow would have no advice for her. This was her worry, not being able to tell her how to fix the problem besides telling her to go to her teacher. Rainbow let a few tears come out with a couple sniffles.
Rainbow smiled wholeheartedly and said, "Don't let anypony compare you to me. Ever."
"I won't I promise."
Rainbow hoped so, when the waitress came around she made a quick glance at Cumulus' eyes as she handed Cumulus her food then looked at Rainbow Dash who looked like she was burning holes into her head. The waitress then handed Rainbow her food and left.
Rainbow knew she wouldn't be able to keep up with this, but she also knew that she'd have to let her baby go. In a couple months, she'd be attending school and Rainbow was already feeling anxious.
Rainbow was asleep in dreamland and Celestia hadn't even risen the sun yet when the door burst open and an excited filly ran up to Rainbow's bed.
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy wake up we've gotta go! Wake up!"
She then climbed up on Rainbow's bed with some strain and continued her hyperactive yelling, "It's the first day of school! First day of school!"
Rainbow groaned, "But I don't wanna got to school!"
Cumulus giggled, "Not you Mommy - me!"
She then got impatient and began jumping up and down on the bed saying excitedly, "Time for school!" over and over as Rainbow groggily got up.
"Okay okay, I'm up, I'm up," Rainbow said tiredly as she sat up.
Cumulus continued and Rainbow had to smile, it wasn't often that she was this excited for anything! Apparently she felt that if she didn't draw attention to her being blind, she would be fine and maybe make some friends. Cumulus continued for 2 more minute before Rainbow caught her in mid jump, "Whoa there Cue, don't waste your energy. Save it for later."
"Sorry Mom, I just can't help it!"
Rainbow set her down on her stomach, "Now if you're not really awake yet, I can jump on your stomach!"
Before she could jump, Rainbow caught her, "Never mind!"
"Now you'd better not go back to sleep again!"
"Alright young filly, breakfast first and then I'll fly with you to school."
"Okay!"
Rainbow smiled playfully, "Now get up and go downstairs so I can strech!" she said as she set her on the floor and nudged her playfully out the door with her giggling. After Rainbow closed the door, Cumulus darted down stairs to the kitchen where her saddlebags were, she knew the house and Ponyville by now so she had a map in her head.
As promised, Rainbow flew with her to Ponyville, they decided to stop at Sugar Cube Corner for breakfast because Cumulus' aunts wanted to see her before she went to school. As they entered, Cue heard Applejack's voice, "There's the filly of the hour!"
Cumulus felt herself blush as her mother guided her to the nearest seat when she sat down, Twilight asked, "So are you excited about your first day?"
"Excited might be underplaying it," said Rainbow rubbing her eyes.
"How so?"
"She woke me up early by jumping on my bed this morning."
"Sorry Mommy," said Cue.
Rainbow smiled and ruffled her hair, "It's okay."
Cumulus spoke again as Pinkie came over with a stack of chocolate chip pancakes, "But honestly, I'm also a little nervous...I'm...I'm..."
"You're nervouscited! It's like you wanna jump up and down and yell 'yay me!' But you also wanna curl up in a teeny tiny ball and hide at the same time!"
Cumulus began to shrink in her seat.
"Pinkie!" the others yelled.
"What? We've all been there!"
Applejack then said, "You've got no reason to worry, they'll all love you! Yer pretty..."
"You're smart." Twilight offered.
"And sweet as these pancakes!" Pinkie exclaimed.
This actually made her feel better the nervousness was still there but it wasn't as bad as before.
After breakfast, Cumulus walked to the school with Rainbow flying over her. Cumulus' heart was beating wildly, what if nopony liked her? What if nopony wanted to be her friend? What if - what if they all thought she was useless? Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as these questions formed in her mind. Then, she heard the sound of foals laughing, her fear then intensified.
"Mommy?"
"What's wrong?"
"I...I'm scared."
Rainbow landed beside her and placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay, I'll be here to pick you up at 3...okay?"
Cumulus nodded and tried to step forward, but couldn't, her mother flew behind her and nudged her forward to get her going.
Rainbow landed at the beginning of the path leading to the schoolhouse as she watched Cue walk up to it. Cumulus then heard the bell ring; she knew what that meant, so she started running, then somepony ran into her knocking her over.
"Watch where you're going!" came a shrill filly's voice. This was the voice of Silver Spoon's cousin who just moved to Ponyville - Sparkling Gem. The filly had blue eyes, a lavender coat and a blue mane and tail; her mane was pulled up in a tidy bun with strands of hair framing her face. Rainbow watched with horror as the filly skipped up the steps like nothing happened Rainbow then flew to Cumulus' aid.
"Honey, are you alright?" she asked as she helped her up.
"I guess so, who was that?"
Another filly came up and spoke, "Sparkling Gem, the mean one...stay clear of her and she won't bother you. I'm Dandelion by the way and this is Autumn Leaves."
Dandelion definitely represented her name, her coat was a sunshine yellow with freckled cheeks, her unicorn horn poked through a mess of curly hair on the top of her head with ringlet pigtails tied by green bows and her tail closely resembled Rarity's. Autumn Leaves had a light brown mane and tail with a rusty orange coat and purple eyes.
"Hi and...uh...yeah, l-listen to Dandelion," he said sheepishly. Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him he then blushed and turned his head awkwardly to look at something else while drawing circles in the dirt with his hoof.
Ms. Cheerilee then poked her head out to see the four of them talking, "Children, come in, you'll all have time to get to know each other later."
Cumulus started to go up the steps when she heard, "Hey, no hug for your mother?"
Cumulus then went back to hug her Mom, "Have fun," she said.
"I'll try.."
As the three went in, Dandelion spoke, "So, we didn't get your name."
"Oh, sorry, it's Cumulus."
"That's a nice name, like the cloud?"
"Yeah."
Ms. Cheerilee was about to shut the door when Rainbow spoke, "Cheerilee, just so you know, Cue is very sensitive about the comments on her being blind...if there's any problems please let me know."
"Rainbow, don't you worry. I have it all under control, all you have to do is drop her off and pick her up; this is very normal for every parent."
Rainbow took a deep breath to relax herself, realizing that she was right. "Alright, and thank you."
Cheerilee smiled and closed the door, she turned to see Cumulus standing in front of her desk facing the class completely confused.
"Cumulus, would you like some help?"
She nodded as the class snickered, all except Dandelion and Autumn Leaves. Cheerilee then guided Cue to a desk behind Dandelion which was good, to her left was Autumn Leaves which was even better, but the only bad thing - she was in front of Sparkling Gem. Cheerilee then went to the front of the class and said, "Good morning class! I'm your teacher Ms. Cheerilee, now turn to the students near you and introduce yourself for five minutes and we'll start the lesson."
Cumulus turned to her left to find Autumn Leaves, their conversation didn't last long because they'd already met. However, when she turned to her right, she heard a voice that made her heart burst and then go nuts!
"Hi, I'm Shiny Bit."
Cumulus couldn't find her voice at first, her mind had gone blank. "I...um...I'm Cue - Cue - Cue..."
He looked at her amused, "Cue? As in...Cutie Pie?"
Cumulus' blush got redder as she played with her mane laughing shyly, she then shook her head to wake herself up, "Cumulus! I...I'm Cumulus."
She heard him laugh a little as she felt her face get hotter. What she didn't know was that Autumn Leaves knew what was going on, his smile fell as he looked jealously at Shiny Bit. Shiny Bit had a blonde mane and tail, blue eyes and a gold coat. His mane was neatly combed by his mother whereas Autumn's was just messy chunks, even when she couldn't see - she was blind. Autumn had grown up around Shiny Bit since infancy and had been best friends with him, but as life went on, Shiny Bit grew out of Autumn and began ridiculing him. He invited Autumn to fake sleepovers, threw mud at him, made him eat dirt, told him he couldn't hang out with Shiny and his friends because he was low class, the list goes on. And Autumn knew that he was going to do the same to this filly, this beautiful...beautiful filly. Autumn saw her from a distance this morning with her mother and thought Cumulus was the most gorgeous thing he'd ever set eyes on, but now that she was developing a crush on Shiny Bit, maybe it was better that they remained friends. But it didn't mean he wasn't going to stick up for her when needed.
"So...what's up with your eyes?" Shiny Bit asked.
Cue looked down glumly, she was hoping to avoid this question. Autumn Leaves felt hot with anger, how badly he wanted to sock Shiny in the face!
"Are you...blind?"
Cumulus was close to crying.
Shiny Bit didn't press any further, to Cue's relief. But, Cumulus wasn't the only one who had her eye on Shiny Bit, Sparkling Gem witnessed the entire exchange and looked at the blue, blind pegasus with scorn. Her frown slowly turned into a devious grin as she brewed a plan to make Shiny Bit not interested in Cumulus anymore, though truthfully, he wasn't interested in her anyway. He just wanted to please his sister, Diamond Tiara who has always ignored him, by ruling the school she went to as a filly. He hoped it would get him noticed by her.
For lunch and recess they went outside to eat, Cumulus decided to eat with her new friends Shiny Bit, Dandelion, and Autumn Leaves. After Cumulus ate her lunch, which was a peanut butter and zapapple jam sandwich, a cherry cupcake from Sugar Cube Corner and an apple juice from Sweet Apple Acres, Shiny Bit asked her if she wanted to go for a walk with him. She said yes without hesitation; she then remembered her other 2 friends, "If that's okay with you guys."
"Go ahead, we'll be fine," said Dandelion.
Autumn Leaves just grumbled, "Sure."
Shiny Bit took her by the hoof, making her blush a shade of beet red as he guided her around the playground.
"I didn't mean to make fun of you earlier."
"I know, I'm just...well..."
"You just don't like it."
She shook her head with a smile.
"So, what's your parent's names?"
"I only have a Mom, her name is Rainbow Dash."
"What happened to your Dad?"
"She never mentioned him."
"Oh...what does she do? You know, for a job?"
"She's the captain of the Weather Patrol."
"That's awesome! Your Mom is so cool!"
"What about your parents?"
"My Dad's name is Filthy Rich, my Mom's is Jewel and I have an older sister named Diamond Tiara. My parents own half of the town."
Her eyes widened, "No wonder why he's called 'Filthy Rich,' so..."
She was then interrupted by Sparkling Gem, "So, we have a new power couple - Cumulus and Shiny Bit!"
Shiny Bit looked embarrassed as well as Cumulus, she felt him let go of her hoof and say, "No way! I don't wanna hang out with a BAT!!"
Cumulus gasped and felt her eyes sting with tears.
From a distance, Dandelion and Autumn Leaves saw their new friend being hurt by Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem, they immediately went to stand up for her.
"Go back to the Everfree Forest where you belong, that's where the bats who are as blind as you are at," Sparkling Gem said sharply as Shiny Bit walked away from Cumulus' side with a smirk.
"Who knows? Maybe you'll fly as bad as a bat, always crashing into things. Look at me! I'm Cumulus! Where am I going? Where am I going? I can't see! SPLAT!! Oh, I ran into a tree!" Shiny Bit mocked.
"Which is weird because...isn't your Mom captain of the Weather Patrol?!" he continued. He and Gem then started laughing and calling her 'Bat,' 'Bat Pony,' 'Blind as a Bat,' and more!
Dandelion and Autumn Leaves were then in front of Cumulus, "Leave her alone!"
"Or we'll get Ms. Cheerilee!" Dandelion added.
Shiny Bit was intimidated for a minute, but then regained his confidence, "Ooooh scary! A bunch of snitches!" Shiny Bit taunted.
"Come on Bit, if you wanna hang out with the cool foals."
Cue heard Shiny Bit walk away and felt like her heart was ripped right out of her chest. She now knew who her friends were but yet, she still ached over Shiny Bit - she still had a crush on him and she knew that wasn't going to change anytime soon.
The rest of the day, she tried to focus on the lesson but she was honestly waiting for class to be over. When it finally was, she got out of her seat only to trip over somepony's hoof. It wasn't Sparkling Gem, but Shiny Bit.
"Watch it Bat!"
Cumulus glumly let her head fall to the floor she laid there a few second when she felt a hoof helping her up, it was Dandelion!
"Thanks," said Cumulus.
"Don't mention it; trust me, I know what it's like...I'm mentally disabled."
"What does that mean?"
"It means my brain doesn't work like other ponies. I have ADHD."
"What's that?"
"I don't pay attention for long and I can't stay still in one place for too long."
Cumulus shouldn't have been surprised, she heard Ms. Cheerilee getting on Dandelion for not paying attention. They then got their saddlebags and went out to wait for their parents. Rainbow, of course was already there waiting anxiously. All day, she was a mess. She was watching the clock, thinking of all of the things that could happen. she could get a papercut, she could trip and break a tooth, she could fall off the swing, etc. But she was thinking that something happened with Cumulus, if she was involved in a fight or something. Was she badly hurt? Did she have a black eye? A broken bone? A broken muzzle? A tooth missing? Who started it? She'll pound em if they hurt her Little Cue! But she came out unharmed and she could breathe a sigh of relief, she was even more relieved when she saw she made friends with the sunshine yellow filly she saw this morning. She wasn't an idiot to see that the rust colored colt had a bit of a crush on her Cumulus since this morning, but she wasn't ready to think about her daughter dating - nor would she ever be.
Dandelion saw Rainbow and told Cumulus that she was there.
"Okay and thanks for everything that you and Autumn did for me today."
"It's what friends do, right?"
'Friends' Cumulus beamed as the two friends hugged and Cumulus went up to her mother as Dandelion's mother, Lily Valley came up the path to pick her up.
"See ya tomorrow!" Cumulus called back to Dandelion.
"See ya!" she called back.
Cumulus reached her mother and Rainbow then picked her up and tossed her in the air catching her with a hug, "I missed you all day!"
"I missed you too Mommy!"
"Ready to go Cue? Your Aunts want to see you before we go home and get started on your homework."
"Yep! And...can I get my favorite milkshake?"
"Chocolate Fudge Swirl?"
Cumulus licked her lips, "Mmm-hmm!"
Rainbow laughed as she assisted Cumulus onto her back. Cumulus didn't know the way to Sugar Cube Corner from the school as well as she knew the way from her house, so she rode on her mother's back the whole way there where her Aunts were waiting to hear how her first day went. She entered with her mother with the scars of a day that started out bad, then good, bad again, good again, then bad and good again.
"So, how did it go?" asked Twilight.
"Did ya have fun?" asked Pinkie.
"What did ya learn today?" asked Applejack.
"Do you have homework on the first day?" asked Fluttershy.
"Are there any cute colts in your class?" asked Rarity.
"Whoa, girls! Give her some room. Pinkie, can I get a Chocolate Fudge Swirl Milkshake?" Rainbow asked.
"Absolutely - ootely!"
She went into the kitchen and was back in a flash with the milkshake. The milkshake was exactly what it sounded like: a chocolate milkshake with chocolate fudge swirled in it and topped with whipped cream with no cherry it was her favorite milkshake flavor and always got it when she cam to Sugar Cube Corner in the afternoons. She then began answering their questions, "It went okay...I guess, yeah I had fun! We learned about pony history mostly about Hearth's Warming Eve and how Equestria was founded. Yeah, I have homework on my first day. And...about your last question..."
"Yeeeesss?" Rarity asked.
Cumulus was aware of her mother sitting right next to her, she suddenly chickened out and quickly sipped on her milkshake.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "Cumulus?"
She swallowed her mouthful, had a brain freeze for a few seconds and answered, "His name is Shiny Bit, I'm saying no more!"
She quickly went back to sipping her milkshake as Rarity said, "Ooooh! Our Little Cue's first crush!"
Cumulus swallowed and sank into her seat, wanting to melt into the floor. Remembering that her first crush didn't end all that well and it was something she wanted to forget.
"Cumulus, aren't you a little...well...young?" asked Twilight.
"Oh Twilight, don't fret! There's nothing more adorable than young love!"
"A love that's TOO young if you ask me," said Rainbow bitterly.
Cumulus then recalled the teasing about her sight, a bat? She was a bat? She got around by sound and couldn't see, but from what she heard, bats were also ugly. Like, evil little flying chipmunks! She couldn't finish her shake and this shocked everyone, she never left a shake unfinished.
"Cue...you okay?" asked Applejack.
She shook her head.
"Uhh...can I talk to her alone?" Rainbow asked. "Mother to daughter talk."
They all agreed and went outside.
"Come on now, what's going on?"
Cumulus told her everything from meeting Shiny Bit, to thinking he was her friend, to her new nickname.
"They called you what?!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"A bat, he even said, that I'll probably fly as bad as a bat and that it's weird because you're the best flyer in Equestria because...I'm..." she was about ready to cry at the memory when Rainbow took her in her arms and held her close.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you."
Cumulus couldn't hold it back, she cried; her mother pulled her in closer. "Look..." Rainbow began as she let Cue out of her arms, "Now you know who your friends are."
Cumulus sniffed, "Dandelion and Autumn Leaves?"
Rainbow gritted her teeth at the mention of Autumn Leaves' name, "Right."
She then composed herself and continued, "But, if the teasing gets worse, you know that you can come to me...right?"
Cumulus sniffed again and nodded, "Mmm - hmm..."
"That's my big girl."
Rainbow kissed Cue's forehead and she went to get the others; she also told them what happened and they were just as disgusted as Rainbow was. When they came back in they only looked sadly at Cumulus, not understanding why somepony would pick on somepony as sweet and innocent as Cumulus.
The next two years were not an easy ride for Cumulus, there were a series of fights between Shiny Bit and Autumn Leaves because Shiny was insulting Cue and Autumn was defending her. Shiny also put a series of signs on her tail with a picture of a bat on them and sometimes Rainbow would catch it as she flew home with her, she confronted the teacher about this several times about this, Ms. Cheerilee held a meeting with Shiny Bit's parents, and it didn't do Cue any good.
Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem called Cumulus a snitch and recently even beat her on playground. Autumn and Dandelion tried to help her, but Shiny's new 'cronies' were blocking them, all they could do was watch in horror as their friend was being punched, kicked and hit by Gem and Shiny was encouraging her. Cumulus was relieved when the lunch bell rang and Gem got off of her.
"Remember not to snitch bat!" Gem said as she walked away.
Cumulus started to cry when Dandelion and Autumn helped her up, "I'll get back at em!" Autumn declared.
"No." said Cumulus.
"But...Cue! We have to do something!"
"If we tell, they might do it to you too! I can't do that...not to my friends!"
"At least tell Ms. Cheerilee!" Dandelion suggested.
"No! They'll do it again!"
"Cue, I agree with Autumn, we have to do something!"
"I can handle it...really."
"It doesn't look like it to me."
"I can!"
They'd never heard her raise her voice before and they were now fully convinced.
"Okay, if you're sure..."
Ms. Cheerilee then called them, "Children, recess is over, come inside!"
Cumulus came up to the school modeling the black eye she got and when Ms. Cheerilee asked her what happened, Cumulus knew better than to tell because they might do it again so she said that she fell. Ms. Cheerilee knew better, somepony had beaten her and she was not going to tolerate it in her class and she knew right then who it was that did it. As Cumulus went to her seat, Ms. Cheerilee got out an icepack and asked Shiny Bit, Sparkling Gem and Cumulus to stay after. Cumulus cringed as Ms. Cheerilee put the pack to her eye, Dandelion turned and looked at her sympathetically as did Autumn Leaves.
After the lesson was over, Ms. Cheerilee went outside to get Rainbow Dash. She saw Rainbow waiting by the gate a lot less anxious than the very first day of school a couple years ago, Ms. Cheerilee hated to be the one to break that. But it was for Cumulus' safety.
"Hello Rainbow."
"Hey Ms. Cheerilee, what's wrong?"
"It's Cumulus..."
"What happened?" Rainbow suddenly got nervous.
"I think you'd better come and see for yourself."
Rainbow followed her into the schoolhouse and got the shock of her life! Her daughter was sitting at her desk, covered in bruises and holding an ice pack to her eye!
"Cumulus!"
She shrank in her seat as Rainbow flew over to her and asked, "Does it hurt?"
"Not so much anymore..."
"Here let me see."
Cumulus shook her head.
"Cue, come on."
Rainbow had to remove the pack herself and what she saw what the most heart breaking sight she'd ever seen, the black and blue pooled down for three inches. A tear dripped down on the bruise, "Oh, Cue..." said Rainbow as she gently replaced the pack.
She immediately knew the culprits, "What did she do so wrong? If she started this, she will be severely punished."
They only shrank in their seats and didn't answer.
"That's what I thought!"
They obviously didn't care if she was blind or not, Rainbow herself was shocked that the two would stoop so low as to purposely cause harm to her little Cue. She honestly didn't know how to handle this one - the signs on her tail she could patch up in a flash and the name calling she could so easily patch up by lecturing her on how they're jealous that they can't be as awesome and gifted in hearing as she is. But for this situation - she had nothing.
Rainbow was about to ask how this happened when the door opened. In came Filthy Rich and Gem's mother Tea and Scones; Rainbow Dash was already in full - on momma bear mode.
"How in the name of Celestia could you let this happen? And to her! Why her?! She never did anything wrong! She is just the kindest and sweetest little thing!"
"Us? Why are you blaming us? Children will be children!" Tea and Scones exclaimed.
"So you call causing harm to my blind baby, somepony that can't see period...'harmless?!'" Rainbow exclaimed getting in her face.
"Well, when you put it that way," she said smugly.
"That's it!" Rainbow was about to go nuts when Filthy Rich spoke, "Ms. Dash, I apologize for my son's behavior."
"I certainly don't apologize for mine, if you wanted your daughter to get a non - judgmental education you should've used that thing in your skull called a brain and sent her to a school for the blind."
"You mean...an institution???!!!"
"Precisely."
"You...you..." she was about to explode with rage when Filthy Rich cut in again.
"I assure you Ms. Dash that I will see that both of our children will be severely punished when we get home," he said this while eyeing his son angrily.
Ms. Cheerilee then spoke, "Rainbow, take Cumulus home, I feel she deserves it."
Rainbow flew back to Cumulus, gathered her saddlebags and guided her to the front of the classroom. It was then that she spoke to both parents, "And if any of your children pulls something like that again, so help me!"
Rainbow so badly wanted to see the outcome, but understood that since her daughter was the victim that it wasn't something she needed to see.
When they got home, Cue said out of the blue, "I don't wanna go to school anymore."
Rainbow almost said she didn't want her to either, but she knew that in reality she needed her education and Twilight probably wouldn't have the time.
"Cue, you have to go, you need your education."
"You or Auntie Twilight could teach me."
"I think Auntie Twilight has other things on her mind and I'm not much of a teacher."
Cumulus slumped her shoulders sadly.
"Look, I need you to tell me something..."
Cumulus prepared herself for the question.
"Have they done this to you before? Now, be honest with me. You know you can tell me anything."
"No...they've never hit me before."
"Okay...do you know who was the one hitting you? Could you tell?"
Cumulus thought for a moment and she could hear Shiny Bit yelling in the background, "Get her! Get her Gem! Get her! Get the bat!"
"I think it was Sparkling Gem, Shiny Bit was hanging back and telling her to keep going."
Rainbow nodded and Cumulus, hoping there weren't anymore questions, went up to her room.
That night, when Rainbow tucked Cumulus in - she had a question that threw Rainbow off balance, it was one that rainbow had been hoping to avoid until Cue was 16.
"Where's my Daddy?"
Rainbow stiffened, she was planning on telling her origins until she was older, she didn't think Cue was ready yet.
She merely kissed her forehead and said, "I'll tell you when your older...okay?"
Cue noticed how stiffly she said that, but didn't question it.
Rainbow couldn't sleep that night, she tossed and turned and tears fell without her making a peep. She was upset over the comments from Tea and Scones, Cumulus being beaten, how she was being treated differently because of her differences and the first lie she has ever told her daughter.
It was around 1 that she needed to check on Cumulus. She got out of her bed and walked to Cue's room; she opened the door a crack to see her Little Cue sleeping peacefully, curled up in a little ball under Rainbow Dash's baby blanket and clutching her teddy bear with Luna's moon giving Cumulus an angelic glow around her. Usually Cumulus came to Mommy when Cue couldn't sleep think of the twist when Mommy couldn't sleep and went to Cumulus. This is the only time Rainbow has done this; she came in, tucked herself in with Cumulus. She then tried to hold her, but her efforts woke up Cue.
"Mommy? Why are you - "
"I couldn't sleep."
Cumulus turned to face her as the mother pulled her daughter closer to her.
Cumulus then felt a drop of warm water on her head, "Don't cry Mommy."
"I'm sorry, sometimes like with the things that happened today...I just have to."
Rainbow honestly, for the first time in her life with all her confidence, felt powerless. She didn't have any power when her baby was at school and there, she was being abused and the thought saddened her.
Cumulus felt bad for her, a lot of times she thought to herself that raising her without a husband couldn't be an easy task. That's why she behaved so well, although some of her mother's traits like her desire to excel and succeed as well as her confidence had been picked up, either way she wanted to make it as easy for her as possible.
Her mother sobbed in her mane, "I love you Cumulus."
"I love you too Mommy."
Over the years, since Cumulus came into her life and touched her heart, Rainbow had gotten more sentimental. After 5 minutes Rainbow stopped and they talked for a bit before going to sleep.
"So, what have you been learning lately?"
"We learned about long division today."
"Whoo long division, that's a toughie!"
"And we're planning our Hearth's Warming Eve Pageant for this year."
"Really? You know, I was in the Canterlot Pageant one year - I was Commander Hurricane."
"Dandelion and Autumn think I should be Commander Hurricane, but..."
"But what?"
"I wanna be...Private Pansy."
"And that's okay. You're not me and I understand that."
"Thanks."
Things were silent for a while before Cue spoke again, "Hey Mommy..."
"Yeah?"
"Were you...scared when you saw me? With the eye today?"
Rainbow hesitated, but answered truthfully, "I was, I was scared that I wasn't gonna be able to talk you through this."
"Oh."
There was another pause before Cue lit up with an idea that she thought was kind of funny, "But you wanna know something Mommy?"
Amused she answered, "What?"
"By the way you were talking to Gem's Mom, I think she was even scareder!"
Rainbow had to laugh, because even she felt that this was true, "Because nopony messes with your Mom! C'mere you!"
She then began noogying her Cue escaped her headlock and jumped onto Rainbow's stomach. Rainbow then lifted her off and tossed her in the air and caught her again, she was then laid back down beside her as Rainbow began stroking Cue's mane.
Before Cue fell asleep, she said, "Goodnight Mommy...I love you."
For their punishment, Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem were suspended for a week, giving Cue, Dandelion and Autumn a break. Not to mention that their allowances had been cut off for a month. But upon their return to the school, it seemed that over that time they had become a couple! Cumulus didn't question how or when but it didn't matter, all she knew was that the only colt that she had a crush on was now taken.
3 more years had gone by and the other colts and fillies in her class stared getting their cutie marks. Cue didn't even know what it was until her mother explained it to her. Once it was explained, she was determined to find her place in Equestria and as were her friends, for they didn't have their cutie marks either.
It was when Scootaloo made her yearly visit to Ponyville that she told Cumulus about the Cutie Mark Crusaders when she saw that Cumulus was obviously a late bloomer. When Scootaloo was in town, Cumulus was always excited! She got to see her only once a year and Scootaloo herself only stayed for a week. But Cumulus cherished the time she got to spend with her, counting her as another Aunt. Scootaloo took Cumulus to the park to play before taking her out to lunch. There, they bonded with each other.
"So how are things going? Has your mom blown her top again?"
Cue giggled, "No, not recently."
Scootaloo had heard how Rainbow Dash had blown up at Sparkling Gem's mother when Cue had been beaten up. It spread all over Ponyville and from then on, everypony knew not to mess with Rainbow's Cumulus cloud.
"How are the wings coming?"
"Mom's been giving me some lessons, but I've only flown as far as 2 yards."
"Really? Cue, you're downplaying it too much! That's a HUGE improvement!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! I mean, when I was your age, my wings couldn't even get me off the ground! It took a couple more years to actually get off the ground with some practice!"
Cumulus was now beaming with pride! But still, her mother would only let her fly under her supervision and her supervision alone.
"So I noticed that you're kind of late getting your cutie mark..."
Cumulus bit her lip and covered her flank with her tail in shame.
"Nonono, I'm not picking on you, I'm just telling you that me, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were the same!"
"You were?"
"Yeah, I mean, we were late getting our marks too. That's actually how we became friends and that's what I want to talk to you about."
"So what did you do to earn your marks?"
"Your Aunt Sweetie Belle and your Aunt Apple Bloom used to have a secret society together and we did all kinds of stuff to earn them."
"Really? What was it called?"
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders, maybe you can become a member...though you'll need more members."
Cumulus lit up with an idea, "Maybe I can get my friends to join!"
"Are they...well...they don't have their cutie marks either?"
"Nope, I know because Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem keep calling us 'blank flanks.'"
"Oh, trust me...I know the feeling. I'm right with you on that one."
"But where can we hold our meetings?"
"Hmmm....Maybe you three can use our old clubhouse!" she suggested.
"Really?" Cumulus asked.
"Sure, it's on your Auntie AJ's farm, just ask her about it and she'll know what you're talking about."
At school the next day, Cumulus told Dandelion and Autumn about this secret society that they could do to get their cutie marks.
"I like it!" said Autumn.
"But what kind of stuff would we be doing?" asked Dandelion.
"We pretty much do stuff so we can get our cutie marks."
"Like what?"
"Well, we'd do things like rollerblading, cooking, all kinds of stuff!"
"Alright, but...with the extreme sports, I think we should stay away from that, I mean your Mom would flip if she found out about it."
"Yeah, good point, but if you guys want to try that kind of stuff, that's fine. Extreme sports are kind of out for me."
They then put their hooves together, and they said simultaneously, "Cutie Mark Crusaders go!"
After school that day, Rainbow took the three to Applejack's place after they told her that they wanted to be Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Alright," she said cautiously. "But, I have rules, no extreme sports like hang gliding, mountain climbing or rock climbing, nothing that includes sharp objects, and absolutely...no flying unless I'm around...got it?"
"Yes Mom."
"Yes ma'am," said Autumn Leaves.
"Good."
When they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, Dandelion knocked on the door and Cumulus asked Applejack if they could use the old clubhouse in the orchard.
"Well sure ya can, I'll take ya out there!"
When they arrived, it looked like it had been sitting abandoned for a while. Rainbow looked a little uneasy.
"Are you sure this is safe?" she whispered to Applejack.
"Rainbow, don't worry...it's gonna be fine. Give Cue a chance to breathe!"
"Okay but, I'm making the repairs though."
Rainbow spent Cumulus' entire school day repairing the clubhouse and basically baby proofing it to make sure that she didn't get hurt. And it ended up still being a really great clubhouse, Autumn and Dandelion got their parent's permission to got to Sweet Apple Acres for this club as long as they kept tabs on their homework. After school Rainbow picked them up and blind folded them and guided them to the clubhouse; when Rainbow took the blindfolds off, what they saw was a white clubhouse with rainbow colored shutters and a teal roof. By her friend's reactions, she could tell that her mother did wonders on the clubhouse and could not thank her enough! When they went inside Dandelion and Autumn saw that Rainbow had written out her rules and tacked them to the wall, they knew that she was making sure that they followed them. They knew not to get on the wrong side of Rainbow Dash, if you do, well...it's your funeral!
Within the first few months, they tried everything they tried dancing, track, baseball, basketball, as well as crafts like painting, ripped paper art, crocheting, knitting and drawing...resulting in them still being blank flanks.
It was when the school's yearly talent show came up that Dandelion spawned an idea, maybe they could perform as an attempt for their cutie marks. Cue wasn't too keen on this idea, she honestly had no interest in performing. But Dandelion insisted, "Come on, we've heard you sing before...we could write a totally awesome song and you could perform it."
"I don't know..."
"Come on! And it'll be great for your mom to see it!"
"Well...okay."
Rainbow had honestly never heard her sing professionally for her but this could in fact be the opportunity. The CMC signed up for the talent show, and Gem and Bit had obviously seen the sign up sheet and began taunting them when school was out, Rainbow was later than usual because of her weather patrolling but was on her way.
"There's no way you can be talented at anything!" said Shiny Bit, who's flank had the mark of three shiny gold coins and whom to this day - Cue still had a crush on for some bizarre reason and she didn't know why.
"When the three of you are blank flanks!" Sparkling Gem taunted, whose flank now donned a diamond ring cutie mark.
"That doesn't even have anything to do with it!" Autumn defended.
"Oh and that's not the only thing..." Sparkling Gem continued, ready to pull out the big guns.
"What?" asked Dandelion.
"You not only have a blind pegasus on your team, but it's a pegasus that can't even fly!" said Shiny Bit harshly.
"I can too fly! My Mom's been giving me lessons!"
"Really? Then show us!" said Gem.
Cumulus was taken aback, she would never disobey her mother's orders! "My Mom has rules, I can't fly unless she's here."
"What Mommy doesn't know wont kill her...now if you're so good...prove it!"
Cumulus bit her lip, and folded her wings - what mattered more? Showing these jerks what for? Or obeying her mother's rules?
She felt a hoof on her shoulder and heard Dandelion's voice, "You know your Mom's rules, she'd blow her top if she found out! You don't have to prove anything to these jerks!"
On one hoof Cue wanted to prove herself, but on the other hoof, she wanted to obey her mother's orders.
"Aww, look we've got a Mommy's filly!" said Shiny Bit.
For some reason, that set her off, she nudged Dandelion aside, stepped forward and began flapping her wings. She was only straining a little and she was 5 inches off the ground when she heard, "CUMULUS!!"
"Mom?!" Cumulus, in her shock felt her wings automatically fold and she fell to the ground as she felt her mother nudge her to stand up and walk to the side, "You just flew without my supervision!"
"No Mom, you don't understand...."
"No, I don't want to hear it and it's a good thing I was here! You could've crashed into something and..."
"How long were you watching?"
"Oh, trust me...long enough, I was testing you from the moment I heard Shiny Bit call you 'Mommy's filly.'"
"But Mom!"
"No 'buts!' And you're lucky I'm not sacking this whole 'Crusaders' thing for good! You know you're not a good flyer yet!"
"I can fly JUST FINE Mom okay?!"
"Is that a tone? Are you using a TONE with me?!"
"Is this all because of my sight?"
"Yes, that's EXACTLY it! Cumulus there are limits to what you can do!"
"Mom! Just back off, I can take care of myself!"
"No you can't and I'm taking care of you until you can! And you're grounded for a week young mare!"
"What?!"
"No friends, no Crusading, I'm picking you up from school and we go straight home and you stay there!"
There was a long pause, then out from Cue's mouth came the words that no parent wants to hear, "I hate you."
Pain was an understatement of the look on Rainbow Dash's face, all that they'd been through? Now she hated her? This tore a hole open in her chest.
She finally found her voice, "Your grounding begins now! Walk!"
Cue began walking, not even bearing to think about the looks on Gem and Bit's faces.
Once home, their argument continued, "Why do you always have to be breathing down my neck? It's so annoying!"
"Excuse me? But I am your mother! My job is to keep you safe and that is exactly what I'm going to do!"
"Well you don't have to baby proof everything I do! It's embarrassing! I hate that I can't do what other foals do because of your stupid rules!!"
"My stupid....? If it weren't for my stupid rules, you woudln't even be here! You would be in a hospital room by now!"
"Well at least I would be TRYING to fly, but no, I've gotta wait until YOU have the time to actually TEACH me!!!"
"I've been doing the best I can with work and everything else!"
"Well guess what? There is a LOT on me! Everypony expects me to be like you!"
"Didn't I tell you not to let others compare us?"
"Well, it's kinda hard when they keep doing it and you know their right!"
"Well, I..."
"Exactly! You agree don't you?!"
"Cue...I..."
"You know what? Forget it! I'm gonna take care of myself from now on!" Cumulus began walking to her bedroom.
"Oh, you wanna test your wings? You think you're ready? Fine, go ahead!"
Cue stopped where she was, for a moment she was scared but she wouldn't let her Mom see that, "Fine, I will!"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
Cumulus then walked to and out the door with a slam. It wasn't until she was gone when Rainbow realized what she had just done, she just cast out her own daughter. She calmed herself by telling herself that she'd probably come back when she saw how hard it was out there.
Once Cue was on the ground below her house, it began to rain. The rain told her that she was now on her own Cumulus began to cry out of fear, she didn't have a mother anymore and that scared her. She decided to go into town to get some shelter. She navigated herself into Ponyville with ease, but was still scared because she knew she probably wouldn't be welcome back home again. She decided to go to Auntie Twilight's, she mapped out her course and headed there.
Twilight was getting ready for bed when she heard three tiny knocks at the door, "Who could that be at this time of night?" she asked herself. She walked over to the door and three more knocks came, "I'm coming, just a moment."
She opened the door to see Cumulus and just as shock hit her, she let out a sneeze.
"Hi Auntie Twilight."
"Cumulus! What are you doing here? HOW did you get here?
"I have a map of Ponyville in my head."
She let out another sneeze.
"Quick, come inside, you must be freezing!"
Once she was inside and dripping onto the floor, Twilight could see that she was crying, it was hard to tell which drops were her tears and which ones were the raindrops. Twilight got the softest blanket she could find and wrapped her in it.
"What happened?"
Cumulus told her about their argument, Twilight just shook her head and said, "She probably didn't mean it, I mean, when me and my Mom used to get in fights...we'd always say things to each other that we'd apologize later for."
"This is NORMAL?"
"Yes, it doesn't mean you and your Mom aren't close as you used to be, it means that you're growing up. Your mind feels grown up, but the rest of you isn't."
"Do you mind if I stay here? I don't think I'll be let back into my house again."
"I'm sure you will, you can stay here until your Mother comes to her senses."
Cumulus smiled as Twilight took her over to her room and summoned a tiny bed for her and laid her in it.
Back at home, Rainbow fell asleep on the couch waiting for her, the next morning. She went up to Cue's room to see if she came back home overnight, when she opened the door and saw her empty bed, she panicked and darted out of Cue's window.
"Cumulus?!" she called.
"Cumulus!!!!"
She then flew to Ponyville, praying that she was safe there. Her first stop was Twilight's, she knocked frantically on the door until Twilight opened it and saw Rainbow in a frantic state.
"Twilight, it's Cumulus is she..."
"She's here."
"She's run away and I'm really worried...wait what?"
"She's here, safe and asleep. Come in and see."
Rainbow calmed down and walked inside and up to Twilight's bedroom to see Cumulus sleeping peacefully, only sneezing occasionally.
"She caught herself a little cold last night," said Twilight. She then walked over to the tiny bed and woke her up gently, "Cue, there's somepony here that wants to talk to you."
"Hrm? Who is it?"
Rainbow gulped and spoke, "Hi honey."
"Mom?"
Rainbow looked at Twilight, "Twilight, can you take Spike downstairs? I need to talk to her alone."
"Of course, come on Spike," she said as she crossed over to Spike's basket where he was still asleep.
"Why yes Rarity, it is an ice cream house."
Twilight rolled her eyes and levitated Spike and his basket downstairs.
"Cue, I..." she began as she walked over to Cue, she merely turned away from her voice.
"Cumulus I'm sorry for what I said, I didn't mean any of it. You've gotta know that, with your disability I'm afraid of you getting hurt."
Cumulus let this sink in, then she spoke, "I just wish you could trust me."
"I do! Believe me, you're not a bad kid, you never were. nor do I think you ever will be."
"I-I just wanna be like you!" she sobbed.
"Cumulus...your perfect the way you are!"
Cumulus sniffed, sneezed then asked, "Mom? Do you still love me?"
"What kind of a question is that?" Rainbow walked toward her and took her in her arms, "Of course I do! I still do! And I always will! No small fight like that could ever change it! Ever!"
This gave Cumulus so much comfort as Rainbow released her, "So, can I come home now?"
"Sure, but, let's get you to a doctor about that cold first."
The good news for Cue was that she got off of school for a few days with a REALLY bad cold, the bad news for her is that her grounding started immediately after she was better.The upside to being sick was that she got some one on one time with her Mom when she got home from work. Fluttershy watched over her when her mother was out, who also helped Cumulus start on a song for the Talent Show. Cue told Rainbow about the show, but wanted to keep the song she was singing a secret because it was inpired by Rainbow herself.
"Now, what should we put for the chorus?" asked Fluttershy.
She then heard the door open and close, "That's Mom!"
"Quick, give me the song!" Fluttershy exclaimed quietly.
Cue quickly handed her the song and she tucked it under the mattress. She gave Cue a reassuring nuzzle as Rainbow came in, "How's our little patient?" she asked.
"Oh, just fine...I think she'll be better by tomorrow," said Fluttershy.
"Good, because then your punishment starts for flying unsupervised."
Cumulus groaned, but understood her mother's reason.
Fluttershy kissed Cue's forehead, "Get well soon Cumulus."
"I will."
She smiled sweetly and walked out of the room and closed the door lightly. Rainbow crossed over to Cue, "Feeling any better?"
"A little."
Rainbow sat on the edge of her bed, "I know you think that me grounding you is unfair but..."
"Mom, you don't have to..."
"Just hear me out," Rainbow said as she took her daughter's hoof. "The reason I'm doing this is because I love you."
Rainbow nuzzled her as she continued, "If something happened to you...I...I don't know what I'd do."
Cumulus now felt a pang of guilt for saying, 'I hate you.' She didn't actually mean it, she was just angry that her mother was babying her so much. Now, she understood why.
"Mom...I don't hate you."
"I know, we both said things that we regret."
Cue then smiled and let out a sneeze that made her head hurt.
"I'll get your medicine."
Cue opened her mouth and let her tongue roll out with a, "Blech!"
Rainbow had to laugh, "Well, I didn't like it either when I was your age and sick. But, you brought this on yourself you know."
Cue sniffled, "I know."
Rainbow left the room, went to the bathroom and got the cold medicine called, Foal's Neigh Quill. She then went to the kitchen and got a spoon then flew back to Cue's room.
As soon as Cue heard her coming, she hid under the covers. 'Note to self, hide the medicine,' she thought to herself.
"Cumulus? Where are you?" Rainbow asked playfully. "Now, where did she go? Did she disappear? Did she turn invisible?"
Cue giggled, which told Rainbow where she was. She made a coy smile as she came closer to the bed. "I think I know where my Little Cue is!"
Rainbow then heard another giggle before putting the bottle and spoon down on the nightstand and throwing off the covers to reveal Cumulus. "There she is!" Rainbow exclaimed.
She then began tickling Cue on the stomach, "I'll teach you to hide from me!" Rainbow exclaimed playfully as Cue was a giggling mess!
"Mom! Haha! Please! Ha! Uncle! UNCLE!!"
Her mother stopped and got the bottle and spoon. She unscrewed the bottle and poured the liquid into the spoon as the smell lingered to Cue's nostrils.
"Open..." said Rainbow. Cumulus pursed her lips and shook her head.
"Cumulus..." her mother said in a warning tone.
Cue squeezed her eyes shut and opened her mouth, Rainbow then shoved the spoon in her mouth. As soon as Cue swallowed and the spoon was out of her mouth, she let out an, "Ugh! Gross!"
"I'll get you some water."
While she was gone, Cue was trying everything to get that taste out of her mouth. Rainbow was soon back and handed her the glass, "Here ya go."
Cue drank it quickly and the taste was gone.
"Better?"
Cue nodded.
She was back to health the next day and her punishment began. Dandelion and Autumn Leaves decided to stop crusading until Cue was allowed to come back. But it was during Cue's grounding that she earned her cutie mark.
She had been so bored during her grounding after her homework was done, she began taking tufts of cloud from the walls in her bedroom and sculpting them into items in her room. She did this by feeling the object first, feeling every contour, every edge and every line then memorizing it. Every night she went to sleep in her bed while she was in the middle of sculpting something. When Rainbow came in to check on her, she saw Cue curled up in a ball; surrounded by her sculptures on her bed and on the floor. At first, Rainbow thought nothing of it and gathered the sculptures and put them into the hole in the wall. But as the week went on, she noticed more and more of them. She simply put the clouds back into the wall, but she knew that her Little Cue was about to earn her cutie mark soon.
On the last morning of Cue's grounding - it happened.
Cumulus was eating her breakfast, which was a bowl of oatmeal when Rainbow spoke, "Cumulus?"
"Hm?"
"I wanna talk to you about those sculptures you've been making."
She abruptly dropped her spoon, "I'm sorry Mom! I-I didn't mean to take clouds out of the walls, it's just..."
"Whoa Cue! Take it easy! You're not in trouble, I'm just wondering how you did it."
"Oh...I...I just felt the things I sculpted and I memorized the shape I felt."
"Really? How long have you been doing this?"
"I guess I started when my grounding began, there were times when I didn't have anything to do...so...I just started doing it. And, I...just now realized something..."
"What?"
"Not only do I enjoy doing it - but I'm good at it, right?"
"Yeah, you're good at it! I honestly thought you had some sort of spell to give you your sight temporarily; but you got past your blindness for you to understand that you see the world differently."
"I do, don't I? I see through sound, and feel...like you said."
Rainbow then gasped and Cumulus jumped, "Cue! Your cutie mark!"
"Seriously?!" she jumped excitedly.
"I'm serious! It's a cloud with a star in the middle of it and four other stars surrounding it."
"What color are the stars?"
"Your favorite color, blue!"
Cue jumped excitedly in a circle around her mother. That was Cue's highlight of the day as it was for Rainbow Dash, happy tears spilled out of her eyes as she realized, 'My Little Cue is growing up.'
2 days after Cue's grounding was over, her mother decided to throw her a Cute - ceniera to celebrate her cutie mark. Though, that day would have to be the worst day possible for both mother and daughter, Cumulus found out the truth about her origins.
The day started at Carousel Boutique, where Rarity was fitting Cumulus' outfit, she obviously didn't know what it looked like but she could guess that Rarity put a lot of time and effort into it.
"How do I look?" Cue asked.
Twilight snorted a laugh, "Like a princess."
"I have a horn too?"
Twilight laughed, "No, believe me, you don't need a horn to be a princess."
"How can I be a princess if I have wings, but no horn?"
"Well, you keep your head high and face whatever obstacles you have head on, that's what earned you your cutie mark."
Cumulus smiled as she heard Twilight go over to the workbench to get something, "So now, you're a princess on the inside..." she then placed something on her head, Cue guessed that it was a tiara. "And now, you look like one too."
Twilight then hugged her niece as Rainbow came in and was stunned to see the filly before her, she was in a baby blue dress with white trim, Rarity made sure to let it show her cutie mark. And her mane was braided with a sapphire tiara on her head.
"Cue, is that you? You look beautiful!"
"Thanks Mom."
"Come on, let's get you to Sugar Cube Corner for the party."
Cumulus smiled for a minute and was about to obey, but then remembered that both Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem were going to be there.
"Did we have to invite my whole school?" she asked.
"Well, it is a tradition, I know that you're not happy about Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem being there but, can you tough it out today for me?"
Cumulus thought for a moment, then decided not to argue with her, "Alright."
"Thank you."
When they arrived and the party began, Cue went to greet everyone and even tried to be pleasant towards Shiny Bit and Sparkling Gem. They left to go and mingle as soon as Cue was done greeting them and was trying her best to locate her real friends. She finally found them when Autumn snuck up behind her and surprised her by poking her in the sides, she squealed then heard Autumn's laugh, "You!" she exclaimed then tousled Autumn's hair.
Rainbow heard Cue's squeal and looked over in a panic, only to be relieved by the sight of Cue playing with her friends.
"Autumn, I told you not to do that!" Dandelion exclaimed.
"You did, but I didn't listen," he said as he wrestled out of Cue's headlock.
Dandelion rolled her eyes, "Well, I guess you're not a Cutie Mark Crusader anymore."
"What are you talking about? I can help you guys get yours!"
"Really?" Autumn asked with bright eyes.
"Sure, I mean, just because I got my cutie mark, it doesn't mean I'm too good for my friends!"
"Well at least we know you're not stuck up like Bit or Gem."
Cue giggled as the three friends formed a group hug.
They then went to the dance floor and danced until they were ready to pass out. But that would have to wait until later, because Pinkie announced that it was cake time!
"The filly with the new cutie mark gets first slice!" Pinkie announced.
Cue received her cake and took a taste, it was her favorite flavor...chocolate! With fudge frosting!
"Is it good?" Rainbow asked.
Cue had her mouth full, so all she could do was nod. Rainbow had to laugh, "Okay, but I gotta go and get your present ready...okay?"
"Mmm-hmm!" Cue nodded.
Rainbow kissed her forehead and left.
However, in the crowd, two eyes of scrutiny were watching them. These were the eyes of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
"I can't believe that BAT actually got a cutie mark!" Diamond said in disbelief.
"Especially after all the trouble she caused your brother!" Silver Spoon replied.
"I wonder what this present that her 'mom' is going to give is?"
Practically the whole town knew about Cue's origins, but the filly was so sweet that they didn't care. They would've preferred to thank whoever it was that brought her to them. But Diamond saw it as unfathomable, she couldn't figure out why Rainbow, the most active mare in Ponyville would want to keep that - THING?! That freakish THING?!
Rainbow then stepped on a small makeshift stage with a microphone in front of her, "Alright everypony! Can everypony turn this way?"
They all turned towards Rainbow as she continued, "Thank you, now first off, thank you all for coming to celebrate Cumulus' first step to growing up...."
Everypony applauded as Cue blushed; then Rainbow continued, "And second, I have a little something for her, I hope she likes it..."
Rainbow then gulped as Spike positioned himself at the piano, she was about to sing something she had written a long time ago. She never shared it with anypony because, first she didn't think of herself as a singer and second because she thought it sounded kind of cheesy. But there was no going back now, she had to do it.
"When you feel like you're not good enough, Like you just can't go through the rough...
Just remember.... Just remember.....
You are the wind that moves my wings
You are all these wonderful things
You are the first cloud in the sky
You are the one that helps me fly
You are the best thing about life....
Through out the times of struggle and strife
Just know, that when you're on your own Look for the North Star I'm never that far....
And remember.... And remember.....
You are the wind that moves my wings
You are all these wonderful things
You are the first cloud in the sky
You are the one that helps me fly
You are the best thing about life....
Through out the times of struggle and strife
When you feel like you're not goo enough, Like you just can't go through the rough...
Just remember....
What you are to me..."
Rainbow realized that she had her eyes closed the entire time and opened them to the sound of applause and saw Cue crying happy tears. Rainbow went to hug her tightly.
"How did you...?" Cue began to ask.
"I wrote it when you were still a baby, it's cheesy, I know but..."
"I loved it!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! Best song you've ever written!"
"And the only one."
"But still..."
Rainbow hugged her tighter, not wanting to let go, but eventually did. It was then that Diamond Tiara decided that Cue had enough attention for the day, Diamond gave Silver an evil grin and she followed Diamond over to Cue. They waited until Rainbow Dash was gone and out of hearing before any of them said anything.
"Look at you...all happy because you think your mom is really your mom...". Tiara said with a mock laugh.
"What do you mean if she's not my real mom? Of course she is!" Cumulus said angrily as Tiaras voice began to grate on her ears.
"Has your 'mom' ever mentioned your so called 'dad?' If not its because you were abandoned on a doorstep because of your....'special' problem!" Tiara said venomously.
Cumulus mouth open to retort but nothing came out as she thought back to every time her mother talked to her or when she brought up her father how quick her mother was to dismiss it.
'Could it be?' She thought.
Then her eyes widened like discs as the realization dawned within her. Rainbow Dash was not her real mother! Diamond and Silver walked away as the idea that her mother (if she should call her that) kept this from her pained her, why? Why would she do this? She then realized, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon could have been lying just to make her feel bad. But what if they weren't? There was only one way to find out, and it didn't take long for Rainbow to see the expression on her face.
She walked over to her, "Why so glum chum?"
Cue's face was only filled with confusion and pain, she looked at Rainbow with this expression as she asked, "Mom, can I talk to you...alone?"
Rainbow was confused but said, "Sure."
They went outside of the shop, Rainbow closed the door behind them when she turned to see her daughter on the verge of tears, she reached a hoof out to her only for Cue to squeeze her eyes shut and avoid it, "Cue...what is it? What's wrong?"
"Mom, I need to ask you something and I need you to answer me truthfully..."
"Of course! Anything!"
"Pinkie promise?"
She made the gesture while reciting the pledge.
Cue took a deep breath, hoping that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were lying, "Are you my mother?"
Rainbow was taken aback! 'Oh no...she found out!' she thought.
This was not the time to answer this! "Cue, honey...please I..."
"Are you...my mother?" Cumulus asked with more force.
Rainbow knew that she was now cornered, only one word escaped her mouth she couldn't hide the truth any longer, "No."
The look on Cue's face was heart breaking, even for Rainbow, "Why...why didn't you tell me?" Cue sobbed.
"I just didn't feel you were ready."
"What happened?"
Rainbow had Cue sit down and she told her everything, from finding her on her doorstep to taking her to Dr. Binky's office.
"Who were my real parents then?"
"I don't know, whoever it was, they disappeared...nopony ever saw either one of them."
They were silent for a moment as tears formed in Cue's grey eyes, Rainbow now sensed a strong tension between them, something she'd never felt before between them.
"Cue, I had my reas-"
"You lied to me!"
"I didn't lie."
"Yes you did! You said I was yours and I'm not! That was a lie!"
She was right, Rainbow lied to her own daughter...one of the only things she truly cared about.
Cue then began to cry even more, "When were you planning on telling me?"
"I wanted you to live a normal, happy foalhood; as normal as possible. I was going to tell you on your 16th birthday...but I guess now, things changed."
Cue said nothing, her lips quivered her body was shaking, Rainbow tried to reach her wing out to her to comfort her but Cue dodged the gesture. Rainbow's heart sank, Cue would never look at her the same way again. The only thing she could do right now was try.
"Do you want to be alone?" she asked Cue.
Cue only turned away from her and nodded.
Rainbow went back inside, knowing right away who it was that told her the truth, the truth that has, possibly forever, ripped the bond she had with Cumulus right down the middle. She stormed right up to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, "Diamond Tiara!"
"Oh! Ms. Dash! Great party!"
"Don't you DARE put that innocent act on for me! I know what you did!"
This now got the attention of the entire party, "What are you talking about?" Tiara asked with masked innocence.
"You told my daughter the truth of her origins!"
"Well, isn't telling the truth a good thing?!"
"Not if you do it when your only goal is to hurt others! Now, I know that your family owns half of Ponyville...but for all the years I've known you I've always wanted to say what I've thought of you and now..."
Rainbow was aware that they now had an audience, most of them foals!
"Well...seeing how there's children in the room I can't say it!"
Diamond Tiara was speechless! An adult really thought of her that badly?!
Pinkie was now aware of the strong tension in the room, "Umm, let's get Cue back in here! Dashie? Can you get her?"
"Sure, but Tiara, if you pull a stunt like that again today or any other day...you'll be sorry that you messed with my baby!"
Diamond Tiara only gulped and nodded.
Rainbow then turned and went to the door, she opened it expecting to see Cue. But what she found was even more devastating. The only thing she found was the dress Cue had been wearing, a sapphire tiara, and a hair tie.
Rainbow's heart stopped beating, Cue had run away!
Cue navigated her way through Ponyville as soon as she knew she was alone, she ran through the town and to the Everfree Forest. Even though she'd been warned time and time again that it wasn't safe to enter. But she decided to go to Zecora's because she needed advice plus she needed help wrapping her head around this situation. Cue had talked to Zecora numerous times in passing and went to her hut once or twice over the years, now if she could remember how to get there... It took a couple hours but she found her hut, she recognized the smell of fresh herbs being stewed. She approached the door and knocked gingerly. Cue then heard hoofsteps coming and the door opened, "Cumulus child! You know these forests are not mild!"
"Zecora, I...I need your help."
Zecora looked at the filly in pity, she was on the verge of tears and looked like she had been crying a lot beforehand.
"Come in before you catch cold, what brings you here if I may be bold?"
"It's a long story..."
"Well, we have all night, your mother must be in a fright!"
"If she was my mother," Cue said glumly.
"It seems you have learned the truth, I warned that hiding it would be uncouth."
"You did? When?"
"When I first met you dear, your reaction to the truth was my worst fear."
Cue just looked even more depressed.
"Come and sit down and tell me what made you frown. I will brew us some tea while you tell me."
Cumulus started by telling Zecora about how every time she asked about her father, Rainbow would avoid the question. She then told her about the party and what Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon told her, she finished with her and Rainbow's argument and her suspicions being confirmed. She sipped her tea as Zecora offered her advice, "What I think you need to see is what a mother really needs to be."
"What do you mean?"
"Though I did not agree with hiding the truth from you, you turned her stone heart true."
"I did?"
Zecora nodded, "The only reason she hid these things that were sad and blue, was only to protect you."
"Protect me? From what?"
"My guess is your own feelings, she knew they would send you reeling."
"But, even if she was trying to protect me...I'm not hers, why would she even care?"
"Rainbow Dash has many reasons for what she decides, she acted out of love for you and nothing else besides."
Cumulus' eyes widened, all those times Rainbow said, "I love you," came back to her. Was she telling the truth? She probably had her scared out of her mind right now, not to mention that Cue was probably going to be grounded for a month! But how could Cumulus be sure that Rainbow actually loved her? She could have been saying those things just because she felt sorry for her because she just felt that nopony else would take her and since she was left on her doorstep, nopony wanted her because she couldn't even see her hoof in front of her face. But, on the other hoof it could be possible that Rainbow truly and deeply loved her for who she was, not looking down on her for her sight problems and trying everything she could to teach Cumulus that she didn't need her eyes to see. For the first time in her life, she felt so conflicted and torn.
Zecora offered for her to stay the night, but in the morning, she would have to get Rainbow Dash. Cue accepted, but didn't want to see Rainbow just yet. She hatched up a plan, she would sneak out before Zecora woke up. But where would she go? Anywhere to clear her mind. How long would she keep running? She didn't know. She could take the grounding, but, she didn't want to be with someone that she loved but didn't love her back. These swimming thoughts made her grow tired, Zecora picked her up and tucked her into her bed, not long after, Cue was fast asleep.
Meanwhile, all of Ponyville was scouring the town for Cumulus and Rainbow Dash was going insane! She was flying around trying to find her, and when she thought she saw her, she flew down to pick them up and hug them, only to see that the foal wasn't her Cumulus. It was after the third time it happened that she broke down, fearing the worst. Twilight then approached her and put a hoof on her shoulder, "Rainbow, don't worry we're going to find her."
"It's just...she's never really been on her own before! I'm...I'm.."
"Scared?"
"Yeah, that word."
Twilight looked at her with sympathy, if she was in Rainbow's hoofsteps, she would be doing the same thing. But she also knew that if Rainbow kept this up, she wasn't going to solve anything, the town would be put up with her and they'd quit.
"Rainbow, how about you go home just in case she comes back. We'll handle it from here and let you know if we find her or get any clues as to where she went."
Rainbow, looked at her in shock, "Are you crazy? I...can't let her think that I wouldn't come after her because I don't love her!"
"You really think she thinks that?"
"I...I don't know!" Rainbow sobbed.
Twilight was as supportive as she could be, but she felt it would be best if she went home, "Look, just go home...get some rest and we'll do everything we can to bring her back."
Rainbow knew that she wasn't going to win this argument, she finally gave in, "Alright, okay...I'm going."
"We'll let you know if we hear anything."
Rainbow flew home slowly, a sign that she was at the pit of depression. When she opened the door, she hoped that Cue was there and standing in the middle of the living room. Rainbow was ready to wrap her arms tightly around her, apologize over and over and cry until she couldn't cry no more. But Cumulus wasn't there, half of her expected this but there was no harm in hope. She hung her head and climbed up the stairs looking at the pictures of them that had been taken over the years. Her favorite was one that was taken by Twilight, it was both of them facing each other in profile; their noses touching and both of their heads together formed the shape of a heart. She took this picture off the wall and looked at it with sad eyes, tears escaped her eyes and two of them dropped onto the glass protecting the photo. She placed it back on the wall and continued up the stairs, she was initially planning on going to her room and going to sleep, but as she passed by Cumulus' room; she couldn't resist. She went inside to see that a few things needed to be picked up, but she didn't dare to move them she wanted Cue to come back to the room she left. She moved towards her bed, when she reached it she put a hoof on the mattress where her baby used to lay. She then sat on the mattress and picked up Cue's teddy bear, she couldn't take it anymore. All the memories of Cumulus' foalhood came to her and only brought tears, she now knew that those memories have been destroyed. She only clung the bear to her chest and lay down on the bed and wept.
Around 7 am, Cue woke up and made sure Zecora was still fast asleep and once she was sure, she got up and left; being careful not to wake her. Once she quietly closed the door, she continued deeper into the Everfree Forest; unsure and uncaring of where she was going. She was actually going in the direction towards the Castle of the Two Sisters, unknowing that an Everfree storm was brewing, and would be starting by the time she was halfway to the castle.
Back in Ponyville, around 10 am when Twilight was just getting up from a late night of searching for Cumulus. She was about to get up and go check on Rainbow when Spike belched out a message but it wasn't from Princess Celestia. It was from Zecora! Twilight used her magic to open and read it, once she finished, she let it fall to the ground in shock. She immediately went to get Rainbow. She came under Rainbow's cloud house and called, "Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow was still asleep in Cumulus' bed when she heard Twilight, she groggily got up, went downstairs and went outside to peer over the side of her cloud. "Twilight? What is it?"
"I just got a letter from Zecora!"
Rainbow's eyes widened, she flew off the cloud and quickly landed in front of Twilight. "Is it about Cumulus? Is she alright?"
"Yes, but the thing is...I don't know if she's alright."
Rainbow's heart fell into the pit of her stomach, "What do you mean you don't know?!"
"The thing is that she left Zecora's house while she was asleep, she doesn't know where she went or why she left but Zecora said to come quick, there's an Everfree storm coming as we speak and it sounds like it's going to be a BIG one!"
"Okay, get the others and we'll meet by the main path, Cue's scared of thunderstorms so we have to find her before she gets scared off even further."
"On it!" Twilight said before she ran to rally the others.
Rainbow flew to the main path, praying to Celestia that nothing bad would happen.
Meanwhile, Cumulus was almost the the ruins when she started feeling tiny drops on her coat, "Well, a little rain never hurt anypony."
She then heard a loud clap of thunder that made her jump and start running as the rain came down like a shower, she heard another boom of thunder and ran faster. The third lightning strike struck a tree, causing it to catch fire! Cue then smelled the burning ash and smoke as the fire quickly spread to other trees, she turned to run in the other direction only to find that it too was also on fire when she felt her hooves burning. She tried every which way but she was trapped.
Rainbow Dash and the rest of the six scoured around Zecora's hut for the next mile, calling out Cue's name over and over, they had been looking for over an hour when they heard a loud BANG! It was the sound of thunder, not long after Applejack began to smell smoke.
"We'd better head back and get the weather pegasi in to clear that up before it gets anywhere near Ponyville."
Everyone except Rainbow agreed, "But, Cue is somewhere out here! I know it!"
"Rainbow, it's not that we don't care for Cumulus...it's just...what if she were in Ponyville? Would you want that fire getting anywhere near her?" Rarity asked.
Rainbow slumped her shoulders, "No. Alright, let's...."
"Wait!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Pinkie, what is it?" asked Twilight.
"I've got hoofprints!"
Rainbow came over to see if they were small enough to be Cue's and they were.
"I'll fly up and see where she might have gone."
Rainbow did this and thought of the direction the hoofprints were heading, South East. Which would take her to the ruins; when Rainbow looked in that direction, she saw the thick cloud of smoke, "No...no...NO! CUMULUS!!!"
Cumulus in the meantime found a way out from where she was standing, and was running through the fire getting burns on her coat and hooves. She could have cared less, she just wanted to get out of there safely. She was slowly beginning to feel like the smoke was strangling her, she wheezed, hacked and coughed while she ran. Then Cue suddenly felt herself fall a few feet, she then heard a disgusting crack and the felt the most unbearable pain in her life from her leg! It hurt to move it, every time she did the pain came back and made her scream bloody murder! She was in a small ditch with a broken leg in the middle of a wildfire, there was only one thing she could do.
"SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HELP ME!!!!"
Before her friends could react, Rainbow sped off towards the fire, she knew that Cumulus was somewhere in the flames. And the thought put her motherly instinct in motion, she had to act fast or Cue would either burn to death or choke on the smoke. It only took her half a minute to get there and when she reached the black clouds of smoke and storms, she was completely soaked and covered in ash at the same time. The ashes were being plastered to her coat as well as her mane and tail, but she could have cared less, but then she heard the most unbearable screams; she didn't even want to think that it was coming from Cumulus. But then she heard it, "SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HELP ME!!!!"
Rainbow's eyes got big and her pupils shrank to the size of pin heads, "Hang in there Cue! I'm comin!"
Rainbow then, without even considering her own health afterwards, nose dived into the flames. When she landed on the burning ground lit by shades of orange, red and black coming from the flames surrounding her, she called out, "CUE?! CUMULUS! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
She scanned the scene of falling and burning debris looking for signs of life panting with worry, fearing that the screams she heard were her daughter's last.
She then heard to her relief a few coughs that sounded like somepony was choking then a voice call out, "Mommy?!"
"Cumulus? Where are you!"
She heard some more coughs, "I'm in here!"
Rainbow followed the sound of her daughter's voice and saw the ditch, she began to run towards it when she heard a crackling sound; she looked up and saw a burning tree begin to fall, "CUE GET DOWN!!!!"
Cumulus obeyed and crouched over not knowing what was happening, she then heard the crackling and screamed when the tree fell crashing over her. Cumulus felt the blistering heat attack her back, she smelled her hair and flesh burning and the smoke and ash wasn't doing her excessive coughing any good. Rainbow ran up to the tree and began to act fast, she took hoofulls of dirt and threw them at the flames which doused them piece by piece. She began to hear Cue's coughing getting worse and knew she had little time left before Cue suffocated on the smoke.
"Just hang in there Cue, I'm almost there!" Rainbow exclaimed trying to keep her calm.
When Rainbow got all the flames out that she could, she pushed the tree off with all the strength and wing power she had burning her hooves in the process. And once the tree was off, she saw a burned Cumulus who was supporting her right arm with her left. Rainbow now knew why she heard the bloodcurdling screams, she quickly secured her arms around Cue careful not to make contact with the broken arm and pulled her out. Once she was out Rainbow held Cumulus tightly to her as she sobbed, "Of all the messes you get into!"
Cumulus began coughing again and this time she hardly got any air, Rainbow knew they would have to save embraces for later, she scooped up Cumulus and looked and flew around to try and find a way out. All the exits were cut off, there was only one way to go - up! Rainbow now had the look of determination on her face and clung Cumulus tightly to her chest as she took off at rocket speed and coaching Cue to stay awake, "I gotcha Cue! Just stay with me! Stay with me!"
Rainbow dodged falling debris as she zoomed upward, she felt a cone of pressure form around her and her baby, she knew what was happening but frankly she didn't care. All that mattered now was to get Cumulus out of there! The pressure was building and building it finally went behind her when they reached the treetops, creating the first Sonic Rainboom created from a takeoff! The sight of this Sonic Rainboom alerted Rainbow's friends that she made it out alive.
Rainbow didn't even stop to tell them she had found her, she zoomed as fast as she could with a rainbow trailing behind her to the hospital. Rainbow then heard Cumulus speak when they were halfway there, "Mommy?"
Rainbow, still clinging to her, answered gently, "What is it?"
Cumulus coughed again for a whole minute before responding in a murmur with tears streaming down, "I...I wanna go home."
She then went limp, making Rainbow fly even faster even faster than her record wing power in fear that she may lose her forever. Once at the hospital, she busted through the door, "HELP ME! SOMEPONY HELP ME!" She screamed.
Doctors and nurses came up to her and took Cumulus out of Rainbow's arms, they checked her pulse as a stretcher came out, "Is she..." Rainbow began, not wanting to say the last word.
The Doctor checked her pulse, "She's unconscious, she's still alive."
They then laid her unresponsive body on the stretcher and tried to take her away, but Rainbow was in such a frenzy that she felt that she needed to be by her in this state. She was trying to push past the doctors and nurses to get to her but they were pushing her back. When they restrained her, she fought back screaming.
"Ms. Dash!" Nurse Redheart exclaimed.
"NO! NO! I NEED TO BE WITH HER! LET ME THROUGH!"
"Ms. Dash, calm yourself, she is going to be fine. I promise!"
"DON'T YOU MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN'T KEEP NOW LET ME THROUGH! CUMULUS! CUMULUS HONEY ANSWER ME!"
"Ms. Dash, if you keep this up we'll have to sedate you!"
"I DON'T CARE!!! I NEED TO BE WITH MY BABY!" Rainbow was now feeling the burns all over her body, when the nurse was trying to hustle her away, she felt the sting on her left wing and cringed.
"Ms. Dash, are you alright?" asked the Doctor.
She felt the burning all over, on her back, her sides, her wings and her legs it made her limp a little and cringe with each step.
"Doctor?" Nurse Redheart asked.
"Take her to a room, we'll get a better look."
"No, please, I'm fine...I need to be near my daughter! She needs me!"
"Look, while she's in surgery, we'll take care of you...ask you some questions and you can wait in the waiting room until her surgery is done."
Rainbow knew there was no point in arguing with him, as much as she loved to win, she knew she wouldn't so she agreed and was hustled away to a treatment room where she saw what the rain and ash did to her. Ash was caked onto her coat, mane and tail, she must have looked like a madpony screaming and ranting like that in there, she was washed off and examined, she learned that she had received 1st degree burns all over her body with two 2nd degree burns on her wings in the process of saving Cumulus. The 1st degree burns would be healed with some ointment within a few days. The 2nd degree burns would take a few weeks and would leave a scar but would not affect her flight in any way which was a relief. Nurse Redheart came in with a clipboard and asked, "Are we feeling better?"
Rainbow dodged the question by asking how Cumulus was doing, the nurse just said that she was still in surgery and that she would be examined, "It'll take a few hours before we put her into a recovery room."
Rainbow nodded.
"Now, can I trouble you to answer a few questions?"
Rainbow sighed, "I suppose."
She answered her questions about Cumulus' health in the past, Rainbow's past health, and what happened for Cue to get caught in the middle of a wildfire, when Nurse Redheart finished writing that all down she sighed, "Nothing like a mother's love. Can you go out into the waiting room and wait until we call you? Besides, you have some company out there."
Rainbow knew who it was immediately, she went out to the waiting room and saw her friends waiting impatiently. When they saw Rainbow Dash they came in for a group hug, "Rainbow, we...we heard what happened, is she okay?" Twilight asked.
"They won't tell me anything! They only said that she wont be in any of the recovery rooms until another few hours."
They all looked at her with sympathy, they did not know what it was like for her, not knowing whether or not somepony you loved was going to be okay. And honestly, they wouldn't dare wish what Rainbow was going through on anypony else.
"Do ya want us to wait with ya?" Applejack asked.
"Please?"
The 6 waited...and waited...and waited. For 3 hours they sat and waited, Rainbow even started to pace out of anxiousness. When the Doctor came out, Rainbow's head snapped up to attention, this brought back so many memories, mainly from being in the pediatrician's office and learning that Cumulus was blind. That memory still felt like a knife was being driven into her and being twisted. He simply took off his glasses and said, "She's going to be alright."
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
"She has a lot of 2nd degree burns on her back, the bone in her leg was broken in two and she may have asthma problems in the future, but other than that...she'll make a full recovery."
Rainbow finally found her voice, though it cracked with the wave of emotions she was feeling, "Can I...see her?"
"Yes, but she's going to be asleep for a while, about a day or so."
"I'll wait with her."
The doctor took Rainbow to Cumulus' room, when he opened the door she saw her laying on the bed. She was connected to a heart monitor that showed her heart was beating steadily, her broken arm was bound in a cast with a sling around her neck supporting it, she was clean of ashes and soot as well and she was simply asleep. Not dead, asleep. She pulled a chair up to the bed, took her hoof and cried into it, "I'm sorry Cumulus....I did this to you. I should have told you a long time ago, and none of this would've happened."
Rainbow felt that she would never truly forgive herself for doing this to her Little Cue.
After an hour of tears and apologies to Cumulus' sleeping body, Rainbow stopped. She then sat there and waited for her to wake up, she wanted her to be the first pony Cue heard when she came back to the waking world. Rainbow never let go of Cumulus' hoof as she lay there; Rainbow's friends even came in to check on them after two hours. They had all went to get some Get Well Soon gifts for her within the past two hours and Rainbow could not be more grateful for their consideration. Twilight got her a journal, Applejack got her some gingerbread cookies, Pinkie got her 3 balloons saying 'Get Well Soon,' Fluttershy got her a soft plush bunny and Rarity got her a hairbrush which she used to brush the sleeping Cumulus' hair. Rainbow even had the urge earlier to brush her platinum hair, even though she had zero interest in vanity. But at the same time, she appreciated the gesture.
Rainbow and the others waited for the rest of the day, feeling the same pain and worry as her. This was their only niece and they loved her just as much as Rainbow. The Doctor came in around 9 PM and addressed Rainbow, "Ms. Dash, you need to get some sleep, why don't you go home and you can come back tomorrow?"
She looked at him bitterly and said with a cracked voice, "What if she wakes up and I'm not here?"
The Doctor shrugged and walked away, not wanting to argue with her, especially after the display in the waiting room. Rainbow felt her eyes drooping around 11 PM, she soon fell asleep crouching over the bed with her head laying in her crossed arms. Twilight put a blanket over her as she instructed the others to quietly exit the room. They would come back the next day to check on them, as they left Twilight looked back hoping that Rainbow wouldn't be too harsh on Cue.
The next morning, Cumulus felt her body aching with pain. She tried to move her stiff muscles but found it was even more painful to do so. The smell of the hospital let her guess what had happened, she remembered the heat, the burning, the pain and finally the wash of relief she felt when she heard her mother's voice.
'Mom...Mom!!' she exclaimed in her thoughts. Was she alright? Did she make it? How did she find her?
She found her strength in her unbroken arm, she reached out and found the soft frazzled mane of Rainbow who was fast asleep on her bed. Rainbow felt this and thought one of her friends was waking her up, she opened her eyes and saw the movement coming from Cumulus. She sat up and resisted the urge to smother Cumulus with all of her feelings of happiness.
"Cumulus?" she asked in urgency while gently placing a hoof on the side of her face.
Cumulus began to stir and her eyes slowly began to flutter open.
"Baby?"
Cumulus heard and recognized that raspy voice, that was her mother's voice!
"Cue? Honey, can you hear me?"
Cumulus groaned, "Mommy?"
"I'm here Cue." Rainbow sighed with relief, she now knew that Cue was going to be alright.
"I'm here." Rainbow said placing a hoof on her shoulder. Cue stiffened then relaxed as Rainbow stroked her mane and tears began to form in her eyes.
"Wha-what happened?"
Rainbow explained everything, from the fire to how she found her and got her out. It all made sense now, her mother saved her life.
"M-mom I-I was so scared..." She began to cry.
"Shh shh shhh," Rainbow hushed softly as she gingerly climbed into the bed wary of Cue's injuries and pulled her into her chest as she wept.
"I was scared too...I thought I would never see you again...I-" she faltered as her emotions came flooding forth as she began to cry tears running down her cheeks falling onto Cumulus. "I-I may not be you real mom but...I will always love you as my daughter Cue you are forever my baby...adopted or not...."
Cumulus now knew the answer to her question: her mother loved her and always would.
"Cue, why did you run away?"
"I...I didn't mean to scare you, I just needed to be alone to wrap my head around all of it. I went to Zecora's for advice but I wasn't ready to face you yet. I thought that maybe you took me in because you...felt sorry for me."
Rainbow took a deep breath, "Listen to me...and listen carefully, from the moment I first saw you. I didn't know at first you were blind, but, from the moment I set eyes on you...I have loved you. I have always loved you, even when you were a bit stubborn at times."
Cumulus had to giggle, because it was true.
"I think I kind of rubbed off on you," Rainbow joked.
Cue laughed again, but Rainbow was serious again. "Cumulus, you were brought into my life for a reason. Before I met you, I wasn't really...well, mother material. But, as time went on, I learned. You taught me about love, parenting and most importantly...not to look down on other ponies because of their problems."
"I taught you that?"
"You did."
More than anything, Cue wished she could see her mother. She wanted to see the love for her in her eyes, but quickly dismissed it, she felt her mother's love from Rainbow holding her and her happy tears soaking Cue's mane. Cumulus snuggled into her mother's chest and Rainbow stroked Cue's mane as both mother and daughter fell asleep.
Later that day, the rest of the 6 came in to see how they were doing, when they opened the door to Cue's room, they saw them asleep together on the bed. Rainbow was laying on her back with one hoof over Cumulus' mane and the other over her back. Cumulus had her head laying on her mother's stomach and her unbroken leg around her waist and it looked like she was smiling while she slept peacefully. They had to smile with their eyes misting, they had forgiven each other. Twilight put a blanket over them decided to give them some peace, after all they both had deserved it. Twilight was the last to leave the room when she heard Rainbow's voice whisper, "So does this make me mother of the year?"
Twilight turned to her with a smile and said, "If anypony loves a daughter like you do...then yes, yes it does."
Rainbow smiled and nodded once, feeling a sense of pride as Twilight left. Rainbow nuzzled the top of Cue's head. She would never know how much she loved her.
Cumulus was allowed to leave the hospital after two days, though Rainbow had to put a special salve on Cue's back every night before bed to make sure the burns healed properly.
Throughout those 2 days, Cue got a visit from her friends and Aunt Scootaloo. When her friends visited, they signed her cast and Dandelion showed that she had gotten her cutie mark, she said that she got it by pressing flowers. She started pressing when she was 7, it was the only thing she would sit still for and at first she didn't think anything of it. Then she began putting the flowers on journals and bookmarks to sell at her Mom's flower shop, then she had the epiphany that she was not only good at it, she loved it. She received her cutie mark while making Cue's get well soon present (a bookmark with pressed dandelions and rose petals on it). Since she used dandelions as a way of signing her work, it became her cutie mark. Cumulus knew that her dear friend felt that the dandelion was a deeply unappreciated flower.
"I'm happy for you Dandelion!" Cumulus said wholeheartedly.
"We're proud of you," said Rainbow.
"Thanks! Now the only one left is Autumn."
"Thanks for that," he grumbled.
"Don't feel bad, it'll come," said Rainbow. She had slowly warmed up to him after all the times he stood up for Cue. Of course she saw that he still had a crush on her daughter, but she has gotten used to it.
The next day, when Scootaloo visited Cue had to keep herself from jumping out of the bed to hug her. Apparently, word got out to her about what happened while she was in Manehattan for a show. She was visiting Sweetie Belle after a show when she asked Scootaloo if she got 'the note.' Scootaloo didn't know what she meant but Sweetie told her anyway. Scootaloo then went back and cancelled the rest of her tour and got on the next train to Ponyville.
"Sorry that Aunt Sweetie Belle isn't here. She has her show on Bridleway and they need her for that," Scootaloo explained.
"It's okay, we understand," said Rainbow.
Scootaloo only smiled and tousled Cue's mane, "So how's my favorite niece?"
"Uh, Aunt Scootaloo? I'm your only niece."
"Oh yeah! That's right!"
Cue giggled, "I'm fine, it's just that this cast itches."
"Don't worry, it'll be off before you know it."
When Cumulus didn't have visitors, Rainbow did her best to entertain her. Rainbow read Daring Do to her and she made up stories with her and even wrote them down. Cumulus felt more guilty than ever for doubting her mother's love for her when she was doing all of this for her. She was giving up comfort in her own bed for her, for all she knew, her mother could be visiting her once a day then going home and leaving her there alone with the doctors, nurses and other patients who sometimes had really scary ailments. But no, Rainbow stayed beside her the entire time and it got Cumulus thinking how hard it must have been to raise her all by herself, to make a decision like that, it made Cue appreciate and put her mom on a pedestal as her hero. All the sacrifices that she made, it was all for her! It was then that Cue got an idea for the song for the talent show!
When she was released from the hospital, she wanted to go straight home to work on it before the idea escaped her mind. It would mean rewriting the entire song, because before it was a song telling how much she loved her Mother, but now she saw another song in the rhythm she and Aunt Fluttershy came up with. Once they were at the house, Cue hobbled up to her room and started typing in braille with her only good arm.
'You tucked me in, turned out the light Kept me safe and sound at night Little girls depend on things like that
Brushed my teeth and combed my hair Had to fly me everywhere You were always there when I looked bad'
She ran her hoof over the bumps and liked what she was reading, she continued. Telling how her Mother was her hero, she typed and retyped lyrics until late into the afternoon. When she felt that she had reached perfection, she typed it in normal text for her friends so they could rehearse with it. She then slid these into her saddlebags for the next day.
Her first day back at school since the 'incident' was bittersweet, Gem and Bit made rude and sometimes outright cruel comments about Cue's origins and even picked at her talent saying how lame it was. But she didn't care, if there was one thing Rainbow had taught her while she was in the hospital. She was concerned about the others making comments about her being adopted, Rainbow told her that she had to be loyal to yourself, to your family and to your friends; she didn't understand how one could be loyal to themselves until now. She now knew it meant to stick up for yourself, her mother wasn't always going to be there to fight her battles; so, she had to fight her own. She shot back at them by telling them that her mother loved her with all her heart, she proved this to them by telling them how she saved her life in the wildfire, "If you don't think that's love...then you don't know what love is!"
Gem and Bit were shocked that their lifelong target suddenly got a backbone!
"Well...your talent is still stupid!" said Shiny Bit eager to tear her down in some way.
"Well then that's YOUR problem!"
On the upside, she had her friends around her helping her since she had 3 hooves instead of 4 to work with, they loved the song she wrote but Dandelion felt that the song should be simple which included her not singing in the background.
"Why? We signed up together!"
"I'll still be included, just as your manager! Autumn will play guitar, you'll sing and I'll make sure you're there for rehearsals!"
Cumulus was still unsure, "I don't know...I feel really guilty leaving you out like that."
"I'm fine with it...really!"
"Well....alright...if you're sure."
"I'm sure," said Dandelion as she smiled and hugged her friend.
With the way she was sticking with her friends and standing up for herself, it was evident that Cue was evolving into her mother; this definitely showed later that day after school.
Rainbow decided to take the 3 of them to get ice cream. Cue got a chocolate ice cream cone, Dandelion got a sundae and Autumn got a milkshake; after they got their orders, Rainbow went to talk to Twilight who was there with a special delivery for her while they ate.
"So Autumn, what are we going to do for your mark?" asked Cumulus.
Autumn shrugged, "I don't know."
"Well, we could try - " Dandelion began before she was interrupted by a shrill voice.
"Getting a life?"
Cumulus felt her face going hot, she would not let Diamond Tiara rub her true origins in her face like her brother attempted to do.
"Ooh look Silver! Ice cream!" Tiara then took Dandelion's sundae.
"Hey! That's mine!" she shrieked.
"Really? I didn't see the name of a weed on it!"
Cumulus heard her best friend gasp and pant like she was about to cry, Dandelion was very sensitive about her name and she hated being called a weed.
"I can't believe your talents include the lamest things! Cloud sculpting? Flower pressing? You might as well have gotten them for reading!"
Cumulus was now being pushed to her breaking point.
"Oh and you know what else is pathetic? The fact that you still hang out with the last blank flank in your class."
Autumn shrunk down in his seat; at this point, Cue had enough! "Hey Diamond...you're an earth pony right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"I'm just wondering what you would look like as a unicorn."
Her friends looked at her as if they were asking, 'Where are you going with this?'
Diamond however, was flattered, "Well, I would probably look good...also with the magic and all that."
"Well, why don't we find out?"
Diamond began laughing, "Oh! And how are you going to do - "
But before Diamond could finish, Cue took her ice cream cone and stuck it to Diamonds forehead! This caused her to scream which gained them an audience. Cue wasn't satisfied yet, she began spreading the ice cream all over Diamond's hair to whet her appetite for revenge. Rainbow, Twilight and Pinkie were all watching wide eyed and while Twilight and Pinkie were watching in shock, Rainbow was trying her best not to laugh.
When Cue felt that Diamond had enough, she stopped with an evil grin.
"Cumulus Dash, you're such a freak!" Diamond shrieked at her.
Cue heard her friends behind her either laughing or breathing only one word, "Whoa!"
"Yeah, I know I'm a freak...I will never be your definition of perfect, the same way you will never stop being a jerk."
Rainbow couldn't hide her laugh anymore, she snickered and Twilight caught her, "Are you SERIOUSLY going to encourage this?"
"Okay, okay, I got this," Rainbow said with a tight voice, trying her best not to burst out laughing.
She went over to them, attempting to be serious and said, "Dandelion, Autumn, I'll take you home...Cue, you and I are gonna have a talk."
Cue and the others began to walk away when Diamond Tiara ranted to Rainbow Dash.
"Good! I hope you ground her for months!" she shrieked as she took the cone from her head and threw it on the ground.
Rainbow's humor was suddenly gone as she turned to face Diamond and Silver sternly, "Excuse me? How I punish my daughter is not your problem!"
"But she - "
"I know what she did! And honestly, you got what you deserved!"
"I what?!"
"You heard me! She wouldn't have burns on her back or a broken leg if it weren't for you!"
Diamond couldn't think of a comeback for that, so she admitted smugly, "Yes...and?"
"And I suggest you, your friend, your brother and his filly friend leave my daughter and her friends alone, or you will have to answer to me!"
Diamond almost looked intimidated, but it quickly subsided, "Hmph, fine...come on Silver Spoon, let's go wash this out before it becomes permanent."
Cue heard them leave and her mother call her and her friends in a stern voice, they then left to drop off Dandelion and Autumn off at their homes. Once that was done, Cue and Rainbow headed home with Rainbow giving Cumulus a lecture along the way, "Cue, you know better than to do something like that," Rainbow tried to lecture with a straight face.
While she was trying to be a good parent by letting her daughter know that what she did wasn't the right thing to do, she couldn't help but see herself in that moment. When Rainbow was Cue's age, she would readily stick up for Fluttershy in the same way, Rainbow now saw that some of her personality at that age was rubbing off on Cumulus.
"Mom, it was funny and you know it!"
"Cue, it's not funny!"
"Really Mom? It wasn't?"
Rainbow finally gave in, she snorted a laugh, "Okay, it was a little funny. But still..."
"Mom, if you would've heard the stuff she was saying...and not just to me but to Dandelion and Autumn...you'd agree with me."
As Rainbow thought about it, she understood what had happened, "Okay, I appreciate you sticking up for your friends. But that should be your last resort. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good, because your Aunt Twilight gave you and your friends tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."
Cumulus' grey eyes lit up, "Really? Are you serious?!"
"I'm serious, but...there's a catch."
"What's the catch?"
"You've got to behave until then, are we agreed?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Wait, will my cast be off before then?"
"Yeah, it'll be off before then, about a month beforehoof."
Cue breathed a sigh of relief as Rainbow continued.
"Look, Cue...you should know that I want you to have your confidence in yourself....but there is a limit."
"What do you mean?"
"Trust me, before you came along, my confidence went past the clouds."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I turned it down a bit after you came...rather unexpectedly."
Cue giggled, knowing it was true, she has coped with the fact that she was adopted and honestly - she wouldn't have it any other way. Rainbow and Cue were at the house by then, Rainbow took Cue on her back and flew up.
The Gala was 5 months from that day and Cue's cast would come off at 4 months. Cue told her friends about being invited to the Gala and it was agreed between them to keep it on low profile. As much as they would like to brag to Gem and Bit, they knew they would only try to get on Cue's good side to go instead of her real friends. Then, as soon as they got what they wanted, they would turn right around and humiliate her. Rarity heard from Twilight that Cue and her friends would be going as well she asked them to come to the boutique for her to get their measurements and as soon as she had them, she went straight to work on a suit for Autumn and a dress for Cumulus and Dandelion. They were finished within a week and Rainbow took them to try them on to make sure that they fit properly. When they entered Carousel Boutique, there were 3 mannequins with a tarp over them. Apparently Rarity wanted to make a big reveal, and she began with Autumn's suit. She took the tarp in her mouth and pulled it off to reveal a black suit with a rusty orange tie with an orange leaf embroidered on it. When Autumn tried it on, it fit him perfectly.
'He certainly cleans up nice,' Rainbow commented in her mind.
Dandelion's was next, hers was a shimmering spring green with long sleeves, a skirt that trailed behind her and a green bow to tie her ringlets back with a set of daisy earrings. When she tried hers on she said, "It reminds me of when I look up through the trees!"
"Well, I thought since you like plants that, well, you'd want a nature inspired dress. Is there any problems dear?"
"None that I can see or think of."
"Alright then...and finally, for my niece."
When she took the tarp off of Cumulus' dress, Rainbow couldn't help but have a sharp intake of breath. The dress was a shade of royal purple, it was quilted on the front half with tiny pink pearls on the corners of the diamonds, on the chest was a bright pink bow, along the collar was a sheer baby pink fabric and the long sleeves ended with the same sheer baby pink fabric for the cuffs. The skirt went to the floor and would follow her in a purple train lined at the bottom with baby pink lace, on the inside of the skirt, there was a gold fabric interfacing and it subtly shimmered in the light. It would be paired with a purple and pink star barrette and bright pink gloves. Rainbow described the dress to her and she was rendered speechless!
When she didn't say anything, Rarity worried, "You don't like it?"
Cumulus exclaimed, "I love it!"
Rarity made a sigh of relief, "You had me worried you silly filly."
"Sorry."
"It's no problem, now go try it on."
When Cumulus came out, Rainbow wasn't sure it was even her daughter! She looked so different, she looked - grown up! Rainbow saddened at this thought and Rarity saw it.
"Rainbow Dash, what's wrong?"
"She's growing too fast for me, I'm noticing that her wings are even getting bigger. One day, she's going to use them and leave."
Rarity understood what was going on, "Rainbow, I know what your going through...but I would suggest that you stay in the present. She's only 11; yes she's growing but just think about how she'll have you to thank for raising her, especially under the circumstances."
Rainbow hung her head, realizing that she was right. Even if Cumulus wasn't hers by birth, she was still hers; Rainbow still couldn't believe the contrast of this Cumulus to the one that she dropped off at school all those years ago. Back then, she was so shy and timid, Rainbow thought that she was going to be her complete opposite when she grew up. But no, she was growing up to be this sometimes still timid but spunky and loving filly. Her heart was always open and she was now quick to stand up for herself and her friends instead of others standing up for her. This made Rainbow smile with pride.
The day Cue got her cast taken off she was overjoyed! Though she flinched when she heard that they were going to take it of with a tiny saw. When she was in the office and heard the saw, she stuck her arm out and squeezed her eyes shut. Rainbow took her other hoof and rubbed it reassuringly as the doctor cut through the cast long ways. Once Cumulus felt that her arm was free, she flexxed it, "Hey! It works!" she exclaimed as Rainbow and the doctor laughed.
The doctor allowed her to keep the cast, seeing that everyone she knew signed it.
The night before their departure for Canterlot, Cumulus decided to send Princess Celestia the list. But how would she know what it was? Then she got an idea! She leapt out of bed, ran over to her typewriter and began typing a note:
'Dear Princess Celestia, My name is Cumulus Alexandria Dash, I'm 11 years old and this is the list of 10 things I would like to see. You see I'm blind, I can't see what these things look like, especially my mother. I would like to see my mother the most out of all these things. So, if you could grant my wish, I would be eternally grateful. Even if it's temporary, I'll still be grateful.
Your Loyal Subject, Cumulus'
She then got her list in the regular print and put both the note and the list in her saddle bags. When the day of their departure arrived, Rainbow and Cue waited with Twilight and Spike at the train station for the others. Cue then pulled Spike aside to talk to him, "Can you send the Princess something for me?"
"I don't know, the Princess is very busy...what is it?" he asked.
"A list...and a note."
"A list of what?"
Cumulus cringed, "Promise not to tell?"
He recited the Pinkie Promise with the gesture.
"It's the 10 things I would like to see."
Spike was taken aback, "Cue! Why would you make a list like that?"
"It doesn't have to be permanent, it could be temporary for all I care!"
"But Cue...I - "
"Please?" she put on what she felt was the best puppy dog face she could muster.
"Oh no, nono...you're not pulling that one on me."
She kept making the face while Spike tried to resist.
"Doh...no - with the face and the eyes and the rahh! Alright! Give them to me."
Cue pulled out the note and list out of her bags while Spike checked to make sure they weren't being watched. Rainbow was deep in a conversation with Twilight to notice, Cue handed Spike the papers; he then rolled them into a scroll and breathed his fire. The fire burned them both and it sent them to the Princess.
After a long train ride to Canterlot, they approached the castle and once there, they heaed to their suites. Everyone had their own rooms except Rainbow and Cumulus who were sharing a bedroom.
Cumulus was unpacking with nervous spirits, she was nervous about the next night. What if the Princesses couldn't grant her long time wish? 'I'll just accept it, no questions asked,' she told herself.
She could hardly sleep that night either, she had to keep herself from tossing and turning too much so she wouldn't wake her mother. But finally, she had to so she could help her, "Mom?"
"Hmm?" she groaned. "What is it Cue?"
She didn't say anything, her eyes said it all.
'She must be nervous about being surrounded by adults that whole night,' Rainbow thought to herself.
"C'mere," Rainbow whispered gently with her arms open.
Cue scooted over to her, Rainbow's arms locked around Cue's tiny body. She rested her head against her mother's chest, she soon felt vibrations from her mother humming a tune. It didn't take long to realize that it was the song Rainbow sang at Cue's Cute-ceniera; it quickly lulled her to sleep.
Then, the next night came - if you asked Cumulus, it came too quickly. That morning was only filled with preparation: ironing this, getting that ready, what are we going to do with your mane? It was only an hour before the Gala started when Rarity was working on Cue's mane while Fluttershy worked on Dandelion's.
"And we're almost done..." said Rarity curling the last chunk of hair. She then clicked the barrette in with a snap and told her to get her dress on.
"Just be careful with your mane!" she cautioned as Cue ran to her room.
Cumulus came into her room, Rainbow Dash was already dressed and set to go. When Rainbow saw Cue in the mirror, she quickly turned to see her and make sure she wasn't seeing things. She gasped, "Cue, you look beautiful!"
"Thanks."
"Let's get your dress on."
Rainbow gently slipped it on, being careful of her hair and trying not to mess up Rarity's hard work. Once the dress was on and hanging right, Rainbow took a step back and was on the verge of tears, 'She's come a long way from the basket.'
"Ready Mom?"
"Yeah, I'm ready."
Meanwhile, Spike and Autumn were waiting by the entrance to the Gala for the girls. Spike looked perfectly calm while Autumn was insanely nervous.
"What's wrong with you?" Spike asked.
"I'm hoping to get a dance..."
"With who?"
"Cumulus..."
"Well, just ask her!"
"How? She probably doesn't even like me like that! What if she says no? What if she just laughs in my face?"
Spike grabbed him by the muzzle, "For once in your life, be bold!"
He let go and continued, "Besides, a mare appreciates a stallion who can make her laugh!"
Autumn just glared at him.
"Okay, okay just take a deep breath..."
They took a deep breath together and Autumn felt better, his confidence boosted, "Okay, I'm gonna ask her as soon as I see her."
Spike looked along the path and a smug look on his face grew, "Well, here's your chance, they're coming."
Autumn saw Cumulus; he was speechless! His mind went blank, he couldn't find his voice, he was nervous and lovestruck at the same time. He'd seen the dress on her before but this time it looked like a totally different Cumulus! He swore he saw her purposely swing her mane and slowly blink at him.
"Autumn?" he heard her say but he was too out of it. He was then woken up when Spike poked him in the side with his claw.
"Umm...Cue...I was wondering if...you would...uh..."
He looked back at Spike, who just mouthed the word, 'Go!'
Cumulus looked confused, "Sorry, I didn't catch that?"
Spike face palmed with a groan.
Autumn slowed down when he asked again, "I was wondering if you would like to dance with me?"
"Oh! Sure!"
Autumn felt like he was going to pass out, "R-really?"
"Yeah!"
He then led her in as Rainbow looked on with a feeling of heartbreak, Cumulus was growing and this showed that it was happening.
Luckily, for Rainbow, it didn't turn into anything serious. Cue was too eager to meet everypony there to dance for too long with Autumn, and he was okay with it. He actually wanted to listen to the music more than dance, but that dance with his long time crush would never be forgotten. Cue spent most of the evening mingling and talking to her family and friends. She had talked to everypony except her mom since they came, she then went out into the crowd to find her. She found her talking to Commander Spitfire! Cue had been told loads of stories of this amazing aerial team, she herself was a fan since her Mom took her to some of the shows and told her stories. Rainbow saw Cue standing there and knew she recognized Spitfire's voice.
"Commander Spitfire, this is my daughter Cumulus," Rainbow introduced.
'Commander S-spitfire? THE Commander Spitfire?!' Cue exclaimed in her thoughts.
Spitfire spoke as Cue approached them nervously.
"Well, well, well, I'm finally meeting you! Your Mom talks about you at every Gala."
"Really?"
"Yeah, makes me feel like part of the family. She was just telling me that you earned your Cutie Mark."
Cue nodded, "Mm-hm! Cloud shaping!"
"Well, we need plenty of those!"
Rainbow then wanted to talk privately with Spitfire again, "Hey, Cue...go find Auntie Pinkie and make sure she's not singing the 'Pony Pokey' again."
"Alright, it was nice meeting you Commander Spitfire!"
"You too!"
Cumulus then turned and navigated herself through the crowd, she was stopped by a guard when she entered the ballroom, "The Princesses would like an audience with a Ms Cumulus Alexandria Dash - are you her?"
Cumulus gulped, was she in trouble or were they going to grant her wish? "Y-yes?"
"Follow me please."
Cumulus tentatively followed, she was silent as she walked behind the guard, not knowing where she was being taken. 'This is it,' she thought, 'They will either tell you that they can grant your wish, or they won't.'
She then heard two doors open while they still walked, she was being led into a long hall of stained glass windows. She heard the doors shut behind her and heard a voice as sweet as honey say, "Come closer my dear."
She obeyed nervously, "A-are you Princess Celestia?"
"Yes, and this is my sister...Princess Luna."
"Greetings to you Cumulus," said Luna.
"You must know why we have asked for a private audience with you," said Celestia.
"Is it about my note?"
"Yes."
"The guards are gathering your family - for they will witness a miracle," said Luna with a sense of happiness in her voice.
Cue could not believe what she was hearing, were they saying what she thought they were saying? Or was she just getting tired? "You - you mean - "
"Now, this is only temporary...consider it a Cinderella effect," Celestia explained.
"So...I get until midnight?"
"10:30...one hour."
"But...Cinderella got until midnight."
Celestia chuckled, "Cinderella wasn't 11 years old though; besides, magic can't cure everything."
"Alright, I'm okay with temporary."
Celestia's horn lit, "Now close your eyes."
Cumulus obeyed and Celestia began the spell, causing Cumulus to levitate a few hooves in the air. Once the spell was complete, she slowly floated down with her eyes still closed.
"Keep them closed, there is somepony I want you to meet."
Celestia then nodded to the guard who opened the doors. Cue heard this and hooves stepping in, she also heard the visitor try to speak but was silenced by Celestia raising her hoof.
"Turn around, keep your eyes closed," said Luna.
Cumulus did this, then asked slightly impatient, "Can I open them?"
Celestia nodded, "Now."
Cumulus opened her eyes and could not believe the colors she was seeing - the COLORS! Especially on the pony standing in front of her who looked like she was completely stunned! When Cumulus saw the mare standing a few yards away from her, she didn't even know who this was! She had 6 different colors on her mane and tail as well as on the dress that she was wearing. She looked like a walking - rainbow! Rainbow Dash?
Cue gulped, was this her mother? If so, she wished that the spell wasn't temporary! She was beautiful! Her cyan blue coat, her rainbow colors and her magenta eyes she was the prettiest mare she had ever seen! There was only one way to find out if this was her mother, "Mommy?"
Rainbow nodded, her eyes misting, she could SEE her! Really, truly see her! And she was the first pony she saw! The thought made her so happy that - this is where the tears came. Cumulus' eyes were no longer clouded, but glossy and full of color the color of her eyes were a shade of indigo which made her heart burst with happiness. She was actually seeing her.
Cue took two tentative steps toward her, trying to be under control in front of the Princesses. But her emotions fought her mind and her emotions won, she then ran up to her mother and leapt into her arms sobbing. Rainbow held her tightly as she wept happy tears.
"My baby...my baby..." Rainbow sobbed.
Rainbow kissed her Little Cue's cheeks and forehead in pure, unending joy, this was a night that neither one of them would soon forget.
After that night, the bond between Cue and Rainbow was even stronger. The next day, they left to get home in time to prepare for the next big event, the talent show.
Rarity didn't mind making another gown for Cue, she felt that her niece needed to look beautiful for her debut. The dress she made was a dark purple/blue velvet gown. Her bangs were combed to the side and her mane was tied off at the end like her mother's at her first Gala. The show itself was two weeks away and Dandelion made sure that Cue and Autumn were at rehearsals on time at the treehouse; she certainly kept them on their toes at rehearsals. She let them know what they were doing wrong, how to do this part, save you breath for that part etc.
And finally, after weeks of hard work, the night arrived! Cue was backstage with Autumn and Dandelion and feeling nervous to the point of throwing up. Luckily for her, they were the last act and that gave her some peace of mind.
Rainbow, the rest of the 6 and Spike were in the audience waiting for the show to start when Ms. Cheerilee stepped onstage. "Good evening everypony, I hope you enjoy the many talents of my students tonight. I know that they put a lot of time and effort into their acts. And now, for our first act, I present Class Clown!"
Class Clown was - well - the class clown. He was very funny and entertaining but sometimes he overshot it and got annoying. He actually got his cutie mark in stand up comedy, which just so happened to be his act.
He stepped onstage with a confident smile, when he was on center stage and the applause died down, he began.
"Well, I had an interesting morning...got up, had breakfast...watched my 2 year old brother try to shove a cherry up his nose...."
The audience laughed at this.
"Yes, my brother is hitting those terrible twos and, let me tell ya - now I know why they are called the terrible twos. I thought they were kidding but no! They're little monsters! Always breaking things - especially when they are COLLECTIBLE! Always acting like they run the house..."
He went on for 5 minutes making jokes about his little brother before he ended. When he got offstage, Ms. Cheerilee came back onstage to announce the next act and it went on from there.
When it was almost time for Cumulus to go on, she felt sick to her stomach.
'You can do this,' she told herself.
The act before her finished, which involved juggling while riding a unicycle and telling knock knock jokes, Ms. Cheerilee stepped on for the final act.
"Well, I hope you all enjoyed yourselves this evening. But don't leave yet, because we have one more act. Please help me in welcoming Cumulus and Autumn Leaves."
Cumulus gulped as she heard the audience cheer, she walked out on to the stage guided by Autumn to her position. Autumn then sat on a stool got the acoustic guitar ready. Cumulus knew her family was out there and she only thought of them as Autumn started playing; Cue then sang the song from her heart to her mother who was so touched by the song. She knew it was for her.
'You tucked me in, turned out the light Kept me safe and sound at night Little girls depend on things like that
Brushed my teeth and combed my hair Had to fly me everywhere You were always there when I looked back
You had to do it all alone Make a living, make a home Must have been as hard as it could be
And when I couldn't sleep at night Scared things wouldn't turn out right You would hold my hoof and talk to me...' she sang. She sang it simply but the lyrics were from her heart. And Rainbow saw this and was getting a little misty eyed as she continued.
When the song was over, Cumulus felt at ease as the guitar ended and everyone in the audience applauded. Meanwhile, Rainbow was in tears, the song was beautiful and it got to her. When it was time for the awards, Cumulus and Autumn ended up getting 1st place! Cue was beaming with pride, as was Rainbow!
Rainbow and the others went to congratulate them, "Great job kids!" said Applejack.
"Thanks," said the Earth Pony colt.
"We're all very proud of you!" Twilight praised.
"Thank you," Cumulus blushed.
Rainbow came up to her as Dandelion and Autumn's own parents came to give them their congrats. Rainbow was speechless; the silence from her mother made Cue nervous. Did she like it?
Rainbow was touched that Cue wrote and performed the song for her, but again, it reminded her that her Little Cue would grow up and someday leave. This thought saddened her, but that was the thing with raising a foal - you wished they could stay young forever.
"Mom? Are you okay?" Cue asked.
Rainbow quickly dried her eyes, "I'm fine...just fine."
"You didn't like it? I worked so hard on it..."
"No Cue...I loved it! It's just that I need to deal with the fact that you're growing up. And that's hard for me, because I want you to be my Little Cue."
Cumulus now understood why her mother was silent at first.
"I'm sorry, I'm didn't mean to - "
"It's not your fault, it's no one's fault. The song was beautiful."
Rainbow nuzzled her, feeling happy to have gotten that off her chest.
One week later, Rainbow decided it was time for her Little Cue to REALLY fly.
"Are you sure about this?" Cue asked. They were standing on the doorstep of their house, and Rainbow told her that she would hold her up while she flapped her wings.
"I'll be right here, okay? I won't let go."
This was a lie, she hated lying to her.
"Okay..."
Rainbow picked her up and held her up above with a hoof. Rainbow remembered doing this for Scootaloo at Windsam Falls all those years ago. Only that time she didn't let go because Scoots wasn't ready yet. When she felt that Cue was ready, she would let her go.
Rainbow flapped her wings and went upwards with Cumulus flapping her wings above her. They began flying over Ponyville when Rainbow felt Cue lifting off of her hoof. She slowly lowered her hoof, and Cue was flying by herself for a few minutes when she realized that her mother's hoof was gone! This caused her to become distracted and fall a few hooves.
"Whoa!"
She began flapping her wings again, bringing her back up.
"Just focus Cue."
"Okay, you...you said you wouldn't let go."
"I know, but you need to fly by yourself, I knew you were ready. You want me to prove it to you?"
"How?"
Rainbow flew to a nearby cloud and called, "Cue, come towards me! You'll be fine!"
Cue still looked uneasy.
"Cue, do you trust me?"
"Yes..."
"It's okay, I Pinkie Promise that you're going to be okay."
Cumulus gulped, "Okay..."
There was a little strain with her flying forward, but she did it! She flew!
When she reached Rainbow, she was caught with a hug, "You did it!"
"I...I can't believe I did it!"
"Well believe it Cue!"
Cue was so happy that she pinned her mother over as she hugged her, the mother and daughter held each other tightly. They then sat next to one another on that same cloud, Rainbow's wing keeping her Little Cue close to her as Celestia lowered the sun, creating the most beautiful sunset.
Rainbow kissed her daughter on the side of her head, "I love you Cumulus."
"I love you too Mommy."
"And I always will," Rainbow whispered.
The End.
*Final Chapter I Promise!* My Playlists For the Story
I felt that I needed to pay homage to the music that kept me inspired and even a sneak peek into the songs I'm planning for the Audio Drama *Yes, it's gonna happen!*
Music is one of the many things that has kept me inspired during this entire project, and I hope you'll listen to the music that inspired me if you give the story a re read.
Inspiration for Each Chapter
Chapter 1 - Innocence by Avril Lavigne Chapter 2 - The Forgotten by Green Day Chapter 3 - Start of Something Good by Daughtry Chapter 4 - No One by Alicia Keys Chapter 5 - You'll Be in my Heart by Phil Collins Chapter 6 - Broken Arrow by Pixie Lott Chapter 7 - Bully by Shinedown Chapter 8 - Good Life by One Republic Chapter 9 - See You Again by Carrie Underwood Chapter 10 - Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Chapter 11 - Possibility by Lykke Li Chapter 12 - Breath by Breaking Benjamin Chapter 13 - The Reason by Hoobastank Chapter 14 - You and I by One Direction Chapter 15 - A Thousand Years Part 2 by Christina Perri and Steve Kazee
Story Overall
Hero by Mariah Carey How To Save a Life by The Fray Miracle by Shinedown Call Me by Shinedown Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts
Character Themes (Main Characters ONLY)
Rainbow Dash - She Is by The Fray Cumulus - The Climb by Miley Cyrus Relationship Theme - Everyday by Rascal Flatts
Instrumentals
Liz on Top of the World - Pride and Prejudice Soundtrack Rivers of Light - Stanton Lanier Dreamcatcher - New Moon Soundtrack Lyra, Roger and Billy - The Golden Compass Soundtrack I Need You - New Moon Soundtrack .....To Die For - The Lion King Soundtrack River of Tears - Emotional Music Edward at Her Bed - Twilight Soundtrack Itsumo Nando Demo (Piano Instumental) - Sprited Away Soundtrack All These Mothers - The Secret Life of Bees Soundtrack
Songs I'm Planning for the Audio Drama!
One Day (Trading Yesterday) - *Opening Credits of Each Episode* Far Away (Miika) - *Ending Credits of Each Episode, Except the Last One* Cumulus' Song (Written by Rainbowdashisbestpony100, Brush Stroke, or wildrumpusstart *I have so many names out there!*) - Performed by Rainbow Dash *Chapter 11* I Dreamed a Dream (Glee Version w/ Idina Menzel) - Performed by Rainbow Dash (Raechel's Lines) and Cumulus (Idina's Lines) *Chapter 12* Angel's Lullaby (Reba McEntire) - Performed by Rainbow Dash *Chapter 13* Butterfly Fly Away (Miley Cyrus) - Performed by Cumulus *Chapter 15* I'm Gonna Fly (Kiki's Delivery Service Soundtrack) - *Ending Credits of Final Episode*
I've already gotten a head start on the sequel (while the power was out) which I will be working on in my spare time so I'll see you then. And if you would like to help write the script (I've started on this, but I'm clueless as to if I'm doing it right) for the audio drama, be an artist (I have 3 right now) for the project, help compose some original scores and songs, or be a voice actor or voice actress...look out for Cumulus' announcement on my Youtube channel (Brush Stroke) and she'll give you the info!
This has been rainbowdashisbestpony100 aka Brush Stroke, being 20% cooler!
