> Journey Home > by Bulbasaur > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Part I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greens and browns blurred past as the train sped East. Twilight Sparkle could make out the odd snowdrop in the Spring foliage. She sighed and looked away from the sprawling countryside, only to catch the reflection of Rainbow Dash's gaze. "You've been staring outside for a while, Egghead," Rainbow said. "Whatcha thinking?" Twilight turned and smiled. "I'm just so nervous and excited about meeting your parents!" she said. “From what you've told me, they seem like pretty awesome ponies." "Well, duh. Where'd ya think this came from?" "Shut up, Featherbrain." Twilight leaned forward and surprised Dash with a kiss. They locked lips for several seconds before she pulled back. "Seriously though, on top of visiting your parents, I've been dying to practice my Gryphonese." "You know you can always practice with me, right?" Dash said, amused. "亲爱的，你今天要怎么样呀? 我太爱你啦!" She made kissy noises until Twilight smacked her and said, "赶紧给我闭嘴." She nuzzled her, and eventually settled down, head upon her marefriend’s lap. The train swayed gently; and she was drifting into sleep when a question wormed its way into her mind. Feeling her marefriend shifting, Dash looked at her quizzically. Twilight gazed into Dash's eyes before asking, "Hey, Dash, I was wondering. How long has it been since you visited them? Your parents, I mean." "Err…" Rainbow Dash faltered. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen them since they moved back from Cloudsdale. I was… twelve? I think?" "Yeesh! That makes what, seven years without seeing your parents? Huh. Did you just start living on your own in Cloudsdale?" "Heh, yeah, funny story, that." Dash coughed. "I was born in Gryphona, as you know, but moved with my parents to Cloudsdale, ‘cause my dad had a big assignment there as a civil engineer. By the time he was due to return to Gryphona, I’d become attached to Cloudsdale and really really wanted to stay there. So they set me up with a homestay, and… yeah." "Ah, I see. How did you come to Ponyville?" Twilight asked. Dash thought for a while. "Fluttershy and I were classmates… so when I was, you know, done with flight school… Fluttershy invited me to stay at her place in Ponyville." "Aww," Twilight cooed. "That's so sweet!" She squished her marefriend's cheeks until Dash shook her off and roughed her straight, tidy hair. "Yeah, yeah," Dash said. "Now what about you? What did you do in Canterlot?" Twilight launched into a speech. "Well, I was born in the Canterlot Children's Hospital, the second of two children, in the Summer of the 8th year of the 18th cycle…" Although Dash zoned out after that, providing only an occasional nod or acknowledgement, her eyes were fixed on the unicorn. She loved her laughs, her melodic voice, her hair, flowing like a river, sweet as the lavenders of the field. Perhaps she was fatter than most ponies, but none less graceful; Dash could look at her all day. And her flanks! Oh, yes, she couldn't wait 'til she got to tap that gorgeous, round, purple piece of -- "What are you staring at, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked with a smirk she unsuccessfully tried to hide. "Ah! Er, uhh…" Dash pried her eyes away for an instant and blushed. "Yeah, that's what I thought," Twilight said, grinning, and snorted. "Anyway, during the time I stayed in the Highlands district of Canterlot, which as you will recall was from my 3rd Winter to my 6th Spring…" While Twi's magnificent ass certainly didn't hurt things, what attracted Dash the most was her enthusiasm. The way her eyes lit up any time Dash told her about weather and dynamics and her tasks as a weatherpony, or about the Wonderbolts' current members and flying techniques. How she inspired Dash to do crazy things that even the daredevil she was would normally balk at. By all rights, the trip to Gryphona should have lasted forever, especially with an alicorn prattling on and on. But somehow, the soft lavender mare next to her, her antics, her joy, made the journey seem to pass in an instant. > Part II > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Henceforth, Gryphonese shall be rendered underlined. "最棒的一匹小马", for instance, will be written "Rainbow Dash". It was dusk by the time the train pulled into the station. Kerosene lights shone dully upon the polished wooden platform, illuminating a sign, written in both Equestrian and Gryphonese, that read, "Welcome to Talon Bay, Capital of Upper Gryphona". Dash stepped onto the platform, stretched her wings, and looked around. Swallows and tits straddled the horizon, and Dash yearned to join them. So turned around, yelled, "Catch me if you can!" and darted up. Fifty meters up in the air, she settled on a cloud and took a glance at the town. Wooden shacks haphazardly dotted the landscape, above which were placed a few cloud homes, clustered together. Dash could spot a few of Talon Bay's gryphons and ponies milling about on the roads below, and more were in the skies above and below her, including Twilight, she noticed with a grin, who was still catching up. "How... will we find... your place?" Twilight panted as she collapsed onto the cloud beside Dash. "I guess we'll just have to fly about looking, or ask around! Come on," she said, taking Twilight's hoof. "I'll fly slower. And I'll let you practice your Gryphonese." "Ugh, okay," Twilight said, letting Dash take the lead. They glided down to the level of cloud homes and searched for pegasi and gryphons in the twilight. While there were a lot of locals, many were hurrying home before nightfall. Rainbow spotted a gryphon couple slowly flying among the structures, so she flew over with Twilight and motioned for her to speak. Twilight coughed and said, "Please excuse me. Would you be in knowledge of some pegasi by the surname of 'Dash'?" Amused, the female gryphon shook her head and slowly said, "No; we are not from around here." "Okay, thank you. May thou be blessed with the wind at thy tail.” With that, Twilight flew back to Rainbow Dash, who was barely able to keep herself from laughing. “Shut up, Featherbrain. Lemme try those guys.” Dash watched with a smile on her lips as Twilight again tried to affect a Gryphonese accent and vocabulary, and again was met with bemused but friendly expressions (and this time a negative response in Equestrian). As Twilight tried again to ask for directions from a pegasus, she couldn’t help but admire her tenacity, and honestly, it was sorta hot, how hard she was trying. So hot, in fact, that she couldn’t stand it anymore. “Sorry, pal,” she interrupted, swooping down and placing a leg around Twilight; “This cute alicorn here’s just trying to practice her Gryphonese. She’ll be outta your mane soon enough. Come on!” She dragged her marefriend up, ignoring her protests, and said, “Follow me!” The pair of ponies glided, riding the gentle eddies around them. Wisps of clouds drifted by as they flew leisurely, setting sun at their backs. “There’s my folks’ place,” Dash said, when they at length reached what seemed to be the Eastern edge of town. "You knew where they live all along?" Twilight asked, incredulously. "Yeah." Dash chuckled sheepishly. "I mean, home’s not something you easily forget, is it? Besides, didn't you want to practice your Gryphonese?" Twilight suddenly tackled the pegasus and pinned her against a nearby cloud. Dash stared wide-eyed at her until she aggressively kissed the suddenly-blushing pegasus. Their tongues danced and struggled to dominate the other, and Dash let out a little moan. When they ran out of breath, Twilight rolled over and relaxed on the cloud. Staring at Dash’s house, she was enthusiastic, of course, to meet her marefriend’s parents, but… there was just a little bit of apprehension in her mind. Or maybe a lot of it. What if they hated her? What if they stopped Dash from ever seeing her again? What would happen to the Elements if that happened? And what of — “Whatcha thinking about, Egghead? Something the matter?” Dash looked into her eyes, concerned. “N— no,” Twilight said. “Everything’s fine.” She stood up. “Shall we go, then?” “Ready when you are,” Dash said. They flew down and landed smoothly before the house. Dash took a step toward the door and Twilight followed her. Together, they approached the modest structure, and Dash, looking back at Twi with a smile, knocked on the door. Silence. Twilight’s tail flickered back and forth. She held her breath and counted the seconds. The birdsong faded as her heart beat into her ears like kettledrums. Instinctively, she raised a foreleg and touched Dash’s cutie mark. There it rested until she felt like she couldn’t hold her breath any longer. The door flew open, revealing a mauve pegasus with rainbow hair, who turned around and yelled, “See, I told you she’s here!” and tackled Dash in a hug. > Part III > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dash’s dad poured some tea — good tea, Twilight noted — for the four of them, Dash sat beside his dad and Twilight to his right. “How have you been, kiddo?” Dash’s dad asked. “Awesome, as always.” The mauve stallion chuckled. “That’s my girl. This unicorn here your friend?” Dash hesitated for a moment. “Err, uh, yes. We’re good friends.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Marefriends, in fact.” She unfurled her wings. “And I’m an alicorn.” She preened. “Nice to meet you, Mister…” The stallion stared wide-eyed at Princess Twilight Sparkle, before averting his gaze and stammering “R-Rainbow Trails.” He hesitated. “Your Highness.” Twilight smiled at him. “No need for that, Trails. Just Twilight will do. Nice to meet you.” “Likewise, err… Twilight.” Trails turned to Dash. “I thought you were joking when you wrote that letter!” Dash simply rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder. They sipped at their tea. It was a jasmine with leaves from the Gryphon Highlands. The scent wafted from their cups, filling the room with a fragrant, slightly sweet smell. It reminded Twilight of her days under Celestia's personal tutelage, where each morning, they would always share some tea before lessons. A noise broke her thoughts, and she lifted her gaze to meet that of Dash’s mom, a pale yellow mare who somehow reminded Twilight of Fluttershy. She set down a plate of watermelon and said, “Anything else I can get for you two, Dash, …” “Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. And no, I’m fine.” “Yeah, I’m okay as well,” Dash said, tucking into a slice of the fruit. “Thanks, mom.” Dash’s mom could only stare blankly at Twilight as her mind connected the dots. Then, she bowed and trembled. “P-princess! Forgive me —” “No need,” Twilight said with a smile, as she helped her up. “Just Twilight will do. How should I call you?” “Sunshine Dew.” “Well, Sunshine, nice to meet you.” Twilight turned to Dash, who was still stuffing her face. “Rainbows and Sunshine? No wonder you never talk about your family!” Dash swallowed what was in her mouth. “H-hey!” she protested. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “It’s a wonder you didn’t turn out softer than silk!” Dash leapt at Twilight and pushed her flat on her back. She pinned the lavender mare, who struggled futilely. “Dash, what are you do…” Sunshine trailed off, wide-eyed, as Dash gave her marefriend a tender kiss. “How’s that for super softie?” Dash whispered as she broke the kiss, sat up, and helped Twilight to her hooves. “Consider this payback for earlier today.” Dash turned and with a sheepish grin looked to the furiously blushing yellow pegasus. “That’s one way to introduce her, I guess. It also happens to be the most awesome way, right, sexy?” She turned her gaze to her marefriend, whose cheeks radiated red. Twilight stammered something incoherently and ran to the bathroom. “You go, girl!” Trails hoof-bumped the grinning Dash. “Keep this up, next thing you know, you’ll have all the colts in town after you!” “Aw, they don’t stand a chance!” Dash said. “Not with what they’ve got between their legs, and especially not when I’ve already got such an awesome gal by my side!” Trails raised an eyebrow and was about to say something when the door to the bathroom opened and Twilight came out, face drenched with water. “Hey, welcome back!” Dash said. “We were just talking about how hot you are.” “Dash, cut it out before you give her a heart attack!” Sunshine said. “She can take that much abuse,” Dash said, winking at Twilight, “And more.” “Anyway,” Sunshine said, looking outside at the fading twilight. “Have you eaten yet?” Twilight’s stomach growled. “Err, uh… no, in fact.” ~*~ “So, Twilight,” Sunshine asked. “How did you two meet?” The party was seated at a groundside restaurant, featuring Southern Gryphonese cuisine. It was completely dark by the time they had gotten there, and the restaurant wasn’t very busy. Candles illuminated their table, giving the place a cosy ambiance. Twilight shifted in her seat and coughed. “Well, I’m sure Dash has told you about this before in one of her letters, but she literally bumped into me when I was put in charge of the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. From there, we became friends — virtue of being Elements of Harmony and all that, y’know — and… yeah.” She sipped on her tea, as did everyone else. Trails scanned his menu. Fortunately, a young Gryphon waitress broke the silence. “Drinks?” she asked. “Cider, everyone?” Trails looked around the table. “Of course,” Dash said with a grin. Twilight also nodded, albeit with an eyeroll. “Two hard ciders, then,” said Trails, “And two soft.” The waitress nodded and flew off. “Hey! I can totally handle the hard stuff now!” Dash puffed indignantly. Trails scowled at her. “Is that what you’ve been up to in Equestria, young lady?” “Yup!” Dash beamed. “Most famous drinker in town! Even the colts know not to challenge me.” Trails cocked an eyebrow. “That a challenge, filly?” “You bet it is!” Trails raised a hoof, but Sunshine stopped him with a glare and said, “You are not having a drinking contest with your daughter.” “What’s this crap about ‘most famous drinker in town’?” Twilight huffed. “You can’t even outdrink me! I don’t want you throwing up all over the place, thanks very much!” Trails and Sunshine laughed, and Rainbow pouted and sunk into her seat. “Fine. I’m a big girl now, though, you know?” “Yes, Dash,” Sunshine said. “We know you’re a big girl now and you can have your alcohol when you get back to Equestria. But we don’t want you to have a hangover when you start visiting relatives tomorrow.” The waitress returned with their ciders and asked, “May I take your order?” “Let’s have some fried daisies, some sauteed mushrooms, spinach spring rolls, and four bales of steamed hay, please. Oh, and fried cod.” “Is that all?” “Yes, for the moment,” answered Trails. “Fried cod? What’s that?” asked Dash. She looked to Twilight, who also shrugged. “Oh, that’s a surprise,” Trails said, winking at Sunshine. ~*~ “You coulda told me this fried cod thing meant fish!” Dash all but shouted. “I can’t eat… this!” “Technically, you’re still Gryphonese,” said Trails. “Don’t you want to embrace your identity?” “Er… ugh…” There was nothing Dash could do as Trails placed a generous portion of the fish on her plate. “Here in Gryphona, we say ‘thanks’,” said Sunshine, smiling. She turned to the lavender alicorn. “Do you want some, Twilight?” “Umm… if it’s alright with you, I’ll pass,” said Twilight. “You sure?” asked Trails. “Yes, completely.” Twilight turned to look at her marefriend staring at her plate, wings flared as if the fish were going to jump up and attack. “Don’t worry, Dash. I’m not going to be judging you harshly if you don’t eat this,” she said, then mumbled “Pussy” under her breath before scarfing down her hay like there would be no tomorrow. Dash’s eyes narrowed and she took her fork, stabbed it into the fish, and stuck it into her mouth, whereupon she swallowed the piece of fish whole, but not without visibly squirming. Everybody laughed as Dash took a big swig of her cider. Trails gave her a hoof-bump and said, “Welcome back, kiddo!” ~*~ Fireflies illuminated Dash’s room, which felt empty without Twilight around, even with relics of her childhood, all placed for this occasion, when she would finally arrive home. When will that mare sneak in? Trails and Sunshine had assigned the lovebirds separate rooms, despite assurances that no, they would not do anything. Sheesh. Like something would happen. Dash snorted and turned over in her cloud bed again. The door cracked open a bit, and Twilight’s horn poked in, followed by the rest of her body. Like a cat. She carefully closed the door, then pounced onto the bed to snuggle with Dash. “Missed you, Featherbrain.” “Missed ya too, Egghead.” There they held each other until they drifted off into a peaceful slumber. > Part IV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Wake up, Dash!” cried an altogether-too-loud voice, followed by a hoof rapping on the door. “It’s time to visit your relatives!” The door opened. Sunshine walked in, but quickly retreated with an “Eep!” upon seeing the purple alicorn. “Nothing happened, Miss Sunshine!” Twilight yelled, to no effect. She sighed and nudged Dash, whispering, “Time to wake up, sleepyhead.” “Mmm, ten more minutes, mom,” Dash mumbled. “Don’t make me wake you up the hard way.” Twilight’s horn glowed. Dash jolted upward and yelled, “Okay, okay! I’m awake! No need for magic!” “Come on, Dash. Let’s clean ourselves up and explain to your parents exactly what happened in this bed.” “Err, what?” “That is to say, absolutely nothing.” Twilight paused. “So, who’ll shower first?” ~*~ At the breakfast-table sat Trails, who had the grin of a cat that had spotted the twitching tail of a swallow. “Sleep well?” he asked Twilight. “Yes, very.” “Aren’t you going to join your marefriend in the shower?” Twilight blushed and said, “No, we’re not like that, Trails. And nothing happened last night.” “I’m sure. Anyway, what would you like for breakfast?” “I don’t normally eat breakfast.” “Oh? Well then, I hope you don’t mind us feeding you a Gryphonese one, then.” “Not at all.” The bathroom door flung open and Rainbow Dash’s head poked out. “Hey, uhh… I can’t read Gryphonese. Which one’s the shampoo?” “It’s the red bottle,” Trails said. “Thanks!” Dash said. She popped her head back into the bathroom. Trails shook his head with an amused smile. “Already illiterate in Gryphonese, that girl,” he said. “Hey, I heard that!” Dash said from inside the shower. “I’ll have you know I can still write at least ten Gryphonese words. Possibly twenty! And I can speak it damn well!” “You have to admit that Dash has an amazing Gryphonese accent,” said Twilight. “She’s lucky to be fluent in two languages.” “Yeah. I’m surprised she’s still speaking it at all, actually. Though from the looks of last night her vocabulary’s been suffering, she speaks like a local. A local nine-year-old, yes, but a local.” “Ah, yes?” Twilight said through a mouthful of tea biscuits. “That’s quite impressive.” “Don’t let it get to her head,” Trails said. “Her ego’s already too much for her to handle; any more and it’ll explode.” “Anyway, are there any plans for today?” Twilight asked. “In fact, yes. We’re gonna go visit Dash’s relatives this morning and some of the afternoon. You can come if you want.” “Sure, I guess, at least for the first ponies.” “Okay. Do take your time exploring our town after you meet Dash’s immediate family, Princ — I mean, Twilight. Be back by dinner; we’re going to have dumplings tonight.” Just then, Dash stepped out of the shower and shook herself (mostly) dry. “Your turn, Egghead,” she said, and trotted to the table, scarfing down a biscuit and washing it down with Twilight’s tea. “Hey!” protested Twilight. She grumbled a bit but eventually left to take a shower. ~*~ The first relatives they visited were Dash’s aunt and uncle, Cloud Wisp and Featherwing. They tackled Dash in a hug, and Wisp asked, “Do you still understand Gryphonese?” Dash rolled her eyes. “Yeah, why won’t I?” “Why wouldn’t I,” Featherwing corrected. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” “But still, it’s amazing you still know Gryphonese! I’d have thought that you’d’ve lost it long ago!” “I suppose I’m just awesome like that,” said Dash. They caught up with each other while sipping at tea and eating grapes, and when they were to leave, Dash and Twilight were given red pockets (”An introduction to our culture, Princess,” Featherwing had said). Dash’s maternal grandma and grandpa were up next. “My little Dashie! How have you been?” He turned to Trails. “Hey, does she understand what I’m saying?” “Don’t call me that, gramps! Yes, I understand what you’re saying.” “You do, huh? Well that’s nice to know. Why, you’ve been away seven years, and yet you can still communicate with us just fine. How’s life treating you in Equestria, little one?” “Awesomely. I’m a weatherpony now; gonna see if I can try out for Equestria's flying team, the Wonderbolts.” At that point, Twilight excused herself to wander around town. Dash, unfortunately, still had a bunch more ponies to get through. Her paternal grandparents, for example, who were living with her other uncle and aunt. “Hey, Dash! How have you been?” “Great, thanks! You?” “Oh, wow! It’s like you’re a foreigner, with how you’ve grown and how you’re talking.” “What? What am I saying that makes you think that?” “Well, err…” Dash’s aunt faltered. “I dunno. But you definitely have that ‘foreign’ aura around you. Maybe it’s the shape of your face.” “Yeah, thanks,” Dash said, visibly irritated. Nobody seemed to pay her any mind. Instead, Dash’s uncle came out of the kitchen with lunch, daisy sandwiches for all, along with steamed honeysuckle. As Dash ate her portion of honeysuckle, her grandpa added more to her plate, and when she’d finished that, he added still more. “I’ve got enough, thanks. Don’t need any more.” “Okay,” he said. She finished the portion again. He tried to add some more into her plate, but Dash pushed his hoof away and said, “No thanks, grandpa.” His grandpa looked shocked, then shook his head and said, “I suppose you just don’t get the culture here.” Rainbow Dash ate the rest of her meal in silence. ~*~ “Tea?” asked Sunshine’s uncle. “Water is fine,” said Dash. “Alright,” said the yellow stallion. He handed a cup of hot water over to Dash. “So, how have you been these past years? I take it you still understand what I’m saying?” “I understand, and I’ve been good. I have a life, a job, a marefriend…” “Sounds nice. Is she more noetically or physically inclined?” Before Dash could answer, he said, “Oops, sorry. I shouldn’t have used those words. I —” “I understand you, okay!? If there’s a word I don’t understand, I’ll ask, but chances are, I know what you’re saying!” There was silence all around. “Maybe we should go,” said Sunshine. These relatives (Rainbow had already forgotten how they were related to her) issued a half-hearted protest, but let them go. Dash didn’t bother saying goodbye. > Part V > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “What’s wrong, Featherbrain?” asked Twilight, alarmed. Dash was moping in her room instead of flying. “All these ponies are just picking on my Gryphonese, even when there aren’t any faults!” Dash flopped onto her pillow. “And even when there are, can’t they ignore it?” “I don’t think they were trying to pick on you, Dash. They were probably only trying to help, or start a conversation.” Dash sat up and glared. “You were there, Twilight! Couldn’t you hear them judging me in every malicious word? How they just assume I’m some kind of moron?” “They were perfectly friendly, Dash. I’m sure they wouldn’t think you’re a moron or say things like that.” “It’s, like, discrimination!” “What? No, Dash, this isn’t discrimination. Technically, this is prejudice, if even that. I mean, your relatives are all perfectly nice to you and most of them are praising your Gryphonese! What’s the matter?” “The matter? The matter is, Twilight, that they’re not even trying to include me! Like they’re intent on making me feel unwelcome!” “If that were the case, why would they even let you into their houses? Or foist gift after gift upon you?” Dash was silent after that. Twilight eventually went back to her room. ~*~ Dinner was kale dumplings; Twilight had learned to help make them. Dash sat sullen at the table, only occasionally responding to questions directed her way. She immediately retreated to her room after finishing her plate. Twilight tried to make conversation with Trails and Sunshine but eventually gave up and went up to Dash’s room. Twilight tried the handle. It was locked, as expected. She knocked. “Featherbrain, you there?” “Go away, Twilight,” Dash said. “What’s wrong?” Twilight said. “I just need some time. I’ll be alright.” “Okay, then…” Twilight hesitated. “You sure, Featherbrain?” “Yeah. Sorry about my attitude today. I’ll be out in a bit. I promise.” ~*~ “Dash, we need to talk to you for a bit.” Sunshine knocked on Dash’s door. “Sure,” Dash said, opening the door. “What’s up, is it about earlier today? If so, I’m sorry.” “Nah, it’s not about that,” Trails said, walking in with Sunshine and closing the door behind them. “Though your apology is appreciated.” “Tea?” Sunshine offered. “No, I’m good. So, what is it?” “How are things going with you and Twilight?” asked Trails. “They’re going really well. Every day with her is like a dream; it feels like nothing else in the world matters. She always supports me, through the good and the bad. But to answer what I think is your question, we’re thinking of moving in together sometime soon.” Sunshine cast at Trails a concerned glance. “We think you may want to reconsider,” said Trails. “I know you love her, but, well, don’t you think… you could do better?” “What do you mean?” This time it was Sunshine who spoke. “Well, she isn’t exactly the best looking.” Dash hesitated. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right… but looks aren’t the most important part, and Twilight is more than good enough to compensate.” “But what will other ponies think of you?” Trails said. “There’s ponies who are ashamed to go out in public with their spouses,” Sunshine added. “I’m just trying to make sure you won’t be one of them.” “You know what?” Dash said, quietly. “Yeah, I suppose there could be prettier. But when I’m with her… I just don’t notice and don’t care. I barely notice the world around me. Like I'm a bit drunk, I suppose, but without the hangover.” “Honestly, I think she’s a bit of a slob. Can’t she at least try to lose some weight and look nice, especially for us?” “She can hear us, you know! She understands Gryphonese! She’s a bunch smarter than the both of you put together, and for fuck’s sake, she’s a Princess! Can’t you respect her?” “We respect her, Dash! We just don’t think that she’d be the best choice for a pegasus as awesome as you. And besides, our culture sort of frowns upon lesbian couples ‘cause they can’t have kids. ” “Oh, so that’s what it’s about!” Dash shouted. “Fuck this!” She flew through the window, her back to the setting Sun. Sunshine gave a half-hearted attempt at chasing her, but gave up as her daughter shot East. > Part VI > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Even several hundred meters or so from Dash's house, Twilight could spot the blue pegasus on a small cloud. As soon as the argument had ended, Twilight had flown out of the house and flapped frantically to Dash's little grey cloud. On one hand, she was upset that Dash’s parents thought she was ugly, but that was overshadowed by how touchingly Dash had defended her. She made a mental note to be extra nice to Dash later. The sky was almost completely dark by now, for what little dusky light was left was blocked by the black storm clouds amassing just a few hundred meters above their heads. Twilight alighted beside Dash. “Hey, Featherbrain. How are you?” “Hey, Egghead. Could be better.” “What’s up?” “Everypony seems to be against me for some reason. First my relatives, then my parents. My own parents!” “You sound like Rarity right now, Dash.” “Didn’t you hear what they said, Sparkle? You’re a slob and I’m a lesbian. So much for my life.” “I’m pretty sure we can reason with them when we’re calmer. And your relatives all welcome you! Do you know that in Gryphonia, foreigners are given the most respect and prestige? Some Gryphons would give their left rear hoof to get a hold of your Equestrian permanent residency card!” “I would give my left forehoof just to be accepted somewhere for once…” “What? What do you mean?” “You don’t understand, Twilight Sparkle! You don’t understand. I’ve worked all my life to give back and fit in; I’ve been faithful all my life to my communities, and now I’m just a stranger!” Dash kicked off from her cloud and shot away before Twilight could blink. Twilight sunk into the raincloud. A raindrop hit her, then two, then many more. The low roar of thunder filled her ears. She slowly glided back to Dash’s house. ~*~ “Did something happen to Dash this afternoon?” Twilight sipped at a cup of Pu-er tea, aged seven years. “Well, she seemed pretty irritated after some relatives corrected her Gryphonese,” said Sunshine. “But they were all praising her about how amazing it was for a foreigner.” Twilight thought about what Dash said for a bit. She looked around the house. Photos of her marefriend's blank flank days filled the room. She looked at the various trophies, medals, and ribbons adorning the fireplace. Above the mantel, a picture of Dash cheering for Cloudsdale’s bid for the Equestria Games, from atop Trails. Maybe… “Do you know why Dash left Cloudsdale?” Sunshine looked to Trails, then back to Twilight. “Yeah, there was an unusual dry spell in Cloudsdale a couple years back,” she said, after a moment’s hesitation. “So dry, in fact, that certain cloud structures had to be used to supply water to alleviate the groundside drought. “The buildings chosen were the newest ones, since they gave out the largest quantity of rain, and Dash had just moved out from her homestay and moved into her self-built house. The legislation specifically stated that primary residences shouldn’t be selected. But Dash’s registered primary residence… it was still here, 62-bis East Pine, Talon Bay. Homeless, she lived in a friend’s house groundside, and found that she sort of liked the town there. And the rest’s history.” Homeless. A spark lit in Twilight’s eyes. “Thanks, Sunshine.” “No problem. Dash’ll probably be back in a while. Some fruit?” Sunshine offered the lavender mare a plate of cantaloupe. “No, thanks,” said Twilight. “I’ve got a marefriend to comfort.” Trails and Sunshine smiled. “Good luck!” Trails shouted after her, as she flew out the door into the stormy abyss. > Part VII > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A bolt of lightning illuminated the landscape. Thunder cracked only a few seconds later. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking Twilight’s coat and carefully-preened wings. She decided that swooping down closer to ground level would be much safer. As she drifted around, looking for Dash, she let her thoughts wander... Twilight sat across from her mentor, sipping a steaming cup of jasmine tea in one of the Castle's many gardens. One pony observed the other with a smile; the other gazed above her cup of tea, eyes wide with admiration. “Princess,” Twilight asked. “Where did you grow up?” “When I was young, I grew up alongside Cadence, in the Crystal Empire; I ruled that land for quite some time. But that is no longer my home, my little pony. Home, now… home for me is…” … “The fair land of Equestria, miss” said Zecora. “I’m grateful for your apology, and hope in time you’ll get to know me. Zebri’s the land of my parents, yes, but I was born in Canterlot, I confess.” “That’s cool,” said Rainbow Dash. “I know what you’re going through, and I know it sucks.” “Went through, I say, but now that you’re here, I’ll hold onto Ponyville dear.” “Great!” said Dash. “So on behalf of everyone in town…” …”Welcome!” said Cherilee. “And sorry! I didn’t assign you a team or a vest for Winter Wrap-Up. I was supposed to handle these affairs; I suppose you just fell through the cracks.” “It’s quite alright,” said Twilight. “As you can see, it worked out in the end. Though, I suppose next year, the task will fall to me.” She chuckled. “Still, it was very nice of you to help out, however you could, even when you weren’t assigned. Why?” "Cherilee, I wanted to fit in with Ponyville. That was the first step. Don’t you think I’ve succeeded?” “Yes, Twilight. With flying colours.” Twilight sipped at her water, observing Cherilee’s quaint little cottage. An oil lamp, an impressionist painting, and an old sofa… … comfortably filled the room. “Just so we’re clear.” A mauve stallion approached a rainbow-maned filly. “You don’t want to move back to Gryphona with us, now that my project here is complete, to continue your schooling? Would you move back?” Dash hesitated for only a moment before saying… …“No!” cried Dash, as a pack of construction workers approached her house menacingly, wielding jackhammers, sledgehammers, and spades. “This is my home! I’ve got nowhere left to go!” “Miss Rainbow Dash,” said the foremare, “You can go back to your primary residence for a while. Sixty-two Bis, Pine East, Talon Bay.” She paused. “Gryphona.” “This is my primary residence,” said Dash. “Listen, Miss Dash. You will be compensated for this. But right now, Cloudsdale needs the water more than you do. Equestria needs the water more than you do. You can rebuild later should you desire.” She paused. “Though I’d prefer you didn’t.” “But I… I thought… I thought Cloudsdale was a great city…” “It would be greater still without ponies like you around,” a worker said. Laughter sounded all around… … as Dash sat in a sofa, her own kin teasing her Gryphonese. Sure, she supposed it was somewhat rusty, but she was proud of how hard she’d worked to keep it intact. It was like they didn’t want her to… …“Join us, the Shadowbolts,” said a mare cloaked in night fog. “We need a captain: the most magnificent, swiftest, bravest flyer in all the land.” “Yes,” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s all true.” “We need…” … “You to help us defeat him with your Element, Loyalty!” Twilight pleaded as chaos stampeded past her. “Loyalty, schmoyalty,” said Rainbow Dash, not bothering to turn around and face her so-called ‘friends’. “Have you seen Ponyville? It’s a disaster! I’m staying here in Cloudsdale where everything’s…” …”Awesome!” Dash said. “You’re really picking it up, ‘Twi!” She hoofbumped the newly-fledged alicorn. “You’re gonna be an awesome flyer, I just know it!” “Thanks, Dash.” Twilight blushed. “Aww, don’t mention it. Now, I’ve noticed that your wings are sort of messy. They haven’t been preened since your coronation, huh? You've gotta preen your wings often. If you don’t, you’ll have no control over what direction you fly and you’ll lose orientation. You could get lost, especially if it’s dark out.” “Got it,” Twilight said. “Any techniques?” “Eh, I suppose I could preen you a couple of times… you know, just 'til you get the hang of it.” Dash blushed. “If you want to.” “Sure,” Twilight said. “Now how do I get down?” “Oh, just dive down as slow as you possibly can and make sure you get some forward momentum.” Following Dash’s advice, Twilight landed… …on the platform. The kerosene lamps were dark—in preparation for the storm that night. She looked around. The platform was nigh empty, but that was to be expected of a small town. “Why, if it isn’t Princess Twilight Sparkle, paying our quaint village a visit!” A middle-aged mare bowed, and Twilight helped her up. “What brings you to Talon Bay, your Highness?” “Just ‘Twilight’ is fine,” said Twilight. “I’m here on a personal visit. I had some free time so I just wandered around the town. It’s a nice, quiet little village, and its surroundings are beautiful.” “Yes, I suppose.” “The wildlife, the intimacy, the atmosphere…” “That’s true, I guess.” “Leaving for somewhere else?” Twilight joked. “Where’re you headed off to?” “Ponyville, for a visit.” “Oh? I live in Ponyville, you know?” “Really? Huh. I never knew that. Tell me about Ponyville!” Twilight considered the question for a while. “Ponyville… it isn’t as nice as this place. It doesn’t have the scenery, the connection with nature, the small village mood anymore. Yet…” “But what, Princess?” “Well, for me… Ponyville is… it’s…” …“Home.” Dash turned and saw Twilight landing beside her, then taking a few cautious steps towards the pegasus. The cyan mare closed the rest of the distance in a dash and kissed her marefriend. “Missed ya, Egghead.” “Missed you too, Featherbrain.” There they sat, pelted by the cool rain, with a wing slung around each other. “Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight eventually, “I’m sorry for not sympathizing with your troubles earlier. It must be tough, not having anywhere to call your own.” Dash turned to look at her and sighed. “I don’t know where to go anymore now that I can’t call this my home.” “Dash, don’t be silly. You can always go back to Ponyville!” “What if I’m kicked out of Ponyville?” She stared at the ground. "Or what if I leave it by mistake, like when..." “You’ll always be welcome in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash." Twilight embraced her tighter. "Look at you, you’re the leader of the weather team, local hero, and marefriend of one of the more prominent citizens, not to mention a princess. They couldn’t shut you out of Ponyville if they tried, and we'll always go looking for you and bring you back, 'cause we're your friends. Remember Applejack's little incident?” “But what if…” Dash started. A distant roar of thunder rolled in the background. The pitter-patter of rain slowly faded. “Yeah, I guess.” Dash raised her head and met Twilight’s lavender eyes. “Come on. Let’s go back to your folks’ place, at least for the night. They’ll be missing you; let’s give a proper farewell to those ponies who were your home for years past. And when we get back to Ponyville, you can start building your new home, Dash — with me.” Twilight stood up and stretched her wings. “Hey, Egghead?” “Yes, Dash?” “Have I told you how much I love you?” “Every day, Featherbrain. Every day.” > Part VIII > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The storm had rejuvenated the local landscape, and now all manners of wildlife dotted the scenery. Squirrels had come out of their burrows, dragonflies zipped through the air, and some adventurous seagulls had even wandered far from their usual domain of the oceans. Trails and Sunshine were on the train platform, seeing Dash and Twilight off. Not many ponies would be on this train, bound for the Southern towns of Equestria through some difficult mountain passes (Twilight had insisted they take a different route home), so it was fairly quiet around them. “Dash, could we talk to you in private for a moment?” asked Trails. “Sure,” said Dash. “Make it quick, though. The train’s gonna leave in ten minutes.” Dash and her parents made their way behind the platform. Sunshine checked to see that there were no ponies nearby. “So, what’s up?” Dash eventually asked. Trails remained silent for a while before saying, “It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since I’ve seen you, filly.” He paused. “You’ve grown a lot. Got any plans for the future?” Dash shrugged. “Wonderbolts, if I can. I’m already local weather manager, so I can’t really climb too much higher up without switching fields.” Trails nodded. “Alright, seems like you’re pretty set.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m sorry for the outburst last night. I —” “No,” Dash interrupted. “I’m sorry. I blew things out of proportion.” “Dash, listen,” said Sunshine. Trails continued. “We think that if it makes you happy… well… you’re welcome to pursue a relationship with Twilight.” Dash’s face slowly morphed into a smile. “Really?” “Yeah. She loves you, and you evidently love her, and, well… who are we to get in the way of that? Just make sure to treat her right, okay?” Dash nodded and was about to say something, but no words came out. “Have faith. Have courage. And more importantly… have fun.” Trails embraced her daughter tightly. “Go now, your marefriend’s probably worried about you.” Rainbow dashed off in a flash. Her forward momentum carried her into Twilight’s body. “Featherbrain!” Twilight said with a yelp. “What was that for?” “Great news! My parents give us their tentative approval!” It took Twilight a second to process what Dash meant. “That’s fantastic, Featherbrain!” she said, hugging Dash with all her strength. After Twilight let go of the pegasus, she smiled at Dash’s parents. “Thanks so much, Trails, Sunshine! I promise I won’t let her down!” “We know you won’t,” said Sunshine. “Final call!” cried the conductor. "Final call!" “See ya!” said Dash, turning back to see her parents one more time. “It was nice meeting you,” said Twilight. “Make sure to visit often, y’hear?” said Sunshine. “We will, promise!” With that, the two boarded the train, taking them on their journey home.