Please?
Rainbow Dash was dozing off into the realm of sleep, her face snuggled up into her colt friend's chest. Soarin' rocked her back and forth while stroking her mane. He smiled when her breathing changed into a slow, steady rhythm, indicating that she was in fact, asleep. Soarin' then very tenderly planted a soft, gentle kiss on Rainbow's forhead. Rainbow Dash stirred slightly in her sleep but now wore a small smile as she shifted and nuzzled closer into Soarin' to get comfortable. Soarin' smirked. Yes, tomorrow would be fun in deed. With that in mind it wasn't long before Soarin' himself began to doze off, too. Soon finding himself frolicking in a meadow with Rainbow Dash flowers, and pie raining from the sky.
"Wakey, wakey," Soarin' sang gleefully.
"Ugh!" Rainbow Dash groaned in annoyance, burying herself deeper under the covers.
"Oh, come on Dashie! Besides I have a surprise for you," Soarin' sang out cheerfully while smirking.
This time Rainbow Dash popped her head out from the top of the covers. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see a giant, ugly oozing thing! Rainbow Dash had no idea what it was.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH," Rainbow Dash screamed at the top of her lungs, flailing backward and toppling off the bed.
Laughter echoed through the room.
"SOARIN'!"
"Yes?" Soarin' asked innocently, but his smile and struggle to contain his laughter gave him away.
"What was that for?!?! Why in the name of Equestria would you do that to me?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe I did it as a little payback for that little 'prank' you pulled on me yesterday."
"Yeah, well, my prank wasn't that bad." Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath.
"Not that bad? NOT THAT BAD!?!? After my flight show the other day, during the autograph signing, you punched me in the stomach! And when I cringed and grabbed my stomach you poured water on the floor and started yelling for metics, saying I was going into labor! LABOR!!!! Do you have any idea how many news reporters have come up to me wanting to know if I'm actually a mare in desguise? Those pesky reporters are comming up with all kinds of crazy ideas! Like me being a spy for princess Celesta or Princess Luna, being one example. Not to mention all the ponies there that were laughing at me!"
Rainbow Dash was rolling around on the floor laughing so hard she was crying!
"Yeah, well, there's nothing wrong with being a mare Soarin'," Rainbow Dash said now finally recovering from her laughter. "I mean, you’d never be able to pull off being as awesome a mare as me, but, you know, you can try, I guess.” Rainbow Dash said seriously before smirking.
"I know! I don't have anything against it. I'm really good friends with some ponies that are mares. But that prank you pulled is spreading a lie! I'm not a mare!"
"Well if it's a lie just say so to the reporters and-"
"You don't understand. Dashie, it's not that simple. When reporters get an idea, they just run with it. It doesn't matter what I say to them or try to do to get them to stop."
"Okay, but this is just another rumor. It'll blow over eventually. And, come on, no-pony is seriously so gullible as to actually believe that! I means seriously!"
"Yes, but what if some-pony actually does believe that? It may hurt their feelings."
"How?"
"Dashie you just don't get it, do you?" Soarin' groaned in annoyance, shaking his head with a sigh.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up! What am I not understanding here?"
"Dashie, this rumor might hurt some ponies feelings."
"How?" Rainbow Dash challenged, now getting beyond annoyed at how Soarin was acting over this stupid situation.
"Oh, I don't know! But every action has a consequence! I know what it's like to have rumors spread around and to hurt somepony you love, even if it wasn't on purpose. I just don't like spreading a lie, alright?"
"Whoa! Sorry Soarin', I had no idea. Well, from this moment forward, I promise not to let the press spread any rumors that may or may not have come from me," Rainbow lied sarcastcly, discreetly folding her wing and crossing two of her primary feathers.
"Well good! If you do that then I'll make sure not to spread anymore about you."
"Wait! What!? Any more? What did you do? What did you tell them?"
"Oh, nothing. It's probably fine, just a little slip up. I'm sure it'll 'blow over eventually.'" Soarin' smirked smugly.
Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed, "Soarin'! I'm going to kill you."
"Oh, shoot,” Soarin' gasped under his breath as he turned tail and darted over to the stairs.
“Oh no you don't!” Rainbow Dash yelled, grabbing his tail in her teeth and yanking him back.
“Ah!” Soarin' yelled out in suprize at the sudden pain pulling at his rear end.
“You’ll never take me alive,” Soarin' shouted, dropping his disguise.
Leaving the tail Rainbow had clenched in her teeth to disappear in a burst of flames, causing Rainbow Dash to, once again, be thrown back by the sudden release of pressure and to topple over onto the other side of the bed.
“Cheater!” Rainbow Dash yelled, quickly jumping back up on to her hooves and pushing off the bed in one swift motion, like a cat chasing after their prey. Rainbow Dash grabbed the side of the door frame and swung around towards the stairs. Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash however, she triped over her own hooves on the second step and came tumbling down. Landing hooves over head at the bottom of the stair case. When Rainbow finally came to a stop, she pouted in annoyance.
“Ppppfffffhahahahhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!” Soarin' burst out laughing, holding his sides and leaning against the wall for support, failing miserably to keep himself from falling over and maintaining balance.
Rainbow Dash glared at him and gritted her teeth angrily. Luckily for Soarin' he had managed to contain his laughter long enough to trot over and carefully lifted Rainbow Dash back up to her hooves.
Rainbow Dash huffed in annoyance before sighing and casting her gaze at the floor. Soarin’s smile faded. “Rainbow are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?” Soarin' asked worriedly. Rainbow smirked and looked up at him and playfully punched him in the shoulder. “Of course not! It’d take more than a mere tumble to keep the great, awesome, Rainbow Dash down!”
“Alright then, but I'm not so sure that Rainbow Dash is as awesome as she makes herself out to be. After all, what about the fantastic, sturdy flier Soarin'?”
“Really? You really even want to try and go there?” Rainbow Dash stated more than asked.
“Oh, I'm sorry, if you really truly feel threatened by me...”
“W-w-”
“- No, trust me Dashie, it’s okay! If you truly know I'm a better flier and you just don't want to admit it, I understand.” Soarin' smirked.
“Why you little-!” Rainbow Dash shouted, now chasing after him.
“Catch me if you can, Dashie!” Soarin' called teasingly over his shoulder. Darting past her he flew out the front door. Rainbow Dash eyes’ widened in panic.
“No, Soarin'!” Rainbow Dash yelled, speeding out after him. Rainbow Dash looked around franticly but Soarin' was nowhere in sight.
“Oh, NONONONO!” Rainbow Dash said, her breath picking up as she began to zip around looking for Soarin'.
Soarin's’ head then came from up above her, seemingly from nowhere. Swinging down and locking his black, chitian lips with hers. Now upside down, he pulled back and grinned at her.
Rainbow Dash proceeded in darted her head around franticly and latching onto his holed covered hoof and dragging him inside the house as quickly as possible. Slamming the front door shut and locking it tight, Rainbow Dash then turned to Soarin angrily.
“What is wrong with you?!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
“What? Oh, c’mon. We were just having fun.”
“No, Soarin'. NOT FUN! This is not fun at all! What if somepony saw you?! Do you have any idea what Celestia could do to you?”
“Rainbow, relax.”
“Relax?! How am I supposed to relax? You could be sentenced to death because of what Chrysalis did-.” Rainbow Dash was cut off when Soarin' gently placed his holed hoof over her mouth and smiled at her tenderly- silencing her.
“Trust me and relax. First of all, it’s still way too early for most ponies to be up, it’s barely daylight outside. Plus, even if some-pony did see me, you are a more credible source. If you said there was no changeling, it would simply be dismissed as paranoia from the wedding. Don't forget that I'm for the most part, pitch black. It’d be kinda hard to see me in the dim light, at least for a normal pony anyway. Don't worry.”
“Fine! If you're wrong though, that could ruin our chances of...” Rainbow’s voice trailed off, as she suddenly felt nervous.
“Chances of what?" Soarin' asked curiously. "And if you're so worried about being found out, why did you pull that ''prank?" it certainly didn't do us any favors."
Rainbow Dash growled at the last part but quickly dismissed it.
“N-nothing. Don't worry about it.” Rainbow Dash said biting her lip nerviously.
“Hey, what's wrong?” Soarin' asked, noticing her uneased expression.
“Nothing. Don't worry about it," Rainbow Dash replied again.
“Rainbow,” Soarin' stated bluntly. “You know I know you better than that. Trust me, I’ve seen your sweet ‘mushy’ and ‘sappy’ side as well as your tough one. I know when somethings bothering you. Tell me. What’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything.”
“I just..I've been thinking...” Rainbow mumbled, her head down.
“Yeah? I'm listening,” Soarin' encouraged.
“Have you ever thought about actually s-starting a family? You know... a h-hive?” Rainbow Dash asked nervously.
Soarin' blinked, taking a moment to process what Rainbow Dash had just said.
“Actually, yeah. I kind of have been thinking about that myself.” Soarin' admitted. Probably not for the reasons you're hoping though, Soarin' thought with a hint of unease. "If you want to start a family, I can go ask for an adoption audience with Queen Athnaties. The nursery is jammed packed as of late. I'm sure they could use the help. Plus, the nymph would get more... ‘one on one time’ I suppose you could say”.... " Soarin' said, thinking out loud.
“No, Soarin'..... What I mean is, you know, a hive of our own? You already know I'm a virgin queen.” Rainbow Dash said. “So why can't we? I mean, nothing’s stopping us.”
Soarin' simply stood there in silence, contemplating the idea.
“D-dash”...Soarin began. "I understsnd what your saying but... my queen....she may see it as a betrayal, or another hive to have to compete with. Plus it takes a LOT of love to start, let alone support a whole, entire hive. Where would we get enough love for that? Its’ not fair to bring a bunch of new changeings into the world only for them to starve. We will need to have a large, stable, consistent, and STRONG food source.”
“I know. I’ve already found a solution, though. Trust me I've thought a lot about this! I promise it’ll work! I really want to do this, Soarin'!”
“Are you sure you won’t settle for just adopting one?” Soarin' asked hopefully, practically begging .
“No. I. Will. not!" Rainbow Dash said, glaring in frustration.
“Ugh,” Soarin' groaned in defeat. “How do you even plan on getting enough love to support a small hive? Sending out more changelings to gather it won't exactly make things easy, or keep ponies at ease. The wedding is still fresh in their minds, you know. It's only been eight months.“
“I've already got it all figured out! The answer is simple: livestock, rabbits to be precise. They are easy to breed, and do so in small amounts of time. They’re easy to care for. We can grow they’re food easily. Plus, they are a good source of protein if some ling is too sick or weak for just love to heal them. We do still need to eat meat from time to time anyway. You already know that, though. Plus, I found the perfect spot to build our hive!” Rainbow Dash said. Not being able to stop the now growing grin on her face.
“Look, Dash. I can tell you really want this, but I don't think it’s a good idea. I mean your an element of harmony; Loyalty to be exact. You need to be here for Equestria! A hive is a full time job! Plus princess Celestia doesn’t even know we’re changelings! If she finds out, I'm pretty confident that it won’t end well. Especially since it’ll look like you were using your relationship with them and the rest of equestria to take it over or gain something, thanks to a certain Queen we currently know as the ‘Canterlot Terror.”
“That's why were going to ask permission. Or at least make it look like it, anyway. I’m not exactly going to take no for at answer.” Rainbow Dash explained rather bluntly for Soarin’s taste.
“You seriously think that Princess Celestia will listen to us after all that’s happened? Seriously! Are you forgetting that Princess Cadence is her niece?! Do you even remember what Chrysalis did to her and Shining Armor? There’s no way she’ll side with us!“ Soarin' shouted.
“Calm down!” Rainbow Dash shouted, glaring daggers at Soarin'.
“Yeah, I get what your saying, really I do! However, what about all the things I did to help save Equestria? Do you really think they’d go so low as to throw me out after everything my friends an I have been though? Besides, my Element Of Harmony will recognize me. So I’ll be able to prove to them who I am and gain their support. After all, they can’t get rid of me or Equestria will be without its greatest means of defense."
"But a hive will need you too! I can't do it all by myself! There's just NO way! Plus, you know how demanding the Bolts are! I love my job, I don't want to quit!" Soarin' countered.
"You don't have to, I swear!"
"Then who's going to manage the hive when we’re not there?"
"Our alpha males." Rainbow replied simply.
"..... Alpha males are used for certain departments part time. They're not ment for long term controle over multiple large, demanding jobs."
"Which is why I plan on having several."
"What? You can't have more than one! Well, I guess you can, if your okay with them killing each other!" Soarin' yelled.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "I've helped a lot of ponies with friendship problems. I'm pretty sure I can make this work. Plus, I found a really good place for the hive!"
"Dash, I just don't think this is a good idea," Soarin' insisted.
"Will you at least come see the place I picked out? After all, us starting a hive very well have some benefits to your queen."
"Oh, yeah? How's that?" Soarin' asked curiously.
"Well, for starters there's food, space, and safety. We'll have support from Princess Celestia so ponies won't or at least will be much less likey to attack. And we could take in some of thos 'over crouded nymphs'. Until they're older at least."
"That's....true." Soarin' admitted." " Fine. We'll go look at this 'place' you found but I make NO promises."
"Yes!" Rainbow Dash cheered in excitement.
"I repeat I am making NO promises! We are merely going to LOOK at this area you found." Soarin' reminded sternly, but that did nothing to get rid of the grin on Rainbow's face.
"Where is it anyway?" Soarin' asked.
"Not far. It's in the Everfree Forest."
"Wonderful," Soarin' said with a sigh and yawned.
Opening his eyes again, Soarin' found Rainbow Dash simply grinning at him.
"You want to go now, don't you?" Soarin' asked, knowing full well the answer.
"YUP! Very much!"
"Any chance I can get another nap first?"
"NOOOOPPPE! Come on, lets go," Rainbow Dash cheered.
"Fine," Soarin' sighed in defeat.
Soarin' followed Rainbow to the door, but before he stepped out, she stopped him.
"Um, Soarin'? Don't you think you're forgetting something?" Rainbow asked.
"Huh? No. What would I be forgetting?"
There was along pause before it finally hit him.
"....Oh! Right! My disguise!" In a quick flash of green light, Soarin' was Soarin' once again, only this time a pink blush was easily seen through his coat as Soarin' nervously rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"You goof," Rainbow Dash teased. "Now, come on! Let's go!"
[hr.]
"You're going to love it here Soarin'! just you wait and see!" Rinbow gushed smushing her cheeks together.
Gosh, if I didn't know better I'd say Rainbow was kidnapped and replaced by a changeling. This SO isn't like her.
"What made you set your heart on this in the first place," Soarin' asked.
Rainbow Dash suddenly slowed down drastically in response. Surprised, Soarin' turned around and flew back to where Rainbow Dash was now hovering.
"You okay?" Soarin' asked worriedly. "This isn't like you."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking.... I guess I've always kinda wanted to have a kid... at that time though I didn't even know I was a changeling. So, when I found out, I guess it was kinda a bummer. It made since though, with me being adopted and all... I guess I just never thought I'd get the chance. I wanted to give my foal the life I never had. My dad was great, don't get me wrong. I love and miss him with all my heart.... but, I kind of want to know where I came from... It's just... why would my mother leave me, her next heir, all alone and abandoned? ...It just doesn't make since..."
Rainbow Dah began to slowly speed back up in pursuit of her future hive, brimming with determination.
Soarin' gradually sped up until he now kept an even pace with her, before giving her his answer.
"I don't know. It really doesn't seem likely that a queen would do that unless they felt threatened. That being Chrysalis's perspective by the way. A normal queen, or mother of just about ANY species, wouldn't do that. Their offspring is their legacy. The future of their hive and, perhaps, another new hive all together. I... know you probably don't want to hear this but; I think something happened and your hive died out. Or that your mother did at least, and a hive won't last long without one... It really is amazing how many characteristics we share with bees. Too bad we can't build backup queen cells like they can. That seems like the most likely scenario, though..... You know, we could just adopt. It would give you more time to figure all this out," Soarin' offered again.
"QUIT STALLING!" Rainbow Dash demanded. "I'm not against adoption, I guess, it's just not the same."
"I guess youre right..." Soarin' trailed off...
Soarin' was ripped from his thoughts when he heard Rainbow shout excitedly.
"We're here!" Soarin' looked down.
"I certainly don't see anywhere worth starting a hive, all I see are tree tops! What are we supposed to do? Make a hive in a tree!? I know I said we were a lot like bees in a lot of ways but this ISN'T one of them!" Soarin' frowned deeply and looked at Rainbow Dash if he'd just been insulted.
Rainbow rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"Follow me," Rainbow Dash said simply, sending a small, playful glare Soarin's way. Rainbow then dropped her disguise and went into a dive, weaving her way past large tree limbs after piercing her way through the canopy of trees, with Soarin' following suit. Finally the pair broke past the trees and what Soarin' saw shocked him. Rainbow Dash had to shut his mouth with a hoof as they landed. While taking in the sight, it was all Soarin could do but simply stand there and stare.
The area was HUGE! With trees around the perimeter, which had to be miles long at least, were all warped to get there fair share of sunlight, caving the whole area like a living dome. The vines within the tree tops were thick. So thick in fact that the top from aboved looked like a low part of the forest, just like the rest, but that was not the case at all!
The vines let light in but nothing could be seen from above. How they did this did nothing short of confused Soarin' to no end. Another thing Soarin' had not expected was that is all seemed to cover the side of a cliff. Had the whole forest really grown that much? Soarin' saw it from above: nothing but even terrain for miles, but apparently the trees grew to all be even?
Coming down the cliffside was a beautiful crystal clear, blue stream with flowers and other exotic plants surrounding it.
-
"Wow...." was all Soarin' could say as he finally came back to reality.
Soarin' hovered down to the ground but did not take his eyes off the beautiful waterfall. Finally touching down Soarin' felt something tickle the bottom of his hooves. Looking down he saw the brightest, healthiest green grass he'd ever seen.
Rainbow Dash still hovered a few feet away watching his reaction closely, a smug grin plastered on her face.
"Are you ready to see the inside?" Rainbow asked Soarin' innocently.
Soarin' simply turned to look at her, his jaw dropping again.
"There's an inside?!" Was all he could mutter.
"Yup! Follow me!" Rainbow Dash said, landing and leading him closer to the waterfall.
"It's behind the water fall!" Rainbow explained.
Soarin' followed as she walked over to the side of the water fall only to discover a large ledge that extended out about twenty feet, and was a good four meters away from the waters spray, keeping it completely dry and safe to walk on without fear of slipping. Looking onward, Soarin' saw that it basically was the entrance of a large cave. Advancing from the ledge to the entrance he could see that it was about 200 meters high easily, most likely more, and about 150 matters long. upon coming inside, Soarin' was shocked once again to find that it had its own stream. Despite its long width it appeared to be rather slow and calm, much like a lazy river. Rainbow Dash led him forward until they reached a cliff. It was a straight drop. Morphing below from the likely millions of years of wear and tear, was a large, egg like shaped room. There was also a ledge about twenty feet above them that turned out to be a huge ledge that opened into another section in the cave. This one was about about the size of the tree dome itself.
"You have no idea how big this cave really is." Rainbow Dash commented. ''There are hundreds of spaces like this, and many others coming in many other sizes. This size and larger. There might be a few more smaller ones but I haven't found many of then yet."
"Plenty of room to expand a hive and raise rabbits. Ive...already chose a place for a hatchery... and started to set it up..." Rainbow Dash added hesitantly.
"Did you now?... Well, are you going to show me or are we just going to stand here?" Soarin' asked with an unreadable expression.
Rainbow nodded. "It's a far ways back still.... I also started making a food storage chamber directly behing it. There are multiple tunnels that lead to it, so I figured its got easy access and is deep in the hive, so hopefully it'll stay hidden and in the safest part of the hive."
Soarin nodded. "Makes sense. I'm guessing it'd be quicker to fly then?" Soarin' suggested.
Rainbow nodded once, pushed of the ground her wings, and took flight. Her wings humming as they supported her weight in the air. Together, Rainbow dash and Soarin' took off to the the hatchery at breaknecking speeds. Luckily, Rainbow knew where she was going, so Soarin' only had to focus on her movements from behind and mimic them, which was good because Soarin' really couldn't see anything they passed due to them only being a blur anyway. After about fifteen minutes of this speed Rainbow began to slow down.
"This place really is huge. How much farther back does this thing go?"
"Miles at least," Rainbow responded casually." Anyway here we are!" Rainbow shouted triumphantly.
She stopped so suddenly that Soarin' bumped into her and about knocked her over, not that Rainbow Dash minded. She was too excited to show Soarin' how much work she put into the hatchery and food chambers.
Upon entering the hatchery Soarin' quickly took notice that Rainbow Dash had put up several transparent walls made with her signature cyan blue gel, a color Soarin' secretly envied. Soarin', however would never admit it. The last thing Rainbow Dash needed was another ego booster. The wall separated off into several rooms. The doorways he noticed, all went up about two and a half to three feet, with a small staircase on the outside of about two to four steps, depending on how level the cave floor was.
"Dash," Soarin' asked.
"Yeah?" Rainbow Dash responded. Her eyes have yet to leave his as she watched him intently, awaiting his reaction.
"What's with the steps?"
"Oh, those! Those are to keep the nymphs from coming out. The inside drop is cover in a thin layer of hardened royal jelly. So, its really slippery. It'll keep all the cute and mischievous nymphs from getting out unsupervised, at least until their wings come in, anyway."
Soarin' nodded.
"Okay. So all the other rooms are for storing food then," Soarin' noted out loud.
"Huh? No! Everything here is the nursery!"
Soarin's eyes widened so much they appeared they were about to pop out of his head!
"This is a pretty big nursery, don't you think? In my hive, nymphs of all ages were just put together in one large room with rotating staff, and we did just fine. I think you're overdoing it a little."
"Yeah, well, that's not how its going to be here! I want my nymphs to have the best and only the best!" Rainbow Dash declared.
Soarin' considered disagreeing but decided against it. Based on the stern look Rainbow was giving, it was clear there was no changing her mind.
"This room here, as well as the other one over there, will be used for the newly hatched nymphs."
"Two?"
"Oh, there's way more, trust me." Rainbow Dash insured.
Why so many? Dash this really is a lot. I think we're getting in over our head," Soarin' tried. Sadly for him though, it was futile.
"Oh my gosh! Quite! Questions from now in will be answered after the tour!"
"Fine," Soarin' sighed.
"As I was saying, yes, I have several of each room. In case you haven't noticed we have plenty of room to fill, and yes we will start off small but I want to be prepared. Most, as of now, are being used for storage, which by the way I already have planned. Okay, so these three small rooms over here," Rainbow Dash said, turning and pointing to the walls surrounding the entrance. " The ones next to each other, will house the eggs. Then a few days before the hatch, they will be moved to those cubby like structures on the wall. In those the humidity will be greatly increased and controlled. That way, their egg membrane will be really soft and the nymph will have an easier time coming out. The nymphs will remain in these cubby like cells for three days after hatching to be supervised, and to, you know, make sure nothing's wrong with them, and what have you. Then back over there-," Rainbow Dash said pointing to a very large set of doors.
"Wow, those doors are big enough for Princess Celestia to walk through with Princess Luna sitting on her shoulders," Soarin' muttered quietly to himself.
"In there," Rainbow Dash continued, "we will keep track of all the nymphs. In there I will store all their eggshells and birth information until they start working in the hive and move into their apartments."
"Apartment?" Soarin' asked surprised.
Rainbow lifted an eyebrow. "Yes, apartments. What's wrong with that? I thought you'd like that.
"I do, its a very good idea Rainbow," Soarin' praised. "However don't you think were starting this kind of early? I mean, okay, how should I word this...." Soarin' trailed off as Rainbow Dash waited impatiently.
"Okay, number one, our hive is just starting out. As far as I'm aware, my hive is the only one that does that. This was generations after the hive was started mind you, we were going strong by then. Plus we had several worker changelings doing the building. I highly doubt we can build all those apartments and stuff ourselves before starting this."
"That's not true!" Rainbow yelled in Soarin's face angrily! Look at all the things I did here! I've only been working a week! And already I've grown the protective dome outside, learned my way around, created this HUGE hatchery and storage rooms, AND finish the food storage chamber as well as start the livestock area! ALL BYMYSELF!!! Rainbow Dash fumed.
Soarin's eyes about popped out of his head," Y-you built that huge dome and...., "Soarin's words died in his throat as he processed these words.
"Ugh Soarin'! What is the matter with you! It's like you've lost all your faith in me when it comes to what I'm capable of! In all honesty, it seems to me like your scared! Every time I say anything you try to belittle it! You-"
"You're right...," Soarin' interrupted.
"-Wait, What?" Rainbow Dash froze and looked Soarin' in the eye.
"You're right. I am afraid. I'm afraid that I won't be able to provide for you all and that maybe I'm not capable to be the partner or father you need. So, yes I am afraid, I'll admit it. I don't want to EVER have to feel like I need to pick between you and my queen, or anything else. So yes, I'll admit it. I. Am. afraid!" Soarin' had tears in his eyes. "....but I love you. No matter what, I promise you that I will always love you. If this truly is what you want.... I'll talk to Queen Athnaties, but only if you're absolutely, without a doubt, one-hundred percent sure that we can handle this. I know I wont be perfect, but I'm willing to try. I promise you that much."
"I-I... I am one-hundred percent without a doubt completely sure. I promise....," Rainbow Dash said confidently.
"Heh, it was "absolutely without a doubt.""
"Shut up, Pie Boy!" Rainbow Dash said laughing, choking back happy tears before she reached out and hugged Soarin' as tightly as she could. Soarin' simply hugged her back.
"If we're going to do this though, we'll need to talk to princess Celestia first. I don't want to risk getting my queen excited about a benefit or whatever only to pull the mat out from underneath her hooves. That WILL NOT make her happy, nor me especially. trust me, as laid back as she is, when Queen Nthnaties isn't happy, no-ling is."
"O-okay. I'll ask Twilight to set me up a private meeting with Princess Celestia. I just won't tell her why."
"You mean your friends don't know you're a changeling," Soarin' asked surprised. "How come I've never heard abut this? You're the Element of Loyalty. I'd think you guys were so close that they'd already know something like that."
Rolling her eyes Rainbow replied. "No. That's why I'm going straight to Princess Celestia. Twilight, no offence to her, is well, an egghead. When that nerdy mare gets an idea in her head, there's no changing it."
"Heh, sounds like this certain 'ling I know," Soarin' joked.
"Really who? Is he go to your hive?" Rainbow Dash asked obliviously.
Chuckling Soarin' replied, "Never mind."
Looking confused Rainbow continued,"Anyway, yeah, I'm going straight to Celestia. Twilight trusts her, so it'll help make sure things go more smoothly. I hope."
"Yeah, we kind of got a bad reputation to sake off," Soarin' pointed out.
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash quietly agreed.
"Oh shoot!" Soarin' panicked.
"What's wrong?"
"I forgot! I was supposed to stop by the Spitfire's office and finish that paperwork! Spitfire will KILL me if she gets there and its not done! Come on, we got to go! Spitfire wants you to go over the drills again too."