Applejack tries to get Rainbow Dash to agree to having a foal, but RD is haunted by a mistake in her past
Applejack couldn't be happier with her life. She owns a great farm and has been married for three years to the love of her life, Rainbow Dash. It's everything she's ever wanted in life, but now she wants something more. A family. A foal. Can she convince Rainbow Dash that they are ready to take a new step in their lives or will a haunting secret from Dash's past prevent them from having one?
(I know a story called "Foal" already exists, but I had this idea for months and I couldn't come up with a different title)
Even when she was a filly, Applejack knew nothing better than waking up in the morning on a farm. Seeing the first rays of light spread over the luscious green valley was a sight she never got tired of. The mixture of yellow and orange slowly overcoming the dark green and brown earth always took her breath away. The smell of morning dew, fresh from a rainstorm, was just as much a picker-upper as a cup of hot coffee. And why bother having an alarm clock when the rooster did the same job?
It was these small but wonderful morning signs that made her rise from her bed pumped up for another brand new day. It was only later in life that she found a new sign that caused her to love mornings even more. Specifically, six colors that blended together to create a majestic sight, each speaking volumes of the wild emotions tied to it; passionate red, outgoing orange, light hearted yellow, relaxing green, loyal blue and mysterious violet. And all of these traits were tied to the one pony that Applejack loved so very much; she would never trade what they had for anything. Not for all the bits or apples in Equestria.
Leaning over from her side of the bed, she pressed her snout against the rainbow-colored mane of her bed partner and giggled. Rainbow Dash shifted under the covers a little from the touch, her cute smile widening, a further kiss against the forehead quickly waking her. Yawning, she smacked her lips together and opened her magenta eyes to find herself looking into a pair of emeralds, glimmering with warmth. Rainbow Dash chuckled before pressing her lips against Applejack’s. It was quick and simple, but enough to rouse both ponies from their morning drowsiness.
“You know… it’s rude to wake your wife up when she wants to sleep late,” taunted Rainbow Dash. A keen grin stretched across her muzzle as she slowly pressed her right hoof against Applejack’s outer thigh. It slowly inched upward, Applejack’s cheeks getting redder as she felt every pelt hair brushed by the cold yet relaxing hoof. “However, I might be able to forgive you if you’ve got enough energy to continue our little fun from last night?”
Applejack felt a wing wrap around her side as she was dragged closer to her wife, chest to chest. She put a foreleg around Dash’s waist while the other weaved through the multi-colored mane. The kiss lasted longer this time, both sets of lips giving their all as they slowly made way for their tongues to get to work. Upon touching each others tongues, excitement jolted their senses like an electric shock. Both mares fought for dominance, their years-old competitive streak coming into play.
Rainbow Dash’s hoof slowly made its way between her lover’s legs, only for Applejack’s hoof to stop her from going further. Whimpering in displeasure, she looked into Applejack’s teasing eyes as the earth pony shook her head. “Not now, Dashie. It’s market day and Ah promised Big Macintosh Ah’d help him in town.”
Groaning, Rainbow Dash turned her back to Applejack and huffed, “Thanks for getting me excited over nothing.”
“Aw, come on, Sugarcube,” said Applejack, sitting up and pressing her hoof against Rainbow’s shoulder. “Ya’ll been back from yer Wonderbolts tour for a week now and all ya done since ya arrived is sleep in the house. As much as Ah love makin’ love to ya every chance Ah get, some of us have jobs to do.”
Rainbow Dash sighed and sat up against the headboard of her bed, before turning to Applejack and smiling. “I just missed everything so much. Ponyville. The girls. You. Our adventures. I sometimes wish everything was like it was in the old days when all six of us were inseparable.” She looked up at the ceiling, her eyes shining with both nostalgia and sadness. “But I guess it couldn’t stay like that for long, huh? Twilight’s married and living back in Canterlot, principal of her old school. Rarity’s in Manehatten with Sweetie Belle, helping her singing career while she gets her fashion company started. Even Spike’s off on his own, exploring the world and seeing what it has to offer. Shame they couldn’t stay for long after the welcome back party you guys threw for me. At least Fluttershy and Pinkie are still their old selves.” She looked back at Applejack. “But what I missed the most was you. Every time I’m flying or performing, I keep thinking about how you’re doing. Are you lonely? Are you sick? Is everything okay with the farm? I know we’ve been doing this for three years, but for those seven months a year that I’m gone I just… I just wish you were there with me.”
Applejack embraced Rainbow Dash, nuzzling her wife as their warm bodies pressed against one another. It was these moments that made them forget the world around them. Their house could be on fire and it wouldn’t be enough to distract them from this.
“Ah miss ya all the time too,” whispered Applejack, rubbing Dash’s back. “It’s hard living in this house without ya, but it’s these moments when ya come back that make every minute worthwhile.”
They stayed that way for a while longer, until Applejack reluctantly broke away from their embrace. Swinging herself off the bed, she began to made her way to the bathroom but turned when Rainbow Dash whistled. She saw Dash point towards a small table next to her side of the bed, on top of which lay a blue feather tied to a golden chain. Smiling, Applejack trotted over and put the chain on, her eyes glancing at a similar chain around Dash’s neck, one that displayed a lock of her hay colored mane instead of a feather. With a satisfied nod, Rainbow Dash quickly flopped back onto her pillow and closed her eyes in an attempt to catch some extra sleep.
Rolling her eyes at Dash’s antics, Applejack redirected herself towards the bathroom. With no time to prepare a bath, she turned on the shower, letting the water wash away the smells of last night’s activities. As she relaxed, her hoof reached up and pressed against the wet feather she treasured just as much as her father’s hat. While unicorns and earth ponies used rings for marriages, pegasi continued their ancient tradition of feathers chained with gold.
Applejack’s eyes misted over as she remembered the day three and half years ago, their second year anniversary together, and the proposal that changed her life forever. Of all the places in the world, Rainbow Dash had decided to do it at the Grand Galloping Gala, which wasn’t terrible that year thanks to the combined work of Pinkie Pie and Twilight. She got down on one knee, presented the feather and asked Applejack, in front of hundreds of ponies including their friends and the princesses, to marry her.
Naturally, she said yes.
It was a bit girlish on her part, considering she had often been called a tomboy growing up, but Applejack had always wanted to be a bride, to wear a gown and walk down the aisle with all her friends and family in attendance. It was a fillyhood dream she had never really abandoned, and Rainbow Dash had made it all possible. She only wished her parents and grandparents could have been there physically to witness such an amazing wedding, but she knew they were watching her from whatever afterlife existed beyond this world.
Despite Dash’s Wonderbolt duties that kept them separated for seven months of the year, their relationship was as solid as a rock. Applejack would never have imagined when she first met Dash eight years ago, just a year before Twilight arrived, that one of her best friends would become her wife. Hay, she didn’t even know her barnyard swung that way until Rainbow Dash had gotten drunk one Hearth’s Warming Eve and kissed her while they were under a sprig of mistletoe. That one kiss evolved into a three year marriage that was perfect in every way… except for one thing.
A sigh escaped Applejack’s lips as she applied soap and shampoo. There was one thing left to complete her dream as a married and settled-down mare. It was a topic that both excited and scared her at the same time. Only a very few she trusted knew this secret wish of hers, but the sad thing was that none of those few were Rainbow Dash. Applejack knew she had to tell her at some point, and such a question would surely take their marriage and overall lives to higher levels, but how do you present such a question? Especially if it’s about raising foals?
Washing away the last of the shampoo in her mane, Applejack got out of the shower and shook herself dry. Feeling refreshed, she exited the bathroom to discover Rainbow Dash missing from the bed. She sniffed the air and detected a rich aroma of coffee from downstairs. Licking her lips she followed the scent, arriving at the kitchen where Rainbow was pouring them both a cup and setting them next to a batch of fresh muffins.
Taking an apple and a full cup, she lightly tapped her mug against Rainbow’s before proceeding to eat. As Rainbow Dash dipped one of the muffins into her coffee, she said, “I think I’ll spread my wings out a bit today. Show off some of my moves to my favorite fans in Ponyville.”
“Scootaloo will be happy to see ya. She’s gotten better since ya last saw her,” commented Applejack, taking a bite out of her apple.
“Well, she has an awesome teacher,” bragged Rainbow Dash with a cocky grin. “Element of Harmony, master of the Sonic Rainboom, youngest Wonderbolt ever, amazing teacher... It’s a wonder how much cool I can apply to myself.”
“Don’t forget sexiest pegasus with the best flank this side of Equestria,” teased Applejack, giving a wink to the blushing Rainbow Dash.
Applejack quickly finished her meal and leaned over the counter, kissing Dash on the cheek. She then headed on over to the door, picking up her trusty hat from the coat hanger nearby. “Ah’ll be back around five tonight. Enjoy yer day, Sugarcube. Love you.”
“Love you too,” said Rainbow Dash, waving goodbye.
Giving Rainbow Dash one last smile, she opened the door and was greeted by the wonder that was Sweet Apple Acres. Across from her own house was the one her family had built generations ago, in which she was born and raised. It had taken some adjustment to get used to living in a different home, even though it was right across from her old one, but as long as she was on the farmland she was content. Just outside her old home’s entrance Applejack could see Big Macintosh already preparing their produce cart, filled to the brim with apples and apple accessories.
“Mornin’ big brother,” said Applejack, walking up to him and helping him get the harness fitted snugly around his neck. “Ready to go?”
“Eeyup,” replied Macintosh as it snapped into place.
After a quick double-check they made their way down the road towards town, passing the fields they worked hard on every year. A few of their hired helpers noticed them while tree-bucking and waved, to which they responded with a greeting or a wave of their own. Eventually Applejack, deciding to break the silence, asked, “Any mail from Apple Bloom? How’s she doin’ at that school in Trottingham?”
“Doin’ good,” grumbled Big Macintosh, something Applejack didn’t ignore.
Applejack laughed. “That all? Shucks, Big Mac, she’s gettin’ to be that age. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with her findin’ a special somepony.” Big Macintosh muttered something inaudible. “Ya never had problems with me an’ Dash when we started dating.”
“That was different. Dash was a friend and a mare. Ah didn’t have to worry about ya’ll endin’ up with a foal after some horseplay in the haystack,” pointed out Big Macintosh, making Applejack blush. “This is different. Ah don’t want mah littlest sister endin’ up big-bellied, especially from some colt Ah know nothin’ about.”
Applejack could honestly say she felt similar, but her little sister was far from the curious and naive Crusader she had been years ago. She was much wiser now, and Applejack trusted her to do the right thing in life. Nuzzling her brother, she said, “She’s her own mare now, Mac. We just gotta trust that everythin’ will be all right. Who knows, ya just mind end up bein’ an uncle soon anyway… if things between me and Dash work out.”
“Still didn’t tell her yet?” asked Big Macintosh, shaking his head. “Ya need to do it soon, sis. Ya had four months last year and ya didn’t say anythin’ then.”
Head drooping, Applejack frowned and kicked a rock across the street as she continued her trot. “That’s ‘cause Ah was still unsure mahself… Ah mean… am Ah really ready for takin’ care of a foal, Big Macintosh? It’s a huge responsibility and some days I feel like it might be an even bigger challenge than Discord was years ago.”
“Applejack…” Big Macintosh ceased his trotting and looked at his sister with a comforting smile. “When Ma and Pa died, ya fast became the mare of the house. Ya filled Ma’s roles and became a mother figure to Apple Bloom. Ya raised her, fed her, changed her, and loved her just as much as the rest of us. And look how she turned up? Best art school in Trottingham thanks to all that ya done for her. Ya got what it takes to be a great mother, Applejack. Believe me.”
Applejack felt her blush return twofold as her confidence returned higher than before. The rest of the trip passed in silence, but her mind still continued to ponder on the idea of her as a mother and what impact that would have on her life.
***
Applejack hated slow market days. It wasn’t because it meant low income for the day; such times were bound to happen. It was because she would end up bored and she hated being bored, a trait she suspected she had acquired from Rainbow Dash over the years. The only exciting thing to happen all day was Pinkie Pie bouncing around with the Cake Twins, who had become Pinkie Pie’s ‘Party Assistants’ over the years, to announce another upcoming party for some reason or another.
“Afternoon, Applejack!” greeted a customer, snapping Applejack back to reality. She looked up to see her old classmate Bon-Bon waiting with a bag of apples on the counter.
“Howdy, Bon-Bon. Where’s Lyra and Tootsie?” asked AJ, looking around.
Before Bon-Bon could answer, a green blur suddenly tackled her from the side, tumbling them across the ground before coming to a complete stop. Bon-Bon’s eyes rolled around in her sockets before they refocused on the pony leaning over her. Lyra, grinning like she had won the lottery, said, “Bonny! You have to see this! She’s walking, Bonny! She’s walking!”
“Lyra, our daughter already knows how to walk,” replied a deadpan Bon-Bon. She pushed her wife off her before getting back on all fours and shaking off the dust on her pelt.
Lyra put her foreleg around Bon-Bon and pointed across the street. “Yeah, but have you see her walk like that?!”
Applejack and Bon-Bon both looked, the latter gasping while the former just chuckled. A light gray filly, still blank flanked, with a pale purple mane was walking on her hind legs only. Her forelegs were half-raised in the air to help her keep her balance. A few bystanders watched the filly with bemused looks upon recognizing whose foal she was. She walked all the way towards her parents where she lifted her forelegs up and cheered, “Look, Mommy! I’m walking like Daddy does!”
Bon-Bon glared at her wife, who was trying her best to look innocent. “Lyra Heartstrings, how many times have I told you to stop filling our daughter’s head with your human hobby?”
“Hey, it’s not a hobby! It’s an actual scientific study,” defended Lyra, who stood on her own hind legs. Reaching down, she grabbed her daughter and lifted her up for a hug. “And Tootsie always loves hearing me talk about humans. Right, sweetie?”
“Yup! Humans are funny!” shouted Tootsie.
Despite Bon-Bon shaking her head, Applejack could see the faintest glimmer of a smile on her lips. “What am I going to do with you two?”
“Let us get ice cream to celebrate?” asked Lyra as she and Tootsie gave large toothy smiles.
Bon-Bon looked at both of them as her previously tiny grin got larger. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Yay!” cheered Lyra and her daughter as they scurried away towards the nearby ice cream stop.
Bon-Bon chuckled before turning back to Applejack. “Sorry about that, AJ. Those two are always so outgoing it’s a wonder how I can keep up.”
“It’s all right. Must be nice… havin’ a filly of yer own…” said Applejack, trying to hide her tiny pang of jealousy.
It didn’t work, as Bon-Bon tilted her head before gasping. “Oh my! Applejack, are you and Rainbow Dash thinking of adopting a foal too?”
“Well…,” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, “… Ah guess Ah am. It’s kind of been mah dream to start a family.”
“I remember!” exclaimed Bon-Bon, clapping her front hooves. “That one time in class when we had assignment on what our greatest dream was? I remember you wrote you wanted to marry a big, strong, hard-working stallion and have lots of foals playing around your farm.”
“Shucks, that old assignment? Forgot about that ‘till now,” chuckled Applejack, blushing. “Well looks like that outcome didn’t come out as I thought it would. Ah’m married to a mare, an’ an amazing one at that, so Ah got no regrets.”
“Same here, but back to the foal. Are you thinking adopting a colt or a filly?” asked Bon-Bon, on the edge of her hooves.
“Hold on there, missy,” said Applejack, “Ah never said we was or wasn’t. Besides, Ah haven’t asked Rainbow yet on her view.”
“I’m surprised,” said Bon-Bon. “I think you two would be great parents. You’ve always been sort of a mother to Apple Bloom and Rainbow’s always had kids that look up to her. Sure, she’s not exactly the ideal version of a ‘parent’, but neither was Lyra when we brought Tootsie to our home from Canterlot two years ago.” The two of them glanced over towards the ice cream parlor where they spotted Lyra coloring Tootsie’s nose with her lemon-colored ice cream cone, earning a laugh from the two old classmates. “And yet every night, I see Lyra tell her a story before kissing her on the forehead and bidding her good night. It’s not easy, Applejack. But it’s worth it. It’s so worth it and I believe you and Rainbow will be even happier with one.”
Applejack kept up her silence as accepted Bon-Bon’s bits and waved goodbye. Alone again, she thought about what Bon-Bon said. Can Ah really be a mother? Can Rainbow Dash be one too? Do we have what it takes to raise a filly or colt?
Her thoughts turned to the happy expressions she had seen on the family of three earlier and she began to picture herself and Rainbow Dash as Lyra and Bon-Bon. The looks on their faces as they watched their foal slowly begin to walk its first steps; taking it out into town, playing in the park and eating ice cream; telling funny stories before kissing him or her goodnight. To raise a child, watch him or her grow up, giving it all the love it deserved and more. Applejack felt something drip down her cheek and touched it, recognizing it as a tear.
Now she was sure what she wanted.
***
Rainbow Dash had an addiction. Not the type you normally think of, such as smoking or drinking. Her addiction was cheering, specifically for her. It never failed to raise her spirits the way ponies would shout her name like she was a goddess of the skies. During stunt after stunt she would hear their gasps of amazement as she continued to baffle their minds. The Thunder Blitz, Fantastic Filly Dash, Rainbow Tornado, Ring of Fire, it didn’t matter what trick. She could do them all in her sleep. She was awesome. She was Rainbow Dash.
Rising higher into the sky she turned her head towards the large crowd below, mostly consisting of fillies and colts that had come to see one of Ponyville’s greatest idols. A grin stretched across her muzzle as she turned around and made a dive for the ground, her body poised like an arrow. A familiar cone of energy began to appear in front of her, attempting to push her back, but she was no longer the rookie from years ago who was trying to become a Wonderbolt.
She was a Wonderbolt.
Rainbow tore through the cone with ease, sending out a burst of rainbow-colored energy that lit up the sky like one big firework. The adoring cries of excitement echoed across the open valley, bringing joy and pride to Rainbow Dash’s ears.
But she wasn’t finished yet.
Licking her lips, she continued to dive further down, getting closer and closer to the ground. The crowd down below was now gasping, most likely assuming something had gone wrong. Truth was, something could go wrong if she didn’t do this perfectly. She had only managed it twice in practice, but that had been in a training area with safety precautions should she fail.
Instead of clouds, she had the hard bone-breaking earth. No other fliers would be there to catch her, and chances were they wouldn’t be able to keep up with her even if there had been. At this point there was no stopping the trick; there was only success or failure.
She was now fifty feet from the ground and already she could feel the energy vibrating through her body. If she didn’t break through again in the next five to ten feet it was the pearly white gates for her. But there was an old pegasus saying that she thought every time she performed any stunt where there was the possibility of getting killed. It was a message to death itself.
Not. Bucking. Today.
Gritting her teeth and giving out a war cry, Rainbow Dash broke the sound barrier a second time, unleashing a second Sonic Rainboom in a row. She used all her strength to lift herself, dragging the rainbow streak behind her and sailing through the air.
The crowd went nuts. The previous cheering paled in comparison to the deafening roars that could be heard for miles. Rainbow Dash sighed in relief and began to lower her speed. As she floated towards the crowd her fans, all wearing Wonderbolt merchandise or that silly replica of her mane, who ganged up on her at once.
“That was amazing! A double Sonic Rainboom!”
“I thought you were a goner for sure!”
“I want to be a flier just like you, Rainbow Dash!”
“So cool!”
Rainbow Dash soaked it all up like a sponge. Their smiles, their laughter, their applause; she loved it more than a changeling at a wedding. One pegasus caught her eye as she watched her number one fan float down to her side and exchange a quick hoofbump with her.
“That was amazing, Rainbow Dash!” shouted Scootaloo, her wings still flapping. “You told me you managed to do a double Sonic Rainboom, and I believed you of course, but to see it first hoof…”
Rainbow Dash shook her head, eyeing her fan and sometimes student. She still couldn’t believe how much the little pegasus had grown over the years. From a tiny little filly searching for her cutie mark and learning to fly to a growing pegasus with a proud purple winged horseshoe on her flank.
“Well, I’m glad you liked it, squirt,” said Rainbow Dash, ruffling the teenager’s mane. “How’s your own flying going?”
“It’s going great! I managed to do the Gust Kicker and the Ixion Spear Dive last month!” proclaimed Scootaloo proudly.
“Nice to hear that, kid. Later in the week you can show me and I’ll teach you some new stuff,” said Rainbow Dash.
One of the fillies looked at Rainbow Dash with wide eyes. “You taught Scootaloo how to fly?”
Blushing, Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her neck. “I didn’t teach her. I just gave her a few pointers.”
“Pointers my flank, if it wasn’t for you I would have been stuck on the ground like some… well… chicken,” joked Scootaloo, using the old nickname she had hated so much growing up.
Everypony laughed as one by one the children and their parents dispersed, after getting some autographs of course. Soon it was just Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash who took off into the air and sat down on a cloud to watch the sunset in the distance.
Things were silent between the two until Scootaloo sighed. “I really missed having you around here, Rainbow Dash. Things really haven’t been the same since Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle left to pursue their dreams. I mean I’m happy for them and all, but still…”
Rainbow Dash chuckled and smacked her on the shoulder. “Don’t get teary eyed on me now, squirt. You’re better than that. So how are your folks?”
“Busy as always,” snorted Scootaloo, rolling her eyes. “At this point, I don’t bucking care anymore.”
“Hey, they’re your parents,” said Rainbow Dash. “I know they’re always busy out of town, but they care about you. Parents are always there for their kids.”
Scootaloo blinked and tilted her head. “If that’s true, why didn’t yours come to your wedding?”
Rainbow Dash’s smile faded from her muzzle as she turned away, focusing back on the sunset. Scootaloo nervously shifted her hooves, leaning over to see Rainbow Dash’s expression. Her idol sighed and scratched her head. “Well… sometimes things get complicated…”
“Is it because… you know, you married a mare?” asked Scootaloo, nervously.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I… I did something to them… hurt them really badly… and…” Shaking her head, Dash stood up and flexed her wings. “It’s not important now. Just talk to your parents, Scootaloo. That’s really all I can say. Catch ya later.”
“Rainbow, wait!” shouted Scootaloo, but Dash was already long gone.
As she flew through the sky, heading for home, Dash’s thoughts turned towards her parents and she closed her eyes. The truth was they didn’t choose not to come to her wedding.
She just hadn’t invited them in the first place.
***
Honesty was always the best policy. That was Applejack’s mantra. Even before she was called the ‘Element of Honesty’, she had always been one to tell the truth and never hide her feelings. Call it being raised right or having good morals, Applejack had never been nervous about telling the truth.
Well, until now anyway.
“Okay, Applejack,” she muttered to herself, pacing around the living room carpet. “Ya faced worse dangers than this. It should be a piece ‘a apple cake for ya. Just tell her ya want foals and everythin’ will work out.”
Her sweating brow spoke otherwise. She wanted to kick herself for not asking Bon-Bon for advice on how to tell Rainbow Dash. Hay, she would even welcome Twilight suddenly blinking in and telling her how she and her husband decided to have a baby. Maybe I can put it off for another day? It doesn’t have to be now, right?
Another voice in her head thought differently. This is no time to be actin’ like some scared filly on her first day of school! Ya’ll have put this aside for too long! Buck up and tell her already!
Her short internal battle came to a close when she heard the door open and slam shut. A voice cried out “I’m home!” as Rainbow Dash came into the living room with a smile plastered on her face. Applejack forced a smile of her own to hide her nervousness and gave Dash a quick peck on her cheek.
“So, how was yer day?” asked Applejack, trying to keep conversation as normal as possible. She directed them towards the couch where they both sat down, Rainbow’s wing over her shoulders like a blanket.
“Awesome. Some of the fillies and colts came to watch me practice and boy did I give them a show,” said Rainbow Dash, a proud smile adorning her face. “They were all really shocked. Especially when I showed them the Double Sonic Rainboom!”
“You showed them what?!” shouted Applejack, mouth wide open. Her earlier worries temporarily left her mind as her features hardened into a scowl. “Ya told me that was still a dangerous move to do and ya haven’t fully gotten it down yet! What on earth were ya thinkin’, doing a dangerous stunt like that without any backup safety equipment?! Ya gotta death wish?!”
“Hey, it turned out all right, didn’t it? It’s okay,” reassured Rainbow Dash, inching away from the fuming Applejack.
“But what if ya got hurt?!” shouted Applejack. She shook her head and took a few deep breaths. “Consarn it, Rainbow. It’s bad enough ya always go off doin’ them dangerous stunts for a livin’, but do ya have to make me worry even when yer home?”
“I’ve been doing tricks like that since forever, AJ,” reasoned Rainbow Dash, placing her foreleg around her wife’s shoulder and giving her a hug. “It’s just what I do. Risking my life for the thrills is who I am. Just like you with your apples.”
“Ah-h know…” muttered Applejack. “It’s just… Ah don’t want ta wake up one mornin’ ta see one of them Wonderbolts holding out yer uniform for me and offerin’ condolences.”
Rainbow Dash leaned forward and kissed Applejack’s lips, following it up by nuzzling her cheeks. The farmpony, in turn, took her forelegs and wrapped them around Dash’s waist, bringing them closer together for another kiss. Her worries disappeared in an instant as she felt their hearts beating as one.
Breaking the kiss, Rainbow Dash smiled her usual cocky grin. “Look, AJ, I’m not going to die. At least not like that. We’re gonna live our lives to the fullest together before we grow old and kick the bucket. I love you and I’m gonna make sure that our time spent together is something neither of us will forget. In this life or the next.”
Applejack nodded, wiping a small tear from her eye. “Shucks, Rainbow. What did Ah ever do to deserve ya?”
“By being the sexy, cool earth pony that you are,” replied Rainbow Dash, nibbling on Applejack’s ear and making the latter blush and whimper in pleasure. “It’s gonna be you and me forever, Applejack. Just the two of us…”
“… what about makin’ it three?”
Rainbow Dash stopped her teasing and blinked. She leaned back and stared at Applejack, who was shifting her hooves around on the couch. Applejack gulped but continued to hold strong as she looked in the confused eyes of Rainbow Dash. Applejack scooted forward and placed her hoof on Dash’s side, rubbing it slowly. “Well, Ah mean… we’ve got a big house so we can maybe add an extra pony to live here… maybe two.”
“Applejack, a-are you saying …” mumbled Rainbow Dash, eyes widening as she started to tremble.
Deciding to come straight out, Applejack took a deep breath, and said, “Rainbow Dash, Ah wanna have foals.”
Silence stood between them. It was so quiet that Applejack could hear the ticking of the clock rooms away. She tried to detect any sign of approval from Rainbow Dash, who was staring at her in shock, mouth wide open. Applejack’s own smile faded as she began to worry that she hadn’t coaxed Rainbow Dash well enough. It was a big decision after all, for both of them, but Applejack wanted this more than anything and she was confident Rainbow just needed some reassurance.
“Ah know this is comin’ out of nowhere, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “The truth is, Ah’ve been thinkin’ about this for nearly a year. Ah want us to have a family, one where we have a healthy and beautiful baby to take care of together.” A smile stretched across her lips. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since Ah was little. Can ya imagine it, Rainbow Dash? A son or daughter, crawlin’ in the house, lookin’ and callin’ us Ma and Pa? It could be whatever kind of pony, Ah don’t care. Ah’d love it all the same.” She put both her hooves over Dash’s right hoof, nearly making the stunned pegasus jump.
“It would take us to a new level in our relationship, Dash. The two of us can do it, Ah know we can. So what do ya say?” asked Applejack, anxiousness in her tone.
Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack’s hooves before staring into her eyes. She then closed her own and started mumbling to herself, much to Applejack’s confusion. Before she could press on it, Rainbow Dash jumped off the couch and made her way to the middle of the living room with her head turned. The silence came up between them again, only this time it brought more worry to Applejack. After minutes of waiting, Rainbow Dash turned her head and glared at Applejack.
“No.”
The answer nearly knocked Applejack over in shock. “N-no?”
“No. No foals. Not now. Not ever,” stated Rainbow Dash, stomping her hoof. “Besides, it’s not a big deal to have one.”
“Not a big deal?” repeated Applejack in disbelief as she got off the couch. “It’s sure is hay a big deal, havin’ a kid or not! Ah’ve been wantin’ one for a long time and Ah don’t see any reason for us not to have one!”
“Well, I don’t want a foal. There’s your reason,” growled Rainbow Dash, narrowing her eyes. Applejack stepped back from the intensity they were giving off. “So sorry, but the answer is gonna be no.”
“Come on, Rainbow. Ya can’t just drop the idea of havin’ a child like that!” shouted Applejack, matching the glare with one of her own. “Ah mean there’s nothin’ wrong with havin’ a foal, right?”
“I’m not saying that! I just… don’t think either of us would be suitable,” answered Rainbow Dash, looking away.
“That’s a load of horseapples and ya’ll know it! So stop tryin’ to make excuses!” warned Applejack, stepping forward and poking Rainbow’s chest. The pegasus nervously stepped back as Applejack towered over her. “Ya’ll are great with kids! Look at all the fans ya got who admire ya! Look at Scootaloo! Ya’ll helped that filly grow up more than her lazy parents ever did. You two’re practically like sisters to one another!” Rainbow Dash winced at the mentioning of this, catching Applejack’s attention, but she soon dismissed it. “Ya’ll mean to tell me that after all that ya don’t think ya can be a mother?!”
“… I can’t have any…” muttered Rainbow Dash.
“Why not?!” demanded Applejack. “Just tell me already!”
“I can’t alright! I don’t want some dumb baby around the house! Regardless of what you want!” answered Rainbow Dash, making Applejack gasp.
“Y-you…” Applejack tried to say something, but her mind—and heart—were still processing what she had just heard. How could she say that? Doesn’t she know how much this means to me?! For both of us! She just wanted to tear her hat apart from witnessing such stubbornness. “Why in Celestia’s mane can ya not just—“
“Because I’m not worthy of having a kid, all right?!” screamed Rainbow Dash, her voice so loud it caused the windows to vibrate. “I just can’t, so leave me alone and drop it, AJ!” Before Applejack could press further on what that meant, Rainbow Dash made her way to the door and slammed it open. “I’m heading out. I’ll be back whenever…”
“Rainbow Dash! Don’t you dare walk out on me like this!” demanded Applejack, but her threat fell on deaf ears - her wife was already sailing through the night sky. “Get yer butt back here, Dash! I mean it! This ain’t over!”
She hollered a bit more before exhaustion overwhelmed her. Walking back inside, she flopped onto her couch and closed her eyes, cursing to herself. Stupid stubborn pegasus. Just getting up and leaving the conversation like a coward. Rainbow Dash saying no was a shock, but the bigger shock was how adamant Rainbow was against the idea of even having a foal. It was like she considered the idea to be immoral or wrong in nature. But why? Why think in such a way?
Remembering the scared yet determined expression Dash had worn when the topic was mentioned, Applejack began to wonder if she was hiding something. But what? What could she be keepin’ from me? Dangit, Ah hate secrets.
Applejack lay on her back as she felt her anger slowly be replaced with heartache. It hurt to hear that Rainbow Dash cared little to nothing about her dream. The idea of never having a foal, no family to start, was enough to start making Applejack tear up. She held her forehooves to her chest, imagining herself holding a tiny foal in her hooves, rocking it to sleep after a long day. She could still remember all the times taking care of Apple Bloom when she was a baby and how warm and proud she felt doing so. If that was just with her sister, then what would the feeling be with her own child?
She wanted to share that magical moment with Rainbow Dash, to go through all the trials together as a family and grow stronger from it. Yet Dash was more than just afraid of being a parent; she seemed almost terrified and ashamed. She pondered Rainbow Dash’s last words on the subject. ‘Not worthy of having a kid’? Why would anypony think that?
Baffled and hurt, Applejack tilted her hat over her eyes and decided to just sleep on it. The conversation was far from over, though. As soon as Dash got back from whatever she was doing, Applejack was going to demand some answers.
Whether Dash liked it or not.
***
Several hours later a loud series of knocks awoke Applejack from her slumber. Smacking her lips, she made her way to the door and opened it, surprised to find her big brother waiting on her porch.
“Sorry to come over here this late at night, sis, but Ah figured ya might want yer wife back,” apologized Big Macintosh, nodding his head to a hiccuping Rainbow Dash who was barely hanging onto the big stallion’s neck. “Ah was going to the bar with Berry Punch an’ Ah found her drinkin’ worse than a deserted pony in a desert.”
Applejack didn’t know what she wanted to do first: thank Big Macintosh for his kindness or kill her spouse for getting wasted. The smell of alcohol filled Applejack’s nostrils, making her wince as they dragged the drunk and sleeping Rainbow Dash towards the couch. After laying her down Applejack fetched a pillow and blanket, making sure her wife was comfortable despite how angry she was with her.
Shaking her head, she turned to Big Macintosh.“Thanks for bringin’ her home, Big Mac. Ah’ll take care ‘a the rest.”
Macintosh looked at Dash and then his sister, concern plain on his face. “Is everythin’ all right? From what some of the patrons told me she’s been drinkin’ non-stop to the point where she was acting out of control.” He pushed away some of Dash’s bangs, revealing a few scars and bruises on her face. “She got into a couple’a fights and started breaking stuff up, and then all of a sudden she started cryin’.”
“Cryin’?” asked Applejack, turning her head towards Dash with worry in her tone.
“Yeah, kept mumblin’ to herself and wailin’ like somepony close to her had just died. The bartender didn’t know what to do except just throw her out. That’s when Ah came in and brought her back. Bein’ drunk is fine at times, but Dash wasn’t actin’ like a happy drunk. She looked just as bad as ya were when Granny Smith passed away.”
Applejack winced as she remembered her actions during that period in her life. Granny was old and her time had finally come. She died in bed, smiling and looking so peaceful. She only wished it had been her who had discovered the body and not Apple Bloom, who had nightmares for weeks. Applejack didn’t want to believe it at first, but after the funeral she felt more lost than ever. Granny Smith had raised her nearly her whole life, even more than her parents had done before they passed away. All the memories she had of her grandmother kept eating away at her to the point where she started drinking heavily, often consuming enough to leave empty bottles covering her entire bedroom floor. It took a sitting down with her friends and family to finally get her to talk about what had happened, and many tears, screams, and hugs before she accepted it. She had been so grateful for their help. If Dash was feeling just as bad as she had, all because of having foals, then there really was more to this story than she had believed.
She walked her brother out the door and hugged him goodnight. Heading back to Rainbow Dash, she sighed and began to rub her cheek, making the pegasus squirm a bit. “Dangit, Dash. Ya just never stop bein’ trouble, do ya?” She kissed her on the forehead and made her way towards the bedroom.
“Spectrum….”
Applejack froze and slowly turned back, watching Rainbow Dash moan and kick against her covers.
“Spectrum… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
Applejack waited a few minutes to see if Dash might say anything else, but she was quiet once more. Heading towards her bed, she decided to ask Dash about her issue with foals come tomorrow. But as she put her head against her pillow she began to wonder one thing.
Last night plagued Applejack to the point where she found herself waking up even earlier than normal. It was still dark; the sun wouldn’t be up for at least another hour. With nothing else to do, she resigned herself to staring at the ceiling, wondering about last night’s events. Dash coming home drunk wasn’t uncommon—sometimes Applejack herself was co-companying her—but she’d never seen her as plastered as she was last night. The foal talk was obviously the reason, but why? What would drive Dash to not only act so irrationally, but also cry at the same time? Somewhat like herself, Dash always made sure to hide weakness from others. The pegasus was too proud to admit when she needed help or when an issue was bothering her. And apparently foals were one of those issues.
No, not foals themselves. Raising foals, Applejack reminded herself. She said she was ‘unworthy of having them’, but why?
Rainbow Dash may have been brash, but Applejack had every confidence that she could be a good parent. And while she wasn’t close to many children except Scootaloo, who had practically worshiped Dash since the two first met, her wife had never showed outright disapproval of foals. In fact, she loved having them cheer her name.
But the biggest thing on Applejack’s mind was that name: Spectrum.
Applejack had never heard it before, nor could she remember Rainbow Dash even mentioning it. Is this pony a friend? A family member? Dash never says anything about her family. Said they all just dropped out of contact years ago.
A sudden realization came to Applejack, like a whip against her flank. She knew almost nothing of Rainbow’s past, or her family life. There were some things she knew about, like her friendship with Fluttershy or her days at flight school, but not once did they ever talk about her life growing up in Cloudsdale or any of the friends and relationships she had had before coming to Ponyville. Hay, when it came to having guests at their wedding Rainbow Dash had just said none of her family would be attending. Applejack had always assumed her family problems were because of her preference for mares. Ah’m married to a pony whose past Ah don’t know, even after knowin’ her for years.
She needed to find this Spectrum pony, or at least learn who he or she was. If anything, it would help her find out what was bothering Dash. And there was only one pony Applejack knew that could help her find this Spectrum character: Pinkie Pie. She knew everypony in Ponyville—and many outside of town—so there was a good chance that she would know who Spectrum was.
Applejack was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed the morning caw of the rooster. Groaning, she rose out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, performing her daily hygiene rituals. Cleaned and ready for another work day, she went into the living room, spotting Rainbow Dash still asleep on the couch. She quietly walked over and saw something that made Applejack’s heart clench up.
Tear marks.
Oh, Rainbow… Applejack sat on her haunches and stroked Dash’s mane with one hoof while wiping away the marks with the other. She would love nothing more than to hug her Dashie; to kiss her and tell her that everything was alright. She was still angry at her for pushing aside her dream for foals without remorse, but it would take more than one disagreement to ruin what they had. Not to mention they had had worse fights than this one. What mattered more was finding out what was bothering Rainbow and fixing it, even if she had to force it out of the stubborn Wonderbolt. All Ah wanted was for us to have a family. When did this get more complicated than it already was?
With a kiss to Rainbow’s forehead, Applejack left the house, no worse for wear than when she woke up.
***
When Applejack told her brother and the other workers she was taking the day off, the result was as she expected. Most of them just stared at her like she had suddenly grown six legs; others were wondering if it was a sign of the apocalypse. Even Applejack herself admitted it was strange behavior on her part, but Dash was more important to her than knocking down apples. Plus, the sooner she solved this mystery, the sooner everything could go back to normal.
Making her way down towards Sugarcube Corner, Applejack wondered if that would really be the case. Helping Rainbow Dash with whatever problem she was dealing with was the goal she had in mind, but what of the motive? Am Ah just doin’ this to help Rainbow Dash? Or am Ah doin’ this because Ah might be able to convince her to have foals, too?
She didn’t want the second reason to be the truth, but there was no denying that she still wanted Rainbow Dash to change her mind. Turning her head, she saw a unicorn levitating a bottle of milk to a foal that was riding a baby carriage, the mare’s smile bringing warmth to Applejack’s heart. It was that feeling that Applejack longed to have in her life. It was the missing piece to her dream and she had never wanted anything as badly as a little one to cuddle with.
Yet, was it wrong to feel this? She was concerned for Dash, of course, but she didn’t want to be doing this just so she could have a foal. Focus on what yer doin’ now, Applejack. Find Pinkie Pie and see if she knows who Spectrum is. Worry about yer other feelings later.
A jingle from the bell above the door rang as Applejack entered Sugarcube Corner. Naturally, she saw the twins, Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake, working at the counter. They saw her come in and rushed forward.
“Hiya, Applejack!” said the two in synchronization.
“Would you like to—“ started Pound Cake.
“—try one of our new, special—“ continued Pumpkin Cake.
“—extra delicious—“
“—super fantastic—“
“—twin dark and white chocolate mixed cupcakes?!” asked the twins with bright smiles.
Applejack chuckled. “Actually, Ah’m here to see Pinkie Pie.”
“Oh, sure!” said Pumpkin Cake, nodding.
“Just one second!” said Pound Cake, holding his hoof out.
“Auntie Pinkie Pie! Applejack is here to see you!” they yelled in the direction of the kitchen. Applejack covered her ears as the house shook from the power of their combined voices.
“Be right there!” shouted a cheery voice from the back. A few seconds later, Pinkie Pie came bouncing through the door, licking specks of frosting off her lips. “Can you two go out back and watch those cupcakes I’m making?”
“You got it, Auntie Pinkie!” acknowledged the twins, who rushed into the kitchen.
“I never get tired of how they do that. Do you?” asked Pinkie Pie, giggling.
“Only when they don’t speak in a normal tone,” muttered Applejack, rubbing her ears. “Anyway, Pinkie Pie, Ah need yer help with somethin’.”
“No problem! What is it? Solving a mystery?” asked Pinkie Pie, donning her favorite detective’s hat and magnifying glass. She peered into Applejack’s eyes, making the famer step back a bit. “Or are we going on an exploration?!” Just as quickly, she exchanged her outfit for one featuring a safari hat and machete. Applejack gulped as Pinkie swung it around, chopping off the top of a nearby cake. “I know! It’s somepony’s birthday party! Am I right?!” Pinkie threw away the survivalist gear in exchange for a party hat—placing another one on Applejack’s head—while blowing a kazoo and sprinkling confetti everywhere.
Even after all these years, Applejack still had no idea how Pinkie was able to do these things. Then again, she wouldn’t be Pinkie Pie if she didn’t.
“None a that stuff, Pinkie,” answered Applejack, pulling off the party hat. “Ah need ya tell me if ya know a certain pony.”
The kazooing slowly died down until it died completely. Tossing her party stuff away, Pinkie took out a big red notebook that had lots of papers and sticky notes between the pages “Sure, just tell me who ya need to find!”
“Somepony named Spectrum. Do ya know him or her?” asked Applejack, praying that she wouldn’t be let down.
Pinkie flipped her notebook open and went through the pages faster than even Twilight could have done. Loose pages, notes, and even a few balloons were scattered around during the search. It went on for a while, making Applejack worry that her only possible lead was going to hit a dead end. Her fears were soon realized as Pinkie slammed her book shut, her ears folded back. “Sorry, Applejack. I don’t know anypony by that name.”
Holding back a curse, Applejack sighed and lowered her head. “Well, so much for that plan.”
“Why do you need to find this pony anyway? Somepony you know?” asked Pinkie.
“Nope, but Ah think Dash does,” said Applejack.
She proceeded to tell Pinkie what had happened. Pinkie had, naturally, been excited when Applejack said she wanted to have foals. Her enthusiasm quickly changed when the part about Dash’s reaction came up. She expressed her shared confusion and shock at Dash’s outrage before staying silent for the rest of the tale. “… and then Big Macintosh brought her home. She was drunker than a hobo in a Manehatten park. Not only that, but she cried in her sleep last night and kept saying she was sorry to somepony named Spectrum. Ah ain’t no detective, but Ah think that pony’s related to all this somehow. If Ah can either get Dash to come clean with me on what her deal is or find out who Spectrum is, Ah might be able to help her.”
“I’m really sorry I can’t help you find this pony, Applejack,” apologized Pinkie, frowning. She quickly replaced it with a look of determination. “But I’ll keep looking! I’ll find out more about this Spectrum even if I have to search all of Equestria!”
“Thanks, sugarcube. Maybe there are other ponies Dash knows that Ah can talk to; they might have more information,” reasoned Applejack.
Pinkie suddenly gasped. “Fluttershy!”
“Yeah, Fluttershy would be a good start,” said Applejack, nodding. Pinkie then put her hooves on Applejack’s head and forced her to turn around. Right by the front of the door was the said pegasus, who was looking at her friends with a puzzled expression. “Fluttershy!”
“Um, yes? Is something wrong?” asked Fluttershy, nervously shifting her hooves.
Applejack turned the rest of her body and walked up to her shy friend. “Thank goodness Ah found ya. Listen, Ah need yer help. Can ya tell me who Spectrum is?”
Neither Applejack nor Pinkie Pie expected Fluttershy to gasp and put her hooves to her mouth. Her eyes widened and began to get misty. She slowly removed her hooves from her snout and gulped. “H-how do y-you know that n-name?”
Hesitantly, Applejack proceeded to tell the same story all over again; only this time, Fluttershy’s expression got worse as it went on. It was like she wanted to start crying, but was holding herself back as hard as she could. When it got to the point where Rainbow Dash said she wasn’t worthy of a foal, that was the last straw. Fluttershy fell to her ground, burying her head into her hooves as her sobs echoed across the store. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were stunned at first, but quickly comforted the crying mare, letting her rest on their shoulders.
When she finally stopped, Fluttershy begged Applejack to continue the story, and when it was finished she stared at the ground in silence. Nopony said anything, not even the twins, who were peeking out of the backdoor to see the source of the commotion. Finally, Applejack heard Fluttershy mumble, “Even after all these years... she still blames herself…”
“Fluttershy,” addressed Applejack, getting her attention. “Ya know who Spectrum is, right?”
Fluttershy slowly nodded. “Yes, but I can’t tell you.” Applejack opened her mouth to argue, but Fluttershy interrupted her. “I promised Dash long ago to never talk about him! She made me swear to never mention him to anypony here in Ponyville. I can’t do that to her, Applejack. I just can’t!”
Applejack faintly heard Pinkie mumble “...forever...,” but ignored it. As much as she wanted to press the issue further, one look at Fluttershy’s face and even she couldn’t find it in her heart to argue. She only nodded and thanked her friend before heading towards the door. Just as she was about to leave, Fluttershy called out, “Applejack! Please… please take care of her.”
Applejack nodded again, before stepping out into the street. She wasn’t going back to work this time, though. She was heading home for a confrontation.
***
It took a lot of aspirin, a cold shower, and some of the funky homemade energy drink that Spitfire gave her the recipe to before Rainbow Dash could feel the last of her hangover fade away. Lying on the couch, clutching her head, she thought, When in the seven layers of Tartarus did I drink so much? Oh, right… last night….
Admittedly, she could have handled the situation better. It just happened so fast that Rainbow Dash didn’t know what to think. Her? With foals? It couldn’t happen. It could never happen. Not after—Rainbow Dash clenched her eyes shut and shook her head. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.
Besides, she made her statement clear last night. She didn’t want foals, or the responsibility. Yet she knew Applejack wasn’t going to give up on this easily. Earth ponies were very stubborn in their nature, and Apples were the most stubborn of them all. There was also the fact that Applejack really sounded like she wanted foals and Rainbow Dash would be the first to agree that she would make a good mother.
She touched the locket of hair around her neck, a small smile stretching her lips. After her proposal, Applejack insisted on doing something similar and used a bit of her mane instead of a feather. It was the best gift Rainbow Dash had ever received. Applejack really was too perfect for her. She was strong, brave, kind and motherly, and could be trusted with any pony, even a foal.
Dash just couldn’t trust herself with a foal. Not after—Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.
She had to be strong. She had to be vigilant. She swore long ago that she would pay for her mistake and this was the price. Even if it meant hurting Applejack, she wouldn’t allow herself to fail and have somepony else get hurt because of her.
The door opened and shut, alerting Dash to Applejack’s arrival. She turned to the clock and gulped. It was way too early for Applejack to be done working at the farm. Doing her best to keep calm, Rainbow Dash forced a smile as Applejack walked in. Just the firm look on her face was enough to let Dash know that this conversation was not going to be pleasant.
The two of them stared at each other, silence between them. Clearing her throat, Rainbow Dash inquired, “Um, aren’t you supposed to be working in the fields?”
“Took the day off,” declared Applejack, ignoring Dash’s shocked expression. “Besides, we need to talk.”
Rainbow Dash did her best to ignore the pressing glare she was getting by giving off one of her own. “What’s there to talk about? I said no.”
“Ah know ya did, but what Ah want to know is why?” Applejack stepped forward, looking down at the squirming Rainbow Dash. “Ah’ve known ya for almost eight years, Dash. Ah’ve seen ya hang out with fillies and colts, give them rides on yer back, even save them when there was danger. Sometimes it all went to yer head, but ya always had good intentions. What difference does it make raisin’ a foal compared to spendin’ time with one?”
“It’s… it’s different,” answered Rainbow Dash, looking away. She had to give reasons; any reason except for the real one. “You have to constantly keep watch over them. They want attention all the time and they cry, scream, poop, and more. They’re expensive and sometimes they can drive you up the wall. Besides, I’m working seven months a year out of town. It wouldn’t be right to let him or her wonder why their other parent is never around most of their life. It’s a bad lifestyle.”
Rainbow Dash wanted to pat herself on the back, but then Applejack stepped forward, shaking her head. “Well, let me tell ya somethin’. First off, Ah agree with the watchin’, but there are two of us so that means four eyes. Attention? Yes, they need attention all the time, but Ah remember a certain pegasus who was always tryin’ to get everypony to focus on her whenever she was in the air. But ya knew at times to give attention to those that needed it, like Scootaloo. Besides, yer like a big sister to her in some ways.”
“I… I’m not!” screamed Rainbow Dash, taking the earth pony by surprise. The thought of such a thing scared her. “Scootaloo and I are… we’re just friends who like flying, nothing more.”
Applejack was obviously surprised by that statement, but Rainbow Dash couldn’t think why. Scootaloo was cool and she knew the young flier admired her, but it wasn’t like either of them thought of each other as sisters. Nothing like that. Nothing like that.
Applejack fumbled with her wording a bit before she continued, “M-moving on… we all were foals once, sugarcube. We did our cryin’, dirtyin’ diapers, and made our messes. But you took care of Tank for four years, right? Wasn’t that similar? Cleanin’ up and takin’ care of him?” A small twinge of sadness pressed against Dash’s chest. She missed that old tortoise.
Applejack sat down next to Rainbow Dash, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “As for our jobs? Mah Pa used to leave town all the time to sell his apples to other towns. Sometimes we wouldn’t see in for months, but he still raised us right. All three of us turned out alright and Ah’m sure our foal would be the same. Besides, Big Macintosh and the other boys can handle the farm without me. Ah don’t mind becomin’ a stay-at-home mother fer a few years.”
“Y-you’d give up applebucking… just to raise a foal?” asked Rainbow Dash, mouth slightly open. Just how serious is she?!
“Ah love farmin’. Ah’ll love it ‘till Ah die. But there are two things Ah love more than that,” said Applejack, leaning closer and kissing Rainbow Dash on the lips. “Mah wife, and the thought of havin’ a family with her.”
“Applejack…,” whispered Rainbow Dash, staring into her passionate emerald gaze. Rainbow Dash tried to think of a counter-argument, but she came up blank. She couldn’t help but admire Applejack’s willingness to sacrifice so much to raise a foal; even she was starting to believe that both of them could really do it. Yet there was a part of her mind that was screaming; screaming to remember what happened years ago. A furious storm Terrified screams for help. A tragedy that shattered her family forever. She shut her eyes and gritted her teeth. Don’t think about it! Don’t think about it!
As if sensing her discomfort, Applejack hugged Rainbow Dash and slowly cradled her. “Dash, ya can tell me anythin’. Ah know somethin’ is botherin’ ya, just please let me help ya.” Rainbow Dash didn’t respond except to writhe in Applejack’s grip, trying to fight off the old horrors buried deep in her mind.
Sighing, Applejack asked, “Who’s Spectrum?”
And then it all came back to her. Every memory she had of him. Every laugh, cry, and funny face he had made went through her head in a split second. She could remember his smile. Even his last smile, as he struggled to keep his eyes open while she shook him over and over again, blood covering her hooves. Nine years of repressed memories returned to her as a single name echoed in her mind.
Spectrum.
She tore herself from Applejack’s grasp. Running to their bedroom where she shut the door, ignoring the knocking and pleading from Applejack, who she hated more than anything else in the world at that moment. “Leave me alone! I hate you! Just leave me alone!”
The knocking stopped. Dash held her breath as she heard the sound of hooves clopping away. When there was only silence, Dash let down her defenses and cried without any restraint. She stomped around the room, grabbing photos and other objects and smashing them against the wall. I couldn’t save him! I couldn’t save him! Why couldn’t I save him?!
She sat down and huddled next to the bed, rocking herself back and forth as the memories played in her mind over and over again. The first time she held him, looking into his curious grey eyes. She could remember him finally flying in the air after months of practice, the smile on his face beaming with joy. The first Wonderbolts show they attended together. His first day of school. All the times they played together, all the times they laughed together.
Then she remembered his last birthday, and the scarf she’d given him as a present. He loved that scarf so much; he wore around his neck all the time, even in his sleep. She could still remember it—bright blue with gold lettering that traced out the name of his favorite Wonderbolt at the time: Jetpack. Her heart clenched upon remembering the last time she saw it. So much blood… so much red…
She screamed. She screamed like she had never screamed before.
***
It was horrible. Just hearing her scream and cry made Applejack wonder if heaven itself had fallen and the cries of angels were what she was hearing. Tears dripped down Applejack’s eyes as the screaming continued. She may not have created that scream, a scream that seemed to have been repressed for Celestia knows how long, yet she was the one that allowed it to resurface. She was responsible for making her wife cry.
So much pain. So much regret in the yells that that she didn’t know it was possible to feel such anguish. It made any pain she knew personally pale in comparison; she hadn’t even felt this much pain when she lost her parents and grandparents.
The foals didn’t matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore except helping Rainbow Dash. She didn’t care if her dream never came true; she only wanted to save her love from whatever this pain was that she had been holding onto for so long. She wanted to smash down the door and help Rainbow, but she had done enough damage for one day. Walking back to the couch, Applejack sat down and waited.
The screaming lasted all afternoon and into the night. Eventually it stopped, but Applejack’s tears did not.
***
It was so peaceful, sitting up on the clouds and watching them fly by without a care. Rainbow Dash never got tired of it, and she was certain the little fella in her forelegs was enjoying them just as much too. She smiled as a small, light blue hoof rose out of the blanket that covered his entire body. Pressing her snout against the hoof, she stuck out her tongue and made other funny faces, making the foal in her arms laugh.
With a hearty smile, she gently cradled him in her arms. Her peaceful moment came to an end as she felt the wind starting to blow more harshly against her face. Wincing, she held the baby closer to her chest as her instincts began to warn her of impending danger. The clouds were starting to turn grey, the ongoing rumbling in the distance sending shivers down her spine. Gulping, Dash flapped her wings and flew into the skies, keeping a tight grip on the baby. He was still cooing, not knowing the possible danger that was creeping up on them.
His tone changed when the first lightning bolt nearly struck Rainbow Dash, and he began to cry as loudly as the coming storm. Senses on full alert, Dash kicked it into overdrive and flew as fast as she could, holding the baby even closer. Lightning crackled through the air, the flashes occasionally blinding her at times, but still she kept her focus. Thunder roared like demons from the depths of the underworld as the wind ripped off a few of her feathers. Despite the harshness of the elements, she pressed on.
She didn’t know how long she kept flying, but time didn’t matter, only a way out of this danger did. Suddenly, the wind seemed to increase its power ten times, quickly becoming too much for Dash to handle. Gritting her teeth, she flapped her wings to the point where she felt they were on fire, but she still couldn’t proceed forward. To her horror, her grip on the foal was starting to loosen, the wind assisting in her baby’s potential doom. This small distraction was enough to break her concentration and she found herself tumbling in the air as the winds swirled her around like a ragdoll. Her legs lost their grip and the blanketed foal was sent careening into the swirling storm. Rainbow Dash screamed and reached out in a futile effort to catch him, but he was beyond her reach.
The blanket was blown away, revealing a young colt with a rainbow-colored mane. The blue and yellow scarf wrapped around his neck flapped in the air as the terrifying winds continued to blow him away. He reached out with his tiny legs, grey eyes glowing with fear. “Rainbow Dash!”
***
“Spectrum! Noooo!”
Applejack shot out of her sleep in a second, making a beeline for the bedroom.
“No! No! Come back, Spectrum! Don’t leave me!”
The only thing standing between Applejack and Rainbow Dash was a single door. Too bad for it.
Applejack bucked the door, smashing it off its hinges. She found Rainbow Dash screaming and struggling on the bed as if she was possessed. Applejack dived forward and held onto her love, struggling against her unconscious flailing.
“Rainbow Dash! Wake up! It’s me! Applejack! Yer safe! Yer safe, surgarcube!” shouted Applejack, trying to reach out to the hysterical pegasus.
Rainbow Dash quickly opened her eyes and took deep breaths, taking in where she was. She slowly looked up and saw the most gentle and caring green eyes she had ever seen. Her body went limp as she leaned against Applejack’s chest, tears dampening her pelt. Applejack held on to her, whispering, “It’s okay,” and, “Ah’m here,” while kissing her face.
“Spectrum… I’m so sorry… I failed you… I failed you…” whispered Rainbow Dash.. “I could have saved you, Spectrum…”
Applejack continued to hold on to her wife, never letting go even when exhaustion took the pegasus and she went back to sleep. It was only when Dash was out of it that Applejack let herself cry.
***
Another night of no sleep, but Applejack couldn’t care less about that. She was now in full-on spouse protection mode, and she was going to get her answers one way or another. Leaving a sleeping Rainbow Dash at home, she marched out of the house and galloped towards Fluttershy’s house, near the edge of the Everfree Forest.
She didn’t care if Fluttershy had made a promise or not. This was her wife who was suffering and she didn’t care if it was something even Princess Celestia didn’t want Applejack to know. Last night she held a broken and emotionally damaged pegasus that looked like she had seen a ghost come back to haunt her. It would be a dark, cold day before she had to see that again. It was time for answers.
Applejack marched up to the front door of Fluttershy’s house and banged on it. A familiar squeak later, Applejack saw Fluttershy open the door and peek outside. Not in the mood for games, Applejack pushed the door wide open and marched in, forcing a startled Fluttershy to step back, quivering as if she were under the gaze of a dragon.
“Fluttershy, Ah need to know who Spectrum is. Now,” demanded Applejack, narrowing her eyes. A part of her regretted doing this to her gentle-hearted friend, but she would apologize later.
“I-I can’t… I…” mumbled Fluttershy. She gasped as Applejack took her by the hooves and forced her to look her straight in the eye.
“Listen to me, Fluttershy. Ah know ya made a promise, but last night Rainbow Dash had a nightmare about this Spectrum pony and she nearly ripped our bed apart. She was screamin’ so loud the dead could have heard her,” ranted Applejack. “She was cryin’, Fluttershy. Cryin’! How often have ya ever seen Rainbow Dash cry? She never does it if she can help it, but last night she was gushin’ out like a waterfall and Ah had to spend all night comfortin’ her. She never stopped wailin’; even when she fell asleep she was mumbling Spectrum’s name and Ah have never felt more useless than Ah have now!”
Applejack removed her hooves and lowered her head, bowing before a stunned Fluttershy. “Please, Fluttershy. Help me. Ah wanna help Rainbow Dash. Ah wanna help the mare Ah love. Just please…”
She held her position for as long as possible, waiting and praying for an answer; then, she heard a single small mutter. “Her brother.”
Applejack’s eyes widened as she looked up at a saddened Fluttershy. “Spectrum… was Rainbow Dash’s younger brother… he died nine years ago.”
The first thing that Rainbow Dash had hoped to feel the moment she woke up was the smooth, warm coat of Applejack. Instead, she woke up to find herself alone in the house. Flashbacks to last night’s ordeal came back to her in an instant and Dash found herself wiping her eyes in frustration. Applejack knew who Spectrum was, or at least would soon find out if she had the name to go by.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard her little brother’s name, not even in her own mind. She had spent years trying to repress the memory of her lost brother. Looking at little fillies and colts was a nightmare at first and she did little to interact with them. It was only when she started doing her tricks in Ponyville that she started to slowly gain back confidence, but made sure to never let anypony get too close. At least until she met Scootaloo.
Now that she really thought about it, Scootaloo and Spectrum were a lot alike. Maybe she unconsciously found herself attracted to the little squirt who she had come to see as a good friend and student. She knew Scootaloo liked to think of them as sisters, but Dash never called their relationship such, mostly out of fear.
I’m not worthy of being called a sister. I lost the right to that title years ago, she thought as she slowly got up and made her way towards the kitchen.
Pouring herself some coffee, Dash began to think over her options. After last night’s fiasco, Rainbow was certain her wife wasn’t planning to drop this anytime soon. Just thinking about Applejack made her want to throw her cup against the wall while also wanting to embrace her. She had no business looking into my past. I can’t believe she would do all that just so she can have a few brats. She winced upon realizing what she had just thought. No, Dash. She’s doing this out of concern for you. After all, you’ve been acting like a jerk... again. She deserves to know the truth.
The big question was: did Rainbow Dash want to remember it? She closed her eyes and shivered. She could still hear the cries of her little brother, begging for her to rescue him. His eyes were full of terror, yet there was still hope inside. Hope that his big sister would come and rescue him like always. That hope had never come. She had been too late. Too slow. Too weak. She slowly opened her eyes and gasped.
Blood.
Her hooves were covered with blood.
Feeling her heart ready to rip out of her chest, she flew to the sink and started washing vigorously. Why won’t come off! Why won’t it come off!
A knock on the door alerted Dash to company. When she turned back to her hooves, she was stunned to find all the blood gone. She shook her head and cursed her restless state before heading for the door, expecting it to be Applejack. Instead her visitor was Scootaloo, whose smile quickly turned to a frown.
“Rainbow Dash? What happened? Did you have a rough night?” asked Scootaloo, entering the house.
“Something like that...” muttered Rainbow Dash, closing the door.
The two of them walked towards the table and sat down, Rainbow Dash struggling to keep herself awake. Scootaloo bit her lip. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can come back later if you want.”
“No, don’t worry about it... just tell me why you're here.”
Scootaloo blushed. “Well, it’s more like I want to give you something, actually.”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow and noticed that Scootaloo had brought two wrapped boxes with her. They were no bigger than her hoof and weren’t wrapped in expensive paper, though one of them had a tag with her name on it. Curious, she pulled over the one addressed to her and slowly opened the wrapping. Taking the top of the box off, Rainbow Dash gasped upon seeing what was inside. She slowly took out the box and stared at the silver bracelet that was just her size. But it wasn’t the jewelry itself that had taken her by surprise, it was the writing that was inscribed on it that made her heart stop: ‘Big Sister Forever’.
“I’ve been saving my money on these for a while,” said Scootaloo, while putting on a matching bracelet that said ‘Little Sister Forever’. “I wanted to give you these at the party, but Derpy got the mail mixed up again. I hope you like them.”
“Big... sister...” said Dash, staring at the words.
“Yeah, it’s what I think of you,” said Scootaloo with a soft smile. “You’ve been there for me when I needed you, unlike my parents who are always working. You taught me how to fly and it’s thanks to you that I got my cutie mark. And I’d like to think that I’m a little sister to you... big sis.”
Rainbow Dash didn’t raise her head, nor did she say anything in acknowledgement to Scootaloo’s claim. Scootaloo just sat there waiting for an answer or something from her idol, but Dash didn’t know what to say. All she could do was stare at those three words that sent a chill down her spine. A big... sister...
Closing her eyes, Dash put the bracelet back in its box, much to Scootaloo’s confusion. With a deep sigh, she said, “Scootaloo... I can’t accept it.”
The expression on Scootaloo’s face made it clear this wasn’t what she was expecting. Her mouth opened a few times before she finally found her voice. “W-why?! Is something wrong? Should I have gotten gold instead of silver?”
Dash shook her head. “No. I’m just not worthy of being your big sister, and you shouldn’t see me as one. I’m not really a good role model for that kind of title.”
“No way!” shouted Scootaloo, standing up and slamming her forehooves on the table. “You deserve it more than anypony I know! You went on camping trips with me! We flew together and performed for Ponyville! You even visited me in the hospital when I got sick or injured all the time!”
“I was doing that because I was your friend,” emphasized Rainbow Dash, gritting her teeth. She put her hooves over her eyes and sighed. “I’m sorry... I really am, but I can’t be your big sister... I’m not worthy of it. Trust me... “
Scootaloo just stood there, her face showing both confusion and hurt. Sniffling, she calmly took both boxes, but stopped and left Dash’s back on the table. When Dash looked at her, Scootaloo answered. “It was still a gift... and I want you to keep it. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Scoots...”
Scootaloo said nothing, hiding her face behind her mane. Making her way towards the door, she opened it and took a deep breath. “I guess I’ll see you around, friend.”
Reaching out with her hoof, Rainbow Dash tried to say something, but the door shut before she could utter a single syllable. She stared at the door for a long time as the gift she had been given sat there, mocking her.
***
Ah’m such a fool, thought Applejack as she made her way down the road towards home. Fluttershy refused to tell her any more than she had, but Applejack knew more than enough. Now she was mentally berating herself for not noticing the signs earlier. Having known the pain of losing a loved one early in her life, Applejack should have figured out the truth on her own. Losin’ her brother and blamin’ herself... sounds a lot like how Mac and Ah felt when Ma and Pa died... and with Granny Smith.
There was nothing else left to do but tell Rainbow Dash of what she knew. Maybe it would make her wife tell the whole story or maybe it would just enrage her even more. But Applejack was willing to take that chance. The talk of foals didn’t matter anymore, and she cursed herself for not letting the subject go nor dealing it delicately. Ah got so blindsided about havin’ foals that Ah ignored Dash’s feelin’s...
But not anymore. She was going to put her wife’s feelings first like she should have done in the first place. Upon arriving at the front door, she opened it and was surprised to find Dash on one of the seats at the table, looking even more crestfallen than before. Applejack stepped inside and cleared her throat to get Dash’s attention. “Hey.”
“Hey...” whispered Rainbow Dash before staring back at the ground. Applejack walked over and grabbed another seat, sitting right next to Dash, who flinched when she felt her wife’s leg over her shoulders. “I’m sorry... for everything...”
“It’s alright, Ah’m sorry too...” said Applejack with a nuzzle and a kiss on the cheek.
“I messed up. I did something... stupid...” said Rainbow Dash, biting her lip.
“It’s alright...”
The two of them just sat there in silence. It was like the wall that they had built between them over the past two days had suddenly crumbled. Neither of them were in the mood to fight anymore, and the truth was now out for all to see. Applejack opened her mouth to say something, but paused and closed it. She had to be patient now and let Dash start first.
Eventually, her waiting paid off as Dash asked, “How much do you know?”
“Ah know that Spectrum was yer brother. And Ah know that he died...” answered Applejack.
“Fluttershy told you, right?” Rainbow Dash slowly lifted her face towards Applejack, who nodded. “Figures, she’s the only one who knew.”
“Dash... if ya don’t want to talk about it now, Ah can wait,” said Applejack, hugging her even tighter. “All that matters to me now is makin’ ya feel better, sugarcube. Ah don’t care about foals or whatnot, just helpin’ ya smile again.”
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and let a few more tears trip down before nodding. “No... I’ll tell you everything...”
***
Rainbow Dash wouldn’t consider herself a lazy pony. Sure, she had habit of sleeping a lot and never really doing anything she didn’t like that involved much effort, but she was still as active as could be. She practiced her flying every day and often went to play hoofball or another sport with some of her pegasus friends in Cloudsdale’s park. And when she really wanted to, she could push other ponies better than any military instructor in the Equestrian Army.
“I said flap those wings! And make sure to glide when diving, rookie!” shouted Rainbow Dash, glaring at the blue speck above her. She smirked as he fumbled around a bit before obeying her orders and starting to glide downward. Dash’s smile soon was replaced with a gasp as the speeding blur headed straight towards her. It crashed into her before she could get out of the way, sending the two of them tumbling across the cloudy ground, taking a huge chunk of it with them that left a giant furrow carved into the surface.
Rainbow Dash moaned, as did a tiny colt who had a coat almost exactly like hers, only a little darker. His mane and tail also possessed all seven colors of the rainbow, but his style was more zigzagged and ruffled even worse than his sister’s. Spectrum raised his head and wobbled off his older sister, trying to stop his eyes from rolling around in his head. After a simple shake, he quickly checked his blue and yellow scarf that had the word ‘Wonderbolts’ embroidered on it along with their trademark logo.
Rolling her eyes, Rainbow Dash said, “Don’t worry about me! I’m just feeling like my insides have collapsed inside of my ribcage. Oh no, the scarf is more important.”
Spectrum snorted and smiled, letting his scarf proudly flap in the wind. “Oh, please. You’ve taken worse hits. Remember that time you crashed into the mayor’s building when you tried to copy the Loom of Doom?”
“Oh Celestia, don’t remind me,” moaned Rainbow Dash as she got up. “Mom was so furious that she ordered me to work part-time at the Weather Factory to pay for the damages! I had to spend all summer there!”
“At least Dad managed to get you that job. It was that or working at the Waste Disposal Center,” laughed Spectrum, watching Rainbow Dash shiver at the prospect. When he calmed down, Spectrum proceeded to hop around and flap his wings with an eager smile on his face. “So how did I do, Dash?! Was I awesome?! Did you see me do those two flips from earlier?! Huh?!”
Placing her hoof on chin, Rainbow Dash proceeded to hum to herself. “Well, your brakes obviously need work and your turns are pretty poor.” She did her best to hold in a snicker as her brother pouted. “But you’ve got as much speed as I did at your age and you’ve got some slick moves. I’d say you’re ready for Flight Camp next week.”
“Yahoo!” screamed Spectrum, flinging his forelegs in the air. “I’m gonna be the best in the entire school! Maybe I’ll even find my cutie mark like you did! Or even better, do a Sonic Rainboom!”
“Woah, kiddo. Take it one at a time,” chuckled Dash. “Make sure to remember the first mare to do that move in nearly a thousand years!”
“Oh, I won’t forget!” said Spectrum, grinning. “But I bet I’ll do so great I’ll probably get selected to join the Wonderbolts before you do!”
“Oh, is that so?” asked Dash, inching herself forward. Her face soon became serious as she bent her neck to put her muzzle only an inch from her brother’s face. “But did you know that to do that you have to pass a test first?”
“T-test? What test?” asked Spectrum.
“It’s called the... tickle test!” In an instant, Rainbow Dash grabbed Spectrum and proceeded to tickle him with her hooves. Spectrum roared with laughter as he tried squirming out of his sister’s grasp, but utterly failed to do so.
Pounding the cloud, he cried out, “D-Dash! Hahaha! Stop-p! Wahaha! I give! I g-give!”
“Say the magic words first, kiddo!” ordered Dash as she tickled him even faster.
“O-okay! Dash is awesome! Dash is awesome!”
Upon hearing this, Rainbow Dash let go of her brother, who rolled onto his stomach to catch his breath. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Spectrum looked up and gave his sister a cheeky raspberry to which she responded with one of her own. After blowing a few more, while making funny faces at each other, the two laughed a bit longer before sitting down, exhausted. They turned to watch the sunset for a few seconds until Dash said, “Ah, ponyfeathers. We gotta get home or Mom’s gonna chew us out again.”
Getting back onto all fours, Rainbow Dash lowered her upper body so that Spectrum could get on and wrap his hooves around her neck. Grinning, he said, “Betcha can’t get home in under two minutes.”
“You’re on!” shouted Dash, who took off in a flash.
She made her way from the outskirts of Cloudsdale, which was always the best place to practice without disturbances, towards the cloudy skyscrapers in the center. Within seconds, they made it into the more populated areas, just barely brushing against passing buildings and other pegasi who were flying nearby. Rainbow Dash didn’t give them a second thought as she pushed herself towards a small cloud home only a few blocks away.
As she touched down Dash raised her head to celebrate her achievement, only to find a very angry mare waiting for her just outside the front door. “Rainbow Dash!” screamed her mother, Firefly, who looked ready to kick her daughter off the clouds and sent down into the earth. “How many times have I told you not to use your full speed in town! Do you want to get another complaint from our neighbors?! And what about your brother?! What would have happened if he got hurt?! Or both of you?!”
“Relax, Mom,” said Rainbow Dash, rubbing her neck. “It’s not like anything happened.”
“Yeah! Besides, I can take any danger! I’m not some baby anymore! I’m a real stallion!” said Spectrum, puffing his chest out.
Firefly shook her head and moaned. “Sometimes I wonder where you two get this cocky attitude of yours from.”
“I seem to recall a certain sky racer who always liked to, and I quote, ‘live for the moment and forget the consequences’?” said a stallion who appeared behind his blushing wife from inside the house and kissed her on the cheek. Rainbow Streak shook his head. “They may have gotten most of my looks, but all that behavior is from you, babe.”
Flushing even redder, Firefly glared at her smirking husband and snickering children before turning away with a huff. “Honestly, it’s like I’m the only sensible one in this household. Just come inside and have dinner already.”
The other three looked at each other and shrugged before following her inside. They reached the dining room table and sat down as Firefly brought in a bowl full to the brim with spaghetti and mushrooms. Everypony licked their chops before digging in. Rainbow Dash began sucking up hers like a vacuum cleaner, giving a satisfied sigh of approval after the first bite. “This is awesome, Mom! Where did you learn how to make this?”
“You can thank your friend Fluttershy for it. She taught me her family’s recipe before she moved to that town on the surface,” answered Firefly.
A small gasp was heard as Rainbow Dash grinned, knowing only one pony who could find this such a shocking revelation. Turning to her right, she saw Spectrum look at the spaghetti with wide eyes, gazing at it like it was food given from the gods themselves. With a soft blush, he continued eating his meal. “Well, you know what they say,” he murmured, after swallowing a large portion. “The more lovely the mare, the better the dish.”
“Oh, so when you and Fluttershy marry you’re gonna want her to cook for you every day, huh?” teased Rainbow Dash, making her brother blush even more. He responded with a blow to the foreleg, to which Dash gave a bop on the head in retaliation. The two raised their hooves to continue, but a glare from both of their parents quickly put a stop to their actions.
“Anyway,” continued Firefly, “I was going to tell you, Rainbow, that she sent a letter to you this morning. It’s on the counter in the kitchen.”
Rainbow quickly got out of her seat, only to reappear a split second later. Opening the letter, she quickly read it while Spectrum tried to look over her shoulder. “What’s it say? Did she ask about me? Is she doing well in her new home?” begged Spectrum.
Rainbow Dash was about to answer when an idea struck her and she quickly grinned. Faking a gasp, she said, “Oh my gosh! Fluttershy says she met a handsome stallion who’s rich and plans to marry him soon! They’re even talking about foals!”
She turned around and started laughing her tail off at Spectrum’s expression, which looked like he had been told there was no such thing as Santa Hooves. Slamming his head on the table, he started pounding his hooves on it. “Noooo! Why is fate so cruel!”
“Relax, Romeo. I was kidding,” giggled Rainbow Dash, ignoring her brother’s death glare. “She’s only written to tell me that there’s an open position on her town’s weather team, and she wants to know if I‘d like to come over to try for the job.”
“Well, I think you should try it,” said Firefly with a nod. “After all, you graduated three months ago and have yet to get a single job to support yourself. It’s time for you to leave the nest, as it were.”
Rainbow Dash groaned and rested her head on her hoof, supported by her elbow on the table. “Yeah, yeah. I know. You don’t need to remind me every day, Mom.”
“You know, Dash, I could get you back your old job at the Weather Factory. I know a few guys who owe me some favors,” pointed out Rainbow Streak.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” answered Dash. “At least as a weather pony I can practice my skills in flying, instead of being in some desk job like you do. Uh, no offense.”
“None taken.”
“And besides, I hear Ponyville, or whatever it’s called, has a lot of open space. Perfect for me to do my awesome tricks! Maybe I’ll even gain a fan following!”
“Can I come too?!” asked Spectrum. “I really want to see Fluttershy again! And besides, I’ve never been to the surface before! It sounds so weird, but cool!”
Firefly bit her lip. “I don’t know...”
“Please!” begged both siblings.
Firefly turned to her husband, who chuckled and nodded. Sighing, Firefly said, “Alright, you can go too, Spectrum.”
Spectrum punched the air with his hoof. “Alright! We’re gonna show those Ponyville fillies and colts who the most awesomest and fastest siblings in Equestria are!”
Rainbow Dash grinned and raised her hoof as well. “Yup! The Amazing and Awesome Rainbow Duo! Future stars of the Wonderbolts!”
“Booya!” they shouted in unison, slapping their hooves together while their parents looked on with amusement.
“You two remind me of myself so much it really does scare me,” chuckled Firefly before turning serious. “Rainbow, just be sure to watch out for your brother. He’s your responsibility.”
“And be sure to come home before the end of the afternoon,” urged Rainbow Streak. “Tomorrow there's gonna be a big storm coming, so be sure to be careful.”
“I will, guys. Just relax,” said Rainbow Dash with a smile. “Everything’s gonna be just fine.”
***
One of the disadvantages of having a cloud floor was anypony could sneak up on you during the night. It was only thanks to the fact that Rainbow had such a messy room that she was able to hear somepony step on her action figures and yip in pain. Rubbing her eyes, Rainbow Dash looked over the side of her bed and saw Spectrum lifting his hoof while blushing. She chuckled at the sight of seeing his Wonderbolt scarf still around his neck.
“What’s up, Spectrum? Wet your bed again?” joked Rainbow Dash.
“No!” shouted Spectrum, only to cover his mouth. The two siblings held their breath for any sign of their parents waking up, sighing in relief when they heard nothing. Spectrum nervously shifted his hoof on the floor. “I... I had a bad dream and I-I wanted to make sure you were still here.”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow and sat straight up. “What are you talking about?”
“I dreamed that we were flying, you know, like how we promised and everything. But then you went faster than me and I couldn’t keep up. I kept calling your name, but you were gone. You just left me alone and I didn’t know what to do,” muttered Spectrum.
Frowning, Rainbow Dash leaned over and picked her brother up. Tilting his chin up with a hoof, she said, “Listen. I will never abandon you. You’re my brother and one of my best friends. If there is one thing Rainbow Dash doesn’t do it’s leave her friends and family hanging. You and me are gonna be wingponies forever. We’re gonna be Wonderbolts together. We’re gonna be the greatest fliers in history together.” Spectrum smiled and wrapped Dash in a bone-crushing hug. Although she felt a bit embarrassed by how ‘mushy’ this was, she decided to follow through with her feelings and hugged him back. Breaking the embrace, she raised her hoof and grinned. “The Amazing and Awesome Rainbow Duo! Future stars of the Wonderbolts!”
Spectrum grinned as well and raised his hoof to slap his sister’s, both of them crying out, “Booya!”
“Rainbow! Spectrum! Get your flanks back in bed!” shouted Firefly from the other side of the hall.
“Sorry, Mom!” they responded in tandem. As Dash got ready to cover herself with the blankets again, Spectrum tapped her shoulder.
“Um, Dash? Can I stay with you for the night?” asked Spectrum.
Rainbow was ready to dismiss this, saying he was old enough for his own bed, but quickly found herself going against every little filly and colt’s special technique: the puppy eyes. Rainbow Dash tried to cover her own, but it was too late. It was like being stuck in Fluttershy’s stare; there was no escape. Reluctantly, she slid over and let a happy Spectrum take his place right next to her in the bed. The two snuggled under the covers and bid each other goodnight. Just as Dash was about to go to sleep, she heard her brother whisper, “Dash? You’re the coolest sister ever, you know that?”
Dash smiled. “Yeah, I know...”
***
The trip down to the surface wasn’t impressive for Rainbow Dash, who came down every so often. However, Spectrum, riding on Dash’s back, couldn’t stop talking about how strange everything looked as they flew across the green valleys and forests. He talked about how alien the animals and fauna were, surprised that things were so colorful and bright. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but remember herself when she was a filly and saw the ground for the first time in her life. Although, admittedly, she was more worried about Fluttershy, who had fallen down from the clouds, than anything else at that time.
After passing what looked like an apple farm, Rainbow Dash and Spectrum made it to Ponyville and were surprised to see how small it was. Then again, it looked like the kind of place that Fluttershy would like to live in.
They landed in the center of town, noticing a few ponies briefly look at them before going back to their own business. Spectrum looked at unicorns and earth ponies with wide eyes. “Woah, they looks so weird without wings.”
“Hey, be careful where you say that. You don’t wanna insult somepony, now do ya?” warned Rainbow Dash.
Spectrum nodded before he started asking more questions, such wondering what the houses were made of and why the ground felt so hard and cold. Dash tried to answer these as best as possible - occasionally making it up when she didn’t have a clear answer - while they made their way through the town. Finally, she spotted a familiar yellow pegasus who was doing her best to avoid getting in other ponies’ way.
“Fluttershy!” cried out Rainbow Dash, galloping to her oldest friend. Fluttershy spotted her and waved hello before hugging Dash.
“Rainbow, I’m so glad you came. I’m not late am I? I met this really nice bunny named Angel and he wanted to play with me so - oh dear, I’m not talking too much am I?” asked Fluttershy.
This only made Rainbow Dash laugh before slapping Fluttershy on her back, nearly causing the latter to topple over. “Still the same as ever, Fluttershy.”
Spectrum, who had been watching from a distance, slowly made his way forward. His cheeks were flushed and he was shaking so badly you would have thought an earthquake was happening. Taking a deep breath, he stuttered, “H-hi, Flut-t-tershy. R-remem-mber m-m-me?”
“Of course I do, Spectrum. How have you been doing?” asked Fluttershy with a kind smile.
Spectrum beamed before puffing out his chest. “I’m doing awesome! I’m getting ready for Flight School soon and I’ll be so good I bet I’ll be flying circles around even the instructors.”
“Oh my, you sound very confident in yourself,” said Fluttershy.
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, so where’s the guy I need to see in order get that weather position?” interrupted Rainbow Dash.
“Oh, well I went to go check and it turns out she’s in a meeting with the mayor for a few hours. You’re going to have to wait.” Fluttershy slowly lowered her head and ears. “Y-you're not mad, are you?”
“Naw, I got all day to hang out. Besides, I’ve been meaning to show you some of the new moves I learned since you last saw me. Is there a place where I can practice?” asked Rainbow Dash, stretching her wings.
Fluttershy rubbed her chin in deep thought until she nodded. “Oh yes, I know. There is this nice clearing where I often go to watch butterflies. Not many ponies go there so it would be a perfect place to see you fly.”
“Sweet, let’s get going already!” cried out Rainbow Dash, zipping high into the air and flying off into a random direction. Fluttershy and Spectrum stared at the each other in amusement before Dash returned, blushing. “Um, which way was it again?”
***
It didn’t take them long to arrive at the glade with Fluttershy guiding them. When they landed, Rainbow Dash started to do a few practice stretches while the others sat down and waited. Spectrum shivered with excitement and yelled, “Hey, Rainbow Dash! Do you think you can show me your Sonic Rainboom?”
Rainbow Dash momentarily stopped her push-ups before continuing. “Uh, maybe. We’ll see.” Upon seeing the disappointed look on her brother’s face, Dash mentally berated herself. Despite her stories about the biggest, shining moment in life, she had yet to replicate the Sonic Rainboom. She had tried hundreds of times, but it always ended up with her either crashing or being thrown by the backlash of failing to break the sound barrier. Spectrum had asked multiple times to see the Sonic Rainboom, and she had had to lie multiple times to keep her pride and hero status in her brother’s eyes.
After making sure every part of her body from mane to tail was ready, Dash took a deep breath and leaped into the air. The familiar feeling of adrenaline coursed through her veins, bringing a smile to her lips as she ascended to the heavens. Her cyan wings beat the sky as she left behind her signature rainbow streak. The air started to get cooler as she rose higher and higher, a feeling she never stopped loving no matter how many times she did something like this. It was like letting yourself loose upon the world with no limits to hold you down. With her wings, Dash felt like she had the power to go wherever she wished.
Gathering her thoughts, Rainbow Dash began to ready herself and let herself stall until she hung in the air like a small, sky-blue cloud. The hands of gravity tugged gently at her as she turned her body towards the ground. The consistent downward pull assisted in Dash’s ever-accelerating dive as her colorful tail streamed out behind her. Before her fall could terminate in a bone-shattering crunch, Dash flared her wings and turned her dive into a blazingly rapid glide.
Cheers from Spectrum could be heard all across the field while Fluttershy slowly lowered her hooves from her eyes. Rainbow flew dangerously close to the ground, weaving and turning to dodge the sharp rocks and old stumps in her path. One mistake and she would be in a world of pain, but she wasn’t the least bit worried. Dash could feel the very tips of the grass blades tickling her soft underbelly, but ignored the sensation. Excitement began to swell up within Rainbow Dash as she flew upward.
The audience of two gasped and cheered together as Rainbow Dash unleashed trick after trick: corkscrews, flips, dives, and spins. She even used the clouds in her act, either by plowing right through them or bouncing off them for added speed. While performing, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel a warm glow in her chest as she glanced at Fluttershy and, more importantly, Spectrum’s joyful expressions. Except there was more than just two pegasi now.
A small group of pegasi, all around her own age, were clapping and cheering alongside her original audience, who looked surprised by their arrival. Curious, Rainbow flew herself back to the ground where the group of newcomers came forward. Leading them was a yellow-coated mare with a pink mohawk mane and ear piercings; she also had storm clouds as a cutie mark, but the strange thing was that the lighting bolts accompanying them were shooting upwards instead of downwards.
Rainbow Dash touched down on the grass as the mohawked pony grinned and raised her hoof. Although a bit surprised, Dash returned the hoof bump. “Sweet moves out there, girl. Never seen anything like that before. You new around here?”
“Uh, yeah. Well, kind of,” answered Rainbow Dash, leaning back and giving the best cool look she could come up with. “I’m from Cloudsdale, name’s Rainbow Dash. I’m out here trying for that open position on the weather team.”
“Really?” said the mohawk pegasus with a raised eyebrow. “I’m Gale Storm and I happen to be part of the team. These guys,” she nodded to the ponies behind her, “are also in too. You sound like the right kind of pony we’re looking for: fast, crazy, and cool.”
“R-really? I-I mean, yeah I am cool,” said Rainbow Dash, crossing her forelegs in an attempt at nonchalance.
“She’s really cool!” shouted Spectrum.
Gale Storm looked at the colt and snorted. “Who’s the runt?”
“Oh, that’s Spectrum, my little brother. And that’s Fluttershy,” said Rainbow Dash.
“What’s up!”
“Um... hi...”
“Yeah, whatever,” said Gale dismissively, turning her focus back to Dash. “Listen, that crazy, annoying pink pony that usually holds the parties in town has gone to her folks’ home for the weekend, so we can finally party like real adults. You seem like a cool pegasus, want to join us? We can show you around town and see what kind of other moves you got.”
“Really?! That sounds awesome,” said Rainbow Dash, wings flapping.
“Cool! We’re gonna party!” shouted Spectrum, who started pretending to play air guitar and bobbing his head.
“Uh, one thing,” said Gale, pointing towards Spectrum. “Adults only.”
Spectrum paused in his fake playing and looked up in disbelief. “What? Aw, come on. I’m old enough! Can’t I come too, Dash?”
Rainbow looked back and forth between Gale and Spectrum and bit her lip. She didn’t really want to disappoint her brother, but at the same time Gale seemed really cool and looked to be very influential among the weather ponies in Ponyville. If I play my cards right she might recommend me to the mayor.
Turning around, she faked a smile towards her brother. “Listen Spectrum. I’m just gonna be away for a few hours. Why don’t you hang around with Fluttershy for a while and I’ll come back and getcha. Deal?”
“But I wanted to hang out with you, sis!” cried Spectrum.
“I know, but I’ll come back soon! I promise!” vowed Rainbow Dash. She turned to Gale and nodded, flying after her and the rest of the weather team
Spectrum fell to his haunches and whimpered while Fluttershy walked over and nuzzled him. “It’s okay, Spectrum. I’m sure Dash will be come back for you soon. Just give her a while. Why don’t I introduce you to some of my animal friends?”
“I-I guess,” muttered Spectrum, getting up and following Fluttershy. He turned around and saw the speck that was his sister getting further and further away.
Rainbow Dash had to admit, for a bunch of country ponies they sure knew how to throw an awesome party. Gale Storm and her friends had taken her to their Weather Patrol headquarters near the edge of town and Dash couldn’t believe the size of their cloud base; it was twice as big as her own house. Once they got inside, the party quickly started with some epic-sounding music from a new artist named DJ Pon-3 and a breaking-out of drinks. Although most of her new friends were drinking harder stuff, Dash found herself really craving the apple cider that she learned was made at the apple farm she’d passed by on her way into town.
Her new friends were pretty cool, especially Gale Storm, who reminded Dash of her old high school buddy Gilda, with the only difference being their race. When asked to dance, Rainbow Dash kicked it into high gear and began showing off her moves, earning praise and cheering from the Weather Patrol team. After half an hour of non-stop dancing, Rainbow Dash took a seat down on the couch and started to recover her lost breath. Gale Storm sat down beside her with a smirk and raised her hoof. “Those were some sweet moves you got there. I wasn’t sure if you were A-class awesome, but you really know how to show off, Dash,” she said.
Rainbow Dash blushed a bit from the praise, but quickly hid it and bumped her hoof with Gale’s. “Eh, it’s nothing. What can I say? I was born awesome.” She looked around and waved her arm at the others. “So is this everypony on the team? Any others I should know about?”
Gale snorted. “Our boss, but she’s busy with the mayor. There are a few others, but they’re just a bunch of losers.”
“Well, what about your job?” asked Dash, interested in what the workload was like. “Is it hard?”
“It’s a dang bore,” growled Gale. “The only reason any of us have this this job is because of the dang economy. If I had my way I would be in Manehatten trying out for a singing career. Fortunately, no major storms hit us so we never really have to do much work. We got a lot of free time and that’s fine by us.”
“Aw come on, it’s not that bad I’m sure,” said Rainbow Dash, but Gale just huffed and turned away.
Her eyebrows then rose up a bit before she started grinning. “Hey, I think Side Wind has his eye on you.”
Tilting her head, Rainbow Dash looked back at the group of dancers and noticed that one of the males was looking at her with a lusty grin. Chuckling, she answered, “Well, he’s gonna have his hopes crushed. I fly on the other side of the track, if you know what I mean.”
She turned around to see Gale Storm licking her lips, and leaning forward close to her face. “Oh, really? Well why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
Before Dash could respond, Gale Storm had placed her lips across her own and pushed forward. Dash was shocked at first, but soon calmed down and found herself liking it, slowly pushing back. She put her hooves around around Gale’s neck as Gale pushed Rainbow Dash to the edge of the couch and started start covering her face and neck with kisses and small bites. Groaning in bliss, Rainbow let Gale work her magic as she slowly lowered her hooves, first down her back and then stopping on her backside. Gale gasped as Dash gave them a tight squeeze. Seeing an opportunity, Dash flipped their position, leaving her on top as she slid her tongue into Gale’s mouth. The two felt their muscles vie for dominance and each others taste, never caring about oxygen or their surroundings. Rainbow Dash was on cloud nine; the party, the lights, the smell of desire coming from Gale. It was like her senses were about to go overboard.
Gale soon broke up the kiss and gasped. With a grin that threatened to rip her muzzle open, she said, “Dash. My mind is telling me to grab your hot plot and buck it ‘till I’ve sucked you dry.”
Although she felt a similar feeling, Dash saw a clock out of the corner of her eye and realized she had been here for over two and half hours. Slowly getting up, Dash said, “I-I can’t, I need to pick up my brother and...”
“Forget the brat,” said Gale, reaching up and licking her chest. Dash shivered as she felt the tongue rise up and soon felt Gale’s teeth clutch at her neck like a vampire sucking for blood. “He’s with that weird pony that lives outside of town. He’ll be fine. Come on, make love to me.”
“I...” Dash hesitated, but looked around and sighed. “I guess a little longer won’t hurt.”
“Excellent,” growled Gale playfully. She then then leaned forward and whispered, “Hey, you ever had sex on your boss’ desk before?”
“N-no,” said Dash nervously.
Gale slowly got up and whipped her tail around Dash’s neck, slowly dragging her towards the hallway. Turning towards her new lover, Gale said, “Well... let’s find out.”
Dash’s wings went up in an instant as she followed Gale like a dog and its master.
***
Rainbow Dash was no stranger to rough sex. She had experimented with a lot of things, some of which would have her mother hanging her by the tips of her wings if she ever found out. But this... woah....
Holding the barely conscious Gale Storm in her hooves, she rested her head on the wood of the Weather Patrol head’s desk. She had to admit, oak was quite comfortable. Stroking the mane of her new friend-slash-lover, Rainbow Dash sighed and looked at the clock, noticing that it was getting closer and closer to the evening. She winced upon thinking of the scolding her parents were gonna give her for being out later than she expected.
This was soon forgotten as she felt a familiar pair of lips nipping her neck and slowly reaching her left cheek. Blushing, Rainbow Dash looked at a smiling Gale who asked, “Ready for round two?”
“Well, I gotta...” Rainbow tried to explain, but Gale’s kiss on the lips interrupted her. She continued on until the door was opened by one of the party ponies, who looked ready to kill something.
Gale groaned and got up to see what the big deal was. “What is it Rigid? Can’t you see we're busy?”
“There’s some brat underneath the clouds. He’s screaming at us for his ‘big sister’ to come down and take him home,” snorted the pegasus.
A foreboding chill swept through Rainbow Dash as she and Gale got off the desk, with the latter asking, “What’s he look like?”
Dash’s fears were soon doubled as Rigid looked at her. “He looks a lot like your buck buddy over here.”
***
Not good. Not good. Oh, why did he have to come here! thought Rainbow Dash as she flew down towards the ground, Gale and her posse right behind her. She had hoped to talk to him on her own, without any further embarrassment, but it seems her luck was turning in the wrong direction.
Landing on the ground she saw, much to her disappointment, that it was indeed Spectrum that was yelling for her. Upon seeing his big sister, he smiled and quickly flew towards her, wrapping his forelegs around her neck. A few snorts and giggles erupted from the older pegasi and Dash found herself blushing even redder.
“There you are, Dash!” shouted Spectrum, breaking up the hug and looking at her with his usual hero-worshiping face. “It’s been hours and I was looking all over for you!”
“W-why are you here? I thought I told you to stay with Fluttershy,” said Dash, trying to look calm and cool. She could feel Gale and the others watching her every move, as if judging her.
“Well, hanging around with Fluttershy was okay...” said Spectrum, blushing. “But I can only stand playing around with animals for so long! Besides, Mom and Dad told us we had to be home soon before that big storm came! And you know I can’t go home without you!”
Rainbow Dash tried to say something, but one of the pegasi from the weather team snorted. “Oh this is rich, she’s gotta go play babysitter for this little twerp or else she’ll get in trouble with mommy and daddy.”
“So lame,” said somepony else.
“Totally.”
Unfortunately, Spectrum heard this and glared at the bigger ponies. “Hey! I’m not a baby or a twerp! And my sister isn’t lame! She’s the coolest pegasus in the world!”
“Spectrum, enough!” shouted Rainbow Dash, but the damage was already done.
Gale Storm walked over and gave an amused smile at both siblings. “So, Rainbow Dash, this is your kid brother, huh? Looks a bit of a pipsqueak for a flyer.”
“Hey! I may be small, but I can fly better than anypony at my age! Plus, I’d rather be a pipsqueak then a medusa like you!” growled Spectrum.
“Ooooooooohhhhh!” said the crowd, which made Gale’s smile quickly turn into a snarl. Rainbow Dash was sweating as her newest friend gave her the evil eye.
“Hey, Dash,” muttered Gale, stepping forward with a glare as sharp as a dagger. “Your little punk of a brother had better shut his trap. Now take him out of here so he can go pretend he’s a Wonderbolt in his happy little fantasy land back home instead of wearing that stupid scarf of his.”
Rainbow Dash gulped as she tried to find some way out of her dilemma. On one hoof, her brother was being picked on and was looking to her for some kind of defense. On the other hoof, she didn’t want to look uncool in front of Gale Storm and the other pegasi. At least things can’t get any worse.
Just as she thought that, Spectrum rushed between both Gale and Rainbow and looked up defiantly at the older pony. “I’m gonna be a real Wonderbolt, along with my sister! We’ll be so amazing that both of us will be doing sonic rainbooms!”
This got the entire pegasi posse to laugh as they looked at each other before pointing at Spectrum like he was a bad comedy act. Spectrum squirmed a bit, but still stood strong as Rainbow Dash facehoofed. Gale, chuckling so much she could barely stand, took a deep breath and relaxed. “A sonic rainboom?! Brat, that move is only a myth and nopony can even do something so impossible. Quit dreaming while you're ahead.”
Spectrum only smirked, “It’s not a myth!” She then pointed at Rainbow Dash, who froze in terror. “My big sister did it when she was just a filly!”
Oh, buck me... thought Rainbow Dash as every eye in the area soon focused on her. Gulping, she tried to respond, but Gale cut her off. “Is that so? Rainbow Dash, have you ever done a sonic rainboom before? Can you even do one?!”
“O-of course I did a sonic rainboom!” stated Rainbow Dash, puffing out her chest, but still feeling weak in the legs.
Gale only sat down on her haunches and smiled. “Well, why don’t you show us then?” The bravado she had soon faded as sweat beaded on Rainbow Dash’s forehead. “Unless of course ya think ya can’t do it, chicken?”
That had done it. There was no way she could back out and be called a chicken. It was one of the worst insults you could give a pegasus. With no other choice, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and stretched her wings a bit before asking the others to stand back. In a split second, she was back up in the air, flying as high as she could go and doing her return from earlier. The crowd gasped and cheered at her flips which she reveled in, but ignored the sensation. She couldn't afford to lose concentration. Not now.
Excitement began to swell up within Rainbow Dash as she felt success nearly within her grasp. Maybe today would be the day she would perform the sonic rainboom once again. The image of a shocked yet impressed set of pegasi only increased Dash’s motivation as she flew back upwards, adding a few loop-de-loops for show. If I do this right, I’ll be the coolest pegasus in Equestria! No, in history! With her speed tested out and her wings warmed up, she focused on her second task: attaining enough speed necessary for the final dive and, hopefully, be fast enough to break the sound barrier.
Flying higher than before, Dash found a nearby cloud and started to circle it. The nebulous white mass moved slowly at first, but the powerful winds dragged in by the cyan pegasus’ wake pulled irresistibly at the cloud. Its cotton-like surface began to swirl, slowly at first but soon catching up to the speed of the pegasus orbiting it. As the flier circled around it even faster, the billowing cloud became a spinning top. Her nerves thrummed with a growing sense of confidence as Dash accelerated again. By this point a rainbow-colored blur was all the crowd could see from their vantage point far below.
Rainbow Dash could feel the energy pulsing inside her as she broke away from the cloud. After performing one more flip, Dash let it all loose by diving downwards with her wings completely flat against her sides and her body poised like an arrow. A mach cone began to form in front of her, signaling the start of the stunt. All she had to do now was resist its attempts to stop her and break through.
A determined smile slowly began to spread on the face of the diving pegasus, who could feel in her heart that success was finally in her grasp. Pressing herself against the funnel, Dash started to push down with all her might. The cone started to get wider, all the while exerting a strong front against her as sweat dripped from her brow. As she approached the ground, the cyan pegasus could feel the barrier slowly breaking, the stored energy ready to be unleashed.
“Almost there... almost there...” Dash muttered as she struggled to keep herself in motion against the ever-growing air resistance. Dash felt like she was the ninth wonder of the world…
… and then everything went wrong.
Dash suddenly felt the barrier gaining strength and tried to stop it, but it was too late. The funnel uncoiled like a spring and flung Dash away with ease. The tumbling pegasus gasped and tried to force her wings to respond, but the constant gyration of her uncoordinated flight left her confused and nauseated, hindering her efforts to straighten up. The shock of the backlash began to subside, but it was too late. Dash could feel herself plummeting towards the ground, wind screaming past her face, pulling almost painfully at her mane. The wide green expanse of the ground was rushing up to meet Rainbow Dash, and the flyer could see her upcoming demise in its rock-strewn surface. Crashing at this speed would break every bone in her body.
“Rainbow!” cried out Spectrum in horror.
Hearing her name, Dash managed to shake off her stupor. Struggling against gravity and air resistance, Rainbow quickly twirled her body around into a corkscrew dive. With her wings flaring, she pulled up before she could smack into the dirt. Dash glided a bit, flying in a wide arc as she slowed herself down.
Once Rainbow Dash had bled off enough speed, she tried to land. With her racing pulse still thundering in her ears and nausea clutching her stomach, the shaken pegasus swooped in for a gentle landing but ended up hitting a rock which messed up her technique. Her shaky landing quickly turned into a sudden painful crash. She grunted as she hit the ground, sliding several yards as a cloud of dust formed around her till she came to a sudden stop. Too dizzy to even rise, the dirt-and-grass-stained pegasus stared numbly at the long gouge she’d cut in the field.
Her little brother was at her side at once, checking for serious injuries. After a tense moment, the little pegasus helped the crashed flier to her hooves, steadying the mare as Dash spat out some dirt and struggled to remain upright. “Are you okay?!”
Before she could answer, a series of roaring laughter made her freeze up as she slowly turned around and saw the other pegasi laughing at her. Their hooves pounded on the grass while some had their legs kicking in the air.
“Oh, wow! That was great!”
“Did you see her face?! I thought she was gonna pee herself!”
“That’s not a sonic rainboom, but a sonic raincrash!”
Tears threatened to fall from Dash’s eyes, as she tried to look away, but their laughter continued to ring in her ears. Gale Storm, snickering, walked up to Rainbow Dash and said, “Wow, Dash. I’ve seen a lot of crashes in my life, but that was really, really bad.”
“Gale I...” started Rainbow Dash, but a hoof in the face silenced her.
“Sorry, Rainbow Crash,” Dash winced upon hearing that name, “but I don’t talk to losers. I think you and your little brother here should head back to Flight School before coming around these parts, thinking you're hot stuff. And as for you entry into the Weather Patrol? You can watch that crash and burn like you did.”
The laughing pegasi flew away, leaving the siblings alone. A long silence stood between them as Spectrum nervously pawed the ground while Rainbow Dash stood there, hiding her eyes in her mane. Gulping, Spectrum said, “Dash... I...”
“You idiot!” shouted Rainbow Dash, sending her younger brother to his haunches. “Don’t you know what you’ve done?! You just embarrassed me in front of those guys and made me look like a foal by messing up like that! Now I’ll never get that job and I can’t show my face here again or else I’ll be the laughing stock of the whole town! I hope you're happy you twerp!”
Spectrum just stared at his sister with a pained look on his face before gritting his teeth. Standing up, he went straight into his sister’s face and screamed, “Hey! I am not the jerk here, you are! You were supposed to hang out with me, but you ditched me like I was yesterday’s trash! We were supposed to hang out together, but you abandoned me! You promised you wouldn’t!”
“Yeah, well... well.... maybe I’m getting tired of you holding me back! I’m a much better flyer than you’ll ever be!” shouted Rainbow Dash.
“At least I don’t lie about what I can or can’t do! Liar liar wings on fire!” shouted Spectrum, sticking his tongue out.
“Oh grow up! Oh wait, you can’t because you’re so foalish you should still be in diapers!” cried Rainbow Dash.
“I hate you! I’ll go back home on my own since I can’t depend on my so-called sister!” shouted Spectrum, tears in his eyes as he ran away.
Rainbow Dash got up in the air and screamed, “Good! I hate you too! I hope you get lost and they never find you! In fact, never come home again and save us all the trouble you annoying featherbrain!”
Filled with rage from arguing with her brother, Rainbow Dash flew in a random direction, kicking clouds in her frustration until she felt exhaustion creeping up on her. Closing her eyes, she landed on a nearby cloud she hadn’t pummelled and went off into a deep sleep...
***
Rainbow Dash felt the first drops of water on her face, which woke her out of her stupor. When she heard the first crackling of thunder and flash of lightning from the sky, Rainbow Dash jumped up in fright; only to nearly fall off her cloud from the sheer intensity of the winds that were whipping her in the face. Struggling against the rising storm, she opened up her wings and let the gale take her away a bit before pushing herself forward. Rainbow Dash looked around, surprised to see such a powerful storm in the area.
It was like nothing she had ever seen before. The winds were so powerful she could feel the fur on her face threatening to rip off. The rain was heavy to the point where she could barely see in front of her and that wasn’t a good factor to have when lightning was striking everywhere. It was like a battlefield of the gods and Rainbow Dash was stuck in the middle of it. It only finally dawned on her that her father had warned of such a storm yesterday, but she’d completely ignored it.
Struggling to maintain her course, Rainbow Dash was then alerted to an even bigger concern: Spectrum was nowhere to be found.
“Oh no... Oh no no no no no no!” cried Rainbow Dash, with realization. She flew towards Ponyville faster than she ever had before. “Spectrum! Spectrum!” she yelled, but the thunder drowned out her voice.
Her heart was beating just as fast as she was flying, threatening to pop right out of her chest. Her little brother was all alone, in this destructive storm, without his big sister for protection. It then dawned on her that Spectrum wouldn’t have been lost if she hadn’t driven him away. A small part of her tried to reason that she was just angry, but it was no excuse nonetheless. She said she hated him, she broke her promise. And for what? To get laid and look cool in front of a bunch of lazy jerks?
I have to find him! I have to apologize! Oh please be okay, Spectrum! I’m so sorry! I don’t care if you hate me forever. I just want to see you safe! she thought as she landed in the middle of the town.
The storm was even worse than she thought. Ponies everywhere were running into their houses or nearby shelters. Houses and streets were being torn apart; if anything it seemed more like a hurricane than a lightning storm. That didn’t lessen Rainbow Dash’s fears any, though, as she continued to fly around, calling for her brother. A few stray objects such as mailboxes and trashcans flew at her through the ever-increasing wind, but she dodged or smacked them out of the way, her concern empowering her.
“Spectrum!” cried out Rainbow Dash, landing near a group of running ponies. She stopped one, an earth pony with candy for a cutie mark, and asked, “Hey! Have you seen a colt with a mane like mine?!”
“No! Now let go of me! I need to get to the shelter and so should you!” screamed the earth pony, tugging her tail out of Dash’s mouth.
Rainbow Dash could feel herself getting colder, and it wasn’t just from the rain. She had no clue where Spectrum was or if he was safe or not. She looked around, trying in vain to spot him among the retreating ponies who looked to be heading towards the town hall. A small glimmer of hope burned in heart as she prayed that Spectrum had done the smart thing and headed for the shelter.
Following the crowd, she flew towards the entrance only to hear a frightened cry. Looking up, she saw a little unicorn filly, grey coat and blond mane, being carried by the wind, screaming in terror as she was taken high above. A similar looking pony, but a pegasus, was trying to fly after her, but a nearby window broke from the intensity of the wind and its shards flew outward, some of them hitting the pegasus’ wings and causing her to fall in a crash landing.
“Dinky!” screamed the pegasus, vainly reaching for her daughter, who was heading straight for a building.
Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash was a blur, grabbing the filly and holding her as closely as she could before turning her back towards the wall. She slammed into it, making sure she took the full brunt of the attack. Her back and wings felt like they had been pounded by a boulder as she held her tongue to prevent herself from crying out in pain. She looked at the shivering little filly, who stared at her rescuer with wide eyes, and gave her a smile to reassure her that everything was fine. Pushing off the wall, Dash fought against the wind until she managed to reach the bleeding pegasus. Ignoring her wounds, she took the filly, who cried into her shoulder.
“Mommy!” said the filly, clinging as tightly as she could around her mother’s neck.
The mother looked up, Rainbow Dash noticing her strangely crooked eyes for the first time, and said, “Thank you for saving my daughter! I don’t... if I lost her...”
A nearby tree exploded into flames from a lightning strike as all three jumped back to avoid any damage. They stared at the destroyed plant for a long time before Rainbow Dash got her head back together and pointed to the town hall. “It’s not safe here! Let’s get to the shelter! I’ll help you get in!”
Rainbow Dash assisted the pair into the hall just in time, as the doors closed shortly afterwards. The entire hall was packed, filled with ponies shouting out either in fear or the names of loved ones and friends. A small emergency tent was in a nearby corner and Rainbow Dash helped the injured mother get there. A few other injured ponies were there, some with cuts and bruises while one unfortunate pegasus looked like his entire wing had been scorched by a bolt of electricity. Even worse off were the bodies covered in white sheets, their loved ones crying and holding each other in sorrow. Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief upon not seeing one colt-sized. One of the nurses took notice of them and quickly helped the crossed-eyed mother onto a cot. The nurse’s horn lit up as she began to levitate the glass shards out of her wings, Dinky watching from the sidelines with teary eyes.
Glancing at her savior, the wounded pegasus said, “I’m Derpy Hooves. Thanks for saving us...”
“N-no problem,” said Rainbow Dash, rubbing the back of her neck.
“Rainbow Dash!” Turning around, Dash was instantly tackled by a crying Fluttershy, who nearly made her fall over. “I was so worried! When the storm came I feared the worst! I’m so glad you're alright!”
Rainbow Dash returned the hug, thanking whoever was above that Fluttershy was safe. With one concern over with, she quickly grabbed Fluttershy by the shoulders and stared at her eye to eye. “Fluttershy! Have you seen Spectrum anywhere?! Is he here?!”
Fluttershy gasped, her hooves covering her mouth. “H-h-he’s not with you! But he ran out to find you! He was very upset that you didn’t come for him and I-I-I tried to stop him, but he was... oh my gosh! He’s still out there! This is all my fault!”
Tears began to rain down from Fluttershy’s eyes as she covered her face with her forelegs in shame. Rainbow Dash, fighting her own tears, shook her head and pushed her best friend’s hooves away. “No, Shy. It’s... it’s my fault... I shouted at him and got angry... I hurt him... Oh, Celestia, what have I done?! I’m his sister and now I’ve lost him! I’m so stupid!”
Now Dash was crying. She never liked crying for fear of her image, but damn it to Tartarus, she didn’t care if she looked pathetic. Her little brother was stuck in this storm, alone and scared, all because of her. She chose total strangers over own flesh and blood and because of her negligence her brother was paying the price. I don’t care what it takes! I won’t even join the Wonderbolts if it means he’s alright!
“Um, excuse me?” said a small voice behind them.
The teary-eyed filly broke away from her mother and faced them. Sniffing, she asked, “Does... does your brother look like you but is a colt with a scarf around his neck?”
Rainbow Dash quickly nodded and lowered her face to the filly’s level. “Yes! Have you seen him?!”
The filly nodded. “I saw him heading towards the Everfree Forest, just before the storm. He was crying and I asked him what was wrong, but he pushed me away and kept going. I tried to warn him not to go there, but he ignored me. Did you two have a fight?”
The question put an uncomfortable lurch in Dash’s stomach. She could remember the betrayed, broken face of her brother as he accused her of leaving him behind and choosing a bunch of jerks over him. She had gotten in fights with him before, but never had she told him, with such fury, that he should just leave and never come back. Her parents would kill her they ever found out what she’d done, but she would gladly take it a hundred times if it meant that Spectrum was okay. The way I yelled at him - I said I never wanted to see him again... oh please don’t let it come true! I take it back! I take it all back!
Focusing on the task at hand, Dash turned to Fluttershy and demanded, “Where is this Everfree Forest?!”
“I-It’s just outside of town, but Rainbow Dash, you can’t go!” begged Fluttershy. “The forest is unnatural and dangerous! You could be killed!”
“And so could Spectrum, which is why I need to go now!” shouted Rainbow Dash, flying towards the doors. A pegasus pony with raindrops for a cutie mark suddenly got in front of Dash and cut her off in midair.
“Where do you think you’re going?! Are you trying to get killed?!” cried out the pegasus.
“Out of my way, bub! I need to get out of here right now!” shouted Rainbow Dash, nostrils flaring.
“First off, it’s Raindrops. Second, no way! This storm is not normal! It’s one of ours that managed to get mixed up with one from the Everfree Forest! We already have casualties and we don’t need any more piling up!”
Rainbow Dash growled, but couldn’t help but shiver at the thought that a storm from the same forest she was charging into had caused all this destruction. Just what kind of town lives next to something so dangerous?!
“Well, why doesn’t the Weather Patrol do something about this?!” shouted Rainbow Dash.
Raindrops rolled her eyes. “Well it was supposed to be prevented, but Gale Storm and her little posse decided to get drunk and ignore their duties. Now she and the rest of them are too drunk to even stand straight, let alone fly. I got whatever we have left trying to minimize the damage but the best thing for you to do now is just stay put!”
Rainbow Dash looked out of the window, watching the storm continue its rampage across the town like an elephant trampling against an ant colony. Debris and garbage banged against the windows, making ponies huddle in terror, praying they would be safe. Rainbow Dash didn’t care about whatever danger was out there; her brother could be flying around like the garbage outside, broken and wounded.
“Yeah, that’s not happening! Hiya!” yelled Rainbow Dash, delivering a powerful headbutt to the surprised Raindrops. She went down in an instant and Rainbow Dash bolted out of the door, ignoring the cries and yells from the other ponies inside.
The moment she re-entered the storm, she could tell it had gotten worse as she was blown completely off-course and barely managed to avoid crashing into a house. Gritting her teeth, she flapped her wings to her limit and tried to press on in the direction of the nearby forest. She struggled with every fiber in her body, pushing herself so hard that she was sure her wings were about to fall off. Nevertheless, she pressed on with only one goal in her mind: find her little brother.
***
It had taken what seemed like forever to reach the border of the forest, but she had made it. The wind was now pushing her so fast she felt like she was going up against a tornado. The rain was on full soakage mode, cascading down like a waterfall. She even narrowly missed being turned into a fried pegasus from a few strikes of lightning along the way. But Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to let a stupid storm keep her from finding her brother.
I’ll find him if it’s the last thing I do! You hear me you bucking storm?!
“Spectrum!”called out Rainbow Dash, flying around while holding her breath and praying that she would hear a voice...
“Rainbow!”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened. That was...
“Spectrum!” cried Dash again; this time she definitely heard her name, only louder.
He was close, very close. If Dash hadn’t been under attack from the worst storm of the century she would have done a backflip. Narrowing her eyes against the rain, she nearly closed them as a flash of lightning in the air almost blinded her. To her fortune, the flash revealed something shivering in the darkness; under the cover of a few trees on the forest border, was a lone colt with a bright multi-colored mane.
“Spectrum!” shouted Rainbow Dash with joy as she dived down and landed near her brother.
Spectrum rushed out of his hiding place and nearly tackled Rainbow Dash. Teary-eyed, he looked up and smiled, “You came! You really came!”
Grinning, Rainbow Dash hugged her brother and felt a sense of relief wash over her. “Of course you silly! I’ll never leave you!”
Another round of thunder and lightning reawakened Dash’s senses as she grabbed her brother and jumped left, avoiding the falling tree by inches. Spectrum, crying into his sister’s chest, screamed, “I wanna go home, Dash! I wanna get out of here!”
“Listen to me!” shouted Rainbow Dash, getting his attention. “I’m gonna fly us out of here, but you have to hang on as tight as you can around my neck! Don’t! Let! Go! We’re gonna be okay, little brother!”
Spectrum stared at his older sister, before giving his usual cocky grin. “Okay! Let’s get the hay out of here!”
“That’s the spirit!” shouted Rainbow Dash, turning towards the storm and resisting the urge to gulp. Truth was, she wanted to just hunker down and let the storm pass by, but she knew that they couldn’t stay here too long.The trees could fall any second. I have to get him to safety! I just have to!
Lowering herself so her brother could get on her back, Rainbow Dash waited until she could feel her brother’s legs around her neck as tight as they could be without choking her. “Ready?” she asked him, and he nodded in reply.
Taking a deep breath, Rainbow Dash galloped out of their hiding spot and kicked off the ground. It took some time for her to adjust to the intense wind, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on. Spectrum’s grip grew tighter, but Dash ignored it for now, focusing on the path ahead of them. The rain was making it harder to see, and it was only thanks to the occasional flash of lightning that Dash made sure they were still on course.
That’s when she felt it.
Her brother’s hooves slowly slipping from her neck. Gasping, she glanced behind her to see her brother's wings, fully out, were caught in the wind and were threatening to drag him away. “Spectrum! Put your wings down! Now!”
“I can’t! I’m... I’m too scared!” shouted Spectrum, tears in his eyes.
“You need to be brave, Spectrum! We’re almost there! Just hold on!” ordered Rainbow Dash, before hissing in pain as a small rock hit her head. She looked around and noticed more debris from the ground was flying everywhere. Upon barely avoiding a loose tree branch, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings even faster, but this proved to be a mistake as she felt Spectrum’s hooves slip away; each of her coat hairs tingling at the sensation.
“Hold on!”
“I can’t!”
“Spectrum!” cried Rainbow Dash, before a lightning bolt struck down in front of her. She whined and halted just in time to avoid it, but it was too much for Spectrum. His grip broke and he went sailing into the air, screaming in terror as he was tossed around like a ragdoll.
“Rainbow Dash!” screamed the terrified colt, who was now the storm’s plaything.
“Nooooooooo!” screamed Rainbow Dash, changing directions to go get her brother, but she turned around and saw a large log heading straight for her. Unable to dodge, she felt it smack into her chest and head before blacking out.
***
The taste of iron was the first thing Rainbow Dash felt when she came to, followed by pain the likes of which she’d never felt before. It was even a struggle to open up her eyes. To her surprise, it was sunshine that decorated the sky and not the clouds of a raging storm. Realizing that it was finally over, Rainbow Dash tried to get up but quickly stopped herself due to the pain. If Dash wasn’t dead, she might as well have been.
With slow movements, she struggled to get a good look at herself. She had multiple open cuts, her once-bright blue coat was now mixed with a dark red. Her legs and side were punctured with splinters and small rocks, too small for her to get out with her teeth as well as too numerous to even bother. She could feel a few cracked teeth in her mouth as well as one broken tooth. Finally, she got up on her haunches, which were bruised all over, and looked at her wings only to wince at the damage. They were very much broken from the way they were misshapen and malformed. It was going to take weeks, maybe even months before she could fly again.
Slowly forcing herself to her hooves, Rainbow Dash tried to walk forward, but nearly collapsed again. “Spectrum...” muttered Rainbow, “... gotta... find... Spectrum...”
Wincing with each step, Rainbow Dash struggled to find her little brother in the ruins of the field she was in. Rocks were turned over, holes in the dirt were everywhere, debris from the houses and trees of Ponyville made the entire area look like a bomb had gone off and torn up the place. Pushing herself, Rainbow continued to press on until she saw something in the distance.
A six-colored mane.
This reenergized Rainbow Dash as she pressed on with even larger strides, despite the fact that her wounds were only reopening. But when she reached where her brother was, she stopped and stared in horror. Her face paled as everything around her seemed to become silent. Her own knees threatened to fail and make her collapse, but the sheer shock of what she was seeing had all but paralyzed her.
She wondered if this was a nightmare, or if she was dead and in Tartarus. Either of those would have been preferable to being in that moment right there. Her brother, her wonderful brother lay there on the grass, eyes closed and facing the sky, with a large, pointy branch sticking out of his chest like a spike.
“SPECTRUM!”
Rainbow Dash dived at her brother, shaking him over and over while screaming his name. She looked at the large stick and grabbed it with teeth, slowly tearing it out of her brother’s body with sicking crunches and splutters as blood began to pour out. This made Spectrum wake up and scream bloody murder. Rainbow Dash stopped and held her hooves close her dying brother’s cheeks as his misty eyes looked into her own.
“Rainbow... it... hurts.... it hurts so much...” muttered Spectrum, coughing out blood.
“I know... just stay with me, alright? We’re gonna get you fixed up! I promise!” said Rainbow Dash, tears cascading down her cheeks. She closed them and tried to think of something, anything, to help her brother. But she was useless, barely able to move and nopony else was in the area.
Nevertheless, she raised her head and screamed, “Help! Somepony! My brother’s hurt! Help! HELP!”
“Rainbow... I’m sorry...” muttered Spectrum, crying. “I didn’t... mean... to make you... m-mad...”
“No, d-d-don’t say that!” screamed Rainbow Dash, pressing her forehead against his. The two siblings cried together, holding each other as hard as their weak bodies could. “I was stupid... and I’m so sorry, Spectrum! I don’t hate you! I love you! I love you little brother!”
“I love... I love... gah!” cried out Spectrum, passing out for a second.
Rainbow Dash held him tighter, promising never to let her brother go ever again if he could just live long enough for help to arrive. It’s all my fault! All my fault! I never should have left him! I never should have yelled at him! It’ s all my fault!
“Rainbow... I'm... tired." Dash’s eyes widened as she looked directly at Spectrum, whose eyelids were slowly closing. “So... tired...”
"Spectrum! No! Keep your eyes open! You hear me! No matter what, don't fall asleep! Look at me, little bro!"
"I just... want to close... my eyes for... five... minutes..."
Slowly, Spectrum turned his head to his sister and gave a weak smile. "Rainbow... we're gonna be Wonderbolts together...right?"
Rainbow Dash, holding her brother’s hoof as tightly as she could, could only cry as the last threads of life in her little brother’s body began to slowly fade away. She forced a smile to appear on her muzzle and nodded.
“Y-yeah... you and me...we're gonna be together forever!” said Rainbow Dash. “The A-a-a-mazing and... A-a-a-awesome Rainbow Duo! F-f-future stars of the Wonderbolts....” She leaned forward even more. “A-and I’ll teach you the sonic rainboom! Hay, by the time we’re done, we’ll be doing them all over Equestria!”
"Will.... Fluttershy be there?"
"She's gonna be there, and Mom and Dad and everypony! Cheering our name!"
The wait was killing Rainbow Dash. When she heard from her dad that her baby brother was finally coming, she naturally couldn’t wait to get to the hospital to see him. When they got there, her mom was already heading into some big room where she kept screaming curse words. Dash still couldn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to say them in the house if her mom was.
Unable to pass through the maternity ward, Dash was guided to the waiting room where she tried to pass her time reading old magazines and going over her tricks in her head. However, she quickly fell into a state of boredom and tried flying around to prevent this, but was ordered back on the floor when a nurse pointed to a no flying sign.
In the name of Celestia, can the foal just come out already?! thought Rainbow Dash, crossing her forelegs and huffing. While she was a bit peeved that she had been forced to wait, she could help but feel excited at the thought of being a big sister. We can fly together! Play pranks together! We can even go see the Wonderbolts! Don’t foals get in free? Sweet!
She glanced at the clock and scowled. It was taking longer than she liked. According to her parents, she came right out quick and easy. Fast just as her namesake. A small fear began to grow inside Dash as she began to wonder if something went wrong. What if the foal refuses to come out? What if’s actually some mutated foal monster intend on feeding on the flesh of ponies?! What if has six wings?!... Actually that would be pretty cool.
“Excuse me?” said a nurse, snapping Dash out of her worries. “Are you Rainbow Dash? Your father asked me to come tell you congratulations! You're a big sister now!”
Dash blinked twice before she stood up with her smile as wide as she could stretch it. “Wait, you mean he’s here?! He’s out?!” The nurse nodded as Dash pumped her hoof in the air. “Alright! I’ve got a brother! I’ve got a brother! Can I see him?!”
“Go right ahead,” said the nurse.
Without a second to spare, Rainbow Dash galloped out of the waiting room and towards the maternity ward. She quickly remembered her mother’s room number and rushed inside. There, right before her, were her parents looking as proud as she had ever seen them. Ignoring the hospital staff she walked up to them, doing her best to fight her excited nerves. Her father was nuzzling his wife as she held a tiny pony wrapped in a blue blanket.
Noticing her, Rainbow Streak smiled. “Dash, would you like to meet your brother Spectrum?”
Nodding, Dash held out her forehooves as Firefly, whispering comforting words to her new foal, gently gave Spectrum to the new big sister. Rainbow Dash held to her new baby brother as softly as she could, eternally thanking Fluttershy for the lessons gleaned from her foalsitting job. Her eyes widened as a tiny blue colt, with only a speck of her father’s colorful name, looked at her with his tiny curious eyes before giggling. He raised his hoof and bopped her on the nose making Dash giggle herself.
The two parents looked at each other, happy to see the siblings get along so well. Dash nuzzled her brother and whispered, “Hey there, squirt. I’m your big sister, Rainbow Dash. We’re gonna have so much fun and be the best of friends. And we’ll always be together, little bro.”
“Always...”
***
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes only to feel the tears she had been leaking in her sleep. Rubbing her eyes, Dash slowly got out of her bed and groaned. The dream she had was buried deep in her mind and just the mere thought of it made her want to scream. Rising up on all fours, she made sure to be careful not move too fast as her bandaged wounds were still healing. After the storm, Princess Celestia summoned the best healers to help those who had been hurt in the disaster as well as start a relief effort for Ponyville. Rainbow Dash was able to get the best medical attention possible along with hundreds of others. While most of her injuries, including her wings, were healed up in a few days, she still had some that would take longer to heal and they were an utter nightmare to handle. Rainbow Dash tried to get her senses back to working when she looked at the calendar and froze when she saw the date.
Today was it.
Her brother’s funeral.
Dash stared at the date for a long time, until she felt something vile slowly reach up her throat. Covering her mouth, she rushed out of her room, entered the hallway, and made way for the bathroom. Placing her head over the toilet, she let loose and didn’t stop for some time. Her tears fell into the dirty toilet bowl as she backed away and rested against the wall.
She ignored the smell of her puke in the toilet while trying to fight the urge to not get up, dress up in black, and see her brother’s body before it was taken to the cremation center. Taking a deep breath, Dash flushed the toilet before washing her hooves and face. Looking at herself in the mirror, she noticed the bags under her bloodshot eyes before looking back down at her hooves and gasped.
They were covered in blood; Spectrum’s blood.
With great haste, Rainbow Dash furiously washed them again, but no matter what she did the blood wouldn’t come of. She closed her eyes, begging that this was a dream and that she was in her bed. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that there was no blood anymore. Not on her hooves, nor in the sink. Nothing.
Oh, Celestia... I’m losing it... thought Rainbow Dash who started feeling sick again.
After rinsing her mouth, Rainbow Dash forced her way through the halls, passing by her room and her parents room which was locked. She knocked on the door and waited a bit. “Mom? Are you in there? It’s... it’s time for the... f-f-funeral...” choked Rainbow Dash, the last word bitter in her mouth.
She waited to hear anything from the door, including the seeming endless wails that had come from the room over the past three days. She had only seen her mother when the door was open or when her father went inside to talk to her. Those brief glimpses shattered Dash’s heard when she saw her mother, the strongest pony she knew, a living wreck as she held a picture of her lost son, shouting his name in sorrow. When there was nothing heard from the other side of the door, Dash grew concerned and continued to make her way towards the kitchen.
Just before she entered it, she paused and looked to her left. A single closed door marked “Spectrum’s Room” was right there in front of her eyes. She hadn't entered the room since the storm. None of them had. To enter it, only to find nopony there, was just a sight that Rainbow Dash didn’t think she could handle. Not now, and maybe not ever.
Turning away and pushing the room out of her current thoughts, she went into the kitchen, hoping to find her Dad sitting with a cup of coffee. Instead she found a note and read it:
Rainbow,
Your Mother and I went on ahead to make sure everything was in order. Food in the kitchen and your dress is on the couch. Come to the funeral home soon.
Dad
Rainbow Dash had no desire to eat anything after emptying her stomach, and tossed the note into the garbage. Walking over to the couch in the living room, she spotted a simple black mourning gown for her to wear. She picked it up and looked at it. A part of her was cringing at the thought of wearing a dress of all things, but she was more hesitant to wear it for its purpose more than anything. Nevertheless, she unwrapped it from it’s plastic container and started to put it on, taking ten minutes to properly dress.
She looked at herself and figured this was good enough, no need to do her hair or anything. She was late enough as it was. Spectrum would laugh if he saw me wearing one.
Rainbow Dash’s mind went blank upon realizing what she just thought. It slowly dawned to her that this was it. This was the last time she would ever see her brother. He was dead. And it was all her fault.
This time Dash did scream and fell to the floor, pounding it with her hoof. She hollered, cursed, and cried while fidgeting in her dress, nearly ripping it. It didn’t matter if this made her injuries hurt even worse they did, nothing was compared to the pain she held inside. Dash shouted apologizes, her brother’s name, and even begged to whoever was listening to take her instead and let him come back. Nothing replied back to her but simple, empty silence.
Lying on the floor, eyes watering, Rainbow Dash looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes. “This shouldn’t be happening... oh Spectrum, I’m so sorry... forgive me, little bro... forgive me...”
She continued to lie down there for some time until Rainbow Dash looked at the clock and realized if she didn’t leave now she would be late for the service. With great reluctance, she got up and made her way for the door, opening it as she made the journey to say goodbye to her little brother.
***
Although Equestria’s tribes were a united race now, all three types of ponies still held to some of their old traditions and beliefs, including funeral customs. For earth ponies, they buried their dead and returned them to the earth. Unicorns preserved their dead in special glass coffins, believing that a healthy looking body meant a healthy soul in the afterlife. And finally, pegasi cremated their dead, by first having a wake with the preserved body so that all could see the deceased one more time. The next day the family was given their ashes where they could keep them or let them fly into the wind.
Rainbow Dash had never cared much about such things before and now she wish she never had. Standing at the steps of the “Cloudsdale Funeral Home”, Rainbow Dash found herself stuck on the same spot on the cloudy street where she landed. Her mind told her to go inside, to do what she had to do, but her body refused. Inside was her brother, an empty shell with his soul long gone to whatever afterlife existed after this. It would be the last time she would see his face before the home burned his body overnight, and turn him into dust.
What was she going to do once it was all over? Go through life without her little brother? Everything she had dreamed of, including the Wonderbolts, always featured Spectrum right beside her. It’s not fair... thought Dash, closing her eyes and biting her lip. I’m the oldest. I should have died. Not him. Not Spectrum. He was just a colt!
“Excuse me, miss?” Rainbow Dash nearly jumped and opened her eyes to see a pegasus employee of the funeral home, dressed in a suit, looking at her with concern. “Ma’am? Are you alright?”
“Y-yeah,” muttered Dash. “I just... I’m here for my brother’s funeral. It’s just... hard to...”
He nodded and placed his hoof on her shoulder. “I understand. This is a troubling time for you. May your brother’s soul rest in peace.”
“T-thanks,” said Dash, but didn’t dare look him in the eyes. She didn’t want to see his pity. Would he even pity me if he knew that this is all my fault?
“Can... Can you help me find him?” asked Dash, who had never felt so pathetic in all her life. Here she was, a grown mare, asking for help walking into some stupid building. You might as well have me in diapers and drinking milk from a bottle.
The employee nodded and guided Rainbow Dash inside. For a place where the dead were mourned, it was quite lively. Many ponies, all dressed in black, were standing around the hallway or moving towards one of the open rooms where the deceased were held for their service. There were tears, some were laughing, others were silent. It was far from what Dash expected. Even the very building itself seemed to be not as depressing as she imagined it to be. It looked like an old-styled home with valuable artifacts and paintings, mostly of angels ascending to what looked to be heaven.
Following her guide, Rainbow Dash noticed the rooms she passed, filled with their own coffins and their mourners. So many stallions and mares, all dead, lying in their open or closed clouds caskets seemingly at peace. Dash remembered the ponies she saw covered in white sheets at the town square during the storm. Were any of them underneath? What were their last thoughts on this planet before passing on? Did they suffer like her brother did? She stopped upon seeing two ponies, presumably a couple, holding each other as they cried next to a closed coffin. The mare was pale despite her bright colors, and her face was drenched in her tears while her husband looked like he had nothing left to live for in life. It was then that Dash realized that the casket was foal sized, as if it was made for a newborn.
Dash turned away, leaned against the wall, and tried to breathe, resisting the urge to throw up again. The employee walked up to Dash and rubbed her back, neither saying anything or urging her to press on. “Busy day, huh?” asked Dash, nonchalantly, as her nerves slowly subsided.
“Yes, most of these are pegasi who died in the Ponyville disaster. It’s so horrible what happened,” he paused and then looked at Dash with a tilted head. “You were there, right? Tell me, did they find those pegasi who neglected their duty?”
The mentioning of those pegasi instantly made Dash’s blood boil. She, like so many others, wanted Gale Storm and her group to pay for what they had done. Most of them had been captured already by the guard, but Gale herself and her closest friends were still on the run. The entire Weather Administration had been shamed by what had happened, according to her father, and were using every resource possible to help the authorities find Gale Storm and her friends. Rumor had it that Princess Celestia was personally going to make sure that each of those who were responsible for failing to prevent the storm, that cost the lives of over seventy ponies, would face justice for each life lost. But the worst of it, to Dash, was the fact that she had actually slept with Gale Storm. And she would have to live with that for the rest of her life.
Sometimes I wish Equestria still had a death penalty, thought Rainbow Dash, getting up and continuing on, the surprised employee behind her.
She eventually came to a room that had her brother’s name on it and stopped. Gulping, Dash felt more nervous than the time she first tried flying. With a deep breath she stepped into the room and saw her entire family, from uncles to cousins, inside talking with one another in tears or looking at the coffin. Rainbow Dash was instantly swarmed by her distant relatives, whose names she couldn’t remember, as they hugged, kissed, exchanged sympathies, and more. Rainbow Dash did it all without any emotion, doing her best not to cry for as long as she could hold it in.
Between those moments with her relatives, Dash could see her parents in the front of the cushions, right in front of the coffin. Her mother, veil over her head, was holding a picture of Spectrum while rocking back and forth, crying like she had done for days. Rainbow Dash had always seen her mother as the strongest mare she knew, and modeled herself after her when she was young. To see her idol growing up, so broken and in despair, it made Dash realize just how much her family was torn apart by this. Her father was holding her, whispering into her ear and nuzzling her when he needed too. It was clear he was doing his best to be strong, but Dash could see the tears streaming down his face as well.
When the last of her relatives finally left her alone, Rainbow Dash tried to figure out what to do next, when she was suddenly tackled and held in a crushing hug. Looking down she saw the tear eyed face of her best friend, Fluttershy, looking at her with the most heart wrenching expression she had ever seen. “Rainbow... I’m so sorry.... I’m so sorry!”
Rainbow Dash started leaking tears as she held on to her best friend. The two said nothing, only letting the sorrow shared between them express themselves. If there was anypony who knew what Dash was going through it was Fluttershy. They knew each other by heart and there was nothing neither would do for the other. Out of everypony here, Fluttershy was the one pony Rainbow Dash wanted to be with right now.
“He... he was a such a kind colt... this isn’t your fault, please don’t blame yourself,” whispered Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash, looked at Fluttershy, remembering all the time she came over and played with Spectrum. It was like she was an added sibling they had, and her brother enjoyed Fluttershy so much. “He really liked you. Even had a crush on you...” muttered Rainbow Dash, but this only made Fluttershy cry harder.
She remembered all the times he used to tease his brother about his hopeless crush, already doomed to fail as Fluttershy was way too old for him. I’d give anything just to joke around him one more time...
“Have you... have you said your goodbyes?” she asked.
Rainbow slowly shook her head, feeling her nerves jumping around even more. She knew what was expected of her, but a part of Rainbow Dash didn’t want to see it. The last time she saw him was when they were taking him away from her after they found them in the ruined field. But she had to do this. She would never forgive herself for not saying her final goodbyes to her brother. Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and began to move forward, Fluttershy followed her, wing by wing. It helped Rainbow Dash remain calm as she passed by the dozens of flowers and wreaths. There were also pictures of Spectrum, showing his short but happy life. Each one was a memory that only further made Rainbow Dash long for a chance to redo the past and save her brother.
Finally, she had arrived at his coffin and she openly wept. There was no holding back, the walls were fully broken. She knelt down and stared at the open casket of clouds, where her little brother laid peacefully. His eyes were closed as if he was asleep, his lips formed into a tiny smile that made him look angelic. He was in a suit fit for his age as his crossed hooves held a bouquet of white lilies. He laid there in such grace and pose, flowers of all colors surrounding him like a bed, that Rainbow Dash dare not touch him.
“Oh, Spectrum...” whispered Rainbow Dash, choking though her tears. “I’m sorry... I failed you... I couldn’t save you and I’d do anything to bring you back. I’d rather it be me in this coffin, Spectrum. I should be dead! Not you! Forgive me! Forgive me, Spectrum!”
Rainbow Dash turned away and buried her head into Fluttershy’s chest. The entire room was silent except for Rainbow Dash’s cries. And yet her eyes never left her brother’s still form as the realization had come full circle. Her brother was gone, forever.
***
Not much happened after that mattered to Rainbow Dash. She didn’t say or listen to anything else. She just sat down next to her family and let the service continue. A minister came by to lead them, but Rainbow Dash tuned her out. Her parents tried to say something near the end, but in the end they just couldn’t. No one could say anything without breaking down into tears. The last thing Dash remembered before heading home with her family was looking at Spectrum's face on last time before kissing it on the forehead and whispering goodbye.
Tonight he would be cremated and tomorrow his ashes would be given to Rainbow and her family. Her family said nothing as they walked home, none of them in any mood to fly. By the time they had arrived home, a great silence was met between them. It was like a brick wall had suddenly come between them.
They looked at each other, unsure of what to do now that it was only three of them in the house now. Rainbow Streak finally cleared his throat and said, “I just remembered we need groceries. I’ll just go around the corner and get something for us to eat. Dash, look after your mother.”
Rainbow nodded as her father left, before turning to her mother. She tried to touch her, but Firefly shrugged her off and moved into the kitchen. She sat down near the table and put the picture of her departed son down, staring at it. Rainbow Dash soon entered herself, trying to figure out what to do. Maybe I should make tea? thought Rainbow Dash, even though she had never done it before.
With no other option, Rainbow Dash did her best to mimic Fluttershy when she brewed tea. It took a bit longer, but Rainbow Dash had managed to do it and poured her mother a cup of the warm brew. She presented it to her mother who took her eyes off the photo to look at it and then stare at Rainbow Dash.
“Hey, um...” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “I know it’s not perfect, but you really need to get your strength back, Mom. Me and Dad are both worr-”
Suddenly a loud smack rang in the air as Rainbow Dash fell back and covered her cheek and looked at her enraged mother in shock. “You... it’s all your fault! It’s all your fault!”
“M-mom!” screamed Rainbow Dash as Firefly looked at her with tears and rage in her eyes.
“Why didn’t you protect your brother! He was your responsibility and you let him die like that in that storm! We warned you and you refused to listen! What were you thinking?! How could you let him die like that?! How could you let your brother, my baby, die?!”
“I didn’t mean too! Really! I’m sorry!” shouted Rainbow Dash, but her mother shook her head.
“You think apologizing is going to fix this?! Spectrum is dead and it’s all your fault, Rainbow Dash! It’s all your fault!”
Rainbow Dash didn’t want to hear anymore, she just flew out the door, past her father who screamed her name. She didn’t hear him, nor did she hear the thunderous storm that was taking place below Cloudsdale as she flew without any direction. The only thing she could hear were mother’s accusations, her brothers screams for help, and the sound of her own wails in the dark.
***
Applejack sat there, holding onto the wailing Rainbow Dash, as she did her best to not cry tears of her own. She had heard sad stories, her own parents loss was a sorrowful moment all on it’s own, but Rainbow Dash’s story was beyond any words she could think off. She had thought that Rainbow Dash was only believing herself to be at fault for her brother’s death, but the truth was she had responsibility for it.
Applejack didn’t know how she would have the strength to go on if Spectrum had been replaced with Apple Bloom. The guilt that Dash had been dealing with for years, hiding it so well from everypony, including herself, must have been unbearable. And Ah opened all those wounds again...
She had remembered the storm too. She and her family hid in the shelter they had made below the barn. Their farm was a mess, but they were all safe and that’s what mattered. She knew some of the ponies that had died that day, and remembered attending the memorial with her family over such a tragic loss.
She looked at her wife, crying silently and looking almost lifeless. It pained her to see this side of Rainbow Dash, but she knew this had to get out. Rainbow Dash sniffed and sighed. “I flew to Fluttershy’s that night and stayed there for a few days, I couldn’t even show my face on the day we scattered my brother’s ashes. When I went back home, nothing was the same between me and my parents. It was like living in world of grey and sorrow. Mom and I stopped speaking to each other, despite Dad’s attempts to keep us together.” Moving the bangs out of her hair, Rainbow Dash laid back on the couch while glancing at the ceiling. “Eventually, I just couldn’t take it anymore and moved out. Dad paided for my house and... that was the last time I talked to either of them. We haven’t seen each other for nine years.”
“What about Gale? Last I heard she got caught tryin’ to leave the border right?” asked Applejack, remembering the pegasus. She was horrible to Applejack and her family, ignoring their weather subscriptions and having little respect for her.
“Yeah, they caught her just in time. There was a trial and I was one of those that testified against her. From what the prosecutor said, I was the one that slammed the deal shut and made her guilty since I was there and all. She got life in prison, but if I had my way I would have torn her wings off and beat her to death with them,” growled Rainbow Dash. It only lasted for a short while before she looked at Applejack with regret in her eyes. “So now you know everything. It took me awhile to fly around fillies and colts. Every single of one of them reminded me of Spectrum, even Scootaloo. But that filly...” Rainbow Dash smiled, “... she just kept following me and well, I couldn’t help but admire that. So I eventually started performing again, teaching Scoots when I can. Eventually, I just buried everything until...”
“Ah said Ah wanted foals, right?” said Applejack.
Rainbow Dash nodded. “I’m sorry, AJ. It’s just... when I think of the idea of raising a foal I can’t help but feel that I’ll mess up again. I messed up with my brother and he’s d-dead...” Rainbow Dash didn’t say anymore as Applejack quickly embraced her and kissed her on the lips. She was surprised for a second, but found herself kissing back, missing this more than anything.
It was as if both their worries and fears were washed away by this one long kiss. Applejack felt Rainbow Dash’s tongue scrape her teeth as she allowed her entry, moaning as it explored her mouth. She could feel herself grinding against Dash, letting herself be lost to the euphoria that came with it. The two lovers continued this until they felt the need to breathe and separated themselves from each other. Applejack pushed her bangs away and smiled, “It’s okay, Dash. Ah understand, we don’t need foals at the moment.”
“But, your dream...”
“Shucks, Dash,” chuckled Applejack. “Ah wanted mah dream to be our dream. Ain’t much of a dream if Ah can’t share the happiness of bein’ a parent without ya, right? Ah’m sorry Ah pushed this issue so hard and hurt ya, darlin’. Ah love ya, and ya mean everythin’ to me. Ah don’t want to see ya cryin’ anymore, Dashie. Not anymore. Just promise me that there will be no more secrets between us? And if yer feelin’ sad y’all will tell me? That way Ah can kiss ya and make it better.”
“I promise...” muttered Rainbow Dash as she felt her eyes slowly lower themselves.
The two soon fell asleep in each other’s embrace, and Rainbow Dash, for the first time in days, had a dreamless sleep.
Miles away, in the city of Canterlot, a lone pegasus in a prisoner’s uniform was tapping her hoof against the wall. She stared at the bars of her cell, like she had done for the last nine years after being found guilty for a crime that wasn’t her fault. Nature killed those ponies, not her. There was a difference between actually killing somepony and just being unable to help. So she got a bit drunk and fooled around, it wasn’t her fault that the storm came in early or that she lost her weather duty instructions.
But no, she had been blamed for everything, along with her friends who may or may not have been dead in this forsaken prison. She hoped that they would head to her when she finally got out of here. Life sentence or not, Gale Storm would not spend the another year in this pit if she could help it.
“Hey!”
She looked up and saw one of the guards addressing her, a tray of her evening meal floating next to him. He put it through the slot in her cell and then walked off, whistling a tune. Anticipation grew in Gale Storm’s chest as she walked over to the tray, finding a loaf of bread, water, and soup. Breaking the bread, she grinned when she saw the note and looked around outside her cell to see if she was being watched. Taking the tray, she hid in a corner and read the note:
Gale,
If you're reading this letter it means our bribe worked. You should really thank your lawyer for coming up with this plan. The rest of us that escaped to Eagleland never forgot how you let yourself get captured for us to escape. The gang always sticks together and we’re getting the others who got lighter punishments to help us get you out of Equestria.
Listen, the soup is drugged with a poison that will put you in a death like state for 72 hours, but keeping you alive. After you’re buried in the prison cemetery outside of the walls, we’ll come out and dig you up. Everypony will think you're dead and you can live with us in Eagleland.
Hope to see you soon.
Rigid
Gale chuckled at the fact that her five year long plan was finally coming to fruition. There was only one thing that Rigid got wrong. She was going to go to Eagleland, that much was true, but she wasn’t going there yet.
There was a certain pegasus she had to give payback to for putting in his cell for nine years. The one whose testimony all but made her look guilty to the jury who bought her whole sap story about her stupid brother being killed. Gale drank the soup and began to feel the effects of drowsiness hit her. She stumbled onto her bed and closed her eyes with a grin before the drug kicked in and put her in a deep sleep.
I’m coming for you Rainbow Dash, were her last thoughts before darkness took her.
