Retired Warrior

Chapter 12

A Connection

Waking up to the sound of crying is always unpleasant. I mumbled to me myself "Huh, so they are gone now."

Looking around I saw Rainbow Dash crying over two stretchers with white sheets covering the ponies underneath. The nurse checking the bodies looked extremely uncomfortable with this situation. After a few minutes, another nurse came in to take over for the other nurse leaving the first nurse to do her job.

In a few minutes, she came over to me and asked, "Are you Gale Thunderstorm, the caretaker for Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"Good, good, because you're required to sign some papers and take a few tests to see if you are the correct choice in taking care of Rainbow Dash. The hospital will be sending someone to you shortly," after she finished speaking she walked out, then shortly after the other nurse followed.

Am I good enough to take care of a filly? Can I take care of the responsibility? Will Rainbow Dash even like me?

Walking over to Rainbow Dash I noticed she wasn't as sad. Sure she had some tears and sniffles, but it wasn't as bad as earlier. "So uhh… do you want to talk about anything?"

Rainbow Dash's frown twitched, "No."

"Did your parents leave anything behind… err or something like a letter?" I asked.

Rainbow Dash sniffled, "Yeah it's on the bed."

Three pieces of paper were on the bed. Two seemed to be a letter while the other was a will. "Should I read Cloudy's letter, or Thunder's letter first," I wondered to myself not expecting an answer. I didn't get one. Picking up Windy Cloud's letter I began reading.

Dear,

Rainbow Dash

If there is one thing that I want you to know sweetie is that I love you dearly. Even now that I'm gone I'll love you more than anyone. You brought more joy and happiness in my life than even your dad. I wish that

I could be around longer to see you grow up into a fine mare and I would have loved to have grandchildren so don't disappoint. Find the perfect stallion like your dad.

Your loving mother,

Windy Cloud

P.S. I love you more than your dad does.

I gently place down the letter and sighed. Windy Cloud was always a loving pony and she always had the dream of having grandchildren. Why I have no idea, but maybe find out. Picking up Thunder Horhoof's letter I began reading.

Dear,

My awesome daughter Rainbow Dash

Rainbow Dash I know what you're probably thinking right now. Why did this happen to me? Why did my parents have to die? Well, the simple answer to that is life sucks, but that is okay. I hope you take that out of this.

I hope you see me as the best dad ever and that I did a good job raising you. We may have been bad at times like brining you on boring trips or being a little too supportive in your achievements, but I wish I had more time. Like an infinite amount of more time. I also want you to remember the most important thing in a relationship, loyalty. Even though your mother would argue that it's the second most important thing in a relationship.

Signed the coolest dad,

Thunder Hothoof

P.S. Just so you know, Gale Thunderstorm will probably be your adoptive parents so be nice. He is the best at taking care of children, but the worst at talking to them. It's hilarious watching him barely function talking to children. Anyways I hope you know that this incident isn't his fault for not being there. He had a Hydra to deal with and those beasts are annoying. Plus he had saved us more times than one.

P.P.S I love you more than your mom does.

Of course, Thunder Hothoof had a longer letter. Thunder Hothoof was a stallion of way too many words. Windy Cloud liked things short and sweet, which Thunder Hothoof always said it was just like her.

"What do you think is the most important part of having a good friendship?" I asked.

Rainbow Dash thought it over for a bit before answering quietly, "Kindness."

"Really, why is that?" I asked curiously as I'd think Rainbow Dash would take after her father the most.

Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate to answer the question, "My mother always said kindness is what makes the world go round. She said… said that if every creature showed kindness then the world would be a better place," Rainbow Dash then smiled, "Dad would always respond with a clever joke and then mom would laugh and argue against him. Then it somehow always ended up with me making the decision."

"Huh, they never changed," I spoke reminiscing about their time in the Hunters of Equestria.

"Were they always like that," Rainbow Dash said wiping away the tears.

I laughed remember the crazy times, "Yeah. Even in the Hunters of Equestria, they would always have that argument. It would inevitably lead to others chiming in with what they thought was important. Things like generosity, empathy, honesty, laughter, respect, love, patience and some of the weird ponies said magic, which made no sense to me," I chuckled, "Like you, it always ended up with me becoming the deciding factor. My answer was always it's all-important."

"But," Rainbow Dash said.

I smiled, "But I always believed one thing was the most important. Loyalty to me is the most important."

"Why is loyalty so important to you?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"There are many reasons, but the main reason is it pains me the most when a friend, comrade, sibling, parent or any meaningful pony leave you in your time of need. In the Hunters of Equestria, the number one cause of deaths was one pony or ponies abandoning others."

"But why would any pony do that and didn't you say dangerous missions were the number one cause?" Rainbow Dash asked shocked.

"While I did say dangerous missions were the cause of most deaths, ponies abounding others in said missions cause the deaths. You wouldn't believe the number of times I had to tell families death was caused by ponies just leaving. A lot of ponies lack a good amount of loyalty. As soon as their friend was in trouble they wouldn't help them significantly. Sure words of encouragement and pep talks help, but would they sacrifice their well being, money, time, or life for their friends. Most likely not, but those that do are the best ponies I have ever seen in my life."

"Does loyalty really makes ponies that are amazing?" Rainbow Dash asked with wonder in her eyes.

I grin, "You had the two best examples in your life. Your parents were the best of the best. They saved countless lives and protected so much. Even after retirement, they were Wonderbolts. Those guys are basically the Hunters of Equestria except they perform shows and only focus mainly on reconstruction and helping others."

"My parents were really awesome? They were really awesome. No, they are really awesome!" Rainbow Dash smile shone brightly.

I hyped her up, "That's right they are awesome and they'll be so glad that when their daughter grows up that she'll be even better!"

"You know you aren't as bad at talking to filly's then Dad said you were," Rainbow Dash stated.

"Eh well, I have grown over the past hour. Anyways, I have to go get your adoption papers and sign a few things. Just you wait because soon you'll be able to say you had three of the best damn fliers alive as a family."

Rainbow Dash then smiled a smile that could only be described as too cute for my eyes to bear.