Chapter 7: Parental Glideance
One day in the outskirts of Ponyville, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom were straining as they were setting up a giant slingshot and trying to get the middle end of a giant rubber band to a wooden post. Sweetie Belle was using her magic to pull on the rubber band while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were pushing it.
"Scootaloo...is this such a...good idea?" Apple Bloom asked in a strained tone.
"What you talking about?" Scootaloo replied, "This is the best idea I've ever had!"
In line of the giant slingshot was a ramp that was curved up at nearly ninety degrees. It was clearly implied that Scootaloo was planning to launch herself off the ramp using the slingshot to boost her momentum.
"It's just..." Apple Bloom grunted.
"You wanna come," Scootaloo asked, "But we talking about this. Non-Pegasus ponies fall through the clouds."
Nearby in the sky was the Pegasi city of Cloudsdale. And the slingshot was set up so she could rocket up to the city using her scooter.
"Right, but..." Apple Bloom protested as she and Scootaloo finally got the end of the rubber band secured into a wooden stake.
"I think we're good," said Sweetie Belle.
"We are?" Apple Bloom remarked as she saw that the stake holding the stretched rubber band and the stakes holding the ends of the bands were wobbling and bent back from the rubber band being stretched out so much.
Scootaloo then put on her helmet and Sweetie Belle used her magic to hand the orange filly her scooter. Apple Bloom was a bit worried.
"Scootaloo, I know you have to go to Cloudsdale to finish your report," Apple Bloom told Scootaloo, "I'm just wondering if this is the best way to get there." Apple Bloom gave a part of the rubber band a twang.
"It'll be fine," said Scootaloo as she got ready for take-off, "How else could I get there?"
"A Pegasus chariot?" Apple Bloom suggested.
"A flock of birds?" said Sweetie Belle.
"A hot-air balloon?" Apple Bloom said.
"Asking Chase to fly you up there?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Huh," said Scootaloo, "Those do seem a lot safer. Maybe I should try to find another waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!"
Before Scootaloo could finish her sentence, the back stake that was holding the rubber band broke and Scootaloo was launched at full speed ahead. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle gasped as Scootaloo rocketed off the ramp and went super high into the sky.
"Woo-hoo!" Scootaloo cheered as she headed on her way to the city of the clouds.
Unfortunately, her momentum made her drill through a giant cloud from below and she surfaced only headfirst looking very woozy.
"Nailed it!" Scootaloo grunted wearily with swirly eyes.
It was then a pony pushing a lawn mower designed to trim cloud fluff came to a stop just inches of Scootaloo's head.
"Um, little ma'am, are you all right?" the stallion asked. Scootaloo shook her head to recover and gasped at what she saw. There before her was a blueberry blue stallion with a short rainbow colored mane and tail wearing a green shirt with a white undershirt. His cutie mark also had a rainbow on it. He looked at bit worried about the filly while Scootaloo was just in shock.
"You're...you're...you're...Rainbow Dash's dad!" Scootaloo screamed as she popped out of the cloud and bounced on her hooves excitedly. The stallion just winced at Scootaloo's screaming and then quickly recovered.
"Uh, yes," the stallion replied, "Bow Hothoof at your service."
He extended his fore-leg for a hoof-shake. Scootaloo looked at the hoof excitedly, shook it, and...
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
...started fan-girling loud and long, making Bow look around uneasily to see if Scootaloo wasn't drawing any attention from the neighbors.
*Main theme*
A minute later...
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
Bow finally pulled his fore-hoof away from the still squealing filly.
"Uh, honey?" Bow called out, "Somethin's goin' on out here!"
It was then a mare came out with the same cyan coat as Rainbow, except she had a short orange mane and tail and was wearing a yellow cardigan. She also had some cute freckles on her cheeks. Scootaloo stopped screaming and saw the mare, who was just looking at the filly curiously.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
Scootaloo began to fangirl even louder and started rotating in place excitedly.
"Oh! Heavens to Celestia, what's wrong with her?!" the mare asked her husband as they both used the tips of their wings to cover their ears.
"I don't know," Bow replied, "but you just made it worse."
It was then Scootaloo came over and stood between them, making the Pegasus couple back away from her.
"Sorry!" said Scootaloo excitedly, "It's just you're...Rainbow Dash's parents! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE..."
Scootaloo then lay on her back and backstroked in a circles along the cloud lawn.
"She's doing it again!" Bow called out. Scootaloo then kept backstroking until his wife held Scootaloo in place with a fore-hoof.
"Oh, dearie, please!" the mare pleaded, "You might shatter my Princess Celestia commemorative plates! Oh!"
The mare cringed. Inside, the very plates she was worried about started to crack. Scootaloo finally then realized how she was acting and covered her mouth with her fore-legs stop her fangirling.
"I'm so sorry," said Scootaloo to the Pegasus couple, "I just..." Scootaloo gave a light squeal as she removed her helmet, "I can't believe I'm meeting you. My name's Scootaloo, and I'm doing a school report on your daughter!"
The Pegasus couple shared looks with each other.
"Our Rainbow Dash?" Bow asked.
"The report's on an inspirational pony in my life," Scootaloo replied with a cute smile and wagging her tail, "and nopony inspires me more than she does!" Scootaloo then reached into the saddle bags she had with her and pulled out a scrapbook and opened it, "I'm putting together this scrapbook for my report! I'm her biggest fan!"
Scootaloo showed the Pegasus couple the pictures and gave them a huge smile.
"Now, little trotter, what you say is impossible, "said Bow calmly before getting excitedly, "Because nopony is a bigger fan of our Rainbow Dash than us!"
Bow then used his wings to open his work shirt to show that his undershirt had Rainbow's cutie mark on it. His wife then stuck her head in front of him and nodded with a big smile on her face, nodding in agreement.
"Whoa!" said Scootaloo as she walked up to Bow, "You always wear that shirt?"
"Heh. Actually, it's, uh, laundry day," said Bow sheepishly, "But pretty great, right?!"
"Yeah!" said Scootaloo in agreement.
"My name's Windy Whistles," said his wife as she rubbed Scootaloo's mane, "and I just have to say that it is a total blast to meet somepony that loves Rainbow Dash as much as we do!" Windy then hovered over to her husband.
"What can we help you with?" Bow asked.
"Well, I know all about Rainbow Dash's time in Ponyville," Scootaloo explained, "But I don't know anything about her life before that."
"Well, you've come to the right place!" Bow as she showed Scootaloo their rather nice cloud mansion.
Scootaloo took a picture and gasped excitedly.
(Scene changes)
Soon they were inside the mansion. Scootaloo was just enjoying the sights of the living room and eventually the kitchen as she was setting a picture into her scrapbook as Bow was sitting at the table as well. It was then Windy placed a rather tall sandwich next to Scootaloo. The filly had mentioned that she hadn't had lunch yet.
"Here you go!" said Windy, "Rainbow Dash's favorite meal! A pasta and potato sandwich on sourdough! She just loved to carbo-load."
Windy giggled.
"I can't believe I'm eating Rainbow Dash's favorite food by Rainbow Dash's mom while sitting in Rainbow Dash's childhood kitchen!" said Scootaloo excitedly, making Windy rub the back of her head modestly, "This is the greatest day of my life!"
Scootaloo took a huge bit of the sandwich.
"Mmmm!" Scootaloo hummed happily before she took the other half of the sandwich and put into her scrapbook.
"I think it's time for a tour of the house," said Bow.
"Sure," said Scootaloo with her mouth still full.
(Scene changes)
Soon they were walking down the hallway, where there were walls loaded with family pictures.
"Our little Dashie was an early learner and so rambunctious," said Bow to Scootaloo pictures of Rainbow as a baby, three of which they were trying to restrain her from flying off, "The combination was-"
"Exciting!" Windy sing-sang as she got into Scootaloo's view.
"She was always so curious about things around her," said Bow.
"Ready to face anything head on!" said Windy.
Scootaloo started taking pictures of the other photos that were on the wall.
"Whoa..." said Scootaloo as she placed her newly made pictures into the scrapbook.
She then went to catch up with the two adults and found them standing before a door that had a familiar cutie mark on it.
"Is that...her room?" Scootaloo remarked.
Bow smiled as Windy opened the door. Bow and Windy immediately used the tip of their wings to cover their ears. Scootaloo smiled excitedly.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Scootaloo squealed like a fangirl once again as she rushed inside of the bedroom.
"Rainbow Dash's linen closet," said Scootaloo as she hugged the curtains.
"Her carpet!" Scootaloo said as she pretended to make a snow angel on it.
"Her inspirational poster!" said Scootaloo as she walked up to a poster that had a turtle on it, "When the going gets tough, the tough don't notice because they have hard shells. That's so Rainbow Dash!"
She began to take pictures.
Scootaloo continued to zip around to take pictures and put them all into her scrapbook.
"Woo-hoo," Scootaloo cheered as she jumped on the bed.
"Scootaloo, wanna see something really cool?" Bow asked the pegasus filly.
Bow gestured Scootaloo toward a star patterned curtain. Bow then pulled on the cord to reveal a hidden door. Scootaloo walked up to it curiously. Bow then opened the door, making a heavenly choir sing and a bright light shine on their eyes. Scootaloo shielded her eyes as they walked inside. When Scootaloo could see, her eyes went big. It was an entire room filled to various trophies and other objects that looked like rewards for completing achievements. Bow and Windy walked inside as the pegasus filly stared in shock. Bow then closed the door.
"I, uh, installed the sound effects myself," Bow chuckled as he opened and closed the door, making the heavenly choir singing turn on and off. "Pretty great, huh?"
"So great!" said Scootaloo.
"And look at this," said Windy as she leaned in toward Scootaloo and then zipped away toward what looked like a framed diaper.
"She was wearing it when she spoke her first words," said Windy as Scootaloo took a picture.
"And this broken lantern is from when she first learned to fly," said Windy as she showed them a bronzed lantern that had a crack on it as Scootaloo took a picture of the lantern.
"And this bitten apple is from when she grew her first tooth!" Windy said as she showed them a trophy of a bronzed bitten apple and then gasped as she wiped a tear away, "So many memories!"
"You're so lucky to have all of these!" said Scootaloo as Windy walked behind the filly to the other side of her.
"Well, I may have tone of Dash-mentos," said Windy, "but I don't have any of those "Rainbow Dash Saves Ponyville" headlines like you."
Scootaloo looked at Windy skeptically and then gasped excitedly.
"Trade-sies?" Scootaloo asked excitedly.
"Deal-sies!" said Windy.
Scootaloo gave Windy an article while Windy gave Scootaloo the old diaper. Scootaloo still gladly accepted it and put it into her scrapbook.
"So where's all the Wonderbolt stuff?" Scootaloo asked.
"You mean Rainbow Dash's personal collection of Wonderbolt memorabilia?" Bow asked as Windy walked up beside him.
"No, I mean, where's all the stuff about Rainbow Dash getting accepted into the Wonderbolt Academy and then getting chosen as a Wonderbolt?" Windy and Bow looked at Scootaloo as if her wings had just fallen right off.
"Wait, you don't know that your daughter's a Wonderbolt?" Scootaloo asked as she got excited, "And I got to tell you?!"
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Bow and Windy said in complete shock and looking absolutely dumbfounded. They also gave a whinny each and their jaws were hung open.
"Oh, wow!" said Scootaloo, "You should see your faces right now!" Scootaloo took a picture of them, which developed quickly and then showed it to them, "See? That's what your faces look like."
Bow and Windy just shifted eyes from Scootaloo to each other and back at Scootaloo with their mouths still hanging out. Fortunately, it was only for about twenty seconds before the reality finally set in.
"Our daughter's a Wonderbolt?!" said Bow and Windy together and smiled at each other.
It was then they heard the heavenly chorus. They turned to see Scootaloo by the door as they shut it closed to make the singing stop.
"Great timing," said Bow.
"Great door," said Scootaloo. "Oh and she's also got a coltfriend too."
Windy and Bow gasped in surprise.
"Our daughter's got her very special somepony?!" Bow asked happily. "It's incredible!"
"I just...it's...unbelievable! Our own Rainbow Dash a wonderbolt and in love!" said Windy as she hugged her husband happily.
"You two were kind enough to show me the Rainbow Dash you know," said Scootaloo, "Now please allow me to show you the Rainbow Dash I know."
(Scene changes)
At the Wonderbolts Training Grounds, Rainbow was currently doing her training session with Chase, Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts.
"Okay, guys! Let's give it a go for the thunder!" Chase said.
"You got it, buddy!" Spitfire said to Chase before she turned to the rest of the group. "Let's make some thunder!"
"I was born to make thunder!" Rainbow called out as she turned to Soarin. "Ready, Soarin?"
"Ready, sweetie!" Soarin to his marefriend with a smirk.
The five Pegasi and the alicorn stallion dived down toward the runway and rocked upward to create a sonic boom. They were heading higher into the sky when they were stopped in their tracks by what appeared to be some sonic waves.
"HEY! What the heck?!" Chase shouted in surprise.
"We've got turbulence!" Spitfire called out.
"How? Where's it coming from?" Rainbow called out.
"I'm so proud!" Bow shouted.
"There!" Misty Fly called out as she pointed a fore-hoof toward the ground below.
There was Scootaloo, Windy, and Bow. The latter two were using mega horns to cheer very, very loudly.
"She's a Wonderbolt!" the Pegasi couple shouted.
"Uh, Rainbow Dash, is that your parents?" Chase asked with confusion.
"Oh, no," Rainbow groaned as she removed her goggles and the five Pegasi came in for a landing.
"Okay, which pony broke protocol and invited guests to our training exercises?!" Spitfire demanded. Rainbow had a sheepish smile on her face.
"I guess they're with me," said Rainbow, groaning from embarrassment.
"Word of advice, Dash, it's rude to keep your parents waiting." Chase advised.
Rainbow just groaned as she stomped over to them and Scootaloo.
"Mom, Dad," said Rainbow, trying to put on a brave and friendly smile, "So...good...to see you."
Bow and Windy smiled as Windy snagged Rainbow in for a hug.
"Oh, honey, it's so great to see you, too!" said Windy happily, "And wow! You were so amazing up there with all of that flying!"
"Uh, how did you know I was here?" Rainbow asked.
"Scootaloo filled us in on everything, you modest pony you!" Windy replied.
It was then Scootaloo took a picture of the three ponies.
"I can't believe I'm documenting the moment your parents first saw you as a Wonderbolt!" said Scootaloo excitedly. She then took the picture and put it into her scrapbook.
"It's a Kodak moment!" Chase said with a smirk on his face.
Rainbow gave Chase a threatening growl as she was literally sandwiched between Bow and Windy as they hugged her tightly with their wings. Spitfire and the others were just walking away when Windy hovered over to them.
"And these must be your Wonderbolt friends," said Windy as she hovered over to Misty Fly, "Hello, team! I'm Windy Whistles, the mom of the best Wonderbolt ever!"
"Oh boy, I think I see where this is going." Chase said to himself.
"Yeah!" Windy shouted as she got into Soarin's face, making him wince, "Oh! You must be Soarin! Our daughter's coltfriend! You know Rainbow Dash has had a huge crush on you for years now? She used to keep a little love shrine of you in her linen closet."
Rainbow gave a strained squeak as her jaw literally hit the floor and her face turned bright red.
"Really?" said Scootaloo curiously, "Oh, wow!"
"Yup, that's me." Soarin said with a modestly smile, but he was stunned when Windy rushed over to Misty Fly.
"Like I said, best Wonderbolt ever!" said Windy to Misty Fly, "Just kidding. You guys were great, too! Go, team!"
"Mooooom!" Rainbow groaned in embarrassment. Scootaloo and Chase chuckled to themselves.
"Hello, ma'am," said Spitfire, trying to be profession as she extended a wing to shake, "Nice to meet you." Windy landed before the yellow-orange Pegasus.
"Nice to meet you as well and love those goggles!" Windy told Spitfire as she used her wing to complete the wing-shake and then looked at her reflection from Spitfire's goggles, "Love 'em! You know, I have goggles, too. But they're mostly just for swimming. Oh, and bath time."
Spitfire just smiled sheepishly and then looked away uncomfortably, especially when Windy mentioned bath time. Rainbow quickly pulled Windy back by her short tail.
"Mom, please!" said Rainbow in a loud whisper, "They don't wanna hear about your bath time!" Bow then pulled Rainbow in for a hug.
"I can't believe it!" said Bow, "My daughter, a Wonderbolt!" He then began to cry, "So proud!"
"Dad, hold it together," said Rainbow said firmly while pulling away from her father a bit, "We're in public."
"I know, I know," Bow croaked, "I...but it's...just...You had a goal, and...you achieved it!"
Bow then began to cry as Rainbow reluctantly tapped his shoulder for comfort. Windy smiled sympathetically and Scootaloo just smiled and took a picture of the two. Chase noticed how cold Rainbow was with her parents.
"All right, Wonderbolts!" said Spitfire to the rest of the team, "Let's hit the showers and give Rainbow Dash some time to spend with her family."
All except Soarin had smirks on their faces as they walked past Rainbow and her crying father.
"Okay, yeah!" said Rainbow, " Uh, great practice! I'll, uh, eh, catch up with you guys in a minute."
Soarin approached her marefriend.
"You gonna be alright?" Soarin asked with concern.
"Just go on. I'll catch up." Rainbow whispered back.
Soarin nodded before he went off to join the rest of the team.
This gave Fleetfoot a devious idea.
"Sir, you really raised a great flyer!" said Fleetfoot as she used her wing to salute, "We'll let you know when there's gonna be wedding bells between Soarin and Rainbow Dash."
"WHAT?!" Rainbow shrieked, her cheeks turning dark pink as Fleetfoot walked off smirking and trying not to laugh.
"Oh, no!" Bow strained as his composure crumbled once again, "First she's a Wonderbolt… She's got a coltfriend… Now she might be getting married. Gonna give my daughter away soon...Tears...welling up again!"
Bow broke down after he finished speaking.
"Dad!" Rainbow groaned as she finally pried herself from her father's grip.
She then hovered to see the rest of the Wonderbolts heading back to the compound. Rainbow then turned around and glared as she saw Chase and Windy comforting Bow. Scootaloo just took a picture of the Pegasi couple. Rainbow then pulled Scootaloo beside her with a wing.
"Could you give us a sec?" Rainbow asked.
Chase, Windy, and Bow used their wings to gesture that she could do just that. Rainbow pulled Scootaloo away from her parents a short distance.
"Is something wrong?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah, there is something wrong!" Rainbow snapped angrily, "You should've warned me that you two were bringing my parents! Or talked to Twilight and Chase or something! Not just shown up!"
"Why?" Scootaloo asked as Rainbow stomped away.
"Ugh!" Rainbow groaned, "It's just my parents and I have a delicate relationship. I love them very much and we're really close, but there's a reason I didn't tell them I'm a Wonderbolt! They can be a little bit...embarrassing."
Scootaloo looked back to see Bow and Windy waving at them as Chase gave Bow a comforting hoof on his shoulder.
"Huh? Really?" said Scootaloo.
"Yeah," said Rainbow, "And now you've both invited a whole lot of crazy into my life!"
"What's wrong with a little support?" Scootaloo asked.
(Scene changes)
The next day in Canterlot, Bow and Windy were in a private box at the Wonderbolt's Stadium when Mario arrived with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle.
"Hello, Bow and Windy," said Chase as he waved to show they had arrived.
"Oh, good to see that you all made it to the show," said Windy.
"Bow and Windy," said Scootaloo, "I'd like you to meet Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle."
"Hi!" said Apple Bloom.
"Hello," said Sweetie Belle.
"Greetings, small ponies," said Bow as he gave the two fillies a salute.
"Are you excited to see Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh, my, yes!" said Windy, "And to think we never bothered to come to a Wonderbolt event!"
"We said if Rainbow Dash isn't a Wonderbolt, then what's the point," Bow explained, "But now, she is!"
"And she earned it!" Scootaloo replied as she opened her scrapbook and showed them a picture of Rainbow standing before Spitfire and Chase, "Did you know it all started when she won a spot in the coveted Wonderbolts Academy, training under both Spitfire and Chase?"
"I didn't know that!" said Windy, "How wonderful!"
"Didn't know you trained Rainbow, Chase," Bow remarked, "I didn't think alicorns were part of Wonderbolts."
"Back then, I was still a unicorn," said Chase, "what started as volunteer help for Spitfire got me the rank of Academy Lieutenant so we trained the squad Rainbow was part of together. Rainbow worked very hard. The more I pushed her, the stronger she became."
"True," said Scootaloo, "But then, she had some heavy competition. Especially against another Pegasus named Lightning Dust."
Scootaloo then showed the Pegasus couple a picture and Rainbow and Lightning flying side by side.
"Oh, no!" said Windy worried. Bow looked worried as well.
"Yeah," said Chase, "She slightly outclassed Rainbow in the beginning of training."
"But, of course," said Scootaloo, "Rainbow Dash proved to be the best and later made it into the Wonderbolts reserves!" Chase blinked.
"Guess Rainbow skipped the part about Lightning Dust being selfish and reckless when she shared that part of her history," Chase said to herself.
"Hooray again!" Windy cheered as she and Bow smiled.
"But jealous ex-Wonderbolt Wind Rider was worried that Rainbow Dash might break his speed record," said Scootaloo as she showed a picture of the older Wonderbolt and then Rainbow getting glares from the other Wonderbolts, "And so, he framed her for a crime she didn't commit."
"Oh, no!" said Windy.
"But thanks to Rarity and Chase," said Scootaloo, "Rainbow Dash proved her innocence and became a backup Wonderbolt until Fire Streak retired, and she became an official Wonderbolt!"
Scootaloo then showed a picture of Fire Streak with a black X crossed over him and then another picture of Rainbow flying with the Wonderbolts in full uniform.
"Hooray!" Windy cheered, "Wow, what a gripping tale!"
"You really know your Rainbow Dash history," said Bow, "You're going to do great on your report." Bow gave Scootaloo a wink, which made Scootaloo smile excitedly.
"Show's about to start," said Apple Bloom as she pointed to the sky.
As some background music began to play, the five Wonderbolts, which included Rainbow, took to the sky and flew about in routine formation. Then, out of the blue. Bow and Windy were now hooting and wearing their own personal fan outfits. Each of them had a Wonderbolt tee with a loose rainbow colored scarf. Bow had a visor on his head while Windy had a head cap that looked like Rainbow on her head.
"HOOT! HOOT! HOOT! HOOT! HOOT!" Bow and Windy cheered together.
"Come on, Bolts!" Bow shouted, "Let's start this thing!"
"Wonderbolt's Big Showcase!" said Windy, trying to deepen her voice, "Big Showcase! Here! We! Goooooooooooo!"
"Rip it up and tear it! Down!" Bow shouted.
"Then build it back up again and tear it back down again! Yeah!" Windy shouted as well.
The entire time the Pegasus couple was cheering, everypony else was scooting away from them, giving them uncomfortable or awkward looks. Scootaloo just smiled. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just stared. Chase leaned back slightly in surprise.
"Wow..." was all Chase could say about their grandstanding.
Even from a distance, you could hear the Pegasus couple over all the other cheering fans. Then the Wonderbolts created a star in the sky.
"Woo! Yeah! Uh-huh, uh-huh! Go-go-go! Yes! Go, Rainbow Dash! Best Wonderbolt Ever!" Bow cheered.
"Woo-hoo! That's my daughter!" Windy cheered as the Wonderbolt's created their insignia in the sky and then flew through it, "Go, Rainbow, Go, Dashie, go-go-go-go-go!" The Pegasus couple continued cheering for Rainbow.
"You go, girl!" Windy shouted as the Cutie Mark Crusaders just watched them quietly.
Chase just had a rather sheepish smile on his face. Everypony else in the box just stayed on the outer edges, feeling rather annoyed at the Pegasi couple. But Bow and Windy didn't seem to care about anypony else other than Rainbow, even when the show was finally over. Rainbow just removed her goggles and looked very embarrassed. Fleetfoot hovered over to her.
"Your folks were definitely loud, but they weren't that bad," said Fleetfoot.
It was then a firecracker came flying between them and exploded into the background. This brought the rest of the Wonderbolts over to Fleetfoot and Rainbow.
"Whoa!" said Spitfire in surprise, "Since when did we add fireworks to the show?!"
"Uhhhh...we didn't," said Rainbow as she pointed down to her parents.
Apparently, out of the blue, Windy was holding a firework cannon. While nopony stopped them from using it, Chase just covered his eyes with his wings.
"Attagirl! Yeah! Go-go-go-go-go!" Bow shouted.
"Woo-hoo! Go, girl! Go, girl, you got it! You're a Wonderbolt!" Windy shouted at the same time as Bow.
Then loaded the cannon and fired it. First firework exploded into a gold trophy, while the second was a profile of Rainbow herself. Poor Rainbow looked completely mortified and humiliated.
"Wow..." was all Fleetfoot could say as Rainbow inwardly wished she could disappear.
Chase saw this as he became worried for Rainbow.
"Oh boy." Chase said with concern.
(Scene changes)
After the show, there was a long line of ponies chattering with each other as they went up to the Wonderbolts to get autographed photos of their favorite flyers. Nearby, Bow, Windy, Chase, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders appeared nearby.
"Go, Rainbow Dash!" Bow shouted as he tore his undershirt, "You sign that photo! Whoo!"
Bow then rotated the torn shirt in his fore-hoof and threw it. The torn shirt smacked the face of a young fan.
Rainbow just gave a very embarrassed smile as she gave the pony an autograph photo, patted their head, and the fan walked away with the shirt still on their face. Spitfire and Fleetfoot couldn't stop smirking.
(Scene changes)
Later on, Rainbow and Spitfire were at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Rainbow was holding the giant scissors and was getting ready to cut.
"Cut the ribbon! Cut the ribbon! Cut the ribbon! Cut the ribbon!" Bow and Windy shouted as they, along with Scootaloo, gave hoof pumps.
Rainbow was jolted in surprise as she went to make the cut, giving her family a glare. But then Spitfire gave Rainbow a glare since the cyan Pegasus had cut off part of her tail instead of the ribbon. Rainbow just smiled apologetically as Chase facehoofed himself in annoyance.
(Scene changes)
Once Chase had fixed Spitfire's tail, she went back to join the other Wonderbolts for their photo shoot. Lots of small foals stood in line to get their pictures taken with the elite flyers. As before, her parents, Chase, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were standing beside them.
"Now, let's do the pyramid!" said Bow as the six ponies got into position. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were standing on their hind legs so they could support Bow and Windy on the second row above them.
"Scootaloo, get up there!" Bow called out, "You're the top!"
Bow then offered his wing for Scootaloo to climb up since the little filly had told them she couldn't fly. Once she was in place, they all stood in place with smiles on their faces. Spitfire noticed their pyramid and smirked.
"You really do got yourself your very own mega-fans," said Spitfire, "Lucky you."
Rainbow just groaned and face-hoofed herself with a wing. Chase could tell that this was going to be bad for Rainbow.
(Scene changes)
Once they had returned to Wonderbolt HQ, Thunderlane, a recent addition to the main team, had made his exit from the locker area as Rainbow walked in. She gave another groan from what had clearly been a long day, placed her towel on the top of the door, and stuck her head inside of it. It was then Bow, Windy, and Scootaloo appeared.
"You hung that towel!" Windy shouted.
CLANG!
Rainbow banged her head on the top inside of her locker and glared at her parents.
"Yeah!" Windy cheered.
"Greatest towel hanger of all time!" Bow shouted and started chanting: "Towel!"
"Towel! Towel! Towel! Towel! Towel! Towel!" Bow and Windy chanted together, making Rainbow feel very embarassed as she saw Fleetfoot and another teammate leave the locker room smirking at her, "Towel! Tow-"
Rainbow's temper hit its limit when Scootaloo took her picture.
"STOP!" Rainbow screamed.
She had enough of this ridiculous routine.
"This is ridiculous! Mom and Dad, you are both too supportive!" Rainbow yelled as she backed her parents onto a bench, "This is exactly why I didn't tell you I was Wonderbolt! You're just...too much!" Bow and Windy looked hurt.
"Did...did we do something wrong?" Windy whimpered innocently.
"Yes!" Rainbow said angrily as used her wing to count her mother's mistakes, "The fireworks, the cheerleading, and - and how do you even compare who is better or worse at hanging a towel?!"
Rainbow gritted her teeth at them. Bow and Windy both stood shocked and sad.
"We're just trying to be supportive," Bow said calmly in his defense, extending a fore-hoof to Rainbow.
"Well, I'm tired of it!" Rainbow yelled, swatting away her father's fore-hoof and making the two Pegasi hold each other fearfully, "I've had enough of you two being so proud of every little ridiculous, insignificant thing I DO!"
Rainbow then panted from her rage as Scootaloo looked devastated. But it was poor Bow and Windy who looked absolutely heartbroken. Rainbow just turned away with a bitter look on her face.
"I think you should leave," said Rainbow in firm tone.
"First of all, great job yelling at us, sweetie," said Windy, her composure crumbling as she sniffled and began to tear up, "No one can make their parents feel more worthless than you!"
Windy then used her wings to cover her eyes as she began to cry as Bow was already crying.
"Your words were direct, clear, and..." Bow sobbed, "so painful! Is there nothing you can't do-oo-oooo?!"
Bow and Windy trotted off crying as they left the locker room. Rainbow just glared as her parents disappeared.
"Why?" Scootaloo asked sadly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Scootaloo, you don't understand!" Rainbow snapped.
"I met your parents hoping to learn more about you, but I don't like what I found out!" said Scootaloo angrily as hot tears streamed down her cheeks.
Scootaloo then pulled out her scrapbook and threw it down at Rainbow's fore-hooves.
"I'll find somepony else to do my hero report on," said Scootaloo angrily as she stomped away.
Rainbow as now left alone. It was then she looked at the two pages that Scootaloo's scrapbook had opened up to. One of the pictures was her as a baby being held lovingly by her parents. Rainbow quickly choked up and started to cry.
"What have I done?" Rainbow croaked as she just sat before the book and began to cry.
Tears dripped just inches away from the still open scrapbook. Rainbow was so busy crying that she didn't notice that somepony was walking up to her and gently placed a fore-hoof on her shaking shoulder.
"Huh?" Rainbow croaked as she left her head, tears still flowing when she looked up see Soarin and Chase looking at her.
Rainbow's cheeks blushed as she used a wing to hide her face.
"Guys, now is not a good time," Rainbow whimpered, but was then surprised when Soarin pulled her into a hug.
"Soarin, I said..." Rainbow tried to protest her coltfriend.
"Rainbow Dash, I'm not the kind of pony to leave any of my teammates in tears," said Soarin to his marefriend in a calm but firm tone, "And we are a couple. Just be lucky Chase and I found you like this instead of Spitfire."
Rainbow whimpered and just let Soarin hold her close as she kept crying.
"You guys saw what happened didn't you?" Rainbow asked sadly.
"We heard what happened," said Soarin, "and we think you know what you need to do."
"To get your family and fan back together for what you said to them." Chase added with a smile.
Rainbow sniffled as she pulled away, wiped her eyes, and then got a determined look on her face.
"Yeah, I do," said Rainbow, "Thanks, guys."
"It's cool, sweetie." Soarin said as he nuzzled Rainbow's cheek, making her smile in content. "Good luck patching things up."
Soarin then walked off with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"You ready to talk to them?" Chase asked Rainbow gently.
"Yeah, but first I gotta find Scootaloo." Rainbow said before she added softly. "Can you be by my side, Chase?"
Chase smirked.
"Don't worry, Dash." Chase said with a grin. "I'm always there for you."
Rainbow smiled as she hugged Chase gratefully before they left the locker room to go find Scootaloo.
(Scene changes)
Outside, Scootaloo was on her scooter so she could leave the Wonderbolt grounds. She was zooming away when Rainbow and Chase finally found her and went to catch up.
"Scootaloo, wait!" Rainbow called out, but Scootaloo refused to stop or listen to her. Rainbow and Chase flew quickly to overtake her, "I know I wasn't myself back there, and I shouldn't have snapped at my parents! That's exactly why I didn't tell them I'm a Wonderbolt."
While Scootaloo was pretending not to listen, her curiosity about Rainbow's last statement made her come to a stop.
"But I don't understand your problem with your parents.." Scootaloo said still upset with Rainbow. "They're so proud of you." Rainbow sighed.
"Can I tell you something?" Rainbow asked Scootaloo meekly, "I've kind of told part of this to Chase. I figured you should know about this too."
"Sure," said Scootaloo hesitantly and looked away bitterly.
"Scootaloo!" Chase said sternly, making Scootaloo yelp in surprise.
"Uh-Uh I mean, sure." Scootaloo said with a nervous smile.
"Okay, but you might wanna hold onto your wings because this could rock you to your very core," Rainbow warned as she landed nearby a fallen log and then patted for Scootaloo and Chase to come sit beside her.
Once the two ponies were sitting with her, Rainbow decided to speak again.
"Believe it or not, there was a time when I wasn't the best at everything," Rainbow admitted.
"GASP!" Scootaloo gasped dramatically as Rainbow nodded in agreement.
Chase just rolled his eyes.
About time she told Scootaloo about that But Chase didn't say it out loud. Rainbow then opened Scootaloo's scrapbook and showed the filly a picture of her younger self crossing the finish line.
"See this picture?!" Rainbow pointed out, "It looks like I won something awesome, but actually..."
Flashback
"And last, but not least, it's time to hand out our participant stickers!" said the announcer as a pony placed a sticker on young Rainbow's fore-head. Younger versions of Bow and Windy were in the standing, being over-the-top as usual and making everypony else in the stand glare and/or feel uncomfortable.
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Bow and Windy cheered as the latter held a poster of young Rainbow on it.
"Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Yeah, Rainbow Dash! You show 'em!" Bow cheered.
"Go, Rainbow! Go, Rainbow! Hooray! Yeah!" Windy cheered as her husband.
"Greatest participant ever!" Bow called out.
"Uh, your parents realize you didn't win, don't they?" Young Dumb Belle asked Young Rainbow.
Young Rainbow just cringed in embarrassment and looked away.
End Flashback
"Granted, I was the youngest pony in Equestria in the senior competitive circuit," Rainbow boasted, "Most other ponies my age were still in the Junior Flappers' Club."
"Right!" Chase coughed as Scootaloo smirked. Rainbow glared.
"Seriously?" Rainbow remarked.
"Windy told us that you were more shy than Fluttershy when you first joined the Junior Flappers' Club," said Scootaloo.
"And they had to drag you to your first competition because you were so shy," Chase remarked.
Rainbow groaned. That was something she had hoped Scootaloo and Chase would never know about her past, especially since it made her looked like hypocrite for how she treated Fluttershy's shyness in the past. Rainbow just closed the scrapbook before she found her words again.
"I thought it was utterly mortifying having my parents cheer for me even when I lost!" Rainbow continued.
Flashback
A short time lapse showed that with each and every competition, young Rainbow was slowly ascending the ranks. An interesting note as well was that back when Rainbow was off the podium, Muffins had been winning competitions, but then her flying got worse as her eyes began to become more and more cross-eyed.
"But then, when I started to win competitions - which didn't take very long by the way - thing got even worse!" Rainbow narrated as her younger self was now on top of the podium.
"Yeah! Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Yeah, Rainbow Dash, you show 'em!" Bow cheered.
"Whoo! Go, Rainbow! Go, Rainbow! Woo-hoo-hooo! Yeah!" Windy cheered as well. As usual, the surrounding ponies were glaring at the two Pegasi.
"Being the best came with consequences," Rainbow narrated, "Very loud, very embarrassing consequences."
Young Rainbow soon found the other competitors giving her dirty looks before they flew off, leaving young Rainbow alone and dejected.
End Flashback
Back in the present, Rainbow just sighed as she leaned against the log.
"Ya know," said Scootaloo, "some ponies would dream of having parents like that."
"Yeah, right!" Rainbow retorted is disbelief, "Name one!"
"We can name two," said Chase as he pointed a fore-hoof at myself, "Me. I've been trying to keep up on training with disipline and honor for my grandfather after he disappeared without a trace."
"And me," Scootaloo added.
Rainbow looked at her sympathetically.
"I...get Chase...sort of," said Rainbow slowly, "But...why you?"
"Growing up, I never thought I'd be the best at anything, because nopony told me," Scootaloo explained as Chase patted her back supportively, "But your parents told you over and over again. Look!" Scootaloo then opened the scrapbook to show Rainbow some of the pictures, "Best bath taker ever. Best carrot eater under three. Greatest napper of all time!"
Rainbow scoffed.
"I am pretty good at napping," Rainbow boasted, "I can fell asleep anywhere."
Rainbow then leaned back and instantly fell asleep. Scootaloo then tapped Rainbow's side to wake her up.
"Huh?" Rainbow spluttered as she woke up and wiped away some drool trickling from her mouth.
"For your entire life, your parents gave you the confidence to believe in yourself," said Scootaloo. Rainbow then turned the page to see the family picture she had seen from before.
"They are the reason you have so much self-confidence in yourself," said Chase, "You never really had to work hard like me or Scootaloo to think you're special or valuable. We both envy the fact that you had parents who always wanted to be there for you."
"You're both right," said Rainbow in realization, "I was always so embarrassed by my parents that I didn't realize their support actually made me the awesome, confident, amazing, awesome, and awesome pony I am!"
Scootaloo and Chase couldn't resist giving Rainbow some annoyed looks. They were glad she understood what they were trying to tell her, but did she have to gloat about it? Then they saw Rainbow sigh sadly.
"And I took them for granted," said Rainbow sadly.
"And you yelled at them," said Scootaloo.
"We get that they were overdoing it with the cheering and grandstanding," said Chase, "But if it really bothered you so much, you could have spoken to them once you had calmed down instead of just self-destructing like you did. It was clear to Scootaloo and I that all your parents understood was that you were mad at them and they were too hurt to understand why."
Rainbow groaned.
"I gotta make this right," said Rainbow as she closed the book and stood up. She then looked around and saw the empty bleachers nearby.
"I have an idea, but I'm gonna need your help," said Rainbow to the two ponies, "Both of you. That is, if you're willing to help me after I acted like that."
Rainbow was taken aback when there was a flash as Scootaloo took another picture. Once it had developed, she took it out and showed it to the cyan pony.
"Now that's a great picture," said Scootaloo, ""Rainbow Dash learns the error of her ways"."
Rainbow took the picture with her wing and looked at it. She then gave Scootaloo a smile. Then she turned to Chase.
"What about you?" Rainbow asked worriedly. Chase stared and then a soft smile appeared on his face.
"Rainbow just because you make mistakes doesn't mean I'm gonna turn my back on you," said Chase, "You're my best friend and like a little sister to me after all. And I want to help you settle things with your parents. How can I help?"
Rainbow smiled and gave him a warm hug.
(Scene changes)
Later that day, Scootaloo and Chase had brought Bow and Windy back to the Wonderbolt training grounds. The Pegasi couple each had a blindfold over their eyes.
"I'm telling you, I just can't see a thing," said Windy, "Scootaloo, you are just so great at blindfolds." This made Scootaloo and Chase smile.
"It's true," said Bow, "You must tell me what kind of knot you used. Uh, falconer's kind? Wait, no! A farmer's loop!" Scootaloo and Chase just kept smiling, but chuckled to each other.
"What's this all about, anywho?" Windy asked.
"It will all make sense shortly," said Chase, "All I can say is your little girl asked me to give you a royal escort to this location."
Bow and Windy were surprised.
"Did she now?" said Windy curiously.
"Wonder what it's all about," said Bow.
"Oh, good we're here." Chase said.
There was some feedback before Rainbow spoke through a loud speaker.
"Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof," Rainbow said through the loud speaker, "please be seated for a special for a super private Wonderbolt event!"
Bow and Windy were then brought to their seats as they removed their blindfolds. Scootaloo then rushed over to where Rainbow was standing and set up a standing microphone. Chase then made a screen appearance as he quickly changed into his own Wonderbolt uniform. Rainbow cleared her throat.
"Mom and Dad, welcome to the..." Rainbow then said the title of the event very quickly, "..."I Love My Parents And I'm Sorry I Took Them for Granted and I Know That They Made Me Who I Am Today So I Really Want to Make It Up to Them"..." Rainbow paused for a half-second, "...Event. Enjoy!"
Scootaloo then handed Bow and Windy some popcorn for them to eat. Chase then hovered beside Rainbow.
"Did you have to cram that all in just the title?" Chase asked annoyingly.
"It was from the heart," said Rainbow plainly.
"Fair enough," said Chase as he put his goggles back on, "Let's give them the show."
Chase and Rainbow took off together. Then Spitfire, Soarin, and another Wonderbolt took off into the sky.
"Thanks for doing this," said Rainbow.
She hadn't been sure if Spitfire would have helped, but was surprised to see that Spitfire didn't need much convincing. It also helped that Soarin said he would help too, making the cyan Pegasus very giddy on the inside.
"Happy to help," said Spitfire.
"Me too," Soarin added, giving Rainbow a wink.
Rainbow couldn't help but smile at her coltfriend.
The six Wonderbolts then flew about the area, creating streaks of electrified clouds behind them.
"Oooh...Ahhh...Oh!" Bow and Windy said in amazement.
Then the group flew through a rainbow and each pony was coated in various colors. Then the six Wonderbolts twirled above Bow, Windy, and Scootaloo as the three Pegasi watched in awe and amazement.
Then all but Rainbow rushed toward a cloud and shaped it to look like Bow and Windy's heads. Then Rainbow created a rainbow colored band that she drew around the cloud heads to make a heart, making Bow and Windy smile. Then the six Wonderbolts all made a landing in the background while Rainbow landed in the foreground.
"Mom and Dad," said Rainbow sincerely, "I want you to know that I'm your biggest fan." Bow and Windy smiled as they hovered over to their daughter.
"Oh, honey, thank you," said Windy as she and Bow hugged her, "But you didn't have to do all this. It's kind of..." She then whispered, "...embarrassing."
"Eh, it is a bit much," Bow added.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, but still smiled. She knew that she had gotten her message across. The first being that she loved and appreciated them. The second being how it feels when you over do it with the support. Chase just smiled at the family hug and Scootaloo took their picture.
(Scene changes)
"Thank you, Scootaloo," said Cheerilee, "Very well researched! But a little heavy on the pictures, and there was a moldy sandwich in your report." She gave an awkward chuckle as the sandwich was now in the trash can in the background, "Um, I'll give you a B."
It was then Rainbow, Windy, Bow, and Chase appeared from outside the School house window as the Pegasus family cheered while the alicorn master smiled.
Bow and Windy were now wearing shirts and loose scarves in Scootaloo's mane and coat colors. Bow had a visor with Scootaloo head picture and holding a flag with Scootaloo's cutie mark on it. Windy had a hat that looked like Scootaloo's head on it.
"Yeah! Greatest report giver of all time!" Rainbow yelled.
Then all but Chase rushed into the room as Bow and Windy hoisted Scootaloo into the air.
"Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo!" Bow, Windy, and Rainbow cheered, "Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo! Scootaloo!"
"Keep it down!" Cheerilee called out, "Okay! This isn't a rock concert! Please!"
Chase laughed.
"Forget it Cheerilee," said Chase, "Your class has been lost to the Scootaloo fan club." Cheerilee groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Just let Scootaloo have this," said Chase, "She needs a little family support if you get my drift."
Cheerilee glared but then noticed that Scootaloo was not just smiling, but was crying tears of joy.
"Alright." Cheerilee conceded with a smile as Scootaloo continued to smile while Rainbow and her family cheered her on.
Author's note: Merry Christmas, guys! I hope you all had a holly jolly time with all of your friends and family. Here's a chapter for you to read. I hope you like it