My Little Girl

It was a very nice sunny day outside and waiting outside her house a little nervously was Twilight. She had Spike in a small carrier and he was moaning and groaning about being shut in a small box. Still she told him to shush as she'd just received a call on her cell from the Pet Bus driver Lynx that he'd be there in exactly ten minutes so be ready for pick up.

The girls were all going to get their pets 3 month check-ups at Pethaven and it be Twilight's first time there with Spike. Like she told the other girls now that Spike could talk he hadn't had the kindest things to save about his previous vet so she hoped the one that everyone at CHS took their pets too would be better suit to him.

The girls had given her the number of the Pet Bus and she'd scheduled the ride. They called her the night before to tell her when they pick her up and gave her another call as they approached. At least it was only two dollars for a roundtrip.

Finally she saw a small bus coming down the street. It wasn't like a huge school bus; about half the size and it was definitely a unique looking means of transportation. Each side was painted to symbolize a different group of animals. Mammals decorated the front, the right side was adorned with birds, the back end was covered with fish, the left side was crawling reptiles, the top was swamped with amphibians, and the tires and windows had images of invertebrates stuck on them.

The bus stopped in front of her house and the doors opened and she got her first look at Lynx Fauna. He did bear a strong resemble to the wildcat his name was taken from but his eyes were warm and friendly.

You would expect a gruff and rough sounding voice coming from his mouth. But it was surprisingly softer and a bit more dignified like he was not just a mere bus driver that he'd been like a king or at least a lord in some other life.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Welcome about the Canterlot Pethaven Pet Bus. Watch your step please," he said to her kindly as she smiled and got on the bus. She paid him her two dollar fare and took a moment to look around the interior that was just as colorful and neat as the outside. The ceiling had some kind of moving light pictures of different animals and the sides were lined with neon blue glowing tubes of fizzy bubbles. The seats were large and bright colors with secure seat belts and the music was great too. She saw many of classmates alongside the rest of her best friends and her new official boyfriend who had saved her a seat next to him to which she hurried to sit down in.

Lynx waited five minutes till Twilight had buckled herself in and made sure Spike was also safe in the locking mechanism on the floor. "Everyone buckled in all safe and secure? Both human and animal?"

"Yes! Everyone is secured and ready for the next pick up, Lynx! Don't worry we're all safe and you can shove off now!" Tecna called out to him from her seat where next Sunset.

Again there were many classmates from Flash Sentry to the green haired hippie boy Sandalwood and even Trixie and Photo Finish were all seated on the bus. It was like half the school was going to the vet's today!

So the bus started steadily onward to Pethaven as Twilight was actually the last pick up of that Saturday morning. Everyone both owners and pets seemed to be happy and enjoying themselves.

After about twenty minutes the bus pulled up to a very unique looking vet office. Twilight gazed out her window and took a good look and did think it looked more like a pampered pet hotel then a vet's office.

In fact it had been once many years ago an abandon hotel. When Dr. Fauna and her family came to Canterlot they'd purchased the timeworn decaying building, and through both an abundance of charity along with many supportive volunteers from all over Canterlot, they had transformed it into the finest veterinary office you could ever envision.

It did run almost completely on charity donations and most of the staff was volunteers with of course some trained and certified people working as well. So it was almost non-profit, on the other hand everyone did still get a modest salary, however the supplies and food and other things were all charity donations.

Still one by one they disembarked with their pets off the bus and he reminded them all he'd be back at two-thirty to pick them all up to take them home. It was now about a quarter past eleven and with how many kids had brought their pets it would probably take till pick up time to get them all seen.

When Twilight and Spike walked into Pethaven for the first time they knew this was really the best place for any animal to come. That was the one thing undeniably clear just from going through the front doors.

Super friendly people all around you and a very soothing calming atmosphere and things just felt fun and cool. So Twilight was just thinking she was glad she was bring Spike here now and not the old vet anymore.

While most of their classmates and their pets went before them the Mane Seven and Fledge took their pets to a small playroom to romp about till they're called to be seen.

This time Daybreak wouldn't be snatched away and she was having a glorious fun time playing with her owner's best friends. This went on for some time and then the animals all cried at the same time. Only Spike was able to tell them that they're parched and a bit hungry from all the playing.

Fluttershy volunteered to go to the snack room and bring them back food and fresh water and Twilight decided to go with her. They're just coming to the snack room when someone yelled "Watch Out!" and Fluttershy threw her arms up to protected herself from the avalanche of dog food bags falling on top of her. Then she felt at the last second someone grab her and pull her out of harm's way at the last second.

Twilight had managed to jump out of the way and was trying to regain her wits when she saw two people she didn't know. One was the young boy who'd saved Fluttershy from becoming dog food herself, the other was a young woman in a short orange dress who was in her early twenties hurrying towards them looking very worried.

"Is everyone okay?! I heard a very loud crash all the way in my office! I was just getting ready to start a therapy session with a new patient. A cat named Chester whose been having some issues with a new pet in the family and I heard and felt what seemed to be an earthquake! What happened? Rusty can you tell me?" the woman asked fearfully as she tugged at long braided light brown hair and her amber eyes flashing with worry.

"We had a small accident when some dog food being transport to the store room fell off the back of my scooter's wagon, Fawn. I just managed to get this poor girl out of the way before she got crushed. Her friend managed to jump out of the way. Sorry for causing all this." Rusty answered Fawn as he looked apologetically at Fluttershy.

Fawn looked at the girl Rusty had saved and exclaimed loudly, "Fluttershy?! You okay?!"

Fluttershy was slowly opening her eyes and felt safe and warm. "I'm alright thanks to this boy. Thank you for saving my life."

"You're welcome," he replied as he helped her up. Though when their hands touched both felt a strange feeling rushing through them. For a moment they just gazed at each other while mildly blushing and Twilight only smiled knowingly.

Another one of her friends had just fallen under the magic spell of true love. Fluttershy was looking at Rusty the same way she looked at Fledge. And just with her it was a sudden intensity of new feelings one never knew they possessed. She was sure that was also how Applejack felt about Butch at the Stables and how Rarity felt about the French college boy who seemed to have swept her off her feet. Looks like all her friends one-by-one were succumbing to the spell of love!

Right now Fluttershy was talking softly with Rusty who seemed be very rusty looking in appearance. His shaggy hair was like the color of his name and he was dressed in very earthy tones with his clothes being covered with a thin layer of dust along with big earthy brown eyes.

Still after about fifteen minutes of talking Twilight felt they needed to get back to the playroom. So clearing her throat rather loudly and coughing once snapped Fluttershy out of her love spell.

"Oh, umm, I've to get going Rusty. So will I see you next time I'm here or at the Canterlot Animal Shelter?" she asked in a timid but hopeful voice.

"Yeah, you'll see me there. I work here Friday through Monday and then every other day I work at the animal shelter. So we should cross paths again. So nice too meet you, Fluttershy! Take care and here are the snacks you wanted for your guys' pets."

"Thank you, Rusty, you're very kind. Come on, Twilight we better get back to the rest of the girls and Fledge."

"Yeah we should," they just made it five feet when Rusty called out to them again.

"Hey, Fluttershy! Wait up! You dropped something!" turning around she saw he had her butterfly barrette and he clumsily put it back in her light pink hair and they both smiled shyly at each other.

"So see you Tuesday then? I'll be mucking out the new dogs kennels from four to five."

"I'll be there giving the puppies flea baths and giving them meds to prevent fleas and ticks two rooms over on Tuesday. So can't wait to see you, Rusty."

"Sure! It's be a great thing to hang out there. It be almost like a date even if we're both helping the animals out. So I've got to get the rest of this dog food to the storage room then I've also got to clean the kennels here. So call me, okay?" he said as he gave her his cell number and she nodded and gave him her number.

Then he gave her one more big beaming smile before he departed to finish his job. Fluttershy looked as if her heart was about to flutter out of her chest as she was holding that slip of paper close to her heart as Twilight carried the food and water back to the playroom for her.

"Tell me, Twilight, is this feeling rushing through me like what you felt when you saw Fledge for the first time?"

"What exactly are you feeling?"

"Well I just met a cute stranger and I feel like I'm right at the moment about to take a long strange journey with no real destination in mind. Like I'm seeing dreamlike visions in my mind all peaceful and very lovely.

Because no-one told me and I surely didn't know that I'd encounter that boy just now and I feel like my heart is starting to do a great deal of unexpected things. Like its racing like a raging river and these emotions I'm feeling I've never felt beforehand. I feel as light as a feather like I don't even need to pony up and get wings to fly.

I feel dizzy like I've just spent all night dancing at the same time I also feel like I could burst with just joy and happiness and even just sing and not even care about my usual stage fright.

I'm just happy and yet it's a happiness I have never felt before. Like it's the beginning of a never-ending perfect dream.

Does any of that make sense to you?"

"Sounds like you are falling in love to me. I'm starting to think sooner rather than later all seven of us will be in love and perhaps we'll have boyfriends before the school year is up!

I mean Fledge and myself have pretty much decide we want to be a couple, we also know from all the time we've spent at the Stables supporting and watching Sunset train for the Equestrian Games that Applejack and Butch are really falling for each other.

We also saw that Rarity fell under the spell of love rather quickly with her prince when we're the college not long ago. Plus we have all heard her going on and on practicing French so she can speak to her new beau in his native tongue.

Now it looks like you've just become smitten and from just seeing how you both went gaga over one another however subtly and he gave you his number I'd say you're in love. So out of the Seven of us girls four of us are really in love."

"Well, I guess there is more than one form of magic. We all know the Magic of Friendship so well and we embodied it so well that we're ponying up more and more. Still the Magic of Love? That's something new to all of us."

Both girls were blushing when Rainbow Dash stuck her head of the play room and asked a bit rudely, "What's been taking you this long to get some snacks for our pets? You've been gone like half an hour! What did you do become snails and crawl on your bellies?"

"Rainbow Dash! No need to be rude! And they were only gone 18 minutes if you looked at the clock. No need to be that impatient. Geez!" Applejack reprimand Rainbow Dash from the corner in which she sat.

"Yeah, Dash, I'm sure they had a good reason to be a little longer than we thought they be. By the way do you guys know what made that horrible crashing sound? Daybreak was so scared she hid in my jacket for the last ten minutes." Sunset asked as she was still trying to calm down her little baby as pets are like your best friends and babies rolled into one.

"That what was keeping us. Some huge bags of dog food fell of this boy named Rusty's small wagon attach to his scooter he was using to get it to the storage room. He saved Fluttershy here from becoming flat as a pancake and then we had to wait till things were alright and we came back." Twilight explained.

The girls and Fledge all saw Fluttershy was still looking love-struck and holding a piece of paper to her heart and sighing in a dreamy fashion.

"Looks like Fluttershy just got bit by the love bug! Ohh! Isn't love so grand? Next to friendship and dreams what's more magical then true love? I ask thee to tell me what more magical then that?" Rarity asked the room at large as she closed her eyes and thought about her own sweetheart.

"Love and dreams are important, yes, Rarity, though I guess the last important thing of life is family. That too isn't a surefire guarantee to have in life either. So I'd say family, friends love and dreams are like the most important things in life and none should ever be taken for granted." Fledge stated strongly as he was brushing Sabiya's fur where he sat.

"Ha! Love! Who needs a boyfriend to be happy? I'm perfectly fine and awesome without going gaga over some silly boy! Like I need anyone to make myself feel more awesome!" Rainbow Dash said with a laugh as she flipped her rainbow hair but the rest of the group glared at her.

"Just you wait till the day love finds you, Rainbow Dash. It will happen when you least expected and when you feel what we're all feeling you won't be acting so proud and like it ain't important. It's gonna be like so powerful it will knock you right out of your socks!" Applejack shot back at her to which Rainbow Dash looked unconvinced.

Luckily before an argument on the subject could break out a young woman in lab coat with bottle green curly hair came in to say it was there turn with Dr. Fauna. So they picked up their pets and went to the back exam rooms and the kind older woman came in and one by one checked out their pets.

Spike did really seem to like Dr. Fauna over his old vet and she wasn't even shocked when he forgot he shouldn't talk and said he liked her. She merely said she knew about the magical things happening at CHS as did most of the town so it wasn't a surprise.

Also she revealed to Twilight as she finished updating Spike's rabies vaccination something that caught her a bit off guard. It seemed shortly after Fluttershy had been exposed to Equestrian magic and had come here to help her presence seemed to have the unintentional side effect of magically bestowing the power of speech to any animal she was in close proximity too.

So she wasn't surprise to hear Spike be able to talk, only slightly taken aback by the fact unlike the other animals here he was permanently able to talk. Twilight explained how that happened and said him getting zapped by Fluttershy's magic while it was being drained from her seemed to have stayed in his body.

She thanked the vet and said she couldn't wait to come back again and Dr. Fauna assured her any sort of problem call and make an appointment they're open every day of the week and only seriously bad weather would shut them down for the day.

Everyone felt good and was glad that they didn't have to pay too much for getting their pets checked out given this place was almost entirely non-profit. They only each ended up paying 15 dollars and gave each a dollar donation to the charity jar. With also the promising of donating supplies in the future and Fledge promised his parents would make a very charitable donation themselves in the future.

Then it was just getting back on the bus with their classmates and heading home all with the note to just observe their pet's behavior and health for the rest of the weekend to make sure they had no adverse effects from their visit.

Everyone had a lot to talk about on the bus ride home and it looked like this was indeed the best vet's office ever made! So all in all a good productive Saturday.

Still the weekend is only two days long and well it does seem 48 hours really isn't a lot of time when the weekdays were five days long and that was 120 hours long with 36 and half hours spent in school a week.

Twilight had actually done the math and explained the precise number of hours of school time too her friends when they got to school Monday. Like many other kids they'd been grumbling about how lousy it was to only have 48 hours free a week and they wonder how much of the week day was spent in school.

The girls all ended up having a good laugh at that and did talk a little more on the subject of young love and boys in general to which Rainbow Dash still seemed to brush off as not important.

As she was saying this however Sunset and Twilight noticed some of the other jocks kicking around a soccer ball and one of them kept looking at Rainbow Dash. It wasn't the first time this boy had been seen giving Rainbow Dash a quick glance or at least Sunset knew that one, Twilight still hadn't been at CHS long enough to know everyone.

She certainly hadn't meet all the Wondercolt athletes that was for sure or at least not spoke to all of them. She at least seemed to know almost the whole student body faces but just not all their names yet.

It was when one of the star athlete was gazing lovingly in Rainbow Dash's direction that he missed his friends kicking the ball at him and it went wildly past him and right at the back of Rainbow Dash's head.

"Look out, Rainbow Dash!" the boy cried out urgently and she reacted with superfast reflexes and turned around fast enough and managed to catch the ball that a goalie would've missed nine out of ten times.

The girls breathed a sigh of relief as the boy came rushing over to get the ball from Rainbow Dash and to make sure she was alright.

"Wow! Good catch, Rainbow Dash! You're so fast! No wonder you're the captain of just about every team at school! You okay though?" the boy asked. He was wearing a Wondercolt jacket and his navy blue hair looked like it was always windswept.

"Don't worry so much about me, Soarin'. Just make sure you watch where the ball is going when we do have our next school soccer match. I may the best striker that this school ever had on the team, but we wouldn't be nearly as good if you weren't the best forward next to myself of course! See you later at practice, we've got to go get our books from our lockers before homeroom. See yeah!" she replied as she juggled the ball at the same time before kicking it lightly into his hands.

Rainbow Dash didn't even realize that Soarin' was still gazing at her as she the girls hurried into the school to their lockers. Though Fledge who was a little late being dropped off sure noticed.

He had witnessed everything and he knew that look he'd worn himself when he'd met Twilight. So he went over to Soarin' and touched his shoulder making him jump a bit.

"Wow! You sure can jump high into the sky when you're startled can't you?" Fledge commented with a laugh as he helped Soarin' up of the ground and dusted him off.

"Hey, Fledge! How you doing? Finally going to hang a bit with the guys and not with your girlfriend's girlfriends?" he asked in a mild sarcastic tone.

"Well, I admit I've been around a lot of estragon lately and could probably use a dose of testosterone for a few days. So yeah I guess today it be okay to chill with the boys. Even if Twilight and I are now officially a couple doesn't mean we've to be joined at the hip and be together every single second."

"So does that mean you want to hang with the rest of the jocks today? Or at least have lunch with the sports teams today?"

"Well, if it means you still want to talk to me about how you want to get Rainbow Dash's attention I will."

Soarin' blushed intensely from that and muttered with his green eyes gazing at the ground, "Is it that obvious I like her? Since she doesn't seem to know."

"Yeah, I can tell from a mile away that you've got a serious case of currently unrequited love. How long have you been crushing on Dash?"

"Since about the sixth grade. So that's five years now? Since we first met at Cloudsdale Jr. High. We met in our very first gym class on the first day of sixth grade. We're playing indoor soccer ironically and she helped our team win that day, the thing was she let me score the goal that won that game since she was blocked and she just well quite beautiful and very cool girl.

So yeah I've had a serious crush on her for five years now. I just wish she notice me in the way I want to be noticed and not just as another member of the school sports teams," he confessed as both he and Fledge walked down the hall to their own lockers during this time.

"Well, Soarin' I've learned a lot in a short time about love and dating and I'll say this. It has a mind of its own and takes things at its own pace. Still you have to do a small part to help it. If you want Dash to notice you in a more romantic light you're gonna have to do something to show it.

I mean like they say "God helps those who help themselves" and since love is like the greatest gift the good Lord above gave his children we have to do some of the work ourselves to get it going.

You can't just stand by and expect everything to happen for itself. You need to put some effort into it."

Sighing he struggled to open his locker to which Fledge helped him get open and they continued to talk about the subject of young love and dating when on their way to homeroom Principal Celestia's voice was heard over the PA system telling all the students to head to the gym for a special assembly. Shrugging they headed quickly to the gym and took some seats in the third row.

The Mane Seven were in the second row and three chairs to the left of where Fledge sat with Soarin' on his left and another boy who he wasn't well acquainted with, who looked kinda like a male Pinkie Pie with the same super curly hair and party spirit, on his right.

The students didn't know why they'd been called to the gym because they hadn't had prior warning to know about this assembly. Still everyone was curious to know what was going on.

Standing on the stage was their beautiful kindhearted principal with her lovely little sister who was a bit sterner. They seemed to be happy about something but what the students had no idea.

"Good morning, CHS. I hope you all had a pleasant weekend. Now to the point of this assembly. As you all recall we had recently had a school boarding meeting and we talked about many things, most which I won't bore you all with.

But one thing the school board and my sister and I all agreed on is that this school needs a few more special events than the typical seasonal dances or normal events. So we've come up with a special event for the female student body. Luna, could you be a dear and tell them what we have in mind for the girls?"

"Gladly, big sister," as she took the mike from her big sister and addressed the students who were looking at her with rapt attention and interest.

"We've many more events planned out for the rest of the school year, however the first one is aimed at the females of the student body, but don't fret boys. You'll still get to help.

We are having the first ever Canterlot High Father Daughter Dance next Saturday. On that night all you ladies will have a special date with your fathers and have a nice dance and hopefully fun and make some special memories with the men who loved you first."

The girls were all gossiping happily and seemed excited about this with the boys wondering what they had to do. They got their answers as Vice Principal Luna explained that the boys would be helping set up for the dance and making it perfect for the girls.

Vice Principal Luna did say she already had some of the boys jobs for the preparations for the dance ready and that the person to be in charge of this party committed since Pinkie Pie would be busy getting ready for the dance with her father, was another person on the school party planning committed.

This turned out to be the boy sitting on Fledge's right who stood up and took a bow when Luna said his name, Cheese Sandwich who would be in charge of the party planning and then to his own shock Luna said he'd be second in command to which left Fledge flabbergasted.

After a few more minutes of explaining what this upcoming dance entailed and that they needed a few people to ask their parents if they'd like to help chaperone the dance as they needed extra helpers, the students were released and of course all the girls were talking excitingly about this upcoming dance!

Even Sunset was looking forward to it and seemed ready to let the rest of the students know she did have a home and a family. Since she really did love her foster dad and if her friends found him so cool it was about time the rest of the kids at CHS found out just how cool her parents were.

When the students were released from the gym everyone was gossiping happily about this dance. Almost immediately all the girls were already pestering Tecna if this meant her mom Beauty Mark would have a special at her store, for helping them all find the right formal outfit plus the beauty treatment needed for such an important dance. Once the Mane Seven got the girls to back off enough to give Tecna some room to breathe and think, the sexy cool young teenager informed her fellow females, she'd have to ask her mom first about it, though she felt that be a sure thing for all of them!

The boys on the other hand were busy thinking about what was expected of them to make this a very special night for the girls and their dads. That also meant as soon as the bell rang for the last period they'd have to get started that instant on getting things rolling.

Still even though this party be overseen by Cheese Sandwich rather than Pinkie Pie there was no doubt that this boy had just as much zealous and explosive manic energy needed to get this thing started!

So when it was lunch time the females were in one half of the cafeteria and boys on the other half talking about all these things. The Mane Seven were really happy and excited, even Applejack was cool with going as even though her parents were gone she knew that Big Mac would still take her and Apple Bloom no problem. So they're still all talking about things needed to be done and of course Rarity was already given fashion advice and beauty tips.

Things were looking up well and when Sunset got home after school let out she was already so thrilled about this dance she wasn't even concerned about the idea anymore of what they school would think of meeting her parents.

She came home threw her backpack down on the living room floor and was looking around for her parents. But when she enter the apartment all at first she found was Daybreak.

When she went to the kitchen to feed her kitten she saw a note taped to the double door fridge. However almost no-one else be able read it as it was obviously written by her father as he wrote it in Japanese.

Taking it off the fridge and kicking the door shut after getting things to make herself a raspberry smoothie, she read aloud. Though it was written in Japanese and she was reading those words aloud, she knew the language well enough to know what it said in English.

Basically translate the note said, "Dear Daughter, your mom and I had an emergency at work. Make yourself healthy leftovers for dinner and do your homework. Be back at ten at the latest, love Dad."

Sighing she went to finish making her raspberry smoothie and get her homework to do first. So having her smoothie along with a small veggie tray for a snack she first did her homework, though she did wish her parents were there to check to make sure it was done right.

After finishing her schoolwork she looked in the fridge to see what healthy leftovers they had that she could wipe up into a good dinner. She ended up making herself a berry salad with homemade veggie juice with some strawberries added for an extra kick.

Looking at the kitchen clock she smiled. This actually was clock her mother had made. The frame had been made from the wood of the family's birth trees that could be found in the Celtic Zodiac.

So one part was made of her mom's birth tree which was ash because her birthday was March 11th. People who had ash as their birth tree were natural born free thinkers, imaginative, intuitive and very artistic which fit Sunfire to a T. Also it did say that a good partner for them if you were thinking of the Celtic Zodiac was willow or reed.

But her father birth tree was ivy that fit him to a T. His birthday was October 14th. And people who were born of the tree ivy were highly intelligent, very giving and compassionate souls who are noted to be charming and charismatic and able to hold their own in any social situation and preserver through all life troubles. But they also did attract people who were born of either Oak or Ash. So that did mean her parents were match on that at least.

The final part of the outside of the clock was made from her own birth tree. Hazel as her birthday in the human world was August 14th. Hazel meant she was highly intelligent, organized and efficient. With an excellent memory when it came to facts of knowledge and also had an eye for details.

So the outside of the clock was made from their Celtic Zodiac for word. In place of the numbers was the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac done in the order it went. Which was rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

So Rat was the number '12" and then going clockwise would be the other Zodiac animals.

The hands had been carved with the normal zodiac symbols with the first half being the hour hand, the second half being minute hand and just a leftover chopstick being the second hand.

So they called it their Family Zodiac Clock. Which again was just something her parents did with her shortly after they took her in as a means to bond and it was cool and one of a kind that was for sure.

She saw right now it was about nine twenty and she should at least get a shower in and hope her parents got home soon. So she quickly took her shower and got ready for bed.

Still she waited a while for them to come home. She kept her eyes on her alarm clock and finally when it was about five minutes after ten she sighed and decided she might as well go to sleep.

No sooner had she turned off the lights and laid her sweet head on the pillow to rest she heard her parents come home. Throwing off the covers she hurried to go hug them.

They still were getting use to Sunset's change in behavior. They had done a lot to reign her in when she first came and had laid down the rules but still this transformation was still new to them sometimes.

Right now she hugged them like she hadn't seen them in years instead of them only being gone for work. Wondering if something bad had happened they asked her what was on her mind.

Sunset wiped her tears away and pulled the small flyer that had been handed out at the assembly that morning and gave it to her parents too look at. They looked happy about the dance but did ask the question if she was alright with her father taking her to the dance to which she said she was. That she was ready for the school to know she wasn't homeless and without a family.

Seeing that Sunset was now more willing to let others know the truth outside her personal friends called for a late night dessert. So homemade ice cream was made and they talked about some of the other things going to happen soon.

By the next day all of the Mane Seven had agreed to go shopping for dresses and book a pampering beauty treatment before the dance at Tecna's mom's beauty salon/boutique.

Tecna had told all the girls via email that her mom was more than willing to give all the girls a free beauty treatment and that all formal wear would be 55% off for the dance! As well as free smoothies and frozen yogurt for all who came to Beauty Mark's place to shop.

So it was decided they go with their moms to shop afterschool on Thursday as Tecna pointed out in her email her mom needed at least 48 to get things ready in her shop for the massive crowd coming.

So that at least gave the girls time to plan and Tecna' mom time to get ready. It also gave the boys a few days to get their heads together and start to get things ready to set up for the dance, as well as confirm which parents had agreed to chaperone the dance.

In the end it was most of the Mane Seven's moms who had agreed to help chaperone. So that was both Sunset and Twilight's moms who would be joined by Pinkie Pie's mom Cloudy Quartz and Fluttershy's mom Blossom Shy.

All the girls' fathers were busy getting their best suits ready. Fledge's father had offered to help his son's girlfriend and her friends' dads some extra help. Fledge's dad may dress very casually but he did keep up-to-date with latest trends and had a friend who ran a men's clothing store.

So whilst the girls were with their moms which also included Rarity and Sweetie Belle's mom Cookie Crumbles and Rainbow Dash's mom Rainbowshine going the Beauty Mark Boutique/Salon

This was gonna be awkward for everyone because even if their daughters and Fledge were very tightknit none of their parents had just had some alone time to get to know each as well as their kids knew each other.

So the moms were waiting for their daughters to finish school on Thursday and getting ready to go to boutique. Fledge's mother had offered to come to help them out for two reasons. One she actually owned a car big enough to fit this many people at once and two she wanted to get to know the mothers of her son's closest friends as well. Also just to have more contact in general with more people at CHS.

The other moms had no problem and did agree they did need a big enough car to fit seven teenage girls along with eight grown ladies with still room in the trunk for the dresses and accessories they're to buy.

Also a second huge van was going to be used by Fledge's father who was first dropping off supplies to help with the dance and Helena had offered to help with the dance preparations which Celestia and Luna had agreed that the boys could use some adult supervision all the same.

So right now Fledge, his dad and Helena were dropping off things in the gym while the moms just waited outside for their daughters to come out. Everyone was hurrying to get outside but then when they did a headcount they realized they're missing Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash being the fastest offer to go track her down and get her.

It wasn't exactly hard to find Pinkie Pie who couldn't seem to grasp the concept that this was one party she wasn't supposed to help plan. Rainbow Dash found her exactly where she thought she be. In the gym where she and Cheese Sandwich were obviously talking about party plans and seemingly hitting it off as a couple as well.

"Pinkie Pie! C'mon! We've to get going! Our moms are waiting and you already know we're not supposed to be helping with the preparations for the dance! We're supposed to be just leaving that too the boys! So come on!" Rainbow Dash remarked in a mildly irritated tone as she started to drag Pinkie Pie away which honestly felt like she was dragging a fifty pound weight.

They nearly made it too the door with Pinkie's boots leaving visible marks on the gym floor when a sudden shout caught Rainbow Dash's attention. Someone was falling off a ladder that wasn't being held down and was going to crash any second.

Without thinking about it her lightning reflex kicked in and she ponied up and faster than the eye could see she saved the guy who'd been falling and put him on the ground.

"Wow! Thanks, Rainbow Dash! I would've been a pancake if not for you! Thanks!" Soarin' told her in a grateful tone as he hugged her tightly and suddenly she felt her own heart quicken and actually fluttered a few inches off the ground from being hugged.

"You're….wel….wel…welcome, Soarin'! Happy to help a friend in need. Gotta go now and get my dress for the dance! Umm see yeah...ow!" she exclaimed as she been backing away she stepped on a broom and had it smack her in the face.

"You okay, Rainbow?" Soarin' asked concerningly and Rainbow Dash moaned out she was fine but couldn't help but blush and see Soarin' like she was seeing him for the first time.

Then it was Pinkie Pie's turn to start dragging her away and out the door. Though as they hurried to get to the van parked outside it looked like now everyone but Sunset had someone they were in love with.

By this time Fledge's father had finished with his son and was ready to go pick up all the dads. So that meant he needed to pick up Nigh Light, Yin Yang, Igneous Pie, Rarity's dad Hondo Flanks, Rainbow Dash's dad Rainbow Blaze and the last one was Nimbus Shy.

Things of course shopping with their moms was fun and cool and just good bonding time. Most girls did enjoy shopping maybe not always with their moms but this was a special occasion.

Tecna and her mom Beauty Mark were super busy helping out everyone they could and Tecna's computer programs were thrown into overdrive trying to keep up with the demands and needs of all the girls and their moms at the story but business was definitely booming that night and the end result was everyone was happy.

Even the dads with Fledge's dad's help found very nice formal wear and he even took them to get some dance lessons so they wouldn't be dancing on all their daughters toes at the actually dance.

It was the night before the dance that Sunset had any time to write a letter to Princess Twilight. Choosing her words carefully she began to write her letter.

"Dear Princess Twilight and to you as well Prince Fledge,

Things for the past two weeks at CHS have been like an out-of-control whirlwind of dresses, party planning and hair and makeup.

We're having a Father Daughter Dance at school tomorrow night. This means are dads are our dates and we go with them to a formal event. You know a black-tie affair?

We are all wearing more formal dresses then what you wore with everyone to the Fall Formal. Almost prom like dresses to be honest. Like we at a debutant ball or at least a real royal ball.

But they're more formal and not edgy or goofy looking. My dress is a reddish-pink strapless dress with a sash around the middle that has a bit of it hanging off the side. There is a small brooch like gem to just cover up my cleavage. I'm also wearing a pink chocker with pink stones plus matching bracelets and earrings.

So I know I'll look very beautiful, since again my mom got a good eye and keen fashion sense. Speaking of my mom and my dad for that matter I'm ready.

I'm ready for all of CHS to meet them and I can let go of the past and start anew. So tomorrow all of CHS will meet my parents as Sunfire is chaperoning and Yin Yang is my date.

Little nervous to be honest though given the situation who wouldn't be? Still I just hope this will be a magical unforgettable night. I also hope those dancing lessons that Fledge's father Helia gave to all our dads pays off since I don't want my feet to be step on all night.

Though all the girls did a get a few dance lessons at school from the local dance teacher. Her name is Hoofer Steps. She's a skilled dance teacher I'll tell you that much.

She also happens to teach Apple Bloom who took up dancing as a hobby though Applejack thinks the real reasons is because of a boy named Tender Taps is in the class and she's got a crush on him and vice versa.

It's a bit laughable if you think about it since it seems like everyone else in the group has started to find out about the Magic of True Love.

You both know that your other selves are a couple here. Now it looks like the guy in charge of the stables where my horse is housed Butch and Applejack are dating. Though he affectionately calls her "Jackie"

Rarity is already having a blossoming relationship with that French college boy named Suave Debonair and they already seemed to be having a lot of lovey-dovey romantic ideas for the two of them!

Also it should be noted that Fluttershy met her ideal match at Pethaven the vet office we all use. A very down-to-earth sweet well-mannered boy by the name of Rusty Crust and they've been having their own grand time.

Pinkie Pie even though she's not supposed to be planning this dance is clearly having a thing go on between her and the guy in charge Cheese Sandwich.

Also despite Rainbow Dash swearing she'd never fall in love and didn't need a boy she starting to see a fellow jock in a new light.

So everyone but myself is in love. I'm truthfully still not really looking for love but that's the thing about love. It finds you and when you least expected it too.

Still must get my beauty sleep now so I can have a wonderful night tomorrow with my amazing dad.

So talk to you later.

Love Sunset Shimmer."

"Sunset? Honey? We've to get going or we won't make it too the dance on time. You know your father's been looking forward to this since it was announced. So you ready or not?" Sunfire inquired as she stuck her head into her daughter's bedroom.

"I'm almost ready, Sunfire. Don't worry, I'll be ready in ten minutes and we can get going."

"Okay, then I'll go finish getting my own formal wear on and we can leave."

"Okay, Sunfire."

Sure enough in ten minutes the family was ready and heading to the school for the dance. Sunfire and her husband had expected for Sunset to revert to her unwillingness to reveal her family to the school. To their surprise it looked like Sunset had gotten over the last of her guilt and shame and was ready to start anew.

The dance started at seven and would go till ten. Finding a park space was a little harder but they quickly found one and Sunset hurried out of the Honda and rushed to her friends all dressed up in proper formal dresses and they all talked excitedly and like with Sunset all their fathers too had given them a corsage to wear.

No-one looked embarrassed or worried and even Applejack was just fine that it was her brother taking her and their little sister to the dance since her parents were gone. So at least she wasn't sulking about it.

They got in a long line with their father's holding them in the way one might associate with walking down the aisle as they walked into the school to the gymnasium.

They gave their names and got pictures taken and Sunset made sure she was the last one. It was then when they all got into the gym and there was everyone else introducing their dads to the other girls that she took a deep breath and then went with her friends to the first gaggle of girls and their dads and introduced hers.

Slowly one by one everyone was shocked to meet Sunset Shimmer's parents but she bored it well even when some gave her the looks she was expecting but that was quickly resolved.

Then Principal Celestia announced it was time for the dance to begin and to enjoy themselves that night. So the first dance to open the dance was a waltz which at least everyone had been practicing and everyone pulled it off perfectly.

After the first dance was over then things got kicked up a notch and soon more modern dancing and music was going on and it was just an enjoyable night and everyone was just dancing up a storm and having a great time.

They did have a few more formal dances and there was even one slow dance but the final dance was to do whatever you wanted and it was just wonderful.

The Mane Seven asked their dads to pose in a photo with them and that made the night perfect. It was truly a magical night.

Sunset was very tired by the end of the night and instead of sitting in the passenger seat on the drive home Yin Yang sat in the backseat with his daughter while she rest her head on his lap and he even carried her to bed.

Both parents kissed their daughter goodnight and whispered they loved her.

Sunset was just dreaming happily throughout the night with the fresh memories prancing around in her mind and when she woke the next morning she was still in a good mood.

It was then she noticed that she had actually slept through the reply message from Princess Twilight.

She opened her magical journal and read what Princess Twilight had to say.

"Dear, Sunset Shimmer,

My husband and I are very happy to hear you were going to have such a special night with your dad. Even if it's technically your foster father.

But as my husband has also pointed out only stupid idiots care about a stupid technicality to begin with.

A parent is a parent regardless if they're blood, adoptive, step, or foster like a sibling a sibling regardless of being either adopted, step, foster or whatever!

Family is family and what matters at the end of the day is that they love you for you and care for you and that's all that really matters. Nothing else matters except again to stupid idiots.

Family and friends are what matter and what really matters is the feelings they give you and if your heart has a reason to beat and it also gives you a reason to wake up each day and live.

So my husband is very wise in that aspect. He knows what true family is and he also knows just because you have a child of your own or a siblings doesn't really make you a parent or a sibling.

That must come from something much deeper something more personal. And not everyone really has what it takes to be a real parent or a siblings. Even if you're by blood or birth it doesn't mean you're a true one in the ways that do matter.

Speaking of all this family talk Shining Armor sent me a few letters about how he's trying to adjust to being a father himself which is a lot more work then he thought it be.

Though at least thanks to Sunburst Flurry Heart's magic is at least under control. Starlight been keeping in touch with Sunburst whose been telling her about his new responsibilities and at least their friendship is strong and true.

I've been seeing more of my friends here spending a lot of time with their families and I've been keeping in touch with my own. All the same it's been making me think more and more about maybe having a family of my own with Fledge sooner rather than later.

I know we should wait till we're really ready and truly understand what having a foal means. Just as one should look past the fantasy of the wedding and really understand what being married really means same goes for having a child.

Nevertheless I'm feeling it will be sooner rather than later when Fledge and I decide we are ready to at least try to have a baby.

Though again we need to really understand what that really means first and work out a few other things before we really make the decision to start trying.

Well, that's where I leave you for now. Fledge and I must leave soon before anypony notice we're gone. We plan to have a romantic weekend faraway from Ponyville and just talk about this subject away from prying eyes and ears.

Good luck with whatever happens next to you and the rest of our friends at CHS and I hope you tell your parents you love them. It's nice to show it but sometimes it just needs to be said aloud as well.

So see you later, love your friend Princess Twilight Sparkle.

P.S. Fledge told me he wants to try and send you some nice dreams to have if you get stressed out. So if you need good dreams just ask and he'll send some nice one's for you to enjoy."

Shutting the magical book and hugging it close to her heart she smiled and felt full of love, joy and friendship. Then she quietly crept to the kitchen and made a quick breakfast and served it too her parents in bed and said the words "I love you," to them.

They said they loved her as their daughter, yet Sunset still wasn't ready to call them Mom or Dad. But the three of them curled up together in bed and shared the wonderful breakfast together and also Daybreak joined them and for a moment their family was having the perfect moment of family love and that was all that really mattered at the end of the day.