Chapter 11 – Soothing the Weary Soul

The following morning, Rainbow Dash rouses from her bed and gives herself a nice stretch after a goodnight’s rest. Then she turns to her left and is surprised to see that Ford Mustang’s side of the bed is empty. It’s starting to become really strange for her. Most of the time, her husband is the first one to wake up first even before she got pregnant. Even if he does wake up before her, he would often stay in bed and snuggle very closely to her like always. But ever since last week, he gets up much later than usual, and now her stallion is no longer there right beside her.

Hovering down the stairs, Rainbow assumes that Ford is just getting breakfast ready for her. It’s one of his favorite romantic clichés to do the whole “breakfast in bed” thing, which she won’t deny on how sweet he is to always treat her like some noble lady. But once she is downstairs, she is puzzled on how there is no breakfast being made as her nose couldn’t pick up anything.

Okay, if he’s not in bed… and he’s not in the kitchen… then where is he?

Instinctively, she glides into the living room as she contemplates on the whereabouts of her husband. But it didn’t take long for her to find him as she stops in the midst of her search and gazes at the couch in front of her. Stretching across the cloudy furniture is Ford Mustang, who is still asleep and without any covers over him.

Despite wanting to question him, Rainbow Dash bears a thankful smile over her missing stallion, and she quietly leans over and gives Ford a simple yet sweet morning kiss. From feeling the warm sensation on his lips, he drowsily breaks into a smile before he begins to open his eyes. Once he catches a glimpse of his wife, he startles on impulse and breaks from their kiss.

“Oh! G-good morning, angel.” he greets her in surprise.

Filled with concern, she asks in a gentle tone, “Ford... have you been sleeping on the couch last night?”

“Wha…? N-no!” he reassures hastily. “I simply woke up earlier than usual, so I took a moment to take a nice flight outside.”

“And the reason you were on that couch is because…?” she inquires in mild skepticism.

“I guess that early morning flight took a lot out of me. That’s all.” he shrugs with an awkward smile while rubbing the back of his head with a fore hoof.

In truth, he did not just wake up earlier than usual; he woke up right in the middle of the night. And the cause of his recent insomnia is from that recurring dream he keeps having since last week. The one where he is in that dark and gloomy room of the hospital, where he is alongside Rainbow Dash as she agonizingly gives birth to their twins, and where she dies right after that while the brokenhearted stallion hears that dreadful flat line echoing the vast room. The nightmare has become so frightening to go through that he decided to spend the rest of the night on the couch so he doesn’t have to disturb his wife in anyway.

Of course, his means to keep this a secret is put on the line when Rainbow sits right next to him and questions him once again, “Are you sure about that? You look like you hardly got much rest last night.”

Not wanting to lie anymore since it will just make his cover up all the more suspicious, he answers with a soft sigh, “Yeah… you’re right. I haven’t been getting much sleep for awhile. I just feel so… edgy.”

“Maybe you should get some tea for yourself.” she suggests sincerely.

“Yeah, that might help.” he nods to her before getting himself up. “Here, I’ll get us some breakfast in the meantime.”

Quickly enough, Rainbow blocks his way before retorting with a sharp grin, “Oh no! You go ahead and get your tea, and I’ll prepare our breakfast this time!”

In response, he gives in with a chuckling smile, “Okay okay!” And they happily enter the kitchen together.

From there, Rainbow gathers the ingredients from the fridge to make a hearty omelet, while Ford flies up to one of the cabinets to prepare his tea. Unfortunately, from looking through the cupboard, he is disappointed to see that there is no more tea to be found.

“Ah dangit! I forgot that I ran out of tea for quite some time. Guess I should probably pick some up from the store, huh?”

While working on their breakfast from cutting the veggies to go with their omelet, Rainbow makes this recommendation with a bright smile, “Hey, why not stop by Zecora’s place instead? Fluttershy loves those exotic flavors, and I bet she can hook you up with some really good brew over there!”

“Hey yeah! That’s a really good idea!” he agrees very cheerfully before giving his wife a warm, gratifying hug. “Thanks, Rainbow! I’m so lucky to have such a smart and awesome mare like you in my life!”

Yeah… I am pretty smart and awesome, aren’t I?” she boasts lightheartedly.

Then, the grinning stallion leans close to her ear and purrs in a sultry whisper, “And sexy too if I might add!”

After a very satisfying means to start his day, he ventures out into the Everfree Forest in search of Zecora, the local Zebra shaman and herbalist. Even though there is a safe route that cuts right through the supposedly cursed forest, there are only a handful of residents from Ponyville who would dare to tread that path. Even before his discovery of Draconian Magic, he would know just as well as anypony to tread lightly in the mysterious forest. But now, he barely has anything to fear from what lurks within the trees, especially when he completed his epic training within the dark heart of the Everfree Forest. Even still, Ford Mustang can’t help but admire the untamed beauty of the exotic trees and plants as he trots past them.

Eventually, the blue Pegasus reaches the gnarled treehouse that serves as the lovely hut of Zecora. Once he approaches the entrance and knocks on it, the wooden door opens before him in a gentle push, and Ford is greeted by a familiar, little filly with a creamy yellow coat and a mane as red as an apple.

“Oh, howdy Ford!” she squeaks with an adorable smile. “What brings you in these here neck of the woods?”

“Hello, Apple Bloom. Is Zecora home?”

“She sure is! Come on in!”

From being welcomed by the young potion maker, Ford steps inside to wait in the main room of the Zebra’s home. Its inner sanction is decorated with lots of trinkets and decorations from the owner’s homeland. Exiting out of the kitchen, Zecora walks in the larger room to greet the stallion with a friendly smile.

“Well well… what a surprise. A well-known guest right before my eyes.”

“Hi, Zecora.” he greets right back before making his request. “Do you have any tea that might be able to help me? I haven’t been sleeping so well as of lately.”

“If lack of sleep is the cause of your gloom, then why don’t I leave this one to Apple Bloom.” she says as she nods to her apprentice.

With a wide smile over the task she has been entrusted, Apple Bloom gallops to a cupboard nearby and opens it up. Using her mouth, she reaches for a small, knotted bag and brings it before Mustang.

“Here you go, Ford. This lil’ bag contains chamomile and lavender, and they’re perfect for any late-night cup of tea before bed. Ah even picked them myself!” she declares giddily with pride.

Upon accepting the bag of tea leaves, he offers his thanks to the young filly, “Thanks, Apple Bloom. I'm sure this is just what I need for a goodnight's sleep.”

With his bag of herbal tea securely tucked in his wing, he is ready to make his departure, but suddenly, he stops himself as a new thought crosses his mind. Regarding with his troublesome dreams about the grim fate of his wife, he ponders if Zecora may have something that can help Rainbow. After all, her wisdom is well-known within the community.

With that in mind, he faces Zecora once again and asks, “Actually… since I’m already here… there’s something else I wanna ask.”

“What else can we do for a stallion like you?” she says in her accustomed rhymes.

“Do you… have anything that can help Rainbow Dash with her pregnancy?” he requests timidly.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Apple Bloom asks with great worry. “She’s not sick, is she?”

“No no, of course not, Apple Bloom.” Ford reassures with gentle smile with a soft pat on her mane. “It’s just… a means of precaution, that’s all.”

Zecora didn’t say anything regarding with Ford’s request as she simply stares at him nonchalantly. After that, she turns to her promising apprentice and instructs her sweetly, “Apple Bloom, why don’t you go in the back and work on that brew, so we can have a nice lunch of hearty vegetable stew.”

Without questioning her teacher, Apple Bloom nods with a smile before trotting into the kitchen and resuming where Zecora left off regarding with their lunch to come. After the little filly is out of an earshot, the zebra turns toward the Pegasus and inquires with a small, sharp smile, “Now, what’s really on your mind, Ford? Surely it’s more than just tea that’s in stored.”

Entrapped by the inquisitive gaze of the clever shaman, Ford isn’t ready to share his personal dreams with anyone just yet. He didn’t want to burden others with his own concerns. So he explains himself in a simple yet very timid manner, “It’s just that… I-I want to make sure that everything goes smoothly with her pregnancy, and that she isn’t in any poor condition when that big day arrives, that’s all.”

While displaying a sheepish smile, he isn’t sure if his answer is enough to convince the attentive zebra from dismissing her inquisitive eyes on him. But as he starts to feel tense under Zecora’s questioning gaze, she slowly turns around and heads toward one of her cabinets while muttering to Ford, “Hmm… give me just a moment or two, and I’ll see on what I can do.”

Carefully, she inspects all of the potions before her until she finds what she is looking for. With a tender grasp of her mouth, she grabs the elegant bottle of bright yellow-orange liquid and brings it before Mustang.

“This herbal supplement right here has a delightful taste of lemon and honey.” she explains the contents within the glass bottle. “With one sip a day, your wife will be all the more positively sunny.”

With a delighted smile, the anxious stallion reaches for the potion with a fore hoof, but suddenly, the bottled medicine is retracted away from him before Zecora gives a firm warning to him.

“But please, let me be the one to ensure that this is not some miracle cure. Whatever may come to pass is beyond my power once Rainbow Dash reaches at her utmost crucial hour. Do you understand, Ford Mustang?”

A bit distracted by how that last sentence had nothing to rhyme with, he understands the seriousness behind Zecora’s warning. So after taking Zebra’s counseling into some consideration, he complies with a slightly coy smile, “Y-yes, I understand, Zecora. Thank you for all of your help nonetheless. How can I ever repay you?”

“Friends do not owe each other’s debt.” she replies with a small chuckle as she hands over the potion to Ford. “A lesson that you should never forget.”

Upon receiving the honey-colored elixir, he tucks it underneath the same wing where his nighttime tea is stored. But once he thinks that their business is done, Zecora gets his attention by making a small, humble request to him.

“But if it’s not too much to ask before you say ‘goodbye,’ perhaps you can indulge me with some sweet potato pie.” she says as she delicately licks her chops from the suggestion of her favorite treat.

Now, knowing for a fact that Zecora loves one of his well-known desserts since sweet potatoes hark back to her native homeland, Ford Mustang couldn't help but break into an amusing smile before complying with her simple yet acceptable request.

“I think I can work that into my schedule before our next visit.”

After that, Ford Mustang retreats back to his floating home by walking up the long, cloudy ramp while securing his two items within his folded wings. Once he is inside, he closes the door and calls out to his wife cheerfully, “Hey, Rainbow! I’m back!”

“So, did you get whatcha need at Zecora’s?” she asks whilst she flies toward him.

“Yep. And I got something for you as well.”

“Oh really?” she piques with curiosity. “Well, what is it?”

Within his folded wing, he pulls out the bottled elixir and shows it to Rainbow Dash. “Here. It’s an herbal supplement that should make your pregnancy go smoothly.”

Rainbow gawks at the foreign object. Her questioning eyes shift at Ford, and then back at the medicine until she scrunches her muzzle and displays a very sour face at it. “Wait, you got me medicine? Yuck!” she emphasize with a gag of her tongue. “You know how much I dislike taking that myself!”

“Come on, Rainbow!” he pleads with a slight whine. “This is not only for your own good, but it’s made with lemon and honey.

“But I feel fine as it is. It’s not like I’m sick or anything, so I don’t need any of that nasty stuff right now.”

“Either way, you should at least take it just as a precaution. You only need just one sip a day anyhow.”

Giving it some thought to Ford’s plead, Rainbow takes a cautionary step forward while her foreleg reaches for the potion. “Well… if you really want me to… I guess that you…”

But just when her hoof is inches away from the bottle, she passes by it and boops Ford right on the nose before finishing it off with a playful grin, “…will have to catch me first!”

And with the game of tag set in motion, Rainbow Dash rockets away from the speechless stallion before he retorts out loud with a stomp of his hoof, “Hey! Rainbow, get back here!”

“No way, Mustang!” she giggles heartily as she flies around him in circles. “If you want me, you’ll have to come and get me!”

“Rainbow! I’m being serious--!”

“Yeah! Seriously getting your flank left behind!” she grins with a roll of her eyes. “Come on, Ford! Flap those wings and give in the chase already!”

Without moving from his spot, Ford calls out her name in a stern tone, “Rainbow!”

But his words go unheard as the chuckling mare continues to fly around the room in merriment. So he tries again.

“Rainbow!”

And still, the playful Rainbow Dash continues to provoke her nonparticipating husband while hoping that he will join in the fun already. But Ford is in no mood for these games, especially when he so focused on his wife’s well-being. Following on impulse, he roars out her name in one last desperate act.

“RAINBOW DASH!!”

The thunderous call-out is enough to shake Rainbow up where she freezes in mid-air. She looks down and expects to see a very irritated Mustang, but to her shock, she sees Ford expressing some entirely different: not one that is filled with anger and annoyance, but an awfully gloomy look with immensely begging eyes as he desperately pleads to her in a very quiet tone.

“Please take it.”

From hearing that abnormally gentle plea, Rainbow silently ponders Ford’s sudden change of expression as she floats on down. Without putting much of a fuss for Mustang’s sake, she snatches the medicine and grumps lightheartedly, “Sigh… alright fine. Geez, way to take out the fun out of everything.”

“S-sorry, Dashie. I’m just… tired.” he replies pitifully as he is unwilling to admit his true plight.

“Hey, I’m only kidding with you, Ford.” She comforts him with a smile. “Yeesh, you really are on the edge, aren’t you?”

Once she unplugs the capped cork from its hinge, she takes a careful sniff of the bottle first. Despite being surprised by the lovely, sweet scent of lemon, she is still hesitant from taking a sip out of it as she looks back and forth between the questionable concoction and her beseeching husband.

“So… just one sip, right?” she asks while scrunching her muzzle in uncertainty.

“That’s right.” he nods softly.

With one final glance at the potion, she gives a subtle shrug and takes a quick swig of it. After that, she smacks her lips in humorous fashion while closing the hinged cork and slowly processing the aftertaste. And while Ford is anxiously waiting on his wife’s final verdict, Rainbow’s eyes start to bulge out widely as she involuntarily drops the bottle on the cloudy carpet.

“GAK-ACK-UGHHH!!”

Suddenly, she gags exaggeratedly as she keels over on the floor. Deeply alarmed by Rainbow’s anguish, Ford hastily grabs hold of his wife and cries out in desperation for her recovery, “Rainbow?! RAINBOW?! OH GOD NO! PLEASE DON’T… PLEASE DON’T DIE ON ME NOW!”

As the stallion laments greatly over this, his crying comes to an abrupt end when Rainbow tries to muffle her snickering. But all at once, she lets out an uproarious laugh while Ford blankly stares at her in complete disorientation.

“HA-HA-HA! Oh, you should have seen the look on your face!” she comments in-between her uncontrollable laughter. “It doesn’t even taste as bad as I expected! HA-HA! I can’t believe you would actually fall for that!”

“DAMMIT, RAINBOW! THAT WASN’T FUNNY!”

Startled by her husband’s sudden burst of anger, she gets back up and snaps back at him, “What’s the matter with you all of sudden? You’re acting edgier than ever!”

“Oh, well excuse me if I don’t find you dying something worth laughing about!” he retorts sarcastically in unamused frustration.

“Ford, I’m sorry.” she expresses regretfully in a very coy manner. “I didn’t mean to upset you like that. I was only kidding with you.”

Noticing her heartbreaking demeanor, Ford softens up immediately before turning away from her in shame and apologizing right back, “N-n-no, I’m the one who should be sorry. I… should have never snapped at you like that. I’m sorry, Rainbow. I… guess I really need that tea right now.”

And as the ashamed stallion slowly leaves for the kitchen to get his tea ready, Rainbow mutters softly to herself, “Yeah, I guess so.”

The next half-hour is spent in disturbing silence. Ford Mustang is in the kitchen where he is leisurely sipping his tea, and Rainbow Dash is in the living room reclining on one of the sofas as she reads a book. Soon enough, Ford is finished with his sweet, citrusy beverage, and he enters the family room to notify his wife.

“Hey, Rainbow? Is there anything you need from me?” he asks of her sweetly. “I feel the need for another nap right now. “

“No, I’m good as it is.” she responds tenderly. “Good catch your Z’s already.”

“Thanks, Dashie.”

And after giving his thoughtful wife a lovely peck on her cheek, Ford hovers up the staircase and makes his way to the bedroom. Upon setting his sights on the cushiony bed, he plops right onto the mattress and sighs heavily over the possibility of a good sleep at last. But while he gets comfy over his nap, he didn’t even notice Rainbow Dash making her appearance as she silently stares at her husband.

“Hey Mustang?”

“Hmm…?”

“You got room for one more?”

Once he looks behind him and sees the adorable display of his wife’s puppy-dog eyes, he breaks into a small grin and extends an opened wing for her while he answers wittily, “I always have room for my favorite snuggle buddy.”

Happy from receiving the friendly invitation, Rainbow flies toward her husband and is warmly embraced within his wings. Whilst they snuggle underneath the bed sheets, Rainbow looks at the heavy-eyed stallion as she has one last thing to address.

“Ford?”

“Yeah?”

“You know that I’m not going away, right?” she delicately reassures him. “I’m always going to be right here with you, okay?”

Smiling on that tender reassurance, Ford warmly kisses her on the forehead before embracing her even further and sluggishly replies to her, “Yes, I know, Rainbow… I know.”

Author's Notes:

You know, in the beginning of Season 1, I used to think that Apple Bloom's talent was in architecture or designing in general from how she repaired the clubhouse in the episode, "The Show Stoppers." But that idea was quickly dismissed by a more likely possibility: potion making. And it goes all the way back to how she first met Zecora. She was the one to allow Apple Bloom to help with the cure for Poison Joke as well as receive friendly visits from her after that. Not to mention on how Apple Bloom was practicing on her potions under Twilight's tutelage. Hopefully, in the next season or so, we would see more progress on Apple Bloom's potion making skills so that her talent would blossom into full bloom.