Author's Notes:

As promised. The next chapter has arrived.
Realizing to myself that one day I have to rewrite this whole book and those that come after it as hard cover and completely not pony related...makes me cringe a bit. But that day will come, for now I shall enjoy building my world. Until next time my lovely readers

"Sol, wait a moment."

Mere feet from the front entrance, both Rainbow and Daybreak stopped and turned to face the living room. Discord was leaning against the passageway, in an uncharacteristic fashion, that separated the two rooms. He had a grim look covering his features, of which he made no attempt to hide from his son. That look was the only thing that kept Daybreak from retorting rudely about his name.

"I know that when you fought that Horseman's servant, you used Solar Eclipse to defeat her...Listen to me, very carefully...You cannot use his power anymore, ever again! Whatever you wanted to accomplish by shattering the Mirror didn't work, I know you can see that much. But it did have consequences. That thin line separating you from the Void is even thinner now. If you call him again, in anyway, the line will vanish. You might not come back. Do whatever you can to forget about him and find another way to win."

Daybreak turned away from his father. " That's easy for you to say, he isn't inside of YOUR head. But don't worry, I hadn't intended on using him again anyways. It was a one time thing. That's all."

His features were well hidden, even Rainbow couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking, but it was clear Discord wasn't buying it.

"Say that if it makes you feel better, but I know you're lying. I've given you fair warning now. What you do with it is entirely up to you. If you try and use him to win against Famine, you'll be doing exactly what she wants. You'd be handing her a dangerous weapon."

Daybreaks fists clenched, but Rainbow beat him to the punch. Stepping away from Daybreaks side, she took an aggressive step towards Discord.

"If you would help us out then he wouldn't have to rely on him! How can you call yourself his dad if you won't even act like one when he needs you? You should be out there doing something!"

Discords eye twitched, but Rainbow didn't back down.

"And forget about being the Lord of Chaos! The Discord I remember fighting would never have hid in his house while someone ELSE took over the world! What's the matter with you all of the sudden!? Did your balls fall off in the past few years?!"

Daybreaks hand appeared on her shoulder, she heard him whisper under his breath "Don't!" but she didn't care. Now that she was riled up, she was ready to let him have it.

"You know before we came here, Daybreak told me not to ask you for help. And I didn't argue, because I wanted to get to know you as his dad without ruining the mood! But just look at him!" She swung her arm back, regarding Daybreak shivering and struggling to hold himself up on his own. It was quite a pathetic sight to be honest, even if it was only temporary.

"If he thought you'd come to help fight do you really think he'd have done what he did!? I may not be able to understand what's going on with that Mirror, but even I can tell when he feels desperate. I never liked you before, but I still couldn't understand why Daybreak didn't talk about you and Celestia like parents. But now I know why. It's because you never were parents! I can see it in the way you talk to him! You probably never once told your own kid that you loved him did you!? HE'S YOUR GODDAM SON DISCORD! NOT SOME TOOL FOR YOU TO USE! GET OFF YOUR ASS AND ACT LIKE A FUCKING FATHER FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!"

When she finally lowered her tone, neither Discord nor Daybreak seemed to know what to say. Rainbow just stood there, huffing and heaving in gulps of air as silence floated uncomfortably in the room. Daybreak carefully watched his father, fearful for what he might do. He'd never seen anyone speak to him in that way and get away with it unscathed.

The silence hung there for several minutes, with no one moving a muscle. Rainbow was still drawing heavy breath and Daybreak was too mortified to dare speak a word. His eyes were glued to his father, scenarios streaming through his head of what he might be able to do if Discord reacted violently. With his legs wobbling and his body shivering, he wasn't exactly comfortable casting any spells at the moment, but he didn't see any other choice if Discord attacked. Even on his best day, Daybreak wasn't exactly sure he could do anything more than delay his father a single moment.

As if reading his mind, Discords hand suddenly shot downwards without warning! Daybreak, panicking that he was about to cast some kind of spell, reacted without thinking! Flames jumped to his fists as he pulled back his hands, ready to toss a fire blast straight towards Discords face! Though it was all for naught, as Discord withdrew his hand from his pocket to reveal...a golden pocket watch within his palm. Ignoring his sons surprised features, he clicked open the tiny case and glanced downwards briefly. After a moment he looked back to the pair and spoke, with the blankest expression on his face.

"I think it's time you both left."

They exchanged a confused glance. As he extinguished the fire in his hands Daybreak spoke, unsure if he'd actually heard right.

"Umm...Father?"

"Leave. Now." There was no mistaking it this time. They had been dismissed, and in a tone so unnaturally calm, Daybreak found himself looking over his shoulder as they turned for the door. There was a newfound weight in the room, a weight that Daybreak easily recognized as his fathers own aura. He could feel it, swirling throughout the air like a thick fog. Half expecting to be transformed into a squid before they managed to exit the house, he found himself dawning his raincoat much faster than normal. All thoughts of his own exhaustion were gone as fear gripped his mind and hastened his body!

Rainbow was done even faster than he was. The feeling of her rapidly pulling his raincoats sleeves onto him with increased ferocity, told him that she was feeling the same unease. The tension in the room seemed to spike by the second. Once they were both fully dressed, Daybreak was frantically trying to pull his backpack over his shoulder! Very suddenly, Discord began tapping his foot to the floor. Fear squeezed their souls as they swiped for the door handle! Something in their heads told them, they needed to leave...right now!

They practically fell over each other scrambling out the front door and back into the welcoming arms of the dark forest! Without so much as a goodbye, they took off sprinting, not caring whether they went deeper into the wood or were headed towards the exit! They didn't get but a few feet away when a massive energy blast flew forth from the front door in the form of a giant boot, and made straight for them! Rainbow and Daybreak screeched as the "boot" split in two separate shoes and simultaneously connected with their rears!

Before either one could yip in pain, they found themselves being propelled forward at an alarming rate! The whole forest seemed to fly by them in a blur! With barely enough time to comprehend what was happening, Daybreak and Rainbow suddenly found themselves being spat out of the edge of the forest! They rolled in the dirt and came to an uncomfortable stop with both their rears sticking high into the air, throbbing. Aching of pain and humiliation, Daybreak rolled over onto his back and groaned.

"You just HAD to go there, didn't you?"

Rainbow too, followed suit and rolled onto her back. She also groaned, shoving her hands beneath herself and rubbing her butt in pain.

"Don't you even man! He had it coming-!"

A loud, bright pop of light between them both cut Rainbow off. They watched silently, as a small scrap of paper unfolded itself from the light and drifted down to Daybreaks side. Palm outstretched, the little paper fluttered right into his awaiting hand. Once he unfurled it completely, he cocked his head to the side and read the scrap aloud.

"It would do Rainbow Dash some good to pay a visit to the doctor. Signed, Discord"

Daybreak crumpled the paper in his hands, then tossed it behind his back, not giving it a second look as it exploded into dust! Sighing, he slowly stood and regarded Rainbow.

"Yeah. He's pissed."

"How'd ya guess? The exploding paper? Or the boot in our asses?"

As he pulled her up from the grass, Daybreak gave half a laugh.

"He signed his name. He never signs his name. Remember that stupid scroll from earlier, all those nicknames? That's all he ever uses to sign anything or describe himself." He paused for a moment before adding "Why couldn't you just let it go?"

"What?! So now I'm the bad guy here?!" She gave him a hard shove, he stumbled back a few steps, dropping his bag back into the dirt. "Listen here dude; you may be okay with him sitting on the sidelines while you get the stuffing beaten out of you by Horsemen and Horsemen servants and whatever the hell else, but I'm not! He knew what you were going in that room to do-and don't pretend he didn't!" She cut him off before he could deny it. "He knew and he didn't even try to stop you! I mean look at you! You're white as a ghost! I can't even imagine what happened to you in there! Why doesn't he act like a fucking father and lookout for you? I mean, even a little bit."

A small sigh escaped him. Shaking his head, Daybreak reached down and unzipped his bag. Wordlessly, he withdrew a blank sheet of paper, some brushes and a small case of water paint coloring. Plopping himself back down in the grass, he crossed his legs and wafted her over. For a second she considered demanding an immediate answer, but quickly thought better of it and simply sat down beside him without fuss. There was a calm silence as he neatly arranged his supplies around him in a semi-circle. With a wave of his hand, a small plastic cup of water appeared beside him and floated gently down to sit beside the paint. The paper in front of him glowed green with surrounding magic and gently lifted ever so slightly off the ground, hovering less than an inch above grass.

His head turned slowly, along with his eyes, surveying the area around them. Committing each minuscule detail of the current landscape to memory. The trees, the grass, the stones, even the dirt, he studied it all. Once he was done, he moved with machine-like precision. Whipping his head downwards he dipped his brush into the cup of water, then swiftly swung it around to the colors, dabbing the very tip of the brush into the green slot. But before he could touch brush to paper, Rainbows impatience got the better of her.

"Umm, what are you doing?"

He merely smiled a soft, warm smile, and replied "Just watch."

Moving as if possessed, he slashed and swiped the paper with his brush! He moved erratically, in ways Rainbow had never seen him move before, and certainly had never seen anyone paint before. His eyes scanned and traced along the paper, following his paint brush while also jumping around his mini canvas to see where he would go next! She could barely keep her eyes following the movements of his brush, it was sliding all over the place! For such a small paper, it seemed like she was trying to chase the brush through an obstacle course with her eyes. She only caught clear sight of it when he went to clean it for another color. The brush touched the water in the cup, and the paint flowed right off into the clear liquid, then vanished leaving the water untainted for the next cleaning. She knew that had to be magic and that likely the whole process was enhanced by magic, but it was still interesting to watch him do it.

The process only sped up from that point on. She wanted to see what it was he was painting, but he'd tilted the paper back just enough in the air to keep her from being able to tell. So she gave up on trying to follow his brush strokes and instead watched his face, and the expressions upon it. They changed quickly as his brush strokes. Frustration, exasperation, relief and joy flew by in less than a second and came back around a second later. His eyes had begun to glow with aura, but only just enough to make them shimmer in the light of the woods, instead of being fully consumed in whiteness like usual.

It went on like this for several minutes. Her simply watching him paint. Though to anyone else, it might have looked like he was attacking the paper, or angry at it. As intriguing as it was to watch, she was pretty sure this was something more suited to someone like Twilight, or Sunset, who could appreciate the fine art of weaving magic into painting as he was. She just wanted to know what the hell he was painting and why he was doing it instead of simply answering her question. It almost bothered her that he always answered such simple questions like this, with some complex and convoluted analogy. She was sure that's what was going on here.

A few more minutes passed, during which he finally took his eyes off the paper, but only to briefly glance at her, then look immediately back down. Each time he looked up, she thought he was done, but each time was just a quick glance, then back down. It was actually a bit annoying, because she felt like each time he was getting her hopes up and then leaving her disappointed. Luckily he stopped before it became truly frustrating, and a few more brush swipes after that, he finally set aside the paint. Daybreak stared down at the paper for a few seconds after releasing the brush, assessing it. A firm nod confirmed he was indeed done, and she was up on her knees instantly trying to see what he'd made. With a smile, he took up the paper and turned it around for her to view.What she saw left her speechless. Truly a rare occurrence.

It was a near identical display of the forest around them, and the grassy fields ahead. Accurate down to the finest details. The blades of grass, even the dirt, were all well defined and detailed. Even for magic, it was an impressive painting. But that wasn't what left her lost for words. It was the fit, blue skinned, rainbow haired girl he'd painted sitting in the exact position she'd been, looking towards him out of the paper. To say the portrait was perfect would probably be a little too much, but she didn't care, it was amazing to behold! He'd gotten every detail of her right down to the dirt staining her clothing. It was kind of weird though, since she found herself staring at her own expression. If the face she was making here was supposed to be identical to the one she'd actually been making, holding back a blush would be rather difficult. Her lips looked slightly scrunched together and her eyes slightly narrowed at the brow. She could tell even here that she must have looked grumpy during the whole thing. There were a few obvious smudges here and there and an acute flimsiness adorning the whole thing, but that was to be expected of water color painting. Though the thought of what he might able to do with a proper painting set was certainly an entertaining idea. Something she'd have to keep in the back of her mind for later.

After she stared at the painting for a little too long, she heard a small chuckle. Bringing her out of her daze, Rainbow blinked and returned her attention to Daybreak.

"So I take it you like it right? Normally this kind of thing takes me several hours to get right, but a little magic here and there lets me cheat a bit. Still, I'd say I did a pretty good job capturing that adorable look you have when you're impatient."

"It's beautiful." Was all she could manage to get out, ignoring his minor quip at her. Then she quickly added "But...why now? All this time together I've never once seen you do another drawing."

His smiled beamed. "This seemed like the best time...So let me ask you something Dash. This has to do with what you asked me before. Since you clearly like the painting, what does it mean to you?"

Dash's head tipped to the side, she eyed the painting with a fiercer expression then before. Somehow, seeing her stare in such a way made him think she was trying to shoot beams through the paper. He chuckled "It's not a trick question Dash, just answer."

As if that sprung loose some kind of chink within her brain, Dash swiftly took up the painting in her hands and held it close to her face, practically trying to cuddle the thing.

"I've seen all those beautiful sunrises that you've drawn. They're all still hanging in my dorm room and I love looking at them any time I go back there. But for me to actually get to see you create one right in front of me, and it's actually a picture of me. It means so so sooooo much! You've got me feeling all sappy and fuzzy inside."

Holding back the urge to give Rainbow a bone crushing hug was extremely difficult after hearing that, but he forced himself to focus.

"Now Dashie, think about this. What do you think someone else might see when they look at this? Someone who has no prior experience with my drawings or what they mean. What do you think they'd say about it?"

Breaking from her sappy stupor, Rainbow again looked down at the painting in her grasp. She tried imaging looking at it without knowing any of the things she did about it. What was it that Twilight called it? Looking at it objectively?

"They'd say it's pretty? Um, that you like to draw hot girls?"

Daybreaks eyes rolled "Smooth Dash. Real smooth." Even through her lame joke, Daybreak could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

"This is precisely my point about Discord. To you, an outsider, he's a terrible father (which he is) that doesn't care about his son. But to me, someone who has experienced living with him for around two-ish years, I know the truth...Dashie he really is an ass, you're right about that. But he does care in his own twisted way. He took me in, even if it might have been for selfish reasons. He took me in when I was alone and wandering the world with no path and no idea of what to do. He helped me control the unusual magic I have inside me and he taught me the importance of never using it to its fullest extent. And I will always be grateful for that. True, I never had what you'd call a father-son relationship with him, but I could never say he didn't care. At least not mean it. Does that make sense?"

Rainbow sat in silence for a moment, still clutching the painting close to her chest. Once more her eyes drifted down to it, lingering on the watery image of her face for a long moment. A melancholy smile covered her cheeks as she raised her head to face him again.

"The first time I get to see you draw something amazing, and you use it to prove a point to me. You could have just explained that to me..."

Aware of what she was implying, he quickly scooted over and scooped her into a tight hug. "Don't be a dork Dashie. I'd planned on drawing for you for awhile now. This was just an appropriate time to do so. Plus, you wouldn't have appreciated the analogy as much if I hadn't done it this way. I don't know if you've noticed, but you're a bit hard headed when it comes to learning things."

"Fuck you dude." Her words sounded harsh, and he thought she might actually be upset with him for a moment, but he found his reassurance when she snuggled her face into his chest.

They didn't stay that way for long though. After only a few seconds, they both simultaneously looked at one another, seeming to understand. They knew had to get moving if they wanted to visit her father and be back home before dark. As they rose from the grass together, Daybreak waved his hand over the area before them. The air around them crackled and shimmered, burning the small blades of grass beneath their feet. A minuscule mass of swirling energy spawned to life within the heated air.

"I'll portal us directly there Dash." He snapped his fingers, a small pen and notepad flew out from his pack and landed in his outstretched palm. "Here, write the address on here then toss it into the portal. If it's near any place I've marked before we should be able to get there quicker this way. I don't wanna waste time flying if we can avoid it."

At his words, the small swirling mass ahead erupted outwards into a full blow oval shaped mass of energy. The familiar, but still menacing purplish form of a long range teleportation portal. Rainbow quickly jotted down her fathers address, took a step forward, and released the small bit of paper into the suction of the portal. Upon receiving the address, the portal shimmered slightly, then changed from its original purple to a much more pleasant looking blue.

A smile creasing his lips, Daybreak gently pulled on Rainbows hand. "Let's go introduce me to your dad Dashie."

The smile was contagious, as the thought of Daybreak hitting if off with her dad made her beam with elation. "Yeah. This should be fun. More fun than Discord at least."

They shared an momentary laugh together. Determination bubbled up within him...the next visit had make up for his father. Pushing the thoughts of his previous exhaustion and recent nightmarish experience to the back of his brain, Daybreak stepped forward, pulling them both into the portal.

It's not everyday, even in world full of magic, that you hear someone mention they live on top of a city of clouds. Yet this amazingly surreal thing, seemed to be common place for Rainbow Dash. As both she and Daybreak stepped forth from their shimmering portal trip, Daybreak found himself face to face with sight he hadn't seen in years. Cloudsdale. A modern marvel even for him. The entire city was floating on top of a vast number of clouds, held together and solidified through a series of spells so complex, Daybreak knew he could spend years here studying it, and was still likely to never understand it all. It had taken over fifty years to perfect the magic binding the city together and another twenty to work out all the flaws, or so he'd heard.

He'd passed through this city once on a journey some years ago, when he was making a quick stop in Las Pegasus. The floating city was constantly on the move around Equestria. "It moved with the wind" some would say. Yet he doubted that was true, wind went everywhere, and this city never went beyond the borders of the realm. Still, he'd found it interesting enough to mark it when he'd last been here. Now, as he and Rainbow walked hand in hand down the white fluffy streets of this marvel of magic, Daybreak found he was thankful he'd done so.

The streets themselves were straight and flat enough for carriages to make decent time if they needed. But no one ever sped down these streets. With the structure of the city being similar to that of an upwards winding tower, there was no room for unsafe traffic, unless someone wanted to go flying off the edge. The sidewalks, if they could even be called that, were separated from the streets by large rows of white and yellow clouds that seemed to have been created with extra fluff. This created a two foot tall barrier between traffic and pedestrians. Though Daybreak was unsure of just how sturdy a barrier a bunch of white balls of fluff could be. But since the city was still floating along, and in no negative news light, he assumed they must make it work somehow.

Rainbow briefly informed him, while pulling him down the roads by his arm, that her father lived in a more upper quadrant of this tower-like city. In Daybreaks mind, that put him in a semi wealthy class of citizenry, but Rainbow was quick point out that was not always the case. True, at first glance, the most wealthy seemed to live at the top of the spiraling tower and the not so fortunate at the bottom. But upon closer inspection of each sector, one could see the truth. Many lively decorated and rich-seeming houses lined the streets of every quadrant of the city. In fact, it seemed like the richer looking houses were deliberately placed next to less fortunate ones. Rainbow explained, in a tone that reminded him eerily of Twilight, that this was so the rich and poor could not ignore one another.

"Like they do in Canterlot" The thought surfaced in his mind before he could stop it. Rainbow seemed able to tell what he was thinking by the scowl he made no effort to hide.

She quickly jumped on the chance and explained that this system of living together had proven much more beneficial to the city. Princess Celestia had been the one to propose the idea and said that with the rich and poor, powerful and weak, forced to live in such close proximity to each other, codependency would happen naturally. Each person helping one another would become common place. Since neighbors often became some kind of friends in any normal housing environment, Celestia had figured that would be the case here too, and she'd been right. When one neighbor found the other in times of need, they would often help each other, regardless of societal status. The poor did not suffer in a city like this. Everything in the city was built around the concept of those with and without money depending on and helping each other when the need arose.

Even Daybreak had to admit that this place seemed one of the most lively he'd visited in a long time. People walked the puff filled streets with smiles on their faces that looked truly genuine. He found it almost difficult to discern the poor form the rich by mere sight, since all the clothing here was tailored to be for the every-man. He wouldn't call it perfect and was certain he could find flaws in the system if he tried, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.

"Wonder why it took Celestia this long to start fixing a problem that's persisted for centuries." His pessimism bled through his words, thick and unhidden.

Rainbow scowled at him "Really?"

He turned away "Well...it's true."

Shaking her head, Rainbow gave his arm an extra yank, and pointed up towards the third highest layer of the city.

"My dads right up there. He lives on the outer edge of that ring. Apparently he likes the view it gives him of wherever the city is floating. If we take off from here we could be there in a few minutes."

"How long would it take someone who couldn't fly?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Rainbow said "A hour or two. Probably less if there's a carriage available. Why?"

Eyeing a conveniently parked carriage nearby, Daybreak muttered lightly "Feel like a romantic carriage ride through the city? Its almost dark and I hear the lights in this city are lightning powered, extra bright and extra beautiful."

Rainbow rocked back on her heels for a moment, blushing, but hiding it like a pro. "Aren't you the one that said you wanted to be home before dark for Scoots?"

He shrugged "Just a suggestion."

"Next time." It was barely a whisper. He could at least take joy in the fact that he'd made her blush yet again.

A ripple of aura drew his attention to Rainbows back. Her wings, already in full spread, quivered in slight anticipation. "Let's go."

With a nod, he extended his own wings. They burst forth from his back dramatically, creating a small pixie-like cloud of green energy.

Rainbow giggled "Cute. Were you trying to be cool or something?"

"Fuck you. Think your so awesome, wanna race then?"

Not even waiting for her answer, Daybreak crouched and started rapidly vibrating his wings. He shot like a rocket into the sky, leaving a trail of green energy in his wake! Flying at max speed towards the third layer of the city, he didn't even bother looking back to see if she was coming after him! He didn't have to look, after all, he knew she couldn't resist a challenge.

The edge of the third layer rapidly approached him as he increased his speed more and more by the moment. He purposely kept himself below the speed and power needed for a sonic boom. Since there was no need to cause a scene like that in the middle of a city, but that didn't mean he couldn't approach the very edge of that speed.

The cone of energy indicating his closeness to breaking the sound barrier began to form around him. The air within became thin and the very sky seemed to be parting way for his oncoming form. He didn't reduced his speed though, instead holding it where it was. If he simply kept himself in check without increasing his power output he wouldn't break through the barrier, or lose control and spin out either.

Just then, off in the distance to his rear, he heard it.

Crack!

And then.

Boooooom!

The sounds came one right after the other. In near perfect tangent. There wasn't even time to look back, as a rainbow colored blur blasted by his face! This cause him to lose focus just long enough for the cone around him to collapse and send him spinning out into the air! He regained control of himself with ease, and just stopped, hovering in place, watching.

A wave of Rainbow energy arched across the sky, and off into the sunset. The sheer force of the energy sent a visible ripple through the city beneath them, and probably continued down into the area below as well. There was no chance of him catching her now, not at that speed and having already lost his focus. So he just watched. Watched her flying ahead, sending streams of electric rainbow energy far behind her body and out into the world. It was something so beautiful to behold, truly. He was glad he was on the viewing end of it this time.

"Huh, sonic rainboom. Guess it was properly named after all."

He just hovered there, relishing in his defeat. The size of the gap between her abilities and his had never been more clear to him, then right at that singular moment in time.

"And I started at max speed....before her too. She really was made for this..."

Seeing the streak of rainbow end, it dawned on him that she was at their destination already. Instead of wasting time trying to fly after her. He made to short range teleportations towards the top, then just hovered the rest of the way up. He was close enough after two jumps that he could already see Rainbow standing by, what must have been, her fathers house. She was dusting herself off and wearing a smile bright enough to give him eye problems. It made him happy to see her like that, even though he knew it was from the utter ass kicking she'd just dealt him.

As he hovered down and landed beside her, she practically bounced over to him. Leaning in real close once he fully touched down, she whispered. "Whose the fastest?"

Looking down, he just shook his head. "OK, I guess I had this one coming didn't I? Suppose you want me to admit my defeat now right? Act all mature and such?"

No response, she just nodded her head vigorously. Smiling the whole time.

He sighed "Fine."

He snapped his fingers, and she vanished in a cloud of green smoke.

Off in the distance, he heard the faint pop of her reappearance. Some, fifty feet over the edge of the city if he'd aimed properly. Then came the momentary shrieking and cursing as he heard her begin her plummet towards the earth.

He smacked his hands together, pretending to dust them off like he'd just accomplished a hard days work. "Well I feel much better now."

He made it all the way to the front "lawn" of her fathers house, before the sound of inevitability reached his ears.

"What ever happens, that was totally worth it."

A swift swoosh identified Rainbow flying straight back up over the edge, less than a moment later, she landed right behind him. A pure and unfiltered scowl adorning her face. The look brought laughter to him, and he made no attempts to suppress it.

"You. Are. Such. An. Ass."

He wiped at his eyes, pretending to be clearing tears "Oh come on Dashie. Did you really expect me to maturely admit defeat? As if."

Though in the back of his mind he knew, after seeing that display, he'd never even come close to beating her again. But he wasn't about to admit that aloud.

Rainbow got right up in his face. "And what if I pick you up and toss your sorry ass over the edge hmm? Then what?"

He shrugged. "I'd probably deserve it. Though to be honest, I think it was worth it. I may not have physically seen the look on your face. But I can imagine how surprised you must have been. That's picture worthy."

He heard her growl under her breath, an intimidating, low growl. Like a hungry lion. "I will get you back for that. I swear it."

He smiled. "No doubt." He paused, looking away slightly. "Although, I must admit...Seeing your sonic rainboom was one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed."

This close to his face, Rainbow could easily spy the sincerity behind his words, and felt another light blush touch her cheeks.

"Don't think flattery will save you buster." She growled at him again, though this one was clearly lacking.

"OK." He smiled with earnest, reaching up he took her chin in his thumb and index finger. Slowly, he guided it back to face him. "Want to know what the number one most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed was?"

This close, it was hard for either of them to hide a blush, but Rainbow was trying like a fucking champ to do so anyway. She lightly pursed her lips and blew air into his face, making a horse-like sound. "Y-You're so fucking cheesy...A-As if I didn't know what you're gonna say."

He played it cool. Even after all this time, things like this still brought him a measure of embarrassment, but he steadied himself. Whispering to her "Oh really? What a I going to say?"

She averted her eyes again, and tried to turn her face, but held her steady with his fingers. "Come on Dashie, say it."

She struggled lightly to pull away, but now his other arm had snaked its way around her back and gripped her waist. He pulled her tight against his chest, forcing her to look him dead in the eyes. She had to look up, just slightly to do so, being pressed to him like she now was.

"No...quit it..."

He chuckled. The vibration from it felt weird against Rainbows chest. "Aw come on Dashie. Say it. You aren't too shy are you? I thought that was Fluttershy's thing."

"I-I'm not!....geez you're mean."

He pressed her tighter in response. "Yeah, guess I am kinda mean. But you enjoy that so it doesn't matter. Not to me at least. Now saaaaaay it. Or I'm not gonna either."

She gave him a defiant "hmph!" and stayed perfectly silent.

"Now whose being mean? Such a little grump. Fine. Guess we should head up and knock on your dads door then, before he steps outside and gets all the info he needs from how we're standing."

As his grip started to loosen, he could see a slight bit of disappointment in Rainbows face. She held her defiant look well, but they were too close for her to fool him. Just as she started to push herself away, he gripped her even tighter against him and pulled her chin to him. He crushed her lips with an aggressive, but fleeting, kiss, Quickly pulling away and chuckling at her.

"Just kidding. It's you of course Dashie. But you already knew that didn't ya?"

He watched her stubbornness melt away instantly. Cheesy or not, there was no way to deny how good it must have made her feel to hear that. Her head shook. "Ass." She breathed and pushed herself back onto his lips. They didn't hold this one long either, but it was still more than enough to make them both break away with smiles and red faces.

"Alright. Let's go see your dad Dashie"

The sun was starting to set behind them as the pair made their way up the small pathway from the even smaller fence to the house. There was only about twenty feet separating the front door from the fence, but Daybreak supposed some security was better than none. Though he didn't see how a four foot fence and an unlocked gate was going to stop anyone.

As they reached the door, they both just stood on the front porch for a moment. Neither one seemed willing to reach up and knock. Stalling, for some unknown reason, Daybreak took this time to admire the house itself.

It was of very humble design. Small and compact looking from the outside, but not in an uncomfortable kind of way. The house was painted sky blue, which somehow worked with the white fence that surrounded the property, and the general scenery around them. Despite living in a city of clouds, this was the only house Daybreak had seen on the way up that was painted to match the scenery. There was clearly at least one other floor to the house, and possibly an attic above that, if the window facing out from the front was anything to go by. On the patio, Daybreak noted, there was one of those two person swinging couches hanging from the wooden ceiling above. It looked sturdy enough, and the cushions it adorned were inviting in an odd way.

The personal outside tour with his eyes completed too quickly, and he knew he had no more ways to stall. Plus he didn't even really know why he suddenly felt like stalling. Perhaps out of fear the man might recognize him as Discords son immediately and despise him? Or perhaps he might just dislike him because he was a very dislikeable person. He wasn't sure how he'd feel if Rainbows father was disapproving. Though for some reason he knew it would bother him at some level. Which was odd, since he'd never given thought to anyone's opinion of him before, until Rainbow that is.

Rainbow seemed to sense his hesitation, her fingers slowly interlocked with his, and she squeezed. "Don't worry. It'll be fine. He likes everyone. In fact, you're probably gonna get smothered by his affection. Just a warning."

Despite her reassurances, he could feel Rainbows own hesitation in her grip. He wasn't sure who should be assuring who in this situation. Regardless, they were here, and stalling wasn't going to help him now. So he took the initiative and reached for the door knocker.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound was like thunder to him. There was no chance to turn around, walk and come back another day now. Somewhere in the back of his head, he secretly hoped Rainbows father was out on some kind of errand.

As if just to dash his hopes, the faint sounds of footsteps were discernible from the other side of the door. An oddly familiar and excited voice yelled from somewhere in the room beyond.

"Coming! Coming!"

The door opened mere seconds later. Daybreak thought time would slow down when the door began to open, like it always seemed to when something you fear or dread began to happen. Such as spilling milk or shattering some important glass object. But this was nothing like that. The door just flew open, giving him zero time to prepare for what might occur, or he might see.

The sight that greeted him was almost exactly what he'd witnessed in Rainbows picture, albeit a slightly older version. The man that stood in the doorway had fare periwinkle colored skin. His eyes were a shade of an near perfect gold, almost making them appear to shine in the setting sunlight. His face had a bit of scruff to it, like he hadn't shaved in a day or so, just enough to give him a handsomely rugged appearance. He wore little more than a tan bath robe and slippers, though Daybreak hoped he at least had some undergarments on underneath, or this was going to be a very awkward conversation. Rainbows face lit up bright red upon eyeing her fathers choice of attire. Not even bothering with a greeting, she just shrieked in a very girlish manner that made Daybreak chuckle to himself, while she averted her eyes.

"DAAAAAAD! What the hell!? Put on some damn clothes for Celestia sake!"

The man jumped back in surprise, clearly taken aback by the sudden verbal assault. The light from the setting sun hit him at just the right angle to temporarily blind him to their presence. He quickly recovered from his shock upon realizing whom it was that was yelling at him. All at once the surprise on his face turned into a stupidly large grin. In one swift movement, Rainbow was gone from Daybreaks side. Somehow scooped up without his knowledge into the worst fate she could imagine...A death hug from her father! He squeezed her tight while rubbing his stubble against her cheek, shrieking with glee!

"Dashie! Ohmygoodnessitssogoodtoseeyou!" He spoke with such speed and vigor Daybreak could barely find a breath to try introducing himself.

"It's been so long since you came to visit are you eating enough how's your college coming along how's your Wonderbolt training doing have you finally gotten to the tryouts I hear they are starting soon and I just know you'll do great if you keep practicing!"

In the singular span of time he inhaled to take a breath, Rainbow seized her chance to escape. She wriggled free from his grip and bounced back two feet from his arms reach.

"Geez dad calm down! Take a breath."

He seemed to be doing just that, but his inhaling was likely only paving the way for even more long laced speech. Luckily, he quickly realized his daughter did not want to be immediately assaulted with questions.

"OK, sorry honey. It's just I haven't seen you in awhile. You really should visit more."

Daybreak found that statement to be a bit odd. Rainbow seemed like a family orientated girl to him. "Don't you visit your dad often Dash?"

It was only then that her father seemed to take notice of Daybreaks existence, which was lucky for Rainbow as it allowed her to hide her brief embarrassment. Her father looked down at him and it was only then Daybreak realized that the man had at least three inches on him and was much more built than he'd expect from a weather caster parent. Rainbows father regarded Daybreak with an unusually warm and friendly smile.

"Well hello there young man. Who might you be? A friend of my little Dashie perhaps?"

Rainbow coughed loudly, cutting across whatever response Daybreak may have been thinking.

"He's um...He's actually why I'm here dad. Could we...maybe come inside for a bit?"

The tone in which she spoke clearly raised a red flag in her fathers mind. Daybreak could see it on his face. But nevertheless, the man gave another warm smile and stepped from the doorway.

"Absolutely honey, I wasn't really doing much anyway. You two can relax in the living room. I've already eaten, but I'm more than happy to make more...if you're hungry?"

Rainbow moved swiftly past her father, pulling Daybreak inside by the sleeve of his shirt. "No thanks dad, uh, we're good."

"OK then."

Even without looking, Daybreak could sense the mans suspicion. It was laced into his voice, but he did a magnificent job of hiding it. It was obvious where Rainbow had learned the talent from. As they proceeded inside and to the living room, Daybreak could feel the mans eyes on him. He knew better than to turn around and meet them though. He was not quite so rude as to challenge another man inside his own home, at least, not one he was trying to make a good impression with.

The inside of the home was just as white, periwinkle and fluffy as the scenery outside. The halls were lined with miniaturized clouds floating about the home and the walls were painted with patterns of white and sky blue. The entire house seemed to share this theme about it. Perhaps the man just really enjoyed the area in which he lived?

The living room was almost too comfortable looking, Daybreak practically suspected it to be a trap of some kind. Couch cushions were overly welcoming with there extra fluffiness about them. They could have actual clouds stuffed inside the cushions and it would not have surprised him in the least. The room was clearly designed for a family of three and one extra since the couch could fit three comfortably and there was a single recliner placed forty five degrees to the right. Both faced a large television sitting on a dresser. The t.v was large enough to take up the entirety of said dresser, if it wasn't 75 inches or bigger, Daybreak would be surprised.

Rainbow led him over to the couch and plopped down, forcing him down beside her. Her father took the recliner in the corner and swiveled it to face them. He regarded his daughter and Daybreak with the same suspicious gaze he'd held since they'd entered. Though he maintained a perfect poker face, with a welcoming smile. Only his eyes betrayed his thoughts, something Daybreak had learned to always watch for in strangers.

"So..." He started "You said you're friend here was the reason for your visit honey. I'm totally not offended by that at all (I totally am) but I can't help wondering what that means. So could you please enlighten me...?"

The statement felt so opened ended, Daybreak was certain the man had already guessed what Rainbow was going to say, and was merely doing her the courtesy of letting her speak.

Rainbow took in a deep breath. "Well dad..." Daybreak could feel her nerves. Something was definitely bothering her. "This is...my boyfriend...and um...we're pretty serious. S-So I...uh I wanted to, come introduce you to him...Ya know...cause you're my dad...and stuff..."

If she spoke anymore, it was impossible to discern. Her voice trailed off into stutters and her face was redder than the worst sunburn. She lowered her face and starred intently at the floor. Daybreak patted her on the back for comfort...but her worries seemed for naught as her father loosed a hearty laugh.

"Ho Ho! That's what all the fuss is about? Oh honey, I thought you were gonna tell me you were pregnant or something!...Wait you're not pregnant are you?"

As hard as it was to believe, Rainbows face actually grew even redder. She vigorously shook her head 'no', unable to manage the words. Her father loosed more boisterous laughter!

"Oh well then what is there to be so concerned about! Happy to meet you young man!" He strode forward from his armchair quicker than Daybreak could have expected, and pulled him up into a fierce hand shake. "I'm Rainbolt. I dare say my daughter must give you a run for your money when it comes to stress right? One of a kind this one, let me tell you! I've got a million stories of when she was little! Why, there was this one time when she was eight, we took her to the hospital-!"

"DAD, NO!" Rainbow fiercely screeched, panic bleeding through her lips. "ANYTHING BUT THAT STORY!"

Daybreaks lips curled into an evil grin. "Oh but I'm so curious, tell me sir, what exactly happened at the hospital?"

Rainbolt beamed at the chance and Rainbows face drooped in despair. "Oh, please end me now..."

Releasing Daybreaks hand from his overly firm and painful handshake, he motioned towards the kitchen and said. "I'd be glad to relive the memory, join me at the table. I need some coffee to get my story motor going."

Daybreak gave a firm nod, and made to follow into the kitchen, when he felt Rainbow tug on his sleeve, stopping him. He turned to see her fully tomato faced, which immediately brought him a grin.

"And to think, I was worried this wouldn't go over well. I like him already."

Rainbow grimaced "How nice for you...this is going exactly how I was worried it would go...He's just gonna embarrass me the whole time we're here."

"I know! That's what's gonna make it so much fun!" He subtly slid his hand down behind her and gave her rear a firm pinch through her shorts.

Rainbow yipped in surprise, but before she could turn and punch him, he'd already scurried into the next room. Grumbling to herself, she followed close behind intent on giving him a firm smack upside the head the first chance she got. To Rainbows horror, they entered the kitchen to find her father seated at the table, a cup of coffee sitting beside him and their family photo album already open to the page with pictures from the before mentioned hospital.

"Oh no..." Daybreak heard Rainbow mumble under her breath as they sat down beside each other.

Rainbolt pointed to the first photo on the page. "Now then Mr.....Oh goodness...How rude of me!"

Daybreak raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he meant. Rainbolt clarified after a moment of thinking to himself.

"I just realized I haven't even asked your name yet young man. I apologize for my rudeness." Rainbolt brought his coffee cup to his lips, taking a large sip in embarrassment.

"Geez dad..." Rainbow smacked her palm to her face, but Daybreak just laughed.

"No, no it's fine Dash. My name's Daybreak, sir."

This time, reality did indeed seem to slow. Daybreak watched, as Rainbolts features changed. The smile adorning his face slowly morphing into a shocked frown. The coffee mug slipped from his grip and plummeted to the floor. The shattering was like thunder in his ears! Before Rainbolt even spoke, Daybreak knew something had triggered within him because of his name. Though the result was not what he expected it to be.

"Y-You...Y-You're...!" The look of sheer bewilderment on his face gave everything away.

Rainbow was the first to react. "Dad wait! It's not what-!" But he silenced her with a raised hand.

"There's no point in lying Rainbow...I thought I recognized you when I first saw you. I thought it might just be coincidence that you looked just like him...but I'd never forget that name. You're him aren't you? Celestia's...son..." His voice faltered at the end, and went silent.

Daybreak did not respond immediately. Mostly because that was the first time someone had regarded him as "Celestia's son" at first meeting and not Discord's. It was just a minor detail, but to him it made an impression. He slowly nodded. Rainbolt looked like he was going to be sick. He stood from his chair and moved to the sink, practically stumbling along the way. Daybreak was unsure of what to think.

"Is this man really that disturbed by his daughter dating Discords child...This was a bad idea after all...We should leave."

He was halfway through reaching for Rainbows hand, with intent to pull her towards the door, when he heard something he couldn't believe.

"I'm...sorry...I'm so sorry."

The words struck him in he face like an open palm. He wasn't even sure he heard Rainbolt correctly.

"What?" It was the only thing he could think of.

Rainbolt turned from the sink, his face flushed. He looked visibly ill and there were tears tugging at his eyes, desperately trying to break free. Seeing his face froze Daybreak in place.

"I'm so sorry...I didn't help you then...I should have..."

"What are you...?" Daybreaks voice drifted, something seemed very wrong here. Just like before, looking at the picture of this man for the first time. There was something unduly familiar about him, even more so now that his face was stained with water. Rainbolt used one hand to steady himself against the sink, he looked like he might pass out. Rainbow rushed to his side and helped him stay upright. She didn't say anything, how could she? She had no idea what was going on.

"Ever since that night...in the alley...I've always wondered what became of you. I always regretted not taking you with me, giving you a real home instead of leaving you at that orphanage."

That was it! Those words triggered something inside Daybreak, and now he too felt the color drain from his face. Acid bubbled up in his stomach, he felt ill. The memory flashed over his eyes as he stumbled to keep himself upright.

"What's your name little guy?"

The child brought his head down to face the mans golden eyes, he saw his rainbow colored hair sparkle in the moonlight as the water slowly crawled along his locks.

"My name's Daybreak..."

The man smiled

"Well, I'm Rainbolt, and I promise I'm gonna help you."

For a singular moment, hope, pure hope, filled the child's eyes.

"A-are you gonna take care of me...I'm really hungry..."

A pained expression flowed across Rainbolts face, he struggled with his answer

"No...I'm sorry I can't take you in. It's forbidden by the Princess that any citizen take you in..."

The glimmer of hope in his eyes vanished quicker than it appeared, he looked back up at the rain.

"Oh...OK..."

Rainbolt quickly rushed to try and rekindle the child's momentary spark of hope.

"But...I can take you to the orphanage...there's no law against that. You'll be cared for and fed there, I promise I'll make sure of that. OK?"

"OK..."

The glimmer that had been there, hope...it did not return to his eyes, nevertheless Rainbolt felt this was the best he could do.

"I'm sorry, truly I am sorry for you...if it wasn't forbidden I'd take you in and you could become friends with my daughter...I'm sorry...but I do have some bread I can give you for food until we reach the orphanage."

He took a whole loaf of wrapped bread from beneath his raincoat and handed it to Daybreak.

"I was out grocery shopping...I was planning to use this in my daughters food, but I'll just get some more, I know you need this."

Daybreak unwrapped the bread and began devouring it ravenously.

"Thank you..."

"Your welcome...now come along, let's get you to the orphanage."

They walked together for some time. Taking back alleyways and alternate routes to avoid the open streets. Night time was always the worst time for Daybreak to be outside. It was when the guards were their most lax and the citizens their most cruel.

But he felt a little safer this time, someone was with him and he wasn't throwing things at him. This person was taking him somewhere safe? Maybe somewhere nice? No. No where was nice. People were mean and scary everywhere he went. They threw things, called him names, hit him. No where would be any different. But this man was.

The child looked up as the older man took his arm, and turned them around a street corner. This man was different. He was trying to help him. Being nice to him, and he'd even given him some bread...and it was fresh! Not moldy, or covered in trash like most things he found. It was fresh, and warm! It felt amazing just being pressed against his chest as they ran through the rain together.

After turning another street, Rainbolt stopped moving. The child's head peeked around his hip. They were in front of a large building, shaped like the schools he'd seen other kids walking to, but with more windows and a large gate around its exterior. Rainbolt took him up to the gate. They stood beside a large sign that read "Canterlot Orphanage and Adoption Center. No Child Turned Away. We Take All Comers."

Rainbolt looked down and gave him a half smile. The boy understood what this meant. They had reached the end of their brief time together. Dread welled up within his belly. Rainbolt took a step towards the gate, but Daybreak suddenly flung himself onto Rainbolts thigh!

"Wait! Please!...Take me with you! Please, please! I won't eat much I promise! My dad taught me to barely eat anything at all! I'll just sit in the attic! Please I don't wanna be bullied and alone anymore!"

The pain in Rainbolts gaze was beyond measure. His eyes darted about, trying to look anywhere than the pathetic weeping sight before him. Even in the rain, the tears in his golden eyes were visible.

"I'm sorry..."

"You...it can't be..."

The memory faded from his mind, and Daybreak collapsed to his knees. Rainbow saw him bend over, and ran from her fathers side. Grabbing a pasta bowl from the sink, she dove, sliding the bowl to Daybreaks hands just as he bent over and vomited up the contents of his stomach. She placed her hand on his back, lightly patting him as he continued to throw up. A pleading gaze passed from her to her father, who had steadied himself on his own by this point. Her gaze begged for explanation, but neither side seemed that willing to share. Surprisingly, it was Daybreak who made the first move, once he'd finished vomiting his weight into the bowl. He snapped his fingers, cleaning his face and making the sick vanish from the bowl. Slowly he stood, and with another snap, the shattered coffee mug reattached its pieces back together, then flew over and placed itself within the sink. Daybreak stared at her father with a curious gaze, Rainbow wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Canterlot...All those years ago. You're the man that helped me that night. You walked me to the orphanage. Gave me bread. You told me things that night that I've remembered for years. Sir..." Daybreak took several steps forward, in a manner that Rainbow almost viewed as hostile. The uncertainty within her kept her rooted in place though. "...You might be the only reason I didn't become like those people thought back then."

The tears began to flow then. Rainbolt couldn't hold them back. He came and sat back down in the chair "I should have taken you in then. Illegal or not. It was wrong to leave you in that place. I heard what happened to you there."

Daybreak shook his head. "Of all the people I've wished ill will towards over the years; all the people who have wronged me...you were never one of them sir. You saved me that night. It's true, the orphanage wasn't great. The kids were just as cruel and I got into fights all the time. But the adults there actually fed and clothed me. Plus when I fought back against those little shits, it was against kids, not hordes of adults ready to stomp my face in. That place gave me the toughness I needed to go off on my own. I thought I was ready to make it by myself after I left Discord, but I wasn't, I was still too weak, and scared. You saved me and gave me the chance I needed to become stronger."

Daybreak did something then that blew Rainbows mind. He walked over and put his hand on her fathers shoulder.

"You have nothing to apologize for Mr. Rainbolt. In fact, I should be thanking you for what you did."

"I could have done more..." He lightly whispered, but Daybreak just shook his head.

"There really isn't much more you could have done. You had your own family to think about.." He turned and met Rainbows eyes for a brief moment "You made the right choice. Who knows what the consequences might have been had you tried to shelter an exile...Besides, because of your decision I ended up here...with Rainbow."

A light seemed to click on in Rainbolts head just then, and he sat back up.

"Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow jumped "Y-Yes?" It was so rare for her father to use her full name, she thought she was in some kind of trouble for a moment.

Rainbolt looked between his daughter and Daybreak, as though just realizing something for the first time.

"You two...together...of all the fated things...I almost can't believe it."

Rainbow shuffled her feet uncomfortably "How do you think I feel...I didn't have any idea you two had met before..."

Rainbolt then stood up, quite suddenly, and exclaimed "You two shall stay the night!" He quickly looked to Daybreak, as he was already preparing his protest. "Please! I insist...I left Canterlot not long after bringing you to that orphanage, out of shame. You never got to see my old home, but this one is just like it. Same nick-knacks and same arrangement of furniture. Same everything really. I want to be able to share it with you this time, I'm sure Rainbows old room is in well enough shape. I always did buy her beds ridiculously big anyways..."

Daybreak shot a glance at Rainbow. Conflict. No other way to say it. Rainbow felt the same. Had this just been a regular visit, things would be different. But under these circumstances, she didn't see how either of them could leave.

"Well...we did tell Scoots that there was a possibility of us not coming home tonight."

Taking that as confirmation, Daybreak turned back to Rainbolt with an odd smile and nodded. Her father looked giddy with glee. "Excellent! I'll go make sure your room isn't too dusty Dashie" he turned and ran from the room, still talking aloud as he walked, though most likely to himself "...and make sure it can fit two, well it's a queen size so it should be fine...I always did buy you big beds...but the sheets might have dust..." His voice trailed off as he went upstairs and went inside Rainbows room, shutting the door behind him with a little too much excitement, practically shaking the house around them.

Once sure he was out of ear shot and sight, Rainbow turned to Daybreak. "Wow...just...wow dude...I honestly had no idea."

He smiled "Don't worry I believe you. Doesn't seem like something he wanted to talk about...hehe think about it Dash. How close we were to knowing each other as kids."

Now that caused a stir of butterflies in her belly. Rainbow shifted her feet oddly, before grabbing him by the arm and pulling him back towards the couch.

"Snuggle with me."

She sat down quickly, pulling him into the cushion next to her. Without delay, she was laying on his lap, snuggling herself into his chest. "Childhood friends...wonder what that would have been like...?"

Daybreak smiled, wasting no time running his fingers through Rainbows hair, lightly petting and scratching her as he did. "I think it would have been nice. I might have never even met Celestia, or Discord, or even Twilight until much later. Never gone to the griffins and started two civil wars...I might..." He paused now, truly thinking. "I might have never used the mirror."

Rainbow could feel him tense, so she nuzzled her nose into his belly, pushing his shirt up slightly as she did so. Then planted a cold kiss on his stomach. The sensation gave him a shiver.

"A totally different world, right? Friendship is a powerful thing Daybreak."

Something about that phrase made his eye twitch. It made him uncomfortable, though he didn't show any signs of it.

"Don't say that and spoil the good mood Dashie."

Rainbow wasn't having that though, she continued "But its true. You just admitted it. If you'd met me when we were little and we became friends then, look at how different your life could have been. Look at how different the WORLD could have been. I can think of at least a couple near-world ending events that might have been completely avoided if you'd been with us from the beginning."

Daybreak shifted his body uncomfortably, Rainbow could tell she was pressing a sensitive button. A lighter approach seemed better.

"It's okay dude. It's just us here. Hey..." She nudged against the hand running through her hair, gaining his attention. He looked down into her eyes. "Who loves you?" She smiled up at him the the most adorable manner.

He grumbled under his breath.

"Nooooooo. Saaaaaay it so I can hear. " She pouted.

"Uggggh!" He groaned "Fine...You do..."

He felt a wet pair of lips on the inside of his palm, then she squeaked up at him cutely "Damn right. Feel like saying it back yet?"

No response necessary, she could feel the way he shifted in the couch cushions. Same old, same old. She took his free hand and kissed that one as well. "Its OK dude. Ya know I gotta ask...Don't apologize." She saw him open his mouth to speak, but already knew what would come out.

"Come on, let's go look at my pictures with my dad. I know how much he wanted to do that before this whole thing started, then maybe..." she cast a glance towards the stairs, gripping the scruff of his shirt, she pulled her lips up to his ear "...later I can give you a ride on my childhood bed. Sound like fun?" He felt her free hand roaming dangerously close to his pelvis. Luckily for him, the door to Rainbows room opened upstairs, and she retreated her fingers back to minimum safe distance by the time her father made it to the stairs and was within eyesight.

She kept lounging all over him even as her father walked by them, casting an odd glance to them as he made for the kitchen once more. Daybreak tried to shoot him an apologetic look, but Rainbolt merely deflected it and said "I raised her. Trust me. I know."

Before Daybreak could force Rainbow to cease using him like a cushion, so they could rejoin her dad in the kitchen, Rainbolt reentered the room carrying the photo album. Apparently he'd decided that it was better if he just came to them, since getting Rainbow to move from a comfy position would be a challenge all in itself. Plopping himself down on the cushion beside Daybreak, he cast his eyes down at his daughter, whose head was resting very squarely in the middle of Daybreaks pelvis. Rainbow smiled up at him innocently, and he gave her a glare.

"You behave yourself Dashie, I'm watching you."

"You should be watching the pictures not me" She stuck her tongue out at him, which he ignored.

As if to spite her, Rainbolt set the album down in Daybreaks laps...right on top of Rainbows face. She flailed her arms about for a moment or two, before seeming to accept her fate and simply resign to her new life as a table. Rainbolt opened the book to the page regarding the hospital incident once more.

He pointed at the first picture. It was of a normal looking, plain, everyday hospital.

"I took this just before we went inside that day. Dashie's always insisted since she was very little that I take lots of pictures to 'document how awesome she is'. So even after she grew up and didn't really like that stuff anymore, I've always kept at it."

He pointed to the next picture over, which showed the inside of the hospital waiting room, and the one beside it, which showed a very miniature Rainbow Dash climbing all over the seats.

"She was never able to sit still, even when she was too little to walk she was always trying to climb on my face. Always wanted to ride on my head or shoulders. Guess it makes sense that she would grow up wanting to be a Wonderbolt, huh?"

Grabbing hold of the either side of the album cover, Rainbow lifted the book from her face for just a moment. "Ya know pops, I can fly now! Daybreak taught me."

"Really?" Rainbolts eyes widened with glee, before placing the book back down on Rainbows protesting face. "One step closer then, right? How did you manage to teach her? She's been at it for years. What did you push her off a cliff or something?"

"Eh...hehe yeah actually. I basically did just that. After showing her the basics, I took her up into the clouds and dropped her...Ummm..."

He wasn't sure if he should be revealing something like that to Rainbows father. After all, not many dads react well to being told their daughter was dropped from a thousand feet without a parachute.

Luckily for him, Rainbolt, despite looking very shocked, smiled "Yeah, I figured that's what it would take. She's a very hands on learner, but I can't fly myself, and I don't think I'd have it in me to kick my kid off a cliff."

Daybreak wasn't sure if he was being complimented or not, so he just nodded and ran with it. "Yeah..."

Talking about it out loud, he kind of felt like an asshole now.

Rainbolt proceeded with the photos like nothing was wrong though, so Daybreak followed suite. He pointed to the next picture; it was of him and Rainbow sitting in a white room with one of those large cushioned seats always covered in paper. The ones doctors or nurses always had patients sit on. The tiny Rainbow had her hands thrown into the air while she sat on this one, while her feet flailed outwards and an enormous grin spread across her face.

"So this one is where I need to start telling the story, because up until this point it was just a casual visit to the doctors over a tummy ache." From underneath the book, Daybreak heard Rainbow give a groan, this must be where things got interesting.

Rainbolt pointed to the next picture, Rainbows facial features were so drastically different between this and the last one that you would think her dog had just died. Daybreak couldn't help but ask.

"Whoa...um what's up with her?" Rainbows face was that of sheer terror. Her eyes were frozen wide and her lip was obviously quivering. She'd also retreated to the back of the cushion, seemingly trying to squeeze herself into the corner of the wall. Rainbolt just chuckled.

"So you can't see in the picture, cause I mean look at Dashie's face, I needed that in a photo...But the nurse just told Rainbow she was due for her flu shot."

The whole situation made complete sense then. "And let me guess" He teased snarkily "Little Dash was afraid of needles?"

From underneath the book cover, Rainbow gave another, much louder groan. Her father nodded "Fear like you wouldn't believe. Let me show you the next few pages just to give you some context."

He turned the page. Daybreak couldn't keep a straight face when his eyes saw the next seven or eight photos. Many of them were above and side shots, clearly taken on the move. One was of Rainbow in the hallway, with her back to the camera, clearly running away from it. Another was of two nurses coming around a corner, obviously trying to stop her, but the next picture which showed her in mid-dive, sliding through their legs revealed they had failed. Clearly the photos had been taken frantically, in rapid succession, and by someone other than Rainbolt. Since Rainbolt himself was in many of them, trying to restrain or catch a frantic Rainbow Dash. Daybreaks chuckles were impossible to hold back, he had a pretty good idea of what was occurring. The funniest part was the frozen looks of pure terror on Rainbows adorable face. She must have been shrieking her little lungs out to create a masterpiece such as these.

"So..." Rainbolt began. "I'm sure you can tell basically what happened here. But what you can't see is actually the funniest part..." Rainbow groaned in protest from under the book, but her dad kept going anyways.

"So Rainbow was absolutely terrified when the nurse told her she had to get a flu shot, but what was funnier was, she actually got through the first one just fine. But then doctor came and told the nurse she needed another, in her rear, and that's when all Tartarus broke loose!" Daybreak was struggling to contain himself, he didn't dare interrupt now.

"I mean, this girl bolted at such speed, I couldn't believe it. The absolute second the nurse opened the door to exit, Rainbow was gone. Just, gone. Poof. It actually took me and the doctor a few seconds to realize what had happened. Then of course we went after her. At first she didn't understand the layout of the place well, and the doctors caught her pretty easily the first time. They tried to be gentle, but really had to hold her down. It took two of them the first time, and they started to give her the shot, and that's when she really lost it! She broke free from the doctors and took off down the hallway...with the needle just dangling from her tush! It was the funniest thing! I wish I'd gotten a picture of that part!"

Rainbow gave the loudest groan yet, and this time followed up with a very audible "Fucking hell dad...you're impossible sometimes...You always tell that story..."

Rainbolt was cackling wildly by this point, and even Daybreak had to given in now. The image of a little Rainbow Dash running down a hospital hallway, screeching with a syringe stuck halfway in her butt cheek just sent him into fits. Rainbow was the only one not amused. She pushed the book from her face and sat up, arms swinging at them. "You are both so...Aggggh!" She gave Daybreak two hard punches in the ribs. It stopped him laughing, but he kept his smile even as he was forced to gasp for breath. Rainbow then turned and glared at her father. "Finish the stupid story already...Geez!"

Rainbolt loosed another chuckle before continuing. "Ok, ok honey. No need to get all worked up...AHEM! Anyways. So the doctors chased her around for a good five minutes once she escaped the second time. I mean, she dove, jumped and slid around everything to keep away from them. I had to give up the camera and join in before we could finally catch her. Even once we had her it still took four of us to hold her down while they finished giving her the shot. It was quite the experience. Afterwards even the doctors had a good laugh about it. Rainbow was happy in the end though, weren't you, ya little grump?"

Rainbow stuck her nose up at her father, but Daybreak wanted to know. "Why? What happened?"

Smiling, Rainbolt turned to the final photo of the event. It showed kid Rainbow walking giddily from the entrance of the hospital, her arms full of lollipops and her face beaming. Daybreak couldn't help himself. "Awwww."

Rainbolt nodded "Right. I think so too. The doctors were so entertained by our little adventure, they gave her a bunch instead of just one. Odd, considering you're only supposed to get those if you behave , and she was anything but cooperative."

Rainbow hmphed in defiance. "Well I got them cause I was the most awesome one there that day."

Daybreak wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and pulled her back to laying down on him. "So she was always a pain in the ass. Good to know. And hear I thought I was special...Do you mind if I look through that more, later?"

Nodding, Rainbolt released his hold on the book, letting in plop down on the couch cushions, and stood up. "Just be gentle with it though, it has a lot of....important memories in it. That's all we have left of some people."

His eyes darkened for just a moment. Daybreak knew he must have been referring to Rainbows mother, he made a mental note to look her up in the album later. Daybreak nodded back "I'll treat it with care."

Rainbolt turned from them and made his way to the hallway. "Well then, I'll be heading to bed. It's getting late and I'm sure Dash wants to show yo her old room...I can't fake ignorance here, so please...a silencer charm or something..."

With that, Rainbows father took his leave and went to his room. Rainbow, sensing her opportunity had literally presented itself, squeaked with glee and hopped up. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up as well "Let's go you! My old room was freaking awesome!" She leaned close to his ear again and whispered "And I want a good ride from you tonight buster. Getting me all fuzzy before and all embarrassed now. You owe me one hell of a time."

She was so close to him, it made his response too easy. He gave a quick lean forward, and nipped her nose. "Whatever you want Skittles."

With that, she pulled him up the staircase at light speed, barely even pausing to open her door as she shoved him inside!