Rainbow Blaze casually walked over to answer his front door, the knocks getting more and more excited as he went. He pulled open the door and was greeted by a beaming smile.

“Hey, Dad!” Rainbow Dash threw her forelimbs around him in a hug.

“Dashie?” Blaze was almost too stunned to react. “What’re you doing here?”

“Well, duh,” Rainbow Dash said, pulling herself off him. “You’re always saying in your letters that I should visit sometime. I didn’t have anything going on today, so I thought I’d fly down to Cloudsdale and surprise you!”

“That’s real nice of you, Dashie,” Blaze said carefully, “but now’s not the best time. I have company over.”

“Is it Uncle Balder?” Rainbow Dash rushed past him. “Hey, Uncle B!” She ran into the next room before Blaze could say anything and came to a screeching halt.

Seated on the sofa was a mare with a purple shawl, a grey hat, and an unmistakable bronze coat.

---

“Daring Do is dating my dad!” Rainbow Dash screamed, her face contorted with panic. Her eyes shot between her friends gathered around the Map in Twilight’s throne room. Each of them wore an expression of some mix between confusion and concern.

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked.

“Uh, yeah I’m sure!” Rainbow Dash threw her hooves up into the air. “Turns out they’ve been dating for a few months already!”

“Hold on, now,” Applejack said. “How the hay did those two even meet?”

“She saw my dad around town a few times and invited him out for coffee,” Rainbow Dash explained. “She’s been living in Cloudsdale ever since Dr. Caballeron and his goons wrecked her house.”

“That makes sense,” Twilight said with a nod. “Daring Do probably has houses all over Equestria in case of emergencies.”

“Yeah, except she isn’t ‘Daring Do’ right now.” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelimbs. “She’s been going by Miss Anna Kay Yearling.”

“‘Anna Kay’?” Twilight brought a hoof to her chin in thought. “I didn’t know ‘A.K.’ actually stood for anything. I always thought she was being clever.”

Everypony else just stared at her blankly.

“You know…” Twilight continued awkwardly. “A.K.—‘One thousand’. Yearling—‘years’. I thought her name meant ‘one-thousand years.’”

“Who cares what it means?!” Rainbow Dash said, exasperated. “Point is, she can’t be Daring Do if she’s too busy making goo-goo eyes at my dad!”

Rarity cleared her throat in the ensuing silence.

“Pardon me, darling,” she said gently, “but I should think you’d be more… excited about this.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie piped up. “I mean, your dad and your hero dating? How cool is that?!”

“‘Excited’?” Rainbow Dash gave them an incredulous look. “‘Cool’? There’s nothing exciting or cool about Daring Do acting all lovey-dovey and mushy instead of having awesome adventures.”

“But could you imagine if they got married?” Rarity said with a smile.

“Oh,” Fluttershy said, “that would be so sweet.”

“Not you, too, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Daring Do can’t marry my dad. That would make her my mom!”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at her. “And that’s a… bad thing?”

“Daring Do’s too cool to be a mom. She goes on epic adventures and fights bad guys and writes awesome books about it.” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes in thought. “Moms are boring. They cut the crusts off your sandwiches and make you hold their hoof when you cross the street and other lame Mom-stuff like that.”

“Now, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said calmly, “I think you’re missing what could be a wonderful opportunity for you and your dad.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed. “What’s got you so grumpy? This should be, like, the best day ever for you!”

“Well, it was supposed to be,” Rainbow Dash said, a hint of bitterness adding an edge to her voice. “Before all this happened, I was gonna hang out with my dad all day today. Fly around together in the park, catch a few races at Cloudsdale Stadium, lunch at that one diner we like—I had it all planned out!”

Applejack grinned. “Wow, Rainbow Dash. I never woulda pegged you to be such a daddy’s girl.”

“Ah! Wha— Tch! I—” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelimbs and turned away as the heat rushed to her cheeks. “…What’s wrong with being a daddy’s girl?”

“Nothing, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight assured her, “but have you considered that maybe you’re just being a little… possessive of your dad?”

“What?!” Her glare could’ve cut right through stone.

Twilight raised her hooves defensively. “A-all I’m saying is—”

“Oh, no—I totally understand. Well, it’s not like that.” Rainbow Dash took to the air. “You guys just don’t get it.” She locked eyes with each of her friends, their pleading expressions cutting deeper than her glare ever could. Her jaw clenched tight and her eyes squeezed shut before she flew off.

---

Rainbow Dash ran a hoof across her muzzle as she continued the flight back to her house.

“Can’t believe they’d… calling me possessive…” Rainbow Dash continued muttering to herself all the way to her front door. Waiting for her in the foyer was a folded piece of paper. Even though it was simply addressed to “Dash,” she could recognize the writing from a mile away. She picked it up and, despite her better judgment, opened it.

You left in a huff before we could finish talking about this. Come back when you’re ready. Anna wants to talk to you, too.

Dad

Rainbow Dash scowled at the note, but could only maintain the expression for so long before letting out a sigh. It’s not like she could just ignore instructions from her dad. Stepping back outside, she noticed that the sun was already pretty low in the sky. Even if she left right away, it’d still be dark before she made it to Cloudsdale.

Well, it didn’t have to be, but she decided she wasn’t in the mood for a Sonic Rainboom.

Rainbow Dash stretched out her wings, and, after one last moment of mental preparation, took to the sky.



There’s something very soothing about flying at night. Maybe it was the freedom of an empty, clear sky. Maybe it was the gentle light of the moon—proof that Princess Luna’s watchful eye was making sure everypony would have a peaceful night’s rest. Maybe it was the cool breeze that drifted through the air and carried the scent of evening dew.

Rainbow Dash filled her lungs with the crisp night air and let it out in an even exhale. The frustration that had built up during the day seemed to leave her body with each breath, and her head wasn’t feeling quite so hot anymore. Before she realized it, Rainbow Dash found herself flying through the streets of Cloudsdale.

She flew past the park, past the stadium, and past the diner until her destination came into view. A familiar silhouette sat waiting on the balcony of her foalhood home. She landed and took a seat next to Rainbow Blaze, but kept her eyes down on her hooves.

“Hey, Dad,” she said quietly.

“Hey, Dash,” Blaze said. “I was starting to think you weren’t coming tonight.”

“I… took the long way.” Rainbow Dash shifted her hooves around, but still couldn’t bring herself to look up. “I’m sorry for flying off before.”

Blaze took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s okay.” He reached a hoof out to her, but she flinched away from his touch. He lowered his hoof and the two sat in silence.

“Dad?” Her voice barely came out as a whisper. She bit down on her lip and struggled to keep her voice even. “W-why are you doing this?”

Blaze had anticipated the question, but that didn't make addressing it any easier. “I’ve been feeling lonely, Dash,” he said. “This house feels so empty with just me here. It’s nice having somepony to spend time with. It’s nice not feeling so alone anymore.”

“What about Mom?!” Rainbow Dash locked eyes with Blaze as hot streaks traveled down her cheeks, her chest heaving.

Blaze, caught off-guard by the outburst, waited for her to continue.

Rainbow Dash sniffed hard. “Ever since Mom—y’know—I’ve never even seen you look at another mare before! And now you’re dating and-and you’ve been dating and…”

Blaze recognized that look in his daughter’s eyes. It haunted his memory and gripped his heart like a vise. She hadn’t looked like this since the day he had to explain that her mom wasn’t getting better—the day Rainbow Dash realized her mom wouldn’t be coming home.

“This isn’t about Anna at all, is it?”

Rainbow Dash took a quick swipe across her cheek. “Everything I know about staying faithful—about being loyal—I learned it watching you. But now you’re…” She bit down on her lip and closed her eyes.

Blaze wrapped her up in a hug and this time she made no effort to pull away. “Rainbow Dash,” he started gently, “is that how I should prove my loyalty to your mom? By staying a single widower for the rest of my life?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe?”

“Well, for a long time… I thought so, too.” Blaze sighed. “Not a day goes by where I don’t miss her. But I think… I think I’m ready to let another pony into my life.”

Rainbow Dash sniffed again, but didn’t interrupt.

“Nopony could ever take your mom’s place.” He carefully brushed her mane out of her eyes. “I’m not looking to replace her, and Anna isn’t trying. Do you understand, Dash?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “But why her? Why now?”

“When we first started spending time together, she was patient with me. I’d told her about your mom, and she was fine with taking things slow. She stuck with me instead of looking for somepony else.” He smiled softly and turned his gaze skyward. “And I guess if I’m being honest, sometimes she kinda reminds me of your mom.”

Rainbow Dash scoffed in spite of herself. “Come on, Dad. Those two are nothing alike. Mom was always worrying and telling me to be careful. Remember how she’d try to stick ribbons in my mane and put me in dresses?”

Blaze chuckled. “Yeah, that’s true. I barely managed to convince her that you should attend Summer Flight Camp, and she almost threw a fit when I wanted to sign you up for karate.”

Rainbow Dash thought about the black belt and sparring medals she kept tucked away in her closet.

“But you know what they do have in common?” he asked. “They’re both passionate. They’re both free spirits. And I know that they both care about you a lot.”

“Really?”

Blaze nodded to her. “Dash, I want you to be honest with me here: are you okay with all of this?”

Rainbow Dash looked at her hooves and thought over her answer. He’d always been so devoted, to her and to her mom. He really did deserve to have somepony in his life. “If being with her really makes you happy, Dad, then… I’m happy for you.”

Blaze held his forelimbs open and Rainbow Dash gave him a warm embrace. “Thanks, Dashie.” He rubbed her mane, making it almost as messy as when she was a filly. “You think you’re ready to talk to Anna?”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash straightened out her mane. “Yeah, I think so.”

“She’s waiting inside,” he said, turning to the balcony doors. “I’ll send her out.”

“Hey, Dad?”

Blaze stopped and turned. Rainbow Dash was standing up straight, giving him a salute. He smiled to her and returned the salute.

“Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, Dashie.”

---

Rainbow Dash turned at the sound of a closing door. Daring Do, still dressed in her shawl and hat, shuffled on her hooves before stepping over.

“Hello, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash turned back to face the moonlit streets.

“Hey.”

“Lovely night.” Daring Do was hoping for some sort of response, but settled for a lack of objection when she sat down next to her. “…I suppose I have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said curtly, “let’s start with, ‘what are you doing dating my dad?’ Shouldn’t you be off exploring some ancient ruins or something?”

Daring Do took a breath and held it. “Ever since you taught me to be more trusting of others, I’ve been doing my best to let other ponies into my life.”

“Oh, so it’s all my fault, then,” Rainbow Dash said with a roll of her eyes.

“That’s not what I meant. Life really is richer when you share it with others, and you were the one who helped me realize that.” Daring Do turned to her. “I thought I was content to just keep to myself. I never knew how lonely I really was. So thank you.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing the back of my head. “But seriously, why my dad?”

Daring Do smiled as she thought back on it. “He really has this sort of magnetism to him. He’s really considerate and I truly feel like I can trust him. And I don’t know if you realize this…” She looked around carefully before leaning over. “…Your dad’s a good-looking stallion.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head but smiled. Her eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to her.

“You said that you trust my dad, right?” she asked. “Does that mean he knows about Daring Do?”

Daring Do nodded. “I told him a while ago, back when it first seemed like things would be getting serious between us.”

“How’d he take it?”

“Honestly?” she asked. “He wasn’t very happy about it. Mostly he didn’t like the idea of me putting myself in dangerous situations.” Her eyes became a bit distant. “And I can understand that. He’s already lost one pony he really cared about.”

Rainbow Dash, unsure of what to say, simply nodded.

“But he said he won’t stop me from pursuing what I’m passionate about.” Her eyes became focused again as she looked to Rainbow Dash. “I really am so grateful to have found Blaze. As much as I love adventuring, I am going to retire from it—someday.” She was quick to add that when she saw the shock on Rainbow Dash’s face.

“I was always afraid it’d be too late for me to find somepony at that point, though,” she finished.

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash managed. “You really care about my dad, huh?”

Daring Do gave her a nod. “I truly do.”

“So what am I supposed to call you now? Daring? Anna?” She bit her lower lip. “…Mom?”

Daring Do brought her hooves up. “I think it’ll still be a while before Blaze and I reach that point.”

“Do you… want to get to that point?”

Rainbow Dash had to be seeing things. Was Daring Do actually… blushing?

“I… certainly wouldn’t mind,” she admitted. “I’d definitely like to get there someday.”

Rainbow Dash shifted awkwardly and quietly tapped her hooves together as another question came to mind.

“So, uh—how far have two, uh…”

“…I don’t think you want to finish that question.”

“Yeah, you’re right, I don’t.” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head. “It’s just… can you give me a heads-up if you two decide you want to have kids? I’m still trying to figure out how to be a good big sister to this filly I know named Scootaloo.”

Daring Do let out a small laugh. “Tell you what: if Blaze and I decide we want to try having a kid, you’ll be the first to know.”

“That’s all I ask.”

They gazed out to the moon in silence to let the conversation sink in.

“Rainbow Dash?” Daring Do said. “There’s this really nice, secluded spot in the valley that I like to visit. Sparkling lakefronts, beautiful mountain views, and lots of cozy forestland. I was hoping you, Blaze, and I could all go out there and really spend some quality time together, like a…”

“‘Like a family’?” Rainbow Dash offered.

Daring Do nodded. “Do you like camping?”

“Sure,” she said with a smile. “My dad used to take me all the time when I was little. I’ve got some great campfire stories.”

“They can’t be better than mine.” She gave her a teasing smile, which Rainbow Dash was more than happy to return.

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash.”

“For what?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

“For giving me—for giving all of us—a chance.”

Daring Do quickly threw her forelimbs around her and squeezed her in tight. Once Rainbow Dash had time to get over her surprise, she gently hugged her back, a content smile on her face.

Even though they couldn’t know what tomorrow might bring, in that moment, the future was looking bright.