>Rainbow Dash sleeps on a small cloud just outside Ponyville.
>She counted sheep without a care in the cool afternoon air of early spring.
>Without warning,
>Splash!
>Rainbow's eyes shot open and she shot straight up in a flash.
>"Coooold!" she screams.
>She looks down to where she was.
>She can't believe her eyes when she spots a yellow pegasus holding a small dark cloud over where she just was.
>She spots a tall monkey rolling on the ground and laughing.
>Her anger and embarassment quickly turned to joy.
>"Fluttershy! Anonymous!"
"What's up?" you call from below.
>Fluttet gently floats down to the ground beside you.
>Rainbow Dash dives as fast as she can.
>She stops just before you and bucks you in the stomach.
"The hell was that for?" you ask as you choke to get your air back.
>"Well I can't hit Fluttershy," replies Rainbow. "She-"
>Rainbow Dash gets her first real look at Fluttershy.
>"Uh... Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow. "What did-"
"We'll tell you later," you interupt. "But do you want to do us a favor and round everyone up at the library?"
>"You got it!"
>And with that she took off, her rainbow trail the only thing remaining.
--
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wL_UWwSpc0Q
>You pull your cart through town, Fluttershy walking beside you.
>Ponies who recognized you waved and shouted their congratulations.
>The town didn't change since you've been gone.
>Except for the drastic change of seasons since you last saw it.
>Ponies were going about their business, happy as can be.
>The sun shone bright, the birds chirped, and a cool breeze blew.
>It was good to be back.
>You contemplate going straight back to your house and sleep for three days straight.
>But that would be a dick move not to say 'Hi' to your friends and let them know your back.
>You find Twilight's library soon enough and knock.
>A voice calls from inside.
>Spike opens the door.
>Before he can recognize you, you force the door open, get in his face, and roar.
>Spike screams in terror and falls backward into the library.
>Fluttershy puts her hooves to her mouth to stifle a giggle.
--
>When Spike finally realizes who you are, his minor heart attack ceases and he jumps up in joy.
>"Ano -hic-!"
>Spike hiccups, blasting forth a burst of green fire and singing the top of your head.
>Spike covers his mouth with his claws.
>"Oh whoops -hic-. Sorry Anon -hic-."
>The fire hits his hands and spreads out between the gaps in his fingers.
"Spike are you okay?"
>"I'm -hic- fine -hic-. Just startled."
>Spike clears his throat and coughs.
>It seems to have cleared his hiccups.
>"I didn't expect to see you two back anytime soon," said Spike. "That was a really long vacation."
"Vacations are fun and relaxing. Our whole experience was..."
>"Wonderful."
>You look back at Fluttershy and raise an eyebrow.
>It wasn't bad, but wonderful seemed like an overstatement to you.
>It's only after you decipher what she said do you smile.
"Oh yeah. Right."
>You turn back to Spike.
"So is your sister home?" you ask.
>"Sis-? Oh, Twilight!" exclaimed Spike. "No she's not. She went to go get something from Sugar Cube Corner. They were planning a pet playdate today."
"Mind if we wait for them here?"
>"Not at all!"
--
>The next half hour entails you and Fluttershy telling Spike about your travels and what it's like in other parts of the world.
"Did you know the Wetland Cranes can meditate and fish at the same time?"
>"How?" asked Spike.
"Not sure. But we were watching them for a while. They stand in the water and do yoga, occassionally pulling out a fish."
>"That's wierd."
"Right? We asked them how but they wouldn't reveal their secrets. They do, however, serve some awesome rice and sushi."
>Voices can be heard outside the library.
>"Just tell us, Rainbow."
>"No you gotta see it for yourself."
>"Why is this wagon in front of my house?"
>Twilight led the group inside.
>They all froze when they saw you and Fluttershy casually sipping on some milk and talking to Spike.
>The three of you snap your attention to the door when they walk in.
>You stare at each other for several seconds in silence.
"'Sup."
--
>In the blink of an eye, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie run forward and tackle you backwards out of your chair.
>Spike decides to join the assault and jumps on top of the mass of bodies.
>Twilight and Rarity trot over and emrace Fluttershy in a hug.
>Rainbow and Applejack decide to punch you in the shoulders.
>Pinkie just rubs the top of your head with a hoof.
"Ow! What was that for?"
>"That's fer not tellin' us y'all were comin' home!" said Applejack.
"And you?" you ask Rainbow.
>She just shrugs.
>"I really like your mane, Anon!" said Pinkie.
>"Although it is rather unkempt and dirty," commented Rarity.
>The three mares and Spike climb off you so you can properly greet Rarity and Twilight.
>"Ooh, Fluttershy!" exclaimed Pinkie. "You really let yourself go!"
>Everyone in the room turned to look at Fluttershy who was blushing furiously at the comment.
>"Well that was rude, Pinkie," chastised Rarity. "I noticed too but I wasn't going to blurt it out so bluntly like that."
"She's not fat," you tell them.
>"What?" they all ask in unison.
>"I'm pregnant," said Fluttershy.
--
>"WHAT?!"
>Twilight's face was dumbstruck.
>Pinkie had the largest smile.
>The rest were simply astounded.
>"Woo!" cheered Pinkie.
>Pinkie smushed Fluttershy's cheeks and pressed their faces together.
>"This is so exciting! A baby shower party! No wait. A welcome home party! Or a-"
>Good thing you learned how to tune Pinkie out for the most part.
>"Is it yours?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yup."
>"Like... YOURS?" Rainbow emphasized.
"Yup."
>"How is this even possible?!" shouted Twilight.
>Twilight was so surprised she didn't realize her volume or that she was still making that face.
"How about we talk about it over dinner? It's somwhat of a long story and Shy and I are starving."
>"Food?" asked Pinkie and Applejack. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
>They follow each other out of the door.
>"Couldn't you tell me really quick?" asked Twilight, a quill and paper at the ready.
"Nah. Not really in the mood."
>Twilight grumbles and sets the pen and paper aside for later.
--
>"Well if it means anything to you, I'm very happy for you," said Rarity.
>"Me too," said Twilight.
>"Thank you both," said Fluttershy.
"Does this meam we need to give you stuff? Or babysit?" asked Rainbow.
>Rarity slapped her upside the head.
>"Rainbow Dash!" shouted Rarity.
>"Ow! What did I do?" exclaimed Rainbow, rubbing the back of her head.
>You chuckle.
"No, Rainbow. Not at all."
>"But that would be awfully nice of you," said Fluttershy.
>"No way. Nooo way," said Rainbow, crossing her forelegs amd shaking her head.
>You shrug.
"Alright. No reason to force you to do something you don't want to."
>Your stomach growls.
>You groan.
"Now if only Pinkie and Applejack would hurry back with that food..."
--
>Thirty minutes later, they both delivered with enough food to last several days.
>Applejack brought tons of fruits, veggies, and milk.
>Of course Pinkie would bring a bunch of sweets, but she also brought with her some fruit punch and bread.
>You still had some preserved meat in your cart, but you'll save that as your first house re-warming dinner.
>You at way less than you thought you would.
>And even less so than before.
>Has your stomach shrunk that much from not eating as much as you used to?
>You know you lost a lot of weight, but you also gained tons of muscle from hauling that large pack and wagon around the last several months.
>You lay back in your seat and stretch.
>A loud burp escapes your mouth.
"Excuse me."
>An even louder burp echoes across the table.
>Everyone looks at a red-faced Fluttershy.
>"Ex... Excuse me..." she says quietly.
>"Nice one, Fluttershy," said Applejack as she took a huge mouthful of Pinkie's banana bread.
>"Ugh..." groaned Rarity at the spectacle.
>"So Anonymous," started Twilight.
>She doesn't need to finish as she pulls out a pen and paper.
>You sigh.
"Yeah, sure. Why not."
--
"Lets see now..."
>You put your hand to your chin and think.
>"Zebras," reminded Fluttershy.
"Right. Thanks. We were walking through lands belonging to the independant zebra tribes. As it turns out, you can't just waltz into  village like you can here."
>"What happened?" asked Pinkie, throwing some popcorn in her mouth.
"To put it bluntly? They wanted to kill us."
>"Oh my!" exclaimed Rarity.
>"Then what?" asked Applejack.
"Well thankfully their witch doctor could speak our language and asked if we were friend or foe."
>"If I were you, I would have kicked all their flanks," said Rainbow smugly and taking a drink of punch.
"Yeah you try that and tell me what happens. So anyway, he was curious to learn of me, Fluttershy, and why we were out there. He spoke to the village chief and got us a tent for a couple days for free."
>"That doesn't explain the pregnancy," said Twilight.
"I'm getting to that. Be patient."
--
>You take a drink of milk.
"So the witch doctor inquired to Fluttershy and I about what we want in life. Naturally, we wanted a family."
>Fluttershy leaned into you and you wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"And of course, as you all know, that can't happen."
>"So what did happen?" asked Rarity.
"A potion. Several, actually. You remember that time when I got really sick?" you ask Twilight.
>"Yeah, why?" she asked.
"You remember what happens to my magic resistance when I get sick?"
>Twilight nodded.
"Well we exploited that weakness. One potion got me really sick. And Fluttershy and I drank a fertility potion each."
>"Oh I see!" exclaimed Twilight. "You used natural herbs and remedies to find a loophole in your magic resistance!"
"Exactly. Even the potions had a little magic in them. The witch doctor thought of everything to give us the best possible chance."
>You smile and hold Fluttershy close.
"Although, I gotta say, what with me being sick as a dog, that night was anything but magical."
>Your party shares a laugh and you kiss Fluttershy on the cheek.
"It wasn't until she started to show did we decide to slowly make our way home."
>"I see..." mumbled Twilight as she wrote your every word onto several sheets of paper.
"So questions on anything else?"
>All hooves go up.
>This is gonna be a long night.
--
>When all was said and done, it was ludicriously late in the evening.
>You lacked the energy and coordination to make your way home tonight.
>Twilight offered the two of you her bed while she slept in the smaller guest bed.
>You decided to leave everything in your wagon and shuffle your way upstairs.
>When you lie down, you groan with a satisfaction unlike any other felt in the last couple months.
>Twilight's bed was as soft as a cloud, but you had Rarity's ultra-soft, homemade blankets waiting for you tomorrow night.
>Fluttershy crawls beneath the covers and you pull her close, her back to your chest.
>For the first time in a long time, you can sleep without worry.
>It was warm and no fear of freezing in the night.
>It was safe and no fear of predators or potential bandits.
>And you were home.
>You were out within a minute.