Lightning Bolt had to do this. He knew it had been far, far too long, but it was something he needed to do. He was going to reconnect with his daughter.
 
Or at least try to.
 
All he’d done for the past three decades was ignore what he did, try to forget it even happened so he could move on with his life in peace. And while he did move on, he still couldn’t forget. It haunted him almost all the time, nagging at the back of his mind even when he had other things to worry about. And while he’d come to tune it out for the most part, now it was possible to ignore. His family had actually crossed paths with her. One of his children had actually gotten to know her, better than he ever had. Didn’t his children deserve a relationship with their sister? And as much as he fucked up, didn’t he deserve a second chance?
 
He didn’t know, but he had to take that leap of faith. Better now than never.
 
Lightning eyed the Canterlot Courthouse. He knew she was in there. That’s why he had come all this way to Canterlot: to finally meet her and introduce her to the other side of his family. But for now, as far as his kids knew, they had come for a family vacation.
 
“We should get back to the hotel, kids. It’s getting close to your bedtime.”
 
“Aw, Dad, do we have to?” Angel Cake whined playfully.
 
“Yeah! This has been so much fun!” Chocolate Bomb agreed.
 
Lightning chuckled. “You’ll have more fun tomorrow. Now, your mother will take you to the hotel and get you guys settled in. I’ll catch up in a bit.”
 
“What, are you going to court?” Cotton Tuft snickered.
 
“No,” Lightning huffed. “I’m just…shopping. Go with your mother and I might let you see that lawyer you were talking about.”
 
“But~~”
 
“Daddy’s right,” Confetti shot Lightning a knowing glance. “We should go.”
 
“Fine…”
 
Lightning waved his family off and turned back towards the courthouse. It was now or never. He went over to a nearby store front and leaned on it, trying not to show his nervousness. All there was to do now was wait.
 

 
After what felt like forever, the large doors finally opened and none other than Wind Flash walked out, with a smug smile on her face. By her side were two other mares, presumably her colleagues, laughing along with her and discussing the case they had just won.
 
“I can’t believe that monster tried to pay off our client! That stallion never gave her consent and she tries to cover it up with manipulation!” Wind stomped her hoof in emphasis.
 
“Flash, that belt trick was a stroke of genius!” One of the other mares, a pegasus, chimed in.
 
The other mare, a unicorn, slung an arm around her and nodded. “It was quite clever! I’m glad we got that asshole in jail. One more responsibility-avoiding pony off the streets!”
 
Wind Flash scoffed, visibly turning her nose up at the word “responsibility.”
 
Lightning silently cringed at their words, mentally smacking himself for all his past mistakes and failures. But he had to make amends, and this was the only way to do that. He cleared his throat, getting the mares’ attention more quickly than expected.
 
Wind Flash made eye contact with him, her friends backing up behind her as if to give her space. Her proud smile immediately soured into a soft glare.
 
“Greetings, Lightning Bolt.”
 
“I-I see you already know me,” Lightning thought aloud. He took a hard gulp, sweat forming on his brow despite the coolness of the night. “Hello. I was wondering if we could…talk.”
 
“About what?” Wind Flash cocked an eyebrow. “Why don’t you go speak to one of the other five kids you’ve sired? I would say your five other kids, but I refuse to describe myself as your child. Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like to continue speaking to some mature fellow ADULTS.”
 
“Wind, I’ve changed!” Lightning retorted. “I was young and stupid back then! But I want to move on and make up for everything I did, for our sakes and your mother’s.”
 
“Neglecting your child for over 30 years is NOT a youthful mistake,” Wind Flash scoffed. “And why do you think you can come out of nowhere now? Because I met one of your children two weeks ago?”
 
“Yes,” Lightning admitted. “But I swear, there’s more to it than that. I know how much I’ve hurt you and your mother, and I want to make up for that~~”
 
“Really?” Wind Flash sneered. “You should’ve thought of that way back when you knocked Mère up!”
 
“Look, your mother told me she never wanted to see me again. For all I knew, she was going to give you up for adoption. I didn’t think I belonged in her life, so I did what I thought was best at the time.” He straightened up to meet her at eye level. “And hasn’t she moved on? Last I knew she was happily married to one of my friends. I know you don’t like me, but why can’t you move on too?”
 
“EVERY TIME MY OWN MOTHER LOOKS AT ME SHE CRINGES WITH GUILT BECAUSE I REMIND HER OF YOU!” Wind Flash practically screamed. “She may have married someone new, but she hasn’t gotten over what you did. And you have the nerve to ask why I can’t move on too??”
 
In that instant, all the arguments and comebacks Lightning had in mind flew away, as they all already had an answer. There was nothing else he could say now.
 
“I know there’s nothing I can do to make you understand or…want me in your life,” A lump formed in his throat. “But when you see your mother, please just…tell her that I’m sorry.” He turned away, trying to hide how hurt he was.
 
“Lightning, wait.” Wind Flash pulled him into tight hug and whispered into his ear, “Prenez votre culpabilité et votre manipulation et foutez-là dans votre cul, et allez vous apitoyer sur votre sort ailleurs.” She pulled away and trotted off into the night with her two best friends at her heels. Despite Lightning’s poor knowledge of Prench, the sneers on the mares’ faces said it all. He was not forgiven.
 

 
At long last, Lightning opened the door to the hotel room and was met with the smiling faces of his family. They were all still up; it wasn’t as late as he thought.
 
“How was court, Dad?” Cotton joked.
 
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Lightning grumbled.
 
“What, was the verdict guilty or something?”
 
“I SAID I DON”T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!”
 
“Lightning!” Confetti trotted out of one of the bedrooms. “Don’t take it out on her!”
 
“Who said I was taking it out on her?” Lightning snapped. “I’m just fine! She has no right to pry into what I’ve been doing-”
 
“Lightning. Go to bed. Now.”
 
“Mom, what’s his problem?”
 
“Dad needs some time alone. We’ll talk about it later. Now go on.”
 
Lightning opened his mouth to argue, but quickly shut it and stormed off to his room. He buried himself under the covers as his anger turned to defeat and shame.
 
He felt like the worst father in the world.