Athena Eris Petunia Shy’s arrival into the world was truly a magical occasion.
 
Fluttershy ‘s pregnancy was certainly a unique one. In the beginning, it was a coin toss to see if she were to lay an egg, and care for it, or if she was to carry the foal/chick for eight months and have a “normal” birth. When it became clear that she was going to carry her newborn to term, Fluttershy fought against her nervousness and anxiety for quite some time. Discord reassured her she was going to be a fine mother (and draconequus/pony births weren’t “terribly different” from normal pony/pony births), and if she could put up with him, she could their little one.
 
Despite their nervousness over her situation, her friends swooped in and immediately formed a wall of support for the shy pegasus. Especially her fellow soon-to-be mother, Twilight. She provided her all the research she had available, and figured since the baby was still half pony, most of that stuff’s gotta apply right? Well, despite a lot of guessing and hypothesizing, Fluttershy actually coasted through her pregnancy with few troubles. Outside the normal pregnancy blues/achy back/morning sickness, the only oddities that one would pick up on was her occasional ability to breathe smoke, and her unending craving for banana peppers and chocolate chip muffins.
 
So, as such, she, Twilight, and Discord had planned the arrival of the chick/foal to the absolute second, from keeping an eye out for signs of labor, to getting Fluttershy to Ponyville General in a timely manner, to the moment they estimate the baby may be born.
 
 
But sometimes, no matter how much we plan, things go the exact opposite way and there ain’t nothing to do about it.
 
 
One incredibly stormy autumn night, a week before she was due, Fluttershy wakes in an insane amount of pain and soaking wet sheets. She immediately knows that her little baby has decided to make a surprise entrance, and there was no telling them to hang on. After waking Discord in a panic, the two had no other choice but to rush out into the storm. Knowing he can get there faster than an ambulance can get to them (and unable to teleport a pregnant mare) the soon-to-be-father attempts to get his wife to the hospital. However, the panicking creature ends up losing his bearings in the storm, and the building he thinks is the hospital is actually…Applejack’s barn. The opposite direction from the hospital.
 
Now terrified that he’s doomed his wife and unborn child, Discord pounds on the Apple family’s door, desperate for help. AJ is quite shocked to find a soaking-wet Discord, with his soaking-wet wife Fluttershy, standing out in the rain, with a baby very quickly trying to make their way into the world. However, the matriarchs of the Apple family fall right into stride. Applejack and Granny quickly settle Fluttershy into bed and reassure her all will be fine. After all, Granny Smith has helped many a foal into the world, right here in this very home - including her own great-granddaughter. Fluttershy doesn’t even really have a moment to feel relieved before she is overcome with, well, giving birth. What is only a few minutes feels like hours. Applejack gently coaxes her along, breathing, pushing, over and over again…until Granny Smith’s voice rings out.
 
“Ah-ha! There y’are, ya little rascal!”
 
And then a shrill, screaming breath of air.
 
And with that, Fluttershy’s daughter Athena is born.
 
After receiving news that their own daughter didn’t make it to the hospital, the terrified Nimbus and Petunia Petals quickly rush to the farm. After being rather nervous for their oldest throughout the duration of her pregnancy, this was the ending they had been fearing. With no idea whether Fluttershy was alright, the two burst through the door with gasping breaths and sobs of fear. However, as it turns out, there was no reason for their terror. They find Fluttershy lying comfortably in bed, her husband tenderly curled around her and the tiny little bundle held against her heart. After reassuring them that she’s alright (well, as alright as one can be after giving birth), she pulls back the blanket and reveals a bundle of white and gray fuzz, inviting her parents to meet their granddaughter. The two pegasi find a tiny little being - one who obviously inherited most her looks from her father’s side. However, the moment she opened her eyes - exactly the same color as her mother’s - the two know that this little one is forever part of their family.