“Ah, Scootaloo,” Jerard said as my mother and I entered the dining room. “I hope you enjoyed your cold shower.” I nodded, sitting down next to him at the end of the table. My mom sat next to my father. I looked around. The room was large; the table could probably take on at least twenty ponies at once. The room easily could’ve held paintings and other statues, but it was nicely bare.

“I did, Master. Thank you for letting me cool my wounds.” He kissed me, and I kissed him back. My parents stared at us a little as I nuzzled his chest. Two chefs brought out dinner and set them in front of us.

“Boiled, buttered carrots in roasted applesauce.” one of the chefs said, setting a plate in front of me and then in front of Jerard. He smiled, seeing it. The chefs left, and Jerard reached for a bottle of apple wine and poured himself a glass.

“Would either of you want some?”

“I don’t drink;” my father said, shaking his head, “Never had a stomach for it.” Jerard offered it to my mom and she paused.

“Ah, no, thank you,” my mom said with an unsure expression. “I don’t like to drink when I…” She sighed. “There’s no way I’m going back to work tomorrow. Sure.” He poured her a glass and passed it to her. She lifted it up with him, waiting for him to drink. He smiled and took a drink while she followed suit.

“Oh, and so you know, I’m immune to most poisons.” My mom coughed a little. “If I wanted you dead, you would be. Don’t mistrust me just because I’m your daughter’s master and abuse her. Poison is far from what I would use to kill you. I would never ruin perfectly good food with the taste of death. It’s an insult to the chef as well as anything which could’ve used the food to live, so you can always trust my table if nothing else.”

“Okay.” my mom uneasily replied.

“Don’t misunderstand us,” my dad said, frowning. “It isn’t so much that we don’t trust you; it’s what we expect you to do. After all you’ve done, especially to our daughter, do you really think we could just sit down and eat without assuming poison?”

“I guess that is reasonable, but then again you did just talk back. Tell me, do you want your daughter or your wife to pay the price for your words?”

“I—they were my words!” My father said, almost standing up.

“Scootaloo, then.” He gritted his teeth.

“I’m sorry.” My dad said, looking down.

“Forgiven,” Jerard said as if it was a joke. He then kissed my head. “Now enjoy. You can eat, Scootaloo.”

“Thank you, Master.” I started to eat, and it was really good. Compared to everything I had shoved down my throat, this was like a gift from Celestia herself.

I looked at my parents eating, and I smiled a little. It had been a while since they had been together, but still. We finished eating. Jerard hugged me, making me smile. He yawned as I nuzzled him.

“I suppose it’s time for bed. Al, show Scootaloo’s parents to a room, and then make sure they get home safely come morning.”

“Yes, Sir; come this way please.” They left with Al, and I followed Jerard back to his room. He tossed me onto the bed a little hard with his magic, causing me roll into the wood backing of the bed then hearing my back make a loud crack. Pain coursed through me, making me shutter. I rolled from the wall onto the pillows, and then onto the bed.

“Thank you, Master.” I said choking a little as he came over to me.

“You better be thankful. If it were not for the fact they will become my future parents-in-law, I would’ve slain them.” He opened a drawer and pulled out a box. He then set it in front of me, and I looked at it for a minute.

“I don’t understand, Master.”

“You were good today.”

“But my punishment?”

“It wasn’t a punishment.” I paused. “It was a reward. Now you have your parents. You can talk to them, and they can comfort you and love you. They can now be there for you. I know you’ve been alone, and after all I’ve done, I understand that you want to die.”

“Oh.”

“But they must stay in line. If they try to make trouble, I’ll have to kill them; but now, you don’t have to worry about them finding out.” He got onto the bed. He was right. I didn’t have to worry about them anymore. I could now talk to them openly, and they could be there for me now. I jumped, hugging him.

“Thank you so much, Master!” I kissed him, causing him to smile.

“You did win the bet, but I won’t accept defeat. I love you far too much to allow you to take your life.”

“I love you, Master; thank you so much. It’s a truly wonderful gift.” He kissed and hugged me tightly.

“I’m glad you like it. I was going to try to get Dash for you, but things turned out badly, and well, we’ll leave it at your parents and leave Dash alone in Ponyville.”

“Dash would’ve killed you.” He paused. “It wouldn’t have mattered if she was in metal chains. She would have killed you in an instant. She’s too fast for your magic Master. I know that sounds…” He kissed me.

“Perhaps you’re right, but in open combat, she wouldn’t stand a chance. I have faced armies and monsters. She wouldn’t be hard, and if she did somehow kill me, she would be put to death for killing a royal.”

“I know, Master.”

“Now for your other gift.” I looked at the box and opened it. I paused, staring at a new necklace. I smiled as I switched it out with my old one. This one was breathtaking. Instead of one small orange diamond, this one had seven heart-shaped ones with a very large diamond in the center. The entire thing was simply flawless. The other one was cheaply made, but still looked nice overall.

“Thank you.”

“That’s not all that’s in there.” I went deeper, pulling out hoof guards that looked like Princess Celestia’s, but these had one large orange diamond on the front in the shape of a heart. I smiled and put one on; it fit perfectly, but could be bent for when I grew.

“These are beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like them.” I smiled. “They aren’t sharp, so you can keep them on while you sleep.” I put them on; they looked simply stunning.

“So we’re heading back early tomorrow then?” I asked, and he smiled.

“Yes, but you don’t have to go to school if you don’t want to. One more day won’t hurt you.” I nodded. He moved the sheets, getting under them and then pulled me close to him. We fell asleep.

I opened my eyes and looked at Jerard asleep. A sliver of morning sun was coming in through a window. I didn’t know what time it was since there was no clock, but it didn’t really matter that much. I kissed him; waking him up, he kissed back.

“Good morning Master.” He kissed me again, and I smiled.

“Good morning to you.”
“When do we leave?”
“First a bath, then breakfast; one last check up, and then we’ll head back.” I nodded. He picked me up, and we went into the bathroom, taking a nice warm bath. My sides stung, but I ignored them as I enjoyed his warmth. I always loved laying on him while we took a bath. He was always so damn comfortable; he was just madness. I didn’t understand or know why my body acted like this toward him.

We dried off without much talking, but he seemed content and happy with me. We went into the dining room, and my parents were eating already. They looked at me and smiled when they saw me smiling.

“How’d you both sleep?” I asked, walking over to them, and my mom hugged me.

“Nightmares as far as the eye can see.”

“Same.” My dad admitted.

“I’m glad you two found out.” They looked at me a little surprised. “Master explained you weren’t a punishment, but a gift. Now I can talk to you and not worry about him killing you for finding out. I don’t have to sneak around, and you don’t have to worry.” They stared at me grinning. “Isn’t it wonderful? I’m not alone anymore.” My mom hugged me.

“That’s wonderful.” My mom’s expression was a smile of pain. “You’re right; you’re not alone anymore.” My father hugged us, and I smiled. They let go of me after a minute, and I went over to Jerard, smiling. The chefs brought out food, and we ate in silence. Jerard followed me to the hospital room, passing through the doors.

“Sir?” Sethi said, looking over a few things.

“Gather your things; you’ll be coming to Ponyville for a while. Expect a few weeks, so make sure to leave notice at the hospital. You’ll get triple pay.”

“Yes sir.”

“And Ponyville has a hospital if you want to work there.”

“I'll pack for it sir.”

“Good, and give Scootaloo one more check-up.” I went and sat down on the table. She frowned seeing the new branding marks. She did a simple check-up.

“She’s fine; the drugs didn’t have any lasting effects.”

“Come, Scootaloo.” I followed him out to the carriage, and there were a bunch of boxes on top of it. We went inside; my parents were already waiting for us. “I assume your husband explained before dinner last night.”

“Yes. It was you who set up that huge account. I finished the paperwork, and I’m going back to Ponyville.” My mom said.

“I’m also staying longer,” my dad said. “I hired and promoted a few Pegasi last night; I'll be able to spend my nights in Ponyville.”

“Isn’t that a treat?” Jerard whispered into my ear, and I smiled.

“It’s great.” I said as Jerard pulled me closer. The ride to the train station and back to Ponyville was a silent one. We ended up in a private room, and I didn’t leave Jerard’s side. He enjoyed it a lot. A train steward helped to load the luggage onto a cart. My father and Jerard got onto the front and started pulling it. I followed, falling behind a little without realizing it. I was too lost in thought to notice.

“Scootaloo!” I paused, hearing Sweetie Belle. I looked at her and Apple-Bloom as they ran over to me. I quickly ran to my mom’s side hiding. She looked at me; she was a little behind my dad and Jerard.

“I can’t talk to them right now.” I said, and she nodded.

“Scoots.” Apple-Bloom said a bit confused.

“Sorry,” my mom said, blocking them easily and stopping them. “Scootaloo doesn’t want to talk to anyone today.” They paused.

“But we’re her friends.” Sweetie Belle whined. My mom looked at me shaking my head no, and she sighed.

“Sorry, she’s not really in the mood; maybe tomorrow.” my mother said.

“Scootaloo,” Apple-Bloom said. “Is she alright? She didn’t come to school again today; what’s up?”

“Girls, she needs alone time right now; all of us do. Now please go away before I have to talk to your parents.” They backed up.

“Please let us talk to her,” Sweetie Belle said pouting. “Everyone’s worried sick, and now we’re even more worried.”

“I’m not allowed to play with others.” I whispered, and my mom frowned.

“She’s not allowed to be around other ponies except for school, and even then, that’s optional at this point.” They stared at my mom shocked. “So please go away. She’s not allowed to talk to you.”

“No!” Apple-Bloom shouted, surprising my mom as they went around her tackling me away from her.

“NOW!” Sweetie Belle shouted, and ponies from my class ran over with a cart. My dad and Jerard stared shocked, but unable to move fast enough. As others from my class tied me up, threw me into the cart, and then running off. My mom didn’t have time to react as we disappeared from her sight and down the road. I looked around as they stopped after a while. We were at the tree house.

“Finally,” Apple-Bloom said, breathing hard. “Get her inside.” Two of them picked me up, taking me inside the tree house.

“Get that hoof.” Diamond Tiara said, and Snails held down my other hoof as they tied me down to a chair. It took pretty much all of them to hold me down and tie me to the chair. Whether or not I was hurt, I could still take them all on with a single hoof. I looked around at all of them; they were smiling. They had caught me and were happy about it.

“Ugh!” Diamond Tiara shouted seeing the new necklace and the hoof guards. “Where’s the present I gave you?”

“Mmm.” She took out my gag. “In my bag.”

“Finally, an answer.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Let me go.”

“Not till ya tell us everythin’,” Apple-Bloom said, stepping forward. “We’re your friends, and we deserve answers!” I laughed.

“Friends? What friends? I don’t see any, because last time I checked, I was never friends with filly-nappers. If you were my friends, you’d understand.” They all went quiet. “Now let me go!”

“No.” Sweetie Belle said and went close to my face. “Tell us.” I kissed her and she jumped back losing her balance and falling back. “Ugh!” She got up wiping her mouth and all of them stared at me shocked.

“Shut up and let me go, or the next one of you that gets close is going to get a very painful head butt.” They all backed up a little.

“We’ll get it out of you sooner or later,” Sweetie Belle said, and she turned to Featherweight. “Featherweight, may we borrow some of your feathers?” He pulled out a few loose ones.

“That won’t work with the clothes on her.” Diamond Tiara said. I looked around a bit nervous. I really couldn’t afford to allow them to take off my clothes; it was one thing for them to think. It was another for them to know.

“HELP!” I screamed, making all of them fold their ears.

“Ouch!” Silver Spoon said.

“HELP!” I screamed again, and Featherweight put the gag back into my mouth. Tears went down my face as I tried to stop them in vain. All of them paused, looking at each other unsure.

“Guys, I don’t think we should be doing this. I-I don’t want to be a part of this.” Twist said, dropping the feather.

“Me either.” Snails said, dropping his feather.

“Then leave,” Apple-Bloom snapped at them before walking over to me. “We don’t need ya. If ya don’t have the stomach, ya shouldn’t be a part of this anyways.” Snails, Twist, and Snips left.

“Do you mind if I go?” Silver Spoon asked, and Diamond Tiara nodded. She left as well, leaving Featherweight, Sweetie Belle, Apple-Bloom and Diamond Tiara. The three looked at Featherweight, and he smiled.

“Hey, I don’t mind staying.” Featherweight said.

“That’s fine.” Sweetie Belle said. They looked back at me making me nervous.

“Now spill; what’s up?” Apple-Bloom said.

“If you yell, I'll put this right back.” Sweetie Belle said, taking out my gag. I coughed a little bit.

“None of your business.” I coughed again. “That’s what! If you don’t let me go, just how much trouble do you think you’re going to get in? Rarity won’t be happy, neither will Applejack, and I bet your daddy would take away your allowance.”

“My daddy loves me,” Diamond Tiara said straightening her posture. “He would understand. I'll do anything I need to in order to help a friend!” I stared at her shocked. She thought of me as a friend? I bit my lip; this wasn’t right. Even if it was Diamond, I shouldn’t be hiding from them.

“As for Rarity and Applejack,” Sweetie Belle started waving her hoof, “they probably would want to know just as much as any of us.”

“Oh?” They all turned to Dash by the door. “You’d think that, wouldn’t you?” She growled, making them back up. Dash came over to me, but Apple-Bloom and Sweetie Belle blocked her, stopping her from untying me. “Get out of my way, you two.”

“Dash, what’s happenin’?” Apple-Bloom asked as Dash frowned.

“That’s not your business, nor is it your concern.” She went past them, and Apple-Bloom kicked at her. Dash blocked it like it was nothing. She growled and lightly kicked Apple-Bloom, sending her out the window, surprising everyone.

“AAAAH!” Apple-Bloom yelled as I heard a crack.

“You want some to?” She asked looking around, and they backed off.

“What in the world!” Applejack asked. Dash groaned a little bit.

“It hurts!”

“How did dis happen?!” Applejack asked outside, making Dash hurry.

“Dash bucked me out the window.”

“She did what now?!”

“She’s in the tree house.”

“We need to splint dat!”

“No, I’m fine; it’s just a small sprain. Ah need your help with Dash. She’s gone crazy. She attacked me!” Dash grunted a little trying to get the rope.

“Stupid thing.” Dash grumbled as Applejack came up.

“Dash, what’s da meaning of dis?!” Applejack shouted, and Dash turned a little, but kept trying to do the ropes. “Why’d ya hit my sister?”

“They filly-napped me!” I shouted, and Applejack paused, looking around.

“Stupid ropes are made of freakin’ steel,” Dash said, trying even harder now. “Apple Bloom kicked at me, and I kicked back lightly. She was sent out by accident. She filly-napped Scoots with her friends and tied her to the chair and then gagged her. She’s been crying, and these ropes are cutting into her hooves!”

“Well that’s no reason to get violent.”

“Applejack, if I kicked her for real, do you think she would be breathing?” Applejack frowned.

“Ya shouldn’t have kicked her at all.”

“Then you should keep a closer eye on your little sister.”

“Applejack, Scootaloo’s been hiding things,” Featherweight started. “We don’t know what it is, but it’s bad. She’s been in pain, missing school, not talking to anyone, and not even hanging out with Sweetie Belle or Apple-Bloom. She has ear piercings, and somehow got an ear nick. Someone’s been hurting her and we want to find out whom. We’re really worried, and Dash is stopping us from helping her!”

“Shut up.” Dash snapped.

“What’s da meaning of that?” Applejack asked, and Dash groaned, not able to get the last rope off.

“Where’s a knife when you need one?”

“Answer me, Dash.”

“It’s none of your business!” She almost screamed. “In fact it’s no one’s business but Scootaloo’s and those who she wants to talk to! If someone’s been hurting her, then don’t you think she would tell you all if she could? Situations like that aren’t simple. You can’t always go to the guards, or a lot of ponies die and lives get ruined.”

“That don’t sound like a Dash thing to say; it must be very serious if you aren’t knocking heads.” Dash looked around and spotted a screwdriver. She grabbed it and started on the ropes again.

“Applejack, doesn’t your sister need help or something? Got it.” She smiled, undoing my last rope, and I got off the chair. I shivered a little.

“Thanks, Dash.” We started walking.

“No problem. Come on.” Applejack blocked the door, frowning.

“Now ya ain’t leaving this tree house without giving me some answers.”

“Scootaloo, go out the window. I'll use an apple mat.”

“’Scuse me?” Applejack asked and I turned. But Featherweight and Sweetie Belle were blocking the windows. I didn’t want to hurt them to get out, making me step back. Dash frowned and took a fighting stance.

“I want you to move please.” Dash said with a heavy voice.

“No.”

“I’m sorry for hurting your sister, but she attacked Scootaloo.”

“Sounds like for good reason. She shouldn’t have attacked you, but she had every reason to demand answers. That doesn’t sound good, and something needs to be done if she’s getting hurt.”

“Excuse me.” I paused, hearing Rarity’s voice as Applejack looked at her. “Would you mind getting out of the way Applejack?” She turned a little and looked at Rarity. “I'll only ask that once.” Applejack looked at her, surprised.

“Nope; you’re not going anywhere.” Rarity looked surprised as Big Mac came up behind her. This was becoming a very serious situation. Pretty soon, this was going to turn into an all-out brawl. “Answers need to be given.” Big Mac grumbled lightly.

“You’re entire family is acting crazy.” Dash said, and Applejack frowned looking at her, then at me.

“Nnnnope; we stick together.” Big Mac retorted

“How did Rarity know to be here?” I whispered to Dash.

“I was with her when we heard you scream.” Dash said looking around.

“Sweetie Belle, you are so beyond grounded.” Rarity said.

“It’ll be worth the answers.” Diamond Tiara said.

“Looks like I have no choice,” I said, and they all looked at me. “I’m going to have to get violent.” I whispered. I jumped, punching Featherweight and sent him flying through the wall shattering the wood. I jumped flying out the window. “Dash, wall!” I shouted

“Why didn’t I think of that?” She kicked the wall, breaking through easily, and she jumped out. “Rarity, jump!” Dash shouted. She jumped off and neither Big Mac nor Applejack could reach her in time as Dash caught her and flew into the air.

“Get back here!” Applejack shouted.

“Scootaloo, you can go home,” Dash said. “I'll make sure they don’t follow.” She set Rarity down as her wings spread out.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Big Mac jumped down, making the ground rumble.

“That’s right.” Applejack said, jumping next to Big Mac.

“Oooo, try me first, Dear.” Rarity said stepping forward as her horn lit up.

“We need answers!” Sweetie Belle shouted.

“Stand back, young-uns,” Applejack warned. “Dis is about ta get ugly.”

“Hey everyone, has anyone seen Sc—” Twilight stopped talking as she walked into the clearing with everyone. “Um, what’s happening?” She looked around a bit nervous, seeing the tension easily.

“Twilight, what are you doing here?” Dash asked a bit annoyed.

“I’m looking for Scootaloo. Canterlot University sent a reply, and I need to give it to her to see when the reps are coming to test her.”

“Crap,” Rarity said, and they looked at her. “We’re running out of time. Would burning down the school stall enough?”

“Rarity!” Twilight said shocked.

“I don’t think it would work. They could do it at the house just as easily.” Dash said, still in a fighting stance.

“Okay, dat’s it; you’re telling us what’s happenin’.” Applejack shouted.

“Scootaloo, go home.” Dash said looking at me watching.

“But…” I said.

“You want to be late?”

Author's Note

also special thanks to Midnight Legend for editing!