Golden Wingsby TheGreatEaterChaptersA New Beginning Relaxing Going to Twilight The Sleepover The Defeat of a BullyA Big TalkThe Three MagesYou're Not AloneAn Epic CrusadeGetting Ready[MMM] Magical Muffin MakersIntermissionFinally! [Redemption Arc Fin.]The PhysicalScootaloo UnleashedSequelA New Beginning A New Beginning Raindrops was a mare of all trades here in Ponyville. Mostly being partnered with Ditzy Doo to help keep her going in the right direction and help her if she needed it, in her various day jobs. Originally it was a part of the Equestrian Equal Employment Act’s Disability Employment laws that got her partnered with Ditzy Doo. But in time they had become friends, and was more known for her connection with that mare than she was with the other services she did for the town. This brought Raindrops to her current predicament. With Ditzy Doo being seriously ill with the Alicorn Pox (called such due to it’s affecting only unicorns and pegasi), she had to take all of Ditzy’s jobs as well as do other odd jobs to ensure that she was taken care of while in quarantine. She was so lost in thought zipping through the airspace of Ponyville that she almost didn’t notice a strange sight beneath her. Banking on the clouds she looked at the alleyway seeing an orange pegasus filly dumpster diving. Already having what looked like a some kind of mystery pasta, with some odd stuff popping out of it, as well as a few old apple cores. The confusion of the sight was ended when she saw the filly tear into the food before her with gusto. Looking at the sun’s position and seeing it was almost an hour before sundown she decided to help this filly. It was both a part of her special talent, as well as parts of her past that had instilled within her a sense of responsibility, and compassion for other ponies. Seeing this filly tear into trash to survive filled her with a deep ache within her chest and made her want to do whatever it took to get her back on her hooves as it were. She remembered what that was like, before Shimmering Breeze gave her a second chance at life and helped her get back on her hooves when she was barely out of third grade. Those were rough years, but with acts of kindness and compassion anypony can be helped to weather the storms life throws them. That poor filly, I don’t know why she’s all alone out here diving for food, but there is no way I’m going to just leave her all alone out here. After all, we are going to be having our first snowdrop shortly after Nightmare Night in a few weeks and I don’t want her to be out here in the snow, especially since Boss mare said it was going to be the worst one in decades, to make up for the drought we had almost all year long. I don’t get how a long snow is going to fix a major drought, but that’s for the higher ups to argue about, I got a filly to help. Although so I don’t come across as a creeper I should probably talk to her before I put my hoof in my mouth. She dropped down beside the filly she vaguely remembered as being named Scootaloo, from the yells of the populace as she transformed their property into a skate rink. Lowering herself a little to make herself as less intimidating as possible gave a little cough that caused Scootaloo to jump out of her skin, “Don’t be afraid, I’m not here to hurt you,” Raindrops said in a gentle voice, “Hi, my name is Raindrops what’s yours?” “Why do you care? And I’m not afraid. I’m as brave as Rainbow Dash! And she’s not afraid of anything.” Scootaloo said defensively creeping slowly closer to her Saddlebags and Scooter she was known for. “Because you look like you’re in a similar situation that I was in when I was probably a few years younger than yourself, and was given an opportunity that I’m about to give you unless I missed my mark. If I have than I’ll just need to tell your parents about you diving in dumpsters so they can watch out for that. So all I’m going to do is ask you a few questions than either I can take you to your folks and be on my way, or I can give you emergency shelter until the winter passes. Or until we can find you a stable place to stay since we’re getting a bad snowfall in a few weeks, and I wouldn’t like the idea of anypony not having a warm place to stay for the winter. And yes I know that you are probably a very brave filly, and Rainbow Dash is a great Lead Pony. Being her wingpony during the Academy is almost better than working for her on the few occasions that I help out.” Raindrops said slowly scooting closer to Scootaloo, as she talked, stopping right outside of her reach so that the next move. To get closer or move away was Scootaloo’s. Oh my Celestia! Not now! I always knew someday I might get caught, but not while covered in whatever this stuff is eating from the trash. Please Luna let me die now! Scootaloo thought with a furious blush, and worst of all I'm still sore from Crusading today so I can't run. Ha! Run, like she couldn't catch me. She's bigger and she can fly. Oh Celestia what do I do? I mean would it be so bad to have a place to sleep that isn't the freezing ground for a night? And if I get her to Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret then she has too. Or else Pinkie Pie will eat their soul like a cupcake, or shoot them to the moon with her Party Cannon, or maybe she has a team of ninja squirrels that she trains to turn ponies who break their promise into acorns and then hide them in a tree ... I never actually asked why a pony never breaks them, but it has to be bad if nopony breaks them. So I guess I have no choice but to trust her. She says she knows Rainbow Dash, at least I think I remember her talking about how a Rainsomepony caught Pinkie Pie from a tornado. And Rainbow Dash only hangs out with good ponies so she can't be that bad. I hope. Please Princess Celestia, Luna, and Twilight ... and Discord to for good measure don't let this go bad for me. Just this once let things go my way for a change. Taking a deep breath, and readying herself for what she was about to do she looked at Raindrops with the full force of the biggest puppy dog eyes she could manage. “Um ... Ok ... I’ll trust you I guess … what do you want to know?” Scootaloo asked wearily. “Well for starters, where are your parents and why are you out here eating from the trash instead of at home?” “My parents are busy at work at the moment so you can’t see them. And I got hungry on the way home so I stopped for a bite. That’s not a crime now is it?” Scootaloo tried to wheedle out of the already declining situation. With the worst cliched excuses in Equestrian history, it didn’t help her case that she was looking everywhere but Raindrops. “Ok. So show me where you live, and where they work so that I can get you home safely, and go to see your parents so that I can catch them up with what’s been going on.” “You aren’t going to leave this alone are you?” Scootaloo asked her body going into a guarded crouch. “Sorry Child Protection and Anti-Negligence Laws prevent me from just turning a blind eye if I think there is a problem with a child or they are doing an act that could be potentially harmful to them. So until I can resolve this I got to make sure I do everything I can to ensure your safety.” Raindrops replied moving closer with Fluttershy like softness so as to hopefully not spook Scootaloo off to much. “Why should you care?” “Why should I not? Now tell me the truth. Where are you folks, and where do you live? If you can tell me that I can make sure you get to that place safely and I can update your folks on your situation.” Seeing that she had no other option but to spill the beans. She took a deep breath, but first she wanted a Pinkie Promise that it wasn’t going to be told to the only pony that mattered to her, “Fine I’ll talk, but first you have to Pinkie Promise that you won’t tell anypony else.” “Alright. I might have to go to Twilight Sparkle to let her know depending on what you tell me so I can make sure I can do everything as legally as possible, and as long as it not something that is endangering you nor anypony else I’ll agree to it.” Raindrops said comfortingly. “Ok … that’s fair I guess. So do you Pinkie Promise?” Raindrops knew that nopony ever dared break a Pinkie Promise, and once made could not be undone. So she went through the motions of the most unbreakable oath in Equestrian History, and repeated her promise to Scootaloo. “Ok. So I’ve been on my own for five years now since my parents died. I don’t want to tell you where I’ve been staying since nopony needs to know that. But you can’t take me away from here, not after I finally got friends, and Rainbow Dash said she’d be my sister so I have a family again sort of, and I have a life. So you can’t take me away!” She cried. “Well I’ll do my best to ensure that you stay as close to Ponyville as possible, but I’m going to need you to come with me. I have an emergency shelter for ponies to use when they are in a bad way. Then I’ll go and wrap this up with Twilight.” Yay! She did it. I don't know what's going to happen, but at least for night I won't be alone. At least not for tonight. “Ok. I’ll give this a try. And my name’s Scootaloo.” Scootaloo said giving out a hoof before noticing the debris from her meal caking it. Small tears of embarrassment fell from her eyes. Raindrops used one of her silken soft wings to gently wipe them away with the most graceful of touches. “Wait here, I’ll be back almost as fast as Rainbow Dash.” She said with a grin, she knew it wasn’t true she had a max wingpower of only 12.8, while Rainbow Dash’s was 16.5. But it was something she was sure would calm Scootaloo down, and more importantly the thing she needed was just above them. Gathering a compact ball of clouds she flew down and saw a dejected looking Scootaloo, tears running down her face, trying her best to disappear by hiding her head under her hooves. As her body shaking in silent tears, Great not only did I get found out, but I have to be stupid and shake on it while my hooves are caked in Celestia knows what. Teaches me to eat out at some fancy, shmancy restaurant. Raindrop came down and with an agitated cloud gave Scootaloo a quick wash off of her hooves, and face. before throwing the mushy mess of a cloud into the trash, “Now why don’t you fly with me to my place and I’ll carry your things.” The embarrassment on Scootaloo’s face grew a hundred fold as she said in barely a squeak, “I can’t fly.” “Aw, that’s ok. You’re just a late bloomer like I was. Hey, I got an idea. Why don’t you climb on up, and I’ll take you for a ride.” Raindrops dropped into a bow so the little filly could climb on up, “Just be careful of the wings, they’re sensitive.” With Scootaloo on her back she took off with a gentle leap slowly soaring through the air. As they glided to the outskirts of Ponyville where her two story house sat, she looked over at her guest riding on her back. Scootaloo’s eyes were closed, underdeveloped wings as far out as they could go with the wind flowing through the feathers, and a wide smile nearly splitting her face. Hoping to give her a few extra minutes of joy she circled her ground home and slowly glided down. While it was true that most pegasi loved clouds, and as a pegasus she was no exception, but regularly watching Dinky Doo and Sparkler, or other other ground based ponies as she either did the occasional babysitting jobs, or did hospice for those ponies who had nowhere else to go while traveling through she decided that it would be prudent to live on the ground where any of the pony races could stay in. While those later jobs weren’t regular they were enough to get word of mouth out there about her so that other ponies who needed help could have a pair of helping hooves. It was also good cover as to why Scootaloo would be staying with her until she wanted others to know, past Twilight Sparkle. But that could be dealt with tomorrow. Author's Note A/N 1:Well do to the fact that LtS was an exercise in Prompt writing, and parts of it weren't. It was creating a clash, and I just lost connection to the story. As well as the fact that alot of things were running away from me. This here is being saved and worked on in GDocs. Will have a minimum of a thousand words a week [Friday afternoon deadline [3 PM EST]]. Updates [other than this chapter and the next one] will be updated Thursdays and Fridays. I'm still having the Family meet games, and CMC induced chaos after the story get's off the ground. But now with new CMC members [spoilers]Dinky Do,and later Mango Dash. A/N 2: Fixed Spacing in this chapter and did indentations. Am going to fix the other one now. [11:07 PM EST 8/14] A/N 3: Gave a greater internal dialog for Scoots. Hopefully giving insight into her decision to go with Raindrops. As well as making that hesitancy in the spoken dialog beneath it make more sense. I fixed the Wind Speed error for Dashie. If there is any other problems I'll fix them while waiting on the editor. A/N 4: Got an Editor finally. Got everything looking better, and says this version is post worthy. Made Raindrops and Scoots convo not come across as the set up on, To Catch a Super Predator, and a better set up so that it makes sense. Relaxing Relaxing When they got to the front door Raindrops swished her teal mane out of her eyes, and looked at Scoots, “Hey, listen Scootaloo. If anyone asks why you’re here I’m going to tell those you don’t want to know that I’m babysitting you while your parents are away. And just so you know I’m watching Dinky Doo while Ditzy is getting over Alicorn Pox.” Scootaloo gave a short nod, and after they entered Raindrops house, she was given a tour of the place. The first place she was shown was the kitchen it had an old auto-light oven that used a replaceable lightning cloud to cook the food. The floors were oak, and it had a cherry wood table. All around the walls other than the table was a green marble, wrap around countertop with a dark vanished drawers and shelving. A window near the left corner across from the oven let in a soft trickling of light. The bathrooms were all similar. Granite countertops, a large basin sink with a set of stairs with a holding rail near them. tractioned flooring. Weird toilets that had guard rails near the sides. When Scootaloo asked about them, Raindrops answered that some ponies had trouble moving about so the rails were so that ponies could move about the restrooms without injuring themselves. The bath tub is what really caught Scootaloo’s eye though. It was two pony lengths wide, and a half a normal pony lengths deep. It was the biggest tub that Scootaloo had ever seen. Next were other various rooms that Scootaloo didn’t think to pay much attention to. Including the place she was going to be sleeping, Sparkler and Dinky Doo’s rooms, Her room, and the game room. The later filled with books, board games, pool, table hockey, and a projector with a small collection of film reels. Raindrops walked her to the bathroom that was for now Scootaloo’s and told her that after her bath to meet her in the Game Room, and not to worry about other ponies showing up. She rarely got visitors this time of year, and the girls wouldn’t be showing up for the next three hours. Scootaloo enjoyed taking a nice long bath, it was nice when she was at her friend place’s. To be safe and not having to worry about prying eyes catching her while she washed off in a creek, the park lake, or took a quick sink bath in Bargain Bin’s restroom. Although ever since meeting Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon she didn’t use that place as much as she used too. But in houses, she could take her time, letting the water soak into her coat. Slowly enjoying the feeling of soap being massaged into her sore body. It turns out sleeping on the hard ground after rigorously working everyday out isn’t the best for the body. So when she had the time to enjoy this simple luxury she enjoyed abusing it. As the tub filled with water and a several inch thick crust of bubbles, Scootaloo walked onto of the bubbles as normal pegasi would a cloud. Being the only thing close to a cloud that Scootaloo could get to it gave her a large amount of entertainment before she got to the good parts. After jumping up and down on the bubbles skidding around the tub like a skater would skate on ice. Doing a few axles and pirouettes for good measures she gathered the bubbles before her and made herself a cave of bubbles. Sitting on her haunches she pulled up a mass of bubbles to her ear like a walkie talkie, "Daring Doo, this is Scootaloo reporting from the Lost Caves of the Pygmy Ponies. I'm heading in!" With that she dived into the "cave" and let her body glide around the water under the bubbles. Letting the water soak into her fur as she drifted around. After several seconds of swimming she popped up and arranged the bubbles around to form a flowing bubble mane, and a giant beard, and making several pony bubble statues, said, "By Celestia's beard! Pygmy Ponies are here to protect their treasure! Time to bring out the big guns! Scootaloo, transform into Princess Scootaloo, Ruler of all things Awesometastic!" Setting her wings a buzzing the bubbles were scattered throughout bathroom. Most staying inside the tub, but the beard, mane, and pygmy ponies were unfortunately blown away by her spectacular display of power. Settling in the tub now that she had stretched out her sore muscles, soaked, and had her fun. It was time to fully enjoy this rare occasion. Taking the junior hoof pick from its place on the side of the tub she silently thanked Raindrops earlier washing. It reduced a lot of the gunk she built up over a day, and made this part less dirty than she was used to. Taking the pick at the back of her hoof giggled as it it gave a pleasurable tickle as it lifted mud, garbage, rocks, tree sap, and other debris from her hoof. Slowly but surely she had a majority of the stuff removed, and with a thick bristled brush removed the rest. Spitting it out she moved to using her fore hooves to use the pick and brush to clean the back hooves. Next part was her favorite part of all. The sponging. In between Crusading, riding around on her scooter, and standing on her back hooves, sleeping on hard surfaces ninety percent of her nights left her body a mass of knots, sore muscles, and various aches. But soaking in a nice warm tub, her muscles soaking in the heat, massaging said muscles was just what the doctor ordered. As her hooves slowly worked their way around the parts of her body she could reach, massaging out each problem area at a time. Oooohhhhh! This feels so good! I didn’t think I’d get another good bath until I went to Sweetie Belle’s next week. Well this Raindrops mare looks pretty legit, and she did Pinkie Promise. But I was hoping that nopony would find me out, I mean I knew it was bound to happen someday, but I was still wishing that nothing would have to change since I wandered into this town. What if she decides that she wants to send me away, or that I’m not worth the trouble and just kicks me out? Can I really trust her or is she just trying to trick me? I mean she seems like a nice mare, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the other horseshoe to drop. Until then I’m going to be enjoying me a bath. Raindrops went around the kitchen getting various foods and treats together so that Scootaloo had something to munch on while they talked. Tomorrow is going to be one hectic day. I need to find my Level Two Foster Care, Respite Forms. My Emergency Shelter certifications, Hospice Training records... what else do I need to do to cut through the red tape here and get things underway. I don't want Scootaloo to think that I'm trying to step in as a parent yet, or maybe even at all. But at least if Canterlot sends somepony by the FPS, I'll be able to keep her here. Thank you, Cloudkicker, for telling me to transfer my forms over to Ponyville just in case an emergency popped up. I'll need to get you some flowers or something nice. Always looking out for me since we met in Canterlot. Best friend a mare could ask for. So after I get those go over to Twilight's while everypony is put to bed. Lock the door, and get thing situated. See if there isn't a more long term foster setup, or any pony looking to adopt over here in Ponyville. It'd be horrible to take her away from what little of a life she's managed to build here. Rainbow Dash thinks the world of that little filly, says she's the best little sister ever. But I'll wait to Scootaloo is ready to open up more and is ready to talk to her, herself. So the time flew with her inside her head planning on what to do and say. Making sure that everything was picture perfect.And putting together a game plan for ensuring that the all of the youths under her care were happy. But she'd get a slightly more complete story than she had from Scootaloo whenever she got finished from her bath. Which by the sounds above her was coming up soon. When she had finished up, half an hour later, and got to the Game Room she saw Raindrop sitting on a chair facing the door with a large assortment of food and a cup of soda waiting for Scootaloo. Waving her over with a forehoof Raindrops said, “Come on over, and sit next to me. We need to talk a little bit so that I can help you more, but don’t worry if there is anything that you are too uncomfortable talking about, let me know and we can skip it for now.” After giving an affirmative grunt, and digging into her food with reckless abandon. As Raindrop started the conversation, “ So what about where you’ve been sleeping, how have you taken care of yourself so long?” Raindrops asked leaning in slightly, letting Scootaloo know that she had her full attention. “Well I’ve been living in the back alleys, sometimes if the weather is bad enough I live in the Cutie Mark Crusader club house on Sweet Apple Acres. Although now that the Cutie Mark Crusaders are formed, I sleep over at their places every now and then when they aren’t too busy. Well if you’ve been in my hooves, you probably know how I’ve been eating, although I try to pay off AJ back from the Apples I take from them by leaving a few bits I find laying around. Well the bits that don’t go to getting school stuff, or fixing my scooter.” She said off hoof. Giving as little details as possible, including the definition of finding bits laying around. Raindrops looked at Scootaloo, wrapped her wing around her in a hug. She knew exactly what ‘laying around’ meant, and while Ponyville was different than Canterlot she knew enough about outdoor survival that she could piece together the things of that question that went unanswered. Scootaloo was caught off guard by the hug and pushed herself into it as the warmth wrapped around her in a comforting cocoon. Raindrops dropped her muzzle to the top of Scootaloo’s head and whispered, “You don’t have to live that life any more. Until we figure out what to do, you will always have a place here if you’d like.” So thus their conversation continued until Dinky Doo and Sparkler came over and shifted into the misadventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as well as an invitation to Dinky Doo to join when they had their crusader meeting tomorrow. It was many hours later when Scootaloo went off to bed, and with her asleep, Raindrops though of what she was going to do tomorrow. Author's Note A/N 1: FPS. Foal Protection Services. It's the Equestrian version of CYS [Child Youth Services] here on earth. A/N 2: More info, more descriptions, and all edited chapter. Going to Twilight Going to Twilight “Hey Ms. Raindrops?” Scootaloo asked when Raindrops told them it was time for bed. “Just call me Raindrops, Ms. makes me sound old. What can I help you with Scootaloo?” She ask. “Well since I’m staying here for awhile, instead of my own room, can I have a sleepover with Dinky and Sparkler? I haven’t really talked to them before and it’ll be fun.” She asked as Dinky stepped beside her and flashed a million bit smile shiny enough to be almost blinding. “Gahhh! Weaponized cuteness! Turn it off! Turn it off!” Raindrops said jokingly with a chuckle as she shielded her eyes with her forelegs, when they turned down the wattage on their smiles she laughed and ruffled Dinky’s mane, “Well I don’t see why not, just make sure to go to bed in a few hours. You all have school tomorrow and I’m going to be waking you fillies up around 7.” With a cheer the fillies ran to their room with Raindrops trotting behind them. After making sure that Scootaloo had everything that she needed, and made sure Dinky Doo and Sparkler had brushed their teeth and groomed their manes looked at them through the door entryway, “Listen fillies, I need to have a talk with Princess Twilight, or at least talk to Spike. I’ll be home in a little while and I want you to promise that you will all behave, alright?” “We Promise!” Came the chorus of voices. With a smile she shut the door and left them to their own devices. As she got her saddlebag and a bottle of water for the trip. She took off for the Golden Oaks Library. Although it was a relatively short five minute flight, she loved the cool, crisp, night air caressing her wings. Her meeting Scootaloo brought back memories of her past and she let herself get drawn into her memories as her body enjoyed its flight. When Raindrops was five her family put her in a Canterlot Orphanage, at the age of seven she ran away. The orphanages when she was a filly were a lot different than they are now in days. The Headmarm was a cruel, world weary mare with a penchant for sadistic punishments to keep her foals in line. All the while working them to the bone to make goods that went to boosting the income the orphanage got through stipends, fundraisers, and charities. The second she was old enough to fly was the day she bolted and never looked back. For three years she lived in the alleyways of Brokeback Way, several blocks south of Alicorn Row. While not the shadiest of places, it was far enough that the light of the castle looked like a mockery of a fairy tale. She knew a group of older stallions and mares who had fallen on hard times and made their way scrounging bits however they could come across it without descending to the drugs and violence that sometimes overtook the more destitute sectors hiding in the Princess’s shadow, and the blindspot of the nobility’s wealth. Those were dark times for Raindrops, scraping together what could loosely be defined as a life, withering away in the depression of her family leaving her to that monster, and the mental scars that wrecked wrench inflicted upon her young psyche. But on her third year she decided that she had enough of scraping the refuse that the well-to-do wanted no part of, and decided to steal a chunk of that living herself. The scam worked for a few months, then she got caught by a member of the town guard, Lt. Shimmering Breeze. He noted that she matched the description of a filly that had left the same time that other ponies valuables had gone missing. While he escorted her to the station on the other end of the city, he told her that she could do community service while back in the orphanage, or she could serve jail time and then when she was released if she was old enough she would be sent back until of age to leave. It was when she learned that even after she ran for so long that evil mare was going to have her back in her clutches that Raindrops broke down. And in the middle of her tear fueled babbling that she told him everything. About the orphanage and Headmarm Sugar Sweet. About how she ran away and had been on the streets for years. Even her wanting a better life so she stole to survive. Everything. An hour later he was just looking at her, and used his wings to wipe away her tears, “Listen, I have to look into this, but I want you to know that I’ve seen a lot in my time in the Guard. I’ve seen liars crying dragon tears to wiggle out of punishment, I’ve seen those who shifted blame for their actions on others, and I’ve seen those who would do anything to escape punishment. “But I’ve also seen enough to know when somepony is being honest with me. I trust you, but I have procedures to go over. While I’m looking it over I’ll make sure you’re in somewhere safe. But you are still going to make up the money to pay off your debt to society for all the stuff you stole. If you tell me who you stole from, and where you sold it too. I’ll make sure that the judge is lenient on you, alright?” He said in a voice that was both steely, yet gentle like a light storm breeze. “Wait! So ... So you aren’t sending me back to that place? You really mean it?” Raindrops squeaked. “With what I heard from you, and your obvious fear on your face I couldn’t send you back. Well here we are. I’ll get you processed. You’ll have to spend the night here, but I’ll make sure it is in the cells we save for minor offenders. Well I’ll be seeing you little filly.” And with that Lt. Shimmering Breeze got her processed and put her in her cell. It was a day later that she was told that the Orphanage was violating several labor laws for foals, had proof of abuse and neglect, and was under review for other criminal activities. For her part of bringing it to the guard her term was lessened, and Shimmering Breeze came up to her while she sat in shock after the good news. “Hey, listen, about the terms of your sentence. I spoke to my captain and the Head of the Town Guard. Who talked the judge and for what you did I’m going to give you two choices. First is house arrest with me at my place, where you’ll be my ward until you're of age to move out. You’ll also be doing seven hundred and thirty hours of community service between school work. The other choice is that you do six months of jail time, a 166 bit fine, and will be sent to a different orphanage, which won’t be like the one you were at, as a ward of the state until you reach maximum age. Now this mare behind me is Quid Pro Quo, she’s a lawyer here for you to talk over your options and make sure you understand your rights.” When he was done explaining a mare that she didn’t see until just now trotted into view, but Raindrops didn’t need anything explained. Anything was better than another orphanage and she told them all she wanted house arrest. The next few weeks she fell into her normal state of depression and gloom. Seeing his new house guest in such a state, he took her out in a rainstorm and brought her up to the lighter grey clouds beneath their hooves. Popping open a small patch over his property letting the light fall around it, he scooted over and waved for her to lay near the edge and look down. “I guess I should tell you that the house arrest idea was my own. I saw where you were in life, and it was better when I was some snot nosed punk in a gang over at Blood Moon circle. But when I was a bit older than you I met a member of the Town Guard, and he says to me one day after he beat some sense into me. Setting me on the straight and narrow, “Hey Breeze! I saw potential in you to do good when I saw you all those years ago. So I took you under my hooves and helped you out. I want you to promise me that someday when you see somepony who needs help you’ll do the same for them.” “Well I promised him, and now I’m going to help you get on your hooves and become a good mare someday. I saw potential in you, and I know you probably don’t need a lecture, and I’m not going to ask you to make the same promise. That’ll be up to you to decide when your older. But I wanted to say something my mother told me when I was a little fledgling, Pegasus barely out of junior flight school. “There are times in life, where like a storm on ground side, you're hit on all sides by problems you can’t stop, can barely hold more than a mouthful at a time, and seems unending. Like it’ll never get better. And the skies in your life will be seem so unendingly grey that it can bog you down. Just remember this. Above every raincloud, the sun is shining, and every storm, no matter how long and how hard it may seem, will eventually end. “So Raindrops. I’ll help you if you want me to, but remember that while things might seem dark now,” pointing to the dark spots outside the light, “ The sun is waiting to shine for you again.” He said waving his hoof at the bright sky around them, “and all you need to do is ask for help. And if I can I will, and if I can’t I’ll find somepony who can.” Raindrops was listening to his conversation and absorbed and stored it away till later. It seemed a kind of thing that somepony who hadn’t been in her place would say, ‘look at the brightside of life’, and other such nonsense. But as she thought about it, it made sense. When all that stuff was happening it was easy to look at the negative, but she had some parts of her life outside the orphanage that wasn’t all that bad. Letting his lecture digest, she decided that she’d see if it ever became useful. And useful it did become. As the months, the therapy visits, and group sessions went by between community service, school work, and chores. She learned the wisdom behind those words as the groups she went to said basically the same thing, emotions are like waves, they peak and fall. It’s easier to focus on the negative in life, but if we work at it we can see that things aren’t always as bad as we paint them. Not to say that they aren’t stressful, horrifying, or bad at the moment, or that sometimes they are as bad as we paint them. But you can’t let those emotions control your life. Something that for Raindrops wasn’t all that easy. Eventually she ended her service, and more importantly, she was done with the first eight weeks of groups. When she stopped by a nursing home that she was working at. When she told the ponies that she was helping that she was leaving she was treated to a small thank you party. It was here that she learned how much she had helped the ponies in the home, and how much they were touched by her listening to them and helping them out with their emotional problems. It was at that moment, that it clicked. Everypony has rainy days in their life, but by her reaching out and being there for them she had made a small but profound effect on their lives brightening their days. It was then that she got her Cutie Mark, three raindrops. She came out of her memories as she neared the library. Flitting down she gave a knock on the door where she heard a male voice telling her to come in. Using her wing to open the door she stepped in seeing a dragon sitting across from Princess Twilight drinking tea while an owl went around cleaning the place up. Raindrops was caught between wondering if she should bow or walk in first causing her to prance about nervously as she was caught between the two actions. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to bow to me. I get enough of that at Canterlot, just treat me like any ordinary pony.” Twilight said with a practiced smile of serenity. “Ok, but you’re a Princess now though, are you sure that I shouldn’t bow or curtsy, or something? I wouldn’t want to be rude?” Raindrops asked nervously while scratching her left ear with her foreleg. “Think of it as a royal request. After all, I was a normal unicorn pony before I became a Princess. So don’t worry about it. So how may I help you today?” Twilight asked. “Um ... well this is kind of private. Could we talk alone please? If that’s okay with you I mean.” Raindrops asked. “No problem. Spike, could you make our guest some of your famous brownies?” She asked the young dragon. “Sure, let me know when your done talking, and don’t let the tea go to cold. I know how much you hate it when that happens.” And with that he walked off into the kitchen. Taking the seat that Twilight offered her, Raindrops sat and taking a deep breath began, “Now I ran into Scootaloo this late afternoon -” “What did she do this time? And why come to me and not her parents or somepony else?” Twilight interrupted. “She didn’t do anything, and it’s not right to assume the worst in a pony just because they’re rambunctious. Oh! Sorry Princess.” Raindrops said, the dissonance of knowing her as a unicorn, and now an alicorn making her more flustered than she felt she should be feeling at the moment. “No, don’t be sorry, and you’re right. It’s not right to jump to conclusions, sorry for interrupting you please continue.” Twilight said waving off Raindrops worries with a hoofwave. “Well I saw Scootaloo and now this is confidential since I Pinkie Promised I would tell only you until she was ready to tell everypony else. So if you could keep this between as few ponies as possible that’d be great but I trust you’re discretion in who you tell. But she was dumpster diving for food and was eating throwaways from Le Pasture’. -” “She was what?!”Twilight yelled, surprised at what she just heard. “She. Was. Eating. From. A. Dumpster. I found out that she’s been homeless for the last five years after her parents died, and I took her in for the moment. Now I have the necessary paperwork for emergency housing for her to stay with me until the end of winter wrap up.” Raindrops replied. “Or course. But I’ve known, well in passing, Scootaloo for four years. Her friends are my friends sisters, and I just don’t know how nopony noticed before. I have to tell the girls about this.” Twilight looking over the offered paperwork. “You can’t! Sorry Princess,” Raindrops said, “ I mean Twilight, or whatever. I meant to say that Scootaloo is in a delicate position, and it would be best that she lets everypony know that in her own time. When she’s ready. As for how nopony knew, well homelessness, and orphans, are an unknown here in Ponyville. So there was no reason for you to expect anything. That and from what I’ve seen of the Crusaders during my flights over Ponyville they are all very resourceful.” “Well how has she been surviving up till now? I’ve seen her buy things when out with the crusaders. Where did the money come from?” Twilight asked looking at her with an inquisitive eye. “I have an idea, but I’d like for her to talk to me herself. I haven’t learned a lot today since she just arrived, and I wanted to give her time to adjust before bombarding her with questions,” She replied while taking a sip of the tea, “This is really good tea by the way. Where did you get it?” “Oh! It’s some of Celestia’s favorite blend. Golden Cloud Pu’reh tea. It’s made in a pegasus community in Neighpon, using a specialized process of mixing certain soils with dense clouds, and given lots of water and sunlight. Only five tablets a year are ever made, and it has the best aging over time of all the Pu’reh teas. Apparently the Princesses get one tablet a year as tribute for Celestia helping set up their city a few centuries ago. With more Princesses now, Celestia gives a rotation of one tablet to Cadance, Luna, myself, then her so that we each can get our own collection . But how they produce the tea before processing it is amazing. I’ll have to tell you about it later. “Well, Spike should be getting here soon, and while I respect that Scootaloo wants this to be told to as few ponies as possible. I’ll be discrete, but she’ll have to open up eventually. So what are you going to tell ponies when they ask where her parent are at?” Twilight asked after having caught herself from going on into full on lecture mode. It was something that Celestia was teaching her to do now that she was a Princess. Although it was difficult not to share such interesting information with ponies. “Well, that’s good. Wow! The Princess’s favorite tea, and I can see why. This stuff is amazing. As for Scootaloo, we’re going to tell others that her folks are away on business and I’m looking after her while they are away. It wouldn’t be the first time that I had to do it, although it will be the first time that I had to do an emergency foster status in Ponyville, and the first time ever that I had to do it in secret. But Scootaloo’s needs come first, and I want to make sure this is as by the books as possible.” “Anyway, you’re doing a good job. Spike should be done with his brownies by now. Take some with you, and thank you for stopping by. I’ll try looking into her past to see what I can find and I’ll let you know of anything if I find it. Although I want you to do the same. Even if I never really dealt with her personally I’ve heard a lot about her from Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.” Raindrops shook on it and with a bag full of warm brownies left for her house. As she felt the cool breeze beneath her wings. Well that went surprisingly well. I think that it’s nice that Twilight hasn’t let her tiara go to her head, and is a nice down to earth unicorn. Although I find it hard to treat her like a normal pony with the whole Alicorn thing, it’s rather nice. Now to get these home and in the fridge, and it can be treats for the fillies for their lunch tomorrow. Author's Note Next Chapter dedicated to Scootaloo recruiting Dinky into the CMC, and Sleepover Madness. Plus an Ancient One from beyond the pantry. Which will be out next week. I hope y'all liked my head canon back story for Raindrops. This gives her greater freedom on her actions since her Cutie Mark in my head canon was born from an ideal/way of life that she adopted thus is more broader than Cutie Marks based on an object. Also I'm going to make a blog on my head canon Pegasi / Unicorn Wing/Horn biology. Since I'm kind of on both sides of the wing boner / magaculation side of the debate, and I use them in my fics. And I'll be posting a link in next chapters A/N. Well I hope y'all enjoyed this special extra chapter that I made. Thank all of you on your comments and favs. Good news though on the editing front. IRPony over at Overly Extensive Editors is searching for an editor so I should be getting one shortly. Then after they get through Chapters 1 - what have you. All my stuff will hopefully be edited before my deadline is up. Any comments or criticisms y'all have are welcome. A/N 2: It has come to my attention that my use of Town Guard in Canterlot is confusing. In my head canon the Royal Guard are part of the armed forces. Thus deal with military matters, and anything dealing with the Royalty. Town Guards are like police and deal with the day to day matters of Canterlot's Civilians. Although the Royal Guard would supersede the authority of any civilian police system. And while the Captain of the Royal Guard is the head of the Royal Guard branch of the armed forces. Captain of the Guard is the same as the Chief of Police / Police Commissioner in the US. Police Force. Anywho. Chapter edited. kingtiger666 is an amazing editor. The Sleepover The Sleepover As Raindrops left for Twilight’s place, Scootaloo, Dinky, and Sparkler were preparing for their impromptu sleepover. Scootaloo, wrapped in a blanket cocoon, grinned at Dinky, “I can’t believe we finally got another Crusader. Well it won’t be official to tomorrow when we do the initiation, but I wonder why we didn’t notice you ‘till now?” Dinky shrugged, “I don’t know. I know there are a few others like us in our class, but they’re usually busy doing something or rather. I know my mommy likes to bring me home and I can tell her about my day. But being a Crusader sounds like it’d be fun.” Scootaloo grinned from ear to ear, “There are more like us?! This is going to be awesome, I can’t wait to tell the girls tomorrow. Do you know any of their names?” “Well there’s Mango Dash, Pip, and I think Rumble is one too. I know Shady Daze got his in artistic photography a week ago, so that’s a bust… That’s all I can think of at the moment.” Dinky said off the top of her head. “So what exactly do you do when you go Crusading?” Sparkler asked. “Well we usually brainstorm ideas, then Apple Bloom draws up some sketches so that we have a good idea down on paper than we go do it. Well that’s how it usually works. Sometimes we have such a good idea that we decide to wing it.” Scoots replied. “But I don’t have wings!” Dinky replied innocently. Giving her an incredulous look, “It’s a saying. You don’t need wings.” Scootaloo deadpanned. “I’ve never heard that term before. Sorry.” “It’s alright. So I was thinking that since this is a sleep over we could do some Crusading before going to bed.” Scootaloo said with a grin, whipping out a book of untried ideas that she had been cooking up. “Yay! Time for fun!” Dinky replied while her sister looked at the unfolding scene with a sense of dread. Even though the feeling had no discernable origin she knew that things were not going to end well. “Are you sure it’s safe to go Crusading this late at night?” Sparker asked. “Sure! I thought that since it’s Dinky’s first time we’d do something easy like cooking. And since Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle have been teaching me how to cook, it’ll be easy. Who knows, I might just get a cooking Cutie Mark this time.” With that she carried her Crusading Notebook in her mouth while leading the group to the kitchen. Scootaloo had a page open showing a large batch of arcane diagrams, along with a recipe for a basic cake. As she was gathering the ingredients Sparkler looked over the diagram etched on the paper, “So what exactly is this design? I haven’t seen it before.” “I don’t know. I saw a bunch of stuff in the spell books for summoning when us Crusaders tried out for our Summoning Cutie Marks, and I just mixed and matched random things that looked cool. I was going to use to make a cake for Rainbow Dash’s Birthday next week. But since Dinky is going to be a Crusader I thought that we could make it together tonight and I could give it to her early. Win, Win in my book.” Scootaloo said pointing out a crude picture of her and Dashie doing a hoof pump at her awesome cake to prove her point. “But mixing magic is dangerous, what if something bad happens?” Sparkler asked, even more worried now that Scootaloo explained the diagrams etched. “Hey! You’re starting to sound like Sweetie Belle, there’s nothing to worry about. After all haven’t you heard the term that something taste magical? Well this is truly going to be magical. Now let’s get this party started!” With that Dinky and Scootaloo started to mix everything together. When it came to add other materials into the mix Dinky and Scootaloo huddled together to discuss what to do next, “Well we made the base, but I think it should use more special ingredients. Let’s look around and see what looks good, what say you Dinky?” “That sounds alright. I know what I’m going to add!” With that they went their separate ways eventually ending with a jar of Zap Apple Jam, Scootaloo’s tiny jar of Rainbow Hot Sauce, blueberries, and bananas while Sparkler was preheating the oven. After everything was conformed to Scootaloo’s specifications, the cake was thrown in. Looking around Scootaloo noticed the warzone the kitchen had turned into while they had been preparing the cake. A glimmering rainbow stain from the rainbow hot sauce and zap apple jam mixed with the massacred remains of bananas and blueberries with splashes of dough paste painting the room. All of which Sparkler was cleaning up while Dinky starred in rapt attention to the oven. It was five minutes when the heat finally started to brown the dough activating the chaotic mass of ritual designs that made up the cakes bases, as well as the runes etched onto it. It glowed with a midnight green flame before a mass of inky black tentacles shot out, distant stars within them reflected underneath its skin. Scootaloo and Dinky screamed as they made a tactical retreat behind Sparkler who was beating the tentacles back into the oven. Smudging the runes accidentally which caused the eldritch space creature to flow back into its extraplanar prison and the spell regurgitated a storm of tacos and muffins into the room. The oven rattling and screaming curses in a thousand tongues. The storm smudged further the design and runes randomly that caused the story to transform into a rainbow zappleberrie tree which gave vines and shrubbery throughout the kitchen. Which was fought by Sparkler pushing the tree back into the oven. Altering runes a last time infusing the arcanely formed fruit into the cake. The voices dying down and horrors from beyond the pantry successfully sent back to where they belong. After the timer went off without any further incidents Scootaloo let out a wild whoop ”Success!!!” “Success! Success! We nearly died? That’s not possible! Nothing about that is possible. What was that?” Sparkler screamed, the adrenalyn catching up to her now that the danger had passed. “Oh! Please that was nothing. Rainbow Dash summons at least one Eldritch God, or horror that should never be whenever she turns on the oven. I wasn’t scared.” Scootaloo said, the last part preceeded with a nervous shuffling of her right foreleg. “Then what about the screaming?” “That was a primal war yell.” “And the running and hiding?” “We were doing a tactical retreat, and giving you moral support. You know since you were doing such a good job and all,” Scootaloo replied, “but at least nothing almost died this time. So that’s a success.” “But I thought you said you were taught to cook?” The Panic starting to give way to an incredulous tone. “Yeah, and Rainbow Dash always says that it’s because no kitchen can withstand her awesomeness. And the more destruction a kitchen sustains while you cook the better you did. Sweetie Belle is so good she can turn water into ash, as well as almost burns down the house everytime she tries to cook breakfast so that means she must be a good cook.” “Ok … So let’s see what we have. Since it almost killed us we might as well see if it was worth it.” Sparkler said just as Raindrops walked into the kitchen. Looking around seeing plants of unknown origins, piles of muffins and tacos flooding the kitchen, and mystery stains covering her kitchen, “Okay… I don’t know if I want to know how you all managed to cook what looks like hundreds of tacos and muffins. But how in the hay did you grow random plants throughout the kitchen?” Sparkler pointed into the oven which was now glowing with a shifting rainbow like light, “We were cooking cake.” She said lamely. Raindrops walked over and opened to the now sparkling oven a crack as she did she triggered a lingering spell in the confectionary chaos that the oven had birthed. As it opened a mighty wail left it and a projectile vomit of life changingly delicious rainbow fudge. It hit her with such force that it forcefully lifted and plastered Raindrops and Sparkler to the wall. Hardening around them like a cocoony prison. The indescribably delicious taste of it leaving them in a daze. Scootaloo and Dinky who only got a few gallops on their face tasted it, and were delighted in that it was a flavor that seemed to shift constantly on the tongue mixed with the taste of chocolate. Scootaloo and Dinky looked at their flanks. Seeing it still blank they let out a twin moan, “Ah! Man! Still no cooking Cutie Marks, but at least Rainbow Dash will like her cake. Let’s check it out.” Looking inside were four perfectly formed copies of the original cake. Making an arcane pentagram of confectionary proportions. Giving each other a hoof bump, Scoots went over to help a stuck Raindrops and Sparkler from their fudgy prison, “Hey Miss Raindrops! Do you think Rainbow Dash will think this mess would be awesome enough for her cake?” “Just Raindrops, and sure… Definitely although if I swear that you learned to cook from Rainbow Dash.” She said jokingly, and when Scootaloo confirmed that it was a reality the color drained from her body, “there’s two of you now?” “Two of what now?” Scootaloo asked with a tilt of her head. “Well at least it can’t be as bad as when the flying spaghetti monster was temporarily summoned in the company picnic when Dash tried using the grill trying to fry tofu. Then it started yelling ’Red sauce on pasta!’, kicking pegasi off the clouds as it drenched them in tomato sauce. After that we banned Rainbow Dash from anything that requires cooking, or fire. “So Scoots I think you need to be taught by someone less likely to teach you to end the world from an oven. Like Pinkie Pie. Her kitchen is sane enough not to bend the laws of nature like silly putty. I’m not that bad myself, and I’m pretty sure that my kitchen loves the laws of nature. We’ll talk more about this later. Now everypony go get cleaned off and go to bed. I’ll get all of this fixed up.” She said ruffling Scootaloo’s mane. With that the highlight of their evening came to a close. Five delicious cakes were cooked, and the kitchen mostly survived. All the while Raindrops wondered if her house could stand the force of chaos that two Cutie Mark Crusaders were going to bring into her house. Author's Note A/N 1: I'm going back to look for the Indenting of Paragraphs that didn't carry over from GDocs in other chapters. This chapter was fun to write, ATM I'm working on Chapter 5's DT. confrontation. It's good, but needs a little work on it being better. During this chapter I kept imagining Discord weeping tears of joy over at Fluttershy's Cottage. Well I hope everypony enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. The Defeat of a BullyScootaloo woke up to a strange room with a grey-blue unicorn filly nestled against her on one side and wrapped in a purple hoof on the other. She was caught between wanting to bolt, and enjoying the comfort of being nestled in between two ponies. It gave her time for her brain to catch up with the events of last night. Wiggling closer into Sparkler she let herself slowly wake up, her brain plotting plans for todays future crusades. If there were going to get 3 new members, including Dinky Doo, then she and the others needed to make sure that they were given a good crusade. After all just because it didn’t work for the founding members of the CMC didn’t mean that it wasn’t one of their special talents. It was moments later when Dinky and Sparkler moved that Scootaloo had an opening to escape and shambled slowly over to the restroom. Looking at the mirror she fussed up her mane and brushed her teeth before going to the kitchen to make a quick breakfast where she saw Raindrops preparing breakfast off to the side was a large wall of boxes. “Hey, what’re those boxes for?” Scootaloo asked. “Well you see, a lot of the muffins were salvageable and I thought that rather than let them go to waste, there is a local shelter for the homeless here in Ponyville. It should be enough to last them a few days.” Raindrops said with a grin as she used her wings to flip a stack of pancakes from her frying pan into paper towel covered dish beside her. “That’s kind of cool I guess, but why give it to shelters? Couldn’t you just sell them?” Scootaloo asked as she sat in the chair closest to the fridge. “So Scootaloo, I see you’re an early riser. The sun won’t be up for another thirty minutes. Did you sleep well? As for your question, well I could, but those ponies need them more than I need the bits. That plus I’m rather well off with the stipends I get from the government, and the odd jobs I do around Ponyville among other things.” “You bet, and I alway wake up early. It’s the best way to get where you want to go without being spotted. Also it allows me to get some grub before a quick rinse off.” Scootaloo said with a grin as she inhaled the aroma of the marvelous on the other side of the room. “Well from here on out you won’t have to worry about that. You can sleep in if you want, you know?” Raindrops said pouring the thick, gooey, delicious pancake batter into the frying pan. It’s dough giving a tantalizing sizzle as Raindrops pressed the spatula to the batter. “Um … I’ll be staying here for now right? I mean you’re not going to just send me off to somewhere when I become a nuisance?” Scootaloo said, voicing just some of the many worries that had kept her from coming out with her problem earlier. “Of course you’ll be staying here. At the very least until the end of winter, and until we can find you a good home. But until then you will never have to worry about me kicking you out. I had Twilight put in the paper work so that I can look after you until then so there might be times where I might have to punish you if you do something bad, but I will never send you away nor will I be cruel. You can be assured that as long as you are under my care I am fair and will listen to you.” “Alright … I know you said that I can wait to tell others. But when is the right time to tell them? I mean they are my friends, but they’ll hate me for lying to them won’t they?” Raindrops walked over to Scootaloo and gave her a gentle winghug, “They might be sad that you didn’t tell them beforehoof, but a friend will stand by you, even when they find out a secret like this. Don’t worry about it, I promise that things have a way of working out.” Scootaloo nuzzled closer towards the mare hugging her before the wings loosened and she pushed away softly. Looking up at this new mare that had come dropping into her life, “Thanks. I mean it. I don’t know of any other pony than Rainbow Dash who would’ve done all you’ve done so far.” “Well I’m just glad that I found you and am able to help. Just remember that if you ever want to talk, even if it’s just to chit-chat I’ll be happy to lend you an ear.” Scootaloo sat and watched Raindrops go about preparing breakfast, “So how did you get your Cutie Mark?” “Well everypony has rainy days in their life. Storms that seem like it’ll never end. This symbolizes that, and my desire to help them through those points in their life.” “That’s kind of cool I guess, so your Cutie Mark is for helping ponies?” Scootaloo asked tilting her head. “That’s exactly right.” Raindrops said with a grin. “So how did you get it? Me and the other Crusaders are trying to get ours and learning about how others get theirs should help us.” Scootaloo said, grinning along with Raindrops. “Well after I was taken off the streets, I was in a dark place. The stallion who took me under his wings took me above the clouds and gave me a little speech. After months in community service what he said clicked with me, and I figured that all it takes is a helping hoof, a listening ear, or just being there for another pony can make all the difference and help them when they are feeling down. When that happened I knew what I wanted to do with my life and this cutie mark appeared.” “I always though a cutie mark was gained from something you did, not what you felt.” Scootaloo said, her confusion written all over her face. “Well for most ponies that’s how it goes. Some its something that they physically do, others it’s a mindset, and others it’s simply them being who they are. Heck, some ponies have many Cutie Marks, while most have one. I guess it’s just as special and different for every pony who eventually gets one. But whatever one you get will have a special meaning and connection to you when it happens.” Raindrops replied sagely. “Wait… Multiple cutie marks! Like more than one!” Scootaloo jumped out of her seat, her wings buzzing loudly in her excitement. Ignoring everything else. “Yes. For a very few ponies they have more than one Cutie Mark, and with some ponies their Cutie Marks aren’t static but shifting. Why? Didn’t your teacher talk to you about those?” “No. But me and the girls have a lot to talk about later today.” Scootaloo was at this point vibrating with more enthusiasm than Pinkie Pie on a one week sugar and caffeine bender. It was several hours later in school, sitting in her seat as everypony was waiting for the school day to start, where Scootaloo gathered the girls who were sitting next each other this school year, to announce the good news. “Guess what?!” “What is it Scoots?” Apple Bloom asked. “Miss Raindrops told me that there are ponies who have multiple Cutie Marks!” Scootaloo replied in a loud whisper her wings practically buzzing from the excitement. “No way! You mean like when Apple Bloom got the Cutie Pox?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I thought we were never going to talk about that ever again.” Apple Bloom mumbled while Scootaloo shrugged. Sweetie Belle lifted her forehoof into the air and bounced excitedly on her seat until she received Cheerilee's attention, “Mrs. Cheerilee, is it true that a pony can get multiple cutie marks?” At that question everypony familiar with the Cutie Mark Crusaders paled, and silence like a pall was cast over the classroom. Leaving a nervous Cheerilee to respond, “Where did you hear that?” “Well Scootaloo said that someponies can have multiple cutie marks, what’s that like? Is it like the Cutie Pox or what?” Sweetie squeaked adorably. I’m going to talk to Raindrops for dooming us all, but it would be wrong to lie to a student. Especially if they find out the truth anyways. I’m so going to need a drink with Big Mac tonight. “Well yes. Some very special ponies feel a special connection with many things and have many Special Talents, but that doesn’t mean that those with one are any less special. And the most important thing is to be patient. A Cutie Mark can’t be rushed and will come when it’s ready. Any more questions Sweetie Belle?” Cheerilee said with a wide, plastic grin. “Nope!” Sweetie said followed by a loud chorus of, “Thank you Mrs. Cheerilee!” From Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Oh Celestia save us! Cheerilee thought to herself before beginning with her lessons. When recess finally arrived, the Crusaders gained 3 new arrivals being shepherded in by Scootaloo. The first in tow was Dinky, followed by a white and brown spotted, tiny Pinto colt, with the end of the group a mango orange pegasus filly a few shades lighter than scootaloo, with gold mane and bright orange eyes. “Hey girls, these are our new Cutie Mark Crusader recruits, Dinky Doo, Pipsqueak, and Mango Dash. Me and Dinky Doo did cooking Cutie Mark Crusading last night, and It! Was! Awesome! She is definitely going to be good. The colt here is Pipsqueak. Dinky said that he’s alright. And finally Mango Dash… I think she’s the second cousin of Rainbow Dash, is the treasurer of the Rainbow Dash Fanclub, and Dinky tells me that her mother and Mango’s mom are dating. So I can vouch for her awesomeness.” Scootaloo said, proudly showing off the recruits. Apple Bloom looked them over with a discerning eye and asked the only questions that mattered, “Well Ah’ll accept y’all, but Ah wanna know something first. Are y’all willin’ ta do whatever it takes ta get yer Cutie Marks? ‘Cause the biggest thang about a Crusader is we ain’t afraid ta try anythang.” After getting a murmur of assents Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle descended upon the new trio before them with hugs and telling them that they would induct them in the afternoon. “Oh! My! Celestia! They’re spreading!” Came a stuffy whine behind them. Other than Mango Dash the group seemed to tense at the sound of Diamond Tiara’s voice, “I told you it was contagious Silver Spoon. We should warn others unless they catch their disease!” “Just ignore them,” Apple Bloom muttered. “Oh look, they seem to have gone deaf. I can’t blame them, after all, with a hick, a flightless chicken, a pony more of a wannabee than her sister, and a group of retards, I would think that the only language they would be able to hear is stupid.” “Just ignore them,” Apple Bloom repeated. “But oh well, if they can’t hear us then I guess they won’t hear what we are about to say isn’t that right Silver Spoon?” “Yeah DT! I can’t believe that it hasn’t happened sooner.” Silver Spoon said moving closer to Diamond Tiara. “Well I’m thinking Babs had the right idea before she turned traitor on how to deal with treat these blank flanks.” Diamond Tiara’s jowls quivered with evil glee. At seeing the original crusaders do their best impersonation of statues, Mango Dash didn’t need to hear anymore to know that they were worried. Spinning around she used her wings to bash herself into Diamond Tiara’s muzzle forcing a whimper to escape her mouth as her flank hit the ground. “Now listen here Creme Puff. I don’t care that you are nothing more than your father’s coin purse that grew legs and a mouth. And I don’t care that the only thing of worth that you will ever have is the money your father throws at you to leave him alone. Celestia knows I’d do the same thing, but if you ever! Ever! Lay a hoof or get somepony to lay a hoof on them,” She gave leaned further forcing Diamond Tiara to her belly with the force of the push. A loud whimper of fear coming from her as tears built up in her eyes, “I will break you like a pinata. Got me Creme Puff?” “Yes! Yes! I won’t lay a hoof on them I swear!” Diamond Tiara cried. After that Mango backed up giving Diamond Tiara to rub her nose, “Good, because I would hate to waste Auntie Dashie’s Mare Wrecker move on a pony like you. And you, Thunderthighs’ Shadow, I don’t know what this thing has over you, but it isn’t worth it. If you ever want to hang out with ponies that are actually worth hanging around come on and see us. Oh, and Creme Puff, you really should get on a diet other than Hoho’s. It’s a shame it’s starting to go to your flank and the thing you call a face.” Mango said with a grin. As she turned to the Crusader’s expecting relief for her sticking up for them she was met with glares. Which brought up a confused look, and a strangled gulp from her, “What’s the matter?” “We ain’t a bunch of bullies Mango, we appreciate ya stickin’ up for us, but it was wrong ta sink ta her level.” Apple Bloom said, shaking her head in disappointment. “But I didn’t do anything wrong! I was protecting you like Auntie Dash did when the bullies didn’t stop picking on Flutters. Why are you treating me like I was the bully?” Mango asked with a slight heat in her voice. “We know, and thank you. But hurting her feelings like that was just as bad as what she did. We are better than that.” Sweetie said trotting up to her and putting a hoof on her shoulder. Giving an angry sigh, she hung her head and she tried to organize her thoughts, “I don’t get why all of you are angry with me, and this isn’t an excuse but I guess I should explain myself. In Las Pegasus I tried ignoring them, and usually when they can’t get a rise out of you that’s it. It’s no longer fun for them. But a few don’t care and have it out for you. Those bullies like DT, when you ignore them they go to other means of hurting you, more physical ways. I knew quite a few ponies who got really hurt when it got bad enough so Auntie Dash taught me martial arts to protect myself and others, but she always told me that words and low blows were always better than hooves if you could help it. So I did that. I learned how to see at a glance what would hit them the hardest, and after I got them hard enough they’d leave me alone. A few decided that they wanted to scrap and I didn’t start it, just like Auntie Dash said, ‘ I better not start a fight but I sure as Tartarus better end it.’ So when I saw that she threatened you and how scared you all looked I did what I was told was the best way of dealing with them … you weren’t supposed to get angry with me. So … do you all forgive me?” She asked finally looking up. The other Crusaders, inductees and founding members alike wrapped her in a hug, “Well I guess none of us can blame ya for doing what your family taught ya. But if yer gonna be a Crusader ya can’t go around hurtin’ other ponies. Otherwise we’re no better than they are. But if it ever gets physical than we’d be mighty proud of ya for protectin’ us while one of us gets an adult. Although it’d be good if ya didn’t go around breakin’ her like a pinata.” Apple Bloom said nuzzling Mango consolingly. “Kays. But if anypony tries to hurt you all I’m gunna buck some flank.” Mango said wiggling between the mound of pony hugs. “That’s perfectly fine. We might as well face the music, we’ll go with ya ta see Miss Cheerilee. After all we Crusader’s stick together like white on a paper plate in a snowstorm, and we leave no Crusader behind.” Apple Bloom said with a nod. “So we’re still going to be friends?” Mango asked everypony to which she was met with an affirmative round of approval. When they parted, the Cutie Mark Unity field that binds all Cutie Mark Crusaders together activated and they did a group hoofbump shouting, “Cutie Mark Crusaders together forever!” with such force the air itself shook. Cheerilee was sitting down enjoying a few moments of relaxation, reading a romance novel from Rarity’s personal stash when Diamond Tiara came thundering in with Silver Spoon in close pursuit. She placed her book down as Diamond Tiara broke down in a corner and wept, ignoring everything around her. In the time it took to console her enough to speak legible words another group of ponies came into the schoolhouse. Turning around to tell them to go outside she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a guilty looking Mango Dash in the fore of them. “Do any of you know why Diamond Tiara came in here wailing like a banshee for the last,” Looking at the clock on the wall, “five minutes?” She asked, throwing them the teacher’s stare that could make almost any filly or colt squirm under its piercing gaze. “Well you see, she was bullying us, and we tried ignoring her. Then she made a threat that while I don’t get it was enough to make my friends here looked like Princess Celestia herself was going to banish them to the moon or something so I stood up for them. And I might have been more verbally caustic than I should have.” Mango said, looking at anywhere but Cheerilee while pawing the ground. Cheerilee looked at the terrified Diamond Tiara, “I want to know what you said to them, and don’t try saying nothing. I’ve heard about the things that you’ve done to others.” She said in a gentle but firm manner. Diamond looked over to Mango and saw a glare as if daring her to lie. Gulping she broke down and told Mrs. Cheerilee the events that led up to her confrontation with Mango Dash, but with images of what a Mare Wrecker would look like dancing in her mind’s eye didn’t say what Mango did. “What exactly did you mean that Babs had the right idea, and how was she a traitor?” Mrs. Cheerilee asked. “Well she was a tra-tra-traitor because sh-she sided with those Blan- I mean ponies rather than us. And sh-sh-she was more physical with her bullying than we we-we-were.” Diamond Tiara said between sobs. “What did I say about saying the B-word to others Diamond Tiara, and threatening a pony with physical harm is serious.” Mrs. Cherrilee scolded while holding Diamond Tiara in a hug. Looking over at Mango Dash she waved her over. “Both of you were in the wrong. She shouldn’t have threatened you, but Mango Dash, whatever you said to her was just as bad. Both of you, as well as Silver Spoon, will be receiving detention. I’ll be speaking with your parents when they come to pick you up.” She heard a chorus of coughs from the Crusaders, “Mrs. Cheerilee, we were there when it happened and we talked to Mango, and we are just as in the wrong as Mango here so we’ll take whatever punishment she gets since we didn’t stop her from standing up for us the way she did.” “Well then if you all think that’s what you want then okay. Hopefully we can put an end to this, and I expect a sincere apology out of all of you by next week. That should give you time to make a real apology.” It was after school. Seven fillies and one colt sat dejectedly the classroom, and seven irate guardians argued amongst themselves, with Raindrops and Cheerilee trying to calm the group down. “Well I don’t see why my innocent little princess and her friend have to be subjected to punishment where that degenerate is clearly at fault, as well as those friends of hers. No offense to Miss Apple, but my daughter tells me how they look down on her and Silver Spoon,” Filthy Rich said, taking an aggressive stance while Mr. and Mrs. Spoon stood by him giving approving yells of encouragement. “Innocent! If I had a bit for every time my precious Sweetie Belle came home in tears, and it took almost an hour to tell me the cruel things your daughter had subjected her and her friends to, I would have more gold than the Princesses.” Rarity said indignantly, throwing her nose up at Filthy Rich. “Yeah! Ah’m proud ta do business with ya Filthy, but yer daughter is a cruel one. We shoulda talked about this ages ago, but we are both in the wrong in that we never talked about that daughter of yers. Ah’ll admit that when she gets a holda the company I don’t know if Apple Bloom’ll be willin’ ta do business with yer company. And no offense but yer daughter’s been lyin’ ta ya. As the Element of Honesty Ah can tell ta that’s the Celestia’s honest truth.” AJ said, removing her hat and holding it to her chest. “Well I’m just glad that you used your words rather than your hooves. I personally am not going to punish Sweetie for standing up to others being threatened with violence. Although Mr. Rich you should teach your daughter that it’s not alright to hurt other ponies, and hopefully this teaches her that words can be painful.” This broke out another round of arguments that were only ended when a cough from the corner got everyone’s attention, “It’s true, daddy. I’ve been lying to you, and I’ve done what the Crusaders’ guardians have been saying.” Diamond Tiara said, the room was so quiet as Diamond Tiara walked to her family that her hoofsteps sounded like thunder strikes signaling her impending doom. “Be that as it may. It was still wrong of them to go use such drastic measures. So they both have a week to come up with a suitable apology. And Miss Dash, while it isn’t my place to tell a parent how to raise their child, and I’m glad she didn’t resort to physical violence, the way she went about it was just as harmful to her as what Diamond Tiara was doing,” She looked at the each of the guardians in the room, “I’m going to have to look more deeply into Diamond Tiara’s and Silver Spoon’s bullying of others. Since I can’t be seen as having favorites everyone is being given the same punishment.” Cheerilee said to everypony. It was at this time that a disappointed Spoon family, and Filthy Rich finally spoke up, “Well it looks like we’ve been made fools of,” Looking at the other family members in the room, “We’ll make sure that Diamond is properly punished, and Mrs Cheerilee, I ask that you wait for her apology until after I personally deal with the problem.” Mr. Spoon, a stallion with the same color scheme of Silver Spoon and a Hoity Toity manedo, he had a body of somepony that was once in shape, but had let his body go to seed, spoke up, his deep, tenor voice betraying his thin body, “We all were deceived. If I didn’t know the truth of my daughter’s cutie mark, I’d say that her special talent was deception. I must ask that our daughter be given the same extension. Although I would also say that is our daughters who were in the wrong first to drive young Miss Dash to do what she did. So I must ask that they give their apology after ours give theirs first. “And Silver, you can be assured that we are most displeased of you making us out to be fools. As for all of you. Please forgive us for our previous words and actions. We were under the impression that they retaliated to being instigated themselves. Can you forgive our actions?” It was Mr. Squeak who answered first, “I can accept that, Mr. Spoon. We all do stupid things when we think our children are wronged, and it takes a mighty big stallion to admit they were wrong.” The massive mountain of a Pinto said, offering a gigantic hoof to shake. The others gave various sounds of assent. “Well since you all are in agreement, I’ll allow it. That covers it I guess. Have a good afternoon, and I hope with this all out in the open we can stomp out the bullying problem here in Ponyville.” Cheerilee said with a relieved sigh. “I have one question: how bad has our daughter’s bullying been?” Mr. Rich asked. “Well, we resolved it in school, but you remember Gabby Gums?” Mrs. Cheerilee asked. This was met by a collective look at the former group of journalists, then a shudder at the memory of the embarrassment that was dished out by them. “It turns out that they wanted to stop when they learned it was hurting ponies, but Diamond Tiara blackmailed them into continuing it long after that. Then Featherweight told me about what was going on and since then I’ve banned her from all positions of power in the school, and let other teachers know of her problem.” “Blackmail … I see. Apple Bloom, does she still do that often?” Filthy Rich said with an eerie calm. “I don’t wanna be a tattle tale Mr. Rich.” Apple Bloom said pawing the ground. “It’s ok. I’m eventually going to everypony wronged by my family and I am going to learn everything. But I want to know from you if she’s done more of this?” Filthy Rich said laying on the ground so that he could be eye level with Apple Bloom. “Well when us girls or other ponies try ignoring her, or she’s feeling particularly nasty, she threatens us. Saying that she can get ya ta do stuff to us or our families. Or she can get ya ta stop doin’ business with somepony.” Apple Bloom said. Applejack looked at her with that piercing gaze she got when she was measuring whether a pony was being honest with her, “Apple Bloom, tell me true. Has she really been doin’ that to ya and other ponies? Now I want the truth.” Apple Bloom looked angrily at her sister and stomped her foot, “Yes it is! I know better than lyin’ even if it is about that rotten snake Diamond Tiara!” Catching herself, she looked at Filthy, “Sorry Mr. Rich. That was rude of me ta call yer daughter that. Even if she is one.” “I can’t blame you on that,” Standing up he looked at his foal and with an iron cold glare, “Go home now. The butler will take you and I don’t want to see nor hear you until I’m ready to talk to you. Now leave.” His voice when he spoke to her was as cold as his glare. “Now to everypony in this room, I want to assure you that none of your livelihoods are in danger from me. Not even when I had misplaced anger, I would never threaten that. But it has come to my attention that I have a lot to do. Applejack, will you forgive this fool his moment of stupidity?” He asked with a sincere bow of his head. “Of course Ah forgive ya. But, and Ah apologise if this is out of line, that daughter of yours needs ta learn some manners or she ain’t gonna make it far in this world.” “Isn’t that the truth. I’ll be in touch with you all later. But for now I need to cool my head and think about what to do with her.” With that he walked out with a calm resolve that made the atmosphere feel five pounds heavier. It was shortly after that exchange, before everypony left with their various guardians the Cutie Mark Crusaders met for one last time., “Listen, everypony. Thanks for sticking by me, and letting me join you Crusaders. It made things a lot more easier for me to do the right thing. Take care, I’ll probably see you all tomorrow.” Mango said, taking charge of the conversation. “Yeah, we Crusaders stick together, and I’m just glad that you learned the lesson we learned when we went too far with Babs. You look like a really good pony, and, well, thanks for sticking up for us. I’m sure we all appreciate it.” Sweetie said with a smile which was reflected with the other crusaders giving their thanks. “Scootaloo and Dinky,” Raindrops said in a calm, gentle voice,“Well, Dinky, you already know this, but I want you both to know that no matter what happens, as long as you are honest with me, you might be in a little trouble, but it will all turn out alright in the end. Okay?” After they both nodded, Scootaloo more confused than anything else, Raindrops continued, “I want you both to tell me what happened. And just what Diamond Tiara has done to you. Who wants to go first?” “Why do we have to tell you?” Scootaloo asked. “Simply because from what I heard today she’s been doing this kind of thing for a long time, am I right?” She said looking at Scootaloo, who looked at the ground and gave a sad nod. Draping her wings over Dinky and Scootaloo’s backs she said, “It might not seem like it, but sometimes just talking to somepony about it helps lift that weight off your back, and when Mr. Rich comes over it’ll help getting rid of any anger and hurt you have now rather than taking it out on somepony else. That and it’s a way to let you know that I’m here for you. Both of you.” She said, giving her charges a gentle squeeze. “Well then can we wait till we get home? This is going to be a long talk.” “Of course, there’s no rush.” The rest of the walk went in peace and quiet as they headed home. Author's Note Ok. So this and next chapter are going to be serious. Then I'll have a chapter or two of chapter 4's level of zaniness, and hijinx. DT is going to be in the background on this fic, and will only pop up here and there. This chapter was hard to write and even more crazy to get edited. But I think it was worth it. Next chapter Scootaloo and Raindrops talk, stuff happens, and Dinky is naturally adorable. A Big TalkWhile they headed home Dinky decided to be the one to recount the times Diamond Tiara teased her as she leaned slightly into Raindrops for comfort, “Diamond Tiara is always saying that my mommy is a retard who isn’t worthy of being a Pegasus and if she knew what was good for her would just crash and die for once,” She said, her voice dripping with depression, “And she says that I’ll never learn to do magic because I’m stupid just like my stupid mommy. But mommy isn’t stupid!” She said, stomping her hoof on the ground. “She’s the smartest pony I know of other than Princess Twilight. She just has special eyes that’s all. Why did Diamond have to say those cruel things?” “Because some ponies are just cruel like that. The need to put others down to feel better about themselves. But you know that your mother is smart and those that care about her know that she’s smart. So even though it hurts, as long as we know the truth what she said doesn’t matter. As for magic, you’re not behind schedule most ponies don’t start their first spark until they are about your age, and if you don’t do it to later than it’s no big deal being a late bloomer.” “But I had my first spark already and I still can’t do magic!” Dinky whinnied sadly. “We’ll try looking for a magic teacher for you then.” “But those cost money! I don’t want mommy losing money because of me.” Raindrops chuckled softly and gave her another squeeze with her wing, “You don’t need to worry about that. Your mother would never consider it a loss helping you get somepony to help with your magic. After all she did the same thing when Sparkler needed help with her magic.” Dinky mumbled unintelligible words, thinking for a second. Raindrops grinned before biting gently over the folds of Dinky’s neck and flipped her onto her back. This lifted Dinky’s spirits as she scrambled up Raindrops necks until she rested her forehooves over her head like a living hat. Looking up at her new accessory, “Feeling better?” “Hmmmhmm! Thanks, I haven’t been given a ponyback in since forever!” Dinky said with a growing smile. It was a few minutes later that they arrived at Raindrops place. Leaning her head down she let Dinky use her head as a slide and slide on down to the floor. “Why don’t you go and play with Sparkler, Scootaloo and I are going to have a little chat OK?” “Ks. Well, talk to you later Scootaloo, and I hope tomorrow we can go crusading! See you in a bit.” Dinky said with a wave of her forehoof before trotting upstairs where her sister was most likely stuck with her head in a book. “So you want me to tell you about Tiara right?” Scootaloo said gruffly. The walk home while calming had opened up a lot of old wounds and she was starting to brood. “Yes. Start from wherever you’d like. Do you want something to drink while we talk?” “Yeah, I’d like some apple juice please.” While Raindrops left Scootaloo tried organizing things in her head. A lot of the cruel things Diamond Tiara said were especially painful with how close to the mark they were, and telling Raindrops about that would mean she’d have to tell her a little bit about her past. If the context was to be established. Raindrops trotted slowly to the kitchen, her reasons for going were threefold, one was to give Scootaloo time to gather the storm of thoughts that she saw playing on her face, second was because this was probably going to be a while and she didn’t want Scootaloo to get a sore throat, and lastly was so that she could give Scootaloo the space she needed at this point in time. By the time she got back into the living room she was balancing on her wings, two tall glasses of ice cold and refreshing apple juice, resting on a tray that. After making sure that Scootaloo could reach her drink sat back and allowed Scootaloo to tell her story. “My family was a group of traveling artisans, and merchants. It was me, my brother, and parents. We usually passed between Trottingham, Ponyville, and sometimes Manehatten. We weren’t poor, but we always seemed to live on sell to sell. It wasn’t the best life but we were happy. Then about five years they got the Chills. They looked like they were going to pull through it, but of course they didn’t. We were in some tiny town in between here and Trottingham. I overheard ponies talk about sending me away to some orphanage while I was at my family’s funeral, “ She said as tears rolled down her face from the memory of that day, “and I was scared so I bolted. It was shortly after I got here that I met some awesome ponies, edible food, and places that would give samples to foals so I never really had to worry about getting hungry. Especially Pinkie Pie, ever since she threw me my party she’s been giving me food to taste test. It’s how I’ve been getting most of my lunches. Although she gives me these weird looks like she knows my secret, but she’s never said anything. So at least I’m getting good food. So anyways it was shortly after I got here I met Sweetie Belle, we hung out for a bit and it was with her that I met Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. At the time she was a blank flank too so she just spent her time insulting us for being poor as well as our families not loving us since Sweetie’s parents are always leaving on trips and hoofing her to Rarity, and her never seeing mine. It was painful and at first I tried to tell her to buck off and go choke on an apple. But that just made her target me worse. When it was just me and Sweets it was ok. I had somepony my age that I could play with, and she would sometimes invite me to spend the night which gave me a warm bed and a cooked meal. It was awesome. But Tiara used that to target us when we left the house. I seriously don’t know what her problem was but she liked it when she could get Sweetie to cry. Although I would probably thank her for her snide remarks on why she never saw me at school if I didn’t still hate her. I know its wrong to hate a pony, but I can’t help it. Does that make me a bad pony?” She asked taking a drink and a deep breath building her second wind. “No, I think that anyone getting hurt that much would feel that way is natural. As long as you don’t let those emotions control your then things will turn out ok.” Scootaloo gave a short nod and took a deep breath before starting again, “I found some bits laying around that I used to pay a pony off to teach me to forge a note. Although he was thinking it was for a prank, but it helped me make a note saying that they were too busy to come and that I was going to start school there. Mrs. Cheerilee, like most adults, don’t look too closely as long as a pony isn’t destroying the village or doing something dangerous in their direct line of vision. “When I first got to school her focus wasn’t on just me for her bullying, it looks like she just picks ponies on a whim. As for why nopony ratted on her is because she has a black book full of dirt she has on most ponies in Ponyville. Lots of ponies know about it. But at least she didn’t get anything on me other than for the Gabby Gums fiasco. “Then four years ago she got her cutie mark, us Crusaders were formed, although we figured out that we met Apple Bloom earlier during Nightmare Moon’s party crashing the Summer Sun Festival. So I guess us Crusaders were fated to meet. Ever since then Diamond Tiara has been focusing a large amount on her meanness on us, all because we don’t have our cutie marks yet, but we still have fun crusading and it has made Tiara’s cruelty that much more bearable. That and I always have warm bed and fresh food when I go over there so that’s always a high point of my month.” She said wrapping up her story. “Well I’m glad that you made some good friends. Are you feeling better now that you got that off your back?” Raindrops asked wiping the tears from Scootaloo’s eyes as she wrapped her in a hug. “A little. So what do we do now?” Scootaloo asked weakly as she nodded into Raindrops’ chest. “Well I have a few questions for you and then, we simply do what we can move forward.” “Ok, what do you want to talk about?” “Well the big thing is I want to clarify how you got the bits you’ve found laying around, and I need to know if you’ve stolen food from anyone other than the apples.” “I’m not going to be in trouble am I?” Scootaloo asked looking up at Raindrops from within the folds of her forelegs. “I’ll take care of it, and I’ll make sure that nothing bad happens. But I need to know so that I can help you make it up to them. Just remember as long as you tell me the truth you don’t have to worry about anything, I’m here to take care of you. At the very worst I’ll make you do chores to earn the bits from me to pay them back, but that’s the worst that’ll happen.” Raindrops said in a calm, comforting voice. “Well usually I’d look on the ground, under furniture, any bits that were out in the open. The way I see it if they had it just laying around in the open they wouldn’t miss it. That plus I needed the bits.” Scoots said wiggling closer to Raindrops partially to try adopting a defensive position, and partially to try and hide from the judgement that she was expecting to rain down upon her. “I can see your thinking, but while usually stuff on the floor and under furniture are things that are usually forgotten, bits that are on tables, counters, or other surfaces are usually there for when that pony needs it. If it’s in a restaurant it’s usually a pony telling the owner that they liked the food. Those ponies need those bits to make up for how little they make in a paycheck. That’s stealing, but you didn’t do it out of malice so I’m not going to punish you. But as I said earlier you’ll be doing chores starting tomorrow and you’ll earn the bits from me to pay them back. Or if you want to, I can talk about you doing odd jobs for them to work it off.” “Um … if they don’t get too mad at me then I guess that’s ok. Raindrops?” Scootaloo asked fidgeting. “If I stole supplies from school so I could do homework, or to help me when I was sleeping out somewhere do I need to apologize for that too? And should I apologize to those ponies that I took bits from after I tell my friends and those who’ve helped me that I’m an orphan?” Scootaloo asked worryingly. Afraid of the fallout that would happen when things went down. “I don’t think Mrs. Cheerilee would see it as stealing. But if you think that you have too then you can. And I want you to know that you wanting to apologize yourself is a very big thing. I’m proud for you Scootaloo. May I ask whom you've taken from?” “There was the Apple Family apples, bits, and some timber wood that I used during the winters. Bon-Bon’s Confectioneries on Sugar Cube Corner, and the Cakes Confectionery Emporium were two of the biggest places to pilfer bits. Although somehow whenever I get food from Pinkie I end up with bits mysteriously in my saddlebag that I didn't have before. Dashie’s cloud house the few times I was over there I got bits from under her cloud couch and from under her bed. Rarity always has bits left on the counters, on the floor, in this one weird nook behind the cash register counter, and also in her workroom she usually has gems that always end up on the floor after big orders if you look hard enough for them. Those gems get me set up for a week and usually helps me pay back Applejack. Oh and there’s the ink bottles I’ve taken from Twilight so I could do my homework, and lots of quills since I keep breaking them when I write. Also there’s the the paper, soap, chalk, candles, matches, and other stuff that I get from the school when I’m running low or need it for school work.” Scootaloo said her head tilted in thought as she recounted all the things she did over the last few years. “It’s lucky that you were never caught. But I’m glad you weren’t.” Raindrops said ruffling Scootaloo’s mane. “Yeah us Crusader’s have the oddest luck.” Scootaloo said offhandedly. “Well if and when you’re ready to talk. I’ll get Pinkie Pie to get everyone who needs to know, and you can write out who, together. And we can apologize to them. Although I’m going to need a guestimate on how much you’ve taken so I can gather the bits to pay them back. And thank you for telling me, I’m proud of how brave you’re being. Well go up and get the other fillies and tell them that diners about ready.” “Alright, but I can just tell you on the whole bits part for this year so far. Apples, 60 bits. Twilight, 10 bits. Bon-Bon, 40 bits. Cakes not counting the mystery bits, 82 bits. Dashie, 10 bits, “ turning her head and her eyes flicking back and forth rapidly as she remembered all the bits she took and gems gathered from Rarity, “Rarity, 100 bits, four sapphires, one emerald, two topazes, and twelve rubies. For the last 4 years other than Dashie’s place I get about the same amount of bits and the gems differ from year to year if I find any.” “Thanks well go on and get the others. And don’t worry everything will turn out for the better. As for your friends I know they’ll forgive you after they get over the shock.” Giving a small hug she let Scootaloo go who by this time had her eyes stop streaming tears and was looking somewhat happier after their talk. As Scootaloo headed upstairs her recent ‘girly display of emotion’, as Rainbow Dash would call it, drying on her face from her emotional conversation with Raindrops. Raindrops knew everything, and while she got a talking to about how taking money that didn’t start on the ground, or lost in cushions was stealing, but Raindrops wasn’t mad at her since it was something she needed to do to live. She strolled up to the room Dinky and Sparkler were sharing, “Hey girls, dinner’s going to be ready in a few!” Scootaloo said at the doorway. “I heard about what happened earlier today,” Sparkler said, snuggling with Dinky with a story book Grimm Goose the Bard’s Tales, a collection of fairy tales that was as old as Starswirl the Bearded, collected from the various races from the pre-equestrian days. Dinky was engrossed with the pages before her while Sparkler looked at Scootaloo. “Yeah, it was surprising. To be honest I’m confused on how to take it.” Scootaloo said scratching the back of her head. “Well I’m glad someone finally stood up to those bullies, hopefully Dinky won’t be coming home in tears anymore.” Sparkler said, nodding while gently stroking Dinky’s mane, “While I’m sad that Mango was cruel about it, at least my sister’s going to be happier now. Thank her when you see her next. Oh! And we’ll be leaving to go back home tomorrow. Want to have another sleepover tonight?” Sparkler asked, giving her sister an affectionate nuzzle before using her magic to simultaneously pick Dinky up off the bed and close the book. Scootaloo looked at the younger sister floating in the air, Sparkler twisting and twirling Dinky who had her body stretched out in a flying position she saw on comic books, a grin plastered to her face. “Yeah sure. I’ll see you in a bit.” She said in a rush as Dinky opened her mouth. “Hey, why don’t you fly with me? “Well …” Scootaloo paused for a bit before deciding to get rid of the sting of admitting that she was unable to fly quickly rather than draw it out, “I can’t fly.” Dinky was about to open her mouth when her sister wrapped her muzzle with magic silencing her, “Well how about I give you a bit of help?” Sparkler asked. “Really?! How?!” Scootaloo asked hopping up in down in excitement. “Like this.” Sparkler said, wrapping Scootaloo in her magic. Scootaloo buzzed her wings, her first airborne propulsion without mechanical assistance. She and Dinky zipped around Sparkler as she trotted down to the kitchen. The sounds of the fillies laughing uproariously with unbridled glee as she let them enjoy a bit of flying each having a mock race around Sparkler’s head, as Raindrops clapped her hooves together at the display for awhile before giving them a soft landing. Scootaloo and Dinky gave her a quick nuzzle one on each of her forelegs before running to the dining room table, the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches and seasoned tomato soup wafting through the room. “Mi… I mean Raindrops?” Scootaloo said tentatively. “What’s the matter?” “Well the things we talked about with me telling my friends, and those I’ve, well you know. I want to do it tomorrow. Is that Ok?” “That’d be perfect, I’ll let Pinkie Pie know to get everypony together. And I’ll tell her to be quiet about it.” Raindrops said with a gentle smile, “Actually if you three promise not to bring down the house, I’ll do it while you have your little sleepover.” Scootaloo looked over at the other ponies and with a synchronized nod between the two of them agreed that they wouldn’t destroy the house while she was away. Raindrops was flying over Ponyville enjoying the breeze when Cloud Kicker flanked her, “Hey Drops. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you for a while, how’ve you been?” “Yeah sorry about that, Cloud Kicker,” Raindrops said sheepishly while rubbing the back of her neck with her right foreleg, “Not bad actually Ditzy got better yesterday and will be able to pick up her foals tomorrow. Scootaloo is over at my place for a while, and everything all in all is rather good. So what’s up?” “The moon.” She replied to Raindrops chuckling, “but seriously I was wondering if you’re busy tomorrow?” “I might be I’m going to Pinkie Pie’s to set up something, but I might be open tomorrow. Why?” Raindrops asked while tilting her head inquisitively. Giving a nervous chuckle masked as a playful one Cloud Kicker finally replied, “No reason really we just haven’t had the chance to hang out in a while. You know, a girls night out. Let me know tomorrow. I’ll be seeing you.” She said before banking away.Raindrops stored the conversation away until a later date and decided to focus at the task at hand, going to Pinkie Pie’s place to set things up. Author's Note The double chapter for the week is a day late sorry, but this is the last serious chapter for at least two more chapters. As for the Pinkie Pie Gathering, not much happened, but it'll be scheduled for three days past the day this chapter takes place in. And it'll be a good one. Grimm Goose the Bard is a Portmanteau of the Grimm Brothers, Mother Goose, and Beadle the Bard. A creator and gather of pre-Two Sister era Equestrian fairy tales. [Before Two Sister [pre-nightmare moon era or CE] [BTS]]. A mass favorite of ponies young and old alike since it's creation. Next chapter has one of his stories read to Scoots and Dinky, and an adorable pile of fluff. The Three MagesSparkler lay on her stomach with Grimm Goose the Bard’s Tales while Dinky rested against her left shoulder while Scootaloo sat beside the right side of her body. “So Scootaloo, me and Dinky read each other a story before going to bed every monday and friday. Do your parents read to you?” Sparkler asked. “Nah! They’re too busy for that, but it’s no big deal. It’s not like I’m missing out on anything.” Scootaloo said waving her right foreleg dismissively. “Well would you like to join us?” Rubbing the back of her neck, “That... Might be cool. Though I never heard of this person, I only know of the Daring Do novels. Those books are awesome!” Chuckling and ruffling Scootaloo’s mane Sparkler replied, “Well, get yourself comfortable and we can begin. Since this is your first time, I’ll let you pick the story. Just choose the one that sounds good to you.” “Well The Three Tribes Mages sounds pretty cool. Could we read that one?” Scootaloo asked after scanning the list of some pretty awesome stories. “Of course.” Sparkler said flipping to the story. "The Three Tribes Mages Once upon a time long ago, before the great frost claimed the land, there were three mages who met while traveling a grassy plain. Seeing that they were magic users, they decided to set up camp as the sunset regaling each other with tales of their adventures and boasts of their skills. Eventually as was wont to happen in those days the stories grew more exaggerated and aggressive as at the time the three tribes had yet to learn the importance of harmony. Their strife drew a Draconequus who was as white as a winter’s snow, with golden horns, and eyes of gentle blue. He saw these travelers and appeared before them, “My, my, my what seems to be the problem here?” Ask the gentle spirit. The Unicorn mare was the first to speak, “Hark, mighty spirit, we mages were telling tales of who was the better mage. Although it is clear that I, Archeon the Wise am the better. Who, and might I ask what are you?” “Now wait here!” The Pegasus stallion said, “It is surely I, Arcane Thunder, who is the better, and our tales prove that I have had the most adventures out of all of us.” “Pray tell how do you two figure yourselves the better,” The Earth Pony mare asked, “When it is I, Crystal Hooves, who is truly the best for I can bring life to lifeless lands. But I too am interested in to who you might be?” The draconequus looked upon them and gave a serene smile, “I am a draconequus and my name is Volumus, and surely you all have great skill. This I can tell by the auras you have. But rather than strife and violence may I make a friendly wager?” The three mages looked at one another measuring each other up. Each thinking themselves the greatest gave a nod to one another and turned to Volumus. It was Crystal Hooves who talked first, “What is this wager you ask? And what is the cost if we lose?” With a flick of his left claw which was the shape of a griffon’s limb showed a Royal bounty in gold fit for a dragon’s horde before another flick made it disappear, “The wager is four tests of skill. The winner will receive wealth and renown beyond compare, as well as the granting of one rule free wish. As for the losers they will have to acknowledge without malice the skill of the winner. How does that sound?” They all agreed to the wager. Archeon, for the chance of gaining infinite knowledge to help her untangle the mysteries of the universe, Arcane Thunder, for the chance of being one of the few to have utter mastery of Munin, the magical society of Pegasi. As for Crystal Hooves, she wished for a place to store all the magic of the races so that the knowledge of the three races wouldn’t be destroyed, or lost to time. “This first test is to show me your strength, a spell and the others must undo or outdo it.” Volumus said cheerfully. So it fell to Archeon the Wise to start. Feeling out the aethers, she grabbed and twisted the firmaments and formed an orb that held within a beautiful oasis. She grinned, doubting anypony would be able to undo such a spell. Grinning mischievously, Arcane Thunder sat on his haunches as he lifted his forehooves. At first only a small trickle of lightning flicked between his hooves that quickly grew in intensity, twisting and shifting the mass of sparks before drawing the moisture around the group of ponies into a giant sphere of water that surrounded the plane. Then the glow grew even brighter before being released. As it did the water formed a giant sea serpent made out of snow and ice. The construct slammed into the portal, flooding the bubble in permafrost before spilling over filling the plane in a layer of snow. As the technique ended, the bubble was gone and Archeon was on the ground whimpering as the ice had transferred from the bubble to her horn. Feeling he owed a fellow mage a common courtesy, he released a small technique to warm her horn melting the ice and warming her body. They gave one another a small bow before turning to the earth pony. She grinned softly and clapped her hooves together, forming a blue aura around them and placing them on the ground. As she did so, a transformation circle Pushing her magic into the ground causing it to shake and quake as a large forest sprung from the ground around them. Panting lightly she grinned at her companions daring them to top that. Archeon laughed uproariously at the unspoken challenge of the earth pony. As she reached out to the trees her purple aura wrapping around the trees. Her horn grew brighter and brighter as she concentrated her magic. At the height of her spell, her body shook, sweat poured down her face and her breathing was heavy. Just as she reached her limit the trees turned into a forest of crystals. Crystal Hooves impressed by the display gave her a hearty pat on the back while laughing at the display. So it came that it was Arcane Thunder’s turn. Closing his eyes and concentrating with all of his might, his body glowed and sparked with raw energy as he built up a powerful technique. The forest was alive with lightning and fire that heated the crystals until they grew white hot. Suddenly, they began to writhe like snakes, and began to shift and wiggle together. Forming the dark shape of a giant pony as it cooled, it turned out to be a giant statue in Arcane Thunder’s image with a plaque at the base that said Arcane Thunder is Best Pony!. Arcane Thunder fell on his haunches, his body drenched in sweat. “Try beating that!” He said between pants while grinning like a loon. “Will do then we’ll see who the best pony is.” Crystal Hooves said the playful and stimulating manner of the competition making it a fun game of oneupponiesship. She pumped her magic into the ground, transmuting raw earth into ten metal pillars that rose up and then rolled them around the now barren landscape to encircle the statue at seemingly odd intervals. She placed her hooves on the ground which soaked up her magic forming an intricate and majestic transmutation circle using the pillars as focal points. Walking up to the statue, she nipped her heel and rubbed a bit of her blood onto her hooves. Placing it upon the base. The circle glowed blue and wisps of red growing in intensity until it reached into the sky in a blinding pillar of light. When the light dissipated, a tired and overexerted Crystal Hooves stumbled over to the others while a mountain made out of gold stood behind her. “And beaten!” She mumbled hoping that nopony would best that. She looked and saw them staring at her with their jaws dropped and a look of stunned wonder across their faces. Volumus laughed and with a wave of his paw the mountain vanished and the planes returned to its original state. Giving a chuckle he looked at the three ponies before him in a state of exhaustion each one of them having given their all in the first test. “Congratulations my little ponies. That was a spectacular test of skills. The winner of this match goes to Crystal Hooves, with the second place going to Arcane Thunder. Now I will make a pond over to your left, all you need to do is rest within it and you will be restored to full health and power. Afterwards come to me and ask me for five things if you wish. These will be used to create a spell or magical object of great power to impress me. The one with the most impressive thing will win that round, and you have a week to complete it. To prevent cheating each of you will be blind to what the other is doing until they are ready to showcase it, although I will be watching all of you.” The following day the three mages decided to take opposite sides of the plane so that they could have more room for their creations. Crystal Hooves asked for a garden of rare alchemy ingredients, a laboratory, and several rare liquids. Archeon asked for a mirror made from mithral, liquid silver, and an eldunari with the reflective surface forged from Star Diamonds ripped from the heart of a star. Arcane Thunder decided to use his own strength to build something that would last through the ages. The seven days came and went, thus ending the allotted time in which to finish their creations. Crystal Hooves gave Volumus a Dream Walking potion that would with a single drop allow a pony to physically enter through the dreams of others experiencing worlds and adventures far beyond the ability of normal mages. Archeon brought forth her mirror that later tales would call The Mirror of Truth, that allowed the pony standing before it to witness their true selves stripped of all self deceptions and masks while Arcane Thunder made an interesting creation before them. While they wasted their time with mundane items he created something of beauty with his own strength like a proper pegasus. Building a massive ball of lightning, he tapped into the full fury of the skies and released a blast of power to chisel earth like a sculptor chisels stone. Ripping through the land like a hot knife through butter he shaped it into the form of a giant canyon. Etching a path for the pool to flow down to a lake within the canyon’s floor as he stopped he utilized the technique used to make the statue he created earlier to form one of himself and the two others beside him drawing gems, and metals to form them while enchanting them to perpetually generate lightning, as well as draw water from the pool to form a rainbow mist within the canyon. He glided to the lake and rested while the others wasted the days away with their projects. Volumus danced and laughed at the sight. “How splendid! To see the truth, and gain insight into who you truly are is a most interesting artifact. I can see this becoming a tale of legends someday. As for you, Arcane Thunder, you required no help, no assistance and with your own strength built this canyon. Wonderful craftsmanship and I like what you’ve done with the pool. I think I shall leave it where it is so that others may enjoy it as well. That means you, dear Crystal, lose this challenge. The next one determines the two who enter the final challenge. The test starts tomorrow.” The next day the three mages had time to rest and talk. An interesting change had overcome them. They no longer talked as trying to prove they were the betters, but rather as friends. Having witnessed each others skills and mastery of the arts. They had started to talk about the impressive feats each had accomplished. Volumus appeared before them and, with a grin, sat between the three mages, “This next test will test your ability to adapt, to teach, and to follow. But if any of you wishes to back out, you can do so after I tell you what the test is.” Clapping his hands together he said with smile that split his face in two, “Each of you will become a different pony type. You will then teach the pony that was your race how to do your branch of magic. I will create a space that will allow you a month of training in but a blink of an eye, but only those who are willing to do it.” Archeon the Wise looked at her now friends, and asked Volumus, “Can you give us a moment to talk amongst ourselves?” “But of course.” He said as he felt the strife within them melting away. As he left the three mages sat and faced one another. Archeon the Wise turned to the others, “We are about equal in wins. No matter who wins two of us lose. Let’s talk about what’s at stake and see if we can’t figure out a way that we can all win.” So they talked about their wishes. In the end they decided that Crystal’s wish carefully worded would allow all of them to have what they wanted. Calling over the Draconequus, Crystal Hooves stepped forward and spoke, “We have all talked to each other and my wish is the one we are going with.” “Are you sure? You get only one rule free wish.” He asked. “Yes, the vote was unanimous.” “Well then by all means go ahead.” He said, sitting on a magically summoned throne. “I wish for a place outside of normal time that one can enter without experiencing the flow of time. That stores all magical knowledge ever created to be protected and saved from the ravages of time, elements, or any form of destruction that is open to all who wish to enter it.” She recited “Very well”, He said with a flick of his wrist a door appeared, “There are doors hidden throughout the planet. Those who seek knowledge and know where to look can find the entrances. As long as you are in there time will not affect anything in there. No age, no destruction, no death. But if you leave you will age like normal for as long as you are gone. Now may I ask why you wished as you did?” “I made that wish because we all had good wishes, and it was wrong for one of us to win, but the others suffer. It was thanks to Archeon that all of our wishes were possible through the making of one.” He gave a clap of his hands and said, “You all have done well, now make sure that the lesson you’ve learned here is shared to others.” From that day on the three mages shared their story with all who would hear. Their actions would shape history and legend, and it was how the magical arts were saved. So if you have the thirst for knowledge and know where to look, one can to this day learn the lessons of our elders so that their wisdom will never be lost.” Sparkler finished the story and looked at the two fillies beside her. Scootaloo was fighting sleep with all her might focusing on the book before her as her head weaved and bobbed as sleep struggled for dominance. Dinky, on the other hoof, was passed out and drooling on her sister’s shoulder. Sparkler nuzzled her, “Night Dinks. Good night Scootaloo.” “Good night.” Scootaloo said with a yawn before passing out. Author's Note Exposition for those who are interested. Explanation on other pony magic can be seen here. Basics. Earth Ponies use Natural Energy, and Full Metal Alchemist style Alchemy, as well as nature magic. I love the fanon that has Pegasi using lightning for sewing, metal work, ect. And Lightning is the purest form of energy imo. So they shape it into patterns to do "Techniques" similar to Naruto ninjas. And unicorns are unicorns. Liquid Silver is Mercury. I was looking for old terms for it [since the story is an old timey one.] and hydrogyros [water silver] sounded to retarded. And anyone whose read Eragon knows what an Eldunari is. Which the Heart of Hearts for a dragon is canon for me. Although in my head canon it doesn't dissolve, but acts as the core of a dragons memories and power. They can choose to live on it or not. This chapter was hectic to write. But I hope that I did it justice. I had to actually break the chapter into segments to make the flow more smoother. So the next chapter is coming soon after it gets edited. You're Not AloneThe next morning as everyone sat around the table munching on their plateful of waffles with apple cinnamon compote, Raindrops looked over at Scootaloo, “Scootaloo, while Sparkler and Dinky are going back to their place, why don’t you come with me to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie said that she missed giving you your testing goodie bag.” “Okay. Hey Dinky?” Dinky looked up from her warzone that was her side of the table, “Whafs ish zit?” Dinky asked, tiny flecks of food shooting out like masticated missiles. “Hahahaha! Oh that’s funny! I was wondering if you’d like to go Crusading with us if everypony is allowed to today?” Scootaloo said with a grin. Gulping down her food, Dinky gave a Scootaloo a thoughtful expression, “Well I want to hang out with my mommy for a bit since she just got better, but if I think I might be able to.” “So Dinky, what do you think is going to happen to Diamond Tiara?” Scoots asked. “I don’t know, but I hope she’s not mean anymore.” Dinky sighed before digging back into her waffles. Raindrops looked over at Sparkler, “Sparkler, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind doing a foalsitting job next Wednesday?” “What time?” “From around sixish till around ten.” “Okay. Sounds perfect.” Sparkler said taking out a date planner and marking it down. The rest of breakfast continued in relative silence, and all too soon Scootaloo and her new friends split ways. Raindrops looked down at the filly trotting beside her as they entered Ponyville proper. “You know about what we talked about yesterday?” “Yeah. When is Pinkie going to get everypony together?” She asked. “This saturday. Lyra’s going to be coming with Bon Bon since she’s the co-owner of Bon Bon’s Confectionaries, but everypony is going to be there. Before we get into Ponyville I wanted to tell you something.” Raindrops said with a sad smile. “What?” Scootaloo asked looking up at her. “You are no longer alone. If you need anything I’ll do my best to be there for you. Even if you end up with a different family, I’ll make sure that you never have to be alone again. You’ve been through so much, and have done things that most ponies never have to go through. But you don’t have to do those things any more. I just wanted you to know that.” She said, draping a wing across Scootaloo’s back. “Raindrops?” “Yes Scootaloo?” “Did I really do something wrong taking those things?” She asked with a shiver borne from guilt as she moved closer into Raindrops. “You did what you needed to do to survive. But yes, what you did was something that you should never have been driven to do. I can’t tell you how the others will react, and I’m sorry I can’t. But I will stand by you and help you where I can.” “Kays.” Scootaloo whispered. The rest of their walk was as silent as the breakfast they had earlier. But where the breakfast was a comfortable silence this was one of the most awkward silences Scootaloo had to go through feeling like a pony marching to the gallows rather than going to her favorite sweet shop. She really hoped that the rest of the day would turn out awesome. But she’d know depending on how things turned out with Pinkie Pie. As they entered the back entrance to the Cake’s Confectionary Emporium, Pinkie Pie opened the door with a fanfare of confetti and noise makers. “Hiya Scoots!” she said with unbridled enthusiasm. “Hi Pinkie.” Scoots said mournfully with her head hung low. “Awww! What’s the matter?” She asked while plopping down next to Scootaloo. “Did Raindrops tell you what I was going to say to everypony on Saturday?” She murmured, averting her gaze from Pinkie Pie.Her heart was steadily sinking with the realization that she was going to have to tell everypony the truth, that she stole from her friends and from ponies who needed the bits just as much as she did.. “Raindrops, I changed my mind. I can’t do this.” Scoots said sadly as she started to turn around. “What’s the matter Scootaloo? Come on, let’s put a smile on that face!” Pinkie bounced softly over to Scootaloo before affectionately ruffling her mane. “I-I just can’t. I thought I could be braver when I asked, but I can’t. And I don’t deserve a friend like you.” Scoots miserably stuttered. She went to turn gallop away, but Pinkie Pie picked her up and whispered gently, “Don’t be a silly filly, of course you deserve a friend like me. Everypony needs friends. Now why don’t you tell Auntie Pinkie what the problem is.” “Pinkie, I can’t take any of your food, I’ve been a bad pony.” Scootaloo said whispered back. The warm embrace of Pinkie Pie shocking her out of her misery a little bit. “Why do you say that?” Pinkie asked setting Scootaloo down. “I don’t want to tell you. You’ll hate me.” Even saying it made a lump in her throat. Pinkie nuzzled her, and placing her left foreleg under her chin rose Scootaloo’s head up, “Come on inside and you can tell me all about it. I promise that no matter what you tell me I won’t hate you, you’ll always have a friend in me.” Ushering her in. Scootaloo thought that the newly formed pit in her stomach, and accompanying dread must be what a pony felt like walking to the gallows. When everypony got inside Raindrops wrapped a wing around her and gave her an encouraging nuzzle, before whispering, “It’ll be okay. I’ll be right here with you.” Giving a nod, she trotted over to Pinkie Pie, who looked at her in a caring, non-judgemental fashion waiting for Scootaloo to begin the radiant, kind smile on her face giving Scootaloo a bit of courage to continue. She struggled past the lump in her throat before she let it all out. “I-I-I sto-stole from you,” she bawled. It was something that had been nagging at the back of her mind since Raindrops told her that money was their livelihood. And Pinkie Pie was everypony’s friend. The fact that she, and the Cakes needed that money to live was something that she could ignore, but now was eating at her. “What did you steal?” Pinkie Pie asked with a sad smile, holding Scootaloo is a matronly hug. “Money from the table. I … I’m an orphan, and I didn’t think I was stealing until I talked with Raindrops yesterday, and you need that money, and I’m sorry.” Scootaloo babbled while burying her head in Pinkie Pie’s chest. The second she started she just let loose everything that had happened, “I just didn’t want to go hungry, and I needed to fix my scooter. It’s the only thing I have left of my family, and I needed to pay Apple Jack back for taking apples. I-I I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was being a bad pony.” “Shhhh… Shhhh,” Pinkie Pie said said stroking her mane as Scootaloo cried into her coat, “I know that you were an orphan. Heck after being one for awhile you know what it looks like. That’s why I let you know that you were always welcome here. Although you never spent the night here, you’re okay and that’s all that matters.” Sniffling onto Pinkie’s coat, Scootaloo, between snorts and tears, asked, “Really?” “Really, really. As for the money. I knew some of it was missing, but you really didn’t have to steal. After all, I was giving you bits whenever you visited, even if it was only what I could afford to give. But Scootaloo?” She said lifting Scootaloo’s head up. “Yes Pinkie?” Her eyes still leaking rivulets of tears. “I forgive you. I’m glad you found somepony for you like the Cakes were for me. It’s good to have a home.” Scootaloo squeezed Pinkie Pie in as strong as possible while Raindrops finally got an edge in to talk, “You knew? Why didn’t you do anything if you knew?” “Which knew?” She countered with a head tilt. “That she was an orphan?” “Easy, I thought that everypony knew with all the nice things the girls were doing for her, and how Rainbow Dash took her as an honorary little sister. With how much she talks about Scootaloo, and how the topic of her parents never came up I thought they were just avoiding a sensitive subject. But I did tell her that she was always welcome here and that meant day or night. Since she never came at night I thought that she had places to go.” Pinkie Pie replied as if the subject was as easy as pie. Raindrops felt the need to facehoof, but she knew that Pinkie Pie’s heart was in the right place. With how rare orphans and orphanages were, she couldn’t blame Pinkie for not knowing the proper things to do when these things came up. Before she could say anything Scootaloo spoke up again. “Pinkie Pie, you are the best friend ever. Thank you! Are you sure you don’t hate me?” Scootaloo asked in a fragile manner. “Of course not, and you’re welcome. You are a good pony, you just did what you needed to do. I paid off the missing bits when it happened so the Cakes don’t know, but if you want to make it up to me, on Hearth’s Warming Day me and the girls as well as their sisters are going to have a huge party. You will help me the day before getting the food cooked. Sound fair?” She said with a huge grin. “Sounds good.” Scootaloo said with a smile. “Pinkie Pie, on the subject of cooking. Can I schedule her to learn how to cook from you? She learned from Rainbow -” “Say no more. I know how super, duper, action packed, Rainbow Dash can be with food. But it’s not for every pony. Of course I’ll teach her how to not summon Elder Gods, demonic entities, and beings that should never be from the oven.” “Perfect. Scootaloo, I’ll give Rainbow Dash the birthday cake of chaos that you made two nights ago before it goes bad. Also I’m looking for ponies who’ll plant those weird, tasty fruit things that your cake summoned. I’m still finding weird vines in random spots in the kitchen.” Raindrops said, gathering Pinkie Pie’s goodie bag and putting it in Scootaloo’s tattered saddlebags mentally making sure that she would go and get a new pair for her later. Pinkie Pie gave Scootaloo another hug and assurance that she was forgiven and everything was alright between them. As Scootaloo and Raindrops walked to the schoolhouse, Scootaloo had a good feeling about the coming day, That turned out alright, and I feel different now. Better? Lighter? I don’t know what this is, but I’m feeling like today is going to be perfect. Author's Note So starting to build a buffer. A special thank you to Cold Spike for pointing out that Raindrops would be shocked, and as for the guilt thing. It's starting to show up here and next chapter. It's going to build over the next few chapters. If y'all want to see it show up more prominently let me know, or if you want her to tell the Crusader's everything before the big reveal. Next Chapter RaindropsX Cloud Kicker shipping set into motion. And I wonder if y'all will be able to guess which Crusader ends up with who. An Epic CrusadeIt was recess by the time the rest of the Crusaders could get together, Apple Bloom was the first to speak, “Hey Scoots, my sister said that I’m invited to a private get together with her and a few others for a party for you. What’s that all about? And has anyone else noticed that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon haven’t looked at each other all day and look more sadder than a dog without a bone?” “Me and Rarity have the same invitation, What’s the special occasion Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle added. “I don’t know if I should say anything right now. Let’s just have some fun and try getting our cutie marks. As for those two… it’s a nice change, but I still don’t know if I should feel bad or not.” “You know that no matter what we’ll always be your friends and Crusaders stick together forever no matter what? Right?” Apple Bloom asked, placing a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder comfortingly. “That’s right. Together forever.” Sweetie said placing her hoof on Scootaloo’s other shoulder. “Thanks girls. I promise you I’ll tell you everything soon. I just hope you’re all still my friends afterwards,” She replied in a near whisper, before adding in a louder tone, “Anyways enough of this touchy feely stuff. Let’s talk about cutie marks!” “Alright, so what do we do in these Crusader thingies anyways?” Mango Dash asked. “Aye! I’ve been wondering about that too.” Pip piped in. “Well, we come up with ideas that sound awesome and try them to get our cutie marks. After all if we do as much stuff as possible we should eventually get our cutie marks.” Sweetie Belle said, “Even when we don’t get them, it’s still fun.” “Sounds like a blast.” Pip said with a squeak of excitement, to which the others, jumping ecstatically, were in agreement. “Okay ponies! I got the perfect idea.” Scootaloo said, leaning to the group with a wide grin growing on her face. “Now Scootaloo, this isn’t like your idea of being firework technicians and almost blowing part of Cloudsdale up is it?” Apple Bloom asked while raising eyebrow. “One time! One time! And nopony lets you live it down,” Scootaloo said throwing her forelegs up to the air in exasperation, “But to answer your question no. I got something even better planned.” Mango Dash held a hoof up in the air, getting the attention of the other Crusaders, “Wait… you mean the one who almost caused the Cloudsdale Weather Corporation to catch on fire?” “It wasn’t that bad, and Rarity paid off the damages.” Sweetie Belle replied. “What about their mayor’s fear of loud noises?” “Well the point is nopony got injured and we apologized.” Shrugging, Scootaloo got things back on track, “Okay, ignoring accidental, slight damage to property, and some ponies overreacting to an awesome firework display for free. I was thinking of doubling up. We can try pony catapult and hang gliding. It’d be so awesome.” “While that sounds fun, how do you land a hang glider?” Dinky asked. “Easy, you simply aim it at a tree. It’ll help you land,” Apple Bloom stated, “Well at least how we’ve managed to land. The last few times we’ve tried it.” Sweetie gave Scootaloo a quick hug, “Good idea Scootaloo. Now we just need to get some stuff to build everything. We can try getting our Cutie Marks in engineering again.” Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a playful punch in the foreleg, “Good thinking Sweets. That’s three attempts at once.” Hitting their hooves together the Crusaders yelled in unison, “Cutie Mark Crusader Catapult Hang Gliders! Yay!” While Scootaloo and the Crusaders were at school, Raindrops was doing her side job over with the Weather Team. They had a partly cloudy day scheduled with a shifting cloud schedule that would move a series of clouds throughout Ponyville from eight in the morning till around three in the afternoon. She was paired with Cloud Kicker today and the timing couldn’t be better. “Hey Cloud Kicker, about the date.” Raindrops said shifting on the cloud a little bit. “Yes?” “I can’t go today, I have a pony I’m looking after. But if it’s alright, how about this coming Wednesday? I got a foalsitter to look after her from six to ten. If that’s alright with you?” Raindrops asked nervously. “Perfect!” Cloud Kicker’s voice went up several octaves, noticing that she coughed and in a regular pitch said, “That sounds fine. So how’ve you been?” “Actually pretty good. This filly I’m looking after is really one of a kind, in a good way. That and with Ditzy better, she finally get out of quarantine and can see her fillies,” Raindrops said with a smile, “What about you? We haven’t talked in so long, I kind of miss our Girl’s Nights out.” “Well things were going well with me and Berry Punch for a while, but we broke up, it was a mutual thing. She met this other mare, Carrot Top, and they hit it off. So that’s good I guess. Alula is visiting again from Canterlot and I’ve been showing her the sites. I’m just lucky that her accidental shifts don’t gather than much attention here. Especially after we had to take her out of Celestia’s school when ponies were noticing that she never aged. That was a mess to explain. But enough about me. How’s life been going for you since you’ve moved to Ponyville?” “It’s been amazing. Thank you so much for talking me into moving here.” “Anything for a friend.” Cloud Kicker said while scratching the back of her head with her left foreleg. “Oh! And is this a date, date? Or an as friends date?” Raindrops asked. “Date, date.” Cloud Kicker said in a way that was more of a question than a statement which totally flew over Raindrops head. “That sounds like it’ll be fun. So you’ll pick me up at six?” “At six.” They settled into a comfortable silence as the flew side by side. Each reminiscing about a past shared, and imagining the fun that was coming in their upcoming date. Especially excited was Raindrops who had never had time for romance with her work, and the fact that nopony ever asked her out before meant that if she wanted to make the best first impression and get some good advice she’d need to drop by Rarity’s Boutique.. With the dress that she made Ditzy Doo a few months back for her date with Holly Dash, Raindrops knew that if she wanted to make a good first impression it was going to be through Rarity. ~Later that day~ Five fillies and one colt sat before their catapults. Each of the Crusaders got into their respective hang gliders and tried to get their ropes properly positioned to get them airborne. Pip looked nervously at the contraption that Apple Bloom helped him construct, “Oi! Apple Bloom, are you sure this is safe?” “Of course. We did this plenty of times. The first time for our cutie marks, now we just do this every now and then for the fun of it. But now that I know that you can get multiple cutie marks, I gotta collect them all. Now what y’all are going to want to do is sit with the gliders facing forward, pull on your ropes and hang on to y’alls gliders for dear life.” “I don’t know,” Pip whispered to himself, but Apple Bloom picked up on it. “Trust me, I’d never let anypony do something if it was too dangerous. That plus if you get in trouble I’ll be right there to help you. Alright?” She said with a smile. “Well okay. I trust you.” Pip said with a much weaker smile. “Alright everypony! Let’s get this party started!” Scoots yelled at the top of her lungs giving her rope a pull followed shortly by the others. Click, Click, Click, THWOOMP! Six foals were launched from their respective catapults, shooting the living missiles skywards. Their screams of elation flowed to echoing laughter heard through the park drew more than a few pairs of eyes as they reached the apex of their climb. Pip and Dinky, being new to being above ground, flew in a haphazard and shaky matter as they finally looked down and tried overcompensating to keep still. Mango flapped her wings moving herself in between them, “Hey short stuff! Don’t try overthinking it. Just point the tip where you want to go and enjoy the ride.” The rest of the ride was relaxing with a great deal of fun, as the those who had more experience helped the other Crusaders with their first time as they flew in a lazy path around the park. Eventually Pipsqueak spoke up, “Oi! I don’t want to crash into a tree. I’m going to just drop into the lake … I think.” He said, looking at the lake a ways off and how far down it was. “Sounds like fun, and I doubt that there is tree sap in a lake. Come on girls lets dive!” Scootaloo yelled as they got close enough for them to dive. Soon each of them were speeding to the center of the lake, screaming and laughing as the plummeted. When they hit, the resulting splash caused a colossal, explosive fountain of water to spray and soak those who stood to watch the show, a miniature rainbow forming in the falling water over the lake and surrounding area. As the Crusaders got out of the lake they were met with a loud cheer from the impromptu audience that their earlier shouts had attracted. Looking at the each other's flank they noticed they were still bare, there collected disappointment let loose as they simultaneously let out a depressed, “Awwwwww!” before bowing to the cheering crowd. Whether it was from not causing collateral damage or from the sheer awesomeness of their little stunt they didn’t know. “Hey Crusaders, gather round. I’ll get us dry lickety split.” Mango said, when they gathered in front of her she stood on her hind legs. With a hop and a rapid flapping of her right wing did a spinning jump kick. The wind was powerful enough to pull the water off her friends and draw it to her stomach, and with a quick reversal kicked the watery orb back into the lake, “Hurricane Kick Blow Dry! I love that move.” She said with pride. “Well that was fun, but at least we can take off Pony Catapults, Hang Gliding, Engineering, and Water Diving off the list.” Sweetie said sadly. “But at least it was fun.” Pip chirped. “Yeah, it didn’t matter that it was a bust, I still enjoyed having fun with everypony.” Dinky said as she strode over to Mango, “Me and Mango have a bit longer before our moms need us back home.” “Alright then, let’s get some icecream real quick.” Sweetie said. After they all packed themselves into the cart, Scootaloo drove them to the local ice cream bar. The buzzing of Scootaloo’s wings acted like a horn, warning to other ponies as she blasted through the street, arriving in almost no time to the establishment. “Well everypony, what should we try for our next cutie marks?” Apple Bloom asked over a bowl of Pistachio Mango ice cream with fudge ripples. “I think we should get it in potion making, or making muffins?” Dinky suggested. “Sure! We can do both of them, first we can make potions, and then use the potions for the special ingredients in the muffins! Nothing can go wrong, all we need to do is make sure we don’t use anything dangerous!” Apple Bloom cheerfully replied. “But aren’t we banned from Zecora’s hut when she’s not around since that time we accidentally made a potion that summoned giant mutant caterpillars into her home?” Scoots asked, memories of the pony sized, many mouthed creatures causing her to shudder. Looking at her friends stares, “Hey, if Dashie can summon elder gods and alter reality from her cooking, what do you think her student is going to do when brewing potions?” She asked rhetorically. “Well if we get our own stuff we won’t have to worry about that.” Apple Bloom replied with a grin. Hitting the hooves together the Cutie Mark Crusaders let loose a window shaking yell, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER MAGICAL MUFFIN MAKERS YAY!” Author's Note Over 100 upvotes, and so close to the 150 fav mark. I'm so happy right now. Thank y'all for reading and enjoying my fic. I hope that the upcoming chapters will only become more enjoyable as time goes on. So we see a little bit about Cloudkicker (more a little bit more to come next chapter). More will be revealed in chapter 10, and I'm liking the direction that she's taking. Anyone has any input on her now or in later chapters let me know and she can be given more definition as a character. As she's going to be after the big reveal in a few chapters from now. Slipped some foreshadowing on the CMC Ships, and yes Dash's cooking skills come up yet again. Inspired by this fic on EqD., although lately (and this most likely won't be canon) I've been reading the Petriculture Series, and the Random Chance, and weird things that happen around the CMC would be awesome if it was because Scoots was Sweetie Belle's Imaginary Friend. Last thing, next chapter has cracked scales, Raindrops in Social Worker mode, and more Cloud Kicker with her little sister, and a PSA in the A/N. Getting Ready~The Previous Evening~ Cloud Kicker strolled to her house with her thoughts on Raindrops and uncontained glee that she said yes to a date. It was something she had been working up the courage to do for awhile now. She was one of the few ponies from behind the Weather Team that liked her for herself, and fought to maintain her reputation from the ponies that slandered her, calling her a slut or an easy lay. Spreading lies about how she would screw anything with four legs and a pulse, it was infuriating, but made her appreciate Weather Team and the few friends she had all the more. She had always admired Raindrops since she met her in Canterlot. Back then she offered to help her out in learning her way around Canterlot nobility because there was something about seeing her looking so downtrodden that hit a chord with her, after learning that she was working on making a better Canterlot. Seeing the fire in her eyes, and the passion in her voice, she wanted to help out even more. Through the years helping her out, Raindrops never asked for a bit, even though Cloud Kicker funded her anyways. She was the few non-nobles who, upon knowing that she was loaded, didn’t try hitting her up for bits, or trying to dig for gold. It was in a word, refreshing. She was shaken from her revelry when Alula came out of her room, “Hi’ya sis. I’m done with my homework.” Alula chirped. “That’s good. Are you ready for your new school when you go back to Canterlot?” Cloud Kicker asked. “I am, I just wish that I got the hang of this stupid transformation thing already! Stupid Alicorn hormones!” Alulu exclaimed stomping her hooves, “Nopony here in Ponyville seems to notice, but in Canterlot when they find out they call me ”Princess Erroria”, or ask if I’m really an ugly Changeling.” “Being an Alicorn foal sucks doesn’t it?” Cloud Kicker asked hugging her sister. “Uh-huh! Sis? I’m not an error am I? Like some giant mistake?” Alula asked. “Of course not. They’re just jealous that they aren’t as awesome as you. I’ll admit from the stories that I heard that Grandma Chicken Kicker was surprised when she popped you out. Probably as much as Cadence’s mom when she was born along side that slobbering twat Blueblood, talk about sibling rivalry. But you are, and never will be an error. You are my pretty little sis, and my number one wingmare.” Cloud Kicker replied, just like she always did when her sister’s secret came up. “I just hope you don’t grow old like sissy Gale did. I love you.” Alula said hugging her. “Don’t you worry about that. With all the plants, herbs and stuff to stay young I can stay young for at least another few centuries. Heck, Granny Smith is 850 years old, and still kicking,” Cloud Kicker said hugging her, “And I love you too. No matter how old you get, or what you do, you’ll always be my favorite sister. Now how about some dinner!” “Thank you sis. So what’re we having?” She asked. “Hmmm …,” Cloud Kicker said placing a foreleg on her chin, “How about a veggie cheeseburger, and you can choose Prench fries, or Sweet Potato fries, and a side of apple chips.” “I want those salty Prench fries you make. I’ve been craving them since forever!” Alula said bouncing, her temporary burst of angst pushed to the side for the promise of one of her favorite foods. “Sure thing short stuff, just don’t let our folks know that I’m spoiling you rotten.” Cloud Kicker replied over her shoulder with a smile. “I’m not rotten,” Alula said as she watched her sister’s deft wings maneuvering around the kitchen like an extra pair of limbs as Cloud Kicker got to the task of setting things up for dinner, “So sis, what’s gotten you in such a good mood?” “Do you remember Raindrops?” Placing her left foreleg over her chin, her skin rippled and shifted into that of an earth pony with a Cutie Mark of a single pink flower, “I remember her. She was friends with you over in Canterlot, the nice pony who didn’t care that I shifted at weird times?” “Yep! I’m going on a date with her next week.” Cloud Kicker give a little self-congratulatory cheer. “Finally. I swear, your luck with getting a special somepony is worse than sissy Steel’s was. At least Raindrops is nice.” Alula commented. “True, now I just need to put away my little black book, and be get ready for my special night. I’ll ask Derpy if Dinky wants to hang out with you that night.” “Alright. I love you sis.” Alula chirped. “I love you too.” Cloud Kicker replied warmly. As Cloud Kicker cooked she let herself think back onto her black book. It was her guilty secret, it wasn’t that she was some loose floozy but she hated being alone, and sometimes she’d meet a pony who liked her. Although they made horrible special someponies, they’d hook up, and when Cloud Kicker was feeling lonely, or as if she was less of a pony after a bad break up. It was nice to have a pony there for her that would, even for a night, make her feel as if she was worth being around rather than her family's wealth, her family’s prestige and title of nobility, or other things that she worked her life escaping from the shadow of. That doesn’t mean that she didn’t love her family, but sometimes it was difficult to have the only thing that other ponies cared about being what they could get out of you, rather than being with you for you. Even the ponies in her black book only really were interested in being friends with benefits rather than something long term. Cloud Kicker, as she dwelled on this, put on a smile for her sister and thought about playing matchmaker. It was a little game she played once in a while, hooking up ponies in her book that looked like they’d be cute together. Even if she wasn’t the lucky pony at least she could make a friend happy. ~Today~ Raindrops watched as Scootaloo walk into the schoolhouse with a twinge of sadness for the little filly, but all things considered things turned out rather well. She wore a bittersweet smile as she went on to complete her to-do list before work. First on her list was to visit Twilight, and then onto Rarity’s. Before going to Twilight’s she procured a small cart to help carry the two hundred-odd lbs of gold she’d need to bring to Twilight’s from her rainy day fund to help pay off the bits that Scootaloo appropriated over the years. As she entered the library she heard a male voice call out from the kitchen, “I’ll be there in a second.” That comment was followed shortly by a pudgy dragon waddling out of the kitchen wearing a frilly pink apron with a bright purple heart embroidered in the center. Raindrops looked at him and tried placing his name, having not seen much of the little dragon other than when he was trailing after Rarity on the few times she saw Rarity get within a hundred miles of any activity that could dirty her coat. “Hello, my name’s Raindrops, what’s yours?” She asked bending down slightly to put her on eye level to Spike. “My name’s Spike, nice to meet you Raindrops. I’ll get Twilight for you, she’s not really a morning pony, Do you want some breakfast too?” He asked “No thanks, I had breakfast already, but thank you for offering,” She replied, “I’m here to talk to Twilight about something we agreed upon a few days ago.” “Alright, I was about to go get her anyways,” With that Spike waddled up the stairs to get Twilight. It was several minutes and several amusing muffled snippets of an argument when Twilight trudged down the steps with large bags under her eyes, “Hello Raindrops. Do you mind if I get some coffee in me before we start talking?” Twilight mumbled. “Sure, actually do you want me to come back later?” “No! It’s ok. I should’ve been up earlier, come join me and we can talk in a bit.” Twilight gave a grumbling reply. It was a short while later that Spike came in with a bowl of honey cinnamon oatmeal, and a steaming cup of coffee. Raindrops looked at him and asked the question that she’d been wondering since she’d seen the drake hauling working like a rented mule running errands all over the place for Twilight and more often than not Rarity. “So are you his Mistress?” Raindrops asked innocently. Twilight spat her coffee out, while falling over her breath coming out in coughs and indecipherable stammering of surprise. Spike on the other hand was bawling with laughter, clutching his sides as his body shook from the force of the laughs. When Twilight recovered she yelled, “What!?” “Well I’ll be honest I never got to properly know what the owner of a servant is. And you can’t be his master since master is a male term. So I thought you’d be his Mistress.” Raindrops said not seeing what she said wrong in the context of her question. “Oh! I thought you meant …” Twilight started to say before trailing off. “Ha! Oh that’s good. Even I thought you meant like in those romance novels Rarity gets all the time. Although I doubt ponies can really bend that way.” Spike said as his laugh calmed down. “Spike! I told you, you are too young to read those stories!” Twilight exclaimed in a startled tone, “But to answer your question. No I’m not his Mistress per say, rather I’m his … well we never really talked about what I am to him, but I guess I can see how my number one assistant could be classified as a servant. Looking back that term is rather fitting.” Spike looked shocked, “Does this mean that I’m no longer your number one assistant?” “Of course not. Think of it as a broadening of your duties, and you’re the best baby dragon servant I could ask for.” Twilight said matronly. “Ummm ...Princess?” Raindrops asked hearing the term baby dragon in that statement. “Yes, what is it?” “You said baby dragon, as in an infant. How old is he anyways?” “Oh! No, not baby in pony terms, rather in dragon terms. As for age, he’s about eleven. Same age as the Crusaders.” Twilight clarified. “And I have to ask this, I’m really sorry about it, but it’s my job.” Raindrops said. “I understand, it would be a sad state of affair if our civil servants didn’t do their jobs.” Twilight said, taking a sip of what was left of her coffee as Spike went to get a refill. “How long has Spike been working? What is his level of education? And have you been ensuring that he’s had the proper level of socialization required for his social milestones?” Raindrops asked, giving a stream of necessary questions to make sure the child was taken care of. “He’s been working since eight, the minimum age of a worker. He’s been taught by Princess Celestia, as well as my tutors. He knows how to respect and respond to authority, but he’s more likely to do what he thinks will please a pony more than he would to socialize like I’ve been learning to do. He does spend time with Rarity, and my other friends sometimes though, but even then he hasn’t really hit his social milestones. That’s my fault I guess since I wasn’t really social and I’ve worked him at my schedule for too long. I guess I could give him some more free time, or at least a schedule slightly less bound to my own.” Twilight answered. “Ok … um … never mind Princess.” Raindrops was going to start, but doing her job on a Princess was something that started to make her feel unsettled. Twilight sighed, and placed a hoof on Raindrops’ reassuringly, “As I said, I understand, your duty is to look after all types of youth. And while I have the documents for Spike’s workload and duties from the Princess I commend you for doing what you think is right. So ask.” “Well, I just need to do a quick look over to see that he has appropriate lodgings, and his body doesn’t show signs of abuse. After that my legal obligations are over and we can start talking about Scootaloo.” “Well let’s get started then,” Twilight said, getting up her refilled coffee cup held in her magic as she led her up to Spike and her shared room. Raindrops looked around and noticing that a dog’s nest lay beside Twilight’s bed said, “I didn’t know you kept a dog.” “Oh! That’s where Spike sleeps.” Twilight said offhoovedly. “What?” Raindrops’ left eye twitched slightly, “You know he’s a sentient, speaking being? Not a pet?” Twilight blushed and waved her hoof at Spike’s general direction, “He’s always slept in one of these, I never really thought about it before, after all it’s not like he complains about it.” Raindrops looked at Spike and asked, “Spike, do you like beds or are you comfortable contorting yourself to fit in that?” Spike shuffled a bit and shrugged, “I haven’t slept in a bed since Twilight was fourteen. So I guess it’s been what, nine years give or take?” Twilight at this moment was beyond embarrassed that she hadn’t thought about getting him to sleep in the spare bed in the room, or anywhere for nine years. Rather she’d kept him in the basket she got him almost a decade ago which wasn’t looking good for her right now, gave a nod of affirmation. “But me and Twilight can talk about that later, no offense.” Spike replied. “None taken, I’m just doing my job to ensure that everything’s alright. I guess there’s one last measure of business. Spike, do you mind if I touch you? I just need to do a quick examination of your body.” Raindrops said in a gentle but professional manner. “Alright,” Spike responded. She walked him over to the chair in front of Twilight’s desk, “I’m going to need you to stand up and touch your toes. I’ll look along your scales to make sure there’s no injuries. If everything checks out we’ll be done in no time.” Raindrops explained to Spike and Twilight. As Spike bent over and touched his toes Raindrops looked at his scales and rubbed her hooves carefully over them, stretching them and squishing looking to sense if anything was off. On his back she noticed numerous thin holes in the scales as if a thin, sharp object had been imbedded in the scales along random sections of his back. With a few of them causing cracks in the corners of quite a few of the scales. “Twilight can you come here please, I need you to look at these for a moment.” Waving her over she showed her what she was seeing, “What are these?” Twilight looked at them and took a deep breath, her left foreleg coming to her chest and thrusting outward as she exhaled, “Spike, did you know there were holes and cracks in your scales?” “Yeah, but it’s no big deal, I hardly feel them.” Spike said with a shrug. “Hardly? So you do feel it, since when?” Twilight asked her voice rising a little bit. “Every now and then when I’m cleaning up, and then when I was in that lava pool during the Dragon migration.” Spike said. “The … lava … pool? Dragon migration?” Raindrops said, disbelievingly falling to her haunches. “Spike … with those cracks you could’ve gotten lava into the skin under your scales, you could’ve been hurt!” Twilight said angrily, “Why didn’t you tell me this?” “It’s no big deal. I’m not hurt, and my scales will grow back after I shed them in a few years.” Spike replied, “And yeah, I went on the Dragon migration to see if I could find my birth parents. Dragons can rest in lava pools, it feels really relaxing actually. Other than the itch it gave me on my back after a while.” Twilight looked over at Raindrops, “Don’t worry about this, I’ll talk to Rarity personally about using Spike as a pincushion. Now what are your findings?” “Spike needs his own room, and an actual bed rather than a dog’s nest. And you need to pay more attention to his physical well being, but seeing as he was hiding it from you … fix it, and I’ll be back in a few days to check up on him, also I was planning on going to Rarity’s and I’ll need to speak to her about this as well,” Raindrops said in a professional manner, before changing the subject. “If it’s okay with you, let’s go back downstairs and I can talk to you about Scootaloo.” “Alright, you can speak to her first since it’s part of your job. But tell her when Spike and I get over there later we’re going to have a long talk,” Twilight said with a terse nod. Raindrops sat with Twilight, who had recently given Spike a bag of bits, and a the day off to have a day on the town for himself. She looked at Raindrops and sighed, “I can’t believe I never noticed what effect being a pincushion had on him. I mentioned it to him before, but he said he had thick scales. Although thinking back on it, it’s only a centimeter thick at most, give or take a few millimeters by my estimate.” “I guess I can understand that. I mean, he’s the only dragon in civilization that I know of. So there’s going to be some hit and miss areas, at least you’re willing to work on problem areas and make sure that he’s better taken care of. Now onto what brought me here,” Raindrops said. “I guess it’s about the small get together that Pinkie planned.” “Well, partially,” She pulled out several different sized bags of bits with different names on them from out of her cart. Altogether it was 1,510 bits for the money taken by Scootaloo as well as an extra bag next to Rarity’s bit bag that held, 8,996 bits. 10,506 bits was a 4 months wages for a Weathermare and bits that she had been saving to make additions to her house. But to make a filly’s life better was a greater cause to Raindrops, “These bits are marked to the ponies that Scootaloo took money from. Can I ask you to make sure it gets to them?” “That’s a lot of bits.” Twilight said. “Not when stretched over five years. She took them from table tops, on floors, and hidden in furniture. She didn’t know it was stealing since it was out in the open in the more communal areas of places she’s visited, and she used it to get food as well as repair her scooter which was the last gift she has of her family.” Raindrops replied sadly. “Five years? You're telling me that all of Ponyville ignored a homeless filly for five years and nopony has noticed? I should tell the girls,” Twilight whispered, her body in a state of shock at the news. “I think it should be something she says, after all this party is so that she can tell everypony. But if you think it’s wise, please try to make sure that it doesn’t go past your group, I think it would hurt Scootaloo if everypony knew about it before she was ready.” “Don’t worry, everything will turn out fine. Is there anything else?” Twilight reassured Raindrops. “Yes, from both to you and Cheerilee, she took pencils, scrolls, papers, and other utensils she needed for school, but I don’t know how much she took, nor how much it’d cost altogether.” “Don’t worry about that. I was wondering about where they ran off to, but as long as they went to further a pony’s education, I’m alright with that. I’ll admit the money might go quite a ways to rectifying what she did. But this is Ponyville I’m sure when they find out that she took what was needed for survival they won’t press legal action, but they might want some other form of recompense. As for our other point of business. "I’m still looking for ponies who’d be willing to take in Scootaloo, there’s none so far who’d be willing to take in a pegasus who can’t fly,” Twilight said with a sigh, she placed her cup down and, ruffling her wings, continued, “Anyways, there’s another matter about Scootaloo. If what she has is a disability and not just underdevelopment? Are you going to take her to the doctors to get her physical? It should help things along greatly.” “It’s next week actually. The day after we have the little get together, I’ve got to go to Rarity’s about getting an appointment for a fitting and a pick up for a new dress. I’ll be seeing you this weekend. Later Twilight, and thank you for being forgiving of Scootaloo. I bet she’ll appreciate it.” Twilight waved farewell as Raindrops left the Library, Now onto Rarity’s. Hopefully I can get this little snafu cleared up since it sounds so unlike the Rarity I know to purposefully endanger anypony. And hopefully I can get some good dating tips out of her before the day is done. Raindrops entered Rarity’s shop where she heard her yell out her from out of sight, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique! I’ll be right up!” A clattering of material was heard from the room behind the entrance, and a quick ruffling sound before a slightly haggard looking Rarity came out, “Hello darling, it’s been simply forever since we’ve had time to talk. What can I help you with?” “Well I came here for a few reasons, but the foremost is something that’s a little private.” Raindrops said. Rarity gave her a discerning glance before waving Raindrops to follow her. Walking toward the kitchen she turned to look over her shoulder, “Would you like a cup of tea?” “That’d be nice, thank you.” Raindrops replied. After setting down on Rarity’s light, oaken table Raindrops waited as Rarity got her tea ready. As she waited she went over everything in her mind trying to set up how to go about the upcoming conversation. She was so lost in her thoughts that she was startled when she heard Rarity cough to get her attention. “So darling, what can I do for you?” Rarity asked. “Well a few things. First and most important is something that Twilight is going to be coming over to talk to you herself, but I thought I’d bring it up to your attention,” said Raindrops , shuffling her cup idly from hoof to hoof across the table, “I went to Twilight’s earlier to talk about something I promised to talk to her about two days ago. When I went there I saw Spike and ended up giving him an inspection,” She took a deep breath readying herself for what she was going to ask when Rarity interrupted. “How’s my little Spikey Wikey? Is he alright?” Rarity asked, the front half of her body leaning dramatically over the table. “Well that’s the problem. Twilight said that you... Use him as a living pin cushion?” “True, but he says that it doesn’t bother him, and he does have thick scales. He’d tell me if something was bothering him.” “When I looked him over, he had holes in his scales, and a few of them caused chips. He said that it was causing him discomfort every now and then. He also mentioned that when he was in the lava pit during … the dragon migration, I’ll never get used to hearing about that. He mentioned that it caused him discomfort there as well. If the holes were any deeper the lava could’ve gotten past his armor, and who knows what would’ve happened. Now I’m not blaming you for anything, I know you wouldn’t intentionally harm anyone. But I have to ask, why would you put holes in the natural defenses of anyone, much less a child? And why you didn’t notice the damage it was causing?” “Well … I guess I never really thought about it. It was so convenient to have something that I could hold needles in while focusing my magic on my work. I never really thought about how it was affecting him. Yes, everypony knows about his crush to me, but that he’d ignore his own health and safety. To think that I hurt my poor Spikey Wikey,” Rarity said bemoaned before adding dramatically with a swoon, “Of! All! The! Worst! Possible! Things! This is the worst!” “Since it was accidental, in that you didn’t know that poking a dragon full of holes was dangerous, and his guardian didn’t know what it was doing, all I’m going to say is that you be more careful with him, but Twilight wanted me to pass on a message that Spike and her are going to talk with you later,” Raindrops said, taking a drink of her tea. “Most definitely! I have four years of accidental harm to make up for! With Celestia as my witness, he shall be the happiest dragon in all of Equestria! Now I just need to figure out how to fix this before I lose his friendship forever!” Rarity exclaimed, before remembering that Raindrops came for other business. Having a different problem to focus on while letting her mind stew over solutions for the bigger problem might be just what the doctor ordered. Giving her a discerning gaze, she added, “But now you came here for other business. What can I do for you?” “Well two things, I needs a dress for next Wednesday and I never dated anypony before so I wanted to know if you could both make me a dress as well as maybe … probably give me dating tips?” Raindrops asked. “Well darling, let’s get your measurements, and after I fix things up with Spike I’ll get you prepared for your special somepony. All I ask is that you tell me everything about your date!” Rarity said with a predatory grin. Hopefully things get fixed with Spike, I hate seeing a child put in danger's way. Then there’s Scootaloo, if we can’t fix her getting her to fly and nopony adopts her what will I do? I can’t abandon her, I’ve taken care of lots of ponies but I’ve never raised one before. Could I do that for her? Could I be what she needs, or do I need to find somepony better than I could ever be for her? Raindrops thought to herself as she was led to Rarity’s work room. Author's Note How do y'all think I did introducing Cloud Kicker as a character? Things are finally getting started, and my editor made a comment that what I slipped passed the radar this time was much bigger than usual [tastefully paraphrased]. I love the little fun I get with that Trope. Next chapter has the CMC Magic Muffin Maker's going full power. Scoots makes a reveal and Dashie gets a spot in the fic. [MMM] Magical Muffin MakersThe rest of the day was a blur. Friday soon rolled around, the day before Scootaloo’s big reveal. She knew most of the ponies wouldn’t see it coming that she was an orphan, and few would see that she had taken what she needed to survive from them, but she’d tell everypony everything when the meeting came around tomorrow. In her eyes it was reasonable, at least until a few days ago when Raindrops brought it to her attention that the bits she was taking were needed for them, just as much as it was for her. But with Pinkie Pie’s reaction, she was ready to tell the other four most important ponies in her life, and the three extras who just joined the Crusaders. She was lost in her thoughts as the Crusaders trotted over to the Cakes’ shop to get Pinkie Pie’s help in preparing the potions, and loading up cupcake batter with the potions as the secret ingredients. The fillies were lucky that Twilight and Zecora were both busy with their own personal business to inquire too deeply when they asked for herbs, gems, and a potion book, and a promise that they had adult supervision. It had taken a huge dip out of the fund the Crusaders had from doing odd jobs that weren’t part of them making up what Crusader Insurance didn’t cover from their escapades, but in the end they had everything they needed for the day’s activities. “So everypony today’s the day Ah can feel it! There’s no way that anythang can go wrong, especially since I got Zecora to help me makes some magic dust to undo any dangerous stuff that might come up, and with Pinkie Pie helping the plan is foolproof.” Apple Bloom said with an air of confidence, “Are you sure? Dinky was telling me what happened when Scootaloo tried cooking,” Mango asked trotting faster to get closer to Apple Bloom. “Well, Scootaloo’s a special case, Ah love her like a sister but put her near anything that requires cooking and not even Celestia can predict what’ll happen,” Apple Bloom answered with a chuckle. “Kays, this shall be interesting to see,” Mango mumbled. “Aye! It’ll be a blast!” Pip chimed in, as they trotted into the back entrance of the store. They arrived to a chaotic storm of pink as Pinkie Pie bounced from one edge of the kitchen to the other. Switching uncooked and cooked goods from the ovens, getting utensils set up, cleaning, and cooking at a pace that could only be described as mind bending. It was after nearly a minute of watching, their eyes spinning in their heads from the attempt of keeping track of Pinkie Pie before Pinkie Pie stopped, just as fast as she was previously moving in front of them. “So I see that you’re here, you must all be excited aren’t ya! Huh?! Huh?! I bet you are, getting your cutie marks in magical cooking! This is so exciting, I’m so going to use the muffins that you make and use them for a giant party to celebrate!” Pinkie said ecstatically her body practically vibrating from a mixture of raw energy and excitement. “That’d be great! Thank you Miss Pinkie,” Dinky said looking around at the kitchen. “Awwww! You’re welcome, and you don’t have to call me miss. Pinkie, or Pinkie Pie is good enough,” She replied giving a playful ruffle of Dinky’s mane, “Now I’m going to be supervising you all today to make sure that you stay safe when cooking.” “No offense, but I heard from other ponies that you’re random. Why are you concerned about safety?” Mango asked innocently. Pinkie gave a playful laugh that hid just how much that comment stung seeing as how Mango was just a filly and didn’t know any better, “I’m not really random as much as my head is so full of things that I have trouble getting it out in a way that others easily understand sometimes. “But as for safety, I’d never want any of my friends to get hurt, and I’m always careful when doing things that could be dangerous. After all, if I get injured then I’d not be around for awhile until I got better. Does that answer your question?” “Yeah … sorry,” Mango said scuffing the floor with her left forehoof. “It’s alright, now the fritters and cherry-chimichangas should be about done. I’ll get everything set up and help you all with your potions. Or at least help make sure you prepare them safely,” Pinkie replied as she wandered to the stove just as the timer went off. It took Pinkie Pie and the Crusaders several minutes to get their cauldrons set up, and mix enough cupcake batter for each of them. Pinkie Pie watched them as they got started on their concoctions to ensure that nothing blew up, or did anything to dangerous while brewing. Scootaloo was slowly preparing her ingredients, mulling over revealing her secret to her friends. She promised that when it was the right time she’d do it, and so far Pinkie Pie had given her a positive reception to her confession. A part of her didn’t want to tell other ponies. After all, she’d been taking care of herself for five years and nopony before now cared what she took. But on the other hoof she knew know that taking from others, even though the circumstances were dire, wasn’t a good habit to have now that she didn’t need to live that way anymore. If anything Scootaloo was a responsible filly, and she was going to do the right thing. But telling her friends and Dashie was more difficult than telling the others. They were more important to her than any other pony, and the thought that this might cause a rift between them that she couldn’t fix felt like an icy dagger stabbing her in the heart. “So Scootaloo, y’all been mighty quiet lately. What’s the matter?” Apple Bloom asked. “Nothing … just thinking about something,” Scootaloo mumbled. “No wonder I thought I smelled smoke,” Apple Bloom ribbed, much to Scootaloo’s annoyance, “Sorry, no need to get all sulky. It’s just odd for you to be so deep in thought. You usually act before you think. So what’re you thinking about?” “You remember how I said that I’d tell all of you everything about the party later? And how you’d say that no matter what we’d be friends forever?” Scootaloo said with a sad flap of her wings. “Ah sure do,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well I’m just thinking of the right way to say it,” Scootaloo said softly as she moved onto the next set of ingredients. Sweets gave Scootaloo a nuzzle, saying, “Whenever you’re ready to tell us what’s been bothering you we’re here for you.” Scootaloo responded with a series of affirmative mumbles as she went back to her ingredients. The act of preparing her potion was calmingly monotonous, and helped her get herself ready for what she needed to say, “Hey Pinkie? Can I talk to the Crusaders alone real quick?” “Sure thing Scootaloo. Just come get me before you light up the cauldrons,” Pinkie Pie responded chipperly. When the room was clear Scootaloo took a deep breath and began, “So Apple Bloom ... Sweetie Belle … we’ve been friends for a long time right?” “Mmmhmmm,” they both replied interested in where this was going after waiting two days to hear what was bothering their friend. “And you promised that we were friends no matter what,” Scootaloo reminded them nervously. At this point the Crusaders were looking at one another. Thousands of thoughts ran through their heads as they wondered what Scootaloo could possibly have done that would make her so nervous. Even the newer Crusaders knew of Scootaloo’s reputation of being fearless. “We’ve already said we would,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well the thing is…” Scootaloo looked at her friends, taking a deep breath, “I’ve been homeless for the last five years, and I was taking bits I found out in the open since I didn’t consider it stealing, then Raindrops said told me it was two days ago. I also took bits from AJ, Dashie, and Rarity and lots of other ponies. I also took gems from Rarity after she was done with big orders to trade for bits. I’m so sorry, but I needed that money, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier I just didn’t want to be taken away and lose all of my friends here!” Scootaloo said in a single breath. The words came out in a rush as she tried to say as much as possible as fast as possible, after she was done she hung her head with her ears flattened against her head as she awaited her friends reaction. “Wait … what?!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “I’ve been living on the streets for the last five years, and sometimes at the clubhouse since I met you girls, and I’ve lived off the bits I found laying around in the open, because I didn’t figure anypony would miss them,” Scootaloo started to say before being interrupted by Apple Bloom. “What’ve you been eating all this time?” She asked, her face still showing the shock she was feeling. “Apples I found laying around, free food from Pinkie Pie, Sleep overs, and things you really don’t want to know about,” Scootaloo answered with an embarrassed blush. “Wait, you took our Apples?” Apple Bloom asked. “Yeah, but I used some of the bits I took and placed them on the table you have by the couch. So it’s not like I didn’t pay for them,” Scootaloo said defensively. “Sorry,” Apple Bloom said, “I don’t think Applejack would care about that since Rainbow Dash is always taking our apples and she hasn’t done more than yell at her so far.” “What about the gems, what happened with them?” Sweetie Belle asked. “You know that pony I told you about who trades gems for bits?” Scootaloo said, pawing the floor with her left foreleg. “Yeeaah...” Sweetie answered slowly. “Well he knows me since I usually give him Rarity’s gems,” Scootaloo said. “Oh, well Rarity thinks Spike’s been taking them for food. So that’s no big deal. But why didn’t you tell any of us? Don’t you trust us?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I do, I was just afraid that if anypony found out then they’d take me away from everypony here and send me to an orphanage. The closest one is in Manehatten and I didn’t want to lose you all,” Scootaloo said sadly. Her wings hanging limply at her sides. The Crusaders wrapped Scootaloo in a hug and Sweetie Belle whispered, “Well at least you finally told us. We’ll make sure that nopony takes you away because we’re best friends forever.” Mango Dash broke from the hug and looked at Scootaloo, “You know you should tell Rainbow Dash, she’s always talking about you and I think she’d be more angry if you waited to tell her later. She might be angry that you didn’t trust her sooner, but she likes you like the sister she never had. We’ll do your potion here while you go over and tell you how it turned out. Kays?” Scootaloo nodded and dashed out of the kitchen. Whipping her helmet on as she blazed a path to Rainbow Dash’s house while the Crusaders got started on the potions. Each of them thinking about what Scootaloo said. “I think we can all agree that was a shock, but what do we do now? Can we do anything to help her?” Pip squeaked. “I don’t know, but if she needs us I think we can all agree we’ll be there for her,” Sweetie replied sadly. “Ah agree, we stick together no matter what,” Apple Bloom agreed. “At least she’s with Ms. Raindrops, I know she can be a bit overprotective at times, but she’s a real nice pony,” Dinky Doo said, scratching the back of her neck nervously. The revelation seemed weird to her since Scootaloo looked so happy when she was having the sleepover at Raindrops’ house not even two days ago. “Well we should probably get started on our cupcakes, I’ll help get Scootaloo’s started. I hope Rainbow Dash doesn’t take the news too hard though. Especially since she hasn’t really been able to be with Scootaloo all that often with her job and Wonderbolt training,” Mango Dash said as she went over Scootaloo’s sloppy mouth-writing to see what Scootaloo was making. “Ah’ll finish it up since Ah have the most work with potion making, but Ah appreciate any help you can do on getting it started,” Apple Bloom replied as she finished up her prep work. It was around this time that Pinkie Pie appeared behind Apple Bloom, “So the talk went well, I take it?” Apple Bloom almost jumped out of her skin, yelping loudly before yelling, “How’d you do that?” “Do what?” “You … Ah didn’t hear you come in,” Apple Bloom stated. “Oh that, well I was there and now I’m here. So how’d it go?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Well it went alright Ah guess. Scootaloo went to talk to Rainbow Dash and we’re going to help get her potion ready,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well then that’s good. I’ll wander around and make sure nothing explodes twice or eats any of you. Like that one time Rainbow Dash tried cooking Baked Ziti and it turned into a Ziti monster that ate the twins. Then I blasted it with my party cannon and the twins shot right out of it’s … nose, mouth thingie … It was really weird looking,” Pinkie stated before trailing off with a shudder. The non-euclidean horrors that Rainbow Dash’s cooking summoned were more mind shattering than Discord’s imagination. It was several minutes later the first mishap started. Sweetie Belle’s potion started emitting a purple cloud in the form of a skull which began cackling manically, running over to the magical biohazard, Apple Bloom shouted with panic, “What did ya do Sweetie Belle?” “I don’t know! I think I might have added too much Laughing Nightshade, or maybe not enough Spiked Purple Nettle?” Sweetie replied, in more of a question than a comment, as she nervously laughed at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom sat before the purple skull that was now speaking in menacing limericks at them. Ran through the ingredients in her head, “Sweetie … ya know how Ah told all y’all that how ya stirred a potion, and other things were just as important as what ya threw in?” “Oh … right … stirring,” Sweetie nervously chuckled. Apple Bloom was prepared for not only her own potion but for her friends frequent accidental mishaps and quickly rummaged through her saddle bag looking for some crushed Jet known for it’s ability to slough away negative energies as well as decent purification powers. After finding the powder and throwing it into the cauldron, she stirred it seven times clockwise to every counter-clockwise turn for several minutes the cloud had fully dissolved and the potion turned a brilliant shade of amethyst. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief Scootaloo and Mango Dash’s potions began to rumble. Mango’s was shooting miniature comets that Pinkie Pie was frantically trying to put out the flames caused by their erratic bombardment of the kitchen. Scootaloo’s, meanwhile, was releasing a foul smelling blue smoke with random sparks shooting out like fireworks. “For the love of Celestia’s fuzzy nipples! Can’t we try not to destroy half of Ponyville when we cook?” Apple Bloom yelled, shoving her hoof back into her bag as she once again scrounged through her bag, when a pale blue hoof popped out of Scootaloo’s cauldron, an eerie moan rising out of it. Just great, even when Scootaloo isn’t personally cooking something the things she prepares summons things that should not be named. She thought to herself as she whipped out the big guns: Powdered Hematite and salt. Throwing the powder at the offending pots, the meteors died off and the thing in Scootaloo’s cauldron disappeared. Going to Scootaloo’s potion, she put in the last few ingredients and stirred it, while verbally guiding Mango through the steps needed to prevent the potion from blowing up half of Ponyville. Looking over at Pips and Dinky she saw that they were making rather decent potions, “Your two potions look like they're coming along, nice work there. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if ya need it.” “Thanks Apple Bloom, I hope that my potion doesn’t do anything creepy,” Pip said as he looked at he kept his eyes glued to his green bubbling potion. “Hmmm ... Okay,” Dinky said distractedly as she was stirring her potion, tongue poking adorably out to the side in concentration. Her brow furrowed as she tried to keep her potion from turning to tar, or worse a flaming ball of adorable doom. After several more saves by Apple Bloom ending with the crusaders covered in various liquids, powders, and oven dust, all but one of the potions were finished, “Alright now, Scootaloo’s ingredients say that I need to add a bit of moon stone just as it’s finishing up,” Apple Bloom said, tossing the stone into the pot. Suddenly an explosion of blue smoke flew out of the cauldron, a mare appearing from within the dissipating cloud, striking a dramatic pose within the cauldron, yelling, ”The Great and Powerful Trixie has …” Trixie started before looking around the kitchen before her gaze settled on Pinkie Pie. It suddenly dawned on her that A) This wasn’t her big break after a year of homelessness and fighting to get some kind of job involving her magical talent, and B) Her stage was fetlock deep in murky water with an unidentifiable smell rising from the impromptu stage. Oh my stars! What did I do to deserve this? Why am I here of all places? Did I kick a puppy in a past life? Not pay my taxes? I finally get a break and a place where I can get bits and I end up here! Well I might as well get some answers, and try to play it off … somehow … I just hope they don’t have any spare disasters they are waiting to blame on me this time around. “You!” They simultaneously yelled as their hooves pointed at one another. “What am I doing here!?” Trixie yelled. “Um … My friend’s potion might’ve accidentally summoned you here,” Apple Bloom mumbled, secretly wondering why Scootaloo would create a summoning spell to get this pony of all ponies. “Well … I’m always happy to help a fan … but I was in the middle of my first show in a year in Las Pegasus. What am I going to do now?” Trixie moaned, trying to skirt around the fact that Ponyville was the last place she wanted to be.. “I can help you. Well, Twilight can help you, and I might be able to get you something … maybe,” Pinkie muttered. Even though Twilight forgave her for her actions, Pinkie Pie was still miffed at what happened to her last time they met. “Thank you … and tell your friend to send me the potion used for summoning me. When I get some more bits I’ll be sure to buy some off of her. Although I wonder how she pulled it off. Summoning Spells require quite a bit of magic, a potion that could summon a pony would be amazing for my shows,” Trixie said, walking to the door. “I’ll meet you at Twilight’s Pinkie. By the way kid, nice looking cutie mark.” They all looked at each other’s flanks, sighing in disappointment that the blue trickster was pulling a quick one over them when Apple Bloom spotted an image emblazoned onto her own hindquarters. A cutie mark of three cauldrons was still awash in the afterglow of its creation. Sweetie, Pip, Mango, and Pinkie were babbling excitedly, but all Apple Bloom could think of was how she couldn’t wait to tell Scootaloo. Scootaloo propelled her scooter towards Dash’s cloud home, her mind running through the myriad of problems that could happen. So far things had been going fairly well, but that didn’t mean that things wouldn’t come crashing down around her. As the castle in the sky came into view, Scootaloo slowed herself and tried to prepare for the upcoming talk. Alright, so far my friends forgave me, and it turns out that Pinkie Pie has been helping me out and covering my tracks. So hopefully this won’t turn out that bad. Scootaloo thought to herself as she took a deep breath and bellowed, ”Dash!” She waited as her honorary big sister came flying down from her cloud mansion and settled gracefully to the ground. “Hey squirt, what’s up?” Rainbow Dash inquired with a tilt of her head. “Well I was talking to the Crusaders while we were making potions for our magical muffins, and they told me that it’d be best for me to talk to you now rather than wait for tomorrow,” Scootaloo said nervously, pawing the ground with her forehoof. “Wanna come up? I think I have some protein juice left over from your last sleepover,” Dash offered. She could tell something was up, and had a slight chill running through her from Scootaloo’s nervous disposition, something that was rare for the filly she looked after to exhibit. “Um … yeah that’d be cool,” Scootaloo responded quietly. Dash laid down and stretched out her wing. Scootaloo, taking the invitation, clambered up onto Rainbow Dash’s back and wrapped her forelegs around Dash’s neck. She held on as if it was the last time she would have the chance to do so. Scootaloo took little joy in getting flown by her favorite pony with the upcoming talk weighing on her mind. After getting in and pouring them both a cup of protein juice, Rainbow Dash said in a calm but firm tone, “Okay, so what’s up?” With that Scootaloo told her everything. How her family died from the Chills when she was younger. How she ran away when she overheard ponies talking about sending her into an orphanage and how she eventually ended up in Ponyville. How she’d been living in the streets for the two years before she met the Crusaders and how after that she sometimes stayed in the Clubhouse when she wasn’t having sleepovers. How for the last five years she’d been taking bits from others, including who and where, to survive and being able to occasionally afford food that didn’t come from the trash. Ending up with Raindrops finding her, taking her in, and getting her to tell everypony what happened in the big reveal the upcoming day. As Scootaloo told her story, Rainbow Dash’s face ran the gamut of emotions from anger to sorrow and shame. She had silent tears running down her face when Scootaloo finished, and wrapped the orphaned filly in a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was worried that I’d be sent away to an orphanage, or you’d not want to be my big sister anymore,” Scootaloo mumbled into Rainbow Dash’s chest. “That’s stupid, Squirt. So you didn’t trust me to be there for you?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was scared. I’m sorry,” Scootaloo sniffled. Rainbow Dash was conflicted on to what to do next. Eventually Scootaloo’s crying stopped and gave way to soft snores as the emotional drain passed. Rainbow Dash gently grabbed the scruff of Scootaloo’s neck and carried her to the guest room she had set up for when she had guests over. Taking out a pad of cloud-notes , she wrote a quick note letting Scootaloo know that she had to get stuff done and would be there later in the evening. As well as letting her know that she would be bringing home dinner. As she stepped to the edge of the cloudhouse she looked back and whispered, “I need to talk to the girls. I’m sorry that I failed you squirt. I’ll try to fix this, but first I need to speak to Raindrops.” IntermissionMrs. Cake had been carrying empty trays to Pinkie Pie to get loaded up with the last batch of cupcakes before the Cutie Mark Crusaders commandeered the kitchen for their supervised experiment when she overheard Scootaloo. “And you promised that we would be friends no matter what … “ She heard Scootaloo asked. “We already said we would,” Apple Bloom replied. Mrs. Cake paused. On one hand, she knew she wasn’t supposed to hear this, but on the other, it might be something serious! Before she could decided, Scootaloo launched into her revelation of misery and woe, and she dropped the tray, stepping back from the doorway in shock. Poor dear, I should’ve noticed something was wrong. After all, we noticed when Pinkie arrived without anything to her name. But I’ve just been so busy lately between dealing with exporting our treats and keeping our finances in the black I just haven’t been as attentive as I should’ve been. I need to talk to Pinkie Pie about this later. Right now I have to think of a way to make it up to that poor filly. A few hours later, after numerous explosions and weird sounds emanating from the kitchen, that one Trixie pony and a disheveled but perpetually peppy Pinkie Pie trotted out, followed closely by the Crusaders sans Scootaloo. Mrs. Cake had spent that time thinking of what to do for Scootaloo and was disappointed that the target of her help was nowhere to be seen. “Pinkie Pie, where is Scootaloo?” She asked. “She went to talk to Rainbow Dash about something important,” Mango Dash answered. “Oh. Well, all of you have a good afternoon, and walk safe now. Pinkie Pie, I need to talk to you,” Mrs. Cake said with a matronly smile trying to hide her distress, something that Pinkie Pie, being skilled at reading ponies, quickly picked up on. “Okie Dokie Lokie! Well fillies I’ll be sure to make sure your potions are kept super-duperific for tomorrow’s party, so don’t worry! Good night everypony!” Pinkie said with a grin. “Good night Pinkie Pie! Thanks for the help,” Sweetie Belle chirped. “Yeah, thanks for the help, and I’m sorry about summoning Trixie,” Mango mumbled. “Don’t worry about that, I’m sure everything will work out for the best,” Pinkie said, playfully rustling the filly’s mane. The other ponies gave their thanks and goodbyes as they trotted out, leaving Pinkie Pie alone with the potions. She looked over her shoulder to see Mrs. Cake, whom she greeted with a nuzzle, which was quickly returned.. “So Mrs. Cake, what’s the matter?” “You knew about Scootaloo, didn’t you?” “Of course I knew. I thought everypony knew, but I recently learned that I was wrong,” Pinkie Pie said softly. “Pinkie Pie, not everypony has your… unique sense. Next time you notice a little pony without a place to stay, you let us know, okay?” “Okay.” “So what did you do for Scootaloo? I know you wouldn’t just let her starve.” “I don’t know if it’s my place to say. But I promise you that it’s nothing that I couldn’t cover, or wasn’t covered under my food limit for the day,” Pinkie Pie said, her smile shrinking greatly. “It’ll be okay Pinkie, just let me know what you’re hiding. I promise not to be mad at Scootaloo,” Mrs. Cake said with a matronly smile. “Well she’s been taking bits off the table, but didn’t realize it was wrong. So I replaced it with my own bits, and I’ve been slipping her bits so she could have some money to live off of. And I’ve been giving her free food when she stops over. That’s about it, although I was wondering why nopony was taking her in until recently,” Pinkie Pie rambled. “It’ll be alright. I’m going to make up for not noticing, and we both can let her know that we’ll be there for her if and when she needs us,” Mrs. Cake said, patting Pinkie’s back. “I think she’d like that,” Pinkie Pie said, looking out towards Rainbow Dash’s house and hoping that everything was working out for Scootaloo and her big sister. ”Rarity!” Sweetie Belle bellowed as she galloped into the Carousel Boutique. “Sweetie, a proper la-” Rarity started to respond as she walked into the main lobby of the Boutique, before she was hit by a little filly missile, which latched onto her with a hug. “Sweetie Belle, darling, whatever is the matter?” “I was talking to Scootaloo and she told us that she’s homeless, and never had a place to stay! She only had hot food when she was over here or at Bloom’s, and she’s been all alone except for us Crusaders! And she took gems and bits from you but she needed them and I don’t think that you’d mind but please don’t be mad at her!” Sweetie Belle blubbered. “Wait … she’s taken what now?” Rarity asked. “Gems and bits. After you finish with a big order, there’s always lots of gems lying around. She takes those, and any bits she found laying around. Please don’t be angry at her, sis! She needed them!” Sweetie Belle cried, nuzzling her sister’s chest. “Why would I be mad? She needed it, and that’s all that matters,” She said nonchalantly. “Thank you Rarity! You’re the best big sister ever!” “So why don’t you tell me all about it?” Rarity implored as she let Sweetie Belle get set up in her own little work space with a few samplings of materials and fabrics. I’ve ignored Spike and injuries I’ve caused him and now it turns out that I ignored a filly in need when she needed me most. It’s not like I could take her in, but I could’ve helped somehow. At least she got some trinkets to help her survive. I wonder just how much money was taken? Rarity sat in a small cafe with Fluttershy after. She had just finished telling Fluttershy everything that had been going on with Scootaloo so that she would be kept in the loop of things. “Well I think we should tell the others everything. But I do feel bad, with all the times that the girls came over to sleep over, or help out and I never noticed anything. I’ll try to get Twilight and Rainbow Dash if you can get Applejack and Pinkie Pie,” Fluttershy said sullenly. Rainbow Dash flew towards to Raindrops’ house. It was a strange house in her opinion. It had a pegasus launch roost, and pegasus inspired pillars on the side. The backyard was at least three acres, and was filled with underused playground equipment, a small garden, and a decent sized sun porch holding a small pool. It was a nice house, large for the neighborhood and nearly a fourth the size of the Silver Estate. While it did make her wonder how she could afford it, it was perfect for the emergency shelter/orphanage that Raindrops used it for. Rainbow landed before the front door and gave it a nervous rapping. “Coming!” Came a muffled reply, followed by the sound of a pony cantering to the door. “Oh! Rainbow Dash, what brings you here?” Raindrops greeted, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “Hey, um … I need to talk to you privately. Do you have the time?” Rainbow asked, her mind still reeling from what Scootaloo told her. “Sure, come on in. Do you want anything to drink?” “Do you have any apple juice?” “Of course, why don’t you take a seat.” In the several minutes it took for Raindrops to get the drinks and a small tray of snacks for them to munch on, Rainbow Dash took a look around the living room, taking in the oaken wood floors, the plain wooden tables, and the comfortable, yet bland furniture. Everything was functional, plain, and from the look of things inexpensive while still homey. She sat taking it in when Raindrops came in holding the drinks and food with her wings. “So what can I do for you, Rainbow Dash?” Raindrops asked “Scoots is staying the night with me, and she told me everything,” Rainbow Dash replied as her wings nervously fluttered. “I’m glad for her, and I know you two are close so I’m okay with her spending the night. Is there anything you wanted to ask?” “Yeah, a few things actually. I know that you have the reputation as some kind of saint. And you’re always helping ponies who need it, but if I’m going to trust my honorary little sister with you, I want to know the real you,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Alright, what do you want to know?” Raindrops asked, tilting her head. Rainbow smirked. “Not that easy. Me and you are going out for a night on the town. Get a few drinks, and then we’ll talk. How about next Wednesday?” “I’ve got a date on that day, actually,” Raindrops all but squealed. “Congrats I guess, when’s a good night then?” “Are you asking me out?” “No, I just want to get to know the pony looking after my Scoots, that’s all.” “Well, I guess next Saturday would be alright. And I promise you that I’ll take care of Scootaloo.” “Alright, but if anything happens to her, I’ll take you down so fast not even a Sonic Rainboom could catch you.” Rainbow Dash growled as she fluttered her wings aggressively. “I’ll keep that in mind. Although with how protective of her you are, why don’t you adopt her yourself? I bet that would make her the happiest filly in Equestria.” “I … I can’t. I have a work schedule that changes too much, and my cloudhouse isn’t the best for a filly for more than a day or two. And I’m just not the type of pony for that. I love her, I do, and I might not show it all the time, but she’s like a little sister to me, but I’m not mom material. I want her to be with a pony who’ll be right for her, even if that pony isn’t me.” Rainbow Dash replied, her eyes swimming with unshed tears as she stared into the cup before her. “You’d be surprised at what a pony can do when they want to, but I’m happy that you trust me with this much emotion. Truth be told, all I care about is making sure that she’s with the right pony for her. Not just because it’s my job, but because it’s part of my special talent. Helping ponies through their ‘rainy days’,” Raindrops said, brushing Rainbow’s foreleg comfortingly with her wing. “So, next Saturday I’ll be seeing you around six. Take care, ‘Drops, and take care of Scootaloo for me. I’ll take her to the party,” Rainbow Dash said, getting up and stretching. “Actually, she has a doctors appointment around 10 in the morning. If you can bring her with you, you can stay with us as we do her check up,” Raindrops offered. “Alright, and thanks.” Rainbow Dash trotted to the front door thinking, I think I’ll drop by Twilight’s before going home. With a flutter of wings, she took off, hoping that everything would work out for the best. Author's Note Golden Wing vote blog has been out for a bit, if y'all want to get in on the voting action you can. Right now I'm going to be posting chapters as they get finished. Right now the next chapter [the actual chapter 12 rather than this short intermission], is at 3,643 words. Sorry it took so long for it to get this far in the fic, but my Editor's IRL life's been hectic as has mine and we've had problems getting our scheduals in sync. But hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. The chapter after next is the last for this. Then I'll be starting The Golden Crusade which will be the next part of the Golden Saga. Which will open with a recap chapter to help new readers get the jest of the story so far so nopony's left in the dark. Again, sorry for things taking so long. Finally! [Redemption Arc Fin.]Scootaloo woke up as the light of the setting sun beamed her in the face. Groggily rolling off the bed onto her forehooves she walked to the dresser on the far side of the room to see if she needed to wipe sleep gunk from her eyes when her eyes landed on a note from Dash saying she’d be home later. Giving a once over and seeing that there was nothing to wipe out she decided to go to the living room until Rainbow Dash arrived. There in the center was a Television, which had just came out recently, and a home videogame console called Princess System, or more commonly called Luna Drive for the Princess who not only funded it, but for it’s biggest promoter. Scoots looked over the titles, remembering last time she visited, Rainbow Dash said that she got the system for them to play together when they were hanging out. Scoots smiled warmly at the memory and decided to pick her and her sister’s favorite game Super Mareio a story about an earth pony plumber who battles evil plants, shrooms, and even a turtle dragon to save the Princesses. Although Scootaloo never understood why they’d always be in another castle. Maybe Bruiser does what Spike does and just mailed them to another castle … I have to ask Spike if he could try that on me someday. It’d be the perfect prank. And with that random thought she lost herself in the fun of the game. Scootaloo had just cleared the castle in level 4 when Rainbow Dash came home with a bag secured in her mouth. The smell of Portobello Spears and Ceviche wafted through the room, causing Scootaloo’s belly to rumble. Hearing the purr of Scootaloo’s stomach, Rainbow Dash let out a laugh. “Sounds like somepony’s hungry.” “Hey! Don’t make fun of me, I’ve been waiting since forever for you to get back,” Scootaloo said in mock indignation, crossing her forelegs in front of her chest and giving a small harumph. “Well then if you’ve been waiting around since forever I guess I have no choice but to feed you,” Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle. “That’s what I’m talking about!” Scootaloo said gleefully before trotting to the table. As she sat down her grin turned to a small frown. “Dash?” “What’s up Squirt?” Rainbow Dash asked as she rummaged in the cupboard for cloud plates to put everything on. Scootaloo always thought it was funny that Rainbow Dash only used recyclable clouds for all of her diningware. “You - you’re not mad at me are you?” Scootaloo asked as what brought her here to begin with overcame the mirth she felt when she was with her honorary big sister. “Mad? No squirt, I’m not mad at you, I’m a little sad that you didn’t come to me sooner. I might not have been the best big sister, but I would’ve done my best to help you. As for the bits, well, consider it an early part of your birthday present. I lost bits all the time in this house even before I became your big sis,” Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Now let’s chow down, I’m starving.” Scootaloo’s eyes watered with joy that so far her friends and the pony she saw as her sister all still cared about her. Scootaloo mimicked her big sister by using her wings to dip her cheese coated chips into the Ceviche. Scootaloo mixed up some of the clouds with the juices of her dish to make a little slushie that she drank along side her apple juice. The next morning Scootaloo woke up to find one of Rainbow Dash’s wings wrapped around her like a feathery blanket. Nuzzling closer to the warm barrel of her big sister she allowed herself a few fleeting moments of peace before she remembered what she had to do today. After today’s big reveal, everything would be different. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing, after all, my friends have all been here for me. That and Dashie still thinks of me as a sister. So hopefully the rest won’t react badly when I tell them. Scootaloo lost herself in Dashie’s warmth like she usually did when she slept with her, rather than in the guest bed. But with how much stress she’d been under, and how big of a day today was Rainbow Dash decided that nestling with her little sister was alright. After awhile she felt Rainbow Dash shift and start through her normal session of stretches and wiggles that preceded her waking up before turning to Scootaloo. “So, big day today, huh?” Rainbow Dash said with a sleepy smile plastered on her face. “Yeah,” Scootaloo mumbled under her breath, hiding her face under Dashie’s wing to try and hide her nervousness from her idol. “Don’t worry about a thing, squirt. I’ll be with you every step of the way, alright?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, ruffling Scootaloo’s mane with her wing. “Okay, and thanks, sis. It really means a lot to me that you still want to be my sister,” Scoots said, blushing. “Blaagh! Too much fluff, Scoots!” Rainbow Dash said, “But you’re welcome. You really are a cool, filly. Almost as cool as I was at your age. I’ll get you down to the ground and see you when the party starts.” The second Scootaloo set foot in Ponyville proper, she felt as if everypony’s eyes were looking at her. An uncomfortable itch settled beneath her wings, and felt the need to dash off on her scooter at Rainboom speeds, if she was able to reach that speed, that is. As it stood, she was left nervously rolling to the Cakes’ Confectionary Emporium, her saddlebag jingling with a few bits that Rainbow Dash gave her for breakfast, both of them having been banned from touching a stove after Rainbow Dash summoned an Old One from Beyond the Stars to Canterlot Castle while trying to make waffles after Princess Twilight’s coronation. While Scootaloo thought it was awesome, apparently Dabiltzan-Lelo, the Wandering Idiot, and his Band of Swarming Madness, were only appreciated by Discord and the Rainbow Dash fan-club. So it was with that unfortunate event that she was going to the Cakes’ shop in Sugarcube Corner rather than Rainbow Dash’s epically awesome ‘Surprise!’ Waffles. As she walked through the front door of the Cake’s shop, the feeling of everypony’s eyes intensified a thousand fold as she didn’t just feel their eyes, but saw every conversation drop as everypony looked at her. Worst of all was hearing conversations carried on, but in loud whispers. Her wings buzzed in embarrassment as she knew from past experiences that everypony was suddenly talking about her. She barely acknowledged them as she trotted up to her favorite table in the back. As she settled in, the whispers she had ignored waffed to her ears. ”Can you believe it? She’s been living on the streets for these last few years …” ”What a tragedy, being forced to steal money to survive, why didn’t anyone pay attention to her till now?” ”How sad, I heard that she only got helped recently, How could we not see …” Scootaloo’s ears twitched as the broken fragments of conversation blurred together. Her face reddened as a part of her couldn’t believe that something that was private was suddenly out into the open without her permission. That burning embarrassment grew tenfold as she saw Mrs. Cake’s come up with a look of pity etched across her face. “Hello deary, what can I get for you today?” Scootaloo saw everypony look at her and felt the weight of their gazes fall heavily upon her as they looked at her. Shakily she stood up and said, “Nothing, sorry I just remembered I had somewhere to be,“ Shakily, she stood up and ran out of the shop. She jumped onto her scooter and buzzed off as tears pulled into her eyes. How do they know about that? Does everypony know? I wanted it to be private before I told the ponies who needed to know, and now I don’t have that chance! I don’t want their pity, I can’t believe I thought telling ponies was the right thing to do. What’ll I do now? She tried to outrace the pain of her fears, memories, and betrayal, letting herself ride on auto-pilot. When she finally stopped to get her bearings she noticed that she was near one of her hiding spots that she used to live in during winter, before she ran into Sweetie Belle and found for the first time since she lost everything dear to her a semblance of family, or at least something close to it. That warm, furry feeling spreading in her stomach that felt like butterflies was definitely not family friendly, but it was too confusing to think about for now. Looking at the low, hanging, outcropping that opened to a small cave just big enough to hold her and a small stockpile of possessions. Scootaloo trotted over to the shelf-shaped slab of stone that served as her bed for so long when the streets were cold or too rainy to sleep in, or her other hiding spots weren’t safe for her to sleep in. Laying down, and pulling up a blanket fashioned from newspapers glued to clumps of old rags, she let sleep overtake her. Scootaloo ran through the forest as a horde of eyes followed her. The shadows of the moonlit trees reached out to grab her, sweat built on her coat as she tried galloping away from the eyes and shadows. As she ran the wind sounded like murmurs that she overheard earlier that day. After what felt like hours of running, a silver cloud appeared before her. Scootaloo jumped back and was caught by the shadows just as the cloud erupted into a swarm of bats that reformed into the body of Luna, “Begone nightmares!” She yelled. Everything exploded into smoke, and when it cleared, Scootaloo found herself standing in a grassy knoll, with a brilliant night sky sparkling above her. She looked around herself dumbfounded. She facehooved as everything fell into place, “Sweet Luna, I can’t believe that I forgot that I was sleeping. Stupid lucid dreaming,” Scootaloo mumbled. Luna she broke into a cheeky grin at hearing her name used colloquially. “While I’m glad to hear my name used so, it’s more important to talk about what brought these dreams in the first place.” “Well Princess -” “You may call me Luna if you’d like,” Luna interrupted. “Are you sure?” “Of course, we are friends, are we not?” “Well, I guess so. I mean, you do come and help me with my dreams, and you are the best princess, and I enjoy our talks when they do happen … So yes, I guess you can say we’re friends,” Scootaloo mused. “I’m glad to hear it, and now onto the matter at hoof. What seems to be the matter young Scootaloo?” Luna asked summoning two cloud pellet, bean bag chairs. Shifting down to the squishy goodness of a nice cloud beanie, she started telling Luna everything. It was easier to retell the story in her dreams than it was when she was awake, although she still felt sad going over it. She ended the story with her running when she overheard that her secret was leaked throughout Ponyville. At the end of her telling Luna huddled next to her and wrapped a motherly wing around her. Nuzzling Scootaloo she whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner. To think that even princesses such as my sister and I could be so blind to the suffering of such a sweet, adorable filly such as yourself... But as for running from your problems … we talked about this before.” “Yeah, I know, it’s just... I didn’t want everypony knowing. What will they think of me now?” Scootaloo whimpered, leaning into Luna’s barrel. “If how your friends reacted is any indication, then I think things will turn out fine. Do you think you’re okay now?” Luna asked. “I think so. I hope so,” Scootaloo said, “Thanks, Luna… Hey! Do you think we could hang out in real life? It’s awesome and all that we hang out in dreams, but it’d be cool to hangout with my favorite princess!” “I think that’s possible. Would you like to bring your friends over as well?” “Yeah, that’d be cool! Do you think their sisters will be okay with it?” “I’ll ask their family in their dreams when I get a definitive answer.” “Alright, thanks Luna, I think I’ll wake up now, and thanks.” Scootaloo said nuzzling Luna. It was a few hours later when Scootaloo wandered into the Cakes’ store. The weight of the ponies’ gaze felt lighter now that she had her talk with Luna, but she felt that her big reveal was going to be pointless now. Nonetheless, she started on this path, and if there was one thing that a crusader never did, it was give up. As she entered she could’ve sworn she saw twelve Pinkie Pie’s hurrying around, decorating the place for the party. Almost as if they were connected like a changeling hive, all the Pinkie’s stopped and looked at her before they converged into one pony. “Hiya Scoots! You’re a little early for the party, but that’s fine! Everypony should be here in about half an hour if you want to, you can help set up stuff with me!” Pinkie shouted gleefully, vibrating in place with barely contained energy. “Umm … Okay... By the way why were there so many of you?” Scootaloo inquired. “What do you mean? There was only one me, unless you’re asking how I was everywhere at once? That’s easy! I was in one place, but I was also in other places, then I saw you and I was at only one place!” Pinkie explained in an answer that only left more questions in its place. Thinking that it would be better not to ask, Scootaloo decided to go with the less insane option. “Yeah, that makes a kind of sense … I guess. I’ll help. I don’t think waiting around will make what’s coming up any easier. By the way, how come everypony knows about me now? I wanted to keep it secret, and I’m kind of angry that it spilled.” “Well … what if the pony who spilled the beans didn’t mean for it to spread?” “Still, it wasn’t their secret to spread. I wanted only those ponies I might’ve hurt to know so I could do the right thing. And if I later wanted other ponies to know than I would’ve told them, but now I don’t get that chance,” Scootaloo let loose a heavy sigh, “But the cat’s out of the bag now, and I’ll have to deal with it.” “Why would you keep a cat in a bag? That sounds like it’d be painful for the cat, especially if it’s those itchy bags that my sisters used to put me in when we were playing ‘Lost and Found”.” “Huh!? It’s a figure of speech.” “I hate figures of speech, I can never figure out what they are trying to say. Anywho, lets get started on setting up your party!” Pinkie said before bouncing off. It had taken a while to get everything situated, no sooner had Scootaloo set up the last tray of food than the first guest had arrived. Rather than greeting everypony, she hid under the table to get her bearings. For almost two weeks she had been building herself into a tizzy about this, sure with ever reveal her friends and those whose trust she violated that she talked to forgave her. And their support gave her a feeling very much what she dreamt flying would be like, but this was supposed to be her big moment. The day when she came clean. But rather than having that chance, rather than the freedom to do the right thing for a small group of ponies and keeping it between them, everypony knew. The one thing that she had masterfully hidden over the course of five years was out of the bag. But that’s not what stung the most. What stung the most was that all the looks and words of pity aimed at her. That almost condescending air of a better pony lamenting the failings of “the less fortunate”. Get it together Scoots, first you were terrified that everypony would leave you. You know that’s not true anymore … well sort of, Bon Bon and Lyra might be mad, and I haven’t spoken to Rarity yet, but any sister of Sweets has to be a pretty cool pony. I got my friends behind me, and at least I know everypony doesn’t hate me for doing what I had to do to survive. So I guess the worst is behind me. “Hiya Scoots!” Pinkie sang beside Scootaloo causing Scootaloo to jump and bang her head on the underside of the table. “Ow! Why’d you have to scare me Pinkie!” Scoots asked accusingly. “Easy Peasy ScootaBreezie … although you’re not a Breezie, that’d be cool if you were though, but everypony knows that Breezie’s can’t be Scootaloo’s so that’d make it weird for you to be a ScootaBreezie. Say why are you a ScootaBreezie?” “I’m not, you just made it up,” Scootaloo said while rubbing her head, but a small smile from Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie found its way to Scootaloo’s muzzle nonetheless. “Well anyways, I just realized that the pony of honor was hiding and since everypony invited is here, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay,” Pinkie said, giving Scootaloo an encouraging nuzzle. “It’s all good, Pinkie. I was worried for a second but I think I’m going to be alright,” Scootaloo said. “Good, now I can finally do my magical pull-a-Scootaloo-out-of-a-hat trick,” Pinkie said disappearing from under the table. “Scootaloo out of a what now?” She asked. The next thing she knew she was being pulled through a small opening by a pink hoof. Before she knew it, she in the middle of the store, surrounded by the assembled party-goers, all starting at her and the top hat Pinkie had just pulled her from.. “And Vio’la! I have pulled a Scootaloo out of a hat! For I am the Great and Powerful Pinkie!” Pinkie Pie chuckled as she sat Scootaloo down. Scootaloo looked around nervously at all of the ponies she invited and sighed. “Hi, everypony! Today was supposed to be a surprise for me to tell you all something important... But I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” Rarity was the first to speak. “Well darling … I can’t possibly guess how that little thing got out, but I think we’d still like to hear it from you. If that’s alright with you?” “Does it really matter?” Scootaloo asked morosely. Everypony nodded and so Scootaloo began, “Well I guess I should start from the beginning. Hi everypony, my name is Scootaloo.” Everypony looked at each other curiously, and decided to roll with it, and responded with “Hi, Scootaloo.” “I-I came here from Trottingham. My family were traveling sales ponies, and I got to see lots of awesome things. Sure, we weren’t the richest of ponies, but we were happy. We had each other, and I couldn’t have asked for more. But about five years ago my family got the Chills,” Scootaloo had to stop herself for awhile to collect herself before recounting things, “they didn’t make it, obviously. The ponies in that city wanted to put me in an orphanage, and I guess I freaked out. I ran away where I came here to Ponyville. “All of you that I’ve met have been awesome, and from what ponies have been saying, it’s not been as bad as they make it sound. Sure the first two winters were pretty brutal, but I met Sweetie Belle who let me sleep over and I got a nice hot meal. For a while it was like having a real family again. “Which is why I’m so sorry for taking the bits Rarity left on the table, and the gems left over after big orders. I didn’t think you’d miss them and I needed the bits. I’m so sorry that I broke you and Sweetie’s trust in me,” Scootaloo said as tears formed in her eyes. “It’s alright darling, I forgive you,” Rarity said softly. “And of course that’s not all of it. I … There were stores that I knew had bits laying around and no pony was using them, and it wasn’t until Raindrops told me that it was stealing that I knew that’s what I was doing. I just thought it was there to take if a pony needed it... Since I needed it I took them. “If you don’t want me around your shops anymore, I’m okay with that, or if I need to work it off that’ll be cool too. I’m ready to be responsible for my actions,” Scootaloo said, looking over at the shop owners, the Cakes as well as Lyra and Bon Bon. “Well dearie, me and Carrot were talking the other night, and, well, you don’t have to pay us back. But if you ever need the spare bits, I’m sure Pinkie would love the help. Just come over when you want it and we’ll pay you 3 bits an hour, is that alright?” Mrs. Cakes asked with watery eyes of her own. Scootaloo nodded as she was tackled by a furry Lyra missile. “That’s so sad!” Lyra bawled which made Scootaloo cry back. “Seriously Sugar Knub, you need to learn some tact,” Bon Bon said, nuzzling the two before pulling Scootaloo into a hug. “Listen, Scootaloo. Sure, we were a little angry when we first heard that you took bits from us, and sure, those bits could’ve been used to fix up something for the store. “But the point is, it was our fault. Everypony’s, really, for not seeing a filly that needed our help. For not noticing the signs that you needed us in your time of need and letting you suffer like that. So, I’m with the cakes. You ever need some bits, come on over, work for us for a while, and if you ever need help with anything, anything at all, come to us, okay? Lyra and me don’t bite, and we’ll help you in anyway we can, alright?” Scootaloo nodded against Bon Bon’s coat. Bon Bon wiped the tears from Scootaloo’s eyes, and Lyra gave her a tight hug as Bon Bon whispered, “Would you like me and Lyra to stand by you while you finish up?” Scootaloo nodded again and the two helped her up. Raindrops walked up and joined them. “You’re doing great, Scootaloo. Do you need a moment to collect yourself?” “N-n-no! I-I’m fine,” Scootaloo sniffled, “Thanks, Mrs. Lyra and Mrs. Bon Bon, I think I’m ready now.” And with that, resting against the three ponies near her, she took a deep breath steadying her resolve before standing up and facing Applejack. “Applejack?” She asked. “What is it, sugarcube?” AJ asked dabbing her wet eyes. “ I didn’t find that many bits laying around your place, usually under furniture, but I did take apples from the orchard and during the winter when Sweets and Bloom couldn’t have sleepovers, I took timber for firewood,” Scootaloo admitted, “I hope you’re not too mad at me. Honestly, while Sweetie Belle and Rarity are a cool family, yours reminded me a lot of my own... With how you joke about… You might not have a lot of things, but you have each other… A-and I miss them so much!” As Scootaloo started crying again, everypony rushed in and grabbed her in a group hug. “Sugarcube, Ah can honestly say that the only thing Ah’m mad about is that ya didn’t come to us sooner. We figured those apples were just Rainbow bein’ Rainbow, but the winters, girl! Ya… Ya could’ve died in some of those snowstorms! Your big sis is an honorary Apple, and that makes ya one too, sugarcube. Ya hear that?” Scootaloo nodded in response, looking up at Applejack. “Good. Now don’t ya worry your pretty little head ‘bout none a that stuff. Apples stick together.” Pinkie hopped in place nervously. Parties were about bringing joy and healing to others. A place where worries, pain, problems, were wiped away, even if for a little while. And seeing Scootaloo broken in tears, not being replaced with joy… There was only one solution for these kinds of situations, “Hey everypony! Why don’t we take a break from all of this talk, and have a real party for a bit! I think Scootaloo needs to unwind. Don’t you think so, Scootaloo?” “I think I’m happy here, but a break sounds nice. I didn’t think I had any more tears after this week. I must look like a foal...” Scoots said miserably. Raindrops leaned over. “Not at all. Everypony needs a good cry sometimes, and what with you went through, if it’s what you need, it’s what you need. We’re here for you. All of us.” It had taken a while longer for Scootaloo to get herself together as the party went into full swing. She couldn’t help but feel overjoyed with the reception she was receiving. Instead of anger and rejection, she was met with ponies who not only accepted her but welcomed her with open arms. A small part of her felt stupid for not going to them sooner, or at least the ponies she cared about the most but in the end, she felt oy at the love and promises to help that she was receiving. It almost felt like Hearth’s Warming came early. Or at least what she vaguely remembered about that holiday. As she sat down to rest, Rarity and Sweetie Belle came over to her. Sweetie nestled next to her, bringing a blush to Scootaloo’s face as Rarity gave her a soft nuzzle before speaking up. “ Scootaloo, I’m afraid I have something to mention.” “What is it?” Scootaloo asked, subconsciously draping a wing over Sweetie Belle. “Well, it’s about your secret getting out. You see, Sweetie came to me bawling her eyes out, and it came up in a conversation with Fluttershy while we were having tea. I didn’t think anyone was listening, but well … as you have noticed, someone did.” “I guess it would be pretty hypocritical to accept forgiveness for my mistakes if I didn’t forgive other ponies,” Scootaloo sighed. “I’ll admit I was mad that something private like that got out, but I know Sweets, and I got to know you a little bit and I know you didn’t mean to do it on purpose, so … I forgive you.” Rarity smiled softly and ruffled Scootaloo’s mane. “Thank you darling, I’ll let you two lovebirds have sometime to yourself.” “Bwha- What?” Scootaloo shouted as her tiny wings flared, Sweetie Belle giving a startled squeak. Rarity gave a loud chuckle, “You two are so adorable. I’ll be out of your manes now.” Scootaloo looked over to a blushing Sweetie Belle and asked, “What does she mean lovebirds?” “I-I don’t know what she could be talking about. She’s probably just had too much punch!” Sweetie replied nervously. “Yeah, that must be it. I guess I’ll go talk to some more ponies. I’ll talk to you later, right?” “Definitely.” With glowing cheeks, Scootaloo trotted off to find her other guests. The first was Twilight Sparkle who was having a quiet conversation with Spike. “Princess Twilight?” Scootaloo interrupted nervously. “Oh, hi there, Scootaloo! Please, just call me Twilight, Spike can you give us a minute?” “Sure thing Twi. I’m going to go chat with our special guest. I think she’s planning to do something for the after party,” Spike said as he walked off. “So, Scootaloo, what can I help you with?” Twilight asked, lowering herself to face level with Scootaloo. “Well I want to say -” Scootaloo started to say before Twilight placed a hoof over her mouth. “You don’t have to apologize to me at all. I’m the one who should apologize to you. From what I heard, you needed those things to further your education, and that’s something I love to do. I was actually thinking, how would you and the other crusaders like to come over on Thursday, and I can help you learn new things as well as help with your crusades? Well, keep them safe at least.” “Sounds good to me, but I’ll ask the girls later just to be sure. Thank you Pri- I mean, Twilight! Dashie was right when she said you were really cool for an egghead! And if Dashie says you’re really cool then it has to be true!” Scootaloo beamed, “Also, who’s the special guest? Is it Luna?” “It’s not Luna, but it is a surprise,” Twilight said with a playful tease. “Okay... Do you think you could do me a favor later?” Scootaloo asked. “What’s the favor?” Twilight asked, tilting her head. “Can you send a message to Luna telling her thanks for earlier, and how I can’t wait to see her this Nightmare Night? It’s cool that we can speak during my dreams and all, but I miss seeing her face to face.” “I’ll be sure to let her know when I get home tonight,” Twilight said with a smile. “Thanks Twilight, you’re second best Princess,” Scootaloo said, waving goodbye as she trotted off to speak to others. I like Raindrops, she’s helped me out more than most ponies would ever imagine, but even though it’d never happen, it’d be cool if I could have Luna as a mom. I know she’s lonely, and she could use some friends. That and her wing hugs are really nice, giving herself a mental shrug, oh well. I bet lots of ponies would like one of the Princesses as a mom, I’m just lucky that she takes time to spend time with me sometimes. As the party neared it’s end, everypony walked outside for a special show. Standing in the middle of the street was a familiar looking caravan. With a loud explosion, a set of fireworks went off, painting the skies with color as a voice called out, “Welcome one and all to see ‘Trixie the Magnificent’, as she puts on a show for a very special pony!” Trixie stepped out into stage to mixed reactions. Some ponies scowled, while others just wanted to see what she would do this time around. Trixie knew that even though the Princesses had allowed her a public apology, that there were still ponies who were less than happy to see her. She pushed aside her fears and threw on a smile, glad that at least these ponies didn’t come after her with pitchforks and torches. Scootaloo watched from the sidelines, Spike’s earlier comment about a “special pony” made a lot more sense as she rested on the back of Raindrops, snuggling into her mane she watched over Raindrops head as Trixie did spectacles of illusions and explosions. With nopony openly heckling her, and her not acting so high and mighty, it was an interesting show. But the best part was at the end, when Trixie asked Scootaloo onto the stage. With a burst of smoke a red pillow appeared for Scootaloo to sit on, Trixie lit several candles and shouted in a loud tone for all to hear, “I, Trixie, shall create a giant dragon out of fire!” With her horn ablaze, the candles burst into towering infernos that intertwined around the stage above Scootaloo, forming together into one giant serpentine dragon of fire. Connected to Trixie by her pinkish aura. The dragon flew in circles around the crowd, twisting and turning in a variety of tricks as it slowly closer and closer to the stage. Trixie gave a grunt and yelled, “Oh no! I don’t think I can control it anymore! It’s coming!” She screamed as it flew towards Scootaloo, her eyes growing as big as saucers. Just before it could hit her, it exploded into a shower of confetti that swirled and burst in a kaleidoscope of color. When the shock of a fire dragon rushing at her died, and she could form complete thoughts again, Scootaloo began whooping and hollering along with the rest of the crowd. “Thank you, thank you, give a round of applause for Scootaloo too! I’ll be here all week!” Trixie cried triumphantly. Scootaloo jumped off the stage and cantered back to Raindrops. “Did you know about that!?” She squeaked happily. “I didn’t, but I trusted Twilight not to let anything bad happen.” Raindrops replied, “So did you enjoy the show?” “Yeah, I was pretty terrified, but I’m glad that it turned out alright. I’m glad that I talked to Luna,” Scootaloo said. “Luna?” Raindrops asked, raising an eyebrow. “We’re friends, and she talked to me earlier when I needed to clear my head,” Scootaloo replied. “She did? And it’s Princess Luna.” “Yuhuh, and she asked me to just call her Luna! We’ve been talking since before Rainbow Dash agreed to be my honorary big sister. And every now and again we hang out in my dreams. Oh! She said that someday me and the other crusaders can visit her! If it’s okay with their family to come visit, although she has to talk to Princess Celestia.” “That sounds like it would be quite fun.” With that, she lifted Scootaloo onto her back and trotted off towards home. “We’re going to have to go to bed early. We’ve got quite a busy day tomorrow.” Author's Note This fic has been written, edited, added onto, and polished so many times even I was wondering when it'd finally get out. But it finally has been finished. The second to last chapter of this arc. The reason it took so long was a mix of irl, shenanigans, and other things eating into both my time and my editors. But I'm glad that it finally got presentable enough to put up. When Golden Wings first started it was originally a series of short stories put in chronological order with Cloud Kicker being the pony that found Scoots. And I did have some interesting ideas for that fic, but with it being for a writing exercise for a VA program, it just lacked the flow and consistency that I wanted. So I hit up IJAB for the artwork of a Raindrops Scootadopt fics Cover Art. And as you can see IJAB this guy is amazing. Then I hit up OverlyExtensiveEditors who hit me up with one of my favorite Editors, and one of the most fun to work with ever, Kingtiger666. Which grew into this fic. And yes with the Redemption Arc finished, we can finally get to the more fun arcs. The next chapter Scoots goes to the Doctors, and Twilight kickstarts Scootaloo's hidden awesomesauce reserves. Then it'll be time for me to make the Golden Crusades. Which will have plenty of CMC shenanigans, the other Crusaders getting their CMs, more Raindrops with Cloud Kicker Time as well as some Luna fun. Plus, Twilight Time 2.0. Now with 65% more chaos, and Discord flavored sprinkles. The PhysicalAuthor's Note A quick little thing. First look at the first second of the vid attached for the pronounciation of Onomatopoiea. It'll make an upcoming joke much more funny, but without it(much like my editor) will fall flat. _______ Second thing. I had to cut this chapter shorter than origionally intended since my poor Tabby couldn't handle a longer one XD. But that just means we have two chapters till we finish rather than one. And finally, hid two intentional shout outs in this fic. Who can guess them? The Physical Scootaloo, much like her honorary sister, was not by any stretch of the imagination a morning pony. Thus it was much to her chagrin that Raindrops had her up at the crack of dawn. "But why do I have to be up?" Scootaloo whinnied for the umpteenth time that morning. "As I told you, we have a very busy day today, Scootaloo," Raindrops said with a wry grin. "But the morning is evil!" Scootaloo hissed. Although it was hard to take her seriously when her eyes were losing their half-hearted battle to stay open. "It is, but this was the earliest I could schedule your full battery of tests to make sure everythings okay. It's something your potential future parents will want to know. As well as things I need to know about you living alone all those years," Raindrops said. "Graah! Today’s going to be a long day," Scootaloo growled, dropping her head heavily upon the table. Scootaloo lost her battle to stay awake on the way to the hospital, riding on Raindrops' back. She looked over at her sleeping cargo and smiled. She knew that her dedication to her work didn't always make her likable too many ponies, and some ponies even though she was practically a robot with how professional she appeared on the surface. But moments like these, they were what made everything worth it. Seeing a pony happy, and knowing she made a difference in that life for the better. It didn't leave a whole lot of time to have a social life, and sometimes she wished she could have a foal of her own, but it wasn't in the cards for her, both in Canterlot and other places she'd lived. She was a stepping stone for a pony’s future for a better life. As long as Scootaloo could benefit from their time together, then she'd be happy. Raindrops entered the hospital and walked up to the receptionist. "Hi, I'm here for Scootaloo’s appointment." "Hmmm... Let’s see here," the receptionist muttered, looking through a list of the appointments scheduled for the day, "Ah yes, Scootaloo. Here she is, I'll let the doctors know to be ready to see her soon." Walking over to the waiting seats, she gripped Scootaloo by the skin of her neck and gently deposited her onto the seat next to her. Nudging her awake, she grinned at Scootaloo's futile attempts to remain asleep until she finally gave in. Sitting groggily in her chair, she looked around and noticing where they were and groused, "How can anypony make a poor, innocent filly be up at this ridiculous hour?" "Didn't you ever get up this early when... You know?" "Pht! Sure, and Manticores are herbivores. Hey Raindrops, why can't I get some coffee?" Scootaloo asked with her best puppy dog eyes. "Nice try," Raindrops chortled, "after the tests we'll get you something to help wake you up, or you can go back to sleep." "Drats," Scootaloo harumphed grouchily. Thus Scootaloo endured an eternity of boredom, or fifteen minutes, until they called her and Raindrops to one of the many back rooms to begin Scootaloo's much needed battery of tests. As Scootaloo sat on the bed waiting for what was going to happen next she looked at Raindrops and asked, "So what are they going to do to me?" "Well, first they're going to do a normal physical to see how healthy you are. Then they are going to check out your wings to see if there's a problem with them. After that, there’s going to be a few X-Rays, and lastly we're going to get a Core Check." "What's a Core Check?" "Basically, they observe condition of your magical core, the flow of magic through your meridians, and any problems in your magic flow. While it's mostly used in unicorn check-ups, since they’re magic heavy, it's also used for pegasi, at least until you fully develop, or don’t do a job that uses a lot of pegasus magic." "Oh. Is it going to hurt?" Scootaloo asked, a thread of worry in her voice. "Not at all! It might feel a little tingly, and sometimes there's some pressure, but it doesn't hurt. At least from what I've personally gone through," Raindrops replied with a smile. She trotted up to Scootaloo and gave her a reassuring nuzzle, "But you have nothing to worry about. I'll be right here with you throughout your tests, okay?" "Okay, but I'm not worried! I'm a brave filly, just like Rainbow Dash! I'm not afraid of anything!" Scootaloo said, puffing out her chest, "But if you want to stay, that'd be cool too," she added with a sheepish smile. "Of course. Rainbow Dash sure is lucky to have such a brave filly like yourself as an honorary sister," Raindrops responded with a gentle smile. Just then Nurse Redheart walked in. "Why hello there, Scootaloo. Finally paying us a visit?" She joked, giving a disarming smile to Scootaloo. "Yep. So... I haven't been in a hospital for as long as I can remember. What exactly is part of a normal physical?" "Well, first I'm going to need to draw some blood." "B-blood? Why do you need to do that? Are you all secretly vampires?" Scootaloo asked, her features growing pale. Nurse Redheart gave a slight chuckle. "No, we aren't vampires. But we need your blood and a little bit of urine to see how healthy your body is, and if there's anything that your body is lacking to stay healthy. I promise, it's nothing more than a quick pinch and a bit of pressure, then it's over. It'll be done faster than you can say onomatopoeia," As she talked, she lifted Scootaloo's right forehoof and gave it a quick rub with an alcohol-soaked pad.She stealthily got ready to slip the needle into Scoot's frog. "*Snrk*, you said pee!" Scootaloo laughed at her joke and the tickling sensation in her hoof. With a deft hoof, Redheart inserted the needle in. "That I did. See, it’s not so bad. Now all I'm doing now is filling these tubes. Then we'll be all done." Redheart showed Scootaloo the four vials on the tray next to her. The room fell silent as a vial disappeared under Scootaloo’s hoof, and a filled one was placed on the tray. And Redheart, she mused, was correct. Other than a little pinch as the needle went into her frog, it didn't hurt at all. Although it would probably be worse if she had to actually watch the needle go into her body. When it was all done, Scootaloo couldn't help but quip, "It took longer than saying that one big word." "True, and you were such a brave filly. How would you like a sucker?" Redheart replied. "Really! Can I, Raindrops?" Scootaloo asked, hopping up and down in excitement after the needle was removed. "Sure thing, but first you need to get the band aid on your frog so you don't get an infection." "Pfft! This little thing? I get worse scrapes when I smash into buildings on my scooter!" Raindrops raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm sure. But it's part of the hospital’s rules, candy for a band aid. Not such a bad trade, is it?" "Not really, I guess? Do you have any Wonderbolt ones?" "We sure do. With the amount of times Rainbow Dash visits, we make sure to keep a big stock of them," Redheart joked. After that, Scootaloo sat still as the doctor came in to poke and prod her with various instruments that she swore were secret torture instruments made to be as cold and uncomfortable as possible. But the biggest problem for Scootaloo was that it was just as boring as it was uncomfortable. That was, at least, until the Core Check. Scootaloo was expecting some other pre-Discordian era torture instrument like the hammer, or cold gloves, (Seriously, why would ponies makes gloves like that? All cold and weird feeling...). Scootaloo suppressed a shiver, but the doctor explained everything for her before she could voice her curiosity. "Since Ponyville is a mainly an Earth Pony town, and earth ponies don't have the same needs and demands for magic flow as pegasi and unicorns, we don't have the funds or the usual needs for fancy machines like you'd find in bigger cities or ones with a larger concentration of those races. "But while I'm not expecting you to have problems, if there are, there are better hospitals in Manehatten and Canterlot close by, and Twilight Sparkle owns one. She's been kind enough to use it on the few ponies who needed readings or assistance but aren't able to afford the medical bills that such an in-depth reading costs "I think I'd trust Twilight more than some stranger messing with my medi-thingies," Scootaloo replied, the word meridians feeling strange to say after hearing about it from Raindrops. "Well that's only if you need it. Let's check, shall we? What we're going to do is a simple spell that'll show us your magical energy flow." Dr. Stable's horn lit up, sending golden magic flowing over Scootaloo. Within seconds, yellow tendrils of light began to spiral around her body. Looking at herself, she saw a massive light in her barrel, but the light coming out of it . The light flowing to her wings was nothing more than a foggy mist that barely seemed to move. "Hmm... You seem to have a rather strong magical core. Try flapping your wings as hard as you can, please," He asked, adjusting his stethoscope. Scootaloo flapped her wings with all of her might, getting a whole foot off the table before collapsing. The magic flow to her wings seemed powerful, but tapered off and couldn't quite make it to the wings themselves. "Well, there’s good news and news," Dr. Stable said as he cut off the spell. "Good news first, please!" Scootaloo replied hopefully. "The good news is, you're the only pegasus I know of who can lift herself off the ground by muscle alone. The other news is that you'll need a more in-depth core reading. You have a rather bad block keeping your magic from fully reaching your wings." "Oh well... That's still pretty cool. I bet Rainbow Dash is going to flip when I tell her that I can get off the ground with wing strength alone! As for the other stuff, I know Twilight can help me. She's super smart, and she's going to be teaching me and the crusaders stuff!" Scootaloo said, bouncing on the table. Sure, I need to see why my magic's wonky, but I'm not going to let that get me down! Once I get this fixed, everything's going to better! I know it! On the way to the library, they saw a rather distraught looking Spike, who was looking as if somepony told him emeralds and turquoise no longer existed and the Featherman series was discontinued forever. Raindrops and Scootaloo, wanting to cheer him up, decided to talk to him on along the way. "Hello, Spike! How have you been? I'm sorry I didn't take the time to chat at Scootaloo's party yesterday," Raindrops greeted. "Not too good, to tell you the truth. Twilight's great and really working on those things you talked about, but I just learned that I can't be her son," Spike said sadly. "Why not? From what I saw, while oblivious in some regards, I saw that she cares about you, so why can't you be her son?" "Because the law says that dragons are pets, apparently," Spike growled in response. "What! You're not a pet!" Scootaloo huffed just as angrily, "Sure we might not be friends and hang out and stuff, but you're every bit as pony as I am... Just, a dragon!" "I have to agree, well, not on the pony part. But with how well-mannered you appear, and how sentient you are, you are a child, and I would never have acted as I did if I didn't think you were," Raindrops added. "What do you mean?" Spike asked. "One of my many jobs is as a member of Foal Protective Services, not whatever pets have. And even though I've never had any of my own, I'm very protective of the foals that I meet. If I didn't think you were every bit a foal as those I'm sworn to Celestia and Luna to protect and serve, I would never have stepped in. After all, pets are trained to do all sorts of jobs and have different rules on treatment. "So if anypony can't look at you and see a young one that's every bit as deserving as any other foal, kid, or what have you, then they are blind and stupid," Raindrops finished. Spike spent a few moments looking at the look of indignant anger on her face and gave a small smile. "You know, you might be okay after all. So enough about me for now. I really need to take my mind off me. What are you two up to?" "Well, me and Scootaloo were on our way to Twilight," Raindrops replied. "I'll walk with you," he said, falling into place alongside them as they walked to his home. Scootaloo looked at him as they walked and decided to break the ice. "Hey Spike." "What's up, Scootaloo?" "I know we never really see each other, or hang out, or whatever. But if you ever want to chill, you can hang out with me and the Crusaders if you'd like. We might be aquawhatsists-" "Acquaintances," Spike corrected. "Sure, that thing. But I'd like to be your friend if you'd like. And I'm sure the crusaders would like to be your friend too. Then everypony can see that you're a cool friend, and maybe think you're a pony like them?" Scootaloo said innocently. "I might be busy for a while coming up, but yeah. I think I'd like to be your friend," Spike said. Scootaloo sat at the dining room table with a cup of chocolate milk and small bowl of applesauce, while Raindrops sipped a cup of tea that Spike had prepared for them both as they waited for Twilight to come back. "So you need Twilight to check your magic core?" Spike asked. "Yeah, they said that she has the machine to do a more complete scan-thing than they could do. Is it true that she helps other ponies like that?" "Yep, that's Twilight... Well, at least that's the Twilight ever since she moved down to Ponyville." "So she wasn't always cool?" Scootaloo asked, happily snacking on her sauce. As an afterthought, she added, "For an egghead." "Nah, she wasn't into the whole ‘friends’ thing until recently. I mean, sure, some of the friends I used to have live here now, but she was too caught up with her studies." "If you don't mind, why aren't you friends with them still?" Raindrops interected. "Well, after college, I've been up to my ear fins with work, and Twilight has more needs now that there's no castle staff to do a lot of the grunt work. But it's not all that bad, I guess. I mean, I'm her number one assistant and all," Spike puffed out his chest with pride at that last part before deflating again. "College?" Raindrops said incredulously. "Yeah, Celestia thought it'd be good for me. Since dragons’ minds apparently mature faster than our bodies, I went to schooling along with Twilight, after I managed to blow through basic schooling. Didn't hurt that Twilight always used me as a sounding board when playing school." "Wow... I must say that I'm impressed. Did you have a lot of friends?" Spike seemed to shrink into himself for a moment before responding, "Yeah, a few." "Well, now you have a few more!" Scootaloo said enthusiastically, trying to cheer up the down drake, "And I was serious, I'm your friend now and I know that Sweets and Bloom Oh, and Mango, Pips and Dinks would love to have you as a friend! Heck, we can make you a Cutie Mark Crusader!" "That'd be nice, but dragons don't get Cutie Marks." "Pfft," Scoots blew off the comment, "You still want to find out who you are, right?" "Well, yeah, but -" "’But' nothing! A Cutie Mark shows what makes a pony special, but what really matters is finding out who we are and want to be. So you could definitely be a crusader!" "Ha! You're quite the motivational speaker, Scoots. I might need some time to do some soul searching... But I think I could get behind that." As Scootaloo was about the reply, a very distraught Twilight came bursting through the doors. "Spike?! Oh thank Celestia! I was wondering where you'd gone off too!" "I ran into Scootaloo here along with Raindrops, and we came here since she needed to talk to you," Spike replied nonchalantly, which Scootaloo found strange considering how down in the dumps he was looking. "Oh! Well we can send a letter to Celestia later, I guess," Twilight responded glumly, before throwing on a smile, "So Scootaloo, how can I help you?" "Well, I got a check up today, but there was a problem with my Core Scan, and they suggested that you might be able to help... And since you're going to help me with the whole ‘Twilight Time’ thing, I figured it wouldn’t be that much trouble." "No trouble at all, I'd love to help you. Why don't you and Spike go to the basement and get ready, and I'll be down shortly." "So is there a reason you sent them downstairs? " Raindrops asked. "Yes, you see, I tried adopting Spike. But even Mayor Mare, when she eventually came out to see the scene I was making, said that while a few ponies do like Spike as a dragon, the laws don't acknowledge Spike as a being that one can adopt... But Spike's not a pet,” Twilight sighed, “What should I do?" "You're a princess, can't you just make a law saying dragons are adoptable?" Raindrops asked. "It's not that easy. It requires a majority vote from the rulers to sign on new laws., and then there's the House of Nobles that go over new laws, then there's public outlook that also affects the House of Nobles, and parliament," Twilight explained, "But it looks like I may have to go that route." "Being a princess isn't as easy as everyone thinks it is isn't it?" Raindrops responded with a chuckle. Twilight gave a self-deprecating snicker. "Yeah, tons of red tape and bickering old ponies... You know, I have to thank you a little bit." "How so?" "If it wasn't for you, I never have known that Spike really sees me as his mom, and I wouldn't have had that push I needed to become the pony I should have been for him." "You're welcome, but if it's not too rude of me to ask... Why did it take me to give that push?" Raindrops asked, wrapping a friendly wing around the deflated alicorn. "Mostly because how we were is it's always been. Prin - I mean, Celestia, always made sure that he was given the best education beside me and, in a way, domesticated him for pony life. And I personally just never thought to question it." Twilight said, leaning into the hug slightly before stepping away. "So... Celestia forgive me, but are you saying Celestia basically helped make ponies think of dragons as pets, rather than equals?" "It was unintentional!... Sorry, but yeah, dragons aren’t known as civilized, so we literally had to make things up as we went. But that's something I need to ask her later. Tomorrow I'm going to give Spike the day off. After all, in two days he's going to have a huge surprise." "What's that?" "I've been working on perfecting a spatial distortion and plant transformation spell, so he'll have his own room. By then, all the special things I've ordered will be ready to give him a space all his own," Twilight’s grin faded, and her voice grew solemn as she looked at Raindrops. “Do you think I'll be a good mom?" Raindrops grinned. "Well he hasn't turned out too bad so far. I think with a little work, you could be one of the good ones. Although I want to know why even though he said some of his college friends live in Ponyville, he hasn't been able to keep in touch? That's quite important for any growing being to have." "He had friends?" Twilight asked, tilting her head as if it had never occurred to her before, "I guess I missed out on more than I thought. I'll talk to him tomorrow about it, and see if I can do anything to repair any rifts from being incommunicado for these last few years." Scootaloo UnleashedScootaloo was strapped into a strange device that looked like something out of Rainbow Dash's secret books, which the evil doctor locked an innocent mare into before transforming her into some kind of monster. A pale green rubber cap sat on her head, blue and red lights blinking like some alien brain. Translucent tentacle-like wires ending with suction electrodes were attached to her body, and her limbs were strapped down to sinister black hoof rests. Scootaloo didn't know whether she needed Luna or a plucky assistant to save her from its weird clutches. Twilight walked in with Raindrops, whom Scootaloo had to admit wasn't that bad a pony, even if she really needed to get out more with a special somepony. Whatever that meant. Urgh! Please Luna, don't let Rarity rub off on me like she's doing Sweetie Belle. What do special someponies do, anyway? And why do her friends need to do that? Scootaloo asked why Rainbow Dash hid those in a locked chest under her bed, and was sworn to secrecy lest everypony learn she liked other books beside Daring Do. Scootaloo joked that Twilight was rubbing off on her, and almost busted a lung laughing at how red Rainbow Dash turned. Scootaloo burst out laughing at the memory. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked, looking concerned. "*Snrk*! Yeah, just remembering something. Hey Twilight, I think you should know that Dashie likes you!" Scootaloo sang, merrily playing matchmaker. "What!?" The look on Twilight's face as her wings popped open like Rainbow Dash when she got ahold of an autographed copy of Daring Do was priceless. "Yeah, she got real red when we were talking about you. All good stuff, I promise," Scootaloo said with a smile so innocent a little halo appeared over her head. "Alright, I'll talk to her later, but first, let's see what's going on with your core." Twilight, blushing brighter than anything she ever saw from Fluttershy, flipped the machine's ‘on’ switch. The headpiece, with the tentacle like network of transparent looking wires glew brightly, with a similar green glow flowing down the wires to little suction cups attached to her body. The pale colors began to brighten and expand, until they fully enveloped Scootaloo in a bubble of green energy. Twilight looked at the readings and hummed thoughtfully. "Hmmm... I see... Oh! That's odd... Okay... I didn't know pegasi could have that too ..." "Twilight, you're going into creepy mad scientist mode again," Spike warned. "Sorry Spike. Scootaloo, it seems you have a rather strong magic core, but the blockage looks like something you'd see in unicorns only. But that's silly talk, no offense, but everypony knows that pegasi can't cast spells." "But what about The Three Mages? They showed a pegasus and an earth pony using magic!" "Everypony knows fairy tales aren't real," Twilight said, chuckling softly, "But nonetheless, after fixing this little block we can start getting you ready to tap into your magic core more easily. Now if you were a unicorn, I'd have to place a sap cap on you to prevent a magic surge. But being a pegasus, I guess just securing you so you don't accidentally fly through the ceiling would suffice. Is that okay, Raindrops?" "I guess so, just make sure to keep free of the wing joints," Raindrops replied, looking over to Spike to see if he knew where this was heading. "Don't worry, Twilight will make sure everything’s safe before continuing. She might have a reputation for being a crazy mad scientist, but she'd never take chances with a pony’s safety... At least not intentionally," Spike shrugged noncommittally before walking over to help Twilight get a restraining table and protective gear from a far off closet. Scootaloo gulped as the table was dragged to the center of the room in Twilight's magical aura. Spike gave her a comforting smile. "Hey, don't worry about a thing. Sure, we never did this with a pegasus, but I've seen her do his with a few unicorns, not to mention when she had Celestia do this for her as a filly. There's nothing to be worried about, and I'll be here with you." "Really?" Scoots meekly asked. "Sure, what kind of friend would I be if I left you hanging? Rainbow Dash would probably rainboom me to the moon if I did," Spike laughed, easing the tension in the room a little. "Yeah she would! Dash is awesome!" Scootaloo shouted pridefully. "When you're ready, let me know and everything will be over in a minute," Twilight said as she returned to Scootaloo. "Um, sure? I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Scootaloo replied as bravely as she could, eyeing the cold table warily. "Okay, let's do science!" Twilight yelled happily, ominous lightning flashing in the background. "Sorry!" Spike exclaimed, "Slipped onto the tesla coil." Scootaloo couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that something was going to wrong. Maybe it was the alien tentacle monster of a machine she was previously strapped to, or the lightning that flashed a few seconds ago as Twilight threw a cliche mad scientist line. Or, more than likely, it was the weird sensation of being strapped to a table, as Twilight muttered over her checklist while Spike facepalmed. Regardless, Scootaloo suppressed a shiver as Raindrops trotted beside her and rested a hoof comfortingly on her withers. "Are you okay, Scootaloo?" "I'm not scared!" Scootaloo blurted defensively. "Of course not, but if you were, that'd be alright," Raindrops replied, comfortingly rubbing Scootaloo's back. "Well... Maybe a little. But you and Spike won't let anything bad happen... So I'm good. Kinda." Scootaloo admitted sheepishly. "That's right, Spike and I will be right here with you," Raindrops grinned. "It's time to start, is everyone ready?" Twilight inquired, quill hovering over her checklist at the last empty box. After checking and rechecking to make sure that everyone present was ready did the last box get checked, "Alright then, if you and Spike will step back, this will only take a moment." "Are you sure you know what you're doing? No offense, but what if this is like what happens to unicorns?" Raindrops asked hesitantly, stepping closer to Scootaloo. "Not in pegasi, but I've never heard of a pegasus spellcaster outside of fiction. And these straps are lightning retardant and grounded so no worries about electrical damage, and they’ll keep her down to prevent her from flying straight through the ceiling. As for unicorns. I've done it plenty of times. Although it was slightly different." "How so?" "All a unicorn needs is a sap cap to prevent magic from forming. It takes anywhere from thirty seconds to five minutes for the burst of magic to run its course. Then it's all over." "Alright," Raindrops said, moving over to Spike as Twilight readied the spell. Scootaloo shut her eyes tightly to prevent herself from seeing whatever weird mojo Twilight was going to do. But her temporary guardian and friend were there to witness what transpired next. Scootaloo's body was enveloped in a amethyst aura and her eyes glowed with with magic. Her mind went blank as the pervasive feeling of magic rushed through her like a tidal wave, seeking release, and release it did as she lifted her wings. Blasts of magic shot out and struck Spike and Raindrops, transforming them into squirrels with the same color schemes as their normal bodies. Scootaloo's hooves, meanwhile, removed the straps from her body as she floated toward the center of the room. Random spells shot out with each wingbeat, while her hooves alternated between moving things in telekinetic auras, and shooting random blasts of purple lightning. All the while, she felt strangely detached, as if looking upon it as an outsider. Watching as the lab came to life, Twilight hurriedly tried to fix things, and two pretty squirrels ran into the maelstrom of chaos. Twilight had decided that she was a very unhappy camper being on the receiving end of a massive flare. Usually ponies who flared in her lab had measures to keep them from releasing random bursts of magic as blockages, calluses, or anomalies were corrected, releasing the built up forces that had been building up as the body worked to stabilize itself. And very few of them had any magical core worth talking about. Not that she felt herself superior, but rather they weren't that dangerous. But the thought of a pegasus casting magic ... Twilight felt a part of her brain snap at the improbability of it. Even more so than when she tried studying the Pinkie Sense. But there was one thing that took precedence over trying to understand how Scootaloo was doing something that was supposed to only belong to unicorns, and that was making sure that the pegasus under her care didn't do any lasting damage to herself or others. But before she could make a move, the most unlikely of guests arrived. "Discord, what in Tartarus are you doing here!?" Twilight shouted over the din of magic. "Oh, I just sensed some lovely chaos, much more better than her and Rainbow Dash's cooking, I must say," Discord said merrily. "If you're here, help!" Twilight said, zapping at a series of wires that had transformed into giant tentacles. "Oh, if you insist! After all, that's what friends do for each other, right?" Discord said, swishing his tail. For just a moment, everything returned to normal, only to get blasted with Scootaloo’s next volley of spells. "Yes, and thank you. Just please, keep whatever you’re doing up, and let me deal with Scootaloo.” Sighing wearily, Twilight flew unevenly over to Scootaloo. So this is what Celestia felt like when Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom set me off. She touched Scootaloo and the aura around her died down. But unlike herself, when her flare died down ending in a Cutie Mark, Scootaloo's ended with a sleeping filly clinging to Twilight's neck. Scootaloo had switched from clinging to Twilight to nestling herself between Raindrops’ wings. Raindrops herself was looking at Discord with a mixture of horror and relief. "So you're supposed to be a good guy now?" "Sure, let's go with that, although I have quite the soft spot for the little Generators of Chaos, and when I saw that Rainbow Jr. here was in danger I just had to help. After all, Twilight and I are good friends. Isn't that right, princess Twilight Sparkle?" "Yes, sure, why not. Discord... I thought I'd never say this. Ever. But, thank you, you really helped me out," Twilight said with something between a smile and a grimace. "So you'll finally come and have tea with me and Fluttershy? After all, with how you all have been avoiding me, I was starting to think we weren't friends at all," Discord replied with a wry smile. "Yes, and I guess I can talk to you more, and yes Raindrops. We've... Well, really just Fluttershy, reformed Discord. He's been discovering the friendship of magic," Twilight said, rubbing her forehead with her hoof, "And I'm sorry about that. It was unprecedented, and I apologize for that." "Well, Discord... Did help," Raindrops said with a shudder that didn't go unnoticed by Discord, as revealed by his arched eyebrow, "Sorry. It's just, last time I saw you... It was quite unpleasant. But yeah, thank you for helping Scootaloo. As for you, Twilight, I guess I see why you need a sap cap on unicorns, so since everything’s alright now... I guess it's alright... Goodbye everyone?" Receiving a round of goodbyes, she trotted up the stairs and out of the library. What an odd bunch you've landed yourself in with Scootaloo. I have a feeling that everything’s going to turn out alright. Author's Note Something that came up when I was making this chapter is that yes "glew" is a past tense version of glow. Honestly I was suprised with the visceral levels of hate for the word, but it's something I was taught was proper. Anywho. For the real A/N, I've had this scene more or less in my head since I started writing this fic. And I feel accomplished with finally getting around to finishing this part of the story. The next fic, "Golden Crusade" is going to be out in probably a month or two from now. For all of you who've been with this from the beginning thank you, and for those of you just finishing up. There's more to come. Other GoldenVerse Fics out right now: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/126409/strawberry-muffins [Takes place a few weeks before Chapter 1. It's sequel takes place right before the big reveal (or two days before this chapter takes place.] http://www.fimfiction.net/story/212009/types-of-love [Begins in Chapter 11, and from the end of this fic / Chapter 3 of ToL, branch into their own stories for a while with passing cameos / crossovers for a while.] SequelThe Golden Crusade is out. Scootaloo's power has been unleashed. Apple Bloom has gotten her Cutie Mark. And Spike has started his journey to Canterlot to discover himself, but like all Crusades, its not the destination that matters. But the journey, for when one chapter ends another begins. Come everypony to see the next part of the GoldenVerse. Also I'd like to give a special thanks to all my readers who've followed this story. It wouldn't have been anywhere near as great, or as fulfilling to make without all of you. So thanks for following this story, and I hope you enjoy the next fic just as much as you've enjoyed this one.
A New Beginning A New Beginning Raindrops was a mare of all trades here in Ponyville. Mostly being partnered with Ditzy Doo to help keep her going in the right direction and help her if she needed it, in her various day jobs. Originally it was a part of the Equestrian Equal Employment Act’s Disability Employment laws that got her partnered with Ditzy Doo. But in time they had become friends, and was more known for her connection with that mare than she was with the other services she did for the town. This brought Raindrops to her current predicament. With Ditzy Doo being seriously ill with the Alicorn Pox (called such due to it’s affecting only unicorns and pegasi), she had to take all of Ditzy’s jobs as well as do other odd jobs to ensure that she was taken care of while in quarantine. She was so lost in thought zipping through the airspace of Ponyville that she almost didn’t notice a strange sight beneath her. Banking on the clouds she looked at the alleyway seeing an orange pegasus filly dumpster diving. Already having what looked like a some kind of mystery pasta, with some odd stuff popping out of it, as well as a few old apple cores. The confusion of the sight was ended when she saw the filly tear into the food before her with gusto. Looking at the sun’s position and seeing it was almost an hour before sundown she decided to help this filly. It was both a part of her special talent, as well as parts of her past that had instilled within her a sense of responsibility, and compassion for other ponies. Seeing this filly tear into trash to survive filled her with a deep ache within her chest and made her want to do whatever it took to get her back on her hooves as it were. She remembered what that was like, before Shimmering Breeze gave her a second chance at life and helped her get back on her hooves when she was barely out of third grade. Those were rough years, but with acts of kindness and compassion anypony can be helped to weather the storms life throws them. That poor filly, I don’t know why she’s all alone out here diving for food, but there is no way I’m going to just leave her all alone out here. After all, we are going to be having our first snowdrop shortly after Nightmare Night in a few weeks and I don’t want her to be out here in the snow, especially since Boss mare said it was going to be the worst one in decades, to make up for the drought we had almost all year long. I don’t get how a long snow is going to fix a major drought, but that’s for the higher ups to argue about, I got a filly to help. Although so I don’t come across as a creeper I should probably talk to her before I put my hoof in my mouth. She dropped down beside the filly she vaguely remembered as being named Scootaloo, from the yells of the populace as she transformed their property into a skate rink. Lowering herself a little to make herself as less intimidating as possible gave a little cough that caused Scootaloo to jump out of her skin, “Don’t be afraid, I’m not here to hurt you,” Raindrops said in a gentle voice, “Hi, my name is Raindrops what’s yours?” “Why do you care? And I’m not afraid. I’m as brave as Rainbow Dash! And she’s not afraid of anything.” Scootaloo said defensively creeping slowly closer to her Saddlebags and Scooter she was known for. “Because you look like you’re in a similar situation that I was in when I was probably a few years younger than yourself, and was given an opportunity that I’m about to give you unless I missed my mark. If I have than I’ll just need to tell your parents about you diving in dumpsters so they can watch out for that. So all I’m going to do is ask you a few questions than either I can take you to your folks and be on my way, or I can give you emergency shelter until the winter passes. Or until we can find you a stable place to stay since we’re getting a bad snowfall in a few weeks, and I wouldn’t like the idea of anypony not having a warm place to stay for the winter. And yes I know that you are probably a very brave filly, and Rainbow Dash is a great Lead Pony. Being her wingpony during the Academy is almost better than working for her on the few occasions that I help out.” Raindrops said slowly scooting closer to Scootaloo, as she talked, stopping right outside of her reach so that the next move. To get closer or move away was Scootaloo’s. Oh my Celestia! Not now! I always knew someday I might get caught, but not while covered in whatever this stuff is eating from the trash. Please Luna let me die now! Scootaloo thought with a furious blush, and worst of all I'm still sore from Crusading today so I can't run. Ha! Run, like she couldn't catch me. She's bigger and she can fly. Oh Celestia what do I do? I mean would it be so bad to have a place to sleep that isn't the freezing ground for a night? And if I get her to Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret then she has too. Or else Pinkie Pie will eat their soul like a cupcake, or shoot them to the moon with her Party Cannon, or maybe she has a team of ninja squirrels that she trains to turn ponies who break their promise into acorns and then hide them in a tree ... I never actually asked why a pony never breaks them, but it has to be bad if nopony breaks them. So I guess I have no choice but to trust her. She says she knows Rainbow Dash, at least I think I remember her talking about how a Rainsomepony caught Pinkie Pie from a tornado. And Rainbow Dash only hangs out with good ponies so she can't be that bad. I hope. Please Princess Celestia, Luna, and Twilight ... and Discord to for good measure don't let this go bad for me. Just this once let things go my way for a change. Taking a deep breath, and readying herself for what she was about to do she looked at Raindrops with the full force of the biggest puppy dog eyes she could manage. “Um ... Ok ... I’ll trust you I guess … what do you want to know?” Scootaloo asked wearily. “Well for starters, where are your parents and why are you out here eating from the trash instead of at home?” “My parents are busy at work at the moment so you can’t see them. And I got hungry on the way home so I stopped for a bite. That’s not a crime now is it?” Scootaloo tried to wheedle out of the already declining situation. With the worst cliched excuses in Equestrian history, it didn’t help her case that she was looking everywhere but Raindrops. “Ok. So show me where you live, and where they work so that I can get you home safely, and go to see your parents so that I can catch them up with what’s been going on.” “You aren’t going to leave this alone are you?” Scootaloo asked her body going into a guarded crouch. “Sorry Child Protection and Anti-Negligence Laws prevent me from just turning a blind eye if I think there is a problem with a child or they are doing an act that could be potentially harmful to them. So until I can resolve this I got to make sure I do everything I can to ensure your safety.” Raindrops replied moving closer with Fluttershy like softness so as to hopefully not spook Scootaloo off to much. “Why should you care?” “Why should I not? Now tell me the truth. Where are you folks, and where do you live? If you can tell me that I can make sure you get to that place safely and I can update your folks on your situation.” Seeing that she had no other option but to spill the beans. She took a deep breath, but first she wanted a Pinkie Promise that it wasn’t going to be told to the only pony that mattered to her, “Fine I’ll talk, but first you have to Pinkie Promise that you won’t tell anypony else.” “Alright. I might have to go to Twilight Sparkle to let her know depending on what you tell me so I can make sure I can do everything as legally as possible, and as long as it not something that is endangering you nor anypony else I’ll agree to it.” Raindrops said comfortingly. “Ok … that’s fair I guess. So do you Pinkie Promise?” Raindrops knew that nopony ever dared break a Pinkie Promise, and once made could not be undone. So she went through the motions of the most unbreakable oath in Equestrian History, and repeated her promise to Scootaloo. “Ok. So I’ve been on my own for five years now since my parents died. I don’t want to tell you where I’ve been staying since nopony needs to know that. But you can’t take me away from here, not after I finally got friends, and Rainbow Dash said she’d be my sister so I have a family again sort of, and I have a life. So you can’t take me away!” She cried. “Well I’ll do my best to ensure that you stay as close to Ponyville as possible, but I’m going to need you to come with me. I have an emergency shelter for ponies to use when they are in a bad way. Then I’ll go and wrap this up with Twilight.” Yay! She did it. I don't know what's going to happen, but at least for night I won't be alone. At least not for tonight. “Ok. I’ll give this a try. And my name’s Scootaloo.” Scootaloo said giving out a hoof before noticing the debris from her meal caking it. Small tears of embarrassment fell from her eyes. Raindrops used one of her silken soft wings to gently wipe them away with the most graceful of touches. “Wait here, I’ll be back almost as fast as Rainbow Dash.” She said with a grin, she knew it wasn’t true she had a max wingpower of only 12.8, while Rainbow Dash’s was 16.5. But it was something she was sure would calm Scootaloo down, and more importantly the thing she needed was just above them. Gathering a compact ball of clouds she flew down and saw a dejected looking Scootaloo, tears running down her face, trying her best to disappear by hiding her head under her hooves. As her body shaking in silent tears, Great not only did I get found out, but I have to be stupid and shake on it while my hooves are caked in Celestia knows what. Teaches me to eat out at some fancy, shmancy restaurant. Raindrop came down and with an agitated cloud gave Scootaloo a quick wash off of her hooves, and face. before throwing the mushy mess of a cloud into the trash, “Now why don’t you fly with me to my place and I’ll carry your things.” The embarrassment on Scootaloo’s face grew a hundred fold as she said in barely a squeak, “I can’t fly.” “Aw, that’s ok. You’re just a late bloomer like I was. Hey, I got an idea. Why don’t you climb on up, and I’ll take you for a ride.” Raindrops dropped into a bow so the little filly could climb on up, “Just be careful of the wings, they’re sensitive.” With Scootaloo on her back she took off with a gentle leap slowly soaring through the air. As they glided to the outskirts of Ponyville where her two story house sat, she looked over at her guest riding on her back. Scootaloo’s eyes were closed, underdeveloped wings as far out as they could go with the wind flowing through the feathers, and a wide smile nearly splitting her face. Hoping to give her a few extra minutes of joy she circled her ground home and slowly glided down. While it was true that most pegasi loved clouds, and as a pegasus she was no exception, but regularly watching Dinky Doo and Sparkler, or other other ground based ponies as she either did the occasional babysitting jobs, or did hospice for those ponies who had nowhere else to go while traveling through she decided that it would be prudent to live on the ground where any of the pony races could stay in. While those later jobs weren’t regular they were enough to get word of mouth out there about her so that other ponies who needed help could have a pair of helping hooves. It was also good cover as to why Scootaloo would be staying with her until she wanted others to know, past Twilight Sparkle. But that could be dealt with tomorrow. Author's Note A/N 1:Well do to the fact that LtS was an exercise in Prompt writing, and parts of it weren't. It was creating a clash, and I just lost connection to the story. As well as the fact that alot of things were running away from me. This here is being saved and worked on in GDocs. Will have a minimum of a thousand words a week [Friday afternoon deadline [3 PM EST]]. Updates [other than this chapter and the next one] will be updated Thursdays and Fridays. I'm still having the Family meet games, and CMC induced chaos after the story get's off the ground. But now with new CMC members [spoilers]Dinky Do,and later Mango Dash. A/N 2: Fixed Spacing in this chapter and did indentations. Am going to fix the other one now. [11:07 PM EST 8/14] A/N 3: Gave a greater internal dialog for Scoots. Hopefully giving insight into her decision to go with Raindrops. As well as making that hesitancy in the spoken dialog beneath it make more sense. I fixed the Wind Speed error for Dashie. If there is any other problems I'll fix them while waiting on the editor. A/N 4: Got an Editor finally. Got everything looking better, and says this version is post worthy. Made Raindrops and Scoots convo not come across as the set up on, To Catch a Super Predator, and a better set up so that it makes sense.
Relaxing Relaxing When they got to the front door Raindrops swished her teal mane out of her eyes, and looked at Scoots, “Hey, listen Scootaloo. If anyone asks why you’re here I’m going to tell those you don’t want to know that I’m babysitting you while your parents are away. And just so you know I’m watching Dinky Doo while Ditzy is getting over Alicorn Pox.” Scootaloo gave a short nod, and after they entered Raindrops house, she was given a tour of the place. The first place she was shown was the kitchen it had an old auto-light oven that used a replaceable lightning cloud to cook the food. The floors were oak, and it had a cherry wood table. All around the walls other than the table was a green marble, wrap around countertop with a dark vanished drawers and shelving. A window near the left corner across from the oven let in a soft trickling of light. The bathrooms were all similar. Granite countertops, a large basin sink with a set of stairs with a holding rail near them. tractioned flooring. Weird toilets that had guard rails near the sides. When Scootaloo asked about them, Raindrops answered that some ponies had trouble moving about so the rails were so that ponies could move about the restrooms without injuring themselves. The bath tub is what really caught Scootaloo’s eye though. It was two pony lengths wide, and a half a normal pony lengths deep. It was the biggest tub that Scootaloo had ever seen. Next were other various rooms that Scootaloo didn’t think to pay much attention to. Including the place she was going to be sleeping, Sparkler and Dinky Doo’s rooms, Her room, and the game room. The later filled with books, board games, pool, table hockey, and a projector with a small collection of film reels. Raindrops walked her to the bathroom that was for now Scootaloo’s and told her that after her bath to meet her in the Game Room, and not to worry about other ponies showing up. She rarely got visitors this time of year, and the girls wouldn’t be showing up for the next three hours. Scootaloo enjoyed taking a nice long bath, it was nice when she was at her friend place’s. To be safe and not having to worry about prying eyes catching her while she washed off in a creek, the park lake, or took a quick sink bath in Bargain Bin’s restroom. Although ever since meeting Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon she didn’t use that place as much as she used too. But in houses, she could take her time, letting the water soak into her coat. Slowly enjoying the feeling of soap being massaged into her sore body. It turns out sleeping on the hard ground after rigorously working everyday out isn’t the best for the body. So when she had the time to enjoy this simple luxury she enjoyed abusing it. As the tub filled with water and a several inch thick crust of bubbles, Scootaloo walked onto of the bubbles as normal pegasi would a cloud. Being the only thing close to a cloud that Scootaloo could get to it gave her a large amount of entertainment before she got to the good parts. After jumping up and down on the bubbles skidding around the tub like a skater would skate on ice. Doing a few axles and pirouettes for good measures she gathered the bubbles before her and made herself a cave of bubbles. Sitting on her haunches she pulled up a mass of bubbles to her ear like a walkie talkie, "Daring Doo, this is Scootaloo reporting from the Lost Caves of the Pygmy Ponies. I'm heading in!" With that she dived into the "cave" and let her body glide around the water under the bubbles. Letting the water soak into her fur as she drifted around. After several seconds of swimming she popped up and arranged the bubbles around to form a flowing bubble mane, and a giant beard, and making several pony bubble statues, said, "By Celestia's beard! Pygmy Ponies are here to protect their treasure! Time to bring out the big guns! Scootaloo, transform into Princess Scootaloo, Ruler of all things Awesometastic!" Setting her wings a buzzing the bubbles were scattered throughout bathroom. Most staying inside the tub, but the beard, mane, and pygmy ponies were unfortunately blown away by her spectacular display of power. Settling in the tub now that she had stretched out her sore muscles, soaked, and had her fun. It was time to fully enjoy this rare occasion. Taking the junior hoof pick from its place on the side of the tub she silently thanked Raindrops earlier washing. It reduced a lot of the gunk she built up over a day, and made this part less dirty than she was used to. Taking the pick at the back of her hoof giggled as it it gave a pleasurable tickle as it lifted mud, garbage, rocks, tree sap, and other debris from her hoof. Slowly but surely she had a majority of the stuff removed, and with a thick bristled brush removed the rest. Spitting it out she moved to using her fore hooves to use the pick and brush to clean the back hooves. Next part was her favorite part of all. The sponging. In between Crusading, riding around on her scooter, and standing on her back hooves, sleeping on hard surfaces ninety percent of her nights left her body a mass of knots, sore muscles, and various aches. But soaking in a nice warm tub, her muscles soaking in the heat, massaging said muscles was just what the doctor ordered. As her hooves slowly worked their way around the parts of her body she could reach, massaging out each problem area at a time. Oooohhhhh! This feels so good! I didn’t think I’d get another good bath until I went to Sweetie Belle’s next week. Well this Raindrops mare looks pretty legit, and she did Pinkie Promise. But I was hoping that nopony would find me out, I mean I knew it was bound to happen someday, but I was still wishing that nothing would have to change since I wandered into this town. What if she decides that she wants to send me away, or that I’m not worth the trouble and just kicks me out? Can I really trust her or is she just trying to trick me? I mean she seems like a nice mare, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the other horseshoe to drop. Until then I’m going to be enjoying me a bath. Raindrops went around the kitchen getting various foods and treats together so that Scootaloo had something to munch on while they talked. Tomorrow is going to be one hectic day. I need to find my Level Two Foster Care, Respite Forms. My Emergency Shelter certifications, Hospice Training records... what else do I need to do to cut through the red tape here and get things underway. I don't want Scootaloo to think that I'm trying to step in as a parent yet, or maybe even at all. But at least if Canterlot sends somepony by the FPS, I'll be able to keep her here. Thank you, Cloudkicker, for telling me to transfer my forms over to Ponyville just in case an emergency popped up. I'll need to get you some flowers or something nice. Always looking out for me since we met in Canterlot. Best friend a mare could ask for. So after I get those go over to Twilight's while everypony is put to bed. Lock the door, and get thing situated. See if there isn't a more long term foster setup, or any pony looking to adopt over here in Ponyville. It'd be horrible to take her away from what little of a life she's managed to build here. Rainbow Dash thinks the world of that little filly, says she's the best little sister ever. But I'll wait to Scootaloo is ready to open up more and is ready to talk to her, herself. So the time flew with her inside her head planning on what to do and say. Making sure that everything was picture perfect.And putting together a game plan for ensuring that the all of the youths under her care were happy. But she'd get a slightly more complete story than she had from Scootaloo whenever she got finished from her bath. Which by the sounds above her was coming up soon. When she had finished up, half an hour later, and got to the Game Room she saw Raindrop sitting on a chair facing the door with a large assortment of food and a cup of soda waiting for Scootaloo. Waving her over with a forehoof Raindrops said, “Come on over, and sit next to me. We need to talk a little bit so that I can help you more, but don’t worry if there is anything that you are too uncomfortable talking about, let me know and we can skip it for now.” After giving an affirmative grunt, and digging into her food with reckless abandon. As Raindrop started the conversation, “ So what about where you’ve been sleeping, how have you taken care of yourself so long?” Raindrops asked leaning in slightly, letting Scootaloo know that she had her full attention. “Well I’ve been living in the back alleys, sometimes if the weather is bad enough I live in the Cutie Mark Crusader club house on Sweet Apple Acres. Although now that the Cutie Mark Crusaders are formed, I sleep over at their places every now and then when they aren’t too busy. Well if you’ve been in my hooves, you probably know how I’ve been eating, although I try to pay off AJ back from the Apples I take from them by leaving a few bits I find laying around. Well the bits that don’t go to getting school stuff, or fixing my scooter.” She said off hoof. Giving as little details as possible, including the definition of finding bits laying around. Raindrops looked at Scootaloo, wrapped her wing around her in a hug. She knew exactly what ‘laying around’ meant, and while Ponyville was different than Canterlot she knew enough about outdoor survival that she could piece together the things of that question that went unanswered. Scootaloo was caught off guard by the hug and pushed herself into it as the warmth wrapped around her in a comforting cocoon. Raindrops dropped her muzzle to the top of Scootaloo’s head and whispered, “You don’t have to live that life any more. Until we figure out what to do, you will always have a place here if you’d like.” So thus their conversation continued until Dinky Doo and Sparkler came over and shifted into the misadventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as well as an invitation to Dinky Doo to join when they had their crusader meeting tomorrow. It was many hours later when Scootaloo went off to bed, and with her asleep, Raindrops though of what she was going to do tomorrow. Author's Note A/N 1: FPS. Foal Protection Services. It's the Equestrian version of CYS [Child Youth Services] here on earth. A/N 2: More info, more descriptions, and all edited chapter.
Going to Twilight Going to Twilight “Hey Ms. Raindrops?” Scootaloo asked when Raindrops told them it was time for bed. “Just call me Raindrops, Ms. makes me sound old. What can I help you with Scootaloo?” She ask. “Well since I’m staying here for awhile, instead of my own room, can I have a sleepover with Dinky and Sparkler? I haven’t really talked to them before and it’ll be fun.” She asked as Dinky stepped beside her and flashed a million bit smile shiny enough to be almost blinding. “Gahhh! Weaponized cuteness! Turn it off! Turn it off!” Raindrops said jokingly with a chuckle as she shielded her eyes with her forelegs, when they turned down the wattage on their smiles she laughed and ruffled Dinky’s mane, “Well I don’t see why not, just make sure to go to bed in a few hours. You all have school tomorrow and I’m going to be waking you fillies up around 7.” With a cheer the fillies ran to their room with Raindrops trotting behind them. After making sure that Scootaloo had everything that she needed, and made sure Dinky Doo and Sparkler had brushed their teeth and groomed their manes looked at them through the door entryway, “Listen fillies, I need to have a talk with Princess Twilight, or at least talk to Spike. I’ll be home in a little while and I want you to promise that you will all behave, alright?” “We Promise!” Came the chorus of voices. With a smile she shut the door and left them to their own devices. As she got her saddlebag and a bottle of water for the trip. She took off for the Golden Oaks Library. Although it was a relatively short five minute flight, she loved the cool, crisp, night air caressing her wings. Her meeting Scootaloo brought back memories of her past and she let herself get drawn into her memories as her body enjoyed its flight. When Raindrops was five her family put her in a Canterlot Orphanage, at the age of seven she ran away. The orphanages when she was a filly were a lot different than they are now in days. The Headmarm was a cruel, world weary mare with a penchant for sadistic punishments to keep her foals in line. All the while working them to the bone to make goods that went to boosting the income the orphanage got through stipends, fundraisers, and charities. The second she was old enough to fly was the day she bolted and never looked back. For three years she lived in the alleyways of Brokeback Way, several blocks south of Alicorn Row. While not the shadiest of places, it was far enough that the light of the castle looked like a mockery of a fairy tale. She knew a group of older stallions and mares who had fallen on hard times and made their way scrounging bits however they could come across it without descending to the drugs and violence that sometimes overtook the more destitute sectors hiding in the Princess’s shadow, and the blindspot of the nobility’s wealth. Those were dark times for Raindrops, scraping together what could loosely be defined as a life, withering away in the depression of her family leaving her to that monster, and the mental scars that wrecked wrench inflicted upon her young psyche. But on her third year she decided that she had enough of scraping the refuse that the well-to-do wanted no part of, and decided to steal a chunk of that living herself. The scam worked for a few months, then she got caught by a member of the town guard, Lt. Shimmering Breeze. He noted that she matched the description of a filly that had left the same time that other ponies valuables had gone missing. While he escorted her to the station on the other end of the city, he told her that she could do community service while back in the orphanage, or she could serve jail time and then when she was released if she was old enough she would be sent back until of age to leave. It was when she learned that even after she ran for so long that evil mare was going to have her back in her clutches that Raindrops broke down. And in the middle of her tear fueled babbling that she told him everything. About the orphanage and Headmarm Sugar Sweet. About how she ran away and had been on the streets for years. Even her wanting a better life so she stole to survive. Everything. An hour later he was just looking at her, and used his wings to wipe away her tears, “Listen, I have to look into this, but I want you to know that I’ve seen a lot in my time in the Guard. I’ve seen liars crying dragon tears to wiggle out of punishment, I’ve seen those who shifted blame for their actions on others, and I’ve seen those who would do anything to escape punishment. “But I’ve also seen enough to know when somepony is being honest with me. I trust you, but I have procedures to go over. While I’m looking it over I’ll make sure you’re in somewhere safe. But you are still going to make up the money to pay off your debt to society for all the stuff you stole. If you tell me who you stole from, and where you sold it too. I’ll make sure that the judge is lenient on you, alright?” He said in a voice that was both steely, yet gentle like a light storm breeze. “Wait! So ... So you aren’t sending me back to that place? You really mean it?” Raindrops squeaked. “With what I heard from you, and your obvious fear on your face I couldn’t send you back. Well here we are. I’ll get you processed. You’ll have to spend the night here, but I’ll make sure it is in the cells we save for minor offenders. Well I’ll be seeing you little filly.” And with that Lt. Shimmering Breeze got her processed and put her in her cell. It was a day later that she was told that the Orphanage was violating several labor laws for foals, had proof of abuse and neglect, and was under review for other criminal activities. For her part of bringing it to the guard her term was lessened, and Shimmering Breeze came up to her while she sat in shock after the good news. “Hey, listen, about the terms of your sentence. I spoke to my captain and the Head of the Town Guard. Who talked the judge and for what you did I’m going to give you two choices. First is house arrest with me at my place, where you’ll be my ward until you're of age to move out. You’ll also be doing seven hundred and thirty hours of community service between school work. The other choice is that you do six months of jail time, a 166 bit fine, and will be sent to a different orphanage, which won’t be like the one you were at, as a ward of the state until you reach maximum age. Now this mare behind me is Quid Pro Quo, she’s a lawyer here for you to talk over your options and make sure you understand your rights.” When he was done explaining a mare that she didn’t see until just now trotted into view, but Raindrops didn’t need anything explained. Anything was better than another orphanage and she told them all she wanted house arrest. The next few weeks she fell into her normal state of depression and gloom. Seeing his new house guest in such a state, he took her out in a rainstorm and brought her up to the lighter grey clouds beneath their hooves. Popping open a small patch over his property letting the light fall around it, he scooted over and waved for her to lay near the edge and look down. “I guess I should tell you that the house arrest idea was my own. I saw where you were in life, and it was better when I was some snot nosed punk in a gang over at Blood Moon circle. But when I was a bit older than you I met a member of the Town Guard, and he says to me one day after he beat some sense into me. Setting me on the straight and narrow, “Hey Breeze! I saw potential in you to do good when I saw you all those years ago. So I took you under my hooves and helped you out. I want you to promise me that someday when you see somepony who needs help you’ll do the same for them.” “Well I promised him, and now I’m going to help you get on your hooves and become a good mare someday. I saw potential in you, and I know you probably don’t need a lecture, and I’m not going to ask you to make the same promise. That’ll be up to you to decide when your older. But I wanted to say something my mother told me when I was a little fledgling, Pegasus barely out of junior flight school. “There are times in life, where like a storm on ground side, you're hit on all sides by problems you can’t stop, can barely hold more than a mouthful at a time, and seems unending. Like it’ll never get better. And the skies in your life will be seem so unendingly grey that it can bog you down. Just remember this. Above every raincloud, the sun is shining, and every storm, no matter how long and how hard it may seem, will eventually end. “So Raindrops. I’ll help you if you want me to, but remember that while things might seem dark now,” pointing to the dark spots outside the light, “ The sun is waiting to shine for you again.” He said waving his hoof at the bright sky around them, “and all you need to do is ask for help. And if I can I will, and if I can’t I’ll find somepony who can.” Raindrops was listening to his conversation and absorbed and stored it away till later. It seemed a kind of thing that somepony who hadn’t been in her place would say, ‘look at the brightside of life’, and other such nonsense. But as she thought about it, it made sense. When all that stuff was happening it was easy to look at the negative, but she had some parts of her life outside the orphanage that wasn’t all that bad. Letting his lecture digest, she decided that she’d see if it ever became useful. And useful it did become. As the months, the therapy visits, and group sessions went by between community service, school work, and chores. She learned the wisdom behind those words as the groups she went to said basically the same thing, emotions are like waves, they peak and fall. It’s easier to focus on the negative in life, but if we work at it we can see that things aren’t always as bad as we paint them. Not to say that they aren’t stressful, horrifying, or bad at the moment, or that sometimes they are as bad as we paint them. But you can’t let those emotions control your life. Something that for Raindrops wasn’t all that easy. Eventually she ended her service, and more importantly, she was done with the first eight weeks of groups. When she stopped by a nursing home that she was working at. When she told the ponies that she was helping that she was leaving she was treated to a small thank you party. It was here that she learned how much she had helped the ponies in the home, and how much they were touched by her listening to them and helping them out with their emotional problems. It was at that moment, that it clicked. Everypony has rainy days in their life, but by her reaching out and being there for them she had made a small but profound effect on their lives brightening their days. It was then that she got her Cutie Mark, three raindrops. She came out of her memories as she neared the library. Flitting down she gave a knock on the door where she heard a male voice telling her to come in. Using her wing to open the door she stepped in seeing a dragon sitting across from Princess Twilight drinking tea while an owl went around cleaning the place up. Raindrops was caught between wondering if she should bow or walk in first causing her to prance about nervously as she was caught between the two actions. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to bow to me. I get enough of that at Canterlot, just treat me like any ordinary pony.” Twilight said with a practiced smile of serenity. “Ok, but you’re a Princess now though, are you sure that I shouldn’t bow or curtsy, or something? I wouldn’t want to be rude?” Raindrops asked nervously while scratching her left ear with her foreleg. “Think of it as a royal request. After all, I was a normal unicorn pony before I became a Princess. So don’t worry about it. So how may I help you today?” Twilight asked. “Um ... well this is kind of private. Could we talk alone please? If that’s okay with you I mean.” Raindrops asked. “No problem. Spike, could you make our guest some of your famous brownies?” She asked the young dragon. “Sure, let me know when your done talking, and don’t let the tea go to cold. I know how much you hate it when that happens.” And with that he walked off into the kitchen. Taking the seat that Twilight offered her, Raindrops sat and taking a deep breath began, “Now I ran into Scootaloo this late afternoon -” “What did she do this time? And why come to me and not her parents or somepony else?” Twilight interrupted. “She didn’t do anything, and it’s not right to assume the worst in a pony just because they’re rambunctious. Oh! Sorry Princess.” Raindrops said, the dissonance of knowing her as a unicorn, and now an alicorn making her more flustered than she felt she should be feeling at the moment. “No, don’t be sorry, and you’re right. It’s not right to jump to conclusions, sorry for interrupting you please continue.” Twilight said waving off Raindrops worries with a hoofwave. “Well I saw Scootaloo and now this is confidential since I Pinkie Promised I would tell only you until she was ready to tell everypony else. So if you could keep this between as few ponies as possible that’d be great but I trust you’re discretion in who you tell. But she was dumpster diving for food and was eating throwaways from Le Pasture’. -” “She was what?!”Twilight yelled, surprised at what she just heard. “She. Was. Eating. From. A. Dumpster. I found out that she’s been homeless for the last five years after her parents died, and I took her in for the moment. Now I have the necessary paperwork for emergency housing for her to stay with me until the end of winter wrap up.” Raindrops replied. “Or course. But I’ve known, well in passing, Scootaloo for four years. Her friends are my friends sisters, and I just don’t know how nopony noticed before. I have to tell the girls about this.” Twilight looking over the offered paperwork. “You can’t! Sorry Princess,” Raindrops said, “ I mean Twilight, or whatever. I meant to say that Scootaloo is in a delicate position, and it would be best that she lets everypony know that in her own time. When she’s ready. As for how nopony knew, well homelessness, and orphans, are an unknown here in Ponyville. So there was no reason for you to expect anything. That and from what I’ve seen of the Crusaders during my flights over Ponyville they are all very resourceful.” “Well how has she been surviving up till now? I’ve seen her buy things when out with the crusaders. Where did the money come from?” Twilight asked looking at her with an inquisitive eye. “I have an idea, but I’d like for her to talk to me herself. I haven’t learned a lot today since she just arrived, and I wanted to give her time to adjust before bombarding her with questions,” She replied while taking a sip of the tea, “This is really good tea by the way. Where did you get it?” “Oh! It’s some of Celestia’s favorite blend. Golden Cloud Pu’reh tea. It’s made in a pegasus community in Neighpon, using a specialized process of mixing certain soils with dense clouds, and given lots of water and sunlight. Only five tablets a year are ever made, and it has the best aging over time of all the Pu’reh teas. Apparently the Princesses get one tablet a year as tribute for Celestia helping set up their city a few centuries ago. With more Princesses now, Celestia gives a rotation of one tablet to Cadance, Luna, myself, then her so that we each can get our own collection . But how they produce the tea before processing it is amazing. I’ll have to tell you about it later. “Well, Spike should be getting here soon, and while I respect that Scootaloo wants this to be told to as few ponies as possible. I’ll be discrete, but she’ll have to open up eventually. So what are you going to tell ponies when they ask where her parent are at?” Twilight asked after having caught herself from going on into full on lecture mode. It was something that Celestia was teaching her to do now that she was a Princess. Although it was difficult not to share such interesting information with ponies. “Well, that’s good. Wow! The Princess’s favorite tea, and I can see why. This stuff is amazing. As for Scootaloo, we’re going to tell others that her folks are away on business and I’m looking after her while they are away. It wouldn’t be the first time that I had to do it, although it will be the first time that I had to do an emergency foster status in Ponyville, and the first time ever that I had to do it in secret. But Scootaloo’s needs come first, and I want to make sure this is as by the books as possible.” “Anyway, you’re doing a good job. Spike should be done with his brownies by now. Take some with you, and thank you for stopping by. I’ll try looking into her past to see what I can find and I’ll let you know of anything if I find it. Although I want you to do the same. Even if I never really dealt with her personally I’ve heard a lot about her from Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.” Raindrops shook on it and with a bag full of warm brownies left for her house. As she felt the cool breeze beneath her wings. Well that went surprisingly well. I think that it’s nice that Twilight hasn’t let her tiara go to her head, and is a nice down to earth unicorn. Although I find it hard to treat her like a normal pony with the whole Alicorn thing, it’s rather nice. Now to get these home and in the fridge, and it can be treats for the fillies for their lunch tomorrow. Author's Note Next Chapter dedicated to Scootaloo recruiting Dinky into the CMC, and Sleepover Madness. Plus an Ancient One from beyond the pantry. Which will be out next week. I hope y'all liked my head canon back story for Raindrops. This gives her greater freedom on her actions since her Cutie Mark in my head canon was born from an ideal/way of life that she adopted thus is more broader than Cutie Marks based on an object. Also I'm going to make a blog on my head canon Pegasi / Unicorn Wing/Horn biology. Since I'm kind of on both sides of the wing boner / magaculation side of the debate, and I use them in my fics. And I'll be posting a link in next chapters A/N. Well I hope y'all enjoyed this special extra chapter that I made. Thank all of you on your comments and favs. Good news though on the editing front. IRPony over at Overly Extensive Editors is searching for an editor so I should be getting one shortly. Then after they get through Chapters 1 - what have you. All my stuff will hopefully be edited before my deadline is up. Any comments or criticisms y'all have are welcome. A/N 2: It has come to my attention that my use of Town Guard in Canterlot is confusing. In my head canon the Royal Guard are part of the armed forces. Thus deal with military matters, and anything dealing with the Royalty. Town Guards are like police and deal with the day to day matters of Canterlot's Civilians. Although the Royal Guard would supersede the authority of any civilian police system. And while the Captain of the Royal Guard is the head of the Royal Guard branch of the armed forces. Captain of the Guard is the same as the Chief of Police / Police Commissioner in the US. Police Force. Anywho. Chapter edited. kingtiger666 is an amazing editor.
The Sleepover The Sleepover As Raindrops left for Twilight’s place, Scootaloo, Dinky, and Sparkler were preparing for their impromptu sleepover. Scootaloo, wrapped in a blanket cocoon, grinned at Dinky, “I can’t believe we finally got another Crusader. Well it won’t be official to tomorrow when we do the initiation, but I wonder why we didn’t notice you ‘till now?” Dinky shrugged, “I don’t know. I know there are a few others like us in our class, but they’re usually busy doing something or rather. I know my mommy likes to bring me home and I can tell her about my day. But being a Crusader sounds like it’d be fun.” Scootaloo grinned from ear to ear, “There are more like us?! This is going to be awesome, I can’t wait to tell the girls tomorrow. Do you know any of their names?” “Well there’s Mango Dash, Pip, and I think Rumble is one too. I know Shady Daze got his in artistic photography a week ago, so that’s a bust… That’s all I can think of at the moment.” Dinky said off the top of her head. “So what exactly do you do when you go Crusading?” Sparkler asked. “Well we usually brainstorm ideas, then Apple Bloom draws up some sketches so that we have a good idea down on paper than we go do it. Well that’s how it usually works. Sometimes we have such a good idea that we decide to wing it.” Scoots replied. “But I don’t have wings!” Dinky replied innocently. Giving her an incredulous look, “It’s a saying. You don’t need wings.” Scootaloo deadpanned. “I’ve never heard that term before. Sorry.” “It’s alright. So I was thinking that since this is a sleep over we could do some Crusading before going to bed.” Scootaloo said with a grin, whipping out a book of untried ideas that she had been cooking up. “Yay! Time for fun!” Dinky replied while her sister looked at the unfolding scene with a sense of dread. Even though the feeling had no discernable origin she knew that things were not going to end well. “Are you sure it’s safe to go Crusading this late at night?” Sparker asked. “Sure! I thought that since it’s Dinky’s first time we’d do something easy like cooking. And since Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle have been teaching me how to cook, it’ll be easy. Who knows, I might just get a cooking Cutie Mark this time.” With that she carried her Crusading Notebook in her mouth while leading the group to the kitchen. Scootaloo had a page open showing a large batch of arcane diagrams, along with a recipe for a basic cake. As she was gathering the ingredients Sparkler looked over the diagram etched on the paper, “So what exactly is this design? I haven’t seen it before.” “I don’t know. I saw a bunch of stuff in the spell books for summoning when us Crusaders tried out for our Summoning Cutie Marks, and I just mixed and matched random things that looked cool. I was going to use to make a cake for Rainbow Dash’s Birthday next week. But since Dinky is going to be a Crusader I thought that we could make it together tonight and I could give it to her early. Win, Win in my book.” Scootaloo said pointing out a crude picture of her and Dashie doing a hoof pump at her awesome cake to prove her point. “But mixing magic is dangerous, what if something bad happens?” Sparkler asked, even more worried now that Scootaloo explained the diagrams etched. “Hey! You’re starting to sound like Sweetie Belle, there’s nothing to worry about. After all haven’t you heard the term that something taste magical? Well this is truly going to be magical. Now let’s get this party started!” With that Dinky and Scootaloo started to mix everything together. When it came to add other materials into the mix Dinky and Scootaloo huddled together to discuss what to do next, “Well we made the base, but I think it should use more special ingredients. Let’s look around and see what looks good, what say you Dinky?” “That sounds alright. I know what I’m going to add!” With that they went their separate ways eventually ending with a jar of Zap Apple Jam, Scootaloo’s tiny jar of Rainbow Hot Sauce, blueberries, and bananas while Sparkler was preheating the oven. After everything was conformed to Scootaloo’s specifications, the cake was thrown in. Looking around Scootaloo noticed the warzone the kitchen had turned into while they had been preparing the cake. A glimmering rainbow stain from the rainbow hot sauce and zap apple jam mixed with the massacred remains of bananas and blueberries with splashes of dough paste painting the room. All of which Sparkler was cleaning up while Dinky starred in rapt attention to the oven. It was five minutes when the heat finally started to brown the dough activating the chaotic mass of ritual designs that made up the cakes bases, as well as the runes etched onto it. It glowed with a midnight green flame before a mass of inky black tentacles shot out, distant stars within them reflected underneath its skin. Scootaloo and Dinky screamed as they made a tactical retreat behind Sparkler who was beating the tentacles back into the oven. Smudging the runes accidentally which caused the eldritch space creature to flow back into its extraplanar prison and the spell regurgitated a storm of tacos and muffins into the room. The oven rattling and screaming curses in a thousand tongues. The storm smudged further the design and runes randomly that caused the story to transform into a rainbow zappleberrie tree which gave vines and shrubbery throughout the kitchen. Which was fought by Sparkler pushing the tree back into the oven. Altering runes a last time infusing the arcanely formed fruit into the cake. The voices dying down and horrors from beyond the pantry successfully sent back to where they belong. After the timer went off without any further incidents Scootaloo let out a wild whoop ”Success!!!” “Success! Success! We nearly died? That’s not possible! Nothing about that is possible. What was that?” Sparkler screamed, the adrenalyn catching up to her now that the danger had passed. “Oh! Please that was nothing. Rainbow Dash summons at least one Eldritch God, or horror that should never be whenever she turns on the oven. I wasn’t scared.” Scootaloo said, the last part preceeded with a nervous shuffling of her right foreleg. “Then what about the screaming?” “That was a primal war yell.” “And the running and hiding?” “We were doing a tactical retreat, and giving you moral support. You know since you were doing such a good job and all,” Scootaloo replied, “but at least nothing almost died this time. So that’s a success.” “But I thought you said you were taught to cook?” The Panic starting to give way to an incredulous tone. “Yeah, and Rainbow Dash always says that it’s because no kitchen can withstand her awesomeness. And the more destruction a kitchen sustains while you cook the better you did. Sweetie Belle is so good she can turn water into ash, as well as almost burns down the house everytime she tries to cook breakfast so that means she must be a good cook.” “Ok … So let’s see what we have. Since it almost killed us we might as well see if it was worth it.” Sparkler said just as Raindrops walked into the kitchen. Looking around seeing plants of unknown origins, piles of muffins and tacos flooding the kitchen, and mystery stains covering her kitchen, “Okay… I don’t know if I want to know how you all managed to cook what looks like hundreds of tacos and muffins. But how in the hay did you grow random plants throughout the kitchen?” Sparkler pointed into the oven which was now glowing with a shifting rainbow like light, “We were cooking cake.” She said lamely. Raindrops walked over and opened to the now sparkling oven a crack as she did she triggered a lingering spell in the confectionary chaos that the oven had birthed. As it opened a mighty wail left it and a projectile vomit of life changingly delicious rainbow fudge. It hit her with such force that it forcefully lifted and plastered Raindrops and Sparkler to the wall. Hardening around them like a cocoony prison. The indescribably delicious taste of it leaving them in a daze. Scootaloo and Dinky who only got a few gallops on their face tasted it, and were delighted in that it was a flavor that seemed to shift constantly on the tongue mixed with the taste of chocolate. Scootaloo and Dinky looked at their flanks. Seeing it still blank they let out a twin moan, “Ah! Man! Still no cooking Cutie Marks, but at least Rainbow Dash will like her cake. Let’s check it out.” Looking inside were four perfectly formed copies of the original cake. Making an arcane pentagram of confectionary proportions. Giving each other a hoof bump, Scoots went over to help a stuck Raindrops and Sparkler from their fudgy prison, “Hey Miss Raindrops! Do you think Rainbow Dash will think this mess would be awesome enough for her cake?” “Just Raindrops, and sure… Definitely although if I swear that you learned to cook from Rainbow Dash.” She said jokingly, and when Scootaloo confirmed that it was a reality the color drained from her body, “there’s two of you now?” “Two of what now?” Scootaloo asked with a tilt of her head. “Well at least it can’t be as bad as when the flying spaghetti monster was temporarily summoned in the company picnic when Dash tried using the grill trying to fry tofu. Then it started yelling ’Red sauce on pasta!’, kicking pegasi off the clouds as it drenched them in tomato sauce. After that we banned Rainbow Dash from anything that requires cooking, or fire. “So Scoots I think you need to be taught by someone less likely to teach you to end the world from an oven. Like Pinkie Pie. Her kitchen is sane enough not to bend the laws of nature like silly putty. I’m not that bad myself, and I’m pretty sure that my kitchen loves the laws of nature. We’ll talk more about this later. Now everypony go get cleaned off and go to bed. I’ll get all of this fixed up.” She said ruffling Scootaloo’s mane. With that the highlight of their evening came to a close. Five delicious cakes were cooked, and the kitchen mostly survived. All the while Raindrops wondered if her house could stand the force of chaos that two Cutie Mark Crusaders were going to bring into her house. Author's Note A/N 1: I'm going back to look for the Indenting of Paragraphs that didn't carry over from GDocs in other chapters. This chapter was fun to write, ATM I'm working on Chapter 5's DT. confrontation. It's good, but needs a little work on it being better. During this chapter I kept imagining Discord weeping tears of joy over at Fluttershy's Cottage. Well I hope everypony enjoyed this chapter as much as I did.
The Defeat of a BullyScootaloo woke up to a strange room with a grey-blue unicorn filly nestled against her on one side and wrapped in a purple hoof on the other. She was caught between wanting to bolt, and enjoying the comfort of being nestled in between two ponies. It gave her time for her brain to catch up with the events of last night. Wiggling closer into Sparkler she let herself slowly wake up, her brain plotting plans for todays future crusades. If there were going to get 3 new members, including Dinky Doo, then she and the others needed to make sure that they were given a good crusade. After all just because it didn’t work for the founding members of the CMC didn’t mean that it wasn’t one of their special talents. It was moments later when Dinky and Sparkler moved that Scootaloo had an opening to escape and shambled slowly over to the restroom. Looking at the mirror she fussed up her mane and brushed her teeth before going to the kitchen to make a quick breakfast where she saw Raindrops preparing breakfast off to the side was a large wall of boxes. “Hey, what’re those boxes for?” Scootaloo asked. “Well you see, a lot of the muffins were salvageable and I thought that rather than let them go to waste, there is a local shelter for the homeless here in Ponyville. It should be enough to last them a few days.” Raindrops said with a grin as she used her wings to flip a stack of pancakes from her frying pan into paper towel covered dish beside her. “That’s kind of cool I guess, but why give it to shelters? Couldn’t you just sell them?” Scootaloo asked as she sat in the chair closest to the fridge. “So Scootaloo, I see you’re an early riser. The sun won’t be up for another thirty minutes. Did you sleep well? As for your question, well I could, but those ponies need them more than I need the bits. That plus I’m rather well off with the stipends I get from the government, and the odd jobs I do around Ponyville among other things.” “You bet, and I alway wake up early. It’s the best way to get where you want to go without being spotted. Also it allows me to get some grub before a quick rinse off.” Scootaloo said with a grin as she inhaled the aroma of the marvelous on the other side of the room. “Well from here on out you won’t have to worry about that. You can sleep in if you want, you know?” Raindrops said pouring the thick, gooey, delicious pancake batter into the frying pan. It’s dough giving a tantalizing sizzle as Raindrops pressed the spatula to the batter. “Um … I’ll be staying here for now right? I mean you’re not going to just send me off to somewhere when I become a nuisance?” Scootaloo said, voicing just some of the many worries that had kept her from coming out with her problem earlier. “Of course you’ll be staying here. At the very least until the end of winter, and until we can find you a good home. But until then you will never have to worry about me kicking you out. I had Twilight put in the paper work so that I can look after you until then so there might be times where I might have to punish you if you do something bad, but I will never send you away nor will I be cruel. You can be assured that as long as you are under my care I am fair and will listen to you.” “Alright … I know you said that I can wait to tell others. But when is the right time to tell them? I mean they are my friends, but they’ll hate me for lying to them won’t they?” Raindrops walked over to Scootaloo and gave her a gentle winghug, “They might be sad that you didn’t tell them beforehoof, but a friend will stand by you, even when they find out a secret like this. Don’t worry about it, I promise that things have a way of working out.” Scootaloo nuzzled closer towards the mare hugging her before the wings loosened and she pushed away softly. Looking up at this new mare that had come dropping into her life, “Thanks. I mean it. I don’t know of any other pony than Rainbow Dash who would’ve done all you’ve done so far.” “Well I’m just glad that I found you and am able to help. Just remember that if you ever want to talk, even if it’s just to chit-chat I’ll be happy to lend you an ear.” Scootaloo sat and watched Raindrops go about preparing breakfast, “So how did you get your Cutie Mark?” “Well everypony has rainy days in their life. Storms that seem like it’ll never end. This symbolizes that, and my desire to help them through those points in their life.” “That’s kind of cool I guess, so your Cutie Mark is for helping ponies?” Scootaloo asked tilting her head. “That’s exactly right.” Raindrops said with a grin. “So how did you get it? Me and the other Crusaders are trying to get ours and learning about how others get theirs should help us.” Scootaloo said, grinning along with Raindrops. “Well after I was taken off the streets, I was in a dark place. The stallion who took me under his wings took me above the clouds and gave me a little speech. After months in community service what he said clicked with me, and I figured that all it takes is a helping hoof, a listening ear, or just being there for another pony can make all the difference and help them when they are feeling down. When that happened I knew what I wanted to do with my life and this cutie mark appeared.” “I always though a cutie mark was gained from something you did, not what you felt.” Scootaloo said, her confusion written all over her face. “Well for most ponies that’s how it goes. Some its something that they physically do, others it’s a mindset, and others it’s simply them being who they are. Heck, some ponies have many Cutie Marks, while most have one. I guess it’s just as special and different for every pony who eventually gets one. But whatever one you get will have a special meaning and connection to you when it happens.” Raindrops replied sagely. “Wait… Multiple cutie marks! Like more than one!” Scootaloo jumped out of her seat, her wings buzzing loudly in her excitement. Ignoring everything else. “Yes. For a very few ponies they have more than one Cutie Mark, and with some ponies their Cutie Marks aren’t static but shifting. Why? Didn’t your teacher talk to you about those?” “No. But me and the girls have a lot to talk about later today.” Scootaloo was at this point vibrating with more enthusiasm than Pinkie Pie on a one week sugar and caffeine bender. It was several hours later in school, sitting in her seat as everypony was waiting for the school day to start, where Scootaloo gathered the girls who were sitting next each other this school year, to announce the good news. “Guess what?!” “What is it Scoots?” Apple Bloom asked. “Miss Raindrops told me that there are ponies who have multiple Cutie Marks!” Scootaloo replied in a loud whisper her wings practically buzzing from the excitement. “No way! You mean like when Apple Bloom got the Cutie Pox?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I thought we were never going to talk about that ever again.” Apple Bloom mumbled while Scootaloo shrugged. Sweetie Belle lifted her forehoof into the air and bounced excitedly on her seat until she received Cheerilee's attention, “Mrs. Cheerilee, is it true that a pony can get multiple cutie marks?” At that question everypony familiar with the Cutie Mark Crusaders paled, and silence like a pall was cast over the classroom. Leaving a nervous Cheerilee to respond, “Where did you hear that?” “Well Scootaloo said that someponies can have multiple cutie marks, what’s that like? Is it like the Cutie Pox or what?” Sweetie squeaked adorably. I’m going to talk to Raindrops for dooming us all, but it would be wrong to lie to a student. Especially if they find out the truth anyways. I’m so going to need a drink with Big Mac tonight. “Well yes. Some very special ponies feel a special connection with many things and have many Special Talents, but that doesn’t mean that those with one are any less special. And the most important thing is to be patient. A Cutie Mark can’t be rushed and will come when it’s ready. Any more questions Sweetie Belle?” Cheerilee said with a wide, plastic grin. “Nope!” Sweetie said followed by a loud chorus of, “Thank you Mrs. Cheerilee!” From Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Oh Celestia save us! Cheerilee thought to herself before beginning with her lessons. When recess finally arrived, the Crusaders gained 3 new arrivals being shepherded in by Scootaloo. The first in tow was Dinky, followed by a white and brown spotted, tiny Pinto colt, with the end of the group a mango orange pegasus filly a few shades lighter than scootaloo, with gold mane and bright orange eyes. “Hey girls, these are our new Cutie Mark Crusader recruits, Dinky Doo, Pipsqueak, and Mango Dash. Me and Dinky Doo did cooking Cutie Mark Crusading last night, and It! Was! Awesome! She is definitely going to be good. The colt here is Pipsqueak. Dinky said that he’s alright. And finally Mango Dash… I think she’s the second cousin of Rainbow Dash, is the treasurer of the Rainbow Dash Fanclub, and Dinky tells me that her mother and Mango’s mom are dating. So I can vouch for her awesomeness.” Scootaloo said, proudly showing off the recruits. Apple Bloom looked them over with a discerning eye and asked the only questions that mattered, “Well Ah’ll accept y’all, but Ah wanna know something first. Are y’all willin’ ta do whatever it takes ta get yer Cutie Marks? ‘Cause the biggest thang about a Crusader is we ain’t afraid ta try anythang.” After getting a murmur of assents Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle descended upon the new trio before them with hugs and telling them that they would induct them in the afternoon. “Oh! My! Celestia! They’re spreading!” Came a stuffy whine behind them. Other than Mango Dash the group seemed to tense at the sound of Diamond Tiara’s voice, “I told you it was contagious Silver Spoon. We should warn others unless they catch their disease!” “Just ignore them,” Apple Bloom muttered. “Oh look, they seem to have gone deaf. I can’t blame them, after all, with a hick, a flightless chicken, a pony more of a wannabee than her sister, and a group of retards, I would think that the only language they would be able to hear is stupid.” “Just ignore them,” Apple Bloom repeated. “But oh well, if they can’t hear us then I guess they won’t hear what we are about to say isn’t that right Silver Spoon?” “Yeah DT! I can’t believe that it hasn’t happened sooner.” Silver Spoon said moving closer to Diamond Tiara. “Well I’m thinking Babs had the right idea before she turned traitor on how to deal with treat these blank flanks.” Diamond Tiara’s jowls quivered with evil glee. At seeing the original crusaders do their best impersonation of statues, Mango Dash didn’t need to hear anymore to know that they were worried. Spinning around she used her wings to bash herself into Diamond Tiara’s muzzle forcing a whimper to escape her mouth as her flank hit the ground. “Now listen here Creme Puff. I don’t care that you are nothing more than your father’s coin purse that grew legs and a mouth. And I don’t care that the only thing of worth that you will ever have is the money your father throws at you to leave him alone. Celestia knows I’d do the same thing, but if you ever! Ever! Lay a hoof or get somepony to lay a hoof on them,” She gave leaned further forcing Diamond Tiara to her belly with the force of the push. A loud whimper of fear coming from her as tears built up in her eyes, “I will break you like a pinata. Got me Creme Puff?” “Yes! Yes! I won’t lay a hoof on them I swear!” Diamond Tiara cried. After that Mango backed up giving Diamond Tiara to rub her nose, “Good, because I would hate to waste Auntie Dashie’s Mare Wrecker move on a pony like you. And you, Thunderthighs’ Shadow, I don’t know what this thing has over you, but it isn’t worth it. If you ever want to hang out with ponies that are actually worth hanging around come on and see us. Oh, and Creme Puff, you really should get on a diet other than Hoho’s. It’s a shame it’s starting to go to your flank and the thing you call a face.” Mango said with a grin. As she turned to the Crusader’s expecting relief for her sticking up for them she was met with glares. Which brought up a confused look, and a strangled gulp from her, “What’s the matter?” “We ain’t a bunch of bullies Mango, we appreciate ya stickin’ up for us, but it was wrong ta sink ta her level.” Apple Bloom said, shaking her head in disappointment. “But I didn’t do anything wrong! I was protecting you like Auntie Dash did when the bullies didn’t stop picking on Flutters. Why are you treating me like I was the bully?” Mango asked with a slight heat in her voice. “We know, and thank you. But hurting her feelings like that was just as bad as what she did. We are better than that.” Sweetie said trotting up to her and putting a hoof on her shoulder. Giving an angry sigh, she hung her head and she tried to organize her thoughts, “I don’t get why all of you are angry with me, and this isn’t an excuse but I guess I should explain myself. In Las Pegasus I tried ignoring them, and usually when they can’t get a rise out of you that’s it. It’s no longer fun for them. But a few don’t care and have it out for you. Those bullies like DT, when you ignore them they go to other means of hurting you, more physical ways. I knew quite a few ponies who got really hurt when it got bad enough so Auntie Dash taught me martial arts to protect myself and others, but she always told me that words and low blows were always better than hooves if you could help it. So I did that. I learned how to see at a glance what would hit them the hardest, and after I got them hard enough they’d leave me alone. A few decided that they wanted to scrap and I didn’t start it, just like Auntie Dash said, ‘ I better not start a fight but I sure as Tartarus better end it.’ So when I saw that she threatened you and how scared you all looked I did what I was told was the best way of dealing with them … you weren’t supposed to get angry with me. So … do you all forgive me?” She asked finally looking up. The other Crusaders, inductees and founding members alike wrapped her in a hug, “Well I guess none of us can blame ya for doing what your family taught ya. But if yer gonna be a Crusader ya can’t go around hurtin’ other ponies. Otherwise we’re no better than they are. But if it ever gets physical than we’d be mighty proud of ya for protectin’ us while one of us gets an adult. Although it’d be good if ya didn’t go around breakin’ her like a pinata.” Apple Bloom said nuzzling Mango consolingly. “Kays. But if anypony tries to hurt you all I’m gunna buck some flank.” Mango said wiggling between the mound of pony hugs. “That’s perfectly fine. We might as well face the music, we’ll go with ya ta see Miss Cheerilee. After all we Crusader’s stick together like white on a paper plate in a snowstorm, and we leave no Crusader behind.” Apple Bloom said with a nod. “So we’re still going to be friends?” Mango asked everypony to which she was met with an affirmative round of approval. When they parted, the Cutie Mark Unity field that binds all Cutie Mark Crusaders together activated and they did a group hoofbump shouting, “Cutie Mark Crusaders together forever!” with such force the air itself shook. Cheerilee was sitting down enjoying a few moments of relaxation, reading a romance novel from Rarity’s personal stash when Diamond Tiara came thundering in with Silver Spoon in close pursuit. She placed her book down as Diamond Tiara broke down in a corner and wept, ignoring everything around her. In the time it took to console her enough to speak legible words another group of ponies came into the schoolhouse. Turning around to tell them to go outside she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a guilty looking Mango Dash in the fore of them. “Do any of you know why Diamond Tiara came in here wailing like a banshee for the last,” Looking at the clock on the wall, “five minutes?” She asked, throwing them the teacher’s stare that could make almost any filly or colt squirm under its piercing gaze. “Well you see, she was bullying us, and we tried ignoring her. Then she made a threat that while I don’t get it was enough to make my friends here looked like Princess Celestia herself was going to banish them to the moon or something so I stood up for them. And I might have been more verbally caustic than I should have.” Mango said, looking at anywhere but Cheerilee while pawing the ground. Cheerilee looked at the terrified Diamond Tiara, “I want to know what you said to them, and don’t try saying nothing. I’ve heard about the things that you’ve done to others.” She said in a gentle but firm manner. Diamond looked over to Mango and saw a glare as if daring her to lie. Gulping she broke down and told Mrs. Cheerilee the events that led up to her confrontation with Mango Dash, but with images of what a Mare Wrecker would look like dancing in her mind’s eye didn’t say what Mango did. “What exactly did you mean that Babs had the right idea, and how was she a traitor?” Mrs. Cheerilee asked. “Well she was a tra-tra-traitor because sh-she sided with those Blan- I mean ponies rather than us. And sh-sh-she was more physical with her bullying than we we-we-were.” Diamond Tiara said between sobs. “What did I say about saying the B-word to others Diamond Tiara, and threatening a pony with physical harm is serious.” Mrs. Cherrilee scolded while holding Diamond Tiara in a hug. Looking over at Mango Dash she waved her over. “Both of you were in the wrong. She shouldn’t have threatened you, but Mango Dash, whatever you said to her was just as bad. Both of you, as well as Silver Spoon, will be receiving detention. I’ll be speaking with your parents when they come to pick you up.” She heard a chorus of coughs from the Crusaders, “Mrs. Cheerilee, we were there when it happened and we talked to Mango, and we are just as in the wrong as Mango here so we’ll take whatever punishment she gets since we didn’t stop her from standing up for us the way she did.” “Well then if you all think that’s what you want then okay. Hopefully we can put an end to this, and I expect a sincere apology out of all of you by next week. That should give you time to make a real apology.” It was after school. Seven fillies and one colt sat dejectedly the classroom, and seven irate guardians argued amongst themselves, with Raindrops and Cheerilee trying to calm the group down. “Well I don’t see why my innocent little princess and her friend have to be subjected to punishment where that degenerate is clearly at fault, as well as those friends of hers. No offense to Miss Apple, but my daughter tells me how they look down on her and Silver Spoon,” Filthy Rich said, taking an aggressive stance while Mr. and Mrs. Spoon stood by him giving approving yells of encouragement. “Innocent! If I had a bit for every time my precious Sweetie Belle came home in tears, and it took almost an hour to tell me the cruel things your daughter had subjected her and her friends to, I would have more gold than the Princesses.” Rarity said indignantly, throwing her nose up at Filthy Rich. “Yeah! Ah’m proud ta do business with ya Filthy, but yer daughter is a cruel one. We shoulda talked about this ages ago, but we are both in the wrong in that we never talked about that daughter of yers. Ah’ll admit that when she gets a holda the company I don’t know if Apple Bloom’ll be willin’ ta do business with yer company. And no offense but yer daughter’s been lyin’ ta ya. As the Element of Honesty Ah can tell ta that’s the Celestia’s honest truth.” AJ said, removing her hat and holding it to her chest. “Well I’m just glad that you used your words rather than your hooves. I personally am not going to punish Sweetie for standing up to others being threatened with violence. Although Mr. Rich you should teach your daughter that it’s not alright to hurt other ponies, and hopefully this teaches her that words can be painful.” This broke out another round of arguments that were only ended when a cough from the corner got everyone’s attention, “It’s true, daddy. I’ve been lying to you, and I’ve done what the Crusaders’ guardians have been saying.” Diamond Tiara said, the room was so quiet as Diamond Tiara walked to her family that her hoofsteps sounded like thunder strikes signaling her impending doom. “Be that as it may. It was still wrong of them to go use such drastic measures. So they both have a week to come up with a suitable apology. And Miss Dash, while it isn’t my place to tell a parent how to raise their child, and I’m glad she didn’t resort to physical violence, the way she went about it was just as harmful to her as what Diamond Tiara was doing,” She looked at the each of the guardians in the room, “I’m going to have to look more deeply into Diamond Tiara’s and Silver Spoon’s bullying of others. Since I can’t be seen as having favorites everyone is being given the same punishment.” Cheerilee said to everypony. It was at this time that a disappointed Spoon family, and Filthy Rich finally spoke up, “Well it looks like we’ve been made fools of,” Looking at the other family members in the room, “We’ll make sure that Diamond is properly punished, and Mrs Cheerilee, I ask that you wait for her apology until after I personally deal with the problem.” Mr. Spoon, a stallion with the same color scheme of Silver Spoon and a Hoity Toity manedo, he had a body of somepony that was once in shape, but had let his body go to seed, spoke up, his deep, tenor voice betraying his thin body, “We all were deceived. If I didn’t know the truth of my daughter’s cutie mark, I’d say that her special talent was deception. I must ask that our daughter be given the same extension. Although I would also say that is our daughters who were in the wrong first to drive young Miss Dash to do what she did. So I must ask that they give their apology after ours give theirs first. “And Silver, you can be assured that we are most displeased of you making us out to be fools. As for all of you. Please forgive us for our previous words and actions. We were under the impression that they retaliated to being instigated themselves. Can you forgive our actions?” It was Mr. Squeak who answered first, “I can accept that, Mr. Spoon. We all do stupid things when we think our children are wronged, and it takes a mighty big stallion to admit they were wrong.” The massive mountain of a Pinto said, offering a gigantic hoof to shake. The others gave various sounds of assent. “Well since you all are in agreement, I’ll allow it. That covers it I guess. Have a good afternoon, and I hope with this all out in the open we can stomp out the bullying problem here in Ponyville.” Cheerilee said with a relieved sigh. “I have one question: how bad has our daughter’s bullying been?” Mr. Rich asked. “Well, we resolved it in school, but you remember Gabby Gums?” Mrs. Cheerilee asked. This was met by a collective look at the former group of journalists, then a shudder at the memory of the embarrassment that was dished out by them. “It turns out that they wanted to stop when they learned it was hurting ponies, but Diamond Tiara blackmailed them into continuing it long after that. Then Featherweight told me about what was going on and since then I’ve banned her from all positions of power in the school, and let other teachers know of her problem.” “Blackmail … I see. Apple Bloom, does she still do that often?” Filthy Rich said with an eerie calm. “I don’t wanna be a tattle tale Mr. Rich.” Apple Bloom said pawing the ground. “It’s ok. I’m eventually going to everypony wronged by my family and I am going to learn everything. But I want to know from you if she’s done more of this?” Filthy Rich said laying on the ground so that he could be eye level with Apple Bloom. “Well when us girls or other ponies try ignoring her, or she’s feeling particularly nasty, she threatens us. Saying that she can get ya ta do stuff to us or our families. Or she can get ya ta stop doin’ business with somepony.” Apple Bloom said. Applejack looked at her with that piercing gaze she got when she was measuring whether a pony was being honest with her, “Apple Bloom, tell me true. Has she really been doin’ that to ya and other ponies? Now I want the truth.” Apple Bloom looked angrily at her sister and stomped her foot, “Yes it is! I know better than lyin’ even if it is about that rotten snake Diamond Tiara!” Catching herself, she looked at Filthy, “Sorry Mr. Rich. That was rude of me ta call yer daughter that. Even if she is one.” “I can’t blame you on that,” Standing up he looked at his foal and with an iron cold glare, “Go home now. The butler will take you and I don’t want to see nor hear you until I’m ready to talk to you. Now leave.” His voice when he spoke to her was as cold as his glare. “Now to everypony in this room, I want to assure you that none of your livelihoods are in danger from me. Not even when I had misplaced anger, I would never threaten that. But it has come to my attention that I have a lot to do. Applejack, will you forgive this fool his moment of stupidity?” He asked with a sincere bow of his head. “Of course Ah forgive ya. But, and Ah apologise if this is out of line, that daughter of yours needs ta learn some manners or she ain’t gonna make it far in this world.” “Isn’t that the truth. I’ll be in touch with you all later. But for now I need to cool my head and think about what to do with her.” With that he walked out with a calm resolve that made the atmosphere feel five pounds heavier. It was shortly after that exchange, before everypony left with their various guardians the Cutie Mark Crusaders met for one last time., “Listen, everypony. Thanks for sticking by me, and letting me join you Crusaders. It made things a lot more easier for me to do the right thing. Take care, I’ll probably see you all tomorrow.” Mango said, taking charge of the conversation. “Yeah, we Crusaders stick together, and I’m just glad that you learned the lesson we learned when we went too far with Babs. You look like a really good pony, and, well, thanks for sticking up for us. I’m sure we all appreciate it.” Sweetie said with a smile which was reflected with the other crusaders giving their thanks. “Scootaloo and Dinky,” Raindrops said in a calm, gentle voice,“Well, Dinky, you already know this, but I want you both to know that no matter what happens, as long as you are honest with me, you might be in a little trouble, but it will all turn out alright in the end. Okay?” After they both nodded, Scootaloo more confused than anything else, Raindrops continued, “I want you both to tell me what happened. And just what Diamond Tiara has done to you. Who wants to go first?” “Why do we have to tell you?” Scootaloo asked. “Simply because from what I heard today she’s been doing this kind of thing for a long time, am I right?” She said looking at Scootaloo, who looked at the ground and gave a sad nod. Draping her wings over Dinky and Scootaloo’s backs she said, “It might not seem like it, but sometimes just talking to somepony about it helps lift that weight off your back, and when Mr. Rich comes over it’ll help getting rid of any anger and hurt you have now rather than taking it out on somepony else. That and it’s a way to let you know that I’m here for you. Both of you.” She said, giving her charges a gentle squeeze. “Well then can we wait till we get home? This is going to be a long talk.” “Of course, there’s no rush.” The rest of the walk went in peace and quiet as they headed home. Author's Note Ok. So this and next chapter are going to be serious. Then I'll have a chapter or two of chapter 4's level of zaniness, and hijinx. DT is going to be in the background on this fic, and will only pop up here and there. This chapter was hard to write and even more crazy to get edited. But I think it was worth it. Next chapter Scootaloo and Raindrops talk, stuff happens, and Dinky is naturally adorable.
A Big TalkWhile they headed home Dinky decided to be the one to recount the times Diamond Tiara teased her as she leaned slightly into Raindrops for comfort, “Diamond Tiara is always saying that my mommy is a retard who isn’t worthy of being a Pegasus and if she knew what was good for her would just crash and die for once,” She said, her voice dripping with depression, “And she says that I’ll never learn to do magic because I’m stupid just like my stupid mommy. But mommy isn’t stupid!” She said, stomping her hoof on the ground. “She’s the smartest pony I know of other than Princess Twilight. She just has special eyes that’s all. Why did Diamond have to say those cruel things?” “Because some ponies are just cruel like that. The need to put others down to feel better about themselves. But you know that your mother is smart and those that care about her know that she’s smart. So even though it hurts, as long as we know the truth what she said doesn’t matter. As for magic, you’re not behind schedule most ponies don’t start their first spark until they are about your age, and if you don’t do it to later than it’s no big deal being a late bloomer.” “But I had my first spark already and I still can’t do magic!” Dinky whinnied sadly. “We’ll try looking for a magic teacher for you then.” “But those cost money! I don’t want mommy losing money because of me.” Raindrops chuckled softly and gave her another squeeze with her wing, “You don’t need to worry about that. Your mother would never consider it a loss helping you get somepony to help with your magic. After all she did the same thing when Sparkler needed help with her magic.” Dinky mumbled unintelligible words, thinking for a second. Raindrops grinned before biting gently over the folds of Dinky’s neck and flipped her onto her back. This lifted Dinky’s spirits as she scrambled up Raindrops necks until she rested her forehooves over her head like a living hat. Looking up at her new accessory, “Feeling better?” “Hmmmhmm! Thanks, I haven’t been given a ponyback in since forever!” Dinky said with a growing smile. It was a few minutes later that they arrived at Raindrops place. Leaning her head down she let Dinky use her head as a slide and slide on down to the floor. “Why don’t you go and play with Sparkler, Scootaloo and I are going to have a little chat OK?” “Ks. Well, talk to you later Scootaloo, and I hope tomorrow we can go crusading! See you in a bit.” Dinky said with a wave of her forehoof before trotting upstairs where her sister was most likely stuck with her head in a book. “So you want me to tell you about Tiara right?” Scootaloo said gruffly. The walk home while calming had opened up a lot of old wounds and she was starting to brood. “Yes. Start from wherever you’d like. Do you want something to drink while we talk?” “Yeah, I’d like some apple juice please.” While Raindrops left Scootaloo tried organizing things in her head. A lot of the cruel things Diamond Tiara said were especially painful with how close to the mark they were, and telling Raindrops about that would mean she’d have to tell her a little bit about her past. If the context was to be established. Raindrops trotted slowly to the kitchen, her reasons for going were threefold, one was to give Scootaloo time to gather the storm of thoughts that she saw playing on her face, second was because this was probably going to be a while and she didn’t want Scootaloo to get a sore throat, and lastly was so that she could give Scootaloo the space she needed at this point in time. By the time she got back into the living room she was balancing on her wings, two tall glasses of ice cold and refreshing apple juice, resting on a tray that. After making sure that Scootaloo could reach her drink sat back and allowed Scootaloo to tell her story. “My family was a group of traveling artisans, and merchants. It was me, my brother, and parents. We usually passed between Trottingham, Ponyville, and sometimes Manehatten. We weren’t poor, but we always seemed to live on sell to sell. It wasn’t the best life but we were happy. Then about five years they got the Chills. They looked like they were going to pull through it, but of course they didn’t. We were in some tiny town in between here and Trottingham. I overheard ponies talk about sending me away to some orphanage while I was at my family’s funeral, “ She said as tears rolled down her face from the memory of that day, “and I was scared so I bolted. It was shortly after I got here that I met some awesome ponies, edible food, and places that would give samples to foals so I never really had to worry about getting hungry. Especially Pinkie Pie, ever since she threw me my party she’s been giving me food to taste test. It’s how I’ve been getting most of my lunches. Although she gives me these weird looks like she knows my secret, but she’s never said anything. So at least I’m getting good food. So anyways it was shortly after I got here I met Sweetie Belle, we hung out for a bit and it was with her that I met Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. At the time she was a blank flank too so she just spent her time insulting us for being poor as well as our families not loving us since Sweetie’s parents are always leaving on trips and hoofing her to Rarity, and her never seeing mine. It was painful and at first I tried to tell her to buck off and go choke on an apple. But that just made her target me worse. When it was just me and Sweets it was ok. I had somepony my age that I could play with, and she would sometimes invite me to spend the night which gave me a warm bed and a cooked meal. It was awesome. But Tiara used that to target us when we left the house. I seriously don’t know what her problem was but she liked it when she could get Sweetie to cry. Although I would probably thank her for her snide remarks on why she never saw me at school if I didn’t still hate her. I know its wrong to hate a pony, but I can’t help it. Does that make me a bad pony?” She asked taking a drink and a deep breath building her second wind. “No, I think that anyone getting hurt that much would feel that way is natural. As long as you don’t let those emotions control your then things will turn out ok.” Scootaloo gave a short nod and took a deep breath before starting again, “I found some bits laying around that I used to pay a pony off to teach me to forge a note. Although he was thinking it was for a prank, but it helped me make a note saying that they were too busy to come and that I was going to start school there. Mrs. Cheerilee, like most adults, don’t look too closely as long as a pony isn’t destroying the village or doing something dangerous in their direct line of vision. “When I first got to school her focus wasn’t on just me for her bullying, it looks like she just picks ponies on a whim. As for why nopony ratted on her is because she has a black book full of dirt she has on most ponies in Ponyville. Lots of ponies know about it. But at least she didn’t get anything on me other than for the Gabby Gums fiasco. “Then four years ago she got her cutie mark, us Crusaders were formed, although we figured out that we met Apple Bloom earlier during Nightmare Moon’s party crashing the Summer Sun Festival. So I guess us Crusaders were fated to meet. Ever since then Diamond Tiara has been focusing a large amount on her meanness on us, all because we don’t have our cutie marks yet, but we still have fun crusading and it has made Tiara’s cruelty that much more bearable. That and I always have warm bed and fresh food when I go over there so that’s always a high point of my month.” She said wrapping up her story. “Well I’m glad that you made some good friends. Are you feeling better now that you got that off your back?” Raindrops asked wiping the tears from Scootaloo’s eyes as she wrapped her in a hug. “A little. So what do we do now?” Scootaloo asked weakly as she nodded into Raindrops’ chest. “Well I have a few questions for you and then, we simply do what we can move forward.” “Ok, what do you want to talk about?” “Well the big thing is I want to clarify how you got the bits you’ve found laying around, and I need to know if you’ve stolen food from anyone other than the apples.” “I’m not going to be in trouble am I?” Scootaloo asked looking up at Raindrops from within the folds of her forelegs. “I’ll take care of it, and I’ll make sure that nothing bad happens. But I need to know so that I can help you make it up to them. Just remember as long as you tell me the truth you don’t have to worry about anything, I’m here to take care of you. At the very worst I’ll make you do chores to earn the bits from me to pay them back, but that’s the worst that’ll happen.” Raindrops said in a calm, comforting voice. “Well usually I’d look on the ground, under furniture, any bits that were out in the open. The way I see it if they had it just laying around in the open they wouldn’t miss it. That plus I needed the bits.” Scoots said wiggling closer to Raindrops partially to try adopting a defensive position, and partially to try and hide from the judgement that she was expecting to rain down upon her. “I can see your thinking, but while usually stuff on the floor and under furniture are things that are usually forgotten, bits that are on tables, counters, or other surfaces are usually there for when that pony needs it. If it’s in a restaurant it’s usually a pony telling the owner that they liked the food. Those ponies need those bits to make up for how little they make in a paycheck. That’s stealing, but you didn’t do it out of malice so I’m not going to punish you. But as I said earlier you’ll be doing chores starting tomorrow and you’ll earn the bits from me to pay them back. Or if you want to, I can talk about you doing odd jobs for them to work it off.” “Um … if they don’t get too mad at me then I guess that’s ok. Raindrops?” Scootaloo asked fidgeting. “If I stole supplies from school so I could do homework, or to help me when I was sleeping out somewhere do I need to apologize for that too? And should I apologize to those ponies that I took bits from after I tell my friends and those who’ve helped me that I’m an orphan?” Scootaloo asked worryingly. Afraid of the fallout that would happen when things went down. “I don’t think Mrs. Cheerilee would see it as stealing. But if you think that you have too then you can. And I want you to know that you wanting to apologize yourself is a very big thing. I’m proud for you Scootaloo. May I ask whom you've taken from?” “There was the Apple Family apples, bits, and some timber wood that I used during the winters. Bon-Bon’s Confectioneries on Sugar Cube Corner, and the Cakes Confectionery Emporium were two of the biggest places to pilfer bits. Although somehow whenever I get food from Pinkie I end up with bits mysteriously in my saddlebag that I didn't have before. Dashie’s cloud house the few times I was over there I got bits from under her cloud couch and from under her bed. Rarity always has bits left on the counters, on the floor, in this one weird nook behind the cash register counter, and also in her workroom she usually has gems that always end up on the floor after big orders if you look hard enough for them. Those gems get me set up for a week and usually helps me pay back Applejack. Oh and there’s the ink bottles I’ve taken from Twilight so I could do my homework, and lots of quills since I keep breaking them when I write. Also there’s the the paper, soap, chalk, candles, matches, and other stuff that I get from the school when I’m running low or need it for school work.” Scootaloo said her head tilted in thought as she recounted all the things she did over the last few years. “It’s lucky that you were never caught. But I’m glad you weren’t.” Raindrops said ruffling Scootaloo’s mane. “Yeah us Crusader’s have the oddest luck.” Scootaloo said offhandedly. “Well if and when you’re ready to talk. I’ll get Pinkie Pie to get everyone who needs to know, and you can write out who, together. And we can apologize to them. Although I’m going to need a guestimate on how much you’ve taken so I can gather the bits to pay them back. And thank you for telling me, I’m proud of how brave you’re being. Well go up and get the other fillies and tell them that diners about ready.” “Alright, but I can just tell you on the whole bits part for this year so far. Apples, 60 bits. Twilight, 10 bits. Bon-Bon, 40 bits. Cakes not counting the mystery bits, 82 bits. Dashie, 10 bits, “ turning her head and her eyes flicking back and forth rapidly as she remembered all the bits she took and gems gathered from Rarity, “Rarity, 100 bits, four sapphires, one emerald, two topazes, and twelve rubies. For the last 4 years other than Dashie’s place I get about the same amount of bits and the gems differ from year to year if I find any.” “Thanks well go on and get the others. And don’t worry everything will turn out for the better. As for your friends I know they’ll forgive you after they get over the shock.” Giving a small hug she let Scootaloo go who by this time had her eyes stop streaming tears and was looking somewhat happier after their talk. As Scootaloo headed upstairs her recent ‘girly display of emotion’, as Rainbow Dash would call it, drying on her face from her emotional conversation with Raindrops. Raindrops knew everything, and while she got a talking to about how taking money that didn’t start on the ground, or lost in cushions was stealing, but Raindrops wasn’t mad at her since it was something she needed to do to live. She strolled up to the room Dinky and Sparkler were sharing, “Hey girls, dinner’s going to be ready in a few!” Scootaloo said at the doorway. “I heard about what happened earlier today,” Sparkler said, snuggling with Dinky with a story book Grimm Goose the Bard’s Tales, a collection of fairy tales that was as old as Starswirl the Bearded, collected from the various races from the pre-equestrian days. Dinky was engrossed with the pages before her while Sparkler looked at Scootaloo. “Yeah, it was surprising. To be honest I’m confused on how to take it.” Scootaloo said scratching the back of her head. “Well I’m glad someone finally stood up to those bullies, hopefully Dinky won’t be coming home in tears anymore.” Sparkler said, nodding while gently stroking Dinky’s mane, “While I’m sad that Mango was cruel about it, at least my sister’s going to be happier now. Thank her when you see her next. Oh! And we’ll be leaving to go back home tomorrow. Want to have another sleepover tonight?” Sparkler asked, giving her sister an affectionate nuzzle before using her magic to simultaneously pick Dinky up off the bed and close the book. Scootaloo looked at the younger sister floating in the air, Sparkler twisting and twirling Dinky who had her body stretched out in a flying position she saw on comic books, a grin plastered to her face. “Yeah sure. I’ll see you in a bit.” She said in a rush as Dinky opened her mouth. “Hey, why don’t you fly with me? “Well …” Scootaloo paused for a bit before deciding to get rid of the sting of admitting that she was unable to fly quickly rather than draw it out, “I can’t fly.” Dinky was about to open her mouth when her sister wrapped her muzzle with magic silencing her, “Well how about I give you a bit of help?” Sparkler asked. “Really?! How?!” Scootaloo asked hopping up in down in excitement. “Like this.” Sparkler said, wrapping Scootaloo in her magic. Scootaloo buzzed her wings, her first airborne propulsion without mechanical assistance. She and Dinky zipped around Sparkler as she trotted down to the kitchen. The sounds of the fillies laughing uproariously with unbridled glee as she let them enjoy a bit of flying each having a mock race around Sparkler’s head, as Raindrops clapped her hooves together at the display for awhile before giving them a soft landing. Scootaloo and Dinky gave her a quick nuzzle one on each of her forelegs before running to the dining room table, the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches and seasoned tomato soup wafting through the room. “Mi… I mean Raindrops?” Scootaloo said tentatively. “What’s the matter?” “Well the things we talked about with me telling my friends, and those I’ve, well you know. I want to do it tomorrow. Is that Ok?” “That’d be perfect, I’ll let Pinkie Pie know to get everypony together. And I’ll tell her to be quiet about it.” Raindrops said with a gentle smile, “Actually if you three promise not to bring down the house, I’ll do it while you have your little sleepover.” Scootaloo looked over at the other ponies and with a synchronized nod between the two of them agreed that they wouldn’t destroy the house while she was away. Raindrops was flying over Ponyville enjoying the breeze when Cloud Kicker flanked her, “Hey Drops. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you for a while, how’ve you been?” “Yeah sorry about that, Cloud Kicker,” Raindrops said sheepishly while rubbing the back of her neck with her right foreleg, “Not bad actually Ditzy got better yesterday and will be able to pick up her foals tomorrow. Scootaloo is over at my place for a while, and everything all in all is rather good. So what’s up?” “The moon.” She replied to Raindrops chuckling, “but seriously I was wondering if you’re busy tomorrow?” “I might be I’m going to Pinkie Pie’s to set up something, but I might be open tomorrow. Why?” Raindrops asked while tilting her head inquisitively. Giving a nervous chuckle masked as a playful one Cloud Kicker finally replied, “No reason really we just haven’t had the chance to hang out in a while. You know, a girls night out. Let me know tomorrow. I’ll be seeing you.” She said before banking away.Raindrops stored the conversation away until a later date and decided to focus at the task at hand, going to Pinkie Pie’s place to set things up. Author's Note The double chapter for the week is a day late sorry, but this is the last serious chapter for at least two more chapters. As for the Pinkie Pie Gathering, not much happened, but it'll be scheduled for three days past the day this chapter takes place in. And it'll be a good one. Grimm Goose the Bard is a Portmanteau of the Grimm Brothers, Mother Goose, and Beadle the Bard. A creator and gather of pre-Two Sister era Equestrian fairy tales. [Before Two Sister [pre-nightmare moon era or CE] [BTS]]. A mass favorite of ponies young and old alike since it's creation. Next chapter has one of his stories read to Scoots and Dinky, and an adorable pile of fluff.
The Three MagesSparkler lay on her stomach with Grimm Goose the Bard’s Tales while Dinky rested against her left shoulder while Scootaloo sat beside the right side of her body. “So Scootaloo, me and Dinky read each other a story before going to bed every monday and friday. Do your parents read to you?” Sparkler asked. “Nah! They’re too busy for that, but it’s no big deal. It’s not like I’m missing out on anything.” Scootaloo said waving her right foreleg dismissively. “Well would you like to join us?” Rubbing the back of her neck, “That... Might be cool. Though I never heard of this person, I only know of the Daring Do novels. Those books are awesome!” Chuckling and ruffling Scootaloo’s mane Sparkler replied, “Well, get yourself comfortable and we can begin. Since this is your first time, I’ll let you pick the story. Just choose the one that sounds good to you.” “Well The Three Tribes Mages sounds pretty cool. Could we read that one?” Scootaloo asked after scanning the list of some pretty awesome stories. “Of course.” Sparkler said flipping to the story. "The Three Tribes Mages Once upon a time long ago, before the great frost claimed the land, there were three mages who met while traveling a grassy plain. Seeing that they were magic users, they decided to set up camp as the sunset regaling each other with tales of their adventures and boasts of their skills. Eventually as was wont to happen in those days the stories grew more exaggerated and aggressive as at the time the three tribes had yet to learn the importance of harmony. Their strife drew a Draconequus who was as white as a winter’s snow, with golden horns, and eyes of gentle blue. He saw these travelers and appeared before them, “My, my, my what seems to be the problem here?” Ask the gentle spirit. The Unicorn mare was the first to speak, “Hark, mighty spirit, we mages were telling tales of who was the better mage. Although it is clear that I, Archeon the Wise am the better. Who, and might I ask what are you?” “Now wait here!” The Pegasus stallion said, “It is surely I, Arcane Thunder, who is the better, and our tales prove that I have had the most adventures out of all of us.” “Pray tell how do you two figure yourselves the better,” The Earth Pony mare asked, “When it is I, Crystal Hooves, who is truly the best for I can bring life to lifeless lands. But I too am interested in to who you might be?” The draconequus looked upon them and gave a serene smile, “I am a draconequus and my name is Volumus, and surely you all have great skill. This I can tell by the auras you have. But rather than strife and violence may I make a friendly wager?” The three mages looked at one another measuring each other up. Each thinking themselves the greatest gave a nod to one another and turned to Volumus. It was Crystal Hooves who talked first, “What is this wager you ask? And what is the cost if we lose?” With a flick of his left claw which was the shape of a griffon’s limb showed a Royal bounty in gold fit for a dragon’s horde before another flick made it disappear, “The wager is four tests of skill. The winner will receive wealth and renown beyond compare, as well as the granting of one rule free wish. As for the losers they will have to acknowledge without malice the skill of the winner. How does that sound?” They all agreed to the wager. Archeon, for the chance of gaining infinite knowledge to help her untangle the mysteries of the universe, Arcane Thunder, for the chance of being one of the few to have utter mastery of Munin, the magical society of Pegasi. As for Crystal Hooves, she wished for a place to store all the magic of the races so that the knowledge of the three races wouldn’t be destroyed, or lost to time. “This first test is to show me your strength, a spell and the others must undo or outdo it.” Volumus said cheerfully. So it fell to Archeon the Wise to start. Feeling out the aethers, she grabbed and twisted the firmaments and formed an orb that held within a beautiful oasis. She grinned, doubting anypony would be able to undo such a spell. Grinning mischievously, Arcane Thunder sat on his haunches as he lifted his forehooves. At first only a small trickle of lightning flicked between his hooves that quickly grew in intensity, twisting and shifting the mass of sparks before drawing the moisture around the group of ponies into a giant sphere of water that surrounded the plane. Then the glow grew even brighter before being released. As it did the water formed a giant sea serpent made out of snow and ice. The construct slammed into the portal, flooding the bubble in permafrost before spilling over filling the plane in a layer of snow. As the technique ended, the bubble was gone and Archeon was on the ground whimpering as the ice had transferred from the bubble to her horn. Feeling he owed a fellow mage a common courtesy, he released a small technique to warm her horn melting the ice and warming her body. They gave one another a small bow before turning to the earth pony. She grinned softly and clapped her hooves together, forming a blue aura around them and placing them on the ground. As she did so, a transformation circle Pushing her magic into the ground causing it to shake and quake as a large forest sprung from the ground around them. Panting lightly she grinned at her companions daring them to top that. Archeon laughed uproariously at the unspoken challenge of the earth pony. As she reached out to the trees her purple aura wrapping around the trees. Her horn grew brighter and brighter as she concentrated her magic. At the height of her spell, her body shook, sweat poured down her face and her breathing was heavy. Just as she reached her limit the trees turned into a forest of crystals. Crystal Hooves impressed by the display gave her a hearty pat on the back while laughing at the display. So it came that it was Arcane Thunder’s turn. Closing his eyes and concentrating with all of his might, his body glowed and sparked with raw energy as he built up a powerful technique. The forest was alive with lightning and fire that heated the crystals until they grew white hot. Suddenly, they began to writhe like snakes, and began to shift and wiggle together. Forming the dark shape of a giant pony as it cooled, it turned out to be a giant statue in Arcane Thunder’s image with a plaque at the base that said Arcane Thunder is Best Pony!. Arcane Thunder fell on his haunches, his body drenched in sweat. “Try beating that!” He said between pants while grinning like a loon. “Will do then we’ll see who the best pony is.” Crystal Hooves said the playful and stimulating manner of the competition making it a fun game of oneupponiesship. She pumped her magic into the ground, transmuting raw earth into ten metal pillars that rose up and then rolled them around the now barren landscape to encircle the statue at seemingly odd intervals. She placed her hooves on the ground which soaked up her magic forming an intricate and majestic transmutation circle using the pillars as focal points. Walking up to the statue, she nipped her heel and rubbed a bit of her blood onto her hooves. Placing it upon the base. The circle glowed blue and wisps of red growing in intensity until it reached into the sky in a blinding pillar of light. When the light dissipated, a tired and overexerted Crystal Hooves stumbled over to the others while a mountain made out of gold stood behind her. “And beaten!” She mumbled hoping that nopony would best that. She looked and saw them staring at her with their jaws dropped and a look of stunned wonder across their faces. Volumus laughed and with a wave of his paw the mountain vanished and the planes returned to its original state. Giving a chuckle he looked at the three ponies before him in a state of exhaustion each one of them having given their all in the first test. “Congratulations my little ponies. That was a spectacular test of skills. The winner of this match goes to Crystal Hooves, with the second place going to Arcane Thunder. Now I will make a pond over to your left, all you need to do is rest within it and you will be restored to full health and power. Afterwards come to me and ask me for five things if you wish. These will be used to create a spell or magical object of great power to impress me. The one with the most impressive thing will win that round, and you have a week to complete it. To prevent cheating each of you will be blind to what the other is doing until they are ready to showcase it, although I will be watching all of you.” The following day the three mages decided to take opposite sides of the plane so that they could have more room for their creations. Crystal Hooves asked for a garden of rare alchemy ingredients, a laboratory, and several rare liquids. Archeon asked for a mirror made from mithral, liquid silver, and an eldunari with the reflective surface forged from Star Diamonds ripped from the heart of a star. Arcane Thunder decided to use his own strength to build something that would last through the ages. The seven days came and went, thus ending the allotted time in which to finish their creations. Crystal Hooves gave Volumus a Dream Walking potion that would with a single drop allow a pony to physically enter through the dreams of others experiencing worlds and adventures far beyond the ability of normal mages. Archeon brought forth her mirror that later tales would call The Mirror of Truth, that allowed the pony standing before it to witness their true selves stripped of all self deceptions and masks while Arcane Thunder made an interesting creation before them. While they wasted their time with mundane items he created something of beauty with his own strength like a proper pegasus. Building a massive ball of lightning, he tapped into the full fury of the skies and released a blast of power to chisel earth like a sculptor chisels stone. Ripping through the land like a hot knife through butter he shaped it into the form of a giant canyon. Etching a path for the pool to flow down to a lake within the canyon’s floor as he stopped he utilized the technique used to make the statue he created earlier to form one of himself and the two others beside him drawing gems, and metals to form them while enchanting them to perpetually generate lightning, as well as draw water from the pool to form a rainbow mist within the canyon. He glided to the lake and rested while the others wasted the days away with their projects. Volumus danced and laughed at the sight. “How splendid! To see the truth, and gain insight into who you truly are is a most interesting artifact. I can see this becoming a tale of legends someday. As for you, Arcane Thunder, you required no help, no assistance and with your own strength built this canyon. Wonderful craftsmanship and I like what you’ve done with the pool. I think I shall leave it where it is so that others may enjoy it as well. That means you, dear Crystal, lose this challenge. The next one determines the two who enter the final challenge. The test starts tomorrow.” The next day the three mages had time to rest and talk. An interesting change had overcome them. They no longer talked as trying to prove they were the betters, but rather as friends. Having witnessed each others skills and mastery of the arts. They had started to talk about the impressive feats each had accomplished. Volumus appeared before them and, with a grin, sat between the three mages, “This next test will test your ability to adapt, to teach, and to follow. But if any of you wishes to back out, you can do so after I tell you what the test is.” Clapping his hands together he said with smile that split his face in two, “Each of you will become a different pony type. You will then teach the pony that was your race how to do your branch of magic. I will create a space that will allow you a month of training in but a blink of an eye, but only those who are willing to do it.” Archeon the Wise looked at her now friends, and asked Volumus, “Can you give us a moment to talk amongst ourselves?” “But of course.” He said as he felt the strife within them melting away. As he left the three mages sat and faced one another. Archeon the Wise turned to the others, “We are about equal in wins. No matter who wins two of us lose. Let’s talk about what’s at stake and see if we can’t figure out a way that we can all win.” So they talked about their wishes. In the end they decided that Crystal’s wish carefully worded would allow all of them to have what they wanted. Calling over the Draconequus, Crystal Hooves stepped forward and spoke, “We have all talked to each other and my wish is the one we are going with.” “Are you sure? You get only one rule free wish.” He asked. “Yes, the vote was unanimous.” “Well then by all means go ahead.” He said, sitting on a magically summoned throne. “I wish for a place outside of normal time that one can enter without experiencing the flow of time. That stores all magical knowledge ever created to be protected and saved from the ravages of time, elements, or any form of destruction that is open to all who wish to enter it.” She recited “Very well”, He said with a flick of his wrist a door appeared, “There are doors hidden throughout the planet. Those who seek knowledge and know where to look can find the entrances. As long as you are in there time will not affect anything in there. No age, no destruction, no death. But if you leave you will age like normal for as long as you are gone. Now may I ask why you wished as you did?” “I made that wish because we all had good wishes, and it was wrong for one of us to win, but the others suffer. It was thanks to Archeon that all of our wishes were possible through the making of one.” He gave a clap of his hands and said, “You all have done well, now make sure that the lesson you’ve learned here is shared to others.” From that day on the three mages shared their story with all who would hear. Their actions would shape history and legend, and it was how the magical arts were saved. So if you have the thirst for knowledge and know where to look, one can to this day learn the lessons of our elders so that their wisdom will never be lost.” Sparkler finished the story and looked at the two fillies beside her. Scootaloo was fighting sleep with all her might focusing on the book before her as her head weaved and bobbed as sleep struggled for dominance. Dinky, on the other hoof, was passed out and drooling on her sister’s shoulder. Sparkler nuzzled her, “Night Dinks. Good night Scootaloo.” “Good night.” Scootaloo said with a yawn before passing out. Author's Note Exposition for those who are interested. Explanation on other pony magic can be seen here. Basics. Earth Ponies use Natural Energy, and Full Metal Alchemist style Alchemy, as well as nature magic. I love the fanon that has Pegasi using lightning for sewing, metal work, ect. And Lightning is the purest form of energy imo. So they shape it into patterns to do "Techniques" similar to Naruto ninjas. And unicorns are unicorns. Liquid Silver is Mercury. I was looking for old terms for it [since the story is an old timey one.] and hydrogyros [water silver] sounded to retarded. And anyone whose read Eragon knows what an Eldunari is. Which the Heart of Hearts for a dragon is canon for me. Although in my head canon it doesn't dissolve, but acts as the core of a dragons memories and power. They can choose to live on it or not. This chapter was hectic to write. But I hope that I did it justice. I had to actually break the chapter into segments to make the flow more smoother. So the next chapter is coming soon after it gets edited.
You're Not AloneThe next morning as everyone sat around the table munching on their plateful of waffles with apple cinnamon compote, Raindrops looked over at Scootaloo, “Scootaloo, while Sparkler and Dinky are going back to their place, why don’t you come with me to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie said that she missed giving you your testing goodie bag.” “Okay. Hey Dinky?” Dinky looked up from her warzone that was her side of the table, “Whafs ish zit?” Dinky asked, tiny flecks of food shooting out like masticated missiles. “Hahahaha! Oh that’s funny! I was wondering if you’d like to go Crusading with us if everypony is allowed to today?” Scootaloo said with a grin. Gulping down her food, Dinky gave a Scootaloo a thoughtful expression, “Well I want to hang out with my mommy for a bit since she just got better, but if I think I might be able to.” “So Dinky, what do you think is going to happen to Diamond Tiara?” Scoots asked. “I don’t know, but I hope she’s not mean anymore.” Dinky sighed before digging back into her waffles. Raindrops looked over at Sparkler, “Sparkler, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind doing a foalsitting job next Wednesday?” “What time?” “From around sixish till around ten.” “Okay. Sounds perfect.” Sparkler said taking out a date planner and marking it down. The rest of breakfast continued in relative silence, and all too soon Scootaloo and her new friends split ways. Raindrops looked down at the filly trotting beside her as they entered Ponyville proper. “You know about what we talked about yesterday?” “Yeah. When is Pinkie going to get everypony together?” She asked. “This saturday. Lyra’s going to be coming with Bon Bon since she’s the co-owner of Bon Bon’s Confectionaries, but everypony is going to be there. Before we get into Ponyville I wanted to tell you something.” Raindrops said with a sad smile. “What?” Scootaloo asked looking up at her. “You are no longer alone. If you need anything I’ll do my best to be there for you. Even if you end up with a different family, I’ll make sure that you never have to be alone again. You’ve been through so much, and have done things that most ponies never have to go through. But you don’t have to do those things any more. I just wanted you to know that.” She said, draping a wing across Scootaloo’s back. “Raindrops?” “Yes Scootaloo?” “Did I really do something wrong taking those things?” She asked with a shiver borne from guilt as she moved closer into Raindrops. “You did what you needed to do to survive. But yes, what you did was something that you should never have been driven to do. I can’t tell you how the others will react, and I’m sorry I can’t. But I will stand by you and help you where I can.” “Kays.” Scootaloo whispered. The rest of their walk was as silent as the breakfast they had earlier. But where the breakfast was a comfortable silence this was one of the most awkward silences Scootaloo had to go through feeling like a pony marching to the gallows rather than going to her favorite sweet shop. She really hoped that the rest of the day would turn out awesome. But she’d know depending on how things turned out with Pinkie Pie. As they entered the back entrance to the Cake’s Confectionary Emporium, Pinkie Pie opened the door with a fanfare of confetti and noise makers. “Hiya Scoots!” she said with unbridled enthusiasm. “Hi Pinkie.” Scoots said mournfully with her head hung low. “Awww! What’s the matter?” She asked while plopping down next to Scootaloo. “Did Raindrops tell you what I was going to say to everypony on Saturday?” She murmured, averting her gaze from Pinkie Pie.Her heart was steadily sinking with the realization that she was going to have to tell everypony the truth, that she stole from her friends and from ponies who needed the bits just as much as she did.. “Raindrops, I changed my mind. I can’t do this.” Scoots said sadly as she started to turn around. “What’s the matter Scootaloo? Come on, let’s put a smile on that face!” Pinkie bounced softly over to Scootaloo before affectionately ruffling her mane. “I-I just can’t. I thought I could be braver when I asked, but I can’t. And I don’t deserve a friend like you.” Scoots miserably stuttered. She went to turn gallop away, but Pinkie Pie picked her up and whispered gently, “Don’t be a silly filly, of course you deserve a friend like me. Everypony needs friends. Now why don’t you tell Auntie Pinkie what the problem is.” “Pinkie, I can’t take any of your food, I’ve been a bad pony.” Scootaloo said whispered back. The warm embrace of Pinkie Pie shocking her out of her misery a little bit. “Why do you say that?” Pinkie asked setting Scootaloo down. “I don’t want to tell you. You’ll hate me.” Even saying it made a lump in her throat. Pinkie nuzzled her, and placing her left foreleg under her chin rose Scootaloo’s head up, “Come on inside and you can tell me all about it. I promise that no matter what you tell me I won’t hate you, you’ll always have a friend in me.” Ushering her in. Scootaloo thought that the newly formed pit in her stomach, and accompanying dread must be what a pony felt like walking to the gallows. When everypony got inside Raindrops wrapped a wing around her and gave her an encouraging nuzzle, before whispering, “It’ll be okay. I’ll be right here with you.” Giving a nod, she trotted over to Pinkie Pie, who looked at her in a caring, non-judgemental fashion waiting for Scootaloo to begin the radiant, kind smile on her face giving Scootaloo a bit of courage to continue. She struggled past the lump in her throat before she let it all out. “I-I-I sto-stole from you,” she bawled. It was something that had been nagging at the back of her mind since Raindrops told her that money was their livelihood. And Pinkie Pie was everypony’s friend. The fact that she, and the Cakes needed that money to live was something that she could ignore, but now was eating at her. “What did you steal?” Pinkie Pie asked with a sad smile, holding Scootaloo is a matronly hug. “Money from the table. I … I’m an orphan, and I didn’t think I was stealing until I talked with Raindrops yesterday, and you need that money, and I’m sorry.” Scootaloo babbled while burying her head in Pinkie Pie’s chest. The second she started she just let loose everything that had happened, “I just didn’t want to go hungry, and I needed to fix my scooter. It’s the only thing I have left of my family, and I needed to pay Apple Jack back for taking apples. I-I I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was being a bad pony.” “Shhhh… Shhhh,” Pinkie Pie said said stroking her mane as Scootaloo cried into her coat, “I know that you were an orphan. Heck after being one for awhile you know what it looks like. That’s why I let you know that you were always welcome here. Although you never spent the night here, you’re okay and that’s all that matters.” Sniffling onto Pinkie’s coat, Scootaloo, between snorts and tears, asked, “Really?” “Really, really. As for the money. I knew some of it was missing, but you really didn’t have to steal. After all, I was giving you bits whenever you visited, even if it was only what I could afford to give. But Scootaloo?” She said lifting Scootaloo’s head up. “Yes Pinkie?” Her eyes still leaking rivulets of tears. “I forgive you. I’m glad you found somepony for you like the Cakes were for me. It’s good to have a home.” Scootaloo squeezed Pinkie Pie in as strong as possible while Raindrops finally got an edge in to talk, “You knew? Why didn’t you do anything if you knew?” “Which knew?” She countered with a head tilt. “That she was an orphan?” “Easy, I thought that everypony knew with all the nice things the girls were doing for her, and how Rainbow Dash took her as an honorary little sister. With how much she talks about Scootaloo, and how the topic of her parents never came up I thought they were just avoiding a sensitive subject. But I did tell her that she was always welcome here and that meant day or night. Since she never came at night I thought that she had places to go.” Pinkie Pie replied as if the subject was as easy as pie. Raindrops felt the need to facehoof, but she knew that Pinkie Pie’s heart was in the right place. With how rare orphans and orphanages were, she couldn’t blame Pinkie for not knowing the proper things to do when these things came up. Before she could say anything Scootaloo spoke up again. “Pinkie Pie, you are the best friend ever. Thank you! Are you sure you don’t hate me?” Scootaloo asked in a fragile manner. “Of course not, and you’re welcome. You are a good pony, you just did what you needed to do. I paid off the missing bits when it happened so the Cakes don’t know, but if you want to make it up to me, on Hearth’s Warming Day me and the girls as well as their sisters are going to have a huge party. You will help me the day before getting the food cooked. Sound fair?” She said with a huge grin. “Sounds good.” Scootaloo said with a smile. “Pinkie Pie, on the subject of cooking. Can I schedule her to learn how to cook from you? She learned from Rainbow -” “Say no more. I know how super, duper, action packed, Rainbow Dash can be with food. But it’s not for every pony. Of course I’ll teach her how to not summon Elder Gods, demonic entities, and beings that should never be from the oven.” “Perfect. Scootaloo, I’ll give Rainbow Dash the birthday cake of chaos that you made two nights ago before it goes bad. Also I’m looking for ponies who’ll plant those weird, tasty fruit things that your cake summoned. I’m still finding weird vines in random spots in the kitchen.” Raindrops said, gathering Pinkie Pie’s goodie bag and putting it in Scootaloo’s tattered saddlebags mentally making sure that she would go and get a new pair for her later. Pinkie Pie gave Scootaloo another hug and assurance that she was forgiven and everything was alright between them. As Scootaloo and Raindrops walked to the schoolhouse, Scootaloo had a good feeling about the coming day, That turned out alright, and I feel different now. Better? Lighter? I don’t know what this is, but I’m feeling like today is going to be perfect. Author's Note So starting to build a buffer. A special thank you to Cold Spike for pointing out that Raindrops would be shocked, and as for the guilt thing. It's starting to show up here and next chapter. It's going to build over the next few chapters. If y'all want to see it show up more prominently let me know, or if you want her to tell the Crusader's everything before the big reveal. Next Chapter RaindropsX Cloud Kicker shipping set into motion. And I wonder if y'all will be able to guess which Crusader ends up with who.
An Epic CrusadeIt was recess by the time the rest of the Crusaders could get together, Apple Bloom was the first to speak, “Hey Scoots, my sister said that I’m invited to a private get together with her and a few others for a party for you. What’s that all about? And has anyone else noticed that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon haven’t looked at each other all day and look more sadder than a dog without a bone?” “Me and Rarity have the same invitation, What’s the special occasion Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle added. “I don’t know if I should say anything right now. Let’s just have some fun and try getting our cutie marks. As for those two… it’s a nice change, but I still don’t know if I should feel bad or not.” “You know that no matter what we’ll always be your friends and Crusaders stick together forever no matter what? Right?” Apple Bloom asked, placing a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder comfortingly. “That’s right. Together forever.” Sweetie said placing her hoof on Scootaloo’s other shoulder. “Thanks girls. I promise you I’ll tell you everything soon. I just hope you’re all still my friends afterwards,” She replied in a near whisper, before adding in a louder tone, “Anyways enough of this touchy feely stuff. Let’s talk about cutie marks!” “Alright, so what do we do in these Crusader thingies anyways?” Mango Dash asked. “Aye! I’ve been wondering about that too.” Pip piped in. “Well, we come up with ideas that sound awesome and try them to get our cutie marks. After all if we do as much stuff as possible we should eventually get our cutie marks.” Sweetie Belle said, “Even when we don’t get them, it’s still fun.” “Sounds like a blast.” Pip said with a squeak of excitement, to which the others, jumping ecstatically, were in agreement. “Okay ponies! I got the perfect idea.” Scootaloo said, leaning to the group with a wide grin growing on her face. “Now Scootaloo, this isn’t like your idea of being firework technicians and almost blowing part of Cloudsdale up is it?” Apple Bloom asked while raising eyebrow. “One time! One time! And nopony lets you live it down,” Scootaloo said throwing her forelegs up to the air in exasperation, “But to answer your question no. I got something even better planned.” Mango Dash held a hoof up in the air, getting the attention of the other Crusaders, “Wait… you mean the one who almost caused the Cloudsdale Weather Corporation to catch on fire?” “It wasn’t that bad, and Rarity paid off the damages.” Sweetie Belle replied. “What about their mayor’s fear of loud noises?” “Well the point is nopony got injured and we apologized.” Shrugging, Scootaloo got things back on track, “Okay, ignoring accidental, slight damage to property, and some ponies overreacting to an awesome firework display for free. I was thinking of doubling up. We can try pony catapult and hang gliding. It’d be so awesome.” “While that sounds fun, how do you land a hang glider?” Dinky asked. “Easy, you simply aim it at a tree. It’ll help you land,” Apple Bloom stated, “Well at least how we’ve managed to land. The last few times we’ve tried it.” Sweetie gave Scootaloo a quick hug, “Good idea Scootaloo. Now we just need to get some stuff to build everything. We can try getting our Cutie Marks in engineering again.” Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a playful punch in the foreleg, “Good thinking Sweets. That’s three attempts at once.” Hitting their hooves together the Crusaders yelled in unison, “Cutie Mark Crusader Catapult Hang Gliders! Yay!” While Scootaloo and the Crusaders were at school, Raindrops was doing her side job over with the Weather Team. They had a partly cloudy day scheduled with a shifting cloud schedule that would move a series of clouds throughout Ponyville from eight in the morning till around three in the afternoon. She was paired with Cloud Kicker today and the timing couldn’t be better. “Hey Cloud Kicker, about the date.” Raindrops said shifting on the cloud a little bit. “Yes?” “I can’t go today, I have a pony I’m looking after. But if it’s alright, how about this coming Wednesday? I got a foalsitter to look after her from six to ten. If that’s alright with you?” Raindrops asked nervously. “Perfect!” Cloud Kicker’s voice went up several octaves, noticing that she coughed and in a regular pitch said, “That sounds fine. So how’ve you been?” “Actually pretty good. This filly I’m looking after is really one of a kind, in a good way. That and with Ditzy better, she finally get out of quarantine and can see her fillies,” Raindrops said with a smile, “What about you? We haven’t talked in so long, I kind of miss our Girl’s Nights out.” “Well things were going well with me and Berry Punch for a while, but we broke up, it was a mutual thing. She met this other mare, Carrot Top, and they hit it off. So that’s good I guess. Alula is visiting again from Canterlot and I’ve been showing her the sites. I’m just lucky that her accidental shifts don’t gather than much attention here. Especially after we had to take her out of Celestia’s school when ponies were noticing that she never aged. That was a mess to explain. But enough about me. How’s life been going for you since you’ve moved to Ponyville?” “It’s been amazing. Thank you so much for talking me into moving here.” “Anything for a friend.” Cloud Kicker said while scratching the back of her head with her left foreleg. “Oh! And is this a date, date? Or an as friends date?” Raindrops asked. “Date, date.” Cloud Kicker said in a way that was more of a question than a statement which totally flew over Raindrops head. “That sounds like it’ll be fun. So you’ll pick me up at six?” “At six.” They settled into a comfortable silence as the flew side by side. Each reminiscing about a past shared, and imagining the fun that was coming in their upcoming date. Especially excited was Raindrops who had never had time for romance with her work, and the fact that nopony ever asked her out before meant that if she wanted to make the best first impression and get some good advice she’d need to drop by Rarity’s Boutique.. With the dress that she made Ditzy Doo a few months back for her date with Holly Dash, Raindrops knew that if she wanted to make a good first impression it was going to be through Rarity. ~Later that day~ Five fillies and one colt sat before their catapults. Each of the Crusaders got into their respective hang gliders and tried to get their ropes properly positioned to get them airborne. Pip looked nervously at the contraption that Apple Bloom helped him construct, “Oi! Apple Bloom, are you sure this is safe?” “Of course. We did this plenty of times. The first time for our cutie marks, now we just do this every now and then for the fun of it. But now that I know that you can get multiple cutie marks, I gotta collect them all. Now what y’all are going to want to do is sit with the gliders facing forward, pull on your ropes and hang on to y’alls gliders for dear life.” “I don’t know,” Pip whispered to himself, but Apple Bloom picked up on it. “Trust me, I’d never let anypony do something if it was too dangerous. That plus if you get in trouble I’ll be right there to help you. Alright?” She said with a smile. “Well okay. I trust you.” Pip said with a much weaker smile. “Alright everypony! Let’s get this party started!” Scoots yelled at the top of her lungs giving her rope a pull followed shortly by the others. Click, Click, Click, THWOOMP! Six foals were launched from their respective catapults, shooting the living missiles skywards. Their screams of elation flowed to echoing laughter heard through the park drew more than a few pairs of eyes as they reached the apex of their climb. Pip and Dinky, being new to being above ground, flew in a haphazard and shaky matter as they finally looked down and tried overcompensating to keep still. Mango flapped her wings moving herself in between them, “Hey short stuff! Don’t try overthinking it. Just point the tip where you want to go and enjoy the ride.” The rest of the ride was relaxing with a great deal of fun, as the those who had more experience helped the other Crusaders with their first time as they flew in a lazy path around the park. Eventually Pipsqueak spoke up, “Oi! I don’t want to crash into a tree. I’m going to just drop into the lake … I think.” He said, looking at the lake a ways off and how far down it was. “Sounds like fun, and I doubt that there is tree sap in a lake. Come on girls lets dive!” Scootaloo yelled as they got close enough for them to dive. Soon each of them were speeding to the center of the lake, screaming and laughing as the plummeted. When they hit, the resulting splash caused a colossal, explosive fountain of water to spray and soak those who stood to watch the show, a miniature rainbow forming in the falling water over the lake and surrounding area. As the Crusaders got out of the lake they were met with a loud cheer from the impromptu audience that their earlier shouts had attracted. Looking at the each other's flank they noticed they were still bare, there collected disappointment let loose as they simultaneously let out a depressed, “Awwwwww!” before bowing to the cheering crowd. Whether it was from not causing collateral damage or from the sheer awesomeness of their little stunt they didn’t know. “Hey Crusaders, gather round. I’ll get us dry lickety split.” Mango said, when they gathered in front of her she stood on her hind legs. With a hop and a rapid flapping of her right wing did a spinning jump kick. The wind was powerful enough to pull the water off her friends and draw it to her stomach, and with a quick reversal kicked the watery orb back into the lake, “Hurricane Kick Blow Dry! I love that move.” She said with pride. “Well that was fun, but at least we can take off Pony Catapults, Hang Gliding, Engineering, and Water Diving off the list.” Sweetie said sadly. “But at least it was fun.” Pip chirped. “Yeah, it didn’t matter that it was a bust, I still enjoyed having fun with everypony.” Dinky said as she strode over to Mango, “Me and Mango have a bit longer before our moms need us back home.” “Alright then, let’s get some icecream real quick.” Sweetie said. After they all packed themselves into the cart, Scootaloo drove them to the local ice cream bar. The buzzing of Scootaloo’s wings acted like a horn, warning to other ponies as she blasted through the street, arriving in almost no time to the establishment. “Well everypony, what should we try for our next cutie marks?” Apple Bloom asked over a bowl of Pistachio Mango ice cream with fudge ripples. “I think we should get it in potion making, or making muffins?” Dinky suggested. “Sure! We can do both of them, first we can make potions, and then use the potions for the special ingredients in the muffins! Nothing can go wrong, all we need to do is make sure we don’t use anything dangerous!” Apple Bloom cheerfully replied. “But aren’t we banned from Zecora’s hut when she’s not around since that time we accidentally made a potion that summoned giant mutant caterpillars into her home?” Scoots asked, memories of the pony sized, many mouthed creatures causing her to shudder. Looking at her friends stares, “Hey, if Dashie can summon elder gods and alter reality from her cooking, what do you think her student is going to do when brewing potions?” She asked rhetorically. “Well if we get our own stuff we won’t have to worry about that.” Apple Bloom replied with a grin. Hitting the hooves together the Cutie Mark Crusaders let loose a window shaking yell, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER MAGICAL MUFFIN MAKERS YAY!” Author's Note Over 100 upvotes, and so close to the 150 fav mark. I'm so happy right now. Thank y'all for reading and enjoying my fic. I hope that the upcoming chapters will only become more enjoyable as time goes on. So we see a little bit about Cloudkicker (more a little bit more to come next chapter). More will be revealed in chapter 10, and I'm liking the direction that she's taking. Anyone has any input on her now or in later chapters let me know and she can be given more definition as a character. As she's going to be after the big reveal in a few chapters from now. Slipped some foreshadowing on the CMC Ships, and yes Dash's cooking skills come up yet again. Inspired by this fic on EqD., although lately (and this most likely won't be canon) I've been reading the Petriculture Series, and the Random Chance, and weird things that happen around the CMC would be awesome if it was because Scoots was Sweetie Belle's Imaginary Friend. Last thing, next chapter has cracked scales, Raindrops in Social Worker mode, and more Cloud Kicker with her little sister, and a PSA in the A/N.
Getting Ready~The Previous Evening~ Cloud Kicker strolled to her house with her thoughts on Raindrops and uncontained glee that she said yes to a date. It was something she had been working up the courage to do for awhile now. She was one of the few ponies from behind the Weather Team that liked her for herself, and fought to maintain her reputation from the ponies that slandered her, calling her a slut or an easy lay. Spreading lies about how she would screw anything with four legs and a pulse, it was infuriating, but made her appreciate Weather Team and the few friends she had all the more. She had always admired Raindrops since she met her in Canterlot. Back then she offered to help her out in learning her way around Canterlot nobility because there was something about seeing her looking so downtrodden that hit a chord with her, after learning that she was working on making a better Canterlot. Seeing the fire in her eyes, and the passion in her voice, she wanted to help out even more. Through the years helping her out, Raindrops never asked for a bit, even though Cloud Kicker funded her anyways. She was the few non-nobles who, upon knowing that she was loaded, didn’t try hitting her up for bits, or trying to dig for gold. It was in a word, refreshing. She was shaken from her revelry when Alula came out of her room, “Hi’ya sis. I’m done with my homework.” Alula chirped. “That’s good. Are you ready for your new school when you go back to Canterlot?” Cloud Kicker asked. “I am, I just wish that I got the hang of this stupid transformation thing already! Stupid Alicorn hormones!” Alulu exclaimed stomping her hooves, “Nopony here in Ponyville seems to notice, but in Canterlot when they find out they call me ”Princess Erroria”, or ask if I’m really an ugly Changeling.” “Being an Alicorn foal sucks doesn’t it?” Cloud Kicker asked hugging her sister. “Uh-huh! Sis? I’m not an error am I? Like some giant mistake?” Alula asked. “Of course not. They’re just jealous that they aren’t as awesome as you. I’ll admit from the stories that I heard that Grandma Chicken Kicker was surprised when she popped you out. Probably as much as Cadence’s mom when she was born along side that slobbering twat Blueblood, talk about sibling rivalry. But you are, and never will be an error. You are my pretty little sis, and my number one wingmare.” Cloud Kicker replied, just like she always did when her sister’s secret came up. “I just hope you don’t grow old like sissy Gale did. I love you.” Alula said hugging her. “Don’t you worry about that. With all the plants, herbs and stuff to stay young I can stay young for at least another few centuries. Heck, Granny Smith is 850 years old, and still kicking,” Cloud Kicker said hugging her, “And I love you too. No matter how old you get, or what you do, you’ll always be my favorite sister. Now how about some dinner!” “Thank you sis. So what’re we having?” She asked. “Hmmm …,” Cloud Kicker said placing a foreleg on her chin, “How about a veggie cheeseburger, and you can choose Prench fries, or Sweet Potato fries, and a side of apple chips.” “I want those salty Prench fries you make. I’ve been craving them since forever!” Alula said bouncing, her temporary burst of angst pushed to the side for the promise of one of her favorite foods. “Sure thing short stuff, just don’t let our folks know that I’m spoiling you rotten.” Cloud Kicker replied over her shoulder with a smile. “I’m not rotten,” Alula said as she watched her sister’s deft wings maneuvering around the kitchen like an extra pair of limbs as Cloud Kicker got to the task of setting things up for dinner, “So sis, what’s gotten you in such a good mood?” “Do you remember Raindrops?” Placing her left foreleg over her chin, her skin rippled and shifted into that of an earth pony with a Cutie Mark of a single pink flower, “I remember her. She was friends with you over in Canterlot, the nice pony who didn’t care that I shifted at weird times?” “Yep! I’m going on a date with her next week.” Cloud Kicker give a little self-congratulatory cheer. “Finally. I swear, your luck with getting a special somepony is worse than sissy Steel’s was. At least Raindrops is nice.” Alula commented. “True, now I just need to put away my little black book, and be get ready for my special night. I’ll ask Derpy if Dinky wants to hang out with you that night.” “Alright. I love you sis.” Alula chirped. “I love you too.” Cloud Kicker replied warmly. As Cloud Kicker cooked she let herself think back onto her black book. It was her guilty secret, it wasn’t that she was some loose floozy but she hated being alone, and sometimes she’d meet a pony who liked her. Although they made horrible special someponies, they’d hook up, and when Cloud Kicker was feeling lonely, or as if she was less of a pony after a bad break up. It was nice to have a pony there for her that would, even for a night, make her feel as if she was worth being around rather than her family's wealth, her family’s prestige and title of nobility, or other things that she worked her life escaping from the shadow of. That doesn’t mean that she didn’t love her family, but sometimes it was difficult to have the only thing that other ponies cared about being what they could get out of you, rather than being with you for you. Even the ponies in her black book only really were interested in being friends with benefits rather than something long term. Cloud Kicker, as she dwelled on this, put on a smile for her sister and thought about playing matchmaker. It was a little game she played once in a while, hooking up ponies in her book that looked like they’d be cute together. Even if she wasn’t the lucky pony at least she could make a friend happy. ~Today~ Raindrops watched as Scootaloo walk into the schoolhouse with a twinge of sadness for the little filly, but all things considered things turned out rather well. She wore a bittersweet smile as she went on to complete her to-do list before work. First on her list was to visit Twilight, and then onto Rarity’s. Before going to Twilight’s she procured a small cart to help carry the two hundred-odd lbs of gold she’d need to bring to Twilight’s from her rainy day fund to help pay off the bits that Scootaloo appropriated over the years. As she entered the library she heard a male voice call out from the kitchen, “I’ll be there in a second.” That comment was followed shortly by a pudgy dragon waddling out of the kitchen wearing a frilly pink apron with a bright purple heart embroidered in the center. Raindrops looked at him and tried placing his name, having not seen much of the little dragon other than when he was trailing after Rarity on the few times she saw Rarity get within a hundred miles of any activity that could dirty her coat. “Hello, my name’s Raindrops, what’s yours?” She asked bending down slightly to put her on eye level to Spike. “My name’s Spike, nice to meet you Raindrops. I’ll get Twilight for you, she’s not really a morning pony, Do you want some breakfast too?” He asked “No thanks, I had breakfast already, but thank you for offering,” She replied, “I’m here to talk to Twilight about something we agreed upon a few days ago.” “Alright, I was about to go get her anyways,” With that Spike waddled up the stairs to get Twilight. It was several minutes and several amusing muffled snippets of an argument when Twilight trudged down the steps with large bags under her eyes, “Hello Raindrops. Do you mind if I get some coffee in me before we start talking?” Twilight mumbled. “Sure, actually do you want me to come back later?” “No! It’s ok. I should’ve been up earlier, come join me and we can talk in a bit.” Twilight gave a grumbling reply. It was a short while later that Spike came in with a bowl of honey cinnamon oatmeal, and a steaming cup of coffee. Raindrops looked at him and asked the question that she’d been wondering since she’d seen the drake hauling working like a rented mule running errands all over the place for Twilight and more often than not Rarity. “So are you his Mistress?” Raindrops asked innocently. Twilight spat her coffee out, while falling over her breath coming out in coughs and indecipherable stammering of surprise. Spike on the other hand was bawling with laughter, clutching his sides as his body shook from the force of the laughs. When Twilight recovered she yelled, “What!?” “Well I’ll be honest I never got to properly know what the owner of a servant is. And you can’t be his master since master is a male term. So I thought you’d be his Mistress.” Raindrops said not seeing what she said wrong in the context of her question. “Oh! I thought you meant …” Twilight started to say before trailing off. “Ha! Oh that’s good. Even I thought you meant like in those romance novels Rarity gets all the time. Although I doubt ponies can really bend that way.” Spike said as his laugh calmed down. “Spike! I told you, you are too young to read those stories!” Twilight exclaimed in a startled tone, “But to answer your question. No I’m not his Mistress per say, rather I’m his … well we never really talked about what I am to him, but I guess I can see how my number one assistant could be classified as a servant. Looking back that term is rather fitting.” Spike looked shocked, “Does this mean that I’m no longer your number one assistant?” “Of course not. Think of it as a broadening of your duties, and you’re the best baby dragon servant I could ask for.” Twilight said matronly. “Ummm ...Princess?” Raindrops asked hearing the term baby dragon in that statement. “Yes, what is it?” “You said baby dragon, as in an infant. How old is he anyways?” “Oh! No, not baby in pony terms, rather in dragon terms. As for age, he’s about eleven. Same age as the Crusaders.” Twilight clarified. “And I have to ask this, I’m really sorry about it, but it’s my job.” Raindrops said. “I understand, it would be a sad state of affair if our civil servants didn’t do their jobs.” Twilight said, taking a sip of what was left of her coffee as Spike went to get a refill. “How long has Spike been working? What is his level of education? And have you been ensuring that he’s had the proper level of socialization required for his social milestones?” Raindrops asked, giving a stream of necessary questions to make sure the child was taken care of. “He’s been working since eight, the minimum age of a worker. He’s been taught by Princess Celestia, as well as my tutors. He knows how to respect and respond to authority, but he’s more likely to do what he thinks will please a pony more than he would to socialize like I’ve been learning to do. He does spend time with Rarity, and my other friends sometimes though, but even then he hasn’t really hit his social milestones. That’s my fault I guess since I wasn’t really social and I’ve worked him at my schedule for too long. I guess I could give him some more free time, or at least a schedule slightly less bound to my own.” Twilight answered. “Ok … um … never mind Princess.” Raindrops was going to start, but doing her job on a Princess was something that started to make her feel unsettled. Twilight sighed, and placed a hoof on Raindrops’ reassuringly, “As I said, I understand, your duty is to look after all types of youth. And while I have the documents for Spike’s workload and duties from the Princess I commend you for doing what you think is right. So ask.” “Well, I just need to do a quick look over to see that he has appropriate lodgings, and his body doesn’t show signs of abuse. After that my legal obligations are over and we can start talking about Scootaloo.” “Well let’s get started then,” Twilight said, getting up her refilled coffee cup held in her magic as she led her up to Spike and her shared room. Raindrops looked around and noticing that a dog’s nest lay beside Twilight’s bed said, “I didn’t know you kept a dog.” “Oh! That’s where Spike sleeps.” Twilight said offhoovedly. “What?” Raindrops’ left eye twitched slightly, “You know he’s a sentient, speaking being? Not a pet?” Twilight blushed and waved her hoof at Spike’s general direction, “He’s always slept in one of these, I never really thought about it before, after all it’s not like he complains about it.” Raindrops looked at Spike and asked, “Spike, do you like beds or are you comfortable contorting yourself to fit in that?” Spike shuffled a bit and shrugged, “I haven’t slept in a bed since Twilight was fourteen. So I guess it’s been what, nine years give or take?” Twilight at this moment was beyond embarrassed that she hadn’t thought about getting him to sleep in the spare bed in the room, or anywhere for nine years. Rather she’d kept him in the basket she got him almost a decade ago which wasn’t looking good for her right now, gave a nod of affirmation. “But me and Twilight can talk about that later, no offense.” Spike replied. “None taken, I’m just doing my job to ensure that everything’s alright. I guess there’s one last measure of business. Spike, do you mind if I touch you? I just need to do a quick examination of your body.” Raindrops said in a gentle but professional manner. “Alright,” Spike responded. She walked him over to the chair in front of Twilight’s desk, “I’m going to need you to stand up and touch your toes. I’ll look along your scales to make sure there’s no injuries. If everything checks out we’ll be done in no time.” Raindrops explained to Spike and Twilight. As Spike bent over and touched his toes Raindrops looked at his scales and rubbed her hooves carefully over them, stretching them and squishing looking to sense if anything was off. On his back she noticed numerous thin holes in the scales as if a thin, sharp object had been imbedded in the scales along random sections of his back. With a few of them causing cracks in the corners of quite a few of the scales. “Twilight can you come here please, I need you to look at these for a moment.” Waving her over she showed her what she was seeing, “What are these?” Twilight looked at them and took a deep breath, her left foreleg coming to her chest and thrusting outward as she exhaled, “Spike, did you know there were holes and cracks in your scales?” “Yeah, but it’s no big deal, I hardly feel them.” Spike said with a shrug. “Hardly? So you do feel it, since when?” Twilight asked her voice rising a little bit. “Every now and then when I’m cleaning up, and then when I was in that lava pool during the Dragon migration.” Spike said. “The … lava … pool? Dragon migration?” Raindrops said, disbelievingly falling to her haunches. “Spike … with those cracks you could’ve gotten lava into the skin under your scales, you could’ve been hurt!” Twilight said angrily, “Why didn’t you tell me this?” “It’s no big deal. I’m not hurt, and my scales will grow back after I shed them in a few years.” Spike replied, “And yeah, I went on the Dragon migration to see if I could find my birth parents. Dragons can rest in lava pools, it feels really relaxing actually. Other than the itch it gave me on my back after a while.” Twilight looked over at Raindrops, “Don’t worry about this, I’ll talk to Rarity personally about using Spike as a pincushion. Now what are your findings?” “Spike needs his own room, and an actual bed rather than a dog’s nest. And you need to pay more attention to his physical well being, but seeing as he was hiding it from you … fix it, and I’ll be back in a few days to check up on him, also I was planning on going to Rarity’s and I’ll need to speak to her about this as well,” Raindrops said in a professional manner, before changing the subject. “If it’s okay with you, let’s go back downstairs and I can talk to you about Scootaloo.” “Alright, you can speak to her first since it’s part of your job. But tell her when Spike and I get over there later we’re going to have a long talk,” Twilight said with a terse nod. Raindrops sat with Twilight, who had recently given Spike a bag of bits, and a the day off to have a day on the town for himself. She looked at Raindrops and sighed, “I can’t believe I never noticed what effect being a pincushion had on him. I mentioned it to him before, but he said he had thick scales. Although thinking back on it, it’s only a centimeter thick at most, give or take a few millimeters by my estimate.” “I guess I can understand that. I mean, he’s the only dragon in civilization that I know of. So there’s going to be some hit and miss areas, at least you’re willing to work on problem areas and make sure that he’s better taken care of. Now onto what brought me here,” Raindrops said. “I guess it’s about the small get together that Pinkie planned.” “Well, partially,” She pulled out several different sized bags of bits with different names on them from out of her cart. Altogether it was 1,510 bits for the money taken by Scootaloo as well as an extra bag next to Rarity’s bit bag that held, 8,996 bits. 10,506 bits was a 4 months wages for a Weathermare and bits that she had been saving to make additions to her house. But to make a filly’s life better was a greater cause to Raindrops, “These bits are marked to the ponies that Scootaloo took money from. Can I ask you to make sure it gets to them?” “That’s a lot of bits.” Twilight said. “Not when stretched over five years. She took them from table tops, on floors, and hidden in furniture. She didn’t know it was stealing since it was out in the open in the more communal areas of places she’s visited, and she used it to get food as well as repair her scooter which was the last gift she has of her family.” Raindrops replied sadly. “Five years? You're telling me that all of Ponyville ignored a homeless filly for five years and nopony has noticed? I should tell the girls,” Twilight whispered, her body in a state of shock at the news. “I think it should be something she says, after all this party is so that she can tell everypony. But if you think it’s wise, please try to make sure that it doesn’t go past your group, I think it would hurt Scootaloo if everypony knew about it before she was ready.” “Don’t worry, everything will turn out fine. Is there anything else?” Twilight reassured Raindrops. “Yes, from both to you and Cheerilee, she took pencils, scrolls, papers, and other utensils she needed for school, but I don’t know how much she took, nor how much it’d cost altogether.” “Don’t worry about that. I was wondering about where they ran off to, but as long as they went to further a pony’s education, I’m alright with that. I’ll admit the money might go quite a ways to rectifying what she did. But this is Ponyville I’m sure when they find out that she took what was needed for survival they won’t press legal action, but they might want some other form of recompense. As for our other point of business. "I’m still looking for ponies who’d be willing to take in Scootaloo, there’s none so far who’d be willing to take in a pegasus who can’t fly,” Twilight said with a sigh, she placed her cup down and, ruffling her wings, continued, “Anyways, there’s another matter about Scootaloo. If what she has is a disability and not just underdevelopment? Are you going to take her to the doctors to get her physical? It should help things along greatly.” “It’s next week actually. The day after we have the little get together, I’ve got to go to Rarity’s about getting an appointment for a fitting and a pick up for a new dress. I’ll be seeing you this weekend. Later Twilight, and thank you for being forgiving of Scootaloo. I bet she’ll appreciate it.” Twilight waved farewell as Raindrops left the Library, Now onto Rarity’s. Hopefully I can get this little snafu cleared up since it sounds so unlike the Rarity I know to purposefully endanger anypony. And hopefully I can get some good dating tips out of her before the day is done. Raindrops entered Rarity’s shop where she heard her yell out her from out of sight, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique! I’ll be right up!” A clattering of material was heard from the room behind the entrance, and a quick ruffling sound before a slightly haggard looking Rarity came out, “Hello darling, it’s been simply forever since we’ve had time to talk. What can I help you with?” “Well I came here for a few reasons, but the foremost is something that’s a little private.” Raindrops said. Rarity gave her a discerning glance before waving Raindrops to follow her. Walking toward the kitchen she turned to look over her shoulder, “Would you like a cup of tea?” “That’d be nice, thank you.” Raindrops replied. After setting down on Rarity’s light, oaken table Raindrops waited as Rarity got her tea ready. As she waited she went over everything in her mind trying to set up how to go about the upcoming conversation. She was so lost in her thoughts that she was startled when she heard Rarity cough to get her attention. “So darling, what can I do for you?” Rarity asked. “Well a few things. First and most important is something that Twilight is going to be coming over to talk to you herself, but I thought I’d bring it up to your attention,” said Raindrops , shuffling her cup idly from hoof to hoof across the table, “I went to Twilight’s earlier to talk about something I promised to talk to her about two days ago. When I went there I saw Spike and ended up giving him an inspection,” She took a deep breath readying herself for what she was going to ask when Rarity interrupted. “How’s my little Spikey Wikey? Is he alright?” Rarity asked, the front half of her body leaning dramatically over the table. “Well that’s the problem. Twilight said that you... Use him as a living pin cushion?” “True, but he says that it doesn’t bother him, and he does have thick scales. He’d tell me if something was bothering him.” “When I looked him over, he had holes in his scales, and a few of them caused chips. He said that it was causing him discomfort every now and then. He also mentioned that when he was in the lava pit during … the dragon migration, I’ll never get used to hearing about that. He mentioned that it caused him discomfort there as well. If the holes were any deeper the lava could’ve gotten past his armor, and who knows what would’ve happened. Now I’m not blaming you for anything, I know you wouldn’t intentionally harm anyone. But I have to ask, why would you put holes in the natural defenses of anyone, much less a child? And why you didn’t notice the damage it was causing?” “Well … I guess I never really thought about it. It was so convenient to have something that I could hold needles in while focusing my magic on my work. I never really thought about how it was affecting him. Yes, everypony knows about his crush to me, but that he’d ignore his own health and safety. To think that I hurt my poor Spikey Wikey,” Rarity said bemoaned before adding dramatically with a swoon, “Of! All! The! Worst! Possible! Things! This is the worst!” “Since it was accidental, in that you didn’t know that poking a dragon full of holes was dangerous, and his guardian didn’t know what it was doing, all I’m going to say is that you be more careful with him, but Twilight wanted me to pass on a message that Spike and her are going to talk with you later,” Raindrops said, taking a drink of her tea. “Most definitely! I have four years of accidental harm to make up for! With Celestia as my witness, he shall be the happiest dragon in all of Equestria! Now I just need to figure out how to fix this before I lose his friendship forever!” Rarity exclaimed, before remembering that Raindrops came for other business. Having a different problem to focus on while letting her mind stew over solutions for the bigger problem might be just what the doctor ordered. Giving her a discerning gaze, she added, “But now you came here for other business. What can I do for you?” “Well two things, I needs a dress for next Wednesday and I never dated anypony before so I wanted to know if you could both make me a dress as well as maybe … probably give me dating tips?” Raindrops asked. “Well darling, let’s get your measurements, and after I fix things up with Spike I’ll get you prepared for your special somepony. All I ask is that you tell me everything about your date!” Rarity said with a predatory grin. Hopefully things get fixed with Spike, I hate seeing a child put in danger's way. Then there’s Scootaloo, if we can’t fix her getting her to fly and nopony adopts her what will I do? I can’t abandon her, I’ve taken care of lots of ponies but I’ve never raised one before. Could I do that for her? Could I be what she needs, or do I need to find somepony better than I could ever be for her? Raindrops thought to herself as she was led to Rarity’s work room. Author's Note How do y'all think I did introducing Cloud Kicker as a character? Things are finally getting started, and my editor made a comment that what I slipped passed the radar this time was much bigger than usual [tastefully paraphrased]. I love the little fun I get with that Trope. Next chapter has the CMC Magic Muffin Maker's going full power. Scoots makes a reveal and Dashie gets a spot in the fic.
[MMM] Magical Muffin MakersThe rest of the day was a blur. Friday soon rolled around, the day before Scootaloo’s big reveal. She knew most of the ponies wouldn’t see it coming that she was an orphan, and few would see that she had taken what she needed to survive from them, but she’d tell everypony everything when the meeting came around tomorrow. In her eyes it was reasonable, at least until a few days ago when Raindrops brought it to her attention that the bits she was taking were needed for them, just as much as it was for her. But with Pinkie Pie’s reaction, she was ready to tell the other four most important ponies in her life, and the three extras who just joined the Crusaders. She was lost in her thoughts as the Crusaders trotted over to the Cakes’ shop to get Pinkie Pie’s help in preparing the potions, and loading up cupcake batter with the potions as the secret ingredients. The fillies were lucky that Twilight and Zecora were both busy with their own personal business to inquire too deeply when they asked for herbs, gems, and a potion book, and a promise that they had adult supervision. It had taken a huge dip out of the fund the Crusaders had from doing odd jobs that weren’t part of them making up what Crusader Insurance didn’t cover from their escapades, but in the end they had everything they needed for the day’s activities. “So everypony today’s the day Ah can feel it! There’s no way that anythang can go wrong, especially since I got Zecora to help me makes some magic dust to undo any dangerous stuff that might come up, and with Pinkie Pie helping the plan is foolproof.” Apple Bloom said with an air of confidence, “Are you sure? Dinky was telling me what happened when Scootaloo tried cooking,” Mango asked trotting faster to get closer to Apple Bloom. “Well, Scootaloo’s a special case, Ah love her like a sister but put her near anything that requires cooking and not even Celestia can predict what’ll happen,” Apple Bloom answered with a chuckle. “Kays, this shall be interesting to see,” Mango mumbled. “Aye! It’ll be a blast!” Pip chimed in, as they trotted into the back entrance of the store. They arrived to a chaotic storm of pink as Pinkie Pie bounced from one edge of the kitchen to the other. Switching uncooked and cooked goods from the ovens, getting utensils set up, cleaning, and cooking at a pace that could only be described as mind bending. It was after nearly a minute of watching, their eyes spinning in their heads from the attempt of keeping track of Pinkie Pie before Pinkie Pie stopped, just as fast as she was previously moving in front of them. “So I see that you’re here, you must all be excited aren’t ya! Huh?! Huh?! I bet you are, getting your cutie marks in magical cooking! This is so exciting, I’m so going to use the muffins that you make and use them for a giant party to celebrate!” Pinkie said ecstatically her body practically vibrating from a mixture of raw energy and excitement. “That’d be great! Thank you Miss Pinkie,” Dinky said looking around at the kitchen. “Awwww! You’re welcome, and you don’t have to call me miss. Pinkie, or Pinkie Pie is good enough,” She replied giving a playful ruffle of Dinky’s mane, “Now I’m going to be supervising you all today to make sure that you stay safe when cooking.” “No offense, but I heard from other ponies that you’re random. Why are you concerned about safety?” Mango asked innocently. Pinkie gave a playful laugh that hid just how much that comment stung seeing as how Mango was just a filly and didn’t know any better, “I’m not really random as much as my head is so full of things that I have trouble getting it out in a way that others easily understand sometimes. “But as for safety, I’d never want any of my friends to get hurt, and I’m always careful when doing things that could be dangerous. After all, if I get injured then I’d not be around for awhile until I got better. Does that answer your question?” “Yeah … sorry,” Mango said scuffing the floor with her left forehoof. “It’s alright, now the fritters and cherry-chimichangas should be about done. I’ll get everything set up and help you all with your potions. Or at least help make sure you prepare them safely,” Pinkie replied as she wandered to the stove just as the timer went off. It took Pinkie Pie and the Crusaders several minutes to get their cauldrons set up, and mix enough cupcake batter for each of them. Pinkie Pie watched them as they got started on their concoctions to ensure that nothing blew up, or did anything to dangerous while brewing. Scootaloo was slowly preparing her ingredients, mulling over revealing her secret to her friends. She promised that when it was the right time she’d do it, and so far Pinkie Pie had given her a positive reception to her confession. A part of her didn’t want to tell other ponies. After all, she’d been taking care of herself for five years and nopony before now cared what she took. But on the other hoof she knew know that taking from others, even though the circumstances were dire, wasn’t a good habit to have now that she didn’t need to live that way anymore. If anything Scootaloo was a responsible filly, and she was going to do the right thing. But telling her friends and Dashie was more difficult than telling the others. They were more important to her than any other pony, and the thought that this might cause a rift between them that she couldn’t fix felt like an icy dagger stabbing her in the heart. “So Scootaloo, y’all been mighty quiet lately. What’s the matter?” Apple Bloom asked. “Nothing … just thinking about something,” Scootaloo mumbled. “No wonder I thought I smelled smoke,” Apple Bloom ribbed, much to Scootaloo’s annoyance, “Sorry, no need to get all sulky. It’s just odd for you to be so deep in thought. You usually act before you think. So what’re you thinking about?” “You remember how I said that I’d tell all of you everything about the party later? And how you’d say that no matter what we’d be friends forever?” Scootaloo said with a sad flap of her wings. “Ah sure do,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well I’m just thinking of the right way to say it,” Scootaloo said softly as she moved onto the next set of ingredients. Sweets gave Scootaloo a nuzzle, saying, “Whenever you’re ready to tell us what’s been bothering you we’re here for you.” Scootaloo responded with a series of affirmative mumbles as she went back to her ingredients. The act of preparing her potion was calmingly monotonous, and helped her get herself ready for what she needed to say, “Hey Pinkie? Can I talk to the Crusaders alone real quick?” “Sure thing Scootaloo. Just come get me before you light up the cauldrons,” Pinkie Pie responded chipperly. When the room was clear Scootaloo took a deep breath and began, “So Apple Bloom ... Sweetie Belle … we’ve been friends for a long time right?” “Mmmhmmm,” they both replied interested in where this was going after waiting two days to hear what was bothering their friend. “And you promised that we were friends no matter what,” Scootaloo reminded them nervously. At this point the Crusaders were looking at one another. Thousands of thoughts ran through their heads as they wondered what Scootaloo could possibly have done that would make her so nervous. Even the newer Crusaders knew of Scootaloo’s reputation of being fearless. “We’ve already said we would,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well the thing is…” Scootaloo looked at her friends, taking a deep breath, “I’ve been homeless for the last five years, and I was taking bits I found out in the open since I didn’t consider it stealing, then Raindrops said told me it was two days ago. I also took bits from AJ, Dashie, and Rarity and lots of other ponies. I also took gems from Rarity after she was done with big orders to trade for bits. I’m so sorry, but I needed that money, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier I just didn’t want to be taken away and lose all of my friends here!” Scootaloo said in a single breath. The words came out in a rush as she tried to say as much as possible as fast as possible, after she was done she hung her head with her ears flattened against her head as she awaited her friends reaction. “Wait … what?!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “I’ve been living on the streets for the last five years, and sometimes at the clubhouse since I met you girls, and I’ve lived off the bits I found laying around in the open, because I didn’t figure anypony would miss them,” Scootaloo started to say before being interrupted by Apple Bloom. “What’ve you been eating all this time?” She asked, her face still showing the shock she was feeling. “Apples I found laying around, free food from Pinkie Pie, Sleep overs, and things you really don’t want to know about,” Scootaloo answered with an embarrassed blush. “Wait, you took our Apples?” Apple Bloom asked. “Yeah, but I used some of the bits I took and placed them on the table you have by the couch. So it’s not like I didn’t pay for them,” Scootaloo said defensively. “Sorry,” Apple Bloom said, “I don’t think Applejack would care about that since Rainbow Dash is always taking our apples and she hasn’t done more than yell at her so far.” “What about the gems, what happened with them?” Sweetie Belle asked. “You know that pony I told you about who trades gems for bits?” Scootaloo said, pawing the floor with her left foreleg. “Yeeaah...” Sweetie answered slowly. “Well he knows me since I usually give him Rarity’s gems,” Scootaloo said. “Oh, well Rarity thinks Spike’s been taking them for food. So that’s no big deal. But why didn’t you tell any of us? Don’t you trust us?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I do, I was just afraid that if anypony found out then they’d take me away from everypony here and send me to an orphanage. The closest one is in Manehatten and I didn’t want to lose you all,” Scootaloo said sadly. Her wings hanging limply at her sides. The Crusaders wrapped Scootaloo in a hug and Sweetie Belle whispered, “Well at least you finally told us. We’ll make sure that nopony takes you away because we’re best friends forever.” Mango Dash broke from the hug and looked at Scootaloo, “You know you should tell Rainbow Dash, she’s always talking about you and I think she’d be more angry if you waited to tell her later. She might be angry that you didn’t trust her sooner, but she likes you like the sister she never had. We’ll do your potion here while you go over and tell you how it turned out. Kays?” Scootaloo nodded and dashed out of the kitchen. Whipping her helmet on as she blazed a path to Rainbow Dash’s house while the Crusaders got started on the potions. Each of them thinking about what Scootaloo said. “I think we can all agree that was a shock, but what do we do now? Can we do anything to help her?” Pip squeaked. “I don’t know, but if she needs us I think we can all agree we’ll be there for her,” Sweetie replied sadly. “Ah agree, we stick together no matter what,” Apple Bloom agreed. “At least she’s with Ms. Raindrops, I know she can be a bit overprotective at times, but she’s a real nice pony,” Dinky Doo said, scratching the back of her neck nervously. The revelation seemed weird to her since Scootaloo looked so happy when she was having the sleepover at Raindrops’ house not even two days ago. “Well we should probably get started on our cupcakes, I’ll help get Scootaloo’s started. I hope Rainbow Dash doesn’t take the news too hard though. Especially since she hasn’t really been able to be with Scootaloo all that often with her job and Wonderbolt training,” Mango Dash said as she went over Scootaloo’s sloppy mouth-writing to see what Scootaloo was making. “Ah’ll finish it up since Ah have the most work with potion making, but Ah appreciate any help you can do on getting it started,” Apple Bloom replied as she finished up her prep work. It was around this time that Pinkie Pie appeared behind Apple Bloom, “So the talk went well, I take it?” Apple Bloom almost jumped out of her skin, yelping loudly before yelling, “How’d you do that?” “Do what?” “You … Ah didn’t hear you come in,” Apple Bloom stated. “Oh that, well I was there and now I’m here. So how’d it go?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Well it went alright Ah guess. Scootaloo went to talk to Rainbow Dash and we’re going to help get her potion ready,” Apple Bloom replied. “Well then that’s good. I’ll wander around and make sure nothing explodes twice or eats any of you. Like that one time Rainbow Dash tried cooking Baked Ziti and it turned into a Ziti monster that ate the twins. Then I blasted it with my party cannon and the twins shot right out of it’s … nose, mouth thingie … It was really weird looking,” Pinkie stated before trailing off with a shudder. The non-euclidean horrors that Rainbow Dash’s cooking summoned were more mind shattering than Discord’s imagination. It was several minutes later the first mishap started. Sweetie Belle’s potion started emitting a purple cloud in the form of a skull which began cackling manically, running over to the magical biohazard, Apple Bloom shouted with panic, “What did ya do Sweetie Belle?” “I don’t know! I think I might have added too much Laughing Nightshade, or maybe not enough Spiked Purple Nettle?” Sweetie replied, in more of a question than a comment, as she nervously laughed at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom sat before the purple skull that was now speaking in menacing limericks at them. Ran through the ingredients in her head, “Sweetie … ya know how Ah told all y’all that how ya stirred a potion, and other things were just as important as what ya threw in?” “Oh … right … stirring,” Sweetie nervously chuckled. Apple Bloom was prepared for not only her own potion but for her friends frequent accidental mishaps and quickly rummaged through her saddle bag looking for some crushed Jet known for it’s ability to slough away negative energies as well as decent purification powers. After finding the powder and throwing it into the cauldron, she stirred it seven times clockwise to every counter-clockwise turn for several minutes the cloud had fully dissolved and the potion turned a brilliant shade of amethyst. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief Scootaloo and Mango Dash’s potions began to rumble. Mango’s was shooting miniature comets that Pinkie Pie was frantically trying to put out the flames caused by their erratic bombardment of the kitchen. Scootaloo’s, meanwhile, was releasing a foul smelling blue smoke with random sparks shooting out like fireworks. “For the love of Celestia’s fuzzy nipples! Can’t we try not to destroy half of Ponyville when we cook?” Apple Bloom yelled, shoving her hoof back into her bag as she once again scrounged through her bag, when a pale blue hoof popped out of Scootaloo’s cauldron, an eerie moan rising out of it. Just great, even when Scootaloo isn’t personally cooking something the things she prepares summons things that should not be named. She thought to herself as she whipped out the big guns: Powdered Hematite and salt. Throwing the powder at the offending pots, the meteors died off and the thing in Scootaloo’s cauldron disappeared. Going to Scootaloo’s potion, she put in the last few ingredients and stirred it, while verbally guiding Mango through the steps needed to prevent the potion from blowing up half of Ponyville. Looking over at Pips and Dinky she saw that they were making rather decent potions, “Your two potions look like they're coming along, nice work there. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if ya need it.” “Thanks Apple Bloom, I hope that my potion doesn’t do anything creepy,” Pip said as he looked at he kept his eyes glued to his green bubbling potion. “Hmmm ... Okay,” Dinky said distractedly as she was stirring her potion, tongue poking adorably out to the side in concentration. Her brow furrowed as she tried to keep her potion from turning to tar, or worse a flaming ball of adorable doom. After several more saves by Apple Bloom ending with the crusaders covered in various liquids, powders, and oven dust, all but one of the potions were finished, “Alright now, Scootaloo’s ingredients say that I need to add a bit of moon stone just as it’s finishing up,” Apple Bloom said, tossing the stone into the pot. Suddenly an explosion of blue smoke flew out of the cauldron, a mare appearing from within the dissipating cloud, striking a dramatic pose within the cauldron, yelling, ”The Great and Powerful Trixie has …” Trixie started before looking around the kitchen before her gaze settled on Pinkie Pie. It suddenly dawned on her that A) This wasn’t her big break after a year of homelessness and fighting to get some kind of job involving her magical talent, and B) Her stage was fetlock deep in murky water with an unidentifiable smell rising from the impromptu stage. Oh my stars! What did I do to deserve this? Why am I here of all places? Did I kick a puppy in a past life? Not pay my taxes? I finally get a break and a place where I can get bits and I end up here! Well I might as well get some answers, and try to play it off … somehow … I just hope they don’t have any spare disasters they are waiting to blame on me this time around. “You!” They simultaneously yelled as their hooves pointed at one another. “What am I doing here!?” Trixie yelled. “Um … My friend’s potion might’ve accidentally summoned you here,” Apple Bloom mumbled, secretly wondering why Scootaloo would create a summoning spell to get this pony of all ponies. “Well … I’m always happy to help a fan … but I was in the middle of my first show in a year in Las Pegasus. What am I going to do now?” Trixie moaned, trying to skirt around the fact that Ponyville was the last place she wanted to be.. “I can help you. Well, Twilight can help you, and I might be able to get you something … maybe,” Pinkie muttered. Even though Twilight forgave her for her actions, Pinkie Pie was still miffed at what happened to her last time they met. “Thank you … and tell your friend to send me the potion used for summoning me. When I get some more bits I’ll be sure to buy some off of her. Although I wonder how she pulled it off. Summoning Spells require quite a bit of magic, a potion that could summon a pony would be amazing for my shows,” Trixie said, walking to the door. “I’ll meet you at Twilight’s Pinkie. By the way kid, nice looking cutie mark.” They all looked at each other’s flanks, sighing in disappointment that the blue trickster was pulling a quick one over them when Apple Bloom spotted an image emblazoned onto her own hindquarters. A cutie mark of three cauldrons was still awash in the afterglow of its creation. Sweetie, Pip, Mango, and Pinkie were babbling excitedly, but all Apple Bloom could think of was how she couldn’t wait to tell Scootaloo. Scootaloo propelled her scooter towards Dash’s cloud home, her mind running through the myriad of problems that could happen. So far things had been going fairly well, but that didn’t mean that things wouldn’t come crashing down around her. As the castle in the sky came into view, Scootaloo slowed herself and tried to prepare for the upcoming talk. Alright, so far my friends forgave me, and it turns out that Pinkie Pie has been helping me out and covering my tracks. So hopefully this won’t turn out that bad. Scootaloo thought to herself as she took a deep breath and bellowed, ”Dash!” She waited as her honorary big sister came flying down from her cloud mansion and settled gracefully to the ground. “Hey squirt, what’s up?” Rainbow Dash inquired with a tilt of her head. “Well I was talking to the Crusaders while we were making potions for our magical muffins, and they told me that it’d be best for me to talk to you now rather than wait for tomorrow,” Scootaloo said nervously, pawing the ground with her forehoof. “Wanna come up? I think I have some protein juice left over from your last sleepover,” Dash offered. She could tell something was up, and had a slight chill running through her from Scootaloo’s nervous disposition, something that was rare for the filly she looked after to exhibit. “Um … yeah that’d be cool,” Scootaloo responded quietly. Dash laid down and stretched out her wing. Scootaloo, taking the invitation, clambered up onto Rainbow Dash’s back and wrapped her forelegs around Dash’s neck. She held on as if it was the last time she would have the chance to do so. Scootaloo took little joy in getting flown by her favorite pony with the upcoming talk weighing on her mind. After getting in and pouring them both a cup of protein juice, Rainbow Dash said in a calm but firm tone, “Okay, so what’s up?” With that Scootaloo told her everything. How her family died from the Chills when she was younger. How she ran away when she overheard ponies talking about sending her into an orphanage and how she eventually ended up in Ponyville. How she’d been living in the streets for the two years before she met the Crusaders and how after that she sometimes stayed in the Clubhouse when she wasn’t having sleepovers. How for the last five years she’d been taking bits from others, including who and where, to survive and being able to occasionally afford food that didn’t come from the trash. Ending up with Raindrops finding her, taking her in, and getting her to tell everypony what happened in the big reveal the upcoming day. As Scootaloo told her story, Rainbow Dash’s face ran the gamut of emotions from anger to sorrow and shame. She had silent tears running down her face when Scootaloo finished, and wrapped the orphaned filly in a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was worried that I’d be sent away to an orphanage, or you’d not want to be my big sister anymore,” Scootaloo mumbled into Rainbow Dash’s chest. “That’s stupid, Squirt. So you didn’t trust me to be there for you?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was scared. I’m sorry,” Scootaloo sniffled. Rainbow Dash was conflicted on to what to do next. Eventually Scootaloo’s crying stopped and gave way to soft snores as the emotional drain passed. Rainbow Dash gently grabbed the scruff of Scootaloo’s neck and carried her to the guest room she had set up for when she had guests over. Taking out a pad of cloud-notes , she wrote a quick note letting Scootaloo know that she had to get stuff done and would be there later in the evening. As well as letting her know that she would be bringing home dinner. As she stepped to the edge of the cloudhouse she looked back and whispered, “I need to talk to the girls. I’m sorry that I failed you squirt. I’ll try to fix this, but first I need to speak to Raindrops.”
IntermissionMrs. Cake had been carrying empty trays to Pinkie Pie to get loaded up with the last batch of cupcakes before the Cutie Mark Crusaders commandeered the kitchen for their supervised experiment when she overheard Scootaloo. “And you promised that we would be friends no matter what … “ She heard Scootaloo asked. “We already said we would,” Apple Bloom replied. Mrs. Cake paused. On one hand, she knew she wasn’t supposed to hear this, but on the other, it might be something serious! Before she could decided, Scootaloo launched into her revelation of misery and woe, and she dropped the tray, stepping back from the doorway in shock. Poor dear, I should’ve noticed something was wrong. After all, we noticed when Pinkie arrived without anything to her name. But I’ve just been so busy lately between dealing with exporting our treats and keeping our finances in the black I just haven’t been as attentive as I should’ve been. I need to talk to Pinkie Pie about this later. Right now I have to think of a way to make it up to that poor filly. A few hours later, after numerous explosions and weird sounds emanating from the kitchen, that one Trixie pony and a disheveled but perpetually peppy Pinkie Pie trotted out, followed closely by the Crusaders sans Scootaloo. Mrs. Cake had spent that time thinking of what to do for Scootaloo and was disappointed that the target of her help was nowhere to be seen. “Pinkie Pie, where is Scootaloo?” She asked. “She went to talk to Rainbow Dash about something important,” Mango Dash answered. “Oh. Well, all of you have a good afternoon, and walk safe now. Pinkie Pie, I need to talk to you,” Mrs. Cake said with a matronly smile trying to hide her distress, something that Pinkie Pie, being skilled at reading ponies, quickly picked up on. “Okie Dokie Lokie! Well fillies I’ll be sure to make sure your potions are kept super-duperific for tomorrow’s party, so don’t worry! Good night everypony!” Pinkie said with a grin. “Good night Pinkie Pie! Thanks for the help,” Sweetie Belle chirped. “Yeah, thanks for the help, and I’m sorry about summoning Trixie,” Mango mumbled. “Don’t worry about that, I’m sure everything will work out for the best,” Pinkie said, playfully rustling the filly’s mane. The other ponies gave their thanks and goodbyes as they trotted out, leaving Pinkie Pie alone with the potions. She looked over her shoulder to see Mrs. Cake, whom she greeted with a nuzzle, which was quickly returned.. “So Mrs. Cake, what’s the matter?” “You knew about Scootaloo, didn’t you?” “Of course I knew. I thought everypony knew, but I recently learned that I was wrong,” Pinkie Pie said softly. “Pinkie Pie, not everypony has your… unique sense. Next time you notice a little pony without a place to stay, you let us know, okay?” “Okay.” “So what did you do for Scootaloo? I know you wouldn’t just let her starve.” “I don’t know if it’s my place to say. But I promise you that it’s nothing that I couldn’t cover, or wasn’t covered under my food limit for the day,” Pinkie Pie said, her smile shrinking greatly. “It’ll be okay Pinkie, just let me know what you’re hiding. I promise not to be mad at Scootaloo,” Mrs. Cake said with a matronly smile. “Well she’s been taking bits off the table, but didn’t realize it was wrong. So I replaced it with my own bits, and I’ve been slipping her bits so she could have some money to live off of. And I’ve been giving her free food when she stops over. That’s about it, although I was wondering why nopony was taking her in until recently,” Pinkie Pie rambled. “It’ll be alright. I’m going to make up for not noticing, and we both can let her know that we’ll be there for her if and when she needs us,” Mrs. Cake said, patting Pinkie’s back. “I think she’d like that,” Pinkie Pie said, looking out towards Rainbow Dash’s house and hoping that everything was working out for Scootaloo and her big sister. ”Rarity!” Sweetie Belle bellowed as she galloped into the Carousel Boutique. “Sweetie, a proper la-” Rarity started to respond as she walked into the main lobby of the Boutique, before she was hit by a little filly missile, which latched onto her with a hug. “Sweetie Belle, darling, whatever is the matter?” “I was talking to Scootaloo and she told us that she’s homeless, and never had a place to stay! She only had hot food when she was over here or at Bloom’s, and she’s been all alone except for us Crusaders! And she took gems and bits from you but she needed them and I don’t think that you’d mind but please don’t be mad at her!” Sweetie Belle blubbered. “Wait … she’s taken what now?” Rarity asked. “Gems and bits. After you finish with a big order, there’s always lots of gems lying around. She takes those, and any bits she found laying around. Please don’t be angry at her, sis! She needed them!” Sweetie Belle cried, nuzzling her sister’s chest. “Why would I be mad? She needed it, and that’s all that matters,” She said nonchalantly. “Thank you Rarity! You’re the best big sister ever!” “So why don’t you tell me all about it?” Rarity implored as she let Sweetie Belle get set up in her own little work space with a few samplings of materials and fabrics. I’ve ignored Spike and injuries I’ve caused him and now it turns out that I ignored a filly in need when she needed me most. It’s not like I could take her in, but I could’ve helped somehow. At least she got some trinkets to help her survive. I wonder just how much money was taken? Rarity sat in a small cafe with Fluttershy after. She had just finished telling Fluttershy everything that had been going on with Scootaloo so that she would be kept in the loop of things. “Well I think we should tell the others everything. But I do feel bad, with all the times that the girls came over to sleep over, or help out and I never noticed anything. I’ll try to get Twilight and Rainbow Dash if you can get Applejack and Pinkie Pie,” Fluttershy said sullenly. Rainbow Dash flew towards to Raindrops’ house. It was a strange house in her opinion. It had a pegasus launch roost, and pegasus inspired pillars on the side. The backyard was at least three acres, and was filled with underused playground equipment, a small garden, and a decent sized sun porch holding a small pool. It was a nice house, large for the neighborhood and nearly a fourth the size of the Silver Estate. While it did make her wonder how she could afford it, it was perfect for the emergency shelter/orphanage that Raindrops used it for. Rainbow landed before the front door and gave it a nervous rapping. “Coming!” Came a muffled reply, followed by the sound of a pony cantering to the door. “Oh! Rainbow Dash, what brings you here?” Raindrops greeted, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “Hey, um … I need to talk to you privately. Do you have the time?” Rainbow asked, her mind still reeling from what Scootaloo told her. “Sure, come on in. Do you want anything to drink?” “Do you have any apple juice?” “Of course, why don’t you take a seat.” In the several minutes it took for Raindrops to get the drinks and a small tray of snacks for them to munch on, Rainbow Dash took a look around the living room, taking in the oaken wood floors, the plain wooden tables, and the comfortable, yet bland furniture. Everything was functional, plain, and from the look of things inexpensive while still homey. She sat taking it in when Raindrops came in holding the drinks and food with her wings. “So what can I do for you, Rainbow Dash?” Raindrops asked “Scoots is staying the night with me, and she told me everything,” Rainbow Dash replied as her wings nervously fluttered. “I’m glad for her, and I know you two are close so I’m okay with her spending the night. Is there anything you wanted to ask?” “Yeah, a few things actually. I know that you have the reputation as some kind of saint. And you’re always helping ponies who need it, but if I’m going to trust my honorary little sister with you, I want to know the real you,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Alright, what do you want to know?” Raindrops asked, tilting her head. Rainbow smirked. “Not that easy. Me and you are going out for a night on the town. Get a few drinks, and then we’ll talk. How about next Wednesday?” “I’ve got a date on that day, actually,” Raindrops all but squealed. “Congrats I guess, when’s a good night then?” “Are you asking me out?” “No, I just want to get to know the pony looking after my Scoots, that’s all.” “Well, I guess next Saturday would be alright. And I promise you that I’ll take care of Scootaloo.” “Alright, but if anything happens to her, I’ll take you down so fast not even a Sonic Rainboom could catch you.” Rainbow Dash growled as she fluttered her wings aggressively. “I’ll keep that in mind. Although with how protective of her you are, why don’t you adopt her yourself? I bet that would make her the happiest filly in Equestria.” “I … I can’t. I have a work schedule that changes too much, and my cloudhouse isn’t the best for a filly for more than a day or two. And I’m just not the type of pony for that. I love her, I do, and I might not show it all the time, but she’s like a little sister to me, but I’m not mom material. I want her to be with a pony who’ll be right for her, even if that pony isn’t me.” Rainbow Dash replied, her eyes swimming with unshed tears as she stared into the cup before her. “You’d be surprised at what a pony can do when they want to, but I’m happy that you trust me with this much emotion. Truth be told, all I care about is making sure that she’s with the right pony for her. Not just because it’s my job, but because it’s part of my special talent. Helping ponies through their ‘rainy days’,” Raindrops said, brushing Rainbow’s foreleg comfortingly with her wing. “So, next Saturday I’ll be seeing you around six. Take care, ‘Drops, and take care of Scootaloo for me. I’ll take her to the party,” Rainbow Dash said, getting up and stretching. “Actually, she has a doctors appointment around 10 in the morning. If you can bring her with you, you can stay with us as we do her check up,” Raindrops offered. “Alright, and thanks.” Rainbow Dash trotted to the front door thinking, I think I’ll drop by Twilight’s before going home. With a flutter of wings, she took off, hoping that everything would work out for the best. Author's Note Golden Wing vote blog has been out for a bit, if y'all want to get in on the voting action you can. Right now I'm going to be posting chapters as they get finished. Right now the next chapter [the actual chapter 12 rather than this short intermission], is at 3,643 words. Sorry it took so long for it to get this far in the fic, but my Editor's IRL life's been hectic as has mine and we've had problems getting our scheduals in sync. But hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. The chapter after next is the last for this. Then I'll be starting The Golden Crusade which will be the next part of the Golden Saga. Which will open with a recap chapter to help new readers get the jest of the story so far so nopony's left in the dark. Again, sorry for things taking so long.
Finally! [Redemption Arc Fin.]Scootaloo woke up as the light of the setting sun beamed her in the face. Groggily rolling off the bed onto her forehooves she walked to the dresser on the far side of the room to see if she needed to wipe sleep gunk from her eyes when her eyes landed on a note from Dash saying she’d be home later. Giving a once over and seeing that there was nothing to wipe out she decided to go to the living room until Rainbow Dash arrived. There in the center was a Television, which had just came out recently, and a home videogame console called Princess System, or more commonly called Luna Drive for the Princess who not only funded it, but for it’s biggest promoter. Scoots looked over the titles, remembering last time she visited, Rainbow Dash said that she got the system for them to play together when they were hanging out. Scoots smiled warmly at the memory and decided to pick her and her sister’s favorite game Super Mareio a story about an earth pony plumber who battles evil plants, shrooms, and even a turtle dragon to save the Princesses. Although Scootaloo never understood why they’d always be in another castle. Maybe Bruiser does what Spike does and just mailed them to another castle … I have to ask Spike if he could try that on me someday. It’d be the perfect prank. And with that random thought she lost herself in the fun of the game. Scootaloo had just cleared the castle in level 4 when Rainbow Dash came home with a bag secured in her mouth. The smell of Portobello Spears and Ceviche wafted through the room, causing Scootaloo’s belly to rumble. Hearing the purr of Scootaloo’s stomach, Rainbow Dash let out a laugh. “Sounds like somepony’s hungry.” “Hey! Don’t make fun of me, I’ve been waiting since forever for you to get back,” Scootaloo said in mock indignation, crossing her forelegs in front of her chest and giving a small harumph. “Well then if you’ve been waiting around since forever I guess I have no choice but to feed you,” Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle. “That’s what I’m talking about!” Scootaloo said gleefully before trotting to the table. As she sat down her grin turned to a small frown. “Dash?” “What’s up Squirt?” Rainbow Dash asked as she rummaged in the cupboard for cloud plates to put everything on. Scootaloo always thought it was funny that Rainbow Dash only used recyclable clouds for all of her diningware. “You - you’re not mad at me are you?” Scootaloo asked as what brought her here to begin with overcame the mirth she felt when she was with her honorary big sister. “Mad? No squirt, I’m not mad at you, I’m a little sad that you didn’t come to me sooner. I might not have been the best big sister, but I would’ve done my best to help you. As for the bits, well, consider it an early part of your birthday present. I lost bits all the time in this house even before I became your big sis,” Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Now let’s chow down, I’m starving.” Scootaloo’s eyes watered with joy that so far her friends and the pony she saw as her sister all still cared about her. Scootaloo mimicked her big sister by using her wings to dip her cheese coated chips into the Ceviche. Scootaloo mixed up some of the clouds with the juices of her dish to make a little slushie that she drank along side her apple juice. The next morning Scootaloo woke up to find one of Rainbow Dash’s wings wrapped around her like a feathery blanket. Nuzzling closer to the warm barrel of her big sister she allowed herself a few fleeting moments of peace before she remembered what she had to do today. After today’s big reveal, everything would be different. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing, after all, my friends have all been here for me. That and Dashie still thinks of me as a sister. So hopefully the rest won’t react badly when I tell them. Scootaloo lost herself in Dashie’s warmth like she usually did when she slept with her, rather than in the guest bed. But with how much stress she’d been under, and how big of a day today was Rainbow Dash decided that nestling with her little sister was alright. After awhile she felt Rainbow Dash shift and start through her normal session of stretches and wiggles that preceded her waking up before turning to Scootaloo. “So, big day today, huh?” Rainbow Dash said with a sleepy smile plastered on her face. “Yeah,” Scootaloo mumbled under her breath, hiding her face under Dashie’s wing to try and hide her nervousness from her idol. “Don’t worry about a thing, squirt. I’ll be with you every step of the way, alright?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, ruffling Scootaloo’s mane with her wing. “Okay, and thanks, sis. It really means a lot to me that you still want to be my sister,” Scoots said, blushing. “Blaagh! Too much fluff, Scoots!” Rainbow Dash said, “But you’re welcome. You really are a cool, filly. Almost as cool as I was at your age. I’ll get you down to the ground and see you when the party starts.” The second Scootaloo set foot in Ponyville proper, she felt as if everypony’s eyes were looking at her. An uncomfortable itch settled beneath her wings, and felt the need to dash off on her scooter at Rainboom speeds, if she was able to reach that speed, that is. As it stood, she was left nervously rolling to the Cakes’ Confectionary Emporium, her saddlebag jingling with a few bits that Rainbow Dash gave her for breakfast, both of them having been banned from touching a stove after Rainbow Dash summoned an Old One from Beyond the Stars to Canterlot Castle while trying to make waffles after Princess Twilight’s coronation. While Scootaloo thought it was awesome, apparently Dabiltzan-Lelo, the Wandering Idiot, and his Band of Swarming Madness, were only appreciated by Discord and the Rainbow Dash fan-club. So it was with that unfortunate event that she was going to the Cakes’ shop in Sugarcube Corner rather than Rainbow Dash’s epically awesome ‘Surprise!’ Waffles. As she walked through the front door of the Cake’s shop, the feeling of everypony’s eyes intensified a thousand fold as she didn’t just feel their eyes, but saw every conversation drop as everypony looked at her. Worst of all was hearing conversations carried on, but in loud whispers. Her wings buzzed in embarrassment as she knew from past experiences that everypony was suddenly talking about her. She barely acknowledged them as she trotted up to her favorite table in the back. As she settled in, the whispers she had ignored waffed to her ears. ”Can you believe it? She’s been living on the streets for these last few years …” ”What a tragedy, being forced to steal money to survive, why didn’t anyone pay attention to her till now?” ”How sad, I heard that she only got helped recently, How could we not see …” Scootaloo’s ears twitched as the broken fragments of conversation blurred together. Her face reddened as a part of her couldn’t believe that something that was private was suddenly out into the open without her permission. That burning embarrassment grew tenfold as she saw Mrs. Cake’s come up with a look of pity etched across her face. “Hello deary, what can I get for you today?” Scootaloo saw everypony look at her and felt the weight of their gazes fall heavily upon her as they looked at her. Shakily she stood up and said, “Nothing, sorry I just remembered I had somewhere to be,“ Shakily, she stood up and ran out of the shop. She jumped onto her scooter and buzzed off as tears pulled into her eyes. How do they know about that? Does everypony know? I wanted it to be private before I told the ponies who needed to know, and now I don’t have that chance! I don’t want their pity, I can’t believe I thought telling ponies was the right thing to do. What’ll I do now? She tried to outrace the pain of her fears, memories, and betrayal, letting herself ride on auto-pilot. When she finally stopped to get her bearings she noticed that she was near one of her hiding spots that she used to live in during winter, before she ran into Sweetie Belle and found for the first time since she lost everything dear to her a semblance of family, or at least something close to it. That warm, furry feeling spreading in her stomach that felt like butterflies was definitely not family friendly, but it was too confusing to think about for now. Looking at the low, hanging, outcropping that opened to a small cave just big enough to hold her and a small stockpile of possessions. Scootaloo trotted over to the shelf-shaped slab of stone that served as her bed for so long when the streets were cold or too rainy to sleep in, or her other hiding spots weren’t safe for her to sleep in. Laying down, and pulling up a blanket fashioned from newspapers glued to clumps of old rags, she let sleep overtake her. Scootaloo ran through the forest as a horde of eyes followed her. The shadows of the moonlit trees reached out to grab her, sweat built on her coat as she tried galloping away from the eyes and shadows. As she ran the wind sounded like murmurs that she overheard earlier that day. After what felt like hours of running, a silver cloud appeared before her. Scootaloo jumped back and was caught by the shadows just as the cloud erupted into a swarm of bats that reformed into the body of Luna, “Begone nightmares!” She yelled. Everything exploded into smoke, and when it cleared, Scootaloo found herself standing in a grassy knoll, with a brilliant night sky sparkling above her. She looked around herself dumbfounded. She facehooved as everything fell into place, “Sweet Luna, I can’t believe that I forgot that I was sleeping. Stupid lucid dreaming,” Scootaloo mumbled. Luna she broke into a cheeky grin at hearing her name used colloquially. “While I’m glad to hear my name used so, it’s more important to talk about what brought these dreams in the first place.” “Well Princess -” “You may call me Luna if you’d like,” Luna interrupted. “Are you sure?” “Of course, we are friends, are we not?” “Well, I guess so. I mean, you do come and help me with my dreams, and you are the best princess, and I enjoy our talks when they do happen … So yes, I guess you can say we’re friends,” Scootaloo mused. “I’m glad to hear it, and now onto the matter at hoof. What seems to be the matter young Scootaloo?” Luna asked summoning two cloud pellet, bean bag chairs. Shifting down to the squishy goodness of a nice cloud beanie, she started telling Luna everything. It was easier to retell the story in her dreams than it was when she was awake, although she still felt sad going over it. She ended the story with her running when she overheard that her secret was leaked throughout Ponyville. At the end of her telling Luna huddled next to her and wrapped a motherly wing around her. Nuzzling Scootaloo she whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner. To think that even princesses such as my sister and I could be so blind to the suffering of such a sweet, adorable filly such as yourself... But as for running from your problems … we talked about this before.” “Yeah, I know, it’s just... I didn’t want everypony knowing. What will they think of me now?” Scootaloo whimpered, leaning into Luna’s barrel. “If how your friends reacted is any indication, then I think things will turn out fine. Do you think you’re okay now?” Luna asked. “I think so. I hope so,” Scootaloo said, “Thanks, Luna… Hey! Do you think we could hang out in real life? It’s awesome and all that we hang out in dreams, but it’d be cool to hangout with my favorite princess!” “I think that’s possible. Would you like to bring your friends over as well?” “Yeah, that’d be cool! Do you think their sisters will be okay with it?” “I’ll ask their family in their dreams when I get a definitive answer.” “Alright, thanks Luna, I think I’ll wake up now, and thanks.” Scootaloo said nuzzling Luna. It was a few hours later when Scootaloo wandered into the Cakes’ store. The weight of the ponies’ gaze felt lighter now that she had her talk with Luna, but she felt that her big reveal was going to be pointless now. Nonetheless, she started on this path, and if there was one thing that a crusader never did, it was give up. As she entered she could’ve sworn she saw twelve Pinkie Pie’s hurrying around, decorating the place for the party. Almost as if they were connected like a changeling hive, all the Pinkie’s stopped and looked at her before they converged into one pony. “Hiya Scoots! You’re a little early for the party, but that’s fine! Everypony should be here in about half an hour if you want to, you can help set up stuff with me!” Pinkie shouted gleefully, vibrating in place with barely contained energy. “Umm … Okay... By the way why were there so many of you?” Scootaloo inquired. “What do you mean? There was only one me, unless you’re asking how I was everywhere at once? That’s easy! I was in one place, but I was also in other places, then I saw you and I was at only one place!” Pinkie explained in an answer that only left more questions in its place. Thinking that it would be better not to ask, Scootaloo decided to go with the less insane option. “Yeah, that makes a kind of sense … I guess. I’ll help. I don’t think waiting around will make what’s coming up any easier. By the way, how come everypony knows about me now? I wanted to keep it secret, and I’m kind of angry that it spilled.” “Well … what if the pony who spilled the beans didn’t mean for it to spread?” “Still, it wasn’t their secret to spread. I wanted only those ponies I might’ve hurt to know so I could do the right thing. And if I later wanted other ponies to know than I would’ve told them, but now I don’t get that chance,” Scootaloo let loose a heavy sigh, “But the cat’s out of the bag now, and I’ll have to deal with it.” “Why would you keep a cat in a bag? That sounds like it’d be painful for the cat, especially if it’s those itchy bags that my sisters used to put me in when we were playing ‘Lost and Found”.” “Huh!? It’s a figure of speech.” “I hate figures of speech, I can never figure out what they are trying to say. Anywho, lets get started on setting up your party!” Pinkie said before bouncing off. It had taken a while to get everything situated, no sooner had Scootaloo set up the last tray of food than the first guest had arrived. Rather than greeting everypony, she hid under the table to get her bearings. For almost two weeks she had been building herself into a tizzy about this, sure with ever reveal her friends and those whose trust she violated that she talked to forgave her. And their support gave her a feeling very much what she dreamt flying would be like, but this was supposed to be her big moment. The day when she came clean. But rather than having that chance, rather than the freedom to do the right thing for a small group of ponies and keeping it between them, everypony knew. The one thing that she had masterfully hidden over the course of five years was out of the bag. But that’s not what stung the most. What stung the most was that all the looks and words of pity aimed at her. That almost condescending air of a better pony lamenting the failings of “the less fortunate”. Get it together Scoots, first you were terrified that everypony would leave you. You know that’s not true anymore … well sort of, Bon Bon and Lyra might be mad, and I haven’t spoken to Rarity yet, but any sister of Sweets has to be a pretty cool pony. I got my friends behind me, and at least I know everypony doesn’t hate me for doing what I had to do to survive. So I guess the worst is behind me. “Hiya Scoots!” Pinkie sang beside Scootaloo causing Scootaloo to jump and bang her head on the underside of the table. “Ow! Why’d you have to scare me Pinkie!” Scoots asked accusingly. “Easy Peasy ScootaBreezie … although you’re not a Breezie, that’d be cool if you were though, but everypony knows that Breezie’s can’t be Scootaloo’s so that’d make it weird for you to be a ScootaBreezie. Say why are you a ScootaBreezie?” “I’m not, you just made it up,” Scootaloo said while rubbing her head, but a small smile from Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie found its way to Scootaloo’s muzzle nonetheless. “Well anyways, I just realized that the pony of honor was hiding and since everypony invited is here, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay,” Pinkie said, giving Scootaloo an encouraging nuzzle. “It’s all good, Pinkie. I was worried for a second but I think I’m going to be alright,” Scootaloo said. “Good, now I can finally do my magical pull-a-Scootaloo-out-of-a-hat trick,” Pinkie said disappearing from under the table. “Scootaloo out of a what now?” She asked. The next thing she knew she was being pulled through a small opening by a pink hoof. Before she knew it, she in the middle of the store, surrounded by the assembled party-goers, all starting at her and the top hat Pinkie had just pulled her from.. “And Vio’la! I have pulled a Scootaloo out of a hat! For I am the Great and Powerful Pinkie!” Pinkie Pie chuckled as she sat Scootaloo down. Scootaloo looked around nervously at all of the ponies she invited and sighed. “Hi, everypony! Today was supposed to be a surprise for me to tell you all something important... But I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” Rarity was the first to speak. “Well darling … I can’t possibly guess how that little thing got out, but I think we’d still like to hear it from you. If that’s alright with you?” “Does it really matter?” Scootaloo asked morosely. Everypony nodded and so Scootaloo began, “Well I guess I should start from the beginning. Hi everypony, my name is Scootaloo.” Everypony looked at each other curiously, and decided to roll with it, and responded with “Hi, Scootaloo.” “I-I came here from Trottingham. My family were traveling sales ponies, and I got to see lots of awesome things. Sure, we weren’t the richest of ponies, but we were happy. We had each other, and I couldn’t have asked for more. But about five years ago my family got the Chills,” Scootaloo had to stop herself for awhile to collect herself before recounting things, “they didn’t make it, obviously. The ponies in that city wanted to put me in an orphanage, and I guess I freaked out. I ran away where I came here to Ponyville. “All of you that I’ve met have been awesome, and from what ponies have been saying, it’s not been as bad as they make it sound. Sure the first two winters were pretty brutal, but I met Sweetie Belle who let me sleep over and I got a nice hot meal. For a while it was like having a real family again. “Which is why I’m so sorry for taking the bits Rarity left on the table, and the gems left over after big orders. I didn’t think you’d miss them and I needed the bits. I’m so sorry that I broke you and Sweetie’s trust in me,” Scootaloo said as tears formed in her eyes. “It’s alright darling, I forgive you,” Rarity said softly. “And of course that’s not all of it. I … There were stores that I knew had bits laying around and no pony was using them, and it wasn’t until Raindrops told me that it was stealing that I knew that’s what I was doing. I just thought it was there to take if a pony needed it... Since I needed it I took them. “If you don’t want me around your shops anymore, I’m okay with that, or if I need to work it off that’ll be cool too. I’m ready to be responsible for my actions,” Scootaloo said, looking over at the shop owners, the Cakes as well as Lyra and Bon Bon. “Well dearie, me and Carrot were talking the other night, and, well, you don’t have to pay us back. But if you ever need the spare bits, I’m sure Pinkie would love the help. Just come over when you want it and we’ll pay you 3 bits an hour, is that alright?” Mrs. Cakes asked with watery eyes of her own. Scootaloo nodded as she was tackled by a furry Lyra missile. “That’s so sad!” Lyra bawled which made Scootaloo cry back. “Seriously Sugar Knub, you need to learn some tact,” Bon Bon said, nuzzling the two before pulling Scootaloo into a hug. “Listen, Scootaloo. Sure, we were a little angry when we first heard that you took bits from us, and sure, those bits could’ve been used to fix up something for the store. “But the point is, it was our fault. Everypony’s, really, for not seeing a filly that needed our help. For not noticing the signs that you needed us in your time of need and letting you suffer like that. So, I’m with the cakes. You ever need some bits, come on over, work for us for a while, and if you ever need help with anything, anything at all, come to us, okay? Lyra and me don’t bite, and we’ll help you in anyway we can, alright?” Scootaloo nodded against Bon Bon’s coat. Bon Bon wiped the tears from Scootaloo’s eyes, and Lyra gave her a tight hug as Bon Bon whispered, “Would you like me and Lyra to stand by you while you finish up?” Scootaloo nodded again and the two helped her up. Raindrops walked up and joined them. “You’re doing great, Scootaloo. Do you need a moment to collect yourself?” “N-n-no! I-I’m fine,” Scootaloo sniffled, “Thanks, Mrs. Lyra and Mrs. Bon Bon, I think I’m ready now.” And with that, resting against the three ponies near her, she took a deep breath steadying her resolve before standing up and facing Applejack. “Applejack?” She asked. “What is it, sugarcube?” AJ asked dabbing her wet eyes. “ I didn’t find that many bits laying around your place, usually under furniture, but I did take apples from the orchard and during the winter when Sweets and Bloom couldn’t have sleepovers, I took timber for firewood,” Scootaloo admitted, “I hope you’re not too mad at me. Honestly, while Sweetie Belle and Rarity are a cool family, yours reminded me a lot of my own... With how you joke about… You might not have a lot of things, but you have each other… A-and I miss them so much!” As Scootaloo started crying again, everypony rushed in and grabbed her in a group hug. “Sugarcube, Ah can honestly say that the only thing Ah’m mad about is that ya didn’t come to us sooner. We figured those apples were just Rainbow bein’ Rainbow, but the winters, girl! Ya… Ya could’ve died in some of those snowstorms! Your big sis is an honorary Apple, and that makes ya one too, sugarcube. Ya hear that?” Scootaloo nodded in response, looking up at Applejack. “Good. Now don’t ya worry your pretty little head ‘bout none a that stuff. Apples stick together.” Pinkie hopped in place nervously. Parties were about bringing joy and healing to others. A place where worries, pain, problems, were wiped away, even if for a little while. And seeing Scootaloo broken in tears, not being replaced with joy… There was only one solution for these kinds of situations, “Hey everypony! Why don’t we take a break from all of this talk, and have a real party for a bit! I think Scootaloo needs to unwind. Don’t you think so, Scootaloo?” “I think I’m happy here, but a break sounds nice. I didn’t think I had any more tears after this week. I must look like a foal...” Scoots said miserably. Raindrops leaned over. “Not at all. Everypony needs a good cry sometimes, and what with you went through, if it’s what you need, it’s what you need. We’re here for you. All of us.” It had taken a while longer for Scootaloo to get herself together as the party went into full swing. She couldn’t help but feel overjoyed with the reception she was receiving. Instead of anger and rejection, she was met with ponies who not only accepted her but welcomed her with open arms. A small part of her felt stupid for not going to them sooner, or at least the ponies she cared about the most but in the end, she felt oy at the love and promises to help that she was receiving. It almost felt like Hearth’s Warming came early. Or at least what she vaguely remembered about that holiday. As she sat down to rest, Rarity and Sweetie Belle came over to her. Sweetie nestled next to her, bringing a blush to Scootaloo’s face as Rarity gave her a soft nuzzle before speaking up. “ Scootaloo, I’m afraid I have something to mention.” “What is it?” Scootaloo asked, subconsciously draping a wing over Sweetie Belle. “Well, it’s about your secret getting out. You see, Sweetie came to me bawling her eyes out, and it came up in a conversation with Fluttershy while we were having tea. I didn’t think anyone was listening, but well … as you have noticed, someone did.” “I guess it would be pretty hypocritical to accept forgiveness for my mistakes if I didn’t forgive other ponies,” Scootaloo sighed. “I’ll admit I was mad that something private like that got out, but I know Sweets, and I got to know you a little bit and I know you didn’t mean to do it on purpose, so … I forgive you.” Rarity smiled softly and ruffled Scootaloo’s mane. “Thank you darling, I’ll let you two lovebirds have sometime to yourself.” “Bwha- What?” Scootaloo shouted as her tiny wings flared, Sweetie Belle giving a startled squeak. Rarity gave a loud chuckle, “You two are so adorable. I’ll be out of your manes now.” Scootaloo looked over to a blushing Sweetie Belle and asked, “What does she mean lovebirds?” “I-I don’t know what she could be talking about. She’s probably just had too much punch!” Sweetie replied nervously. “Yeah, that must be it. I guess I’ll go talk to some more ponies. I’ll talk to you later, right?” “Definitely.” With glowing cheeks, Scootaloo trotted off to find her other guests. The first was Twilight Sparkle who was having a quiet conversation with Spike. “Princess Twilight?” Scootaloo interrupted nervously. “Oh, hi there, Scootaloo! Please, just call me Twilight, Spike can you give us a minute?” “Sure thing Twi. I’m going to go chat with our special guest. I think she’s planning to do something for the after party,” Spike said as he walked off. “So, Scootaloo, what can I help you with?” Twilight asked, lowering herself to face level with Scootaloo. “Well I want to say -” Scootaloo started to say before Twilight placed a hoof over her mouth. “You don’t have to apologize to me at all. I’m the one who should apologize to you. From what I heard, you needed those things to further your education, and that’s something I love to do. I was actually thinking, how would you and the other crusaders like to come over on Thursday, and I can help you learn new things as well as help with your crusades? Well, keep them safe at least.” “Sounds good to me, but I’ll ask the girls later just to be sure. Thank you Pri- I mean, Twilight! Dashie was right when she said you were really cool for an egghead! And if Dashie says you’re really cool then it has to be true!” Scootaloo beamed, “Also, who’s the special guest? Is it Luna?” “It’s not Luna, but it is a surprise,” Twilight said with a playful tease. “Okay... Do you think you could do me a favor later?” Scootaloo asked. “What’s the favor?” Twilight asked, tilting her head. “Can you send a message to Luna telling her thanks for earlier, and how I can’t wait to see her this Nightmare Night? It’s cool that we can speak during my dreams and all, but I miss seeing her face to face.” “I’ll be sure to let her know when I get home tonight,” Twilight said with a smile. “Thanks Twilight, you’re second best Princess,” Scootaloo said, waving goodbye as she trotted off to speak to others. I like Raindrops, she’s helped me out more than most ponies would ever imagine, but even though it’d never happen, it’d be cool if I could have Luna as a mom. I know she’s lonely, and she could use some friends. That and her wing hugs are really nice, giving herself a mental shrug, oh well. I bet lots of ponies would like one of the Princesses as a mom, I’m just lucky that she takes time to spend time with me sometimes. As the party neared it’s end, everypony walked outside for a special show. Standing in the middle of the street was a familiar looking caravan. With a loud explosion, a set of fireworks went off, painting the skies with color as a voice called out, “Welcome one and all to see ‘Trixie the Magnificent’, as she puts on a show for a very special pony!” Trixie stepped out into stage to mixed reactions. Some ponies scowled, while others just wanted to see what she would do this time around. Trixie knew that even though the Princesses had allowed her a public apology, that there were still ponies who were less than happy to see her. She pushed aside her fears and threw on a smile, glad that at least these ponies didn’t come after her with pitchforks and torches. Scootaloo watched from the sidelines, Spike’s earlier comment about a “special pony” made a lot more sense as she rested on the back of Raindrops, snuggling into her mane she watched over Raindrops head as Trixie did spectacles of illusions and explosions. With nopony openly heckling her, and her not acting so high and mighty, it was an interesting show. But the best part was at the end, when Trixie asked Scootaloo onto the stage. With a burst of smoke a red pillow appeared for Scootaloo to sit on, Trixie lit several candles and shouted in a loud tone for all to hear, “I, Trixie, shall create a giant dragon out of fire!” With her horn ablaze, the candles burst into towering infernos that intertwined around the stage above Scootaloo, forming together into one giant serpentine dragon of fire. Connected to Trixie by her pinkish aura. The dragon flew in circles around the crowd, twisting and turning in a variety of tricks as it slowly closer and closer to the stage. Trixie gave a grunt and yelled, “Oh no! I don’t think I can control it anymore! It’s coming!” She screamed as it flew towards Scootaloo, her eyes growing as big as saucers. Just before it could hit her, it exploded into a shower of confetti that swirled and burst in a kaleidoscope of color. When the shock of a fire dragon rushing at her died, and she could form complete thoughts again, Scootaloo began whooping and hollering along with the rest of the crowd. “Thank you, thank you, give a round of applause for Scootaloo too! I’ll be here all week!” Trixie cried triumphantly. Scootaloo jumped off the stage and cantered back to Raindrops. “Did you know about that!?” She squeaked happily. “I didn’t, but I trusted Twilight not to let anything bad happen.” Raindrops replied, “So did you enjoy the show?” “Yeah, I was pretty terrified, but I’m glad that it turned out alright. I’m glad that I talked to Luna,” Scootaloo said. “Luna?” Raindrops asked, raising an eyebrow. “We’re friends, and she talked to me earlier when I needed to clear my head,” Scootaloo replied. “She did? And it’s Princess Luna.” “Yuhuh, and she asked me to just call her Luna! We’ve been talking since before Rainbow Dash agreed to be my honorary big sister. And every now and again we hang out in my dreams. Oh! She said that someday me and the other crusaders can visit her! If it’s okay with their family to come visit, although she has to talk to Princess Celestia.” “That sounds like it would be quite fun.” With that, she lifted Scootaloo onto her back and trotted off towards home. “We’re going to have to go to bed early. We’ve got quite a busy day tomorrow.” Author's Note This fic has been written, edited, added onto, and polished so many times even I was wondering when it'd finally get out. But it finally has been finished. The second to last chapter of this arc. The reason it took so long was a mix of irl, shenanigans, and other things eating into both my time and my editors. But I'm glad that it finally got presentable enough to put up. When Golden Wings first started it was originally a series of short stories put in chronological order with Cloud Kicker being the pony that found Scoots. And I did have some interesting ideas for that fic, but with it being for a writing exercise for a VA program, it just lacked the flow and consistency that I wanted. So I hit up IJAB for the artwork of a Raindrops Scootadopt fics Cover Art. And as you can see IJAB this guy is amazing. Then I hit up OverlyExtensiveEditors who hit me up with one of my favorite Editors, and one of the most fun to work with ever, Kingtiger666. Which grew into this fic. And yes with the Redemption Arc finished, we can finally get to the more fun arcs. The next chapter Scoots goes to the Doctors, and Twilight kickstarts Scootaloo's hidden awesomesauce reserves. Then it'll be time for me to make the Golden Crusades. Which will have plenty of CMC shenanigans, the other Crusaders getting their CMs, more Raindrops with Cloud Kicker Time as well as some Luna fun. Plus, Twilight Time 2.0. Now with 65% more chaos, and Discord flavored sprinkles.
The PhysicalAuthor's Note A quick little thing. First look at the first second of the vid attached for the pronounciation of Onomatopoiea. It'll make an upcoming joke much more funny, but without it(much like my editor) will fall flat. _______ Second thing. I had to cut this chapter shorter than origionally intended since my poor Tabby couldn't handle a longer one XD. But that just means we have two chapters till we finish rather than one. And finally, hid two intentional shout outs in this fic. Who can guess them? The Physical Scootaloo, much like her honorary sister, was not by any stretch of the imagination a morning pony. Thus it was much to her chagrin that Raindrops had her up at the crack of dawn. "But why do I have to be up?" Scootaloo whinnied for the umpteenth time that morning. "As I told you, we have a very busy day today, Scootaloo," Raindrops said with a wry grin. "But the morning is evil!" Scootaloo hissed. Although it was hard to take her seriously when her eyes were losing their half-hearted battle to stay open. "It is, but this was the earliest I could schedule your full battery of tests to make sure everythings okay. It's something your potential future parents will want to know. As well as things I need to know about you living alone all those years," Raindrops said. "Graah! Today’s going to be a long day," Scootaloo growled, dropping her head heavily upon the table. Scootaloo lost her battle to stay awake on the way to the hospital, riding on Raindrops' back. She looked over at her sleeping cargo and smiled. She knew that her dedication to her work didn't always make her likable too many ponies, and some ponies even though she was practically a robot with how professional she appeared on the surface. But moments like these, they were what made everything worth it. Seeing a pony happy, and knowing she made a difference in that life for the better. It didn't leave a whole lot of time to have a social life, and sometimes she wished she could have a foal of her own, but it wasn't in the cards for her, both in Canterlot and other places she'd lived. She was a stepping stone for a pony’s future for a better life. As long as Scootaloo could benefit from their time together, then she'd be happy. Raindrops entered the hospital and walked up to the receptionist. "Hi, I'm here for Scootaloo’s appointment." "Hmmm... Let’s see here," the receptionist muttered, looking through a list of the appointments scheduled for the day, "Ah yes, Scootaloo. Here she is, I'll let the doctors know to be ready to see her soon." Walking over to the waiting seats, she gripped Scootaloo by the skin of her neck and gently deposited her onto the seat next to her. Nudging her awake, she grinned at Scootaloo's futile attempts to remain asleep until she finally gave in. Sitting groggily in her chair, she looked around and noticing where they were and groused, "How can anypony make a poor, innocent filly be up at this ridiculous hour?" "Didn't you ever get up this early when... You know?" "Pht! Sure, and Manticores are herbivores. Hey Raindrops, why can't I get some coffee?" Scootaloo asked with her best puppy dog eyes. "Nice try," Raindrops chortled, "after the tests we'll get you something to help wake you up, or you can go back to sleep." "Drats," Scootaloo harumphed grouchily. Thus Scootaloo endured an eternity of boredom, or fifteen minutes, until they called her and Raindrops to one of the many back rooms to begin Scootaloo's much needed battery of tests. As Scootaloo sat on the bed waiting for what was going to happen next she looked at Raindrops and asked, "So what are they going to do to me?" "Well, first they're going to do a normal physical to see how healthy you are. Then they are going to check out your wings to see if there's a problem with them. After that, there’s going to be a few X-Rays, and lastly we're going to get a Core Check." "What's a Core Check?" "Basically, they observe condition of your magical core, the flow of magic through your meridians, and any problems in your magic flow. While it's mostly used in unicorn check-ups, since they’re magic heavy, it's also used for pegasi, at least until you fully develop, or don’t do a job that uses a lot of pegasus magic." "Oh. Is it going to hurt?" Scootaloo asked, a thread of worry in her voice. "Not at all! It might feel a little tingly, and sometimes there's some pressure, but it doesn't hurt. At least from what I've personally gone through," Raindrops replied with a smile. She trotted up to Scootaloo and gave her a reassuring nuzzle, "But you have nothing to worry about. I'll be right here with you throughout your tests, okay?" "Okay, but I'm not worried! I'm a brave filly, just like Rainbow Dash! I'm not afraid of anything!" Scootaloo said, puffing out her chest, "But if you want to stay, that'd be cool too," she added with a sheepish smile. "Of course. Rainbow Dash sure is lucky to have such a brave filly like yourself as an honorary sister," Raindrops responded with a gentle smile. Just then Nurse Redheart walked in. "Why hello there, Scootaloo. Finally paying us a visit?" She joked, giving a disarming smile to Scootaloo. "Yep. So... I haven't been in a hospital for as long as I can remember. What exactly is part of a normal physical?" "Well, first I'm going to need to draw some blood." "B-blood? Why do you need to do that? Are you all secretly vampires?" Scootaloo asked, her features growing pale. Nurse Redheart gave a slight chuckle. "No, we aren't vampires. But we need your blood and a little bit of urine to see how healthy your body is, and if there's anything that your body is lacking to stay healthy. I promise, it's nothing more than a quick pinch and a bit of pressure, then it's over. It'll be done faster than you can say onomatopoeia," As she talked, she lifted Scootaloo's right forehoof and gave it a quick rub with an alcohol-soaked pad.She stealthily got ready to slip the needle into Scoot's frog. "*Snrk*, you said pee!" Scootaloo laughed at her joke and the tickling sensation in her hoof. With a deft hoof, Redheart inserted the needle in. "That I did. See, it’s not so bad. Now all I'm doing now is filling these tubes. Then we'll be all done." Redheart showed Scootaloo the four vials on the tray next to her. The room fell silent as a vial disappeared under Scootaloo’s hoof, and a filled one was placed on the tray. And Redheart, she mused, was correct. Other than a little pinch as the needle went into her frog, it didn't hurt at all. Although it would probably be worse if she had to actually watch the needle go into her body. When it was all done, Scootaloo couldn't help but quip, "It took longer than saying that one big word." "True, and you were such a brave filly. How would you like a sucker?" Redheart replied. "Really! Can I, Raindrops?" Scootaloo asked, hopping up and down in excitement after the needle was removed. "Sure thing, but first you need to get the band aid on your frog so you don't get an infection." "Pfft! This little thing? I get worse scrapes when I smash into buildings on my scooter!" Raindrops raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm sure. But it's part of the hospital’s rules, candy for a band aid. Not such a bad trade, is it?" "Not really, I guess? Do you have any Wonderbolt ones?" "We sure do. With the amount of times Rainbow Dash visits, we make sure to keep a big stock of them," Redheart joked. After that, Scootaloo sat still as the doctor came in to poke and prod her with various instruments that she swore were secret torture instruments made to be as cold and uncomfortable as possible. But the biggest problem for Scootaloo was that it was just as boring as it was uncomfortable. That was, at least, until the Core Check. Scootaloo was expecting some other pre-Discordian era torture instrument like the hammer, or cold gloves, (Seriously, why would ponies makes gloves like that? All cold and weird feeling...). Scootaloo suppressed a shiver, but the doctor explained everything for her before she could voice her curiosity. "Since Ponyville is a mainly an Earth Pony town, and earth ponies don't have the same needs and demands for magic flow as pegasi and unicorns, we don't have the funds or the usual needs for fancy machines like you'd find in bigger cities or ones with a larger concentration of those races. "But while I'm not expecting you to have problems, if there are, there are better hospitals in Manehatten and Canterlot close by, and Twilight Sparkle owns one. She's been kind enough to use it on the few ponies who needed readings or assistance but aren't able to afford the medical bills that such an in-depth reading costs "I think I'd trust Twilight more than some stranger messing with my medi-thingies," Scootaloo replied, the word meridians feeling strange to say after hearing about it from Raindrops. "Well that's only if you need it. Let's check, shall we? What we're going to do is a simple spell that'll show us your magical energy flow." Dr. Stable's horn lit up, sending golden magic flowing over Scootaloo. Within seconds, yellow tendrils of light began to spiral around her body. Looking at herself, she saw a massive light in her barrel, but the light coming out of it . The light flowing to her wings was nothing more than a foggy mist that barely seemed to move. "Hmm... You seem to have a rather strong magical core. Try flapping your wings as hard as you can, please," He asked, adjusting his stethoscope. Scootaloo flapped her wings with all of her might, getting a whole foot off the table before collapsing. The magic flow to her wings seemed powerful, but tapered off and couldn't quite make it to the wings themselves. "Well, there’s good news and news," Dr. Stable said as he cut off the spell. "Good news first, please!" Scootaloo replied hopefully. "The good news is, you're the only pegasus I know of who can lift herself off the ground by muscle alone. The other news is that you'll need a more in-depth core reading. You have a rather bad block keeping your magic from fully reaching your wings." "Oh well... That's still pretty cool. I bet Rainbow Dash is going to flip when I tell her that I can get off the ground with wing strength alone! As for the other stuff, I know Twilight can help me. She's super smart, and she's going to be teaching me and the crusaders stuff!" Scootaloo said, bouncing on the table. Sure, I need to see why my magic's wonky, but I'm not going to let that get me down! Once I get this fixed, everything's going to better! I know it! On the way to the library, they saw a rather distraught looking Spike, who was looking as if somepony told him emeralds and turquoise no longer existed and the Featherman series was discontinued forever. Raindrops and Scootaloo, wanting to cheer him up, decided to talk to him on along the way. "Hello, Spike! How have you been? I'm sorry I didn't take the time to chat at Scootaloo's party yesterday," Raindrops greeted. "Not too good, to tell you the truth. Twilight's great and really working on those things you talked about, but I just learned that I can't be her son," Spike said sadly. "Why not? From what I saw, while oblivious in some regards, I saw that she cares about you, so why can't you be her son?" "Because the law says that dragons are pets, apparently," Spike growled in response. "What! You're not a pet!" Scootaloo huffed just as angrily, "Sure we might not be friends and hang out and stuff, but you're every bit as pony as I am... Just, a dragon!" "I have to agree, well, not on the pony part. But with how well-mannered you appear, and how sentient you are, you are a child, and I would never have acted as I did if I didn't think you were," Raindrops added. "What do you mean?" Spike asked. "One of my many jobs is as a member of Foal Protective Services, not whatever pets have. And even though I've never had any of my own, I'm very protective of the foals that I meet. If I didn't think you were every bit a foal as those I'm sworn to Celestia and Luna to protect and serve, I would never have stepped in. After all, pets are trained to do all sorts of jobs and have different rules on treatment. "So if anypony can't look at you and see a young one that's every bit as deserving as any other foal, kid, or what have you, then they are blind and stupid," Raindrops finished. Spike spent a few moments looking at the look of indignant anger on her face and gave a small smile. "You know, you might be okay after all. So enough about me for now. I really need to take my mind off me. What are you two up to?" "Well, me and Scootaloo were on our way to Twilight," Raindrops replied. "I'll walk with you," he said, falling into place alongside them as they walked to his home. Scootaloo looked at him as they walked and decided to break the ice. "Hey Spike." "What's up, Scootaloo?" "I know we never really see each other, or hang out, or whatever. But if you ever want to chill, you can hang out with me and the Crusaders if you'd like. We might be aquawhatsists-" "Acquaintances," Spike corrected. "Sure, that thing. But I'd like to be your friend if you'd like. And I'm sure the crusaders would like to be your friend too. Then everypony can see that you're a cool friend, and maybe think you're a pony like them?" Scootaloo said innocently. "I might be busy for a while coming up, but yeah. I think I'd like to be your friend," Spike said. Scootaloo sat at the dining room table with a cup of chocolate milk and small bowl of applesauce, while Raindrops sipped a cup of tea that Spike had prepared for them both as they waited for Twilight to come back. "So you need Twilight to check your magic core?" Spike asked. "Yeah, they said that she has the machine to do a more complete scan-thing than they could do. Is it true that she helps other ponies like that?" "Yep, that's Twilight... Well, at least that's the Twilight ever since she moved down to Ponyville." "So she wasn't always cool?" Scootaloo asked, happily snacking on her sauce. As an afterthought, she added, "For an egghead." "Nah, she wasn't into the whole ‘friends’ thing until recently. I mean, sure, some of the friends I used to have live here now, but she was too caught up with her studies." "If you don't mind, why aren't you friends with them still?" Raindrops interected. "Well, after college, I've been up to my ear fins with work, and Twilight has more needs now that there's no castle staff to do a lot of the grunt work. But it's not all that bad, I guess. I mean, I'm her number one assistant and all," Spike puffed out his chest with pride at that last part before deflating again. "College?" Raindrops said incredulously. "Yeah, Celestia thought it'd be good for me. Since dragons’ minds apparently mature faster than our bodies, I went to schooling along with Twilight, after I managed to blow through basic schooling. Didn't hurt that Twilight always used me as a sounding board when playing school." "Wow... I must say that I'm impressed. Did you have a lot of friends?" Spike seemed to shrink into himself for a moment before responding, "Yeah, a few." "Well, now you have a few more!" Scootaloo said enthusiastically, trying to cheer up the down drake, "And I was serious, I'm your friend now and I know that Sweets and Bloom Oh, and Mango, Pips and Dinks would love to have you as a friend! Heck, we can make you a Cutie Mark Crusader!" "That'd be nice, but dragons don't get Cutie Marks." "Pfft," Scoots blew off the comment, "You still want to find out who you are, right?" "Well, yeah, but -" "’But' nothing! A Cutie Mark shows what makes a pony special, but what really matters is finding out who we are and want to be. So you could definitely be a crusader!" "Ha! You're quite the motivational speaker, Scoots. I might need some time to do some soul searching... But I think I could get behind that." As Scootaloo was about the reply, a very distraught Twilight came bursting through the doors. "Spike?! Oh thank Celestia! I was wondering where you'd gone off too!" "I ran into Scootaloo here along with Raindrops, and we came here since she needed to talk to you," Spike replied nonchalantly, which Scootaloo found strange considering how down in the dumps he was looking. "Oh! Well we can send a letter to Celestia later, I guess," Twilight responded glumly, before throwing on a smile, "So Scootaloo, how can I help you?" "Well, I got a check up today, but there was a problem with my Core Scan, and they suggested that you might be able to help... And since you're going to help me with the whole ‘Twilight Time’ thing, I figured it wouldn’t be that much trouble." "No trouble at all, I'd love to help you. Why don't you and Spike go to the basement and get ready, and I'll be down shortly." "So is there a reason you sent them downstairs? " Raindrops asked. "Yes, you see, I tried adopting Spike. But even Mayor Mare, when she eventually came out to see the scene I was making, said that while a few ponies do like Spike as a dragon, the laws don't acknowledge Spike as a being that one can adopt... But Spike's not a pet,” Twilight sighed, “What should I do?" "You're a princess, can't you just make a law saying dragons are adoptable?" Raindrops asked. "It's not that easy. It requires a majority vote from the rulers to sign on new laws., and then there's the House of Nobles that go over new laws, then there's public outlook that also affects the House of Nobles, and parliament," Twilight explained, "But it looks like I may have to go that route." "Being a princess isn't as easy as everyone thinks it is isn't it?" Raindrops responded with a chuckle. Twilight gave a self-deprecating snicker. "Yeah, tons of red tape and bickering old ponies... You know, I have to thank you a little bit." "How so?" "If it wasn't for you, I never have known that Spike really sees me as his mom, and I wouldn't have had that push I needed to become the pony I should have been for him." "You're welcome, but if it's not too rude of me to ask... Why did it take me to give that push?" Raindrops asked, wrapping a friendly wing around the deflated alicorn. "Mostly because how we were is it's always been. Prin - I mean, Celestia, always made sure that he was given the best education beside me and, in a way, domesticated him for pony life. And I personally just never thought to question it." Twilight said, leaning into the hug slightly before stepping away. "So... Celestia forgive me, but are you saying Celestia basically helped make ponies think of dragons as pets, rather than equals?" "It was unintentional!... Sorry, but yeah, dragons aren’t known as civilized, so we literally had to make things up as we went. But that's something I need to ask her later. Tomorrow I'm going to give Spike the day off. After all, in two days he's going to have a huge surprise." "What's that?" "I've been working on perfecting a spatial distortion and plant transformation spell, so he'll have his own room. By then, all the special things I've ordered will be ready to give him a space all his own," Twilight’s grin faded, and her voice grew solemn as she looked at Raindrops. “Do you think I'll be a good mom?" Raindrops grinned. "Well he hasn't turned out too bad so far. I think with a little work, you could be one of the good ones. Although I want to know why even though he said some of his college friends live in Ponyville, he hasn't been able to keep in touch? That's quite important for any growing being to have." "He had friends?" Twilight asked, tilting her head as if it had never occurred to her before, "I guess I missed out on more than I thought. I'll talk to him tomorrow about it, and see if I can do anything to repair any rifts from being incommunicado for these last few years."
Scootaloo UnleashedScootaloo was strapped into a strange device that looked like something out of Rainbow Dash's secret books, which the evil doctor locked an innocent mare into before transforming her into some kind of monster. A pale green rubber cap sat on her head, blue and red lights blinking like some alien brain. Translucent tentacle-like wires ending with suction electrodes were attached to her body, and her limbs were strapped down to sinister black hoof rests. Scootaloo didn't know whether she needed Luna or a plucky assistant to save her from its weird clutches. Twilight walked in with Raindrops, whom Scootaloo had to admit wasn't that bad a pony, even if she really needed to get out more with a special somepony. Whatever that meant. Urgh! Please Luna, don't let Rarity rub off on me like she's doing Sweetie Belle. What do special someponies do, anyway? And why do her friends need to do that? Scootaloo asked why Rainbow Dash hid those in a locked chest under her bed, and was sworn to secrecy lest everypony learn she liked other books beside Daring Do. Scootaloo joked that Twilight was rubbing off on her, and almost busted a lung laughing at how red Rainbow Dash turned. Scootaloo burst out laughing at the memory. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked, looking concerned. "*Snrk*! Yeah, just remembering something. Hey Twilight, I think you should know that Dashie likes you!" Scootaloo sang, merrily playing matchmaker. "What!?" The look on Twilight's face as her wings popped open like Rainbow Dash when she got ahold of an autographed copy of Daring Do was priceless. "Yeah, she got real red when we were talking about you. All good stuff, I promise," Scootaloo said with a smile so innocent a little halo appeared over her head. "Alright, I'll talk to her later, but first, let's see what's going on with your core." Twilight, blushing brighter than anything she ever saw from Fluttershy, flipped the machine's ‘on’ switch. The headpiece, with the tentacle like network of transparent looking wires glew brightly, with a similar green glow flowing down the wires to little suction cups attached to her body. The pale colors began to brighten and expand, until they fully enveloped Scootaloo in a bubble of green energy. Twilight looked at the readings and hummed thoughtfully. "Hmmm... I see... Oh! That's odd... Okay... I didn't know pegasi could have that too ..." "Twilight, you're going into creepy mad scientist mode again," Spike warned. "Sorry Spike. Scootaloo, it seems you have a rather strong magic core, but the blockage looks like something you'd see in unicorns only. But that's silly talk, no offense, but everypony knows that pegasi can't cast spells." "But what about The Three Mages? They showed a pegasus and an earth pony using magic!" "Everypony knows fairy tales aren't real," Twilight said, chuckling softly, "But nonetheless, after fixing this little block we can start getting you ready to tap into your magic core more easily. Now if you were a unicorn, I'd have to place a sap cap on you to prevent a magic surge. But being a pegasus, I guess just securing you so you don't accidentally fly through the ceiling would suffice. Is that okay, Raindrops?" "I guess so, just make sure to keep free of the wing joints," Raindrops replied, looking over to Spike to see if he knew where this was heading. "Don't worry, Twilight will make sure everything’s safe before continuing. She might have a reputation for being a crazy mad scientist, but she'd never take chances with a pony’s safety... At least not intentionally," Spike shrugged noncommittally before walking over to help Twilight get a restraining table and protective gear from a far off closet. Scootaloo gulped as the table was dragged to the center of the room in Twilight's magical aura. Spike gave her a comforting smile. "Hey, don't worry about a thing. Sure, we never did this with a pegasus, but I've seen her do his with a few unicorns, not to mention when she had Celestia do this for her as a filly. There's nothing to be worried about, and I'll be here with you." "Really?" Scoots meekly asked. "Sure, what kind of friend would I be if I left you hanging? Rainbow Dash would probably rainboom me to the moon if I did," Spike laughed, easing the tension in the room a little. "Yeah she would! Dash is awesome!" Scootaloo shouted pridefully. "When you're ready, let me know and everything will be over in a minute," Twilight said as she returned to Scootaloo. "Um, sure? I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Scootaloo replied as bravely as she could, eyeing the cold table warily. "Okay, let's do science!" Twilight yelled happily, ominous lightning flashing in the background. "Sorry!" Spike exclaimed, "Slipped onto the tesla coil." Scootaloo couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that something was going to wrong. Maybe it was the alien tentacle monster of a machine she was previously strapped to, or the lightning that flashed a few seconds ago as Twilight threw a cliche mad scientist line. Or, more than likely, it was the weird sensation of being strapped to a table, as Twilight muttered over her checklist while Spike facepalmed. Regardless, Scootaloo suppressed a shiver as Raindrops trotted beside her and rested a hoof comfortingly on her withers. "Are you okay, Scootaloo?" "I'm not scared!" Scootaloo blurted defensively. "Of course not, but if you were, that'd be alright," Raindrops replied, comfortingly rubbing Scootaloo's back. "Well... Maybe a little. But you and Spike won't let anything bad happen... So I'm good. Kinda." Scootaloo admitted sheepishly. "That's right, Spike and I will be right here with you," Raindrops grinned. "It's time to start, is everyone ready?" Twilight inquired, quill hovering over her checklist at the last empty box. After checking and rechecking to make sure that everyone present was ready did the last box get checked, "Alright then, if you and Spike will step back, this will only take a moment." "Are you sure you know what you're doing? No offense, but what if this is like what happens to unicorns?" Raindrops asked hesitantly, stepping closer to Scootaloo. "Not in pegasi, but I've never heard of a pegasus spellcaster outside of fiction. And these straps are lightning retardant and grounded so no worries about electrical damage, and they’ll keep her down to prevent her from flying straight through the ceiling. As for unicorns. I've done it plenty of times. Although it was slightly different." "How so?" "All a unicorn needs is a sap cap to prevent magic from forming. It takes anywhere from thirty seconds to five minutes for the burst of magic to run its course. Then it's all over." "Alright," Raindrops said, moving over to Spike as Twilight readied the spell. Scootaloo shut her eyes tightly to prevent herself from seeing whatever weird mojo Twilight was going to do. But her temporary guardian and friend were there to witness what transpired next. Scootaloo's body was enveloped in a amethyst aura and her eyes glowed with with magic. Her mind went blank as the pervasive feeling of magic rushed through her like a tidal wave, seeking release, and release it did as she lifted her wings. Blasts of magic shot out and struck Spike and Raindrops, transforming them into squirrels with the same color schemes as their normal bodies. Scootaloo's hooves, meanwhile, removed the straps from her body as she floated toward the center of the room. Random spells shot out with each wingbeat, while her hooves alternated between moving things in telekinetic auras, and shooting random blasts of purple lightning. All the while, she felt strangely detached, as if looking upon it as an outsider. Watching as the lab came to life, Twilight hurriedly tried to fix things, and two pretty squirrels ran into the maelstrom of chaos. Twilight had decided that she was a very unhappy camper being on the receiving end of a massive flare. Usually ponies who flared in her lab had measures to keep them from releasing random bursts of magic as blockages, calluses, or anomalies were corrected, releasing the built up forces that had been building up as the body worked to stabilize itself. And very few of them had any magical core worth talking about. Not that she felt herself superior, but rather they weren't that dangerous. But the thought of a pegasus casting magic ... Twilight felt a part of her brain snap at the improbability of it. Even more so than when she tried studying the Pinkie Sense. But there was one thing that took precedence over trying to understand how Scootaloo was doing something that was supposed to only belong to unicorns, and that was making sure that the pegasus under her care didn't do any lasting damage to herself or others. But before she could make a move, the most unlikely of guests arrived. "Discord, what in Tartarus are you doing here!?" Twilight shouted over the din of magic. "Oh, I just sensed some lovely chaos, much more better than her and Rainbow Dash's cooking, I must say," Discord said merrily. "If you're here, help!" Twilight said, zapping at a series of wires that had transformed into giant tentacles. "Oh, if you insist! After all, that's what friends do for each other, right?" Discord said, swishing his tail. For just a moment, everything returned to normal, only to get blasted with Scootaloo’s next volley of spells. "Yes, and thank you. Just please, keep whatever you’re doing up, and let me deal with Scootaloo.” Sighing wearily, Twilight flew unevenly over to Scootaloo. So this is what Celestia felt like when Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom set me off. She touched Scootaloo and the aura around her died down. But unlike herself, when her flare died down ending in a Cutie Mark, Scootaloo's ended with a sleeping filly clinging to Twilight's neck. Scootaloo had switched from clinging to Twilight to nestling herself between Raindrops’ wings. Raindrops herself was looking at Discord with a mixture of horror and relief. "So you're supposed to be a good guy now?" "Sure, let's go with that, although I have quite the soft spot for the little Generators of Chaos, and when I saw that Rainbow Jr. here was in danger I just had to help. After all, Twilight and I are good friends. Isn't that right, princess Twilight Sparkle?" "Yes, sure, why not. Discord... I thought I'd never say this. Ever. But, thank you, you really helped me out," Twilight said with something between a smile and a grimace. "So you'll finally come and have tea with me and Fluttershy? After all, with how you all have been avoiding me, I was starting to think we weren't friends at all," Discord replied with a wry smile. "Yes, and I guess I can talk to you more, and yes Raindrops. We've... Well, really just Fluttershy, reformed Discord. He's been discovering the friendship of magic," Twilight said, rubbing her forehead with her hoof, "And I'm sorry about that. It was unprecedented, and I apologize for that." "Well, Discord... Did help," Raindrops said with a shudder that didn't go unnoticed by Discord, as revealed by his arched eyebrow, "Sorry. It's just, last time I saw you... It was quite unpleasant. But yeah, thank you for helping Scootaloo. As for you, Twilight, I guess I see why you need a sap cap on unicorns, so since everything’s alright now... I guess it's alright... Goodbye everyone?" Receiving a round of goodbyes, she trotted up the stairs and out of the library. What an odd bunch you've landed yourself in with Scootaloo. I have a feeling that everything’s going to turn out alright. Author's Note Something that came up when I was making this chapter is that yes "glew" is a past tense version of glow. Honestly I was suprised with the visceral levels of hate for the word, but it's something I was taught was proper. Anywho. For the real A/N, I've had this scene more or less in my head since I started writing this fic. And I feel accomplished with finally getting around to finishing this part of the story. The next fic, "Golden Crusade" is going to be out in probably a month or two from now. For all of you who've been with this from the beginning thank you, and for those of you just finishing up. There's more to come. Other GoldenVerse Fics out right now: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/126409/strawberry-muffins [Takes place a few weeks before Chapter 1. It's sequel takes place right before the big reveal (or two days before this chapter takes place.] http://www.fimfiction.net/story/212009/types-of-love [Begins in Chapter 11, and from the end of this fic / Chapter 3 of ToL, branch into their own stories for a while with passing cameos / crossovers for a while.]
SequelThe Golden Crusade is out. Scootaloo's power has been unleashed. Apple Bloom has gotten her Cutie Mark. And Spike has started his journey to Canterlot to discover himself, but like all Crusades, its not the destination that matters. But the journey, for when one chapter ends another begins. Come everypony to see the next part of the GoldenVerse. Also I'd like to give a special thanks to all my readers who've followed this story. It wouldn't have been anywhere near as great, or as fulfilling to make without all of you. So thanks for following this story, and I hope you enjoy the next fic just as much as you've enjoyed this one.
