A Family of Her Own

Chapters

The Frustration of a Young Filly
A New Mission for an Orphaned Filly
A Discovery of Family for a Lonely Filly

The Frustration of a Young Filly

Miss Cheerilee released the class and the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked out of the school together. Scootaloo lagged behind a bit while Sweetie Belle and Applebloom walked while talking and laughing. Sweetie Belle noticed her friend's frown and paused in her conversation with Applebloom. She nudged Applebloom and nodded towards Scootaloo.

"Everything all right, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked gently.

"Yes, everything's fine," Scootaloo lied. "I'm okay, really."

You two are so happy...I need to be happy too so you don't stop smiling.

First she walked with them until they reached Rarity's, where they said goodbye to Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo couldn't help but feel jealous of Sweetie Belle. She had a wonderful sister, and even though they got on each other's nerves at times, they were still close sisters. Sweetie Belle was very lucky to have a sister like Rarity.

Scootaloo watched sadly as Rarity walked outside to greet her little sister, and they happily embraced. Sweetie Belle talked animatedly with Rarity as they walked back into the house together. Scootaloo sighed and looked down for the fifth time that day. Applebloom saw this and frowned, not liking that her friend looked sad.

"Hey what's wrong Scootaloo?" she asked her friend gently.

"Nothing," Scootaloo said quickly. She didn't want to ruin Applebloom's day just by frowning, so she gave her friend a big smile. "Come on, let's go to Sweet Apple Acres."

"Okay..." Applebloom looked uncertain, but Scootaloo kept smiling. The filly was trying to be brave for her red maned friend, and Applebloom could see that. "I bet some Apple Cider will cheer you up!" she suggested with a big grin. "Come on!"

Scootaloo smiled for real that time, because she appreciated her friend's effort to make her happy. She followed Applebloom to Sweet Apple Acres where they met Applejack at the Barn.

"Well hey there y'all, didja have a good day at school?" Applejack asked her little sister and her friend.

"We did," said Applebloom with a smile. Then she went to her sister and whispered into her ear, "Ah think Scootaloo's feeling a little down. I think some Apple cider or somethin' will help her."

Applejack looked at Scootaloo who was now looking at the ground and digging at it slightly with a hoof. She nodded to Applebloom and said, "Well I'll rustle y'all up some fresh apple cider! How about that?"

"Sure," Scootaloo said, not wanting to let her friends down.

Scootaloo went on and had Apple Cider and even some Apple fritter as a treat while Applebloom chattered on about their day at school. Scootaloo didn't really take part in the conversation much. Most of the time she just watched the two sisters chatting happily, thinking how Applejack was a hard working pony and a very dependable sister and friend. Applebloom was lucky to have a sister like Applejack, Scootaloo thought. When they were done, Applejack gave Scootaloo a bag of apple fritters to take home with her.

Home... she thought, That would be nice if I really had one...

Scootaloo said goodbye to Applebloom and her sister and trotted away from Sweet Apple Acres. She walked down the path through Ponyville and paused when she spotted the Library. Then she found an answer for the thing that had been on her mind for a while.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were the two best friends Scootaloo could ever have, as well as their additional member Babs from Manehatten. They were also very lucky fillies who had families to care for them. Scootaloo had none. She would either stay at Applejack's or Rarity's, and only her fellow CMCs knew her secret. They would come up with a story for why Scootaloo was staying. Of course Scootaloo couldn't do it every day, so she would spend some nights in the clubhouse.

Scootaloo had been raised at an orphanage. The Orphanage was providing the money for Scootaloo to go to school, and that was just about it. She was dependent on her friends for other things, and they didn't mind. Still Scootaloo felt bad at times. Now she was looking at the Library, one place that may hold the answers. She could look into the History of Ponyville and try to see if there were any ponies that could have potentially been her parents.

Scootaloo went to the Library and knocked on the door. Spike answered and was surprised to see the young pegasus there.

"Hey Scootaloo, come on in," He said in a friendly manner.

"Thanks Spike," Scootaloo smiled at him as he moved aside to let her in.

"Who's at the door?" she heard Twilight's voice call.

"It's me, Scootaloo!" she said. "Twilight, could you help me with something please?"

Twilight Sparkle put down her quill and looked towards Scootaloo. She noted the expression on her face and logic told her that this was a serious matter. Twilight walked to her and smiled at the young filly.

"Of course, what do you need?" she asked the young filly.

Scootaloo explained that she wanted to do some research in Ponyville's History. She wanted to see if she could find an answer to her roots and try to find her real family. Twilight was intrigued, but as a good friend she agreed to let Scootaloo look through her books.

"Just don't forget to put the book back where you found it, all right?" she told the young pegasus.

"Of course Twilight," Scootaloo smiled at the older Pony. "Um, where should I start looking?"

"Try B2 of the Library, you can take the stairs over there," Twilight gestured with a hoof towards a door to their right. "I need to go out for a bit, so ask Spike to help you if you need him."

"Thank you Twilight!" the young filly beamed at her and headed to the staircase.

Twilight watched the young filly disappear down the stairs. "Hmm," she thought out loud. She decided to go meet her friends at Sugar Cube Corner and talk with them about Scootaloo's situation.

Author's Note

This is my first time ever writing a MLP fanfiction, so please be nice. Constructive criticism is appreciated! Thank you for reading :) I apologize it's so short, but like I said this is my first MLP Fanfiction.

A New Mission for an Orphaned Filly

Twilight arrived at the Sugar Cube Corner and walked inside. She looked around for her friend Pinkie Pie when the party pony suddenly barreled into her. Twilight let out a shout of surprise as they were both sent tumbling to the ground. She heard Pinkie giggle happily and couldn't help but smile a bit.

"Pinkie, hey!" Twilight greeted her as the pink pony rolled off of her and helped her up to her hooves.

"Were you surprised, Twilight? Because I was surprised when you came in, and I thought I would surprise you back by tackle hugging you!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly.

Twilight giggled and gave a nod, "Yes, you did surprise me Pinkie. I wanted to talk to you about something though, it's a serious matter. I was also hoping the other girls would be here too though.." Twilight looked around and frowned in disappointment.

"Oh, they're actually on the way right now. My Pinkie Sense told me something really big was going to happen so I went ahead and invited them over!" Pinkie said with a big smile. "Well Applejack and Rarity are, I couldn't find Dashie or Fluttershy. I have a feeling they're off doing something together though, they've been spending a lot of time together lately."

"I see," said Twilight when the bell suddenly chimed as two ponies entered the shop. It was Applejack and Rarity. Pinkie Pie grinned and bounced over to them. "Good you're here! Twilight's here too, she wants to talk about something. I don't know what it is but my Pinkie Sense tells me it's big! Ooh I'm so excited just thinking about it!"

"Hey girls, come on let's sit down," Twilight said when Pinkie was done talking.

Rarity and Applejack came and sat down at the table with Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Then Pinkie Pie suddenly gasped loudly and rushed off into the kitchen without warning. The three remaining ponies looked at each other in confusion when Pinkie ran back into the room. She had a plate of cupcakes. Everypony laughed together as Pinkie Pie gave each of them a cupcake.

"I feel like this should be a party, even though we're not celebrating anything. Wait are we celebrating something, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie looked at Twilight questioningly.

"No Pinkie, actually it's about Scootaloo. She came by today after school and asked if she could use the Library. I said yes, but the reason she gave me made me worried."

"Ah thought somethin' was bothering her!" Applejack said. "She and Applebloom came by Sweet Apple Acres together and Applebloom told me something was on her mind. What was it, Twilight?"

"She said she wanted to do some research into Ponyville's History to see if she could find her roots. I have a feeling she feels left out from having big sisters like her friends do," Twilight explained.

Rarity thought for a moment and said, "Sweetie Belle did say Scootaloo looked a little down at school today. That must be why."

"But what does she think she'll find in the Library?" Applejack asked.

"Can't she talk to her own parents?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Rarity shook her head. "Pinkie Pie, don't you know? Scootaloo was raised at an orphanage."

Applejack nodded and added, "Rarity and I actually know she doesn't have a place to stay. We just pretend we don't so we don't make her feel bad."

"We try to make her feel as welcome into our families as possible," Rarity finished.

"Hmm," this new information was giving Twilight more of an idea. "I have an idea. Now listen closely..."

~ ~ ~

Applebloom had gathered the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders at the clubhouse. Scootaloo was the last to arrive, and her back was thick with books. She was relieved to finally be able to set her bag down. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged worried glances and looked at Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo, what's all this for?" Applebloom asked.

"Our quest for our Cutie Marks will have to be put on hold guys. I need your help," Scootaloo said as she took out her books. "I want to find out who my real parents are. And I think we can do this by reading into the history of Ponyville!"

"So that's what's been bothering you," Sweetie Belle said. "Of course we'll help! This is more important than Cutie Marks!"

"I agree," said Applebloom. "Let's get reading!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders started reading through the books. A couple hours passed and none of them seemed to be getting anywhere. Applebloom finally let out a groan of frustration and pushed her book away.

"This is hopeless!" she groaned. "I think we need to get out into the field!"

"That might be better," Sweetie Belle said. "All this book is talking about is the history of Sweet Apple Acres."

"Oh I know! We could go to Cloudsdale!" Scootaloo suggested.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at her. "That won't work," said Applebloom. "Only Pegasus ponies can walk on clouds, and we would need a powerful spell to help us do that."

"Oh yeah.." Scootaloo frowned, looking down again.

"Hey, we can still go around Ponyville! How about we visit the Orphanage?" Sweetie Belle suggested. "Maybe the answers will be there!"

"That's a great Idea!" Scootaloo smiled again. "Come on!"

The young filly hurried out of the clubhouse. Her friends followed her and they left Sweet Apple Acres. The trio went through Ponyville and headed towards the Orphanage. The Orphanage was actually near Ponyville, about a few more buildings down the road from there.

Scootaloo's heart started beating faster. Would she really find the answers she wanted here? And would she like them? What if they turned out to be awful, what would she do then? Scootaloo started to sweat nervously, because she was afraid. Her friends picked up on this and they both walked closer to her. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both smiled encouragingly at Scootaloo, and she felt better. No matter what happened, she would still have her friends to have her back.

They reached the Orphanage and its doors. Scootaloo took a deep breath. She hadn't been here in about two years, and honestly, she was nervous. Would the ponies that cared for her still be there, and even more, would they remember her?

Of course they will, it hasn't been that long. Only a couple years... Scootaloo told herself. I can do this. Besides, I got Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to help me out.

Scootaloo walked into the Orphanage, her friends right behind her. They were in a room that served as both a lobby and a play area. The play area was kept to one side of the room. There were a few fillies there, laughing and playing with little toys. One of the Caretakers was standing by and keeping an eye on the young ones. Scootaloo recognized her as Miss Angie, who had only been a volunteer when Scootaloo was still at the Orphanage. Now she seemed to have a permanent job there, and Scootaloo was happy to see a familiar face.

"Miss Angie!" Scootaloo called to the older Pony.

Miss Angie looked over at her and Scootaloo noticed how much older she had gotten. Her long golden pelt was still well kept, and her deep blue mane was much longer than the last time Scootaloo had seen her. Miss Angie smiled, recognizing the young filly as well.

"Scootaloo, it's been a while!" she said as she walked over to her. "How are you? Oh, are these your friends?" Miss Angie looked curiously at Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Yes Miss Angie, this is Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. We're actually now a group known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders! As you can see we don't have them yet, so we're working together to find our Cutie Marks," Scootaloo explained after she introduced her friends.

"Oh how cute!" Miss Angie smiled at them. "So does that mean you're here to get your Cutie marks in Foal raising?"

Scootaloo giggled and said, "No, but we'll save that idea for later. Right now we're here for something a little more personal."

Miss Angie nodded and said, "Well what can I help you with?"

"I want to know who my parents are," Scootaloo said. "I was hoping you or somepony else would know something about who brought me here."

"Oh," Miss Angie frowned. "I started Volunteering here a little bit after you arrived, sorry. But I think I do know somepony who might be able to tell you what you want to know."

Scootaloo's eyes widened in hope, "Really? Who?"

"You might not remember her, but she was the cook in charge when you were still here. Her name is Miss Sugar Drop. I'll take you to the kitchen to see her," said Miss Angie.

"Thank you!" Scootaloo breathed. "Come on guys," she said to her friends.

Miss Angie smiled and led them through another doorway and to the orphanage's kitchen. When they went inside, the three young fillies could smell delicious aromas filling the air. Scootaloo's mouth began to water and she swallowed, looking around for someone who might be Miss Sugar Drop. Then she saw a blue mare with a curly yellow mane. Her cutie mark was a wooden spoon with a drop of chocolate on the tip.

The sound of hoofsteps made Miss Sugar Drop turn towards the four Ponies. "Oh Miss Angie, what brings you here?" she asked before she saw Scootaloo. "Now hold on just a moment, is that Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo blushed in embarrassment when Miss Sugar Drop came over to her and patted her on the head. "Why, I haven't seen you since you were this small!" Miss Sugar Drop raised her hoof about an inch above the ground to demonstrate. "You've grown a lot, how are you Scootaloo?"

"I'm all right Miss Sugar Drop. I'm actually here because I was hoping you could tell me something about who brought me here," Scootaloo told the older pony.

"Ah, well that's a bit of a sad tale," Miss Sugar Drop said, her smile fading. "Are you sure you want to know, Scootaloo?"

"Positive," Scootaloo said with conviction.

"All right, well come on over and sit down here," Miss Sugar Drop led the ponies to a little table in the corner of the kitchen.

The ponies sat around the table and Miss Sugar Drop started to speak,

"You came in the middle of the night, Scootaloo. I was cleaning up after having a bit of a snack one night when I heard somepony crying outside. I went to the door and opened up. There you were, all tiny and wrapped up in a basket. It was raining outside, and I think you were crying because it was cold out. There was a little note attached to your blanket, and it was starting to get a little wet from the rain.

Well there was no way I was leaving you out there in the rain, so I went ahead and brought you inside. I took you to the fire place here and picked you up, cuddling you close. You calmed down and fell asleep right there. I set you back down in your basket momentarily so I could look at the note. I still have it here if you want to read it yourself, I've been holding on to it all these years."

Miss Sugar Drop took out a piece of paper from a pocket in her apron. She set it down on the table and pushed it towards Scootaloo with a hoof. Scootaloo took the paper and looked at it. She looked to her two friends for support, and they gave her encouraging smiles. Scootaloo slowly unfolded the paper and read it to herself. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle leaned in to read the note as well. The note read:

We are two ponies down out of our luck. My husband has taken terribly ill, and I fear I have already caught the disease as well. We want our daughter to be healthy and safe, and we cannot care for her when we can hardly care for ourselves. We beg of you, please take our little filly into your hooves. We pray to Celestia that she will have a happy life.

With Love, Windy and Blue Breeze.

When Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at their friend, tears were rolling down her cheeks. Scootaloo tried hold back the tears but she failed miserably. She wasn't abandoned, but the letter gave her a gut feeling that her parents were gone forever. She knew who her parents were, but she would never be able to see them.

"I had no idea.." she whispered. The little filly looked at Miss Sugar Drop, and said in a trembling voice, "T-thank you."

Then Scootaloo turned and ran. She was angry her parents were gone, and she hated the horrible circumstances of her parents' situation. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle said a quick goodbye to the two older ponies and ran after their friend, who would need their comfort.

Author's Note

Hello everypony! Here is the second chapter, and I have tried to make it a little longer too, and in a good way! Feelsy chapter, I know. I'm actually quite proud of myself with this. I would really appreciate feedback and if you spot any errors, please let me know! Also I did put in a hint at Flutterdash :D because I totally ship them. <3 And most importantly, enjoy :D

Also I think of Pinkie as a chatterbox so that's why she speaks in such long sentences. Tell me if I don't have one of the character's personalities down right, thanks :D Also, probably just one more chapter after this, that's my guess. Please comment and rate <3

A Discovery of Family for a Lonely Filly

"Scootaloo, wait up!" Applebloom called after her fleeing friend.

Scootaloo kept running. She would be faster if she had her scooter, but she had left it back at the Clubhouse. So now she just let her legs carry her far away from the Orphanage. Scootaloo could hear her friends behind her, their hooves pounding against the pavement. She didn't slow down for them, instead she kept going until she reached the Clubhouse. Once there, she climbed up and went inside. Her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders followed her.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle collapsed as soon as they were inside the Clubhouse. When Scootaloo turned around, she could see the evident exhaustion on their faces as they tried to catch their breaths. Scootaloo herself wasn't out of breath however, she still felt like she could run more. Still, her friends were worn out. She gave them an apologetic smile and helped them up.

"Sorry, I just wanted to get away from that place," Scootaloo said to her friends. "I...I hadn't expected what that letter said. I thought I would be angry at my parents for abandoning me, but that letter said they didn't abandon me. They were forced to because they were sick and now they're both gone. Now I'm just...sad."

Scootaloo felt tears coming to her eyes. She shut them tight, refusing to cry. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Scootaloo looked at her two best friends and smiled weakly.

"I need to go for a walk. I just want to be alone right now," Scootaloo explained.

The other two fillies nodded in understanding. Scootaloo left the Clubhouse and headed down the road. She had found her answers, but that didn't mean she had a family. Her family was gone. Scootaloo felt more alone than ever. She stared at the ground as she walked, not paying attention to where she was going. Where would she go now? She didn't know. Then something wet hit her on the head. Then she saw droplets start hitting the ground around her. It was raining. Scootaloo sighed and started walking faster, looking around for some sort of shelter. Suddenly something blue landed in front of her, and she blinked in surprise.

Scootaloo looked up and saw Rainbow Dash. Her idol was standing there, and her magenta eyes were filed with concern. Scootaloo was confused. How had Rainbow Dash found her, especially in the rain? Then she remembered that this was one of the days that Rainbow Dash was on weather duty. Scootaloo was embarrassed that Rainbow Dash had found her all upset. She thought her idol probably thought she looked so uncool right now.

"Scootaloo, what are you doing out in this rain?" Rainbow Dash asked, her tone gentle.

Scootaloo was both surprised and relieved at her words. They weren't mocking, and at the same time they were kind. "Just walking...going no where really," she replied.

Rainbow Dash walked closer to her and extended her wing so it covered the little filly. "You shouldn't be out in the rain like this, Scoots," Rainbow used the nickname she had given to the filly when she took Scootaloo under her wing. "Come on, I'll take you to my house."

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and rose above the ground. She picked up Scootaloo and flew up towards the sky. Scootaloo watched as she was carried to Rainbow's cloud home. Rainbow Dash brought Scootaloo inside and took her to the living room.

"I'm gonna get a towel for you, so stay put," said Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo nodded and waited as Rainbow left the room. The cyan mare returned with a small towel that was bit enough to cover Scootaloo's body. Rainbow put the towel over Scootaloo and gave her mane a ruffle. Scootaloo smiled as Rainbow Dash helped her dry off.

"Better?" Rainbow Dash asked the young filly, who was still wrapped up in the towel.

"Yeah," said Scootaloo.

Scootaloo looked at the rainbow maned pegasus who had taken her under her wing ever since the camping trip. They had become sisters, even though not by blood. Rainbow Dash was so caring and gentle around the little filly, and Scootaloo realized how much she loved the older mare as both a friend and a sister. Tears welled up in her eyes again and she started crying. She couldn't help it, she had no family, and yet there was this wonderful pegasus who treated her like a sister. The pain from earlier came back and tears rolled down her face.

Rainbow Dash pulled Scootaloo to her with a hoof and gave her a hug. She held the little filly to her as she cried into her chest. Rainbow let Scootaloo cry, and she stroked the little filly's mane with a hoof. A few moments passed and Scootaloo started to calm down, sniffling a bit.

"I'm sorry, I know you think crying is lame and I know I shouldn't cry, but I feel so lonely sometimes!" Scootaloo said in a trembling voice. "Applebloom...and Sweetie Belle...they both have great sisters and families who take care of them. I have no one!" Scootaloo felt like she was about to start crying again.

"Scoots," Rainbow Dash spoke softly. "It's okay to cry sometimes. Even I cry sometimes, I just don't tell anypony about it."

"You do?" Scootaloo looked up at her with teary eyes.

"Of course I do, Scootaloo. Everypony does," Rainbow said gently.

Scootaloo swallowed and buried her face in Rainbow's chest again. Rainbow hugged the filly tight and said, "It's getting a little late. Do you want to stay the night here?"

Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow Dash again and said, "If that's okay with you."

"Of course it is!" Rainbow Dash smiled and pulled away. "I'll make you some dinner okay?"

Scootaloo's eyes widened and a smile spread across her face. "Sounds great, Dash!" she said happily.

"Okay then, just chill out while I get dinner ready."

Rainbow Dash went into her kitchen and made some salad and a bowl of fruit for her and Scootaloo. She thought back to earlier that evening when Rarity had met her at Fluttershy's cottage. Rarity had told her about Scootaloo and Twilight's idea for helping her. Rainbow agreed, since it was something she had been considering for a while. This was just the first part of Twilight's plan. In the morning, Rainbow Dash would take Scootaloo to Sugar Cube Corner for a special treat. Rainbow knew this plan would make Scootaloo very happy, which is part of the reason why she had agreed.

Once the table was set, Rainbow Dash called Scootaloo in. The two of them sat at the table and ate. Rainbow Dash tried to get Scootaloo's mind off of her situation by asking her about the Cutie Mark Crusaders' latest escapades. It seemed to help, because Scootaloo brightened up and started talking about her friends' latest attempts to get their Cutie marks. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo kept talking even after they had finished eating. Soon Rainbow Dash smiled when Scootaloo let out a big yawn.

"Right, it's time for bed Scoots," she said. "I'll clean up. You've had a long day, you should get some rest Scootaloo."

Scootaloo yawned again and nodded sleepily. Rainbow Dash gave her a warm smile and led her to a guest bedroom. Rainbow tucked Scootaloo in bed and gave her a kiss on the head. Scootaloo smiled at that and curled up under her blanket, falling asleep almost instantly. Rainbow smiled at the sight and quietly left the room. She went down and cleaned up the kitchen. When she eventually went to bed, Rainbow found that she couldn't sleep. She was looking forward to tomorrow. Rainbow decided to read a bit of Daring Do to help her fall asleep. Soon her eyes got tired and she was finally able to get some shut-eye.

~ ~ ~

Scootaloo tossed and turned in her sleep. She was having a nightmare. She felt herself wrapped up in a blanket and she was slightly being swung back and forth. She opened her eyes and looked up as a sudden drop of water fell on her muzzle. Was it raining? She could see a curved band of twigs and leaves tightly twisted together. A mouth was holding the band, and Scootaloo realized she was in a basket. The mouth belonged to a mare with the same color mane as her. The mare looked worried, and she kept giving nervous looks to Scootaloo.

Scootaloo tried to move her body but the blanket was so tightly wrapped. She could only turn her head and lift it up slightly. She was able to see the outline of a tall building up ahead. Her vision was blurred by the rain and darkness. When they got closer to the building, Scootaloo recognized it as the orphanage. She looked back at the mare and her eyes widened. Was this her mother? She glanced downward and saw a note lying next to her. It was positioned in the basket on a spot that was covered by the mare's neck as the basket swung slightly from her mouth. Scootaloo realized that this was the note, and her mother must be trying to keep it from getting wet.

"M-mommy?" she heard herself saying.

The mare looked at Scootaloo sadly as she reached the Orphanage. The mare went to a back door and set her down close enough so that the edge of the roof would cover part of the basket. The mare gave Scootaloo a kiss on the head and nuzzled her lovingly. Then she turned and galloped away from Scootaloo, leaving her alone in the rain.

"No!" Scootaloo cried. "Don't leave me!"

She cried helplessly as her mother rode away and disappeared into the darkness. Scootaloo struggled against the blanket that was holding her. She cried furiously, trying to break free.

"Don't leave me!" she cried, "Come back!" Scootaloo screamed in desperation.

"Scootaloo, wake up!" she suddenly heard Rainbow Dash's voice.

When she opened her eyes. Scootaloo saw Rainbow leaning over her, shaking her awake with a hoof. When Rainbow saw that Scootaloo was awake, she pulled the filly into a hug. Scootaloo was relieved that the dream was over, and even more now that Rainbow Dash was there with her. She hugged Rainbow Dash tightly, hoping that she was real and this wasn't a dream.

"You had a nightmare, but it's over now," Rainbow murmured into the filly's ear. "You're safe, don't worry."

Scootaloo looked up towards her and said, "I was dreaming about my mother leaving me at the Orphanage."

"It's just a memory now, you know that right?" Rainbow Dash asked her gently.

"Yeah.." said Scootaloo.

"Right, go back to sleep kiddo. I promise you, you won't have any more bad dreams okay? They'll have to deal with the best flyer in Equestria before trying to mess with you!" Rainbow gave Scootaloo a big grin.

Scootaloo smiled back and asked, "Will you stay with me tonight? Please?"

"Of course," said Rainbow.

Scootaloo smiled and curled back up on the bed, closing her eyes. Rainbow Dash chuckled and curled up next to the little filly, going to sleep as well. Scootaloo slept peacefully for the rest of the night.

~ ~ ~

Soon Celestia's sun took her place in the sky. Scootaloo woke up with a slight yawn. At first she didn't know where she was, then she remembered last night's events and smiled. Rainbow Dash was right, because Scootaloo didn't have anymore nightmares after that one. She turned her head in time to see Rainbow Dash walk into the room.

"Rise and shine, Scoots! We're going to Sugar Cube Corner this morning," Rainbow said with a smile. "You don't want to be late now do you?"

"Of course not!" said Scootaloo.

She bounced off the bed and followed Rainbow Dash out of the room. She went to the bathroom to wash up first before meeting Rainbow Dash at the front door. Rainbow scooped Scootaloo up with a hoof and left her cloud home, jumping up and falling just before her wings caught the wind. Scootaloo giggled happily as Rainbow Dash held Scootaloo up in front of her as she flew. Scootaloo flapped her tiny wings, not caring that she wasn't really flying.

Rainbow Dash flew to the Sugar Cube Corner and landed lightly on her feet. Fluttershy was outside waiting for them as they landed. Fluttershy smiled at her marefriend and went to her. Rainbow grinned at Fluttershy and they nuzzled noses with one another. Scootaloo made an 'ew' face and the two older mares laughed.

"Come on in you two, everyone's waiting!" Fluttershy managed to sound excited and keep a very quiet tone at the same time.

The three pegasi walked into the shop and saw the rest of the mane six sitting at a table. Suddenly a blur of pink ran into her and there was a loud horn blaring in her ears.

"SURPRISE!" Pinkie Pie shouted happily.

Scootaloo was knocked off her feet and currently a bit disorientated. She shook her head and regained focus. Pinkie Pie was standing there with a noise maker in her mouth and a party hat on her head. Scootaloo sighed in slight annoyance, but knew Pinkie Pie was just trying to make her smile. So Scootaloo gave the party pony a big smile and got back to her feet.

"Hey Pinkie, what's the surprise for?" Scootaloo asked.

"FOR THIS!" came Sweetie Belle's voice.

Scootaloo looked past Pinkie Pie and saw Sweetie Belle and Applebloom coming out of the kitchen. They were using her scooter to roll a large chocolate cake with lots of fancy decorations on it. It was covered in icing and fruit and other candies. Twilight and Rarity both used their magic to levitate the cake up and put it on the table. Applejack walked over to Scootaloo's side and explained,

"Twilight told us that you came to her library yesterday to do some research. When she told us why, we thought we should do something about it. We figured we would get you a very special gift!"

"A present?" Scootaloo repeated. "What is it?"

"Look around sugar cube, what do you see around you?" Applejack asked pointedly.

Scootaloo looked around. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were standing by her, giving her warm looks. Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie sat at the table, all smiling at her. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both had goofy grins on their faces. Scootaloo understood what her present was, and it made her very happy.

"All of my special friends in the same place," Scootaloo replied with a smile.

"That's right, Scoots," said Rainbow Dash. "And that's not all. Twilight, can I show her now?"

Twilight Sparkle nodded and got a document out from her bag. She used her unicorn magic to levitate the paper over to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow took the paper and laid it in front of Scootaloo for her to see. Scootaloo took a look at the paper and her eyes widened as she read what was on it. It was an adoption form, and Rainbow Dash had officially adopted her as her daughter.

Scootaloo grinned, feeling the happiest she had ever been. She threw herself at Rainbow Dash, who in turn pulled her into a tight hug. Everypony smiled and watched as the two ponies hugged each other.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you so much!" Scootaloo cried happily. "This is awesome! Thank you Rainbow! Thank you everypony!"

"Of course Scoots," said Rainbow Dash. "You're more like a daughter than a sister to me. We all did this to show you that even though you don't have a family of your own, you still have us!"

"That's right!" said Pinkie Pie suddenly. "And I threw you a party to celebrate! That's why we have a cake!"

"Rarity and I decorated it together," said Sweetie Belle proudly.

"Can we have the cake now?" Applebloom asked. "It looks so good I can't take it any more!"

Applejack laughed, "Sure thing Sugar cube. Let's eat!"

Everypony gathered around the table as Applejack and Rarity worked together to cut up the cake. Scootaloo happily joined them as they had their party at Sugar Cube Corner.

Author's Note

And done! This is my first story on this site and I have to say I'm proud of it. Not sure what to write next though. Keep an eye out for my blog, and feel free to ask questions or whatever! I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it! And lastly, thank you for reading everypony! <3