Scootaloo has become unusually distant of late, and Rainbow Dash is worried about her - not least because she never seems comfortable about the subject of her parents. But why doesn't she want to talk about them, even with her "honorary" big sister? Why does the mere mention of her parents bring tears to her eyes?

Back at the Wonderbolt Academy, Rainbow Dash confides her concerns to Soarin, and learns a terrible secret, not just about Scootaloo, but also Spitfire. The latter's sister, who was also Scootaloo's mother, had tragically lost her life some years ago, leaving Scootaloo to look after herself while her father slaves away from dawn till dusk. The two ponies head down to Ponyville to try and reason with him, but things get out of hoof, leading to an angry, lonesome Scootaloo running away from home. As the three adults try to find her along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they gradually learn that there is more to the situation surrounding Scootaloo and her father than meets the eye...