Unexpected Family

by Bama_Brony

Rating: teen
Tags: Big Macintosh, Scootaloo, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Romance
Length: 10811

What was supposed to be a summer long sleep over turns into something more for Scootaloo. A mother gone, the coolest mare in the world trying to make things right, and a stoic stallion trying to hold them all together is just the begining.

Relationships are hard. It can be the bond between friends, the blood held in common with family, or the love between lovers. All are equal complexity and take time and work from all ponies to maintain. Sometimes that breaks down and a pony has to find away to come away as unscathed as possible. Scoots faces such an issue. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash must confront her own fears and come to understand how connections can change. Mac just goes with the flow and tries to hold everything together as stoically as possible, but even the most even tempered pony can be driven a little mad by a silly thing called love and its compactions.

Story previously known as The Unexpected Family of a Cool Filly

Triggers: Scootalove and MacDash

If you spot any grammar mistakes or have any ideas about how to make it better don't be afraid to make comment or you can just PM me.

Published 2014-03-02 22:30:48 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-04 12:35:13 UTC

Chapter 1

The loud beeping tore through her peaceful slumber.  Cracking an eye open, Rainbow Dash silently cursed the little loud mouth for waking her.  It was 4am.  And it was time to get up, no matter how much her comforter tried to convince her otherwise.

Dash rolled out of bed and stretched out like a cat.  Letting out an obnoxiously loud yawn, she hobbled towards the bathroom.

She was greeted by her reflection in her bathroom's full length mirror.

"Looking good!" she said as she reared back on her hind legs striking a pose.  Upon closer inspection she realized that she was anything but; her mane stuck to her forehead, the product of the dreaded sleep sweat, her tail could have been condemned, and her wings were... it's best not to describe it.

"I feel so... yuck right now," whispered Dash at a level that would have made Fluttershy proud.

Yep, it was going to be a two shower day.  Teeth chattered as her head and back were quickly sprayed with cold water.  Cursing again, she quickly turned on the hot water.

Not wanting to doddle, she quickly washed her mane and tail with what she was sure was good as that fancy stuff Rarity uses, it said so right on the bottle, and was dirt cheap.  Bits were for cool things like Cider, Wonderbolt's tickets, and Daring Do memorabilia, and yes in that order.  Her coat was lathered and rinsed with no need to repeat.

Stepping out of the shower she shook the water like a dog and then pranced out of the room still dripping.  A quick comb through of her mane and tail removed all the tangles, knots were boons to aerodynamics and had nothing to do with not look good, although looking good was almost as good as looking awesome, almost.

A rumbling tummy signaled the start of something more pressing, food.  A bowl, a spoon, a carton of milk (which may have been a little past date), and box of Bucky Charms found their way to her dining room table.

"Munch... Crunch... Munch..." smacked Dash as she made quick work of her breakfast, followed by a very un-lady like, "slurp."

Dash giggled at her milk mustache that she saw in the reflection of her spoon.  Enough of that, she thought as she walked back to the bathroom, "brushy time!"

Her pearly whites looked like new clouds fresh from Cloudsdale and she felt fine.

Finishing up with a quick preening she was out her door faster than she could say, "twenty percent cooler" but not as fast as saying, "why is all the cider gone?"

She practically fell from the sky, morning air was like that.  It would get easer as the day wore on as thermals developed, but in the dead of winter that was unlikely.  Winter flying was good exercise.  A few well timed flaps and she was soaring some seventy feet from the ground with a smile plastered to her face, it was going to be a good day.

"Morning, Rainbow Dash!" shouted Derpy as she descended.

Dash dropped a little in altitude; Derpy had just about scared the feathers off of her.

"Jeez, Derpy way to start the morning," Dash rubbed her ear, feeling like she had sat too close to one of Vinyl's speakers.

"Oh, I'm sorry Dash," said a blushing Derpy," I'm just excited and I let it get to me."

"Excited?  'bout what?" Dash flew a little closer to eye a tuff of yellow hanging out of Derpy's mail bag.

"I got a promotion," gushed Derpy, small little stars twinkling in her eyes.

The yellow tuff was Dinky's mane spilling out of the bag, the little filly was sound asleep in the currently empty mail bag, empty of mail but not of filly.  A small smile started to form across Dash's lips.  Why did kids have to be so... cute?

"That's awesome news!" flying over she patted her old friend on her back, "So, whatcha going to be doing?"

Derpy tapped her chin, "I don't know yet."

Dash facehoofed, of course she didn't know.

Spotting Sugar Cube Corner, she decided to ask about that later, "I'll talk to you later, gotta jet!" The air whooshed past leaving a blond pegasus waving like a mad mare behind.  She managed to do a couple of barrel rolls before touching down.

Dash blew her mane out from out of her face and then walked in.  The clock read 5:30am.

The smell of the Cake's and undoubtedly Pinkie's baked goods almost made her float into the air, an unconscious effort to zone in on the tasty targets.  One mental scolding later, Dash grumbled as she ordered a cup of coffee.

"GOOD MORING DASHIE!" Pinkie rushed from around the counter and wrapped her feathered friend in a hug.  What is with everypony yelling?  Who cares, Pinkies coat was soft and warm and she was squishy in all the right places.

Dash blushed.

"You can let go of me now, Pinkie."

"I already have silly filly!" chirped Pinkie from the other side of the counter, "what'll ya have?"

How did she?  She was hugging me like a second a go.  There is no way she.  Buck it.

"Large—"

"Large cafe mocha with seven sugars?" rattled of Pinkie as she nudged the already prepared drink her way, with a stylized cream drip drawing of Dash's cutie mark.

Her tongue ran across her lips, she wanted it really bad.

"Just a large black coffee today," said Dash with a sigh.

"Slurp!" Pinkie downed the mocha like a frat boy downed a beer garning a harsh look from Mr. Cake and very jealous Dash smacking her lips almost tasting the caffeine infused chocolate gift of the gods.

"Watching your weight are we?" asked Flitter as she looked up from her own cup of coffee, "don't be embarrassed about it.  Everypony gains a few pounds in the winter, if anything that extra little something looks rather nice on you."

A rainbow tail twitched in annoyance.  It was a great morning.

"Are you calling me fat?"  asked Dash, her face a light red from a combination of anger and embarrassment.

"No, no, no, not at all Dash,"

"Good because I would hate to put you on double duty today," snorted Dash.  It was too fine a day to let Flitter get under her coat.

"Are we feeling frisky today, Rainbow?"  Flitter strutted over to Dash and brushed her tail under her boss's nose, "So you want me to buck clouds and you.  Is that it?"

"I... uh... n—"

"That's no way to talk with foals in the room, Flitter" shouted Pinkie as she pointed out the twins groggily sucking at their bottles in their play pen.  Mr. Cake smiled.

"I... uh..."

"Yeah," spouted Dash before taking a sip of her coffee.

Flitter's face flashed red and she hung her head before slinking back to her seat.  One day...  Cloudkicker giggled into her hooves at her big sisters early morning strike out, "Flitter 0, Dash 1"

"Shut up, Cloud!" hissed Flitter before burying her woes in her latte.

Dash sighed and then flashed Pinkie a thank you smile.

"Whoa Dash, you've got cake flank!" said Wind Chill as she walked in the door.

Dash's eye twitched.  Yep, her good morning had just flown out the window.

Cloudkicker grinned, "Dash 0, Wind Chill 1"

***

Work was easy enough and after several hours of convincing the clouds to snow some more, which took a bit more umpf than was normal, Dash flew towards Sweet Apple Acres.  Nothing like an impromptu workout session with Applejack to work off winter withers.  The worst part about it was that winter was still young, and Dash didn't want to be thunder thighs by spring and that is exactly where this was heading if she didn't do something.

"Hey, Apple Bloom!  Is your sis around?" asked Dash as he was greeted by the little farm filly who was wearing a comically large apron.  Bloom pawed at the floor.

"What's wrong Bloom?"

"AJ is sick," she replied lowly.

"What!"  exclaimed Dash as she rushed by Bloom and up the hall, almost knocking Granny Smith over in the process.

Coming to AJ's door she could hear a light coughing from inside as well as muffled voices.  Nudging the door open, she spotted Big Mac talking to Dr. Stable.

"You worry too much, Mac," Stable placed a hoof on Mac's shoulder, "It's just the flu she'll be right as rain before you know it."

"She better be!" asserted Dash she trotted into the room.  She poked Stable in the chest, "If she's not I'll be on you like a bolt of lightning."

Mac's eyes went wide at Dash's outburst.  He didn't think an act of violence or the promise of violence was going to do his little sister any good.

"Hold your hor—"

"Still don't trust doctors do you Dash?" said Stable flatly.

"Nope and I'm not going to start now," she huffed before checking on AJ.

Stable shook his head and then departed, Mac following closely behind him.

"Hey, Rainbow," said AJ weakly.

"Sup, cowpony!"

"Nothing much, just kicking flank and taking names as always,"

"Hey that's my job," quickly replied Dash, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

AJ started to shake her head no when her pillow was roughly pullet from under her, her head hit the head board of her bad with a loud, "thump!"

"RAINBOW!" shouted AJ as she rubbed her sore head.

"I was just fluffing your pillow, sorry," meekly replied Dash as held out the now fluffy pillow.  It was quickly snatched away and returned to its original place.

"You have the grace of a mad minotaur sometimes," AJ folder her hooves over her chest giving Dash the stink eye, "I know you mean well but, I think it's better if you just—"

"I know I can cook you my famous get well soon, Mareaccan Harira soup!" Dash took to the air excited at her own idea.

"Uh... what was that sugarcube?"

"Don't you worry AJ, your friend Dash know just what will get you up and well," and with that Dash left her friend wondering just what the hay was mareaccan harira.

Meeting Bloom on the other side of the door the two tumbled down the hall and then down the stairs.  Luckily, neither one of them was hurt.

"Bloom are you alright?" asked Mac his voice heavy with concern.

Struggling to untangle herself from Dash's tail she let out a muffled, "Yeah."

"What about me?" huffed Dash as she tried to untangle herself form Bloom, how the fillies bow ended up tangled in her tail was beyond her.

"I'm sorry miss Dash, are you okay?" asked Mac sheepishly.

"No, I'm not alright.  I've had a bad day.  Coworkers called me fat and then I come over to see if AJ would like to help me set up an obstacle coarse and I find out she's sick.  I decided to fix her some get better soon soup and I run into Bloom and fall down the stairs.  So, no I'm not alright."  ranted Dash as she was still struggling with the bow.

Mac rolled his eyes and then pulled the bow's draw string, leaving it an inert little red ribbon.

Dash shot the ribbon a glare before turning to check on Bloom now that the two of them were free.  Like herself, only had a few scratches and bruises.  Giving her wings a test flap she found that they were uninjured, whew what a load of her mind that was.

"Wow, Rainbow you almost sound like a mare," said Bloom with a smile.

Her eye twitched, "Hey what's that supposed to mean?"

Bloom's mouth slammed shut.

"Nothin'" replied Mac, "are you going to need any help with the soup?"

Dash started to say know, but Blooms "I'll get my way or cry" face convinced her otherwise.

"Well my mom always said that the more ponies involved in preparing the get well soup, the faster their recovery, so why the hay not."

"Language, please Ms. Dash," said Mac flatly.

"Ugh fine,"

"That ain't nothing, you should hear some of the doozies that Scoots lets fly," said Bloom with no small amount of confidence.

"What!" screamed Dash.

"Uh... forget I said anything," muttered Bloom.

"Like ha—"

Mac glared.

"I'll talk to her and her mom about it, I can't have a filly talking like sailor just because I sometimes do," said Dash as she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.

"Better," said Mac before heading towards the kitchen, "Are y'all coming or what?"

The two fillies blushed, there was no way they were going to let Mac beat them to making the most amazingly awesome get well soup ever made!

Apple Jack snored softly after eating the big meal that her family and friend made for her.  In addition to the slightly spicy soup that Dash made, she was greeted with fresh apple pie and a glass of cider.  The three Apples and one Dash all looked at her with their own kind of affection.

Granny ran a hoof through her mane, Mac gently kissed her forehead,  Bloom did the same as Mac as well as offer her a sisterly nuzzle. They waited for Dash to make her move, but all she would do was sit there and blush.

Dash politely coughed.

The elder two took the hint, but had to drag the still waiting Bloom down stairs.

"Affection is a good thing and I'll bet it'll be cute.  So, why can't I stay in watch?" wined Bloom as she was dragged away.  Mac just rolled his eyes and Granny just cackled.

Dash drummed her hooves on the floor, trying to decide what to do.  She knew she had to do something.  What would Pinkie do?  She would jump in the bed and squeeze her like a lemon, not the best idea. I know , she thought.

Dash eased over to the bed and nuzzled her friend's cheek and then...

Green eyes!  Green eyes!  Green eyes!  She's awake.

"I love you too Rainbow Dash," said AJ with a sleepy grin.

Jerking her head back, Dash blushed, "I... uh... you too."

AJ shook her head, "good enough, good night Dash."

"Night, AJ."

She didn't linger, opting to trot down stairs to join the others in their after meal conversation.

Mac patted his hoof on his swollen belly, "I didn't know you could cook, Dash, or that you could cook so well, even if it was a little... different."

"If you want to be awesome you gotta eat like you're awesome," beamed Dash rubbing her own food baby.

Bloom stared at the three adults in the room sleepy eyed, "I hope it'll get my sister well soon, I feel like it was my fault."

"tsk tsk tsk, Bloom, you shouldn't go blaming yourself for what ails your sister, she stayed out and played in the snow with you and the other two.  She's a grown mare and she should have known better," said Granny as she rocked in her chair.

"Well how come I'm not sick,"

"Sickness is just weird that way, Bloom," answered Mac.

Dash's head drooped a little and her wings left her sides and sagged low against the floor, sickness was something she didn't want to talk about.

Mac gave her a warm smile, "With my sis out sick would you like me to help you set up that obstacle course Ms. Dash?"

Dash immediately perked up, "WOULD I! But, first you gotta stop calling Ms. Dash, that sounds like some kind of cooking spice.  Call me Dash or Rainbow or RD."

"Or Dashie," giggled Bloom.

Dash's ears layed flat against her head as she gave the filly a hard look, "or that."

"Okay, Rainbow,"

Springing to her feet, Dash rushed around Mac and started to push him towards the door with her muzzle.  Mac grunted in surprise but, didn't move.

"It's too dark to do it today," chuckled Mac, as he watched the mare try to budge his girth.

"Like hay it is," Dash looked over Mac's shoulder to the window to see that was pitch black outside, "Ponyfeathers!"

"Language!" said the three Apple in unison.

Chapter 2

"Sleeping on a couch sucks sour sugar cubes," groaned Dash as she stirred from her nap.  The tired pegasus slowly put her hooves on the floor only to quickly pull them back, her teeth chattered, "cold!"  Only the end of her nose stuck out from the quilt Granny had loaned her for the night.

"Morning Dash," yawned Mac from his lazycolt chair, a steaming cup of coffee cradled in his hooves.

Dash licked her lips.  Coffee would be great right about now.

"Why is it so cold in here?"

Mac looked at his coffee and then back to the shivering pegasus before stumbling across the room and offering her his mug.

The mug was a simple white thing with a big apple painted on the side with "I ate in the Big Apple" wrote across it in big bold letters.  It was tempting, but Dash tried not to swap spit with other ponies if she could, the drunken game of spin the bottle with the girls notwithstanding.  She had tasted cupcakes for weeks after that.

"Uh, no thanks Mac," she said with a wave of her hoof.

"I haven't drank any or anything, Rainbow, so you don't have to worry about germs," he said almost hurt.

On second thought, "gimme that!"

First sip burnt her tongue, but it was worth it.  Warmth seeped into her bones and she was already feeling warmer.  Looking up, she spotted Mac's grinning eyes.

"Sorry, I'm cranky in the morning," she politely said trying to patch up her not so stellar manners.

"It's the couch," said Mac flatly before sinking into the old thing next to her, "I slept on it for a while when Zecora was sick and was using my bed a while back, worst night of sleep I've ever had.  Don't say I didn't warn you."

"It was that or sleep with Bloom and—"

"She snores like an ursa major, " finished Mac with a chuckle, "so do you."

"He he."

Pulling the quilt back, Dash gave the stallion a questioning look, "Still don't explain why it's so cold."

Mac shot her a sheepish grin, "I haven't woken up enough yet to get the boiler going.  I didn't figure on you being up so early."

"I'm up early every day.  Why do you think I take so many naps," Dash raised any eyebrow.

Mac shrugged, "I guess I've never thought about it."

The two sat in silence after that.  Shadows played across their faces from the single oil lamp in the room.  The sun was still a long ways off and they had a big day planed.

Winter time was a slow time for the farmer and with little to do, it was enough to drive him or his fellow farmers a little stir crazy and helping Dash with her obstacle course was just the thing to break the madness, even if he did feel guilty about taking from his is sister one of her favorite winter time activities.

Dash smiled.  It was good to have an off day and she was thankful that weather work provided so many.  Once a weather pattern was set it was more of a waiting game, the only busy times was when they had to move the weather in or out.  But, it gave her plenty of time to hang with her friends and hone her craft, which was the most awesome thing ever: sport flying.

With nothing to say, Mac ambled back to the stairs and descended into their basement/cellar/boiler room.  The boiler room itself was isolated and insolated so that it wouldn't spoil what they stored in their cellar.

Dash sniffed and then flopped back down on the couch, no since in getting up if she didn't have to.

"Pop!  Pop! Pshsss,"

The sound of the heated water moving through the living rooms radiator made her jump.  Earth ponies and their strange heating systems, sheesh!  It would be so much easier if they would just use a warm front cloud.  Heck all it takes is one swift kick and those things start to radiate heat... and condensation.  On second thought, it might make all the wood rot over time, earth ponies and their easily ruined houses.

"Mornin' sleepy head!" said Granny cheerfully as she made her way from the kitchen.  She was wrapped in a pinky fuzzy robe with a sleeping bonnet on her head.  Her smile was so wide that her dentures threatened to leap out of her mouth, and then they did.

"Plop!"

"Oh my," cursed Granny as she leaned over to pick them up, "guess I'll just have to wash'em again."

"Apples," Dash shook her head.

"My is it cold in here," said AJ hoarsely.

She didn't even hear her walk up.  The cowpony sat down beside her friend, giving her a tired smile.

"So you stayed the night,"

"Uh, yeah! Somepony has to look after ya," Dash looked around and saw that the two of them were alone.  She quickly through her hoof around AJ's neck and pulled her close.

From her new position, pressed against her friend's chest, she looked up and gave Dash a concerned look, "not that I'm complaining or anythin' but you sure are grabby this morning."

Dash immediately let her go and scratched the back of her head, "Sorry about that AJ, it's just..."

"Just what, sugar cube?"

Her wings twitched, "can we talk about it later?"

AJ nodded yes and then greeted her big brother who had just walked up from the boiler room.

"Hey there Mac!"

A blur of red pounced on the two mares and suddenly Dash felt uncomfortably warm.  Heat radiated out from her face and she felt flush.

"Feeling better, AJ.  Did the fever break?  Are you warm enough?  Do you need a blanket? Are you hungry?" muttered Mac rapidly.

"Yes, yes, no, yes, yes," said AJ flatly, "Now would you mind getting off of me?"

"Enope," Mac climbed off of the two giving Dash an apologetic smile.

So the snuggles were a byproduct of overly concerned big brother, I need one, thought Dash.

"Mac!" shouted Granny from the kitchen.  Mac looked towards the kitchen and back to the mares, "Granny needs me, so Rainbow you're in charge of getting what she needs."

Dash gave him a mock salute, "Aye captain!"

AJ gave Dash a flat look.

"You hear that, I'm in charge!" beamed Dash.

AJ groaned.

Breakfast came and went without much fan fare and soon Mac and Dash were headed towards the Apple's corn field, now covered in several feet of snow.

The wind the night before had created large snow drifts, large mountains of snow scattered here and there looking like large icily sand dunes.

After fussing over warm clothes Dash finally succumbed and was currently wearing an orange nit toboggan (AJ's) and a blue and yellow scarf (Mac's) which looked like one she owned at home.  Was Mac a Wonderbolts fan?

Mac had traded his trade mark work collar for a yellow and blue scarf; much like the one Dash was wearing only the primary color was swapped, and a faux fur bomber hat that had flaps that framed his face.

"Come on Mac your moving like molasses!"  jeered Dash from above, her wings keeping her aloft.

The stallion plowed through the snow like a dull plow.  He wasn't getting anywhere fast.

"I told you to grab some snow shoes."

"What's the rush, Rainbow, we've got all day," he huffed.

"Got all day? Got all day!" she yelled as she splayed her forehooves out wide, "winter days are short and it takes time to build a decent course.  It's going to take hours just to set it up so we got to get there pronto!"

Dash zoomed away.

"I've got a bad feeling," muttered Mac under his breath.

She quickly returned with two longish slats of wood.  They had two little hoof straps on them that could be adjusted for stride.

"What are those?"

Dash gave him a wicked grin, "These are skis and your about to get a crash course in snow skiing."

He gave her a flat look.

"Don't look at me like that Mac, you're not going to be sliding off a mountain anytime soon. I'm going to pull ya' unless you're scared!"  she said as dropped the skis at his hooves.

Don't let her get to you.  She's just trying to get to you like she does your sister, he thought as he gazed down at the skis.

"Pony up!" she said as clapped her forehooves together.

"Buck it," he cursed as he put on the skis.  Pulling the rope out of his bag, he threw one end to Rainbow, "I'm ready"

Dash smiled, "Hang on pony boy it's about to get crazy!"

He didn't even have time to get a good bite on the rope before she took off.  The white landscape flew by looking more like white caps than snow.  Trees whizzed by and he smiled.  This was as close to flying he was ever going to get and he wasn't going to waste it.

She felt an odd tug on the rope.  Looking back she saw that he was zig zagging to and fro.  She started to slow down, fearing that he was having trouble hanging on.

He pulled a hoof from one of the skis and motioned for her to keep going.  He kept making the motion.  Does he want me to go faster?

She flapped harder.  A wide smile stretched across his face.   He does want to go faster!

Soon she was rocketing across the snow covered earth, a sound like thunder chasing after.

Mac spotted a rather large snow drift so he aimed for it.  It approached and just as he was about to crest the top of he leapt and went almost horizontal and then vertical and then he landed after doing a complete barrel roll.  His heart beat furiously in his chest; it was the biggest rush he had ever experienced even bigger than the time he had to run for his life from a pack of Timberwolves.

He slid to a stop.

Dash gazed at him with a slack jaw.

"That was..."

"That was..."

"Eeyup!" said Mac grinning like a mad colt.

"How did you?"

"I dunno, just did."

"You want to do it again?" she asked wanting to see what other trick the stallion could come up with, her own desire to do something awesome forgotten.

"Eeyup!" Mac furiously nodded his head.

"Hay yeah!" she replied with a pump of her hoof.

She only ever had on other close friend that truly enjoyed physical activity and that was AJ.  It seemed that it ran in the family and now it seemed that she had a stallion friend who enjoyed it just as much.

Sure she would get some time in with Soarin from time to time after the incident at Rainbow falls but he wasn't available most of the time.  And Thunderlane was cool until he started hitting on her.  Perhaps this was the start of something new, Celestia knows she didn't have many stallions for friends and she really liked stallions because for the most part they got her more than her mare friends.

Sweet Apple Acres was a sight for sore eyes as they spotted it in the distance.  The rustic red of the barn stood out against the blanket of white.  It was grumbling bellies that pulled them from their adrenalin fueled fun and food was something nopony waited for.

Dash couldn't eat another meal with the Apples.  They were good cooks, all of them, but any more and she would feel like she was imposing.  And if Bloom talked her into doing the dishes one more time she was going to have to cash in her tomcolt card and she was too cool for that.  It may have been the frilly apron that the filly insisted that she wore.

Dash checked in on AJ one more time and then headed for home.

Mac waved good bye and then went inside to find Caramel drinking tea with Granny.  The stallion was wearing a gaudy orange sweater that made his eyes want to bleed and a matching Cossack.  Mel had the strangest taste in colors.

"How are you, Mel?" asked Mac as he took a seat.

"Macky!" shrilled Mel as he leaned over and nuzzled his friends cheek, a nuzzle that Mac happily returned.

"I'm doing alright, I guess.  Just finished up my shift at Quills and Sofas today," he said before sipping at his tea.

"Not enough work at the shop?"

"Na, not yet.  Should pick up around February with all the farmers bring in their plows to sharpen and to fix broken stuff, heck with the way the Harvest family goes through hoes I might be able to survive on them alone," Mel said with a smirk.

Mac chuckled.  It was a sad fact that Carrot Top who previously dated stallions with mixed and usually gossip inducing results had decided that she preferred mares and had since been driving her families good name into the pigsty with a parade of mares from all over.  Sadly it had to end, much to the dismay of all the stallions who enjoyed watching two mares kiss.

"You too ought to leave her alone.  She's been ragged enough 'bout it by her own folks and she doesn't need no Apple's dragging her through mud too," snapped Granny as she eyed the stallions.

"Sorry Granny,"

"Sorry Mrs. Smith."

"Good," snorted Granny, "Now which one of ye want to peel potatoes and which one of ye want to prepare a salad."

"Mel should do the salad, seeing as he likes his tossed," smirked Mac shortly thereafter ducking a punch from Mel.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Granny.

"Nothing," the stallions replied in unison.

***

Looking at her clock it was a little after four and the thought of Scoots using less than civil language was getting to her.  More than that was the fact that she was only doing it to sound like her hero.  Dash decided that she would censor herself a little more, she wanted to be cool and teaching fillies and colts bad words wasn't cool.

Traipsing past her dresser she spotted a little mane clip, a carbon copy of her cutie mark.  It was a gift from her late mother.  She never wore it out and about, usually keeping it hidden within the confines of her private abode.  She would wear it sometimes when she was alone, but today was different.  Today she felt like being more mareish, and that was unnerving.

Pulling her mane back into a ponytail, she clipped it in and walked to the mirror.

Her high cheeks stood out more prominently along with her dainty chin.  And she could actually see her eyes, twin balls of magenta hued flames rolling in passion and...

"I look..."

"Forget it," she yelled before pulling the clip out and tossed it on her bed.

She left her house at a gallop and headed for Scoot's place.

Below her, Ponyville stretched out.  She spotted the library, the boutique, and town hall.  Passing them by, she made a bee line for the little house a few blocks away from Bon Bon's sweet shop and landed outside an off white house with brown shutters.

"Knock!  Knock! Knock!"

Dash's ears swiveled forward as she heard somepony bumbling around inside.

She heard something that sound like pony shushing another and then, "stay quite, maybe who ever it is will go away."

Dash knocked again.

The door creaked open and a light orange head with a really bad case of bed mane stuck her head out, "What do you want Dash?" she snapped.

Her nose scrunched up in disgust.  Candy smelt like... adult fun and that ticked Dash off a little.  Where was Scoots?  Was she hearing her and who ever she was doing going at it.  Surely that would be worse than her picking up bad words from Dash.  What if Scoots would try to do the kind of thing her mother does with a colt her own age.  She's too young for that.

"What the hay, Candy!  You're not moaning loud enough for Scoots to hear are you!," spat Dash as she poked the mare in the chest.

"Scoots?' said Candy rhetorically.

A vane popped out on Dash's head and her tail flicked out behind her.

"Oh, shoot!" she added a moment later.

"What is it honey bunches?" asked a gristly voice from within.  A gray stallions head poked out giving his lover a concerned look all the while offering Dash a nervous smile.  His short mane was also out of sorts and his muzzle had a slight sheen to it.

The smell only became worse and Dash had to really concentrate not to gag.  Her wings had other ideas as the twitched slightly at her sides.

"I forgot I told Scoots I would pick her up after school and take her to the skate park," Candy said lowly.

"How do you forget your kid!" yelled Dash.

Dash was unaware of the little show she was putting on.  Ponies were starting to gather to see what was going on, no doubt to have something juicy to gossip about in the days to come.

"I—"

"I can't believe you," spat the stallion as he pushed past her his tail popping against her nose on his way out.

Dash turned on him, how dare him touch a mare like that.

"You told me that she was going home with that unicorn filly, something Belle," he said with wide eyes, "Did you lie to me just so we could have some alone time?"

"I... uh..."

The stallion's rep was improved by those words alone in Dash's mind.

"Tell me!" he roared as he pressed his muzzle against Candies.

"Okay, I lied," she admitted before shrinking back inside.

"I can't believe you, Candy!" he said as he pushed past her and disappeared up the stairs.

Candy pawed at the floor and then gave Dash a sheepish grin.

"Don't look at me for support," Dash said flatly.

The stallion returned with a suit case in tow, "I'll be at the hotel if you need me for anything, but its best that you don't need me."

"Stride, please let me—"

"Shut up, Candy," he turned towards Dash, "Let's find Scootaloo, miss."

Dash raised an eyebrow, "Don't you want to clean up a little after..." she blushed.

The stallions face lit up red, "Uh... yes how about I meet you in the town square in thirty minutes?"

Dash rolled her eyes, "I'll have her found by then, but thanks for the offer."  And just like that Dash took to the skies.

Chapter 3

The sun was already dipping over the horizon and the winter cold stabbed repeatedly at her wings.  Every breath furthered the hold the chilly needles already had as they dug into her chest.  Dash knew the dangers of winter flying well; it was one of the many things that were drilled into a weather ponies head during training, both inside and outside of the classroom.

She hadn't been in the air long when she thought that there might be some truth to what Candy said so she banked left and folded her wings against her side and dropped like a rock towards Carousel Boutique.

Landing, she trotted towards the door with confidence.  In this hour the frilly little things inside were nothing to her, they couldn't bother her at all.  There was a filly at stake.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique where every garment is—"

"Not interested,"

"Not interested," huffed Rarity before it all clicked into place.  Windswept rainbow hued mane and tail which desperately needs a brushing and a month's worth of top quality shampoo and conditioner, a coat that hadn't seen a curry comb in ages if ever, and the atrocity that was the mares hooves: this was Rainbow Dash in her natural state.

"Is Sweetie Belle here?"

"Rainbow Dash, it's a school night," said Rarity dully.

"So?" said Dash as she made for the stairs.  Rarity cut her off.

"Ergo, my sister isn't here, Darling.  She is at home," Rarity chimed.

"So she doesn't live here?" asked Dash cocking her head slightly.

"No, Dash she doesn't."

Dash chuckled nervously, learn something new every day.

"Where does she live?"

"Why sudden fascination with my sister?"  Rarity made a small circle in the air, "Don't you have your own little sister protégé thing?"

Dash groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Yes and I'm looking for her.  She's been missing for over an hour."

"Oh my then let us not waste time," said Rarity finally understanding the gravity of the situation.  With a flick of her horn the sign was turned letting everypony know that the boutique was closed.  She wrapped a cashmere scarf around her neck and stepped into her purple adventure boots, yes Rarity had a special pair of boots just for her winter escapades into danger.

"Was she not at—burrrr— home?" asked Rarity as she tried not to shiver from the cold, the cold won.

Dash ruffled her feathers and answered with a flat, "no."

"Why are you so upset, Darling?"  A hoof found it's way onto Dash's shoulder, Rarity was anything if not comforting.

"Candy Mane did something stupid and foalish and..."

"Long Stride is in town so it doesn't surprise me," surmised Rarity as they walked towards Rarity's parents place, situated at the base of Ponyville's one and only Windmill and granary.

"Long Stride?"

"Oh, him yes.  He's a stallion about Caramels height with a dapple gray coat and a gray and blonde mane.  I think he also has blue eyes, no I know he has blue eyes because he request a tie the same—"

"Who's Caramel?"

Rarity sighed and hung her head, Dash was hopeless.

"Caramel is—"

"Never mind Rare, we're here," said Dash as she trotted up to the door and gave in a knock.

The beat of little hooves danced their way towards the door.  The door was illuminated in a green glow and was unceremoniously thrown open.

"Oh, hey sis,"

Rarity opened her mouth but was silenced as a hoof covered her mouth.

"Have you seen Scoots?" asked Dash.

"She was supposed to go to the skate park with her mom, why?"  asked Sweetie.

She eyed the two mares suspiciously.  Dash wore a long face and she looked a little like Twilight before one of her little freak outs.  She also smelled funny, kind of musty.

Rarity likewise just looked worried.  She could see that insecure little smile hidden behind Dash's hoof that her sister always got when she had something on her mind and didn't know how to go about doing something.

"Argh!" shouted Dash walking away from the door.

"Is something wrong with Scootaloo?" Sweetie's voice cracked.

"No, no such thing Sweetie Belle," Rarity as she ruffled her sisters mane with hoof, "She just didn't make it home so she's more than likely at the club house or at Applejac—"

"BOOM!"  The twilight sky's oranges, purples, and pinks were drowned out as a rainbow wave rippled across the sky, a missile of rainbow and concern bolted towards the Acres.

"Mayor mare is going to be go bucking nuts over that," said Sweetie as she pointed towards the sky.

"Language, Sweetie Belle!" warned Rarity as she pushed her sister out of the door and towards the Acres.  She could tell that her sister was just as if not more worried than herself and if she wasn't included she would just sneak around and follow her anyways.

Earlier that day...

The school bell rang signaling the freeing of young pony minds from the drudgery of school work.  More than a few foals let out a "Whoop!" or a "Holla!" as they raced to the door, causing the usual bottle neck to form just this side of the door.

Cheerilee shook her head at the logic of children.

"Y'all wanna all head to the club house and do our home work together," asked Bloom hopefully.  They had history homework and that involved reading, lots of reading and reading made her sleepy which usually resulted in her falling asleep and not doing her home work.  Besides, Sweetie would usually read aloud to her and Scoots and they would take notes.

"I can't today!" said Scootaloo her wings buzzing in excitement, "Mom's taking me to the Skate Park today."

"But we went to the skate park yesterday, Scoots!" said Bloom flatly.

"I know, but my mom's taking me today and she is one of the best skateboarders in Ponyville.  She's the only pony who can keep up with me on my Scooter that can't fly." said Scoots as she tightened her saddle bags.

"Alright, Scoots," Bloom said with a sigh before turning towards Sweetie, "You up for it Sweetie?"

"I've got singing lessons at 3:30 so I can't," she said as polity as possible.

"Darn it," cursed Bloom.

"Okay, can we meet up at Sugar Cube Corner before school so we can go over our home work together?" she asked.

Sweetie nodded yes.

"Whew hoo! I won't have to do home work," said Bloom and Scoots in unison.

Sweetie gave them a hard look, "One day you two will regret not doing your own work."

"Yeah, and one day bulls will grow teats," said Bloom with no small amount of sarcasm.

Sweetie rolled her eyes and then waved goodbye to her fellow crusaders.  Bloom soon did the same leaving Scoots sitting on the steps of the school.

She watched a chariot come for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.  Silver gave her a polite smile, which was strange and Diamond didn't even acknowledge her as they passed by.  Once the chariot was under way, the pink filly climbed up on the back of the chariot and looked back at Scoots pulling down her lower eye lid and sticking her tongue out at her.

Slapping a hoof in the crease of her other foreleg she quickly snapped it up telling Diamond, "Buck you," with out saying a word.

"Scootaloo!" scolded Cheerilee as she watched the drama unfold.

The orange filly's ears pressed themselves to her skull and she slowly turned to give her teacher a sheepish smile.  The school mare gave the filly a hard look while tapping a foot on the turf waiting for an explanation.

"I... uh..."

"I want you to write, 'I will not make rude gestures towards my fellow students' one hundred times tonight and I want it placed on my desk before the bell tomorrow.  Do you understand?" she said sternly.

Scoots sighed, "Yes ma'am."

Cheerilee nodded and then went back to reading what Scoots could only guess was a smutty book based up on the cover image, a mare clinging to the foreleg of a very buff stallion.  Lovey dovey stuff, bleh!

"You'll get yours, Diamond Tiara," hissed Scoots under her breath.

Derpy swung by and picked up Dinky, like literally picked her up and flew off with her like some dragon did her prey.  The Lotus twins picked up their boys, Snips and Snails.  Truffle Shuffle was escorted home by his father, Horte Cuisine.  The rest just ambled home on their own, leaving Scoots, Cheerilee, and... Twist.

The spectacle wearing filly waved at her with a big smile on her face offering her a peppermint stick, "Hiya Thootaloo, would you like a peppermint thwist!"

Scoots smiled and took the stick, quickly sticking it in her mouth.

Twist giggled and then looked down the road, "Candy picking you up today, Thoots?"

"Yep, we're going to the skate park!" quickly spat Scoots her wings buzzing again.

"I'm glad that you're getting thome one on one time with Candy," she said cheerfully before she Lyra strode up.

"Hiya, Sweet Cheeks," said Lyra affectionately as she ran her hoof through Twist's mane.  The little filly melted like chocolate in the sun under that mares hoof.  He made Scoots happy to see Twist so happy. And even though her mom wasn't the best sometimes at least she got to see hers unlike her cousin Twist.

"Theya later, Thootaloo," said Twist as she was led away.

Lyra turned and winked at Scoots, "Don't let your mom get hurt.  If she does Bonnie won't rest until Candy is sleeping in her own bed."

"I'll look after her, Lyra, I always do!" chirped Scoots as she waved the duo goodbye.

The winter sun slowly started to dip dangerously close to the horizon and she could hear Cheerilee shift uncomfortably behind her.  Where are you mom?

A few moments later, Scoots started to pace.  The cold wind stopped that and she looked back at Cheerilee who was currently giving her pocket watch a scrutinizing gaze.

"I don't think she's coming, Sweet Heart," Cheerilee said with a frown.

"She said she would so she will!" answered Scoots defiantly.  Turning back to the road she gazed and she didn't see hid or hair of her mother.  She was about to curse again but was stopped as she felt something warm pressed against her back.  Looking up she spotted the concerned eyes of her teacher.

"We will wait for a little while longer and then we need to go home.  I can even take you home if you like," she offered.

"I can walk home by myself," said Scoots with confidence.

"I thought I would offer,"

Minuets passed and still no sign of Candy.  With a sigh, Scoots trotted towards home after thanking Cheerilee for staying with her.

The road back home was long and fitful.  Despite her trying to not think bad of her mother, a dozen or so bad things rushed through her mind.  The snow felt slushy under her hooves, the salt was doing its job of keeping the roads passable but on either side of her were snow banks, walls keeping her caged in and cool despite the fact that she just wanted to lose it.

"Plump!" her hoof sank into one of the snow banks. Bearing her teeth she punched it again and again until she was huffing from exhaustion.  It was always this way.  Her mother was there and made promises and sometimes she kept them other times they were nothing, just a little false hope to keep the fires of hope alive in her heart.

She pushed open the door and immediately recoiled from the stench.  The smell was a mixture of sweet and something sweet and salty.  It smelt old and new at the same time reminding her of the earthy smell she sometimes smelt after a good shower.  It was a smell she knew well but, hated: the smell of bucking.

She didn't make it through the door good when she saw them on the couch.  Stride was covering her mother while placing gentle little nips up the back of her neck only stopping long enough to tug at her mane, which garnered an energetic squeal or a deep throaty moan.

Anger boiled up in her and she turned.  Her scooter was leaned against the wall beside the door along with her moms skateboard.  She was going to take me, she thought.

She heard a loud grunt from Stride followed by an excited whinny from her mother.  The smell shattered her composure and she dropped her saddle bags beside the door and ran out into the cold. Gritting her teeth she recited how much she hated Stride, how much she hated stallions in general.  Things were great until her mother got mixed up with one and then she would be placed on a shelf like she was a toy that could be put away when it wasn't played with.

She covered the distance between her house and Bon Bon's.  She threw open the door and rushed inside.  Auntie Bon, Lyra, and her cousin, who was actually her aunt but that was weird because she and Scoots were the same age, were good company.  And Bonnie would always listen to her when she needed somepony to talk to.  Lyra was just as good if not better than Bonnie about listening plus she was really touchy, that mare even knew how to preen a pegasi's wings and it felt so good.

The house was unfortunately empty.  Lyra must have been by to load up the fire that kept the boiler boiling because the house was warm.  Scoots needed to vent, so she went down to the basement and strapped on the sparing gear that Lyra bought for her and started to beat the crap out of the body bag hanging from one of the joist.

"Blam!"  A solid punch pushed the bag away the chains singing in response to the blow.

"Splat!" both hind hooves caught the bag and swung it out wide.  Moving in an arc the bag returned only to be beat back by the rapid forehoof punches of the enraged filly.

She kept at it until she was too tired to throw another blow, so she collapsed and started to sob.  Tearful shivers ran though her body, and she screamed in frustration.

"I hate you!" she screamed, "I hate you Stride!"

She tried to punch the bag again, her blow barely moved it.

"I hate what you do to my mom!"

She head butted the bag,

"I hate what colts do to you,"

"I HATE YOU!" she wailed before she jumped to her hooves and then tackled the bag, her wings buzzed and the bag and she left the ground.  She pumped her tiny wings as hard as she could; wanting nothing more than to tear it from the joist.  After a few moments they gave out and she swung back and forth until it settled.

Her rump made a dull thud as she landed on the floor, her rage gone.  She lay their in the heat of the boiler-room/workout room and cried until her eyes were raw.

An ear twitched at it registered something that could have been a hoof step.

"Somepony is here," said Bonnie's tired voice from above.

"Yep, and judging by the size of these wet hoof prints I think I know who," said Lyra.

"Thootaloo?" asked Twist.

"Pop!"

Scootaloo looked up just in time to see Lyra, apperate just a few feet shy of her.  The mint mare pulled her feet and then pulled her into her chest.

"Ly Ly's here, you don't have to worry," she said while stroking the fillies back.  Scootaloo sobbed into the mare's chest feeling a little less alone and a little more loved.

***

Dash landed on the front porch of the CMC's club house.  She peeped in the window and saw nothing.  Another dead end, she cursed.  Taking to the air she flew over towards the Apple's house.  In the failing light, the windows glowed like little bonfires.

Not even bothering with knocking, she barged in to spot the family sitting down to supper.

AJ's face still held the slight glow of sickness but she looked better and would look even more so when she got around to brushing out her mane.  Granny smith looked at Dash with a knowing look.  And Mac just looked confused.

Bloom smiled, "So, you have become addicted to my family's cookin'.  Sit down, I'm sure Granny cooked—"

"Have any of you seen, Scootaloo?" she asked in a frantic tone, her eyes danced with a little surge of adrenaline.

The Apples all blinked.

"We gotta find her!" shouted Bloom before she fell from her seat on to her hooves, "Crusaders forever!"

"Hold on a minute!" said AJ as she got up from the table.

"Can't wait, gotta find—" said Dash as he headed for the door.

"Did you check the club house?"

"Yes,"

"Her house?"

"Yes,"

"Carousel Boutique and Sweetie's place?"

"Celestia yes, AJ, you're not helping," Dash groaned.

AJ taped her chin trying to think of somewhere else the filly might be.  She looked like she was on the verge of developing a headache when Mac spoke up.

"What about Sweetie Drop's place?"

"Why would she be—" Dash groaned and trotted towards the door.

"Bonnie is her aunt and she goes there sometimes to cool off," Mac walked over and gave his sisters and Rainbow Dash a supportive glance, "If you haven't found her anywhere else that is where you'll likely find her."

"And how do you know this Mac?" asked AJ.

"Bonnie, Lyra, and Twist go bowling with Me, Mel, and Cheerliee from time to time.  Sometimes Scoots even comes along," he answered while tying his scarf around his neck.

Nopony noticed the almost matching scarves Mac and Dash were wearing except for Granny.  The old mare grinned and the little wheels started to turn in her head.  She was just as concerned about the filly as any of the others, but the little detail of the matching scarves was too much for her old mind not to think about it.  A thin smile graced her face; perhaps she would get greatgrandfoals before she passed on after all.

Like always Dash flew off leaving the other behind.  One day it would get that mare hurt, thought AJ.

"Do I need to go after her," Mac asked his sister.

"Nah," said AJ as she placed her hat on her head, "leave that mare to me."

"But you're still sick, sis!"  Bloom hugged her sister's foreleg, looking up with her big concerned eyes, "But, I'm worried about Scoots."  She flashed a worried look towards Mac.

"Bloom is right, Applejack!" Granny Smith pushed herself from the table and walked over to lay a hoof on the small of her oldest granddaughter's back, "Mac should go."

"I'm fine!" said AJ with a stomp.  *cough cough cough*

"You are too sick.  You're still coughing," whined Bloom.

"I'm—" *cough* hacked AJ before she sat back on her hackles, "Okay, maybe I'm not."

She sighed, "If you're going to keep an eye on her you better hurry up, because that filly can get away fast."

Mac flashed them a smile and galloped out the door, this time stopping by the barn to pick up his snowshoes.

He tried to keep her rainbow tail in view but, she was just too fast.  If he couldn't keep up at least he knew where she was going so he would get there eventually.

***

Stride strode out of the hotel with his head held high.  Looking around he gave the town a steely gaze.  He would find her if it was the last decent thing he did for Candy.  He had visited almost every house in Ponyville at one time or another selling his wares.  Sure, finding one filly wouldn't be hard.

Not knowing where to start he knocked on the first door he came too.

A gray mare with a blond mane answered the door, "Can I help you?"

"Uh... yes, have you seen Scootaloo?"

Her wings popped up behind her and her eyes narrowed, "Who are you and why are you looking for her?"

Was this the same bubby mare he sold the Vortex Mark 5 vacuum to two years ago.  Her hackles rose.  It couldn't be.  That mare was nice and wouldn't stop offering him a choice of a varity of muffins.  She wouldn't even let him leave without taking a doggie bag.

Was the vacuum defective? he gulped, Is she an unsatisfied customer?

"I asked why are you looking for her?" she hissed as she stepped forward pressing her muzzle against his.

"Candy was supposed to pick her up after school and something came up and Scootaloo is nowhere to be found and I was hoping that she might be here, but I see that she is not so have a nice day," he said rapidly as he backed away, pulling at his tie that had become very uncomfortable around his neck; like a noose waiting for the short drop followed by a short stop.

The mare's wings snapped to her side and she gave him an embarrassed smile, "Oh... I thought you might be one of those kinds of stallions... muffin!" she said holding out a blueberry muffin.

Stride gulped again before walking away.

"The vacuum is still going strong," she yelled as he quickly walked to the next house.

Does she really recognize me, he wondered.

House after house, strange looks, slammed doors, getting chased by a dog, and the worst one was the stallion how threw empty beer cans at him while he chased him down the street.  Ponyville seemed a lot less friendly than he remembered it.  Having visited the square numerous times he concluded that the rainbow mare must have meant that she didn't in fact need him.

He sunk back on his hackles and took a deep breath.  The sun had already gone down and the town was only gently illumined by the street lamps and the moon.  The snow had sapped every ounce of heat from him.

He shivered and then rubbed his hooves together.

"I should just give up and leave," he said lowly, "I chose a very poor marefriend like I always do."

Getting up to leave he spotted a lantern in the distance.  Squinting he spotted the pony holding it, "Shit!'

Diving behind a trash can he watched the pony pass by; her light orange coat soaking in the lantern's light and her bouncy pink mane bobbing up and down as she walked down the road.  He expected her to be frantically looking around.  She wasn't.  Her eyes were focused ahead.  Following her, they came to a large pinkish house, it was hard to tell at night, but it seemed pinkish.  Candy knocked on the door and waited.

The door opened and light from inside spilled out onto the street.  A pale yellow mare stood in the door way her face twisted in what looked like a perpetual sneer.

"Go away Candy.  She doesn't want to see you right now," yelled the mare as she trotted down the steps, "How could you?"

Candy laughed lightly, a high nervous kind of laugh that was obviously faked.

That was what he wanted to know.

"You know me, sis," said Candy as if that was some kind of excuse.

"Slap!'

Candy's head turned sharply, her mouth hung open with a bewildered expression on her face.  Her tail was held stiffly out behind her.

She rubbed her cheek and then glared at her sister, "It was his fault! Not mine!"

Another mare stood in the door way, this one was a unicorn and she looked mad.  She stomped down the steps and pushed Candy away from the other mare.

The first mare wrapped a hoof around the unicorn's leg only to have the unicorn pull away, "I won't hurt her, Bonnie."

Candy didn't look very pleased to have to face the unicorn.  She took a cautious step back.

"That is not the way I heard it," threatened Lyra as her horn lit up casting a golden light on the ground.

The lights were moving but they didn't make sense to him.  Cocking his head he saw it.  It was crude but, the light was acting like a projector and it was playing a chibi version of what happened earlier that day between him, Candy, and the Rainbow mare.  It didn't have any sound but, it did have subtitles.  Strangely, they all said things that they didn't say; some of it was spot on some of it not.

The light faded and Candy stood stiff legged, unmoving, unblinking, almost not breathing.

"You're just like mom, Candy!" spat Bonnie her voice cracking, "Do you want to end up like—"the mare started to cry, "—like that."

There was something he didn't know.  What had happened to their mother?  Why did it make Bonnie cry, why did it make Candy...

Candy's legs shook and then she yelled, "I'm nothing like that bucking whorse!", before she galloped off towards her house.

Stride felt split.  Even though he was currently very upset with Candy he hated to see her that angry.  And angry usually preceded almost inconsolable sadness by a few hoof beats. On the other hoof, inside was a filly that needed somepony.  He liked her very much and they did have fun together from time to time, when he was in town.  But, she was weird with him.  Sometimes she liked him other times she just pretended he didn't exist.

He sighed and then walked up to the door and knocked.

"I told you to go away, Can—" said Lyra before she got a good look at the visitor, "—oh."

Stride stood in the door way, his ears splayed wide across his head.  He could hear two different sobs from inside one was loud.  A crash echoed through house as something was smashed.

Lyra flinched.

They other crying voice was small and sounded more scared than angry.  It was Scootaloo's voice if he had to guess.  Her bravado crushed leaving a very venerable filly, to try to work through feelings she shouldn't have in the first place.  And he couldn't help but think was his fault.

"What do you want?" Lyra said aggressively as she stepped towards him, her tail flicking out behind her.

"Is Scootaloo alright?" he asked as he loosened his tie.

"Why do you care?"

Stride ran a hoof through his mane and then smiled, "I've become attached to her in the short time I've been around her.  I know that you don't think much of me but I do care.  I care alot actually."

Lrya sniffed the air and then snidely commented on what she smelt, "Did you even take the time to wash her off of you?"

"I took a whorse bath and ran out to look, for well you know who," he said as she sniffed himself, his nose scrunched up, it was still there.

"Poor choice of words," said Lyra dryly almost cracking a smile.

"Do you think I could see her," looking down he pawed at the floor and then quickly looked up.

"Nah, she's pretty P.O.ed right now and she blames everything on you so that wouldn't be such a good idea," she placed a hoof on the stallions shoulder, "Look I don't really blame you for all of this.  You seem to be a good pony but, you got caught up with the wrong mare.  A mare that has more baggage than then even the Friendship Express can take.  I think it would be in your best interest to just leave and find some other pretty little thing to park your pecker in, it would be less painful."

He moved closer to Lrya and gave her a pleading look, "I can't.... I... think I love her."

Lrya sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" he said backing up giving her an incredulous look, "You're sorry!"

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Lyra's horn lit up and the door started to close, "I would stay in chat but, I've got an angry fiancée and a sad little filly to look after so, good night."

The door slammed shut.

Stride lifted his hoof to knock again.  Instead he pressed his head against the door, and growled in annoyance.  He took several deep breaths and turned around right into—

"Ouch!"

"Watch where you're going... Stride!" said Dash rubbing her sore head.  The pegasus looked awful, her coat was slick with sweat some of it frozen to her coat.

"She's inside," he said as she nodded towards the door.

Dash looked at him and at the door.  She shrugged and walked to the door and knocked.

Stride took a few steps and then ran away from the house; wanting to be anywhere but there his short mane danced in the winter wind and his tail followed after him like a bridal train of misery.

"WHAT!" shouted Lyra as she opened the door for the second time," I don't have time for this."  A pony brushed past her and down the hall the only glimpse she caught of the pony was the rainbow tail turning into the living room.  She thought she knew who it was and her suspicions were confirmed then Scoots yelled out hoarsely,

"RAINBOW DASH!

Lyra shook her head and headed towards the kitchen; Twist and Dash could handle the filly, she had a angry chocolatier on her hooves and she was likely either chowing down on chocolate or muzzle deep in a tub of ice cream.

Dash didn't hesitate as she scooped the filly up into her forelegs.  Her warm and tear drenched body comforted her in ways that she didn't think were possible.  Almost all of the tension she was feeling melted away and her wings fell lax at her sides for the first time since the charade started.

"I'm so glad you came for me, Dash," said Scoots as she nuzzled against the mare's chest, she almost laughed.  Any other time the two of them would have avoided something like this, it just wasn't cool, but it was nice.

"I'll always come for you, squirt!" said Dash ruffling the filly's mane.

"Awe!" squeed Twist as looked at the two pegasi.

They both looked at Twist and shared a blush.

"KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!"  The knocking rattled the house and the three ponies heard a loud, "ARE YOU BUCKING KIDDING ME!" explode from the kitchen.

Heavy hoof beats stomped down the hall and the door was threw open, the sound of the door knob busting through the board and baton wall, made them all cringe.

"Evening Lyra, is Rainbow Dash and or Scootaloo here?" huffed Mac as he leaned against the door frame, his coat also slick with sweat from the trip.

Lyra jabbed her hoof in the direction of the dining room before stomping back to the kitchen, "If one more pony knocks on that door, I'll do my best to send them to the moon.  And if I can't, I'll lock them in the basement and play flat notes on my lyre until they go insane and swear that near hairless bipedal creatures exist.

All the other ponies in the house were too scared to laugh at Lyra's threat, but they found it funny nonetheless.