CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS FOREVER! YAY!: A TwiMacVerse Story

by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Romance, Original Character, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders
Length: 9428

Side story of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the TwiMacVerse, as they attempt to earn their cutie marks and see just how strong their friendship really is.

It's been a long time coming, but it's time for the Cutie Mark Crusaders (that is Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo) to FINALLY get their cutie marks. But with this mean they remain friends forever? Will there still be Cutie Mark Crusaders once they've all gotten their cutie marks? Well, I suppose to the title gives it a way, but I still think you'll enjoy reading it.

Author's Notes: Ok, so a few chapters in this will be taken directrly from my previous story, The Apple of my Bulls Eye (which i reccommend reading first as well as the other two installments). I had intended to explore more of the CMC in that story, but I ended up being sidetracked by the main story involving the Man Six (specifically the romance between Applejack & Mal and Pinkie Pie & Braeburn, plus Twilight's pregnancy). So I want to tie up some loose ends before I go into working on the further stories of the Mane Six and their future children. This also marks my triumphant return after months and months of hiatus. I hope you enjoy! Becuase the main focus is the CMC, I'm only tagging them and just putting Other and OC along with them. Will include Babs Seed best as I can, but I'm still getting back into the groove of things. Still keep in mind that this is basically an alternate timeline, where Twilight didn't become an alicorn princess. So most of the continutiy is taking place sometime after the Apple Family Reunion episode. I tagged romance just to be safe. Given how my stories go, it's not out of the question.

Published 2014-08-13 21:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2017-12-16 08:47:57 UTC

Chapter 1: It All Started at a Cute-ceañera

Every pony has a cutie mark. It's the mark on both sides the flank that represents what a pony is best at; their special talent if you will. But no pony starts out with a cutie mark, first they have to know what they're best at. Soon as a pony knows their special talent, the cutie mark magically appears. No cutie mark is the same, they may represent a similar talent or ability, but no two look the same and it perfectly represents the one who bares it. Those that don't have one yet are often known as "blank flanks." And while every pony gets their cutie mark, they don't get them at the same time. This can often lead to some ponies feeling self conscious; and some other ponies make take advantage of this and pick on them for it.

Such was the case of a young filly named Ambrosia Bloom Apple; though she was better known as Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom was born and raised in the small town of Ponyville, in the magical land of Equestria. She lived on the farm Sweet Apple Acres, with his older brother, Macintosh Chelmsford Apple (AKA Big Macintosh), her older sister (and middle child) Janaluska Apple (AKA Applejack; and don't you dare ever call her by her given name if you know what's good for you) and her grandmother, Granny Smith. Like all fillies in Ponyville, Apple Bloom attended Ponyville Elementary, taught by Miss Cheeralee, the best teacher in the whole wide world! (According to her students that is). Apple Bloom was a decent student and had a likable personality. But unfortunately, due to her lack of cutie mark, she was the target of bullying from wealthy brat Diamond Tiara and her best friend/lackey Silver Spoon. The two loved nothing more than reminding Apple Bloom that she was a blank flank. Diamond Tiara even invited Apple Bloom to her Cute Senyera (a party to celebrate getting your cutie mark) in hopes she'd be humiliated.

Days before the party, the youngest Apple sibling did all she could to earn her cutie mark. She tried hang gliding, martial arts, dancing, roller derby, baking, and a whole mess of other things, but nothing seemed to work. She even tried to get Twilight Sparkle (top student of Princess Celestia, ruler of Canterlot) to use magic on her. But a cutie mark can't be forced. So out of desperation, the little yellow filly tried pretending that she had earned her cutie mark; wearing a skirt to cover her flank. Of course she got discovered, and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon thought they'd gotten the upper hoof in humiliating the sweet filly.

But then two other fillies, also blank flanks, came to her defense! One a cute white filly unicorn with a purple and pink mane called Sweetie Belle (younger sister of local fashionista, Rarity, owner of the Carousel Boutique). The other was a cute and spunky orange pegasus with a purple mane called Scootaloo (she was also the biggest fan of resident best flier Rainbow Dash). The two said that Apple Bloom was full of potential by not having discovered her special talent; and that she could be anything, maybe even mayor of Ponyville some day. Even Twilight Sparkle gave them encouragement of having their futures ahead of them. Once the commotion had died down, the three fillies sat together and decided to make their own special club to help each other discover their special talents. On that day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were born!

The three were inseparable, hanging out nearly every day and trying everything they could to earn their cutie marks. Some plans were simple enough, dancing, playing sports, and such. But others got a bit out of hoof, such as rock climbing, stunt performing, animal wrangling, or mixing chemicals together that shouldn't be (some of the stains in the science lab still won't come off). But despite all the failures, they stuck by each other and were there to lift the other's spirits if they ever started to doubt themselves. But it's still not always easy when you've tried so many ways to earn a cutie mark.

Chapter 2: Tumbling & Shouting

Rainbow Dash was back in  Ponyville after quitting the Wonderbolts team. She and her husband, Bookworm, were still getting their new house built and Rainbow Dash began to once again teach the young filly how to fly. On this particular day, the cerulean mare was giving her another lesson in the park, while Bookworm slept under a nearby tree.

“Come on, squirt!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “You can do it!”

Scootaloo took a running start towards a small ramp, ran up it and began flapping her wings like crazy. Try as she might, though she only lasted in the air for a few seconds before making a huge thump to the ground. Rainbow Dash immediately ran to make sure she was ok.

“Oh buck!” exclaimed the rainbow mare. “Are you ok!?”

“FOR THE LOVE OF BUCK!” exclaimed Scootaloo.

“Hey! Watch your mouth,” said Rainbow Dash. “Where the hay did you pick up that kinda language?”

The orange filly simply arched an eyebrow at her mentor/surrogate big sister, which caused her to blush brightly.

“Ok, fair enough,” chuckled Rainbow Dash.

“IT'S NOT FAIR!” shouted Scootaloo. “I PRACTICE EVERY SINGLE BUCKING DAY! I DO ALL THE EXCORSIZES YOU TELL ME TO DO! BUT I STILL CAN'T FLY!”

“Relax, Scoots,” said Rainbow Dash. “Flying isn't something that happens over night.”

“Stop giving me that crud,” exclaimed Scootaloo, who was starting to tear up. “I doubt most ponies my age can't fly! Heck, Derpy Hooves can fly better than me, and she constantly runs into stuff! Then there's that muscle bound freak, Snowflake! His wings are tinier than mine, but...but he can fly too! I know my wings are strong enough! I've had them checked on. Doctor Stable told me so that my wings were perfectly healthy and growing fine.”

“I know, Scootaloo,” said Rainbow Dash, wrapping her hooves around her protégé.

“Then why can't I fly!?” the young pegasus shouted. “I thought you were the best flier in all of Equestria!?

“Hey now, don't get mean,” shouted Rainbow Dash. “It's not my fault you can't fly!”

“Maybe the Wonderbolts threw you out because you don't got it anymore!”

“You know I quit the Wonderbolts! They were lucky to have me on the team!”

Things were very much heating up between the two of them and they began to insult each other back and forth. Finally, the shouting woke Bookworm, who intervened.

“HEY!” he shouted, in a rare loud tone. “That's enough! Both of you!”

“SHE STARTED IT!” both females shouted.

“I don't care who started it!” exclaimed Bookworm. “I'm finishing it!”

“She shouldn't talk to me that way!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “I'm her mentor! I'm also her elder!”

“Dashie, you're not wrong,” said Bookworm. “But she's still just a kid. She's just frustrated.”

He then turned his attention to Scootaloo.

“But Rainbow Dash is also right, Scootaloo,” said Bookworm, in a calming voice. “She is your elder. I understand that you're frustrated.”

“How can you understand?” asked Scootaloo. “You're a unicorn.”

“That doesn't mean I haven't had my own set of problems,” explained Bookworm. “Magic didn't come easy to me, you know.”

“Really?” asked Scootaloo.

“Absolutely,” said Bookworm. “I was a bit of a late bloomer in that department. I more so excelled at books and other scholarly endeavors, as my cutie mark would make clear.”

Bookworm then motioned to his cutie mark, which featured a worm popping out of a pile of books.

“It varies from pony to pony,” continued Bookworm. “Some ponies excel at magic early on, like Twilight, and others don't.”

“It's just so frustrating,” moped Scootaloo.

“I know,” said Bookworm, then giving Scootaloo a hug. “But you're not alone in this. You got your friends, Rainbow Dash, and me.”

“You?” asked Scootaloo. “Why would you care?”

“Because you're important to Rainbow Dash,” he explained. “And Rainbow Dash and I are important to each other.”

That remark caused Rainbow Dash to blush like crazy. Her husband gave her a sly smile, indicating it was his intent.

“So what's important to her is important to me,” he continued.

Scootaloo teared up again and rubbed her face in Bookworm's chest. He just let her cry and patted her back.

“Dashie and I are going to do our very best to make sure you learn how to fly,” he assured the orange filly.

“You got that right!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, in a triumphant tone. “Rainbow Dash never gives up!”

Rainbow Dash took Scootaloo into her hooves.

“What you need to do is shout, 'I'M SCOOTALOO! AND I CAN DO ANYTHING!'” she commanded to her pupil.

“I-I'm Scootaloo, and I can do anything,” said the filly rather timidly.

“Aw! Come on!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “I Know you can do better!”

“I'm Scootaloo! And I can do anything!” she shouted again.

“EVEN LOUDER!” encouraged Rainbow Dash.

“I'M SCOOTALOO!” she finally let out. “I CAN DO ANYTHING!”

“AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO!?” asked Rainbow Dash still in a commanding tone.

“I AM GOING TO BUCKING FLY!” proclaimed Scootaloo.

Chapter 3: Sick Day

"AAAAHHHHHCCCCHHHHOOOO!" sneezed Sweetie Belle.

The unicorn filly had developed a bad cold after the CMC's latest escapade (CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SCUBA DIVERS! YAY); bur she was the only one who didn't wear a wetsuit. So she'd been sick from school for a couple days. She had a runny nose, puffy eyes, and her mane and fur were terribly disheveled (not for Rarity's lack of trying). Her parents were on vacation, so she was staying with her big sister, Rarity, at her business/home, The Carousel Boutique. Like most unicorns, when sneezing, she let out little bursts of magic (nothing serious, but you wouldn't want to be an inch from her face when she sneezed). Upon hearing her little sister's sneeze, Rarity came to check on her.

"Sweetie Belle, Darling," exclaimed Rarity, coming to check on her little sister. "Are you alright?"

"Yah," snorted Sweetie Belle. "Ihm doin okah. Justh a really sthneeze."

"You still sound horribly conjested," said Rarity, in a concerned tone.

Rarity got next to Sweetie Belle in her bed.

"Arencha worried about...SNOOOORT...gettin my cold?" asked Sweetie Belle. "ACHOO!"

"Family doesn't concern itself with such silly things," Rarity comforted her.

She then felt Sweetie Belle's forhead.

"And still very warm," she sighed.

"Don't wurry about it stho much, sis" she snorted. "Ahve been in worth shape than thish. AHCHOO! Like dat one thime when Apple Bloom, Scoota-a-a-ACHOO! Scoothaloo, and I thried making sthnow angels without thnow gear."

"I almost forgot about that," Rarity remembered. The two shared a litlte chuckle remembering that, followed by another sneeze.

"You poor little thing," sighed rarity, kissing her little sister on the forhead. "I'm sure you wish mother were here to look after you."

"Well, sthure, thad be nice," said Sweetie Belle. "Whad kid doethn't want their mom there for them when they're sthick? But ad lease, this way...AHCHOO!...you an I get a chance to sfend sthome time together."

"That's a good way of looking at it," agreed Rarity.

"Stho how are you an...AHCHOO!...Haystheed doin?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Given that we're engaged, I'd say we're doing splendidly," said Rarity.

"How do ya know yer in love?" the sick filly asked her older sister.

"My, that seems like a random question to ask," said the older sister in surprsie. "Are you even old enough to think of things like that?"

"Ith more more a random...SNORT!...question than anything," replied Sweetie Belle. "I mean, you and...ACHOO!...all yer friends sthetling down. Twilight and Big Mac are starting a family. Do you and Haytheed talk about that sorta stuff?"

"Yes we do," said Rarity. "And we both want a family. Is that hard to picture? Me being a mother?"

"Nah...ACHOO!" said Sweetie Belle. "Ah'll be honest. If ida been a couple years ago, ah'd neveh believe it."

"Neither would I," chucked Rarity.

"Sthtill didn't ansther my question," said Sweetie Belle. "SNOOOORT!"

"Well, I suppose it's different for everypony," said Rarity. "For me, it's the fact that Hayseed is there for me. He's a hard worker, always willing to lend a helping hoof. And while he certainly appreciates my looks, he's not with me soley for that. Like you and my close friends, he's seen me at my aboslute best, but also my absolute worst and still stands by me."

"Hath he altho been there for you when sthick?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"He certainly has," said Rarity. "Although I've only been sick once since we've been together. Still, he did all he could to make me comfortable."

"SNOOORRRT!" Sthounds really sweet. AHCHOO!"

"It is really sweet," sighed Rarity.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"I could've sworn I flipped the closed sign over," said Rarity.

"You closthed the sthop because of me?" asked Sweetie Belle, clearly with a guiy tone.

"Now don't you are feel guilty," exclaimed Rarity. "I do well enough that I can close up shop for a day to look after my sick sister. I'll be right back to see who that is.

Rarity walked downstairs to see who was knocking.

"What a pleasant surprise!" exclaimed Rarity. "Sweetie! You have a visitor!"

In walked Spike, carrying what appeared to be a bowl of soup.

"Sthpike!?" exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "Whut are you thdoing here?"

"Well, I heard you were sick, so I prepared some soup," he explained.

"Aw, that's very sweet of you, Spikey Wikey," said Rarity. "I better get back to work. I might be closed, but I can still design. But I know Spike will do a splending job looking after you.

Rarity left the room to go downstairs. Spike showed Sweetie Belle the bowl of what appeared to be tomato soup.

"It looks cold," she said. "ACHOO!"

"That's where I come in," he reassured her.

Spike then breathed fire around the bowl, and then prepared to hand it to Sweetie Belle.

"SNORT!" Won't it be thoo hot for me?" she asked.

"No worries," he said. "I have total control over the temperature of my fire. It's gonna be just right."

Spike scooped up a bit of soup in a spoon and fed it to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle let out a clearly satisfied sigh as she drank the soup.

"Oh wow!" exclaimed Seetie Belle. "That's amazthing sthsoup!"

"Aw, thanks," said Spike.

"No. ACHOO!" began Sweetie Belle. "Thank you Sthpike. You didn't haveta do that."

"Well, I'd say it's the least I can do," began spike, stopping for a moment to give Sweetie Belle a soft kiss next to her muzzle. "For my marefriend."

Sweetie Belle giggled and turned more red than she already was. This was followed by a snort and a sneeze.

"Ah musth look so grosth," said Sweetie Belle. "SNORT!"

"Everypony gets sick," said Spike. "If I had a gold piece for every time Twilight's been sick, I'd be rich."

"But Thwilight is like your big sisthter," said Sweetie Belle. "You're no dating her. ACHOO!"

"Still," continued Spike. "You'd have to be pretty awful to not help out the pony you care for."

Spike continued to feed Sweetie Belle the soup for a few minutes without any real talking.

"When are we gonna come out with the news that we're dating?" asked Spike.

"Well, ah defintely wanna feel better first," said Sweetie Belle. "ACHOO! And it justh stheemed like a bad thtime to let Apple Bloom and Scootaloo know. SNORT! We're all stho determined to get our cutie marks, they may not like hearing that I'm dathing somepony."

"I suppose that's a fair point," thought Spike. "Just try not to do stuff that'll get you sick again."

"Don't worry," Sweetie Belle assured Spike. "SNORT! It'th been decided that anything water related isn't going to lead to a cutie mark."

"Thank Celestia for that," sighed Spike.

The two shared a laugh and Spike continued to feed her. He stayed there for a good while till she fell asleep.

Chapter 4: Gym Class

It was a typical day at the Ponyville elementary school. The school colts and fillies were having gym class, under the supervision of Coach Snowflake. The bulky pegasus stallion had been in charge of gym class for almost a year now, and it didn’t take long for him to have gotten on the good side of nearly every school pony; of course not all took a liking to him.

“Do you really think you’ll ever get a cutie mark,” sniped Diamond Tiara at Scootaloo. “You can’t even fly!”

“I heard the Cake’s little colt, Pound, was flying by a month old,” continued Silver Spoon. “Bet that makes you feel really pathetic.

Scootaloo had been doing her best to get airborne, but nothing seemed to do the trick. Even with Rainbow Dash’s help, she couldn’t fly on her own for more than a few seconds. Naturally, this got the attention of the two biggest bullies in her entire class. On this particular day, Sweetie Belle was home sick, and Apple Bloom had been excused to help out some on Sweet Apple Acres. Despite her best efforts, the orange pegasus filly couldn’t shake her tormentors.

“You’re gonna be blank flank for life,” they shouted in unison, and began laughing.

Just then, they heard a lout snort behind them.

“And just what do you two think you’re doing,” exclaimed Snowflake.

The two bullies turned their heads slowly to see their imposing gym teacher standing right behind them; his eyes flaring up in anger. Not the “I’m going to kill you type anger” but the “I’m terribly disappointed in you both” anger.”

“N-n-n-nothing,” they both stuttered.

“Nothing, what,” he said in a soft, but firm tone.

“N-n-n-nothing, Coach Snowflake,” the both responded, again in unison.

“That’s what I thought,” he said. “NOW! GIVE ME FIFTY LAPS AROUND THIS GYMNASIUM! AND I BETTER NOT SEE ANY WALKING TILL YOU FINSISH!”

“YES SIR, COACH SNOWFLAKE SIR!” the two shouted before darting off to do their laps.

This left Snowflake alone with Scootaloo, who was still trying to process what had just happened. She stood there, frozen in awe at the size of her gym teacher. More specifically, she looked at how small his wings were. She always wanted to know just how a pony his size, with wings barely bigger than her own could fly so easily. Snowflake wasn’t blind to these stares, and he figured now as a good enough time to talk with her about it. By herself, he wouldn’t have to worry about her two little friends interrupting with several questions per second.

“Wondering how I do it, aren’t you,” Snowflake asked.

“How you do what,” asked Scootaloo.

“I’m not as dumb as I look,” he said with a sly smile. “I know you wonder how somepony as big as me is able to fly so fast and gracefully through the skies, despite having a wingspan no bigger than a filly’s hoof.”

“Well…”she began. “Yeah! Of course I am! I mean, who wouldn’t be!? I do all I can, every single day, to try and stay off the ground for more than just a few measly seconds! I do everything Rainbow Dash tells me to do! I exercise like crazy to build up muscle! And Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were right about Pound Cake! That little colt was flying within a month of being born! HOW!?”

“Muscle isn’t everything,  kiddo,” retorted Snowflake. “I mean, look at me. Many ponies have been amazed at my abilities. Several doctors have even said that by all accounts, I shouldn’t be able to lift my body with such tiny wings. But I do.”

“Then…how,” Scootaloo asked in confusion. “How do you do it? And what am I doing wrong?”

“You lack confidence in yourself,” he said bluntly.

“What the hay are you talking about,” she exclaimed. “I got confidence coming out the wazoo!”

“Maybe when you’re playing with your little scooter,” he retorted. “But when it comes to actually flying, you don’t believe enough in yourself. You clam up, you worry about what you’re gonna do wrong and it all backfires on you.”

“But…but I have Rainbow Dash for a teacher,” she said. “How can I not be confident, when I have the best flyer in Equestria teaching me everything?”

“The teacher can only do so much, Scootaloo,” he explained. “A teacher can tell you everything you need to know. A teacher can tell you they have confidence in you, and that’s great and all. But eventually, the student has to believe in themselves or they’ll never truly soar. That’s the true secret to pegasus magic.”

“Pegasia have magic too,” questioned Sctootaloo.

“Of course they do,” said Snowflake. “All ponies have magic in them. I thought you knew that by now.”

“Well, I’ve always been taught that unicorns were the magic users,” she replied.

“They have visible magic, true,” he explained. “But remember, only pegasai can fly and walk on the clouds, and only earth ponies can grow plant life. It’s our own sort of internal magic. Rainbow Dash does what she does so well because she believes in it so badly that’s she made it a reality.”

“How come she’s never said this to me,” asked Scootaloo.

“I’d say it’s because she thinks more about the technical aspects of flight,” he said. “The do’s and don’ts of it all. Sure, she has instincts too, but she still doesn’t take into consideration that her own confidence is what allows her to do the things she does. Another example, my wife Fluttershy.”

“Fluttershy,” Scootaloo responded in surprise. “But she’s so timid.”

“Very true,” he chuckled. “But, when she’s able to drown out all of her doubts, she’s able to pull forward better than anypony could imagine. I’m sure you heard about that time she helped get the water up to Cloudsdale.”

“Oh yeah,” Scootaloo remembered. “Dash said that if it weren’t for Fluttershy, they never would’ve made it.”

“She made all the difference in the world,” said Snowflake. “So, keep following Rainbow Dash’s instructions of course. But, also remember that the more you believe in yourself, the more magic you’ll buildup within to send you soaring through the skies.”

“Does that mean no more playing on my scooter,” Scootaloo asked with a frown.

“Of course not,” said Snowflake, after letting out a hearty laugh. “I’ve seen what you do on that thing, and it’s quite impressive. I’m sure if anything, it’ll help you in your endeavors.”

In her mind, this gave Scootaloo a great idea. Of course she couldn’t execute said plan till she got back in touch with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.

“Thanks a lot, coach,” exclaimed Scootaloo, giving him a hug.

He wasn’t expecting that, but he gladly hugged her back. She then ran off to make some plans. Snowflake then noticed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon panting heavily off to the side.

“I DIDN’T SEE FIFTY LAPS LADIES!” he shouted to them.

The two prissy fillies let out a shriek and ran even faster.

“Oh Celestia, do I love this job,” Snowflake exclaimed with a proud smile.

Chapter 5: The Little Apple Bucker

Over the past couple months, Apple Bloom was given permission by her school to help her family out on their farm for Apple Bucking Season. Typically this meant that she would only go to school for the first half of the day, then she made her way to the farm. Given that Big Macintosh was busy going back and forth between the farm and the library, the youngest Apple sibling wanted to do all she could to help out her family and her new sister in law (given her ever growing condition). While she was happy her legs had gotten stronger, making it easier for apple bucking (she mainly bucked the thinner trees), she of course was still frustrated by a lack of a cutie mark. Currently, she and her fellow Crusaders were the only ones in their class to not have cutie marks; it seemed Applejack's quip about Apple family members getting their cutie marks last was true. The frustration had begun to take its tole on the little yellow filly, and she started getting a bit rough with the trees. Hearing the commotion, her older brother, Big Macintosh went to see what the noise was about. He was not pleased with the site; she'd even put a tiny crack in the trunk.

"What the hay do ya think yer doin!?" shouted Big Macintosh, a rare thing to hear. "Yer gonna split that poor tree in two!"

"Ah didn't mean ta do it!" shouted Apple Bloom, starting to tear up. "Ah'm just so sick an tired of doin all this work and fer nothin!"

Macintosh realized what the problem really was.

"Ah got a feelin ya aint talkin bout apple buckin," commented Macintosh, now with a calmer tone.

"What gave me away?" joked Apple Bloom, rubbing some tears out of her eyes.

"Pretty easy ta tell," said Big Mac. "Seein how you and yer friends have been tryin so hard to get yer cutie marks."

"Emphasis on hard!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "We've tried so many different things! All it's gotten us are stuffy noses, scraped knees, sore hooves; poor Scootaloo has sprained her wings a couple times even. It just aint fair! We're the only ones in our class to not have em! What makes all them so special over us!?"

Macintosh motioned his youngest sister to take a seat with him underneath the tree.

"It aint about being special, sugar cube," said Big Mac, not known to often us that term of endearment, so when he did you know knew he was being extra brotherly.

"Then what is it about?" she asked.

"It's bout knowin what yer good at," he said. "Everypony knows that. Ya don't get a cutie mark from just doin some crazy stunts, unless that's what yer good at and wanna do that as a profession of course. You get it when ya realize what it is ya love doin the most. Ah love workin the farm, as does yer sister, and several Apples before us. But it aint fer you."

"But that's silly," she thought. "I'm an Apple! Apples are all about farmin!"

"Not all Apples are farmers," he went on. "Granny Smith is more a baker than a farmer, aint she?"

"Ah spose so," she said. "But who am ah without a cutie mark?"

"Yer Apple Bloom of course," he exclaimed a little chuckle. "A cutie mark don't make ya who you are. What ya do and how ya treat others is what makes ya you. Nobony in the world can take that away from ya, not even Princess Celestia herself."

Big Macintosh then wiped a few years from his sister's face, then messed up her main a little to be playful.

"Still stinks," she commented. "Is it true you and Applejack were the last in yer classes to get yer cutie marks?"

The eldest Apple sibling then let out a huge laugh, leaving his little sister confused.

"What's so funny about that?" she asked.

"Did she tell you that?" he said. "Aw hay, that's an Apple family bluff as old as Equestria."

"But Applejack's a terrible lier," quipped Apple Bloom.

"It aint so much a bluff if she don't know it," he said.

"Huh?" said a clearly confused Apple Bloom.

"Bout every elder Apple has told a younger Apple they was the last to get their cutie marks as a way ta make em feel bettter," he continued.

"Seriously?" exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"Eeyup!" said Big Macintosh. "Ah said the same to Applejack when she just a little younger than you, Pa said the same ta me as a youngin, and Granny Smith said the same ta him, and so on and so forth. It's only till a bit later than any of us learn it was a bluff. Well, cept Applejack of course cuz she could never convincingly tell ya otherwise."

That last remark gave Apple Bloom a good laugh.

"So an Apple is never the lest ta get their cutie marks?" she asked.

"Well ah don't rightly know," he replied. "Ah'm sure there are Apples out there who were the last in class ta get theirs. It just varies from pony ta pony. But it aint important whether yer the first or last or somewhere in the middle. Ya understand?"

"Ah spose so," she answered. "It's just frustratin is all."

"Ah understand," he said. "There are few ponies yer age who aren't frustrated by not gettin their cutie marks when everpony around ya seems ta be gettin them before ya. And ah certainly appreciate the help yer doin fer us here on the farm."

"Least ah can do," she said. "Ah mean, ya'll have raised me an fed me an all that. Helpin ya'll at is the least ah can do."

"An ya can help us out as long as ya like," he replied. "But don't think ya have ta do this fer a livin just cuz of the family ya belong to. The most important thing fer us is that yer happy."

"Thanks, Big Macintosh," exclaimed Apple Bloom, jumping up to give her brother a big hug. "Yer the best big brother anypony could ask for!"

"Well, yer a mighty fine little sister," said Macintosh, hugging her back. "Ya wanna get back ta work now?"

"Ah sure do!" she exclaimed. "Sorry bout the tree."

"Think nothin of it," he assured her. "That small crack won't harm that tree, it'll heal in no time. Sides, every bucker cracks a tree once in a while, no avodin it."

Big Macintosh and his youngest sister go themselves back to work, thankfully Apple Bloom was in much higher spirits.

Chapter 6: Learning to Fly

Rainbow Dash was determined to get Scootaloo flying, no matter what. Thankfully she was gonna get some help from husband, Bookworm, and close friend Twilight Sparkle, (best to her ability, what with the whole being pregnant). At the suggestion of Bookworm, Rainbow Dash and her protege went to the Golden Oaks Library.

"Why the hay are we at a library?" asked Scootaloo. "I wanna learn to fly, not read a book!"

"Listen Scoots, I don't wanna be here anymore than you do," exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "But Bookie says this is gonna help you learn to fly. And I trust anything my super awesome husband says."

"Oh sweet Celestia! Somepony just put me out of my misery now," groaned Scootaloo. She never liked hearing Dash gush over Bookworm.

"Quit being a smartass," said Rainbow Dash.

Mind you, as much as Rainbow Dash loved her husband, she was still Rainbow Dash. And this rainbow mained pegasus had a short attention span.

"Have you found anything yet, Bookie!?" she shouted. "I mean, how long have we been here? Two hours?"

"It's been five minutes, Dashie," replied Bookworm. "I'm looking up as many books on flight as the library has."

"What are books gonna say?" asked Scootaloo. "Flap your wings?"

"You're oversimplifying it, Scootaloo," Twilight chimed in. "Pegasus flight isn't just about flapping your wings. If that were true, you'd be flying."

"What do you know?" asked scootaloo. "You're a unicorn."

Rainbow Dash then smacked her protege upside the head.

"What the buck!?" shouted Scootaloo.

"You're talking to Twilight Sparkle!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Number one pupil to Princess Celestia! You think she only reads books on unicorns?! Course not! Twilight knows the inner workings of all pony types!"

"Then why isn't she looking up the books?" asked Scootaloo.

"Duh! She's pregnant!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "But she can guide Bookie on where to look."

"Ok ok, fine," said Scootaloo. "I'm still trying to understand how all this is supposed to help though."

"We gotta find a way to ignite the magic in you," explained Bookworm.

"Inner magic?" questioned Scootaloo. "I'm not a unicorn."

"But that doesn't mean you don't have magic," continued Bookworm. "Everypony has magic in them; some are just more obvious. Unicorns naturally show off the most external magic, through our horns. But unicorns can't make things grow or walk on clouds. We can only walk on clouds with special spells, but no spell anywhere gives us the ability to make something grow in the soil. Pegusai can't make things grow either, but they can fly and walk on the clouds."

"I'm failing to see the point," remarked Scootaloo, not much more patient than Rainbow Dash.

"You can walk on clouds, right?" Bookworm asked the orange pegasus.

"Of course," said Scootaloo.

"And your coach, Snowflake, is able to fly despite tiny wings and a large frame," he continued.

"Sure," replied Scootaloo.

"So, you can see that it's not about size," continued Bookworm. "It's about the inner magic that gives a unicorn the ability to fly. Even unicorns don't always harness magic right away, as you can tell from your friend Sweetie Belle. Everypony, like a cutie mark, is different and uinque. Some pegasai, like Rainbow Dash, learn to fly right away, while others are much slower at it."

"You can bet Fluttershy wasn't an immediate flyer," said Rainbow Dash. "You think she's timid now...well she is...but she was way worse when we first met in flight school. But she's managed to build up enough confidence to get off the ground."

"Snowflake did mention something like that to me in gym class the other day," Scootaloo remembered.

"What did he say?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"He said I rely too much on my scooter," said Scootaloo. "That I don't have enough confidence in myself to fly and I worry too much about what might go wrong."

"Do you think he's right?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo didn't say anything for a good while then. She started to wonder if that really was the case.

"Yeah, he's right," she said, breaking the silence. "I do rely way too much on my scooter. It's the only thing that I've ever really been good at though. My wings help me do all kinds of crazy stunts, plus they allow me to go fast. But anyttime I try to fly and I do tense up. But I know I'm meant to fly! I dream about flying all the time!"

"Scoots, I promise you that I'll do all I can to get you flying amongst the clouds," said Rainbow Dash, embracing Scootaloo.

"I know you will," replied Scootaloo, hugging her mentor back.

"Ok, I've found every book in the library on flying," chimed Bookworm. "And you're going to read them all.

He levitated a huge stack of books in front of the young pegasus.

"There's gotta be like ten books here," she exclaimed.

"There are many different takes on how to fly," Bookworm retorted. "We might as well cover all our bases. Part of my special talent is I can scan a book and know all the contents. So if you try to skip a chapter, page, or even a simple sentence I'll know when you're lying to me."

"Aw man!" exclaimed Scootaloo.

"Rainbow Dash is here to teach you to fly," he continued. "But I'm here to make sure you understand the inner workings. That's how I learned to do magic. I had to read and read like crazy to finally be able to cast spells. You're in a similiar predicament; you need to learn how flying works before actually flying."

Scootaloo eyeballed the stack of books from top to bottom and let out a huge sigh. As much as she hated to admit it, Bookworm was right. She wasn't getting anywhere on trial and error alone. But she hadn't given up yet, so she wasn't gonna let a huge stack of books stop her.

Chapter 7: YOU DID WHAT!?

"YOU DID WHAT!?" shouted Sweetie Belle.

"We entered ya into the school talent show," said Apple Bloom.

"You're gonna sing in front of the entire school," continued Scootaloo.

After recovering from her cold, Sweetie Belle was back in school. In a rare day off for Apple Bloom, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were back in their clubhouse, when Sweetie Belle was given the news by her best friends.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!?" Sweetie Belle continued to yell. "You know I can't sing in front of a large crowd!"

"But yer so good, Sweetie," said Apple Bloom. "You never miss a beat or note."

"AHRG!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "It's one thing singing in front of you guys! Or my sister! Or my parents!"

"Or Spike," chucked Scootaloo.

That comment caused Sweetie Belle to turn bright red.

"What are you talking about?" said Sweetie Belle nervously.

"We're not as dumb as you think, Sweets," said Scootaloo. "We know you and Spike are dating."

"H-h-how!?" she asked.

"We saw ya two rubbin noses together one day," said Apple Bloom. "Ya thought nobody could see ya."

"It's like when Rainbow Dash rubs noses with Tank," snickered Scootaloo. "It's kinda gross, but I gotta admit it's cute too."

"Aw man! This is so embarassing!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, still glowing red.

"Nothin to be ashamed of," said Apple Bloom. "We're glad ya'll are gettin along."

"And hey, you can have him come to the talent show and watch you sing," said Scootaloo.

"NO WAY!" she shouted again. "I haven't even sang in front of Spike!"

"WHAT!?" exclaimed Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.

"I-I haven't sang for him," she said nervously. "I get too shy."

"But who better ta sing for than yer special somepony?" asked Apple Bloom.

"But, I don't wanna be on stage alone," pouted Sweetie Belle.

"Ya won't be," said Apple Bloom. "We'll be up there with ya."

"Really?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Well no duh!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "We're gonna help with sets, and singing with you, and Rarity is gonna make costumes for us."

"Of course Rarity knows," said Sweetie Belle.

"Spike knows too," grinned Scootaloo.

"AW COME ON!" shouted Sweetie Belle. "Was I the last to learn about this!? I'm the one singing in it for Celestia's sake!"

Later on, Sweetie Belle headed back to the Carousel Boutique to talk with her older sister. Rarity, immediately noticed the grumpy look on her little sisters face.

"I take it from that expression that your friends have given you the marvelous news?" she coily asked.

"I'd hardly call it marvelous!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "They know, and you know, that I'm nervous singing in front of large crowds."

"Yes, of course I do, Sweetie," said Rarity, embracing her sister. "But, you certainly have a gift, and it would be such a shame to not share it with everypony else. And I'm sure you'd love Spikey Wikey to see you sing as well."

"You know about that too!?" exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "I can't believe this! So embarassing!"

Rarity, while understanding the plight of her sister, couldn't help but giggle. And then Spike came in, giving Sweetie Belle a soilid hug.

"I've been waiting for you to get back!" exclaimed Spike. "Are you as excited as I am!?"

"That's not exactly the word I'm thinking right now," grumbled Sweetie Belle.

"Aw, don't think like that," said Spike. "You're an amazing singer."

"You've never even heard me sing," said Sweetie Belle.

"But Apple Bloom and Scootaloo have told me about it," said Spike. "So just from that, I know it's gonna be great!"

This gave Sweetie Belle a little smile, knowing her special somepony believed in her.

"I'm glad you believe in me, Spike," she said. "But I'm still nervous."

"Look at it this way," said Spike. "The day you sing in the show, imagine it's just me you're singing for. I'll be in the front row, watching you perform."

This caused Sweetie Belle to turn bright red, and then beat red when Spike nuzzled her snout.

CHAPTER 8: Flight Attempts

Ramp

In between preparing for the talent show, Sweetie Belle was of course going to help Scootaloo try to fly. Apple Bloom had constructed a large ramp near their clubhouse for Scootaloo to ride down on her scooter, letting go of the scooter and attempting to fly.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" exclaimed Sweetie Belle up to Scootaloo, at the top of the ramp.

"Speed an elevation are key to gaining flight," Scootaloo replied.

"Did Rainbow Dash tell you that?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Well, more or less," said Scootaloo. "I'm still training with her and Bookworm, but I still wanna have you guys in on it. That's what our group is all about."

"This still seems dangerous," said Sweetie Belle.

"That's why I put on a helmet and padding," retorted Scootaloo. "I also have a parachute if things go wrong."

Scootaloo then put goggles over her eyes, and prepared herself to ride down the ramp. She took in a deep breath, let it out, and then swooped down the ramp. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked on in fright, but also some excitement at the prospect of their friend finally taking flight. The little orange pegasus swooped into the air, letting go of her scooter and doing her best to get her wings flapping. When it was made clear she wasn't going to fly, she attempted to pull the ripcord on her parachute, but it wasn't going to come out easily. After a few more attempts it finally shot out, only to crash into a tree and spinning around and around till she was tied to a large branch. Naturally, she was quite dizzy from this experience. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belles ran towards her to make sure she wasn't hurt.

"Scoots!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "Are ya ok!?"

"You didn't break anything, did you!?" followed Sweetie Belle.

"I uh...I uh think I may have goofed it up some," said Scootaloo, her eyes spinning around like mad.

Slingshot

For this next flight test, Scootaloo decided to not use her scooter in any way. Apple Bloom constructed a big slingshot that she mounted securely into the ground in the center of the park. All three Cutie Mark Crusaders struggled to secure the sling in the proper position.

"Now, this one really feels like a bad idea," said Sweetie Belle, struggling to hold back the slingshot.

"Would you relax!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "I got a helmet for Celestia's sake!"

"But, why doncha have yer scooter?" asked Apple Bloom, also struggling with the slingshot.

"Coach Snowflake is right," began Scootaloo. "I rely too heavily on my scooter to get me airborne. So, I'm gonna go without it."

The orange pegasus then got herself into position to be launched into the sky.

"Ah'm losin mah grip," panted Apple Bloom.

"Me too," said Sweetie Belle. "I don't think I can hold it much..."

Before Sweetie Belle could finish her sentence, she lost her footing. It didn't take long for Apple Bloom to lose hers as well.

"TOO SOON!" exclaimed Scootaloo.

But, it was too late for that. Both of her friends had lose their footing and grip on the sling and it caused all three of them to go airborne. All three went into separate directions: Apple Bloom crashed into a flower stand in the marketplace, Sweetie Belle crashed into their school, and Scootaloo crashed into the Golden Oaks Library. Needless to say, crusading was postponed for a few days.

Chapter 9: At the Hospital

"WHAT IN TARNATION IS WRONG WITH Y'ALL!?" exclaimed Applejack. "YA COULDA BEEN KILLED!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders had ended up in the hospital thanks to their latest attempt to help Scootaloo fly. They had various scrapes, bumps, bruises, with bandages applied all over. The little orange pegasus had her wings stuck up in casts; while not broken she had sustained minor fractions.

"I conquer!" chimed in Rarity. "That was a very irresponsible thing to do!"

"HOW COULD YOU BE SO BUCKING STUPID!?" shouted Rainbow Dash.

Applejack and Rarity shot their friend a glaring look.

"What!?"

"Would've gone fine if Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom hadn't let go of the sling before I was ready," scoffed Scootaloo.

"That thing was huge!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle.

"Not our fault ya can't get ready quicker!" exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"Why I oughta...

"ENOUGH!" shouted Applejack. "All ya'll were bein' foolish! An from now on no crusadin' that involves slingshots, ramps, er anythin' that involves bein' launched inta the sky!"

"Uhg...fine!" all three crusaders groaned together.

"Glad to hear ya agree," grinned Applejack. "Doc says ya'll should be outta here within less than a week. I reckon ya'll need ways ta occupy yer time."

"Scoots still has plenty of books she can read," Rainbow Dash said with a slight cackle.

"Wonderful," groaned Scootaloo.

"We need to head out now," said Rainbow Dash. "I'll catch you later, Scoots."

They said their goodbyes then Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity stepped out of the room and into the hallway to have a private conversation.

"Why didn't Scootaloo's parents come see her?" asked Rarity.

"Ah was wonderin'   that too," said Applejack. "Ya ever met them, Dash?"

"Well...thing about that is..., "fumbled Rainbow Dash. "She doesn't have parents..."

"WHAT!?" shouted both Rarity and Applejack.

"Will you two shut up," exclaimed Rainbow Dash in a whisper yell. "We don't need to be putting on a show. I'm not talking about this outside their room, let's go to the visitor's lounge."

And so they did.

"Why didn't ya tell us Scootaloo was an orphan?" asked Applejack.

"I must agree with her darling," said Rarity. "That's quite a big thing to keep secret."

"I wasn't keeping it a secret," exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "I just found out myself. And they aren't dead...at least as far as I know..."

Rainbow Dash was clearly feeling bad for her young protege; she even began to tear up a little. Her friends could tell it was serious.

"Her parents abandoned her," continued Rainbow Dash.

"Oh dear," said Rarity in a calm but clearly concerned manner. "Do Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom know?"

"No idea," said Rainbow Dash. "I wouldn't be surprised if they knew; those three are so close to each other. But, even if they did know they probably had no idea what to do about it."

"How long she been on her own?" asked Applejack.

"I'm not entirely sure," explained Rainbow Dash. "For a while I'd been suspicious to why she would never let me go to her house. At first I just figured she didn't think her parents were cool or something. But as time went on, she just seemed more and more depressed. That one I figured was her frustration of not being able to fly. Then one day I ran into Miss Cheerilee and she was asking if I had seen Scootaloo with her parents recently. Finally, I went to her house and saw her in there all by herself. For a brief second, I just thought they might be at work or something. But, the look on that little pony's face said it all. I knocked, Scootaloo answered and was shocked to see me. She tried to slam the door on me, but I managed to barge in. Scoots tried to deny what was going on, I was as calm as I could be about the situation, waiting till she finally told me what was really going on. She broke down...I've never seen a little filly cry so hard...she told me everything. One day she woke up, and her parents were just not in the house. Nothing was missing really, there was food and other supplies. She didn't think anything of it, just that maybe they'd gone to work early. She went to school, then came home, they still weren't there. Hard to say when she came to the realization that they weren't coming back. She told me for years her parents were together because of her mother getting pregnant with her. Never physically abusive, but there was clear resentment for how their lives had turned out. Maybe it took them this long to leave her because they still felt an obligation to look after her. It's probably my fault they left..."

"How can you think that?" asked Rarity.

"Think about it," continued Rainbow Dash, now clearly crying more. "They saw me hanging out with her. They saw that she had somepony to look after her so they could just go wherever they wanted. They didn't even leave a bucking note! They gave her no warning! They left a defenseless filly on her own! They're own daughter! If I could find them...Celestia only knows what I would do to them!"

"She isn't still living on her own, is she?" asked Applejack.

"Of course not!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "She's been living with me and Bookie! We haven't quite gotten the proper paperwork sent through to make us her legal guardians, but we're doing our damndest. I can't let anything happen to her now! She's my responsibility! She's not just a protege...I love that little filly! I would do anything to keep her safe! Not that I wouldn't have if I wasn't having her live with me, but now it's even more important!"

"Ah don't think she could ask fer a better parent," said Applekjack, wiping away tears.

"Indeed," agreed Rarity, blowing her nose. "But if you need anything, don't be afraid to come to us."

"Ah know what it's like to have to look after a little one," said Applejack.

"I know I shoulda come sooner to you guys," said Rainbow Dash. "It was just a crazy situation. It all happened so fast."

"We understand, sugar cube," said Applejack.

"We're just glad you finally told us, darling," said Rarity.

The three friends embraced each other. Back in the hospital room, Scootaloo began to cry heavily. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle managed to pull themselves out of their beds to go comfort their friend.

"Rainbow Dash...was so mad at me!" cried Scootaloo. "You don't think...SNIFF...she'll...leave me too...do you!?"

"No way!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "She loves ya! She's doin' her very best ta take care of ya!"

"She's just getting used to watching after somepony smaller," said Sweetie Belle. "Rarity has to watch me more because our parents travel a lot for work. It wasn't easy for either of us, but things have gotten way better."

"I just...I just get so scared!" Scootaloo continued to cry. "She's the only other pony...besides you two...that knows my parents left me...SNIFF..."

"Ah still don't like keepin' that secret," commented Apple Bloom. "Ah know it was a promise, but we coulda gotten some real help."

"I just worried that I would get taken away from Ponyville," said Scootaloo. "There's no orphanage here, no foster care, I might never see you two again. I could live without Rainbow Dash...barely...but I could never live without either of you two. You're the greatest friends I've ever had."

"We're not goin' anywhere, sugar cube," said Apple Bloom.

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders don't abandon each other," said Sweetie Belle.

Although still crying, Scootaloo managed to smile. the three embraced, not too tight as they were still injured, but the orange pegasus knew she would never be alone. She would always have not only Rainbow Dash, but her very best friends.

Chapter 10: Night at the Hospital

It was night time in the hospital, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were sound asleep, but Scootaloo was still wide awake. Not so much because of her injuries (though they certainly didn't help), but she just couldn't stop thinking about all her past failures attempting to fly.

"What the buck am I gonna do?" she muttered to herself. "How can I call myself a pegasus if I can't fly?"

The little orange pegasus filly looked over at the stack of books left to her by Bookworm. Some days she couldn't stand that pony, other days she was grateful for how nice he was to her, and had to admit that Rainbow Dash was more responsible since being with him. Not to mention how much they were both doing for her since her parents left.

She'll never forget the morning she woke up to find her parents gone. She felt stupid for thinking it was nothing, that they both were just working. But she didn't want to believe tow parents would just ditch their own kid. It was about a week before she finally told Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle about it at the clubhouse.

"WHAT!?" her friends shouted together.

"When!?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Why!?" asked Sweetie Belle

"A week ago," replied Scootaloo. "Because they're horrible parents who didn't care about me."

"Did they leave a note or anything?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"No way," scoffed Scootaloo. "Even if they did, wouldn't take away from the fact that they up and left."

"We gotta tell somepony what happened!" said Apple Bloom.

"No way!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "You tell anypony and they'll take me away! My parents were the only family I had in Ponyville, and as far as I know my only family. There aren't any orphanages here, so I'll be taken somewhere else. I'd never see you two again...I can't let that happen."

"But, what are ya gonna do?" asked Apple Bloom. "Ya can't live on yer own. Yer still just a filly. Why not live with me at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Or with me and my family?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Your families aren't gonna wanna deal with me," said Scootaloo. "I do one thing wrong and they'll just kick me out. They have no obligation for me."

"Ya can't think that, Scoots," said Apple Bloom. "We care about you, and they'll care about you."

"Look, I don't need a place to stay," said Scootaloo. "I can just stay at my place."

"We'll at least bring ya food," insisted Apple Bloom. "We certainly aint gonna let ya starve."

"Agreed," said Sweetie Belle. "You're our best friend in the whole world. We won't let anything happen to you.

The three friends embraced. Time went on, Scootaloo figured things would be fine. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle continued to provide food for her, making sure their families didn't find out. But then Scootaloo began learning to fly with Rainbow Dash. It didn't take long for the cerulean mare to start to wonder about Scoot's parents. She kept insisting that her parents were just busy, having to work long hours. Finally, Rainbow Dash couldn't just do nothing and followed Scootaloo home one day. Looking through the window, she was shocked with the state of her house. She angrily beat on the door, Scootaloo tried to act like she wasn't there.

"I know you're in there, Scoots!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Open this door now, or I'll bust it down!"

The door opened slowly and Scootaloo peeked her little head out slighty.

"Oh...hey, Rainbow Dash," she said pitifully. "How's it going?"

"What the hay do you think you're doing?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"What are you talking about?" Scootaloo lied.

"Don't lie to me!" barked Rainbow Dash. "I saw inside there! What happened to your house!? Where are your parents!?"

"They...they're..." Scootaloo fumbled to say, before finally breaking down. "I don't know! They left me! They just up and left me! I don't want to be sent away from here!"

The orange pegasus burst into tears and grabbed Rainbow Dash hard. Rainbow Dash embraced Scootaloo and began stroking her mane.

"It's going to be ok, Scootaloo," said Rainbow Dash. "Bookie and I will take good care of you. I won't let anypony take you away from me..."

Rainbow Dash and Bookworm's house was still under contstructian, they were still staying in a hotel. But Bookworm didn't hesitate to let Scootaloo stay with them.

Scootaloo knew how lucky she was to have them. She wished she had said something sooner, but was scared. She felt bad for putting Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle through all the lies, but they of course didn't hold anything against her.

She was tired of thinking of the whole ordeal. She decided to finally read something in her stack of books. One title stuck out to her, THE OLD WAYS OF PONIES: A HISTORY OF THE THREE CLASSES. Scootaloo figured it would be something different from the usual "HOW TO FLY" books and gave it a look. There was a Table of Contents for each pony class, so it was easy to find the section on pegasus ponies. One passage in particular really caught her attention, causing her to go wide eyed.

"That's it," she muttered to herself. "That's how I'm going to do it."

Chapter 11: Last Day at the Hospital

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Chapter 12: At the Construction Site

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Chapter 13: Double Celebration

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Chapter 14: Practicing for the Big Show

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Chapter 15: The Big Show

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Chapter 16: Dear, Rainbow Dash

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Chapter 17: Leap and Let Nature Take Its Course

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Chapter 18: Take Flight, Young Pegasus

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Epilogue: A Couple Loose Ends

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