The new Dash

During the past week, Rainbow Dash had been hard at work getting everything ready. She had sold her cloud for a couple thousand bits, and used the money to buy a decent little house near the remains of Golden Oaks library. It wasn't the most luxurious home, but it would be enough.

Today was the day. Scootaloos birthday was today, and Rainbow Dash was dead set determined on making it the best birthday ever. She wasn't much for mushy stuff publicly, but she couldn't wait to see her biggest fan, and legal daughter, after getting her present. There was time still until the party, so Rainbow decided to kill some time by flying. She'd spent so much time either fixing up the house or hanging round Scootaloo that she hadn't done any aerial stunts the past week... a fact she'd soon remedy.

After taking off, Rainbow couldn't help but take notice on a familiar sight. On the ground was a orange filly zooming along on a scooter. She was about to swoop down and join up, but stopped when she saw where the filly was headed. Instead of following further, Rainbow remembered what she was going to do originally, and went back to practicing her stunts.

It was now a little past mid day, and Rainbow was waking up from a relaxing nap. After stretching, and checking on Tank, she grabbed a thin envelope and flew out the door. Her destination? Sugarcube Corner. She knew Pinkie would have started the birthday party already, and she was running late. Upon arriving, however, Rainbow was greeted the same as any guest. As she entered, she saw a cacophony of party games being played all at once. It was a madhouse, but that was just how a Pinkie Pie party was supposed to be. Looking around, Rainbow noticed the presents hadn't been opened yet, so there was that much at least.

"Welcome, Rainbow," Applejack said, startling the pegasus.

"Geez, Applejack, no need to sneak up on me like that!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Sorry bout that, sugarcube," Applejack said before taking notice of the envelope, "Whatcha got there?".

"Oh nothing, just the best birthday present ever," Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Uh huh... whatever ya say, Rainbow," Applejack said, rolling her eyes.

"Just you wait and see," Rainbow Dash said, "I know for absolute certain this present will trump everyponys".

"All ah know is that little filly will love any present she gets from her idol," Applejack said, "So we'll just have to wait and see if that's really the best present, or if you're just trying to get us all jealous because that filly practically worships the ground you stand on".

Rainbow kept the envelope tucked under her right wing until the time for unwrapping presents finally came. It took some time to reach the end, with Scootaloo openly showing gratitude for everything she got... even if she didn't really mean it a hundred percent. Now, it was time for Rainbows present. As the rainbow maned mare hovered over to the pegasus filly, the crowd grew a tad silent in ambition.

"I know it doesn't look like much like this, squirt, but wait till you open it up," Rainbow Dash said, "I guarantee it'll be the best birthday present you've gotten so far".

"Just you showing up has made this birthday like... twenty percent cooler," Scootaloo said, "But uh... thanks".

With that, Scootaloo took the envelope and opened it. She was just expecting an oversized birthday card, but got something even better. As her eyes went over the paper multiple times, tears started to form.

"This... this is... I can't believe this," Scootaloo said, lowering the paper slightly.

"Oh good job, Rainbow," Applejack said, "The best present ever just caused a filly ta cry at her own birthday party".

Without saying another word, Scootaloo dropped the paper and tackled Rainbow to the ground in a big hug. Curious, Applebloom walked over and lifted up the paper to read it.

"Wait a second, Scoots... you were an orphan?" Applebloom asked.

"What do you mean 'orphan'?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"This is an adoption certificate," Applebloom said causing everyponys jaws to hit the floor.

"Now hold on, ya sure ya'll ain't misreading that?" Applejack asked.

"No, she's right, it is an adoption certificate," Sweetie Belle said, "And if Rainbow gave it to Scoots, that can only mean one thing".

"Well ah'll be," Applejack said, turning towards Rainbow, "Never knew you wanted to have a kid, Rainbow".

"Yea, well... it's really for the best," Rainbow Dash said.

"This is now the best birthday ever," Scootaloo said, wiping away more tears, "Thank you. Thank you so much".

"Don't mention it," Rainbow Dash said, "Just glad to see you have a real smile for once".

"Well, congratulations, Scoots," Applebloom said as she and Sweetie Belle walked over.

"Why did you tell us you were an orphan, though?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I just didn't want any pity or anything," Scootaloo admitted, "I didn't want you to feel like you owed me anything just cause I was living on my own".

"Either way, you're not gonna live on your own anymore," Rainbow Dash said, "Soon as this party's over, we'll go pack up your stuff and move you into a real home".

"Thanks, "I really do mean it," Scootaloo said.

"Just go hang out with your friends for now," Rainbow Dash said, "There'll be more than enough time for us to chill later".

"Alright, come on girls," Scootaloo said, turning and walking off with a smile that was almost too big to fit on her face.

"Ah can honestly say ah didn't expect your present ta be that good," Applejack said, "But, ah'm mighty proud of ya, Dash. And if ya need any help or anything, just ask me or Rarity, we'll be more than willing ta help".

"Thanks, Applejack," rainbow Dash said.

After the party was finished, all the decorations taken down, all the games removed, and the food cleaned up, Rainbow followed Scootaloo back to the old shack. The others offered to help however they could, and Rainbow didn't bother to deny them from helping her out for once. Once at the shack, the others were in shock at its condition.

"This place has seen better days," Rarity said.

"Ya seriously been living here this whole time?" Applejack asked.

"It's... well, it's home," Scootaloo said.

"It was home," Rainbow Dash corrected, "It'll just be an empty shack after we're finished".

"Yea... I guess you're right," Scootaloo said.

With that, everypony walked inside and began to pack up everything Scootaloo wanted to keep. Some of it seemed like pointless objects with little to no real value, but Scootaloo treasured them so nopony argued. The job didn't take very long, and soon the group was now heading off again. Scootaloo and the other were headed towards where Rainbows former cloud home was, but Rainbow herself headed in a different direction. Needless to say, this brought upon great confusion.

"Rainbow, ya do know your house is this way, right?" Applejack asked.

"Sold it, bought another house down here in Ponyville a week ago," Rainbow Dash said, "Honestly, do you really think I'd have wanted you to help if this stuff was going to a cloud home?".

"Well, ah figured ya just wanted help moving it closer so ya wouldn't have ta fly back and forth like that," Applejack said, "Though, ah do suppose ya have a point".

"Why did you sell your house anyway?" Fluttershy asked, "I thought you were too proud of it to ever wanna sell it".

"It's uh... it's complicated," Rainbow Dash said, "I'll explain later".

Nopony asked anymore questions on the way to Rainbows new house. Once they arrived, they all set to work unpacking and helping get things set in the right place. The house was once just a decent house, but, before long, it was a real home. After setting up her own room, Scootaloo felt like she was really home now... even more so than at the shack.