Family (Edited)

We decided use the library for a meeting place. Democracy, you know? Yep, Rainbow Dash is gun training and fitness coach, Applejack oversees the farming, Pinkie controls the cookouts and parties, Vinyl is in charge of the supply runs, Fluttershy tames the horses and cattle, Rarity makes the armor using thick leather and plating, Dexter leads the science labs, Blossom leads the runs [I swear, learning she had super powers took a long time to get used to.], and Sunset leads morale support. As for me, I just ask questions and give ideas.

"So, Blossom, you said you know Bell?" I asked.

"Yeah. She tried to destroy the world, and now, she has a military army."

"This all seems... odd to me. First CHS, and now we have a lab experiment with super powers? It just doesn't make sense..." Rainbow Dash said.

"I agree. This all doesn't add up. Why does Bell want us?" Sunset asked.

"Because you have us." Dexter said.

"But.. why? If all she wants is you, why is she giving us trouble?" I asked.

"If I know her, she just wants to prove herself. Maybe she thinks by killing you, she'll do that." Blossom said.

"First, we need to build this city up. We can't just keep struggling. That's how we fall." I said.

"Well, we need materials and more of a constitution crew. Who we have are good, but we need more builders." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah. Maybe we could use search for other survivors; maybe hire some recruiters to scout more people." I said.

"We'll look into it. We could also use more rations for the group. The Pop Tarts and chips won't do much good for much longer." Sunset said.

"We're getting closer to the Home Depot nearby. We could clean and claim it. Or we could take the 2 buildings away from it and then give it a shot." I said.

"Nah. I say we just go for the Home Depot. We need more food. What we have isn't enough anymore; others are going hungry and others are hogging the food." Rainbow said.

"What we should do is make them turn over at least a quarter of that food for the rest of the group. We can't just feed the workers because we need them. We can't..." I said to Rainbow.

"Yeah... you're right. I'll talk to the workers, it won't be easy, but it has to be done." Sunset said.

"Alright then. In the meantime, I'll give today's rations to who didn't eat for the past 4 days. Line people up." I said.

"Alright." Sunset went to the loudspeakers. "Everyone who didn't receive rations for the past 4 days, please approach the ration stands."

I can tell people were upset due to groans coming from outside.

As the food came in, I noticed a few more Walkers outside the walls.

"It's been 7 months since we discovered their joints rot up. Ever since, we've been pushin' on better." Applejack said.

"Yeah. Thank God those walkers were there when they were. If it were runners Bell invited in, we wouldn't be here talking about food rations and scouting missions." I said.

"Eeup." Big Mac said as he walked in with the rations.

"I remember when we found him. Walking down the highway, blood all over him. We did the right thing pulling over." I said.

"Yeah. So now what about Megaville? We just leave 'em alone?" Applejack asked.

"What we should do is try to talk again." I said.

"After last time? No, I don't think so. She wants these two, they'll have to kill us first." Rainbow said.

"I can't believe I am saying this, but Rainbow's right. We can't just sit here and hope they leave us alone. Don't think she won't kill you." Blossom said.

"Well, we'll try to set up a trade. Cleared areas for food. It could work." I said.

'How do we know they'll cooperate?" Dexter asked.

"All we can do is hope they say yes." Sunset said.

"Well so far hope's been non-existent for us. It was for Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom,... Flash." Fluttershy said.

"Fluttershy, stop it." Rarity said.

"Rarity, think about it. When has hope done anything for us?" Fluttershy asked.

"It saved me and Gary, it brought the two of us to CHS, and it brought us to this city with a 21-year-old mad scientist and a super powered college student. That's what hope's done for us. It might not have saved everyone, but it saved us. Plus out of all the people I knew, all of the people who are stronger, faster, and... better than me, it saved me. Hope didn't abandon us, it just came in a different way than we expected." I said.

Apparently, what I said stopped Fluttershy in her tracks.

"Wanna switch places?" Sunset joked.

"Nah. You have people to console. One of them in this room." I said.

As I walked out, I noticed people around the library with their weapons.

"How come we don't get any food?" People from the mob cried.

"Listen, we're just running short on rations. I assure you, everyone will get food but we need to feed those who are getting weak from hunger too." I said trying to control the crowd.

The crowd kept on yelling and trying to get through. The only thing that stopped them was a gunshot from the back of the crowd to the sky.

"That's enough. You people earned your fair share. Now it's time for others to eat." Scootaloo said with her .22 in the air.

I then walked towards her.

"Thanks. That was quite a doozy." I said.

"Yeah. I'm thinking of doing a food run with Dash by the end of the week. We need more food, without it, more things like this'll happen. Fluttershy's thinking of taming wild chickens for food and the horses for supply runs." Scootaloo said.

"It could work. But I'm going with you." I said as I checked the library for any damage.

"Also, there's... something I need to show you." Scootaloo said as she walked towards the gates.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You'll see, Kyle." Scootaloo said as she stepped out of the gates.

We kept on walking towards a building marked "Townsville Orphanage".

"This was your home, wasn't it?" I asked.

"Yeah. I just wanted to see what happened to the place when I left." Scootaloo said.

"Why did you leave? Did you get adopted?" I asked.

"...No. The Father, he was an abusive piece of shit that I hope is dead." Scootaloo said with her voice slightly cracking.

"Wait, you were abused?!" I exclaimed.

"Quiet. Yes. Every time I did bad on a test, ever-every time I brought a friend over, here came Frank with his boiling water and blades. I still have the scars..." Scootaloo said with her eyes clearly watering.

"Scootaloo... I'm-" I was interrupted by Scootaloo engaging me in an embrace and just sobbing.

"Hey, it's okay. We're all here." I said.

"That's just it. Rainbow Dash doesn't know this."

"What? Then, why did you tell me?" I asked.

"Because you're a good guy. Rainbow is too, but she can get out of hand sometimes. I know you've seen it."

"Yeah, I've seen her get short-tempered at times." I said remembering her despise my decision on taking in those guards last month.

We then let go of each other and opened the door. The first thing that caught my eye was the shutdown notice.

CLOSED

"Looks like that bastard took his good work down with him..." Scootaloo muttered.

I took notice of Scootaloo's rosary.

"So, you're Catholic then?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah. I went to church whenever I could in the orphanage praying secretly for me to get away from Frank, away from the staff, away from it all. Not suicide, but a chance that I would be able to leave. I waited for a chance but, one night, Frank went too far. He slashed my back right as a friend walked by. He called 911 and Frank got arrested for child abuse and assault. Just as that monster deserved." Scootaloo said.

'Well, I'm glad you told me." I said.

"Me too. I finally got adopted by the Niwas and we moved to Canterlot." Scootaloo said.

"So, what do you need here?" I asked.

"Just a moment." Scootaloo then went through a cabinet and found a blade, picture, and a lighter

"What are these?" I asked.

She then took the picture, lit the lighter, and burned the photo.

"Payback..." Scootaloo said. "And a good blade."