Hearth's Warming Eve is one of the worst times of the year for Scootaloo. With a father who left years ago and rarely contacts her and a mother who pays her little attention, family togetherness is only a remote possibility. The only thing she has to look forward to is a gift and a smile from Rainbow Dash. When even this seems to have been taken from her, Scootaloo decides she's better off wandering the streets than staying at home feeling sorry for herself.
While meandering in a mostly empty Ponyville, Scootaloo comes across somepony whose even more alone than she is.