Tears of the Indifferent.

PonyVille Square 9:30 A.M.
Rainbow Dash landed next to the PonyVille fountain. She sighed softly and looked at her reflection in the water. "I look like I was at one of Pinkies all night parties." She thought as she reached in to splash water onto her baggy eyed, sleep deprived face. A light clopping noise followed by the creak of wooden wheels caught the pegusus' attention.

"There ya are sugar cube." Applejack called out cheerfully as she pulled her cart into the town square. The orange earth pony unlatched herself and trotted next to her friend. "I brought the cart what did ya all salvage?" She inquired.

Dash shook her head and sighed explosively. "Nothing, without the protective layer that storm tore my cloud apart." The cyan pegasus grumbled sadly. The unscheduled storm had upset every pegasi in the town, but only Dashes home was effected. "Thanks Aj, but there's nothing for you to help me wi- Rainbow!" Dash was cut off by Spike as he glided towards them landing a few feet away.

The teenage dragon smiled at Applejacks shocked expression. He reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll. "Just got this from Celestia. Twilight wanted me to deliver it to you immediately." Spike informed the mares. "Oh and you will need these books you left them at the library. " Dash caught the bag that he threw at her.

Applejack and Rainbow dash spread the scroll out ,and looked it over. "Dear Rainbow Dash, Twilight has informed me of your great kindness in aiding the young Scootaloo. I understand you have questions, fears, doubts, etc about your current position. I would be happy to establish you as Scootaloo's legal guardian. I will send my Sister as I am afraid I cannot meet you in person, your loving ruler Princess Celestia." Rainbow read with a smile.

"Yippee! Rainbow you didn't tell me ya all was adoptin' that little filly." Applejack chimed cheerfully rolling up the scroll, and smiling at her friend.

Dash nodded and turned to Spike "So when does this chariot get here?" She inquired feeling slightly impatient. Spike pointed upward, and a pair of armor clad pegasi flew smoothly towards them. Together they led a golden chariot marked by the royal seal, and riding in it was Princess Luna. Dash suddenly felt very self conscious, her mane was in a level of disrepair that even she was normally above. "Oh buck Aj a little help I can't talk to Luna looking like this." She hissed softly.

The orange pony chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Well I surpose covering most of yer hair would do ya nicely." She flipped her hat off, and put it over Dashes head. This caused the pegasus to gasp. "There ya all look right dandy." Applejack smiled tilting her head as she looked over her friend. This movement caused her hair to fall over her eyes. "Gosh darn it!" She grumbled trying to flip it back into place.

Dash just stood stock still observing her friend. "Wow Aj looks cute with her hair down. Wait what am I thinking this is my best friend, besides I need to focus on Scoots." Dash pushed her thought of attraction towards her friend away, and closed her mouth. "Uh heh thanks Applejack your the best." This caused a blushed response in her friend. "Oh no she looks even cuter when she's embarrassed buck my life why can't I stop?

The chariot landed and Luna descended towards the group. "Hello Applejack, Rainbow Dash." She greeted them with a warm smile, that is until she spotted Spike. She gaped slightly then returned to her calm cheerful manner. "I am here on behalf of my sister who is unfortunately preoccupied. Now If we could please go to a place of privacy we can move this along."

Rainbow sighed "Yeah my house is trashed, and Twilight's in full experiment mode so I'm not sure wher- Ya all could do this up at the farm house. Big Mac, and Granny Smith are out visiting Braeburn. So you all shouldn't be disturbed." Applejack interjected. Rainbow Dash smiled warmly at her best friend.

Luna nodded her head thoughtfully "So be , but where is the young Scootaloo?" She asked.
Spike flexed his wings and rolled his shoulders. This movement immediately caught Luna's attention.

Spike huffed and bowed "I will retrieve her from the Library my Princess." And with that he took off flapping towards the Library tree. Luna motioned towards the guards who bowed and took off.

Sweet Apple Acre 10:05 A.M.
"Mother?! No no no I can't be a mother can't I be labeled as her Sister or or.." Rainbow Dash trailed off.
The news that if she was instated as Scootaloo's guardian she would be considered her mother took her by surprise.
"I mean I want to be there when she needs me, but I don't even have a home anymore." She shook her head in despair.

Luna shook her head slowly "Scootaloo is too young for that she needs a dedicated mother. Also that would be fine if her parent were alive, but all records show that they disappeared right after her birth. You are the only option or I will be forced to remove her to an orphanage. Do you not wish to care for her is that not why you contacted my sister?" Luna whispered.

Rainbow shook her head "Y-yes I well.. I care about Scoots, but how would I be able to be her mother full time with my salary I can feed her, but all the other expenses.." She bit her lip "I want her to be happy and I'm not sure that I can provide for her fully. How do I even know if she'll accept me as her mother?" She asked herself.

Luna nodded then she caught sight of movement in the room. Applejack who had been sitting next to Rainbow was looking down at Rainbow with pity in her eyes. "No not pity what is that? Love affection does she have feelings for her friend?"
Luna analyzed. "Applejack do you have something to say?

The Earth pony jumped, but nodded "Rainbow you are mah best friend, and I can't stand to see ya like this. Now you all can stay with me, and you can work in the orchards with me. Stay here Rainbow at least until you can rebuild your home." She sounded as if she was pleading for Rainbow to stay. The cyan pegasus just stared at her eyes teary, but filled with hope.

"Applejack oh thank you thank you.. Luna lets get Scoots so we can get this finished." Rainbows eyes were lit with fires born of hope, and determination. "Lets go get my daughter."

Spike walked Scootaloo into the Apple family dining room, and leaned against a wall to wait for his next order.
Scootaloo looked around the room and froze when she spotted Luna. "Pr-Pr-Princess Luna?" The little filly stammered.

Luna smiled brokenheartedly "Don't be afraid come, and take a seat next to Rainbow Dash." The little pegasus obeyed and sat as close to Rainbow as she could. Luna cleared her throat. "Now Scootaloo do you enjoy the company of Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo nodded rapidly. "Good, now how would you feel if she became your guardian?"

Scoot's eyes widened to the size of dinner plate. "You mean like her being my mom? Rainbow can be my mom? Oh my god that would be so amazing oh god oh god!" She squealed turning to Dash. The older pegasus had a shocked expression on her face. Scootaloo bit her lip. "Dash did I say something wrong?" Rainbow had started crying.

Dash shook her head "No Scoots, you just made me the happiest mother in all of Equestria." Dash embraced her new daughter. Luna smiled and got and walked towards the door.

"I'm glad that went so well." she thought. Her wing brushed spikes shoulder causing the dragon to open his eyes.

Spike watched Luna leave, he had been napping. The spot on his shoulder suddenly burnt, and his head hurt. "Not again.." he groaned and stumbled outside towards the Apple family barn as the white light filled his vision.

"Well done kid you've just brought us a step closer. The books voice rumbled in his head.
If anypony would have looked at Rainbows saddle bag they would have seen a black dragon head watching them."And so the song has begun, and the river may yet flow."