The Derpy I Know And Love Volume 4: And The Children Shall Lead

Diamond Tiara was walking with Silver Spoon to Sweet Apple Acres and the clubhouse. Apple Bloom said she had something important to say and she wanted everypony there. Diamond was disappointed when she went by Sweetie Belle’s home and found she’d already left. It did, however, give her a chance to talk to Silver Spoon about her and Sweetie Belle. Silver was her oldest friend, and for a long time had been her only friend.

“Silver, I need to tell somepony something. And you’re the only pony I can trust to talk to about this.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. You can tell me anything, you know that.”

“I do, but this isn’t easy and I need to get it out.”

“Okay,” said Silver Spoon hesitantly.

“Silver, I think... No, I’m pretty sure I’m in love.”

“Hey! That’s great! I’m so happy for you. Who is he?”

Diamond gave a strange look at her friend, and took a deep breath.

“It’s Sweetie Belle.”

Silver stopped in her tracks, and then burst out laughing.

“Good one Diamond! You had me going there for a second,” but she saw the look on Diamond’s face. “Wait! You’re serious! But Sweetie Belle is a filly! Your father is going to flip!”

“I know,” said Diamond, “but this isn’t a crush, I truly think I’m in love.”

“What does Sweetie Belle say?”

“She asked me to be her fillyfriend.”

“As your friend, I’m so happy for you. And you know you can count on me to keep my muzzle shut. But you’re going to have to be very careful.” Silver paused, “What did you tell Sweetie Belle?”

“I said I’d have to think about it.”

“That’s good, but you want to say yes, don’t you? I can tell.”

Diamond looked like she was on the edge of tears.

“Silver, I can’t stop thinking of her, ever since we kissed....”

“It was just a game.”

“No, I couldn’t sleep after everypony went to bed. I went out on the porch, as it turned out, Sweetie couldn’t sleep either. We talked for a while and found we felt the same about the kiss and each other. We ended up kissing some more, much more than when everypony was watching. We’ve kissed every chance we could get since then.

You must think I’m some idiot or a freak.”

“No, as I said, I’m happy for you, I truly am. Sweetie Belle is a very nice pony, and I guess she’s kind of cute too. I think I’d rather see you going out with a nice filly like Sweetie Belle than some mean jerk of a colt (Diamond smiled). I’ll do anything to help, I promise.”

“Thank you Silver,” said Diamond hugging her friend, “I knew you’d understand.”

“Don’t mention it.” Said Silver, “besides, it leaves more colts for me!”

They both laughed as they walked on.

Scootaloo was flying to meet her friends, but first she’d an important and heartbreaking stop to make. It turned out Rainbow and Pinkie’s cloud house was on the way to Sweet Apple Acres at this time. Scootaloo was getting to be an accomplished flyer thanks to Rainbow’s lessons. Ever since the camping trip, Rainbow had tried to show as much attention to Scoot as she could, and Scoot was responding by being a great student and friend.

Scootaloo lined up on the approach as Rainbow had taught her. Then right at the threshold she flared out and beat her wings to a hover and lightly touched down. Going to the door, she rang the bell.

Rainbow opened the door and gave a slight look of surprise.

“Hey Squirt!” said Rainbow, still using the nickname she’d given Scoot as a little filly, “did we have a lesson today?”

“No Rainbow, I came by to tell you and Pinkie something. I was on my way to Sweet Apple Acres, so I thought I’d stop on my way.”

“Come in then, Pink just made some cookies, if she hasn’t eaten them all by now, maybe she’ll give you some.”

They both laughed as they entered.

“Have a seat Squirt, I’ll get Pink.”

Rainbow went back to the kitchen and came back soon accompanied by Pinkie. Pinkie had a plate of cookies and a glass of milk; she levitated them to Scootaloo. After these years, it was still strange to see Pinkie using magic.

“So good to see you Scootaloo,” said Pinkie, “Dashie said you needed to tell us something?”

Scootaloo was sitting on her haunches, the plate of cookies and glass of milk on the floor between her legs. She nibbled at one of the delicious cookies. She couldn’t help thinking how she was going to miss Pinkie’s treats.

“I was told today, when I got to the Home, because I’ll be graduating next month and going to High School, I’ll be relocated to a Home for older kids.” Rainbow saw the tear in Scootaloo’s eye, “in Cloudsdale.”

“Are you serious Scootaloo? Of course you are, dumb question!” Said Rainbow trying to think of the right things to say. “When?”

“I was told I needed to start getting my things together and packing away what I don’t need right now. The next day after graduation they’ll be sending me to the new Home in Cloudsdale. They said a Pegasus should go to school with other Pegasi and learn more about Pegasus culture.”

Scootaloo got up, she was trying hard not to be un-cool in front of her hero, but the tears were starting to come anyway.

“I need to get to Sweet Apple Acres, but I wanted to tell you first.”

“It’s still a month off kid,” said Rainbow, “a lot can happen.”

“I know, but just in case, I wanted to tell you both how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me. Thank you.”

Scoot walked to the door. Rainbow joined her there; she put a wing over her and gave a hug.

“Don’t worry about it yet Squirt,” said Rainbow, “we have time.”

Scootaloo smiled waved at Pinkie who was standing there misty-eyed. Then she leapt into the air and flew off toward Sweet Apple Acres.

“Dashie, we can’t let that happen.”

“I agree, but how?” asked Rainbow.

“We need to see Twilight, she’ll know. And Muffins grew up in one of those Homes; she’ll have an idea as well.”

All the girls were the clubhouse except Apple Bloom. Silver Spoon noticed how much Diamond’s eyes lit up when Sweetie Belle came in. She also noticed Sweetie’s expression when she saw Diamond. She could definitely tell something was there.

Scootaloo had come in earlier. She wasn’t looking very happy. Dinky took her aside and was talking to her.

Sweetie walked over to Diamond and Silver. Silver could tell Sweetie was being very careful not to give anything away. The three of them stood apart.

“Sweetie, it’s okay, I had to talk to somepony and Silver is trustworthy to keep a secret. She knows everything,” said Diamond quietly.

Silver Spoon smiled at Sweetie Belle.

“I think it’s cool and I’m so glad for the both of you.”

“Thank you Silver,” said Sweetie, “and I know I can trust you. I just talked to my sister and she said she’s happy for us as well.”

Diamond and Sweetie just stood there looking in each other’s eyes. Silver just stood there smiling.

Just then Apple Bloom came in all excited.

“Girls! Girls! I’ve a very special announcement!”

They all looked at Apple Bloom.

“I found out my mother is alive!”

All the girls cheered and hugged Apple Bloom.

“Where is she?” asked Scootaloo, “I’m so jealous!”

“She’s right here,” said Apple Bloom, “come in Mama!”

Sweetie Belle all of the sudden understood why she heard what she did back in Apple Bloom’s house when Applejack came into the clubhouse. She was looking very sheepish.

“Apple Bloom, that’s your sister,” said Scootaloo.

“No girls, I really am Apple Bloom’s mother. I’m sorry I’ve hid it for so long, but I was younger then you gals when it happened.”

They girls looked at Apple Bloom and then at Applejack, then each other. Smiles and cheers broke out and they all rushed to hug AJ and Apple Bloom.

There were tears in Apple Bloom’s eyes.

“I’m so lucky to have such a great mama!”

“You don’t know how lucky you are!” said Scoot, her tears returning.

Scoot walked to the door and flew off.

Everypony looked confused.

“Scootaloo just told me,” explained Dinky, “when school’s out, she’s being moved to another Children’s Home in Cloudsdale.”

“No way!” said Apple Bloom. “I guess my announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time for her.”

“Hey Diamond,” said Dinky, “your father is on the board at the Ponyville Children’s Home, could he do something to help Scoot?”

“I’ll talk to him,” said Diamond, glad to have something other than the other issue to take her mind off it around her father.

“Apple Bloom,” said AJ, “we’re going to see Twilight anyway; maybe she’ll have some ideas.”

They all left the clubhouse; Dinky walked with AJ and Apple Bloom since they were going to her home anyway. Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle walked together to their homes. Although Silver made an excuse of having to pick something up at Sugarcube Corner and giggled as she took off leaving Diamond and Sweetie to walk alone.