Twilight’s Love Volume Two: Rainbow’s Love

Scootaloo was disappointed, once again. She was just getting comfortable with a foster family, and this time she had her own room. Now she’d be put back in a room with three or more other fillies.

For the first time in a long time, Scootaloo was dreading school ending for the weekend. She had to go get the rest of her stuff and carry it back to the Home and have to start the process of getting used to being back in the group setting.

Suddenly Miss Cheerilee interrupted her funk.

“Scootaloo,” said the teacher, “didn’t you hear the bell? Time to go home.”

“Sorry Miss Cheerilee,” said Scoot, “I didn’t hear.”

“Aren’t you wanting to go home? It’s the weekend.” Said the Teacher, then she remembered, “oh yes, sorry Scootaloo, I’m sure it’ll work out.”

Scootaloo smiled but really she wasn’t so sure. Gathering her things she left the school and walked to Sugarcube Corner.

“Hi ya Scoot!” said Apple Bloom, “I thought you weren’t comin’. We would’ve waited on you.”

“I’m not staying,” said Scootaloo quite down. “I thought I’d see you girls before going to get the rest of my stuff and then take it to the Home. I don’t know if I’ll get to see you this weekend, I have to settle back into being in a group. They always have chores and other things to do. So I’ll probably not see you until school on Monday.”

“It’ll all be okay,” said Sweetie Belle, “you’ll see. It’ll all work out.”

Scootaloo tried to smile.

“Sure,” said the Pegasus filly, “maybe I’ll get my cutie mark for not having a home.”

Despite her act in trying to be cool and not mushy, Scootaloo accepted the group hug from her friends. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle each gave Scootaloo one of their cookies, which brought the first real smile to her face.

“Thanks girls,” said Scoot, “see you later.”

The saddlebags were heavy, but Scoot didn’t want to make two trips. The Hayfields were waiting for Scootaloo to collect all her stuff so they could say their goodbye. They really were a good family and they liked Scootaloo a lot. But with their move to Baltamare, it was time to let Scootaloo go back to the Home, they hadn’t planned on any long term commitment. They did have a quick snack prepared for her and helped get her saddle bags packed, it was an hour and a half which went by both too fast and too slow.

As Scootaloo trudged through Ponyville, she saw a shadow pass over; looking up she saw Rainbow Dash fly past. Ever since the camping trip, Rainbow had tried to make as much time as she could to see and do something fun with Scootaloo. Scootaloo was afraid at first with Rainbow being now married to Twilight, Rainbow wouldn’t have the time to spare for her.

But it was a pleasant surprise that Twilight had made sure that Rainbow had kept up the get-togethers. And in spite of wanting to spend time with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo found it was just as enjoyable when Twilight came along also. Scootaloo never realized Twilight could be so fun! And in spite of being so reserved, Twilight could tell some spooky ghost stories. But if Rainbow married her, then there must be something to the brainy mare.

As she turned the corner for the last half mile of her walk, she came to the part she dreaded worse. She had to go past Rich’s Barnyard Bargains, and sure enough, there in front of the store were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They just looked at Scoot. Silver Spoon said something to Diamond Tiara, it appeared a conversation was taking place. Diamond nodded her head and dashed into the store, she was soon back out. Then she and Silver were walking her way. Scootaloo was too weighed down by the bags to rush past and she had enough dignity to not run away, however, Scootaloo was surprised.

“Scootaloo, please wait,” said Diamond in a normal voice, not her snide condescending voice which she normally used when talking to Scoot and her friends.

“I have to get these to the Children’s Home,” said Scootaloo, confused what her frenemies were up to.

“Please wait Scootaloo,” said Silver in an equally civil tone. “Just rest a bit, we brought you a cold drink.”

Diamond offered Scootaloo a cold bottle of soda pop, Scoot accepted with a ‘thank you’. Scoot was also surprised it wasn’t tainted with pepper or vinegar.

“Here,” said Diamond, “we know you’ve carried those bags a ways, let us help you the rest of the way.”

“Why so nice?” said Scootaloo.

“We might kick you when you aren’t looking,” said Silver Spoon, taking one of the heavy bags from Scootaloo and putting it on her own back.

“But we won’t kick you when you’re down,” said Diamond Tiara, taking the other bag.

“Thank you girls,” said Scoot, “they were getting a bit much.”

“No problem,” said Diamond with a smile, “but if you tell anypony we were nice to you...”

“We’ll deny it!” finished Silver.

The two laughed to let Scootaloo know they were only half serious.

“I’d have it no other way,” said Scoot, joining the laughter.

As they walked along, they talked about school and the summer vacation was coming up soon. There were no talks of cutie marks or ‘blank flanks’. Scootaloo was starting to regret Diamond and Silver held animosity against the Cutie Mark Crusaders, she was finding the two fillies, down deep weren’t bad, but she’d always suspected it.

When they got to the Home, Scootaloo thanked the girls who actually gave her a quick hug.

As they left they called out.

“See you at school, blank flank!”

But they all laughed.

Scootaloo dragged the saddle bags into the reception area. To her surprise, all of her things which had been brought over already, were sitting out there on the floor and not in her new room.

“Oh Scootaloo,” said Candy Mane, the mare who ran the Home. “I’m so sorry we didn’t catch you before having to bring that all here.”

“What do you mean?” asked the filly.

“There’s already a family who wants to take you in, they’re in the office filling out the paperwork to start the adoption process,” said Candy Mane with a smile. “A wagon will be by soon to pick up your things.”

“Adoption? Who?” said Scootaloo, excited but cautious.

“That’d be me,” said the voice of a pony coming into the reception area.

Scootaloo turned and saw the very familiar mare and understood what living with her would mean.

“No way!” replied Scoot, her face about to split from the smile.

The mare’s face beamed as well.

It was a hard day getting ready for the big storm due tomorrow. Rainbow was so looking forward to a great meal and evening with her beloved Twilight.

Rainbow was met at the door by Twilight; she was excited to have Rainbow home, almost more than usual. After a kiss she’d been waiting for all day, Rainbow went and washed up for dinner.

As Rainbow sat at the table she noticed there was an extra place set. Twilight sat by Rainbow and gave Rainbow a kiss and then she called out.

“Time to eat, get down here while it’s still hot.”

“Do we have a visitor, Lover-Pony?” asked Rainbow.

Twilight levitated the dishes of food to the table. Rainbow levitated the glasses to the table; two wine, one water and one which looked like a hay smoothie.

“No visitor,” said Twilight, “more like a long term guest. I hope you won’t mind, but now that I’m a ‘Dash’, I kind of wanted to be like you and be proactive.”

“About what?” asked Rainbow intrigued.

“There’s a pony who really needs our help,” Twilight said with a smile which lit up the room.

“What? Pinkie Pie didn’t get enough dinner at Sugarcube Corner again?” laughed Rainbow.

They both laughed.

“Probably not,” said Twilight, “but she’s isn’t the pony.”

Rainbow then heard claw and hoof steps on the stair. First entered Spike then a well know filly.

“Hello Rainbow.”

“Squirt!” said Rainbow excitedly.

“She had to go back to the Children’s Home,” said Twilight, “I think she needs to have ponies devoted to guide her with a long term commitment. And I think you need to have some distraction Honey. I think this could take care of two problems.

If it’s okay with you, I told the Home that we wanted to start the adoption process.”

Rainbow looked at Twilight then Scootaloo and then at Spike. They all were looking hopefully at Rainbow.

“Do you want to live here,” asked Rainbow almost as excited as Scoot, “with us?”

“Yes please,” said Scoot.

“Would you want us to adopt you?” asked Rainbow.

“More than anything!” said Scootaloo excitedly.

“Come over here,” said Rainbow holding out her forelegs.

Scootaloo rushed to the hug Rainbow was offering. Twilight and Spike joined the hug.

“Welcome to the family, Squirt.”

Scootaloo was in Elysium, past foster families were friendly enough, and to a small degree, loving. But to a pony, they were just helping to keep the Children’s Home from being overcrowded.

But here she could feel love being offered to her as part of a family. Not just a random filly to help out the Home.

Scootaloo was chosen...

They wanted her! She didn’t care about being uncool right now. There were as many tears of joy in Twilight and Rainbow’s eyes as her own.

It was a happy evening, Rainbow and Twilight helped Scootaloo settle in. Rainbow even went and retrieved a cloud bed from her cloud home. Scootaloo was beside herself. A real piece of Pegasus furniture! Spike didn’t mind sharing his room with Scootaloo and the little filly had no problem with being in the room with Spike.

As the evening progressed, Twilight suggested they should get some rest and despite the impending storm, they’d take a ‘family outing’ the next day. Never before had any of her previous foster families did any outing for just her.

Spike told Twilight he’d already volunteered to help Fluttershy with some correspondence and suggested they have the shy Pegasus stay at the library. That way they could give Scootaloo more attention.

Twilight woke up later that night to find Rainbow wasn’t in bed. She got up and went to look for her wife. Twilight found Rainbow in Spike and Scootaloo’s room. Rainbow was sitting at the foot of Scoot’s bed just looking at her.

“Honey, is there something wrong?” whispered Twilight.

Rainbow turned and looked at her purple wife, there were tears in her eyes.

“I’m just thinking of what might’ve been,” said Rainbow in a low voice, “and I’m so afraid of what might happen.”

“Like what,” said Twilight, still at a whisper. She walked to Rainbow and put a foreleg around Rainbow’s neck.

Rainbow leaned her head against Twilight; she was still looking at Scootaloo.

The little filly appeared to be sleeping soundly.

“I’ve seen all the fun and joy other parents show and I think being a single parent might not have been so bad. Just look at Muffins, Amethyst Star and Dinky. They always look happy together. And me, I just threw my child away as if he was empty drink cup from Mac Donkey’s.

Now I’m so afraid I’ll screw up Scootaloo’s life. I don’t exactly have the greatest track record as a parent.”

“Oh Honey,” said Twilight, stroking Rainbow’s mane, “you’ll be a great parent. You’ll be at least 20% cooler than any other parent.”

Rainbow and Twilight chuckled softly.

“Let’s go back to bed,” said Twilight, looking in Rainbow’s eyes, “I know a way guaranteed to wear you out and get you back to sleep.”

Rainbow smiled at Twilight and got up to go.

The two started to leave the room when they heard the little voice of Scootaloo.

“Please don’t go,” said the filly.

Rainbow and Twilight stopped and turned around.

“Is there something wrong Sweetie?” said Twilight.

Twilight and Rainbow went and sat on either edge of Scoot’s bed. Scootaloo sat up and was surprised to see that Twilight could sit on a cloud bed, but this wasn’t the time for that.

“I had a dream,” said Scootaloo, trying not to sound too troubled. “I dreamt I was asleep in this bed when I heard a pony come in the room.”

“It was us,” said Rainbow.

“No,” replied Scootaloo, “I looked and it was a Pegasus colt about my age.”

Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other.

“He walked up to me and said, ‘I’m so glad you’re here. Please take care of my mommy for me, I’ll never get the chance now.

Tell her it’s not her fault, I’m not mad at her and I’ll always love her.’

Then he smiled and just disappeared. Next thing I knew I heard the two of you whispering.”

Rainbow looked troubled.

“What did he look like?” asked Rainbow.

Scootaloo thought for a moment, then she said.

“He was brown with a red, yellow and blue mane and tail.”

“It was him!” said Rainbow, tears starting to form.

“Who?” asked the filly.

“I think you should tell her,” said Twilight, “especially if she’s to be a part of this family.”

Rainbow looked at Twilight, her purple wife saw the sadness and guilt on Rainbow face, but Rainbow slowly nodded.

“Scootaloo,” said Rainbow, “you have the right to know this. It may affect your decision to be with us.

When I was in high school, not much older than you, I was very stupid.”

“You’re not stupid!” said Scootaloo in defense of her hero.

“I think Twilight might argue that point sometimes,” said Rainbow, Twilight was nodding but a pony could tell she didn’t mean it, Scootaloo giggled, even Rainbow smiled.

“But I was stupid then. I know at your age and what they teach in school you’re aware of what sex is and what it’s all about.”

Scootaloo nodded her head; both Rainbow and Twilight were glad they didn’t have to have that talk with their foster daughter.

“I never paid attention to the warnings, I only thought it was just for fun. With as few colts as there were, it was a way I could get colts to like me,” said Rainbow, swallowing hard to fortify her nerves.

“Well, it caught up with me and I found myself pregnant. I was a freshman in high school, no parents of my own, and only an older sister. I didn’t even have a good idea who the father of the child was.”

Scootaloo’s face was blank not knowing what to think so far.

“After the eleven months, I had a beautiful little colt,” continued Rainbow, tears streaming from her eyes, “a beautiful little colt I gave up for adoption right away. I only saw and held him once. He was brown with a red, yellow and blue mane and tail.”

“Why did you give him up for adoption?” asked Scootaloo, tears starting to form and feeling the pain again of being an abandoned child.

“I told you,” said Rainbow, “I was stupid. I was only thinking of me and the ‘right now’. I wasn’t mature enough to think of the pain to come.

The pain I caused him when he was old enough to know his mother didn’t want him and just gave him up.

The pain I’ve felt for the loss of my only family at the time, my sister threw me out because I was so stupid.

The pain of guilt and loss I’ve felt inside every day since the time I only thought of myself.

And the pain I can see in your eyes now you know what a monster I am. I only hope one day you can forgive me.”

Scootaloo always played the ‘act now and think later’ member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but she was no dummy. Like Rainbow, there was more to her than the dumb filly act.

She could see the pain she was feeling for herself and a fellow abandoned child was nowhere as great as the pain Rainbow was showing. It actually gave her some comfort to think her birth mother may pine for her.

Rainbow was crying hard, Twilight was holding her trying to comfort her. Scootaloo knew if she had a foal right now, or even a few years from now, she could in no way handle it. With the pain of her abandonment put into perspective, seeing there really can be another side to it. Scootaloo found it easy to forgive Rainbow, and somehow it made her hero a more real pony.

The thought of her dream came back to her.

‘If he can forgive her and still love her, so can I,’ thought Scootaloo.

She realized what all this could mean. She could have something she’d never had before and never thought she would have.

“I’ll forgive you under one condition,” said Scootaloo with tears in her own eyes.

“What’s that Sweetheart?” asked Twilight, still comforting Rainbow.

“I’ll forgive you only if I can call you both...

Mom.

I’ve never had a mom.” Said Scootaloo choking back a sob.

Rainbow spun around so fast neither Twilight nor Scootaloo saw her do it. But she scooped up Scootaloo and was holding her close.

“I’d be honored to be your mom,” said Rainbow kissing the little filly on the top of her head over and over.

“As would I, “ said Twilight joining the hug, she was starting to cry as well.

“I’ve never had a mom before, and now I have two!” said Scootaloo, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.