Lack of Faith

Chapters

Lack of Faith
Leap of Faith
Loss of Faith
Fixing Faith
Forging Faith
Found Faith

Lack of Faith

"You gave such a good report, Scootaloo!" Windy Whistles squealed. "I was moved to tears." To emphasize her point, Windy wiped away a tear from her eye.

"You killed it, Scoots!" Rainbow Dash held out her hoof to her young fan.

"Thanks, Rainbow Dash!" A beaming Scootaloo hoof-bumped Rainbow.

"I swear, Scootaloo, I'm as proud of you as I am of Rainbow Dash!" Bow Hothoof chimed in, winking at Scootaloo from across the table.

The four pegasi sat around a table in an ice cream parlor of Rainbow Dash's choosing. Rainbow Dash's parents, Windy and Bow, sat on one side of the table, while the younger two ponies were seated across from them. Rainbow and her family had insisted on taking Scootaloo out to eat after her school report. Scootaloo had known Windy and Bow for a short time, but she had already formed a strong bond with them.

"I hope you don't mind if we come see future reports," Windy said. Her light scarlet bob bounced as she spoke. "Now that Rainbow Dash is always training and such-" Windy cast an apologetic smile in her daughter's direction "-we'd love to cheer another young pony on."

"Come as often as you want!" Scootaloo flushed happily. "You guys are so cool!"

"Glad you think so, little lady," Bow chuckled.

"Aw, stop, you'll embarrass her!" Rainbow Dash said, slinging a hoof around Scootaloo's shoulders. At that moment, the waitress arrived with their ice cream. "Yes, I am starving!" Rainbow immediately killed the sentimental mood by digging into the rainbow sherbet that had just been placed in front of her.

Scootaloo took her ice cream sundae, as did Windy and Bow.

"To Rainbow Dash and her amazing career as a Wonderbolt!" Bow cheered, raising his spoon in the air.

"And to Scootaloo, and her blossoming school career!" Windy exclaimed with enough enthusiasm to rival Pinkie Pie. "Cheers!"

"Cheers!" everyone chorused, bringing their spoons together. Clink! Clink!

"I hope you had a fun time, Scoots," Rainbow Dash remarked as she escorted Scootaloo home. Dash's parents had returned to their cloud house with the promise that Scootaloo could visit anytime. The orange glow of dusk blanketed the Ponyville streets.

"I did!" Scootaloo replied eagerly. "I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: your parents are the coolest!"

"You guys really hit it off," Rainbow commented, smiling at her faux sister. Her smiled faltered a little. "Scootaloo, can I ask... how's your relationship with you own parents?"

"Huh?" Scootaloo turned towards Rainbow, curiosity in her lilac eyes.

"You told me that your parents didn't give as much supported as mine did," Rainbow said quickly. "Was that it? Did they discourage you at all? Did they, er... hit you?"

"What?! No!" Scootaloo exclaimed in alarm. "No, they weren't abusive or anything. It's just..." Scootaloo sighed. "They didn't really do much. It's kinda complicated. Did you know we used to live in Cloudsdale?"

Scootaloo hobbled through the halls of her house. She was five years old and hungry. Her parents were around here somewhere, she knew.

Scootaloo stumbled. It was hard for her to get a grip on the cloud foundation. Sometimes, Scootaloo felt that if she wasn't careful, she'd slip right through the clouds. None of the other pegasi had this problem.

Scootaloo stopped outside the kitchen. Within, she heard voices. She recognized two as her parents', but there was a third she couldn't identify.

"Let me get this straight, doctor. You're saying our daughter has a defect?" said a feminine voice. Scootaloo's mother. The tiny filly's ears pricked. Was her mother talking about her?

"To put it frankly, yes," responded another voice, a deep masculine one. "If you say she has difficulty walking on clouds- well, that in itself will clear up with time, but it's often an indicator of an underlying issue. Weak Pegasus magic in the bloodstream. Your daughter might not even be able to fly as capably as other Pegasi do."

Scootaloo didn't understand even half of those words. Even though she was hungry, she sensed that this wasn't a conversation to be interrupted. She sat on her rump and waited for the grownups.

"So what do we do?" asked the gruff voice of Scootaloo's father. "Some physical therapy aught to fix her right up."

"I can recommend you to a specialist, if you'd like to get a more in depth diagnosis. I don't specialize in magical deficiencies." The doctor paused. "Your daughter will be fine, though."

"How will she be fine if she's defective?" Scootaloo's mother asked indignantly. Scootaloo flinched at the malice in her mom's voice.

"We're speaking about a foal, not a machine," the doctor answered cooly. "Even if she's a Pegasus who can't fly, that doesn't diminish her worth."

One of Scootaloo's parents snorted, as if the doctor had declared something absurd. "Thank you for your consultation, doctor."

"Anytime." There was rumbling in the other room. Scootaloo backed away from the doorway as the doctor emerged from the kitchen.

"Oh, hello!" He was flustered.

"Hi," Scootaloo answered. "Were you talking about me?"

"Er..." The doctor's eyes darted from side to side. "Yes. It's my job to make sure little fillies like you are healthy."

Scootaloo giggled as he ruffled her close-cropped mane.

The doctor left and Scootaloo made her way into the kitchen. Her parents were talking in low, hushed voices.

"Hi!" Scootaloo said cheerfully. "Mommy, can I have some macaroni?"

Her mother looked up, startled. "Oh, uh, of course, sweetie."

"None of that," Scootaloo's father scoffed. "We should start her on a nutritious diet, after what the doctor said."

"What's nutritious?" Scootaloo asked.

"Be quiet, honey," Scootaloo's mother ordered her in a clipped voice. She resumed talking with her husband in low tones.

Scootaloo sat and waited for another half hour before her mother finally got up and begrudgingly prepared Scootaloo's meal.

"Scoots, wow..." Rainbow Dash stared into the sunset. They were almost at Scootaloo's house.

"I didn't figure out what they were talking about," Scootaloo admitted, "until the Equestrian Games a few years ago. Diamond Tiara brought that memory back... and I understood."

"So, what happened?" Rainbow asked. "Have they been ignoring you because you have difficulty flying?"

"Who knows if that's the only reason," Scootaloo said, shrugging helplessly. "We moved to Ponyville soon after that. I think it's because my parents wanted me on safer ground. But my dad still worked in Cloudsdale. He was a corporate boss, actually. He runs a plumbing company. I don't see him often. But my mother was a different story."

"Mommy!" Scootaloo trotted into her new house. It had been just over year since they had moved in, but the rustic Ponyville cottage still maintained a new-house smell. "Mommy, guess what!"

"What is it, Scootaloo?" Scootaloo's mother asked, poking her head around the corner. "What has you so excited?"

"My friend Toola Roola is doing a dance competition, and she said I can be her partner!" Scootaloo clapped her hooves excitedly. "So can I? Can I?"

"Are you sure you can dance?" Scootaloo's mother raised an eyebrow. "You, well, you're not good at flying, and flying and dancing are awfully similar."

Scootaloo's smile wobbled, but she picked herself back up. "Not really! Earth ponies like Toola Roola can dance too. It's on Friday. You gotta come!"

"You can dance if you want to." Scootaloo's mother smiled thinly. "I'll try to come."

"She didn't come, did she?" Rainbow guessed.

"Nope." Scootaloo shook her head. "At the time I was disappointed, but when I got home she told me she had too much work. I believed her, but I'm not sure what 'work' she was doing. And if you want another example, there's the time I built my scooter. I made it a few months before Twilight came to Ponyville, actually."

"Moom! Daaaad!" Scootaloo called from the front yard. She lugged a crate of old wooden planks across the yard. "Come see what I'm doing!"

Scootaloo's father, on one of his rare off days, poked his head out the window. "What are you doing with those boards, Scootaloo?"

"Making a scooter!" Scootaloo said, her wings fluttering excitedly. "Miss Cheerilee said I could take these home and try to build something with them! Aaand if I do make something cool, she'll give me extra credit!"

"I'll have a word with your teacher about giving you false ideas," Scootaloo's father said to himself. Scootaloo was close enough to overhear, and her face fell at the comment.

"You don't think I can do it?" Scootaloo's ears flattened.

Scootaloo's father shrugged. "Have a go, kid. Don't come crying to me when you can't finish your stupid little project." He retreated inside the house.

Scootaloo's stare fixated on the wood in front of her. She could do it... couldn't she?

With less enthusiasm than before, Scootaloo set to work on her new project. Cheerilee's extra credit was her only motivation, now.

A few hours later, Scootaloo had hammered the last nail in place. She allowed a grin to slip onto her face.

"Dad! I did it!" she called. "Mom! Dad! Come look at my scooter!"

It wasn't perfect. Several nails were bent, the wheels were crooked, and the base was in dire need of a sanding. But that was nothing that couldn't be fixed. Maybe Rumble or Sweetie Belle would help when she brought her new scooter into school tomorrow.

"Mother? Father?" Scootaloo shouted again.

Scootaloo's mother didn't bother to come outside. Instead, she shouted as loud as she could: "Your father went back to work. Be quiet, honey."

Scootaloo frowned. She stared forlornly at her handiwork. "I guess it's just you and me," she said to the scooter. "I don't know why my parents ignore me."

The scooter fell over.

"Wow." Rainbow Dash was angry yet perplexed. "What total jerks."

"Yeah, well..." Scootaloo stood on her porch. "I have the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and you! They don't matter so much when I have other ponies to support you."

"Still, not okay!" Rainbow shook her head firmly. She wrapped Scootaloo in a giant bear hug. "I'll always believe in you, I promise. My parents, too."

"Thanks Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo giggled. "I think I've figured that out."

Leap of Faith

A few days later, Rainbow Dash stood in the front lobby of Cloudsdale Plumbing Inc. Her eyebrows were furrowed in seriousness as she approached the receptionist.

"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked, looking up at Rainbow with nothing short of disdain, as receptionists usually did.

"Uh, hi. I need to see the CEO of this building?" Rainbow pursed her lips. "What's his name?"

"Shortstack Outflow?" The receptionist rolled her eyes. "Must not be very important if you don't even know the CEO's name."

"This is very important!" Rainbow slammed a hoof on the desk with more force than she intended. Both ponies winced. With somewhat more calm, Rainbow continued, "It's about his daughter."

The receptionist coughed. "Oh please, Shortstack doesn't need to be bothered with that runt. If you don't have a real reason to see Shortstack, then get out."

Rainbow's blood was boiling. How dare you insult Scootaloo! You don't even know her! Rainbow swallowed and tried to remain cool. Twilight's always said to keep my temper in check. At that moment, a thought flew into her brain. Rainbow smiled coyly and leaned in.

"'His daughter' is actually the codename for the project we're working on," Rainbow informed the receptionist. "I'm a Wonderbolt, see, and we're working on a partnership... I guess I shouldn't tell you that, since you didn't know the code."

"What? No! Shorty tells me everything!" The receptionist bit her lip. "I'm his... I'm his receptionist!"

Rainbow pounced on the mare's reply. "Awfully cozy, using his nickname like that," she pointed out. "You and Mr. Outflow aren't involved in anything unprofessional, are you?"

The receptionist didn't say anything. Rainbow took her silence as a yes.

"It's no concern of mine." Rainbow Dash yawned lazily. "I just need to see Mr. Outflow about the project. So if you'll just point me in the direction of his office, everything will be grade-A awesome."

The receptionist slumped. "His office is on the third floor. Take the left airlevator, fly down the first hall you see, and his office is on the right."

"Thanks!" Rainbow Dash winked and jetted off to the airlevator.

Pegasi had little need for stairs or regular elevators, considering they could fly. Instead, most Cloudsdale buildings had airlevators, large shafts where ponies could fly up and down from floor to floor. Rainbow made her way to the left one and flew up.

She followed the receptionist's directions and soon arrived at the entrance to Shortstack Outflow's office. His name was embossed on a gold plate, so Rainbow had no room for error. Rainbow took a deep breath to ready herself for the monster she was about to face, then she knocked on the door to the office.

A low rumbling reached her ears. It slowly grew louder as the seconds passed, then the door handle squeaked as the pony on the other side unlocked it.

"What do you want?" Shortstack asked, annoyance etched across his face.

"Wow. You are shorter than I imagined." Rainbow was staring at a dusty red pony barely taller than Scootaloo herself.

Shortstack raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "It's in the name, miss. I don't know what you expected. Let me reiterate my question: What. Do. You. Want?"

"Hi, Mr. Outflow. I'm Rainbow Dash." Rainbow extended her hoof for a shake. Ew, I don't want to touch this creep.
But I'm not gonna get kicked out for being rude. Not yet, anyways.

Shortstack's taupe eyes drifted from her hoof to her face. "Why are you here, Miss Dash? I am a very busy pony. I don't have time for pleasantries."

"Or your daughter, apparently," Rainbow muttered under her breath. She withdrew her unanswered hoofshake and began speaking. "I'm here to talk to you about your daughter."

"Scootaloo? She's fine. If that's all, please leave me alone. You're testing my limits." Shortstack backed away and began to close the door.

"No!" You're not getting away that easy! Rainbow lunged forward and stuck her hoof in the doorway to keep the door from slamming shut. "I want to know why you're such a jerk to Scootaloo!"

"Jerk? Don't go accusing me of things you don't know anything about, Miss Dash. Just because I'm a career-focused pony doesn't mean I'm a jerk-"

"You don't believe in her! You said you wanted to talk to Miss Cheerilee about giving Scootaloo 'false hopes!'" Rainbow countered, glaring up at him. "She told me! She told me everything! You're a terrible father!"

"Scootaloo told you that, did she? I suppose that you know everything about my family, then," Shortstack said coldly. "You don't know my daughter. Get out."

"Yes I do!" Rainbow snapped. "She's like a sister to me! Only you wouldn't know, because you're never around! And her mom is probably worse!"

"Shut up, horse," Shortstack said. "I am this close to calling security."

"Why don't you love her?" Rainbow pressed. "She doesn't deserve parents like you!"

"Would you like me to explain why my daughter is a hopeless case?" Shortstack asked, malice laced in his tone. "If you're that insistent, come on in. I'll tell you, since you want to know so bad." He retreated to his desk. Rainbow followed without hesitation.

"I'll work and talk," Shortstack said. "So don't interrupt." He reached into his desk and pulled out some documents. Shortstack pushed a silver hair out of his eyes. Rainbow watched, waiting for him to start. She seethed with rage, but she kept the magma at her core so that Shortstack would talk.

"My daughter," Shortstack began, "was born premature. By only three weeks, sure, but that was enough to do damage. My wife and I have reviewed the doctors' notes several times. Scootaloo's Pegasus magic was underdeveloped. On top of that, so were her wing muscles. Whether they were correlated or not, we don't know. Doesn't matter, because you know what that means? She's a defect. The kid can't walk on clouds as well as other Pegasi, and she has runty, pathetic little wings. She'll never be able to fly. She won't amount to anything, so there's no point in investing my time in her." Shortstack reached under his desk and pushed something. "Case closed."

Okay, thing about Twilight's advice too stay calm-

"That's... that's stupid!" Rainbow burst out. "Scootaloo isn't worthless! And even if she can't fly, she's still a pony who deserves respect! You're such a dead-beat, you know that?"

"I don't give a flying feather about what you think of me," Shortstack said. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused with Rainbow's fury. "Stop reminding me that I produced a failure, okay? Leave my office."

"No! You need to understand-"

"I thought you might resist," Shortstack interrupted. Suddenly, three security ponies burst through the door.

"This one giving you trouble, sir?" The head security pony pointed at Rainbow. Shortstack's slight nod was all he needed to grab Rainbow Dash.

"No! Let me go!" Rainbow struggled to no avail. "I need to tell this loser how much of a jerk he is!"

"Quiet, miss," barked the Pegasus holding Rainbow's left wing.

"Good bye, Miss Dash," Shortstack said calmly, not looking up from the rest of her papers.

"You'll regret this!" Rainbow scowled. Her kicks grew less frequent, and she thought, Shortstack isn't the only pony I need to chew out.

Ten minutes later, Rainbow Dash had returned to Ponyville. Scootaloo was at school, so Dash didn't have to worry about any unwanted intrusions on her second interrogation. She perched herself on Scootaloo's doorstep and knocked deftly.

"Hello?" A mare immediately opened the door. Her pink hair was plaited down the back, and she wore bright green eyeshadow that clashed with her pale yellow coat.

"Are you Scootaloo's mother?" Rainbow Dash asked. It was a rhetorical question, but the mare shrugged.

"I'm Angel Pulse, but please don't call me her mother," Angel said. "More like her caretaker. What the buck do you want?"

"I'm Rainbow Dash. I'm really close to Scootaloo," Rainbow explained, a sharp edge to her voice. "She told me you and your husband Shortstack don't like her."

"Well of course I like her!" Angel replied, smiling a bit too wide for Rainbow's liking. "I think you're confusing Scootaloo with some other filly-"

"You literally just denied that she was your kid," Rainbow deadpanned. "And I just saw your husband Shortstack to ask him the same stuff."

"Of course you did." Angel rolled her eyes. "Say, aren't you a Wonderbolt? I think I saw you at one of their shows."

Rainbow glared at her. "Just tell me why you hate Scootaloo so much. She's done nothing! So what if she has trouble flying? That's no excuse to dissuade her from achieving her dreams."

"Shortstack and I are just trying to keep her grounded." Angel adjusted her braid. "Grounded in reality, that is. You'd understand if you had a disabled kid."

"So that's how you rationalize it?" Rainbow blinked. Okay, don't buck this up. "I hope you know your husband is cheating on you with his secretary."

Angel Pulse glared at Rainbow for a solid three seconds. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Okay maybe that wasn't a smart move. Rainbow swallowed, but held her ground. "I dunno, maybe knowing your husband is leaving you for another mare will make you realize that you need to be nicer to other ponies. Specifically, your daughter."

Another three seconds passed before Angel slammed the door in Rainbow Dash's face.

"You're a horrible mother!" Rainbow called out. When no answer came, she spread her blue wings and took off for Sweet Apple Acres.

"You did what?" Applejack's green eyes widened after Rainbow Dash recounted the morning's events. "Rainbow Dash, you cannot do that!"

"Why not?" Rainbow folded her front hooves. "Scoots' parents are jerks! They need somepony to set them straight!"

Applejack set down the basket of apples she had been carrying. "Listen, sugarcube, I know that Scootaloo's parents ain't the best apples in the bushel. But from what I've heard and seen, they don't bother Scootaloo too much. She has Sweetie Belle an' Apple Bloom, plus you and your parents. And everypony else. An' trust me, hon, if Scootaloo is happy, it ain't wise to rock the boat."

"Why not?" Rainbow Dash repeated.

"Are they physically harming her?" Applejack demanded.

"No, I don't think so-"

"Doesn't Scootaloo have supportive friends like you and the CMC?" Applejack raised her Eyebrow™.

"Yeah, but-"

"Then let it go." Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on Rainbow Dash's chest. "If Scootaloo ain't bothered by them, why should you be?"

"Too late now, AJ," Rainbow pointed out. "I'm just trying to look out for her. She's like my sister, you know? I'm more family to her than her scumbag parents."

"I get that, Dashie. I just can't help wondering if this is all gonna go sour..." Applejack bit her lip. "Be careful, alright? Especially since you told Angel Pulse that Shortstack was cheatin' on her. I know you're impulsive, but that was plain uncalled for."

"You know what they say, honesty is the best policy." Rainbow laughed sheepishly.

"If ya say so, Sugarcube." Applejack affectionately punched Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "Come on, can ya help me sort out these apples?"

Loss of Faith

"Another successful day of crusadin'!" Apple Bloom proclaimed triumphantly after their latest client, First Base, left the clubhouse.

"You can say that again!" Sweetie Belle said, high-hoofing Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, who would have thought that First Base's real talent was second base?" Scootaloo chimed in. The three fillies' manes were still ruffled from a two-hour game of baseball, but no pain was too great if it meant helping other ponies.

"Who do we have tomorrow?" Apple Bloom asked Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie examined the list on their wall. "Plumberry, a filly I used to know. She moved away shortly after my fifth birthday party, but she came back to Ponyville this year and needs our help now."

"Sounds awesome!" Scootaloo's wings fluttered excitedly. "What's her cutie mark?"

"She doesn't have one yet, that's what she needs are help with," Sweetie replied. "Anyways, I have to head home soon. My parents are cooking spaghetti tonight! That's my favorite!"

"Yummy! I'm helping Big Mac bake a pie for Sugar Belle!" Apple Bloom said. "I'll let you two know how she likes it." Apple Bloom winked. She and Sweetie turned to look at Scootaloo.

"I'm gonna start working on my homework," Scootaloo explained. "Maybe practice some scooter tricks later."

"Have fun!" Sweetie grinned at Scootaloo. "Can't wait to see what new stuff you come up with!"

"Yeah, you're already so good already!" Apple Bloom agreed.

"Thanks, guys!" Scootaloo slung her satchel around her neck; Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom followed suit.

The three friends parted ways. On her scooter, Scootaloo made quick time to her house. She hummed the Wonder Mare theme song as she sped through the dusk-lit streets of Ponyville.

Scootaloo parked her scooter right next to the mailbox before trotting inside. Almost immediately she was greeted by the squabbling voices of two ponies.

Dad's home? Scootaloo thought, peeking around the kitchen corner. Shortstack and Angel Pulse were head-to-head. Scootaloo kept quiet and listened to what they were saying.

"I'd never do such a thing!" Shortstack shouted. "She's just a friend!"

"Well that would explain why you never come home!" Angel retorted, flaring her wings. "Not that I care, because you don't contribute much anyways!"

"If you feel that way, fine!" Shortstack hovered in the air so that he was level with his wife. "Maybe it's better if we split up. Everything fell apart when the degenerate was born."

Angel gasped loudly. "Are you blaming me for Scootaloo's handicaps? Because I know for a fact that's all from your side of the family."

Scootaloo flattened her ears. Not this again.

"Where is the little runt, anyways?" Shortstack growled. "Shouldn't she be home from school?"

Instinct told Scootaloo to back away slowly. Which is what she did- until she slammed into the sharp edge of the staircase.

"Scootaloo!" Shortstack roared, catching sight of his daughter. "Your little friend stopped by today."

"What friend?" Scootaloo squeaked. "I was with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle all day!"

"Rainbow Dash," Angel answered, disdain etched into every crevice of her face. "To think you have the audacity to tarnish our good names by spreading lies about Shortstack and I!"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Scootaloo cried. "Why was Rainbow Dash here?"

Shortstack ignored her question. "We are your parents, and it's high time you started respecting us! You never have! Disobeying every command we give you? Absolutely disgraceful!"

Through her haze of fear, Scootaloo thought, What the buck? You're barely around for me to disrespect, let alone heed your every command.

"What commands? What did Rainbow Dash do?" Scootaloo pleaded. "I don't know what's going on!"

"Shortstack and I have talked it over," Angel snarled. "You're grounded. And that includes school, too. Until you learn to watch your tongue and respect us, you're staying silent, young filly."

Hot tears were flooding Scootaloo's eyes. "Please don't do this, it's not like-"

"What did I ever do to get stuck with a family as pathetic as this?" Shortstack muttered. He shoved Scootaloo towards the stairwell. Scootaloo toppled over. "Get to your room! And don't ever think about coming out!"

Scootaloo didn't have to think twice. She scrambled up the stairs and locked the door, lest her parents come after her. She exhaled deeply, then let the tears begin to fall.

"Why are they like this?" she whispered, leaning against her bedframe. "Mom and Dad have been so apathetic before, and all of a sudden..." Scootaloo sniffed and wiped away a tear. "It's like they hate me!"

Through bleary eyes, Scootaloo stared at the scrapbook at the foot of her bed. After grading it, Cheerilee had given Scootaloo's Rainbow Dash report back.

Scootaloo picked up the scrapbook and flipped through the pages. She stopped on one of the final pages. A recent photograph showed her with Rainbow Dash, Windy Whistles, and Bow Hothoof. Windy's and Bow's smiles were radiant as they hugged Rainbow and Scootaloo.

Scootaloo furrowed her brow as she stared at the photo. I told Rainbow about my parents, and the next thing I know they're screaming their heads off at me.

"What did you do, Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo whispered. She dropped the book on the ground and opened the window. It was dark, but anywhere was better than here. Even if anywhere was the cold, uninviting harshness of the night.

Windy Whistles had been asleep for thirty seconds when she awoke to a loud knocking on the door.

"I wasn't expecting anyone. Who could that be?" she muttered groggily. "Bow, can you get that?"

Bow snored and turned on his back.

Deep sleeper, Windy thought. She slid into her slippers and walked down to the front door.

"What if it's the doctor and Rainbow Dash had an accident?" Windy brainstormed as she approached the door. "I hope everything's alright." She mustered a smile and pulled the door open.

"Scootaloo?" Windy's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the filly before her. "What are you doing her, sweetie? It's past your bedtime!"

Scootaloo smiled weakly. "Can I spend the night with you?"

"Are your parents okay with that?"

Scootaloo's expression darkened and she shook her head. "I'll explain in the morning. But you've been so awesome to me, I thought maybe I could stay here."

"I..." As a mother, Windy was torn. Scootaloo's own parents had no idea where she was; that was a problem. On the flip side, Windy cared for Scootaloo like a second daughter herself, and this clearly wasn't a willy-nilly choice on Scootaloo's part. And, it might be selfish, but Rainbow had moved out, and Windy missed having somepony to mother.

"Of course, Scootaloo. You can stay with us." Windy wrapped her hooves around Scootaloo. "You can stay in Rainbow Dash's room. Do you want any bedtime snacks?"

Scootaloo sighed in relief. "Thank you so much, Windy Whistles."

"Don't worry about a thing, Scootaloo. You can tell Bow and me all the details over a nice stack of pancakes tomorrow." Windy ushered Scootaloo inside, smiling serenely.

Rainbow Dash woke up the following morning feeling antsy. Some of the anger from yesterday had faded over night, but she was still angered by Shortstack and Angel Pulse.

"For once, I don't want to go to practice," she said to herself as she pulled on her Wonderbolts goggles. "I need to see what's happened with Scootaloo!"

Still, Spitfire would have Dash's hide for skipping practice, so she arrived to practice anyways.

Maybe it was her impatience, but practice flew by. Before Rainbow knew it, she was in the locker room with the rest of the Wonderbolts. She found herself confiding in Soarin about the prior events.

"I hope they've thought about what I told them," she declared after laying out the details. "Like, how can they go on living like that? They're jerks!"

"They sound awful, Rainbow Dash," Soarin answered. "Be careful, okay?"

"That's what Applejack said!" Rainbow rolled her eyes. She slammed her locker shut as she continued, "I'll be fine; I'm a grown mare. Scootaloo's the one who needs to be careful around her parents."

Soarin smiled with understanding. "Don't underestimate her. From what you've told me—and everyone else—about her, Scootaloo is very resilient."

"Yeah, totally. See you tomorrow! Thanks for listening!" Rainbow waved to Soarin and flew off to find Scootaloo.

The first thing Rainbow noticed when she returned to Ponyville was the bright crimson bow atop Apple Bloom's head. "Apple Bloom!" she called out, diving in for a landing. Accompanying Apple Bloom was Sweetie Belle, and both fillies carried their school bags on their barrels.

"Oh, hi, Rainbow Dash," Apple Bloom said. "How are ya?"

"Pretty good. By the way, where's Scootaloo? She's normally with you guys." Rainbow folded her arms in confusion.

Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance with Apple Bloom. She stepped forward. "Actually, we were hoping you could tell us. Scoots wasn't at school today."

"What?" Rainbow's ear flicked. "Why not? Is she sick?"

"Nope. Her mom came in and asked Miss Cheerilee where Scootaloo was," Apple Bloom explained, frowning. "She was really mad, too. She wasn't screaming, but you could see it on her face."

"So that means Scootaloo isn't at home. And she wasn't at school. Where else could she be?" An uneasy feeling washed over Rainbow. "You don't think she ran away, do you? She wouldn't do that!"

"Yeah, I doubt it," Sweetie said. "Scootaloo seemed fine the past few days."

Maybe it was because of me. Oh my Celestia, what did her parents do? Rainbow thought. Her magenta irises shrank and she grimaced.

"What's wrong, Rainbow Dash?" asked Apple Bloom.

"I'm going to go now," Rainbow answered, taking flight. "I'll find Scootaloo, don't worry about her.

"Where could she have gone?" Rainbow asked herself as she flew across Ponyville. "She couldn't have hidden someplace like Sugarcube Corner the entire day." Rainbow flew over Sugarcube Corner. "Maybe Mom and Dad could help me look... Oh."

Without another word, Rainbow switched directions and headed for her parents' house.

"Ah, hi, Dashie dear!" Windy Whistles smiled at her daughter. "What brings you here?"

"Scootaloo," Rainbow answered plainly. "I want to know if she's here."

The pained look that flashed across Windy's face was confirmation enough. Windy answered, "She doesn't want to see you right now, sweetie. I'm sorry."

"What? Why? What did I do?" Rainbow furrowed her eyebrows. "Is this about confronting her parents? Because I was totally doing the right thing!"

"I know you thought you were, Rainbow." Windy glanced behind herself. "And frankly, I don't blame you. But this isn't a talk meant for you and me. It's for you and Scootaloo to have. Hold on a minute."

Windy disappeared into the household. Rainbow tapped her hoof impatiently until her mother reemerged, Scootaloo at her side.

"Scootaloo! I'm so glad to see you!" Rainbow cried. "Why are you mad?"

"You made things worse, to put it simply." Scootaloo stepped closer to Windy. "I'm not as furious as I was when I put two and two together, but I'm still pissed. What the buck were you thinking, talking to my parents like that?"

"Language," Windy warned.

"Sorry," Scootaloo said absently. Her hardened gaze focused on Rainbow. "They hate me now. Before, they didn't really care. Disappointed, maybe. But it wasn't hard to deal with. I got home last night, and Dad was threatening to leave Mom. Over me, and what you said to them. Then he pushed me!" Scootaloo huffed and stared at the ceiling, blinking back tears. "First time in forever my parents ever touched me, and it was aggressive."

"Scootaloo..." Rainbow took a tentative step forward, but Scootaloo looked away.

"You messed everything up. None of this would be happening if you hadn't intervened. Why couldn't you have just let this go?"

"What was I supposed to do?" The words came out harsher than intended, and Rainbow winced. "You told me that your parents didn't believe in you! Like they were horrible ponies!"

"At least I could live with them! They weren't a problem! I have all the friends in the world to build me up. Their opinions don't matter. But now... I don't feel safe going back there!" Scootaloo tightened her mouth. "Good bye, Rainbow." She disappeared into the house.

Windy and Rainbow were silent.

"Do you think I'm a terrible pony, too?" Rainbow mumbled.

"No, of course not, honey," Windy answered. "You just acted a little rashly. But now the question is, how will you make it up to her?"

Fixing Faith

Rainbow Dash arrived at Town Hall just as Mayor Mare opened the front doors.

"Good afternoon, Miss Rainbow Dash," said the mayor cordially. "Can I do anything for you?"

"Yes," Rainbow answered matter-of-factly. "I need you to change Scootaloo's legal guardians."

Mayor Mare blinked, then began to chuckle.

"This is serious!" Rainbow huffed. "Come on, you have to help her!"

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash," Mayor Mare said, wiping her eyes. "It's just that, well, your request is absurd. You're a third party requesting this, and from what I know, Scootaloo's parents are competent in raising her. Unless you'd like to make a case otherwise?"

Rainbow filled the mayor in on the past few days' events. "So, like, can you help me? I need to make it up to her. And her parents friggin' hate her. Scootaloo would be better with my parents."

"I'm afraid disliking your child isn't grounds for Foal Protective Services to help," Mayor Mare said, frowning with regret. "Still, I understand your concerns. I can't promise anything definite, but what I can do is arrange for a meeting between Scootaloo's parents and your parents, if you'd like. You and Scootaloo, and perhaps her pediatrician, can sit in if need be."

"Oh my gosh, that would be so good. Thank you!" Rainbow threw her forelegs around the mayor.

"My pleasure," Mayor Mare answered. "I can organize this as soon as tomorrow."

"Awesome!" Rainbow hoof-pumped. "Now we just need Shortstack and Angel Pulse to say-"

"No." Shortstack glared daggers at Rainbow across the table.

"No?" Rainbow blanched. Her jaw hit the table. "You were just raving about how you raised a disappointment! And now you don't want to let her go?"

Rainbow sat opposite Shortstack and Angel Pulse. Windy and Bow also sat on her side, while Mayor Mare sat at the adjacent side.

"Think of what other ponies would say," Angel Pulse snapped She and Shortstack maintained an uncomfortable distance. "They'd go assuming things. We can handle Scootaloo, no matter what any meddling ponies think." She shot a pointed glance at Rainbow.

Although she felt guilty for upsetting Scootaloo, Rainbow was unfazed by Angel's harsh words. "Have you even stopped to consider Scootaloo's thoughts on the matter?"

"Her feelings aren't relevant," Shortstack said. "Imagine if every little filly got what they wanted. We'd have foals roaming the streets because their parents gave some tough love. Which is what we are doing."

Bow frowned and leaned forward. "You've never stopped to consider Scootaloo's feelings? Do you even know where she is half the time?"

Mayor Mare coughed lightly. "Let's keep these negotiations pleasant, shall we? Shortstack and Angel Pulse, Rainbow Dash informed me about your attitudes towards your daughter. From what she's said, you do the bare minimum for her and don't give her any emotional support. While that's not neglect, per se, I'm rather inclined to indulge Rainbow Dash's position. If Scootaloo wants to live permanently with Windy and Bow-"

"We'd love to raise another foal!" Bow broke in, Windy nodding enthusiastically along side him.

"-then I see no reason why she shouldn't," Mayor Mare finished. She stared at Angel and Shortstack expectantly. "And as I understand, you are also going through some marital troubles. That wouldn't be any help to Scootaloo's state of help."

"I'm not agreeing to anything put forth by that meddling Wonderbolt," Shortstack growled.

Irritation swelled in Rainbow's chest, a red hot emotion that singed her bangs and charred her coat.

"We only want the best for Scootaloo," Windy began.

"Buck off," Angel Pulse answered. "You're probably worse parents than we could ever be, if you raised that stupid mare over there." She pointed at Rainbow Dash.

"I don't care what you say about me!" Rainbow shouted, flaring her wings. "You're being total jerks right now! You don't even like Scootaloo, you admitted as much to me. But now you're keeping her to save your reputation? Ugh, you make me sick!"

Then Rainbow Dash galloped out of Town Hall.

"That's all terrible, Scootaloo," Apple Bloom said as she brushed Sweetie Belle's tail.

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle agreed, bobbing head each time Apple Bloom pulled. "Your parents really went off the deep end."

"I know." Scootaloo sighed. She rolled her eyes as she continued braiding the lower part of Sweetie's mane. "And it's all Rainbow Dash's fault."

Apple Bloom set down the hairbrush. "Don't you think you're being a little harsh on her? She was just tryna help."

"Maybe she was, but she only made things worse," Scootaloo answered. "Next time I see my parents, they're going to kill me, no doubt about it."

"But she's been your icon for forever," Sweetie pointed out. "And that all changes now?"

Scootaloo didn't answer. Instead, she wrapped a hair elastic around the end of Sweetie's new braid.

"I mean, remember that time I got into a huge fight with Rarity because I ruined her work space?" Sweetie continued. "I was trying to help by washing her sweater or organizing her fabric. But I actually messed some stuff up, and she got really mad."

"Hate to break it to you, but my parents hating me isn't the same as your play fights with Rarity," Scootaloo said sourly.

"The point I was trying to make is that those mistakes I made turned out to help," Sweetie said, turning to face Scootaloo. "After I organized the fabric, Rarity got totally inspired to make some new outfits. So I helped her, sort of. Maybe something good will come out of this."

"Maybe your parents will come around and be nice to you," Apple Bloom added.

"Doubt it," Scootaloo answered. "Even if they suddenly realized how sucky they are, I think Rainbow exposed my dad's workplace affai.

"Besides," she added. "I have you two. Even if I can't ever go home again, you girls have my back."

"Totally," Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom agreed, wrapping their hooves around Scootaloo in a big hug. Over their friend's shoulder, they exchanged a worried glance.

"Twilight, you're my last resort. You have to help me fix things with Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash leaned across the Cutie Map, gazing directly into Twilight's concerned violet eyes.

Twilight cleared her throat. "Rainbow, I've taught Scootaloo and worked with her closely, so I care about her as much as you do, even if we're not as close as you two are."

Rainbow nodded, listening to Twilight's every word. When is she gonna get to the part where she helps me fix this mess?

"But this" -Twilight's shoulder's sagged and Rainbow was immediately fearful of what she would say next- "is tough. This is abuse of my power. I can't just take a foal away from her parents, even if it's what we know is best. Can you imagine the public reaction?"

"This isn't about the public! This is about Scootaloo!"

"You're a Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash," Twilight answered gently. "You know public image matters. We have to tread carefully."

"But you could just say this was a friendship problem! The friendship between Scootaloo and her parents was bad or something!" Rainbow brushed her jagged bangs out of her eyes. "Please, Twilight."

Twilight pursed her lips. "I can help, Rainbow. I just need time to formulate a plan."

"How long?"

"Three hours," Twilight said. "Go get Starlight, please, I'd like her help. Go relax, Rainbow. Go get an ice cream with Applejack or something. Everything will be okay, I promise." She walked over and placed a reassuring hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.

"Okay, I trust you, Twilight." Rainbow hugged her purple friend, then hurried away to find Starlight.

Forging Faith

"Thank you both for coming on such short notice," Twilight said, smiling cordially to Angel and Shortstack. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, as you've noticed, and this is my housemate Starlight Glimmer." She gestured to Starlight, who waved. "And this is Dr. Sunshine Petals, PhD."

From her vantage point on the balcony, Rainbow squinted at the newcomer. Sunshine Petals was a buttercup yellow Unicorn with curly lavender hair; she wore a green apron the same shade as her eyes. Rainbow thought, Why did Twilight bring a total stranger into this?

"The pleasure is mine Miss Sparkle," Shortstack answered gruffly. "Although not everypony here is as pleasant company as you." He glowered at his wife.

"To what do we owe the honor?" Angel asked of Twilight sweetly. "I have all day, of course, but some ponies would rather be schmoozing with the secretary from work." She harrumphed and tossed her braid over her shoulder.

"That is exactly why Twilight called you here!" Starlight butted in. "She's the most experienced pony there is when it comes to friendship. And one form of intimate friendship is the bond shared between two married ponies."

"Simply put," Twilight continued, nodding graciously at her friend, "I heard you two were having marriage trouble. Infidelity and constant fighting that is damaging not only your relationship with each other, but with your young daughter as well."

"So what? It doesn't concern you," Shortstack answered, narrowing his grey-brown eyes.

Twilight took a steadying breath. "Listen, I'd hate to stand by while a marriage devolves. That's why I called in Dr. Petals. Sunshine, if you would explain."

Sunshine Petals waved shyly at the group. "My main income is from my flower shop, but my true calling is therapy. Marital therapy. Twilight Sparkle reached out to me and asked me to come from Manehattan to help you. And I plan on doing just that."

"Not if we don't agree!" Angel argued, flattening her ears against her head. "No offense, Twilight Sparkle, but if there's one thing Mr. Outflow and I can agree on, it's that you have no business in our life."

"I'm leaving," Shortstack said flatly. He and Angel turned around and began to fly off.

Rainbow's wings were flared, and she would have gone down and beat them up had Twilight not froze them in their tracks with her magic.

Twilight thundered, "Your life is my business when it affects my friends! When it affects my student! I have tutored Scootaloo and her friends, but I bet you didn't even know that!"

Even from a distance, Rainbow could see Twilight's nostrils flaring as she breathed heavily. That's my favorite egghead!

"In conclusion, you will attend the couple's therapy I have set up for you and you will do your best to reconcile with each other, or Celestia help me I will send you to her myself!" Twilight glowered, before coughing and releasing the couple from her magic field.

"Uh, alright, I suppose I can do this." Angel flashed Twilight a forced smile. "Lead the way, Dr. Sunset or whatever."

Once Sunshine Petals had led them into the next room, Rainbow flew down from the balcony. "That was your plan, Twilight? Have them do therapy?"

"Starlight and I figured that if Shortstack and Angel can get to the root of their problems and heal their relationship, it will help their relationship with Scootaloo as well." Twilight placed a supportive hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "And, if they still can't appreciate her, they might at least be more agreeable to letting your parents take custody of Scoots."

"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash." Starlight smiled softly. "If this doesn't work, I'll just brainwash them into giving up Scootaloo!

"Kidding," she added hastily, seeing the perturbed look on Rainbow's visage.

"Thanks for helping me, Bow," Scootaloo said, tucking her math worksheet back into her saddlebag. "Math is so boring sometimes."

"No problem at all, Scootaloo. I know you'll be a math genius if you keep it up!" Bow Hothoof answered genially, sliding a plate of cheese across the counter to Scootaloo. "You know, since you've been hanging around so much, why don't Winy and I build you a ladder? That's gotta be easier than slingshotting yourself up on a scooter every time you want to hang out with me." He winked. "Not that I mind the company."

"Nah, I don't mind," Scootaloo answered. "Sick tricks are kinda my thing."

"Rainbow Dash would probably say the same thing," Bow replied, chuckling. "I believe I still have her cast from the first time she broke a bone.

"Are you still mad at her?" he asked gently, noticing the disinterested look on Scootaloo's face.

"I'll get over it, I guess," Scootaloo answered. "I'm not saying I overreacted, because that's what she did. But I haven't seen my parents in days, so maybe things will get better."

"Rainbow is working hard to help us. You," Bow said, correcting himself hastily. "Don't worry at all. Hey, Windy will be back from the grocery store in a moment. Do you want to set up a board game?"

"Sure!" Scootaloo's wings flittered excitedly. Spending time with Bow and Windy was probably one of the best things happening right now.

"How are things going, Rainbow dearest?" Windy asked her daughter. She had stopped at Twilight's castle on the way home from the grocery store, her saddlebags laden with vegetables and cheese.

"I think it's going well?" Rainbow cocked her head. "Twilight had them go in for a couple therapy session."

"Maybe that will sort things out." An encouraging smile split across Windy's face. "Your father and I are really excited that Scootaloo might come to live with us! She's probably the sweetest filly I've ever met! Aside from you, of course." Windy giggled. "And even if things don't work out, we'll still be around to support Scootaloo."

"Thanks, Mom," Rainbow said, throwing her hooves over her mother's shoulders. "I'm sure Scootaloo appreciates it, too.

"More than she appreciates me right now," Rainbow added in a low tone.

"Don't beat yourself up, sweetie! What you did was, er, brash. Maybe a little reckless." Windy chuckled nervously. "Celestia knows how I'd feel if your friend barged in and told me that Bow was having an affair. I'd be so mad! But Scootaloo will come around, I'm sure of it."

"Thanks for the encouragement, Mom." Rainbow smiled and embraced her mother again.

Sunshine Petals' mouth was set in a soft line as she stared at the couple across from her. Angel and Shortstack sat on separate chairs, still ignoring each other.

Thirty minutes to go, Sunshine thought, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Mr. Outflow, can you tell us more about your relationship with White Lightning?" Sunshine asked, directing her gaze onto the stout stallion. "When exactly did you two become romantically involved? And as I've said before, there are no secrets here."

"Few years ago," Shortstack answered. "After the kid started school. As soon as she became secretary, she only had eyes for me."

"This entire time?" Angel's eyes were stormy. "What, because of Scootaloo? It's not my fault she's a disappointment! She probably got your faulty genes!"

"They're obviously yours," Shortstack retorted, folding his hooves. "No buts about it. I wouldn't have married you if I had realized you'd produce a faulty product."

"What was your expectation for Scootaloo?" Sunshine broke in, looking at both parents intently. "Twilight told me that your daughter has difficulty flying. Yet Twilight also informed me Scootaloo has accomplished some remarkable things. Apparently she carried the Ponyville flag in the Equestria Games a few years ago."

"She's wrong. She came out wrong. What's the point of being a Pegasus if you can't fly? She might as well be an Earth Pony," Shortstack grumbled.

"Before we received the diagnosis, Shortstack and I always thought she'd take over the business when Shortstack retired," Angel elaborated. "How can she do that now? Ponies will never take her seriously."

"Plenty of ponies take her seriously. Twilight, for instance. Shouldn't her word count for anything?"

Shortstack rolled his eyes. "She'll never be able to hold her ground in Cloudsdale. Who's ever heard of a disabled pony accomplishing anything."

"That's a rather... exclusive way of thinking, don't you think?" Sunshine pursed her lips. "A pony's worth does not depend on their abilities, but simply the fact that they are a pony and deserved to be treated as such. Plenty of Pegasus ponies never set hoof in Cloudsdale, and even if Scootaloo had been able to fly, who's to say she would want to take over the sewage plant?"

"Now listen here-" Shortstack began, but Sunshine paid him no heed.

"It seems to me that your preconceived notion of how your daughter would eventually contribute to society damaged your relationship with her when it became apparent she couldn't fit the mold you had set for her. You both blame each other for her shortcomings, and as a result, your marriage suffered. And finally, I've noticed you are stuck in the past and fail to notice how extraordinary your daughter is in the present!" Sunshine stood up. "Have you anything to say for yourself?"

Angel and Shortstack exchanged a glance.

"When I met Shortstack, somewhere in my gut I knew he was the stallion for me," Angel Pulse said. "I don't know what to say. You're right, that our marriage is failing."

"I loved you once, Angel Pulse." Shortstack paused, then continued, "I'm not sure how I feel about you now."

"You're at a crossroads," Sunshine broke in. "There's a lot of choices you can make. I'd love to hold more therapy sessions for you; these kinds of change don't happen over night. And there's the choice of what you can do for your daughter. Twilight informed me that there's another set of parents who would be awfully happy to raise her."

"We're at a crossroads," Angel repeated in a soft, dreamlike voice.

Sunshine spoke again. "Whatever you do, this a choice you have to make together."

"When are they gonna be out of there?" Rainbow asked, impatience filling her voice.

"They should be almost done," Twilight answered, pacing the floor. "I don't know what's going to happen, Dash."

"Can I ask you something? Why did you place your trust in a random therapist from Manehattan instead of Cadence? She's the Princess of Love, right?"

"She is also a very busy new mother," Twilight reminded Rainbow. "And Sunshine apparently needed the work."

"Ah." Rainbow nodded.

A few moments later, the doors creaked open, and Sunshine walked out, followed by Shortstack and Angel.

"So? What happened?" Rainbow asked anxiously, taking a step forward. "Are you gonna let my parents adopt Scootaloo?"

Found Faith

"Yes," Shortstack said, pointedly avoiding Rainbow's gaze. "We gave it some thought... and we're going to continue seeing Dr. Petals to fix our marriage."

"Or attempt to, at least." Angel smiled wryly. "And while we're doing that, Scootaloo should be out of the picture."

"So do you still hate her?" Rainbow asked point-blank.

"Well I figured that we shouldn't have the burden of raising her anymore," Shortstack muttered. "No thanks to you."

"This is wonderful news!" Twilight said, beaming at the group. "Thank you so much, Sunshine Petals. I was secretly worried I'd have brought you to Ponyville for nothing."

"No problem at all, I'm happy to help others," Sunshine said in a sunny voice. "Although I guess I'll be staying here a while longer. I might need to look into some hotels."

"No need. I have plenty of extra rooms in this castle, you can stay here if you'd like." Twilight gestured to the spacious hall they stood in. Sunshine grinned.

"Thanks for your help, Twilight!" Rainbow squealed, hugging Twilight from the air. "I'm off to tell Scoots and my parents. Meet ya at Town Hall?"

"Of course!" Twilight's words were immediately drowned out in the whoosh of the air current created by Rainbow's speedy departure. In three and a half minutes, Rainbow was outside of her parents' cloud house. Without knocking, she threw open the door and barged straight into the kitchen.

"Mom! Dad! Guess what!" Rainbow exclaimed loudly.

A startled Windy and Bow looked up from their game of Cloud Defender II. Between them, Scootaloo was about to roll her dice.

"Scootaloo! I've missed you buddy!"

"Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo finally got the memo and dropped the dice. "What are you doing here?"

"I messed things up, and I'm sorry," Rainbow explained hurriedly. "But the good news is that your parents have agreed to let my parents adopt you! All this" -she swept her hoof across the game board- "can happen everyday! We'd be real sisters!"

"Ooh Rainbow Dash, I'm so glad you could accomplish this!" Windy squealed. "Bow, what first is this? First interference with a marriage? First diplomatic exchange?"

"Photo later! First, what does the squirt think of all this?" Bow looked down at Scootaloo with stars in his eyes.

Scootaloo was staring at the dice on the table. Slowly, she looked up, and a huge smile split across her face, like sunlight breaking through a cloudy sky.

"Of course I want to live with you guys!" she shrieked, throwing her hooves around Bow, and then Windy. "You guys are the parents I've always wanted!"

"And you're like the second daughter we always wanted!" Windy answered in a honey-sweet tone.

Rainbow flew over and joined the hug with a shout: "First official family hug!"

"I'm sorry I was so mad at you, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, her raspy voice muffled by Bow's chest.

"You had a right to be," Rainbow answered as she cuddled into her mom's neck. "But hey, things worked out in the end, right?"

"Right!" chorused the other three ponies.

"Oh yeah, and we have to get down to Town Hall so Mayor Mare can do the legal mumbo jumbo," Rainbow pointed out.

"Then there's not a moment to lose!" Bow declared, breaking away from the hug. "Scootaloo, get the camera! This is a momentous occasion!"

Scootaloo shoved her the final book of her collection into the cardboard box in front of her. Procedures had gone smoother than Fluttershy's mane, and she and her family had returned to her house to collect her possessions.

"I'm all done with my books!" Scootaloo said to Rainbow Dash.

With the utmost care, Rainbow placed Fleetfoot and Soarin action figures into a second box, labeled "Wonderbolts" in Rainbow's shaky writing. Rainbow answered, "Awesome, sis!"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, but a content smile held its ground on her lips. "That's gotta be the fifth time you've called me sis today!"

"True." Rainbow grinned. "Just be lucky I didn't start singing."

"Scootaloo, sweet heart, I'm almost finished with the rest of your toys," Bow said, grinning at his new daughter. "I'm sure Rainbow, Windy, and I can finish up without you. Why don't you get on your scooter and go tell your friends the good news?"

"Oh yeah!" Scootaloo's eyes widened with dismay. "I haven't told Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle! Thanks, Bow- I mean Dad," she added bashfully.

"Bow or Dad is fine by me," Bow replied. "Whatever floats your boat, kiddo."

"Alright, Bow. I'll meet you guy back at the house, alright?" After Bow and Rainbow agreed, Scootaloo dashed out of her room and down the staircase.

She paused next to the kitchen, listening to the elated voices of Shortstack and Angel Pulse.

"Now that Scootaloo's gone, we can finally move back to Cloudsdale!" Angel was saying excitedly.

"That would be nice," Shortstack admitted. "I could spend longer hours at the office."

"But we also have therapy, remember?" A brittle edge entered Angel's tone.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, sure, Angel. Hey, maybe I'll get you a job at the company, huh? I'm sure whatever you're doing now makes less moola than whatever I can scrounge up for you."

"Sure thing, Shorty."

Scootaloo recoiled as soon as she heard the slosh of saliva mixing together.

My parents haven't kissed in forever! she thought, still disgusted. As she got on her scooter, she remarked to herself, "They're still insensitive jerks, but at least we won't have to put up with each other anymore. Who knows? Maybe that therapy of Twilight's will help."

Smiling to herself, Scootaloo pushed off and scootered through the streets of Ponyville until she reached Sweetie's house.

"Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo shouted, popping her head through the entrance of Carousel Boutique. "Sweetie, I need to tell you and Apple Bloom something important!"

"What?" Sweetie appeared from behind a rack of dresses. "Is it about Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo let her smile speak for itself. "Meet me and Apple Bloom at the clubhouse! I need to tell you both at the same time!"

"And so I'm gonna move in with them today!" Scootaloo summarized.

"Ahh!" Sweetie Belle squealed. "I'm so happy for you!"

"So am I!" Apple Bloom added, her orange eyes sparkling. "Too bad we can't visit, though."

"Twilight probably has a spell to let you guys walk on the clouds," Scootaloo assured them.

"So you're like, officially Rainbow Dash's sister now. That's so great!" Sweetie giggled.

"I'm glad you've forgiven her," Apple Bloom said, adjusting her bow as she spoke.

"Yeah, me too. I know we're gonna get into more fights down the road, but she has her heart in the right place." Scootaloo turned to gaze out the clubhouse window. A bright rainbow streaked across the sky, the result of weather ponies hard at work.

"Can we come meet Bow and Windy?" Sweetie asked, trotting over to stand next to Scootaloo. "You've never properly introduced us."

"Sure thing." Scootaloo grinned. "If we hurry, maybe they'll take us out to ice cream!"

"Then there's no time to lose!" Apple Bloom declared. "First one on your scooter gets a sundae!"

"Woo hoo!" Sweetie Belle chirped as Scootaloo shouted, "It's my scooter!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders clambered down the clubhouse stairs. The three fillies grabbed their helmets. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle climbed on the back while Scootaloo stood in front. Friends at her side, Scootaloo raced off to meet the rest of her life.

Author's Note

Conclusions were never my strong suit. :twilightsheepish: