I was frozen in fear from the two rather upset princesses. Both seeping magic from their horns, which were pointed at me. Not to mention guards armed and aiming at me with spears and magic. Before I could even put the thought of talking in my mind, Celestia began.

"Michael, we received word this morning of a murder committed here in Ponyville, and that the suspect seen leaving, covered in blood and carrying a crying foal was you. Now, we know it was you because the witness described you as, and I qoute, "The 'human' that came here not too long ago." We asked her to describe you in the best detail she could manage. She was spot on." Celestia explained.

It was at this point that Princess Luna spoke up.

"Yes, she notified the local guard station when she heard yelling and loud crashes coming from young Scootaloo's home late last night. She informed the guards that she went to investigate it and saw you running with a slight limp covered in blood and carrying a sobbing orange filly. Our guards received word and told us. Which is now why we are here. Do you care to explain yourself?" Luna finished.

Here comes the hard part.

"Okay, I'll start with what led me to Scootaloo's house in the first place..."

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"Hey, what's going on?!? Why did all those guards come in with the princesses and push us out? What are they doing to Michael?!?" Scootaloo said as she struggled to break free from Rainbow Dash's forelegs. "He didn't do anything wrong. He saved me. I think my uncle was going to kill me or something. Let me go Dash! I have to tell them not to put him in the Canterlot Dungeons."

"Call down, and breath Scoot." Said Twilight. "I'll see if I can hear anything with a spell to listen through walls."

Twilight's horn began to glow and just as fast as it lit up, it sparked out and she fell on her flank rubbing her head.

"Celestia must have created a sound proof barrier, anticipating my attempt at listening in. I guess we have to wait for them to finish." Twilight said as she back to her seat.

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"... And then when I finished the job I was on my way to put the rest of the supplies back at the shop when I recognized the neighborhood as Scootaloo's. It wasn't too late so I thought I would go over there and see if I could talk her uncle into letting her come to my congratulation party that Pinkie was throwing for Derpy and myself. I began walking toward the house when I heard loud voices...."

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"Ughh! This is taking too long! I need to know what's going on and tell the princesses what happened." Scootaloo huffed, still being held by Rainbow.

She then thought of a plan that might give her a chance to get in the room with Michael. She signaled to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to get them to distract the adults long enough for her to slip free and run in the room. All three nodded and Sweetie and Apple Bloom began bickering and turned it into a fake scuffle. As soon as Rainbow glanced over and loosened her grip, Scootaloo broke away and bounded after the door and slammed it hard enough for it to crack on its hinges and fly open. She didn't stop there, as she continued running to Michael's bed and jumped on it.

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"... He called her a "Cock Sock", which should be self explanatory and then-" I was cut off by a crunch and an orange blur coming through the door and jumping on his bed. It was Scootaloo, her wings flared and chest out, like she was guarding me.

"He kept hitting me. Over and over, I just wanted to fall asleep like the last time but before I could, Mike kicked open the door and started yelling at my uncle and then they started to fight. Mike killed him and took me to Twilight's and that's all I remember before waking up here." Scootaloo finished, panting for breath. Her legs wavered a little and just then, she collapsed and passed out.

The guards and princesses were awestruck as to what they just saw. I sat forward a little more to get a better look at Scootaloo. She still had a look of anger on her face. The guards took a couple of steps towards Scootaloo and without thinking I shot a cold glare, full of malice at them.

"Back. Off. Now. Princesses, call them off, now." I said as I clenched my fists.

They nodded to the guards and marched out of the room and stood guard down the hall. Luna and Celestia looked at each other and then back to me, waiting for the rest of my explanation.

"Now, as I was saying. I broke down the door and told him that if he didn't stop right now then something was going to happen. He didn't stop, in fact, he came at me with a knife. We fought and I ended up killing him. I ran to Scootaloo and gave her a quick once over to see her injuries. Then I rushed to Twilight's and partially told them what happened or at least tried to. Then I woke up here and you know the rest." I finished.

"I see, but why didn't you try to incapacitate him and bring him to the authorities." Celestia said.

"Yes, he would have been convicted and with a crime this bad he would have rotted in Canterlot's dungeons." Luna ened.

"You don't understand. He would not stop. Each time I thought I hit him hard enough to knock him out he just got back up for more. If I didn't end it right then and there, he would have killed me and raped Scootaloo." I said louder than I should because I saw Rarity and Applejack escort their little sisters away from the doorway. I also saw the look of shock, terror and anger on the faces of everypony else.

"Well, if that was the case then I believe there is no further reason to investigate this further. Do you little sister?" Celestia asked.

"No, I believe we have everything we can get from this. But there is still the matter of what to do with the filly." Luna said.

"I'll adopt her. Yeah, I have a large enough house, she can have her own room and I make enough to support her. It's relatively close to school so I can take her every morning. not to mention a second source of income." I started to explain.

"A second source?" Asked Celestia.

"Yeah, Derpy is living with me now she can help raise her too, I mean if she's willing." I said, looking over to the door.

Derpy walked in, a little embarrassed at my suggestion. She was followed by the elements who looked a little less shocked than earlier.

Derpy spoke up, "Of course I'll help you, and hey, It'll be fun to have somepony else to talk to besides you for once."

We all shared a small laugh at the break in tension and began to relax a little. I let everypony ask their questions about what happened. And explained why I felt so strongly about this.

"Then it is settled. Scootaloo will stay with Michael. I will speak with the Mayor and have her draw up the proper forms need for the adoption. They will be brought to you here within two days for signing. We bid you all a farewell and will be seeing you again very soon. Goodbye." Celestia said. And with that She and Luna teleported back to Canterlot.

Applejack and Rarity went to get Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to tell them the good news. Meanwhile, Scootaloo was still sound asleep on my stomach through all of this. Even when Sweetie Belle jumped up and screamed yay and shot sparks out of her horn. A few minutes passed and Nurse Redheart came in to ask everypony to leave so Scootaloo and I could properly rest and recover. We all said our goodbyes and I looked down at the peaceful orange filly lying on me. I didn't plan on being a father figure this earlier, but better late then never. I just hope I do a good job and make Scootaloo happy, But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, sleep was tugging at me as I slid back down and drifted off quickly.

Author's Note

Ho-lee shee-it. I'm sorry for this delay. In just needed a break from reading and writing for a while. Finals and college and a side project I'm helping a friend with not to mention over 40 hours a week at work with the holidays, I have been really busy. Sorry if it's a little short. I honestly thought I would put at least 100-200 more words, but what can you do? I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope I can put another one up sooner than this one. Happy Holidays and let this be my gift to you readers as thanks for the likes and support.