Scootaloo brought her scooter to a careful, skidding halt and stepped down, removing her signature blue helmet. With her wings only good for short bursts of flight just above the ground, her trusty scooter was the only reliable method of transportation.
She looked up at the familiar pillars that defined the front doorstep of her house. A modest structure even by Ponyville standards. Ordinarily she wouldn’t be home at this time of day, it was still quite early and Scootaloo usually longed to stay out until almost sundown. But her mom had insisted she come right home from school today, and considering her mom was often away due to work (the same held true for her dad) Scootaloo knew it had to be important.
Carefully wiping her hooves on the welcome mat (as not to drag dirt or mud into the house) the filly trotted inside after retrieving the key that lay hidden under the mat. She’d been used to doing this for a long time because of her parents’ work schedule. And immediately she was greeted by the familiar pale amber coat of her mother, Dizzy Twister.
Dizzy’s moderate rose eyes fell upon her daughter and she smiled. “Thanks for coming home on time, Scootaloo.”
Scootaloo just smiled back. “Well, you’re my mom. I know that whenever you call me home early it’s for a reason. So what is it this time? Am I in trouble? If this is about my last test, Miss. Cheerilee said it was a pretty tough one for the class.”
Dizzy shook her head and tried not to giggle. “You’re not in trouble, my little pony. It has nothing to do with you,” Then she cleared her throat. “The reason why I called you home, is because I have something very important to tell you. Scootaloo, sweetie, I’m afraid I have to go in to work this weekend and so does your father.”
Scootaloo tried her best to keep a straight face. She’d been looking forward to a fun weekend with her parents, telling them all about what she’d been up to in their absence. It seemed like with every year her parents were away more and more often. Of course she knew why, they were working to ensure they could afford to keep living in Ponyville. But a part of her still couldn’t help but wish her parents weren’t so absent in her life. Even before she’d started attending grade school, it seemed like her parents weren’t as prevalent in her life compared to her Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty.
Dizzy could sense that her daughter was unhappy for she had quite a knack for picking up on non-verbal cues (though she wasn’t quite the mind reader her sister-in-law was, Holiday seemed to know what Scootaloo needed before she could even say it). So she quickly stroked her daughter’s mane with a hoof. “I’m so, so sorry, Scootaloo,” She sincerely apologized. “But this is very important and it was a last minute thing. We’re going to be working with Rainbow Dash’s father, the weather factory in Cloudsdale is calling up every able bodied pegasus available to fill a big order.”
“Alright,” Scootaloo sighed before her mood picked up a little. “But that just means Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty can come over to foalsit. Holiday always makes the best cookies!”
Dizzy shook her head again. “I’m afraid they won’t be available this time, Scootaloo. They’re out of town all week to celebrate their anniversary, remember?”
“Oh, yeah, yeah,” Scootaloo suddenly remembered and became a bit more downtrodden. “Well, maybe I can just… stay home alone all weekend? Apple Bloom’s family lets her do it all the time now, especially since she started working in the fields.”
But Dizzy frowned at the notion. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Scootaloo. Apple Bloom’s situation is very different from yours. You’re a good filly, but you do have a tendency to get into trouble when nopony’s watching. And after what happened with The Washouts, I’m a little bit concerned,” Then she decided to sweeten the deal a little. “Besides, wouldn’t you rather have a sleepover at somepony else’s place?”
The tomboyish filly buzzed her wings in excitement at the idea! “Yeah, that’s a great idea! I can stay up late telling scary ghost stories, reading Daring Do, and playing all kinds of fun games! But, who am I gonna be staying with?” She wondered.
“Somepony you’re already very familiar with.” Dizzy responded.
Scootaloo started to ponder who that somepony could be. Maybe it would be Sweetie Belle’s place, or maybe a double sleepover at Carousel Boutique? Or perhaps she’d stay the weekend at Sweet Apple Acres? She even thought about the possibility of staying with the Cakes, even if that meant having to put up with the Cake Twins (they were adorable, but also quite the hoofful. They were getting to that age where they would wander around and poke and pull at anything that caught their intention).
She shuddered at the possibility of it being Diamond Tiara’s family mansion. It was true that the two had patched things up since the former bully had turned over a new leaf, and Filthy Rich couldn’t be happier that his daughter was making new friends. But Diamond’s mom was still very bitter and nasty, it was no secret she despised Diamond’s new friends and blamed them for “corrupting” her daughter. A weekend spent having to avoid Spoiled Rich would be a nightmare for the filly.
Fortunately, it seemed Dizzy already had an idea in mind as she cheerfully explained. “You’ll be staying at Rainbow Dash’s foalhood home. I know Windy Whistles will be glad to see you.”
“Cool! Rainbow Dash’s old home is amazing!” Scootaloo happily exclaimed. “Will Rainbow Dash be visiting too?”
Dizzy giggled at her daughter’s enthusiasm and lightly responded. “I’m afraid not, my little pony. Rainbow Dash is busy with the Wonderbolts. But she specifically told me that she knew she could rely on you to be there for her mom when she can’t. And you’re not going to let your big sister down, are you?”
“Absolutely not! I still owe her for setting up my own fanclub!” The filly eagerly replied! “A sleepover with Windy Whistles will be the coolest thing ever!”
Dizzy smiled. “I knew you’d like it, Scootaloo. Now come on, we need to get everything ready. Your father will be home soon, and I’d like to drop you off at Windy’s place before then.”
Approximately half an hour later, Scootaloo found herself at the front doorstep of the magnificent house that Rainbow Dash had lived in as a foal and then a filly. Her mood was a strange mix of excitement and also nervousness. This would be her first sleepover without any of her friends or her big sister by her side, and much as the filly wouldn’t admit it she always felt a little safer with them around for company.
Windy Whistles would fill that void easily though. She’d become almost like a second mom to Scootaloo (third mom if you counted Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty).
Windy greeted the filly (with bulging saddlebags containing everything Scootaloo deemed necessary for a sleepover), wrapping a wing around the young pegasus who had come into her life unexpectedly about a year and a half ago. In a lot of ways she reminded Windy of her own daughter when she was this age. So young and so full of excitement. “Oh hello, Scootaloo!” She cheerfully greeted. “How’s my favorite little filly doing today?!”
“Great, Mrs. Dash!” Scootaloo eagerly replied. “I can’t wait for an awesome sleepover with you! This is going to be the best sleepover in the history of all sleepovers!”
Windy chuckled. “I don’t doubt that one bit. Come on inside and I’ll show you to your room. It used to be Dashie’s, but I managed to clear up some space for a filly on your level.” And she ushered her charge inside.
Scootaloo immediately bolted for Rainbow’s old bedroom, allowing for Windy and Dizzy to converse briefly. Dizzy exchanged a wing shake with Windy. “Thanks again for agreeing to look after Scootaloo for me. You’re a lifesaver, Windy.”
Windy just smiled. “Think nothing of it, Dizzy. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash are practically family, so by extension you and your husband are a part of my family as well.”
“I’ll be back on Monday by the time school lets out,” Dizzy went on to add. “I assume you’ll have no trouble making sure Scootaloo makes it to school on time?”
Windy nodded. “I’ve been there for Family Appreciation Day, I know the location. You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about Scootaloo, she’s in good hooves with me,” Then she added. “Be sure to say hi to Bow for me, and tell him I miss him very much. I’d have gone to help him, but somepony needs to watch over the house while he’s away.”
Dizzy gave a salute. “Will do, Windy. And thanks again for all your help. If there’s ever any way I can repay you, you let me know,” And when Scootaloo came back into the main room just a second later, she pulled her daughter close and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Okay, Scootaloo. Be a good little filly for Windy. Make sure to brush your teeth and be in bed by ten, nine on Sunday. And don’t think you can pull a fast one on Windy either.”
Scootaloo couldn’t help but blush a bit even though she didn’t mind the affection. “Mom, stop it, you’re embarrassing me.” She protested.
Dizzy tried not to giggle. “That’s just my way of letting you know how much I love you. I’ll be thinking of you the whole time I’m at work. Now I’d better get back home before my husband starts to worry.” And with a flap of her wings she was gone. Scootaloo and Windy waved at her until she was out of sight.
Although Dizzy was a little further away now, she knew she was going to miss that foal. “I sure hope she does okay without me. I promise when I get back I’ll spend as much time with her as possible, give her so much attention that she won’t want anymore!” Dizzy thought and headed back home.
Once Scootaloo had gotten settled in and had unpacked her things, Windy approached her charge and asked her. “So, Scootaloo, what do you usually like to do for fun at your sleepovers? Truth or dare? Makeovers?”
Scootaloo made a gag face upon hearing the word makeovers. She didn’t mind it so much when she was around Sweetie Belle or Diamond Tiara, because she trusted them enough not to go overboard. “Maybe we could just play some board games?” She suggested. “I’ve got a whole bunch of ‘em.”
Windy smiled. “That sounds like a great idea, Scootaloo. Fair warning though, I play to win.”
“So does everypony else, but my mom and Auntie Lofty are the only ones I’ve ever lost a game against!” Scootaloo boasted. She decided to leave out the time she’d taken a dive during a match against Diamond Tiara, largely because Spoiled had no so subtly instructed her to do so.
The pegasus filly brought several board games to the kitchen, selecting the first one from the stack and carefully unfolding the board as she placed it on the kitchen table. It was Rainbow Dash’s favorite game, the one where you put pieces on a board and took turns with your opponent trying to find and remove them. At least it was easier to understand than the game her aunts liked to play where you went around buying up properties and trading with other players. Auntie Lofty always seemed to know how to give herself an unbeatable advantage there, regardless of what she started with.
“I see you have good taste,” Windy grinned as her moderate cerise eyes set to work on planning where to hide her pieces. “Rainbow Dash loved to play this game all the time as a filly, especially because she won way more often than she lost. She had some pretty clever hiding spaces, I’ll tell you that.”
“Oh yeah?” Scootaloo boasted. “Well I’ll bet I can find even greater hiding places than her! And I know all her secrets! Prepare to lose, Mrs. Dash!”
“Please, you can just call me Windy. We know each other well enough,” Windy corrected as she placed the last of her pieces on the gameboard. “Since you’re my guest, I’ll let you make the first move. Best of luck.”
The tomboyish filly just grinned. “I don’t need luck! You’re going down! Sky Nine.”
“Nope,” Windy said with a grin. “Now it’s my turn. Cloud Five.”
“Hey, no fair! How did you know that’s where I hid my seagull?!” Scootaloo protested and pouted.
Windy giggled. “When you’ve played this game as much as I have, you start learning to think outside the box. Now I’ll go again. Rainbow One.”
“You zapped my weatherpony!” Scootaloo pouted. “Go again.” She resigned herself to the possibility that she would lose without ever getting to take another turn. Windy was too good at this game.
But in fact, Windy missed when it was time to find Scootaloo’s last piece. And that gave Scootaloo an opening. She found two more of Windy’s pieces before she missed. But on her turn, Windy missed again. A few more turns back and forth passed with neither pony finding a piece, until Scootaloo tied it up by stinging Windy’s bumblebee. In the end though, she missed and on Windy’s next turn she found Scootaloo’s last piece and won the game.
“You’re really good at this, Windy,” Scootaloo commented as she put the game away. “Seems I underestimated you.”
The older pegasus flashed a smile. “I did warn you, my little pony. I played this game a lot. Who do you think taught Rainbow Dash all the best hiding places?”
“You mean that was you?!” Scootaloo gasped in realization!
The pegasus mare giggled. “What, did you think she learned all by herself?”
The two pegasi passed the next few hours playing board game after board game. Windy proved to be a more formidable challenger than Scootaloo had expected. The filly narrowly won most of the games. And in the final game, where you put down tiles and spelled out words, Windy beat Scootaloo quite easily.
“I used to be a teacher before I met Bow and settled down to have Rainbow Dash.” Windy had told Scootaloo afterward.
The younger pegasus put the last board game away, just as the clock struck the hour. Six chimes.
Windy knew what that meant, it was time for dinner. And so she set to work on preparing a meal for her guest, while Scootaloo occupied herself by playing with her plushie of Rainbow Dash.
“Scootaloo,” Windy cheerfully and motherly called a short time later. “Dinner is ready. Come and get it before it gets cold.”
With newfound excitement, Scootaloo put down her plushie and raced to the kitchen, climbing into the chair she’d sat in earlier for board game play. She sincerely hoped for her newfound favorite, a pasta and potato sandwich on sourdough. But when her plate was presented to her, she frowned upon seeing a distinct lack of pasta and potato, and certainly no sourdough. Heck, she’d have even settled for a peanut butter and zap apple jam sandwich.
Instead, the filly saw herself staring down a plate of freshly prepared veggies. She stuck out her tongue. “Can’t I have something nicer?” She asked Windy.
Windy shook her head. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo, but you’re a growing filly and you need your nutrition. Your mother was very strict about not letting you fill up on stuff like pasta and potato sandwiches on sourdough. Besides, even Rainbow Dash eats her vegetables. She’s not a picky eater.”
“Do I really have to eat all of this?” Scootaloo complained.
Windy nodded. “I’m afraid so, my little filly,” But then she got an idea. “But I’ll tell you what. If you eat your veggies and don’t make a fuss, I’ll fix you something nice for dessert. My treat.”
“Really?! You’d do that for me?! Mom and Dad aren’t really big on dessert, and Aunt Holiday always insists on not spoiling my appetite.” Scootaloo exclaimed as her eyes lit up with wonder.
“Of course I would, Scootaloo,” Windy happily replied. “But only if you hold up your end of the bargain.”
That did the trick, Scootaloo eat her vegetables without any fuss. Windy just winked. “Works every time.” She thought, remembering how she had used similar tactics with her daughter when she was growing up.
But Windy couldn’t help but be appalled ever so slightly by Scootaloo’s sloppy table manners. “Goodness, Scootaloo. How can you be such a messy eater?” She remarked as she fetched a rag to clean the filly’s face.
“Sorry,” Scootaloo apologized. “I’ve been trying to work on that, especially since Aunt Holiday started giving me lessons. I just got carried away. Those veggies were so good!”
“I’m sure they were, Scootaloo,” Windy replied as she wiped her charge down. “Now, as promised, I’ll make you something extra special for dessert. No peeking though! Shut your eyes, please!”
Scootaloo obliged, covering her face with her hooves. She was thrilled when she was allowed to open her eyes and was presented with a big bowl of chocolate ice cream, topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and caramel. Windy had even put a cherry on top.
This time, the filly made sure to eat more carefully so as not to make so much of a mess. She still got traces of ice cream and caramel all over by the time she was done though. But in her defense that ice cream sundae was really good!
After dinner, the two cuddled up on the couch to look through the photo album. Scootaloo couldn’t help but feel a little bit guilty for browsing through Rainbow Dash’s baby pictures, but they were just so adorable and funny. She got a real kick out of the one that showed a Rainbow Dash no more than two or three years old, who had managed to tie up her mother.
“That’s Rainbow Dash for you,” Windy chuckled a little. “Even back then she was full of energy. Never wanted to sit still. It’s no surprise she wanted to become a Wonderbolt, she was a born athlete.”
“Yeah.” Scootaloo nodded and sighed a little as she unintentionally recalled the trouble she’d been having with her wings. She still wanted to hold out hope that she could find a way to make them work, or find some other way to achieve flight. But for now, her options were more or less limited to hovering just above the ground or riding her trusty scooter. Corrective surgery or transplants were too expensive.
“Oh, what’s wrong, Scootaloo?” Windy innocently asked. “You know I can’t stand to see my favorite filly so down in the dumps.”
“It’s nothing, really,” Scootaloo sighed again. “It’s just that, I want to fly as well as Rainbow Dash someday. Or at least, close to that kind of level. But my wings just don’t seem to want to work no matter what I do.”
Windy wrapped a wing around her charge for comfort. “Scootaloo, I’m sure a filly like you will find a way! Take it from a teacher who had a lot of students with flying problems, there’s always a way to soar above the clouds. And knowing you, I’m sure you’ll find a solution and join the ranks of the Wonderbolts alongside Rainbow Dash! Heck, Bow was the weakest flyer in his class, but you’d never know that from the way he flys nowadays.”
After that little pep talk the rest of the evening past uneventfully until roughly nine o’clock, half an hour before Scootaloo’s scheduled bed time.
Something nagged at Windy’s mind and she put a hoof to her chin. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Scootaloo. “What’s wrong, Windy?” She inquired.
“Scootaloo, when was the last time a filly like you had a bath?” Windy bluntly asked.
Scootaloo massaged the back of her neck with a hoof. “I… don’t know. I don’t really keep track of that kind of thing. I usually take one or two a week, maybe three if I get really dirty. Most of the time I’ll just hose off at Sweet Apple Acres before I come home.”
“Well that settles it then,” Windy declared. “You’re getting a bath tonight, my little pony. I want to make sure you’re nice and squeaky clean.”
“Can it be a bubble bath?” The tomboyish filly pleaded.
Windy shook her head. “No, just a regular bath, I’m afraid. But maybe you’d like a few toys to play with?”
At that, Scootaloo replied. “Just give me a rubber duck and a toy ship and I’m good. It’s a good thing Mom made me pack that special wing shampoo. The last time I washed without it, my wings got all slippery and took forever to dry.”
“Very well then, you go fetch that shampoo and I’ll get the bath started,” Windy instructed. “It might also be good to use the bathroom at this time.”
“I’m not four,” Scootaloo protested. “I haven’t wet the bed or had an accident in years.” But she still obliged. She was Windy’s guest, and it was a rule at sleepovers that the guest respected the wishes of their host (even when said host was a pony like Spoiled Rich).
After using the bathroom and washing her hooves Scootaloo stepped gently into the tub, delighting in the warm water as it made contact with her fur. At least unlike at home she didn’t have to worry about somepony else using up all the hot water (as often tended to happen).
Windy scrubbed Scootaloo’s coat and hooves thoroughly, making sure to get every trace of dirt and grime off. Once that was done she allowed her charge to soak in the tub and splash about for a while (fortunately, Windy had had the foresight to place a few towels around the tub for just such an occasion), before she eventually pulled the plug and helped the filly out. Scootaloo didn’t need any help to dry off though.
When the bath was over it was time for Scootaloo to go to bed, much to her protests. “I’m not tired.” She protested even as a yawn betrayed her statement.
Windy just kissed Scootaloo lightly on the forehead. “Well it is your bedtime, Scootaloo. And it’s not a sleepover if nopony sleeps,” She pulled the bed sheets up to the filly’s neckline and then trotted over to the bedroom door. “If you need anything, my room’s just down the hall. Want me to leave a nightlight on for you?”
“No,” Scootaloo yawned again. “I can sleep just fine without one.”
“Alright then, no nightlight,” The elder pegasus acknowledged and then she sweetly called. “Sweet dreams, Scootaloo. See you in the morning.” And with that she closed the bedroom door and left. She decided to stay up for a little while longer, just in case anything might come up. But then she too grew tired and decided to call it a night.
Author's Note
Thought I'd try something new, I don't see many fics with Scootaloo and Windy much so this collab idea was something I thought could work.
Scootaloo started tossing and turning in bed, trying in vain to go to sleep. Why was she having so much trouble? She’d never had this kind of problem before. She was sleeping over at Rainbow Dash’s childhood house, with Windy Whistles of all ponies too.
So how come she wasn’t able to get to sleep? She was tired and wanted to rest, but it seemed like her body was conspiring against her.
The filly reluctantly rose from the bed she was sleeping in. Maybe it was just the unfamiliarity of the room she was in? Or maybe she was just feeling lonely? Either way, Scootaloo decided she would have no choice but to bother Windy. “I hope she doesn’t mind. It’s only for this night.” She thought to herself.
Windy was quite surprised to have her bedroom door opened and for Scootaloo to come trotting in. “What’s the matter, Scootaloo?” Windy asked as she sat up in her bed and turned on the light. “Did you have a bad dream?”
Scootaloo shook her head. “No,” Then she sighed and blushed. “I… can’t seem to fall asleep and… well…” She trailed off, too ashamed to complete her sentence.
Fortunately for Scootaloo, Windy quickly picked up on what her charge was trying to tell her. “Oh, I see. You want to sleep with me for tonight, is that it?”
“Y-yeah,” Scootaloo reluctantly admitted. “Would that… be okay with you? I don’t want to be a bother.”
Now it was Windy’s turn to shake her head. “I’m sorry, my little pony. But you’re too old to be sleeping with someone else,” She got up from her bed and scooped up the filly, carrying her back to Rainbow Dash’s bedroom and depositing her gently on the bed again. “Maybe you’d like me to sing you a lullaby? Or I could fix you a glass of warm milk, that always worked with Rainbow Dash whenever she couldn’t sleep.”
Scootaloo yawned again, this time more audibly. “I don’t really care, but… sometimes when I was younger and couldn’t sleep… I think my mom would sing to me. I don’t remember what she sang though.”
The older pegasus just smiled. “Well if you hum a few bars, I can try to sing it. I remember all the best songs for helping young ones nod off.”
The pegasus filly obliged the request and started humming a little. But she found herself growing drowsy before Windy could even sing a single verse. She finally dozed off just as Windy started to sing.
Windy smiled and kissed her charge on the forehead. “She’s so much like my little Dashie when she was younger. And just as adorable too.” She thought.
The next morning, Scootaloo awoke feeling strangely refreshed. That was the best night’s sleep she’d had since she couldn’t remember when. As she went about her morning hygiene routine, she thought briefly about how motherly Windy Whistles had been to her already. It was kind of like the mare was Scootaloo’s true mother.
At that the filly blinked. That wasn’t right. Windy Whistles could never take Dizzy Twister’s place and Scootaloo never wanted that to happen. Much as she might wish her mom could be around as often as Windy was, she’d never want to trade!
Well the tomboyish pegasus quickly forgot all about that little thought, more important matters quickly occupied her mind. Namely breakfast.
Breakfast was a relatively uneventful for Scootaloo, Windy prepared her a bowl of oatmeal complete with honey and strawberries, and the filly downed it in a matter of minutes.
Following that hearty meal, the filly opted to again play some board games with Windy. Only find out once again that Windy was a tough opponent to defeat and one that never went down easily.
“Don’t feel bad, Scootaloo,” Windy consoled the filly after the final game ended in a victory for her. “Even my husband has trouble beating me games, except when I let him win of course.”
“For the record, you weren’t doing with me in any of the games I beat you in. Or were you?” Scootaloo questioned. “I always hate it when ponies lose just to make me feel better.”
Windy chuckled. “I most certainly didn’t intentionally lose, Scootaloo. I was playing to win, as I’m sure you were.”
“You bet I was!” Scootaloo boasted as she buzzed her wings. “You’re the only fourth pony I’ve ever lost more than I’ve won against! The other three being my Auntie Lofty, Rainbow Dash, and Diamond’s mother,” She shuddered and shivered. “I don’t know why, but even now she still gives me the creeps. I don’t know what Filthy Rich sees in her.”
The elder pegasus just nodded. “Spoiled does have quite the reputation about her, but it’s not my place to judge her or second guess her husband’s choice in marriage. She doesn’t do anything bad to you, does she?”
“Nah, mostly she just pretends not to notice me. Except for a few times I’ve maybe ‘accidentally on purpose’ showered her with dirt while riding my scooter,” The tomboyish filly giggled. “But is it wrong if I say it serves her right for being a not very nice pony?”
Windy gave a wink. “Your ‘secret’ or whatever you wanna call it is is safe with me. I don’t think it’s entirely wrong of you to think that. But I always try to see the good in everypony, regardless of what they may be like,” Then she decided to change the subject. “Now how’s about we look through some more family photos? You saw a lot of Rainbow Dash’s baby pictures, but don’t think for a second she stopped being adorable when she became a filly or a young mare.”
The next hour or so was spent with both pegasi on the couch, browsing through the Dash family album. There were still a few baby pictures of Rainbow Dash to sort through (including one with her wearing a diaper like a hat), but the focus mostly went to her filly years.
One in particular caught Scootaloo’s eyes. It was of an excited looking Rainbow Dash standing next to her parents, as they posed together outside the Cloudsdale Stadium with a much younger looking Wind Ryder.
“This was the first Wonderbolts show we ever took Rainbow Dash to,” Windy explained to the filly. “It was for Wind Ryder’s retirement. And coincidentally, it was the day he set that speed record that no Wonderbolt was ever able to beat.”
“Until he tried to get Rainbow Dash kicked out of the Wonderbolts,” Scootaloo protested. “I didn’t hear much, but Rainbow told me wasn’t a very nice pony when she finally met him. And Spitfire kicked him out for it.”
Windy could only shake her head. “What a shame. I never got the impression that Wind Ryder of all ponies would play dirty. He seemed like such a nice stallion and a fine captain in his day. He was even retiring despite the fact that he had several years left in him as a flyer, said he wanted to be with his grandfoals. Oh well, at least Spitfire’s done a good job of maintaining integrity in the Wonderbolts, especially now that Dashie’s one of ‘em. Wouldn’t surprise me if she ends up becoming captain in her own right someday, it was always her lifelong dream.”
“You really think I might be a Wonderbolt someday, even unofficially?” Scootaloo wondered as she looked at her wings. “They all say there’s plenty of non-flying positions within the Wonderbolts, but I’ve never heard of ‘em or seen ‘em.”
Windy gave a reassuring nod. “I’m sure that even if there’s not a position yet, Rainbow Dash will make one just for you. I know she’d want her number one fan by her side.”
“Yeah, so long as I don’t go joining rival stunt groups just to feel like I belong,” Scootaloo glumly commented. “I still can’t believe Rainbow forgave me for all of that. She was only trying to keep me from doing something dangerous, and all I could think about was myself.”
“Hey now, there’s no need to get so upset,” Windy protested. “You made an honest mistake and you regret it. Besides, you think you’re the only one who went through a rebellious phase in their youth? Because if so, you should’ve seen what Rainbow Dash’s phase was like. Bow and I didn’t think she’d ever come out of it!” And with that she turned the page, depicting what appeared to be a teenaged Rainbow with her mane and tail styled into a punk like attire. She wore a midnight blue boarding on black collar jacket, and appeared to have a small star on the right side of her phase.
“Whoa! Rainbow was into punk rock as a teenager?!” Scootaloo exclaimed as her eyes grew wide, this was the first she’d ever heard of such a thing.
“Unfortunately it was true,” Windy explained in a noticeably less than cheerful tone of voice, her expression even seemed to morph into a frown. “Don’t even know where she got it from, nopony in my family or Bow’s family ever went through it. One day, out of the blue, she just attended a punk concert and for two years it was all she could ever think about. If it wasn’t the Wonderbolts, it was punk rock. But after she grew out of it she got rid of all her clothes and equipment, and insisted on stealing every photo she could find of her during the phase. This was the only one that survived.”
When Windy finally closed the family photo album, the clock struck the hour. Twelve chimes signaled that it was noon, prime lunch time.
As if on cue, Scootaloo’s stomach began to rumble ever so slightly. “What’s for lunch?” She asked Windy.
The elder pegasus mare’s response took her charge by surprise. “I was thinking we could go to Sugarcube Corner and get some milkshakes. After all, it’s a lovely day. The pegasi must be working extra hard at the factory.”
“You think maybe my mom’s on lunch break right now?” Scootaloo asked. “Maybe we could go see her?”
But Windy shook her head. “Even if she is on lunch break she’s probably very busy. I know Bow sometimes had to eat lunch inside the factory so he could get back to work sooner, especially if he was working a double shift. Which he and your parents probably are.”
“Well, if we see her, can we still wave to her?” The tomboyish filly asked. “I… kinda miss her, and I’m sure she misses me too.”
Windy nodded. “We’ll keep a lookout for her, my little pony. Now come on, it’s quite a walk to Sugarcube Corner from here.”
Unfortunately for Scootaloo, despite the trip to and from Sugarcube Corner, she and Windy didn’t see Dizzy Twister at all. A fact that left the filly feeling just a little bit downtrodden when they returned to Rainbow’s childhood home about an hour later.
But Windy knew just how to cheer up a down in the dumps filly, a few friendly rounds of hide n’ go seek in the backyard.
Scootaloo proved to be a lot better at this game than any other, she found hiding places that took Windy forever to consider and had no trouble finding Windy when it was her turn.
That night, Windy surprised Scootaloo with an invitation to a pillow fight. As she put it, it was a way for the filly to let out excess energy so she’d sleep better (and reduce the risk of her rolling out of bed).
“You’re going down! My mom’s a pillow fighting champion, and she taught me all the best tricks of the trade!” Scootaloo boasted as she grabbed a pillow and chased Windy around the bedroom.
Windy just giggled. “I’m no stranger to pillow fights myself, Scootaloo. I took part in more than my fair share when Dashie was growing up.”
“And I’ll bet she whooped your sorry rump every time too!” Scootaloo declared.
“Only way to find out is if you can catch me!” Windy teased as she continued to run around the room, taking great care not to bump into anything.
Ultimately, Scootaloo managed to catch Windy off guard and hit her over the head a few times with the pillow before Windy decided the pillow fight was over.
Just as Windy had hoped, the fight had worn Scootaloo weary. She was already sound asleep by the time she was deposited on the bed. And Windy couldn’t help but think the filly looked oh so adorable in this state, like a little angel. “It’s funny. I never imagined I’d ever have another foal after Rainbow Dash was born. And yet ever since Scootaloo came into my life, it’s like she was that second child,” She thought to herself. “I’m so glad Dizzy isn’t jealous of the fact that her daughter likes to spend so much time with my husband and I. I could never be the mare she was, she’s not quite as easy going as I am. And definitely not a super fan.”
The rest of the weekend passed by in the blink of an eye and sooner than either pegasus would’ve liked it was Monday morning. That meant school for Scootaloo.
Even as the filly was packing up her things and getting ready, Windy could tell her charge was… distracted for lack of a better term. She had a pretty good feeling why that was too. “Scootaloo, is something the matter?” She inquired in her cheerful tone, trying to make it sound like she suspected nothing. The last thing she wanted was to make Scootaloo feel like she was being put on the spot.
Scootaloo heistated for a moment and her lips quivered, as if she were trying to stop herself from crying. Then she confessed. “This sleepover’s been great, Windy. Really great. It’s just… the way you talk, the way you’re always so concerned about me. It’s like your mother. Not my actual mother, but like a second mother if you know what I mean.”
Windy nodded. “I most certainly do, and I don’t see what’s wrong with that. I’m proud to consider you part of my family, especially since you and Rainbow Dash are honorary big sisters.”
But the tomboyish filly protested. “That’s the thing though. I don’t like the idea of seeing you as a second mother, or even a third mother if I count Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty. I don’t like the idea that I project what I want in a mother onto you. I love my mother! She’s, well, my mother! It just doesn’t feel right to see anypony else in the same light, but at the same time it feels natural! Especially when you do stuff like this with the sleepover, and helping me when I can’t go to sleep.”
Windy just lightly stroked the filly’s mane and did her best to calm her down. “Scootaloo, you can have more than one pony you consider a mother. I certainly don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to replace your mother, or that anything I’ve been doing is because I want you to consider me your mother. If I’ve been putting any kind of pressure on you at all this weekend, I’m sorry. The whole reason I wanted to have this sleepover, was so that I wouldn’t be all by myself while my husband was working. And when Dizzy approached me with her problem about having to go into work as well, I saw an opportunity for the both of us to solve our problems.”
“So then, it’s totally okay if I consider you like a second mom to me, right?” Scootaloo asked as she looked at the mare. “I can still love my mom and love you, right?”
Windy firmly nodded and smiled. “Of course, Scootaloo. Nopony ever said you had to choose between one or the other.”
“Huh, now I know how Terramar must’ve felt when Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and I were trying to help him figure out where to live.” Scootaloo thought, realizing she still kind of owed the hippogriff/seapony an apology for arguing and fighting with Sweetie Belle instead of trying to solve his problem.
“Now come on, no time for long faces,” Windy spoke up as she reluctantly ended the embrace. “School will be starting soon and I promised Dizzy I’d make sure you got to class on time. That’s a promise I intend to keep.”
“Wait, before I go, there’s something I need to do!” Scootaloo interrupted. She quickly dug into her saddle bag and pulled out a camera. “I actually kind of forgot I had this, good thing I remembered now!” She declared and snapped a picture as she stood in front of Windy. She then gave the photo to the elder pegasus. “There, now you’ll have something to remember this weekend by.”
“Oh Scootaloo, it’s perfect!” Windy happily exclaimed. “This’ll make a fine addition to the family photo album! I’ll make sure to cherish it forever and ever!” She set the photo down carefully on the kitchen table, and then she and Scootaloo set off for the Ponyville schoolhouse. Both already looking forward to the next occasion when they would be together.
Author's Note
This Is the finale chapter, It was only going to be a two chapter story, so I hope you enjoyed It.
