Finding your Wings

Scootaloo walked around Ponyville and asked several more ponies for their advice. So as to avoid bias, she primarily talked to complete strangers. Some of the advice was bad, such as leaving both of them and starting a new life elsewhere under a fake name or having the filly seduce the mother, but otherwise, it was split rather cleanly down the middle, with most ponies taking the route of staying out of the discussion. It seemed cowardly not to pick a side, but as she turned and walked back toward the castle, she realised that she'd spent the whole day doing the exact same thing.

In the end, all she had were three accounts of "love conquers all" and three votes for "respect your elders." There was also Pinkie's letter, but she hadn't read it yet. Pinkie had said to do so at dinner, and as it was almost time, she may as well wait a little bit longer.

She rounded the corner, and spotted her aunts approaching in nice clothing. They spotted her, as well, and Aunt Holiday put a firm hoof on Auntie Lofty's shoulder. They would arrive at the same time, unless Scootaloo waved for them to wait, but instead, she waved them closer.

"Have you thought about it, Sweetie?" asked Aunt Holiday as they met at the door. " I realized after we left that ten hours isn't really enough time to make a decision that will impact your whole life, so if you need more time, we can agree to talk it over some more."

Auntie Lofty shot an annoyed scowl at Aunt Holiday for allowing this to go on any further.

"Hold it right there!" shouted Rainbow, skidding as she landed. "You're not supposed to talk to Scootaloo until dinner time!"

"She's my neice," growled Lofty back, scowling.

"Stay and fight if you must," sighed Aunt Holiday, moving her hoof to Scootaloo's shoulder. "If you can find your manners, Scootaloo and I will be inside."

After they were inside, she took her aunt's hoof. "I don't want them to fight."

"Nor do I, dearie," smiled Aunt Holiday, rubbing her cheek. "But if it's what they want to do, I've done what I can to hold them back all day. Did you have anything to eat? You barely touched breakfast, and I don't know if you had any lunch today."

"I had a snack with Pinkie Pie," she smiled. "I forgot to eat lunch yesterday, so I had the two bits you gave me."

Aunt Holiday put a hoof to her lips. "Pinkie? I hope it was something nutritious..."

"She gave me this." Scootaloo pulled out the envelope. "I'm supposed to open it up at dinner and read it. I don't know what it says, but I hope it's helpful."

Aunt Holiday pushed it down. "Let's make sure you have something healthy to eat, first."

The table arrangement was different this time than it had been at breakfast. Twilight had brought out a shorter table. She was still at the head, but at the foot of the table was Scootaloo. Spike and Aunt Holiday were sitting next to Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash and Aunty Lofty were on either side of Twilight, with a barrier under the table so that they couldn't kick each other like children.

As promised, Aunt Holiday would not let the discussion begin until Scootaloo had eaten some of the asparagus Spike had roasted, and at least half of the black bean and rice burger. After that, she let Scootaloo eat as much as she liked, as her first loyalty was to Scootaloo's health and well-being.

When Scootaloo had eaten her fill, which was not as much as she thought, given how little she'd eaten today, she stood up. Lofty and Rainbow had been growling at each other, but when Scootaloo cleared her throat, all eyes were on her. She pulled out the envelope and tore it open.

"There's one pony missing from this table, whose opinion I've asked, but have not yet heard. They sealed it in this envelope, and requested that I read it aloud." She unfolded the letter and began reading. "Dear Aunty Lof--"

She had told pinkie that it was an issue between a colt's mother and marefriend. Pinkie was actually addressing Aunty Lofty by name, and scanning further down, Spike, as well. She shook her head and started again.

Dear Aunty Lofty,

You know I love you with all of my heart. When I fell off my scooter and cut open my leg on the fence, you helped me build up the confidence to hop back on the scooter and try again after the scar closed. When I was knocked off the balcony at City Hall, you dove after me and caught me before I hit the ground. And when that dog bit me, you bit him right back. You've always been a staunch protector of my health, and I appreciate everything you've done for me.

(turn to Spike)

Dear Spike,

I know we haven't been very close for very long, but you've always been nice to me, even when nopony was watching or even when it was inconvenient for you. You're a wonderful dragon, and a credit to your kind, and I love you very much.

(turn to center of table)

However, there is something you both need to understand, and it's very important: cutting me off from the other side is not going to solve anything. If you separate me from my loved ones, all it will do is breed resentment for the one holding me captive. I don't want to be kept from either of you, when I love you both so much. I don't like to see you fighting like this. It's very upsetting.

This is my ultimatum: If you love me; if you truly love me, you will not keep me from my loved ones. Aunty Lofty, if you want me to be healthy and happy, make sure Spike and I have a safe place to come home to. Spike, if you want me to be healthy and happy, I need to go check in with my aunts from time to time. I'm not asking you to be the best of friends. You don't have to like each other. I just want you to not fight.

With all the love in my heart,
Scootaloo, care of Pinkie Pie.

P.S. I didn't actually guess, I heard it all from Rainbow Dash. I was trying all morning to think up a way to fix this for you. Good luck, Scoots!

Twice while reading, Scootaloo nearly broke down in tears. She hadn't known how to express her thoughts on the matter, and wasn't even sure what her opinion was, or what she wanted. She was glad Pinkie had a handle on the situation. She knew exactly what to say to make everything better.

Spike grabbed her claw. "You know, I'd never stop you from seeing your aunt. I didn't even want you to separate from her. I just wanted to stay with you."

Auntie Lofty was still stewing over the words in the letter. She was mildly insulted by them, but there was a truth to them, and even if she didn't like it, she had to accept it. She stood up and walked to the door.

"Lofty, don't pout," insisted Holiday.

"I'm not pouting," growled Lofty. "I have something important that I have to take care of right away."

"More important than your niece?"

"Told ya," snorted Rainbow.

Lofty turned around. "If you must know, I'm pissed. So I'm going to grab a hammer and take out my frustrations on a box of nails."

"Lofty..."

"Besides, if Spike is going to sleep over more often in the future, Scootaloo will be needing a bigger bed. Perhaps some flame-retardant sheets?"