Finding your Wings

Spike clicked into place the lock on the luggage. "I wish you'd discussed this with me before making this decision."

"I know," sighed Scootaloo, folding up and putting away the rest of her pony clothes. "I wish it didn't have to be this way, either."

"I just can't believe you're leaving," breathed Auntie Lofty. "All of the work we put in trying to keep you safe here in Ponyville, and now you just up and leave? Begging your pardon, but it's a punch in the face."

"I know," nodded Scootaloo. "I'm sorry."

"I mean, honestly, what were you thinking?"

Scootaloo wiped her face. "I didn't want my children to grow up without their parents around. I know how harmful that can be. At the same time, separating Spike and Twilight would both be detrimental to both parties, and it would cause damage to the administration of Ponyville and Equestria. He's the number-one assistant to the Princess of Friendship!"

"Yes, but you know it's going to hurt us when you leave," sniffled Spike. He looked at her with his big eyes. "It's not too late, you know. We could run away together. Just you, me and the eggs!"

"Ponyville would still suffer," argued Lofty. "Come with Holly and I. That way, Ponyville still runs properly."

Scootaloo held up a claw. "Look, this whole thing is my fault. That means I have to be the one to fix it."

"No it doesn't," argued Auntie Lofty. "As your legal guardian, it's my job to fix it."

Scootaloo shook her head. "I've already done all of the setup. I'm going out to the dragon lands, and I'm going to live there until my hatchlings are old enough to leave. When they can come to Ponyville, I will return to Ponyville. Twilight and Ember have already agreed to supply you both, and also Aunt Holiday, with visitor's passes. I want you to stop by. I want you to visit. And I want you to write. I'll keep in touch."

Lofty shook her head. "Your parents aren't going to like this..."

Scootaloo huffed. "Then they should be here to say something about it."

That came as a shock. While Auntie Lofty knew that Scootaloo's parents were never around, a fact that gave her great chagrin, she'd never heard anything negative about them come from Scootaloo's mouth. While this wasn't exactly a scathing commentary on the state of their relations, it was more than she had expected.

"Although," added Scootaloo, "them being absent all the time is what made me realize that Spike was right. Growing up without parents sucks. If I'm going to be a parent, I should be there for my kids. That'd be the right thing to do, right? Spike can't, at first, but when I come back, he will be."

"You keep saying "when I come back,"" noted Auntie Lofty. "I know your hatchlings have to reach a certain age for that, but how long, exactly?"

Scootaloo leaned her head back. "The youngest has to be at least nine. The last one to hatch, plus nine years."

"So you'll be an adult when you come back," noted Lofty. "You won't need us to watch you, anymore."

Scootaloo walked over and hugged her aunt. "Maybe not, but I'd appreciate you being around. I'll need you to help me settle in."

"I'll help!" volunteered Spike. "From now until you return, I'll try to put together a home for us."

"And I will make sure it's a sturdy, safe, comfortable place for you," finished Lofty. "We love you, Scootaloo, and when it's time for your return, we'll make it a happy one. I guarantee it."

Scootaloo pulled Spike into the hug, making it a group activity. "I love you. Both of you. Even if it's just a little hole in the ground, I--"

"It's not going to be a hole in the ground!" interjected Auntie Lofty. "I will make sure it's a proper home."

"Doors, walls, windows, a kitchen, a bathroom, two or three bedrooms..." added Spike. "The whole nine yards."

"Even so, as long as I'm with you, I can be happy."

After packing up, everyone gathered outside of the castle gates. Scootaloo had all of her bags. Spike and Aunt Holiday had both given her non-perishable foods, with gemstones from Spike and dried and preserved fruits from her aunt. Twilight had gifted her a box of scrolls and a calligraphy set. Pinkie, an illustrated guide to rock farming, reasoning that she would be best helping if she gave Scootaloo an edge by making her able to farm gemstones. Rarity and Sweetie Belle banded together to make her a lovely fireproof faux-fur travelling cloak that doubled as a warm blanket. Apple Bloom had called for Applejack's help in organizing a photo album for Scootaloo to remember her friends in Ponyville. But it was Rainbow's gift that she appreciated the most. Rainbow was going to go with her and help her settle in. Rainbow already had a visitor's pass, granted just for this, and with all the stuff Scootaloo had to bring with her, she would be needed.

"Is this everything?" asked Rainbow. "Return trips are really long, so don't expect me to keep coming back to pick stuff up."

"I think so," answered Scootaloo.

"Any necessities you require will be provided," assured Ember. "Princess Twilight and I have worked out a short contract to ensure that Scootaloo remains in proper health. Food, water, shelter, it's all on us."

"What about medical?" insisted Lofty. "If she cuts her shoulder ope--"

"Yes, that's covered, too," grunted Ember. "Any harm that comes to her is to be responded to with punishments two levels higher than normal. She is a diplomatic asset, after all."

"She's my niece," growled Lofty, "not a diplomatic pawn. No harm will come to her, or I will personally pay you a visit, with or without a pass."

Scootaloo put a claw to her aunt's chest. "No more fighting. Please."

"Right, then," called Rainbow, slipping into the harness that would pull the cart. "Ready to go. Waiting on you, now."

Scootaloo turned back to all of her Ponyville friends. "I want to thank you all for your gifts. I promise, I'll keep you all up to date in my letters. I'll even take the time to learn how to send them, myself."

Rather than answer back, they all converged on her at once in a massive group hug. Some had tears in their eyes, others were holding them back, but they all knew that they would miss her.

When the hug broke apart, Scootaloo took to the sky, following Ember and Garble, keeping pace with Rainbow, and followed by Smolder. She looked back only once, to see them all waving, but it only made her heart hurt. She didn't know when she'd see them next, and Rainbow wasn't staying for more than a few days. If she didn't find new friends, she'd be completely alone again, with no one to fall back on. And that feeling was what had started this whole mess.