I'm Coming Home

Chapters

Chapter One: Finding Scootaloo
Chapter Two: A Family Dinner
Chapter Three: A Story Best Told Short
Chapter Four: Saved By the Belle

Chapter One: Finding Scootaloo

Scootaloo sat in her desk at Ponyville Elementary School and smiled while she listened to Granny Smith tell the class about how the town was founded. It fascinated her, she never knew that her friend was part of such an important family. She looked around at the other ponies in her class and remembered the other presentations throughout the week and a feeling grew in the pit of her stomach that she knew all too well; she felt lonely. Glancing at the clock that hung on the wall she realized that in a few minutes, everypony would be going home to tell their parents about their day and making plans with their families for the weekend. She would be going to the Cutie Mark Crusader’s club house. Scootaloo snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Miss Cheerilee.

“Alright my little ponies! Pack up your things, the bell is about to ring.” The ponies bustled around and packed their notebooks into their bags and excitedly chatted with the others. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara were giggling about something, Snips and Snails were joyfully asking Granny Smith all kinds of questions while Apple Bloom beamed with pride beside her grandmother. Scootaloo jumped when she heard Sweetie Belle behind her.

“Hi, Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle chimed. “Wow, did you have any idea that Granny Smith founded Ponyville? Apple Bloom must be so happy!”

“No, I didn’t know. Yeah, she must be real happy.” Scootaloo hid the sadness in her voice but didn’t have to when she remembered that it was Friday. Her ears perked up, “We’re still going to Sugar Cube Corner, right? I’m really in the mood for a cupcake.” The Cutie Mark Crusaders always went to Sugar Cube Corner on Fridays to talk about what new adventures they were going to go on the next week. Scootaloo really looked forward to it; she loved spending time with the other girls.

“Duh! We have to, it’s Friday! Are you ready to go?” The white pony smiled widely.

“Sure am!” Scootaloo smiled back, “Let’s go get Apple Bloom.” The orange filly tossed her back across her back and walked with Sweetie Belle over to Applebloom who seemed to love the attention everypony was giving her and Granny Smith.
“Hey Applebloom, you ready to go to Sugar Cube Corner?” She called over the small crowd of ponies.

Apple Bloom glanced at her grandmother then back at her friends, “Ah think A’m gonna walk home with Granny Smith, if that’s alright with you?” She smiled at the two girls. “Ah promise that A’ll come next week!”

Sweetie Belle saw that Scootaloo was disappointed and nudged her gently with her hoof almost if to say ‘it’ll be okay’. This made her feel a little bit better; at least she’d still be with Sweetie Belle. “Okay!” The two waved to their friend and made their way out the door.

Trotting their way around the school to Scootaloo’s scooter, Sweetie Belle began to brainstorm ideas for the week. “We could go on a treasure hunt! Maybe one of our super special talents is finding things! I know I’m really good at helping Rarity find her fabrics.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Scootaloo said and held out a helmet for her friend. She tilted her head away, sure to not let her see the hurt in her eyes. More than anything she wished she was good at finding things. Not things, but one thing in particular; her family. Sweetie Belle took it and hopped into the wagon attached to the back of the scooter and Scootaloo dropped her bag beside her. “Hang on.” She warned, and began to flutter her wings and the scooter and wagon zipped off down the road.

The trip to Sugar Cube Corner was pretty quiet because they were going to fast that it was hard for Scootaloo to call back to Sweetie Belle. Normally the two fillies in the wagon would giggle and brainstorm together. When the sign for the pastry shop came into view, Scootaloo gripped her handles and the scooter slowed down. A smoke of dirt formed as they slid down the road, coming to a stop right at the door.

“Scootaloo, that was awesome!” A happy Sweetie Belle shouted and jumped out of the wagon, “We were going so fast!”

Scootaloo was pleased she was able to entertain her friend and was flattered by her excitement. “Come on, let’s get planning.”

The fillies playfully raced to the counter where a bouncy Pinkie Pie met them. “Girls! You’re late, I was beginning to get worried that you wouldn’t come today. I would have missed you soo much, I love chatting and planning your adventures with you! Where’s Apple Bloom?” Pinkie gasped, “Is she okay? Did she get hurt on your way here? Where is she, where is she?!” The pink pony was jumping, anxious for answers.

“Hi, Pinkie.” Scootaloo greeted, “Yes, Apple Bloom got hurt. She fell off my scooter.” She joked.

Pinkie jumped and ran to the door, “Oh no! We have to help her! Where is she now? Was she hurt badly? Oh my gosh, poor Apple Bloom!” She rambled on, worried for the little yellow pony.

Scootaloo snickered quietly watching Pinkie race franticly around the shop. “Pinkie Pie!” Sweetie Belle shouted loud enough to catch her attention. “Scootaloo’s just joking. Apple Bloom just went home with Granny Smith today.”

She frowned, “That wasn’t a very nice joke, Scooty.” Pinkie sat on the floor, embarrassed of how she over reacted.

“I know, I’m sorry Pinkie. Don’t be sad, with Apple Bloom missing we need your help a lot more.” Scootaloo made her way over to her, “Can we get our usual?”

Pinkie brightened up at the mention of cupcakes. “Oh, of course! I’ll be right back!” She got to her hooves and hopped to the kitchen.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sat down at a table and waited for Pinkie to join them. The white filly spoke up, “I think we should go with the treasure hunt idea. The thing is we don’t have a treasure to hunt.”

Scootaloo thought about asking if they could look for her family, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask such a big thing of her friends. It would be a lot on them, seeing as they don’t even know she doesn’t have a home. For the past few months she’s been sleeping in the club house and wandering the streets of Ponyville, most of the time looking for Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was the only pegasus she knew that actually lived in Cloudsdale, and she had a hunch that was where her parents were.

“Three cupcakes! One for you, one for you, and one for me!” Pinkie Pie returned and gave both of the girls a cupcake. She happily sat down and the three got to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun had begun to set and Scootaloo was slowly making her way to the club house. They didn’t come up with an adventure this week, but they chatted, had some fun and for a few moments made Scootaloo feel like she was right where she was supposed to be. That feeling crashed the second Rarity showed up and took Sweetie Belle home. She was supposed to have an early supper with her parents and sister but she forgot.

Scootaloo arrived at the club house and parked her scooter near the tree. It was almost dark by the time she got there, and she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to curl up and go to sleep. Once inside, she went over to the large pillow they kept in the corner and curled up to keep warm. ‘We need a blanket in here.’ Thought Scootaloo. She closed her eyes and hoped to drift off to sleep, but her thoughts interrupted her. ‘All the blankets are probably inside, keeping them warm in their beds.’ What Scootaloo first thought was anger flushed through her, she realized that it was envy the more she felt it. She couldn’t be angry with anypony for having a bed or a home. Her train of thought was broken by a voice near the door.

“What the hay is going on? Scootaloo? Sugercube, is that you?” Apple Jack slowly entered the club house, “What are yuh doing here?”

Chapter Two: A Family Dinner

Startled, Scootaloo sat up and stared at Applejack with wide eyes. “Oh, Applejack. I’m sorry, I’ll leave.” The pony quickly began to collect her things, careful not to make eye contact with the pony who found her

“Just wait a darn minute. Scootaloo, why are yuh here? You should be at home.” Applejack questioned, cocking her
head partly with worry and partly waiting for an answer.

With the mentioning ‘home’, the pegasus looked at the ground causing warm tears to fall over her soft cheeks. She tried to give Applejack an answer, but all that came out was a squeak and a soft ‘sorry’.

“Oh sugarcube, what’s got yuh upset?” She slowly made her way to Scootaloo and sat beside her waiting for her to regain herself. A few moments passed and when nothing but sobs came from the filly beside her, Applejack scooped her up in a hug. Scootaloo was cold and shivered in her founder’s arms while cursing herself for allowing somepony to see her in such a state. She had to be strong if she wanted to find her parents; nopony wants a weak filly for a daughter.

Once Scootaloo collected her feelings, she pulled away from Applejack. “I’m sorry, it’s just…” She looked at her hooves and wiped the tears lingering on her face, unsure of what to say. She could easily lie but what good would that do? Applejack was the element of honesty and could easily pick out any lie that came from the filly’s mouth. Having no choice but to tell the truth, Scootaloo took a deep breath, “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“What do yuh mean you don’t got nowhere to go? Ah reckon your parents must be worried somethin’ terrible. It’s late, yuh know.” The earth pony scuffed the pegasus’ mane and gave her an encouraging smile, thinking she got into an argument with her parents and didn’t want to go back home.

“I… I really don’t have anywhere to go. I don’t have a home.” Scootaloo caught the smile she was given and quickly looked away. She had already let somepony see her cry so vigorously, there was no way she was about to let her see the shame in her eyes she knew was there.

Millions of questions floated through Applejacks head; did she mean it the way it came out? Did Scootaloo really have nowhere to go? Has she been staying here all this time? “What about your parents? Surely they got a place for yuh?” Hearing Scootaloo sniff and begin crying again, she realized she had made a big mistake. “I didn’t mean to make yuh cry, darlin’.” Applejack said, placing her hoof on Scootaloo’s.

The filly caught her breath and looked up at her. “I know, it’s not your fault. I don’t… I don’t know where my parents are. I had a home once, before I met Sweetie Belle. I lived with two earth ponies, they were really nice and I liked them a lot, but I knew they couldn’t be my real parents. I knew I was adopted, but that didn’t bother me much. But… one day I went out on my scooter, and when I came back… they were gone. I’ve been on my own ever since and when you gave us the club house I was so happy because I thought I’d have a place to go at night. ” Once again, tears flooded Scootaloo’s eyes and blurred her vision. She hated herself for being so weak, why couldn’t she pull herself together?

“Scoot, Ah had no idea!” Applejack pulled her in for another hug, building up tears herself. She knew what she had to do and gently let go of the crying filly. Without another thought, she finished collecting Scootaloo’s things and tossed her bag on her back. “Well are you comin’, sugarcube? It’s a long walk back to the farm.”

Surprised, Scootaloo looked up at the mare. “I can come with you?” She asked hopeful.

“Uh course yuh can, Ah can’t leave yuh out here in the cold.” She said, shooting another smile her way. “Now hurry up, let’s make it back in time for dinner”

Tearful once more, but this time there were tears of happiness in Scootaloo’s eyes. She ran to Applejack and threw her front legs around her neck, “Oh thank you, Applejack!”

The mare laughed and returned the hug with one leg, “C’mon, sugarcube, let’s get back before Big Mac comes lookin’ for us.”

**************

Applejack and Scootaloo entered the small farm house, the little orange filly happy that she’d have a place to sleep, if only for tonight. “Thank you again, Applejack, this means a lot to me.”

“Don’t you fret none about it, Ah’m always happy to help anypony. You know that. You can stay fer as long as you need
it, Granny Smith won’t mind.” The pony smiled, “Let’s get us somethin’ to eat.” Applejack led the way to the kitchen and announced that she was home to the rest of the family. “Ah’m home, everypony! And guess who Ah found.”

Scootaloo stood in the door way for a moment and let what she had just heard sink it. ‘I can stay? Maybe Granny Smith will adopt me and I can live on the farm with Apple Bloom, I’d like to always be close to another crusader. I’d finally have a big sister, and maybe next year I can enter the Sister Hooves Social!’ The filly realized she was getting much too carried away and shook her head of her silly thoughts. Still excited, she followed Applejack into the kitchen.

“Applejack! Where were yah? Supper’s gettin’ – oh hi, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom perked up at the sight of her friend and fellow crusader. “What are yah doin’ here? Shouldn’t you be at home?”

Scootaloo looked away, her happy feelings beginning to drain, “Um, I’ll tell you later Apple Bloom, okay?”

Understanding the fact that her friend was upset, partly because of the glare her big sister gave her, the red-maned filly quickly changed the subject. “Well, yer stayin’ for supper, aren’t yah?”

Happy to get an actual invitation to the dinner table, she looked back. “Yes, I’d like to, if that’s alright.”

“Well then, hurry up! The food’s gettin’ cold, come sit down.” She pulled out the chair from the dinner table beside her and lightly patted the seat with her hoof, encouraging Scootaloo to sit down. The table was set with soup that smelled delicious and made Scootaloo's stomach grumble as she realized all she's had to eat today was a cupcake. She looked over at Applejack that had already taken her place, who gave her a nod.

The elderly mare at the end of the table saw Scootaloo and smiled, “Hello there, Scootaloo! It’s nice to have one of half pint’s little friends over. Come, sit.”

“Hey, Scootaloo. How are yeh?” Big Mac called from the opposite end of the table as Granny Smith.

Feeling welcomed and happy, Scootaloo made her way over to the inviting seat beside Apple Bloom, ready to sit down to her first family meal.

Chapter Three: A Story Best Told Short

“Scootaloo? Are yah awake?”

“Yeah, I’m awake. Are you awake?” Scootaloo responded, rolling over to face Apple Bloom. The two were sharing a bed because the family didn’t have a spare bedroom. Applejack kept apologizing for the inconvenience but to her it didn’t change a thing. For the first time in months, since the Cutie Mark Crusaders had a sleepover at Fluttershy’s cottage, Scootaloo was in a real bed, in a real home, with a real family. It may not be hers, but it was for sure the next best thing.

“Ah can’t sleep. Ah’m happy yer here and all, but you never told me why. Ah heard Applejack tellin’ Granny Smith you’ll be stayin’ for a little while. Is there somethin’ goin’ on?”

Scootaloo wanted to drop the issue and go to sleep. She had already gone through the pain of telling somepony her story once today and didn’t feel like going through that again; at least not until morning. “Um, Apple Bloom, can I…” Scootaloo began, but then remembered that earlier she had promised to tell Apple Bloom what she was doing at her house later. Now was later and as good a time as any. “Apple Bloom, can you keep a secret?”

“Uh course Ah can, Scoot, yah know Ah can. You can trust me.” Apple Bloom shot the pegasus a smile and added, “Ah promise not to tell nopony. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” She mimicked the pink pony they loved and both girls giggled, lightening in mood.

Scootaloo placed faith in her friend and opened herself up – something she thought she’d never have the courage to do but she also never broke a promise. “Well, the reason I’m here is because I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’ve never had anywhere to go, ever since before I met you or Sweetie Belle. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you any sooner, it’s just something I’m kind of ashamed of.” The orange filly tried to keep her head up and look at Apple Bloom, to come off as strong to her friends. She always tried to be a pony everypony would one day look up to. Leaving out the part about her staying in the club house, Scootaloo filled Apple Bloom in on the rest of the details of her life before the crusaders. About how she had a home once upon a time; and how she can’t remember anything about her parents but that she somehow knows that they’re in Cloudsdale. “Oh, and Apple Bloom, please don’t tell Sweetie Belle. You know how she reacts to big news like this and it’d hurt her coming from anypony but me.” A giggle was building up in Scootaloo, “You know, you’d make a good Pinkie Pie.” She said, changing the subject and praying to Celestia that Apple Bloom wouldn’t go through the comforting stage that Applejack already took her through.

Sensing how Scootaloo was feeling, Apple Bloom went along with it. Even though she dropped the subject now she wasn’t letting it go. She needs somepony she can open up and vent to, much like how she vents to Applejack. “Yeah, Ah tried that once. Turns out Ah’m not fit to bake like Pinkie.” She mustered a laugh remembering the time she tried getting a cupcake-eating cutiemark.

The two ponies finally drifted asleep, giggling and remembering fun adventures the crusaders had together.

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“Hi, Sweetie Belle!” It was Monday afternoon and everypony was just heading home from school. Apple Bloom ran up to the ivory filly, happy to have the three girls back together, “What’d yah do this weekend, Sweetie Belle?”

“Hey! I spent the weekend with my sister, I helped her fill a big order she had for somepony in Canterlot!” She said, also happy.

With Sweetie Belle going on about Rarity and her, Scootaloo started to feel how she felt the past Friday. Apple Bloom must have realized what was going on and quickly shook her head to stop Sweetie Belle from continuing.

“What’s going on with Scoot?” Sweetie whispered once she saw what her friend was referring to.

“She’s just feelin’ a bit down today.” She replied, not entirely lying. Scootaloo was upset, that part was true but there was a reason to it. That didn’t make her a bad friend, did it?

“Ohh, I gotcha.” Her green eyes winked and a smile spread across her face. “We should all do something this afternoon!”

Listening in on the conversation, Scootaloo spoke up, “Yeah! We should go to the club house. We never did figure out on what kind of adventure we’re going to go on this week.” The truth was, she didn’t really care about any adventure, the club house would be a good place to tell Sweetie Belle her secret and that’s what she intended to do. It was now or never, and she knew that there might not be another chance anytime soon.

“Ah’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Sugar Cube Corner on Friday, but this way we have all our stuff at the club house to use!” Beginning to get excited, Apple Bloom thought about all their maps and papers they had and how they’ll help them find something to do. Maybe they needed to start holding meetings there.

The three smiled at one another and began to walk back to Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo watched the town pass by and braced herself to yet again, have the conversation she truly didn’t want to have.

*Sorry everypony for it being so short, but I've been busy with school and end of semester assignments and what not. I promise once exams are done, I'll write more!*

Chapter Four: Saved By the Belle

“Wh-what do you mean?” Sweetie Belle sat on the floor of the club house, looking up at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with distraught eyes. They had just told her Scootaloo’s secret, of course, leaving out the part about the club house. If either of them knew, the orange filly feared that her friends would feel guilt and responsibility for her and that’s the last thing she wanted.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but Apple Bloom just found out a few days ago too.” She shuffled her hooves as she grew anxious of the awkward silence but she let it be, it must be a lot for her to take in.

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier, Scootaloo? You know we would have helped.” The ivory filly got up and walked toward her friend. “I had no idea…” She squeaked and hugged her as she choked back tears. Scootaloo hugged back and was just glad Sweetie Belle wasn’t angry.

“I was afraid, and I really am sorry, Sweetie Belle. I’m sorry, Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo broke the hug and look at her friends and she held back the tears that were creeping up. If she couldn’t be strong for herself, the least she could do was be strong for the filly that’s been there for her ever since she could remember. Her eyes drifted from Apple Bloom to Sweetie Belle and saw her smile despite the fact that she had just been crying. That smile reminded her of the day they first met.

It was nearly a year and a half before Apple Bloom came into the group. They didn’t know it at the time, but Sweetie Belle’s parents and her adoptive parents were good friends. It was the night of the Summer Sun Celebration, and Scootaloo was resilient to go. She was tired and worn out from a long day on her scooter and just wanted to go to sleep.

“You’ll have fun,” Her adoptive mother said, “I just know it.”

‘She’s never lied to me before…’ She remembers thinking. Somehow they got Scootaloo to agree to go to the celebration. Once they got there, her adoptive parents met up with Sweetie Belle and her parents. Happy as can be, Sweetie was hopping and bouncing nearly as much as Pinkie Pie. It was her very first time seeing Princess Celestia raise the sun. As the grown-ups talked amongst themselves, Scootaloo made her way over to who she didn’t know was going to mean so much to her in the future. “Hi, I’m --,” She was cut off mid-sentence as she hit the ground.

Realizing she had knocked her down, Sweetie Belle stopped bouncing for a moment, “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Her voice cracked and she held out a hoof. “I didn’t mean to hit you.”

Accepting her hoof, Scootaloo picked herself up. “That’s okay.” Once she was up on her hooves again, she looked up at the one who helped her up. She had an ivory coat, and she was a unicorn. Her mane and tail were a mix between purple and purple-pink and she had pretty emerald green eyes. She smiled at Scootaloo.

“I’m Sweetie Belle!” She joyfully exclaimed.

“Scootaloo.” She smiled back. She was, in fact, genuinely happy. Because at that moment in time, she knew that she won’t be alone anymore. That she has a friend.

“Scootaloo, are yah okay?” Apple Bloom placed her hoof on Scootaloo’s. She hadn’t realized she let the tears fall from her eyes. Quickly wiping the traces of her tears, she responded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” She wasn’t sure why she had been crying, possibly because she knew how lucky she was to have found a friend like Sweetie Belle. “I’m sorry.”

“Come on, Scoot. Don’t be sorry, it’s okay.” Sweetie Belle placed her hoof on Scootaloo’s free one. “Please don’t be sad.” The orange filly smiled, and all three giggled. Once they stopped laughing, a serious look showed on Sweetie Belle’s face. She looked at her two friends and said quietly, “What are we going to do?”

Confused, Apple Bloom cocked her head, “What do yah mean?”

“I mean we can’t just sit here. We have to do something.” She looked down. She knew she had to say it, no matter how much she hates to hear it. “Scootaloo needs to be with her parents.”

Scootaloo slowly sat down and thought, ‘Does she mean what I think she means? Are they going to help me find my parents?’

Once again, Apple Bloom placed her hoof on top of hers and sat beside the orange Pegasus. Sweetie Belle put hers on the other two hooves and smiled at her friends, “Cutie Mark Crusader Parent Finders.”