Finding A Home

Chapters

Chapter 1 A New Filly In Town
Chapter 2 New Faces In New Places
Chapter 3 What Is Love?
Chapter 4 Too School for Cool
Chapter 5 A Purpose
Chapter 6 - Morning Ponies

Chapter 1 A New Filly In Town

“So what, you’re just gonna leave me like you left mom huh?” Her words cut through the dark silence of the street with the sharpness of a doctor’s scalpel, causing a startled stallion to jump in surprise.

“Look Scootaloo it’s not that I don’t love you, I really do. I just… can’t do this anymore. You understand right?” Wind Chaser said with an infuriating grin, draining any sympathy she had.

“Understand? Oh I understand alright, you’ve never thought about anypony but yourself! Did you even stop to think about how I’m supposed to deal with this? You know what never mind, just go. I’ll be better off without you.” She said in a solemn tone, turning her back on her less than supportive father.
Scootaloo never really knew the details of her parent’s parting, or her mother for that matter. And despite living a highly solitary life with her father for so long, she knew almost nothing about him either. She didn’t even know what he did for living, provided he actually had a job.

Slowly turning she realized he had done just as she asked, and was gone without a sound. A part of her felt relieved that she didn’t have to deal with his antics anymore, but the rest of her wanted nothing more than for him to apologize and promise to never leave her. She stood for a moment staring at the empty space that was previously occupied by the only pony she really knew with his coy smile. This was the first time she felt truly lost: having nowhere to go and no one to turn to. (As most likely her carefree father likely already sold the deed to their home)

So Scootaloo walked all night, hours of aimless wandering: leaving the small country town behind her, she tried to run away from all the problems of the world In hopes of finding a better place. Eventually a new day’s dawn made its appearance, bringing with it a harsh reality. Scootaloo was not only homeless, starving, and helpless, but she was also completely lost.

“Maybe leaving town wasn’t such a good idea.” She moaned, her stomach’s growls fearsome enough to match an Ursa Major missing her cub.

Eventually and against all odds, Scootaloo arrived in what she accurately guessed was Manehatten. But what she couldn’t have guessed was that Manehatten was the worst possible place for a hungry Pegasus filly to be.

Aside from it being the cosmopolitan capital of the Equestria, Manehatten seemed like a normal place to live. However there are many substantial attributes that make it unique: one chiefly being that the weather in Manehatten is controlled by magic, not teams of weather Pegasus. The mail services and factories are also operated by unicorn magic; and whatever manual labor and desk jobs there are, earth ponies can usually fulfill better due their natural larger size and often smarter intellect.

Because of this, pegasi are usually seen as inferior, and to most they were nothing but street rats. Getting a decent job was nearly impossible by itself, but getting food was equally as challenging. Almost every restaurant and marketplace have banned and out casted pegasi, refusing to have any dealings with them. The local government despite the pleas of the helpless pegasi, aptly refuse to provide any assistance due to the infamous reputation of the pegasi mostly caused by false rumors of crimes and plans of rebellion. Truly the hatred running rampant in Manehattan would be enough to wake Discord if Celestia was constantly strengthening his imprisonment.

So Scootaloo, barely eleven years old at the time, began wandering the streets asking ponies for food or at least directions to somewhere she could stay. But being too young to even comprehend the prejudice surrounding her, she didn’t understand why nopony would even give her the time of day to even answer any of her questions. Finally, seeing a group of pegasi clearly waiting for something on a street corner, she built up her courage and trotted to them for one more chance at much needed food.

“Umm, excuse me,” she began, pulling off her best puppy-dog face, “I’m sorry to bother you all, but I’m new here and I don’t exactly have a place to stay. If any of you could give me some food, or…”

“Get lost kid.” a dark gray stallion shouted in an aggravated tone, “I can barely feed my own family, much less every freeloader who begs me for help.” Scootaloo startled by the sudden outburst, could barely let out an audible whisper.

“I’m sorry, but couldn’t you please just spare…”

“I SAID GET LOST KID!” he yelled while taking an aggressive stance. Too scared to stay but too scared to run, Scootaloo could do nothing but close her eyes and shiver, trying to become as small as she could.

“Hey! Leave her alone you creep!” A sky blue mare interjected, stepping between Scootaloo and the raging stallion. “There’s no excuse to scare the child like that, you should be ashamed of yourself!” she said in a degrading tone, giving him a death stare. She turned and helped Scootaloo back to her still trembling hooves, while giving her a reassuring hug before introducing herself. “Are you alright dear? My name is Soaring Sky, what’s yours?”

“Umm… My name is… Scootaloo. Thanks for helping me…” she trailed off, still in shock from the whole ordeal.

“Scootaloo, that’s a nice name! Listen sweetheart I overheard you asking for help, so I’m not even going to bother asking about your parents.” Sky knew she hit a nerve there as Scootaloo once again sank to the cold pavement, which she decided was most stare-worthy.

“Hey cheer up, I may not be able to fix all the problems of the world, but one problem I can fix seems to be getting louder by the minute.” Sky said with a smile while waving a hoof at Scootaloo’s still empty stomach. “Tell you what dear, I work at a restaurant a few blocks down this street. If you’ll meet me there around… six o'clock, I’ll treat you to dinner!”

Sky was overjoyed to help the little filly, but she had no idea just how much this meant to Scootaloo.

“Wow really? Thank you so much! Though I guess it was pretty dumb of me to walk here from Ponyville without eating something first.” Scootaloo said with a short laugh while rubbing a hoof through her mane.

“All the way from- my goodness dear this is worse than I thought! Here,” she paused, reaching into her plain but orderly saddlebag and pulled out six bits, “this should be plenty enough for you to go and get some ice cream while you wait. There’s a nice pony down the street who owns a sweet shop, he’ll help you find me when it’s time for dinner. Now listen sweetheart, I need to go now so just try to stay out of trouble, and please be careful.” Sky looked at Scootaloo with a motherly concern.

“I will, and thanks so much for your help. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along!” Scootaloo chimed while hugging Sky one more time.
“Not at all dear, I only did what any decent pony would do…” She trailed off, glaring at the agitated stallion still standing behind her with a disgusted look on his face. “Now run along, six o'clock will be here before you know it.” She gave Scootaloo one last tight hug before gingerly pushing her away.
So with a wave over her shoulder and a smile as wide as a mile, Scootaloo trotted off feeling like the happiest filly ever to walk the streets of Manehatten. But she couldn’t believe it when her luck turned from good to absolutely incredible as she was saved a second time in the same day!

Scootaloo barely made it a block before being abruptly shoved into an alley. She quickly found herself surrounded by three earth pony colts not much older than her.

“Hey leave me alone I don’t want any trouble!” She yelled hoping to get the attention of anypony walking by.

“Me either!” The obvious ringleader of the motley group said with a bit too much enthusiasm. “Right guys, we don’t want any trouble and since I’m in such a good mood I’m gonna let you off easy. So why don’t you hoof those bits over that you begged off that-“

“No way! And I didn’t beg her for anything, she was just being nice!” Scootaloo yelled far louder than before. Why won’t anypony help me? Geez it’s like they don’t even- Her train of thought derailed as the colt’s tone suddenly grew cold.

“Even among dumb pegasi you have to be the stupidest filly I’ve ever met! What part of trouble don’t you understand? Oh well looks like we’ll have to do this the hard way…” he trailed off with all three colts slowly closing in on her.

“Lay of it will ya Mint? Geez you and your goons can be a real nuisance.” Scootaloo’s head turned even faster than the colts, looking for the source of the voice and who she hoped would be her second savior that day. All four looked deeper into the alley to see the young, pearl-white unicorn with a frazzled mint colored mane leaning against a wall with a disinterested look on her muzzle.

“Well if it isn’t Bright Dawn. Tell me to what do we owe the honor that you should grace us with your presence?” Mint said in mock flattery.

“Oh can it will ya, I swear something about your face just makes me want to punch it. Listen just leave her alone and I’ll leave you alone. I’ve had to use magic to persuade you once, and I’ll do it again if I need to.” Dawn said with a still surprisingly calm voice.

“Not that again! It took me a week to get all the glue out of my coat.” He grumbled while Dawn let out a quiet giggle.

“Besides we don’t want any trouble, she took something of ours and we just want it back.” “Yeah we just want our money back!” Said the two colts behind Mint. She wasn’t entirely sure why, but Dawn could swear she could feel her intelligence being sucked from her just by hearing them talk.

“Wow first stealing, now lying, you three dopes are getting dumber every day aren’t you. Look I’d like to stay and chat, but I actually have a life to live. Come on lets go.” She motioned for Scootaloo to follow her, to which she replied with a nervous and barely audible “okay”.

They quickly reached the busy street, glad to feel the warmth of sunlight on their faces again. Scootaloo barely made it a few hoof-lengths before bearing the biggest grin a filly could manage.

“That was awesome! The way you stood up to those guys, you were fearless!” Scootaloo shouted while bouncing around Dawn.

“It was nothing, besides somepony has to keep those numbskulls in check!” Dawn said sharing Scootaloo’s excitement. “My name’s Bright Dawn. “ She said with a voice teeming with anticipation.

“My name’s Scootaloo, pleasure to meet you!” her voice cracking due to excitement while they bumped hooves. Scootaloo hadn’t known her for more than five minutes, but she knew Dawn was the kind of pony she could count on, and she knew they would become best friends.

Author's Note

First Fic I've written and I also didn't have any proof readers, so any criticism is very welcome :D

Chapter 2 New Faces In New Places

Both fillies sat in silence for a minute, not sure exactly what to say next. A thought came to Dawn’s mind that made her beam with excitement.

“Hey I got an idea! I don’t really have any bits but there’s a cool ice-cream shop down the street we could hang out at.” Dawn couldn’t cover her ears fast enough to save herself from Scootaloo’s glass shattering fan-girl squee.

“What no way that’s exactly where I was going! A nice pony gave me six bits so we could both totally get ice-cream.” Scootaloo.

“Gee I wonder who that could have been…”Dawn said under her breath, too quiet for Scootaloo to hear. Her mother always had a strange way of telling the future, she thought to herself. “Wow that’s so cool! And the pony that owns it is super nice too!”

They began their walk as Scootaloo shared her story of why she left Ponyville and how she ended up in Manehatten. Dawn couldn’t understand how a father could just abandon his only daughter like that, but growing up in Manehatten she was used to irrational thinking.

“You sound like a pony with a problem, and I know exactly who can help!” Dawn said with a reassuring smile as they arrived at the door of what looked like a dessert lover’s paradise.

The doors themselves looked like giant chocolate bars surrounded by a door frame made of two massive candy canes. However upon entry all five of their senses were delightfully barraged by the sugary paradise. The walls looked like they were made of swirled chocolate and caramel, and the tables looked and smelled like freshly baked cookies. The entire room looked edible, and smelled like fresh fudge and ice cream. Sounds of somepony whistling to smooth jazz could be heard from the back room, offset by the loud noises of a magic batter mixer.

There was a simple counter with display cases and two small ice cream cones sitting next to the register. The loud humming of cooking machinery stopped as the merry voice of an older stallion chimed out from the back of the store.

“Help yourself Dawn, I’ll be out before long.” His tranquil voice matching the stress-free atmosphere.

“Hi Mr. Sherbert! Wait how’d you know it was me?” Dawn said as she levitate the two ice cream treats over to the table the two of them decided to rest at. Scootaloo hadn’t been around very many unicorns yet, and was still fascinated by their magic.

“Don’t be silly who else could it be, other than my favorite little filly?” The large unicorn emerged and levitated two chocolate milkshakes to the two bouncing fillies. His coat was a bright orange, offsetting his bright lime green mane, tail, and eyes. His cutie mark, a chocolate sundae with two crossed spoons, told Scootaloo that her ice cream was going to be delicious.

“And when was the last time your day came to a slow, unless you had a friend or two in tow?”

“Yeah that’s true, I’m usually on the other side of town by now. But Miss Celery is out of town this week so I was just gonna play with her dog anyways.” Dawn was just beginning to eat her ice cream when she noticed her rudeness. “Oh I’m sorry, Mr. Sherbert this is Scootaloo. We actually just met a little while ago.”

“Pleasure to meet you!” Scootaloo said between spoonfuls of goodness. She had no idea why he said everything in rhymes, but she figured anypony who could make this good of ice cream had to be awesome.

“So tell me are you new in town, or have I just not seen you around?” The usually cheery Dawn grew serious as Scootaloo suddenly grew uncomfortable. She placed a comforting hoof on the fillies shoulder and shot her a sympathetic glance.

“Scootaloo doesn’t really have any parents, and she walked here from Ponyville last night so she doesn’t really know her way around yet.”

“Yeah and I’d totally be toast if you didn’t save me from those three stupid jerks!” Scootaloo let out a short laugh, glad to change the subject. “Though I wonder why nopony else would help. Is this town really that snooty?”

Scootaloo couldn’t help but cock her head at her new friend’s odd reactions to her earnest question, but she feared their answer when they suddenly grew serious. Mr. Sherbert even forgot his rhyme game when he became concerned for the innocent filly.

“So you haven’t told her yet? You know the sooner the better.” He looked at Dawn with sympathy as she prepared her explanation for the hundredth time.

“Scootaloo… there’s something I need to tell you.” Dawn began with tear brimmed eyes. “Do you remember that old story from Hearth’s Warming Eve, the one about the old pony tribes? You remember how they didn’t like each other just because they were different?

“Yeah my mom told me those stories when I was just a little filly. What about them?” She still didn’t understand her predicament, but the full weight of her situation fell on her with Dawn’s next words.

“Well Manehatten is still kinda like that, except here the ponies don’t like pegasi. That’s why those three were so mean to you, and why nopony else would help. The ponies here are just too blind to see that hating somepony just because they’re different is wrong.”

Scootaloo couldn’t help but sit awe-struck with her jaw reaching for the floor. All this time she just thought the ponies here were a little on the snooty side. She never would have guessed that she was surrounded by ponies who hate her with every fiber of their being just because of who she was born as.

“B-but you guys are so nice! Why would they…”

“You see Dawn and I are among the few who don’t think like that. We just want to see everyone happy, whether you’re a unicorn, pegasus, or even a hungry manticore.”

“Yeah,” Dawn joined in, “so no matter how hard you try I won’t leave you alone till I’m one hundred percent satisfied that you’ll be happy forever!”

“You guys are- thank you. Nopony has ever been this nice to me. I don’t even know what else I can say but thank you.” Her tears were turning to those of joy, overwhelmed by the love and acceptance in the air.
Dawn was the first to initiate the group hug, followed quickly by Mr. Sherbert, wrapping Scootaloo in a tight embrace. “I don’t know how to repay you, but I’ll do my best to find out how.”

“Don’t worry about that dear, you smile is repayment enough.” Mr. Sherbert said through a warm smile, before slowly pulling away from the fillies to walk to the back of the store.

The next few hours went by quickly while they shared stories and laughs. Scootaloo couldn’t think of a time that she felt half as free as she did with Dawn. She did remember one afternoon she was stuck staying late after school with a little red maned filly with a cute bow that she had a blast with, but she couldn’t remember her name. None of her past mattered now: she was happy here and she knew at least two ponies would accept and love her no matter what. But as she noticed the clock approach six, it was time for them to go their separate ways.

“Oh I almost forgot I’m supposed to meet somepony at a restaurant in a few minutes! Hey Mr. Sherbert do you know a nice pony named Soaring Sky? She said you could show me how to get there.” Scootaloo all but fell backwards when he let out a hearty laugh.

“Yes I suppose you could say we’ve met a time or two. Unfortunately I can’t take you tonight as I have other important business to attend to. Yet I may need to cancel and take you anyways, as a certain routinely late pony has yet to show up.”

As if on cue, a sandy brown pegasus stallion stumbled through the front doors carrying what Scootaloo guessed couldn’t have been less than three hundred pounds of sugar. His words were barely audible among all his panting as he trudged to the back room.

“Why you suddenly needed three-hundred twenty pounds of sugar imported from Germaneigh is a mystery to me! I’ll bet you just wanted me gone for a day so you could…”His dry throat causing his raspy voice to drown out under the rising giggles of Dawn and Scootaloo.

“Come now you know the best sugar comes from Germaneigh. Besides you complain too much, when I was your age I-“

“Wait is this the story of how you had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways? Or the one about how you had to walk three miles just to get a drink of water? Because I’ve heard both… several times.” The feigned boredom in his voice proved too much for the fillies, causing them both to fall to the floor with a fit of laughter that echoed through the room.

“Of course if you’re not complaining, you’re interrupting me.” While slightly annoyed, Mr. Sherbert decided to play along to amuse the two fillies.

“Not my fault your stories are so boring. And besides I don’t complain too much, you don’t complain enough. I have to complain more just to keep up the average!” His playfully self-righteous tone elicited no small laugh from the still floor-struck fillies, bringing wide smiles to both the stallions faces.

“I see you’re impossible as ever. Anyways you’re done for the day, so you can escort these two lovely fillies to their dinner appointment.” Although Mr. Sherbert was glad he was sending them off happy, he was still sad he had to send them back to harsh reality.

“Uncle Swift, uncle Swift!” Dawn finally composed herself and jumped to hug his neck. Where that filly got so much energy from Scootaloo couldn’t even imagine.

“Why hello there Dawn, I trust you were good today? I would hate to not get to share some ice cream with you after dinner tonight.” Swift said with the most pathetic pout face Scootaloo had ever seen.

“What! Of course I was good, when have I not been?” Dawn seemed visibly worried about losing her ice cream privileges.

“Silly me, what could I have been thinking: as if you have ever intentionally caused trouble.” He laughed as he tousled her mane before noticing Scootaloo was still patiently sitting to the side. “Oh I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Swiftwing, what might your name be?”

Scootaloo gave a slight smile, one that Swift could easily see through. “Oh don’t worry about it, I’m kinda used to being forgotten. My name’s Scootaloo.” She said it so casually that everyone else in the room couldn’t help but cringe a little.

“Nice to meet you Scootaloo. So is there anything else we need to do before we go?” Swift knew there was something different about Scootaloo, something she likely would never talk about. But for now he just settled on making her happy.

“Come on let’s go already I’m hungry!” The sudden burst from Dawn nearly floored them all with laughter.

After several false starts, a few goodbyes to Mr. Sherbert, and some smiles made of pure innocence, the three of them set off for their long awaited dinner. Scootaloo couldn’t help but marvel and stare wide-eyed at the buildings they passed. She didn’t know ponies could build such things, much less so close together. Sure she heard some stories about Manehatten from a classmate, but hearing stories from a less than intelligent filly and seeing the buildings herself was totally different.

She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if one of them fell over. Would they all fall into each other like the dominoes Miss Cheerilee showed them?

She was forced from her thoughts as Swift barreled into her, pushing her out of the way of a fast moving, strange looking carriage. He grabbed her and pulled into a wide vertical arc, landing next to Dawn with Scootaloo in his hooves.

“Whew don’t scare me like that. You gotta be careful, the ponies here are all crazy.” He said as he gently set Scootaloo down. He didn’t have time to brace himself for Scootaloo’s quick return to his hooves.

“That was so awesome! Can we do it again, please?” Her voice cracked due to her excitement. The sound of Dawn’s facehoof could likely be heard a block away, but Swift couldn’t help but chuckle at Scootaloo’s joy in something so simple.

“Maybe later, just promise me you won’t walk in front of any more carriages.” He gave her a look of concern, but anyone could tell he was just teasing her.

“Okay fine, but only if you taking me flying later, that was awesome!” Dawn rolled her eyes at her friend’s persistence, but she smiled anyways.

They continued walking at a slower pace than before when a question popped into Scootaloo’s mind. “Hey I was wondering what kind of carriage was that anyways? I didn’t see anypony pulling it.” Her simple question earning a smile from Dawn, who was the first to answer.

“It’s a steam carriage, they’re so cool! I’ve always wanted one but they aren’t exactly cheap.”

“Maybe eventually but first you need to stop spending all your bits on ice cream.” Swift teased, and Scootaloo couldn’t help but giggle at Dawn’s offended look. “But anyways, yes those are a new invention from Germaneigh. Unlike the magic powered carriages in Canterlot, these are powered by steam and complex mechanics.”

“Wow that’s so awesome!” Scootaloo shouted as she jumped at the idea. She wondered if ponies could make such amazing machines, what else could they make?

They walked the rest of their trip in relative silence, Scootaloo enjoying seeing so many new things, until they arrived at a restaurant to fancy for anypony but royalty. The self-proclaimed six-star restaurant had a unique arboreal entrance made of ferns and flowering vines. Upon entering they were in a large indoor courtyard with marble columns and floor tile. The tables and countertops were all made of black granite, and there were several hoof-forged statues made of precious metals with stone insets. Scootaloo quickly decided that if there was a six-star rating for restaurants, this place certainly deserved it.

Not really thinking things through, Swift told the fillies to wait by the door while he looked for somepony in the kitchen. Of course when the restaurant’s greeter saw them he immediately rushed over.

“Excuse me fillies I believe you have the wrong address.” The unicorn spoke with an infuriatingly pompous accent and carried himself as if he was related to Celestia herself.

Dawn was the first to respond with her trademark tone of boredom. “Look just save your little lecture for somepony who actually wants to hear it. And no we don’t have the wrong address, we’re here to meet somepony.” She stressed the words ‘wrong address’ to show her annoyance.

“Very well, you may remain here. But you…” He pointed a disgusted hoof at Scootaloo and held his nose high. “You know our policy regarding your kind. I can’t have you scaring our customers away, so you’ll have to wait elsewhere.”

“What but that’s outrageous!” Dawn shouted trying to cause a scene and get the jerk fired. “We’re paying customers just like everypony else!”

The manager rushed over after hearing the shouting, and assumed Scootaloo was causing trouble for his staff. He rose up to his full height and tried to look as intimidating as possible. Being a massive solid black stallion with a dark red mane and tail made it fairly easy. “Just like a pegasus, always causing trouble. Look I know you’ve been told our policies, so I suggest you leave before I call the Guard to escort you off the premises.” The manager remained expressionless and stern while the unicorn had a smirk of victory.

“What! But- you can’t just-“Dawn let out an angry grunt as she began pacing in front of the two stallions. She likely would have worn a hole in the floor if Scootaloo hadn’t walked up to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder. What Dawn saw when she turned and looked in Scootaloo’s eyes was not anger, not even frustration, but gratitude. They stood there and stared in each other’s eyes for a few moments before Dawn let out her long held breath.

“Thank you, I’ve seen plenty fights and I’d rather not see anymore.” Scootaloo’s quiet voice somehow reached the manager as well, and he couldn’t stop a small frown from forming. “Besides like I said before I’m kinda used to being alone. It’s okay, don’t worry about me.” Scootaloo closed her eyes and wore a fake smile, trying her hardest to pretend none of this bothered her to cheer up her new friend.

Dawn slumped her shoulders even further while looking up at Scootaloo with pleading eyes. “But it’s not okay that they treat you like this. That’s why I got so mad.”

It took all of Scootaloo’s strength not to break down crying right there, but she composed herself and offered Dawn another grateful look. “Yes and I am very thankful for that, but there’s no reason to be mad at them, they’re just doing their jobs. The ponies where I came from weren’t very nice to me, so this isn’t really the first time this has happened to me anyways.” What she said was true, but it still didn’t take the pain away whenever other ponies looked at her like she was trash.

By this point even the restaurant greeter looked sad, and the manager felt nothing but shame. How could he be angry at a filly that had been wronged so much, yet still held no ill will to those that harmed her?

Scootaloo turned to the manager and looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble, I’ll just wait across the street so I won’t bother anyone.” She shot Dawn a quick smile before turning to leave. Nopony but Swift, who had been watching from a distance since the shouting started, noticed the tear trickling down Scootaloo’s cheek.

Just as Swift was going to step in and save the day, the manager rushed to stand between Scootaloo and the door. She stood still for a moment, shocked that he could even move that fast, but was even more surprised when the large stallion pulled her into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” You’re right I was just doing my job, but no job is worth this. Nopony deserves what’s been done to you, and I’m sorry.” He pulled away for a second to look at her with his teary eyes before holding her tight again.

Scootaloo wasn’t used to this kind of treatment, but she figured she couldn’t pull away even if she wanted too. So she gratefully returned the embrace and let all her pent up tears flow onto his rather nice suit. She couldn’t say why but she felt safe in his hooves, like she was protected from everything that wanted to hurt her. A feeling she didn’t get very often.

Swift was so focused on the scene that he didn’t even notice Soaring Sky walk up and sit next to him until she nudged his shoulder. “Whoa did I miss something?”

He simply smiled and nodded, never taking his eyes off the adorable scene. “That filly is gonna change things around here, I can only imagine what she’ll do for this town.” Swift finally looked at Sky and gave her a brief but tight hug. “Well shall we go start this party?”

Chapter 3 What Is Love?

The restaurant was finally back to its normal busy hustle when the scene in the entryway came to a close. The manager was just beginning to ask Scootaloo about her circumstances in Manehatten when Swiftwing and Soaring Sky approached from the kitchen.

“Why Mr. Brue, such a breach in etiquette, for shame.” Sky’s voice rang out across the entryway as her and Swift walked past Dawn. Swift stopped to give her a pat on her head and let her climb on his back.

“Miss Sky would you please refrain from your petty jokes so that I can have one small moment of sanity?” He let out a sigh as they all approached and formed a half-circle. “And what did I tell you about calling me mister?”

“Nah that would be too easy. And what did I tell you about calling me miss?” She teased as she gave Scootaloo a hug.

“But I’m your boss and it would serve you well to heed my words.” He said as he smiled and shook Swift’s hoof.

“Yes but I make your food, and it would serve you well not to bite the hoof that feeds you” She laughed as she finally got around to greeting her with a loose hug.

“Duly noted. But back to the matter at hoof, I was just asking this young filly about her living arrangements here in Manehatten. I assume you know her?”

Dawn poked her head over Swift’s with some anger still present in her tone. “She’s the bestest of best friends ever, of course we know her!” Scootaloo couldn’t help but blush and paw at the floor with an idle hoof.

“Yes we do know her, and she can stay with me until we find a more suitable home.” Sky said as she smiled at the two wide-eyed fillies bouncing with excitement.

“Wow really?” Dawn shouted as she jumped from Swift’s back and ran to stand next to Scootaloo, both staring starry eyed at Sky.

She laughed while walking over to Scootaloo to tousle her mane. “Of course, it would be rude of me not to share what I have with those who don’t have. Anyways Mr. Brue I’m going to talk with you later about your harsh dealings with my daughter, but for now I have two hungry fillies to feed. Come along girls we don’t want our dinner to get cold.”

After a synchronized jump and brohoof, the two followed after the older pegasi. Dawn knew Scootaloo wouldn’t approve, but she couldn’t help sticking her tongue out at the greeter as they walked past.

Soaring Sky led them through the large restaurant, holding her head high as they walked passed all the staring and silent unicorns and earth ponies. Scootaloo couldn’t help but feel nervous: she was used to being neglected, not the center of so much angered attention. Swift just smiled and said hi to everypony they passed, seemingly oblivious to the growing tension in the room.

After what seemed like hours, they finally arrived at their table in one of the small, empty dining rooms branching off from the courtyard. To Scootaloo’s surprise the table was already set and had warm food waiting for them. Sky directed each of them to their seats before sitting across from Scootaloo.

"I wasn't sure what you liked Scootaloo, so I hope you like it." She just nodded and smiled, too hungry to care what it tasted like so long as it was edible. Scootaloo looked around and waited till the others started eating before she looked to her own food. She wasn't sure what kind of fancy pasta was on her plate, but one thing she knew for sure: if it tasted half as good as it smelled, she would have a full stomach before she was done.

They passed the hour eating and sharing laughs. Scootaloo was given the biggest eater medal, having devoured three full servings of the amazing pasta before slowing down. Swift however took the medal of best storyteller, recalling the time when he and Sky buttered the bathroom floor of the post office before a team of pegasi got back from a long trip and embarrassed themselves.

When they finally got a hold on their laughing at Swift’s crazy antics, Sky knew she needed to ask a serious question. While nothing had caused her to distrust Scootaloo, she wasn’t about to let a stranger stay the night in her home with her daughter, and needed to be sure she wasn’t about to make a huge mistake. She didn’t really want to suddenly change the mood from such mirth to serious thought, she knew it was for the best. At some point during all the storytelling, Scootaloo had switched seats with Dawn and was now sitting next to Sky, which she was grateful for.

“Hey Swift, tell Dawn about that time we buttered the starting line of that hoof race!” He glanced at Sky before giving a knowing smile and returning his attention to Dawn. “Hey Scootaloo, can I ask you a serious question?” Her whisper getting Scootaloo’s undivided attention, and with a nod she scooted closer. “What is it you want most in life? What do you want more than anything else?”

Sky was surprised at how quiet the filly got, sitting still in contemplation before finally nonchalantly answering. “Same thing everyone else wants: love.”

Swift’s ear flicked when he heard her answer and immediately turned to look at her, tilting his head to the side out of curiosity. Dawn, who was still sprawled out over the table laughing, also became curious about the silence that overtook the table, and wondered what Scootaloo said to get the adult’s so shocked.

Scootaloo grew shy and lowered her head, worried she said something wrong. “I mean… at least that’s what I want. That’s why I’ve always tried so hard, so I can prove to everyone that they’re wrong. And one day I’m gonna be as awesome as Rainbow Dash!” She let out a sigh as she realized she lost them there. Although Rainbow Dash was well known in Ponyville and was the most awesome pegasus ever, she wasn’t a famous Wonderbolt yet.

“Rainbow Dash, why does that name sound familiar…” They all turned to Swift, his face scrunched up in thought. “Oh that’s right, she’s the mare from Ponyville that wanted to race me. So you know her?” Sky and Dawn suddenly grew even more curious, not just because Scootaloo knew such a pony, but that anyone would even challenge Swift to begin with.

“Well I’ve only actually talked to her twice…” Her smile faded for a second before her excitement came back twofold. “But she’s the fastest pegasus in Equestria, and one day she’s gonna join the Wonderbolts!”

Swift found the fillies ecstatic attitude to be contagious, and ended up standing while holding a proud hoof to his chest and a goofy grin on his muzzle. “Well she’ll have to beat me first!” Swift and Sky both knew that wasn’t true, but Scootaloo had never heard of Swift’s fame. When it came to sheer speed not even the Wonderbolts were his equal, and had yet to lose a wing race throughout his career in competitive flying.

“Yeah right, good luck to em’ they’ll need it.” They all looked up from their conversation to see the owner of the hoarse voice. Sky immediately groaned and let her head drop to the table like a rock when she recognized the approaching stallion. Scootaloo couldn’t help but force herself into Sky’s lap and embrace, never taking her eyes off the giant lumbering pegasus clumsily stumbling towards them.

The massive black stallion was nearly the size of Celestia, with the biggest wings Scootaloo had ever seen. He had a sleek silver mane with an offsetting streak of electric yellow. Before he even got close to the table Scootaloo could smell the familiar tinge of alcohol on his breath, one of the many things Scootaloo knew her dad enjoyed far too much.

Sky looked at Swift with pleading eyes. “Why can’t I just have one day of peace, just one day!” Dawn looked back and forth between them, having no idea what she meant.

“Oh come on you guys know you’re glad to see me.” The bumbling pegasus rested a forehoof on Swift’s shoulder, nearly crushing him because of the size difference. “Besides where are your manners, aren’t you gonna introduce me?”

Swift let out a sigh and turned to the fillies. “Dawn, Scootaloo, this is Stratoflight: the biggest show off in Equestria.”

“And don’t forget lousiest drunk this side of Canterlot.” Sky whispered and rolled her eyes. “What do you want Strat, we were actually trying to enjoy our dinner.”

“What, can’t two friends catch up on old times without being interrupted? Geez Swift, your friends these days. Oh and who is this filly, another one of your fans?” Strat walked over to Sky and looked at Scootaloo, his foul breath almost causing them to gag.

“My name’s Scootaloo, and there’s no way I’d be a fan of anypony except Rainbow Dash!” She crossed her fore hooves over her chest and closed her eyes, looking away indignantly.

Swift met her pose with a chuckle and a poke to her ticklish side. “Now don’t go jumping to conclusions; he may seem like a bum, but Strat is no slacker when it comes to his work ethic. After all we are talking about the highest flying pegasus in the history books here.”

Sky groaned and rested her head on the table. “Please don’t feed his ever-growing ego, he really doesn’t need any help with that.” She was still thinking about the answer Scootaloo gave to her question, and she really didn’t want to hear his boasting.

“Hey it’s not my fault I’m so cool. Oh wait never mind I guess it is. That’s right kid you’re looking at the only pony to breach the Thermosphere. Let me tell ya not much beats dancing in the night sky with the Western Aurora Lights.” Scootaloo stared at the black pegasus with her jaw open, thinking about how he just became 120% cooler. She didn’t remember much about the atmosphere from school, but she remembered the Western Aurora Lights were thought to be an illusion until somepony flew up to them and got a first-hoof account of their existence.

“Of course ya gotta hold your breath when ya get up that high because there isn’t a lot of air up there. See most ponies can’t even get half as high as me cause I got such big wings.” He stepped back and flared his massive wings which made the room seem much smaller than before. “Most pegasi can barely reach the stratosphere, but I could do that when I was about your age. I can fly really far without much effort too, but I wouldn’t even dream of beating Swift in a race.”

“Well that does kinda come with him being Equestria’s flight speed record holder.” Sky deadpanned, still swimming in her own thoughts. Scootaloo couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First she finds out Soaring Sky is one of the best chefs in Equestria, then she meets this Stratoflight guy who is the highest flying pegasus in history, and now she happens to find out Swiftwing just so happens to be the fastest pegasus ever. And they’re all at the same table with her! What’s next, is princess Celestia gonna show up too?

Oh you’ve got to be kidding.

Mr. Brue rushed in, covered in nervous sweat. “Miss Sky! Miss Sky! Pr-Princess Celestia will be arriving soon and she requested to meet you personally! She specifically said she wanted you to cook her dinner!” Sky picked her head up, forced from her thoughts as a massive grin forced brought back to exciting reality.

Swift chuckled and patted her on the back. “Well I guess that’s our cue head chef, it’s getting late anyways. I’ll show these two lovely fillies home while you entertain your latest guest of honor.”

Sky was normally calm and collected, but she couldn’t help squealing like a school filly on her first date as she rushed out of the room. She’d served plenty of celebrities and nobles before, but she was just specially requested by the princess herself!

Dawn looked at Swift with her best puppy dog eyes as her lips quivered. “Aww but I want to meet the princess too…”

He smiled and slipped under her so she was riding his back. “I know but maybe next time, your mom has business she needs to do after all, and you little filly need to get some sleep.” Scootaloo hadn’t really noticed till he said that, but she felt exhausted from the long day. “Besides you’ll get to meet her when you get accepted into her School for Gifted Unicorns right?”

“Yeah maybe if they’d reply to my letters.” Swift meant to cheer her up, but her dejected tone told him she just felt worse. It wasn’t that she wasn’t good enough to get in, her magical abilities even outmatched most adult unicorns. But to them she was just one of the thousands of unicorns who wanted acceptance, so her letters were easily overlooked.

Swift led the way, followed by Scootaloo and an abnormally quickly sobering Strat. They left the small room and walked through the courtyard, bowing to the princess as she approached from the entryway. Sky was predictably already standing next to the table reserved for the royalty alongside a few members of Celestia’s entourage. They began walking again after Celestia was seated, but Scootaloo couldn’t help but notice a lavender unicorn sitting next to the princess that didn’t move an inch when she walked in. She wondered how a pony could be so focused on reading a book that they didn’t even notice the princess walk in the room and sit next to them.

The group exited the restaurant and felt a cool breeze on their faces. The dark streets were mostly empty save a few lovebirds that were at romantic dinners or late night movies. They barely made it a block before Dawn broke the silence with a voice so full of excitement it reminded Scootaloo of a crazy pink mare back in Ponyville.

“Oh my gosh did you see her? She’s so awesome!” She jumped from Swift’s back and started walking between him and Scootaloo.

Swift couldn’t resist teasing her anxious behavior a little. “We bowed to her of course we saw her.” He couldn’t tell if he was more surprised or amused at Dawn’s sudden face hoof, but he laughed regardless.

“Not the princess you ditz, though that was pretty cool too. I was talking about Twilight Sparkle the unicorn sitting next to her!”

This time it was Scootaloo’s turn to poke fun at Dawn. “You mean that egghead that didn’t even notice the princess walk in the room?”

“Yeah she’s… wait no! She’s not an egghead she’s just smart! Besides since she’s the princess’ personal student I’m sure she’s probably just gotten used to being around her.”

Scootaloo gave her friend a pat on the head while she giggled at her frustration. “Relax I was just messing with you. But anyways what makes this Twilight Sparkle so awesome?”

“You mean besides her being the only personal student of the princess? Well she was the youngest unicorn to get accepted into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and she was the youngest to graduate too. Not to mention she’s the first pony since Starswirl the Bearded to have her special talent be magic itself!” Dawn jumped in excitement at that last part, clearly having made this mare her role model.

“Wow yeah I guess that’s pretty amazing.” Scootaloo couldn’t understand half of what Dawn just said, but she could relate to having somepony so awesome to look up to. Ever since the first time she saw Rainbow Dash do her Wonderbolt tryout routine, she became her biggest fan and wanted to spend as much time with her as she could.

Dawn began a long winded rant about how awesome Twilight was and all the feats she had accomplished. Swift smiled at Scootaloo’s misfortune, having been on the receiving end of numerous similar rants. However Strat, or rather the lack of Strat in their conversation, quickly drew Swift’s attention from the fillies. He slowed a little to match the pace of the somber stallion, a look of concern on his muzzle.

“Hey buddy are you okay? You’re a lot quieter than usual.” His voice a low whisper so not to alert the two cheery fillies.

“Heh, is it really that rare for me to think before I speak? Actually don’t answer that I’m sure I already know your answer. I don’t suppose you’re going to leave me alone till I tell you?” Scootaloo and Dawn jumped a little when he spoke, having nearly forgot the silent stallion was even behind them.

“Nope I’m sticking by your side until I fix whatever’s bothering you.” Swift smiled and pushed on Strat’s shoulder, which felt like trying to push a brick wall.

“Well I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think this is something you can just smile and slap a Band-Aid on it and call it better.” His cold voice cut to Swift’s heart as the two stopped walking. He hung his head and closed his eyes, a small tear landing on the thirsty ground.

Swift quickly sat by his side and hung a hoof over his shoulder. He spoke with the softness of a caring mother, catching the attention of both fillies and causing them to stop and turn to see the two in the tight hug. “You’re thinking about Thunder Sky and Night Light aren’t you?” Even in the dim light Swift could see more tears roll down Strat’s charcoal muzzle.

“It’s not fair… It’s just… it’s so hard without them.” He spoke between quiet sobs as Scootaloo and Dawn slowly approached and sat beside the mourning pair.

“I know, that accident was hard on everypony-“

“It wasn’t an accident!” Strat pushed away from the group and yelled, his eyes red from the stream of tears. “That bloodthirsty dragon went to Cloudspire fully intent on causing that massacre! He killed them all, not a single pony made it out of there alive and I wasn’t there to stop him! Do you know what it feels like to lose the love of your life and your daughter in the same day? To have your entire world fall apart knowing there’s nothing you can do to stop it? No, of course not, because you’ve never had a family to lose. So don’t stand there and-“

Shock. The only way to describe the expression of three ponies as they stood in the dark empty street. The sound of Scootaloo’s stomp echoed through the street as she withdrew her hoof from the deep imprint she left in the tree alongside the road. She glared daggers at Strat before she stomped over to him and intimidated him as best as she could considering the drastic size difference.

“Now you listen here, I don’t know what you’ve been through, but you have no right to talk to your friend like that! You’re right none of us know what you’re going through, but we still want to help! I know you’re not a mean pony, so I’m sticking by you till you feel better, no matter how hard you try to push me away.” Her loud commanding voice slowly changing to a comforting whisper as she gave him a tight hug.

Swift and Dawn sweeped to their sides and turned it into a group hug, each uttering their own words of encouragement. Strat melted into the trio, nearly crushing them with his weight. He let out a quiet thanks as he held them in his massive wings. None of them knew or cared how long they sat like that’s, they all just sat in silence until Strat pulled away from the group with a smile. “Thanks for that, I really needed it. Anyways I gotta get going and I’m sure you three have had about enough out of this day that you wanted. Catch ya later Swift!”

With a few flaps of his massive wings he shot into the sky, leaving behind an awestruck audience of two fillies. Swift was staring at where Strat was standing before his sudden takeoff, but the nearby yawns woke him from his reverie. “Come here you two, time to get you to bed.” Dawn hopped on his back while he held Scootaloo in his hooves. He flared his wings and took off slowly, carefully monitoring his wing motions so he wouldn’t wake up the already sleeping Dawn on his back. Even though he didn’t get more than twenty feet off the ground, he could feel Scootaloo come to life with excitement.

They quickly reached Sky’s residence in a quiet, isolated neighborhood on the outskirts of town. Swift gently set Scootaloo down before lifting the “Welcome” mat to get the house key. Swift went in first, still trying to not disturb his sleeping passenger. He motioned Scootaloo to follow him upstairs to the guest bedroom. The first thing she noticed was that the inside of the house was just as simple as the outside, not what most would expect from Equestria’s top chef. There was a large couch with a table and lamp in living room, and a couple pictures adorning the walls. She could see the dining room and kitchen and noticed that while scarcely decorated, they both very well furnished with cooking tools and appliances.

She waited at the top of the stairs while Swift tucked Dawn into bed. He closed the door behind him as he walked back into the hallway. After showing Scootaloo her room next to Dawn’s, he stepped back into the hall with a yawn.

“The bathroom is across the hall, and I’ll be downstairs if you need me. Don’t bother waiting for Sky, no telling when she’ll be back.” He chuckled and waved goodnight as he closed the door.

Scootaloo looked from wall to wall, taking note the nice furnishings in the room. There was a big antique dresser with a mirror, a writing desk with an oil lamp, and a clean bed that looked like it was made of clouds. She decided to take a quick shower before hopping into such a neatly made bed, so she quietly crept back into the hallway. She found the bathroom where Swift pointed, and after fifteen minutes of warm bliss she carefully slid into her bed.

She figured that with as soft her bed was she would fall asleep in minutes. But after an hour of tossing and turning, she was still wide awake. Eventually she came to the conclusion that her bed was just too comfortable for her to sleep on. After years of sleeping on an ancient rock hard mattress, she just couldn’t stop thinking about how nice this bed felt long enough for her to actually fall asleep. With a disgruntled groan she got back out of bed and quietly walked back downstairs. Swift was sleeping on the huge couch, barely taking up half of the behemoth. His light snoring caused her to giggle, but she quickly covered her mouth hoping she didn’t already wake him up.

“Well that couch doesn’t look too comfortable, I hope he won’t mind.” She whispered to herself as she gingerly climbed onto the other end of the couch. The cool air felt relaxing, and she soon found herself curled up sleeping next to the goofy stallion.

*** ***

“What a day.” Sky moaned to herself as she walked in the front door. When she saw Scootaloo her mind reeled to a stop due to a cuteness overload. The orange filly was curled up on Swift’s chest with a big smile on her face, while in his sleep Swift wrapped a wing around her. Sky felt like her heart exploded twice before she finally regained movement in her limbs. She walked over to a closet and a got a blanket for the two.

After tucking them in she whispered goodnight and kissed Scootaloo’s forehead. She walked up the stairs with a renewed smile. “You were right Swift. All the filly has to do is smile and she’ll melt your heart. I only pray to Celestia that we can give her the kindness she deserves.”

Chapter 4 Too School for Cool

Anger. The emotion one feels when the sun wakes them up before they’re ready. Scootaloo woke with a yawn and a hoof over her eyes, a vain attempt to block out the sun’s overbearing light. “Just five more minutes…” She mumbled to herself, her voice muffled by her blanket. All the previous day’s events hit her mind like a wave, causing her to shoot upright. She heard two voices in the kitchen and decided to investigate. She quietly slid off the couch and walked to the door of the kitchen, the cold wood floor feeling refreshing and helping to wake her senses. She stopped around the corner of the door when she could tell it was Swift and Sky talking.

“…Think you’re lying, you don’t look okay.”

“Swift I told you I’m fine. I’m just… deep in thought.”

“If you say so, just promise me you’ll take it easy. We really can’t afford for you to get sick or something right now. So what are you thinking about, Scootaloo?”

“Yeah, it’s just not fair Swift she deserves so much more than this old dump.”

“Your house isn’t that bad…” Even this early in the morning his chuckles made Scootaloo giggle.

“Oh hush you, that’s not what I meant. Do you know how she got here? She walked all the way from Ponyville alone after her dad abandoned her. He just left her Swift, and she ended up here of all places! She can stay with me as long as necessary but we’ve got to find a better home for her.”

“I know…” He let out a tired groan as he stood up. “And until the princess can pass the Pony Rights Bill and get the nobles to approve it, the longer she stays here the more danger she’ll be in. Listen I gotta go: Mr. Sherbert needs me to pick up another order from Germaneigh. I swear sometimes being the fastest flyer just isn’t worth it.”

“Heh, better than being the slowest. So what should I do with Scootaloo? I can’t really take her to work with me, and Dawn has school today.”

They both went silent for a moment in thought, causing Scootaloo’s curiosity to get the better of her. She peaked around the corner and jumped in surprise when Swift’s big blue eyes met hers less than an inch away. He collapsed into a fit of giggles as Scootaloo finally let go of the ceiling fan she hugged and slowly fluttered back to the floor next to Sky.

“Now Swift it’s not nice to scare a filly fresh out of bed.” She tapped him on the nose while trying to control her own laughs.

“Well I thought it was only fair that if she gets to eavesdrop on our conversation, then I get to scare her a little.” He chuckled and patted her on the head as he knelt down to her eye-level. “So I was thinking, how would you like to go to school today with Dawn?”

“Swift you know that’s dangerous! I won’t-

“Oh pfft she’ll be fine. Just don’t leave Dawn’s side and you won’t have anything to worry about. Isn’t that right?” He yelled the question informing the second eavesdropping filly that she’d been caught.

“How does he do that!” Dawn shouted as she trotted in and sat at the table. “Anyways of course she’ll be fine! If anypony starts bothering you just let me know.” She added with a wink.

“Come on, please?” Swift looked up at Sky with adorable eyes and a quivering lip. Dawn knew she was good at begging, but could tell she still had a few things to learn from the local master.

Sky let out a groan and muttered something under her breath that sounded close to ‘fine’. “Well don’t you two need to get ready? Unless bed-mane is the new fashion these days.”

“Oh you’re right! Come on classmate you can use my extra brush.” Scootaloo and Dawn jumped for a high hoof before running up the stairs with giggling filling the house.

“I really hope you know what you’re doing Swift, because Princess Celestia knows I sure don’t.”

“Oh you worry too much, I’m sure they’ll be fine. If nothing else I figured you’d be worried about keeping this place clean with the Daring Duo running around.” He laughed and gave her a hug which she readily returned before turning back to the lunches she was making for the fillies. “Hey I really do need to get going, but promise me you won’t worry yourself too much okay?”

“Okay I won’t. And you’re right I’m sure as long as she stays close to Dawn she’ll be fine.” With a nod and a smile, Swift was out the door in less than a second, showing he really was running late. Just as she finished packing the school lunches, the two fillies shot into the kitchen and grabbed them, gave Sky a couple quick hugs, and ran out the front door leaving behind a very confused Soaring Sky. Dawn yelled a quick goodbye as she used her magic to shut the door behind them. “Everypony is in such a hurry today, and they tell me to take it easy…” Sky smiled to herself as she got ready for work.

Dawn and Scootaloo slowed to a trot as they arrived at the huge school across town from where they started.

“Well here it is: Manehatten Lower Academy. It’s not much to look at, but most of the teachers are pretty nice”. Dawn began showing her around the school as she explained the scheduling.

The first thing Scootaloo noticed was how huge the school was! “I could get lost for days in here.” She whispered to herself as they entered the school’s atrium. Then she started to notice all the ponies watching her as she passed, all the unicorn and earth ponies watching her. Some were watching with shock, while others seemed angry at her just for being in the same room. The only other pegasus ponies she saw stayed in a tight group in one of the far corners of the room, and even then they still deftly avoided eye-contact with anypony else.

Scootaloo started getting nervous when Dawn broke the tension with a shout. “Oh shoot we’re gonna be late!” She pulled on Scootaloo’s tail and ran off, still levitating their lunches beside her. Scootaloo didn’t want to find out what would happen if she got left behind, so she took off after the distraught filly as fast as her legs could carry her. After storing their lunches away in her locker, Dawn led the way to their first class, sitting near the front just as the bell rang.

“Good morning class, I hope you all did your homework over the weekend. I know most of you can’t afford to take time away from your oh so busy schedules, but- oh hello there. It seems we have a… visitor. Miss, would you please stand and tell us your name, where you’re from, and something about yourself.” The older mare wore a smile when she walked in, but didn't do a good job of keeping it when she noticed the pegasus sitting in on her class. Scootaloo could tell the teacher wasn’t mad, but she couldn’t quite put her hoof on what it was. Sad maybe? Her coat was a faded purple with a gray mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was a quill resting halfway over some parchment, prompting Scootaloo to assume this was some sort of writing class.

Scootaloo stood nervously and looked around the room, noticing the occasional shocked faces of those who hadn’t seen her come in and the many angry expressions on the other members of her class. She noticed a teal coated pegasus in the room. He shot her a smile before noticing the laughing ponies around him, making him blush and hide behind his long white mane.

“Umm my name is Scootaloo… I’m from Ponyville, and… oh! Bright Dawn is my best friend.” She sat down gently and sat upright, trying to make a good first impression. A quick glance around at the still glowering ponies told her it didn’t work. But the teacher seemed pleased enough, and Scootaloo thought she could see her wearing the slightest hint of a smile.

“I see, well my name is Mrs. Pencraft and as I’m sure you have deduced, this is a writing workshop. Unfortunately, we happen to be at the tail-end of finishing a hefty writing assignment. Tell you what, while we finish this why don’t you write a short paper on your topic of choice. That way you can stay busy and I’ll have something to judge where you are with the rest of the class. Scootaloo nodded as Dawn gave her the necessary items out of her saddle bag. Of course Rainbow Dash was the first thing that came to her head, so she wrote about when she got her autograph. She quickly got to work, the sounds of the classroom around her fading as she focused, trying to make this is the best paper she’d ever written.

The talking suddenly grew louder, forcing Scootaloo to tear herself from her work to see what the cause of the commotion. The teacher had stepped out of the room to talk to the principle, and several of the other students around her were making fun of pegasi intentionally loud enough so she could hear.

“Of course that’s just my luck. Don’t they have something better to do?” Scootaloo whispered under her breath. While she looked curiously at Dawn’s empty seat, a unicorn filly wrapper her paper in telekinesis and pulled it over to her click of friends. “Wha- Hey I wasn’t through with that yet give it back!”

“Oh boo hoo poor little baby, why don’t you go cry all about it to your mom or something. Hey Ras read what is says, that is if you can read dumb pegasus.” The caramel coated unicorn snickered along with the rest of her group, except Ras who seemed to shocked to respond. “Hey Ras are you okay? Or did you try to read it and become too dumb to talk?”

The red colored filly still couldn’t take her eyes off of the paper. “S-She wrote it in cursive! Caramel she mouth- wrote this in cursive! I didn’t think that was possible!”

“What no way give it to me! Only unicorns can write in cursive.” The caramel telekinesis enwrapped the essay as she floated it over to her desk. At first she seemed surprised, but that emotion was quickly overwhelmed by jealous anger. “Well I bet you think you’re special.” By now all the other conversations had gone silent, and all eyes were on the lone pegasus standing up to the local bullies. Unfortunately for Scootaloo Dawn still hadn’t come back, so she was going to have to find her own way out of this. “You know what’s better than a page of mouth-written cursive? Two.” She slowly ripped the composition in half from top to bottom, letting the slivers of paper drift lazily to the floor.

Scootaloo was furious, but she knew that was exactly the response the prejudice bully wanted to see. So instead she took a deep breath to let cooler heads prevail, and decided to poke at her assailant’s pride instead. “Wow you can count? I’m impressed, did your mom teach you that this morning after she got through picking out your clothes?” She couldn’t help but giggle as her jab had its intended effect on the shocked filly who was becoming quite embarrassed about being so fancily dressed. The rest of the class quickly joined in on the mirth as Caramel’s mind finally recovered from the surprise attack.

“Oh that’s it!” Caramel jumped from her desk, horn flaring and pointing dangerously at Scootaloo who just smiled back.

“Ahem…”

All eyes turned to the front of the room, including a still smiling Scootaloo and a mortified Caramel. Mrs. Pencraft was standing next to a hysterically laughing Bright Dawn as she glared daggers at the still standing Caramel.

“Umm… I can explain…”

“You’ve done quite enough.” Mrs. Pencraft stomped her hoof and pointed to the door. “Hall. Now.” Caramel trudged out scowling, throwing a few profanities at Scootaloo under her breath as she passed. “I’m terribly sorry about that…interruption. Miss Dawn here is quite important to the school board it seems.” Dawn trotted back to her desk and gave Scootaloo a high hoof as Mrs. Pencraft picked up the pieces of Scootaloo paper in her mouth and set them on her desk. “Don’t worry dear nothing a little tape can’t fix.”

“But I wasn’t finished yet.” Scootaloo pouted as she put her pencil back in her saddlebag.

“I’m sorry dear, but due to that little escapade I’m afraid we’ve run out of class time. But don’t worry I’ll just read what you wrote, and this isn’t a grade.” The ringing bell and the shouts of the colts and fillies drowned out whatever else the teacher said, so Scootaloo and Dawn decided to leave to their next class: Equestria’s History, as soon as possible. They passed a few faces Scootaloo recognized from writing class and she waved to the teal pegasus as they crossed directions. Predictably he returned the wave with a sheepish smile, causing Scootaloo to warm to the slightest hint of a blush. Of course Dawn decided to take full advantage of this opportunity.

“Aww looks like some-filly wants a special some-colt!”

“What no way! It’s not like that, it’s just nice to meet a nice pony. Besides it’s not like I know his name yet or anything.” They started trotting a little faster, afraid they might be late for class. Scootaloo was thankful for the change in pace, the slight breeze helping to cool her cheeks.

“Oh is that all that’s holding you two back? Well his name is Cool Breeze. Now I just need to properly introduce you two and you’ll be the cutest couple ever!” Scootaloo blushed again and opened her mouth to respond, but was left firmly speechless when they walked into the classroom and were met with wide eyes and shocked expressions.

Scootaloo let out a sigh and turned to Dawn with tired eyes. “This is going to be a long day isn’t it?”

“Yeah probably, but think of all the nice ponies you’ll get to meet!”

*** *** ***

After hours of boring classes and several awkward introductions, the school finally dismissed for lunch. This school was very different from what Scootaloo was used to: all their classes were in the morning, with only a few elective classes being held after lunch. Most ponies went home for lunch or to their favorite restaurants, but Dawn had a magic class after lunch she hated to miss. So after retrieving their lunches, which consisted of two apples and a juice box for each of them, they sat at an empty table in the School’s courtyard.

“So what am I gonna do while you’re in this magic class?“ Scootaloo just finished her first apple, and curiosity was getting the better of her.

“Well there’s actually a class for pegasi after lunch too, but you have to sign up before you can go wandering in.” Dawn said between bites of her apple. “Oh I have an idea, give me a minute.” She closed her eyes and scrunched her face up in concentration as a soft glow formed around her horn. Scootaloo was about to bite into her second apple when Dawn relaxed and let out a long held breath. “Okay he says you can come to class with me.”

“Sweet.” Scootaloo made a second attempt to eat her apple when Dawn’s words sank in, causing her to tilt her head in confusion. “Wait what? Who is ‘he’?”

Before Dawn could answer a teal pegasus fluttered from the sky and gracefully landed next to their table. “Oh hi Breeze! You want my extra apple? I’m not really hungry anyways.”

“Oh umm… h-hi Dawn. Thanks for the… umm… apple." His tranquil voice barely more than a whisper as he grabbed the apple with a wing and put it in his saddlebag.

“Hi Cool Breeze, my name’s Scootaloo, it’s nice to meet you.” She made a third attempt to enjoy her apple when Breeze shot into the air and landed on the bench next to her with a loud thump, his voice and body teeming with excitement.

“Oh my gosh when you stood up to Caramel and her jerks it was like the most awesome thing ever! Oh umm… I mean… it’s nice to meet you too” His rapid mood swing going largely unnoticed by a grumbling Scootaloo as she picked up her apple, having dropped it during his surprise outburst.

Dawn’s eyes lit up along with an imaginary light bulb over her head. “Hey Breeze Scootaloo needs to get in that afternoon class you have. You think you could talk to your teacher and hook us up?” Scootaloo blew the dust off her apple and turned to Breeze, finally taking note of the conversation.

“Of course I can! Oh umm… I mean… I’ll try my best.” Scootaloo could see his cheeks getting red, but she shrugged it off as him simply being shy.

“Nice! Okay so you’ll come with me to my magic class today, and hopefully you can start actually learning something useful tomorrow. Thanks Breeze I owe you one.”Dawn clapped her hooves together and gave a firm nod of approval, confident that her plan was foolproof.

Scootaloo also gave a nod of approval before returning her attention to the red deliciousness in her hooves. She never saw him coming. With a flash of red and a mane-flaying wind a small pegasus colt circled over the group and landed on their table. Scootaloo couldn’t take her eyes off of her once again grounded apple as her lips quivered. The red pegasus crawled across the table to her and poked her shoulder with a careful hoof. “Umm is she okay?”

“Gah! Jet don’t do that!” Dawn was slowly getting back to her hooves after being startled off of her bench. “You scared Cool Breeze under the table again.” She started pulling on Breeze’s tail while telling him to stop being such a scaredy-cat. She finally got him to come back out as Scootaloo startled Jet with a whisper.

“Why? Why does the universe hate my poor lunch so much.” She picked it back up and tossed it over to Cool Breeze who nearly dropped it again. “Just take it I don’t even want it anymore.” She let out a sigh of defeat as she sunk back down onto her bench, ignoring the giggles coming from Dawn.

Jet leaned over to Breeze and whispered in his ear as he put the apple in his saddlebag. “Your friends are weird.” Breeze shrugged it off as Dawn shot him a look that clearly expressed the phrase ‘look who’s talking’.

There was a short silence before Dawn spoke up after the first bell rang. “Anyways what did you need Jet? Or do you just like scaring ponies during lunch?”

“Well I enjoy a good scare as much as the next pony, but no that’s not why I needed you.” He hopped off the table and scuffed the ground with a hoof as he got a little nervous. “Remember that favor you owe me?”

“This better be something serious this time. You saved my life and I plan to repay you with something better than an ice cream cone.” She noticed Scootaloo’s ears perk up, so she shot her a sidelong glance. “I’ll tell you later.”

Jet chuckled as he waved a hoof at the notion. “Well ice cream does sound pretty tempting, but no this is much more serious.” He sighed as his expression turned much graver. “Look you know as well as I do that stuff is fixing to go down in this town, and I don’t want me or Cool Breeze to be here when it does. I got a friend in Fillydelphia who can help us out, I just need you to help us get there.”

“That is pretty serious. Well I don’t have nearly enough bits for two train tickets all the way to Fillydelphia, but my mom is always helping other ponies so I’ll ask her for help too. When did you want to leave?”

“Well spring break is in four weeks, so I figured the weekend before so we could get settled in before worrying about school. That sound good to you Cool?”

“Umm…yeah sure… whatever you think is best.” He and Scootaloo had just finished their game of tic-tac-toe as the second bell rang. “Hey Jet we should probably get to class… so you know… we aren’t late again.”

“Yeah I’m coming. Hey Dawn just let me know if anything comes up about those tickets. It was nice to kinda sorta meet you Dawn’s friend!” Jet shot off at break-neck speed nearly knocking a teacher over, with Cool Breeze trailing behind him at a leisurely pace apologizing for Jet to nearly everypony he passed.

“So what was all that about?” Scootaloo was putting on her saddlebags while she watched the two fly off.

“Oh that was Jet Stream, Cool Breeze’s brother. He seems to think this city is about to get a whole lot worse, and I kinda believe him.” Dawn added the last part with a dour expression that worried Scootaloo. “Anyways they’re pretty nice, but sometimes Jet can be a little…” She trailed off trying to think of the right word.

“Hyper?”

“Exactly, he can be a little crazy sometimes. Oh I guess you were wondering what I meant when I said he’d saved my life.“ Scootaloo nodded her head as they began walking to class.

“Let me see… I guess it was about two years ago right before he started coming to school. I was walking back to Mr. Sherbert’s one night because mom was out of town, when I noticed these two older colts behind me. At first I didn’t really think much of it but they were slowly getting closer to me. Every part of my brain told me to run as fast as I could, but I just… didn’t. I’m not sure why, put I just kept walking like nothing was wrong. I was almost there when they caught up to me and pulled me into an alley. I thought they only wanted to rob me, but then they… they tried to…” Her words were caught in her throat as she stopped walking, her eyes on the verge of tears. Scootaloo gave her a gentle hug before they continued walking.

“Thanks, I needed that. Anyways back then my magic wasn’t very good, so when they forced me into a corner there wasn’t much I could do. I screamed as loud as I could, but all that seemed to do was annoy the two colts a little. Then out of know where this super-fast pegasus swoops out of the air and BAM! He hit one of those jerks so hard he went unconscious before he even hit the ground!” She jumped and reenacted the scene with a rekindled excitement.

“Then he stood between me and the other jerk and started saying all this awesome stuff! Well I was still kinda scared so I honestly have no idea what he said. But it must have been pretty awesome since that dumb bully wannabe started backing up like a scared kitten! Next thing I know he grabbed me and we flew off to Mr. Sherbert’s.”

“Wow that’s so awesome! And that was Jet Stream?”

“Mmhmm, and I’ve been trying to find a way to pay him back ever since. But he doesn't tell anypony much about himself so I don’t even know what he likes to do.” Scootaloo offered a shrug as Dawn opened the door to their classroom and led them inside. Scootaloo was quickly overwhelmed by how huge the single room was. It was easily the size of a gym and had no desks or chairs. The walls and tall ceiling were an off-white, and the floor was a dark blue and made of some kind of padding.

The bell gave a loud ring as a tall unicorn trotted in and closed the door. “Sorry again about us having to meet in here, but after last week’s incident our normal classroom is still undergoing repairs.” He shot a sly grin to Dawn as he trotted by and stood in the center of the group of unicorns and one confused pegasus. “Okay go ahead and get started with your warm-ups while I greet our guest.”

The Yellow unicorn led Scootaloo away from the group of quiet, focusing students, and sat on his haunches with a less than graceful thump. He blew a tuft of long brown mane out of his eyes before he began introductions.

“Hello my name is Star Dasher, but my buffalo friends just call me Runs With Stars. I got my cutie mark in star gazing which also happens to be my favorite thing to do. I graduate from Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns two years ago, and now I’m one of the head researchers of the Equestrian Astronomy Association. Although I do really like my day job teaching here too. Now your turn.”

He was more hyper than Dawn on a sugar rush, and Scootaloo found his broad smile to be infectious as she shook his hoof. “My name is Scootaloo, and I’ve never met a buffalo-“

“Aww that’s too bad their really nice and totally fun to hang out with. Oh sorry please continue.” He sealed his mouth shut with a fictional zipper while Scootaloo giggled.

“Well I don’t have any my cutie mark yet, but I really like riding my scooter and going on adventures!” She pumped a hoof in the air, earning a chuckle from the astronomer. “I can’t fly yet, but I also really like it when other ponies take me for a flight.”

“Why can’t you fly by yourself yet?” He cocked his head as he asked the seemingly innocent question. He immediately regretted asking when Scootaloo did a magic trick of her own, making her smile vanish into thin air.

“I never really knew my mom, and my dad was an earth pony. I’ve tried to learn but without somepony to teach me I can barely glide on my own.”

“Come now turn that smile upside-down. If you don’t know how to fly, then I guess I’ll just have to teach you!”

“Wow would you really?” Her hopeful eyes faded as her frown returned. “But you’re a unicorn, how can you teach me to fly.” The dejected tone of her rhetorical question broke the teacher’s heart as he realized the truth of her words.

He looked to the center of the room and watched as Dawn ran through the exercises with flawless precision while the rest of the class seemed barely interested. He turned back to Scootaloo with a smile as he placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“True but I’ve never let such hindrances stop me before. And if I can’t help you myself, then I promise I’ll search the world over to find someone who can!” Scootaloo giggled at his bold theatrical movements as he spoke, but they both calmed down as they turned to watch the magic students. Or more specifically, an excited pearl-white filly fully devoted to her magic studies. Besides with a friend like her you’re destined to soar to greatness eventually, even if you can’t fly.

The astronomer trotted back to the group and began his lecture as Scootaloo sat and watched, giving her wings a few experimental flaps. She had wanted to fly and be the best at it for as long as she could remember. And this random pony she didn’t even know just promised to do everything he could to help her achieve that dream.

No, she did know him now, he made sure of it. She chuckled as she began thinking out loud. “I’ll find a way to make it up to him no matter what.”

“Make it up to who?” Scootaloo jumped from being startled out of her daydream as Dawn sat next to her and laughed. “Geez I must have really caught you off guard there. Were you fantasizing about Cool Breeze again?”

“Wha- No way! And what do you mean by again?” She glared at Dawn who just continued laughing. Scootaloo didn’t know if she was more mad at Dawn for repeatedly bringing that up, or at her cheeks for getting red every time she did.

“Oh nothing, nothing. Besides what you dream about doing with colts is your business. But don’t worry. I’ll be sure to stay out of your way.” Dawn added a wink at the end just to push Scootaloo over the edge. She then became a tangled mess of hooves on the floor as she laughed at her seemingly broken and furiously blushing friend.

Star walked up behind Dawn and couldn’t help but smile at her antics. “Not to intrude, but we do have an experiment to attend to. And it would also be preferable if our test subject is still in one piece mentally.” He sat next to Dawn and helped her get back on her hooves.

Scootaloo shook her head and expelled any lingering thoughts of a nice teal pegasus, and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the teacher. “Test subject?”

Dawn sat down as he flared his horn ad closed his eyes. “That’s right, Dawn here is interested in some of the more complex magics, which in this case is telepathy.”

Scootaloo jumped as the sound of his voice intruded her ears without him opening his mouth. “H-How did you just do that!”

Dawn jumped up as she answered for him. “Telepathy! It’s so cool right? That’s what I did when I asked him if you could come to class with me.”

“So wait you can just talk to ponies without really even talking?” Scootaloo was already getting confused.

Star chuckled as he decided to humor her. “Well basically yes, we use our magic to send messages into another pony’s mind.”

“Oh that makes sense I guess. But if you can already do it then what do you need me for?”

“Aha, that’s where the science comes in!” The astronomer jumped up and began pacing. Dawn shook her head and giggled, knowing he was in full-scale lecture mode and there was no stopping him. “You see there are two main reasons why we need your help in this endeavor. The first is that Dawn has yet to start a telepathic connection with anyone yet. When a unicorn uses telepathy to speak to another pony, they must first get accustomed to the inert magic the other pony possesses. When this is achieved, the unicorn will be able to use their magic to make a magical link to the receiving pony and can send messages to them no matter the distance.”

Scootaloo nodded her head periodically as she tried to follow the complex madness referred to as magic.

“Once the link is made for the first time however, it is much easier for the unicorn to remember the ‘feel’ of the other pony’s magic and will then allow for easier long range correspondence. Of course using one’s magic to sense that of another pony is a difficult task by itself, and it gets exponentially more difficult the farther away the other pony is. This is why even I can barely send a message to a pony around 150 yards, and why nopony but the Princess has been able to send a message from one town to another. But this also leads to the second reason why we need your help.

Scootaloo felt like her head was about to explode, but she urged him to continue as she prepared for another mental onslaught. If Dawn needed her help, she wasn’t going to let a few headaches stop her.

“It is much easier to form a link and send messages to other unicorns than any other being. This is because a unicorn’s magic has an unexplained, yet natural affinity with harmony itself! It’s something not even the Princess understands, but just as a pegasus’ magic has a natural connection to the air and weather, and an earth pony’s magic has a natural connection to the soil and plants, a unicorn’s magic has a special connection with all the living creatures of this world. This connection is especially strong when two magics both want to connect to each other, as is the case between two unicorns. This is why we need you, being a pegasus, to be Dawn’s test subject.”

Scootaloo tapped a hoof to her chin as she tried to digest all the information that was just shoved into her brain. “So let me get this straight, you need me so you can practice making a ‘connection’ with somepony who isn’t a unicorn?” After Dawn gave an affirmative nod, Scootaloo tilted her head out of curiosity. “Okay but what do you need me to do?”

This time it was Star’s turn to answer for the other unicorn. “We just need you to sit relatively still and be patient. Because you’re not a unicorn, the connection will be completely forced by Dawn. This will likely take a lot of time and several attempts as this is a very difficult thing to do. Well we still have over an hour of class left and I still have a class of normally magical unicorns to teach, so I’ll leave you two to it.” The yellow unicorn trotted off giggling like a foal, somehow happier than he was before.

Scootaloo looked equally confused as Dawn as she shrugged off the astronomer’s craziness as him just being, well, crazy. Dawn stole one last glance at her teacher before focusing all her attention on Scootaloo. “You ready?” she asked as her horn began glowing a soft blue. After an affirmative nod from her friend she concentrated on the tedious task before her. “Here we go.”

Scootaloo situated herself and sat for what felt like, and certainly was, more than an hour. Dawn was able to try six times before she was too tired to continue. Scootaloo said she felt something weird on their last try, signaling progress. But Dawn didn’t want to push any farther and risk burning out her magic. So they went to talk to Star Dasher about what they might have been doing wrong, as well as to get a few pointers on how to better focus magic.

“I think what you’re doing is thinking of Scootaloo as an object.” He chuckled at their quizzical looks before continuing. “What I mean is that you are focusing you magic on her, rather than in her.” Dawn seemed to be slowly fitting the gears together while Scootaloo gave up understanding completely. “You have been focusing your magic on her like you would to levitate or manipulate an object. However unlike a simple object, Scootaloo has magic of her own that will tend to disrupt your magic until you learn to flow your magic with hers harmoniously.

Dawn cut his lecture off with a voice like an excited filly that just got her cutie mark. “And when I learn to match my magic with hers I can make the connection and send messages! This is so awesome! Come on Scoots let’s try it again.”

Star held up a halting hoof as he let out a sigh. “Hold on a minute, unfortunately things aren’t quite that simple. I’ve explained to you that each pony race has its own innate magic, and that a unicorn’s magic naturally tends to form these bonds. However each race’s magic has its own very differing properties. One key rule to remember that each race’s magic is focused, applied, and thus directed completely differently than the others. So in essence, the only way to perform telekinesis with a pegasus, is to shape and direct your own magic like a pegasus would. Of course this won’t allow you to walk on clouds or manipulate weather, that is replicating the application of pegasus magic and that is a different lecture entirely. But your magic will be mimicking the directional properties of a pegasus.”

“My brain feels like it’s about to explode…” Both unicorns looked over at Scootaloo who was holding a hoof over her forehead. Dawn rolled her eyes and went back to her note taking, waiting for the teacher to continue.

He levitated a book out of a saddlebag he set by the door and gave it to Dawn. “Take this home and read it when you can. It’s a pegasus book written to help them improve their skills by adjusting their magic to flow more freely. It will explain everything you need to know about pegasus magic. You might want to read it too Scootaloo, I heard even the Wonderbolts swear by it.”

Scootaloo and Star passed the rest of class chatting about how awesome the Wonderbolts are, and she told him about Rainbow Dash being the coolest flyer ever. Dawn began to peruse the small book, reading the introduction before the bell rang and set them free.

“See ya later Mr. Dasher!” Dawn and Scootaloo shouted in almost perfect unison as they left the large room. After a little planning they decided to stop by Mr. Sherbert’s before they went to dinner. However they barely made it a block away from school when they heard what Scootaloo would describe as a deafening, shrieking noise.

“Hey where are you two going?” The voice of Caramel rang through the air like the sound of fine china shattering on the ground… next to a jackhammer… behind a crying foal.

Dawn groaned as she whispered to Scootaloo. “Don’t move, maybe it won’t see us.”

Scootaloo couldn’t help but giggle as she turned around. “Oh come on let’s see what she wants.”

Dawn mumbled something about what she wanted, but she turned to face the oncoming unicorn anyways. “Hey Caramel we’re heading over to Mr. Sherbert’s for some ice cream, you want to come too?” Scootaloo could see right through her fake smile, but she applauded her efforts.

“What and hang out with you two losers? Yeah right like I’d ever be caught dead in public with you two weirdos.” Caramel snorted as she somehow managed to stick her nose even further in the air.

“Umm, aren’t you ‘in public’ with us right now?” Scootaloo deadpanned, reciting the unicorn’s words with air quotes.

“And don’t think I’ve forgotten about what you did to me this morning! But don’t expect any crazy revenge schemes or anything, you’re totally not even worth the time. I mean seriously a pegasus who can’t even fly? Talk about lame. Anyways I have way better things to do than talk with you blank flanks.” She gave one last ‘hmph’ before trotting off in the direction she came.

Scootaloo stared at the ground as they continued walking, drowning out Dawn’s comforting words with her thoughts. It’s just not fair. Every pegasus I’ve met can fly, even the one’s way younger than me! Maybe they’re right, maybe I’ll never fly…

“Hey don’t listen to her.” Scootaloo looked up to see two familiar pegasus brothers land next to them. Jet stood in front of her as Breeze greeted Dawn who still looked at her friend with concern. “Not every pegasus learns to be an awesome flyer like me. But what matters is that you keep trying!” Jet looked at her with a grin which she just didn’t feel like she could return.

“Yeah that’s easy for you to say, you’re already flying. And I’m still down here with these worthless wings. Maybe I was supposed to be born as an earth pony.” Jet could see the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Oh buck that noise! He sat beside her and drew her into a tight hug. “Come on don’t talk like that, never deny who you are inside. I’m sure one day you’ll be a great flyer. Besides you might not believe it, but I’ve had lots of problems too.”

Scootaloo was taken aback by that remark as she looked at him incredulously. “No way you’re like the most awesome pegasus at school!”

Jet chuckled as she withdrew from his hug in shock. “Well I was going to say all of Manehatten, but that might be fluffin’ my cloud a little. Anyways Cool Breeze and I have both had our share of trouble too. Breeze mostly because he’s so shy, and me… well can I tell you a secret?” He motioned her closer after she nodded.

“Me and Cool never knew our parents, they both left us on an orphanage doorstep I a cardboard box. But after things got heated in this dump, they kicked us out too. So me and Cool have been on our own for a while now. About a year ago, they made it so we could go to school without any kind of formal paperwork, so me and Breeze started going to school last year.

“So wait this is only your second year in school?” Scootaloo asked in surprise, immediately regretting how degrading it sounded.

“Yeah, and let me tell ya last year wasn’t exactly fun. I could barely read, I didn’t know anything about history or writing, and math… well that certainly could have gone better. Cool was pretty good at teaching himself, and he really helped me out. But with everypony making fun of me it was really hard.

Scootaloo was disgusted with herself for thinking he had lived a perfect little life. He had already gone through so much and yet we was barely even sad talking about it!

"So you know what I did about it? I never gave up. I kept at it and kept at it till the teachers told me to slow down. And now I’m one of the smartest kids in school! So don’t even think for a second that you aren’t good enough to do something okay? Just remember if no one else believes in you, you just gotta believe in yourself!” He gave her a warm smile and a poke to the shoulder to emphasize his point.

“Thanks Jet, I needed that. Sometimes it’s just hard to keep going you know?”

“Anytime, and just keep on keepin’ on till there isn’t anything to keep on doing.” They shared another light hug as Dawn decided it was time to ruin the adorableness of the moment.

“Wow Scootaloo first Cool Breeze and now Jet Stream all on your first day, you’re a pretty busy filly.”

The now red faced Scootaloo stared at Dawn as her jaw tried to play tag with the pavement. Breeze didn’t fare much better as he blushed and shot off like a rocket. “I gotta go bye!”

Dawn looked back and forth at Scootaloo and the rapidly fleeing Breeze while laughing her lungs to exhaustion before looking at Jet who looked more confused than a termite in a wooden yoyo.

“Umm did I miss something?”

Chapter 5 A Purpose

After a few laughs and goodbyes, the trio parted ways. Jet went to go find the furiously blushing Cool Breeze while Scootaloo and Dawn decided to go straight to dinner. It was a long quiet walk, and Scootaloo was grateful for the time to think.

This was only her second day in Manehatten, and she’d already made more friends here than she ever had in Ponyville. But even though she made so many friends and met so many nice ponies that treated her like family, she was really beginning to miss her rural little hometown. She missed the wide-open blue skies, the smell of fresh apples and vegetables in the air, the friendly waves she often got when she passed other ponies in the park, and she really missed her scooter. The more she thought about it, the sillier it was that she ran away in the first place. I mean sure I don’t have any family in Ponyville, and only a few friends. But Rainbow Dash would have helped me, and so would miss Cheerilee. I mean hay that colt Pipsqueak is an orphan and he seems pretty happy. Maybe I’ll ask Dawn if-

Scootaloo let out an ‘oof’ as she was pulled to her haunches by Dawn’s magic. “Whoa slow down there crazy pony, you almost walked right in front of that carriage. You okay?”

“Huh? Oh sorry I just wasn’t paying attention.” Scootaloo tried to start walking again, but Dawn would have nothing of it. She firmly sat Scootaloo down with a tug of her magic as she sat in front of her.

“Nuh-uh, something’s bothering you and we’re not going anywhere until you tell me what it is.” Scootaloo’s stomach growled as if to accent Dawn’s point.

“I’m just a little homesick is all, no big deal.” Dawn gave her a skeptical look, but after a moment she relented her magic and they continued walking.

“Okay if you say so. Just remember if you want to go back or something, I’ll make sure you get there. Of course that’ll be a lot easier when you’re flying!” She hoofed her in the shoulder playfully before pointing a hoof across the street from their original destination. “Hey what’s that all about?”

Scootaloo’s eyes followed her hoof to the normally empty lot across the street from the restaurant. A large crowd had gathered around a covered wagon and stage, and a blue unicorn was standing at the center of attention giving some kind of lecture. “I don’t know some kind of magic show?”

“Ooh come on lets go watch!” Dawn galloped off with Scootaloo at her side, an unspoken race made from their trip. By the time they arrived they were a panting mess, with Scootaloo winning the race by a nose. Or maybe a half a nose? Anyways… “How’d you do that?”

“Do what, beat you? I used to do a lot of running.” Scootaloo gave a sheepish smile as they pushed their way to the front of the crowd.

“Nah I let you win the race.” She gave her a wink as they pressed onwards. “But how did you see what this was? I mean all I could see was a crowd of ponies, but you could even see what they were doing.” Dawn turned to Scootaloo as they finally ‘earned’ their front row seats.

“Oh umm… I think it’s just a pegasus thing. Because I could always hear and see way better than my dad, and he was an earth pony.” They turned their attention back to the stage and the blue unicorn sauntering back and forth.

The showmare had a light blue coat, with an even lighter blue, almost white mane and tail. She wore a purple magician’s hat and cape, both were spotted with gold and silver stars. Perhaps her most notable feature however, was her ‘yes I am just that much better than you’ attitude. She spoke up to address the crowd, her voice clearly expressing her self-appointed superiority.

“Come on this is foals play! Surely the great city of Manehatten has something at least a little challenging for the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Her name was accompanied by a burst of fireworks, drawing several ‘oohs’ and ‘awes’ from the crowd.

“Umm, I think I can do something you can’t.” All eyes turned to an older unicorn colt as he tentatively stepped onto the stage. He had a brown coat, and a darker brown mane and tail. His Cutie Mark was a grouping of clouds, Dawn noticed. “I mean at least I’ve never seen you at the factory.”

His horn lit up as he closed his eyes to concentrate. Slowly, the humidity in the air around him was compressed into a puddle on the stage, drawing a few cheers from the crowd. He then lowered his horn to the puddle, and it almost immediately turned into a white, fluffy cloud.

The crowd cheered wildly at his magic as he blushed and hid behind he is cloud. “Oh it’s nothing really, somepony has to do it.” This just got him even more cheers and a few eye-rolls from the airborne pegasus section.

Trixie scoffed as she circled the growingly nervous brown colt. “Ha! You call that magic? Let me show you what a real magician can do!” Her hat lifted from off her head, revealing her horn surrounded by a blue glow that matched the glow around the cloud on the stage. She began reshaping the cloud into various animals, starting with a rabbit, a bear, a pony, and finally a songbird. Each shape drew a larger cheer from the crowd until she turned it into a timberwolf which chased the poor colt off the stage. The crowd burst into fits of laughter till Dawn jumped onto the stage and glared at Trixie.

“Hey! It’s cool that you’re good at magic and all, but you don’t have to be such a jerk about it!” She looked over her shoulder and winked at Scootaloo who was still amazed she got up there so fast.

Trixie burst out laughing as she patted Dawn on the head. “Oh that’s rich! Listen little filly why don’t you run a long now, the adults are talking.” She turned to walk back to the center of the stage before Dawn pulled her hat over her eyes with her magic, causing Trixie to trip on her own leg out of panic. As she rushed to stand up and readjust her hat, she tried to ignite a giggling filly with her angry stare.

“Okay, if that’s how you want to play. I tried to be nice, but not anymore! So don’t blame me when you go home crying to daddy.”

“Don’t judge a pony by the size of their fetlocks, I got a few tricks to pull.” Dawn’s horn lit up as Trixie’s face began to glow a matching soft blue. The onlookers went deathly silent before erupting into laughter as Trixie’s face sprouted a lumberpony’s beard.

Trixie’s hat fell off and was forgotten as she scrambled to find a mirror before growling and turning back to Dawn. She pointed her horn dangerously at Dawn, and the filly’s coat and mane erupted into a fluffy mess. The disgruntled eyes of the student were barely visible within the white and mint colored cotton ball.

Dawn had a lopsided grin as her horn once again lit up as she focused her magic. Several of the wooden planks stage right lifted and took the form of three small ponies. She sat down and focused harder as they began to dance around the stage to unheard music.

She crowd cheered wildly as Trixie grew more furious. “Oh yeah well how about this!” The wooden ponies were wrapped in Trixie’s much stronger blue glow as she disassembled them. The crowd gasped as the wood was fitted together into the shape of a Timberwolf twice the size of Dawn. The make-shift beast let out a howl as it jumped at Dawn who was panicking too much to focus her magic. It barely got a foot from its starting point before it exploded into splinters and tinder, leaving an unharmed and very relieved Dawn to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Trixie sat slack-jawed and stared at the tan pegasus, that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, emerging from the crater in her stage. “What… but there’s… no way he… nopony is that fast! What kind of magic was that huh?”

Swiftwing had a cocky grin as Dawn ran up and hugged him. “I call that one wrath from the clouds. And I don’t recall there ever being a horn up there, so no tricks here. Just pure, awesome, speed.”

The ever-growing crowd let out a few cheers and laughs, angering Trixie even further. Scootaloo thought she could feel the temperature rise by a few degrees when she jumped onto the stage near the blue unicorn. After giving Swift a hug they gathered in a huddle with their backs to Trixie, more to annoy her than out of any necessity.

Swift looked over at the magician as she dusted her hat off and returned it to its perch on her head. After she noticed him looking, she smirked and began giving herself a hooficure to show how easy all of this was. “Looks like she could go on like this for hours, so you’ll have to really have to wow the audience with a shocker if you want to win.
Scootaloo tapped her chin with a hoof before shouting and jumping with a giant smile. “I got it! I got it! Why don’t you use your magic to talk to Trixie like you do with Mr. Star Dasher! I bet that would really knock her horseshoes off.”

“I don’t know I’ve never really made the magic link myself before because it’s really hard.” Dawn frowned before looking at Scootaloo skeptically. “And knock her horseshoes off? What does that even mean?”

“Uh I don’t know actually. I think it’s a country pony thing cause a lot of the adults in Ponyville say it.” She scratched the back of her head as she grinned sheepishly.

“I think we’re getting a little off topic here.” Swift turned his attention back to their huddle and patted Dawn on the head. “So what’ll it be? Do you want to try and show that jerk who’s boss, or do you just want to go to dinner?”

“Well I guess it won’t hurt to try.” Dawn slowly walked from the huddle towards the showmare who was brushing her hair and pretending to feel indifferent to the filly’s approach.

Trixie scoffed as she put her brush up. “Are you finally done plotting your own downfall? Trixie has far more important things to do than play with the likes of you. Besides it’s not like you ever actually had a chance to win. Trixie doesn’t even know why anypony would try to beat the Great and Powerful Trixie in a magic dual- hey do not ignore Trixie!”

Swift and Scootaloo were playing tic-tac-toe in the dirt next to the stage while Dawn was reading her book about Pegasus magic. After noticing Trixie’s glare she put her book up and stretched. “Oh are you finally done ranting? I have far better things to do than listen to your dumb monologue.”

Trixie once again tried to ignite the filly with her angry glower before she focused her magic. “Oh it is on!”

“Whoa hold on there angry pony, you can’t just start casting spells all willy nilly when you want.” Trixie stood speechless while Dawn continued her lecture while holding up a halting hoof. “This is a proper magic dual, and according to rule number three you have to wait your turn since you cast the last spell.”

“What… but… grr fine, but hurry up so Trixie can vanquish you.” She sat down with a huff, pointedly looking away from her lecturer.

“Woohoo you tell her Dawn! Show that lame-o who’s the most magical unicorn in all of Manehatten!” She recognized the voice, but she couldn’t see any recognizable faces in the crowd.

Not now, I need to focus. Okay first step: take a deep breath and relax. Dawn sat down and closed her eyes as her horn began to glow a familiar soft blue. The crowd and stage alike grew deathly silent to Dawn’s ears as she focused harder than ever before. Step two: of your surroundings and release a wave of sensing magic; take note of the responses of the objects and ponies around you.

She recited each step perfectly as she performed them. Step three: Identify the pony that the link will be made with, and observe their flow of magic. Step four: Focus you magic in them and force its flow to match theirs. Step five: Form the thread-like link between your magic in them, and the magic in yourself. Step six: “Speak.”

Trixie’s eyes widened as she frantically looked around the stage. “Who said that? Who dares command Trixie?”

Dawn giggled as she continued to speak into the showmare’s mind. “I did silly filly. Wow it sure is dusty up here, you don’t use this too much do you?” She knew telepathy didn’t even come close to allowing you to enter the actual mind of another pony, but what were the odds that Trixie knew that?

Meanwhile the magician was curled up in a ball on the stage with her hooves over her ears. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

Dawn hated to do this sort of thing, but somepony needed to take that pedestal out from under this showoff bully. Plus she wanted to pull one last prank. “Your voice is so much more annoying in here. To answer your question, yes I really am in your head. You’re not that crazy yet. Oh and to answer your next question, yes I can read your thoughts. There’s like a big chalkboard in here with all of your thoughts on them. Though I have to admit it’s pretty empty.”

Dawn opened her eyes to the sight of Trixie running off the stage screaming. She quickly disappeared around the street corner, forsaking her hat on the stage.

The crowd broke out into cheers and laughter as they all went their separate ways, each recalling their favorite part of the show. Dawn was busy waving to some onlookers when Swift tackled her to the floor with a hug.

“Quit waving at random ponies and check you flank you silly mule!”

Dawn blinked as he helped her up. “My, flank?” She slowly turned her head with confusion written on her face till she saw – “My Cutie Mark! My Cutie Mark!”

She started prancing around the stage shouting ‘yes’ as loud as she could with the biggest smile imaginable. It took the combined efforts of Swift and Scootaloo to hold her down with a group hug, much to the amusement of some of the onlookers that still remained. One unicorn in particular shed a tear before walking across the street to the restaurant.

“I’m proud of you.”

Dawn looked around skeptically after they broke the group hug. “Did anyone else hear that?” She turned to her two pegasus companions as they began walking off the stage. Before leaving she decided to be courteous so she levitated the magician’s blue hat and hanged it on a lone hook on the stage’s only wall.

“Hear what, you prancing around and shouting ‘yes’ like a filly who got her first gold star in kindergarten? “ Scootaloo fell over laughing at her joke while Swift patted Dawn on the head with an easy smile.

“Oh yeah well… oh just shut up.” Dawn tried to think of a way to get back at her friend, but she decided to let it go since nothing could ruin her best day ever anyways.

They crossed the street with the two fillies giggling the whole way: riding on Swift’s stomach as he lazily flew circles upside down before landing on his back to let them climb off. He led them into the upscale restaurant at a leisurely canter, waving as they passed Mr. Brue and the still indignant greeter. After showing Scootaloo and Dawn to a table in an empty side room, he excused himself to help Sky prepare a surprise.

The two quickly got bored of sitting in the small, quiet room. Scootaloo had an idea as she excused herself to the fillies room. After making sure Dawn was busy reading her magic book, she darted into the kitchen as quietly as she could.

The heart of the restaurant was as busy as ever. Chefs ran back and forth between cluttered workstations, cooking and preparing foods Scootaloo had never even smelled before. The organized chaos made it fairly easy for her to slip under a large table in a corner without anypony noticing
Before long she spotted Swift and Sky in the crowded kitchen, and after shifting herself to face them she could barely make out what they were saying.

Swift was currently re enacting the events of the previous magic duel with a little too much enthusiasm, much to the chagrin of the kitchen staff. When he got to the part where Trixie ran off screaming she thought she might give away her hiding spot with how much she was laughing, but luckily everypony was too distracted by his antics to notice.

“I mean can you believe it? Dawn really got her Cutie Mark! Oh I wish you could have been there.”

“Yeah, me too.” Sky couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice, so Swift stood next to her and draped a wing over her back.

“Don’t let it get to ya. Maybe you weren’t there when she got it, but you still get to make the best “Congratulations For Getting Your Cutie Mark” dinner ever, for the best filly to ever get her Cutie Mark right?” Swift finished by poking her nose with a wingtip, getting no small giggle and smile from her as he leaned into her side.

“Yes I suppose that’s true. Oh you always know how to cheer anypony up, how haven’t you found a mare yet?” She pushed him off with a wing before returning to work.

“Well I am pretty awesome. Wait what about the letter? Are we still gonna tell her?”

Sky sighed as she moved closer to Scootaloo to work on a cake. Yes we still have to tell her, you know she hates it when we put it off.”

Swift walked back to her side and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Yeah but it’s so unfair. This is the seventh time she’s applied and they haven’t even given her a chance! Can’t we at least put it off until tomorrow? I mean she did get her Cutie Mark today, can’t bad news at least wait until tomorrow?”

Well as long as Swift doesn’t- no, nevermind. There it goes, the infamous pout: quivering lip and everything. Scootaloo knew Sky was done for the moment she saw his face, and sure enough she let out her trademark sigh followed by a tail flick to Swift’s face.

“Okay fine you win this time, but I’m telling her at breakfast tomorrow morning whether you like it or not.” She went back to finishing a cake while Swift rubbed his cheek.

“Well it’s not like I’ll be there anyways I have that trip to go on remember? I’m supposed to be there at least until this weekend.”

“Oh yeah that dumb Equestria Record Holder’s Convention or whatever. Just a bunch of athletes trying to brag louder than each other.” She had too many bad experiences with athletes to much enjoy their company. Swift was one of the few exceptions.

“Aww don’t be jealous, one day you’ll have a record of your own. Besides there’s more than just athletes you know. They give awards to the most successful businesses, farms, even the most efficient weather team get’s an award.”

“Yes I’m sure it’s all quite charming, but for now we have to hungry fillies that are probably bouncing in their chairs right now.” She laughed at Swift’s ever growing smiled. “Come on the food’s ready. And yes you can show her the cake.”

They began balancing plates on their back and wings as Scootaloo frantically tried to get back to their table outside. Dawn barely noticed her come back as she was too busy groaning and hitting her head on the table.

“Ack I know he did this on purpose. Pegasus magic is the most complicated magic ever! I mean with a unicorn all I have to do is try and match my magic flow to theirs. But with pegasi their magic flows change based on whether or not they’re on the ground, flying, the weather, even their emotions! Why can’t you be more simple?”

Scootaloo blinked a few times before shrugging. “I don’t know, sorry?”

Dawn sighed as she put the book back in her bag. “No I’m sorry. It’s not your fault or anything, this is just really hard and it’s going to take a lot longer than I thought.”

Swift and Sky arrived and began placing their dinner on the table. Dawn smiled when they walked up, and it only grew as Swift turned to reveal the white cake balanced on his back. Sky was by no means the best baker, and if you asked her about it she’d throw a tantrum as she told you all the things she did wrong and how frustrated it made her.

But if you asked Dawn, then she would say a better cake had never been made. She couldn’t help but cry as she thanked and hugged them.

Scootaloo felt a little left out as she watched them from across the table, but she also couldn’t help but dream. Here were three ponies that weren’t actually related but they were as close as a family could be. Maybe one day she would have a family to throw a Cutie Mark party like this for her?

A gentle nudge on her shoulder shook her out of her thoughts, and she turned around to see a familiar giant pegasus.

“Well what are you doing over here? That hug look big enough for one more,” Strat said as he smiled warmly.

After noticing Swift waving her over with a hoof she ran around the table and plowed into the group as Strat chuckled.

After they all separated he quietly cleared his throat to gain their attention. “Do you mind if I join you for awhile?”

Swift’s face lit up at getting to spend time with his old friend, but Sky was much less courteous as she answered him with a snort. “Sorry but I only made enough food for four.”

Strat hesitated but smiled and took an empty seat. “That’s okay I already ate, and you have an empty chair to fill.”

After her eye stopped twitching she returned to passing out the food. “We don’t have any alcohol either.”

Strat stood with a sigh as he bowed his head. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you, but please give me another chance. Besides I don’t drink anymore… that’s just something I quit.”

Swift choked on his water at the news, but Sky just smirked. “Oh really? And when did this start?”

“Since last night.”

“Wow what an impressive record, is that why you’re going with Swift tomorrow?”

Ouch.

Whatever willed Strat to stay was crushed after that, so he turned to walk away. “Nevermind then, even I can take a hint. Sorry to bother you all.”

Swift moved faster than Scootaloo could track,and was standing in front of Strat before he took the second step. They all looked at him in shock as their manes finally stopped blowing around. “Now hold on a minute Strat. Sky can we talk?” His disapproving look made her squirm in her seat before nodding.

The two of them walked to the corner as they talked in harsh whispers, Strat didn’t move an inch and his posture seemed to deflate even more, all while Dawn and Scootaloo talked on their own.

Scootaloo looked over her shoulder at Strat with concern. “Wow that was pretty harsh, did he really do something to deserve that?”

Dawn shrugged in response. “I’m not sure. I mean my mom always said he was a bad influence so that’s why I never really met him properly until last night. But I mean he is friends with uncle Swift, so how bad can he be?”

“I don’t know, but I hope everything works out. He doesn’t seem like a bad pony to me. Do you think there’s anything we can do to help him?”

“I don’t think so, I don’t even know what the problem is, much less how to fix it. I mean you could give him a hug again, that worked last time.” Dawn giggled as she poked Scootaloo’s side.

“What no way! If he want’s another hug he’s going to have to work for it.” They both laughed until Swift and Sky returned to the table. Sky sat down and avoided looking in Strat’s direction, but Swift went over and bumped hooved with him.

After clearing his throat, Swift broke the silence. “Alright here’s the deal. Strat you said that you stopped drinking, and that you wanted to start being a better example right?”

Strat pawed at the floor as he looked away. “Well that’s not exactly what I said, but yeah that pretty much sums it up.”

“And Sky said that you were… umm… let’s just say, not a good role model. Like at all. So Sky and I agreed to put you through a test to see if you really deserve a second chance, and if you should be allowed to have any contact with these two adorable filles.”

Strat didn’t say a word as he listened, perking his ears up as he waited for Swift to continue. “Right, so here’s the deal. Me and you are going to that convention tomorrow right? Well since we’re rooming together and are pretty much going to be around each other the whole time, I’m going to watch and make sure you don’t have a single alcoholic drink. “

That got Strat to waver a bit. He looked unsure of what to say, but after he looked around the table at everyone, his eyes resting on Sky last, he straightened his posture and stood tall. “If it let’s me be a part of this, then I’ll gladly never drink again.”

Swift hoofed him in the shoulder as he walked back to the table. “Alright thats the spirit! Now come on I’m dying to eat this cake!” Everypony laughed as they ate their dinners and shared stories. Strat didn’t partake in much of the conversations, but he sat at the table with a content smile.

As the five pony party started to die down, Scootaloo decided it was time to ask Sky about something that had been bothering her. “Umm miss Sky? Can I ask you about something?” Scootaloo hopped out of her chair, followed shortly by Sky.

“Well of course dear.” She waved to Swift before leading Scootaloo to a far corner of the room. “So what can I help you with?”

“How can I write a letter to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?”

Sky blinked at her for a few seconds before shaking her head. “Why in equestria would you want to do that?”

“Swift said they weren’t even giving Dawn a chance right? So I want to send them letters too!”

“What? But how did-” She glared at Swift, who shot her a wink. After she removed her hoof from her face she couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright if you’ll write the letter, I’ll send it for you.” They walked back to the table with smiles on their faces, and the night passed by in a flash. Before long Dawn and Scootaloo had fallen asleep on chairs pushed together to make beds, and the adults were not far behind.

After a few brief goodbyes, some more brief than others, they all parted ways with Swift carrying Scootaloo and Sky carrying Dawn. They walked down the dark, quiet streets on their way home; the sleeping fillies seeming not to mind the rhythmic movements. Although there was still plenty of dangers in the big city, it was peaceful moments like these that made the two Pegasi almost forget about them. Almost...

“We’re being followed.” Swift whispered to Sky, almost making her jump when he broke the silence. “I recognize them, three Unicorn stallions I saw earlier a the train station. They must have seen me picking up that order for Mr. Sherbert and thought I had some extra bits to throw around. And it probably doesn't help that they saw where we just came from either.”

Sky glanced at Dawn and Scootaloo. “Well what do we do? We can’t exactly outrun them, and I’m not the safest flyer with a filly on my back.” She did a horrible job of disguising the rising fear in her voice.

Swift sped up to a canter as he grinned. “Up ahead on the left is a bar, rough place but I know the owner so you’ll be fine in there until it’s safe to leave. Plus it’s full of Pegasi, I doubt these guys will walk within earshot of the place. They’re following me, so I suppose I’ll give them a run for their money. Give their stubby little legs some exercise.”

“Oh...okay then. You want me to take Scootaloo?”

“Nah she stayed at your place last night, she can crash at mine this time.” Sky stopped walking briefly before rushing to catch up with Swift.

“Wait a minute Swift we both agreed not to let anyone else know where you live, and for a good reason too.” For the moment she actually seemed more concerned about this than their stalkers.

“Relax there’s no way Scootaloo can tell anyone where it is, she’s only been in Manehatten for two days now and there's no way she knows her way around yet. And if I tell her not to talk about it to anypony, I’m sure I can trust her. Besides she did say she likes it when others take her flying right?”

Sky sighed and nodded before tilting her head. “Wait when did she say that?”

“Oh would you look at that! Here’s your stop missy, I hope you had a great trip it was so nice to visit with you but unfortunately I have to go now bye!” Swift turned the corner and bolted down the street, the unicorns barely giving Sky a passing glance as they rushed to follow.

It didn’t take long for the rough ride to wake Scootaloo up, and without a helpful wing from Swift she would have fallen off. “Hey what’s going on? Why are we running?”

“Well actually I’m running while you’re sitting back there on your lazy butt, but to answer your question… Because magic? Yeah let’s go with that one.” He turned a sharp corner into an alleyway, yet again having to lend a wing to Scootaloo so she wouldn’t fall.

She wordlessly mouthed his answer before scratching her head. “Well that doesn’t answer my question at all.”

“Maybe that’s because the answer isn’t what’s important, but the question? I don’t know I was always bad at this philosophy stuff.”

“What’s philosophy?”

Neither of them said anything for nearly half a minute. “How about we just change the subject… Hey you want to do some flying?” He didn’t give her the time to react as he did a nearly vertical take off mere feet away from the brick building’s wall that the alley ended into. Scootaloo kept her head low and squinted her eyes as the fierce winds rushed by.

The wind was cold and harsh, the ride was rough and bumpy, but none of that could take away from the smile she wore as they climbed and climbed; far above the buildings and city streets they traveled before. Scootaloo thought Manehatten was amazing to see before, but seeing the city from the night sky, lit up like a blanket of stars, she had never seen something so breathtaking. She watched the city lights grow brighter as they flew over downtown Manehatten, and fade away as they approached the far side of the city.

Swift slowed down to a gentle glide as he made wide banks around the large warehouses and factory buildings. Scootaloo couldn't help but fall asleep as the wild ride suddenly turned so calm. He could feel the lethargy in his wings as well, but they soon arrived at Swift's home. After some quiet and quick greetings with the home's other occupants, he put Scootaloo to bed in a guest room.

After a shower and some teasing from those who greeted him earlier, he quite literally fell face first into his bed and didn't even bother getting comfortable. After the long flight he did today, spying on a couple fillies at school, the performance he put on outside the restaurant, and that run through the town, he was too tired to care. But at the same time his mind was to busy to let him sleep.

So many things had changed for them in such a short amount of time. Before they had a simple routine they followed almost everyday. Sure sometimes Swift would have a large out of town order, or Sky would have to work overtime, but they still had a system. Scootaloo changed all of that: now there was an entire other pony to fit into that routine. Though clearly she wasn't the most demanding filly ever to walk Manehatten, she still had needs far beyond just physical that they hadn't even begun to uncover. Getting to know her was going to be interesting indeed. But would he get the chance? He was scared he might not.

They knew Scootaloo couldn't stay here safely, this city is like a caged Manticore: just waiting for someone to open the door. And it was only going to get a whole lot worse before it got better. Of course he would always do anything to protect her, but that's just not any way for a filly to live. But at the same time if she wanted to stay, could they really make her leave? Even if it was clearly for her own good? Swift wanted to think he could, but he was starting to doubt himself. He sighed and rolled onto his back. "Well I guess I'll find out when the time comes."

He chuckled when he thought about what Scootaloo would think when she woke up in the morning. After all most ponies have never woken up in a house quite like this...

Chapter 6 - Morning Ponies

Bleh. Scootaloo always hated mornings, but especially those mornings when she woke up because somepony was talking louder than they should be this early in the day. Without opening her eyes she threw her pillow at the door in a futile attempt to make them be quiet. It didn't work, much to her chagrin. As she groaned and sat up, several key things about her surroundings stuck out to her.

Firstly, she had no idea where she was. Secondly, she certainly didn't recognize the voices on the other side of the door on the far side of the room. Thirdly, this room was huge! It was almost as big as her old house in Ponyville! The bed was big enough to fit at least four ponies; there was a large cabinet with glass doors on the opposite wall that was completely empty. The ornate table in the center of the room was flanked by four cushioned chairs, and a chandelier hung above them. The floor was made of alternating marble and black granite tiles, and the walls and ceiling were made of a white stone polished so smooth it nearly gave off reflections. Scootaloo hopped out of the bed and walked through an open door beside the large cabinet that led to a balcony.

The view was breathtaking, the balcony overlooking a large green field with a small lake in the distance. The scenic view was framed by a gorgeous blue sky with the Canterlot Mountains serving as a picture-perfect backdrop. Scootaloo quickly decided that with the sun rising behind the distant mountains, this was the kind of view that should be put on a postcard. But being the filly she is, she quickly lost interest and walked back inside the bedroom.

Curiosity struck her as she decided to search the cabinet and its empty shelves. It was made entirely out of glass, even the legs and door hinges. It seemed like a stupid design to her, but given the sight of the rest of this room it likely belonged to somepony who was careful with it. The shelves were made with plenty of room to put tall objects on them. Scootaloo was going to investigate further, but suddenly the door leading out of the bedroom swung open accompanied by a soft golden glow.

"...ponies are unbelievable! Can you believe they said all of those things? About my student! I swear they're lucky Twilight didn't understand half of the implications that they were saying else they'd lose much more than my good graces-" Celestia and the royal guard she was talking to stopped after walking two ponylengths into the room, and the silence that followed was as long as it was awkward.

The two stared at each other, both of their previous trains of thought derailed... on a bridge... over Tartarus. After Celestia regained her bearings she cleared her throat. "Apologies my little pony, I was under the impression this room was vacant. Are you staying here by yourself?"

Scootaloo couldn't believe it! The princess was talking to her! She was just some random filly lost in Manehattan, who was she that royalty should talk to her? And she was concerned! The princess was worried that she was staying alone! And now the princess was silently staring at her… waiting for an answer…

“Oh. Oh! I’m so sorry princess! I didn’t know this was your room and I probably shouldn’t have been looking around in a stranger’s room and I-bow! Why didn’t I bow! I totally should have bowed right? But if I bow now is it still okay or will it just make things worse and I didn’t even say sorry for not bowing and you’re probably already mad and-“

Although Celestia considered waiting to see how long the filly could go for, she decided to calm her down before one of them went insane. She gently covered the pegasus’ mouth with a hoof, before gently patting her on the head and leaning down to eye level. “Do not worry little one, no need to be so formal. So tell me what is your name, and what is something interesting about you?”

Celestia never had any children of her own, but she had over a thousand years of experience in calming down bickering nobles. And to her it was the same principle really: distract them from whatever it is that’s bothering them by talking to them about something they like, and soon they’ll forget about what made them upset in the first place.

“Oh umm… my name is Scootaloo… and… I like ice cream?”

“Is that so? Well my little pony would you like to know a secret?” Celestia motioned for Scootaloo to come closer, and she obliged. After looking around the room with a sly smile, Celestia leaned in and whispered in Scotaloo’s ear. “I do too. No really, that’s one of my favorite things to eat in all of Equestria. But I’ve been having a bit of a problem since I arrived in Manehattan, do you think you can help me?”

Scootaloo was skeptical of her ability to help the princess, but her childlike innocence had her shouting yes before she thought twice about it. “Excellent! See I’ve been having problems finding a store that sells ice cream around here, do you think you could show me one?”

“Sure!” Scootaloo hopped up to trot out of the room, but Celestia gently stopped her with a wing.

“Wait a moment sweetheart, isn’t there someone you should talk to before going out? Your parents, or maybe a brother or sister?”

“Umm actually… I don’t have any family… But my best friend is named Bright Dawn and maybe she’ll be there too!”

That proved Celestia’s suspensions correct, and with a heavy heart but a graceful smile she led the filly out of the room. Scootaloo’s eyes widened when she stepped into the huge hallway, the floors and walls made of polished hardwood accented with brilliant scarlet tapestries. There were a few other ponies milling about the halls; all were extremely well dressed but strangely none seemed to carry an air of superiority. After seeing the princess they all bowed to her respectfully, making Scootaloo feel more than a little sheepish.

A familiar tan pegasus flew into the group and enveloped Scootaloo in a hug. “It’s about time you woke up silly filly! I was scared I wasn’t going to get to say goodbye before I had to leave!”

This was so ruining her ‘cool’ impression on the princess. “Bleh! Let me go I’m too cool for hugs!”

“Oh really, you sure didn’t act like it when you gave that big hug to Strat the other night.”

“That was different!”

Swift pulled back and adopted a hurt tone. “What’s this, you don’t love me anymore?”

“That’s not true and you know it…”

“No I get it, just go on. I’m not worth your time anyways.” Swift faked some tears into a hoof before Scootaloo finally gave in and hugged him back. “Aha! Swift ten points, Sky six.”

“Wait how do you have ten points?”

Swift pulled away from the hug and tousled Scootaloo’s bed mane. “Oh come on last night you cuddled with me in your sleep all night that has to be worth at least six points alone.”

Scootaloo let out an exasperated sigh and buried her face in her hooves. “Can’t you keep anything a secret?”

“Nope, not when it’s that adorable.”

“It’s been a while Swiftwing, I take it you’re doing well?” Celestia’s voice brought them back to reality. Swift turned to the princess and gave a small bow, looking calm and relaxed.

“Apologies your highness I’m afraid I was caught up in the moment. I do appreciate your concern, it’s getting harder by the day here but I’m doing what I can when I can. How about yourself? The Griffon Kingdom still giving you trouble over that ‘miscommunication’ nonsense with the Zebras?”

Celestia smiled as they continued walking across the hallway. She always did love her conversations with Swiftwing: he treated her like a pony, not some government title. “Yes I’m afraid they’re quite sore over that, despite the proof that the error was on their part. I’m afraid it’s getting rather out of hoof, Magnus is threatening to stop trade with the Zebras altogether.”

“Well that wouldn’t be good, they need the business in order to afford all the gemstones they have to import from us.” Swiftwing waved to a few ponies that flew past us in a hurry.

“Yes I keep telling them that, but they are quite stubborn at times. Sometimes I wonder why I involve myself in such things when it wasn’t I who made the offence, nor was I offended.”

Swift seemed to think about, the remainder of the walk through the magnificent building passing by in silence. When they all reached the huge front doors he finally turned back to the princess with an answer. “Because it is in your nature to care.”

Celestia was at a loss of words, not sure about how to respond to that. After a moment she smiled and placed a hoof on his shoulder. “I’ll certainly think about that.”

The giant form of Stratoflight flew through the room, eclipsing the ponies below him with his massive shadow. He landed next to Swift and forced him away from the group in a hurry. “Hi princess, Scootaloo. Come on Swift we’re gonna miss the train!”

Swift smiled and waved goodbye to everyone. “You mean you’re gonna miss the train?” He took off faster than even Celestia could see, already out of the doors and too far to see him in the distance.

“Oh come on! So not cool…” Strat grumbled as he took off and tried to catch up. Swift poked his head into the doorway with a wink before flying behind Strat casually. Even the princess had to giggle a little.

After a brief talk with the royal guard from before, Celestia turned back to Scootaloo with a smile. “So little one, are you ready to leave?”

Scootaloo gave a salute any soldier would be proud of. “You can count on me princess!”

Just before they could take one step outside…

“Princess! Princess! We have a problem! A very serious problem!”