//------------------------------//
// Make this house a home 
// Story: Stripped Away 
// by littlebrony 
//------------------------------//

    Mike awoke the next morning, only to find Scootaloo had cuddled up to him in her sleep. Mike rubbed his eyes and looked down at the sleeping pony. He watched as her chest moved up and down with each breath. He could see her eyes moving under her eyelids.

“She must be dreaming.” He thought to himself, as one of her hind legs flinched. “I wonder what she is dreaming about? She is probably dreaming about her friends or something.” Then it struck him. He knew nothing about the pony. Didn't know her age, didn't know about where she was from. All he knew is that she was a scared little pony, in this new world.

“I guess I am going to ask her about some things when she wakes up.” He said to himself.

Mike then quietly got out of bed, and snuck to the kitchen to make breakfast. “The poor girl has not had anything to eat since she got here.” He thought.

Some time passed and Scootaloo began to stir in the bed. Her legs reaching for something that was not there. She opened her eyes, to find that Mike was not there. She had woken up in the middle of the night, and cuddled up to him. Something about him, made her feel comfortable and warm. 

She pulled her legs back towards her, and rolled over. That is when the smell of something wonderful filled her nose. And her stomach took notice, as it began to growl. “I wonder what that is.” She said to herself, as she hopped off the bed. 

She felt nervous exploring the house. It was so big, everything seemed to tower above her. She didn't realize just how big Mike was. Of course she was still a filly, and small for her age. She followed the smell. Sticking her nose into every room as she walked around the house, searching for the source.

Until finally she came into this big kitchen. She looked around and was amazed at the size of the place. It was bigger than the kitchen back at the orphanage. She then spotted Mike standing over the stove with a pan, stirring the wonderful smelling contents.

“Mike.” Scootaloo said as she slowly entered the room.

Mike turned slowly and saw her peeking her head around the corner. “Good morning Scootaloo, I hope you slept well.” He said with a smile, only to see her ears lower.

“I was dreaming about home. My friends didn't even care I was gone.” She looked at him, tears already forming in her eyes. “You think that is true Mike?” She asked.

Mike turned the burner on the stove off and placed the pan on the counter. He turned and walked over to Scootaloo, who was quickly becoming a teary mess. He picked her up and looked at her. “If they are truly your friends, then they will search for you until the end of time.” He said hugging her tight. He could feel her tears soaking through his shirt.

He patted her mane for a moment, before hearing her belly growl. He grinned and pulled her away. “Sounds like someone is hungry.”

Scootaloo looked down and blushed. “Yeah I guess that I am.” She said as she looked towards toward the stove, where Mike had just been cooking.

Mike laughed a bit. “I thought you might be, so I cooked you some breakfast.” He said as he sat her down in a chair at the table.

Scootaloo looked over the table and saw, that it was going to be quite the task for her to eat there. “Um Mike. I don't think I can reach the table.

Mike looked over to see only Scootaloo's head poking up from the other side of the table. Mike couldn't help but laugh. Scootaloo didn't think it was all that funny, as she gave him a evil glare. “I'm sorry Scootaloo, you just have to see it how I do to understand.” Mike disappeared for a moment, only to return with a really thick book.

He picked Scootaloo up, and placed the book under her, before sitting her back down. Scootaloo was now able to place her hooves on the table, with no trouble at all. Mike then returned with a plate of food for Scootaloo. Her eyes widened as she looked at it.

Mike had made her a feast. There was eggs with green peppers mixed in. A piece of toast, well buttered, and huge chocolate chip pancake drenched in syrup. Her mouth began to water as she looked up at Mike. 

“This is all for me?” She asked.

Mike smiled. “Of course it is. You had not ate a thing since you came here yesterday. So I knew you had to be hungry.”

“Thank you! I never got anything like this at the orphanage.” Scootaloo said as she dug into the food, like a wild beast. 

Mike began to make his plate, when what Scootaloo said hit him like a ton of bricks. “She is a orphan?”. He thought to himself. Mike dropped the spoon he was holding and just stood there. 

Scootaloo lifted her head up from her feast, to see him just standing there. His face was missing any expression. Something was wrong, Scootaloo could feel it. She quickly jumped out of her chair and raced over to his side.

She began to nudge Mike to try to snap him out of his gaze. Finally after a moment he shook his head and looked down at Scootaloo, who had her face covered in bits of egg, pancake, and syrup. “What's wrong Mike? She asked.

Mike turned around and grabbed a towel to wipe her face with, and slid down to sit next to her on the floor. He began to wipe her face. “Scootaloo, you said you was a orphan. Did I hear that right?” Mike asked as he finished up getting the last of the syrup off her fur.

Scootaloo tilted her head. “Yeah I am a orphan. Why do you ask?” Scootaloo was now a bit confused.

Mike began to stroke Scootaloo’s mane. “You see Scootaloo, I was also a orphan.” 

Scootaloo's mouth dropped. She couldn't believe it. This human, that was being so kind to her. Had once been an orphan himself. “Really Mike, you were a orphan just like me? 

Mike grinned. “I was, I got adopted when I was 11.” He said as he looked towards the floor. “My foster parents were not there best people in the world though. It seemed like everyday, I was getting yelled at for something. Even if I didn't think I done anything wrong.” A small tear formed in his eye. “I ran away when I was 16 and never looked back.”

He had stopped running his hands through Scootaloo's mane. And now he was just sitting there, staring at the floor. Scootaloo began to nuzzle herself between his arm and his chest. She placed a hoof on his leg and looked up at him.

Her pink eyes seemed to unlock the floodgates, as tears began to pour from his eyes. He brought Scootaloo into a hug, and just cried. Scootaloo wanted to cry herself, but held it back. She could tell he was hurting on the inside, and needed somepony to hug. Normally she was not up for the mushy stuff, but this time she made an exception.

The two sat in the floor until Mike was able to pull himself back together, and decided it was time to continue with breakfast. Scootaloo had already finished most her plate, and was more interested in Mike than eating.

She sat there watching him eat for a few moments, only taking her eyes off him to take a bit of food. “Scootaloo, I have been wondering. How old are you?” Mike asked.

Scootaloo didn't expect him to ask that question, but who was she to lie about her age. She was still just a filly after all. “I'm eight.” She said, as she stuffed another bite of pancake into her mouth. “Yesterday was my birffday.” She said with her mouth still full.

Mike sat his fork down, and rubbed his mouth with his napkin. “So your birthday present, was being sent here to stay with me for awhile.” Mike said before he realized that he misspoke. Scootaloo was quick to look away.

He had hurt her again. He didn't mean to, he just had a bad way of wording things sometimes. “I'm sorry Scootaloo.” He said as he came over to her side. “I just say dumb things, without thinking sometimes. Scootaloo looked up at him.

“It's ok Mike. I know you didn't mean anything by it. I just took it wrong.” Scootaloo said with a sigh.

“Well did you get anything for your birthday? He asked.

“Yeah I got a bag of bits from Rainbow Dash. She always does nice things for me.” Scootaloo seemed to perk up a bit.

“Who is Rainbow Dash?” Mike asked, only to be bombarded with information.

Scootaloo went into a complete rant about her hero, and adoptive big sister. She told him just how amazing she was. And everything that she had done for her. And even how she bought her, her favorite scooter. After that though, her ears lowered back down.

“I don't guess I will be riding it for awhile.” She said. 

Mike couldn't help but feel bad for her. She seemed that she really enjoyed her scooter. Then he remembered, that he had a scooter in the basement. It was his from when he was younger. He could remember riding it himself. He spent a lot of time on it. And now it was just sitting there collecting dust.

“Hey, what if I told you. That you could ride again.” Mike said with a grin.

Scootaloo perked up. “Do you really mean it?” She asked as she began bouncing up and down.

“Yeah I mean it. But only on one condition.” He said

“What's that?” Scootaloo asked. Not able to contain her excitement.

“You gotta help me clean up in here. It's kind of a mess from cooking this morning.” 

“Deal.” Scootaloo said. 

The two began to clean up the kitchen. It was an interesting task. One of which he would only ask her to do again, once she learned where everything went. She was just throwing things in random places. But he couldn't scold her over it. It was just too cute to see her so happy and energetic for once.

Once the kitchen was clean, Mike took Scootaloo down stairs to the basement. He couldn't wait to see what she could do on the thing. Upon turning on the light, a little glimmer of chrome popped up out of the corner of Scootaloo's eyes. There it was the scooter, she had been waiting to see.

She raced over to it, as quick as her legs could take her. Mike watched as she started looking at the scooter. She was in awe over it. It reminded him, of how he felt when he first got it.

Scootaloo turned to Mike. “Why does it only have 2 wheels? She asked.

“Do they have more where you come from?” Mike asked a bit puzzled.

Scootaloo nodded her head. “Yeah, all the scooters there have 4 wheels and a bigger deck to stand on.”

Mike scratched his head. “Does this mean you can't ride it?”

Scootaloo looked over the scooter again. Her hoof ran down the slick metal on the handle bar. “I think I can give it a shot.” She said with a determined smile.

Mike picked up the scooter, and took it outside. Mike had a lot of space for Scootaloo to ride. He was the only person for a few miles. So he had no worries of someone seeing a bright colored pony, riding a scooter around his property. 

Scootaloo trotted up to the scooter, and placed one of her back hoofs on the deck. The proceeded to grab onto the bars. Mike watched as she done this. He couldn't wrap his head around how she was grabbing the bars. He was not about to question it.

She stood there and rolled the scooter back and forth. Trying to figure out how she was going to balance on it. Two wheels was new thing for her. And she was not sure how easy she could do this. But she was still determined to do it. She loved riding, and would give anything to be able to do it here.

Soon she placed her other hoof on the ground and gave a quick kick. The scooter began to roll. She found it to be very wobbly. She was very unsure about it. She found herself standing differently on it, than she had her other.

She continued to practice riding it for a bit, and Mike just stood back and watched. With each passing moment, he watched her improve. She was learning very quickly. “I would have face planted by now.” He thought to himself.

Then he saw it. He watched as her eyes narrowed, and she gave a hard kick to get her started. Her wings began to flap furiously. A loud buzzing could be heard coming from her wings. She quickly accelerated down the dirt path. A cloud of dust being left in her wake. Mikes jaw dropped as he watched her rocket down the path.

She started another trip back. He watched as she started to turn towards a wood plank that had been propped up on some logs. “Is she going to do, what I think she is going to do?” He asked himself about the time she hit the board.

She went rocketing into the air. The scooter beneath her began to twirl around, as she began to perform a stunt. While in the air she gave the handle bars a quick twist, and landed back down on the deck. Before landing flawlessly on the other side of the wood pile. 

Mike was floored. He had never dreamed that she would do something like that, or could do anything like that. 

Scootaloo rode the scooter back over to him, and just started at his face. She could tell that he was a bit shocked. “It took me a bit to get comfortable with it. But I think I got it down now.” She said while brushing her mane out of her face. “Thanks for letting me ride it.”

Mike just looked at her for a moment. “Scootaloo. I don't know where you learned to ride like that. But I am very impressed.” She blushed and turned her head, So he couldn't see it. “How about you keep the scooter. I don't need it anymore, and you look like you really like it.”

“Really?” She asked excitedly.

“Yeah, consider it a birthday present from me.” Mike said, before being tackled by the orange filly.

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” She screamed as she nuzzled his chest. 

“You are very welcome.” He said, as he pulled her into a hug.

The two sat there for awhile and talked about things. Scootaloo talked about Equestria and all of her friends. Along with the different pony races. She even explained her inability to fly, and how she has tried and tried to.

Mike felt sorry for the poor little filly, as he began to explain about his world, and how everything worked. He also explained his job as a computer technician. This peaked Scootaloo's interest. So he promised to show her what one was, and how to use one.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

The day drew on, as they both learned more and more about each other. And the conversation lasted well through lunch. Both taking turns asking questions about how things worked, and comparing them to their own worlds.

After a while though, both lost interest in the subjects. Mike eventually decided that he should make dinner, since they only had a few hours of daylight left. Scootaloo on the other hand decided to take it upon herself to explore the property. Mike made sure to tell her there areas to stay away from. And made her promise to stay away from the pond. He couldn't bare the thought of finding her floating lifeless.

Scootaloo began slowly riding around on the scooter. Taking in every little detail of her new surroundings. She was still finding everything so intriguing. The way everything looked compared to her world. And she was trying to figure out why there was no magic here. It was something she was so used to having it around. And the feeling of it not being there, left her feeling somewhat empty on the inside.

She rode around the property for a good hour before returning to the house. She didn't go inside though. Instead she found herself leaning on a porch rail, overlooking the forest. And right in the middle was the pond that brought her here. Tears rolled down her face.

“I want to go home.” She thought to herself as she sobbed into her hooves. She didn't realized everything she had, until it was gone. She just stood there looking off into the horizon, she felt numb. Everything around her started to go black, until she felt Mike’s hand running through her mane.

Scootaloo turned to face him. “Scootaloo I know that you miss home, and I would do anything to get you back home. But until we find a way to get you back. I try to make this place feel like a home.” Mason said while to trying to comfort the little filly.

“Thanks Mike, that means a lot, but I just don't know if I could ever call this place home.” She said while looking at the ground.

Mike picked Scootaloo up in his arms. “Could you at least give me a chance to try.” He said giving a pouty face, causing Scootaloo to grin a little. Before pushing her hoof against his lips.

“Ok I will give it a chance.” She said before wriggling free of his arms, and landing on the deck. “Now enough of this mushy stuff, let's eat.” She said, as she gave a wink, before trotting towards the door.

Dinner that night was interesting. Mike made vegetable lasagna for the first time. He didn't think it would be good to give a pony actual meat. Something told him, he better not. He hesitated to eat it, considering his diet has consisted of meat nearly every meal. But after watching Scootaloo dive into it. He could not help but dig in himself.

It surprised him that he actually like it. With each bite the flavor grew on him. “I guess this means I'm a vegetarian now.” He thought to himself. A chill went up his spine, when the thought of not being able to eat bacon again crossed his mind. 

He quickly shook the thought out of his head, and looked across at the young filly nearly done with her meal. Bits of pasta hanging from her fur. He giggled, and Scootaloo took notice.

“What's so funny?” She asked, while staring him down.

“Nothing. It's nothing, you just look cute with pasta on your face.” Mike said with a grin.

Scootaloo blushed a bit. “Watch it with the cute stuff.” She huffed. “I'm cool, I don't like none of that fru-fru girly cute stuff.” She said, with a glare before returning to her meal.

Mike was a bit taken back by this. But he knew the game she was playing. She was playing tough, when really all she wanted was to be loved. “Ok fuzz butt, I won't call you cute anymore.” He said with a grin.

Scootaloo sudden stopped chewing, and looked at him with a scowl. “What did you just call me.” She asked, pushing herself up on the table. Mike knew he hit the spot, and he was only going to keep it up.

“Oh nothing Fuzz Butt.” He said with a grin. 

“Take it back.” Scootaloo said, her tone becoming serious.

He looked back at her, and narrowed his eyes. “Make me.” He said while sticking his tongue out, giving a wink.

Scootaloo jumped out her chair and ran around the table. She was heading straight for the side of his leg. Until she felt herself get lifted up and turned onto her back. She watched as he took his hand up in the air. Then brought it back down onto her belly, and started using his fingers to tickle her.

“Fuzz Butt, Fuzz Butt, Fuzz Butt.” He said while assaulting her with tickles.

Scootaloo began giggling uncontrollably, as she tried and tried to free herself from his grasp. “No!” She screamed between laughs. Her eyes now watering from laughing so much. But his attack continued.

Finally she managed to free herself. She took off running toward the bedroom with Mike right behind her. Once in the room she dashed for the blanket, and tried to hide under it. Only for Mike to continue the onslaught of tickles.

“Say you’re a fuzz butt, and I will stop.” He said with the filly squirming around on the bed, laughing and crying at the same time.

“No!” She screamed, with what little air she could get.

“Say it.” He said, as he continued.

“No!” She screamed again, this time a bit louder.

Then Mike shifted his hand and went under her wing. She was absolutely lost in a fit of giggles.

“Ok, ok, ok, I'll say it.” She said.

“Say what?” He asked as his fingers continued the attack.

“I'm a fuzz butt, I'm a fuzz butt.”

Mike left go of Scootaloo, and watched as she tried to catch her breath. “I still say your cute though.” He said, with a chuckle before getting jabbed in the leg with a hoof. He looked down at her. She had her tongue out and her nose squinted. “Ready for round 2” He asked with evil grin.

“NO!” She screamed.

Mike gave another laugh. “Ok then, how about we go to bed. It's getting kinda late.”

“Oh ok.” Scootaloo said as she laid back and gave a loud yawn.

Mike got up and grabbed the blanket and draped it over Scootaloo. “Let me get changed, and I will be right back.”

“Ok.” Scootaloo said as she pulled the cover up and rolled over.

Mike grabbed his sleep shorts and a t-shirt, then went to the bathroom to change. When he returned to the room. Scootaloo was already asleep and snoring softly. “I guess I wore her out.” He said as he climbed in bed, and pulled some covers over himself. Before sleep took ahold of him to.