> The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Scootadad!
>  by Adorned ungulate
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Epic Pillow Fight of Epicness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bored bored bored..."

Scootaloo and I were hanging out in our bedroom. When her mother moved back in she ceded us the master bedroom and took Scoots' room, plus the queen-sized bed. My daughter and I have matching twins parallel to each other between her dresser. It's feels like summer camp all year round and pretty much negates any chances for nocturnal intimacy on my part. 

I was resting between the two beds reading. My daughter was on one of the twins by the windows looking forlornly out at the rainy Sunday afternoon. She didn't really have her own bed, just whichever one she collapsed into when spent. We were confined to the bedroom since mom was entertaining a "client" in the living room. It chaffed my pride being a grown stallion shut out of my own place but I also want her to make enough to move out. Likely she'll spend it capriciously as usual, however. 

I nodded to the easel on the opposite end of the room. "Why don't you draw your mother that enderpony like you promiced?"

"No..." Scootaloo collapsed onto the mattress. "Dad, can we do something fun?"

"How about some arithmetic worksheets?"

"Daaad."

I put my book under the bed and looked over at her. "Something fun?"

She nodded. So I chucked a pillow at her. 

Giggling she tossed it back. I used a wing to deflect the worst of it. "Dad! No blocking."

I'd have to take her hits bravely but that didn't mean I was defenseless. I took up pillows in each hoof and sent them flying. She laughed and then it was a free-for-all. All four pillows changed hooves. She leaped into the air and onto the other mattress, her little orange wings buzzing, pelting me right in the muzzle. I spent her spinning with a hit from the heavier down pillow. 

"Are you okay?" I was answered by a hit to the left eye. "Ahh!" I sent it right back into her torso. Not holding back anymore. 

"You're gonna get it now, dad!" She brought one over her head and towards my head with a mighty huck which I easily dodged. I let a wild side throw fly and it just missed the easel, hitting her toy shelf and knocking down a big box of assorted crayons. I brought my hooves to my mouth with an exaggerated shocked expression. "Dad!"

I broke the détente  with yet another volley. She laughed, twisting in the air and deflecting bows with her own pillows. We had not battled like this for a long time. She was old enough now that I didn't have to hold back and had quite an arm on her now in fact. I was frankly happy we could find something to occupy ourselves. She can certainly be a hooffull when she can't be active. And I treasure these idle moments with her. She won't consider me a suitable playmate forever. As we battle I ruminate how I don't want this to stop. I don't want it not to be fun to hit your dad with a pillow or to do silly dances when a favorite song comes on. I don't want pushing on the park swings to end or not to have drawings to hang up at work. But even now I can look at her and see the mare to come (and the teenager in between) while still getting glimpses of the little foal she was. A little melancholy to tint the fun. Ow! That was a good hit...

Half an hour later she was giggling non stop. "Scoots, darling that's probably enough. You're working yourself up into a lather. How about a story?"

She pouts but relents after some convincing. I've got to be a parent as well. I may not be strict about her cleaning this room up but I've got to control the chaos sometimes.



Dinner time brings its own struggles. It's just her and me as usual. Her mother rarely spends much time with us and when she does she mostly lounges on the couch. It's what I call the lean week, the one before payday. Sometimes bills are due and the fat week is under seven days and the lean week bloats over past it's allotted timeframe. I struggle to make something nutritious out of the meager larder. 

"Scoots, do you want some rice? I made up some lots of brown rice."

"No."

"Erm, peas and carrots?"

"No!"

"Want a bagel with cream cheese?"

"Cereal."

I sigh and make her a bowl glad that my mother isn't here to see this. At least she's eating. For me... Lets see. I've got marinara and... Navy beans? Maybe I can make a sort of chili out of this mess. Adding some spices and putting it over rice makes it sort of possible. Dumping on lots of Appaloosa Pete's Hot Sauce helps. If I can't make it tasty I may as well make it spicy. It's filling enough. Sweet Celestia I've got another four days of this. It always makes me feel like I've failed her when food runs low or when I can't afford a toy she wants. Good thing that scooter is nice and sturdy. She's put it through its paces enough. Well, I know why money is so tight of course. It hemorrhages out in a familiar and now completely boring manner. 

I sit down and watch her eat. She doesn't spill the milk anymore. My daughter. I wish I could give you the best life. I wish I could afford Summer Flight Camp or Junior Speedsters. Not that she could really handle it until she, until her wings catch up with the rest of her body and her grand ambitions. Maybe I could hire a coach, ask my parents for a loan or something. I can't help but give her a hug and she looks up at me with a bit of milk dribbling off her chin. I hope one day those big purple eyes make some lucky colt or filly's heart skip a beat, and I hope they are kind to her. Celestia knows I can't save her from getting her heart broken half a dozen times before she finds her way. 

"Ice cream?" She flashes me a roguish smile and her eyes sparkle hopefully. Well, she's not grown up yet, it seems. Thankfully I let her talk me into that huge tub of Neighopitan. 



A few hours later another bedroom battle began. 

"Time for bed, honey bunch."

"Daad, please let me stay up a bit more?"

"It's a school night, dear. I've got to get up early for work. Do you want a story?"

She wrinkles her nose then gets a brilliant idea. "Some music?"

"What do you want to hear?"

She jumps in the air with wings buffeting. "DJ PON-3!"

I groaned. Why did I ever reveal that she had weekend  shows broadcast on Everfree Radio. I could only hope tonight called for some relaxing trance or electropop or something. 

"Ah, hardstyle anthems. Great." 

I tucked Scoots in and gave her a kiss. "Can I have some water?"

"Of course, dear."

"Daddy, I'm hungry."

"You're stalling. You had plenty to eat." I managed to fit in a healthier snack in after dinner. She knew that if this worked she could linger over her food and stay up later. I was wise to her tricks by now. 

She falls dramatically down on our former weapons arsenal, the pillows. "Sleep is so boring."

"Sleep is awesome. I wish I got more of it. Just think of all the exciting dreams you'll have." This was a tired rebuttal and she huffed at it. I kind of deserved it for relying on platitudes. 

"I'm going to have a bath, okay? I'll be close though." This was a new strategy I devised. I hated night bathing as it gave me bed mane but me not being there took away a source of stimulation. Otherwise she stays up telling me the arcane rules of Ponémon or reliving an exciting adventure with her friends. And I am usually too hesitant to stifle her freedom of expression to tell her to be quiet. The gambit was that I not take so long as to miss my sleep but long enough for her to go to drift off. 

I gave her another kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight, darling. Sleep well."

She was thankfully dozing soundly when I returned. Another day behind us. Lots of quality time spent with my daughter, but then another weekend where I did nothing but spend all my free time with an energetic filly. It's all in how you contextualize it I guess. I slipped into bed and tried to get as much rest the alarm clock would allow. 
> Chapter 2: Martin Swallowtail and the Hooficure of Doom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: Martin Swallowtail and the Hooficure of Doom

Thank Celestia for holidays. I had the day off and was escorting Scootaloo to a play date. Took us a while to get going since I was trying to change the sheets on the beds and she insisted I put the fitted sheet over her while she lay on the mattress, like a cat. After some negotiation I did so even if it meant I had to make the bed over again after she wriggled out. 

I noticed she slackened her pace during our walk when we heard a low rumble and accompanying high-pitched Doppler sound of a pegasus traveling at high speed. I didn't even bother looking up, guessing that it was the cyan and polychromatic streak that was our resident weather captain. Instead I watched the look of wonder on my daughter's face. I had serious competition in the hero worship department. 

"You know I could ask around, introduce you to her."

"Daad." Her cheeks reddened. 

"Seriously. When you're ready I'll mention it to Thunderlane. Try not to make a big deal about it."

She thought about it and nodded. I knew it was a big deal because of how little she talks about the mare. I'm sure after a meeting I shall hear no end of Rainbow Dash's exploits. 

Since we live on the outskirts it would have been easier for her to take her scooter but my job is so physically taxing I insisted on going by hoof. At last we reached the incredibly baroque exterior of the Carousel Boutique. It was a trade off. If we met Sweetie Belle at her parents house I would risk having a cider thrust in my hooves and stuck in a long one-sided conversation on sports clubs. It made me a bit uncomfortable to be around a mare as attractive as Miss Rarity even though she wasn't my type. Anything that endangers the stability of The Plan discomforts me. But she was nice enough I suppose and polite to a fault. 

Sweetie threw open the door before I had a chance to knock, her jade-colored eyes wide with contagious joy. She managed to wiggle all four legs while leaping in the air. "Scootaloo! What do you want to do? The playground?"

"Sure, maybe. Or we could go tree climbing or monster hunting!" My daughter laughed and made haste into the boutique. "Race you to your room!"

I followed in to pay my respects. Rarity was carefully laying a form over a ponyquin as usual. "Good day, Miss Rarity. Working on another order?"

She granted me a smile. "Yes, something for Mayor Mare's anniversary dinner. It needs something but I'm not quite sure what..."

"I'm sure it will come to you. Thanks for agreeing to a play date."

"Certainly, the girls can be trusted with a few hours out playing but I'll keep an eye on them." She stepped back removing her glasses and assessed her work with a frown. Only she could make that expression look dignified. I wonder how much energy she spends maintaining such poise. Does it become second nature after a while. 

"I'll see you in the afternoon. A pleasure as always."

"Martin darling, why are you walking with a limp?"

I froze and grimaced. I should put more effort into my own poise it seems. 

"Erm. I-I haven't found the time for new shoes and to shave my hooves down and it's been a while."

She raised a perfectly tweezed eyebrow. "And it has begun to give you discomfort?"

"A smidge." I tried to back away. 

"Cancel your plans, darling. We are going to the spa immediately. I shall let the girls know."

"Miss Rarity, I don't exactly have the funds..."

"Nonsense; I shall indulge you and you may reciprocate next Fashion Week by watching Sweetie if our parents are busy."

I  was utterly outflanked by the canny mare so I merely nodded and swallowed my pride. I hadn't been inside a salon since I was a colt, playing with my toy train while my mother had her hair colored and this place was certainly far more stylish. While one of the twins (maybe Aloe but Celestia help me I couldn't tell) worked on shaving my hooves down my companion engaged me in the hallowed tradition of small talk. This is what frightened me so, so much estrogen and beautiful mares about and I had to concentrate on rapport. 

"... just have to tell dear Fluttershy I came a bit early instead of our usual Thursday afternoon.  I'll still go with her, of course. Poor dear might cancel rather than go alone. It took so much to persuade her into our usual routine in the first place. 

"And how about you, Martin? How have you been doing?"

At work and around town I try to be pleasant but keep to myself. It's not that I want to be rude, mind you. I just don't want to risk conversation because then I'd have to talk about my personal life. It's too embarrassing and shameful to relate to anypony but my ersatz therapist. Meaning my bartender. I decided to deflect. 

"It's kind of you to make sure Miss Fluttershy gets out once in a while. All those animals must keep her very busy."

She gives me a sly look. "I didn't know her needs concerned you so. Wouldn't Stage Light be jealous is she knew another mare caught your eye?"

She meant well, just some good-nature teasing but I couldn't hide my sadness. I looked away and my ears fell back. "I haven't seen her in quite some time. She broke up with me."

Aloe (or Lotus Blossom) pursed her lips but resumed her work. Rarity was suitably mortified. "Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that, dear. You two seemed to be doing so well..."

"We are still in love, but just can't make it work right now. She doesn't care about how busy Scoots keeps me but she works nights. The theater has puppet shows and children's story time weekend mornings. We just never were able to see each other... And Scootaloo's mom had to move back in."

"Back from Appaloosa?"

"Yeah." Two blessed months living with a friend of hers. "Left in a hurry with all her work gear behind. I can only imagine somepony will make use of it someday. I couldn't just leave her homeless but now I don't see an end in sight."

My companion put on the haughty stance that has earned her a bit of a prissy reputation around town. "That is hardly fair to you. Is she helping at least?"

"Not with rent, or chores, or with her own bills..."

"Why have you allowed this? Charity is one thing, but allowing that kind of advantage is another."

"Twin barbs of anger and guilt, I'm afraid. I keep planning, just as I did when I broke it off, but more emergencies get piled on and she is firm."

She huffed and turned away. I could tell she wanted to say more but we weren't close enough for that kind of advice. This somehow stung me regardless. I didn't have room in my life for close friendships like that and felt the void. Precisely why I avoid situations like this. 



Time dragged on but eventually I was shod in new shoes with uncharacteristically shiny hooves. Probably wouldn't last due to the nature of my job but I might as well accept and be grateful for the papering despite the blow to my masculinity. 

"I shall go by the playground and make sure the girls haven't gotten into trouble. And Martin, do take care. Your daughter is dear to us and I believe both of you deserve better."

She was clearly making the effort to keep pity out of her expression. I had long ago abandoned gaining satisfaction for the sacrifices I had made for this mare I no longer love; I no longer felt noble or just, just cheated. I didn't seek sympathy or even understanding. "Thank you, Rarity. I'll see you later. I'll get you back for this." 

She provided a wry smile, and those enchanting eyes of hers. I'm so glad she's not my usual nerdy type or this afternoon would have been truly unbearable. This is one pony who has no problems bending others to her wishes. I should take some notes. She waved the obligation off. "I am sure you can find a way if you want to make it up to me. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon."

Once back at my apartment her dogs began circling my hooves, expectant for their imminent walk. That buzzing sound I heard on the way up was what I expected. Vervain was poised on the couch, her head high while Needles was touching up the text on her neck tattoo, a handkerchief keeping his mane out of his face. She had a few when I courted her but since dating a tattoo artist she looks rather like she has a case of the cutie pox. She was always excited to show me her new work but it was always a reminder of how hard it will be for her to get a white collar career. 

"High, Martin! You and Scoots have a good day?" 

"Hey, buddy." Needles chimed in. Don't call me buddy you freeloader. 

"Yeah, she's still at the park but should be along in a bit."

"What'cha have planned for dinner?" 

"I don't know yet, I'll have a look after walking the dogs." I made my way to my bedroom. Five months since she came back and there were still boxes everywhere, overflowing from when she took the odd possession out. The dining room table was covered with them, as well as groceries they had gotten from his parents but neglected to put away properly, mostly sugar-based cereal boxes with colorful packaging. There was a nub of plastic on the floor, likely a a limb off a Wonderbolts action figure her dogs had chewed up. I wish Scootaloo would put them away properly. And the dogs actually used chew toys. A telltale odor from Vervain's bedroom explained why the two were so lackadaisical this afternoon. 

"Pick me some cigarettes on your way back?" I nodded curtly. "Thanks!"

Whatever. 

I grabbed my music player and the leashes. Time for some contemplative locomotion. It will nice for some alone time after my spa experience. I felt simultaneously pent up as well as the familiar pang of loneliness. I made my way through my neighborhood while the excited dogs tugged at their leads. My mind once more set to planning how to extricate myself from life's problems. Three more months until the agreed time those two will move out. I hope they aren't spending all their money on exotic herbs from the Everfree. I was doing my best but maybe there were still corners left uncut. I brooded, gears churning in a familiar pattern, thinking myself in well-trod circles. After a stop at the corner store I made my way back. I must have been gone a while; pausing at my door I saw my daughter making her way down the street leaping into the air with her little wings beating fiercely. No doubt calling out to me behind the comforting music flooding into my ears. I waved to her and her companions. Scootaloo leapt over the front gate and into my arms as the dogs struggled to lick her muzzle. 

Personal time over. I had dinner, playtime, and bedtime rituals ahead of me. Wouldn't have it any other way to tell the truth. 
> Chapter 3: Evening at the Cider Spider or Certainly Not a Place Where Nopony Knows You and Nopony Gives a Damn Either Way
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was one of those rare evenings where Scoots went down early and her mom was spending the evening at home nursing a backache so I took the occasion to visit my favored drinking establishment. I inhaled cool nighttime air and looked up at the sign, carved with the image of a wooden tankard sprouting eight hideous legs. The Spider didn't have to work hard maintaining its reputation as preeminent dive bar in a village as small as Ponyville but it remained just shabby enough for my needs. 

Ducking into the muted light I scanned the crowd. Thunderlane was regrettably absent and I didn't really have too many other drinking buddies so I slid into a stool at the bar. 

Reaching for the bar nuts a familiar voice addressed me. "Hey, Marty."

"Evening, Berry."

She ceased polishing glasses. "Funny, I was just thinking of you."

"Oh?"

"Stage was in here with her friends for a victory shot after the first evening show," I tensed every muscle in my face seeking to remain passive. "You two still differently-abled in love with each other?"

"Far as I know."

"But not together?" I nodded curtly. "What, do I need to write to Princess Mi Amore or something?"

"Don't really have a choice, Berry. What do you expect me to do, tilt again at that windmill and get dumped a third time?  She didn't even bother the second time, just quit talking to me."

"Not moving on, either? I could set you up with my sister. Celestia knows she's perennially single."

"She's gonna be Scoot's teacher next year. I'd be one lucky pony but I don't want things to get weird. Besides, I've got The Plan."

Berry Punch gave me that look, the sanctimonious stare of boozy certitude. "Swallowtail, do you have any idea how many lonely mares come into my bar just wanting to talk to a poor excuse for a stallion like yourself? We outnumber you at least five to one."

I shrugged. I knew exactly what I needed to do to get my lover back but certain elements were out of my hooves. 

I could feel her eyes on me but wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a stare down. Berry sighed and retrieved a tray. She set down upon it two glass tumblers and a large bottle of Sweet Apple Acres Special Reserve. That got my attention. 

"Tell you what. This is on the house but you've gotta share it with a mare in pleasant conversation. Plan be damned."

I swallowed, conflicted between loyalty to my principles and my inability to keep the saliva behind my teeth. I mustered up my best game face and picked up the tray in my mouth. Scanning the tables I made my choice. 

Sitting in her own was a light brown earth pony mare with chocolate colored mane and tale so astonishingly frizzy she put Pinkie Pie to shame. I walked over and set my bounty down. 

"Uh, hi." She looked up over her glasses. The only sign that my appearance broke her complete indifference was the pencil she held in her lips raised up quizzically. "Name's Martin... See the bartender over there? She doesn't approve of my lifestyle and challenged me to share this bottle of fine cider with a lady. I have no ulterior motives besides enjoying it with ya, if that's fine with you?"

Her blue eyes drifted over to Berry Punch, then to the bottle. No doubt she was doing the same risk/benefit analysis as I a few minutes ago. Finally she inspected a glass, made sure the bottle was still sealed, and poured for herself. I smiled and followed suit. 

She spit the pencil out (it thumped down on a notebook filled with scribbled text, crossed out worlds and editorial arrows) and took a sip. "So what's the bartender's problem, got something against colt cuddlers or something?"

"Nothing like that," I sniffed my drink and took a swig. "She disagrees with my choice to remain single."

"Brought on by?..."

"I'm still in love with my ex-special somepony."

"They still love you?"

"Yeah, but circumstances keep us apart." I swished the amber liquid and drained my glass.

"Why me? This some kind of dumb bet to get the ugliest date?"

"Hardly." I chuckled. She had a slightly prominent muzzle for a mare but no glaring flaws. Looking closer I realized her massive grape bunches of curls disguised her age. I must have had a decade on her. "You seemed like the only pony less interested in romance than I. Besides, I like to smoke when I drink and that's obviously not an issue." I motioned to the pregnant ashtray beside her. 

She took this as a reminder to light up. "Plan on winning your true love back?" Slight acidic bent in her voice I noticed.

"Tried. Lots of messy stuff I need to change about my life first. Until then I've got a Plan," she gave me a sardonic look so I took it as an opportunity to elaborate. I was awfully fond of The Plan. "I'm sharing a bedroom with my daughter and she keeps me busy so there's little room for romance anyway. I'm just going to be single till I get her back, until I can actually have a marefriend. Since it feels like I'm a dateless teenager again I'm calling it 'Adolescence 2: The Celi-bation! You know, like a celebration of celibacy?"

She made the common smirk that is the precipitate of a bad pun, filled and slowly drained another glass. "I think your plan is bucking stupid. If it had a face it would be a bucking stupid ugly face and I'd say to it 'Get your stupid bucking ugly face out of here, because it's bucking stupid. And ugly.'"

I chuckled. "Don't hold back or anything."

"You're the one who wanted conversation. Can't I have my opinion? Look, you can't have it both ways. You hit the jackpot and found love," she twirled a hoof in the air and continued in a flat sarcasm, "Yeah, neigh, hooray. That's luckier than most of us. Either do whatever to win her back or resign yourself to loosing her and being single. Just don't make some cute bucking game out of it. Do you love this girl or do you just want a torrid love affair with your own misery? Don't do that, you'll go blind and grow fur on your hooves."

I worried on my lip then set fire to a cigarette. "So what's your story. What're you doing here?"

She brightened a bit as if glad to change topics. "Well see that hipster sack of crap over there? Once he's done diddling the mixer, he's gonna get on the mic, tell me how terrible my rhymes are and advise me to quit the rap game. Then I'm going to give a rebuttal about him being wrong in his opinion and how it is in fact him with weak skills."

I glanced over at the stallion on stage, decked out in an unseasonable scarf and cap. "Sounds like fun."

She shrugged. "Passes the time and its something to do." I realized despite her brusque demeanor she had a strange buzz to her voice and I couldn't wait to hear her sing. 

We chatted a little about music while the bottle steadily was spent. I tried to be polite and friendly while she maintained a detached sarcasm. I realized I was enjoying myself and Berry was likely correct, lousy lush. 

"Hey gotta go. Thanks for the bet drinks or whatever."

"No problem. Own that poser."

"That's my friend you're talking about, dick. Oh, try not to be such a sad sack. It kinda makes me want to vomit and it'll spoil all the cider."

"Will do." I gave her a wave before I turned to give the tray back to Berry Punch and she flashed me a hideous watery-eyed frown that I assume was her sad sack face. 

I set the tray down at the bar and gave Berry a smug look. "Boom! There you go."

"I dunno, Marty," she rubbed her chin. "The bet was that you chat with a mare so I think you owe me for the bottle."

I shot her a glare. "Don't be a bigot, Berry. I know exactly what I was doing and I won the bet." I had to put up with enough prejudice at home. If Needles called me a 'spellbound firefly' once more I'll kick his teeth in. Why such a tribalist pegasus would move to an earth pony town was anypony's guess. 

I saw that she had recoiled. I was more stern than I had intended. "Tell you what, let me buy a second one of those and I'll share it with you. Nopony is more single than you." I tried for charm. 

"Please, Marty. You know I'm working..." But she retrieved fresh brew and glass just the same. We all knew Berry ran this bar for the same reason Pinkie Pie chose to settle in with the Cakes. 



A few hours later I stumbled home, trying to quiet the dogs best I could. Too tired to brush I just gargled some mouthwash and chased it with three refills of Scootaloo's water bottle. I went over to her bedside to check on her. She was curled up in an orange and lavender ball. Her covers tossed about. Likely she'd wake me before Celestia brought the sun full of energy and wanting to play with daddy.  I was reminded why I don't do this to myself very often. It's probably why I go all out when I do blow off steam. 

But I threw off all maudlin feelings as I stroked her mane and put a blanket over her.

"Worth it."
> Chapter 4: Longest Night, Summer Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Miss Rarity has warmed me about her father's cooking. Why didn't I listen to her? Now I was walking through the festival crowds with an unholy slurry of cider, veggie dogs, bean burgers and chili in my belly chasing two excited fillies. Since her parents were entertaining guests we took Sweetie into town to see the Summer Sun Celebration sights. 

I slowed by the music tents. "Hold on, honey bunch. I want to see if Cats is playing. I think you'd like her."

Scootaloo skidded to a stop and quirked an ear as she addressed me. "A pony named 'Cats'? What's her cutie mark?"

"It's more a stage name, really..."

"Look, Scoots!" Sweetie squeaked out. "The storyteller's here."

"Ah can we see him, dad?" I looked up. A mustachioed stallion wearing a curious feathered cap was holding court in one of the smaller tents. I nodded my acceptance and they hurried to join the other youngsters gathered about. 

"Ah, come closer everypony. I'll tell you the tale of the brave young pegasus who battled the mighty Chimera!"

I smiled and joined the herd of parents milling about on the outskirts. A few minutes into his tale I heard a quiet voice calling my name. I turned and there stood my ex-marefriend, her sandy blond mane spilling out the black hoodie she wore while working. 

"Hey, Stage..."

We stared at each other for a moment then I drew her into a long cautious hug. 

"H-how're you doing?"

"You know how I'm doing, Stage. It's you who won't answer my letters."

She looked crestfallen. "I know. I'm stupid."

"No, you are not. I understand. I always have... Look, I'm working on things. Okay? Are you holding up alright?"

She looked at her hooves. "Keeping busy, as usual. Look, I know we need to talk. But I've got..." She motioned to the tent behind her. "You know."

"I know."

"Scoots doing alright?"

"Yeah," I gestured to the storyteller's tent with my muzzle. "She asks about you sometimes. 

"Tell her I said 'hi', and take care." She looked like she wanted to say more but instead gave me a lingering hug before raising the tent flap behind her with her magic and rushing into the darkness. I longed for her, I wanted so much to give us another chance but looking at the spot she had been all I could see was the bouquet I bought her for Hearts and Hooves Day. It sat on my dining room table unclaimed and desiccating until most of the petals had fallen and it was just a lot of dead flowers. 

I heard somepony call out my name, in a moment of dread I wondered if it was Vervain or another of my exes and all the chickens were coming home to roost but it was my new drinking partner flanked likely by a few of her musician friends. There was a rather scruffy griffon with an incongruently natty top hat and a cute stallion looking inscrutably at me from between a silky long hot pink mane. 

I didn't have much time to take them in before Cats spoke. "Was that her, the unicorn you've been mooning over?"

I nodded. Cats looked like she had more to comment but let it be. "This is the guy I told you about," she addressed the griffon. "The sad sack."

"Wha?" She nudged him in the ribs. "Oh, hey sad sack."

"Wanna take your mind off her with some carousing, just us guys?" The stallion snickered at that. 

"I'd love to but I need to look after my daughter and her friend." I pointed again. 

"The orange one is your little chick? I can see the resemblance. See you around, then. Happy Summer Sun."

I waved them off with a little regret and wondered what sort of trouble they'd get into. This was turning into a long, weird, and exhausting night. 

And then a bit later Nightmare Moon came back. 




Frantically I called for Scootaloo. Everypony was rushing a miniature stampede about the confines of Town Hall and I couldn't see far in front of me. 

"Dad!" There she was! My daughter leapt up and almost knocked me over. Only later did I realize she flew over two pony lengths to wrap her arms around my neck. It would have been a cause to celebrate in any other context. 

"Dad, I'm scared."

"I am too, honey bunch." It's best not to lie in these sorts of situations. "Let's get somewhere safe and find mom."

She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Dad, we need to help Sweetie."

I looked in the direction she had bolted and saw her friend. Scootaloo was frightened but Sweetie Belle had clearly crumbled. Tears were running down her cheeks as her eyes stared unfocused and confused. "Come on, both of you get on my back. Sweetie! Come with us and I'll take you home."

I managed to get the two fillies on my back. The white unicorn gradually eased from unresponsive to grasping onto my neck, shivering and sobbing while my daughter rode behind her and tried to calm her down. Frequently she reminds me of her mother but I could see my influence. Good in a crisis like daddy but she was dodging her own fear by focusing on easing someone else's. I didn't know wether to be proud or lament her making the same mistakes. I shook it off and worked on navigating through the panicked crowds flocking the exit of Town Hall and finding a quiet side street.

"N-nightmare Moon gobbled my sister up! She was right there. Rarity!"

I stopped for a moment and turned my head. I tried on my deep-but-caring dad voice hoping it would cut through her worry. "Sweetie. I saw your sister leave with that purple unicorn, the one who stood up for us. Do you know who that was? Twilight Sparkle, personal student to the princess. She's the smartest pony I know. She's the smartest hoofed animal I know! If anyone can keep Rarity safe and bring the princess back it's her."

I knew Miss Sparkle through my job, the mare who's eclectic scholarly interests accounted for at least thirty percent of my workload. I simultaneously was grateful for the job security and cursed her for causing me to travel all over Equestria on her behalf. 

Scootaloo chimed in,"Yeah, she seemed really brave. Did you see how she spoke to that monster?"

"Besides," I said, "do you think Rarity would let ANYpony push her around?"

The shivering slackened a bit as I made my way through town. Panic had died down. Ponies were wandering about looking at the sky confused. Where was Celestia? Why had the sun not rising? The alarmed twittering of birds and barking of dogs showed that lesser animals were not immune to these omissions. 

We found Sweetie's parents in their front yard, her father keeping watch with a lantern in hoof. Soon she was scooped up in their loving embrace, doting on her and offering their thanks. "Your eldest is safe too, but she ran off to help Celestia's representative."

"Our Rare help against a monster?" Her mother cocked her head to the side trying to visualize the fashionista in combat no doubt before worry slipped back in. "Thanks for letting us know, and for bringing our baby back to us."

After relating events of the disastrous celebration at least three times and debating what to do next Scoots and I left for our apartment, the burden of two fillies on my back exchanged for a bundle of barbecue leftovers and cookies. I watched my daughter out of the corner of my eye as she carefully checked each shadow we passed. 

"Dad, you really think Rarity will be okay?"

"I hope so, darling."

She grinned after a stray thought took hold. "You should marry Miss Rarity, then Sweetie and I will be sisters and we could have sleepovers every week!"

"Honey bunch, if I married Miss Rarity Sweetie Belle would be your auntie and if you lived at Carousel Boutique Rarity would have you model all the frilly pink silk dresses she sells to the rich fillies."

Daddy, Don't marry Miss Rarity!"

This coaxed the first honest chuckle of the evening. Seems even my daughter had picked up on my romantic preference for unicorn mares. 

We found an empty apartment aside for two excited dogs. Likely I had a mess to clean up later but for now I had other priorities. "Mommy is probably out searching for us. You've been up all night and even though the sun hasn't come you should get some sleep."

"But dad, what about Nightmare Moon?"

"I'll be here to protect you, dear. Come on, lets brush those teeth. Do you want a story?" She shook her head. A lot of overwhelming thoughts and feelings were coursing through her head judging from her expression. Negotiations were held concerning the importance of oral hygiene in this state of emergency but eventually I was curled up with her on one of the beds. 

"Do you want me to sing for you, Scootaloo?"

"Daad." She frowned and fidgeted as she fought off fatigue. 

"You used to love it when I sang to you. Have I ever told you about the night you were born?" She grumbled. We both knew full well I had related the tale dozens of times and this was fatherly ritual. "Mommy tried really hard all day but you were all curled up and she couldn't give birth to you. The doctors had to help her out. Funny now since you're always in a hurry to get where you need to go. I was there when you were born and the nurse gave you your first bath. I expected you to be all dirty but you were clean like a baby in a movie, hardly needed the bath at all! Then she gave me to you to hold. Mommy had to rest for a while so I took you to the nursery. I knew your mom wanted so much to finally meet you so I wouldn't let the nurses take you. I just rocked you for a long, long time and sang every song I could remember for you as you drifted in and out of sleep. I made up words sometimes. You were so patient waiting for mommy and your first meal. That very first night we stayed up to nearly dawn as well."

"And it snowed..." Scootaloo's eyelids drifted down as she recited this familiar rote. 

I softly stroked her mane. "Yes, the first snowflakes of that winter drifted down the night you were born."

After I was sure she was asleep I waited in the living room. Sure enough Vervain bolted in a short time later shucking off her heels and cape but not bothering with her socks and other work clothes. "Where's my baby? I've got to be with my baby!"

"Sleeping." She made her way back and I looked over to where Needles was poking his head in the door. "I really need a smoke, want to give them some time and join me?"

We sat on the lawn for a few minutes. We weren't the only ponies looking up at the persistent purple star-filled sky and blank-faced moon.

"So you were like in Town Hall when it happened?"

"Yeah, it was pretty intense."

"It was really Nightmare Moon?"

"I don't know, but this creature had a presence to her unlike anything I've ever felt. And I've briefly met both princesses! I think the whole town felt it. Takes the wind out of your wings." 

"Whoa, did you see that? Some kind of flash of light out in the Everfree Forest."

I took to the air and rose a few feet. "No, I don't see anything." We lived not far from the forest, it's black leafy bulk dominating the horizon. While I scanned for anything strange it finally occurred to me that the sky was brightening in the east. "Needles! I think morning has finally come."

"Thank Celestia!"

"No," I said under my breath. "Thank Twilight Sparkle..."

> Chapter 5: The Club, The Sheild, and The Milkshake
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Late afternoon sunlight played across the barn-like edifice of the schoolhouse on this clear autumn weekday. Birds and squirrels were bustling about preparing for the colder months. Clouds traced lazily across the sky. I squinted against the sunlight as Miss Cheerilee held the door open for us. 

"I'll see you tomorrow, Scootaloo." Her voice was more clipped and formal than usual, her expression dour. 

I waited in the schoolyard as my daughter collected up her helmet and scooter with my best stern executive dad face. Then we both trotted down the path. My eyes fixed on the road ahead and Scootaloo looking forlornly at the ground. 

I broke first, snickering deep in my throat. My companion glared at me and nudged me with her flank. This caused a growing cascade of snickering. "Dad." She shot me a glare but her mouth wavered as she fought off a grin. I looked back to see if we were being observed then we both , unspoken, hurried down the hill in a steady canter so we could be out of sight. Finally safe father and daughter collapsed on a low knoll to giggle and laugh off the tension.  

"You really did it this time, honey bunch. I've never seen Miss Cheerilee so serious!" I pushed my bangs down on my forehead. "Mr. Swallowtail, thank you for coming on such short notice."

Scoots freed up one of the hooves she was using to hide her grin and slugged me in the shoulder. I waited for the mirth to subside a bit before clearing my throat and getting a bit more formal myself. 

"Now, dear. I kid about Miss. Cheerilee because we grew up together but she is your teacher and deserves your respect. Understand?"

She nodded. 

"Now. I've heard her side of the story. Why don't you tell me what happened."

My darling let out a huff and rolled her eyes. "It was recess. I head some yelling. A bully was giving Featherweight some trouble, getting in his face and calling him names."

"Yes, and?"

"So I told her to mind her own business and she started calling me names instead, backing me up against the schoolhouse." 

"And you pushed her?"

"I guess I did..."

"Okay, Scootaloo. You did a good thing today. I'll never be angry with you for standing up to a bully. They need to be stopped because they'll usually keep hurting people. But you did it in the wrong way. Can you tell me what you did that made Cheerilee upset?"

She looked into the blue sky and tapped her chin. "I got cau..."

"You pushed her, you got physical. That made you the one who got in trouble. That was probably her plan. She made you loose your temper and become the aggressor so you looked like the bully."

She muttered under her breath. Likely some dark curse. 

"It's good to stand up for your friends but be a shield, not a club. Miss Cheerilee wants you to tell a grownup when these things happen, or ignore a bully and hope they get bored and stop. But ponies like that won't stop. Something about them that compels them. They don't really respect teacher, they just care about not getting in trouble."

"Why do they have to be so mean, daddy."

"Well. You know daddy was bullied in school. My best friend had a big family and this colt was friends with his older brother. My friend really annoyed him, but he couldn't pick on him because of the brother so he took it out on me. Imagine if one of Miss Rarity's friends was really annoyed by Sweetie, but picked on you instead."

Scootaloo chucked to herself, likely imagining all the ways her sometimes air headed and astutely literal minded friend could get on an older pony's nerves. "So what happened?"

"I did what grownups said told me to do. I wouldn't react when he hit me or teased me hoping he'd get bored. But one day he slammed my fetlock in a door. I had it in a cast for a few weeks."

Anger flared across her expression. Funny her getting mad in my behalf for something that occurred nearly two decades ago. "Did he get in trouble?"

"Sort of. They wanted to send me to another school, as if I was the one who was causing problems. Your grandma wasn't going to put up with that. He was moved and never bothered me again. But, it shouldn't have gotten that far. I never stood up for myself. I just prayed that Celestia would give him the peace he needed to not push little ponies around but he never did."

"Why'd be do it anyway?"

Unhappy and feeling neglected about his parent's divorce, I thought but left it unsaid since I was putting my daughter through the same thing. It takes two, though and I wasn't the one who let the feather fall from my mane. Besides, Scootaloo was younger and used to her mother leaving for months on end. 

"When you were being teased how did you feel?"

She pondered this a moment. "Angry. Mostly."

"Did you hate her that moment "

"I guess."

"A bully doesn't exactly want you to hate them, they want you to hate yourself, for you to feel weak and small helps them feel big and powerful. But you know what?" I gave her a hug. "Even if you get in a fight and loose, get your face in the dirt and bruises and everything, there's something they can never hurt. Your self worth. Never loose hold on your dignity, Scootaloo. Protect and grow your confidence in yourself like Carrot Top in her garden. You may have to keep close watch to keep rabbits and snails from eating away at it but nurture it and help it grow. Don't listen when people call you small. Your flight feathers will grow in strong and beautiful one day. Then you'll be flying high and swift over any petty schoolyard bully."

She gave me a sweet smile. "Dad, you can be really sappy sometimes. I love you." She gave me a tight hug. 

"Mommy might not want me rewarding you for getting into trouble at school but I think this all calls for a double chocolate fudge milkshake with sprinkles. What do you say?" 

"Yes! Race you to Sugar Cube Corner!" She donned her helmet and buzzed off on her scooter without waiting for a response. 

I went airborne and flapped my wings to catch up. That conversation went fairly well but something sour lingered in my stomach. Kids can be cruel and their viciousness only got more inventive over time. What if one of them found out what her mother does for a living? How do I even explain it to her when she gets curious in a way that won't leave her confused? I was rather distracted while Pinkie Pie took our order. I lingered at the counter as my daughter hurried over to chat with her classmate Applecore about her argument and detention. So brave, yet so young and innocent. 

"Something on your mind, Marty?" Pinkie was perky and inquisitive as always. 

"Yeah, just trying to figure out how to explain adult concepts to Scootaloo in the most understandable and gentle way." 

Suddenly the pink mare was on my side of the counter, rising up slowly on her hind legs, a hoof on my shoulder, with a  playfully conspiratorial expression. "You mean like how her mother is a sex worker?"

If I had been drinking something I would have made a spit take but instead just sputtered. How did a pony as carefree and foal-like even know about such things?

"H-how did you know about that?!"

"Oh, Marty," she closed her eyes and put a hoof to her chest. "I have no delusions. I know what ponies think about me. Of course I know. My cutie mark is all about partying, remember? Sometimes my Pinkie Sense goes off if there's a party going on writhin fifty pony-lengths away. How old do you think before I stumbled into my first bachelor party? Vervain started dancing soon after you broke up, right? How many burlesque dancers do you think there are in Ponyville? How many times do you think I've hired her for bachelor parties I've planned? She even showed me a few moves, never know when they'll come in handy." She wiggled her flank to demonstrate. 

"Ponies hire you to plan bachelor parties?"

"Of course, silly! They're a Bla-ast!"

"So what do you think I should do, wizened one?"

"Scootaloo is far to young to understand that type of attraction. Just tell her that stallions hire her to perform and it makes them happy. Being appreciated like that makes her mommy happy and feel valued, but it might not be the sort of life that's meant for her. But nothing to feel ashamed about, it's just pony nature."

"Pinkie Pie... That's brilliant. Thank you."

"No problem!" She bounced off to check on other customers, as casual as if he had just filled my coffee cup rather than solving one of my pressing life issues. I looked over and watched Scootaloo with a fond smile forming on my lips. She was chatting with her classmates and sipping her milkshake. Sure, life would throw her a ton of challenges many of which I cannot fully prepare her for but she's a tough little filly. All I can do is always be there to support and encourage her. 
> Chapter 6: In Which a Crusade is Called, a Contest is Held, Swallows and Statues are Discussed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Returning from a dog walk I found my daughter's scooter in the front yard with Sweetie Belle and a cream-yellow filly chatting with each other in the attached wagon. I was pulled along so the excited dogs could greet them. 

"Hello Mr. Swallowtail!" Sweetie piped. 

"Howdy." Replied her companion, looking at me her big tangerine eyes. 

"Afternoon, Sweetie. And you are?"

"Ahm Apple Bloom."

"We met at the cute-cênera." Explained Sweetie Belle. 

"Oh yeah. I remember you. You were at the cart with your brother when I bought those Jonagolds last week."

"How'd you like them?"

"Made my lunches that much sweeter, thank you."

Scootaloo rushed out of the apartment still wearing her helmet. A few crayons fell out of her saddlebags which I helped retrieve. "Hey dad. You meet Apple Bloom yet?" She cast a glance at her companions. "Can I tell him?" They considered it a moment before nodding. "We're gonna start a secret club so we can find our cutie marks! Can I go over to the boutique so we can work on a crest?"

"Sure. Will you be back for dinner?"

"Thanks, dad!" She gave me a foreshortened hug and tossed her bags to her companions and alight on her chariot in one fluid motion. With a push off and buzzing of wings they were off. 

I tilted my head and watched them disappear. It was always nice when Scootaloo started school. I noticed a change in her behavior and use of language after only a few weeks due her socializing with her peers all day. I was glad she was finding new friends but something about that interaction disturbed me for some reason. I was expecting the routine evening at home playing games and reading stories. I guess this means I can get ahead of the chores. I went inside and found Vervain napping on the couch so I made sure the dogs did not jump up and lick her face. Sometimes she naps there on the weekend and insists Scootaloo and I play quietly in the living room as her rather twisted idea of "family time". I let her be.  

Our shared bedroom was left a bit of a shambles after a frantic search for art supplies so I busied myself tidying up. 





A few days later I trotted into our room and found my daughter going through my music collection. "Can I help you find something, dear?"

"There's a talent show at school and we're performing a rock ballad! I'm looking for some tunes... All of your music is weird." She studied the cubist artwork on an album cover. "'Hyaena', what kind of band name is that?"

"That's the album name my little cultural illiterate." I took it from her and ruffled her shaggy fuchsia mane. "You know daddy likes sad, sad songs. Here, these three would suit your needs."

She beamed. "Thanks, dad. This'll get us cutie marks for sure!" And she collected up her things and once more made haste to her beloved scooter. I watched her receding form through the window. There were still chores to get through or creative and recreational projects waiting but instead I slid the record I was holding out of it's sleeve and put it on the turntable. I sat there for a long time watching the needle trying not to think of anything in particular. 




Soon enough it was the night of the talent show. I sat back on my haunches and watched the Cutie Mark Crusaders preform with a proud smile. They had obviously put a lot of effort into the production even if the execution was a tad excessive and shrill. I heard a giggle and glanced over at Vervain. Scanning the crowd I was annoyed to see all the shocked expressions. This was a school-age production for Celestia's sake! Would they rather have those dullard magicians or the two saccharine sweet rollerskating poets  for an encore? At least this was original and daring. No one else had smoke and lighting effects. Look there! It even ended with needless destruction like any rock show worth it's salt lick! I cheered as loud as I could and hoped Scootaloo could hear over the laughter. 

She rode home on my back as to have her hooves free to wipe away her admirably excessive layer of eyeshadow. "Dad, did you really like it?"

"Loved it. You can rock out in the bedroom anytime. I'll play you some post-punk later and we can find something in your range."

"Did you think it was funny?"

"No but art is a subjective thing. You got an award! I'm very proud."

"But no cutie mark."

"Still plenty of time for that. Want me to see if we have the budget to rent a guitar?" She was quiet for a time. Every father hopes their children indulge in more joy than regret. 

I hung the jester cap medallion on her cork board under the newspaper clippings, Marvelous Elements of Harmony promotional stills of Rainbow Dash, and her silly rainbow mullet wig. "There we go. Soon enough I'll be hanging your framed acceptance letter to Wonderbolts Academy right over here."

"Daad."




It was well after Ten before I could find the time to fly to the Sweet Apple Acres barn for the opposite side of the Cutie Mark Crusader metaphorical coin, the real secret society. The interior was dark save for a single bulb illuminating a table and circle of straw. I gave a tired greeting to Applejack and Rarity. 

"Howdy there, Martin. Have a chilled cider to slake yer thirst."

"Thanks, let me get you some bits..."

"Won't hear of it." The young mare proudly closed her eyes and tossed her head up giving her ponytail a rustle. I wonder if she realized how rustically beautiful she was. 

"Evening, dear. Enjoy the show?"

"Immensely. A.J. I don't know why you were so concerned."

"Let's get to it so as we can get some shut eye. Rather not have a long musical appreciation discussion right now. Rare, how did the charm offensive go?"

The white unicorn fluttered her eyes and primped one of her voluptuous curls. "Sous declined to press charges in the Cutie Mark Crusaders Pasta Chefs incident after I gave him some tips to get the marinara stains out if the aprons. Most agreeable, considering."

"Good. Big Macintosh cleaned up the mess from the CMC Chemists incident, though some of the floor tiles had to be salvaged. I helped Roseluck repair her pipes and promised to replenish her seed crop to make up for the florist adventure. What about you, Martin?"

I fished a pouch out of my saddlebags. "I scraped up twenty bits to go towards the shop window."

"Should about do it, sugarcube. Thanks much. That bout wraps it up thanks to the talent show distraction."

I tapped my hooves on the table nervously. "Do you think we should be concerned at all?"

"Bout what, our girls? Didn't you get into any trouble as a colt? It's just that together they tend to multiply damage they cause rather than the sum of the three."

I gave the farmer a probably unconvincing smile. "Same night in two weeks then. Keep an eye on that clubhouse, Miss Apple. Rarity, would you like an escort home?"

"I doubt the darkness surrounding town hides many highwayponies but I would appreciate the company, thanks. Sleep well Applejack."

"Aren't any cover hogs here at home so I'm sure to." She shot Rarity a smug look that thoroughly confused me. "You too, Rare." 

I drained my cider and joined my fashionable companion in the cool night breeze as Applejack clicked off the light and retreated towards home. We walked in silence for a time before my companion spoke up. "I think I know what is really bothering you about the Crusade, Martin."

"Care to enlighten me?"

"It is not totally about her safety or the damage they incur. From what little I know of her history you have been the one calm port in the storm in your daughters' life. Maybe you have protectively tried to keep her close to harbor. Now that she has a proper circle of friends and is spending more time with them it's like she has opened up trade with a new port and you feel replaced, or unsure of your status and what to do with yourself."

I considered this. "It is certainly a big change. I got so used to our routine. When you have a foal you commit yourself to dedicating your life to this fragile being. I don't think it's me being overprotective... At least I hope not. Scootaloo... She's been a big part of my life."

"And you likewise for her life."

"Change is jarring, I guess. She moves so fast. What if I slip away from her?"

Rarity stopped and looked up at the night sky. I studied her features and waited for her to speak. In the darkness the subtle gradient was washed out of her mane, painting it indigo and her finely groomed coat shone white-silver like the moon. 

"Martin, stallions like yourself are like the North Star. Reliable, turning only slightly. Certainly sometimes lost in the cloud cover of depression or anger but sailors and fliers know it will always be there to chart a course by. Certain mares are more like the moon or the wandering stars. Passing swiftly, waxing and waning, sometimes seeming to go backward for a time. Maybe Twilight could explain the scientific side of the metaphor better but believe me no matter how many constellations through which she passes Scootaloo will predictably come back around to you." She continued our slow walk. I hastened to her side again. "Scootaloo may for a period even find you embarrassing to be seen with in public. She may try everything she can to be as unlike you as possible. Move far afield once she's found her special talent. Try on groups of friends. Become distant, maybe even surly. But you must have faith that as she ages into a mare she will realize she's more like her parents than she realizes. Bonds of family cannot be escaped. And she will come back to you. Even Applejack left the farm for a time if you can believe it."

"Really?"

"And you see how she is now. What could replace all the love and experiences you've had?"

"Before these last few weeks I've never doubted. I certainly know she loves me. But it's like home is just a place to occasionally eat and sleep. Like I'm just there for her needs."

"Who do you suppose she'll turn to in a crisis?"

I cracked a cynical grin. "Rainbow Dash?"

She frowned. "Darling, when we have our next crisis Rainbow will no doubt be in the middle of it doing what she does. Being a hero. You'll be doing what you do. And Scootaloo will always cling to that despite her stubbornness."

"I hope you are correct, Miss Rarity." The fashionista responded with just a sage-like smile. I let out a tired sigh. "Mares are so complicated. Maybe I should try dating stallions."

"Let me know if that is a serious notion. Considering the circles I travel in I know plenty."





"How was your day, honey bunch?"

My daughter slumped onto her bed. "Frustrating. We spent all day trying to find out how Rainbow Dash got her cutie mark and kept running into other ponies who had to go on and on about theirs. Finally we caught up to her." She looked over at me and perked up considerably. "And you know what? Dash's awesome stunt was responsible for all her friends' cutie marks! Like they never would have gotten theirs if she hadn't made a sonic rainboom, BOOM! PheeeeWwww!" 

My response was measured. "That is quite awesome." 

"Yeah..." She rolled over on her back,  dreaming of attaining such valor perhaps. 

"Well."

"What?"

"Aren't you going to ask your dad how he got his cutie mark?"

She face-hoofed. "Ugh! I've heard so many already."

"Okay. If mine doesn't matter to you I'll drop it."

She rolled over and in mock interest and sweetness intoned, "Alright, daddy. How did you get Your cutie mark?"

"It started when my friend Felix, remember meeting him? Felix asked me what flying was like and the best I could come up with that an earth pony could understand was that it was like going really fast in a cart, right? That got him curious so we spent a weekend building a two-pony go cart. We pushed that contraption up a few hills outside out of town and we were off! Unfortunately we were so excited to get the cart built and to race it both of us forgot to build in brakes."

"Uh oh."

"Indeed. Everything was going great until we got to little the bridge going over Houndstooth Gulch. Felix panicked, managed to take us across the bridge instead of into the creek below, but hit the railing and we both tumbled out. He landed safely on his rump, lucky jerk. I tumbled right over the bridge, tried to land, but hit one of the pylons and dropped like a sack of oats into the mud below."

"Were you hurt?"

"Mostly my pride but my shoulder troubled me for a few days. So I found myself in this little swampy stream while Felix went back into town to get help-"

"You got your cutie mark for crashing?"

"No. I was alone waiting for help, in pain and unable to fly. I totally forgot about all of this when I looked around me. My arrival had disturbed the birds who nested under the bridge. Cliff swallows, barn swallows. There were purple martins amongst the cat tails. All of them were darting around and checking on their chicks. After a while they went back to snatching the many bugs present right out of the air. They were so graceful and quick!" I smiled broadly at the remembrance. 

"That was it?"

"I felt a deep kinship with these birds somehow. And then I remembered a fairy tale your grandmother used to read me about a swallow that made friends with a statue. It was one of my favorites. I remembered it and how it made me feel. There was... I can't really define it, this incredible feeling of being in the right place. Eventually when they fished me out of the much I had this."

"A story about a bird a s statue making friends? Sounds sappy."

"On the contrary it's one of the saddest stories I'be ever heard. Kind of has a tacked on happy ending, I guess. You know your daddy likes the sad, sad stories best."

"Dad, don't take this the wrong way but your story is more boring than Fluttershy's. But can you show me how to build a go cart?"

"You wash up for dinner, sassy lass. And remember to do your chores before bedtime. School night."

"Daad!"

"Go... Love you." She smirked and stomped off. That child has no respect for transcendent moments. I smiled and went back to my book. Maybe if she slowed down and listened to herself and how she fit into the world she would get what she wanted. 
> Chapter 7: Appreciation Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Flying above cloud cover can be disorientating but I kept the sun to Ten-O'Clock to guide me. Eventually I would have to dip back under and take bearings by a rail line or some other landmark but after years of this work I rarely got truly lost. Being so wet I stowed my music player and earbuds in my waterproof canvas saddlebags along with my cargo. Leaving it behind was a reason to call in sick in my humble opinion but I wasn't going to allow it to get waterlogged as well. Tingling in my coat and in the roots of my feathers alerted me to an updraft coming up. Thank Celestia for that subtle pegasus magic of weather sense. I lowered the trailing edge of my wings and leaned my head back a fraction and sure enough there was a turbulent gust. I rode up and over the worst of it straining my shoulders to maintain position, sacrificing speed for altitude. Droplets of water streaked along my goggles. I even did that thing where I seemed to run in midair with my hooves. Unicorns and especially earth ponies sometimes ask why pegasi do that when there are no clouds to run over and the truth is it just feels right. Speedsters like Rainbow Dash are welcome to their showmareship but my specialty was long-distance flight. Worst comes to worst I could trot home. Hours of nonstop steady movement comes easily to me. I imagine swallows feel this way when they cross whole oceans during migration. It only aches when I stop to rest. 

......


"For today's Family Appreciation Day we are pleased to welcome Martin Swallowtail!"  

I gave Cheerilee a nod as a walked in the classroom then scanned my audience. "Good morning, my little ponies. I'm here to tell you about my job. I work for the Royal Canterlot Library-"

"Your dad is a librarian?" It didn't take long until I was interrupted. A blue toned colt was giving Scootaloo a confused look which she pointedly ignored. She was glancing placidly at the chalkboard trying not to attract attention but I hope proud I was here. 

"That's a common assumption. I am not a librarian but I do work very closely with them."

"Figures her dad wouldn't have a job that required flying!"

Apple Bloom shot this pink filly a nasty glare. This must be the Rich kid. I made my way in front of her desk and lightly put my front hooves on the edge hoping her teacher would just think I was restoring order (and not see the look in my eyes). The filly shrunk back in her seat as I had hoped. "Actually, my job involves quite a bit of flying as you shall see..."

I made my way to the chalkboard again. "Now as you know Canterlot is home to many colleges and universities. Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns is the most famous, but there is a branch of the Cloudsdale Meteorological Institute, the Leadership Academy, the Royal Observatory has been busy now that Princess Luna has taken over management. Because Canterlot is built on the side of a mountain it was impractical for each to have its own library so the Royal Library serves all of them. All these schools' students have diverse needs. Often they need books, scholarly articles, spells that the the library does not own. So what do you think librarians do about that problem?"

....


The scriptorium is housed in a huge dome-shaped building. It's wrought iron roof features a stained glass sunburst over almost it's entire surface. One of the louvers on the roof was open so I entered there rather than bother with the balcony. That way I could land right at my desk. The interior had a ring design like an operating theater going down a dozen levels, each ringed with shelves for scrolls and books on the interior and office desks facing out into the center. The scriptorium was not part of the library proper but housed its administrative hub. Alighting on the hardwood floor I got right to my saddlebags and began organizing my cargo, matching receipts and marking them down as received. 

I heard a pony clearing his throat to my right. He was a familiar face, a young stallion from Celestia's School whom reminded me strongly of a male Sweetie Belle aside from eye color. He was often the one tapped to pick up orders. "Good morning, Martin!"

Tia's plot this one was always so perky. "Hey, D. Come for the latest batch?"

"Of course." He closed his eyes and inclined his head. Good kid, always infuriatingly perky. Some kind of media studies student I think. 

"Just a moment. Just got in..." I shuffled through the piles and decided to bait this young strident royalist. "Now that Twilight is down in Ponyville I bet the princess needs a new personal protege. You gonna apply for the part?"

I swear there were stars in his wide eyes. "Oh no! Miss Twilight remains her personal student despite the move. I could only dream of such things. Magic theory isn't really my thing anyhow."

"Here you go." He floated the pile off my desk. "See you in a few." 

"Bye, Martin!" He trotted off. I turned back to my paperwork finding a little of his enthusiasm had rubbed off a bit of flight fatigue. That kid is dedicated. I'm sure I'll see more of him in years to come. 


.....


"One floor of the library is devoted to the catalog where every book in the collection is listed. Librarians and students can find what they need by title, author's name, or subject. If they can't find what they need they go to the basement. Princess Celestia has asked many libraries all over Equestria to send them listings of their collections, or perhaps just their areas of specialty. That includes our own Golden Oaks Library. If they find what they need there I send a request. Once we agree on lending it out I take keep track of the lender, borrower, item, and due date through our filing system and fly out to retrieve and return them. If just a few pages of a book or article is needed a whole team of scribes keep busy making copies for us."


.....


Another familiar pony sauntered over to my desk, all hot chocolate coat and silky black mane. Magnificent horn. "Hello, Swallowtail. Got those archeological reports from Neigh Orleans yet?"

Bosses' daughter. Bosses' daughter. Be polite and formal. Bosses' daughter. "Uhh, looks like they should be here by the end of the week, Miss Scrivener."

"Ah, pity. Look me up when they do arrive. Alright?"

"Will do." Bosses' daughter. Bosses' daughter. Bosses' daughter. Did she wink as she turned away or did a mote of dust fly into her eye. Luna's tears don't stare at her flank, Martin. 


.....


A grey coated filly with silver mane blurted out without raising her hand, "Wouldn't it be easier to send it through the mail?"

"Good question. Sometimes they do send them as far as they can but libraries have limited budgets. I imagine I'm familiar with the interior and operators of every train station and post office within a days flight of Canterlot... Including your mother, Dinky." I smiled to a filly seated to my left and she beamed back. Kid was sweet enough to give you cavities. 

"It's not just books, spells, and academic articles I deal with either. I've transported film reels from the movie studios of Las Pegasus, delivered recipes to Manehattan so a five star restaurant can host a royal dinner, all kinds of things. It's a lot of effort and involves a lot of paperwork but I'm happy helping along the course of knowledge and learning in Equestria. Now are there any more questions?"


.....


The finest sight of my workday is the approaching gaslights of Ponyville with the setting sun over the dark expanse of the Everfree on the horizon. That means my workday is done and I can spend a few hours with Scootaloo. I spotted orange and yellow specks in the apartment t courtyard, she and Apple Bloom were chasing the dogs in playful wide circles. I watched them with contentment as I wheeled in for a landing and soon Scootaloo came buzzing over, propelling herself into my waiting hooves. 

"Welcome home, dad!"
> Chapter 8: Everypony Has a Weird Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dirty brown rivulets of chocolate milk still stained the glass dome above me though the pink clouds had drifted away hours ago. It was when the shower of multicolor rose petals started that I finally lost patience. It was as if whatever phenomenon or entity responsible was making a victory lap across Celestia's capital. 

I pushed my way through the aisles past Catchword and Keystone who were still looking dumbly at the sky seeking the one pony who could set me loose. I caught her as she was about to exit. "Madame Scrivener!"

She turned to address me. She looked both cross and weary. "I'm afraid the princess requires an audience immediately I don't have time."

"Madam, I request an emergency leave of absence!" She wasn't my supervisor or even affiliated with the library but as Master of the Scriptorium her word was law.

"Captain Armor has called for a lockdown. I'm afraid I-"

"Quill, my daughter lives in Ponyville..." She paused and considered this for a moment before taking her ever-present writing table off her back and quill from her hair. 

"This note should get you past the guard. Good luck. Now I must go."

"I understand, bless you." I snatched the note with my mouth and flew to the nearest balcony doorway. 





I flew home as quickly as I could trying to ignore how strange and unsettling everything looked, the checkerboard lawns and floating buildings. I checked out apartment first and found the dogs shampooing the carpet. They gave me a dirty look as if admonishing me for leaving hoofprints. I found the schoolhouse abandoned but a strange noise led me to the playground. Miss Cheerilee was on one of the swings lazily making confetti. I removed a piece that blew into my muzzle and found it consisted of student's homework and term papers. "Cheerilee! Where are the children? Where's my daughter?"

She glanced placidly back at me. She didn't quite look drunk, just not herself and she had a completely blasé smile.   "Oh I don't know, Martin. They got their own little lives to lead. I think they wandered off..." She looked about. How could her student's absence just occur to her now?

I grit my teeth and took to the air. Behind me Cheerilee shouted "Whee!" And launched more paper into the air. 

Where else could she be? The clubhouse! I made haste to Sweet Apple Acres singlemindedly ignoring all else. When the treehouse came in to view I began to hear... singing? It was like some military march. I tried the door handle but it was locked or barricaded or something. 

There was a squeak from inside. "It's a paint flank spy! I'll protect you, princess Scootaloo. Get out of here, you lousy paint flank! The Crusade rules this town now!"

"Sweetie, let me in! It's Scootaloo's dad!"

I left the door and hovered outside a window. Sure enough there was Sweetie Belle wearing her crusader cape and a newspaper admiral  hat. Their map of Ponyville spread over the floor had lines of toys spread over it. Sweetie trotted happily over to a sleeping bag in the corner, it had a shivering pale orange flank and muted fuchsia tail sticking out of it.  "It's okay, princess. I scared him off."

"Scootaloo! I'm here!"

Sweetie spun, a murderous look across her face, green sparks of magic erupting from her horn. "I said! Get! Out! Paint! Flank!" And drew the drapes on me. 

I sank to the ground and was about to buck the door down when a voice went right through me like I was hearing it with my mind as well as my ears.

"And what do you think you're doing?"

I looked about me. "I'm getting my daughter out of here!"

"YOUR daughter? She is her own pony last I checked and I won't have you messing with my glorious anarchy."

And there it was. Wrapped around the tree like a serpent was some thing. It's donkey/goat head lashed towards me.

"What did you do to her?!" I couldn't help but back up a few paces. This was unlike Nightmare Moon's presence, completely disorientating. 

"Done to her? I have Liberated her! Do you know what a strain that needless bravado was causing the poor creature? Now she is free to feel as small, helpless, and flightless as she truly is." The thing snickered. "And You. You disgust me. Always helping everypony out. Stretching yourself to nearly breaking point, not letting them solve their own problems; how unspeakably selfish of you. Are you worried about being left all alone if nopony is dependent on you? Are you so scared of being forgotten?"

"I've got to get to my daughter, Scootaloo!"

"That's enough out of you, happy prince. Your reign ends now. Time for you to have some fun!" He placed a claw upon my forehead. 





Color drained out of my world. I kind of lost myself for a while. 



With a flash of color I came to and realized I was embracing somepony, our lips locked in a kiss. I opened my eyes and saw another pair, startled and light blue, looking back at me. My companion shoved me away. "I'm so sorry, miss! I don't know..."

"Whatever, I-I don't even know how to begin." She wiped her lips. "I'm gonna go find Lyra. You... You might want to clean yourself up." 

I stared dumbly for a beat then look down to find all four of my hooves covered in a different color of pastel paint. That explains all the streaks around the mares' shoulders and barrel. Wait a second... "Scootaloo!"

I flew back to the clubhouse. Somehow I had wandered across town but I didn't have time to think about what I had been up to or the fact that I might never buy candy in this town again. There she was, walking around Sweet Apple Acres with a startled looking Sweetie Belle. I swept her up in my arms. "Honey bunch, are you okay?"

"Daad, of course I... You're getting paint all over me!"

"You don't have to be brave for me, Scoots. I love you just as you are."

"What gives?" She frowned for a second and then returned my embrace, accepting the fact that love was unconditional and she was doomed to also be covered in paint. 
> Chapter 9: Confrontation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is it time? Is it ready? Can I put it on?"

"It's still a bit early, Scootaloo but its ready."

"Help me put it on, this is going to be awesome!"

"Alright, hold still... Get your legs through. Ok now the headpiece."

"How do I look, dad? Terrifying? Grrrr!"

"Scariest little wolf I've ever seen."

"Don't call me little. I'll Eat. You. Up!"

"Nightmare Moon will never recognize you when she flies over tonight."

"Daad, Nightmare Moon is gone forever, remember?"

"Yeah, it's funny. You used to tell me I was being silly and that she didn't exist when I would tell you that, then we found out she was in fact real. Now we know such old foal's tales walk Equesria but this particular one no more."

"Don't get all professor on me, dad."

"What are you going to do tonight?"

"Daad."

"Scootaloo..."

"Stick with my group and the parents."

"No wandering off and going crusading."

"Yes, dad."

"Are you going to give a bit of your candy as an offering to Nightmare Moon?"

"If I Must."

"I hope you have fun. Be safe on the carnival rides and games."

"Okay."

"And no mean pranks."

"Yes, dad..."

"Even if Rainbow Dash is out there pulling mean pranks."

"Okay, okay."

"Now get your bag. I don't care how much candy you eat just this one night a year but if you eat it all you won't have any tomorrow and you'll regret it."

"Alright!"

"And Scootaloo, I want you to know you'll always have a family and that we'll always love you."

"Uh, okay. See you later, dad!"

"I'd ask for a kiss but you have ferocious fangs."

"Bye dad, Happy Nightmare Night!"

I watched her hurry into town, her candy bag held in her muzzle. Looked like a wolf was eating her almost. So much youthful energy in that one. I mulled over what Discord had told me about her, and then what he told me about myself. Okay I'll take a shot of apple brandy and then do what needs to be done. 

I made my way into Vervain's bedroom with my stomach a hard knot. Everything told me to avoid this talk once more but I shut the worries down. She was putting on makeup. 

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ready to go out. Did Scootaloo's costume fit okay?"

"Vervain, months ago we talked about how long you and Needles were going to stay here. We agreed until the end of this month was appropriate. It's the end of this month."

She shot an angry look, advancing the emotional ante, a familiar tactic. "You really want to get into this now?"

"I want to talk and I want you to listen. This is not an arguement." I paused to catch my breath. "I can't keep supporting you two. It's not even a question of not wanting to, I can't. I cant keep paying bills at this rate. I can't live my life like this always stretched too thin. Too often I have to make the choice between spending what little bits I have left on groceries for all of us or dog food. And I always choose dog food."

"Martin, you know I'm trying my hardest to get out of here!"

"I know, but I need results. I need you to make plans, and act on them. Soon. I can't live on the edge anymore. If our landlord finds out Needles is here, or that we have the number of pets we have our daughter will be homeless. We'll all be kicked out. I can't keep paying rent for all three adults here, doing all the chores, caring for the pets. It's too much for me. I've got no time for my life. No room for intimacy much less romance. I will still pay off out shared debt, your healthcare, and give you our agreed upon money each month but you can't live here. What you've asked me to do is not fair. It's not right. You don't have to be gone tomorrow but make plans. Soon, Vervain."

"Thank you, Martin. Thank you for ruining my bucking night."

Calmly closing the door and moving to my own bedroom was my best option. There was a loud thud as she began throwing things and shouting. Predictable. I let the guilt wash off of me. I have my limits and I've been living beyond them for too long. 

There would likely be more arguments but I had steeled myself. Hopefully she would go out and blow off some steam with Needles instead and I can look forward to getting a sugared-up filly to bed later. I can't recall the last time her mother put Scootaloo to bed, brushed her teeth, got her ready for school in the morning, helped her with her homework or read her a bedtime story. I'd never keep Vervain from her daughter but I was fully expecting her to live with me most of the time.





A week or so after Nightmare Night I noticed Scootaloo was in a sour mood. Luckily Applejack had given me a heads up regarding what day it was and I had done some preparations. 

"Sweetie, are you going crusading today?"

"No." She bounced a ball against the bedroom wall. "A. B. and Sweetie are busy..."

"Why don't you go out to lunch with me and Thunderlane then? We are expecting company."

She curled up on the bed and addressed me in a forlorn voice. "Not hungry."

"Come on, honey bunch. Don't let yourself get kooked up all day." I nudged her with my muzzle. She sighed and sulked off after me. 

We waited in the living room until there was a knock on the door. Thunderlane gave me a big grin. "Afternoon, Martin. Ready?"

"Sure thing, let's go, Scootaloo."

She plodded out the door until she spotted the fourth member of our lunch date, gasped, and hid behind my legs to compose herself no doubt. Rainbow Dash was pawing at the ground impatiently and looking up at the clouds. "Afternoon, Rainbow. Worried about the weather?"

"Nah. Cirrus uncinus like these wont bother anypony but worth keeping an eye on. You guys ready? I'm hungry and lunch break ends sooner than I'd like."

"Sure, lets get going... Hey, I'm sure my daughter would love to hear if you're working on some new stunts."

The speedster seemed to brighten up with the promise of an audience. "Oh heya, squirt. Wanna hear about how I pull off a triple loop followed by a corkscrew barrel roll?"

"Yeah, sure!" She beamed. Maybe next year Sisterhooves Social day will not be an occasion to skulk. 
> Chapter 10: Heroines and Pancakes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eventually we had a bedroom free. Rather than find a roommate which was perhaps the fiscally responsible thing to do I was spending a lazy weekend afternoon helping Scootaloo decorate her reclaimed bedroom. The 'Mysterious Mare-Do-Well' posters were beginning to outnumber those of the Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash. 

"What is it you admire about these ponies, honey bunch?"

"They're brave and help people out. And they're super cool fliers!"

"Is that what you want to do with your life?"

She wrinkled her muzzle. "I don't know, dad. Did you want to work for the library when you were my age?"

"That's something I kind of fell into."

"Then why are you bugging me about my posters?"

"I'm just trying to understand your goals. Do you want to help ponies when you grow up?"

"I guess."

"Do you want to be admired and looked up to?"

"Doing awesome stunts? You bet!"

"Keep at it and I'm sure you will, kiddo." I ruffled her mane. "Maybe you can show me your new moves after we get you settled in."

"Do you think I'll ever fly as good at Rainbow Dash or save lives like Mare Do Well?"

I chose my words carefully. "Sometimes I envision you soaring through the air. Sometimes tearing across the roads in a fancy roadster scooter. Whichever ends up being closer to reality I certainly know nopony will be able to keep up with you, Scoots. You're a pony on her way to do amazing things, very fast. Just be patient awaiting that journey, okay?"

She nodded and went back to hanging posters. "Now that I've got my own room I think this calls for a sleepover."

"Maybe you should ask your dad for permission."

"Daad, can I have my friends over soon?"

"And how do you ask?"

"Please?"

"How about having them over for dinner? I know how Cutie Mark Crusader sleepovers go down. We just got the place cleaned up."

"Sure thing, dad. Lets spread the word!"





Permissions were granted and I went to the market for supplies. I was putting groceries away when I heard the door bang open and three giggling fillies hurry through the house. The door had just closed when booming young voices caused every mantelpiece to rattle. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS DINNER PARTY AT SCOOTALOOS' HOUSE YAY!"

I chuckled and made sure none of the eggs had broken. The pancakes made with some old almond flour I found in the freezer were such a big hit when Scootaloo had requested 'breakfast for dinner' the other night she had asked for it to be tonight's fare. 

After a few minutes and some concerning loud noises from the bedroom I chanced a glance at their play. Apple Bloom was laughing like a film serial villain whilst wearing a false mustache she likely liberated from Spike, backing Sweetie off the edge of My daughters' low twin bed. She fell with a dramatic cry but Scoots came rocketing out, wings buzzing, wearing her crusader cape and my fedora (a remnant from my ill-spent youth). She didn't catch her fair maiden as much as cushion her fall with a loud 'umph'. 

"Oh thank you, Mare Do Well!"

"Whilst the heroine is distracted I'm gonna rob this here bank!" Schemed Apple Bloom, accosting a nearby teddy bear. "No alarms, no dye packs. Put the money in the bag!"

Her act seemed amazingly true to life, maybe she picked it up through stories from her sheriff cousin. 

"Hold it right there, thief! I'm gonna make you answer for your crimes."

"Can I be the Mare next? You always make me be the lady in this dress."

"That's distress, Sweetie Belle."

"I thought I was the dictionary. And I am in the dress..."

I let them sort the roles out while I prepped some sliced berries. for dinner. 

A few minutes later three zipping sounds preceded the arrival of the girls. 

Zip. "Hey, dad. Is dinner ready?"

Zip. "Ooh! Can I help out!"

Zip. "Don let her help less you wanna test your smoke detector."

"Hey, I've gotten a lot better with practice, loopdy hoop head!"

I interrupted before a brawl began. "You all can help if you want. Can somepony get me the big glass bowl from under the counter, carefully?"

I showed them the proper way to use a whisk and even let each of them spoon their pancake batter onto the frying pan. We didn't have a griddle, regrettably. There was some competition and subsequent good natured teasing along with a food fight that I stopped before it got out of hand. It was decided I was to have the first few which had turned out a tad brown. Once we were cleaned up we all four sat down to our meal. 

"How's are your families doing Sweetie, Apple Bloom?"

"My mom and dad are still pretty wrapped up in the hoofball season and Rarity is preparing for her "Canterlot debut'." The little unicorn made added a bit of dramatic flourish. Must remember to count all three out of the CMC cleanup team meetings for the next three weeks. 

"All us Apples are grearing up for cider season. Oh!" She jabbed Scootaloo in the ribs. "I found Smarty Pants in Mac's room again. This time it'll take him weeks to find it I bet."

Sweetie stuck her muzzle in the air. "I think it's ghastly how you tease your brother." Her sister was rubbing off on her the more time they spent together. 

"Aw, c'mon. I don't care if Mac has dolls! It's just That doll. Creeps me out! I keep worrying it'll try to take over everypony's mind again."

"That was Twilight's want-it-need-it spell that did that not the doll." 

My daughter piped in. "You're just sore cause you really liked its mane. Creepy old thing."

Apple Bloom wrinkled her nose, perhaps not willing to continue another meandering Sweetie Belle semantics argument. "How bout you, Scoots? How's yer mom?"

I tensed automatically but Scootaloo brushed it off. "She's fine. She's just across town so I still see her everyday, nearly. Likely wont be telling her she missed out on pancakes again, though!" They giggled. 

She was taking this all remarkably well. I had to wonder if it was because her mother had distanced herself one way or another from her daughter ever since she weaned or if this was just the brave facade Discord hinted at. Either way it'll probably emotionally rebound on her when she's a few years older, on the cusp if becoming a mare. 

If her mother's behavior and now absence never affected her that would actually be kind of sad. 




The Mare Do Well craze was fated to fade quickly. A few days after Rainbow crashed her ceremony posters, costumes, and other merchandise vanished from the marketplace. Details were hard to confirm. Most ponies agreed that hot headed Dash unmasked the heroine in a fit of jealousy. But it was in a dark alley with few witnesses. Most people suspected it was her fellow Elements teaching her a lesson but theories abounded as to the identity of the one or more mares involved. Some thought Celestia alone was behind it. Snips was very vocal in his theory that it was a group headed by The Great and Powerful Trixie (though Raindrops, Cheerilee, and Carrot Top vehemently denied they were involved). At least Rainbow Dash toned down her showboating somewhat since the very public embarrassment. 

One afternoon I noticed Scootaloo had not taken the Mare posters down as so many others had. "Why the Mysterious Mare posters, honey bunch? Are you hoping she'll return one day?"

She turned to me, her eyes glinting. "That's the best thing about the Mare Do Well, dad. She could be anypony, even me."
> Chapter 11: Lonely Hearts, Weary Hooves
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hurried over to my daughter, checking her over for cuts or bruises. "Are you alright? It's after dark, I was about to alert the city guard."

"I'm fine, dad." She brushed some dirt off her coat. It looked like she had been digging ditches. "Just had a bad day."

"What happened, darling?"

She looked away. "We tried to play Cute Mark Crusaders matchmakers..."

"Oh... Did your special somepony reject you? Was it that Rumble kid? I'll have a word with Thunderlane."

"Daad, no! Yuck." But she was blushing. "Not for me. We. We thought Miss Cheerilee deserved a very special somepony. So we tried to get her together with Big Mackintosh."

"You tried to set your teacher up, on a date with your best friends' older brother?"

She rolled her eyes. "It seems so silly looking back on it, yeah."

"I'll warm up some dinner for you."

She must have been famished since she ate up her broccoli cheddar casserole without complaint and didn't get conversational until having some ice cream. "So some ponies just prefer to not have a special pony in their lives?"

"Yeah. Some don't feel the need or don't have the time. Or maybe they just want to find love themselves on their own terms."

She looked around. "I figured you'd have Stage Light over tonight..."

"Oh. I haven't heard from her in a very long time, Scootaloo."

"You don't love her anymore?"

"I still have feelings for her but it didn't work out."

"Why not?"

"She. She didn't like how your mother was taking up my time. I was already so busy flying everywhere for work and taking care of you. That I let your mother insist I take care of all of your needs even though she has a special somepony of her own was hard on her."

"But now mom has her own place, and she's in love and happy. You can't be with her now?"

"Too much time has passed. Maybe she's worried I won't forgive her for leaving me again. Maybe she found somepony else."

"Would you be with her?"

I closed my eyes and sighed. "I'm hesitant to take her back and risk having it happen a third time. Once is forgiveness. Twice is recklessness and self-destructive."

"Then do you like being single like Big Mac and Cheerilee?"

I hoped I gave a convincing smile. "My life is pretty full right now, enough that I don't need to worry about love. You make me so happy, I've got more time with my friends now. If I do meet a special mare I will give it a shot but I'll be more cautious now."

Truth is there were maybe a half dozen mares in the fantasy file. I had so much rebuilding in my life that love and carnal pleasures were on the back burner. No telling if anypony was even interested. Maybe once Scootaloo was out of school. 

Our conversation continued as she had her bath. "I don't want a special somepony. Seems like a lot of trouble."

"Might not be something you have any control over. Be sure to get behind your ears."

"Now that makes me more sure! I don't want to loose control and get all mushy and sappy. Totally uncool." I just gave her a knowing smile. 

She must have been tired because she put up none of her usual bedtime resistance. She didn't make it through chapter seven of our Daring Do book. I set the bookmark in place, gave her a peck on the forehead, and tucked her in. 

For a while I wandered the peaceful, quiet, but now empty apartment wondering if it indeed had the correct number of ponies living in it. 
> Chapter 12: The Crusader at Rest and The Great and Powerful Separation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I made an effort to spend as much time with my daughter as I could, even if it just was supervising Crusader activities. Sometimes I would wait at the entrance to a cave in case the Cutie Mark Crusader spelunkers needed assistance out of a crevasse. Sometimes I would help make papier-mâché for the CMC sculptors mission. But too often I was kept busy with work. I hated having to leave her alone weekday afternoons. At least she had her friends to keep her occupied if not always out of trouble. All too often this would require me to convince a grouchy Scootaloo to complete her homework assignments right before bedtime as adventuring had put completion on hold until I got home and dinner was finished. 





Just as Miss Rarity predicted she did come around eventually. The Gabby Gums scandal certainly helped. The Crusaders decided to put a hold on official activities for a few days and both Scootaloo and I decided it would be best to lie low for a while until everypony had forgiven her actions (and my lack of parental supervision). We quickly developed cabin fever. All the good books and games exhausted we developed our own, like couch hoof wrestling. We put our back hooves together and whoever pushed their opponent to the armrest wins. She was surprisingly good at this game. I wasn’t sure if it was better leverage or all the exercise. We took turns playing storyteller with “The Adventure of the Crystalline Gryphon”, an extremely improbable crossover featuring Daring Do and Fetlock Holms. Part of me wished I had the foresight to write our tales down but that might have made them less spontaneous and fun.

When the confines of the apartment became too much we would take long summer night walks, talking over this and that. She remained canny on certain topics. In fact after the Summer Harvest Parade I discovered I had made a serious misstep in my advice on bullying.

“Sweetheart, when I said that just telling a teacher was not always the best solution I didn’t mean you shouldn’t ever tell an adult. Much less me, you can tell me anything! I’ll always be here to listen. I’m sorry this got so out of hoof.”

She shrugged. “Who knew Sweetie Belle had the right answer the whole time. At least I know how some bullies get started in the first place. For Babs and for myself, I almost became the club rather than the shield.”

“Do you want me to have a word with Mr. and Mrs. Rich or Spoon?”

“Oh no dad only as a last resort. Please, this is my thing.”

I began to fret a bit as summer came to a close. This would be her last year of compulsory education. At the end of the year graduates are expected to have chosen their special talents and then to move on to either higher education or formal training with a specialist. Scootaloo was still without her cutie mark and she still could not truly fly. I often worried how she would take it if she remained so at her graduation.




Then one fine afternoon I hurried home to be with my daughter only to find a gargantuan glass barrier covering the entire town. At first I was curious and tried to find my way around it. Then I assumed Discord or some such miscreant was involved and began bucking and slamming my shoulder into the barrier. I was sweating and starting to get desperate when the black caped unicorn floated up.

I had never seen a telekinesis spell so powerful as to lift the caster. She looked familiar but in my growing panic I didn’t recall her face. The silvery hair seemed distinctive though. “Why are you making that racket?” She gave me a haughty look.

“I’m trying to get to my daughter, can you let me through?” I tapped on the glass.

“No.”

“No you can’t or no you won’t?”

“Trixie will not let you through. You did not say the magic word.”

“The magic… Please! Would you please let me see my daughter? Wait a second… Where’s your star-spangled cape and hat?”

“Oh, you remember Trixie?” She vainly primped her mane.

“Yeah, you’re the one who brought that Ursa Min-“

Red light seemed to flare out of her eyes. “I did no such thing! Twilight Sparkle tricked me, humiliated me!” She took a few beats to regain composure. “But now TRIXIE holds her precious Ponyville in her hooves and Twilight Sparkle is the one in exile! So no, you cannot enter nor your spawn leave.”

“Hey, you listen up. I have connections in the Canterlot government. I’ll get the guard here to smash your silly fishbowl.”

There is a facial expression that is partially mocking and an equal part outhouse rat crazy. Trixie demonstrated it for me that afternoon. “Oh, you’ll go and get the guard? You’ll tell your precious sky queen that the mean showmare stole your filly? Go ahead. Send them to me and see what happens. You know what? I’ll save you the trip! Bye-bye.”

Her pulsing red magic aura flared bright, reached right through the barrier and enveloped me. It felt like tingling, tickling, hot, chilled, and shocking at the same time. With a final zap I thudded to the floor. This meant I was no longer twenty feet in the air above the outskirts of Ponyville. I was, in fact, on the carpeted floor of the royal throne room and a dozen guards were advancing on me with spears drawn. 

“Guard, hold… Would you mind explaining yourself?”

I looked up expecting to see the shining white coat of my princess but instead finding the midnight indigo of her sister, her shimmering night sky mane billowing slowly about her head, the height of the throne adding to her already imposing stature.

“P-princess Luna?”

“Our sister is engaged in a diplomatic tour of Saddle Arabia, we oversee Canterlot in her stead. Now for you; why are you in the habit of appearing unexpected in our throne room?”

I heard a gasp from a pony I had yet to notice at Luna’s side. “Martin Swallowtail?”

“You know this pegasus, Scrivener?”

“He works in the scriptorium for your majesty’s library.”

She settled back in her throne. “Speak, please.”

I gave account of what had happened and a foreshortened version of Trixie’s first visit to Ponyville.

“I see… I believe I know what Celestia would advise in this situation.” She glanced over at Quill who nodded back. “This Trixie wants Twilight Sparkle, and it is Twilight Sparkle who shall solve this impasse.”

I balked. “Your majesty will not send the guard and shatter the barrier with your magic?”

“All of Ponyville are her prisoners at the moment. Confronting her with overwhelming force would turn them into her hostages and then her victims. I shall not have that.” She turned again to Quill. “Have you heard from the dragon?”

“No, my princess.”

“Very well. Scrivener, you are to find Mister Swallowtail accommodations. I release you from duty for the night. Mister Swallowtail, I have certain subtle ways of checking on your daughter. I shall make sure your Scootaloo is safe.”

I bowed. “Thank you, your majesty.” I knew enough not to talk back but inwardly I was confused. Why wasn’t she doing more or anything at all? I brought this up to Quill in a conspiratorial whisper as we left the castle.

“I’ve learned not to second guess alicorns, Swallowtail. They are masters of subtlety. Luna may not be as maternal as Celestia but believe me she has your daughters’ best interests at heart even if her decisions may infuriate you at the time.” We made our way through the streets of Canterlot as just as the gas lamps were lit and hoof traffic was winding down. “I can put you up in my guest bedroom. My daughter is staying with us now but I’m sure she will make room. It’s my husbands’ night to make dinner. I’m sure you’ll be pleased.”

She lead me to a three-story cottage, rather modest for a mare of her position but cozy. The interior was liberally equipped with bookshelves and potted plants. She led me to the kitchen where doubtlessly her husband and to my surprise both her daughters stopped their conversation to look at me, all of them unicorns. “Everypony, this is Martin. He shall be joining us this evening. Martin, this is my husband Palatino and my daughters Helvetica and Serif.”

“Ah, welcome to our home.” The grey-coated stallion smiled broadly and brushed his hoof across his apron before offering it to shake. Their youngest daughter gave me a coy smile. She had a curly sandy blond mane like her mother. 

“What brings you to our home, Martin?” Helvetica’s dusky voice and the shape of her violet eyes haunts many private idle moments and here I was about to spend the whole evening not just with her but her whole immediate family. If I wasn’t numb with worry I could actually enjoy this.

“Ponyville is once more under threat and I can’t get home to my daughter.” Martin, try not to sound so weary.

“Your little orange filly? I hope she’s okay!” Helvetica blinked when she realized her family was staring at her incredulously. “What? I worked at the scriptorium when I was working on my doctorate… Her drawings are all over his desk… Investigative journalist, remember? Picking up on details is my special talent.” She indicated her typewriter cutie mark but I was much too embarrassed to look anywhere near her flank at the moment.

Her father cleared his throat, probably to stave off Serif’s imminent snickering. “I hope you like caprese salad, Martin. First course shall be ready shortly, why don’t you make yourself comfortable in the dining room.”

“Thank you. I’m very grateful for the hospitality, Mr. Scrivener.”

Quill chimed in. “First names only, Martin. Formality is for the workplace but I’ve learned it’s best to be off the clock when one is at home.” Quill accompanied me while the other two peppered Helvetica with hushed questions in the kitchen. “You must be very worried.”

“What kind of father would I be if I wasn’t? Do you really think Miss Sparkle will come through?”

“Well, she did liberate a lost empire a few days ago by defeating an evil king powerful beyond our wild imaginings. Fancy a showmare will stump her?”

I looked down at the water glass she poured me. “I suppose. It’s just that with Nighmare Moon, Discord, the Ursa Minor, even Cerberus I was able to go and see to her protection. I’m not used to being shut out like this.”

She placed a hoof on my shoulder. “It must be very hard for you. I won’t tell you to forget her but I can say I have learned to trust the princesses. Does your daughter have friends to stay with?”

“If she is not at her mother’s place she is with friends, relatives of two Elements of Harmony in fact.” 

“There you are, she’s in good hooves.”

The two daughters took seats across from me and Palatino set out plates full of food. “Here you are,” he said. “a nice creamy stout to calm your nerves.” I longed for a cigarette to accompany it but I promised Scootaloo I would quit several weeks ago. The beer was quite nice though, much finer that I was used to.

As I enjoyed my meal the Scriveners gave me more extended introductions. Serif has a calligraphy business and had negotiated a big wedding invitation order that afternoon but she still needs to work retail to make ends meet. She made sure to mention she has her own little apartment thank you very much. Conversation came easily for this bubbly youngster. 

Palatino was a printmaker book binder. I didn't know any still existed. Apparently enough nobles will play for high end hoof-stitched books for a few specialists to make a living and apprentice the next generation of eccentrics. He put on some ragtime music for me. Not jazz, no no. Ragtime. I found myself enamored by his quirks. 

Helvetica had indeed been hired by the Daily as a stringer reporter though she had to scramble to find the good stories in a competitive newsroom. She was planning a long excursion to the Crystal Empire. King Sombra's defeat was slightly old news but she thought readers across Equestria would enjoy lifestyle and cultural stories about these antiquated ponies. She was hoping some well received headlines would ingratiate her with the editors so she could pitch other weightier ideas. I tried not to give her long yearning gazes as she spoke and provided some tips on cold weather travel. 

Quill much to my surprise was a war veteran despite her slight stature. I always saw her as an efficient manager and ever-present personal secretary to the princess, it figures all that discipline originated in the armed services. She talked of her and her husbands' vacation to Trottingham this summer, the sites they visited and foods they sampled. 

Helvetica brushed her long inky black bangs from her eyes. "Martin, if it wouldn't be too emotional for you could you tell us about your daughter?"

"Spirited. Stubborn and determined. Preeminent tomboy. Always trying out new stunts on her scooter and coming home with skinned elbows and knees. She's sensitive but won't admit it to herself. Her hero is gunning for a spot on the Wonderbolts but I visualize her taking the racing scene by storm in a few years. I don't think she knows where she's heading but she's in a hurry to get there. Great little companion that one. Don't know what I'd do with myself without her."

We all contemplated this for a bit until the silence was ended by the family patriarch. "Serif, would you clear the table please. Helvetica darling, would you mind collecting your things from the guest bedroom?"

"Oh, please the couch would be fine."

"Nonsense, Martin." Quill adjusted her glasses with her magic. "No sense in you not being comfortable."

Helvetica gave me a covert wink and went upstairs. Ok perhaps this really wasn't wishful thinking on my part. 

"I can't thank you enough. I haven't had a meal this fine with accompanying adult conversation in a long time." The elder couple seemed quizzical so I elaborated. "When you live with a filly you eat what she will tolerate so its mostly fried corn nuggets, hay fries, and steamed peas most nights."

"Along with the written word fine food and dink are our few indulgences." Quill was interrupted by a flash of cold blue fire appearing above the table. A parchment scroll materialized out of it which plopped down in front of her. She floated it over to me. "I imagine this is for you."

I opened it expectantly.

Mister Swallowtail,

Thine daughters' slumber is peaceful. As yet no word from sisters' faithful student but shall update come sunrise.

Respectfully,

Princess Luna

"Best I can expect I suppose."

Palatino's baritone voice cut through my worry. "Why don't you get some rest. I expect you'll want to be off early tomorrow."

"Thanks again."

"Nice meeting you, Martin!" I could hear the smile in Serif's voice. I hope she won't tease her sister too harshly.  

I wished everypony goodnight and trudged upstairs. I found the guest room nestled amongst the eves easily enough. The eldest daughter was latching up her suitcase so I busied myself looking over family portraits. 

"I hope you get good news come morning, Martin. Don't worry about waking me if you come down for coffee."

"Thank you. I must admit I'm rather shaken." 

"Understandable... The bathroom is down the hall." She turned to leave, then leaned close to whisper in my ear. "Let's have our next meeting under less stressful circumstances. Sweet dreams." And with that sauntered out the door. Sometime later I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and plopped my rump on the floor, my head too dizzy for coherent thought. Sweet Celestia it had been a long time since I entertained romantic feelings. I shook the singing canaries out of my head and soon was sliding into bed which lead to the most aggravating thing. The pillows smelled of her shampoo, lavender and maybe a little chrysanthemum. I tried not to imagine her close company as I drifted off. 

> Chapter 13: An Unforeseen Adoption
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scootaloo was perfectly safe during Trixie's brief reign. She fled to her mother and spent the majority of the time trying to design tattoos which turns out is harder than a filly first expects. As far as tattoos go Needles explained a dozen times that she was too young for one and it wouldn't really count as a cutie mark in any case, for which I was grateful. She was rather perplexed that I was so concerned for her safety and deflected by asking permission to go camping the following weekend with her fellow Crusaders, their sisters and a friend. 

"Want me to go along too?"

She looked terrified. "No!"

"Oh. I didn't know I embarrassed you so."

"Uh it's not that dad. It's just that it'd be a bunch of mares and one old guy and that'd be weird." She gave me a grimace that just made me more suspicious. What was her gambit?

"Alright, you can go."

"YES!"

"Just be safe. Let me find my old Colt Scouts manual."

"Daad."


A weekend to myself with no ex-spouse or child? The mind reels. The worm has turned. I couldn't let this pass. My apartment spit me out and I found myself floating over to the Spider. 

Thunderlane clapped me on the shoulder when I explained the situation to him. "Nice! So what we gonna do? I'll get Cloudchaser, we can go up to Canterlot and catch a Vinyl Scratch show?"

"Maybe. I'm out of practice and don't know what to do with myself." As I sipped my mug I glanced over at the stage where Lyra was strumming and for the fourth time nervously scanned the audience for her companion. 

"I'll see if her sister is free."

"I'd love the extra company my friend but Flitter's not my type."

"Blossomforth."

"No, thank you." 

"Dizzy Twister."

"No."

"Raindrops?"

"No."

"Wind Whistler?"

"No."

"Medley?"

"No!"

"You've already got your eye on somepony haven't you?"

"Yes. But I don't want to wander around the Crystal Empire like a little lost lamb this weekend."

"Horn chaser."

"Feather brain."

We laughed and clapped each other on the back for a while.

He gave me that bright grin of his. "Let's drink lots of cheap cider and sing weather team work songs until they throw us out or we close this place down."

"You're on."




Scootaloo behaved strangely after her return from the camping trip. Which is to say she behaved. She did her chores without complaint, cleaned her dinner plate like it was her job, and spent a lot of time looking out her bedroom window. I suspected something was up but she would only tell me it was "really cool" and "super awesome" and went into great detail describing rainbow waterfalls and ghost stories. Something was going on without my knowledge. 

Then one night I fell asleep after story time. This happened every now and then. After so many months sharing a room she got used to the comfort of company and ask me to just wait until she fell asleep. I was so tired after work and chores I drifted off, awakened due the cold with lack of covers. I slid off the bed, careful not to wake her and was tip-hoofing to the door when she sighed, smacked her lips, and spoke.

"Hmm. Yes, faced my frearr. I asked her... Gonna be my... big sister..."

I stopped in my tracks. She could only be talking about one particular pony. I thought this over. I looked at my sleeping daughter. Couldn't sleep now with this jumble of emotions to sort out. So I did the dishes. I paced from room to room. Finally I retired to my bedroom to listen to records and await Celestia's sun. Very soon I would have to have a talk with this trash talking showboating egotistic boastful spectrum-hued maned amazing mare. 

My chance came a few days later in the weekduring a regular delivery to Golden Oaks. A sleepy-eyed Spike answered the door. He scratched his chin and called out behind him. "Twilight, book order's here... Come on in, Martin." 

She was bent over a desk full of open books as usual. "Good morning."

"Here you are, 'The Chemical Reactions of Bismuth' and 'Lifecycle of the Appaloosan Groundhog'." I tried not to speculate if she was planning on using them in tandem.

"Thank you, Martin." She signed my clipboard receipt. "I'll have Spike get you the outgoing books."

I heard... the sound of snoring? "Is that our weather captain asleep on your couch?"

She gave me a knowing smile. "Yes. She's been practicing pretty hard in case she's accepted at Wonderbolts Academy. She was up all night trying out something called a sonic moonbow."

"Isn't she supposed to be on duty?"

"She wasn't in any condition to be when I found her in the branches outside so I had Spike let them know she was taking a sick day."

"Would you mind if I spoke with her briefly?" The librarian gave me a shrug and got down to researching rodents or something. 

Once by the couch I tapped on the floor and sure enough she stirred in her sleep. "Rainbow Dash. I need to talk with you."

"Hungh, what?" She looked blearily up at me.

"Do you remember who I am?" She blinked. "Martin... I'm Scootaloo's father."

"Oh, uh yeah. Hey."

"I hear you are her unofficial big sister now."

"Yeah, something like that." She seemed confused and flat-hoofed. 

"You and Scootaloo didn't feel like informing me to see how I felt about this?"

Her magenta eyes were wide now. "Oh, heh. I guess not."

"I don't really know you."

"Guess not."

I let that hang for a few beats before continuing. "She's been looking up at you from in your shadow for three years, Rainbow Dash. Do you know what's happening in a few months?"

"Whaat?" She shifted on the couch. 

"She'll be graduating. The elder students are expected to demonstrate their special talents at the ceremony. If she can't fly or doesn't have her cutie mark by then it will be crushing. She's got a big, sensitive heart."

"I guess."

"I don't know if you've ever had siblings before but Scootaloo has never had a positive stable female role model present in her life. She's had the just idea of you."

Her left ear fell back and she stared at me.

I put a bit of pleading in my tone. "I need your help. She needs your help. I've been afraid to teach Scootaloo to fly, afraid she wouldn't listen to anypony but you. I've been afraid that I would fail. She can't have you moving off to Cloudsdale to become a Wonderbolt, a place she cannot presently safely visit, and not keep in touch."

"Now I wouldn't-"

"I'm so worried that she'll start galloping downhill, throwing herself down hills, and then bluffs, then jumping off a cliff and if I or you are not there to catch her, Element of Loyalty..."

She nodded and thought about this. "I'll be there for her."

I smiled. "Good. I hope we understand each other. You're welcome in my home anytime. You might want to get your friend Twilight to help you research training regimens," There was an excited squeal from across the room and the sound of clopping hooves as the librarian hurried to the stacks, "because Scootaloo is no doubt expecting some flying lessons from the two of us. We need to be on the same page." Dash looked over at Twilight, rolled her eyes, and facehoofed. "Now I've got to get back to work..." I turned to the door but gave her a savage smile. "Welcome to the family. See you soon!"

Rainbow groaned and laid back down on the couch. 

Mission accomplished. 
> Chapter 14: Sunset from a Ponyville Rooftop
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey dad! Daad!"

My daughter, three stories above me.

"Scootaloo, get down from there! It's nearly dinner time!"

"Dad! Come up here. I want to show you something cool." She disappears above the eaves, I sigh and go flying after her. She is sitting on the roof on her haunches with a 'cat that jimmied the canary factory freight door' grin. 

"Honey bunch, you know what the landlord said. If you knock any more roof tiles off we'll be charged for repairs."

"Hehe, the place with the missing tiles kind if looks like a duck!"

"It's the duck that's going to cost me my damage deposit. Now what is it?"

She scrambles to the west side of the building. "Take a look!" I follow behind slowly as she is far more nimble. "See, they moved Cloudsdale further south and you can see it from here."

It is an impressive sight, the city of clouds bathed in an orange and pink sunset with the usual rainbow cascades trailing down. It was far away but the larger columns and buttresses were visible. 

"Look, dad. The street lights are coming on... Think Rainbow will take me there to see a Wonderbolts show someday?"

"I'm sure she will, darling. You haven't been since you were a little foal. It'd be good for you." I watched my daughter as she took in sights from this still relatively new vantage point and dreamed big. I am not certain if she was destined for a growth spurt anyway or if Dash's regimented nutrition and exercise plan spurned it on (or maybe it came form that elusive magic that comes from finally living out your dreams) but she had grown considerably in the last few weeks. Even he wings had filled out even if they were still a bit stubby. She was close to being a true adolescent. 

"We can stay up here a while more if you'd like. As long and we stay out of sight to the ground-dwellers." She beamed at me, perhaps glad not to be lumped in with that group anymore. 

"I'd love to see the ruins Twilight found out in the Everfree! Think there are giant pony statues and stuff? I think I spotted some in the distance when we were sleeping over at Fluttershys' cottage!"

"Sounds majestic but under supervision. I'm not sure what kind of flying beasties live out there. Plus you wouldn't want Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to get jealous if you went off crusading without them."

"I bet Cherry Berry would take us out in her balloon if we got the bits together!"

"Start saving your allowance now, dear." 

"That's not a problem. We brainstormed up some odd jobs we can do last meeting. Got to do something with the industrial sized pet blow dryer."

"The wha?" I massaged my temples. "Maybe I don't want to know."


A bit later I was putting dinner together when there was a knock on the door. 

"I'll get it!" Scootaloo rocketed toward the living room. I heard a muffled conversation. "Daad! Some mare is here for you."

I wiped off my hooves and made my way over. If I had known who was coming to visit I would have checked my mane or something for a familiar milk chocolate-colored unicorn was paying me an unexpected visit. 

"Good evening, Martin."

"... Helvetica! Please, come in. I see you've met my daughter, Scootaloo."

"Yes, nice to finally meet you."

My darling daughter looked at her quizzically. 

"What brings you to Ponyville?"

"I'm on assignment, actually. The Daily send me to get some pony-on-the-street opinions on our future princess before the coronation and what better place than those ponies who know her best in her home town. You're the only pony I know here so I thought this would be a fine start. Sorry to arrive so late, I came on the afternoon train."

"Scootaloo, Helvetica is a journalist. Pretty neat, eh?"

She grew suspicious. "You don't write a gossip column do you?"

"Celestia help me if I ever do. No, I try for more informative stories."

"Well good."

"Um, would you like to join us for dinner? We're taking a break from Scoots' training diet but I'm afraid it's just odds and ends."

"I would love to; I was able to stop by your marketplace on the way here for some wine, olives, and cheese."

Scootaloo made a face which I hoped the charming unicorn would be polite enough to ignore. "Great! It will be just a moment. Honey bunch, could you find our guest a seat and keep her entertained?"

"Yeah, dad." She made sure to sound fatigued like this was a huge chore. I let it pass and returned to the kitchen to quickly wrap up our meal, now for three ponies. 

She was telling a story when I came our with the food. "...so that was when I hit the ramp, right? At that speed I must have cleared at least half a pony length of air! Then I spread my wings to bank to the right, bright my scooter skidding to a stop just in front of Quills and Sofas' showroom window." 

"Impressive!" I wondered if she was referring to her tale itself or my daughters' enthusiasm. She must hear all kinds of stories and talk to ponies of all walks of life on the job. 

"Dinner is served. Miss Quill as a Canterlot resident and society mare I am sure you have indulged in the delicacy of ants on a log before? We will be following that with lentil soup if it pleases you." I put on a false stuffiness that seemed to amuse my guest. Scootaloo just rolled her eyes. 

"It would indeed. And I brought some candied cherries for Scootaloo if that is alright. My mother thought you might enjoy them."

"Mmm!"

"Bon appetite, then." Pretty much the only phrase I recalled from my Prench classes years ago. 

Helvetica floated a celery stalk up and took an bite, taking her time with chewing and swallowing. "Hmm. The crispness of the celery matched with the smoothness of the cashew butter provides a most pleasant mouth feel. Sweet raisins, savory nuts, and the sharp tang of celery are quite nicely matched as well." She gave me one of those enigmatic smiles of hers and much to my delight a wink!

"What in Equestria are you talking about." Scootaloo had trouble enunciating with a mouth half full of cashew butter. 

"I'm just being silly, dear. Criticizing the food as if it were a fancy meal."

"Criticizing? You don't like it?"

"Actually I am enjoying it. Reminds me of summer camp when I was a Filly Scout. I thought your father would think if it was silly if I analyzed it like fancy cooking since he knows my family likes fancy food."

"Why not say 'appreciate' then?"

"Criticism isn't always a bad word, it just means I'm using my judgement to evaluate something. It's just that negative critiques are often more popular amongst readers. It's a shame really. Propaganda didn't used to be a bad word either."

"Prop-a-what? And I thought Sweetie was a dictionary." 

I laughed. "I hope you like the soup as well."

She raised an eyebrow. "As do I Martin."

"How's the family?"

"Mom has started training. She wants to participate in the Running of the Leaves next year and wanted to be in top shape." She turned to Scootaloo. "My mother used to be quite the athlete, like you."

"What did she do?"

"She was a courier. She'd take down important messages and then run them to where they were needed, sometimes over a lot of obstacles."

"Huh, sounds cool."

"Dad was made adjunct professor over at the college and is boring second year students who thought printmaking would be an easy A. Serif is at her wits end trying to stock enough Princess Twilight memorabilia. Coronation fever has gripped the capital."

"Why?" Scootaloo was contemplating a spoonful of soup but seemingly still tracking the conversation. 

"A new alicorn princess is big deal it seems, dear."

"It's just Twilight. She's still the same Twilight just with big purple wings for some reason. Rainbow Dash says she can hardly even glide on those things!"

Helvetica balked. "You know Princess Twilight and Rainbow Dash?"

My daughter flashed a smug grin. "Dash is like my big sister. And my two best friends' sisters are Applejack and Rarity. And I slept over at Fluttershy's cottage and she saved us from a cockatrice with her freaky stare and Everypony knows Pinkie Pie."

"It's a small town." I added.

"Twilight's just our librarian though. She'll always be our librarian."

"Tell me a bit about her. What's she like?" She retrieved a small notepad and pencil. 

"She's just Twilight." Scootaloo answered. "Like this one time mom sent me to the library to get a book on multiplying and dividing fractions and she found out what I wanted and for the next two hours had me in front of her chalkboard until I got it. She made me show me work an everything. It didn't even count towards homework!"

"Shocking."

"But other times she can be cool. She helped Rainbow get my flight training together and sometimes comes to the park to cheer me on. Almost makes up for he Miss Smartypants thing."

"Excuse me, the what?"

"The time she made the whole town riot over her rag doll."

"Which we try not to talk about." I butted in.

"Yeah everypony tries to forget about it except my friends and Big Mackintosh."

"I really think Big Mac's personal life wouldn't interest Miss Scrievener, honey bunch."

She just shrugged. "Can I have desert now?"

After our soup was consumed, Scootaloo snacking on cherries and the adults on wine and olives. "So what about you, Martin? What are your impressions of the new princess?"

"I knew of her before she moved here, that she was a dedicated scholar of eclectic interests. She arrived and banished Nightmare Moon and brought Luna back to us. There's the big things she and her friends have done of course. But personally? She has a boundless curiosity and loves to share knowledge with everyone around her whether they want to or not. That's an admirable trait for a librarian. She can be unsure of herself and obsessive but that comes from caring so much about doing the right thing. She can get carried away with herself. But it's her leadership skill and dedication to what is right that I think will make her a just ruler."

"How do you think she will do?"

I took a sip of wine. "She'll be a basket case with worry and uncertainty for maybe the first half year but her biggest successes result from help from her friends. They'll keep her hooves on the ground."

"I'd so like to meet them."

"Come to Sugar Cube Corner with me in the morning for coffee and you certainly will."

"They all gather there?"

"No, but Pinkie Pie will be there and the other four probably will at the welcome party she'll throw you tomorrow afternoon. Just make sure you approach Fluttershy gently, she's gotten much better but is still wary of the press and I can't make any promises about Rarity. I probably know her best but she's busy making coronation gowns on short notice and is likely stressed beyond imagining."

"I'll take that under consideration."

Scootaloo went into her room to draw and play for a bit while we adults chatted and exchanged shy smiles. 

"I've got to put my daughter to bed, I'm afraid. I'll see you tomorrow? Can't miss the address. Looks like a gingerbread house with a cupcake cupola."

She packed up her things. "I wouldn't miss it. Thank you so much for the lead."

I paused at the door before she could leave. "Miss Scrivener I enjoy your intelligent and lovely conversation. I would like our next dinner together to not be under the shadow of dire emergency or for business reasons."

She stepped closer. There was that slight smile of hers that enchanted me so, that cunning look in her eyes. When she spoke that slight purr in her voice. "Mister Swallowtail, that sounds like a fine suggestion. Now that I have met your daughter we can make it a bit more intimate an occasion. See you soon, sweet dreams."

I was too tongue tied for any response. 


Of course there was a party the next day at the Corner. Pinkie with her ineffable Pinkie sense made it a slightly more toned down adult affair lacking the usual party games. Lyra Heartstrings provided some string music not loud enough to drown out conversation. I spotted Bon Bon and gave her an apologetic nod from across the room which she returned with a tight lipped nod herself. The kind of look that related no hard feelings but that one doesn't wish to be too chummy. I was grateful since I had a reason to buy candy again besides Nightmare Night. The confectioner's temper was legendary so if there was a grudge I  sure I would know. 

Helvetica was mobbed with interviewees to her delight. I sat back with Scootaloo and the Crusaders and watched her work, deftly taking notes while keeping pleasant conversation flowing. Fluttershy was even demure yet receptive though she had to find a quiet corner as to be heard amongst the chatter. And Pinkie. Rarity made a brief appearance, practically herded through the door by Applejack. Her mane was not as disheveled as I expected. A. J. told me she took a bit of time to freshen up after she coaxed her out of housecoat and slippers. At one point she stiffened up with her pupils shrinking to pinpricks and dashed off to the Boutique. Inspiration must have hit. 

All to soon it was time for her to make her goodbyes as to gallop off to make the last train to Canterlot. I saw her to the door. "Miss Scrivener, first a personal emergency and now a business trip. Could you make our next dinner a happy social occasion?"

"Mister Swallowtail, I would very much enjoy that. I'll let you know the date." She edged toward me, nuzzled my neck and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I've got to run now, sadly. See you soon!" I stood there in the cold night air outside Sugar Cube Corner, not even watching her go. Just replaying our lady few moments over and over. 
> Chapter 15: Setbacks and Terrible Truths; or Scootaloo's Lament and Retreat
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was on my way to work when I heard my name called out on the wind. Rainbow Dash flew up next to me. "Got a minute?"

"For you, anytime." We settled down on a nearby cloud. "What's up? Got a weather update?"

"No..." She seemed reticent for a moment. "It's about Scootaloo."

"I thought her training was going really well."

"It was, but she's hit some sort of plateau. She has no trouble getting above the treetops but isn't able to soar like a filly her age. I've put her through Junior Speedsters and the full Young Fliers routines but I can't seem to get any more altitude outta her. Have you had her checked out?"

"When she started falling behind we had a pediatrician check her keel to wIngtips. There's nothing medically wrong with her, besides her wings being a tad small."

The young mare worried her lip. "I was worried you'd say that. I've talked to Twi about it and maybe she or another unicorn should check her over magically... I'm sorry, Martin."

"It's not your fault. She has a fine coach and big sister. Thanks for letting me know."

Dash gave me a grave nod and dived down off the cloud. I set off for work with a knot of worry in my belly, only to find it increase once I got home hours later. 




Instead of my daughter's smiling face greeting me I found a wary and pacing baby dragon. "Hey, Spike. What's up?"

He wrung his tail and didn't meet my gaze. "Princess Twilight asked me to wait for you. Scootaloo is at Ponyville Hospital."

"What?! Is she okay?"

He held his palms up defensively. "Yeah! Yeah, she's fine. It's Sweetie Belle who's hurt."

I frowned. "Get on my back and tell me what happened." He scrambled on and I took to the air. I noticed how tightly his little hands clung to me mane. "Still not used to flying yet, eh?"

"N-no. Least not how Twilight manages it... "

"What happened, Spike?"

"So the library is gearing up for winter break reading week. The girls were being Cutie Mark Crusaders Sign Painters. Sweetie fell off the ladder while hanging the sign up."

I hissed through my teeth. "She okay?"

"I dunno, Twilight sent me over to wait for you so you wouldn't get back to an empty apartment and worry."

"Thanks, man. I'll buy you a sapphire cake sometime."

"All p-part of being a loyal servant."

I made haste to the hospital. The first pony we encountered besides the staff was Princess Twilight who looked not quite as disheveled as during the Smarty Pants incident. Her eyes were puffy from crying, that was clear. Spike took his familiar place by her side, laying a hand on her shoulder. Despite being an attractive unicorn she was always far too young for me to lust over but tonight I felt an almost fatherly affection and gave her a hug, royal formality be damned. "Are you holding up okay?"

"Sort of. I should have been watching over them more closely. I feel responsible..."

I made sure she was looking into my eyes. "Princess, I don't know what Cookie of Touchdown have told you but if it was Scootaloo who was hurt I'd say this. Fillies reach a certain age where you can't hover over them. They may get hurt but as hard as it is to see them hurt you have to let them misstep sometimes. It's part of growing up. I'm just glad you were close by and could teleport her away for medical help. Don't blame yourself too harshly. You may have to intentionally send ponies into danger one of these days and this, this is nothing like that kind of responsibility."

She gave me a weak smile and nodded her head. "I'll keep that in mind, Martin."

"Where's my daughter?"

She pointed to the correct door and I left them after a little bow. 

The room was already very full with the kids, Applejack, Rarity, and Sweetie's parents looking up briefly before everypony but Scootaloo turning their attention from me back to the bandaged white form on the bed. "Hi... Will she be okay?"

"Mild concussion. They gave her something for the pain and she drifted off." Cookie went back to stroking her daughter's hoof. 

"Thank Celestia. Scootaloo, we should give her some space. We'll come visit in the morning. And my condolences."

"Bout time we mosey too, Apple Bloom." Her big sister gave her a pat on the head and slowly made her way past me. 

"Get well soon, Sweetie." The butter colored filly followed her sister after patting Sweetie's mane. 

My daughter gave her oldest friend a forlorn look then went to my side. We were halfway down the hallway when she gave me a tight hug.

"It's okay, honey bunch. She'll be okay."

"It's not okay. I should have flown up to hang the sign but she insisted. One of us should have caught her."

"Just be glad this didn't happen during the CMC Whitewater Rapids adventure or one of the other more dangerous activities you've tried."

"It shouldn't have happened at all. She's the nicest, kindest pony I know..."

"Maybe you three should stick to what your actual talents are likely to be instead of trying so many things one after another, darling." I know I'd given this advice a dozen times. Maybe it would stick. 

She shrugged and stubbornly sniffed tears away, always the tough one. Just like Discord told me. "I guess. Would hardly feel like crusading like that."

"You three have had enough adventure for one day. Lets go home."




Sweetie Belle made a quick recovery but it was clear there was a sea-change in their outlook. Crusader meetings became grave and secretive affairs. Conversation stopped when I would check in to see if they needed snacks or the like. They no longer went out on adventures. I worried they felt the impending school graduation with dread. 

Sure enough soon after The Great Cutie Mark Crusader Sick-Out began. Sweetie complained to her parents of persistent migraines from her fall. My daughter and Apple Bloom developed a steadily evolving roster of symptoms, begging to stay home from school. At our CMC Guardians meetings instead of cleaning up damages from their antics we instead shared information and developed strategies to get them to the schoolhouse without missing work ourselves. Rarity reported via her purple-scaled informant the girls were in fact frequenting the library to research increasingly exotic pony diseases. We each privately met with Cheerilee to work out methods to motivate and help them cope with the stress. On my now regular morning trips to the schoolhouse escorting my daughter I kept a keen eye out for Diamond Tiara and her cohort Silver Spoon. I suspected they had a hand in this somehow. In light of her surly and belligerent behavior and worse yet the apparent loss of hope I dreaded giving her worse news. I would easily remember this as my most difficult job as a father eclipsing even my Nightmare Night confrontation with Vervain, but I had to tell her sometime. 

When Scootaloo came home from dinner at the Apples I made sure her whole Ponyville family was there for support. Even Needles. She took immediate defensive stance upon seeing us. 

"What's going on here?"

"Have a seat, honey bunch. We need to talk to you." She paced over like a nervous cat. Vervain gave her a loving yet sad look. Rainbow Dash could barely manage eye contact. Needles just looked down at the carpet. 

"Dearest, do you remember when I took you to Canterlot for that doctor's appointment to see that specialist?"

"Yeah..." She frowned and searched our expressions. Seems my cover story of believing she had the feather flu paid off. 

"Your sister asked me to make that appointment, to check on your training progress..." She shot a look at Rainbow Dash. The Element Bearer who had stared down changeling brood queens, evil emperors, and lords of chaos fought hard against flinching at those suspicious flinty fuchsia eyes. 

"You know, pony science alone still can't explain what makes a pegasus fly. We don't even know how a bumblebee can fly. Both should be too heavy for their wingspan. Unicorns theorize there is a special kind of magic to it. Like the magic earth ponies have connecting them to the soil's fertility. Magic isn't just for unicorns. Do you understand?"

"Uh, I guess so." Was she substituting annoyance for confusion and discomfort?

"That's why I took you to a specialist who could sense and measure your magical core ability."

"What are you saying, dad?" She scrutinized the three of us. 

Dash cut in. "Scootaloo... You've made a Lot of progress the last few months. We're all really proud of you. I can teach you tricks and techniques from here on, refine your skills... But I probably can't get you to fly any higher than you can now."

She cracked a manic grimace. "That's not possible."

I swallowed and continued on. "You have a slightly weaker magical ability than most pegasi. It's no reason to be ashamed."

"So that's what you wanted to tell me. That I should give up on my dream. Everything Diamond Tiara said about me is true. You all said I could fly if I tried hard enough!"

This time Dash flinched. 

She fired one last accusatory look across us. "Everything you've encouraged for years is wrong now? You are all Liars!" Spilling her saddlebags on the floor she galloped up our narrow staircase. 

Needles broke the silence. "Is that about what we were expecting?" Rainbow rolled her eyes. 

I stood. "I'm going to go talk to her."

"Maybe you should give her some time to cool off." Funny that Vervain would give me that advice but I stubbornly shrugged it off and went upstairs. 

Scootaloo's bedroom door was locked and it sounded like she was tossing furniture every which way. "Honey bunch, talk to me."

She just screeched wordlessly in response. 

"Darling, you don't have to give up, we just want you to know your limitations. Could you open the door?"

"It's easy for you! You've got a BIRD on your flank. You can FLY!"

I put my mouth as close to the door frame as I could. "Scootaloo, it's not like that; my swallow doesn't stand for a talent in flight. Swallows are symbolic of homecoming. They're the first birds sailors see even before they see shore. They come home to roost to the same nests every year. They mean loyalty to family. My swallow shows how much I love you."

She opened the door, standing with uncanny calm. Her eyes were wide and furious, glassy like her mother's when she went into manic cycles. When she spoke it was with the forceful even tones of a prophetess. 

"Why should I listen to any advice from a sad, lonely, pathetic pony like you?"

And that was it for me. I felt my head spinning as I remembered all the years since her birth, the happy times and hard times. And I knew I had lost control of her childhood forever. 

I don't know how much time passed but I must have lost my balance since when I realized Vervain was holding my chin in one of her hooves and talking to me I was sitting on the floor. 

"Martin, what did she say to you?"

"I dunno. Where is she?"

"She rushed downstairs, grabbed her scooter, and sped off. Didn't even bother with her helmet."

"I've gotta go look for her."

She gave me a look and nodded. "Rainbow Dash did the same thing. We'll stay in case she comes back."

Somehow I made it down the stairs without tripping over my own hooves and to the door. I began to make a slow, high sweep of Ponyville. I had this deep dread for my daughter, out there angry and alone and trying to make herself as lost as possible. 
> Interlude: My First Real Flight, by Scootaloo Swallowtail
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've got to get out if here. Fly down the stairwell. Good. Out the door. I grab my scooter and I'm racing down my street. I want to be alone right now. 

How can they tell me that? How can they foster this hope and then tell me it is forever out of reach? I'm never going to fly to Cloudsdale? I'll forever be pulled to the ground?

I'm not stupid. Sure I want to be like Rainbow Dash. But I knew I was different. I just didn't want to give up. I'm not now. I can't after going this far. 

Cruse past Quills & Sofas, the Legal Advice & Marital Aids storefront. These street lights will give me away. I need the country darkness outside of town. Fortunately there's only a light dusting of snow. I don't even care about the cold. My heart is pounding in my ears and I blink away tears from the frigid air. Or maybe I'm crying I can't tell. Whatever. I know I can fly. 

Houndstooth Creek is ahead where dad got his cutie mark by falling off a stupid bridge. If it was that easy Sweetie would have hers. I clatter across and move on. 

There's a rise ahead and I spread my wings at the top and get a little air. Maybe twenty hooves worth and my wheels touch back down. Damn. I've got to try harder than this. More speed.  

I feel angry and hurt, even betrayed. But I know my family didn't really betray me. It was my stupid body. My weak magic or whatever. But they just want to give up on me? Crusaders don't give up. It doesn't matter. I'm not giving up. If I go fast enough I can do this. I can fly. I must or all this was for nothing. 

Ok where am I? The lights of Ponyville are behind me. Where do I go? My breath makes big plumes of mist around me. I need something really big if I'm going to do this right. Ghastly Gorge! Perfect. 

It's a ways off but no problem with the way I ride. My wings buzz away, the earth passes beneath my wheels. Stupid bucking scooter. I used to be so proud of it but now it just mocks me. Soon I won't need it anymore. 

There it is up ahead! Gotta find a good ledge to ramp. There! I've got to do this. I'm no chicken or dodo. I'm a Pegasus and they Fly. 

Clearing the edge I let me scooter fall away and snap my wings into position just as Rainbow taught me. And yes! They catch the air currents speeding through the gorge! I'm streaking through. There's a sharp crack as my deck splinters apart below and a ping as handlebars rebound on some rocks. Goodbye old friend. 

I change my wing position to sacrifice speed for lift. Careful, remember your poise and positions... Yes! I'm soaring! This is great, I'm gonna fly over the town. I look over at the mostly-full Moon. "I did it, Luna! I chose dreams over fears! See me? See me flying? Whoo!"

Ponyville looks tiny off to my left. I am high above roads I've traced hundreds of times. This is what my sister and daddy feel like every single day. I can't believe I will too. Or maybe I can and I AM!

Uh oh, loosing altitude. Try going into dips and steady turns. It's not working! Snow capped evergreens seem to rise up like Timber Wolf teeth. I'm gonna crash!

"I got'cha, kiddo!" Strong forelegs scoop me up. I recognize the dusky voice of my sister Rainbow Dash. 

"Rainbow, I-"

"Let's talk later. For now you're gonna stick this landing like a taught you, like a pro." She releases me and instead holds one hoof. "Get your balance, there you go. Lets aim for that meadow up ahead."

We touch down on the frosted-over moss and grass. Maybe the lightest landing I've managed. 

"Ok, Squirt. I was following you for a while; while I don't want you to pull a stunt like that until you're older you did great!"

I turn away. "Please leave me be, Rainbow. I can't look at you right now. It's just a reminder of what I can't achieve."

"What're you talking about, you were flying high! We've just got to find a less deadly launching method. I bet we could-"

"Rainbow!" I turn to her, blinking away tears. "I've wanted to be just like you my whole life! How can I settle when I've put everything into my lessons?"

"Squirt-" she was looking at me strangely. 

"Don't 'squirt' me, don't remind me of how tiny I am, my wings are! Don't patronize me, 'sister'!"

"Uh, Scoot-"

"How can you tell me to just give up? It's my EVERYTHING! I don't have anything else. The Crusade failed, Rainbow! I'm a failure."

"Scootaloo!!"

"What?"

She pointed at my hindquarters. 

"Look at your flank."
> Chapter 16: The Thrasher, A Crusade Ends, Graduation Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was feeling particularly defeated. I had failed at comforting and finding my distraught daughter. I couldn't teach her to fly. I couldn't even help her find her special talent. All these thoughts churned around in my head as I passed over Ponyville scanning the ground below. After a bit I admit defeat and returned home but thankfully my daughter was there in the yard surrounded her family! I came down for a landing, calling her name. She gave me a hug and I checked her for injuries. 

"I'm fine, dad. Don't worry."

"I just want to make sure you're okay, where did you go?"

"She jumped off a cliff," Dash's voice sounded out from my right. "But I was there to catch her... Not that she needed it, she was doing fine."

I turned to her, I was tearing up. "Thank you, Rainbow. You've certainly proven yourself as a big sister." She just shrugged and put on that cocksure half smile if hers. 

"Dad, look. I got my cutie mark. I'm not sure what it is." Sure enough there it was, a silhouette of a bird in differing tones of violet and purple. It reared up on long legs, stubby wings spread, long and slightly curved beak open defiantly. "Is it a roadrunner or something?"

"I think it's beautiful, darling." her mother said.

"Looks badass!" added Dash. 

"It's a thrasher." Everyone stopped and looked at me. "...um, or a thrush or mockingbird. Hard to tell without the coloration. The long tail is a giveaway."

Scootaloo looked thoughtful. "What can you tell me about them?"

"Well, thrushes have one of the widest vocal range of all songbirds, and mockingbirds are legendary mimics. They've got a lot of attitude. Make a lot of noise scraping around in the leaves looking for food. You'd think it was a much larger animal all the commotion they make."

"Can they fly?"

"Oh sure they can. But usually not far above the trees... They're ground foragers, they... they get pretty much everything they need there."

She was quiet for a short time. "I think I would like to go to bed now, I've got a lot to think about."

Vervain put a wing over her back. "I'll put you to bed, darling. I don't get a chance too often."

After the rest of use said out goodnights Rainbow addressed me in a whisper. "I'll pull up a cloud near her window to sleep on, you know just in case she makes another escape."

"Thanks, Dash." I gave her a nudge on the shoulder. 

After everything had quieted down for the night I poked my head into her room just to check on her. My nerves were still frayed. She was on her bed looking up at the ceiling. I backed out quietly. 

"Dad."

"Yes, honey bunch?"

"I don't really think you're pathetic."

I went over to her bed. "I know dear. We say things when we are angry and hurt sometimes. I forgive you. Just be aware of your feelings and words. Spoken in anger or hate they can be cutting words, and they cut both whom you say it to as well as the pony saying them. The wounds upon the relationship can heal with forgiveness but it leaves a little scar behind. I suspect ponies like Diamond Tiara have hearts all covered up in scar tissue from all the cutting words she uses, metaphorically or spiritually speaking."

I gave her a peck on the forehead and another hug. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, dad."

"You were right about a few things though. I have been sad and I have been lonely. If it is alright with you I'm going to fix that, okay?"

"Okay dad, goodnight."

"Night, Scootaloo."




The success of one of their members reenergized the Cutie Mark Crusade. I watched them celebrate followed by some good natured teasing and moping then back to speculation and enthusiasm that true talents would emerge if they just stopped looking in the wrong places. 

Sweetie was the next. Her sister invited her to come with her to one of her bourgeoise fashion shows in Canterlot. While Rarity was busy attending to the details a bored Sweetie Belle loitered on stage and the sound engineer and DJ asked her to test out the microphones. Maybe it was the low pressure atmosphere of an audience not giving their full attention. Maybe she was able to tap into her creativity in singing a new song off the cuff. Maybe it was just her time but with a flash there it was, lavender quarter notes ringed in mint green. How many fillies can say that they were congratulated on getting their mark with a brohoof by Vinyl Scratch herself?

That meant that much to her consternation Apple Bloom was last. Again, it happened when she least expected it, tinkering with some equipment at the back of one of their barns she was able to repair and even improve upon an old apple press ensuring that with the added cost of a little labor the Apple Family would double their cider output next year. Her mark was rather intricate, blueprint with a white outline of an apple crossed with compass and T-square. You wouldn't believe the banquet at her cutecênera. 

Then they were able to put their full energy into final exams and their graduation performances. I was able to set worry aside for the most part and focus on my job. It was a relief to relinquish the duty of escorting an unhappy filly to school. I wrote long longing letters to Helvetica and she wrote back filling me in on her travels to Saddle Arabia, Los Pegasus, and the like. 

Soon enough winter was wrapped up, spring settled in and I was escorting my daughter to her graduation talent exhibition. She was quiet and contemplative the whole walk over. My marefriend and I did not press the issue until we reached the schoolhouse. 

"Why don't you join your friends and Rainbow, honey bunch. I'm sure you have some last minute questions for her."

"Thanks, dad." She gave me a forced smile."

"Break a wing." I gave her a nuzzle. 

Helvetica shot her a wink. "Merde!" 

Oh, the performances. I thought the demonstrations would be endless. Sure, Snails' essay on the life cycle of Gastropoda and parasitic wasps was enlightening but the child has no sense of brevity. It certainly was more bearable than Diamond's sorted tale on maximizing quarterly earnings at her father's Bargain Barn. By contrast Snips made short work giving Twist a complete, and astonishingly competent makeover. Taming those curls was no easy feat. She was so happy she gave him a snog in front of the whole audience. Maybe that would put the rumors to rest. Sweetie managed her stage fright by closing her eyes and doing this breathing thing the Princess taught her. She sang a tune she composed for Miss Cheerilee accompanied by Ms. Heartstrings. Her reaction to applause was to turn bright pink and slink backward off stage. She still has a bit of work to do before she's ready for Cadance Hall. 

Eventually we moved outside for the last few demonstrations, such as Archer's target practice and the other two Crusaders. We were making our way past the playground when Helvetica gave me a peck on the cheek. 

"You ex wife is coming over, I think I'll get us some punch so you two can have some time to talk." She needn't have for Vervain was happy I had found a special somepony, but my marefriend was a lady of tact. 

"Hey, Martin." She brushed her bangs out of her eyes. New mane color this week. 

"Sup, brother," Needles added. 

My ex socked me on the flank. "We've done pretty well by her I'd say. Just look at her. Graduating today." She blinked away sentiment from her eyes. 

I did look. Scootaloo was going over last minute planning with Rainbow Dash. Imagine my daughter having her own flight captain consulting her. Rainbow wore her dress blues for the occasion. 

I felt Vervain's breath in my ear. "I still don't like that she isn't wearing a helmet. I don't care if it would weigh her down."

"This is her special day so it's her choice I suppose. There's enough of us here to take care of any emergencies... I'm worried a bit too but I want this to be her special day to shine. Her pride would be more hurt than her head if she were to crash at any rate."

"We're going to find a good seat."

"Take care, Vervy; thanks for all your help over the years."

She shrugged and put a wing over Needles' back, departing. I consciously let my tensed muscles free as I always upon her departure from my life. My violet-eyed beauty returned to my side with a cup full of Department of Education approved beverage and I marveled at my fortune. 

The last few demonstrations rolled by with Archer scoring impressive bulls-eyes with his specialized unicorn weapon. Ditzy Doo's stage magic act put Snips' and Snail's debacle last year to shame but I kept sneaking looks at my daughter doing her warm-up exercises. She hid her anxiety well, looking determined and brave. Kind of like Rainbow Dash when we first met her in fact. 

Eventually Miss Cherilee announced Apple Bloom. She strode up in front of a large sloping object covered in a red tarp. I can't imagine what favor Sweetie promised her sister to borrow and surely dirty that much fabric. 

"Howdy, y'all. Fellow students, parents, my teacher of course. It look me many years a'struggle to find mah calling but with help from my friends and family I found it was in engineering an design. I'd like to show you one of my latest projects. This here's a new scooter for my friend Scootaloo. Aluminum frame, duel shocks fer the wheels. Lightweight an sturdy so she can be fast and still be durable for when she crashes." She gave my daughter a sly wink. "Now I made a second thing with the help of the whole Apple Family which we will move to the park so everypony can enjoy it..."

Hearing his cue Big Macintosh trotted off, the rope attached to his yoke pulling the tarp free revealing a wooden structure with an inverted bell curve roof and rather high peaked walls, decorated with hearts and filigree. 

"This here's a half pipe an mah friend Scoots is gonna show you how to use it for her presentation." She gave her broad country grin in response to the hoof stomps of applause and took a seat in front of her creation. Then silence as Scootaloo gave one last nod to her sister and climbed the rungs up the wall. With effort Sweetie Belle floated up the new scooter and piped up squeaky well wishes. 

My daughter paused for a moment after checking over her ride. She looked out upon the crowd for the first time, picking her mother and me out amongst the gathered ponies. She did not bother with words, a filly of actions that one. She instead kicked off with her right back leg and swung down the side of the ramp with her wings gulping in beats of air to shove behind her. 

Everypony was expecting a showy trick I'm sure because I heard confusion when she instead angled her body and wings for a tight turn and came back down the other direction, gathering more speed. Up, swish, down, up, swish, down again and again until she was an orange blur of motion. 

"That's it!?" I tried not to glare at Diamond Tiara instead checking my camera. I felt Helevetica's warm furry flank slide against my own quivering a bit with anticipation. We were two of the few who knew what was coming next. 

Again and again she ascended and dove until gaining just the right velocity. Then instead of swerving Scootaloo rocketed into the air, letting go of the scooter which was caught by Sweetie's magic just as it had dozens of times in practice off out apartment roof. My daughter streaked into the air reaching an egg-shaped parabola then diving downward, arcing just above the half pipe as if she still had her wheels. The assembled crowd gasped, then some called out in alarm as she repeated the move and dove close to the ground just above their heads. Pumping her wings with great effort she looped up a third time, slid down into a steep dive before again pulling up last minute and angled her wings for a tight triple corkscrew and shedding speed in a broad soaring loop taking her far over all of Ponyville. Her classmates cheered loudly. Parents clapped their hooves. The Elements of Harmony looked on with pride. I was simply stunned with happiness and kissed my lady love. She had done it, proved for all she could fly on her own terms given the right preparation. As her father I had helped her find her talent and she could carry on into adulthood on her own wings. It was my proudest moment since rocking her soothed with songs in my arms the night of her birth but this time her mother, friends, teacher, bit sister, and even my lovely special somepony was there to share the joy. 
> Epilogue: The Snapshot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scootaloo asked me to take a photograph that evening, not of her but of the crowd so she could see their reactions for she was spinning too fast and had too much on which to concentrate.

Only three ponies are not looking into the sky. Rarity, with the rest of the Elements on one side of the half track, is looking away while dabbing at the bottom of her left eye with her handkerchief mortified that her mascara may run. Diamond Tiara is glaring at Silver Spoon, frowning, voicing some sort of critique. One of her front hooves is jabbing at her friends' side and the other is pointing upwards. The last pony not looking is Apple Bloom. She is frozen in midair with her eyes closed tight, hooting and hollering and her limbs akimbo. Next to her Sweetie Belle gazing lovingly aloft while clutching the scooter. On her other side Pinkie Pie is doing the "Running Pony" dance with her head thrown back. It looks like she is singing. She probably was. 

Vervain and Needles are at the left hoof side of the frame. Both are shouting happily, punching the air. In front of them Archer has flopped onto his back with front legs behind his head like he was watching a fireworks show. 

Rainbow Dash is uncharacteristically still, sitting, looking up confidently, leaning a bit on Fluttershy who is mid-duck, her eyes wide. Twilight is at Dash's left, calm and regal. Applejack is on all flours, rearing back arched, her Stetson half falling off. 

Snips has a front leg around Snails' neck and appears to be giving commentary. Alula leaps in the air clapping her hooves, nearly knocking Silver Spoon over. Silver's glasses reflect the flash. She is looking up, her mouth open and lower lip curled like she is thirsty and trying to catch a raindrop. Featherweight and Rumble are both flying low as if trying to dodge an oncoming barrage that both crane their necks to see. Dinky Doo happily stomps her hooves and is smiling brightly. Big Mackintosh can just barely be spotted behind the half pipe calmly waiting so he can pull up its stakes and move its new home. Miss Cheerilee is on the far right. She has one hoof raised to her mouth like she has something to say. Maybe it's a fond goodbye. 

Nearly center frame and out of focus but brightly lit by the flash is a single orange feather glowing bright like an eager fiery ember.