> Daddys' home > by Beat Demon > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Not a regular day > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was in the beginning of summer on a regular sunny Tuesday morning. A school day. On top of a hill on the edge of a town called Ponyville. A red and yellow schoolhouse sat between a group of a few trees and inside a small classroom was a dark velvet colored mare, with a white and pink mane teaching a room full of young ponies.Smiling and picking out students with raised hooves. However, this was not a regular day for one pony in particular. An orange filly with a purple tom-boyish mane sat in the third row, two seats to the left and on each side, sat her two best friends; Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. Her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders. The filly, Scootaloo, had her chin resting on her hoof, trying to listen to the lecture being given by the schoolteacher, Miss Cheerilee. The lesson wasn’t really boring at all. It was about magic and evolution, about how some ponies end up having wings or horns or both. About how this old dude, Charles Darwinneigh, came up with this theory, it was like: natural selection or something. But Scootaloo was distracted and found it hard to focus. It was just one of those days that she wanted to be outside instead of sitting in class, cut off from the rest of the world. “Hey Scoots.” Scootaloo looked over to her friend Applebloom, a yellow filly with a red mane and matching bow, who was trying to get her attention. “What’s up?” She whispered. “Ah was gonna ask the same fer you.” Applebloom replied. “Why do ya look so down?” The purple-haired filly sighed. “Dunno, just one of those days I guess.” Somepony bumped Scootaloo in the shoulder. A white unicorn with a curly purple and light pink mane. “I know what you know mean. It’s like, too nice of a day out.” She said quietly. Normally Ms.Cheerilee would have caught the three fillies talking, but she was too busy yelling at a pale blue colt with an orange mane, Snips, who kept asking to go to the bathroom. ‘Slacker’ thought Scootaloo. ‘Why can’t he just stay here and suffer with the rest of us?’ She looked out the window to the beautiful sunny afternoon. Imagining herself tearing it up on her favorite scooter, feeling the wind in her tiny wings, maybe even getting a few compliments from Scootaloo’s beyond cool sort- of- Sister, Rainbow Dash. But no, she was stuck inside like a rat in a trap. Her thoughts were interrupted by Applebloom. “You sure you’re ok Scoots?” She asked “Yeah,” Scootaloo answered. “Like Sweetie Belle said; it’s really too nice out to be inside.” "Ok, if you say so..." Her friend shrugged, and went back to listening to the lesson, while Sweetie Belle on the other hoof was doodling Celestia knows what. Scootaloo sighed and counted the seconds, wondering when this boring day was going to end. She pulled out a folded piece of paper from under her wing. It's been folded many times over and was slightly pale yellow with age. She unfolded it and stared at that page for the millionth time, the same feelings of anger and sadness rose like a wave, then came crashing down on her. Putting the weight of the entire world on Scootaloo's head.The letter from her dad when he left for war. She hated that piece of paper, loathed it, but couldn't live without it. She couldn't go through the day without looking at it and feeling so alone. The only sort of comfort she ever found was sleep, but sometimes then nightmares bled into her mind causing Scootaloo to wake up in a cold sweat just wanting to let go of her burden, for him to come back. But then it happened… Cheerilee was in the middle of explaining unicorn horn properties, when the door to the classroom burst open and there standing in the doorway was a palace guard. He was a white Pegasus with a reddish mane, fitted with gold armor and horseshoes. He took off his helmet and scanned the room with his deep blue eyes until they came to rest on Scootaloo. She met his gaze with a look of surprise and disbelief, which was quickly replaced with overwhelming joy. The stallion broke into a sad smile as Scootaloo’s eyes began to tear up and she slowly got out of her seat still in a sort of shock. It didn’t last. Then the little Pegasus rushed up to the classroom, tears streaming down her cheeks and reaching out, tiny wings fluttering. “Dad!” She shouted. The guard was now grinning as he dropped his helmet, kicked off his front horseshoes and scooped his daughter into a tight hug, tears in his eyes. “I missed you too.” He whispered in her ear. Scootaloo’s entire class was now caught up in the moment together with the two embracing ponies. Cherrilee seemed to be crying too. Scootaloo drew back a little, but still kept her father within hoof’s reach, afraid to let go. “You were gone for so long…” She sniffled. “I know,” he said. “I'm sorry I took so long but I’m home now Scooty. I’m home…” and Scootaloo’s dad drew her close for another long, comforting, hug accompanied by a few ‘awwws’ from her classmates. She breathed in his scent, felt his fur, snuggled deep into his embrace. Nothing in the world matter to her, except for right then and there. Nothing mattered because daddy was home, he was finally home. > Dad's letter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A letter Scootaloo's father wrote to her mother years ago when he left for the army. Dear sweetheart, I’m sorry I had to leave, but this changeling problem in Saddle Arabia isn't going to solve itself, and I trust you and Scootaloo will be fine without me. You knew when I joined the army I wouldn't be polishing chariots forever and I would eventually go to war. Maybe they'll just post me at a base and I'll polish chariots there... but it doesn't matter. I didn't want to go, but I’m doing this to protect you both and to serve our Princess. I hope you know do I love you no matter what. I will come back; I’ll come back for you and our beautiful daughter and we can be a family. We can go to that duck pond you love so much, and that fancy restaurant you've always wanted to go to, we can go on long walks and spend time with our little baby girl. Both of my special mares will be in my heart always. I'll be back soon, and that's a promise. I love you... -A proud husband and father.