//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Origins // by MLPro //------------------------------// "Thanks, Muffin!" Scootaloo called after the grey pegasus that was commonly nicknamed Derpy. As expected, there was an envelope addressed to her from her parents, White Lightning and Star Hunter. Dear Scootaloo, We knew that you would ask this of us sooner or later. We know how much it must have stung you when we first told you that you were adopted many years ago. First of all, congratulations on your engagement with Sweetie Belle. She is a wonderful mare and we are sure that she will take great care of you. We couldn't have asked for better. As for who your biological parents are, we don't know much about them. We adopted you from Cloudsdale, so that must be where you are from. And based on your DNA testing, we also know that you are part earth pony. We suggest you go to Cloudsdale and try to find some records of a couple that might have birthed you. We wish you the best of luck. Love always, Mom and Dad "To Cloudsdale it is!" Scootaloo shouted dramatically. "You never told us you were part earth pony!" Apple Bloom exclaimed enthusiastically as she read the note over Scootaloo's shoulder. "Oh, well yeah, I am. It explains my small wings. I think Fluttershy is part earth pony too," Scootaloo said. "Can I come to Cloudsdale with y'all? Sweetie Belle knows a cloud-walking spell; we might encounter cutie mark problems along the way!" "Of course! I couldn't do this without my two best friends!" Scootaloo tried unsuccessfully to put a wing around each of her friends. "Ouch! Scoots, your ring is so cold!" Sweetie Belle complained. "You picked it out," Scootaloo laughed before taking off for Cloudsdale, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom trailing in Sweetie's magical aura. --- "Woah," Scootaloo gawked at the massive collection of records in Cloudsdale's archive room, which they had been granted access to from Spitfire, who happened to be the mayor of Cloudsdale as she was the Wonderbolts captain. "I have to find my parents in all of this???" "You have us," Sweetie Belle reassured. "We can do this together." "All right, then! Let's get started!" Scootaloo exaggeratedly exclaimed. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS PARENTS FINDERS, YAY!" --- Hours later (or so it seemed), Scootaloo still hadn't had much luck in finding her biological parents. She was wondering if this was a lost cause. "JACKPOT!" a shout shook Scootaloo from her thoughts. "You found something, Bloom?" Scootaloo grinned ridiculously. "I think so," Apple Bloom shoved a folder in Scootaloo's face. Scootaloo's stomach churned. This seemed to be it. She almost didn't want to open that folder. Do it, Scoots. Pony up. Scootaloo took a deep breath and opened the moment-of-truth folder as she and the Crusaders took an eager look inside.