Scootaloo and Cheerilee were at Canterlot again a few weeks after the Apple Family reunion. They had found out so much in recent days about Scootaloo's past, and her family connections. Apperently, not only had the Apples been related to her, as well as the Pie family, but apparently, Twilight Sparkle was her cousin as well. That might have explained her acute mind and her love of learning. Twilight was extactic to find out she had a long lost relation. When the Sparkle parents found out, they were just as excited as she was, and Shining Armor, well, he tied to hold his enthusiasm in, but Cadence had her own powers of persuasion to draw it out, embarrassing him in front of the other Princesses and his guards.
The artifacts also showed she was a descendant of Arc King Thunder the Great, and......... Clover the Clever. When this information was put forth, Celestia said that there was other matters that would have to be discussed when they arrived. Now that they were here, Scootaloo could hardly contain herself. She kept wondering what was going to happen when they got to the Castle. No pony told her who the pony who saved her was. He remained nameless for now. As they neared the Castle, Cheerilee said, "Alright Scootsy, calm down, now, we need to make sure that we behave, just like last time when we visited with the class."
Scootaloo nodded, "I'm just so excited to meet the pony who saved me. I wonder if he knew my parents?"
"We'll find out when we get to the throne room dear," Cheerilee replied.
After being greeted and complimented by many ponies about how they brought down the cruel orphanage of Fillydelphia. They had expected to see Twilight Sparkle's parents on their way to the castle, but they saw no sign of them. They figured more then likely that they must be out doing their own errands. As the two reached the castle doors, the guards bowed, and soon open the doors for them. Scootaloo and Cheerilee were both taken aback by the guards gesture, but brushed it off as they trotted into the castle.
Soon they came to the throne room, and once again, the guards bowed and opened the doors. As the two trotted in, they saw all four Princesses, Shining Armor, Velvet Sparkle, Nightlight Sparkle, and the pony guard that Scootaloo recognized, as well as prince Blueblood, who seemed to be sulking, and no pony but the royal sisters knew why. Scootaloo could hardly keep her composure as she saw the pony who saved her.
As the two came to stand only a few feet from the stairs that led to the thrones, Celestia then spoke, "Scootaloo. Miss Cheerilee. I am sure you know of one of the reasons you are here. One is to bring up the matter of one of our guards here at Canterlot Castle. His name, is Fire Bolt. He was an elite flyer in the Wonderbolts, but then decided to join the ranks of the Royal guards about two years ago. Yes, around the same time you had been taken to the orphanage, Scootaloo. But there is something you must know about Fire Bolt. I shall let him tell you."
Fire Bolt trotted down and looked at Scootaloo. "I can't believe how big you've gotten since I last saw you. Last time, you were this tiny," Fire Bolt stated as he lifted his hoof from the ground to show that Scootaloo had been much smaller then she was today.
"Well, I have been trying to keep myself well fed, but it wasn't easy til my new mom here adopted me," Scootaloo admitted.
"And I thank you for taking her in Miss Cheerilee. I feel like such a fool for taking her to the Fillydelphia orphanage. I should have known better," Fire Bolt cursed himself.
"Well, she's safe from their grasp now. They will never harm her again," Cheerilee calmed him.
"But I should have done something. I can't believe I just did that to her. It's not right," Fire Bolt said.
"Well, I think we are beating about the bush here, so, I guess, how was it, that you knew Scootaloo and her kin?" Cheerilee asked intuitively.
Fire Bolt sighed and scratched his neck, "Because I...... I, am her brother."
"You're my what?!" Scootaloo gasped.
"I'm your brother Scoots. At the time I took you to the orphanage, I thought I was doing the right thing. I hadn't known that the will had stated you be taken to the Apple Family when our parents passed away," Fire Bolt admitted.
"But, why didn't you stay with me? Look after me?" Scootaloo demanded.
"Because, I had just joined the guard. I never would have become one if I was also looking after you at the time, and the documents had already been validated. I was there that night of the fire. We were all having dinner together, and mom and dad had been congratulating me on joining. I thought that when I had enough money after getting out of basic training, I would bring you back to live with me. But when I came back to get you, I found out you had become a runaway from the orphanage. I didn't know where to start looking first. For a while I searched high and low for you, but I never would have anticipated at the time you had made it all the way to Ponyville. After days of searching, my fellow guards came to fetch me, because I had responsibilities to uphold. They understood that I was going through a lot, but once your in the guard, you have to fulfill your duties. From that moment on, I prayed to Celestia, and even to Luna, that you would be safe, and happy. And I am grateful that they answered my prayers," Fire Bolt finished.
Scootaloo hugged him, knowing he hadn't left her because he didn't care. He left because he "did" care. Fire Bolt hugged her in return. Luna smiled then stated, "Trust me Scootaloo, your brother's prayer was the loudest I have heard. Even as Nightmare Moon, I could hear it all the way up in the moon itself."
"Tell me about it, it left my ears ringing for days at a time," Celestia joked.
Everypony laughed... well, all but one. "I much rather like to get this over with dear aunts," Blueblood said.
"Mind your place nephew. I only allowed you hear today, because this is something you need to hear as well," Celestia said.
Scootaloo, Cheerilee, and Fire Bolt all looked at each other, then back at the princess while asking in unison, "Hear what, your majesty?"
"Well, the artifacts that we found with Scootaloo's parent's will, as you know, revealed that Clover the Clever, and Arc King Thunder the Great, were both ancestors to Scootaloo's and Fire Bolt's liniage. But there's something else most do not know," Celestia put out.
"What might that be your majesty?" Scootaloo asked.
"Clover the Clever...... was the first alicorn to have ever existed," Luna stated.
Everypony in the room gasped. "So...... that means....." Scootaloo paused mid sentence.
"Yes, you and Fire Bolt are royalty," Celestia assured her.
Scootaloo and Fire Bolt jaws dropped. Shining and Twilight looked at each other with goofy faces, now knowing they're family had been royalty more then they had known the whole time. Velvet and Nightlight both were scratching one of their forelegs with the other, trying but failing to look like they had accidentally forgot to mention something to their children. Cheerilee had her hoof over mouth, surprised she had adopted a royal without knowing, and her eye's pupils had become the size of pins. And Blueblood, had fainted from the information put forth.
"Hmmmm, I was kind of expecting a little more of reaction then that," Cadence teased.
"Well, there is more," Celestia stated.
This was enough to break everypony out of their trance, and look at the royal sisters once more, "What more could there possibly be then the fact we have just found out two new royals are among us Celestia?" Twilight Sparkle.
"Well, this may be hard to believe, but, Scootaloo..... she has the alicorn gene within her," Celestia said.
"Wait, Alircorn gene? I thought you became an alicorn if you achieve a higher connection to your cutie mark your majesty," Fire Bolt said.
"That's what I was gonna say," Twilight stated.
"Well, seems your not the only one among your relatives who studies up on our history," Celestia said.
"Moving on. It is true that some ponies can achieve the status of becoming an Alicorn through a deeper connection to their cutie mark, but Scootaloo she can also achieve it, if by another Princess's blessing. She could become an Alicorn, even before finding her unique talent," Luna informed them.
"So, I do not have the Alicorn gene?" Fire Bolt inquired.
"No, you do not, Fire Bolt. But don't feel ashamed or think less of yourself. You are one of the most talented guards to have joined our ranks, some of the older and younger guards actually look up to you with how skilled you are. The only reason we know that Scootaloo has the Alicorn gene, is because we could sense a magical presence within her when we were at the orphanage. We didn't want to say anything before hoof, for we needed to find out where her lineage traced back to, and thankfully we were given a lucky break when the artifacts with the will of Scootaloo and Fire Bolt's parents were found. We were just as surprised as all of you to see she was a descendant of our own mother," Celestia said.
"Clover was your mother?" Twilight gasped.
"I still am," came a voice from behind Scootaloo and her family.
Everypony looked to the throne room doors, and there, stood a mare even taller then Celestia, with lavander fur, that seemed to match come of Velvet and Twilight's fur colors. Her mane flowed with what seemed to be a combination of both day and night. "Mother, it is good to see you again," Celestia stated.
"I've been gone far too long this time. I see that one of my mortal descendants do have their immortality yet to be unlocked. And I am sure that my daughters are going to let you decide when and how you wish to become an alicorn," Clover said, quite maternally.
"Um, well, I haven't really decided yet.... your majesty," Scootaloo bowed.
"Please, my own blood needn't bow down down to me. And you can just call me grandmother, and my daughters your aunts. As for you Miss Cheerilee. I thank you very much for taking her into your care. Your actions were truly noble as were my relations, the Apples. No pony could ask for better caretakers. If you wish, I can grant you immorality, for, eventually, Scootaloo will have to take her place among the alicorns, and I am fairly certain she does not wish to loose her own mother," Clover said.
"Me?..... an immortal pony?..... I-I don't know what to say," Cheerilee stated.
"Well, just like my granddaughter, the offer will always be open when you feel your wish to become an immortal," Clover stated.
"I thank you kindly your majesty," Cheerilee bowed.
"There is no need for bowing Cheerilee, having adopted Scootaloo as your daughter, it has entitled you to a status of nobility, and that was also made possible when the Apple family signed the documents that gave you family ties to them through Scootaloo," Celestia stated.
"Wow. Um, I not sure I'm ready to be an alicorn yet. I need time to think about it," Scootaloo said.
"Um, if I could ask you, Celestia. Two questions. Will this mean I am no longer in the guard because of my status? And what of my mortality?" Fire Bolt asked.
"Well, all though you do not have the alicorn gene within your Fire Bolt, you and Scootaloo both have immortality. Your mother had it as well, but, sadly, the fire took her from us. It was one of only few ways immortal ponies can pass on to the next realm, if I ever find out who started the fire, the will understand that Queen Clover will not rest until their caught," Clover stated.
"Alright mother, no need to get flustered. We will deal with those ponies as soon as we find them. I am just glad that relations of ours have finally found their way back to each other. This is a day for celebation. Twilight? Does Pinkie Pie have everything set up?" Celestia asked.
"Is that a trick question? She's probably finished by now. I was wondering what the party was for, but now I see why," Twilight said.
After a few more words were exchanged, and Blueblood was awoken by Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice, they all made their way to the dining hall. Scootaloo was one of the happiest fillies alive. She knew her friends would be both envious and ecstatic to hear the news. She didn't know they were already waiting for her in the dining room. Much would change for Scootaloo's future, but she would aim for her dreams now, with so many ponies to help her along the way now. She would never be lonely again.