Twilight had spent weeks trying to figure out how to bring Scootaloo back to Equestria. But she seemed to come up empty with her research. She could not find any way to bring Scootaloo back. She even looked in the restricted section of the Canterlot library. And still, nothing to show for it.
As she sat looking out the window, she could not help but let a tear fall from her eye. “Why can I not figure this out. I have looked at every resource I could find on portals, and yet I come up with nothing. Even the portal to Sunset Shimmers world didn’t offer any clues.”
Spike could be heard walking down the hall towards her room. She could hear the subtle clanging of teacups on the tray he was carrying. Spike knew that tea was always a good way of calming Twilight.
“How is the research coming Twilight?” Spike asked as he entered the room.
Twilight’s head sunk low. “I can’t find anything Spike. Nothing is pointing towards, bringing back Scootaloo.”
Twilight levitated the tray of tea from Spike and wrapped him in a hug. “There just has to be something Spike. All I can do is peer into the world she is in, and that is it.”
Spike looked up at Twilight. “Cheer up Twilight. I know you can do it. You are like one of the smartest ponies in Equestria. I know you can find a way.” Spike said as he squeezed Twilight.
Spike broke from Twilight’s embrace and started to hand her the teacup. Just as he was about to hand it to her. “BURP” A scroll appears in front of him, through the flames. Twilight quickly grabs the scroll with her magic and begins to read it.
My dearest Twilight,
I have some very important information regarding Scootaloo that you must know about. It is imperative that I meet with you and your friends at once. Please gather your friends and meet Luna and me at the castle. I will explain the rest upon your arrival.
Princess Celestia
Twilight’s shot open wide. “Come on Spike we must get the girls. Celestia knows something about Scootaloo. We must hurry.” Twilight said, as she grabbed Spike and ran out the castle door.
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Rainbow Dash was laying on a cloud overlooked the pond that Scootaloo went through. Hoping that she would be able to tell when the portal would open again. She had been coming here every day since the day she was able to make contact with her. Scootaloo had become all she could think about. The wonderbolts ended up letting her go on medical leave until she was able to retrieve Scootaloo.
“Come on you stupid pond. Open the portal again so I can get Scootaloo back.” She said in frustration. But all she ever saw was a shimmer of light from the sun above. She even went as far as keeping a cloud over the spot, to block out the sunlight.
She sat there and remembered back to when she was able to make contact with Scootaloo. Even if it was just a for a brief second. She knew that if she could do that. She could bring her back. But the problem was just trying to figure out how. She even tried feeling like she did at the exact moment she touched Scootaloo, and diving into the pond. But all that left her with was wet feathers and a broken heart. But she swore she would never give up.
She was about the let her emotions get the best of her when she heard Twilights voice in the distance. “Rainbow Dash It's urgent!” Twilight said as she made her way towards the cyan pegasus.
Rainbow Dash darted down from her cloud and landed in front of Twilight. “What’s going on Twilight? Did you find something out about Scootaloo?” Rainbow Dash asked while stepping towards Twilight with haste.
“No Rainbow I didn’t find anything out about her, but Princess Celestia just sent me a letter. And she says she has important information concerning Scootaloo.” Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash began to take off, and Twilight used her magic to keep her grounded. “Rainbow Dash, hold on! We got to get the others first. Celestia wants to see all of us.”
“Well then what are we waiting for? Rainbow Dash asked, as she once again tried to take off. This time succeeding in dodging Twilight’s and darting off into the sky. Leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.
Twilight took off behind her, giving chase to pegasus that was now going supersonic speeds.
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Rarity was at Fluttershy’s Cottage helping her spruce up after Angel Bunny pitched one of his famous fits.
“I do say, darling, you must learn to be more assertive with that rabbit. This is the 3rd time this month, that he has made a mess of your home.” Rarity said, lecturing Fluttershy.
Fluttershy just stood there running her hoof around in circles. “I know Rarity, but it kills me to see him upset. I mean it is my fault I didn’t get his tail fluffed by noon.” Fluttershy said, shyly.
Rarity put her hoof to her head. “You mean to tell me. That this giant mess in because a bunny didn’t get his tail fluffed!” Rarity said, in a very annoyed tone.
Fluttershy just sat there and nodded her head.
“Angel Bunny where are you?” Rarity shouted.
“Oh, Rarity please don’t yell at him. He didn’t mean it.” Fluttershy begged.
Rarity slammed her hoof down. “No Fluttershy I am not going to take this anymore. It’s time somepony taught this little bunny a lesson.
A few moments later Rainbow Dash was coming down for a landing and saw Rarity running through a chicken coop after Angel Bunny. Rainbow Dash had to stop for a second to take in the sight. “Wow, that bunny must have really messed up this time, for her to be doing this.” She thought to herself.
“Get back here you little carrot muncher!” Rarity yelled as she galloped through a flock of ducks. When I get my hooves on you, you are going to get it.”
Fluttershy just stood on the sidelines watching, too afraid to intervene. She knew all about Rarity’s explosive attitude and knew better to interfere.
Twilight soon arrived and not even she could believe what she was seeing. Instead of getting between Rarity and Angel Bunny she turned her attention towards Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy it’s urgent, We need to get the girls together. Celestia has some important information about Scootaloo, and she needs all of us there.” Twilight said.
“Oh my, if Princess Celestia needs all of us, then it must really be important. But what do I do about Rarity and Angel? She has been chasing him around for an hour now and, I really don’t want to get between them.” Fluttershy said.
Twilight slapped her hoof to her head. Her horn lit up, and Rarity was teleported away from Angel Bunny. “What are you doing, I must teach that rabbit a lesson.” Rarity snapped.
Twilight gave her a stern gaze. “The bucking rabbit can wait Rarity. Celestia needs us in her presence immediately. We don’t have time to be messing around with a rabbit.” Twilight said, in a firm tone. Rarity squatted down.
“Yes, Twilight right away.” Rarity said. She couldn’t believe how firm Twilight had been with her. Her tone with quite firm, truly one of royalty. *Hehe well then let’s go get Applejack and Pinkie Pie shall we. Rarity said sheepishly.
“Wait what am I going to do about my animals and Cottage?” Fluttershy asked.
“I got that covered Fluttershy. Spike here will take care of them for you. Right, Spike.” Spike saluted. “Yes, mam you can count on me.” Twilight gave Spike a hug. “Thanks, Spike I knew I could count on you. Now let’s go everypony.” Twilight said as they departed towards Applejack’s house.
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Applejack was out in the south orchard, tending to some trees with Apple Bloom. It was recently attacked by a case of the blight, and they had just gotten it under control.
“Great job Apple Bloom. I know it was a lot of work, but we managed to save the trees.” Applejack said patting Apple Bloom on the back. But Apple Bloom didn’t return her enthusiasm. “What’s wrong sugarcube,” Applejack asked, know very well what the issue was.
“Applejack I just miss Scootaloo. She is a key part of the crusaders, and we can’t go crusading without her. It’s just not right.” Apple Bloom said, trying to hide the tears from her eyes. She tried being strong about the whole thing, but it was getting to be too much for the young filly.
Applejack hugged her. “Now don’t you worry Apple Bloom. We will get Scootaloo back before ya know it.”
Apple Bloom looked up at her sister, the tears now pouring from her eyes. “You promise Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Applejack said, giving a reassuring smile. Allowing Apple Bloom to return a smile.
“Did somepony make a pinkie promise over here?” Pinkie Pie asked as she popped out from behind a random bush. Scaring Applejack, and Applebloom half to death.
“Pinkie pie, where in the hay did you come from?” Applejack asked, in a stern tone.
Pinkie pie blinked. “I have no clue. It just kinda happens.” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Just last week I ended in your barn, and Big Mac and Cheerilee were there. I still can’t figure why they got so mad at me.”
Applejack looked at Pinkie with a concerned look. “I will never understand you Pinkie Pie.” She said, shaking her head.
Just then Pinkie Pie started twitching, and the three took cover under an old wagon. “Incoming!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she hit the ground with a thud.
Applejack came running out from under the wagon. “Rainbow Dash! Are you ok?” She asked running to assist her friend.
Rainbow Dash slowly pulled herself up, brushing the dirt off of her. She could feel a pain in her left wing. “Yes I am ok. I think I overdid it though. My wing cramped up, and sent me into the ground.”
Applejack was about to scold her for not being careful when she saw the others topping the hill. She could tell something was wrong, by the look on Rainbow Dash’s face. “What the hay is going on? Why is everypony in such a hurry?” Applejack asked.
“Celestia needs us Applejack. She has some important information regarding Scootaloo. So we have to go right now.” Rainbow Dash said as the others gathered around.
“Well, it must be really serious, if Celestia wants all of us to come.” Applejack said.
“I’m coming too,” Applebloom said, causing everypony to turn their head.
Applejack walked over to her sister. “I’m sorry sugarcube, but I think it’s best that you stay here. I know that Scootaloo is your friend, but this could be dangerous. And I don’t want you getting hurt.” Applejack said, putting her hoof under Applebloom’s chin.
“But I….”
“But nothin, you are staying here and that is that. Do you understand?” Said Applejack.
Apple Bloom looked down. “Yes.” She said, looking away from her sister. She knew better than to argue with Applejack. When she said something she meant it.
Applejack knew that she had upset her sister, but also knew that what they were going into might be dangerous. She began to walk away and looked back at her sister. “Love ya, sis,” she said, as she left with the rest of the girls.
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Scootaloo and Mike had been back from the beach for almost a week. And Scootaloo out on the back deck watching the sunset, wearing the baby blue sundress Mike had made for her. She liked wearing the clothes, cause of the joy it brought to his face.
Mike was standing next to her stroking her mane. Something about this made her feel safe and wanted. A feeling that she only had in Equestria, when she was close to her friends or Rainbow Dash.
Down below, the pond could be seen. The orange glow from the sky could be seen reflecting on the water’s surface. Scootaloo always found herself staring at it on pretty evenings. Wondering if she would ever go back home. She had to admit, she really missed her friends. But she also had grown very attached to Mike, and couldn’t think of a world without him.
“Thinking about Equestria?” Mike asked.
Scootaloo continued to look off into the distance. “Yeah. but it’s hard for me to say I want to go back.” She said, turning to look at Mike.
“Why do you say that?” Mike asked
“Because you're my daddy, and I don’t want to give that up.” She said, tears starting to form in her eyes. “I love you da……” She said, as she passed out and fell to the floor.
Mike quickly jumped up and Scooped her up into his arms. “Scootaloo… Honey… Please, honey, speak to me.” He said as he tried to wake her. He held her close to his chest. “Please no, please don’t take her from me.” He said looking into the sky.
He looked down and saw a silver streak form in her mane. He knew something was wrong, but also knew that he couldn’t take her anywhere. Tears were now pouring from his eyes. “Please baby wake up. Wake up for daddy.” He said.
Just then she began to cough. “Yes baby breath, please breath. You can do it.”
Scootaloo held her hoof up to her head and opened her eyes. The world was slightly spinning around her. She could see and feel Mike holding her. Her vision slowly started to even out again.
“Daddy, what happened? Why are you crying?” She asked, feeling confused. Not really sure what just happened.
Mike just held her close. “Oh thank god your back. You had me so worried.” Mike said. He wiped his eyes and looked at her. “You passed out, and I thought I had lost you.”
Scootaloo sat up and kissed Mike on the cheek. “It’s ok daddy, I am still here,” Scootaloo said, placing a hoof on his cheek.
Mike hugged her and picked her up. After carrying her inside, he sat her on her bed and had her look into the mirror across from the bed. Scootaloo looked at herself and saw the silver streak. That was now running through her mane.
She ran a hoof through her mane. “How did this happen? Am I sick? Daddy, what is wrong with me, am I sick?” She asked, with a worried look on her face.
Mike sat down on her bed and began to stroke her mane. “I have no clue honey. I have never seen anything like this in my life.” Mike wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I promise I will do my best to figure this out.” He said, trying to comfort Scootaloo.
Mike remained by her side, afraid of what might happen when he left her. The two spent the rest of the evening in each others embrace until they both had fallen asleep.
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The girls watched in horror, as they watched the events play out in front of them. Luna had created a viewing portal, using the information that Twilight had gathered from the portal that took Scootaloo.
“This happened last night when I was observing Scootaloo. From what I have been able to gather, Scootaloo is starting to lose her Equestrian magic. And once she loses all of it…” Luna paused and hung her head. Unable to say what would happen to Scootaloo. She had become very attached to the filly over the years. The thought was even too much for her to bare.
The room became silent. The severity of the situation weighed heavily on everypony’s hearts. Rainbow Dash just sat there gazing into the portal. A single tear fell from her face and landed on the portal that she gazed upon.
The portal began to glow brightly, taking every pony by surprise. The scene on the portal changed and showed an image of the pond where Scootaloo had fallen through. The pond was starting to radiate with light.
Twilight looked at Celestia. “What does this mean?” She asked. Celestia walked past Twilight and laid a hoof on Rainbow Dash.
“It means, that the key to getting Scootaloo back, is Rainbows love for Scootaloo.”
“Rainbow looked up at Celestia. “But I have tried hundreds of times to go through the portal, and it would not let me. Why would now make a difference?” She asked.
“It’s because you have seen her in true danger. It’s the magic of motherly love, a magic that can only be conjured when your foal in grave danger.” Celestia said, removing her hoof from Rainbow Dash’s back.
Rainbow Dash looked back at the portal. “But you heard it. What if Scootaloo don’t want to come back to Equestria.” She said, as her ears lowered. “The human that she is with, she calls him Daddy. I can’t be the one to take that away from her. It’s something she has never had before.”
Celestia nodded. “I understand where you are coming from Rainbow Dash. I too do not want to take Scootaloo from the Human she calls her Daddy.” Celestia said, turning towards her sister, and Twilight. “That's is why I have decided. If the human wishes to remain with Scootaloo, then I will grant him permission to come back with her.
“Are you sure that he can be trusted sister?” Luna asked.
“Luna you have watched him, just like I have. I can see he has nothing but the best intentions for Scootaloo. I feel no harm will come from allowing him to cross over into this world.”
“But princess, he his a human. Is it possible for this world to sustain him?” Twilight asked.
“That I am unsure of Twilight. That is why if we must, we can use a spell from my personal library. The spell would allow him to become a pony.” Celestia said,
Twilight's eyes lit up. “Oh my gosh a transformation spell, that I have never seen before. Oh, I really hope that I get to look at that. I would be so wonderful to see how such a spell works, and the theories behind it.”
Celestia gives a slight cough to bring Twilight out of her excitement. Twilight blushes, not meaning to go off on a rant.
“Now we can’t wait my little ponies. You must return to the portal, and bring our Scootaloo home. I am not sure how much longer she will last in the other world, so you must hurry.” Celestia said, pointing the girls towards the door.
As much as Rainbow wanted to fly as fast as she could back to the pond. She was unable to, due to her wing being sprained from her crash. Twilight took notice of Rainbow’s concern. “Don’t worry, we will be there soon. And then we can get your daughter back.” Twilight said, trying to reassure Rainbow Dash.
Within minutes, they were on their way back home. And Rainbow Dash was staring intently out the window. “Don’t worry Mommy is coming for you.” Rainbow Dash said to herself, as the train began its journey back to Ponyville.