It was evening in the sleepy town of Ponyville.
The streets were empty, but that wasn't unusual for a town like Ponyville. What would there be to do anyway? There were no clubs, or any late night venues. There was a bar, of course. Berry Punch's Parlour. But for some reason, most ponies didn't go there to have fun. They went to drink and mope. Not much chance of fun for the customers. Just strong booze, and even stronger regrets.
The only nighttime revelry here occurred at Pinkie's parties.
This is probably the reason that most ponies allow Pinkie to get away with so much. Without her, the town would be dull and quiet. As much as everypony enjoys that, they have to admit, you can't enjoy the silence without sound.
And so too was it with Pinkie. You couldn't enjoy her craziness without the peace that comes from being friends with her. It helps define her.
It was these thoughts that went through Applejack's head as she trotted down the streets with a little filly on her back. The streets were a little too quiet.
“Thank you, Applejack,” Rarity finally spoke as she walked side by side with the orange mare.
“Fer what?”
“Walking Scootaloo and me home, of course. The streets can be dangerous for two young mares such as ourselves.” Applejack and Scootaloo both rolled their eyes at this.
“Not a problem, Rarity. Though it ain't like this is Bayfast, or Neigh York, or somethin’. Nopony is gonna try anything here.” Applejack chuckled a little, causing Scootaloo to be jostled just a little.
It reminded Scootaloo of when her own Mom would carry her home. Her own earthy laugh, shaking her as they flew home from wherever they went.
It was odd to the little filly how much Applejack and Rarity kept reminding her of her mom.
She had to lock those thoughts down. Mom is… gone. Scootaloo was nearly in tears. This is the first time she had admitted it. Admitted the prospect that her Mom wasn't coming back. Can't cry. Be strong. Like her. Mom wouldn't cry. Dash wouldn't cry.
The emotional wall the little filly had constructed returned. If you looked closely into her eyes, you could almost suppose you saw it. She wouldn't cry now. She knew it wouldn’t help to cry.
Completely unaware of these goings on, Rarity continued talking.
“Nevertheless, thank you.” Rarity hesitated a little before continuing. “It means a lot to me. Not just walking us home, but being there in general. You really are the most dependable pony, Applejack.” At that, Rarity turned to face her before flashing those sapphire eyes at her.
“I, uh... well...” stuttered the now beetroot mare. “Look at that. We're here. Don't that beat all.” She smiled and laughed unconvincingly to try to dispel the awkwardness. Stop it, girl. You ain't no hog headed stallion that turns to marshmallow when she looks at ya, she chastised herself. Just ‘cause she likes you that way don't mean you like her. Now stop acting like a schoolfilly with a crush, and pony up. You can sort this out inside.
Rarity rose one eyebrow quizzically, mirrored by Scootaloo. She decided not to pursue it yet. That could wait till Scootaloo was in bed.
“Yes. Right, well, Scootaloo?” The little filly stopped staring at the back of Applejack's head and faced Rarity.
“Yeah?”
“I think when we go in we’d best have some dinner, mhmm? Then it's off to bed for you. You've had a long day and you need your rest. The guest...” Rarity stumbled, catching her mistake just a little too late. “I mean, your new room is facing Sweetie Belle's. Of course, if you prefer, you can stay in her room till you're settled.” Rarity put on her best friendly face. It wasn't working.
The grin was too stretched over her features to ever be considered friendly. Scootaloo had to admit, it was even scarier than Fluttershy's stare.
She heard what Rarity said. 'Guest' room. Little paranoid thoughts went through her mind. The kind that stay and linger in a filly's mind. The thought of not being wanted.
“Um, sure,” Scootaloo said with a hint of resignation. If she didn't want me to stay, why did she offer? She doesn't even want me messing up her precious 'guest' room.
Levitating the keys in her magic aura, she slowly opened the door to Carousel Boutique.
When they were all in, she flicked on the light switch.
SURPRISE!
The force of the shout nearly knocked them out of their horseshoes.
Nearly everyone in Ponyville was here. Everypony was smiling at them. The three newcomers simply looked around blankly. At the back of the room ran a long table of treats that could feed everypony here twice over. After yelling ‘surprise,’ most of the crowd of ponies went back to partying. Not caring why there was a party. Most of them probably didn't even know who Scootaloo was. But a Pinkie party isn't something you want to miss. Across the ceiling ran a banner that proclaimed, “Happy adoption day Scootaloo!” Beneath that ran a smaller banner that said “Also super super yay for new Mommy Rarity!” There could only be one pony responsible for this.
“Pinkie,” Applejack and Rarity said in unison. One as if it explained everything you'd ever need to know, the other as an admonishment.
The pony in question bounded over to them.
“Were you excited? Huh? Huh? Huh?” Her excitement was palpable.
“Pinkie,” Rarity said, annoyance showing in her voice.
“I bet you were excited! There was no way you knew about this party! Heck, up until five minutes ago, I didn't even know about this party!” She spoke ever faster.
“Pinkie.” Her voice was strained now.
“I mean, I knew there was going to be a party. There's always a party. I wouldn't be the party pony of Ponyville if there wasn't a particular party performing precisely when Pinkie predicts it. And I did! It's a super party. You were surprised, weren't you, huh Rarity? Huh? Huh?” Pinkie spoke so rapidly without breath, you would think that she didn't need to breathe. That she just ran on sugar and parties.
“PINKIE!” Rarity all but yelled, interrupting the party pony's continuous speech.
“Yeah new Mommy?” Pinkie asked innocently, fluttering her eyes slightly to accentuate that naiveté.
“Can I speak with you a moment in la cuisine?” she said, forcing away a slight eye twitch of anger at her pink friend.
“In the what now?” Rarity sighed.
“The kitchen, Pinkie. It was fancy for kitchen.”
“Then why didn't you say so, silly filly? You got to talk Equestrian now that you're a Mommy. If your auntie Pinkie Pie can't understand you, how will your filly?” With that, Pinkie rushed into the kitchen, gesturing for a exasperated Rarity to follow.
She turned to Scootaloo instead.
“I need to have a word with Pinkie. I'll be back as soon as I can dear.” Without waiting for a reply, she headed straight to the kitchen. She had a few words to say to her friend.
“Applejack?” AJ turned to the little filly still on her back. It was the first thing she had said to her all day.
“Yes Sugarcube?” she replied tentatively.
“Why does that banner say that? I thought I was just going to stay with Rarity for a while.”
Applejack paused a little before replying.
“Well... Ahem. It's kinda like this. She's adopting you. If you want her to, that is.” Applejack stopped to gauge the little filly's reaction before continuing. “You see, she can't just look after you. If the government found out, they'd put you in a home. That idea didn't seem mighty appealing for ya, so Rarity offered to do this.”
“But why?” Scootaloo's voice took on almost a whining tone before coming hard edged and bitter. “What does she expect out of this? A new worker for her shop? Does she expect me to call her Mommy and wear her dresses?” She was getting angry now. The venom laced her words.
“Now stop right there Sugarcube.” Applejack said calmly. “ She don't expect anything. She ain't doing this for selfish reasons. She's doing it to give you a home.” Applejack looked in Scootaloo's eyes. “She's doing it for you.” The little filly's eyes moistened a little at that. “This is all for you. She don't need to be thanked. She's not trying to replace your momma, or asking to be called it. She just wants to be there for you.” Applejack smiled, trying to reassure Scootaloo. “This here's the honest truth. She only wants to help you. To be there for you. It's up to you if you want it. And I will be there too. You'll live with Rarity, but I'll be there for you too, Sugarcube. So will all the girls. You ain't alone anymore.”
Scootaloo was a little speechless. The paranoid voices at the back of her mind were silent. Applejack doesn't lie. You aren't alone any more.
“I...” Scootaloo’s voice was nearly inaudible over choked back tears. “I think I'd like that Applejack.”
“WOOOWEEEEE!” Applejack exclaimed joyfully, hopping around with the filly on her back laughing.
Then the party really began.
Back in the kitchen Rarity was one step away from doing something entirely unladylike.
“Right. Pinkie?” Rarity began.
“Yahuh?” Pinkie said as she appeared from behind a counter. She hung her hooves over the edge while cocking
her now frosting bearded head slightly to the side. Rarity thought how adorable the sight was. Stop it, Rarity. You are mad at her.
“Do you have any idea what you have done?” Rarity hissed.
Wiping the frosting from her muzzle the back of her hoof she replied shakily, “Thrown the best adoption day party ever?”
Rarity’s eye twitched again.
“No Pinkie. Not even close. You have thrown a party publicising that Scootaloo is an orphan when she has spent the last few years trying to hide it. Do you have any idea how much you could have hurt her?” Her nostrils exhaled smoke furiously.
Pinkie was nervous now. She had seen Rarity angry before and that wasn't something she wanted directed at her.
“It's an adoption party. I don't have to pretend not to know she's an orphan anymore. It's a happy time. She's got a new Mommy and isn't alone anymore. How is that not a party moment?” Pinkie looked at Rarity as if it was self-explanatory.
However, something she said triggered a different response in Rarity.
“You knew?” Her eyes bore straight into Pinkie's.
“That she was an orphan? Well, yeah. Who doesn't?” Pinkie was visibly sweating now.
“Everypony!” The change in volume was enough to make the pink mare squeak and fall onto her back. Before she could stand up, Rarity pounced on top of her. She stood above her and looked straight into her eyes.
“Oh.” That was all Pinkie could say. For once it seemed she was lost for words.
“Why did you not tell us?” There was no anger now in Rarity's voice. Merely whining to know why.
“I thought you knew. I thought everypony knew. Isn't that why we always looked after her? It was as if she was Dashie's little sis. Always babysitting her, or having sleepovers for her in our homes. Even bringing her to Canterlot to meet the Princesses and be a flower filly.” At this, Rarity began to soften. “She wasn't really an orphan. She always had us for her mommies.” Pinkie giggled a little, forgetting the situation she was currently in. “Well, now you're her mommy.” Now she guffawed at it. The idea of prissy Rarity looking after what was basically a filly Dash had her in hysterics.
Giggling a little at the absurdness of what was happening, Rarity stepped off of Pinkie. It was impossible to stay angry at her.
“This doesn't excuse everything Pinkie,” Rarity said, returning to the point at hoof. “ You still have to make up for this to her. I can only imagine how the little dear is feeling.”
Pinkie stood up and was about to say something before Rarity cut her off.
“And I know just how to do it. Come with me, we have a lot of work to do.”
The party was in full swing. Nopony even noticed the absence of Ponyville's premier party pony nor of its mare of fashion. And if they did, nopony mentioned it.
Scootaloo did notice that two other ponies were missing. Namely, the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. In fact, she hadn't seen them since her accident.
Now that voice was back in her head. They aren't here. And they won't be coming either. They don't want you any more, orphan. You may not have abandoned them, but you never thought of it the other way around, did you?
Scootaloo began to get a little frantic. She couldn't find them, and all the while, that voice in her head taunted her. Why would they be here? Nopony wants orphans. And what must it look like to Sweetie Belle? You're stealing her sister from her. Some friend you are.
“Hey orphan,” a voice called. For a moment Scootaloo thought the it was just that nagging voice in her head before.
“Blank flank, I'm talking to you.” She knew who it was now. Diamond Tiara.
“What do you want?” Scootaloo said turning to face her school-yard bully.
“I just wanted to say Ha Ha.” Behind Diamond Tiara Silver spoon shifted uncomfortably.
“What did you say?” Scootaloo was now on the defensive. She knew Diamond was a bully, but this was going too far. Even for her.
“I said Ha Ha. I knew you were just street trash the minute I saw you. What happened? Did mother see how worthless you are and just throw you out with the garbage?” Diamond Tiara's eyes flashed menacingly.
Silver Spoon stomped a hoof to get Diamond Tiara's attention. Turning around at the noise, she almost screamed in rage.
“Yes? What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?”
“How dare you? You can't say that to her just ‘cause you don't like her. You've gone too far DT. This is not cool.” Silver turned to leave as Diamond Tiara shouted after her.
“Leave then! See if I care. Daddy can always buy me more friends. Better ones than you.” Diamond then turned back to Scootaloo.
“Now for you, you no-good guttersnipe. You are worthless, and I knew it Blank-Flank. Everypony knows you need to be loved to get your Cutie Mark. And nopony loves you.” Diamond Tiara started laughing now. She had said everything she ever wanted to say. She was better than her and she wanted everypony to know it. As that horrible laugh filled the air, quietly muffling the tears Scootaloo tried to hold back, a voice rent it asunder.
“Hey.” Scootaloo looked up through misted eyes to see Applebloom and Sweetie Belle Standing there, faces a mask of anger aimed at their friend's tormenter.
“Oh, it's the rest of the Blank-Flank Brigade. What do you want?” Diamond Tiara smirked at them.
“You leave her alone Diamond Tiara. Jus' cause you're jealous doesn't mean you get to say lies.” Applebloom said pointedly.
“Jealous?” She was taken aback. “Jealous of what? A Blank-Flank filly with no family? Don't make me laugh.” She cackled a little to let them know how absurd it was. The CMC's faces didn't change though. They merely walked closer to her.
“You are though.”Sweetie Belle said plainly. “Jealous of her mane, her rough and tough attitude. Maybe you're even jealous of how much fun she seems to have with us.”
Diamond Tiara didn't know what to say. She wanted to laugh at them, call them names but something made her stop a moment. No, it’s not true, she thought. They're just foals. There is nothing they have that I don't have or can't buy.
“Oh shut up you little idiot. I am not jealous of her horrid mane or her 'attitude.' and I'm certainly...”
Applebloom cut her off.
“If you want the truth, Tiara, I'll tell you your problem with her and us. We have a family. It may not be fancy or rich but it's still a family.” Applebloom walked ever closer to Diamond Tiara as she started walking backwards trying to get away. “We might not be related me and Scootaloo-”
“And me!” Sweetie Belle chirped in from beside Applebloom.
“And Sweetie Belle- are a family, and we love each other. You can't buy that. It only comes from other ponies. So stop taking out yer damn daddy issues out on us an’ get out.” Applebloom fixed her with a stare, challenging her to do something.
So she ran.
Sweetie Belle was the first to get to Scootaloo's side.
“Are you ok?” Sweetie gave her such a caring look that it could make even a rock's heart beat.
“I'm fine. Where were you guys? I looked all over and I couldn't find you. I thought you were avoiding me.” Scootaloo revealed.
“We were.” Applebloom admitted.
Scootaloo fell back on her hindquarters at that. Applebloom quickly continued.
“We were being foals. I don't like it when ponies lie. I guess thats what happens when your big sis is the element of honesty.” Sighing, she sat down in front of Scootaloo, not looking at her face. “It was stupid of me. I shouldn't have let something so silly get between us. You had a good reason for keeping it a secret. And it’s all settled now.” Looking up she hesitated. “I meant what I said, you know. You are family to me. And to big sis.”
Sweetie Belle sat down beside Applebloom before Scootaloo could talk.
“And me too. I was just being jealous of you. I thought you were trying to take my sis away. Like how Applebloom was when I tried to enter the Sisterhooves social with Applejack.” Applebloom chuckled at the memory. “But when Diamond Tiara started bullying you... I just couldn't take it. Applebloom is right. We are family.” She smiled at Scootaloo.
Scootaloo didn't know what to say. She thought she had lost her friends. Yet she didn't. She gained a family. There was only one thing she could say. So swallowed her pride, and despite how 'mushy-gushy' it was, yelled,
“GROUP HUG!”
With that, the three fillies nearly tackled each other to hug Scootaloo.
“Thanks girls. I'm sorry for lying.” Scootaloo had her head buried between her two friend's necks, as a few tears of happiness rolled out. Neither of her friends said a word about it.
“Don't worry about it Scoots.” Applebloom said.
With a sly smile, Sweetie Belle replied “ Yeah, it's ok. You're still my favourite niece.”
"NIECE?”