Skaterloo’s eyes slowly fluttered open to see the now-familiar sight of the spire’s high ceiling. Sitting up in the bed, the young colt stretched before hopping off the bed.
“Good morning!” Twilight smiled at the colt.
Skaterloo greeted, “Morning! Where are we going today?”
Twilight paused, “We can go to the park if you want.”
“Yes please!” the young colt exclaimed.
“Ok but let’s have breakfast first.” the unicorn mare said.
Before anyone could reply, Twilight heard a knock on her door, along with a familiar voice. “Twily honey please come let us in!”
“Mom?” Twilight asked under her breath.
The purple unicorn moved to her door to let her mother Twilight Velvet in. Opening the door, she saw a blue stallion, her father Night Light. “Mom, Dad! What are you doing here?”
“A friend of mine saw you with four other ponies your age! Were you really socializing?” Night asked.
“Uhhhh. Yeah, I was out with them,” Twilight confirmed for the older ponies.
Velvet smiled, “Oh wonderful! My baby has friends. You’ve got to introduce them to us. Let’s go!”
Twilight stopped her mother, “Uhhh I’m kind of in the middle of something important. Can we do introductions in half an hour?”
“What could be more important than showing us your friends?” Night asked.
Twilight informed, “I’m taking care of a little colt right now.”
The young mare’s mother tilted her head, “A little colt. Who're the little dear’s parents.”
Twilight’s eyes widened largely, “I-I don’t know... He’s from an orphanage somewhere. He wasn’t from Canterlot but the Princess helped me send notices asking for missing foal reports from the towns closest to Canterlot.”
Twilight Velvet and her husband stared at their daughter realizing she was serious; that she was taking care of an orphan colt.
“How old is the little guy?” Night asked with strong concern.
Twilight sighed, “H-he’s just five.”
Velvet gasped, “F-five! Five years old and he doesn’t have a family at all?” The mother felt tears coming on, thoughts of her own children being alone without her or their family flashing through her mind.
“Mom are you ok?” Twilight asked.
“Twilight are you coming back?” a little voice asked.
“Is that.... him?” Velvet tried to ask, choking up a little.
Twilight nodded, “Yeah I’m coming!” the unicorn returned answering the colt. The young mare motioned for her parents to follow her.
Velvet followed her daughter a bit faster than her husband. Once she saw the little pony her heart warmed, “Oooh! Hello little guy. What’s your name?”
Skaterloo felt a bit nervous around the two new ponies. Twilight comforted him by putting her larger hoof on his small one, “S-Skaterloo.” the pegasus exclaimed.
Velvet stepped a little closer, slowly to not scare the little dear. “Hello, Skaterloo.”
“Twilight who are they?” Skaterloo asked turning to the unicorn.
Feeling a bit of hesitation Twilight answered the colt’s question, “This my mother Twilight Velvet and my father Night Light.”
Skaterloo looked down at the table at the mention of the words mother and father.
Twilight moved her hoof to the colt’s back, “Somepony will adopt you. You’re a great boy. Whoever adopts you will be v.. very lucky.”
“Twily are you ok sweetheart?” Velvet, noticing her daughter’s slight hesitation, questioned.
Twilight snapped back to reality at the sound of her mother’s voice, “Ah! Y-yeah, mom, I’m fine.”
Velvet decided to move on from her daughter’s earlier statement, a statement that felt sad, like the younger mare was attached to the colt, “Ok. How about we just go and have breakfast?”
“Yes let’s.” Before Twilight was about to leave she saw a certain baby dragon hadn’t woken up yet. “Spike! My parents are here. Skaterloo and I will leave you behind if you don’t hurry up.”
Not even two minutes later Spike ran down the stairs of the Spire and in a voice trying to sound awake said, “No don’t! Wait!”
“Oh, Spike!” Velvet gave a giggle, “Let’s get going.”
Twilight followed her parents, Spike, and Skaterloo out the door before locking it behind them.
“Ok, Mom. Where do you want to get breakfast?” Twilight asked.
“How do you feel about having it at our house?” Velvet replied to her daughter, “I’ll make waffles.”
Twilight smiled, “I’d like that.” The unicorn turned to the youngest of the group, “You’ll love my mom’s waffles.”
“Can I have syrup?” Skaterloo asked hopefully.
“I can see why you’re so attached to this little dear Twilight.” Velvet smiled, “Of course you can”
“Yay!” Skaterloo chirped.
Twilight smiled, rubbing the colt’s head.
Soon the group was walking to the older ponies’ house unaware that above them Princess Celestia was watching over them, while she was looking down at the scroll she’d received from the town right next to Canterlot; Ponyville earlier that day.
Missing Foal Report
Name: Skaterloo
Sex: Male
Age: 5 years
Residence: Ponyville Orphanage
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s): Sweet Honey
Description: Skaterloo is an orange pegasus with a pinkish or cerise mane.
“I’ve found his home. But will you be able to say goodbye, my faithful student?” Celestia asked herself as if Twilight was there. “I’ll give you a few more hours.”
Completely ignorant of the fact she’d be saying goodbye to her little friend that day, Twilight happily strolled through the city to her childhood home. Twilight smiled as Skaterloo started to skip as he walked. The older unicorn mare looked back to her daughter and saw an adorable sight, Skaterloo now riding on her daughter’s back, the younger mare smiling at the young colt. Velvet grinned, “You’re really attached to him Twilight, aren’t you?”
Twilight took a moment away from the pegasus and replied to her mother’s question, “You mean Skates-Uhhh Skaterloo?” The unicorn paused, “Where did that nickname come from?”
“Is that what you’re calling him?” Night turned back to his daughter smiling.
Twilight stuttered a bit, “W-well d-do you like it?” The unicorn turned to the pegasus on her back.
Skaterloo gave a huge smile, “Mhmm!”
The unicorn could only reply, “Then Skates it is!” as her smile began to grow larger.
After that little exchange Velvet said, “We’re here!”
Twilight turned her head back around to face forward and saw the familiar blue building. the place she called home for many years. As she looked up at the small tower attached to the house, memories started to flow through her mind from her younger self; building forts out of books and a foal’s usual building supplies, chairs, blankets and of course couch cushions. Other memories were of her older brother’s scavenger hunts, family dinners and many other things.
The stallion opened the door offering the others to go first, which they accepted. She looked around at the new surroundings.
“Ok, I’ll get started on breakfast.” Velvet exclaimed.
Twilight helping Skaterloo off her back asked, “Do you need any help?”
“I’m fine dear.” Velvet answered the younger mare, “How about you take ‘Skates’ and Spike to the reading room. We still have a few books you and your brother loved when you were his age.”
“Ok! I think I know the perfect one,” Twilight said motioning for the young colt to follow her.
The younger pony followed the unicorn to the room filled with several bookshelves. When the unicorn brought down a specific book down its title was; Tip and Top, a story about two friends, a hippo and an elephant.
Skaterloo smiled as the short story was read to him. He liked the elephant Top the most.
After the mare finished the story Twilight heard her mother call, “You three can come down now, everything’s ready!”
Twilight smiled putting the book back on the shelf. With the young pegasus following behind her she made her way downstairs. The smell of her mother’s waffles brought back more fond memories of her childhood.
After the two younger ponies entered the kitchen Velvet motioned for the two to sit down, “So which syrup do you want?”
“M-maple please,” Skaterloo replied.
Velvet smiled, “Do you like it with cinnamon.”
The colt smiled which was all the mare needed as an answer. Velvet levitated a bottle over to the table. Skaterloo tried to get the cap off. Twilight gave the colt a little help opening the bottle letting him pour the sweet sticky liquid on to his breakfast.
Skaterloo cut a piece of the waffle with his fork and bit it off the utensil. As he chewed, the taste of the syrup mixed well with the taste of the waffle, “Mmmm!”
Velvet smiled, glad he was enjoying it. The mother turned to her daughter to see that she was in deep thought. Velvet had a pretty good idea what Twilight was thinking about.
While Twilight stared at her own breakfast. Her parents turned to each other a few times both knowing what the other was thinking.
Skaterloo asked where the bathroom was. Velvet pointed and the colt left.
After the colt was out of earshot Night spoke up clearing his throat, “Twilight.”
Twilight looked up to her father’s voice, “Yes Dad?”
“You’re thinking about adopting him, aren’t you?” the father asked his daughter.
Twilight froze a moment. “What!? I-I just want him to have a good home. Could I even be a good mother?”
Velvet chuckled, “You raised Spike didn’t you?”
Twilight turned to the baby dragon sitting next to her, “I-I did do that.” She then saw Skaterloo returning to his seat at the table, “But should I? I’m still so young myself.”
Later after the group had eaten Twilight led her parents to where she was meeting her friends that day, Minuette’s house. The mare led her parents to the blue unicorn’s house. Upon arriving Skaterloo was the first to knock on the door.
Minuette came to the door seeing her friends Twilight and Skaterloo, “Hey Twilight. Hey Skaterloo and.....” The blue unicorn then noticed the pair of older ponies behind the two, “Hey, aren’t you Twi’s parents?”
Velvet smiled, “Yes, are you one of Twilight’s friends?”
Twilight nodded, “Yes, Mom, Dad, this is Minuette. Minuette this my mother Twilight Velvet and my father Night Light.”
Minuette smiled, “Nice to meet you two.”
“You as well. Are your other friends here?” Velvet asked.
Minuette nodded, “Yes come in.” The blue unicorn stepped aside stretching out a hoof. She led her guests into the living room where three other unicorns were sitting.
“Hey, Twilight.” Moondancer greeted. Stepping forward, the pale yellowish unicorn saw the two older unicorns behind the mare. “Why are your parents here? Is everything alright?”
“Yes. They just wanted to meet you four. Mom, Dad this is Moondancer, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts.” Twilight introduced her friends while motioning towards the mares. The older unicorns sat next to their daughter along with the young colt and dragon.
“Well, I’m guessing that Twilight told you. We all met at Princess Celestia’s school?”
Velvet thought back, “Well she didn’t go into much detail earlier. But I think I remember her telling us about meeting five young fillies when at the Princess’ school.”
Minuette smiling responded, “That’s us and Lyra but she moved down into Ponyville last year.”
Skaterloo looked down at the mention of his home town, “I don’t want to go back!”
“Ok let’s go!” Minuette exclaimed.
“Where are you going?” Night questioned.
“We’re just going to wander around Canterlot.” Twilight explained to her parents.
“We’ve decided on a few stops. The park, antique store and the library. You two can come along if you want.” Lemon offered.
Velvet smiled, “I think that’s for Twilight to decide. I don’t think an 18-year-old mare would want her parents following her and her friends around.”
Twilight blushed.
Night chuckled, “It’s fine Twilight. We just wanted to meet your friends, but we would like to get to know them sometime.”
“How about we plan a dinner sometime?” Twinkleshine offered.
“That sounds like a great idea!” Velvet answered the offer.
Skaterloo sat watching as the adults planned their dinner for two days from today, which was Friday. He knew if they brought him down to Ponyville they'd find out about the orphanage and that he lived there.
“Ok. Then it’s a plan!” Night exclaimed.
As the older unicorns left Velvet said, “Have fun today!”
“We will!” Minuette waved.
“Bye Mom, Bye Dad!” Twilight exclaimed.
The older unicorns waved to their daughter and her friends. Velvet caught a glance of Skaterloo looking up at her and waved to him.
“Ok girls. Where should we go first?” Moondancer asked.
Twilight glanced over and saw Skaterloo and Spike stepping down from the couch, “How about the Antique store. The library is right near the park so we can stop there after.”
“Sounds good to me!” Minuette smiled.
The other unicorns shrugged, “Sounds good.”
1 hour later
Celestia sighed, “It’s time I sent this to Twilight. In order for the orphanage to know he is safe he must go back home.” The royal levitated a second piece of parchment and a quill. “To my faithful student...” After writing the letter she used her magic to send it away in a cloud of smoke.
Meanwhile
Twilight giggled while talking to her friends, “I don’t know why I avoided this for so long!”
“That’s why we’ve always tried to get you to hang out.” Lemon turned to the purple unicorn.
Spike felt something in his throat before letting out an audible belch. Spitting a small burst of fire from the smoke, a roll of paper materialized and fell to the ground.
Spike picked up the letter, “Twilight, it’s from the Princess.”
Twilight turned towards the dragon knowing the most likely answer to what was written, “What did she write?”
Clearing his throat the baby dragon began reading off the letter, “To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle:
Earlier today I received the missing foal reports from all the towns around Canterlot and found the one I’ve attached to this letter. I’ve done my part, my faithful student, but we can’t keep him here much longer.
Princess Celestia.”
Twilight took the second paper and read it off, “Name Skaterloo... Residence Ponyville Orphanage.” The mare glanced up to the corner with a small photo of the orange pegasus.
“Hey, that’s great! You found where he came from!” Minuette said.
“Yeah,” Twilight said.
Skaterloo had stopped moving without most of the adults noticing. Twilight was lost in thought. Minuette and Lemon were staring at Twilight and Twinkleshine couldn’t see Skaterloo.
“Skaterloo is everything alright?” Moondancer spoke up.
Twilight snapped out of her trance and turned her head back.
Skaterloo looked down at the ground. He didn’t want to go back “N-no! I don’t want to go back! I want to stay here with, with-.“ The colt started to run.
Twilight quickly caught up, “Skaterloo!”
Skaterloo stopped in front of the mare, “S-Sorry Twilight.” He apologized for running away from the group.
Twilight sighed bending down to the colt’s eye level, “Just don’t try to run away again. I know you don’t want to go back, but I have to take you. You don’t want them to think something bad happened to you, do you?”
Skaterloo looked down. The head caretaker Sweet Honey was going to be worried about him. She was probably already worried about him.
Twilight saw her friends approach, “I promise somepony will adopt you before you know it.”
Skaterloo shakily stood up, “W-will you take me there?”
Twilight nodded, “I told you I would tell them about the bullying you told me about. They also would likely need to know who was taking care of you for the past few days.”
“Hey, Lyra lives in Ponyville. We can see her and invite her to the dinner this Friday while we find the orphanage.” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight nodded, “Are you ready Skates?”
“Y-Y-Yes.” Skaterloo stood up
“Skates? Where’d you come up with that name Twi?” Minuette asked.
Twilight turned slightly, “It kind of just came to me earlier with my parents.”
The other mares nodded and started walking towards the train station keeping an eye on the colt beside Twilight. The young pegasus did as he was told and stayed with the group and didn’t run again.
Twilight kept glancing back and forth between Spike and Skaterloo, “I raised Spike from when he was a baby. I-I could raise a foal from five years old. But raising a dragon and raising a pony are two different things and it’s another mouth to feed.”
Moondancer and Minuette glanced at each other, “Do you think she’s thinking about..” Moondancer started.
“Adopting him? I think so.” Minuette whispered.
The group had arrived at the train station and each ordered their tickets. Twilight paid for herself and the two youngest members of the group, while the rest paid for themselves. The seven stepped on to the first train heading to Ponyville.
Lemon sat next to Twilight with Skaterloo in between the two unicorns. The yellow unicorn whispered a question to her friend, “Twilight are you doing alright? We all saw you looking between Skaterloo and Spike.”
Twilight whispered back, “Y-you did?”
“Yes and we want you to know we’re behind you no matter your choice.” the yellow unicorn replied.
Twilight slowly felt a smile form on her face. She was still unsure about what her decision was going to be but with her friends and family being behind her whatever decision she made definitely made her feel more secure in her choice.
“I-I’ll choose after I bring him back to the orphanage.” Twilight thought, after spending a few days with the young colt, the unicorn was genuinely leaning towards adopting him.
While the train sped down to the rails towards the small town near the mountain base, Skaterloo looked out the window at the sky, with the trees blurring by as the older ponies talked with each other.
“So where does Lyra live in Ponyville?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t worry we’ll show you.” Minuette smiled.
The purple unicorn nodded. After about three minutes the train gave a screech as it came to stop.
“All off for Ponyville station!” the conductor soon announced.
“Ok, this is it,” Twilight said, stepping off her seat and making sure Skaterloo did as well. The friends stepped off the train along with a few other passengers.
Twinkleshine stepped off, the last of the group, “Ok Twilight we’ll show you where Lyra lives.”
As the group began to leave Twilight interrupted, “Wait! Shouldn’t I ask for directions to the orphanage.”
“You could just ask Lyra when we get there?” Moondancer offered, “Would probably be better to get them from where we’re going anyway,”
Twilight turned towards her friends, “That does make sense.”
The four unicorns started to walk with Twilight, Spike and Skaterloo not too far behind them.
While Twilight kept her eye on the young pegasus beside her, the colt suddenly asked a question, “W-will you ever visit me?”
“....I will. I promise.”
As Skaterloo smiled, the group stopped in front of a small house. “Here we are!” Minuette chirped.
Once the blue mare knocked on the door, a voice rang through the door, “Be right there.”
Barely audible hoofsteps approached the door before it was pushed open by a green unicorn who the older ponies of the group immediately recognized. “Oh hey, girls! This is a pleasant surprise.” Seeing Twilight the unicorn responded, “You’re here too Twilight? That’s an even bigger surprise.”
The purple unicorn chuckled sheepishly rubbing her forehoof, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it Lyra?”
“Well, What is everypony waiting for? Come in.” Lyra stepped aside, keeping her door open.
Twilight and the rest stepped into their friend’s house. After Skaterloo entered Lyra asked, “And who are you, little guy?”
“M-my name’s Skaterloo.” The colt returned
Twinkleshine smiled, “Twilight has been taking care of him for a few days. B-but with some help from Princess Celestia she found... he lives in Ponyville.”
“Oh. I-I think I remember his face from a missing pony poster from the orphanage. But that means he’s-“
“An orphan.” The ivory unicorn sadly nodded.
Lyra watched as Skaterloo walked away oblivious to their conversation, “Poor kid.”
Skaterloo stepped towards Twilight standing at her side. Before speaking the colt softly kicked a hoof across the floor, “Um Tw-Twilight.”
“Y-yes?” Twilight turned concerned about the colt’s sad tone, “What’s wrong?”
“I-I’m scared to go back.” Skaterloo admitted, “I hate it.”
“I know. I’ll talk to the caretakers about your bullying issues. I’ll stay for a little bit if you want.” Twilight offered.
“O-ok.” Skaterloo smiled in a more glum than happy manner.
Lyra and Twinkleshine caught up with the rest of the group. Twilight looked around the room and noticed a few pictures of the green unicorn with a tan earth pony, “Who is that?”
Lyra smiled while replying, “That’s my friend Bon Bon. I met her when I visited Ponyville for the first time.”
“They’re also roommates.” Minuette added, “annnd she’s Lyra’s huge crush! Where is she anyway?”
Lyra blushed intensely at Minuette’s crush comment responding, “S-She’s out of town for a little while.”
Twilight nodded, “I-I’d like to meet her sometime.”
Lyra smiled, “I’ll introduce you. So what does everypony want to do?” the green unicorn asked the group.
“How about we just, you know, hang out?” Minuette offered
“What does everypony else think?” Twinkleshine glanced around the room.
The rest of the group agreed to the plan given. Twilight, although smiling, felt a tug at her heart when remembering the inevitable question for directions to the orphanage. “I’ll ask Lyra later. I just hope everything will be ok for Skaterloo after I leave.”
Lyra smiled, “Oh I have lots of stories for you girls.”
During the many conversations the adults had, Skaterloo was at the centre of almost all their recent stories. Twilight found herself laughing during Minuette’s story from their school years which was actually more of an embarrassing story for her than anyone else.
Twilight with a small yet noticeable sadness in her voice asked Lyra, “Can I have.... directions to the orphanage?”
Lyra paused for a moment concerned about Twilight’s slight sadness, “Of course. I’ll actually lead you there if you want.”
Twilight nodded. “Thank you.” But after looking towards Skaterloo, she had one thought. She had to take him back before the worst was assumed but she wanted him to enjoy the last little bit of time they had together.
Twilight walked over to Skaterloo and bent down to his eye level. “Skaterloo are you ready?” the mare asked.
Skaterloo shakily turned his head looking away from the unicorn’s eyes. Eventually with much hesitation he replied, “Y-yes.”
The unicorn mare bent down slightly more helping the colt onto her back. Twilight smiled looking back at the colt. “Hang on!”
“Huh?” Skaterloo tilted his head.
But before the young colt could even ask why, Twilight reared up on to her hind hooves kicking her hooves playfully while jumping on and off her front and hind hooves.
Skaterloo gripped the mare tightly. While the unicorn moved around the colt giggled.
Twilight stopped her playful jumping and looked back at the smiling colt on her back. The mare smiled back at the colt, “That’s better.”
Skaterloo kept his smile while Twilight and her friends prepared to leave.
“Wow, Twilight where’d you get that idea?” Lyra asked the purple unicorn, “You’re pretty good with foals.”
Twilight softly chuckled and responded, “I-It was just something my dad and brother did with me as a filly. I thought he’d like it too.”
Lyra smiled softly poking the other mare, “Well then, I guess your whole family is good with foals.”
Twilight looked at the green mare keeping eye contact, “I suppose we are.”
The green mare poked her friend’s side, “Oh and now that you’ve come out once, you can never go back to sitting in the castle reading all the time.”
“Ok... Can’t I just have one day?”
Wearing a devious smirk Lyra continued, “Sure..... every two months.” she quipped.
Twilight could barely stop herself from giggling, “Make it a month and a half and it’s a deal.”
Lyra’s amused smirk grew, “Deal!”
Twilight with the young colt on her back stepped into the sunlight, out onto the streets of Ponyville with her friends not far behind. Leaning in close Minuette whispered, “Are you ready for this Twilight?”
“W-why are you asking me?” Twilight questioned, “Sh-shouldn’t you-“
“I’m not asking Skaterloo if he’s ready. I’m asking you if you're ready to say goodbye?” the blue mare asked.
Twilight glanced back to the colt who was completely unaware of their extremely hushed conversation, “I don’t know Minuette, I don’t know.” Twilight thought to herself. She knew she had to, but something deep in her heart was telling her she didn’t want to.
The walk to the orphanage was largely silent. In a few all too short minutes, the sign with the name ‘Ponyville Orphanage’ came into view. “Ok girls. Here it is.”
Twilight walked up the steps up and opened the doors with her friends following right behind her. Inside an older earth pony, mare was pacing back and forth seemingly waiting for something or somepony.
“The princess said that the mare would be here soon.” The mare spoke to herself in a worried tone.
Twilight approached after getting Skaterloo down off her back who immediately wrapped his hoof around the mare’s. Twilight smiled and addressed the pacing mare, “Ummm hello? Is Sweet Honey here at the moment.”
“Oh!” The mare turned around. The mare looked down seeing Skaterloo his hoof tightening around the mare’s. “Yes, that’s me.”
“From what I understand this little one is from here.” Twilight explained.
“Yes, he is. I’m guessing you're the one who found him?” Sweet asked, remembering the princess’s report to the orphanage.
The younger mare nodded before replying, “He somehow made his way to Canterlot. He must have snuck onto a late-night train.”
Sweet approached the younger ponies, “Is that what you did?” she asked the colt.
Skaterloo looked down in shame being only able to nod in confirmation. He didn’t move from his place next to the unicorn. Looking up he was Sweet’s expression, even as a foal he knew she was mad and disappointed with him.
“I promise I’ve been taking care of him. He likely wasn’t in Canterlot alone for any more than an hour or two.” Twilight said, knowing it was still very bad though not as bad as it could have been had he been wandering around alone longer,
Looking over the colt, seeing he was clean, he looked healthy, his coat and feathers were well kept. No physical signs of malnutrition or sleep deprivation were visible. “Thank you. Ms.....” Sweet began the unicorn’s name having slipped her mind.
“Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight confirmed.
“Oh, of course. Thank you, Ms. Sparkle. The other caretakers and I have been very worried. Looking all over town for him.”
Twilight smiled sadly looking back up with a serious tone, “Speaking of that there’s something he’s told me that I feel you should be aware of.”
“What is it? Please if any caretakers under me are mistreating any foals in our care I must know.”
“It isn’t anything like that. It’s just that he’s told me other foals have been bullying him. He has told caretakers, but nothing has been done against it.”
“Hmmm, I will see what I can do. Ok, Skaterloo let’s get you back to your room.”
Skaterloo looked up to Twilight. The unicorn bent down to the younger pony’s eye level. “Don’t worry Skates. I promise you’ll be fine. Like I said I’ll visit.”
The young colt blinked trying to smile, “Thank you Twilight.” The pegasus wrapped his short hooves around the unicorn leaning onto her chest.
“You’re welcome,” Twilight replied, wrapping a hoof around the colt. “Behave yourself. Don’t go running away again.”
Skaterloo nodded keeping hold of the mare, “Ok.”
The older pony separated the embrace, “Goodbye.”
“B-bye.” Skaterloo returned the parting.
Twilight smiled and turned to leave after a short moment, keeping eye contact with her young friend.
“Bye.” Skaterloo repeated just barely whispering under his breath.
Twilight and her friends turned to leave. As they walked out the door Skaterloo was turned around as Sweet led him back to his room so they could talk about what had happened and caused him to run away.
After the mares had stepped away from the orphanage, Minuette asked, “So what should we do now?”
Twilight turned her head away from the building, “Maybe we should just go home.”
“Come on Twilight, let's at least stay here a little bit.” Twinkleshine exclaimed, “There’s an antique store and book store. You could get some new things. Well with the antiques it’s relatively speaking.”
Twilight sighed, “I should do something to take my mind off this,”
Later
Twilight walked down the aisles of shelved books. She found one that she immediately picked up upon seeing, “Adoption Law.” The unicorn glanced around before opening it skimming through looking for one specific part, “Process of adoption.”
Moondancer snuck around the corner seeing Twilight holding two books in her magic. When she got closer she read the side of the two books, “Adoption Law and Parenting Young Foals. Huh?”
Twilight jumped and just about dropped her books, “Oh, Moondancer. I was just reading some-“
“You miss him, don’t you?” Moondancer asked, “I won’t say if you should or shouldn’t. But I will say it will be much harder than just taking care of him temporarily.”
Twilight froze realizing her friend knew exactly what was on her mind, “A-am I really that transparent?”
“If it were any more obvious, you’d be just saying it out loud,” Moondancer replied bluntly yet in a joking manner.
The purple unicorn sighed picking the books up, “I want him to find a home.... but something keeps telling me that I should be the one to give it to him.”
“Have you been listening to it?” Moondancer asked.
“.....I have.” Twilight replied. The mare stepped away, her thoughts straying from Skaterloo to Spike and how she raised the latter.
Stepping over to the counter Twilight placed the two books down and after hearing the price took out the necessary bits needed for the purchase.
After leaving the store, the mare stopped in her steps as a group of foals, followed by an orange earth pony mare, ran right past her. The unicorn paused, all the foals were around 4 or 5. “Spike?”
“Yes.” the dragon responded
“I need you to send a letter to the princess.”
Spike nodded pulling out a blank parchment, “Ok for what.”
“I need a reliable reference for the Equestrian Adoption Agency,” Twilight replied to the dragon’s slight surprise.
“Ok got it!” Spike began the letter with Twilight’s usual greeting ‘Dear Princess Celestia’
“I’m writing to inform you that Skaterloo has been safely returned to the orphanage. But I would like to ask for a favour.” Twilight added her request, “I want to be able to use you as a reference for an...... adoption process. I know I’m young, I’m just 18. But I want Skaterloo to have a loving home and I want to be the one to give him it. I hope you will consider my request.
Your faithful student Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight smiled as she saw her friends surround her. None of them said a word, they just had expressions of encouragement.
Spike rolled up the scroll and blew a breath of fire burning the parchment and watched the smoke flow up towards Canterlot.
“It shouldn’t take her too long to respond.” Twilight turned her head following the smoke.
The purple mare then felt a hoof drape around her and turned to see Minuette beside her. “So guess you’re going to be the first of us to be a mother.” the blue unicorn joked.
Twinkleshine giggled, “B-but in all seriousness Twilight. We’ll all be behind you. If you ever need help or a foalsitter just come to us.”
“Thanks.” Twilight replied, “But given my age, I don’t know what the odds of me being deemed as a fit parent. Even with Princess Celestia herself as a reference.”
Spike burped and with a small breath of fire a new scroll appeared, “Here’s her response Twi.”
Twilight turned hoping that the princess would act as her reference but excepting her to refuse.
“To Twilight Sparkle my most faithful student,
I would be more than happy to give my word for you. You have proven to me that you are capable of raising a young life. You have done a good job raising Spike. I have no doubt you would be a fit and capable mother.
Princess Celestia.” Spike read the letter aloud. After reading it the dragon bleached again, another scroll appearing, “I guess that’s what this is.”
Twilight took the two parchments reading both of them. The second scroll was indeed a letter for Twilight to give as a reference. The unicorn looked up to see her friends, all with supportive expressions.
[Back at the Orphanage
Skaterloo looked down. He hadn’t moved much after Twilight dropped him off. He’d already assumed Twilight was back in Canterlot by now.
“Skaterloo, why don’t you come out and play with the other foals?” Sweet tried to encourage the colt.
The colt continued to look down not saying a word or making eye contact for much longer than a second.
An assistant caretaker peaked into the room, “Ms. Honey, a young unicorn mare wishes to speak with you.”
The head caretaker turned around, “Has she given her name?”
“Yes. Her name is Twilight Sparkle.”
Sweet paused, “She’s come back? Did she forget anything?”
The mare walked back up to the front and saw the mare standing in the room, “Ms. Sparkle, what brings you back? Is there something else important you wish to discuss.”
“Yes, there is. It’s about Skaterloo and the process of adoption.”
Sweet had to pause making sure she understood the younger mare correctly, “I must ask, are you really telling me that you wish to begin the process of adopting Skaterloo?”
Twilight smiled as she pulled out a scroll, “I believe this should answer your question.”
Sweet unrolled the scroll as it was given to her and instantly realized what it was, “.....I assure you that Twilight Sparkle is a responsible and mature mare and is fully capable of being a parent...” as she continued reading she then realized just who had signed it, “Princess Celestia.”
Twilight stayed silent as the older mare looked up from the letter. Sweet looked back down at the letter and rolled the scroll up again.
“If Princess Celestia herself is your reference I doubt you won’t be seen as a fit parent. I certainly would find you as one, especially because Skaterloo came back in good health and hygiene.” Sweet smiled. “I will help you with the process.”
Later
Skaterloo sat, a plate with a few scattered crumbs next to him. When he hadn’t moved due to his deflated mood, a caretaker had brought him a little snack trying to cheer him up.
“Skaterloo.” a mare’s voice greeted him.
The young colt almost gasped when he realized who the voice belonged to. The pegasus looked up to see Twilight smiling at him, “T-Twilight?”
Twilight walked over to the colt, “My friends and I are going to be going back to Canterlot soon.”
“O-oh. Y-you said you’d visit right?” Skaterloo said in a questioning but hopeful tone.
Twilight smiled, “About that, those plans have changed.”
The colt looked up with a heartbroken expression.
Before the colt could get more upset Twilight continued, “I won’t be visiting because you won’t be here much longer.”
Skaterloo’s expression changed from upset to confused. He was completely unable to respond.
Twilight pulled out a stack of papers. “And I won’t need to visit you because... I won’t have to.” the unicorn said, revealing the front of the sheets.
Skaterloo felt his heart jump as he read two things that jumped off the page for him, “Equestria Adoption Agency and Twilight Sparkle.” They were adoption papers.
Twilight put a hoof around the little pony, “I won’t visit you here because... I want to be your mom.”
“My m-m-mom?” Skaterloo stuttered hearing that last word.
The unicorn nodded with a soft smile. Before she could say anything the colt just about dove into her. Twilight wrapped her hooves around him. She soon felt something lightly soak her coat. The older pony looked down, “A-are you crying?” The unicorn pulled the colt away and saw the tears welled up in his eyes and a smile on his face. The unicorn only smiled wiping the colt’s face to dry his tears
2 months later
Skaterloo smiled as he packed the last of his things. He was finally leaving the orphanage for good. He was going to miss Ponyville but he was overjoyed to have a mother.
Sweet came in to see the young colt, “Skaterloo are you ready to go.”
“Yes!” Skaterloo said without a second thought or hesitating a smile.
In the front entrance Twilight stood waiting, and soon saw the mare and colt appear out of a room. Skaterloo almost immediately ran towards the mare. The older pony bent down to let the colt hug her.
Skaterloo smiled as Twilight pulled away. “Let’s get going.” The mare helped the colt up onto her back.
The new mother and son immediately walked to the train station and got on the next train to Canterlot. The young pegasus watched out the window as his old home began to get further away before disappearing from his sight. After he slid back, away from the window and over to Twilight leaning against her for the rest of the way.
Twilight passed several ponies coming on and off the train while Skaterloo sat on her back. The pair were going to go to the castle spire for the colt to begin his new life in Canterlot. Once the pair reached the spire, Twilight opened the door and said, “Welcome home Skaterloo.”
As he looked around the pegasus just said, “Home.” After having been an orphanage for 2 years he finally had a family and a real home again.
The unicorn walked the colt to a small once unused room now with a bed and nightstand, “Here’s your new room.”
The colt stepped off the mare’s back after she knelt down. The room was small but it was his and only his something he never had in the orphanage. Skaterloo continued to look around. Twilight chuckled, “I guess you like it?”
“Yes, Yes!” Skaterloo cheerfully exclaimed.
Twilight smiled, “I’m glad.” she said walking over to the colt. “It’s going to get some getting used to for the both of us. I promise I’ll be the best mom, I can.”
After settling the colt into his new home, the two took the first steps for their new life as mother and son.