//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Changing Family // Story: The Bug Crusader // by Partycannon_ //------------------------------// Twilight was hard at work as she had a few books spread out on the table before her, it was in the middle of the night. Twilight knew that she had to finish her assignment by next week and if she did the math right was going to take ten hours, so instead of doing it throughout the week she decided that not sleeping would be a better option. Spike was in a heavy sleep as Twilight used her horn to cast a soft purple light. Suddenly a knocking was heard at the door and Twilight poked her head out from her book fort then looked curiously at the it. She waited a few seconds and went back to studying, then again a knocking was heard at the door. Twilight got up and trotted over the door, "Is anyone there?" she asked as she opened the it. She stepped outside and saw the dark empty streets In front of her as the houses slept. "Oh, Twilight! I'm glad your awake!" Scootaloo hung from Twilights window, she lost her grip and fell into the bushes below her. "Ouch!" "Scootaloo what the hay are you doing here in the middle of the night," Twilight loudly whispered as she turned to Scootaloo. "Sorry, my parents aren't here, they are, um, on vacation. Anyways something has been bothering me and I thought you might be able to help." Scootaloo looked at Twilight with pleading eyes. "Alright come in," Twilight motioned inward as she stepped aside. Scootaloo made way inside and looked about the dark room as Twilight closed the door behind her with magic then flipped on the light. "Woah, what have you been studying?" Scootaloo came over to Twilight's work area and scanned the books. "Celestia wanted me to research on a new species of bug, its pretty interesting," Twilight gave Scootaloo a small smile. "Not you too," Scootaloo looked at Twilight with a disappointed gaze. "Scootaloo, why are you here?" Twilight asked with a deadpanned face. Scootaloo trotted out of Twilights research area and looked to her with pleading eyes. "Well my parents are out of town and I need you to cast a spell to copy their signature... Or even better, you could just sign it!" Twilight threw her hoof into her face. "So you want me to forge your parents signature?" Scootaloo pulled out a piece of paper. "Yes please!" "Yeah, I'm not going to do that..." Twilight frowned. "Fine... But can I use your restroom before I go?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah.. Also why don't you stay here until they get back, it sounds like nopony is watching over you," Twilight said. "Awesome, and after that you would be like my legal guardian for like... The week and then you can sign my paper!" Scootaloo smiled. "Just go to the restroom already," Twilight sighed. Scootaloo trotted to the restroom as Twilight started putting away her research. Once again a knocking came from Twilight's door, she looked at the door with confusion and made her way over to it. Twilight opened the door to see a yellow pegasus. "Hi Twilight, I'm sorry to be bothering you in the middle of the night. I saw your light was on, am I interrupting something?" Fluttershy said in a soft tone. "No not at all, please come in," Twilight stepped aside. Fluttershy trotted inside and looked to Twilight as she shut the door, "I heard some troubling news earlier today, a flock of birds came by my house and told me about a scary sight. They were all pretty scared so they didn't get a great look at it but they told of a pony with crazy eye's, the pony had wings and a horn, not only that but the pony had holes in her," "That is pretty scary..." Twilight rubbed her hoof on her chin in thought. "What color was the pony?" "They told me that the pony was orange, it just scared them so bad. I also hope that pony is okay, is there anything we can do it help them?" Fluttershy messed with her hair as she spoke. "Hmm, I'm not sure. I don't think I have ever heard of a pony like that, we will have to keep an eye out, I'll send Princess Celestia a note in the morning about it," Twilight picked up a parchment and a quill then began writing something. "Alright.. Also Applejack wanted me to ask you if you wanted to have a sleep over at her barn during the weekend?" Fluttershy questioned. "Sure, it sounds like fun! Is everypony going to be there?" Twilight looked up from her notes. "Yeah I think so. I'm pretty sure you were the last one," Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, also Applejack said that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are going to be in the next room over having their own sleepover... Apparently there is a 'No kissing Scootaloo' rule in place?" Twilight looked up from her notes again in confusion, "No kissing Scootaloo?" "I'm not sure myself but it sounded like it really bothered her, should I have asked her?" Fluttershy looked unsure. "I'll ask her about it later. Anyways, what are you doing up this late Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as she sat down her notes. "Angle woke me up, there were some bugs that were-" "Hi Fluttershy!" Scootaloo joined the group. "Oh hi Scootaloo!" Fluttershy said in a soft smile. "What are you doing at Twilight's so late?" "I came over to ask if she could forge my parents signature-" "Which I said no to!" Twilight chipped in. "You just don't want me to go on a field trip!" Scootaloo pointed her hoof to Twilight. "No, forging someone else's signature is not only immoral but also illegal!" Twilight shot back. "But it wont hurt my parents in any way!" Scootaloo frowned. "I'm just going to go.." Fluttershy opened the door. "Just because it doesn't hurt them doesn't mean that its not illegal," Twilight frowned. "Then the rules should be changed!" Scootaloo pointed again. "Bye," Fluttershy closed the door but still heard arguing from the other side. Scootaloo sat down in her cave as she looked at the paper in front of her, she tapped her hoof while she thought about what to do. Eventually she had an idea, Scootaloo was filled with green flames and then in her place was a more grown up version of herself. Scootaloo looked at herself with pride, she took a pen and wrote under the signature 'Scootaloo's Mom' she smiled for she knew that she had bested the system.