//------------------------------//
// Fixing Lives 
// Story: The Final Crusade 
// by Enfield 
//------------------------------//

“Just sign here, here and here,” said the pony across the table from Enfield as he pointed to lines on a large document. Enfield inserted a pen into his writing contraption and wrote his signature on the paper. It wasn’t like writing with his human hand but it was close enough.
“I must say, Rough Draft,” Enfield said, “ I had no idea that I would be the first to do something like this.”
“I’m more interested about that thing on your arm,” Rough Draft said.
“Pretty neat isn’t it?” said Enfield, “I made it myself. I was planning to put a retractable spike or knife in it.” 
“Why do you want to do that?” Rough Draft asked.
“Dunno, assassinations, self defense, that sort of thing,” Enfield said.
Rough Draft nodded in approval and handed Enfield more papers, he told Enfield that he would have to sign these as well.
“Can I ask you something?” Enfield said to Rough Draft, “What’s your Cutie Mark look like, I remember ponies better after I’ve seen their mark.”
“Oh mine?” Rough Draft asked, “It’s nothing special. It’s just a pencil scribbling on a piece of paper.” 
“I’m guessing that your good with paperwork then?” Enfield asked.
“Kind of,” Rough Draft replied. 

Enfield, for some time after sat across from Rough Draft writing his name and filling boxes on papers until he finished the last document. Rough Draft took the papers and placed them into a large folder and handed it to Enfield. 
“Congratulations Mr. Enfield,” Rough draft said as he shook Enfield’s hoof, “You must be proud of yourself for doing something like this.”
“It’s going to be a life changer my friend,” said Enfield. He left the building without another word, the folder safely tucked away in his duffle bag along with the money he got from Applejack and the apples that he harvested.
Enfield wandered around Ponyville for some time. He kept to himself as he walked around the town. As he rounded a corner he almost walked into Twilight.

“Sorry about that Twilight,” said Enfield. 
“That’s okay Enfield,” Twilight said, “Applejack was just telling me how you were working for her this morning.” 
“Yes I was, she said that I was really good at apple bucking,” said Enfield. 
“That’s neat,” Twilight said, she saw the papers sticking out of Enfield’s duffle bag, What’s that you have there?”
“If you want to know then you’ll have to follow me, from a distance, just stay in earshot,” Enfield said. 

He left Twilight and walked down the road. Twilight ran off to find her friends, she told them what Enfield had said to her and the six agreed to see what Enfield had planned. They searched the town for him and then moved onto the outer areas of the town where they found him walking down the road. He stopped, slid behind a bush and peeked over it. Brit saw Scootaloo trying to fly again by jumping off a large tree stump, she managed to hover for a few seconds but fell to the ground. Scootaloo brushed herself off and tried again. She jumped and hovered a few feet of the ground before crashing to the ground once more.

“Having trouble there?” Enfield asked. 
“What, oh hi James, uh, I mean Enfield,” Scootaloo said as she picked herself up.
“Having trouble on remembering my name?” Enfield asked. 
“Kind of,” Scootaloo replied.
“It’s okay, you managed to remember my new name when I let you stay that one night,” said Enfield. 
“Yeah, but that’s nothing but a blur now,” Scootaloo said. 
Enfield sighed and sat down next to her.
“So you trying to fly?” he asked gently.
“Yeah, but I still can’t do it,” Scootaloo said sadly, “I’ve been trying to fly for years. Rainbow Dash has tried to teach me but I could never get enough wing power to fly.”
“I can teach you,” Enfield said, “Not in the conventional way but I can teach you to fly the Spitfire.” 
“You can?” Scootaloo asked, her spirits lifted.
“Sure, it’s just like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget,” Enfield said. 
“That sounds so cool,” Scootaloo said, she lowered her head and looked away from Enfield. However, he could tell that she was upset because her ears had sagged.

“Something wrong?” Enfield asked. 
“Well it’s just that I know that you helped me last night with the blanket and the food,” Scootaloo said, “I wanted to tell you something but you were busy with the floods so I didn’t have the chance. Yesterday was-”
She stopped abruptly.
“Yes?” Enfield eagerly asked. 
“Yesterday was my birthday,” Scootaloo said. 
Enfield suppressed a gasp and slowly pulled an apple out of his bag.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. 
“Because you were occupied with the flood,” Scootaloo said.
“I mean when you were at my house,” said Enfield.
“I didn’t want to get in the way,” Scootaloo said, “Once you gave me something to eat I went to see if I could earn some money so I could get something to eat for this morning.”
“Will this apple do for now?” Enfield asked. 

Scootaloo took it and nodded. She leaned against Enfield as she munched away at the apple.
“I really wish you could do more for me,” Scootaloo said, “You’re the best friend I ever had.” 
“Well if you’re talking about a birthday present then I did get you something,” Enfield said as he took the folder out of his bag. Scootaloo swallowed the rest of her apple and looked at the folder curiously.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Why don’t you look and see for yourself?” Enfield replied.

Scootaloo took the folder and opened it up. She read the documents on the top of the pile and then sifted through the papers. Enfield kept telling her to look for a certain piece of paper with her picture on it. Scootaloo kept searching until she managed to find the paper, the rest she pushed off to the side in a messy pile which Enfield packed back away in the folder. Scootaloo set the paper in front of her and read it, she didn’t know why it had her picture on it but she guessed that it might be important. Skimming through the paper Scootaloo managed to the to the very bottom of the paper where Enfield had made several signatures. Scootaloo read it then stopped dead, she read the entire paper again and then looked up at Enfield.
“Did you just?” she said.
“It’s my signature,” Enfield said, “I hope you know what this is.”

Scootaloo went back to the paper and read it once more. She fully knew now what Enfield had given her. They were her adoption papers. Scootaloo looked back up at Enfield, tears welling up in her eyes and grin slowly breaking out.

“Happy birthday,” Enfield said coolly, “Now, is there something else you want to say?”
“Daddy!” Scootaloo yelled in utter joy. She jumped up and grabbed Enfield around his neck, knocking Enfield off balance and sending them both tumbling to the ground. Enfield kept Scootaloo in a tight hug, hoping that this was not a mad dream and that this was actually happening. Enfield could feel Scootaloo’s tears streaming down his neck which brought on a few himself.
“I’m a dad,” he said quietly. 
“Don’t let go,” Scootaloo said. 
“I won’t, I promise I won’t,” Enfield said. 
Twilight and her friends had witnessed everything from behind a hedge. Once Scootaloo had jumped on Enfield they walked forward, they couldn’t believe what had just happened. 

“Wait, you just adopted Scootaloo?” Twilight asked. 
“Sure did,” Enfield said, sitting up but with Scootaloo still clinging to his neck in a hug.
“Wow, you’re probably the first to do this,” said Pinkie Pie.
“I am the first,” said Enfield. 
“Why did you do it though?” Fluttershy asked. 
“Truth be told is because I had to,” Enfield said, “The day after she stayed with me I followed her to see how she got on in the town. Once I followed her to the box where she lived I realized that she wasn’t lying about her life, and one thing was for certain, she didn’t deserve a life like that. She needed a place to live and more importantly, a family.” 

Rainbow Dash went closer to Enfield and gave him a friendly punch on the arm.
“You really are something unique,” she said, “You’ll take care of Scootaloo?”
“She tried to save my life, in return, I’m going to be there for hers,” Enfield replied. He rubbed Scootaloo on her back as she still kept her grip on his neck. 
“I really never knew that you were capable of doing something this extreme,” Rarity said as she looked through the papers. 
“I’d adopt Sweetie Bell if she didn’t have you,” Enfield said, “Same goes for Apple Bloom. As for Scoot, she needs me now more than ever.” 
Enfield felt Scootaloo’s grip tighten, he held her head in his arm and looked back at his duffle bag.
“I almost forgot something,” he said as he pulled the bag over. His hoof rummaged around in the bag until he pulled out the money that Applejack gave him for helping on her farm. He nudged Scootaloo and she looked up at him.
“I want you to have this as well,” Enfield said, “Your first allowance money.”
Scootaloo took the small pouch and looked inside it, she then went back to hugging her new father.
“Thanks dad,” she said.
“She called me ‘dad’,” Enfield said, slowly becoming emotional.
“And you are now,” Applejack said. 
“I know what this calls for,” Pinkie Pie said. Enfield caught on immediately, he knew what Pinkie had planned.
“Not yet there Pinkie,” he said, “Let’s get Scootaloo’s new room set up and then we can celebrate.” 
“I have my own room too?” Scootaloo asked excitedly.
“What, did you think you where going to live in that box after all this?” Enfield said jokingly. Scootaloo laughed and looked to Rainbow Dash.
“I still admire you,” Scootaloo said.
“I know, but you’ve got someone to look up to all the time now,” Rainbow Dash said. 
“Once I finish teaching her how to fly the Spitfire she’ll probably outshine you,” Enfield said.
“She already has,” Rainbow Dash said. 
“I’m really glad you did this, Enfield” Twilight said, “This will make an amazing letter to the princess.” 
“I think after she reads the letter she’ll want to see for herself,” Enfield said.
“So will Scootaloo have your last name?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yep,” said Enfield, “Her name isn’t just Scootaloo anymore, it’s now Scootaloo Enfield.” 
Scootaloo made a ‘squee’ noise and hugged Enfield again. Enfield held her close to his chest.
“How’s about we go and get you stuff to decorate your room?” he asked.
“Sure!” Scootaloo said, letting go of Enfield. 
Enfield took the papers, stuffed them in his bag, slung it over his back and followed an ecstatic and very happy Scootaloo. 
“Hey!” Pinkie Pie yelled, “Where do you want the party?”
“I don’t know, surprise us,” Enfield said.