//------------------------------// // A History Finding and Dark Memories // Story: Scootaloo's Guardian // by Night--Mist //------------------------------// Scootaloo and Cheerilee are soon heading back down to the orphanage again with Scootaloo feeling extremely excited that after today, she and Cheerilee are really family. Cheerilee looked at her and chuckled at her daughter's expression. "Look's like somepony's having a good day," Cheerilee says. Scootaloo was caught off guard by her mom's statement. "Mom, it's just so exciting. I just don't know how to describe it right now. So many thought's are going through my head right now, I don't know what to think," Scootaloo replies. "I know what you mean honey, a lot is gonna change now for you and me, but it will be for the better. After the adoption papers are done, we are free to go do whatever you want today," Cheerilee says. "Really, you mean it?" Scootaloo asks. "Yes I do if doesn't take us all night," Cheerilee replies with a bit of fear in her voice. "Well hello there Miss Cheerilee," says a familiar unicorn's voice. "Ah, Twilight, good to see you today," Cheerilee says. "You as well, I heard about what you did for Scootaloo," Twilight tells her. "Yes, she is very excited about the whole thing," Chreerilee replies. "Well Scootaloo, I can honestly say, you are one very lucky filly to have a teacher as your mother. I have a fear you may outsmart me one of these days in the coming future," Twilight says. "Don't press your luck, Twi, I just might," Scootaloo says in a cocky manner. "Oooooh, is that a challenge I hear?" Twilight implies. "Maybe," Scootaloo says, trying to keep on her serious face, as was Twilight. Soon neither could hold back any longer and all three ponies start laughing. "Oh Scoots, you are always fun to be around. I'll let the two of you get onto the orphanage so you can finish up your adoption," Twilight says. "Thank you Twilight," Cheerilee replies. Soon the the three ponies go about their day and Cheerilee says, "I guess word is spreading fast around here." "I wouldn't be too surprised if by today's end Pinkie wants to throw a party," Scootaloo replies. "Well let's get to the orphanage so that we can enjoy the rest of the day," Cheerilee says. "No argument here," Scootaloo says. Soon the two ponies made it to the Ponyville Orphanage and walked inside to once again be greeted by kind Mrs Hearty. "Well good afternoon you two, how was your first day as mother and daughter?" Hearty asks. "We have had a very good day so far, and got an amusing reaction from her classmates," Cheerilee answers. "That is good, now I have the rest of the paperwork here for you to fill out. Oh, and there is something else I found while looking through Scootaloo's family history earlier today. I found a piece that may interest both of you," Hearty says. "What would that be?" Scootaloo ask, curious about the piece of news. "Well I don't know how shocking this is for you to find out Scootaloo, but, your mother was related to the Apple Family," Hearty says. "Huuuuuuh?" Scootaloo replies in shock. "So, Scootaloo is cousins with Apple Bloom and Applejack?" Cheerilee asks, to try and take in the news herself. "Yes she is. Her original mother was their mother's sister," Hearty says. "Well I knew my mom was an earth pony, but I never knew about that bit of information," Scootaloo said. "Scootaloo, you were only four at the time this all happened. She probably told you and you didn't remember. How is this going to affect the adoption Mrs Hearty?" Cheerilee asks. "Well she is now legally your daughter and we were unable to find any will signed by her parents that might have helped sum up a few things in the past or with this situation, but if you wish, I could have the Apple Family residents here in Ponyville come and meet with you and we can have you both sign the papers saying you wish to have family ties with the Apple Family. You, Miss Cheerilee, would become related to them through Scootaloo's adoption, but that is if you both wish for it to happen. I will not force that on anypony, but I thought you might want to know before we finish the rest of the adoption papers," Hearty informs them. "Well I see no trouble in it. Do you Scootaloo?" Cheerilee asks after giving herself a long time to think about it. "No, I actually think it's cool that Apple Bloom and her family are related to me," Scootaloo says, all too eager to make the arrangement. "Well there you have it Mrs Hearty. We agree to it, now we just need the Apple Family's approval and we should be good on that," Cheerilee says. "Alright, just let me get one of our helpers here who knows where they live and she'll fetch them straight away. Star Gazer," Hearty calls. A teenage pegasus mare, with a navy blue fur coat and yellow mane comes trotting in and says, "Yes Mrs Hearty." "Please go and inform the Apple Family to come to the orphanage as soon as they can. It will be very much appreciated," Mrs Hearty says. "Not a problem ma'am. I'll be back with the Apple Family in a jiffy," Star Gazer says. Soon she was out the door and flying off towards the Apple Family residence. "She kind of reminds me of Spitfire in her uniform," Scootaloo commented. "She is one who is going to try out for the Wonderbolts Academy," Hearty says. "Well, while she is fetching the Apple Family, let's take care of all the other paper work that needs to get done," Cheerilee says. "Alright now here's the form where we left off from last night," Hearty said handing her the form. After about many hours of paperwork, all the forms were filled out, all that was left was the form that the Apple Family had to help with. Scootaloo and Cheerilee soon here hoof steps coming from outside and soon enough, Apple Bloom, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith walk in with Star Gazer, who is sent off to do her next line of work. "This better not be a way to get me and Miss Cheerilee back together. No offence ma'am," Big Macintosh says. "Hmhm, none taken, and it's not like that at all," Cheerilee says. "Yeah, me and Apple Bloom learned our lesson, right cousin?" Scootaloo says, seeing if Apple Bloom would catch her last word. "Right, wait.... Cousin?" Apple Bloom asks confused once again. Cheerilee soon tells them the information that had been given to them by Mrs Hearty. Applejack soon replies with a little feeling of guilt in her voice, "So yer the little filly our Aunty was always talkin about that one time she came for a short visit? Ah never thought..... Ah was told the whole family had, well, Ah really don't want to think about it. But still, this is a bit overwhelming Scoots." "I know," Scootaloo says. "She never had told us yur name during that visit Scoot's," Granny Smith said, feeling sad and guilty like Applejack not having known Scootaloo was her grand daughter. "I never really knew or remembered I guess. I was only four when it all happened," Scootaloo said, wanting to get off the subject, knowing how guilty the Apple family was feeling. "Well we have called you here to ask you, that is, if you wish for it to happen, if you would want me to enter into your family ties. If we both sign this form, (points to the form on the table) I would become related to your family through Scootaloo's adoption. We are fine with it, but it's entirely up to the rest of you if you want it to happen or not," Cheerilee says. The Apple Family soon huddles in a group and talk it over. Scootaloo caught a glimpse of Apple Bloom and Granny Smith looking at her and giving her a smile, which Scootaloo took as a good sign. After a while, the Apple Family came to an agreement and Granny Smith says, "We think it's a great idea to welcome ya into the Apple Family. We'll sign it off." "Eeeyup," Big Macintosh replies. "That's great Granny Smith," Cherilee replies. "Oh, please, just call me Granny," Granny Smith tells her. Cheerilee nods and soon both families head over to the desk to sign off the form. After all signatures that were needed were on the form, Hearty says, "Alright, that settles it. You are officially part of the Apple Family Scootaloo and Cheerilee." "Now ya'll can come ta the next Apple Family reunion," Apple Bloom says as the two cousins hug. "Cool, I heard your last one was exciting," Scootaloo says. "Yeah, like ya wouldn't believe," Apple Blooms says, pulling out of the hug, looking at her sister and winking. Applejack winks back at her, making Scootaloo wonder what they had in store for the next one. "Well, it is getting late and I'm sure you want to get Apple Bloom to bed. I'm pretty sure you have things to do tomorrow," Cheerilee says. "Just some early mornin chores, nothin major. Say, why don't ya'll come over ta our place fur lunch, since tomorrow is Saturday and all," Applejack says. "I don't see why not. Scootaloo, would you like to do that?" Cheerilee asks. "Sure, that sounds cool mom," Scootaloo says. "Well then we best get home ourselves if we want to be well rested for tomorrow Scootaloo," Cheerilee says. "Awwwww," Scootaloo and Apple Bloom say in unison. "Now girls, it's only ta make sure ya have a lot of energy ta play tomorrow," Applejack says. "Okay," the fillies reply together, yawning. "Well, Scootaloo you can climb onto my back if you want," Cheerilee offered. "I think I'll jus..." Was all she said before she and Apple Bloom passed out on the floor. "Hm, all that excitement must a gotten the better of the little rascals," Applejack says, smiling at the scene of the two fillies sleeping next to each other. "I would say so. One of these times, we have to arrange a sleepover for them either at your place or mine," Cheerilee says. "That's sounds fine and dandy ta me," Applejack says. "Darn tootin', says Granny Smith. "Eeeyup," Big Macintosh adds. Soon the two earth mares Scoop up their little ones and give Mrs Hearty a farewell before both families head out the door. They exchange their goodbyes and soon head to their homes to get the two fillies in bed. Once Cheerilee arrived at her house, she gently takes off her purse and Scootaloo's back pack off her back and carries Scootaloo to the bathroom. She wakes up the little filly so she could brush her teeth and as soon as Scootaloo was done, she collapsed once again, caught by her mother this time as she carries her to their bed. She lays Scootaloo down and after getting ready for bed herself, she once again moves under the covers with Scootaloo. Scootaloo was already deep in dreamland but felt her mothers presence. Little did she know what dream awaited her. In the dream. Scootaloo found herself in a place that was all too familiar, Fillydelphia. She walks cautiously through the streets for fear of the worst. "Mom? Mom?" She says, hearing her voice echo. "Your mother is no longer with you, little brat," says a familiar, dark sinister voice. It was one of the orphanage stallion workers. "You thought you could just get away from us. Think again," they say, sounding angry. "This can't be. I have a new mother now," Scootaloo says. "Ha, don't make me laugh. No Pony wants you kid. Your own parents left you alone in this world. Now you will pay for disobeying the rules," the pony says. "No, no, mommy, help me!" Scootaloo screams as the stallion grabs her and she tries to get away. "Your mommy isn't alive kid, deal with it," the stallion says as he drags her away. "No nooooooo!" was all Scootaloo screamed before. End of dream. Scootaloo wakes up, panting heavily and her fur completely wet from a cold sweat that had developed and she was shaking. Cheerilee was woken up by the sudden stirring and heavy panting of her daughter and asks, "Scootaloo, what's wrong? Your trembling. Did you have a nightmare honey?" Scootaloo turned to face her mother and simply nodded before burying her face in her mother's chest, crying. Cheerilee wrapped her forelegs around Scootaloo and started stroking her mane with one as she says to her daughter, "Shhh, It's okay my little one. I'm here, I'm here." "It was so s-scary mommy, I was b-back in F-Fillydelphia, a-and the p-ponies from that or-orphanage were t-telling me no p-pony wanted m-me, and t-they were d-dragging me aw-way to th-the orphanage," Scootaloo said through her heavy crying. Cheerilee realized how badly the Fillydelphia Orphanage was treating their fillies and colts. She felt it was right to help her own town's orphanage take theirs to pony court, maybe as high as the supreme royal court if need be. She then says to Scootaloo to calm her daughter down, "That is a fear you no longer have to worry about. If they ever come to try and take you away again, that will be pony-napping and they will have to go through me and the Apple Family before even thinking about getting away with it and face jail time if they even try it." Scootaloo smiles at her mother and hugs her, knowing she was safe. After a little while of calming down and a little more encouragement from her guardian, Scootaloo convinces her body to go back to sleep once again and this time has peaceful dreams. As she slept, Cheerilee was divulging a plan to put the caretakers of the Fillydelphia Orphanage out of business. After making up her plan, she tells herself to go over it with their new family in the morning, aside from Apple Bloom of course, and soon falls asleep with her plan in mind. Soon, she joins Scootaloo in dreamland and they were both having good thoughts of their upcoming day with the Apple Family tomorrow.