//------------------------------// // So much for a happy ever after. // Story: The Separation of Mother and Daughter. // by SolidFerret //------------------------------// [A/N] At this point, I'll just say, lets get this over with. Rainbow Dash found herself at the same seat as last time. Like last time, Scootaloo and her 'father' came out. Scootaloo calling to her wile her father prevented her from running to her. It felt more like she was reliving a memory then an actual court visit. "Order!" The judge called. The courtroom quited down to hear the judge. "We're here once more due to someone filing a complaint stating that Scootaloo shouldn't be with her father. The pony chose to remain unknown. We shall here the case of the legal guardian vs. the temporary guardian." Rainbow cringed at the word 'temporary'. She didn't want to be seen as some baby sitter that looked after Scootaloo for five years. After going from 'mama to 'mom' meant so much to her. "We will first hear the case of the legal guardian." The judge said as Scootaloos father took the stand. "Your honor. I have the right to raise my daughter. Why everypony can't see that I have that right?" Suddenly, something clicked in Rainbows head. She needed to state her point. Why Scootaloo is better with her then her father. Dash suddenly knew all the reasons about why she failed her first court trial. "I don't have any thing to state. She's my daughter and I have every right to raise her." The stallion took his seat. "Now for Rainbow Dash, who been fighting for custody." The judge looked over at Rainbow Dash, who nearly jumped out of her seat to present her case. "Your honor!" She nearly yelled at the judge. She stopped herself to take a breath and calm herself so she wouldn't make a scene. "I am called here due to a pony saying that the legal parent is claimed 'unfit' to raise Scootaloo. Well I ask you, have you ever stopped to think why they claimed that? Did you ever think 'if they made that claim then we should find out why'? Now did you?" Rainbow pointed a hoof accusingly at the judge, who looked nervous. "We..did not." She said. "And why is that?" Dash asked. Her voice clearing showing that she had her argument 'in the bag'. "Because we ...were...busy." The judge clearly made an excuse. "Well you're not busy now." Rainbow pointed out. The judge seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief. "Have you not noticed how unclean this stallion. He smells of alcohol." The court sent a pony over. He smelled the air and quickly held his nose while waving the air around him. "Hey didn't asked to be smelt." The stallion objected. "And poor Scootaloo has to sit right next to him." Dash said as Scootaloo slid her seat away from him slightly. By now, the court had seen her side of things. They had been so blinded by doing what was legal that they forgot to do what was actually right. "Alright. Order. Order!" The judge yelled as she smacked the mallet down. "There is one thing." The judge said. She looked over to Scootaloo. "So tell us, do you like living with your father?" Scootaloo shook her head. "Who would you rather live with, your father or Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo muttered out "Rainbow Dash." "Why are you so quiet?" "I'm just nervous I guess." Scootaloo said as sweat trickled down her forehead. As she wiped it away with her hoof, Rainbow noticed how Scootaloo winced at contact from her own hoof. "Hold on." Dash said as she went up to Scootaloo. With a steady hoof, she lifted up Scootaloos mane and gasped at what she saw. A dark, purple bruise. The guard stationed in the courtroom came over to see along with the pony that was asking Scootaloo the questions. After staring at the bruise, the guard asked "Who did it?" Scootaloo pointed a hoof at her father. "Take him away!" The judge yelled. The guard made no hesitation. "NO! She's my daughter!" He yelled as he was dragged out of the courtroom. "Now we have something that I know you won't be happy with." The judge said to Rainbow. "What?" "Law states that only a stallion can raise foals alone." The judge said. "WHAT!" Dash yelled. Scootaloo nearly broke in tears as the judge informed her mom about the law. "Unless you can find a stallion right now to raise Scootaloo with you, she will go to a foster home." Rainbow Dash began to sweat furiously as she realized how hopeless it was for her to find a stallion right at this very- "I'll do it." Rainbow turned her head and almost fainted. Soarin had said those words. "Really, a Wonderbolt?" The judge said. "Well we are team mates. But I'm willing to help Dashie here raise her foal." He said as he walked up and put a hoof around her. "Well Rainbow Dash, are you okay with thi-" "YES!" She yelled The tone saying 'I've had it with all of this.' Soarin, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo burst out of the courtroom happily. The papers were signed making Soarin and Rainbow Dash the legal guardians of Scootaloo. "Finally." Rainbow Dash said as they all stopped to rest. Scootaloo through her hooves around her mother. Rainbow Dash had a tear spill from her right eye as she held her daughter. "Welcome home. Scootaloo." She said. "Well come on. Lets go home." Soarin said as he nuzzled Rainbow Dash. "Yeah. Mom, I have a surprise for you." Scootaloo said as Soarin and Rainbow Dash began to hover with their wings. "Well what?" Scootaloo began to focus. Suddenly her wings began to flap rapidly. Suddenly, Scootaloo could feel the ground beneath her fall away. "You can actually FLY!" Rainbow Dash said in shock. "I taught myself." Scootaloo said happily as she flew up to her parents. With one hoof, she reached out to her mother, who had been there since the start. Rainbow Dash took it in hers. Scootaloo reached out towards Soarin. He was shocked at first since he thought Scootaloo would be with her mother. He hardly knew her. Yet she was willing to accept him for father. The thought made Soarins heart flutter as he took her hoof. With the new family together, thy took off to there new home as the sun set. Making way for a new beginning.