//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 A hard knocked life at Hudson Orphanage, Manehatten 
// Story: The Adventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders - Fillies on a Mission! 
// by Wolfie 03 
//------------------------------//

A/N: This is not essential to read, just a short backstory for the peagasus that would help clarify why she doesn't want to go back to the orphanage. Read at your own pleasure.





The trio was back in the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse, a little roughed up from their latest adventure and ready to spend the rest of the day not doing much of anything. The earth pony and unicorn sat facing their peagasus friend, waiting for her to explain what her previous living situation was like.


Scootaloo sighed and got comfortable on the ground, it was going to be painful to remember.

“Alright, I'll try and make this short and not so bitter.” Scootaloo began when she was cut off by Sweetie Belle.


“No no, make it long and not so sweet!” She stomped a hoof as Apple Bloom nodded, they wanted details not a two sentence explanation; Scootaloo sensed what they meant and sighed again.



“Alright, alright... So, long ago, my family was in an accident. I don't remember much of it, I was a really little filly; I think I was two or three years old, I can't remember. Well, no one else made it and I didn't know if I had any other family so they took me to the nearest orphanage which was in Manehatten; the Hudson Orphanage under the watch of Hannigan, a pony who seemed nice to grown-ups but is mean to little foals. 

“I was in that orphanage for four years, I know this for a fact because Hannigan wouldn't let us forget how long we were a blight to her. We never had enough to eat, everything we had was extremely used and we never had fun. We were forced to clean the dump until it shined like the top of the Chrysler Building. 

“When we weren't doing all the chores in the place and still needed  'exercise', she'd take us into the side alley that was blocked off at both ends, with the only way in or out was going through the orphanage, where we'd march in a circle. The top was encased with mesh wires so if you did know how to fly, you couldn't get out. She had us recite how much we 'loved her', so that when asked we'd say that so she wouldn't get into trouble, the drunk.” Scootaloo stared off into the distance as the old memories came back.




Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom jumped up and tackle hugged their friend, bringing her back from her past.


“Ifin' it was so bad, why didn't more of ya try tah escape? How did ya get away?” Apple Bloom asked as she nuzzled one side of the orange peagasus while Sweetie Belle did the same on the other side. Scootaloo gave in and hugged her friends back as she took a steadying breath.


“We were beaten anytime anypony tried to escape and most were caught and brought back and beaten the most. Soon I couldn't take it anymore and escaped through a window near the top of the ceiling. It was hard to get to, I had to half-fly half-climb up and if I had been any bigger I wouldn't have fit. I flew onto the mesh in covering the ally and used it to get to the outside. I then ran away under the cover of darkness; I was extremely careful and quiet, Hannigan never heard me leave. 

“I knew the city wasn't safe, I'd just be taken back right away so I hid on the first train out of the city and stayed on it until it came to a stop much much later. I had arrived at Ponyville; first few months I just hid out on the edge of town but then one day Derpy Hooves found me.” The others gave nods of acknowledgment; Derpy was a very friendly mare and liked little foals.

“We worked things out and she helped me get the delivery job. That's about it.” Scootaloo shrugged as the others released her and sat right next to each other. 



Sweetie Belle tilted her head as she looked at the peagasus.

“Why don't you become a family with Derpy?” The orange filly waved the suggestion off.

“Nah, I like living on my own. Besides, if it doesn't work then Hannigan will know where to find me. Better that I just make it on my own than worry about having to move all over Equestria because I wanted a 'family'...” Scootaloo looked out the window, trying to not picture what it was like to actually have parents who would care for her. Suddenly she was subjugated to another hugging session as her friends tried to cheer her up.



“Ya got ah family. Us, we're family; we'll never leave ya Scootaloo, promise.” Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a squeeze before sitting back once more as Sweetie Belle also promised to never leave the peagasus hanging and without family.

“Yeah, we'll be the best family ever!”



Scootaloo gave a small smile before deciding that it was enough sappy stuff.

“Alright, alright. So you heard my sappy story, now how about those s'mores?” At the mention of the snack the others cheered and all three ran to make a fire and have a little cookout to start off their much longer sleepover, wanting to put the past behind them and set out for a better future, together.