Mommy?

by Alicornian

Chapter 6: Three Months Ago (or a long awaited adoption) Rewrite

        It had been a full month since Luna, Celestia, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash had been with the girls. Applejack had been spending much of her time with her grandmother talking about private things, Pinkie Pie was setting up a bedroom for the soon to arrive Cake foals, Rarity and Fluttershy had been… elusive as of late, and they themselves have been busy with their own lives. Yet today was actually very different for the group. Today was a planned day to get together and have fun, for in a week things would become exciting for everypony; for it would be Mother’s day and for all but one of the girls it would the happiest days ever.

        “So what are your plans with your family Twilight?” Rarity asked, sitting next to Fluttershy as they sipped their tea. They had reserved the entire party room of Sugar Cube Corner with complete instructions from Princess Celestia that she and her sister were to be treated like normal ponies while they were there. This meant no waiting on them hoof and flank, no bowing, or any overly elaborate party where there wasn’t very much fun. Pinkie was asked to plan out the party since the group wanted one and they wanted to be able to treat themselves if they wanted. The Cakes didn’t like this, but when Pinkie suggested a food bar and pitcher refills they complied to it so the Princesses could tend to themselves and the Cakes could still feel they were keeping their royal company happy.

        “Well I hate to surprise mom and dad like this but… they have to know since she is going to be their grand foal,”Twilight replied, looking to her swollen belly.

        “I have yet to meet your parents, Twilight. What are they like?” Luna asked, curious.

        “Well, let’s see, Mom works at the local book store on Main Street, the Golden Cover, and Dad’s the chief for the local paper The Daily Trot. You’ll love them,” Twilight said smiling.

        “Wait, your father is the chief of The Daily Trot? The most famous newspaper in all of Canterlot?” Rarity asked ,shocked.

        “Well, yeah, Dad’s worked there ever since I could remember, he got the job of Chief right after I became Celestia’s favored student,” Twilight replied.

        “That’s quite a feat Twilight,” Luna said surprised.

        “Yeah but he loves it, anyway I plan on introducing them to you two,” she said gesturing to Luna and Rainbow, “and tell them about our little filly. What about all of you?”

        “I’ll be spending it with Sweetie, my mother and father. I just wish they would come in sensible wear this time. I love them dearly but honestly my father can be quite embarrassing at times. He’s the coach for the Fillydelphia Hoofball team and mother runs a line of Restaurants all over Equestria called The Feed Bag. I do wish she had given it a much better name but at least she agreed with my ideas on the first menu. I was a foal then though,” Rarity replied smiling.

        “Um well… I… only have my mother coming. Dad doesn’t like crowds.” Fluttershy said hiding behind her hair.

        “What do they do?” Luna asked curiously.

        “I believe Fluttershy’s mother is on your part of the guards Luna,” Celestia said smiling from her tea cup.

        “Really sister, I would have remembered a yellow and pink mane pegasus on my squad, though I do remember one with a lovely light purple mane. It’s about the same shade as your pink stripe Twilight, now that I think about it,” Luna said thinking.

        “T-that’s her. N-nightingale,” Fluttershy said shyly.

        “Commander Song is your mother?!” Luna said in shock.

        “Y-yes,” Fluttershy said hiding behind her hair, “she’s my mother.” Rarity looked between her love and the Princess and gulped silently.

        “So… what is she like?” Rarity asked gently.

        “Commander Song leads my Luna Guards in such a way I fully respect her. Even as a Princess. Also… she’s very motherly. When off duty of course. She often comes by to make sure I am well, but since I’ve not been to the castle in some time I am guessing she’s quite worried about me,” Luna said fondly.

        “She did ask about you the last time I saw her Luna, she hopes you’ll return to the castle soon. However I did tell her that you’ve be here for the Mother’s Day Celebration,” Celestia said smiling.

        “Oh dear, I had better be sure she knows I’m safe then,” Luna said, quickly summoning a scroll and quill. Everyone giggled at this.

        “What about you Applejack?” Celestia asked as Luna worked on her letter.

        “Ah’m gonna be with mah family the whole day. We’re… still talking on things,” Applejack said, blushing lightly enough no one noticed.

        “What things?” Twilight asked, curious.

        “P-private stuff, that’s it.” Applejack replied, quickly taking a bite out of her daisy and daffodil sandwich.

        “Oh okay. What about you Rainbow? You’ve been pretty quiet about all of this,” Twilight said turning to her co-parent for her foal.

        “Huh? Oh um, what was the question?” Rainbow asked, embarrassed.

        “Oh Rainbow…,” Twilight said gaining a giggle from everyone.

        Rainbow waited patiently outside the doctor’s office waiting on the news he said he had. A few hours ago Derpy had gotten to her while on cloud duty and told her that Dr. First-aid wanted to see her as soon as possible. Like normal Rainbow Dash got her end of the job done in ten seconds flat and flew off towards the Care Center, only stopping long enough to thank Derpy and hoped the surgery had gone well. For the past five minutes she waited till…

        “Miss Dash? I wasn’t expecting you so soon,” Dr. First-aid said from his doorway letting two old friends of Twilight trot out.

        “Oh hey Rainbow, how’s it going?” Lyra Heartstrings asked trotting out with a very happy looking Bonbon.

        “I’m fine. Just… getting some help from the doc,” Rainbow said carefully.

        “About?” Lyra asked curious.

        “It’s private. Sorry Lyra,” Rainbow responded lowering her head.

        “Oh, okay. Don’t worry we won’t press. Hey is Twilight home? We got some news we’d like to tell her and to see how she’s coming along with her foal,” Bonbon said beside her life mate. The two had gotten married last month in private and was given full blessings by both princesses. Celestia held the wedding for them in her castle. It was very beautiful.

        “Yeah she’s home. So what kind of news you want to tell her?” Rainbow replied then asked.

        Bonbon just smiled as she nuzzled close to Lyra. “We’re going to have a foal of our own.” Lyra blushed.

        “Oh wow, congrats you two,” Rainbow said happy for them.

        “Thank you. Well we better be on our way. Nice talking to you Rainbow,” Lyra said as they trotted out and Dr. First-aid guided Rainbow in to his office.

        “So… what did you find doc?” Rainbow asked excited.

        “Well… it’s not much but I wanted to ask you a few questions before I told you this,” The doctor replied sitting behind his desk.

        “Okay… well ask away,” Rainbow said looking to him.

        The doctor nodded as he pulled out a clipboard and quill out. “Now don’t take any offense to any of these questions please. They’re important for us to help you.” Rainbow nodded at this as the doctor sighed grateful. “First off, do you remember anything about your past other than your life at the Home?” The doctor asked gaining a head shake from Rainbow. “What about after?”

        Rainbow tapped her chin at this. “Well… I remember Flight School and my two best friends if that what you’re asking.”

        The doctor nodded at this. “Who are these friends and if you have their addresses that would help as well.”

        Rainbow nodded at this. “Well one is Fluttershy; she lives in the cottage outside Ponyville past Sweet Apple Acres. The other I’ve kind of lost contact with after an issue.”

        The doctor looked up from his notes and tilted his head. “What do you mean?” Rainbow sighed as she told the doctor about her old friend Gilda.

        “I see. I’m sorry about that. I’ll see what I can do about tracking her down and getting information from her, now what year were you in at your flight school?”

        Rainbow thought on this. Flight School kept its students until they either gained their cutie marks or could gain jobs. For Rainbow and Fluttershy, it was after they had gained their cutie marks. The school was just bad no matter what. The teachers were quite bad and there wasn’t anyone to take care of the bullying. It was just… bad. “Well I was… twelve when I got my cutie mark and left the school so it was… nine hundred and ninety four.”

        The doctor wrote this down and thought. “Is your mane color natural?” Rainbow instantly stood up at this. “I mean no offense. It’s to help you remember?” Dr. First-aid said quickly.

        Rainbow sighed at this. “Yes it is. I’ve been asked that since I was a foal and I was even made fun of because of it.”

        The doctor nodded at this. “Some schools are like this. And I believe it looks good on you.”

        Rainbow rolled her eyes at this. “Yeah, thanks. So anything else doc or are you going to tell me why I’m here?”

        Dr. First-aid looked up to Rainbow and sighed. “Just two more and we’re done. Now where you ever adopted after Flight School?”

        Rainbow sighed at this. “No I wasn’t. I usually stayed at Fluttershy’s place while growing up so… I was kind of on my own since I left the school.”

        The doctor wrote this down nodding. “Any other adult ponies other than your friend Fluttershy’s you stayed with or had contact with?”

        Rainbow thought on this and nodded. “Yeah, when I was getting the interview for Ponyville’s weather team, he’s… Mr. Storm Wind. He’s the head of the Rainbow Factory and Weather Teams for Equestria. Once I got the interview done he asked if I had a place of my own or not. He was… kind of a pop for me while I stayed with him. Actually we shared a cloud apartment till I was able to get the bits to build my own cloud home.”

        The doctor wrote this down. “I see. Just out of curiosity, did you call him your father when you were with him?”

        Rainbow blushed and looked away at this but nodded. “Not really father but… I… do call him Dad once in a while. Since he calls me Dash or his little girl, his baby girl, or just his girl at times, and well… we really do get along like family at times but there are times we got to remind each other we’re not. It hurts when we do though.” Dr. First-aid nodded to this and wrote it down. “So…,” Rainbow said in an asking tone.

        “Well let’s start from the top shall we?” Dr. First-aid said opening a folder. “We checked all over Cloudsdale for anyone that may remember you as a foal. A good number of them did actually but when we asked them for details we came up with only four pegasi that knew you as a foal. We questioned them and we got some very good leads which led us to two dead ends and two solid leads. The two dead ends led us to addresses they said you were living at times. From what you’ve told me, those two addresses led to your ‘father figure’ Mr. Storms, and your friend Fluttershy’s home. We’ve already talked to them about you and asked them that they keep that private. The other two led us to a mare who was said to have been a worker at the Home. The other led to a hospital where it is believed you may have been born at. We’re not sure of these leads as of yet but it’s a solid clue. Now about your mane color, the reason I asked if it was natural was to verify a possible match to your birth mother. We believe your mane color may be genetic as in it runs in your family. We think we may have a match but we’re not sure till we do a DNA test and check the medical records and see what this other lead says.”

        This news really made Rainbow smile. “Seriously, you mean I might be with my birth family?”

        Dr. First-aid smiled at this. “If our leads lead us right, then yes you will.”

        Rainbow flew up into the air and hugged the doctor over his desk. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Dr. First-aid said nothing as he patted her on the back smiling.

        On the other side of town Scootaloo sighed as she sat on the swing of the schoolyard alone yet again. It sadly was another one of the days she really hated, a day she had to go back “there”. She hated it “there” but since she had nowhere else to go other than to the church she liked, she just wished the day would end faster and become tomorrow. Normally she’d be on a crusade with her friends but… they had other things to do and no one was going have a sleep over this time.

        Ever since she was a foal she had hated being “there”. It was always crowded, the others would pick on her because of her wings, and each time the day everyone is super happy to come around… she’s left behind because of her wings. And just what exactly was “there”? “There” was simply the orphanage outside of town, the only orphanage Ponyville ever had outside of town actually.

        Ever since the orphanage up in Cloudsdale was shut down,  she had started living “there” with all the other foals that weren’t adopted right off the moment word got out about the horrid place. At least it was better than the one in Cloudsdale… yeah right. Even thinking of the place gave her chills and now the day she often cried on was coming yet again, Mother’s Day.

        It wasn’t that she disliked Mother’s Day no, it was always a day to have fun and be out and about with her friends and their families but… they weren’t her family. Sure she loved being at the Apple’s, Fluttershy’s and at Rarity’s homes for sleepovers and it was better filling and restful there… but it was just not her home. It was at this thought Scootaloo’s stomach growled and she just sighed even more.

         Being an orphan meant you couldn’t get a real allowance or an actual meal, at least according to her. Today wasn’t that bad though; at lunch as Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were more than willing to share some of their lunch with her since she claimed to have forgotten her’s at home, but… it still wasn’t enough to fill her little tummy.

        Sighing and getting off the swing, Scootaloo looked out to where the orphanage was, as well as where the church was. Deciding that not having any lunch or money to buy food to even eat was good enough excuse not to return to the orphanage and head to her normal place of relaxation and rest, the church. Getting on her scooter and getting her helmet on Scootaloo got ready to head off when Ms. Cheerilee called out to her.

        “Heading home now Scootaloo?” Ms. Cheerilee asked slowly trotting up to her.

        “Yeah… okay not really.” Scootaloo said looking down to her scooter.

        “I saw they didn’t give you any food today. I would have offered you something if your friends didn’t lend you some of theirs.” Ms. Cheerilee said placing a gentle hoof on her shoulder.

        “Thank you.” Scootaloo said before she and her teacher noticed a rainbow streak in the air. “Maybe I could get some flight practice in before I head to the church.”

        “The church again Scootaloo?” Ms. Cheerilee asked with concern. “Do you really hate the orphanage that much?” Scootaloo only nodded to this.  “Scootaloo, I’ll never know how hard it is for you to have to live there but it’s a safe place for you to be right now, especially after what happened in Cloudsdale.”

        “Don’t say that place!” Scootaloo yelled unintentionally before zooming off on her scooter at top speed.

        “Scootaloo, Scootaloo, come back!” Ms. Cheerilee called out before sighing. She hoped the poor little filly would have a better time with Rainbow Dash than she did here at the school… and that Rainbow would hopefully take her in for the night.

        Flight practice was normally the one time Rainbow would enjoy with Scootaloo, especially now with the news about her parents but for some reason… today was just way too tense for Rainbow’s taste. “Okay Scootaloo let’s take a break.”

        Scootaloo looked up to Rainbow from her spot where she had been buzzing her wings getting only a few inches off the ground and sighed in relief. “Okay Rainbow.” It was at this she fell into her stomach and relaxed.

        “You’ve been kind of tense Scoots. Something you want to talk to me about?” Rainbow asked sitting down next to the worn out filly.

        “Um… not really…,” Scootaloo said, trying to avoid the subject.

        “Come on Scoots you can talk to me. What’s wrong?” Rainbow asked concerned.

        “I don’t want to talk about it.” Scootaloo said before once again her tummy rumbled.

        “Hey did you get enough to eat during lunch?” Rainbow asked even more concerned. Even at a young age fillies of all kinds needed something to eat to keep their energy up, especially pegasus fillies since they burned up more calories trying to fly.

        “I almost didn’t have…” Scootaloo almost said before covering her mouth.

        “You what!? Scootaloo, don’t tell me you didn’t have any lunch today!?”Rainbow exclaimed, heavily concerned as well as angry at the ones who didn’t give her favorite fan lunch.

        “I… I just forgot to grab it on the way out, Apple Bloom and Sweetie shared theirs with me.” Scootaloo said quickly hoping to drop the conversation quickly.

        “What did you eat?” Rainbow asked seriously.

        “Um…” Scootaloo answered as Rainbow waited, “an apple and a tart?”

        Rainbow’s eyes widened at that. “That was it? Scootaloo you need to eat more than just an apple and a tart, what were you thinking? That that would be enough to keep you up in the air, let alone keep you going for our flight practice?”

        Scootaloo just looked away from Rainbow and muttered, “Hard to eat when they barely feed any of us at all.”

        Thankfully Rainbow didn’t hear this but she still looked to the young filly. “Look Scoots, don’t get discouraged. I’m just worried about you.”

        “Worried enough to maybe let me spend the night?” Scootaloo asked with hope in her heart.

        “I don’t know Scoots, wouldn’t your parents get worried about you?” Rainbow answered causing Scootaloo to look down.

        “I don’t think they would care.” Scootaloo said flatly.

        “Of course they would care Scoots they’re your parents. I don’t know what going on but if I need to I’ll have a talk with them about this.” Rainbow said gaining a reaction from her fan.

        “No! No I… I mean that’s not needed. Come on let’s practice more, I think I can get a little higher.” Scootaloo said nervously, her wings shaking.

        “Scoots, is there something you’re not telling me?” Rainbow asked concerned.

        “No, th-there’s nothing to tell.” Scootaloo said, her wings shaking even more.

        “Scoots, come on you're starting to scare me. Don’t you want to see your mom?” Rainbow said before this got a severe reaction.

        “I don’t have a mom so leave me alone!” Scoots suddenly yelled before scrambling over to her scooter and buzzing off.

        “Hey Scoots wait… she… she doesn’t have a mom?” Rainbow asked turning from shock to concern. It was then she didn’t even realize where Scootaloo went and quickly took to the skies… still unable to see where the young filly had left to.

        “And she just left me after saying she didn’t have a mom. I’m really worried about her guys and… and I don’t know where she would have gone. She looked really upset,” Rainbow said after she had gathered everyone at the tree library.

        Rarity frowned at this and thought back to her last conversation she had with Sweetie Belle the moment she had returned home. “Well, let me think. I don’t remember Sweetie Belle saying anything about a Crusader expedition today, though she did tell me she had to share her lunch with Scootaloo since she didn’t bring her own today. Still Rainbow Dash dear, what exactly happened and why the sudden concern?”

        Rainbow sighed at this. “Okay, I was flying around my usual spot for… practice when Scootaloo showed up. She was a bit early for her flight practice but she practically begged me to teach her so I agreed and we worked on her wing power more but she looked really tense for some reason so I tried talking to her and when we got to the conversation about what she ate for lunch she got like super defensive on me then when I bring up her mom she just lashed out at me and took off. I’m really worried for her guys.”

        Rarity looked to everyone before she looked to Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie who frowned and nodded.  “Rainbow… Rainbow dear I’m sorry to tell you this but… our dear Scootaloo is an orphan.” This caused Rainbow’s jaw to drop. “Before you go off Rainbow let us explain. Yes, we all knew that Scootaloo was an orphan, she did stay the night with a few of us and well we just couldn’t keep this to ourselves for if any of the girls got hurt we could help them.” At this Rarity nodded to Twilight who frowned and used her magic as best she could to levitate an old newspaper over to them showing them the front page.

Rainbow quickly picked the paper up looking at the main article heading before slowly bringing it down to the table then looked to the girls.

        “For some time, she had been living at that place till it was shut down. Now she lives at the orphanage on the other side of town,” Rarity confessed, causing Rainbow to look at her friends in shock. “Please forgive us Rainbow; we should have been honest with you the moment she became your fan. Please forgive us,” Rarity said, nearing tears.

        Rainbow looked back at the article before speaking. “W-when did you find out?” Rainbow asked, literally floored.

        Rarity looked to the others and soon answered. “I found out some time ago,” Rarity replied sighing. “I was hired by the head of the orphanage here to make a dress for a filly that was being adopted. I was told the measurements and that it was to be delivered  on a certain date. Well, being as it was a home, when I finished I went to tell them personally that there was no charge for it. The moment I arrived, I spotted Scootaloo outside the home working on her scooter when a worker told her it was time to head inside. The head soon came after and before I could say anything he took the package, hoofed me a purse of bits and went inside. It was the rudest thing I ever saw.”

        Rainbow soon turned to Pinkie who sighed as her hair went mildly flat. “I was asked to host a party for one of the foals since it was an adoption party but I was told to keep it small so I did. The head was really creepy…,” Pinkie said shivering, “I then saw her in the corner talking to the foal to be adopted before I was told to clean up the party and go. He was a real meany because he then took all the foals out of the room before I could even pass out the last of the party candy.”

        It was then Fluttershy spoke up. “While Scootaloo was at my place I heard some crying up in the bed the girls were at and went to see what was wrong. I saw Scootaloo having a nightmare and tried to comfort her but she woke up and cried into me saying she didn’t want to go about to the orphanage. I tried to offer her another night at my cottage but she left before I could say anything.”

        “Rainbow, way I found out wasn’t right and well ah want to apologize beforehoof,” Applejack said, taking her hat off. Rainbow looked to Applejack before she continued. “It was last apple bucking season when I caught Scootaloo stealing from one of the barrels. I told her that if I caught her again I’d be telling her ma about it. She went so white I thought she turned into a ghost. I got really concerned at that and well since I didn’t know where she lived I went to the only pony who might have known. She told me everything.”

        It was at this Rarity spoke up. “We weren't aware that you didn't know and we did want to tell you but...”

        Rainbow looked up at this sighing. “She made you all Pinkie Promise didn’t she?” All four of her friends nodded to this sadly with Fluttershy going up to Rainbow hugging her. “So… now what do we do, we still have to find her.”

        Carefully Rarity spoke, “Rainbow, I don't think you're in any state to be useful at the moment. Why don’t you wait here with Luna and Twilight while we all go try and find her? It’ll give you some time to get your thoughts in order.”

        Rainbow Dash looked up to her friend. “I don’t know Rarity, I mean should I be…”

        Rarity held up a hoof and smiled warmly before shaking her head. “We'll make sure she's alright Rainbow, and you forget we have Princess Luna with us as well,” the elegant unicorn said before placing a hoof on her dear friend’s shoulder. “Don't worry, we will find her for you.”

        Rainbow Dash smiled weakly at this surrendering. “Okay just… bring her back safe okay?” Everyone got up and wrapped Rainbow Dash up in a tight hug before they sat out. Pinkie left off for the school while Fluttershy went with Applejack to check the farm and Crusader clubhouse. As for Rarity, her path took her to a well-known graveyard and church.  One Scootaloo had been known to visit far too often to be comfortable.

        Father Cross always did dislike days like these. Families would come and go to pay their respects to those who passed but they only did so on special holidays such as Family Appreciation Day, Hearth’s Warming Eve, Heart and Hooves Day, and now the upcoming Mother’s Day. It wasn’t these times that bother him. No, it was times when a young orange Pegasus filly came in to speak with him that he disliked. Ever since the poor foal could travel she had been coming to the graveyard to seek his aid and guidance and even his caring hoof when need. Today was a day his caring hoof was needed along with his shoulder. The poor filly came in crying her eyes out over something he was unable to understand but that did not matter at the time. What mattered was the shoulder she needed to cry into and the comforting words he could and would always provide.

        Yet for now it was at that point he was serving the poor filly something sweet to drink and munch on to help cheer her up. “Thank you Father Cross,” Scootaloo said sadly munching away at her apple slices.

        “Your quite welcome my dear. Now then, why don’t you tell me what’s gotten you so upset,” He asked kindly sitting down next to her.

        “It’s… nothing…,” Scootaloo replied munching away at an apple slice slowly.

        Father Cross chuckled lightly to this. “Oh yes, nothing can often drive us to cry like you did little one.”

        Scootaloo just looked at him before sighing. “You’re right… Okay… I… I got mad at Rainbow Dash because she was... wasn't my mom.”

        Father Cross opened his mouth and raised his head in understanding.  “Ah, I see now. Well, that was not a bad thing little one, however…”

        Scootaloo got up and shook her head angrily. “I know, I KNOW! She not my mom! She… won’t ever be…”

        Father Cross sighed and trotted over to the poor filly and sat beside her, placing a gentle hoof on her shoulder. “Who says she won’t, Scootaloo?” he said looking to her then to the sky, “The air, those clouds, or maybe those birds there, or maybe the land itself?” Scootaloo just sighed at this. “Scootaloo my dear, no one here has told you this. And I am certain that Rainbow Dash did not as well. Nothing is ever for certain in this world my dear. All we can do is pray and hope. Pray to Lady Faust and hope she graces you with her gentle presence and lead you to the path you seek. That is all she can do, that is all we can do, unless, we take what we have and let it grow,” Father Cross said, pointing out to his small garden. It was truly small as it only held two apple trees and a set of strawberry and blueberry bushes.

        “Yeah… but… why is it that I can’t be adopted? Why can’t I have a family like all the others?” Scootaloo asked looking to him.

        “I cannot say Scootaloo my dear. There are as many reasons out there as there are stars and trust me, ponies have been counting.” Father Cross said gaining a small giggle from the filly. “Now, I’ve already contacted your orphanage and informed them you were here. If you wish, you may stay the night like last time, but remember it does get chilly at nights and I only have one extra blanket to spare.”

        Scootaloo looked to the ground smiling. “Thank you.”

        Father Cross returned the smile. “Your quite welcome.”

        “Now, if I remember correctly…,” Rarity said looking the place over, “this is where Sweetie Belle said that the church and graveyard was.” Looking around she soon found the right church and graveyard. Looking inside, she found Scootaloo on a bench. The little orange pegasus was sniffling, curled up like she was trying to go to sleep, her scooter set to one side.

        “May I help you miss?” an earth pony stallion said causing her to rear up in shock. “Oh, I’m sorry. I try not to do that.” The stallion said coming further out of the doorway hidden by the entrance.

        “Oh, no, no, it’s quite alright. You are?” Rarity said carefully.

        “Father Cross of the Church of Faust; and you are miss?” Rarity looked the stallion over and soon noticed his preacher’s uniform and nodded.

        “I’m Rarity, Father. I do apologize for coming in unannounced.”

        Father Cross just chuckled gently at this. “This place is open to all ponies Miss Rarity.” He soon trotted over to Scootaloo and placed a warm blanket over her. “Are you with the orphanage?”

        Rarity shook her head no at this. “No, I’m just a concerned friend of a friend. Is she alright?”

        Looking to Scootaloo he sighed. “Come with me please. I hope you don’t mind mixed berry tea.”

        Rarity smiled behind him. “I prefer it.”

        Father Cross led her to the small kitchen the church had and poured some pre-made tea in another mug for Rarity. “Your one of Miss Rainbow Dash’s friends aren’t you?” Father Cross asked sipping his tea.

        Rarity blinked at this and nodded. “How did you…” Rarity started to ask till Father Cross raised a hoof.

        “You know Scootaloo so I just assumed you were one of them.” He sighed and looked into his mug. “As for your earlier question, I’m not sure. She’s been parentless for many years and to actually have someone who pays attention to you, spends times with you, and you can look up to like your friend Dash. You can see why she feels so alone at times.”

        Rarity put her mug down in shock of this. “But she’s not alone. She has my sister and Apple Bloom for friends and a school to gain education from and…”

        Father Cross held his hoof up again. “Friends and fellow students are good to have Miss Rarity, but they can’t replace what she truly needs, a family. A mother, father, maybe even siblings; this is what poor Scootaloo needs and when she asked Rainbow what she did. Well you can see how those hopes had fallen.”

        Rarity sighed and nodded to this. “May I still talk to her?”

        Father Cross nodded. “But don’t keep her up too late, it’s a long ride back and I’d hate for her to miss class.”

        Rarity nodded to this and headed out of the kitchen back to the church entrance when she trotted up to Scootaloo’s bench and spoke. “Scootaloo?” she asked, smiling warmly as she looked to her. To Rarity’s surprise Scootaloo yipped softly, startled, and looked up to her through teary eyes. Rarity wasn’t expecting her to still be awake.

        Scootaloo gave a small sniffle and wiping her eyes clear before she looked at Rarity in confusion.  “Rarity?  What are you doing here?”

        Rarity just smiled warmly and she sat next to her. “When you ran off like that, you gave poor Rainbow Dash quite a fright.  She's very worried about you.”

        Scootaloo sniffled again looking down to her bench. “Sorry Rarity... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry...” She then smiled weakly to Rarity, which was odd coming from the normally boisterous pony. She was quiet and thoughtful, very much unlike the Scootaloo everyone knew of.  “...Was Rainbow Dash really that worried about me?”

        Rarity nodded at this.  “Of course she was,” she replied smiling warmly, “she cares about you Scootaloo, and you know that. She would never let anything bad happen to you.”

        Scootaloo nodded at this. “Yeah...” Thankfully to Scootaloo's relief, Rarity just placed a gentle hoof on her shoulder and smiled at her.  

        “At any rate,” Rarity said, “I'm sure your friends are worried about you as well. You sure you’ll be okay here for the night?”

        Scootaloo thought for a moment, and shook her head yes. “Yeah... Would you let everypony know I'm okay? I didn’t mean to make everyone worry.”

        Rarity frowned at this but knew she couldn’t force the young Pegasus into leaving a place she felt safe in. Yet she still had to try for Rainbow’s sakes. “Are you sure?”
 
       Scootaloo nodded tiredly. “Yeah I'm... I'm tired.” Rarity smiled and helped tuck Scootaloo in before nodding to Father Cross and heading off to tell Rainbow and the others the news.

        Rainbow was frantically pacing, PACING, before her friends and co-parents, Twilight and Luna. They all knew that Rainbow was very worried about the young orange Pegasus filly and would not stop worrying until… “Rarity’s back everyone!” Twilight said looking out the window.

        At this Rainbow Dash, hearing Rarity come in flew right up to her. “What happened?  Did you find her?  Is she alright?” Rainbow asked in rapid succession.

        Luna grabbed Rainbow Dash's shoulders, stopping her from panicking. “Rainbow, Rainbow please calm down and let her explain. Breathe.”

        Rainbow took a few breaths to calm down before she looked to Rarity. “I found her in the church just outside of town. I tried to get her to come back with me Rainbow but she just wanted to sleep and she’s in good care. There’s a preacher there by the name of Father Cross watching over her. He’s a good stallion and deeply cares for her.”

        Rainbow Dash frowned at this news but... “Well... So long as she's okay...”

        Fluttershy soon came up to Rarity nuzzling her, a worried expression on her gentle face. On the other side of the room Twilight began leaning into Luna tiredly. It had been a long day for all of them.

        Rarity looked out the door, in the direction of the church, before someone broke the silence “I-it's gotta be hard for her,” Applejack said laying fully down on the floor with a sad look on her face. “Mah folks are gone, but we still have each other, Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith. And look at you Rarity, you and Sweetie Belle still have your parents.” Rarity nodded at this placing a gentle hoof on her dear friend.

        “Twilight, you technically have two mothers in both my sister and Twilight Velvet,” Luna said gently before looking to Pinkie and Fluttershy. “Also Pinkie and Fluttershy have both of their parents as well... though technically Pinkie really has two families if you count the Cakes and their kids.” Pinkie cringed remembering her recent attempt to babysit the two Cake children. She loved Pound and Pumpkin but… they were way too much of a hoof-full for her.

        Rainbow Dash sighed looking to everyone and decided now was the time to share her secret with everyone. “I-I don't have any parents.” Everyone looked at Rainbow Dash in shock till she continued, “I’m an orphan… I mean sure it's been just me and Mr. Storm who I call Dad from time to time ever since Shy and I got out Flight School. He… was the only one there for me when I was a little filly...”

        Twilight carefully stood up and went over to Rainbow nuzzling her cheek. As long as she had known her, Rainbow Dash had never brought up her family before. They had just assumed that she spent her time with them during the holidays. Rainbow Dash sighed, and said, “I never knew why I was orphaned but… I’ll be finding out soon.”

        “Oh Dashie…,” Pinkie said softly, coming up to her friend and nuzzling her comfortingly with Twilight.

        “I'm okay guys, really... I got over it long ago,” she replied, remembering the news she had received from Dr. First-aid.

        Still, Twilight frowned at this and soon spoke, “We still have to do something about Scootaloo. We can't just let her stay depressed like that and I’m not too sure any of the orphanages are good for her.”

        “I could try talking with her,” Fluttershy said shuffling her hooves nervously.

        “It'd probably be better if you did, Rainbow,” Twilight said nuzzling her, “this whole thing seems centered on you but… it’s your choice. You already have enough to deal with.”

        Rainbow Dash hesitated as she thought this all over, a nervous look on her face. Sighing, she nuzzled Twilight back before saying, “I'm not really good at this sort of thing Twi, maybe Fluttershy should be the one to talk to her. I really like her but… I… I just don’t know what to do.” The others traded concern looks but nodded.

        “If you're sure...  I mean, if you really want me to, I can…,” Fluttershy said nervously causing Rarity to hug her and calm her down.

        Rainbow Dash nodded.  “I'm... I'm not sure if I’m the motherly type guys and,” she said, trying and failing to not to cry, “it would be better if you or Twilight talk to her...”

        “But you're the one she looks up to, Dashie!” Pinkie Pie said smiling kindly.

        Yet Rainbow Dash had no answer for that and flew away promising to return to the library around dinner, getting the others to trade worried looks before Fluttershy sighed. “Rainbow Dash means well, I'm sure.  I'll go talk to Scootaloo tomorrow. Hopefully things will be better then,” she said looking to everyone.

        “I guess that would be alright…,” Twilight said doubtfully. The girls then turned their attention to her and her growing foal till Luna said it was time to go. After saying goodbye the others slowly trailed out of Twilight’s library home, silent and thoughtful.

        Once Rainbow left the library, she flew to the only place she knew she could relax at, her old cloud home. Sure she now lived with Twilight and Spike at the library but she just couldn’t get rid of her beloved cloud home. It had taken her many long hours and many bits to build the place and… it was the only thing she could call hers. Landing and walking up to her door she sighed and smiled at the old home. She never told anyone but she never actually moved out of the place. It still had all her posters, her Daring Do books, and well… everything. She loved the place. Pushing the door open she slowly trotted inside and looked around at her former home. Everything was still where it was the last time she was there. Smiling she slowly trotted over to her living room couch and flopped down on top of it with a deep sigh.

        After a long while she finally frowned and sighed, turning onto her back. Normally this was quite uncomfortable but that was only because she was sleeping on a normal down bed. Her couch however was made of very soft and extremely fluffy clouds which made for great furniture. “What do I do?” she asked no one as she looked to her ceiling. “I… I’m not the motherly type but…” Rainbow closed her eyes as she thought back to all the times she had helped Twilight when Spike was helping out Rarity and Luna had Royal business to attend to in Canterlot. How she would lay next to her on her bed to keep her company or just to keep her warm when she said she ever felt cold, or the times she’s had to fly at top speed to get Twilight some food she was craving, or the time she held Twilight till Luna returned due to her becoming upset about her parents not loving her because she now had a foal but no husband.

        Sighing she turned to her side and thought of poor Scootaloo. Of all the times she had been with the young orange Pegasus not once did she ever mention anything about her family or where she lived… it was always hero worship. Yet… she couldn’t just ignore the poor filly. She and her friends just truly wanted their cutie marks and after the stunt at Ghastly Gorge, she had been keeping a close eye on them. Especially Scootaloo, but… did it mean she was being motherly? She didn’t know. Sure there were times when Scootaloo would break down crying and hugging her but… didn’t she do that around others? And… each time Scootaloo cried, why did it pull at her heart to the point she just couldn’t help but comfort the poor filly? Sighing, she decided it was best to just get some sleep until a knock came to her door.

        “Ugh… who could that be?” Rainbow said getting off her couch and heading to the door. Opening she soon noticed it was Derpy smiling at her with a letter in her mouth. “Oh hey Derpy, how’ve you been?” Rainbow said helping Derpy with the letter.

        “I’m fine. Notice anything different?” Derpy said looking to her friend.

        Rainbow gave her friend a good look before gasping and hugging her friend. “You got the surgery!”

        Derpy returned the hug smiling, her one eye covered in an eye patch designed by Rarity. “Yeah, my little muffins finally convinced me to go. They said they wanted me to really smile and well…” Derpy said tilting her head happily.

        “Well?” Rainbow asked curious.

        “It’s their mother’s day present to me.” Derpy said smiling shyly.

        “What, you serious?” Rainbow asked surprised.

        “Yeah, Sparkler and Dinky had been working hard to save up the bits for me to go and when I returned home a few weeks ago there was a train ticket to Canterlot along with a map to the hospital I was to get the surgery at. I couldn’t thank them enough,” Derpy said smiling shedding a small tear.

        “You have some really great kids Derpy,” Rainbow said sighing.

        “Well you will too once the foal is born,” Derpy said smiling.

        “Yeah…,” Rainbow replied looking down.

        “Hey what’s wrong?” Derpy asked concerned for her friend.

        “It’s… It’s nothing,”  Rainbow replied trotting over to her couch.

        “Nothing, come on Rainbow you know me better than that. What’s bothering you?” Derpy asked concerned. Rainbow sighed, before she allowed the dam to break and spilled everything. The shock of being a parent, the search for her birth parents, Scootaloo wanting her to be her mother, everything.  Rainbow was crying when she finished, tears streaming down her face. “Wow, Rainbow. I never knew,” Derpy said gathering her dearest friend up in a hug.

        “I… I know Derpy. I… I just… What do I do? Where do I go from here?” Rainbow said leaning into her friend’s hug.

        “Only place to go Rainbow, up,” Derpy said before hoofing over the letter.

        “What’s this?” Rainbow said opening it up.

        “I was told to deliver it to you ASAP. It’s from the Care Center,”Derpy replied before she heard Rainbow gasp. “Rainbow what is it?” Derpy asked worried.

        “They… they found her…,” Rainbow said looking to the letter.

        “Found who Rainbow?” Derpy asked looking to her.

        “My mom,” Rainbow replied in shock.

        The next morning, Pinkie Pie woke up to find a letter placed on her door.

Pinkie,

        Sorry to inform you of this at the last minute but it seems we got a cake based emergency in Canterlot. Sadly we couldn’t bring Pumpkin and Pound Cake with us so please take care of them while we’re gone. We should be home later tonight around ten.

Thank you and love you, Mrs. Cake.

        Sighing, she got up, fed her pet alligator, and got ready for the day; as well as put up the sign that they were closed. As much as she loved the cake twins they were far too much a hoof-full to leave unattended while she tried to tend to the shop. Once all done making breakfast for herself and the twins, Pinkie started to think on what to do for the rest of the day since staying inside the shop with the twins was way too much for her to handle. Deciding to think more on it after breakfast, she went up to the room the twins were in and went to the young unicorn and pegasus foal. “Wakey wakey you two time for breakfast.” She said gently waking the foals up. Both looked up to her giggling up a storm before giving an upset face and cried.

        After a change of diapers, which was always a task for her, she brought them down stairs and began feeding the two as well as feed herself. As they all ate she thought for a moment about what to do for the day, and grinned cheerfully. “Hey, why don’t we all go visit Twilight and Luna? You’ll like Princess Luna, she’s really funny.” After gathering up Pumpkin and her brother Pound in their carriers, she began skipping happily causing the young foals to gently bounce as she traveled further into town. She eventually passed Fluttershy who was coming back from the school the Crusaders were usually at this time of day. Stopping to give Fluttershy a hello she soon found her frowning with a worried look on her face. Pinkie Pie, who had a personal objection to any and all frowns, trotted over to see if she could help her yellow friend.

        “What's wrong, Fluttershy?” Pinkie Pie said, smiling warmly to her. “Anything your Auntie Pinkie can help you with?”

        Fluttershy squeaked at the surprise greeting but soon found herself rolled her eyes at what was said. “Pinkie, I'm a year older than... oh never mind,” she said sighing, looking back at the school. After a long few minutes she finally spoke. “I-I tried talking to Scootaloo at the school but… she wouldn't see me,” she said looking down. Pinkie went over and gently placed a hoof over her friend’s shoulder in a tender shoulder hug. “She… she wouldn't even talk to Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle. They’re really worried about her.”

        Pinkie Pie looked back at the school, frowning. Friends shouldn’t ignore friends. Thinking, she brightened as she came up with her usual solve all issues solution before Fluttershy placed a gentle hoof on her mouth. Fluttershy knew instantly what Pinkie was about to suggest and normally was about to agree, as Pinkie Pie did throw some of the most amazing parties. Especially ones you just couldn’t be upset or down at, but with how Scootaloo's mood was at the moment... it wasn’t the best idea. “I'm so sorry, Pinkie…,” Fluttershy said gently, “but right now I think that a party might make things worse for her.”

        “B-but how could a party make things worse,” Pinkie asked confused, “parties make ponies feel better and happier.”

        “I know Pinkie but Scootaloo is really upset and I really don’t think a party would make thing any better for her,” Fluttershy tried to explain till the foals in Pinkie’s care began crying as poor Pinkie Pie's brain just shut down causing her to just stare with her mane straight but her tail still fluffed like cotton candy.  

        “Oh, oh my!” Fluttershy whimpered afraid she may have broken Pinkie somehow. “Pinkie… Pinkie Pie, are you okay?” All that was heard sadly was the Cake twin crying up a storm. This was not what she intended and quickly took the twins in her front limbs as she flew off to find someone to help Pinkie.

        That night Scootaloo reluctantly returned to the orphanage with her head hung low. Sadly, the head of the orphanage had come to the church and demanded she return that night or Father Cross would have to explain to the authorities why an orphan filly under their watch was in his church. “Alright you lot!” Scootaloo quickly got into her cot and stayed as still as she could. “Times for lights out, and if any of you are up you can expect to be here Mother’s day!” the head of the orphanage said angrily. Scootaloo made sure she looked like she was already asleep when the stallion looked inside and saw not one of them was awake. “Ha, like any of you lot would ever be adopted. Especially you lot from Cloudsdale.” Scootaloo shivered at that not wishing to ever be reminded of that place. It just… didn’t feel right.

        It also caused her to constantly have nightmares. The sound of crying starving foals around her, the strange doctors in black coming and going with sick foals, the… the… Scootaloo couldn’t help but get up and run out of the room to the bathroom and empty her stomach. So much for going to bed on a full stomach, thought Scootaloo, as she got back into the room and the bed. Scootaloo just laid there trying not to sleep and stay away from the nightmares that constantly plagued her sleep, and memories she wished would leave her alone.

        The next morning Scootaloo woke with the other foals, far more tired than she normally was and ate a very light breakfast and was soon ushered out yet again with no lunch at all. “You have to earn it you runt,” the head said , looking down on her. “You’ve been ignoring your home for the past month and I don’t give two bits what happened up in that orphanage, you’re my foal now and you’re going to do things the way I tell you. Now get on to your classes before I drag you there myself.”

        Scootaloo got onto her scooter and buzzed off towards the school before stopping far enough to give the old stallion a harsh glare. She knew there wasn’t anything she could do at the moment, but it was enough to give her reason for the day. Hopefully one of her friends would come through for her this night. Sighing, she finally arrived at the school not feeling right and leaned up against a tree before looking towards the school. She didn’t want to go back and she didn’t want to worry her friends. Getting off her scooter Scootaloo took a step forward before falling flat to the ground. “Scootaloo!”

        It was around noon that Scootaloo woke to a wet cloth placed on her head and a familiar maroon coated mare looking down at her. “Scootaloo, are you alright? Should I take you to the care center?”

        Scootaloo looked up and after her eyes cleared she saw it was Ms. Cheerilee looking to her heavily concern. “No, I’m fine.”

        “You don’t look fine Scootaloo. Did something happen at the orphanage again?” Ms. Cheerilee asked concern for her student. Reluctantly Scootaloo nodded and return to laying down and what appeared to be Ms. Cheerilee’s own bed. “Scootaloo, I saw you didn’t come to class with your lunch again. Are they not feeding you there?”

        Scootaloo sighed at this. “No, they feed us… it’s just not enough.”

        “Scootaloo… I need you to tell me everything. To be honest, I’m starting to worry about you being in that orphanage,” Ms. Cheerilee said, taking the damp cloth off Scootaloo’s head to soak it once again and place on her head. “Scootaloo… I want to get you out of there as quickly as possible… if it’s as bad as I think it is.”

        Scootaloo just looked up to her teacher before finally jumping off the bed hugging her. It took some time but Scootaloo finally calmed down and gave one response. “They… they told us about Cloudsdale again.” This was all Cheerilee needed to hear.

        “Miss please calm down.” The head of the orphanage said behind his desk.

        “I’ll have you know that I am far from ever being calm sir. You know better than to remind these poor foals about that horrid place. I’m not even sure what happened there fully but from what I’ve read and heard, we should all be lucky it’s no longer in service. You obviously don’t care of the nightmares these children go through each and every night you remind them of that… that… place!” Ms. Cheerilee said very angrily.

        “Ms. Cheerilee I can understand your concern for your students but this is as far as you can take this. These foals are under our care and our watch. You have to understand that this is not a home, it’s an orphanage and it’s run quite differently.” The head explained as calmly as he could.

        “Oh really,” Ms. Cheerilee said looking right at him, “then explain to me why one of my students comes to school with no lunch, is so tired they can barely keep themselves awake in class, and why one student is currently in my home after passing out coming to school?!”

        “Ms. Cheerilee,” the head said leaning back in his seat, “this orphanage is now on a very tight budget. There are times we have to go to businesses to request food for the foals getting only enough to feed so many. We’re also understaffed, we don’t have enough caretakers to tend to all the foals here so is someone has a nightmare, there is very little we can do. Yes we do bring up Cloudsdale but that’s mainly due to our own stress. There are times we have to be very strict with the foals and yes there are times we overstep our limits but sadly it just can’t be helped. However this passing out on the way to school does have me concerned. Exactly which foal was it that passed out?”

        “I’ll keep that to myself thank you but I do want to know what…,” Ms. Cheerilee started to say before the head spoke.

        “Ms. Cheerilee. Keeping one of the foals in our care from us is very illegal and could put you into some serious trouble. I will do what I can to solve this issue but you have to let us know which foal it was that passed out so they can get the proper care.”

        “How can I be sure that my student IS getting the proper care?” Ms. Cheerilee asked seriously. “From what I’ve been told you barely feed them, only enough to keep them from starving but not enough to actually keep them full. I have every right to call in Princess Luna as she now stays in town with Ms. Sparkle.”

        This got a reaction from the head. “Ms. Cheerilee. You have my word that this foal will get the proper care the moment they are returned here. However, since you have little trust in me I’ll allow the foal to stay with you for the night but they must be brought back here the next day. Do we have an agreement?” Ms. Cheerilee didn’t like this but… she agreed, she didn’t want to get into a legal dispute, but she would be speaking to someone on this. Someone Scootaloo cared a lot about.

        Rainbow frowned as she slowly glided to a stop before Ms. Cheerilee’s home. During her cloud duties Derpy had flown right into her to get a note to her from the kind hearted teacher. Reaching under her wing she pulled out the small note to reread it yet again.

Rainbow Dash,

        Meet me before my home at 8pm. We need to talk.

Cheerilee

        Whatever Ms. Cheerilee needed to talk to her about must have been very important for Derpy to have flown right into her. Shaking her head Rainbow went up to the door of Cheerilee’s house before Cheerilee came outside. “Thank you for coming Rainbow,” Cheerilee said gently closing the door.

        “No problem, but… what’s the emergency? Derpy literally flew into me to get this letter to me,” Rainbow said holding out the letter.

        “Not here,” Cheerilee said locking the door. “Across the street, we can get a drink there.”

        Rainbow raised an eyebrow at this but followed and sat at a small outdoor dinner looking towards Cheerilee’s home. “Okay so, what do we need to talk about?”

        Cheerilee sighed and looked to Rainbow. “It’s about Scootaloo.” Rainbow opened her mouth to reply before Cheerilee held up her hoof. “She passed out right in front of my school Rainbow. I had to cancel classes just to tend to her. You know she’s an orphan right?”

        Rainbow sighed at this. “Yeah, Rarity, Applejack, and the others told me. She is okay right?”

        Cheerilee nodded to this. “She’s currently asleep in my room. Rainbow, she needs a home. A proper home, not that… orphanage. I don’t know why but I don’t think they’re treating the foals from Cloudsdale very well.”

        Rainbow gulped at the name Cloudsdale. “I… read what happened. Look I really care about Scootaloo but…”

        “I know Rainbow, you have your hooves full with Twilight’s pregnancy and your life with Princess Luna but, please hear me out,” Ms. Cheerilee said only stopping long enough for them to order some fizzy juice.

        Rainbow sighed at this and nodded. “Okay Cheerilee, I’ll listen.”

        Cheerilee smiled at Rainbow at this before taking a sip of her drink. “Thank you, Rainbow. Scootaloo really looks up you, more than just a fan or a big sister, I mean as a mother figure. She’s a sweet little filly that has a lot of love in her and… that love is directed towards you, no one else. Haven’t you notice how hard she tries to impress you, to be like you? Rainbow… I think you need to adopt her.”

        Rainbow’s eyes widened at this before she spat out her drink cough up a fit. “W-what… you, you want me to adopt Scootaloo?”

        “Rainbow, she’s not being treated right at that orphanage,” Cheerilee said looking at her. “She’s constantly reminded of the home resulting in nightmares, she’s only getting enough to eat to keep her from being hungry but not enough to keep her going, and worse, she rarely come to school with any lunch. Today was just a warning of things to  come Rainbow. Who knows how long she’ll last in a place like that.”

        Rainbow frowned at this. She knew what it was like growing up with no one to tend to her or love her till she was taken in by her father figure Mr. Storm. Yet… could she do it, could she raise not one but two fillies with Twilight and Luna? “H-how long will I need?”

        Cheerilee sighed at this. “They said I could keep her for the night but Rainbow. You’re her only chance at a real family. A family that would love her, tend to her, be there for her. I don’t know how long she can hold out on that place. I’m… just really worried for her Rainbow. Please, please take her.”

        Rainbow sighed at this. “Cheerilee I… I’ll need some time to sort all this out but… if you’re really that worried. I’ll talk to Luna and the others about this. Just… take care of her okay?” Cheerilee nodded to this as Rainbow finished her drink and trotted off after leaving a small tip. She had a few ponies to talk to.

        That night, Luna, Celestia, and Moon talked about the happenings of Ponyville and the issues there, namely Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. “I’m quite worried of this Tia,” Moon said, looking around the library’s main room.

        “As am I Moon,” Luna said watching Celestia pace, “When Rainbow was finally home she was acting quite…” Moon filled in what she thought was right. “Worrisome?”

        Luna shook her head. “More like she was troubled by something other than your coming birth as well as poor Scootaloo’s current behavior.”

        Moon tilted her head and pointed at Celestia who was sipping her tenth cup of extra strong tea for the night. “Like how Tia is acting now?”

        Luna blinked and turned to her sister and carefully trotted up to her. “Tia?”

        At this Celestia nearly jumped out of her golden horseshoes and drop her tea cup before catching it in her magic. “Lulu what have I told you about sneaking up on me?” Celestia said trying to catch her breath from the shock.

        “But I didn’t sneak up on you,” Luna replied worried.

        “Tia what’s wrong?” Moon asked trotting up to her also worried.

        “It’s nothing you two. Just something from day court, was already handled,” Celestia said in a very good imitation of a worried Twilight as she sipped her tea.

        “Tia,” Luna said stepping right in front of her, “I know when something’s worrying you when you start acting like Twilight.”

        Celestia looked right at Luna before sighing. “I received some unsettling news about a few of the Cloudsdale schools and orphanages. I may… need to appear before the Mayor to settle these issues. I’ve already sent someone to care of this but even she is having issues.”

        Luna blinked at this. “Why not send me to tend to this?”

        Celestia nearly choked on her drink before calming herself. “The matter needs a… delicate touch Lulu. I know you love the foals dearly but… I am unsure you could handle what I’ve read. It’s quite… graphic.”

        Luna and Moon looked at each other before gulping. “J-just how graphic are we speaking Tia?” Moon asked worried.

        “Very.” Celestia replied looking down.

“V-very well then Tia, I’ll leave this to you. As for Moon and I we’re thinking of exploring more of the town while we’re here. Don’t worry; I’ll be using the disguise spell you taught me to keep out of sight.” Luna said before a bright light shined, and a dark blue unicorn with a long black and white tipped mane and tail appeared where Luna was standing. Her cutie mark also changed to that of a set of stars around a crescent moon.

        “Very well Lulu, take care you two.” Celestia said as the two left; one disguised, the other unseen as a spirit. Once sure they were gone Celestia reached under her massive wing and pulled out two old yellowed envelopes along with a freshly new one addressed to someone named Firefly Dash. Sighing she opened the first letter once again frowning.

Dear Mrs. Firefly,

        Due to certain events here in Cloudsdale we have been informed to contact you with news of your foal, Iris Dash, who you’ve placed for adoption at the Cloudsdale Home for Forgotten Foals. It saddens us to inform you that we had no other choice but to permanently close this orphanage for information we cannot disclose. If you are willing to return to your foal’s life you can contact the Cloudsdale Flight School where she has been placed for her own protection. It is highly recommended you reply to this letter with-in the next two weeks.

Commander Storm, Cloudsdale Guard

        Celestia closed her eyes at this remembering far back into the past.

=Canterlot Court of Noble Lords: Year 1011=

        “Princess or not it is not allowed!” Lord North Wind said slamming his hoof into the meeting table. “How are we even sure she is of royal blood and not some clandestine foal of common birth?!”

        Celestia bristled at this. “She is my foal, My Daughter, MY BLOOD, and you do not wish me to tend to her, to go to her in her hour of need?!”

        Another Lord, Lord Twilight Dawn raised his hoof to them both, “Calm yourselves, this is a meeting not a magic duel. Also, the Princess has higher point than you do Lord Wind.” Celestia sat down on her cushion and smiled at the Lord of the Twilight House. The stallion was old but quite wise. “The time of the Blood Blooded is far behind us and we’re far too interbred to actually keep ourselves pure anyway. And what if the foal was clandestine, she is Celestia’s foal and we should consider how she feels on this matter. I feel it is not our place to see how the royal family should be ran to our liking.”

        Another Lord, Lord Southern Lands bristled at this. “Y’all saying we want the Princess here all on her lonesome?” Lord Twilight nodded.

        “This is preposterous! We are not thinking of the Royal house as our own, no! Quite the opposite,” Lord North yelled angrily before calming down, “we are looking out for the well-being of the country. Think of how our neighbors will feel if we show up with another princess after so many years?”

        “Lord North does have point Lord Twilight,” Lord Southern said frowning.

        “So we’re to force our Princess to continue to live on in her castle without the sound of tiny hooves gambling about? To never know what it is like to be a full mother, to have a foal of her own, not just give birth to, but to raise into a princess we can all love and follow?” Lord Twilight replied closing his eyes.

        “Come now Lord Twilight, let us think of this politically instead of fatherly,” Lord North said causing Lord Twilight to frown.

        It was true that he was a grandfather after all. “Are you saying we should be cold to this topic; to be heartless statues of law?”

        Lord North frowned but looked quite smug while doing so. “As much as I hate to admit this, yes, yes I do and for good reason. We’re bringing in our own wishes of a happy family before the well-being of the nation. We must be willing to sacrifice the one for the millions. It’s simply that.”

        Lord Southern sadly nodded at this. “Hate to agree but the stallion’s got a point. I’m mighty sorry Princess but… we can’t permit you to have the foal, but we promise that we’ll try and come up with a way you and your kin can be happy even if it’s not together.” Celestia’s wings opened fully before she stormed out of the meeting room… to cry.

        Celestia cried for hours after what they had agreed to. Her foal, her only foal, her little Iris was to be taken care of by the school and school alone with constant reports to her about Iris’ behavior and treatment. None were quite good as many of them reported her getting into brawls with many of the other foals. At the time Celestia had thought the lord’s court was right. Maybe it was a good idea to not have her child in the castle for now. It wasn’t till later she gained her second letter which she soon reread.

Dear Mrs. Firefly,

        It’s is with our greatest apology to report that young Miss Iris has removed herself from our teachings. Miss Iris has gained her Cutie Mark allowing her to choose if she wishes to stay within our care or to go out and find employment. She has chosen the later. We do apologize that this will also be our last letter to you as she is now her own pony.

With much regret, Headmaster Gentle Breeze

        Celestia closed her eyes again as she put the letter way remembering how she had thoroughly she chewed out Lord North for his earlier words.

=Canterlot Court of Noble Lords: Year 1015=

        “Now, now just… just calm yourself Princess,” The much older Lord North begged as he cowered before Princess Celestia in her magical rage. Her coat was still its regal white but her tail and mane where far, FAR, from its pale prismatic rainbow. They were now flames of pure fire and her once calming pale, light grayish magenta eyes were now two burning red dots that felt like they were burning into his very soul.

        “Calm down Lord North? Oh I’m FAR from EVER calming down.” Celestia said as she slowly trotted up to him. “You wish to know WHY I, your princess, your sovereign, your GODDESS won’t be calming down EVER again?”

        Lord North quickly nodded and soon found a letter falling before him which he quickly opened and paled. “She’s… she’s…”

        “Gone, GONE for good, and you want to know why?” Celestia said finally over him.

        “Be… because she has her Cutie Mark?” Lord North answered before the guards outside had to jump back away from the doorway.

        “BECAUSE YOU DECIDED IT WOULD BE BEST TO SACRIFICE MY DAUGHTER SO THAT THIS NATION CAN STAY STABLE AND THAT OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE HAD LONG STANDING TREATIES AND ALLIANCES WITH WOULD WISH TO GO TO WAR WITH US BECAUSE WE HAVE YET ANOTHER PRINCESS IN OUR CASTLE!” It was soon a much calmer Princess Celestia came out of the meeting rooms and looked to her captain of the guards. “Captain Steel Shield?”

        The Captain quickly stood before her and saluted, “Ma’am?”

        Celestia looked behind her then back to him. “Send for the royal guards to remove this TRASH from the meeting room. Also inform each and every one of the North Wind houses that they are not allowed to run for Lord till I allow so. Also send thanks to Lords Twilight Dawn and Southern Land for being supportive during my… trials. Now if you excuse me I have a student to see to as well as a few Lords to interview.” The Captain nodded as she slowly trotted away flinching at the sight inside the meeting chamber. They would need a cleaning crew in here as well as the guards but only after the cleaning crew was fully done.

        Celestia reveled in the memories of the pegasus Lord cowering before her. From that day not one Lord has ever raised their hoof in her desire for finding her family. Which brought her to her newest letter; It was from the Ponyville Care Center signed to none other… but Firefly Dash. Opening it she read the letter as she shed long forgotten tears of joy.

Dear Mrs. Firefly Dash,

        You may not know me but a patient of mine does know you, or that you at least exist. I am Dr. First-Aid of the Ponyville Care Center here in Equestria. I specialize in foals and family issues such as the one you are being brought into. We believe that you and my patient may be mother and daughter or at least related by blood. If you wish to speak on this I am more than willing to meet you whenever you wish. Just send a reply to the address provided on the envelope with where, when, and how you would like to meet.

Yours sincerely, Dr. First-Aid PHD

        The next day Rainbow flew through the skies as she thought over everything. Twilight’s foal, Scootaloo, the letter about her family, what Cheerilee told her last night. She seriously needed to talk to someone about all this. Since this was mostly a “family” issue that left only two ponies she could talk to, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna. She frowned as she landed on top of a free cloud. Twilight was an okay pony, and she was slowly growing to love her but sometimes her answers were a bit too long winded and confusing for her. Yet, she was always willing to help, and had never once failed to be there when one of them needed help. Then there was Luna. Strangely enough she was the most willing of the three of them to be this family that they were now… in a way. Plus the foals all loved her and everyone knew how protective she was of any and all foals in her care or watch.

        However, she was the Princess of the night so she sadly wouldn’t be up until sundown or if she hadn’t been up too late last night at least noon. Sighing Rainbow Dash jumped off the cloud and flew to the library, where Twilight was in the middle of enjoying some sweet tea while reading a foal care-taking book. Hearing the door open, Twilight turned and smiled when she saw Rainbow Dash come in. “Welcome home Rainbow! Did you have a nice flight?” Twilight asked looking up from her book happily. Rainbow had to smile and shake her head, even pregnant Twilight was quite active.

        Rainbow Dash soon bit her lip nervously and asked, “Can I talk to you for a sec, about Scootaloo?”

        Twilight nodded, curious. “Sure,” she said as she put down her book with a concerned look on her face.

        After a long moment of hesitation, Rainbow Dash finally asked, “Twilight… how do you feel about Scootaloo… being part of our family?”

        Twilight just blinked at this and smiled with her reply, “Well, Scootaloo is a sweet little filly and… I would like for our foal to have someone to look up to,” Twilight said looking down to her swollen stomach.

        Rainbow Dash shook her head at that. “No, I mean...Cheerilee talked to me and… she really wants me to adopt her. She’s scared that something might happen to her if I don’t but… this shouldn’t just be my decision you know.”

        Twilight thought on this, and then smiled warmly. “Well... I think we should ask Princess Celestia and Luna about this. They are part of our family unit and well… like you said we all need to make a choice on this.” Rainbow Dash studied the look on Twilight's face before frowning and looking down at the floor, considering. Twilight soon gave her a concerned look. “Rainbow, are you okay?” she asked.  

        “I'm just... still trying to figure things out Twilight, I mean this is just so much to take in. You pregnant, me and Luna being the co-parents, the possibility to be with my own parents… it’s just… so much to take in,” Rainbow said lying down next to her.

        Twilight soon frowned with a thoughtful expression on her face. “Rainbow, the fact that this is bothering so much is a clear sign that you really care for Scootaloo. But we do have to make a choice, Rainbow, and soon. It isn't fair to Scootaloo and it isn't fair to you either. We have to choose and no matter what Rainbow,” Twilight said nuzzling her neck affectionately, “we’ll support this all the way."

        Rainbow Dash stared at Twilight Sparkle with a thoughtful expression on her face. After a few minutes, her head drooped as she sighed in frustration. Twilight Sparkle just smiled and hugged her friend and co-parent tightly. “Is there anything I or the girls can do for you? You know we'll always stand by you, no matter what.”

        Rainbow Dash bit her lip before she spoke again, “There's... There's one more pony I can talk to... one more I NEED to talk to...”

        Twilight tilted her head at this. “Who do you need to talk to Rainbow?” Twilight asked.

        “The guy I call my Dad…,” Rainbow Dash said softly.  

        The next morning after informing everyone where she was going for the day Rainbow Dash found herself before a cloud apartment and knocked smiling as the door opened. “Well! This is a pleasant surprise!” said the rainbow mane pegasus stallion said as he greeted his “daughter.”

        Rainbow just smiled. “Hey Dad,” Rainbow Dash said, hugging the older stallion as he hugged her. She glanced up at the picture on the nearby wall, which showed her “Dad” posing with Firefly, the founder of the Wonderbolts. The picture was autographed 'To Storm Wind, my biggest fan.'  Rainbow Dash smirked once her father broke the hug and grinned at her. She poked the rainbow-colored mustache he still sported, and shook her head. “I still can't get over this thing,” she said giggling, “I mean it looks like a caterpillar took root on your upper lip after a dip in the rainbow pools.”

        “Mustaches are cool Dashie,” Storm Wind said, pouting before giving a hardy laugh. “Now come on inside it’s been ages since I’ve seen you.” Both trotted inside and sat down in the living room. “Now what's up?  I haven't seen you since that crazy Discord fiasco last month.”

        Rainbow Dash shook her head and shivered at this. Luckily Princess Luna could step in as a substitute Element of Magic or they’d be finished since Twilight was pregnant and couldn’t generate a lot of magic at the time for some odd reason. They were still trying to get around what he was talking about with Nightmare Moon. She was gone now wasn’t she? “Well… let me fill you in a bit before we really talk.” Storm Wind blinked at this before nodding. They chatted idly for a few minutes, trading bits of gossip about their respective homes with one another, before Rainbow dropped a shocker.

        “Now hold on Dash, Pinkie Pie, I mean the Pinkie Pie we both know and like, is babysitting? Are you serious?” Storm Wind said completely shocked.

        “I kid you not,” she said. “Did a pretty good job, too, by all accounts, I mean Twilight tried to offer help at one point, but... well, it worked out in the end.”

        Storm Wind chuckled at this. It felt good, just talking with the stallion she saw as her father figure. It was just the relaxation Rainbow Dash needed before going into the real reasons she had come all the way up here. It wasn’t until Storm finally decided it was time to stop with the small talk and get to business.

        Storm Wind sighed.  “Okay,” he said finally frowning, “I can tell you want to talk about something, Dash. I'm more than willing to listen, and will do whatever I can to help you out so… what’s wrong?”

        Rainbow Dash frowned at this and after a deep sigh spoke.  “...Okay,” she said taking her “dad’s” hoof in her own, “There's this filly, Scootaloo...”  She proceeded to explain the situations from the beginning, ending with what Ms. Cheerilee had told her recently about Scootaloo passing out and worry about her current living conditions, the letter she got about her family, and finally about the talk she had with Twilight and Luna when she woke up about adopting.

        “Wow…,” Storm Wind said softly.  “That's... that's a really big thing to talk about Rainbow...”

        Rainbow Dash laid her head on the couch she was sitting on at this. “I know dad, I know…,” Rainbow Dash said before looking up at him, “The thing is... I don't know what to do. ”

        Storm Wind frowned concerned. It was so much like her to worry about things before taking it to the easiest answer but… at least she was talking to others about this. “Have you've talked to others about this Dash?”

        Rainbow Dash sighed and nodded.  “Yeah… Twilight, Luna, Princess Celestia, and a couple others,” she said before sighing. “They all kind of summed it up for me; I have two options, going by what they've all said.” Storm Wind nodded at this to let her continue, “Either I take her in and become her Mom, or not take her in and risk hurting her even more.”

        Storm Wind just tapped his chin thoughtfully before he spoke. “Yeah, those do sound like the only real options you all have Dash.” he said, unable to think of anything else.

         Rainbow Dash just grimaced. “I... I'm scared dad.  I don't know what to think, or what to even do.  I got nothing against Scootaloo, but... what if I turn out like my own Mom? I don’t want that.” She gave her father figure a look of teary-eyed fear he hadn't seen in all those years, Storm Wind flashing back to a frightened filly coming into his room complaining of the treatment she was getting with many of the Stallions on the weather team, some of which caused him to fire and have arrested for. “I really don't know what to do, Dad…,”  Rainbow Dash said softly.

        Storm Wind gently took Rainbow Dash's hooves in his own sighing. “Dash…,” he said softly. “You are nothing like your mother. You are a good, kind pony who thinks of her friends first and herself second. You would be a far better mother than your own would ever be.” He tried to ignore the flash of anger that passed through him when he thought of his ex-wife, who had left him for a rich Earth Pony from Los Pegasus. He sighed, and gently kissed her on the forehead. “But in the end, the choice is yours, Dash. Adopt the filly, don't adopt the filly. It’s all up to you three and… well it’s quite obviously you really care for her.  But you have to do what YOU feel is right for all of you, otherwise who knows what could happen to poor filly but in the end Dash I think you already know what to do.”

        Sighing Rainbow thought everything over and… maybe he was right. She did know what to do. Smiling she hugged her father figure who returned the hug before sighing.  “Now onto other matters, I won't be able to make it to Ponyville tomorrow as I can't get off work, bleeding buzzards, but I'm going trust your judgment on this one. And no matter what you decide, no matter what you do Dash, know that I'll always love you, and I will always be proud of you; Even if you’re not really my little girl.”

        Storm Wind smiled as he waved off his good friend and daughter figure before sighing. He really did miss the filly and became sadden when she had to go. He really wished he could have gotten off to see her and her friends even if he really wasn’t Rainbow’s birth father. Sitting back down at the living room table he looked towards the picture of him and Firefly. He never did tell Rainbow just how he had gotten that autograph. Still… he knew he’d never have the chance. It was at this a knock came from his front door and broke his concentration. “Now who could that be?” Getting up he trotted over to the door and opening it to only gasp. “F-Firefly,” Firefly quickly pushed him into his house and slammed the door shut, “but how, what, why?”

        Firefly turned to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Storm, Storm breathe, I really need to talk to you its important.”

        Storm Wind took a deep breath before speaking. “Firefly I thought you were dead. We all saw you during your last show, the ambulance came and…”

        Firefly finished for him, “and the papers reported my demise the next day. But I’m not dead Storm, I’m right here, alive, and I… I need to talk to you. Please.” Storm Wind just looked to the mare before reaching a hoof out to her and soon hugging her tightly as they both cried. “I’m sorry, I so, so sorry,” Firefly said crying.

        “You didn’t know Fire, you didn’t know,” Storm Wind said holding her.

=Wonderbolts Show: 1003=

        “You shouldn’t be doing this Fire,” A younger Storm Wind said towards Firefly.

        “I have to Storm. It’s tradition besides do you really want me to upset all those fans out there?” Firefly said getting into her uniform. It was a simple design, rugged false leather with the sign of the Wonderbolts on its back, right shoulder, and flank. The left shoulder showing her Cutie Mark, Two Lightning Bolts on a solid gold patch showing she’s the leader and captain of the group.

        “Fire the show can wait a week. There’s a Type Four Thunderstorm rolling in from the Everfree and you know how wild those storms can be out there. I don’t want to see you hurt,” Storm Wind said towards her.

        “Storm it’ll be… mmm,” Firefly was about to say before Storm Wind kissed her squarely on the lips.

        They soon separated with Firefly frowning, “You know we shouldn’t have done that, what if your love found out?”

        Storm Wind just smiled, “I’ll just tell her it was a good luck kiss but seriously Firefly. It’s too dangerous.”

        Firefly sighed at this. “How long till until the storm gets here Storm?”

        Storm Wind just looked at her before giving up. She was always a stubborn mare and he did love her even if he was marrying the other one out of parental pressure, and money. He didn’t really love the other mare but what choice did he have with his father breathing down his neck to marry the mare. “Three to four hours. That's if the winds don’t pick up in the next five minutes.”

        Firefly nodded to this. “We’ll make this an hour long show. And I’ll be extra careful, normal stunts, nothing fancy.”

        Storm Wind sighed and hugged her. “Just come back, okay?”

        Firefly nodded and carefully kissed his cheek before trotting out. “I will.”

        The show went off like a blast. The entire team worked the show for as long as they could in the hour they had till something went wrong. Firefly just free-felled till two of the Bolts flew in and caught her making it look like it was planned until there was a long pause in the show. Everyone especially Storm Wind and his “girl” waited on pins and needles to see if Firefly was okay till she flew out again with the newest captain of the Bolts, Red Dawn. Rainbow silently sighed in relief as he watched the two go through the normal ritual of passing the torch, or in this case the medal. It was a simple follow the leader and then a tradeoff of their signature show stopping moves.

        Red Dawn did the moves exactly till it came to the passing of the medal. Firefly did her famous Thunder Clap Loop placing the medal on a ring fasten to a cloud, it was now Red Dawn’s turn who did a similar loop but ended his loop differently. Instead of the end of the loop facing the medal, it faced Firefly and before she could move it was already too late. Red Dawn slammed right into Firefly’s right wing causing her to fall. As the other Bolts went to scold Red Dawn and catch Firefly Red Dawn whistled causing a group of Black suited Pegasus to fly in.

        It took all the guards to stop the attack and another set to do an emergency rescue. Storm Wind could only watch as the emergency team lifted Firefly into a medical chariot and fly off.

        “I… I knew. I knew but ignored it because of how good he was,” Firefly said finally settling down to a cup of tea.

        “They did a full investigation I heard,” Storm Wind said sitting down with his own cup. “According to a few of the guys back then Red Dawn had that planned ever since he joined up. He wanted the Wonderbolts to be what he wanted, an aerial strike force not Celestia’s private flight squad.”

        Firefly nodded to this. “Storm… what ever happened to Goldie?”

        Storm Wind just scoffed at the name. “She left me for a good for nothing rich pony in Los Pegasus. Good riddance to her anyway…” he soon sighed, “we didn’t get along at all.”

        Firefly placed a hoof on Storm Wind’s. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

        Storm Wind just shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, was a lot better than having to divorce her anyway. So… why are you here?”

        Firefly sighed and produced the letter from the care center. “Read this first.”

        Storm Wind gently took the letter and read it over before his eyes widen. “D-daughter, but that would mean…”

        Firefly blushed and looked away from him. “It’s why I never returned to the Bolts. I was pregnant. Remember when I fell? It was because of nausea. I told the team it was just a wing cramp.”

        Storm Wind just looked to the letter. “I-is she…”

        Firefly nodded. “You were the only one I’ve been with a-and there… there’s more,” Firefly said frowning.

        “T-there’s more?”

        Firefly nodded before she began giving off a bright light and Storm Wind gasped. “P-Princess Celestia, but… w-where’s…” Storm Wind just sputtered before Celestia placed a hoof on his shoulder.

        “Breathe Storm, breathe.” Storm Wind did so before bowing his head, “and there’s no need for that Storm,” Celestia said gently.

        “I… I don’t understand.”

        Celestia sighed as she looked away from him. “My full name is Celestia Firefly Aurora Dash. You can tell who my, no, our daughter is by my name.”

        Storm Wind looked to his tea cup and then back up. “I think I’m going to need a stronger drink.” After they had pulled out the Apple Cider and calmed down Celestia explained everything to him, from their night together to the day she had to give her daughter up. “I never did find out what happened at that orphanage,” Celestia said finishing her mug and back in her Firefly form which both agreed was much comfortable to talk to and as.

        “You should be glad you didn’t,” Storm Wind said getting up and pacing.

        “Why is that Storm?” Celestia asked worried.

        “Because… because… Princess, the orphanage needed to be shut down. If you really need to know, look up the Cloudsdale Bugle on June 10th 992. Just know that… it was already taken care of.”

        Celestia/Firefly nodded to this. “And the letter Storm?”

        Storm Wind looked to it. “It’s up to you.” Firefly just hugged the stallion before both decided to move on… to a better life.

        The next day was the day everyone in Ponyville had waited for, Mother's Day. Sadly Twilight and Luna were a bit late to meet the arriving train which all of the girls’ families was coming on, at least those that lived in Canterlot.  To celebrate Pinkie had invited everyone to Sugar Cube corner for a small party but since it wasn’t big enough Applejack offered up her farm’s barn which was perfect. Inside the barn music played, food was eaten, and friends and family talked. Everyone was there including Princess Celestia who was just there to speak with Twilight’s family, when the time was right.

        Over at the library, Twilight, Luna, Rainbow, and Spike were finishing getting ready. “I can’t really say I look forward to this party Twilight,” Luna said nervously as she sat beside Spike who was dressed in his old suit from Cadence’s and Shining’s wedding.

        “Don’t worry Princess Luna. My mom will love both of you. I’m just worried how she react to… you know,” Twilight said shyly from her room.

        “I’m sure her reaction won’t be that bad Twilight,” Spike said smiling. “Besides, what’s taking you so long?”

        “Morning sickness,” was Twilight’s only reply before both headed down stairs to see Rainbow pacing.

        “Rainbow please, you’re going wear yourself out,” Luna said looking to her co-parent with deep concern.

        “I-I know Luna but… what if they won’t accept the papers? What if we missed something? What if we didn’t sign all the papers and she has to…,” Rainbow said before Luna gently brought her down from her flying pace to hug her.

        “Rainbow, my sister insured that the papers would go through as she presented them to the head herself. If they do not accept them I will speak with the head,” Luna said giving her a gentle nuzzle.

        “Um… thanks Luna, how’s Twilight?” Rainbow said then asked nervously.

        Luna sighed at this. “She has morning sickness yet again. She’s also worried about her family’s reaction to the foal. We-I too am worried about meeting Twilight’s family.”

        “Your worried, what about me? Not only do I have Twilight’s parents to meet I got my own when they find them. I mean I do want to meet them but… I don’t know. On top of that we got those papers to worry about,” Rainbow said looking to her.

        “Don’t worry you two. We’ll just take this one step at a time, right?” Twilight said, finally coming down the stairs with Spike’s help.

        Both mares sighed at this before nodding. “Well, let’s go,” Rainbow said as she led the group out the door. It took them a while to get to the farm since Luna had her guards stay in Canterlot but they finally arrived carefully trotting into the barn smiling to everyone.  The moment they stepped inside an older, white-coated unicorn trotted up to Twilight nuzzling her happily before bowing to the Princess before asking, “Where have you three been? We missed you at the train station.”

        Twilight blushed at this. “We had some last minute stuff to take care of at the library,” she said, grinning happily at her mother, “and we’re sorry about not being at the train station.”

        Velvet giggled happily. “Well for what it is worth I’m glad to finally see you again. We’ve really missed you hun and… no offense Twilight but you do need to get out of your library more.”

        Twilight blushed at this. “I know mom, I know... I promise to try and get out more.” Velvet just smiled at this and kissing her daughter lovingly on the forehead. Twilight smiled happily at this before she got serious. “Is Dad and the others here? I… I have to tell all of you something… something important.”

        Velvet frowned at this but nodded, pointing out the groups. “Your father and brother are getting snacks. And yes, your friends are here as well. That kindly Applejack is here with her brother, sister, and grandmother…,” she said, gesturing to the family group who was talking up a storm. “Rarity is here with her family…,” Twilight had to giggle at how different Rarity's parents were from her friend. While Rarity was cheek and proper her mother and father were not though they at least where kind enough to come in a dress and a suit… even though it was quite tacky. Despite their obvious differences, though, Rarity seemed just as pleased to be with her family as she was to be with hers, for the time being. “Oh yes, that delightful filly Pinkie is with her family as well…,” Twilight looked astonished to see Pinkie's real parents and siblings there, the cheerful party pony a vivid contrast between the somber, but smiling rock farmers, though it was still odd to see that Pinkie was the only colored mare of the group. “And of course there's Fluttershy with her mother.” Velvet pointed out the last two, and Twilight blinked.

        Next to Fluttershy was a Pegasus who had nearly the same style mane and appearance, but was just as tall as Princess Luna and built quite like Applejack yet her coat was brown and her mane and tail was red. She was wearing Royal Night Guard armor sans the helmet, talking in a voice that nearly reminded her irresistibly of a drill Sergeant, just softer and lower. “Mom, is that Fluttershy’s mother?” she asked, confused.

        Princess Luna just laughed at this. When Fluttershy noticed Twilight and gently waved to her, Fluttershy's mother soon noticed as well. She bounded over to Twilight and Velvet in a single leap landing with the most gentle of landing and could barely even be heard as she trotted up to them. She gently shook Twilight's hoof. “How are you, Twilight Sparkle correct?” she asked, in a tone that reminded them much more of Spitfire of the Wonderbolts then Luna.

        “Um fine thank you.” Twilight said amazed at the difference between Fluttershy and her mother.

        “My little Flutters told me much about you. And Princess Luna what a surprise to see you here.” She was just about to grab Twilight in a rib-crushingly affectionate hug till Fluttershy tapped her shoulder, “oh right.” Twilight gave Fluttershy a thankful look before speaking.

        “Let me guess,” she said to the blushing Pegasus, “you're more like your father in personality.”

        Fluttershy blushed and nodded. “He's staying in Canterlot…,” Fluttershy said in her apologetic way, grinning sheepishly.

        Fluttershy's mother soon looked to Twilight Velvet smiling. “And you must be Twilight’s mother. I can see where your daughter got good looks from. Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nightingale Song, Captain of the Canterlot Royal Night Guard. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

        Twilight Velvet smiled at this and accepted the offered hoof. “I'm Twilight Velvet. It's very nice to meet you Captain.” she said before Nightlight, Twilight’s father trotted up to them.

        “Your son will be here soon dear, seems Cadence needed to talk to him about something.” Nightlight said gently.

        Velvet nodded at this till they saw a white unicorn in Royal Day Guard armor sans helmet with navy blue striped mane and tail trot up to them. “Twiley, how’s it going kiddo. Captain Song,” The stallion said smiling in greetings.

        “Prince Armor,” Capt. Song returned smiling to him. “So this you’re family?”

        The stallion nodded. “Yep, and sorry for the late greeting Princess Luna I didn’t see you.”

        Princess Luna waved it off. “Tis alright Shining Armor, I can understand from the position you were standing from.”

        Shining nodded at this thankfully. “So Twiley. what’s this big news you got to tell us?” Twilight laughed pitifully at this knowing this was going to take some work.

        Over by Rarity and her parents, Rarity was having the same issue of how to break the news. She loved her parents greatly but well she knew her parents. “Hey what’s wrong sport?” Rarity’s father, Magnum, asked, getting her attention.

        “O-oh no father, I was just thinking was all.”

        Magnum nodded at this smiling. “Just don’t think too hard. Why don’t you go and talk to your friends while your mother and I check more of the festivities?” Rarity quickly nodded before taking off in the same direction as Applejack.

        Applejack sighed as she trotted away from her Granny and brother. All the advice they were giving her about dates and such just well, it was a bit too much and she really needed a break. Sighing she looked up to see Rarity trotting up to her. “May I join you?” Rarity asked sighing.

        “Sure.” Applejack replied as they headed over to Twilight and her family.

        “I see you've met Fluttershy's mother,” Rarity said, smirking.

        “Yes I did. I didn’t know they were so different from one another,” Twilight said still amazed by the difference. Fluttershy had a more hunched position, while Nightingale's stance was almost challenging yet held a sense of kindness with it. Also how she could just walk and fly around with not a sound was interesting as well. It may have also showed how Fluttershy had gained her gentle touch.

        “Um… did you two and Rainbow Dash make your choice?” Fluttershy asked. “Are you going to…”

        Twilight started to say something, when she was interrupted Scootaloo and Ms. Cheerilee trotting in through the door. “I hope we’re not interrupting anything.” Cheerilee said smiling. Right behind them was to everyone’s amazement an adoption officer who just smiled to all of them.

        Rainbow, Twilight, and Luna looked to the adoption officer before he turned his head to his saddle bags and produced a roll of paper trotting inside up to the three before placing it down smiling. “It’s all clear you two. Congratulations.” Before the Twilight family and the younger princess was an adoption form. Everyone save for Twilight, Rainbow, and Princess Luna, were absolutely shocked at the sight.  This sight also gave those who had secrets, like Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight, courage to finally talk.

        “Twilight what does this mean?” Velvet asked looking to her daughter.

        With a happy sigh Twilight looked to her family. “First of all you never got introduced properly. This is Rainbow Dash, the second co-parent to my foal. Luna’s the other.” The Twilight’s jaws just dropped at this. “Um surprise?” Everyone just gaped at this till they looked to the paper again.

        “Twilight, if you are with a foal… what is this for?” Nightlight asked completely shocked.

        “It’s for her dad. We’ve decided to adopt that filly right there, named Scootaloo.”

        Over with Cheerilee, Scootaloo hadn't expected to come to such a party see as she didn’t really have a family. But to actually see one of the caretakers pull out a paper to cause everyone to gasped left her well…baffled... and slowly filling with a growing hope, a hope that maybe, just maybe... till she overheard the caretaker. “It’s all clear you two. Congratulations.”

        Scootaloo looked up to Cheerilee. “D-does this mean…”

        Cheerilee smiled at this. “Yes Scootaloo, you’ve been adopted.”

        Scootaloo just gasped as Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie began to grin, suddenly realizing just what was going on.

        Over with Rarity and her family she looked to her Father and Mother. “Would you mind if I come by tomorrow say around three-ish?” Both nodded happily at this.

        Back with the Twilight family Velvet finally got her mind to start working. “Twilight Sparkle you had better explain at this before…,” Velvet said before Princess Luna stepped forward.

        “Scootaloo came from Cloudsdale and have been living at the orphanage for some time. She has been looking up to Rainbow Dash as a mother figure from the very beginning. Rainbow Dash had been confused about what she wanted to do and has decided to become a parent, to her and your daughter’s foal.” It was then Twilight leaned into her and smiled as Luna nuzzled her neck.

        “Twilight, Princess…is... is this why you were both late getting here?” Velvet soon asked as Twilight and Luna both nodded smiling.

        Rainbow Dash soon looked to the Twilight smiling and explained. “Twilight, Luna and I just finished all the paperwork a few days ago. Scootaloo is our daughter now, and I hope you’ll both accept her as your granddaughter… if that’s okay?” she said then asked.

        Twilight then stepped next to her and looked to her parents. “We came to this decision mom, after Rainbow talking with her father figure Mr. Storm Wind. She came home and told us that she made a decision and asked us if we wanted this as well. That decision was to adopt Scootaloo, and we agreed. Even Princess Celestia helped us out on this and was more than happy to write a letter of recommendation for the three of us. That actually sped up the process along just enough that we were able to get Cheerilee to set it up so Scootaloo would be brought here to meet all of us.”

        There was a just stunned silence till Velvet just shook her head and then smiling giggling. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but…I'm very proud of you three. Especially you my dear Twilight,” she said, causing Twilight to blush.

        “Thanks mom, and I promise to explain everything back at the library.” Twilight said smiling.

        “I should hope so, I want to meet my new in-laws along with my newest granddaughter,” Velvet replied causing Luna and Twilight both to turn red at this.

        Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had gone over to Scootaloo, who had sat down, completely unable to move, with an expression of absolute shock on her face. “I... you... am I really you’re…,” Scootaloo stammered.

        Rainbow Dash just nodded, smiling. “You're with us now Scoots; we’ll be taking care of you from now on,” she said. Scootaloo's expression changed from absolute shock to sheer joy as she leaped forward, hugging Rainbow Dash tightly around the chest crying happily. Rainbow Dash blushed at this but didn’t care, she had Scootaloo now, and nothing could be better.

To be continued...