“Yes!” Rainbow Dash shouted joyously as she flew into Sugar Cube Corner, a smile on her face and a small stack of papers in her front hooves. “I passed!”
“Passed what, Miss Dash?” Carrot Cake asked from behind the register.
“The final inspection!” Rainbow Dash replied, flying past several waiting customers.
“That’s great, Miss Dash, but I do have custo—“
“Where’s, Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she flew over the counter. Without even waiting for a reply, Rainbow Dash made her way towards the kitchen. “I need her to start getting, Scoot's welcome home party set up.”
“Wait!” Cup Cake quickly said as she rushed out of the kitchen, blocking Rainbow Dash’s path. She had a slightly worried look in her eye and seemed to be shaking. “There’s no need going back there, sweetie. Just tell me what you need and I’ll make sure, Pinkie Pie gets it done.”
“Uh… okay, I was hoping she would help set up a party,” Rainbow Dash began as she tried to get around the plump mare. “You know, the thing, Pinkie Pie loves to do.”
“Yepyepyep,” Cup Cake replied with a wave of her hoof. “Party, cake, cupcakes… she’ll have everything done and in your house before you even know it.”
“Okay, but I kind of wanted to talk to her about something,” Rainbow Dash continued, once again trying to get past the older mare.
“Oh, I’m sure she already knows what it is you want,” Cup Cake replied with a forced chuckle.
“Okay…” Rainbow Dash replied, backing up slightly.
“All right then,” Cup Cake sighed, letting herself slouch in relief. But in doing so, Rainbow Dash saw her chance and launched herself past the older mare into the kitchen.
“Rainbow Dash!” Cup Cake called mere moments before the rainbow mare collided with something large and soft.
“What in the name of…” Rainbow Dash began as she pulled herself out of a large cake and looked around. “Why is there a cake in front of the door?”
Instantly, her question was answered as Rainbow Dash looked around at the countless baked goods spread around the kitchen. While the majority of the floor was lined with several rows of severely large cakes, the counters held a vast assortment of everything else the bakery held.
“Are you guy’s getting ready for a sale or something?” Rainbow Dash asked as Cup Cake slowly made her way back into the kitchen.
“If things keep going this way, we will be…” Cup Cake said as she wiped some frosting off of Rainbow Dash with a nearby rag. “Pinkie Pie’s been… baking.”
“Wait, Pinkie Pie’s in there?!” Rainbow Dash questioned as she looked back at the baked city. She couldn’t see her friend, but she could hear the clanging of dishes, as well as a set of giggling.
“As well as the foals,” Cup Cake sighed before lifting herself up slightly. She tried herself to look past the mountains of cake, only to slump back down. “I really hope they aren’t eating the cakes…”
“Why is she baking all this stuff?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew up to the kitchen ceiling. She could see her pink friend moving back and forth by the stoves. Pound and Pumpkin sat nearby, watching Pinkie Pie as she worked.
“Oh, when you have the urge to bake, you have to bake,” Cup Cake replied with a forced smile and nervous chuckle.
“Okay…” Rainbow Dash said as she carefully made her way over towards Pinkie Pie. As she got closer, it became easier for her to notice that something was wrong.
Usually when Pinkie Pie baked, she would hum or sing a light happy tune. But this time, she remained almost perfectly silent. She also had the uncanny ability to bake several dishes at once, yet as Rainbow Dash watched, she only worked with one dish at a time.
Her coat was dull and dirty, and she looked as if she hadn’t slept for several days. Evan as Rainbow Dash carefully made her way to a clearing; she noticed the worried, almost scared looks the twins had every time they looked at Pinkie Pie.
“Uh, Pinkie Pie, are you okay?” Rainbow Dash asked as she stood next to the twins.
Pinkie Pie’s appearance changed immediately as she looked over at Rainbow Dash. Her colors brightened and the dark circles under her eyes immediately disappeared as she flashed her friend a giant smile. “Oh, hi Rainbow Dash, did you come to buy a cake?”
“Uh, kinda…” Rainbow Dash began, only to quickly trail off. Even though she had come to the bakery in high spirits and a smile; she was beginning to worry that something was wrong and Pinkie Pie was hiding it.
“Oh… so how did the inspection go?”
“Wha…” Rainbow Dash mumbled as she was pulled out o her thoughts by a grinning and hopeful looking mare. “Oh, It went good. I passed and—“
“Hooray!” Pinkie Pie interrupted with a flash of fanfare and streamers. “Oh, I gotta start getting the party ready!”
“Uh, Pinkie?”
“I think I’ll skip the piñata,” Pinkie Pie said to herself as she pulled a notepad and pencil out of her mane, ignoring Rainbow Dash in the process.
“Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash began once again. But like before, Pinkie Pie ignored her friend as she mad a list of what she was going to do.
“Now, do you want the party here at the bakery or somewhere else?” Pinkie Pie asked a few minutes later, finally giving Rainbow Dash her attention.
“Well, I was thinking about having it at my house…” Rainbow Dash began, only to wave it off with a hoof and a worry filled stare. “But, Pinkie, are you okay? You were acting pretty weird a second ago.”
“Me, distracted?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she placed a hoof to her chest and pointed her snout up like a noble. “Why, Dashie, I never get destra— Oh look, cake!”
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but face hoof at Pinkie Pie’s short attention span. “Pinkie,” she began once again, watching as her friend shoved half a cake into her mouth. “Seriously, are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m fine, Dashie,” Pinkie Pie replied as she liked some frosting off the tip of her nose. “Now, about the party; how do you feel about foil balloons? Their something new I’ve been thinking of using and…”
“You know what, Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she flew a few feet off the ground. “Why don’t you surprise me?”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but shudder as Pinkie Pie, just barley, held her excitement with a giant smile. But before she could be wrapped up any farther, Rainbow scooped up the twins and flew back to the kitchen entrance, her papers in her mouth.
Stopping only to pass the twins off to their waiting mother, Rainbow Dash rocketed out of the bakery, concern for her friend guiding her as she took to the sky.
* * *
“How about these?” Apple Bloom asked as she pointed to a small stack of books.
“Na, those can stay,” Scootaloo replied while she shoved another figurine into her, already over packed, saddlebags. “Besides, I never read them and never will.”
“Then that should be everything,” Sweetie Belle said as she and Surprise placed the last poster in the only box. “I really thought you had more stuff?”
“I do, it’s just already at, Rainbow Da... I mean my house!” Scootaloo replied excitedly. Everypony couldn’t help but smile at just how happy and excited Scootaloo was.
“Now just remember,” a light brown mare began, catching Scootaloo’s attention. “Just because you won’t be with us anymore, don’t be afraid to visit us every now and then, okay?”
“I won’t, Miss Care,” Scootaloo replied as she gave the older mare a small hug.
“Now aint that somethin’,” Applejack chuckled from the doorway. Immediately, Scootaloo separated herself from the mare, blushing in embarrassment.
“I was j-just saying g-goodbye,” Scootaloo stuttered.
“Aint nothing wrong with that, sugarcube,” Applejack said as she walked into the small room. “Ya'll got everythin’?”
“Yep!” Scootaloo chirped as she rushed over to her saddlebags. But try as she might, the bags were too heavy for Scootaloo to carry.
“I’ll get these for ya, Scoots,” Applejack chuckled as she easily lifted them in her mouth. Soon enough, Applejack and the crusaders were back outside, loading everything into a small cart that the farmer had brought from the farm.
“All right now y’all, load up,” Applejack directed as she hooked herself up to the front of the cart.
“Remember to finish all your meals and listen to, Rainbow Dash, okay?” Miss care said as she watched the fillies hop into the cart.
“I will, Miss Care,” Scootaloo replied mere moments before Applejack began to pull the cart away. A few minutes later, the cart pulled out to a lush open field where a cloud mansion floated several stories up in the air.
A large group of ponies stood just under the house. All of them wore giant smiles as Applejack and the fillies made their way up. The only pony missing was an energetic pink mare.
“You ready to head home?” Rainbow Dash asked the small orange pegasus, putting emphasis on the word ‘home’.
Scootaloo could only nod as she hopped out of the cart, her wings buzzing and her eyes beginning to water slightly.
“Alright everypony,” Twilight said as she lit her horn. “Remember that even though you will be able to walk on the clouds, don’t try to push it.”
Everypony nodded as all the non-pegasi were bathed in Twilight’s violet magic. Then, before anything could be said, there was a bright flash as the princess teleported everypony just outside the cloud mansion's front door.
“Shesh, Twilight, give a pony some warning next time will ya?” Rainbow Dash grumbled as she scooped up Scootaloo and tossed her onto her back.
“Heh, Sorry,” Twilight replied with a sheepish smile.
“Uhg, come on!” Scootaloo groaned from Rainbow Dash’s back. “I wanna see my new room!”
“You will squirt, we just gotta do something first,” Rainbow Dash chuckled while she slowly began to open the cloud homes front door.
“What’s that?” Scootaloo asked, momentarily caught of guard.
“Party!” Pinkie Pie’s voice screamed in excitement as her pink hooves shot out of the house and pulled both Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash inside in a flash.
“Hey, don’t start without us,” the other two crusaders called, quickly rushing into the house as well. Everypony else followed soon after, Surprise grumbling to herself as she walked in last.
Rainbow Dash’s entire front room was decorated to celebrate the adoption. Even though the room was more than big enough to fit everypony, extra cloud chairs and a large table had been added to one side of the room. The rest was filled with an assortment of balloons, streamers, and a few games.
On the table was a large assortment of treats, a small pile of presents, and a five layer, rainbow colored cake. Everypony couldn’t help but stare at it. Each layer was a different color, yet a steady stream of dark pink frosting covered the edges. On top, two small edible figurines stood, one of Rainbow Dash and one of Scootaloo.
“Wow, Pinkie, this is awesome!” Rainbow Dash said as she looked at the cake.
“Wait until you taste it!” Pinkie Pie replied with a big grin. “Not only is each layer a different flavor, but the layers have layers inside that are a assortment of different flavors.”
“Oh, I have got to try this!” Rainbow Dahs proclaimed as she made her way up to the cake. Once she had a large piece on a plate, she could see the inner layers. Not only were they a mixture of different flavored cake, but some were also different types of jellies.
But instead of taking a bite, Rainbow Dash handed the plate to Scootaloo with a smile. “Why don’t you take the first bite, Squirt.”
With that, the party started and everypony began to enjoy the festivities. Game’s were played, food was eaten, and everypony had fun.
Well, almost everypony.
Even though Pinkie Pie tried several times, Surprise wouldn't do anything with her and all her friends could see it.
* * *
“Hey squirt,” Rainbow Dash said two hours later, catching Scootaloo's attention. “Why don’t you go show the other crusaders, and Surprise, you’re new room. It’s the last door down the hall, to the right. Its right across from my room.”
“Okay, but aren’t you coming?” Scootaloo asked as she lead the other fillies towards the hallway.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes, I just wanna do something first,” Rainbow Dash replied as she flashed a quick glance and nod towards Twilight.
“Okay, come on everypony,” Scootaloo called as she rushed off with the other fillies.
“Oh, wait for me!” Pinkie Pie chirped as she began to hop towards the hall. But just before she could make it through the doorway, a thin violet shield covered it, causing Pinkie to bounce off of it.
“Hey!” Pinkie grumbled as she tried to force her way through. “What gives Mr. Doorway?”
“Pinkie Pie, dear,” Rarity’s voice calmly called. Turning to face her friends, Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but become worried by the way they looked at her. Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack all looked at her with concern, while Twilight looked worried.
“Wh-whats up everypony?” Pinkie Pie stuttered.
“Its time you told us what you’ve been keeping secret from us dear,” Rarity sternly said.
“Secret, what secret?” Pinkie Pie asked as she slowly made her way for the kitchen entrance. But once again, it was blocked off by a thin layer of violet magic.
“Pinkie, you have to tell them,” Twilight calmly said as her horn slightly glowed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Twilight,” Pinkie Pie replied with a forced chuckle, once again moving towards another exit. Only to once again be blocked off by Twilight’s magic.
“Yes you do!” Rainbow Dash said as she flew in closer. But before she could continue, she was pulled back by Rarity’s magic.
“Rainbow Dash, you promised to be calm about this,” Rarity said as she forced the Pegasus to sit next to her.
“Please, Pinkie… we’re all just worried because you’ve been acting really weird,” Fluttershy said calmly.
“And it all has to do with, Surprise,” Applejack added. “Every time you two are around each other, you look like somepony refused to go to one of your party’s and she looks like she’d rather face a manticore.”
“Well… you know,” Pinkie Pie stuttered as she made her way towards a closet. But before she could open it, it too was covered with a thin layer of magic. “Surprise lost her parents, and its really sad and…”
“Pinkie Pie,” Twilight cut in. “You have to tell them the truth.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Twilight,” Pinkie Pie chuckled as her bright color began to fade slightly.
“Pinkie, if you don’t tell them, I will,” Twilight said with a heavy sigh.
“You wouldn’t… you promised,” Pinkie Pie said as she looked towards the princess, her hair flattening slightly.
“I promised to not say anything if you did,” Twilight replied. “You ‘Pinkie Promised’ to tell everypony, and you still haven’t. Rainbow Dash told me about what happened today and and all your doing right now is hurting yourself.”
“But, I can’t,” Pinkie Pie openly began to sob.
“Pinkie, please,” Fluttershy began. “We’re all just so worried about you.”
“The pony you should be worried about is, Surprise!” Pinkie Pie Snapped back. "She lost her parents!" Almost instantly, Pinkie regretted saying that as Fluttershy jumped and hid behind Applejack.
“Pinkie, what the hay has gotten into you!?” Applejack questioned, glaring at Pinkie Pie with concern and confusion.
“Pinkie, we just want to help,” Rarity said as she tried to get closer to her friend. But before she could get too close, a strange growl came from Pinkie Pie’s slowly deflating mane.
“What in the name of… Ah!” Rarity began, only to shriek as a green blob shot out of Pinkie’s mane and attached itself to her face.
“Rarity!” Everypony shouted as the unicorn pried off the object with her magic, revealing it to be a squirming, Gummy.
“What the hay is wrong with him?” Applejack asked as Rarity released the squirming alligator. The moment her hit the ground, Gummy took a position between Pinkie Pie and everypony else, growling at the others.
“I’m sorry everypony,” Pinkie Pie said as she scooped up Gummy, hugging him tightly against her. By this point, her hair had completely flattened and her bright pink color had faded. She wasn't smiling, and everypony could see her shaking slightly. “He’s just trying to protect me…”
“Pinkie Pie, please tell us,” Fluttershy asked as she moved from behind Applejack and went to comfort her friend.
“I did something really really stupid…” Pinkie Pie sobbed as tears began to hit the top of Gummy’s head.
“Pinkie Pie, you've done a lot of things,” Rainbow Dash said, moving closer, “and while they may be… questionable; their defiantly not stupid.”
Pinkie Pie simply looked back at her friend, tears filling her eyes, as she chocked out her next words.
“Even putting your own filly up for adoption?”