//------------------------------// // Happy Birthday Scootaloo // Story: The Party Adoption // by Matt11 //------------------------------// The next couple of months went by nicely for Scootaloo. She had two wonderful brothers and sisters who loved her and enjoyed playing games with her. Pumpkin stayed around her the most, likely because they were both girls. She just felt safe with her big sis. Today was a new day for the young filly. Scootaloo was grabbing things, preparing to go on a crusading mission with her friends. Pumpkin wanted to come along, wanting to stay near her sister. After getting permission Pinkie and the Cakes agreed. Pinkie told her to be out for a while, as she had a surprise she wanted to set up. Scootaloo picked Pumpkin up, putting her on her back. The foal hugged her sisters neck as they began moving. They both waved goodbye to Pinkie. After a while of walking they made it the Crusaders clubhouse near Sweet Apple Acres. She was happy to see her friends there. Sweetie Belle was using her magic, making a card of some sort. Apple Bloom had a pie, and Silver Spoon was there too, but sitting next to the window on a box. Scootaloo knew what day it was. It was her birthday. She didn’t care much about the presents. She wasn’t homeless anymore and had a wonderful family with the Cakes. That was enough for her. She hadn’t told her new mother about her birthday but, knowing Pinkie Pie, she likely already knew what day it was. She let out a giggle as she thought of how rambunctious Pinkie was. Pumpkin was getting bored with Scootaloo just standing there, and poked her neck a few times. Scootaloo twister her head around to look at Pumpkin, seeing a frown on the foal’s face. “Sorry, sis. I’m just… thinking about stuff. Grown up stuff. You would find it so boring.” Pumpkin kicked her back hooves a few times into Scootaloo’s side, and pointed with her hoof. “Go! Go!” Scootaloo giggled, and Pumpkin’s glare cracked as she did too. “Okay, sis. I get it.” Walking into the clubhouse she set Pumpkin down on the floor to play with her friends. “Hey, guys! Whatcha up to?” She received smiles all around in response. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked over and hugged the filly. “Happy eighth birthday, Scoots!” they said in unison. Sweetie gave Apple Bloom a meaningful look, jerking her head. Apple Bloom nodded, going to the other side of the clubhouse. Coming back she handed Scootaloo the card, and set down a decorated cake on the little table. “Ah wish there were more we could get ya, Scoots, but we didn’t have a lot of money. We pooled our funds. I know it’s not much, but… we tried, ya know. Ah hope ya like it.” “Yeah,” said Sweetie Belle sadly. “Sorry we couldn’t do more.” Scootaloo felt a few tears welling up in her eyes. “Aw, come on, guys. Don’t be upset. This is great! Really, I wasn’t expecting any presents. I already got the most amazing gifts recently in the form of my home, my new mother, and my amazing little sister.” She picked Pumpkin up, nuzzling her. The foal laughed, hugging Scootaloo. “I wub you, Scootie,” Pumpkin replied, giving Scootaloo forehead kisses. “Awwwwww!” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom said. In response to the kisses Scootaloo set Pumpkin on the ground and gave her a raspberry. Pumpkin squealed with delight at the tickly sensation. “Again!” Pumpkin cried out. “Again! Berry!” “Oh?” Scootaloo said with a devious laugh. “You want more?” “Yeah!” “Alright, then!” She put her mouth on Pumpkin’s stomach, making the filly laugh as she blew repeatedly on it, making the foal laugh hysterically. “Wow, Scoots,” said Sweetie Belle. “I guess you’ve gotten pretty good at taking care of foals, huh?” Scootaloo looked up, a small blush on her face at acting so childish in front of her friends. Adopting a nonchalant expression she looked at her hoof and blew on it, saying, “Meh. It’s alright.” The two of them rolled their eyes, wondering who she thought she was fooling, but they let it go. The five of them played together for a short while, but Pumpkin nodded off after about a half-hour. Grabbing a pillow she set Pumpkin down in the corner of the clubhouse and they went back to having their fun. They had to be a little quieter so as not to wake her, but she still enjoyed herself. They had a soda drinking contest, which Apple Bloom won, and they each had some cake. The time went by quick. As the sun started setting on the horizon Apple Bloom knew it was time. “Okay, it’s getting late. It’s time to go to Sugarcube Corner.” Pumpkin was waking up as they walked toward home. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stayed close by on either side of her so the foal wouldn’t accidentally roll off. As they came upon Sugarcube Corner they opened the door. It was dark inside. Pumpkin gripped Scootaloo hard, shivering. “Dark! Scary! Monster!” “Come on, Pumpkin,” said Scootaloo. “There’s no monsters here. Let me just find the light switch.” Before she could move the lights suddenly came on. “SURPRISE!” said Pinkie Pie, popping out of nowhere, confetti streams popping out all over. “Happy birthday, Scootaloo!” “SURPRISE!” came another chorus of voices. Looking around she saw the other Element bearers, Spike, the Cakes, and, most surprising of all, Discord. Scootaloo felt herself tearing up at the sight of all the ones she loved there. She knew all of them must truly care for her if they showed up. Scootaloo sniffed, diving at Pinkie Pie with a loving hug. “Thank you, thank you!” she repeated over and over, completely losing control of her emotions. In that moment she didn’t care one bit about her pride or what anyone else would think of her. She just began bawling in her mother’s hooves. After years living on the streets and in a clubhouse, constantly dodging questions about her parents and her living arrangements, now she had a true family and a happy home. And now all of them were here, celebrating her life, celebrating her existence, showing that they were glad she was born. Pinkie Pie gently stroked Scootaloo’s back, happy tears coming down her own eyes. “There, there, Sweetie Pie,” she said gently, holding the filly until her emotions ebbed. “I guess you were really surprised, huh? That makes me feel so glad.” Scootaloo nodded, wiping her eyes as she sniffed a few times. “Thank you, mommy!” “You’re welcome, Scootaloo. “I know you’re supposed to wait until later, but I don’t want to wait! I wanna give you your present now! Close your eyes. ” Scootaloo complied, putting her hooves over her eyes and waiting. After about thirty seconds she heard the sound of crinkling wrapping paper coming closer. She heard Pinkie tell her it was okay, and she put her hooves down. Her eyes widened. Her present was about her height, and the wrapping paper was shaped like an L shape. Could it be…? Scootaloo had a suspicion about what was inside, but she wasn’t entirely sure. Trying to be modest she said, “Come on, mom. I don’t need any presents. Just having each of you is a gift.” Pinkie wasn’t fooled for a second. “Fine, then. Maybe I’ll just give Apple Bloom your present.” “Sweet!” the filly responded, playing along with Pinkie. She ran up, lifting her hoof to take off the wrapping paper. Scootaloo was sweating a little. “Hey! No way! It’s my present.” Running up she gently pushed her friend out of the way. She gripped the edge of the wrapping paper and pulled. As it started coming off she made out a small pole, and her excitement increased. As she pulled off the top she saw the handlebars, and her heart leapt with joy. Pulling off the last bit on the bottom she saw the scooter of her dreams in all its glory. She felt so happy. She practically tackled Pinkie to the ground as tears came down her eyes. “Wow, mom! This is amazing! Thank you!” “No problem, my little sun and stars. You’re worth every bit.” “I’m gonna ride it right now!” Pinkie grabbed her hoof. “Now, now, Scootaloo. All these ponies came here for your party. You can always ride it later on.” Scootaloo felt a little disappointed, but Pinkie had a point. “Ooookkaayyyyy,” she said, drawing out the word. She played party games, had dinner, more cake, all the while thinking of the scooter just waiting for its maiden voyage. As the night started to get old and it came time for everyone to leave she thanked each of them for coming. Once they were all gone she ran to her new scooter. She wanted to ride it right away, but then she got an idea. Heading to her room she came back down with her old scooter. “I have a new scooter now, so you two can have my old one. You’ll have to share it, though.” “Okay,” they responded. “Thanks, Scootie!” “Hey, mom. Help them out. They’re still kinda young to be riding by themselves.” “Sure thing!” Pinkie replied, helping the two of them onto the board. Both of them stood side by side, a hoof on the pole for support as Pinkie pushed them around, the twins turning into balls of laughter. Scootaloo raced her new scooter outside Sugarcube Corner, loving how smooth it ran. Every turn, every spin, was so much easier than before. Once Scootaloo tired herself out Pinkie said, “I’ve got one last surprise for your birthday, little one.” “What’s that?” “Put your scooter inside and then come with me.” “Okay,” she replied, complying. She followed Pinkie around to the back of Sugarcube Corner, the two foals on the mare’s back. She saw a tent set up. “Birthday campout!” Pinkie said with a small hop. “No way!” Scootaloo replied. “That’s awesome!” Because it was all grass in the back of Sugarcube Corner they couldn’t light a fire, but Pinkie had a few lanterns around so they could see. Pinkie brought out some Smores, having had them cooking over the oven beforehand, and the four of them ate their treats as she told them a story. Nothing spooky, as she didn’t want the twins having any nightmares. Pound stayed snuggled up to her, while Pumpkin was next to Scootaloo. Soon enough the two foals were out, leaving Pinkie and Scootaloo alone. Pinkie was laying on the ground, looking up at the full moon. “It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?” “Yeah,” Scootaloo responded. “Just like you, mom.” Pinkie blushed a little, shaking her hoof in the filly’s direction. “Aw, shucks. Right back at ya, kid.” Scootaloo snuggled in close to Pinkie, and the mare put a hoof around her. “Look at all those stars. It would take forever to count them all… just like it would take me forever to talk about how much I love you.” Pinkie Pie smiled, tender tears coming down her eyes. She understood the true feeling of motherly love. She had a precious daughter and was willing to do whatever it took to make her happy. “Goodnight, my little angel. I love you, Scootaloo.” Letting out a soft yawn she closed her eyes as she rested her head on Pinkie’s stomach. “I love you too, mommy.”