Tucked into the page is a news clipping from the Foal Free Press, as well as
"Small But Mighty Competition
by Featherweight (FFP Editor in Chief)
As of this afternoon, Ponyville Elementary has elected a new Student Pony President. Little Pipsqueak has big plans for the school. 'I want to bring the playground the care and attention it so rightly deserves. This is a place of happiness, and the aging equipment is in need of replacement.' Competitor, Diamond Tiara, was unwilling to comment. The race was heated, but a clear leader was elected. Good luck to Pipsqueak in his endeavors as our new Student Pony President."
Pip is running for Student Pony President. He asked us, the Cutie Mark Crusaders to help him win! We are going to show Diamond Tiara that her treatment of everypony is not going to stand.
Today was a great success! Pipsqueak was elected as our new Student Pony President. We're all so excited! Featherweight said he wished he could've been a help, but his job as a journalist is not to show his preference. He has to be unbiased. I guess that makes sense, but it would've been pretty helpful. I can see how it would look bad trying to campaign in the paper for his brother.
I couldn't believe it, once again I found myself feeling sorry for Diamond Tiara! Her mom treated her like trash when we saw her. I can't imagine my own mother yelling at me and basically calling me a complete failure. I felt crummy just hearing it. She kept talking to herself about how she wanted to be somepony else, that she didn't like who she was at all.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and I are going to try and figure out how to make it right. There has to be something we can do. Sweetie Belle suggested inviting her to the Club House with just us Crusaders. Maybe we can just... try and be friends? I can't even believe I'm writing that. I put aside our differences to help her out before, but she has still been mean. Friends, though? I think that's going to be tough.
Featherweight brought home a copy of the Foal Free Press for tomorrow, early. He said he figured I'd want to save it. I cut out the article and put it in here. I told him to bring me another one tomorrow to keep in perfect condition. I talked to him about Diamond Tiara and he said we should do something. I told him what Sweetie Belle suggested and he thinks it's a good idea. I just don't know. I'm nervous.
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Page is dotted with a few tears, tucked into the page is an unaddressed letter, simply carrying "Scootaloo" on the front side of the envelope.
"Dear Scootaloo,
I am so glad to hear you have earned your Cutie Mark. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but life is full of challenges. I hope life has lived up to everything you deserve. I know someone as passionate and loyal as you has developed a strong bond with your closest friends, and while our time together was short, I strongly hope that you are happy. I wish I could be there to wrap you in my wings and share in the excitement.
I wish your parents could be there to celebrate. I wish we all hadn't had the misfortunes of our past cloud your journey. Your parents would be proud of the mare you've become, undoubtedly. I knew the evening of my life was, too, falling toward night, and wanted to be there to celebrate, but, unfortunately, we don't always get what we wish for so deeply. That said, even if I can't be there with you, know that I, and your parents, are all proud of you, and love you very much.
Love,
Your Auntie Raincloud"
I can't believe it. I really can't believe it! I guess I'll start at the beginning. I still see everything perfectly in my head.
We talked to Diamond Tiara right after school. We invited her to the clubhouse and she called us lucky for getting to search for who we are for so long. She seemed... really jealous of us. Suddenly, while we were up in the clubhouse, Pipsqueak said he requested a new playground and the school board rejected the idea, saying there just wasn't the money. (I am pretty sure this was because of Diamond Tiara's mom.) We told Pipsqueak we'd meet him back at school and figure out a plan.
Diamond Tiara ran off toward the school, we think to try and shame poor Pipsqueak. We all ran after her to try and stop her. We kept telling her she was better than this. We kept telling her she still had a chance to change. Then, we got to the school, and Spoiled Rich came out and yelled at her for even being around us, and talked horribly about her, and Diamond Tiara snapped. She started yelling at her mom in front of everypony! She told her mom to deliver a note for her dad to donate the money for the playground. She said her special talent has always been getting people to do what she wanted. She stood up for us, even!
We are all super happy for Pipsqueak. We decided to stop spending so much time worrying about our cutie marks and worry about helping others figure out themselves. Then, suddenly, we all three got our cutie marks at the same time! We couldn't believe it! Diamond Tiara was even excited for us! This is still just too weird. Our Cutie Marks are all basically the same! I have a cool shield with a wing, Sweetie Belle has the same shield with a musical note, and Apple Bloom has the same shield with an apple (of course!) Mom is so excited and proud. I haven't felt this good in a long time.
We're all so excited. Pinkie Pie threw us a huge Cute-Ceañera party. I don't even know how she got it set up so fast. Everypony was there. Featherweight gave me a huge kiss when I saw him. I was a bit embarrassed, but I was so happy I didn't really care. This is so awesome. I knew this was going to be a huge day, but all three of us, together. I'm happier than I have been in a long time. I'm so excited I almost feel sick.
Dad didn't get to be there for the start of the Cute-Ceañera, because he had to work. He ran into the party all worn out, and gave me a big hug. He was so excited for me, for all of us. The party was so fun, but man am I worn out. I'm lounging on the floor with Featherweight, Mom and Dad are cooking daffodil lasagna. It smells wonderful!
Mom gave me a letter that Granny Smith had saved. Granny Smith told Mom that Auntie Raincloud told her to give it to me when I earned my cutie mark. It was a letter Auntie Raincloud wrote me, and I'll admit, even in the middle of all of the celebration, it was hard to keep a straight face. I wish I could thank her, but unfortunately, that's not the cards I was dealt. Either way, I like to think that she was there celebrating with me, through those words. Who knows, maybe someday when I join them in the Land of Eternal Sleep, I'll be able to celebrate with them the right way.
This was such a great day. I will never forget this. Wow. Filling the rest of the page is a detailed drawing of the cutie marks.
{Time Cut by a couple of years.}
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I am glad it's the weekend. School has been crazy. This is the first time we have finals. I am not sure what to make of it. I find something very scary about the idea of a test that costs so much of my grade. Ponyville Junior is way different than the elementary school. No recess, and honestly, quite a few ponies with no cutie marks. I guess everypony was right. We were fussing so much about that. Now we have more ponies to help, though!
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Tears dot the page heavily, and the writing is shaky.
Last night I had a dream, but this one was far different. This year for Nightmare Night, Princess Luna gave me a gift, instead of me giving her one. I was able to see my parents and aunt again. Princess Luna told me it took a great deal of magic, and that on this particular night, Nightmare Night, her magic was stronger than most nights, and once she heard the story in a letter Princess Twilight sent her, she did everything in her power to give me one special evening with the three of them. I woke up crying.
They told me they were proud of the mare I had become, and that they wanted me to thank everypony in Ponyville for caring for me when they couldn't. I have had many, many times where dreams have stuck with me in my heart, but this was a very special situation. I will never, ever forget this. I have already written a letter for Princess Luna, thanking her. Maybe losing my parents did have some convoluted reason. I would have never found my best friends in the world, nor my coltfriend without the struggles of my early life, and I would have never learned to appreciate just how special time is with those I love. I guess I'm waxing pretty poetic, here. I guess last night on top of a poetry class has mixed into quite a storm.
Even if I never get to see my parents again until I join them in the Land of Eternal Sleep, I really feel like last night was the closure I needed. I got to show them my cutie mark. I got to tell my parents goodbye, for real. Princess Luna can never know how much I appreciate that she used her extra magic on me. So many ponies have had so many struggles, and she picked me. I can't thank her enough.
I've been thinking about this morning all day. I haven't had my usual spunk so much, I have felt really... bubbly. After school, Featherweight and I went for a long fly. We got home late, but at least tomorrow is the weekend. We flew to Canterlot. It was quite a flight. I don't think I've flown that much in a single day since Spitfire's Flight Camp. It was dark when we got here. Featherweight and I told the guards we were there to meet Princess Luna, and we were almost turned away, until Princess Luna saw the two of us. She invited us in. I thanked her for letting me meet my parents and aunt again, and she said it was her pleasure. She told me she had already received my letter, and was surprised to see me.
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Tucked into the page is a letter written in flawless script. The stationery makes it clear the author was Princess Luna.
Dear Scootaloo,
By the time you wake, I will certainly be asleep. I wanted to thank you for spending the evening with me. It is not so often I receive visitors, especially ones who come solely to visit me. I appreciated you coming all the way from Ponyville to visit, and the magic truly was nothing. I wouldn't have thought of any other way to use my magic, than to help someone separated from her parents so young. Just remember to treat others as selflessly as you can. A true reward to me, would be to see you become a mentor to others struggling like you: pthers out there have struggled with bullies and gone without cutie marks for the better part of their youth, but I know someone as loyal as you would be able to be there for anypony in need. Don't forget the things that shaped you into who you are.
Again, thank you for the wonderful evening, and feel free to visit anytime,
Sincerely yours,
Princess Luna
We talked for a long while, until I started to get tired. Princess Luna offered us a room in the castle for the night. I was barely awake enough to thank her again, Featherweight had to carry me down the hall with his spindly legs. I think Princess Luna probably helped, but I don't even remember getting to the room, honestly. I woke up and Featherweight was sleeping on the couch. There was a letter to us both on the dresser. It was sweet of her to write to us. I will keep this with the other letters she has written me. Every single one is special to me.
This afternoon we have to get ready to fly back for Ponyville, but my wings are still a bit sore. I guess I overdid it, a bit. Featherweight said that since it's cloudy between here and Ponyville, we can fly high and rest on the clouds if we need to. Sounds like a plan to me! I wonder what Mom and Dad will think of my adventure! I've never flown this far without Mom or Winter Winds or somepony like that. I'm pretty proud, but I am definitely crashing when I get home!
I didn't mean literally! I messed up my hoof a bit trying to land by the house. I didn't realize Dad's planter was so big. Meh, whatever. I'll be fine in a day or two. Mom and Dad were happy to see I was okay (well, mostly), and couldn't wait to hear about our adventure. Featherweight and I told them all about it. Princess Luna is awesome! I definitely plan to go back sometime. I'll have to think about what weekends work, though, because I can't make it there and back on a school night, especially as finals get closer.
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The attached image shows around a dozen fillies of all ages holding Babs up in the air, with the red heart depicting a silver horseshoe in the middle, clearly visible.
Finals. Wow. That was exhausting and nerve wracking. I feel like I did okay. Sweetie Belle definitely got the best grade. Apple Bloom seems happy. I just hope I'm right about my grade.
I kind of miss recess. Especially since Pipsqueak and Diamond Tiara got that playground. It's so weird to think back. It wasn't even more than a couple of years ago, but it seems so long ago. I do like some of my teachers, but, one of them compare to Miss Cheerilee. At least class isn't too boring, usually.
Featherweight took me to dinner tonight. He spent way too much as always, but he also got me a necklace. It's beautiful. A photograph of the necklace is tucked into the book with a note on the back: "Necklace in question."
I am going to kick him in the flank if he does it again, but it really is beautiful.
{Time cut by a few years.}
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I walked by my old school. I saw fillies playing and remembered how much I loved my time there, even with all the teasing and taunting. I met my friends, I met Featherweight, I had a lot of great experiences. I may be happy working now, but I do miss the old days. I miss all the crazy schemes and weird ideas. I miss talent shows and Sisterhooves Specials and Hearts and Hooves Day parties and Hearth's Warming parties and swing sets. I guess it hit me more than I thought.
I stopped in and talked to Miss Cheerilee. She says there's ponies this year that remind her of us. Four fillies who are all upset that they're the last ones in the class to have their cutie marks. I told her I'll have to come in one day and talk with them. She said she'd be happy to give me time.
I am spending my first night at Featherweight's home. He offered dinner and said I could stay the night. His house is closer to my work than mine. I'm happy I live next door to Mom and Dad, but it is a long fly when it's chilly. I wouldn't trade my job for anything, though. Teaching foals to fly at the new Ponyville Flight Training School is a lot of fun. Mom volunteers some nights, so I get to see her at work, which is a plus, too. Everypony is so excited when one of the Wonderbolts is teaching them, no matter how old. Rehab for hurt ponies is sometimes frustrating. I hate seeing upset ponies over flight. It reminds me of when I was young. I know how frustrating it is not to be able to do something everypony else like you seems to be able to do.
Dinner was amazing. Featherweight found a great recipe for strawberry tarts, too. It was amazing. Just candlelight on the second floor. We could see the lights of the town from the window. He had several photos mounted, ready to be sold stacked in the corner, and I am still always amazed at his ability. He and Shady Daze have a great business. It's no wonder he could afford this nice house.
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We went on a quadruple-date today since Babs met us in town. It's a bit surreal seeing us all so... grown up? I mean yeah, we've hung out from time to time since the old school days, but I guess it's just thinking about being mare and not a filly that has me noticing. All this from walking by the school the other day. Is this nostalgia? I thought nostalgia was something old ponies had, but it feels just like what everypony says.
Part of me wishes I could go back in time and just tell the little me how great everything would become. I have a plan for a job when I get out of school, teaching ponies to fly and helping them find out who they are.
Princess Twilight said she'd help me with books, and has already given me some teaching books. She says that somepony like me would be great as a teacher. She told me I know what it's like to feel left out, to feel alone, to feel picked on, and that somepony like me will really be able to understand the troubles little foals are dealing with. I guess that's just how things worked out.
I also have amazing friends and a loving stallion who has been here for me though pretty much every struggle in my life. Sure, I didn't get to spend as much time with Mama and Papa and Auntie Raincloud as I would have liked, but Mom and Dad have really been there for me, and look at all of the good that has come from moving to Ponyville. Maybe things just do happen for a reason.
I really feel like I'm starting to understand who I am supposed to be, and maybe someday I'll be able to help others do the same.
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Page is dotted with tears.
Tucked into the page is a tear-stained letter with no address, simply marked on the front to "Scootaloo"
Dear Scootaloo,
Happy Hearth's Warming Day,
I am sorry I wasn't there to celebrate with you. I waited to send this to you until I thought you were older, because I wanted you to be mature enough to understand what I was telling you. Now that you are out of elementary school, I feel like you are ready to learn a few things.
First, I think you owe a great deal of thanks to your guardians, whomever they are, be they the Apples or somepony else. Be sure that on a night like this, you show them how much you care for what they've done for you, and let them know, I, and your parents both, could never thank them enough for caring for you all these years.
Secondly, and much more difficult for me to tell you on such a special day, is this. While it is true that your parents left us while you were still young, I still can tell you that they did not suffer. They contracted a respiratory illness from food and unfortunately didn't recover. That same night, Chef Mignon accidentally infected about two dozen ponies. It ruined her business, and at the time I write this, I don't know what has happened to her. The reason I tell you this, though, is because on a night about love and compassion, I want you to forgive. I want you to forgive me for not letting you tell your parents goodbye. I want you to forgive yourself for not getting to tell them goodbye. I want you to forgive Chef Mignon for what happened, as it was out of her control. I want you to become strong and understand that, while it was awful, what happened, your parents truly just fell asleep and didn't wake up. They did not hurt, and I am sure their last thoughts were hopes that you would live a happy life, regardless of the loss.
Third, even though sometimes it feels like you need to be tough and proud, you don't need to. Feel free to let out your frustrations. The last few months, I've seen you trying to act like things are okay around your friends. Your friends will be there to support you, no matter what. If you need to take a few minutes and let things out, don't hold it in and make yourself sick and hurt like I have seen. I am hoping that by now you have learned this, but I felt like I needed to add this into one of these letters. I wish I had thought of it before I had given the other to Granny Smith.
Remember, even if we aren't with you, we are still proud of the mare you've become, and we love you all the same,
Love,
Your Auntie Raincloud
Also included are several clips of the news from the time of the infections, as well as an official obituary from The Dockhoof for both of Scootaloo's parents.
This year for Hearth's Warming Day, Mom and Dad gave me a letter from Auntie Raincloud. I really had no clue how my parents went, but I am glad to know it was painless. Mama and Papa didn't deserve suffering. Both of them were sweet and caring, and always there for me. I was happy to see that Auntie Raincloud had taken the time to explain what happened. I had always wondered, but been afraid to look it up, in case things were worse than they were. At least it was painless, and I finally did get to tell my parents goodbye, so it isn't even an issue anymore.
I do need to find Chef Mignon, if possible, and tell her that I don't hold anything that happened against her. I am upset to know that she lost her business, but I hope things have turned around. Maybe when I was younger I would have been happy, but that anger is gone. That part of me is gone. I just hope that she is okay, now. What a terrible accident.
I let Featherweight read the letter Auntie Raincloud sent me, and he was moved pretty deeply. He even began tearing up, reading the articles. He gave me a big hug, and told me that my parents were wonderful ponies, and that he wishes to this day that he could have met them. We spent the evening snuggling up by Dad's fireplace. It was late when he left, so I walked him home with Dad. Hopefully one day I will be able to tell Chef Mignon how sorry I am for what happened. I can only imagine how she felt...