> A picture worth a thousand words
>  by Alicornian
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ch. 1: The Picture
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 1: The Picture

Scootaloo tapped her hoof on the cloud she was currently resting on as she thought of what to do about Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Sure she could just ignore them but… Scootaloo pulled out the photo she had taken earlier of the two in secret and frowned. The idea of using the picture to get back at the two bullies had promise… but Scootaloo shook her head no, she knew it wouldn’t be right. If she used the picture of them she’d be no better than they were so… Scootaloo just looked at the picture again and thought hard on it. 

She was a smart filly after all and she could easily get past this problem. “Well… if I can’t use it the way they would… maybe I could use it in a deal?” Scootaloo asked herself out loud as she thought. It wouldn’t be like when they were Gabby Gums right? It… it be just them three or her and one of the bullies, no one else would need to get involved… right?

The picture in question was taken at the exact time the two had kissed each other after school and was now something she could use against them to get them to finally stop bullying her and her friends but… she needed to think this through before she did something she’d regret. Putting the picture back under her wing she thought back to earlier that day.

It was like any other spring school day, the weather was still a bit on the chilly side but the southern birds had returned, the crops where all replanted, and there wasn’t a single flake of snow on the ground. It was also the first day of the second part of school and everyone was not looking forward to having to sit and work at school again. But it did give them a chance to speak to their friends once again since many had left for the winter break. 

“Hey Scootaloo, hey Sweetie Belle, how was your winter break?” a familiar voice called out to her and her friend Sweetie.

“Hey Apple Bloom! It wasn’t too bad.” Scootaloo greeted as Apple Bloom raced up to them.

“Same here, it was okay. What about you Sweetie?” Apple Bloom asked smiling.

“Oh um, it was okay.” Sweetie said trying to not make eye contact.

“Come on Sweetie how was it really?” Scootaloo asked placing a hoof on her shoulder. 

“My parents didn’t come to Hearth Warming.” Sweetie said lowering her head. 

“I’m sorry Sweetie, I shouldn’t have asked.” Scootaloo said frowning. She knew what it meant to not have parents to spend time with during that day. At least she has Rainbow to be with and she was like family… in a way.

“It’s okay.” Sweetie said smiling a bit. 

“Oh look Spoon, it’s the Blank Flanks again.” They all soon heard and groaned too.

“Not them again…” Apple Bloom said trying to ignore Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon again. And like always it never worked out that way.

“Like out of the way, we’re trying to get to school.” Spoon said to them annoyingly.

“Well you can always just go around you know.” Scootaloo said tiredly. 

“Just go okay we don’t want you two around alright. Come on Crusaders.” At this they began trotting away but it didn’t go without that annoying call of Blank Flanks from their tormentors. It was going to be like any other spring school day… a long one.

It wasn’t until after classes that she, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle went their separate ways when Ms. Cheerilee called out to her. “Scootaloo, Scootaloo could you come here please?” Scootaloo sighed at this but if it was to help her teacher she’d do it anyway. 

“Something wrong Ms. Cheerilee?” Scootaloo asked looking to her.

“Yes it seems I forgot to hoof you the camera you and the others will be using for your assignment. I hope you don’t mind me giving it to you instead.” Scootaloo looked to the camera and remembered the class assignment. She, Sweetie, and Bloom where to take pictures of places they liked in Ponyville and explain why they liked it. Something about knowing your town better, she couldn’t fully remember as she had numerous paper wads tossed at the back of her head the entire class.

“Sure,” Scootaloo said slipping the camera around her neck, “take care Ms. Cheerilee!”

Just as she was about to get on her scooter and fly to her meeting place with Rainbow Dash she saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon slip behind the school.

“What are they up to now?” Scootaloo sighed as she tried to ignore them… but couldn’t. She didn’t want the Crusaders getting blamed for whatever they were going to do. Plus this time she could catch them in the act since she had a camera. Looking it over quickly she found a way to keep the flash from going off during the day and gambled over to the back of the school.

“Tiara, um, there’s something I want to try.” Scootaloo heard around the corner of the school. Carefully she snuck over to a bush right out of sight and dived into it quietly.

“Yes, what is it?” Tiara said looking to her longtime friend.

“Can you, um, come closer?” Spoon asked sheepishly. Scootaloo wished she could see them a bit better then remembered the camera. Pulling it out she brought the sight window up to her eye and waited. Tiara sighed tiredly and gambled over to her closer.

“What is it already…” Tiara started to say but was quickly silenced and stopped by Silver Spoon kissing her on the lips. Unknown to them and Scootaloo for a moment the camera went off snapping the picture forever.

It was soon the two back from each other and blushed heavily. “S-sorry Tiara…” Spoon said smiling a bit.

“I’m okay…” Tiara replied blushing more and smiling. 

“Um, talk later?” Spoon said blushing more.

“S-sure, we’ll talk… later.” Tiara said before the both headed to their respected homes. Scootaloo just sat in the bush shocked till the picture from the camera finally fell between her hooves. Slowly looking down she could not believe what she saw or even had. She had just caught Silver Spoon kissing Diamond Tiara.

To be continued. 
> Ch. 2: Choices
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 2: Choices

For the past week Scootaloo and the Crusaders had more and more confrontations with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon but at least it was tolerable… well almost. Each time Scootaloo saw the two together she just remembered the picture she took of the two and just told her friends to forget about them and do their own thing. Still each day after school she’d notice the two going behind the school and each day she’d hide, snap a picture, and then leave after they did.

Now once again she rested on the cloud she normally rested on since living with Rainbow as her care taker for the rest of the school year, she looked at her small collection of pictures of the two bullies together. The first picture was there alongside the other six pictures she had taken. The picture after the first one had them hugging which wasn’t out of the ordinary… if it wasn’t for that kiss they were giving each other while doing so. The one after that was of them studying, with Silver Spoon snuggling up to a blushing Tiara. Then there was another kissing picture, another bit of snuggling, napping with the holding each other… Scootaloo just shook her head and put the pictures back in her small carrying case and sighed. Maybe… maybe she shouldn’t confront them about the pictures… maybe she was going too far. She… she just didn’t know.


***


The next day was a day off from school thankfully and everyone could do whatever they wanted… even get a single shake and share it in private. “Y-you sure this is okay Tiara?” Spoon asked blushing from their hiding spot in the park. It was a place Tiara had found herself one day just to study alone and to get away from the house. Tiara nodded and smiled to Spoon blushing as well.

“No one has found this place yet.” Tiara replied offering the shake. Thankfully it was in a to-go cup and had two stays in it. Smiling at this Silver and Tiara slowly sipped the shake together as they looked into each other’s eyes. Once the shake was done the two lay down next to each other and nuzzled one another.

“Silver… do you… you really like me right?” Tiara asked shyly.

“Of course I do,” Silver Spoon replied seriously before looking down to her hooves shyly while also looking up to her from time to time, “don’t you really like me?”

“Of course… but… I, I’m worried what our families are going to say about this.” Tiara explained worried. Silver Spoon frowned at this as she too had been worried about this.

“I don’t… I don’t want to lose this Tiara, I-I like this too much to let it go.” Spoon said starting to cry.

“I, I don’t want to lose this either but… I… I don’t know how daddy will feel about this.” Tiara said leaning into her… dear friend.

“B-but what about your mom, can’t we talk to her?” Spoon asked worried. Tiara thought on this as Silver nuzzled into her, her mother Golden Circlet was very kind hearted and unlike her father was always at home to talk to… along with the house staff.

“W-we could try.” Tiara said nuzzling back into Silver. She just hoped her mother would help.


***


“Hey Scoots, time for dinner,” Rainbow called up to the guest bedroom that was currently Scootaloo’s room while she stayed with her, “Scootaloo!” Rainbow waited for a response before tilting her head in confusion and flying up to the room. Ever since she met up with Scootaloo the week before she’d been worried about her favorite fan. She had been very quiet and every day after school, flight practice, and their flight home, she’d been heading right up to the room and not coming out unless it was to eat or do other things. 

Finally at the door to the room, Rainbow knocked on the door and waited for a response before carefully opening the door and looking in. The room was once a filled with only a cloud bed, dresser, and work desk, but was now filled with all things Wonderbolts and a sleeping orange Pegasus filly. Sighing Rainbow went over to the bed to wake Scootaloo up before stopping and looking to the desk, a desk that was supposed to be covered in homework, or at least that what she thought was supposed to be homework. Wondering what places Scootaloo snapped as pictures of her and her friends’ favorite places to be at in town Rainbow slowly and carefully trotted around the bed and looked to the pictures.

What she found was pretty average, a picture of the Library where Twilight and Spike lived, Fluttershy’s cottage, Rarity’s shop, her own cloud home, Applejack’s farm, Sugar Cube Corner where Pinkie lived with the Cakes, and of course the Crusader’s club house. Rainbow smiled at the pictures till she spotted Scootaloo’s spare picture case. Normally she’d never invade another pony’s privacy and look into their own stuff but… how Scootaloo was acting whenever she had that thing out made her far to curious not to look. Maybe they we’re just bad photos that she kept so she could inform Cheerilee of how many pictures she took with the borrowed camera… but then, why would she always look worried when she looked to the case?

Deciding her curiosity and concern had enough time to think it over she gently lifted the case up and undid the latch. What she found in the case… she’d have to talk to Scootaloo about after dinner.


***


Tiara looked up to her house with a frown as she thought about her time with Silver Spoon and what they had talked about. Looking around she was glad to not see her father’s personal carriage before the house, she decided that she had two options to take. The first option was to simply keep her and Silver Spoon’s time together secret and to themselves. Problem with that was just how long could that keep that secret? Also she needed to talk to somepony she felt safe with about how she was feeling around Silver.

That left the other option, speak with her mother. Her mother was always a good pony to talk to and she was always there for her, unlike her father. Unlike everyone thought, Filthy Rich wasn’t always home. Spoiled her rotten when he was home yes but no, he was never home long to actually do anything that would be considered parenting. Her mother Golden, on the other hoof was a Ponyville only business mare and was mostly home all the time to care for her and was always someone she felt safe with, with personal problems. Sighing she made her choice and trotted into the house.

“Welcome home Miss Tiara,” the butler said gently taking her saddle bags from her, “any homework for the day?”

Tiara shook her head. “No today was our school day off, but I would like to talk to mom a bit.” 

The butler nodded to this. “Well then you are in luck Miss, your mother in her study. Shall I lead you to her?” 

Tiara shook her head. “No thank you, but could you send some tea and cookies up for us please.” The butler smiled and nodded at this before he headed off to get the tea as Tiara gambled up to her mother’s study. She always loved seeing the study, it was a simple room filled with a bed for only them to lie on as they talked, a study desk to do needed business or homework at with her mother, favorite maid or butler with, and was painted a very calming light blue which helped both of them on stressful days. She loved being in there especially with her… “Mom, can we talk?” Tiara asked as she gently pushed the study door open.

Looking up from the desk was her mother, a very pale magenta unicorn mare with jade eyes, midnight purple and light midnight blue mane, who smiled warmly at her. “Of course sweetie, come on over to the bed.” Circlet replied putting her work to the side. Diamond Tiara did as requested and after getting up on the low bed laid down on the bed she usually talked to her mother on and waited as her mother unfastened her solid gold earrings into her ears, placed the gold ring with the pearl from her horn on the work desk, and place her trade mark circlet from her head on next to them before coming over with a comb and laid next to her. “Let me guess, something’s troubling you again?” Tiara’s mother asked slowly brushing her mane. For a long moment Tiara just enjoyed the brushing before she spoke. 

“Mom, I-I really like somepony.” The brush stopped for a moment before it was resumed slowly and gently. 

“Really, who is it? Is it some young colt in your class?” Circlet asked gently yet curiously. 

“Mom… i-if I tell you… will you still like me?” Tiara asked very worried.

“My little diamond, of course I’ll still like you, I love you dearly and whatever you tell me will never change that.” Circlet replied giving her a nuzzle. 

“Well… remember the first day of school when I came home really happy?” Tiara asked gaining a nod from her mother. “Well… i-it’s because… because…” Circlet waited for her daughter to speak before it just all came running out. “SilverSpoonkissedmeonmylipsandIlikeditandIreally,reallylikehersopleasedon’thateme.” 

Circlet had to piece what she heard together before blinking. “Tiara, sweetie, can you tell me all that again but slower please?” 

Tiara just looked down at the bed running her hoof over it in circles before she spoke. “T-that day, Silver Spoon kissed me on the lips and I liked it and I-I really like her so… so please don’t hate me.”

Circlet closed her eyes at this and gave a long pleased sigh, she had heard right. “Tiara, my little diamond, I’m very happy for you. I would never hurt you for having a single kiss with someone you really like.”

Tiara blushed and kept looking to the bed. “I-it wasn’t just one kiss.” 

Circlet blinked at this before looking to her daughter. “Please explain.” 

Tiara sighed and finally broke down and told her mother everything up to that day before she came home. “So… what… what am I feeling mom, what is it?” Tiara asked leaning into her mother’s side. 

“What your feeling sweetie is love, because you’ve found your special somepony and I’m so happy for you and hope you’ll keep this love for each other forever.” Circlet said nuzzling her daughter who returned the loving nuzzle. 

“But… what about daddy, won’t he hate me for this?” 

Circlet sighed at this. She knew exactly how Rich would react to it, especially with his pour sense in business as of late. “I’m sure it’s won’t be that bad my little diamond, if needed I’ll talk to you father about it personally.” Circlet answered as she gently pulling her into a gentle hug and nuzzled her head. 

It was at this the front door open and low and behold the man of the house had returned. “Welcome home Master Rich, terrible day at work?” they heard the butler ask in greeting from the down stairs. 

“Terrible? It was absolutely horrid. Do you know what I had to do today? I had to break up yet another little dispute between two of my financed shops. And you want to know what about, never mind I’ll just tell you, Filly Foolers, one business not working with the other because the one bringing in the product is a Filly Fooler. I swear to Celestia this town is getting to be just as bad as Fillydelphia. I swear that city can keep them. Make my life all the more easier. I’m telling you Bones, if I have to deal with another Filly Fooler incident I’ll up and break business with them, permanently.” It was soon that Tiara silently cried into her mother who could only sigh in tired frustration.


***


Scootaloo yawned as she stretched out on her cloud bed. It was so much better than a normal bed as it was way softer and better for Pegasi since it didn’t cause them to pull feathers, or gain wing cramps in the morning, or other issues with their wings. It was then she looked out the window and gasped. It was nightfall and she had slept right through dinner… or at least she thought she did. Normally Rainbow woke her up whenever she was late for dinner but not this time. Maybe she was late getting home from work again?

Unsure and hungry Scootaloo got up and trotted out of the room and down to the kitchen, never noticing her picture case was not on the desk. In the kitchen she heard Rainbow hard at work to get something fixed for them to eat. “Welcome home Rainbow!” Scootaloo said smiling as she got up on her chair at the table.

“Hey Scoots, um look we need to have a talk after we eat so stay at the table okay?” Rainbow said as she worked at the lightning stove.

“Um sure, what about, is it about your work again?” Scootaloo asked worried.

“No but… let’s leave it for later okay? Dinner’s done so let’s eat.” Rainbow said putting a stack of chocolate chip pancakes before her with strawberry syrup and whip cream on top. Scoot just smiled at the meal, it wasn’t much as it was all Rainbow knew how to cook, but it filled them both up and made them both happy.

After the meal was eaten the specially made dinner wear was washed Rainbow and Scootaloo returned to the table. “So… what do we need to talk about?” Scootaloo asked worried. Rainbow sighed before she reached under her wing and produced Scootaloo’s picture case and pulled the pictures out for her to see. “Mind explaining these?” 

Scootaloo gulped as she looked to the pictures. “I-I-I…” Scootaloo said her eyes going wide.

“Scoots, these are all kinds of wrong so why did you have them on you let alone why did you take them? Did they do something to you again, because if they did this isn’t the way to go about getting them back.” Rainbow lectured before she noticed the regretful look on Scootaloo’s face. “Scoots, come on, talk to me, what are these pictures about?”

Scootaloo sighed as she began telling Rainbow everything, how she came to find the two kissing, how it was that each time she saw the two she had taken a picture of them, and how she originally wanted to use the pictures to get them to back off but… “I can’t do it Rainbow. It just feels… wrong.” Scootaloo said looking down to the pictures in her hooves. 

“Then why do it in the first place?” Rainbow asked gently.

“I-I don’t know. I don’t know Rainbow I… I just did, what do I do now Rainbow?” Scootaloo asked worried.

Rainbow just sighed as she looked to her charge. “Way I see it you got two choices. The first is to come clean with one of those two about these pictures and promise them that you’ll never do it again or… just leave them be for good. Put the pictures away and just finish your assignment. That’s all I think you can do Scoots.” Scootaloo just looked down to the pictures and sighed. She had a lot to think about.


***


Platinum Spoon just smiled at his daughter as she hummed a very pleasant song as she worked beside him. “You seem to be in a chipper mood today Silver. Something good happen?” Platinum asked as he waited for another molded piece of eatery to cool.

“Yeah, something did… um daddy, remember when I came home really happy last week?” Silver answered then shyly ask. 

“Of course I do, you were so happy you practically glowed with excitement for something.” Platinum said putting his work aside to speak with his daughter.

“Well… um… it’s because… I… I kissed Tiara.” Silver confessed, blushing red.

“You kissed…“ Platinum started to say before just shaking his head smiling.

“Come on Silver, I think work can be put off for a bit and I’d really like to talk to you about this.” Silver gulped nervously and slowly followed her father out of the smithy and into their house after her father put out the forge for the day. The smithy thankfully was connected to the back of the shop and was a good several hooves from the house, to prevent any fire.

Once inside Platinum gave his daughter a hug and smiled down to her. “You really like Tiara don’t you?” Platinum asked smiling to her. 

“Yes daddy, I, I do.” Silver answered blushing. 

“Well I’m happy for you Silver, and if your mother was around she’d be happy for you as well.” Silver nodded to this as they both looked to a picture of them and a golden coated mare with a long blond mane. It was taken when she was just a foal, sadly she didn’t last the night leading her father to raise her.

“Do you really think so daddy?” Silver asked looking to the picture. 

“I know so sweetie. Now, how does she feel about you? Does Rich and Circlet know?” Platinum asked smiling. 

“She really likes me too daddy and… Tiara might have told her mom.” Silver said scuffing her hoof over the floor. 

“Might? Are you saying you’re telling us now?” Platinum asked mildly worried. 

“Yes…” Silver said looking away from her father. 

Platinum just sighed. “Silver, why didn’t you tell us from the start, I’m guessing because you wanted to make sure you both really liked each other before hoof right?” Silver nodded to this and gained a gentle hug from her father. “I’m proud of you Silver, so very proud.” Platinum pulled away a bit and looked right at her before continuing. “You’re just a filly and you’re already thinking like a full grown mare. Why don’t you go one ahead to Sugar Cube Corner and order us some dinner. I’ll be along shortly.” Silver looked up to her father happily before gambling out the house and headed off towards the town’s favorite shop. Platinum just shook his head happily before looking to the family picture again. “Looks like you were right; Silver was definitely going to be with Circlet’s foal, no matter what.” After a short sigh Platinum soon trotted out after his daughter, a proud smile on his face.


***


Scootaloo sighed as she looked over the pictures of Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara again. As she looked at the pictures Rainbow’s talk still rung in her ears. “Scoots, these are all kinds of wrong so why did you have them on you let alone why did you take them? Did they do something to you again, because if they did this isn’t the way to go about getting them back.” Scootaloo sighed again and she picked up the very first picture she took of the two, the very first kiss.  “Way I see it you got two choices. The first is to come clean with one of those two about these pictures and promise them that you’ll never do it again or… just leave them be for good. Put the pictures away and just finish your assignment. That’s all I think you can do Scoots.”

Rainbow was right; she really did have two choices… no, no she only had one. As she thought about it the first choice was much better than the second. The second choice didn’t solve anything. The two would continue to bully her and her friends and they’d still be going at each other because of it. The first choice DID solve things; she could apologize to the two bullies as well as get them to stop bullying her and her friends. So… tomorrow she’d talk to the bullies, get them to stop bullying them, and hopefully get along from there on… hopefully.

To be continued
> Ch. 3: Confrontation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 3: Confrontation

The next day went like it normally did for the three foals, or as normally as it could. For some reason Scootaloo kept looking over to Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara until class was finally dismissed for the day. Scootaloo told her friends to go ahead and head to the club house while she finished something up and waited to follow Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. It didn’t take long for them to finally leave the school and start gambling off towards… the white tail wood? “Why are they going there?” Scootaloo asked herself quietly as she quickly followed them.

“So… did you talk to your mom?” Silver asked smiling to Tiara. 

“Yeah, she’s happy for us but daddy is well…” Tiara said looking down a bit. 

“Well… my daddy is happy for us too. So… maybe we could… have a sleep over at my house sometime?” Silver asked blushing. 

“Um… I’d like to but I… need to give your daddy something.” Tiara said looking to her saddle bag.

“What do you need to give him?” Silver asked curious. 

“A-a note from my mom,” Tiara said as they soon came to a stop, “she said to make sure he got it after we… have some time together.” Silver blushed at this and nodded to her as they went into the woods of the park.

Scootaloo thankfully, at least according to her, saw where the two had trotted and quickly followed after making sure the coast was clear and soon… “Oomph, ouch, what hit us, Scootaloo?!” the bullies called out as Scootaloo slammed right into them and into their little hiding spot. 

“Um… Hi?” Scootaloo said nervously as she got up and offered her hooves to help them, which sadly they refused. 

“What are you doing here?! This is our place is your club house not good enough for you anymore?!” Diamond Tiara nearly yelled at her angrily. 

“No, no, wait I-I just wanted to talk.” Scootaloo said hold up her hooves in defense. 

“Then talk, we don’t want you to ruin our spot!” Tiara said to her in a huff.

Sighing Scootaloo pulled out her picture case and looked right at them. “L-last week I saw you two go behind the school a-and I followed you to make sure you weren’t going to do something to get me and the other crusaders in trouble. Well I-I… I’m sorry I didn’t even know the camera went off and I caught a picture of you two kissing!” Scootaloo explained till she finished in a hurry holding out the very first picture of them kissing. Both bullies gaped at the picture in shock… and fear. 

“Y-you took a picture of us… are… are you trying to black mail us?” Silver Spoon asked worried.

“NO! No I’m not… R-rainbow talked to me about this last night and… and I know what I did was wrong and I shouldn’t have done it.” Scootaloo said putting the picture back in its case. “I won’t show anyone these I promise but… I… I don’t want you bullying me and my friends anymore and… and I rather us just get along okay?” Scootaloo continued still looking down.

“You… you took pictures of us and then expect us to play nice after that?” Tiara asked annoyed. Scootaloo kept her head and eyes down as she nodded her head. “How do we know you won’t turn around and put those in the school paper?” Tiara asked her worried. 

“I-I’m going to put these away in Rainbow’s house and Rainbow will know if any of them are gone. She’ll check them every day to make sure I don’t take any of them… and if I wanted to I could have done that last week.” Scootaloo said looking to them frowning. Tiara was about to retort that that wouldn’t solve anything till Silver placed her hoof on her shoulder. 

“She’s right Tiara, she could have done that but she didn’t. I-I think we can trust her, besides… I… I don’t want to be a bully anymore.” Silver said looking to her. 

Tiara looked back at Silver then to Scootaloo and sighed. “Okay… but this doesn’t make us friends okay?” Tiara said right at Scootaloo. 

“That’s fine, just… stop bullying us.” Scootaloo said holding out her hoof. Tiara and Silver looked at it before giving it a hoof bump and they all sighed.

“Um, I better get going. The Crusaders are expecting me, so… see you tomorrow at school?” Scootaloo said slowly trotting out of the bush. 

“Um… yeah,” Tiara said scuffing her hoof over the ground, “Sure… later.” Silver said looking away from Scootaloo.  After making sure it was safe Scootaloo took off with the former bullies giving off a long sigh.


***


That night Silver Spoon hoofed over the note Tiara gave her to her father. “Hmm, so Circlet wants us to meet her and Tiara at a dinner tonight. I don’t see why we can’t, go on up and get ready sweetie while I get the shop closed up for the night.” Platinum said smiling to his daughter who smiled back as she gambled to the house and to her room. Platinum smiled and whistled a pleasant tune as he began closing up shop until the door’s overhead bell rang indicating a customer coming in. “One moment!” Platinum called out as he put out the forge and stepped up to the front only to stop and blink at whom was at the shop. “Rich, what are you doing here?” Platinum asked trotting up to the back side of the counter. 

“I’m here on business of course Plat. Need to have something repaired sadly.” Rich said as he pulled out a box and opened it on the counter. Plat gave the inside of the box a good look and then back to Rich before he pulled out an old solid silver circlet broken into two pieces. “It was the first item I gave to Circlet before we get together. Sadly the case the circlet was in fell to the ground right after one of my bags fall on top of it. I’m hoping you can fix it.” Rich explained frowning.

“Hmm, this this is some pretty poor looking silver, I could re-forge it for you but the design isn’t used anymore Rich. I’ll have to put the two pieces back together and hope for a clean mold. Means I’ll have to melt this old one down to make the full repair, unless you want a duplicate. That won’t take me long.” Platinum said looking the broken circlet over before placing it back into its case. 

Rich frowned at this before sighing, “Duplicate it, the original is… it’s far too special to just melt it down.” 

Platinum nodded to this and put the box aside and looked to Rich, “It’ll be done the day after tomorrow Rich.” 

Rich nodded to this before sighing, “Thank you Plat but sadly I won’t be back before then. I only returned to Ponyville long enough to drop that off and return to Canterlot for another business deal. Could you keep hold of it till I return?” 

Platinum thought on this till he saw his daughter out the workshop’s window ready to go. “Normally I don’t Rich but if you’re willing to put down a down payment on the work I think I could hold onto it for a few days.” 

Rich nodded to this, put down a small bag of bits and looked out to what Platinum saw. “I heard from my staff your daughter has been going around with mine while I’ve been away. I’m glad she has someone to talk to. Anyway Plat,” Rich said turning back to Platinum, “I should be back by next week, if not earlier. Good day.” Rich said taking off soon to be followed by Plat having already gotten the shop ready to close. 

“What was Mr. Rich needing daddy?” Silver asked watching as Rich left for the train station. 

“I minor job sweetie nothing to worry about for now. So, shall we go meet your friend and her mother?” Platinum said then asked gaining a nod as they trotted into town.


***


Circlet sighed in relief when the family butler informed her that her husband wasn’t returning home today and was only in Ponyville to do some minor business then instantly leave. She loved her husband she really did but his off hoof speech the day he came home; it hurt her to think that… if their daughter revealed she liked another filly… Circlet just sighed heavily. His issue about Filly Foolers was hurting the original family business and now it was hurting her daughter. Just when things start going like they were?

Shaking her head she looked into her mirror and checked her complexion one last time. Though her and her daughter’s dinner meeting with her old friend Platinum and his daughter was casual, she didn’t want to be going out looking like a mild mess. “Mom I’m ready.” Tiara said trotting into her mother, and father’s, bedroom. 

“Give me one moment my little diamond and we’ll be going.” Circlet said using her magic to fasten her earrings before smiling at her reflection. “There, now we don’t wish to be late correct?” Tiara nodded to this smiling and followed her mother out to the entrance.

“Shall I get the carriage for you madam?” their butler asked as he met them in the foyer. 

“No thank you Bones, we’re not going far.” Circlet said smiling to the good butler. 

“Of course, have a pleasant evening.” the butler replied as they slowly trotted out the door and into town. As the two trotted Circlet chatted away with her daughter about her day, which Tiara left the issue with Scootaloo out on thankfully, until they finally arrived at the Golden Bit and Horse Shoe. It was an eat-in restaurant that Circlet had many of her personal meetings in and was very much a contributor to the establishment with her generous tips and recommendations.

“Circe, was wondering when you would show up.” A voice called out making Circlet smile. 

“Plat it’s so good to see you again.” Circlet said hugging Platinum as they reached each other at the entrance. Not many knew it but Platinum got his nick name Plat from Circlet as she had gained her nick name Circe from him. 

“Look at you Circe,” Platinum said looking her over, “you’re as lovely as ever. And this must be your daughter Diamond Tiara.” Tiara shyly nodded as Silver trotted over to her and nuzzled her. 

“Yes she is, and this must be Silver. Last I saw you dear you were just a tiny little foal.” Circlet said to Silver making her blush. 

“Well shall we all go in?” Platinum asked gaining a nod from everyone.

After being seated and gaining their drinks Circlet began to speak, “It’s been a long time Plat, how have you been holding up?” 

Platinum smiled as he took a sip of his drink. “From when we last talked… a lot better thankfully. The shop’s doing well, I have my lovely daughter to keep me active, just… better I suppose.” 

Circlet nodded to this. “That’s good to hear Plat but… that’s not what this meeting is about.” 

Platinum nodded to this before turning to the other side of the table where his daughter and Tiara was talking adamantly with each other. “It’s about them isn’t it?” 

Circlet sighed heavily at this before nodding. “I want to live up to hold up to the promise we all made to each other Plat but…” 

Platinum sighed nodding already knowing what she was about to say. “Rich’s old habit sprung back up again?” Circlet nodded to this closing her eyes. Platinum just shook his head, “Stubborn old fool doesn’t know what he’s doing by acting like that again. Especially around here.” 

Circlet just gave a half laugh before she spoke, “Oh he knows Plat, he just doesn’t care and for the time being doesn’t even know how hurtful it is to Tiara. Honestly he’s been putting more and more of his work before his own daughter and me, I rarely even get to speak to him anymore.” Platinum just face hoofed at that.

Over on the other side of the table Tiara and Silver spoke of much earlier events in low voices. “You still sure we can trust Scootaloo Silver?” Tiara asked worried. 

“Tiara she’d showed a lot of… loyalty, not putting our picture up on the school paper. Plus she’s been living with Rainbow Dash and you know she’s one of the Elements.” Silver replied looking to her. 

“Yeah but…” Tiara started to say before the waiter came by and gained their orders. 

“But what Tiara, what does she need to do to make you and me trust her?” Silver asked worried. 

“Well… I… I don’t know. Destroy the pictures or maybe make sure they were put into some kind of safe where only we have the combination?” Tiara asked rubbing her hooves together nervously.

“Well… we could talk to her tomorrow after school.” Silver suggested looking to her love. 

“Well… a-alright, but… I really don’t want those in the paper.” Tiara replied scared. 

“Me either,” Silver said before seeing the worried and scared look in her love’s eyes, “Tiara… is something wrong?” Tiara nodded to this. “I-it’s my daddy.”

Back on the parent’s side of the table the conversation turned more animate. “He didn’t, he knows how important that shop is to all the foals as well as this town. Plus they get a constant order from Princess Luna every month of different types of candy made through the ages.” Platinum said looking to Circlet complete shocked. 

“He did and as I said he doesn’t care. You should have seen how upset Lyra when she found out he cut off poor Bonbon’s supplies. Honestly had I not stepped in Rich would have found himself in Canterlot’s intensive care… four times overs.” Circlet replied exhaustedly. “I’m telling you Plat, I don’t know what my husband was thinking when he did that but he doesn’t need to worry about that anymore since they’re under my business name now."

“Good for them,” Platinum said seriously as he took a bite of his food before continuing, “and really, you think Lyra would have hurt him that bad?” 

Circlet shook her head no before smiling, “No… the Princess would.” 

Platinum coughed on his drink before laughing heavily. “Oh I’d pay a spur to see that.” Circlet giggled along with Platinum nodding to this till they both finally calmed down. “But seriously you’d think he used that brain of his for more than his cutie mark.” Platinum said looking to Circlet sadly. 

“I know, and he wasn’t always like this and I don’t know what started it but… if it hurts Tiara to much… I… may need to let him go.” Circlet replied before Platinum reached over and patted Circlet’s hoof before they returned to their collected meals.


***


Up in Rainbow’s cloud house Scootaloo gave the Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon pictures one last look before putting them back in their case and hoofing it over to Rainbow to put away, for hopefully, good. “You sure this is what you want to do Scoots?” Rainbow asked taking the picture case in her hooves. 

“Yeah… I promised them this is what I’d do and… I want them to keep their promise too.” Scootaloo replied looking to the case. 

“As long as you’re sure Scoots,” Rainbow said as she opened her side table drawer where her very first Daring Do book was and placed it inside locking the drawer with her hidden key, “I just want you to know that… I’m proud of you and this showed a lot of trust. If your mom and pop where here they’d be proud of you too, I think.” Scootaloo smiled slightly at this before following her idol out of the bedroom and into the kitchen for dinner.

“So, what kinds of pancakes do you,” Rainbow started to ask before a muffled knock came to her door, “Now who’d that be at this hour?” Rainbow slowly trotted over to the front door to open it finding a very sad looking Derpy Hooves at the door. “Hey Derpy, what’s up?” Rainbow asked before Derpy gestured her to come outside with her. “Um, okay… Scoots I’ll be back in soon so… why don’t you go get cleaned up while me and Derpy talk?” Scootaloo shrugged at this and headed to the bathroom as Rainbow followed Derpy out to her cloud based front yard and then to a cloud further away. “What’s up Derpy did something happen at the postal office again?” Rainbow asked worried. Though Rainbow didn’t show it, she and Derpy where good friends ever since she got onto the Ponyville Weather Team. 

“I… I’m sorry Rainbow but… I was told to get this to you quickly, i…it’s from the Mayor.” Derpy said upset hoofing over a small scroll. Rainbow slowly took the scroll and opened it up and read it before gasping.

To be continued
> Ch. 4: Parents
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 4: Parents

To whom this may concern,

We regret to inform you that as of yesterday at noon the parents of one Scootaloo have perished in an unfortunate accident outside the fair city of Fillydelphia. Due to strong headwinds an unseen unnatural thunderstorm had caught the poor filly’s parents by surprise and even though both were skilled fliers could not escape the multitude of thunderheads in the area. By law a check of the residence for a Will has revealed that should anything happen to them, Ms. Rainbow Dash, is to take care of the young filly Scootaloo from this point forward. Please come by the Town Hall of Ponyville to gain the proper papers for legal adoption.

With our deepest condolences, Mayor Mare of Ponyville

Rainbow could not believe what she was reading. “I-it can’t be true.” Rainbow replied slowly lowering the letter to look at Derpy. 

“They… sent pictures and did a lot of identification magic stuff. I-I was asked t-to see the pictures and… and…” Derpy tried to explain before Rainbow pulled her into a hug before she broke down crying. If… If Derpy was acting like this then… then… how was she going to explain this to Scootaloo?


***


The next morning Silver woke up to find her father out in his workshop working on a new mold. “Morning Daddy,” Silver said trotting up to him and hugging her father, “Are you making a new mold?” 

Platinum chuckled at this before nodding. “It’s for a solid silver circlet. It’s going to take me a while to get this done right but once it’s done it’s going to attract a lot of attention.” 

Silver nodded to this as she looked to the newly made complex mold. “Daddy is it okay if I ask Tiara over tonight?” 

Platinum tapped his chin at this thinking. “As long as it’s okay with Circlet and Rich isn’t back I don’t see anything wrong with that.” Silver hugged and kissed her father on the cheek before gambling out the door. “Remember, only if Rich isn’t home Silver!” Platinum yelled as Silver gambled off towards the school. Platinum sighed and shook his head before looking to the case that had Rich’s original silver circlet. “Hope she heard me.”

Silver gambled as quickly as she could towards the school to catch up with Tiara smiling happily. “Morning Tiara, did you think about what we talked about?” she greeted then asked as she caught up with her love. 

“Morning Silver and… yeah I did and I talked it over with mom. She agreed we keep this to ourselves till mom find out how daddy is going to react.” Tiara replied neutrally. 

“Oh, okay but um if we can get permission from your mom… want to sleep over tonight?” Silver asked sheepishly. 

“Um… okay, but only if mom says I can.” Tiara replied smiling a little. 

“Okay, oh and your daddy can’t be there when you asked. Daddy said so.” Silver replied before remembering what her father told her. Tiara nodded to this before they met up with all the other foals before the school.

“Hey what’s going on?” one foal asked looking to another. 

“Don’t know, the door isn’t open yet.” Another foal answered the first. Every foal present for class kept asking questions as to what had happened before Ms. Cheerilee came up the road calling all the students towards her. 

“Alright class, listen please. Due to… unforeseen events, todays class has been canceled. Please return home and inform your families of what has happened and if they have questions to come to the school, thank you.” Ms. Cheerilee said gaining a lot of confused questions as to why and what was wrong. “Go on, head on home everyone.” Ms. Cheerilee said making all the students dissipate.

“Well that was weird.” Tiara said turning towards Silver. 

“Yeah, still… gives us a chance to do you know what.” Silver replied tilting her head towards Scootaloo. 

“Um… okay, but only after she leaves her friends I don’t want them finding out.” Tiara said nervously. 

Over with the Crusaders the three looked to each other confused. “I wonder why Ms. Cheerilee canceled class.” Sweetie Belle said curious. 

“Who knows but it’ll give us a full day to get our homework done and get some crusading in!” Apple Bloom said happily. 

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle nodded to this before Scootaloo remembered something. “Oh yeah Apple Bloom, will you're family mind if I stayed the night tonight, Rainbow told me she wasn’t going to be home till super late and was hoping I could stay over till tomorrow.”

Apple Bloom tilted her head in thought on this before shrugging. “Don’t know till we talk to my sister. Can you meet me at the farm in an hour?” Everyone nodded at this before heading off but not before Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara caught Scootaloo’s attention.

Making sure her friends were far enough away Scootaloo followed the two former bullies to a secluded place outside the school to talk. “Um… what’s up?” Scootaloo asked looking to them. 

“We wanted to make sure you did what you said.” Silver said evenly yet almost kindly. 

“Yeah, they’re still in Rainbow’s house in her side dresser drawer. She’s the only one that has the key to it.” Scootaloo said looking to them nervously. 

“And you don’t have them on you?” Tiara asked worriedly. 

“Nope, I got the camera from Ms. Cheerilee and some film for it but that’s it.” Scootaloo said showing them her saddle bags with the said items. 

“Alright,” Silver said breathing a sigh of relief beside Tiara, “We’re just making sure you’re holding up your part of the agreement. And… we wanted to thank you for coming clean with us.” 

Scootaloo scratched the back of her neck nervously. “Um, sure, I wanted to anyway so um… your welcome?” For a few moments it was quite before the three of them burst out laughing. 

“Okay, you’re pretty funny Scootaloo.” Tiara said amazingly. 

“Yeah and you two aren’t too bad to be around. Maybe… we could hang out sometime?” Scootaloo replied then asked sheepishly.

“Um… sure, we won’t mind that. We are trying to start over right?” Tiara said gaining a nod from Silver and Scootaloo. 

“Okay then, well… we better get going, later Scootaloo.” Silver said as she and Tiara gambled off towards their homes. 

“Um sure, later you two,” Scootaloo returned nervously before gambling off to meet her friends, “I just said that right? Yeah, I’m sure I did.” It was going to be a while before things finally sunk in.


***


“You sure this is right Dash?” Applejack said looking to the scroll Derpy had given Rainbow Dash earlier. 

“Derpy came to my house last night to give me that and… she was pretty upset about it. Plus it has the mayor’s seal on it.” Rainbow said pointing the seal out. 

“Well, I’m glad you came to me about this Dash, I’ll make sure she gets a good night here while you wrap your head around some way to tell Scootaloo about this. Best you tell Rarity and Fluttershy as well. The girls usually spend the nights there as well and knowing Cheerilee she’ll want you to come by and talk to her.” Applejack said kindly placing a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. 

“Thanks Applejack. Look, I… I got a lot to think about, especially now that Scoots will have to…” Rainbow started to say before Applejack pulled her into a hug. 

“I know what it’s like Dash, losing your ma and pa, but… we’ll all be here for her, and you.” Applejack said gaining a returned hug from Dash.

Both held this hug till they finally let go with sighs. “You better get going Dash we’ll take care of everything here.” Applejack said gaining a nod from Rainbow. 

“Thanks Applejack, talk to you later.” Dash then took to the sky and flew off just as Apple Bloom gambled up the walkway to speak with her sister. 

“Applejack, can I ask you something?” Apple Bloom asked finally standing before her sister. 

“Don’t see why you can’t, so, what you need Bloom?” Applejack said looking to her. 

“Can Scootaloo stay the night? Rainbow’s going to be working really late so she won’t be able to take her up to the cloud house.” Apple Bloom asked then explained gaining a well-played thoughtful look from her sister. 

“Well… I don’t see why not, you could even stay in your clubhouse now that it’s got some windows in it.” Applejack finally replied gaining a shocked yet excited look from her little sister. Applejack knew the Crusaders had been asking for some real windows for the club house since it was fixed but she didn’t want the girls having an accident putting them in so she finally broke down after checking the clubhouse herself last winter and agreed it needed the windows as well as some way to keep it warm. She’d have to talk to Twilight about that later.

“Really Applejack,” Apple Bloom asked excitedly, “we finally have windows?” 

Applejack laughed at this. “Yep, had Mac put them in while you were at school; Just remember not to open them till tomorrow, got to let the glue set.” Apple Bloom nodded to this as she gambled off towards the club house before gambling back to hug Applejack then head off again. Applejack smiled at this before slowly turning to a sad neutral look. “Better tell everyone else here before Bloom finds out.” Applejack said tiredly as she turned to talk to her Granny first then Big Mac. Even if she wasn’t Scootaloo’s own family, she’d hate to see anyone put through what they had unexpectedly.


***


Circlet sighed as she returned home after yet another business meeting with a business her husband had tossed to the side due to his ‘issue’. This time it was for an independently owned party supply shop which supplied Pinkie Pie for her party items; the owners, both kind hearted mares, where officially married couple under Celestia’s blessing only a year ago and her husband had the gale to cut them off like they did Lyra and Bonbon. Beside that was a dinner, a flower shop, and many other small shops that were set up very well in Ponyville… just what was her husband doing? Her last meeting was the worse and greatly angered the normally calm business mare.

Circlet finally trotted up to Rarity’s shop smiling as she normally did when she had business with the well-known seamstress. She was also one of only a few clothes makers Circlet would buy clothes from since not many could capture her figure. She was no Fleur Dis Lee but she very well could become a model herself if she wished. Normally she would have been to set up the appointment with Rarity but today… it was the opposite for it was Rarity who set up the appointment with her. She hoped this wasn’t a bad sign of things to come.

After knocking and slowly stepping inside she was crushed to not see but hear what was going on inside the beloved seamstress’ meeting room. “I don’t care who that… that... bit loaded mule is, I have half a mind to just put this meeting aside and just request Twilight send a letter to the Princesses. I’m quite sure they would some choice words with him.” She heard Rarity said angrily as she slowly trotted towards the meeting room. 

“Oh but you mustn’t, I don’t want you getting into any trouble.” She soon heard a shy voice say soon after worriedly. 

“Fluttershy, darling, I can’t allow the pompous mule think he can do what he wants because he’s rich. He has no say in our relationship. Not now or ever.”

Circlet at this point had heard enough. “I’m guessing this meeting is about my husband yet again Ms. Rarity?” Both Rarity and the shy Pegasus Fluttershy looked to her before looking away from her embarrassed. “I’m sorry I did knock and since this is a business I thought it only far to let myself in.” 

Both Rarity and Fluttershy sighed in relief at this but still looked worried. “I’m quite sorry you had to overhear our conversation Ms. Circlet.” Rarity apologized as she led Fluttershy and her to a table as she used her magic to make some much needed tea. 

“Tis quite alright, I’ve been hearing such things all day. He’s cut you off I suppose?” Circlet carefully observed then asked. 

“Cut off? Well… that is one way of putting it.” Rarity said as she brought over some tea cups and snacks to the table in her magic. 

“Would you mind explaining what had happened so I know how I may help you?” Circlet gently said knowing this was going to be quite the trying day.

“I-I… I suppose it can’t be helped.” Rarity said hesitantly before placing a hoof on Fluttershy’s gently. “As you can see, Fluttershy and I… are together. We finally confessed to each other last month. We were just having a nice conversation about… going farther when you husband came in the moment we…” Rarity sighed blushing unable to continue. 

“Mr. Rich wasn’t very nice.” Fluttershy said seriously. 

“Please, I need to know everything so I can help.” Circlet said worried for the young couple. Both Fluttershy and Rarity sighed at this before looking to each other and soon kissing each other for strength. “We did that Ms. Circlet.” Rarity said sadly looking to her. “The moment you’re, husband, saw he became… how should we put this?”

Fluttershy just closed her eyes at this before saying, “a big meanie.”

Rarity gulped at this before holding Fluttershy gently in her hooves. “You’ll have to forgive her Ms. Circlet. Fluttershy had some… very choice words with your, husband, before he, he did what he did.” Rarity said gently brushing her loves’ mane in a calming manor.

“What, did, he, do?” Circlet said looking at the couple seriously. For all the years she had lived in Ponyville, she knew it was bad when Fluttershy was this upset, or at least that’s how she heard it; If it was anything like when somepony broke a Pinkie Pie Promise then woe to those that crossed her and her friends the elements. 

“We received this just this morning.” Rarity said gently passing over a letter to her. 

Circlet gently took the paper and looked it over before looking right up to the young couple, “He’s evicting you?!” The two slowly nodded to this before Circlet opened her business case and hoofed over a file. “Sign all that is in there and have it sent to my office as soon as possible. You’ll now be handling business through me for now on. Now if you excuse me I’m in need of a spa session.” Both Fluttershy and Rarity looked to each other and the file as Circlet when to not only blow off some much needed steam but also unwind her very tasked nerves.

It had taken the Spa sisters most expensive and most intense session to get her to finally calm down. It seemed her husband was going to need to fully explain himself when he returned. It was then she heard from below Bone’s normal greeting to her daughter and slowly headed down stairs to greet her daughter. “Welcome home my little diamond.” Circlet said smiling to her daughter. 

“Mom, are you okay?” Tiara asked seeing her mother without her usual jewelry on. 

“I’m just… trying to relax Tiara. I’ve had a taxing day, but I didn’t expect you home so early. Did something happen at school?” Circlet replied tiredly. 

“Ms. Cheerilee canceled today’s class and said that if you wanted to know why to see her.” Tiara explained looking to her mother nervously. 

“I see, well I’ll have to find out tomorrow then.” Circlet said before observing how her daughter looked. “Is there something on your mind my little diamond?

Tiara scuffed her hoof over the floor before looking to her mother nervously. “I-is daddy home?” 

Circlet was about to retort that he better not be but kept her tongue before answering. “No dear he’s not. Do you need to talk to him?” 

Tiara shook her head at this before smiling a bit. “Can I… spend the night at Silver’s house tonight?” 

Circlet blinked at this before smiling. “I don’t see why not, go on ahead and get a night bag ready while I have Bones’ wife get a small bag of treats for you both to have tonight.” 

Tiara smiled at this and she practically pranced up to her room before Bones gently trotted over to her. “You sure this is wise madam?” 

Circlet looked to her butler before looking up to Tiara’s room. “I’m sure as I’ll need to speak privately with my husband the moment he returns home.” Circlet said before looking back to Bones. “Now if you’d be so kind as to ask your wife to make a small batch of cookies please.” Bones bowed at this and began to trot off before Circlet said, “On… second thought Bones. Could you… make it two batches please?” 

Bones smiled at his mistress kindly. “Of course madam, I’ll go request them at once.” Circlet smiled back as the kind hearted butler trotted off.


***


Twilight Sparkle sighed as she looked over the letter Rainbow had given her to look at before looking up sadly. “Oh Rainbow… I… I’m so sorry.” 

Rainbow just laid her head done on the table she and Twilight where sitting at before responding. “I, I just don’t know what to do Twi. I, I’ve already talked to Applejack about this but… I… I really don’t know what to do Twi.” 

Twilight gently put the paper down before coming around the table to hug her friend. “You need to do what’s best for Scootaloo Rainbow. She needs to know and… she needs you. You’re the only one who can really take care of her.” 

Rainbow gently pulled herself out of the hug before pacing. “I know Twi but… how can I care for her when I can barely care for myself. We eat pancakes for breakfast and dinner Twi, I barely make enough on the Weather Team just to pay airspace and keep food in the house and what I can buy after wards is from whatever I can save after a full month of work.  How I support her and myself when I can barely make ends meet by myself?” 

Twilight just looked to her friend shocked. “But… your cloud house…”

Rainbow sat down sighing before looking to her. “I built that house myself with my own savings. Before you came to Ponyville Twi… I used to live with Fluttershy till I could finally get the house built. I’ve just been adding on since then.” 

Twilight carefully and gently trotted up to Rainbow worried. “H-how long till you had a basic home Rainbow?” 

Rainbow sighed as she hung her head. “Before I got the job with the Weather team… three months, give or take a day.” 

Twilight just shook her head. “Just how much are you making Rainbow?” 

Rainbow sighed and looked to the ceiling trying to concentrate before saying, “About…  Eight bits a week I think it was.” Twilight’s jaw dropped at this before using her magic to pull an amicus to her to calculate exactly what Rainbow was making. She then took out for normal medical benefits, airspace, and food then came to a shocking amount. Rainbow with food and normal expenses take out was only making forty-eight bits a week, unless she was figuring the math wrong which was possible since she didn’t know what Rainbow’s expenses actually were.

Still forty-eight bits a week should have been enough for Rainbow to live off of… until you added another pony to the mix. It was at this Twilight looked to Rainbow nervously and after giving off a strengthening sigh spoke. “Rainbow… how… how would you feel… a-about moving… into the library… with me?” 

Rainbow looked right at Twilight shocked at this, “W-what?” 

Twilight scuffed her hoof over her floor before looking to Rainbow. “I-it would be better for you both and since we’d both be supporting Scootaloo you won’t have to worry much about making ends meet and well… I… I… Oh!” Twilight gave up explaining and pulled Rainbow into a deep passionate kiss before slowly letting go and looking away from her ashamed of what she did. 

“Whoa…” Was all Rainbow could say before blinking and blushing heavily, her wings fully extended. “Um… c-could we talk about… this… a bit more? And… could we do that again?” Twilight turned redder at this before both went back in for another kiss.


***


A full week had passed yet again and it was finally time for Rainbow to once again pick Scootaloo up from school. Over the past week Scootaloo had been staying at the usual places with the excuse of Rainbow working overtime with the Weather Team. Scootaloo didn’t mind this nor did the other Crusaders as it gave them more time to have fun and continue their quest for their cutie marks. Also over the week Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara’s relationship grew to the point they had begun having sleep overs on a regular basis. They had even begun trying to get along with the Crusaders, with Scootaloo’s help of course. At first it didn’t go very well but after a day or two the small group of fillies was finally starting to get along and even helped each other with Crusading ideas. Amazingly enough Tiara and Silver found it quite fun and entertaining to crusade with their former tormented and become true friends with them.

As time went by that week things had become better and worse for the families of the small group of fillies. After much talk and a good few dates outside of Ponyville, Rainbow finally accepted Twilight’s offer to move into the Library and had even gone so far as to both sign the adoption papers for Scootaloo. Though she had just lost her mother and father she was going to gain two new parents that would truly love and support her the whole way. Rarity and Fluttershy had finally come out about their relationship with the girls and had even included Sweetie Belle into the mix by telling her about the news. At first it had confused her till it was explained that in time Fluttershy would become her sister as well which did gain a positive bout of excitement.

However thing did not go so well for a few others as Rich had returned back to Ponyville in a much more sour mood than normal. Apparently word had gotten out about his wife’s business ventures and had concluded it was time to have a serious talk while Tiara was away at Silver’s one night.

Filthy Rich waved a set of files before Circlet angrily. “Just how many of my former business are you going to take from me Circe? All of them?” Circlet just sipped her tea calmly as she listened to her husband’s rant. “I cut those businesses off because they’re bad for business not because I have anything against them but each time I let them go you go and take them back in. And you’ve even cut off my say on the matter with them! What is wrong with you Circe? Have you lost your business sense entirely?!” 

Circlet sighed as she put her tea cup down. “Have you Rich?” 

Rich blinked at this. “What do you mean?” 

Circlet just shook her head. “These businesses you feel will harm our own have deep ties to this entire town. Businesses, Rich, which have been here for ages and rely on others to keep them going, businesses Rich that if shut down will cause many issues for not just this family but every last family in Ponyville.” Circlet gently got up and went to the window after using her magic to gain another cup of tea. “This is not Canterlot Rich, you can’t just break business and think you’ll get away unscathed,” she took a sip before looking to Rich, “Which is why I, my dear, have made business with them under my own name, not yours.” 

Rich turned red with anger at this. “So you’d go behind my back to make these, these, dives profitable?!” 

Circe looked to her husband tiredly. “No Rich, I’m just recycling your choices.” 

Rich soon snorted in rage. “Fine, see if I care what you do with these… these… pieces of filth,” Rich then turned angrily towards the door and began trotting out, “Don’t come to me when business turns bad and we’re all out on the streets, because Tiara and I won’t be the ones there!” At this the door slammed shut and Circe began to cry.

Things had gone from bad to worse as time went. Circlet had to start looking to a good law officer to fight for her right to continue raising her daughter Tiara if Rich began pushing too far. Sadly one night it had gone too far as Rich had found Tiara spending the night over at Silver’s home and sadly Silver Spoon had overheard.

 Silver Spoon sighed as she finished her last piece of silver with her father when a knock came from the front door of her father’s shop. “You go ahead and finish up Silver, I’ve got this.” Silver’s father, Platinum called out as he went to open the door. 

“Okay daddy.” Silver called happily. 

She was just finishing her own special gift for her and Tiara when her she heard, “Rich, what are you doing here so late?” Silver froze in her work. Tiara’s father was here? Why?

“We need to talk Plat.” She heard Rich say somewhat angrily. Curious she put the silver mold she had worked on in a safe place and went to the door to look out its work shop window. 

“About what Rich, is something bothering you?” Platinum said sitting down behind the shop room counter. 

“It’s about your daughter Plat.” Rich said flatly, his hair already all over the place.

“What about Silver?” Platinum asked concerned. 

“I want her to stay away from my daughter, permanently.” Rich said in a manner that stated the choice was final. 

“Have Silver… Look Rich I don’t know what going on but I can’t do that. They do go to the same…” Platinum said before Rich slammed his hoof down on the counter. 

“I don’t care how you do it but this is final. I will not have my daughter around yours till I speak some sense into her, now good day!” Rich said turning around and leaving.

Platinum sighed and then flinched as the shop front’s door was slammed a bit too hard to his liking. “Daddy,” Silver Spoon asked as she stepped out of the smelting room, “a-are you…” 

Platinum shook his head. “No Silver I’m not going to force you to stay away from Tiara. I know for certain you two are good for each other and your love is just as pure as my name sake. Now I don’t know what’s going on with that stallion… but I know who to talk to find out. You keep on working on your gift. I’ll be back soon and make sure the shops locked up. I don’t want anything happening to the place.”

Platinum had a long talk with Circlet about Rich’s behavior and did not like how it was going. From the way it was starting to look, a divorcé was soon to happen if things didn’t change. Thankfully after that small meeting Filthy Rich had been keeping to his business ventures in Canterlot and Circlet continued to allow Tiara and Spoon to be around each other. Things where finally look up till today, the day Rainbow would tell Scootaloo what had happened to her parents.

Scootaloo just sat and waited at the school happily as she held her portfolio of pictures and papers of her favorite places in Ponyville. She and her friends had all gained A+ grade for their assignments and were quite excited to show her finished work to Rainbow. Right on cue Rainbow flew in smiling as she landed before Scootaloo. “Hey Scoots missed me?” Rainbow said as Scootaloo plowed right into her hugging her. “Looks like you have. Come on I have someplace we need to go before we go off to practice.” Scootaloo nodded to this happily as she followed Rainbow into town on her scooter telling her of all the things that had happened while she was away till they finally arrived at Twilight’s place and headed inside. 

“What do you need to see Twilight about Rainbow?” Scootaloo asked as she followed her idol inside. 

Rainbow didn’t say anything till she finally sat beside an awaiting Twilight and looked at her seriously. “Sit down Scoots… we… have something to tell you.” Rainbow said making the young filly gulp nervously.

“D-did I do something wrong?” Scootaloo asked as she slowly sat down. 

“N-no Scoots its… it’s about your mom and dad.” Rainbow said before Twilight gently placed a paper before Scootaloo. 

Scootaloo blinked at this nervously before she looked to the paper and slowly ready it before she looked up to Rainbow shocked, “They… their…” 

Rainbow slowly came around the table and hugged the young filly slowly shedding tears. “I’m so sorry Scoots. I-I just didn’t know how to break it to you.” 

Scootaloo tried to push away from Rainbow heavily upset by the actions before finally breaking down and crying into Rainbow chest. The crying went on for hours till Scootaloo finally calmed down enough to finally talk, “So… a-are you going to… to send me away?” 

Rainbow just shook her head before pulling out another paper and showed it to Scootaloo. “Your mom and dad wanted you to be happy Scoots so they made sure that if… if they never came back that… that you get a proper home, with me, me and Twilight.” Rainbow explained as Scootaloo looked to the paper then to them before she dropped the paper and tackled the two mares. 

“We’ll take good care of you Scootaloo.” Twilight said hugging the young filly with Rainbow. “We promise Scootaloo, we’ll be here for you.”


***


Over at Tiara’s house Diamond Tiara set up for yet another night at her loves house till Bones came to the room with a frown. “Bones is there something wrong?” Tiara asked looking up. 

“Your father is home Ms. Tiara, he’s... requesting your presence.” Bones said frowning. 

Tiara frowned at this but followed the family butler into her father’s study where her father awaited her. “You… wanted me daddy?” Tiara asked nervously as she entered the room. 

“Yes Tiara I did. I’ve already told Platinum this but it seems the message is not getting across so I’m going to set it right here. You’ve been around that Spoon filly far too much for my liking. I want you to stop seeing her, this instant, and from now on you will stay away from her, for good.” 

Tiara’s jaw dropped at this, “N-not even to have dinner?” 

Rich snorted at this, “No.” 

Tiara shook her head at this. “But, but daddy…” 

Rich stomped his hoof at this. “The answer is no Tiara.” Rich said seriously as he spoke down to his daughter. 

“But daddy it’s just going out to eat, what’s wrong with that?” Tiara asked concerned. Tonight was just not going as she had planned. She had originally thought that the moment she’d get home she’d be able to talk to her mother alone on the subject of once again spending the night at Silver’s but sadly this was not the case as her father sadly had come home early from his business trip and was in more of a bad mood than he normally was. 

“Because Tiara ponies will get the wrong idea about our two families and I will not allow that to happen. If you wish to go out and eat it will be done with a colt NOT your friend Silver, do I make myself clear?” Tiara would not respond as she looked away from her father. “I said DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR Tiara?” Rich said to her angrily. 

“Yes, FATHER, I get it!” Tiara said right back at him before gambling up to her room slamming the door. 

“Tiara, Tiara, come back here this instant,” Rich yelled even madder, “Ugh, what is wrong with that girl?! She’s never been this disobedient to me before.” Circlet sadly had been in the other room and walked right into Rich’s study with just a tired sigh looking at him before turning to leave the room with hopefully not a word. “Are you turning against me as well Circe?!” Rich called to her angrily.

“Not at all Rich, I’m just going to fix your mistake.” Circe said heading up to Tiara’s room. It would be the last thing she spoke to Rich about before she took him to get divorced. As Circlet trotted off Rich stammered till he couldn’t hold his anger anymore and yelled.

Up in her room Tiara just cried deeply into her pillows till she heard a knock. “Go away!” she yelled towards the door till she saw who was behind it. “Mom…” Tiara said jumping off the bed and gambling over to her. 

“Shh, it’s okay my little diamond,” Circlet said hugging her daughter, “It’s okay, I’m here. Your father is just being… No. No there’s no excuse for his behavior now. I hate to say this dear but… I think we need to find an Inn to stay in until your father’s calm down.” Circlet said tiredly knowing this would only get worse before it got any better.

“But… but what about Silver, and… and dad, surely he’ll…” Tiara said worried before Circlet placed a gentle hoof over her daughter’s lips. 

It was at this Circlet sighed again, “I’ll speak to Twilight Sparkle about this maybe she can come up with something. Until then pack what you can, I’ll have the staff keep your father busy so we can leave.”

To be continued
> Ch. 5: Confessions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 5: Confessions

From that night on Tiara just wanted to cry. Her father… the father just used to know was slowly slipping away… only to be replaced with this stallion she didn’t even know anymore. Sighing she went about packing a suit case with what she could along with her saddle bags from school. Why couldn’t things be like they used to in her old home? Sure she was rich and… okay she could admit that her dad had spoiled her, but she was just like any other pony now. Back then all she wanted was a family, a home, and most importantly, she wanted her special somepony. Sighing she finished her packing and awaited her mother to get her… and then left the local inn leaving a note to her love behind. It had been over ten years since she had seen her love and her former home of Ponyville.

Thankfully she had kept in touch with her friends and loved ones throughout the years as she lived with her mother in their new home of Canterlot. As her mother promised back then she had talked to Twilight Sparkle about her father and had come to a point that they would have a solid case against her father in court. Going against the Elements of Harmony was his first mistake since Ms. Rarity and Ms. Fluttershy was part of the group. It also hurt him when there was absolutely no one from Ponyville that would speak kindly on his behalf. From what she currently knew her Father was now in Fillydelphia living with some snobbish mare that fit his money loving style. For her thing had gotten better since she had continued to live with her mother.

She was now a college student work on her modeling degree and was only a week away from graduation. Thankfully the school had testing early giving her plenty of time to spend with her mother. From the day of the divorcé her mother Circlet had taken over all of her father’s former businesses and was quite well known throughout Canterlot and Ponyville as the mare to go to for business support. If things kept going the way they were, she’d be working for her mother as one of Ms. Rarity’s models on the Canterlot Lanes. Speaking of Ms. Rarity, she and Ms. Fluttershy had finally tied the knot and were currently having a blast on their honeymoon. Word had it that it was funded by Princess Celestia herself as we wedding gift.

Sweetie Belle had gained her cutie mark a week after she had left and had heavily thanked her and Silver Spoon for the help and support she needed to get it. She was currently one of the top students in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. They usually met for lunch from time to time to catch up on things till Sweetie just disappeared one day. She however left a letter with their normal waiter explaining that she had been selected to become Twilight’s personal student while in Ponyville. It was a great honor since Twilight was now an official princess, by marriage of course. She was now the newest teacher at Ponyville’s public school after Mrs. Cheerilee finally married. Amazingly enough the kind hearted teacher had finally broken down and married Big Macintosh after Applejack finally convinced him to pop the question. They currently had two foals to take care of, one a colt the other a filly.

Scootaloo was currently in the Wonderbolts academy after gaining her cutie mark and reputation as the second mare to perform the famous Sonic Rain boom. You didn’t think she got in by default as her mother, Rainbow Dash, was the current captain of the Wonderbolts now. That’s right, after many attempts Rainbow was finally accepted as the captain personally by Spitfire the last captain. She was doing an amazing job leading the team and was currently putting on a huge show in Canterlot for fillies and colts who lost their families due to freak storms and even became a spokes pony for such issues; both where well known in Equestria for their tales as well as their lives.

Apple Bloom and her family was still living where they have been for years with the only changes being Big Macintosh’s wedding to Cheerilee… and the sadly burial of Granny Smith. Tiara had gained the heart breaking news last spring via Pegasus express delivery that Granny sadly didn’t make it through the winter and had sent her deepest regrets as well as a large bouquet of flowers to the family. But like anything else the bad news soon led to good news as a wedding invite was sent to her for Apple Bloom’s own wedding to a real shocker, Spike the Dragon; She and the other girls where to Apple Bloom’s mares in waiting right after she graduated. Currently Apple Bloom was the farms repair mare as she was very good with working with her hooves, as her cutie mark would tell you.

As for Silver Spoon and her father things had gotten very emotional for a few years but it got better. Platinum, Silver’s Father still had the circlet from Filthy Rich and still kept a hold of it until someone came forward to reveal some history about it. The silver circlet was actually crafted by Silver’s mother who was very famous for her silver crafting and molding. Apparently the circlet had gotten the attention of Princess Luna and she had purchased the duplicate for quite a lot of bits. Even though Platinum had accepted the large amount he and Silver continued to live as they did, sparingly. As for Silver herself she was quite upset when she had moved away from her. They had kept their deep promise to each other to always stay in contact but there where days and sometimes months where this had become strained. Due to their school and part time working schedules keeping up with letters wasn’t easy and had sometimes went with heavily written angry letters when things didn’t go right for either of them. Yet they always forgave each other in the end and soon got back into a normal flow of heart felt letters that would make either of them cry from reading them.

Tiara sighed as she looked at her hotel and then to her mother who just smiled at her “So todays the big day,” Circlet observed as they rode the train back to Ponyville, “you know no matter what I’m happy for you.” 

Tiara smiled to her mother as she learned over to hug the older mare. “Thanks mom. You… sure you agree to this?” 

Circlet gently took her daughter’s face in her hooves and smiled to her. “I’m not like your fool of a father Tiara. This is your life, your choice, and I have very little choice in such a matter. Just know I support you the whole way, and I love you.” Tiara smiled greatly at this and hugged the older mare more as the finally rolled into Ponyville. As the came off the train they were greeted by all their friends and loved ones along with Pinkie Pie and her party cannon. The welcome back party lasted all through the day until Tiara could finally pull Silver away from everyone for the night.

“It’s beautiful out here.” Silver said as they slowly trotted to their old hiding spot. 

“Yeah it is.” Tiara agreed as they trotted side by side. “I… I have surprise for you.” Tiara soon said as they rounded the corner to their spot. 

“Oh? What is…,” Silver started to ask till she saw the lavish picnic laid out in their old spot, “oh Tiara…” They slowly trotted to the blanket and had all their old foal hood favorites while they watched the night sky side by side till it was finally very late at night. “This night was perfect.” Silver said smiling to Tiara.

“It’ll always be perfect Silver, with you in it.” Tiara said before reaching behind her hair causing Silver to blush and do the same unseen by Tiara. “Silver…” Tiara asked as Silver asked, “Tiara would you…” both stopped before looking up to each other to see what they had at hoof. Both had a solid black box in the hooves and slowly exchanged them before opening them. In Silver’s box for Tiara was a solid platinum ring with Silver’s cutie mark on it, while Tiara’s box for Silver was the same with her own cutie mark on it. 

Both stayed silent till Silver finally spoke. “Tiara… will you marry me?” Tiara’s only reply was a very passionate kiss and the click of a picture shutter by Scootaloo who happily turned it and the old picture case to them. Really if the pictures inside could talk, they would all speak a thousand words.

The End