> Two Wings of a Feather
>  by Blueninetails
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright Roller, that should fix that loose wheel." Scootaloo stated to her student as she gave the young colt back his skates, "Just so you know though, I do discourage the idea of trying to pull any tricks while jumping over Horsetail Lake. Even if you are a pegasus."

"But why? It's such a great place to practice long jumps. If I mess up, I'll just land in the water."

"It is, I know, but there is something in that water that's big, has tentacles, and won't hesitate to think of you as dinner. Believe me, I should know. I've met it once." she remarked with a smirk

The young colt just gave a nervous grin at the thought.

"All the other lakes should be fine though." she stated as she turned to leave, "Also, it might be good if you check for rocks, otherwise you could get hurt, or you'll be using up a lot of bits buying new wheels for your skates." she added with a bit of a grin before starting to walk away

"Okay, thanks Miss Scootaloo. Are we still having flight class in an hour?"

Scootaloo stopped and turned her head to look at him again, "No...I don't think I'll be able to teach today. Just not feeling it."

"But why...?"

Scootaloo just remained quiet and looked away.

Roller trotted up to her and asked, "Is it about your flying skills again? You know the class doesn't actually care that you can't fly as good as other pegasi."

"Well, I do!" she yelled at him way too loudly then needed, angry since he pretty much hit the nail on the head, earning a very, very frightened look from the young colt. As soon as she noticed though, she calmed herself down, and said, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. I guess I'm just frustrated that I can't fly as well as any other pegasi. I don't think you'd be able to understand to be my age and seeing my own students fly better than I ever could when I was that young."

"You're not THAT old." he stated, "The class doesn't really care that you're not the best flier in Ponyville, we still like you either way."

"And why is that?"

"Because you're the bestest and coolest teacher ever!"

Scoot couldn't resist giving a smile at the statement, "Well...I am pretty good, just don't tell that to Cheerilee, cause she's an even more awesome teacher."

"I won't." he replied, and made a gesture saying that his lips are sealed, "And...it's kinda like what you said your flight mentor, Rainbow Dash, use to say: 'You just need the basics, after that you can come up with cool tricks and make it even cooler to fly'."

She just gave a light chuckle, "Yeah, it is. Okay, I have to get going now, I'm already late on visiting my friend." and flew up into the air, "Later skater!" and with that she was gone.

Despite the small pep-talk she got from her student, she still felt rather down about the whole matter. Either way she still had to get to her friend, Applebloom's, home. Quickly checking to make sure her saddlebag was secure, she didn't need it's contents spilling everywhere while she was flying, and took to the air. The flight didn't take long, and she was soon flying circles around the structure, slowly descending in a spiral.

Applebloom noticed her friend flying circles above her head and stopped what she was doing, which was planting a new tree in the front yard, just to greet her.

"Hey Scootaloo."

"Hey Applebloom, thanks for having me over. It's been a while since I've been able to just hang out with friends."

"Ah'd say so."

"So, whatcha doing? Doing a little gardening?"

"Ah suppose ya'll could say that." she replied, "Ah'm plantin' an apple tree. Applejack said so it's somethin' ah have ta remind me of home."

"But Sweet Apple Acres is like....10 minutes away from here."

"Ah know, but it is nice since ah'm not livin' there anymore. Plus, Ah think Spike would like it. He's taken a fancy ta havin' fresh apples ta eat." She added with a very pleased and very content look on her face.

Scootaloo gave a smirk as she looked at her friend, "You know, it's kinda funny."

"Huh...? What is?"

"You and Spike. It's funny how you two always seem to have this look on your faces when one of you even mentions the other." She replied, poking a little fun at the expression on her friends face seems to portray nowadays.

"Well...that's how it is when yer in love." Applebloom stated with a slight angry flare in her voice, as she blushed.

"I know that, but you two are seriously the only ones that ever look like this." She replied then made a face that looked like cross between a deer looking at headlights and Derpy's usual wall-eyed look, with just a slight pinch of glitter or something equally sparkly.

Applebloom then gave a bit of a snort and said, "How about ah make fun o' yer face when ya'll finally fall in love, if ya evah do that is."

"I'm sorry Applebloom, but it's just funny to see your face like that. I am happy for you and Spike. Really, I am." she stated, "Even if I do feel like I'm gonna gag everything you two decide to be all mushy." She added silently to herself.

"Ah heard that." Applebloom stated before turning her attention back to the apple tree.

"Aaaanyway...so what do you wanna do? Or am I just gonna watch you plant a tree?"

"Well...ah was hopin' on just catchin' up, ya know, we haven't talked in a while. Though ah'll be workin' on things while we talk." Applebloom replied, "But, ah suppose if ya'll don't wanna-"

"I didn't say that." Scootaloo interjected, "I don't mind hanging out for a while. Especially since I decided not to hold flight classes today. Hey, now that I think about it, is it just us, or is Spike around?"

"Nah, Spike's is managin' the library today." she replied as she shook her head, "Twilight needed to go to Canterlot 'n see to a request from Princess Luna."

As the hours passed, the two friends talked about how things have been with each, and how their other friends seems to have been fairing as of late. Most of their friends and old schoolmates had stayed within the town, some had even chosen to follow Spike and Applebloom's lead and try finding a place for themselves.

Applebloom's work seemed to only consist of making some wooden trusses in her workshop after she had finished planting the apple tree in the front yard, though it was rather evident that she was working faster than usual and was tiring herself out. Scootaloo did assist occasionally, but for the most part stayed out of her friend's way.

Eventually Scootaloo managed to convince Applebloom to take a break and both headed into the kitchen to rest, and if Applebloom's stomach was an indication, probably also get some food.

"That's what I've heard from Ruby." Scootaloo remarked

"Ah think ah heard Dinky mention somethin' like that ta me a few days ago." Applebloom stated as she looked at the empty plate in front of her as she brought a hoof up to the corner of her mouth, "She told me she needed a few trusses made. Ah thought it was cause Derpy accidentally busted their roof again during the last storm."

"Yeah, Dinky really should talk her mom into returning home early once the weekly storm had gotten up."

"Ah didn't think it was cause she was plannin' ta build up her own place."

"How could you not know?"

"Ah ain't exactly had a lot of free time on mah hooves ya know. With the Mayor wantin' ta fix up the Ol' senior pony home, helpin' on the farm, and makin' enough frames for the new houses aroun' town, ah'm surprised ah even have time ta eat n' sleep." she then gave a sigh, "Ah guess ah should be thankin' mah lucky stars that Spike don't mind cookin' much."

"So he does the cooking, huh?"

"Ah do cook once in a while, Spike just does a better job at it."

"I wonder if that makes him the housewife." Scootaloo stated as she stiffled a giggle.

"Housewife...? I'm pretty sure Applebloom and I aren't married yet. Also, I'm pretty sure I'm the guy." they heard Spike voice out as the front door opened, followed by a little filly rushing in and jumping onto Applebloom's back.

"Auntie Bloomie!" The little filly excitedly exclaimed.

Applebloom giggled at the greeting before nuzzling the top of the filly's head, "Good ta see ya again too, Starry."

"Hey there Starry. Whatcha doing here? I thought school didn't let out for another couple of hours." Scootaloo greeted.

"Cheerilee let me take her since she forgot her lunch back at the library, and you know how the schoolhouse is along the way from the library." Spike explained, "I just have to make sure to get her back before lunch is over." He quickly added as he walked over to Applebloom, before the two smiled at one another greeted each other with some affectionate nuzzling.

Starry made a sound as if she was gonna gag before jumping off of Applebloom's back.

"You and me both, huh kid?" Scootaloo rang in.

"I'm gonna go outside and get an apple from the new tree." she declared as she made her way out.

"Just be careful, Sis." Spike stated, before making his way from the fridge.

"How's yer work goin' Spike?" Applebloom asked

"How it always is, a lot of organizing and cleaning, and not many ponies coming by to ask about books."

"Sounds like ya'll ain't very busy." Applebloom remarked in a lightly upset tone, upset that she's so busy and her special somedragon seems to have plenty of time to just relax.

Spike didn't seem to notice the tone as he chuckled and pulled out a cold sandwich out of the fridge. "Try having a younger sister who's aunt happened to be a former Cutie Mark Crusader, then you can tell me. She's at school for at least seven hours each weekday, and I still can't keep up with the messes she makes." He said as he took his seat at the dining table.

"The messes she makes are really that bad?"

"Believe me, if she wasn't Twilight's daughter, she'd probably be on par with you, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle when you three were still the Cutie Mark Crusaders."

"We didn't make that much of a mess." Applebloom defensively remarked.

"Half of Ponyville might disagree with you there."

"Anyway, why are you coming here to eat, Spike?" Scootaloo asked.

"I live here too you know."

"I know that. But, why come here, when the library is still kinda like a second home?"

"Well, one reason is because what I fix myself up for lunch I usually just leave here, and I don't want to take too much from the library. Especially since I'm not helping stock the cupboards and the fridge there." he explained.

"The other...?"

"The othah is cause we kinda prefer having meals together when we can." Applebloom replied with a blush, which also earned a blush and grin from Spike.

Scootaloo stuck her tongue out in obvious mock disgust as she groaned, "When did you two get married? And how could you not invite me Applebloom?"

"We ain't married Scootaloo." Applebloom declared

"I thought we were friends." She added with hurt tone in her voice

"We're not married." Spike deadpanned.

"I mean, I suppose you guys wanted it to be a private thing or whatever, but seriously...?!"

"We're not married!" Applebloom and Spike loudly shouted simultaneously.

"Okay, okay, chill. I was just kidding." Scootaloo apologized as she put a hoof up, "Seriously though, you two might as well be. You two act and talk like a married couple."

"Jus' cause we get along an' live in a home togethah don't mean anythin' like that." Applebloom argued.

"It's not just that. You two have been dating for such a long time. Of all our friends you two are have the longest running relationship of all of us. Not even Babs has been in a relationship as long as you, and she's older than us."

Spike and Applebloom looked at one another from the corner of their eyes, before looking away with a blush on their faces. Spike's eyes seemed to be darting around the room, while a small smile was forming on Applebloom's face at the thought.

Scootaloo smirked at the reaction she got, but this conversation was getting boring. Looking at clock to check how long she had been there, her eyes widened as she noted the time.

"Oh ponyfeathers, it's really that time already?!" she stated outloud as she got onto her hooves, "I gotta get going Applebloom. I still have to reach Canterlot if I'm gonna make it to Sweetie's first show."

"Huh? Oh, yeah, her first showin' is today." Applebloom remarked as she remembered that today was rather important. She wasn't all too surprised she forgot though, she already knew she wouldn't be able to go.

"Are you sure you can't go Applebloom? It's not too late to reconsider ya know."

"Ah know. But, ah'm still as busy as a honeybee with mah work, ah can't really take time off if ah'm gonna git it all done."

"You have been working your tail off the last couple of days Applebloom. You could probably afford to take a break for the rest of the day." Spike stated, "Why don't you let me handle it from here, I can easily make the rest of the trusses for you." he added with a slight boastful tone.

Applebloom shot him a curious look, but then grinned in amusement, "Ya'll are gonna finish up makin' those trusses ah need?"

"Why not? I've watched you make some already. Plus, I've handled your tools before."

"Spike, last time ya tried handlin' mah tools, ya almost sawed mah work table in half, an' ya lost mah drill."

"Hey! That last one wasn't my fault. I didn't even touch your drill."

"It went missin' same time ya decided to mess around the workshop."

"You were in there too."

Applebloom snorted as she rolled her eyes, "Ah'm still thinkin' it was you." then turned to look at Scootaloo, "Ah know it'll probably disappoint Sweetie Belle, but ah really can't go."

"Hey, no big." Scootaloo remarked as she waved her hoof, dismissing that last response, "I'll explain it to her. Knowing Sweetie, she'll understand. I'll just have to make sure to cheer enough for the both of us."

"Ya mind givin' Sweetie this fer Spike an' myself though?" Applebloom asked as the three of them started towards the front door, "Since neither Spike or me can go, we had this made as an apology." she explained as she pulled out a small box from the bottom of a side-table that stood next to the door.

"What is it?" she asked as she place it on the ground and opened it to have a look, her eyes going wide at what she saw, "Is this...? Is this a badge?"

Within the box was a badge, or something similar, in the shape and appearance of the old Cutie Mark Crusader insignia. The entire thing seemed to be made of silver or white gold, while the coloring seemed to kind of colored glass, and the whole thing polished to an absolute shine.

"I know we ain't exactly the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore now that we got our cutie marks, but..."

"Yeah, I get it. We may not be crusading anymore, but we're still the Crusaders."

"We can git the ones fer us made later. Ah wanted ta at least get Sweetie Belle hers since the design was 'er idea."

"Cool! Wherever you got this made, tell me later. I think I'd prefer something cooler than a plain old badge." then put a hoof up. "Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

"A 'plain ol' badge' that cost Spike an' me almost 100 bits ta have made." Applebloom remarked, but put her hoof up against Scootaloo's before both mares looked Spike.

"What?" Spike asked, confused as two why they were looking at him.

"Yer a crusader too Spike. That means yer doin' this group cheer with us."

"What?! But I'm not a Crusader. I was just an honorary member while I was stuck in a pony's body more than ten years ago. I'm not even in pony form right now."

"Dude, you're still a Crusader. You still joined us on most of our adventures for a couple of years after that whole problem was fixed." Scootaloo explained

"I was just there because Applebloom asked me to be there. It wasn't because I wanted to be a full member."

"Tough horseshoes, bub." Scootaloo remarked with a smirk, "Now get over here before Applebloom or I decide to get you over here ourselves."

"Fine, whatever."Spike groaned loudly and made a fist with one of his claws and pressed it against Applebloom and Scootaloo's hooves.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders." All three stated almost simultaneously, and quickly hoof/fist-bumped.

"I'll make sure to get Sweetie Belle her gift before the show starts. I should be able to get there a few minutes before the show." Scootaloo stated as she placed the gift box into her saddlebag.

"Are you sure you want to fly the entire way Scootaloo? I can still call in that favor and get you a train ticket to Canterlot." Spike asked as the three of them headed out.

"Nah." Scootaloo quickly replied, "You know me, I'd rather be in the air than some cramped train car." She added, before looking toward the Apple tree to check on Starry, "Er..., how did she get up there?"

Applebloom and Spike turned to look, and saw Starry happily sitting on one of the branches as she munched away at an apple, two apple cores on the ground indicating she had already eaten two.

"Sis, get down from there!" Spike shouted as he quickly went over to her, "You know Mom doesn't like you climbing up trees."

"I didn't know how to get any apples." she simply replied.

"Ya should've jus' asked Starry. It ain't no problem if ya jus' came in and asked me ta help."

"Sorry, I didn't really think about doing that." she replied apologetically.

"Come on, sis, let's get you down from there." Spike stated in a slightly exasperated voice as he reached up with his arms.

Starry made the last two inches of distance between herself and her 'brother's' arm by jumping onto one and quickly clenching all four of her hooves onto the limb.

"Well, I gotta get going you three. By the way Spike, lunch is almost over, better get Starry back to the school house." Scootaloo stated just before taking to the air and quickly started flying toward Canterlot.

It took a little more time, and more tiring, than Scootaloo was willing to admit to herself, but she managed to fly all the way to Canterlot Concert Hall with some time to spare. She took a moment to check if the present was still safe and secure in her saddlebag before entering the building.

"Hello, Miss. May I help you?" A unicorn mare wearing a very fancy usher's outfit, and smile that looked forced, asked in a kind voice

"Uh...yeah..., I'm a friend of Sweetie Belle's. Can I go backstage and talk to her?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, you can't. You see-"

"Look, I can prove it." Scootaloo interrupted, "And if you're not gonna let me, then let me talk to somepony who will."

"I'm sorry, I really ca-" she tried saying again

"Just. Get. Anypony." Scootaloo interrupted again, this time pulling her face close to the usher's to further prove her point.

The usher gave a loud sigh, "Okay...please wait here." then walked away to talk the manager.

Scootaloo simply did as she was told and stood there, occasionally making a face at the young colts who decided to make fun of her. Just as she was about to leave, thinking that the usher pony decided to just ignore her, she saw a stallion wearing a suit approach her. Behind him was the usher pony.

"Are you the one who is asking to see Miss Sweetie Belle?" he asked

"Yeah, that's me."

"Listen ma'am, we really can't let anyone see any of the singers for reasons of security."

"She's a friend of mine. Just ask her."

"I don't think you really understand. We can't-"

"Scootaloo!" they heard Sweetie Belle's voice shout out, "You made it!"

"Like I'd miss your first public performance and leave you hangin'."

"It's a good thing you're still new to this Sweetums, otherwise you'd have quite the crowd around you by now." They heard another voice, this one also greatly familiar, as its owner walked up to them.

"Miss Sapphire Shores." The stallion stated, "You really shouldn't be out here, most of the security has already been moved into the main hall area."

"Along with much of the crowd." she remarked with a smirk, then turned to look at Sweetie and Scootaloo, "I take it that this is one of your friends you've spoken about?"

Sweetie Belle nodded enthusiastically

"Why don't you introduce her to me backstage. The show's about to start."

"Miss Sapphire, I can't advise that. We can't be sure if she'll be trouble."

"I'm pretty sure we can trust her enough. Also, seeing she is the friend of my student, she's a friend of mine."

With than being said, Sapphire started towards the door that lead to the backstage, followed by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who couldn't resist giving a cocky smirk and letting part of her tail seemingly whip the stallion in the face.

He sputtered in response then glared at her, but decided to just remain quiet and give a sigh.

Once they were back behind stage, Sapphire stopped and turned to look at Scootaloo, "Now, I'm sure you know who I am, but allow me to introduce myself anyway. I'm Sapphire Shores, it's a pleasure making your acquaintance."

"Scootaloo." She replied, "I'm a friend of Sweetie Belle from Ponyville."

"Well, nice to meet you, Scootaloo."

"I could say the same. Anyway, I just wanted to be here for Sweetie Belle's first show, being her friend an' all. Plus, to give her a good luck charm from me and another one of our friends who couldn't make it." Scootaloo explained as she used a wing to pull the gift out of her saddlebag.

"You girls got me a gift?" Sweetie asked, quite excitedly.

"Totally. You should open it now."

Sweetie used her magic to take the box from Scootaloo, before slowly opening it. Which earned a wide smile from the unicorn.

"I know it's a little big, so I doubt you'll be able to use it out on stage, but you know...it's still something, right?"

Sweetie Belle didn't say anything, but responded by hugging her friend, earning a giggle from Sapphire Shores.

"I'd say she really appreciates the sentiment there young'un. I think it's a pretty good idea myself. The first performance is always a tough one." she then looked toward Sweetie Belle, "Best you keep this short Sweetums. You know how Slick Gel gets about not being able to fix your mane before a show." she then took her leave towards her dressing room.

"Listen, the badge also doubles as support from Spike and Applebloom. They both had some work to do and couldn't really come watch."

"Don't worry, I kinda thought that might've been the reason. At least you came. I'm glad you could come Scootaloo, it really means a lot to me, especially since I'd rather not do this right now, or ever."

"Why not? Come on Sweetie Belle, this is your thing, you even earned a cutie mark for it."

"That doesn't mean I'm comfortable about it!"

"Listen, just don't think about it, alright? Just focus on how awesome your going to be, and how much you're going to amaze everypony." Scootaloo stated, "Works for me everytime."

"But you never have to do anything in front of an audience."

"Uh, Ponyville..." Scootaloo replied with a smirk, "Everytime I try a stunt or do any sports, anypony at Ponyville can see me. So I totally do have an audience."

Sweetie sighed.

"Look..." Scootaloo stated as she rolled her eyes, "If it helps, just close your eyes and pretend that you're alone. Just close off the world, focus on what you're going to do, then do it."

Sweetie Belle shot the pegasus an inquisitive look, not really expecting to hear such an advice from her friend.

"It's just something Miss Cheerilee told me to tell my students back in Ponyville."

"You're a teacher?"

"Well, only for extra stuff after-school. I teach fillies and colts how to use their boards and skates, and I teach how pegasus fillies and colts how to fly. Not exactly what I was hoping to do as a career, but it's cool I guess." Scootaloo explained, "So...did the advice work?"

"I...I guess..."

"Just don't worry about it too much. Remember this is your special talent, so if any pony dislikes your singing tonight, then they've never heard a good song before. Besides, you'll have Sapphire Shores singing with you, so they'll be insulting her too."

"Yeah..., I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right, I wouldn't be Ponyville's second coolest mare if I wasn't." and lightly pounded her chest with a hoof as if to emphasis, "I'll see you after the show alright."

Sweetie simply nodded with a smile as Scootaloo headed back where they had come from, not really wanting to head into the auditorium area from the stage.

Once back out in the lobby area, Scootaloo was met by the same stallion from earlier.

"May I assume your business with Miss Sweetie Belle has concluded?"

"Yeah, I'm done talking to her."

"Are you going to watch the show?"

Scootaloo responded by pulling a ticket from her saddlebag, "Just tell me where I get this checked so I can find a good seat."

The stallion didn't say anything but pointed towards a booth near the entrance into the auditorium area.

She nodded, thanking him, before walking over to get her ticket stamped and find herself a good seat to watch the show. Just as Scootaloo got her ticket stamped and was allowed to enter and find herself a seat, she heard somepony call out her name.

The voice didn't sound familiar, and she wasn't expecting to meet anypony up here at Canterlot outside of Sweetie Belle. Turning her head to look at the source of the voice, she saw a fairly well-built light yellow-ish brown pegasus with a brown mane that had a light brown streak in it. He looked to be almost a full head taller than her, and he had a camera rig set up around his neck, just above his withers.

"Scootaloo, thanks for waiting up. Wow, it's good to see you again." He stated with a smile.

Scootaloo gave him the look over, but nothing about him seemed familiar, "Um, hey there...um...pony." she stated in a confused tone, "Um, do I know you?"
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You don't recognize me?" he asked with raised brow.

"Uh, no." Scootaloo replied as she shook her head

"Come on, I'm sure I didn't change that much. It's me, Featherweight."

"Featherweight...?"She repeated before her eyes shot open.

"Yeah! Do you recognize me now?"

"'Recognize you...'?" she repeated, "Recognize you...?! No! I don't recognize you! How am I suppose to recognize a pony who disappears for 8 years? You don't say a word, you don't send letters, you don't even leave a message where you went off to." she stated she glared at the pegasus stallion.

Featherweight had a confused and surprised look on his face before he noticed her expression was completely serious and dully returned the glare, "Well excuse me, I wasn't aware I was leaving a wife behind."

"A wife...? You mean me?! In your dreams pal."

The two continued their glaring-stare contest for a couple of moments, eventually though, both were able to notice the pony they were staring at seemingly fighting off laughter. They both quickly lost as both exploded into laughter.

"It's good to see you again Featherweight." Scootaloo stated and gave her old friend a quick punch at his shoulder.

"Good to see you too Scootaloo. I see you haven't quite changed since I last saw you." He stated, "Well, personality-wise anyway."

"Seriously though... No, I didn't recognize you." she replied as she wiped her eye with a hoof, "How do you expect anypony to recognize you? Last I saw you, you were only a little taller than me, and you were so...so lanky. Now though....you don't look that way anymore, you're almost a full head taller than me, and you actually look like you got a little meat your bones this time."

"Yeah, well... a lot can change in 8 years." he stated as he scratched the back of his head.

"You have no idea." she stated with a smirk, "So where in Equestria have you been?"

"My folks decided to move to Manehatten. I wanted to tell you and the others, but we were in kind of a rush. After that, I got an apprenticeship in photography, so...yeah, just finished it after so long."

"Well, that's cool. Glad to see you've been doing well."

"I'm actually here to take pictures of Sweetie Belle and Sapphire Shores's duet together tonight. You see, I'm working for Canterlot Papers right now, and I was-"

"You were asked to take the pictures?" Scootaloo finished for him.

"Good guess." he replied with a nod, "What about you? What are you doing here?"

"I came up here to be support for Sweetie. She's a little nervous."

"I can understand that."

"Applebloom was busy, so I'm kinda standing in her place as well. The Cutie Mark Crusaders always watches out for it's members...err....former members."

At that moment, they both heard the intro to the first song start.

"Sounds like they're getting started. I think we better get seated." 

"Yeah, good idea."

The two took their respective seats, granted that Featherweight had reserved a seat closer to the stage to take the best pictures possible, just as Sapphire Shores appeared on stage to start. The first song was solely Sapphire Shores, as she sung her newest song. After finishing, Sapphire took a bow, and thanked the crowd, before giving a rather energetic introduction to Sweetie Belle, who timidly trotted onto the stage.

After some quick words of reassurance, Sweetie Belle reluctantly gave a smile and took her position next to Sapphire. The song started soft and slow, as Sapphire started the song, quickly followed by Sweetie Belle as she shakily sung alone. Sapphire briefly stopping before proceeding along side Sweetie Belle for the rest of the song.

Eventually the song started to become more upbeat and louder, more similar to the usual beat of the songs that has become familiar to the Pony of Pop. Along with the increase in beat, so did Sweetie's confidence as the young unicorn mare started showing where all that tutoring went, and solidifying her talent.

The whole time, Scootaloo kinda moved her head in small bobs and side-to-side in-tune with the song as a proud smile went across her face, feeling anything more energetic might get her kicked out. At least for the time being.

A third song followed that was just as impressive, and just as flashy, before the duo gave a bow to the audience, which was a mass of loud cheers and clapping of hooves, as well as a sea of flashing cameras, before the two left the stage.

After the show, the duo remained backstage as those with a backstage pass, one being Scootaloo after Sapphire sent one of the production managers out to get her, was allowed backstage. Scootaloo saw Sweetie Belle and Sapphire give each other a quick hug, before continuing a conversation the two apparently were having before the start of the show.

"Remember, Sweetums, you still have a couple of months singin' duets with me, so no need to get a gushy with me just yet."

"I know...it's just that...do I have to go up against you someday?"

Sapphire gave a light chuckle at the question, "You don't have to, but when you become popular enough, ponies will expect you to do that. Comparing which of us does what song better over the other. All us musical artists have to sooner or later."

"..."

"Now, don't you start with that look. Rather than think of it as a fight who sings better, think of it as a way to show my mentoring to you was well spent." she stated as she patted Sweetie's shoulder.

Sweetie gave a modest smile at that, though still a tad unsure how she could ever out-do the Pony of Pop herself.

"Keep your chin up, Sweetums, you have a lot of potential. I wouldn't have picked you as my student if I hadn't seen it." she stated as she started walking away, "Now, it looks like your friend wants to talk to you, so I'll just take my leave. I have particular camerapony to talk to. Oh, and if you will, please do tell your sister to contact me. I'd lu-uve a chance to talk to her about outfits again!" she added with a grin before turning to the stage.

"See, it wasn't that bad, was it Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo stated as a matter-of-fact.

"I don't know. I...I still don't like it."

"Don't worry Sweetie Belle, you were fantastic! You're singing was amazing, just like it always has."

"Thanks...,but I'm still gonna worry."

"What in Equestria could you be worried about?"

"Mind if I cut in?" they heard a voice ask beside them. Both looked to see Featherweight.

"This!" Sweetie stated pointing at Featherweight, "I'm never going to get used to ponies taking my picture!"

"I'm guessing this is a bad time...?" he asked

"Sweetie Belle, don't you recognize him?" Scootaloo asked with an amused smirk.

Sweetie shook her head.

"Did I really change that much?" He asked.

"Sweetie, it's Featherweight. You know, from Ponyville...We grew up with him."

"Featherweight...?" Sweetie asked as she squinted her eyes, looking at him, "Wait! Really...?! That's Featherweight?"

"The one and only." He replied, "Listen, we can chat later, but I'm kind of short on time. Mind if I get in a few shots for the Canterlot newspaper?"

Sweetie gave a nod, feeling a little more calm about the photographer being a familiar face. Featherweight explained to them that he had been allowed backstage to take exclusive pictures on permission by Sapphire Shores. Appears that's how he differs from the usual paparazzi, he actually gets permission. Getting quality pictures as a result, and in effect, also avoiding injury and broken equipment by doing so. He does still have a few moments where he does take pictures like other paparazzi ponies, but for quality pictures like this, he asks permission.

"Yeah, I'll admit, since I'm just a new photographer, I'm not paid a lot; but, I do get by with what I am paid." He stated, as the three of them left the music hall.

"Hey, where's all the fans?" Scootaloo asked outloud, "Sweetie sang fantastically, there should be fans out here waiting for her autograph."

"They're probably with Sapphire Shores. Remember she's the superstar singer." Featherweight replied.

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle agreed, "remember, I'm the new singer, and that's fine by me. I don't want any fans yet."

"Oh, come on Sweetie Belle, how do expect to live up to your cutie mark, if you don't hit it big?"

"..."

Featherweight cleared his throat, "Well, why don't you worry about that once you're there Sweetie Belle. For now though...I think I better get going, I have to deliver these pictures to the Canterlot paper before they have my head for being late."

Sweetie Belle gave a nod, "Yeah, and I think I better see Sapphire. She might want to talk to me about our next show tomorrow. Are you heading home, Scootaloo?"

"Actually, I was thinking about sticking around for a while. You know...take in the sights while I'm here in town." She replied with a nervous grin. In reality, she didn't have anything better to do in Canterlot, but she knew the flight back would be tiring and didn't want to fly back just yet.

Sweetie gave a curious look, but shrugged and decided not to think too much about it. "Well, while you're in Canterlot, maybe you can visit some of the popular areas. I know the new Wonderbolts attraction at the museum is open, and one of Rarity's favorite cafes here is having a unique special today."

"Yeah, that sounds like a plan." Scootaloo stated, sounding a little more half-hearted than she wanted.

Sweetie and Featherweight gave a curious look, before an amused grin formed on Featherweight's face, "Let me guess, you don't know where the more popular areas of the city are do you?"

Scootaloo opened her mouth to object, but then closed it again.

"Well, I can give you a quick tour if you want. The cafe Sweetie Belle mentioned is actually along the way for me." he explained, then looked at Sweetie, "It is the cafe that Fancy Pants recently opened right? The one where a yellow earth-pony mare likes to play once in a while?"

"Yep." Sweetie replied with a nod, "Same cafe."

"I suppose it couldn't hurt. Are you sure?" Scootaloo asked the other pegasus.

"Like, I said, it's on the way, so I might as well if we're headed in the same direction."

"Alright. I'll catch you around Sweetie Belle."

Sweetie simply gave a nod, as the Scootaloo and Featherweight started on their way.

"Don't you dare forget to write." Scootaloo shouted back to her friend, "Just because you're only up here half the time, doesn't mean you're allowed to not message me or Applebloom."

"I won't!" She shouted back as she giggled.

The two pegasi simply trotted on their way, much to Scootaloo's dismay, but she didn't complain seeing that she still needed to rest her wings a little longer. During this time, Scootaloo decided to explain what had changed in the last couple of years, including how Spike and Applebloom now own their own place and lived together, which was much to the stallion's surprise. Featherweight for the most part, tried to explain much of the interesting sights along the way, including the cafe that Sweetie Belle had suggested; but, the two only stayed for a short time as Scootaloo only took interest in having a quick peak inside, and at a poster that told when and where the Wonderbolts were proforming. Unfortunately though, it seemed that only three members were performing at those times, and none had Rainbow Dash performing in them.

Featherweight had thought that the cafe was where they'd part, but since Scootaloo showed no interest whatsoever in the cafe, she continued to follow him. Seeing that was the case, Featherweight tried to continue his explaining of some of the notable landmarks. Eventually though, he fell quiet as the two entered the business center of Canterlot.

"Well, here we are. The central building for the local newspaper." Featherweight announced before he started walking in.

Scootaloo stalled for a brief moment to look up at the building, slightly taken back by the structure. It was rather surprising to see such a tall tower for just something like a newspaper to her. Quickly shaking that feeling off, she ran in after Featherweight.
Featherweight was giving the camera to a young mare at the front desk when Scootaloo caught up.

"Okay, that should be it Mr. Featherweight. Come back in two days to reclaim the camera and receive your payment for the photos." she stated

Featherweight simply gave a nod in response.

"Again, we extend our hoof in thanks, and hope for your continued service to us." she added with a smile, almost sounding a little practiced as she said it.

Again, Featherweight nodded, before turning to leave.

"Wait...that's it? That's all you needed to do?" Scootaloo asked as she followed him out.

"Well, I still have to come back in a day or two to retrieve my camera and my pay for the pictures; but, yes, that's what I needed to do." he replied with a light shrug, "So,um...are you still going to follow me, or are you going to head back now?"

"Depends, if you're gonna go somewhere more interesting than here. I'll be head back to Ponyville closer to sunset, it's a long flight back so I'm gonna make the most of my visit."

"Well, I was thinking about a walk in the park. Helps me calm down before I have to get back to my motel ro-." Featherweight quickly stopped talking as he put a hoof over his own mouth.

"A motel room? So, you don't actually live up here in Canterlot?"

"Yeah...I don't."

"So where do you live now? Manehatten?"

Featherweight shook his head in response.

"Cloudsdale?"

He shook his head

Scootaloo thought which was the next closest town she knew, "Baltimare?"

Once again, he shook his head.

"So where do you live?"

Featherweight remained silent for a moment, then started walking toward the nearest park in the area he knew about.

"Hey! I'm talking to you." Scootaloo shouted out and jumped into the air and promptly landed in front of Featherweight, forcing him to stop, "Come on Feathers, it's a simple question."

"..."

"Come on Feathers, what's the big secret. It's not like I'm gonna break-in and steal your stuff."

He eventually gave a sigh, "Look, I'll tell you, but first you have to promise that you won't tell anypony else about it."
Scootaloo gave a nod, though even more curious now.

"I'm currently a vagabond." He replied as he pushed past her and pressed on.

"A what-a-now?" she asked as she got back into the air and hovered beside him

"I don't live anywhere Scootaloo, I'm a traveler, a drifter. I pretty much live in whatever motel, or hotel, room I could afford in the cities my work has taken me to."

"What?! But, but that...that's-"

"I know, it's not good. It's probably even worse that my 'work' has only been in Manehatten and Canterlot."

Scootaloo opened her mouth but chose to close it again as thought about the matter.

"During my apprenticeship, I stayed with my teacher. He kinda lives the traveler lifestyle too actually. Granted of course that he is very well known from what I hear." he added, "After that, I took a job up here for a small photography agency, and a part-time position for the papers, and been trying to scratch up a living on my own."

"What about you're folks? Couldn't they, you know..."

"I didn't want to bother them actually." he admitted, "Maybe as my last resort, I will. So...what about you? Where do you live?"

"Well, duh, Ponyville of course. Where else would I live?" Scootaloo replied with a slight smirk.

"Oh, I dunno. Seeing you didn't seem to change much, I thought you would've gone to Cloudsdale or something."

"Well...okay, I guess I could've done that." she replied, just before they both heard a shout as a young, yellow-coated, earth pony colt with a black helmet landed in front of them. A small skateboard rolling past him only a second later.

"Whoa! Kid you okay there?" Scootaloo asked as she quickly helped the young colt back onto his hooves

"Yeah, I'm alright." he replied, then gave a light sigh, "Thanks for the help. I better get back now."

"To where?"

"The skate park. Didn't you know there was one here?" He asked, giving Scootaloo a look as if surprised to hear she didn't know.

He then jumped onto his skateboard and started propelling himself back where he came from, a bit slow, as he noticed that Scootaloo and Featherweight started following him to see this skate park themselves.

Upon arriving, the two were in for quite a sight, as they laid theirs eyes upon a considerably well sized skate park. Scootaloo was more in awe as she had never quite seen that much land dedicated to the sport of skating, while Featherweight was more amazed by how such a thing could even be set-up in a city such as Canterlot. The skate park was primarily inside a large bowl, though one side was shallower than the other for easy ways to enter and leave the area, and had much of what you'd expect to see in a skate park, pools, rails, quarter and half-pipes, and a concrete pyramid in the center of it.

Around them were young fillies and colts of varying ages skating or skateboarding, making good use of the available structures and features of the park. 

"This is so cool!" Scootaloo enthusiastically stated, "I don't remember them having one up here before. When did they build it?" she asked the young colt.

"I dunno, but I do know I started coming here regularly last year." he replied, "I come here every day so I could practice."

"Would you mind we if stayed and watched? I'd love to see how you fillies and colts ride."

The young colt just gave a shrug and proceeded back into the bowl.

"Why 'we'?" Featherweight asked, "You know I don't take as much interest in this stuff as you do."

"Oh come on, it'll be fun. Watching them will be cool. Besides, it might convince you to like it."

"I think you'll have a better chance of convincing me to quit my job."

As an hour passes, the older pegasi simply watched the fillies and colts skate around and perform tricks in silence. Despite his earlier opinion about watching them perform, it was easy to see that Featherweight was greatly impressed by the tricks the younger ponies were doing. In comparison, Scootaloo, who was fairly excited at first, was now looking extremely annoyed. This was something that Featherweight quickly took notice to.

"What's wrong Scootaloo?"

She gave a groan, "Their skating, that's what's wrong. I mean...ugh...look at that unicorn there, she could've been able to completely pull off that trick and still keep her momentum if she had leaned her left, front hoof just a little more forward; and, that pegasus colt over there, he could've made his 360 turn much easier if he had started a fraction of a second after his front wheels left that ramp."

"They're just foals Scootaloo, you can't expect them to be that precise with their skills."

"I know, I know...it's just...It just bothers me that they could make mistakes that could've easily been avoided."

"Hey, watch what you say, old mare." they heard a voice call out.

They both looked to see a two colts looking at them, both pegasus ponies. One had a sky-blue coat with a yellow mane, who was potentially the oldest among all the colts and fillies in the entire skate park. The other was a dark-grey color, with a lighter shade of grey for his mane. The one speaking was the sky-blue pegasus colt.

"Mind saying that again for me kid?" Scootaloo asked.

"I said, 'watch what you say, old mare'." he repeated, putting a stronger emphasis on 'old mare'.

"Old mare? I'm what...? Only ten years older than you kid. And, I'll say what I want, especially when I can tell that a few of you are making obvious mistakes."

"So you think you can do better?" he asked

"I know I can do better."

"No way an adult is better than a kid at skateboarding. Let's see what you got."

It took a few moments, but eventually they managed to clear the area for an impromptu contest between the younger pegasus and Scootaloo. It was actually relatively impressive how quickly they were able to clear up the area given they were just a bunch of kids.
The young pegasus, who they learned was called 'Lightning Wheels', prepared himself at the side bowl as he waited with a wide smirk for Scootaloo to be ready to start. Scootaloo and Featherweight felt the colt's name sounded a bit strange, but guessed it was only some nickname he probably gave himself.

Scootaloo in the meanwhile was testing how well she could balance herself on a skateboard she had to borrow from one of them. The lender turned out to be the same young earth pony colt that they had seen earlier, and had chosen to side with Scootaloo in this contest. Scootaloo just had to promise one thing, she would avoid breaking his board.

"Okay..., I just need to....Whoa!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she almost fell off the board. The board itself was of fairly good size, but still relatively small. It actually almost the same size as her old scooter.

A few of the younger ponies laughed as Scootaloo almost fell off.

"Sure you want to challenge me? Don't want ya to break a hoof now." Lightning mocked.

"If I were you, I'd be more worried about what you're going to do after I beat ya."

"If YOU beat me...? Not a chance, I'm the best boarder here." he remarked, "I'll go first." then pushed himself forward and into the large bowl.

Lightning started considerably simple as the young pegasus performed a few simple tricks, mostly a few flips and spins, before he started showing more difficult tricks he knew. The colt quickly started buzzing his wings to gain some speed as he approached a quarter pipe. Once up and off the quarter pipe, he flew up about 15 feet (about 4.6 meters) into the air where he did a quick twirl and back-flip before landing back safely on the ground, finishing his run.

The crowd cheered loudly as they whooped, hollered, and clapped their hooves onto the ground as Lightning brought himself back to where he started.

"Scared yet, mare?"

"Eh, not bad. You definitely know how to utilize those wings of yours to your advantage, and I'll admit that last one wasn't bad for a foal your age."

Lighting grinned.

"But, I still think I can do better." she added with a smirk

"Oh yeah...? Well, stop talking, and start proving." he remarked

Scootaloo took a deep breath before pushing forward and into the bowl. Scootaloo decided to hold back for now and copied most of the tricks that Lightning had done to show that she could also do those simple tricks too, if not better, before moving onto her own style. Scootaloo flapped her wings twice, already increasing her speed by quite a bit, before proceeding to stand on her hind legs to perform a nose manual for a few seconds followed by a quick 1800 degree spin. She then looked up toward the crowd, from the looks of things she only had a little over half interested at the moment. Oh, that won't do at all. Scootaloo quickly decided her next trick as she proceeded to flap her wings in strong strides and quickly picked up the speed she needed for the next one.

Scootaloo started off by first showing off just how well her sense of balance was by riding the skateboard adjacent to some grind rails, before jumping right off and started running on the rails as she skateboard kept rolling beside her. Scootaloo kept her wings open to assist her balance, but not really moving them much to avoid giving the idea that she was flying. As soon as Scootaloo ran out of rail to run on, she jumped back onto the skateboard, almost slipping up due to the board's smaller size than she was use to, but managed to keep her balance as she sped toward the concrete pyramid in the middle of the skateboard park. She showed her ability to keep her balance as she pushed the front of the board at just the right time to remove all the wheels from ground and put herself on balancing act at the very top of the pyramid.

Once again standing on her hind limbs, she once again flared her wings out and put her forelimbs out to help keep her balance. Scootaloo held the position for a good thirty seconds, the whole time extremely nervous, having only done this trick once before, which didn't go so well for her, two years ago, before finally letting the board roll back down a side and directed it back towards the others. Scootaloo let herself jump into the air as she went up the side of the bowl of the park, before grabbing the board in her teeth and landing back down where she had started.

She was greeted with an even louder cheering and clapping hooves against the ground, earning a huge victorious grin from her. She looked toward the two colts who had challenged her earlier, their faces in complete disbelief, as she put the board back down on the ground.

"Guess I proved my point, novices." she remarked, "Oh, don't beat yourself too bad about it. I've been doing this for years. Plus, I do teach this kind of stuff to fillies and colts your age where I live, and what kind of teacher would I be if my students knew more than me?"

"You're a teacher?!" the young colt who had lent Scootaloo his board, "Where?"

"Ponyville." Scootaloo merely replied as he reclaimed his board, "Sorry about that small pit at the bottom of your board. Guess I got carried away with that last trick."

"That's okay. That trick was really cool. I can't wait to try it myself."

"Whoa! Hold on a second there. That's a very tough trick I just pulled, very advanced. You're still learning the ropes, best you hold off till you've perfected other balance tricks before doing that one."

"Well..., can you teach me?" he asked with a hopefully look in his eyes.

"Can you teach me too?" one of the other colt's asked

"Me too?" a filly voiced in before being quickly followed by most of the other young ponies present.

"Um...but I...we...I-I can't, we got to get going, right Feathers?" Scootaloo asked

"I dunno, I don't have anything better to do." he replied with a shrug.

Scootaloo glared at him, and almost made a sound as if growling at him, before sighing and looking over at the young crowd around her, "Alright, fine, I'll teach you fillies and colts a thing or two before I go."

For the next couple of hours, Scootaloo begrudgingly taught the young group of ponies how to improve their stance and performance, as well as a few simple tricks, though as the minutes ticked on, she became more and more comfortable with the idea.

Featherweight, not really having any experience or knowledge when it came to skateboarding, merely watched silently from the sidelines. The whole time Featherweight had a kind of fascination as he watched each one perform each trick.

Eventually the small crowd of impromptu students started to thin out as the sun started to set in the distant hills, each one saying 'thank you' to Scootaloo before taking his or her leave, until only Scootaloo, Featherweight, and the colt who they met earlier.

"Thanks for showing me how to improve my balance, Miss Scootaloo."

"No problemo." Scootaloo stated before looking up toward the direction of the sun, causing a frown to form on her face as the sun was maybe 10-15 minutes from completely disappearing from the sky.

"Are you going to still be here tomorrow?"

"What...?"

"Are you going to be here tomorrow?" he repeated, "You know, at Canterlot? You said you were from Ponyville, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I'm from Ponyville; and, sorry, but no, I won't be. I was only up here visiting a friend of mine. I have to get back by tomorrow afternoon so I can teach my usual classes." she explained, earning a sad look from him, "Hey, don't start with that look. Tell you what, what's your name?"

He seem to fidget before replying with, "Basil. My name's Basil."

"Like the herb?"

"Yeah, like the herb. My parents own a restaurant near here. So...yeah, that's where I got my name."

"Well, Basil, have you ever visited Ponyville?"

"Um..., I think I did once with my grandma. We went down to Ponyville one year to buy a jar of fresh zap apple jam."

"Next time you're in town, why don't you ask around and find me, and I'll see about coaching you on some simple tricks, and maybe some more intermediate stuff if you can handle them."

"Cool! Thanks!" he cheered, "Well, I better get going now. It's getting late and my mom hates it when I stay out till it's dark."

"See ya around." She bade him a farewell as he quickly scampered out of the park.

"So are you done for the day? Cause I really should get going too." Featherweight stated as he came over to where Scootaloo was, "I was actually hoping on leaving about half-an-hour ago, but I didn't want to go before saying 'good-bye', considering you seemed a bit peeved that I didn't say anything the last time I left."

"Of course I was peeved, everypony we both knew didn't hear anything about you moving away till after the fact. We literally had to find out by asking Miss Cheerilee." She replied as the two started their way out of the park, "You pretty much just disappeared on us."

"I guess you do have a point." He admitted in an embarrassed tone, "Anyway, I suppose you'll be heading back to Ponyville now? I think the last train headed there leaves in about 2 hours. That should be enough time to get to the station and catch the train."

"Yeah, I really should, but I don't need to worry about that, I flew here from Ponyville."

"You flew here?"

"Yep!"

"But doesn't that take-"

"Yeah, it takes a while by flying, but I love being in the air and it's do-able."

"That's probably good considering you'll have to fly back in the dark now."

"Oh...right." she groaned, "Great, now I wish I did take the train; and, I don't even have any bits to pay for a one-way trip."

"It shouldn't be too bad though, it's suppose to be a waxing gibbous moon tonight, so there should be some light."

"Doesn't make it any less sucky though. I usually don't fly much at night, kinda have better things to do by this time." she remarked, telling half-truths. Honestly, she was just not interested in flying around under the veil of the night, not because she was afraid of the dark, she merely didn't like flying around at night, especially after that one time she accidentally crashed into a tree with fruit bats.

"Well, what about staying with Sweetie Belle or her sister, Miss Rarity?"

"Nah, Sweetie Belle's staying with Sapphire Shores right now, and I don't even know where Miss Rarity is staying right now."

"Well..., why don't you stay with me for the night?"

"With you...?! That had better not been some stupid way to hit on me." Scootaloo remarked with a smirk as she stopped in her tracks.

"Oh, no! Not at all. I just thought I'd offer seeing were old friends and all."

"Better be."

"It is." he said in an embarrassed tone, before the two pressed on.

After walking about 20 minutes, the two arrived at the motel, which like most things in Canterlot, was rather classy to say the least.

"Well here we are. Home sweet home." Featherweight remarked as he unlocked the door and both walked inside.

Scootaloo's eyes widened in amazement as she looked at the room. The room itself was small, understandable considering that Featherweight wouldn't need to pay for a room for more than himself usually, and it wasn't exactly the best looking place ever; but, for a motel, it was more than expected. The place was relatively clean -even though it looked fairly messy right now thanks to Featherweight's stuff, the decor was nice, and it even had a small kitchen area for those who wanted to use it.

"This is a motel room?!"

"Yeah, I kinda had the same reaction when I first saw it."

"This more like a hotel room."

"I know, but remember we're kinda in mid-town Canterlot, so this is actually sub-par than the usual."

"If this is sub-par, I'd love to see the usual." she remarked before hopping onto the bed to sit down, "Ow, this bed is actually kinda hard, even by earth pony standards." she added as she noted that the mattress was kinda stiff.

"It's probably just old. It is a motel bed afterall." Featherweight explained as he rummaged around one of the cupboards in the kitchen area, looking for what leftover fruit he still had.

"So, how much you paying for this joint?"

"About 15-30 bits depending on the season."

"Ouch...Kinda high for a motel. You can get a room like this down in Ponyville for only eight bits, and it's an actual hotel."

"That's why I spend some time staying at Manehatten whenever I can find available work down there. The rooms are a lot more cheaper, but are far worse in condition." he explained, "Want an apple?"

"Sure, beats eating nothing." she replied as he tossed her the apple, "Like how bad is it?"

"The Manehatten motels...? Well, the ones I tend to go for so I can afford to get by, I'd probably prefer to sleep outside in the trees, if it wasn't for the fact I tend to carry expensive equipment with me. Like, my personal camera, work camera, and all the proper equipment I need for the job."

"Yeesh, ya shheriously need bettah accommodations if that's the case." she remarked with her mouth full

"Anymore expensive and I'd have to sacrifice my dinner funds." he then took a bite out of his apple

"Hm..." she then swallowed what was in her mouth, "Hey, I got an idea. Just to return the favor, why don'tcha come back to Ponyville with me tomorrow. You can stay at my place for the time till you can find a place of your own."

"Are you sure about that? I mean, what about your folks, what are they gonna say?"

"I moved out a couple of years ago to live on my own, my parents were cool with it; and, yeah, I'm sure about it. I got a guest room at my place right now that I'm not using other than to collect dust bunnies."

"Well...it would be nice to see the others again..."

"Yeah, and give them a proper explanation to why you disappeared on us."

Featherweight chuckled, "You're really not gonna let that one go, are you?"

"You owe at least ten of us an explanation, bub, so not a chance."

After their quick dinner, Scootaloo and Featherweight decided to call it a night and get some sleep. Featherweight taking the bed, and Scootaloo taking the available couch once Featherweight and her took some of his stuff off it. Originally, Featherweight offered to let her have the bed, but the couch was far more comfortable and much more softer, so she declined and took the couch, even if it did have a bit of a smell to it.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's now half-past noon and Featherweight has been patiently waiting in front of Ponyville Train Station on a bench with one of his bags right next to him. Despite that Scootaloo had offered to help transport his other bag, the lighter one, for him and him offering to pay for her ticket back to Ponyville, she refused and insisted on flying back, saying she could easily get back by flying. While flying was a potential idea, and it wasn't exactly unheard of, of a pegasus flying the distance from Canterlot to Ponyville, she would be flying back with the added weight of Featherweight's luggage, which would hasten how tired she would get. Eventually, Featherweight consided after a few minutes and allowed her to do as she wished.

So far that estimate was looking to be wrong. Featherweight did give her an extra few minutes given the extra cargo she would be carrying around, but even that had passed. Nonetheless, he was trained to be a camerapony, and knew how to be patient as he went through is luggage and got out a personal camera and his camera rig and prepared to take a few random snapshots of the objects around him.

After another twenty minutes, and about forty pictures later, he finally caught sight of Scootaloo as she trotted down towards the train station, and by the looks of things, he also caught sight of Spike and Applebloom right behind the pegasus.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late, decided to take a detour on the way." Scootaloo stated as she, Spike, and Applebloom came to a stop in front of Featherweight.

"I should've guessed." he remarked as he sighed, "Where's the bag you were carrying for me?"

"I left it at their place."

"So that's Featherweight? He 'as changed quite a bit." Applebloom remarked

"I couldn't have changed that much, could I?" he replied

"Dude, you really did." Scootaloo replied before looking toward Spike, "Don't you agree Spike?"

Spike didn't answer right away as he brought a claw to his chin and looked Featherweight over, "I dunno, I probably could've been able to tell that was Featherweight without you telling me."

"What?! There is no way you could've been able to tell."

"Well, I knew him better than you two did. Aside from noticing his cutie mark is pretty much the same, he's the only one I know who would be wearing a professional-grade camera rig and using a Supershot Clear model 7 camera."

Featherweight chuckled in response, "Still recognize my camera I see." then put a hoof out toward Spike.

"Hard not to when that was the camera you used during the Gabby Gums incident." Spike shot back as he hoof-bumped Featherweight, "Good to see you again."

"I'm still surprised you recognized him." Scootaloo rang in.

"Like I said, I was closer friends with him than you, Applebloom, or Sweetie Belle ever were. I'd betcha that even Rumble, Snips, Snails, and Pip will be able to recognize him fairly quickly too."

"We'll see."

"That aside, yer welcome ta come visit us fer a spell if ya want Featherweight." Applebloom stated, "Spike made some sandwiches fer us, if ya'll are interested."

"Well, I am a bit hungry." he admitted embarrassingly

"Then follow us, we can catch up on the way." Spike stated before the four of them made their way to Spike and Applebloom's home.
---------------------------------------------

"So that's what happened to you." Spike remarked, "Most of us always did wonder what happened to you. Diamond Tiara use to joke around saying you probably ran off because of us."

"She never was one for giving compliments was she?"

"You kidding, the day I hear her give anypony a compliment, will be the day cut my wings off and give up flying." Scootaloo stated as all four entered the quaint home Spike and Applebloom shared.

"Jeez, I know she use to bully you guys, but are you sure you're not just being, you know...mean?" Spike asked

"You didn't know her the way we did."

"Bes' we just leave that one in the past, Spike. She's gone, learnin' ta take ovah her family's business, and we ain't complainin'." Applebloom stated as she placed a hoof on his arm.

Spike merely nodded in understanding before proceeding into the kitchen.

Over the next hour or so the four ate and talked about whatever came to mind at that moment. At some point, Scootaloo accidentally let it slip about Featherweight current housing situation, which earned a surprised look from Spike and Applebloom, and a glare from Featherweight before he groaned in annoyance. After a quick explanation, including about how Scootaloo was letting Featherweight stay with her until he found a better place to stay, Spike and Applebloom suggested that maybe he should find a place around Ponyville, especially with the sudden increased demand for housing.

Featherweight had to admit, there was a certain appeal to the idea of him staying close to friends, especially considering the alternatives were a less fun in comparison. Unfortunately, it meant one big headache as well. There was so much work that needed to be done from changing his mailing address from the P.O. box in Canterlot to one in Ponyville, to informing his contacts and employers. He decided he'll think it over.

As Featherweight and Scootaloo were just about to leave, Scootaloo still needed to show Featherweight where he was going to be staying before she had to go to work, Spike quickly threw out the idea that he and Featherweight should hang out with their other male friends, for old times sake at least. Featherweight chuckled at the idea, but agreed.

Scootaloo lived about half-way across town from Spike and Applebloom, which was probably a good thing considering Scootaloo wanted to hurry so she could meet up with her class. Along the way, they did greet a few ponies who took the few seconds to greet them back, only a couple of them recognizing Featherweight almost immediately.

"Well, here we are. Welcome to casa de me." Scootaloo proudly stated as she stopped for a brief moment before proceeding on to unlock the front door.

Featherweight was slightly taken back by the sight of the house, not because it was messy or unkept, but because of its size. Scootaloo's house was a two-story home, like most in Ponyville, but was slightly bigger than the regular house, not as grand as Cloudsdalian home, but still.

"What's wrong? Jealous I have such a nice place to call home?" Scootaloo asked with a smirk before both walked in.

"A little, but not entirely. Scootaloo your home is actually bigger than most homes around Ponyville." he replied before looking towards the living room, which was just to the right of them as soon as they entered, and noticing two decorative pillars on the far corners of the room, "Wow, that's interesting."

"The fake pillar things...? Yeah, I wanted to make it look a little like a cloud-home so I asked Applebloom if she could make some fake pillars for me. She did pretty well, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Anyway, yeah, I'm aware the place is a bit bigger than most homes around town. I like my space." she stated before proceeding to go up the stairs, Featherweight following behind her.

"I mean, I think this is a family home. You know, as in for a family of three."

"Oh...Yeah, I guess I didn't think of that; but, hey, just means I have more space to work with. Not that I have a lot of junk to fill it in with." Scootaloo remarked, hiding an embarrassed expression from the fact she didn't think the home was actually a family home, she just thought it was a nice place with plenty of space, and because she only had the barest of essentials when it came to furnishings.

"You said you were a teacher, right?"

"Only half the time. I only teach from two in the afternoon to about five or six, the rest of the time I'm working as part of the weather team, like most of the pegasus ponies who live here."

"How much do you earn? This house can't be cheap."

"Enough bits, that's all you need to know."

"I'm just curious."

Scootaloo sighed after a brief moment, "About 175 to 250 bits a month put together, just enough to pay the bills, buy food, and maybe have something left to get something nice if feel like buying it. Anyway, here's the guest room." She opened the second door to the left and walked in.

"Well, that's not too bad, I guess. Still though, for a house like this...?"

"I don't pay too much for this place. Mayor Mare let's me have a couple of discounts since I'm technically a civil servant, working in both the recreation and weather department."

Featherweight put his stuff on the ground and gave the room a good look over. Like most of the house, it only had the bare essentials: a bed, a dresser, and a table. As Scootaloo was doing the same, placing Featherweight's belongings on the ground, Featherweight hopped onto the bed, much like a foal would, causing a small cloud of dust to explode into the air. He immediately started coughing and went over to the window to open it and stick his head out.

Scootaloo laughed at his reaction, before saying, "I did say this room was only good at collecting dust didn't I?"

"I didn't think you meant that badly." he complained as his coughing started to subside.

"The vacuum is in the closet over there," and pointed towards the direction of the stairs, "first door closest to the stairs. Feel free to clean this room up if you want."

"Well, it needs a little work, but I still appreciate you letting me stay here. Thanks Scootaloo, I'll try to pay you back somehow."

"Eh, don't worry too much about that. You can worry about that later." she stated as she waved a hoof in the air, "I'd give you the grand tour, but I really gotta get going soon, so I'll just be quick about it. My room's the last door down this hall to the right, don't let me ever catch you in there, got it?"

"Understood."

"Good. Bathroom's the next door over from this room and the room across from this one is my  study."

"A study?"

"Yeah, just another room when I moved in. I mostly just keep some stuff, like books, medals, and some makeshift 'trophies' my students have given as a way of saying 'thanks' in there. I also keep spare skateboards and skateboard parts in there. You're welcome to go in there if you want."

"I think I stand corrected, this might be a home for a family of four."

Scootaloo mostly ignored it as she continued, "The kitchen's downstairs, your welcome to the fridge and pantry if you get hungry. There's also another bathroom downstairs, but it's a small one with no shower or bathtub. Aaaaand that's pretty much it, the spare key is in a drawer in the kitchen, and I'll see you when I get back later this evening." and with that Scootaloo headed down stairs to grab her things and was out the door.

Featherweight paused for a moment as he looked around the room, then gave a quick and went to get the vacuum, the room wasn't going to clean itself. He spent the better of two hours properly cleaning the room and putting his stuff in areas around the room where they wouldn't get in the way. He mostly just took the bedsheets out to a clothes wire to beat the dust off it, and hoped Scootaloo was telling the truth about the room having very little use, it was far too late in the day to properly wash them and hope they would be dry before he went to bed that night. Once he was properly satisfied with the cleaning, Featherweight decided to head downstairs and find something quick to eat, nothing fancy, a simple fruit will be fine. Unfortunately, it seems that would be easier said than done.

As Featherweight thoroughly went through the kitchen, checking all the cabinets, the pantry, and the fridge, he only managed to find some bread, a box of s'mores-flavored pop-tarts, fruit -most of which had already gone bad-, and some fuzzy, dark-blue thing which was in the vegetable drawer of the fridge.

Not interested in finding out what that thing was, and considering there wasn't much food to choose from, Featherweight grabbed a pop-tart and ate that before heading out to go grocery shopping.

As the sun was about to set, Scootaloo arrived back at her home, tired after that day's lessons. Outside of keeping up with at least 10 different foals with either roller blades, skateboards, or scooters, Scootaloo also had three new pegasus fillies to teach in her flight class, all three being first-timers and gave Scootaloo a run for her money when it came to keeping up with them.

"Feathers, I'm home. You didn't destroy my place while I was out, did you?" she called out as soon as she entered the abode. Almost immediately her nose was assaulted by a very pleasant aroma.

Curious, she followed the scent into the kitchen where she was greeted by two bags of freshly-bought goods on the table, and Featherweight tending to a pot of what was probably soup or some type of stew on the stove.

"Hey, Scootaloo, welcome back."

"Uh, yeah, thanks Feathers...What are you doing...?"

"Okay, done, it should be clean-" she heard Dinky's voice ring out from behind her as the unicorn mare entered via the front door, "Oh, hey there Scootaloo."

"Hey there Dinky, what are you-? Is that from my fridge?" Scootaloo pointed at the veggie drawer in Dinky's magical aura.

"Yeah, I wanted to clean it up whatever you decided to keep in here before I put some of the groceries in here, so I went out and hosed it down."

"There was something in there?"

"You didn't know...?" she asked before opening the fridge and placing the drawer back where it belonged.

"Well, I see you made yourself quite at home already." Scootaloo replied with a smirk to Featherweight.

"Sorry...," he replied in an embarrassed tone, "you didn't have a lot of food here, so I went out shopping for some; and, I thought I could show my appreciation for what you're doing by making a home-cooked meal."

"What are you talking about? I got plenty of fruits to pick from."

"Most of them were rotten Scootaloo."

"They weren't rotten, they were just...overripe." she rebutted.

"They were actually rotten, Scootaloo." Dinky remarked as she took a seat at the table.

"Okay, fine, they were pretty bad. I still brought home something edible though."

"What did you get?" Featherweight asked, turning his attention towards her.

"I got some cheese."

"Cheese...?" Dinky asked curiously

"Yeah, I have some bread, I can make a sandwich."

"Is that all you eat?"

"No! I still eat some fruits and some oats on the occasion." Scootaloo replied, her eyes darting about the kitchen.

"I'm not sure if that's the healthiest of choices, the fruits and the carbs you get from a sandwich are fine and all, but in your line of work, I think you might need to eat a bit more than just a couple of oats and bread."

Scootaloo snorted in response, "Why are you here anyway, Dinky?"

"Oh, she saw me in the market place this afternoon." Featherweight replied

"Actually, it was Pinkie who saw him first. I was actually going into Sugarcube Corner to pick up an order for my parents, when I saw Pinkie greet him and call him by name." Dinky explained, then turned to look at Featherweight, "I have to admit, I didn't really recognize you at first."

"See, I told you you're not an easy stallion to recognize." Scootaloo rang out

"Anyway, he was doing some grocery shopping, and it was obvious he was getting more than he can carry, so I offered to help him out."

"So that's what's up, huh? Well, that's cool I guess."

"He did explain everything to me. Why he was here, and had a key to your house of all things."

"Did you get the newspaper while you were out Feathers? There's probably listing there of the new houses that's up for sale." Scootaloo asked as she turned her attention to him.

"Oh, um...no, I actually forgot about that."

"Figures. Too busy sight-seeing your old hometown?"

"No, I really did just forget." he replied as he turned the fire on the stove off, "This is ready, so if you're both hungry, we just need some bowls."

"You can bet your tail I am. Here, I'll get some bowls." Scootaloo remarked as she quickly went over to the cupboard where she stored what plates, bowls, and cups she had.

"No, thanks Featherweight. I mean, I do appreciate the offer, and it really does smell wonderful; but, I never told my mom that I was gonna be eating with friends, so she and Dad are probably waiting for me at the table waiting for me to get home." Dinky remarked as she got up from the table.

"You sure...? Well, more for me and Feathers." Scootaloo remarked as she put the extra bowl away, and placed two at the table, before going off again to find some spoons.

"Don't worry, we understand. See you around Dinky." Featherweight stated

"See ya." she bade the two, before taking her leave.

As Dinky was leaving, Featherweight brought the pot of soup over to the table, being careful not to spill it as he held onto the handle with his mouth. He gingerly poured some into both bowls before going back to place the pot back onto the stove.

"Eat up."

Scootaloo didn't need to be told twice as she immediately took a spoonful and put it in her mouth, regretting it almost immediately. In her rush, she neglected to remember that this was freshly cooked and was still quite hot.

"Blow on it first Scootaloo." he remarked, unable to resist smiling in amusement, as he took his seat.

"Yeah, yeah..."

The two soon fell into a quiet peace as they ate. Featherweight really didn't say much, having nothing really that would be exciting enough to talk about, and Scootaloo didn't say much either due her constantly having her mouthful of the delicious meal that Featherweight made. It was rather obvious that Scootaloo very much liked it, which was more than enough for Featherweight to take as a compliment.

Once they were done, Featherweight took their bowls and placed them in the sink and put the leftovers into the fridge, while Scootaloo patted her content, full belly.

"That was so good." she remarked, "Been a while since I last had a home cooked meal."

"Really...?"

"Oh yeah, I don't cook often, and I'm happy with a sandwich for dinner. Where did you learn to cook like that?"

"The recipe belongs to my mom, but it was really my old mentor that got me into cooking." he replied as he went back to his seat.

"No kidding?"

"Nope, he use to tell me that a good picture feeds the mind, but a good meal feeds the body."

Scootaloo snorted, "Sage-y stuff right there. Anyway, thanks for the meal Feathers, I did appreciate it."

"No problem." he stated with a smile.

"Hm....Hey, Feathers, you said something about paying me back earlier, right?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Just a thought, while you're staying with me, looking for your own place to live, why don't you pay me back by cooking?"

"Huh...?"

"Based on what you told me, you're probably quite good as a cook, more experienced than me at least. So while you're here, living with me, why don't you handle the food and stuff, and I'll worry about the other expenses."

"Kinda like a rent?"

"Hey, you forked over at least 15 bits each time you stayed at that motel at Canterlot. I'm sure you could easily make a meal that costs a fraction of that. Even I know I can make a good lettuce salad with just three bits."

"Well, that is true..." he admitted, then thought back to earlier, Scootaloo really didn't use her kitchen much outside of storing the occasional food item, "Well, alright, I guess I can agree to that."

"Cool."

"I'm gonna head up and get some sleep now. I need to fly to Canterlot tomorrow." then got out of his chair

"You do?"

"I still need to pick up my pay from the concert remember?"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that."

"Are you still gonna be up for a while longer?"

"Yeah, I got some stuff to sort through up in my study, so I'll be up a little while longer."

"Okay, see you tomorrow Scootaloo."

"Later, Feathers."

With that Featherweight headed back up the stairs and to his room to get his brush and toothpaste before heading towards the bathroom, as Scootaloo rested her head back for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. She looked over to the sink, where their dirty dishes were, contemplating whether she should wash them now or later. Later was a better option though, as she got out of her chair and went back to the front door to get her saddlebag before she headed up to her study.

Along the way, she passed by Featherweight, who was just finishing up in the bathroom, with his toothbrush and toothpaste in a plastic cup, which he was holding with his mouth.

"Um, you know you're welcome to leave that in the bathroom, right?" Scootaloo asked with an amused smirk.

"I didn't want to bother you by keeping my things around the place." he replied as soon as he placed the cup with the dental stuff on the ground.

"It's a toothbrush and toothpaste, Feathers. I'm not gonna harass you for leaving something I usually expect to see where I expect to see it. Just...make sure yours isn't close to mine."

"Okay, I understand." he replied with a nod.

"Cool. Alright see ya around Feathers." and went into the study

Featherweight, who decided to just leave his things in his room for now, picked up the cup and retreated into his room.

The room wasn't what he was use to. In fact, it was almost kinda eerie how much more vacant it appeared in the dark, but at least the bed was a bit more welcoming than the motel bed. He closed his eyes and let sleep take him. He had quite the flight to take tomorrow.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been two days since Featherweight began occupying the guest room at Scootaloo's place, and he's learned quite a bit about what has changed since he left eight years ago. Among other things, he quickly learned that similar to him, a few of his fellow classmates had left their small home town to improve themselves or find where they could utilize their unique talent to its fullest. Such as Rumble taking a part-time job at the Weather Factory in Cloudsdale, or Pip and Snails enrolling at Manehatten University.

At the moment, he was following Spike, helping the dragon run an errand to bring some vital paperwork to town hall, as the two chatted. As per usual for him though, Featherweight was wearing his camera rig and his work camera around his neck.

"You know, Featherweight, we might finish this errand up sooner, if we didn't need to stop every five minutes for you to take a picture of something." Spike remarked as he watched the pegasus take a picture of a monarch butterfly.

"Sorry," Featherweight apologized in an embarrassed tone as soon as he was done, "I'm just excited, really. My workplace decided to improve our equipment and got all of us photographers a better model for work." He added indicating the camera he was using.

"I was wondering why it looked a little different." Spike stated as the two continued on their way.

"Well, this is different from my personal camera, the Supershot Clear, you've seen me using around these last couple of days."

"Really...? How many cameras do you have?"

"Just two, my personal camera and my work camera. My personal camera was a gift from my family, but because it was such an old model, my boss won't let me use it for work."

"I think I can see that, you did say you worked for the Canterlot newspaper, right? I still remember how up-tight most of the ponies up there are, so I'm not that surprised."

"Only a fraction of the time really. You see, I actually work for a photography center, but a majority of the center is owned by the Canterlot newspaper, and based at the paper's main office."

"I don't think it's suppose to work like that."

"I don't think so either, but that's how it seems to be working so far. So I guess it's more like I work for a branch of the Canterlot newspaper."

"So..., do you do more than just, you know...pictures for the newspaper?"

"Sometimes, kinda depends on what's available, the location of the assignment, the expected difficulty of the shot, and the pay, of course."

"I guess I can understand that. So you've done a few magazine shots then...? Who was the hardest you ever had to get a picture of?"

"Well..., it was actually Photo Finish."

"Photo Finish...?!" Spike asked with an incredibly disbelieving grin, "Photo Finish, as in the famous Canterlotian fashion photographer, Photo Finish? The only other pony I could ever think of who always has either a camera in her face, or carrying one around."

"Yeah..."

"Okay, stop." Spike stated as the two stopped walking, and he turned to look at Featherweight, "You've got to be pulling my tail here. How is Photo Finish the hardest individual you've ever had to get a picture of for a magazine?"

"It's because Photo Finish is actually very selective of the photographers she allows to take pictures of her. Supposedly she was more willing to allow as many photographers as possible back in the day, but since then the number of different magazines have increased, so there's now even more photographers present at all her shows. Plus, the extra crowding could cause some damages and personal injuries if nopony's careful while moving around."

"Is that why?"

"Yeah, pretty much." he replied as the two pressed on towards town hall, "When I had to get the shot, I found out I had to file a page-long request stating who I was, who I was working for, the magazine the shot will appear in, and details of why I was taking pictures for that magazine."

"Seems a little more work than its worth in my opinion."

"She is prompt about it though. Normally you would find out within an hour if she approves of it or not. After that you check with a guard, get your pass, check with another guard, then you're allowed to go in."

"Some of her shows are outside though...Does that still go for pegasus ponies? I mean, during the outdoor shows there's pretty much a lot of open space."

"Depends on quality of the shot and focus said pegasus wants. If you're too far away, Photo Finish would be too small for most ponies to even care to note. Not to mention the pony in charge of everything might not even pay for the shots."

"I suppose that does make sense." Spike replied, "Oh, right, I almost forgot. Are you doing anything for the rest of the day?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"I spoke to some of our friends around town: Snips, Snails, Dinky...and apparently, all the guys are gonna be free for the rest of the day. So interested in meeting and catching up with them?"

"Sure, sounds good to me. Any idea who will show up?"

"Most of us were confused about you disappearing, so I'd assume almost all of the guys will be there. Though Snips and Snails are probably gonna have a tough time convincing Button Mash to show up..."

"Button Mash...?"

"He's the brown colt that was in your class back then. Probably had a Joyboy, or some other gaming device, and would be playing on it whenever he got the chance."

"Oh, him...? I never really spoke to him back then."

"Hardly anypony did. Heard he mostly kept to himself, but he was close friends with Rumble, which is why the rest of us ended up befriending him later."

As soon as they got to town hall, they were greeted by Mayor Mare and were led into the files room where they would leave all the paperwork. Afterwards, the duo decided to go their separate ways, agreeing to meet again later that afternoon, as Spike went back home to make sure Applebloom wasn't working herself out like she had been for the last couple of days, while Featherweight stuck around town hall a while longer to look at the list of available homes around the area.

Most of the available homes at the moment, especially most of the newly-built ones, were out of his budget; and, while taking a loan will more than likely be a must, he'd spent enough time with corporate ponies to give a rough estimate of the potential interest rate, and...it didn't look too good. The others, the houses that did fit his budget, were ones he recognized as pre-existing homes based on the given address. He'd have to make a mental note to visit them as he went about Ponyville doing his usual business, which is what he was doing before: testing his new work camera.

Rest of the day went rather uneventful at least until later that afternoon, as Featherweight eventually returned to Scootaloo's home to put his work camera away and got his personal camera out before heading out again. He had already used up about two film rolls testing the new camera, and will need to get more later.

Before leaving, he did notice Scootaloo was also home, but she had fallen asleep in the living room, unbothered by the front door as Featherweight entered the home earlier. Trying not to wake her, Featherweight crept back out and closed the front door as quietly as he could.

He flew to his next destination, Sugarcube Corner, where he agreed to meet Spike and the others. It didn't take long for him to reach the familiar bakery, where he was quickly greeted by Spike, Snips, Snails, and...Rumble?

"Well, if it isn't the stallion that disappeared." Rumble remarked with a smirk.

The now-older bluish-grey pegasus was a little harder to recognize for Featherweight at first, as the stallion before him was tall, more so than what is considered normal for a pegasus stallion. Best estimate, he was probably just one ear-length shorter than Big Macintosh, and though probably not as built as Big Mac, it was rather obvious that Rumble has worked out quite a bit.

"Hey there, Featherweight." he heard Snips remark, as Snails gave a grin and nod, indicating Snips was talking for him as well, "Good to see you again, pal!"

The duo had changed as well, though it wasn't as blatant as it was with Rumble. Snips was still as stocky as he was when he was younger, though he did look slightly slimmer, and the general messy look he had back then was gone and he had a horseshoe-styled moustashe. Snails was still lanky looking, but the old rounded colt-ish features that he once had was replaced by a more matured angular appearance fitting of a stallion. The addition of glasses also improved his overall appearance, making Snails look rather distinguished.

"Good to see you guys again." he stated, his eyes on Rumble for a moment longer.

Spike let out a brief chuckle, "Surprised by Rumble's size?"

"I suppose you could say that."

"Don't worry, most of us were pretty surprised by it too at first."

"Can you still fly...?" Featherweight asked Rumble, knowing that larger pegasi tend to have harder times with prolonged flight.

"You bet." he replied proudly, "I got the wing strength to carry all this."

"We're still waiting on the others: Pip, Button Mash, and Shady Daze." Spike rang in.

"Wait Shady is coming too?" Featherweight asked

"He is one your closest friends, Featherweight." Snips stated, "Why wouldn't he show up?"

"Because, he's the only old face I've seen in the last year or so, and I know he's usually busy."

"Too busy for a quick meet up? Never." they heard a voice stated.

The group turned to see, the last three of their group approach them. Shady leading the trio, as Pipsqueak was seemingly nudging Button, who was muzzle deep in a portable game, to move in whichever direction he needed to go.

"Sorry fellas, Button held us back some." Pipsqueak apologized, then turned to look at Button, "It isn't gonna kill you to put that old Joyboy of yours down for a moment." he remarked.

Button rolled his eyes, and quickly saved his game before turning it off and putting it away.

"I see some things don't quite change." Featherweight said with a smile, then looked at Shady, "Good to see you again. Interesting to see you finding the time out of your busy schedule for a visit."

"I would never pass up a chance to visit old friends." he replied confidently and shook hooves with Featherweight.

"Wait, I thought you haven't seen anyone from Ponyville for over 8 years." Spike stated

"Mostly, Shady is an exception because he works as the editor for the Manehatten Presses, so anytime Manehatten Presses and the Canterlot Press share a story, I get to see him." Featherweight explained, "Well, sort of, he's usually too busy to even say 'hello' to an old friend."

"In Manehatten, time is money, and I can't stop to say 'hello' to every familiar face I see, it'd cost me my job." Shady quickly added as the group got settled into seats on the table.

"Whatever, that's enough of that. Let's get back to why we're all here fellas: to hang out like we use to." Spike proposed, earning a chorus of agreement from the others.

For the next couple of hours the group of talked, ate, and laughed, mostly sharing stories of what's happened in the last several years. Naturally, Featherweight had to explain to the others where's he'd been since he disappeared 8 years ago, which was met with some questions from the others. Overall, it was nice to see the others again, and see what they've been doing as of late.

"So..., that's what I've been up to." Snails remarked

"That does explain why I've never seen you around campus." Pipsqueak rang out

"We heard that you went to the university, but...wow, I didn't think you'd be that serious about it. You really passed up all the fun events and chances to meet other ponies, to study?" Rumble asked.

"I was serious about improving myself, and that I'm not just a dim-witted colt."

"I've been meaning to ask you, Snails, why did you choose to attend Manehatten-U? I mean, as a unicorn, you probably could've attended Celestia's School for the Gifted." Button asked

"Probably not." Spike absentmindedly remarked as he looked at his cup wondering if he should ask for a quick refill.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean no offense to Snails or anything, but I don't think he would've been able to anyway." Spike explained, "Based on what he told us, it sounds more like he was trying to improve himself mentally. Celestia's School for the Gifted is mostly designed for those who has shown that they excel in magic, meaning Snails would need to prove he has magical potential greater than what is considered normal for his age."

"So that's the case is it?" Pipsqueak remarked

"Who's to say though, he might have some potential." Rumble remarked

"Maybe." Spike said as he shrugged, "Well, there is a test that they do, so he can still prove it if he wants to. I can even talk to the Princess about it, and see if he could bypass the application process."

"Well, you don't exactly gain anything from quitting." Button stated.

"What do you say, Snails? You want to give it a try?"

Snails thought about it for a brief moment before shaking his head, "Nah, I think I'll be okay."

"You sure?" Snips asked his friend.

Snails merely nodded in response.

Featherweight looked up at a clock to see what the time was, it was now early evening, and most of the ponies who ran a shop in near the town center were now closing up for the day. Figuring it would only be time until the group concluded their meet-up and dispersed, he decided now would be a good time to get out his camera from his saddlebag.

Button watched him for a brief moment, wondering what he was doing, before letting out a groan, "Please don't tell me you're taking out your camera, Featherweight!"

"Too late, he is." Spike stated with a smirk as Featherweight pulled out his camera for all of them to see.

"Still using that old camera, huh?" Shady asked, as Featherweight nodded, "You know, there are newer models of that design out now and can deliver a cleaner and more detailed picture than that one."

"I'm aware, but it's not like I can afford to buy those. Besides, this has sentimental value to me."

"Why are you taking that out now?" Snips asked

"It's getting kinda late. Thought I'd get a group picture before we call it a day."

"It's not that late. It's only early evening, we probably got, what...4 hours tops before the Cakes kick us out." Button remarked

"Actually, he's right." Spike stated, "Mr. and Mrs. Cake wouldn't kick us out till their ready to close, but I'd think most of us probably have things to do, and places to be before then. That also includes them as well, Pound and Pumpkin aren't exactly at that age any more where they'll sleep just cause you put them to bed. I know I have to get back by at least 7:30 to start on dinner for Applebloom and myself."

"You always seem to be cooking these days." Rumble remarked

"That's because Applebloom has been working overtime. With all the work she agreed to do, she's been working around the clock to get all those frames and trusses done on time. So it's only sensible I pull my weight by at least cooking dinner."

"Anyway, yeah, I gotta get going soon too. I took the afternoon off, not a couple of days, so I'll be back to work tomorrow, and I have to catch one of the last trains back to Manehattan tonight." Shady remarked.

"Dinky is off of work tomorrow, and I'm suppose to spend the day with her, so I can't stay up very late." Pipsqueak rang in.

"Alright, whatever." Button stated.

"We'll ask Pinkie or one of the Cakes if they'll help with the picture." Spike suggested, "So we'll all be in the picture."

"We can do that later, just before we leave." Snips stated, "That does remind me though. Featherweight you've been in town for two days now, right?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you staying? When Spike said you were back in town, Snails and I were thinking about visiting you to catch up, but you're not checked-in at any of the inns or local hotels."

"Dinky told me that the bloke is actually staying in Scootaloo's guest room." Pipsqueak stated

"Scootaloo's...? Why are you staying at Scootaloo's house?"

Featherweight hesitated, before hearing Spike say, "I think you better just tell them. I don't think you'll be able to beat around telling us about your housing situation."

He sighed and said, "I'm staying with Scootaloo. She offered to take me in for a while, while I look around for a home of my own. I've actually been sleeping in and out of motels between Canterlot and Manehattan for the last couple of months now."

"Wait? Are you serious?!" Rumble asked incredulously.

"Yes, it's either a cheap motel at Manehattan, or a cheap motel in mid-town Canterlot, wherever my work took me."

"You could've told me about it. I wouldn't have minded giving you my spare room at my place at Manehattan." Shady remarked.

"That would've only worked if I had to take pictures of something at Manehattan. It's a long flight as it is between Canterlot and here, I'm not even sure how long it would take to fly from Manehattan to Canterlot."

"I'm more surprised Rumble didn't noticed before." Snails stated, "Aren't you dating Scootaloo? Shouldn't you have seen him once by now at her place?" He asked the aforementioned pegasus.

"Actually..., Scootaloo and I broke things off two months ago." Rumble mentioned.

"What happened?" Pipsqueak asked

"It's kind of a long story."

"He and Scootaloo got into a really bad arguement." Spike stated, "They got into a verbal fight after one of their races. The two of them were always very competitive, and whoever lost got grumpy for the rest of the day, but that was the first time it escalated past that."

"Who told you that?!" Rumble asked.

"Who do you think Scootaloo complains to whenever Sweetie Belle was up in Canterlot, and Applebloom's too busy with something or another to really listen?" Spike asked with a smirk, "And it's not like I'm in a serious relationship with one of them, or part of their inner circle of friends, or anything like that." He added in a sarcastic tone.

"Yeesh! I get it."

"I'm sorry." Spike apologized with a chuckle. "Honestly though, I was surprised to hear what happened. I don't have the slightest idea why that race was different, but whatever happened, Scootaloo was absolutely furious about it. All I know about that day is that she's the one who won the race."

"Hm...by any chance did you decide to say something that day? And, if so, did it happen to be anything about her wings?" Button asked with genuine curiousity.

"I...I think so..., and, yeah, I think I might've said something about 'em." Rumble replied.

"That's probably why." Button stated with a groan, "I'm assuming what happened is that you lost, got a little upset by that loss, and might've said something about her wings that wasn't a compliment or nice. Sound about right?

Rumble forced a nervous chuckle, agreeing that's more than likely what happened.

"Listen, I pay attention to things. Just cause I have my muzzle in front of my Joyboy or an arcade machine, doesn't mean I'm totally oblivious about things that happen around me; and, if it's one thing about Scootaloo I know, it's that she's very sensitive about her wings. Unless you're going to say something nice about it, you really shouldn't say anything about 'em."

"Well, I know that now."

"Well, either way I'm sorry to hear such bad news, Rumble." Snails stated

"Eh, it's alright." He waved a hoof dismissing it, "Scootaloo and I patched things up, and we're friends again and have a race every now and then, so it's not all that bad. Besides, it kinda gave me a chance to find somepony else."

"Really...? Who?" Spike asked.

"I'm not sure about you Spike, but does anypony here remember Ruby?"

"Ruby...?" Shady asked

"Wait, as in 'Ruby Pinch'?" Pipsqueak asked, "Ms. Berry's daughter, Ruby Pinch...?"

"Yep, same one." he replied with wide grin.

"I haven't heard much about her as of late. What's she doing these days?"

"She works at Ponyville General Hospital. She works there as a Behavioral Counselor, though she does assist as just a nurse when things are slow there, which is kinda how I met up with her."

"With how often you seem to crash whenever you do a show-offy stunt, I can see how that happened." Spike said with a chuckle.

"Say what you want, but you have no idea how cute she looks these days, especially with that nurse's hat on."

"Whatever, best of luck to you Rumble. Just remember to choose your words carefully this time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..."

The group eventually decided to part ways for now as the stars started to appear in the night sky. After promptly thanking the Cakes for letting them have their meet-up there, and letting Pinkie take their group photo, they agreed to another one sometime later, after they all find out when the next best date will be.

Snips and Snails decided to follow Featherweight for a while longer, seeing that the three of them were going in the same general direction anyway, and just chat.

"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, where do you two live?" Featherweight asked them.

"I still live with my parents." Snips replied, "They're letting me stay until I find my own place to move into. Until then though, I'll just help out with any of the expenses."

"I live at the dormitory in Manehattan." Snails stated, "Otherwise, I'm in the same boat as Snips, I still live with my parents. Though it's only whenever I need a place to stay after returning to Ponyville."

"Which isn't really that often when you really think about it." Snips stated towards Snails, "You're really only around during major holidays or breaks."

Snails chuckled and said, "Yeah, I am."

"Well, at least you came out for the get-together. It's nice to see another old face after so many years." Featherweight stated as he fiddled with his camera.

"Likewise."

"Something wrong with your camera?" Snips asked.

"No, nothing's wrong, I'm just checking how much is left." he replied, "I only have a couple of shots left, then I have to go find someplace to develop the film and buy some new film." He then wondered if going to Canterlot or Manehatten just to have the film developed would be too much trouble.

"Where did you use go to get all that stuff done back then?"

"I developed the film myself using materials supplied for us to use for the 'Foal Free Press', and my parents were the ones who gave me the rolls of film to use. I'm not sure if Miss Cheerilee would be okay with me using the old development room, and my folks are at Trottingham right now."

"What about Latent Image's Images?" Snails asked.

"Who?" Snips and Featherweight asked simultaneously.

"Latent Image, he came to town a little over four years ago, and opened up a photography store almost three and a half years ago."

"How come I've never heard of him?" Snips asked.

"And, how is it I've never seen his store?" Featherweight asked, "I know I've only been here for two days, but I've been flying around town during those two days."

"You probably have seen his store, but never really noticed. His store is where Mr. Davenport had his store, Quill and Couches, after he moved locations to a bigger store."

"Oh, yeah, when the town started getting bigger so did his needed stock." Snips added, "I guess that explains why I never noticed him then." To which Snails chuckled and nodded.

"Well it couldn't hurt. I'll visit the store tomorrow and see what I'll find. Thanks for letting me know about the store, Snails."

Eventually the trio went their separate ways. Once Featherweight neared Scootaloo's home, he found said pony was at the front door rummaging through her saddlebag.

Upon hearing Featherweight approaching her, Scootaloo looked up and had a relieved expression on her face.

"Hey, Feathers, where have you been all afternoon?" She greeted.

"I was at the Sugarcube Corner with the others. Spike set-up a get together for all the guys to catch up."

"Oh, is that all...?"

Both remained silent as they stood outside Scootaloo's home, as Scootaloo nervously looked away from Featherweight, especially once he raised a brow in confusion.

"Um, aren't you going to open the door?" He asked.

"Why don't you do it? You have a key." She remarked with slight amount of irritation in her voice.

Featherweight didn't reply, though the response did make him take a step back. Deciding not to argue, he pulled out the spare key from his saddlebag and unlocked the front door before entering. As Featherweight headed into the kitchen to reheat the last bit of soup he had cooked two days prior, Scootaloo went into the living room and started looking around for something.

"So, um, I looked at some homes today." he remarked, trying to start a conversation.

"Found a place of your own now?"

"Well, no, not yet, I'm still working on that part."

"What about the newer homes? I'm sure one of those will be nice enough." she stated as Featherweight could hear her now looking around the tables near the stairs.

"Most of them were out of my pay-range. I'll talk to Mayor Mare a little later about the ones that aren't." He replied as he put the pot over the stove and turned the fire on, before going to see what Scootaloo was doing, "Uh, what are you looking for, Scootaloo?"

"Nothing. I'm not looking for anything." Scootaloo immediate stopped doing whatever she was doing to look at him.

"Are you sure...? I mean, if you want-"

"I said it's nothing." Scootaloo stated loudly in an irritated tone, causing Featherweight to take a step back.

"Okay, if you say so." He said in a soft voice as he took one more step back before turning and going back into the kitchen.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Featherweight again heard Scootaloo rummaging about in the living room, looking for whatever she was looking for. After Scootaloo finished searching around the living room she went up stairs and continued her search up there, eventually though she trotted back down into kitchen with an annoyed look.

Featherweight didn't say anything as he went about his business of placing two bowls on the table, only really acknowledging Scootaloo with a slight glance, before going back to the stove to grab pot and fill both their bowls with what's left of the soup.

Scootaloo just sat herself into a chair, before the smell of the hot soup seemed to visibly lighten her mood, as well as remind her how hungry she actually was. The changed expressions prompted a light chuckle from her guest as Featherweight found some amusement to seeing Scootaloo excited over a meal.

After they had eaten, Featherweight had placed his dishes in the sink and was trying to find the source of a smell that was starting to bother him. He had picked up on it last night, but it hadn't been too prominent so he assumed it was some residual smell from some of Scootaloo's well-passed-expired fruit he had gotten rid off already and chose to ignore it; but, it seems it had gotten worse, so it couldn't be just residual smells. Meanwhile, Scootaloo seemed rather content about licking her bowl clean, ensure she got every last drop of soup of her meal.

When she finished with that, she sat back in her chair and licked her lips before saying, "It's amazing how good this stuff still tastes, even after you've re-heated it twice already."

"Really...? I didn't really notice." He stated without looking at her, still admist his own search.

"I dunno, maybe I was just really hungry." She then looked at him, "What are you sticking your nose around for in my kitchen anyway?"

"Can't you smell that?"

Scootaloo sniffed the air for a moment before replying, "Honestly, that's kinda normal with all the fruit I forget to eat before it becomes over-ripe or rotten. You just learn to ignore it, it'll turn up later."

"Well..., that may work for you, but it's starting to bother me."

Scootaloo paused for a moment, then her eyes looked to her bread box, "Did you check the bread box?"

"The bread box?"

"Yeah, I sometimes I find some fruit in there."

Featherweight didn't wait any time as he went over to check, upon opening it, he cringed as the smell got worse. Sure enough there was a half-eaten apple in there with what looked to be the start of a bacterial colony.

"Yep, that's probably it alright." He covered his nose with a hoof, before noticing something else in there. "What's this?" He pulled his hoof in to reach and pull out a key, "A key?"

Upon hearing that, Scootaloo's ears immediately perked up.

"I wonder what a key was doing in here." He noticed the teeth on it look rather familiar, "Wait a minute...is this a key for the front door?"

"Uh, yeah..., that's mine." Scootaloo admitted as she quickly trotted over and took the key from Featherweight.

"Wait, is that what you were looking for earlier?"

Scootaloo hesitated for a moment as she scratched the back of her head, "Yeah, it was. I thought I put it in my saddlebag. I guess I left in there when I was making myself a sandwich this morning."

"I'm glad I was able to help, but this" he pointed at the half-eaten apple, "doesn't look sanitary. Mind if I clean it out?"

"Sure, it's not like I'm planning on eating that anymore from the looks of it."

With that, Featherweight gingerly picked it up by the stem and left to throw it out. Scootaloo was just relieved to have her house key again.

The rest of the night went uneventfully as Scootaloo and Featherweight went up to their rooms as Scootaloo had some paperwork and Featherweight wanted to do some maintenance on his camera before they both called it a night.