Scootaloo doesn't have any parents anymore. Huh, neither does Applebloom.
It's Hearthswarming! Ponies everywhere gather close, celebrating there family. But not Applebloom. Not Scootaloo. They don't have parents anymore. But maybe they can help each other? (no shipping involved!)
"Alright, everypony settle down, please. I know the holidays are coming, and we're all excited, but it's still school." Mrs. Cheerilee smiled. The class reluctantly quieted.
"Thank you. Now, I thought today we could do something a bit more fun. Anypony who'd like to can share some of there favorite holiday traditions with the class. Any volunteers?" She asked. There were a lot. And soon they were off.
Sweetie Belle was first. "Even though my parents are in Canterlot, they come over to visit Rarity and I! It's special, because we usually don't see them much!"
Diamond Tiara seemed eager. "My dad and mom have this competition to see who can buy the most expensive gift! They waste all their money, and it's stupid, but it's really fun to watch!"
Silver Spoon nodded. "Sometimes my mom and dad join in too! It's like a battle!"
Twist raised his hoof. "Every sense I found out my baking talent, my mom helps me try a new cookie recipe every year!"
Button Mash thought a minute. "Sometimes Mom and I play video games together! Ever year she tells me how to beat what level I'm on. I've been waiting five months to learn the secret to Level 168!"
It seemed everypony had a tradition. And it seemed all these involved their parents. Which kept out two filles in particular.
One was Applebloom. Her parents had passed shortly after she was born. Her head was hidden from sight on the desk.
The other was Scootaloo. She had never known her parents. She cried silently.
But nopony noticed either one. They were all too excited to notice the mares wishing the day was over.
Until it was.
"Happy Holidays, everypony!" Mrs Cheerilee smiled as foals lept out.
"Scootaloo? Applebloom?" Sweetie Belle asked gently.
"They must have fallen asleep." She whispered, shaking them gently.
Their faces rose. "Are you two okay?" Sweetie Belle asked, her voice full of concern.
Applebloom shook her head. "I'm fine, Sweetie Belle. Just... Tired." She set off towards Sweet Apple Acres.
I sighed as I trotted home. I knew I was being stupid, and that I should be thankful, but. Around this time of year, it's a lot harder than usual. At least things weren't as bad as they could be. Diamond Tiara had mocked me silly for my behavior during Mother's Day. Luckily, she has changed. But still... Maybe I can cheer up, now that I'm home. "Applebloom! How was school?" Applejack asked me. I has wiped away my tears, so it looked authentic when I said,
"Alright. Whatcha doing, Applejack?"
"Actually, Big Mac and I were waiting for you to get home! The tree has presents underneath, now we just need to decorate it!"
I smiled, knowing this would cheer me up. Decorating the tree was one of my favorite parts of Hearthswarming.
"Big Mac, you got the ornaments from upstairs?" Applejack yelled.
Big Mac sat down the box that was on his lap. "Eeyup."
I grinned excitedly. In the box were all my favorites! Mostly there were ones I had made at school!
"We're running out! Got any more, Granny?" I asked.
"This tree is bigger than our usual. I think I've got another couple in a bag... I'll see if I can get 'em."
I looked at what we had done so far. There weren't many presents, about four for each of us, but that was all I really needed. The only ponies at school who got more than that are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
"Found them!" Granny Smith shouted.
I had to dig around in the box a little bit, until I found something. I lifted it out, and stopped.
"What's wrong Apple- Oh."
A heart shaped ornament that read 'First Hearthswarming Together'.
"Applebloom, I-"
I shook my head, and looked around the tree until I found a spot.
I placed it right in the center where everypony could see it. Where it deserved to be.
I ran off, thinking I might go to the clubhouse. Maybe there I could think.
Applejack started after Applebloom, when Big Mac stopped her.
Granny Smith stepped up. "She just needs a minute, AJ."
"Eeyup."
Applejack sighed, sitting down.
"She couldn't have found a better place for that ornament, you know."
I shook myself a little, ashamed. There was no need to overreact back there! I hope Sweetie Belle and Applebloom aren't worried...
I finally arrived at my place. The orphanage.
"Hey Scootaloo! Happy Hearthswarming!" A blue and gold mare called out to me.
"Thanks, Sun Catcher. You too." I replied.
I trotted to get some dinner, where Mrs. Hope Star seemed to be waiting for us. I grabbed some food and sat down.
"Now I know it's Hearthswarming, and we all might be feeling a little down, so I encourage you all to spend the holiday with your friends. Now, with that out of the way, it's time to announce the lucky foals!"
Of course! I had forgotten! Every year, Mrs. Hope Star told us who had gotten adopted for Hearthswarming. It was great to see your friends so happy when they're called, but you kinda feel like mud when you aren't it. However, I was hopeful this year!
...
"Alright, the final 2 names!"
I grinned. That HAD to be Sun Catcher and I!
"Alright! Sun Catcher!"
I smiled and hugged her. "Ooh! Congrats, Catch! Get up there!"
"Thanks, Loo! Hope you join me up there!"
I grinned! This was it this was my year!
"And finally, Scootaloo!"
I almost exploded with joy! Oh my gosh! I was finally adopted! YES!
I tried to hide my glee, because I knew how it felt to not be chosen. But I was so happy!
I ran up with the other ponies, joining Sun Catcher and hugging her.
...
"Hey, Loo! Do you have a bag I can use for my stuff?"
I shook my head. "Mrs. Hope Star might, though. I'll go ask."
"... What do you mean? Oh! She'll be devastated... Yes, I understand. I'll tell her your sorry."
I walked up to her. "Are you okay, 'mam? Do you have a bag Sun Catcher can use?"
Mrs. Hope Star nodded. "Here you are, Scootaloo. And afterwards... There's something I need to tell you."
"Yes 'mam!" I took the bag and ran back.
"Hey," Sun Catcher exclaimed. "I'll still be able to see you, right?"
I grinned. "Of course! I have to go, Mrs. Hope Star wanted to see me."
"What does she want?"
I shrugged. "I dunno. See you in a minute."
I ran back. "What do you need? Am I in trouble?"
She shook her head. "No, Scootaloo. But, um..."
I cocked my head. "What?"
She sighed. "The ponies who planned on adopting you called."
I smiled. "Can I talk to them? Did you tell them thank you from me?"
She shook her head gently. "Well, they... Their mother informed them she didn't want them having any kids and took back the money they were going to use. They can't adopt you."
My world crashed around me. I didn't know why there were still sounds and motions, when the world was obviously over. Realization slowly dawned on me. I wasn't getting adopted... I was staying here... And all my friends weren't.
"Scootaloo-"
I didn't care what she had to say. I slammed open the door and ran out, tears stinging my eyes.
I ran to the only place I knew I could still go. The clubhouse.
I was worried. Why had they acted like that? Were they okay? I knew I should probably leave them be. My parents and Rarity used to warn me I could invade other ponies privacy or business. But I was still worried about them. Why were they so upset?
Did they not want to come over? No, they could have just told you that.
Maybe it's the holiday? Why would this upset them?
I walked into the boutique to be greeted by my big sis, Rarity.
"There you are, Sweetie Belle! I made you a special hat for the holidays, I got the idea, and I just couldn't resist, and I thought- ... Sweetie Belle. What's wrong?"
I sighed. "Something's wrong with Applebloom and Scootaloo. But I don't know what."
Rarity thought a minute. "Are you all upset about your cutie marks still?"
I shook my head. "The last time we went crusading, they were fine."
"Perhaps it's the holiday season?"
I grimaced. "That's what I thought too. But why could anypony be unhappy when it's almost Hearthswarming?"
Rarity bit her lip. "I don't know. I'm sure the party will cheer them up, however. Speaking of which, Mom and Dad wrote. They said they're coming as well!"
Something dawned on me. Mom and Dad... "That's great, Rarity! And also great; I think I know how I can help Applebloom and Scootaloo! Do you think we could invite a few more guests to the party?"
Nopony knows how it happened, but in the next minute, Applebloom and Scootaloo were sitting together, crying silently and staring at each other, sympathetic.
"Why did they have to die?"
"How could they abandon me?"
"Everypony else got to know them!"
"Everypony else got adopted!"
"They had to bring it up!"
"They gave me false hope!"
"I hate Hearthswarming!"
"I hate Hearthswarming!"
"DON'T HATE IT!"
Scootaloo and Applebloom turned to see Sweetie Belle standing there.
"S- Sweetie Belle. What are you doing here?" Scootaloo asked.
"Making sure your alright!" Sweetie Belle replied.
"Well thanks, but we're perfectly okay." Applebloom dismissed.
"No your not." Sweetie Belle cried. "Stop lying."
Scootaloo glanced hopelessly at Applebloom. "She's right. There's no point."
Sweetie Belle smiled weakly. "Come to the party."
Applebloom shook her head. "We're not in the mood."
"I know, but-"
"I SAID WE'RE NOT IN THE MOOD!" Applebloom blasted. "You've got parents!"
Sweetie Belle cried harder, but defended herself.
"I might as well not! They never really liked me, you know. But I was stupid, I didn't realize. When they told me to spend time with Rarity, I was excited. But they never came back. I started to worry, and wrote them letters. I had to wait a year for any response. And you know what response I got back? "Shut up. We're not taking you back. Why should we?" They've been getting themselves drunk lately, trying to quit the habit. No family is EVER perfect. But this year, they say their better. If there's hope for my family, there's hope for your's too. I swear it. ... But please come to the party. You won't regret it."
Scootaloo and Applebloom opened the door, and were shocked at what they found.
It wasn't just Rarity and her parents.
It was Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Cheerilee, Diamond Tiara, Button Mash, Twist, and many others.
Rainbow Dash flew up to hug Scootaloo. "What are you doing here?" Scootaloo asked.
"What are ANY of you doing here?" Applebloom clarified.
Sweetie Belle smiled. "You may not have parents, but you've got plenty of other family. I thought you might need a reminder of that."
Sweetie Belle and Rarity's parents stepped forward. "We'd like to be your honorary parents for tonight." Applebloom and Scootaloo smiled. But at Sweetie Belle. They ran up and hugged her.
"Thank you."
"You're amazing."
"You're more than that."
"You're family."
"Thank you."
...
While the other two crusaders were mingling, Sweetie Belle somehow found herself next to Pinkie Pie.
"I know smiling and creating it. It's my life. And you, Sweetie Belle, just did one heck of a good job." Pinkie Pie smiled.
"Thanks. I'm just glad that they're happy." She looked relived.
Twilight grinned. "Okay, anypony know any good carols?"
Spike grinned. "I know plenty of carols, but you said good ."
Fluttershy shrugged. "I don't know, Twilight."
Applejack raised her hoof. "I think I know the perfect one."
And suddenly, everypony was singing these lyrics together in perfect harmony...
When family cannot be here Havin' journeyed far and wide We sing a song to honor them To remember days gone by So take your cup and raise it high Just as surely I'll do mine And laugh we will at stories told As we smile at days gone by As we smile at days gone by For family not here, my dears Havin' journeyed far and wide For loyalty and kindness both We smile at days gone by Our paths will cross again one day In time to reunite For family is always near Even when the seas are wide So take your cup and raise it high Just as surely I'll do mine And make a toast for family And the tales of days gone by For family not here, my dears Havin' journeyed far and wide For loyalty and kindness both Take joy at days gone by For loyalty and kindness both We smile at days gone
"Mom, I think you finally did it! I think you finally broke your habit!"
"You know what, Sweetie, I think your right!"
"But can i stay with Rarity?"
"Of course. But don't worry, we'll be visiting much more often!
"You know Scootaloo, I think it's time we got you out of that orphanage."
"What are you saying, Rainbow Dash?"
"I'm saying let's get to the orphanage! I've got some paper work to fill out..."
"Mom and Dad would have been so proud of you, Applebloom."
"Do YOU remember them, AJ?"
"A little. Hmm... I actually know one pretty funny story..."
"Tell me!"
"Well, alright. So we were in the orchard, and Big Mac and I are trying to buck, and I'm just not doing good, and Mom noticed. She trotted over, and she told me I needed to try......"
