When Friends Change

>It’s been a while since you took in that adorable little Pegasus Scootaloo.
>Everything has gone better than expected.
>Well aside from the attempted abduction to put her into a murder facility.
>BUT she did finally get her cutie mark out of it, so that’s a plus.
>You finish your cleaning for the day and are about ready to head out for a bit.
>She’ll probably be out for a while with her friends.
>All because she has her mark doesn’t mean she won’t help them find their talent.
>She’s a good kid.
>Yes she is brain.
>The door opening and closing surprises you.
>You’ve actually been leaving it unlocked after you think you’ve reached an understanding with Fluttershy and Applejack....
>Maybe they’re back at it.
>You grab the nearest thing to a weapon within arms reach.
>Peering around the corner, you see Scootaloo throw herself on the couch.
>You come around the corner. “Uh... shouldn’t you be out with your friends?”
>She presses her face into a throw pillow and screams “I DON’T HAVE ANY FRIENDS!”

>Well, no one said being a dad was going to be all sunshine and action scenes.
>You sit down next to her and put a hand on her back.
>”Whoa, what happened?” Seriously, Those three fillys were practically inseparable.
>She mumbles something into the pillow.
>You sigh, pick her up, and put her on your lap.
>“C’mon Scoots, you know you can talk to me,” Oh man, she just looks so sad.
>She doesn’t meet your eyes and just mumbles again.
>”That’s fine,” you tell her giving the chance to get off your lap.
>She doesn’t move.
>You lean in and kiss her on the forehead. “If you want to talk about it, you can.”
>She looks up at you and smiles then down again.
>She looks down and notices the weapon you grabbed earlier.
>”Why are you holding a carrot?”
>”Um... snack.”

>You two share a quiet dinner and you go outside before the sun sets to watch her do tricks on her scooter.
>You share a dessert and make small talk about school.
>You don’t ask any probing or obvious questions.
>You hope she tells you something about what’s bothering her.
>Nope, she’s tight lipped.
>You tuck her in and wish her good night.
>It’s nice she has her own room now complete with a signed Wonderbolts poster (Thanks Rainbro).
>You go back to your own room and get into bed.
>Man being a dad is harder than you expected.
>What are you talking about? You faced an angry army of nazzi p0nies not too long ago.
>Getting beaten up is easy brain
>You hear your door open.
>”Dad?” Scootaloo whispers.
>You sit up “Yeah Scoots?”
>She climbs up on the bed and curls up next to you.
>”Do you like me any less now that I have my cutie mark?”
>Oh, you think you finally know what may have happened.
>”Of course not. If humans had one, you know what mine would be? What my special talent would be?”
>”Hm?” She’s not crying, but you can sense the depression.
>”It would be you.”
>After a moment, you both laugh at how lame that sounded.
>”Thanks dad.” She says after a while and snuggles into your chest.

>The morning comes and you make sure Scootaloo gets to class.
>You’re a dad on a mission.
>Though things aren’t as.... creepy with Applejack, you don’t exactly want to talk with her right now
>She’s stopped with the physical rape attempts, but she still manages to do it with her eyes.
>That’s ok. Sweetie Belle’s sister is sure to help out.
>The Carousel Boutique, so posh.
>Rarity always seems nice to you. A little stuck up, but nice none the less.
>You knock and the white and purple Unicorn magics it open like it ain’t no thing.
>”Anon Dahling! So good to see you.” She chimes in a sing song voice. “would you like to be measured for a new outfit?” Measuring tape already afloat.
>”Oh, thank you, but no.” You say with a smile, waving the tape away.
>She chuckles and smiles. “Such manners, I wish more p0nies were like you.”
>Heh, she’s quite the flatterer.
>”I do wish this was purely social, but um... Has Sweetie Bell mentioned anything? Crusader related?”
>Her smile disappears. “Oh yes... that thing.”

>She continues working on her next project. “Poor Sweetie Belle. When I heard what happened, I just about DIED!”
>Wow, whatever happened must have been pretty bad.
>Rarity turns to you. “I know you do the best you can, but I knew Scootaloo was a bit of a ... individualist to put it nicely.”
>What’d she say about your girl? “Well, what do you mean, what happened exactly?”
>Rarity puts a reassuring hoof on your hip. “I know she finally got her cutie mark, but to lord it over her friends is a bit cruel don’t you think?”
>You shuffle a bit awkwardly. “Well, I don’t know the specifics. I figured it had something to do with her cutie mark and her friends.”
>”Oh my yes, I mean those three have been through so much. Sweetie Belle was absolutely devastated. You’ll probably have better luck asking Applejack.” She pulls you in for a whisper. “Between the two of us, Apple Bloom is a bit rougher than my sister. Perhaps she indulged more in the tale.”
>You thank Rarity and let her know that you would like to come back soon for a new pair of jeans.
>She mumbles something about how you and Applejack are two sides to the same coin.
>That statement disturbs you.
>Especially seeing as that Sweet Apple Acres is your next stop.

>Big Mac greets you with a nod.
>”Hey there. Is Applejack around?” You ask.
>He arches an eyebrow, “Eeeeyup.” And motions towards the barn.
>Take a deep breath, you two have come to an understanding.
>She may look at you lecherously.
>As long as she looks and doesn’t touch.
>You walk into the barn.
>Applejack’s stacking buckets of apples or something.
>You clear your throat to let her know you’re there.
>She turns to you and frowns. “Wadya want?”
>Ooookay, that’s not the greeting you were expecting.
>”I wanted to ask if Apple Bloom said anything about Scootaloo, I understand there was a falling out of sorts.”
>”Falling out? FALLING OUT?” She yells frightening you a bit. She stomps closer to you.
>”Do ya know what my sister been through? Bein’ a ‘blank flank’ and all? One of the last kids in her class ta still be one?”
>You back away slowly, “Um can’t say that I do...”
>”She found friends jus’ like ’er. The LEAST I woulda expected is that if her friends got their mark before her, they wouldn’t use it as a reason to be all superior!” She is right in your face!
>You put your hands up “I don’t know what happened. I’m trying to figure it all out.”
>AJ sighs “I... Sorry there Anon. Them fillys were the best of friends. Hate to see all that go away.”
>Hey now, I have an idea.
>About time you earned your keep brain.

>The answer was so simple.
>What you should have done all along.
>The answer to ALL of the big problems.
>PINKIE PIE PARTY!!!
>Seriously brain?
>Yes, it’s genius.
>The mere mention of a party throws Pinkie into an epileptic fit of technicolor productivity.
>AJ was easy enough to convince.
>All you had to do for Rarity was promise to let her make you a fancy suit.
>When Scootaloo gets home, you let her know you arranged a surprise for her at Sugarcube Corner.
>Everyp0ny’s already there by the time you arrive.
>Scootaloo seems reluctant at first, but ultimately trusts you.
>However, you have to block the door when she sees Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.
>”Ok girls, We’re going to talk about what’s going on between the three of you.” You say in your best fatherly voice.
>They all just stare at the ground.
>You kneel down and put a hand on Scootaloo’s back. “I hear you were showing off to your friends to make them feel bad, kind of like that Diamond Tiara di...”
>She cuts you off. “NO I DIDN’T!”
>Apple Bloom scoffs “Yea ye did! We were tryin’ to plan our next event, but you wouldn’t help. Just showin’ off yer scooter tricks!”
>”Yeah” Sweetie Belle squeaks. “You might have your cutie mark, but we still need to find ours!”
>Scootaloo’s eyes go wide. “No... I’m.. I was just so happy to get my cutie mark. I wanted my friends to be as happy about it as I was.”
>Apple Bloom and Sweety Belle approach her.
>”We are happy for ya, we’re yer best friends.” Apple Bloom says with a smile.
>Scootaloo smiles, “We’re still friends?”
>”Of course silly. Besides, we went line dancing yesterday and it just wasn’t the same.” Sweetie Belle admits.
>”You know what’d be AWESOME?” Scootaloo shouts. “SKYDIVING!”
>The three shout in unison knocking you back slightly. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SKYDIVING ADVENTURE!!!!”

>Applejack helps you up and thanks you profusely.
>You’re hit with inspiration.
>Back home after the party, you pen a quick note to Celestia about accepting your friend’s changes and also not making your friends feel bad for having something they don’t.
>Scootaloo thanks you again before bed.
>She hugs you around the neck like she never wants to let go.
>Yeah, she’s a good kid.
>The next morning you head over to Twilight’s tree to have your letter delivered.
>Something seems weird.
>The door is open slightly and you push your way in.
>Push your way in because all the books are spilled all over the floor.
>”Um, Twi?” You call out.
>From under a pile you hear some mumbling.
>”Twi?” You ask again.
>She surfaces from under her books. “THERE’S NOTHING HERE!”
>Whoa, she has that look. “What is it Twi? What’s not here?
>”Anything, something.... The Princess, the factory.... How many fillys and colts sent to their death to control the weather?”
>You blissfully forgot The Directors parting words, but looks like your friend may need some help of her own.