In Loco Parentis (Part 3)

>”Thank you for taking the time to help me mark these tests, Anon” Miss. Cheerilee said looking up from the papers.
Not a problem, Cheerilee. How’s the school year going so far? Is Scootaloo doing well in class?
>”Everything is going fine, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in her overall behaviour and academic achievements.”
Is that right? That’s good to hear.
>”She was gets along so well with AppleBloom and Sweetie Belle enough, but she use to be so reluctant about making new friends.”
>You continued to mark the tests using the answer key.
>Not much was spoken, but Cheerilee already knew what you’ve done and how you’ve ‘adopted’ Scootaloo. But something was on your mind about the whole thing.
Miss. Cheerliee.
>”Yes?”
How come no one noticed that Scootaloo didn’t have any parents?
>Cheerilee thought for a moment, “Well, she only started coming to school shortly before you came to Ponyville. When I asked her about her parents coming to meet me, she said her parents were too busy. So I would send notes. They came back signed, but she probably forged a fake signature.”
>Scootaloo really has been misdirecting the others to keep them from knowing.
I assume that if a foal has no parents, they get taken to an orphanage?
>She nods her head, “Yes, but it’s only for a short while until they throw them out onto the streets. She could’ve at least had a roof over her head and something to eat.”
Scootaloo is hard on herself. Ever since what her mother and father did to her, she probably still feels that it’s her fault.
>That mix of awkward and depression filled the air; perhaps it was time to change the subject.
Hearts n Hooves Day is coming up, eh?
>”Yes, and my students just love making nice cards and giving them out!” she smiled.
Do you have what they call a ‘special somep0ny’?
>She smiles warmly, “No, I just haven’t met the right stallion yet. Do you humans do something similar back where you come from, Anon?”
We call it Valentine’s Day. To some it’s just an excuse to spoil someone you love, to others it’s a bitter reminder that not everyone has someone to love.
>”Val-en-time’s Day, huh?”
ValenTINES, Miss Cheerilee.
>She blushed, “My mistake! But do you have a special somep0ny back home?”
>You lift one eyebrow at her when she said somep0ny.
Did I have a special someone? No. I was living by myself before I ended up here. I kinda had this girlfriend when I was a kid, but we ended up holding hands most of the time. We didn’t really know what love was.
>You chuckled at the last part, remembering how she would always make you hold hands like you were a married couple.
>You were both about done marking the tests.
Is there anything I should know about raising a Pegasus?
>”Well I don’t know. Considering I never raised one myself, or the fact I don’t have kids.” She ponders for a moment. “What about your friends, maybe they know how.”
>Twilight is pretty smart. She might have a book on something about that.
>Later that day after you helped Miss Cheerilee, you went to Twilight to ask if she had anything.
>”Book on raising Pegasus? I thought you weren’t having any troubles Anon.” She asked with a concerning tone.
Nothing is going wrong, but... I just want to make sure I can do all I can to raise her properly.
>”Anon, you’re a great father-“
Father?
>Twilight blushes, “Well, you kind of are. It’s no secret around here that you’ve adopted the poor filly.”
Do you have any books then?
>She brings you into her home and scans through the shelves, “Hmm... nope. That’s not it. Um... I got a book here about Pegasus. It has nothing about raising one.” She flips through the pages.
Do you think Rainbow Dash would help me?
>”No offense Anon, but between you and me, she’s not exactly the motherly type. Why not ask Fluttershy? She’s really sweet and kind.”
I’d rather not.
>Twilight looks at you suspiciously, “Is she still giving you trouble?”
I’m just ignoring her.
>”This is strange; she’s usually so... meek. But she’s apparently taken a liking to you for some reason.”
>This never made sense to you either.
She keeps going on about making me happy, she thinks I’m lonely and I’m not. I have great friends like you and Scootaloo to make me happy. But she doesn’t see that. I think she refuses to accept it.
>”Did you tell her how you feel?” she asked.
Yes. On every occasion I’ve told her. But it’s like talking to a tree, Twilight. She does not listen! Can you talk to her for me?
>”Anon, I know how you feel about falling in love with a different species. It’s not uncommon here, we have ponies that believe you should only be with someone like yourself.”
Then you’ll talk to her?
>She looks worried, “I’ll think about it. But it’s not like it’s unnatural for a Pegasus to be with an earth pony, or any combination.”
I’m not a pony, Twilight! I’m a human being!
>”I’m sorry Anon. But I wouldn’t do anything hasty. Fluttershy is sensitive, and you might be someone she really needs.” She seemed really anxious at this point.
I don’t know if I’m being clear with you Twilight, but this yellow pony wants to VIOLATE me. I’ve told you about her stupid antics she pulls.
>”Well, after being put down after numerous times I’d start getting desperate too.” She admits with a half smile.
It’s not myself I’m worried about, I’m afraid Scootaloo will be pulled into this.
>”Did you tell her about Fluttershy?”
I told her to not talk about me with when she’s with Fluttershy.
>”Maybe if you returned some sort of affection then she’ll tone it down. But I’ll see about talking to her when I can.”
Thank you, Twilight.
>Heading back home to have lunch, you felt certain that Twilight wouldn’t let you down. Your jimmies, however, were rustled at the sight of Fluttershy sitting on your front door step.
What do you want?
>Fluttershy gave you a cute smile and exposed a photograph “Just a little something I thought you could have. A-As a token of our friendship.”
>You take the picture and look at it, it was a picture of you and next to you was Fluttershy hastily cut out and taped. Peeling it back, it was Scootaloo underneath.
Mind explaining how you have a photo of me and Scootaloo, and why you have the nerve to do this?
>Her ears go flat, “I um... thought you wouldn’t mind...”
Did you break into my house?
>She nods innocently.
How?
>She points to a window, “It was unlocked.”
>For fucks sakes....
Seek help Fluttershy.
>You turn to get into your house but Fluttershy pats you on the shoulder, “Scootaloo’s not the only pony that loves you, you know.”
>She was trying to put on her assertive face, but you stare her down and she instantly backs off.
Bothering me is one thing, but don’t you dare try anything funny with Scootaloo.
>Slamming the door in her face, you turn to see she’s already peering in through the window. You close the latch and close the curtains.
>Maybe a restraining order is needed...
>You tried to forget about her as you made lunch, but Fluttershy was some sort of brain ninja. Once she plants her words in your mind, they keep poking you.
>After lunch, you went to Rarity’s shop. Scootaloo and her friends were hanging out there for the afternoon.
>”Anon darling!” Rarity greeted you enthusiastically. “Come for some new clothes already?”
Just here to check up on Scoots, does she plan on staying here tonight?
>”Sweetie Belle is begging me that her friends stay the night for a slumber party.” You could hear the pitter-patter of hooves above as they run about.
Do you need any help? I know Scootaloo can be a handful sometimes.
>”It’s quite alright Anon. I have these sweet little angels under control.” She smiles whilst batting her long eyelashes.
>You both hear a loud crash come from upstairs and Rarity does a 180 in her tone, “SWEETIE BELLE! Don’t make me come up there!”
>You here a tiny voice respond, “Sorry sis...”
Um... how about I buy the little ones dinner? I’ll go get some pick up.
>”I couldn’t ask you to do that Anon.” Rarity insisted. Another loud crash, almost sounded like pots and pans, is heard upstairs.
Is there anything you know AppleBloom or Sweetie Belle is allergic to?
>You arrive back shortly with paper bags filled with hot food in Styrofoam containers. Just as you place the food on the counter, the three fillies smelled the goods and rush downstairs.
>Scootaloo was especially happy to see you and leaps through the air and latches onto your waist “You’re here! And you got us food! You’re the best dad ever.”
>You could feel your heart burst. That’s the first time she’s ever called you that. You didn’t think she ever would.
>Rarity caught what Scoot said as she smirks at you with a wink, you smile nervously. “Go on and eat girls. And don’t forget your manners!” Rarity
>”We won’t Rarity. Thank you Anon!” the three fillies said in unison. You give Scootaloo quick hug and a pat on the head
Listen to Rarity and no crazy Cutie Mark stuff, I like to hear good things from Rarity.
>With a salute she smiles, “You can count on me!”
>You thank Rarity for watching Scootaloo and say you’ll be back in the morning to pick her up.
>Hurrying home, you could see a thunderstorm brewing. Rainbow Dash said this would have to make up for the lack of rain last week.
>At home, you made yourself some salmon with lemon garlic dressing and steamed veg on the side. You got a fire going in the fireplace as you sat down with your meal and a good book.
>The wind picked up as the sky darken, rain pelted the glass window as leaves and dust swirled around outside your house. A low rumble could be heard in the distance.
>It wasn’t long before the rain really came down hard. Good thing you and the rest of ponyville were located on higher ground.
>Later after you cleaned up, you made some hot tea and continued to read your book.
>A warm meal and hot tea always made you drowsy.
>Soon, before you realized it, you fell asleep.
>It was really peaceful at first, the rumble of thunder and the white noise of rain was like a hypnotic spell over you.
>But the storm outside became fiercer. You don’t know how much time has passed, but you were awaken by a loud crash of thunder and someone pounding on the door.
>Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you quickly walk to the door and open it. Rarity stood there soak to the bone, her mane was wild and messy. “They’re gone! The girls are gone!” she panicked.
What?!
>”The girls must’ve snuck out through the back door of the store. When I went to go check they were gone and the back door was unlocked! Anon you have to help!” she begged.
>You put on your rain jacket, grabbed a flashlight and a length of rope.
Let’s start at your place.
>You both hurry through the storm. Water has already collected to almost a foot. Your feet become completely soaked.
>The wind was reaching a fever pitch, and the cold rain made it harder to see far ahead of you.
>You both reach her house as you run around to the back where they headed out.
Any idea where they went?
>You both had to yell through the wind and rain to hear each other. She tells you that she didn’t see them, she ran straight to your place since you were close by.
>There was a small wooded area nearby and a river that... oh fuck...
The river!
>You both take off towards the river through the raging storm as the sky flashes from a lightning strike. Rarity recoils in fear.
>You stop to make sure she’s alright.
Rarity, we can’t stop!
>You both head through the wooded area, ducking and weaving past the trees. You find one of their cutie mark crusader capes hanging off a tree branch.
>You ran even faster.
>It wasn’t long before you came to the river’s edge. It has swelled from all the water and was raging mad.
>Loose debris and tree branches flow down the river, you begin to run along the edge; scanning the water for any signs.
>Through the howling wind you could hear cries for help. Shining the flashlight to the water, you could see three small figures in the water.
>There they were, AppleBloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all hanging for dear life on a fallen log in the middle of the raging river.
>”Girls!” Rarity cries out. “Anon, we have to save them.”
No shit. Here...
>You take one end of the rope and tie it around your waist. You wrap the rope around a tree and hand the open end to Rarity.
Make sure this rope doesn’t slip loose! When I grab them, I’ll pull us back in!
>Taking the rope in her mouth she nods. You take a few steps into the water and could already feel how powerful it was. The water was ice cold to boot.
>You keep yourself upright as best you could, trying to get as far out to the middle as you could.
>But the water was getting deep quickly. Being swept off your feet by the current, you began to swim towards the girls.
>Rarity gives you more rope as you get closer to the girls.
Scootaloo! AppleBloom! Sweetie Belle! Hold on, I’ll get you!
>The poor fillies were shivering from the exposure. You were relieved they were able to stay alive for this long.
>Scootaloo yells to you, “Dad, look out!” You turn around to see another log rushing towards you.
>The log slams into your chest and smashes you into the log the girls were hanging onto. You felt something go crunch.
>”Dad!” Scootaloo cries out. AppleBloom reaches out to you, “Are you OK Anon?”
>Your chest burns, as if someone poked your rib with a red hot poker. You push against the log with all your strength, but the river was winning this battle.
>You can’t help them if this log was pinning you. It had to be removed.
>”You can do it, dad!” Scootaloo called out.
>The log shifted again, threatening to send the girls to their death.
>Ignoring the pain, you managed to slowly push the log to the side. It eventually is caught by the current and is swept down the river.
>You turn around to the girl and reach out to grab them.
Alright, grab my hand and hold on tight! You understand? Whatever you do, don’t let go!
>They all nod as they reach out to you.
>The log was beginning to slip again; the current was finally starting to take it.
>In a brief moment, all the sound was blocked out of your mind. The log finally gave way and the fillies started to drift away.
>With a final lunge, you reach out and manage to grab their tiny hooves; all but one of them.
>AppleBloom and Sweetie Belle were safe in your clutches, but Scootaloo was swept up by the raging and unforgiving river.