I apologize for the relative shortness of this fic, I meant to get it out sooner but, well I've been somewhat busy. Nonetheless here you go, and be sure to thank searcher8 for throwing this fic off of it's intended course with his random comment that just happens to have changed the story.

Now cuddled up next to the hearth and wrapped in fresh blankets presented by Applejack, Scootaloo was content and warm for the first time all Winter.

“T-thank you Applejack…” Scoot was still a bit ashamed to be accepting what seemed like charity.

“Tain’t nothing’ sugar cube, now ya’ll wanna tell me why ya’ll were out there in the cold?” Applejack smiled warmly and laid down next to the orange filly.

“You remember the day I arrived here in Ponyville? And how I didn’t say anything about my family when you asked?” A look of concern grew on Applejack as she listened to the filly.

“Ah sure do, is that why ya’ll were out there? They kicked ya out or somethin’?”

“No…” A tear fell down her cheek just then “They’d never do that. I was out there because I had nowhere to go. I’ve been sleeping in the clubhouse ever since you gave it to us.”

“Oh… Ah’m so sorry Scoot, Ah didn’t know.” AJ moved in to nuzzle the lonesome foal in the hopes to comfort her. “Why didn’t ya say somethin’ early on?”

“I was ashamed… and I didn’t want to tell anypony…”

“Scoot, we will love ya no matter what happens… Ah got half the mind ta let ya live here jus’ as long as the others don’t mind none.” Scootaloo smiled, this was the kindest gesture she had received in a very, VERY long time.

“Thanks AJ, but I didn’t tell you the whole story…” With that Scoot began explaining the events of the year prior.

~

“Don’ worry ‘bout it Red, we took care of ‘im.” A black eyed Pegasus sat in the corner booth of a small tavern in Cloudsdale. It was a regular meeting place of sorts for Red and his accomplices.

“Could he walk afterward Giovanni?” Red wore a blank frown on his face as they discussed the events of yesterday.

“Well yeah, but he ain’t gonna be showin’ hide or hair roun’ here for a while.” The other Pegasus, Clubs, chimed in reflexively checking the bandage just above his left eye.

“I don’t care, I want that slimy buck crawling.” Red slammed his hoof on the table in order to emphasize his point. “And if you two can’t do that, than I will.”

“If ya really wanna do that boss, go for it. We won’ stop ya.“ A sudden light entering the tavern stirred a curious glance from the trio toward the entrance. “Might as well start now, cause that’s him.”

Red made no hesitation in sitting up from the booth and making a bee-line toward Bull. Slightly delirious from yesterday Bull hadn’t noticed the formidable Pegasus coming straight for him. “You the bucker that hurt my foal?!” Red shouted throwing a hoof into Bulls burly chest. This quickly gained his attention, looking directly into Reds eyes he almost too calmly stated.

“Yes.”

One word, just one measly word was all Red needed. Jabbing at Bulls throat and pushing him out the entryway into public Red made it a point that his voice and actions would be witnessed and remembered by any and all. “If you haven’t realized who I am yet, let me introduce myself to you. I am RED THUNDER, I am the DON of the Thunder Family, and YOU made the mistake of bucking with ME and MY family. I don’t care WHO you are, WHERE you’re from or any of that horse shit.”

Bull slowly rose to his feet gagging, with little effort he was able to cough up small speech. “Red Thunder eh? *cough* I been meanin’ at get my hooves on ya. *cough* I’m no Don, but by buckin’ me up ya brought a war between the families, I just hope you rea-*cough* Realize that my brother Don Trotto Fiamma will have yer head for this.”

Red albeit infuriated, held a bit of shock from what he had just heard, he had just incited a war between the two most powerful gangs in Cloudsdale, all because one surly stallion had the bright idea to maim his foal. “Then so be it, but before then you’ll be crawling back to Trotto Fiamma and kissing his hooves for forgiveness.”

Red let out a whistle informing his comrades to come outside and help him out, he quickly trotted up to Bull swiftly placing another hoof directly beneath his chin. However the motion was quickly shrugged off as Bull threw his own set of ‘Hail Mary’s’ and ‘Uppercuts’ at Red, a straight out brawl, no rules no holds barred, a slug fest. One after the other they traded and dodged hits to one another. This only lasted for a good minute before Giovanni and Clubs decided to intervene and help finish what their boss started. They each brandished a pool cue from inside and set to work on the outnumbered stallion.

Two broken pool cues and one crippled Pegasus later, Red stood menacingly over his bloodied opponent.  Red made it a point to spit on the broken stallion before  making his next words stick. “sulla casa per il vostro capo vi puledra patetico.” Red turned to make his way back home, he walked five paces before turning his head and addressing his minions. “Tomorrow we take the fight to them, it’s time we got rid of them and let our presence be the only one here in Cloudsdale.” Giovanni and Clubs nodded and headed back to their own abodes to get ready and inform the others.

Twenty minutes later Red walked into his home and noticed his wife sitting sullenly in the kitchen. “Clear, you, Scoot and Mustang are gonna need to go to Mama G’s for a while, I don’t want you two getting hurt.”

“What?!” Clear Skies turned to her husband bewildered, “Why? What happened?”

“A war between Thunder and Fiamma, go get Scootaloo and Mustang I’ll help you two get there safely.”

“You can’t be serious, the Fiamma Family? You started a gang war with the Fiamma? Are you insane or just plain stupid?”

“They’re the ones that hurt Scoot, an’ I’ll be damned if I let them get away with it.” With that Clear Skies turned and headed for her daughter’s room where Scoot and Mustang sat talking and laughing about something.

“Scoot get your things, we’re going to Mama G’s.”

“Mama G? COOL! Mustang you’re gonna love Mama G, she always spoils her grand-foals.” Scootaloo beamed and hurriedly packed her things. “Let’s go!”