The party went on, as parties tend to do. It was evening by the end, and the fillies all got along superbly... to the point that, once everything was taken care of, the adult ponies joined in the games too. There was dancing around the jukebox, another round of games, as well as lots (and lots) of laughter. It echoed outside of the Corner into the dusk sky. Even Pinkie's Pinkie sense finally faded...

Unfourtnately, Rarity didn't have the energy for any of the festivities. Having given her gift, she left the party quietly... going home to collapse on her sofa, drifting off while musing to Opal about the good deed she'd done. No pony noticed she was gone, it felt so natural to have her there that no pony notied she wasn't. She'd even walked right passed Rainbow Dash while on her way out the door... then again, Rainbow was scratching her head curiously looking over the greek Twilight and Spike had given to Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo danced and played together, with Babs in the background smiling because she could see AB was finally happy to be with her old friend. The farm filly grimaced only once that night when she looked down at Scootaloo's cutie mark... but, it was her thing. She had to respect it. Scootaloo's wings, buzzing as they tended to do, still bothered her... but Apple Jack was there to reassuringly put a hoof on her shoulder when it got to be too much, looking down with so much love and understanding. That was going to be a sound that would haunt her forever.

It was late now... the party was ending. All ponies were together, tired. Pinkie Pie blew into a party horn, still having party in her... just lacking the energy to let it out.

"Who would you like to go with tonight, Scootaloo?" Twilight asked the sleepy little filly. "We're all able to take you."

"No hard feelings if you don't choose me, Squirt," Rainbow playfully jibbed.

Scootaloo laughed and thought... they were all such wonderful ponies. She was still leaning towards RD...

Apple Bloom tugged at her sister's side:

"Can she stay with us tonight?"

Apple Jack's eyes widened in surprise:

"Is that what you want?"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom nodded. "I really want her to!"

"What'd ya say, Scootaloo?"

Looking into the two fillies' eyes, having been alone for so long... it wasn't hard for Scootaloo to make up her mind:

"Sure!" She yipped, wings buzzing.

Apple Bloom flinched at the wings, but welcomed her friend all the same.

The party had dispersed, ponies going their separate ways. AJ, AB, Scootaloo, and Babs all took their walk to Sweet Apple Acres.

Rainbow Dash held on to Scootaloo's presents, all but the comforter and the scooter... the rest would be waiting skyward in her house for the following afternoon, along with a surprise. Dash would have to get up nice and early to get it before work, while the shop was still open... but it would be totally worth it to see Scootaloo being able to use her new Scooter safely. Right now the little filly pushed it up hill with the big blanket draped on it. Not her idea of a good time, but better than carrying it. She wanted that soft comforter tonight.

When they got there, Scootaloo's new scooter was stored in the barn... the one out of the way place where she'd know where it was, but it would stay safe from the elements. Then the fillies were taken into the house...

In the den, the three sleepy fillies enjoyed a shortened sleepover. Though it was late, this was a special occasion -- Big Mac brought a log in and lit a fire, allowing the fillies to enjoy marshmallows on a stick and smores galmore. It was over too soon, but at the same time it was so much fun.

Once it was time for bed, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Babs Seed all nestled under the Pegasus's new giant comforter. They snuggled in as they drifted off... listening to the natural rhythms. The three little fillies, all breathing together, felt so familiar. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom both thought, just for a moment, that Sweetie Belle was there with them both.