While Rainbow Dash left a trail in the night sky, excitedly flying off to tell her friends the good news, Fluttershy led Scootaloo to her cottage. Everypony was relieved.

The two were mostly silent on their late night walk. Scootaloo had one question on her mind:

"Fluttershy... am I in trouble?"

The yellow mare replied, hugging the orange filly tight:

"No, Scootaloo... you are safe."

It would have been easy just to drop the young Pegasus off with her parents. They'd be worried about her, and with good cause, but unfortunately the reality of Scootaloo's situation made that impossible. Her parents had abandoned her early in life. Once she could walk, Ponyville took it upon itself to raise her, as most smaller areas in Equestria did with their orphans. It was just how things were done. Everypony always opened their door to her when she needed a place to sleep, and she was universally welcome, and always kept warm and safe at night. Scootaloo had thought she'd be universally hated after what happened... that was only one fraction of what had caused her to run.

Fluttershy, though unaccustomed to having unexpectedly fillies, was happy to see Scootaloo safe. This was what she needed anyway -- some understanding pony who was there to show her she was still loved and still just a filly. The idea of death was not something foreign to the young Pegasus, but she couldn't remember the last time it effected her... this went deeper than anything she'd ever experienced. Deeper than she knew things could go.

Once safely in the cottage, the lights came on and Fluttershy saw Scootaloo's face clearly. Her eyes were red and puffy, lined with miserable dark circles around them. She was filthy and her knees were scrapped, her legs bruised all over indicating that she had taken many a spill and tumble while running away.

The yellow mare's maternal instincts kicked in right away and she flew to the bathroom to get a washcloth. During that time, Scootaloo found her couch and sat on it. By the time Fluttershy was back in the room with facecloth in hoof, the little Pegasus was curled up and fading fast. The yellow mare didn't have the heart to ask her to sit up while she cleaned her face. Instead she simply grabbed a blanket, draped it over Scootaloo's tired body, and let her fall asleep. Fluttershy stayed awake that night, just in case, reading a book sitting on her stairs... keeping her eyes and ears open.

In the early morning Fluttershy checked on her guest before she went out to feed her animals. Still asleep, looking like an innocent (albeit grimy) angel.

Speaking of Angel, her pet bunny was wide awake and wanted breakfast... even though he could see she was in no mood, he only thought of himself. Fluttershy threw together a quick and careless breakfast, and when he received it he stared up at her... but not in his usual indignant manner following this type of treatment. This exhausted, impatient creature leaving the house wasn't the usual Fluttershy who gave him his meal. He was, for once, concerned about something other than his own comfort.

By the time Fluttershy got back from feeding her animals, Scootaloo was just getting up. The mare flew right to the bathroom and got another face cloth. As Scootaloo sat up, she wiped her off.

"How are you? She asked the little filly. "I bet you're hungry."

Scootaloo mumbled something in response under her breath but Fluttershy couldn't make out. She was cleaned up in minutes, but her eyes still looked tired and hungry. Fluttershy prepared to head to the kitchen next, but first...

"Do you want to see Apple Bloom today?"

"No." She said. "I want to see Sweetie Belle."

"Oh dear..." Fluttershy sat on the couch by Scootaloo. "Come here..."

Scootaloo rested her head in Fluttershy's lap as Fluttershy rubbed her wings.

"We can do whatever you want today, Scootaloo." She said. "How about we see Apple Bloom?"

"No!"

"Alright..." Fluttershy continued to stroke Scootaloo's mane. "I'll think of a fun game. Right now I'm going to go make breakfast. Is there anything you'd really like to eat?"

Scootaloo paused for a moment, rubbing her jaw with her hoof:

"A Daisy and Daffodil sandwich sounds nice."

"White or yellow Daffodil? I've got both!"

"Yellow, please."

"Alright!" Fluttershy got up. "Be back soon."

Scootaloo was then left alone in the big room. She would have been completely alone if it weren't for Angel bunny coming up beside her, curiously looking up into her eyes. She looked back.

"What're you looking at?" She asked him, playfully.

He jumped up on the couch and nuzzled her with his cheek. She opened up a space beside her and he dove in, snuggling up tight. Angel knew she was sad from her body language and had only one response. Snuggling could make Fluttershy feel good sometimes and it always made him feel good, so that's what he did. He knew it was working for him. Scootaloo laughed and Fluttershy heard it, smiling in the next room.

Breakfast was over with pretty quickly. Scootaloo ate her sandwich in just a couple of bites. Normally that would be considered a lot for the little filly, especially at breakfast time, but she didn't have any dinner the previous night. She was actually offered seconds by Fluttershy, something she'd been told by some older ponies to never, ever take (let alone ask for), but she took it anyways because it was offered. By the end she was smiling.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Asked Fluttershy, still cheery as the first time asking.

"I just... kinda want to stay in, if that's okay."

"Oh, it's fine! We can play games and tell stories, and I can show you how to fluff Angel's tail!"

"You know, Fluttershy... that actually sounds kind of fun."

"I'm glad! Just take it easy today, Scootaloo, and if there's anything you want to talk about remember I'm right here."

"Okay."

The day went on and, as days tend to do. Morning slowly turned day, then to dusk, then to twilight. The purple sky above gave the land by Fluttershy's cottage a mellow hue as her animal friends turned in for the night.

Together the two talked, played games, and had a couple very nice meals. Fluttershy was a surprisingly good cook and an equally good listener. Even though Scootaloo said nothing about Sweetie Belle at this point, Fluttershy could still tell it was on the forefront of her mind. She did her best to show the little filly kindness and even got her laughing for two minutes straight while Angel believed himself to be getting his tail fluffed.. in reality they were actually braiding it and, once he realized this, he became quite indignant.

Periodically Fluttershy noticed Scootaloo eying her new Cutie Mark with a sad look on her face. She wanted to say something encouraging, because no pony should be unhappy because of her own mark, but there was little she could actually do. It was completely understandable why she was unhappy. The yellow Pegasus could only think of one thing to say:

"When things get back to the way they used to be we'll talk about a Cutesinera. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Scootaloo nodded weakly while Fluttershy kicked herself realizing what she had just said all too late... things would never go back to the way they used to be.

That night the two were going to sleep in the same room. It was her upstairs bedroom... there was plenty of space for them both. It was the same bed the Cutie Mark Crusaders all slept in the few times they were babysat at the cottage. If Scootaloo had a bad dream, Fluttershy would be be right there for her.

As the little Pegasus was tucked in and shut her eyes, Fluttershy got in beside her and hugged her. Given the nature of all that had happened over the past couple days, the older mare was determined to give Scootaloo a good night's sleep and began to sing a lullaby:

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed

Months before Sweetie Belle thought it would be cute to sing this melody in a more... lively fashion, as Fluttershy attempted to put the Crusaders to sleep for the night. All Scootaloo could picture was Sweetie Belle as she was laying there in the road. The life slowly leaving her body, the light that once sparkled so brightly going away. Tear welled up in her eyes.

Fluttershy knew what mistake she had made and simply held the filly tight while she cried.

"I'm here, Scootaloo."

The next morning Scootaloo was in for a big surprise. Fluttershy had invited her out to show her all the bird houses lining her property when she heard a familiar voice from up above:

"Hey Squirt!"

She turned around to see Rainbow Dash descending from a small cloud.

"Hi Rainbow!" Scootaloo exclamed. "How are ya?"

"I'm fine. I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm okay."

"Yeah. I can kind of imagine." Dash smiled sincerely. "Do you wanna spend the day with me?"

She turned to the mare who had welcomed her in the past two days:

"Is that okay Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy was happily nodding before she even finished the question:

"Of course, Scootaloo! I know how much fun you have with Rainbow Dash."

"Alright!" The little orange Pegasus raced towards her idol. "What do you want to do first?"

"I was thinkin'... how 'bout we do a little flying?"

"Yeah!"

Rainbow Dash started by opening her hooves up to the little filly and taking her up into the air while holding her close to her body. All of Equestria looked so tiny and they weren't even up to the height of the clouds yet. Up in the air Scootaloo felt weightless and powerful. She couldn't wait until she was old enough to do this on her own.

Unlike Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash didn't ask Scootaloo what she wanted to do or how she was feeling. She knew the pony who idolized her better than Scootaloo knew herself, and her take charge attitude was exactly what Scootaloo needed at the time. She wouldn't have to think about anything other than just being happy. It started with a simple fun trip into the air, and ended right in front of the Sugar Cube Corner. Dash didn't even have to say why they were there -- she simply opened the door and welcomed Scootaloo inside where they both enjoyed some milk shakes. Rainbow and chocolate, this was turning into quite the day!

The fun wasn't over yet. Far from. After the treat Dash took her young protégé out to the flat lands right outside of Ponyville where she announced:

"Okay Scoots! Today I'm gunna give you a flying lesson!"

"Really!?"

"Yup. You wanna be able to take yourself up into the air with me some day, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, then pay attention to this!"

Scootaloo was unaware of it, but Dash knew she wasn't going to be able to fly. What she was showing her that afternoon, however, could be used later in life when her wings developed more. It would be painfully obvious to any adult pony who knew the situation what Rainbow Dash was really doing, but the end result was all that mattered -- Scootaloo was grinning ear to ear, determined to get in the air. She was working towards something, as opposed to away from it. Twilight's idea, Rainbow's twist.

After about the 50th attempt to run and take off Scootaloo was showing signs of fatigue. Yet like a dog running after a tennis ball, she was not ready to call it quits until she was told it was time to leave.

"Okay, that's enough!" Rainbow approached the little sweaty filly and put her hoof on her shoulder. "You really did a great job today!"

Scootaloo huffed:

"Why can't I get into the air?"

"You just need practice! Keep trying and it'll happen. I promise you'll be flying with me before you know it."

Scootaloo smiled.

"What're we gunna do now?"

"I have a few errands to run before dark... but once those are out of the way it'll be nothing but you and me time!"

"Okay!"

Dash took Scootaloo into town again, but this time they went to the library. Confused by Dash's desire to go where there were books, she followed. She knew Dash's love for Daring Doo, so it must've been either that or Twilight wanted something. She was surprised to find she was expected:

"Scootaloo, Rainbow... Come in!" Exclaimed Twilight Sparkle. "Spike! Put some tea on for our guests please."

Spike busied himself in the kitchen while Twilight sat at a table and motioned the two over to her.

"Scootaloo," began the Unicorn. "How was your day?"

"Really good! Rainbow Dash took me up flying and then we went for ice cream, and then she gave me a flying lesson."

"And the day's not over yet, Squirt," commended Rainbow, giving Scootaloo a noogie.

"That's good, that's good." Twilight turned to Rainbow. "Do you want to just take it now or talk about it here?"

"Talk about what, Twilight?" Asked Scootaloo.

Again, Rainbow noogied her.

"I think it would be better if we talked about it here." Rainbow left the room then, up the stairs into Twilight's living quarters.

Within seconds of her leaving Scootaloo started feeling vulnerable. There was something these ponies were not telling here and even Rainbow Dash was in on it.

"What's going on?"

By the time she had asked that, Rainbow was half way down the stairs with a zip-up case, which apparently housed a suit, and a small envelope. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she passed the envelope to Twilight, who then passed it to the little Pegasus.

"This is for you," she said. "You don't have to go, but we've got everything ready for you if you do."

Scootaloo looked confused:

"What do you--"

Rainbow cut her off:

"Just open it, Squirt. "

She opened up the envelope and peered inside at the papers within. She only saw part of the first sentence. That was enough to make her start crying:

"Funderal services for Sweetie Belle will be held on..."

Even though it was written in fancy letters, it didn't matter. She shut the envelope and stared up at Twilight.

"It's tomorrow, Scootaloo," said Twilight. "I'm sorry it couldn't take a little longer... it's what her family wants. I know how tough this must be for you."

Underneath Scootaloo's frail exterior a tiny flame began to simmer. You have no idea how tough this is Twilight! She was seconds from telling the Unicorn just that when the aproned Spike entered the room with a tea pot and 4 cups on a tray. He took one look at Scootaloo and had an immediate reaction:

"Woah! I was expecting sad, not scary."

That momentary diversion was enough to defuse Scootaloo's temper flare.

"Yeah. Hi, Spike..." the orange Pegasus said with her head lowered. "How're you?"

"Good, good!" He held out the tray. "Tea?"

Scootaloo took the cup and began nursing it. Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash shot each other a concerned look.

"Hey, Scootaloo. Are you okay?" Asked Rainbow.

"Yeah."

"Are you going to go?" Asked Twilight.

Scootaloo nodded in reply, not making eye-contact.

Rainbow heard a familiar sound.... the same sniffling she'd heard a couple nights before. Twilight heard it, too. They watched as tears fell from the little Pegasus. Rainbow Dash tried to put her hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder, only to have the orange filly jerk her body in the other direction.

All the cyan Pegasus could do was look up at Twilight, and mouth:

"What do I do?"

The two were on the road again. The suit stayed in the library, to be picked up and worn tomorrow. Dash kept her eye on the little Pegasus, waiting for her to ask what they were going to do now... she said nothing as she walked silently.

"Hey, Scoots... I'm sorry I didn't tell you why we were going there." Rainbow put her hoof to the back of her head. "See, Twilight..."

Scootaloo turned to Rainbow Dash with anger in her eye:

"Apple Jack told Sweetie Belle everything was going to be okay when everypony knew she was going to die! Do grown-ups really lie when they think what they have to say is going to make us scared or hurt our feelings?"

"Well," again, Rainbow had her hoof to the back of her head. "Yeah. I mean, if she told Sweetie Belle that she probably would have died scared and crying. We just don't want to see you hurt..."

"Apple Jack's the Element of Honesty!"

Rainbow Dash shrugged uncomfortably:

"And I'm the Element of Loyalty. She did was she thought was right, Squirt."

Scootaloo turned back around and lowered her head:

"I'm sorry Rainbow. I... couldn't tell her either." She looked back at her idol. "I'm gettin' all mad for no reason... I don't know if I should be with anypony right now."

"Well, we're not leaving you alone, kid." Dash successfully put a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder. "And you haven't asked me what else I have planned."

"What?"

Dash's eyes lit up:

"It's going to be a warm night tonight, kiddo. The fireflies are going to be out and I've got a few jars stored away for just the occasion. Then I was thinking we could go camping under the stars after dinner. I've got canned beans and soydogs at my house in Cloudsdale, and we can have pancakes with syrup for breakfast."

"Cool!"

"Thought you'd like it."

That evening the sky turned purple once again, giving the land a mellow hue. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash had fun together for hours, catching fireflies and playing hide-and-seek after they ate by a roaring campfire. Scootaloo got dirty, but that's okay, it's just part of the great outdoors. They camped out under the stars, looking up into the sky at the constellations in wonder. Scootaloo, of course, asked Dash for their names... and, of course, she didn't know. It was fun for both of them, however, to point up at the say "hey, doesn't that one look like a snake?" or "that one looks a little like Soarin'!" Everything waiting for them the next day didn't bother them at all... it would be there, but they'd have an entire morning together first before the actual mourning took place.

Scootaloo fell asleep snuggling Rainbow Dash tightly. Dash stroked her mane wishing she could undo what had happened. She looked up and wished upon a shooting star, it's brilliant colors reminding her of Sweetie Belle. She hoped to wake up with everything okay again, knowing in her heart that was only kid's stuff.

Author's Notes:

I did first saw the idea of Scootaloo being raised by the villiage in "Breaking Babs" but it was an idea I've have before... not for this particular character, however. Would be wonderful if orphans could be cared for that way, but there's too much good in the institution and too much evil in trusting other people with that type of responsibility. Pity.