A week after Eric spent spring break in Neighgasaki, it was another fine day in Ponyville. A unicorn colt named Skeedaddle ran down the main road with an excited look on his face.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Skeedaddle called out while panting.

“We're at my house!” Scootaloo’s voice called out.

Skeedaddle skidded to a stop as Scootaloo waved to him from one of the windows. He opened the front door and shouted, jumping up with a smile on his face, “I got my cutie mark!”

“You did?” Sweetie Belle asked as she and her three friends came near the door.

“That's great, Skeedaddle!” Eric and the fillies said in unison.

“Yeah! What's it for?” Scootaloo asked.

“Knot-tying!” Skeedaddle replied, showing his knotted rope cutie mark, “And I never would've gotten it without all of you!”

“Did we suggest knot-tying?” Apple Bloom asked the others.

Sweetie Belle was about to answer when Skeedaddle said to her, “First, I tried sailing, like you and Eric said,” he then turned to Scootaloo, “Next, I tried fishing, like you said,” he finally turned to Apple Bloom, “Then, I tried rowing, like you said. But my oar broke. So I used my fishing line to tie it back together, and I got my cutie mark! *squeals* I can't wait to tell everypony!”

Skeedaddle rushed out the door, then Eric and the fillies came over to the door with Scootaloo closing it. The four of them shared a high hoof/five and cheered.

They turned their heads as a mare’s voice said to them in an Australian type accent, “Oh, how exciting. You three truly have a gift for helping ponies.”

The mare in question was a plus-size pale light amber earth pony with scarlet eyes, a scarlet and light tangelo mane and tail, and a sailboat on water with a sun for a cutie mark. She also wore flower-shaped earrings and a light blue scarf. Across from her was a more slender pale yellow pegasus mare with opal eyes, light cyan and arctic blue mane and tail, a spool of blue string and a needle for a cutie mark, and a light purple sweater. In between them was a golden male changeling with medium gray wings, a black neck fin and wing cases, and yellow eyes.

“Aw, thanks, Aunt Holiday. But I'm not sure we can take credit for this one,” Scootaloo replied.

“Of course you can. You encouraged that colt to try new things. And because you all believed in him, he succeeded,” Holiday said.

“I could use that kind of help. Huh,” the pegasus mare added.

“Come on, Auntie Lofty. You already have your cutie mark,” Scootaloo replied, laughing.

“Lot of good it does me. I can't decide what theme to give this quilt. Ah, I've run out of inspiration,” Lofty said.

“I’m sure you figure something out, babe,” the changeling replied.

“How about apples? Puppies? Kites!” Apple Bloom suggested.

“Or cotton candy! Or ballet!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Maybe the seasons or the night sky,” Eric suggested.

“What about a Wonderbolt quilt?” Scootaloo asked.

“See? Leave it to you four to come up with more ideas than I've had in a year! Now, that's talent,” Lofty replied with a laugh.

Just then, the cuckoo clock went off.

“Goodness. We'd better get going, or we'll miss our train home,” Holiday said, looking up at the clock and got up from the chair, “Stinger and I left you plenty of healthy food for the weekend.”

“And I left you cookies,” Lofty added with a laugh as she packed her quilt.

Eric and the fillies gasped happily as Holiday, Lofty, and Stinger went out the door. It was then that Holiday opened the door.

“The Cakes will stay with you tonight. Then Rarity, and Rainbow Dash after that. Remember, we're just a few stops from Ponyville if you need us,” Holiday said, rubbing Scootaloo’s mane.

“She knows, Holiday,” Lofty replied, then turned to Scootaloo, “See you next week, slugger.”

“Later, Scoots,” Stinger added, hugging her.

“Bye, Aunt Holiday! Bye, Auntie Lofty! Bye, Uncle Stinger!” Scootaloo said as the three of them left for the train station.

It was then that Scootaloo closed the door behind them.

“Your aunts and uncle are so nice,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah. It's really cool they watch you while your parents are gone,” Apple Bloom remarked.

“You’re lucky to have them. Especially with Stinger as your uncle,” Eric added.

“I know. I just wish they lived closer. Nopony bakes like Auntie Lofty,” Scootaloo replied, putting her hooves on her cheeks.

“How did Stinger end up in a relationship with your aunts anyway?” Eric asked.

“He met them on their romantic getaway in Las Pegasus just three years ago. After some time getting to know my aunts, they formed a three-way romance and now here they are, due to be married in a few months,” Scootaloo explained.

Just then, the four of them heard a knock on the door. Scootaloo opened it and noticed that Ditzy delivered what looked to be a postcard, then flew off. She took a look at it and gasped.

“They're coming home today!” Scootaloo said.

“Who?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“My parents!” Scootaloo replied excitedly.

At the Ponyville Schoolhouse, most of the students were listening to Cheerilee as she was about to start the lesson.

“Today, we're gonna learn about the Pegasus Weather Factory,” Cheerilee said.

She turned her head to hear Scootaloo open and close the door.

“Once everypony is in their seats,” Cheerilee finished as Scootaloo took a seat with a smile on her face.

“The factory specializes in snow, rain, sunshine, and...” Cheerilee spoke up before she saw Scootaloo near the window, “Scootaloo? May I help you?” she asked, clearing her throat.

“I... just noticed your erasers needed dusting,” Scootaloo replied with a nervous laugh.

A cloud of chalk dust appeared as she dusted the erasers, making everyone cough, including Cheerilee.

Why don't we hold off on the lesson until after lunch? How about show and tell? Does anypony have any—?“ Cheerilee asked.

“My parents are coming home to Ponyville today!” Scootaloo said, leaping in excitement. Cheerilee just stood there with wide eyes.

“Wait. They don't live here?” Snips asked.

“Nope. Their jobs are way too important for that,” Scootaloo replied, then explained while acting it out, “They travel to the farthest, most dangerous places in Equestria to study unknown plants and fierce creatures. And what they learn helps pony science and medicine. I'd go with them, but it's too dangerous. Once, my mom had to wing-wrestle a wyvern, and my dad got trapped in a chimera's cave for three moons! He still has the scars to prove it.”

“You're making that up. Nopony has that kind of job,” Snips scoffed.

Just then, the class heard a loud bang coming from the door. It shot open as a cragadile entered the building, letting out a roar. Apple Bloom, Eric, and the other students rushed to the shelf by the window screaming as the beast destroyed a desk in one bite. Scootaloo and Cheerilee’s eyes widened in fear as the teacher pulled the filly close to her, standing on her desk.

“It's a cragadile!” Cheerilee shouted fearfully.

The cragadile growled and came towards the teacher’s desk until a stallion jumped through the doorway and pounced on the beast. The stallion in question was a grayish gamboge earth pony with a dark reddish purple mane and tail, light raspberry colored eyes, a camera with a map for a cutie mark, a white collared shirt, and a dark grayish fedora with crocodile teeth on the brim.

“Easy there, Marshmallow! Time you were in your crate for your nap!” he said in an Aussie-like accent, grunting.

He then wrapped a rope around the cragadile’s jaws, closing them shut. It was then that a pegasus mare flew in and landed in front of the cragadile.

“And that means now, mister!” she added sternly.

The mare in question was light tangelo orange with a mane and tail in two shades of light gold, grayish purple eyes, a compass with a wavy cloud for a cutie mark, and a yellow green shirt. The cragadile whimpered as it went into a cage as the door was closed. The two ponies shared a hoof bump.

Scootaloo gasped upon seeing her parents, “Mom! Dad!” she said as she hugged them, squealing.

“Still think she's makin' it all up?” Apple Bloom asked Snips with a smirk.

“Nuh-uh...” Snips replied as Eric and the other students got off the shelf, then he did too.

“Everypony, meet my parents, Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood!” Scootaloo said, introducing her parents as everyone else was at their desks. Cheerilee just sat on her desk looking surprised.

“Heh. Sorry to make such an entrance. Just brought back a few mates from our last adventure,” Snap Shutter said.

“We couldn't wait another moment to see Scootaloo! I hope we didn't interrupt anything,” Mane Allgood added.

Cheerilee’s hooves rattled as she replied nervously, “No, I, uh... think... class is dismissed.”

Once school unexpectedly ended early, Eric and his friends, along with the other students exited the door as they talked to each other about what happened.

“Crikey! You're nearly as tall as me now, Scoot!” Snap Shutter said, measuring his daughter.

“Aw, come on, Dad,” Scootaloo replied.

“Oh, Scootaloo. We missed you,” Mane Allgood said.

“Me, too, Mom,” Scootaloo replied as she hugged her, then asked, “Did you get all my letters?”

“And read them twenty times! But they're never as good as the real thing. It's so good to see you,” Mane Allgood said.

“I’m Slapstick, Scootaloo’s boyfriend. This is Zuni, Marina, Holly, and I presume you know about Eric,” Slapstick spoke up.

“Good to meet you, mates,” Snap Shutter replied, “I say we celebrate with ice cream sundaes. They don't have those in the jungle, that's for sure.”

“Why don't you all come? Our treat,” Mane Allgood offered.

Eric, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and the others smiled at their offer, implying they wanted to join in.

It wasn’t long before they were at the ice cream parlor. Scootaloo was catching up with her parents about everything she, Eric, and the others did.

“And Princess Twilight said we're such good friendship tutors, she might even let us teach a class!” Scootaloo said.

“Good on ya, Scoot!” Snap Shutter replied, while eating his sundae.

“What an honor!” Mane Allgood added.

“I can give you a tour of the school if you want. I mean, if you're staying for a while this time,” Scootaloo offered as Sweetie Belle and Eric took bites of their sundaes.

“Oh, you'll be seeing plenty of us,” Snap Shutter replied.

“Really?!” Scootaloo asked.

“Mm-hmm. Because we've taken a new job assignment that will let all of us live together!” Mane Allgood replied.

“I can't believe it! That's awesome!” Scootaloo said.

“All right, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom replied as she and Scootaloo shared a hoof bump.

“Woo-hoo!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“Cool!” Eric added.

“We never planned to be away for so long in the first place. We just kept discovering things that could help Equestria. And nopony else had the experience to finish our job,” Snap Shutter said.

“But with all that's happened lately, Sombra's return, the destruction of the Tree of Harmony, we decided our family should be together,” Mane Allgood added.

Scootaloo joined hooves with her parents as they pulled her close to them.

“This is the best day of my life,” Scootaloo replied.

“We'll stay in town for the weekend so you can pack your things,” Snap Shutter said.

“Wait, what?!” Scootaloo asked.

“We're all moving to Shire Lanka! That's where our new job is,” Mane Allgood replied.

“But... most of my friends are in Ponyville,” Scootaloo said.

“You can come back and visit 'em. Or they can take the train to us. There's one every month,” Snap Shutter replied.

“But Scootaloo can't leave!” Apple Bloom said.

“We've been together our whole lives!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Writing each other love letters isn’t as good as going on a date every weekend,” Slapstick finished.

“It'll be a big change for everypony. But it'll be a good change. Give it time. You'll see,” Mane Allgood replied.

“The only thing I see... is the end of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Scootaloo said, sniffling as she and the others also had tears in their eyes.

“The CMCs come as a set and it would be unfair to break up a set of good friends!” Eric shouted, “We don't want to say goodbye to Scootaloo! You're changing her whole life without even asking how she feels!”

It was then that Eric and the fillies ran out of the ice cream parlor with their sundaes, crying.

“Where ya going, Scoots?!” Snap Shutter called out, but got no answer.

It wasn’t long before the CMCs went to Eric’s home at the Castle of Friendship. They were in the library, crying for a few minutes until Twilight came in and heard them.

“Eric, girls, what’s the matter?” Twilight asked.

“Mom, we just met Scootaloo’s parents and they’re planning on having her move to Shire Lanka with them,” Eric replied.

“That’s super far away from Ponyville,” Apple Bloom added.

“They didn’t even ask me how I would feel about it,” Scootaloo continued.

“And now we'll probably never see her again! It's hopeless!” Sweetie Belle finished.

“On one hoof, your parents are doing what they think is best for you. But on the other hoof, you make a good point, Scootaloo. They should’ve asked how you would feel,” Twilight replied, “Besides, you're the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Solving tough problems is what you do.”

“For me, moving to Canterlot is also a big change, but at least my friends and I will be able to visit each other whenever we want, not just monthly,” Eric said, “Good thing you and dad took my feelings into account, Mom.”

Over the next two days, Scootaloo didn’t feel like talking to her parents. They tried to console her but she was not in the mood to listen. This made them feel concerned and they had feelings of guilt.

Soon enough, Scootaloo was sitting at the train station. It was then that Eric, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom came up to her.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted as she was panting.

“Where are you going?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“To stay with my aunts and Uncle Stinger,” Scootaloo replied as she was tearing up, “I’m not in the mood to talk to my parents or listen to them right now and if I'm not on the train to Shire Lanka, they'll have to go without me.”

Eric, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom looked at each other before turning back to Scootaloo.

“Then we're comin' with ya!” Apple Bloom said.

“Are you sure? I don't want to get you in trouble,” Scootaloo replied.

“Rarity won't be mad,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Applejack neither. I bet she'd do the same thing for her friends,” Apple Bloom added.

“My mom won’t mind either. I told her that I was gonna have a sleepover with all of you,” Eric finished.

“You're the best, you know that?” Scootaloo replied, hugging them.

“We're the best,” Apple Bloom said.

“Together,” Sweetie Belle and Eric added in unison as they all shared a hoof/fist bump.

Just then, the train came and the CMCs got onboard. Soon enough, they were at the community that Scootaloo’s aunts lived in and went up to their house. Scootaloo knocked on the door and Holiday opened it.

“Scootaloo! What a nice surprise,” Holiday said with a gasp.

“Good to see you, Scoot,” Stinger added.

“You too, Uncle Stinger,” Scootaloo replied.

“And I've got a surprise for you!” Lofty spoke up as the CMCs shared looks of shrugging, “You three inspired me to finish my quilt. See? It's Cutie Mark Crusader-themed!” She presented a quilt with symbols representing everyone they helped. Scootaloo just sighed sadly.

“It's... still a work-in-progress,” Lofty said.

“It's not your quilt we're sad about, Auntie Lofty. Mom and Dad are back. And they're making me move to Shire Lanka with them!” Scootaloo replied.

“Snap and Mane are back? They didn't tell me that,” Holiday said.

“Oh. I think the mailpony delivered your letter to my house,” Scootaloo replied as she gave them the letter, “I love my family, but I love being with my friends, too. I don't want to have to choose.”

“Well, then why don't your parents just stay in Ponyville?” Lofty asked.

“Their job is too important,” Scootaloo replied.

“That's it!” Apple Bloom said.

“What do you mean?” Eric asked.

“Scootaloo's parents are the only ones in Equestria that can do what they do, right?” Apple Bloom said.

“Right...” Scootaloo replied.

“Well, so are we! Our cutie marks prove it!” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah... Our job is to help other ponies find their purpose!” Sweetie Belle added.

“And nopony else can do that! So if my parents split us up, it'd be just as bad as them quitting their jobs!” Scootaloo replied.

“Woo-hoo!” the four of them cheered and laughed.

“Now, how do we explain that to 'em?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Oh, you don't have to explain it,” Holiday replied.

“They will,” Lofty added, presenting the quilt.

“Leave it to the ponies and other creatures you helped,” Stinger said.

The next day, Scootaloo was in the doorway of her house as her parents were finishing packing their things.

“Feeling better, Scootaloo?” Mane Allgood asked.

“A little. I just want to show you something before we go,” Scootaloo replied.

“All right, but let's make it swift. That train won't wait,” Snap Shutter said.

It wasn’t long before the three of them were near town hall.

“Sweet Celestia's slippers!” Snap Shutter said.

“What is all this?” Mane Allgood asked as they noticed a large crowd near town hall which was decorated for a special occasion.

Eric, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Mane 7, Spike, Starlight, and their other six friends, along with the other ponies and creatures they helped were gathered in front of town hall. It was then that Rainbow Dash flew over to Scootaloo and her parents.

“It's Cutie Mark Crusader Appreciation Day! But we couldn't start without all of them here,” she answered.

Snap and Mane were a little surprised about this. It was then that Scootaloo got onto Rainbow’s back and she flew her to the entrance of town hall.

“CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs!” everyone chanted.

“These three ponies and boy share a rare ability to help others find their true purpose. It's a job only they can do, and only together,” the mayor said.

“That sounds familiar,” Mane Allgood remarked.

“In honor of all they have done and continue to do for the ponies of this town, I would like to present the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a three-handled Key to the City and four honor medals!” the mayor announced. She gave them the key in question, which had three loops, along with four golden medals.

Everyone cheered as the Wonderbolts flew overhead. They created a smoke stream in the three colors of the CMCs’ shield and formed the shape of it as well. Scootaloo’s parents were surprised to see this.

“A full Wonderbolt salute!” Snap Shutter said.

“Oh, I'm not sure you know just how important Scootaloo and her friends are, little brother,” Holiday replied as she, Lofty, and Stinger appeared.

“But you're about to find out,” Lofty added, pointing towards Skeedaddle. It was then that the colt in question went up to the pedestal.

“The CMCs used their free time to set up a camp to help us blank flanks find our cutie marks. The Cutie Mark Crusaders see the best in everypony, even when that pony can't see it in themselves,” Skeedaddle explained, as three more foals presented their cutie marks.

“It’s just like I wrote in the Journal of Friendship: ‘you can shine no matter what you’re made of’,” Eric added.

“Well, I'll be a three-tailed bandicoot. I had no idea how important Scoot's club was,” Snap Shutter said.

“Oh, it's way more than just a club. The CMCs have made a difference for everypony here,” Rainbow replied.

“And not just ponies. They help every creature,” Terramar added as he and Gabby landed and shared a claw bump.

“Whether it's encouraging others to discover their special talent...” Holiday began as Tender Taps demonstrated his tap dancing.

“...or inspiring them to do what's in their heart...” Lofty continued as Diamond Tiara waved to the CMCs. Apple Bloom waved back.

“...these three offer the town something no other pony can,” Stinger finished.

Just then, they heard the train whistle. Scootaloo’s parents looked at each other while the CMCs looked sad. Snap and Mane smiled as the latter signaled for Scootaloo to come to them. The filly let go of the key, looking down sadly.

“No way! After all that, you're still gonna make her leave?!” Rainbow asked, hovering over to Scootaloo’s parents.

“We just want what's best for Scootaloo. And until now, we thought we knew what that was,” Mane Allgood replied as she and Snap Shutter went up to the entrance of town hall.

“Turns out you're just like us, Scoot. You have an important job that only you can do. You love it, and it helps all of Equestria,” Snap Shutter said with a sigh as everyone smiled at Eric and the fillies.

“Sometimes that means missing out on other things you love, like watching our daughter grow into a pony we're very proud of,” Mane Allgood added.

“Which is a long way to say... Scoot, if you want to stay, we understand,” Snap Shutter finished.

Scootaloo shared looks with Eric and the others, then smiled with a gasp.

“Really?!” she asked, tearing up and hugging them, “Thanks, Dad! Thanks, Mom!”

Holiday, Lofty, and Stinger also teared up upon seeing this. They wiped each other’s tears.

“Oh, sweetie, I'm just sorry we didn't realize it sooner,” Mane Allgood said.

“Our work is our life's purpose. We could never quit. So there's no way we can ask you to do the same,” Snap Shutter added. Scootaloo smiled at this.

“Maybe you should've thought of that before you sold the house,” Lofty remarked.

“Lofty, don't tease my brother. We already have a solution worked out,” Holiday replied.

“Since the CMCs make Ponyville such a nice place, we've decided to move here,” Lofty said.

“You can live with us, Scootaloo. If you'd like,” Holiday said to her niece.

“That would be amazing!” Scootaloo replied, then asked her parents, “Will you... still come and visit?”

“Of course!” Mane Allgood said.

“Rabid bugbears couldn't keep us away,” Snap Shutter added as he gave his hat to Scootaloo.

“You get to stay here! You get to stay here! You get to stay here!” Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Eric chanted and laughed.

“Uh... you are stayin' here, right?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Are you kidding? CMCs forever!” Scootaloo replied excitedly as everyone cheered.

“Good on you, Scoots,” Slapstick said as they hugged and kissed each other.

“Hi, Nightshade!” Apple Bloom called out to her kirin boyfriend.

“Hello, Apple Bloom. I wouldn’t miss CMC appreciation day for anything,” Nightshade replied as he came up and hugged her. They also shared a kiss.

Eric and Sweetie Belle smiled at each other lovingly. It was then that Twilight and Storm approached him.

“We’re proud of you for helping Scootaloo, Eric,” Twilight said, hugging him.

“Thanks, Mom,” Eric replied, “I just hope I can adjust to life in Canterlot when we have to move.”

“I’m sure you will, Eric. You can always talk to us about it,” Storm said.

“Alright, Dad,” Eric replied.

Stinger is a G4 revamp of Sting, a bee guard from G1. Reimagined as a changeling.