PRESENT DAY...

Scootaloo stared at an abandoned house on the outskirts of Canterlot and sighed. “How long has it been since I've been here? Two maybe three years? Things were a whole lot better back then...” The filly remarked as she pushed the door open which creaked open noisily as Scootaloo walked through the doorway and into the house and looked about the front room which had furniture covered in dust and cobwebs.

I had the perfect family back then, a non-alcoholic mother, a loving father. I still remember the pancakes she would make ever morning for me and dad.

Scootaloo timidly walked up the stairs, each step creaking and moaning loudly with each step until she reached the head of the stairs, walked down the hall a few feet and gently pushed open a door to the left which swung limply and slammed against the side of the wall.

The entire room was painted and decorated for a young filly, the walls were a bright pink, a small heart-shaped bed with velvet red covers, and a large collection of small plushies and dolls littered one corner of the room.

My old room, I was such a filly-foal back then. My favorite doll out of my entire collection was my princess pretty-pants doll. I threw such a tantrum when I was forced to leave it behind. It was only supposed to be temporary, our stay in Ponyville. That's what my father said anyways, he said that his current job didn't want him anymore so we had to move to Ponyville for a little while.

I don't know what exactly happened, only that my mom and dad got into a huge argument one day. I heard something about “We can't afford to move back there!” and “The property taxes are too high!” and something to the degree of “I won't let them accuse me of such things!” in the mists of shouts between the two one night when I was supposed to be sleeping. My mother began drinking shortly after that night and she got worse and worse...

The Pegasus turned around, walked down the hall a little more, and opened the door which revealed a bright blue painted room with a large bed in the middle of the room, a night table just a little to the right of it, and vanity desk to the left.

It was here the horrors of my past truly began but they didn't become nearly as bad until we moved to Ponyville. My father started out small with me, asking me to touch him in places that didn't feel right, and even touching me. I eventually got used to it and thought it was actually fun. A secret game between me and my father.

Of course once we moved to Ponyville and I got older and much wiser thanks to Cheerilee's teachings, I made the mistake of telling my father “No.” one night. That's when he stopped being nice to me and began to do things to me that left me scarred for life, horrified to come home, and praying he wasn't there that night.

“I will never regret killing that monster, after everything he did to me...” Scootaloo remarked aloud in loathing tone as she closed the door, walked back down to her room, jumped on her bed, and slipped off into an uneasy slumber.

ONE WEEK AGO...

I think the phrase comes to mind “The worst things that have come to pass have been paved with the best intentions” with what happened today.

Twilight had announced that the spell to turn everypony back to their adult ages was ready and had called Rarity over, though looking back I think she had forgotten to contact Cheerilee since the next time I saw her, she was still a filly.

I decided if there was one time to apologize to her, it would be at Rarity's, it was up to Applebloom whether or not things went farther than that.

“If ya brought me over here to buck, ah'm walkin out that door.” Applebloom remarked sourly as the two walked inside.

“No, that's not it at all. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. Sorry for tempting you, sorry for treating you like fresh flank, sorry for everything.” Scootaloo said as she sat down and sighed heavily.

“What's brought all this on all the sudden? Not that ah'm not happy you've come to your senses, but what caused ya to wake up and smell the apple's burnin?” The farm pony asked curiously.

“I got a hard dose or reality pounded into me and Twilight's got the sore rump to prove it.” Scootaloo replied with a smirk as if to lighten the mood.

I may or may not have phrased that the wrong way...

“Ah'm afraid to ask how.” Applebloom asked with a smirk as she sat down next to the Pegasus.

“Don't. It's already haunting me enough as it is.” The Pegasus replied as she looked at her best friend who looked back.

“So why bring meh here then? Couldn't ya have said all this on the farm?” The farm pony asked curiously looking at Scootaloo with an expression to match her tone of voice.

“Well, um, remember what you said a month ago? About me and you doing it wouldn't mean anything?” Scootaloo asked nervously.

Upon hearing this the farm pony's expression become annoyed. “If this is all an act to try and lend meh in bed Scootaloo...” Applebloom warned with a glare.

“It's not I swear! I'm back to my old self again I promise! It's just that I treated you like dirt and wanted to make it up to you. To help you find out if you are really lesbian, ya know?” Scootaloo replied defensively as she waved her hooves semi-frantically as she began to speak and placed them flatly in front of her as she spoke her last sentence.

“Well, ah appreciate the offer Scootaloo, but ah'm gonna have to respectfully decline that thar offer.” Applebloom replied as she eyed the Pegasus suspiciously.

“Fair enough. Just thought I'd offer.” The Pegasus replied nonchalantly.

Applebloom's expression became one of surprise upon hearing this looking at the Pegasus in disbelief. “Wait, that's it? No witty flirtatious remarks? No tryin to tempt meh?”

“I told you Applebloom, I'm back to my old self. So what do you wanna do now?” Scootaloo asked with a smile as she hopped up and walked about the room. “I was thinking we could try something new to get our cutie-marks, like holding our breath for the longest time or maybe helping Applejack with Apple-bucking.” The Pegasus said excitedly until her eyes fell upon Applebloom whom was on the verge of tears.

What in the name of Luna did I do wrong NOW?

“I'm so happy ya is back to your old self again. Ah spent the last month and a half with barely a wink worrin that mah best friend might be so far gone that ah couldn't save her.” The farm pony choked as she did her best to hold back the tears of joy.

Wow, she really does care about me... This makes me feel all the more like a mule for treating her like I did. I pretty much toyed with her emotions. It must have been torture for her.

“I really did hurt you, didn't I?” Scootaloo asked with a frown as she walked up to the farm pony and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Yeah, ya did. But it's all better now cause you are yourself again. Sorry for getting all teary on ya.” Applebloom replied allowing a smile to wash over her face as she wiped the tears from her eyes with a soft sniffle.

It was now that I began to wonder if she wasn't just faking the whole “wondering if she was lesbian” thing and using that as a cover to hide her true feelings for me.

“Applebloom, is there something you aren't telling me?” The Pegasus asked curiously as she eyed her friend's expression.

“Eee-nope! I'm alright now, ah swear. But ah think we should be puttin off tryin to discover our special talents till Sweetie Belle comes back.” The farm pony replied as she hopped to all four hooves and walked to the front door.

I wasn't convinced, but I didn't look into it too much at the time though.

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PRESENT DAY...

“It's your fault this happened you know!” Rarity exclaimed drunkenly as Rainbow Dash walked into Rarity's home.

“My fault?! How in the hay was I supposed to know you and her were dating?! As far as I knew, she was with me and me only!” Rainbow Dash countered with a glare.

“Oh sure you didn't, you just wanted to steal her away, didn't you?!” Rarity roared as she chucked the bottle at the cyan blue Pegasus whom ducked to avoid being hit square in the nose with a half full bottle of apple cider.

“I could say the same thing about you!” Rainbow Dash roared back as she walked up to the drunken mare.

The white unicorn's eyes flared with anger upon hearing these words as she turned to glare back at the Pegasus. “What? What did you say?!” Rarity exclaimed her voice cracking as she spoke which bordered on a scream rather than a shout.

“What could she get from a drunken mare like you anyways? All you ever do according to her these days is drink!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed only to get a hoof to the face abruptly which sent her falling to the ground on her side with a bloody nose.

Rainbow Dash quickly recovered from the sucker punch, got to all four hooves, reared her hindquarters up, extended both wings out so that they were erect and stiff, and growled loudly at Rarity. “Oh, you wanna do this the hard way? Then we'll do it the hard way!”

“What in Equestria is going on in here?!” A voice exclaimed from nowhere which caused both mares to snap their gazes to the front door to see Cheerilee and Sweetie Belle standing in the front door.

“This, This, This... mare-scared poor Scootaloo into running away!” Rarity exclaimed pointing a hoof at the cyan blue Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash immediately batted the hoof down and pointed one back at her. “No, it was her to who scared Scootaloo away!”

“Wait, what happened to Scootaloo?! Where is she?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed worried as she began to look about the room.

“If only that train hadn't had engine problems, we could have gotten here sooner.” Cheerilee remarked to herself with a sigh before walking up to the two mares.

“Why don't you one of you start from the beginning. And then we'll take things from here.” Cheerilee said as calmly as she could despite the fact that both mares were causing her nerves to stand on end.

“Fine, I'll tell the story since Rarity is in no state to make a proper sentence.” The cyan blue Pegasus replied to which Rarity put her nose in the air with a audible”Humph!” before she levitated another bottle of apple cider to her mouth and began to guzzle it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

TWO DAYS AGO...

It was about two days ago, when I was on a date with Scootaloo...

I thought something was weird about how she was acting but I didn't know what was going on. I just thought she was nervous about her first date with me.

“You know you can talk to me about anything right?” The cyan blue Pegasus replied as she reached a crossed the table and placed her hooves over the filly's which caused her to stare back at her.

“Yeah, I know. Listen, I um, need to use the little filly's room, I'll be back in a few minutes.” Scootaloo replied, stood up, and dove down towards the restrooms, and soon disappeared from sight to the cyan blue Pegasus.

I thought it was odd that she had been sitting there with for less than five minutes without eating or drinking anything yet that she had to use the restroom, but hey who was I to question when nature called?

“Your food madams, erm, madam?” The waiter pony remarked with a confused expression as he noticed the empty seat.

“Oh she'll be back, she's just using the little filly's room.” Rainbow Dash said nonchalantly as she attempted to lift up a fork with her hoof only for it to slip off and fall to the table.

“Ahem, that's what the fork holder's are for madam.” The waiter pony remarked as he motioned towards a small object on the table shaped like a hoof ring with a small slot on the side of it which was big enough to hold the handle end of the silverware.

“Right, eh-heh, silly me.” Rainbow Dash replied embarrassed by her lack of class in an obviously classy restaurant.

“If you need anything else madam, please don't hesitate to ask.” The waiter pony stated with a short bow before he took off and down to the floor seats.

Rainbow Dash looked at the clock after a few more minutes had passed. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes...where the hay was that filly?! Just when Rainbow Dash was about to go look for her however, the filly suddenly appeared, landed on the cloud, and sat in her seat.

“Where the hay have you been kid? Your food's getting cold.” Rainbow Dash remarked as she pointed a hoof at the filly's food tray.

“Oh yeah, heh, sorry bout that, I'm actually not really that hungry now.” Scootaloo remarked nervously as she stared at her idol.

The cyan blue Pegasus raised her eyebrow in curosity and concern upon hearing this as she looked at Scootaloo. “Not hungry? You can't be serious, you haven't had anything to eat since this morning. I get that your nervous about your first date with me kid, heck, so am I, but don't let that kill your appetite.” Rainbow Dash replied enthusiastically as she nudged the plate towards the filly.

“R-Right. Nervous, heh...” Scootaloo replied giving the best smile she could muster.

Something was seriously worrying her right now, like she was scared of something. I could tell just by looking at her that she was on the verge of shaking. I wanted to know what she was hiding from me, but I knew better than to ask. She has been secretive with me ever since a few weeks ago when she told me she came to her senses and realized what a idiot she'd been.

AN AWKWARD TEN MINUTES LATER...

“I uh, need to, um, use the little filly's room again.” Scootaloo said with a nervous smile.

“Really? Well we can go together then, cause I gotta go myself.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile as she stood up from her seat as well.

The expression she wore on her face up till now had been nervous, but for a fleeting moment, I saw panic fill her facial features before she managed to mask it with the same nervous smile.

“Y-You sure you have to go? I'm not a baby foal, I can use the restroom on my own ya know.” Scootaloo replied nervously.

“Yep, totally sure, in fact I think my bladder will explode if we don't get there soon, so lets get going.” Rainbow Dash as she gave the filly a playful swat on the tail before taking off towards the restrooms followed by panic stricken Scootaloo who unknown to Rainbow Dash, was constantly looking over at the seat that Rarity sat at making sure she wasn't looking in their general direction.

Once at the restrooms, the cyan blue Pegasus took note of Scootaloo's nervous glances in the direction of the floor seats and noticed Rarity sitting at once of the tables alone. “Oh hey, Rarity's here. Maybe we should go say hi after we get done using the restroom.” Rainbow Dash suggested causally as she opened the door.

Upon hearing this, Scootaloo's nervous smile turned to sheer panic as she rushed in front of her idol. “No! I-I mean, she said that she had plans with a special somepony today and didn't want to be disturbed. Heh, Heh, you know Rarity, up tight and don't like ponies like ourselves crapping her style.” The filly said nervously as she feigned a laugh.

If was wasn't suspicious of Scootaloo's behavior before, I sure as hay was now. Just what was she hiding and did it have to do with Rarity?

“Okay kid, whatever you say.” Rainbow Dash replied feeling unsettled by the filly's actions as she closed the restroom door behind her.

“Whew...” Rainbow Dash elated as she emptied the contents of her bladder into the stall's urinal only to hear the restroom door open again.

“Scootaloo, are you in here?” A voice asked which could belong to non-other than Rarity.

Wait, why would Rarity be looking for Scootaloo HERE? Isn't she on a date with a special somepony? And how would she of known the kid was here in the first place?
Rainbow Dash finished her business, quickly grabbed a piece of toilet paper, cleaned herself proper, and curiously opened the stall door to greet the unicorn.

“Hey, Rarity. Why are you looking for Scootaloo for?” The cyan blue Pegasus asked curiously which caused Rarity to look at her nervously.

“Oh, um, heh, well, you see...” Rarity replied unable to make a proper sentence and trailed off until her eyes lit up in curiosity as well. “Wait, are you looking for Scootaloo as well?” The unicorn asked curiously as she eyed the cyan blue Pegasus.

“No, she came here with me. We are here on a-a-a....” It was Rainbow Dash's turn to become nervous now as she trailed off herself.

“A what? And why did she come to the restroom with you? She was here with me. We came here together for...” Rarity questioned at first but trailed off herself once again unable to say the words that came to mind next.

“Wait a second, what the hay is going on here? She came here to meet me I thought.” Rainbow Dash replied feeling herself become more and more confused by the second with the current circumstances.

“And why prey tell would she come here to meet with you?” Rarity asked giving the cyan blue Pegasus a suspicions look as she spoke.

“Um, hey Rarity, hey Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo's voice pipped up timidly from behind a stall as it opened up slowly and the filly timidly stepped out to face the two.

“What the hay is going on here kid? I thought you came here to hang out with me on a da-da-da-da..uh, erm...” Rainbow Dash began to ask curiously only for her to choke on her own words.

“A da-da-da?” Rarity asked looking more suspicious of the cyan blue Pegasus than before.

“Y-Yeah, um, well...” Rainbow Dash replied with her ears flattened unable to figure out a way to explain her way out of this one.

“That da-da-da wouldn't by chance be short for date by chance would it?” Rarity asked as she narrowed her eyes at Rainbow Dash.

Well buck. I was found out. Guess I may as well come clean...

“Y-yeah. I met Scootaloo here for a date, what's it to you? You gonna judge me?” Rainbow Dash replied heatedly though trying to sound cool at the same time as she spoke.

“But she came here on a date with me!” Rarity exclaimed and slapped her front hooves over her mouth with a panicked expression as if she had said something she hadn't meant to.

Wait, WHAT?!

“Hold the hay on here, she's on a date with me, not you!” The cyan blue Pegasus countered completely throwing all her insecurities and nervousness aside now in light of this seemingly outrageous statement by the unicorn.

“Clearly something is amiss, Scootaloo, what in the name of all things fashion is going on here?” Rarity asked as she switched her gaze to the orange Pegasus who simply stared at the two like a frozen statue with an expression of pure panic.

“I-I-I, well, I, um, I...” The filly attempted to speak but her words made all but no sense as if she couldn't muster a complete sentence right now.

“After all we've been dating for nearly three months now and I would like to know what is going on.” Rarity added shortly after the filly's incomprehensible sentence.

“Three months? She's been dating me for half a freaking year!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed outraged by this seemingly false statement by the unicorn.

“Well, if what Twilight tells me is true, I suppose if you include the time we spent in that alternate dimension of hers, we've been dating for nearly twenty years.” Rarity contested turning her gaze back to the cyan blue Pegasus.

“Alternate what-now? You expect me to believe that load of horseapples? You adopted her for Celestia's sake, why in Equestria would you bother to date her?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed contentiously.

“Well clearly, she's been dating both of us for sometime, but the question is why?” Rarity retorted with a glare.

“It's obvious isn't it? She clearly wanted to see which of us is the better mare for her. She of course is going to choose me, right kid?” Rainbow Dash replied egoistically as she looked at the filly.

“As if she would choose a ruffian such as yourself. Isn't that right darling?” Rarity replied with snooty-like as she turned to look at the filly whom was now shaking like a rattlesnake tail as she stood there.

Scootaloo seemed to be stuttering and struggling for words as her gaze shifted back and forth between Rarity and her idol. “I-I-I-I-I can't decide!” The filly screamed as she slammed her eyes shut and darted between the two sobbing loudly as she ran strait out of the restaurant front and took off to the skies.

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PRESENT DAY...

Cheerilee slapped a hoof on her forehead with her eyes closed with an expression of disbelief. “Wait, wait, wait, you two put her on the spot?!” The dark purple filly exclaimed as her eyes flared wide with a sense of fury and shock in them.

Upon hearing this both mare's ears flattened and began to shuffle at the floor with their respective right hooves shamefully. “I guess we kinda did...” Rainbow Dash remarked guiltily.

----------------------------------------------

INSIDE SCOOTALOO'S OLD HOUSE...

Scootaloo shifted in her bed uncomfortably, sat up, and looked out the window to see the moon still high in the skies. “Can't they understand that it's too much for me to decide? I'm only a filly for Luna's sake! I can't help it if I love them both...” Scootaloo exclaimed out as fresh tears flowed from her eyes now as the memories of two days ago seemed to pummel her mind without remorse.