Hearth Warming Eve was all about friendship.  At least, that’s what the holiday play had told her once. Perhaps a Wendigo would come and consume her, freezing her in it’s icy embrace.  Scootaloo already felt worthless and alone.  Bad enough she couldn’t control what happened to her with Snips and Snails.  Now it was even worse because her only friends had left her for telling lies.  They would never understand.  

        The worst part of the whole situation, was Snips and Snails never apologized.  Scootaloo knew it was her own fault for getting into that situation, but those two took it too far.  

        What bothered Scootaloo the most about her current state, was how the other ponies seemed to ignore her.  They acknowledged her presence, and gave an occasional wave.  But other than that, it was just normal to see the copper pegasus wandering the streets alone.  Somehow, the thought of her very existence being mundane hurt her.  Much like her idol Rainbow Dash, she desired attention.  Being denied that annoyed her more than anything, especially when it was her friends.  

        I should go down there, call out Big Mac in front of Apple Bloom, and prove that I’m not a liar!

        Yeah, that would end well.

        No, she would rather do as she always did.  Before she met Sweetie Belle.  Before they met Apple Bloom.  Her against the world.

        “Oi! ‘Ello there!”  That voice sounded familiar but at the same time unknown.  Scootaloo looked around until her eyes fell on the small pinto standing before her.  His small stature made the pegasus feel a bit more confident as she spread her tiny wings in a show of bravado.

        “Who are you?”  Scootaloo rolled her eyes, not in the mood to talk to anypony.

        “Why, I’m Pip Squire of course! You can call me Pipsqueak!”  The foal bounced happily as if he were trying to channel Pinkie Pie.  “This is my first Hearth Warming in Ponyville and I can’t wait!  I heard that Princess Celestia brings all the good ponies toys while Princess Luna punishes the naughty ponies!  But that can’t be right, Princess Luna is awesome!”

        Scootaloo shook her head, as she couldn’t bring herself to be mad at such innocence.  “Kid, if you knew the holidays like I have, you wouldn’t be so excited.”

        “Well, how do you know the holidays?”  Pip asked, tilting his head.

        “Nah.  I don’t want to ruin them for you.  Run along,” Scootaloo waved a hoof, surprising herself at how much she sounded like her idol at that moment.

        She felt a hoof upon her own, and glanced down to see Pip staring up at her with sad eyes.  “Everypony needs a friend on Hearth Warming Eve.”

        Scootaloo smiled a bit, feeling her eyes water. She didn’t let on any emotion as she replied.  “Okay, kid.  You can hang with me.”

-“Scootaloo’s Carol”        

There was absolutely nothing worse than being completely alone on Hearth's Warming Eve.  But Scootaloo knew that would be exactly what would happen to her.  Everypony was preparing for the coming festivities, almost completely forgetting about the pegasus filly and what had transpired.  Not that Scootaloo felt comfortable with everypony knowing about it anyway.

        Now she felt like those dirty street ponies she saw in that one holiday show.  Stealing bread and causing mischief.  Practically compelled to smack a Loopity Hoop down the street with a stick.

All alone with no family to speak of, and no friends to confide in.  She should be used to this by now, but it still hurt inside.  No matter how much of a brave face she put on, how high she held her head, nothing could mask the visible pain her eyes.

        She could always count on Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to keep her fed.  Keep her warm...and keep her secret. Nopony knew she was homeless, abandoned.  Even if they did, Scootaloo wouldn’t want their pity.  She felt bad accepting her friend’s charity, but what could she do?  A pegasai’s job was to command the weather, and she couldn’t even fly.

        “Scootaloo?”  A voice caught the copper filly’s attention.  She turned her eyes up to see Twilight Sparkle, almost angelic in the glow of the festive lights in the window of Sugarcube Corner.  The neon alicorn decoration gave the impression Twilight herself had wings.

        “Oh, hey Twilight...” she muttered, looking away.

        “I need to know what happened.  I tried to find the one who did it myself, but...I can’t,” Twilight hung her head in disappointment.  “I’m going to fail, and let everypony down.”         

        Scootaloo hated seeing Twilight upset, and felt a stabbing pain in her own gut as she looked at the purple unicorn on the brink of tears.  “Twilight...I...”

        “Pinkie Pie would never forgive me!”  Twilight blurted out, finally relieving herself of the guilt gnawing at her.

        “Why?”  Scootaloo tilted her head.

        Twilight didn’t reply, just sulked off as tears began to form.  The copper filly turned to look at Pip, who was also on the brink of tears.  “You know what she’s talkin’ about?”

        Pip shook his head.  He began walking off, prompting Scootaloo to follow out of curiosity.

-“Stocking Stuffer”

        “Where are we?”  Scootaloo found herself on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest.  “How did we get here?”  She was confused at this turn of events.  How did they get here so quickly?

        “C’mon! We’re gonna go lookin’ for Princess Luna!  She’s probably out here right now waiting to punish the naughty ponies!  I hope I’m on her nice list!”  Pip exclaimed, darting off to the depths of the forest.  Scootaloo was taken aback by his brazen attitude, and part of her felt it was her responsibility to make sure he came back safe.

        With a heavy sigh, the copper filly followed, staring at the ground the whole way.  The scenery began to change into something more familiar as she realized she was in the area of Fluttershy’s cottage.  Wouldn’t hurt to ask her for help in corralling Pip.  After all, Scootaloo knew from experience that the yellow pegasus wasn’t one to be crossed.  Approaching the door filled her with an unexplained sense of dread.  She knocked three times, but there was no answer.  She tried again, and there was still no reply.

        “She must be out helping the animals,”  Scootaloo muttered to herself, a scowl on her face.

        “C’mon! We might see her!”  Pip called from out of the darkness ahead.  Scootaloo shook her head in protest, wanting to find out what was going on.  She couldn’t explain it, but everything felt dreamlike to her.  Finding a good hoofhold on the side of the tree, Scootaloo began putting her limber body to use as she worked her way to one of the upstairs windows.  The bedroom they slept in when the Crusaders were having a sleepover.

        Bittersweet memories of the time she had with her friends came flooding back, but Scootaloo bit back the tears.  She could hear voices, and strained to see if everything was alright.

        “Minty,” Fluttershy began, glancing away from the green mare before her.  “I...well...I can’t help but notice that you’ve become...well...attached...”

        Minty turned away from the upstairs window, her eyes filled with worry.  “What do you mean?  You’ve been so kind to me, and...”

        “That’s just it.  I’ve only been kind to you because you needed it.  But what you’re wanting now...I...I don’t think I can provide that for you.”  Fluttershy glanced away again, trying not to cry.  “I’m sorry...”

“What about what we did before?  Didn’t that have some meaning?”  Minty’s eyes were shimmering, and Fluttershy didn’t have to look to know what was coming. She felt her stomach twist as her mind groped for the words.

“That was just...” the pegasus froze as she tried to word this in a way that wouldn’t undo all the work she done.  The last thing Fluttershy wanted was Minty to think she was raped again.  “I wanted you to understand the difference, so you wouldn’t live in constant fear.”

Minty blinked, trying to process what she was hearing.  “I’ve never had a pony be so kind to me before.  I...I only wanted to return the favor...somehow...”

Fluttershy sniffed loudly, obviously trying her best not to cry.  “I know but...I don’t want Pinkie to feel I’m keeping you away from her.  She’s trying awfully hard to get you back.”

“She will, but for now...I only want to be with you,” Minty nodded.  

Fluttershy let out a weary sigh.  “I...I can’t...”

“Then at least let me spend this holiday with you before I leave,” Minty replied, fighting tears of her own.  She hesitantly stepped forward, closing the distance between her and Fluttershy.  Before the pegasus could react, Minty pressed her lips to hers.  Fluttershy felt the blush overtake her face almost instantly, her tail twitching with a life of its own.

“It’s always best to forgive friends, even when they’re wrong,” Pip exclaimed, popping up next to Scootaloo unexpectedly.        

“How did you...” the copper filly glanced down to see he was clinging on the tree next to her.  “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Your friends!”  Pip replied.  “You have to forgive them, otherwise you’ll be alone forever!  You can be replaced, and some ponies might not be so nice about it.”

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re way to insightful to be...”  Scootaloo stopped when she noticed Pip was gone again.  She rolled her eyes and went back to watching the scene unfold.  Her little wings began to stiffen at the sight.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea, Minty...” Fluttershy continued, but couldn’t bring herself to protest any further.  Perhaps this was the only way Minty could cope with what had happened to her.  Experience it in a positive light to know it isn’t all terrible.

 Minty didn’t say anything more as she began nuzzling her caretaker.  Her quiet nickering making Fluttershy begin to feel excited.  No pony had ever loved her in this capacity before, and part of her really wanted this to work out.  But Fluttershy knew it wouldn’t be fair to Pinkie to continue this beyond tonight.  She’d let Minty have her fun, then that would be the end of it.  She would receive, but only give in moderation.

The green earth pony began nibbling at Fluttershy’s ear, her breathing short and passionate.  For a brief moment, Minty wondered why it couldn’t feel like this with Pinkie.  She frowned when she realized it probably never would now.  She had lost Pinkie, and now she was about to lose Fluttershy.

        “Why...”  Minty whispered into the pegasi’s ear.  “Why do I have to lose my friends?”

        Fluttershy turned to make eye contact, her face visibly flushed.  “What do you mean?”

        “I’ve lost Pinkie...now after tonight I’m going to lose you.  I can’t stand that thought,” she began to tear up.

        “Minty...I’m...well...flattered I mean so much to you.  But I just don’t feel right doing this,” Fluttershy sighed.  

        “And here you say I need more confidence...” Minty smirked, resuming her nibbling and occasional licking.  Fluttershy cringed slightly, but didn’t want to offend Minty in her time of emotional need.

        The peppermint pony continued, pressing with her hooves to make Fluttershy lie down on the floor so she could be more comfortable.  Fluttershy didn’t struggle, just let Minty continue with her need.  The earth pony began nibbling down the pegasai’s mane, continuing back and forth as she nickered and panted.  Soon, her hooves were working their way down, massaging Fluttershy’s flanks and cutie marks.  Minty smiled as the yellow wings before her slowly stiffened and shuddered with each touch.

        “I’m so glad I can return the favor for all of your kindness, Fluttershy,” the smell of mints filled the pegasi’s nose as a bright pink tail began flagging against her snout.  

        The yellow pegasus flinched when she felt Minty’s hot breath working it’s way down her flank and towards her need.  She bit her lip and crushed her eyes shut, trying to ignore the nagging voice of her conscience.  Tears began stinging her eyes.  A soft tongue against her clit made Fluttershy jolt upright as a spark surged up her spine.  It had taken her by surprise, as the next lick only felt numb and distant.  Minty was trying her best, but all Fluttershy could do, was weep.

        “What’s wrong?”  Minty asked, her voice filled with concern as she stopped and looked over her shoulder.  The sight of the most generous pony in the world, sobbing because of Minty’s own actions, made the green pony’s heart sink.

        “I’m sorry...I didn’t want to hurt you...” Minty pleaded.  Tears began stinging her own eyes when a sudden realization hit her.

        “C’MON!” Pip called out, standing at the base of the tree.  “I think I saw Princess Luna!”

        Scootaloo wiped her eyes with a hoof and nodded, not wanting to see any more of this painful scene.  She pushed herself off the tree and landed deftly on all fours next to Pip.

        “I suppose this was to teach me something about becoming the bully I hated?”  Scootaloo rolled her eyes at such a morality fable being shoved down her throat.

        “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,”  Pip answered, tilting his head.  The honesty in his voice was enough to drop the subject, and the copper filly followed the pinto into the forest.

        After what felt like hours, there was no sight of the princess of the night.  Not that Scootaloo was in the mood to see her anyway.  She looked over to Pip, who stood rigid and alert, staring at the moon hoping to see a passing shadow of an alicorn.

        Something did pass by the moon, but it didn’t look like a pony.  Scootaloo sighed and tore her stare away from the object, giving Pip a mild glare.

        “Well, she didn’t come, or we missed her.  Guess I haven’t been naughty enough,” the filly smirked.

        Pip shook his head.  “It’s not nice to enjoy bein’ naughty!  You might miss your chance!”

        “Chance at what?”  Scootaloo quirked a brow.  Pip had already taken off once again, leaving the filly to grumble about how this had better be worth it.  Following the hoofprints in the snow, Scootaloo found herself back in Ponyville proper, with no feeling of any passage of time.  She paced in a circle, taking in the sights as she attempted to parse out any differences that could alert her to something wrong.

        “What is going on here?”  

        “Thank you so much!  This is the best holiday ever!”  

        Scootaloo jerked her head in the direction of the voice.  She knew that voice, her mind having developed a defense against it.  

        “Silver Spoon...”  Scootaloo seethed through her teeth.

        “Who?”  Pip asked, popping up beside her.  

        The filly ignored him as she glared at the entrance to Sugarcube Corner.  The door swung open and out walked Silver Spoon.  Her smile as arrogant as ever.  Diamond Tiara would soon follow, no doubt.  They were inseparable.  Bonded only by their egos and their hatred for blank flanks.  

        But to Scootaloo’s surprise, it was not an overbearing pink pony that emerged from the confection shop.  No, it was certain white unicorn filly.  One that utterly shocked Scootaloo into reality.  

        “Sweetie Belle...?”

-“Silver Belle”

        That was all the proof she needed.  Staring her right in the face.  Sweetie Belle socializing with the likes of Silver Spoon.  The pegasus gritted her teeth at this saccharine sight, feeling the ghostly knife in her back twist further and deeper.  This is who Sweetie left her for?  This was the best option she could come up with?  Scootaloo felt that she should’ve been honored that no pony could take her place.  But at the same token, as quickly as she was forgotten hurt all the same.  

Maybe that was the “lesson” she learned back at Fluttershy’s place.  Fluttershy didn’t want Minty to replace Pinkie with her.  But here, Sweetie Belle didn’t seem to mind replacing her best friend with a mortal enemy.

        “Trust me, squirt.  I know that feeling of rejection too.”  

        Scootaloo’s eyes widened as her head jerked to the left, hoping to see Rainbow Dash smiling at her and wanting to take her home where it was warm and cozy.  Instead, she got a face adorned with a scowling beak and eyes filled with disdain.

“Who...who are you?”  Scootaloo managed to ask, realizing that it wasn’t the cold wind making her shiver.

“I’m no one special.  Look kid,”  the creature pointed a talon at the copper filly. “I’ve seen the way you drool

over Rainbow Dash.  You’re making a mistake.  She’ll dump you for the next piece of tail just like that!”  The creature emphasised with a snap of her claws.

        “Rainbow Dash is loyal!  She’d never leave her friends behind!”  Scootaloo snapped, suddenly feeling  her idol surging through her. She remembered the stories Dash told her of the villains they had faced, and how she had helped to save the day by being there.

        “She’s loyal to herself!”  The creature let out a hawk-like screech as her wings unfurled.  “She made the wrong choice, and she’ll have to live with that.”

        “Don’t listen to that mean ol’ bugger!”  Pip spoke up, waving a hoof.  “She’s just upset because she don’t have a friend.  Well I can be your friend!”

        “Piss off, kid!”  The gryphon snapped, slashing at the air with her claws. Pip flinched and fell back on his rump.

        “Leave him alone you bully!”  Scootaloo shouted, standing in front of the recovering pinto.

        “Wow...you’re just like her.  Shame really, you had potential.”  Gilda shook her head as a smirk spread across her beak.

        “I stand up for my friends!”  Scootaloo snapped, holding her ground.

        “Like they stood up for you?”  Gilda sneered.  “I saw what happened back there in the forest.  The way they ditched you.  I bet they won’t come back either.”  

        “Well...I’m still loyal to them, because I know that they’ll come around!”  Scootaloo replied, her eyes filled with determination.

        Gilda snickered, “Like you were loyal to Dash when that superhero came to town?  I saw what happened.”

        Scootaloo’s confidence deflated at the mention of that.  She did seem to forget Dash in all of that hype.  Was this how Dash felt when Mare Do Well took her glory?

        “I know they’ll come back...” Scootaloo muttered, dropping to her rear.  “They just got to...I’ll show you!”   Her eyes narrowed in determination as she sprinted towards the two ponies. “SWEETIE BELLE!  HEY!”

        The unicorn, nor Silver Spoon gave any acknowledgement.  Scootaloo stood on her hind hooves and waved her forelegs fanatically, whistling, shouting, and anything else she could think of.

        “They can’t see me...”  Scootaloo frowned, slumping to the ground once again.  “Wait a minuet...”  Scootaloo stuck out a hoof experimentally, and to her horror, it passed right through Silver Spoon.  The gray pony shivered slightly.

        “Did you feel a cold wind just now?”  Silver Spoon asked, adjusting her blue framed glasses.

        “No...but it is kind of cold out here,” Sweetie Belle nodded.  “I sure do miss Scootaloo though...”

        “SEE! SHE MISSES ME! I TOLD YOU!”  Scootaloo stood and pointed, rubbing this moment of triumph in the gryphon’s ugly face.

        “Such a shame that she died like she did...alone and forgotten...”  Silver Spoon added, her voice filled with genuine sadness.

        Scootaloo froze and fell to the ground.  Her mind reeling as her stomach twisted.  Strange thoughts surging all at once until they settled on the cold reality.  Scootaloo’s eyes lit up in a moment of epiphany, and she sat up and turned to the pinto and the gryphon.

        “If I’m dead, how can you see me?”

        “Because during the winter solstice, the barrier between our world and the spirit realm is at its weakest,” a voice explained.  The three turned to see Princess Luna swoop down and land elegantly.  Her starry mane swayed in the breeze, highlighted by the glare of her aura off of the snow.

        “PRINCESS LUNA!”  Pip squealed, running over to give a nuzzle to the princess.  

The dark alicorn looked down and smiled.  “Hello, Dear Pip.  I trust you are enjoying my night?  Princess Celestia made the day shorter for just such an occasion.”  

“Wait, wait...so how come they can see me, but Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon can’t?”  Scootaloo asked, trying to get back on topic.

“Perhaps it’s because you don’t want them to see you?”  Luna suggested.  “I notice you are very prideful, and your friends seeing you have passed on is scarring enough to them.  You don’t want them to see you in your current state because you are ashamed.”

“Well, can’t you use your magic to bring me back to life?”  Scootaloo asked, sounding more frustrated than she would’ve liked.  She didn’t want Princess Luna to think her ungrateful.

Luna frowned, “Unfortunately, I cannot.  Even magic as powerful as ours has its limits and rules.  But perhaps I can appeal to make sure your afterlife is a joyous one.”

Scootaloo shook her head, “No thanks.  I’d rather haunt here.”

“You don’t really punish the naughty ponies...do you?”  Pip asked, his eyes wide and pleading.

Luna chuckled, “No, I do not.  You have nothing to fear from me anymore.”  The mighty alicorn turned and spread her wings, “Now I must return to my duties, as my sister does not know I snuck out to enjoy some of the festivities.”

Pip waved a frantic goodbye with his forelegs as Luna took off towards the castle in the distance, lit up with the royal holiday decorations and trees.  Scootaloo remembered Twilight said that evergreen trees became part of the celebration because they were the only trees still green in the winter months.

“Twilight!  She talked to me!  She saw me!”  Scootaloo remembered, her eyes filled with hope.  “Maybe she can help me!”

“Probably just saw you’re dead body, twerp...” Gilda rolled her eyes.  Scootaloo shot a dirty look at the gryphon, but sighed in defeat.

        “Ah really enjoy helpin’ ya, Zecora!  Ah’d never learn all this cool stuff with Applejack!”  

        Scootaloo looked up to see Apple Bloom bounding alongside Zecora, both wearing saddlebags filled with supplies.

        “Indeed, in the solstice the spirits will roam

        But us mortal ponies need comforts of home

        If I do not get supplies before the snow will fall

        I shall not leave again, for hunger will make it’s call”

“Hey Apple Bloom! HEY!”  Scootaloo jumped in front of the two ponies, hoping that maybe she would have a better shot at being seen.

        Zecora froze, her eyes wide in shock as her mouth hung open.

        “What is this? I think I can see it

        It appears to be a lonely, lost spirit

        I hope perhaps, you can see it too

        Because it is your friend, Scootaloo”

        Of course she could see me...

Apple Bloom stared at Zecora and blinked, then turned her gaze to where the zebra was pointing.  Sure enough, Scootaloo was standing there, a sheepish smile on her face.

        “Scootaloo?  Ah...ah thought you was dead.”

        “Apparently I am...but Sweetie Belle couldn’t see me,” Scootaloo muttered, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof.

        “Aw, Sweetie’s always been slow like that.  Nothin’ personal...um...hey....I know it doesn’t change the fact that...well....that yer dead an’ all...but...” Apple Bloom began, trying to hold back her tears.

        “Apology accepted,” Scootaloo replied...holding out a hoof.  Apple Bloom slowly held out her own and reached towards the apparition.  She felt stinging cold through her leg and into her body, but she wasn’t afraid.

        “Come along now, Apple Bloom. Time has long past

        The barrier between realms will no longer last

        Say your goodbyes and apologies while you can

        Or our journey in this weather will take a longer span”

        “Goodbye, Scootaloo...and ah’m sorry.  We all are.  Ah should’ve believed you,” Apple Bloom sniffed, her eyes beginning to water.

        “Well, it was kind of my own fault too.  I shouldn’t let curiosity get the better of me,”  Scootaloo conceded.  “Just wish I would’ve known that sooner.”

        “The future won’t be the same without you, Scoot...” Apple Bloom frowned.  She turned and picked up her pace to catch up to Zecora, leaving the filly alone once more.

        Scootaloo sobbed to herself, turning her bleary eyes to where Pip and Gilda were standing.  They were gone.  She really was alone.

        “Time?”

        The copper filly bolted upright and looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.  Her eyes widened in horror when she saw a hooded pony standing before her, hoof pointed straight out at her.  Its face obscured by its hood.

        “Wha...wha....what are you?”

        “Do you have the time?”  The figure asked again.  Scootaloo was to afraid to answer, only stare.

        “Wait a minute...Apple Bloom said ‘future’, then you show up.  So you must be...”

        “OH!  You got me!  So much for keeping my secret then, eh?”  The stallion smiled, looking a bit embarrassed.

        “You’re all ghosts like me aren’t you?  Taking form of things I know, and showing me the error of my ways!”  Scootaloo struck a defensive pose, a look of anger in her eyes.  “Well I don’t need anypony preaching to me!”

        “What are you talking about?”  Pip asked, sitting on the ground.  How did they get back so fast?  Or were they really gone?  “We’re not ghosts.”

        “Then how can you...”

        “I think I can explain that,”  the stallion cut her off. “Come with me!”

-“Holiday Treat”

        “Ah, yes!  The future!  So many wondrous possibilities and outcomes!  Why, the very fate of the world could rest on what color trousers you decide to wear today!”

        Scootaloo cocked a brow at the odd behavior of the colt before her.  His messy brown mane and hourglass cutie mark did nothing to show what he was good at, or who he was for that matter.

        “I didn’t ask about the future.  You asked me what time it was,” the copper filly shook her head.  She glanced over to see Pip was busy admiring this strange pony while Gilda was rolling her eyes out of boredom.

        “Yes, I did!  See, rather we know it or not, we’re traveling through time as we speak!  Each passing second is one step into the future!  We don’t feel it for obvious reasons, but it’s marvelous all the same!”  

        “So if you aren’t ghosts, and I am...then...” Scootaloo’s head hurt as she tried to make sense of all this information.

        “I’ve seen stranger things in my day,” the stallion replied.  His smile looked kind of smug.  Too smug for Scootaloo’s liking.  Almost like....

        “Anyway!  I am, the Doctor!  Nice to meet you, Pikachu!”  The stallion bowed his head formally.

        “Scootaloo...” the filly replied, narrowing her eyes.  

        “Right...so...you are a ghost, yet everyone can see you and...”

        “Pony.”

        “What?”

        “Every PONY can see me,” Scootaloo reminded.

        “Oh, you ponies and your grammar!  Anyway, but you said your friends couldn’t see you?”

        “Silver Spoon isn’t my friend,” Scootaloo’s voice took a dark edge.  “She probably couldn’t see me because her nose is to far up her...”

        “Hey now...” Pip cut the filly off before she could finish.

        “Well it sounds to me that you are becoming the thing that you hate...” the Doctor nodded, his face taking a solemn expression.  

        “I’m being like my hero, Rainbow Dash!”  Scootaloo replied, flaring her little wings out as far as she could.

        “And doing it wrong apparently...” Gilda replied, rolling her eyes.

        “Like you have room to talk!”  Scootaloo looked ready to pounce before Pip came in between them.

        “EVERYONE...er...PONY!  STOP IT!”  The Doctor stomped his hooves on the ground.  “Now then...if you seem so intent on learning a lesson that we’re not even here to teach you...I suppose I could show you the future.  IF you promise not to share what you know.”

        “I didn’t really want to learn anything.  But the future does sound pretty cool!”  Scootaloo’s eyes lit up at the prospect of being the first pony of her class to travel through time.

        “Very well then!  Onwards and upwards!”  The three of them proceeded to follow the Doctor, only for Pip and Gilda to be stopped at the door.  “Sorry, this is a solo adventure.  You all just have to wait here.”  He flashed a smile, then glanced over his shoulder, “NO! Don’t touch that!”

        In the blink of an eye, the machine that Scootaloo was inside of came to a halt.  The Doctor opened the door and gestured for the filly to go first.  She hesitated, but regained composure and took a step into the unknown.  Everything looked the same as they left it, complete with the same decorations.  

        “I thought we were going into the future?”  Scootaloo frowned, looking over to the Doctor.

“We are in the future, take a look over there.”  He ponited to Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were seated at an outdoor table, talking and laughing.  

“Well, at least Pinkie is okay...”  Scootaloo nodded.  “Don’t know why she would be in trouble over what happened to me though.”  She approached carefully, not knowing if they could see her or not, and listened in.  

        “It feels great to be free!”  Pinkie exclaimed as she turned her sapphire eyes to Rainbow Dash.  “That Doctor is a nice pony, but kinda weird!”  She swirled a hoof around her ear as her eyes went cross.

        Dash chuckled, “You’re one to talk about being weird.”  It was great to have her back, especially after all the pain she went through to get to this point.

 “I was so upset, and worried that you were gone.”  Pinkie continued, her eyes almost tearing up before she blinked and returned to her bright smile.

A cold breeze whipped by, causing the two to shiver.  “Hey, wanna go inside?”  Dash asked, nodding towards the door.

Pinkie nodded, “I’ll pour us some eggnog and we’ll warm up! OH! It can be that slumber party I wanted, but the others are busy...” the party pony frowned.  

Scootaloo noticed Dash glancing around nervously, as if trying to think of something.  “Well, I’m the pony who makes a sleepover fun anyway.  So no loss, right?”

Pinkie nodded, her smile returning.  Dash let out a sigh as she got up from the table.  The two headed in, leaving Scootaloo alone to think about what was going on. She realized that the two were talking about an event that was yet to happen, and her eyes widened that the Doctor really did take her to the future.  How far, though, was uncertain.  She wanted to see more.

        Pinkie sat the mug of eggnog in front of  the pegasus, who looked deep in thought.

        “What’s wrong, Dashie?”

        “Oh, just thinking.  I always get upset around the holidays anymore, because I always think of her,”  Dash blinked, trying not to let any tears escape.

        “None of us knew, Dashie.  It wasn’t your fault,” Pinkie placed a hoof on Dash’s and rubbed it lightly.

        “Yes it was!”  Dash snapped, jerking her hoof away.  “She idolized me! She looked up to me, depended on me to steer her right...and I left her to die...”  Pinkie had never seen Dash so angry, especially at herself.  “Some Element of Loyalty I turned out to be.”

        “Rainbow Dash, that wasn’t your fault!”  Pinkie snapped, sounding more forceful than usual.  “Now cheer up already, it’s the holidays!”

        “Ya know, Pinkie...I got something that would make this eggnog taste better,” Dash smirked, narrowing her eyes into a sly expression.

        “Really? Is it candy?  Ginger?  OH!  I know! Cupcakes!”  Pinkie clapped her hooves together.

        “Cupcakes in eggnog?”  Dash muttered, then shook her head.  “No, better.  Hold on.”  Dash darted over to where she left her saddlebags that were packed for Pinkie’s sleepover.  Finding the item she sought, the pegasus gripped the top in her teeth and darted back to the table in the center of Pinkie’s loft.  Dash sat it on the table with a loud clunk, the dark brown liquid sloshing inside as it reflected the light.  

        Pinkie’s eyes widened as she looked the ornate glass bottle, adorned with the image of a pony in captains garb.  “This is neat! Where’d ya get this, Dashie?”  Pinkie looked up, her blue eyes filled with curiosity.

        “Berry Punch’s store.  Never been in there before, but thought, hey, it’s the holidays right?”  Dash shrugged.  She needed a drink to escape those dark thoughts.  “Anyway, she said this is good to mix in eggnog, so...”

        “You’re the best Dashie! Always know how to make the party fun!”  Pinkie dove forward and grabbed Dash in an awkward hug.  The pegasus felt her face grow hot, the faint smell of cotton candy in her nostrils as Pinkie’s mane brushed her face.  The pink pony released her captive and sat back down.  She grabbed the lid in her teeth and the bottle with her hooves, giving a twist to pop it off.  She carefully tipped the bottle over to pour the liquid into her mug.  Dash’s eyes widened when she saw how much was going in, and her hooves shot forward to tip the bottle back up.  Some of it almost spilt onto the table.

        “Pinkie! Don’t bogart it!  I spent good money on that, and I want some too!”  Dash replied, jerking the bottle away from the giggling pony.

        “Sorry, Dashie!”

        Dash rolled her eyes and began pouring some into her own mug, frowning that there wasn’t much left.

        Pinkie was already happily sipping away though her straw, not even flinching at the amount of alcohol she was consuming.  Dash quirked a brow at this and took a hard sip of her own, immediately scrunching her face up at the bite.  “Gha! Pinkie, how can you drink so much?”

        “What do you mean?”  Pinkie asked, her straw held gingerly between her lips as she spoke.

        “I never knew you to be a heavy drinker,” Dash explained, shaking her head.  The buzz of the liquor already creeping into her head.  She blinked a few times to refocus and looked back at the pink pony.  Dash cursed herself for not preparing for this sooner.  Her lack of food intake and the energy she burned to get to Sugarcube Corner in record speed were now making the alcohol course though her system faster than normal.  Not to mention the sweets Pinkie had fed to Dash were reacting badly in her stomach.

        Dash grabbed her straw in her lips again, and gave another hard pull, her eyes shutting on reflex as the liquor buzzed through her head even harder now.  She opened them to see Pinkie had already finished hers, looking a little tipsy, but not as out of it as Dash was feeling.  The pegaus swore the room behind the pink pony was starting to tilt slightly.

        “Ugh...I feel sick...”  Dash rubbed a hoof on her stomach.  “Cupcakes and alcohol do not mix.”

        “Well, I feel fine!”  Pinkie chirped.  Dash glared at the pink pony, feeling a bit jealous at her insanely fast metabolism.  That had to be it.  No way she could eat as much as she did and not get fat.  She could tell by looking in Pinkie’s eyes that she wasn’t entirely there.  Even less than usual.

        “You sure you’re okay?  I had nowhere near as much as you, and I’m feeling it already,”  Dash placed a hoof to her head.  “I need something high in carbs.”

        “Of course I’m fine, you silly filly!”  Pinkie waved a passive hoof, almost falling over in the process. “WHOO!”

        Dash grinned.  Of course Pinkie can hide it, she always acts that way!

        Pinkie staggered towards the stairs, hoping to get more cupcakes.  But a misplaced hoof ensured that she made it to the bottom painfully.  Dash rushed down the stairs to see if she was okay.

        “Maybe you should sleep this off, Pinkie.  Don’t want you hurting yourself now,” Dash placed her forelegs under Pinkie’s and clumsily lifted her off the floor.

        Pinkie began giggling more than usual, her blue eyes glancing up to something hanging above them. Dash followed her look up to see something green hanging from the rafter.

        “Uh...is that what I think it is?”  Dash asked, feeling her face blush.  She could feel Pinkie twist and struggle in her hooves, and before she knew it, a pink face was in hers.  Dash’s eyes widened as she felt the pink pony’s soft lips press against her own.  The sheer passion behind the kiss shown that this was not the alcohol controlling her actions.

        Dash placed her hooves on Pinkie’s chest and shoved her away.  The pink pony frowned at this, which for some reason, made Dash’s heart hurt. Maybe it was the booze.

        “Well, uh...that was...um....nice?”  the pegasus stammered, sounding more like Fluttershy than herself.

        “I got plenty more where that came from, Dashie,” Pinkie replied, her voice slow and seductive.  Her slurred words making Dash smirk a little.

        “Yeah...you need to lie down,” Dash shook her head, trying to drag Pinkie back up the stairs.  The volatile mix of cupcakes and rum in her stomach making her feel dizzy.  Pinkie was dead weight as she continued to try and go the opposite direction, occasionally coming back around to nip at Dash’s ear.

        “Pinkie stop it. You’re scaring me!”  Dash brushed her away from sniffing her mane.  “We shouldn’t have done this.”

        “Oh, shush! I’d do you even if we weren’t drunk!”  Pinkie replied, batting Dash with a hoof.  This made the pegasus freeze in place.

        “What?”

        “I’ve always loved you, Dashie!  When I heard what you did with Applejack, I was so jealous!”  Pinkie shook her head, giggling again.  “But I knew you would come around, and now here we are!”

        Dash jerked her head around to stare Pinkie in the eyes.  “How did you know about that?!”

        “Duh!  I know everypony in Ponyville!  Word of mouth, silly!  You’re quite the legend!”  Pinkie giggled again.

        Dash sighed.  “I only came here for the sleepover, and I expected everypony else to show up,” Dash spoke, trying to fight the butterflies in her stomach.  “You’re a good friend, Pinkie. Really, you are.  But...I can’t commit to you like that.”

        “Why not?”  Pinkie’s eyes widened, a frown on her face that didn’t belong.

        “I don’t want to hurt you like I hurt...”  Dash trailed off, breaking eye contact with the pink pony.

        “You didn’t hurt anypony silly!”  Pinkie smiled again.  “It may be our first time, but it won’t hurt!”

        “That’s not what I...”  Dash shook her head.  “Never mind.  Let’s get you to bed.”

        Pinkie finally quit squirming and fighting, making the job much easier as the pegasus crested the stairs. She made a mental note to have a talk with Applejack about keeping secrets as she drug Pinkie towards the bed. A surge of dizziness hit and Dash felt her wings lock up.  She hit the floor painfully, taking Pinkie down with her.

        Pinkie began giggling even louder now, her pink tail brushing across Dash’s hind legs.  She saw the pegasi’s wings begin to spread as Dash tried to fight the sensation.  She felt a warmth pressing against her stomach, and a devious smile spread across Pinkie’s face as she began to slide lower.  The sensation of her coat sliding along the pegasi’s most private of areas made Dash shudder slightly and let out a moan.

        Dash threw her hooves to her mouth, hoping Pinkie didn’t hear that.  She glanced down to see Pinkie gave no reaction, but was still continuing her seductive journey.  Soon she was on the floor staring between Dash’s legs.  The smell was overwhelming as it winked at her to come forth.  Pinkie didn’t waste any time in meeting this request.

        Dash’s pupils shrank as she watched Pinkie’s head dip down between her flanks.  She felt a tongue slide gently up her thighs, rubbing the soft coat as Pinkie set to work. Each lick inched agonizingly closer to Dash’s wetness, up and down as Pinkie shown a surprising expertise.

“Pinkie...how do you know all of this?”  Dash couldn’t help ask the question, feeling that gnawing at the back of her brain disappear.

“My job is to make ponies smile, Dahsie.  No matter what it takes,” Pinkie replied, setting back to her work. Dash blinked, trying not to think too hard about that statement.  She felt the party pony’s hot breath on her labia, and let out a sharp gasp.  But Pinkie left again, running her tongue down the opposite thigh.  The pegasus didn’t know if it was desire or the liquor, but her hooves reached out and grabbed Pinkie’s head, shoving the earth pony’s face right into her need.  Pinkie let out a muffled yelp of surprise, but her eyes soon closed as she went to work.

 The rough tongue scraping against Dash’s clit made her throw her head back and moan, her walls gripping for something to satisfy the void.  Pinkie continued her work, lapping sloppily with humorously lewd noises that made Dash chuckle between moans.

        “You don’t taste like raisin’s, Dashie!”  Pinkie spoke up, glancing up to lock eyes with the pegasus.  Dash stared into the sapphire pools as Pinkie began licking again, never breaking eye contact.  Another rough lap at her nub made Dash shudder and she could feel her clit beginning to harden.  Pinkie quickly took the nub in her teeth, tugging gently yet firmly, making Dash yelp and bite her bottom lip.  Her eyes screwed shut as she moaned through her teeth, sweat forming on her brow.  Another lick against the engorged nub and the pegasus threw her head back, not caring who heard her moan.

        Pinkie could taste the juices pooling on her tongue.  Spicy like a rainbow, but not as much as the real thing.  Her blue eyes glanced down to the passage before her, winking and inviting.  Leaving Dash’s sensitive area alone, Pinkie inserted her tongue into the gripping opening.  She could hear Dash hiss through her teeth as her hips bucked forward.  Her walls squeezing Pinkie’s tongue in their attempts to pull her in deeper.

        The pink pony stopped before Dash was finished, and gave a sly smirk.  “I got an idea!”  She darted off to the kitchen, leaving Dash panting on the floor as her mind began to wonder what Pinkie had in store.  Something involving food no doubt.  She emerged from the kitchen, holding a rather large candy cane, complete with a red bow tied around the top.  The tag hanging off of it read “TO: DASHIE FROM: PINKIE”

        “Uh, Pinkie...you sure this is a good idea?”  Dash asked, cocking a brow at the sight before her.  Pinkie held up the candy cane, the end of it already wet with her saliva.  The pink pony flashed a smile that had a streak of wickedness behind it, and lunged forward.

        “I made this myself...”  Pinkie panted as she went to work lapping at Dash’s clit once more.  “Thought it would be weird if I asked Twist to make it.”

        Dash chuckled as she shuddered again, Pinkie setting to work.  The party pony wasn’t going to make the same mistake again, not after all that had happened.  She glanced up to see Dash tossing her mane about, eyes screwed shut.  She wants it, not like...

        NO!  Pinkie stops herself.  She wasn’t going to ruin this moment with memories of past mistakes. Dash’s hips thrust forward, making her entrance wink against Pinkie’s snout as the party pony giggled.  She was ready.

        Pinkie pulled herself away, sticking the end of the candy cane in her mouth once more to moisten it again. She watched as Dash’s breathing steadied and she opened her rosy eyes to stare at the pink pony, pleading for more.  Her face was flushed, all the way down to her shoulders.  Dash brushed her rainbow mane from her eyes, slicked back with sweat.  “Why...why did you stop?” she panted.

        Pinkie giggled and pulled the confection from her mouth with a loud, purposeful pop.  She took aim at Dash’s slit and looked up for reassurance.  Dash nodded in conformation, so Pinkie pressed forward.  The stickiness pulling at her damp flesh hurt in a good way, and the smooth sting of peppermint seeping into her folds gave Dash a strange numb sensation.

        “OH SHI...”  Dash grunted, her head jerking left and right.         

        “You like it when I stuff your stocking?”  Pinkie giggled.

Dash glance down and blinked dumbly, almost losing the moment.  A smile spread across her face as she shook her head.  “Pinkie, just fuck me.”

Pinkie obliged, thrusting the sticky treat in and out.  She couldn’t help but giggle at the sounds of popping flesh and the sucking sound of pulling it back out.  Dash was panting harder now, her racing heart sending more of the alcohol into her brain at a faster pace.  The room was spinning, but Dash couldn’t tell if it was from pleasure or being drunk.  The thrusting had increased in pace, and Dash glanced down to see what was going on, forcing her eyes to stay open.

The tip of the candy cane was wiggling around inside of her as Pinkie struggled with the other end, putting the whole curve in her mouth and biting it off.  Dash swallowed as the back of her mind pondered what this could imply.  She gingerly chewed the candy, staring into Dash’s eyes, then slowly stood up on all fours, swaying slightly as she guided the other end of the candy cane to her own entrance.

Dash’s eyes widened as she could see the whole thing.  The thick lips parting to make way for the confection as Pinkie gasped and giggled.  She shook her rump a few times, enjoying the feel of the jagged edges against her walls.  After a few more inches, Pinkie hesitated as if to stop the room from spinning, then slid her back hooves across the floor to hilt herself on the rest of the length.

Dash gasped as the weight of the pink pony fell upon her, now face to face.  The odd combination of her cotton candy smelling hair, the alcohol and peppermint on her breath tinged by the sent of her own sex, drove Dash wild for some reason she couldn’t explain.  Pinkie lunged forward and kissed Dash, sliding her tongue in as soon as there was a chance.  Dash let out a muffled protest, but soon succumbed to the odd feeling of candy cane crumbs scraping across her gums.  The mix of flavors was indescribable, but at the same time, made Dash’s temples throb as her alcoholic blood continued its journey.

Pinkie broke the kiss, a trail of crumbs and saliva falling between them.  She thrust her hips, bucking Dash hard into the wooden floor.  The pegasi’s wings were fully spread now, stiff and trembling as Pinkie reached out and gave them a gentle stroke.  Dash jerked, her hips thrusting upwards as she gasped from the jolt of pleasure that shot up her spine.

“I made it to the North Pole!”  Pinkie shouted in triumph as she began riding the candy cane, now made even sticker with her own fluids.  The strange feeling of their clits sticking and pulling apart sent tiny shocks, as each of their inner walls began to tug for control of the ever shrinking treat between them.  The burning of the peppermint gave a painless but hot sensation through their moist openings.

Only Pinkie would giggle during sex, and that was exactly what she was doing as she continued to ride the striped makeshift phallus between them.

 “Oh yeah! Make me smile!”  Pinkie began babbling.  “Party with my Pinkie Hole!   Ride that pie!” 

Dash only rolled her eyes, which weren’t too far from the back of her head to begin with.  With another thrust, Dash felt Pinkie clench around the candy, pulling it up with her as she began fucking Dash with her new peppermint penis.

“OH...”  Dash bit her lip, twisting and writhing beneath her pink tormentor.  She could feel the pressure building up within her stomach, her back legs stretching and twitching in preparation for the oncoming storm.

Pinkie began thrusting faster, her hooves reaching down to fumble over Dash’s now pert nipples.  Soon they found their way to her wings once more, and a slight caress across the joint was enough to send Dash to the brink.

“AH! SWEET CELESTIA!!”  Dash cried out as her body tensed and locked, hooves launching forth to pull Pinkie closer and deeper into her grabbing folds.  Pinkie continued her rhythm, riding out Dash’s orgasm as she approached her own.  The sticky combination of candy residue from the melting treat and their own juices cemented what was left of the candy cane between them as Pinkie shuddered, her tail going stiff and twitching as if something was going to fall.

Her Pinkie Sense rang true as she fell on top of Dash hard, her hooves slipping and losing balance.  She began to laugh, cackling as her orgasm washed through her.  Dash had never heard of a pony laugh while coming before, but it was music to her ears all the same.

Scootaloo stared in open mouth awe at what just happened.  Hopefully the Doctor could make it to where she couldn’t remember what she saw.  Though a small part of her didn’t want to forget.

“Well they don’t look too affected by my loss,” she noted with a nod.  “What was the point of this?”

“Do you love me, Dashie?”  Pinkie whispered, nuzzling her head under the pegasi’s chin.

“You know I do...”  Dash replied, rubbing her hoof through the frizzy mane.

“Then say it,”  Pinkie replied.

“I can’t...”  Dash whispered, glancing away.  “I can’t make that commitment.”

“Why not?”  Pinkie raised her head and stared deep into Dash’s rosy eyes.  

“I don’t like making promises I can’t keep.  I already lost two friends because of that...I don’t need to...”

“You and you’re self loathing!”  Pinkie snapped, her mane appearing to go flat.  “All you think about is yourself!”

“I just don’t want to hurt you, Pinkie.  You understand,” Dash began to get nervous.

“I always understood!”  Pinkie shouted, violently pushing herself off of the pegasus.  “I thought you would understand too!”         

“What?  Pinkie what are you...” Dash’s eyes widened and her pupils shrank to dots.  Pinkie turned to  reveal she was holding a large cake knife in her teeth.

“We could’ve had something together, but you kept pushing me away because you didn’t want to hurt me.  You know how I get when I think my friends don’t love me anymore...”  Pinkie inched closer, her words somewhat obscured by the knife.

“Pinkie, I’m sorry okay?  I do love you...and that is why I can’t...”  Dash was inching backwards across the floor.  “It’s just the liquor talking...you don’t mean this...do you?”

Scootaloo looked away, tears stinging her eyes.  She ran as far as she could so she couldn’t hear the

cries and screams.  Once out of earshot, she looked up to the Doctor.  His blue eyes were filled with a sadness she never noticed before.

        “Am I responsible for all that?”

        “Well...indirectly,” the Doctor nodded.  “You have no idea just how much you meant to your friends and the others.  Rather they knew you were homeless or not, they still cared for you.”

        “I don’t want this to be the future.  Is there...is there some way you could take me back?”  Scootaloo looked to the Doctor with pleading eyes.

        The Doctor sighed, defeated.  “Only if you promise not to make the same mistakes.”

        “I promise!”  Scootaloo nodded, her smile almost outgrowing her face.         

        “Allons-y!”

-“It’s A Scootaful Life

        Scootaloo’s eyes shot open, and the first thing she felt was stabbing pain in her chest.  Her lungs burned with every breath, and she couldn’t feel her hooves or wings.  Once her eyes regained focus, she saw she was in the Ponyville infirmary.  The simple one room structure filled with cots wasn’t much, but served it’s purpose when need be.

        “Scootaloo! You’re awake!”  Apple Bloom cried out as she gave a flying leap to embrace her friend.  Sweetie Belle stopped her, shaking her head.

        “What happened?”  Scootaloo managed to ask, noticing her jaw shivered with each word.  She felt something frozen on her snout and her bones ached.

        “Sweetie Belle came and got me to help as soon as she found you.  You must’ve passed out in a snow drift.  Why were you wandering around town alone anyway?”  Twilight Sparkle asked as she entered the room.  Her horn was glowing as she pulled two familiar looking colts behind her.  Snips and Snails were being drug by their ears.

        “You...you cared about me?”  Scootaloo felt herself about to cry, but her eyes hurt to much to do so.  That made her all the more upset.

        “Of course we do!  Ah may have been mad, but ah didn’t mean all that nonsense back there!  Sweetie Belle helped to calm me down to!”  Apple Bloom nodded to the unicorn filly, who blushed slightly.

Twilight frowned that Scootaloo was ignoring her question, but figured it a subject best saved for later.  With a jerk of her head, her magic pulled Snips and Snails closer to the pegasai’s bedside.

“Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom told me everything that happened, and that these two were responsible,”

Twilight jerked them forward roughly and cleared her throat.

“We’re sorry Scootaloo...” Snips began, trying not to make eye contact.

“Yeah...I’m sorry to, eh,” Snails added, also looking away.

Scootaloo smiled, “That’s all i wanted to hear.”

“Of course, there’s the matter of you being involved to.  So don’t think your off the hook either.  I think I’m

going to have to give you some lessons about what you claim to have seen,” Twilight shook her head.

“I don’t care!  All that matters is I’m here, and my friends are back!  The others were wrong!  I knew you’d come back for me!”  Scootaloo smiled, even though it hurt to do so.

“Others?  Who are ya talkin’ bout?”  Apple Bloom quirked a brow.

“I saw Pip, and a gryphon, and...and that funny stallion with the hourglass...he took me to the future and...”

Scootaloo trailed off when she notied the others were staring at her.  

        “Sounds like quite the dream you had,” Twilight smiled nervously.  Part of her wondered if Scootaloo was more affected by the cold than she thought.

        “But...but...it wasn’t a dream...”  Scootaloo frowned.  The others turned and left the pegasus to rest.  However, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom remained, her eyes tearing up.

        “I believe you...”  she whispered, placing a warm hoof on Scootaloo’s frozen foreleg.

        “So do ah...Ah saw yer ghost, remember?”  Apple Bloom blushed slightly, as if she sounded silly for saying such things.

        Scootaloo felt a tear run down her cheek, its warmth a stark contrast to the rest of her face.  “Thank you...you guys...”

THE END

Happy Hearth’s Warming Everypony!