Deeper than What Appears

by NocturnalRainbow

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Sad
Length: 4353

Scootaloo has a problem, a one that threatens her life. Rainbow Dash tries to help, but just how far will she go?

Scootaloo has a problem, a very dangerous problem. She has a disease of the mind. In the day she is a normal filly but when she goes to sleep things turn for the worst. A hidden part of her mind, one that wants to kill is awoken. Rainbow Dash is first to put the pieces of the puzzle together but there was no way she was telling anypony. She loves Scoots and isn't going to let anything happen to her. Eventually Scootaloo conditions worsens and she ends up killing an unlucky Cherilee late at night. When this was brought to the attention of the authorities Scootaloo was forced to run from Ponyville leaving everything she loves behind. But Rainbow wasn't going to abandon her beloved Scootaloo that easily. In a touching story that spans across Equestria they will learn what it means to really care for one another and what it means to be sisters even if they really aren't.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-28 02:18:31 UTC

Away From it All

Chapter 2: Away From it All

                        Rainbow Dash rocketed away from Ponyville carrying a frightened Scootaloo in her arms. She had no idea where they were going or what they were going to do but all she knew is that she had to keep her precious Scootaloo safe.

"Dash? Where are you taking me?" asked Scootaloo as she looked up at Rainbow Dash

"Somewhere far away..." said Rainbow "Somewhere where you and I can get away from it all..."

                        The next few hours were silent, both were silent as they stared off ahead into the distance, contemplating what their futures held. Scootaloo fell asleep in Rainbows Arms but nothing would happen that night. It was as if Rainbow had calmed the angry, malicious side of Scootaloo.

"Everything's going to be fine Scoots.... everything's fine...." whispered Rainbow Dash to the sleeping Scootaloo

                         Rainbow Dash spotted a clearing in the dense forest which they were flying over. She decided to stop there because it was as good of a place as any and she was getting very drowsy from the hours of continuous flying. She landed softly in the clearing careful not to wake Scootaloo. She laid Scootaloo on a soft patch of grass and put her wing around her. Rainbow slowly drifted off to sleep as she nuzzled against Scootaloo. Finally she fell asleep with Scootaloo nuzzled under her wing.

"Dash! Dash!! Wake up!! We need to find some food!!!" Scootaloo shouted loudly at very drowsy Rainbow Dash.

"Alright! Alright! I'm up!" said Rainbow as she groggily got to her feet.

"Where are we going to find food around here Dash?" Scootaloo asked "There's no food for miles!"

"Oh trust me Scootaloo, there's plenty of food if you know where to look" replied Rainbow Dash

                          Rainbow Dash venture out into the woods in search of food. Rainbow Dash knew where to look thanks to her friend Fluttershy. Fluttershy had taught Rainbow Dash a lot about plants and wildlife. The thought of her kind, loving friend brought tears to Rainbows eyes. She wanted to cry over the friends she would most likley never see again. But she wouldn't let herself cry, for Scootaloo she had to remain strong.

"Alright! Juicy Berries!" said Rainbow Dash as she picked some off of the tree.

                            Rainbow tasted them just to make sure. They were delicious! She grabbed as many as she could carry and headed back to the clearing.

"Breakfast is server!" said Rainbow Dash as she showed Scootaloo the Juicy Berries.

"YAY! JUICY BERRIES!" shouted Scootaloo exuberantly as she plunged her face into the pile of delicious berries.

                              Rainbow Dash was touched by this. Scootaloo was so filled with joy during such a tough time.

"No pony could be this happy in this situation, except maybe Pinkie..." thought Rainbow Dash

                             Rainbow Dash knew though that Pinkie wouldn't be happy at that moment. She had no idea were her good friend and was probably worried sick about Dash. All of her friends probably were. She started to doubt herself at that moment. Had she made the right decision in giving up her entire life just to protect one filly.... one very special filly. Rainbow Dash had lost her parents had lost her parents years ago. She had had no family left. But then she met Scootaloo, the exuberant little filly was the only now that she though of as family. Her friends were just friends, they couldn't fill the void that her parents death had left but little Scootaloo could. And with that Rainbow Dash started to cry, she realized how much she cared about the little filly.

"Rainbow? Whats wrong?"  asked Scootaloo

"I love you so much Scoots... you know that don't you? I will never... never let anything happen to yo-o-u" said Rainbow Dash who choked up on the last and broke into a fit of sobbing.

"Shhhh... its okay Dash... I'm okay.... everything's okay... shhhh" whispered Scootaloo as she cuddled against her

                              And at that moment it was Scootaloo comforting Rainbow Dash and not the other way around. The little filly was perfectly calm and the full grown Pegasus had broken down into tears. Scootaloo sat there with Rainbow Dash comforting her, calming her. They sat there for hours just staring off into the forest with there wings around each other. Finally Rainbow Dash broke the silence.

"Okay Scoots, I think its time for us to leave, grab the berries and put them in my bag." said Rainbow Dash who was now calm.

                            Scoots grabbed the berries and dumped them into Rainbows bag. With that Rainbow Dash rose into the air and flew away from that clearing in the forest, a clearing that now held some very special memories.

Cave Dweller

Chapter 3: Cave Dweller

           They flew away from the clearing, it wasn't really flying though, more of a lazy glide. Rainbow Dash just wasn't in the mood to fly properly.

Must keep flying...

            Rainbow Dash was having trouble keeping her eyelids open. Every few seconds she would have to catch herself from falling asleep. She fell asleep for half a second and was jolted awake by the scratch of a tree branch. She yelped and soared upward high above the clouds.

"Wow Rainbow Dash! That was so cool!" said Scootaloo excitedly

"What? That? That was nothing! It was just a simple maneuver!" said Rainbow Dash

"But it was so cool! I wish I could do that!" said Scootaloo

"In time you will, maybe I'll teach you soon." said Rainbow Dash "Does that sound fun?"

"Yeah! I can't wait! This is going to be so cool!" said Scootaloo

"Yeah, I can't wait either..." said Scootaloo

           They flew onward, lazily drifting over the clouds. It was a nice temperature, in the mid 70's, and both of the ponies were in high spirits. Suddenly Rainbow Dash moved swiftly below the cloud layer to take a look at the land below. The Mountains to the east cast daunting shadows over the forest below.

'Hey look! The mountains!" Scootaloo shouted as she pointed excitedly.

"Yep! Wanna go in a for a closer look?" Rainbow Dash said

"Sure!" said Scootaloo

           Rainbow Dash made a sharp turn towards the mountains. The winds were more fierce here and Rainbow Dash was buffeted around by the strong winds.

"Scoots, I don't think I can fly much long-AUGH!"

            Rainbow Dash had lost control, she was at the mercy of the winds now. They were thrown against the mountain side viciously.

"Scoots! I need to you to climb up to that cave! Hurry!" shouted Rainbow Dash over the howling winds.

             Scootaloo began dragging herself up the cliff face and eventually pulled herself into the cave. A few minutes later Dash hauled herself over the side.

"Well... It looks like were stuck here until the winds die down..." said Rainbow Dash "Well its getting late, I'm going to go hit the hay... you should too Scootaloo."

"Okay Dash"

              Scootaloo trotted around for a while trying to find a comfortable spot. At last Scootaloo curled up and went to sleep. Dash laid down next to her and promptly fell asleep.

               A few hours had passed when suddenly a noise echoed throughout the cavern. Rainbow Dash sat bolt upright.

"Ursa.... URSA!"

               Rainbow Dash vigorously shook Scootaloo until she was awake.

"Common Scoots! The winds have died down you have to go now! I'll hold the Ursa off! GO! GO!" shouted Rainbow Dash

"But... I can't fly..." whimpered Scootaloo

"You have to try! You only have to glide 10 feet to get to the next ledge! You can do it! Just go!" shouted Rainbow Dash urging Scootaloo to hurry.

                   Scootaloo ran out and looked down. Scootaloo was afraid, more than she'd ever been. She gritted her teeth and took the plunge. She spread her wings, but this time was different from all the others. She didn't even open her eyes until her feet touched the solid earth of the next ledge.

"I did it.... I DID IT!"

                    Meanwhile Dash was facing off against the terrifying Ursa.

"You want to try hurting me! Come at me!" shouted Rainbow Dash

                    Just to show that it was intent on hurting Dash it took a monstrous swipe at her, missing her by inches. Rainbow Dash rocketed into the air and sped right at the incoming Ursa. With all of her strength she kicked the Ursa right in the face which sent the beast reeling in pain. But that was the end of Dash's luck. The beast charged at Dash with incredible speed.

Oh Buck Oh Buck Oh Buck

                    Rainbow Dash rocketed towards the exit with all of her speed. She rocketed out of the entrance at full speed. The Ursa tried to follow only to be stopped the force that was gravity. The Ursa tumbled down the cliff side and fell into the ravine below, killing it instantly.  Rainbow Dash was elated to see Scootaloo standing on the ledge.

"Scootaloo! You did it! You flew!" said Rainbow Dash who was grinning from ear to ear

"I know Dash! This is the best day ever!" said the elated Scootaloo

"I don't think so, we still nearly died." said Rainbow Dash "Maybe the mountains were not the best option..."

"Well we better get out of here" said Rainbow Dash "I don't want anymore Ursa's trying to kill us, I've had enough of that for one day."

                      Rainbow Dash picked up Scootaloo and took off into the air. Just for the fun of it she performed a sonic rainboom sending a wave of color across the landscape.

The Falls

Chapter 4: The Falls

                   Rainbow Dash flew onward, away from the mountains. Scootaloo was still excitedly talking about how she flew as she had been for the past 4 hours. Rainbow Dash scanned the ground as she darted through the clouds. For the first time in their journey she was looking for a particular place, a very special place. Finally she spotted it a few miles of way. It was a grand and magnificent waterfall. The water seemed to sparkle in the light of the afternoon. She glided towards it. She felt her heart race as her feet touched down on the solid rock. It was time to relive her past, from a different perspective.

"Scootaloo! Come over here!" Rainbow Dash called "There's something I need to tell you"

                  Scootaloo had dashed off the second they had arrived, eager to explore.  Scootaloo dashed over to her and skidded to a halt"

"Scootaloo... this is the place I learned to fly" said Rainbow Dash "and I think it's time that someone taught you."

"You mean it Dash?!" shouted Scootaloo excitedly

"Of course I do! But first we should eat some lunch." said Rainbow Dash

"Awwwww......"

                  Rainbow Dash trotted out into the woods to find some lunch. Luckily she found a tree, full of more juicy berries....

"Guess what I have for lunch Scoots?" asked Rainbow Dash "You have one guess."

"Juicy Berries?" said Scootaloo.

"Bingo!" said Rainbow Dash as she dumped a large pile of them onto the ground.

"HOORAY!" said Scootaloo as she dived into the pile of delectable tastiness.

                  Rainbow Dash picked up a few berries and tossed them up in the air. She caught them in her mouth as they fell.

"Woah! That was cool!" said Scootaloo "Show me how to do that!"

"Sure!" replied Rainbow Dash "It's easy! Just toss them up"

                  Rainbow Dash tossed the berries into the air

"And catch them"

                 She caught them in her mouth

"See! Easy!"  said Rainbow Dash with some difficulty because she had a mouth full of berries.

                  Scootaloo tried to do the same. She tossed them up perfectly, but instead of catching them they simply landed on her face and on Rainbow Dash.

"Awww...."  wimpered Scootaloo

"Keep trying! You'll get it!" said Rainbow Dash

                     So after a 20 tries Scootaloo finally managed to catch a few of the berries in her mouth.

"Aw Yeah! I did it!" said Scootaloo

"You sure did!" said Rainbow Dash "And now that were done with that I think it's time for some flying lessons!"

"YEAH!"

                  Rainbow Dash went over some basic skills she needed and talked about the importance of being safe while flying. Then she let Scootaloo try gliding again.

"Okay Scootaloo! Do what you did yesterday!" said Rainbow Dash "Just glide on over to that rock!"

"Okay!" shouted Scootaloo enthusiastically

                    She jumped into the air, spread her wings, and with ease glided over to the rock.

"Nice job Scootaloo!" said Rainbow Dash

"Thanks!" replied Scootaloo

                       They kept gliding for about an hour, setting farther and farther away targets for Scootaloo to glide to.

"I think you've gotten the hang of it!" said Rainbow Dash "Now you can learn how to truly fly!"

                        Rainbow Dash taught Scootaloo all of the basics. How to flap her wings correctly, the proper angle at which to fly, how to be aerodynamic, all of the things she needed to know. Scootaloo was taking it all in, eager to out to use all of the things Rainbow Dash was teaching her. Finally the time came for Scootaloo to make her first attempt.

"Remember what I told you!" shouted Rainbow Dash "You have to take off at the proper angle! And don't forget to start flapping your wings before you take off and-"

"I've got it Rainbow Dash!" said Scootaloo

                         Scootaloo dashed across the smooth dirt. She began to flap her wings and slowly rose into the air.

"I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" shouted Scootaloo excitedly

                        After flying for about ten seconds she began to lose control.

"Woah!!!" said Scootaloo as she began to spiral out of the air

                          She face-planted into a near by bush.

"Ouch..." mumbled Scootaloo as she gingerly stood up.

"Nice job Scoots!" said Rainbow Dash "I don't even think I flew for that long on my first try!"

"Wow! Cool!" said Scootaloo who was jumping up and down in excitement "Can I try again?"

"Sure!"

                     They spent most of the day flying. Scootaloo improved her air time from 10 to 15 to 27 seconds. They talked, laughed, and ate berries all day. But as the sun was setting Rainbow Dash decided to show Scootaloo something...

"Hey Scoots! Come glide over here!" shouted Rainbow Dash

                        Rainbow Dash was currently at the base of the falls. Scootaloo glided down and landed next to Rainbow.

"Come over here!"  said Rainbow Dash

                        They trotted straight into the falls and emerged on the other side into a magnificent cave. The walls shimmered with slick stone and the waterfall was reflecting the evening light beautifully against the walls.

"This is were my dad took me after he taught me to fly..." said Rainbow "He said he wanted to keep a family tradition alive..."

                          Rainbow Dash trotted over to a pile of rocks and selected one from the very top.

"After every member of my family learned to fly they carved there name into a rock." said Rainbow Dash "Every single member of my family learned to fly at this exact spot."

"Take this rock, carve your name into it with this." said Rainbow as she gave Scootaloo the rock and pulled out a sharp knife.

"Be careful now Scootaloo, that knife is sharp."

                          Scootaloo carved her name into the rock and placed it next to the others.

"Welcome to the family Scoots, welcome to the family..."

"You mean it Dash? I'm part of your family?" said Scootaloo as she stared at Dash with wide eyes.

"You sure are! I think of you as a sister. I hope you think of me the same way." said Rainbow Dash with tears in her eyes

"Of course I do..." said Scootaloo

                         Rainbow Dash sat on the cave floor and wrapped her wing around Scootaloo. They fell asleep there, in the cave, among the rocks that had served Rainbow's family for generation. That night the family gained an new member, and a new rock. It had been a good day...

Dark Night

Chapter 1: Dark Night

                    All was quiet in Ponyville, the sun lay low in the western sky and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves on the trees. It had been just another day in Ponyville, quiet and peaceful as always. Everypony was walking home to enjoy the comfort of their soft beds after a long days work. The sun lowered further in the sky until it was just a dim glimmer at the edge of the sky.

Everypony was fast asleep in their beds, all except one little, lonely filly.

                   Scootaloo walked along the empty streets of the town with her head held low. She tiptoed along the streets of town, careful not to alert anypony of her presence. Stealthy she snuck into the cold, dirty alley she called home. It was a terrible place for such a small, helpless filly to call home. It was covered in trash and the whole place reeked of the smell of rotting food and decomposing trash. Scootaloo lived in the back corner of the alley on a small pile of hay. It was a cold and lonely place for a filly to live, it was something that no child should have to endure.

                   Scootaloo curled up in a ball on his little nest of hay. She shivered in the cold of the night. She wanted to sleep but she couldn't let herself, she knew what happened when she slept.

"Bad things..... bad things...... don't sleep.... never sleep..." whispered Scootaloo to herself as she fought to stay awake.

                   Scootaloo desperately wanted to run to stay awake, she wanted to run out into the night air and be free but she knew she couldn't do that. She had to keep a certain level of secrecy. No one could know that she lived in this alley. She knew that they would make her go back to that horrible place. She shuddered every time she though of it, that horrible orphanage. They would beat her, they cared not about the orphans at that terrible place. One night she escaped, she smashed a window with a powerful kick and hurtled out of it, never looking back.

                   Scootaloo was losing the battle against sleep, she could hardly stand.

"Must... not.... sleep" mumbled Scootaloo who was clearly about too collapse.

                  But it was too later. Scootaloo teetered over and fell into her hay pile... fast asleep.

                   Meanwhile Cherilee was enjoying a night out on the town with her friends Lyra and Bon Bon.

"See Cherilee! This is why you should get out more!" shouted Lyra over the loud music.

"I know! This is great! I can't believe I didn't know that this club was here!" Cherilee shouted back.

"It just opened a few weeks ago!" shouted Bon Bon

"What?!" Shouted Cherilee

" I SAID THIS PLACE JUST OPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO!!!" shouted Bon Bon loudly in an attempt to be heard over the incredibly loud music.

"WHAT?!?" Cherilee shouted again.

"Forget it!!! Lets just dance!!!" shouted Lyra

                        They danced for hours and hours and downed a few drinks while they were at it. They danced around to the incredible tunes of DJ-PON3 until almost 1 P.M.

"Alright everypony, that's it for tonight! Come back tomorrow for another great time!" said the announcer into the microphone.

                         Everyone began filing out of the building out onto the street. No one saw the small pair of eyes staring out of the alley maliciously.

"I'll see you tomorrow girls! Maybe we can do this again sometime!" said Cherilee, slurring the words a bit.

"Byeeee Cheriliee" shouted Bon Bon as she walked away.

"Seeee yaaa later Cherilee" shouted Lyra as she did the same.

                           Cherilee skipped away to her house, happy at how fun her night had been. But she was being followed. Scootaloo tiptoed behind her, a malevolent grin on her face. Scootaloo inched closer and closer to his target who was to intoxicated to notice. But suddenly Cherilee turned around.

"Scootaloo? Is that you?" said Cherilee who was thoroughly perplexed.

"Why yes teacher it is me! And it seems that you have been the one I chose as my first!" said Scootaloo in a very twisted voice.

"But Scootaloo! You shouldn't be out at this hour and-" said Cherilee

"SHUT UP!" Scootaloo says viciously "YOU VILE WOMEN! PREPARE TO DIE!!!"

The Next Day...

                           An investigation is being done of Cherilees body

"Record this... Victim appears to have multiple stab and slash wounds, most likley done with a small dagger. Her skull is split open. She most likley died of blood loss shortly after being mutilated like this... you got that?" said Shining Armor to his assistant.

"Yes sir!" said his assistant.

"Good, now keep recording. The victim was highly intoxicated, most likley coming home from the new Club PON-3... maybe we should check out the area around the club... you never know..." said Shining Armor

"Okay, sir! Lets go over there now!" said his assistant

                                 They trotted over to the Club and started searching the premises.

"Okay you look at the club, I'll check out the buildings over here." said Shining Armor to his assistant.

"Right away sir!" said his assistant as he trotted over to the club.

                                  Shining Armor trotted over too the surrounding buildings and peered into a dark alley were he saw a very peculiar site. There was a shivering blood soaked Scootaloo being comforted by Rainbow Dash. Shining Armor listened silently to ensuing conversation.

"Scoots! Its fine! No one will know as long as I'm around!" said Rainbow Dash comforting the sobbing Scootaloo.

"IT IS NOT FINE! FIRST IT WAS JUST ANIMALS BUT NOW ITS PONIES!!!! I CAN'T LIVE A NORMAL LIFE NOW! I CAN'T EVEN TRY!" said Scootaloo sobbing "THEY'LL TAKE ME TO JAIL OR MAYBE EVEN KILL ME!!!"

"No Scootaloo! I will never let that happen! Just calm down, we'll leave Ponyville for a while and find a nice quiet place to stay until this all blows over... don't cry scoots... don't cry" said Rainbow Dash in a soothing voice.

"Well well well, it didn't take long to find our killer!" said Shining Armor as he stepped out of the shadows.

"No.... no one was supposed to find us here...." said Rainbow Dash quietly.

"Well tough luck! Scootaloo will be judged before Celestia for the killing of Cherilee!" shouted Shining Armor

"RAINBOW DASH!!! YOU SAID NOTHING bAD WOULD HAPPEN!!! YOU SAID EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY!!!"  shouted Scootaloo who was still sobbing.

"Nothing will happen... this bitch won't dare touch you." Rainbow Dash said.

                                    Rainbow Dash lifted off the ground carrying Scootaloo.

"STOP! IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA I COMMAND YOU TO STOP!!!!" screamed Shining Armor in a fit of rage

                                     Rainbow Dash flew off dodging bolts of magic from Shining Armors horn. She shot off into the distance performing a sonic rainboom in the process.

"Where are we going now Dash?" said Scootaloo sniffling

"I don't know kiddo.... I don't know...."

Sunset in a Tree

Chapter 5: Sunset in a Tree

                 It had been a few weeks since their time at the falls. It was a rather uneventful time, flying for most of the day, stopping only to eat and scavenge for food. The forest still spread out before them like a sheet, it seemed like it would go on forever. No hills were in this part of the woods, just trees and the occasional bubbling brook. Life was a bore, and had been for some time. Honestly, who would have thought that being on the run from everyone in Equestria would be this boring. After yet another uneventful day the two of them lay down in a tree, watching the last rays of the sun sink beneath the horizon.

"Man, what I would give for some hay fries right now..." Rainbow Dash said, slumping against the trunk of the tree.

"I've almost forgotten what they taste like." said Scootaloo "Probably betters than the berries and leaves we've eaten for the past three weeks."

"If we ever go back to Ponyville I promise that the first thing I will do is go grab me some hay fries down at the cafe." Rainbow Dash, licking her lips at just the thought of eating one of her favorite foods again.

"I don't think I'll be able to enjoy berries ever again." Scootaloo said, popping another one of the small,ripe berries into her mouth

"Same here, hopefully we'll have some decent food soon." Rainbow said, stuffing a few leaves they'd earlier into her mouth.

"So..." Rainbow Dash said with a mouthful of leaves. "How you holding up?"

"I'm fine I guess..." Scootaloo said. "Heh, I would probably prefer this than going back to school."

"You'd really rather be a wanted criminal than go to school?" Rainbow Dash said, giggling a bit

"What's so funny?" Scootaloo asked "School sucks!"

Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, rolling around on the little branch.

"You remind me so much of myself!" Rainbow Dash said "I can't take it!"

"Really!" Scootaloo yelped "Am I really like you!"

"Of course you are!" Rainbow said "For one thing, I hated school. Terrible, far too many rules."

"You're a determined little filly Scootaloo, you're even more determined than me." Rainbow Dash said "I'm not sure if I could have handled this when I was your age."

"You've done an amazing job sport." Rainbow Dash said, rustling Scootaloo's mane "There is nothing you could do to make me prouder as a sister."

                 Scootaloo stared up at Rainbow Dash, her eyes glistening and a smile spreading across her face.

"Rainbow Dash, did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Scootaloo said, embracing Rainbow in a tight hug

"You have Scootaloo." Rainbow Dash said "And I love you too."

"Now I think it's time we hit the hay!" Rainbow said "We have another long day ahead of us!"

"Okay!" Scootaloo said, jumping into Rainbows arms

                Within thirty seconds both were asleep, both in each others arms.