Cutie Mark Confidante

After helping Big Mac cope with Granny Smith's incesant yelling, Scootaloo left Sweet Apple Acres and headed across the town, reflective on Apple Bloom's mood. She had been visibly upset when she saw Sweetie Belle, or heard her mentioned. Scootaloo wished she could cope better, it made her feel guilty for it all. If only she had somehow solved the problem sooner, or made them angry at her, not beach other.

Maybe then, things would be different. Maybe then they'd still be friends.

Scootaloo carried on walking through Ponyville, the hot sun beating down on her back. A gentle breeze was blowing across the street, causing her feathers to flutter slightly. She enjoyed the sensation, it was as close as she ever got to flying. Scootaloo carried on her way across the town, reminiscing about older times. Times when they used to be friends.

But one specific time would never leave her mind, as sure as she was that it’ll never leave Apple Bloom's, nor Sweetie Belle's. The day it all fell apart, the day that started it all.

The three of them had been sat around in the Sweet Apple Acres barn, a pile of books before them. They got together like this once every few days to discuss plans for cutie marks, to discuss school and homework.

Scootaloo had been busy balancing a pencil on it's tip while Apple Bloom sat reading a book about farming, mean while Sweetie Belle was busy sketching on a piece of paper.

“Ah reckon we can get our cutie marks if we try some of this ploughing stuff!” Apple Bloom piped up, “Says we just gotta pull the plough through the dirt, and then plant some seeds!”

Sweetie Belle lifted her head from her drawing, a look of disgust on her face. “You mean, walk through dirt, on purpose? To see if maybe I can get a cutie mark in farming? I'd hate to get a cutie mark related to farming!”

“What? Why? Farming's important, and fun! Come on gals, lets give it a go! Whaddya say Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo looked up and frowned slightly. “Yeah, we can try it, but....I have to agree with Sweetie Belle, I don't really want a future in farming. I want a future in something cool, like stunts or being a dare pony!”

Sweetie Belle scoffed. “A dare pony? Doing tricks? Why, that's about as silly as being a farmer!”

Apple Bloom threw the book down and stood up angrily. “Why do y'all keep saying being a farmer is stupid? Without us, you'd have no food on your plates!”

“Yes, but you don't mind it! You enjoy doing your job, and that's fine! But I see it as taking pride in a job that doesn't require it! Any old fool can put a seed in the ground and grow a plant! A real talented job requires skill!”

“Hey, come on girls! Let's not get our cutie marks in fighting! Lets go give farming a go, you can at least watch if you don't wanna help out, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo added, smiling widely, trying to calm the situation.

“Humph! Not a chance! I'd rather go work on a market stall than walk through mud and dirt for a living!”

“Well why don't y'all go do it then! Ah'm getting fed up with your comments about us farmers! Come on Scootaloo, lets go try farming, on our own!”

“Hah! Come on Scootaloo, lets go try our hand at a more civilized job, like interior design!” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Erm, to be honest girls, I don't wanna do either of those for a living, but I'll give them a go at least!” Scootaloo said, smiling.

“Good, come on then Scootaloo, lets go design some new furniture for my room!”

Apple Bloom interjected. “Nah, she's gonna try farming with me first! Ah suggested it first!”

“Well Scootaloo, which do you want to do, interior design? Or, urgh...farming?”

Scootaloo looked at both her friends, unable to decide. She hated being put in this kind of position.  She did the only thing she could think of.

“Gee, I'd love to, but I need to be getting home! It's err, getting late!” She said, glancing nervously from side to side.

“Why do y'all like interior design anyway? That's just so simple! Ya just paint some walls and put a chair in a room! Any old pony can do that!”

Sweetie Belle gasped. “Why, it's much more than that! But then, I wouldn't expect you to understand. I mean, just look at this place! So, rustic and plain!”

“What! Our farm is the best around, and we don't need no fancy, soft furnishings to make it work!”

“Hmm. You need something to make you work. This place is simply run down!”

“Take that back this instant!”

“No! This farm needs a designers touch! A shame no designer would want to touch it, it all looks so dirty!”

Apple Bloom's eyes flashed red. “Get off our farm! Y'all aint welcome here no more Sweetie Belle!”

Sweetie Belle simply turned her head and flicked her mane. “Fine! I'm going home! This farm is so uncouth! I hope to never come back to it!”

“Fine! Ah don't want you to see y'all ever again!” Apple Bloom shouted angrily, as Sweetie Belle trotted away. Apple Bloom then turned her gaze to Scootaloo, who stood idly by, not moving an inch.

“Well, what about you Scootaloo? Do y'all think my farm is uncouth and dirty?”

“No way! This farm is totally awesome! Come on, lets go try some ploughing. Sweetie Belle will come around, trust me!”

The pair smiled and shared a hoof bump, before trotting away to the old field. Scootaloo smiled, hiding her true feelings. She wished Sweetie Belle would come back soon, apologize for what she said. Scootaloo couldn't face losing her friends. They were all she had.

Scootaloo woke from her daze and glanced upwards. She was outside the Carousel Boutique, it's tall peaked roof before her. She knew Sweetie Belle was in, judging by the sounds of sawing and occasional squeak filled shouts.

Scootaloo took a deep breath, exhaled and opened the door, the bell ringing above head.

“Hello, and welcome to Carousel Boutique, your one stop shop for-”

“Hello Rarity! Is Sweetie Belle home?” Scootaloo interrupted before she gave the long winded welcome.

“Why of course dear, she's upstairs! Go on up, I'm sure she’ll be glad to see you!”

Scootaloo smiled and made her way upstairs, ready to talk to Sweetie Belle.