Not Everypony Grows up to be a Pegasus
“Life Goes On”
Written by: Thunderchaser23
Edited by: Secret_Shadows, Avorin, TheConflictedWriter
Pre-readers: Midnight Shadows, Avorin, Coldspike
Scootaloo sat in the hospital waiting room, idly looking at her small orange hooves. She sighed in impatience, catching the attention of Rainbow Dash.
“Kid...” Rainbow Dash said softly sitting down beside the downcast looking filly. Scootaloo stared at the floor of the hospital room, the blank expression on her face had Dash worried. “Scootaloo,” she said a little louder this time, trying to pull the filly from her thoughts.
Scootaloo sniffled once, and buried her muzzle into Rainbow Dash’s side. Tears silently leaking from her violet irises as she continued to play the events of previous days, over in her mind. “Don’t let them hurt me anymore... Please don’t let them hurt me!” She cried into the mare’s side, her mind was stuck in a loop. The abuse she endured was finally starting to affect her both mentally and physically.
“Scootaloo...” Rainbow Dash trailed off, wrapping a comforting wing around the shaking and sobbing filly. “No one will hurt you like that ever again, AppleJack promised you that.” She said comforting the little filly. “I..Just why didn’t you tell anypony Scoots? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t tell you because I’m weak...” Scootaloo sobbed into Rainbow’s side. “I wanted to be more like you when I was crusading with Sweetie Belle and AppleBloom, or when I was watching you. I just wanted to be like everypony else. I tried to be strong, I did Rainbow but I’m just a stupid foal who can’t even fly!” She nearly shouted pounding her small hooves into Dash’s side, she broke down again this time hugging Rainbow as hard as she could. “Please don’t leave me, I don’t want to be alone.”
It took every ounce of resolve in Rainbow’s body to not start crying herself. “Scootaloo.” She said firmly. “I’m not going to leave you alone ever. How long has this been going on, Scootaloo?” Rainbow asked softly, stroking the sobbing filly’s mane gently with her hooves.
“*Sniff hic* S-Since I turned seven. B-Before that, Mom, was the nicest mare, she always got me what I wanted for hearthswarming.” Scootaloo spat the word Mom out as if it were an insult. She took her face out of Rainbow’s side then wiped her eyes.
Rainbow Dash was no Applejack but she knew when somepony was lying to her. “Scoot, you can trust me.” she said reassuringly, pulling the filly close to her again. “I don’t want to force you to talk about it, but please Scoots, tell me the whole truth.” Rainbow said quietly.
Scootaloo sniffled once more and sighed. “I-It’s been happening for a l-long time. Remember all those bruises I used to have? W-Well they weren’t all from crashing into things with my scooter. It was bearable until a few nights ago. . .” She trailed off, not sure how to continue, in truth Scootaloo didn’t want to continue. She just wanted to go home and sleep in her new bed.
Rainbow picked up Scootaloo, much to the filly’s protests and snuggled her close to her chest. “C’mon, squirt, don’t fight it. Just go to sleep, you’ll be fine. I’ll take care of you okay?” She stated letting Scootaloo get comfortable on her lap.
“B-But. . .” The orange filly yawned widely. I’m n-not t-tir-” Scootaloo stopped talking as her eyes slowly drifted closed and her breathing slowed showing she had entered dreamland while resting in Rainbow Dash’s hooves.
Rainbow sat with Scootaloo resting in her hooves, not wanting to get up and disturb the sleeping filly. She’s been through so much... I wish I could have helped sooner... She thought as she continued to hug the battered filly. Her mind drifted back to the night she found out about Scootaloo’s abuse.
~~~
It had been an average day for Scootaloo, she eagerly grabbed her scooter from it’s cubby in the classroom. She said bye to her friends Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom before riding home. Or so she thought. When Scootaloo arrived home it was already too late, “Dammit! She’s your kid, you bucking feed her!” shouted a stallion in a drunken slur.
“She’s just as much yours as mine, Celestia help me if you could stop drinking for one bucking night!” The mare turned her head seeing the orange coated filly standing in the doorway her eyes downcast. “You’re bucking late, young lady,” she spat.
Scootaloo didn’t respond. She continued to stare at the floor sullenly, the larger blue coated mare trotted to her. “I said you’re bucking late!” She screamed striking the filly on the side with her hoof. “What-” Smack! Her hooves struck Scootaloo again causing the young filly to wince. “Have I told you about being late?!” She screamed again her hoof stopping mere inches from Scootaloo’s now tear stained face.
“I..*Hic*..*Sniff*...I’m s-sorry! I tried to get home as fast as I could,” Scootaloo sobbed, tears leaking from her violet irises. “I h-had to say bye to the girls, so they wouldn’t-”
Scootaloo didn’t have time to finish her sentence. A hoof collided with her soft belly knocking the wind out of her. “I don’t know why I even keep you around, you’re such a foal! Crying over a little bruise. Suck! It! Up!” Scootaloo’s Mother roared her left forehoof preparing to strike her defenseless filly again.
This was it,thought Scootaloo the moment I’ve desired for a long time. She waited for the crushing pain to start but it never came. Scootaloo opened one violet eye, tears silently leaking from the other. She could make out a bright flash of light through her tears, she wiped her eyes and blinked. Seeing a familiar yellow coated shy pegasus. “F-Fluttershy?” she choked out through the tears. “How did you get in here?”
“Oh,Scootaloo, I’m so sorry, come on I’m getting you out of here,” the yellow pegasus said,smiling down at the orange filly. “Is there anything you want to take from your room?” Fluttershy asked meekly still not answering the fillies question. She steered the filly away from the violent scene in the living room.
“Who the buck are you?!” screamed Scootaloo’s Mother from across the room, her large denim blue body leapt across the room, her wings unfurling in preparation to strike the yellow coated mare. “You! Who the BUCK do you think you are?! Get the hell out of my house!” she roared her hoof stopping an inch away from Fluttershy’s side. She looked down at her hoof to see it surrounded by a violet aura. “Wha?” was all she managed in her stupor.
“I would strongly suggest stepping away from my friend,” replied Twilight Sparkle, walking calmly into the room her wings spread to their full extent, her eyes had a cold distant look to them. “Under order of the Royal Sisters, and myself,Princess Twilight,you are under arrest.” Her voice boomed out, horn flaring to life conjuring shackles out of raw energy. She turned to face the kitchen and made a strange gesture to a hidden stranger.
Rainbow Dash took this as her cue, she walked into the room seeing her young friends bruised and beaten body being led away by Fluttershy. “You...” she spat her nostrils flared in both anger and horror. “How could you?” she hissed, her attempt to hold her rage back making her nearly silent. “You’re supposed to protect your foalsnot beat them!” She screamed into the face of the filly, her right forehoof rising to strike at the other pony.
“Why should I care? She’s not a filly, she’s a parasite. Leeching off my well being and my bits, and you think I’m the monster?” The blue coated mare screeched at Rainbow Dash, her voice cracking.
“Ah’ve seen some pretty depraved ponies in mah life, but you you’re the worst ah’ve ever seen,” AppleJack said strutting into the living room, her hat casting a shadow over her muzzle. “Granny, always said sometimes it’s okay to give a filly a spanking, or two when they misbehave. But you ma’am are a disgrace to anypony who calls herself, a Mom. Ah have half the mind to kick your flank all the way from here to Manehattan!” She dropped her voice down to a whisper, stepping toward the restrained mare. “And Ah wouldn’t stop until ah knew you’d felt what little, Scootaloo, was feeling.”
Scarlett Breeze shook her head, clearly not understanding her dire situation. “So it has come to this? Idle threats from some Hick Farm Pony? I never mistook a Princess for a coward.” She taunted her captors out of sheer spite, not caring about the repercussions of her actions and taunts.
“That’s enough! If you can’t understand why you’re being detained then perhaps I should have Princess Celestia deal with you personally. “ Twilight stated, struggling to keep her tone neutral. She shackled Scarlett Breeze’s hooves together.
“Your little friends are just as bad as the vulture I raised. No they’re worse, that farm pony is a hick, the yellow one,” Scarlett pointed in the direction where Fluttershy had gone, “Is a bucking co-”
Twilight’s will to remain calm crumbled to dust. She cut the mare off mid sentence.“I can accept any personal insults you have for me. But Nopony insults my friends like that!” she shouted her horn emitting a violent lavender light. The rooms air crackled with magical energy as Twilight weaved a powerful spell. She pulled Scarlett close to her body, before they disappeared in a flash of lavender.
***
“Excuse me Miss Rainbow Dash?” asked a white coated earth pony, holding a clipboard in one hoof. She tapped it lightly with a forehoof in a slight gesture of impatience as she waited for the chromatic maned pegasus to respond.
Rainbow opened one eye and shifted a little in her seat, being careful to not disturb the sleeping filly on her lap. “Yeah that’s me.” she responded softly, stroking Scootaloo’s mane with her hoof. “Is there something I can help you with...” she glanced at the ponies name tag pinned to her shirt, “Nurse Redheart?”
“Yes. I would like to see Scootaloo now.” Nurse Redheart answered, smiling at Rainbow Dash. Although this hadn’t been the first time she had met Rainbow Dash, she had always figured her too young to have foals.
Rainbow Dash gently nudged Scootaloo with her snout until the little orange filly woke up a with a yawn, she smiled a little rubbing her eyes. “I w-wasn’t sleeping!” Scootaloo declared defensively looking at the nurse. She jumped off Rainbow’s lap and stretched before the nurse led them down the hall.
Nurse Redheart led the duo to a small out of the way examination room. The rooms walls had been painted in a foalish manner. Blocks and other such foalish things adorning the walls. Redheart sighed knowing most foals detested this room. She smiled and then spoke “Hi Scootaloo, I’m nurse Redheart. I’m just going to do a little check up okay?” She asked bending down the little fillies level.
Scootaloo smiled at nurse Redheart, she eagerly climbed onto the exam table with some assistance from Rainbow Dash’s hooves. “Okay. I don’t have to get any s-s-shots do I?” She asked slightly panicking as he gazed about the room. She saw the foalish patterns on the walls and frowned. “Miss Redheart, I’m not a foal, how come I’m in the foal doctors office?” Scootaloo inquired tilting her head to the side.
Nurse Redheart giggled as she gently prodded Scootaloo’s ribs with her hoof, causing the filly to take a sharp breath. She frowned. “Does that hurt?” She asked poking Scootaloo’s ribs again with her hoof.
“Yeah a little bit.” Scootaloo responded sounding upset. “I just want to go home, Miss Redheart, and spend the rest of the day in bed.”
“Heh, squirt, we’re here to see if you’re doing okay. I promise I’ll tuck you in and read you a bedtime story when we get home.” Rainbow Dash comforted the nervous filly.
Scootaloo blushed bright red but didn’t speak. What could she say? It was the honest truth, Rainbow Dash had been tucking her in and reading her a story every night. “Th-Thanks, Dash.” She said finally relaxing a little to let the nurse do her job.
Redheart moved on with the examination, she quickly assessed that Scootaloo was a little underweight and small for her age. “Okay Scootaloo, I’m going to need to take a look at those little wings of yours. Could you spread them out for me?” She asked smiling at the filly.
“Miss Redheart?” Scootaloo asked the nurse, her large purple irises quivering threatening to leak tears at any moment. She slowly extended her small wings and sighed.
“Yes Scootaloo?” Nurse Redheart asked, running a hoof over the fillies left wing. After a few moments of examining the young pegasus’s wings she came to a sad conclusion. They were severely under developed and their growth stunted. It never got any easier to tell a foal they might never fly.
“I-Is there something wrong with my wings?” Scootaloo inquired, shivering at the mare’s touch on her wings. She hadn’t even let Dash clean her wings in one of her now nightly baths.
Nurse Redheart sighed unhappily. “There’s no easy way to tell you this Scootaloo, so I’m just going to say it. Scootaloo, your wings are severely underdeveloped, I fear their growth might be stunted.” She said trying to break the news gently to the filly.
Scootaloo’s world shattered around her. Her wings stunted? She knew they were always a little small but if they were stunted she may not fly ever. “Are you saying I’m n-never going to f-fly?” She inquired tears starting to leak from her eyes, Rainbow Dash quickly flew to her side and held her. “B-But I’m a pegasus!” She screamed at the nurse breaking into sobs as her big sister held her.
“I’m sorry but not everypony grows up to be a pegasus. There is a slim chance you may fly but please don’t hold out hope.” Nurse Redheart said softly. She quickly gave the sobbing filly another once over for good measure. “Miss Rainbow Dash. Your daughter has a few cracked ribs but is otherwise fine. Although she could use a good nights rest, it’s not easy being told you have a disability.”
Both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo looked at each other with unsure expressions on their face. Scootaloo, still crying was now silent; Rainbow Dash the same.
“D-daughter?” Scootaloo repeated quietly. . . She looked up at Rainbow Dash and smiled for one of the first times in a long time. “M-mom...” She said hugging Dash tightly, continuing to cry.
Rainbow Dash sat there being hugged by the orange filly, unsure of what to do, she simply returned the hug. “Shh just rest for a bit, Scootaloo...”
Scootaloo sniffled once more, as she felt herself being lifted off the table and onto Rainbow’s back. Together the two left the examination room, stopping at the front desk to get Scootaloo’s medical files in order. After pressing her hoof print onto a few sheets of paper the mare and filly left the hospital. “Rainbow?” she asked quietly.
“Don’t you listen to what that nurse told you squirt, I’ll have you flying by your next birthday.” Rainbow Dash comforted Scootaloo as she took to the skies, heading toward their cloud home.
Scootaloo tightened her vice like grip on Rainbow’s neck as she banked to the left. “T-The nurse said I probably wouldn’t fly though!” she exclaimed sniffling and burying her face into Dash’s neck.
“Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash said sharply, before landing outside her front door. She lowered herself so the filly could hop down. “Don’t ever let anypony tell you what you can and can’t do! Understand? If you always let other ponies tell you what’s good for you, you’ll never find the things that truly matter in life.” she said opening her front door and trotting inside with Scootaloo.
“You really think I can fly, Rainbow?” Scootaloo inquired jumping onto the sofa in Rainbow’s living room and sitting down. Rainbow Dash nodded joining her on the sofa, sitting down beside her.
“Hey, Scoot?” Rainbow Dash asked ruffling her mane, and giving her a nuzzle on the cheek causing her to blush bright red.
“W-What, Rainbow? Am I in trouble?” Scootaloo asked, fidgeting with her small hooves and yawning as she curled up in a small ball. A large tortoise with a propeller strapped to it’s shell grinned up at Scootaloo, she smiled and picked up the reptile placing him on the space between her and Rainbow Dash. She wrapped her small purple tail around herself and looked over at her guardian.
Rainbow Dash chuckled and scooped the filly up in her hooves. “You’re not in trouble, kiddo, I just wanted to tell you something.” She said hugging Scootaloo close to her chest. “I know you’ve been through alot, and that you’ve never really had, a Mom.”
“What are you trying to say Ra-” Scootaloo was cut off by a blue hoof gently pressing into her mouth. She struggled for a moment then relaxed, allowing her friend to continue speaking.
“Well you know how the nurse thought I was your Mom right?” Rainbow Dash asked Scootaloo, releasing her hoof from the filly’s mouth. Scootaloo nodded her head in response before Dash continued. “How about we make that official?From now on I’ll be your Mom.”
Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow’s magenta eyes, her own now leaking tears. “Y-You’d do that for m-me?” she whispered as she threw her hooves around her guardian’s chest, sobbing happily into it. “You’re the bestest Mom a filly could ever want.” she said through her sobs, clinging to Rainbow for comfort.
Rainbow Dash smiled down at her little filly. “Course I’d do that for you squirt! I’ll make your life twenty percent cooler, but first let’s get something to eat. Anything particular I can make for you?” She asked Scootaloo, releasing the filly from her hug and ruffling her mane a little.
“Just a daisy sandwich with the crusts cut off please, Dash.” Scootaloo asked her voice still shaky from the fit of crying. “And m-maybe some mushroom soup too?”
“Sure thing, kiddo, just get me a soup pot. First cupboard on your left.” Rainbow Dash said drifting lazily over to her cloud powered refrigerator. She dug through the mess of sports drinks and soda before finally finding the daisies, She carried them over to the counter and began chopping them into small even pieces. After that she kept a close eye on Scootaloo who had managed to get herself stuck inside the cupboard.
“Hey, Rainbow?”
“Yeah what’s up, Scoots?”
“I uhm. . .I’m stuck.”
Rainbow Dash tried to suppress a laugh with little success. “Y-You’re stuck? Hahaha!” She guffawed falling to the floor and rolling about with mirth. After the fit of laughter had passed she stood back up and moved some of the pots and pans that were trapping the orange filly. “Here let me help you out, squirt.” She said smiling warmly as she pulled the filly from the cupboard by her hindlegs.
“Stop laughing, Rainbow Dash, It’s not funny.” Scootaloo said huffing, her orange coat and feathers fluffing out. Making her appear far less intimidating than she thought she was looking.
“Aww come on, Scootaloo, don’t get in a fluff. I was just teasing you.” Rainbow Dash said before cracking up again. This only caused further embarrassment for Scootaloo, who was now bright pink.
“Yeah well. . .” Scootaloo trailed off thinking of a word to call her guardian. “You have clouds for brains!”
“Clouds for brains?! That’s a good one, squirt.” Rainbow replied unable to contain her mirth any longer. She fell to the floor of the kitchen, the soft white clouds cushioning her fall. Rainbow couldn’t help it, she just found the idea of having clouds between her ears hilarious.
“Stop laughing!” Scootaloo shouted at her guardian. “It’s not funny.” She said quietly her voice shaking as she galloped off to her bedroom. “I HATE YOU!” She screamed once inside slamming the door shut, and leaping onto her sky blue wonderbolt themed sheets. Her walls had a few pictures of Rainbow Dash and her at the last Sisterhooves Social. “Stupid dolls!” Scootaloo roared, hurling her favorite doll across the room in a fit of rage.
***
Rainbow Dash continued to laugh, her eyes flew open and her mouth shut at the sound of the door slamming shut piercing her ears like a boom of thunder. She stood up, no longer laughing as she heard Scootaloo yelling a phrase that shook her entire body before a silence that seemed to create a thickening tension as Dash stood there unsure of how to proceed. She flinched when there was a flash and a loud boom before she could hear the small ‘tink, tap, tink’ of raindrops starting to hit the windows before a lower, less intense roar of thunder resonated through the house.
Scootaloo buried her face in the pillows on the bed, her eyes leaking a steady stream of silent tears. What if she hates me now? She thought regretting the hurtful phrase that had left her mouth. Rainbow always said it was cool how much more mature I am than other fillies. Way to go Scootaloo now she thinks you’re an immature brat! She silently berated herself for her previous actions, the storm drowning out her cries.
Rainbow Dash continued to stand in the kitchen regretting her actions. She really does hate me now... doesn’t she? She asked herself, feeling as if her heart had been torn out and stomped on by a thousand buffalo with only the power of one small filly.
Scootaloo sniffled loudly, taking her face out of the pillows and wiping her nose on the tip of her hoof. She squeaked as a brilliant flash of white illuminated the room, causing her to jump a few feet in the air. Her entire messy purple mane standing on end as she dove for under the bed, leaving only a small purple tail sticking out. A boom of thunder followed the flash of lightning, scaring the filly worse than before. Her body began to shake in fear and from the emotional stress. She hadn’t cried so much since she was just a little filly, smaller than she was now.
Some Element of Loyalty I am. . . I can’t even bring myself to say sorry. Rainbow shook her head from side to side, trying to dislodge the thoughts that were plaguing her mind. She slowly left the kitchen, walking on her tip hooves as her destination came into her field of view. A large white door, taped to the outside of it was a childs drawing of two ponies flying happily over what appeared to be rainbow coloured falls. This was all it took for Rainbow Dash, she couldn’t take it anymore. Her sobs rang through the halls of their home, a crack of thunder swallowing them with a boom. “Scootaloo. . .” Dash said loudly barely bringing her tone under control.
“J-Just go away!” Scootaloo shouted immediately followed by a crack of thunder shaking the entire house causing her to flinch in fear.
Rainbow Dash stepped closer to Scootaloo, still unable to control her own emotions. She crouched down next to the bed that the cowering filly was hiding under and gently reached a hoof under the bed rubbing Scootaloo’s back. “H-hey... it’s j-just a storm. I-it’s fine, come on now...”
Scootaloo’s body shook as another thunderous boom exploded through the house. She let out an audible yelp.
“Scootaloo... I...” Rainbow paused remaining silent for a few moments not wanting to admit she was wrong. “I uhm...”
“J-Just go away, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo shouted hurling another one of her prized dolls at the prismatic maned mare. “You’re not my Mommy!” she sobbed crawling further under the bed. Her small violet tail curling around herself in a defensive manner. “Just leave me alone!” she cried in frustration, not facing her guardian.
Rainbow frowned at the display of emotion from Scootaloo. “Okay...” She said, unable to think of anything else to say, she stood up, a few tears running down her face. “It’s okay if you hate me now then... I... I’m s-” She paused, frowning and turning to leave the room, peering back out of the corner of her eye’s at the sobbing filly, regretting everything.
Finally the realization dawned upon Scootaloo, that she had hurt the pony she loved the most. She crawled out from under the bed and galloped after Rainbow Dash, a few feet from her mentor, friend, and Mom she jumped into the air. Tiny wings buzzing in frustration as she managed to fly, closing the distance between mare and filly. “I’m so so sorry Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo yelled pressing herself into Rainbow’s hindlegs.
Rainbow Dash made an ‘omph’ noise as she was unexpectedly hugged by Scootaloo, she gave a small smile turning around to look down at Scootaloo. “Scoots, it’s fine... I... I’m s-sorry...” She said in a near defeated but relieved tone. She reached down and hugged Scootaloo. “I didn’t mean to make you upset...” She let a few tears leak out of her eyes. “B-b-b-but d-d-d-don’t t-tell anypony I s-s-said s-sorry!” She said trying to piece together some of her ‘cool’ dignity.
Scootaloo sniffled then smiled up at Rainbow Dash. “O-Okay but don’t tell, AppleBloom and Sweetie Belle, that I play with dolls! Sweetie, tries to get me to play dress up enough already.” she said managing to giggle like the school filly she was.
“Aw come on, Scoot, I’m sure you’d look really nice wearing a frilly pink dress!” Rainbow Dash teased Scootaloo, ruffling her mane before they continued to the kitchen. With Scootaloo's help she began to finely chop up carrots, celery stalks, and mushrooms. She tossed them into the soup pot Scoots had gotten earlier, and filled the pot with water.
“W-Well d-don’t tell anypony b-b-but I do like really frilly things! Especially if they’re purple like my mane.” Scootaloo explained as Rainbow Dash held her up to the counter, with the older mares help she added some finely chopped daisies to the soup stock.
“That’s okay Scootaloo. I like frilly things too sometimes... So as long as you keep my little secret, I’ll keep yours.” Rainbow said smiling. With Scootaloo’s help she began to set the table, instructing the filly to go wash up. “Go wash up, Scoots, your hooves are awfully dirty.”
Scootaloo blushed and lifted one hoof up to look at it. She giggled at the amount of dirt covering her tiny hooves then galloped down the hall to the bathroom. She quickly washed off her hooves, although she had been with Dash for over a week now she had yet to take a bath or anything. She explored her surroundings for a few minutes taking note of all the mane and coat care products her guardian had.
“Scoot! Hurry it up, your soups getting cold.” Rainbow Dash called from down the hall.
“Okay!” Scootaloo called in return, she washed her hooves again for good measure then galloped to the kitchen. When she arrived back in the kitchen a veritable feast awaited her, she found her mouth watering at the intense smell of mushroom soup that permeated the room. “Ohmygoshthissmellsogood!” she managed to say all in one breath, causing Rainbow Dash to laugh.
“Haha it does, doesn’t it?” Rainbow asked her in turn with a gentle smile. They eagerly dug into their bowls of soup, Scootaloo slurping it down greedily. “Scootaloo, table manners remember?”
The orange filly blushed pink, her muzzle white from the soup stock. She spoke quietly. “Oh uhm... Y-Yeah table manners...”
“You know what those are right, Scoot? Not putting your hooves on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, always say excuse me after belching, and remember to say please and thank you.”
“Oh. That doesn’t sound very cool, Rainbow Dash, how come we have to say those things?” Scootaloo inquired her muzzle pink from embarrassment.
“Because it’s just the rules, squirt, now eat up. You’re a little filly and little fillies need to eat lots.” Rainbow replied in an almost motherly tone, she gave the orange filly a comforting smile.
“Hay! I’m not a little filly, Rainbow Dash, I’m just still growing.” The filly huffed in response, a small ‘hmph’ escaping her muzzle. “A-And even if I was a little filly, you’d still take care of me right?”
“Finish your soup, Scoot, you don’t need to worry. No matter what happens I’ll always be here for you, got it? If you ever need to talk to anypony, I want you to know you can talk to me. “ The prismatic maned mare responded with a slight grin, she reached a hoof over and gave Scootaloo a noogie. “Enough talking, kiddo, eat up.”
The little orange filly downed her mushroom soup with several loud slurps. By the time she was finished her once orange coat was stained white. Scootaloo blushed in embarrassment, having forgotten she was such a messy eater. “S-Sorry, R-Rainbow, I didn’t mean to m-make a m-mess...” She trailed off worried her guardian and mentor would be upset over the mess she had made. She braced herself inwardly, expecting harsh words as she shut her eyes tightly. Instead of harsh words Rainbow sighed softly and pulled the filly into a hug.
“I won’t ever hurt you, Scootaloo, ever.” Rainbow Dash comforted the emotional filly who let out a few deep sobs before fully breaking down in Rainbow’s hooves.
“I k-know, R-R-Rainbow,” Scootaloo cried softly into the mare’s chest. Her breathing heavy and laboured, the light of the room bouncing from her tear filled eyes. “B-But I th-thought, you w-wouldn’t like m-m-me anymore b-because I’m s-s-such a m-m-m-messy eater.” She sobbed her hooves clutching Rainbow’s waist.
Unsure of what else to do Rainbow held the filly in her hooves, hugging her tightly and lightly drawing a hoof through her purple mane. “Shh, shh, Dash is here. Just let it all out, Scootaloo,” She did her best to comfort the crying filly. If there was one thing Rainbow couldn’t stand, it was seeing foals cry. She picked up little Scootaloo in her hooves, carrying her down the hall to her bedroom. “You’ve had a tough day, Scootaloo, why don’t I read you a story and you can get some rest?” Rainbow asked Scootaloo softly, her response was several sniffles and hiccups.
“O-Ok-Okay” Scootaloo managed to stutter out with a loud sniffle. She snuggled closer to Rainbow Dash’s chest and smiled weakly. “Th-Thanks M-M-Mommy...” Scootaloo let out a quiet sigh as her eyes closed. Her breathing slowed, as an adorable yawn escaped her.
Author's Note
So it's been a while since I wrote anything of note. I had this idea in early April and worked with it. Life got me busy with all sorts of crap but now I'm back to writing. Hope you like this chapter, god knows I took forever on it.
Also as promised to the artist here's a link to both the art itself and his page: http://kysss90.deviantart.com/art/Vector-RainbowDash-and-Scootaloo-by-Kyss-S-344806708
http://kysss90.deviantart.com/
These Wings of Mine
One month after the events of Chapter 1
“Hey, Applejack can I ask you something?” Rainbow Dash asked the farm pony, touching down to walk alongside her.
“Ah’m not sure what a farm pony like me could answer fer yah, but sure. Ah don’t see why not.” Applejack replied, pulling her cart behind her while they walked. It had been another busy day around the farm and the apple stall in town.
“Well. . . Do you think I’ll make a good Mom to Scootaloo? Sure, I’m already her hero and technically big sister, but I just can’t see myself as a Motherly figure. Like, at all. I mean, can I really put my dreams of being a Wonderbolt on hold to raise her?” The cyan mare asked. Her body language told that she was thinking a lot more about this than she had previously let on.
Applejack chuckled, “Ah wonder the same thing about Apple Bloom sometimes. Ah sometimes worry that ah’ll leave a bad impression, you know, with my Ma an Pa being gone. Mac and Ah do our best to be parental figures in her life, but we let her make her own mistakes. But to answer yer question Dash, Ah think you’ll be a great Ma to that filly.” The mare smiled at her friend, turning down the road to the farm where she lived and worked. “But if it’s really eatin’ you that bad, go talk to Twilight, Ah’m sure she can help you settle this.”
“You didn’t answer my other question!” Dash retorted, standing in the center of the road, watching her friend walk away. She sighed. Looks like I’m making a visit to Twilight, at least she’ll actually answer my questions, not just give me the answers I’m looking for. With that thought finished, Rainbow sped off the way she had come. The mare quickly arrived at the Golden Oaks library. Not bothering to knock, she stepped inside. “Hey Twilight, are you here?”
An unintelligible murmur could be heard from underneath a pile of books. Soon a purple horn poked through, two wings and finally the pony they belonged to. Twilight Sparkle smiled at Rainbow Dash, happy about the mare’s unexpected visit. She cleared her throat while blushing. “Ahem. As I was saying. What can I do for you, Rainbow?”
Rainbow shrugged. “Well it’s kind of a serious question. I asked Applejack and she just laughed and told me the answer I wanted to hear.”
Twilight Sparkle nodded, lighting her horn she retrieved a quill, ink and a piece of parchment before clearing a space for the two of them to sit. “Well if it’s so serious then why didn’t you come to me in the first place?” She asked taking her seat in front of her pegasus friend.
“Well I just figured Applejack would have more experience with this sort of thing. Anyways, do you think I’ll make a good Mom to Scootaloo? How can I really give up my dream of being a Wonderbolt to raise her?” Dash asked each question after another, simply letting Twilight know how stressed she was about all these questions in her mind.
“Well first of all, I think you’re already a great mom to Scootaloo, you pick her up from school everyday, walk her to school, cook for her, help her with her homework. All sorts of things, Dash. What makes you think you’re not a good mother to her?” Twilight asked, one eyebrow cocked. The mare was surprised, she had never thought that Rainbow Dash would actually worry about things like that.
“Well of course I do all that… Well…” Rainbow stopped, she took a few deep breaths before continuing, “My mom walked out on me Twi, it was just my Dad and I growing up. Mom left when I was still in diapers. Dad said she just couldn’t handle the stress of being a parent. I’m worried Twi… I’m worried that I’ll feel the same way and walk out on Scootaloo.”
“You stop thinking about that right now Rainbow Dash!” Twilight scolded, “Your mother isn’t half the mare you are. You saved Scootaloo’s life, you’ve given her everything she didn’t have. Why would you even think that?” She asked taken by surprise, Twilight had known Dash’s mom wasn’t in the picture but she never realized she had walked out on her.
Rainbow Dash sighed heavily and rubbed her temples with a hoof, “Because Twi, I’m the reason Mom left. What if Scootaloo makes me feel that way? Then what kind of Element of Loyalty would I be?”
“I’m not sure what to say Rainbow Dash. But you are not the mare your mother was, or is. You’re Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, and the bravest pony I know.” Twilight said quietly, she mulled over the words in her mind before speaking again, “You’ll continue to be the bravest pony I know.“ She said softly, Twilight reached out to the distraught pegasus and wrapped her in a tight hug with both wings. “Now are you going to tell me what’s really on your mind?”
Rainbow’s muzzle flushed at the show of affection. “I don’t know if I can give up wanting to be a Wonderbolt for Scootaloo. It’s been my dream since I was her age…”
The alicorn rolled her eyes, “Who said you had to give up on your dreams when you became a mom?” She asked taking notes on what Dash had already said.
“Well, no one I guess. . . I guess I’m worried I won’t be there enough for her. What if she needs me and I’m at a show Twilight? Then what will I do?” The distraught pegasus questioned, she stood up from her cushion beside Twilight and began pacing the room.
“Rainbow Dash, you’re overthinking things. This is all coming down to you thinking you won’t be there for Scootaloo. What makes you think that you won’t be there enough for her? What makes you question your loyalty to other ponies so much?”
The pegasus sighed again, this time much more distraught than the last. “Get comfortable.” She said sitting back down beside Twilight, Rainbow cautiously nuzzled the alicorn, receiving the same gesture in return. “When…” She stopped her breathing becoming ragged and heavy,
Twilight Sparkle nuzzled Rainbow Dash again, while whispering in her ear. “It’s okay to cry, Dash. I’m right here.” She said softly.
Dash nodded and continued, “When Mom left Dad and I, things were tough for a while. Really tough. Dad had to take on three jobs just to keep up with my flight school tuition, he really would do anything for me.” The mare stopped to blow her nose into a tissue Twilight had provided, “When I turned eleven, things went from bad to awful. Dad had spent all our bits on a present for me, a ticket to a Wonderbolts show. He hadn’t done the budget up for that month properly and ended up spending more than he thought, it didn’t end well for us. After a month of bringing just an apple and a piece of bread to school, ponies caught on…”
“That your family didn’t have very many bits?”
“No, that I wasn’t eating nearly enough.” A visible shudder ran up Rainbow’s spine, “One day after school, I came home to two strange ponies at the door asking me questions. Questions about Dad, and where Mom was. It wasn’t fair Twilight, Dad was doing everything he could for the both of us!”
“I know Rainbow, I know.”
“They asked questions about, where I slept, what I ate for dinner, who took care of me when Dad at work. Of course they didn’t like that I looked after myself, I was only eleven and not mature enough to be on my own. Dad got a laugh out of that. He told them I’d been pretty independant since I was out of diapers and potty trained. That was the first of several visits. The last of their visits, they came with a stack of papers in hoof. They were going to try and take me away apparently I was living in a ‘dangerous’ environment because I was taking care of myself while Dad worked.” Rainbow choked back a sob and looked to Twilight for support.
“That’s horrible, what happened next Dash?” Twilight soothed, rubbing the other mare’s back while she wiped her eyes.
“Well, next was a court date. It was the twenty second of September. Dad and I walked into the courtroom not knowing what to expect. That’s when everything changed, it was the first time I had ever heard my Dad raise his voice.”
September 22nd, 10 years prior to the story. Canterlot Court House, 1:30PM
“You. . .” Rainbow Bolt spat angrily, “Why are you here?”
“I’m concerned about my Daughter that’s all.” Prism Glitter sneered back at the stallion.
“You took off five years ago! And now you try to take her away from me?” He screamed, his hooves shaking in anger. “Just… Just get the hell out of my sight!”
“D-Dad?” Dash asked quietly, taken aback by her father’s raised voice.
“What’s the matter pumpkin?” Bolt asked, leading Rainbow Dash away from the dramatic scene that had just unfolded before her. He sighed heavily, almost wanting a drink but he knew better than that.
“Who was that pony?” She asked frowning up at the stallion, she’d never seen him raise his voice before. Not even when he was upset with her.
“Just somepony I thought I knew. Don’t pay her any mind, okay? I won’t let anyone take you away from me. I promised you that when your,” He stopped and swallowed hard, “When your Mother left.”
“Are you Rainbow Bolt?” A mare with a steel grey coated asked, a pair of black framed spectacles sat on the bridge between her eyes.
“That’s me, I take it you're my Lawyer?”
“That is correct, is this your daughter?” She got down low and smiled at the cyan filly, who shied away from the mare. “I’m Swift Justice, I’ll be making sure that no pony takes you away from your Dad.”
Rainbow Dash smiled at the mare, “Thank you Swift Justice.” She looked at her Father for encouragement. “I’m bored Dad.” She complained loudly, growing irritated with each passing second.
“I know this isn’t your ideal way to spend a Saturday, but we have to do this.” Rainbow Bolt explained, knowing his daughter was bored out of her mind.
Rainbow Dash simply nodded, knowing there wasn’t much she could do. “I know Dad.” She hugged the stallion, before being led to a separate room by guards.
-
“All rise for, Judge Aether Spark.” Called Swift Justice, standing up from her seated position. She eyed the muddy coated unicorn with her pale green eyes, the judge nodded in her direction.
“You may be seated,” The judge cleared his throat, and called Swift Justice to the stand. “Swift, present the case for your client.”
“Rainbow Bolt is here to fight for his right to custody of his daughter, Rainbow Dash. The charges laid against him are of Neglect, Child Endangerment and,” She cringed, “Sexual Abuse.”
Rainbow Bolt felt the colour rising in his cheeks, “I would NEVER touch Rainbow Dash in that way!” He whispered harshly to his Lawyer.
“I know sir, I’m only reading the charges your. . . Ex-Wife has laid against you.”
Aether Spark’s gaze fell upon Rainbow Bolt, “And what say you, to the charges laid against you?”
“Your Honour, I would never touch Rainbow Dash in that way. Not once have I ever even imagined doing that! She’s my daughter, and anyone who would even consider doing that to their child is sick.” Rainbow Bolt replied, his eyes never leaving the judge’s. “As for Child Endangerment and Abuse. Just ask Dash, she’d tell you everything, I work 3 jobs your Honour, I’m home for maybe three or four hours a day only.”
“Objection! Your Honour, how is this line of questioning relevant to the case?”
“Overruled! Return to your seat Swift Justice, or I’ll have you removed from the courtroom.”
With a heavy sigh, Swift returned to her seat. She was fuming at this point, never had she had such accusations thrown at a client before. “For your daughter’s sake, Mister Bolt, I certainly hope you’re telling the truth.”
Rainbow Bolt glared at his lawyer, “I would never touch Rainbow Dash in that way.”
“Your honour, Rainbow Bolt is not taking his responsibilities as a Father seriously. Rainbow Dash is still a foal, you can’t leave a foal unattended for nearly twenty hours every single day. I am doubtful that this stallion is capable of taking care of a pony her age. Let me ask you this, Rainbow Bolt, are you prepared to deal with your daughter’s first Estrus cycle?” The prosecutor grilled the pegasus stallion with question, after question.
“Of course I’m prepared to deal with it! Dash and I have already had several talks about the changes her body will go through soon. I may work an awful lot to put food on the table for my girl and I, but I’m not clueless!” Bolt replied sternly. If it weren’t illegal, the stallion would have punched the Prosecutor out by now. “Before you ask your next question, I’ve never touched her there. You can ask her yourself, although I’m sure you already have.”
The judge watched the rainbow maned stallion closely, trying to determine if the mare who had originally applied for custody of the filly, was being truthful or putting on a show for the judge. “That’s enough for now Cross Quill.” He cleared his throat and glared at the stallion to his left at the witness stand. “We will adjourn for today, Mister Bolt?”
Blinking a few times, the prismatic maned pony perked up. “Y-Yes your honour?”
“I would like to speak with you and your daughter privately.
***
“So what happened with the Judge, Dash?” Twilight asked encouraging her marefriend to continue.
Rainbow Dash shrugged, and let out a small chuckle. “Well turns out the Judge had been keeping an eye on my Mother. That mare had recently been involved in an insurance fraud case,” She sighed, turning to Twilight with a smile. “It all worked out okay in the end, Dad kept custody and I got to see Mom every few weeks, but only if Dad was present.”
“That’s wonderful! Now let me alleviate your fears, you Rainbow Dash; Are not the mare your Mother was. You’re Rainbow Dash! The fastest flyer in Equestria; And the most Loyal pony I know.” The Princess finished softly, resting her head against Rainbow’s. The moment was precious, so much so a certain trio of fillies felt the need to snap a picture.
“Aww! Look how cute they are together.” Sweetie Belle squeaked from the doorway, her two friends were busy making exaggerated gagging noises.
“You didn’t tell me my other Mom was a Princess, Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo smirked, wiping her hooves on the welcoming mat. “I mean I didn’t even know you liked anypony! And I know you better than anypony else.”
“Well actually kid, Twi-”
“Don’t even.” Twilight snapped, blushing crimson.
“Mom? Does this mean we’re staying here at the library?” Scootaloo asked, still feeling awkward about calling Dash mom. They’d only been living together for a month, and things were moving very fast for the little filly.
“Only if you want to sweetheart,” Twilight said softly, pulling the pegasus filly into a tight embrace. “You don’t have to call me Mom if you don’t want to yet.”
“Thank you, Twilight. Does this mean you’re like my Dad?”
Rainbow Dash’s laughter echoed through the tree, the mare fell onto her side. The mare’s mirth was unmatched, “Scootaloo, Twilight’s a mare. Mares can’t be Dad’s, can they Twi?”
“No, well there were a few times through history where the mare became the head of the family.”
“Spare them the lecture, Egghead.” Rainbow replied, rolling her eyes in dismissal. “Come on Scoot, we’ve got flying lessons to attend.”
Scootaloo’s eyes lit up, “Okay!” She exclaimed happily, a frown appearing on her muzzle. “But Princess Twilight is supposed to be teaching me today.”
“You really don’t have to call me Princess, sweetie.” Twilight replied warmly, “Go with your Mom. You’ll need those flying lessons if you want to be as good a flier as she is.”
Scootaloo replied with a snort, “Thank you though.” She smiled, following her idol out the front door, waving goodbye to her friends.
***
“Scootaloo,” Rainbow spoke gently, almost in a whisper. “Let’s give it another try tomorrow, you’ve worn yourself ragged.”
The orange filly was haggard, her chest rose, each breath a struggle. “No.”
“Kid, you’re exhausted. You won’t get anywhere if you pass out.”
“I said. No!” Scootaloo spat, picking herself up off the ground. Her small wings fluttered, sending clouds of dust off them. “I’m not giving up.” The filly hovered a few small feet off the ground before colliding with the hard packed earth below again.
“Scoot-”
Tears leaked from the filly’s eyes. “I can do this.” She whispered. “I know I can.”
“Scootaloo, you’re going to kill yourself. Just please, please let me help you.”
“I don’t need your help! I don’t need anyone’s help.” Once again she pushed herself off the ground. Her small wings flapping, trying to catch the air beneath them. She gained height by a mere few inches, hovering above the hard packed ground below. Her exhaustion took hold, causing her to collide with the ground. She could feel the stress in every muscle of her body, every fiber seemingly screaming in agony as she pushed herself off the ground.
“Scootaloo! As your Mom I’m asking you to please stop.” Rainbow cried, rushing to the filly’s side. She braced herself for the shouts and screams of an angered foal.
Heaving, Scootaloo just glared at her guardian. “I can do this, just… Just let me do it.”
Rainbow Dash threw her hooves around the pegasus filly, pulling her into a hug. “No Scootaloo, that’s more than enough for one day. You did get off the ground. Even if it was only a few inches. We’ll practice more tomorrow, okay?”
Sniffling a little, Scootaloo shook her head. “No Rainbow Dash, I have to do this my way.” She pushed away, closing her eyes tightly and lifting her wings. She focused on the air moving between her feathers, the feeling of freedom that would come with flight. It was enough, flapping her wings a few times to test the air. The filly took a deep breath, smiled at her mentor turned mother and took to the skies. “I did it.” Scootaloo whispered to the clouds, “I’m really flying.”
Dumbfounded, Rainbow shot into the air after her. “Scootaloo!”
“I’m doing it, I’m really doing it.” The filly shouted, pure adrenaline and joy flowing through her veins. She banked to her left, and slowly ascended to a massive raincloud below. Her hooves touched the soft spongy material, letting out a sigh of relief she collapsed in a heap onto it.
“Pony feathers!” The rainbow maned pegasus swore, touching down beside the orange coated filly. “You scared me half to death, Scootaloo!” Rainbow shouted, the emotion thick in her voice. “I’m proud of you kid. It takes a lot of guts to pull off what you just did, but don’t ever do that again!”
Astounded by Rainbow’s reaction, Scootaloo’s ears pressed flat against her head. “I thought you’d be happy for me. . .” She trailed off clearly taken aback. “Aren’t you?”
“I don’t think I could be more excited or happy Scootaloo. It’s just what you did was insane, terrifying even. I was. . .” Rainbow bit her lip, silently berating herself for her choice of words. She searched for the right word, for once wishing Twilight was there to tell her what to say.
“You were what?” Scootaloo shot back, fury taking hold and breaking down what little composure she had. “I worked so hard for this! Harder than I’ve worked for anything else in my life.”
“Cool it Scootaloo. I’m happy for you, but it was dangerous to just take off on your own like that. What would have happened if you had gotten hurt?”
“But I-”
“That’s not the point, Scootaloo! You could have seriously injured yourself.” Rainbow continued, motherly instinct taking over.
“I just wanted to show you I could do it.” Scootaloo replied, her voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t want to make you worry…”
Good going Rainbow, you’ve just made your daughter cry. “Scootaloo,” Rainbow said softly walking toward the despondent filly, “I am ecstatic about your first flight. I really truly am, you just scared me half to death. Everypony in town would absolutely hate me if I let you get hurt.”
“I know. I just needed to show you that I could do it, Mom.” Scootaloo replied her tears slowly coming to a stop. “Ever since we went to the doctor’s office, I had to prove them wrong. I had to.”
“You didn’t have to prove anything to anypony. You never do, not to me, not to Twilight or any of your friends. I will always be proud of you, in everything you do. Now let's go home okay?”
“Okay, I’m sorry for scaring you.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “It’s okay. I forgive you squirt. Now you can go home and brag to Twilight about your first flight.”
Scootaloo smiled brightly at her mother, she gave an attempt at flying alongside of Rainbow Dash but the exhaustion of her flight was catching up. “Can I uhm... “ She blushed trailing off.
“Ride on my back? Of course. You know you don’t have to ask me that Scootaloo.” Dash answered the unasked question while lowering herself for the filly to climb aboard. The two pegasi made their way back to the Golden Oaks Library after a long day. Along the way Scootaloo had fallen asleep and with a nuzzle, Dash whispered. “I’m so proud of you kid.”
Author's Note
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this chapter done. A lot has happened in my life since I started writing this story.
So this is a thank you to all the readers who stuck with me! 
I can't give a timeframe for chapter 3 but I'll work on it as soon as I can.
Until next time!
