[Classic] The Scootaloo Diaries

Rainbow left the book open and face-down on her chest. She leaned back and looked out the window, noticing that it was getting brighter out. Twilight was still comfortably snoozing as the stars faded in the twilit sky. Rainbow lay still and rested her eyes for a moment. In what felt like seconds, she opened them back up to see the brightly shining sun glaring at her. She covered her face with a hoof and tried to adjust to the bright lighting while realizing Twilight wasn't in bed. She quickly placed her hooves on her chest and lowered them to her stomach. The diary was gone.

Rainbow Dash's eyes shot open as she jumped off the bed and began frantically searching for the book. Did Twilight take it?!

She began to trot towards the door to ask her friend about the missing book but stopped when she spotted a note taped to the door.

Rainbow, I've put Scootaloo's diary away for now. I want us to spend some time together today, and if we're going to be in a relationship, then you need to learn to prioritize. If you want to keep reading that diary, then you can go read it somewhere else, but otherwise I expect you to trot downstairs with a positive attitude and ready to spend the day with me.

Rainbow crumpled the note up and tossed it over her shoulder with a groan. She pushed the door open and headed downstairs. Twilight was sitting at her desk taking notes on things Rainbow was sure she'd be completely uninterested in.

"Hey Twi! So what do you wanna do today?" Rainbow tried to sound as cheerful as possible, despite her near-desperation to continue reading the diary.

"Good morning Dash, or should I say, good afternoon." Twilight giggled and stood up to hug her lover.

Rainbow wearily returned the hug with a yawn. "So, you wanna get breakfast? Or should I say lunch?"

Twilight smiled. "Lunch sounds good."

The two headed out to start their day together. Twilight had been up for several hours, but felt that her day had slipped by quickly while taking such long and thorough notes. She was just happy to finally feel like the two were in a real relationship, something more than lust-based romance.

Rainbow's mane was unusually messy as she trotted down the street next to her lover. She was lost in thought as she tried to recall what would happen next between her and Scoot in the diary. She began to imagine what had gone on, and where exactly her little friend was with her relationships. There was still so much she wanted to know and her mind wouldn't give it a rest. She was a bit obsessive when something sparked her curiosity: she just couldn't rest until it was satisfied.

"We're here," Twilight pointed out.

The pair stood in front of a small diner on the east side of town. Twilight took a look at her partner before entering. She grinned and her horn lit up. An aura of magic brushed lightly through Rainbow's mane, neatening it into a more presentable state.

The pegasus laughed and messed it back up with her hoof before following Twilight into the diner. Once inside, Rainbow cleared her mind and decided she had to focus for Twilight's sake - she was worth it. The two took a seat by the window and began to chat.

"So Rainbow, what's on your mind?" Twilight asked thoughtfully, staring into her friend's eyes.

Don't say Scootaloo don't say Scootaloo... Don't say the diary... Rainbow cleared her throat. "Um, Cheerilee?"

She face-hoofed.

"Cheerilee?" Twilight asked with a sense of disdain in her voice.

"Yeah, you know. School, I wonder when the last day of school is." Dash nervously shifted her eyes to the left.

"Really? I somehow doubt that... Why don't you tell me what's really on your mind? I promise I won't be mad." Twilight let out a deep breath and placed her cheek on a hoof.

Rainbow tapped the table a few times and sighed. "Fine... I'm just really trying to figure out what's up with Scootaloo, and what I should do to help her."

"I thought so. Want to tell me what's going on, exactly?" Twilight leaned up and smiled.

"Not really... Well, not right now anyway. Let's just try and have a nice date - this'll be our second one, right?" Rainbow was eager to change the subject.

"Yes, I suppose that's true. But if you do want to call this a date, then it'll be our first date as a couple." Twilight blissfully pointed out.

"That's kinda funny..." Dash thought for a moment wearing a mischievous grin.

"How so?" Twilight wondered.

"Well, first we had sex, then we told each other that we loved each other, and now we're having our first date. Seems kinda backwards if ya ask me." Rainbows grin grew wider as she watched her lover blush.

"Heh, I guess it does seem backwards... but I wouldn't change it if I could." Twilight leaned forward and brushed her hoof across Rainbow's cheek.

"You wouldn't want a normal relationship? Date for a while, fall for each other, then take it further... You know, like we're supposed to." Dash looked skeptical, and thoughts of having stolen something from Twilight that should be important to a mare began to invade her mind.

"You mean by the book? I do everything by the book, but this time I'm glad to have done things differently. You're different Dash, and our relationship is different, but that doesn't make it any less special to me. This is how you are. We rushed into it, probably way too fast, but I can't imagine you taking things slow. And I'm glad you didn't - I've been so overwhelmed with these amazing emotions lately that I hardly know what to do with myself." Twilight was blushing and smiling brightly as she rambled on.

Rainbow put on a gentle smile and listened to the mare she loved continue to talk about her feelings. Despite her genuine attempt to pay attention, her mind began to wander. Soon she wasn't listening at all anymore, and instead she found herself beginning to wonder how to approach Cheerilee and Scootaloo in the future. Cheerilee's reaction might not be pleasant: it could be bad, violent even. Scootaloo's current mental state was unknown though, so Rainbow decided it would be best to talk to her first, then Cheerilee.

"... Just this morning I was taking notes and started writing your name instead. I realized that I had completely forgotten everything I just read and was only focused on you. That's when I decided we needed to spend more time together, at least for today. I realize the Scootaloo issue is important to you, so I'll let you get back to that as soon as we get back to the library." Twilight finally stopped talking when her food arrived.

"Yeah, cool. Actually as soon as we're done here, I need to go take care of something, then I'll be right back over." Rainbow spoke with her mouth full of carrots.

"You do what you have to. I'll be waiting." Twilight winked and took a big bite of lettuce.

"Right. Oh, and that reminds me: how about that little something between the legs we talked about last night?" Rainbow grinned.

"I don't remember mentioning it being little." Twilight smiled and narrowed her eyelids.

"Make it as big as you can handle." Rainbow's gaze met her lover's.

"Fine, but you better make this worth my while. I don't want you wasting a perfectly good spell." Twilight licked her lips and slowly blinked. The thought of the spell was beginning to excite her.

"I think this is more for me. I'll probably like it a lot more than you anyway." Rainbow stuck her tongue out.

"I guess we'll see about that. I'll prepare it while you're out doing what you need to. Don't keep me waiting too long." Twilight stood up and left a few bits on the table. She kissed Rainbow and trotted out the door to begin working on the spell.

Rainbow leaned back and looked down at the table, there wasn't a bill yet and Twilight had left more than enough to cover both their meals. She rolled her eyes and headed out, giving their blue-maned waitress a nod of approval before exiting. Heading towards the school grounds, she wondered if there was anything important left in the diary. Namely, what happened when she broke it off with Silver Spoon. She considered reading more before talking to Scootaloo, but decided to just ask instead.

As she made it to the playground behind the school, she heard a bell ring and students began trotting out. Perfect timing, she thought.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle came trotting out together, their sides nearly touching as they trotted. "Hey, you two! Where's Scootaloo?"

Sweetie Belle shrugged. "I dunno, she missed school today and we haven't heard from her yet."

Applebloom nodded in agreement. Rainbow frowned and looked behind them in time to see Cheerilee trotting off down the street towards her home. "Alright, let me know if you find her. I'll be at Twilight's Library."

Rainbow trotted off as Applebloom yelled back, "Will do! See ya later Dash!"

In order to catch up quickly, Rainbow took flight and hovered just out of reach of her target. "Hey there teach."

Cheerilee jumped, having been startled. "Oh, Ms. Rainbow Dash. Can I help you with something?" she asked with a crooked smile.

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you about a few things. That's all." Rainbow landed and began trotting next to her.

"What did you need to know?" Cheerilee's eyes shifted nervously towards the ground.

"I'll cut the chase: I know all about you and Scootaloo, I know what you did to Silver Spoon, and I know what you think of me." Rainbow pointed out arrogantly.

Cheerilee stopped dead in her tracks. Her face was losing color beneath her coat and her throat was clogged with a growing lump. She opened her mouth to speak, but choked on her own words. In silence, she stared at Rainbow Dash, who was happily smiling.

"No need to be scared - your secret's safe with me. I just need to know a few things is all. Let's talk more at your place." Cheerilee stepped back and nodded.

The two continued down the road while Dash tried to work out exactly what to say as they trotted side by side. Moments later, they arrived. Cheerilee unlocked the door and entered, Dash following close behind. Thoughts of everything Cheerilee had done over the past year filled her mind and heart with anger. She knew it was important to stay calm though - she wasn't here to fight, just to resolve.

"So Cheerilee, I think you're using Scootaloo. It's not right to take advantage of such a young and naïve pony. You know that, right?" Rainbow was harsh and straight to the point. Sugar-coating wasn't her speciality.

"No, I love her, I really do. I don't know what you're doing or why you care. Just leave us alone and everything will be fine." Cheerilee spoke softly and quietly.

"You love her, huh? Somehow I doubt that." Rainbow smiled and pushed every button she could. She was hoping to cause a breakdown in order to figure out exactly what Cheerilee was thinking. However, being perfectly honest with herself, she believed Cheerilee really could love Scoot, and that the two could be happy together.

"Who are you to doubt anything of the sort Rainbow Dash? You wouldn't know love if you crashed into it and broke your big nose." Cheerilee spoke up, her passionate side becoming more apparent.

"Big nose? Who do you think you're talking to?!" Rainbow's quick temper easily overtook her motives. She began to lose sight of her original intention.

"Will you just leave? If it's money you want, I'll give you everything I have. My bits don't matter to me, just please leave us alone! I don't want anything else to come between us. I can't stand the thought of losing her, just please Dash - tell me what you're after and then stay out of our lives." Cheerilee was losing it, caught somewhere between anger and a nervous breakdown.

"I'll never stay out of Scoot's life - she's like a little sister to me! I'm here to make sure your crazy flank doesn't hurt her. Look: if you two have issues, I'm here to help. Trust me when I say you aren't going to find another pony willing to help you two work things out." Dash focused, calming her mind and trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"Our issues are none of your business! I have everything under control!" Cheerilee shouted, standing up.

"Under control? That's why you beat the crap out of an innocent little filly?" Dash pointed out with a harsher tone.

Cheerilee stood silent for a moment, then began to breath heavily. "That little hayseed had it coming... I'd do it again if I could..."

Dash's eyes narrowed as her anger began to fester into a boiling hatred. "Had it coming? Why, because Scootaloo cared about her too? Maybe you should mare up and learn to control yourself." She did her best to stay calm.

"Maybe you should get out of my house. What I did in the past doesn't matter anymore. You can't prove that I did anything to Silver Spoon, her bruises are long gone. And if you care about Scootaloo at all, you'll stay out of our relationship. If you tell anypony about us, she'll never forgive you. Now scram before I get mad." Cheerilee crossed the line.

"That's it! I tried to be nice, I was going to help you out, but now I see you're nothing but a worthless psychopath!" Rainbow reared up on her back hooves and prepared to fight.

Cheerilee stepped back and shielded her face with a foreleg as Rainbow approached her. Dash placed her front hooves on Cheerilee's leg and lowered her defenses. "We're just talking right now, I'm not gonna hurt you."

The stunned mare looked Rainbow in the eye with sheer skepticism. Rainbow smiled. "So when's the last day of school? Is it, by any chance, today?"

Cheerilee narrowed her eyebrows and nodded, confused. Rainbow grinned wider. "So you won't be going out in public for a while, that's good to know."

Cheerilee's expression reflected her confusion. Dash looked at her front hoof and licked the tip, then forcefully swung it across Cheerilee's muzzle. "I was just wondering if I should hit you in the face or not."

The stunned mare grabbed her nose and scurried across the floor into a corner. She knew she was outmatched, and deeply regretted provoking a pony known for her short temper. "I'm... I'm sorry Dash."

"Sure, now you're sorry." Rainbow trotted up to Cheerilee and looked down at her.

She was bleeding from the nose and curled up. It was quite a pathetic sight. Dash looked back over her shoulder and noticed a large bottle of whiskey. "Mind if I have a drink?" she asked with a devious grin.

Cheerilee simply nodded. Rainbow trotted over to the bottle and grabbed it with her front hooves. She took a seat next to Cheerilee and wrapped her hoof around her neck. Taking a quick swig, she let out a deep sigh and sat the bottle down next to the trembling teacher. "Come on, relax. I'm sorry for hitting you, but you really got on my nerves."

"Well, you really got on mine!" Cheerilee shouted then immediately recoiled, anticipating another attack.

"I know, I came on a little strong... I guess..." Rainbow attempted to stay calm and remember her intentions.

Cheerilee was surprised that Rainbow would admit such a thing. "Yeah, well, it's not really all your fault that I got so mad... I just have a lot on my mind right now."

"I can imagine: I've been reading Scootaloo's diary. She's really upset about everything that's been happening and asked me to try and help. I really do want to help you two, but first I need to know a little more about you. Scootaloo isn't a mind-reader and she seems just as confused about what you really want as I am."

"What do you mean by that? I want to be with her! I know it's wrong and she's too young or I'm too old for her, but I want what I want. I can't change that." Cheerilee's eyes were teary and she sounded very sincere.

"Believe it or not, I'm totally okay with the age difference thing - what is it, like, fifteen years?" Dash laughed.

"Eleven. I'm eleven years older than her." She looked down and bit her lip.

"Well, that's not so bad right? In ten more years it'll actually be considered normal." Dash tried to lighten the mood. She felt like she was getting somewhere.

"Ten years is a long time, and I still have six before this thing between us is even legal." She continued staring at the floor and let her hooves fall limp.

"Who cares about that? Well, not me anyway. What I care about is whether or not you're actually taking Scootaloo seriously. I know about your crush on me, and Scootaloo is like me in a lot of ways. I don't want you using her as some kind of replacement for an old crush you used to have." Dash smiled, her ego subtly being stroked.

"Rainbow Dash, that's crazy. Do you really think that I'd be able to do something like that? I mean, sure, you two have some similarities, but then again, so do you and most pegasi. It's not about that at all. I love Scootaloo for who she is: she's a fun little ball of energy with an amazing mind. I see potential in her far beyond any of her classmates. I know I started off with her the wrong way, using her crush on me to better her grades, but I never expected to actually fall for her. I just didn't want to see that potential go to waste because of her carefree attitude. I wanted to give her a reason to study that simultaneously satisfied her need for self-gratification. It got out of control pretty fast, but I don't regret a bit of it. I wouldn't change it even if I could." Cheerilee's words struck a chord in Rainbow's heart. She seemed to be speaking in a manner very similar to Twilight, which, hopefully, indicated a sincere form of love.

Rainbow took another drink, thinking about everything for a moment. Judging Cheerilee for going straight into a sexual relationship and still falling in love would be extremely hypocritical, and in Rainbow's personal experience, it was completely plausible.

"Cheerilee, you have my support. I believe you love her. Just don't make me regret this decision to help you through this. Now, tell me what's on your mind that has you so irritable."

"I don't know if... I mean, I probably shouldn't..." With a groan, she wiped the blood off her nose and took a deep breath. "It's Scootaloo - she's seeing Silver Spoon again."

Dash choked on a mouthful of whiskey. "What?! Since when? I thought those two broke it off or whatever!"

"They did, but Diamond Tiara went on her summer trip and now they're seeing each other again. I asked her not to, but... Well, we kind of have this thing going on... She owns me and I do whatever she says. I begged her not to, but she was persistent and reminded me that I really don't have a say in the matter." Cheerilee smiled and looked down as tears began to escape from behind her fragile walls.

"Wait, what?! I thought she stopped that too!" Dash placed a hoof on her forehead.

"You didn't read the entire diary did you? She made me write a couple entries in there a few weeks ago. I just wrote as she spoke, so I know for a fact that her new-found dominance is recorded."

"Right, well... Yeah, I didn't finish it. I hadn't realized... I can do this, I can fix all of this. Just sit tight and let me talk to Scootaloo. Any idea where she is?" Dash asked as she stood up.

"Try Silver Spoon's bed, they both skipped class today. I can only imagine why." Cheerilee took a long drink from the bottle Rainbow had left next to her.

"Right, I'll see ya later then. No hard feelings, and don't let Scoot being an idiot get you down. She's terrible at making decisions, and she hates letting her friends down. I know this must hurt a lot, but I doubt Scoot realizes what she's doing to you right now. Let me talk to her, and I'll do my best to get you two back on track." Dash smiled and trotted out the front door.

"Thanks..." Cheerilee said drearily as Rainbow left.

Rather than head to Silver Spoon's house, Dash decided to return to the library. She had some reading to do first so she could find out exactly what Scoot had been thinking lately, and not only that, but Twilight might very well be ready for some fun. She trotted through the door to see Spike happily skimming through the pages of a book while sitting in Rainbow's spot.

She looked over and saw Twilight's nose buried in a book while she wrote something down simultaneously with an aura of magic. Resting on a bookshelf above the intently studying mare, was the diary. She smiled and flew up to grab it, then made her way back to the couch that she had claimed as her own at some point. She wedged herself between the back of it and Spike, forcing him over the edge.

"Hey, what gives Rainbow?!" Spike shouted from the floor.

"Oh, sorry, didn't see ya there." Rainbow chuckled as she settled in her seat.

Spike mumbled under his breath and walked away. "You'll pay for that..."

"What was that?" she asked, not really interested in a response.

She opened the book, deciding to try and find out what had happened when Scoot tried to break up with Silver Spoon. She looked down at the entry's title and laughed. If only...

Entry: Lessons Learned