Wings of Silver, Hearts of Goldby Silver MelodiesChaptersAmidst the screams...We shall always hear...Her silent songAmidst the screams...Scootaloo lay on her bed in Rainbow Dash’s house, trying to hold back the tears. Wondering why her wings weren't growing, Rainbow Dash had checked her in at the hospital. She had been diagnosed with some fancy-named disease that basically meant here wings wouldn't grow because the disease constantly ate away at her wing bones. When Rainbow asked if there was a cure, the doctor said that he didn't know of one. Scootaloo got home and had started to cry, but Rainbow tried to cheer her up. "Scootaloo, look, it isn't that bad... you know, maybe Twilight can make some magic, right?" "Does she know a spell that can fix my wings?" The orange filly looked at her idol through tear filled eyes, breaking Rainbow Dash's heart. "Um... I don't... I don't think so..." Then whats the point?! I can't use my wings!" Scootaloo had been devastated, and promptly retreated to her room, where she now lay, trying to block out the horrifying realization that she would never fly. Her whole life’s dream was to fly, just like Rainbow Dash. Now what? What would she do? A Pegasus that couldn't fly? She would never be able to visit Cloudsdale on her own, nor race through canyons, or even just fly around town. Even with magic, if Twilight could do such a thing, it wasn't the same. She would always feel empty flying without her wings. Her wings were what made her a pegasus. Without them, she would just be an enchanted filly. This was it. Her life was over. Rainbow Dash knocked lightly on the door and stepped inside. “Scoot? You okay?” Scootaloo sniffed back some tears. “Yeah. I’m just great. Why would I not be okay?” Honestly... was Rainbow Dash blind? Rainbow Dash sat down next to her. “Listen, I know this is hard, and I don’t know what you’re going through. I just want you to know I’m always here for you.” She looked back at the door, covered in posters of the Wonderbolts and herself. “I brought your friends. I thought you might wanna talk to them.” Scootaloo looked over to see Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle standing in the doorway. Rainbow Dash got up and left, leaving the three alone in the room. They would probably need a lot of time alone. Apple Bloom stepped forward, the sorrow obvious in her eyes. She seemed to be connected to the filly, like she knew what it was like to be unable to use what made a pony themselves. “Rainbow Dash told us what happened.” She sat down next to her. “I’m real sorry Scoot.” Sweetie Belle came and sat down too, but didn't say anything. She was almost crying, because her best friend was so hurt. Scootaloo sat up and looked at her friends. They both looked so sincere, so caring. She was lucky. They didn't deserve her as a friend... they needed somepony better than her. She held back more tears and forced out one word. “Thanks.” “If we can do anythin’,” Apple Bloom said, “let us know.” They all sat in silence for a while. It comforting to Scootaloo, to know her friends were there for her, even if it was just in silence. Sweetie Belle spoke up. “I’m going to go check with Zecora. She may have a cure.” Scootaloo shook her head. "But that forest is dangerous. It's... it's evil..." Sweetie smiled. "Hey, I'll be fine. I'll go fast, and Zecora's hut is safe, so I'll be fine. Just meet up at the Library at around... noon." She got up and left, leaving only two little fillies. Silence ensued for a long while, until Apple Bloom spoke up. “Wanna play a game? Might make ya feel a bit better.” Scootaloo shook her head. She didn't want to play a game. She didn't want to play a game. She didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to fly. “No. You can leave if you want. I don’t want to talk.” Despite her words, Apple Bloom still sat there, silently, waiting for Scootaloo to be ready. Scootaloo was glad Apple Bloom was her friend. Always knowing when to speak and when to be silent. She needed her right now. Just having her in the room was calming. The earth pony carried a certain, calming charm with her. It helped calm Scootaloo's nerves, giving her an ease of mind, even though she was still very upset. Finally, Scootaloo spoke up. “I don’t know what to do. How am I supposed to be a Pegasus if I can’t fly with my wings? Isn't that what Pegasi do?” “Fluttershy’s a Pegasus, and she doesn't need to fly to do her job.” Scootaloo growled. “I don’t want to take care of animals. I want to have adventures, have fun. I want to fly!” Apple Bloom remained silent, which, oddly enough, was what Scootaloo was hoping she would do. Besides, what was there to say? They sat in silence a bit longer, than Apple Bloom spoke up. “Ya know, ya still have us. We need you, Scootaloo. Without you, we’re missin’ a friend an’ a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader.” Scootaloo looked over to her friend, who seemed wiser than she should be for her age. Those words dug deep into her heart, releasing a single tear from her eye as she struggled to hold the rest back. “You mean it?” “Of course!” Apple Bloom got off the bed and walked toward the door. “Come on. We should check with Sweetie Belle. Who knows? Maybe she actually found something.” “You found a cure!?” Scootaloo practically tackled Sweetie Belle. She grabbed her friend and spun her around. “Are you serious?” Sweetie Belle squeaked out the words. “Yes. Zecora has a cure.” Scootaloo dropped her friend and ran around Twilight's library, where Sweetie had been studying Scootsaloo’s medical condition before they arrived. “I can’t believe it! A cure! I could fly!” “But there’s a problem.” Sweetie Belle said. “She needs a special ingredient called ‘Latsinhos’, or something like that.” “So?” Scootaloo couldn't stop smiling. “So she doesn’t have any.” Sweetie walked towards the kitchen. “Well, we’ll go get some!” Apple Bloom began to speak, her face in a book. She looked like a little egghead, like a mini, wingless version of Twilight. “Laxinhos: A rare herb known to have weird and mysterious powers. Only grows in the Pleusian Forest.” She held the book up and showed the picture to her friends. It looked like grass, but glowing. “Great where is that?” Scootaloo asked. She was a bit surprised at the egg-head Apple Bloom appeared to be. Apple Bloom looked at a different book and pointed to some point on a map. “Here, right next to the Everfree forest.” She squinted at the map, mouthing words as she seemed to be studying something. “Well, come on!” “Uh oh.” Apple Bloom spoke up again. “What?” The squeaky voice of there friend came from their friends head as she poked around the kitchen door frame. Smoke was floating out the door and windows in the kitchen. “It only blooms for one week every five years." She read a little more, then her eyes widened. "It stops blooming tomorrow morning.” Scootaloo looked at the clock. It was almost night time. Around eight in the afternoon, on a summer day. “We’ll leave right now.” “Scoot, we should at least get Rainbow Dash.” Apple Bloom said. “Fine. But we need to hurry.” Twilight stepped into her library. “Hi girls. Did you find what you needed? If not, I could always…” “We did! Bye!” The three fillies said in unison as they dashed out of the house. “...help.” Twilight finished. “They didn't even clean up.” She grumbled. Then she smelled the smoke. “Rainbow Dash!” The trio found her exiting Sugercube corner. “Rainbow Dash!” A startled Rainbow Dash barely avoided being run over a by the three fillies as they slid to a stop right next to her. Scootaloo jumped up. “There’s a cure!” “Cure for what?” “My disease!” “Who told you that?” Rainbow Dash looked skeptical. Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Zecora told me.” “Okay, so why aren’t you at Zecora’s?” Scootaloo could tell Rainbow Dash was excited and trying to contain it. “We need your help. We need an herb from the… what was it called again?” Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom. “Pleusian Forest.” Apple Bloom smiled at her recollection of that bit of information. Scootaloo nodded her head vigorously. “Tonight!” Rainbow Dash frowned and shook her head. “No. That forest is too dangerous at night. We’ll have to go tomorrow.” “But it stops blooming tomorrow morning!” A look of sadness fell on Dash’s face. “I’m really sorry Scootaloo. It’s too dangerous. When does it bloom again? “In five years.” Apple Bloom said. Rainbow Dash seemed to consider the idea, but shook her head. “No. We aren’t going. Now you need to go home before you do something stupid.” With that, she snatched up the filly and flew her to her house amidst her kicks and crying. Apple Bloom saw the tears falling from Rainbow's eyes as she carried her little sister back to her house, dashing her dreams, spirits, and heart. We shall always hear...Sweetie Belle was in her room, tucked in bed. The lights were out, and Rarity was already asleep. She couldn’t sleep, of course. She couldn’t stop thinking of Scootaloo, and how she had been so upset. Why wouldn’t she be? She would have to wait five more years, but that was a long time for a pony like Scootaloo. And what if it died off next year? Then Scootaloo would never fly. She got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to get some water. While she filled her glass, she continued to think. What could be done? Should she go and get it? How dangerous could a forest be? After all, she'd been to the Everfree and that was one of the most dangerous places ever. Maybe Rainbow Dash was just making a big deal out of something small. She had a tendency to over-exaggerate. But why would she exaggerate when it came to Scootaloo's own wings? Maybe she didn't really love her like she said she did? No, that wasn't possible. But something had to be done. Scootaloo would do the same for her, so she had a duty to her friend. The water filled and spilled over the edge of the glass, and she hastily shut off the faucet. She drank her water and made her choice. Creeping outside, she carefully shut the door so as to not alert Rarity.. Once outside, she headed off to the Everfree forest. She remembered that the forest had been on the west side of the Everfree forest, so that was where she went. It was a good distance away, but she didn't mind. She enjoyed walking at night. It was peaceful. The trip there was uneventful. The night was cold, but the walk kept Sweetie Belle from feeling the cold bite of the wind. The sky was clear, and she could see all the stars. She loved looking at the stars. She would trace pictures in them with her friends, often making the most ridiculous or funny pictures they could. But she didn’t stop for that. She would trace the stars with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom when she had given her friend her wings back. She walked down her path until she reached her destination. The Pleusian Forest was exotic looking. The trees all had a light glow to them, and looked more like palm trees than forest trees. She wondered how they missed it all these years. After all, it wasn’t exactly hidden from view or anything. Maybe there was reason nopony was told about it? She took one last look back towards Ponyville before she delved into the mystic looking forest. She set about looking for the herb. Obviously, it would grow on the ground, right? So she looked on the ground. She found many strange things. Some plants looked more like animals then plants, the way they moved about and felt. one even retracted at her touch, and another was actually moving. Try as she might, she couldn’t see anything that looked like what she saw in the book. She looked up towards the sky. Unlike the Everfree, here you could still see the sky. The stars were a welcoming sight, seeming to make the mystical forest complete. Then she saw it. There it was, hanging from a tree, just a few feet from the ground. She felt like she was being watched, like the shadows held an evil that waited for her, waiting to grab her.. She saw nothing but could have sworn she had heard a rustle. She grabbed a nearby log and used it to reach the herb. She grabbed it in her mouth and pulled it down, but lost her balance and slipped. The moss on the ground cushioned her fall so she wasn't hurt at all. She was so happy, she wanted to squeal, but knew better. She admonished herself for not bringing a saddle bag, but she couldn't change that now. As she walked out, she knew something wasn’t right. The feeling of being watched was unmistakable now, quickening her pace, sending her into a trot. Then the ground shifted under her feet. At first just a little bit, then without warning it whipped out from under her and she was airborne. She almost screamed, but kept her mouth closed, holding onto the plant. She couldn’t lose it. Before she hit the ground, something wrapped around her legs, holding her up. All four legs were bound by what looked like a tentacle. She tried to get free, but the thing’s grip was strong. It left like a vise had clamped onto her leg and was slowly crushing it. She held back her cries as tears formed in her eyes. A big, oblong shaped blob came out of the darkness. Sweetie Belle guessed it was the thing’s head. The blob split open to reveal massive razors, each one in position to make the thing look like a mouth. She held her breath, trying to think of something. Before she could devise a way to escape, the monster chomped down on her right back leg and yanked around. Sweetie Belle couldn’t hold it anymore. She screamed, letting the herb fall to the ground. The pain coursed through her leg, shooting up her spine and numbing her brain. After a lot of biting and yanking, her leg came off, and the beast dropped it. Sweetie Belle, through her pain and agony, saw she was wrong about the head. Below her, a huge maw gaped wide to swallow her leg. It's tongue shot out to wrap around her severed leg then sucked it into it's gaping jaw. She threw up into the monsters mouth, but it ate that too. It bit down on her other back leg, trying to rip that one off as well. She fought the blackness closing around her. Her body dry heaved, and she couldn't think through the pain. It was over. She would die now because... because of what? Some random monster grabbing her while she tried to help a friend? She never thought it would end this way. She closed her eyes and waited for the jagged teeth to pierce her body. Before it could finish her off, something flew out of the sky and smashed what was biting her. The blob exploded, spraying blood and flesh all over Sweetie Belle. Her gag reflex failed her in her pain as some of the flesh fell into her mouth. She tried to look over, but was about to pass out from the pain. She couldn't move her muscles. She heard a lot more crunching and felt more blood spatter her in a few places. Then she was suddenly flung to the ground, landing right next to the herbs she had dropped. She could barely make it out among the blood filling her vision, but she managed to reach over and bite down on them, holding them in her mouth with all her strength. She was lifted off the ground rather fast, and within seconds, was back on the ground, this time outside of the forest and in Sweet Apple Acres. She was apple to make out Rainbow Dashes face above her. Through a black fog, she made out her savior's words. “What were you doing, kid!?” She could only spit out the herb along with some blood and mumble, “For Scootaloo…” before succumbing to the blackness. The last thing she saw were the stars above her head. She could have sworn she saw Scootaloo in those stars, smiling down at her. Scootaloo was awoken in the middle of the night by Rainbow Dash, who only pulled her out of bed and flew her to the hospital. On the way there, Scootaloo was attempting to spit out some words, but her words were slurred with sleep. “Wha... wha 'er you doing?” “Sweetie Belle is injured.” After a pause, she added. “Badly.” That woke her up instantly. “What happened?” Rainbow Dash didn’t despite , so she eventually shut up. Rainbow was so stubborn. Sweetie was her friend! Why would withhold information about her friend from her? When they got to the hospital, they were told to wait in the waiting room. “She is in surgery right now. We’ll tell you when you may see her.” The nurse looked sad. Maybe it was just because of all the bad things she saw. Rarity, Apple Jack and Apple Bloom were in the waiting room as well. Apple Bloom ran up to Scootaloo. “Do ya know what happened?” She had tear stains on her cheeks. Scootaloo turned to Rainbow Dash, determined to get an answer. “What happened?” Rainbow Dash turned away, wincing as if speaking any words would pain her. “Rarity contacted me at around midnight when she found Sweetie Belle’s room empty. She searched the house but couldn’t find her. I knew she might have gone for the forest after I told her no, so I decided to check. Turns out, she did, and I found her being attacked by a Tentocna. I saved her and she was holding these.” Rainbow Dash pulled out some glowing grass from a satchel. “She said these were for you. I... I would assume it's the herb you need.” Scootaloo took the herb and recognized it as the plant she needed. The laxinhos herb. She took a long stare at it. This was the answer to her dreams. This could make her fly. This would give her life a meaning, a purpose. yet it came at what price? She sat down, gently holding the herb in her hooves. Sweetie Belle had gone and gotten them for her. But what had happened to her to warrant a surgery? Just how what injuries had she sustained? Why wasn't anypony telling her? After hours of waiting, a doctor stepped into the room. “Rarity? Come with me.” Rarity got up and followed him, leaving the others to wait. Scootaloo couldn’t stand the silence. It was killing her, not knowing what was going on. She had to talk to Sweetie Belle! She should be in there, with her friend! She needed to be with her. She had to see her, to see what had happened. After a while, Rarity came back, crying, followed by the doctor. Scootaloo got really scared. What was wrong? “Apple Bloom?” the doctor asked. The little yellow filly followed the doctor, leaving Scootaloo with no one to talk to. Rainbow Dash was gone, and Apple Jack had gone to get them all something to drink. Rarity was crying, and had a look of utter despair on her face. Of course, Rarity was a bit dramatic, but still. What if she wasn't just being dramatic? What might happen? Apple Jack returned and gave Scootaloo a cup of hot chocolate. Scootaloo drank a little bit, but couldn’t drink anymore. She was so stressed; the drink was making her nauseous. Apple Bloom returned, tears streaking her face. Scootaloo was ready to cry, and she had yet to see Sweetie Belle. The Doctor called her name, and she followed him to the room that held Sweetie Belle. She entered and the doctor left them alone. She could hear the slow, consistent beep of the monitor. She saw her friend, lying under some sheets, eyes closed. She looked so peaceful, like she wasn't hurt. She was just resting. Scootaloo swallowed and spoke up. “Sweetie B-Belle?” Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo, but her eyes took a second to open. “Hi.” Scootaloo choked on her words, uttering a barely understandable, “Hi.” Sweetie Belle beamed as best she could with the pain she was in. Her grimace gave away the fact she was in extreme pain. She pointed at Scootaloo. “You got my gift? Do you like it?” Scootaloo nodded gently. “Yeah. But Sweetie Belle?” “Yeah?” A single tear streaked down her face. “Please don’t go.” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened and a look of fear crossed her face for a few seconds, then she returned to normal. “Sorry. My vision just left for a second.” “Really Sweetie. You can’t go. Not now. I need you.” She was trying desperately to hold back her tears, to seem strong for her friend. She was failing. Sweetie Belle laughed. “Well, you know, I may not have a choice. I feel weird right now. Like... like I’m being pulled from my body.” Scootaloo looked at the herb in her hand. “Why’d you do it?” “Get the herb?” Sweetie Belle sighed. “I want you to fly and live out your dream. It’s what friends do, right?” She coughed a little bit, but even her coughs sounded so... peaceful. “But what about your dreams?” Scootaloo felt another tear slide down her cheek. “You can’t live them out if you d-die.” Sweetie Belle laughed once more. “Oh Scootaloo... maybe my dream is to help my friends live theirs.” She smiled and closed her eyes, giving one last, gentle sigh. One, precious tear ran down her cheeks, coming to rest on the bed sheets she lay under. The monitor ceased beeping and gave one, unending note. Scootaloo wasn’t a doctor, but she knew what that meant. She couldn’t believe it at first, then the realization took hold. Sweetie Belle was gone. Dead so that Scootaloo could fly. Sweetie Belle had died for her. She had given her life to make her dreams come true. Scootaloo grabbed the little fillies hoof, tears falling faster. “No. No! Sweetie Belle! No!” A Doctor promptly entered the room. Upon seeing that she was gone, he grabbed Scootaloo. ‘I’m sorry kid, but you have to leave.” Scootaloo tried to fight it, but the doctor was too strong. “No!” She didn’t want to leave. Sweeite wasn't dead! She couldn't be! She had to be sleeping! The machine must be broken! “Sweetie Belle! No!” Her cries echoed off the empty halls of the lonely building. Her silent songScootaloo stood at the edge of a cliff, string into the cold, hard stone below. It had been two months since Sweetie Belle had died. After her death, Scootaloo had taken the herbs to Zecora, who, sure enough was able to make the cure. Only a few days after Scootaloo took the medicine, her wings began to grow at an alarming rate. She didn’t go to flight school, and instead took lessons from Rainbow Dash. Each day her wings got bigger until they were almost the same size as Rainbow Dash’s. It was strange, sure, but everpony became accustomed to it. She learned how fly within a few weeks and mastered many techniques shortly thereafter. Still struggling with the loss of Sweetie Belle, she told Rainbow Dash that he needed to be alone for a few days, and that she would be back in time for the funeral. She left and spent time in the clouds, away from Cloudsdale and Ponyville and any other civilized area. She had plenty of time to think, and slowly came to terms with the simple fact that her friend was gone, and had died for Scootaloo to fly. She swore she would make the most of her new wings. But nothing could repay what Sweetie had done. She jumped off the cliff, letting herself fall. She closed her eyes, waiting until she almost hit the ground. She spread her wings and her descent stopped suddenly, then took off into the sky, flying over and under the clouds. It should have left her exhilarated, but she still felt empty inside. The wind under her wings and in her mane was feeling she had longed for so long, she still had trouble understanding this wasn’t a dream. Part of her wished it was, that way Sweetie Belle would still be alive. But it wasn’t. So why was she struggling to understand that? She spun and dived and rose in the air. She never felt so alive. But without Sweetie Belle, was it worth it? She had three friends in life. Now she had only two. That wasn’t a lot to begin with, and now there was even less. But she had to continue, for those two left, Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash. They still needed her, right? She had to push on, for them. She flew back to Ponyville, taking her time. The funeral wasn’t for another day, so she wasn’t in a hurry. She still wanted to think just a bit longer. Just a bit longer about her friend. She still marveled at how it felt to fly, to feel the wind beneath her wings. She felt a freedom she had never known, being able to fly. She could go anywhere, and do anything. The sky was the limit. She almost laughed at that thought. She wished Sweetie Belle would have been able to see her wings. They were really big for a filly, even one of Scootaloo’s age. She wondered how she would react if she saw them, now spread out in flight, as Scootaloo soared through the air. The thought brought a tear to her eyes. She shouldn't think such things anymore. But she did. She landed gently outside of Ponyville, standing there for a minute to take in the sight of her home. So simple and quiet, yet it seemed empty without Sweetie Belle. That was hardly the case as many ponies hustled around doing their daily business. Scootaloo walked over to Carousel Boutique, deciding to pay Rarity a visit before the funeral. She just wanted to pay her respects and give some thanks for raising Sweetie Belle the way she did. She had been such a good friend, her sister had done a good job. She opened the door to the Carousels Boutique. She expected to see Rarity making dresses, or talking to her friends, or something that she always did. Instead, what she saw made her mouth drop open. Sweetie belle stood there, right next to Rarity, who was smiling yet still looked sad. Scootaloo just stood there, staring at Sweetie Belle. No, that wasn’t possible. She had died. There was no way she could be standing there right now. No way. She wasn't... she wasn't real... Rarity spoke up. “Ah, Scootaloo.” Then Sweetie Belle spoke. “Scootaloo? Is that you?” Scootaloo paused for a second. Sweetie Belle could have turned her head to look at Scootaloo, but instead continued facing the window. no, Sweetie was dead... she had died, Scootaloo had watched her die! Scootaloo tried to speak, but could only stutter over her words. “I… uh… yes… you…” Sweetie Belle turned to face Scootaloo. There was no doubt about it. It was Sweetie Belle. She was even missing her leg. “But how?” Scootaloo asked. She hadn't been able to accept the fact Sweetie had died, now she couldn't accept that she was alive. “Well, I don’t know exactly. I know I died. I saw heaven. I was almost there when I was suddenly pulled back, like I was being sucked into a vacuum. I awoke but passed out instantly. The doctors kept me alive and worked on me for weeks, but didn’t tell anyone because they didn’t want to spread false hope.” She scrunched her face in confusion. "I think." She turned to Rarity, who finished the tale. “Once she recovered, she was put into rehabilitation for a few weeks. About a day after you left, two days ago, the doctors told us what had happened. As you might guess, I was infuriated and made sure to tell them so. They had no right withholding such information from us. But that is past us.” “Wait.” Scootaloo said. “Rehabilitation? What does that mean?” “It’s where a pony goes to adjust to something new so life is normal again, like a lifestyle or deformity or such.” “Why did Sweetie Belle go?” Scootaloo asked. She was afraid to hear the answer. Sweetie Belle spoke, her voice squeaking as a tear fell on her cheek. “I’m blind, Scootaloo.” Scootaloo shook her head. “What? Blind?!” She turned around. Now it made sense, but blind? Her friend? Sure, she was alive, but she was blind. She... she had lost her sight so Scootaloo could gain her flight. That was an unfair trade! “It’s okay Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle. “I’m fine, I can deal with it. All that matters is I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” Another tear fell down her cheek. “I guess I won’t ever see your wings. Rarity tells me they’re beautiful. May I feel them?” Scootaloo held back tears. “Sure.” Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on one and ran it up and down the wing. She smiled through the tears. “They feel big! How big are they?” Scootaloo choked on her words. “About… about as big as… as Rainbow Dash’s… wings.” Sweetie Belle beamed. “So it worked. I’m so happy for you Scootaloo.” “But what about you?” She could feel tears coming on. Sweetie Belle laughed, so sweet and clear. “Scootaloo, you’re happy. You can live your dream. That makes me happy. I only ever wanted to make you happy, since we first met. I knew there something wrong with your wings, and I made it my goal to help you figure it out and solve it. And I did.” She smiled so brightly the sun paled in comparison. "Right?" She placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder after missing once. “Best friends do that, right?” Scootaloo sniffed and nodded her head before remembering Sweetie Belle was blind. “Yeah.” Scootaloo tried desperately not to cry, but couldn’t hold it back. Here was her friend, faithful beyond a doubt, and willing to risk it all for her friend’s dreams. She nearly gave her life for her, and Scootaloo knew she would never hesitate to do the same for Sweetie Belle. So Scootaloo embraced her friend and wept from joy and sorrow.
Amidst the screams...Scootaloo lay on her bed in Rainbow Dash’s house, trying to hold back the tears. Wondering why her wings weren't growing, Rainbow Dash had checked her in at the hospital. She had been diagnosed with some fancy-named disease that basically meant here wings wouldn't grow because the disease constantly ate away at her wing bones. When Rainbow asked if there was a cure, the doctor said that he didn't know of one. Scootaloo got home and had started to cry, but Rainbow tried to cheer her up. "Scootaloo, look, it isn't that bad... you know, maybe Twilight can make some magic, right?" "Does she know a spell that can fix my wings?" The orange filly looked at her idol through tear filled eyes, breaking Rainbow Dash's heart. "Um... I don't... I don't think so..." Then whats the point?! I can't use my wings!" Scootaloo had been devastated, and promptly retreated to her room, where she now lay, trying to block out the horrifying realization that she would never fly. Her whole life’s dream was to fly, just like Rainbow Dash. Now what? What would she do? A Pegasus that couldn't fly? She would never be able to visit Cloudsdale on her own, nor race through canyons, or even just fly around town. Even with magic, if Twilight could do such a thing, it wasn't the same. She would always feel empty flying without her wings. Her wings were what made her a pegasus. Without them, she would just be an enchanted filly. This was it. Her life was over. Rainbow Dash knocked lightly on the door and stepped inside. “Scoot? You okay?” Scootaloo sniffed back some tears. “Yeah. I’m just great. Why would I not be okay?” Honestly... was Rainbow Dash blind? Rainbow Dash sat down next to her. “Listen, I know this is hard, and I don’t know what you’re going through. I just want you to know I’m always here for you.” She looked back at the door, covered in posters of the Wonderbolts and herself. “I brought your friends. I thought you might wanna talk to them.” Scootaloo looked over to see Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle standing in the doorway. Rainbow Dash got up and left, leaving the three alone in the room. They would probably need a lot of time alone. Apple Bloom stepped forward, the sorrow obvious in her eyes. She seemed to be connected to the filly, like she knew what it was like to be unable to use what made a pony themselves. “Rainbow Dash told us what happened.” She sat down next to her. “I’m real sorry Scoot.” Sweetie Belle came and sat down too, but didn't say anything. She was almost crying, because her best friend was so hurt. Scootaloo sat up and looked at her friends. They both looked so sincere, so caring. She was lucky. They didn't deserve her as a friend... they needed somepony better than her. She held back more tears and forced out one word. “Thanks.” “If we can do anythin’,” Apple Bloom said, “let us know.” They all sat in silence for a while. It comforting to Scootaloo, to know her friends were there for her, even if it was just in silence. Sweetie Belle spoke up. “I’m going to go check with Zecora. She may have a cure.” Scootaloo shook her head. "But that forest is dangerous. It's... it's evil..." Sweetie smiled. "Hey, I'll be fine. I'll go fast, and Zecora's hut is safe, so I'll be fine. Just meet up at the Library at around... noon." She got up and left, leaving only two little fillies. Silence ensued for a long while, until Apple Bloom spoke up. “Wanna play a game? Might make ya feel a bit better.” Scootaloo shook her head. She didn't want to play a game. She didn't want to play a game. She didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to fly. “No. You can leave if you want. I don’t want to talk.” Despite her words, Apple Bloom still sat there, silently, waiting for Scootaloo to be ready. Scootaloo was glad Apple Bloom was her friend. Always knowing when to speak and when to be silent. She needed her right now. Just having her in the room was calming. The earth pony carried a certain, calming charm with her. It helped calm Scootaloo's nerves, giving her an ease of mind, even though she was still very upset. Finally, Scootaloo spoke up. “I don’t know what to do. How am I supposed to be a Pegasus if I can’t fly with my wings? Isn't that what Pegasi do?” “Fluttershy’s a Pegasus, and she doesn't need to fly to do her job.” Scootaloo growled. “I don’t want to take care of animals. I want to have adventures, have fun. I want to fly!” Apple Bloom remained silent, which, oddly enough, was what Scootaloo was hoping she would do. Besides, what was there to say? They sat in silence a bit longer, than Apple Bloom spoke up. “Ya know, ya still have us. We need you, Scootaloo. Without you, we’re missin’ a friend an’ a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader.” Scootaloo looked over to her friend, who seemed wiser than she should be for her age. Those words dug deep into her heart, releasing a single tear from her eye as she struggled to hold the rest back. “You mean it?” “Of course!” Apple Bloom got off the bed and walked toward the door. “Come on. We should check with Sweetie Belle. Who knows? Maybe she actually found something.” “You found a cure!?” Scootaloo practically tackled Sweetie Belle. She grabbed her friend and spun her around. “Are you serious?” Sweetie Belle squeaked out the words. “Yes. Zecora has a cure.” Scootaloo dropped her friend and ran around Twilight's library, where Sweetie had been studying Scootsaloo’s medical condition before they arrived. “I can’t believe it! A cure! I could fly!” “But there’s a problem.” Sweetie Belle said. “She needs a special ingredient called ‘Latsinhos’, or something like that.” “So?” Scootaloo couldn't stop smiling. “So she doesn’t have any.” Sweetie walked towards the kitchen. “Well, we’ll go get some!” Apple Bloom began to speak, her face in a book. She looked like a little egghead, like a mini, wingless version of Twilight. “Laxinhos: A rare herb known to have weird and mysterious powers. Only grows in the Pleusian Forest.” She held the book up and showed the picture to her friends. It looked like grass, but glowing. “Great where is that?” Scootaloo asked. She was a bit surprised at the egg-head Apple Bloom appeared to be. Apple Bloom looked at a different book and pointed to some point on a map. “Here, right next to the Everfree forest.” She squinted at the map, mouthing words as she seemed to be studying something. “Well, come on!” “Uh oh.” Apple Bloom spoke up again. “What?” The squeaky voice of there friend came from their friends head as she poked around the kitchen door frame. Smoke was floating out the door and windows in the kitchen. “It only blooms for one week every five years." She read a little more, then her eyes widened. "It stops blooming tomorrow morning.” Scootaloo looked at the clock. It was almost night time. Around eight in the afternoon, on a summer day. “We’ll leave right now.” “Scoot, we should at least get Rainbow Dash.” Apple Bloom said. “Fine. But we need to hurry.” Twilight stepped into her library. “Hi girls. Did you find what you needed? If not, I could always…” “We did! Bye!” The three fillies said in unison as they dashed out of the house. “...help.” Twilight finished. “They didn't even clean up.” She grumbled. Then she smelled the smoke. “Rainbow Dash!” The trio found her exiting Sugercube corner. “Rainbow Dash!” A startled Rainbow Dash barely avoided being run over a by the three fillies as they slid to a stop right next to her. Scootaloo jumped up. “There’s a cure!” “Cure for what?” “My disease!” “Who told you that?” Rainbow Dash looked skeptical. Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Zecora told me.” “Okay, so why aren’t you at Zecora’s?” Scootaloo could tell Rainbow Dash was excited and trying to contain it. “We need your help. We need an herb from the… what was it called again?” Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom. “Pleusian Forest.” Apple Bloom smiled at her recollection of that bit of information. Scootaloo nodded her head vigorously. “Tonight!” Rainbow Dash frowned and shook her head. “No. That forest is too dangerous at night. We’ll have to go tomorrow.” “But it stops blooming tomorrow morning!” A look of sadness fell on Dash’s face. “I’m really sorry Scootaloo. It’s too dangerous. When does it bloom again? “In five years.” Apple Bloom said. Rainbow Dash seemed to consider the idea, but shook her head. “No. We aren’t going. Now you need to go home before you do something stupid.” With that, she snatched up the filly and flew her to her house amidst her kicks and crying. Apple Bloom saw the tears falling from Rainbow's eyes as she carried her little sister back to her house, dashing her dreams, spirits, and heart.
We shall always hear...Sweetie Belle was in her room, tucked in bed. The lights were out, and Rarity was already asleep. She couldn’t sleep, of course. She couldn’t stop thinking of Scootaloo, and how she had been so upset. Why wouldn’t she be? She would have to wait five more years, but that was a long time for a pony like Scootaloo. And what if it died off next year? Then Scootaloo would never fly. She got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to get some water. While she filled her glass, she continued to think. What could be done? Should she go and get it? How dangerous could a forest be? After all, she'd been to the Everfree and that was one of the most dangerous places ever. Maybe Rainbow Dash was just making a big deal out of something small. She had a tendency to over-exaggerate. But why would she exaggerate when it came to Scootaloo's own wings? Maybe she didn't really love her like she said she did? No, that wasn't possible. But something had to be done. Scootaloo would do the same for her, so she had a duty to her friend. The water filled and spilled over the edge of the glass, and she hastily shut off the faucet. She drank her water and made her choice. Creeping outside, she carefully shut the door so as to not alert Rarity.. Once outside, she headed off to the Everfree forest. She remembered that the forest had been on the west side of the Everfree forest, so that was where she went. It was a good distance away, but she didn't mind. She enjoyed walking at night. It was peaceful. The trip there was uneventful. The night was cold, but the walk kept Sweetie Belle from feeling the cold bite of the wind. The sky was clear, and she could see all the stars. She loved looking at the stars. She would trace pictures in them with her friends, often making the most ridiculous or funny pictures they could. But she didn’t stop for that. She would trace the stars with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom when she had given her friend her wings back. She walked down her path until she reached her destination. The Pleusian Forest was exotic looking. The trees all had a light glow to them, and looked more like palm trees than forest trees. She wondered how they missed it all these years. After all, it wasn’t exactly hidden from view or anything. Maybe there was reason nopony was told about it? She took one last look back towards Ponyville before she delved into the mystic looking forest. She set about looking for the herb. Obviously, it would grow on the ground, right? So she looked on the ground. She found many strange things. Some plants looked more like animals then plants, the way they moved about and felt. one even retracted at her touch, and another was actually moving. Try as she might, she couldn’t see anything that looked like what she saw in the book. She looked up towards the sky. Unlike the Everfree, here you could still see the sky. The stars were a welcoming sight, seeming to make the mystical forest complete. Then she saw it. There it was, hanging from a tree, just a few feet from the ground. She felt like she was being watched, like the shadows held an evil that waited for her, waiting to grab her.. She saw nothing but could have sworn she had heard a rustle. She grabbed a nearby log and used it to reach the herb. She grabbed it in her mouth and pulled it down, but lost her balance and slipped. The moss on the ground cushioned her fall so she wasn't hurt at all. She was so happy, she wanted to squeal, but knew better. She admonished herself for not bringing a saddle bag, but she couldn't change that now. As she walked out, she knew something wasn’t right. The feeling of being watched was unmistakable now, quickening her pace, sending her into a trot. Then the ground shifted under her feet. At first just a little bit, then without warning it whipped out from under her and she was airborne. She almost screamed, but kept her mouth closed, holding onto the plant. She couldn’t lose it. Before she hit the ground, something wrapped around her legs, holding her up. All four legs were bound by what looked like a tentacle. She tried to get free, but the thing’s grip was strong. It left like a vise had clamped onto her leg and was slowly crushing it. She held back her cries as tears formed in her eyes. A big, oblong shaped blob came out of the darkness. Sweetie Belle guessed it was the thing’s head. The blob split open to reveal massive razors, each one in position to make the thing look like a mouth. She held her breath, trying to think of something. Before she could devise a way to escape, the monster chomped down on her right back leg and yanked around. Sweetie Belle couldn’t hold it anymore. She screamed, letting the herb fall to the ground. The pain coursed through her leg, shooting up her spine and numbing her brain. After a lot of biting and yanking, her leg came off, and the beast dropped it. Sweetie Belle, through her pain and agony, saw she was wrong about the head. Below her, a huge maw gaped wide to swallow her leg. It's tongue shot out to wrap around her severed leg then sucked it into it's gaping jaw. She threw up into the monsters mouth, but it ate that too. It bit down on her other back leg, trying to rip that one off as well. She fought the blackness closing around her. Her body dry heaved, and she couldn't think through the pain. It was over. She would die now because... because of what? Some random monster grabbing her while she tried to help a friend? She never thought it would end this way. She closed her eyes and waited for the jagged teeth to pierce her body. Before it could finish her off, something flew out of the sky and smashed what was biting her. The blob exploded, spraying blood and flesh all over Sweetie Belle. Her gag reflex failed her in her pain as some of the flesh fell into her mouth. She tried to look over, but was about to pass out from the pain. She couldn't move her muscles. She heard a lot more crunching and felt more blood spatter her in a few places. Then she was suddenly flung to the ground, landing right next to the herbs she had dropped. She could barely make it out among the blood filling her vision, but she managed to reach over and bite down on them, holding them in her mouth with all her strength. She was lifted off the ground rather fast, and within seconds, was back on the ground, this time outside of the forest and in Sweet Apple Acres. She was apple to make out Rainbow Dashes face above her. Through a black fog, she made out her savior's words. “What were you doing, kid!?” She could only spit out the herb along with some blood and mumble, “For Scootaloo…” before succumbing to the blackness. The last thing she saw were the stars above her head. She could have sworn she saw Scootaloo in those stars, smiling down at her. Scootaloo was awoken in the middle of the night by Rainbow Dash, who only pulled her out of bed and flew her to the hospital. On the way there, Scootaloo was attempting to spit out some words, but her words were slurred with sleep. “Wha... wha 'er you doing?” “Sweetie Belle is injured.” After a pause, she added. “Badly.” That woke her up instantly. “What happened?” Rainbow Dash didn’t despite , so she eventually shut up. Rainbow was so stubborn. Sweetie was her friend! Why would withhold information about her friend from her? When they got to the hospital, they were told to wait in the waiting room. “She is in surgery right now. We’ll tell you when you may see her.” The nurse looked sad. Maybe it was just because of all the bad things she saw. Rarity, Apple Jack and Apple Bloom were in the waiting room as well. Apple Bloom ran up to Scootaloo. “Do ya know what happened?” She had tear stains on her cheeks. Scootaloo turned to Rainbow Dash, determined to get an answer. “What happened?” Rainbow Dash turned away, wincing as if speaking any words would pain her. “Rarity contacted me at around midnight when she found Sweetie Belle’s room empty. She searched the house but couldn’t find her. I knew she might have gone for the forest after I told her no, so I decided to check. Turns out, she did, and I found her being attacked by a Tentocna. I saved her and she was holding these.” Rainbow Dash pulled out some glowing grass from a satchel. “She said these were for you. I... I would assume it's the herb you need.” Scootaloo took the herb and recognized it as the plant she needed. The laxinhos herb. She took a long stare at it. This was the answer to her dreams. This could make her fly. This would give her life a meaning, a purpose. yet it came at what price? She sat down, gently holding the herb in her hooves. Sweetie Belle had gone and gotten them for her. But what had happened to her to warrant a surgery? Just how what injuries had she sustained? Why wasn't anypony telling her? After hours of waiting, a doctor stepped into the room. “Rarity? Come with me.” Rarity got up and followed him, leaving the others to wait. Scootaloo couldn’t stand the silence. It was killing her, not knowing what was going on. She had to talk to Sweetie Belle! She should be in there, with her friend! She needed to be with her. She had to see her, to see what had happened. After a while, Rarity came back, crying, followed by the doctor. Scootaloo got really scared. What was wrong? “Apple Bloom?” the doctor asked. The little yellow filly followed the doctor, leaving Scootaloo with no one to talk to. Rainbow Dash was gone, and Apple Jack had gone to get them all something to drink. Rarity was crying, and had a look of utter despair on her face. Of course, Rarity was a bit dramatic, but still. What if she wasn't just being dramatic? What might happen? Apple Jack returned and gave Scootaloo a cup of hot chocolate. Scootaloo drank a little bit, but couldn’t drink anymore. She was so stressed; the drink was making her nauseous. Apple Bloom returned, tears streaking her face. Scootaloo was ready to cry, and she had yet to see Sweetie Belle. The Doctor called her name, and she followed him to the room that held Sweetie Belle. She entered and the doctor left them alone. She could hear the slow, consistent beep of the monitor. She saw her friend, lying under some sheets, eyes closed. She looked so peaceful, like she wasn't hurt. She was just resting. Scootaloo swallowed and spoke up. “Sweetie B-Belle?” Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo, but her eyes took a second to open. “Hi.” Scootaloo choked on her words, uttering a barely understandable, “Hi.” Sweetie Belle beamed as best she could with the pain she was in. Her grimace gave away the fact she was in extreme pain. She pointed at Scootaloo. “You got my gift? Do you like it?” Scootaloo nodded gently. “Yeah. But Sweetie Belle?” “Yeah?” A single tear streaked down her face. “Please don’t go.” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened and a look of fear crossed her face for a few seconds, then she returned to normal. “Sorry. My vision just left for a second.” “Really Sweetie. You can’t go. Not now. I need you.” She was trying desperately to hold back her tears, to seem strong for her friend. She was failing. Sweetie Belle laughed. “Well, you know, I may not have a choice. I feel weird right now. Like... like I’m being pulled from my body.” Scootaloo looked at the herb in her hand. “Why’d you do it?” “Get the herb?” Sweetie Belle sighed. “I want you to fly and live out your dream. It’s what friends do, right?” She coughed a little bit, but even her coughs sounded so... peaceful. “But what about your dreams?” Scootaloo felt another tear slide down her cheek. “You can’t live them out if you d-die.” Sweetie Belle laughed once more. “Oh Scootaloo... maybe my dream is to help my friends live theirs.” She smiled and closed her eyes, giving one last, gentle sigh. One, precious tear ran down her cheeks, coming to rest on the bed sheets she lay under. The monitor ceased beeping and gave one, unending note. Scootaloo wasn’t a doctor, but she knew what that meant. She couldn’t believe it at first, then the realization took hold. Sweetie Belle was gone. Dead so that Scootaloo could fly. Sweetie Belle had died for her. She had given her life to make her dreams come true. Scootaloo grabbed the little fillies hoof, tears falling faster. “No. No! Sweetie Belle! No!” A Doctor promptly entered the room. Upon seeing that she was gone, he grabbed Scootaloo. ‘I’m sorry kid, but you have to leave.” Scootaloo tried to fight it, but the doctor was too strong. “No!” She didn’t want to leave. Sweeite wasn't dead! She couldn't be! She had to be sleeping! The machine must be broken! “Sweetie Belle! No!” Her cries echoed off the empty halls of the lonely building.
Her silent songScootaloo stood at the edge of a cliff, string into the cold, hard stone below. It had been two months since Sweetie Belle had died. After her death, Scootaloo had taken the herbs to Zecora, who, sure enough was able to make the cure. Only a few days after Scootaloo took the medicine, her wings began to grow at an alarming rate. She didn’t go to flight school, and instead took lessons from Rainbow Dash. Each day her wings got bigger until they were almost the same size as Rainbow Dash’s. It was strange, sure, but everpony became accustomed to it. She learned how fly within a few weeks and mastered many techniques shortly thereafter. Still struggling with the loss of Sweetie Belle, she told Rainbow Dash that he needed to be alone for a few days, and that she would be back in time for the funeral. She left and spent time in the clouds, away from Cloudsdale and Ponyville and any other civilized area. She had plenty of time to think, and slowly came to terms with the simple fact that her friend was gone, and had died for Scootaloo to fly. She swore she would make the most of her new wings. But nothing could repay what Sweetie had done. She jumped off the cliff, letting herself fall. She closed her eyes, waiting until she almost hit the ground. She spread her wings and her descent stopped suddenly, then took off into the sky, flying over and under the clouds. It should have left her exhilarated, but she still felt empty inside. The wind under her wings and in her mane was feeling she had longed for so long, she still had trouble understanding this wasn’t a dream. Part of her wished it was, that way Sweetie Belle would still be alive. But it wasn’t. So why was she struggling to understand that? She spun and dived and rose in the air. She never felt so alive. But without Sweetie Belle, was it worth it? She had three friends in life. Now she had only two. That wasn’t a lot to begin with, and now there was even less. But she had to continue, for those two left, Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash. They still needed her, right? She had to push on, for them. She flew back to Ponyville, taking her time. The funeral wasn’t for another day, so she wasn’t in a hurry. She still wanted to think just a bit longer. Just a bit longer about her friend. She still marveled at how it felt to fly, to feel the wind beneath her wings. She felt a freedom she had never known, being able to fly. She could go anywhere, and do anything. The sky was the limit. She almost laughed at that thought. She wished Sweetie Belle would have been able to see her wings. They were really big for a filly, even one of Scootaloo’s age. She wondered how she would react if she saw them, now spread out in flight, as Scootaloo soared through the air. The thought brought a tear to her eyes. She shouldn't think such things anymore. But she did. She landed gently outside of Ponyville, standing there for a minute to take in the sight of her home. So simple and quiet, yet it seemed empty without Sweetie Belle. That was hardly the case as many ponies hustled around doing their daily business. Scootaloo walked over to Carousel Boutique, deciding to pay Rarity a visit before the funeral. She just wanted to pay her respects and give some thanks for raising Sweetie Belle the way she did. She had been such a good friend, her sister had done a good job. She opened the door to the Carousels Boutique. She expected to see Rarity making dresses, or talking to her friends, or something that she always did. Instead, what she saw made her mouth drop open. Sweetie belle stood there, right next to Rarity, who was smiling yet still looked sad. Scootaloo just stood there, staring at Sweetie Belle. No, that wasn’t possible. She had died. There was no way she could be standing there right now. No way. She wasn't... she wasn't real... Rarity spoke up. “Ah, Scootaloo.” Then Sweetie Belle spoke. “Scootaloo? Is that you?” Scootaloo paused for a second. Sweetie Belle could have turned her head to look at Scootaloo, but instead continued facing the window. no, Sweetie was dead... she had died, Scootaloo had watched her die! Scootaloo tried to speak, but could only stutter over her words. “I… uh… yes… you…” Sweetie Belle turned to face Scootaloo. There was no doubt about it. It was Sweetie Belle. She was even missing her leg. “But how?” Scootaloo asked. She hadn't been able to accept the fact Sweetie had died, now she couldn't accept that she was alive. “Well, I don’t know exactly. I know I died. I saw heaven. I was almost there when I was suddenly pulled back, like I was being sucked into a vacuum. I awoke but passed out instantly. The doctors kept me alive and worked on me for weeks, but didn’t tell anyone because they didn’t want to spread false hope.” She scrunched her face in confusion. "I think." She turned to Rarity, who finished the tale. “Once she recovered, she was put into rehabilitation for a few weeks. About a day after you left, two days ago, the doctors told us what had happened. As you might guess, I was infuriated and made sure to tell them so. They had no right withholding such information from us. But that is past us.” “Wait.” Scootaloo said. “Rehabilitation? What does that mean?” “It’s where a pony goes to adjust to something new so life is normal again, like a lifestyle or deformity or such.” “Why did Sweetie Belle go?” Scootaloo asked. She was afraid to hear the answer. Sweetie Belle spoke, her voice squeaking as a tear fell on her cheek. “I’m blind, Scootaloo.” Scootaloo shook her head. “What? Blind?!” She turned around. Now it made sense, but blind? Her friend? Sure, she was alive, but she was blind. She... she had lost her sight so Scootaloo could gain her flight. That was an unfair trade! “It’s okay Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle. “I’m fine, I can deal with it. All that matters is I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” Another tear fell down her cheek. “I guess I won’t ever see your wings. Rarity tells me they’re beautiful. May I feel them?” Scootaloo held back tears. “Sure.” Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on one and ran it up and down the wing. She smiled through the tears. “They feel big! How big are they?” Scootaloo choked on her words. “About… about as big as… as Rainbow Dash’s… wings.” Sweetie Belle beamed. “So it worked. I’m so happy for you Scootaloo.” “But what about you?” She could feel tears coming on. Sweetie Belle laughed, so sweet and clear. “Scootaloo, you’re happy. You can live your dream. That makes me happy. I only ever wanted to make you happy, since we first met. I knew there something wrong with your wings, and I made it my goal to help you figure it out and solve it. And I did.” She smiled so brightly the sun paled in comparison. "Right?" She placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder after missing once. “Best friends do that, right?” Scootaloo sniffed and nodded her head before remembering Sweetie Belle was blind. “Yeah.” Scootaloo tried desperately not to cry, but couldn’t hold it back. Here was her friend, faithful beyond a doubt, and willing to risk it all for her friend’s dreams. She nearly gave her life for her, and Scootaloo knew she would never hesitate to do the same for Sweetie Belle. So Scootaloo embraced her friend and wept from joy and sorrow.
