The Legend Discovered
Scootaloo trotted along the cobblestones on her way home from school. The sun was warm on her wings and a gentle breeze tickled her mane as she made her way through town. Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom were stuck at the library working on a partner project for Hoofstory class and as hard as Scootaloo tried not to be jealous, she couldn't help but feel a prick of envy that Sweetie Bell wanted to work with Apple Bloom just because she got an A on the last test. If Scootaloo had just focused on studying for a few hours instead of practicing some new moves in the park, she could've done just as well, she was sure of it.
With her whole afternoon free, Scootaloo decided she might as well get something done. She had heard Rainbow Dash talking to Pinkie Pie about how great Daring Do was and she figured she might as well check it out. If Dash was into it, it had to be cool. But she couldn't go to the library. What is Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell thought she was just following them around because she had nothing better to do? She had to prove she could find something exciting and fun to do all on her own. But where could she go to just sit down and read for a while?
Of course! Twilight Sparkle's house was full of books! And Twilight was always willing to share if she knew anypony was interested in reading! Scootaloo trotted a bit faster, happy to have something fun to do for the afternoon. Maybe she could tell Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell how great the series was and they would want to read it too! Or Maybe Rainbow Dash would see how into it Scootaloo was and take her to the next book release in Canterlot!
Scootaloo hurried along to Twilight's house and knocked softly with her hoof on the front door. To be honest, she'd never visited Twilight before. She was a little afraid of her and never really thought they had any common interests. Plus, now that Twilight was a princess, it felt like she was a part of a whole new world that Scootaloo would never know. And maybe she was just a bit jealous that Twilight had beautiful fully-formed wings the minute she became a princess while Scootaloo still had to wait for her own wings to get bigger. It didn't seem fair. But she really wanted to read the Daring Do books so it'd be worth being a little uncomfortable for a while.
Twilight opened the door and looked around for a second before noticing Scootaloo standing before her.
"Oh, Scootaloo! What a surprise! I haven't seen you around in a while. Must be really busy practicing your new scooter moves. Dash was telling me you're getting pretty good. Can I help you with something?" Twilight held open the door and Scootaloo could see piles and piles of books stacked just behind her.
"Actually I was wondering if I could maybe borrow a book?" She asked shyly, rubbing her hoof into the dirt and not looking up at Twilight.
"Well yeah, of course! I have thousands of books! I never knew you liked to read! Come on in." she said.
Scootaloo hesitantly entered the treehouse and looked around at the massive shelves towering over her. This place easily had more books than her school library.
"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Twilight inquired, following Scootaloo inside and trying her best to warm and welcoming.
"I wanted to read some of the Daring Do books. I heard they're pretty cool." Scootaloo said.
"Oh yeah! They're Dash's favorite you know. I'm sure you guys would have a lot to talk about if you read some of them." Twilight winked as she walked over to the nearest shelf. Scootaloo blushed. How did Twilight know that's what Scootaloo really wanted?
"I should have them somewhere over here. I've read them all at least ten times." Twilight rummaged through the books, a few notes and papers stuck between pages falling onto the floor as she did.
"Oh no. I can't seem to find them. I wonder where they could be." she pondered out loud as Scootaloo continued to stare at all the written work stacked to the ceilings around her.
One little sticky note fluttered down from the shelf and Scootaloo stepped up to take a closer look. The note was hastily scrawled and although the wriitng was messy, Scootaloo could get the general idea. It was a note from Rainbow Dash informing Twilight that she had borrowed her Daring Do series to lend to one of the Wonder Bolts who had been interested in it. Dash had dropped her first copy over Bridaldale Falls the other day and didn't have time to buy a new copy. Scootaloo picked up the note and trotted over to Twilight.
"I think I know where your books went." she said, handing over the note.
"Oh Dash. I wish she would have asked me before she borrowed them. Oh well. I guess I can't lend them to you right now. But maybe you could find them at the school library?" Twilight suggested.
Scootaloo visibly winced and shook her head. "No thanks. I can't really go there right now...maybe you would have something else I could read?"
Twilight looked a little uncertain but didn't want to pry. "Hmm...well I do have another book that you might be interested in. It's not fiction like Daring Do's books but It has just as much adventure and excitement. I was going to give it to Dash for her birthday but since she has my Daring Do books right now, I could just let you borrow it if you promise to be careful with it."
Scootaloo brightened and nodded excitedly. A chance to read a book for Rainbow Dash before even she read it? How cool was that?
"That would be awesome!" she exclaimed.
"Great. I'll go grab it for you!" Twilight trotted away and soon returned with a fairly thick book covered in a green and gold cover.
"Wow. It's pretty big." Scootaloo noted.
"Yes it is. But it's really interesting. I think once you get into it you'll be glad its so lengthy." Twilight handed over the book.
"You're welcome to stay here and read it if you like. I'll just be upstairs practicing a couple of weather spells if you need me." Twilight said. She smiled warmly before trotting up the stairs.
"Thank you!" Scootaloo called and she settled down in front of the huge book.
What have I gotten myself into? This will take moons to read. Scootaloo thought as she opened the ornate cover. I guess I don't have to read all of it if it isn't any good. She reasoned.
The title of the book was raised in gold lettering and it caught the light so that it sparkled amidst the green background.
"The Legend of the Silver Pegasus" Scootaloo read aloud. "Huh. Well at least it's about a pegasus."
There was a seven page introduction that didn't look too exciting, so Scootaloo skipped ahead to the first chapter. She was already feeling doubtful about how well Twilight knew Dash if she thought this would be interesting to her. Then again, what did Scootaloo know? She had only hung out with Dash a number of times. But Scootaloo vowed to give it a chance and at least read the first few chapters. She had nothing to lose.
The first chapter started with a collection of short stories from ancient ponies from all over Equestria. Although according to the book, it seemed like Equestria wasn't even called that at the time. There were other strange names like the Swamp of Dark Hoofs and The Fields of Maneless Woe. It all seemed pretty dark to Scootaloo. Each of the ponies interviewed told there version of an encounter with a shadowy winged pony with huge wings that flew under the cover of night and was faster and more agile than any creature they had ever seen. They said the pegasus would come around at night and swirl the clouds into huge towers that would bring snow and rain and lightening. At first, this odd phenomenon terrified the ponies. They didn't have pegasi to control the weather for them. Clouds came and went as they pleased and no pony ever knew whether to wear rainboots and a thick jacket, or sunglasses.
As more and more sightings of this creature in the sky occurred, people became curious. Why was this creature changing the weather? Was it friend or foe? Where did it come from?
According to the legend, one brave young earth pony named Morning Mist decided to get a little bit closer one night. All alone, she wandered out into the forest where most ponies had seen the creature. She waited up all night with only a small candle and a bag of apples. It was very early in the morning when she felt a strong wind begin to blow through the trees. She was a little nervous, but determined to find out where it was coming from. She began to trot along between the dark trees and called out softly to the creature. All of a sudden, there was a flash of silver and a streak of feathers as a huge winged pony appeared before Morning Mist. It was like nothing she had ever seen. It looked exactly like an earth pony but with enormous wings sprouting from its back.
Morning Mist, shaking with fear but knowing this was her chance to figure out what was happening, bravely called out to the creature. She explained who she was and asked where this pony came from and what it was doing here.
The creature didn't move a single feather nor hoof. It started down at Morning Mist for a few minutes as if it didn't quite know how to respond. Finally, the pony opened its mouth and began.
He told Morning Mist that he was from a land far away where ponies flew in the sky and lived on clouds. He was banished from his home because he had fallen in love with an earth pony named Golden Heart. Everypony was unhappy with their romance and would not allow them to stay there any longer. And so, together, they left and swore to find a new home where they would be accepted for who they were. They traveled through mountains and valleys for many days. They saw wolves and eagles and fish and bugs. They slept beneath the stars and he promised to always take care of her. But one night, while he was flying around and looking for firewood, Golden Heart was bathing on the shore of the river when a flash flood filled the canyon where she was and washed her downstream. With little experience swimming, Golden Heart didn't stand a chance against the fierce current of the river. She never made it back to shore.
When he found her the next morning, she had washed up on the shore and was no longer breathing. He was so devastated that he flew into the sky and created a storm so strong that it wrecked havoc on the forest and the sun didn't return for an entire moon. When he finally calmed down enough to think, he realized what power he had. With his wings, he could control the clouds and thus control the weather. But he needed a place to practice. And that was why he was there. So he could train and hone his skills so that no pony would ever drown again.
When he finished, he expected Morning Mist to be angry with him for using her home to create storms and blizzards while he practiced his trade. But she was not angry at all. She saw him as a pony that had experienced great loss and needed a place where he could feel comfortable and learn how to use his power to make the world safer for everypony. She promised to help him and explain to her town why he was there and that he meant well. She asked him if he had a name. He confessed that the name he used to go by reminded him too much of his old life and he wanted a new name that he could build a new life around. Morning Mist thought about it for a while and finally came up with the name that inspired the legend: Stormfront Silverwings, or Silverwings for short.
Silverwings was soon the talk of the town and although there was great controversy over him being there, many ponies were willing to help him and train him so he could be the best flyer in all of the land. Silverwings started small. He made rain over the lakes and pushed clouds together to create shade on hot summer days. He made it snow some days so the fillys and foals could sled and build snowponies. As he practiced, his wings became stronger and more agile. He was free to learn and grow and see what his power could really do. Word spread beyond the town and soon he was known everywhere as the master of weather.
Pegasi came from miles away to train with him and learn about the weather. He showed them how to wrangle clouds and squeeze the water out of them. And how to cut and spin through the air in graceful patterns and formations. He was soon the greatest flyer in the sky.
Scootaloo stopped reading for a moment and looked up. The sun had set a while ago and the library had gotten very dark. She hardly realized she had been reading for hours. Startled, she looked down and realized she had already read at least six chapters. I need to get home. I hate walking in the dark. But she couldn't leave the book behind. She had to know what happened. There was so much more to read. She grabbed a scarf that hung off one of the shelves and wrapped up the book so she could carry it home.
"Thanks for letting me borrow the book, Twilight!" She called as she opened the door.
There was a loud crack like lightening and then a very load groan as water started streaming down the stairs. "You're welcome Scootaloo," Twilight called back, sounding agitated. "See you later."
Scootaloo hurried home with the huge book hanging from her mouth. Wow Silverwings is awesome. And Morning Mist was so brave. She thought as she trotted along in the dark. I guess I don't have to be so afraid at night. She obviously wasn't.
As soon as she got home, Scootaloo lit a candle and dove back into the book. It was late and she was exhausted but she wanted to read just a bit more. As she turned the page to start chapter seven, she noticed an intricate handdrawn picture of a lightening bolt with two silver wings sprouting out from either side of it. The description below read "Stormfront Silverwing's cutie mark".
Wow that's really cool. I wonder if there are any other pictures in here. Scootaloo flipped through the pages but couldn't seem to find any other drawings. It was just that handrawn picture of the cutie mark. Scootaloo and put her hoof on the drawing and traced the outline of the wings and lightening bolt, and then looked back at her own blank flank. Maybe someday I'll have a cutie mark too. She sighed.
Her eyes suddenly felt very heavy and she began to feel weariness pulling on her hoofs. Maybe I'll just read some more in the morning. Scootaloo yawned and closed the book. She wondered briefly how Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell were doing and she thought for a second about running over to tell them about Silverwings, but an image flashed through her mind of the two of them laughing together without her. Maybe she would just keep this to herself. And with that, she curled up in bed and put out the candle. She had lots to read tomorrow.
All through the night Scootaloo dreamed she was flying alongside Silverwings, the breeze blowing through her mane and the clouds hovering on either side of her. Her wings were fully formed and strong and she felt agile in the sky. Morning Mist was running on the ground below her and she looked up to see Rainbow Dash soaring above her. When she looked down and saw her, she smiled and winked, shooting up into the clouds. Scootaloo realized she could follow her now and pushed herself up and into the air right behind her. She had never felt so free before. She was at peace in the sky with Rainbow Dash flying high on her right side and Silverwing soaring to her left. This was where she belonged.
Scootaloo awoke to warm light filtering in through her window. Her dream felt so real and so wonderful, she was disappointed to wake up from it. But she was also excited to read more about Silverwing's adventures. Jumping up, she trotted out into the living room and sat down in the middle of the room with her book. She had just started in on the seventh chapter when there was a knock on the door. Mildly irritated at being disturbed, Scootaloo wandered over to the door and opened it to find Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell standing on her front steps, looking sheepish.
"Hey Scootaloo! We're sorry about yesterday but we just wanted...ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Sweetie Bell exclaimed. "Scootaloo! You never told us you got your cutie mark!"
"What? My cutie mark..." Scootaloo mumbled confusedly before glancing back. She gasped in shock. There on her flank clear as can be was a golden lightening bolt with two wings on either side. It was real and there and familiar. And it hit Scootaloo like a winter storm blowing in: this was Stormfront Silverwing's cutie mark.
Scootaloo continued to stare at her brand new cutie mark as if she couldn't quite believe what she saw. She had her cutie mark! This was her destiny! But it wasn't original. This was somepony else's cutie mark too. Had that ever happened before? Had anypony ever gotten their cutie mark, only to realize it was the same as another's?
"Oh Scootaloo, you did it! You found your cutie mark! But...what does it mean?" Apple Bloom inquired, peering in to tale a closer look.
"I...I don't know. This is the first time I've seen it. But this cutie mark is from another pony." Scootaloo began.
"What do you mean?" Sweetie Bell asked.
"I mean, this cutie mark is the same one that was on the pegasus in the storybook I was reading last night." Scootaloo ran inside and dragged the huge book out. She flipped it open to the page that had a picture of Silverwing's cutie mark on it. "Look. It's the exact same."
Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom looked down at the drawing and then back at Scootaloo's no-longer-blank flank.
"Well I'll be...I ain't never seen anything like that before!" Apple Bloom concluded. "What do you think you're talent is? Is it readng?" Apple Bloom snickered a bit.
"Hey it's not funny! If it was reading, wouldn't it be a book or something?" Scootaloo wondered aloud.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell shrugged. "How should we know," Sweetie Bell replied softly. "We still don't have our cutie marks." She looked down at the ground for a moment and traced the wood with her hoof.
"Well I didn't ask for this. It just happened. And I don't even know what it means." Scootaloo responded huffily. She really needed her friends to help her out with this and all they cared about were their own absent cutie marks.
The three were silent for a few moments. They wouldn't look at each other. Finally Apple Bloom broke the quiet. "Well I should probably go help Applejack. It's almost time for the spring harvest."
"Yeah. Rarity said she would teach me how to sew some hoof slippers today." Sweetie Bell chimed in. "But, we'll come see you later Scootaloo. Ok?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll see you ponies later." Scootaloo smiled half-heartedly and grabbed her book again. "Have fun."
Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom trotted off as Scootaloo shut the door behind them. Great. Now my friends are jealous because they didn't get their marks. We were supposed to do this together. Scootaloo thought dejectedly. What should I do now?
Scootaloo looked down at the picture in the book again and at her cutie mark. "Maybe this means I can finally fly!" She exclaimed, suddenly exuberant with the thought of finally having a chance to use her wings. She sprinted outside and climbed up to the closest tree. Puffing out her chest, Scootaloo stepped lightly from the branch and spread her small wings.
Crash! She was crumpled up in the dirt in two seconds flat.
"Well, that didn't go so well." She remarked dryly.
"Hey Scootaloo! What're you doing?"
Scootaloo looked up as she untangled herself. Rainbow Dash had just flown past and landed on the branch she had just tumbled from. Scootaloo blushed and shook the dirt off her coat quickly.
"Oh hey Rainbow Dash! I, uh, was just testing out my new talent!" Scootaloo smiled her biggest smile.
"Is your talent falling?" Dash flew closer and brushed a leaf off Scootaloo's ear.
"Oh, er, no. I don't know. It could be." Scootaloo muttered as she looked back at her mysterious cutie mark.
"You got your cutie mark!" Dash exclaimed. "Scootaloo that's awesome!"
Scootaloo smiled and stood up a little straighter. "Yeah I just found out this morning!" She said.
"Well, what does it mean? What's your special talent?" Dash exclaimed, hopping from foot to foot with excitement.
"I...I don't know. I was just reading this book about a legendary weather pony that Twilight was...oh. Um. Wait. Nevermind." Scootaloo stopped abruptly, remembering the book was meant to be Rainbow Dash's birthday present.
"What? A legendary weather pony?! No way! You have to show me!" Rainbow Dash sped into the house before Scootaloo had a chance to reply.
Well I guess I messed up there. Scootaloo trotted in after Dash and pulled the book into the middle of the room.
"The story's about this old pegasus that became the best flyer and was the first pony ever to control the weather." Scootaloo explained as she pointed to the picture of the cutie mark.
"It's the same as yours!" Dash looked closer at the drawing and back at Scootaloo. "Wow. So...what does that mean?"
"I don't know. But I still can't fly yet. So I don't know what it means." Scootaloo sighed.
"Huh. I don't know either. But I do know somepony who probably would know a bit more about it. Lets go visit Twilight." Rainbow Dash grabbed Scootaloo's scooter and handed her her helmet. Scootaloo looked uncertain at first but eventually hopped on and followed Dash out the front door and across town to Twilight's treehouse.
"Hey Twi, come here!" Rainbow Dash called before she even got to the door.
Twilight opened the door as Scootaloo motored up to her. "Oh hey Scootaloo! Hey Dash. What are you guys..."
"Twilight, Scootaloo got her cutie mark!" Dash interrupted.
"What? Scootaloo, congratulations!" Twilight stepped into the sun and turned her head to look at Scootaloo's new mark.
"Well that's a very nice looking cutie mark! It's strange, but it seems familiar for some reason..." Twilight began.
"That's because it is! It's the same cutie mark that Stormfront Silverwing has! Oh and I accidentally showed your book to Dash. I'm sorry, I just didn't know how to explain it and..." Scootaloo apologized.
"It's ok Scootaloo. That isn't important right now. I've never seen a pony that has the same cutie mark as another pony. Lets go inside and see if I have any books about it." Twilight stepped to the side and allowed Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo to come in.
"Spike! I need your help for a bit!" Twilight called up the stairs.
Spike wandered down the stairs look ruffled and sleepy. "Hey guys. I just woke up from a long nap. So I'm all good to go now. What's going on?"
"I need you to help me find a book on twin cutie marks. Scootaloo's new cutie mark is the same one that the weather legend Stormfront Silverwing had." Twilight began taking out books and stacking them around her.
"Oh really? Well that's weird. I didn't know that could happen." Spike jumped down and walked over to Scootaloo, examining her flank.
"I didn't either. That's why I need to see if we have a book on it. I should also probably send a letter to Princess Celestia. Just in case." Twilight used her magic to bring forth a piece of paper and a quill.
"Do you really need to write to Princess Celestia? That seems a bit extreme, doesn't it? Is this really that serious?" Scootaloo worried.
"It's ok Scootaloo. I write to her all the time. I'll just check in with her and see if she knows anything. I'm sure she'll be extremely helpful." Twilight said.
Scootaloo looked les than reassured, but began to help Twilight pick through the books. Rainbow Dash started in as well, flipping lazily through the pages.
"I have to admit I've never seen a book about anything like that. But there is a lot of knowledge here. I'm sure we can find something. You guys keep looking while I send out this letter." Twilight began to scribbled elegant notes on the parchment paper as the other ponies and Spike pulled out book after book.
The names on the covers of each book flashed in front of Scootaloo as she searched. There was all kinds of stuff in here. Maybe going to the library every once in a while wasn't that bad of an idea after all. The library! Where Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom were yesterday without her. And when they came to apologize this morning and saw Scootaloo's cutie mark, everything turned upside down and now they probably wouldn't even talk to her. But it wasn't her fault she got her cutie mark. Why couldn't they just understand that? She would still help them find their cutie marks. I mean, how could she not? They were still best friends, weren't they?
"Alright Spike. Send it off." Twilight levitated the scroll over to Spike as she began searching through the shelves with them.
"Sure thing Twilight." Spike created a flame around the scroll and soon it disappeared into nothing.
"We'll just keep looking for hints while we wait. Don't be too concerned Scootaloo. Having a cutie mark is a good thing! And this could be a really unique experience! I mean, you have the same cutie mark as one of the greatest fliers of all time!" Twilight said.
"So, no pressure kid." Rainbow Dash chuckled and rubbed a hoof across Scootaloo's short mane.
"Yeah...no pressure." Scootaloo murmured, visions of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell tossing an apple back and forth and running through Sweet Apple Acres playing on repeat in her mind.
The four of them continued to skim through book after book for the next half hour in near silence. Rainbow Dash occasionally yawned loudly and stretched her wings while Twilight was hard at work, methodically reading the first and last line of each paragraph to ensure her search was thorough.
All of a sudden there was an unexpected plume of smoke by the staircase and a red scroll fell to the floor.
Twilight levitated the scroll closer and began to read aloud. "Dear Twilight, though this letter is not entirely urgent, it is important that you receive it in a timely manner. If Scootaloo's cutie mark is indeed identical to Stormfront Silverwing's cutie mark, than there may be some big changes in Scootaloo's future. I'll notify Captain Spitfire immediately. I'm sure she will want to know about this. Tell young Scootaloo not to worry. She'll be in good hands. I wish you both well. Let me know if you need anything else. Princess Celestia." Twilight finished reading and looked at Scootaloo over the letter.
"Captain Spitfire? The leader of the Wonderbolts?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, leaping up and soaring to the ceiling. "She's going to tell Captain Spitfire about this?! OMG! Scootaloo! Do realize how amazing that is? I mean, she is the captain of the Wonderbolts!"
"Come on Rainbow Dash. Don't scare Scootaloo. We need this to be a normal, calm experience for her." Twilight chided.
"Twilight, Scootaloo is going to get to meet the captain of the Wonderbolts! I didn't even get to do that until recently and she's just a filly!" Dash landed next to Scootaloo and examined one of her wings. "I don't get it. She can't even fly."
"Rainbow Dash! Stop. You're not being helpful right now. Why don't you head on home for today. I guess we don't need to search through these books anymore." Twilight closed the cover of the book currently in front of her and looked over at Scootaloo. "You can stay here tonight if you'd be more comfortable. Whatever you feel is best for you."
"Thanks Twilight, but I think I'll just head home and think for a bit. This is all kind of overwhelming." Scootaloo smiled and tucked her small wings into her sides, suddenly very self-conscious. "Thanks for the help guys."
Rainbow Dash and Twilight smiled encouragingly as Scootaloo turned and trotted out the door. She needed to get her head cleared.
Scootaloo didn't know where to go. She couldn't go see Sweetie Bell because she was probably still upset from earlier, and she was busy anyways. Apple Bloom probably wouldn't want to hang out either. With her tail and mane hanging a bit low, Scootaloo wandered dejectedly through town. Maybe she would just have to figure this one out on her own. Her hoofs clomped across the cobblestones and the sun felt too bright behind her. Why did this have to be my cutie mark? Why couldn't I just have a normal cutie mark like every other pony? Scootaloo wondered.
Caught up in her own thoughts and not watching where she was going, Scootaloo nearly bumped into Diamond Tiara as she sauntered past.
"Hey! Watch where you're going blank-flank!" She snapped, flicking her tail agitatedly.
"Wait hang on," Silver Spoon said, peering closer. "Looks like she doesn't have such a blank flank after all."
"What? Finally got your cutie mark? Well, then why are you being all mopey! You did it! You found your talent." Diamond Tiara trotted around to get a better look at Scootaloo's flank.
"Huh. Interesting. So...what's your talent? Flying through lightening?" Diamond Tiara scoffed.
"I don't know." Scootaloo said through gritted teeth. She angled herself away from the two ponies and tried to stretch her wings to cover her mark, but they were too short.
"You don't know? Really?" Diamond Tiara sniffed dramatically. "How does a pony just get a cutie mark and not know why? I bet you don't even have a talent. I bet you just painted that on or something."
Diamond Tiara leaped to Scootaloo's side and rubbed her hoof against her side.
"Hey! Cut it out! It's real, alright? I just don't know what my talent is, yet. But I will. And I bet it'll be so much cooler than yours." Scootaloo puffed up her chest indignantly.
"Fine. It's real. Still doesn't prove you have a talent. Come on, Silver Spoon. Don't want to catch cutie pocks from this weirdo." Diamond Tiara lifted her nose into the air and trotted away with her tail raised. Silver Spoon followed right behind, flicking her tail with disdain as she left.
Feeling even worse than before, Scootaloo trotted along a path that ran out of town. She didn't want to risk having to explain anything to anypony else. Maybe she could just go sit under a tree and take a nap for a bit. She groaned as she realized she forgot her scooter all the way back at Twilight's house. How could she forget that? It was so important to her. And what was wrong with her? She'd never felt this upset before. Without Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell to cheer her up, she felt lost. She trotted up the hillside and settled down under a huge oak tree. Not much had changed, and yet she was a completely different pony. She had always thought getting her cutie mark would make her feel mature and wiser somehow. Like, with a ponies cutie mark came all this knowledge and confidence that initiated you into the world of grown-up ponies. But why was it she felt even more like a silly young filly? nothing made sense and to make matters worse, she was the only one of the cutie mark crusaders to actually get a cutie mark. And she hadn't even wanted it. She thought again of her friends and wondered how they were doing.
Scootaloo closed her eyes and tried to shut out all the thoughts in her mind. There were far too many things to think about just now. She had almost fallen into a light slumber when she heard someone call her name. Pricking her ears and opening her eyes, she glanced down the hill to see Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom galloping up the hill towards her.
"Scootaloo! There you are! We've looked all over Equestria for you!" Sweetie Bell exclaimed as they joined her under the tree. "We both feel so awful about being jerks to you this morning. We should be celebrating with you and instead we got all jealous of your cutie mark. Which makes us really terrible friends. Can you forgive us?"
"Of course I can! You guys have no idea how glad I am to see you. I ran into Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and they were being so mean and saying I didn't have a real talent. It was awful." Scootaloo explained.
"Yer darn tootin you have a talent! Who would ever think you didn't? But...have you figured out just what it is yet? I mean, the talent that gave you your cutie mark?" Apple Bloom asked politely.
"No." Scootaloo admitted. "I've been skimming books all day and Twilight sent a letter to Princess Celestia and she said she was going to tell Captain Spitfire from the Wonderbolts. But the thing is, I still can't fly! What if Spitfire gets here and I'm still wobbling around on these baby wings?"
"Those wings are pretty small." A sharp voice startled Scootaloo and she whipped around to see Captain Spitfire standing before her, accompanied by her fellow Wonderbolts.
"Captain Spitfire! Oh! Hi! I didn't expect you to fly all the way over here to Ponyville!" Scootaloo stuttered.
"Of course we came right away. That's Stormfront Silverwing's cutie mark on your flank. You have to say goodbye to your friends. We're taking you to the Wonderbolt Academy right away. You have a lot of training and testing to do." Spitfire informed her.
"The Wonderbolt Academy? But, I can't fly! Do I really have to leave right now?" Scootaloo flapped her small wings uncertainly.
"Yes, right away. We'll get you there don't you worry. And we'll explain on the way. You just need to know that it is extremely important that you come with us immediately." Spitfire asserted.
Scootaloo looked back at her friends as they stared at her with open mouths. "I guess I'll see you guys later. I'm glad I got to see you before you left. I'll really miss you guys."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell rushed up to Scootaloo and pressed themselves close to her. "We'll miss you too. And we'll find a way to come and visit you. We promise." Sweetie Bell whispered.
"We'll bring you all kinds of fun stuff. And we'll send you care packages. And look on the bright side, Rainbow Dash can come hang out with you anytime." Apple Bloom nudged her and winked.
Scootaloo blushed. "Yeah...ha ha. Don't you guys do anything really cool until I get back!"
"Alright, alright. Time to go." Spitfire stepped in to break up the hug.
"Buy guys! See you soon." Scootaloo waved goodbye and stepped closer to the Wonderbolts. One of them lowered her sunglasses to get a better look at her.
"You're riding with me, kid." She sad as she lowered her wing for Scootaloo to climb up.
As soon as she was securely on, the Wonderbolts took off at full speed. Scootaloo wrapped her hoofs around the mare's neck as they soared into the clouds.
"It's about time you came home to Cloudsdale." Spitfire said as she pulled up alongside. "We've been waiting for Silverwing's mark for a while now."
Scootaloo widened her eyes. They knew about this. They had been waiting for her. This truly was her destiny. This was who she was meant to be. And she was going to own every second of it.