The rain pelted the orange filly's head, dulling her colors. It's okay, she didn't mind. It masked the tears, that just hadn't stopped, since she had heard for herself why her hero hadn't done one of her daily calls from the hospital.
A knocking sound shocked Scootaloo. She had been so absorbed by her own thoughts, playing with her cereal, that she had lost track of just what she had been doing. Taking her time, the flightless pegasus slipped out of her chair, and opened the door, revealing a shy mare.
"Hey Fluttershy," Scootaloo said, "Not to sound rude, but you don't like flying, and seeing as we live in a cloud house... Why are you here?"
"Um, hi, Scootaloo," Fluttershy's voice seemed quieter than usual, "I was talking with Rainbow Dash, and, um, we both decided it would be best if I took care of you, while she's in the hospital. I mean, if that's okay with you..."
"Sure, of course!" Scootaloo smiled, "I'll get my things real quick! Then I'll be right back, fast as Rainbow Dash!"
As Scootaloo trotted away towards her room, the butter colored mare couldn't help but cast a worried glance at the filly. She just didn't know how serious this really was, and she might never.
She passed many stones. Each one was unique, but they weren't the one she was looking for. When her search was over, she sighed, thinking of a promise that had been broken. The words that haunted her.
"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo exclaimed, running up to the cyan mare, and giving her a hug.
"Hey, Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash said, "Hey, Fluttershy."
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, it's so good to see you," Fluttershy grinned, "Can you believe it wasn't allowed until now? It feels as if it's been forever. How are you?"
"I'm doing fine, Flutters," Rainbow said, "How're things outside the walls?"
"It's really fun, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo said happily, "I really like helping her with her animals! The weather isn't getting done near as fast without you, though. When are you going to come back? We all really miss you."
"Very soon, Scoots," Rainbow Dash said, "I promise."
"Say it now," she said to the grave, "Say you'll come back, now. Now that I need you, you're gone."
"Ha, look what we have here, Silver Spoon!" a mocking voice said, "A sad blank flank, all alone, who can't even fly!"
"I see, Diamond Tiara," another said, "Who's gonna help you now? Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle aren't here, and Rainbow Dash won't be around any time soon, what with where she is now."
"It was tragic, Silver," Diamond Tiara said, "She never found anypony who loved her, to settle down with. Never achieved her dreams, and let all those poor losers down."
"Sh-shut up," Scootaloo said, "You don't-"
"Save it, blank flank," Diamond said, "You're pathetic. From what I heard, when Rainbow Dash was your age, she was able to stick up for herself. Why can't you do that, if your so much like her? Why are you so lame?"
"YOU DON'T KNOW HER!!!" Scootaloo suddenly shrieked, "YOU DIDN'T KNOW HER, AND NEVER WILL!!! BACK OFF, WILL YOU?!!! LEAVE ME ALONE, FOR ONCE IN YOUR SORRY LIVES!!!"
"W-we all cried," she managed to say, "F-Fluttershy was a wreck. It was nothing compared to me, or so I've heard. I... didn't even t-talk to anypony. It... hit me, hard."
Fluttershy sobbed into the little filly's shoulder. There wasn't anything either of them could do, but they comforted each other. That was all they needed, being some of the closest ponies, to... her.
All Scootaloo could think, was "I'm back to square one."
"I... remember ever single one of your phone calls," she sighed.
The phone rang, and Scootaloo was quick to dive for it. Fluttershy warned her about being careful, as she carefully made their dinner. The filly, however, ignored it, and started the conversation.
"Hello?" she asked, "Rainbow Dash?"
"Hi, kid," Scootaloo heard the raspy voice she had missed.
"Rainbow Dash, hi!!" Scoots exclaimed, "Are you feeling better?"
"A lot, thanks for asking," Rainbow Dash replied, "Is Fluttershy actually letting you do things?"
"Yeah, a lot!" Scootaloo smiled, "I get to ride my scooter, hang out with my friends. We tried to get our cutie marks in toy making today!"
"How did it go?" Dash asked, "Am I going to come back to a filly with a cool cutie mark?"
"Nothing, for all of us!" Scootaloo groaned in frustration, "It's close, I can feel it! Just a little more crusading, and we might actually pull it off!"
"Sounds like you guys have a lot of fun together," Scootaloo could imagine Rainbow Dash smiling, "I wanna see you ASAP, when they let me have visitors, okay?"
"Of course!" Scootaloo said, "And when you get out, you're gonna teach me to fly, ASAP, right?"
"I said I would," Rainbow replied, "And I will."
"A-and," she whimpered, "I c-can s-still remember the d-day you told me."
"Scoots, can you sit down for a second?" Rainbow Dash asked, "There's something I need to tell you."
"Sure," Scoots said, worriedly, "What's up?"
"Well, you know how I've been feeling bad, lately?" Scootaloo nodded, and Dash continued, "Well, I went to the doctor, and when I described how I felt, he gave me a test, and..." The cyan mare found it hard to look at the filly, "I... have cancer. Blood cancer, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, to be exact. I'm going to be more... restricted, now. And busy."
"D-don't worry, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo tried to be positive, "I'm sure you c-can beat it!"
"I'm sure I can, too, kid," Rainbow Dash lied.
"Then I remember the day the doctor told me," she said.
Hello, are you Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash's sister?" a voice on the phone said.
"Yes, who is this?" Scootaloo asked, an uncertain tone in her voice.
"I'm Doctor Stable, Rainbow Dash's doctor," he said, "We've spoken a few times... I'm calling because of Miss Dash."
"What about her?" Scootaloo said quickly, "What's wrong with my sister?!"
"Well, today, March 25," Doctor Stable said, "Rainbow Dash... passed. Her body just, gave up. Worn out after the fight. It's a shame, considering her mind was so far from that state."
"B-but Rainbow can't be..." Scootaloo said, "I talked to her yesterday... she promised..."
"I know this is hard for you to take in," Doctor Stable sighed, "Just... give it some time. Now, I was informed you're under the care of Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash's friend?"
"And in all honesty, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, "I haven't gotten over it. I still miss you, so much. You were the only family I knew. My mom and dad weren't there, that's why I was in the orphanage. I don't know if they died, or just didn't want a foal. I wasn't treated too well there, either. So... I never had a family until I met you.
"And I love my family. I love you, Rainbow Dash. The best big sister in the world."
At that, Scootaloo left. To Fluttershy's house.
Author's Note
*opens a can of Coke*
To Edd.
Rainbow Dash as Edd
Scootaloo as me
Fluttershy as Tom
