What Path to Choose

The moment after the words Scootaloo had shouted out at him seemed to linger forever. Her eyes looking straight into his, Her pale purple eyes filled with tears as they looked deep into his bright green ones. He wanted nothing more than to look away, or even run but he couldn’t. He had to stop running away from his problems and he knew it. There was only one chance he would get and he had to try.

“Loo, sorry can’t even begging to make up for what I did to you. I left only a few weeks after mom and dad’s death. I was broken after that happened and what I heard about Derp made it worse. I lost who I was and acted on pure anger and selfishness. I wanted nothing more than to go find the one who made my life hell and make him pay. Or that is what I tried to tell myself. The truth is I ran away because I was scared. I was scared of what would happen if I failed, scared of what to do without their help, scared of what you would think of me, and scared I wouldn’t do a good job taking care of you.” Said Drako as fast as he could

“Drako that is not good enough…” Started Rainbow but she was shushed by Derpy

He continued “Nothing I say will be a good reason for why I left. All I can tell you is it was the biggest mistake in my life. I wanted nothing more than to turn around and go back home once I left but I couldn’t not after the note I left and how I was feeling. I left not wanting to hurt you but I know I did without even knowing it at the time. I guess what I am trying to say is…Scootaloo can you ever forgive me for what I did.” Then he turned and looked at Dash and Derpy tears spilling out of his big green eyes “The same goes to you two, Derpy I left you saying the most hurtful things I could think of at the time. You were scared and didn’t deserve any of it. Dash as for you, I know why your mad. I took your life away from you by dumping my problems in your lap…for that I don’t think I could ever make up for it.”

Then he stopped and looked down at the ground tears still falling as he waited for them to speak. When some time passed and not a single word was uttered he looked up then stood starting to walk away “I see how it is. I’ll leave now, I said my peace and at least I got my chance to do that.”

To his utter surprise he felt small legs grabbing hold of his own. He looked back seeing Scootaloo holding on to him tightly crying again. This time she let a small smile come to her face as she said “Damn you brother…you made my cry again, I said I would never cry over you again but still you won once again. I don’t want you to go, not ever again, I’ve missed you too much. Plus you have a promise to keep one you made a long time ago and it’s about time you kept it. I can’t forgive you for walking out…not yet at least but for now don’t leave me again.”

He wanted to smile but he just couldn’t, something was stopping him and he thought he knew what it was. He looked up and met Derp’s crossed eyes. She smiled at him saying “I don’t have a reason to be mad or happy Drako. After what happened I thought I should be mad at you like I said before but the truth is if it wasn’t for you leavening me like you did I don’t think I would who I am today. I made good friends because my choice to follow Rainbow Dash to Ponyville to make sure she had at least one friend here. And My Daughter who was born as a unicorn is able to live an easy life with other ponies of all kinds. She never has to worry about being different and in truth I have you to thank for that. I can’t speak for Dash or Scoot but I will forgive you for leaving…but not for breaking my heart.”

“Thank…you Derpy, and you too Sis. I can’t ask for more but knowing you want me around helps.” He started but then Dash cleared her throat

“I on the other hand Drako am still royally pissed at you. But not for what I lost no. See if it wasn’t for you leaving Scoot with me, forcing me to bring her to Ponyville so it was easier for her to live since she refused to learn how to fly from anyone but you, I would have never met my friends. I was able to meet my friends, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, and Reconnect with dear Fluttershy because of that. So for me my life is better off than what I thought it would ever be. But no I am pissed…that you didn’t stay and talk to me before you left. Why couldn’t you just have talked to me? I have been your best friend since we were babies.” She started to yell tears falling too

“Dash I never meant too…” he started but she wouldn’t let him speak

“I never minded taking care of Scoot, Never! If you would have asked me too and told my why to my face I would have supported you and this entire disaster could have been stopped. Why couldn’t you for once in your life see my feelings? I would have done anything to help you and you know that you have always known it. That is why I am mad, you’ll always be my best friend no matter what, yes even after all this. I just wish you would look at me for once and see how I feel…just once.” And with that she took to the sky

“I…I don’t understand.” He said Looking off toward the blue blur that was Rainbow Dash

“She’s hurting deep down Brother. I could always tell there was something about you she would never tell me about. I could see it in her eyes when I read your letters.” Said Scoot

“But what is it Loo?”

“I can’t say really.” She said hugging him softly

He was quiet for a long time until Derp walked up to him and put a hoof on his shoulder smiling like she always did “Drako I think we need to talk about Dash would you mind coming by my place later today around 6 maybe. I’ll make dinner and all that. Bring your sister if you want. It’s been ages since she has been over to play with my daughter.” Then she too took off without waiting for a reply

Bon Bon who was still standing there laughed in an odd nervous way saying “Well that was quite the sight. Scoot do you think you’re going to be ok? I do think Lyra is finishing up with Sweetie Belle if you still wanted to come tell her how you felt.”

Scoot smiled at Bon Bon then said “I will do it tomorrow and make it a big surprise tell Lyra. For now I want to catch up with my brother. He owes me something and I think it’s about time he pays up.”

“Ok well if you need anything dear just let me know. See you later and also it was nice to meet you too Mr. Moon.” Said Bon Bon walking off

Drako still wasn’t sure what to think of any of this. His entire world was flipped around in a single day and he wasn’t sure how much more he could take. So he just smiled nervously down at Scoot and said “So…what now?”

She sighed and hit him in the front leg “Come on now Drako don’t get all strange on me now. Listen I was never as mad at you as Rainbow thought I was. I was really only mad you left before keeping your promise. I know how you felt after what happened because I felt the same way. I just couldn’t run away like you did. I had to stick it out and work my way though it just like I’m sure you did over time.”

“Not as much as one might have hoped but I guess I’m not as bad as I was.”

“Well good because all I want from you to make up for what you did is to keep that promise right here and now. We only have a few hours before we have to go meet Derpy for dinner.” Said Scoot smiling at him in her funny way

He laughed feeling like it was old times “I wonder if she invited me to dinner so she could talk to me about getting back together?”

“I doubt it, She is dating Dr. Whooves at the moment and he is really nice to her and Dinky. She said she wanted to talk about Dash and that is what she’ll do I’m sure.” Said Scoot smiling

“Oh…I see.”

She started to laugh “You still love her don’t you.”

“I…I’m not sure at the moment Scoot.” He said then shook his head “So does she still think a platter of different kinds of Muffins is dinner?”

This seemed to be too much for Scoot and she fell over laughing as she said “Most of the time yes, but thanks to Dr. Whooves and a few friends we have her cooking other dishes with the muffins too. You’ll see…now stop stalling and let’s do this.”

He smiled at her then opened his wings “Ok then but you asked for it. Now first thing you need to learn is…….

A few hours later Drako found himself walking down the streets of Ponyville with his sister. It was almost like a dream to him having her by his side again. He had expected the meeting to go much worse than it did. Corse he still had his guard up just in case. But from what he could tell Scootaloo was happy.

He looked at her and forced a smile saying “So tell me Loo…got anypony interesting in your life yet.”

She looked at him with a confused look on her face as she spoke “Interesting how? I know lots of interesting ponies here in Ponyville.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at that. She reminded him a lot of himself and Rainbow Dash mixed into one little cute body “Well I mean romantically speaking.”

She blushed at that and tried to hide a smile “Well…I don’t know yet.”

“What do you mean you don’t know? OH wait I see you have a crush on some pony don’t you.”

“Well…I do yes but…” she couldn’t hold it back anymore so she just spat it out “I have feelings for my best friend Sweetie Belle. She is just the most beautiful Unicorn I know even more beautiful than her sister Rarity. And when she sings it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.”

Drako looked stunned for a moment then he smiled “I see so it’s a cute little mare you have feelings for.”

“You must think I’m bad or something for liking mares well I’m not, I can’t help how I feel.” She said starting to yell

“Hold up there now Loo, I’m not saying it’s bad at all. I have been best friends with Rainbow Dash for years and she has been with way more mares than Stallions and I’ve never had a problem with it. I think that you should act on how you feel. You remember how I used to go see Derpy ever night?” he said smiling at her

“Yeah I used to watch you fly out of your window all the time. Why did you do that?”

“I knew I had feelings for her. I just took a while to act on them. Yes Derpy and I are the normal mare and stallion but the concept is the same. I think you should tell this Sweetie Belle how you feel.”

She blushed again but didn’t look away “I was planning on doing that when you showed up…kind of put a damper in my plans Big Bro.” she giggled at that

“Sorry to come back after so long at the wrong time. But if I didn’t what kind of big brother would I be.”

“A better one.” She was teasing he could see

“Well if you think so then fine I’ll just go and you can go do what you wanted. I wouldn’t mind going to see Derpy on my own.” He smiled back at her winking

“Ewwww brother get your mind out of the gutter. Plus she is with Dr. Whooves now. I’m going with you to make sure you stay on your best behavior.”

“Yes Ma’am. And I really don’t see what this Whooves guy has on me.”

“A job for one.”

“Hey I had a job until today.”

“Yeah and that is how long it lasted from the sound of it.” She said Giggling

“You have been living with Dash for way to long.” He said pouting

“Not my fault.” She said then turned down another street leading him to a nice sized house.

He ignored the last comment and looked up at it and whistled “Damn this is a nice place.”

“You haven’t seen the inside yet. Derp is still klutzy so she tends to break things in her home.”

“That’s funny she didn’t used to break things at Dash’s apartment back in the day.”

“Oh yeah she did Dash just made sure to replace it or clean it up before you showed up. She didn’t want you thinking less of Derpy because of it.”

“I see…that sounds like Dash.” He said knocking on the door

The door opened to a large walk in and a little filly unicorn with Derpy’s blond hair. It was a bit thicker than hers and had more form to it. Her fur was more of a purple grey, and her eyes were wide and even unlike her mothers, but they were just as beautiful. She had just a darker golden color to them but still shined with intelligence and interest like her mothers. She smiled at Scoot and giggled “Hi Scoot Loo Mommy is cooking right now. She didn’t tell me you were coming over. And who is the big guy with you…he looks scary?”

“Hey kiddo this is my brother Drako and your mommy’s old friend. May we come in? Your mommy is expecting us.” said Scoot smiling “And its Scoot-A-Loo.”

“Sorry Scoot…I’ll go with that its easier, and no. You can come in Scoot but he can’t.” she said frowning and looking extremely adorable as if she was mad

Drako spoke up “Why not?”

“Mommy says not to let strangers into the house unless she says so and she didn’t say so.”

He giggled and held out a hoof “Well I’m Drako Moon an old friend of Derpy’s. We grew up together and what is your name if I may ask.”

She smiled at this and took his hoof shaking it like she was a big girl “I’m Dinky Doo Hooves. It’s nice to meet you Mr. Drako Moon.”

“Well now that we know each other I’m no longer a stranger. So may I come in now Dinky?” Drako said holding back a choke of emotion at the name

“I guess you’re right. Yes come on in and welcome.” She said smiling

He stepped in and right as he did Derpy came walking out smiling “Dinky who’s at the door…oh hi you two.”

“Hi there Derp your Daughter is so cute. She wouldn’t let me in because I was a strange.”

“Good for her.”

“But I think you need to teach her that just because a pony introduces themselves that doesn’t make it ok to let them in.” he said giggling

She smiled “Dinky we talked about that remember.”

“Yes mommy but he’s Scoot’s brother named Drako and your friend. He said so himself and so did Scoot and You told me I can always trust Scoot.” She said stomping a hoof down

“Well you got me there Sweetie…Go set the table ok.”

She walked by then stopped looking up at her mother “Is he the Drako you told me about from Cloudsdale?”

She blushed and nodded “Yes he is the very same.”

She beamed then turned back to look at him “Thank you for not making fun of my mom as a kid.” And with that she ran off.

Derpy sighed and smiled at them “She has always hated when ponies make fun of my eyes. She gets after them all the time. I told her about how we met and she always loved how you protected me then.”

He smiled toward the door way where she had vanished then looked at Scoot “Think you can help Dinky set the table? I would like to speak with Derpy.”

“I’m not taking my eyes off you.” She whispered

He smiled “I’ll be fine and good I promise.”

“You better.” She said watching him until she was around the corner then with one last yell she said “Like a Hawk!”

He watched her go then moved closer to Derpy “Dinky huh?”

She blushed “It was one thing I had left of you. When you said that name out at first I thought it sounded stupid. But after she was born and just so little I couldn’t help it. She was my Dinky Doo from the day she was born.”

“Does your Boyfriend know that?” He said Smiling

She blushed even harder then looked away “Well no…he thinks it was my idea…and he isn’t really my boyfriend even though I am sure he wants to be. I just am not sure if I am ready to put a title on him or at least not yet.”

“From what I was told he is your boyfriend Derp and its ok you can tell me. Friends remember.”

“Well…fine he is.” She blushed even harder

“Still cute when you lie.” He said walking closer to her smiling

“Oh shut up. Anyway one reason I wanted you to come by for dinner wasn’t to just have dinner or to talk about Whooves. It was because I wanted to talk about Dash.” She said “Follow me to the living room.”

He nodded and obeyed following her toward the living room. When they arrived he sat himself down on a couch, she did the same sitting next to him. Her sweet scent over powering as it had always been. He found it hard to look at her and not kiss her. The feelings he had for her from so long ago he could tell had never left him. He wanted nothing more than to just be with her again and tell her how he felt.

“Drako?” she said pulling him out from his day dream

“Oh…sorry…been a long day.”

She smiled “It’s ok. So anyway the thing is there is a problem with you and Dash. And it’s one that has been there since before you left. She was able to hold it back while we were dating to keep the peace but now that all this emotion and stuff is out, she can’t do it anymore. And we know Dash; you can’t leave it up to her to say something herself.”

He looked confused then finally said “Well out with it, what is her problem with me?”

She sighed “You really are blind aren’t you Drako? You see forgiveness isn’t easy for Dash not for what you put her though. The reason she always did what you wanted even taking care of Scoot was because of her feelings toward you. When you left she felt like you just used her again and ignored her feelings like she didn’t matter. It was like you ripped out her heart and stomped on it.”

“Wait a sec what do you mean feelings for me…our friendship you mean? I would never use our friendship against…” said Drako but Derpy put a hoof to his lips

“Drako…Rainbow Dash is in love with you…and she has been since you two were little…before you even met me…”