The Secret I've Hidden

Chapter 2: Chest

The CMC all gasped. What the heck is this? They all thought.

Scootaloo widened her little eyes and her small wings stopped fluttering. “W-Why is there birthday certificates a-and”—she gulped, trying to re-catch her words—”a-adoption letters?”

Dinky sniffled. “Sweetie Belle, can you explain what this is?” Poor little Dinky was close to tears, but she blinked them away, however, they were close to being seen. Inside, her courage was dying and she knew she couldn't hold it any longer.

“I-I-I have no idea. L-Let’s check what’s actually inside though,” Sweetie Belle stuttered. Her face scrunched filled with fear and she tried her best to stop shivering.

The CMCs looked at each before taking another small peek into the box. Their faces showed regret and they immediately stopped looking. They faced their biggest fear; the feeling of having no family—no brother, no mother, no father, and even no sister.

“Is this a sign I'm adopted?” Sweetie Belle croaked, lifeless and weak as if she was about to die. She wanted the answer to be no, but if it was a yes, her world would be going down into smithereens.

Her courage, like Dinky, was dying and inside herself, she knew that life isn’t all about being happy. In some other places in Equestria, there’s nothing but dirt and gray lands and sadness. No happiness and no fun at all. (Yes, I’m am also referring to the Pie’s Rock Farm.)

Dinky was about to answer, but was stopped by Apple Bloom. The farmer had different idea in mind. She didn't want her singing friend sad and never to sing ever again.

“Um, Sweetie Belle, why don’t we look inside th’ boxes?” she asked nervously. Really nervous, more nervous than that time she tried lying to Applejack.

The light of the attic shined upon them and they faced the reality of the world. Something they didn't want to know. Unknown to Dinky, she slipped on Scootaloo’s just mopped floor and she accidentally pushed the box over, tipping it to the ground. Papers flew everywhere and what appeared in front of them is a small chest with markings. A mysterious chest.

“So… who’s going to open it?” Scoots asked. Honestly, no filly in the room didn’t want to.

Scootaloo sighed and picked up the chest with her hoof. She tried to opening it, but it wouldn't budge at all. “Why isn’t it opening?”

Apple Bloom took the chest and gazed at the mysterious chest with markings. Her eyes flickered to see the lock attached to it. “Scoots, didja notice th’ lock? If ya didn’t, Ah guess that’s why it wouldn’t open.”

“THERE’S A LOCK!” shouted Scoots. Her anger got the best of her, the feeling was giving her energy and it made her forget her sadness. “DAMN YOU, YOU STUPID—”

Scootaloo’s mouth was covered by SB. Sweetie glared at Scoots as she slowly took her hoof off of Scootaloo’s mouth. “Scootaloo, are you trying to get Rarity in here! If she heard this, we'll be doomed. I think you’ve been hanging out with Rainbow Dash too long!”

Scootaloo was a gaped as was Dinky’s and Apple Bloom’s were also. They didn’t expect Sweetie Belle to act so much like a bossy Apple Bloom and act like a dictionary.

Sweetie’s expression turned into an utterly questioning look and she captured what she had just said. Her hoof slammed against her tiny mouth and she immediately regretted her actions and words.

“OMG, I am sorry, Scootaloo,” Sweetie apologized. Scootaloo said it was fine and they gave a little, short hug (much to Scoots' dismay.) After the apology, some light footsteps were heard outside the attic door. The CMC’s eyes widened as they scrambled to get the place brand-new. Rarity was coming in and they couldn't let Sweetie into trouble, especially since they all opened the box together.

“Sweetie Belle, darling, I heard some shouting. Are you and Crusaders, alright? I’m coming inside if you don’t answer.”

No one answered. As what Rarity said, the door opened and CMC, in time, was able to fix and place everything back in order. Except for the small chest. It was decided that Scootaloo would keep it. She didn’t have a sibling, except for Rainbow Dash of course, and her parents aren’t at home, they are on a vacation (Scoot's under Rainbow Dash's surveillance.) Also because she’s the only one with a bag right now.

Rarity entered the scene and glanced warily at the little fillies. She trotted up towards them and wondered what they did to make such noise. “Sweetie Belle,” she started, “what was that dreadful noise? Are you fighting with the others again? If you are, please keep quiet. I need to concentrate for my outfits I’m making. Explain why there was such disturbing noise.”

“Rarity, we are done our cleaning and we’ve been just fighting over what cutie mark we should get next,” Sweetie Belle lied, as she gritted her teeth to able to lie.

Rarity looked around the attic, to see how clean it was. “Oh, okay, darling. I guess you can go and have your fun since this is sparkling. I am certain I’ll pick you up around seven, alright.”

Sweetie Belle had a lump in her throat as she kept her lying up. She swallowed the feeling as she answered, “Okay, Rarity. See you later at the c-club house.”

Rarity was puzzled as she just heard her little sister stutter. The thought was shook off and she said goodbye to little sister. The CMCs clopped their way to the attic door, giving nervous smiles and goodbyes to Rarity before leaving the Carousel Boutique to their vehicle.

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Dinky went into the red wagon as Scoot climbed onto her prized scooter, which was connected to the wagon. The four put their helmets on before Scootaloo got her small wings to flutter away. After getting safe and secure, the orange filly got ready and rode away, trying not to bump into any ponies.  Except, they were about to encounter a cyan-colored mare with a rainbow-colored mane and tail.

“Hey, little fillies.”

The voice stopped the four fillies from going any further. Scootaloo knew that voice anywhere and smiled as she stopped her wings from flutter. Her excitement got the best of her, because she was suppose to not stop at any rate for the CMCs need to get their club house.

“Hey, Rainbow Dash.” By now, Scootaloo’s helmet was off and the other CMCs came out of the wagon. Apple Bloom did a quick, tiny glare Scootaloo before turning herself towards RD.

“Scoots, Apple Bloom, Sweetie, and Dinks, whatcha guys up to?” Dash asked as she flied to the CMC’s level. “Is this another cutie mark finding thing?”

Scootaloo answered, “Yep, we tried jump rope earlier but it didn’t work. Then, we tried doing cleaning but that also failed. Now, we have nothing to do.”

Rainbow grinned and messed up Scootaloo’s hair. “Well, keep going. Why don’t you guys go to Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie says she made a new dessert, or that's what she said, not sure if it is true.”

Scootaloo thought for a moment. Apple Bloom, Dinky, and Sweetie Belle put on their pleading looks and Scootaloo groaned as they kept pleading. The three pleading CMCs liked going to Sugarcube Corner because of the desserts and sweets. Scootaloo didn't like sugar that much, except for the chocolate ice cream and milkshakes.

“Ugh, fine. We’ll go to Sugarcube Corner.” Scootaloo turned back to RD. “Bye, Rainbow Dash… Wait, where are you going?”

“Going to Rarity’s. She said she needs some models for her new dresses so it would be perfect for Sapphire Shores. Yeah, yeah, I know you’re wondering, why me? She said Fluttershy is busy with some new baby rabbits, Twilight has some test, and Pinkie, well, you already know, working at Sugarcube Corner. I think Applejack is coming, too. Not sure.” Rainbow Dash checked her watch and realized the time. “Dang it, Rarity is going to have a fit if I don’t leave now. Bye, Scoots. Pick you up later.”

“Bye, Rainbow Dash.”

Scootaloo waved goodbye and the cyan pegasus flew away to Carousel Boutique. Scootaloo smiled wildly as she put her helmet back on. “Oh, yes. Rainbow Dash is going to pick me up later.”

Apple Bloom roll her eyes. “Well, can weh go ta Sugarcube Corner?”

Scootaloo got out of her fan-girl mode and noticed her friends all waiting. “Okay, let’s go.”

In Carousel Boutique, Rarity patiently waited for Rainbow Dash with Derpy and Applejack. Rarity sighed and checked her watch. Applejack ate some apple fritters and drank some cider, while Derpy ate some carrot and blueberry muffins.

“Applejack Apple,” Rarity complained, “don’t eat with your mouth open! Derpy Hooves, what did I tell you about crumbs on floor!”

Applejack sighed and closed her mouth, chewing the food. She gulped the food down and retorted, “Stop complainin’, Rarity!”

Rarity grunted. “No, I will not. Live with it, Applejack.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Let’s just wait for Rainbow Dash. Ah don’t wanna start a fight now.”

“Me neither,” Rarity agreed.

By the next minute, RD came through the window and landed next to Derpy. “Hey, what’s up?”

Rarity stomped up to Rainbow and she angrily looked at her. “Where have you been?”

RD chuckled nervously. She knew an angry Rarity means real business. “Um, talking to Scoots.”

“While you were talking to Scootaloo, the rest of us were waiting for YOU.”

“Well, what did you want me for anyway? I was taking a nap on a cloud, and I didn’t want to be bothered,” RD asked annoyed.

“U-Um,” Rarity stuttered. “Why don’t we sit down and I’ll tell you the bad news.”

The four mares sat down on a sofa Rarity gotten weeks ago.

Applejack was first to ask what was going on. “So… why didja call us here?”

Rarity started to fumble with her hooves as she tried to tell them. “U-Um, y-you see.” Rarity continued to fumble with her hooves and Rainbow Dash was not impressed. She wanted to get this done, so she can go back to sleep.

“Tell us already!” she snapped, stomping her right hoof.

Derpy popped another muffin in her mouth and agreed with that. She had to do the mail, but was alerted by Applejack that Rarity had a terrible announcement, and it wasn’t about fashion.

“The chestismissing.”

“Ah am sorry, but what?” Applejack asked. She leaned her ear closer to Rarity as she said it again.

“The chestismissing.”

“Once more,” Derpy suggested.

“The chest is missing.”