The squirt I'll never forget.

by Lightning Splash

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Rainbow Dash, Tragedy, Scootaloo, Slice of Life, Wonderbolts, Sad
Length: 3968

Years after Rainbow Dash agrees to take Scootaloo under her wing, Rainbow Dash is an elite flyer at the wonderbolts and Scootaloo is following in her footsteps. But Scootaloo's story takes a turn when a very horrible accident happens

Oh, Rainbow loved the old days, when it was just her a Scootaloo, she was now the highest ranking wonderbolt and Scootaloo had already gotten into the academy. She couldn't wait to see her again. But, Scootaloo seems to have taken a turn for the worst. She'll never forget that squirt.
(A special thanks to Follow Focus, who has been reading and reviewing my stories. He has given lots of great advice that has helped me become a better writer and has helped me learn the elements of a good story)

Published 2014-08-13 21:50:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-13 21:50:03 UTC

Chapter one

Rainbow assessed the ponies in front of her, glaring each one of them down as she past them. They didn’t look very elite, she would soon change that. When she reached an orange pony with a hot pink mane her eyes narrowed.

“Scootaloo?!” Rainbow squeaked excitedly, jumping into the air and pulling Scootaloo in for a hug. “Oh squirt I missed you sooooo much!”

“Uh, Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo said awkwardly as she tried to struggle out of the embrace.

“Oh, right.” She smiled putting her down. “Professionalism, Dash.” She reminded herself, mumbling. Her face hardened again. “So you think ‘cause I know you I’ll be easier on you, isn’t that right?” She yelled in Scootaloo’s face.

“No, ma’am!” Scootaloo shouted back.

“I’ll be harder on you!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Rainbow nodded stiffly. She stalked down to the end of the line to a sniggering pony.

“Think that was funny?!” Rainbow yelled, raising an eyebrow. The Pegasus only shrunk down as an answer. “That’s what I thought.” She said glaring at everypony again. “So, you think you’re ready to be a wonderbolt, huh?”

“Yes, ma’am!” They shouted.

“Think you’ve got what it takes to be an elite flyer?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Wrong! If you had what it takes, you’d already be a wonderbolt!” She yelled and stalked down to a pony with a black mane and a pink body. “Isn’t that right?” The ponies knees buckled underneath her and she collapsed.

“No, uh yes ma’am.” She shivered.

“Are you cold?!” Rainbow yelled in her face.

“No, ma’am.” The pony squeezed her eyes shut.

“Then stand up and stop shaking!” The pony stood up but kept shaking. “Maybe you need to warm up your wings?” Rainbow said with a smirk. “Give me one-hundred laps, now!” The pink Pegasus flew up.

“And you!” She said going back to Scootaloo and jabbing a hoof into her chest. “I bet you couldn't even do one lap.

“Ma’am, I could do five-hundred laps and not get winded.” Scootaloo stared bravely. Rainbow raised her eyebrows.

“Really, can you even fly? I don’t remember you being able too.” Rainbow winced as the words tumbled out of her mouth. Scootaloo gasped, she closed her mouth and swallowed. Tears started to form in her eyes.

“Rainbow Dash.” She choked out, shocked.

“Commander Dash to you!” Rainbow yelled hiding the pain and guilt inside her. She had to do this how Spitfire had taught her. Scootaloo shut her eyes, she opened them again, revealing them to be red.

“Commander Dash, may I be excused?” She asked, her voice cracking, but still loud.

“Do you need to pee?”

“No.” Her voice weakened.

“You may be excused.” Scootaloo let out a big sigh and started to leave. “AFTER, you do five-hundred laps.” Before the waterworks broke she flew away. “And all of you,” Rainbow said turning to the shocked ponies. “Three-hundred laps!” They moaned and flew away. Rainbow closed her eyes and looked away, a lump slid up in her throat. Spitfire walked up to her and put a hoof around her.

“Rainbow I said harsh, not…break ‘em down so hard they cry.” She said, trying to be gentle.

“I know, I’m so sorry Spitfire!” Rainbow voice cracked, a tear slid from her cheek. “I’m not right for this job, I-.”

“Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire tilted her chin up. “You did fine, I can tell what just happened hurt you, I’m just trying to say be more gentle. You have to learn from this and move on.”

“I know, I just…” Rainbow said looking in the sky at Scootaloo. She sniffled.

“Why not you just talk to her about it, invite her to lunch with us.” Rainbow brightened.

“I should! Thanks for your advice, Spitfire.”

“Anytime, Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire answered. Rainbow flew up into the sky and looked at the ponies. The black and pink pony was just finishing up.

“You!” The pony stopped. “The others are doing three-hundred. Why not you do it, too?” The pink pony knew it wasn’t a question and flew up again. Even she was doing more, Scootaloo finished before the other ponies. When she came down, Rainbow approached her. “Hey, Scoots. Listen, I know I said you would be excused, but I was wondering if you would have lunch with Soarin’, Spitfire and me.” Scootaloo turned to her mad.

“Why would I care, you’re not even cool? You can’t even say sorry! Why won’t you just leave me alone?!” She yelled and turned away.

“Because I wanted to say sorry.” Rainbow mumbled head down. Scootaloo paused.

“Sorry?”

“Yeah, I mean-I… I didn’t mean what I said! I just-.”

“Rainbow Dash, I’m sorry too. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, but, you did.”

“Whatever! I’m way cooler than you anyway. I shouldn’t even be inviting you to eat with the wonderbolts! You should be honored!” Rainbow said, now offended.

“Wait, Rainbow!” Scootaloo grabbed her hoof. “I think we both have some apologizing to do. How ‘bout that lunch?” Rainbow smiled.

“Well we haven’t got all day!” She said grabbing the younger pony and flying away. They laughed as they flew. This was fun, hanging out with Scootaloo, just like the old days.

“Oh this is so cool!” A younger Scootaloo squealed, she was riding on Rainbow’s back.

“You ready to go by yourself?” Rainbow asked. Scootaloo’s face creased with worry.

“I don’t know, Rainbow, I’ve never really- whoa!” She yelled as Rainbow flew out from underneath her. “Whoo hoo!” She screamed as she soared the sky. “This is so fun! I-I can FLY!” She tackled Rainbow with a hug. “Thank you sooooo much, Rainbow Dash.”

“No problem, squirt.” She said hugging her back.

“Want to have a race? Like, from here to that funny looking cloud?” Scootaloo’s voice drew Rainbow out of her thoughts. Rainbow grinned.

“Bet you can’t beat me!” Dash said zooming away. Scootaloo laughed and flew after her. She quickly caught up with her.

“I’ve been practicing.” Soocatloo smiled.

“I can tell.” Scootaloo’s smile turned into a beam. “But, I still have more practice than you!” Rainbow said and picked up the pace. Wow! She really has been practicing…and she also just flew five-hundred laps! Rainbow won the race, obviously. Eventually Scootaloo caught up with her.

“Wow kid, you’re good. But, let’s face it, I’m in my prime.” Scootaloo beamed again but didn’t say anything, she was panting and her face was flushed. “Though, I think you were faster than I was at your age.” Scootaloo’s face lit up immediately.

“Really?” She squealed and was so excited she forgot to keep flying. Rainbow caught her.

“It’s a good thing we’re here.” Rainbow set her down on the ground. Scootaloo looked at the restaurant and gasped.

“The Rocket Foal? Can this day get any better?”

“This is where the wonderbolts usually grab their grub.” Rainbow said happy she pleased the young girl.

“It’s also the most famous, most awesome and most delicious restaurant ever!” Dash raised an eyebrow.

“The restaurant is delicious or the food they serve?” They laughed together. Soarin’ and Spitfire quickly arrived.

“Hey, Rainbow.” Spitfire said giving Dash a hug.

“Rainbow Dash!” Soarin’ yelled.

“SOARIN’!” Rainbow squealed uncontrollably. She tackled her husband with a hug and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Ugh! Gross!” Scootaloo said, making a gagging noise. “Keep it G-rated.” The couple laughed.

“C’mon, Scoots, I haven’t seen him for two days.” She turned back toward Soarin’. “How’s Emerald Sky?”

“Our baby’s fine. She’s just like you; I can’t seem to get her to sit still for one second!” Rainbow murmured something incomprehensible and the two rubbed their noses together.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I’m with the youngster, and we’ve got to eat sometime.”

“Oh, alright.” Soarin’ fake groaned and the four walked in the restaurant. While they were eating a mail mare came and tapped Scootaloo on the shoulder.

“What is it?” The orange pony asked. In answer the grey Pegasus gave her the mail.

“I’m sorry.” She said her golden eyes creased with sadness. “Hey, Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow somehow recognized the mare, then she remembered, she failed the academy because she couldn’t see well, her eyes went two different directions.

“Hey.” She didn’t remember her name, so she just stuck with that. The mail mare flew off. Scootaloo shrugged and opened the mail. As she read the mail her face became creased with confusion and despair, she started to shake.

“I’m sorry everypony.” She said and ran off.

“Scootaloo!” Rainbow called after her but the pony kept running. I should just leave her alone right now.

Chapter two

"No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "Seriously Scootaloo, what is wrong with you?"

"Sorry, Commander Dash!" Scootaloo yelled back as she tried to dodge the moving hoops.

"Windy Feathers, pick up the pace! UGH! Scootaloo, get your butt down here!" Rainbow winced as she almost got whacked by the hoop.

"What is it, Rainbow?" Scootaloo asked once she landed.

"No, what is it Scootaloo? Your all over the place, really, what's wrong?" Scootaloo looked away.

"Nothing's wrong, Commander Dash."

"Yes it-...Then you should be doing better. If your not finished by six-o-clock your not getting dinner." Scootaloo's jaw dropped.

"What?! That's not fair!"

"Scootaloo." Rainbow whispered and pulled the orange pony closer. "Listen, if you don't start getting better, I'm going to have to fail you. You've been getting thirty percent or less on all the challenges and that's an F. If you don't pick up the slack, ponies will start to think I'm favoring you." Scootaloo sighed.

"I'm really sorry, Dash. I'm not slacking off! I haven't been staying up late or anything."

"Maybe your not ready to be a wonderbolt." Rainbow interrupted.

"I am, I swear! You said so yourself, I'm better than you when you were my age."

"Not any more. Either do something about your awful grades or quit. If there's really nothing wrong, which might I add, I don't believe, then you should be doing better." Scootaloo sighed.

"Yes, Commander Dash." She said and rocketed back up into the sky. At least her speed was still working.

"Your in denial Scootaloo." Rainbow murmured as she watched the pony fail to finish going through the hoop. "Maybe you'll be better at tomorrow's race." Spitfire walked up next to Rainbow.

"She's not doing so good." Spitfire said.

"I've been trying to figure out what wrong, but she says it's nothing."

"DABDA." Spitfire said knowingly.

"Gesundheit." Spitfire rolled her eyes.

"No, it's the stages of grief. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. Has she lost anyone lately?"

"No. If she had, I would have known. Maybe a boyfriend just broke up with her." Spitfire raised an eyebrow at this. "Maybe not." Rainbow admitted, suppressing a grin.

"Speaking of boyfriend, how's the fort holding up?" Rainbow cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Marriage, Dash. How are you and Soarin'?" Rainbow winced at his name.

"GREAT JOB, CYAN WINGS!" Dash yelled as one of her best ponies dodged a particularly hard obstacle. "I miss him. He's been gone a lot, saying he's got work. But when I call his workplace they say he hasn't been there for days." Spitfire nodded absently. "I think he's cheating."

"What?" Spitfire eyes widened. "Why would Soarin' do that?"

"I dunno." Rainbow said sadly, tears starting to swell in her eyes, but never wetting her cheeks.

"Looks like you've got some problems of your own to figure out." Was all she said. Spitfire flew away leaving Rainbow to her thoughts.

"Looks like I've got a hubby to talk to." Rainbow gritted her teeth.

Work ran late that day, when Rainbow Dash returned home she was about ready to hit the hay. About ready, not quite yet. When she walked in the door she set her bags down and slipped out of her itchy uniform. Soarin' ran up to greet her but she pushed him away. Soarin' was confused by this action but he shook his head, as if trying to clear the thoughts away.

"We need to talk." He said sitting down on the couch with a smug face.

"Yeah, we do need to talk!" Soarin' eyes widened at her assertiveness.

"Dashie, baby, are you alright. Maybe you need a massage." He started to rub her back. She pulled away from his touch again.

"Don't call me that!" She smacked his hoof. His brows started to crease in sadness.

"What's wrong?" He asked confused and sad.

"You! Your what's so wrong. You walked into my life, and you were so perfect, and then." Rainbow started to hyperventilate. "And then you broke my heart!" She sobbed.

"Rainbow." Soarin' said grabbing her and hugging her tightly. Her stroked her mane gently and rocked her back and forth. "What happened, what did I do to hurt you?"

"You're a cheater." She cried.

"A cheater?" He gasped surprised. "Dashie, I love you. Why ever would you think that?"

"Because you say you're going to work, I pack you a sandwich, I say I love you, and then when I call to see if your off work soon they say you haven't been there for days."

"Oh no, Dashie, that's not it at all." He said starting to understand. He pulled her away to look at her face. "Baby, honey. My lovely wife, do you want to know what I've really been doing?" Rainbow was unsure but nodded. Soarin' carried her into their back yard. But it didn't look like their back yard. Rainbow gasped.

"I love you! I'll never doubt you again, I'm so sorry!" She kissed him. All around the back yard lights were strung in rainbow colors. There was a giant pond with a bridge that led to a gazebo with a table and two chairs. As Soarin' carried her closer Rainbow heard the soft music of a medalark. The table was lit by candle light, A simple white table cloth was draped over it. Soarin' pulled out a chair and set Rainbow down gently, birds flew around her head and crowned her with flowers, Soarin' took a seat on the opposite side. On the table was a plate of food with a silver dome over it and a glass of bubbling champagne was poured by several birds.

"So do you like it?" Rainbow's eyes widened.

"I love it! You're the best husband in the world! It's beautiful." Soarin' smiled.

"Not as beautiful as you."

Author's Note

I know it seems like a love story, but it's not! I just needed to clarify the story is about Rainbow Dash and I wanted to make sure Rainbow Dash knew her hubby wasn't cheating on her.

Chapter four

Today was going to be a good day, Rainbow had decided. A great day. It was Sunday, the day of the race. When Rainbow had awoken she was pleasantly surprised to see Soarin's pale face. She had to be honest, Soarin' was a beautiful sleeper. She kissed him goodbye and flew to work. But she wasn't prepared for the events that happened that day, because little did she know, today wasn't going to be a good day at all:

Rainbow set down her bags and hopped into her familiar, cushy chair. She still had autographs she had to finish from last night. Once she finished she rinsed her hooves of the ink. She walked outside and down the line of ponies.

"Alright! Today we're going to have our weekly race, are you ready?" Rainbow yelled.

"Yes maim!" Responded the group of ponies.

"Okay, if your wearing the numbers one through ten you are group one. Group one step forward." The ten ponies complied. "Alrighty then, let's start. On your mark. Get set....Wait for i-GO!" The ponies were startled but a couple knew what to expect. Those were wonderbolt material. She walked down the line and saw Scootaloo, who was wearing the number fifteen. "So, Scoots, your going to do the race.

"Yeah." She said shortly.

"Yeah? Nothing's bothering you?" Rainbow pressed.

"Nothing."

"Look, you got to tell me what's wrong. Not only am I you commander, who should know everything, but, I'm also your friend." A tear slid down Scootaloo's cheek.

'You wanna know what's wrong, 'Commander Dash'?" Scootaloo said loudly, turning towards Rainbow Dash with red eyes. Before she could say anything Spitfire interrupted.

"If you are wearing the numbers eleven through twenty you are group two. Group two step forward." Scootaloo started to walk away, but not before she said four words:

"Sweetie Belle has cancer."

"What?!" Rainbow yelled, in shock. She rushed to Scootaloo. "You have to sit out the race."

"No, I don't." Scootaloo said over Spitfire yelling.

"Yes you do, I'm your mentor!"

"I choose my life, Rainbow Dash!"

"-Five, four, three,-"

"No, you can't Scootaloo!"

"-Two,-"

"Yes, I can!"

"-ONE!" Scootaloo took off.

"No." Rainbow whispered. "No, dear Celestia, no." Scootaloo's flight patterns were going crazy, she was barely in her lane for one second. Rainbow shut her eyes every time she came close to the divider. "Don't do this, Scootaloo."

"Excuse me." A pony said behind her.

"Just a second." Rainbow said putting up a hoof.

"No really."

"No really you!" She responded annoyed.

"But-"

"What do you want?" Rainbow turned to the pony, it was the same grey Pegasus who had given Scootaloo mail a couple of months ago.

"I think this is for her." She said referring to Scootaloo.

"Fine, whatever, I'll give it to her." Rainbow waved a hoof and turned back annoyed. Scootaloo's flying was getting even more crazy, even bumping the divider a few times. Finally she hit the divider for the last time, she hit it real hard. Her body tumbled of the track, she spun several times before hitting the hard ground. "Scootaloo!" Rainbow yelled. She rushed over to the limp body of her friend.

"What's that?" Scootaloo croaked, staring at the mail.

"It's just your mail, it's nothing. Are you alright? Somepony get an ambulance!" She called out.

"Will you just read it to me." Rainbow looked at her fallen friend with sad eyes.

"Anything: Dear Scootaloo, as you know, Sweetie Belle has cancer and had been taking chemo." Rainbow voice cracked as she spoke, but she continued on. "Today we gave her test, and it's good news: Sweetie Belle has been declared cancer free. She's alright. You don't need to worry anymore. Good luck, I know you can become a wonderbolt." Rainbow sobbed out. "Love, Rarity."
When Rainbow looked back up at Scootaloo, blood had drain from her face and nothing moved. Not one part of her body moved. She was gone.

Author's Note

The end. Alright, here come the water works, I welcome you to cry with me. BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! WHY! OH CRUEL WORLD, WHYHYHYHY!!!
This isn't quite the end though, if you are done with the sad stuff then I suggest you stop here. if not; by all means, continue on.

Chapter three

(Scootaloo)

Training left Scootaloo tired, her body ached. She wished she could scream, scream at Rainbow Dash. It's not like she had her best friend have a terrible, huge, tumorous, problem, but it's not like she knew about Sweetie's problems so, how could she blame her? Scootaloo was surprised when Rumble bumped into her.

"Hey Rumble."

"Hey, Scootaloo." He panted. "I heard about Sweetie Belle, I'm really sorry." He said quietly.

"Don't you talk about it, I'm fine!" She yelled at him. "What do you want from me?!" Rumble winced as she said the words.

"I wanted to talk to you." Scootaloo paused.

"What about?"

"I wanted to give this to you." He said and flew away. Shortly after he flew away he came back, with roses in his mouth.

"Roses?" Scootaloo said as he handed them to her. She dropped the roses when she felt his mouth touch hers. Scootaloo shoved him away and wiped her mouth. "You Sicko! You are so disgusting, trying to make a move on a girl who just had her friend-her friend, her friend-," Some how the words could not form in her mouth. "Your a freak! We may have liked each other in grade school, but we'll never get together, never!" She screamed and spat saliva onto the ground. Rumble looked hurt. "Your sick!" Scootaloo brought her hoof up and punched him. Tears started to in Rumble's eyes as he wiped away the blood on his lip.

"Your sick!" He cried. "Your cold and heartless. Your incapable of love. I thought we could work through the pain of losing a friend, but I bet you don't even care about her!" Scootaloo knocked him over and punched him several times.

"Get lost!" She yelled. "And Sweetie Belle is not dead!" She called after him as he ran away. She sat down broken and started to cry. "But she will be, and Rumble's right, I'm a cold, heartless, jerk. I do care, I care a lot. I care about my friend. No, he's a liar. He didn't know Sweetie Belle that well even. Oh what's wrong with me?" Scootaloo's body shook with quiet sobs. She pulled out a picture of her Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, she squeezed her eyes shut, the picture hurt to much. "What's wrong with me?"

Author's Note

OH SCOOOTALOOO, I'M SO SORRY! This chapter made me so sad.

The Letter Of The End

Depression, it hurts. What hurt even more was Scootaloo's death. She had had a funeral, but I failed to go. I as in Rainbow Dash. I sat in my room for months, Soarin' begged and bribed for me to come out, but to no avail. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat. I sat in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sometimes staring at the cruel world that looked so deceptively happy. After that Apple Bloom went missing, nopony knew where she went, they still didn't know. Sweetie Belle committed suicide, guilty that she had lived and not Scootaloo. Rarity stopped making dresses. Twilight resigned her role as princess. Applejack sold the farm. Fluttershy boarded her house up for good. Pinkie Pie, well Pinkie Pie didn't throw parties anymore. She returned to the rock farm with straight hair. A lot of times at night I stared at the knife, wondering when I would plunge it into my own heart, but still, I live. Nothing was the same after that. Nothing should've been the same after that. I don't know what happened to Emerald Sky, she must have left with Soarin'. I'm still sitting in my bed now. But one day, one day something happened. A bird came in through the window, carrying a letter. And it was impossibly from Her. Her as in Scootaloo. it read:
Dear Rainbow Dash,

Do not do this, I did not want my death to be the one domino that set the others to fall. I want you to carry on with life. Yes my death was sad, but do not feel pain, feel joy. Joy of the memories we had together, cherish those memories in your heart forever.

-Scootaloo

I didn't believe it at the time. But now I feel, I feel this letter was real. I feel Scootaloo's spirit with me. And unlike she told me to do, I feel sad. Because the spirit that I feel is sad. Sad that I did not live my life. And I'm sorry. I am so sorry my dear Scootaloo, that I did not live my life like you told me to. But there is one thing you did not know. My life is nothing without you.

Author's Note

WHAT!?!?! THAT WAS THE WORST ENDING EVER! I hate you author! Oh wait, that's me...I hope you liked it. The end for realz now. D: