A Joke Too Far

by DouglasTrotter

Rating: everyone
Tags: Diamond Tiara, Slice of Life, Silver Spoon, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo
Length: 13878

A prank goes too far on Scootaloo.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders have dealt with their fair share of pranks, both giving and receiving. It's fun to dish out the pranks and receiving them can be taken in stride. There are times when pranks can go too far on the receiving end however.

Published 2014-09-03 01:00:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-11-08 03:41:03 UTC

Chapter 1

Loud chirps from the cicadas echoed in the air. On a hot summer day inside the Cutie Mark Crusader club house, in the Sweet Apple Acres field a little ways from the barn, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo sat on the circular carpet in the center of the small, one room area. A book lay open near Apple Bloom’s front left hoof. While her eyes scanned over the books contents, her potion set in front of her, small sparks spewed forth from Sweetie Belle’s horn; the filly unicorn levitated a sewing needle, maneuvering it through pieces of fabric. Two pieces of cloth were stitched together with a fine yellow thread, and then a blue one.

Three hours passed since the fillies woke and gathered in their usual spot. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle heard a familiar sound that seemed to dwarf the cicada chirps. The sound, though not unusual, repeated itself several times since Scootaloo’s arival.

Apple Bloom looked up from her book and turned to her right. “Scoot, will ya’ll stop grinnin’ and gigglin’ like that. It creeps me out. I gotta get this concoction right. Otherwise the cord won’t have enough ‘springiness’ to it.”

The cicada chirps enveloped the club house once more. Sunlight pierced through the club house’s single window, its rays of light illuminated the final passage of the “Alchemical Notations and Instructions” book that Apple Bloom read. Rhythmic sounds from the insects soon subsided as the all-too-familiar sound of a stifled giggle came.

Sweetie Belle opened the sewing kit she received from her sister, placed the needle inside, and said “finished” before she looked at her pegasus friend. She trotted over to Scootaloo then tapped her on the back. “Are you ok? Do you need to see a doctor? That’s the tenth time she’s giggled to herself, Apple Bloom. Not to mention she kinda strolled into the club house with that same grin. Wait, I know. She has a colt friend. I knew you had a special some pony.”

Apple Bloom closed her eyes and pointed her right hoof at her open mouth, a retching sound quickly followed. Sweetie Belle leaned in close to Scootaloo and said, “Who is it? Is it Rumble? It’s Rumble. I knew it.”

Scootaloo raised her hoof then stopped. After she rolled her eyes, the filly continued to examine her scooter. Sweetie Belle levitated her new patch job of the embroidered tarp to the window, receiving a quick “hey!” from Apple Bloom.

“I’ll get it!” Scootaloo jumped up, a knock breaking the tense moment. Wind rushed passed the club house. Several hoof steps followed and faded before she flung open the door, “Huh? If Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are playing. that stupid. game again….”

On the small mat at the front door sat a small, tan colored package. The parcel cradled in her hooves, Scootaloo darted back inside. She tore into it like an eager child that wanted to see what their present would be.

Inside lay a scroll and small contain, the glass object being smaller than the smallest jar of apple jam preserves; its top had a white colored pegasus on it with a red cross, a blue label around the container’s midsection.

Sweetie Belle’s horn emitted a few sparks when she levitated the jar out of the box onto the table, Scootaloo nabbing the container before it could fall onto the floor. Sweetie Belle gave a sheepish grin to Scootaloo’s devilish glare. Apple Bloom’s meticulous eyes scanned the label, and then the scroll contents after she unfurled it.

“Who in the hay would shell out fifty bits for — Scootaloo, did you get scammed by Flim and Flam?” Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo’s eyes widened. An ecstatic grin came on her first pass of the scroll’s instructions. After she composed herself, relinquishing her grin, Scootaloo said, “Remember when I was excused from school that one day? Yea, thanks for reminding me about all that homework Apple Bloom. Anyways, yea, Rainbow Dash was so awesome. I was nervous, but she went with me and my mother to the doctor. The doc prescribed some gel for my wings and said it has a good chance to help me fly. My wing muscles are just a little weak is all.”

“Half this stuff doesn’t sound right.” Apple Bloom said. The label listed several ingredients, causing the filly to raise her eyebrow. “Are you sure you visited a doctor and not some shyster? I mean, ‘Extract of cloud vapor?’”

Scootaloo grabbed the container and grinned at it, giving a stifled giggle. Placed back onto the counter, light from the nearby window lit up the directions and the container that sat beside it. The pegasus filly read the scroll a fifth and soon sixth time.

“Another thing, why deliver it to the club house? Wouldn’t it be delivered to your house?” Sweetie Belle said.

“I uhh, kinda left a note on the front door to deliver it here.” Scootaloo said. Her wings twitched. Her body trembled. After a swift pat on the back from Sweetie Belle’s left hoof and Apple Bloom’s right hoof, they read the directions for a final time. Scootaloo popped off the container’s lid, “Ok, just slather this gunk on my left and right wing… there, it’s done. Now, I just have to wait till, *sigh*, next morning.”

Apple Bloom read the directions once more. She turned towards the clock that sat on the wall near the lantern in the club house. “It says the stuff takes eighteen hours to start workin, so, since it’s eleven o’clock on the dot right now, it’ll be like six in the morning when it should take effect? Huh, that’s odd.” Apple Bloom’s nostrils flared. Her body shivered for a second before she waved her hoof at her friend, “It’s nothin Sweetie Belle. This stuff just has an odd smell. The smell is kinda familiar for some reason. Ah can’t quite place mah hoof on it. Anyways, the potion turned red. Just splash this on the cord and done. We got ourselves a magically imbued bungee cord.”

Scootaloo gave a final stretch of her wings, the medicine now dry. The three fillies nodded to each other and shouted, “Cutie Mark Crusader Bungee Cave Diving Spelunkers!”

Apple Bloom closed the door to the club house then hopped down to the ground near her friends. “There’s a hole on the farm Ah know of where mah sister had a problem with those diamond dogs. This is gonna be good. Just gotta watch out for them feisty mongrels.”

“No worries,” Sweetie Belle said, fluffing her mane. With a devilish smirk she quipped, “I will get my sister if we run into trouble, heh heh.”

The three fillies chuckled at one another. They stopped. Their eyes glanced around. Wind rushed passed them as a fourth laugh came from the tree tops. Apple Bloom raised her ear, shrugged, and trotted off into the distance with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo not too far behind.

“She took the bait. She’ll be a laughing stock,” a voice said as two eyes focused on Scootaloo.

“Yea, funny.” Another voice said, replying in a melancholic tone. “I’ll head home for now and catch up with you later.”

Author's Note

This will be the first in a line of chapters for this particular story. I hope to put out a new chapter every five to six days if possible, but I can't give a concrete date due to time constraints right now.

Chapter 2

Hooves pounded against the dirt road. Trees whizzed by. The ripe red apples were little more than a blur. Images flashed through the Cutie Mark Crusader’s minds while they giggled, chuckled, and laughed with each other.

“Ah can see it now,” Apple Bloom said.

The pit’s utter darkness appeared to absorb light, its depths unknown to pony kind as it appeared bottomless. Apple Bloom’s magically imbued bungee cord would be tied off to an large, sturdy old apple tree that jutted towards the sky near the sewer cover sized hole in the ground. She would dive in first, wind rushing past her face. It felt like eternity. A pony could write a lengthy novel or book Apple Bloom thought to herself before she felt a soft, quick bouncy stop. A cavernous room with patrols of bipedal canines would greet her eyes. Their snarls, grunts, and barks bounced off the walls of the grey rocky rooms and tunnels, Apple Bloom’s presence masked and ignored with the rope's magic.

Light from the nearby torches caused the treasure to shine; its beautiful twinkles and glints rivaled Princess Luna’s stars as several large piles of gems and jewels littered the landscape. Off to her left and right towered mountainous piles of treasure that didn’t appear to end, rivaling the treasure horde of ten grand equestrian dragons. Precious gems the likes of which Equestria had never seen glistened in front her. Apple Bloom’s outstretched hooves would latch onto a small cache of the treasure before she bolted back up to the top by the cord’s magically imbued strength.

“I’m next after you Apple Bloom, remember.” Sweetie Belle said before her imagination ran wild. “I heard those Diamond Dogs go down deep to get the ‘good stuff,’ according to my big sister. They may even have some rare Dragon’s Eye emeralds. Oooo, they might even have a Celestia’s Eye Amethyst stones, maybe some precious Skyblue Diamonds and Fiery Sun Star rubies. Scootaloo, you're third and then it’s Apple Bloom again.”

Scootaloo knew her turn would be next, yet remained silent. She looked back towards her wings. In her mind she said, “I can’t overexert my wings. I have to let that stuff set in.”

A small area came into view. The Cutie Mark Crusaders speed up their pace from a gallop to a full speed run.

“Ah can almost—“Apple Bloom said.

*** *** ***

“OW!”

“Apple Bloom, come help me steady this. Big Macintosh is more determined than Rainbow on a cider binge.” Apple Jack shouted to the filly that ran into her. The mare pointed at the two next to her sister, “Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo. You two help too.”

Ropes were flung in their directions, swiftly pulled taught. The four ponies clutched the ends in their mouths. Ropes led towards an object that rose above them, perched on Big Macintosh’s strong back. With a final tug of their ropes, the massive object steadied itself.

"One. Two. Three." Big Macintosh said, straining to count. After "three" exited his mouth, the strong stallion bucked then, after an exasperated huff, wiped the sweat from his wet brow.

A giant boulder sailed through the air. An aftershock hit the ponies’ hooves. Sweetie Belle fell over.

“What in tarnation has gotten into you, Big Brother?!” Apple Jack said. Though she stood shorter than him, by a few inches, the mare’s ominous glance made her appear to be the bigger of the two, staring the stallion down like Celestia who towered above a mischievous behaving foal.

“It’s plugged.” Big Macintosh said with a retort.

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo shrugged. They gathered the magically imbued rope, the tarp, and extra equipment.

“Sweetie Belle, what’s wrong? You hurt?” Applejack said after a loud scream echoed throughout the apple orchard. She pulled on the filly’s hooves, examined her mane and horn before she grasped Sweetie Belle’s tail with a gentle, mother-like hoof, “Rarity would tan mah hide if you got hurt by Big Mac’s shenanigans.”

Sweetie Belle’s hoof trembled while it rose into the air. Her eyes remained glued at the sight in front of her. The filly’s hoof soon pointed towards the boulder that sunk further into the ground.

“Our jewels! Our treasure! Our Loot!” Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo said one after another. The objects placed onto their backs fell towards the ground. Soon, the rock stopped. “How are we supposed to be Cutie Mark Crusader Bungee Spelunkers?!”

“Sweet Celestia, don’t go scarin’ me like that. Thought something serious might’a happened to ya.” Applejack said. She picked her hat off the ground, dusted it off, and then proceeded towards her big brother. “Big Macintosh, what in tarnation got into your head, thinkin’ a boulder like that was needed? No! Don’t you ‘but’ me. That was a foalish thing to do. Ya could have injured the fillies here. Ya could have damaged a year’s worth a work on these trees around us. We need these apples for—“

“Please open the hole up sis,” Apple Bloom said. She grinned at her sister with her friends by her side. “We’ll be good. We swear.”

Applejack squinted. She glared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders near her hooves before her firm gaze focused on Apple Bloom. “Go stand near your big brother over there if you’re gonna act like a foalish pony. Ah still can’t believe Big Mac hauled that, that ‘thing,’ by himself, from the gorge outside Ponyville. We can’t have him messin’ up his back. There’s a perfectly good wagon to help with a chore like that and not to mention – Just, just never mind. The answer is no. Double No! Triple No! No means no to infinity and beyond all no! Whoa there Big Mac, Ah’m not done with you mister. Not by a long shot. Ah’ll let Granny give ya an ear full when Ah tell her about it back at the house.”

“The hole is plugged,” Big Macintosh pointed his hoof at the boulder that finally settled. A stern eyebrow rewarding his remark, the stallion turned his head and whistled an innocent tune.

Sweetie Belle stared at her tarp. Apple Bloom glanced over her magically imbued rope. Both of them sighed while Scootaloo’s wings twitched once again, the action ignored. The three fillies sat in defeat. Their collective sighs filled the quiet moment as they watched the boulder receive a final fierce buck from Big Macintosh’s muscular back hooves. Their fantasies of Skyblue diamonds, Dragon’s Eye emeralds, and Celestia’s Eye amethysts evaporated, yet Sweetie Belle’s eyes soon lit up. She motioned towards Apple Bloom. Scootaloo’s right ear perked up. The three gave a devilish smirk, soon wiped from their faces.

Apple Bloom approached Big Macintosh. She tapped on his right hoof and gave him a kind smile, “Ya mind movin that boulder? We just need to get some stuff out of the hole. We'll be quick about it. Ah got a picture of Cheerilee from her session with Photofinish."

Big Macintosh paused for a moment. He looked at Apple Bloom then gave a devilish smile in return and leaned in close, "Nope. Already have it. Signed too."

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s perked ears lowered. Their eyes widened along with Apple Bloom’s. They darted in front of the stallion. Their puppy dog expressions and jittering lips were succeeded by a unison of "Please! Please! Please! We'll be good."

The stallion shook his head. His eyes caught a quick glance of Apple Bloom and her hoof pointed at the area surrounding the boulder. Before Scootaloo could utter anything past "Cutie Mark Crusader Excavators," Big Macintosh chucked a few, large, nearby rocks towards the boulder’s base. He waved at Applejack as she came back towards the group.

“Ok you three, you go and skedaddle somewhere. Big Macintosh here needs to get some work done. Ah’m gonna watch him close to make sure there’s no more foalishness. This is where we’re plantin great oak’s descendant. We gotta get this done before the next rain comes.” Applejack said. She chuckled, “Rainbow is gonna be on time, for once, if she wants her extra cider, heh heh.”

Apple Bloom received a final stern look from Applejack and Big Macintosh. She, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, in their final defeat, meandered along the dirt path back towards the club house.

*** *** ***

"Well... that was a bust." Sweetie Belle said with a sigh then turned to Apple Bloom, "Big Macintosh didn't seem too happy we tried to con him into opening it up."

Apple Bloom grumbled to herself. Her front left hoof hit a rock. She watched it skip ahead. "Mah brother is too smart for his own good. Thought Ah heard Granny talkin’ about something, sayin’ it was autographed on the back. No wonder she was chucklin’ at Big Maicntosh. Yuck!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders raised their heads to see the club house in view. Near the pebble, Apple Bloom hit it once more. It rocketed towards a nearby tree, into the canopy, and then fell to the ground near her hooves.

"It would have been so awesome to go bungee spelunking in those caves. Those gems would have been worth a mountain of bits," Scootaloo said while she closed the distance. "I wonder if we could have nabbed that giant diamond Rarity told you about, Sweetie Belle."

Apple Bloom hit the rock once more, causing it to bolt towards another tree. "I think Rarity made it — what the? What are you doin' here?! Ah thought you got sent off to that fancy camp with Silver Spoon?"

Diamond Tiara dusted herself off and adjusted her jeweled mane piece. Her nose pointed into the air, a quick "hmph" followed. She turned towards the Cutie Mark Crusaders, sauntered past them, stopped a few hoof steps from them, and quipped, "Good luck with your 'ointment,' Scootaloser."

Scootaloo’s helmet slipped off her head. Her ears perked up. Around the four fillies, loud cicada chirps permeated the air.

“Wh-wha-what?” Scootaloo said. Her eyes widened.

Diamond Tiara maintained her sinister smile and resumed her casual stroll towards Ponyville.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle darted towards her, down the dirt road. Diamond Tiara quickened her pace. Scootaloo bolted towards the club house. In one quick thrust she busted the door open; its doorknob and latch lay on the ground. Jar firm in hoof, her eyes darted to each piece. She focused and relinquished her gaze several times.

The container slipped from her hooves. Scootaloo read the scroll while the glass jar rolled along the wood floor towards the door's broken latch and doorknob. She dropped the scroll and stared out the window. "Made by Ms. D.T.?!"

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle galloped in. After a quick breath, Apple Bloom said, "Dang, that's another thing I have to fix up. These doors aren't easy to repair ya know. Anyways, I wouldn't worry about it Scootaloo. Diamond Tiara maybe a brat, but she's not malicious. Ah doubt she would do something harmful. Plus, isn't it against—?”

Hoof steps preceded a lone figure. Shrouded by a tan cloak, it came up the small ramp towards the one room structure. The hairs on Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo’s backs stood on end. Their teeth chattered. Apple Bloom sighed then placed her right hoof on her forehead.

"What's up Zecora?" Apple Bloom said. She motioned at her friend to come in then pointed towards the corner, "We have some snacks if you're hungry."

Zecora raised her hoof in a gentle manner then shook her head in a fluid motion, "Thank you for the offer Apple Bloom, but I must go soon as it is nearly noon. I want to ask about the commotion, and if it has to deal with a certain potion."

After she placed her hoof down, Zecora sniffed the air. At her hooves lay the door’s missing pieces and the glass jar. She popped container's lid off. A strong odor filled the club house once more.

"If I might ask, what is this stuff? Why does it have you all in a huff?" Zecora said.

"Diamond Tiara played a prank and made up some fake ointment. It's supposed to help Scootaloo's—" Apple Bloom said.

"No! Stop Apple Bloom," Scootaloo said, stuffing her hoof into Apple Bloom's mouth. "Don't go telling every pony we meet about it."

"I promise I'm not one to tell. What is it meant for? Is it a special spell?" Zecora said, smelling the container once more before she tapped her hoof against her chin.

Scootaloo sighed after a nod from Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "I went to the doctor, and they gave me some stuff to put on my wing muscles. I guess Diamond Tiara saw the note I left on the door to my house."

Zecora flipped up the hood to her cloak. After she adjusted it, the zebra gave Apple Bloom a nod as the filly took a final whiff of the gel.

"Don't tell me...." Apple Bloom said. Her hoof slammed into the wooden floor. “That’s low, even for Diamond Tiara.”

"I'm afraid so my friend, this isn't good in the end. It has to deal with a potion I made. Something contained within a unique vessel for experiments quite special." Zecora said, moving towards the door. “I will make the cure just to be sure."

"What's going on?" Sweetie Belle said. "Why am I in the dark?"

Apple Bloom placed the top back on the container. Placed into the box, along with the scroll, she presented it Zecora. The zebra gave a final nod as she left for the Everfree Forest.

Apple Bloom sat in front of her friends. "Zecora told me about it when I visited her hut four days ago. Poison Joke is a notorious problem in the Everfree Forest. She's experimenting with it to find a quicker treatment. That ‘vessel’ she talked about contained something called concentrated poison joke. Or, at least, that's what she told me. Ah think Diamond Tiara snuck into Zecora's hut, grabbed the container, and dumped it into that ointment.”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom turned towards their friend. Scootaloo’s eyes widened as Sweetie Belle said, “This can’t be good.”

Author's Note

Here's the second installment. This one was bumped out a little later than I wanted it to go. The third chapter may be a little later than this due to some issues that have to be taken care of.

Scootaloo Destroys Ponyville and Canterlot

Ponyville found itself graced with a beautiful, calm day. Wind rolled across the open fields of Sweet Apple Acres and into Ponyville, from the northern part of Equestria; the gentle breeze brushed across the manes and tails of each pony. Mr. and Mrs. Cake sold their treats from their usual vendor stall in the market district while Pinkie Pie played with the cake twins. Applejack and Applebloom sat near the Sweet Apple Acres cart, the cart being a few hoofsteps away from the Cake’s stall.

Off her scooter, Scootaloo buzzed in the air, hovering a few inches off the ground before she stopped and landed on the road of Manestreet. She would buzz her wings, float into the air a little bit, and then land, practicing her flying per Rainbow Dash’s instructions. Though the day was perfect, one obstacle lay in the filly’s path. An innocent object sat near the intersection of Manestreet and Saddle Drive. A pebble, no bigger than the size of a donut hole, was kicked about by ponies and found its way into the middle of the street.

Her outstretched, front right hoof caught it. The filly’s wings buzzed. She couldn’t stop. Scootaloo went forward into a barrel roll. She wouldn’t stop. The pony snowballed forward. Her body picked up speed. All the ponies in front of her were knocked out of the way, not unlike the pins in a bowling alley, before she could yell for help.

She gained momentum. Apple Bloom and Applejack thrown to the wayside, the Sweet Apple Acres family heirloom apple cart laid in ruins as did Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s delectable mobile sweet shop, the cake’s vendor stall name being the unfortunate choice by Pinkie Pie.

“Get out of the way!” One pony said, shouting to his mare friend.

“Look out, here it comes.” Another pony said, pulling his colt and filly out of the way.

“Help me!” Scootaloo managed a desperate shout, her voice extinguished by the ponies around her and their cries. In the filly’s mind, from what she could see, she said to herself, “No way! This is some serious bad luck. Not cool!”

Down the small hill she barreled. Scootaloo rocketed into the air, hitting the ramp she setup for tomorrow’s stunt near a small pond. She curved. Like a pitcher’s specialty fast curve ball, her body zoomed through the air towards an unsuspecting Canterlot and Canterlot Castle.

The royal capital of Equestria lay in the filly cannonball’s sights. Star Swirl the Bearded’s library lay in her sights; a pile of tattered pages and stony rubble remained as she continued a path of destruction into Canterlot. Store fronts and vender stalls were upended. Buildings were knocked down. Scootaloo performed better than any wrecking ball could manage and sped towards Canterlot Castle.

Her first hit pummeled the doors, splintering them into pieces. Before the castle lay in ruin, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s horns illuminated with a fierce magical light. Princess Luna’s horn glowed in a dark, almost impossible blue-black light with her sister’s a polar opposite; she and Princess Celestia surrounded the filly in a bubble. Shackles appeared in the sphere then latched onto the filly. Stopped in an instant, Scootaloo begged for forgiveness. She received none.

The princesses, in an otherworldly voice that echoed in the silent air, said in unison, “We condemn thee to—“

Chapter 3

“Wow, a little tightening up and you could sell that story. ” Sweetie Belle chuckled, watching Scootaloo friend rise up to mimic Princess Celestia at the Summer Sun Celebration. She patted her friend on the back. “Maybe we could be Cutie Mark Crusader novelists?”

Apple Bloom sighed. With an exasperated expression, she turned to Sweetie Belle and said, “Yea… no, ah don’t want anything to do with writing after that whole incident with the school’s newspaper. It took a solid month to get all of Ponyville to forget the whole ‘gossip’ column thing, if ah recall.” She then targeted her raised hoof at Scootaloo, “Anyways, ah told ya already, for the tenth time, that isn’t how it works. Poison Joke can’t cause that kinda destruction.”

The bead of sweat that formed on Scootaloo’s brow rolled down her cheek, and the nervous filly’s eyes darted about. Outside the club house, the cicadas continued their noise, taking brief pauses between the Cutie Mark Crusader’s chat. As her wings twitched, the filly stared at them. Despite her relaxed shrug, her mind refused to relent. Those images flashed within her mind once more; its vividness similar to a powerful dream, unguarded by Princess Luna.

Sweetie Belle chuckled to herself, in a quiet tone, and then gave a sheepish grin to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom lowered her firm hoof.

“I do have to admit, that story does kinda gets better each time ya tell it.” Apple Bloom said with a slight giggle. “Though, for the record, Princess Celestia wouldn’t use the word ‘thee’ anymore. If ah remember mah history right, all that funny talk was phased out during Granny’s time to ‘update—‘what am I sayin? Look, again, Poison Joke – even the concentrated stuff Zecora works with – can’t do that stuff. Ah know it for a fact.”

“But… but…” Scootaloo said. She jumped up and shouted, “My wings twitched!”

Apple Bloom planted her left hoof onto her forehead. Sweetie Belle starred towards the ceiling and rolled her eyes. They turned to each other, shook their heads, and then turned towards Scootaloo with raised eyebrows.

“If you’re ‘that’ nervous, we should tell some pony. We could go to your mother. Perhaps we should tell the doctor. “Sweetie Belle said then received a firm hoof planted into her mouth before she could continue, “Yuck! Will you stop doing that?! Ok, new plan, we could have a sleep over. We can do it here at the club house. Apple Bloom, you can take the first shift and I’ll switch later.”

Scootaloo nodded but stopped. “No, that won’t work. Mom says I have to finish my makeup work over the summer. Could we do it at my house?”

Pencil firm in hooves, the Cutie Mark Crusaders pulled out some scrap pieces of construction paper, several pieces left over from their parade float designer cutie mark experience. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled at Scootaloo. The three fillies plunged their hooves together with a “Cutie Mark Crusaders Forever” shout that silenced the cicadas. They waved at each other and proceeded out of the club house; Sweetie Belle headed for Carousel Boutique; Apple Bloom bolted towards the Sweet Apple Acres farm house; Scootaloo headed for home.

Her helmet secured and a final safety check, Scootaloo sped down the dirt road. As she entered Ponyville, in a quiet voice, Scootaloo’s eyes scanned the road. “Phew, no pebbles.”

*** *** ***

“It’s summer, I shouldn’t be doing homework!” Scootaloo said with a grumble. The sound her room and crept down the hallway. Her pencil tapped against the paper on the desk. Several books lay off to her side with “Mathematics and You” open to the filly’s left, several sheets of paper starred back at the filly. Despite the three pages that remained, Scootaloo sighed and remembered the two page essay still left to written, two weeks remaining before school began. “I’m never doing this again. I won’t wait until the last minute.”

“Isn’t that what ya said the time before that?” A voice said. The door to the room opened and Apple Bloom trotted in with Sweetie Belle behind her. She placed her sleeping bag on the floor, “Wasn’t easy convincin’ mah sis, but ah can stay for the night, how bout you Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie Belle gave a cheery smile as she laid her sleeping bag on the floor, “If I don’t cause trouble for Mrs. Zip, I can stay the whole weekend if I want. I’ll have to get that recipe from your mom, Scootaloo. Those hay cake surprises she gave us were awesome. She could give Pinkie Pie a run for her bits with those sweets.”

Several boxed lay piled of in the corner, pulled from the closet. Scootaloo sat at her desk while a few remaining rays of light from the setting sun came through the window near her bed. With a tap of the pencil, the filly said “finished” before she hopped down from her desk chair.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle rolled out their sleeping bags. Sweetie Belle examined the games, straining to levitate one towards her before it plopped onto the ground. With a smile she placed it back on top, only for the pile to crash to the ground.

The last ray of remaining light glinted off of a glass jar, reflecting off Apple Bloom’s eyes. She looked over and spied a tan brown package next to the container. “So, this is the real medicine. Ah hope ya didn’t put this stuff on.”

Scootaloo pointed Apple Bloom towards the scroll. Apple Bloom’s eyes scanned the parchment’s contents then Scootaloo took it away, placed it into the tan box with the jar, and placed the box inside the closet. The clock on her desk soon read eight o’clock. With a semi-halfhearted laugh she said, “Well, what should we do first?”

“Scootaloo,” Apple bloom said in a slow tone, “ya didn’t put this stuff on? Please tell me—“

“What?! No way. I don’t want Diamond Tiara’s stupid prank ruining something that cost my mom a lot of bits,” Scootaloo waived her hoof at Apple Bloom. “Anyways, what are you guys up for? I have tons of games pulled out of the closet. I even pulled out my mom’s telescope from the attic.”

A calm, gentle knock on the door came before a pegasus mare entered. “Ok Scootaloo, I have some treats for you and your friends. Just remember to be in bed by ten. Rainbow Dash has been really gracious to you this summer, giving you one-on-one flight lessons. Did you finish writing her that thank you note?”

“Yes, ‘mom,’” Scootaloo said. A kind smile given her way, Mrs. Zip departed towards the living room. “I’ve already told Rainbow Dash ‘thank you,’ like a million times. I don’t think she needs it in writing. Whatever, let’s get this show on the road.”

At the base of the steps that led to Scootaloo’s room, a grandfather clock’s pendulum swung back and forth. Its internal mechanism ticked away. Hooves and Horseshoes was pulled out and plopped down.

Soon, the grandfather clock chimed. The final game’s lid was placed back on top of its bottom.

“Awww geeze,” Scootaloo said. Time had crawled forward as, with a lazy eye, she looked at the clock on her desk. Scootaloo’s heavy eye lids closed. She let out a yawn. Between successive yawns she said, “I can’t… believe it’s… only ten.”

“…”

Silence greeted the filly’s ears. Sweetie Belle, passed out, lay on her sleeping bag as Apple Bloom nestled her friend’s mane. Scootaloo nabbed her camera. With the flash off, she snapped a quick picture and said to herself, “I’ll keep this for later.”

Cicadas and their boisterous music were replaced by the cricket’s serenading melody. Star twinkled in the clear sky as Equestria found itself graced by a beautiful night, crafted with meticulous hooves and care by Princess Luna. A fresh, gentle breeze rolled down from Canterlot and brushed against the tree leaves near Scootaloo’s house.

“They wussed out. On. Me,” Scootaloo yawned, “I need to stay awake. I got to stay awake. I have to stay. Awake….”

She pushed on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. No effect. The filly’s heavy eye lids won, closing for the final time as she collapsed to the floor. The door to Scootaloo’s room creaked open. With a soft wing, Mrs. Zip placed Scootaloo in her bed and pulled the covers over her daughter. She moved Apple Bloom to her sleeping bag then fixed Sweetie Belle’s mane.

“You will fly some day. For now, I hope you can be happy with your dreams.” Mrs. Zip said after she came to her daughter’s bed side, giving Scootaloo a kiss on the forehead before she closed the door behind her with a gentle hoof. “Good night, my little filly.”

Chapter 4

The cricket’s symphony of the night gave way to silence in the pre-dawn of Equestria. Cicadas and their excessive, noisy chatter ceased long ago. Grass Blades and Tree leaves reflected small amounts of light from the stars in the sky.

“….” A voice groaned.

In Scootaloo’s room, a clock on top of her dresser danced around from the ferocity of the hammer’s swings, sounding a boisterous alert as it pounded both bells in rapid succession. The circular clock continued its obnoxious emanations, until the voice overshadowed the clock’s ruckus. The filly lumbered toward the dresser and landed a hard, swift hoof on top of the clock. Her eyes lids crept. The right eye opened and focused on the clock’s dial while the left one closed. “What time ya got it set – you have it set for five in the mornin’? Applejack and ah don’t even wake up that early for chores. Rooster doesn’t start crowin’ till six—“

In the distance, a rooster crowed. Apple Bloom stretched her hooves, and she lumbered back to her sleeping bag. Her ears were met with a grumbled, yawned response of “it’s slow” from Scootaloo. While Apple Bloom stretched once more, affixing her signature ribbon into her mane, Sweetie Belle opened her left eye, looked up, and then rubbed it. She squinted. A few rays of obscured light came into the room from the rising sun. Sweetie Belle rose up. Her eyes widened. With a quick hoof, she quieted her voice.

“Hey, what ya do that for?” Apple Bloom said after being jabbed in the side by Sweetie Belle’s hoof, “So the clock is slow.”

Sweetie Belle’s hoof removed from her mouth, her heart-rate semi-calmed, she turned Apple Bloom’s head. Like a cat that stalked its prey, Apple Bloom eyed the object then crept towards it. Closer and closer she neared. Her eyes fixated. The filly’s now raised right front hoof touched the object. It grazed the side before retracting.

“Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom said in unison, a quivered tone to their voices. They repeated once more in the same slow tone, “Scootaloo.”

The object lowered. Brilliant, calm light from the sun illuminated the small bedroom. Scootaloo grumbled. She opened her eyes, and her gaze traced Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s hooves. A nervous twitch came to Scootaloo’s eyes. Several items lay on the floor after she leapt off the bed, the Cutie Mark Crusader’s startled by the alarm clock springing to life.

With a moment used to silence the infernal sound of the clock once and for all, several taken to calm themselves, the two fillies let their friend up after they tackled her.

“Wh… wha… what happened?” Sweetie Belle struggled to form the words. Her eyes sparkled in awe at the sight in front of her. With the sunlight piercing through the window, she said, “They’re… they’re beautiful. They look like Princess Celestia’s.”

Scootaloo stood up, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle watched their friend spread her wings; their size and shape took on a majestic appearance, akin to the large regal wings of Equestria’s ruler.

Apple Bloom shook her head then pointed a firm at her friend. She said in a hushed, stifled tone, “Scootaloo, you told me ya didn’t use that ointment!”

The pegasus filly’s left hoof glided across each feather, every pinion. Before she could examine them further, a prompt jab came to her side. Scootaloo rolled her eyes then retorted in a similar hushed voice to Apple Bloom, “Ok, ok, I lied. You happy I admitted the truth? The stuff came. Mom insisted I put it on. What was I going to do? Tell her the truth about Diamond Tiara’s prank?” Scootaloo’s eyes began to water, “I bet I could rocket towards the moon. With these wings — finally, finally I can fly.”

Apple Bloom planted a firm hoof onto her forehead before she shook her head. Sweetie Belle continued to stare as Scootaloo plucked a feather then flinched. The small tear on her cheek wiped away with a quick hoof, a “thank Celestia it’s not a dream” muttered under a heavy breath, the pegasus filly smiled; she gave a hearty grin, wider than any pony receiving the best present they could receive on their birthday. Scootaloo’s left wing twitched, and the feather grew back in an instant just as Sweetie Belle extended her hooves for a deep hug. Once more, Scootaloo said, “Finally, finally I can fly.”

“Come on Apple Bloom. This is great. There’s—“Sweetie Belle said.

“Ah don’t want to burst Scootaloo’s bubble. She deserves to be happy, but ah’m worried. Poison Joke – the concentrated stuff included — doesn’t bring benefits. That ‘stupid weed,’ as some ponies call it, doesn’t do nice things. It plays jokes.” Apple Bloom said. She poked, prodded, and examined Scootaloo’s wings then tapped her chin, “Ah just don’t get it. You are movin’ them, right?”

“Yea,” Scootaloo said with a nod. She smirked. One flap of her wings produced a gust of wind that knocked away Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s sleeping bags, their owners flung against the closet doors. “Are you ok?”

Scootaloo’s ears perked up. She darted towards her closet and snuck inside.

“Looks like you three got an early start.” A voice said. After a knock came to the bedroom door, with a slight chuckle, Mrs. Zip entered. She rolled her eyes at the mess. “Where is Scootaloo?”

“Bathroom–” Apple Bloom said

“Outside,” Sweetie Belle interjected.

Mrs. Zip raised an eyebrow, “I. See… Well, when she returns, tell her Rainbow Dash is—“

Rainbow Dash bolted into the bedroom, after she opened the window. In a jovial, firm voice she said, “Yo squirt, you up? Time to get those muscles warmed up. Scootaloo?”

“Outside—“Apple Bloom said

“Bathroom,” Sweetie Belle interjected.

Mrs. Zip and Rainbow Dash glanced at each other. Their attention turned back to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Rainbow Dash hovered a few inches above the room’s floor. She shrugged and said before bolting out the opened window, “Scootaloo knows the place. It’s a few wing beats away from your club house.”

Mrs. Zip said “Breakfast is ready” to the two fillies in front of her before she closed the bedroom door behind her. Her hoof steps faded.

“What am I going to do?” Scootaloo said. The closet door creaked open and she peaked out, “There’s no way Rainbow Dash will believe these things just grew over night. Wait, what if Rainbow Dash refuses to train me? What if she takes one look at my wings and thinks I’m not taking our training seriously. Even worse, Rainbow Dash will laugh at me. No. Way, way worse. What if she refuses to train me? I’ll be a laughing stock with huge wings and no talent to fly….”

“Thinkin with your head for once,” Apple Bloom said. She stuck her tongue out then retracted it. Her hoof patted Scootaloo’s back, “Ah don’t think she would disown ya. Rainbow Dash ain’t like that. Anyways, we can’t keep this a secret Scootaloo. Not anymore at least. Zecora is working on the antidote. That stuff from the doc combined with poison joke though… ah just, ah’m not sure.”

Apple Bloom, a “why bother” given, planted a firm hoof onto her forehead as Scootaloo rummaged through the closet. The pegasus filly’s hooves reached for several boxes, pulling then pushing them aside. Her eyes lit up. She reached into a box and draped a black cloak over her body.

“Waddya think?” Scootaloo said. The dark piece of cloth covered her majestic, regal-like wings.

Sweetie Belle tapped her hoof against her chin. She smiled at her friend, and then darted down stairs a few hoof steps behind Scootaloo. Apple Bloom sighed before she followed close behind.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived down stairs to see a buffet of snacks. Curtains, near the front of the house close to the front door, were open, and gentle sunlight illuminated the ornate wooden table’s trove of food. Mrs. Zip brought out a final, small plate of muffins and placed it onto the table with a gentle wing. Her eyes glanced over towards her daughter, “Nightmare Night already? Don’t wear that to your flight sessions with Rainbow Dash.”

“It’s ok mom. It umm… helps my wings stay relaxed. Yea, it’s meant to put less strain on them. I’m going to run up there to save the energy for my wings.” Scootaloo said. A stern eye garnered, a gulp later, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Scootaloo leaned in towards her friends, “Phew, that was close.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle finished their breakfast. A thanks given, the Cutie Mark Crusaders headed outside. Scootaloo hopped onto her scooter but stopped, “Heh, guess I didn’t lie back there. We’ll have to run. I don’t know what will happen if I try to move my scooter with these wings.”

*** *** ***

The morning air remained cool while silence continued to greet the early day. It remained absent of the cricket’s calm symphony or the cicada’s brash noisy chirps. The day’s calm, silent natured found itself replaced by hooves that pounded against a dirt road. Near the club house, the Cutie Mark Crusader’s hoof steps preceded their approach. Scootaloo’s Nightmare Night cloak remained tucked against her sides.

Near the clearing, Rainbow Dash glanced over. She floated down to the three fillies, nibbling on an apple taken from a nearby tree. “Took you long enough, squirt. Why ya run up here?” she received a quick grin, “Well, doesn’t matter. It’s better in the long run. You’ll save your wing strength. Ok, you know the drill. Simple hoof stretches first.”

“Mind if Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom watch?” Scootaloo’s said, her gaze fixated on the ground while Rainbow Dash came towards her.

“You do know Nightmare Night is still a ways off, right.” Rainbow Dash said. She tossed an apple core to the ground, darted towards a tree, grabbed another apple, and then tossed a few bits were tossed towards Apple Bloom. “Here’s for the apples. I don’t want AJ getting miffed at me like last time. Ok squirt, I like your attention to the fundamentals, but it’s time to fly.”

“I umm, I’ll stretch my hooves a bit more.” Scootaloo said, avoiding eye contact with her idol as she continued to stretch her hooves.

“We need to practice – what have you got under there anyways? Ooo, is it one of those weird devices? That rocket was a blast. I’ll never forget you having that thing strapped to your back. How you flew down that dirt road. It was so awesome. First time I nearly did a Sonic Rainboom along the ground.” Rainbow Dash said, ending with a stifled snicker. She hovered in the air, a few inches off the ground, and examined Scootaloo. Her right hoof grazed the dark black cloak. Scootaloo’s wing twitched, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie darted in front before it lifted up. “Hey, I want to see. Come on.”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom came in closer to their friend. A “hmphh” given, Rainbow Dash rocketed into the air. From a top her fluffy perch, a cloud that sat calmly above the clearing, the tigress eyed her prey. Rainbow Dash focused her gaze and flapped her wings. She rocketed downward. As the view of the ground widened, the mare made a slight adjustment to her wings and sped along the ground, a few inches from crashing. Her hoof latched onto the dark black cloak.

Out of the corner of her eye, Scootaloo watched her idol zoom by. Its strings undone in a smooth and fluid motion, the Nightmare Night cloak soon lay on the ground behind the fillies’ back hooves.

“Ok squirt, time to – Sweet Celestia!” Rainbow Dash said. Her mouth sat open, her eyes being met with two large wings that shielded Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash’s gentle hoof penetrated the secure cover and patted the filly on the head. She watched the wings move and found herself greeted by a pair of teary, innocent eyes staring back at her. Rainbow Dash plopped down near the three and said, “Let’s hear it.”

At the story's end, Rainbow Dash ran her right hoof across Scootaloo’s wings. It glided over the top then bottom portions before forcing the wings to fold up and extend in a gentle, fluid motion. Rainbow Dash walked around Scootaloo several times. “Ok, you best work on your stances. I’ll head to Zecora’s. See if she has the antidote. There’s no way you can fly right now.”

The color drained from the filly’s face, Scootaloo’s mouth agape. Her lower lip quivered as Rainbow Dash floated into the air. She swatted the air with a light hoof and regained her composure, “Good one. Good joke. ‘I can’t fly.’ Ok, I’m ready for those lessons. These babies need a test run.”

Rainbow Dash pointed at the ground and said, “No squirt, stay put.”

“What? You think my wings aren’t up to snuff? Watch this!” She said, her wings producing a gust of wind that knocked several apples off of the trees while Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom held onto the ground. “See, I have more than enough power to fly. Here, how about I—“

“No,” Rainbow Dash said, her hoof pointed firm at the ground below her. “I know you want to fly. It’s one of your dreams. I get that. I don’t like to admit this, but we have to take things slow. I’ll go to Zecora’s—“

“You’re just jealous!” Scootaloo shouted. She backed away. Her idol dropped to the ground. After a quick “what” from the mare, Scootaloo stepped towards her with hooves planted into the ground. “You, you heard me! With these babies, I can fly. I know it. You’re jealous. You’re afraid I could fly faster than you.”

Rainbow Dash’s firm gaze met with Scootaloo’s furious stare. Their manes flowed in the wind that came from Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom extended a hoof across Sweetie Belle’s chest before the unicorn could proceed forward. An apple rolled in between Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth but closed it after a slow, heavy sigh.

“I know you want to fly squirt, but don’t you dare.” Rainbow Dash said to herself in a quiet voice before she took off towards the Everfree Forest.

After the mare left Scootaloo’s sight, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle left to their stupor, the filly grabbed her Nightmare Night cloak. She tucked her wings under it, nudged passed Apple Bloom, and galloped down the dirt road, away from the clearing at full speed.

“What do we do?” Sweetie Belle said.

Apple Bloom turned to her friend and sighed, "I don't know."

Chapter 5

The filly's hooves tore into the dirt at a rapid pace, a swift hoof to wiped her watery eyes before the tears could form.

"You can't fly," Scootaloo's mind replayed the imaginary words of her idol and mentor, over and over again. Determined eyes guided the filly after a final wipe with her swift hoof. She weaved passed several apple trees in the Sweet Apple Acres orchard field. Her heart pounded. Her hooves continued to tear into the pathway's semi-firm dirt. The air remained quiet after her abrupt stop.

On top of the small hill, Scootaloo watched Ponyville spring to life. Mares, stallions, fillies and colts strolled through the streets. Mr. and Mrs. Cake setup their stand in the market district. Big Macintosh pulled the Sweet Apple Acres cart passed them, Applejack not too far behind.

"Where. Is. It." Scootaloo said between exasperated gasps. Sweat formed heavily on her forehead. Her eyes darted about as they focused and relented on several targets. Her gaze narrowed, "There!"

With a final deep breath, Scootaloo darted into Ponyville. She passed several ponies, but slammed into a solid object. A quick "sorry" was tossed to Bulk Biceps before Scootaloo bolted into a nearby alley, checked her large concealing Nightmare Night cloak, and then resumed her desperate journey into Ponyville.

Scootaloo's hooves propelled her down Manestreet towards the market district then came to a final stop. At the steps of a wooden platform, the jingling that came from the small pocket sewn into the cloak ceased. She trotted up the wooden platform's ramp, several deep breaths to come. The filly's hoof rammed into the black cloak's pocket. Several "borrowed" bits from Apple Bloom were tossed onto a counter in front of a mare. After a final deep breath and exhale, Scootaloo calmed herself and said, "Take me up."

The mare adjusted her flight cap. She closed her left eye then followed the filly's profile with her right. "Ok. Hop in. It's a thirty minute ride."

"How high does it go?" Scootaloo said, jumping into the basket next to the mare.

"I can take it up pretty high. You're not thinking about jumpin out, are you?" The mare said.

"I'm a pegasus. I can fly." Scootaloo replied in a stern voice, eyes to match.

"Suit yourself then. None of my business to tell a pegasus they can't to fly." The mare said while she untethered the rope.

The balloon basket jostled, minutes passed. The balloon, its basket, and the occupants drifted in the sky's calm wind. Silence, not unlike the pre-dawn morning, greeted the filly's ears after she jumped out of the basket, spotting a cloud high over Ponyville.

Its strings undone, the black Nightmare Night cloak drifted towards the ground. Gentle wind blew past the filly's face as she gazed towards Canterlot then Equestria's distant horizon. Each feather, every pinion flowed in a fluid motion after Scootaloo unfurled her wings, not unlike the pegasus filly's mane and tail. Eyes closed -- her beautiful wings outstretched -- she leaned back, "I. I 'can' fly. I 'know' it."

Scootaloo plummeted towards Ponyville. With a flap of her majestic, regal-like wings she felt a rush of adrenaline. Wind rushed past her face. A second flap came: nothing. Her wings flapped for a third time: nothing. They wings secured themselves to her sides, refusing to move. She continued to plummet toward the ground, Ponyville coming into quick view. Scootaloo struggled and, with a final strong push, opened her wings.

Straightened out, the filly rocketed through Ponyville near the tops of the houses. Scootaloo's right wing clipped a weathervane on a nearby house. The solid, sturdy metal object landed on the ground with a heavy thud. Her left wing slammed into house top. Her body went numb after being sent into a spin. Scootaloo closed her eyes. "Why... why can't I fly?"

A tight sensation gripped Scootaloo's back hoof. Slowed down and straightened out, the filly fought to open her eyes. In front of her, a cloth materialize and cupped around her body.

"Squirt, you ok?! Squirt!" A familiar voice shouted. The owner's fast hooves unfurled the cloth to see the filly twitching. Scootaloo's eyes crept open as she looked up to see Rainbow Dash point a quivering hoof, "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, get--"

"I need that cloth and rope," a voice interjected. Scootaloo squinted and watched a barrel being smashed with Silver Spoon gathering the bits of lumber. Silver Spoon's steadfast, right front hoof shot up and pointed towards a crowd of ponies, "Before you say anything, shut up. Just stand there and be quiet, Diamond Tiara!"

"Silver Spoon," Diamond Tiara said, ending with a quick "hmph" before she left with her nose turned towards the sky.

"I've made a splint and bandaged her wings. She needs to get to the hospital, ASAP!" Silver Spoon said.

*** *** ***

Slow rhythmic ticks from the nearby clock broke the room's grim silence. Light reflected off the polished white floors as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sat close to one another in the chairs below the clock. Rainbow Dash tapped her hoof against the smooth floor. She eyed the clock, floated into the air, and landed back to the floor, repeating the routine several times. Zecora, garbed in her tan hooded cloak, stood on one hoof in the room with her eyes closed. Silver Spoon sat in a chair, pulled over from the corner, near the double white doors that lead deeper into the hospital, her melancholic expression maintained since the group's arrival. Solid hoof steps echoed from behind the double doors and ceased.

A pegasus mare in a doctor's white coat opened the right door. She adjusted her glasses with her wing and turned to Silver Spoon, "You did a good job on the bandages, sweetie. Here's some bits for the food court. I need to talk with the others right now."

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded to Silver Spoon. The filly's eyes remained glued to the floor in front of her. In a voice that matched her expression, Silver Spoon turned to the two fillies and said, "I'm sorry about what happened."

After Silver Spoon departed, Dr. Radius tapped her chart with a solid hoof. Her eyes glanced over several pages. "I want to thank you for bringing my patient here as quickly as you did. Those bandages calmed the problem, but I believe things could have been made worse by Scootaloo's thrashing."

"How's our friend, Doc?" Apple Bloom said

"Is she going to be ok?" Sweetie Belle said.

"The squirt's wings ok?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Please, one at a time." Doctor Radius said. She lowered her raised hoof. "I'm afraid the answer isn't so simple. Mrs. Zip gave me permission to talk about Scootaloo and her condition, and I will start at the beginning."

The group proceeded passed the double doors. Dr. Radius flipped a sign on one door and ushered the group inside the office. Her wing grazed a switch on the metal box. It's light illuminated the piece of X-ray film.

"Rainbow Dash, as you might recall, the medicine I had made for Scootaloo was meant for the sole purpose to stimulate her wings. It should be quite obvious this wasn't the ointment's intended purpose." Doctor Radius let out a heavy sigh, "Unfortunately, I learned only a short time ago that my daughter tried to warn me of her friend's prank, but I wasn't able to get home until this morning due to my heavy workload here at the hospital. By the time I reached Scootaloo's house, it was too late to prevent this. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry about what happened."

Rainbow Dash eyed the film. She turned back towards the pegasus mare. "Are her wings ok? Will she be able to fly?"

"From the X-rays, it appears the patient hasn't sustained any broken bones, fractures, or, well, anything for that matter. It's rather extraordinary to be blunt." Doctor Radius said with a raised eyebrow. Her intrigued expression faded. Another heavy sigh came as the doctor tapped the X-ray with her right wing. Doctor Radius adjusted her glasses then placed a clipboard under her right wing, "That is where the good news ends. There is a serious problem, and it appears your reasons for her not wanting to fly were spot on, Rainbow Dash. In regards to Scootaloo's wing muscles, they display signs of being overstressed. To expand upon it, I believe her wings are stressed to such a high severity that it surprises me she wasn't in pain from the experience."

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stared at each other.

Dr. Radius placed the clipboard on her desk, gestured a stretching motion with both wings, and retrieved the clipboard. "Yes, it's much like a taught rubber band on a sling shot, Apple Bloom. I find myself concerned that Scootaloo's wing muscles would have detached from the skeletal structure without the 'unusual' compound's addition healing properties. Ms. Zecora, I've heard that there is a cure for Scootaloo's current condition. How would your antidote work on my patient?"

"What I say is true as I admit this problem is new. The cure will reverse the plant's effect, but it is unknown what will happen after that effect. I would have worked faster, if I only knew." Zecora said.

"I. don't follow you," Doctor Radius said.

"Ah think she means Scootaloo's wing muscles. It would be one thing if it was just the poison joke. With the medicine, it created a new problem that she's unsure of." Apple Bloom said, receiving a gentle smile from Zecora.

"I--" Doctor Radius said.

Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof into the office room's carpet "Look doc, will the squirt be ok. I want a simple yes or no."

Rainbow Dash hung her head. Her solid hoof slammed into the floor several times while a tear formed in her right eye. Dead silence greeted the room.

"We will talk about the subject later--" Dr. Radius said.

"No! You explain it now. What do you mean, 'I don't know.' You're a doctor!" Rainbow Dash bellowed.

"Miss Rainbow Dash! Magic exists in our world, as you can no doubt see by an errant potion. Though such powerful forces exists, it isn't an end all, be all solution for every known ailment in Equestria. That is why medicine exists and will continue to advance. Now, I ask you to please calm yourself." Dr. Radius said, a stern gaze piercing through her glasses to the pegasus mare in front of her. The doctor raised her right wing and brushed it against her silvery colored mane. "I promise, I 'will' help Scootaloo. She is my patient. As per the doctor's code, I will treat all patients to the best of my abilities."

Zecora draped her hoof over Rainbow Dash. "I know your angry, but it serves no pony."

"Ms. Zecora, I apologize if my words about your potion were offensive. I would appreciate your help to determine a proper treatment protocol for Scootaloo's wings. Apple Bloom, I could use your help as well." Dr. Radius said.

Apple Bloom, with a half-hearted smile, said, "I'll try."
Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle left the three ponies alone. They meandered down the hall, and the group of two stopped. Several voices came from behind door F22, the door Doctor Radius pointed them towards, and the two peered inside. A white faced Filthy Rich stood in front of Mrs. Zip with an equally white faced Diamond Tiara beside him.

"Our business is concluded, Mr. Rich." Mrs. Zip said. Both locks on the briefcase in front of her snapped shut as she displayed a cheerfully grim smile.

"Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich said in a quivered tone, a "yea dad" received. "Your grounded."

Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara passed by Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle, the door silently closing behind them.

"The great 'a fortiori' came out of hiding, huh?" Rainbow Dash said with a devilish grin. She watched Mrs. Zip close her eyes and give the same smile in return. "Ehh, nothing. It's nothing. Forget I said anything. How's the squirt?"

Mrs. Zip placed her brief case off to the chair's side. "I felt it necessary to dust this thing off due to the serious nature of the issue, and Filthy Rich's all too 'charming' personality on the matter. My, my, my, such a trouble maker. Anyways, Scootaloo is fine, for now at least. My daughter will have a mountain of chores when she's out of the hospital, rested, and able to do them."

The two mares exchanged nods as Apple Bloom came in. Mrs. Zip waved to Rainbow Dash. With a whisper, she said to Rainbow Dash, "Please, don't think too harshly of my daughter's actions or her words. You mean so much to her. It will take time to heal, but I know that bridge will be mended, becoming even stronger."

Mrs. Zip's hoof steps faded after the door closed behind her. Rainbow Dash tapped her hoof against her chin, smiled, and moved towards the bed. The large bump under the white sheet remained motionless. The mare motioned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. All of them crept closer. They pressed their hooves into the bump.

"Heh, I see your leg muscles still work." Rainbow Dash said, catching the filly in her open hooves after Scootaloo leapt into the air.

Scootaloo's quick front hoof latched onto the blanket's end and dragged it over her body after being placed back into the bed. She stuck her mouth out from a corner, "Go away. I am a loser. I am a 'Scootaloser.' I can't even fly with these things. OW!"

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle pulled their hooves away, snickering at their friend. Apple Bloom smirked, "Well, looks like ya still feel pain. That's a good thing at least."

"You see--" Rainbow Dash said

"Yea, yea, yea. The great 'Rainbow Dash' knows everything." Scootaloo said, ending with a "hmph" before diving back under the cover. "Just, just leave me alone. I'll just deal with it. I can't fly."

"Squirt. I'll say this once and only once. Remember it," Rainbow Dash ripped the covers off the bed. She stared at Scootaloo with resolute eyes, "I didn't help train you out of pity. I did it because of that spark inside of you, the same one I know that's inside of me. It's a spark that we feel when we're in the air." Rainbow Dash backed away and gestured at Scootaloo, "I won't give up on you. That's a fact. What I won't do is help shackle your hooves and wings, keeping you bound down. Not now. Not Ever."

"But... But..." Scootaloo said. Her eyes darted around, "The doctor said--"

"Ah was with the doc. She and Zecora are both workin' on ideas to help ya out." Apple Bloom said. She smiled at her friend as Rainbow Dash put her hoof down. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom sat near the bed "We'll all be right here waitin' for ya. You, me, and Sweetie Belle, we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders. We're Cutie Mark Crusaders, forever!"

Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle left after a final nod. The door crept open. Rainbow flew back in and gave a quick wing hug before she left.

Scootaloo looked at her left wing. She looked at her right wing. Both remained folded at her side, bandaged not too long ago. The door creaked open, and her head rose up. Mrs. Zip entered the room. In a quiet voice, Scootaloo said, "Mom?"

"Yes?" Mrs. Zip said

"Should I keep them?" Scootaloo said

"Them?" Mrs. Zip said

"I'm not sure what to do. Should I keep my 'new' wings? I mean, if it's possible." Scootaloo said.

Mrs. Zip picked the blanket off the floor, folded it, and placed the large soft cloth on the end of the bed. She returned to her seat. In a gentle tone she said, "Remember that Hearth's Warming eve when you got your scooter?"

"Yea, what about it?" Scootaloo said

"You were so excited. It's the happiest I had ever seen you. I couldn't stop you from buzzing up and down the halls of our house that night." Mrs. Zip said.

"And?" Scootaloo said

"In essence, what I gave you that day was a precious gift. Right now, I want to do the same." Mrs. Zip said. She placed her wing over Scootaloo, "You won't be a filly forever, so I believe it's time you made your first adult decision. Here's the deal. If Dr. Radius and Ms. Zecora determine a course of treatment that is safe and the wings will help you fly, I will let you chose. If they are a danger to your health, even a slight hint of danger, I will chose. Deal?"

Scootaloo tapped her chin. She said with a smile, "Deal!"

The mare hugged her daughter with her wings. She backed away and touched her wing tip to Scootaloo's nose, "By the way, this touching, mother daughter moment, doesn't mean you're ungrounded. You still have a month's worth of household chores to do when we're out of the hospital."

"Heh, well, I tried." Scootaloo said, ending with a heavy sigh.

Author's Note

Sorry, this chapter took longer than expected. I wasn't 100% sure how things should start winding down. Don't worry, it isn't the final chapter.

Chapter 6

The moon crept across the sky, and Night descened upon Equestria. Princess Luna stepped out onto her royal balcony, with a tender smile, and sniffed the gentle chill air that brushed against her flowing me. Towns sprang to life with doors flung opened to eager fillies and colts, holding out their sacs with firm holds on them. Festive streamers and decorations were hung with care throughout Equestria.

In Canterlot, the city bustled with activity, displaying a joyfully frightful welcome to Princess Luna's beloved holiday. The regal mare's horn glowed. She vanished into the darkness the appeared on the carefully constructed stage near Canterlot Castle's entrance. In a boisterous tone the princess declared the costume contest open with Fillies and colts trotting up, giving hearty grins, and then descending to the waiting area.

"Thank you for your performances, dear children of the night. All your costumes are frightful, beautifully elegant, and inspiring. We must pick one of you to shine though, and I dare say the winner is the representation of our dear sister. You dear filly, and your Celestia costume, display a perfect balance. Congratulations." Princess Luna said, levitating a small sack over towards her. "Here is your prize of one hundred bits for the costume contest. To all the citizens in Equestria, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for the most heartwarming welcome of this holiday."

Time seemed eternal for Nightmare Night, yet Princess Luna lamented the evening's passing. The bright full moon glided across the sky and set in the distant horizon.
A slight frost clung to Equestria's vegetation and glistened in the morning sun with the weeks that passed. Leaves changed to a beautiful hued color, and ponies, in the serene moments that came during their off days, rummaged through their closets for new decorations.

Inside Ponyville, on the first day of the Hearth's Warming Eve month, the school bell had rung. Semi-eager fillies and colts gathered inside at their respective desks. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sat next to each other; the desk to Sweetie Belle's right sat empty. Sweetie Belle grabbed her pencil and placed another slash on a piece of paper before she surreptitiously glanced to her side to see Cheerilee writing mathematical formulas on the black board. The unicorn filly saw her eight marks noted, one for each week the desk sat empty, and then slid the paper back into her saddle bag.

Cheerilee's chalk tapped against the black board as Apple Bloom's eyes fought to remain open. The clock's rhythmic ticks went in unison with Cheerilee's tapping. Sweetie Belle perked up, turned to her left, and then nudged her friend with a polite swift hoof. Despite the wake-up call, Apple Bloom's eyes resumed their furious battle. Her pencil hovered above a piece of paper.

Two faded piece of metal inside the clock, above the chalk board, pointed at two forty-five, fifteen minutes till school ended.

The chalk placed on her desk, Ms. Cheerilee trotted toward the door with a cheerful smile and opened it after a soft knock came. Several students shrugged at each other but remained silent. The teacher came back inside with a hoof full of papers, placed them on her desk, and selected one at random, her hoof creeping a cross it. She ended with a polite, quiet chuckle to herself before she turned toward her students. "It looks like the clock is a little slow. How about we call it a day."

Heavy sighs of relief filled the small space, drowned out by school-bell's noise. Students filled out. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle grabbed their saddlebags.
On the firm ground near the first step that led inside the school house, Sweetie Belle, out of the corner of her eye, saw a silhouette dart behind the school building. She wrapped her hoof around Apple Bloom and pulled her friend along with her.

"Scootaloo!" both said in a joyful, unison voice as they tackled their friend.

"Hey guys. Sorry I haven't been around." Scootaloo said.

"Where were you?" Sweetie Belle said. She extended her hoof to Scootaloo. Her eyes fixated on the filly's wings. "So, you kept your old -- I mean, your wings were healed?"
Scootaloo glanced off to the side, her right front hoof rubbing against the left."I--"

"Ah wish you were here for Nightmare Night. We all went to Canterlot for a costume contest. Sweetie Belle and me made it into the finals. Some pony took first place at the Nightmare Night costume contest with her Celestia getup though. She tossed the prize money towards us and darted off before we could thank her." Apple Bloom said.

"Want to meet up at the club house?" Scootaloo said.

"Ah gotta head to the farm real quick. Need to drop off mah stuff, but that's about it since things are pretty lax right now. Mah sis and big brother can handle things without me." Apple Bloom said.

"Rarity wants my help at her house for a dress. Of course, when she mean's 'help' she means stand there doing nothing." Sweetie Belle said. The three giggled at each other, "Anyways, it shouldn't take more than ten minutes."

With their front right hooves slammed together and a boisterous "Cutie Mark Crusaders forever" said, familiar hoofsteps soon resonated outside the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse after ten minutes passed. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom opened the door to see their friend smiling at them.

"So," Apple Bloom said. She rubbed her neck, her eyes diverted to the ceiling, "Ah guess the treatment worked. You got your, ehh... 'normal' wings back?"

Scootaloo grinned. Her eyes darted about before she bolted to the window, closed it, and shut the curtains. She landed a quick hoof onto the doorknob behind her friend and slammed the door shut. The loud click of a lamp being turned on resonated inside the club house, the dim light from it flickering.

"You promise not to tell any pony. I mean really promise? Do you, ugg, 'pinkie pie promise' not to tell?" Scootaloo said with a firm hoof pointed towards her friends.

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof and recited the oath. Apple Bloom, with a groan, did the same.

"I wanted to see you guys sooner. I big time wanted to see you. You'll love this." She said. The filly took a deep breath, winced, and her wings grew out into a majestic, regal-like form. "Things are a bit complicated in the wing department . There was a bit of a... 'side effect.'"

"They're beautiful. Your wings didn't change one bit." Sweetie Belle said, her soft hoof gliding across Scootaloo's wings. She stopped, "Wait, won't this hurt your muscles? Dr. Radius said your muscles could be damaged."

Scootaloo shook her head. "Naw, Rainbow Dash and Zecora checked 'em out. My wings, well my 'scooter' wings are 100% perfect, a-ok. In a totally awesome and off the wall moment, Rainbow Dash decided to coin the term 'regal mode' for my large wings. She comes up the with the most awesome names."

"Heh, 'regal mode,'" Apple Bloom snickered.

"Anyways," Scootaloo said, sticking her tongue out at Apple Bloom before retracting it. "Mom was a little freaked out when I showed her, but she said it was my choice to keep them or let Zecora try another potion. When I decided to keep them, mom was pretty insistent I go to my aunt's place. She's a "ma-soos", eh..."

"I think you mean 'masseuse.'" Sweetie Belle said.

"Yea, anyways, her specialty is pegasus wings. Aunt Pinion helped my wing muscles relax and stretch out a bit after each session. Rainbow Dash came over every day to help me. Felt like my wings would fall off at times. Took three solid weeks to make things feel nature, another week to keep 'regal mode' out for longer than five minutes." Scootaloo said.

Apple Bloom's hoof glided over Scootaloo's wings. She eyed her friend, extending the filly's right wing with a gentle hoof. Her hoof shot up, "Wait a minute. You're the filly who won with the Celestia getup."

"Heh, I'm surprised you guys didn't see through it when I passed you on stage." Scootaloo said. "Anyways, I thought it would be fun to have them out for a bit since I can keep them out for thirty minutes at a time now. Mom made me promise not to overdo it though."

A knock came to the door. Scootaloo winced and her wings returned to normal. Several noises emanated from inside the club house before Apple Bloom opened the door.

"Well squirt, it sounds like you couldn't wait on the surprise." Rainbow Dash said. She leaned in close and whispered to Scootaloo, "Did ya tell em about Princess Cadence?"

"No. Should I tell them? Would it make them jealous?" Scootaloo replied with a whisper.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stared at their friend, watching her receive a shrug from Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, whatcha talkin' bout... Wait. Scootaloo, have you been able to fly?" Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo sat near her mentor, both quiet. She turned. Her head raised, Scootaloo wiped a tear from her eye before it ran down her cheek. She gave a hearty grin then a firm slow nod, "Ye-yea. I flew."

Rainbow Dash extended her wing and ruffled Scootaloo's mane. She watched the filly look up. "Remember our talk, squirt."

"Right!" Scootaloo said. She smiled at her friends, "I'll get there. Some day. The day will come when I can 'really' fly. For now, I have my own style."

"Well, you're due for your second session today. Wanna show em?" Rainbow Dash grinned.

"Yea!" Scootaloo said.

Rainbow Dash in the lead, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo headed outside. The Cutie Mark Crusaders trotted down the dirt road towards a clearing. Rainbow Dash zoomed into the area above the area, scanned it, and zoomed back down. The mare held her hoof out, pointing Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom toward two thick trees that stood side by side. The two fillies watched their friend repeat the same exercise from the club house as Scootaloo took a heavy breath and winced. Scootaloo gave an excited grin to her mentor. Rainbow Dash ran her hoof along the wings, and, a final nod given, Scootaloo crouched.

"Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash said in a confident tone. She turned toward Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, a wicked smile flashed to the two fillies. The mare turned back toward her pupil, "Power Ascent!"

A violent gust of wind blew past the three ponies. Apple Bloom held her hoof up to her eyes. The small spot in the middle of the clearing stood vacant, a small crater indented into the ground. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom's eyes shot up. Both scanned the empty sky above. Soon, Sweetie Belle turned to Rainbow Dash and traced her eyes to a small speck.

"Heh, I best watch it. The squirt is five seconds faster this time around." Rainbow Dash said, a sly jovial grin given to the two fillies. "Still can't believe she pulled a sonic boom on her first power ascent."

"What!" Apple Bloom said, her jaw dropping. "You mean that boom in Ponyville wasn't you?!"

Rainbow Dash whistled an innocent tune. Her eyes fixated on the spec, now growing larger. The spec disappeared from sight, and another, hurricane-force like gust of wind whizzed past the three. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom clung to their trees while Rainbow Dash's back hooves dug into the dirt. Rainbow Dash bolted into the sky then disappeared from sight.

"What do you mean, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Ah heard a boom off in the distance one day before Nightmare Night. Mah sis thought Rainbow Dash was messing around, perfecting some new technique with the sonic rainboom." Apple Bloom said. She pointed her hoof towards the horizon, "We couldn't see the rainbow, so both of us thought it came from a thunder cloud over yonder, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Ah guess that solves that mystery."

Stillness came to the open space. The sound of wings unfolding came to the fillies' ears, looking up to see Scootaloo glide to the ground with Rainbow Dash at her side.

"Ya, ya see that," Scootaloo said with exasperated gasps for air. Rainbow Dash touched her side and the pegasus filly took several deep breaths before she winced, causing her wings to return to normal. Scootaloo's hooves wobbled. She collapsed to the dirt and laid on her back, "That. Was. Awesome!"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes then smiled at her protégé. "That 'was' pretty awesome. Ok squirt, no more flight training for today. I gotta get back to work."

"Deal," Scootaloo said.

"You need a ride home?" Rainbow Dash said. She received an ecstatic grin from the filly near her hooves, a firm headshake no to follow. "Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom. Tell Scootaloo's mom that the squirt had two sessions. One lasted ten minutes. This one lasted around, let's say five minutes. I want to keep things safe for a bit before we 'really' test Scootaloo's potential."

Rainbow Dash floated into the air, winked at Scootaloo, and flew towards the horizon. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle helped Scootaloo to her hooves. The trio meandered down the dirt road towards Scootaloo's house.

*** *** ***

The small alarm clock, with a dent in its side, continued to tick on. Apple Bloom tapped her hoof against the floor. Sweetie Belle bounced a ball onto the ground, caught it, and repeated the action several times. Mrs. Zip entered with a plate of fresh cookies balanced on her back, thirty minutes passing since the Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived. Scootaloo meandered into her room and sat near her friends.

"Scootaloo's wings are doing lovely. With how well her wings have worked out, I would dare say it's a miraculous gift from Princess Celestia herself. I say this with all my heart, I hope this never stops." Ms. Pinion said. Before she departed, the mare said, "I'm more than happy to give massages to little 'scoots' whenever she needs it."

"heh, little 'scoots,'" Apple Bloom said to herself with a quiet chuckle. "Ah been meanin' to ask ya. What happened with Diamond Tiara?"

Scootaloo's wings shot out, knocking over the ceramic plate. The filly winced and returned her wings to normal. "Sorry about that."

"That's alright, there was only one left. I have more down stairs." Mrs. Zip said, leaving the three fillies alone.

"I'm still learning how to get better control of them. My aunt's house found out my wings kind of 'jolt' and grow out on their own if I'm startled. It's why mom and Rainbow Dash thought it would be best for me to train." Scootaloo said.

"Why should asking about Diamond Tiara startle you?" Sweetie Belle said.

"How should I know. I was in the exam room with the doc while mom was with Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich." Scootaloo said, rubbing a nervous hoof against the other. She motioned to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. In a hushed voice she said, "I've heard only rumors about what mom did before I was born. The biggest rumor is she argued with Princess Celestia, causing her to sweat on the throne."

"Daemon autem legis?!" Sweetie Belle said, dropping the cookie in her hoof as she placed both hooves over her mouth. She watched Scootaloo look to one side and whistle an innocent tune. Sweetie Belle turned to see Mrs. Zip standing in the doorway with a fresh plate of cookies.

"My, my, my, those rumors again? You shouldn't believe such things, Sweetie Belle. Though, the way I heard things, it was more like Princess Celestia stood there in shock with a 'single' bead of sweat dripping down her cheek." Mrs. Zip said, bringing the fresh planted of cookies into the room. The mare gave an eerie, polite, cheery grin to the fillies in front of her. "I think it is safe to say none of us will see the likes of those pranks again. It's best for every pony."

"Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom said with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't look at me. Like I said, I was in the exam room with Dr. Radius while mom was talking to Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich." Scootaloo said.

"Right. Remind me, your wings 'shoot' out when you're what now?" Apple Bloom said with a sinister grin, receiving one from Mrs. Zip. The filly grabbed another cookie and bit down on it, "muffin, ah faid muffin."

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo giggled at Apple Bloom.

Mrs. Zip placed the plate of cookies on the dresser, nodded, and left. Under a quiet breath she said, "I'm glad this worked out in the end, my dear daughter. I hope those wings, those 'special' wings can help you achieve your dreams."