The Boop Box

by Ximer

Rating: everyone
Tags: Scootaloo, Random, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Original Character
Length: 1167

When hearts need softening, it's time to bring out the cardboard and crayons!

The power of the boop is a misunderstood, often abused, force in the multiverse. It is a power that even baffles the powerful chaotic entity known as Discord. Scootaloo plans to harness this seemingly unstoppable power to save the heart of a loved one!

More realistically, she wants to spend a little time with her dad.

Published 2015-04-16 04:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-16 04:20:02 UTC

Boop Box Mk1

Author's Note

So this was something that jumped into my head while I was trying to work on the next chapter of another fic and wouldn't go away. So to make my tornado of a mind happy :pinkiecrazy:, I came up with this.

Sorry to any one who has used/ calls Wincatcher their OC, again I suck when it comes time to come up with names and this was the first thing that popped into my head.

Thoughts and comments are always welcome. :moustache:

Boop Box Mk1

Scootaloo's father had finally returned home from drill. He was absolutely exhausted, and although he wanted nothing more than to spend a little time with his little filly, he was drained. Windcatcher knew she'd understand, or so he thought anyways.

Upon his arrival he stopped at the living room; discarding his armor next to his chair, hoping to nap for an hour or three before beginning to take care of the chores around the house that needed his attention. This plan was stalled by the sound of cutting and frustrated grunting coming from from his daughter's room.

Concerned, Windcatcher left the comfort of his chair to check on her. Peeking through the crack in the doorway, he saw Scootaloo working on something that was just out of view. Paste, crayons, and bits of what he assumed was cardboard were strewn about the floor of the filly's room.

Well...she's not hurting herself. That's what's important, right? Windcatcher reasoned with himself.

With a shrug, he left Scootaloo to her own devices, hoping to resume his nap in peace. His easy chair in the living room was calling his name hypnotically. Who was he to ignore such an alluring voice?

Scootaloo had been waiting for her dad to come home. She knew he'd be tired, he often complained about the long hours even when he didn't have drill. Still, he tried to spend as much time with her as he could, and she couldn't fault him for that.

The filly wanted to do something special for him, and she knew exactly what to do, sort of. Scootaloo was basing her creation off fonder memories; before his promotion, before he had to work longer hours and stay away from home sometimes. She often wondered why adults did things that made them unhappy.

Scootaloo could remember when he would come home and stretch his forelegs wide to catch her as she tackled him in a hug. That was the dad she wanted back, not the serious guard pony he was starting to become.

So, with all of her brilliance, and filly ingenuity, she put the finishing touches on her greatest creation, the Boop Box Mk1. She got the Mk1 idea from a comic she found in her dad's closet, something about a rich pony putting on a suit of armor, it was weird. It also explained the leg holes at the bottom, which had taken some work to fit her. They gave the box some pony power, about a fillies worth anyways.

Yes, such an inconspicuous, everyday household object was about to become her secret weapon. With a smile and nod, she gave it her approval; completely ignoring the tissue paper that had somehow gotten paste on it, and found its way on the side of her creation.

Windcatcher heard the sound of stifled laughter and lazily opened one eye to scan the area. He turned his head inquisitively when he noticed a bizarre looking box sitting in the middle of the living room.

He looked up at the clock, only thirty minutes had passed since he had drifted of and shrugged. This was no doubt Scootaloo's work, his wife wouldn't be home for another hour; he might as well humor the filly.

Wordlessly, he got out of his chair and approached the box, expecting it to have some sort of picture she made, or some other craft. The gesture was sweet, and he could always use more art at work, it was dull enough with the platoon he was over.

Windcatcher froze as a tangerine and purple blur popped out of the box, poking him in the nose before disappearing back into the odd container from which it came. The stallion blinked a few times, trying to make sure he wasn't out of it.

He tried to pick the box up this time, only to receiving another gentle poke to the nose. This time he heard the sweet sound of his daughter's laughter. It always warmed his heart when he heard Scootaloo or her mother laugh. He found himself smiling as he caught on to her game.

"Hmm, seems this device is well defended. I wonder what tactic I can use to get past this construct's armor?" Windcatcher asked aloud.

Suddenly, the box rose on four small tangerine legs, and took off towards the kitchen. It ran into the couch once before continuing its retreat from Windcatcher; childish laughter coming from the next room.

"Sound the alarm, it's escaping!" Windcatcher laughed, chasing after the "Boop Box".

The stallion stuck to a slow hover around the house, easily keeping the mobile box in his sights. He was actually enjoying this little game, what's more, he didn't feel tired anymore. He felt oddly invigorated playing this odd game of chase with his daughter, laughing for the first time in a long time. It was genuine laughter.

When the box encountered the stairs it came to a stop, seemingly perplexed by the structures. It was too busy trying to come up with an effective way to overcome such an obstacle to notice Windcatcher sneaking up behind it.

"Got’cha!" Windcatcher laughed, scooping the box up, its occupant squirming frantically within.

"Boop!" Scootaloo exclaimed, poking her father in the nose once more.

This time, Windcatcher wrapped his forelegs around the tangerine filly, causing the box to fall to the floor. He held her close, smiling as he felt her try her best to wrap her small forelegs all the way around him. She would be able to one of these days.

The thought brought about an epiphany; that one of these days would be here sooner than he realized. His little filly was growing every day, becoming smarter, stronger, and slowly able to handle the world on her own. He had been so caught up in work that he almost missed out on what was really important in life.

"I love you Scootaloo, don't ever forget that." Windcatcher said, silently thanking Celestia for his family.

"I love you too Daddy." Scootaloo nuzzled into his chest. Her mission was a success.

Windcatcher chuckled, giving his daughter one more squeeze before setting her down. He looked at the box and began formulating an innocent enough scheme for the device.

"Say Scoots, do you think the Boop Box is up for another mission?" he asked.

"Ready, willing, and able!" Scootaloo saluted.

"Good, I think your target should be getting home anytime soon." Windcatcher grinned, returning the salute.