I'll Be Home

Tears poured out of my eyes and splattered against my fathers gray coat. "Daddy! You can't go..." I whispered, sobbing.

"Scootaloo." My father reached under my chin and lifted my head. "It's alright. You and Mom are going to be just fine."

"Please Daddy..." I cried. "Please don't go..."

"Listen to me Scootaloo." My father said soothingly. "You're a strong, smart filly. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Do understand me?"

I nodded slowly. My eyes must have been red from crying. I looked at my father. He looked amazing, brave, in his golden armor. A gleaming sword lay at his side. On his chest was the symbol of the Equestrian Army. It was a pair wings, with a horn coming from the top. A shield was displayed in the center.

"You can help me Scootaloo. Send me letters, send me drawings, so I'll stay strong. I'll write back if i can, okay?" Dad pulled me into him. "I love you Scootaloo."

"I love you Daddy..." I whimpered quietly.

My father said his tearful goodbyes to my mother, and he turned back to me. "Remember what I said Scootaloo." He whispered. "I love you both."

Without another word, he spread his wings and flew into the skies to meet with the rest of his troop. They set off, and I saw Dad waving at us as he became smaller and smaller in the early morning sky, until he dissapeared all together.

"It's going to be alright Scootaloo." My mother's voice cracked with sorrow. She led me off back towards Ponyville, to our home.

I sat alone in my bedroom. The shades were drawn, the door locked. I cried. I was so afraid I would lose my father. He had always given me strength. He was my inspiration. My cell phone rang. I sniffed, and picked it up to see who it was.

It was Applebloom.

"Hey Scootaloo." Applebloom's voice came through. I could hear a hint of sadness in her tone.

"Hi..." I replied, my voice raspy from crying.

"Are you... Alright?" My friend asked, worriedly.

"I... I guess..."

"Here, I have Sweetie Belle with me. I'll put her on." The lien cracked, as the phone was handed to Sweetie Belle.

"Hello Scootaloo. How are you?" Sweetie Belle's soft voice said.

"I'm... Fine..." I murmured back. I really just wanted to hang up the phone and be alone, but I couldn't do that to the friends who cared for me so much.

"Alright. I hope you feel better soon... Bye Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle handed the phone back to Applebloom.

"Hey Scoots, want to uh, come down to Sweet Apple Acres and hang out in the clubhouse?" Applebloom offered.

"No thanks... I'll uh, see you later then." I replied.

I said goodbye to Applebloom and rolled over on my bed. Where was my father now? He must have been on his way to the base, thousands of miles away, deep inside the dark, Everfree forest. Oh why did Daddy have to go? Why?