Chicken and the Egg

"...You?" Discord stared in disbelief.

"Me." Scootaloo repeated.

"Why would I choose you?" Discord spat.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and gave her best brave face.

"Because I want to."

Discord opened his mouth to interject, but Scootaloo cut him off.

"If I ever get into more I can handle, I can come to Fluttershy or you, if you're around."

Discord stared hard at the filly for a minute, then his expression softened. He turned to the pegasus at his side.

"What say you, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy bit her lip.

"U-uh, Scootaloo are you sure-"

"Yes" Scootaloo interrupted.

"B-but, there's always the risk of you getting sick too, an-"

"I'm sure, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy paused. "We... I can't just... We'd have to check with your parents, and..."

It was Scootaloo's turn to pause awkwardly. "You'd have to ask Dash."

It was Sweetie Belle's turn to speak now.

"Scoots, why not your parents?"

Scootaloo sighed and looked down.

"My dad is a hospital for... severely disabled veterans... and mom... Well, there were some problems during my birth and... she didn't make it. That's also why I have so many problems with... you know." She pointed to her wings and did a slow flap.

"So Rainbow Dash has been taking care of me until we can get dad to recognize me."

There was another long silence.

Finally Fluttershy broke the awkwardness by pulling Scootaloo into a one armed hug.

"I'm so sorry. But if you're insistant, we can see what we can do about asking Rainbow Dash when she gets back."

Scootaloo gave her a small smile.

"Are you crazy?! Absolutely not! I don't want Scoots anywhere near that filly. Find somebody else!" Rainbow Dash spat, protectively standing between Scootaloo and Futtershy. She quickly turned to her surrogate sister. "What are you thinking? You can't do this. Why would you want to do this? What would Silver Wind say?"

Scootaloo started at Rainbow Dash unblinkingly. "I dunno, I'd ask dad, but he keeps thinking I'm the enemy every time I visit and tries attacking me."

Rainbow Dash tried to stammer out a rebuttal, but Scootaloo continued.

"Maybe I want to make the light of a dark situation. Maybe I want to help a sad filly get through a big issue like I never could myself. And maybe I'm just trying to help Equestria like my big sister and hero. The same one now telling me to ignore a dangerously sick filly because I might get a little sick myself."

Rainbow Dash stamped a hoof on the ground, trying discreetly to wipe a tear away. "Then I'll join you."

Scootaloo sat down in front of Rainbow.

"Rainbow Dash, you have the table summoning you to save Equestia. You also have your job, and your friends and your training to be a

Wonderbolt. And don't start saying any of that isn't important and can be left behind."

"B-but sometimes. I don't want you to be all alone through this. Or you three, I guess." Rainbow sniffed, gesturing to the other members of the CMC.

"They... aren't coming. You know Rarity and Applejack. They said no before we were fully asked."

Rainbow Dash plopped to the ground and pulled Scootaloo into a hug.

"Be careful, okay?"

Scootaloo gave out a little laugh. "Pinkie Promise."

Rainbow Dash stood up, and Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bloom.

"If you guys ever could meet up, we might all be able to hang out. That's if you aren't scared of a little filly."

Sweetie Belle looked down in shame and Apple Bloom nodded mutely.

And with that, Scootaloo took a deep breath and trodded over to Discord.

"I'm ready."

And with a snap, the two creatures dissapeared.