Scootaloo collapsed at the edge of the lake. Her breathing was ragged, her mane lay over her eyes, unkempt and dirty. Her cutie mark was covered by dirt and mud while her wings buzzed in anger and… fear. She glanced behind her then her gaze was drawn upward as a rainbow flash shot across the sky and over the lake towards the other side. Scootaloo looked back down at the lake and her reflection stared back with tired and angry eyes.
She sat up slowly. Her muscles ached from the running. She could barely stand but she managed to sit up as she gazed out across the lake. She put a hoof into the water. A shock tingled down her spine. She could feel the lake. She could feel it watching her.
A splashing noise grabbed her attention. She looked towards it but only caught a glimpse of a green fin. It quickly dipped beneath the water. Scootaloo stood up and waded into the shallows.
The plants on the floor of the lake brushed at her legs. She dipped under for a second before coming up and shaking her fur out like a wet dog. The mud and dirt washed from her coat and mane as she shook out the water. She pushed her wet mane back as she stared out at the open lake.
There is it was again. The fin. It surfaced and lingered long enough for her to see it this time.
“Come out!” Scootaloo yelled, stamping her hoof a dozen times into the water, enough to create a splashing. “I know you’re there.”
The lake seemed to darken as something rose from the waters. The waves began to hit the beach with a cruel slap that sounded like laughter. Storm clouds swirled above the lake and lightening began to crackle. The wind picked up pace while Scootaloo stared at a dark shape under the waters. It slowly came approached her, two dark green orbs glowing beneath the water. Scootaloo flattened her ears back but didn’t budge.
The dark shape rose from the water and hovered over Scootaloo. Its green glowing eyes narrowed as it stared at her, the water dripping from the creature. Scootaloo looked away but held her ground. The creature suddenly dove back under the water just as the lake calmed. The wind died, but the clouds stayed as if warning her of danger.
The creature popped back from under the water and seemed to sit in the shallows. Scootaloo looked down at the thing. It blinked at her and sighed.
“I suppose this is the part where you want some sort of wish, right?” The creature asked, motioning a hoof at Scootaloo. “Well, lay it on me.”
“I…I…” Scootaloo blinked and sat in the shallows. “I didn’t think this would actually work.”
“Few think it will. So you’re one of the doubters,” the creature said, it held out a hoof. “I guess I’ll answer any questions you have before we get this started.”
“Name?” Scootaloo asked.
“Call me Shelly. Fitting name to say the least. And you’re Scootaloo.” Shelly pulled her hoof back when Scootaloo didn’t shake it. “You’re here because you wanted to make a wish, right?”
“Yes,” Scootaloo replied.
“Such a gamble,” Shelly said, licking her lips and showing off her pointed teeth. “Suppose that the book didn’t work?”
“How did you know I read a book?” Scootaloo asked in surprise.
“That’s how they all find me.” Shelly shrugged. “Anyways, it could have been wrong. I could have eaten you, my yummy smelling friend.”
“Yes, but you can’t. Not unless I refuse to accept your wish or I step out of your lake.”
“Correct. Looks like somepony knows her myths and legends. That’s the other part of the gamble, that you should be serious about wanting the wish. If you leave, then you die. And I will find you.” Shelly said, her eyes glowing a darker green. “But what kind of wish do you want?”
Scootaloo stared into the water. Shelly impatiently splashed an odd fin that Scootaloo could not find the origins of in the murky waters.
“No wish is too embarrassing.” Shelly finally said. “I once had a pony ask me to remove his… sexual diseases. Needless to say, I really wanted to clean my lake after that.”
“I’m trying to figure out how to word it so there aren’t any consequences,” Scootaloo muttered.
“Oh don’t worry about that, darling.” Shelly said, flashing her blood stained teeth at Scootaloo. “There won’t be any. Just a price, as you should already know, but no consequences. That’s genies, dear, but only because they’re incompetent.”
Scootaloo chuckled.
“Everypony always liked that joke.” Shelly said. “Now tell me, what is it that you want? And no ‘a thousand wishes’ or anything like that. Its three wishes. Just hurry up.”
“Three?” The bewilderment evident by her voice. “I thought it was only one?”
“Nope, three’s the deal. Unless you want less?” Shelly asked.
“No, three’s good.” Scootaloo laughed weakly. “I would like to know who my parents are.”
“Alright kid. That wish is a classic. What’s next?”
“I would like the Cloudsdale Orphanage to not be shut down tomorrow.”
“What, you got some attachment to that place? You look a little old to be still in an orphanage.” Shelly’s remark had some bite.
“Something like that.” Was Scootaloo’s only response.
“Hm. I've heard about that. The lack of donations is going to shut that place down. It’s quite a shame really. All those orphans are going to be sent all across the country and many will lose their friends. I also hear it was the best orphanage in Equestria. Those poor kids. But thanks to you, that won’t happen!” Shelly grinned. Scootaloo didn’t respond.
“And I want to be able to fly.” Scootaloo muttered.
“Ah. Interesting. Normally pegasi are supposed to know how to do that already, but I’m not going to question it. Today your wishes will come true.” Shelly said, rubbing her hooves together. “Now, about that price, my snack.”
“I know, I know. Just get on with it.” Scootaloo said, her head bowing.
“I will enjoy this, kid.” Shelly grinned.
There was a blinding light, a high pitched scream, and the sound of a large body hitting the lake’s surface.
************************
“Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash shouted, running up to hug the orange mare. “I… er…” Rainbow let go of Scootaloo and grinned. “Glad to see you’re okay. Where were you?”
“Just talking to a friend,” Scootaloo replied. “So…”
“So…” Rainbow said and rubbed her hooves together nervously. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier, kiddo. About the whole ‘parents’ thing. Really, I am. And I wanted you to know that I dug them up and I found them.”
“Really?” Scootaloo asked, interest tinting her tone. “Who are they?”
“Spitfire and Lemon Blush. Anyways, I’ve called them down to Ponyville so you can meet them.”
“Great.” Scootaloo said with obvious interest and excitement.
“What’s up, kiddo?” Rainbow asked. “You seem… different.”
“Nah, it’s nothing.”
“Then meet me at Town Hall later.” Rainbow said then glanced at her wings. “Uh… do you want me to walk with you?”
“Nope, I’ve got it.” Scootaloo said before immediately taking off into the air. Rainbow Dash flew after her.
“Where’d you learn to fly?” She said, astonished. “I don’t mean that in a rude way or anything…”
Rainbow Dash was cut off in surprise as Scootaloo suddenly tackled her from the air and onto the ground. She pinned Rainbow Dash down underneath her. Rainbow struggled but to no avail; Scootaloo was just too strong.
“Wha-Scootaloo! What’s going on? Let me up!” She shouted loudly as she continued to struggle against the stronger mare.
Scootaloo backed off and Rainbow shot up into the air quickly. She frowned at Scootaloo who stared at her innocently, as if nothing had happened.
“What?” She asked with a tilt of her head in confusion.
“What was that for?” Rainbow exclaimed. “Why’d you try to pin me down?”
“What do you mean ‘pin you down’? I didn’t try anything!” Scootaloo said, holding up her hooves in defense. “I think you’re really starting to lose it, Rainbow.”
“Hello Scootaloo.” An unfamiliar mare approached from the forest. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“You neither… Shelly.” Scootaloo replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. “What brings you here?”
“You know her?” Rainbow asked, pointing at Shelly. The green mare with a matted mane that hung in her face released a dry laugh. Scootaloo gave a small smile.
“Of course. I have a house on the lake.” Shelly said. “She comes to me every week for flying tips.”
“Right,” Scootaloo nodded.
“I could show you if you want,” Shelly continued. “ You look like you could use a drink. I make the best pineapple punch you’ll ever taste. It’ll help calm your nerves. You look upset, dear.”
“Uh… okay.” Rainbow reluctantly agreed and followed Shelly towards the lake. Scootaloo lingered behind hesitantly.
“Come now, dear.” Shelly said, flashing her red eyes at Scootaloo from under her mane. “Rainbow’s going to stay with us for lunch too.”
“Okay,” Scootaloo muttered,following her towards the lake.
The lake was calm as Rainbow stepped into its waters. She waded in the shallows as Shelly began to swim slowly towards the center before ducking under.
“Your friend’s nice.” Rainbow commented, splashing some water towards Scootaloo, who stood on the shore. “How’d she say you two met again?”
“At this lake.” Scootaloo muttered.
“Right. How’d she teach you to fly, anyway?” Rainbow asked. “She’s an earth pony.”
“Magic.” Scootaloo muttered even lower.
“Rainbow, dear! The water’s warmer out here! Come on!” Shelly called from the center before diving under the lake once more.
“Come have some fun, Scoots and stop sulking. The water’s great!”
“No. You go.” Scootaloo said. Rainbow shrugged.
“Suit yourself.” She swam out further. Rainbow looked around for Shelly who was nowhere to be seen. Rainbow’s eyes suddenly grew large as she was quickly pulled under the water.
Scootaloo looked away as the lake turned red.
*******************************
“And Rainbow Dash was never seen nor heard from ever again!” Featherweight said scarily, a flashlight held under his face. There were a few claps from around the room. Featherweight looked around and sat down with a sigh.
“I really tried this time you guys.” He said with a sigh. Scootaloo stood.
“I don’t understand why you made me the bad guy. I’m Rainbow’s biggest fan; I wouldn’t kill her. Plus, I know who my parents are. I swear you guys think I’m homeless or something.” Scootaloo took the flashlight from him.
“I don’t know them!” Featherweight protested loudly. Scootaloo glared at him.
“Dude, she was our substitute last week.” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Remember?”
“Oh yeah…” Featherweight said and chuckled nervously. “But what about your father?”
“Who’s next?” Scootaloo called out, ignoring him.
“What I don’t understand is what the price was.” Sweetie Belle said as everybody began to murmur among themselves inside the dark tent. “I mean, it was never clear.”
“Scootaloo was supposed to be a minion of Shelly. She helped her lure ponies to the lake so Shelly could feed!” Featherweight explained but Apple Bloom rolled her eyes.
“That’s lame.”
“An undead minion would be so much cooler.” Scootaloo said as she handed the flashlight to Diamond Tiara who began to walk up to the front of the crowd of fillies and colts.
“QUIET!” Diamond shouted at the chattering ponies. Everypony immediately went silent and she smiled.
“Good. Now, I’ve got the worst ghost story of them all. This is the tale of the haunted mansion!” Diamond said and everypony groaned. Diamond frowned.
“Haunted Castle?”
Some ponies nodded with a smile as she began to tell her tale. All except Featherweight who crossed his legs and sat in the far back grumbling to himself.
Mine was better, He thought.
