Waiting on a Rainbow

by Foxvolt

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Scootaloo, Adventure, Derpy Hooves, Doctor Whooves, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Other
Length: 10793

Through loss and friends, Scootaloo becomes part of an unexpected family, in unexpected ways. ~Fox

In this story, we see Scootaloo in her birth home, with her beloved brother, Cloud, and her demented mother, who lost her sanity many months ago due to their fathers death in a lightning storm.

After her mother goes 'Feral,' She is forced to make a run for it, and who else to find in the middle of the Everfree Forest, than Rainbow Dash and Derpy Hooves, out for a getaway?

The story of Scootaloo finally becoming a family that we never see, asides the CMC.

Note: Derpy Hooves is only a temporary character.

Published 2012-07-21 09:24:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-04 08:14:28 UTC

Waiting on a Rainbow

Waiting on a Rainbow

A Scootaloo Fan-Fiction by Foxvolt.

You can find the requested Clop Extensions here: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/27652/7/Write-ALL-the-Clopfics!/RDxDH%2FRDxDH-%28Derpy-%26amp%3B-Doctor%29

Could be considered [Dark] or [Mature] -

--

-- Somewhere near Ponyville, in the Everfree Forest. --

The pouring rain carried the chill of the woods on it's every droplet, much to the dismay of the two ponies curled, shivering together in a collapsing shack on the outskirts of their mothers' property.

A young purple-maned, orange pegasus, Scootaloo, was curled in a small ball, enveloped by the warmth of her larger brother, Cloud Shaker. A meager shred of what was their blanket was thrown over them, retaining whatever precious heat it could for them.

The sun was just rising, and through the sound of rain splashing in puddles of mud around them, she sound of a rickety door slamming against it's frame made Cloud's ears perk, waking him instinctively.

The sound of somepony splashing through the puddles became louder as they neared. Cloud thought quickly, and slipped the blanket off himself, getting out of the bed, and made Scootaloo invisible with it, making her small sleeping form appear as a lump in the material.

As he turned to the doorway, ( For the door itself had long since fallen off, ) their mother, in all her shrewdness, strode into the room with a fierce look on her face, seemingly feral. Maybe she had finally gone overboard.

" Good morning moth- " Cloud was cut off by her hoof slapping him across the face.

" What have I told you to address me as? Because I'm sure I didn't give birth to something like you. " She spat viciously, gesturing to him with a disgusted hoof.

Cloud steeled his resolve, responding with a mechanical, " My apologies, M'am. " As he bowed his head in false respect.

She smiled, and laughed a bit too openly for the situation, and the smell of cider was potent on her breath.

Cloud wrinkled his nose. They couldn't afford food, but she still found ways to afford her morning drinks.

She looked down at him, snarling. " What are you laughing at, you little... " She paused, apparently trying to think of a word terrible enough to describe what was, by law and biology only, her son.

" I wasn't laughing, M'am. " He said gently.

She turned on him, and kicked him hard in the side, knocking him over, and taking his breath from him.

Leaning down close, she said sternly, " Now you listen here, ingrate, you're still on MY property, and you claim me to be YOUR mother, and I expect to be respected as such. You will not, under ANY circumstances, tell me that I am wrong, and that you may have some answer or solution that I may need. Do I make myself clear? "

Cloud, through swimming vision, saw their mother, once the very essence of a gentle, kind, motherly figure, standing before him, breathing down his neck.

Before he could think, he spat out the words, " This is dad's property... "

The look in their mother's face afterwords could have been described as shocked, angry, no, infuriated, all of the above, and still not come close to what a twisted, demented feature it held.

She snapped back to reality in a matter of moments, and began kicking and stomping him every which way she could.

" You do NOT TALK ABOUT THAT COLT! You DAMN UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SWINE! " Every word was emphasized with another blow to him in some way.

" No! " A small voice squealed from behind them.

The beating stopped, and their mother turned wildly around, and Cloud caught a glimpse of Scootaloo sitting up, wide-eyed with horror.

" Scootaloo! Dammit, run! Get out of here! Go, now! " Cloud yelled from the floor.

Their mother turned to Cloud again, and his suspicions were confirmed. Her eyes were wild, and unfocused. The alcohol and change in pace had finally done it, she had gone feral.

She bounded off of him, and ran for Scootaloo, hooves outstretched. Had cloud not chomped down on her tail, she probably would have smothered her. Instead, the demented unicorn was thrashing wildly against Cloud.

" Run! NOW! " He yelled to Scootaloo.

Something primal clicked in her brain, and she bolted out of the shack, running into the woods, crying profoundly hard, ignoring the screams of agony from behind her.

--

A few hours later, she finally collapsed of exhaustion. If only she could fly, everything would be so much easier... But it was so scary up there...

Looking to the sky, Scootaloo imagined herself free from everything on the ground, circling in loops, corkscrews, and all sorts of other tricks.

She sighed, and looked around her, remembering where she was; the Everfree Forest.

She looked around, searching for anything that might serve as a shelter. Looking to her left, she saw a small cliff-face, that seemed to have a gap to a cave in it.

Hoping it wasn't something's nest, she began to walk towards it. As she got closer, two mare's voiced could be heard from inside.

" But, I don't know wha' you're saying, Rainbow Dash! I thought we were out here to blow bubbles... " One said.

She creeped to the edge of the cave, and peeked inside. There before her lay two mares, a grey one, leaning back with her head resting on a cyan one's- who's mane suggested was Rainbow Dash's- stomach.

There was a small firepit before them with some small embers that were probably from the night before. Seeing it was nearly noon now, there was no need to restock it, the cave was radiating heat.

" Derpy, just forget it. We can start heading back tomorrow, if it warms up. " She responded.

The grey one, apparently named 'Derpy,' nodded in satisfaction of the answer, and nuzzled her face into Rainbow Dash's neck, making her blush. She just put a hoof across her body, and held her close.

Scootaloo remembered her mother holding her like that once, before her father died...

She shook her head free of the thought, and backed away from the cave mouth. Maybe when it was darker, she could sneak into the back of the cave and get warm, seeing she had no idea how to make a fire.

She sighed in content for a moment, and covered her mouth, hoping neither had heard. She waited a moment, and not hearing anything, sighed again at her luck, which was, for once, good.

--

Scootaloo shivered as the sun fell, and crouched closer to the wall in an attempt to catch any wisps of heat, from the now restoked fire, that spilled from the cave's mouth. Little luck was drawn from the attempt, but little was better than freezing to death.

Once in a while she poked her head around the cave lip to see what was going on, more than once forcing herself to look away quickly with a heavy blush.

About an hour after the sun had set, Scootaloo once more poked her head around the cave mouth, to see that they had finally seemed to have fallen asleep.

She wasted no time in scrambling over the rocky face of the entrance, and creeping past them to the back wall of the cave, where she could remain hidden behind a low cluster of stalagmites and stalactites that had formed, seemingly rarely for being above ground.

Though a rough fit, she mozied down in the small crevice between them and the back wall, where it was still surprisingly warm from the fire's heat being trapped in the cave. It was better, if not a bit more smokey, than being out there. And, before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

--

" Uhh, hello? " Some voice rang through Scootaloo's skull.

" U-huh? Clou- " She rubbed an eye and opened it, pausing mid sentence when she saw a pair of yellow-gold eyes staring back at her.

There was silence for a moment, and Scootaloo jumped back the few precious inches that the area allowed her, muttering an ' Eep! ' of surprise.

" Oh, I didn't think I was really scarry, sorry... Oh, maybe I shouldn't have said anything... " She said, falling back on her haunches, circling the dirt with a hoof with a frown.

Scootaloo followed the hoof with her eyes for a moment, then said, " Hi... "

Derpy looked up, apparently happy she had gotten a response.

" I'm Derpy Hooves, What's your name? " She said happily.

Upon closer inspection, Scootaloo could see that one of her eyes was slightly off from the other. Not too badly, but definitely noticeable.

" I'm Scootaloo! " She said, a wee bit loudly for the shy lump she was only moments ago.

" Well, what're you doing in the back of a cave? " Derpy asked, tilting her head.

Scootaloo thought. " Well, what are YOU doing in a cave? " She responded. Fair enough.

Derpy thought. And she thought. And she thought. She looked to the ceiling as if the answer were inscribed on it, then looked back to her and said, " A friend brought me here, so we could have some fun, and play games! But we only got to play a couple, but we played them a lot. "

' Man, she's really- Wait, is her cutie mark... Bubbles? She seems really bubbly... Wierd... '

" That's cool, I guess. " Scootaloo said, walking forward to sit in front of Derpy.

Dash's ear twitched, and a groaning sound resembling something dead being forced to wake up too early rang through the cave.

Scootaloo instinctively backed up a few paces, and Derpy turned happily in her direction.

A moment later, Dash stuck her head around the barrier she was hiding behind, and stared at Scootaloo, then at Derpy, then back to Scootaloo.

After a moment, she asked, " You weren't... Pregnant yesterday... Were you? "

Derpy laughed a little. " Nope! "

Dash's mouth frowned a bit.

" Then who's this? " She asked.

Derpy thought a minute, and some more, and a little bit more before throwing her head back and singing, " Scoooooooo-ta-looooooooo!~ " With a ditzy smile.

Dash slapped her hoof to her face, shaking her head for a moment.

" What are you doing in here, kid? " She asked.

Scootaloo braved up once more, and said, " Just getting warm, sorry to, uh, interrupt. " She said, getting up, and trying to trot past them.

" Not so fast, kidd-o. " Dash said, grabbing her with a hoof, and sliding her back to them. " Where are you heading? "

Scootaloo opened her mouth, and without thinking, said, "Home, a while east."

Dash looked at her for a moment, and sighed.

" Well c'mon, we'll fly you home. " She said.

Scootaloo's eyes widened quickly, and she shook her head fiercely, backing away from Dash.

" What, you can't fly? " Derpy said, flexing her own wings. " But you've got wings!"

" No, I can, I just... " Scootaloo looked down at the ground, mimicking Derpy's circular motion in the dirt with her hoof. " I'm... Scared of heights... " She finished, with a velvet blush.

Dash looked at her, and began to laugh. " What kind of pegasus doesn't like flying?! That's a good one, kid. Now c'mon, let's get you home. " She said, rising, and stretching her wings for the flight.

When Scootaloo didn't do the same, she looked back at her.

" You're not kidding, are you...? "

Scootaloo shook her head.

Dash groaned. " Well... Hop on my back, I guess, it'll beat walking. I'll fly low, for you. Now c'mon, we've gotta get back to Ponyville soon... "

Scootaloo protested, and backed away from them, but Dash scooped up, and took to the skies, with Derpy close behind, and Scootaloo stopped fighting instantly out of sheer fear.

After only a couple of minutes of flying, the hours of groundwork Scootaloo had covered on foot, her house came into view.

Had Scootaloo not pointed it out, Dash would have disregarded it as a run-down lot, but she didn't question it, and flew to the doorstep, in one fell swoop.

" Wait!- " Scootaloo said, but Dash had already knocked on the door.

Dash looked down at her, but reared back onto her haunches when something very breakable-sounding shattered on the other side of the door.

" GET OFFA' MY PROPERTY, YOU AIN'T GETTIN' BACK IN HERE! NEITHER IS HE, AND IF I CATCH HI IN THAT SHACK AGAIN, I'LL END BOTH'A YA! " A maddened voice screeched from inside.

Dash's eyes went wide as she processed the obscenities, and looked back at Scootaloo, who was looking down at the porch-step with watery eyes.

Derpy stepped up from behind her, and put a wing over her, rubbing the side of her face against Scootaloo's comfortingly. " She doesn't sound like a good mommy... " She said quietly.

" Cloud! " Scootaloo suddenly said, rushing from them, to the shack, a few hundred feet away, on the edge of the property, nearly hidden in the treelines.

She rushed through the open doorway, and stared at the ground in dismay, her heart sinking rapidly. Several streaks and small puddles of blood were smeared around the shack, and lead back outside.

As Dash and Derpy caught up to her, she rounded out of the house, following the trail of blood around the back of the shack, and into the woods.

" Kid, wait! " Dash called after her, having a difficult time keeping up on hoof.

Scootaloo jumped over a pile of rocks that had blood on them, and fell several feet to the ground below. The trail abruptly ended, but she turned around, and against the cliff-face lay her brother, breathing heavily, and cut deeply almost everywhere, his being coated in soil and blood.

" Cloud... " Scootaloo said, stepping over to him, as he cracked an eye open.

Dash and Derpy stopped just short of the jump, and looked down at her.

" Hey, kid, what- " Dash yelled, then she saw cloud.

Scootaloo disregarded them, and put her hoof on her brother, looking him up and down, shaking her head, and holding back tears.

" Hey, Scoots... Who's the company...? " Cloud said with a weak smile.

Scootaloo shook her head. " They... they were in a cave... And I went in there to sleep and... What did mom do to you?! " She finally cried out.

Cloud made a hacking sound, that was probably his attempt at a laugh.

" Man, what didn't she do... Magic's really unfair in a fight, I'll tell you that much..."
He said, closing his eyes again. " I'm just glad you got out fine. "

Scootaloo shook her head. " Come on, she said if she sees us she'll kill us! Come on, we've gotta go! " Scootaloo said, trying to pull one of his hooves with two of her own.

" Hey, hey... Scoots... I... " He sighed. " She already killed me, sis. I can't even move anymore. "

Scootaloo kept pulling his hoof. " No, come on, you can walk! You've walked to town tons of times! Come on, Cloud! "

He shook his head, smiling, and looked up.

" Not this time, Scoots... Not this time. " He said, his own eyes beginning to tear up. " Just... I just want you to know, I love ya', Scoots, I really do. I just wish I could help make you happier. "

" No! " Scootaloo yelled, finally dropping his hoof, to slam her own into the ground between them.

Derpy followed Dash around the side of the cliff, and they walked to the two, not speaking, ears low, tails dragging.

"Hey... You two... " Cloud addressed them.

They said nothing, but looked up.

" Can you two get her back to Ponyville, bring her to the north side, last house on mane street, she has an uncle there, goes by ' the Doctor' , has a mark of a timekeeper, I think... He's got access to whatever bits we have in the family bank that ma' can't touch... Could you get her there for me? " He asked.

Dash nodded her head solemnly, and Cloud returned his attention to his sister.

" Well, Scoots... I think this is it... I need you to... Promise me something... " He said, looking back up, his breaths coming in quick succession to the next.

Scootaloo looked up. " Yeah..? "

"... Try to make a couple friends... Will you do that? " He asked.

" I... I'll try... " Scootaloo said, sniffling once.

Cloud smiled, closing his eyes once more. " Good... That's good... " He whispered. For a moment, his body stiffened, then, he let his breath go, never to take another.

Scootaloo fell to her haunches, staring in disbelief at the body that was only a moment ago her brother, her only friend in the world, now just a lump of flesh, inanimate, unmoving, never to exist again.

Her mind flashed to her experiences with her brother. There were few, being that the family had always lived in poverty, but between him and their father, they had managed to pull through. Somehow, they held the loose stitches of a torn family together.

Scootaloo tucked her head down, covering her neck with her front hooves, and began to cry. It was all Dash and Derpy could do to sit by her side, and let her have time to mourn.

--

The flight to Ponyville was long and silent, take the wind rushing past their ears, or the occasional brush of a treetop from the low altitude.

Once in a while Dash could feel Scootaloo sniffing on her upper back, but otherwise no interaction took place.

The city's lining edge soon came into view, beginning with an out-of-the-way cabin, with several caged-in enclosures. Fluttershy's house.

They passed over it, getting a nice view of Sweet Apple Acres to the south.

Dash flew past that as well, heading for the north side of town; Mane road, precisely, the last house.

That took shortly any time at all in itself, it was barely past one by the time they arrived.

Scootaloo slowly clobbered over Dash's side, and forced herself to drag her body up the stairway to the door. Derpy knocked for her, in some happy-go-lucky pattern.

For a moment there was nothing, but after a quick shifting of papers was heard, a quick *ting!* and a deadbolt twisting, An average sized colt of a brown coat and mane stood before them, through a screen door.

" Who are all of you, then? Government? Celestia's, Erm, goons, as it were? " He asked, looking from Derpy, to Dash, to Scootaloo. " You don't seem like a very... How do I put this... Capable lot, now, do you...? And what are your names, then? And more importantly, what do you all want?"

"We're here to give you her. " Dash said, nudging Scootaloo forward a bit.

The colt looked from Dash so Scootaloo, stooping down and asking, " What's your name, then? "

" Scootaloo... " She said blankly.

He backed up a step, blinking rapidly for a moment before shaking his head in astonishment.

" But- No, is that really you? Why has Cloud Shaker not brought you here, and how are you this far from your mother? " He asked, once more stooping low to Scotaloo's level.

Scootaloo looked at the ground, her eyes watering up once more, it was all the answer he needed.

" Oh, dear... Oh, my apologies to you all, thank you for bringing her, I'll prepare the guest room, I think? Yes... The guest room... " He said, absent-mindedly, thinking hard about the situation.

He turned into the home, walking through the living room and kitchen, and up a flight of stairs to the second level, Scootaloo and company following close behind.

He turned right along the hall, and entered the first and only door on the right, his room. Collecting a pillow and thick blankets, he loaded them onto his back, mumbling something inaudible, and walked back past them, downstairs.

Walking back through the kitchen, he followed the right wall, opening the only door alongside it, and tossed the materials onto an average-sized bed against the far side of the room.

The room itself was painted a deep blue, usually setting a very passive atmosphere, but only reflecting the mood of the group at the moment. Though none of them spoke, they silently agreed to say as little as possible about it.

He turned back to them, and said, " Well... I suppose you're all welcome to stay for lunch, unless you have previous engagements. "

" Well, I'm going to go ask a friend how to get this filed. Derpy, just get back to... Whatever it is you do. " Dash said with a frown, walking out of the room. " I'll come back to check on you guys later, mister...? " She asked.

" Oh, I'm the doctor. " He replied.

" Doctor? Doctor who? " Dash asked.

" Precicely. " He responded, smiling.

Aggravated, and no patience, Dash stormed away, grumbling, " I'll just go get this on file... "

" That's not quite nessica- " Whooves called after her, only to have his voice cut off by the slam of the front door. With an awkward smile, Derpy quickly followed her lead, only closing the door much more softly.

And with that, Scootaloo and the Doctor stood awkwardly together for a minute or so, avoiding each other's stares.

" Well then, " he said. " Feel free to use whatever you need around the house, the fridge is usually stocked, so help yourself. I'm going to go finish a little project I have going on, then I need to go run a few... Errands, so make yourself at home, and... I suppose that's that. "

When Scootaloo didn't respond, he rolled his eyes and approached her, sitting beside her, and putting a forehoof around her shoulders.

" Listen, erm... I know how attached you two were... He told me several times. "

Scootaloo's ears perked slightly at the mention of her brother.

" He would fly by for the night when your mother kicked him out of the house, if he couldn't get to you before she locked the windows. He even brought you by frequently a couple years ago, when you were just a little foal, though you most likely wouldn't remember it. " He trailed off a moment, regaining his train of thought. " Point being, You definately meant quite a bit to him, and I know it. Your mother will pay for it, I promise you that. "

Scootaloo didn't show any signs of hearing him, looking instead at the floor with an unreadably blank expression.

Without another word, he stood, and left the room, leaving the door open. Without his comforting hoof, her shoulder suddenly felt a severe chill, making her shiver lightly.

Without a second thought, she jumped onto the bed, feeling it's cushioned fluff up around her, she crawled beneath the mound of blankets, and rested her head on the pillow, and fell asleep.

--

Dash flew away from the Weather Center as quickly as possible. Today, she wasn't just skipping work, her shift was actually over.

Heading in the direction she had taken her Co-Worker with previously, she flew alone towards the Everfree forest. Passing Fluttershy's house, she spared it a look, seeing the timid yellow Pegasus feeding an assortment of birds in their pens.

Passing, she kept her eyes open for the cave they had found Scootaloo in. Several minutes and miles later, she spotted it, and stooped into a low dive, rolling into the mouth of it. Looking around, she saw the remnants of their makeshift fire, which now resembled smoldering ashes, barely making smoke.

Turning back to the forest, she looked to the right, where they had taken off to bring Scootaloo home. Jumping out of the cave, she took to the air, and sped over the treetops once more, keeping her eyes open.

Only two minutes later, she saw the house, and flew into another roll in front of the shack. The area looked abandoned, and she trotted behind the shack. Looking to the ground, she saw the blood trail from earlier that day in the fading light, and followed it cautiously back into the Everfree forest.

Soon, she found the cliff that Cloud was lying against. She looked around, making sure no creatures were lurking about, and jumped down into a hover, landing in front of his body.

It was as they had left it, no flies, no deterioration, not even a smell.

Dash couldn't help but to frown at the sight. Such potential, a LIFE, ended. Just like that. A mare who could do that to her own offspring... It was sick.

She edged closer, and lifted a hoof of his with her own, letting it drop. Yup, definately dead.

She gulped, and pushed her head under his mid-section, and lifted his head and haunches with her fore-hooves. Once her head popped up the other side, she stood, carrying him on her upper back, above her wings.

Looking down at where he was lying, she saw the ground was slightly stained with blood, and she could only hope he wasn't still bleeding on her.

Looking back to the side of the cliff, and a unicorn with a crazed and hostile look was staring her down, eyes wide, smile twisted.

Dash jumped back with a gasp, this mare looked like she had gone through hell and then some. Her mane twisting this way and that, even showing signs of being ripped out in places. Her tail was half cut-off, the other half one big knot, and her coat was mingled with dirt and debris, including traces of blood.

" And just who are you? " She asked, seemingly skiddishly, shifting her weight from hoof to hoof as if the very ground were to collapse should she focus her whole weight on all four evenly.

Dash didn't respond, instead she unfurled her wings and slowly backed up.

" Who are you? " She asked again, stepping forward.

Dash felt something against her back hoof, it was the cliff-face. Her back was to the wall.

" I'm Rainbow Dash. Who are you? " Dash said, managing a confident tone, keeping the tremble out of her voice.

" I'm his mother, and it's time he came inside for lunch. I'm sorry, maybe you two can play tomorrow. " The mare responded, smiling lightly, gesturing to Clouds' body.

Dash looked confused, plainly so, and so the mare stepped forward, saying, " One more time, it's time for lunch- DROP HIM NOW!! " She suddenly screamed, crouching low as if to lunge, her eyes becoming wide, pupils dilated, and her horn sparking to life.

Just as suddenly as Dash's expression had turned to fear, the mare calmed, continuing as if nothing had happened.

" I was thinking we could make sandwiches. Actually, would you care to join us?"

' This chic's lost it... I've gotta get outta here before she goes nuts... ' Dash thought, surveying the area. She couldn't back up any more, and an insane mare was six feet from her, and only getting closer. She could take off, but the impeding weight of Cloud's body was making itself ever-apparent, weighing down on her shoulders.

Taking her chances, Dash jumped as hard as she could, and flew over the mare, who lashed out at her overhead. As she flew away, Dash saw a beam of magic whiz by her head. Looking back, the mare was shooting energy spikes in all directions in a fit of rage, stomping her hooves, screaming, and running around.

Most were easy to avoid, due to lack of aiming, and the rest she just dodged by dropping a bit lower, as she got further away.

Soon, they were out of sight, and heading back to Ponyville. Dash pulled west to go around the town rather than over it, lest somepony see her carting a dead body around on her back.

She eventually reached the cemetery, and she hovered around the back, and dropped Cloud to the ground, leaning against the wall.

Walking around the building, she bumped against a mare in long, black robes, with a golden chain necklace, and Dash fell to the ground.

" Oh, sorry, I wasn't looking.. I'm looking for... " Dash thought. " Whoever I need to see about burying somepony? "

The mare looked her over, raising a brow.

" How did they die? " She asked.

Dash shook her head, muttering, " He was killed. "

The mare widened her eyes, suddenly interested. " Killed? There hasn't been a homicide in Ponyville in years! "

Dash rose, and shook her head again. " He's back here. I just want him buried, no funeral or anything, he only has one- two relatives, I'll bring them over later... They don't know I got the body. "

She turned and began heading to the back.

" Got? Do you mean have, or you went and got it from somewhere? " The mare questioned.

Dash winced lightly. Oops.

" I'd rather not go into details about it, I still need to go and get everything on file at the station. " She said.

" And I'd rather not bury a body without knowing if I'm destroying evidence or not. " The mare said, approaching Dash rapidly.

Turning back to respond, the mare tackled her, and pinned her to the ground. Stunned, Dash struggled, but a blow to the head knocked her unconscious.

--

" Scootaloo, for Celestia's sake, get up! We've got to go bail that mare out of jail! Come on, then! There we go! "

Scootaloo groaned, groggily opening her eyes, and sitting up against the weight of the blankets. Looking out the window, she saw that it was nighttime, she must have been asleep for a few hours, at best.

" Jail...? What? " Scootaloo said, still waking up.

The Doctor walked to her doorway, waiting for Scootaloo to follow her, before continuing.

" That rainbow mare went and retrieved your brothers body, and went to have it buried, now they have her in jail, because the blokes think she killed him. Watch your step, stairs are just a bit loose, there. " he said, guiding her out the back door, locking it behind them.

Scootaloo thought it over as they walked, later asking, " Why would they think she killed Cloud? "

The Doctor sighed. " Think of it this way. Someone comes up to you with a dead body, claiming it was done by homicide. Not only is this suspicious in itself, being such a rare case, but why would you bring a body to be buried before letting others know about it, and how do you know it was a homicide? Why are you the one bringing the body, wouldn't the killer dispose of it themselves, or are YOU really the killer, doing that right now, before prancing off to the police station, to frame another poor soul for the crime? Either you are a criminal, or very, very shortsighted. Sadly, it was the latter. "

Turning onto the street, they began the short walk to the police station, operated by only one mare and colt, due to the small need for a police force. They soon arrived after an awkward silence, unsure if there was a need for anything to he said.

A mare behind the desk looked up expectingly. " You here for the colorful one? " she asked.

The Doctor took the lead, saying, " Yes, there was a bit of a mix-up, you see, she was retrieving a corpse and having it- erm, him, buried properly. I take it that she is under murder charges? "

The mare shook her head, laughing. " Celestia, no. We took a DNA sample on old Cloud, shame really, good kid. We just needed somepony to escort her. There are several warrants out for her arrest, we just needed the location, which Ms. Dash so kindly provided us. "

There was silence for a moment, and a colt walked up beside her, pushing a clipboard over the desk, saying, " Sign here, stating that you picked her up, and we'll bring her up. "

The colt turned away and disappeared behind a doorway.

The Doctor looked down helplessly at the pen and fourm before him.

After a moment, he attempted to lift it, only allowing it to roll off his hoof back onto the table.

The *Click* echoed rough the room, and the mare paused, looking up.

" Is there a problem? " She asked, raising a brow as he again attempted to pick it up, failing again.

" Erm, sorry... I'll just... There we goh- " He said, picking up the pen with his teeth.

Scootaloo looked at him just as quizzically as the mare behind the desk.

Looking back and forth between the two, the doctor smiled akwardly, brushing the back of his head with a hoof, shrugging, before slopping something resembling a signature in the paper.

" ... Okay then... I'll just... Okay... " The mare said, turning and walking behind the desk, mumbling something about lack of education nowadays.

They waited a few moments, and then the colt who had left them returned, leading a very disheveled Rainbow Dash behind her. When she was lead to the front of the desk, the colt returned to his position behind it.

Looking up, she stared at them for a moment, and slowly muttered, "Thanks... That- " She trailed off. "Thanks."

They looked at her for a moment, seeing a depressed look upon her features.

" Hey, are you okay? " Scootaloo asked, stooping down under her, looking up to look into her eyes.

Rainbow smiled a little bit, and fluffed her wings. " Oh, yeah! I'm great. Let's just get out of here, okay...? We can... We can talk later. "

The false cheeriness barely lasted the walk back to the doctors house, and by then, she had begun to walk with her head hanging, and her tail back between her legs.

Pushing open the front door, the Doctor stepped in, holding the door for them.

They sat themselves in the living room just to the left of the doorway, with a large window for peering out into the street. Dash laid herself on the floor, resting her head deep within the folds of her crossed forearms, reclusively.

There were several minutes of akward silence, and the Doctor rose from his chair, and sat beside dash.

" Well, what's all the down-and-frown's about, then? I mean, at least it wasn't prison. " He said, nudging her. She absorbed the movement, and rolled back to her original position, as if she had disreguarded it.

His eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer. " Did a... ? " He began.

Again, Dash did not respond, and Scootaloo stretched forward from the couch to try and read her.

" Scootaloo... " The Doctor said, looking up at her. She met his gaze, tilting her head. " Scootaloo, go to, erm, your room, I suppose we'll call it, if you wouldn't mind. "

" But- " She started.

" Room, Scootaloo. It's waiting for you. Go on, then. "

Seeing no room for debate, Scootaloo grumbled something inaudible, and walked past, into the next room, looking back at Dash. He was stroking up and down her back comfortingly, whispering something to her she couldn't hear, and Dash didn't seem to register a bit of it.

She passed the corner, and walked into her room, her line of sight broken. Flicking on the light, she had an idea. She slowly closed the door, flicked the light off, and opened it again once more, crawling out, re-rounding the corner, and hiding behind the side of the couch, listening in.

" If I may...? " He asked Dash.

What did she miss?

Dash did not respond, and the Doctor sighed. He stood, and walked behind Dash, who flicked her tail slightly.

The Doctor brushed it aside lightly with a fore-hoof, leaning in to examine her haunches, muttering an, " Oh, dear... "

He backed away, and reassumed his place beside her, putting his left forehoof over her body, saying, " I'm so sorry that happened to you... I suppose I'll just... make you something for dinner... And the youngling as well, yes, that sounds about right. "

Rising, Dash glanced up at him with a lost expression. It reminded Scootaloo of her mother, in the months after her father died. She was always so empty, so cold, but she wasn't so evil... Was Dash turning evil too?

" No! " Scootaloo cried, darting to Dash from her hiding place.

Their eyes darted to her, surprise clearly shown.

Scootaloo threw herself over Dash's front, crying, " Don't turn mean like mom did, please... "

Dash looked back at the small filly on her back, as did the Doctor, his mouth slightly agape.

" ... My goodness... She thinks you're going mental... " He said.

Dash kept staring at her. She was trying to cling to her, her tears were running through her own coat. Scootaloo genuinely was scared that she was going to be like her mother.

' What am I doing...? ' Dash thought to herself. ' I can't let this kid see me like this... '

Dash scooped Scootaloo up from her back, and laid her beside herself, putting a hoof and wing over her, waiting for her to stop crying.

When she finally quieted down, Dash began, saying, " Scoots, I'm not like your mom. I promise, I never will be. It's just... Sometimes, things happen. And I... I don't know, I'm not good at this stuff, but, I can promise you, you're safe with me, kid, and with him too. " She said, glancing at the Doctor, who smiled lightly.

Dash looked back to Scootaloo, and hugged her, rubbing their cheeks together in a silly way, making them laugh.

" Well... I think I'm just gonna crash, got a spare bed I can use? " She asked.

He looked at her, and raised a brow.

" What? Do- Oh, I suppose I'll shower first... " She said akwardly.

He nodded with a faint smile, and led her upstairs to the bathroom, drawing the stand-up shower.

Scootaloo trailed close behind them, and they occasionally smiled at each other.

" Thanks. Oh, and Doc, " Dash said, stepping to them.

" Oh, what could it possibly be- " He cut himself short as Dash pecked him on the cheek. " Oh. " He said, the red in his face breaking through.

" Well then, best let her get that shower, right? " He said, pushing Scootaloo out the door with him hastily. Once the door was closed. " Scootaloo, " He started, " Can you run down to the store and grab some egg- Erm, drats... Some lettuce? "

He opened a drawer beside him, and pulled out some bits, placing them in her hoof.

" Sure. " Scootaloo replied with a smile.

They descended the stairs, and Dash called down, " Hey Doc, could you get me a towel? "

" Cabinet beside the sink! " He called back up.

Scootaloo opened the back door.

" I don't want to get your floors soaked, could you come grab me one? " She called down.

The Doctor's eyes widened slightly, and he began talking to himself very quickly.

Scootaloo closed the door, and began the ten minute trip to the store.

" I wonder what's with him... " She asked to herself.

--

The Doctor opened the door, and was immediately assaulted by rolling waves of steam making their way into the hallway.

" I'm coming in, now, " He said.

Dash looked over her shoulder at him. She was now laying back against the wall, letting the warm water pelt her front.

The Doctor opened a nearby cabinet, and after several attempts, dragged a towel down, saying, " I don't see what's so bad about a wet slab or two... "

Dash grinned. " Oh, common', are you really gonna keep it up? " she asked him, laughing.

Working through his nerves, he said, " I don't quite understand your meaning- "

" The water's nice. " She said, cutting him off. " Care to join me? "

The Docter stumbled backwards, saying, " Oh, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've- I, erm, "

" Oh, shut up and get in here! " She said with a laugh, pulling him in with her.

--

End part 1

(Yup, I did that at the end there. Deal with it, sirs.)

The End.

A Rainbow's Colors

Protip: Hoof = Foot

--

Depositing the small bundle of lettuce in the refrigerator, Scootaloo followed the sound of the shower upstairs, calling out, " Dash? " before rasping on the door several times.

Something fell, and the Doctor called out, yelling, " O-one moment Scootaloo! "

Turning to her left, then to her right, and not seeing him, she asked, " Are you in there now? "

Quick whispers were heard from inside, but she couldn't quite make out the words. Turning around, she said, " Well, I got the lettuce, I'll be downstairs. "

" Okay, Scootaloo! " he called back.

Shaking her head in confusion, Scootaloo descended the stairs, and walked into the living room, seating herself on the couch.

Looking around, she saw the small cabinet on the other side of the chair the Doctor had been sitting in before. Looking around once more to check if he was downstairs, she hopped off the couch, and walked over to it, looking it over.

It was a plain wood cabinet, about as tall as her, about a hoof around, and there were two drawers, one with a padlock.

Checking one last time for the Doctor, she slowly pulled the top drawer out, and peered inside, and saw a small book, and several sheets of paper. Sifting through them, she saw one with large, red, bold letters, reading: THE DOCTOR.

Her eyes gleaming slightly, she reached to it, and felt her hoof shoved away, and the drawer slammed shut. Looking up, the Doctor's stern glare met her gaze.

" Two places you never go. That cabinet, and the portable shed. " He said simply, his voice was significantly darker than his usual hearty tone, it was almost scary.

" I- I'm sorry... I was just curious... " She said, backing away a step, looking down.

" There's nothing you need to see in there. " He said with a sigh. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, adding, " Sorry, I'm not normally like that... Just a bit personal. "

A door closed loudly from the kitchen, and Dash approached them with a smile, then quickly replaced it with a non-chalaunt grin, asking, " What's up? "

Scootaloo and the Doctor exchanged a quick glance, and they both responded, saying, " Talking. " and " Nothing. " respectively.

Dash raised a brow, looking from the Doctor, to Scootaloo, and back to the Doctor, saying, " Well, would you mind me crashing here for a couple hours? It's a while to my place, and- "

" Sure. Upstairs, only door on the right... But please, dry off a bit, eh? I did get you a towel, you know. " He said with a nervous laugh.

Dash blushed lightly, very unusual for her, and uttered, " Thanks," before disappearing back upstairs. There was a loud *Bompf* from above as Dash presumably dived into the bed.

" Wait... Wasn't she going to be using my room? " Scootaloo asked.

" Yes, well... Erm... " He said, itching the back of his head. " Who wants sandwiches, then? " He said, changing the subject quickly.

Scootaloo shook her head, confused. " Uh, Okay, I guess? " She replied, following him into the kitchen.

Silence followed, aside Scootaloo pointing out the lettuce to the Doctor a moment later. A few moments later, he produced two corn and lettuce sandwiches.

" That's new... " Scootaloo said, accepting the food.

" Well, I'm not quite a chef, in case you hadn't noticed. " The Doctor joked with a roll of the eyes.

Scootaloo looked at his flank, taking note of his cutie mark.

" What's that mean? " She asked, pointing to his rump.

" Wha- oh, that what-cha-ma-callit? That's an hourglass, I'm, erm, good at timekeeping, you could say. " The Doctor smiled and quickly dismissed the subject once more. Looking to a clock in the next room, reading three, he said, " Well, I best be off to work, then! Erm, do kids need anything when the adults are gone? " He asked. " I'm new to watching over a filly, such as yourself. "

For some reason, Scootaloo sparked a thought.

" The bank! I forgot... " She said with a sigh, rubbing the side of her head.

" Bank? What of it, children need banks? " The Doctor asked, surprised.

Scootaloo looked up at him. " Wh- No, Cloud said that there were bits in there only you could get, that mom couldn't... " Scootaloo stopped short, thinking of both cloud and her mother. " What are they gonna do to her...? " She asked, her tail and ears drooping.

The Doctor stopped, and looked down at her with a look Scootaloo couldn't quite place... Was it pity?
" She's going to jail... For... Quite a while. " He said slowly. " Let's not think too hard on the subject, eh? You know what, I hear there's some party going on for a filly who's just got her cutie mark, would you like to go there while I'm at work? It's en' route, anyways. "

Scootaloo didn't seem interested, and instead, instead solemnly ate her sandwich.

Thinking of a way to make the scenario more appealing, he added, " There are a bunch of other fillies from the schoolhouse that I'm sure will be there, I imagine you'll want to go to school? It would be best to get aquainted, now, wouldn't it? "

Her ears perked slightly at this, and she brought her gaze to him slowly, mumbling, " Well... I guess it couldn't hurt..."

Hooves clapped his hooves together quickly, strapping on some saddlebags. " Splendid! Well, I should think that I'm already late, so let's not dilly-dally! " He opened the back door, walking outside, and Scootaloo followed, slightly optimistically, behind.

They looked to each other sever times, but said nothing as they walked along the streets of Ponyville. There were tons of other ponies here, Scootaloo had never seen more than ten or twenty at a time, when her father had guests at the house. They weren't much fun, they were always uptight and... And... Dressed.

Scootaloo dismissed these thoughts, and continued walking, glancing up once more at the Doctor, who caught his eye as well.

" What's your name? " Scootaloo suddenly asked, not recalling him ever mentioning it.

The Doctor's eyes seemed to widen for a moment, before he quickly said, " The Doctor, is all. "

" The Doctor? Doctor is your last name, or you are a doctor? " Scootaloo inquired further.

" It's what I am. " He said, vaugely.

" You are? Wait, so you are a doctor? Or are you a... Doctor? " Scootaloo asked, emphasizing the second Doctor, to emphasize a family name.

" Indeed I am. " He grinned, looking onward.

" You are WHAT?! " She asked, stomping a hoof as they walked.

" I'm the Doctor. " He said simply.

Scootaloo groaned, and shook her confused head.

There was no more talking for the next few minutes, until they turned another corner, and the Doctor pointed to a building decorated with balloons and streamers, with many ponies going in or out. He was right, Scootaloo noticed. There were a lot of fillies her age there.

" I believe this bunch should be here for another three hours or so, I'll be out here to bring you back then. " He said, giving her a quick pat on her back.

When Scootaloo offered no objection, he walked away, leaving her to do as she pleased.

She stood there for a good two minutes, just staring at the building. She felt slightly intimidated by so many ponies here, and they all had thier cutie marks...

She saw a white-ish filly walking up the steps, and noticed she had no cutie mark either. She quickly took off after her, following her into the building.

Not saying anything yet, Scootaloo continued to follow her through the building as she nervously looked around at everypony. Suddenly she turned around, facing Scootaloo, and asked, " Why are you following me? I know, I don't have a cutie mark, you can st- Oh. " She stopped herself, noticing Scootaloo's bare flank as well. " Oh, sorry... I didn't know."

Scootaloo smiled, replying, " It's allright, that's actually why I was following you. I'm Scootaloo. "

" Sweetie Belle. "

There was a long pause, and a loud cheer came from across the room. Looking, they saw two fillies descending the stairs, one seeming to be wearing a crown of sorts...

" Hide! " Sweetie Belle hissed, pulling Scootaloo by the scruff of her neck under the punch table.

Rubbing her neck, Scootaloo asked, " What was THAT all about? Why are we under a table? "

" That's Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, they're the ones this party is for... Hey, wait a minute... I've never seen you before, do you go to the schoolhouse? " Swetie Belle asked.

" Uhh, no... I was told I'm going to soon, though. " Scootaloo replied.

A loud crash was heard in front of them, and much jeering from some of the other fillies around them.

" Wow, that really IS an impressive cutie mark, blank flank! " Diamond Tiara, as the tiara suggested, said to one of the fillies who had tripped over her own dress. Upon closer inspection, Scootaloo saw that she, too, had no cutie mark.

Before she knew what was happening, Scootaloo felt herself being pulled forward by Sweetie Belle, who yelled, " You got a problem with blank flanks? "

Looking to her, Scootaloo saw that Sweetie Belle looked anything but sweet, with her face one slash of determination, and her eyes looked nearly angry. Seeing they were standing up for somepony, Scootaloo mirrored her stance and expression, standing tall before the room of ponies now staring them down.

The filly who had tripped looked up to them, and her face seemed to light up when she saw thier cutie marks, or lack thereof.

--

Two hours later, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom had founded the idea of the Cutie Mark Crusaders (CMC.)

When the Doctor came by to walk Scootaloo back home, he was pleased, albit mildly surprised, to see the three of them talking at a small round table in the corner of the room.

He called for Scootaloo over the dull roar of the other ponies who were, by now, leaving or preparing to leave. After another call, Scootaloo came, literally, bounding over towards him.

" How'd it all go, then? I see you made some new aquaintances? " The Doctor asked with a smile.

" It was pretty cool! I met them- " Scootaloo gestured to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom over in the corner. " - And we're gonna make an orginazation to find out cutie marks! "

He smiled lightly at her enthusiasm, and began walking outside. " Well, it's time to leave, go tell them goodbye, I'll be waiting outside. "

After goodbyes were said, the Doctor and Scootaloo headed home. When they arrived, Dash was reclined in the living room chair, looking over some papers with drawings on them.

When the door closed, Dash looked over her shoulder, asking, " Hey, guys, what's up? "

Scootaloo shrugged, and the Doctor sighed.

" Where... Did you find those documents...? " He asked, rubbing his head in a circular motion with his hoof.

Dash motioned beside her. " Cabinet. What's all this stuff, anyways? It looks like a bunch of science that had a kid with algebra. "

" Trig, actually. And these are the basis to my- You know what? Let's just not discuss it, I'll have to find a second lock. Wait, I think the spare's in there... " He mumbled to himself, walking to a flower pot, and pulling a key out of it. He unlocked the second cabinet's padlock, opened the drawer, and pulled out a second padlock from it's depths, closing the drawer, and locking it before Dash could peek inside.

" Excuse me- " The Doctor said, as he gathered the papers, and unceremoniously tossed them into the top drawer, locking it shut. He returned to the flower pot, and dropped it in. He turned around and remembered the two mares were watching him grab the key the entire time.

" Oh, right... Stupid me. " He said, picking the key up once more. " I'll be right back. " He said, as he walked out the back door, shutting it quickly behind him.

Dash looked at Scootaloo, asking, " What's got him all riled up? "

Scootaloo shrugged. " Dunno, he did the same thing when I opened the drawer before. "

There was a long silence, and Dash finally asked, " So, what do you think of him? Doc, and all. "

The question took Scootaloo by surprise, and she sat herself on the couch, pondering it a moment.

" I like him, he's real nice, even if he is paranoid. Why? " She finally responded.

" Oh, " Dash waved a hoof in the air. " just wondering... " There was a long silence before she asked, " What do you think of me? "

This question took her by more surprise, and it showed.

" I- Well, I think you're pretty cool- I mean, youreally helped me out, and you went back for Cloud, too, so... " Scootaloo couldn't think of a way to finish, so the sentence hung in the air for a few moments, before Dash smiled a bit.

Looking out the nearby window, Dash smiled at the response, saying, " Cool. "

The back door closed once more, and the Doctor walked in, seemingly reverted back to his hearty self, asking, " Did I miss anything, then? "

They shook thier heads, and He sat besides Scootaloo on the sofa. There was a minute or so gap in conversation, before the Doctor asked, " You understand that with you staying here, you will have to walk yourself to school and places, right? I work afternoons, so you'll have to either wait for me to get back or make yourself dinner. You can have anypony come by, but the same rules apply to them as you. No drawers. No shed. Please don't destroy the house and/or civilization as we know them. "

Scootaloo simply nodded, and the discussion was over.

Looking to Dash, the Doctor asked, " How long will you be staying, then? "

Looking back from the window, she shook her head. " I'll get out of your mane in the morning, it's supposed to storm tonight, and my roof leaks... If you don't mind. "

" Oh, not at all, a roof's the least I can offer. " He said.

Understanding what he meant, Dash laughed, looking back out the window, muttering, " Thanks... "

' There really isn't much to talk about with these guys... ' Scootaloo thought. An idea came to mind, and she faked a large yawn, saying, " I think I'm going to bed... Good night guys. "

Dash and the Doctor uttered thier good nights to her, and waited for the door to shut.

When they heard the click, Dash pushed herself out of the chair, and laid on the couch where Scootaloo had been previously. Her and the Doctor faced each other, and they both seemed to be in deep thought.

" Were you born like that? " The Doctor suddenly asked.

" W- What? " Dash lifted herself up, unsure if she should be offended.

" The mane- And the tail, too, sorry. " He added.

Settling back down, Dash grinned a bit, this was an over-used topic.

" Yeah, there were a couple of science ponies, kinda like you, they were going nuts over it. Nopony knows how it happened. And before you ask, it's just a coincidence I work in weather control. " Dash said. Unlike much of her other speech, this sounded fluent.

" Practiced those lines, have we? I suppose you must be asked that quite a bit. "

Dash rolled her eyes, all the reply he needed.

" Is that what your cutie mark is, then? Rainbows and clouds? " He asked, pointing to her haunches.

Dash nearly snorted. " Buck no, that's my need for speed, lookin' for a thrill, being the best! I'm one of the best fliers there is, y'know... " She stopped, before gazing dreamily out the window once more. " And one day... I'll be a Wonderbolt... " She sighed. " One day... "

He looked her over, and she seemed eerily at ease. He couldn't place why, but he could swear he could feel her energy radiating. A relaxing, positive radiance.

He examined her mane once more, it was really something. Nothing was faded, all the colors of the rainbow, draping themselves nearly flawlessly down her head and around her neck. A trail just as smooth only to be complimented by her tail, which took the precice same hues, and details.

" I see... " He muttered, only half to what she was saying.

She didn't look back to him, and he didn't feel he wanted the moment to be over, so casually, he laid a hoof of his own over one of hers, looking out the window with her.

She looked back, at the contact, and slowly her eyes wandered up to his face.

Turning back to meet her gaze, the Doctor stared back at her. One more stunning feature of hers, he noticed, he found himself murmuring aloud.

" Your eyes... "

" My eyes? " She asked, confused.

" They're... Magnificent... It's like they just radiate the colors they absorb... " He went on. " they have a distinctive gleam when sunlight hits them... They- " He paused. " You just look amazing, Miss Dash. And your aspirations are as colorful as your personality. I truly do admire that. "

' That's sweet! ' Dash thought to herself, and quickly scolded herself for it. What was she, a flower-mare?

" I... Thanks... " She managed to squeze past her ego. " Nopony's ever said anything like that before... Not like that..."

The silence of the moment seemed to intensify, and they both began to blush heavily under the pressure of the other.

Finally, Dash found herself inching closer to the Doctor, who followed suit akwardly. Before long, which seemed already too painfully long to wait, they could feel each other's hot breath crawling down their necks. Breaking eye contact for the first time, Dash closed her eyes, and he did the same.

They covered the last precious centimeters from each other, until they felt their lips meet. The sensation coursing through their minds was better than even a Sonic Rainboom, so Dash thought.

Dash moved her body up to his, so their chests were pushing gently against each other, and grabbed his hooves with her own, draping them around the back of her neck.

Feeling the somewhat sensual changes, he broke the contact, and tilted his head questioningly.

Dash smiled with a blush, saying, " Sorry if I get a bit controllative, I've been told that's something I do... "

" Oh, no, not at all! " He assured her, smiling, then adding, " Someone's got to take lead, right? "

Understanding the mildly sexual humor in the statement, Dash giggled, and quickly bit down on her hoof to stifle it, wide-eyed.

Again the Doctor tilted his head, asking, " What's that all about? "

Dash shook her head, and brushed off his hooves. " It's just... I'm not a really 'flowers and rainb-' " She stopped, remembering she was, indeed, ALL rainbows.

The Doctor laughed, and replaced his hooves around her neck, inching closer once more.

" So you're a Tomb- A Tomcolt then? " He asked, still grinning lightly.

" A what? " She asked, shaking her head in confusion, though this time, the Doctor kept his hooves in place.

" You're not a very, erm... How to word this... You're tougher about everything? " He tried, and Dash nodded, happy he understood.

" Yeah, I'm really new to, well, this. " Said, referring to their current positions, blushing profusely, now, through her cyan coat.

The Doctor smiled, seeing her deep blush, and hesitancy. Bringing one hoof down the side of her face, brushing back a strand of yellow, he said, softly, " There's a first for eberything, now, isn't there? "

Dash grinned, nodding her head slightly, mumbling, " I suppose. "

The Doctor smiled, and patted her on the back, before rising from the couch. Dash looked up at him, almost childishly, asking, " Where are you going? "

" I'm going to bed, feel free to join me when you feel the desire. " He said with a smile.

" But I just woke up, like, an hour ago... " She rebuttled.

The Doctor grinned. " I never said I was going to sleep, now did I? " He asked, as Dash drinned back.

" Round two? " She asked.

He nodded in response, and Dash excitedly hopped off the couch, as they nearly ran up the stairs.

--

Scootaloo took her ear from the door, wonding what they could be playing. None the less, once she heard their hoofsteps going up the stairs, she slowly opened the door to her room, poking her head out, looking both ways, and snuck out the back door, closing it softly behind her.

Looking around at the unusually large yard the house had, there was another outstanging feature on it; It was fenced off. On one side there was a chainlink fence, on the other, was a tall, wooden one. Trees lined all sides, and very heavily along the back, where a tall cement wall stood. The inuniformity of it all confused her, and, looking to the side of the home, she saw a large, tarp shed, and a smaller, metal shed.

' He never said which shed not to go into... ' She thought deviously, walking to them.

The first thing she noticed was a large padlock on the metal one, and a note reading, ' No, Scootaloo. ' and in another color, ' and Dash. '

With that, slightly dissapointed, she walked away, going back to what she was doing before.

Walking into the center of the yard, Scootaloo fluffed up her wings, and breathed in deeply.

Rearing low to the ground, she jumped high into the air, beating her wings as quickly as she could, trying to gain any altitude. She accomplished only a momentary hover, before falling back down on her haunches painfully.

" Owww, " She groaned, rubbing her thigh tenderly.

She pouted a while and debated trying again, but a sharp surge of pain from her rear suggested that wasn't going to happen.

" Oh, buck... " She cursed under her breath, slowly dragging herself back inside.

She closed the back door, and retreated to her room quickly, having barely enough time to leap into the bed and clutch the pillow tightly before her eyes began to tear up.

' I just wanna fly... ' She thought sorrwfully, backing under a multitude of blankets. ' Everypony else with wings can... Why not me? '

--

The end?

( :Nopechucktesta.aviplz: )