Terror in Equestria 11: Death and Destruction

A Confrontation With Scootaloo

Princess Celestia and LaurFa had been flying north towards the Crystal Empire for a good ten hours. Both of their wings were burning in pain, both of their lungs had a burning sensation and neither were exactly thrilled that they had run into a blizzard, a blizzard with strong northerly winds which were hindering their progress significantly. Eventually the two simply couldn't handle the wind anymore and had to land and wait for the storm to pass.

Once the two landed, they knew they had to discuss their plans, "LaurFa, I know our wings hurt but we can't stay here for too long." It had begun to get dark and Celestia continued, "If we wait until it is dark, it will only get worse!"

Given that LaurFa had been through her own stormy journey, one that would easily best what they were dealing with at the time she replied, "Celestia, you think this is bad? Yes we can't see but if we keep flying, it will keep the blood pumping and we'll be less likely to get frostbite."

Celestia groaned, "But my wings hurt so bad! I don't know if I can go much further."

LaurFa snapped, "And you think mine don't? Look, maybe it isn't too much further." She took to the sky again and ordered, "Come on Celestia, unless you want to freeze out here, we need to get going."

Grudgingly, Celestia took to the skies and the two continued to fly north, straight into the strong winds and the white out. After another hour, their environment finally became much more pleasant as they crossed into the Empire. The sun was dropping below the horizon and despite both of their wings burning in pain, they sped up and flew towards the Crystal Palace. Once they finally landed, they saw Scootaloo was finishing a drill with her soldiers.

As she left the base, she saw the two white Alicorns heading towards her and immediately her mind became filled with suspicion. She turned to them and asked, "Hello Celestia and LaurFa. To what do I owe this visit?"

LaurFa approached her and suggested, "How about we go to your throne room and we can discuss some things, very important things."

Scootaloo noticed the looks on both of their faces and sighed in frustration, "Very well, follow me."

As they followed Scootaloo towards the throne room, they knew that dealing with her was not likely going to be pleasant and getting her to actually go with them may not be easy. Once they arrived Scootaloo sat on her throne and asked, "Now tell me, what are these very important things."

LaurFa was the first to say anything, "Scootaloo, we aren't pointing any hooves but we have a feeling that Colgate has done something bad, very bad."

Scootaloo sneered, "Oh and what did she do, send you a letter showing disdain in your distrust of her?"

LaurFa approached her, spread her wings and replied, "Scootaloo, drop the tough mare act. In the event you didn't notice or were asleep, time stopped entirely a few days ago."

Scootaloo grunted, "Yeah and?"

LaurFa replied, "You are very close to her. We know that the only way time ever stops is if she is using her time spell to travel great distances."

Celestia spread her wings wide and added, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about her doing that or why she would do that, would you?"

Scootaloo flared her horn up and demanded, "Tell me, why would you think that Colgate would be doing any long distance flying?"

LaurFa looked towards Celestia and asked, "Shall we tell her?" Celestia nodded and LaurFa turned back towards Scootaloo, "I have found some information that gives me reason to think she stole some gems from Alicorn Island."

Scootaloo grunted, "And what information is this?"

LaurFa replied, "I found some information about gems, a tower and wrath in a prophecy book."

Celestia added, "We have reason to believe that you betrayed us and told Colgate about the fact that LaurFa was going to search for more gems so we could all keep an eye on her."

Scootaloo couldn't help but laugh, "A prophecy book, is that the best you've got?" She then became more serious, "Show me this prophecy book and MAYBE I will believe you but still, prophecies are just that, prophecies. There is nothing real about them."

Both Alicorns gave her a nervous look before regaining their composure. Both lit up their horns and Celestia asked, "Has Colgate said anything unusual to you? Has she shown any signs that she may do something that is not in our best interests."

LaurFa lit her horn up further and added, "Something like global conquest perhaps?"

Despite that being the truth, Scootaloo remained defiant, "Look, Colgate has had two separate occasions in the past when she could have taken it easily. There were times when she was viewed as a hero and everypony would have likely welcomed her as their leader with open hooves!"

They both remembered those days but knew things wouldn't be like that anymore. LaurFa commented, "You know Scootaloo, that was many, many millennia ago. That was long before she had done things like fuse that collar into herself and do forbidden things like raising Tambelon from the depths."

Scootaloo countered, "What she did was in the best of the whole world." She spread her wings wide and added, "Had it not been for HER and her aggressive nature when it comes to handling enemies, we all would have been enslaved." Her voice became more of a yell, "And I highly doubt she would do anything bad to this world after everything she has done for us, all of us!"

Finally the two had had enough. Celestia sighed, "Fine, keep on protecting your precious mentor. We are sure she is up to something because of the way you are acting."

LaurFa added, "Don't say we didn't say so Supreme Commander, when Colgate comes in, puts you in a cage and makes your subjects wish King Sombra was still in charge, don't say we didn't warn you."

Scootaloo pointed her wing towards the exit and ordered, "Just go, I don't need this kind of stress." She then began to escort them out and once they got outside, she added, "And I'm pretty sure you're going to go whine to the other leaders about the one who has saved the world multiple times from the Dark Goddess, right?"

Celestia leaned over to LaurFa and asked, "Shall we use reverse psychology on her? Shall we make her scared of Colgate?"

LaurFa nodded and turned to Scootaloo, "You know the truth, admit it. Deep down you wish to tell us what you know but you are terrified that Colgate will find out, aren't you?"

Celestia added, "Tell us what you know and we will make sure nothing happens to your citizens. Tell us and the life of the citizens of the Empire will be much easier."

If there was one thing that Scootaloo cared about, it was the citizens of the Empire, "Fine, she has talked about global conquest. I told her about the gems and she wasn't happy about it!"

The two powered down their horns and stepped back. LaurFa asked, "So, did she show any interest in the Alicorn gems when you brought them up?"

Scootaloo replied, "I'm not sure but she certainly didn't like the idea of all of you getting them and she thinks that all of you are up to something sinister because of your distrust."

The two again looked at one another before Celestia asked, "Do you personally think that she is up to anything?"

Scootaloo replied, "She might be because she did bring up global conquest and while she assured me she wouldn't, I think she wants everything, the Crystal Empire included."

Again the two looked at one another before LaurFa asked, "Scootaloo, if you will join our side, not only will we not punish you for telling her about what was going on but we will aid in making sure you don't lose the Empire."

Scootaloo went from being nervous to being hopeful, "Really, if I join you you'd do all that for me even though I betrayed you?" They both nodded and Scootaloo continued, "I will join your side then. I do have other concerns about her, concerns that I would never tell her but I'm guessing you two are probably hungry and tired." She pointed towards the entrance and added, "Let's go to the dining hall and have some supper! Whatever you two want, if I have it, you can have!"

The two thought that dealing with Scootaloo would be impossible but they were pleasantly surprised that not only had she told them about some of Colgate's plans, but also had a bit of distrust in her mentor and most importantly, that she would join their side.