The Accident

Cutie Mark Crusaders Apple Haulers sounded like such a good idea at the time. Helping the Apple family, making some bits, food along the way, and the potential for a cutie mark, what more could Scootaloo ask for? As it turned out a lighter load, a cooler day, more cloud cover, for Sweetie Belle to be with them, and to stop sweating like a pig. The young pegasus held her complaints though. She’d already eaten lunch with them, so she was going to uphold her end of the bargain.

Sweetie Belle had been roped into modeling some dresses for Rarity, so she wasn't able to take part in this one. Scootaloo was pulling a cart behind her, it being attached to her by a harness and a length of rope so she could maneuver more freely. However the harness was chafing her sides and it forced her to keep her wings folded tightly to her sides while she trotted.

They had yet to make it out of Sweet Apple Acres, and Scootaloo was already regretting her decision. She was pulling a small cart loaded down with apples, but she supposed it could be worse. She could be Applejack or Big Macintosh, they were both pulling carts of apples that looked like neither of them should be able to move alone, yet they were. Say what you want about earth ponies, but they’re stronger than they look, and with the Apple family that’s really saying something. She turned her attention to Apple Bloom beside her, the filly humming a tune to herself. “How do you stand working in these conditions? It’s miserable.”

“Eh, you get used to it.” Apple Bloom shrugged off her comment. “But we haul ‘em like this for a reason. Our apples will keep in the market, and this way we get them all in one go. Saves us time and effort.” She explained to her friend as they started heading up a hill, and the workload immediately increased. The cart she was pulling was the smallest, but it was still by no means light and every moment on this incline it was trying to pull her down. She dug in her hooves, grunting with each step as she worked to pull it forward. She looked to her side, seeing Apple Bloom pulling hers without any discernible effort.

Scootaloo could hear creaking and crackling in front of them. “What’s that sound?” She asked, looking ahead at Big Macintosh. He’d gotten his wagon stuck in a rut and was now struggling to get it out, lurching forward and grunting with effort.

“Don’t force it, just back up a little, then run forward and you’ll get it over the gap.” Applejack told him, seeing his struggle.

He nodded and carefully backed up so he wouldn’t go sliding backwards. When he had a few feet he charged up the hill, putting as much strength as he could into the effort. When the front wheel hit the rut there was a cracking noise and he lurched forward, a resistance gone from his movement. To his horror he realized he was no longer connected to the wagon. He wheeled around and tried to grab some part of the it but it was out of his reach before he could do anything and it went barreling down the hill. “Run!” He called below

“Get outta the way!” Applejack shrieked at them.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s eyes widened as it approached, their pupils shrinking to the size of pinpricks. Time seemed to slow down for Scootaloo. That wagon barreled down at them, picking up speed as it went down the hill. She turned, and with all her might she shoved Apple Bloom, the earth pony getting some air. It wasn’t much, but enough.

Scootaloo lost her footing now, time going back to its normal pace as her cart pulled her down the hill. Her body skidded across the dirt, hitting a rock along the way. She hissed and felt a pain in her ribs until her load crashed into a tree. She groaned and looked ahead to see the loaded wagon barreling at her. A bright light filled her eyes and images began to fill her vision.

She saw still images, and they triggered powerful memories and emotions for her. The night her parents were lost in Canterlot, and she was taken to an orphanage. Escaping from the orphanage, her journey to Ponyville and finally arriving there. It was the earliest part of her life, when she felt she had no hope.

Then she got older. Dealing with a ruthlessly cruel Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon all while stealing what food she needed just to survive. But then she met Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and together they formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders; Rainbow Dash became her older sister. She gained friends, ponies who cared about her and she realized something very important: her life was awesome.

Or was.

The images faded and all she saw was that massive object careening towards her. The last thing she was fully aware of was screaming as it hit her dead on. It crashed into her and sent her colliding with the cart she’d been pulling with a crunch of bone and wood.

“SCOOTALOO!” Big Macintosh shouted, turning to Applejack. “Get to the hospital, get ‘em ready!” He told her before turning his attention back to the filly. He threw off his harness and charged down the hill, leaping forward and experiencing a moment of free fall before his hooves slammed into the ground and he jumped at them, propelling himself forward. When he landed the second time it was far less graceful and he stumbled forward. He put his head down and turned his tumble into a roll so he could gallop the rest of the way to her.

When he arrived he began frantically digging through the wreckage. He grabbed the wagon and tried to push forward, but it wouldn’t budge, his hooves slipping on the wood. Turning around fast he bucked it, moving it just a few inches. Scrambling back her managed to get a good grip on it now. His hooves dug into the ground as he pushed, moving it just enough to get Scootaloo out of there.

He grabbed her neck with his teeth and pulled her out, grimacing at what he saw. He wasn't a doctor, but he was certain ponies weren’t supposed to be that limp and flexible. Big Macintosh set her on his back and went to Apple Bloom. “Get on, now.” When she didn’t move he grabbed her and put her on his back too. “Hold Scootaloo still.” He instructed before taking off towards the hospital, praying to Celestia he’d be fast enough.

“Right.” Applejack immediately started the rest of the way up the hill. As soon as she was on flat ground she unhitched herself from the wagon and took off towards the hospital at a dead sprint. She wasn’t as strong as her brother, but she was faster. Her hooves barely made contact with the ground as she sped towards the hospital. She couldn’t stop replaying that scene in her mind; Scootaloo shoving Apple Bloom out of the way, them both skidding back, and the runaway wagon crushing her up against the very cart she’d been pulling a moment ago.

She shuddered to think what would’ve happened if she hadn’t pushed Apple Bloom out of the way like that. But now it was time for her to repay Scootaloo by getting to the hospital and having it ready.

Author's Note

This story is set after Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep but before Crusaders of the Lost Mark.

I decided to get the accident done quick and not beat around the bush. Buckle up kiddies it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.