Shadows of friendshipby ScootaprisonerChaptersThe ConspiracyThe BetrayalSo close to deathThe ConspiracyThe sun was setting over Ponyville, casting long, eerie shadows across the town. The Cutie Mark Crusaders—Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle—were in their clubhouse, but the atmosphere was tense and strained. For weeks, Scootaloo had been pushing herself to the brink, trying ever more dangerous stunts in her quest for a cutie mark that she believed would finally prove her worth. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had grown increasingly concerned. They had tried to talk to Scootaloo, but she was always dismissive, laughing off their worries and accusing them of being scaredy-cats. Desperation was taking root in their hearts. "She’s gonna get herself killed if she keeps this up," Apple Bloom said, her voice shaking. "We gotta do somethin’ drastic." Sweetie Belle nodded, her eyes dark with worry. "But what? She won’t listen to us. We have to make her see the danger." Apple Bloom’s face hardened with resolve. "We’ll make her see it, alright. If she won’t listen to reason, we’ll show her what real danger looks like." *** They spent the next few days planning, the lines between concern and madness blurring as their fear for their friend grew. They knew Scootaloo would be at her most vulnerable after one of her exhausting stunt sessions. Apple Bloom found an old, abandoned barn, that would work perfectly for their plans. They had first started to teach themselves, how to tie knots as well as secretly attended self-defence classes, where they learnt how to restrain another pony, by using just their hooves. They then moved on to getting the correct supplies, Apple Bloom managed to find an old wooden chair that had been thrown out, while Sweetie Belle found spare pieces of cloth that could be used as both, blindfolds and gags. After tricking Pinkie Pie into believing that they were making a class project, they had borrowed several Nightmare Night decorations, which included: fake cutie marks, fake pegasus wings and unicorn horns, along with various fake pony skulls, and even a vintage griffon skull. They then began to practice tying each other, with Sweetie Belle using her unicorn magic to tie Apple Bloom to the chair, while Apple Bloom used brute force to restrain Sweetie Belle and carry her over a long distance. They needed to make sure that everything was perfect. Once they were happy with the rehearsals and practice sessions, they then began to decorate the barn to make it as intimidating as possible so that it appeared as a makeshift prison that could pass for a terrifying trap. They first placed the fake cutie marks into picture frames before hanging them all around the barn, Sweetie Belle then began to make a necklace that had the fake horns attached to them before moving on to create a strap that had the fake wings sewn into them. The fake wings could be worn by looping the strap around the body and then tightened so that it made the wearer appear as if they were wearing multiple pegasus wings. Sweetie had intricately designed them to look as scary as possible. They then hung the various skulls around the barn, while Apple Bloom had placed the griffon skull so that their captive would be staring right at it. Once they had finished with decorating the barn, they began to go over the plan: The plan they devised was simple but risky. They would lure Scootaloo to Sweet Apple Acres under the guise of a surprise party to celebrate her recent stunts. Once there, they would then subdue her and keep her hidden in the old barn until she agreed to listen to them. It was a drastic measure, but they felt they had no other choice. *** While they had been planning this, Scootaloo's reckless behaviour had grown worse, with even Rainbow Dash, now having to warn the energetic filly, however despite this Scootaloo brushed her off, believing that if Rainbow Dash, her honorary big sister, could do it, then so could she... The golden rays of the setting sun bathed Sweet Apple Acres in a warm, orange glow. The apple trees stood tall and proud, their branches heavy with ripening fruit. It was a picturesque scene, one that belied the turmoil brewing within the hearts of two young fillies. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sat beneath their favourite apple tree, their faces etched with worry and determination. "This ain't gonna be easy, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said, her voice barely above a whisper. She picked at the grass, her hooves trembling slightly. Sweetie Belle nodded, her usually bright eyes clouded with doubt. "I know, Apple Bloom. But we've tried everything else. Maybe this is the only way she'll understand." The two had been wrestling with their feelings for weeks. They had always been close with Scootaloo, sharing countless adventures and dreams as members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. But lately, something had changed. Scootaloo's reckless behaviour and refusal to heed their advice had caused rifts between them. They were desperate to help their friend, but their perspective had become warped by frustration and fear. "We need to make her see that she's heading down a dangerous path," Apple Bloom continued, her voice growing firmer. "She ain't listenin' to us no more. Maybe this will make her understand." Sweetie Belle sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of their decision. "But what if we're wrong, Apple Bloom? What if this only makes things worse?" Apple Bloom looked up, her eyes locking onto Sweetie Belle's. "We can't think like that. We have to believe this is for her own good. Sometimes you gotta be tough to show you care." *** The next day, Scootaloo declared, "I'm going to make the best stunt ever that even Rainbow Dash will be shocked!" Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom gave each other wary looks, while Sweetie Belle asked, her voice laced with concern, "What stunt?" Scootaloo puffed her chest out in pride as she exclaimed, "I am going to jump across Ghastly Gorge while riding my scooter!" Both Apple Bloom's and Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in shock, "WHAT! Scootaloo, you can't do that!" Sweetie shouted, horrified at the thought of her closest friend doing something so stupid and dangerous. Scootaloo's face shifted from one of excitement to one of both hurt and anger, "Why? Do you not think that I am capable of doing such an amazing trick!" Scootaloo shouted in anger. Just as Sweetie Belle was about to answer, Apple Bloom interrupted her and gave her a knowing look, "No, she just means that you can't do another stunt until after your party." Scootaloo then looked confused, "What party?" "We planned a party for you, because of how your stunts are so good," Apple Bloom lied with a fake smile on her face. Scootaloo beamed with pride at the compliment and said, "While I guess I could postpone my training for the stunt. Lead the way." Sweetie Belle pulled out a black scarf and then began to wrap it around Scootaloo's eyes, completely cutting off her vision. "It's a surprise, so no peeking," Sweetie said as Apple Bloom took hold of Scootaloo's hoof and began to lead her towards the barn. Scootaloo couldn't help but get a feeling that something bad was going to happen... The BetrayalThe trio slowly made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, chatting and laughing as if nothing was amiss. But beneath the surface, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's hearts pounded with anxiety. They exchanged nervous glances, each silently praying that their plan would go smoothly. Meanwhile, Scootaloo's own nervousness was beginning to grow, she hated being blindfolded, however, she didn't say anything so that she didn't upset her friends. "How long until we are there?" she asked, trying to hide the slight fear that was threatening to show itself. Instead of answering Apple Bloom took a deep breath while Sweetie Belle used her magic to close the large barn doors behind them. Apple Bloom then muttered, "I'm sorry Scootaloo." Scootaloo was confused, upon hearing this but before she could answer, she suddenly felt herself be roughly shoved into a chair with her hooves being forced into place on the armrests, while rope was slowly wrapped around them, successfully tying them to the chair, the process what repeated with her hind hooves and body. Still being unable to see a thing Scootaloo called out with fear leaking into her voice, "What's going on, what are you doing to me?" "Just hold still, Scootaloo," Apple Bloom said, her voice strained. "This is for your own good." Scootaloo's eyes were wide with terror and betrayal. "Why are you doing this?" she tried to scream, however, she felt something thick and soft be pulled into her mouth, before being tied behind her head, completely muffling her cries for help. Sweetie Belle's heart ached at the sight of her friend's distress. "We're sorry, Scootaloo," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "But we have to do this. You'll understand someday." "MMMMPH! MMMMMMMMPH!" Scootaloo screamed through the gag. Apple Bloom then spoke up, "I'm sorry, Scoots. We'll explain later but for now, we'll leave you to calm down." With that, they then left Scootaloo in the barn, her struggles and muffled cries echoing in their minds as they walked away. The weight of their actions pressed heavily on their hearts, but they convinced themselves that it was for the best. *** The next day, they returned to the barn, to find Scootaloo still tied to the chair, her head now pointed downwards. Sweetie Belle approached the captured filly, clutching a bottle of water in her magic. She untied the blindfold and felt her heart breaking as Scootaloo looked up at her, her eyes puffy and bloodshot from crying. "Mmmmmmph," Scootaloo weakly said, her voice muffled by the gag. "I'm only going to take the gag off if you promise not to scream," Sweetie Belle warned, wanting her friend to cooperate. Scootaloo reluctantly nodded and Sweetie Belle pulled the gag from her mouth, "Please, let me go," Scootaloo pleaded, her voice hoarse from the muffled screaming that she had done, the night before. Apple Bloom then spoke up, "Ah'm afraid, we can't do that, Scootaloo." "Why are you doing this?" Scootaloo weakly whispered. Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom before looking back towards their hostage, "We'll explain later, but first, you must be hungry and thirsty?" Scootaloo could only nod as Sweetie Belle opened the bottle of water, she then levitated it over to Scootaloo, who opened her mouth. Sweetie Belle then slowly poured the clear liquid down her throat, making sure to pause so that she got a chance to take a breath. Once she had stopped drinking the water, Apple Bloom approached, holding a slice of Granny Smith's famous homemade apple pie. Scootaloo felt humiliated for being fed by another, filly, who was the same age as her. After they had finished feeding, Scootaloo, she began to plead, "Please, let me go, I promise not to tell anypony, I just want to go home." Apple Bloom then began to explain, "Ah'm sorry but that's not going to happen, just look around, Scootaloo we can't risk our operation getting out besides..." Scootaloo looked around the barn, her light purple eyes turning to pinpricks as she noticed the cutie marks and skulls. Tears began to pour down her face again as Apple Bloom touched her wings, "Your wings would look stunning in our collection." Scootaloo then began to cry as she realised the horror of the situation that she was in, "Please don't hurt me," Scootaloo sobbed. Sweetie Belle then began to stroke Scootaloo's messy and dirty purple mane, "Shhhh, don't cry, Scoots. Don't let your last moments be of you crying like a foal." This only succeeded in making Scootaloo sob harder as she came to the terrifying conclusion that her so-called friends were going to kill her. "Please, I don't want to die, I thought we were friends." Apple Bloom then exclaimed as she picked up a large piece of wood, "We are friends, Scoots, that's why we're going to make this painless." Scootaloo thrashed against the ropes, but they held tight. Panic set in as she realized just how serious her friends were. "This isn’t the way! You’re scaring me!" Apple Bloom’s gaze was steely. "I'm sorry Scootaloo, but you have left us with no choice." What started as a plan to scare Scootaloo into being more cautious quickly spiraled out of control. In their desperation, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had underestimated how far they were willing to go. They pushed her limits, each cry and whimper feeding their fear-driven resolve. Scootaloo began to hyperventilate, when she spotted the menacing piece of wood. Scootaloo then began to shake her head and struggle against the bonds, causing bruises to form. Due to Scootaloo's screams of terror, Sweetie Belle was forced to gag her again, reducing her loud cries to mere incoherent muffles. To Sweetie Belle's surprise Apple Bloom began to line the wooden plank up with Scootaloo's head, she then swung it above her shoulders, Scootaloo clenched her eyes shut as Apple Bloom slammed the wooden plank into the side of her head, spraying blood, and sending her crashing to the floor. The two filly's hearts stopped as they stared at their unconscious friend, who wasn't moving. Sweetie Belle then screamed, "WHAT DID YOU DO!" Apple Bloom could only stutter in shock, "I, I, I didn't mean to hit her so hard." Sweetie Belle quickly rushed to her friend's side, where she felt for a pulse but in her frantic state, she couldn’t find one. "Oh no… Apple Bloom, she’s… she’s dead..." So close to death"Oh no… Apple Bloom, she’s… she’s dead..." Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened in horror. “No, no, no! This wasn’t supposed to happen!” Apple Bloom’s mind raced, fear and guilt threatening to consume her. “We need to get rid of the body. No one can know what happened.” Sweetie Belle was too shocked to argue, too broken to protest. Apple Bloom untied Scootaloo and, with Sweetie Belle’s help, carried her out of the barn. They moved in silence, the weight of their actions pressing down on them like a dark cloud. They reached the edge of a lake on the outskirts of Ponyville, the water dark and still under the moonlight. With trembling hooves, they tied a large rock to Scootaloo’s hooves, before lowering Scootaloo into the water, watching as her body sank beneath the surface. “I’m so sorry, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom whispered, tears streaming down her face. “We just wanted to protect you.” As the ripples faded, they turned and walked away, their hearts heavy with regret. They vowed never to speak of that night again, the memory of their friend’s lifeless body sinking into the depths haunting their every step… *** But Scootaloo was not dead. The cold shock of the water revived her, her body instinctively fighting for survival. She managed to free herself from the ropes, her lungs burning as she broke the surface, gasping for air. Weak and disoriented, she crawled to the shore, her mind a haze of pain and betrayal. She lay there for hours, the cold seeping into her bones, until the first light of dawn began to break. With every ounce of strength she had left, Scootaloo dragged herself back towards Ponyville, determined to find help. When she finally reached the town, she collapsed at the doorstep of the hospital. The staff rushed to her aid, horrified by her condition. They tended to her injuries, their concern and care a stark contrast to the nightmare she had endured. As Scootaloo lay in the hospital bed, she knew her life had changed forever. The trust she once had in her friends was shattered, replaced by a deep, lingering fear. She vowed to never let anyone close enough to hurt her again. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went about their days, the weight of their guilt an ever-present burden. They noticed Scootaloo’s absence but dared not ask about it, each fearing the worst. It was only when word spread of Scootaloo’s miraculous survival that they realized the full extent of their actions. They were filled with a mixture of relief and dread, knowing that they would have to face the consequences of what they had done. Scootaloo, still weak but alive, knew that healing from this ordeal would take time. She had a long road ahead of her, but she also had a newfound strength. She had survived the unimaginable and would rise above it, even if it meant leaving behind the friends who had betrayed her so deeply. While she was in the hospital, The town buzzed with concern and curiosity, but Scootaloo refused to speak about what had happened. Her eyes held a haunted look, and she shuddered whenever she thought of the barn, the ropes, and the cold, dark water. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were a nervous wreck, knowing that their secret was at risk. They spent sleepless nights worrying about what Scootaloo might say and what the consequences might be if the truth came out. One night inside the Crusaders clubhouse, Apple Bloom told Sweetie Belle in hushed whispers, “It’s only a matter of time until she tells somepony.” Sweetie Belle remained silent, her mind was still on what they did to Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle was wracked with guilt she hated, what she had done and all she wanted to do was see Scootaloo and to apologise, however, she was too terrified of what she would say. “We have to do something,” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle then asked, “But what can we do?” Apple Bloom started thinking before a light went off in her head, “We’ll have to go see her and make sure that she keeps her mouth shut,” Apple Bloom said with such finality that made Sweetie, slightly nervous. *** That same night, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sneaked into the hospital. The corridors were quiet, the only sounds were the faint beeping of machines and the occasional soft murmur of nurses. They found Scootaloo’s room, and with bated breath, they slipped inside. Scootaloo was awake, staring blankly at the ceiling. When she saw them, her eyes widened in fear. She tried to sit up, but pain and weakness kept her pinned to the bed. “What are you doing here?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Apple Bloom stepped forward, her face pale and drawn. “We need to talk, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle nodded, her eyes darting around the room nervously. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.” Scootaloo’s heart pounded in her chest. “You tried to kill me,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “How could you?” Apple Bloom’s eyes hardened. “We didn’t mean for it to go that far. We were trying to help you, but it got out of control.” Sweetie Belle’s voice was shaky. “We’re so sorry, Scootaloo. We really are. But you can’t tell anypony about this. You have to keep quiet.” Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed. “Or what? You’ll hurt me again?” Apple Bloom’s expression darkened, a mixture of fear and determination. “We don’t want to, but we can’t let this get out. It would ruin us, Scootaloo. We could go to prison.” Sweetie Belle stepped closer, tears welling up in her eyes. “Please, Scootaloo. Just keep quiet. We’ll do anything to make it up to you.” Scootaloo’s mind raced. She felt trapped, cornered by the very friends who had betrayed her. But she also felt a spark of defiance, a determination not to let them control her any longer. “You don’t get to decide what happens,” she said, her voice steadier than before. “You don’t get to threaten me. I’ll decide what I do, and you’ll have to live with the consequences.” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged a panicked glance. They hadn’t expected this kind of strength from Scootaloo, not after everything she’d been through. Apple Bloom’s face twisted with desperation. “We can’t take that chance,” she muttered, grabbing a pillow from the bed. Before Scootaloo could react, Apple Bloom pressed the pillow over her face, her hands shaking with fear and determination. Sweetie Belle gasped, her hooves flying to her mouth. “Apple Bloom, stop! This isn’t right!” Scootaloo thrashed beneath the pillow, her muffled screams filling the room. She fought with every ounce of strength she had left, her vision blurring as she struggled for breath. The sounds of her struggles echoed in Sweetie Belle’s ears, a horrifying reminder of the dark path they had taken. In a burst of adrenaline, Scootaloo managed to twist her body, knocking the pillow aside. She gasped for air, her eyes wide with terror and anger. “Help!” she screamed, her voice hoarse and desperate. Sweetie Belle grabbed Apple Bloom’s arm, pulling her away. “We have to go! Now!” Apple Bloom’s eyes were wild, but she nodded, the gravity of their actions finally sinking in. They bolted from the room, their hearts pounding as they raced down the hospital corridors. They could hear the sound of approaching hoofsteps, the staff alerted by Scootaloo’s cries for help. They burst out of the hospital, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The cool night air hit their faces, but there was no relief in their flight. They knew they had crossed a line, one that could never be undone. As they disappeared into the shadows of Ponyville, Scootaloo lay in her bed, gasping for breath and trembling with fear. The nurses rushed in, their faces etched with concern as they tended to her. She knew she had narrowly escaped a second attempt on her life, and the realization filled her with a deep-seated terror. When the nurses asked what had happened, Scootaloo could only shake her head, her eyes filling with tears. The fear of retribution, the horror of her friend’s betrayal, and the trauma of her ordeal kept her silent. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, to relive the nightmare or risk another attack. *** Days turned into weeks, and Scootaloo remained tight-lipped about the incident. The hospital staff and townsfolk grew increasingly curious, but Scootaloo’s fear kept her from revealing the truth. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle watched from the shadows, their guilt and dread growing with each passing day. They lived in constant fear of being discovered, but their secret remained safe for now. Scootaloo’s recovery was slow and painful, both physically and emotionally. She found herself withdrawing from others, the once vibrant and adventurous filly now a shadow of her former self. The trauma of that night lingered in her mind, a constant reminder of the darkness that had consumed her friends and almost taken her life.
The ConspiracyThe sun was setting over Ponyville, casting long, eerie shadows across the town. The Cutie Mark Crusaders—Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle—were in their clubhouse, but the atmosphere was tense and strained. For weeks, Scootaloo had been pushing herself to the brink, trying ever more dangerous stunts in her quest for a cutie mark that she believed would finally prove her worth. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had grown increasingly concerned. They had tried to talk to Scootaloo, but she was always dismissive, laughing off their worries and accusing them of being scaredy-cats. Desperation was taking root in their hearts. "She’s gonna get herself killed if she keeps this up," Apple Bloom said, her voice shaking. "We gotta do somethin’ drastic." Sweetie Belle nodded, her eyes dark with worry. "But what? She won’t listen to us. We have to make her see the danger." Apple Bloom’s face hardened with resolve. "We’ll make her see it, alright. If she won’t listen to reason, we’ll show her what real danger looks like." *** They spent the next few days planning, the lines between concern and madness blurring as their fear for their friend grew. They knew Scootaloo would be at her most vulnerable after one of her exhausting stunt sessions. Apple Bloom found an old, abandoned barn, that would work perfectly for their plans. They had first started to teach themselves, how to tie knots as well as secretly attended self-defence classes, where they learnt how to restrain another pony, by using just their hooves. They then moved on to getting the correct supplies, Apple Bloom managed to find an old wooden chair that had been thrown out, while Sweetie Belle found spare pieces of cloth that could be used as both, blindfolds and gags. After tricking Pinkie Pie into believing that they were making a class project, they had borrowed several Nightmare Night decorations, which included: fake cutie marks, fake pegasus wings and unicorn horns, along with various fake pony skulls, and even a vintage griffon skull. They then began to practice tying each other, with Sweetie Belle using her unicorn magic to tie Apple Bloom to the chair, while Apple Bloom used brute force to restrain Sweetie Belle and carry her over a long distance. They needed to make sure that everything was perfect. Once they were happy with the rehearsals and practice sessions, they then began to decorate the barn to make it as intimidating as possible so that it appeared as a makeshift prison that could pass for a terrifying trap. They first placed the fake cutie marks into picture frames before hanging them all around the barn, Sweetie Belle then began to make a necklace that had the fake horns attached to them before moving on to create a strap that had the fake wings sewn into them. The fake wings could be worn by looping the strap around the body and then tightened so that it made the wearer appear as if they were wearing multiple pegasus wings. Sweetie had intricately designed them to look as scary as possible. They then hung the various skulls around the barn, while Apple Bloom had placed the griffon skull so that their captive would be staring right at it. Once they had finished with decorating the barn, they began to go over the plan: The plan they devised was simple but risky. They would lure Scootaloo to Sweet Apple Acres under the guise of a surprise party to celebrate her recent stunts. Once there, they would then subdue her and keep her hidden in the old barn until she agreed to listen to them. It was a drastic measure, but they felt they had no other choice. *** While they had been planning this, Scootaloo's reckless behaviour had grown worse, with even Rainbow Dash, now having to warn the energetic filly, however despite this Scootaloo brushed her off, believing that if Rainbow Dash, her honorary big sister, could do it, then so could she... The golden rays of the setting sun bathed Sweet Apple Acres in a warm, orange glow. The apple trees stood tall and proud, their branches heavy with ripening fruit. It was a picturesque scene, one that belied the turmoil brewing within the hearts of two young fillies. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sat beneath their favourite apple tree, their faces etched with worry and determination. "This ain't gonna be easy, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said, her voice barely above a whisper. She picked at the grass, her hooves trembling slightly. Sweetie Belle nodded, her usually bright eyes clouded with doubt. "I know, Apple Bloom. But we've tried everything else. Maybe this is the only way she'll understand." The two had been wrestling with their feelings for weeks. They had always been close with Scootaloo, sharing countless adventures and dreams as members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. But lately, something had changed. Scootaloo's reckless behaviour and refusal to heed their advice had caused rifts between them. They were desperate to help their friend, but their perspective had become warped by frustration and fear. "We need to make her see that she's heading down a dangerous path," Apple Bloom continued, her voice growing firmer. "She ain't listenin' to us no more. Maybe this will make her understand." Sweetie Belle sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of their decision. "But what if we're wrong, Apple Bloom? What if this only makes things worse?" Apple Bloom looked up, her eyes locking onto Sweetie Belle's. "We can't think like that. We have to believe this is for her own good. Sometimes you gotta be tough to show you care." *** The next day, Scootaloo declared, "I'm going to make the best stunt ever that even Rainbow Dash will be shocked!" Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom gave each other wary looks, while Sweetie Belle asked, her voice laced with concern, "What stunt?" Scootaloo puffed her chest out in pride as she exclaimed, "I am going to jump across Ghastly Gorge while riding my scooter!" Both Apple Bloom's and Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in shock, "WHAT! Scootaloo, you can't do that!" Sweetie shouted, horrified at the thought of her closest friend doing something so stupid and dangerous. Scootaloo's face shifted from one of excitement to one of both hurt and anger, "Why? Do you not think that I am capable of doing such an amazing trick!" Scootaloo shouted in anger. Just as Sweetie Belle was about to answer, Apple Bloom interrupted her and gave her a knowing look, "No, she just means that you can't do another stunt until after your party." Scootaloo then looked confused, "What party?" "We planned a party for you, because of how your stunts are so good," Apple Bloom lied with a fake smile on her face. Scootaloo beamed with pride at the compliment and said, "While I guess I could postpone my training for the stunt. Lead the way." Sweetie Belle pulled out a black scarf and then began to wrap it around Scootaloo's eyes, completely cutting off her vision. "It's a surprise, so no peeking," Sweetie said as Apple Bloom took hold of Scootaloo's hoof and began to lead her towards the barn. Scootaloo couldn't help but get a feeling that something bad was going to happen...
The BetrayalThe trio slowly made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, chatting and laughing as if nothing was amiss. But beneath the surface, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's hearts pounded with anxiety. They exchanged nervous glances, each silently praying that their plan would go smoothly. Meanwhile, Scootaloo's own nervousness was beginning to grow, she hated being blindfolded, however, she didn't say anything so that she didn't upset her friends. "How long until we are there?" she asked, trying to hide the slight fear that was threatening to show itself. Instead of answering Apple Bloom took a deep breath while Sweetie Belle used her magic to close the large barn doors behind them. Apple Bloom then muttered, "I'm sorry Scootaloo." Scootaloo was confused, upon hearing this but before she could answer, she suddenly felt herself be roughly shoved into a chair with her hooves being forced into place on the armrests, while rope was slowly wrapped around them, successfully tying them to the chair, the process what repeated with her hind hooves and body. Still being unable to see a thing Scootaloo called out with fear leaking into her voice, "What's going on, what are you doing to me?" "Just hold still, Scootaloo," Apple Bloom said, her voice strained. "This is for your own good." Scootaloo's eyes were wide with terror and betrayal. "Why are you doing this?" she tried to scream, however, she felt something thick and soft be pulled into her mouth, before being tied behind her head, completely muffling her cries for help. Sweetie Belle's heart ached at the sight of her friend's distress. "We're sorry, Scootaloo," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "But we have to do this. You'll understand someday." "MMMMPH! MMMMMMMMPH!" Scootaloo screamed through the gag. Apple Bloom then spoke up, "I'm sorry, Scoots. We'll explain later but for now, we'll leave you to calm down." With that, they then left Scootaloo in the barn, her struggles and muffled cries echoing in their minds as they walked away. The weight of their actions pressed heavily on their hearts, but they convinced themselves that it was for the best. *** The next day, they returned to the barn, to find Scootaloo still tied to the chair, her head now pointed downwards. Sweetie Belle approached the captured filly, clutching a bottle of water in her magic. She untied the blindfold and felt her heart breaking as Scootaloo looked up at her, her eyes puffy and bloodshot from crying. "Mmmmmmph," Scootaloo weakly said, her voice muffled by the gag. "I'm only going to take the gag off if you promise not to scream," Sweetie Belle warned, wanting her friend to cooperate. Scootaloo reluctantly nodded and Sweetie Belle pulled the gag from her mouth, "Please, let me go," Scootaloo pleaded, her voice hoarse from the muffled screaming that she had done, the night before. Apple Bloom then spoke up, "Ah'm afraid, we can't do that, Scootaloo." "Why are you doing this?" Scootaloo weakly whispered. Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom before looking back towards their hostage, "We'll explain later, but first, you must be hungry and thirsty?" Scootaloo could only nod as Sweetie Belle opened the bottle of water, she then levitated it over to Scootaloo, who opened her mouth. Sweetie Belle then slowly poured the clear liquid down her throat, making sure to pause so that she got a chance to take a breath. Once she had stopped drinking the water, Apple Bloom approached, holding a slice of Granny Smith's famous homemade apple pie. Scootaloo felt humiliated for being fed by another, filly, who was the same age as her. After they had finished feeding, Scootaloo, she began to plead, "Please, let me go, I promise not to tell anypony, I just want to go home." Apple Bloom then began to explain, "Ah'm sorry but that's not going to happen, just look around, Scootaloo we can't risk our operation getting out besides..." Scootaloo looked around the barn, her light purple eyes turning to pinpricks as she noticed the cutie marks and skulls. Tears began to pour down her face again as Apple Bloom touched her wings, "Your wings would look stunning in our collection." Scootaloo then began to cry as she realised the horror of the situation that she was in, "Please don't hurt me," Scootaloo sobbed. Sweetie Belle then began to stroke Scootaloo's messy and dirty purple mane, "Shhhh, don't cry, Scoots. Don't let your last moments be of you crying like a foal." This only succeeded in making Scootaloo sob harder as she came to the terrifying conclusion that her so-called friends were going to kill her. "Please, I don't want to die, I thought we were friends." Apple Bloom then exclaimed as she picked up a large piece of wood, "We are friends, Scoots, that's why we're going to make this painless." Scootaloo thrashed against the ropes, but they held tight. Panic set in as she realized just how serious her friends were. "This isn’t the way! You’re scaring me!" Apple Bloom’s gaze was steely. "I'm sorry Scootaloo, but you have left us with no choice." What started as a plan to scare Scootaloo into being more cautious quickly spiraled out of control. In their desperation, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had underestimated how far they were willing to go. They pushed her limits, each cry and whimper feeding their fear-driven resolve. Scootaloo began to hyperventilate, when she spotted the menacing piece of wood. Scootaloo then began to shake her head and struggle against the bonds, causing bruises to form. Due to Scootaloo's screams of terror, Sweetie Belle was forced to gag her again, reducing her loud cries to mere incoherent muffles. To Sweetie Belle's surprise Apple Bloom began to line the wooden plank up with Scootaloo's head, she then swung it above her shoulders, Scootaloo clenched her eyes shut as Apple Bloom slammed the wooden plank into the side of her head, spraying blood, and sending her crashing to the floor. The two filly's hearts stopped as they stared at their unconscious friend, who wasn't moving. Sweetie Belle then screamed, "WHAT DID YOU DO!" Apple Bloom could only stutter in shock, "I, I, I didn't mean to hit her so hard." Sweetie Belle quickly rushed to her friend's side, where she felt for a pulse but in her frantic state, she couldn’t find one. "Oh no… Apple Bloom, she’s… she’s dead..."
So close to death"Oh no… Apple Bloom, she’s… she’s dead..." Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened in horror. “No, no, no! This wasn’t supposed to happen!” Apple Bloom’s mind raced, fear and guilt threatening to consume her. “We need to get rid of the body. No one can know what happened.” Sweetie Belle was too shocked to argue, too broken to protest. Apple Bloom untied Scootaloo and, with Sweetie Belle’s help, carried her out of the barn. They moved in silence, the weight of their actions pressing down on them like a dark cloud. They reached the edge of a lake on the outskirts of Ponyville, the water dark and still under the moonlight. With trembling hooves, they tied a large rock to Scootaloo’s hooves, before lowering Scootaloo into the water, watching as her body sank beneath the surface. “I’m so sorry, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom whispered, tears streaming down her face. “We just wanted to protect you.” As the ripples faded, they turned and walked away, their hearts heavy with regret. They vowed never to speak of that night again, the memory of their friend’s lifeless body sinking into the depths haunting their every step… *** But Scootaloo was not dead. The cold shock of the water revived her, her body instinctively fighting for survival. She managed to free herself from the ropes, her lungs burning as she broke the surface, gasping for air. Weak and disoriented, she crawled to the shore, her mind a haze of pain and betrayal. She lay there for hours, the cold seeping into her bones, until the first light of dawn began to break. With every ounce of strength she had left, Scootaloo dragged herself back towards Ponyville, determined to find help. When she finally reached the town, she collapsed at the doorstep of the hospital. The staff rushed to her aid, horrified by her condition. They tended to her injuries, their concern and care a stark contrast to the nightmare she had endured. As Scootaloo lay in the hospital bed, she knew her life had changed forever. The trust she once had in her friends was shattered, replaced by a deep, lingering fear. She vowed to never let anyone close enough to hurt her again. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went about their days, the weight of their guilt an ever-present burden. They noticed Scootaloo’s absence but dared not ask about it, each fearing the worst. It was only when word spread of Scootaloo’s miraculous survival that they realized the full extent of their actions. They were filled with a mixture of relief and dread, knowing that they would have to face the consequences of what they had done. Scootaloo, still weak but alive, knew that healing from this ordeal would take time. She had a long road ahead of her, but she also had a newfound strength. She had survived the unimaginable and would rise above it, even if it meant leaving behind the friends who had betrayed her so deeply. While she was in the hospital, The town buzzed with concern and curiosity, but Scootaloo refused to speak about what had happened. Her eyes held a haunted look, and she shuddered whenever she thought of the barn, the ropes, and the cold, dark water. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were a nervous wreck, knowing that their secret was at risk. They spent sleepless nights worrying about what Scootaloo might say and what the consequences might be if the truth came out. One night inside the Crusaders clubhouse, Apple Bloom told Sweetie Belle in hushed whispers, “It’s only a matter of time until she tells somepony.” Sweetie Belle remained silent, her mind was still on what they did to Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle was wracked with guilt she hated, what she had done and all she wanted to do was see Scootaloo and to apologise, however, she was too terrified of what she would say. “We have to do something,” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle then asked, “But what can we do?” Apple Bloom started thinking before a light went off in her head, “We’ll have to go see her and make sure that she keeps her mouth shut,” Apple Bloom said with such finality that made Sweetie, slightly nervous. *** That same night, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sneaked into the hospital. The corridors were quiet, the only sounds were the faint beeping of machines and the occasional soft murmur of nurses. They found Scootaloo’s room, and with bated breath, they slipped inside. Scootaloo was awake, staring blankly at the ceiling. When she saw them, her eyes widened in fear. She tried to sit up, but pain and weakness kept her pinned to the bed. “What are you doing here?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Apple Bloom stepped forward, her face pale and drawn. “We need to talk, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle nodded, her eyes darting around the room nervously. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.” Scootaloo’s heart pounded in her chest. “You tried to kill me,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “How could you?” Apple Bloom’s eyes hardened. “We didn’t mean for it to go that far. We were trying to help you, but it got out of control.” Sweetie Belle’s voice was shaky. “We’re so sorry, Scootaloo. We really are. But you can’t tell anypony about this. You have to keep quiet.” Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed. “Or what? You’ll hurt me again?” Apple Bloom’s expression darkened, a mixture of fear and determination. “We don’t want to, but we can’t let this get out. It would ruin us, Scootaloo. We could go to prison.” Sweetie Belle stepped closer, tears welling up in her eyes. “Please, Scootaloo. Just keep quiet. We’ll do anything to make it up to you.” Scootaloo’s mind raced. She felt trapped, cornered by the very friends who had betrayed her. But she also felt a spark of defiance, a determination not to let them control her any longer. “You don’t get to decide what happens,” she said, her voice steadier than before. “You don’t get to threaten me. I’ll decide what I do, and you’ll have to live with the consequences.” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged a panicked glance. They hadn’t expected this kind of strength from Scootaloo, not after everything she’d been through. Apple Bloom’s face twisted with desperation. “We can’t take that chance,” she muttered, grabbing a pillow from the bed. Before Scootaloo could react, Apple Bloom pressed the pillow over her face, her hands shaking with fear and determination. Sweetie Belle gasped, her hooves flying to her mouth. “Apple Bloom, stop! This isn’t right!” Scootaloo thrashed beneath the pillow, her muffled screams filling the room. She fought with every ounce of strength she had left, her vision blurring as she struggled for breath. The sounds of her struggles echoed in Sweetie Belle’s ears, a horrifying reminder of the dark path they had taken. In a burst of adrenaline, Scootaloo managed to twist her body, knocking the pillow aside. She gasped for air, her eyes wide with terror and anger. “Help!” she screamed, her voice hoarse and desperate. Sweetie Belle grabbed Apple Bloom’s arm, pulling her away. “We have to go! Now!” Apple Bloom’s eyes were wild, but she nodded, the gravity of their actions finally sinking in. They bolted from the room, their hearts pounding as they raced down the hospital corridors. They could hear the sound of approaching hoofsteps, the staff alerted by Scootaloo’s cries for help. They burst out of the hospital, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The cool night air hit their faces, but there was no relief in their flight. They knew they had crossed a line, one that could never be undone. As they disappeared into the shadows of Ponyville, Scootaloo lay in her bed, gasping for breath and trembling with fear. The nurses rushed in, their faces etched with concern as they tended to her. She knew she had narrowly escaped a second attempt on her life, and the realization filled her with a deep-seated terror. When the nurses asked what had happened, Scootaloo could only shake her head, her eyes filling with tears. The fear of retribution, the horror of her friend’s betrayal, and the trauma of her ordeal kept her silent. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, to relive the nightmare or risk another attack. *** Days turned into weeks, and Scootaloo remained tight-lipped about the incident. The hospital staff and townsfolk grew increasingly curious, but Scootaloo’s fear kept her from revealing the truth. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle watched from the shadows, their guilt and dread growing with each passing day. They lived in constant fear of being discovered, but their secret remained safe for now. Scootaloo’s recovery was slow and painful, both physically and emotionally. She found herself withdrawing from others, the once vibrant and adventurous filly now a shadow of her former self. The trauma of that night lingered in her mind, a constant reminder of the darkness that had consumed her friends and almost taken her life.
