Apples and Affairs

Today was the day!! Today was the day! Today was the day the Cutie Mark Crusaders would finally earn their cutie marks! Their mission: Go on an adventure! They planned to go to Canterlot, and then to Los Pegasus on hoof. They had the trip all planned out, and had lots of food, water, and convenient excuses for what they were up to if their parents asked.

Scootaloo, who was the one who came up with the idea in the first place, was running through the plan one more time in their clubhouse with her fellow crusaders, pointing to a map of Equestria drawn in crayon on the wall.

“When we get to Canterlot, this is going to be our only chance to restock on food and water, so we need to have lots of bits handy.” Scootaloo said, circling a picture of the distant kingdom, before drawing a line to where Los Pegasus would be, “Then it’s going to be about a five-day walk to Los Pegasus, so during that time, we need to-”

“Wait… ‘Ah’m sorry to interrupt, Scoots, but isn’t Canterlot on the side of a mountain? How are we gonna get up there?”Apple Bloom asked, raising a hoof in question.

Scootaloo nodded like she already had thought of this, “That’s simple. All we gotta do is… Is…” She looked at the map as if she didn’t consider this at all, “Uhh… Canterlot is overrated anyway, let’s go to the Crystal Empire instead!” Scootaloo’s brainstorming was interrupted as she spotted an oddly familiar rainbow mane.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo dropped the crayon she was holding and leaped over her friends to the clubhouse door to greet her idol.

Even with the events that had just transpired, Rainbow Dash was unable to keep a grin off of her face, “Heh, nice to see you too, kid.” She said, ruffling the filly’s mane. Her voice was lacking its usual gusto, and it was obvious she had just been crying. She was still holding the picture frame tight like it was a newborn filly, “I just wanted to tell you that I’m not going to be able to make it to the concert on Friday.”

Scootaloo picked up instantly that something wasn’t right, “What’s wrong?” Scootaloo said, now more worried than disappointed.

“I’m not feeling very well.” Rainbow Dash said, “I’m sorry, kid. Maybe next time.”

Well… She did seem a little under the weather… Scootaloo thought, “Well… Okay. Thanks, Rainbow Dash, please feel better soon.”

Rainbow Dash tried to smile, “I will. Thanks, kid. You three have fun.”

“Bye Rainbow.”

And then she turned and walked off. That was it. No boasting, no arrogant words, no flying around the clubhouse, she didn’t even fly out of the clubhouse, or fly into it, either! “Does anypony feel like she was acting really strange?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Well, maybe she is just sick.” Apple Bloom suggested.

“No, she isn’t.” Scootaloo said, “I know Rainbow Dash like the bottom of my hoof, something’s wrong, it’s much more than just her being sick. I think she needs help going back to her awesome self.”

“Well, we gotta help her!” Apple Bloom said, “Rainbow Dash is our friend, we can’t let her hurt.”

“But what about our adventure?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“That can wait.” Scootaloo said, going back to join the group, “Come on, Cutie Mark Crusader friendship helpers?”

“Cutie Mark Crusader friendship helpers! Yay!!” The fillies declared.
We’re coming, Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo thought, determined, You’ll be back to your old self in no time at all…