Shattered Dreams

Scootaloo thrust herself and the wagon filled with the other crusaders forward as she rushed down the streets of Ponyville on her trademarked scooter. Shouts of joy chorused behind her and she grinned with pleasure as wind lashed at her face with sudden chills.

Pulling out an obscenely large map of Ponyville, Applebloom pointed to what marked the location of Twilight’s house. After a moment of deep thought she smiled deviously. This was sure to be there best plan yet!

Scootaloo was only partly aware of Applebloom’s movement in the wagon, the other half of her was drunk on adrenalin. Heat pulsed through her veins and she let out a cheer as she pushed herself on with ever increasing speed. Expertly Scootaloo shot around tight corners and raced down alleyways, too caught up in her freedom to bother taking the direct route to Twilight’s library.

Whipping around a tight corner back into the open, Scootaloo could see Twilight’s house coming into view. Briefly she considered hooking around and going for another spin, but that wouldn’t be fair to the others so she kept going. Soon she let her mind wonder, not needing to pay attention to where she was going anymore.

It’s strange that Twilight lives in a tree. Ponies don’t live in trees do they? I guess it would be cool to dive off the branches and fly into the air with an extremely amazing routine that everyone would love and admire and worship you for! And Rainbowdash would say “Nice moves kid! Their 20% cooler”! And then the crowd would go wild!

Scootaloo was snapped out of thoughts by a loud and abrupt WHAM! The wagon and it’s stock had toppled to the ground. Sweetiebelle and Applebloom were fine, and the map was only crinkled where it had folded over itself. Instantly Scootaloo clumsily looked over her back to check her wings, fine. They were fine.

Groaning from behind her made Scootaloo whip her head around. Featherweight was on the ground rubbing his head, a moment passed before she understood why. I totally just ran him over! Oh man that is so uncool!

Instantly she raced over and offered the young colt a hoof. Gladly he accepted and together they got him off the ground and dusted off his tan coat. “I am so sorry!” Scootaloo burst out when he appeared to have gotten over the shock of being trampled by a parade of girls.

“Don’t worry about it, a few scratches never hurt anyone.” Featherweight answered rather honestly. After searching the ground for a few minutes he spotted his camera among the scattered papers and now dented materials. “Are you guys on another crusading mission for your cutiemarks?” He mumbled curiously as he grabbed the handle of the camera and slipped the rope around his neck.

“Something like that.” Scootaloo murmured awkwardly as she contemplated if a protection program counted as a crusade or not. “That camera must be indestructible.” She said quickly, choosing to change the subject before things got out of hand.

“Yeah, you bet your horseshoes it is!” Featherweight replied with pride. “Well, I should let you guys get back too . . . crusading. I have some work I have to do myself. See you later!”

Scootaloo was tempted to ask what the young colt was planning, but she decided that would be intruding and swiftly began to help Applebloom and Sweetiebelle organize the wagon and pick up the broken pieces of wood.

“This sucks! Now we can’t build that ultra protective fort!” Sweetiebelle sighed is disappointment as they began to haul the splintered beams to the side of the road.

“It’s alright Sweetiebelle!” Applebloom smiled as she looked to Twilight’s house. “We’ve got another idea.”

“But I don’t know if this is going to work . . “ Sweetiebelle replied with a spark of worry. “I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of magic yet.”

“We’ll never know until we try, besides, Twilight can help yah.” Before the others had a chance to argue Applebloom had jumped into the full wagon. The earth pony was as excited as ever, and Scootaloo smiled at her optimism.

“Let’s get going then!” Scootaloo shouted. Shooting forward she leapt on her Scooter and gave her wings a few experimental flaps as she waited for Sweetiebelle to clamber in the wagon. When they were ready to go, Scootaloo raced down the street towards the library.

The door flung open and the crusaders tumbled out of the wagon. Applebloom took the lead and leapt in front to organize them. “Alright girls! Were here to find that book and we aren’t leaving without it! Sweetiebelle you take that shelf!” The leader pointed with her hoof to the bookshelf on the left. “Scootaloo, you take the right! I’m taking the middle! Cutiemark Crusaders go!”

As the girls sprung into action, Spike stared in horror at the mess that was quickly forming at his feet, books of all kinds fell to the ground with hard thumps. He counted every time he heard a heavy thud.

1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 19 . . .

Too many . . .

Scootaloo scanned the bookshelf quickly, her eyes darting from title to title, cover to cover. Mysteries of the Bog, no. Canterlot Royal Arrangements, no. She shoved the books she wasn’t interested in to the ground until the whole bookshelf was cleared. Excitedly she darted to Sweetiebelle’s. “Anything yet?” She asked as the unicorn threw another book away.

“No.” She replied, not loosing any focus.

Scootaloo nodded and tossed another few books to the ocean of words that now surrounded them. Nature of the Everfree, no! Elements of Harmony, no! Weather in Equestria, Not even close! She was about to give up when Applebloom shouted, “I found it girls!”

Instantly Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo were looking over Applebloom’s shoulder at the book in the filly’s hooves. It was royal red, and rimmed with gold binding. The title was stuck on so that it popped out, and the writing was laced with gold and silver. It was titled Protection and Other Magical Spells. Instantly they all cheered, Sweetiebell almost yelling.

The filly’s were about to dart out of the library, when Spike stopped them. “You’re helping me clean this mess up!” He said impatiently, pointing to the clatter of books and scrolls scattered across the library floor.

“No time Spike!” Scootaloo begged the dragon with desperation. “We need to do this as soon as possible!”

Before the dragon cold reply the crusaders were gone, and he was alone with the books.

“I wish Twilight didn’t leave so often. . .”

“Do you think you can do it Sweetiebelle?” Scootaloo asked with excitement as the filly stared at the open book. The spell they were looking at was called Minor protection. Gratefully, the crusaders quickly found that it came with instructions, and they didn’t seem to hard. Sweetiebelle on the other hood was more confused than a sea turtle on the beach, trying to find water before it is eaten by a blood thirsty evil monster form the Everfree Forest.

“I don’t know if I can . . .” Sweetiebelle said at last, looking more nervous than ever.

“But you have to at least try! I can’t be flightless Sweetiebelle! It would ruin everything! My dreams, my life, everything! Please try!” Scootaloo begged, beginning to look hopeless and shaken. “I need this!”

Reluctantly Sweetiebelle took in a breath and tried to focus her magic. Scootaloo stepped back to give her friend space and watched in amazement as her horn began to spark with small green lights. Gradually the lights became more consistent, and soon the unicorns horn was alive with magic. Sweetiebell’s eyes were closed, and her hooves dug into the wood floor of the clubhouse. Tight knots twisted and pulled in Scootaloo’s churning stomach. Sweetiebelle was sweating and small groans escaped her clenched and grinding teeth, but nothing ever happened, and soon the unicorn dropped to the ground in exhaustion.

“Sorry Scootaloo, I can’t . . .” She panted as the last sparks of magic subsided.

Frustration seethed inside Scootaloo’s head, but she was careful not to let it show. “It’s fine, you did your best right?” She replied steadily, helping Sweetiebelle off the ground.

Applebloom frowned and looked into Scootaloo’s eyes. “Well, even if we don’t have a protection spell. we can still protect you with our hooves! That evil ghost will have to go through us before it gets you Scoot!” She vowed strongly, raising her hooves as if she was in combat.

“Thanks guys” Scootaloo smiled warmly. She could always count on her friends to be there for her, no matter how scared she felt.

“So what should we try next?” Sweetiebelle asked as she got her energy back. “How about we put on a play? Cutiemark Crusaders play throwers, or something?”

“Actually, there’s someone I want to talk to tomorrow. Sorry girls.” Scootaloo apologized quickly. The others looked surprised but gave her smiles and nodded their heads before saying goodbye.

“Cutiemark Crusaders . . .” Scootaloo mumbled. “I wonder how much longer it will last . . .”