Chapters Warmth washed over Scootaloo’s tired body as she quietly relaxed under the protection of a giant blossom tree. Soothing colors surrounded the young pegasus, and she hummed softly to the rhythm of the swaying petals and the frequent gusts of the dancing wind. It was a rare occasion. Usually Scootaloo would be leading her two friends Applebloom and Sweetiebelle on an amazing adventure, but instead, she was resting. Applebloom had to help her sister harvest the freshly grown apples with her family, and Sweetiebelle was assisting Rarity with the mare’s fashion designs, leaving Scootaloo to do what she pleased. The filly had spent her entire morning practicing exhilarating stunts and agonizing wing exercises that strained her muscles and strengthened her wings, making them healthy and strong. Perfect for flying side by side with Equestria’s number one flyer, and her idol, Rainbowdash.
Slowly flapping her sore wings, Scootaloo closed her eyes. She pictured the sky swiftly shooting past her, the air cutting through her feathers, and the adrenaline of the flight coursing through her blood. She could feel the boiling heat sizzling inside of her, challenged by the icy chill that slapped across her face as she pushed herself faster, faster, faster. And when Scootaloo turned her head, Rainbowdash was right beside her, matching each and every one of her wing beats.
Gradually Scootaloo folded her wings and gently brought them to her sides.Determination hissed in her belly, and when she opened her eyes, a mighty fire burned. “I will fly.” She vowed solemnly. “I will fly.”
Scootaloo pushed pushed herself up off the tender grass, letting out a long breath as her stiff legs took the weight of her small body. When she felt her strength returning she leisurely stepped towards the hill in front of her, taking pleasure in the strong cold breezes sliding over her worn out muscles from the base of the grassy slope. Spreading her wings, Scootaloo allowed herself one last stretch. Then, without mercy, she threw herself down the tempting hill.
Cutting winds slashed across her tightened cheeks and pulled back on her flying mane. Below Scootaloo her small hooves drummed across the flying hill. Without relent, the daring pegasus launched herself off the rolling ground and into a soaring leap. Quickly she spread her wings and paddled the air with every feather, with every bit of strength she possessed. She would not fail. She would not fall. She would not give up. Below her the ground slowly got closer. And with a final stroke of her powerful wings, Scootaloo landed safely on the ground, the warmth of the earth quickly coursed through her hooves.
Everyday the filly got closer to her goal. It was clear to her that the practicing was paying off. And she felt happier than ever now that she had perfected her gliding. In another few days, flying would be a breeze. Nothing would stop her from claiming her desire. A flight, side by side with Rainbowdash, under the setting sun. That was all she wanted.
When Scootaloo trudged through the door of her families house, her parents were waiting for her impatiently, both wearing unpleasant snarls, as always. Staring up at them with cold eyes, the filly waited for the screaming, and she tensed her muscles in case they decided to hit her this time too. Her mother, a soft red pegasus, began first with the traditional smack to Scootaloo’s bruised face and a scolding lecture. “How dare you leave the house without permission and worry us like that!” She snorted without any consideration of what her daughter was feeling. Glaring straight into her mothers brilliant magenta eyes, Scootaloo hissed toughly, “Oh, I’m sure you were very worried.”
Anger charged through her mother’s eyes. Instantly Scootaloo was thrown to her knees as she was again abused by her parents. It was begging to damage her. Sometimes she thought about running away and living on her own somewhere, but she would never be able to feed herself. At least with her parents she was fed decent sized meals, usually leftovers though. Sometimes the young filly even thought of just ending it all. Leaving her parents was the easy part, the hard part was leaving her friends, and dying without a cutiemark wasn’t an option in her mindset. So she dealt with the pain that her mother and father scarred her with. Living each day hiding the truth, and covering her purple marks with bandages, lies, and fake smiles.
“Don’t you ever speak to me that way. Don’t you ever . . . I want you to get out of my site you worthless pile of flesh! Or do you want me to hit you again!”
Head down in brutal submission, the young mare crept away from her mother and father. Only them letting thin crystal tears fall from her eyes as she heard her father growl, “I never asked for a child.”
Moonlight flooded through the dusty glass windows and onto the old wood paneled floor, the small amount of light illuminated Scootaloo’s small room, and as the young filly tucked herself into her ragged bedding, she sent her worries far away, leaving only a blank mind. Little warmth was offered from the think sheet covering her shivering body, but it was enough to satisfy her. Laying her head down on her pillow, Scootaloo closed her eyes, and drifted into a settle sleep.
High pitched ringing hummed in the silence when Scootaloo opened her still tired eyes. A blinding radiant light shimmered in the center of the now pitch black room, and an icy chill crawled down Scootaloo’s shaking spine as an ominous silhouette took form in front of her. Straightening herself up in an unconscious manner, Scootaloo stared at the strange ghostly figure in front of her. It’s wings were twisted and crippled in a horrifying mess. Worn feathers hung off the skinny broken bones, and the joints were all out of place.
Looking right at the stranger in her room, Scootaloo asked, “Who are you.”
And the mare responded, “I am you.”
Cutie Mark Crusaders Protection Program!
“You’re me?” Scootaloo repeated curiously, though she didn’t believe what the lonely mare was telling her, she was curious as to how the stranger’s mind worked. She wanted to know how this psycho responded to things. “So I should call you Scootaloo?”
“Yes.” The crippled “Scootaloo” replied almost automatically.
It may seem weird, but Scootaloo didn’t care that there was a creepy stalker in her room. The thought of fear didn’t even cross her mind. In fact, she felt like laughing. This was the perfect horror movie setting. A creepy mare coming into a young kid’s room all crippled and spooky looking, telling them that their some kind of clone. Hilarious.
“Scootaloo!” The broken pegasus barked suddenly, shocking the laughing filly into a state of stillness. “This is serious! Do you see my wings? Do you see them? This is what you’re going to look like! This is your destiny!”
There was silence. Scootaloo looked up into the glassy eyes of the orange pegasus in front of her. Gulping, she forced her gaze to run across each twisted, broken feather. They were bent in so many directions it just looked like a nest of fluff, and she had to hold back a sickly gag as she spotted small white stubs of bone protruding from the mass.
“I don’t believe you!” Scootaloo shrieked, now taking the matter deadly serious. “I’m going to be the best flyer! Even Rainbowdash will look up to me! That’s my dream! You can’t take that away from me!” Determination flared in the young equines purple eyes, and she crossed her hooves stubbornly in front of her when her ghostly reflection didn’t respond. “No one can take away my life.”
“No matter how true that sounds, fate has made it’s decision. I have only come to say one thing. There is hope, and you will be happy. Just follow the right path.”
“The right path?” Scootaloo narrowed her eyes. “You mean, like the streets in Ponyville? I guess if I took the wrong one I wouldn’t get to school, but what does that have to do with anything?”
Rolling her eyes, the tattered Scootaloo tapped her hoof to the wood paneled floor. “Just do what you think is right Scootaloo. And don’t shove away the things that you love.”
“The thing’s I love . . .” Scootaloo parroted, looking down at her covers. Her eyelids began to shudder, and she felt sleepy again. Looking up at her older self, she smiled. “I won’t let that happen to my wings . . .”
“Of course you won’t . . .” The spirit replied. It was the last thing Scootaloo heard before her shaking eyes closed, and her mind went blank.
“What in the hay are you wearing Scootaloo?” Applebloom squeaked as her pegasus friend marched confidently into the schoolyard. Though she wore a grin and held her head high, Applebloom doubted that anypony could feel proud wearing a safety tube tightly around their stomach.
Scootaloo leapt up and down with excitement. “You’ll never believe what happened last night!” she chirped restlessly. “Where’s Sweetiebelle? She needs to hear this!”
“Sweetiebelle went inside for choir already.” Applebloom said in confusion, but she was beginning to get bouncy as well. What was so amazing that Scootaloo had to share it with her right away? Had she found out how they could get their cutiemarks?
“What?” Scootaloo muttered irritably. Tapping her hoof on the bouncing rubber around her waste, the pegasus reminded herself that Sweetiebelle had joined the kids choir a few days ago. “Alright, then how about we meet at the clubhouse after class?”
“Scoot, that’s fine and dandy, but are ya’ll gonna wear that in class?”
Looking down at the safety tube and smiled, “Yep!”
As Scootaloo tested the strength of her shield, Applebloom tightened and adjusted her bow. Excitement rolled off both of the fillies as they impatiently waited for the school bell’s hum so they could get the day over with and get to the clubhouse.
Light filtered through the dusty window of the clubhouse. Slightly cold breezes wafted through the wood and the crusaders bit their lips as it sunk into their short fur.
“A-Aliright Scootaloo, I hope this is important, cause it’s darn cold!” Applebloom chittered through her clacking teeth. Sweetiebelle played with her mane briefly before nodding in stiff agreement.
“You’ll never believe me, but some creepy mare snuck into my house last night, watched me sleep, and told me that she was my clone!” Scootaloo bursted out in excitement, practically bouncing on her hind hooves.
Sweetiebelle immediately dropped her hair and puckered her mouth in disbelief, an aura of uncertainty pulsed from her green eyes. Applebloom was in the same mitt.
“Scootaloo, I really think that your lust for adrenaline is getting to your head a bit. This whole story sounds wacko.” Sweetiebelle admitted after a minute of silence. “Not that it isn’t exciting! It just seems . . . too supernatural.”
“Ah agree with Sweetiebelle . . . Ah mean, a ghost pony watchin yah sleep? That’s kinda creepy Scoot.”
The two crusaders lowered their heads worriedly as Scootaloo’s cheeks bulged and blushed bright tinges of red.
“I’m telling the truth! Her wings were all droopy and twisted! She was glowing like a christmas tree, and . . . and she had no eyes! She was as tall as a mountain, and she moaned when she walked, like a zombie from The Galloping Dead!” She had exaggerated, she knew it. But the experience was fresh in her mind, and she wasn’t going to sit around while her friends thought she was loco in the cocoa!
“Stop lying Scoots! Ah know you’re one for adventure and mystery, but this is getting out of hoof! We know that there wasn’t a scary ghost pony in your room last night so stop making stuff up!” Applebloom moaned in annoyance. “Look Scoot if this is all yah wanted to tell us ah think ahm gonna go back to the farm.”
“Please don’t go! There’s more!” Pleaded Scootaloo as Applebloom turned to leave. Sweetiebelle looked up with natural curiosity while Appleblom rolled her eyes. “She told me that I was going to end up like her . . . That my wings would to be crippled . . . And that my dreams won’t come true . . .” When she finished her eyes were watering at the seriousness that had finally sunk in. That mare had not been lying, she had been telling the truth.
“Scoots, you’re telling the truth aren’t yah . . .” Whispered Applebloom in shock. Dread had crawled up Sweetiebelle’s face and she stared at the wall where the safety tube rested against the smooth wood.
“That’s why you wore that around your wings isn’t it Scootaloo?” The unicorn asked.
“Yeah . . .” Scootaloo looked away, hiding her face so her friends didn’t see the tears that were threatening to sneak out of her eyes. Cold stillness crept over her and she clapped her hoof against the ground, only for the satisfaction of the smallest distraction. “Listen . . .” She choked out. “You can go now, okay? I . . I’m cool, really.” Another chilly breeze howled outside and Scootaloo tensed her muscles. It was unnaturally cold . . .
“Scootaloo . . .” Sweetiebelle said softly. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to your wings.”
Looking over her shoulder, Scootaloo gave her unicorn friend a fragile smile. The young curly maned filly was holding up a hoof, waiting for Scootaloo to except her promise. And she did. Scootaloo walked to Sweetiebelle and grabbed her friend’s hoof.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Protection Program!”
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 . . .”
Scootaloo forced open her weary eyes as her singing alarm pierced the silence of the early morning. Grumbling the young pegasus rolled over and pressed the power button to shut off the device. Scootaloo glanced out the window to see a scarlet sunrise lifting from beyond the rooftops of Ponyville. Groaning, she let her head fall back into her pillow, the warmth wrapped around her and she let her mind wander briefly. It doesn’t matter if I miss school once does it? I’ve got more important things to do right now. My parents won’t even notice, or care. Scootaloo sighed and reached under her bed, after rummaging around with her hoof she found the cord for her alarm and with a swift tug it was pulled from the socket. (Don’t do this it isn’t safe) After another moment of hesitation she got comfortable under her blankets and closed her eyes, allowing herself to fall into a deep restoring doze.
Scootaloo let a howl of delight rip from her throat as wind whipped through her flying mane. The fresh scent of cool air filled her with happiness and she let herself be indulged in the freedom. Beside her, Rainbowdash winked an approving eye and sped ahead of her, but with a small bit of extra effort, Scootaloo easily caught up to the rainbow pegasus.
“Rainbowdash, check this out!”
Scootaloo thrust herself forward and did a small loop. She didn’t know where she learned it, but it felt great, and the adrenaline was incredible! But the best thing, was Rainbowdash’s smile and applaud. Quickly she did a few more and finished off her show with a small downward spiral. The last move seemed to spark a light in Rainbowdash’s eyes.
“Hey kid! Watch this move!” Rainbowdash yowled through the blurring sound of the wind. Instantly Scootaloo’s idol zipped upwards and spiraled in through a cloud. For a second Scootaloo lost sight of Rainbowdash, but then something magnificent happened. The cloud the mare had disappeared into burst into a rippling wave of rainbow fluff and an explosion of colour shot right through the center. Raking winds slammed into Scootaloo as they bounced from the spiraling display.
Scootaloo buzzed her wings in a state of panic and fought to keep herself steady as the wind smashed against her, pushing her backwards. Rainbowdash was gone and she didn’t see anything but bright lights and frenzies of colour. Pain flashed at her sides and when she looked over she let her mouth fall open in horror. Scootaloo’s wings were falling apart right before her eyes! Feathers were ripped off by the force of the violent wind, and the bones snapped and bent as she tried to keep herself steady. But the thing that sickened her the most was when her bones pierced through the flesh. Letting out a terrified scream, Scootaloo fell to the ground, and just before she hit the ground, everything went white.
Scootaloo screeched in fear as she pushed herself up from under her covers. Bright sunshine filtered into her room. Slowly she let her gaze pan her room and took a second to gather herself. Gulping, Scootaloo reached a hoof across her side and tentatively patted her wing. It was still there, healthy and fit like always. Scootaloo listened for any sounds in the hallways of the house that might indicate her parents were present. It was silent, but that didn’t worry Scootaloo, she knew her parents had probably went out partying the night before. They could either be recovering at a friends house or still asleep. Either way, Scootaloo didn’t want to take her chances. It didn’t matter if they didn’t care, they would still get mad about it and she didn’t want to get in trouble again.
Leaping out of bed, Scootaloo grabbed her safety tube and stuck it tightly around her wings. Scootaloo pushed open her bedroom door and walked through the creaky wooden galls towards the kitchen. The clock read 10:00am. Hurriedly, Scootaloo dragged a chair up to the counter and scrabbled up onto it’s surface. After finding her center of balance she lifted onto her back hooves and drew open the cabinet doors.
Dust carpeted the wood and there were dozens of packages of instant coffee and baking ingredients. Stretching farther on the chair, Scootaloo grabbed a box of cereal from the back of the storage and held it firmly in her teeth. Hopping down from the chair, Scootaloo poured the cereal into a small bowl and quickly devoured it without milk. Licking her lips with content she adjusted the tube around her waist and rushed out the door.
Scootaloo thrust herself forward on her scooter, the rolling wheels bumping beneath her. There weren’t many fillies out at the time, most likely because they were in school, but Scootaloo had more important things to do. She had to find Rainbowdash and learn how to fly before she lost her wings trying herself. Then another thought crossed her mind and she pulled her scooter to an abrupt stop.
“Rainbowdash destroyed my wings in that dream . . . Is that what is going to happen in real life? Is it her fault . . .” Shaking her head, Scootaloo thrust the thought away and pressed onwards. That was impossible, Rainbowdash was the only one that would help her avoid loosing her wings!
Scootaloo was still thinking about the dilemma when a sudden jerk threw her from her thoughts and face first into the ground. Groaning she shook her head and rubbed her temples in confusion. After a moment she noticed a shadow in front of her. It was only a silhouette with the bright sun gleaming behind it, but it held out a hoof and she gladly accepted it. Escaping the glare of the sun, Scootaloo identified her savior, Featherweight.
“Hey Scootaloo!” He smiled cheerfully. “It looks like we had another tumble hmm?”
Embarrassed as ever, Scootaloo nodded quickly and picked up her scooter in a hurrying mess. “S-Sorry about that Featherweight, I’ve been distracted lately.”
“Is that why you didn’t come to school today?” The pegasus countered. Hsi voice was stern, but it was also concerned, which made Scootaloo realize thankfully that he wasn’t that disappointed in her.
“Yeah, Kinda . . .” She said with a nervous smile and a quick laugh. “What are you doing out?”
Featherweight smiled as well. “It’s lunchtime.” I’m on my way to do some more help at Sugarcube Corner.
“Sugarcube Corner?” Scootaloo parroted in confusion. “Is there a problem there?”
Featherweigh simply shook his head and held up a hoof as if picturing the scene in his head. “I’m helping out at the counter to earn some extra bits. I usually go during lunch. I’m saving up for a photography studio of my own. I’ve found a real passion for it you know?”
“I understand, sorry about running over you . . . again.” Scootaloo sighed and leapt onto her Scooter. She was about to take off when Featherweight chuckled.
“Just make sure to wear a helmet next time okay, and try not to run me over again.”
“Deal!” Scootaloo agreed cheerily before grinning widely and rushing off down the streets towards Rainbowdash’s cloud house. She tried to take as many routes as she could that were usually close to empty. She didn’t want to run into any ponies that would force her to go to class, not today.
The sky was clear, and Scootaloo smiled as she looked up to see close to no clouds in the sky. That meant Rainbowdash was done work that day and should be at home. But she also knew that Rainbowdash could easily be out with Twilight saving Equestria from some unknown evil again. Excitement and worry pushed her forward and soon she was shooting down the streets and allies of Ponyville.
Scootaloo pulled her scooter to a stop when she arrived at Rainbowdash’s cloud house. Eagerly she jumped off and stared up. It wasn’t that far, if she really tried to could get to the cloud and if she had to, pull herself up. Taking in a breath, Scootaloo began to flap her wings. She could feel the air being cradles beneath her feathers with each upstroke. And with each downstroke, the lifting force doubled. It didn’t take long for her to get off the ground, but the hard part was staying in the air after getting off the grass and dirt Concentrating as hard as she could, Scootaloo pushed herself upwards with her body, her wings, and her strong will.
The cloud was nearly in reach, and Scootaloo threw out her hooves and clung to it when her wings decided to give out. Behind her her back hooves dangled from the cloud and the small pegasus let out a small yelp as she began to slip. Frustration and fear pulsed through her, and with a growl she dug into the cloud and heaved herself up one hoof at a time. Slowly she rolled onto her back and panted, wiping the perspiration from her face and calming her nerves. She couldn’t let Rainbow dee her like this, it would be a nightmare!
The door to the aqua pegasus’s house flung open and Rainbow leapt out, swinging her head to and fro, then she saw Scootaloo on the ground and erupted into one of her laughing fits.
“I thought there was a burglar or something! But it was only you Scootaloo! What the hay are you doing!” The whole time Rainbowdash was flailing her hooves in the air like a maniac.
Pouting with defeat, Scootaloo let a small sniffle give her tears away, and Rainbowdash’s amusement slowly transformed into a soft smile. Rainbowdash picked herself off the ground and wrapped a hoof around Scootaloo’s own, hoisting the defeated mare to her hooves. “You flew all the way up here didn’t you kid? You’re one tough pony!”
Scootaloo quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and stared into Rainbowdash’s magenta eyes with an astonished smile that curved all the way up her cheek. With a quick swallow she cleared her throat and nodded happily.
After a moment of silence, Rainbowdash grinned challengingly. “I’m guessing you didn’t do that for nothing?” She said, digging her hoof into the ground and flapping her wings swiftly. “So what did you come for, to see my awesome skills, and autograph maybe?”
“I . . .” Scootaloo gulped nervously. This was her idol, the pony she looked up to more than anything! If Rainbowdash agreed to help her it would be a dream come true, but that dream still haunted her like a ghost. Scootaloo tried to push it to the back of her mind, but it always slithered back, sneaking through the racks and appearing whenever it could. She was cursed, plagued.
“Well Squirt, Opalescence bite your tongue?” Rainbow asked with slight annoyance. She was getting impatient, and Scootaloo shook her head and frowned.
“I was hoping . . .” Again her voice disappeared. Frustration and terror bubbled and churned in her stomach and finally she chocked and shouted all at once so there was no stopping.
“I WAS HOPING YOU COULD TEACH ME HOW TO FLY!”
Shock filled Rainbowdash’s face, and Scootaloo bit her lower lip nervously. Would she decline?
Rainbowdash turned and walked back into her house, leaving Scootaloo sitting at the doorstep. The smaller pegasus watched with disbelief as the rainbow tail was swallowed by the darkness of the house.
Scootaloo turned sulkily ready to get home when a clamor rose from behind her. Her heart leapt and delight stretched across her face as Rainbowdash yowled with glee and shot through the door and looped around in the sky in a dance of adrenaline and pleasure.
“I hope you’re ready for a workout kid! I’m not going easy on you! I do have my own fitness to keep track of you know?” Rainbowdash crowed as she fluttered down in front of Scootaloo. She was still taller, but it was clear Scootaloo had grown. Scootaloo smile as she thought, wow! I’m almost as tall as Rainbowdash! And my wings are almost as long! I’ll be just like her in soon! But not soon enough . . .
“What kind of exercises are we going to do?” Scootaloo said.
Rainbow looked at her in confusion before giving the younger mare a devilish grin. “You’re beyond just exercising now Scootaloo! This won’t be like before! This time, you ARE going to fly with me. And this time, I won’t be holding you up!” With that said, Rainbowdash roughly churned her hoof against Scootaloo’s scuffled purple mane, but Scootaloo wasn’t paying attention to that. Her thoughts were high above the clouds, and her cheeks were burning hot. She said my name! She didn’t call me kid, or squirt, or you! She said my name!
“KID!”
Scootaloo snapped out of her thoughts and chuckled with an apologetic shrug as Rainbowdash waited impatiently at the edge of the cloud. Racing over, she looked up at the rainbow maned pegasus, standing as still as a statue until she was given a command to move.
Rainbowdash nodded curtly and pointed to the ground below them with a hoof. Scootaloo followed to the end of the blue hoof to the start of the earth. She was prepared to get up to the cloud, but she hadn’t really thought about getting down.
“I know you’ve been practicing your gliding.” Rainbowdash began with a booming voice. “This is the same thing, it’s only a little higher, and I’m right here to save you if you loose control.” Then she paused and smiled with a faux look of humility. “Just like I saved Rarity and the Wonderbolts from falling to their deaths.”
While fear was indeed rushing through Scootaloo’s mind, blood, and body, it didn’t stop her from jumping. Spreading her wings, Scootaloo launched herself from the cloud. With a small scream of horror and excitement, Scootaloo fell to the ground, the wind bashed against her feathers and for a moment she remembered the dream, the feeling of complete terror The bones protruding through her flesh, the blood that stuck to her fur, the twisted feathers and broken bones.
“Scootaloo control yourself! Scootaloo!” A voice called from the distance, but Scootaloo didn’t pay attention, she was lost in her fear. The ghost was in front of her, she could see it. Everything else was black, except that faint glittering outline of her crippled, older clone.
“You can’t avoid it!” The ghost spat out with a voice that echoed in Scootaloo’s head.
“I can, and I will!” Scootaloo screamed back through sound of crashing wind. The endless voice of blackness rushed past her, but even though she could feel the sharp currents slashing across her, the walls of darkness seemed unmoving.
“YOU CAN’T CHANGE DESTINY! YOU CAN ONLY ACCEPT IT! With a strange twisted hiss the ghost launched itself at Scootaloo, soaring as if it didn’t need wings to fly. Scootaloo cried out in shock as the monster latched onto her wings. She tried desperately to shake it off, but it’s grip was deep and strong.
The demon’s grasp tightened momentarily before snapping back, bringing a sickening crunch with it as one of her wing bones followed. Tears dribbled from Scootaloo’s eyes as a hoarse cry was ripped form her flaming throat. “Stop!” The pegasus pleaded desperately.
Beyond the pain, Scootaloo heard another voice.
“Scootaloo! I’m coming Scootaloo!” It said.
With a sudden gasp, Scootaloo was thrown upwards. The ghost was torn away from her and the black walls were shredded by specks of light that grew larger and larger, until she was back in Ponyville, falling to her death.
The ground was racing up beneath her getting closer with each second. Scootaloo swallowed a horrified scream and closed her eyes. She tensed her muscles and waited for the worse, but it never came.
“Got you!” Rainbowdash said with thrill edging her voice.
Disappointment and humiliation weighed heavy in Scootaloo’s stomach as Rainbowdash and her landed on the ground. I must be the worse pegasus ever! I can’t even fly without going insane and loosing it! Grief spiraled into a seething bubble of frustration and with a grunt of rage Scootaloo slammed her hoof against the ground. “Stupid zombie pony!”
“Zombie pony?” Rainbowdash repeated in confusion. She was about to make a smart remark, but then she saw the tears crawling down Scootaloo’s cheeks. With a small sigh she sat next to the small pegasus and looked her in the eyes. “Scootaloo, I’ll help you beat this zombie pony! I Pinkie Promise!” She said.
Scootaloo looked up and threw the tears off her face. That was the second time Rainbowdash had seen her cry. It wouldn’t happen again. With a fierce nod Scootaloo hopped to her hooves. Quickly, the orange pegasus rubbed the wing that had been broken before, but it was fine. She didn’t know what had happened. For an illusion, that hurt. Shaking her her head, Scootaloo put on a brave face. It doesn’t matter though! I won’t let that stupid excuse for a pony ruin my life! It’s up to me to fix this and that is what I’m going to do!
“One thing before I start helping though.” Rainbowdash murmured thoughtfully.
Uh Oh!
“Why aren’t you in school?”
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes defensively and looked the other way. Rainbowdash shrugged in return before continuing. “If there is something going on at school you should tell somepony about it. I’m sure they can help. Heck, I’ll help if I can.”
“Thanks.” Scootaloo whispered in return. “But there isn’t anything going on at school that’s out of the ordinary or that I can’t handle. It’s something else. But, I can’t tell you.” She hoped that rainbowdash didn’t think she was skipping. She would never skip, it was only something bad ponies did, and she respected Cheerily. A hoof to the shoulder nudged her out of her thoughts and when Scootaloo lifted her head she was greeted with sparkling magenta eyes.
“Come on Scootaloo. Let’s get back to training.”
Scootaloo smiled and nodded, she liked that idea. Working with Rainbowdash was the only way she could perfect her flying, and Scootaloo was fully prepared t sweat and bleed if it meant changing the destiny that the monster haunting prophesied.
“I know I can fly! I just need a small push to get started! Can you help me one I start hovering?” Scootaloo said eagerly.
“Sure thing kid!” Rainbow agreed quickly.
Scootaloo flashed her a nod, then she began to beat her wings in a steady rhythm. She quickly felt the wind and instantly began to rise into the air. It was definitely much easier this time now that she knew se could do it. After all, she had flown all the way up to Rainbowdash’s cloud home. Joy pulsed through her as she felt the wind begin to pick up. It signaled that she was getting higher still, and when she received the promised push from Rainbowdash, she was flying.
“Scootaloo! You did it, you’re flying! Alright!” Rainbowdash howled!
“I know! It feels awesomerific!” Scootaloo shouted. The wind beneath her wings felt cool and firm beneath her feathers, and she felt as light as a blade of grass as she floated carelessly through the air. “Thanks so much rainbowdash! I can’t believe I’m really flying!” In her head she secretly added, with you.
Rainbowdash’s mane twirled gracefully behind her as she swam through the air with ease. A smile spread across her cheek and she offered Scootaloo a friendly nod. “Oh come on Scoot!” She said. “I barely did anything, you’re the one that got into the air, and you’re the one that is flying!” She stopped talking momentarily, then her eyes lit up and she clapped her hooves together. “I’ve got it! Let’s go on an adventure! We can fly over the Everfree Forest!”
Scootaloo was about to protest, but caught herself. She couldn’t let Rainbowdash think she was a scaredy pony! Thinking quickly she grinned widely and let out a small chuckle. “Oh . . . Yeah! That would be sooooo fun and totally not scary at all!”
Rainbowdash blasted off in a trail of colours, leaving Scootaloo to race after her. Though she worked her wings as fast as she could and pushed herself harder, it wasn’t like her dream. She couldn’t fly as fast as Rainbowdash no matter how hard she tried. Unfortunately, she didn’t know if she was sad that this wasn’t like her dream.
As Scootaloo flew in Dash’s trail, a small wind caught her off guard. She wobbled in the air for a minute before regaining her balance and carrying on. The current had been so out of place compared to the other rivers of wind. With a shrug the filly tossed the thought away like old paper. Whatever, it’s not like the sky is falling or anything.
Below the two pegasi, the Everfree Forest rolled by. Rainbowdash and Scootaloo had been flying for an hour now, and Scootaloo’s wings weren’t used to flying for long periods of time, or flying yet for that matter. She was about to call out to Rainbowdash to ask if they could land when a rocking wind shot by. Even Rainbowdash was thrown off track this time. Scootaloo yelped as the wind flipped her over. Lightning pierced the gray sky and the pegasus shielded her face as rain began to shoot down from the clouds. Everything had turned dark.
“Scootaloo, hang on! It’s a flash storm!”
Rainbowdash’s voice was barely audible through the thundering storm. Scootaloo fluttered desperately in the air as she tried to roll over again so her hooves weren’t above her. Another flash of lightning went off. Scootaloo screamed as it struck trough the sky to the ground only a few meters from where she was scrabbling to get herself together. A moment of relief made Scootaloo relax, but then she was sent flying.
An explosion burst from where the lightning struck the ground. Rippling winds smashed against Scootaloo’s body and a dull ache filled her head as booming thunder and winds smacked her ears without mercy.
The world twisted and turned as Scootaloo tumbled from the sky in a sickening whirl. Above her she could see Rainbowdash reaching out for her with a hoof. Grinding her teeth with terror, Scootaloo tried to answer the stronger pegasus’s action, but the wind only pushed her hoof back, forcing her into a tense ball. After another second, Rainbowdash was forced away from her by another sudden wind, and Scootaloo braced herself for a crash landing.
Tree branches slashed against her body and she flipped over and over again as they through her body around playfully. Before Scootaloo had even hit the ground she was unconscious. She felt no pain when her small body smashed against the hard forest floor. Only a small buzzing hummed in her head, and soon, even that faded as well.
A gentle breeze sailed in through the open window of the hospital room. It was quiet. The even beeping of the monitor was clear as day. Rainbowdash could even hear Scootaloo’s soft breathing as the filly rested under the thin white sheets.
The storm had ended. In fact, it had ended a week ago. Dash had to keep reminding herself of that. Her mind wanted to tell her it was just yesterday. It said, “It was just yesterday you scarred the young filly’s life and body because you decided to fly over the Everfree Forest.”
The sound of the door creaking open jerked Rainbowdash from her thoughts. Quietly, a young nurse walked in. A checklist was wrapped carefully in her magic as she peered into the small room.
“Just tell me. How bad is it?” Rainbowdash murmured.
There was a moment of silence before the nurse spoke. “You must be Miss Dash. I’m Nurse Warmlight. I’m the one that’s been looking after her. I’m glad we finally get to meet.”
“How bad is it?” Rainbowdash repeated. “And don’t ramble on about how she’s fine, because she’s not. I don’t give a flying feather about your excuses.”
Nurse Warmlight’s eyes hardened for a moment, but they immediately softened again. Closing the door with her back hoof, she gently set the checklist on a counter and placed a hoof delicately on Scootaloo’s forehead. Even from where she was seated, Rainbowdash could easily see the sweat crawling down the filly’s face.
“Scootaloo’s wings were broken when she crashed.” stated Nurse Warmlight. Rainbowdash suppressed a growl of frustration and tightened her crossed legs. She didn’t need to be told that Scootaloo’s wings were injured. It was obvious that they would be. “The bones are twisted and snapped, and her muscles are torn. I don’t see her ever flying again. I’m sorry, Miss Dash.”
Rainbowdash rocked her feet. After a moment, she looked up and met the nurse in the eyes. “Is there anything we can do?” Pain cloaked her voice, and her stomach felt heavy as a boulder. There had to be something!
Nurse Warmlight was silent. The seconds felt like hours, and what happened next made Rainbowdash regret asking.
Nurse Warmlight rolled back the covers that hid Scootaloo’s lower body from view. The orange filly moaned and her feeble hooves numbly reached for the warmth of the blankets. Twisted and jumbled feathers lay crushed at her sides, and Rainbowdash held her breath as she spotted small bones breaking through the thin flesh here and there. Dried blood crusted overtop of the mangled feathers.
“She won’t be leaving the hospital anytime soon I’m afraid. And she’s been mumbling in her sleep about a ghost. I’m worried she’s gone delusional.” Warmlight murmured, mostly to herself.
Rainbowdash slipped off the chair and tottered to the bedside, where she carefully cradled Scootaloo’s head in her hooves. “Where are her parents? Why haven’t I seen them here?”
“Her parents refuse to take responsibility for her.” Nurse Warmlight looked over to the counter pulled the clip board towards her with her magic. She appeared to be checking something over. When she looked to Rainbowdash again, her eyes were deeply troubled. “They refuse to pay for her to be taken care of. It’s been hard enough to keep her here as it is. I’m afraid I won’t be able to convince the hospital to let her stay much longer.”
“Will you except money from others? What if I got the bits! I can, just give me some time!” Rainbowdash was practically in Nurse Warmlight’s face. She would do anything to fix the mess she created. Even if she emptied her wallet, it didn’t matter.
“Well, I suppose-”
Nurse Warmlight’s response was cut off by a soft groan. Scootaloo’s eyes fluttered open slowly, and the orange filly murmured drowsy gibberish. Rainbowdash shivered as she realized Scootaloo had never been awake while she was there. How would she explain what had happened, and did Scootaloo even know?
“Rainbowdash?”
That was the only thing Rainbowdash heard, and she was already crying. With a big hug, she crushed Scootaloo’s body into her own.
“Rainbowdash, I can’t breathe!”
Shocked, she set Scootaloo back against the pillow. Apologetically, Rainbowdash grinned at Warmlight, but the nurse just smiled back. Secretly, Nurse Warmlight was happy that Scootaloo had someone that really cared for her, even if it wasn’t her parents.
“Scootaloo,” Warmlight said softly. “There is something you need to know. I wanted to wait for someone to be here, so you can hear it with them.”
Rainbowdash’s head hung, and she thought she would scream when Scootaloo pushed herself into a sitting position and shrugged impatiently. “I just want to leave the hospital and wait for my wings to heal! If I’m going to be like Rainbowdash, I have to practice!”
“Scootaloo, dear, please just hear what I have to say. After that, we’ll get you settled, and hopefully find a room for you.” Nurse Warmlight said quickly, pulling the covers over Scootaloo’s bear legs. The only thing keeping the filly warm was a fragile green hospital gown. By the looks of it, it was thin as paper.
“But I don’t want a room, I want to fly!” Scootaloo argued.
“Scootaloo, stop, please.” Rainbowdash murmured. She just couldn’t take it anymore. “Scootaloo you won’t fly okay, it’s my fault! I’m sorry! When we were flying above the Everfree Forest, there was a flash storm and you were swept away from me! I tried to catch you, I really did, but you crashed and now your wings are destroyed!”
Scootaloo stared open mouthed at her shredded idol. Her mouth hung open numbly, and when she brushed her hoof against her side, she felt the smashed and cluttered feathers hanging limply. Her body started to shiver. She wasn’t prepared, not yet.
Rainbowdash was sobbing, and Scootaloo could feel tears brimming her own eyes.She couldn’t cry, or at least she wouldn’t. Looking back to Nurse Warmlight she asked, “Is it true? Will I never fly?”
Nurse Warmlight just nodded. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo. It’s true.” For the umpteenth time, the nurse looked at her notes. “I wanted to ask you a rather serious question Scootaloo.”
Even in the dark moment, Scootaloo’s curiosity poked through. “What is it?”
“Well, there is a surgery I wanted to try. We would remove your wings, since you can’t use them anymore, it would be best. With how they are currently, they could become infected. They’ll be in the way.”
“Get rid of them?” That was impossible, there was no way she was going to get rid of her wings! They made her special, they were what made her Scootaloo! Getting rid of them would be tearing away a piece of herself and throwing it in the trash! “No!” She yelled in protest. She wouldn’t do that, she would find a way to fix the problem! “No!”
“Scootaloo, please understand. There isn’t anything you can do. This surgery is the safest option, it will keep you alive and healthy, don’t you want that?” The nurse’s eyes were almost pleading, and Scootaloo could see her yellow mane starting to spring up with worry.
“I-I don’t think I want to make that decision right now, I just want to think.”
Warmlight nodded. “Alright,” she said. “But there is one problem you’ll need to consider. The surgery is . . . rather difficult. It will be very expensive, and I’m afraid I can’t get your parents to pay for it. We have no way of getting the bits necessary. The hospital refuses to pay for it.”
Everything was falling apart. Scootaloo hadn’t wanted the surgery, but as least it had been an option. Now if she changed her mind, it wouldn’t even be doable.
“I told you I would pay for it.” Rainbowdash spoke up. “So why did you have to go and say that huh?” Her voice was dark as Luna’s night. Scootaloo shrugged back under the covers. She really didn’t mind that the nurse had brought up her parents, she didn’t care all that much about the subject anymore. But how was Rainbow supposed to know that?
A gust swept through the window and the lights flickered. Nurse Warmlight chose to ignore Rainbowdash’s threat. Slowly, she pulled the window shut and told Rainbowdash that it was time for the visitors to leave.
Rainbow growled quietly under her breath, gave Scootaloo a quick goodbye, and slugged out the door. Nurse Warmlight watched her leave before turning back to Scootaloo. “I’ll be leaving for a second.” She said. “Feel free to ring the bell if you need any help, I’ll be back with some food shortly.”
Scootaloo looked to the bedside table and discovered a small golden bell. Rolling over, she picked it up and waved it gently in the air. A soft chime echoed from it’s center and Nurse Warmlight smiled warmly. Scootaloo returned her grin and watched, slightly anxious, as the unicorn left the room.
Everything was finally quiet. Scootaloo didn’t like the quiet at that moment. It gave her too much time to think. he would never fly again, and they were possibly going to cut off her wings.
Instantly she let her gaze soar across the room, looking for the spirit that had warned her of her fate. And she was indeed there, standing in the corner, with wings that looked shredded and a mane that was sloppily falling over her shoulders. There seemed to be a few bald spots too, Scootaloo noticed. Places where the pegasus had torn out her own hair.
The older mare walked towards Scootaloo, and the filly shuddered, pulling up the covers like a shield. There was no one here to help her, but she wasn’t going to let the ghost hurt her!
“Scootaloo, I’m not going to hurt you. Have I ever done anything except warn you of your fate?” The spirit said as it stood at her bedside. The older mare covered Scootaloo’s hoof with her own faded one. Cold seeped from where the two hooves connected, and Scootaloo looked into the spirits eyes.
“What about when you tried to hurt me when I was flying down from Rainbow’s house!” The memory was still fresh, and the feeling of hooves yanking out her wings burned like a fire in her mind.
“That wasn’t me Scootaloo, that was your imagination. I didn’t do that.”
Scootaloo didn’t want to hear what the spirit had to say, she didn’t believe a word of it! She wasn’t crazy! Hatred for the ghoul radiated from her body and she rang the bell harshly. The sweet hum was no more. Instead, a wailing ring shrieked from the small object.
Nurse Warmlight was in the room within seconds, a tray in her magical grasp. The white unicorn quickly made her way towards Scootaloo and rested the tray on the bed. “Are you alright?”
Scootaloo blinked with confusion, the ghost was gone. With a frown she shook her head and wiped her forehead. “I just, got a little freaked out I guess . . .”
“That’s alright dear, it’s hard being here alone. But I’m here, alright? It’s my job to help you. We set you up for a therapy session with Doctor. Dreamcloud tomorrow, alright? You just eat your meal and get a good rest.”
Scootaloo flared with anger, she wasn’t crazy! But she did need to talk about her wings, so she calmed her rising blood and nodded. The food looked to good to pass up anyways. Warmlight had given her a warm bowl of rise, along with some beans and even a cookie on the side.
“Do you want me to stay with you for a while?” Nurse Warmlight said quietly.
Scootaloo looked at the nurse and smiled. “That would be nice.” She didn’t want to be alone right now, and having the nurse around seemed like a comforting thought.