“Consarnit, you three!” shouted a very frustrated Applejack.
The three little fillies turned to see Applebloom’s big sister standing, or more correctly trying to stand , in a blue puddle spilt on the ground.
“Sorry AJ, but we figured out we’re not chemists.” The little yellow pony batted her eyelashes and gave her big sis an innocent smile.
“I’m gettin’ real tired of the messes y’all make when you’re together.”
“We’ll clean it up! Right after our next crusade!” Scootaloo shouted as she started to climb a stack of barrels.
“Get your lil flank down fro-“Applejack was cut off as an avalanche of barrels crashed into her and fell all over the yard.
“That’s IT! Get off of the farm!” The fillies ran as fast as they could to Ponyville. “Those three oughtta get their cutie marks for causing mischief.” She cleaned up the mess and then trotted down to Rarity’s Boutique.
“Rarity, can I interrupt for a minute?”
"Of course Applejack, what can I do?” Rarity put down her needle and thread and walked over to Applejack.
“Ah need your help in ending the cutie mark crusaders.” She sighed.
“Oh I know exactly what you mean; those three practically destroyed my shop yesterday. I got nothing done!”
“What can we do?”
“It wouldn’t be hard for me to keep Sweetie Bell in her room. Can you do that with Applebloom?”
“I wish Applebloom was as easy to handle as Sweetiebell,” grumbled Applejack. “Scootaloo is the real problem. She comes up with most of their stupid ideas. Maybe putting an end to Scoots would end the crusades?”
“I-I don’t know, Applejack.”
“Come on Rarity, no pony really likes Scootaloo anyway.”
“But darling, you are talking about taking a life. A filly’s life to be exact.”
“We can make it look like an accident. Throw her off something high. Ya know how she is always trying to fly like Rainbow.”
“Let’s be reasonable. No pony is stupid enough to believe that, even as dumb as she is, that Scootaloo would jump off something trying to fly.” Rarity began to pace.
“Let’s find a spot and do away with her quietly. No pony would miss her."
“What about Sweetie Bell and Applebloom?”
“We can tell ‘em Scoot moved or somethin’... You gotta work with me here, Rarity. We can get the others help too. I’ll go get ‘em.” Applejack ran off to collect the other six.
Soon they were all seated around a table in the back of Rarity’s shop. Applejack explained the situation.
“Oh no, I mean, I-I’m very sorry but I can’t, ”Fluttershy said with an apologetic smile. “This is just too wrong.”
“Come ON! Fluttershy, we aren’t going to force you to help, but seriously?!’ Rainbow Dash shook her head with impatience.
“Oh, but Rainbow you’re her mentor.”
Rainbow Dash jumped across the table and got right in Fluttershy’s face.
“No shit Sherlock. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t annoy the hell out of me.” Fluttershy shrunk back with every word.
“I’m sorry! Can I please leave?”
“If you promise you won’t tell anyone about any of this.”
“Okay, I-I promise.” The yellow pegasus ran out the door.
“I don’t know why anypony invites her anywhere. She’s such a party-pooper.” sighed an exasperated Pinkie Pie.
“Okay, let’s focus. Rarity and Applejack will take Sweetiebell and Applebloom home. The rest of us will get Scootaloo. Do we want to torture and maim or just kill?” Twilight looked around the table to see what the others were thinking.
“Either way it would be way too cruel for me to finish her off. She sucks but I’m not even that mean.”
“But Dashie, you’ll have already tortured her,” claimed Rarity while she filed a hoof.
“I’ll do it! She means nothing to me,” shouted Pinkie Pie. “And most of the torture since you softhooves can’t handle it.”
“How dare you call me softhooved!” Rainbow started across the table for Pinkie.
“Okay, enough, let’s just go now.” Twilight turned and led the way out the door.
“Another time Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash shoved her as she made her way out the door.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Sweetie Bell! Oh Sweetie Bell!”
“Yeah Rarity?”
“It’s time to go now.”
“But we were just about to get our cutie marks in tightrope walking.”
“Maybe another day, but do you really think your special talent is tightrope walking?”
“It might be, bye girls!” Sweetiebell called as she and Rarity walked away.
“Applebloom, you’re comin’ home too.”
“Come on AJ, lighten up a bit.”
“Nope, we’re goin’ home.”
“'Kay, bye Scootaloo.” Applebloom followed Applejack back to Sweet Apple Acres.
Scootaloo began walking to the alley she called home when she heard her name being called. She followed the sound and bumped into Rainbow Dash.
“There you are.”
“Rainbow Dash! Oh my gosh, do you want to see my new scooter trick!?” Scootaloo was so excited and tried to give Rainbow Dash a hug. Rainbow pushed her back down.
“Uh sure Scoots, let’s go someplace where there’s lots of room.”
Rainbow led her to the entrance to the Everfree Forest.
“Are we going in or is this where I can-“a hoof shot from a bush and tripped her. Scootaloo fell on her face and chipped a tooth. “Hey, what’s the big idea?”
She looked up and saw Rainbow, Twilight and Pinkie Pie staring down at her. Pinkie smiled in a way unbecoming of a pastry chef. Scootaloo tried to stand up but she was unable to move. Twilight was using a spell to make her immobile.
“Guys, I really don’t get what’s going on.”
“Well honestly, we’re just doing a favor for Applejack and Rarity. They should be here soon.” Twilight grinned.
“Well, before we get started I don’t want to hear any awful screaming. It’s bad for the nerves.” Rarity explained as she came up to her friends with Applejack behind her.
Scootaloo began to feel frightened, “wait, why would I be screaming?”
“This is why.” Applejack turned and kicked Scootaloo under her jaw causing her neck to snap back. The orange pegasus did scream, loud and full of pain. Her jaw was broken and her mouth slacked open. Her nose bled and it drip down her face onto the ground.
“Ugh! I didn’t want any screaming.” Rarity took out a piece of cloth from her saddle bag and using her magic shoved it in Scootaloo’s ruined mouth. The scream was muffled and Rarity used a beautifully sturdy ribbon to tie the cloth in place.
“Much better.” She sniffed.
“Haha! This is fun!” Pinkie bounced onto Scootaloo’s back and, with some effort, began plucking the feathers from her wings. Scootaloo gave a little jerk each time one was pulled, she felt as if her very soul was plucked out with each feather. Pinkie pulled out a marker and moved to Scoot’s side.
“Girls, I think she should have a cutie mark before she dies.”
Hearing this, Scootaloo jumped up and tried to run for it, sheer adrenaline fueling her past the pain. Twilight had been distracted, and forgot to keep her magic going while Pinkie was on top of her. She quickly used it to pick Scootaloo up and bring her back to her original place of torture. She then lifted her up at above 20 feet and dropped her. If her wings were useless before, they were definitely ruined now. As she fell, she flapped the bloodied nubs in vain, and at the end of her terror-filled free fall, she met the ground with a shatter. There were cracks heard from everywhere on her small frame, but no way to tell which bones were broken, as Scootaloo felt pain everywhere. It swallowed her like a wave, dark and malevolent, with no mercy for breath or relief. Twilight shoved and held her down again as Pinkie trotted back.
“So what kind of cutie mark do you want Scoot? How about a frowny face with Xed out eyes?”
“Uhm Pinkie, what the heck?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Because she’s going to be talented at being dead, duh!” Pinkie giggled at her own joke as she drew on the little pegasus' hips.
“Uhm whatever.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and shrugged.
Scootaloo looked at Rainbow Dash, pleading for her help with eyes the size of saucers.
“Eh, sorry Scoot, no can do.” Dash said, with an air of nonchalance.
Scootaloo cried, her chest heaving with the sobs. The five looked around feeling shame and maybe a little regret.
Pinkie was peeved at her friends' lack of spines.
“I’m going to finish this.” So Pinkie walked up and snapped Scootaloo’s spine at the neck.
“No pain, just a quick death.”
Rarity cleared her throat,
“No more cutie mark crusaders.”
“ Yessiree! Now Applebloom can finally focus on her chores!” Applejack jumped in trying to lighten the mood.
“Well if that’s all, I’m going back to the library. I'll see you at the spa tomorrow, Rarity?” Twilight asked. Smiling sweetly, Rarity responded,
“Yes darling, Tootaloo!”
