"Last night, I was just hanging with Rainbow Dash an' she-" Scootaloo said, pausing once she realized that the entire fan club was watching her. Every eye was on her, and despite her mom trying to get her better at it, she hated being watched by crowds.
"What were you doing with Rainbow?" Snips asked. He easily stood out, being nearly a head taller than anypony else.
"Well she's my..." Scootaloo started only to be interrupted again, this time by an earth pony named Tick Tock Clock.
"I doubt you even know her." Said Tick Tock, her voice reverberating in Scootaloo's head.
"I do know her, I liv-" Scootaloo tried to reply, but other members of the Rainbow Dash fan club didn't give her the chance. Everypony was talking at the same time, no single voice discernable from the others. Her orange wings fluttering furiously, she became more and more exasperated.
Scootaloo groaned loudly and decided that she could find comfort in her mom, who no doubt was tired after all the flying she did today. She left the clubhouse, knowing they would forget about that topic within five minutes, probably moving onto who had tickets to the Wonderbolt's show. None of them would believe Scootable had seats literally right next to Rainbow.
It didn't matter what she said, none of them would believe how close the two were, never believe the numerous picnics they went on together.
She started in the direction of home when a certain cyan spirit floated down next to her.
"How's it goin' punk?" Rainbow said, flapping her wings gently just enough to drift at the same speed as the tyke next to her.
"Not to good." Scootaloo grumbled. She kicked the rock that dared stand in her way, sending it tumbling to its doom on the side of the road. "Damn" she muttered after losing the rock. It didn't matter how little she kicked it, it was bigger than the rest and nearly pitch black. She was hoping she could just walk on forever, callously kicking this rock down a dirt path.
"Hey, you know I don't like it when you talk like that." Rainbow Dash recited, stopping once she realized that Scootaloo wasn't in the mood. Rainbow didn't know what was up, but more and more Scootaloo would get in these funks, not wanting to talk even with the most important person in her world.
Scootaloo's head sunk lower as she realized her mistake. She didn't want to make Rainbow leave, not wanting her to be unhappy. Her eyes remain cast down as she walked ever forward into afternoon sun.
Rainbow contemplated what to do, but drew no conclusions. She stopped thinking with her mind and thought with her heart, recieving instant results. Where they the right thing? Maybe not, maybe so.
"I'm gonna head home kid, seeya there. Take as much time as you need." And with that, the blue angel was gone, disappearing into the sky.
Her wings must be tired, thought Scootaloo, she's gotta be tired. Scootaloo gave a little flap of her wings and continued her ponderous state. One hoof after the other, she tread forward, trying not to think of anything. She got to the point where the road met the forest, and knew that if she stopped, she would find no comfort. Her mom lived in Everfree forest, something Scootaloo hated. Her mom loved the forest, mostly just the immersion in nature.
The animals moved through the foliage, rustling the leaves loudly. She found the clearing that she was looking for, she could tell. Her mom's aura remained, even from her daily movements.
The house was darkened, but animals still frolicked around. She wasn't here to visit the caretaker, she was here to visit Mom. Scootaloo went to the backside of the house and was looked square in the eye.
A stone, only two feet high, stood. Engraved was a message that changed Scootaloo's life.
R.I.P.
Fluttershy
A Kind Soul
Shall be Remembered
Scootaloo rarely came here, because when she was here she hoped it was all a lie and checked it to see if it still stood in the way. Everytime, it was the same, jarring shock that shook her to the core.
Her mom, the graceful, beautiful, quiet, caring Fluttershy, was dead. Six feet under and there was nothing Scootaloo could do. Scootaloo was as useless as the day she died, scared from her inability to help.
Scootaloo could remember the day as clear as cool water in a tranquil pond in early Fall. It hurt to remember, but that was all she could do.
-One Year Earlier-
Scootaloo sat in her seat, quivering from excitement. A smile was plasted on her face for she had finally gotten her cutie mark. The other Crusader's had yet to get theirs, but it was a special moment for the CMC. Their first rousing success. Of course, it wasn't even because of a cutie mark expodition, but rather due to a school project.
On her flank was a seed sprouting to release a vine symbolizing her gardening prowess. Her mom would be proud, she knew, because it showed that this rough and tumble pony had the ability to care for others, much like her own. Her mom hated it when things like her shyness showed up in Scootaloo but adored it when her kindness revealed itself.
The instant the bell rang, Scootaloo sprinted out of the school. She dashed home, flapping her wings as she did. She didn't know how to fly but Rainbow promised she would, so it was only a matter of time.
She burst through the door to disrupt the noctunal animal's sleep. The orange filly apoligized profusely and tiptoed up the stairs.
Finding her mom's room, she snuck in and say her mom's sleeping body.
"Mom?" Scootaloo whispered, her voice hoarse. Fluttershy didn't even move, so Scootaloo moved a bit closer and whispered again, but this time louder.
Failing to respond, Scootaloo nudged her mom, instantly sensing the giant change in tempurature.
Scootaloo was now worried. She lay down next to her mom and said, not fearing the alarm of the animals, "MOMMA? Wake up. I don't want you to miss this. MOM! WAKE UP! Please..." Scootaloo sobbed into the cold, clammy body resting next to her.
"please..."