Prologue
"Scootaloo, we have a huge surprise for you!"
Such simple words floated over to the young filly as she jumped for joy. Two figures stood before her, eyes dancing with amusement as they watched their small pegasus daughter dance with a unsuppressed joy. Her wings were in spasm slightly such was her happiness. It wasn't often such unbridled joy released itself, but she had always dreamed of finally joining her parents for their nights out, maybe this surprise would be it.
"We know you constantly ask us to take you out for one-night for our annual trip to Wolfgang Buck's restaurant and we are pleased to let you know those dreams are now a reality."
Let it be stated that Scootaloo couldn't possibly get happier with those words. Her parents had felt it best that she should stay back at their mansion in the weeks leading up to this one because crowds had always gotten to her. She was small and loud noises tended to make her nervous. That problem toned itself down over the weeks to where she no longer sweated bullets around crowds.
Shy, bordering on reclusive at times it was a known fact to see her near her parents. Over the weeks since turning five, she was able to form a mental barrier and pretend. Being the center of attention was something to be ignored and shoved as far away from her as possible. The other youngsters would try to get on her good side seeing her parents were pretty influential.
This of course, she refused and withdrew further behind her shields. They didn't care about her, they just wanted a powerful ally. She knew how these kinds things worked, her father made a note to tell her. He explained how powerful allies made all the difference when gathering support for their businesses.
"Oh daddy, you made me really happy! We can be together and simply enjoy each other's company. I think I am finally ready for it."
She danced some more and her parents shone bright with amusement. Before tonight, she would cower and not allow herself to show much emotion or withdraw inwardly; maybe she was finally ready for the outside world?
"Heh, settle down their Scoots, you wouldn't want to exhaust yourself out ahead of time wouldn't you? It turns out that we have a surprise for you as well Squirt."
She giggled at her mother's nickname for her. She stopped her aerial acrobatics and instead snapped into a fitting posture for a dignified filly. She topped it off with a salute.
"Mam yes mam! I will eagerly await my gift."
She ruined this moment by snickering slightly; while her mother looked even more amused then before.
"Ah, but we wouldn't want to spoil the fun of waiting in the agony of excitement beforehand now would we? We will hand it over at the restaurant. It should prove useful for you young solder. Why don't you go ahead and wait for us outside? Make sure everything is ready outside and fully operational."
Saluting once playfully once more, the eager youngster nearly flew out, eager for her long awaited outing. The night from Luna's moon shone with a quiet beauty. She skipped eagerly toward her family's personal chariot. It shone a stunning shade of turquoise with trace amounts of crimson painted in small stripes around the carriage. Compared to the princesses, it wasn't as grand or as in-your-face, but it held itself together in a proud light all the same.
It filled her with a small amount of pride that she would be flying in it. Her wings twitched, but that was all. Despite being quite dexterous with small aerial tricks, she couldn't quite master the art of real flying. The few attempts she tried, always ended in failure filling her with a small amount of depression. Maybe when they got home, her father would teach her. She would have to ask him the next chance she had.
She jumped up found a spot where she would be comfortable for the flight. This was going to be so much fun, feeling the wind in her face and the rush she imagined it would be. She didn't have long to wait, for she could see the figures of her mother and father shutting the door behind them. The only occupant was Dutiful Hand, the family butler and Scootaloo's constant (and only) companion.
They were extremely lucky to have him and he earned the bits they paid him by doing things seemingly on his own and without command. No pony knew how he accomplished this task and was never asked. The "quiet" submissive nature one would expect from butlers was not in effect; instead he played with, and kept Scootaloo company, easily gaining her trust and friendship.
He made sure that she didn't descend into insanity of isolation by simply being with her. When her parents were busy and couldn't play with her, he took their place. Nothing she subjugated him to, no matter how demeaning or childish, he went through willingly. Provided it wasn't harmful to herself or the rest of the house. He meant the world to her.
There was no odder look to a butler then Dutiful. He was green furred with a vibrant, almost unruly brown mane. His cutie mark was even odder and seemingly unrelated to being the family butler, a seemingly random pair of tools, specifically a wrench and a screwdriver. When asked about it, he stated he was good at making things. The home was littered with small appliances, all of which were his own invention. He could fix anything, even with no instruction manual. This saved a fortune (no hard feat) in repairs!
When they arrived in front of the eager young pegasus a small smile formed on both their faces. "Are you ready to go flying Squirt?"
A spasm of unrestrained excitement was their reply.
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Wolfgang Bucks was a vociferous place, and it nearly shattered the enthused youngster's resolve. A comforting wing draped consolingly around her body, and she felt herself relax. She would be fine as long as she stayed near her parents at all times. The pony behind a small stand gave them a glance before his eyes widened slightly at the sight before him. Quite the prominent family standing before him and it would be in his absolute greatest interest to not be rude.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, it is under Blaze Dancer and can we have a private booth, the noise is rather frightening?"
Scootaloo did not notice the glance that her father made in her direction, quiet excitement bubbling inside her. The host nodded once and retrieved three menus motioning for them to follow. When they were seated in a reserved (not to mention quieter) section, the business at hoof began.
"Scootaloo you have come along way in your young life when before you would shut yourself in the house. We want you to grow into a strong young mare and hiding indoors isn't healthy. I know the world can be scary and confusing, but we will always be there for you to help and guide you. We also noticed your agility and tricks and believe you will grow into an amazing flyer one day."
A medium-sized object was then brought out from wherever her mother had kept it hidden and brought onto the table. She couldn't tell what though since it was wrapped with official Wonderbolt (any self-respecting pegasus would have them as their idol) wrapping paper. Soarin' and Spitfire (the current popular ones) raced all over the paper with determined grins on their faces.
"Scootaloo, maybe this will help you on your way to getting off the ground; after all that is where we all must start after all. We might even have a race one day. To this day in age, no one can match my speeds in the air, not even your father."
They shared a laugh at Blaze's expense and he mock-glared at them all, "I resent that Sparky, I will have you know that my wing was cramped up something fierce and I could have wiped the floor with you if I wanted to."
Sparking Flame gave a punch to Blaze's shoulder stating, "I hate that nickname you gave me, so don't call me that. Besides, I don't want to wipe the floor with your flank in front of Scooty over there. So behave yourself young colt!"
The rest of this conversation was droned out in laughter, but Scootaloo didn't hear it, she was too busy ripping fiercely into the wrapping paper. Since there was a lot of space, it wasn't that hard to use that to an advantage. What greeted her when it was finally opened was etched into her mind forever.
A small hoof powered scooter with flame decal greeted her. A bright fire-engine red color that pierced her vision. Tears leaked out of her eyes and before the mock argument could continue, she thanked them and threw herself at her parents inadvertently hitting them with it.
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The dinner passed by in a blur of emotion of excitement and Scootaloo found herself laughing happily for the first time. She felt that she can finally escape the confines of her nervousness around crowds. Finally the night seemed to draw to a close and she found herself yawning.
The night air began to chill slightly and the youngster shivered violently. Blaze turned to notice some Ponys glaring at them off to the side and he shepherded them as far away from as possible. He noticed them following and drew his family closer. Scootaloo finally noticing that something is wrong drew closer to her mother.
"Cute family ya have there mate, and an even prettier diamond necklace lace to boot. My mother was looking for one the other day isn't that right Peaches?"
The stallion that said this had a nervous expression followed by several tics. His partner dubbed "Peaches" grinned widely. "It isn't like we can just walk into the store and trouble ourselves with finding one, when an easier route presents itself to us."
Blaze grinned widely and smoothly placed himself in front of his wife, "Begging you pardon gentlecolts, but can I help you with anything?"
"Did you hear that Peaches, this guy is asking us if we need help"
His partner again laughed and the sound shot chills down his spine; such a thing sounded unnatural.
"We don't need your fucking help, not when it comes to what we want anyway! My mother has been looking for a similar necklace and we really don't intend to ask for it again, so hand that thing over."
Flame drew a wing over Scootaloo's shoulder and the youngster instinctively gripped her scooter closer. Why wasn't anyone interfering? This sounded wrong and somehow she knew that the scary stallion named Peaches wasn't referring to anyone's mother.
The stallion next to Peaches in a lightning fast reflex whipped out a knife from nowhere and held it out in front of him. "Would you like to be introduced to my friend here? Maybe that will settle your mind quicker, then afterwards we can have some fun with your darling lovely over there?"
Flame noticed with a dread that he wasn't looking at her. She found herself slowly moving Scootaloo behind her. She was just in time for no sooner then she did that, Peaches and his so far unnamed companion launched themselves at Blaze and herself. Scootaloo in the panic of the moment was shoved roughly aside right as blood slashed against the side of her face from a blinding flash of light.
Warm liquid dripped down her face as she stood there watching the ghastly fight. She was bathed in blood and she squeaked and fell to the ground. Blaze managed to dodge the hidden weapon of Peaches that appeared at the last minute as it was thrust at him, dodging just barely out of the way.
Prone on the ground, wondering what the warm liquid on her face was, Scootaloo couldn't move, but neither could she look away. Her mother had more liquid pooling under her and didn't seem to find the ground uncomfortable. It looked odd for the lone pegasus to just lie on the ground, unmoving and she felt that maybe she needed company.
Peaches was bucked violently with a combination of wings and hooves and collided with a unforgiven wall.
crack
The noise echoed across the area and Scootaloo's eye twitched and felt something flow down her cheek. The stallion shared a brief moment of regret for his fallen companion, but shook it off. In that moment, something flashed in his eyes and he grinned; seemingly growing taller.
"Such a pretty daughter you have there mate." This unfortunately had the desired effect and Blaze flinched backward. Scootaloo knelt before her mother and stared in her eyes. Nothing greeted her and she felt something collapse inside her.
A scream echoed throughout the night and a thud fell against the ground, but she didn't hear it. Something was wrong and her mom wasn't moving and the world seemed to grow quiet. Lights flashed in her vision and she could hear a faint yelling but no words.
She stared at her scooter hanging limp by her side. The liquid looked similar to what sometimes came from her when she was hurt and there was a frightful amount leaking from her mother. She looked over and found a badly slashed body nearby. Was it her father? He too was not moving.
Another screaming and the sounds of the world returned. A warm embrace embraced her and she latched on to whoever it was. She felt herself rocked gently from side to side and saw a rainbow colored mane somewhere in her vision. The embrace made her feel safe, but the feeling of the liquid continued to drip down her face.
"Its alright kid, I'm here for you! He won't outrun the fastest flier on the force anytime soon." More words, but she couldn't hear, something clogged her hearing and she felt dizzy. The embrace never left and she cried for unknown reasons.
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Scootaloo after a long time of violent crying and tremors finally managed to calm down, even if she still felt the unknown fear that something was wrong.
"Can you tell me your name kid? Don't worry about it, we will get that scumbag."
"m-m-My name is Scootaloo and I want to know why my parents are asleep in the stuff I get when I am hurt"
" Well Scootaloo, my name is Rainbow Dash, and with me working the case we will catch him. I swear on my reputation as the greatest officer in Equestria that we will catch him in ten second flat. You look rather cold kid, here take my coat a friend of mine made me. I will stay with you for the time being. Is there anyone that we can get a hold of in the meantime?"
