//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eight: Ponies Defined 
// Story: Bart and Scoots 
// by Gazmanafc 
//------------------------------//


Chapter Eight
Ponies Defined


Back in Canterlot, Rainbow Dash has finally managed to pry Twilight Sparkle away from her books, so that the two could sit down and have a hearty breakfast prepared by Spike. 

“Gosh, Twilight, Spike sure knows how make good pancakes!” says Rainbow Dash with her mouth full.

Spike overhearing what Rainbow Dash says replies from the other room, “Oh, I can make just more than Pancakes, Rainbow Dash!” 
“I don't doubt that Spike!” she compliments

Unexpectedly, a puff of green flame appears. 

“What, a letter from Springfield already?” questions Spike walking into the room with a another plate of pancakes which he gives to Twilight once doing so he leaves again. Using her magic to levitate the letter in a purple aura, she unfurls it, and takes a read.

Dear Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle

“Oh, this one is for you Rainbow Dash.” says Twilight
“For me? Why would the Simpsons want anything from me?” comments Rainbow Dash.
“It's not just to you. But to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as well.” Twilight flips the page around so that Rainbow Dash can read it but keeps it floating in her magical aura so that Rainbow Dash can read it easier. 

We have received Skylight's permission to transform Scootaloo into a human with Princess Celestia's Magic. Skylight has left the choice in Scootaloo's hooves, and as a mother I will honour that wish.

Scootaloo is aware that becoming a human may cause her to lose her wings, and from what I'm told, she is very proud of her wings and pegasus heritage. Which is understandable. 

I am writing to tell you that Scootaloo is conflicted in which choice to make. She doesn't want to lose her wings, or betray her heritage, even though a neighbour of ours, Ned Flanders could make a plastic pair of ornamental wings, she understands that she can't remain in the house for long periods of time. 

She has asked for your opinion in what choice you think she should make. 

Yours Sincerely, 
Marge Simpson

“Scoot doesn't know what to do... Hmmm...” ponders Rainbow Dash.
“What do you mean?” asks Twilight as she lowers the letter onto the table and releasing it from her magical aura.
“Skylight wanted Scootaloo to decide if she becomes human or not. Marge is honouring Skylight's authority.” says Rainbow Dash.
“So, even if it goes against her own better judgement, Marge won't go through with it, unless Scootaloo wants to?” asks Twilight
“Yeah. But Scootaloo is conflicted from what Marge says. She's proud of her wings, even though she can't fly. Turning human could cause her to lose them, even though The Simpsons's neighbour, 'Ned Flanders' apparently, can make some fake wings out of plastic for her.” says Rainbow Dash.
“So, what's she asking?” says Twilight.
“Like the letter says, she's conflicted, so she's asking for what my opinion is. As well as the opinion of her friends for what we think she should do.” 
“I think it's sweet that she thinks of her friends so highly for such a big decision. What do you think she should do, Rainbow Dash?” questions Twilight, legitimately interested in what Rainbow Dash's own opinion was. 
“Are you kidding me? Of course I think she should do it, she can't stay locked away in the house, she's an energetic filly like I was. Any pegasus is proud of their wings whether they can fly or not. It's not like she's going to lose them forever, she'll have them back when she's a pony again. Remember the time when I busted my wing up in that flying drill just before you introduced me to Daring Do? I may have 'lost' the use of my wing for a week, but I still knew I wouldn't lose them forever, that's the important thing.”
“Wow. I never realised you thought that way, Rainbow Dash.” comments Twilight. 
“Hey, it's not just me. It's a pegasus thing, even Fluttershy feels this way occasionally, but maybe not to the same level I would since flying is my life. Speaking of losing a key part of who we are, how would you feel if you lost your magic forever?” asks Rainbow Dash.
“Well... I'd be devastated...” 
“Exactly. Most Pegasi are the same. Flying is a big part of who they are, as magic is to a unicorn. This is why Scootaloo is conflicted. Even though it's only temporary, she's losing a big part of who she is. I think she just needs to remember that she'll get her wings back when she gets back to Equestria.” Rainbow Dash replies. 
“So, what are you going to do next?” asks Twilight. “Going to speak to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in Ponyville?” 
“You bet! Scoot wanted their opinion, so that's what I'll get. For now, I'll prepare a message of my own but don't send it until I get back.” 
“Sure, SPIKE!” Twilight shouts. 

The young dragon pops his head from the kitchen.

“What?” he asks.
“Spike, take a letter” says Rainbow Dash.

Spike pulls out a scroll and quill seemingly out of nowhere. 

Several hours later in Ponyville, wearing a saddlebag on her back, Rainbow Dash touches down at the main household of Sweet Apple Acres, the home of the Apple Family, of which one of Scootaloo's friends, is the youngest member. Knocking on the door, the mare that answers the door is Rainbow Dash's good friend Applejack. 

“Well howdy sugarcube, what can I do ya for?” greets Applejack.
“Hey Applejack,” Rainbow Dash starts. “Is Apple Bloom and or Sweetie Belle around? I got a letter from Scoot for them.” 
“Sure Rainbow, they're both in their clubhouse. Something about coming up with ideas fer their little 'crusades' or some such.”
“I thought they stopped while Scoot is in Springfield?”
“They did, but that didn't stop them from coming up with ideas at least for when she's back.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Catch you later Applejack.” 
“Mah Pleasure, Sugarcube.” replies Applejack. 

Rainbow Dash flies towards a different part of the orchard where a small hut was built into the trunk of a tree. Rainbow Dash knew all too well about this building since it was the place Scootaloo held her small Rainbow Dash Fan Club Meetings which the cyan mare would listen in on and influence slightly in her favour. She ascends the ramp to the clubhouse, and then peeks in through the window to see what the two remaining crusader fillies are upto before walking in. 

As she does, the two smaller ponies turn to the door to see who has entered.

“Well, howdy Rainbow Dash. If yer here for my sis, she's at the house.” says Apple Bloom. 
“I know, I just saw her.” says Rainbow Dash.
“What are yer here fer then?” Apple Bloom asks. 
“I'm actually here to see you two.” 
“Us?” replies Sweetie Belle
“Yeah. We got a letter from Scootaloo today. It's addressed to you two.” Rainbow Dash says.
“Really?! What does it say!” they both respond eager to hear from their stranded pegasus friend. 
“Take a look.” Rainbow Dash pulls out the letter she had in a saddlebag. 

It takes a few minutes for the two young ponies to read the letter from Marge. 

“So, she doesn't know if she wants to be a human or not?” asks Sweetie Belle. 
“That's right. You're her friends, so she clearly values what you think.” says Rainbow Dash. 
“Ah dunno what to think to be honest.” says Apple Bloom, unsure.
“What about you Sweetie Belle?” says Rainbow Dash.
“Well...” Sweetie Belle starts, “I get why she's not sure. After all, I was pretty upset about when I lost my horn on that vacation. But it wont be forever, so she'll at least get them back. So... I think she should do it”
“Yeah! She's not going to be a human forever, so she should try it! It might even be fun!” cheers Apple Bloom, making up her mind. “How do we let Scootaloo know?” 
“Why don't you two write a letter to her yourselves? I think she'd like that.” replies Rainbow Dash.
“Okay!” they both cheer. 
“Lets go write them right away!” says Sweetie Belle with genuine happiness in her voice.
“Yeah!” replies Apple Bloom with as much enthusiasm. 

Rainbow Dash laughs. 

“Okay. It's too late for me to make a trip back to Canterlot now, so why don't the two of you go home for the night, write your letters and I'll stop by in the morning.”
“Okay, Rainbow Dash” they both reply. 
“C'mon Sweetie Belle, I'll give you a ride back to Carousel Boutique. Grab on.”

Rainbow Dash crouches down so that Sweetie Belle can climb onto her back, Rainbow Dash and Apple Bloom trot out of the hut and while Apple Bloom gallops back to her homestead, Rainbow Dash takes off headed for the centre of Ponyville to drop the white unicorn filly off at her elder sisters business home.