Scootaloo looked around once they had landed, carefully perched upon the pegasus’ back. It had, after all, been some time since she had a reason to come to the small town of Ponyville. “Hmm, it looks like we landed at Sweet Apple Acres.” Scootaloo felt her belly growl. “Mom?”
Feeling the young filly’s stomach lurch against her back, Skies chuckled. “Yes, dear?”
“Can we purchase a few apples? I think court ran too long.” Scootaloo looked hopeful, her belly growling again. “And the chef placed me on another diet…” She shook her head. Sooner or later they would get that she was able to eat whatever she desired without gaining an ounce, but until then her sweets had been taken from her once more.
“Yes, and believe it or not, using your royal guard to attempt to sneak cake from the kitchen is a poor use of our skills.” Skies trotted her way towards the farmhouse which was located not far from the entrance. As she approached, she caught a glimpse of a large red stallion harnessing himself to a plow.
Scootaloo glanced around and let out a held breath. “Good, Twilight has already come through here.” She buzzed her wings and jumped off of Skies’ back, landing with a thud. “Ooomph.”
“Hey there. Y’all alright?” Out of seemingly nowhere, a butter colored earth pony filly with a red bow in her mane approached the pegasi. “Whatcha’ doin out here?”
“I’m alright, just lost my balance. Mom and I were hoping to buy a few apples.” Scootaloo grinned at the Earth pony.
“We got ‘em! Mah brother and I will be happy to help ya! Hey, Big Mac! We got any apples we can sell? I know AJ took most of ‘em for that celebration thingy she was goin’ on about.” Scootaloo’s stomach growled a little louder now. “And it sounds like we might need quite a few! Gosh filly, when did ya eat last? Your tummy sounds angrier than one o’ them Minotaurs!”
As Mac finished his conversation with Clear Skies, he brought out a basket of some of Sweet Apple Acres’ finest apples. He carefully seated the basket down at his sister’s hooves and gave the fillies a warm smile. As Skies pulled out the bits to pay for the apples, Mac simply shook his head and said, “Eenope.”
Scootaloo dipped her head into the basket. Grabbing an apple with her teeth, she sat on her haunches and took the apple in her forehooves, immediately taking a large bite and shivered. In all my years… “Oh, wow! That is so yummy!”
“Yep! We grow only the finest here on the farm! Granny Smith says it’s because of how we treat the land. I’m still learnin’ about most of this stuff. Mah sister Applejack tells me it’s got sumthin to do with our, ‘Earth pony magic’. I ain’t never seen an Earth pony do any magic before. Mosta that fancy stuff is done by unicorns. Oh! Ah guess Ah never introduced myself proper like. Ah’m Apple Bloom!” She said cheerily, extending a hoof to the orange pegasus.
Scootaloo looked up--her mouth full of apple--and swallowed quickly. “Oh, uh, I’m Scootaloo!” She held her own hoof out. I didn’t expect to run into a filly the age of my disguise…
“Pleased to meet ya, Scootaloo! Are y’all in town for the Summer Sun Festival? My sis got picked by the Princess herself to handle the food. Can you believe that? My family catchin’ the attention of the Princess?”
“That is really awesome! Yeah, Mom and I came from uh…” Think, Celestia... What is a far away place? “Las Pegasus.”
“WOW! You guys came all the way from Las Pegasus! Oh man! You gotta tell me what it’s like. Do you see a lot of famous ponies out there? Is it really hot? You wanna come with me to my room? It’s just on the other side of the house. We could hang out there and get to know each other!” Apple Bloom deflated a little from her sudden burst of excitement, “If it’s okay with your Ma, that is.”
Scootaloo blinked then smiled. “Well, Mom said we could come and see the Princess raise the sun since she had the next week off from work, I don’t see a lot of famous ponies because Mom wont let me on the strip. I’m not sure why I hear lots of ponies having fun there! It is really hot since the sun is always shining on it, and it’d be lots of fun to hang out.” I haven’t hung out in, well… ever! Oh wow! “Mom, can I?”
Skies was a bit apprehensive. On the one hoof, the charade would be a lot easier to maintain if some of the local ponies already bought into the cover story. This would be the perfect opportunity for that to happen. On the other hoof, this was a huge breach of protocol. Even if Skies would stay on the farm with her ‘daughter’, any separation of the two could be disastrous should trouble arise. “I dunno Scoots, we’ve got a pretty tight schedule here. I suppose we COULD make a little time…” Skies laid it on thick, knowing full well that this was exactly the kind of thing the disguised princess needed to keep her mind off the loss of her sister. Scootaloo looked at Skies with her best pleading eyes.
“Please, Mom? Pretty please?” Please, Blade, I have not had this chance in millenia!
“Oh, all right. Go on, silly filly! I’m sure Mr. Macintosh here can keep me company,” she said with a wink. She leaned in close to Scootaloo’s ear and whispered, “If anything goes wrong, remember to use the emergency call word. Yell it and I’ll come running.”
“Thank you, Mom!” Scootaloo hesitated. I really should nuzzle Blade, but it wouldn’t be proper. Maybe I can make it seem as if my disguise hates hugs... She raced over to Apple Bloom. “Mom says it’s alright!”
Bloom bounced with excitement as she led her new friend into the house. As she led her up the stairs to her room she called out, “Granny, Ah’ve got a new friend! We’re gonna be in my room!”
“Okay little filly! If you need me just holler!”
Once into her room, Apple Bloom bounded from one end to the other. “Here’s my room! Ah got my bed, and my mirror. Oh, and there’s my closet. Ah got my loopdy-hoop, a few balls, some jacks, all kinds of stuff! So, what do you like ta do?”
Scootaloo blinked looking around Apple Bloom’s small room. The last filly I played with was Twilight, but she was more interested in reading and magic. I remember Cadance liked to play outside in the air. “Let’s play with your ball!”
Apple Bloom dug to the bottom of her basket and pulled out a red colored ball. Bouncing it once off her hip, she gave it a quick buck and sent it flying towards Scootaloo. Unfortunately, she put a little more into the buck than she meant. As the ball whizzed towards the pegasus’ face, she cried, “Look out!”
Scootaloo spun out of the way on her hind legs without a thought. “Woah, you are really strong!”
Bloom blushed a little. “Eh, sorry about that. Sometimes Ah put a little more into ‘em than Ah mean to. If you wanna see strong, you should see my big brother and big sister in Applebuck Season! They can clear the entire orchard in no time at all!” Apple Bloom carefully served the ball to Scootaloo this time. She was easily able to return the serve and soon they fell into an easy rhythm.
“So, do you have lots of friends here in Ponyville, Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo asked, kicking the ball towards her. I hope you do, Apple Bloom. It’ll make it easier for you to forget me after today.
The question caused Apple Bloom to miss the return volley. She looked dejectedly at the floor as she scuffed her hoof across it.
“Apple Bloom?”
“Ah really don’t have too many friends,” she said her ears plastered to her head. “Mostly due to the fact that most of my class already has their cutie marks. Me, well, Ah’m only one of two in my class that doesn’t. Twist and I hang out as much as we can, but her family’s candy shop and my family’s chores on the farm make it kinda hard. Ah guess that’s why I was so excited to see ya, Scootaloo. I don’t get too many visitors my age out here.”
“W-well, maybe Mom will let me come visit sometime. I mean I’m sure I’ll master flying soon, right?” Scootaloo laughed while stretching her little wings out, trying to figure out how often she’d be able to get away from her duties.
“Ah’d like that, Scootaloo. Say, you wanna see the orchard? It’s really pretty this time of year. That, and I can show ya around a little bit.”
“Alright, I gotta make sure it’s okay with Mom.” Scootaloo shook the thoughts of her royal duties from her head and followed Apple Bloom downstairs, only to stop at the sight of a wizened green mare with familiar eyes. It’s that filly…
“Eh, where you two youngins off to in such a rush?” asked the Apple family matriarch. As the two fillies passed by, Granny couldn’t help but notice her granddaughter’s new friend. “Hold on there, missy! Ah’m thinkin you ought to be introducing me to your friend here. I raised ya better than that, ya know!”
Apple Bloom cringed as she knew she’d be caught. “Sorry, Granny. This is my new friend Scootaloo! Her and her Ma are here for the celebration. They came all the way from Las Pegasus!” Granny moved to the two young ones and eyed the pegasus filly very carefully. Scootaloo suddenly felt the temperature of the room rise significantly.
“Las Pegasus, ya say,” Granny’s inspection continued. “You remind me of somepony, Ah can’t quite put my hoof on it...”
“Yes’m. Mom and I have lived in Las Pegasus since I was born.”
As Granny continued to eye the pegasus, Scootaloo began to get the feeling that the jig might be up. Just as her nerves reached a crescendo, Granny shrugged her shoulders and gave the orange filly a little wink. “Aw well, Ah’m sure you two’ll get along just fine. Say, Apple Bloom, why don’t you take yer’ new friend down to the swimming hole? Something tells me she’s the sort of pony who’d enjoy the water.”
“Ah will Granny, see ya later! C’mon, Scootaloo! Let’s go!”
Scootaloo trotted after Apple Bloom with her fur on end. That was way too close… “Mom!”
Skies looked up from her conversation with Macintosh. It would seem that the large Earth pony was quite the interesting soul. Shame he doesn’t have wings. I’m sure he’d be a LOT of fun… “Yes, dear? Everything okay?”
“Yes ma’am! May I go swimming with Apple Bloom? It’s really hot!”
“Only if I go with you, young lady. I’m afraid you’ll need a little supervision. Care to join us, Macintosh? I’d love to get to know you a little better.” Mac simply nodded as Skies turned to follow the fillies. Her hips swayed ever so slightly as she cantered away. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught Mac dead-to-rights staring at her as she walked. The red stallion actually got darker as he blushed. Yep, thought Skies, Still got it.
Scootaloo glanced at her mother with a raised eyebrow. She shook her head and focused all her attention on the filly in front of her. Oh Apple Bloom, I will protect you, my friend.
Skies and Mac trailed a bit behind the two bouncing fillies. It was hard to believe the Solar Diarch herself was no different than any other pony. Only difference was that if she wished to go off on another foalhood adventure, she could actually do it. Skies smiled as she heard the two young ones chattering away. It was becoming far too easy for her thoughts to become distracted from her actual mission. Whether it was the company of the handsome stallion at her side, or her own motherly instincts taking over, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she needed to get her head back on straight.
They eventually reached the clearing that held a small pond. The water’s surface was still and smooth, giving the whole thing a polished glass finish. There was a serenity to this place, as if the problems of the world could not intrude here. Scootaloo and Applebloom took off at a full gallop before bounding off the edge of the pond. “CANNONBALL!” they screamed in unison. With a mighty splash, the girls hit the cool water and felt it refresh their bodies.
Scootaloo swam to the surface, giggling kicking her hooves under the water. “Wow! I didn’t realize how hot it was!”
Seconds later, Apple Bloom surfaced, shaking the excess water off. “Ah know! Nothin’ beats a good dip though. Ah love it here. My sister and I are always comin’ down here. Usually we’re just coolin’ off, but every once in a while, I can convince her to race me. She usually gets the better of me, but Ah’m gettin’ faster. Hey Scootaloo! Wanna race?”
Scootaloo grinned. “Sure! Hey Mom, can you be the ref?” She called over to Clear Skies.
Looking over at Scootaloo, Skies nodded as she continued to take stock of the small swimming hole. Heavy tree cover would make it hard to escape quickly… Of course, it makes getting to us just as hard. Clear canopy, so an aerial escape would be possible. But that doesn’t help Macintosh or his sister. I would hate to leave them behind as collateral damage, but if it came down to it…. Skies watched as the two fillies made their way to the far edge of the pond. Once they were settled, she called out, “Ready, Set, GO!” The fillies took off in a wave of hooves and water, giggling and splashing all the way. Hearing the squeals made Skies smile a little more. This was turning out to be a very good day indeed.
Scootaloo breathed out hard, giggling on the muddy ground next to the pond. “I-I I win!” She thrust her left hoof into the air, weakly glancing over at Apple Bloom who lay beside her.
“Nuh-uh. Ah *pant pant* won! No foolin’!”
The two fillies began arguing amongst themselves as to just who won the race. Hearing his sister, Mac chuckled to himself.
“She’s very sure of herself, isn’t she?” asked Skies.
“Eeyup. Bloom’s an Apple through and through. A little too much like her sister sometimes though.”
“Must be tough on you and your sister. Between your duties on the farm and having to raise your sister, you must never get time of your own.”
“It’s not easy by no stretch. But, we’re Apples, and family’s what got us through everything, so it’s all worth it in the end. Granny helps as much as she can with Bloom. Same with me. But the one who really molded her is AJ. Bloom would follow AJ straight into Tartarus if she told her to. As far as time to myself, I get the evenings after the paperwork is done and the house is settled in. I love that time of night. It’s still, quiet, really lets a pony gather their thoughts. You know?”
Skies was drawn to every word. This simple Earth pony was far more complex than she’d ever imagined. She couldn’t help but grin as his eyes met hers. She didn’t even notice when Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had come running up to them.
“YOU DID NOT! AH WON!”
“I did so win! Mom, you were the Ref. Tell her I won!” The nobles would have a fit if they saw Scootaloo. Her back was covered in mud, along with her feathers which were now in need of a good preening. She grinned, buzzing them a bit. “Mom?”
The voice snapped her back into reality. Looking down at the pair, their eyes glued on her, waiting with baited breath for her decision. In all honesty, Skies had been too preoccupied with Mac to be watching the race. Feeling put on the spot, Skies did the only thing she could think of. She guessed. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo, but Apple Bloom beat you by a nose.” Instantly Bloom jumped and whooped in glorious victory. She beamed with a bright smile until Mac spoke up.
“Eenope, sorry AB, Ah saw the whole race. Seems your pegasus friend beat ya even without using her wings.”
Apple Bloom stopped mid jump and glared at her brother. “HAY! You’re supposed to be on MY side!”
Skies blushed and gently facehoofed as she’d been caught red hoofed. She hoped that Celestia would let this slide. If nothing else, she could always just say she was interrogating Macintosh for security purposes. Sure, let’s go with that.
“Ha, I knew I won! I am the fastest pegasus ever!” She buzzed her wings and hovered a brief moment before crashing back down. “Oomph!”
Mac simply shook his head as he watched the filly get back on her hooves. As the girls headed back towards the water he turned and looked at Clear Skies. “Y’know, if’n you want on my good side, you don’t have to butter my sister up. When you get to the celebration, do ya have any plans?”
Skies blushed so hard, she was turning purple. Sure, stallions had been forward with her before, but never one as charming and rustic as Mac. Here she was, tasked with guarding the personification of a goddess, and all she could think of was running off with him. Her brain warred with itself, torn between duty and desire. Finally, looking at Scootaloo and how she was enjoying her time with Apple Bloom, she decided that maybe she could have a little of both. “Well, we were just going to wander around and see the sights. But if you’re offering a personal tour, I’m sure Scootaloo wouldn’t mind a friend her own age to run around with. And if that gives us a chance to get to know each other…” she finished with a wink.
“Ehehehe.” It was Mac’s turn to blush now as he rubbed a hoof through his mane. “Sounds good to me.”
The girls continued splashing around the pond as the older ponies conversed. Apple Bloom watched Scootaloo swim and splash while using her wings very little. Bloom knew pegasi used their wings for everything, Rainbow Dash had shown her that. But, when she added in the scene of Scootaloo being unable to support herself for more than a second in the air and the fact that she really wasn’t using them very much in the water, it made her more than a little curious. Finally, she found the courage to ask, “Scootaloo, can… can Ah ask you a question?”
“Sure, Apple Bloom. What’s up?”
“Um, don’t get mad now, but, uh, Ah couldn’t help but notice yer’ wings. They look awful small. Is there somethin’ wrong with ‘em?”
Scootaloo glanced back at her small wings. Maybe I made them too small… no, better go with it! “Mom says they’ll catch up with me! Right, Mom?”
“Sure will,” said Clear Skies as she and Mac approached the pair in the water. “Scootaloo, how would you like to spend the celebration with Apple Bloom and Macintosh? They’ve been ever so generous as to offer to accompany us.” Oh Celestia, please PLEASE say yes…
Scootaloo grinned. I couldn’t have come up with a better idea myself! Apple Bloom’s sister will likely be with Twilight so I can watch over my student without her getting any ideas, and I can spend more time with Apple Bloom! “That would be like going to see the Wonderbolts, Mom!”
It was Mac’s turn to to talk. “Apple Bloom, you’ll be expected to be a good host for Scootaloo. Show her around, introduce her to your friends. Be polite, but most of all, have fun!”
“You bet, Big Mac! Oh, Ah can’t believe it! Ah get to hang out with you for the WHOLE festival, Scootaloo!” She took the pegasus’ hooves in her own and began to bounce in pure joy.
The smile that spread across Clear Skies’ muzzle almost couldn’t be contained. “Well, Mr. Macintosh, I believe it’s a date.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that. What in the wide world of Equestria was she thinking? She was a trained killer, not a lovesick school filly! Shaking her head in hopes of refocusing herself on the her tasks, she felt a hoof gently brush against one of her own. As she glanced at it, she spotted Mac casually brushing one of his hooves against hers. When he was caught, he retracted it and chuckled nervously.
Scootaloo trotted over and gestured to her mother with a hoof.
Breaking out of her haze, Skies leaned down to Scootaloo’s level. Whispering softly in her ear, “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I realize I might be breaking OPSEC and protocol, it won’t happen again.”
Scootaloo shook her head with a smile. “Don’t worry, it’s nice to see you so happy… and, er... without griffin blood on your armor.”
She grinned ever so slightly at that memory. One of her best nights. She’d spotted the mercs just as they’d reached the eastern border of Canterlot. They didn’t even manage to make it to the city gates before she’d dispatched them and dropped their corpses into a rogue field fire. “I thought we weren’t going to mention that. Anyway, does this work for you? I think it might be our best option.”
“I agree. I’ll easily be able to observe Twilight, and hopefully… I’ll get my sister back tonight.”
Nodding softly, she nuzzled the filly close. “I hope so too.” Skies cleared her throat and looked towards her hosts. “So, what’s our schedule? When should we get going?”
Mac looked towards the skies, noting the time to be just a little past 4 in the afternoon. “Well, Ah’d guess now’s as good a time as any to head that way. Let’s stop by the house on the way out and make sure Granny is set for the night. That way you and your friend can get cleaned up too, Bloom.”
Looking at her brother and how close he was getting to Clear Skies, she could guess another reason he wanted the fillies to clean up. “Uh huh, sure ya do, brother. Wouldn’t have nothing to do with that pretty mare ya been talkin’ to all day now, would it?”
Mac growled a little at her and merely said, “Eenope, now git to that house little missy and wash up.” The sternness of his voice got Bloom moving double time.
Scootaloo chased after Apple Bloom past the watchful gaze of Granny Smith. She paused and bowed her head before trampling up the stairs. Granny just smiled and nodded in return.
Once in the washroom, Bloom began to wash her hooves and scooted over to give Scootaloo a place at the sink. “So, Ah think my brother might be sweet on your mom.”
Scootaloo got onto her hind legs, putting her hooves into the water with a grin. “Yeah, I think my Mom likes your big brother. Too bad we have to go back to Las Pegasus after the celebration.”
Bloom scowled at that. “Yeah, poor Mac. Another one that’ll get away....”
Scootaloo shrugged. “We’ll see. Now come on, I want to see everything!”
Bloom beamed happily as she dried her hooves. “Yeah! I can’t wait for ya to meet my sister Applejack. Oh and Twist too! She’s my best friend! We’re gonna have so much fun!” She quickly bounced out of the washroom and called out as she hit the stairs, “Last one outside is a donkey!”
Oh, it is ON!