“Can Phase Three be finding out about their feelings, you know, for each other?” Sweetie Belle guessed.
“It'd be too obvious!” Apple Bloom countered. “We gotta find a way ta get 'em to admit they like each other, without 'em knowin' we're askin' that.”
“How do we do that?” Scootaloo wanted to know.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders were now in their clubhouse, trying to figure out their next course of action. It was a lot harder than they expected it to be, getting the two pegasi to just go forth and get together. A little nudge was all they needed, but without any kind of a love potion (that of which they swore not to resort to) to boost it all up, they had to figure a way to have Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy see that they were in fact perfect for each other.
The question was just how to do it.
Sweetie Belle sat at the little table, with a notepad and a pencil in front of her, thinking hard. Apple Bloom was looking at a couple of archived photos of the two pegasi, also thinking hard. Scootaloo had a hoof puppet of the two pegasi, one on each hoof, and was lying on her back on the floor.
It grew to be darker outside as the time ticked by at snails pace.
“Ugh! I can't think of anything!” Sweetie Belle groaned, laying her chin across the table, holding her head in her hooves.
“Neither can Ah!” Apple Bloom complained with a sigh. “How 'bout you, Scoot?”
Scootaloo shook her head too, making the two hoof puppets kiss each other to try to stimulate her imagination. “Nope. Me neither.”
“We'll have to try again tomorrow. We can't give up now!” Sweetie Belle trotted over to her two best friends.
“Ah agree, they're perfect fer each other!” Apple Bloom lay across the floor in defeat. “But what're we gonna do?”
Scootaloo opened her mouth to answer, but that was when there was a knock on the door, which opened a moment later.
“Hey there, sugarcube!” Applejack poked her head in with a smile. “Time ta get home, Apple Bloom, it's gettin' mighty late!”
“Oh, awright.” Apple Bloom sighed, getting up and trotting over to her sister.
“Meet us back here first thing tomorrow!” Scootaloo told her.
Apple Bloom nodded, giving them a grin and secret wink before leaving with her sister. That was also when Rarity poked her head in, smiling toward Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie Belle!” She sang out, coming inside. “It's quite late, darling, I think that it's time we went home now.”
“All right, sis.” Sweetie Belle complied, trotting over to the older unicorn. “See ya, Scoot!”
“See ya tomorrow!” Scootaloo waved as Sweetie Belle and Rarity left. She sighed then, taking off the hoof puppets and placing them aside. “Great, now that leaves me to-”
“Hey hey, squirt!” Rainbow Dash poked her head in with a grin. “Didn't think we'd forget you, did you? Well I'll take you home now, so hop on!” She lowered herself to the floor to allow the filly to get onto her back.
Scootaloo blinked, and then grinned widely. She had the perfect opportunity, and she was not about to pass it up! Not only was it some quality time with her idol, but also a chance for a little interrogation. She nodded, heading over to the older pegasus, climbing onto her back. Once she was on, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and then flew out of the clubhouse, heading up to the sky.
The two were silent for a couple of minutes, to which Scootaloo wondered if Rainbow Dash maybe was still feeling weird about the set up picnic from earlier that day. After it was over, the two pegasi parted ways on slightly awkward but still friendly terms before they headed off. The Cutie Mark Crusaders then took everything they'd set up before heading back to the clubhouse. After that, they were sitting around for a while trying to figure out what to do.
“So uh...Rainbow Dash...” Scootaloo began, deciding to just get this out of the way. Maybe, just maybe, her chance of a little interrogation would work. “Had a good day?”
Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder at the pegasus filly and grinned. “Yeah! Pretty good day if I do say so myself! Completed an awesome new trick, got to eat some awesome treats and other food, see my friends a bit, what more could you ask for? Oh yes, and I made sure to squeeze in a lot of good naps!”
“Right...” Scootaloo nodded. Normally, she would be hanging on every word she said and would be paying scant attention. However, this time, she had a different objective in mind. Which, so far, Rainbow Dash needed a nudge to get to. “A pretty good Hearts and Hooves day, wasn't it?”
“Yeah, sure.” Rainbow Dash gave a mild shrug, slowing in her flying as they came along the neighbourhoods of Ponyville. “So...squirt, you going to explain why you three set up a picnic for Fluttershy and me?”
“Um...” Scootaloo immediately clammed up, her eyes wide. “Well...”
An expectant Rainbow Dash looked at the filly over her shoulder.
“Be..cause....we...well...you see...” Scootaloo stammered, trying to think of a reasonable answer.
Unfortunately, the stock answers of “We were bored”, “It was a prank”, “We made a mistake” were not going to cut it in this case. Rainbow Dash definitely was not one for head games, and she wasn't about to lie to her own idol. But she also couldn't tell the whole truth, either.
The pegasus filly was out of ideas. She had no good answer for it, aside from the actual full truth. But she couldn't give that away! It would be putting Rainbow Dash in a very awkward position, and she wasn't about to do that. Not like this!
“Well?” Rainbow Dash prompted.
“Fluttershy likes you!” Scootaloo burst without thinking. 'Oh, horse apples! I shouldn't have said that!'
Expecting Rainbow Dash to laugh it off, she was surprised to find that the rainbow-maned pegasus was actually slowing down in her flight a bit, her gaze straight ahead. Finally, she looked back at the filly over her shoulder, with her eyes wide, and...was she blushing?
“....She does?”
Uh-oh.
Scootaloo realized now that she had just backed herself into a corner. By the looks of the older pegasus, she was clearly affected by the statement. Now she was asking her for confirmation. As if she wanted to know. Maybe she did need more time to get to know Rainbow Dash as a whole, but she did have a feeling that if the cyan mare really did think nothing of the statement, she wouldn't have followed it up.
She swallowed hard, unsure of what to say to her then. It was hard to gather her thoughts, considering that Rainbow Dash was looking at her expectantly.
Now Scootaloo had two options. To say yes or no. On one hoof, saying no would more than likely get her in the clear and solve this whole awkward mess. But on the other hoof, if she said yes, then it might lead to getting the two mares together still. That was the objection, right?
“Just don't tell Fluttershy we told you!” The filly quickly added. “But um...yes, she does...”
“...Oh, well, I see. Don't worry, I won't tell anypony.” Rainbow Dash quickly assured. But then, a strange, funny look came to her face before she looked away.
Scootaloo wasn't sure what to think. Rainbow Dash didn't seem opposed to it, but definitely not excited, either. How was she feeling? The cyan mare was pretty hard to read at the moment. She just hoped the idea didn't disgust her. Otherwise, it would ruin everything and Fluttershy would be sad.
'Okay, so Rainbow Dash thinks that Fluttershy likes her...I just hope that's true! They're perfect for each other, and if she's this happy to know...maybe she likes her back! All right!'
Finally, they landed at the home where Scootaloo lived with her aunt and uncle. Since she was a pegasus and a very weak flyer, her parents thought it best for her to live on the ground in Ponyville until her wings were stronger. She was a very late bloomer, it seemed, and they hadn't wanted to risk the dangers of her falling off any clouds and being unable to get back up.
The house was quaint, just near the borders of Ponyville, surrounded by a small stream. Two stories tall, simple windows, brick work and shingles, a stone walkway, and a bright red front door. Her aunt and uncle were Star Streamer and Fly By, a lawyer and realtor, both from Cloudsdale. In fact, said aunt was in the window, seeing them out there. When she did, the door then opened as she came outside.
“Scoot, there you are!” The older pegasus drawled, smiling. “I'm glad you made it home safe and sound. Thank you, Rainbow Dash.”
“Eh, it's nothing, Star Streamer!” Rainbow Dash gently let down Scootaloo. “See you later, kid!”
“Bye, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo happily waved before she followed her aunt into the house.
She grinned to herself, unable to contain her excitement. Once tomorrow came, there would be a whole new plan set into action.
--------------------
“You told her that Fluttershy likes her?!”
Scootaloo nodded, feeling pretty proud of herself. “Yep! I told her, and she even asked me if I was sure! But then....she kind of got quiet and had this weird look on her face.”
“Is that...good?” Apple Bloom prompted.
“I don't know. She didn't say anything else, but she did promise not to tell Fluttershy that I told her that. I mean, I guess that's good!” Scootaloo shrugged.
“So, what are we going to do?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Phase Three will be seeking out answers!” Scootaloo tapped her hoof against the table. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, you two keep an eye on Fluttershy. Ask her questions, see if you can get any information out of her! Anything about Rainbow Dash!”
“Right!” Apple Bloom nodded.
“What about you?” Sweetie Belle tilted her head curiously. “Are you going to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash?”
“Yep! Because I'm going to find out how she feels!” Scootaloo grinned. “So, are we all agreed?”
“Ah think so!”
“Definitely!”
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Task: Phase Three!” The three of them slapped a high shoe.
--------------
Later that morning, the three split up to their destinations. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went to Fluttershy's cottage, while Scootaloo hopped onto her scooter to find Rainbow Dash.
It wasn't always easy to find her, considering that the older pegasus was as fast as lightning. Not least of which, Scootaloo couldn't fly, so it would be hard to reach her residence, and also to see if she napping on any clouds. Since the skies were cleared, that meant her weather patrol job was done for the day. Now she was either off with one of her friends, napping on a cloud (occasionally a tree), having a Pet Play Date at the park with her pet tortoise, or practicing some tricks.
But where to start?
Scootaloo skirted around town, her little wings flapping incessantly like an insect's wings to further propel her scooter. She passed by many ponies, but none stood out as the cyan rainbow-maned pegasus so far.
“Hiiii, Scootaloo!” Pinkie Pie's voice sounded.
“Wha!” Scootaloo felt an extra weight added to her scooter, and could feel the baker pony right behind her. “Pinkie Pie!” She stopped flapping her wings, sticking her hind leg onto the ground to skid to a stop.
“Awww, it's over already? Oh well!” Pinkie Pie hopped around to the front of the scooter, grinning wildly. “What are you up to? Looking for something? Or somepony?”
“I was wondering where Rainbow Dash was, actually.” Scootaloo admitted.
“Really now?” Pinkie Pie raised a hoof to her chin thoughtfully, looking upward. She then grinned widely at the filly. “Why don't you ask her yourself?”
“Huh? But I don't even know where she is!”
“Right here, squirt!” Rainbow Dash peered down from the cloud she was perched on, just some feet above them. “What's up?”
“...Um...I uh....wanted to know if you could..um...” Scootaloo's mind raced for an excuse. “Show me some tricks! Like, uh....that new one you mentioned!”
“Oh! Well yeah! Sure!” Rainbow Dash grinned, always up for a chance to show off. “Let's go out to the fields, it'll be better to practice out there!”
Scootaloo smiled widely and nodded. “All right, let's go!” She felt relieved, knowing that this would be bringing the older pegasus into her element, getting her comfortable and not suspecting a thing.
Hopefully.
-------------------
“All right, now we'll add the eggs and stir!” Fluttershy instructed to the two fillies, smiling.
“Got it!” Apple Bloom held an egg in her mouth, cracking it against the edge of the mixing bowl, adding the yolk and egg white to the mix. She did the same for a second egg.
“Stirring!” Sweetie Belle took hold of the mixing spoon in both her hooves, carefully rotating it within it the mix. Her tongue hung out the side of her mouth as she concentrated, managing to awkwardly mix the batter.
“Good work, girls!” Fluttershy praised. “Once you're done stirring, we'll be able to place the batter onto the cookie sheets. You know what to do then, right?”
“We...take the batter and make them into little balls?” Sweetie Belle recalled from having made cookies with Rarity so many times.
The creamy yellow pegasus nodded, hovering in the air to further observe their work. “That's right! Very good!”
“Almost done 'ere!” Apple Bloom helped Sweetie Belle in stirring, carefully. “Awright! Let's get 'em onto the sheets!”
It took some doing, but the two fillies, with Fluttershy helping, they managed to place the balls of the batter onto the cookie sheets. About half a dozen on each sheet to make a dozen or so cookies. Apple Bloom opened the oven door, and Fluttershy placed the trays into the oven for them, then the filly closed the oven door. Sweetie Belle then put the timer on with the electric timer for about twelve minutes.
“So! While we wait for the cookies to be done, what would you two like to do?” Fluttershy queried, leading the two fillies to the living room.
“We could...sit and talk, I guess...” Sweetie Belle suggested off-handedly.
“Ooh, all right then!” Fluttershy sat on the floor, gesturing for the two Crusaders to sit on the couch. “So what do you want to talk about?”
“You seein' anypony, Fluttershy?” Apple Bloom asked without thinking, only to be nudged slightly by Sweetie Belle.
“Seeing anypony? Oh, no... Not at all,” Fluttershy shook her head. “Why do you ask?”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom exchanged glances for a moment. The latter girl seemed to be saying “You tell her!” while the former was shaking her head and insisting she do it instead. Moments of silent arguing later, Apple Bloom stepped up to the plate.
“'Cause...uh....well...Rainbow Dash, she....well she....”
“Oh? What about her?” Fluttershy cutely tilted her head.
“She likes ya! Yeah...really likes ya, Fluttershy!” Apple Bloom grinned.
“I think she does!” Sweetie Belle agreed. “Just...don't tell her or anypony else we said it! We're sorry, we just had to tell you!”
“O-Oh...well I....I won't tell, don't worry...” Fluttershy blushed quite a bit as she looked down at the floor. “You think...she likes me?”
Both fillies nodded, grinning widely.
Blinking, Fluttershy now looked down again, giggling a bit. “I...I see...I'll...oh, I'd better go see if Angel needs anything...b-be right back, girls...”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom held their breaths as they waited for her to be out of earshot. Releasing their breaths, they turned to each other.
“So, what do you think?”
“Ah don't know, she seems kinda...shy and unsure...”
“Well, I guess that's good...now what we do we do?”
“Wait 'till later when we see Scoot, Ah guess...”
“So, that means we'll move to Phase Four?”