Chapter 13: Comfort
Varn, along with Ian, Vader, Forren and his family waited in the hanger bay for the Stormtrooper transport. Medics were also standing by. Tarrak came with two Stormtroopers came out. “Ali Tarrak, the Emperor is looking forward to meet you. Throw her into a cell until my ship arrives.”
“Yes, lord Vader.”
Tarrack had her eyes downcast, showing no emotion, no fear, no regrets for hurting the child, nothing. But the dark lord could sense her fear, despite her best efforts not to show it.
Then the scientist came out. “Thank you for the rescue. I will begin to work as soon as possible.”
“Is Scootaloo alright?” Ray asked worried.
“She’s not looking good, kid.”
A Stormtrooper carried the crying filly in his arms. Her right wing was gone. “I managed to treat the wound hastily. Had to improvise.” The scientist looked at her with sympathy.
The Stormtrooper gave the filly to Miro. “Mo-mommy…”
“Shh, it’s over, you’re safe now.” She rocks her gently.
“Da-daddy…”
“I’m here Scootaloo, we all are.” Forren comforted her. He and Vader could sense her injures.
“Mrs. Storm, can I hold her for a few minutes?” Miro knew she could trust Vader.
As he was holding Scootaloo, he was using Force-healing to heal her injures. Force-healing was a very useful ability as the mind trick in many situations.
As he healed her, he and the others could see Scootaloo’s life in a dream-like sequence. As Vader saw how skilled she was on the scooter, he was impressed. “Impressive, most impressive.” It reminded him when he was podracing. And for a filly of her age, it was very impressive how skilled she was on the scooter.
After she was healed, he gave her back to Miro. “It was… so h-h-horrible! Th-they to- tortured and be-beat me!” Scootaloo was traumatized. “Shh, calm down.” Miro rocks her again and hummed a lullaby. Scootaloo cried herself to sleep.
“I will bring her into bed.” Miro said quietly and leaved with Ray.
“Poor kid. She doesn’t deserve this. I feel bad about her wing.” Forren felt guilty.
“Don’t worry, Soldier. It is new for us, but I’m sure, we can replace her lost wing with a prosthesis. I will inform the Medi-droid.” Ian walked to the infirmary while Forren looked after Scootaloo.
Vader wanted to talk with Tarrak. Varn talked with the member of the secret order. “You enabled the capture of the Nami leader Tarrack. The Emperor will be very pleased. He is looking forward to meeting his new servant. The Emperor sends also his condolences and wishes Scootaloo a quick recovery. I know you want that Tarrak pays for what she did to Scootaloo but I’m assuring you, that Tarrak will suffer for that.”
Miro gently tucked Scootaloo in her bed. “Sweet dreams, little one.” Scootaloo hugged her plushie tightly.
“Mommy, is she going to be alright?”
“Yes sweetie, she will.” Forren looked worried at her. Miro and Rays room was just next to Scootaloo's room. Forren was allowed to sleep with them.
In the night, they awoke by a scream. Miro got up and ran to Scootaloo. She was crying and breathed heavily. “Scootaloo, did you have a nightmare?”
“Y-yes mommy.” Miro and scooped the filly in her arms. “Shh, it was just a dream. You can sleep with us.”
Forren smiled sadly at Scootaloo. But she was asleep in Miro’s arms. “Goodnight, little sister.” Ray whispered in her ear.
At the morning, Forren stretched himself. Just like everybody else, he wore his armor while he was sleeping but without the helmet. It was just too uncomfortable for him to wear the helmet while sleeping. He had to smile. His wife was still asleep and so were Ray and Scootaloo. Scootaloo was hugged by Miro in her sleep. Scootaloo hugged her plushie in her sleep. Ray did the same.
Forren went to the canteen for Breakfast. “Good morning, Forren.”
“Good morning, Ian.”
“I have good news for you and Scootaloo. We managed to make a prosthesis as replacement for her wing. Also, we were able to produce synth flesh that is very similar to her fur. Still is it her choice if she wants it.”
“Glad to hear it. I will ask her.”
Forren went back to her room. He heard her crying. She was in her own room, looking out of the window, then to the bandage where her wing had been.
“Scootaloo, are you alright?”
“I just miss my family. That’s all.”
Forren sat down to her. “Listen, Scootaloo, I’m sorry for what happened to you. But we all are you for you.”
Scootaloo let out a sigh, “You know, I was bullied in school because I wasn’t able to fly. I can’t do it until today. Now, I will be never able to fly! But that’s exactly what every Pegasus pony should do! Now I’m handicapped forever! I can’t make my friends, my sister or my parents proud!” She broke down. Forren just hugged her.
“Shh, I can understand your fear. But don’t worry, we have already a solution.”
Scootaloo sniffed, “Really, you have?”
“Yes. Did you have read about prostheses?”
“Yes I have.” Then she got it, “You mean you can replace my wing with a prosthesis? But that would look so awful and uncool.”
“It’s your choice, Scootaloo. But did you also read about synth flesh?” Scootaloo nodded. “Well, we managed to produce synth flesh that is very similar if not identical with your fur. Prosthesis has advantages over real limbs: They are far more resistant. Also they can be repaired and they can never get tired. But prosthesis is also much stronger than the limbs they replace.”
“Ok, I do it. For my parents, my friends, for Rainbow Dash!” She sounded convinced but had also fear in her voice.
“Well, let’s go, shall we?” Forren asked.
As they walked to the infirmary, they saw Miro and Ray. “Good morning Scootaloo, did you sleep well?”
“Yes Mo- Miro. And I will replace my lost wing.”
“Sweetie, we don’t mind it that you call us Mommy and Daddy. You are already a part of our family.” Miro smiled at her.
“That’s the spirit! I’m so happy for you little sister!” Ray exclaimed before realized his mistake.
“I don’t mind it that you call me Sister Ray.”
At the infirmary, the Medi-droid waited for them. “So, I assume you've decided for the prosthesis?”
“Yes doctor. Just one question: Will it hurt?” She lay down on the operating Table.
“Don’t worry; this will not hurt a bit.” The Medi-droid gave her an anesthetic. “You will only be unconscious for a few minutes.” Scootaloo drifted away. Before the Medi-droid took the bandage off, he turned to Forren, Ray and Miro. “You may want to turn away for this part.” They all looked away. After a few minutes, it was done.
Scootaloo woke up. “Is- is it over?” She asked still dazed from the anesthetic.
“Yes my dear. Look.” Scootaloo looked at her new wing. It was in silver.
“Only the synth flesh is left.” The Medi-droid putted the flesh on like a glove.
Then he poked her new wing a few times. To her surprise, he twitched as reaction.
“There you go, little one. If you want, you can try it out yourself.”
She tried and the prosthetic wing did a little flap in response. “Wow. Amazing. Thanks doc.”
“There’s no need to thanks. That’s my job. If you need medical attention, you know where I am,” The Medi-droid responded.
“Scootaloo, would you please come to deck 8? We have a surprise for you,” Ian said via intercom.
“I just hope my family and friends will understand.”
“I’m sure they will.” Forren went with her and his family to deck 8. On deck 8 was a bar were also celebrations were held.
The room was dark. Suddenly the lights go on and several Stormtroopers, Scout troopers, officers etc. shouted, “Surprise!”
Scootaloo cried tears of joy. It reminded her when she first meet Sweetie Belle and Apple bloom. “A celebration for me?”
“Yes. To cheer you up after… you know,” Ian said to her. Music started. Celebration was the song name. “I love this song. Come, dance with us Scootaloo!” Miro was happy.
“But of course!” Scootaloo was even happier.
“May I have this dance?” Ray asked politely.
Scootaloo danced with him while Forren danced with his wife. “For Scootaloo!” Some Imperials said a toast on Scootaloo.
They all enjoyed the celebration. After the dance, Forren was drinking with Miro. “This is a beautiful celebration.”
“Yes. my dear husband. Honey, look.” Their hearts melted.
Scootaloo was fallen asleep and slept peaceful despite the music. “Looks like somepony hit the hay early. I bring her to bed.”
Forren carried her to her room. Miro brought Ray to bed as he was fallen asleep too.
“They must be exhausted from the celebration. Still it was wonderful.”
“Yes, Miro. You could see in Scootaloo’s eyes that she enjoyed the celebration.”
“I love you."
“I love you too.” They kissed and fell asleep.
However, Scootaloo had still nightmares. Either she dreamed that her family and friends would not accept that she was a cyborg now, or that she would die and never see them again. Miro, Ray and Forren comforted her every time.
Forren woke up when he heard sobbing. Scootaloo looked out of the window. “Sorry if I woke you, Forren. I just want to see them again.” Forren patted her. “Soon, you will see them again, Scootaloo. Soon.”