//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: New Loves // Story: Kindness and Loyalty // by frenettek314 //------------------------------// As Rainbow Dash flew Scootaloo back to Fluttershy's cabin on her back, the two grew silent on the journey home; though, the silence could actually be considered bliss considering the events concerning both ponies that had just occurred. A cold breeze flew throughout the crisp, nighttime air, indicating that it was the beginning of the snowstorm scheduled for Ponyville. As the breeze tickled Rainbow Dash's nose, she slowly grew concerned for not only for her sister but also for her marefriend who surely would not handle the information detailing Scootaloo's predicament well. ' This kid has endured more hardship than anypony knows, I could barely handle myself enough in front of the squirt, if she cries....' Rainbow thought as despite her best wishes, Fluttershy's threshold was approaching faster than she could ever think. "Oh good, you're back! I was starting to get wor....." paused Fluttershy as she saw the little ball of filly nestled on Rainbow's surprisingly soft and soothing back, the edges of her wings even able to be used as pillows. Rainbow turned her head around to see the filly in question had fallen asleep on her backside during the trek home. " Heh. that explains some of the quiet." Rainbow bemused. " Rainbow, I thought you were taking Scootaloo tomorrow after asking her parents." Fluttershy questioned, her head tilted and her face and voice filled with great concern and pure curiousity. "Shhh...." Rainbow whispered, " Let's bring her into the spare room for now" as she motioned her head towards the small bare room located upstairs. The room was originally going to be used for a storage room, but the element of kindness was such a surprisingly exceptional organizer, even able to rival with the likes of Twilight, and as such, didn't even need to use the extra room for any of her animal supplies. As Rainbow and Fluttershy tucked the sleepy Scootaloo on top of a white fluffy cloud Rainbow had salvaged from the cold depths of the storm and covered under a soothing quilt decorated with baby rabbits in a field of grass Fluttershy had owned since she was just a baby, the two grown mares tip-hoofed downstairs into the kitchen where the pegasi sat in the chairs that encompassed the fine wooden kitchen table. " So, what happened with her parents?" Fluttershy asked unnaturally impatiently, her interest getting the best of her. As soon as the question was asked, Rainbow now seemed more focused eyeing the clean tiled kitchen floor than facing the concerned motherly look of Fluttershy ( which to Rainbow, was worse than the stare.) Rainbow couldn't look at her marefriend as her face was cast at a worn-out frown that looked like it was aimed at the flooring. " Rainbow, please tell me. I promise I can take it." Fluttershy begged, only wanting to help everypony, as suggested by her element. Rainbow opened her mouth, but no words came out. She tried to speak, but all that came out was awkward silence, Fluttershy growing ever more concerned by the second. " Rainbow. I promise whatever happened, we can work through this together, that's what loved ones do is stand by each other's side no matter what's in our path." Rainbow slowly crept her eyes towards her beloved pink-maned Pegasus. ' She always knows what to say' Rainbow thought as a small smirk appeared for a brief second before the return of her somber expression. " Alright. Here it goes..... Scootaloo has no parents." "What?" Fluttershy breathed before her eyes grew to the size of tennis balls. Somewhere in the back of her head, she prayed that Rainbow was telling a cruel joke. it had to be a joke. No way this sweet filly could be..... " Please tell me you're kidding." Fluttershy begged. A flinch on Rainbow Dash's part indicated to Fluttershy that this was indeed reality. Fluttershy suddenly could not take it anymore as she aggressively whispered: " Why her? Why does it have to be the sweetest filly in the world. What did she do to deserve this?!?!?" " Please. Fluttershy. This isn't easy for me either. Believe me, I was lucky I didn't COMPLETELY lose it. But the fact is, this is real. Scootaloo needs somewhere to live. She's been sleeping in that rusty clubhouse for years now." Fluttershy immediately regained her motherly and comforting stance as she said, " Absolutely. She can stay here as long as she likes. No ifs and or buts about it. I'll be there for her 110%!!" Breaking the tension in the room, Rainbow Dash smirked and snorted as quietly as she could without waking Scootaloo, must to the dismay of Fluttershy. Fluttershy grew mildly annoyed from her marefriend's laughter and developed an irritated glare on her muzzle. " What's so funny???" she asked slightly bitter. " You talking about butts" Rainbow stated nonchalantly . Fluttershy's face turned as red as the apples that grew on Sweet Apple Acres, She was embarrassed and slightly disgusted until she saw Rainbow smile completely ever since she had returned home with the filly. Fluttershy then started to join in the laughter with her beloved daredevil as the two became cheerful on that cold bitter night. After a while, Rainbow finally spoke, " Fluttershy?" "Yes?" " I promise I'll protect both you and Scootaloo, no matter what." Fluttershy nodded in approval, " I know you will. Let's get some rest, it's been quite an eventful evening," she stated as the two mares retired for the night. The Next Morning....... The three ponies were nestled in the warm safety of the cabin as the blizzard that engulfed Ponyville on the outside made it's presence with a blanket of snow that grew by the second. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were too busy eating Fluttershy's famous chocolate chip pancakes as Fluttershy, already finished, began cleaning the dishes. While it was widely known that Rainbow couldn't cook for her life, Fluttershy could be considered a chef if it weren't for the butterfly cutie-marks on her flank. As Scootaloo was eating bites of chocolate, syrup, and pancake, she suddenly found herself with a question that plagued her ever since Rainbow took her home last night. " Hey Rainbow?" Scootaloo asked after finishing chewing, " You and Fluttershy live together right?" "Well, of course. But now you live with us as well." Rainbow boasted before going back to her food. " Why do you ask?" Fluttershy questioned. " WHY do you live together?" Scootaloo asked, clearly curious as to the principle of the unusual roomates. This caught Rainbow's full attention away from her food as both she and Fluttershy exchanged nervous glances at each other, before mentally agreeing on how to explain this complex issue to an intrigued filly. "Well... " Rainbow stammered, " Fluttershy and I love each other." " Love each other? I thought only a mare and a stallion can love each other?" Scootaloo responded. Fluttershy, anticipating the confused Pegasus's sentiment, decided to thoroughly explain as best as she could: " Well, in most cases you see, that's probably true. But Scootaloo, you're old enough now to know to love is not merely defined by gender. Love is a complex thing to explain but anypony can love each other. Anypony can love, and it's up to that pony to decide who they want to love, they can be with anypony or any creature they want because they want to spend the rest of their lives together. Some stallions love stallions and....." "..and some mares love mares." Rainbow interrupted, winking to her marefriend with her trademark smirk. "That's right. Now this may be confusing, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask." Fluttershy spok warmly. "Well.... Now that you mention it, I do have one..." stammered Scootaloo nervously... " Shoot Squirt." Rainbow acknowledged as both she and Fluttershy were now sitting, full attention on to the small Pegasus. " How will I know if I love stallions or mares???" Scootaloo asked. Both mares looked at each other before smiling back at the filly, " Well, Scootaloo, you may not know until you experience love for yourself. You'll just know when the time arises. " Fluttershy smiled. " And we want you to know, whichever path you choose, we will always love you and we will support your decision 100%" Rainbow agreed. "110%" Fluttershy complied. " Thanks," Scootaloo responded in an enlightened and acknowledged tone. " And I love you both too, no matter what." The three ponies each rose for a well-earned group hug as even the storm outside seemed to calm from it's energetic state to admire the love that encompassed the three pegasi. " ....and I love Chocolate Chip Pancakes" Scootaloo proclaimed as the hug slowly ended. " That makes two of us!" Rainbow gleed as Fluttershy couldn't help but laugh as she went back to finish the remaining dishes.