//------------------------------// // Fixing Faith // Story: Lack of Faith // by Tennis Match Fan //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash arrived at Town Hall just as Mayor Mare opened the front doors. "Good afternoon, Miss Rainbow Dash," said the mayor cordially. "Can I do anything for you?" "Yes," Rainbow answered matter-of-factly. "I need you to change Scootaloo's legal guardians." Mayor Mare blinked, then began to chuckle. "This is serious!" Rainbow huffed. "Come on, you have to help her!" "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash," Mayor Mare said, wiping her eyes. "It's just that, well, your request is absurd. You're a third party requesting this, and from what I know, Scootaloo's parents are competent in raising her. Unless you'd like to make a case otherwise?" Rainbow filled the mayor in on the past few days' events. "So, like, can you help me? I need to make it up to her. And her parents friggin' hate her. Scootaloo would be better with my parents." "I'm afraid disliking your child isn't grounds for Foal Protective Services to help," Mayor Mare said, frowning with regret. "Still, I understand your concerns. I can't promise anything definite, but what I can do is arrange for a meeting between Scootaloo's parents and your parents, if you'd like. You and Scootaloo, and perhaps her pediatrician, can sit in if need be." "Oh my gosh, that would be so good. Thank you!" Rainbow threw her forelegs around the mayor. "My pleasure," Mayor Mare answered. "I can organize this as soon as tomorrow." "Awesome!" Rainbow hoof-pumped. "Now we just need Shortstack and Angel Pulse to say-" "No." Shortstack glared daggers at Rainbow across the table. "No?" Rainbow blanched. Her jaw hit the table. "You were just raving about how you raised a disappointment! And now you don't want to let her go?" Rainbow sat opposite Shortstack and Angel Pulse. Windy and Bow also sat on her side, while Mayor Mare sat at the adjacent side. "Think of what other ponies would say," Angel Pulse snapped She and Shortstack maintained an uncomfortable distance. "They'd go assuming things. We can handle Scootaloo, no matter what any meddling ponies think." She shot a pointed glance at Rainbow. Although she felt guilty for upsetting Scootaloo, Rainbow was unfazed by Angel's harsh words. "Have you even stopped to consider Scootaloo's thoughts on the matter?" "Her feelings aren't relevant," Shortstack said. "Imagine if every little filly got what they wanted. We'd have foals roaming the streets because their parents gave some tough love. Which is what we are doing." Bow frowned and leaned forward. "You've never stopped to consider Scootaloo's feelings? Do you even know where she is half the time?" Mayor Mare coughed lightly. "Let's keep these negotiations pleasant, shall we? Shortstack and Angel Pulse, Rainbow Dash informed me about your attitudes towards your daughter. From what she's said, you do the bare minimum for her and don't give her any emotional support. While that's not neglect, per se, I'm rather inclined to indulge Rainbow Dash's position. If Scootaloo wants to live permanently with Windy and Bow-" "We'd love to raise another foal!" Bow broke in, Windy nodding enthusiastically along side him. "-then I see no reason why she shouldn't," Mayor Mare finished. She stared at Angel and Shortstack expectantly. "And as I understand, you are also going through some marital troubles. That wouldn't be any help to Scootaloo's state of help." "I'm not agreeing to anything put forth by that meddling Wonderbolt," Shortstack growled. Irritation swelled in Rainbow's chest, a red hot emotion that singed her bangs and charred her coat. "We only want the best for Scootaloo," Windy began. "Buck off," Angel Pulse answered. "You're probably worse parents than we could ever be, if you raised that stupid mare over there." She pointed at Rainbow Dash. "I don't care what you say about me!" Rainbow shouted, flaring her wings. "You're being total jerks right now! You don't even like Scootaloo, you admitted as much to me. But now you're keeping her to save your reputation? Ugh, you make me sick!" Then Rainbow Dash galloped out of Town Hall. "That's all terrible, Scootaloo," Apple Bloom said as she brushed Sweetie Belle's tail. "Yeah," Sweetie Belle agreed, bobbing head each time Apple Bloom pulled. "Your parents really went off the deep end." "I know." Scootaloo sighed. She rolled her eyes as she continued braiding the lower part of Sweetie's mane. "And it's all Rainbow Dash's fault." Apple Bloom set down the hairbrush. "Don't you think you're being a little harsh on her? She was just tryna help." "Maybe she was, but she only made things worse," Scootaloo answered. "Next time I see my parents, they're going to kill me, no doubt about it." "But she's been your icon for forever," Sweetie pointed out. "And that all changes now?" Scootaloo didn't answer. Instead, she wrapped a hair elastic around the end of Sweetie's new braid. "I mean, remember that time I got into a huge fight with Rarity because I ruined her work space?" Sweetie continued. "I was trying to help by washing her sweater or organizing her fabric. But I actually messed some stuff up, and she got really mad." "Hate to break it to you, but my parents hating me isn't the same as your play fights with Rarity," Scootaloo said sourly. "The point I was trying to make is that those mistakes I made turned out to help," Sweetie said, turning to face Scootaloo. "After I organized the fabric, Rarity got totally inspired to make some new outfits. So I helped her, sort of. Maybe something good will come out of this." "Maybe your parents will come around and be nice to you," Apple Bloom added. "Doubt it," Scootaloo answered. "Even if they suddenly realized how sucky they are, I think Rainbow exposed my dad's workplace affai. "Besides," she added. "I have you two. Even if I can't ever go home again, you girls have my back." "Totally," Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom agreed, wrapping their hooves around Scootaloo in a big hug. Over their friend's shoulder, they exchanged a worried glance. "Twilight, you're my last resort. You have to help me fix things with Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash leaned across the Cutie Map, gazing directly into Twilight's concerned violet eyes. Twilight cleared her throat. "Rainbow, I've taught Scootaloo and worked with her closely, so I care about her as much as you do, even if we're not as close as you two are." Rainbow nodded, listening to Twilight's every word. When is she gonna get to the part where she helps me fix this mess? "But this" -Twilight's shoulder's sagged and Rainbow was immediately fearful of what she would say next- "is tough. This is abuse of my power. I can't just take a foal away from her parents, even if it's what we know is best. Can you imagine the public reaction?" "This isn't about the public! This is about Scootaloo!" "You're a Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash," Twilight answered gently. "You know public image matters. We have to tread carefully." "But you could just say this was a friendship problem! The friendship between Scootaloo and her parents was bad or something!" Rainbow brushed her jagged bangs out of her eyes. "Please, Twilight." Twilight pursed her lips. "I can help, Rainbow. I just need time to formulate a plan." "How long?" "Three hours," Twilight said. "Go get Starlight, please, I'd like her help. Go relax, Rainbow. Go get an ice cream with Applejack or something. Everything will be okay, I promise." She walked over and placed a reassuring hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "Okay, I trust you, Twilight." Rainbow hugged her purple friend, then hurried away to find Starlight.