//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: To Scoot, Perchance to Dream // by TenderTalons //------------------------------// “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, wait up!” When Sweetie Belle called out to the two fillies walking down the path, Scootaloo briefly jolted back to reality to greet her friend. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle began to talk about anything and everything that came to mind. When they realized they couldn't get the attention of their fellow Crusader, Sweetie Belle worryingly asked Apple Bloom, “What's going on with her? Is she still upset about the other day?” “Eeyup. I reckon she's going to be kind of gloomy all day. We need to make extra sure she keeps her mind off of her troubles once we get to school. I don't want anypony to pick on her if we can help it.” “Got it. Poor Scootaloo, I've never seen her so upset about something before.” Scootaloo had not heard a word of their conversation, having already slipped back into her memories. 'I need to find where I went wrong. I'm sure there's some kind of clue somewhere.' The morning the Cutie Mark Crusaders went to pick up the camera was overcast. Gray, low hanging clouds filling the sky around Ponyville. Scootaloo wasn't sure if there was rain in the forecast despite being a pegasus. She hadn't been trained in weather patterns since she was lived on the ground. Despite her lack of confidence in the day's weather she walked to Twilight's library with her best friends, hope glowing in her heart. The trio made sure to arrive at Twilight's with enough time and fully prepared to head to school. They didn't know what to expect from her magic or how long it might take to protect the camera. “Good morning, fillies. Are you excited to starting shooting today?” “Shooting what? I don't want to get hurt!” Sweetie Belle queried fearfully. Twilight laughed lightly. “Don't worry Sweetie Belle, you're in no danger. I was just reading up on photography before you came over. When a photographer has a model or subject to take pictures of in a predetermined place, they call it a 'photo shoot.' The photographer is the one taking pictures or 'doing the shooting.'” “Oh, heh, I knew that.” “If you like, I can let you borrow the book I was reading about it. It has a lot of basic instructions on the best way to take pictures. It's perfect for a beginner!” “I was thinking you could take the pictures, Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo added, “since you have such a keen eye for fashion. I'm sure that skill will cross over into taking pictures!” “Wow, cool! Sure Twilight, I'll take the book. Thank you.” “Not a problem. Now, let's see about actually getting your camera protected and send you all on your way. We don't want you to be tardy for school.” Twilight pulled her copy of Incantations for the Cautious from the podium where Owlicious sat. The nocturnal bird was fast asleep, having helped Twilight with some late night studying. The camera floated down the stairs that led to Twilight's bedroom and set down gently in front of her forelegs. The magical purple pony quickly re-read the spell and braced herself. A quickly growing purple aura surrounded both her horn and the camera. A brief flash illuminated the room, and then Twilight relaxed. The camera now had a thin, light blue sheen surrounding it. “A complete success, my little ponies! You now have a rough and tumble camera to use for your session. Just remember the limits. It can fall from long heights, it won't get hurt in liquid, and can even withstand an electrical shock. That's the limit of it's magical protection.” “We remember Twilight,” Scootaloo said reassuringly. “We will protect this camera with our lives.” The CMC each lifted a foreleg to their heads in a traditional Royal Canterlot Guard salute. Sweetie Belle opened her saddlebags. She began reorganizing them so that the camera would be on top of her lightest school supplies, reducing the danger it would be in for the day. She put all of her books, including her newly borrowed photography guide, on the opposite side and then closed both sides securely. She slid her bags onto her back and almost toppled under the uneven weight. Twilight quickly saved her from falling over and waited until the filly regained her balance. “O.k. Twilight, we should probably get going. But before we leave I need to ask you a quick question.” “Yes, Scootaloo?” “Do you know what the weather is supposed to be like today? It looks kinda gloomy outside.” “Actually, I do! I was talking to Rainbow Dash yesterday and she said that there's going to be a major rainstorm the entire weekend. There might even be some thunder and lightning. It will finally give me a chance to test out some theories on weather patterns I've been working on for a few weeks.” “You're kidding me, right? Why didn't you say something before?” “I didn't think it mattered. You can still scoot around and take pictures in the rain. The camera is weather proof!” “But I can't do anything if all the roads are nothing but mud!” Twilight's bottom lip curled, upset at the situation. “I'm sorry Scootaloo. I'm sure you'll think of something.” “Thanks Twilight. If you get a chance to talk to Dash again, can you tell her I'm looking for her? It's important.” “Sure thing. But you all should start making your way to school. It's getting late.” The girls expressed their gratitude and headed out the door. Just as they did, a crash of thunder rumbled through the sky. Rain begin to fall in great sheets, and the three unprepared fillies began galloping across town. The school day was dull and uneventful. Everyone ate lunch inside, and recess was free reading time. Sweetie Belle got a chance to study the book on photography while Scootaloo and Apple Bloom went over plans regarding what they could do about scooting in the rain. “Well what I was hoping to do is talk to Rainbow Dash about clearing a patch of sky for me to practice under. But that won't do anything to fix the ground from being a muddy mess. I'm not sure what we could do.” “Y'know something? Ay still have some supplies left over from fixing up the clubhouse. Maybe I could make somethin' fer you. It'd be made outta wood but if I got a little help from Big Mac I'll bet you could ride around on it.” Scootaloo gasped with a sudden burst of inspiration. “That would be amazing! We could look at my copy of Extreme Ponies Quarterly and try to recreate part of a professional skate park. I'll bet we could make one just like the real thing!” Apple Bloom agreed it was an excellent idea. The two ponies spent the rest of their recess looking at pictures in the magazine and drawing crayon blueprints. There were ramps to jump off of, transfers over stairs, a quarter pipe on one side...the plans continued to get bigger and bigger. Before they knew it recess was over and they had a four page layout of what the ultimate scooter park would look like. Cheerilee called the class to attention and began the remainder of the day's lessons. After school, the CMC made their way to the Sweet Apple Acres farm house. Rain continued to fall heavily as they galloped there. Once on the front porch, they shook themselves dry, wiped their hooves on the doormat, and entered the home. Granny Smith, Applejack, and Big Macintosh were inside, busy with chores. Apple Bloom walked up to her big brother who was helping move some furniture so that Applejack could sweep and dust. Bloom told her brother about the plans for the scooter park. “There are a few things ah'll need yer help with. Mostly moving supplies in tha barn so I can work, and bendin' wood fer the quarter pipe.” “This sounds like a mighty big project, Apple Bloom. Are ya sure you can do it yerself? I'd be more than happy to help get it started considering your sister and I won't have much ta do outside fer a few days.” “Ah'll swing a hammer fer ya, little sis,” Applejack interjected. “This project is ambitious. You might be bitin' off more'n you can chew.” Apple Bloom looked towards Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle who were standing quietly in the living room behind the Apple family. Both shook their heads up and down as quickly as they could, trying to get Apple Bloom to accept the help. “I think your friends agree. C'mon sis, let's get the barn situated so you can begin yer build.” “Ahlright. But I still wanna do most of the work.”