With eyes closed, Scootaloo simply let the wind hold her. She heard screaming from above and below; that's when she knew that her secret had been found out. She could almost hear Rainbow Dash coming at her as fast as she could. A mental slideshow of her life played out; half of which were with the Crusaders while the other half was with Rainbow Dash.
I can't thank you enough, Rainbow Dash...thanks for making me feel...like I can do everything...when I can't do anything... she thought to herself.
As a couple of tree branches met her back, she knew that she was mere feet from the ground. Cloudsdale was located above a grove of trees, after all. The pathway the led to town protruded from there. The tree branches slowed her down tremendously; she couldn't move. She didn't have to turn around to feel the scars that had appeared on her back. When she hit the ground, she heard nothing. Staring straight up, Rainbow Dash descended quickly and immediately embraced her. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle surrounded her. All three were sobbing loudly.
"Everything's gonna be okay, Scoots," Rainbow choked, "It's alright..."
Fluttershy landed alongside her, with her eyes glassy. "Rainbow..."
"Not now, Fluttershy! I have--have to save her! I know she'll live!"
Tears trickled down her face. "I...I don't know--"
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Rainbow barked at her, teary eyed, "She's strong! She HAS to!" Placing the now-unconscious Scootaloo in her arms, she flew to the Emergency Room as quickly as she could. The remaining Crusaders looked at Fluttershy.
"Is...is she gonna live?" Sweetie Belle asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"It's unlikely," Fluttershy got out, "She was falling at such a high speed and broke those two branches up there! They're pretty sturdy."
Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo almost fainted; as if on cue, Applejack immediately embraced them. Their friend was possibly going to die, and they couldn't dare return back to that clubhouse without her. Despite her not being able to fly, she was always so optimistic and so happy to help others learn their calling! She didn't deserve to have this happen to her. They weren't ready to see a piece of their childhood fade away so soon. Not yet.
As Applejack hugged them, she faced Fluttershy. "My question is, if she knew she couldn't fly why'd she go through with this? I bet Rainbow Dash would've understood!"
Now it was Fluttershy's turn to break down. Wailing loudly, she laid flat on the ground, sobbing her eyes out. Discord appeared behind her and picked her up.
"I'll take her to Rainbow Dash," he told Applejack before flying in her direction.
"Wait, Discord!" Applejack said.
"Yes?"
"Did you know about this?"
"Yes. However, Scootaloo personally told me that she couldn't cancel when I suggested it and warned her of the consequences," Discord responded, before continuing his journey with Fluttershy. As Sweetie Belle's and Apple Bloom's cries died down to silent sobs, she heard a flapping of wings behind her.
"Is she safe?" Twilight asked. The Element of Honesty looked away sadly.
"We don't know. Rainbow Dash took her to the hospital as quickly as she could. It'd be nothin' short of a miracle if she were to live."
Rarity and Twilight sat down. Rarity knew how much Scootaloo meant to her sister; she wouldn't be able to sleep at night if she died. As for Twilight, despite being in possession of knowledge as expansive as Equestria itself, this was the one situation in which she didn't know what to do or say.
"Is Spike okay?" Applejack asked, to which Twilight went pale.
"I--I don't know," she stated in a defeated tone. "Discord was the one who informed us on what was going on."
"I hope he's back at the castle," Rarity muttered, "I do owe him a very sincere apology."
"Well, then come on. We can check in on him before meeting the other three at the hospital," Twilight said before flying off, to which her friends followed.
At the hospital...
Rainbow Dash was restless. She was happy to hear that had Scootaloo not arrived at the hospital when she did, it would be far too late. However, it was possible to bring her back. In the operating room, they performed surgery on her little sister while keeping her hooked up to a heartbeat monitor. It was slow, but the little beep that she heard every couple seconds kept her sane. More than anything, though, she was confused.
"If she couldn't fly...why didn't she cancel tonight?"
"She couldn't," Discord explained, appearing to her right with a crying Fluttershy in his arms, "She thought you would think differently of her or be disappointed if you found out she was still flightless."
Rainbow's jaw dropped. "ARE YOU KIDDING? I WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO PRACTICE WITH HER! I COULD NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED IN SOMETHING I CAN'T CONTROL!"
"That's only half the story, I'm afraid," Discord said, holding a storybook titled "Scootaloo".
"Well..well, what's the other half?"
"If I had to guess, I'd say that sadness has definitely taken its toll in her life."
"What do you mean?"
Putting Fluttershy down, he snapped his finger, teleporting the both of them to Everfree Forest. It was dark and cold with tall trees with crooked branches everywhere they looked. However, they appeared to be in a clearing. Looking up, Rainbow saw a clear view of the night sky. Looking around, she saw pictures, notebooks, and a toolbox. They seemed to be standing on a print of some kind.
"Where are we?" Rainbow shuddered. Discord looked down.
"Welcome to Scootaloo's home, Rainbow Dash."
At Twilight's Castle
"Spike?" Twilight called. Rarity and Applejack had gone to the hospital with their sisters to make sure their friend was alright, leaving Twilight to check on her number-one assistant.
"Spike?"
"He's not here, Twilight."
Looking into the meeting room, she was surprised to see Celestia and Luna sitting there, with somber looks on their faces.
"Oh. Well, where is he? I just wanted to make sure he's okay."
Tears approached Luna's eyes. "He is."
When Twilight saw tears in the princess' eyes, she was worried. "What's the matter, Princess? Did something happen?"
Placing a wing around Luna, Celestia tried not to look in her pupil's eyes. "Spike's asleep, Twilight."
When Twilight heard this, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. Can you let me know when he wakes up, please?"
Celestia shook her head as tears fell freely down her and her sister's face.
"Why not?"
Luna slowly approached her and placed a wing around her.
"Because he's not waking up, Twilight Sparkle. He will never wake up again," she said. Twilight simply stared at them, trying to process what was just said.
"W...w--what?"
"In his final dream...he asked me to deliver one last message to you and your friends..."
Celestia held up a scroll and presented it to Twilight. It was tied with a red ribbon and a green gem. Untying it, Twilight read the letter as questions and disbelief raced around her head.
Dear Elements of Harmony,
This isn't what I wanted to happen. In fact, I hoped that this wouldn't happen until my time came. If you're wondering what happened, I accidentally ate that Poisinicus Berricus that was in Everfree Forest when I left. Stupid, I know. But...since it's too late, there are some things I want to clear up.
Rarity, I don't hate you. I never have. Although you'll never return my feelings, the least I can do is wish you nothing but happiness in the future. You're generosity ponified, and I hope you stay like that. I love you.
Pinkie Pie, your happiness was contagious. I absolutely dreaded seeing you sad. I hope each party you throw is bigger and better than the last.
Applejack, thanks for being honest with me. Even when I didn't want to admit I was wrong.
Rainbow Dash, just like you, you're fast to help a friend. I truly hope that Scootaloo is alive and well; if she is, I never doubted that you would be by her side. Ever.
Finally, Twilight Sparkle. I'm sorry for lying to you about where I was every day for the past month. I wasn't working out, which explains why I looked exactly the same when you saw me. Where was I? Crying. Those who say that dragons don't cry are liars. They do; they just have to be depressed to do it. Being your number-one assistant was the highest honor of my life. Thanks for teaching me that friendship really is magic. I love you.
I love you all.
Spike
The letter fell to the ground. Twilight felt her mentors embrace her, but she couldn't see clearly. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. She felt something roll down her face, and felt her heart break. Her world was really falling apart in front of her eyes. She opened her mouth only for, again, nothing to come out.
"It's alright, Twilight," Celestia said, "I know it hurts..."
"BUT WHY? I COULD'VE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I JUST HAD TO FOLLOW HIM! EVEN IF IT WAS ACCIDENTAL, IT WAS STILL SUICIDE! I COULD'VE SAVED HIM!!"
"Shhhh...." Luna whispered in a quivering voice, "Go...we'll make sure Spike gets a homegoing ceremony to remember...we promise."
Backing away, Twilight held back her tears while trying not to fall on the spot on what she just heard. Teleporting away, she didn't know where she was going to end up, but she didn't care. No one but Spike was on her mind.