//------------------------------// // 8: Stopped Stories and Train Trouble // Story: A Do-Over // by Pip232 //------------------------------// Applejack sat on the soft grass, patting the spot across from her. “C’mon, get comfy.” Apple Bloom complied, sitting across from her. “You were so little when it happened, and Ah was a little older than you are now, but Ah will never forget that day.” “But Ah already know what happened.” Apple Bloom protested. “Just let me tell the story, Ah’m trying to make a point.” “Ah don’t have the time for a story Ah already know, and Scootaloo might not either. Whatever point you’re gonna make, please just make it.” She pleaded. Applejack saw the sadness in her eyes and sighed. “Fine. When we got out of the storm cellar, we were all dumbstruck by the damage. Houses were gone, buildings were gone, Ah’d never seen such destruction. Ponies had lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.” “So?” “Ponies demanded answers for what happened. They wanted something to blame for it, but there wasn’t. The storm was a natural one, not something from Cloudsdale.” Applejack started. “What’s your point?” Apple Bloom demanded, beginning to lose patience. “Nopony caused it, there was nopony to blame. Just like nopony’s responsible for that storm, you’re not responsible for what happened to Scootaloo.” Applejack explained. “Sometimes horrible things happen to good ponies through no fault of their own.” She said looking Apple Bloom in the eye. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart, and it pains me to see you beating yourself up over it.” “It’s hard not to. Ah’m scared for Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom admitted, tearing up and hugging Applejack. “Who’s crying?” A gentle voice asked, and both Applejack and Apple Bloom turned to see Fluttershy emerge from the forest. “So why’re we heading back to Ponyville? You said there was an accident?” Sweetie Belle asked Rarity, the train heading down the rails at a steady pace. They were well outside of Canterlot now. “Oh yes, that. Uh-” she didn’t know how to say it. She eventually sighed and decided to bite the bullet. “You see, what happened was-” She was cut off as they all lurched forward, a loud noise coming from up ahead as the train began to slow down. A plume of steam spread from the engine. A voice came over the loudspeaker. “The boiler sprung a leak and we just lost all pressure. Until help comes we’re gonna have to sit tight. We apologize for the inconvenience.” “This is the worst. Possible. Thing.” Rarity declared, putting her hooves to her cheeks. “Oh no no nononononono this can’t be happening. Not now!” “So we’re stuck for a bit, no biggie.” Sweetie Belle tried to reassure her older sister. “We’ll be in Ponyville soon enough. “No, it won’t be soon enough. Sweetie, the accident was with Scootaloo. We need to get to Ponyville as fast as we possibly can.” Rarity said in a deathly serious tone before bracing herself for the waterworks. After a few seconds, she looked at her sister. “Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked, immediately becoming worried. The filly was frozen in place and it took her a moment to speak. “What…?” She asked with a quiet voice. She looked like she was having trouble believing it. Rarity knew Sweetie Belle had a tendency to freeze up when there was horrible news and knew just what to do. She got off her seat and went over to her sister, sitting beside her. She enveloped her sister in magic and gently sat her in her lap. She hugged her close and gently stroked her two-colored mane. She knew trying to snap Sweetie Belle out of it wouldn’t work, she’d have to be a calming presence until her sister came out of it on her own. “Scootaloo’s, hurt?” She asked looking out the window. “And we’re stuck here?” She asked with a tone that was becoming increasingly panicked. “Calm down, darling. I’m sure help will be here soon.” Rarity tried to soothe her. “Not soon enough! We’re in the middle of nowhere! We can’t get to Ponyville, we can’t get back to Canterlot,” she started crying as she spoke. “Scootaloo needs me and we’re stuck.” She hugged Rarity, beginning to cry. “Shhh, please stop crying.” Rarity told her, continuing to stroke her mane. “I promise we’ll get back to Ponyville, until then I’m sure Scootaloo will be fine.” The fashionista whispered, resting her head on top of the filly’s while she waited for her to stop crying. “That's terrible! How’s Rainbow Dash taking it?” Fluttershy asked, she and the three Apples sitting in a circle. After she arrived both the sisters had dried their tears and explained the situation to her. “She’s taking it pretty rough, we should get back and be there to support her.” Applejack suggested, all three mares standing up. “What’re we waiting for? Let’s go.” Fluttershy made a move to go but hesitated when the others didn’t. She let out a sigh as Apple Bloom started heading out, the yellow pegasus watching her. She felt fine following after others, but she was very uncomfortable taking the lead. “Well don’t just stand there Fluttershy, c’mon.” Applejack said giving her pegasus friend a nudge to her withers. “Oh, uh, right. I’m right behind you.” “If you could go faster it would be appreciated, time is of the essence.” Luna urged the pegasi drawing her carriage. Ponyville was in sight and she wanted to hurry up. The sooner her physician was there, the sooner he would begin assisting Scootaloo. Nightmare Moon saw Ponyville approaching through Luna's eyes and could hardly contain her excitement. Soon she’d be free, but she was in no rush. After a thousand years, she could wait a few more minutes. Being trapped on the moon had endowed her with endless patience that she was prepared to use.