//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Truth // Story: The Dark Secret // by HeartfireFirebrand //------------------------------// Scootaloo yawned as she woke up in a guest room in Canterlot Castle, she frowned as she leapt off the guest bed. She trotted into the bathroom (Stupid Chrysalis, did that Bug Queen really think she could take over Equestria? I tried 25 times and each plan failed.) She pulled a stool over so she could brush her teeth, she frowned after she was done “I haven’t seen Sweetie Belle all day.” She opened the door to see an upset Rarity, Rarity looked down with sorrow in her eyes as tears rolled down her chitin “Sweetie Belle has disappeared, we know not where?” Scootaloo growled “Well then send out a search party, she can’t have gone far!” Rarity began to sob “Because of the invasion we can’t send out a search party, repair efforts are beginning.” Scootaloo sat there silently for a few moments, Twilight trotted in “Scootaloo it’s time for us to return to Ponyville. The wedding is postponed for a month or two.” Scootaloo sighed as she gave Rarity a soft hug “It will be alright, Sweetie Belle is tough. Wherever she went I, it was of her own volition. She will returned when she’s ready” Scootaloo then turned to Twilight who had just realised Rarity was in the room “Take care of her, she needs support of a friend right now.” Twilight nodded glumly as she looked at her sobbing friend, Scootaloo packed her bags and left the room leaving Twilight to comfort her friend. One hour later, everyone save Rarity and Twilight was ready to go, Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion “Rarity, Twilight where are your bags?” Twilight frowned “Rarity has to stay here to co-ordinate the changelings integration into Equestria and I’m here to assist her. Rainbow Dash, you are Ponyville’s weather captain you are needed there.” Applejack nodded “I need to get back to the farm, there is work to be done.” Fluttershy looked down sadly “I’d love to stay but I have to take care of my animals.” Rarity smiled weakly “That’s okay Fluttershy, I understand that you have obligations” she then turned to Pinkie “I expect a welcome back party when I return to Ponyville.” Pinkie saluted her face deadly serious “Will do, it will be the best party ever!” Apple Bloom was standing next to Scootaloo, Apple Bloom looked at Scootaloo with fear in her eyes “Where is Sweetie Belle, why would she leave us behind?” Scootaloo smiled as she placed a small wing on Apple Bloom “I don’t know but she wouldn’t leave us behind unless it was important. We should have faith she will return when she is ready.” Apple Bloom smiled weakly at her friend “I’ll try.” Soon the six of them were on a train returning to Ponyville, Scootaloo was relaxing on the seat. Rainbow smiled at Scootaloo “Do you want to do some flying practice when we get back?” Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom “I shouldn’t leave Apple Bloom alone, it is a trying time for us. Maybe another time.” Rainbow grinned “It’s alright squirt, after it you learnt from the best and we will never leave our friends hanging will we?” Scootaloo grinned back “We will stand by our friends forever, through thick and thin.” Scootaloo trotted over to Apple Bloom and placed a wing over her, the two fillies sat there calmly until they returned to Ponyville. Applejack looked at the others “We need to get back to Sweet Apple Acres, we are behind on work.” Scootaloo asked with a smile on her face “Can I help, it sounds like you have a lot of work that needs doing?” Rainbow Dash grinned “That’s a great idea, I’m behind you Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom frowned “It’s hard work, are ya sure y'all be able to keep up with us Earth Ponies.” Scootaloo smiled “I’ll be fine, I’m no stranger to hard work.” Applejack sighed “Fine but don’t get yourself get hurt.” Scootaloo smiled as she joined the two siblings,. They arrived to see an exhausted Big Mac pulling a cart full of Apples baskets towards the barn, Applejack frowned “Ah’m back brother. Ya should rest while we handle the rest of the work.” Big Mac gave then a weary smile “Eeyup.” As Big Mac slowly walked back to the the farmhouse, Scootaloo quickly attached herself to the wagon. Applejack frowned “Scootaloo what are you doing?” Apple Bloom and Applejack’s eyes widened as the young pegasus began effortlessly pulling the cart into the barn. She then proceeded to carry the baskets off the wagon with her wings spread out. Applejack blinked at the filly “How did you do that?” Scootaloo grimaced “It personal, I’d rather not talk about it.” Apple Bloom frowned at her sister “Ah trust Scootaloo, she’s been my friend for a while now. Ah trust her.” Applejack sighed before smiling “Scootaloo, do you mind running the cart for us?” Scootaloo grinned “You bet.” Scootaloo was soon pulling another care full of apples her mind racing (It’s been centuries since I last I did this.) Four hundred years earlier Scootaloo was working on a farm, she was taller than she was currently easily a mare fully grown. A tall red earth pony stallion with a blond mane was trotting next to a young orange colt with a blond mane. The young colt smiled at Scootaloo “Good morning, Mum.” Scootaloo wiped her brow with her hoof as she bucked another set of Apples, she grinned “Macintosh Apple, it’s good to see ya and ya father. If Ah remember correctly somepony was supposed to help with the harvest.” Macintosh’s father blushed “Sorry Honey, Ah overslept.” Scootaloo giggled “It’s okay Braeburn, just don’t forget next time. You’re just lucky Ah can handle a harvest by myself.” Macintosh giggled “Daddy’s in trouble.” Scootaloo grinned “That he is and ya will be too if ya don’t get me some more baskets.” The trio were smiling laughing and having fun. Present Day Scootaloo smiled as she turned back to Apple Bloom and Applejack, Apple Bloom was placing baskets under trees as Applejack bucked the trees (I’m glad my descendants are prospering.)