Scootaloo glared down at the empty glass in front of her, her wings buzzing occasionally with her displeasure.
When she was younger, she’d loved dressing up for Nightmare Night. But now that she was older it felt childish to parade around Ponyville in costume. Of course there were plenty of others at Pinkie’s Solstice celebration who were dressed for the occasion. Scootaloo hadn’t bothered.
She took her empty glass, wandering past the dance floor to the bar. Pinkie Pie stared from behind the counter, raising an eyebrow at her as she approached. “A mare your size shouldn’t have any more,” she said. “A little is nice for a party, but too much and you won’t be able to remember it!”
Her wings buzzed in agitation on her back. “I don’t want to remember it,” she said. “Come on.”
Pinkie took the glass, spinning it once as she settled it under a tap. “Why? Shouldn’t you be celebrating? Where are your friends? You three were always together.”
“Sweetie’s in Canterlot training with the Royal Choir.” She glanced around the ballroom, filled as it was with smoke and spooky lanterns. It only took her a second to confirm what she suspected. “And Apple Bloom is with Tender Taps.”
Pinkie settled the full glass on the counter between them, sliding it away as Scootaloo reached for it. “I know parties, Scootaloo. And let me tell you, you are being a party pooper. There’s always a reason, maybe I can help.”
“Just… upset about things I can’t change. I’m supposed to be happy for my friends, but how can I feel it?” She spread her wings. “I can’t even fly.”
Pinkie didn’t wave her off. Instead she lifted something green out from under the counter, dropping it in the glass. It started to bubble and fizz as she pushed it back towards Scootaloo. “You’re not upset with your friends, you’re upset with yourself. You see they’ve achieved their dreams, and you haven’t changed. It feels like you’re the failure.”
“Yeah,” Scootaloo took the glass, taking a long swig. It burned going down her throat, with a heat that was far stronger than cheap cider. But draining the glass wasn’t taking away the edge, but bringing it back. Clarity came back to her, restoring the thumping music and awkward conversations on the dance floor, reminding her of all the eyes on her. “How do you know?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been there before.”
“What can I do? I don’t have big dreams like my friends. I don’t have a farm to retire to, and I don’t want to go to Broadway. The only thing I want, I can’t have.”
Pinkie nodded gravely. “You know what day it is?”
She raised an eyebrow. But Scootaloo no longer felt drunk. “Nightmare Night?”
“That’s what ponies call it now. But really, we’re not celebrating Nightmare Moon. We’re celebrating one season changing into another. Autumn turns into winter. Old things die, new things are born.”
Scootaloo only stared. If she was supposed to be getting something from this, she was missing it.
“If there’s something about yourself you’re trying to change, tonight’s a good night for it,” Pinkie finished. “But it’s always dangerous. Old trees have to die for new saplings to grow. That’s always how it is.”
“I’d do anything. But there’s nothing I can do.” She tilted the glass back, glaring. “You’re talking this bartender thing very seriously.” I didn’t know you could be so deep.
“Thank you.” Pinkie took the glass, though this time she only filled it with water. “Things are different on the Equinox. Worlds that were far apart get close together, and there’s magic in the middle. Maybe you can find what you’re looking for.”
“Where?”
Pinkie pointed with one hoof, out the window towards the Everfree. “There. If you see pieces of things that never were, you’re on the right track. But… make sure it’s what you want to do. Like I said, ponies don’t always come back.”
There was no reason to stick around for Apple Bloom, her friend was already gone.
Pinkie knew something. Scootaloo couldn’t say why she trusted her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was right.
She slipped onto the path a minute later, past harvest lanterns with their candles burned down. She passed Fluttershy’s cottage on her right, firelight still flickering from inside. And beyond it… the Everfree.
Her wings lifted behind her, catching the chill autumn breeze. But her hooves remained firmly planted. She’d learned when she was still a filly that being big wasn’t enough to fly.
Maybe tonight things will be different. There’s magic in Equestria to fix things that are broken. As she walked, she considered just how different her life would be once she could fly. She’d be brave enough to ask out that special somepony. She wouldn’t apply to the Wonderbolts, but she’d be able to get a weather job.
She was so caught up in her own thoughts she barely even watched the trail in front of her, until one of her hooves caught on a length of vine emerging from the ground. She squealed in surprise, wings buzzing in vain to stop her. They did absolutely nothing to slow her down as she rolled down over the edge.
At least she had experience with crashes like this, and so she tucked her head, using her forelegs to protect herself. A few moments and she finally came to a stop, smashing up into something hard and metallic.
Scootaloo groaned, rolling onto her back and looking up at the sky. This is your fault, wings. I should’ve just flown out. The trees overhead were totally unfamiliar. How far had she fallen?
This is the Everfree. I can’t stay here. She rolled onto her hooves, shaking away the disorientation as best she could.
Scootaloo scanned her surroundings, searching for the way back. She was at the bottom of a low valley, with trees and rocky slope extending all the way up towards the full moon. There were ruined walls here, a structure lost to time. I’m already near the Castle of the Two Sisters? Buck me I shouldn’t drink so much.
Am I on the right track, Pinkie? Scootaloo turned along the sturdiest section of wall, and followed it into the gloom. At least if this was part of the castle, she could find the trail again.
Somewhere far away, the baying of a wolf broke through the chirping of crickets and calling of owls, making Scootaloo freeze momentarily as she listened. She sped into a trot, her wings now constantly extended with stress and fear.
The wall led directly to a nearly-intact face of a building, with huge stairs leading down into the stone. Then it ended, without any trace of the rest of the castle. Well buck.
Scootaloo stopped at the top of the stairs, glaring down into the gloom. She could feel something down there, like a pressure against the air.
Maybe if she’d had less to drink, she might’ve turned around. I haven’t found my magic yet.
As she made her way down into the gloom, she found the ceiling high and vaulted, tall enough that even an Alicorn would seem small. At least the strange stone reflected moonlight from behind her, so she didn’t have to wander in total darkness.
I’m just looking for something to point back towards the Castle.
It didn’t take her much longer to find a promising lead: a distant flash of light, bobbing tentatively up and down.
“Hello?” Scootaloo called. She took a few steps towards it, and suddenly it moved away from her. Was there a creature holding it, or was it just the darkness playing tricks on her?
A few more steps forward, and she started galloping. She wasn’t going to let another pony get away from her, not when she needed the help so badly! “Wait for me! I’m looking for help with my wings! Pinkie Pie said—”
Light burst from the end of the cavern, bright enough that she slid to a stop. It crashed down on her like a terrible wave, swallowing her in sudden numbness.