Days went by after Princess Luna’s visit. The weekend had come and Scootaloo was heading for the book store. As the week had progressed, she had been doing several odd-jobs around Ponyville in a bid to make money. She had mowed the lawn at the Ponyville Retirement Home, helped out fetching towels at the spa, and even went back to Sugar Cube Corner. While she couldn’t do much in terms of work, Pinkie Pie had found some chores for her to do. By week’s end, she had made exactly twenty bits. As she walked up to the book store, she felt her bits clinging about in her saddlebag. In front of her, Rainbow Dash was bouncing side to side, waiting for the store to open.
“Hey squirt,” Rainbow Dash greeted her. “You find a way to buy the new book?”
She smiled at her idol and replied.
“I sure did, Rainbow Dash. But it sure wasn’t easy.”
“Well, if you worked for the money, you’ll just love the book that much more.”
“True.”
As the clock tower chimed out that it was now 8 AM, Rainbow Dash snapped her gaze back to the store door. Grinning wide, she saw the store owner, Tattered Scroll, as he unlocked the door. As soon as the lock clicked open, she flew inside and dashed straight to the foal’s section. Grabbing three copies of the new Daring Do, she tossed one to Scootaloo as she caught up to her.
“Finally!” she yelled to the filly. “’Daring Do and the Jade Fan of the Empress’ is all mine! This is gonna be so AWESOME!”
Tattered Scroll shushed at her, giving her a look of contempt. Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes and motioned for Scootaloo to follow her up to the check-out counter.
“So Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo said. “Why are you getting two copies?”
“Oh. Twilight asked me to pick one up to add to her collection at the library. She has ALL of the Daring Do books. Anyway, since I was waiting here all week to get a copy, she gave me some money and asked me to drop it off when I get the chance.”
“Well, she’ll be waiting for a while. I bet you’re gonna go right back home and read your copy just as soon as you get out of here, aren’t you?”
Rainbow Dash laughed.
“You know, as much as I would LOVE to do just that, I promised Twilight I would get the book to her right away. She’s doing some crazy tests on Spike’s scales- something about a fireproof flight suit… Anyway, she said she would have breakfast with me before I test out her prototype. Wanna come with me?”
Scootaloo’s eyes went wide. Rainbow Dash, her idol, just invited her to share breakfast with her. Quick! What should she say? She didn’t want to impose, but she was REALLY hungry. Okay, as long as she didn’t seem desperate.
“I’d LOVE to, Rainbow Dash!”
“Great. Let’s get these paid for and we’ll go. You know, I’ve always wanted to get set on fire…”
As they stepped up to the counter, Tattered Scroll looked at them with a look that showed just how much he didn’t want to be there.
“Are you two together or separate?” he asked, noting they had the same book.
Scootaloo was about to speak but Rainbow Dash beat her to it.
“It’s all together,” she said matter-of-factly. “Hey, Scoots. Give me your bits.”
Without questioning, she handed over her money. Dropping it on the counter among her own, Tattered Scroll counted it all out and slid two bits back.
“You had two more than what was needed,” he said. He may not have enjoyed having the boisterous athlete in his shop, but he would never cheat someone.
“Oh, sweet,” Rainbow Dash said, handing the bits to Scootaloo. “Looks like you had more than you thought.”
As Scootaloo took the bits, she couldn’t help but remember Mama-Lucile’s teachings.
Walking through the woods, Lucile looked back to see Scootaloo, panting heavily as she tries to keep up. They had just left Manehattan and were headed for somewhere a little more secluded. While there was no set destination, they were heading west. As the griffon eyed the foal, she called back what she saw as words of support.
“Move it, shorty!” she yelled. “Do you WANT to get left behind?”
This motivated the little filly to double-time it. Despite her exhaustion, she refused to let her mommy leave her.
“I’m coming!” she called back. “Can you please slow down?”
“You know I can’t. The world will show you no such kindness. If I do, you’ll only be weaker. You must never ask for or take anyone’s charity; ever. I know it’s hard for you to understand now, but one day, you will thank me.”
Never take charity…
Never take charity…
Never take charity.
As Rainbow Dash strolled out the door, Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and followed. She couldn’t figure out what to do. On the one hoof, she knew for a fact that the money Rainbow Dash gave her wasn’t hers to keep. She hadn’t earned it and she couldn’t take charity. But at the same time, she couldn’t disrespect Rainbow Dash. For the moment, she just followed her to the library.