A while later they landed at the Cutie Mark Crusaders tree-house. Scootaloo slid off Rainbow Dash’s back and looked around. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle weren't there.
“Rainbow Dash, where are Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?” She asked, still slightly teary.
“They’re coming later.” She replied. “Scootaloo, you know you can talk to me about anything. I found you in the forest years ago. I don’t know exactly what happened that night but you know that I'm always here for you.” Scootaloo looked up at the cyan Pegasus. Her usual over-confident, smug smile was replaced by a look of deep concern and loving care for her orange filly friend.
“Its nothing-” Scootaloo began.
“No, its not nothing. Scoots, if what happened makes you want to go out into the Everfree forest every year and cry then its something.” Scootaloo pondered this for a moment. She hated the thought of ponies saying that she cried and admitting to the claim was only going to be that bit harder. She swallowed anxiously and looked into the rose-red eyes of whom may as well be her older sister.
“Rainbow... Promise you won't think i'm a wimp...?” She asked cautiously. She expected Rainbow Dash to just laugh off the comment and tell her to get to the point. But Rainbow pulled her number-one fan into a tight embrace.
“Scootaloo. I will never think you're a wimp. You are one of the bravest ponies i know and i could never think any different of you.” She replied. Her voice soft and caring. Far opposed to her usual roguish-tomboy tone she had taken up. Scootaloo, however, pushed her away. She wanted to tell the blue Pegasus everything. She wanted to tell her. But she couldn't. Her voice trembled as she attempted to speak.
“R-R-Rainbow... I... you... I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!” She yelled, unable to control her emotions at this point. Tears were pouring from her grey-purple eyes as her willpower overtook her and she galloped off. Where she was going Rainbow Dash had no idea. But she couldn't help but pity the poor pony at this point. How could such a strong and playful filly turn into such a rambunctious, aggressive pony.
Rainbow Dash swept off into the air. Preparing to search for the orange filly when she heard a shout from a pair of innocent fillies rise from the ground below her.
“Rainbow what’s wrong with Scootaloo!?” She looked down and saw Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looking up at her. Distraught and concerned as they were their looks of absolute shock were indescribable. Ah, buck. Why are they here? Rainbow thought to herself before realising they were here because she told them to meet her and Scootaloo here. Was it possible that Scootaloo realized that they were watching and did not want to embarrass herself in front of her friends. But.. she had been almost about to tell her. Did Scootaloo not consider Rainbow Dash her friend? No. She considered her more than a friend. But more so than Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom? There was no time to ponder this. The fillies on the ground were becoming agitated and she decided that they at least need to know something. But... not about Scootaloo's parents. Not yet. Scootaloo Could tell them that when she was ready. For now, Rainbow would have to tell them to go home. It was, after all, getting late and their families would be worrying about them. They complied without second thought. Rainbow Dash was always convincing with fillies.
“Ain't ya’ll gonna go home too, Rainbow?” Apple Bloom asked innocently before she left with Sweetie Belle.
“Um... Not quite yet Sweetie. I have something i need to do.” And without waiting for any further reply she sped off. She knew the fillies would go home. They may be brave for their age. But they were never fond of the dark, something she found out on Nightmare Night. All except Scootaloo. This only seemed to worry her more. What was Scootaloo doing now? What was she planning to do? Would she...
“I... No!” Rainbow muttered to herself. She would not think like that. She would find Scootaloo and do whatever was best for her. At this point Rainbow realised something. She didn't only want to help Scootaloo. She wanted to keep her safe. She... Loved her. Like a sister. The more she thought about this the more it made sense to her.
“Right... thinking time over!” She exclaimed to nopony in particular. “I got me an orange Pegasus to find!” With that she dashed off.
-----
“Rainbow Dash... I...” Scootaloo muttered as she lay in the corner of the Cutie Mark Crusaders tree-house. Her flow of tears had dried up. But her eyes were still red and swollen. She... she... shouted at her idol. Not only that. She also shunned away the only pony that she had ever considered talking to about her parents. The only pony who wanted to listen to her.
“ I'm s-so s-sorry...” She cried out. She never meant to shout. She wanted to talk but. When she saw movement in the bushes behind Rainbow Dash she knew that her friends were there too and her bull-headedness took over. Rainbow Dash meant the world to her. She loved her as a sister. Not as a friend. But as a family member. She only wanted to help and she lashed out at her, Now she would never talk to her again.
At this point her sorrow took over again and she began to mutter and cry to herself and she lay, deep in thought, in the cold corner of the breezy tree-house. The floorboards slowly becoming stained from the damp drops that kept hitting against them. Tears.
“P-please forgive m-me...” Her voice squeaked and her body was shaking. She was in a state of utmost distress. But she neither cared nor gave it any thought. All she wanted was Rainbow Dash to be at her side. Hugging her like a sister would. Like a mother or father would. Like...
“Squirt...” Her eyelids clenched at the voice. Surely it wasn't... “Scootaloo. I know you're brave and i know you're an awesome little filly. But you need to talk.” The soothing voice that only a truly caring sibling could possess. Before she could think she leapt from her corner and embraced the Pegasus standing in the room.
“Scoots, come on.” Rainbow Dash said as she stroked the mane of the sobbing pony. We’re going to the forest. Whaddaya say?” Scootaloo could only whimper in reply and Rainbow took that as an ‘Ok’. She strode out of the tree-house and started walking towards the forest. To where she knew Scootaloo had lost those she loved so much.