//------------------------------// // Clubhouse // Story: Scootalonely // by Rainbow Dashey //------------------------------// Wind gently flowed down the trail and brushed the trees. Leaves rustled and branches swayed in the soft currents. The exhausted group trudged along the well worn path. Their conversations had become seldom; the only sounds were the ambiance of the wind and a squeaky wheel on Rarity's cart. The sun had just begun to dip under the horizon as the group broke the forest's edge. They were greeted by the sights of a calm Ponyville. Most of the ponies had gone home and settled down for the day. "Ah, I can't wait to get some true beauty sleep." Rarity Sighed. The group let out a chuckle as they walked down the hill and into the town square. "So should we meet up tomorrow and try something new for our cutie marks?" Asked Sweetie Belle enthusiastically. "Sure thing! You gonna be here Scoots?" Apple Bloom smiled. "I'd love to but I am spending tomorrow with my new big sister." She replied and leaned against Rainbow Dash who smiled and put a hoof around her. The two of them had the whole thing planned out. It was all they talked about on the way back from the trip. It was agreed that tomorrow she was going to start flight training. "Well maybe the next day?" asked Apple Bloom. "Deal." Scootaloo replied. The group spent a few more moments in the square sharing their thoughts on the trip until a few yawns were let loose. "Well we best be gettin' on home. This has been a real hoot." Applejack said as she departed with Apple Bloom. "And we must be leaving too, come along Sweetie Belle." Rarity said "But I..." "Save it for later Sweetie Belle." Rarity cut her off. "Bye guys." Sweetie Belle said as she reluctantly trailed behind Rarity, leaving Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash to stand awkwardly in the silent town square. "So...I'll see you tomorrow right?" Scootaloo asked Rainbow Dash. "You bet kid" Rainbow Dash replied with a wink and readied to take off for home. "Wait." Scootaloo pleaded. "What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked with a concerned look. Scootaloo wanted to tell her what was wrong, but she couldn't find the courage to speak her mind. She ran up and hugged Rainbow Dash around the neck. "Nothing is wrong, I...I just wanted to say goodbye." Scootaloo said with a weak smile. "Well alright, but make sure you get plenty of rest, we have a big day tomorrow." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk. "I will, don't worry." She replied as she let go of her embrace. "See you around kid." Rainbow Dash said and took off to the sky which left Scootaloo alone in the town square. She was used to it now. Most nights she spent alone, all except the few she would spend at her friends' homes. "Well I'm not alone anymore." Scootaloo thought to herself as she began to trot down the road. At the edge of town she turned off of the road and continued down a dirt path. Scootaloo was lost in thoughts of her sister. She couldn't help but smile at the warm thoughts that drifted through her mind. She approached a small patch of trees and stopped in front of a large wooden ramp. "Home sweet home" she sighed as she slowly climbed up the planks and into the tree house. As Scootaloo walked she thought about how often she was asked where she was headed for the night to which she would never reply truthfully. She didn't want to let anybody know that she was living on her own. All her lies were the same... "My parents are out of town" or "my house is being remodeled". She knew she couldn't keep up the charades forever, but she had to be independent; it was her nature. She fought away a tear, but it was in vain. When Scootaloo entered she was greeted by a room void of comfort. She shut the door and set her saddlebag down in the corner. She had taken up residence in Applejack's old tree house ever since it had been given it to the Cutie Mark Crusaders for a head quarters. She didn't mind it so much in the tree house. It was warm enough and protected her from the elements. She walked over to the table and lit a candle. The room was dimly lit; long shadows draped across the walls. "I should probably rest for tomorrow." Scootaloo said to herself. She grabbed the sleeping bag from her saddlebag in the corner and laid it on the rug in the center of the room. She clambered inside and tried to rest her weary body, but thoughts kept racing through her mind. She brushed them away but they would return. Thoughts of why nobody had taught her to fly, who her parents were, and why they left her. Grabbing her sleeping bag, Scootaloo covered her face in it and began to sob. She sobbed for what seemed like hours until she pushed her anxiety aside. She didn't have a choice, she needed to rest for her day with Rainbow Dash tomorrow. The thought of her sister echoed in her mind. It brought a warmth to her sorrow that relaxed her mind. She couldn't wait to fly and be with the mare who would be a sister to her. It was a part of her life she now got to experience for the first time. Scootaloo leaned over and blew out the candle; the flame was whisked away and the room was dark. . She settle back in her bag and tried to think of the things that were to come. She had always wanted to fly with Rainbow Dash and sit on the clouds up high. She wanted to make her sister proud. And now all of those things were so close she could practically see it. Thinking of such things brought a smile to Scootaloo's face. "A sister...I have a sister..." She thought as her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted into dreams of flight once more.