Paint dripped messily from the brushes onto the ground. A colorful disarray of shapes smothered the canvases. Confusing strokes were splayed clumsily over the images as the two fillies tried their best to keep their art orderly.
"I thought this approach would have gone over better," said Sweetie Belle as she looked at the paintings with dismay.
"I told you this would happen," Apple Bloom retorted.
The two paint covered fillies backed away with their tools to observe their work. As they examined their handiwork, they merely shook their heads in silence. The two canvases were nearly unrecognizable--what the scenes were, not even the fillies knew.
As the two stood there, Scootaloo ran excitedly up to them. "Hi...guys!" she said panting for air.
"Hey Scoots, what do ya' think?" Apple Bloom asked, pointing at the easel.
"Um..." Scootaloo took a moment to gather what she was looking at. "It's...nice?" she concluded, unsure.
"Oh well," Apple Bloom sighed as she began to wash out her brushes.
"But enough about our day, how was your day with Rainbow Dash?! Was it as exciting as you had hoped?" Sweetie Belle asked with excitement.
"It was totally awesome!" Scootaloo beamed. "We did all sorts of training, Rainbow Dash gave me all sorts of advice, and I even tried to fly!" she finished with a deep breath.
"And did ya' fly?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Well... uh, no," Scootaloo said, her smile fading. She was truly disappointed, but she knew that it couldn't be done on the first try, she'd have to keep up the practice, even if that meant a few more falls.
"Don't get upset, I'm sure you'll be flying in no time!" Sweetie Belle reassured.
"Thanks," Scootaloo said solemnly. "Anyways, I could go on for hours, so how was your day? Did you get your marks?"
The two fillies had forgotten to check, they looked over but their hopes faded.
"Nothing," The two replied in unison.
"Well, we always have tomorrow," Scootaloo replied.
"Oh yeah!" Sweetie Belle rebounded. "We have the whole thing planned out."
"Yep, we're gonna help Big Mac make barrels for this upcoming cider season," Apple Bloom added.
"That sounds like a good idea," Scootaloo agreed. "Let's try and think of a few more ideas in the clubhouse."
"Right behind you," Sweetie Belle responded as the group made their way into the tree house.
The three fillies thought of ideas for their next adventures in talent discovery. They discussed topics such like fishing, archery, and woodworking. The ambitious three talked about their thoughts until the sun had set.
"Apple Bloom!" a voice called out from below. The three fillies rushed to the window and looked out to see Applejack standing outside the clubhouse.
"Ya' need to come on out here, it's getting late," she beckoned.
Apple Bloom knew she had no choice but to follow her sister back to the house. She couldn't risk getting in trouble with the crusading that was planned for the next day.
"Comin' Sis!" Apple Bloom replied as she trotted quickly out the door.
Sweetie Belle realized her sister would probably have a panic attack if she didn't get home soon as well.
"I better go too, Scoots," she started to say as she walked out the door. "But don't forget about tomorrow!" she finished up as she made her way down the ramp and back towards home.
Now Scootaloo was left alone to close up shop. She made her way to close the door, but as she peered out, she noted that Applejack was standing chatting with Rainbow Dash. She thought that that was odd at this time of night. Scootaloo partially closed the door and looked out of the slit still left opened. She watched Applejack give Rainbow Dash a smile, and wave her towards the ramp as she turned back for the farm house.
Shutting the door, Scootaloo jumped over to the desk on the wall and pulled out a quill and paper. A light knock sounded from the door.
"You in there Scoots?" called Rainbow Dash.
"Uh, yeah, come in," she replied as she frantically picked up the quill and started writing. Rainbow Dash slowly opened the door and walked into the small room. She saw the small filly writing something out on the paper.
"What are you up to kid?" Rainbow Dash asked. Scootaloo finished up a few more strokes and set the pen down.
"I stayed behind to write down our plans for our cutie mark crusading," she replied. She was lying through her teeth, but she tried her best to make it sound convincing. Rainbow Dash could see past the deception, but she went along with it for the moment.
"You have anything that might get you any closer to your mark?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah, we have some great plans here for tomorrow," Scootaloo replied. She couldn't quite shake the feeling though something was off. "What are you doing here anyways?" she questioned.
Rainbow Dash thought about how to tell the young filly the meaning of her visit. "I'm gonna be honest," she finally stated. "I wasn't ever good at these kind of talks, Scoots. I never really had them, so I'll put it bluntly."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you have been living in the clubhouse, Scoots," Rainbow Dash said calmly.
"I don't think I know what you are getting at," Scootaloo replied trying, to hide the fact.
"We found your camping stuff here, and that added the last piece to the puzzle Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash commented. Scootaloo was horrified--she couldn't articulate any words.
Rainbow Dash waited a long moment, then spoke. "Scootaloo, I..." she paused, "...I'm here to take you home."
Scootaloo thought she had misunderstood. Did she just say that? she thought to herself. Her mind went numb and a lump formed in her throat. She wanted to tell Dash how she felt, but she couldn't speak.
Rainbow Dash watched the filly start to sob, tears rolling down her cheeks. Scootaloo ran to Dash and latched onto her foreleg. "Hey there now, don't get me all touchy-feely," Dash said softly.
"S-sorry," Scootaloo nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Come on let's get you out of here," Rainbow Dash said as they exited the door. Without saying another word, she scooped up the filly and took to the sky. The air was cool as Scootaloo watched the town shrink below the clouds. The world seemed so much bigger from up here; so full of hope and adventure.
The two ponies landed lightly on a cloud. "Welcome home," Rainbow Dash said as she opened the door to her house. Scootaloo's eyes lit up as she saw the door drift aside to reveal a living room with a grandeur that was warm and inviting.
"This is awesome," Scootaloo said, awestruck.
"Yep," Rainbow Dash replied, "just wait until you see the rest of it." Scootaloo followed Dash around the house as they toured the rooms, each more exciting than the last. "Well, I think it's best we get some shuteye; it's getting late."
Rainbow Dash led Scootaloo to a large bedroom. "Sorry, but you're gonna have to bunk with me tonight, I don't have a spare bedroom on account I didn't plan the house for two," Rainbow Dash said with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll get a spare room set up tomorrow."
"It's no problem," Scootaloo replied; she didn't really mind.
The two ponies readied themselves for the night. Rainbow Dash sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed her earplugs.
"Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yes?"
"Thanks..."
Rainbow Dash smiled and flicked off the lights. "You bet...Sis."