//------------------------------// // Search // Story: Scootalonely // by Rainbow Dashey //------------------------------// A crow from an early morning rooster shot out in the day's start. Not a soul in the farmhouse had slept that night. Each had their minds running worried thoughts through them as to Dash's whereabouts. Applejack came in the door; she had left to search all night after she knew that Dash was truly missing. "Did you find her?" A worried Scootaloo met her at the threshold. "Ah, no..." Applejack replied. She didn't want to say those words, but they were all she had. Scootaloo's heart sank as her face became sullen once more. "I knew that would have been too good to be true." Scootaloo said with a sigh. "Now don't you fret none yet, we can still search for her. I'll head off and get the others; you stay here with Apple Bloom." "But I wan-" "You need to stay here." Scootaloo just nodded her head in compliance and turned to go upstairs. Applejack went into another room and tossed a few things together. She was only dropping by to check up before she turned around and sought out the others. As Scootaloo walked upstairs she remembered something. It was a thought, a long shot, but she knew there was a chance she could help. "Apple Bloom!" She called out; quickly her friend bound down the steps. "We need to catch up with Applejack." * * * * * Twilight heard a knock at the door. She walked opened it up to be greeted by Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "What is it girls?" Twilight asked, slightly surprised to be confronted at this time of the morning. Applejack quickly told her what was happening and asked for her assistance in a search. Twilight quickly agreed and they each set out to search for the missing pegasus. * * * * * The two young fillies sprinted into town, they weren't sure where Applejack had gone, but they needed to get her attention. Apple Bloom saw a pink-bouncing-pony down the nearest alleyway. "Pinkie Pie!" She shouted out; Pinkie Pie turned and greeted them with a hello. It seemed a bit colder than her usually self. "Have you seen Applejack?" Scootaloo asked eagerly. "Well I did see her just a moment ago! But I am not quite sure where she went, she's looking for-" "Rainbow Dash?" "Yep, so am I. Anyways, I need to get back to looking!" Pinkie Pie bounced off down the street screaming, "Rainbow Daaasssh! Where are you!?" And then she was gone. "Apple Bloom, you find Applejack and bring her to me. I'll go and search." Scootaloo commanded. The two departed and set about the tasks before them. Scootaloo sprinted out of town. Ponyville slowly shrunk until it was but a speck in the distance. She knew where she could find Rainbow Dash, she had had to. As she continued down the road her body began to stretch itself. Her lungs gasped for air, her legs burned, but she pushed onward for her sister. Quickly, her eyes began to blur, tears now streamed down her face as her mind raced to find a reason for all of this. She wanted for it all to be a dream, a bad dream that felt real. It was. Scootaloo found the field, she knew that nobody would look out here because the field isn't used for anything. She ran into the field and was greeted by the unkempt grass and wild flowers that took home to it. It was here that Dash had started the warm memories that now drifted through her mind. Scootaloo took hold of them and brought her focus to the good as she pursued the tragic reality. As she scanned the area, the field seemed empty. Alone. She made her way to the edges of the field, the trees began to thicken up and block her sight. A shout behind her rang out, off in the distance, calling her name. Scootaloo wanted to turn, but her determination kept her searching in the thickets. While searching through the foliage, something caught her eye. It didn't seem possible, but there it was before her, a light blue feather, sitting by itself on the ground below. Scootaloo quickly ran to it and picked it up, frantically looking for the owner. "Scootaloo!" The pony had finally caught up to her, it was Applejack. "Why in the wide world of Equestria would you!..." Applejack's words halted. Scootaloo looked at the orange mare in front of her, trying to see what was the matter. She followed her gaze and what grabbed her attention sent fear through her body. There, ensnared in the branches, was a beaten and bloodied Rainbow Dash. Her once sleek mane, was now tarnished and stained. The pegasus before them didn't move. Scootaloo slammed her eyes shut, her body was shaking and she had no control over it. The sight before her was too much for her to bear. She began to feel dizzy and her mind shut out the world. Scootaloo blacked out. * * * * * When Scootaloo regained awareness of her surroundings, she found herself seated in a hallway next to Fluttershy. Upon further examination it seemed to be a medical facility as nurses and practitioners could be seen walking in the corridors. "Why hello there." Fluttershy greeted her. "W-where are we?" "Outside Dash's ward of course." Hearing that name perked Scootaloo's ears up. "I-is she okay?" No reply. Scootaloo peered into the room and saw Dash unconscious; she was covered in bruises and lacerations. Scootaloo quickly looked away. She didn't want to see the extent of the injuries, she didn't want to lose hope that she could be okay. A nurse approached the door. "Excuse me." Scootaloo interrupted. "How can I help you?" The nurse replied with a friendly smile. "How is she? Is she gonna be okay?" Scootaloo asked, trying not to breakdown. The nurse's smile quickly faded. "I'm not sure." The nurse didn't know how to say the news to the little filly before her. The trauma wasn't in Dash's favor. "But I'm sure she'll make it through!" She quickly returned, as to not upset the one before her. The nurse turned around and shut the door and Scootaloo returned to her seat. "There there..." Fluttershy tried to comfort her, but Scootaloo just hung her head and stared at the floor. Hours had past, but Scootaloo didn't even notice. Her mind had drifted in and out of reality; the moments she lost touch with it were the only keeping her intact. Then something broke that long silence... "Scootaloo, could you come here?"