//------------------------------// // 25 Anxious Scootaloo // Story: What's Really the Most Important? // by KrishnaKarnak //------------------------------// “Sometimes,” Rainbow Dash was saying, throwing her hair back and staring into the sky, “I feel as though I'm not being a good mother. Y'know, with this whole Elements of Harmony thingie. I know it's 'for the greater good' or some other nonsense motivational speech fuel like that, but, gah! It kills me to leave her!” Dash closed her eyes against the glare of the bright afternoon sun, feeling a comforting arm on her shoulder. “The way you and Scootaloo act together, one would think you've been a family her entire life, though! It's all very natural, I mean, you act like you've been her mother for years. Just because you're Rainbow Dash doesn't mean you can't shoulder this responsibility as if it was what your cutie mark was telling you!” Soarin reassured her, squeezing the blue pegasus against him. “You can't say you're a bad mom because you've been called into action! How long have you two been together, anyway?” “Three months to the day that I adopted her, but we've been pals since long before that...” she answered, turning her face toward him and fluttering open her eyes. “I love her as though it's been seven long years. I DO try to act like her big sister most of the time, though.” Dash gave a sigh, running a hoof through her hair. “I mean,that's what she wanted. I really don't think it was ever in her dreams to have a mom anymore. She won't call me 'Mom' to my face... Man, look at me! Blubbering on about my problems like some punched donkey!” “What do you mean?” Soarin asked, confusion evident on his face. “It makes my day whenever I get to give you advice, Dashie!” “That's only because it's the only time you don't come second-best to me!” Dash grinned at him, but the confidence faded. “It's seems silly! I mean, we're sitting here, talking about me and my problems, right? I think we should be talking about your situation.” He frowned at her, running a hoof ruefully through his dark hair. “I don't really want to discuss that, though. No offense, Dash.” “Soar...” Dash frowned at him, “you're hurting, man!” Soarin's ears twitched at the pet name Dash had given him. “You NEED, I repeat, NEED to talk about Wave Chill.” “What I need to do is be the one to kill him, Rainbow Dash.” Soarin snarled abruptly, getting to his feet and leaving her still sitting on the park bench. They had spent the last half an hour talking to each other privately in a secluded section of a park in Cloudsdale after the ceremony with the Wonderbolts. Although the sun was still shining brightly and the birds were singing to one another, Dash suddenly felt like it was the dead of night. She sat frozen, gazing up at the cauliflower-blue stallion, worried that she had upset him. What made his outburst all the more terrifying was the fact that she wasn't sure if his bloodlust was an effusion of grief or not. As Dash prayed silently that it was simply his emotions being roused, she noted that he made no attempt to leave, despite having jumped up. “Soarin! Please, sit down!” Rainbow Dash asked, trying to prevent herself breaking into hysterics. “You're talkin' nonsense, bro! The Elements of Harmony will fix whatever's wrong with Wave Chill!” Dash explained, feeling as though she was pretending to herself as much as the Wonderbolt. “Assuming they don't kill him, of course!” Soarin yelled, his voice escalating as he threw his arms up for reasons that Dash thought were beyond him. “They won't!” Rainbow yelled, just as loudly. “I mean... they can't! Besides,” Dash tried to joke, but feeling zero humour in the situation, “Spitfire's got the claim to his life anyways! You don't scorn the Captain!” Soarin kept his arms up for a moment, head bowed and shaking. After several seconds, he brought them down and fell back to all fours, flexing his wings convulsively. “I don't know, Dashie. Thirty years. He was my best friend for thirty long years. And now we find out that he's been working with whatever the hell has taken over Saddle Arabia. Seeing Luna's vision... felt like I was having my throat cut open.” Slowly, Soarin sat back down on the bench and Rainbow threw her arms around his chest, nuzzling her face against his chin. Dash hated seeing the pain bubbling out of him like the tears she had spotted in his emerald eyes. They were twins; they had been a constant in one another's life since the beginning. How could she possibly find the words to dull his pain? “We did everything together. Everything.” Soarin groaned. “Thirty years. My brother for thirty years!” “We'll fix this, Soar.” she said confidently. “We've never failed before. And if we can't, then Luna will know a way! She's been around for thousands of years, she's gotta be full of ideas.” “I hope so, Dashie...” Soarin said in a hoarse and broken voice, apparently trying to steady himself. “Thanks.” Rainbow nodded, even though she was aware that all she had given him were fancied hopes that she wasn't entirely sure could come true. What an awful feeling, sitting here sickened by her own empty words. “You should probably head on home and see that little girl of yours!” Soarin said, lifting his chin off her face and gazing down at her. “I'll see you at the Summer Sun Celebration before we depart for Gymkhana.” Dash swore softly, before continuing in a falsely-cheerful voice, “Like going on a holiday! I bet I can get a tan! If Rarity can pull off a tan through her fur, so can I!” He gave a soft chuckle. “That would ruin your perfection!” “Add to it, ya mean!” Dash smiled up, turning to look him in the eyes. She brushed her lips softly against his for a moment. “Take care, Soar! We'll find a way.” “I guess I won't feel so bad with you by my side, Dashie! Have a good sleep tonight. I'd take you home, but...” Soarin began. “... but you'd never be able to keep up with me!” Dash finished for him, stroking his mane for a brief moment before getting up and stretching her wings. “I guess not! I mean, you're faster than Spitfire!” Soarin smiled, getting up himself. “Yup! Faster than any Wonderbolt alive!” Dash said, puffing out her chest. “Yeah! It's a pity that Spitfire actually isn't the fastest one, then!” “Wait, what?!” Dash gasped, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Bye, Dashie!” Soarin laughed, rising into the air and giving her a wave. Dash rolled her eyes. Surely, that was all talk! Spitfire's the Wonderbolt Captain, and that meant she was the fastest, Dash thought. Or did it? Dash watched his figure fly away in the direction of the upper-class district of Cloudsdale's residential area. She hoped she would get a chance to see his marble mansion once all of this was over. Turning, she cantered forward and dived off the edge of the piece of floating earth, wings extended. Rainbow Dash dived down below the clouds and scanned her cerise eyes across the landscape. Every time she saw the clouds painting a shadow over the ground, she felt a tinge of fear in her belly. All she could do is keep faith in her own abilities, the strength of her friendship with her closest and best friends, and her allies in the Princess and the Wonderbolts. It was going to be their best weapon against The Shadow. She sped off towards Sweet Apple Acres. “So, no deaths?” Rainbow Dash had asked Applejack once she had arrived at the farm not long thereafter. Dash was sitting down next to Applejack with her back against the farmhouse. Applejack had already finished taking the Cutie Mark Crusaders into the Everfree Forest and had returned back to work apple bucking when Rainbow Dash had touched down next to her. “Y'all sound disappointed!” the orange earth pony laughed, watching the figure of Big Macintosh hauling a cartload of apples down the road in the direction of Ponyville. “As if, AJ!” Dash grinned, giving Applejack a tap in the shoulder with one of her front hooves. “I just wouldn't be surprised if something went wrong. I mean, I'm still waiting for something to go right lately.” “Yer still too worried, Dash.” Applejack explained, slipping her hat off of her golden hair. “I know, what a concept!” Dash said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “Dunno how you keep your cool, myself.” she sighed, shaking her head. “Where are the fillies now?” “They went t' Sugarcube Corner around a half an hour ago,” Applejack explained, “so I expect you can catch up with 'em if y'all wanna leave now. But before you go, please do me a favour, hun.” Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow. “What is it, then?” “Keep your spirits up. For Scoots, at least!” the earth mare sighed, slipping her hat back on. “I'll try, AJ... stop by in the morning if you want, we'll head for Canterlot together.” Dash said, getting to her hooves and flexing her wings. Applejack nodded and Dash took flight once more, speeding over the apple trees in the direction of the Ponyville town square. As she sped towards the little building, the pegasus noticed the little red scooter tied outside the bakery and her heart jumped. Landing softly, Rainbow began to trot to door of the establishment in time to see the fillies exit. “No way, Sweetie! My mom couldn't even eat that!” Scootaloo giggled, rolling her dull-purple eyes. “Pinkie called it her Super Triple Trouble Truffle Sundae fer a reason!” Apple Bloom laughed. “Nopony could eat that in one go!” Sweetie Belle sighed. “You two have no aspirations!” “What's that? Medicine?” Scootaloo asked curiously. “It means,” Rainbow Dash spoke up in time to prevent the fillies from walking straight into her, dropping down to her knees and holding her arms out, “having a high goal set! I could totally eat something like that, though, Scoots! I mean, c'mon! Duh!” “Sis!” Scootaloo cheered, her wings buzzing excitedly again as she ran to jump into Dash's arms. “You shoulda came to the Forest, it was so cool! We saw a spider that could eat Spike!” “Of course! 'Cool!'” Sweetie Belle said uncertainly, shaking her head in exasperation. “'Cool' and in no way 'absolutely horrifying!'” Dash cocked an eyebrow at Sweetie Belle, but made no comment. “You ready to go home, Scoots? Early bedtime tonight!” Dash said, squeezing the filly tight. “How come?” Apple Bloom asked curiously. “Applejack told me the same thing!” “We've gotta get to Canterlot early for the Summer Sun Celebration! Celestia is raising the sun early to give us all time to leave, at noon tomorrow instead of dawn the next day. We've still gotta get there super early to get a good spot to watch, though!” Rainbow Dash explained, looking to the two girls. “It's gonna be dark out until noon? Wow...” Scootaloo said, pulling away to look into Dash's face as the blue pegasus nodded. Scoot twisted to face her friends. “Come over early! We'll go together!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle agreed, Sweetie a little reluctantly. “Oh boy, Rarity is just so... so pleasant when she's gotta get up early!” Sweetie giggled sarcastically. “Just like a short-tempered, cranky little foal!” she turned in the direction of the Carousel Boutique. “See you girls tomorrow!” “That's textbook Rarity, alright!” Rainbow grinned. “You want a lift home, Apple Bloom?” Apple Bloom considered her for a moment, her orange eyes trailing over Rainbow's wings. “Uh. Nope. Nope, nope, nope! Y'all can't fall off the ground! So that's where I'm stayin'!” “Scaredy pony!” Scootaloo grinned. Apple Bloom chuckled. “Yer one t' talk, Scoot-a-cock-a-doodle-doo-loo! See you in the morning!” Scootaloo frowned as Apple Bloom departed. “I ain't no stinkin' chicken!” “She's just being silly, Scoots!” Rainbow Dash said, ruffling the filly's hair and mane. “C'mon, let's fly!” “Okay!” Scootaloo cheered, scrambling up on to Dash's back before the older pegasus could even get to her hooves again. At least Dash could always count on this going right: when she straightened up and flexed her wings, she would hear Scootaloo's excitement building through the buzz of the filly's wings. And of course, she was not disappointed as her heart soared at the soft noise. Dash's feeling of contentedness continued to grow from there. Rainbow listened contentedly as Scootaloo recounted her adventure in the Everfree Forest, glad that the filly's persistent nightmares did not make her afraid in the daylight. Scootaloo remained happy throughout dinner and took a bath without question. Dash was able to brush out her mane afterwards with Scoot's usual playful resistance. Rainbow Dash thought she should have realized things would go downhill after such a great evening. She was stretched out on her couch, re-reading one of her favourite Daring Do books, Daring Do and the Volcanic Ruins of Boomadoom, as Scootaloo bounded into the living room. The filly was already dressed in her purple pajamas as she jumped on to the couch next to her sister. “Oooh, which one is that?” Scootaloo asked excitedly, trying to pull the novel away. “Boomadoom!” Dash explained, casually lifting it out of Scootaloo's reach. “And you'll read it when we're done with the new one I got ya! Brush your teeth already?” Dash slipped a bookmark between the pages and closed it as Scootaloo nodded. She threw the book on top of the coffee table. Pulling the filly into her arms, Dash leaned her head over the arm of the couch to peer at the clock she could see in the kitchen. Deciding that they had time for a chapter or two, Dash scanned the table and floor for the copy of Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone that she had bought Scootaloo, as her own was already a little worn. “Speaking of your new book, wanna read some more, squirt?” Dash asked, nuzzling the filly's face with her own. “Just gotta find it...” “Uh-uh...” Scootaloo said softly as Dash made to get up, her ears drooping as shook her head. This took Dash by surprise, as Scootaloo had just seemed interested in the subject. “No? Uh, no big deal, then! What else do you wanna do?” “Nothin'...” Scootaloo said, taking a shuddering breath as a tear ran down her cheek. “Scoots!” Dash said, horror stabbing her heart. “What's wrong, baby?” “I...” Scootaloo tried to speak but her voice caught in her throat. She simply looked tearfully into Dash's eyes, which were beginning to widen with fear. “Talk to me, Scootaloo! Tell Dashie what's wrong, please!” “I don't want... to...” Scootaloo mumbled, turning away from Rainbow Dash and starting to cry softly. Rainbow could feel her own distress beginning to build. Her stomach was churning like a cement mixer already. The abrupt change in Scootaloo's behaviour was starting to make her feel sick. “Why don't you? Scoots, please, you're scaring me!” Dash said, her voice shaking. “I DON'T W-WANT TO!” Scootaloo yelled, biting down hard on her lip and waving her arms as she continued to sob hysterically. “DON'T MAKE ME!” “Okay!” Dash said in a panic. “I'm not doing anything! Here, I'll let you calm down, everything's gonna be fine!” Rainbow Dash tried to get up from the couch to give Scootaloo room to calm down. This, however, was a mistake. As Dash tried to move, Scootaloo wrapped herself around Dash's arm. “No! Don't leave me, I'm s-sorry! Don't go! Rainbow D-dash, don't go!” Scootaloo bawled, clinging on to the blue pegasus for dear life as her wings started to extend and contract without control. Rainbow Dash did not know what to do. She wrapped her arms and her own wings tightly around the sobbing filly, stroking her mane softly and kissing her forehead, doing her best to physically comfort her. All Scootaloo would do is repeat 'I'm sorry' to her, her voice growing raspy as she tried to breath. “Calm down, Scoots! Please, calm d-down for me.” Dash tried to say in a level voice, feeling her own eyes growing wet. If she was going to start crying herself, she would make no attempt to stop it. “Nothing is your fault. Sssh... hush now, quiet now, little one! Tell me what's wrong, Scootaloo. If you want to, please, tell me...” “I don't want...” Scootaloo started, crying softly now as her ears twitched. “You don't have t-” Dash was going to say, but she realized Scootaloo was still speaking. “... you to go away!” Scoot finished, still holding tightly onto Dash's forearm. “Dashie's not going anywhere, kiddo!” Rainbow explained softly, trying to keep herself calm as she continued to stroke Scootaloo's mane. “You're gonna leave tomorrow!” The child protested, and Rainbow understood exactly what was wrong. “Scoots, I understand that you're afraid-” Dash tried to explain, but Scootaloo cut across her. “You don't understand!” Scootaloo wailed, shaking her head into Dash's chest. “You don't! You're gonna leave me and you might not come back! It's just like b-before! I don't wanna lose anypony again!” Rainbow Dash could feel the orange filly shaking violently in her arms. She felt dizzy as she struggled to find the right words to reassure the little girl. Dash had hoped that Scootaloo had accepted what was happening, but she also felt foolish not to realize it would be at its worse just before she departed. She tried to rock Scootaloo in her arms, which themselves were beginning to shake. “Mommy's gonna come home to you, Scootaloo!” Dash said, throwing all caution with the term to the wind. “Mommy's not gonna leave you forever. But I've gotta go. Dashie's gotta go...” “You don't!” Scootaloo protested, trying to break free so she could pound her arms against Dash's chest. “You won't come home! You're gonna die and I'm gonna be alone again! Don't go, please stay home! Last time someone said 'Mommy's coming back', they didn't! You won't come home! I can't l-lose you! Rainbow Dash, I love you, don't g-gooo!” The filly broke down completely again. She stopped trying to attack Dash and just fell into her chest, bawling loudly and shaking viciously, shivering as though she stood in the frozen arctic outside of the Crystal Empire. Dash clutched her tightly, her own body shaking with fear. “I've gotta go, Scootaloo! If I don't, the Elements of Harmony won't work! Everyone will get hurt without me. I'm so sorry, Scoots, but I've gotta go!” Rainbow spoke clearly, rocking the filly back and forth softly as Scootaloo said 'No, no!' over and over, sobbing uncontrollably. “With me there, everypony will be strong enough to beat the bad guy and we'll all come home safe!” “YOU WON'T! IT'S NOT GONNA WORK! I'M GONNA LOSE YOU! NO, NO! DON'T GO!” Scootaloo was screaming now, struggling against Dash's hold, her voice losing strength. “Princess Luna will keep me safe! Your favourite Princess will be with me! The Wonderbolts will be with me and all of my friends, and we're gonna all come home safely! I promise, Scootaloo! I promise you!” Rainbow said in a loud and clear voice. “I wouldn't go unless they really needed me!” She continued to hold Scootaloo close to her, her own breathing erratic. “But I need you...” Scootaloo whispered, her orange body going limp as the fight left her. “I need my sister...” “I need you too, Scootaloo.” Dash said, loosening her grip so she could stroke Scootaloo's mane again. “You're the best thing to ever come into my life, so I'm gonna keep you in my mind and in my heart when I'm away. You're gonna be Dashie's strength!” “I don't want you... to go...” Scoot whimpered, pulling away to look into Dash's face. Dash looked down to see her streaming eyes and nose, both very red. “I don't want to go either! I wanna stay home with you.” Dash said, wiping Scootaloo's nose with her arm. “You're so cool to be with, Scoots! I mean it. That's why I'm making sure that I'm coming home to see you again!” “I'm scared...” Scoot mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “I don't like you going... because it scares me.” “I know, Scoots!” Dash cooed, placing a hoof under Scootaloo's chin to keep the filly looking into her face. “I'm scared too. But I'm also very sure of my own strength and the strength of all of my friends. I know that you're gonna be taken care of while I'm away. You're gonna be with Princess Celestia and her subjects in Canterlot, along with your friends. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom will be there with you, and you'll all be waiting to surprise your sisters when they come home, won't you? You girls should make us a big gift!” “No! I don't want you to go!” Scootaloo tried to move Dash's hoof so she could look away. “Mommy's coming home this time, Scootaloo. I'm never gonna leave you forever. I'll come home and we'll go see Tank again, alright? And we'll come home again and finish your book, and fall asleep together again...” Dash promised her, kissing Scootaloo's forehead. “No.” Scoot said softly, giving a sniffle as her left ear flicked. “Sssh... Everything is gonna be alright. I'm gonna be brave, just like my brave little filly, and I'm not going to be afraid anymore!” Rainbow Dash told her. “You're brave, right?” “No...” Scootaloo repeated, shaking her head. “You're brave! I know you're brave because Dashie needs you to be brave, and I know I can always count on my Scoots...” “No!” Scoot said fiercely again, closing her eyes as her tail spasmed. Rainbow pulled her into another hug, lying down on the couch and stroking her mane. “You're a great kid, Scootaloo. I won't let you go. I'll come home because you losing me is the same as me losing you too. I'm not strong enough to lose you. That's why I was so scared when you and the other Crusaders had that fire. That's why I'm scared of you three going into the Everfree Forest. You mean the world to me, Scootaloo. I'll come back to you because I love you so much and I need you...” “Please... come home.” Scootaloo begged her, giving a shudder as she took a deep breath. “I will... I promise, Scoots.” Dash said, feeling her own breathing calming down. Rainbow Dash gave a soft sigh as she cuddled the little pegasus. She really wasn't entirely sure how to handle that and prayed she wouldn't have to again. As the seconds of silence stretched into minutes, Scootaloo's crying had finally subsided and was replacing by deep breathing. Dash was sure she had fallen asleep. Very carefully, Dash got to her hind legs and stood up straight, supporting the filly in her arms. She walked out of the living room without turning off any of the lights and, although her own throat was very dry and she was so thirsty, she made her way to the foot of the stairs and climbed to the second floor. She entered her dark bedroom and, balancing on one leg as she stretched out the other, closed the door with it. She approached her bed and supported Scootaloo with one arm as she pulled the covers back. Very gently, Dash crawled into bed and cuddled into the still-sleeping child. “I promise, Scootaloo. I promise. I'll come home.” Dash whispered softly, her stomach still squirming uncomfortably. “I need you just as much as you need me.” She closed her own eyes as she took a deep breath. How she longed for this nightmare to end, to emerge victorious from Saddle Arabia as soon as possible. But how would Dash know if her promises will be empty in the end?