Written by: Mayhem Darkshadow
Edited by: psychohooves and Avatar of Shadow
Chapter 5: Wickedness Part 2
Twilight sat in the Ponyville library pacing. Six o'clock was about to roll around, and Scootaloo wasn't home yet. Twilight didn't remember her giving any reasons she would be late arriving home. Twilight had no issue with Scootaloo having freedom, though she wished to be informed about Scootaloo’s plans. Twilight decided she would give she would give Scootaloo a few more minutes before she would go searching for her.
That little filly is going to be in so much trouble when I find her. I told her to tell me before doing anything.
Sighing, Twilight sat down in a chair and rubbed her head. She really didn't want to punish Scootaloo though she saw no reason not to. She was about to go into the kitchen and get a glass of water when there was a knock at the door.
Who could that be? thought Twilight to herself.
Getting up from her seat Twilight went to the door and opened the door. It was Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.
"Hi Twilight. Is Scootaloo home yet?" asked Sweetie Belle.
Twilight was a bit confused, not sure what Sweetie Belle meant by “is Scootaloo home yet?” "No she isn't home. In fact she never came home after school. Do you girls know where she is?"
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom shook their heads.
"She told us she had ta do somethin' after school," explained Apple Bloom, "She didn't tell us what it was though."
That last sentence concerned Twilight. Twilight expected to get an answer from Scootaloo’s friends; however, when they replied without an answer, Twilight began to panic slightly.
"That filly is going to be in so much trouble when I find her," growled Twilight.
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at Twilight, wanting to help but unsure how.
"Is there anything we could do ta help Twilight?" asked Apple Bloom curiously.
Twilight nodded. "Could you help me look for Scootaloo, girls? Also if you find her, tell her she is in serious trouble."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded and ran off to search for their friend. Twilight facehoofed and trotted off to look for Scootaloo. Little did she know that the problem was far more serious than she realized.
**********
Scootaloo sat under the root structure she had been banished to, experiencing an extreme level of fear she could not comprehend. Every sound she heard was startling, and it was so dark that she could barely see her own hooves. She was also hungry and thirsty but there were no chances for her to get food or water without leaving the protective root structure. Eventually she knew she was going to have to do something, but Scootaloo hoped she could wait until the morning. Her only desire right now was to be reunited with Twilight and the comfort she had to offer.
**********
Twilight sat in the Ponyville library surrounded by all her friends as well as Scootaloo's friends. Twilight was very distraught. Neither she nor Scootaloo’s friends could find the little filly even after searching for an hour and a half. Out of panic, Twilight asked all of her friends to help her. However she couldn't bring herself to do anything but sit in a chair and twiddle her hooves nervously, so Applejack decided to arrange the search party.
"Okay, so I think we got everything in order. Does everypony pony know what they need ta do?" asked Applejack. All the ponies nodded in response.
"I'll get a few of the other weather ponies to help me do an aerial search," said Rainbow Dash.
"I'll ask my animal friends and see if they know anything," Fluttershy added.
"I'll gather up some ponies and ask around town to see if anypony has seen Scootaloo," said Pinkie Pie.
"Good. That'll leave Big Mac and I to look around Sweet Apple Acres," replied Applejack, "Rarity can you stay her with Twilight and.. um...comfort her?"
Rarity nodded and moved next to her friend. Everypony looked worriedly at Twilight and then left to get their respective tasks done.
When they all left Twilight broke down and started crying. Rarity wrapped a hoof around her friend and did her best to comfort her.
"Shhh... It’s okay Twilight. We'll find her," cooed Rarity.
**********
Silver Spoon sat in the foyer of her family’s mansion. Her parents were away right now so she was alone with the butlers and maids. The butlers and maids didn’t treat her very well, so she always hated being left alone with them. Then again it wasn't any better when her parents were home. Right now though, that was the least of her worries. She was devastated with what Diamond Tiara had done to Scootaloo. She felt terrible and wished she could let somepony know. However, she didn't want to suffer the wrath of Diamond Tiara. Sighing, Silver Spoon turned back to her homework. The homework was rather easy, so she finished problems rather quickly. As she finished up one of the final problems there was a knock on the door. She listened closely as one of the butlers answered it.
"I'm sorry, but the Master and his wife are not home at the moment," answered the butler rudely.
"Oh, I'm sorry but I just wanted to say that we are looking for a little orange pegasus named Scootaloo. She didn't come home today and we are asking around to see if anypony has seen her,” replied a voice.
Silver Spoon recognized the voice of the pony at the door. It was one of bakers at Sugar Cube Corner: Pinkie Pie.
"I'm sorry to hear that Miss, but I don't believe anypony in this household has seen the pony you are looking for," responded the butler in a slightly more polite tone.
"Okay, well thank you for your time." The butler bowed and shut the front door. Silver Spoon felt the giant knot in her stomach pull even tighter, like she was about to throw up.
"I'm going to go get some air," announced Silver Spoon to whoever was listening. She didn't get any kind of response but she didn't care. Right now she just wanted to clear her mind.
**********
Scootaloo opened her eyes to total darkness. She decided to shut her eyes for just a moment in hopes that she would relax, though it did nothing to ease her tension. She rolled around she felt her stomach growl, indicating her dire need to obtain food and water. While uncertain of how she could obtain nourishment, she knew she needed to if she wished to maintain any strength she had. Groaning slightly, she crawled out of the root structure and looked around. Having nothing to guide her, she began to move in a random direction. Taking one last look at her only shelter, Scootaloo trotted off knowing it was the last time she would see it.
**********
Silver Spoon walked slowly through downtown Ponyville. Her nerves were bothering her worse, feeling knots and butterflies in her stomach. She knew if anything bad happened to Scootaloo she and Diamond Tiara were going to pay dearly. She halted when she saw a group of ponies coming towards her. One of them was Pinkie Pie. While she wasn’t acquainted with the other three ponies, she knew their names were Golden Harvest, Lyra Hearstrings, and Bon Bon. Swallowing nervously Silver Spoon waited for them to stop her. However, they didn't. In fact they walked right past her. As they walked by, Silver Spoon was able to catch some of their conversation.
"Nopony has seen her Pinkie Pie," said Golden Harvest quietly.
"I know that, but we need to keep looking. I'll go tell Twilight I guess. I can just tell her that we are still searching," explained Pinkie Pie.
Silver Spoon felt like she was going to die right on the spot. She knew that nopony would find Scootaloo. This was nearly the breaking point for Silver Spoon. But as Silver Spoon continued to walk, she had a realization.
You know what? I don’t care how Diamond Tiara threatened me, Silver Spoon thought to herself, Scootaloo’s in trouble, and I need to tell somepony!
Silver Spoon then proceed to make haste to the Ponyville Library.
**********
Twilight stared blankly at the wall, still seated in the same spot she was since they arranged the search party. Rarity continued to hold her, trying to ease her pain. Applejack had just returned from searching the fields with Big Mac and was talking quietly to Rarity.
"Big Mac is still out there looking but we haven't seen even a trace of that lil’ filly."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, Rarity squeezing Twilight’s hoof with a little more force, before there was a knock on the door. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy walked in with melancholy expressions on their faces. Applejack and Rarity looked at them silently while Twilight continued to stare off into the distance. As they moved closer Rainbow Dash shook her head.
"We searched every inch of Ponyville and the surrounding area. But nothing...we couldn’t find any signs of her... I called off the aerial search because it's too dark to keep looking," said Rainbow Dash quietly.
Applejack and Rarity's faces fell, and Twilight tilted her head down so she was looking at the floor.
"I think we asked everypony in Ponyville," stated Pinkie Pie, "But nopony said that they had seen Scootaloo."
"I...I asked all my animal friends. They...they said that none of them had seen a little pony wondering around," stuttered Fluttershy.
Twilight sobbed quietly at the unfortunate news. Rarity tried her best to comfort her friend by holding her close, while Applejack crouched down and began to wipe her tears. Nopony knew how to comfort Twilight because they all realized that finding Scootaloo would be close to impossible due to the darkness outside.
"Don't worry sugarcube. We'll find that little filly," cooed Applejack.
Applejack’s comforting words proved to do nothing to help Twilight as she continued to sob. The ponies sat in awkward silence, unsure of what to say to help Twilight. Fortunately, their attention was diverted to the sound of a knock on the door. Fluttershy answered it to find a grey earth pony filly catching her breath in the doorway.
"I...I need...to talk...talk to...Twilight Sparkle," panted Silver Spoon.
Fluttershy let Silver Spoon into the library with the other ponies. "Um Twilight...? this little filly wants to talk to you..."
When Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle saw who is was they scowled.
"What are you doing here?" snapped Apple Bloom.
"Trying...to help...blank flanks," panted Silver Spoon. She walked up to Twilight and addressed her directly.
"I...I know where Scootaloo is," she explained after a deep breath.
Twilight’s eyes shot open in shock upon hearing the words, staring down Silver Spoon and feeling her heart begin to race. She jumped up from her seat, startling the ponies around her and ran towards Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon cowered in fear that Twilight was going to attack her but was instead met muzzle to muzzle with Twilight.
“You know where Scootaloo is?!” Twilight shouted in panic, causing Silver Spoon to tremble from her harsh stare.
“She..... she’s probably wandering in the Everfree Forest... P-Please don’t hurt m-me...” Silver Spoon stuttered timidly.
Twilight took a few steps back, seeing that she was terrifying what may be her only chance at finding Scootaloo. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, regaining her composure. “How do you know this..?”
Silver Spoon gulped. She really didn't want to explain the situation to them, but it was too late to turn back now. "I...my friend Diamond Tiara and I...we decided to play a trick on Scootaloo. At first I thought it was going to be funny...but...but Diamond went way overboard when she bashed Scootaloo on the head. I...she made me promise not to tell anypony but...but the guilt was eating away and I just had to tell somepony!!"
Silver Spoon fell to the ground out of nerves and wiped a few tears from her eyes. She felt some of her guilt disappear since she spilled the beans, though still felt the pain from knowing she’s involved. She hung her head, waiting to be yelled at, but it never happened. Instead, somepony lifted her head. It was Twilight.
"Thank you for coming and telling the truth. I’m sure it was very difficult to gain the confidence to do so. I’m not very mad at you because it sounds to me that you had little say in this," said Twilight quietly.
Silver Spoon sniffed and wiped a tear off her face. "You...you aren't mad?"
Twilight shook her head. "No I'm not. Now your name is Silver Spoon right?"
Silver Spoon nodded and Twilight continued to speak to her. "Okay Silver Spoon I need a favor. I need you to help my friends catch the filly that did this to Scootaloo. I would greatly appreciate it if you did. Also if she tries to do anything to you we will protect you."
Silver Spoon knew that they probably couldn't protect her from Diamond Tiara's wrath, but it was the thought that counted.
"Okay. I think I can help you catch her," responded Silver Spoon confidently.
With a smile and no warning whatsoever, Twilight bolted past Silver Spoon and out the door.
"Wait Twilight!! Where are y'all going?!?" called Applejack.
It was too late though as Twilight was already out of earshot.
"Rainbow, come with me. We have to follow Twilight. Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity y'all need to work with Silver Spoon and catch Diamond Tiara," Applejack instructed them quickly before running after Twilight. Rainbow Dash shrugged her shoulders and bolted after her friends. The rest of the older ponies turned and looked at Silver Spoon. They were waiting to hear if she had a plan.
"I...I think I know how we can catch her," Silver Spoon told them.
**********
Later, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara walked along the main street of Ponyville. Silver Spoon had called her friend and convinced her to go with her to Sugar Cube Corner, secretly leading Diamond Tiara into her trap. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were already at Sugar Cube Corner awaiting their little guest.
"You know it’s kind of late to be going to the bakery," Diamond Tiara said as they were walking.
"I know, but I really just need something to clear my head," replied Silver Spoon nervously.
Diamond Tiara eyed her friend. Something about Silver Spoon’s behavior didn’t seem right, but she decided she was merely overthinking it. As they got closer to the bakery two ponies came out of the front door.
"Well if it isn't the blank flanks," said Diamond Tiara rudely, "Where's the other member of your little group?"
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom glared at Diamond Tiara.
"I think ya already know where she is Diamond Tiara. Lost somewhere in the Everfree Forest," snapped Apple Bloom.
Diamond Tiara's eyes widened. How did they know? She then realized how they knew. She immediately flipped around and struck Silver Spoon across the face, causing her to fall to the ground cower. Diamond Tiara prepared strike Silver Spoon again when she felt herself become engulfed by magic.
"Don't you dare hit her you little ruffian!!" shouted Rarity in anger.
Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie came out of Sugar Cube Corner wearing angry looks on their faces. Diamond Tiara struggled to free herself but eventually gave up, realizing she was caught.
**********
Scootaloo trotted along through the Everfree Forest. She managed to find a fresh stream to obtain water, though she hadn’t eaten out of fear any food she found might have been poisonous. She was becoming desperate. The water had helped her feel less dehydrated, but she was still starving.
I'm gonna collapse if I don't find something to eat, Scootaloo thought to herself.
She was going to give up hope when she came across what she considered to be a miracle. She found a bush and it was covered with berries. She was also smart enough to know that they were blackberries. Sniffing the berries carefully, Scootaloo stuck her tongue out and pulled a berry into her mouth, savoring the heavenly flavor. Scootaloo moved along the bush grabbing berries and eating them voraciously, no longer paying attention to her surroundings. Little did she realize that a pack of Timberwolves were creeping up on her, just as hungry as she was.
"Oh these are so good!! At this rate I'm going to eat everything on the bush," Scootaloo said out loud.
The Timberwolves slowly moved in on Scootaloo, almost right on top of her when one of them stepped on a dry stick. Scootaloo's heart began to beat rapidly. Turning her head slowly she made eye contact with one of the Timberwolves.
Her eyes widened in fear, and she shot off like a bullet. The pack of Timberwolves chased after her with looks of hunger on their faces. Scootaloo didn't take a second to look back and did her best to evade the predators. Becoming timberwolf dinner was the last thing she wanted. Unfortunately, she had no clue where she was running and only had limited energy from the berries. But the adrenaline she was feeling was enough to keep her going, at least until she ran into a dead end. With nowhere to run Scootaloo turned around to face her enemy head on. The Timberwolves slowly approached her, their mouths salivating profusely. Scootaloo swallowed hard and closed her eyes, knowing she was about die.
"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU STUPID ANIMALS!!!"
Scootaloo opened her eyes and looked tried to find the source of the sound. Her eyes fell upon the most uplifting sight she could have ever hoped for. Twilight was standing about ten feet away from them, her horn glowing bright and her eyes filled with fire. Scootaloo could not have felt more joy. Twilight advanced slowly towards the Timberwolves and, after gaining their attention, began to fire jolts of magic at them. The wolves scattered but did not back down. Now instead of going after Scootaloo they had turned their attention to Twilight. Twilight knew in her mind there were too many for her to fight. However she had so much adrenaline pumping through her veins she couldn’t stop. Twilight continued to shoot jolts of magic at the wolves and managed to hit on here and there.
They're moving too quickly, I can't seem to hit them, Twilight thought to herself in a slight panic.
As Twilight was trying to keep tabs on all the wolves one of them caught her off guard. She did her best to dodge but the Timberwolf managed to knick Twilight on right flank. Howling in pain Twilight’s anger increased further to the point where she was firing magic jolt wildly. Somehow this plan worked. One after another the Timberwolves took off, yelping in pain. After the last wolf was out of sight Twilight relaxed a little bit.
"That'll teach those stupid animals," snorted Twilight.
Twilight turned to Scootaloo, who immediately began bawling and running towards her.
"Mommy!"
Scootaloo clung to Twilight middle and bawled into her chest. Twilight held Scootaloo silently, rubbing her mane slowly. Twilight could not have been happier to find her little filly. She proceeded to examine Scootaloo and saw some dried blood in her mane.
What did that horrible filly to her? Twilight thought to herself.
That didn't matter right now though. What mattered was that Scootaloo was safe.
**********
More than a dozen ponies stood in one of the examination rooms at Ponyville Hospital. Scootaloo was sitting on a hospital bed being treated by Nurse Redheart. Twilight, sitting right beside her, had Scootaloo’s hooves in her own. Also in the room were the rest of Twilight's friends as well as Scootaloo's friends along with Silver Spoon hiding in the corner away from everyone. Diamond Tiara was sitting in a chair near the bed being scolded by the Chief of Ponyville Police and another officer.
"Young lady I don't think you understand the severity of the situation," explained the Chief of Police, "What you did was very serious. This filly's parent might press charges against you."
Diamond Tiara had her lip curled, avoiding eye contact with anypony. She was smart enough to know that, due to lack of documented evidence, nopony could press any charges and win.
"Try as you wish to punish me but my daddy will just get me out of it," Diamond Tiara mentioned to the Officers.
The Chief of Police looked at his first officer and shook his head. Twilight hopped down from the bed and shoved her face in Diamond Tiara's.
"You know... you really are a little brat," started Twilight, "What kind of pony doesn't feel remorse for a cruel deed. You're just lucky Scootaloo wasn't seriously injured or killed. If that had happened then you would regret that you ever tried to mess with my little filly."
Twilight snorted and kept her eyes glued on Diamond Tiara waiting for a reaction, but unfortunately she didn’t get one, proving that something truly was wrong with that filly. Twilight sighed and started to make her way back to Scootaloo when there was a knock on the door. One of the nurses entered the room shortly afterwards.
"A Mister Rich is here for his daughter," she announced.
The fire returned immediately to Twilight's eyes. Boy did she have a few things she wanted to say to Filthy Rich.
"Let him in," replied Nurse Redheart.
The other nurse nodded and opened the door. Filthy Rich slowly stepped into the room, his face filled with both anger and shock. He walked over immediately to where Diamond Tiara was sitting and glared at her, causing her to cower. The only thing in the world Diamond Tiara feared was her father’s wrath. Filthy Rich got down in front of her and spoke quietly but sharply.
"You have no idea how much trouble you are in young lady. The punishment that will be awaiting you is so severe than you couldn’t possibly imagine it."
Filthy Rich pulled his face away from his daughter’s and looked at Twilight. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but Twilight beat him to it.
"I need to ask. What kind of a parent are you?" snorted Twilight, "Your daughter feels no remorse for what she did. I may be new to the whole parenting thing but something tells me you might be the direct cause of all this. I mean your daughter really could have hurt Scootaloo!"
Filthy Rich kept silent as he took in all Twilight said. Then, once he felt Twilight was finished, he took one of her hooves in his.
"Ms. Twilight I assure you that I do my best to guide my daughter and parent her properly. This obviously shows that I have not done enough. I guarantee I will be putting a lot more effort into how I raise her. I will also assure you that she will be getting the punishment of a lifetime for what she has done."
Filthy Rich pulled Twilight's hoof up and kissed it sincerely. Twilight's face lit up with embarrassment, realizing she had let her anger get the best of her. Filthy Rich continued to speak.
"I will understand completely if you want to press charges against my daughter Ms. Twilight. I will not stop you at all if you do so."
Twilight was speechless, and the rest of the ponies would be too after her next statement.
"Mr. Rich I had planned to press some serious charges against both you and your daughter... However... I feel that maybe I will just leave punishing Diamond Tiara in your hooves."
Filthy Rich's eyes widened with shock. He didn't know what to say, nor did anypony else in the room. After a moment of awkward silence, the Chief of Police spoke up.
"Are...are you sure you don't want to press charges Ms. Twilight? I mean this is a very serious crime."
Twilight thought about the severity of the crime committed. Though she understood it, she had other plans in mind. "If I see that Diamond Tiara isn't getting any punishment and learning her lesson, then maybe I will press charges. For now though I think I'll let Mr. Rich handle punishing his daughter."
Nopony knew what to say. A lot of them felt Twilight wasn't thinking the whole situation over. Even Filthy Rich was surprised.
"Ms. Twilight I humbly thank you for what you have done. I promise I will set my daughter straight. In fact... we will start right now."
Filthy Rich turned to his daughter and glared at her. "Apologize to both Ms. Twilight and Scootaloo right now Diamond."
Diamond Tiara didn't say a word. She just crossed her arms and turned away from her father.
"Young lady if you don't apologize for all the trouble you've been causing I am going to quadruple your punishment," snapped Filthy Rich. Twilight noticed the vein in his temple was starting to throb.
"I'm not apologizing to that stupid blank flank and her egg head mother," spat Diamond Tiara.
Fire filled Filthy Rich's eyes, yet he kept his composure. "I apologize for my daughter's rudeness... and... for what you are about to see."
Filthy Rich grabbed one of Diamond Tiara's hooves and dragged her out of the room, their shouting probably heard by everyone in Ponyville.
"Ow! Daddy stop! That hurts!"
"I gave you a simple chance to lessen the blow Diamond Tiara. You have no idea how bad you are going to get it when we get home!"
Eventually the two of them were out of range, allowing everypony to return their gaze to Twilight.
"I'll ask one more time Ms. Twilight... Are you absolutely sure you don't want to press charges?" questioned the Chief of Police once more.
Twilight shook her head. "I have confidence that Mr. Rich will see the punishment through. I feel like this may be a much bigger issue that just a simple act of cruelty. However if I feel as if he is not doing a satisfactory job of controlling his daughter, then I will not hesitate to take action against them."
The two officers looked at each other, shook their heads, and left the room. This gave Twilight's friends time to question her sanity.
"Are you nuts Twilight?!" sputtered Rainbow Dash, "You should have done something! If it was me I would be suing his flank."
"I kinda agree with Rainbow on this one Twi. Y'all basically just let that little monster off Scott free," added Applejack.
Twilight listened to what they had to say and presented her rebuttal. "I don't think she's going to get away without some serious punishment. Also, as I just said, I feel like this may be something bigger than what we think it is."
Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't respond because they knew Twilight had her mind set. Twilight, under the impression her friends understood her decision, rejoined Scootaloo on the hospital bed just as Nurse Redheart put last staple in her head.
"Alright Twilight, make sure the area stays clean. I suggest wiping it with alcohol every night before bed," said Nurse Redheart to Twilight.
Twilight gave her a nod. "Before we go Scootaloo, there is a specific pony I want you to thank. Where is Silver Spoon?"
Silver Spoon jumped when she heard her name. Scootaloo was shocked.
"If it wasn't for your classmate Scootaloo, we wouldn't have known you were in the Everfree Forest."
Scootaloo didn't know what to say. "Um...thanks Silver Spoon."
Scootaloo then, much to her own surprise, gave Silver Spoon a very awkward hug. Silver Spoon's face turned bright red in embarrassment, unsure of how to respond.
Twilight carefully ruffled Scootaloo's mane. "Well I think someone needs to go home and get some sleep."
Scootaloo smiled and followed Twilight and Spike out of the room. They walked home in silence, each of them deep in thought.
"Would you like to sleep with me tonight?" Twilight asked Scootaloo sweetly as they walked along.
Scootaloo nodded. She could only dream of the nightmares she was going to have.
Spike went straight to bed when they got home. This gave Twilight and Scootaloo time to talk. Twilight started
"So...you called me mommy..."
Scootaloo didn't know what to say. "It just kind of slipped. I was so scared and I really needed you."
There was a lot of awkward tension in the air. After a few minutes of silence Twilight spoke up and put a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder.
"Scootaloo...do you want me to be your mother?"
Scootaloo was completely silent. All she did was wrap herself around Twilight's middle. "Yes, yes I finally realize that you're more than just a guardian to me...mom."
Twilight, struck speechless, gave Scootaloo a gentle hug, enjoying the fact she now had a daughter. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."
Scootaloo nodded her head and smiled. Twilight, filled to the brim with joy, picked Scootaloo up and swung her around. This caused Scootaloo to burst into a fit of laughter. The joy continued for about ten minutes before Twilight and Scootaloo fell onto the bed, still giggling. Twilight reached over, gave Scootaloo a nuzzle on the cheek, and pulled the covers over them with magic.
"Goodnight sweet filly," whispered Twilight before giving Scootaloo a kiss.
Scootaloo snuggled up closer to Twilight. "Goodnight mommy."