//------------------------------// // 35. Elements of Awesome // Story: Scootaloo the Fugitive // by Kaidan //------------------------------// “Thanks for coming, everypony,” Scootaloo said. She stood in a clearing outside of Zecora’s hut. Surrounding her were the many friends she had made since moving to Ponyville. “I can’t believe that lame-o went and got herself captured by changelings. What is it with you ponies and being captured?” Gilda asked. “Sledge thinks ponies like being mares in distress,” he answered. “Well, it’s not really that simple,” Scootaloo said. “Usually they hit us over the head or use magic on us.” “So um. . . you think that we can help you find Dash?” Dinky asked. “But I’m just a filly too!” “We can all help, including our hired muscle.” Scootaloo pointed across the clearing at Nymeria the timberwolf, and Baloo the grizzly bear. Nymeria had tried to eat Scootaloo, until she had helped the timberwolf save her cubs. Baloo was Fluttershy’s bouncer, and made sure nopony ate her furry friends. “Well, let’s get going then. I’ve got better things to do then hang out with you dwee—I mean, let’s rescue Dash, okay?” Gilda said. “Alright everypony, roll out!” Scootaloo shouted. Together they walked down the yellow dirt road into the heart of the Everfree. As they walked along, an ominous green pair of eyes watched them from the bushes. A horn glowed briefly, and the party heard growling ahead. “It’s a wyvern!” Gilda said. Baloo ran forward and stood up on two legs. The grizzly roared, and swiped at the wyvern, which responded by spinning his tail around, knocking Baloo back. “I got this,” Scootaloo said. She flew in towards the wyvern and punched him in the nose. He swiped at her with his stinger, barely missing. Nymeria ran up next. She was too agile for the wyvern, quickly making him dizzy. The timberwolf then pounced the wyvern, ripping his throat out. As the beast bled out, Nymeria feasted on his thigh. “Woohoo! You did it,” Scootaloo cheered. “Yeah, let’s get moving. Sledge thinks we will find Dash soon.” he said. The party of adventurers continued down the path. Soon they were surrounded by trees. Dinky ran right into one of the trees and fell down, noticing the scary face carved in it. “Ahh! Ghosts!” Dinky shouted. Baloo laughed, and stepped in front of the ponies. He began growling and pantomiming. “Uh, Baloo, how is this supposed to help with scary trees?” Scootaloo asked. Baloo reared up on his back legs, and pushed the nearest tree with his front paws. The tree snapped in two and fell to the ground with a loud cracking sound. “I get it,” Gilda said, “We need to buck the trees!” Scootaloo and Dinky began bucking the nearest tree. The scary face laughed at their futile efforts. Then, Nymeria lunged at the tree, slicing it in two with one swipe of her claws. Baloo toppled three trees at once, and Sledge dug under some of the trees causing them to fall over. “This is fun! Pinkie Pie can forget about laughing at scary things, I prefer bucking them up!” Scootaloo yelled. “Yay!” Dinky cheered. All around them lay the splintered remains of two dozen scary trees. Scootaloo turned in time to see Sledge marking his territory on a fallen tree. “What? Sledge had to piss,” he explained. The party continued onward, wondering what their next challenge would be. Scootaloo felt a cold breeze pass her by, and realized she had stepped onto a slippery slope. She plummeted down it, screaming the entire way. After falling off the edge of a bottomless chasm, Gilda caught her while doing a barrel roll and a loop at the same time. Gilda then caught the other ponies and monsters one at a time. “Radical!” Scootaloo exclaimed. The party walked out of the canyon and found a raging river. “Great, I have to carry you all across again,” Gilda said. The party flew over the river. Since they were able to catch everypony that fell over the cliff, flying over a tiny river was easy. On the other side of the river they ran into their next challenge. It was a small hut with a poorly decorated interior. It belonged to Sledge. “So, this is the pig sty you’ve been living in?” Dinky asked. “This crime against styleosity can not be allowed!” Scootaloo and the others ate some s'mores while Dinky rearranged furniture and cleaned Sledge’s den. After an hour of watching Dinky do back-breaking labor, the party continued onward. “I get the feeling there is only one more test,” Scootaloo stated. “Sledge thinks they are it!” he observed. In front of them stood a pack of diamond dogs. “Oh look, pony slaves!” “No!” Sledge shouted. He stepped in front of the group. “We’re not afraid of you!” “Oh, okay.” The diamond dogs turned around and started walking away. “What a bunch of losers, dumb ponies.” It wasn’t much longer before they found a large clearing. In the middle, Dash was strapped to a table and gagged. Next to her stood the last pony Scootaloo wanted to see. “Gerda!” she screamed. Scootaloo began to charge forward. “Stop right there, sewer rat! One more step, and Dashie gets it!” Gerda stated. “You’ll never get away with this!” she retorted. “I already have. Now tell your pets to get lost, or I’ll cut off a wing.” Scootaloo looked back at her friends, signaling them to back away. “But, Scoots. . .” Dinky began to cry. “Now, just walk over here slowly so I can stab you.” Scootaloo walked forward slowly. “You’ll let Dash go?” “I promise.” Gerda walked forward to meet her. “Now die!” She swung the knife down at Scootaloo. “No!” Gilda shouted. In a flash, all of Scootaloo’s friends had jumped on top of her to protect her. “What?” Gerda screamed. The blade shattered as a glowing orange and purple aura surrounded them and lifted them into the air. “Don’t you see, Gerda, I have something you’ll never have. A power greater than any other!” Scootaloo shouted. “There is no higher power!” “That’s where you’re wrong. We passed all of your tests. Nymeria, the Element of Flank-kicking helped us brutally murder your wyvern,” Scootaloo said. “Baloo, the Element of Strength who was able to snap trees in two. Gilda, the Element of Radicalness, who looked radical while saving our lives. Dinky, the Element of Style, and finally Sledge, the Element of Guts.” Scootaloo opened her eyes and purple flames radiated from them. “By our powers combined, I am Scootaloo! The Element of Awesomeness!” “No! This is impossibru!” Gerda turned and ran towards the tree line. “Not today, Gerda!” Scootaloo flapped her wings and instantly propelled herself to mach one. There was a giant flaming rainboom that incinerated Gerda, leaving naught but ash. Seconds later, Scootaloo landed next to Dash. “Dash, are you okay?” she asked. She loosened the straps and took off the gag. “I’m fine, Squirt. You’re my hero. Now, wake up.” Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. “What?” “I said wake up,” Dash repeated. “Did she hit you in the head or something?” Scootaloo felt the ground begin to shake. “Ah! Earthquake!” “Wake up, Squirt!” Dash shouted. Scootaloo snapped her eyes open and saw Dash smiling at her. “You’re home, Squirt. That must have been quite the dream you were having,” Dash observed. She pointed a hoof at Scootaloo’s wings. She looked at her orange wings, seeing them stiff and fully extended. “Omygosh! Dash, I can explain!” Dash chuckled. “Hey, Squirt, it happens to all of us. It’s just part of turning into a mare. So, you mind me asking what you were dreaming about?” Scootaloo grinned from ear to ear. “The Elements of Awesomeness.”