//------------------------------// // Royal Visit // Story: It Runs In The Family // by Onomonopia //------------------------------// Back in the batcave located underneath Scootaloo's house, Twilight paced back and forth across the floor, her head hung with worry as she tried to keep her mind off of the negative thoughts that kept trying to creep in. 'I'm sure she's fine,' Twilight thought to herself, constantly looking towards the spot where Batmare had vanished into the portal she had opened. It had been a few hours since Batmare had traveled over, and every single one of those seconds had been hard for Twilight to get through. 'She's had training; she's done this for over a year now. I'm certain that she can handle whatever's on the other side.' But it was a futile battle for Twilight, who had almost re-opened the portal herself once or twice to rush over to save her. She had been told to wait at least three days, but she didn't know if she would last three more minutes. "If she doesn't come back in one more hour, I'm going in there after her," Twilight said in a panicked voice as she floated the dimensional stone over to her, looking at the weird designs on it with a frown. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't shown that tyrant how to get to our world, then Scootaloo wouldn't have to go to where you came from to save her father. But you did bring Batman here, so I guess it balances out." Twilight sighed as she realized that she was talking to a rock again, and she turned to the massive computer that Scootaloo had told her she received from the princesses. But ever since she learned that Batman survived, she figured that he had given it to her. But despite her worry for Scootaloo, Twilight couldn't suppress her curious side when in the presence of such foreign tech. "How do the humans come up with this stuff without magic?" She muttered to herself as she pressed a button on the keyboard, jumping back as the computer turned on with a low humming sound. "Maybe it's their lack of magic that forces them to build better things to survive? But then that raises the question of how do the Demon Spawn have a computer, because according to the report Celestia gave me, Batmare found one in an underground facility of theirs. Where did they get it?" Twilight made a mental note to ask Celestia the next time they talked and she placed the stone on the keyboard as she exhaled gently. "Alright Twilight, another fifty minutes and then you will--" BOOOOM! Twilight screamed and threw herself to the ground as the sound of thunder echoed throughout the cave as a massive portal tore a hole in the center of the cave, causing all of the bats to fly around while screeching in confusion. Twilight looked out from under the desk where the computer rested as a blur came flying out of the portal and skidded to a stop before it ran over the edge, a laugh that she knew well following it as the pony in black jumped off the back. "Why anypony would want to run after finding out about one of these things has to be the most old-fashion pony I'd have seen," Batmare laughed to herself as she started moving the motorcycle to the center of the cave, ignoring the portal as it started to close. "Yo, Twilight, you in here!?" "SCOOTALOO!" Despite her amazing reflexes, Batmare was completely blindsided by a purple blur that tackled her to the ground. Scootaloo tried to figure out what had happened as Twilight crushed her ribs with a death hug. "You're alive! And...have a new suit of armor," Twilight muttered as she let go of Scootaloo and looked at the new suit with a raised eyebrow. "Where'd you get the suit?" "From Batman," Scootaloo said as she pushed Twilight off of her and reached up to her cowl, removing it to reveal another black eye for Twilight to frown at as Scootaloo took her belt and walked over to where she hung it. "So besides the black eye you brought back with you, how did meeting Batman again go?" Twilight asked as Scootaloo next walked over to where she kept her suit and started to take it off, a gasp escaping Twilight's lips as she saw the stiches and the bruises that lined her side. But despite the wounds, Scootaloo gave her a huge smile. "It was great," she said with a smile as her eyes looked off into the distance. "He was trapped just like I was told, but I managed to save him...with a little help. We went back to his home and I got to meet some of the people that help him and got this cool new suit as well as the bike you see over there...hooves off for the record." "So why did you come back so soon?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. "If you were having so much fun with your dad, why did you come back so soon?" "Because I'm needed here," Scootaloo said as her hero personality set back in. "I would have stayed longer, but with the fillies in danger I figured that I should come back here to help save them." Twilight noticed that she said this rather quickly and that she avoided her eyes as well. "Scootaloo...what happened?" Scootaloo sat down in her chair and looked down at the floor as she thought about how to answer. "When I was going through the steel mill to get to Batman, something happened to me that almost destroyed me. I saw...all of my friends dead in front of me and the skeleton of Batman tearing into my worst fears, as if it knew how to strike at my most private fears." Scootaloo left out the part about the giant scarecrow and the silver mare, not knowing what to make of that. "Well, that doesn't seem so bad," Twilight said as she wrapped a wing around Scootaloo's shoulder to comfort her. "It may have been terrifying, but it was only an illusion right? We've dealt with this kind of thing before, in fact I remember training you how to tell illusion from reality. Why was this one so tough?" "Well, getting through the illusion was tough but manageable, but there was one line that the fake Batman said that really got to me," Scootaloo said. "He said that Batman would never love me because I'm just a pony and not really his daughter." Twilight knew that Scootaloo was being serious, but a small chuckle still escaped her lips and gained her a glare from Scootaloo. "I'm sorry, but the illusion thought it could get to you by saying that Batman doesn't love you?" Twilight asked with a smile. "He gave his life...I thought that he gave his life for you after being impaled twice and blasted with enough magic to drop an alicorn. I think that he 'loves you' is an understatement." Twilight had hoped to cheer her up, but Scootaloo's face fell even further. "That's just what I thought at first, and what I used to help me through the illusion, but when we were at the cave before I left I told Batman I loved him and he didn't answer me. What if what that illusion was saying was true and that he doesn't love me as his daughter?" Scootaloo asked in a whisper. Twilight frowned sadly at this and tightened her hug. "He does love you Scootaloo, he probably just has trouble admitting it. Remember how long it took us to get him to give an actual laugh? It might take some time to get him to admit how to say I love you." Scootaloo thought about this for a minute before she gave Twilight a small smile. "Thanks for reminding me, I appreciate it," Scootaloo said, gently pushing Twilight's wing off of her. "I'll be up in a minute, I need to figure out where I'm going to put my new motorcycle." Twilight nodded and headed up the stairs out of the cave, leaving Scootaloo alone. She waited until Twilight was out of sight before she reached into a hidden compartment that was under her computer and pulled out a small amulet, holding it close to her chest. 'If he does love me, then this should still work, right?' she thought to herself with a hint of fear, placing the amulet around her neck as she headed up the stairs. ===--=== Scootaloo had to admit, of all the princesses that she expected to see in her living room, Celestia was the last one she expected due to her schedule. But as she ascended the stairs, she saw her sitting on her couch with what looked like what remained of her birthday cake around her mouth, with Twilight sitting next to her with her face in her hoof. "Hello there, Scootaloo," Celestia said as she swallowed the rest of the cake. Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at the plate she placed on her coffee table. "I apologize for raiding your fridge, but when I saw the cake I couldn't resist." "Sorry Scootaloo, I tried to stop her," Twilight said with a meek smile. "But when princess Celestia sets her sights on cake there is no force on Equis that can stop her." Celestia's face turned red as Scootaloo sat down next to her with a frown. "So besides raiding my fridge, is there another reason that you came to visit me?" Scootaloo asked. Celestia wiped her mouth with a napkin and regained her regal pose, bringing out a small document that she hoofed to Scootaloo with a serious look. "This is the most recent information that Luna's Dark Knights have discovered, and I figured that you would want to be the first to see it," Celestia said seriously as Scootaloo opened the document, her eyes widening in shock as she read what was written. "You found their base?" Scootaloo asked in disbelief as she looked at the smiling Celestia. "The Dark Knights found the headquarters of the Demon Spawn?" "Luna is not sure how they did it, but late last night three of Luna's squad returned with the information, saying that they found a pony in a white cloak heading to a part of Equestria that ponies had avoided for years. They chose to follow and found a large facility that was not there the last time I went to that part of the country. We are certain that it is their base." "And why did you contact me?" Scootaloo asked as she hoofed the papers back to Celestia, having memorized what the papers had said. "You promised me when I started my work that you would avoid contact with me as much as possible, so ponies wouldn't suspect me. Why bring me into this?" "Because you are the only pony who has come into contact with the Demon Spawn and survived, not to mention you told us that you had a personal stake in this as well," Celestia said, reminding Scootaloo of the five fillies she had failed to save. "Please help us, Scootaloo. The princesses are afraid of what would happen if they were able to resurrect Azaroth," Twilight pleaded. Scootaloo didn't have to think about her answer, she already knew that she was going, but a nagging doubt still clung to the back of her mind. The Demon Spawn were always mysterious and were nearly impossible to track, a fact that kept her up late scouring the news reports and photos of possible sightings for them. But to just stumble over their base by following them didn't seem right to her. An organization that perfected vanishing until they wanted to be seen wouldn't just let a group of easily recognized ponies follow them. "I think it's a trap," Scootaloo said as she placed both hooves under her chin. "They wanted us to find them for a reason, not because we followed them." Twilight and Celestia both shared a look before they looked back to Scootaloo. "How can you be so sure?" Celestia asked. "Because I've fought them and they aren't the types to make a mistake like letting a group follow them back to their base. No, they wanted us to find them, and if it's not a trap, it's probably a diversion of sorts." Scootaloo thought a little bit more about what she had said, trying to see if there were something she missed. But all of her thoughts eventually wound up back at the place she had been trying to avoid: why Batman hadn't said he loved her. "Even if it is a trap, this is an opportunity that we cannot pass up. They might move the next night or they might make their move if we wait any longer," Celestia said with a frown. "We need to attack and soon. We were planning to attack tonight, but with the current shape you are in, it would be wiser to wait longer for you to heal," she said as she looked over Scootaloo's wounded body, averting her eyes when she got to the stiches in the side and the blood stains on her coat. "I've trained my mind to handle any physical pain, I can handle this," Scootaloo said with a smirk that made Celestia all the more worried about the Pegasus' health. "So when were you planning to attack and what are the details?" "Tonight is when we want to assault the complex, which is located about ten miles from Stalliongrad. We will have a large number of forces, but Luna will be the one leading the attack. Originally, I was going to join you, but since you mentioned a trap or diversion, I think it's best one of the princesses stay behind to keep things safe. Besides, Luna is strongest at night and the two of you get along well, so it's for the best." "And what role will I play, Princess?" Twilight asked eagerly. "You will be staying behind to protect Ponyville. Again, with the idea of a diversion, I would like a pony who I can trust and who's strong enough to handle the demons here. Can you do that, my student?" "Of course I can!" "Then it is settled. Scootaloo, meet Luna tomorrow night at the castle and take the airship we have on hoof to the location. With the new engines we have purchased, it shouldn't take long for you to reach there. The soldiers will be told not to bother you unless you ask something from them. You will be team leader along with Luna, so I ask you to think up a plan with her as well." Celestia rose as she finished saying this and headed for the door, expressing her gratitude for the cake and for the both of them listening. She used her magic to open the door before she stopped and looked back at Scootaloo. "Also, I appreciate all that you've done for us as your other self. Even if my sister and I don't often show it, we do worry about you." "I'm still alive, aren't I?" Scootaloo responded with a smile of her own. Celestia nodded with a sad smile as she walked out of the door and took to the skies. Twilight walked her to the door as Scootaloo stood up as well. After she had gone, Twilight turned to her friend and said with a frown, "I need to get going too. I want to have the Elements of Harmony on standby in case those weirdos try anything in my town. Are you sure you're okay? You still seem shaken up about what happened to you when you went to Earth. Do you need me to--?" "Thank you for offering, Twilight, but I'm fine," Scootaloo said with a smile. Twilight sighed and walked out of the house as well, leaving Scootaloo alone with her thoughts. Scootaloo spent a minute thinking about what Celestia said and how she should proceed. She was certain that it was a trap, but this was the best chance she had to strike at the Demon Spawn. She sighed to herself as she stood up, deciding that she would have to trust Twilight and the others to keep the town safe in her absence. 'Do not go.' Scootaloo spun around with a growl as she prepared herself for a fight, but she calmed down when she saw the silver mare sitting on her couch, looking at her from beneath her hood. "I'm sorry, but did you tell me not to go stop the evil force that has been attacking my home and innocent fillies across the world?" Scootaloo asked with a smirk. "I thought that you were going to help me stop the Demons?" 'I am, but this is one battle that I suggest not going to. You will be needed here.' "Why? What's going to happen that would be more important than stopping the most dangerous organization in all of Equestria?" Scootaloo growled. 'I do not know for certain, but I had a warning that if you are not here, something terrible will happen." Scootaloo scoffed at the useless clue. "So is that a vision from the future or are you just making this up as you go?" Scootaloo asked with a chuckle, backing away a bit when the silver light that surrounded the mare began to glow a bit more harshly. 'No, I cannot see the future, not entirely. I can see certain parts, like who will be there when certain events unfold or what will happen if the proper care isn't taken,' she said with a hint of anger in her voice. 'Like in this instance. Trust me when I tell you that this is one of those times.' Scootaloo wasn't buying what she was saying, even if the mare had saved her life before. It sounded more like a plot to keep her away from the fight. "If it's so important, why don't you stop the threat yourself?" Scootaloo asked, waiting to see what her answer was. She was surprised a bit when the silver mare hung her head a bit. 'Because if I stay here, a power far worse than the one you are fighting will descend upon your world and there will be nopony to help you from his wrath,' she said with fear in her voice, something that bothered Scootaloo. What could scare a being that was untouchable? Scootaloo looked down to consider her offer when she heard what sounded like far off thunder, a thunder that sounded familar. When she looked up again, the silver mare was gone. "I'm getting tired of seeing her do that," Scootaloo muttered to herself as she headed for her door, needing to talk to a few ponies to prepare for the upcoming night. ====---==== Rarity was her first stop. Since she had a new suit created by her father, there was no need for her to keep asking Rarity to make her the bat suit. Plus, Rarity had been helping her ever since she started her crusade, so she deserved to know that Batman was still alive and what was going to happen. Rarity's Boutique was only a quick flight away for the second fastest flier in Equestria, and she reached the shop within a minute. Scootaloo skidded to a stop outside of the shop and knocked twice, waiting patiently as she heard the sounds of hooves heading towards the door. "Yes, who is-? Oh, Scootaloo, what can I do for you?" Rarity asked with a smile as she stepped aside to let Scootaloo in, gasping at the new wounds on Scootaloo's body. "Dear Celestia, Scootaloo, it has barely been a few days since we last met and already you have a new set of scars." "Don't worry, this should be the last time that I get scars like this," Scootaloo said with a smile as she sat down. You might want to sit down Rarity, I have big news that will probably knock you over." "Oh, this should be interesting," Rarity said with a curious smile as she sat down across from Scootaloo. "So what is it?" "Well, you'll be happy to know that you will no longer have to repair the bat suit for me," Scootaloo said with a shrug, watching as Rarity's eyes widened in surprise and a hint of joy. Then she gave Scootaloo a suspicious glance as she started to think about what she had said. "And why is that? You would never give up on your dream so easily," Rarity pointed out. "Why would you no longer need to have the suit repaired?" "Because I have a new suit, and this one is made from materials that will make me nearly invincible," Scootaloo said with a smile, noticing that hurt came to Rarity's eyes as she said this. "Rarity, I thank you for making me the suits, but this new one is special. It was given to me by somepony I love." When Rarity gave her a confused look, Scootaloo's smile grew even bigger. "Batman." "You can't be serious," Rarity whispered as her face went even whiter, and she held a hoof to her head as the shock started to set in. "But he died. We all saw it. The explosion, the blood loss. He-" "Come on, Rarity, this is Batman we're talking about. Do you really think he'd let something as trivial as death stop him?" Rarity looked at her coffee table for a minute as she tried to process what Scootaloo had just told her, but then a smile came to her face followed by a chuckle. "I suppose I would have to agree with you, not even death could stop him," she said with a shake of her head. "But why tell me? If he didn't tell us he must have had a good reason not to." Scootaloo looked down at her hooves for a second, trying to think of the best way to answer her question. "I told you because you've supported my crusade more than any other pony, even Twilight," Scootaloo said with gratitude in her eyes. "I would be dead now if you hadn't taken the time out of your busy schedule to make and maintain the bat suit. So I figured that you should be the first I told without circumstances forcing me to. Thanks." Scootaloo stood up and motioned for Rarity to give her a hug, which Rarity did with a few tears in her eyes. "Of course I would help you. With all the times you've been over here, you're practically another little sister to me. So, are you going to tell the others?" Rarity asked when they broke apart. "I'm going to tell Rainbow, AJ and Fluttershy, but I'm not sure I should tell Pinkie. Batman did break a Pinkie promise to her after all, and she might break through reality to get to him. And I don't want Batman to have to bring Pinkie down." Both of them laughed at that, although they both did wonder if Batman could stop a driven Pinkie. Scootaloo headed for the door, but Rarity stopped her by placing her hoof on her shoulder. "Scootaloo, did something happen? You look...sad." Scootaloo sometimes hated how observant her friends could be. "It's nothing. Now I need to go talk to Rainbow. Thanks...for everything." Rarity removed her hoof and let Scootaloo walk out of her Boutique, smiling to herself despite the sadness she had seen in Scootaloo's eyes. 'So you got to visit Batman again, eh? I'm a little jealous of you, getting to see what Earth looked like. But I'm happy that you got to see your father again. But I do hope that you show me this new suit that seems to be better than mine." Rarity started to hum a tune to herself as she headed back inside, wondering what she would now do in her free time.