Main Characters: Scootaloo
Cameos: Pipsqueak, Featherweight, Ruby Pinch, Princess Luna, Dinky Hooves, Meadowlark, Sunshine
Original Start Date: 09/01/2014
Scootaloo lands in a field in the middle of the night. She examines her surroundings. ‘Looks like I’m here first,’ she laughs.
‘Who said that?’ a Trottingham accent asks.
The pegasus gets on guard as she looks for the source of the voice. A light comes on. Scootaloo can see two figures approaching.
‘Scootaloo?’ one of the figures asks.
‘Bugger. Just yer girl,’ the other comments.
Scootaloo blinks as the figures come into focus. ‘Pip? Featherweight? What the hell are you doing here?’
The earth pony gets out a letter. ‘I was told to come here tonight. He and I arrived earlier this afternoon.’
The mare jabs her coltfriend. ‘So that is why you weren’t at my farewell party.’ She thinks. ‘Wait. I was invited to come here too. This is for Wonderbolts training, right?’
‘If this is for Wonderbolts, they are gonna be sad they recruited me,’ Pip laughs.
‘I-I don’t even want to join the Wonderbolts!’ Featherweight stammers. He realizes something. ‘You had party for something you didn’t even know about?’
‘Yeah! And you weren’t there!’
‘I guess this is the place...’ another female voice says. Ruby Pinch trots into view, lighting her way with her magic. ‘If not, then I have no idea why Scootaloo is shouting.’
‘Whoa. Wait. An earth pony and an unicorn got invited to the Wonderbolts? Come on!’
‘They were invited, Miss Scootaloo,’ a new voice says. ‘Not for the Wonderbolts, but for another illustrious group.’
A dark blue flash fills the field as Princess Luna and Dinky Hooves appear. Dinky is wearing Lunar Guard armor. The gathered ponies bow to Luna. Dinky laughs to see her coltfriend acting submissive.
‘It is good to see all of you gathered so punctually,’ the princess compliments. ‘That will reflect well on your training.’
Scootaloo rises. ‘Training? What are you talking about?’
‘We are expanding the Lunar Guard presence in and around Ponyville. You four were recommended by the four Lunar Guard officers in the town already. If you pass your training, you will join Miss Dinky for regular patrols in defence of the town and the surrounding area.’
‘Wait. Dinky is in the Lunar Guard?’ Pip asks.
‘That is “Dinky is in the Lunar Guard, ma’am”, cadet,’ the unicorn snickers.
‘Dinky...’
‘Also, that is “Lt Dinky”, Cadet Squeak.’
Everypony, including Luna, barely contains a laugh at the embarrassed stallion’s expense.
‘W-why us?’ Featherweight asks. ‘Surely there are ponies more suited for the job. I-I mean, I don’t even have bat wings.’
Luna smirks. ‘That can be arranged if you so desire.’ She gets a horrified head shake in reply. ‘You were each chosen because one of the Ponyville officers saw something in you they wanted to bring to the Lunar Guard. You can refuse this offer for training at any time. Whether all of you pass or none of you pass is up to you and your instructors. Do not think this will be easy, but the rewards are quite worth it.’ She looks at the recruits. ‘Who here is ready to take the first step?’
Pip steps forward. ‘I’m all in. Anything to help you, Princess Luna.’
‘Just don’t think that sleeping with your instructor counts as points in your favor,’ Dinky snickers.
‘And if it is unsatisfactory, you are allowed to deduct points,’ Luna adds.
Pip moans as everypony laughs at him again.
Ruby steps forward. ‘Why not? This could be a fun experience.’
Featherweight nods in agreement. ‘Y-yeah. I can probably get a good story out of this.’
Everypony looks at Scootaloo as she thinks.
‘I don’t know,’ the pegasus mare hems. ‘I was sorta hoping to get in the Wonderbolts, ya know.’
‘Honor, integrity, discipline. All values both the Lunar Guards and Wonderbolts uphold, dear Scootaloo,’ Luna points out. ‘A commitment to the training we offer you now would shine brightly on an application to the Wonderbolts in the future, among other perks you may unexpectedly gain from this venture.’
Scootaloo thinks again. ‘Okay. I’ll do it.’
‘Excellent!’ Luna bows. ‘I must take my leave now since I have other duties to attend to, but I will be checking in regularly. I will leave you in the hooves of one of your instructors. They are all yours, Miss Dinky.’ She teleports away.
Dinky examines the others. ‘Fall in!’ The others snap to attention. ‘Follow me. We’ll get you to your bunks now so we can begin your training bright and early.’
The unicorn turns and leads the others away.
‘Early evening, right?’ Featherweight asks.
‘Ask permission to speak first, cadet,’ Dinky snorts. ‘As to your question: despite our name, Lunar Guards do not just operate when the sun goes down nor are we all bat ponies as you commonly see in the recruitment posters. We are more like federal law enforcement crossed with military shock troops.’
‘Covert ops. Sweet.’ Pip comments. ‘Thank you so much for getting me in, love.’
‘First of all, it is very much out of line to address your commanding officer in such a manner,’ Dinky scolds. ‘Second, you, too, have failed to follow protocol. Third, if you want covert ops, join the royal guard. We deal in special police operations for civilians and shock tactics for the military. Finally,’ -- she turns back and sticks her tongue out -- ‘I wasn’t the one who recommended you.’
‘What? Come on!’
Dinky laughs and leads them onward. Ruby chats with Featherweight while Pip tries engaging Dinky further. Scootaloo hangs in the back, thinking.
Pipsqueak, Featherweight and Ruby line up outside of their barracks. Pip yawns loudly. Dinky and a bat pony trot up. Both are having a lively conversation. They stop in front of the cadets.
‘Where’s Scootaloo?’ Dinky asks.
‘She didn’t come when you called us,’ Featherweight explains.
‘Yeah. She was acting weird all night,’ Pip adds. ‘Probably just sleeping in.’
A shadow passes overhead. Scootaloo lands next to the other cadets and salutes the instructors.
‘Sorry I am late,’ the pegasus says. ‘I was up early for my morning workout and figured I’d stop by the armory early.’
The bat pony nods. ‘Good call.’ He turns to the others. ‘You can learn from her.’
The others mumble in acknowledgement.
‘Sleep in,’ Scootaloo scoffs. She looks at Pip. ‘Despite the condition of my apartment, I am usually the one opening the shop for Rei while she is still in bed with her wife.’
‘Enough gossip,’ the bat pony interrupts. ‘I am Major Meadowlark. You can call me Major, Meadowlark or Mr Sassy Shorts if you were in my graduating class and there for that magical weekend...’ Everypony stares at him in shock. ‘Anyway! My brother is the second highest ranking officer in your town and personally picked me to whip you into shape.’ He nods proudly. ‘So please do just that. I’d hate for him to yell at me again.’
‘You did fine with my class, Meadowlark,’ Dinky laughs. ‘Now, everypony fall in. We’ll get you suited up in time for breakfast. Scootaloo, you can go early.’
Dinky leads the other cadets away.
‘I’m going to need an extra large codpiece,’ Pip says.
‘Since when?’ Dinky replies.
Everyone laughs as Pipsqueak grumbles. Scootaloo smiles and follows them.
‘Mess is this way,’ Meadowlark says, heading in another direction.
‘Yes, but I am part of a team. We are supposed to stick together.’
‘Okay, but it is not my fault if all the blueberries and waffles and blueberry waffles...’
Scootaloo laughs. ‘Dude, I’m a future Wonderbolt. I doubt you’ll beat me to everything.’
The ponies share a laugh, hoofbump and head their separate directions.
After breakfast, Dinky and Meadowlark lead the cadets to a field with targets. A building with a sign reading ‘Armory’ is near the field. The bat pony wipes some crumbs from his armor.
‘This will be where we spend a lot of our time,’ Meadowlark states. ‘Day and night. We will be training you in multiple forms of combat from CQC to the traditional weapons of the Lunar Guard: our electrified claws.’
‘Does that include if we’re not flyers?’ Pip asks.
‘It is our standard issue weapon. Everypony must know how to use them, but you can specialize in another weapon of your choosing.’
‘Sweet!’ Scootaloo cheers. She reaches under her wing and pulls out her pistol. ‘I know what I am using.’
Everypony dives for cover when they see the weapon.
Dinky uses her magic to pull the gun from Scootaloo’s hoof. ‘Where did you get that?’
‘I brought it with me.’
‘How did you sneak a gun into camp?’
‘Daring taught me all sorts of places to hide a pistol.’ She glares at Pipsqueak. ‘Not there.’
‘I didn’t say anything!’ the young stallion defends.
Dinky returns the weapon. ‘Well, I guess if you are safe with it...’ She turns to Meadowlark. ‘We really have to review camp security.’
Scootaloo returns the gun to her underwing. ‘Ah, don’t worry. I’m an expert with it. Heck, Daring taught me to be a perfect shot while drunk.’
Dinky raises an eyebrow. ‘Do you mean that you are a perfect shot while drunk or that she was drunk when she taught you?’
The pegasus looks away and scratches her cheek. ‘Listen, she just taught me how to shoot, okay? Sure, there were times when there were booze bottles around when Shy called her husband on us, and there was the time Rei had to bail us out from the police station, but I’m not the one on trial here! What are you talking about?’
Dinky sighs and grimaces.
Pip taps his chin. ‘That explains the time you two barged into my family’s shop and made a mess in one of the backrooms, mistaking it for a washroom.’
‘That could have been two other really drunk pegasi who confused your shop for their own! You can’t prove anything!’
‘The smell lingered in the shop for months! You still owe us for cleaning it up!’
Meadowlark leans in. ‘You know, we can train you in the proper forensics to pin it on them.’
‘Ha!’
Scootaloo growls and shoves Pip. Dinky forces them apart magically. ‘What! This is combat time! Just getting started.’
‘We’ll get started for real after our warmup stretches, and your apology to Pip.’
Scootaloo huffs and offers a hoof to the stallion. ‘Sorry for hitting you and for your store...’
Pip takes the hoof. ‘Yeah. Whatever.’
‘Good. Now line up and follow my lead.’
Dinky starts demonstrating stretches for the cadets to follow.
Featherweight leans towards his fillyfriend. ‘Can I assume it is booze when you call me “Diamond” by accident?’
Scootaloo growls and whips Featherweight with her tail.
In their barracks, the cadets get ready for bed. Pipsqueak lays in his bunk, trying to sleep. Ruby cleans her armor. Scootaloo does wing-ups on the floor. Featherweight compiles notes of the day’s events. He sniffs a bit.
‘Can you please stop that?’ the male pegasus asks. ‘You smell sweaty enough already.’
‘Excuse me,’ Scootaloo snorts. ‘I missed my workout last night, so I have to go double tonight.’
‘And our training today was what?’
‘Barely a scratch compared to what Rainbow Dash has Rei put me through. Hopefully, it will get tougher.’
‘Speaking of getting stronger,’ Pip speaks up, ‘I might not have a nose of a pegasus, but I think you are getting a little ripe.’
‘And I think you should shut the buck up.’
Ruby sighs and sets her armor aside. ‘Come on, Scootaloo. I’ll go with you to the shower. Don’t want the men getting too pissy.’
Scootaloo groans and stops her workout. ‘Fine. Let’s go.’
The mares get towels and head out.
‘So, uh...’ Ruby mumbles. ‘Um, liking this so far? I was a little surprised I was asked. I’m not really that special. Just a farmer...’ She smiles at Scootaloo. ‘I’m not surprised you got asked. You were the toughest student in school.’
‘Being tough has nothing to do with it,’ Scootaloo replies. ‘You are clever. Your talent allows you to create unique new berry combinations. You’re a critical thinker. That is probably what they want in you.’
Ruby smiles. ‘Thank you.’
They reach the showers and head in. They hear water running and somepony singing.
‘I’m the W-two O. N and an A. No princess raises the moon quite like me! I’m Woonalicious!’
The young mares stare in shock. ‘Princess!?’
Luna looks from her shower stall. An opossum sits on her head, scrubbing itself. ‘Ah! Girls! Wonderful to see you! How is training treating you?’
‘It is just the first day,’ Scootaloo replies. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘If you are to become part of my taskforce, I must keep an eye or two on your progress.’ She smiles craftily. ‘Plus, tonight begins your special training. Even if you do not join the Lunar Guard, what I will be teaching you may save your life.’
‘Cool,’ Scootaloo comments.
Ruby stares in bewilderment. ‘There is a giant rodent on your head.’
Luna glances up. ‘You mean Senor Reginald Tiberius Carvajal the Third? He’s my mascot. Isn’t he adorable?’
‘... He’s something.’
Luna sniffs. ‘What is that horrible smell?’
Scootaloo gets in a shower. ‘I’m taking care of that! Okay!’
Ruby laughs as she starts her shower as well.
‘Pipsqueak, wake up.’
The stallion groans as he drools into his pillow.
‘Young Master Pipsqueak. Arise.’
Pip jumps to attention. ‘Yes, Princess Luna!’ He looks around and sees the others and the princess in blank void. ‘What are ya doing here?’
‘This is part of your training, Master Pip,’ Luna replies.
‘Taking over the Matrix, are we?’
‘Not quite. This is the Dream Realm. This is how I monitor everypony’s dreams, and how the Lunar Guard alerts me to any immediate disaster.’
‘By sleeping?’ Pipsqueak hoofpumps. ‘I get paid to sleep now! In your face, Starlight!’
‘Careful with that name, Pip,’ Luna warns. ‘He has a way of hearing you… I believe he got that from his father...’
‘So what do we do here?’ Featherweight asks.
‘Ah! By using the Dream Realm, I am alerted to any disturbances and can link minds with individuals needing help. Nightmares are a common threat, especially around finals. Canterlot lights up twice a year...’ The princess sighs. ‘All Lunar Guards are trained in lucid dreaming. That is like a beacon to me. Too powerful a dream, the dreamer’s psyche could be in danger.’
‘So if my imagination is out of control, you stop me?’ Ruby wonders.
‘In a sense. Lunar Guards use the method to alert me and report any dangers, suspicious actions, and pending threats that I may need to warn my sister about.’
The unicorn nods. ‘Makes sense. How do we do it?’
‘It takes practice, and I will be showing you many different techniques for reaching a lucid state quickly. Though if memory serves me, I believe Scootaloo has some experience in the field.’
‘Are you saying I can make anything I want in my dreams?’
‘Correct. With a little practice, everypony here will be able to do the same.’
‘So, you might as well get started,’ Diamond Tiara states. ‘It is awfully boring here.’
Everypony stares at the new pony.
‘What? You never saw somepony this perfect before?’
Pip facehoofs. ‘Great. First thing she thinks of is her. This is how I want to spend my night.’
Diamond steps over to the young stallion and pushes him back. ‘You couldn’t handle me for one hour of one night.’
‘That is enough,’ Luna interrupts. ‘Everypony, gather for your training. Scootaloo, you may wait this one out if you want.’
Scootaloo nods as the princess leads the others away. Featherweight stops by his fillyfriend.
‘First thing you think of is her?’
Diamond smirks. ‘Jealous much?’
Featherweight rolls his eyes and goes to train. Scootaloo moans. The illusion rubs against her.
‘Want to go fool around?’
Meadowlark and Dinky lead the cadets in their combat training. Scootaloo and Pipsqueak hold pads for Ruby and Featherweight to attack with fake claws.
‘Great hit, Ruby! Keep it up!’ Scootaloo encourages.
‘I don’t know if I can go on much longer,’ the other mare pants.
‘Come on. You have more meat on you than the colts do. Give it all you got.’
‘Are you saying I’m fat?’
‘No, just saying you’re bulkier than them.’
‘Hey! I may not be a twig like your coltfriend, but I am not a cow.’
‘Course not. Yer an unicorn. Now give me some beefy unicorn muscle.’
Ruby growls, charges her hoof with her magic and swings a punch. The blow barely misses the pad and catches Scootaloo in the neck. She hits the ground, wooden claw still in her throat, before anypony realizes what happened.
‘Oh my Luna!’ Ruby shouts.
‘MEDIC!’ Meadowlark calls, flying off.
‘Dude! What the he-?’ Pip interrupts himself to eject his breakfast all over the training grounds.
Dinky pushes her panicking friend aside. ‘Back off. Let me see. I’ve practiced some field medicine.’
Featherweight looks over, having abandoned his claws for his journal. ‘She’ll be fine,’ he says nonchalantly. ‘She had a big breakfast.’
‘How can you be so calm!’ Ruby yells. ‘I just stabbed your fillyfriend in the neck.’
The pegasus stallion grumbles and goes to his fillyfriend. He reaches out and pulls the training instrument free. Ruby shrieks at all the blood.
‘Careful with that!’ Dinky warns.
‘It’s fine.’ Featherweight taps Scootaloo. ‘Come on. Get up. Just walk it off.’
‘What the hell!’ the unicorns scream.
Scootaloo groans and holds her neck. The puncture wounds close up.
‘What the hell!’ the unicorns scream louder, backing away as fast as they can. Dinky trips over her fainted coltfriend while Ruby slips in his mess.
Scootaloo winces as she stretches her neck while sitting up. She taps the closed wound and wipes the blood away. ‘Told ya that ya had it in ya.’
‘Never fear,’ Meadowlark calls. ‘Medics are… Zombie!’
The bat pony flies away in terror. The medics rush to Scootaloo.
‘I’m fine. I’m fine,’ she assures. She sees Pip on the ground. ‘He might need some help though.’
The medics leave the pegasi. Dinky trots to her friends.
‘Do you mind explaining what is going on here?’ the officer demands.
Scootaloo grins sheepishly. ‘Well…’
Late at night, Scootaloo lands outside of the cafeteria. She looks around and gets a set of lockpicks from under her wing. After a couple moments, the door opens.
‘Not only are you going to have to wash again, but you may wish to brush your teeth as well.’
Scootaloo jumps and spins around. Luna smiles at the surprised mare.
‘I quite enjoy a midnight snack as well; though most nights, those are my second meal of the day.’
‘Right. Yeah. I like having a quick bite after a fly,’ the younger mare agrees. She and Luna enter the mess hall. She stops. ‘You’re not here to train us more, are you?’
‘Do you wish me to?’
Scootaloo rolls her eyes. ‘Totally. I’m not in enough trouble with Featherweight for imagining Diamond already.’
Luna laughs. ‘Young love is full of delightful follies. Just don’t let him freeze all the Earth Pony Tribe’s crops as a misguided act of romance.’
‘What?’
The princess smiles and gets some cake from the kitchen. ‘Even princesses can make mistakes when it comes to romance.’ She starts eating. ‘I hear you had a little incident earlier.’
Scootaloo touches her neck. ‘Pushed Ruby a little too hard. It was only a flesh wound.’
‘You demand a lot from the others, don’t you?’
‘I’m only asking for what I know they have.’
‘Do you think you will all pass?’
‘Maybe. I hope so.’ Scootaloo take a bite of cake. She chews slowly, swallows and looks away. ‘I’m not sure about Featherweight. I think he is doing this all for a story.’ She sighs. ‘I wouldn’t want to see him in combat either, to be honest. I’d hate to lose him.’
‘And what about the others?’
‘Pip will rush out in the first wave if you tell him to and Ruby…’ She looks at the princess. ‘The Lunar Guard does police work, right? I think she’d be better in a support role than what the Guard normally does.’
‘If you could do it all yourself, would you?’
‘Hell yeah! Oops. Uh, sorry.’
‘It is okay. Go on.’
‘Well, uh, you know about my self-healing, right? Daring trained me in things Sweetie Belle dreams of doing, and I can take more hits than a Celestia-class airship. Why risk others when you have somepony that can do it all?’
‘So, you would fight so others don’t have to?’
‘Didn’t I just say that?’
Luna smiles. ‘Anyway, how has Rainbow Dash been? Heard from her lately?’
Meadowlark and Ruby lead the cadets into a cabin. The interior is a complete mess. Books are strewn everywhere. Clothes hang out of a dresser. A window is cracked. The bed looks like it has been upturned.
‘Lunar Guard must be able to aid local police services,’ Meadowlark states. ‘Part of that aid is crime scene investigations. You will have one hour to draw as many conclusions about the crime that took place in this room. Report anything you find, but do not disturb the scene. You may begin.’
The cadets make their way around the room. Pipsqueak bends down to look under a desk. Ruby scans every surface with her magic. Featherweight gets out his notepad and jots down what he sees. Scootaloo casually glances around.
‘There was no crime here,’ the pegasus mare states.
‘What? Are you sure?’ Dinky asks.
‘Positive. That is unless you consider Daring getting plastered and clopping a crime.’
‘Uh… How do you know that is what happened?’
‘We received reports of suspicious sounds,’ Meadowlark adds. ‘When we investigated, the window was open. We figured this was a perfect training scenario and not some made-up show.’
‘Well, it should be pretty obvious, but I live with her so I know the signs.’ She points to a small kitchen. ‘Fridge is open, but nothing seems to be missing. That is, until you check behind the bed and find a couple empty whiskey bottles. The open window is to air out the room and hide the smell.’
Featherweight nods. ‘I smell it too.’ He sniffs. ‘I’d say about two bottles worth.’
‘Light night.’ Scootaloo points to the bookshelf. ‘The books are knocked down, but there is only one missing: “Enigmatic Scientist”. The recent reprint where she added all the sex scenes back to the story.’ She points to a chair Pip is leaning against. ‘The book is over there, likely opened to the shower scene. Not to mention, the chair looks a little sticky.’
Pip recoils and moans as he looks at his hoof.
‘And you’ll probably find the used tissues...’
‘Found them!’ Ruby says, looking under the desk. ‘... Yeah. I ain’t even touching them with my magic.’
‘But… Daring wasn’t here recently. This was all reported last night.’ Meadowlark argues.
Scootaloo stare blankly. ‘You make it seem like Daring can’t drop two bottles of whiskey in one night.’
Pip nods. ‘She is a mare of many talents.’ He strokes his goatee, then realizes where his hoof just was. ‘GAH!’
Dinky glares at her coltfriend. ‘Maybe now you will shave the damn thing.’
Meadowlark moans over the failed exercise. ‘Everypony take an early lunch. We’ll meet back for weapons training afterwards.’
The cadets file out of the cabin. Dinky catches up with them.
‘Scootaloo, how did you really know this wasn’t a crime?’ Dinky asks.
‘I live with her back in Ponyville. You think this is the first time I’ve seen this happen?’ She huffs, ‘Just be glad she doesn’t owe you any new WiiMotes.’
‘UGH!’ Pip recoils.
‘That’s why you gave those to me!’ Featherweight gapes.
‘They can fit there?’ Ruby wonders.
‘I’m not hearing this!’ Pip shouts covering his ears.
‘You never want to hear about it when it comes to this,’ Dinky grumbles.
‘Not when it comes to you, love.’ Pip puts a hoof around Dinky. ‘I love talking sex with you.’
Dinky stops. ‘Where was that hoof last?’
‘Uh...’
‘I know somepony who isn’t getting any for a very long time.’
Pipsqueak moans again as his friends leave him behind.
Late in the afternoon, the cadets are doing target practice on a shooting range. Featherweight sits at the back, resting a wing after some nasty kickback from the rifle he was using. Ruby uses her magic to control a pistol she is using. Pipsqueak laughs as he gets another bullseye with his pistol.
Scootaloo removes the magazine from her gun, sets them down and backs away from the weapon. ‘I’m going to get a bottle of water. Anypony need anything?’
‘Waters all around would be great,’ Dinky replies. ‘Thanks for doing this.’
The other mare smiles. ‘No prob.’
Scootaloo kicks off the ground and flies away. Pip finishes his round and sets his gun down.
‘This is great!’ the young stallion cheers. ‘I’m a natural. Hey! Let’s see if I can make a shot blindfolded!’
Before anypony can object, Pip reloads his pistol, takes aim, covers his eyes and fires. There is a loud thud as Scootaloo falls back to earth.
‘Medic!’ Meadowlark shouts, flying off.
Scootaloo groans, sitting up and holding the rapidly closing hole in her head. ‘OW! That really bucking hurt! Who’s the stupid bucker that didn’t watch what the buck he was doing before firing his bucking gun!’
Everypony points to Pip. The stallion screams like a young filly as Scootaloo tackles him and starts beating him. Meadowlark returns with the medic. Dinky stops them.
‘Hold on,’ she warns. ‘You don’t want to piss her off even more.’
The cadets line up outside of the mess hall after breakfast. Pipsqueak has a leg in a sling and a black eye. Scootaloo stands at the opposite end of the group from him. Dinky and Meadowlark trot up with another bat pony.
‘A bit of a change in your training today,’ Meadowlark says. ‘Instead of our usual routine, all you will have to do is talk.’
‘Thank Luna,’ Pip sighs.
‘Talk, or any other activity you wish to do with our special guest: my brother, Sunshine.’
Sunshine bows. ‘It is great to see you doing well in your training so far. I expect good things from you.’
‘We will give you fifteen minutes to plan your first activity with Commander Sunshine, Featherweight,’ Dinky says
The pegasus nearly drops his notepad. ‘W-We’re not meeting as a group!?’
‘This is an individual evaluation,’ Sunshine replies. ‘I want to get to know each of you individually. Let’s try to have fun.’
‘You heard him,’ Meadowlark states. ‘We’ll meet back here in fifteen so Featherweight can make his appointment. Dismissed.’
The cadets salute and split. Featherweight asks Scootaloo for ideas of things to do. Dinky helps Pipsqueak away.
‘Did you have to sound so formal?’ Sunshine asks.
‘Did it impress you?’ Meadowlark replies.
Sunshine laughs. ‘You’ll always be my silly little brother.’
…
Scootaloo lands beside a lake. Sunshine lands beside her. In the early afternoon, the light shines off the surface of the lake. Mountains line the horizon. Forests surround the area. Across the lake, a bear fishes at the banks.
‘Impressive,’ the bat pony comments.
‘Isn’t it?’ the pegasus replies. ‘I found it a couple days ago. I’d glad to have the chance to come back.’
‘Truly wonderful.’ Sunshine looks at Scootaloo. ‘Why did you take me here?’
‘I don’t know. Just felt like sharing. I want to bring the others too, but this is the first time we had off.’
‘Hmm. Good choice.’
‘Sir?’
‘I was just thinking of how good a choice I made.’
‘What about?’
‘Recommending you.’
‘Wait. You recommended me? Not Rei or Daring?’
Sunshine smiles. ‘How did you figure Rei out?’
‘Ya think Luna wouldn’t give her daughter a handout?’
‘Fair enough,’ Sunshine laughs. ‘Yeah. I recommended you. I knew you would be a perfect fit.’
‘Why? Why’d you do it?’
‘Because Rei said not to.’
Scootaloo jumps up. ‘What!’
‘When we were reviewing potential candidates, your name was mentioned. Rei didn’t think you would be a good fit yet. She even took us on a tour of your apartment. It was a sty.’ He shrugs. ‘Guess it still is a sty. But under the food cartons, open sodas, game console still on and seeing you sleeping half-off the bed, I knew there was a good pony underneath.’
‘You saw me sleeping.’
‘Looked like you had just finished doing something important too.’ He grins evilly. ‘Or somepony, since Diamond Tiara was there too.’
Scootaloo punches Sunshine. ‘That is private!’
‘Until you soundproof your walls, no, it is not.’
‘That isn’t my fault...’ she growls.
Sunshine laughs again. He turns back to the lake. ‘Definitely better than the others.’
‘What did they do with you?’
The bat pony sighs. ‘Featherweight wanted stories from my time since joining the Lunar Guard. Ruby was curious about the scientific techniques we use in our investigations. I am sure Pipsqueak is preparing to show off all the “sweet moves” he learned.’
‘Except for Ruby, that sounds so like them.’
The ponies sit silently, watching the lake, for a few moments.
‘You reminded me a lot of myself before I enlisted,’ Sunshine states.
‘Sir?’
‘Before I enlisted, I would go out and get trashed every night, come home late from partying with friends. Meadowlark asked me to sign up with him. I was still drunk enough to think it was a good idea. In less than a year, I completely cleaned up. By the time Luna returned, I was the one giving orders, but I still found time to be with my friends and family and be social. Just wish some of my social decisions were better made...’
‘Dude, have you seen his son? If he and I weren’t taken, I’d make Starlight see stars.’
‘And half the town would hear about it, too.’
‘Not cool!’
Sunshine laughs and watches the lake. ‘Even if you don’t make it, I am certain that this experience has changed you for the better. Though, it would be disappointing if you didn’t join.’
‘Right… If I didn’t join...’
Scootaloo sighs and joins Sunshine in enjoy the scenery.
Scootaloo enters an office. Luna is sitting at the desk, playing with Tibbles. Scootaloo takes a seat across from the princess.
‘You, uh, wanted to see me?’
‘Indeed, Young Scootaloo. I wished to go over your evaluation.’
‘My evaluation?’
‘Correct. Every cadet goes through a routine psych evaluation. I wanted to discuss the results.’
‘Whoa! When did this happen? I don’t remember anything like this.’
‘I can enter your dreams. Do you think I cannot gather everything I need to know from your subconscious?’
‘Isn’t that a violation of privacy?’
‘Indeed it is, which is why you are evaluated covertly by trained agents. Shall we begin?’
Scootaloo huffs and slumps back.
Luna levitates a folder and glasses. Tiberius hops off the desk and scurries out.
‘Now, why are you dating Featherweight?’
‘What?’
‘Why are you dating him? You show far more interest in Diamond Tiara. I heard you a couple nights ago when you commandeered the furthest shower stall late at night. That was her name you were saying. You could have just as easily snuck off with him like Pipsqueak and Dinky do.’
‘Listen! I love Featherweight! I am not just dating him to be seen with a guy.’
‘I never said you were, but are you?’
‘NO! ARG! You’re worse than my therapist! I am not crossing my father’s projected desire that I was born a colt on to my sexual preferences by imagining myself as another male in my relationship with Featherweight. He is not my gay lover from my secret longing to be stallion. I am a mare! I like both mares and stallions. Sure, I like Diamond more, but… Shut up! I am just as straight as I am lesbian!’
‘Hmm.’ Luna makes a note. ‘You are in therapy?’
Scootaloo growls and looks away. ‘Not since moving out. … After dad left, mom signed us up for family therapy. Dash even kicked in so she could be there to support me.’
‘Why did you go?’
‘That is personal! Buck you!’
‘You do know who you just said that to, right?’
‘Sorry, princess.’
‘It is okay. Do you have any issues you still wish to work out? I am a good ear, and the Lunar Guard does cover mental health checkups.’
The younger mares looks down and growls, ‘Buck you..’
‘Fair enough. Why did you move out from your mom’s place? You were pretty young when you did so.’
Scootaloo takes a deep breath. ‘Listen, I love my mom. She is great. Just… Well, Sweetie had moved out the year before. AB took over the library and was running it while still going to school and smoking us on all the exams… I just wanted to prove I could be kick ass too. Did a great job with that...’
‘You maintained two relationships, attended school and worked part-time. Not to mention any life lessons Daring taught you.’
‘Drinking, shooting and how not to choke while deep throating? Great role model.’
Luna grimaces. ‘She really taught you that.’
Scootaloo laughs. ‘No! Well, the drinking and shooting stuff.’ She shakes her head. ‘It is a wonder I didn’t fail out. Good thing I’m a pretty decent hacker...’
Luna nods and jots more notes. ‘Do you love him?’ The princess catches Scootaloo in her magic before the other mare can attack. ‘The way you speak of Featherweight is how I used to talk about Cloudchaser in the end. She knew it too. She knew I still had a flame for… Just be gentle. You don’t want it to turn out like my first coltfriend.’
‘You and Mr Wanderer broke up that bad?’
‘Technically, it was with him… Let’s just say I froze him in stone and kept him on the lawn for a couple thousand years.’
‘Huh?’
Luna laughs. ‘Just a couple more questions, if I may.’
‘Fine.’
‘How is Rei?’
‘What?’
‘How is she? I want an outsider’s perspective.’
‘She’s great. She is really freaking out about this kid thing. I think she calls Bon Bon at least twice a day to see how she is doing.’
‘The idea is sound. Rei is just a worrier.’
‘Yeah. She’s been taking care of me since high school…’ She frowns. ‘I need to get my act together. I’m holding her back.’
‘I don’t see it that way. I think she doesn’t realize that she has been a wonderful mother figure to you. You have been a good influence on her.’
Scootaloo rolls her eyes. ‘Yeah. I guess.’
‘Last question: how would you like officer’s training?’
‘What?’
‘You have been outperforming the other cadets. Your nanites are a great benefit, except for Pipsqueak’s health. You are smart, driven, loyal and you have earned the recommendations from both instructors and Sunshine.’
‘I don’t know what to say...’
‘Your training period will be extended longer than the others, but you would be a great asset to the Lunar Guard and all of Equestria if you take this offer.’
‘This is a big decision. It would change everything I have planned.’
Luna stands and rounds the desk. She hugs Scootaloo. ‘You will make whichever choice is right for you. I know it. Take the rest of the day off to think. Just make sure you answer me before your training is through.’ She leaves Scootaloo to think.
The young mare takes a deep breath and stares at the ceiling. ‘What would you do, Dash?’
Scootaloo takes a deep breath before pushing open a locker room door. She trots past several pegasi cooling down after a long fly. Her new officer’s armor shines catches the light. She stops behind one of the pegasi and clears her throat.
‘Autograph session is in twenty,’ Rainbow Dash replies, not turning around.
‘Actually, Dash, it is something else,’ Scootaloo mumbles.
The older mare turns around. ‘Squirt?’ She laughs joyfully. ‘Great to see you here! Love the new look.’
‘Um, thanks… That is what I wanted to talk to you about.’
‘Sure. What is it?’
‘I, uh, accepted an offer to join the Lunar Guard as an officer.’
‘Sweet! You’d be awesome at it! I’m really proud of you!’
‘You are? You’re not upset?’
Dash looks confused. ‘Why would I be upset?’
‘Because I am joining the Lunar Guard! I’m not following you to the Wonderbolts! I had to use my new rank to get in here!’
‘So?’
‘What do you mean “so”?’
‘We have plenty of Lunar Guard in the Wonderbolts. Cloudchaser and Fleetfoot are both majors.’
‘Least she could do after we broke up,’ a passing Cloudchaser grumbles.
‘See,’ Dash says. ‘Just because you’re in the Guard doesn’t mean I am not expecting you to join us down the road. But if you don’t want to join...’
‘I want to join! I want to prove I am the best, like you!’
Dash smiles and hugs Scootaloo. ‘I already know you are the best. You don’t have to prove it to anypony. Even if you never joined the Wonderbolts or the Guard, I would always be proud of you.’
Scootaloo tears up. ‘Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I love you.’
‘Love ya too, Squirt.’
Scootaloo breaks the hug, steps back and salutes. Rainbow Dash and the other Wonderbolts return the salute. Scootaloo smiles and exits the locker room, knowing she made the right choice.
