//------------------------------// // Chapter 28 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Twenty-Eight}*~         It had been a month since Silver Spoon attacked Starbloom and she went into house arrest. The new Ponyville Juvenile Center was nearly completed. After some discussion between Twilight, Mayor Mare, and Cheerilee, they agreed to permit Silver Spoon off house arrest.         Silver Spoon still wasn’t permitted to return to school for the rest of that year, nor was she permitted to have any contact with Starbloom. If Silver Spoon was caught teasing, taunting or bullying Starbloom she would sent back to house arrest or the Juvenile Center if it was completed.         Ms. Cheerilee would continue to visit Silver Spoon after school to help her keep up with her schoolwork. However, Silver Spoon would be allowed to leave the house and visit her friends and the guard wouldn’t be stationed at her place anymore.         “Starbloom, are you alright with all of this?” Twilight asked after telling her about what was happening with Silver Spoon.         “Yes mom,” Starbloom answered watching from the table while Spike made lunch. “I know Silver Spoon can’t stay cooped up in the house all the time and it’s been a month.”         “She hurt you pretty bad Starbloom,” Spike hissed softly. “She could spend a few more months in her house I think.”         “Spike it won’t do any good to stay angry with her,” Twilight reminded him sighing, “But I know how you feel… I wasn’t too enthusiastic about releasing her from house arrest.”         “I know Twilight… just don’t like thinking she’ll be on the streets and could hurt Starbloom again,” Spike sighed as he finished preparing the lunch.         “She won’t Spike, she isn’t allowed go near her,” Twilight smiled, though she was also worried about that. Just because she wasn’t allowed to, doesn’t mean she wouldn’t.         “I’ll be alright Spike,” Starbloom smiled at him. “I don’t think she’ll do anything.” She didn’t believe it herself but she did her best to reassure Spike and make him feel better.         Spike smiled at Starbloom as he brought over a plate of loose-leaf salad, “Starbloom you’re too trusting,” He stated putting the plate in front of her. “It’s not a bad thing of course.”         “Thank you Spike,” She smiled at him looking at the plate, “I just like to see the best in ponies. I don’t think Silver Spoon is all bad…”         Spike sighed before ruffling her mane, “Maybe not, but you need to be careful around her.”         Twilight smiled at the two quietly taking a sip of her tea. “Well Spike, if you’re worried about her you can follow her around for a few days to help keep an eye on her.” Twilight suggested.         Spike and Starbloom blinked at Twilight, Spike tilted his head slightly, “Are you sure Twilight, don’t you need me around the library?” He asked.         “Yes I’m sure Spike; I can take care of myself.” Twilight smiled at him. “As for your choirs, well I think all three of us can handle them when you two get back.”         Starbloom blinked again still confused as she nibbled on her salad listening to the two, she was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” Starbloom offered getting off her chair and going to the front door.         She could hear Spike and Twilight still talking when she went into the main hall of the library; she reached up and opened the door to the library. “Hello?”         “Hey Starbloom, I’m glad it’s you I need your help.” Scootaloo greeted, she looked upset.         “What’s wrong Scootaloo?” Starbloom asked moving to let her come inside the library.         “It’s my scooter, some pony took it. I looked all over Ponyville and I can’t find it.” Scootaloo sighed, “Can you help me look for it?”         “Sure Scootaloo, I’ll help you look for it. Just let me get tell my mom and get my saddlebag.” Starbloom smiled at Scootaloo going to the kitchen, “Mom, I’m going to go help Scootaloo find her scooter.”         “Alright dear, just be careful.” Twilight smiled at Starbloom looking over at Spike. “Going to stay or go with her?”         Spike thought about it for a moment before smiling. “Her friends are going to be with her, I’m sure she’ll be safe with them.”         “You can come with us if you want Spike, but we’re just looking for a scooter,” Starbloom smiled at him. “Not really a grand quest or anything.”         Spike nodded at Starbloom, “Yea, I think I’ll stay here and keep Twilight company but if you need help let me know.”         Starbloom smiled at Spike and Twilight before heading out kitchen and to her room to get her saddlebag putting them on. She made sure she had enough paper, added her magnifying glass and some envelops.         “Ready Scootaloo?” Starbloom asked as she came down the stairs.         “Yea I’m ready to go,” Scootaloo smiled, Starbloom opened the door and the two left the library.         “So where did you last see the scooter?” Starbloom questioned as she followed Scootaloo.         “I had it resting against the wall of Sugar Cube Corner while I was inside getting some snacks for me and Rainbow Dash. We are going to a Wonderbolts show later today, I really got to find it before we leave.” Scootaloo sighed softly, “Do you think we can find it in three hours?”         “I’ll do my best Scootaloo, I promise I will.” Starbloom answered smiling as the two headed over to Sugar Cube Corner. Starbloom took out her magnifying glass and started to search the area Scootaloo pointed out where she left the scooter.         “Do you see anything Starbloom?” Scootaloo asked as she watched Starbloom go over the area carefully.         “Hmmm… yes I do actually.” She answered taking out a sheet of paper and folds it in her magic into the shape of an envelope before taking something off the ground and putting it in the envelope and closing it stashing it away in her saddlebag. “But it could be nothing. Which direction did you come from?”         “Oh… okay.” Scootaloo sighed before thinking, “I came here from Rainbow Dash’s house, which is that way,” She pointed down the street.         Starbloom nodded as she examined the ground seeing the scooter tracks coming from that direction and hoof prints that would match Scootaloo’s hooves going to the store and coming back out. She also sees another set of hoof prints of similar size approaching the scooter from across the street before leaving with the scooter down the street.         “Well Scootaloo it looks like the scooter was stolen, by a filly our age,” Starbloom said as she started the follow the scooter tracks down the street.         “Stolen!?” Scootaloo yelled as she jumped fluttering her wings before trotting after Starbloom, “Who would do something like that?”         “I have a suspect in mind, I did find some evidence, but I need more before I can accuse them.” Starbloom mused as she followed the scooter tracks through the street. “Do you remember any details about what happen before or after the scooter disappeared?”         “No… I can’t think of anything. I rode the scooter from the house to here; I went inside and got the snacks for Rainbow Dash and me. When I came back outside, the scooter was gone.” Scootaloo repeated thinking it over in her mind. “Nothing really stands out.”         “Hmm I see…” She considered before stopping suddenly causing Scootaloo to run into her.         “Oww, Starbloom why did you stop like that?” Scootaloo grumbled rubbing her head with a hoof looking up at her.         “Sorry Scootaloo, but the scooter’s tracks just stopped right here.” Starbloom said looking around the street they was on, there wasn’t too much in this part of town other than a couple of houses and a park.         “Do we even know any ponies that live in this part of Ponyville?” Scootaloo asked looking around. She couldn’t remember any of them every coming to this side of town before. “Why would anyone from around here take my scooter?”         “I don’t know Scootaloo; this doesn’t make any sense at all.” Starbloom sighed taking out her magnifying glass again and start to search around the area where the tracks disappeared for additional clues.