Pain… that was the first thing that registered to Scootaloo. Pure pain. She barely managed to open her eyes as she looked about the room she was in - recognising a hospital room, she groaned.
“Oh! You’re awake!” a voice spoke from out of her vision. A white unicorn with a stethoscope for a cutie mark soon came into view. “I’m Doctor Good Health, I’ve been your primary doctor during your stay here at the hospital.” His voice was a gentle low timbre as he approached the bed levitating a chart in front of him.
“Wh-where am I?” Scootaloo asked quietly. Ouch, even talking hurt.
“You’re currently in the pediatric ward here at the Royal Canterlot Hospital. You were transferred here by the princess’ from Ponyville. You’re one lucky filly to have such friends that care about you.”
Looking around once more, Scootaloo realised, apart from the doctor, she was alone in the room. As her nerves began to rise, she started to get slightly worried about being alone in the Capital, she asked Dr. Health if any of her friends were here.
“Miss Dash and her friends arrived earlier; don’t worry, you’ll see them soon.”
“Please, can I see Rainbow… please?” Scootaloo asked quietly, remembering how at one time Rainbow had said that if she was ever ill, all she had to do was to get someone to ask for her, and she’d be there.
“Not yet. You can’t just seek them on a whim. But you’ll be allowed to see her soon.”
“No! I want to see Rainbow!” Scootaloo burst out heatedly. She couldn’t understand why this doctor wasn’t letting her see Rainbow, the only pony who she felt ever truly cared about her.
“Young lady, will you please calm down?!” the Doctor asked with a slightly stern tone.
Scootaloo tried to back away from him as he spoke, she knew what happened next. If she stayed calm, she wouldn’t be hurt. But with the way he spoke, if she didn’t, she would be… disciplined.
“S-sorry s-sir,” she squeaked out, causing him to look up from his paper-work, his face startled at her change in attitude.
“Oh horseapples…” he murmured, before setting her chart down and backing away from the bed.
“Easy there, young one, I’m sorry if I scared you, I’m not gonna hurt you. The only time there’s pain with me, is when I’m trying to heal ponies, okay?” he asked quietly.
Scootaloo nodded, she knew what he meant of course. Sometimes, when a pony was hurt, helping them heal hurt them as well, usually they were better afterwards... most of the time.
Finally able to move a little, she looked around, before looking down towards herself. Seeing the casts on her legs and feeling the bandages around her wings... wait! Wing?!
Her head whipped around to look at her side. There, where the bandage should be bulging out, was nothing but a thin red line. Panic starting to roar through her system. ”M-my wing?” she gasped out.
The doctor moved closer. “I’m sorry, little one, there was nothing we could do,” he told her as she shook her head.
Scootaloo’s mind began to race, her mind not being able to comprehend the loss of a wing. ‘No, no, no no..’ “NO, NO, NO, NO!” she cried out as her inner turmoil became vocal. She threw herself off the bed before charging to the door, or at least trying too before her legs collapsed.
“Where’s Rainbow?! Twilight!” she screamed out, trying to pull herself along the floor. But was soon engulfed in a magical field and deposited back on her bed.
“Now you stop that!” the doctor said sternly, but not unkindly.
“WHERE’S DASH?!” Scootaloo shouted.
“I’ll send for her in a minute, now please… calm down!” Dr. Health said, but by now Scootaloo was far too panicked to listen. Trapped by this strange unicorn, away from her friends, away from Ponyville - she was terrified.
Doing the last thing she could think of, she called out at the top of her voice, even as the doctor started pulling restraints across her, “DAAASH! I WANT RAINBOW!”
“Please… calm down,” the Doctor pleaded, pulling another restraining strap across Scootaloo, pinning her head to the bed along with her body just as the door to the room opened with a resounding crash.
Scootaloo eyes, wide in fear, couldn’t see a thing. She nearly didn’t recognise the voice that spoke with the rage contained within, “What. The. Buck. Are. You. Doing. With. MY DAUGHTER!”
Rainbow’s voice rang out in the room along with the sound of deliberate hoof steps before coming into Scootaloo’s sight, placing a wing over her as she stared at the doctor.
-o.O.O.o-
“DAAASH! I WANT RAINBOW!” echoed into the corridor, causing Rainbow to jump through the doors to a sight that made her blood boil.
There, strapped down so she couldn’t move, was Scootaloo. The unicorn was tightening the last strap forcing her head down. Her violet eyes wide with fear.
Rainbow could not remember any time she had been this angry before. She completely disregarded the orderlies words as she started stepping forwards. Her words forced their way up her throat as she moved next to the bed, good wing extended over Scootaloo as she waited for an answer.
“Sh-she was panicking, Miss Dash,” the doctor tried to tell her, as Rainbow turned to undo the restraints. However, before she could a magical field about the straps stopped her.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you undo those until she’s calmed do-” he was cut off as Rainbow shot forwards and threw the unicorn against the wall, her hoof flush against his neck as she spoke in a quiet, yet dangerous tone.
“You will let me release my daughter, now!” she grated out, but still the Unicorn still held firm.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that until she calms down.”
Rainbow glared at him, before pressing a bit harder. “Let. Her GO!”
“I’m sorry but n-” he started but was cut off by a voice from the side of the bed. Twilight stood on the other side of the bed - glaring at the Doctor.
“I did not carry Scootaloo on a litter, fly through a bucking cyclone, and then break the sound barrier for her to be restrained and scared out her mind! You want her to calm down? Then do as Rainbow asks,” she told him.
“I’m sorry, Princess, but I can’t grant that request,” the Doctor told her as Rainbow backed away and moved to Scootaloo, wincing when she saw the fire in Twilight’s eyes.
‘Rather you than me. Idiot,’ Rainbow thought towards the unicorn.
Twilight lit her horn up, pulling in her magic as purple glow surrounded the straps on the bed, completely snapping them in half. No sooner were they off when Rainbow picked Scootaloo up and carefully sat in the chair. She held the trembling filly close; glaring to the doctor, listening as Twilight reprimanded the doctor.
“I did not realise I gave you the impression it was a request. Next time I tell you to do something. Do It.” Twilight finished, a tone of command in her voice that Rainbow had never heard before, yet almost had her jumping to attention.
“Y-yes! Your Highness!” the doctor replied as he backed away to the door before Twilight spoke once more.
“You May Go.”
The doctor fled.
Rainbow nodded her thanks to Twilight, who had collapsed upon the other chair near her as soon as the doctor left. Looking down to the fear filled filly in her arms, Rainbow started to gently run her hoof through Scootaloo’s mane, quietly singing a song to let Scootaloo know just how much she was there for her. Scootaloo’s trembling lessened, yet didn’t stop.
Holding her close Rainbow slipped a hoof under the filly’s chin, lifting it so she could see her tear streaked face. “Scoots, it’s okay, I’m here now, an’ I ain’t goin anywhere. You don’t have to hide no more.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened at this statement before the words impacted and the little filly fell against Rainbow, sobbing against her as she cried out, “Y-you wo-won’t w-w-want m-m-m-meeee!”
Rainbow gently enfolded Scootaloo in her arms and bringing her good wing around, shielding Scootaloo. “Scoots, it’s okay, I know. I know what’s happened, okay?” she said quietly, before continuing to the sniffling orange ball of fur, “not only that, but even after I knew, I still adopted you.”
Scootaloo’s head shot up as her cries slowed, eyes wide, her purple gaze bored into Rainbows magenta orbs.“Y-you mean it?” she asked her quietly, almost as if she didn’t dare to believe it.
“I do Scoots. Your father can’t hurt you no more, and if you want, I’ll be your Momma Dash.” Rainbow said quietly, not noticing the other ponies who’d entered the room. The only pony she was worried about, was sat right here in her lap.
Scootaloo’s face lit up with a huge smile as she threw herself into Rainbow. “Yesyesyesyes!” she gasped out into Rainbows blue fur, tears falling against her as Rainbow carefully ran a hoof through her mane.
Spitfire approached the chair after looking towards Twilight for permission. “Hey kid, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Spitfire said quietly, causing Scootaloo to look around, eyes widening when she saw who had spoken.
Rainbow chuckled with the expression the normally ‘cool acting’ filly was pulling, it reminded Rainbow of her own reaction at the Best Young Flier contest a few years ago.
Spitfire smiled knowingly at Rainbow, before looking back to Scootaloo. “First off, kid, your new mom is now a lieutenant in the Wonderbolts. She proved to me she was ready for the responsibility when, without hesitation, she was willing to leave the Wonderbolts so she could adopt and raise you.”
Scootaloo looked back to Rainbow Dash who could feel the blush on her cheeks, but ignored it to smile and nod her head. “Hey, don’t worry about it, Scoots, you are more important to me than any uniform,” Rainbow said quietly, deciding that honesty over coolness was needed here.
Rainbow saw Spitfire nodding her agreement, before the captain continued, “Secondly, we would like to make you an honorary Wonderbolt, Scootaloo. That is, if you’ll have us?” Spitfire continued quietly, Soarin’ stepping up next to her with a smile.
Scootaloo's smile was only rivaled by those of Pinkie Pie's proportions! “Really?! You mean it!” Scootaloo squeaked.
Spitfire nodded with her own small smile. “Sure thing, I’ll see you when you’re all better and come visit okay?”
Scootaloo nodded and leaned back against Rainbow, being careful of her casts. She watched as Spitfire and Soarin’ left.
Waiting until the two lead Wonderbolts had left, Rainbow turned to Twilight, nodding towards her saddlebag. Twilight levitated it over so that Rainbow could reach it with one hoof, without displacing Scootaloo. Reaching in she grabbed the form and held it in front of Scootaloo’s face so the little filly could read what was on it.
Adoption Certification
This form certifies that the young colt/filly Scootaloo is now under the Legal Guardianship of Mr/Mrs/Miss Rainbow Dash who has been cleared to be the aforementioned colt’s/filly’s adoptive parent.
Should Mr/Mrs/Miss Rainbow Dash at any time in the future, for any reason become unable to continue to care for the colt/filly Scootaloo then guardianship and all responsibilities shall be held dually by Mr/Mrs/Miss Applejack and Mr/Mrs/Miss Pinkamena Diane Pie.
Signed 1: Princess Twilight Sparkle - Princess of Magic
Signed 2: Princess Luna - Princess of The Night
“Is th-this for real?” Scootaloo asked quietly, looking at the form. Rainbow smiled down to the bruised and battered young filly, who leaned back in to Rainbow as she looked about the room smiling. Scootaloo buried her head in Rainbows fur once more, her next word bringing emotional tears throughout the room.
“Mummy.”
-o.O.O.o-
Twilight looked on with a smile as a couple of happy tears fell from her eyes, it was easy to see how much that word meant to Rainbow. It was obvious to all the ponies left in the room just how much Rainbow truly cared for Scootaloo - it was unfortunate that the realisation came at such a cost, but now she could at least start to heal. And maybe, just maybe, Rainbow would be able to learn to show her own emotions better.
Wincing as she adjusted her sprained wings, she went up to the two emotional pegasi, resting a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder.
“Hey, I’m sorry… but I really need to go lie and down again - I’ll just be next door if you need me.” Rainbow nodded with a smile on her teary face as she mouthed the word ‘thank you’ to her. Twilight just smiled and nodded before turning and leaving the room.
Returning to the room she shared with the other princess’ she climbed on the bed, not noticing the others were awake, at least until Luna spoke, “Is everything okay, Twilight? Mine ear’s did detect your voice using a tone very rarely heard from thee.” Twilight looked up to the concerned alicorn as Luna continued, “I was about to come to thine aid, yet our sister prevented us, she told us that if thou didst need our help we would know?”
Twilight looked between the three alicorns with a gentle smile, before relating what had happened. Originally, all that the three had known was that they had heard Rainbow’s loud voice reverberating through the wall. She had been screaming about letting Scootaloo go. Twilight had leapt from her bed and shot out of the room.
She told them of what she’d seen as she entered the room before chuckling. “Believe me, I don’t think I ever want to get on the wrong side of Rainbow’s maternal instincts. She didn’t realise it, yet when she pinned the doctor it like he was a paperweight; she was using her injured arm!”
She carried on to let them know about Scootaloo’s realisation that she truly had a family that loved her at last, and not one that would abuse her.
“I swear, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room when she finally called Rainbow ‘Mummy’”
*Sniff* Twilight looked up to see all three princess’ eyes were now welling up - Luna’s more so. After levitating a couple of tissues over to them, she waited for the three to regain control of themselves.
“We are sorry, Twilight. It’s just for Scootaloo, this has been her dream for so long. She has wanted Rainbow to see her as a daughter for ages.” Twilight smiled at this, it seemed that one little filly’s dream had come true.
-o.O.O.o-
*Knock-Knock* Two days later, Rainbow was roused from sleep in the guest room that she was sharing with Fluttershy when Twilight Velvet -- Twilight Sparkle’s mother -- called through that breakfast would be ready in half an hour.
“Oh, okay.” Rainbow heard Fluttershy’s whisper and chuckled, it had been so quiet that she had hardly heard it.
“Thanks!” Rainbow called out loud enough to be heard as she stretched, wincing as the tendons where her wing had been dislocated were still sore.
She thanked her lucky stars that the doctor at Ponyville General knew the bone-knit spell. It was a shame that it was unsafe to use on young ones, or Scoots would be out of her casts now.
Fluttershy had gotten out of the bed and had made her way to the en suite room while Rainbow was still pulling herself together. The rainbow maned pegasus went to the little clothes chest that had been delivered yesterday by courier to her surprise.
She opened it to pull out one of her new Wonderbolt Uniforms. This wasn’t a flight suit, but more along the lines of Captain Spitfire’s suits, only major differences being instead of the Captain’s rank on the epaulettes, it was the Lieutenants.
She was surprised when she spotted she had got three “Courage Above The Line of Duty” ribbons and two ribbons that indicated medals of “Honourable Duty” had been awarded. Something that she would be asking the Countess Lady Twilight Sparkle - Princess of Magic - about later.
Snorting a laugh at that, she couldn’t help the smirk at how embarrassed Twilight was when Celestia had suggested that her mother - the Baroness Velvet - would be delighted to see her daughter and her friends as they weren’t in Canterlot for a battle… this time.
Finding out that Rainbow’s down to earth friend had been nobility had been one of the most shocking things she’d ever found out. Yet, she didn’t really mind. The thing that did make her blood boil, however, was when she thought about what Twilight Sparkle’s father - Night Light - had informed them last night:
Prince Blueblood had been promised Twilight’s hoof in marriage to join the Families.
-Flashback-
Night Light hadn’t expected the vehemence of their reactions when he had said he had been happy to accept the betrothal from such a well placed family. Twilight fled the table in tears with her mother following, looking at Night Light in disgust.
The others in the room had made their opinion of the stallion who would barter his daughter for prestige well known.
Rarity and Applejack though had said it best when Rarity looked directly at the stallion.
“You sir have sold your daughter to a stallion who has NO principals, will treat her as low as the dirt on his hoof, and will insist that she submits to his whim. I hope for your sake there is an out in that contract.” With that she and the group had left the table.
Applejack had then looked at the stallion as she spoke, “Ah don’t get it. You said to Twiliht you love her an’ miss her. Then ye take her choice away of who she’ll marry? Ahm jus’ a farmpony but ah know you’d hate anyone who’d force themselves on Twah, then you force a stallion on her? You can ferget bein’ welcome in Ponyville when this gets aht.”
Fortunately, by the time they got up to Twilight’s room, Fluttershy had read over the contract and had spotted an obvious loophole that Twilight could readily use.
“Should one of the aforementioned parties be proven to be unacceptable to the other through word, deed, action or inaction then the other party may break off the betrothal.”
Rarity had readily agreed to allow Twilight to use how Blueblood had treated her at the Grand Galloping Gala as the reason. Twilight had been so relieved that she had completely broken down in the room as her father had walked in to hear her whispering her thanks to Rarity and Fluttershy before turning to her father, eyes still red rimmed.
“Why?” Was all she’d asked but the broken tone she’d said it told everypony the depth of hurt that she was feeling. Rarity moved closer to the Alicorn and nuzzled her neck, trying to offer some comfort.
Night Light had stood proud as he answered, “I did it for the family, think how well connected our two houses will be! You must not use that clause I forb-” *CRACK* A magical blow struck the unicorn stallion, rocking him back; Twilight’s horn was still glowing.
“Get out of my home,” a deathly cold voice that shouldn’t have been possible from the sweet tenderness of Twilight’s mother.
“I beg you pardon?!” Night Light said as Rainbow kept looking between the three like some strange tennis match.
“You married into this family under the same contractual clause. I am using it now.
I want you gone. Leave, no pony, not even you have the right to treat MY DAUGHTER Like that! She’s not even YOUR CHILD!” She screamed out.
“See here mare! I shall not be spoken to like thi-” Rarity sent a bolt of lightning from her horn, forcing Night Light to shield as Twilight stood and stepped between her… Stepfather?… and her friends.
“Well. You can stand and fight us, Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, one who is the Princess of Magic, Defendor from Discord, Rescuer of Princess Luna from Nightmare Moon, Saviours of the Crystal Empire, and Victors of The Battle for Canterlot against the Changeling Empire... Or You can leave. In. One. Piece!”
As she finished, her horn flared while Rarity stepped up next to her, her own horn lit. Flanking either side of them were Applejack and Pinkie Pie with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash standing at opposite ends.
Night Light’s colour faded from his face when he realised the true danger he was in. Fleeing from where he stood, the sound of a bag of bits being summoned was shortly followed by the front door opening and slamming shut. Twilight collapsed, tears running freely. Rarity looked at her before she turned to the group.
“I think it best if everyone gives her and her mother some time.” They all nodded and went to leave when Twi’s hoof caught Rarity’s.
“S-Stay,” Twilight whispered looking to Rarity. The white unicorn had simply nodded and knelt down next to her as the rest left.
The last Rainbow had seen of Twilight that night was leaning into Rarity while the fashionista was whispering to her.
-End Flashback-
“EEP!” *CRASH* Was heard from the bathroom as Rainbow threw the uniform on the bed and flew into the room. She stopped dead at what she saw. The canary mare had obviously finished her shower as evidenced by the way the water clung to her sleek toned body.
‘Wait, whaaaaat?!’ Rainbow thought as she examined her previous thought.
Fluttershy had obviously gone to put some toothpaste on her toothbrush, slipped and dropped the toothpaste. As she landed she had somehow got the tube stuck up her nose and was currently looking cross eyed down her snout. Rainbow tried not to laugh, she really did, but when Fluttershy started laughing as she removed the tube, the blue pegasus lost it and fell to the floor in loud guffaws.
Thankfully, nothing more untoward happened as Fluttershy finished sorting herself out and nodded to Rainbow that it was safe to use the shower.
Twenty minutes later, a now uniformed Rainbow Dash was sat at the table with her friends, providing a good description as to what the ruckus was. Surprising them all though, was Fluttershy, as she poked fun at Rainbow, who hadn’t had any quick witted words to say when she first saw what had happened.
Rainbow’s face when Fluttershy of all ponies had a dig at her set the table to laughing once more. Shaking her mane Rainbow turned to Twilight who was sitting suspiciously close to Rarity, who didn’t seem to be bothered one whit.
“Oooh Counteeeesss!” Rainbow called over in a slight pitched teasing tone, grinning as Twilight’s eye twitched.
“Yes, Rainbow?” Twilight said quietly, in a tone that Rainbow knew too well.
“Eh *Gulp* Why does my uniform say I Got three ribbons for courage and two saying I got medals?”
Twilight blushed at this before she looked about the table as she spoke, “Technically, we’re a unit that reports to the Princess’, so we get the same honours as the guards. But the Princess didn’t want to make a big fuss as we’re ‘Civilians’. Except for you now, Rainbow.”
The Rainbow Dash of one week ago would have gone on about how awesome that was, the Rainbow of four days ago would have claimed Bragging Rights. But today’s Rainbow did neither, she just nodded and carried on with her breakfast. She looked up to see the shocked faces of her friends and the two CMC’s with them and snorted.
“Hey, I’ve got what I wanted with my dreams, I got nothing I need to prove anymore; I’m in the Wonderbolts, an’ I’m gonna work hard to be worthy of keeping that honour, but I got a bigger dream now. Be the mother that Scootaloo deserves.”
She said the last few words with such emotion that her throat choked for a moment, not noticing the emotional tears she’d instigated.
*Knock-Knock* “Royal Canterlot Guard!” was called through the door. This caused the ponies around the table to raise their eyebrows in surprise.
“I’ll get it,” Twilight said as she went to the door. Rainbow moved to watch from the doorway as Twilight went down the hall. She knew when the earth pony guards had spotted her, as they straightened up a bit smarter being Privates.
She shook her head internally at that. She would never get used to commanding ponies she thought.
“Miss Sparkle?” one of the guards said, casting a wary eye towards Rainbow as well.
“Yes?” Twilight answered. Before she could move, a magic suppressing horn ring had been put around her horn, and she was under arrest for forcibly removing the owner of the house from his property.
“HALT!” Rainbow shouted down the corridor before stalking towards the guards, remembering the posture and tone used by her Captain she tried to emulate it but in a way that was her own.
“Who gave the arrest warrant for a PRINCESS?” Rainbow demanded.
The guards looked to each other, and stayed silent.
“Well? I’m waiting,” Rainbow said pulling Twilight behind her.
“Er… That is it’s… orders from the Captain… yeah! Thats it!” one of the guards said, unconvincingly.
“Really?” Rainbow said with a glare.
The two nodded.
“Twilight, send a message to your brother,” Rainbow all but ordered. Twilight nodded as she went back inside. A moment later, Rainbow heard her dictating a letter and then there was a *woosh* as the grey smoke of bottled dragonflame left the doorway.
“If you two are correct when Shining Armour or Princess Celestia arrives, then okay. If not, I suspect they’ll want answers as to the illegal arrest of the Guard Captains sister!” ‘Damn that legal stuff they drill in the academy's useful. I won’t tease Twi about bein’ an egghead so much anymore,’ Rainbow thought as she watched the guards faces pale, which was quite impressive to do under the guard illusion that makes them all appear white.
Moments later, a Pegasus drawn carriage landed and Shining Armour stepped out, approaching the guards. He looked about and seemed surprised to see Rainbow Dash standing to attention.
“Report Lieutenant,” Shining Armour ordered.
“Sir. These two guards arrived approximately thirty minutes ago. When the Lady Sparkle confirmed her identity they put a Magic Suppressing Horn Ring on her, and informed her she was under arrest for forcible eviction of a house owner. I intervened and asked who signed the warrant as aside from yourself, only the Princess’ can sign the warrant on another Princess. They proceeded to claim it was on your authority.”
Shining Armour nodded, before he turned a glare to the now visibly worried guards.
“Okay, now the truth you two. I signed no such warrant,” he practically growled out.
“Sir. Lord Night Light told us he’d been barred from his home by his illegitimate daugh-”
“SILENCE!” Shining Armour roared out.
“Lieutenant Dash, Remove the Horn Ring from the Princess Twilight Sparkle. Immediately.” Rainbow nodded and turned back into the house silently. She was cursing her luck because she hadn’t even been in uniform an hour, and she was dealing with idiots. But thanking her luck because although she hadn’t been in uniform an hour, she had the authority to deal with said idiots.
Stepping into the drawing room where the rest were she moved straight to Twilight and within moments had the ring undone and removed. The Purple Princess sighed in obvious relief as her access to her magic was restored.
They could hear Shining Armour’s voice inside chewing the guards out when his voice rose to a thunder. “YOU TOOK HIS MONEY! PEGASUS GUARDS, RESTRAIN AND REMOVE THESE COLT-WANNABE-SOLDIERS TO THE BRIG IMMEDIATELY!”
Moments later Shining Armour entered still looking visibly angry before looking around.
“Sorry about that. it seems my… father… bribed those soldiers and would have had Twilight held elsewhere.” He looked straight to Twilight Velvet as he spoke the next words, “Mother, I have to ask, what the hay did you see in that Horseapple?!”
“Oi! Ahm jest a filly!” Apple Bloom shouted, making Shining Armour cough an apology to his mother’s approving nod.
Twilight Velvet seemed to shrug as she spoke.
“It was the same as he was about to do to your sister - a betrothal contract I had no choice over it. This is the first time he’s stepped out of bounds enough that I could break it.”
Shining Armour nodded. “Okay, I’ll have words with Grandfather Velvet about that later. For now, I need to head back to the castle.” He then turned to Rainbow. “Oh Rainbow, Princess Luna would like a word with you and Scootaloo’s doctor, ASAP!” Rainbow nodded, not quite getting the subtle order until Shining Armour rolled his eyes.
“That Rainbow means get your flank to the castle yesterday,” he said with a smile as Rainbow bolted out the house and took to the air, ignoring the twinge in her wing-joint. She’d flown on weather patrol every day with worse.
A few minutes later, she landed in the forecourt and made her way to where the Princess’ held their audiences. She expected to wait a while, but as soon as the guard at the door saw her enter he waved her forwards.
As the doors opened and a fuming Night Light was led out to the amusement of Rainbow, she was told to go in. “Ah! Lieutenant Dash, I asked to see you as I believe I have found a way to speed up young Scootaloo’s recovery. But it needs your permission as her mother.”
Rainbow raised her eyebrows at hearing this. If it needed her permission then it was probably dangerous.
“We have found the foal version of the spell that was used upon your own broken bones. However, as she is just a filly, the discomfort you felt would be magnified to a rather painful experience for her.”
Rainbow took a breath as she faced the princess who she knew Scootaloo had started calling ‘Aunty Luna.’ “Well, the fact you’re even considering it says you think she might be able to handle it, but you asking me instead of just going ahead tells me you’re uncertain.”
Luna nodded.
“Right, is there a spell you can cast on me that’ll simulate the amount of pain she’ll feel? If I know what she’ll go through I’ll know better whether I think she can handle it. But be warned even if I think she can and after it’s been explained if she say’s no, then I’ll withdraw my permission. She say’s stop at any time, then you stop the spell.” It didn’t matter to her that she was going head to head against the princess’ on this, the only thing that mattered to her was Scootaloo.
Luna smiled at her as she answered, “And with those words thou hast proven that thou are the mother she needs. I agree to all thy points. When do you want me to cast the spell that simulates the pain thy daughter shall feel?” Rainbow looked about the room and went over to one of the couches and lay on her front on it.
“Now,” she said with finality. Luna nodded as Celestia who had stayed silent through their exchange cast a spell that no sounds could be heard outside.
“Art thou ready?” Princess Luna asked. Rainbow nodded and closed her eyes.
She felt the spell impact her and grunted as the pain struck. It was more than she’d anticipated as she grit her teeth while her legs felt like they were being repeatedly stabbed with needles. Never mind her barrel, that felt like it was being pounded with a meat tenderiser!
Seconds later, it was over, and Rainbow gasped. “Damn! That hurt like Tartarus!” Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked up. “No way, no how! If you can at least half the pain, then maybe.”
It was at this point Celestia stepped forwards. “What about the pain-syphon spell? It is in two parts, one half is cast on the one known about to receive pain, the other half on one who will take all the pain the other’s feeling, leaving them without feeling any of it.”
Rainbow nodded, understanding what this implied.
“I’d go through a lot worse for her,” Rainbow smiled as she answered.
“We know,” Luna said. Still surprised at how fast Rainbow had healed once she’d had a couple nights sleep. “Okay, let us go see to Scootaloo,” Luna added, as she led Rainbow to the hospital that was on the grounds.
They hadn’t even fully entered the room when Scootaloo looked up to them. Her face showing all the signs of crying.
“Oh Scoots,” Rainbow breathed out going over to the little depressed filly and pulling her into her arms.
“Talk to me, what’s wrong?” Rainbow said quietly as Celestia and Luna hung back to give them the appearance of privacy.
“I-I don’t g-get it. W-why would Y-you w-want mmmee? I-I won’t ever b-be able to f-fly. I’m j-just gonna b-be a drain on you. J-just like my f-father said. I’m a drain. U-useless! W-whe I w-was born I k-killed my f-first mmommaaa!” Scootaloo wailed into Rainbows jacket as Rainbow held her, tears falling down her own face.
“Shh, I told you before Scoots, I ain’t ever gonna give up on ya. I don’t know about what your father told you, but I want you to listen to me now.” Rainbow pulled away from Scootaloo a little, and looked down into those depressed violet eyes that just days ago held so much life.
“It. Is. Not. Your. Fault,” Rainbow said quietly, emphatically. As she finished she pulled Scootaloo in to another hug, wrapping her wings about the filly.
“I promise you it isn’t scoots.”
“H-how can you know?” Scootaloo sniffled. Rainbow gently lifted Scootaloo up off the bed being careful not to aggravate her injuries before sitting in the chair by it settling Scootaloo on her lap.
She saw Luna and Celestia fighting tears at what they were hearing and nodded that they could come closer.
“I know because you were just a tiny foal when you were born. Whatever happened was not your fault,” Rainbow said, her own tears falling into Scootaloo’s purple mane.
“B-but h-he said I was born wrong! Tore something and made her bleed too much. That it’m my fault! An now you’re my mummy and - an I d-don’t wanna l-lose you tooo! Y-you’ll realise how much o-of a waste I aaam,” she cried.
Hearing the true fears that Scootaloo had Rainbow held the filly close. “Scoots, I promise you I will never ever regret adopting you. I wanted to be your momma for weeks before this happened. You are not a waste, you are my daughter and I love you,” she said, the truth shining through her words.
Both the princesses had come and sat by them at this point and could hear the filly’s crys slowing, before she spoke again, “B-bu-but I can’t even fly!” Rainbows eyes closed as she held back the emotions at hearing the pain in Scootaloo’s voice.
“I know Scoots… I know, okay? I still want you. I won’t ever abandon you. I promise.”
“P-Pinkie promise?” Rainbow had to smile at this little bit of Ponyville culture that had wormed it’s way into everypony’s lives courtesy of the pervasive pink party pony: Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie Promise,” Rainbow said quietly, holding Scootaloo close.
While Scootaloo was distracted and holding on to Rainbow she nodded towards the Princess’ who with their own tears falling smiled and started the spells. Rainbow knew when the pain spell had taken effect. She felt like her own legs were broken, but she didn’t react in the slightest. She was not going to let Scootaloo feel even more guilty for something she couldn’t help.
Luna quickly cast the bone-knit spell and Rainbow had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying out, it took all her effort not to stiffen up or show signs of the pain she felt.
As soon as the spell was complete she felt Scootaloo become a completely relaxed and looked down to see she had fallen asleep. “She will sleep a while, although you may have taken her pain, you could not give of your energy for her.” It was with a gentle smile when Luna finished and stood up, leaning forwards to place a small kiss on scootaloo’s forehead before she backed away.
“Know this: thou doth have my full backing and mine trust in regards to thy guardianship of my pseudo-niece. Look after her well,” Luna said as Celestia stood and repeated Luna’s actions before she too spoke, “The same can be said for me.”
Her horn shone with a gentle golden glow as Scootaloo’s casts came off. Rainbow nodded and quietly promised them she would try to be the best mother she could.
“That is all we ask,” Luna said.
“That… and to babysit sometimes,” Celestia added with a smile as they left, leaving Rainbow no time to answer her.
Smiling, she lay Scootaloo down on the bed and sat back in the chair. She knew she would face many challenges as Scootaloo’s mother, but she silently swore to meet them head on.
Spotting that Scootaloo was shivering slightly in the draft, Rainbow carefully got up on to the bed and laid her wing over her as an extra blanket, before settling her head down between her hooves and letting her eyes close as she allowed herself to fall into a light sleep.
The end…?