The Loner
Chapter 5: When you lose everything you believe in…
Noah was holding onto his mother’s back, spreading out his wings as they flew through the sky. He felt the wind run through his feathers, his tail waving behind him, and his mother’s rapid heartbeat against his chest. They were making good time, seeing as she was going faster than the average Pegasus, even while holding the young colt on her back.
She began her dissent down to the entrance to the Everfree Forest, a place that terrified most ponies. However, for the little colt and his mother, this place was the home of Noah’s Godmother and his mother’s best friend.
This forest was as familiar to the duo as was Ponyville’s Clock tower. The fungi that grew on the path and fallen trees, the foliage that blocked out the sun, and the blue flowers that Noah’s mother warned him to stay away from. All of these things are familiar to him, and made him feel safe at home.
They walked into a small clearing with a large tree in it. The tree had been hollowed out and contained illuminated windows and a door, not to mention several tribal masks and vials hung by vines around the tree-house. The door to the house opened, and a familiar-looking zebra took a few steps out of the doorway and gave a friendly smile to Noah and his mother.
“Ah, if it isn’t Love Jewels, and little Noah too. Oh, how much you two have grew!” The zebra gave Love a hug, then Noah. “I missed you both, my dears. Now, what brings you here?”
Noah was the first one to speak up, putting his forehooves on his mother’s head to see Zecora better. “I have no school today so I wanted to help you make some potions like last time, if that is okay with you.” He smiled at her in an adorable way, a way that no living being could say no to.
Zecora smiled back at the foal. “Of course my little Noah, I have some potions I need your help to watch over.”
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Noah and Scootaloo were entering the mouth to the mammoth cave that Noah found Rainbow Dash’s saddle bags out of. They traveled slowly, making sure they didn’t slip or trip on anything. Noah’s coat had a crescent moon gem in the front of it that illuminated the path in front of them for fifteen yards, but all they saw was darkness.
“I can’t see anything Noah, can’t you make that gem shine brighter?” Scootaloo stayed close to Noah, her breathing rushed from her excitement. She was still wearing the Wonderbolt uniform, but had taken off the goggles when they entered the cave.
Noah shook his head, pointing the gem forward. “We are lucky my coat had this gem. If it didn’t then we would be in the out of luck in the dark right now.” He pulled the coat over him tighter. He knew the Wonderbolt uniform was insulated for flight, but his coat was meant to be worn with armor. That meant that he wasn’t insulated from the cold ground under his hooves that was sucking his body heat away. He noted that he was happy that Scootaloo was warmer than he was. When did he start caring about her so much?
While distracted by his thoughts Noah tripped over a stalagmite, making him roll for a few feet. He sat up with a pained groan, which was met by laughter from Scootaloo. He stood up and glared at her, making her laugh even more. He pulled his coat around himself tighter and kept on walking deeper in the cave, looking from side to side. He was quickly joined by his companion and they continued their trek into the cave.
A few hundred yards in the soft glow of a campfire could be seen in the distance, illuminating a tent set up. Scootaloo was about to dash towards the camp before Noah put his hoof in front of her, blocking her. “You wait here, we don’t know if that could be Rainbow Dash.”
She stared at him. “Why should I stay here while you go check? You don’t own me, not to mention that she might attack you, she knows me!”
“I never said I own you Scoots, plus if it isn’t her then whoever lives here will probably attack and kill you. If it is her, I’ll back up and let you talk to her first. Okay? I’m doing the best thing we can do right now.” Noah looked at her calmly, but seriously.
“…Fine… But if she kills you then it’s your fault.” Scootaloo sat down, watching Noah as he crept closer to the camp. The gem on his coat stopped glowing when the light from the fire hit it and he smiled, happy that he had the small enchanted stone. He peeked in the tent and saw a sleeping ball of cyan fur with wings and a prismatic mane and tail.
He let out a breath he didn’t notice he had been holding in and slowly walked back to the orange and purple mare watching him. He smiled and whispered in her ear, “It’s her.”
Scootaloo let out a quiet squeal and began jumping in circles, then stopped, a red tint visible through her cheeks. “C-Can I go see her..? I mean, uh… I’m going to go see her cause she is so cool!” Scootaloo ran for the camp, then peeked her head in the tent. “Rainbow Dash..?”
The prismatic pony stared at Scootaloo, not moving. Rainbow Dash let out a low growl, exposing her teeth at the orange mare in her sanctuary.
“D-Dashie, it’s me… Scootaloo…” The orange Pegasus took a step towards her idol. The rainbow-maned pony turned around and slammed her rear hooves into Scootaloo.
She felt her body ripple as a crack rang through the cave. Scootaloo passed out after she heard the crack, making her limp body fly towards Noah. He took the chance and jumped up towards Scoots, using his body as a mattress of sorts to stop her without hurting her. He fell on his back, holding her in a bear hug.
“Scoots are you alright?!?!” He held her against the chest, and smiled a bit when he heard her heartbeat and breathing. He stared at Rainbow Dash, who was walking back and forth around her camp. “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?!? SHE LOVES YOU AND YOU JUST ATTACKED HER!!!”
Rainbow Dash growled at him as a white foam started forming at her mouth. “She has rabies… Great…” Noah picked up Scoots and ran for the mouth of the cave, wanting to get away from the feral mare with rabies as fast as possible. This was a bad day…