//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: The Promise // Story: New Revelations // by Phantom Shadow //------------------------------// A disaster. That was the best way to describe the picnic the three foals just had: a complete and total disaster. The sun was slowly setting as they began trotting back home, all of them in silence, all of them wondering what had just happened. Throughout the whole picnic, the three of them sat in silence most of the time and barely made eye contact with one another. Scootaloo had a look on her face the whole time that was a mix of annoyance and anger, making Rumble believe that his presence there was not welcome. He would have left, but Sweetie Belle kept on insisting that he stayed, offering him some of the food they had brought and trying to make conversation with him, though it was very short-lived. Furthermore, he would have said something, like question why the two of them were having a picnic alone in the first place, but the look on Scootaloo’s convinced him that opening his mouth about anything was a bad idea. Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, tried her best to make the most of it, but it was pretty obvious all her actions and emotions were forced. She managed to feign smiles and force out laughs when appropriate, but on the inside, she was crying, screaming at herself for taking Rarity’s advice and ruining everything. Now that it was over, the three foals entered town and made their way to the inn to drop off Rumble. When they got there, Sweetie Belle stopped with Rumble but Scootaloo kept trotting down the road, hanging her head with an angered look on her face. “Well, I guess we’ll see you tomorrow, Rumble,” Sweetie Belle said nervously. “Yeah,” he said, “I’ll see you two tomorrow.” They both turned their heads to Scootaloo, only to see that she was much further down the road already. Quickly, Sweetie began galloping after her as Rumble watched with a saddened expression on his face. Letting out a sigh, he turned, entered the inn and trotted up the stairs to the room. As he opened the door, he saw Thunderlane sitting at the table reading a book of some kind. Seeing his younger brother enter the room, he looked up and smiled at him. “Hey, Rumble,” he said. “How was your picnic with your friends?” Perking up ever so slightly, he smiled and said, “Okay.” Without another word, he trotted into his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Then, he lied on his bed and let out a defeated sigh as he rolled on his back, looking at the ceiling. Way to go, Rumble, he thought as he closed his eyes. You ruined everything. “Scootaloo!” Sweetie called out as she caught up to her. “Leave me alone,” she said flatly, not turning to look at her. “I’m not talking to you.” “Please, just let me explain!” “I don’t want to hear it, so just go away.” Ignoring her, Sweetie said, “Look, I know our special picnic together was ruined, but-“ “No, it wasn’t ruined!” Scootaloo interrupted, her tone turning to sarcasm. “In fact, it was really ‘special’! Maybe, next time, we can invite the whole class with us! Then it’ll be REALLY special!” She could feel tears beginning to well up. “Scoots, I’m really, really sorry!” “Uh-huh, sure,” she said disbelievingly as she trotted up to her front door. As Scootaloo reached to open the door, Sweetie Belle quickly said, “I know I ruined everything, but you have to believe me when I say that I didn’t want it to be this way!” Instantly, she froze as a confused look came across her face. Then, she turned her head to her and asked, “What do you mean?” A small teardrop streamed down her face as she said, “I didn’t want to ruin this for us. I didn’t want to break my promise to you.” Turning her whole body around, Scootaloo asked, “Then why did you?” Sniffling, she said, “I tried not to, but I couldn’t help but feel bad for Rumble.” “Why?” As best as she could, Sweetie Belle explained the whole situation to her, about what Rarity had said and how she encouraged her to take Rumble with them, just so he could get comfortable enough to make other friends. As Scootaloo was listening, she couldn’t help but get the same feelings as before, a feeling that Rarity was sticking her nose in their business. Rarity, she thought, her eyes scanning the ground for a moment. Sweetie lowered her body and said, “I wanted so badly to say ‘no’, to just go with you like I promised. But, I just felt bad for him, so I asked him to come along.” Scootaloo opened her mouth to say something when she was silenced by Sweetie Belle wrapping her hooves around her neck, letting out the tears she had tried so hard to fight back. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo,” she said through tears. “It’s all my fault! I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry!” In an instant, most, though not all, of Scootaloo’s aggression began to fade as she cried her soulful green eyes out. Small droplets of tears began leaking from her own eyes as her friend cried on her shoulder, her remorse as clear as the evening skies. “I know you really hate me for this,” she whispered when her crying began to calm down. “I understand if you never want to see me ever again.” Then, she gave her a tiny kiss on the cheek before releasing her embrace and trotting away, her head hanging low and tears still leaking from her eyes. With that small kiss, the rest of whatever anger Scootaloo was feeling vanished. “Hey,” Scootaloo said softly, trotting in front of her to stop her in her tracks. “I don’t hate you Sweetie Belle. I could never hate you. Sure, I’m a little angry at what happened, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you anymore.” Bringing her into an embrace again, she continued, “I love you, Sweetie Belle. Nothing is ever going to change that.” Tightening her embrace, Sweetie said through tears, “Please forgive me, Scootaloo. I’ll make it up to you...I don’t know how, but I will.” “It’s okay, Sweetie Belle, I forgive you, just try not to break your promises anymore,” said Scootaloo. Then, she mumbled under her breath, “...or listen to Rarity, for that matter...” With her still in her arms, Scootaloo planted a kiss on Sweetie Belle’s lips; it was still the same butterfly kiss that they always gave each other, but this one lasted a little bit longer than the others they shared. After they were finished, the two of them shared in another hug, both of them with smiles on their faces. When Sweetie opened her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the flyer she had seen yesterday and let out a gasp of joy. “I have an idea!” she said as she released her embrace and trotted to the pole, Scootaloo following close behind. “What is it?” Scootaloo asked. “I saw this flyer yesterday! ‘The Festival of the Night’ is almost here!” “Isn’t that the festival that celebrates the longest night of the year?” “Yeah, and the best part is that it’s coming to Ponyville this year!” She leaned in closer to Scootaloo. “Maybe, we can go together...I mean, if you want to, that is.” “Sounds like a plan to me,” she agreed with a smile. “Of course, we’ll have to do something before then.” “Of course,” she said, nuzzling against Scootaloo’s neck. “You just tell me when and I’ll make sure that nothing gets in the way again.” Tapping a hoof against her chin, she looked up to the sky to think about it. Then, she said, “How about tomorrow, after our ‘Crusader’s’ meeting?” “Okay,” she responded. “I promise that nothing will ever come between us again. Thank you for accepting my apology.” “No problem,” said Scootaloo as she planted a small kiss on Sweetie’s forehead. “I love you, Sweetie Belle.” “I love you, too, Scootaloo.” Then, the two of them went their separate ways. As she trotted though, a thought came to Scootaloo’s mind, making her look at the ground in deep thought. Rarity, she thought again. Why does it seem like she’s trying to get in the way of me and Sweetie Belle. Sure, Sweetie went along with it, but it was Rarity who made the suggestion to invite Rumble with us in the first place! With that thought in mind, a piece of the puzzle seemed to present itself. Why is it that she’s only started doing this when Thunderlane and Rumble came to town? Do they have something to do with it? As she got to her house, she hesitated as she looked back in the direction of the Carousel Boutique. Opening the door, she raised an eyebrow as one last thought came across her mind. What exactly is Rarity up to?