//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: Starbloom Chronicles II // by L_Wolf //------------------------------// ~*{Chapter Thirty One}*~ It had been three days since Starbloom started investigating the theft of Scootaloo's scooter. But with few leads the case had gone cold. Despite the fact all the evidence she had pointed towards Silver Spoon, or her sister Silver Blade she couldn't make any firm connection to them other than the fur she found. However with out fur from them to compare with what she found she couldn't prove anything. Scootaloo had told her not to worry about it, she had her scooter back and she was happy. Nevertheless, Starbloom had a hard time letting the case go. Regardless she filed the case file away in filing cabinet Twilight got her, she marked the folder as unsolved. “I guess that is that,” Starbloom muttered to herself. She moved to her hooves heading down the stairs to the main hall of the library before heading to the kitchen. Twilight and Spike had gone out for the day, she made herself a cup of tea. She was still bothered by the fact she couldn't figure out who stole the Scootaloo's scooter. She got some toast and chews on it quietly before hearing a knock on the door. She went to answer the door seeing Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle standing at the entrance of the library. “Hello girls,” Starbloom greeted smiling at the small group in front of her, “What are you three up to?” “Hey Starbloom, Scootaloo wants to show us a something.” Apple Bloom answered with a grin. “It's suppose to be really amazing wanna come watch?” “Sure, I could use a break.” Starbloom answered the question stepping out the library closing the door behind her finishing her toast quickly as she followed her friends. “What kind of trick does Scootaloo wanna show us?” Scootaloo smiles at Starbloom, “Oh it'll be amazing you'll see.” Scootaloo grinned at her as they walked of town to a large open stretch of road that was close to a mile long, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie Pie was also waiting. Sweetie and Apple Bloom went over to their sisters sitting with them. Starbloom went over to Twilight and took a seat next to her and Spike. “So mama, what's going on?” She asked looking up at her. “I'm not sure, Rainbow Dash asked me to come here.” Twilight said looking at down at Starbloom smiling at her. “Regardless, it should be fun to watch right?” Starbloom nodded at Twilight smiling at her watching quietly, Scootaloo brought her scooter to the road as Rainbow Dash floated over floated over and hovered next to Scootaloo, “Ready to do it this?” Rainbow Dash asked Scootaloo. Scootaloo nodded Rainbow Dash smiling putting on her helmet and put on a pair of goggles extending her wings as Rainbow Dash landed next to her extending her wings. “One! Two! Three!” Pinkie counted down through a megaphone before yelling, “Go!” Scootaloo took off like a bullet with Rainbow Dash right beside her skimming over the ground, both of them keeping an even pace down the road. Starbloom coughed from the dust kicked up from the two heading down the road. Once the dust had cleared Starbloom could see a trail of rainbows and a trail of orange and purple fading down the path that Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash just took off down. She watched as the two take a turn heading around a small lake. The two were making amazing progress, she could tell by the fading trail that Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were keeping pace but to Starbloom's surprise Scootaloo was starting to pull ahead of Rainbow Dash. As the two approached the finish line Scootaloo pulled out a small lead beat Rainbow Dash, but she had a hard time stopping, the wheels locked up and the rear wheel burst into flames. Scootaloo was knocked to the ground. The group ran over to see if she was okay but Scootaloo sat up laughing happily. Twilight checked her over and she seemed unhurt, that's when they spotted it. “S... Scootaloo! Look!” Sweetie Belle squeaked pointing, “Your cutie mark!” Scootaloo looked over at the flaming wheel on her flank her eyes going wide. “Alright! Finally a cutie mark!” She shouted jumping to her hooves. “That's awesome squirt, I'm proud of you.” Rainbow Dash smiled nuzzling her cheek causing Scootaloo to blush, but smile happily. “We totally need to get you a new scooter though.” Scootaloo and the rest of the group looked over at Scootaloo's old scooter, now a wreck, the rear wheels gone, the deck cracked in half and the handle bars bent out of shape. Scootaloo's ears folded back before looking at Rainbow Dash, “Do you think, we can try to fix this one instead?” She asked looking at Rainbow Dash then to the rest of the group. “I don't know, it's in pretty bad shape... but I tell you what we'll definitely give it a try.” Rainbow Dash smiled though unsure. “If we can't, I'll get you any scooter you want alright?” Scootaloo smiled, nodding at Rainbow Dash. “Alright Rainbow Dash, thank you.” She agreed gathering up the broken scooter parts. Rainbow Dash flew off to get a wagon to carry the parts in and Apple Bloom walked over to Scootaloo, “Ah'll help ya fix it up alright?” Apple Bloom smiled. “Thanks Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo nodded at her friend, “Hey Apple Bloom? You're not upset being the only Crusader left without a cutie mark are you?” “Nah, ah'll get my cutie mark soon I'm sure of it.” Apple Bloom smiled, though she was feeling a little jealous of her friends for getting their cutie marks before she did. She mentally scolded herself for that. Once Rainbow Dash returned with the wagon Scootaloo put the pieces into it then she and Apple Bloom headed to Sweet Apple Acres to get to work trying to fix the broken scooter. Starbloom watched Scootaloo and Apple Bloom go before turning to Twilight and was getting ready to say something before Pinkie jumped up, “That was amazing! I totally need to throw Scootaloo a 'I beat Rainbow Dash in a race and got my cutie mark' party!” Starbloom sighed shaking her head but smiled, she was proud of Scootaloo for coming so far after what she found out about her home life. Rainbow Dash was proving to be a great mother after her initial apprehension about her being able to handle that level of responsibility.