//------------------------------// // A Sorrowful Flight // Story: The Price of Flight // by Bro-Nii-San //------------------------------// Luna stayed by Scootaloo’s side, even as her sobs wracked her small body, over and over, never seeming to end. Luna too, knew the pain that accidentally hurting those around her was like, and what it felt like to feel useless, helpless even. Luna pulled Scootaloo closer, pulling her tight against her side as she whispered in her ear. “I know how you feel, Scootaloo, but you must persevere. Your friends will need you now more than ever,” Luna said, letting Scootaloo know that her friends were not gone forever. At this, Scootaloo’s ears perked up as she finally look up to Luna. Tears still streamed down her face, but she was no longer sobbing. “What do you mean? What happened to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom?! Wasn’t it all just a dream?!” Scootaloo shouted desperately. Luna just let out a sigh. She was still distraught by what had happened, but Scootaloo was beginning to ask the right questions now. Luna laid a gentle hand upon Scootaloo’s shoulder. “Do you recall how you were asleep for a time, and how Rainbow Dash is still sleeping?” Luna asked. At this, Scootaloo nodded, her tears finally beginning to slow, though her eyes were still very red and puffy. “When a pony dreams, their consciousness is, for lack of a more accurate term, transferred to the Dream Realm. In the Dream Realm, their bodies are safe from harm, however, their ‘mind’ is free to wander, and in extremely rare circumstances can be entrapped within the Dream Realm,” Luna explained, choosing to not withhold any information from the saddened filly. Scootaloo looked to her friends, then back to Luna. “I’m not sure I understand. I get that something can happen to their minds, but why can’t they wake up?” Scootaloo asked, still not making a connection. “Their conscious mind is unable to exit the Dream Realm, and is being held there against their will. Likely though, they are no longer aware of such things, much like you before I visited you in the hospital bed,” Luna explained. Scootaloo moved a little way away from Luna, her eyes darting here and there as the words sunk in. When next she turned to face Luna, her face was no longer one of immense sadness, but one contorted in anger. “You knew this, and yet you didn’t stop them!? You didn’t protect them?!” Scootaloo shouted angrily. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was wrong, she knew that Luna had not only warned them, but did her best to protect all of them. “I am truly sorry Scootaloo, but even if I had tried to stop them, I believe your friends would have not taken ‘no’ for an answer, and would have ended up going to the Dream Realm with us. I must also confess I was a little too confident in my own abilities… I was unable to protect Sweetie Belle, or Apple Bloom, or even you,” Luna said, kneeling down and looking Scootaloo right in the eye. The pain in her gaze, and even the guilt was evident, and yet Luna still spoke firmly. “I will not blame you if you come to resent me, as it is true your friends are not here right now, when you need them most, because of my foolish action. However, I still ask you believe me when I say that I will do everything I can to bring them back.” The words shook Scootaloo to her core, and she instantly regretted that she had snapped at Luna, of all ponies. One of the few that was even able to help her when she so desperately needed help. “Sorry, Luna. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I know you did your best, but I just…” Scootaloo trailed off, once more gently laying down next to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. She gently caressed their manes, her feelings of sadness still pulling at her, though she did her best to force them out of her mind. “I’m sorry, you were both very brave. Sleep well,” Scootaloo said, getting slightly choked up once more, even as she spoke. Luna, who was now standing again, simply bowed her head, though she quickly rose it up once more as Scootaloo addressed her. “So, where do we go from here?” Scootaloo asked, looking to Luna for the answer, even if it was unfair of her. Luna let out another small sigh, before nodding her head as if to reaffirm herself. “I turn to the one pony I can always count on. My sister. I have never told her exactly what happened when I turned into Nightmare Moon, but I suppose it is about time I faced my past, so that we may all have a future,” Luna said, giving Scootaloo a small, half-hearted smile. Scootaloo, in turn, nodded her head. “Then… I think it is also time that I stopped lying to those trying to help both me and Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo said, the idea of finally reveling the truth making her heart race, but after how Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had taken it, Scootaloo could only guess that Twilight would handle it equally well, if not better. Scootaloo stood up, her legs shaking slightly beneath her as her head reeled. It was all beginning to sink in now. Her two best friends were missing, trapped by the Shadow that had cursed her. The two ponies that had tried so hard to help her, gone. Just like that, in a mere instant. Had Scootaloo been wrong to tell them? Perhaps it would be wrong to tell Twilight? It was certainly true that Twilight was a lot stronger that Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle, and had a vast intellect, but was that enough? Hadn’t Scootaloo already done enough damage? These questions, and more, plagued Scootaloo even as she and Luna bid each other farewell, agreeing to keep in contact as best as possible. It was now nearly midnight, if not slightly after, when Scootaloo finally walked out of Luna’s temporary room, eyes still slightly red and puffy. Her emotions were in shambles, various feelings all fighting for supremacy. Among them, fear, anger, overwhelming sadness, and even hopelessness. It was then, that Scootaloo realized, that for the first time since she had made friends that she was effectively alone. Instantly, her thoughts turned dark. ‘This is all my fault… I was selfish, and ignorant. I should have known it was too good to be true! I should have been patient… Now, I might lose everything.’ Scootaloo could feel fatigue beginning to creep over her, both mentally and physically. How long had it been since she had slept? Regardless, she may have felt exhausted, but it seemed unlikely that sleep was going to come easily. Her mind was still racing with the events of the day. So much had happened that waking up in the hospital bed felt like a lifetime ago. Scootaloo only made it a few steps before her body, and soon after her will, gave out, causing her to collapse upon the castle floor. Scootaloo’s sobs wracked her body, though she only let out a small whimpering noise. She was so distraught that she failed to notice the sounds of hooves upon the castle floor, quickly approaching where she was laying. Scootaloo could, however, faintly feel the hoof of Twilight Sparkle as she rested it gently upon Scootaloo’s shoulder, crouching down next to her as she attempted to soothe the crying filly, clearly uncomfortable and concerned at the same time. Scootaloo wanted to shake off the hoof, to knock away its comforting touch. She didn’t deserve it… And yet. “I need to talk to you,” Scootaloo finally said, her voice dry and cracking, just like her throat. She had spent the better part of the last 20 minutes crying as Twilight did her best to comfort her. From start to finish the story, the TRUE story, of how Scootaloo had come to be able to fly was revealed to Twilight, who at first sat quietly. However, by the end of the tale, her mouth hung open, eyes wide with shock. This expression was swiftly changed, however, the moment Scootaloo began to talk about Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, and the fate that had met them moments ago. At first Scootaloo felt a bit better, but after a moment she was unpleasantly surprised. “You did WHAT?! Scootaloo, do you have any idea what you have done?! Not only this, but you lied to me! Did you think that was going to help Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo attempted to interject here, but was unable to as Twilight continued, her voice rising in volume until she was practically screaming at Scootaloo, the stress and anxiety of the day finally seeming to break her. “Now I not only have one victim, but three!” Scootaloo couldn’t help but notice that it seemed that Twilight’s count did not include herself. Had she really upset her that much? “And what was Princess Luna thinking?! What part of your plan made sense to her?!” Twilight screamed, finally having to stop to regain her breath. Scootaloo took this opportunity to reply, new tears starting to form from the constant yelling, knowing it was wholly her fault. “Twilight, I am sorry, I-“ Scootaloo started to say, though she was quickly cut off as Twilight regained enough air to once again continue her barrage of accusation. “Sorry? You think that being sorry will fix this?! That it will reunite Apple Bloom and Applejack, or Sweetie Belle and Rarity?! Or, better yet, that it will help Rainbow Dash?!” By now, Scootaloo was nearly cowering below the towering Twilight in her rage. Even if she was upset, this was completely unlike her! At least the last time Scootaloo (and the other CMC) had upset her, she merely cast a shield around the old library, keeping them out. Then again, this was one of the first times Twilight had lost a friend… Scootaloo was not the only one that was affected, she realized. Now, not only her, but Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had all suffered some sort of lose on a very personal level, and that Fluttershy and Twilight were both feeling for their friends. It then dawned upon Scootaloo, exactly how much she had indeed messed up. It amazed Scootaloo, how even a small, seemingly selfish choice, could ripple out to affect the lives of so many around her. In a split second, she had not only doomed her two best friends and lost her sister, but she had also torn apart the bonds of siblinghood of two others. Nine, she realized, was the number of lives that were directly affected. And finally Scootaloo understood Twilight’s frustration. Twilight was not yelling at her because of hatred. It was out of frustration and concern. Not only for Scootaloo, but for Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Twilight, who always had the answer, was helpless against a simple dream. A Shadow. Even knowing the cause, she was unable to find an answer. That is why she yelled, and screamed. Scootaloo forced herself to stop crying in order to properly look Twilight in the eyes as she spoke to the exhausted Twilight. “I know now exactly what I have done. And I may have been wrong, but I tried to fix this. I cannot do it alone, Twilight. I am scared, and I feel so alone… And I have only myself to blame,” Scootaloo said, Twilight’s expressing seeming to soften slightly, though it did not take away from the sting of the words that followed. “Just… Leave. I need to talk to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia about this new development. In the meantime, I would avoid Rarity, and especially Applejack if I were you. Even knowing that their sisters willingly helped you, I doubt they will have anything pleasant to say to you,” Twilight was no longer shouting, her voice more of a hoarse whisper. Before Scootaloo left, however, she needed to say something. “If there is ANYTHING I can do to help Twilight, no matter what it is, I will do whatever I can!” Scootaloo then stood up, Twilight seeming as if she wanted to say something. Instead, she just followed Scootaloo to the front door, opening it for the young and regretful filly. Scootaloo walked out into the chilly night air, the sky was still mostly devoid of clouds, granting a clear view to the stars above. Even as Twilight started to close the door, Scootaloo could swear she heard her speak. “I am sorry Scootaloo. Be safe,” The next morning, they sky was overcast with dark, foreboding clouds. It appeared that the rest of the weather team was having no troubles without Rainbow Dash for the time being. The thought, however, did little to brighten the drab morning for her. She knew she should not be out and wandering about, but even more she couldn’t stay cooped up in her house. She could not be locked away with only her thoughts. She needed to take action, even if it was insignificant, or foolish. She had to know she had tried everything, exhausted all the options. Above all else, though, her first stop was the hospital. It was just past their opening visiting hours. Scootaloo had wanted to go earlier, but feared she may run into Twilight, or even worse, Apple Jack or Rarity. No, she would not be able to see any of her dear friends or her ‘sister,’ but she still needed to make sure they were cared for. The whole incident was her fault after all. A few minutes later, Scootaloo was practically racing full speed out of the front doors. Her friends were safe, but equally important was that Rainbow Dash was released from the hospital! She had a good idea where the first place her idol would go, which was home. If that was the case, than Scootaloo would have to wait to talk with her. She didn’t know if Twilight had told Rainbow Dash the truth yet, of if Luna’s words still rang true. ’It is up to you when to tell them,’ the voice echoed. That talk seemed like it had taken place years ago. Any further thoughts were cut short for Scootaloo, having rounded the final corner near the edge of the village to find Rainbow Dash! The sun was still cutting through the cloud cover here, the storm just moments away however. First her heart began to soar, a voice somewhere in her head praising Luna. (Why was it not Celestia? Wasn’t that more common?) But her heart soon sunk, her eye drifting up to peer through the last gap in the clouds before the last hole was plugged. Up on high, VERY high even, was the house of Rainbow Dash. It was just as she remembered. There was the same rainbow-feature that dominated a good part of the outside area of the would-be mansion in the sky. In the sky was the problem, however, as it dawned upon Scootaloo. Rainbow was looking skyward until the last few clouds were placed. Once the final one fell into place, the sky began to cry, as if it were sorry for the pegasus whose eyes were now down-cast. ’Rainbow cannot even get to her house…’ the voice in Scootaloo’s voice mused aloud, nearly as sad and pathetic sounding as Rainbow Dash looked as the dark clouds above began to lose more of their moisture, the small droplets falling to the earth below in an almost rhythmic pattern. Suddenly, Scootaloo had no will to call out to her idol and ‘sister.’ Deep down Scootaloo could feel a new sensation. Disappointment. Not in Rainbow, but in herself. There was one pony in this world who had, at one time, called Scootaloo a sister, had cared for her more than her real family ever had. And she had responded to that kindness by ruining her life. By taking her once precious gift and trotting all over it, till it was a warped and disgusting figure of its previous glory. Scootaloo fought to hold back bile as she looked at Rainbow’s once glorious wings, now shriveled and almost devoid of feathers, as if a great and sudden aging had overtaken them. Scootaloo would likely have sat there as long as Rainbow Dash was willing to before a new figure appeared. Scootaloo was just close enough to be in earshot as Twilight flew down to the grounded pegasus, her face betraying her anguish. “I am so sorry Rainbow Dash! I didn’t even think about how you would get to your house! I- I could fly you up there if you wanted,” Twilight set down next to Rainbow even as she spoke. Rainbow just shook her head mournfully. “Even if you did, I would have no way to get back down,” Rainbow said, her voice slightly cracked. It was then that it hit Scootaloo. Was Rainbow Dash… Crying? The rain made it impossible to tell if she was or not, but even if she was not, it was clear she was on the verge. Scootaloo’s heart nearly stopped. She had never seen Rainbow Dash cry! It was hinted that she did so in private or with her friends around, but the only Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo knew was a strong yet caring Rainbow Dash, who scoffed at crying. Fortunately, the rain worked two way. It would be almost impossible for anypony nearby to differentiate the tears that began to streak down her face from the water falling from the sky. Scootaloo could hear somepony land behind her, but she was too focused on the scene in front of her. That was, at least until a dark blue wing began to shelter her shivering body from the rain. Looking up, Scootaloo’s eyes locked with those of Princess Luna, just before her gaze turned to the two I had been observing from a distance. They were now walking away from us, appearing to not have noticed either of us, moving in the direction of Twilight’s Castle. Scootaloo got up to leave, but was halted by Luna. “I have talked with Celestia about the Shadow in your dreams, and after her… Consulting with Discord, we believe we know who, as well as what the Shadow actually is,” Luna said, still looking at Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “Twilight should know as well, but…” Luna trailed off, seeming to understand what I was unable to say at the moment. Twilight knew, and she was very, very angry. She had a right to be, Scootaloo mused. Scootaloo had very likely caused irreversible damage to one of Twilight’s very best friends. A friend to the Princess of Friendship… Luna seemed to respond to the bad thoughts that went through Scootaloo’s head as she pulled her closer, still sheltering her from the downpour of rain. ’Has Luna always been like this?’ Scootaloo asked herself. Whenever she was feeling down, it was as if Luna knew exactly what was going through her mind. ’Or is this special because she has been here before?’ Scootaloo finished the thought as Twilight and Rainbow Dash disappeared from view. As if in response to the unspoken question, Luna lied down next to Scootaloo, pulling her even closer as Scootaloo began to cry even more. There had been so much that had happened so quickly. Scootaloo, in essence, was a walking time-bomb. First she had tried to be tough for Rainbow Dash, and then for her friends… And now, she had none of them behind her. She had managed to somehow drive them all away, and even now, Luna was doing her best to comfort her. Somewhere, deep in the back of her mind, Twilight’s words still echoed. ’I could not take something as important as your flight from you,’ Part of Scootaloo knew Twilight was still trying to hold true to that, even despite what happened between her and Rainbow Dash. What had she done to deserve such steadfast friends? Why, in her darkest hour, was there still somepony by her side to comfort her? Luna seemed wise enough to not say it wasn’t her fault, but at the same time, she somehow felt as though the thought was radiating from her. Scootaloo and Luna must have stayed in the same position for almost an hour. By the end, Scootaloo’s throat was dry, and itchy, her eyes red a puffy, and her sinuses all but clogged. Luna stayed quiet the whole time, simply stroking the filly mane gently, her very presence oddly comforting. From the back of her mind, Scootaloo couldn’t help but question. ’Is this what a mother is supposed to be like?’ Finally, Scootaloo’s tears had run dry, though she was still very tender, her heart feeling as though it was bleeding from some unknown wound. It was now that Luna stood up, offering a hoof to help Scootaloo do the same, but Scootaloo all but ignored it. She knew it was selfish, but she wanted nothing more than to lie there in the rain soaked road. To not have to face the grief and the sorrow once more, knowing they were bound to attack her should she try and press forward. She simply wanted everything to fade away, leaving nothing but a numb, empty Scootaloo. Scootaloo somehow found it in her to look to Luna. Her hoof was still extended, as if it was only inevitable Scootaloo took it. Scootaloo’s eyes wandered to Luna’s and suddenly she was struck. The look in Luna’s eyes shook Scootaloo to her very soul. It was a look of fierce determination. It seemed to speak all the words Luna never actually spoke. Looking into the twin orbs, Scootaloo felt a small portion of her strength return to her broken mind and body. Slowly, she took the hoof. Luna smiled, finally speaking. “I knew you would have it in you to stand back up. There is nowhere left to fall. And so now, the only way to look, to move, is up. It is a long and harrowing journey, but you will find more than one ally, if you simply open your eyes and look around,” Luna said, moving far enough away that the world was no longer dominated by her midnight blue feathers. All around her, standing in the downpour of rain, were the people she had only loosely called friends. Scootaloo looked about, her eyes still stinging in the aftermath of her eventual breakdown. Twilight, stood just in front of Scootaloo, her expression far more gentle than when Scootaloo had last seen her. To her right, standing tall and proud was Princess Celestia, Discord barely in view just beyond her. Scootaloo’s eyes continued to scan the circle of ponies around her. Fluttershy, looking both nervous but determined. Pinkie Pie, offering a bouquet of balloons with a solemn smile. Scootaloo’s eyes stopped for a moment. Next was… Rarity. Even the prim and proper pony was standing in the rain, the water all but ruining her normal mane style. What stood out the most, however, was the small, earnest smile. She knew, and she still was smiling. My eyes growing in shock, my gaze turned to the pony on her right Applejack. She was likely wise standing in the rain, though seeming much less fazed by it. She, also, wore a small smile, and nodded when Scootaloo’s gaze found her. Turning even more, I found the one pony I had been dreading the most. Even as my head was turning though, I found the grey world drowned out by cerulean blue. Rainbow Dash pulled Scootaloo into a deep, heartfelt hug. My gaze found its way to an unexpected guest. Zecora had joined the group, a brew or two (odd how that phrasing jumped to mind) hanging from her neck on a thin cord. Scootaloo’s gaze came to rest on Luna once more. There seemed to be the glint of a single tear in her eye as she turned to speak with Princess Celestia, Twilight stepping forward so the two could have their conversation in private. Scootaloo open her muzzle, but the words died in her throat. Where did she even begin? “I feel I must apologize,” Twilight said, looking almost shameful. “I may have been a bit hard on you. I know you would not do anything to purposely harm anypony, much less any of your friends,” “But, after all I have done… Why are you here? Why comfort me? Why don’t you hate me?!” Scootaloo all but screamed, the emotions all washing over her at once. Anger, at herself. Fear, at what the future held. But most of all, relief. It didn’t matter the reasons they said, she already knew… They were her friends. “Way Ah’ see it,” Applejack started. “Anypony who cries for another pony, especially ah friend, is still worthy o’ helping.” “What dear Applejack is trying to say, darling, is that even though you made a few mistake, you are not a bad pony. We have all seen that you regret your actions, and understand this was an honest mistake,” Rarity said warmly. “But, your sisters,” Scootaloo croaked weakly, her last surge all but draining her. Applejack and Rarity exchanged looks. “They were trying to help a friend. It is not your fault, what happened to them,” Rarity said weakly. It was obvious the wounds were still fresh, but there was not bitterness towards Scootaloo. “You know, Scoots’, I was really worried about you,” Rainbow Dash finally spoke up. It was undeniable now that she was indeed crying. Scootaloo could feel warm tears rolling down her back, even as rain soaked as she was. “I worried about the crash, even while I was ‘sleeping.’ After I woke up, Twilight told me what happened. Both to me, and to you. And you know what my first thought was? ‘A curse? I hope Scoots’ is okay.’” Scootaloo had though herself bled dry of tears, but upon hearing Rainbow Dash speak, she was assaulted by a new wave of tears, this time a mix of happy and sad that all stemmed from one place, Rainbow Dash. Rainbow pulled Scootaloo in even closer, the two sisters lost in each other’s embrace. For the most part, Fluttershy, Zecora and Pinkie Pie remained silent. And there Scootaloo was, her very soul, battered, but not quite broken. Even in the chilly rain, she could feel a warmth. She was surrounded by great friends, and an even greater sister. She had felt so alone, so corrupted that she feared she would destroy anything she touched. But now, she felt a pressure lifting off of her heart. With her friends, she could do this! She could beat this Shadow!! For the first time in a long time, Scootaloo not only felt happy, but she felt a strong hope. Somewhere in her mind, her two best friends were with her as well, cheering her on as she gathered the courage to get up, to fight back. Luna was right. She had hit bottom, but because of this, there was nowhere to look, or to go, but up. And like it or not, Scootaloo had a pair of capable wings. It was well past time she put them to work!