//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Doubts // Story: Scootaloo's Conflict // by Naryyn //------------------------------// MLP FiM The Great War Chapter 1 Doubts This day in Ponyville was almost like any other day, except for one small difference, a filly was starting to have doubts. Scootaloo sat underneath a large oak tree on the school grounds, pushing a small rock back and forth between her hooves, as she thought about why Princess Celestia still decides to rule all of Equestria even though Luna has returned. Princess Celestia had said that they would rule together now that she was back, but to this day Scootaloo has only seen Princess Luna three times since that was declared. She even stayed up late at night to try and get a glimpse of the Princess but saw nothing; it was starting to stick in her mind like a deep set itch that won’t go away unless it was scratched. “Scootaloo! There you are we have been looking all over for you.” Surprised, Scootaloo looked up to see Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, standing in front of her. “Oh hey guys, what are you up to today?” “Actually we kind of ran out of ideas for crusading, if we just hang out for a little bit I’m sure we will come up with something eventually.” Sweetie Belle said, with a small pout. “That’s alright I don’t quite feel like crusading today anyways.” looking into the distance she thought about what she was going to do about her situation. “Is something wrong Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked, worried for her friend. Scootaloo looked at her friend not quite sure if she should tell her what has been on her mind the last couple of days. “Nothing’s wrong I have just been doing some thinking about Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. I should be going I have to talk to someone who can explain to me what I need to know.” “Oh well, alright then see you later.” Sweetie Belle said, now concerned something might actually be wrong. As Scootaloo walked away she felt kind of bad for not telling her friends what was really on her mind, but she didn’t think they would understand. Maybe Twilight Sparkle will know something about it, she is Princess Celestia’s student after all. She thought to herself as she started walking toward the library. Walking by Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared from the bush next to her, with a plate full of freshly made cupcakes. “Want some cupcakes Scootaloo? You look like you could use some sugar to brighten your day.” “No thanks Pinkie, I have to go talk to Twilight about something kind of private.” Scootaloo said, trying to get around the pink pony. “Oh, okay then, maybe later? They are really good cupcakes.” “Alright I’ll come by later to have one they really do sound delicious.” Arriving at her destination Scootaloo knocked on the old wooden door of the library, hoping that Twilight was actually home. The door opened and there was Spike, the small purple dragon looked as though he just got interrupted from his meal. “Can I help you Scootaloo?” he said while she looked past him trying to see if Twilight was there. “Um I’m actually here because I need to speak to Twilight alone.” “Oh, well she is in her room right now, just go up and see her.” After Spike moved from the door to finish eating, Scootaloo walked in and went up the stairs and knocked on Twilight's door to hear her say, “Come in.” When Scootaloo entered the room Twilight looked a little surprised to see the filly without the other crusaders. “Scootaloo how can I help you today?” Twilight said, putting down the book she was currently reading. “I need to talk to you about the Princesses, something has been bothering me for the past few days.” looking down she watched the floor as she kicked a hoof back and forward. “Oh? Well what do you need to know? I would be glad to answer your questions.” Scootaloo closed the door and started explaining. "I wanted to know why Princess Luna has scarcely been seen since she returned. After I heard that Princess Celestia told her they were going to rule together once again, I assumed that was exactly what was going to happen. I'm starting to think that Celestia lied to Luna so she could continue her reign as much as before. I guess I was just wondering if you could explain why Luna hasn’t really been seen since she got back.” relieved to get all of that off her chest Scootaloo took a deep breath and relaxed. “Hmm well Princess Luna is in charge of raising the moon and I guess she wouldn’t really be seen that much except at night.” “But that’s the thing I have stayed up at night so I can see her but I never do, the last time I actually saw her was on Nightmare Night.” wondering if Twilight can actually help her. “I’m sorry I just don’t know that much about the whole thing, I could ask Princess Celestia about it if you want me to. After all it wouldn't make sense for Celestia to stop her sister from ruling with her. After her absence for the last thousand years she should be grateful to have someone next to her and remove some of the burden of ruling an empire.” “Yeah I guess your right but I still want to write a letter to Princess Luna and see if she can answer some of my questions, if you don’t mind me borrowing some paper and a quill.” “Sure, there is some paper and quills on that desk over there, you can write your letter I’ll just continue my reading.” Twilight returned to her book and let the little filly have some privacy as this seemed very important to her. Scootaloo walked over to the desk and picked up a particularly billowy quill in her mouth and wrote her letter. Dear Princess Luna, I am writing you because I have some concerns about how things have been since you got back. I would like to speak to you in person if that is possible in anyway. Please write back as soon as you can. Sincerely, Scootaloo When she finished writing she rolled up the paper and sealed it with some of the warmed red wax that was on the desk as well. After telling Twilight thanks she walked down the stairs and found Spike sitting at the table with huge bowl filled with all sorts of beautiful glittering gems. “Spike could you send this letter for me?” "Huh what?" Startled from the sudden voice he turned and saw his orange friend holding a freshly sealed letter. “Oh alright is it for Princess Celestia?” “No it’s for Princess Luna” Scootaloo said handing the letter to Spike. “Okay I’ll send it right away.” He took a deep breath and released a strange blue flame onto the letter sending it on its way. “Now Scootaloo it might be a little while before you get a response, the princesses are pretty busy after all.” Just as he finished talking he was taken by surprise by a sudden belch that released a newly formed letter. “Oh that was faster than usual, do you want me to read it to you Scootaloo?” “No that's alright I’ll read it myself thanks for your help.” She grabbed the letter and tucked it under her wing. Walking outside she suddenly remembered that she left her scooter at the schoolyard. Grumbling angrily to herself she started making her way back to the school. While passing by Sugar Cube Corner once more she saw Pinkie gleefully shoving a cupcake into the angry face of an unlucky pedestrian. Snickering Scootaloo walked by quietly so she wouldn't attract Pinkie's attention as well. Arriving at the school she saw her scooter exactly where she left it. Glancing over at the tree she was sitting under earlier she saw her friends playing a game of pattycake laughing joyfully. She desperately wanted to join them but under the circumstances at that moment the letter was more important. Hopping onto her scooter she pulled on her helmet and moved the letter from her wing to her mouth. Cruising through streets at a fast pace Scootaloo dodged the ponies that were on their daily errands. She always loved to ride at a great speed and she one day hoped to be as fast, if not faster, a flyer than Rainbow Dash. She barely missed Big Macintosh when she turned onto the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres. He just looked at her and continued on his way, the red colt had better things to do than yell at an innocent filly. Stopping at the Clubhouse Applejack had given them she took off her helmet placing it onto the handle bar of her scooter. She was still amazed at what a great job Apple Bloom did with remodeling the run down treehouse, it hardly looked as old as it was. With all the splinters sanded down she no longer had to worry about sticking herself when she walked through the narrow door. Sitting down on one of the cushions that were brought in as chairs she placed the letter on the ground and broke the seal. Inside the roll of paper were two smaller slips of parchment looking as though they had just been pressed. She placed them off to the side and read the short letter that was written in a beautiful flowing script. Dear Scootaloo, We are happy to hear from you and would gladly like to invite you to Canterlot to speak with us in person. Included in this letter is a train ticket and a castle pass so you can get here quickly and speak with us as soon as possible. Sincerely Princess Luna Shocked she looked at the papers she had set aside and indeed they were a castle pass and a train ticket. Now being pretty cheerful she stood up, tore the letter apart, and headed outside. Holding the ticket and the pass she got back on her scooter and headed into town. Stopping off at Sugar Cube Corner she saw a pretty distraught Pinkie Pie still holding a plate of cupcakes. "Hey Pinkie what's got you down?" "You won't believe the day I've had, after you left a crazy pony came by and said my cupcakes tasted like garbage! I told him he must be mistaken because I have been making cupcakes for years now. He just kept going on and on and on and on, before I told him 'sir please don't judge them before you've had one' but he just kept insisting they were bad! After that I don't remember very much, but now I have a ticket from the police! It says I 'Assaulted another Pony' but I don't remember doing anything like that. I don't think I would intentionally hurt another pony and since I don't remember I don't think I should be charged anything." "Wow Pinkie you really don't remember what happened?" "No I don't and now I don't think even cupcakes can cheer me up, this was a horrible day." "Well let's have one together you did make them sound delicious and maybe a friend and a cupcake is what will cheer you up." "Yeah! That is a great idea I can't believe I didn't think of that." Handing Scootaloo a cupcake Pinkie Pie smiled and messily gulped down the others. "Wow you were right Scootaloo I feel so much better now!" Scootaloo grinned and ate her cupcake slowly, enjoying the moist rich cake and the creamy frosting. "Thanks Pinkie Pie! I have to go now but don't go getting more tickets now alright?" Pinkie Pie frowned a little bit then suddenly smiled, "Your welcome Scootaloo! and I will try and not get more tickets, although I'm still confused as to how I got this one." She turned and walked back into the sweets shop, more than likely to make more cupcakes. Getting back onto her scooter she started towards home to pack her things. She walked through her front door to find that her parents were gone again. They usually were, so much so that her friends haven’t ever met them before. She packed her saddle bags and left a note saying she will be gone for the night for something important. She headed out the door and hopped on her scooter to go to the train station. When she arrived at the station the train to Canterlot was just boarding so she handed in her ticket to the old colt standing next to the door and hopped on. Scootaloo was starting to get really nervous because she had never had a one on one meeting with either of the Princesses. She hoped it would go well and she would get some answers to clear her thoughts. The train ride was long and boring, and Scootaloo slept through most of the journey because there was nothing else to do. After a couple hours the train pulled into Canterlot Station and opened its doors, she exited wondering how she was going to get to the castle. She decided it was probably best to walk towards the castle in the distance, and look for a royal guard to ask for directions. As she continued walking she happened across the huge golden gate guarded by two bored looking guards. The guard in front of her looked down at her and said “State your name and business.” “I’m Scootaloo I’m here to see Princess Luna, I have a pass from her.” The guard glanced at the pass and verified its legitimacy “Looks like you are all set, go inside and up the stairs and knock on the last door on the right, Princess Luna should be waiting.” “Thanks.” Walking past him she went through the largest doors she had ever seen. As she walked through the main common room, Scootaloo looked around in awe at how intricately beautiful the pillars on the sides of the room were carved. She found the stairs and headed up realizing that the staircase was longer than she thought it would be. When she reached the top she headed down the long hallway to the very end and looked at the door she was supposed to knock on. When she knocked she heard a voice on the other side say, “Come in.” taking a deep breath she turned the handle opened the door.