I have to say goodbye to someone that means so much to me today. This will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It makes my heart ache. I love her so much. I don’t want to let her go. I want to be the responsible big sister, but I also don’t want to tell her goodbye. Especially when I have to look into those magenta eyes of hers.
Hearing the news that her family had to move barely registered at first. I remember hoping that what I heard was wrong. But the closer the time came for her to leave it started to sink in. It actually shocked the hell out of me. My lil’ sis’ was leaving. Scoots and her family were moving away.
I’ve spent as much time with her as I could this week. Knowing what was coming made those happy moments seem so fleeting. I know that she’s not dying, but it feels almost as bad. The pain that haunts me is almost overwhelming.
I have to bite my lip to keep from bursting into tears. Stay strong, Rainbow. Stay fearless for her sake. But I can’t be strong or fearless. At least not for this!
As I fly towards the green grassy hill where I spent most of my time with her I remember all the fun we had. All the antics we shared while I taught her how to fly. Or just hanging out with her and her two other friends laughing and playing. Lots of great memories on this hill. Each one brings another tear. I can't. I just can't do it. It pains me to look at it. That beautiful hill.
There she is. Waiting for me just like she normally does. I wipe the tears away as I land in front of her. Her face reflects the sadness that I’m feeling. We both inhale deeply. I never thought this moment would come. Ever.
Scootaloo looks up at me with those eyes. Those beautiful eyes, “Hey, Rainbow Dash…”
I try not to choke on my words. "Scoots..."
“I-I…” Scootaloo started to say, but couldn’t finish.
"I know," I say, my wing wrapping around her. "Look, Scoots, stay strong, ok?” This was as much for me as it was for her because looking into her deep sad welling up eyes I was about to lose it.
Scootaloo yelled, “I don’t want to leave! I don’t want to abandon my friends! I don’t want to say goodbye to you; the best big sister ever!”
Staring back at her, trying not to crumble to pieces, “Look, your dad needs a better job. He has to take care of his family, right? For him to do that he needs to leave Ponyville. You understand that don’t you?”
Scootaloo nods and leans closer to me. Her head in my chest.
''Look, Scootaloo, no matter where you are I'm always with you."
If this were anypony else I wouldn’t be this emotional because that’s not how cool ponies act. But this isn’t just any pony. This is my little sister. So buck it! I don’t care about being a tough mare anymore.
"I'm always with you in your heart, Scoots. It doesn’t matter if I'm dead or whether you’re in Fillydelphia or whatever. I’ll always be with you."
"I'll always have that Dashie with me won’t I?" Scootaloo managed a chuckle.
I giggle too. "That's the first time I’ve heard you say that."
“Yeah, I think Fluttershy’s the only one that calls you that though,” she says, looking a bit bashful.
My cheeks go red, “Yeah, Fluttershy does call me that. Just like I call you Scoots.”
The smallest smile breaks across Scootaloo’s mouth. Then she sighs. "I'll try to visit during summer break."
"I know you will. It’ll be fun.” The thought of having to wait that long turns the knife just a little bit more. But I hold the memory of her smiling face in my heart as I take a shaky breath, “I love you, Scoots.”
“I love you too, Rainbow!” She jumps up and squeezes me in a bear hug. Tears streaming down her face.
"Never change who you are. Please don't ever change, Scootaloo," I whisper, wrapping my hooves around her to return her hug just the same. Tears flowing from me now.
"I won't. I'll always be who I am."
“That’s, my girl!”
I hear her name ring in the air, “Scootaloo!”
"T-that's m-my mom," Scootaloo says, shaking.
Scoots parents have the appearance of middle class ponies, but have been struggling lately. They were given the opportunity to have a better life in Fillydelphia. I know that Scootaloo will make some new friends and have fun there, but it still pains me to see her going away.
She looks up into my eyes pleading with me, “I don’t want to go. Can’t I stay with you, Rainbow? Please?”
This is killing me. “I wish you could, but you have to think about how your parents would feel.”
“But…” She was sobbing now. Scootaloo’s ears drooped down, “No. I won’t say goodbye to you, Rainbow” she says softly into my chest.
"In life..." as more tears come from us both, "In life we have to say goodbye to those we love. We may not have a choice. Life is sometimes full of pain and sorrow, but we will always have our memories."
"I'll never forget them..."
At least I will always have those memories. Beautiful memories.
Her mom calls again.
"I'm coming!'' Scootaloo shouts.
She hugs me one last time. I scoop her up and squeeze her tight. I can’t stand this. I don’t want to have to let her go.
"Love you, Scoots."
"Love you too, Rainbow Dash."
She pulls away from me. Turning to go down the hill towards her house. She slowly walked away looking back just in time to see me fall to my knees sobbing. This is the hardest thing that I have and will ever have to do. Watching my little sister thrown out into the world where I can’t be there for her. But, she’s such a strong filly.
As she runs the rest of the way down the hill without looking back it feels like she’s running out of my life. I hope that the guidance that I was able to give will help her on her new path. One without me.
My lil’ sis’. My lil’ Scoots…