Chapter 2
Decision
As the door opened Princess Luna looked up from her current report for the previous night, to see Scootaloo bowing in the doorway. “Come in and close the door, we are glad you could make it here on such short notice.” She told the noticeably nervous filly. Scootaloo walked in closed the door, and making sure it was locked Luna continued, “So you tell us you have some questions about what has been going on since our return?”
“Y…Yes I was wondering why I hardly see you around, even though Princess Celestia said that you would rule together.”
“Ah yes, well she believes that we are not capable of taking over our full responsibilities yet so she still does most of it. We are kind of irritated at this and decided we are going to prove her wrong.” Luna said the last part quietly, staring intently at Scootaloo.
“What do you mean prove her wrong?”
“We have started a New Lunar Republic to rebel against the current Solar Empire, to finish this once and for all. We would be grateful if you would join our cause and try to recruit in Ponyville since we do not have any contacts in that area.”
“What would I be doing exactly? I’m not sure if I would be the right pony to ask for this job.”
“No, you are perfect for the job, you will be running an underground station to recruit people who are willing to join the cause, and how you get them interested is your decision to make.”
“Yes Princess I will do as you ask, leave it to me I will get as many ponies to recruit as I can.”
“Good we are pleased, now go before you being here starts to raise suspicion, we will keep in touch.” Princess Luna said returning to her paperwork.
“Yes Princess.”
Scootaloo made her way back to the train station, and waited for the next train back to Ponyville. She wished could just fly there instead of taking the train but her wings weren’t developed enough for her to actually take off. The train pulled into the station and she hopped on. She decided now would be a good time to figure out how she was going to get some ponies attentions who want to join the faction. The return trip seemed longer than it did coming to Canterlot, but Scootaloo didn’t mind this time she had a lot to think about. hearing the conductor calling for Ponyville she got up and headed out of the doors and started running home. She thought she just might have thought of a way to recruit ponies.
***
Twilight Sparkle was sitting in her room studying the various books that were spread out before her. Spike burst into the room so excited that he could hardly breathe. “Twilight! someone has been vandalizing buildings all around town with some kind of slogan.”
“Really? That's odd what does the slogan say?”
“'Don’t believe the lies of the Solar Empire, join the New Lunar Republic today.' What do you think it means? I have never heard of the New Lunar Republic before.”
“'Lies of the Solar Empire'? Who would dare go against the leadership of Princess Celestia?! This is outrageous! We must alert the princess immediately.” Quivering with rage Twilight's horn glowed and some paper and writing utensils hovered to the desk.
“Actually Twilight she already sent a letter, here." Spike handed Twilight the letter and she scanned over it as he summarized it. "She said she knows about the New Lunar Republic but not who is in charge, so she can’t take care of them herself.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“Only that she wants you to stay out of it and stay safe, she isn’t sure what might happen and she doesn’t want to lose you.”
“As much as I don’t like the idea of hiding I think she is right it could get very dangerous soon.”
***
Scootaloo stepped back and admired the drying paint of her latest "mural" she just gave the side wall of Sugar Cube Corner. With her method of painting the message, she had already recruited around thirty-five ponies for the cause. Princess Luna even came down in the night to congratulate her and take the new recruits to the training camp to prepare them for what was to come. She was very excited and couldn’t wait to go to the training camp herself and help with what she could. Maybe I should make a public announcement that could bring in more recruits than the wall painting. But that would alert the police to me vandalizing the buildings around town and I could get arrested. Scootaloo thought to herself, deciding that a public announcement at this moment was probably a bad idea.
When she arrived back at home she found a letter from Princess Luna on the desk in her room.
Scootaloo,
You have done very well these past few days, we are pleased with all the new recruits and our army is almost ready to begin the rebellion against our sister. Please accept this amulet as a token of thanks, it will allow others to recognize you as my second in command. They might think you are too young but we recognize you for who you are, a true leader. We will come in a few days to bring you to the training camp.
Stay safe, Princess Luna
Beneath the letter was a finely crafted amulet that fit perfectly around her neck. Emblazoned on the pendant was the symbol for the New Lunar Republic, a winged crescent moon topped with a golden star. The star was the only difference between the amulet and the actual symbol, recognizing her as Luna's protege. Scootaloo thought it was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen, but knew the dangers of wearing it in public as well.
Scootaloo went to bed happy things were going her way for once; she was going to sleep good tonight. She was a little disappointed she had to keep this secret from her friends, but she hoped that they might consider joining her when she left. For what seemed like the first time in her life she looked forward to school tomorrow. Getting some of the younger ponies to join the rebellion couldn't hurt. There were some complications with this because the parents were getting skittish from the “vandalisms” around town. Her eyelids started feeling very heavy and when they finally shut Scootaloo fell into a deep sleep.
Waking up the next morning Scootaloo felt more refreshed than she had in a long time. She gathered her school books together and went to go pick her friends up for class. Feeling the wind whip through her mane as she rode her scooter doing tricks and dodging other ponies, was the greatest feeling she could experience at that moment. When the other crusaders got into the wagon they couldn’t stop staring at her flank. Not being concerned as to why they were she kept riding through the streets to school. “S…Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom said when they stopped in front of the school.
“Yeah Apple Bloom?”
“Did you know you got your cutie mark?”
“Really? What does it look like?”
“It’s a full shield that has two gold swords crossed in front of it. I wonder what that means?”
“Maybe it means I’m a good leader.” smiling to herself as she knew that was exactly what it meant.
Throughout the school day all her classmates were interested in her cutie mark, debating on what it meant. They kept badgering her on how she got it until finally giving in she explained what it meant and that she didn't know she had it until arriving at school. They finally stopped asking her questions after that but they still discussed it amongst themselves.
She knew this was going to be a tough situation with her friends since they still don’t have their cutie marks. She grew fearful that they were going to start splitting apart slowly now that they don’t have anything to do together. Oh well I will be leaving in a few days anyways I’m not sure how they are going to take that but I won’t be seeing them for a while. She thought to herself after school on her way home.
On the desk in her room she found another letter from Princess Luna;
My Faithful Scootaloo,
We were happy to hear that you got your cutie mark in leadership, we knew that you were the right choice for our second in command. We have a new job for you concerning Fluttershy and her animal friends. Fluttershy’s ability to connect with animals will cause complications in the future and we cannot have that. We need you to think of a way to remove the pests for us before we can come pick you up.
Good Luck,
Princess Luna
Scootaloo looked over the letter again and started thinking over how exactly she was going to take care of Fluttershy’s animals. Before night fell she had a sudden brilliant idea, after gathering the supplies she needed Scootaloo waited for it to get late into the night. When the time came she was sure everypony was asleep she grabbed what she needed and headed to Fluttershy’s cottage.