//------------------------------// // His Legacy Continues Through Her // Story: Just do it! // by WaitWhut //------------------------------// Nonononono! He can't be real! Scootaloo ran through the dead forest away from the Headless Horse, panting as she started to get tired. She risked a glance back to see that it had almost caught up to her. Oh horseapples... Suddenly, a dark shape burst out of the forest from her left and reared up, neighing angrily and driving the Headless Horse away. Panting, Scootaloo got a good look at the pony who drove her pursuer away. Under the broken moonlight she spied Princess Luna. Hurredly, she dropped into a bow. "Please, rise. There's no need for that," Luna said, and Scootaloo got up. "Now, what seems to be plaguing you this night?" Scootaloo looked around the forest. "Where are we?" she asked, leaving the princess' question unanswered. "We're in your dream - or nightmare as it were. As the Princess of the Night, my duty is to guard the dreams of everypony," she replied. "Now, what are you running from, little Scootaloo?" Scootaloo's ears drooped and she looked away. "We were telling stories around a campfire, and now I'm scared." Luna smiled a little and bent down to Scootaloo's level. "We're all scared sometimes. Sometimes it's best to face your fear and confide in someone close." "But I can't show I'm scared, otherwise Rainbow Dash won't want to hang around with me anymore." Luna stood back up and balanced herself on her hind legs. She pointed her forelegs down and took a stance; a stance first taken by that ape many years ago, one that projected power, resolve and determination. "JUST DO IT!" Scootaloo jumped at the sudden yell and Luna dropped back onto all fours. "What is your dream, young Scootaloo?" she asked. Scootaloo took a few calming breaths before answering. "Um...to get my Cutie Mark! No! Um...to be the best flier ever!" Again, Luna smiled and repeated the advice she had been given herself, but in a calmer tone so she didn't frighten the small filly any more. "Don't let your dreams be dreams!" Scootaloo looked up with a few tears in her eyes. "But I'm always trying. I always dream of flying but I can't make it happen with my chicken wings! I just don't want to be grounded my whole life..." Ah, so this is her real fear Luna realised. "Young Scootaloo, some ponies dream of success. You're going to wake up and work hard at it. Nothing is impossible. Get to the point where anyone would quit, but don't stop there." Scootaloo shook her head from side to side, tears flying from her eyes. "You don't understand! No matter how hard I try I'm always at the beginning!" she yelled. Luna summoned a tissue and wiped Scootaloo's tears away. "Well, if you're tired from starting over, stop giving up." Scootaloo's eyes widened in understanding and Luna saw the small flame of resolve behind them. Though Luna felt she could have stoked the flame brighter with the Royal Canterlot Voice, she was afraid of scaring the filly. "The first step is to face your fears. After that, you work hard to make them fears disappear. Do you understand?" Scootaloo nodded. "Well, then it's time to wake up." ------------------------- "Hey Scoots, it's time to get up!" Scootaloo opened her crusted, blurry eyes and rubbed them with a hoof until she could make out an unmistakeable prisamatic mane. "Morning Rainbow Dash!" she replied with enthusiasm, banishing the fears of the night. "You ready to go?" Luna's advice echoed in her mind: First you must face your fears. "Umm, is it ok if we go talk somewhere first?" Rainbow cocked her head but nodded. After that they both walked from the campsite, with Rainbow shouting to the rest that they'll be back in a bit. "So, what's up?" "Well..." she began, looking up to the moon. Huhshe thought. The moon isn't supposed to be out. However, on closer inspection she saw a figure in the moon, taking a stance that inspired power and resolve. The figure winked, then disappeared. "Well?" Rainbow asked. "It's about them stories..." ------------------------- "WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Scootaloo was having the time of her life, flying through the air. The wind blew in her face and through her mane, and she relished in how the air moved through her wings. Granted, she was only flying because Rainbow Dash was holding her up while flying, but it was a step. It was a step to making her dreams not be dreams.