The air was a lot quieter outside of the shopping district, which suited Scootaloo just fine as she went through what she was going to say in her head. It had been years since she'd even been to this part of town, avoiding it so she wouldn't have to have this encounter. She still knew the route though, coming up to a house near the east outskirts. To her relief, the sign on the garden wall was still there, listing the occupants as Spring Spirit, Fever Pitch and...The third name had been painted over. That didn't matter, the one she wanted was still here.
Scootaloo sighed and looked up at the house, the same as so many others in town, yet filled with such a bad memory. She slowly started to walk up the path, looking at what was left of the plants, trying not to remember how they'd looked that day. As she reached the door she lifted her cape up with her wings and let it fall across her back so she had space to move them. This was it, the moment of truth, time to either accept her past or destroy the closest bond she had. She knocked slowly, flexing her wings impatiently before the door was answered by an amber earth pony. She looked like age was catching up to her, her indigo mane ruffled, her leaf cutie mark lacking it's shine, her jaw dropping at the sight before her as Scootaloo spread her wings and made eye contact with Spring Spirit for the first time in thirteen years.
"Well, it's been a long time since I've said this so I hope it sounds okay. Hello, mother."
"I...Scootaloo?" Spring blinked slowly, rooted to the spot. This wasn't the same Scootaloo she remembered, the teen she'd last seen running from her in tears. Now here she was again, a national icon with her own life, coming back to her against the odds.
"Yeah, it's me," Scootaloo started, being cut off as Spring Spirit stepped forward and hugged her gently. "Okay, didn't expect that reaction. Is, it ok if I come in?" Spring stepped aside for her, Scootaloo trying not to let her nerves come up. To her surprise, the hallway was lined with a mix of family photos and news clippings covering Scootaloo's rise to fame.
"So, Scootaloo. Wh-what brings you back this way?"
"Well...It's what happened, how we last parted."
"Oh, yes. That..."
June 6th - Year 9 under the Four Princesses
"For the last time, being a stuntpony is no career for a fifteen year old!"
Scootaloo fumed at her mother's words, what did she know about what an agile pony could do with herself? Spring Spirit looked back at her daughter with exasperation, why couldn't she understand that her wellbeing was more important than showing off like that. Hadn't she learned from the broken wing she received from last time?
"For Celestia's sake, I'm old enough to look after myself, make my own decisions. I can choose what I want to do with my damm life!"
"I know you are, I just want what's best for you."
"Best for me? Hah! I understand what I can do, I got my cutie mark from my stunts, I know that following my talent is what's best!"
"There are plenty of things you can do with that talent that are less dangerous. There are stunt teams who would be eager to have somepony like you, the Vulcans, the Firewings, even the Wonderbolts might be interested in your skill if you put it to use with your wings rather than your scooter." Spring stopped as she realised what she just said, glancing down to see Scootaloo glaring pure murder at her.
"...What did you just say?" Spring bit her lip slightly, trying to think of what to say. Nothing was coming out though, the inability to fly was a sore point for Scootaloo and she'd thoughtlessly pushed that button. Even she wasn't prepared for what was coming though.
"It always comes back to the wings with you, doesn't it? Everything comes back to why I can't fly, every time you bring it up I can tell what you're thinking. 'What's wrong with Scootaloo's wings?' 'Why isn't Scootaloo doing anything about it?' 'When will Scootaloo start acting like a normal pegasus and stop showing her family up?!' That's all you care about isn't it? What others think about me being an flightless FREAK!!!"
"I...N-no...." Spring's voice was cracking and she didn't know how to respond anymore, it was taking everything she had just to remain composed at the sight in front of her. The feeling of Scootaloo's self-hatred at her incapacity, the knowledge of her misjudged blame and the idea that she herself seemed responsible for this through her parenting. All of it was overwhelming and tears started to well up in her eyes, a fact lost to Scootaloo as she continued her tirade.
"Well, you can forget worrying about it now. I'm old enough to live my own life, where both of us can have our dreams back without ruining each other's lives! Goodbye!" Scootaloo turned and ran for the door, grabbing her helmet on the way out. Spring was rooted in spot for a second, trying to force herself just to move, before she managed to run for the door. The delay was costly though, by the time she got there, Scootaloo had grabbed her scooter and taken off, nothing but dust trails left in her wake. Spring looked round franticly but she had no idea where to look, her daughter had dozens of isolated hangouts and hiding spots in town, she could bunker down for Luna knows how long.
"Scoots...I'm sorry." Spring Spirit sat down at the door and looked down, letting the tears finally fall silently at her failure.
"I-if you don't mind me asking, what did you do? I never saw you after that." Spring Spirit sat herself down in the living room as Scootaloo took the chair opposite her.
"I'd, been saving bits for some time, thinking something like that would happen. I went to my safety deposit, got it and rented a place in the farms, worked as a delivery pony until I got a start on my stunt work...Speaking of, h-how did you two...Manage?"
"Well...I don't know how long I sat there, trying to accept my bad parenting before I even got up but, I-I searched for hours, checked every spot I know you visited, even asked the other crusaders...Telling your father what had happened, that was the worst day of my life. He tried the same thing next day, still nothing."
Scootaloo looked down in shame, her past self had never even thought to consider how it would affect her family. She'd left them worrying about her for years, even after they'd seen she was alright and making a name for herself. The guilt was almost painful to bear and she sighed as she looked back up at Spring.
"I know it's, thirteen years too late, but...I'm sorry what I did, mother. I didn't tell anyone what had happened, too wrapped up in my own selfish desires to think about the long term consequences. Yes I made my dream happen but it wasn't worth what I did to you and dad. I'd understand if you were furious at me."
"Scootaloo..." Spring got up and walked over to Scootaloo, putting a hoof under her chin to make sure they would see eye to eye here. "I was upset, yes. Maybe disappointed, yes. But I can't stay angry at you, you're my little girl and despite what you might think, I still love you. Heck, I'm proud of how well you've done, you took your dream and made it happen. We...We've actually been to all your shows."
"I...Mom, I...I missed you too." Scootaloo pulled Spring close and hugged her, struggling to get anything else out. Spring showed no hesitation before hugging her in return. Neither of them wanted to let go, making up for so much lost time. Spring nuzzled her softly, feeling the family bond with her daughter for the first time in far too long.
"So, where do we go from here?"
"First things first, just getting back to where we were. I think we should just talk first, catch up." Spring looked down at Scootaloo and smiled softly.
"I'd like that."
It felt like they'd only been talking for a few minutes and it was already getting late in the afternoon. Scootaloo didn't want to leave but she'd promised to meet up with the other crusaders again today. Even so, she felt more relaxed than she had for some time. Spring Spirit had even invited her over for Hearth's Warming.
"You sure that dad will be okay with it?"
"Positive, he's not lost any of his vigour over the years," Spring grinned, helping Scootaloo get her winter clothes back on. "And I can tell he'll be excited to see you again."
"Yeah, I know I can't wait either."
"You've no idea how good it makes me feel to have you back, Scootaloo."
"I've got an idea," Scootaloo smiled and hugged Spring. The two held it for a moment before letting go at last. "I'll see you soon mom, I promise."
"I hope so, you owe me a few mothers day gifts." Spring teased, waving Scootaloo off as she headed back toward town, a fresh spring in her step. The bond wasn't like it used to be but they were talking again and that was a major step. It was just like her riding, now she had to capitalise on her success and make sure they kept heading in the right direction.