//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 (Daredevil Scootaloo) // Story: The CMC's New Wagon // by Wiz Ahmad //------------------------------// After having a sudden dream of flying fast with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo awoke with a start. She had to faster to be able to impress Rainbow Dash. The best place would be the long, straight road that led through a mountain to the White-Tailed Woods. Sneaking out of the clubhouse (which she had now preferred to sleep in), she ran to the barn and undid the bolts and latches, trying to keep them from squeaking. Thankfully it was a bit windy, so the squeaks were somewhat muffled. Scootaloo opened the hood and turned a tiny knob, opening the turbo valve all the way, increasing the boost to 18 PSI. She shut the hood, opened the door, and hopped in. “I know you got a reputation, and that reputation’s not been great,” she whispered to the car, “but I promise. You get me a good reputation, I’ll give you a good reputation here in Equestria.” With a hopeful sigh, Scootaloo pushed the key into the ignition, started up the engine, and slowly drove off out of Sweet Apple Acres. Heading for the smooth open road, she aligned the wheels and activated the launch control, stomping on the gas. The wheels spun like crazy, leaving billowing clouds of smoke. “No grip!” she yelled. “Come on!” After another gear, the Honda finally got a hold of the road, and Scootaloo floored it all the way to the limiter, changing gears as fast as possible to avoid losing boost and the VTEC. “120 kilometers an hour!” she exclaimed in desperation. “150, 180, 200, 220, come on!” By fifth gear, the Honda was cranking out 485 horsepower to the front wheels and exceeding 150 miles an hour, and for a few moments, Scootaloo felt like she would lose control. But there was still room for a bit more speed before the road gave way to gravel pathways through the woods. Scoootaloo pushed the gas down even harder, and the speed climbed to 260, then 270. Suddenly the forest, which seemed so far away a few seconds ago, was just a minute away! “Whoaaaaa!” Scootaloo screamed in fear, lifting off the gas slightly and downshifting to third gear. Then she gently pressed the brake in hopes of reducing speed enough for a safe stop. But it didn’t. The Honda’s wheels hit the loose pebbles and spun around twice before hitting a few bushes and finally coming to a stop inches from a tree trunk and a boulder. Scootaloo was so shaken she could hardly breathe. She had nearly crashed the Honda. The one thing her friends and she had worked so hard to restore and build and enjoy. The one thing that had allowed them to cleverly silence Diamond Tiara, their number one nemesis. Now she nearly destroyed it just to gain love and admiration from Rainbow Dash? That didn’t sound or feel like something a loyal and true friend would do. Feeling happy, sad, and regretful all at the same time, Scootaloo started the engine up again (she had stalled it in the spin-out), and drove back to Ponyville, while still in the dead of the night. Body pains poked at her from every angle. In the morning, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle gathered together and headed up the clubhouse steps, eager to form another plan to attain their cutie marks. “Scootaloo! We’re here! Shall we—” “Scootaloo?!” the two fillies gasped in shock at the absence of their pegasus friend. “Ah, maybe she’s just gone off solo crusading or enjoying herself on her scooter somewhere,” Apple Bloom said, trying to shake it off. With their worry relieved a little, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle checked the barn. “Hmmm, the barn doors are open,” said Apple Bloom. “I remember I closed and bolted them last night.” Curious, she entered. The Honda was not in the same state. Instead of facing the doors, it was now facing the back of the barn. Sweetie Belle examined the bodywork. There were little streaks of mud and grit all over the side skirts and the rear bumper. A slight dent was noticeable on the left-hand side skirt just behind one of the front wheels, and the engine still felt warm. “Scootaloo’s gotten into an accident!” the two gasped in unison as they simultaneously realized what had occurred during the night. Without further ado they ran to the hospital and burst through the doors, almost forgetting their manners. Scootaloo was in her bed, drinking a cup of tea. She had a sore neck from the spin-out, a slightly torn cartilage stem in her left wing, and a little bang on her forehead, but overall she was still well and strong. The room doors burst open as if a grenade had been thrown at it. In walked Rarity, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and even Rainbow Dash. Questions and caring words poured out like water from a broken dam. “Are you okay?” “Can you walk?” “I was soooooooooooooooo worried!” “Why were you out alone in the night?” Scootaloo sighed and turned to look at her idol. “I…I’m fine. Just a few minor injuries. I wanted to prove that was just as awesome as you, Rainbow Dash. So I tried to go as quickly and as fast as I could in the Honda, but the road suddenly ended, and…and I lost control while trying to slow down. I’m sorry guys.” “That machine is dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed. “It must be extinguished!” “NO!” Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all shouted at the same time, before realizing that they were in a hospital and lowered their voices. “No, no no!” “This was just my driving mistake,” Scootaloo told everyone firmly. “This Honda can go fast, and I actually did achieve my top speed goal. It just needs to be driven fast on roads which have a smooth surface and are mostly straight. I still have to get used to the car’s power and increase my driving experience. That’s all.” “We’ll see ya tomorrow, sugarcube,” Applejack replied, heading out the door. “Wish you a good sleep today and a successful recovery and healing!” Scootaloo finished her tea and slumped down under the bed’s soft white blanket, all the while a many thoughts running through her mind: how could she make the Honda go fast with stability and control? Would she be able to successfully control the speed machine at full tilt? And had she let her heart’s desire to be as awesome and cool as her idol cost her the high level of reasoning she was known for amongst her friends?