//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Something in the Snow // Story: Something's Happened to Scootaloo // by inside_joke //------------------------------// Something's Happened to Scootaloo by inside_joke Chapter 1: Something in the Snow The day was cold and frigid. Thin blankets of snow caked the cobblestone path, joined by naked trees on either side. Apple Bloom tightened her scarf, flapping gently in the wind. Sweetie Belle walked beside her, looking up at the skeletal branches. Frosty breath poured from their lips and reddened noses. Beyond the crunching of snow, silence reigned. It was an oppressive silence. “What do you think happened to Scootaloo?” Sweetie asked, breaking the quiet. Apple Bloom craned her head, their eyes meeting briefly. “Oh please. This wouldn’t be the first time Scoots ditched us,” she scoffed, waving a dismissive hoof. True, Scootaloo was notorious for running late, but she seldom abandoned a plan with friends. “Yeah, but… it isn’t like her to miss a meet up. She never misses a meet up.” “Ya’ worry too much.” There was a hint of irritation in her tone. “Well, sorry I’m concerned about our friend,” Sweetie countered. Apple Bloom sighed, icy breath rolling out her mouth. “Look, all Ah’m sayin’ is that Scootaloo’s fine. She probly’ slept in or somethin’.” In most cases, Sweetie would happily accept the assumption, but she held onto a foreign belief that something was wrong. She just didn’t know what. After a momentary pause, Sweetie spoke again. “Have you seen Scootaloo at all this weekend?” Biting her lip, Apple Bloom pondered the question. “Well, with all this weather and whatnot, AJ and Ah’ have been busy plowin’ snow. So no, Ah’ haven’t. Have ya’ seen her lately?” “No.” Sweetie frowned. “The snow’s kept me inside all weekend. And to top it off, Rarity’s been forcing more chores on me than ever. I looked high and low for her but… she never turned up.” There was hesitation in those last words. “Ya’ try her house?” “I said I searched high and low, didn’t I? Yes, I checked her house.” “An’? What happened?” “No one was home. I know her parents are out of town, but I thought Scootaloo would be there.” Almost defeated, she sputtered, “I was really hoping to see her at the meet up, today. Apple Bloom smirked sympathetically. She’d always been the most complacent and logical of the crusaders. Resting a hoof on Sweetie’s shoulder, she said softly, “Scoots is a tough pony. Ah’m sure she was out with Rainbow Dash or somethin’ and ya’ just missed her. Shoot, she’s always doin’ whatever it is pegasi do.” Sweetie smiled a weak smile. “You’re right. I’m working myself up.” “Ya’ always do,” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Now let's go, Ah’ don’t wanna’ be late.” Picking up the pace, she trotted ahead. Sweetie kept a few paces behind. She wanted to believe her friend, but deep down, something resisted. Something was wrong. Sighing, she looked back to the trees. They scraped the sky as they passed. Beyond them and along the horizon, Sugar Cube Corner’s rooftop peeked over the branches. Like most week days, the crusaders would meet there, accompanying one another on their walk to school. Sweetie arrived earlier than usual that morning, awaiting Scootaloo. Apple Bloom followed moments later. After half an hour of waiting, the two girls faltered, heading off without her. They both opted to take the scenic route. They seldom walked that path, but an unseen urge carried them there. It felt necessary, somehow. The route was little more than a long, beaten stone trail neighbored by rows of trees. It circled around the town’s entirety, branching off at multiple points. One of which just happened to be the schoolhouse. Neglected and forgotten, the path slowly decayed; ignored by most of Ponyville. Compared to their usual route, the walk was tedious and inconvenient. But with ample time on their hooves and little to discuss, neither of them complained. A light fog licked the air, thickening as they went. Apple Bloom could make out a building, emerging from the blur. It was the schoolhouse. “Finally,” she groaned. “Let’s, pick up the pace.” Turning around, she saw Sweetie, standing stiff. Her gaze rested on something in the snow. It seemed to entrance her. “Hey, quit daydreamin’ and get over here,” Apple Bloom called. Sweetie didn’t flinch. “For the love of Celestia, ya' got mud in yer’ ears?” “Look,” Sweetie said. Her voice was soft and frail. With a huff, Apple Bloom approached. “We haven’t got all day, ya’ know.” She reached Sweetie’s side, staring daggers. “What? What’s so important?” She pointed downward, her lips clamped shut. A little red object protruded from the snow. Falling to her haunches, Apple Bloom plucked it free. In her hoof sat a tiny wheel, no larger than a throwing stone. Worn and beaten, the red paint had nearly peeled away, exposing the chalky white beneath. The two looked at it with burning attention. Sweetie’s eyes were glossy and vacant, locked between a dream and reality. Apple Bloom seemed just as disconnected. It looked all too similar to the wheels on Scootaloo’s scooter. Then, suddenly, a thunderous sound exploded in the air. The school tower’s bell erupted, singing in the cold. The trees nearly shook with the bellowing melody. Apple Bloom clenched her teeth, looking bitter. “This don’t mean nothin’,” she said, throwing the wheel back in the snow. “Scootaloo’s fine. She must be waiting on us.” Without hesitation, she ran off through the mist, towards the murky building. Amidst the bells and the breeze, Sweetie fought her inner demon. Every second, her fear took on a starker form. Breathing sharply, she knelt down, grabbing the discarded wheel. Stuffing it in her saddlebag, she followed Apple Bloom. The bell tower’s chime hummed softer, accompanied by the chattering of children. Both girls cut through a cluster of trees, out from the woodwork and into the playground. Panting, they stopped to catch their breath. “We better hurry,” Apple Bloom sighed. Sweetie brushed beads of sweat from her brow. A queasy sensation persisted in her gut. Hurrying around the building, they watched as children stumbled up a wide staircase, bursting through a pair of wooden doors. Everyone was eager to escape the cold. Almost subconsciously, Sweetie scanned the dissipating crowd. No Scootaloo. In a matter of seconds, the final students entered the building. “I don’t feel too good,” Sweetie whimpered, holding her stomach. Apple Bloom was already halfway up the steps. “Quit yer’ bellyachin’. Go see the nurse if ya’ feel sick.” “But… what about Scootaloo?” Sweetie asked. Apple Bloom’s eyes burned holes through her head. “What about her? She must be in class waitin’ on us. Now come on.” She gestured Sweetie to follow, visibly frustrated. “But the wheel. I mean, what if it’s Scootaloo’s?“ “It’s not. Now stop talkin’.” “But-“ “Will ya’ shut yer’ trap!? Ah’ said she’s fine!” The sudden exclamation shook the air. Sweetie looked up from the dirt. An odd, pathetic feeling formed in her gut. “Stop talkin’ like somepony died!” Apple Bloom continued. “Everythin’s fine. Scootaloo’s fine. For Celestia’s sake, you’re gettin’ me all worked up!” Crudely wiping her eyes, she stomped up the steps, flung the wooden doors open and disappeared inside. Alone and cold, Sweetie resisted an urge to cry. Struggling to maintain a semblance of dignity, she reached into her saddlebag. Pulling out the wheel, she cradled it in her hoof. “Please be OK, Scootaloo,” she whispered to the wind. Putting it away, Sweetie reluctantly ascended the steps and entered the schoolhouse. ‘Please be OK.’ The words pulsated in her head. Yet, despite all the hope she could muster, something felt so very wrong. Something had happened to Scootaloo… but what?