Rainbow stirred under the covers, the warmth of Twilight’s soft body all snuggled up against her chest nearly lulling her back to sleep. As happy thoughts of soaring through the clouds with Scootaloo started popping into her mind one by one, she noticed that the blanket keeping them warm had all but fallen from their still forms, only finding it laying bunched up at the foot of the bed when her left hind leg twitched. She frowned, caught between the desire to keep snuggling and the need to get the blanket. Rainbow lay still for several moments as she listened to Twilight breathe softly. Though while her back was getting pretty cold, she did not want to ruin this perfect moment.
Twilight’s head was nestled right in the crook of her neck, her fore legs curled up to her chest just how she liked. Rainbow had wrapped her left wing around Twilight’s body just under her fore legs before they had gone to bed, and just for good measure, she had thrown her own leg over Twilight’s, keeping her fore legs gently pinned to her chest. Adjusting her wing’s grip on her friend, Rainbow felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt through her wing just how soft Twilight’s was. Just like her own, Twilight’s feathers were in pristine condition, probably even more so because of her position as princess. Before they had all gone to bed for the night, she’d heard Twilight muttering to herself about looking good for the trial.
Rainbow cracked an eye open to see the sun’s morning rays start to shine in through the windows. Eh, I guess now’s as good a time as any to get up… she thought, letting loose a soft yawn. Pulling Twilight just a little bit closer to her, she nuzzled the back of her head right in between her ears and whispered, “Hey Twi, time to wake up…” As Twilight started stirring awake, Rainbow gently let go of her fore legs, smiling as she watched the alicorn stretch sleepily.
As Twilight let her limbs go limp, she rolled over a few moments later, a lazy smile on her face. “Morning, Dashie… how’s my favorite pegasus this morning?” she asked, letting loose a soft yawn.
“Oh, um… good, I guess,” Rainbow softly said, taking care to not wake Spike and Scootaloo. Lifting her head, she looked past Twilight and saw that the other two were still fast asleep in the other bed. Judging by the small smile on Scootaloo’s face and the fact that she didn’t wake everyone up screaming, it looked like she didn’t have a nightmare that night. She laid her head back down, giggling softly as Twilight’s mane tickled the side of her neck. “You think we should get ready, or…” she trailed off, a nervous smile forming on her face.
“Or what?” Twilight asked with a chuckle, raising an eyebrow as she waited for Rainbow to respond.
“Or… can I be the little spoon for ten minutes?” Rainbow asked as she felt her cheeks turn a little pink. She looked to the side and bit her lower lip then glanced back up into Twilight’s eyes.
“Heh, why not?” Twilight asked. Before she was done speaking, Rainbow had already flipped over onto her other side, grabbed the blanket by their hind legs, and had gotten her pillow just the way she wanted. “I’m sure we can spare a few minutes…” Settling down beside Rainbow, she mimicked what the pegasus had done for her last night. She pulled Rainbow’s fore legs up to her chest and laid one of her legs over them, then she pulled her into a fierce wing hug. And just for good measure, she laid her right hind leg over Rainbow’s flank, pulling her even closer. With a quick spell, she tucked the thick blanket in all around them, tight enough to fight off the cold yet loose enough so that they wouldn’t overheat.
As Twilight laid her head down on her own pillow, she angled the two of them into a better position, adding a little curve to her back so they could snuggle even closer to each other. Flicking her tail so that it fell around Rainbow’s flank, she whispered into Rainbow’s ear, “You comfy?” Rainbow nodded, letting loose a deeply satisfied sigh. Oh yeah, I think she’s good…
Twilight let the next minute pass in silence as she listened to Rainbow’s breathing slow. She really enjoyed how close she and Rainbow were becoming, not just physically, but as friends. If she had to ever call somepony her best friend, she would most definitely pick Rainbow, not only because of the fact that they already did a lot of things together, but because they both shared a unique common interest: their desire to help change Scootaloo’s life for the better.
As she relished the blissful feelings of snuggling, Twilight felt a small pit of worry grow within her stomach. She cracked open an eye and looked out of the window. Gauging by the amount of light shining through the window, it was already well into the morning. Praying that they didn’t oversleep, as a certain familiar feeling of dread filled her, she frowned and looked over her shoulder, trying to find a clock.
Spotting one sitting on the far wall near the door, Twilight only saw one of the hands on the clock centered directly on the number nine. Oh no no no… she thought as she bolted upright. Throwing the sheets of off her, she ungraciously slid out of bed and made her way over to the clock, muttering, “Oh, this can’t be happening…” over and over again, ignoring Rainbow’s annoyed groan. Now standing in front of the clock she looked up, her gaze finally came into focus.
Oh, it’s just eight forty-five... she thought with a relieved sigh. Her memory a little foggy, she walked back over to the bed, and as Rainbow rolled over to face her, she asked her, “Rainbow, you remember what time the guards were going to pick us up by?”
“Yeah, like… nine fifteen, right?” Rainbow asked as she sat up, making Twilight freeze in place, her hoof raised to hop onto the bed. Noticing Twilight’s shocked expression, her tone becoming a little more serious, she asked, “Why?”
Locking eyes with her friend, Twilight rose her voice as panic started to take ahold of her. “Rainbow, it’s eight forty-five! We only have a half hour to get ready!” Paying the fact that her outburst had woken the other two occupants of the room no heed, she continued, “We have to brush our manes, do some last minute studying, and then on top of that, we’ve gotta–”
“Twilight, geez…” Rainbow said with a giggle. “Calm down a little; it’s not like we’re gonna lose or anything. Heck, Scootaloo’s parents are gonna have so many charges brought up against them that the court will have no choice but to give Scootaloo’s care to us!” She slid out of bed, trotted up to the anxious mare then sat down across from her. “Trust me, I know everything’s gonna work out!” Shooting a glance over at Scootaloo, she gave her one of her most confident smiles and asked, “Ain’t that right, squirt?”
“Yep!” Scootaloo called back as she stretched, still staying under the covers.
“See? Even Scootaloo knows we’re gonna win, Twi!” Rainbow said as she stood up. “Now, come on everyone, let’s get cleaned up for this trial so we can look our best.” She looked over at Scootaloo and saw that the filly hadn’t moved an inch. “Hey Scoots, since you’re so eager to get up, you can go take a shower first!” Rainbow trotted over to where she lay and pulled the covers off of her, tickling the filly’s sensitive belly with a single feather. Scootaloo squealed from the sudden tickle attack and tried to scramble away, her hind leg kicking out a little on its own as she tried to escape Rainbow’s relentless attack.
“But I took one last night!” Scootaloo said, smiling in relief as she watched Rainbow fold her wing back to her side.
“Heh, oh yeah,” Rainbow said, using her wing to gently push Scootaloo along towards the bathroom. “But you still need to brush your mane and tail! Come on, I’ll help ya get rid of that bedhead…” she said with a chuckle as they walked into the bathroom. Spotting a hairbrush sitting on the counter, Rainbow grabbed it with her mouth and motioned for Scootaloo to turn around and sit down. She sat down behind her and ran the brush through the filly’s mane, struggling to fight it back into submission. Thankfully, it didn’t take as long as she had thought it would take, and it only took her a couple minutes more to get the knots out of her tail. “There! All done!”
“Thanks Rainbow! You want me to do your mane and tail?” Scootaloo asked as she turned around.
“Nah, I think I’m good; thanks though, squirt,” Rainbow said, giving Scootaloo’s mane a playful tousle. “Now, go on back to Twilight and see if she needs any help, okay?”
“Okay!” Scootaloo said before she scampered away.
When Rainbow heard the filly try to rouse Spike, she chuckled and started brushing herself, only taking a few minutes to get it all done. Tossing the brush back up on the desk, she trotted back out into the living room to find Twilight brushing her mane with another brush while doing some last minute studying over at the desk. Deciding to just let her do her own thing, she walked up to their bed and started tidying up, trying to clean things up just a bit. Ever since she saw the deplorable conditions that Scootaloo used to live in, Rainbow was determined to change her usual sloppy ways for the better. Just as she finished tossing the last pillow back into place, Twilight’s voice broke the silence.
“So remember, Rainbow, during the trial, you must be on your most absolute, perfect behavior, alright? Nopony’s ever won a fight or an argument because of yelling, especially in court,” Twilight said as she kept running the brush through her mane. Glancing at the clock for the umpteenth time, she moved the brush down to her tail, and after running it through it a few times, she tossed the brush back down on the desk.
“Yeah, yeah, I remember, Twilight,” Rainbow said with a soft giggle. “You’ve only said that, like what, four times now? I think I can remember something like that!” Cocking her ear towards the door, she heard several sets of hooves hitting the floor in near perfect rhythm. “If my ear isn’t playing tricks on me, Twilight, I think our escort is gonna be here any second.”
“Ack! Really?” she asked, her voice rising in pitch. “But I’m nowhere close to being ready for today! I still have to read that book over there, I’m nowhere even close to finishing this one, and–”
“Twilight, seriously, chill out!” Spike said, waving a claw in front of Twilight’s face, snapping her out of her funk. She opened her mouth to respond but a loud knocking from their door cut her off.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle, we are here to escort you and your company down to the Canterlot High Courts!” a loud, deep, and gravelly voice rang out from behind the door.
“Okay, just a minute!” Rainbow called back. Turning to look back at Twilight, she looked her dead in the eye, placed a hoof on her shoulder, and smiled confidently. “Come on, let’s go win this thing!”
hmmm (long pause for dramtic effects) I really like this story (I think I've stated that before) This chapter is a very nice slice of life that shows the growing relationship between Dash and Sparkle. I would very much like for the court to get underway and for those petty low lifes to get wat they deserve. PAcing is getting a tad slow, but its natural to want to inflate tension.
Keep on keeping on. the journey is fun, and I for one look forward to the destination.
-T
4824514 Lol wouldn't it be funny if I started the next chapter with:
Don't worry though! Scootaloo's parents are soooooooo gonna get what's coming to them.
Sudden feeling of dread...why do I feel like Twilight is going to be the one that yells in court?
The trial has to go well... it has to.
Right?
And then everything goes horribly, horribly wrong!
4824523
Oh, I'm expecting as much. But the way I'm expecting it all to work out still involves suspense.
Even if it doesn't go the way I'm expecting, I trust your quality authoring.
4824545
In terms of Scootaloo's parents getting what's coming to them, there is no doubt that will be a victory.
But there is the possibility that they will win, just not in the way they expect, with Scootaloo's care.
Hey Scoots, since
An the trial begins. I wonder exactly how her parents will plead their case. Which ever way they chose, it's going to be a weak argument!
4824523 4824545 Even if they don't win, the courts will never send her back to her... parents. And those two sorry excuses for ponies... the things I'm gonna do to them...
4824565
Fix'd
4824629 Fixed, thanks!
4824523 But you're doing your best to worry us. Or me at least
4824523
Well, it could always have ended in a recess until the next day for whatever reason, and Rainbow's just frustrated that they have to go back or stay in Canterlot overnight, and wondering how come it hasn't ended already.
4824545
The parents are still going to be in jail. I think this is just the temporary custody hearing. So no mater what happens, Scoot is not going back to his mom and dad.
If Twilight and Rainbow "lose", Scootaloo ends up in a foster home. Based on what Celestia said before, if that happens, Twilight and Rainbow will have to get Married to get Scootaloo back.
Right now, unless I missed something, they STILL think they are just friends that spoon each other...
If they are forced to get married,still thinking they are just friends, I think others will pick up their real feelings way before they do.
Also: Princess Consort Rainbow Dash, and Princess Scootaloo would be funny. I wonder how Diamond Tiara would react.
4824514
4824565
Even if they were to somehow pull something resembling a win out of their worthless flankholes, this only applies to the stuff revolving around Scootaloo. There is still the fact Scootaloo's "Father" Attempted to attack a member of the royal family
The only way I find them "losing" this case is if the court decides that their actions make them not the best option to take care of Scootaloo. Something along the lines of their extreme actions calling into question how good Rainbow would be as a role model for her.
Her parents are going to lose either way. The evidence against them being decent caregivers is insurmountable.
I have a feeling on something, but it could either be a cameo the author puts in or me playing and watching too much Phoenix wright
4824647 Hurrah!
nice and short enough, i can´t manage a large one tonight^^
4824565 Hurroo
Good so far. Shame it's short, but what can you do. Still, best of luck pleasing everyone in the courtroom
The Abyss
I hate you now, that cliffhanger was so ill-timed it's appalling, nah I'm kidding, I hate the cliffhanger because the suspense is killing me, I can't wait until the next chapter comes out
4824715 and even then that decision isn't entirely likely given that it is one of the princesses and an element of harmony. honestly not sure if the court could risk the media fallout if they decided agianst
4825219
The only thing I fear is a no morales, extremely talented and ruthless lawyer might be helping the parents hoping for a win in order to make himself basically the most sought after lawyer in Equestria., And for free too. Because when you have that kind of win to your name, ponies would be throwing money at you to defend them.
CURSE YOU CLIFF HANGER! CURSE YOU I SAY! Great chapter as always and I can't wait (okay, I can, I just don't want to) for the next one.
I wonder if Pretty Pony Princess Powers extend to declaring marriages? If one of them has to be married, Twilight could simply declare it so and lo, it would be so.
Rainbow DashxChair is OTP.
It SHOULD be a foregone conclusion that Scootaloo ends up with Twilight and Rainbow... I mean there is quite a bit of evidence.
The question then turns to... why has the author been building this up for so long? Unless something was about to go horribly wrong...
4825268
To force them to get married.
Celestia is hoping the court will go with the letter of the law. The law saying abused kids (like Scootaloo) needs to be with a married family, only talks about kids in the Foster care system or homeless.
If the court goes with the spirit of the law, Twilight and Rainbow will need to get married.
4825244 the law is all about the written word and it's interpretation. they have twilight sparkle with them. also i point out agian it's a princess and the element of loyalty. winning the case may prove worse for his career.
4825307 ... Well that's one possibility. And it could be they need to get married or give up Scootaloo...
4825313
Not really. Corrupt Nobles and Business ponies would LOVE to hire someone who was able to win an impossible court case against a princess and one of the Elements of Harmony.
4824523 I think we'd all try to reach through our computers and strangle you. Out of curiousity, have you ever seen the movie My Cousin Vinny???
4824675 Staying at Canterlot means bunking with Twilight's parents... which means lots of embarassing photo albums and foal hood stories for Scoots and Rainbow to laugh at while Twilight blushes herself red as Big Mac.
4824690 Probably a big "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S A PRINCESS NOW????" that exceedes the Royal Canterlot Voice and is heard through all Equestria.
4825244 Said Lawyer should realize he's going up against an OCD Alicorn Princess who lives in a library. If he wants to bring out obscure rules, Twilight will go and do the same only digging deeper, like ancient Pegasi laws that aren't used today but that could set an example.
Hmm... Abyss is giving excessive "screen-time" explaining that there's no way Twi' and Rainbow will lose the court case. They're going to lose the court case, aren't they? I mean, think about it. If they were actually going to win, why would we need to be constantly re-assured that they would? A normal person would assume that given the evidence presented against the parents, they'd be buried neck-deep in convictions. With this, I only feel like I'm being lulled into a false sense of security. Not to mention that having them lose would set up a good story arc in terms of conflict and character development.
4825432 Or I could be pulling one of these:
Or could I be?
Not until the next chapter(s) of course!
Not bad, a little fluffy, but more of a calm before the storm than anything else. Something tells me that the court case isn't going to go as planned.
4825478 it wouldn't make much sense for them to lose. the evidence is too overwhelming. they have medical record sof scootaloo being violently injured; bruises are one thing but broken bones are a whole nother dimension. it would be rather contrived.
though other complications can happen, such as them gaining gaurdianship of scootaloo, or even the parents escaping or something.
"Forelegs" is one word.
I would imagine being the big spoon to an alicorn (or unicorn) would be uncomfortable. It would be difficult to find an angle where you were not bumping up against or being poked by their appliance. That being said, that would not stop me from trying. *Hugs Twilight plush*
KBO.
There are so many ways I could see them fall just short of their goal, most of which stem from what lie in the books Twilight didn't finish, and a few of which would make for a very dramatic turn of events.
Whatever happens, I await the coming judgment with bated breath.
4824715
Something like this, or maybe an argument such as
"Over time the Elements of Harmony have een called away several times to fulfill a mission of national or even international importance. Often, these missions would cause all of the Elements to leave their homes for several days, or even weeks. Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, ascending would in all probability increase the frequency of these missions. Having both caregivers leave home for prolonged amounts of time, with no guarantee for their return would not be in the best interest of the filly, Scootaloo. As such I would suggest placing her in the foster care system to ensure a more stable home."
I hope all goes well of course, but I could see that happening.
4825749
Lol do you see how often the other princesses get up off of their asses whenever a national emergency happens?
I wish to utter profanities of the vilest persuasion concerning this cliffhanger
4825765 would love to see cele and luna kick some flank, but alas the show is about the elements of harmony not how badass the princesses can be x3.
I have a bad feeling about this...
4824700
They are so boned they'll need a lawyer with an archaeology degree.
I can think of ways the parents will lose Scootaloo. But I can imagine ways they'll have the charges for attacking Twilight at least dropped. I mean I have heard of people being robbed in their own home, and they defend themselves with a knife or gun and the thief going and suing them and winning. So yeah there are ways for this to go bad.
We waited a whole month for two thousand words? I hope you come out with the next chapter soon.
I was hoping one of the girls would sniff the others mane and realize how much they love waking up to it. I would love to wake up smelling the fruity scents of Rainbow's hair, or Twilight's soap.
4824523
You say that they are getting what's coming to them. Nothing about when this will happen, though. Maybe the equestrian version of Punisher could say hi to them if Twi and Dash lose the case.
Enjoyable, but a bit short this time. More things on your plate?
But I concur with what others have been saying. Lot's of buildup for something to happen. something bad maybe...
I could see them losing the case, but then doing something to win Scootaloo back in the end. That'd be cool.
A bit too short for my tastes, but I'm sure there's a reason.
Many people have their theories as to what's gonna happen, but I think that the parents will represent themselves. I doubt they could afford a very good lawyer, so they'd probably represent themselves, or maybe pull a My Cousin Vinny.
4826731
You do know that I wrote over 10k words for a bunch of other stories, right?
4824523
I think it would be funny if you pulled a Ra and offered this style of description of the trial:
(For context, ideally start at the beginning, but for simply the legal context start at the top of chapter 2)
And then on with the rest of the story! Which in this case would be TwiDash and Scootalove, instead of crazy conspiracies on a newly magical (or not?) Earth, but...you get the point.
Edit: hmm. Nested tags apparently break the parser?
Edit2: nope.