“Good morning!” Crystal Ball sang, walking into the crusader’s clubhouse.
Scootaloo looked up tiredly and groaned before turning over under her blanket. “Go away, I actually get to sleep in today.”
“But it’s time to get up. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom will be here any minute.”
Scootaloo groaned again. Crystal Ball rolled her eyes and skipped over. With a flourish she whipped the worn blanket away.
“Hey!” Scootaloo scrambled to catch it but it slipped right through her hooves. With a glare she stood up and began rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What’s wrong with you today?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Well, you’re acting all normal and happy. It’s starting to creep me out.”
“I know, isn’t it just aweful? Discord’s been teaching me to make friends.” She shuddered. “Really, a couple zaps of mind control magic work so much better.”
“Uh... Right,” Scootaloo mumbled as she started folding her tattered rag of a blanket.
“So, how did it go last night?”
“I told Spike everything except for who you really are.” Scootaloo sat on her pillow, eyes threatening to tear up again. “I told him about what happened to my parents, and the Cloudsdale orphanage I ran away from after being bullied, and I told him Discord’s trying to help me. He promised he wouldn’t tell anypony. He told me not to trust you or Discord. He’s not just going to forget what happened, but at least now he feels bad enough for me that he won’t do anything to get me in trouble.”
“Excellent,” Crystal said, smiling brightly.
“No,” Scootaloo sighed. “It’s not excellent. I told him all of that stuff so he’d pity me. I... I manipulated him.”
“Okay, so?”
Scootaloo stomped a hoof. “You might not care, but I do! It’s wrong.”
“But you’re only trying to help. Discord needs you, or he’ll never be free. Surely this little bit is worth helping him? I mean, he saved your life, didn’t he?”
“Well, yeah, I guess.” Scootaloo scowled again. “He saved me from your changelings.”
Crystal Ball waved a hoof. “Yes yes, but that’s all in the past now. The point is, you told Spike what you had to so you could help a friend.”
“I wouldn’t have had to tell him anything if you hadn’t talked to him first. What were you thinking?”
“Well, we had to approach the subject somehow. Better to do it now then when the elements are finished.”
Scootaloo blinked. “What? Wait, wait, are you saying Spike...” she trailed off.
“Discord chose Spike for the opposite of generosity. The Element of Greed, if I remember.”
“Woah, wait a second!” Scootaloo looked around the clubhouse and half-whispered, “Discord? Are you there?”
Discord answered with the sound of a drawn out yawn. What are you two fighting about so early?
“You said we had to use bad ponies for the elements. Spike isn’t bad. He isn’t even a pony!”
I said unpleasant, though I guess that doesn’t apply either. Look on the bright side, at least one of them will be fun to work with.
“That’s not the point!” Scootaloo shouted angrily. “You never said you’d drag my friends into this! And how do you think he’d feel if he found out? He’s head over tail for Rarity, and you want him to wield the completely opposite element? He’d be hurt, and mad at all of us.”
Well, he is a dragon, and they’re naturally greedy. Didn’t he try to steal your scooter?
“Well, yeah, but he’s better now.”
Scootaloo, he’s not better because he was never sick. He’s a dragon.
“But he’s more like a pony than a dragon anyway.”
You say that like it’s a good thing.
Scootaloo fidgeted her wings and replied nervously. “Isn’t it?”
Discord sighed. Scootaloo, I chose Spike because I wanted to help him. It’s great that he can live happily with ponies, and he’s got friends all around him, but all that comes at the cost of who he is. Being a dragon is as much a part of him as your wings are to you. Would you want to be “normal” if it meant you’d never learn to fly?
Scootaloo’s breath caught as she remembered a nightmare she’d had several times. She’d grown up without ever learning to fly, watching her classmates soar through the clouds every day. The mere memory made a roiling sea of panic rise in her chest.
You see what I mean? Spike needs to accept the things that make him a dragon, and learn to live with them. He’ll only get hurt if he ignores them and pretends to be a pony his entire life. I think I can help him, but only if he comes around.
Scootaloo dipped her head. “I guess.”
“Wonderful,” Crystal Ball said from the corner, reminding Scootaloo that she was there. “Now that’s settled, shouldn’t your friends be here by now?”
“Oh, they aren’t coming today. That’s why I was trying to sleep in. It’s the Sisterhooves Social today.” Scootaloo flopped back onto her pillow and reached for her bag. “It’s just you and me today.”
“I see,” Crystal Ball said. “Then I guess... wait, did you say Sisterhooves? Like, sister?”
“Yup,” Scootaloo replied, pulling out her latest Daring Do book and flipping it over. “They hold it over at Apple Bloom’s house every year.”
“And I take it they’re with their sisters? Rarity and Applejack?”
“Of course. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom would never let them miss it. Why? You don’t have any sisters, do you?”
Scootaloo waited for an answer, but none came. She dropped the book and looked around, but the clubhouse was empty. “Weirdo.”
*****
Scootaloo slowly made her way into town just before noon. The cheering for the social could be heard clear across the orchard, and her mood had worsened with every passing minute.
She thought about going to the library, but the idea of seeing Spike made her stomach knot uncomfortably. Sugarcube Corner seemed like a good choice, but as soon as she turned the corner, she saw Mister Cake out front playing with Pumpkin and Pound.
She stomped by, purposefully looking away from the happy family.
After a few more minutes she ended up trotting through the park. It was beautiful this time of year. The grass was even and soft underhoof. Trees lined the paths, providing shade. Flowers grew in colorful bunches every few feet. Scootaloo took a deep breath and smiled, finally starting to relax.
“Hi Scootaloo!”
She turned to see Pinkie Pie bouncing along the path, accompanied by two greyish ponies. “Hey, Pinkie Pie. Who are your friends?”
“These are my sisters. They don’t visit very often, but they visited today, which makes me so happy, and they didn’t know the Sisterhooves Social was today, which is funny because they visited and they’re my sisters, but we wouldn’t have entered anyway because it’s usually an older sister and a younger sister like Applejack and—”
“Pinkie,” one of her sisters interrupted her, “the filly you were talking to left.”
“I know that silly! She left after I said these are my sisters. Did you just now notice?”
“But you... Nevermind.”
*****
Scootaloo stomped angrily down the street away from the park. It seemed like everywhere she turned there was somepony with their family. Wasn’t there anypony else in Ponyville without a sister?
As if in answer, somepony slammed into her at full speed.
“Ow,” Scootaloo moaned in a heap half a dozen feet from where she started.
“Sorry about that,” a familiar voice said. A hoof wrapped around her and pulled her up.
Scootaloo stood and stretched her wings. Everything seemed to be fine, so she turned to the pony that had crashed into her. “Hi Rainbow Dash. It’s fine.”
“Great,” Dash replied. “Lucky too, you’re just the pony I was looking for.”
“I am?” Scootaloo asked with a double take. Rainbow Dash had been looking for her? A smile slowly spread across her face.
“Yeah. You’re by yourself today, right?”
And the smile was gone. “Yeah. Stupid Sisterhooves Social.”
“I hear ya. I’ve been working on this awesome new trick, but Rarity and Applejack are both gone all day. Pinkie’s with her sisters, Twilight’s working on some report for the Princess, and Fluttershy is taking care of sick hamsters.”
“I’m sorry?” Scootaloo said, not sure what the problem was.
“Well, you can’t perfect a new trick without a cheering section,” Dash said as though it should be obvious.
“Of course not.”
“So what do you say?”
“Uh, what do I say to what?” Scootaloo asked.
Dash rolled her eyes. “Dense much? Do you want to hang out while I practice my new trick? Maybe I could show you a couple tricks I learned when I was your age.”
Scootaloo’s eyes lit up as she stood a bit straighter. “You want me to hang out with you? You want to show me some tricks?”
Dash shrugged. “Unless you have someplace else to be.”
“Are you kidding? I’d love to!” Scootaloo practically bounced in excitement, smiling from ear to ear.
“Great, come on,” Dash said, flapping her wings and smoothly taking to the sky.
And the smile was gone. Again.
It took Dash a few seconds to notice Scootaloo hadn’t followed. She doubled back and hovered over her. “Are you coming?”
“I remembered something else I had to do,” Scootaloo mumbled before turning and starting away. Dash watched for a few seconds and opened her mouth, but Scootaloo broke into a run before she could say anything.
“Huh, I wonder what that was about.” With a shrug, Rainbow Dash took off, resigned to practice her trick alone.
*****
Scootaloo finally came to a stop just outside of Ponyville. She’d been fighting back tears the entire way, but they finally came. It was just like her nightmares, watching Dash fly away and not being able to follow. She just couldn’t bring herself to admit to her idol that she couldn’t fly. What would Dash think of her?
She rested her head on her forlegs as the tears rolled down her face. She hated crying. Bullies at the orphanage would always make fun of her for crying, but sometimes she just couldn’t stop herself. The best she could do is hide where nopony would see her.
She jumped in surprise when somepony lightly touched a hoof to her back. She tried to subtly wipe her tears before looking back.
Dash smiled at her awkwardly. “Uh, hey pipsqueak. You want to talk about it?”
Scootaloo struggled to find something to say before finally shaking her head.
“Okay,” Dash said, taking a few steps back. She looked back to town, hesitated, and then sat down.
Scootaloo buried her head in her hooves, too embarrassed to even leave.
The two of them sat awkwardly in silence for almost an hour before Scootaloo mumbled something Dash couldn’t quite make out.
“Uh, could you say that again?”
She looked up at her idol. “I... I can’t fly.” She winced, waiting for the inevitable gales of laughter.
“Oh,” Dash said, frown deepening. “Didn’t your parents ever teach you?” Scootaloo teared up again and she looked away. “Oh, right. Well, come on. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“What?”
“I’ll admit, you’re a little behind, but with the fastest filly flier in all of Equestria as your teacher, you’ll catch up in no time.”
“With the... you mean...” Scootaloo pushed herself up and looked at Rainbow Dash, barely daring to believe what she’d heard.
Dash pulled Scootaloo into a one legged hug. “What were you expecting? Element of Loyalty, remember? I’d never leave a friend in need.”
Scootaloo returned the hug, leaning her head against Dash. “Thanks, Rainbow Dash.”
Here everyone, have a touching moment before it hits the proverbial fan.
I was about to go to bed and you updated again! Nice Chapter though.
YEA! Proverbial fan!
images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120526082708/mlp/images/thumb/7/78/S2E04_Luna_'The_fun_has_been_doubled!'.png/830px-S2E04_Luna_'The_fun_has_been_doubled!'.png 833859
GO RBD teach that filly!
833874 Post more Chapters!
29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqf72jAE9h1r1jgw0o1_400.gif
Discord better not ruin this! Cant wait for Scoots to fly!
833977
"Of course he will!"
D'awwwwww.
At first i was like
but then i
hmmm I wonder are you gonna have discord break free and defeat the elements and the princesses only to realizes that he actually cares for Scoots. Or, are you going to have him be evil through and through. I vote for the former or a variation thereof.
First I was like :niggafuckdapoliceIdontusenodamnemoticons:
Then I was like :proverbialfanwarningassclownbitchtitnigger:
THERE'S the flutter of hope i was looking for!
I've got a sinking feeling Rainbow Dash here is actually Changeling Queen cruising for a quick love meal.
834302
That's a great idea, but unfortunately the Changeling Queen is at the Sisterhooves Social pretending to be Rarity.
Way to leave it on a Bucking cliff hanger!!! I'd hate you if this story wernt so awesome! You managed to weave three out of four things i'm a sucker for. 1) Orphan Scootaloo 2) Rainbow Dash being sisterly/motherly/adopting scootaloo 3) Elements of Discord. Those three things puts this story over 9000 in my books.
I like this chapter. I like the fact that there were two chapters today. I like this story overall.
But I LOVE the fact that you brought up that Scootaloo is smart enough to realise that Spike being the opposite of Generosity will hurt Rarity. I also love the fact that you seem to be setting it up for Scootaloo to really hurt Dash by being her opposite as the Element of Betrayal. Hopefully you won't make the ending be to obvious by just having Scootaloo switch back over and screw up Discords plans. I'd love to see him actually win.
Though, for my personal headcanon, I don't think of Elements of Chaos working, or if they did, they'd only be half as powerful as the Elements of Harmony (or less), seeing as how Harmony is balance, not Order with the absence of Chaos (which would be just as harmful as plain Chaos).
Wait a damn second, if Scootaloo is going to betray all of Equestria to help Discord then that would make her the Element of Betrayal. But if that is true then Scootaloo is going to be opposite of Rainbow Dash! dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Pinkie_loool.png
Anyway I'm loving this story, I've always been a sucker for stories like this where someone is turned against their friends and Scootaloo's portrayal in this is amazing.
I was actually kind of disapointed that this chapter had a happy ending.dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/sillyfilly_Scootaloo.png Don't get me wrong, Scootaloo is best pony
However for the sake of drama/suspense I was hoping for discorded Scootaloo coming from sadness/jealousy dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_RageFace.png
Super special awesome story, but one thing is bothering me. When Rainbow Dash mentions Scootaloo's parents and the latter tears up, she says, "Oh, right," as if she knows Scootaloo is an orphan. Does she? Cause if she does, why has she never done anything about it? And if she doesn't, why did she act like she does?
i think pip should be an element... like anger or cruelty... probably cruelty... yes discord sees diamond tiara and considers her, but pip comes in and makes her run off crying or something... that would be cool...
GOD DAMN, Discord is such a
Magnificent Bastard
He's so manipulative, evil and Brilliant, I much prefer your portrayal of Discord to cannon discord's incompetence and arrogance. Just to clarify, cannon discord is just a Manipulative Bastard, but your's is truely a Magnificent Bastard.
Also: 834467
The Elements Of Disharmony don't need to overpower the elements of harmony, they just need to break the seal.
835169
I'm pretty sure they need to overpower the normal elements as well. Even If Discord gets free again, it's still been made clear that he's unable to overpower the elements on his own.
Also, I'm with the opinion that you shouldn't have this end with Scootaloo switching sides again. It's a kind've cliche way to end things, and I think Discord would be smart enough to make sure his elements won't betray him.
So Scootaloo will finally learn to fly good for her.
If I had to be one person from MLP, I'd be discord, no contest, I mean, evil AND total insanity at the same time? Add a candy bar and an iPod and you've got my daily schedule right there. please add moar!
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
<_> Derp.... I JUST got the whole betrayal thing, but if thats the case, then Scoots could just betray Discord too. I'm hoping for this one. The guy needs a swift kick in the teeth.
835528
No I'm sure he just needs to overpower the seal, all he needs to do regarding the elements of harmony is stop them from activating by maybe throwing them into space (not really his style)/ separating the bearers or something.
OBJECTION!!!!
Discord uses hypnotic powers, NOT mind control, they are VERY different!
847596
OVERRULED!!!
Chrysalis uses mind control. It makes your eyes go
848513
But mind control can't be preformed on yourself, she was referring to herself being mind-controlled.
The reason it doesn't work is because with mind control, you do what the controller tells you, but since you ARE the controller, two things can happen, you are either unaffected, or you become a brain-dead vegetable.
I overrule your overruling!
WITH LOGIC!!
Bring on the proverbial fan!
My cousin recomended this storie to me last night, and I'm really glad she did.
848603
Oh, I see. She actually meant "Why should I learn to act and make friends when I can mind control people into believing me?" Like she did with Shining Armor, even though she was nothing like Cadence. She wasn't saying "Why doesn't Discord just mind control me?"
So overruled again!
854177
...I Overrule your Overruling of my overruling due to he following facts.
Her statement was rather vague on what she was referring to (the user of mind control and the target of aforementioned mind control) which means the true meanings of her statement were fully open to the veiwers' discretion.
I interpreted her as saying that Discord should use mind control on her because of your lack of clarity.
However, this is a very understandable mistake and while you are not incorrect, neither am I.
th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/290/4/c/deal_with_it____twilight_style_by_j_brony-d4d2m5u.png
isn't she Badass/Adorkable? :3
854274
I would argue further, but it seems I have been told by Twilight. I shall deal with it. And yes she is.
But honestly I agree, neither of us is wrong.
854324
Ponies had a great effect on me. Aside from making new friends (yes, in real life) I was never really self-confident, and I gave the show a try (because everything deserves a chance to show what they can do) and it made me... happy.
Yes, I'm a lot like Pinkie Pie (when I don't take my meds that is) but given the fact that if I find I don't know something, I pursue it until I KNOW it, I understand Twilight's minor (yes, minor to me) book obsession.
...plus she's cute :3 But something I feel I need to point this out, I find her CUTE, not SEXY, sorry mares but I'm a 'people' person
833950
I don't know where you found it, but I'm keeping it :3
AWW, I just love a Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo moment in this chapter.
I cannot wait to see how Discord will be willing to "Twist" things up for the two of them.
Nice reference to the previous chapter, although I still don't know how Rarity got captured so easily ?
Please do keep up the good work.
833817
=3
"Here, have a cookie. Oh, and when you're done, I'm going to shove this brick up your ***."
833817 Hardhat is on, and I'm in my shit-proof bunker.
Let it hit the industrial fan, I'm ready to rock.
I think Rainbow dash should adopt Scootaloo as her sister. They would make a good pair!
"“Huh, I wonder what that was about.” With a shrug, Rainbow Dash took off, resigned to practice her trick alone."
I literally facepalmed.
*Insert meme here*
RAINBOW DASH
NOT GOOD WITH CHILDREN
*End meme*
YAY! I like
(Still rising, (Seriously, how are you doing this?))
I have a strange feeling. Scootaloo is being very. . . un-loyal to her friends (hell all of ponydom(if that's a word.) . . .
1035267
Is "adopt Scootaloo as her daughter" close enough if it also includes a Sisterhooves-like mother-daughter event?
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/7350/mothers
...or, if you don't mind omitting the event, maybe something feels-oriented with an even higher rating?
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/118430/how-to-preen-your-chicken
Epic foreshadowing
Today, I found the perfect PMV for this! Unfortunately...
6876152
unfortunately? And can we get a link?