It was only me cheering
The smell of baked goods guided Rainbow Dash’s nose to the confectionary. The building of Sugarcube Corner was a rather impressive structure, looking like it was built of nothing but enormous slabs of gingerbread and held together by frosting that must have come from a tube the size of a steam engine.
Two soft chimes signaled the cyan pegasus’s entrance to the store, the first from the door opening, and the second from it swinging back shut.
She found herself in a small room, surrounded by jars of sweets lined up into rows on wooden shelves, with a counter at
the other end of the room.
In front of the counter sat something that made her stop dead in her tracks.
---
Scootaloo and Pinkie’s conversation went on for quite some time. Topics came and went with no apparent discretion as Pinkie talked and talked, and Scootaloo, who seemed to be taking after Fluttershy in this regard, was content to listen.
Pinkie Pie’s endless stream of one-sided conversation was in a place somewhere between the myths about seaponies and why she thought that there were creatures from another dimension watching the ponies of Ponyville at all times, when two chimes rang out into the room, signaling the arrival of a new customer.
Pinkie jumped at least four feet in the air to display her excitement.
“RAINBOW DASH! HI!”
She leapt across the counter and over the now frightened orange filly in order to tackle her friend to the ground, as was one of her usual greetings.
Dash looked completely stunned.
“W-wha?” Was all that she could croak out.
Pinkie smiled.
“Why so surprised? I always tackle you this time of year.” The hot pink pony got off of her friend, dusting herself off, “It’s my special way of saying I missed you over the Winter.”
Dash said nothing, staring past her exuberant friend.
Pinkie waved a hoof in front of the cyan pegasus.
“Hello? Dashie? Anypony home? It’s me, Pinkie. You’re bestest friend ever?”
Dash stepped around her friend, moving towards the filly at the back of the room.
She opened her mouth. Nothing had prepared her for such a sudden meeting. She tried to think of what to say. Something nice. Something cool. Something….
“S-squirt?”
That was not the sort of thing she wanted to say.
Scootaloo looked her over. The multi-colored mane, the sleek, cyan body, the powerful wings, yes. It was defiantly Rainbow Dash.
And she had called her Squirt again.
“Hi Dash.” Scootaloo mumbled.
Dash shuffled her hooves nervously. This was awkward.
Good job. she thought to herself, You spend the WHOLE winter planning what to say, and now that she’s here you can’t say a thing. Think THINK! You look so uncool right now.
“How’s it hangin’?”
NO! WRONG! WRONG!
“I’ve been-“
The filly was interrupted by a very loud, very pink pony.
“Me and Scootaloo have been talking about ALL SORTS of things! We’ve talked about Sugarcube Corner and how much we love cupcakes and where to buy alligator food and what we did over the winter and how much fun Fluttershy is and…”
She rambled on and on, fully unaware that the other ponies had long since left the room.
---
“PUT ME DOWN!” Scootaloo yelled at her cyan captor.
“Sorry…” Rainbow Dash set the struggling filly on the ground outside the confectionary, “I just… though we should talk someplace less… loud.”
Scootaloo stared at her old idol for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“you sound just like Fluttershy! What happened to you over the Winter?”
Dash looked crestfallen.
“I-I’ve been looking for you…”
These were the last words Scootaloo expected to hear from this pegasus.
“For me?” The orange pony was a mix of emotions. Confusion, embarrassment, awe, wonder, they all mixed within her. “Why?”
“Do… do you remember that night? T-the one where I… where I yelled at you?”
Scootaloo looked down, sadness overtaking her other emotions.
“I can remember many times you’ve yelled at me.” She looked up again, harsh sarcasm tainting her voice, “You’ll need to be more specific.”
Rainbow Dash flinched.
“T-the last time… right before Winter…” the pegasus was acting uncharacteristically timid.
Scootaloo wasn’t sure of what to make of Dash. The blue pegasus was different than she had remembered. Could one season change somepony so much?
“Yes…” Scootaloo’s voice grew softer, “I remember… Why?”
“I’ve…” Dash thought hard about what to say next. She wanted to sound cool, but every way she could put this sounded sappy. “I’ve been thinkin’… I… Look, I didn’t mean all of that. I was just…”
It was rather strange to watch. Apologizing almost seemed to hurt the blue mare.
Dash took a deep breath.
“You disappeared. And after that… it seemed like everypony stopped cheering for me. I… I stopped feeling… awesome…” She sighed, “I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t mean to scare you away from my practices… I didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome around me…”
Scootaloo couldn’t believe it. Rainbow Dash was apologizing. Apologizing for the exact wrong thing.
Rainbow Dash was apologizing because SHE was hurting. She didn’t even CARE that Scootaloo had been left there crying in the forest.
Right then, with Rainbow Dash acting timid, Scootaloo felt rage rush through her. She felt like she could throw all her emotion at the sorry excuse for a mare. She was certain Rainbow Dash would take it if she did.
No.
No. That isn’t me.
“Rainbow Dash, you know why everypony stopped cheering?”
Dash looked confused.
“Why?”
“Because they weren’t cheering to begin with. They knew you were good at your tricks. They knew you were fast. They knew you were ‘awesome’ but they weren’t cheering.”
Scootaloo glared at her for a moment.
“Only I was cheering. Nopony else.”
Scootaloo turned and picked up her scooter, but after a moment turned back.
“And by the way. I live with Fluttershy now, and she’s better to me then you’ve ever been.”
Scootaloo flapped her powerful wings, and was gone with only a trail of dust floating in her wake to signal she was ever there.
Rainbow Dash sat there, dumbfounded.
She stared down the road, searching, hoping that the filly would return; that her anger had just been a mean joke.
Nothing came.
A teardrop hit the ground.
Rainbow Dash’s face was that of a broken pony. For the first time in a long time, she was truly crying.
“What did I do wrong?”
No answer came to stop her tears.
---
Scootaloo threw her scooter to the ground.
Of all the things she could have said. She was trying to make HERSELF feel better!
“WELL GUESS WHAT!” She yelled down the path back into town, “I’M OVER IT! I LEFT ALL OF THAT BEHIND! I DON’T NEED YOU!”
She was breathing heavily. It felt good to vent like that.
She took one more deep breath and headed back towards the town, this time with a destination in mind. She had a talent
show to sign up for.
“I’m going to make Fluttershy proud.” She whispered to herself.
---
Dash flew home slowly, her wings were too tired to lift her off of the ground.
“Buck.” She muttered to herself.
Her house was no longer an option for the night.
With a sigh she turned towards the large oak tree in the middle of the town. She knew Twilight would give her a bed for the night.
She had sat in the middle of the road crying for a good ten minutes. She hadn’t been sad like that in years.
So many questions floated around her mind.
What did I do wrong?
Why does she hate me?
Why Fluttershy’s house?
Rainbow Dash slowly trotted up to her bookish friend’s house, and raised a tired, melancholy hoof to knock on the door.
She hadn’t felt this way in a long time.
Not since her time alone on the streets of Cloudsdale.
Author's notes: Yes, I know I that making Dash an orphan also will probably piss a lot of people off. Please don't kill me. please?
Yes! Been waiting for this story!
OOOO! YOU MUST DIE!! BLAAAAARGH! *shoots his laz0r*
52659
*dies*
Damn... thought that might happen.
Sorry everypony, I'm dead now so I cant finish the story
Yes finally a new chapter so awesome
The moment we've been waiting for for 2 chapters has arrived, and as could be expected, Dash completely screwed it up. On another note: dash being an orphan would explain some things, and opens up possibilities for if/when she makes up to Scootaloo for being the jerk she always seems to be. As we've never seen dash's parents in the show, there's no more (or less) justification on her being an orphan than Scoots. I don't think I've seen a fic where dash's parents weren't dead, AWOL, or not on speaking terms for some reason or another (the few times they're ever mentioned, anyway.)
52668
Hooray! ou don't want to kille me!
52662
*resurrects author with neat magic of adoring fan*
Finally moment I waited for arrived. You catched Dash very well, she's always about herself and has hard time with empathy. Good to see Scootaloo do not scolding Dash and acting more like her new 'mom' Fluttershy, it's very powerful. Makes me proud of her. So, winter has ended, now Dash will seek help of her friends to win Scoots over, right?
Now you simply must write Dash and Fluttershy confrontation. Will Dash be more polite and nice? Will Fluttershy stand for herself and her adoptive daughter? Will Scootaloo stay angry at Dash, and what will her friends do?
Eagerly await for next chapter.
52670
i want to kill you for what your doing to Rainbow Dash, but then i wouldnt be able to find out the ending of this fanfic + i dont see much Scootalove around but still.
so you can stay alive in the fair trade of writing this fanfic
Hey, making Dash an orphan was expected for me. In my mind, I've always pictured Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Fluttershy as orphans, or at the very least being sent away from home at a young age. I shall let you live. In fact, if a fan attempts to kill you, I shall take the bullet so you can finish the story. I will read it from BEYOND THE GRAVE!
52682
Adoring Fan? Can you put this apple on your head for a few seconds then?
ok
I'm rather impartial to Dash being an orphan. Unexpected? A little, but it helps explain why she is so focused on being the center of attention all the time.
52662
Respawn in 3... 2... 1...
like 52668 said dash being an orphan explains some things and now you can put in a mini story where you tell of dash's past.
PS. I don't want to kill you at all, well as long as you keep writing, if you keep writing I'll be happy and will not kill you, deal? (sticks hoof out for brohoof)
I honestly do not care whether or not Rainbow Dash is an orphan. I mean this was one confrontation that was a long time coming for Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash just doesn't get the true importance of Scootaloo in her life. I mean she did apologize to her, but not for the right reasons. She only did that to make herself feel better and not Scootaloo.
I think when she gets a full understanding of the situation maybe she'll try again, right ?
Still, this was some update and some declaration of Scootaloo now looking up to Fluttershy as an idol instead of Rainbow Dash, which was a bit surprising. It makes me wonder how Fluttershy will take the news of the confrontation.
= more fans for Fluttershy.
Nice update to the overall storyline. I want to encourage you upon such great tale like this one as I cannot wait to read about what happens next in this story of yours.
Great chapter. Also glad to see Scoots stand up and tell RD that it was her that was admiring her all that time and that she will be better off without her knowing she has somepony who does care for her Fluttershy. I just wonder how RD and Fluttershy would react if they bump into each other. Or maybe Scoot with Flutter bump into RD some time.
52682
Hooray for magic of fandom
52690
Problem with haw I'm handling RD?
52707
YAY! I HAZ BODYGUARD!
52782
Hooray for impartialness?
52806
*Boop*
*Respawns*
okay. Three lives left...
52858
*Brohoof*
52880
And my true plot comes to light. To prove that Fluttershy is best pony
52670
*Walks over to the author typing the next chapter*
*Stabs author with broken pencil*
*Brings back the author using the magic of friendship, and steroids*
"NOW WRITE THE NEXT BUCKING CHAPTER BLLLARRGG"
*Blarg destroys computer*
*Gives new computer*
NOW!!!
This was a well written chapter, and the encounter between Scot and Dash went as it probably should have; it's nice to see that Scoot is mature enough to move on and not shout down Dash in front of her, and as I've said before this is very in character for Dash.
Some might argue that Scoot is out of character but then again she's young and still impressionable, who here can say they act exactly the same now as they did when they were kids?
Something else, I'm not sure how Scoot will react to finding out Dash was an orphan. Maybe she'll have some empathy or maybe she'll be mad that Dash never figured out that she suffered the same fate. I look forwards to seeing how you handle this and I can't wait for the talent show... the show will be in this story right?
53056
HELP! A CRAZED FAN IS THREATENING ME! I NEED AN ADULT!
53157
Uh, right. On the show.
Maybe?
53226
I really hope the talent show is in this, it would be a great place for the climax of this story to take place IMO even if it's not described in detail I'd love to see how ti goes for Scoot.
53226
so awesome XD :D YEEEEEEEAAAAAAH
I love this story please keep writing by caving into their demands the terrorists win (equestrian flag appears in back ground with theme song) and by celestia's beard will I not rest until those who hate art such as yours are found and brought to justice (applause)
Wow. This is a really good story. Keep up the good work.
Its amazing how one cliffhanger can make 4 days feel like AGES!!!
Regardless it was a wonderful chapter and I cant wait till the next.
P.S. is it wrong of me to say I would have enjoyed seeing Scootaloo yell at Dash?
Alright rangers lets establish a perimeter, we gotta make sure this author survives....his stories just too awesome.
Oi! Medics! Set up over here! Jimmy your on the 50. cal! *Yells commands for the next hour* Alright there now you have an army all dedicated to your defense!
53839But Ramirez is the only one that dose anything in the army so shouldn't he be the one defending the house?
53839
SIR, YES SIR! *salutes, starts setting up with the medics* >:C
liking it a lot, keep up the great writing
53839
Cool, I feel safer already
54002 *Salutes* Don't worry sir, we got this.
Good Sir, I wish to shake your hoof. Bravo for another amazing chapter.
54139
Okay
*attempts to stick hoof through moniter*
*breaks moniter*
Dammit...
i'm ok with this
Wow, I really liked the way this chapter went. A nice surprise indeed
Can't wait for the development after this! :D You go JuyUnseen!
YYYYYAAYYYAYYY bLAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHGUAAAAALLLLLLL.
53839
Count with my rubber bullet revolver pal!
no one shall die today ò.ó
...3... 2... 1...
Snap, crackle, pop. Dash, you silly filly. You meant well, but failed so miserably in your execution. Hopefully Twilight can help.
OH no i hope she doesn't go to Twotlite Sprinkle for help that would be most unpleasurable and make her look more uncool... ....By 20%
I love messing grammar up on purpose...
I like the idea idea that Dash (was) an orphan and use it myself.
though in my case its added reason as to why Dash befrinds scoots after she finds outs Scoots is an orphan.
I hate to admit it, but it did piss me off...
I think the biggest problem I have with this story is the idea that Dash went the entire Winter without talking to Fluttershy a single time...
Actually obviously without talking to any of them... And Fluttershy didn't talk to any of them either. All winter.
What?
really dash? You're lucky that me didn't kick your flank you left her alone. The fact that you can't see that stems me so bad I- I-
Ok. I won't kill you. ;). But the ending better be as awesome as Dash thinks she is. XD
Move down a line.
_______________
I'm enjoying re-reading this fic. It's been to long since I 've read it.