Chapter 14 - Reunion
December 21st
After weeks of cold, Equestria finally seemed to have shaken off the harshness of the winter and was settling into the Hearth's Warming spirit. Ponyville was festooned with seasonal lights and decorations, bringing even the coldest of ponies' spirits up. Scootaloo's spirit certainly had been boosted over the past month, even if most of it was a blur. Her training had been stepped up at her own insistence, focusing on ensuring her wings could lift her body weight while still remaining in control. As fun as it was getting, Quick Fix had said they needed to take a breather and she agreed, no use in exhausting herself when the cold made it hard to recover quickly.
Fortunately, Scootaloo had something to do in the meantime. A few days before, she had received a letter from Sweetie Belle, saying she would be coming back from Manehatten today. To make things even better, Apple Bloom was finally back in town and they'd agreed to go meet Sweetie at the station together. As Scootaloo made her way to Sugarcube corner, now wrapped up with socks and a thermal cape on top of everything else, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Apple Bloom's absence from town, no communication, did anypony even know where she'd been?
It'd come up when the time was right, for now she could see Apple Bloom waving her over, equally wrapped up against the weather. Even from here, Scootaloo could see some nerves in her eyes, something hidden behind them. Deciding not to comment just yet, Scootaloo simply trotted up and hugged her friend.
"It's been too long, Apple Bloom. How've you been?"
"You know, not alone at least. I'll tell you what's been happening after we get inside later, Sweetie Belle's train arrives in twenty." Apple Bloom looked away nervously as they started walking, prompting more looks of concern from Scootaloo. Surely it couldn't be that bad, even if she couldn't bring herself to make eye contact.
"Come on AB, can you at least tell me where you've been and with who? I won't breathe a word of it to anypony. Pinkie promise." Scootaloo tried to do the motions and almost fell over with so much clothing on, making Apple Bloom chuckle at the sight and finally look like she was loosening up.
"Well, for you then. I was planning to tell you and Sweetie Belle some of it together and make you Pinkie promise anyway. I was in southern Equestria with mah-I mean, with Pinkie Pie. She wanted me along to investigate a farm down there, I don't really understand the full story yet but we'll be back down there soon...There's something else, something you can't even think about around anypony else right now."
Scootaloo stopped and nodded, waiting as Apple Bloom looked down, seeming to steel herself in preparation. After a full minute, she leaned in and whispered something to Scootaloo before stepping back and looking down in shame. Scootaloo's jaw dropped slightly as she tried to process what she'd just heard. Her friend was...Well, when you thought you knew a pony, they sprung a surprise like that.
"Seriously? I'm...I'm actually really impressed. Really, congratulations!" Apple Bloom looked up in surprise at those words, prompting a grin from Scootaloo. "I mean it, takes a lot of guts to accept something like that, plus it doesn't change anything for the worse. You're still the same Apple Bloom I met at the cute-ceanera all those years ago, only now you're even more awesome. If anything, that's the kind of thing that makes Ponyville so special."
"Awww...Thanks, Scootaloo." Apple Bloom smiled softly and hugged Scootaloo one more time. She still had the air of uncertainty about her but she looked happy at least. Scootaloo gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder and nodded down the street. Apple Bloom nodded in return and the two set off for the station again, letting the conversation head into less secret territory.
Ponyville station was a hive of activity. With many big name stars from the cities heading home for Hearth's Warming, a number of ponies were hanging or hovering around hoping to get a photo or autograph. Rarity was not one of those ponies, she waited at the end of the platform, dressed up in enough fur to make a yak proud, simply hoping for the chance to see her sister. She adjusted her glasses slightly and glanced round, noticing Apple Bloom and Scootaloo enter the station before discreetly waving them over.
"Glad you could make it, I'm sure Sweetie will love seeing us all here." Rarity said as they trotted up, glancing back and smiling as she saw the train approaching. Several of the gathered ponies noticed as well and got themselves ready, the rest of the crowd being drawn in as it pulled up and started to offload passengers. Most of those traveling were just locals who tried not to look too off put, much to the disappointment of the crowds. Last off the train was a dark green stallion with gold mane and a bass clef cutie mark that the fans were instantly drawn to, Apple Bloom's eyes widened slightly at the sight of him.
"Is that...?"
"Deep Note, yes. He often does music at the same shows as Sweetie. I'm not sure why he's here though." Rarity mused, watching as he started dealing with the crowd. At the very back of the train, another pony stepped out, a familiar white-grey mare with a microphone cutie mark. As she saw the trio waiting for her, Sweetie Belle gave a squeak of joy and ran up to them, hugging Rarity closely before pulling Scootaloo and Apple Bloom into it.
"Oohhhh I missed you all! I was going to get gifts but I got a rush at the store so I thought you wouldn't mind me getting something local." Sweetie Belle gushed, clearly having missed her friends and family. Rarity smiled softly and nuzzled her in return, making sure her little sister wasn't in view of the crowd.
"I already have the best present I could ever get."
"We all have." Apple Bloom added, giving Sweetie Belle an extra hug before letting her go. Scootaloo did the same and put her hoof out, prompting a grin from the other two as they put their own hoof in.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, reunited!"
Scootaloo couldn't help but chuckle slightly as the four of them made their way back through town. Rarity had given Sweetie Belle her outfit for both warmth and disguise, now the two of them seemed to be trying to outdo each other in taking in the sights. Rarity was having a hard time pointing out everything and Sweetie Belle was struggling just as much to take it all in. Apple Bloom was doing her best to fill in the gaps of what had changed in town, leaving Scootaloo to her thoughts.
Sure, family wasn't the biggest focus at this time of year but everypony seemed to come together closer anyway. Except her, sure she had ponies as close as family but it wasn't quite the same, not even with Rainbow Dash. Her train of thought was interrupted as an ice blue filly with a teal mane and white rake cutie mark trotted up to her. She recognised the girl as Frostleaf, Big Mac and Cheerilee's other child, though just what she wanted with Scootaloo was beyond her until she saw the quill and card Frostleaf was carrying.
"Hey kid, can I help you?"
"Hi, Scootaloo! I got a Hearth's Warming card for mom and hoped some of her old students would sign it as well, just so she knows how much everypony appreciates her!"
"Wow, that's really sweet of you. Of course I'll sign," Scootaloo took the quill and carefully signed her name, prompting a happy little squeal from Frostleaf, the filly barely able to get a thank you out as she headed to ask Apple Bloom. Scootaloo watched her go as her previous thoughts came back to her. Everypony had family with them and meanwhile..."Hey, I'll catch up with you all at the boutique. I got something I need to do." Scootaloo waved the others off and headed off. Something she needed to do, actually somepony she needed to see. Somepony who meant more to her than anypony else in town.
Somepony she never thought she'd talk to again.
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Well i cant figure out what AB's news is. I'm curious to see who Scoots is going to see
6573856 I'll admit I should have made it clearer that the clues are hidden in previous chapters. The big hints are between chapters 6 and 9 if it helps. Thanks for the continued reading though, I appreciate it.
From what I can tell, parts of the hints seem to suggest that AB admitted being lesbian or something...
Well, I'm confused.
6576524 Bingo!
It's only part of the story, but that's the main thing. *Offers victory cookie*
6576883
Wait, I was RIGHT? Umm... Okay?
I guess all my lesbian/gay/ trans friend drama came in handy...