The Last Cutie Mark Crusader

by Jatheus

21 - Discovery, Part 1 of 7

A mix of high emotions ran through Cloud Blazer as Scootaloo pushed him back to the hospital. He was elated for Applejack’s victory; there was also a gloriously nervous exhilaration that came from he and Scootaloo being basically alone. Despite his injuries, for the moment he felt indestructible. The immobilizing magic that Sweetie Belle had used was beginning to wane, a fact revealed by the aches that were slowly returning to strength. The stallion didn’t mind them so much. The further they traveled from the town square, the thinner the crowd became as ponies went their separate ways. Most had gone toward Sweet Apple Acres. The closer they drew to the hospital, the shorter his time became. This was his moment. Cloud Blazer was going to tell Scootaloo everything. His heart was beating like a marching drum, the rhythm overwhelming everything else.

Their destination was dark from the outside, but as soon as they passed through the doors, they were bathed in sterile white light. The waiting room was empty, but for a nurse at her station. She looked up as Scootaloo found the appropriate form and signed Cloud Blazer back in.

“How’d the election go?” the nurse asked.

Scootaloo and Cloud Blazer grinned wide as she replied, “We have a new mayor.”

The nurse nodded, not seeming all that interested, “No surprise there. Diamond Tiara gets a lot done, but she makes enemies.”

She rose from her seat.

“I’ll take him to his room,” Scootaloo volunteered.

The nurse smiled as she sat back down. The pair of friends continued into the hallway. Each passing step that Scootaloo pushed the wheelchair made Cloud Blazer’s level of anxiety shoot higher like a rocket. He was beginning to find fear something to contend with. His throat was so dry, and he was beginning to think he shouldn’t say anything to her. As his room came into sight, the stallion took a deep breath to steel his resolve. No excuses, no more delays.

They silently entered the darkness that was his room, the rubberized wheels of his chair making a light squeaking sound on the smooth tile floor. They got to the bed, and then Scootaloo came around the front as Cloud Blazer locked the brakes. He reached out, and she embraced the stallion, gently lifting. She moved slowly, getting him up onto the bed. Stinging came from his various injuries with every motion; he hardly noticed. Just being that close to her was intoxicating. She smelled good. Once he was more or less in position, she pulled the sheets up so he could reach them.

“Quite a night,” she whispered as she completed her tasks.

“Yeah,” he whispered back.

His roommate was sleeping soundly, and it would have been rude to wake her. The drum in Cloud Blazer’s chest beat more and more violently than before. It felt more like a blasting range filled with cannons that fired in sequence.

“Well, goodnight,” she said as she turned to leave.

The moment was slipping away. It was now or never.

“Scootaloo,” he said.

Fear filled him as she turned. Her smile melted his qualms and warmed the thumping in his chest.

“I love you.”

She stood there in silence. The darkness made her warm expression almost difficult to read, but he could see her smile.

“I have for a while,” he continued as a hammer pounded an anvil in his heart. “I mean, I didn’t know what it was at first. But I’ve had time to think about it, especially lately. That’s when I sorted it out. Joining the EUP, being the last one out when we were in Everfree... I did all of that for you, to keep you safe. I’m pretty messed up, but I don’t mind that so much. I just want to be with you, forever. More than anything in the world, I love you.”

She stood like a statue, her gaze locked with his as he awaited her reply.

She spoke, “I don’t want to hear that.”

Her words were like a dagger through his heart. All of the life and warmth was sucked from the room. Overwhelming fear filled Cloud Blazer. She remained where she stood, but the stallion now realized that her expression was actually impossible to read in the darkness.

“I mean, I’m... flattered, but no.”

Cloud Blazer’s hooves were shaking. He felt like he was falling into a deep abyss as tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks. He thought he should say something, but any words he would have used were caught in his throat. He couldn’t swallow for the lump that had formed there.

“I... I’m just not interested in you that way... Sorry...”

She abruptly turned and walked out of the room, leaving Cloud Blazer alone. The shaking sent shards of stabbing pain throughout his body. He wept bitterly, doing everything he could to remain quiet, though he was nearly beyond caring. His heart was melting as the last fortress in which he’d placed his hope had been ripped away.

Comments

[Husky Wang]

7676890 Which one do you think is more interesting:
Transformers vs Godzilla https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jy2NxI4W5us
Or
Justice League vs Avengers https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P8JzVdBMyI0
PS I really like your story idea. It well be even cooler if is Godzilla terrorizing Equestria.

[Emperor]

Poor Cloud Blazer. I don't think he's realised that Scootaloo's probably also dealing with a lot of stress between the death of all her friends and her being in a war situation (whereas CB got knocked out early on in the recent days, Scoots has been running on fumes), so now was definitely not the best time to do this.

Well, if he has a nightmare over this, maybe it'll give Luna an easier time communicating with him.

[CuriousCurse]

This story has a knack for complexity and surprise ive not encountered for a while. You manage such a wide variety of characters and emotions over the span of a single story. You play conflicting motives and plans against each other without pulling punches that would normally leave other authors written into a corner or awkwardly shoving plot armor onto key characters. In this story, I've begun to feel like plot armor is an almost laughable thing to depend on and that even if things end up ok, it's not going to be without a tremendous amount of effort on the characters involved.

I feel it is only because of how often i read these stories that i have read stories remotely comparing to how much excitement and curiosity this story contains. The unique combination of a war drama and a political thriller has me spending far more time than what's healthy on this story.

[Jatheus]

8638397
Oh my gosh, thank you so much!

I’ve tried to not put anyone in impossible situations, or at least making it cost something by injury or death for them to overcome (or sometimes fail and die). I’m glad that is working and that you are enjoying my pony tale. Thank you again for your words. You have made my day!

[OmalleyCaboose5]

She stood there in silence. The darkness made her warm expression almost difficult to read, but he could see her smile.

Here it comes.

“I mean, I’m... flattered, but no.”

Oh the pain. Seriously hurts to read
No is the saddest experience you'll ever know after all

[Jatheus]

8740909
1) The moment everyone was begging me to write... but I just couldn't let it go the way they wanted.

2) I have been there... Yes, it's the saddest experience, you'll ever know! Cause one is the loneliest number...