Three, two, one...
"What were you thinking?" Rainbow Dash half shouted. "You snuck into somepony's house? You could have been hurt, or arrested. Really Scootaloo, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I wouldn't have to tell you," Scootaloo mumbled, glancing toward the door.
Dash's face settled into a look of neutral disappointment. "That's not funny."
Scootaloo shuffled her front hooves, looking everywhere but at Dash. Rainbow may not have been doing the older sister thing as long as Rarity or Applejack, but she'd gotten the look down quickly enough. "I know, it was dumb, but I thought Twilight was in danger."
"So rather than tell somepony, you decide to fix it by putting yourself in danger?"
Scootaloo's gaze settled at the floor in front of her as she mumbled, "I'm sorry."
Dash reached toward her, lifting her chin with a gentle touch. "Just, don't worry me like that. Nopony wants to see you get hurt." Scootaloo nodded and Dash turned toward Twilight and Rarity. "I think we should probably tell the princess. If Scootaloo's right, we need to get this taken care of as quickly as possible."
Twilight nodded, a worried crease between her eyes. "You're right. He said they should just get rid of me?"
Scootaloo nodded.
"Can you remember anything else about them?" Twilight asked.
"The ones we heard talking were two unicorns and a pegasus. The pegasus was named Silver... uh, Silver something. And the other two," Scootaloo paused, closing her eyes to think. "I think one of them was named Rose. That's all. It was dark and I didn't see much." And we were running for our lives, she added mentally.
Twilight nodded. "I'll tell the princess when I see her in the morning."
"What about tonight?" Rarity asked. "Far be it from me to stand between two ponies, but if there's somepony who may wish to harm you, maybe you should skip your date and stay home."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Twilight said, crestfallen.
"Well, maybe not," Dash said. "Twilight was one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria even before becoming a princess. As long as she's on her guard, she should be fine."
"That's true," Twilight agreed, looking hopefully at Rarity.
"I suppose," Rarity said. "I'd still feel safer if you were with one of us."
"Go on a double date," Scootaloo chimed in. The three older ponies looked at her as one. "What? It's win-win. Twilight goes on her date and one of you keeps an eye on her."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Rarity admitted.
"But where are we going to find somepony on such short notice?" Dash asked.
"Why not ask Soarin'?" Scootaloo suggested, smiling innocently as Dash turned to glare at her. "He owes you a favor or two, doesn't he?"
"And you both work together," Rarity added. "Nopony would wonder why the two of you are together."
Rainbow turned her glare toward Rarity before sighing. "Fine. As long as you don't mind, Twilight."
"Actually, I think I'd feel better if one of you were around. I've never been on a double date before."
"I'll go ask then," Dash said, starting for the door.
"Not looking like that." Rarity put a hoof out, stopping Dash's retreat. "If you're going on a date tonight, we simply must get you looking your best."
"But somepony needs to ask Soarin'," Dash objected.
"I can do it," Scootaloo said. "His place is on the way home."
"This is for yelling earlier, isn't it?"
*****
Soarin' agreed to meet Dash and Twilight at the restaurant at eight. With nothing else to do, Scootaloo made her way back to Dash's house. Her plans of curling up with one of the Daring Do books faded as she arrived to find Thistleroot standing outside her front door.
"If I knew you'd wait around like a lost puppy," she said, walking behind him. He flinched and turned toward her. "I wouldn't have let you walk me home last night."
He stuck his tongue out at her. "Nice to see you too."
"So what's up?"
"My curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to look deeper into the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Thought you'd want to know what I found out."
"Oh?" Scootaloo said, eye's brightening.
"Yeah, I asked some of the ponies around school who go to the meetings, just for some background information. Actually, it's pretty funny."
"What is?"
"What they're all about. Actually, didn't you say your friend was asked to look into them? By the princess?"
"Yeah."
"That really seems like a waste, given what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are all about. Zombie Cultists aside, of course."
"Thistleroot."
"Really, the princess has better things to do, doesn't she?"
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you," Scootaloo sighed.
"Well, you never said please." Thistleroot's goofy smile wilted under Scootaloo's glare. "Uh, right. They're against cutie marks."
"Huh?"
"They're against cutie marks. Like, they actually wish cutie marks didn't exist."
A cold pit formed at the pit of Scootaloo's stomach. Thistleroot went on, oblivious to her discomfort. "Weird, huh? Apparently they're all about change and freedom. One of the kids I talked to even said cutie marks hold you down, keep you limited to one defining trait." He chuckled for a moment before trailing off. "Uh, Scootaloo, you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."
"I was kind of expecting more laughter, like 'Oh, those rebellious teenagers'."
"Oh, yeah," Scootaloo said, trying to feign a smile. "I guess it's kinda funny."
"Right," Thistleroot said, "changing topic. Uh, I also found out the name of the pony who owns the house. He works at the school."
Scootaloo blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah. One of the administrators. A unicorn named Star Shine."
"Huh. Wait, wasn't that the unicorn we heard? They called him Mr. Shine."
"Yeah."
"So, one of the head people in the Crusaders is a school administrator named Star..." Scootaloo trailed off, stomach writhing uncomfortably.
"Scootaloo?"
"Thistleroot, do you have any plans for tonight?"
"Oh, ponyfeathers."
Short chapter. It just seemed like a good place for a break.
So yeah, I screwed up last chapter, called Mr. Shine Mr. Dusk instead. That's what I get for reading people's comments and theories. It's edited now, but just for anyone who notices the inconsistency, his name here is Star Shine, not Dusk Shine.
this is a interesting development. did scootaloo start something, or has discord started getting into people's heads again.
Wait... Fuck! I'm confused now and I don't know why or what about. Whatever it'll go away in time. Sorry if this comment makes no sense.dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Rainbow_Dash.png
Well, I can't see those CMC tempting Scootaloo with removing her Cutie Mark at all. Nope. No siree!
In all honesty, that would be a crappy position to be in. Potentially erasing a scarlet letter caused by a betrayal by...committing another betrayal.
really, the whole premise is rubbish. Cutie marks are supposed to represent a pony's BEST attribute. The part of themselves they are most proud of, that they are happiest with.
1278347
Not every"pony" believes in definition you gave about cutie marks. I think your definition is mostly right.
Theory: This cult is manipulating ponies' insecurities for a unknown gain at this time.
Well, well, it seems that it's partly Scootaloo's fault that this cult thing is started. Honestly who saw that coming ?
Still, this would be a chance to either undo the past or preserve the good name of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
I must say that Scootaloo's kind of similar to Rainbow Dash in many ways in terms of action and attitude.
Please do keep up the good work upon such a great storyline like this one as it seems that Date night's going to be real interesting if Scootaloo and Thistleroot are able to get into the resturant.
Scootaloo decides this might not be such a bad idea, joins the cult, realizes it's a terrible idea and in a twist of dramatic irony her "special talent" of betrayal saves pony-kind (and Twilight).
1278347
But couldn't you say that cutie marks are also restrictive?
Interesting as always.
Maybe Discord has something to do with this...
1278347>>1278413
I agree with these fellows.
Called it. Also I agree with 1279763 to some extent.
1279950
Perhaps, but not all of the marks are specific and the show has shown time and time again that the talent existed before the mark; it is an indication of nirvana, having realized their passion in life. Notice that Rarity's cutie mark is a trio of gems because her talent is finding them, but her occupation is only tangentially related to that. Her mark represents something more abstract. Even Twilight's, her special talent is "magic," but she's a scholar. Rainbow's is a lightening cloud since she can do the rainboom, and really it's more for speed and yet she controls the weather for a living.
Moreover, that whole episode where they each tell their story revolves around them having an epiphany about what they love the most, and it's something they've been doing already not something thrust unto them.
That said, this AU has Scootaloo get a cutie mark thrust upon her through manipulation, so maybe the rules work differently.
Irony must love Discord and Scootaloo am i wrong? so now they are taking what i thought when i first herd "Cutie Mark Crusaders" litteraly...thanks i mean it made my day...i wonder is scootaloo is gonna tell her story to him ...more than likly
OMG!!! is this going where i think its going...
Hmmm...You've peaked my intrest.
Touché sir, touché...
I think she should scoff before blocking her.
PLOT OF DISCORDANT RIGHT THERE!
The ship has been launched.
1290317
I CONCUR!
1278347
DON'T YOU DARE INSULT THIS STORY! I WILL FIND YOU! COME AT ME, BRO!
Twilight's date? Oh....... Is the Cutie Mark Crusaders run by Apple Bloom?
This is brilliant, I love it. You manage to insert comedy without detracting from the seriousness of the situation. I have not seen very many authors who can really do that effectively. Keep up the good work
>>TheHylianBatman
A melting muffin? Don't melt on me! I just got ploped in spaghetti.
How the hell did this come out and I didn't know about it?!
Must read as soon as possible.
Let me see if I got this straight. These CMC's are against cutie marks. The owner of the house is Star Shine, someone who works at the school. Twilight is dating someone named Star something. Scootaloo originally was against cutie marks thanks to Discord's manipulations. Am i missing anything?
Oh, and when are we going to find out why Applebloom is upset at Scootaloo?
Another thing I noticed on the reread:
*Thought
Now for some new stuff! Finally!
Okay one more thing, 'Oh' Scootaloo said 'her' eyes brightening........
I am laughing so hard right now. Great story, truly good. It's just that I have a story wherein Twilight dates a unicorn named Star Shine...and guess what? He's the leader of a cult. Now if he's gray with a white mane and piercing gray eyes, I will love you forever.
have been hurt, or arressted
"I think we should probably tell the princess. If Scootaloo's right, we need to get this taken care of as quickly as possible.
1. Arrested.
2. Forgot your closing quotation mark.
Ok so we have the anti-CMC. Too bad this was written before Starlight existed.