> The Price of Flight
>  by Bro-Nii-San
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Price, Foretold
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	There was only the gentle sound of an even gentler breeze as Scootaloo lifted her head, feeling the wind tugging ever so slightly at her mane, as if it were egging her to follow it. This is what flight was. Pure. Gentle. Scootaloo let her eyes close as she took in all of the feelings from around her. The experience was almost perfect... Almost. Scootaloo could feel the sure and supporting hoof of Rainbow Dash on her abdomen, which was enabling her to such heights.  Wave after wave of emotion crashed over Scootaloo's heart as her mind bounced from the joy of flight, to disappointment of this flight not being completely her own. Sure, she was elated that Rainbow Dash had gone so far out of her way, but this was not true flight.

When Scootaloo next opened her eyes, she was not greeted by the gentle hues of blue that  had made up the evening sky, but instead by the rough grains and shifting swirls that was the wooden planks that formed her ceiling. Likewise, the sounds of the soft breeze were replaced by the eerie silence of an empty room. Scootaloo sighed as she pushed away the last tendrils of sleepiness as she threw off her covers.

Scootaloo often dreamed of that day, that exact moment, when Rainbow Dash had helped her to fly on their camping trip. It was a bittersweet memory. Scootaloo had felt such ecstasy during her short flight, even as imperfect as it may have been, but she also felt a lingering sadness at the fact that she was unable to fly once more.

There was a well defined click as Scootaloo's hooves met with the wooden floor. She began with her normal routine, stretching her wings and haunches. Soon after, Scootaloo made her way to the kitchen. As always, it only took her a moment to locate the oats and pour them into a bowl. She had a very tired look about her as she finished making her rather simple breakfast and began to eat.  It took her very little amounts of conscious thought to run through her morning regime. After all, most days it was all the same. Scootaloo would wake herself up, eat breakfast alone, and grab her bag before heading off for school, or on the weekends, the Cutie Mark Crusader club house.

Today just happened to be a school day, the last of the week, and Scootaloo had been looking forward to the weekend since Monday had rolled around. Scootaloo  left the final thoughts of her dream at the door as she rushed out, having once again waited for the last second to leave. It seemed to her as though things were shaping up to be quite the normal day.

Even though it was early in the morning, Ponyville, as always, was  already bustling with activity. Even though Scootaloo lived on the far side of the quint village, she still lived closer to the school than Applebloom, though Sweetie Belle lived closer than the two of them. It was the Cutie Mark Crusader's normal plan to meet at the school a mere five minutes before classes began, and so far today had seemed as though it were going to be no different. That was, at least, until Scootaloo heard a very disheartening voice from behind her.

"Well if it isn't Scootaloo," came the ear-grinding sound of Diamond Tiara's dreaded voice. Scootaloo gave a slight groan, but turned to face Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon none the less.

"You two again?  Was there something to needed?" Scootaloo asked, a slight edge of irritation already in her voice. The last they had spoken was a few day prior to the Equestria Games, when they had prodded at her flightless nature in a gambit to win the contest. A plan which had failed in the end, but caused Scootaloo no small amount of grief.

"We just wanted to congratulate you,"  Silver Spoon said as they began their usual pacing around Scootaloo.

"Carrying the Ponyville Flag in the Equestrian Games was a big deal after all," Diamond Tiara chimed in before Scootaloo had a chance to voice a retort.

"But we also came to apologize," Silver Spoon added in.

"After all, you may have carried the flag, but it was out  of sympathy," Diamond Tiara spoke in turn.

"What does sympathy have to do  with anything?" Scootaloo snapped back. Already they were beginning to get under her coat. At Scootaloo's response, both Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon smirked.

"It is just that Applebloom and Sweetie Belle worked so hard..." Silver Spoon started.

"To pick up all the slack you created," Diamond Tiara finished.

"You're wrong. Our win was a group effort!" Scootaloo barked at the duo.

"You are right about one thing," Silver Spoon started once again.

"It was a group effort. Applebloom impressed the judges with her Earth Pony strength and grace," Diamond Tiara added in.

"Sweetie Belle wowed the judges with her wonderful display of magic," Silver Spoon continued.

"And you, Scootaloo, won the judges' sympathy with your inability to fly, sealing your victory, even over more... Talented ponies," Diamond Tiara finished. Each word had been a hammer, striking a nail deeper and deeper into Scootaloo's heart until it was completely embedded.

Tears of hatred and frustration began to well up in Scootaloo's eyes, but before she could unleash her fury upon the devious duo, the school bell rang out, signaling classes were about to begin. Already Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had their backs turned, trotting towards the school as if they had never stopped to talk with Scootaloo, though the smiles upon their faces would say otherwise.

All Scootaloo could do was was cast an angry glance back at her under-developed wings before kicking the ground with her hoof, wiping her eyes, and rushing off to class herself. Scootaloo was one of the last students to enter the room, arriving just as the last morning bell rang out. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom both stopped chatting to cast Scootaloo warm, welcoming smiles. Scootaloo, who still had the taunting of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon on her mind, put up a front and cast them a weak smile back. It was obvious to tell that Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were concerned about her forced smile, but before they had a chance to speak with Scootaloo, Ms. Cheerilee stood at the front of the classroom.

"Alright my little ponies, class is starting," she said, quieting the noisy students.

The rest of the school day seemed to drag on for an eternity, going about as smoothly as it usually did, which meant about half the class time Ms. Cheerilee spent with Snips and Snails as they rest of the class worked on their daily assignments. At long last, the final bell of the day rang, signaling it was time to leave. Scootaloo sat back in her chair, breathing a heavy sigh as Ms. Cheerilee spoke one last time.

"Now, don't forget that this homework is due on Monday. Snips, Snails, I would prefer you not try and feed it to the pigs again this week," she said, giving Snips and Snails a firm look as most of the class giggled to themselves, Scootaloo excluded.

"Hey Scootaloo, is everything alright?" Applebloom asked. She had not even bothered to put any of her things away before approaching Scootaloo. Scootaloo also noticed Sweetie Belle close behind Applebloom.

"I am fine. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were just being sore losers is all," Scootaloo replied. After hearing this, both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom shook their heads, Though only Sweetie Belle spoke up.

"Are they still upset we got to carry the Ponyville Flag in the Equestrian Games?" she asked, though it sounded more like an annoyed complaint. Scootaloo merely nodded in response.

"So, what kind of Crusading are we going to do today?" Scootaloo asked, all too happy to change the subject. However, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom just looked at each other with a slightly sad expression.

"Sorry Scootaloo, but Applejack needs my help on the farm today," Applebloom spoke apologetically.

"And Rarity asked me to help her sort fabric today. She never asks me to help with anything, so I want to prove to her I can help. Sorry..." Sweetie Belle added in soon after. Scootaloo's ears drooped as she dropped her head.

"Right, sisters..." Scootaloo muttered under her breath. It only took her a moment to raise her head and give them a small smile.

"It's fine. I understand if your sisters need help. We are still meeting up tomorrow, right?" Scootaloo asked, just to make sure.

"Of course!" the other two answered in tandem. That, at least, made Scootaloo feel slightly better.

A few moments later, Scootaloo was standing out front of the school house, waving to her friends as they rushed home, eager to help their sisters, leaving Scootaloo alone. After standing for only a moment after her friends disappeared from sight, Scootaloo sat down and let out yet another sigh. With all the time it had taken them to gather their things and talk, they were the last three to leave, meaning Scootaloo was completely alone now.

"And now it is just me... Alone... Again,"  Scootaloo said to herself. Without her only two friends around, what was there to do? Days like this had become rare, and often left Scootaloo with little more to do than ride around on her scooter. Scootaloo remained seated a while longer as she worked up the willpower to get up and heading for home. Her way home lead Scootaloo through various notable places in Ponyville, one of which she was currently passing through, the Ponyville Park.

Scootaloo had not been outside all that much today, but just as the schedule had dictated, there was not a single cloud to be seen in the sky as the warm light from the brilliant sun cascaded down, unimpeded except by the occasional tree along the small winding path. It would have been the perfect day for crusading...

"Woah, look out!" came a familiar voice as a sudden flash of colors obscured Scootaloo's vision.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo called out in surprise as she felt her hooves leave the ground. A moment later, she could feel the ground beneath her once again. Scootaloo looked up at the familiar figure that was indeed Rainbow Dash herself. In the background, Tank floated by at a somewhat high speed, right through where Scootaloo had been a mere second earlier.

"What did I tell you about wandering into the pathway Tank?" Rainbow Dash scolded the tortoise as he continued his path to the far side of the trail. Rainbow then looked back  down at Scootaloo.

"And are you alright Scoots? Normally you would have noticed me and called out in an instant," Rainbow said, a slight gleam of concern in her eye, obviously not helped by the fact that both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were absent.  Memories from not only the day, but from her dream as well flooded into Scootaloo's head once again, a cruel reminder of how bad her day had been... But at least now it was improving!

"Sorry, Rainbow Dash, I was just thinking of a new way Applebloom Sweetie Belle and I could earn our cutie marks tomorrow, and I guess I was thinking a bit too hard about it," Scootaloo spoke up, coming up with a convincing excuse to explain her absent-minded behavior. Rainbow Dash merely nodded, seemingly content with Scootaloo's excuse.

"Still worrying about getting your cutie mark, huh?" Rainbow asked, a small smile beginning to light up her face, as well as Scootaloo's day. Applebloom may have had Applejack, and Sweetie Belle may have had Rarity, but Scootaloo had the best of them all, Rainbow Dash! At this thought, Scootaloo gave her first honest smile of the day. She also felt relaxed. Relaxed enough to speak how she truly felt.

"Well to be honest, recently I have begun to think that it would be better to fly than to ever get my cutie mark..." Scootaloo started. Instantly the atmosphere became much more tense, and the smiles dropped from both of their faces.

"Now Scoots..." Rainbow Dash started, but quickly Scootaloo cut her off.

"I remember what you said, Rainbow Dash, that even if I was never able to fly, I would still be me. I agree with that, but that is not somepony I want to be. I would gladly give up my cutie mark if it meant I could fly by myself!" Scootaloo cried out, each word growing in emotion and volume until she was shouting the words, which dispersed throughout the empty park.

"Now Scoots, you can't really mean that..." Rainbow Dash responded, clearly at a loss as to how to handle  the situation.

"No Rainbow Dash, I really do mean that. Flying is more important to me than my 'special talent', it means more to me than almost anything!" Scootaloo retorted. Her emotions were getting the better of her as the entire stress, frustration, and sadness that had been bottled up since before the Equestrian Games finally began to boil over.

Rainbow Dash frowned deeply as she attempted to find some way to defuse the situation. How did Applejack and Rarity deal with such situations?! Finally, after what seemed like a minute of dead silence, Rainbow Dash spoke again.

"You said almost anything. You were talking about your friends, right? They don't care if you can fly or not Scoots, they like you for who you are now, not who you could become," Rainbow Dash cooed, doing her best to soothe the seething Scootaloo.

"You don't understand! You have always been a great flyer, one of the best! What if you never learned to fly?" Scootaloo snapped as she took an angry step away from Rainbow Dash. Rainbow's ears drooped to either side as Scootaloo spoke again.

"Just you watch, I will fly. I don't care what it takes!" she shouted before rushing off towards home, leaving a very confused, and saddened Rainbow Dash in her wake.

If only she knew the weight her words then had carried... And how they would come back to haunt her all too soon...
> A Tempt of Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Scootaloo sat alone, in total silence. Already she had began to regret the way she had treated Rainbow Dash. Even if she had experienced the worst day of her life, that was no way to treat anypony, especially Rainbow Dash who had tried so hard to help her. Scootaloo's ears were firmly pressed against the sides of her skull, her room seeming more like a tomb than sleeping quarters. For what must have been the hundredth time that day, she heaved a sigh. So much had happened, and still the day was far from over... Scootaloo just wished for it to end, to move on to the next day as if today had never happened.

Unfortunately, life did not work that way. It was about this time that Scootaloo finally stood up from where she had say down in front of her door, nearly an hour ago.

"Come on, Scootaloo!" she chided to herself.

"You are better than this! I'll just have to finish my school work today and apologize to Rainbow Dash tomorrow before I go crusading," Scootaloo assured herself. She had no plans of doing the homework she was assigned on any of the other days anyhow, so it would be a decent way to pass the time at the very least.

As the homework was meant to be completed over the three days they had off, it did indeed take quite the while for her to finish, in which time she only paused to eat a light dinner, which was more of a light snack, her apatite having left her long ago. Hours had passed, and already the sun had set, bringing about the stillness of night. Scootaloo was exhausted after all of the day's obstacles and was far to eager to finally seek the release of sleep, though something told her even that would not be the end of her trials that day.

Suddenly, the crack of lightning and the resounding boom of thunder echoed throughout Scootaloo's empty room, wrenching her from her slumber. Something was wrong... There was no such storm scheduled for anytime even remotely soon. Outside, the sound of rushing wind was clearly audible, a testament to the strength and ferocity it carried as it raged past her window.

Scootaloo quickly rushed to the front door of her house, flinging it open without a second thought as a second bolt of lightning arched across the sky overhead, the near deafening sound of thunder following it instantly. Such a storm was far too out of control and dangerously close to Ponyville to be the Weather Team's doing. As Scootaloo peered outside, and particularly strong gust of wind gushed in through the doorway, the sudden onslaught catching Scootaloo by surprise, forcing her too look away and cover her eyes and rain began to pelt her coat.

Scootaloo needed only to take a few steps outside of her house to realized the gravity of the situation the storm was causing. There were very few houses that were close to Scootaloo's, but already she could tell her home was holding up much better than many others. All around was flung debris from nearby, or possibly even distant, houses. Shingles, straw, and all manner of assorted building materials not only littered the ground, but were also being carried by strong drafts of wind. Scootaloo even swore she saw the sign that had hung out front of Sugarcube Corner being held aloft some forty feet up.

Scootaloo scanned the sky, but as she feared there was not a trace of Rainbow Dash to been seen. Was this all Scootaloo's fault? Had she upset Rainbow Dash so much that she was unable to do her duty? A myriad of thoughts crept into Scootaloo's mind, but all were cut short by a distant voice.

"Scootaloo! Can you hear me?! It's Twilight! Ponyville needs your help!" Twilight called out as she drudged her way towards Scootaloo's house, her mane being tossed about in the wind, no doubt obscuring her vision.

"Twilight!" Scootaloo responded, shouting to be heard over the torrent of wind. As she began to rush towards Twilight, the wind threatened to pick up and throw the filly, and she quickly found herself forced to a crawl.

"Scootaloo! Thank Celestia! Are you hurt?" Twilight ratted on as Scootaloo drew close.

"I am fine, but what in Equestria is going on?" Scootaloo asked, still shouting to heard even though they were standing side by side.

"I don't know! This storm suddenly appeared out of no where! Rainbow Dash already tried to stop it, but she injured her wing. You are the only hope Ponyville has left Scootaloo! I know of no pony else who is even capable of dispersing a storm of this magnitude!" Twilight explained, though something struck Scootaloo as odd.

"What do you mean I am Ponyville's only hope? I cannot even fly!" Scootaloo called back, already cursing her inability to fly once more.

"This is no time for jokes Scootaloo! I know for a fact Rainbow Dash herself taught you how to cloud-bust! I know I am asking a lot, but I, no, all of Ponyville needs you right now!" Twilight cried out, clearly upset and flustered.

It was about this time that a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the bell tower on the school house, which was quickly engulfed in a crimson light as flames began to dance along the area the lightning had struck.

"Scootaloo! Quickly, please!" Twilight pleaded. This was clearly no joke on her part. Looking back, Scootaloo found something she could hardly believe... Fully developed wings! Well, perhaps not fully developed, but they were notably more developed than was average for pegasi her age. Scootaloo began to smile as she unfolded her wings, but the flash of lightning and the rumbling echo of thunder signaled there was no time for such feelings.

"Don't worry Twilight, I will have this storm under my control in no time at all!" Scootaloo shouted, partially in glee. She quickly angled her wing to catch the wind and left the ground before Twilight could respond.

Scootaloo relished the feeling of weightlessness as she was quickly swept up by the forceful gale. Scootaloo's excitement was short-lived however. Despite having developed wings and being told about her and Rainbow's past, one fact remained; Scootaloo didn't know how to control her wings for proper flight! Scootaloo felt both her stomach and her heart drop as a sudden updraft caught her left wing, causing her to flip upside-down and enter a violent spin-out.

A moment of dread reached for Scootaloo's heart as the world around her began to spin incoherently. Her heart rate rose as her breath quickened. Fear was taking a hold of her, little by little. She had no idea how to control her new wings, and here she was attempting to calm a storm that had injured even a professional like Rainbow Dash... What was she even thinking? What where her wings for?

'Calm yourself, and let instinct take over,' some part of Scootaloo told her. Obeying her own words, Scootaloo started by taking a few deep breaths, as it seemed like time slowed around her, calming her racing heart as well. Scootaloo no longer thought about what to do, and a sudden urge came over her. Acting upon this new feeling, Scootaloo contorted her wings in a specific manner, making minute adjustments as the air around her slowed, quickened, rose and fell, and within seconds Scootaloo was no longer spiraling out of control.

Scootaloo's eyes widened as she was met by the sight of a building looming directly in her flight path. Once again acting on pure instinct, Scootaloo tilted her wings, causing her to bank to the right before giving a mighty downward flap, propelling herself to the right even further, her forward momentum carrying her past the house at an incredible speed. The feelings of joy and excitement returned once again as Scootaloo straightened out, ascending further and further into the blackened sky. Lightning arched across the sky once again, missing Scootaloo by mere feet, the heat it generated washing over her suddenly as the thunder stole her hearing for a brief moment.

Scootaloo found herself drifting just below the clouds, which seemed to swirl menacingly above her, as if horrors unknown lurked in their depths. The wind still raged around her, forcing her to make constant modifications to her wings to keep her aloft. Finally, Scootaloo chanced a look down. What she saw was pure terror. The school house was now completely engulfed in flames, and many of the houses were in nearly equal condition as a result of the storm. Scootaloo could also faintly make out the glow of Twilight's magic as she made a safe route into the sanctuary that was her new castle.

Scootaloo turned back to the clouds now, a spark of determination in her eyes as she shot upward, into the darkness that lay above. Instantly, the noises of the storm ceased, and it felt as though Scootaloo were standing upon solid ground once more. Looking around, Scootaloo could only a see a small distance, as if a small spot light were centered upon her. The 'ground' beneath her hooves was a dark and stormy grey, and seemed to shift just as the clouds she ascended into had.

There was one other change Scootaloo could feel as well now. Looking back with a creeping feeling of dread, Scootaloo's eyes came to rest upon her wings. They were once again back to their flightless size, causing Scootaloo to drop her head as tears welled in her eyes. Few tears came, however, as a voice called out to Scootaloo.

'As I presumed, you are a natural flier,' a masculine voiced drifted out of the darkness. It seemed as though it came from every direction, and echoed as thought it was carried across some great distance.

"Wh- Who's there?!" Scootaloo shouted into the darkness as she nervously scanned the area around her for any sign of movement. Darkness was all that met her eyes as he breath began to quicken ever so slightly.

'Who, or even what, I am is of little concern. I seek no form of recognition for what I do,' the same voice said, the only thing seeming able to pierce the darkness that surrounded Scootaloo.

"And what exactly is it you do?" Scootaloo asked. Oddly enough, she was more relaxed now, as if the voice was more familiar than she had first thought it to be.

'I help to make life-long dreams of deserving ponies come true. I have help one pony to achieve their dreams of being recognized, and another to become a king that is still talked about today. And now, I seek to help you to fly. You, who has demonstrated your courage, potential, and selfless nature to me. You, who is truly more deserving than most to wield flight, but one of the few without such power,' the voice called out once again. It was familiar to Scootaloo now!

"You are the one that told me to calm down and helped me to fly!" Scootaloo cried out in realization.

"But, can you really help me to fly?" Scootaloo asked, the offer seeming so perfect. Could it possible be true?

'I can, but I must warn that such a gift cannot be granted without a price,' the voice answered, feeling closer than ever now, almost as if it were whispering in Scootaloo's ear.

"What kind of price?" Scootaloo asked. It did not matter what the cost was... So long as it didn't harm her friends or the relationship she shared with each one of them. Or any other pony for that matter.

'I cannot say the exact price, but you must give up something of value to you. As I recall, you perhaps mentioned that you would rather have flight and be an eternal Blank Flank, no?' the voice whispered once again. It was only something personal like a cutie mark?

"Yes, I did! And I will remain a Blank Flank forever if that is what it takes! Please! Help me fly!" Scootaloo pleaded, completely entranced by the voice and its words now.

'As you wish, so shall it come to pass. The Price has been set, but know this Scootaloo. Such changes will not happen over night. As The Price is collected, so too shall your strength grow. May your new wings take you to heights never before imagined. Farewell, Scootaloo. May you live happily ever after.' the voice said once again, now growing increasingly distant with each word spoken, yet still the emphasis on the word 'you' was unmistakeable. In the back of Scootaloo's mind, this seemed to spark some emotion, but it was quickly drowned out by feelings of mirth and anticipation.

"Soon, I will be able to fly, and I can even help Rainbow Dash clear the sky! I can't wait!" Scootaloo shouted in glee.

A sudden wave of fatigue washed over Scootaloo as her eyes slowly drifted open, reveling her empty room once again. When had she ever gone to sleep? If felt as though she had barely slept at all, though there was the definitive glow of the morning sun peeking through the curtains on the far side of her room. Scootaloo grumbled incoherently as she kicked her sheets aside and sat up before sliding off her bed to start her morning routine. As always, she started by stretching her haunches and... Wait, was it just her, or were her wings slightly larger than normal?
> The Price, Retold
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Scootaloo hummed happily as she pranced down one of Ponyville's many country roads, an extra bounce in each step as the Cutie Mark Crusader club house grew closer and closer. She was still a little tired, but felt much more refreshed after eating a rather large breakfast and cleaning herself up for a big day of crusading with her two best friends. She glanced back at her wings for what must have been the thousandth time that morning, interrupting the song she had been humming to giggle in delight as she admired their new-found beauty.

Her wings were still too underdeveloped for flight, but hazy memories of the 'dream' she had experienced gave her hope that they would continue to develop. At first the changes had seemed almost insignificant, but given how small her wings had been, even the small change was noticeable to anyone who looked closely enough. Scootaloo had been so preoccupied with her wings that she failed to notice exactly how far her joyful trot had carried her in the time she had been focused on her wings. She was quickly drawn back to reality as the side of her head made, rather rough, contact with the trunk of the tree the CMC club house rested upon.

"Oof!" Scootaloo let out as she reeled backwards from the rather sudden impact. She had walked right past the ramp to the club house without even thinking about how close she should have been, and now her head was aching in complaint as to her lack of focus.

"Hey Scootaloo! And umm, what are you doing?" Applebloom asked as she approached from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

"I was just trying to get a lumberjack cutie mark," Scootaloo replied jokingly, though her sarcasm might have not come across very well as she rubbed the side of her head.

"With your head?" Applebloom asked again. She had a confused, but also rather amused, look on her face.

"I don't exactly have a saw around here, and besides, that would be too normal for a cutie mark. We already tried that anyway, remember?" Scootaloo responded, her sarcasm being carried through properly this time. There was a moment of silence before the duo burst out in laughter as Scootaloo's words brought back a shared memory.

"Oh yeah! Zecora wasn't too happy when that tree almost landed on her house," Applebloom said, recalling much of the memory. The three of them had attempted to cut down a tree in the Everfree Forest, the safest area of which was near Zecora's hut. They had failed to realize the tree would fall on the same side they cut it, however.

"Applebloom, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle practically shrieked in delight as she trotted towards the two, joining them at the base of the ramp to the club house.

"Hey Sweetie Belle," Applebloom greeted as she drew close.

"How are you?" Scootaloo asked as the three fillies began to climb towards the club house.

"Ready to go crusading!" was Sweetie Belle's response.

Sometime later, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were ready to set out on their next adventure. Somehow it had been decided that a 'street performer' cutie mark would be their goal today. They had reasoned that since they were such a big hit at the Equestria Games, surely that had some talent for entertaining people.

"By the way, Scootaloo, I have been meaning to ask you. Did you fluff your wings or something this morning? They look a bit different than usual," Applebloom inquired, inspecting Scootaloo's wings closely from the wagon they had hooked up to Scootaloo's scooter. Sweetie Belle merely nodded behind Applebloom, as if she had been wondering the same thing.

"Oh yeah!" Scootaloo proclaimed. She had completely forgotten to tell them about her dream and the... entity that had helped her.

'Wait; that would be an awfully strange thing to explain. A voice came to me in a dream that wasn't Princess Luna and offered me flight?' Scootaloo thought briefly. In the end, the decided it would be better to come up with another excuse as to why her wings had suddenly started growing.

"Well, you see..." Scootaloo trailed off, struggling to think of an excuse that would fit the situation.

'Think, Scootaloo! What would help you to fly?' she thought to herself. Then the idea hit her.

"It is kind of a strange story," Scootaloo started to say.

"Yesterday, me and Rainbow Dash kind of had an argument. I felt bad about some of the things I had said to her, and so I started to walk around, thinking about how I was going to apologize to her. As it turned out, I had wandered towards the Everfree Forest. As I was walking along, I happened to notice somepony along the treeline, before they walked in deeper. I decided to follow them in, you know, to make sure they were not all alone in the Forest. As it turned out, it was another zebra, like Zecora," she continued, weaving an intricate tale filled with many half-truths.

"A zebra, out here? I thought Zecora was the only one that lived in the area," Sweetie Belle argued, cutting Scootaloo off before she could finish her story.

"That's just the thing! You remember how Zecora makes all sorts of potions? Well, so did he! Apparently there is some sort of plant that only grows in the Everfree Forest, and he was here to pick some," Scootaloo resumed, continuing to thicken her lie.

"I could see that. But what does all of this have to do with your wings looking different?" Applebloom asked, finally pointing out the obvious lack of a clear answer.

"Well, he was really nice. Smart too. He took one look at my wings, and said he should have something to help them grow!" Scootaloo said, finally finishing her tale of lies. Already she felt a bit guilty about lying to her two best friends, but much of what she had said was true taken out of context. A stranger she didn't know came to her after an argument with Rainbow Dash and offered something to help develop her wings.

"That's great Scootaloo!" both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle responded, giant smiles on their faces. They didn't even seem to have the remotest idea that anything Scootaloo said to them was even possibly a lie, making Scootaloo feel that much worse about having fabricated the story, just to make it seem a bit less creepy.

"There is just one thing, though," Scootaloo said, the smile that she had been wearing melting away as she spoke. They deserved more of the actual truth.

"What is it?" Sweetie asked, and edge of concern in her voice.

"I had to give up ever earning my cutie mark as a side effect," Scootaloo confessed, looking towards the ground as she did so. Applebloom and Sweetie shared a shocked look as they all but stared at Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo, are you sure that is what you really wanted? That is kind of a big deal, and the whole reason we are running around Ponyville today," Applebloom said. Sweetie Belle still looked a bit too shocked to speak.

"I know, but being able to fly means a lot to me. What if Sweetie Belle couldn't use any magic, or you were not even able to walk properly?" Scootaloo asked in response to Applebloom's concerns.

"I don't know, I just-" Applebloom started to say. She wore an almost saddened expression as she struggled to find a response to Scootaloo's words.

"Is it something you can at least reverse if you don't like it?" Sweetie Belle asked after a short pause from Applebloom.

"I don't think so, as far as I know it is permanent," Scootaloo replied. There was an awkward moment of silence as all three of them stared at the ground, as if many of the words that had been spoken had yet to fully sink in. In the end, it was Scootaloo who spoke again.

"But that doesn't mean I can't help you two earn your cutie marks, or that we can't be friends anymore. Right?" Scootaloo asked, looking back and forth between Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Of course, Scootaloo. Cutie marks or no, the three of us are friends first, and Crusaders second. And if you are truly happy with these changes, then so are we!" Applebloom said, almost seeming to perk up with each word spoken. Sweetie Belle now wore a smile as well as she nodded in agreement with Applebloom's words.

"Thanks, that makes me happy at the very least. So, how about we get you both your cutie marks?" Scootaloo suggested. When both of them nodded firmly with smiles on their faces Scootaloo looked forwards and gave her wings a powerful down-beat to get them moving, though something strange happened. For just a moment, Scootaloo felt an odd weightlessness as two surprised shouts emanated from behind her. Less than a second later, the wheels of Scootaloo's scooter fell to the road once more, startling her. Scootaloo looked backwards apologetically, the strong beat of her wings had accidentally picked both her and the scooter up off the ground, causing the wagon to tip backwards, expelling its two occupants. Several hours, and more than a few bumps and bruises later, the Cutie Mark Crusaders sat exhausted on the steps of Sugar Cube Corner.

"Anything?" Scootaloo asked between ragged pants. All three of them looked at their own flanks before looking back to one another with an all to familiar motion.

"Nothing," the three said in tandem before letting themselves collapse onto their backs.

"You know, everypony always made juggling look so easy. I suppose we should have started with something other than an apple, a wadded up ball of ribbon and my helmet," Scootaloo said, rubbing a particularly sore spot on her forehead.

'And everyone said a helmet was to protect your head...' Scootaloo said mentally, a wry smirk on her face.

All of them stayed as they were, slowly catching their breaths as they peered into the sky. Today it shown a very beautiful shade of blue as the sun started its slow decent. As they looked on, a sudden flash of colors caught the attention of the trio, leaving a rainbow in its wake.

"Oh, right! Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she jumped up.

"Sorry girls, I have something I have to do! I will catch up to you later!" Scootaloo called back as she mounted her scooter before taking off to chase the quickly fading rainbow trail. It sounded as though both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had called back to her, but she was in too much of a hurry to catch their words.

'How did I almost forget I had to talk to Rainbow Dash today?!' Scootaloo scolded herself as she raced along, her path taking her towards the edge of Ponyville. It was only a short time later that her journey led her to an unexpected location, though she had thought it a possibility, she didn't really think that Rainbow Dash would be headed to the CMC club house.

Scootaloo brought her scooter to a stop as Rainbow Dash was descending the ramp from the tree house. It didn't take her long to spot Scootaloo, who was only a few feet from the bottom of the ramp. Rainbow continued to close the distance, though stopped at the base of the ramp. For a time, the two merely stood their, avoiding each others gaze as they hoped for the other to speak first. In the end, it was Rainbow Dash who opened her mouth to speak, but Scootaloo who spoke first.

"I am sorry Rainbow Dash, about yesterday. I know that you were just trying to help, and- Even though it was a really rough day for me, there was no reason for me to treat you the way I did, so I am truly and honestly sorry," Scootaloo quickly rambled on, hoping in some way to convey her genuine feelings.

"And here I was, coming to apologize to you, Scoots," Rainbow Dash said after only a moments pause. She almost seemed to visibly relax now, and Scootaloo realized just how tense she herself had been.

"You were right about one thing though, Scoots. I really don't know what it is like to not be able to fly; however, I do know what it is like to be made fun of. I mean, by the time I was your age, I was one of the strongest flyers around, and my wings were practically fully developed; however, I had a problem. It was part of who I was, and people made fun of it," Rainbow Dash said as she made her way to Scootaloo's side, gently casting a wing over her before drawing her close to her side in a soft embrace. Scootaloo leaned into Rainbow's warm underbelly as she looked up at her.

"You were made fun of?" Scootaloo asked, an obvious disbelief in her eyes.

"Of course. Just because I had strong and developed wings didn't  mean I knew exactly how to use them. At they time they had developed so quickly it was hard for me to adjust to them. For example, whenever we went out to the obstacle course I would tend to flap too hard and run right into the clouds. They used to call me 'Rainbow Crash' because of that," Rainbow confided, chuckling slightly at the old nickname.

"Rainbow Crash? I wouldn't have believed that if you yourself hadn't told me," Scootaloo said, looking up at Rainbow Dash a bit awestruck.

"Yeah, looking back it all was kind of funny, but at the time that name really hurt me every time I heard it. It reminded me that I was not perfect, that I was flawed, I didn't like that and it was only worse that basically everyone knew it; however, in the end those same taunts made me work that much harder to fix that flaw, to make me a better pony. Now look at me, I am still imperfect, but I am far from flawed if I do say so myself," Rainbow said, doing her best to comfort Scootaloo with her small speech.

"Really? You think that them making fun of you helped you?" Scootaloo asked. She found it hard to believe that the torment she was subjected to could ever help her.

"Think back Scoots, how did you meet Applebloom and Sweetie Belle?" Rainbow asked, a sly smile on her face. Scootaloo instantly knew what Rainbow Dash was talking about. It was at one of Silver Spoon's parties, where Applebloom had been made fun of...

"I never thought about it that way," Scootaloo responded, trailing off slightly as she thought about that day. Looking back it had been one of her happiest, after all she had met her two best friends that one day.

"You see Scoots? In my case they could have been a bit nicer, but they did point out one of my weaknesses. Because of that, I was able to realize the problem, and I worked hard to fix it, and now look at me!" Rainbow boasted, flaring both of her wings out for Scootaloo to observe; however, they seemed just the slightest bit shaky... In fact, if Scootaloo had not been standing right next to Rainbow Dash, she likely would not have noticed.

"You are one of the best flyers in Equestria. But, are you feeling alright today Rainbow Dash? Your wings seem a little shaky," Scootaloo asked, pointing out her quaking wings as Rainbow replaced her wing over Scootaloo once more.

"Oh, that? I am just a bit worn out. I woke up extra early just to go cloud-bust, and then I have been flying around looking for you, Scoots," Rainbow Dash explained as she gave Scootaloo a small, reassuring smile. It was now that Scootaloo remember her own wings. Perhaps it was about time to give her the good news, now that she herself remembered.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash. I actually had something else I wanted to talk about as well," Scootaloo said, her tone a bit more serious now. The air around them was suddenly a bit more tense, telling Scootaloo she had Rainbow Dash's full attention already.

"What is it, Scoots?" Rainbow Dash asked, mirroring Scootaloo's serious tone now. Scootaloo proceeded to recount her fabricated tale of the zebra and the potion she had drank to Rainbow Dash, who stayed quite throughout the entire story.

"You did what?! Scootaloo, that was a huge decision!" Rainbow practically shouted, still looking at her in disbelief.

"I know Rainbow Dash, but... This is always something I wanted far more than a cutie mark," Scootaloo said. She felt a bit ashamed about the choice because of Rainbow's reaction, and guilt about having lied once again, but it was far too late to tell the truth.

"Well if you are sure you are never going to regret that Scoots... I guess you are going to need someone to help you learn to fly then? You said it would take a while right? I think I have some free time next week," Rainbow said, pulling Scootaloo even closer to her now.

"Wait, really?!" Scootaloo asked, looking up at Rainbow Dash with excitement in her eyes.

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash replied in an instant.

For Scootaloo, the rest of that day was only a blur, the sheer ecstasy the felt about having Rainbow Dash as a teacher was more than she had ever hoped. Scootaloo was barely able to sleep that night, the anticipation of the up-coming week was nearly unbearable already. Soon, her wishes and dreams would come true, and her new life as a 'true' pegasus would begin.
> A First and a Last Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	There was a definite chill in the air as Scootaloo stepped out the front door of her house. In the distance, the morning sun had barely begun its ascent, slowly climbing as if it were waking from a long slumber. Today was her second day off from school and she had no commitment to keep with the Crusaders, which meant that she had they entire day free to spend with the one pony she idolized; Rainbow Dash. The very idea of such a day sent a warm and excited shiver down her spine, the thoughts of all the memories they were about to create only adding to that eager attitude she now wore.

"She'll show me the proper way to flap, how to lift off, how to sail on the air currents, and maybe even a trick or two! Just me and the best pegasus in all of Equestria!" Scootaloo all but chanted to herself as she trotted along.

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo had both decided to meet up at the Ponyville park, seeing as it was one of the more open areas in the area. The whole of the sun was visible now, as its soft beams of light raced through the air, warming Scootaloo's fur as she practically bounced to the nearest bench.

"Hey Scoots, glad to see you could make it," Rainbow Dash said, throwing Scootaloo a smile as she rounded a corner. They had chosen the part of the park furthest from the center of Ponyville, hopefully so they wouldn't be disturbed by any curious onlookers.

"Rainbow Dash! I would not have missed this for the world!" Scootaloo replied eagerly, causing a small giggle to escape Rainbow's lips.

"I don't suppose you would have, would you? Alright then, are you ready to get started?" Rainbow asked. Scootaloo just nodded vigorously in response.

The next few hours were filled with various 'lessons' on the basics of flying, and how they applied to an actual flight. Scootaloo took in every word, hanging on to them as if they were as precious as life itself, taking each lesson to heart. Though, throughout the lecture were sporadic stories of how the Wonderbolts had perfected this technique, or when another had used something in a dire situation, which actually made a few concepts easier to understand.

Before either of them had realized it, the sun hung high in the sky, beating down relentlessly through the cloudless skies as a loud rumbling interrupted Rainbow Dash's most recent Wonderbolt story. Slowly, Rainbow Dash turned to face Scootaloo, looking her dead in the eye before a small blush spread across her face.

"Sorry Scoots, I am not used to being up so early, so breakfast is kind of a foreign concept to me. Egghead speak for, I didn't eat breakfast," Rainbow said, adding the second sentence a moment after the first. She had been so caught up in attempting to use more 'sophisticated' words in her teaching that it had actually spread over to her normal speech for a moment.

"Is there anywhere you would like to eat?" Rainbow asked. Scootaloo just seemed to stare blankly for a moment before a huge smile spread across her face.

"Anywhere you like is fine!" Scootaloo proclaimed quite loudly, hoping to her hooves in a heartbeat. Rainbow just gave her a smile, already having guessed her answer.

"Alright, let's get going then!" Rainbow said as she started to walk towards Ponyville.

Their lunch break was filled with idle chat. The two of them had decided to go to one of the take-out restaurants close to the park and return there to eat under the cool shade of a particularly large tree.  They ate slowly, swapping stories of past adventures. Scootaloo told stories about her attempts to gain a Cutie Mark with the Crusaders, as Rainbow Dash recounted the near mythic tales of her time with Twilight and company.

"Pinkie Pie really said that?" Scootaloo asked, barely willing to believe what she had just heard.

"Really! I am sure she really would have gone out to play in that 'chocolate-milk rain' if Twilight had not straitened her out too!" Rainbow Dash said, laughing with Scootaloo as they both conjured up a mental image of what it would have been like.

A light breeze began to stir as both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo swallowed the last bits of their meals. Scootaloo turned her gaze to the sky, which seemed to feel so much closer now. Long had it been far away, just out of reach for her, but now... It was if the sky invited her in. She didn't have long to stare into the sky before Rainbow Dash spoke up again.

"If you want, we can give flight a try now," Rainbow said, looking at Scootaloo out of the corner of her eye, her face also turned to the sky. Scootaloo's eyes grew wide as they turned to face each other properly.

"Really? You mean it?!" Scootaloo asked, nearly not believing what she had just heard.

"I have already taught you everything I can about flying. The last step is to get out there and put it to practice," Rainbow Dash said, giving Scootaloo a smile. As she did, she stood up, and began to stretch out her wings, the gentle breeze pulling playfully at her cyan colored feathers as it picked up slightly more.

Scootaloo scrambled to her hooves, slowly beginning to stretch out her own wings as well. Her wings now bore a much different look. Her orange feathers had increased in number, and spread out to encompass the entire length of her, now larger, wings. Next to her, Rainbow Dash gave a powerful downward flap, easily lifting off to hover just above the ground.

Alright Scoots, let's get started then. And remember, since there is a breeze now, don't fight it, let it carry you up, higher, into the sky you so love!" Rainbow Dash said, moving with Scootaloo as she began to gallop in the same direction as the wind. She had her wings spread wide, and already she could feel the air beneath her wings. A particularly strong gust came up from behind Scootaloo, causing her feathers to flare out even more. It was at that moment that she felt a slightly familiar instinct. Scootaloo gave a mighty flap as she kicked off from the ground as hard as she could, just as Rainbow Dash had instructed. Scootaloo looked down to see the earth falling away from her as an enormous grin broke over her features.

"Look out, Scoots!" Rainbow Dash shouted as the world around Scootaloo suddenly went black and an odd warmth enveloped her. A moment later there was a small jolt that jarred Scootaloo as a soft 'Ow!' escaped Rainbow's lips.

The next thing Scootaloo knew, she was sprawled out on her back, laying slightly over Rainbow Dash as she stared blankly at the sky. Just to their left, the same direction Scootaloo had been flying, the large tree they had eaten under loomed, partially obscuring the blue sky above.

"I am glad you are excited and all Scoots, but next time you take off what do you say you pay attention to where it is that you are flying too," Rainbow said as Scootaloo removed herself from the tangled mess of limbs before Rainbow Dash herself stood up, rubbing the back of her head for a moment.

"Right... Sorry Rainbow Dash. I'll pay more attention next time," Scootaloo said, dropping her gaze to the ground at her hooves, ashamed of herself. There was a brief moment of silence, in which Scootaloo's heart began to sink.

"What are you doing down here then?" Rainbow asked. Scootaloo looked up to see Rainbow smiling at her as she motioned to the sky before taking off to hover above the ground once more. A small smile spread over Scootaloo's features once more as she trotted back over to where she had started the first time.

Scootaloo turned her back to the wind once more, spreading her wings and dropping her chest to the ground in preparation to begin galloping once more, this time making sure there were no trees in front of her. She closed her eyes for a brief moment as the wind cut through her mane, almost seeming to whisper in her ear as she prepared herself. She knew this feeling, though she had only felt it twice prior.

With a sudden and shocking amount of power and speed Scootaloo burst forward, her eyes open once more as she picked up speed. Kicking off from the ground once more, Scootaloo didn't need to look at the ground to know that it was falling away from her much more quickly than last time. She flapped time and time again, riding an up-draft as the blue of the sky seem to surround her, with wind playing gently with her mane, and suddenly all of quiet. The only sound was that of the wind as it danced past her.

"Well, Scoots. How is it?" Rainbow asked, gliding next to her. Tears began to well up in Scootaloo's eyes as a single tear ran down her cheek.

"It is more than I could ever have imagined. Everything is so calm, and at rest. It feels like I am finally home, finally where I belong. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. Thank you so much!" Scootaloo said as tears began to flow freely down her features. Never had she been quite as happy as she was now.

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash spent the better part of the next hour soaring through the skies as Rainbow pointed out all of the landscape that spread out below them as she help Scootaloo adjust to her new wings. By the time the two of them landed, Scootaloo was exhausted, and Rainbow seemed slightly fatigued as well. Scootaloo thought back on the long day they had spent together, and her smile, which she had worn for the last hour, only widened. That changed quickly, however, when Rainbow addressed her in a somewhat serious tone.

"So, this also means you can finally go see your family in Cloudsdale, right Scoots?" The smile now gone from her face, Scootaloo sat quietly for a few moment, before finally looking at Rainbow Dash with cold, dead eyes.

"Family you say? Some 'family' they are... Once they found out I wasn't able to fly they shipped me off to Ponyville without a second thought. I wouldn't exactly call that family," Scootaloo said, turning slightly away from Rainbow Dash, who shifted awkwardly.

"But they are still your parents Scootaloo, shouldn't you at least let them know you can fly now?" Rainbow asked tentatively.

"You don't really know what it is like. Your parents were always proud of you. You always had there attention. But me? I never got any attention from them. I always felt out of place, unwanted. You were the first pony to ever really acknowledge me, Rainbow Dash. To me, you are more family than they ever were, and right now, having you here with me is more than enough," Scootaloo said in a mono tone, moving slightly closer to Rainbow Dash towards the end of her speech. Rainbow Dash moved closer to Scootaloo as well, embracing her lightly. A moment later Rainbow could feel Scootaloo return the embrace as she nuzzled up against her.

"That means a lot to me Scoots. You know I have always been here for you, and I always will. That I promise you," Rainbow said, giving Scootaloo one last light squeeze before moving away and checking that no other living being was anywhere to be seen. They were once again resting under the large tree they had eaten under, and later ran into. Rainbow looked over at the wide trunk of the tree before starting to move towards it, motioning for Scootaloo to follow.

"Tell you what, I have an idea," Rainbow said before raising up her front left hoof for only a moment before hitting the tree as hard as she could, leaving a small hoof-mark as she did so.

"A memento of today, if you would. Go on, you too Scoots," Rainbow said, nuzzling her forward.

"But isn't this normally what lovers would do after spending a day together?" Scootaloo asked, looking at Rainbow Dash with a confused look.

"Well, yeah, but... Well, the way I see it you are basically like a little sister, so the feeling are similar, right? Or, something like that," Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. Scootaloo merely looked at Rainbow for a few moments before leaping towards her and hugging her.

"I love you too, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo basically shouted as she embraced Rainbow Dash, who was somewhat quick to slip away from her.

"Alright, alright! I get it, so just... Stamp the tree already," Rainbow said, looking around as if she was seriously concerned somepony might see them. Scootaloo silently obliged, bringing her front right hoof up to strike the tree, just next to where Rainbow had, creating a shape that at least somewhat resembled a heart.

"Hey Rainbow, do you mind if we flight for a bit longer?" Scootaloo asked, her energy already having returned to her.

"I don't know Scoots, I am a bit tired. I almost never have long days like this..." She said trailing off.

"Oh, come on! Please? I have so much more to learn, and I don't want to fly alone," Scootaloo pleaded. Rainbow just looked at her for a few moments before sighing, a smile crossing her lips.

"Alright, but this is the last time today," She said, much to Scootaloo's delight.

The two of them took off once more, Scootaloo having gotten much better since they had taken off the first time. Rainbow kept pointing out small flaws in Scootaloo's flying, and how to change them to be much more efficient. Scootaloo even attempted to a trick Rainbow Dash considered a 'beginners' level, though the trick was obviously too complex for that, having eight twists, six turns, and exactly four and a half rolls. Once more, before either of them realized it, the sun had long begun its descent, the only indication as to the passage of time.

Scootaloo had just taken off as fast as she could, seeing just how fast her new wings could take her. Obviously it was nothing compared to the speeds Rainbow Dash could achieve, but it was still extraordinary for a pegasus on their first day of flight. She had just come to a stop and was turning to see where Rainbow Dash was, though at that moment something seemed off. Scootaloo had been having so much fun the past hour or two she had failed to notice, but it appeared that Rainbow Dash was panting, her wing-beats a bit off, causing her wings to be slightly synchronized. Scootaloo flew over, a concerned look on her face.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, are you feeling alright?" Scootaloo asked, hovering a few feet away from her, choosing not to get too close just in case Scootaloo accidentally bumped into her.

"I, am fine Scoots," Rainbow said between breaths. Now that Scootaloo was closer, she could see sweat glistening on Rainbow's forehead, and an almost feverish look in her eye.

"I just, feel a bit, light hea-..." Rainbow started to say once. As she was finishing her sentence, her eyes began to close and suddenly, Rainbow was falling.

"Ra-Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo shouted as she dove down, attempting to catch up to the quickly falling pegasus. It was hard to tell in all the confusion, but it seemed as though Rainbow was unconscious.

The wind roared past Scootaloo, creating a nearly deafening sound as she dove faster and faster. The air resistance enough to make her eyes begin to water. She was slowly catching up to Rainbow Dash, but looking beyond, so was the ground. Scootaloo began to panic now, adrenaline coursing though her veins as she pumped her wings, trying to go faster, to gain that extra edge she need to catch up, the ground only seeming to speed up its rapid approach in return.

"Rainbow! You need to wake up!! RAINBOW DASH!" Scootaloo shouted, now almost within grasp of her. It was hard to tell thanks to the frenzied movement of her mane and the sound was drowned out by the roar of the air racing by her, but she could have sworn she saw Rainbow say the words:

"I'm sorry, Scoots."

"NO!" Scootaloo screamed as she made one last desperate attempt to reach out for Rainbow Dash, the ground just below the both of them. What happened next, Scootaloo could recall very little of. She felt her hooves connect with Rainbow's before she flared her wings, the sudden weight nearly dislocating them both, but it was too late. Scootaloo was assaulted by leaves and limbs as they fell from the sky at alarming speeds. Still, she remembered hanging onto Rainbow Dash as she was batted around, breaking though a few of the thinner top branches before striking a particularly thick branch, and feeling Rainbow Dash ripped from her grip as the world spun, the edge of her vision turning black for the briefest of moments as the breath was forced from her lungs. And even after all this, the sickening crack would echo in her ears for hours to come, just before her own body fell to the earth once more.

Scootaloo coughed, her entire body crying out in pain as her left foreleg refused to straiten out, seemingly twisted at an odd angle she was quite sure was impossible for her to manage. And yet, there was only one thing on her mind. She was lying on her right side, her feathers falling all about her as she struggled to think. She wasn't quite aware of what had just happened, nor what condition she was in. She attempted to get up, her entire body beginning to feel heavy and numb. She managed to get herself up on all fours, just to have her left foreleg collapse under her weight. A surge of red-hot pain shot through her body as she cried out in agony. The sudden pain seemed to bring her back to her senses though. She looked around, now aware of where she was. She focused on her body, despite the searing pain than began to manifest itself as she did so. She could feel both her wings, and miraculously enough besides a few ruffled feathers they seemed mostly fine. She presumed her front left leg was either broken, or dislocated, as it sat at an odd angle from her knee joint down, and she could feel blood staining her orange coat near her right flank as she attempted to stand once more, this time keeping off of her bad leg.

"Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo called out, her body protesting as she began to look around. It didn't take her long to locate the sight of Rainbow Dash, laying curled on the ground only a few feet from her. Scootaloo felt the urge to vomit. Rainbow's left wing was all but torn in half, blood flowing freely, and quickly, from the large wound. Scootaloo nearly forgot her pain as she limped towards her as fast as she could. As she approached, she could see the same crimson liquid flowing from a cut on the side of Rainbow's head, and she was not moving. A sudden pain made its way though Scootaloo's chest as she rushed to Rainbow's side, her breathing growing shallow. As she neared, Rainbow's chest rose, then fell. She was alive! Scootaloo began to smile, before she began to cough again, though this time the taste of blood overwhelmed her as she coughed up blood, some of the droplets making their way to where Rainbow lay, staining her fur. As the world began to close in once more on Scootaloo, she did the only thing she could think of.

"So-somepony, HELP!" Scootaloo yelled, feeling the same sharp pain in her chest as she began to violently cough once more, the world finally fading to black, as her consciousness left her.
> The Price, Paid
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	 Scootaloo stood alone, a dull grey mist swirling all around her. The mist seemed oddly familiar, as if she had seen it before. Scootaloo looked about, straining her eyes as she attempted to peer deeper into the dense fog, attempting to locate something, anything. There was nothing, no one, not even a blade of grass or a small pebble to be found anywhere. Just the same unrelenting, dense mist that swirled lazily as if some tiny breeze had caught a hold of it, yet there was no breeze. Suddenly, Scootaloo felt a wet feeling around her left ear. At first, it was secluded, but it slowly began to spread.

"Great, is it raining?" Scootaloo muttered, looking up at what she presumed to be the sky. Above her was only the same dense fog. Lifting her hoof up to rub that side of her head, Scootaloo observed what it was that was beginning to soak her mane. Her hoof was stained a dark crimson, the liquid oddly warm. Scootaloo's eyes grew wide as she realized she was bleeding, the blood leaking down from the side of her head, staining her mane and coat as it did so. Then it hit her.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo shouted. She looked about frantically, the soft silhouette of the same large tree now visible as she looked more closely. Scootaloo hopped to her hooves, her left leg aching once more, but holding her weight now.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo screamed, desperately looking around, searching for any sign of her. Feathers littered the ground, though the mist seem to have sapped the color out of everything but Scootaloo, making her unsure if the feathers were hers or Rainbow's.

Suddenly, the mist to Scootaloo's left shifted unusually, the fog beginning to thin as if it were parting. There was the outline of a pony approaching, wings spread wide and proud. The figure stopped just on the other side of what little fog remained, seemingly staring at her, wordlessly. Scootaloo just returned that same silent gaze. Was it Rainbow Dash? If it was, what would Scootaloo say? It had been her who forced Rainbow Dash back up into the air after she had stated she was not feeling well. Did she even have the right to talk to her anymore?

"R-Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo called out cautiously, taking only a single step towards the dark figure.

"No, Scootaloo. I am not she," Came a different, but equally familiar voice. The fog finally parted as the figure moved even closer. Princess Luna was now completely visible, the fog that had been pressing in on Scootaloo now drifting a ways away from the duo.

"Princess Luna? But, if you are here, does this mean..?" Scootaloo trailed off, hoping her hunch was spot on.

"Yes, Scootaloo, this is indeed a dream. You have been asleep for quite some time now, following the accident," Luna said, kneeling down now to more properly look Scootaloo in the eye. Scootaloo's heart sank and despite knowing in the answer already, she asked anyway.

"Accident?" Scootaloo asked, her voice all but gone now.

"Yes, Scootaloo. The accident with you and Rainbow Dash. Do you remember it?" Luna asked, a calm and concerned look in her eye.

"I- I remember most of it I think. Is, Rainbow Dash alright?" Scootaloo asked, knowing very well how the answer could turn out.

"She is alive. Like you, however, she has been asleep for some time," Luna answered, looking Scootaloo dead in the eye. Her words were truthful, and Scootaloo let out a relieved sigh.

"And what about me? You said I have been sleeping, for how long?" Scootaloo asked.

"The accident happened about a week ago," Luna said. Her words shocked Scootaloo. A whole week? How bad had the damage been?

"Am I alright?" Scootaloo asked. She was far less concerned about herself than she was about Rainbow Dash, but she still feel the urge to ask.

"You and Rainbow Dash will both be fine, thanks to Twilight Sparkle and my sister. They both worked hard to heal your wounds physically. Now I am here to help you heal mentally. Tell me, Scootaloo, have you seen this place before?" Luna asked, motioning around Scootaloo. Once more, any sign of landscape had returned to the same grey mist. Scootaloo chanced a look at her hoof, noticing the blood was no longer there.

"I-..." Scootaloo started to say. She thought back to the lies she had told to Rainbow Dash and the Crusaders. Should she lie again? Would she be able to lie? Scootaloo swallowed hard. She would have to face this.

"I have, but only once before," Scootaloo answered honestly. Princess Luna's eyes dropped, her ears pressing against her skull. Scootaloo could tell she had just said something that Luna was hoping not to hear.

"I, as well, have seen this same bleak landscape before. Long ago. Tell me Scootaloo, did somepony, or something, offer you anything while you were here?" Luna asked, looking at Scootaloo with a serious and apologetic air.

"Yes. They offered me the ability to fly, at the cost of my cutie mark," Scootaloo said, adverting her gaze.

"I know of this entity. I too was once swayed by its words," Luna said, standing now. Scootaloo began to connect the dots now.

"Nightmare Moon..." Scootaloo muttered, looking up at Luna.

"That is correct. Tell me, Scootaloo. Did this figure ever specifically say that it would take your cutie mark?" Luna asked. Scootaloo almost instantly answered 'yes', but then she thought back at what she had been told, the memories coming much clearer than they had when she was awake.

'I cannot say the exact price, but you must give up something of value to you,' The words echoed through Scootaloo's head. She sat down, stunned by how she could have overlooked such an obvious detail.

"I too was tempted. I was told that recognition would be mine, that everypony would know my name. I mistook its words as meaning that doing so would cost me my right to rule. I was mistaken," Princess Luna said. Scootaloo thought about what she had said for a moment.

"Instead, everypony did know your name, as Nightmare Moon," Scootaloo said to herself, though it seemed Luna overheard her.

"And the cost was nearly my sister. Only the full power of the Elements of Harmony were strong enough to break that curse," Luna said, looking to Scootaloo with sadness in her eyes.

"But alas, the Elements are no more. Without them, I know of no way to lift the curse. I have something I need to tell you Scootaloo," Luna said, pausing for just a moment before looking to Scootaloo with a serious tone.

"What is it?" Scootaloo asked, afraid of what she was going to hear. Already all of what Luna had said had yet to sink in, though she had a general idea of what it all meant.

"Twilight Sparkle looked at Rainbow Dash. According to her, something had robbed Rainbow Dash of her flight before she fell, and that it had been eating away at her for some time before. Tell me this, what was the one thing you wanted most in this world?" Luna asked. Scootaloo sat, stunned. She knew now what 'The Price' was for her flight.

"I always wanted nothing more than to fly with Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo answered, still a bit shocked at all of the sudden revelations.

"I fear that may never come to pass now. Rainbow Dash has had her flight stolen from her," Luna said, closing her eyes and dropping her head a bit.

"Luna, please tell me. How do I fix this? How do I return things to the way they were before? I can't steal Rainbow Dash's flight! Not her," Scootaloo pleaded as tears began to well in her eyes.

"I do not know, Scootaloo. Such in the curse of those who have sought things beyond their own ability," Luna said, reopening her eyes but not looking to Scootaloo.

"There has to be some way. ANY way!" Scootaloo pressed, moving closer to Luna and entering her line of vision to look her in the eyes. What Scootaloo saw then surprised her. Princess Luna made no attempt to look away this time, tears welling up in her own eyes.

"I cannot help you with this, Scootaloo. This is the same magic that nearly killed my sister. I was powerless against it," Luna said, facing Scootaloo properly once more. Her wings were no longer spread proudly, but folded tightly against her sides, almost as if she were embracing herself.

"Luna, I'm sorry. I am just scared. I don't know what to do, and I lied, and, and... And I am a horrible pony," Scootaloo said, tear beginning to stream down her face now, the reality of the situation finally setting in. Suddenly, Scootaloo was enveloped in warmth as Luna embraced her.

"It is I who is sorry, Scootaloo. I should have been able to notice the creature entering your dreams. I failed to protect you, and now you bare the same curse I do. If it were within my power, I would do anything to help you," Luna said, a few tears marking her cheeks as well now.

Scootaloo returned Luna's embrace as the two of them sat together in silence, crying. They must have stayed like that for a while, and even after Luna's tears had dried, Scootaloo's fur was stained with fresh tears. Scootaloo thought of Rainbow Dash, and how she almost always seemed to have a smile on her face, how she was so proud of her flying ability, and even about the time they had spent together. Had all that time been a lie? Scootaloo had spent the entire day flying with the very pony she was taking such a precious gift from. By the time Scootaloo had finally stopped crying, Luna spoke once more.

"I can understand your feeling Scootaloo, but I am not sure this can be fixed. You may have to learn to live with what you have done. Do you believe yourself able to do such?" Luna asked, moving way a bit to look at Scootaloo's face.

"I am not the only one that would have to live with this curse," Scootaloo said, averting her gaze from Luna's. Luna chose to merely look the other direction, knowing not what to say to cheer the filly up.

"What happens now?" Scootaloo asked.

"Seeing as your physical body has all but healed, Twilight Sparkle and my sister will no doubt wake you upon my return. They had kept you and Rainbow Dash asleep with spells to ensure you heal properly," Luna said, looking at Scootaloo once more before speaking again.

"Nopony else knows of this curse, nor will I tell them Scootaloo. Such will be upon you to decide when, and what, you tell them," Luna said, moving away from Scootaloo as she began to fade from view.

"I bid the luck, Scootaloo. May all the power of your friends guide you, and Rainbow Dash," Luna said, fading more with each word before finally disappearing and leaving Scootaloo sitting alone.

The world was black once more, and Scootaloo could feel a new warmth. She cracked her eyes open just a bit and was assaulted by a strong light, causing her to shield her eyes as she began to stir. There were various sounds all around Scootaloo as the world began to shift into focus, the pain from the glaring lights fading.

"Scootaloo, you are awake. Did you talk with Princess Luna?" Scootaloo could faintly hear the voice of Twilight ask. Scootaloo shifted her vision to rest upon her.

"I did, and I know what happened," Scootaloo answered, her voice raspy, and dry. Twilight, who was standing to her left, sat down now, a somewhat relieved look in her eyes, though it was obvious that she was still on edge.

"I hate to ask so soon after you have woken up, but... What happened in the park? Fluttershy said she was having a picnic when one of her bluejays flew over at motioned to the sky, where apparently you and Rainbow Dash were falling," Twilight explained, also implying how Scootaloo and Rainbow had ended up at the hospital.

"Rainbow Dash, she was teaching me how to fly when she suddenly started falling. I tried to catch her, but..." Scootaloo said, trailing off to look to her right. The world was becoming properly focused by this time, as her senses returned to her, only a dull ache in her head was any indication that she had ever fallen. A few feet away from here, there was another bed where she could see Rainbow. She was covered in bandages in a few places, namely her wings, and was still asleep. She wore a peaceful expression as she slumbered quietly, her chest rising and falling to a slow rhythm.

"Flying? But Scootaloo, you have never been able to fly before now. How?" Twilight asked, shifting her focus to Scootaloo's wings, which appeared to have grown even more though her sleep, though since they had been pinned against her thanks to the covers on the hospital bed, it appeared to have escaped her notice.

"I-" Scootaloo started to say. The conversation with Princess Luna reentered her mind before she spoke. She was afflicted by a curse that supposedly only the Elements of Harmony could undo, but now the Elements were sealed once again in the Tree of Harmony. Scootaloo stopped to think for a moment, weighing her options as Twilight continued to peer at her wings, too engrossed in her own theories to take much notice of Scootaloo's prolonged silence.

'What good would it do me to tell her? Even if we managed to get the Elements of Harmony back somehow, Rainbow Dash is still asleep' Scootaloo thought as she looked away from Twilight.

'No, I caused all of this with my selfish wish. I have to be the one to fix this. I have to fix this!' Scootaloo assured herself as she looked back at Twilight. She recounted the story she had told to the Crusaders and Rainbow nearly word for word, the lie coming easier than ever this time, as if she almost believed it herself. Twilight sat quietly the entire time. If anypony would sniff out any inconstancy in her story, it would be Twilight.

"A zebra was it? I do recall Zecora mentioning something about a few rare ingredients growing in the Everfree Forest, though I never thought another zebra would travel so far for them," Twilight spoke, pondering the story she had just heard.

"Do you remember anything about the potion, Scootaloo? Color, taste, anything?" Twilight asked. Scootaloo shook her head before speaking.

"The bottle was black, I never saw what liquid was inside. As for taste, it was like water, nothing much to it," Scootaloo said, hoping Twilight would continue to believe her. Twilight sighed a long heavy sigh as she glanced over to Rainbow Dash.

"I was hoping to find a link between your ability to fly and what happened to Rainbow, but this is far to strange to be connected," Twilight said, her words catching Scootaloo's attention. She needed to confirm something.

"What's happening to Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo asked. For a moment Twilight remained silent, no doubt thinking about if it was right to tell Scootaloo or not. After a moment her ears drooped as she looked over to Scootaloo.

"To be honest, I have no idea. It is if something if feeding on Rainbow Dash's strength. Her wings are withering, slowly but surely," Twilight explained, looking back over to Rainbow Dash again. Before Scootaloo could say anything, Twilight moved over to Scootaloo.

"I am sorry Scootaloo... It will still be a little while before I can wake Rainbow Dash, and even when I do I don't think she will be able to fly anymore. I hate to do this, but can I ask something of you?" Twilight asked, the sad and serious look on her face told Scootaloo this was something to at least hear her out on.

"Of course, what is it?" Scootaloo asked, genuinely unsure of what was about to be asked of her.

"Could you help to look after Rainbow and help her with her chores for a few days while I research a cure, or at least a temporary fix for her wings? Fluttershy already offered to help while you are at school, but she still needs to take care of her animals and I don't know of another pegasus I can trust to help her with this," Twilight explained. Scootaloo sat and listened intently, Twilight's last few words sending an icy dagger through her heart, sending a cold chill down her spine.

'Twilight trusts me that much?' Scootaloo thought, feeling an incredible ping of guilt. She did her best to shake off the feeling.

'No, no. I cannot dump all of my problems on Twilight! She has enough to think about without me telling her this is some sort of irreversible curse,' Scootaloo reaffirmed as she looked to Twilight.

"Of course, Twilight. I will do whatever I can to help Rainbow Dash until she recovers!" Scootaloo said with as much confidence as she could muster. Twilight gave a soft smile to Scootaloo now, which only made her heart ache that much more.

"That at least is a relief. Thank you, Scootaloo. You should be able to walk now, though be careful. You had fractured your foreleg. I set it with my magic, and Celestia helped to speed the recovery but it may still be a bit tender," Twilight said, holding her hoof out to help support Scootaloo as she started to move off her bed. Her entire body felt weak, her muscles almost unwilling to follow her commands.

"Also, you may wish to see Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom. They have been worried about you the last few days," Twilight mentioned as Scootaloo somehow managed to stand, her balance trying to elude her. Already the weight placed upon her previously broken leg was uncomfortable, though not so much painful. Scootaloo looked over to Twilight.

"Thank you Twilight, for everything you have done. I wish you the best of luck with your cure research. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I would even give up my flight again if it meant it would help Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, hoping it would be as simple as simply reversing the process, though Scootaloo hoped such was not the case. Twilight merely shook her head in response.

"I'll keep that in mind, Scootaloo. Though, I could never take away the flight you have waited so long to receive. I don't know if I could live with myself if I took away something so important to you, even if it meant helping Rainbow Dash recover," Twilight said, once again sending an icy chill through Scootaloo as Twilight motioned for Scootaloo to leave.

"Go on now, leave the rest to us. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell are probably waiting outside as we speak. Besides, I am sure you have a lot of schoolwork to catch up on," Twilight said, as she walked Scootaloo over to one of the doors leading into the room, opening it with magic as they neared. There was a hallway on the other side, just as white and sterile as the room they were in. Scootaloo intended to turn to address Twilight as she stepped out of the door, but was beat to it by Twilight.

"Take care Scootaloo. I am sure we will have Rainbow soaring through the skies again in no time," Twilight said, giving Scootaloo a small smile. The only thing Scootaloo could see, however, was the pained look in Twilight's eyes as she closed the door, leaving Scootaloo standing alone in the hall as Twilight's hoof-steps receded from the doorway.

Slowly, the reality of what all she had been told began to fully sink in. Rainbow Dash couldn't fly, Twilight couldn't find a cure after a couple of days, and Scootaloo was not even suspected of any foul play. She was sure she should have felt at least a bit relieved at the fact that they were both alive, but the only thing on her mind was the sadness she had seen from Twilight at the suffering of her friend, and because of that, a single thought floated through Scootaloo's mind.

'What have I done?'
> A Guilty Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Scootaloo's mind was numb, her thoughts all focused on one thing. She could fly, but now Rainbow Dash could not. All her dreams of flying with the pony she had idolized for so long disappeared, lost in a mist of misery that slowly began to cloud over in Scootaloo's mind. Slowly, and with a blank expression on her face, Scootaloo turned around. On either side of her, the same sterile white walls she had seen in the last room stretched on before her, only broken by the occasional window. Those walls seemed so cold, and unforgiving to her, when before they had always seemed to have a certain lack of character. She slowly began to make her way down the hall, each hoof-step echoing down the lonely hallway. Looking forward, there was only a single turn at the end of the hallway she was walking through.

As she made her way forward, the first of the two windows drew nearer. Even though she had seen it approaching, she was still forced to cover her eyes from the harsh sunlight entering through the portal to the outside world. Scootaloo stopped here, waiting for the pain in her eyes to fade so she could look outside. She was on the second story, near the corner of the hospital. Outside, it was beautiful. In fact, it was so similar to the sky that she had last flown through, with the one she cared so much about... The one she had hurt so badly. Tears began to blur her vision as they welled up in her eyes. Scootaloo hung her head down low as she sat down, a gentle sob starting to rack her body. At first, they were silent, but as the tears began to increase, so did her sobs. Before long, Scootaloo was laying curled up on the floor, cradling her own tail for comfort. Suddenly, she felt a hoof upon her shoulder. Looking about with tears still in her eyes, Scootaloo was barely able to make out the shapes of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.

Though Scootaloo's sobs had stopped for a moment, they quickly resumed as both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom moved closer to her. Why where they here, comforting her? She didn't deserve such good friends... She had lied to them, and yet even now she was not able to tell them the truth. What if they come to resent her for what she had done? Both of their sisters were some of Rainbow's closest friends, and she had nearly taken Rainbow Dash away from them. Even if they did not come to hate her, their sisters surely would, and they would no longer be allowed to hang out anymore... It was almost certainly selfish, but Scootaloo needed the two of them, especially now. Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle laid down next to Scootaloo as she continued to cry. Apple Bloom left her hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder as Sweetie Belle gently stroked her head and mane until she finally began to calm down.

"Thanks, both of you," Scootaloo croaked. Her eyes were red from crying, her muzzle and cheek fur stained with the tears she had just shed. Her nose was also running uncontrollably as she finally lifted her head.

"Think nothing of it, Scootaloo. Are you better now?" Apple Bloom asked, giving Scootaloo a weak smile when she turned to look at her.

"Better? I don't think so... Rainbow Dash is still laying back there, and it is all my fault..." Scootaloo said, turning her gaze back to the ground, no longer being able to look her friends in the face. The guilt she felt was nearly unbearable. Though, of course neither Apple Bloom nor Sweetie Belle would understand that.

"What happened wasn't your fault, Scootaloo. We both know you would never intentionally do anything to hurt Rainbow Dash," Sweetie Belle chimed in. She was still softly stroking Scootaloo's mane, to which she swiftly put a stop to as she stood up, pushing her hoof away with a bit more force than intended. Still, Sweetie Belle gave her a soft look, and a small smile.

"No, you don't understand! You couldn't understand..." Scootaloo stated, her voice dropping from a shout to a quiet whisper. Apple Bloom stood up as well now, moving to rest her hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder once more, though stopped when Scootaloo held up a hoof.

"Just, stop. I need to be alone right now. I have a lot to think about," Scootaloo said, turning away from the two of them. Apple Bloom made to take a step towards Scootaloo once more, but Sweetie Belle gently set a hoof upon her shoulder, shaking her head. Apple Bloom seemed unwilling to leave, but another glace between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle forced her to hang her head in defeat.

"We will be in the club house if you need to talk about anything," Sweetie Belle said as Apple Bloom started to make her way down the hall, moving slowly until Sweetie Belle caught up.

Scootaloo could hear their hoof-steps retreat into the distance, though she did not turn around until long after their sound stopped reaching her ears. It began to feel like a heavy weight was pressing down upon Scootaloo. Turning her head to where she felt the heaviest, she was greeted by the same sight she had once been so proud of... Her wings. At first they had made her weightless, proud. Now they were a curse, weighing heavy on both her body and spirit. Had all of this really only started in a dream? Had she been so willing to fly, that she would sacrifice her idol so willingly? As she stood there, staring, her gaze turned from one of guilt, to one of resentment. A scowl overtook her features as she glared at those wings. She refused to even call them hers.

In the end, Scootaloo was forced to simply release a sigh, finally tearing her gaze away from her wings. She had to stop thinking about what had happened and start thinking about something much more important. How was she going to fix this? Luna had mentioned that the same shadow had made her into Nightmare Moon... She was returned to normal thanks to the Elements of Harmony, which had long since been returned to the Tree of Harmony. Scootaloo turned and finally started to walk down the hallway as she thought of other ways to reverse the curse...

"How do I remove this curse?! Curse- Curse? Curse! If anypony besides Twilight is going to know anything about curses or cures it would be Zecora!" Scootaloo muttered in revelation. It was a long shot, but at the very least it would be a first step towards hopefully fixing the situation. Though, how was she supposed to ask Zecora about the curse? It would seem far too coincidental should she show up and ask about it right after the whole ordeal with Rainbow and herself... Not that it was likely Zecora would know about that though! Zecora was most often shut up in the Everfree Forest, far away from the daily bustle of Ponyville life, and so it would be unlikely Zecora had heard anything about it!

Finally having made up her mind, Scootaloo finally rose her head, her eyes now clear, though still slightly red of swollen from the tears she had shed. Sitting around and crying about her situation, and that of Rainbow's, was going to get her nowhere, she had to find some way to take action, some way to fix the mess she had brought about.





As was almost always the case, the Everfree Forest was dark and gloomy, seeming to hide unknown horrors just outside of Scootaloo's vision. While she was still understandably weary, however, the trek to Zecora's hut no longer scared her. This was the very first time that she could recall making the trip alone, and as such the Forest did seem to have a whole new air of danger and mystery to it. Realistically, Scootaloo could have just flown to Zecora's, which would have taken much less time, but after what happened with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo felt far to guilty to even attempt a flight so lightly. Scootaloo's thoughts once again started to drift back towards that awful memory. To see Rainbow Dash of all ponies laying in a hospital bed, wrapped in bandages. Weak, helpless. And all because of her...

Scootaloo's thoughts were thankfully redirected when a faint light began to course out from between the trees ahead of her, flickering in an almost rhythmic pattern that could only be the torches Zecora used to light the outside of her house. Stepping out of the thicker forest, Scootaloo entered the small clearing that held Zecora's quaint little cottage. The outside, as always, sent shivers down Scootaloo's spine. The various masks that hung here and there seemed to her like faces, crying out is every emotion imaginable from joy, to sorrow, to horror. Scootaloo could no longer tell what time of day it was, though she had to guess it was later into the evening now. If she wanted Zecora's advice, she was going to have to swallow the unease she felt and knock on the door. She wandered over slowly, not because of how creepy it felt. She was too familiar with the hospitality that would greet her after she was inside. She felt out of place. Zecora always gave sage advice, and went out of her way to share her knowledge to help ponies. And here was Scootaloo, about to knock on her door to tell even more lies... Regardless, the sudden flash of Rainbow Dash laying bandaged was enough to re-spark her enthusiasm, for the moment at least. She rapped three times on the door, striking the rough would with the hard wall of her hoof. A few seconds dragged by, as Scootaloo wondered if she was already asleep before the door swung open, revealing the striped coat of Zecora as she put on a warm smile upon seeing Scootaloo.

"What is this before my eyes? Scootaloo, what a surprise," Zecora said rhythmically, using her usual rhymes to greet the younger filly. Though her eyes did fall upon Scootaloo's newly developed wings, she said nothing, seeming to shift her gaze away as if she had seen something private, or personal.

"Hello Zecora. I was wondering if it would be alright if we could talk inside for a bit?" Scootaloo asked. Zecora's smile did not fade as she nodded, welcoming Scootaloo into her house. Instantly upon entering her dwelling, Scootaloo was assaulted by the sweet aroma of the numerous herbs that Zecora kept or grew, an ever sweeter smell seeming to fight for control of Scootaloo's attention as she walked over to a small wooden stool, barely bothering to take in any of the usual sights. There were still various tonics that hung from the ceiling here and there, as well as the natural wood walls that seemed to have every available inch covered with shelving, each one crammed with even more potions. In the center of the humble abode sat a large iron pot, a small fire working to heat not only the interior of the home, but that of the pot and its contents as well. Zecora pulled another stool from across the room that was her house as Scootaloo settled into place.

"You have traveled far to see me, now of what help may I be?" Zecora asked as she also settled into her own seat. Scootaloo suddenly felt a whole new wave of anxiety take hold of her, her eyes wandering as if she were actually looking for the words to say hidden away in the grains of the wood that surrounded her. There was a flicker of a shadow moving outside of a small window to Scootaloo's right that caught her fleeting attention. Looking over simply to find nothing but the flickering light of a torch outside, Scootaloo let out a sigh.

"I don't know how much, if at all, you can help Zecora, but something has happened to Rainbow Dash. I cannot go into too much detail, but... What do you know about curses?" Scootaloo asked, her ears perking up as Zecora gave a thoughtful hum.

"A curse on Rainbow Dash? Of what kind, if I may ask?" Zecora questioned back. It came as no surprise to Scootaloo that her question had seemed to have gone unanswered. She knew Zecora would answer before long, and so she found it best to simply answer her return question.

"Well, you see, the thing is..." Scootaloo stammered, once again at a loss for the correct wording to use. In the end, she had no option but to simply spit it out.

"Rainbow Dash lost her ability to fly," she said, now unable too look Zecora in the eye, though she did see a small frown form upon her features.

"For the one that you admire, the situation does seem dire," Zecora responded, the frown still upon her face as Scootaloo's heart sank. She had placed nearly all of her faith in the hope that Zecora would know what to do.

"Does that mean..." Scootaloo started to ask, but soon cut off, unwilling to finish her question for fear of what answer may come.

"A cure you desire, but none can I acquire," Zecora let out in a regretful sigh. Scootaloo's ears and wings pressed down tightly against her as she cast her gaze to the ground, a new air of hopelessness having begun to take hold.

"For the remedy you seek, you must not be so meek. A word or two true, can do well to help you," Zecora said, leaning down to get Scootaloo's attention, slowly placing a hoof upon her shoulder. Scootaloo gave a small smile, before realizing what all Zecora had actually said. 'A word or two true.' Did Zecora already know? Or had she merely seen through Scootaloo? Or was it simply for the sake of a rhyme? No, it would be unlike Zecora to accidentally let a phrase like that slip simply for a good rhyme, Zecora knew more about what was going on than Scootaloo had anticipated, but before Scootaloo could say anything, Zecora spoke again, now standing up to move towards the door as she spoke.

"You have nothing to fear, for you are not as alone as you appear," Zecora said, standing to the side as she pulled the door inwards, two familiar faces came crashing inward, having been leaning against the door moments earlier. As they sat up, reality hit Scootaloo leaving her speechless. All that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle could do was give a small apologetic smile while Apple Bloom scratched the back of her head, an obvious tell they both knew they had been caught doing something they shouldn't have been.

"What you need, is a friend, indeed," Zecora surmised with a small, knowing smile.

"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, what are you both doing here?" Scootaloo asked, though her voice came across as more demanding than questioning. Sweetie Belle just attempted to smile wider as Apple Bloom spoke.

"We were more than a little worried about you Scootaloo, so we decided we would follow you for a bit. You know, make sure you were actually alright," She said, still smiling a bit, though she dipped her head. The next moment, the both of them spoke in unison.

"We're sorry."

"And since we are being honest, it was my idea," Sweetie confessed, her smile not wavering.

"But anyway Scootaloo, what all this about a curse? We thought Rainbow Dash was just injured," Apple Bloom asked. She seemed like she wanted to keep smiling for Scootaloo's sake, but her smile was replaced by a look of confusion. Looking over to Sweetie Belle now, Scootaloo noticed that she just wore a concerned look. How could she possibly weasel out of this now? Her now drifting eyes found Zecora's as she gave a smile and a curt nod, her previous words ringing in Scootaloo's mind once more. She could do nothing but sigh.

"The whole thing with Rainbow is... Well- It- Its my fault!" Scootaloo practically shouted, the pressure finally becoming too much. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just exchanged confused looks, before moving close to Scootaloo, who gave no objections.

"I don't think we understand, Scootaloo. What exactly happened? You know we Crusader stick together, no mater what! We can get this figured out in no time, I am sure of it," Apple Bloom said, attempting to reassure Scootaloo, also stressing the word 'We.'

"I- I stole her ability to fly," Scootaloo said, rustling her wings as she did so, eliciting a glace from both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as Zecora faded into the background, moving quietly away to give the three of them as much privacy as possible. Their looks once again reflected the fact that they didn't quite understand, leading Scootaloo to let out another sigh.

And so she recounted the story of how she ended up getting her wings. The real story, including her visit from Princess Luna, and the conversation they had. The look in both of their eyes told her that they understood everything perfectly now.

"Oh, Scootaloo!" Sweetie all but squeaked as she threw her forelegs around Scootaloo's neck, embracing her as Scootaloo just sat there stunned.

"Scootaloo, you couldn't have know what that monstrous shadow meant back then! The shifty thing tricked you, you didn't ask to take Rainbow's flight yourself," Apple Bloom said soothingly. About this time, they were gently interrupted by a new aroma approaching. Before them, Zecora set down a tray with three cups upon it, simply giving a knowing smile and nod once more before returning to the other end of the hut, though not before being thanked by all three fillies.

"I might as well have! In the end, the only thing that matters is that I can fly, and Rainbow Dash can't," Scootaloo said with a huff, though her irritated mood just as swiftly began to switch as a few new tears began to form in her eyes. Before she could completely break down though, Apple Bloom perked her ears up.

"I have an idea then!" She said, scrambling to stand, now pulling the stool Zecora had used over to use as some sort of stand to rest her front hooves upon. The sight struck Scootaloo as familiar.

"I hereby call the Cutie Mark Crusaders to order in out temporary Headquarters! Sweetie Belle!" She barked out.

"Present!" Sweetie Belle called back enthusiastically, seemingly having caught on to whatever Apple Bloom had planned.

"Scootaloo!" She barked out once more.

"Here," Scootaloo muttered in a daze, unsure of what was going on, though used to the routine as it was the same they used in the Club House.

"With all of our members present, I do hereby begin our newest meeting! I propose that today, instead of how to Crusade for our cutie marks, we will instead focus on returning Rainbow Dash to her former glory, all who support this notion, say 'Aye'!" Apple Bloom said with all the official bravado she could muster.

"Aye!" Sweetie Belle let out, raising her hoof in approval. All Scootaloo could do now, was smile, also raising her hoof, although slowly.

"Aye!" Scootaloo let out. She felt a wave of stupidity crash over her. Had she really been afraid to talk to her friends of all people about what was really going on? She couldn't believe how dense she had been! She knew that she herself would always help her friends in their time of need, and now she knew that the same could be said of the both of them. Sitting there, smiling as she was, her hope and faith was renewed. She knew that with the help of her friends, she would be able to accomplish anything.
> The Price of Friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Even long after Scootaloo had joined into the Cutie Mark Crusaders' 'battle-cry' as Apple Bloom called it, not a single one of them said a word as they sat awkwardly looking back and forth at one another. Sweetie Belle was looking about the back of the hut, as if hoping to find some sort of idea tucked away in a dark corner, while Apple Bloom was hunched over the stool that she rested her forelegs upon, a look of intense concentration like none Scootaloo had ever seen before etched into her features. Scootaloo herself was just sitting quietly, contemplating wither to speak or not when Sweetie Belle finally spoke up.

"Well, I understand wanting to help Scootaloo, but... How exactly do we go about that?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom for the most part just ran her hooves over her head and through her mane, obviously lost in trying to find an answer to the question. Meanwhile, Scootaloo just sank further into the stool she was resting upon, figuring that neither Apple Bloom nor Sweetie Belle would have an answer. A few more moments of silence left the CMC lost in thought, nearly forgetting their surroundings. Each one of them would take sips of the warm brew Zecora had brought them before grunting (except for Sweetie Belle, who let out a 'ladylike humph') before thinking for a bit and taking another sip, just to repeat the process. Scootaloo figured Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were a little lost in thought, so she decided to speak up, even though she wished to remain silent.

"Umm, girls, I don't mean to interrupt your thoughts, but if we are not going to figure out something soon, we really should get going," Scootaloo said, her voice a bit less forceful that was normal for her. She hated to stop them, but already they had been at Zecora's for nearly two hours, meaning that the sun was no doubt already low in the sky. Not only was it impolite to Zecora, but even the somewhat well-worn path from Zecora’s hut to Ponyville was much more dangerous at night. Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other, knowing what Scootaloo said was true.

“But we can’t just go back,” Apple Bloom argued. Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gave her a confused look.

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle asked. Apple Bloom just gave her an exacerbated look.

“Because we still have not solved Scootaloo’s problem! You would just go home to Rarity and forget about her?” Apple Bloom asked, more than a bit irritated by her lack of thoughtfulness about their friend.

“Apple Bloom, I understand wanting to help, but it will do us no good it something happens to the three of us in the woods,” Sweetie Belle argued back. By now, both of them had stopped actually paying attention to Scootaloo, who was sitting just to the side of the slowly escalating argument. Even as Apple Bloom opened her mouth to argue her point further, Scootaloo spoke the idea that was slowly worming its way deeper and deeper into her mind.

“Perhaps it would not be so bad if something happened to me…” Scootaloo said, her eyes downcast. Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom sat speechless, mouths partly open as their minds slowly processed the implications of what Scootaloo had just said.

“What was that?” Apple Bloom asked, still believing her ears had deceived her. Scootaloo finally looked up, staring directly into the eyes of her friends as she spoke with and unwavering conviction this time.

“Perhaps it would not be so bad if something happened to me,” Scootaloo said firmly, making it clear to the both of them that they had indeed heard her correctly. Before either of them could think of how to respond, Scootaloo elaborated.

“Think about it. I am the reason Rainbow Dash is losing her flight. If something happened to me, the whole deal would be off, right? The flight that I stole would then be returned to Rainbow Dash,” She explained. The idea was sound in her mind, but it was instantly obvious that her friends did not think the same.

“Scootaloo, how dare you even think about something as horrible as that! I cannot believe that you would even consider that an option! Besides, there is no way to know if it would even work,” Sweetie Belle shouted angrily. Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom, were both taken aback, seeing as they both expected it to be Apple Bloom that would deliver the scolding.

“Well, even if we are not sure, it is a far better idea than anything anypony else has thought of so far. Besides, if it was Rainbow Dash-“ It was now that Scootaloo was cut off mid-sentence.

“It doesn’t matter if it is for Rainbow Dash or not, it’s just not right! No pony should have to die for the sake of another! Besides…” Sweetie Belle carried on in an angry tone, though as she spoke, her facial expression began to change, and she even eventually began to tear up.

“- would you just die and leave us behind?! There is no way that is fair,” Sweetie Belle said, slowly starting to openly weep. Scootaloo, who was standing now after the heated argument, took a step backwards. Her expression changed from one of anger, to one of confusion, and even again to one of shame.

“I know you both care about me, but this isn’t about just me. This is also about Rainbow Dash, and let’s be honest there as well, she is a lot more important than I am,” Scootaloo said, unable to make eye contact with either Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle now. In the end, it was Apple Bloom who spoke next, though in a much gentler tone than earlier.

“Scootaloo, if you were being honest, than you know that Rainbow Dash would never think that. You are her family, her sister. How do you think she would feel if she knew that you died because of her?” she asked as she slowly moved closer, setting a very gentle hoof on Scootaloo’s side. Scootaloo wanted to argue, to say it was different since they were not related, but if anypony knew family, it was Apple Bloom. There was one point, however, that she did find a flaw with.

“I understand what you are saying, but even then it would not be her fault, it would be a choice I made on my own, of my own will,” Scootaloo affirmed. Whether it was to convince Apple Bloom, or herself, she was uncertain of however.

“Scootaloo, do you truly believe that Rainbow Dash of all people will see it that way?” Apple Bloom asked, looking Scootaloo directly in the eye. No, of course not. Rainbow Dash would blame herself and never forgive herself. Scootaloo, who had started trembling slightly, sat down once more.

“I don’t actually want to die,” Scootaloo said, the realization of what she had actually been saying finally washing over her fully. Apple Bloom moved closer, embracing her dear friend even as Sweetie Belle whipped a few more tears from her eyes and also moved to hug Scootaloo, who returned both of their hugs.

“I’m sorry, to both of you. I spoke without thinking,” Scootaloo said, the tender moment lasting a few moments. In the back of her mind, there was only one thought. ‘Where would I be without my two best friends?’

The trio broke apart a few seconds later, each seeming to cry, yet each and every one of them wearing a smile. In the end, they had accomplished nothing, yet they knew they had to leave. They all worked to make sure that Zecora’s hut was even cleaner than when they had arrived. A few short minutes later, they each thanked and bade farewell to Zecora, who smiled and even asked them to come again, though a few parting words caught the interest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“If a cure you seek, back to the beginning must you peek,” she said, giving a small smile and bowing her head before closing her door, leaving the three fillies to ponder her words.

“If a cure you seek, back to the beginning must you peek? What is that supposed to mean?” Sweetie Belle asked as they began to trot slowly though the Everfree Forest. As they moved along, they continue to converse about Zecora’s words.

“I don’t really know. Her words are always so cryptic thanks to her rhymes,” Apple Bloom said, her mind still attempt to decipher the message.

“I guess we first have to figure out the ‘beginning’ Zecora spoke of. What do you suppose that means?” Apple Bloom asked. Almost instantly, both she and Sweetie Belle looked over to Scootaloo.

“What, all of a sudden you think I will know the answer to her riddle?” Scootaloo asked, giving both of them a look of mock agitation. Sweetie Belle, however, just nodded.

“Well, when you think about it, Zecora probably meant the beginning of the curse, which was…” she stated, trailing off in thought. Then it clicked for Scootaloo.

“The Shadow, entering my dream!” Scootaloo stated in revelation. Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom nodded in understanding.

“Now, what does she mean by ‘peek’? What exactly are we supposed to find at this ‘beginning’?” Sweetie Belle asked, once more looking to Scootaloo with Apple Bloom.

“Well, if I had to guess, you might not mean peek as a literal statement. I think what she was trying to tell us was to find the Shadow again, so he can make this right!” Scootaloo exclaimed, giving both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom a smile. They looked at each other, then back to Scootaloo.

“Well, I reckon that makes sense, but then the question is, how?” Apple Bloom asked still a bit confused. Scootaloo just sighed.

“Think! When I was first approached, I was asleep, which means,” Scootaloo said, trailing off to see if either Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom would connect the dots.

“You were dreaming,” Sweetie Belle said, beginning to understand what Scootaloo was getting at.

“And who can ‘peek’ into dreams?” Scootaloo asked. Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle realized the answer at the same time.

“Princess Luna!”

A few minutes later, the trio sat outside the door that apparently lead to the room Luna was staying at while in Ponyville to help with Rainbow’s recovery. Scootaloo slowly, but firmly, gave the door a few raps with her hoof, the sound echoing in the near dead silence. After a few moments, the door slowly opened revealing the one and only Princess Luna. She looked down to the three fillies, as if she had half been expecting them, and half dreading their appearance.

“So, Scootaloo, you have finally opened up to at least some of those close to you I presume?” Luna asked, moving aside so the trio could enter. The room they walked into was just as magnificent as the rest of Twilight’s castle, which is where Luna and Celestia were staying for the moment. The door closed softly behind them, emitting a gentle ‘click’.

“I have. And I also remembered that you said you would help me if you were given the chance. I am sorry to bother you so soon after you have helped me already, but I have a request,” Scootaloo said. Both of her friends flanked her to either side, nodding in agreement with her words. At this, Luna’s look turned dark.

“You wish to confront the Shadow once more,” she stated. Already she had figured out her plan? The look upon Luna’s face told them that something was wrong though. Had she tried the same in the past? Or was it simply not possible? Before any of them could give voice to their questions, however, Luna spoke once again.

“I had presumed you would come to me for this eventually. While I do believe it possible, I have never tried. I was turned to Nightmare Moon before I personally had the opportunity. However, this also means that I have no idea the strength of our advisory,” Luna said, before turning to look each of them in the eye, one by one.

“This means I may not be able to protect each and every one of you should it prove even more malevolent than it has been in the past, so before we proceed I will need to hear from each one of you that you are prepared to take such a risk. If you are not, then go no further, I will think no less of you for it,” Luna warned, before looking at Sweetie Belle, who was to the right of Scootaloo.

“I still want to help my friend, I will do it,” she said while returning Luna’s gaze. Luna then turned to Apple Bloom, who also met her gaze.

“I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I back out now. I am still willing to see this through,” she said, her voice nearly overflowing with confidence. Luna’s gaze then turned to Scootaloo, who struggled to meet with her eyes, though after a second she did indeed met her gaze.

“I have very little left to lose. And with my friends there, I think we can overcome anything,” she said, giving Luna a nod as she did so. Luna just closed her eyes and bowed her head.

“I had figured you all would say such. I must still caution you all, though. We would do well to avoid upsetting this entity,” Luna warned once more before leading them to the center of the room. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom laid down on a very soft and warm rug in the center of the room, with Scootaloo between the two of them, their hooves interlocked with one another. Luna laid down across from them, her horn glowing for a moment, then the world faded to black.

When the Cutie Mark Crusaders next opened their eyes, they found a dense swirling fog all about them, the drab and colorless landscape all too familiar to Scootaloo. A few moments later, there was the sound of hooves landing behind them, and they turned to see Luna standing there. Her eyes, however, were focused forward, as if she was looking at some distant object. The look of hatred in her eyes was unmistakable though. The Cutie Mark Crusaders turn forward to see nothing. There was no outlines, no noise, nothing. Simply, more of the same swirling grey fog. A few moments, however, a voice called from beyond their vision.

“What have we here? A Gift-Bearer, a Forsaken, and two mortals? To what do I owe this rather unexpected surprise?” the disembodied voice asked, once more seeming to come from all around. Luna’s gaze, however, stayed intently focused in the same direction, unwavering.

“Gift-Bearer? Do you mean me?” Scootaloo asked, taking a step in the direction Luna was looking. Her magic tugged lightly at Scootaloo’s mane, letting her know it was unwise to travel any further. Once more, the voice came from all directions, though seemingly just slightly louder for Scootaloo.

“Why, of course. You bear the Gift I have bestowed upon you. You are able to fly, you may perhaps even have the potential to be the best,” the voice called. The swirling mist seemed to condense even more as Luna gave Scootaloo a sharp tug, pulling her a step backwards.

“Ah, the Forsaken seems to be wary of me. Tell me, with your own words, why have you sought me out once more? You, who has forsworn my Gift, who has squandered their own potential,” the voice asked, seemingly slightly more agitated than usual.

“The ‘Gift’ you bestowed upon me proved to be a curse, one which almost took my sister’s life. If I am Forsworn in your eyes, then I will gladly accept the title,” Luna said. She spoke in her Royal Canterlot Voice, making it clear that she was taking things very seriously.

“Very well, you have spoken your piece. Now, why do two mortals stand before me? Who has deemed them worth to stand in my presence?” the voice asked yet another question. It was becoming clear that the entity was already displeased. Being as such, Sweetie Belle spoke for both Apple Bloom and herself.

“We have accompanied your Gift-Bearer, with her blessing, to help to support her, in a time of need,” Sweetie Belle said, making sure to carefully choose her words as she did so. There was a moment of silence before the voice spoke again.

“The Gift-Bearer has had her one true wish in life fulfilled. Why would she be in a ‘time of need’ as you put it?” the voice asked, seeming to be less irritated now. It seemed best to keep things that way.

“I am honored by your Gift, I really am, but I have come to see that such is not my one true wish. My brash actions have caused someone dear to me to become hurt, and I merely wish to see things put right,” Scootaloo said. She hoped her words were as gilded as Sweetie Belle’s though there was little way for her to compare their words in such a tense situation. The voice’s replay came almost instantly, as did a sharp tug upon all of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as they were pulled right next to Luna, who was still hover just above the ground.

“You are displeased with my Gift? Do you wish to become Forsaken as well, young pony? To throw away your one chance at true happiness?” the voice asked, seeming to be much closer than before. Before either Luna or Scootaloo could speak though, the silent Apple Bloom finally let out a furious shout.

“You call what you have done to Scootaloo a ‘Gift’?! You say this is her one chance at happiness, but really you have destroyed that one chance already!” Her anger was evident, even after her words had faded. Suddenly, Luna’s gaze turned from one of hatred, to one of shock and concern. Her magic flashed brilliantly before the four of them, making a midnight blue wall that looked all but impenetrable. Still, it did little to block the voice emanating from the mist.

“Know your place!” it screamed in anger. A moment later, the blur of the Shadow itself shot from the mist, seeming to move almost faster than the eye could follow, its shape nothing more than a blurred line. At that moment, there was an ear-shattering crash as Luna’s barrier was pieced by the Shadow, not even slowing it. Even as Luna recoiled to cast another spell, the blur shot just by Scootaloo, sending the most bone-chilling cold down her spine, as if the Shadow was sucking the heat from the very air around it. It all happened so fast, that by the time Apple Bloom’s scream was heard, she was already gone, as was the Shadow. Still, the voice came once more.

“You know not the powers that truly rule this world. The Forsaken there believes it is her and her sister, and that before them it was Discord. But Discord was but a fool. He chose to play with his power, instead of learning to harness its full potential,” the voice called. It sounded much different than before, as if the words were spoken my some unspeakable horror. All about, there were brief glimpses of movement. It was now that Luna landed.

“Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, you must awaken! Now!” Luna shouted, her eyes seeming to somehow track the Shadow as it flitted about.

“But what about Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked concerned. It was obvious that Luna was unable to protect them, so Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle.

“We are in a dream, remember? The worst that can happen is that Apple Bloom wakes up in the real world,” Scootaloo bluffed. She wished to believe it herself, but something about the frantic way Luna was protecting them told her otherwise.

“If that is true, then there is no trouble with me staying, as I will just wake up!” Sweetie Belle stated defiantly. Scootaloo normally liked that stubborn streak she could get, but at the moment it was so annoying.

Just then, there was a sound that resembled a hundred whips being cracked all at the exact same time, and the same chill overtook 
Scootaloo. Before here, was only swirling mist, swirling frantically as it pulled by some unknown wind. Before Scootaloo could even react, Luna all but fell upon Scootaloo, using her body as a shield.

“Leave, Forsaken. You are just as unwelcome as the others,” the Shadow said. It was now that Scootaloo could finally see the Shadow. It was a wretched abomination of living shadows that writhed and swirled as if each was attempting to escape its form. Scootaloo’s breath caught as she could make out the outline of a draconequus.

“I will not! Not until you have at least returned those two fillies to us,” Luna demanded, though Scootaloo felt they were in no position to so as such. The Shadow took a very threatening step forward as Scootaloo’s stomach turned and twisted. Something about the Shadow seemed unnatural, even twisted in nature. Scootaloo could do little more than stay crouched, however, as Luna still stood low over her. She had to do something!

“Please, wait!” she shouted, causing both the Shadow and Luna to look at her.

“I see it was wrong to upset you, but that was not the point of my visit. I am here to say it was not you, but I who was wrong. You delivered your promise of granting me your Gift, but as with Luna, it is wasted on me, therefore I feel unworthy of it. Do you not feel the same?” Scootaloo asked, hopeful that her little speech could save her friends and Luna. The Shadow stopped, seemingly lost in thought. A moment later, it spoke again.

“You are mistaken. Your words tell me you are far more than deserving of my Gift, your flaw is your attraction to others. You can go very far, but to do so, you must break the chains that bind you. Your ‘friends’, your ‘family’, they tie you down, keep you from achieving your full potential. The potential that I have delivered unto you. You may feel this way now, but let them all go, and you shall find your true happiness” the Shadow said, no longer speaking in the same beastly tone, but once more in the gentle voice she had first heard. There was only a brief pause before the Shadow spoke again, this time raising what appeared to be a clawed hand.

“Your time here is at an end. Remember my words, my Gift-Bearer, and let go of the bonds that chain you. I have given you your first step, the rest is up to you,” it said. A moment later, there was a snap and the misty landscape faded.

Scootaloo groaned as she forced her eyes open. It was a few moments before her eyes adjusted enough to tell where she was. She could feel the same warm rug beneath her, and soon the same room they had been in crept into view. Scootaloo still felt groggy as she look over to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, who were still next to her, their gentle breaths reassuring her. She turned to Apple Bloom.

“I am sorry to make you go through all of that. At least we are all safe,” Scootaloo said with a small smile. A light glow from in front of her drew her attention away from her friend, however. Luna was now up, the light emanating softly from her horn, and a frown upon her face.

“No, it is I who is sorry, Scootaloo,” she said as a tear stained the fur beneath her eyes. Scootaloo’s ears dropped as the Shadow’s words echoed in her head.

‘…let go of the bonds that chain you. I have given you the first step…’

Scootaloo turned once more to face Apple Bloom.

“You’re just joking, right? Hey, Apple Bloom, it is time to get up now. Come on, get up,” Scootaloo cooed gently to the motionless Apple Bloom. With no response, Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle.

“Come on. You both need to get up. I know it is late, but your parents will really start to worry if you are not home soon,” she once more gently spoke, this time also softly shaking her friends. Even as she began to speak once more, tears began to flow freely from her eyes, her voice occasionally getting caught in her throat.

“Th-That’s enough playing around. I know you are both tired, but we are going to have a long day tomorrow. I-I need b-both of you wi-th me, plea-se. Get up,” Scootaloo choked out softly, still calling to her friends. Finally, it was too much to bear. With a soul-crushing wail, Scootaloo threw herself between her friends, embracing them both tightly, wishing they would finally awaken. Luna simply knelt down beside Scootaloo, her own tears falling unto the carpet they all rested upon.

“I truly am sorry, Scootaloo.”
> A Sorrowful Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Luna stayed by Scootaloo’s side, even as her sobs wracked her small body, over and over, never seeming to end. Luna too, knew the pain that accidentally hurting those around her was like, and what it felt like to feel useless, helpless even. Luna pulled Scootaloo closer, pulling her tight against her side as she whispered in her ear.

“I know how you feel, Scootaloo, but you must persevere. Your friends will need you now more than ever,” Luna said, letting Scootaloo know that her friends were not gone forever. At this, Scootaloo’s ears perked up as she finally look up to Luna. Tears still streamed down her face, but she was no longer sobbing.

“What do you mean? What happened to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom?! Wasn’t it all just a dream?!” Scootaloo shouted desperately. Luna just let out a sigh. She was still distraught by what had happened, but Scootaloo was beginning to ask the right questions now. Luna laid a gentle hand upon Scootaloo’s shoulder.

“Do you recall how you were asleep for a time, and how Rainbow Dash is still sleeping?” Luna asked. At this, Scootaloo nodded, her tears finally beginning to slow, though her eyes were still very red and puffy.

“When a pony dreams, their consciousness is, for lack of a more accurate term, transferred to the Dream Realm. In the Dream Realm, their bodies are safe from harm, however, their ‘mind’ is free to wander, and in extremely rare circumstances can be entrapped within the Dream Realm,” Luna explained, choosing to not withhold any information from the saddened filly. Scootaloo looked to her friends, then back to Luna.

“I’m not sure I understand. I get that something can happen to their minds, but why can’t they wake up?” Scootaloo asked, still not making a connection.

“Their conscious mind is unable to exit the Dream Realm, and is being held there against their will. Likely though, they are no longer aware of such things, much like you before I visited you in the hospital bed,” Luna explained. Scootaloo moved a little way away from Luna, her eyes darting here and there as the words sunk in. When next she turned to face Luna, her face was no longer one of immense sadness, but one contorted in anger.

“You knew this, and yet you didn’t stop them!? You didn’t protect them?!” Scootaloo shouted angrily. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was wrong, she knew that Luna had not only warned them, but did her best to protect all of them.

“I am truly sorry Scootaloo, but even if I had tried to stop them, I believe your friends would have not taken ‘no’ for an answer, and would have ended up going to the Dream Realm with us. I must also confess I was a little too confident in my own abilities… I was unable to protect Sweetie Belle, or Apple Bloom, or even you,” Luna said, kneeling down and looking Scootaloo right in the eye. The pain in her gaze, and even the guilt was evident, and yet Luna still spoke firmly.

“I will not blame you if you come to resent me, as it is true your friends are not here right now, when you need them most, because of my foolish action. However, I still ask you believe me when I say that I will do everything I can to bring them back.” The words shook Scootaloo to her core, and she instantly regretted that she had snapped at Luna, of all ponies. One of the few that was even able to help her when she so desperately needed help.

“Sorry, Luna. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I know you did your best, but I just…” Scootaloo trailed off, once more gently laying down next to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. She gently caressed their manes, her feelings of sadness still pulling at her, though she did her best to force them out of her mind.

“I’m sorry, you were both very brave. Sleep well,” Scootaloo said, getting slightly choked up once more, even as she spoke. Luna, who was now standing again, simply bowed her head, though she quickly rose it up once more as Scootaloo addressed her.

“So, where do we go from here?” Scootaloo asked, looking to Luna for the answer, even if it was unfair of her. Luna let out another small sigh, before nodding her head as if to reaffirm herself.

“I turn to the one pony I can always count on. My sister. I have never told her exactly what happened when I turned into Nightmare Moon, but I suppose it is about time I faced my past, so that we may all have a future,” Luna said, giving Scootaloo a small, half-hearted smile. Scootaloo, in turn, nodded her head.

“Then… I think it is also time that I stopped lying to those trying to help both me and Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo said, the idea of finally reveling the truth making her heart race, but after how Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had taken it, Scootaloo could only guess that Twilight would handle it equally well, if not better.

Scootaloo stood up, her legs shaking slightly beneath her as her head reeled. It was all beginning to sink in now. Her two best friends were missing, trapped by the Shadow that had cursed her. The two ponies that had tried so hard to help her, gone. Just like that, in a mere instant. Had Scootaloo been wrong to tell them? Perhaps it would be wrong to tell Twilight? It was certainly true that Twilight was a lot stronger that Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle, and had a vast intellect, but was that enough? Hadn’t Scootaloo already done enough damage? These questions, and more, plagued Scootaloo even as she and Luna bid each other farewell, agreeing to keep in contact as best as possible.

It was now nearly midnight, if not slightly after, when Scootaloo finally walked out of Luna’s temporary room, eyes still slightly red and puffy. Her emotions were in shambles, various feelings all fighting for supremacy. Among them, fear, anger, overwhelming sadness, and even hopelessness. It was then, that Scootaloo realized, that for the first time since she had made friends that she was effectively alone. Instantly, her thoughts turned dark.

‘This is all my fault… I was selfish, and ignorant. I should have known it was too good to be true! I should have been patient… Now, I might lose everything.’

Scootaloo could feel fatigue beginning to creep over her, both mentally and physically. How long had it been since she had slept? Regardless, she may have felt exhausted, but it seemed unlikely that sleep was going to come easily. Her mind was still racing with the events of the day. So much had happened that waking up in the hospital bed felt like a lifetime ago.

Scootaloo only made it a few steps before her body, and soon after her will, gave out, causing her to collapse upon the castle floor. Scootaloo’s sobs wracked her body, though she only let out a small whimpering noise. She was so distraught that she failed to notice the sounds of hooves upon the castle floor, quickly approaching where she was laying. Scootaloo could, however, faintly feel the hoof of Twilight Sparkle as she rested it gently upon Scootaloo’s shoulder, crouching down next to her as she attempted to soothe the crying filly, clearly uncomfortable and concerned at the same time. Scootaloo wanted to shake off the hoof, to knock away its comforting touch. She didn’t deserve it… And yet.

“I need to talk to you,” Scootaloo finally said, her voice dry and cracking, just like her throat. She had spent the better part of the last 20 minutes crying as Twilight did her best to comfort her. From start to finish the story, the TRUE story, of how Scootaloo had come to be able to fly was revealed to Twilight, who at first sat quietly. However, by the end of the tale, her mouth hung open, eyes wide with shock. This expression was swiftly changed, however, the moment Scootaloo began to talk about Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, and the fate that had met them moments ago. At first Scootaloo felt a bit better, but after a moment she was unpleasantly surprised.

“You did WHAT?! Scootaloo, do you have any idea what you have done?! Not only this, but you lied to me! Did you think that was going to help Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo attempted to interject here, but was unable to as Twilight continued, her voice rising in volume until she was practically screaming at Scootaloo, the stress and anxiety of the day finally seeming to break her.

“Now I not only have one victim, but three!” Scootaloo couldn’t help but notice that it seemed that Twilight’s count did not include herself. Had she really upset her that much?

“And what was Princess Luna thinking?! What part of your plan made sense to her?!” Twilight screamed, finally having to stop to regain her breath. Scootaloo took this opportunity to reply, new tears starting to form from the constant yelling, knowing it was wholly her fault.

“Twilight, I am sorry, I-“ Scootaloo started to say, though she was quickly cut off as Twilight regained enough air to once again continue her barrage of accusation.

“Sorry? You think that being sorry will fix this?! That it will reunite Apple Bloom and Applejack, or Sweetie Belle and Rarity?! Or, better yet, that it will help Rainbow Dash?!” By now, Scootaloo was nearly cowering below the towering Twilight in her rage. Even if she was upset, this was completely unlike her! At least the last time Scootaloo (and the other CMC) had upset her, she merely cast a shield around the old library, keeping them out. Then again, this was one of the first times Twilight had lost a friend… Scootaloo was not the only one that was affected, she realized. Now, not only her, but Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had all suffered some sort of lose on a very personal level, and that Fluttershy and Twilight were both feeling for their friends. It then dawned upon Scootaloo, exactly how much she had indeed messed up.

It amazed Scootaloo, how even a small, seemingly selfish choice, could ripple out to affect the lives of so many around her. In a split second, she had not only doomed her two best friends and lost her sister, but she had also torn apart the bonds of siblinghood of two others. Nine, she realized, was the number of lives that were directly affected. And finally Scootaloo understood Twilight’s frustration. Twilight was not yelling at her because of hatred. It was out of frustration and concern. Not only for Scootaloo, but for Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Twilight, who always had the answer, was helpless against a simple dream. A Shadow. Even knowing the cause, she was unable to find an answer. That is why she yelled, and screamed. Scootaloo forced herself to stop crying in order to properly look Twilight in the eyes as she spoke to the exhausted Twilight.

“I know now exactly what I have done. And I may have been wrong, but I tried to fix this. I cannot do it alone, Twilight. I am scared, and I feel so alone… And I have only myself to blame,” Scootaloo said, Twilight’s expressing seeming to soften slightly, though it did not take away from the sting of the words that followed.

“Just… Leave. I need to talk to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia about this new development. In the meantime, I would avoid Rarity, and especially Applejack if I were you. Even knowing that their sisters willingly helped you, I doubt they will have anything pleasant to say to you,” Twilight was no longer shouting, her voice more of a hoarse whisper. Before Scootaloo left, however, she needed to say something.

“If there is ANYTHING I can do to help Twilight, no matter what it is, I will do whatever I can!” Scootaloo then stood up, Twilight seeming as if she wanted to say something. Instead, she just followed Scootaloo to the front door, opening it for the young and regretful filly. Scootaloo walked out into the chilly night air, the sky was still mostly devoid of clouds, granting a clear view to the stars above. Even as Twilight started to close the door, Scootaloo could swear she heard her speak.

“I am sorry Scootaloo. Be safe,”

The next morning, they sky was overcast with dark, foreboding clouds. It appeared that the rest of the weather team was having no troubles without Rainbow Dash for the time being. The thought, however, did little to brighten the drab morning for her. She knew she should not be out and wandering about, but even more she couldn’t stay cooped up in her house. She could not be locked away with only her thoughts. She needed to take action, even if it was insignificant, or foolish. She had to know she had tried everything, exhausted all the options. Above all else, though, her first stop was the hospital. It was just past their opening visiting hours. Scootaloo had wanted to go earlier, but feared she may run into Twilight, or even worse, Apple Jack or Rarity. No, she would not be able to see any of her dear friends or her ‘sister,’ but she still needed to make sure they were cared for. The whole incident was her fault after all.

A few minutes later, Scootaloo was practically racing full speed out of the front doors. Her friends were safe, but equally important was that Rainbow Dash was released from the hospital! She had a good idea where the first place her idol would go, which was home. If that was the case, than Scootaloo would have to wait to talk with her. She didn’t know if Twilight had told Rainbow Dash the truth yet, of if Luna’s words still rang true.

’It is up to you when to tell them,’ the voice echoed. That talk seemed like it had taken place years ago.

Any further thoughts were cut short for Scootaloo, having rounded the final corner near the edge of the village to find Rainbow Dash! The sun was still cutting through the cloud cover here, the storm just moments away however. First her heart began to soar, a voice somewhere in her head praising Luna. (Why was it not Celestia? Wasn’t that more common?) But her heart soon sunk, her eye drifting up to peer through the last gap in the clouds before the last hole was plugged. Up on high, VERY high even, was the house of Rainbow Dash. It was just as she remembered. There was the same rainbow-feature that dominated a good part of the outside area of the would-be mansion in the sky. In the sky was the problem, however, as it dawned upon Scootaloo. Rainbow was looking skyward until the last few clouds were placed. Once the final one fell into place, the sky began to cry, as if it were sorry for the pegasus whose eyes were now down-cast.

’Rainbow cannot even get to her house…’ the voice in Scootaloo’s voice mused aloud, nearly as sad and pathetic sounding as Rainbow Dash looked as the dark clouds above began to lose more of their moisture, the small droplets falling to the earth below in an almost rhythmic pattern. Suddenly, Scootaloo had no will to call out to her idol and ‘sister.’ Deep down Scootaloo could feel a new sensation. Disappointment. Not in Rainbow, but in herself. There was one pony in this world who had, at one time, called Scootaloo a sister, had cared for her more than her real family ever had. And she had responded to that kindness by ruining her life. By taking her once precious gift and trotting all over it, till it was a warped and disgusting figure of its previous glory. Scootaloo fought to hold back bile as she looked at Rainbow’s once glorious wings, now shriveled and almost devoid of feathers, as if a great and sudden aging had overtaken them.

Scootaloo would likely have sat there as long as Rainbow Dash was willing to before a new figure appeared. Scootaloo was just close enough to be in earshot as Twilight flew down to the grounded pegasus, her face betraying her anguish.

“I am so sorry Rainbow Dash! I didn’t even think about how you would get to your house! I- I could fly you up there if you wanted,” Twilight set down next to Rainbow even as she spoke. Rainbow just shook her head mournfully.

“Even if you did, I would have no way to get back down,” Rainbow said, her voice slightly cracked. It was then that it hit Scootaloo. Was Rainbow Dash… Crying? The rain made it impossible to tell if she was or not, but even if she was not, it was clear she was on the verge. Scootaloo’s heart nearly stopped. She had never seen Rainbow Dash cry! It was hinted that she did so in private or with her friends around, but the only Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo knew was a strong yet caring Rainbow Dash, who scoffed at crying. Fortunately, the rain worked two way. It would be almost impossible for anypony nearby to differentiate the tears that began to streak down her face from the water falling from the sky.

Scootaloo could hear somepony land behind her, but she was too focused on the scene in front of her. That was, at least until a dark blue wing began to shelter her shivering body from the rain. Looking up, Scootaloo’s eyes locked with those of Princess Luna, just before her gaze turned to the two I had been observing from a distance. They were now walking away from us, appearing to not have noticed either of us, moving in the direction of Twilight’s Castle. Scootaloo got up to leave, but was halted by Luna.

“I have talked with Celestia about the Shadow in your dreams, and after her… Consulting with Discord, we believe we know who, as well as what the Shadow actually is,” Luna said, still looking at Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“Twilight should know as well, but…” Luna trailed off, seeming to understand what I was unable to say at the moment. Twilight knew, and she was very, very angry. She had a right to be, Scootaloo mused. Scootaloo had very likely caused irreversible damage to one of Twilight’s very best friends. A friend to the Princess of Friendship…

Luna seemed to respond to the bad thoughts that went through Scootaloo’s head as she pulled her closer, still sheltering her from the downpour of rain.

’Has Luna always been like this?’ Scootaloo asked herself. Whenever she was feeling down, it was as if Luna knew exactly what was going through her mind.

’Or is this special because she has been here before?’ Scootaloo finished the thought as Twilight and Rainbow Dash disappeared from view. As if in response to the unspoken question, Luna lied down next to Scootaloo, pulling her even closer as Scootaloo began to cry even more. There had been so much that had happened so quickly. Scootaloo, in essence, was a walking time-bomb. First she had tried to be tough for Rainbow Dash, and then for her friends… And now, she had none of them behind her. She had managed to somehow drive them all away, and even now, Luna was doing her best to comfort her. Somewhere, deep in the back of her mind, Twilight’s words still echoed.

’I could not take something as important as your flight from you,’

Part of Scootaloo knew Twilight was still trying to hold true to that, even despite what happened between her and Rainbow Dash. What had she done to deserve such steadfast friends? Why, in her darkest hour, was there still somepony by her side to comfort her? Luna seemed wise enough to not say it wasn’t her fault, but at the same time, she somehow felt as though the thought was radiating from her. Scootaloo and Luna must have stayed in the same position for almost an hour. By the end, Scootaloo’s throat was dry, and itchy, her eyes red a puffy, and her sinuses all but clogged. Luna stayed quiet the whole time, simply stroking the filly mane gently, her very presence oddly comforting. From the back of her mind, Scootaloo couldn’t help but question.

’Is this what a mother is supposed to be like?’

Finally, Scootaloo’s tears had run dry, though she was still very tender, her heart feeling as though it was bleeding from some unknown wound. It was now that Luna stood up, offering a hoof to help Scootaloo do the same, but Scootaloo all but ignored it. She knew it was selfish, but she wanted nothing more than to lie there in the rain soaked road. To not have to face the grief and the sorrow once more, knowing they were bound to attack her should she try and press forward. She simply wanted everything to fade away, leaving nothing but a numb, empty Scootaloo. Scootaloo somehow found it in her to look to Luna. Her hoof was still extended, as if it was only inevitable Scootaloo took it. Scootaloo’s eyes wandered to Luna’s and suddenly she was struck. The look in Luna’s eyes shook Scootaloo to her very soul. It was a look of fierce determination. It seemed to speak all the words Luna never actually spoke. Looking into the twin orbs, Scootaloo felt a small portion of her strength return to her broken mind and body. Slowly, she took the hoof. Luna smiled, finally speaking.

“I knew you would have it in you to stand back up. There is nowhere left to fall. And so now, the only way to look, to move, is up. It is a long and harrowing journey, but you will find more than one ally, if you simply open your eyes and look around,” Luna said, moving far enough away that the world was no longer dominated by her midnight blue feathers. All around her, standing in the downpour of rain, were the people she had only loosely called friends. Scootaloo looked about, her eyes still stinging in the aftermath of her eventual breakdown.

Twilight, stood just in front of Scootaloo, her expression far more gentle than when Scootaloo had last seen her. To her right, standing tall and proud was Princess Celestia, Discord barely in view just beyond her. Scootaloo’s eyes continued to scan the circle of ponies around her. Fluttershy, looking both nervous but determined. Pinkie Pie, offering a bouquet of balloons with a solemn smile. Scootaloo’s eyes stopped for a moment. Next was… Rarity. Even the prim and proper pony was standing in the rain, the water all but ruining her normal mane style. What stood out the most, however, was the small, earnest smile. She knew, and she still was smiling. My eyes growing in shock, my gaze turned to the pony on her right Applejack. She was likely wise standing in the rain, though seeming much less fazed by it. She, also, wore a small smile, and nodded when Scootaloo’s gaze found her. Turning even more, I found the one pony I had been dreading the most. Even as my head was turning though, I found the grey world drowned out by cerulean blue. Rainbow Dash pulled Scootaloo into a deep, heartfelt hug. My gaze found its way to an unexpected guest. Zecora had joined the group, a brew or two (odd how that phrasing jumped to mind) hanging from her neck on a thin cord. Scootaloo’s gaze came to rest on Luna once more. There seemed to be the glint of a single tear in her eye as she turned to speak with Princess Celestia, Twilight stepping forward so the two could have their conversation in private. Scootaloo open her muzzle, but the words died in her throat. Where did she even begin?

“I feel I must apologize,” Twilight said, looking almost shameful.

“I may have been a bit hard on you. I know you would not do anything to purposely harm anypony, much less any of your friends,”

“But, after all I have done… Why are you here? Why comfort me? Why don’t you hate me?!” Scootaloo all but screamed, the emotions all washing over her at once. Anger, at herself. Fear, at what the future held. But most of all, relief. It didn’t matter the reasons they said, she already knew… They were her friends.

“Way Ah’ see it,” Applejack started.

“Anypony who cries for another pony, especially ah friend, is still worthy o’ helping.”

“What dear Applejack is trying to say, darling, is that even though you made a few mistake, you are not a bad pony. We have all seen that you regret your actions, and understand this was an honest mistake,” Rarity said warmly.

“But, your sisters,” Scootaloo croaked weakly, her last surge all but draining her. Applejack and Rarity exchanged looks.

“They were trying to help a friend. It is not your fault, what happened to them,” Rarity said weakly. It was obvious the wounds were still fresh, but there was not bitterness towards Scootaloo.

“You know, Scoots’, I was really worried about you,” Rainbow Dash finally spoke up. It was undeniable now that she was indeed crying. Scootaloo could feel warm tears rolling down her back, even as rain soaked as she was.

“I worried about the crash, even while I was ‘sleeping.’ After I woke up, Twilight told me what happened. Both to me, and to you. And you know what my first thought was? ‘A curse? I hope Scoots’ is okay.’”

Scootaloo had though herself bled dry of tears, but upon hearing Rainbow Dash speak, she was assaulted by a new wave of tears, this time a mix of happy and sad that all stemmed from one place, Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow pulled Scootaloo in even closer, the two sisters lost in each other’s embrace. For the most part, Fluttershy, Zecora and Pinkie Pie remained silent.

And there Scootaloo was, her very soul, battered, but not quite broken. Even in the chilly rain, she could feel a warmth. She was surrounded by great friends, and an even greater sister. She had felt so alone, so corrupted that she feared she would destroy anything she touched. But now, she felt a pressure lifting off of her heart. With her friends, she could do this! She could beat this Shadow!! For the first time in a long time, Scootaloo not only felt happy, but she felt a strong hope. Somewhere in her mind, her two best friends were with her as well, cheering her on as she gathered the courage to get up, to fight back. Luna was right. She had hit bottom, but because of this, there was nowhere to look, or to go, but up. And like it or not, Scootaloo had a pair of capable wings. It was well past time she put them to work!

> The Price Repaid
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Scootaloo and her friends had moved out of the rain, seeking the comfort and warmth of Twilight’s Castle. At the head of the table sat Twilight. She was scanning over the faces of all those present. All of her close friends sat in their respective positions, with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna on the opposite side of the table as Twilight, while Zecora stood next to Fluttershy. Zecora was still looking around with an air of wonder when Celestia cleared her throat, drawing all attention to her.

“Now, Scootaloo, I understand you have had a rough time recently, but I am going to have to ask for your help to free Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle,” she said, looking to Scootaloo who was sitting in the chair with Rainbow Dash. The two of them had become all but inseparable since they had hugged in the rain. Scootaloo nodded at Celestia. Already each and every pony in the room knew that she was willing to do almost anything that was needed to help her friends and sister.

“Now that we have that out of the way, I think it is finally time you all knew our enemy. With the help of my sister, as well as Discord, we have discovered the identity of the Shadow.” With her words, everypony sat on the edge of their seat, looking to both Celestia and Luna expectantly, prepared for almost anything. Or so they thought.

“We strongly believe the ‘Shadow’ to be the ancient spirit of a draconequus that lived long ago who was known as ‘Malevolence,’” Luna said, her words ushering a cold silence over the entire castle. Twilight was the first to find her voice again.

“A draconequus? You mean one as powerful as Discord?” she asked, unsure of if she wanted an answer. Luna just shook her head as Celestia spoke.

“According to Discord, even more powerful than he is. We don’t know the specifics, but somehow Malevolence was trapped in the dream realm.” Everypony in the room looked to one another as silence fell once again. Somehow, most all of the eyes ended up on Princess Luna.

“How do we fight a draconequus without the Elements? And more importantly, why would a draconequus sneak around in the shadows and attack Scootaloo?” Twilight asked, trying desperately to make sense of the situation.

“Malevolence’s character was true to his name. It seems he attempted to throw the world into violent chaos. We even think he was the one that released the sirens that divided the pony races in ancient lore, nearly freezing all of the land. We think he is vengeful towards everything, having been trapped in the Dream Realm,” Celestia explained.

“As for how we defeat him, the Element merely drew out the power that was already inside each and every one of you. The power of Friendship. I am certain that if we face Malevolence as one, we can win over him, and break this curse of his,” she continued, looking to each and every face present, her gaze settling on Scootaloo.

“We will need Scootaloo to help draw Malevolence out, which is dangerous in its own right. I also fear we may be playing into his claws. His end goal is the very destruction of Equestria, so he is likely preparing for all of us, even now. You will all have to trust in the pony standing beside you, for if you do I am certain we will win,” Celestia said, attempting to raise their spirits. Still, the fact remained that they would be facing a draconequus even more dangerous and ill-willed than Discord.

At first, there were a few shared looks of concern. Soon after, however, a sly smile for Pinkie Pie spread like a virus to each other pony present, even the Princesses. All that was, except for Scootaloo. She had been tricked by a draconequus who was trapped in the Dream Realm? She could guess why Malevolence would try to bend Luna to his will, seeing as she could likely help him escape from the Dream Realm, but why…

“Why would such a strong being take notice of me?” Scootaloo asked, the smiles from most everypony dropping instantly. Scootaloo looked up, her eyes betraying her confusion and frustration.

“Why would I be so important to him?”

“Look around Scoots. And take a good long look. Even if my wings were not messed up, no one here would have chosen not to come if you were in trouble,” Rainbow said, taking Scootaloo a bit closer to her as she did, motioning with her free hoof.

“What Rainbow Dash says is true. You were targeted because of how close you are to the bearers of the Elements. We do not believe that Malevolence knows the Elements are gone, or if he does, then we are all walking into a trap he has prepared. Without Twilight, or my sister even, then Equestria would fall into chaos. I personally believe Malevolence passed on some time ago, and that he trapped himself in the Dream Realm. Or at least that he trapped his will and power there. Perhaps even Malevolence himself was merely a tool for the same nightmare we will face. Whatever the reason though, it does not change the fact that your friends are here for you,” Luna explained. If anyone present was going to know anything about the Dream Realm, it was likely to be Luna. But still, a lot of the information was over Scootaloo’s head. Or Pinkie’s for that matter, judging from the strange look she was giving Luna.

Scootaloo had to stop and take account of the information she had just received. So, the Shadow that had tricked her was out to destroy Equestria, and was also an angry draconequus that was either tricked into being trapped in the Dream Realm, or was dying and chose to “save” himself by making his mind and power all but immortal, at the cost of a physical body.

“But, if Malevolence knows of my relationship with Rainbow Dash and everypony, and that you all were the Elements of Harmony, wouldn’t he also know they are gone? If so, he wants all of you to enter the Dream Realm so he can trap you all there?” Scootaloo questioned. Twilight and Celestia exchanged looks. Had they really over-looked such obvious facts? They were likely stressed after all though…

“That is true. I hadn’t thought about all that,” Twilight said, looking to Luna.

“We know he can look into dreams, but is it possible for him to delve deeper into a pony’s mind? Perhaps, to look at memories?” Her question was directed at Luna, who seemed indecisive.

“I do not know if such is possible, but if any were able to accomplish such a feat, it would be Malevolence,” Luna responded uncertainly.

The atmosphere in the room had changed. Now they all knew they would be walking into a planned trap. Malevolence likely knew everything that Scootaloo knew, which included the reformation of Discord. Was Malevolence so strong, or cunning that he had the ability and confidence to face not only three Alicorn princesses, but also to handle Discord all at the same time? There was a deep unease in the pit of Scootaloo’s stomach that was reflected on the faces of those around her. Only Luna and Celestia remained unaffected by the turn in events. Then again, they had already faced a draconequus once before.

A few hours had passed since the conversation had ended abruptly. Luna needed time to prepare to carry so many minds to the Dream Realm, and so they had cut the meeting short. The uneasiness was still apparent on everyone’s face. However, no one voiced any concerns. They trusted the Princesses, Twilight especially. Besides, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were still in danger, and no one was going to let any of the Cutie Mark Crusaders down.

Everyone was preparing for the coming storm in their own way. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash spent the time together, having a deep heart to heart about all that had transpired. Rarity and Applejack spent their time in their sisters’ rooms in the castle, where they had been moved in light of recent events. Pinkie Pie spent her time with Twilight who was attempting to calm Fluttershy. And Celestia spent the last few minutes with a surprise guest… Discord. It appeared that he was to be part of the “expedition” into the Dream Realm. While he was almost certainly mostly reformed, he still unsettled Scootaloo on an instinctual level. He simply seemed… Unnatural.

Scootaloo was apologizing to Rainbow Dash for what must have been the 20th time when Twilight appeared at the entrance to the room they were occupying. It was time. They were really about to make a foray into the Dream Realm to combat what was likely one of the most power beings that ever existed. The room that Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash followed Twilight into was littered with a dozen beds. One for each of the Mane 6, one more for Celestia, one for Scootaloo, two that were occupied already by the remaining Cutie Mark Crusaders, one for Zecora, and one more for Discord. Luna, who was in the center of the room, did not need a bed, and so occupied the little remaining space. Everyone quickly settled into a bed, though the last thing on their minds was sleep. Well, except for Discord, who appeared to be in a deep slumber already. Luna looked to each pony present. The expression she wore was not one of concern, or anxiety, but determination.

“You need not worry about slumbering, I will be carrying you all to the Dream Realm with me. Please, make your minds open, and we shall be on our way,” Luna said, her horn starting to glow slightly.

Scootaloo and the rest complied, both emptying their minds, as well as giving way to the gentle pull that tugged at their consciousness. Scootaloo briefly found the sensation familiar, but was dragged away before she could give any thought to the feeling. A moment, later, the black world gave way to a misty grey. The fog swirled here and there as the mist seemed to move towards Scootaloo. Looking around, she realized she could not see anyone else. Scootaloo’s eyes widened in alarm as she made to call for her friends. A gentle hoof on her back made her turn, however, what she thought was a hoof was actually a clawed hand, talons wrapped inward to make a fist which in turn felt like a hoof. Scootaloo’s mouth dropped open as she scrambled a short distance from the pitch-black figure that was Malevolence.

“You have done well, young Scootaloo. Soon, the rest of your friends will be attempting to knock down my front door, and that is all thanks to you. You truly have my gratitude for that. You managed not to only lure in one Princess, but three! Soon, both Twilight and Celestia will be out of my way, forever! Again, that is all thanks to you, Scootaloo. As my way of saying ‘thanks’, I will be releasing you and your precious Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom,” Malevolence said. His voice was just as rich as the first time Scootaloo had heard it whisper to her. It was the sort of voice that Scootaloo almost found comfort in, despite the circumstances.

“You cannot win, Malevolence! Soon Twilight and the others will be here to stop you. Even Discord will be here to stop you!” Scootaloo shouted in defiance. Her words simply made the shadowy form of the draconequus laugh.

“You really are so adorable! I have had thousands of years to devise a plan, to build my strength. And it has all come down to this moment. No matter the plans you have made, for they will be for naught. Also, Discord did not join your little adventure. Draconequus never turn on each other. I have only met him through the Dream Realm, but he has agreed to not interfere with my plans,” Malevolence retorted. They had been right. Malevolence could access memories! The plans they had made were already known to the nightmare…

A sudden flash of bright white light broke the mist, striking at the figure before Scootaloo. The orb of light, which should have connected squarely upon Malevolence’s chest, sunk into the shadows, deforming them for a brief moment before they surged forward, reassembling the figure of the draconequus as the orb continued to fly strait into the distance.

“Ah, looks like the rest of the party has arrived. I shall be with you in a moment, Scootaloo. I would prefer if you were not to make a racket. I would hate to hurt somepony who has helped me so much.”

As Malevolence spoke, he rose a clawed hand, palm facing Princess Celestia, who was standing with a scary look upon her face. A line of shadow extended from the palm of his hand, aimed at Celestia’s chest. Scootaloo had no chance to think as a bolt of thunder descended from the sky, striking once more at the draconequus. The flash blinded Scootaloo for a moment, and when next she looked Celestia was standing mere inches from Malevolence, a sword of solar energy swinging at the writhing shadows. For a moment, Scootaloo was reminded of the stories of King Sombra. Suddenly, the words spoken to Scootaloo before made sense. Malevolence was involved in the fall of the Crystal Empire as well! Scootaloo thought for a moment as Princess Luna descended upon Malevolence wielding her magic. Hadn’t Nightmare Moon turned into a sort of shadow as well? A revelation suddenly hit Scootaloo.

“Luna, get away from him!” Scootaloo shouted in a panic, however, it was too late. Before Scootaloo’s eyes, the shadows pierced Luna, her eyes going wide as the shadows caused ripples through her form. Before all eyes, a familiar darkness began to overtake the normal midnight blue of Luna’s coat. Princess Luna was once again becoming Nightmare Moon! With each passing second, more of Luna’s coat was changing to black.

A sudden flash of light elicited a scream from both Luna and Malevolence as the two were forced apart, the area where they had previously been now occupied by a familiar figure.

“Oh, I do hope I am not late to the party!” Discord said gleefully, as if he were truly arriving to a party for a dear friend. The shadows that made up Malevolence shifted, retaking their original form.

“Discord?! How dare you interrupt my plans! You would dare turn your magic against a fellow draconequus?!” Malevolence shouted angrily. It was obvious that Discord’s interruption was far from planned, as if it were something that was nigh impossible. Discord just shot him an amused look.

“You? A draconequus?” Discord paused here to chuckle.

“Why, if you are a draconequus, then I must be a poodle, and Scootaloo a chicken!” Scootaloo stopped to think for a moment. Discord a poodle? Where did that even come from? Wait, had Discord called Scootaloo-…

Scootaloo was unable to finish the thought as Malevolence let out an enraged howl, launching at Discord who, with a wave of his clawed hand, summoned what appeared to be a mirror, which reflected Malevolence with a bright flash of light. Malevolence recoiled a bit, then froze as he looked into the mirror Discord had conjured. His eyes were wide, as if he had seen something magnificent and terrifying at the same time. Scootaloo moved a bit to try and look in the mirror, but another flash of light caused Malevolence to recoil once more, part of the shadows that made his body separating from his body shortly before dissolving in the air, like mist. Celestia leveled her spear of light to make another attack, but Malevolence moved away, his eyes still showing his shock. The shock, however, soon turned to a burning hatred.

“What are you playing at, Discord?” Malevolence growled, nursing the wound it had just received.

“Why, what do you mean? The mirror only shows what you want it to,” Discord said mockingly. Scootaloo had the idea that Discord was actually telling the truth. Scootaloo still found herself oddly drawn to the mirror.

Even as she once again moved to look into the mirror, Malevolence let out a long breath just before standing once more in his normal composed stance, though a bit shorter as the shadowy smoke that comprised him reformed to reconstruct his shape on a smaller scale. Luna stood behind him, Celestia to his right, with Discord to his front. To the left, Scootaloo could faintly hear Twilight talking to her friends about something, no doubt their final plan. Malevolence wasted no time however. He quickly launched not at Luna or Celestia, not even at Discord. Instead, he target Twilight! Scootaloo lost track of Malevolence in the mist that still swirled stagnantly. Celestia, Luna and Discord quickly followed after Malevolence as a bright purple light pulsed, followed by the sounds of spells colliding and ricocheting.

Rather than follow Discord and the others, Scootaloo turned to where Discord had been. The mirror was still standing on its own, despite the lack of any sort of support structure. Scootaloo walked to the back of the mirror, looking for any markings, though found only a cryptic S.H. carved into the oak wood. Walking around to the other side of the mirror, Scootaloo froze for a second, then smiled. The reflection in the mirror showed her and Rainbow Dash standing side by side, both wearing smiles. Rainbow Dash had her magnificent wings spread, which Scootaloo was content with her own flightless wings… Her rightful wings. It was then that Scootaloo could understand the mirror.

The whole time Scootaloo had been distracted by the mirror (which was a great deal longer than she had realized) Malevolence had taken the upper hand in the fight, which had migrated back towards Scootaloo. Scootaloo took a moment to survey the fight. Applejack was limping slightly, but still standing while Fluttershy was curled up behind her, a wing in her hooves obviously injured. Rainbow Dash was taking wild leaps at Malevolence where she could, using her now shriveled wings to the best of her power to propel herself forward during her jumps, though Scootaloo knew from experience the results were less than noticeable. Twilight, Luna and Discord all had magical shields up, only dropping them to launch the occasional spell at Malevolence. Celestia was laying dazed a ways further, having just been struck by some sort of sneak attack.

Scootaloo looked back to the mirror, now focusing on Malevolence. The imaged started to blur painfully slowly, during which time Scootaloo could hear a pained scream from Twilight, and a concerned yell from Luna. Still, Scootaloo only focused more of her energy on the mirror. Slowly, a new image began to fade into the view on the mirror. Suddenly, the view snapped onto the image, crystal clear. Scootaloo gasped at what she saw, a tear finding its way into her eye, clouding her vision slightly.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Pinkie Pie asked, popping out from behind the mirror. Wait, Scootaloo had come from that side of the mirror, and Pinkie Pie was nowhere in the area. Even as hard as Scootaloo had been focusing on the mirror, she would have noticed the splash of pink in the abysmal grey landscape, right? Scootaloo shook the thought off quickly as the tear rolled down her cheek.

“Pinkie Pie, I need your help,” Scootaloo told her, looking her in the eye. Obviously, the gravity of the situation was not lost on even Pinkie Pie.

“Okey-dokey-Loki,” Pinkie Pie said, only a fraction of her usual glee in her voice. A few moments later, Pinkie Pie just nodded, a smile on her face.

“Oh, parties are my specialty!” she said excited.

“So, you can do it?” Scootaloo asked tentatively. It seemed too good to be true, even for Pinkie Pie.

“Of course! I always carry emergency party supplies!!” Pinkie said as she pulled a case out of her mane. Scootaloo blinked at the impossible feat, and when she next opened her eyes, Pinkie was gone, skipping away towards Malevolence happily. Scootaloo sighed and rubbed her head. Obviously it was because they were in the Dream Realm… Right?

By this point, Discord was the only one left standing to oppose Malevolence. The look of seriousness on Discord’s normally grinning face showed the grim reality of the situation. Slowly, for what must have been the fifth time, Princess Luna stood up shakily on her hooves, somehow managing to levitate her crescent blade in a battle position. Malevolence snarled as the duo as they slowly began to pace around him. Suddenly… There was confetti falling around Malevolence, as well as streamers, balloons, and all manner of party items. Pinkie Pie had even attempted to place a party hat upon Malevolence, though it just phased through his smoky shadow form. Everyone, including Malevolence froze at the sudden appearance of Pinkie Pie.

“Well, what do you think?! It may not be much, but it was about the best I could do on such short notice. This took me a record 15 seconds to prepare for!” Pinkie Pie chimed happily as if she were speaking to a long-time friend. Even as Malevolence was still frozen in place, Discord managed to chuckle.

“Well, it appears I was not late for the party after all!” Discord then proceeded to teleport next to Malevolence, and arm around his shoulder. (Of course Discord had only been messing around this whole time!) “What’s the occasion? Birthday? Wedding? Finally get that collage degree after all the centuries?” Discord asked mockingly. Pinkie Pie just giggled as Malevolence finally regained enough sense to move away from her and Discord.

“No silly! This is party for…” Pinkie Pie thought for a moment before turning to Scootaloo.

“What is this party for again?” Pinkie Pie asked. About this time, Twilight, Celestia and the others were finally starting to gather around, finally finding the strength to stand again with the lull in the battle. Scootaloo walked up to, and past, the confused looking Pinkie Pie. Scootaloo continued to walk until she was halfway between Malevolence and her friends.

“This party is for Malevolence. It is not a special occasion or anything in particular, but rather a party to cheer him up,” Scootaloo explained. Neither side moved as Scootaloo began to address Malevolence alone.

“I saw the reflection in the mirror,” Scootaloo stated plainly. Malevolence just snorted.

“You saw yourself then? Then you must realize I gave you what you wanted most,” he said, a colder edge than usual in his voice. Scootaloo shook her head.

“No, I realized it was not a physical mirror, but a mirror that reflected your heart, and what it desires. But it is more than that as well. That mirror showed me what I lost. And what I will regain,” Scootaloo stated firmly. Behind her, the rest of the party was tense, all on edge should Malevolence make a move to hurt Scootaloo. Malevolence, for his own part, sat in silence. Scootaloo was unable to read any sort of expression or emotion from him, so she decided to continue.

“I also saw what was in your heart, Malevolence. What was in the mirror was-…” Scootaloo was cut off by a sharp shout from Malevolence.

“Enough!” The yell was enough to put everyone on edge again, but Discord motioned for everyone to back down.

“You never could quite handle the truth,” Discord mused. It was obvious he was attempting to infuriate Malevolence, though it also sounded like they had a past.

“Enough, Discord,” Scootaloo said, shooting him a cross look, to which Discord fled, attempting to hide his large form behind the still shuddering Fluttershy.

“Malevolence, I truly did see what was in the mirror. Why do you seek to plunge this world into disaster and misery?” Scootaloo asked, not attempting mentioning what was in the mirror this time. Malevolence gave Scootaloo a long look.

“What does the reason matter? Is it not enough that I seek to destroy your world? What good would knowing the reasoning do you?” Malevolence asked. It seemed as though he was genuinely interested in the answer the filly would have.

“The reason DOES matter. I saw someone, a mare, standing next to you in the mirror,” Malevolence flinched at the mere mention of the mare, obviously hitting somewhere close to home for him. But Scootaloo did not relent.

“And I saw you, not as a draconequus, but as a pony,” Scootaloo stated firmly.

“Surely your heart still desires that, so why destroy that which you desire?” Scootaloo questioned. For a while, Malevolence stood in silence.

“Shadow Heart,” Malevolence said.

“If you must know my reasons for destroying your world, you must first know a bit of my past. And hers. Obviously, I was not always trapped in the Dream Realm. Once, I was a draconequus with powers even greater than Discord, who was a mere child at the time,” Malevolence said, his sudden change in hostility shocking all but Scootaloo and Discord.

“At that time, I had no dislike for equines. In fact, although I hate to admit it, I was jealous of your races. There were many of your own kind, each willing to help the other, while my own race was on the verge of extinction, our own infighting and distrust of each other having dwindled our numbers,” 
Malevolence paused here, as if he were second guessing his decision to tell them his story. A moment later, he continued.

“It was long, long ago that I was once a friend to equinity. It was long before the founding of modern Equestria, and in a time when Alicorns were still a common sight. Years of endless peace began to give way to the darker side of your species, however. Once a certain standard of living was obtained, ponies began to turn their attention to more trivial matters, and pursue them with great intensity. One such movement was that certain races were inferior to others. Zebras, earth ponies, and bat ponies in particular were singled out by pegasi and unicorns. Shadow Heart was the female bat pony you saw in the mirror, and one whom I was… Close with,” Scootaloo had not noticed it at the time, somehow, but now that she thought about it, the mare did indeed have the featherless wings characteristic of bat ponies, though she was vibrantly colored, which was unusual for their race. At least, as far as Scootaloo knew. She then realized that she knew next to nothing about the cryptic species of equine…

“Politics at the time, despite my attempts to persuade them otherwise, took a turn for the worse. Limited resources lead to a new system of governance. Races were given priority based on how ‘useful’ they were. Unicorns were coveted for their magic, while pegasi controlled the weather. After failed attempts to harvest crops by both races, the earth ponies’ usefulness was established. Meanwhile, however, the zebras, which were great herbalist by practice and ritual, and the bat ponies, which were fearsome guardians of the night, where both left with no place in the new society. Medical advances in magic and technology meant that the old ways of treating ailments with herbal remedies were dying, and no other races were thought to exist at the time, meaning there was no need for an army, or guards that could not wield magic to detain citizens. Eventually, both zebras and bat ponies lost their citizenship, and all the rights that come with it,” Malevolence all but spat out the last sentence, as if the mere thought of it was making him physically ill. Scootaloo, however, could comprehend the emotion. For so long, she herself had been one with no real place in society. Most pegasi were weather ponies, but for Scootaloo, who could not fly, she may well have been a two-legged earth pony.

“I think I can guess what happens next,” Scootaloo said sadly. Malevolence just stared at her. He must have known the look in her eye.

“Shadow Heart lost her place, her role, her very life as it were,” Scootaloo concluded.

“Close,” Malevolence said dourly.

“Actually, she was murdered by those she once served. She was caught stealing food for starving bat pony foals. Seeing as none of them were any longer considered citizens, they were basically trash for most of the population of the kingdom. As a warning, Shadow Heart was publicly executed without trial. As such, I learned too late of the matter. In my sorrow, I attempted something drastic. I had been studying the magic of soul binding, so that I might one day acquire an equine form myself. Despite the research being incomplete, I attempted to bind Shadow Heart’s soul to my own body. The result is as you see here. My essence was trapped within the Shadow Realm. However, it was not without its perks. My revenge upon the broken society that took her life has been constant, and unstoppable. And soon, I will be free of this prison, free to reform your society into a proper one!” Malevolence finally concluded. He was so very passionate about his words, he was practically panting by the end of the tale, having been so involved in it.

“I can understand that you probably hate equines. And after hearing such a sad tale, I cannot help but empathize with you, but do you still believe that after all these years that our kind, not just pegasi, but all quines, are still those that imposed such a wrongful society? You have been able to witness the changes we have made, the success we have had… And the setbacks we have suffered,” Scootaloo spoke, doing her best to speak to whatever reason might remain in Malevolence. In the end, he was a monster of quine creation. There was not a doubt in Scootaloo’s mind that his words had been true, and as such, she felt it their responsibility to finally sooth the raging beast.

“You understand nothing! Once again, your race is on the path to repeat its past mistakes! A single zebra was enough to turn an entire village into a ghost town!” Malevolence said accusingly.

“Was. Now that same zebra is a part of our society,” Scootaloo said, motioning to Zecora who was crutched next to Applejack, looking at her rear left leg, which appeared injured. Malevolence scoffed.

“And what of the bat ponies?” Malevolence asked now. His tone showed he was confident in his accusation this time around.

“What about them? I cannot claim to know much about them, but as you said, they are fearsome guardians of the night, and as such I have seen them escorting Princess Luna many times,” Scootaloo responded coolly.

“Very well, what of Nightmare Moon? The very Princess you just used as an example would rise in violence against her own sister, and the subjects she was sworn to protect!” With his words, Luna’s eyes glazed over slightly, but before anyone else could raise their voice, Scootaloo responded in the same calm and cool tone.

“An act that was fueled by a third party. Perhaps she was ever so slightly at fault, but in the end, the actions were not hers, but yours! It was your influence that finally pushed her over that edge. You would have turned a peaceful kingdom into a ragged and scarred land. And, if you had succeeded, you would have been no better than those that you resent,” Scootaloo stated firmly, looking Malevolence right where his eyes would have been. For a moment, he was quiet. Then, he hung his head low.

“You… You are so much like her. Very well, I cannot argue the fact that I may not be in the right anymore, but if left alone, you will surely fall prey to the same devices that your ancestors have. I have seen it time and time again. It was that same loop that I finally wished to obliterate,” Malevolence said, his voice betraying a bit of uncertainty at first, though his resolve hardened as she spoke.

“I cannot blame you for trying, but your way would only breed more hatred in the hearts of ponies,” Luna spoke this time, stepping forward.

“I will never forget the time I spent as Nightmare Moon. And while I never wish to relive the experience, I reflect upon it. I learn from my mistake, and I help others do the same. As you said, our kind is one that helps one another. There may be times when we forget that, but in the end, it is still a part of who we are. All we need is that small reminder now and again. For me, becoming Nightmare Moon was not just a mistake, but an awakening. I learned of my weakness. Not that I was alone, but that I pushed others away,” Luna said solemnly. She managed to look directly at Malevolence, even through the tears in her eyes. Scootaloo took a step toward Malevolence.

“We are not a perfect species. We make mistakes. We hurt each other sometimes. But in the end, we are all the same. We understand the mistakes that others make, because we ourselves have made them before. And if we can overcome the uncertainty we have in ourselves, we can teach the lessons we learn in life to others.” Malevolence stood for a moment, processing all that he had just heard.

“Indeed, you are not perfect. But neither am I. I made many mistakes in my life, and even more after,” Malevolence admitted.

“And I may also have misjudged you ponies. I had thought you weak, on the same track to despair I have seen so many others take. But you are all strong. Far stronger than one such as I. I was unable to realize my mistakes, unable to accept that I had made them, and as such, I was unable to teach others to avoid them.” Malevolence looked at those in front of him, his will to fight gone. In the end, Twilight was the one to ask the hard question.

“What will you do now?” Malevolence didn’t seem to have an answer at first, but he finally sighed.

“I have lived far past my time, even as a draconequus. These times are now obviously different than the ones I am accustomed to. For so long, I have kept my soul, and my magic, anchored to the Dream Realm, but even my spells will not last forever. I had finally decided to take this time to possess a suitable body because the anchor that holds me here is weakening. I think it time I finally release the chains that bind me, as well as my past,” Malevolence said, looking to Scootaloo.

“I am sorry to have tricked you. I had only thought of you as the same ponies that took the one closest to me, and that had turned the world into a living nightmare for others, but I can see now that I was as wrong as I could be. To think, you of all ponies would be the one to make me see my faults… I am honored to have known you. I will right the wrongs I have committed against you, but… I am sorry, Scootaloo. Even my powers cannot help your wings before their time,” Malevolence apologized. Scootaloo knew full well what his words meant, but still she smiled from the bottom of her heart.

“I am not ready for my wings yet, I think I should give them, and maybe even my cutie mark, a bit more time,” Scootaloo admitted, truly feeling the weight of the words, though not regretting a single one. Malevolence just seemed to smile. Much like Discord, the rose his one of his clawed hands, the middle digit resting against his thumb.

“Then, this is goodbye. I entrust my vengeance to you all. Do not let this world fall into ruin once more, and my ‘revenge’ will be complete.” Everyone just smiled and nodded. Scootaloo’s heart ached slightly. Malevolence… Had he really been that bad? Scootaloo just had one question she HAD to ask.

“What is your real name?” Malevolence just laughed a bit before he snapped his fingers, a bright flash of light carrying a weight off of Scootaloo’s back as his shadowy form began to dissolve from the bottom up. Even as he disappeared, Scootaloo could swear she heard him whisper to her once more.

‘You really are just like her.’

Scootaloo’s eyelids felt as though they were made of lead. One would think sleeping for so long would leave one feeling refreshed, but a whole new wave of fatigue washed over Scootaloo as she rose from the bed. Her energy was renewed, however, when she heard a familiar voice nearby.

“Huh? Where are we? What going on Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked as Scootaloo galloped to her bed, visibly crying happily as Applejack moved next to Apple Bloom. As Rarity and Applejack lorded over their sisters, Twilight explained in detail what had happened. Scootaloo smiled and was about to take the opportunity to leave when Discord suddenly walked up next to her.

“Now, I do not know of an exact name,” Discord whispered to her.

“but I do know that Malevolence was once known by a different title by ponies.”

“What was it?” Scootaloo asked, curious. Discord just smiled.

“Benevolence,” was all he said before teleporting next to Twilight, arm wrapped around her neck as she was about to get to the part of the story where Discord appeared.

“And suddenly, there I was! Standing, like a Knight in sparkling silver armor! Twilight, calling for my help even as I descended upon Malevolence with a sword of pure gold!” he exclaimed wildly. Twilight have him a very serious look.

“You did nothing of the sort!” Twilight argued. She really took her story telling seriously...

Once again, everyone was distracted and laughing, however. Scootaloo smiled as she turned to talk out of the room. The atmosphere was happy, but she couldn’t bring herself to join in any of the merriment, she just had too much on her mind. Malevo- No, Benevolence, the past, the future… She also couldn’t help but look back. It came as no shock that her wings had returned to their flightless state. She was melancholy about the loss of her wings, but it was secondary to her thoughts of Benevolence.

“You okay Scoots?” Rainbow Dash asked, startling Scootaloo as she looked out upon Equestria from one of the many balconies in Twilight’s castle.

“I will be, I just have a lot on my mind. And, I am so sorry Rainbow Dash, I never intended for things to get that bad…” Scootaloo responded, turning her eyes away from Rainbow Dash to look at the ground at her feet. A cyan blue hoof gently lifted her chin, her eyes meeting with the rosy colored irises of Rainbow Dash.

“Don’t you dare apologize. Everypony makes mistakes, what really matters is how they deal with those mistakes. And kiddo, you made me very proud to be your sister today,” Rainbow Dash said, embracing Scootaloo, who embraced her back, beginning to cry once more. It was just too much for her to handle. She had too many emotions flying about in her mind and heart, and what ended up coming out were tears.

Truly, it was a turning point in not only the lives of those involved, but also for the whole of Equestria. The interaction between two individuals would have an impact on an entire kingdom for generations to come. It was on the thoughts of Scootaloo and her friends even before they had time to process the whole situation. After all, they had made a promise to a friend.

> When the Heart and Soul Take Flight (Epilogue)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Ten years have passed since the incident with Scootaloo and Malevolence. The facts of what happened that day were made public five years ago, and a new historical curriculum was added to schools across Equestria with the help of Princess Twilight. The purpose was to teach the younger generations of the failures of those before them, as well as their successes, all in the attempt to help educate the youth of the kingdom to avoid the same mistakes of those before them. The last five years have seen an increase in relations not only within Equestria, but also with the Griffin Kingdom and the new Yakyakistan citizens.

The first ones to learn the lessons the schools taught, however, was the Cutie Mark Crusaders, having been present at the time. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle only ever heard stories of what happened, but Scootaloo was a key component with the resolution of the previously unknown threat to Equestria. In the following years, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash became even closer as sisters, even eventually reuniting with Scootaloo’s parents in Cloudsdale. Each year since then, they have made the journey back to be with family, despite the fact that Scootaloo is still unable to fly. Much to the surprise of all, however, Scootaloo was made an Honorary Wonderbolt, and found a cutie mark and career as a scouter for the Wonderbolts, finding some of the most talented young fliers in the organizations history, all because Rainbow Dash would always tell her stories of the great Wonderbolts of old. Rainbow Dash herself finally found her place among the Wonderbolts, though she is not yet the Captain.

Sweetie Belle found the sorrow and joy of Benevolence’s life, and her first poem quickly became a classic, even becoming part of Twilight’s new curriculum. The words she used to describe the good and sad times in everyday life based on Benevolence’s story were noticed by many, including Sapphire Shores, who employed her as a lyricist for her music. In recent years, Sweetie Belle herself has become more known for her singing as well, though she refuses any major contracts. Apple Bloom chose to embrace many of the zebras’ ancient herbal traditions, and became a master of potions of all kinds. Oddly enough, it seems most of her potions use apples as a base… Regardless, her innovations in chemistry and herbs have all but revived a once dead art, drawing even more zebras to Equestria is search of new learning in the field.

Although so much time has passed, there is not a day that Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Scootaloo forget a single word that was spoken with Benevolence, and the promise that they made with him. What had started as one of the darkest times in Scootaloo’s life had turned out to be one of the most positive impressions in her life to date. Likewise, the friends that stood by her side were inspired by the resolve she showed, which strengthened their own resolve, who shared it with others, who shared it with others. Although it was a selfish action that had sparked the situation, it was the selfless sacrifice she faced that touched the lives of those around her, that had supported her, that continue to support her.

Life can be tough. Life can hurt. Life can seem like a bleak, bottomless pit. But it is not. If you hit bottom, there are those that will help you stand again, that will continue to support you for years to come. They are few and far between, so cherish them. If you have the resolve to stand up once more, it may not be your own life that you change. So make mistakes. Learn from them, and share that knowledge with others! Live your life, you only get one!

Thank you for reading!