Once A Crusader
Scootaloo had to pause to steady her nerves, taking a few deep breaths for good measure. She'd been thinking about this for a good long while, yet she'd put off making a decision one way or the other. Until now, that is. Now her mind was made up. All that remained was to make it official, to stroll right on in through the doors of that old clubhouse that she just barely fit through these days. Apple Bloom kept saying she was going to get around to making the clubhouse bigger to accommodate its members, but something always got in the way.
The fully grown pegasus mare paused briefly, looking back to herself and to her flanks. That signature shield was still there, it hadn't disappeared. By now her wings had grown enough to where she could actually fly on her own power, albeit only for short lengths of time. What few flying lessons she had been able to undertake with Rainbow Dash had served her well, but she'd been told that it would take a long time for her wings to be fully broken in.
But flying wasn't what was on Scootaloo's mind right now. She'd long ago made her peace with the possibility that she wouldn't be able to fly like other pegasi did, and she'd found ways of working around that limitation. In fact, that experience was part of the reason why she knew she had to come out here and talk to her fellow Crusaders. It was only fair to let them know about the important decision the tomboyish pegasus had made.
Well, there was no sense beating around the proverbial bush as it were. Far better to rip off that hypothetical bandage now and get it over with. The longer the delay, the harder it would be to say what needed to be said.
Carefully, Scootaloo brought up a hoof and knocked on the clubhouse door. She had to be careful not to knock too hard and risk the door falling off its hinges (another long put off repair that Apple Bloom had said she would "get around to").
"Come on in." The familiar voices of Scootaloo's fellow Crusaders called in unison, still as cheerful as ever.
So the mare obliged, ducking her head a bit and somewhat clumsily tucking her wings to her side as she entered the clubhouse proper. She was only just short enough to not have her head bump up against the ceiling while standing up. The inside of the clubhouse looked a lot better than the outside. And there was still the wall of framed pictures depicting many of the clients the Cutie Mark Crusaders had helped over the years. To think, what had started as a just fun little get together to search for their cutie marks, had turned into a full fledged career for the three mares.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were at their usual places whenever the clubhouse was occupied. Apple Bloom even had a brand new bow in her hair, or so it seemed given the way this particular bow sparkled and glistened.
Sweetie Belle was the first to acknowledge Scootaloo's presence when her light grayish-green eyes caught sight of the pegasus. "Scootaloo!" She cheered and rushed over to greet her fellow mare. "So nice to see you again."
Scootaloo blushed hard. "Ah, come on, Sweetie Belle. It hasn't been that long since we last hung out."
Apple Bloom just chuckled as she trotted over. "It's been a few weeks at least. Sweetie Belle and I ain't seen hide or hair of ya at our last few meetin''s. We were startin' to think you'd moved to Cloudsdale or somethin'."
The pegasus mare sheepishly replied by massaging the back of her neck with a hoof. "Well, I did think about that. It would mean I'd get to see Bow and Windy more often. But then again, it would mean I'd see my aunts less often and Dad would have to get a cloud walking spell if he wanted to come see me," She then cleared her throat. "Actually, on the subject of moving, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you girls about."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged glances of not necessarily worry, but definitely concern. "Something on your mind, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Scootaloo nodded ever so slowly. "Yeah. Something I wanted to clear up with you girls first," She let out a sigh. "There's no easy way to say this. Just, promise you won't get mad or upset or anything."
"Why in the hay would we do a thing like that?" Apple Bloom shot back a most puzzled look.
Forcing back a gulp, Scootaloo opted to more or less confess right on the spot. "I was thinking of leaving the Cutie Mark Crusaders, just for a while."
A long and uncomfortable silence abruptly fell over the clubhouse following Scootaloo's confession. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's expressions didn't seem to outwardly change, but neither of them seemed to know what to say. And Scootaloo, she just stood there since she too found herself at a loss for words. She wanted to say more, but the words refused to come out.
At last, it was Apple Bloom who broke up the silence as she blinked slowly. "You wanna leave the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Even just temporarily? You feelin' okay, Scootaloo? You been ridin' your scooter without a helmet or somethin'?"
"Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle sternly scolded as she swished her tail. "You know Scootaloo would never do something like that! I'm sure she's perfectly fine," And then she decided to give her two bits as her friend's abrupt declaration. "You sure that's what you wanna do with your life, Scootaloo?"
"I... think so," Scootaloo admitted. "It just feels right. I know it's hard to think about going my separate way after all we've been through together. I'll still try to keep in touch. But, you know, my life is going in a different direction. And I feel like I have to follow it, wherever it leads."
Apple Bloom immediately asked. "Ya mind tellin' us what exactly it is you're thinkin' of doin' with your life? Or why whatever it is it won't leave ya any time to be with us?"
The pegasus mare slowly unfolded her wings, looking to them before telling her friends. "You remember the whole 'Washouts' episode when I was a filly? You know, when I thought The Washouts were the coolest thing ever?"
Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded. The memory still fresh in their minds despite how many years ago that event had taken place.
Scootaloo opted to explain. "Well, I got to thinking lately. There's probably other ponies out there that are just like me when I was growing up. Pegasi who can't fly, unicorns who can't do magic, or earth ponies who don't have super strength or can't do other things related to the earth. And, maybe they need somepony who understands what they're going through to help guide them. Help them to see that there are lots of other things they can do that don't involve stuff like flying or magic."
Sweetie questioned. "But what about Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts? I always thought you'd grow up to be part of the team, especially now that Rainbow Dash is the team captain."
Scootaloo shook her head from side to side. "Rainbow Dash doesn't need my help to keep the Wonderbolts at the top of their game. Besides, I've always been more at home on the ground rather than in the sky, even if flying is the coolest thing ever!" Her wings buzzed a bit from the brief spell of excitement.
"So, what?" Apple Bloom pondered as she scratched her head with a hoof. "You're startin' up a new Washouts club or somethin' like that?"
The pegasus mare nodded her head in confirmation, fiddling with her mane a tiny bit. "Yeah, something along those lines. I really feel like I could make a difference in other ponies' lives doing that, just like when we're teachers at the School of Friendship. I already cleared things up with Headmare Starlight and Counselor Trixie, they both agreed to give me time off for however long I want to be away."
Now it was Sweetie's turn to sigh. "So this dream of yours is why you don't think you can be a Cutie Mark Crusader anymore? Things won't be the same without you, you know."
"Yeah, I know. Trust me, I'm not a fan of splitting us up after we've been together for so many years," Scootaloo reluctantly admitted in a somber tone of voice. "But it's not like you girls don't have your own dreams: I know you wanna be a professional singer someday, Sweetie Belle. And Apple Bloom, I know you're hoping to perfect your potions so you can help your family grow more crops."
Apple Bloom nodded. "Yeah. And it's not like we haven't been takin' steps towards makin' those dreams a reality. Just like week, Sweetie Belle was auditonin' for a part in an upcomin' musical performance in Manehattan. And whenever I've found time, I've been payin' a visit to Zecora to take more potions lessons."
"But this is different. This is going to be a long term thing. I don't even know for sure if I'll come back," Scootaloo explained. "I feel like this is what I'm meant to do with my life, even if it calls me away from being a Cutie Mark Crusader," And then she apologized. "So, I'm sorry, girls. I know we all thought we'd be together forever, or at least for life. But it looks like my days as a Cutie Mark Crusader might be coming to an end. That's why I had to come and tell you girls this. If I'd just packed my things and left, you'd never understand."
Having said her peace, Scootaloo turned and prepared to leave the clubhouse for what could be the last time. She wasn't sure if she would ever set hoof inside of it ever again, let alone come near it.
Before the tomboyish pegasus mare could get far, however, she heard Apple Bloom call out to her. "Now just an apple polishin' minute there, Scootaloo. You don't think you can just waltz in here, say you're leavin' us and then walk away, do you?"
Scootaloo slowly turned around. "You're not mad at me because of this?"
Sweetie Belle joined Apple Bloom in shaking her head. "Of course not. We understand that this is something you really want to do. We'd be foolish to keep you from doing it just because we don't want you to go."
Scootaloo breathed a small sigh of relief. "Thanks for understanding, girls. You really are the best friends a pony could ask for. Like I said, I may come back someday. I don't know for sure I'll be doing this for the rest of my life."
Sweetie simply replied. "Well, before you go, Apple Bloom and I have something we want to say to you. Something we think you need to hear."
"What would that be?" Scootaloo pondered.
Apple Bloom grinned and chuckled a bit. "Ain't it obvious, Scootaloo? The bond we share is far more than some club or business we run. It goes far beyond that. After all, our cutie marks are all alike. They all have the same shield. Or did you forget that?"
Scootaloo snorted a bit. "Of course I didn't. It's been on my flank for years, how could I ever forget?"
Sweetie just pointed out. "So, that means that no matter where you go or what you do, we'll never truly be apart. You'll always still be a Cutie Mark Crusader on the inside. It's just like we told Babs Seed after she got her cutie mark: 'Once a Cutie Mark Crusader, always a Cutie Mark Crusader!' We meant it back then and we mean it now. The bond between us can never be broken, no matter how far apart we may be or where life takes us."
Apple Bloom chimed in. "So it's okay if you wanna spread your wings elsewhere. You follow your heart wherever it leads. We'll always still have a place for ya should ya come back. And even if you don't, you'll always still be a Cutie Mark Crusader to us. After all we've been through together, you think somethin' like you startin' up a new club is gonna keep us apart? If so, you've got another thing comin'!"
The pegasus mare had to wipe away a lone tear that came into her eyes. "Oh girls, you really are the bestest of best friends. Can't believe I ever thought that would change."
"Hey, it's okay. Everypony needs a reminder every now and then," Apple Bloom pointed out. "And who knows? Sweetie Belle and I might just come by and see your new Washouts club someday. Knowin' you, it's sure to be a one of a kind thing!"
Sweetie Belle smiled as she added. "I think it's great that you're going to be helping other ponies in your own way. That's a great way of keeping the spirit of the Cutie Mark Crusaders alive, and helping to pass it on to the next generation. Apple Bloom and I can't wait to hear all about it. Just promise you'll keep in touch with us."
"Don't worry, girls," Scootaloo vowed. "You can be darn sure I'll write to you as often as I can once I get my club off the ground. In fact, I Pinkie Promise that:" And she repeated the motions while saying. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
Apple Bloom smiled and winked. "Good. Just don't forget that a Pinkie Promise is never broken."
The tomboyish pegasus nodded back. "Yeah, I know that."