Scootaloo gets a Cutie Mark, but its not quite what she expected.
Hi I'm Scootaloo, the coolest, most awesome, bestest pony in all of Equestria, behind my big sister Rainbow Dash of course, and I finally got my Cutie Mark! But...its not a mark in something I'd ever want anypony to know about me. Oh I know! I could paint over it! No that wouldn't work, the paint would wash out, I could always not wash, but then Aero might not like me anymore! Ugh this is too hard! I'll sort it out later!
((This story is set in the Rewrite: Sisterly Bonds universe, but set more funny than drama.))
Cover Art is a picture by DeviantArt user DeMoXyRaPhYm-MSlyce
It was a beautiful afternoon in Ponyville. The school had just been let out and Scootaloo, Aero, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were all walking out of the building together.
“Well, sorry everypony I have to get going.” Scootaloo said nervously.
All three other ponies stopped and looked at her.
“Why is it every Wednesday and Friday you hurry off after school?” Aero asked.
Scootaloo could feel her face start to turn red, the familiar heat in her cheeks.
“Uh...” She started to rub her hoof behind her head. “No reason, uh, Dash just likes me home on time...you know how older sisters are...well you don’t Aero...but, yeah...so... C’ya!” Scootaloo said as she galloped off.
“That crazy filly, ah wonder what she’s hidin’. “ Apple Bloom said curiously.
“She may be crazy, but she’s my crazy...” Aero paused and turned to Apple Bloom. “So lay off!”
****
Scootaloo galloped to a small building on the outskirts of the town. As she approached she saw Rainbow Dash standing there waiting for her. She skidded to a halt in front of her sister almost knocking her over.
“Whoa Scoots, slow down, you’ll run into somepony, why were you galloping so fast?”
Scootaloo was breathing heavy from her running. “Didn’t want... Anypony to... See me...” She said in between breaths.
Rainbow stood there dumbfounded. “Alright, now why are we here? What did you want to show me? And why are we meeting at this old building?” She asked.
“I’ll show you soon, just come on!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she tugged on Rainbow’s mane dragging her into the building.
Rainbow was pulled through a short hallway. The walls were painted white and the floor was an array of colorful tiles. The two came to a set of double doors, they were beautiful oak finished doors with gold painted handles.
Scootaloo pushed through the door revealing a large room. The floor was wood and a small metal rail lined one of the walls as well as a sheet of mirrors. Sitting on a bench on the far side of the room was a pegasus mare. She was a taller mare, very elegant looking. She had a blond mane and a light blue coat. She was reading a very old looking book as her eyes raised from the pages to see Scootaloo and Dash standing on the opposite side of the room.
“You’re late.” The mare said as she set her book down on the bench beside her.
“Sorry Rain Dancer, Cheerilee’s class ran late today, but I brought my big sister.” Scootaloo exclaimed as she walked farther into the room.
Rainbow stood in the room confused. “I don’t understand? Who are you? And why are we in a dance studio?” She asked.
“Ah, she hasn’t told you yet, Why don’t you come sit over here with me while Scootaloo gets ready.” Rain Dancer said.
“Um, alright...” Dash said as she walked over to the bench and sat down next to Rain Dancer.
Scootaloo hurried off through a door and closed it behind her.
Rainbow wore a concerned look on her face, her little sister apparently spent two days a week at this place with this strange pony.
Rainbow’s thoughts were interrupted as the door clicked and opened slightly.
“Rainbow, don’t laugh ok?” Scootaloo said from behind the door.
“Scoots, why would I laugh? I wouldn’t laugh at you, you know that.” Rainbow replied.
“Promise me you won’t laugh?” Scootaloo asked.
“Scoots, whatever it is you can tell me.” Rainbow said as Scootaloo stepped through the threshold of the door into the room. She was dressed in a pink tutu and had ballet horseshoes on.
Scootaloo looked down at the floor blushing as she walked out, embarrassed at the response she was expecting from Rainbow.
“So you dance, what’s funny about that?” Rainbow asked.
Scootaloo’s gaze instantly shot up to meet Dash’s. “Y-you mean you don’t think its silly?” She asked.
Rainbow stood up and slowly trotted over to Scootaloo and sat down next to her wrapping her forelegs around her sister.
“I wouldn’t laugh at you for dancing Scootaloo, you want to know why?” Rainbow asked.
“Why?” Scootaloo said as she returned the hug her sister was giving her.
“Because mom danced, and I know wherever she is right now, she’s looking down on you and she’s smiling because she’s proud of you.” Rainbow said.
“R-really?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yeah, and I think its really cool that you can be tough enough to dance, I don’t think I’m tough enough.” Dash said as she continued to hug Scootaloo.
“I love you Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo said as she embraced the encouraging hug her sister gave her.
“I love you too Scoots.” Dash said before breaking the hug. “Now go practice your dancing while I talk to Rain Dancer.”
Scootaloo nodded and proceeded to a corner of the room where she was to start her practice routine.
Rain Dancer reached a hoof out to a small box next to the bench she was sitting in and pressed a button on the top of the box causing a slow gentle song to emanate from within it.
Scootaloo started to stretch her hind legs before moving on to start stretching her forelegs as Rainbow Dash walked back over to the bench and sat down next to Rain Dancer.
Rainbow began to speak in a hushed voice to Rain Dancer. “So, how did all of this, start?” Rainbow asked as she watched Scootaloo finish stretching.
“A few weeks ago I was walking in the park and I spotted Scootaloo dancing as she walked, I approached her and asked her about it, she denied it at first but then asked me to not tell anypony.” Rain Dancer paused as Scootaloo started her dancing routine.
Rainbow adjusted her gaze to Scootaloo who was now galloping forward before leaping into the air using her wings to rotate herself in an elegant performance.
Rainbow returned her gaze to Rain Dancer who continued her story.
“I promised her I wouldn’t tell anypony, but I also offered her lessons as she seemed to enjoy dancing.” She paused as Rainbow’s gaze was moved once again to Scootaloo who now was doing another flip, this time flipping herself forward before landing on her forehooves and then balancing herself with her wings before lifting one of her forehooves off the ground. Balancing all of her weight on just one forehoof she started to push at the ground lifting up half of her hoof, then more of it until only the tip of her hoof was touching the floor. She held the position for a few seconds as several beads of sweat fell off her face to the floor before she let out her breath as she fell to the floor catching herself landing elegantly on her other three hooves.
She proceeded to move on to the next set of dance movements with several twirls as Rainbow returned her attention to Rain Dancer.
“She denied my offer, saying she was ‘too cool’ for ballet and dance in general, I told her if she wanted my dance studio would always be open to her.” Rain Dancer paused, she smiled as she remembered...
****
Rain Dancer looked up as the door to her dance studio opened slightly and a small orange filly appeared from behind it. She was blushing as she walked into the studio and over to Rain Dancer.
“Hello Scootaloo, what brings you to my dance studio today?” She asked with a smile on her face knowing exactly why Scootaloo was there.
“I... um... wanted to...” Scootaloo trailed off as she looked at the floor.
“Are you here to begin your lessons Scootaloo?” Rain Dancer asked in an understanding tone of voice.
Scootaloo felt as if the world had become very small around her as Rain Dancer saw exactly what she had come to ask.
“Y-yes...” Scootaloo said quietly.
****
“I had to convince her that dance isn’t something to be embarrassed about, but ever since then she’s been my student every Wednesday and Friday for the past few weeks.” Rain stated as she finished her story.
“Wow, I never knew, I wish she had told me, I would have tried to help somehow. I’m still trying to figure out where she hid her tutu and dance horseshoes...” Dash said.
“Well, she is actually borrowing from the studio, she doesn’t have her own dance uniform.” Rain replied.
“I wonder if-” Rainbow was cut off as a flash of light lit up the room followed by a crashing thud and a gasp.
Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were soaring through the sky, Scootaloo of course holding onto Rainbow as she sprained her wing when she fell during her dance lesson.
“I can’t believe I finally got my cutie mark!” Scootaloo cheered.
“Yeah, its pretty awesome Scoots, mom woulda been proud of you, getting a cutie mark in ballet and all.” Rainbow said turning her head to Scootaloo and smiling before returning to concentrating on flying.
Scootaloo smiled back.
“I bet you can’t wait to show all of your friends huh? Well you’re going to have to wait until your wing gets better.” Rainbow said.
Scootaloo didn’t respond. Her face went from happy to fearful.
‘Everypony’s going to think I’m not tough anymore! Or worse! They won’t want to be friends with somepony who has a lame cutie mark like mine!’ Scootaloo thought to herself as she was cut out of her daze by Rainbow landing at their cloud home.
Scootaloo climbed off of Rainbow’s back before trotting inside.
“Up to bed Scootaloo, I want you to lay down and rest until your wing gets better, at least for today...” Rainbow paused. “I’ll see about maybe having Fluttershy bring Aero over to see you, how’s that sound?” She asked as she followed Scootaloo through the door into her house.
Scootaloo hesitated before responding. “Y-yeah, s-sounds good.” She stammered before giving a weak, obviously fake smile and walking up the stairs to her bedroom.
She proceeded to her bed and climbed into it moving a few times before she found a comfortable position to lay in that didn’t cause her wing pain.
Rainbow soon appeared at the door. “I’m going to see about having Aero come over, you just rest now alright? I don’t want your wing to get any worse.”
“Alright Rainbow, I’ll just lay here...” Scootaloo said nervously.
Rainbow was unsure of what to say for a moment before she opened her mouth. “Are you alright Scoots? You seem nervous... “ Rainbow asked.
“I’m fine, nothing’s wrong at all, I’m perfectly normal!” Scootaloo rambled.
“Mhmm” Rainbow paused. “Well alright then.” She said as she walked out of the room.
Scootaloo let out a sigh of relief before she rested her head on her pillow. Before she knew it she had fallen asleep.
****
Scootaloo opened her eyes to the sound of giggling. She looked up and saw Aero standing at the end of her bed.
“Aero!?” Scootaloo yelled before trying to reach for a blanket to cover her flank, not finding any.
“Scootaloo, you have a cutie mark in, ballet?” Aero giggled to himself. “That’s so not cool.”
“Aero I...”
“I dunno why I thought a filly like you was ever cool, I don’t think I want to be your colt friend anymore.” He said.
Scootaloo just started at him as tears started to form in her eyes. “Y-you, th-this is a joke... It has to be.”
“It’s not a joke, he’s completely serious Scootaloo, and I agree with him, I think you should just go.” Rainbow said seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
“B-but...” Was all Scootaloo managed to verbalize.
‘Scootaloo...Scootaloo...’
“Wh-what?” She asked.
‘Scootaloo wake up.’
****
Scootaloo nearly jumped when she opened her eyes to see Aero standing at the end of her bed. She quickly reached for her covers and pulled them up over her exposed flank.
“Hi Aero! How long have you been standing there!?” She asked panicked.
“Just a moment, I came to check on you, Rainbow said you hurt your wing, I wanted to make sure my favorite filly was feeling alright.” Aero said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah I’m fine... Is that all Rainbow said?” Scootaloo asked seeming rather troubled.
“Yeah, she said not to wake you, but you were tossing and turning and I thought you were having a nightmare... You seem troubled, I didn’t bother you did I?” Aero asked as he made his way closer to Scootaloo so he was now sitting directly next to her.
“No, Aero no you never bother me, I’m just...” She paused to think of an excuse. “I’m just tired is all.”
“Well you ran off in such hurry earlier, I didn’t have time to talk to you at all... Are you sure you’re ok?” He asked again.
“Aero I’m fine, if I wasn’t I’d tell you.” Scootaloo lied not quite keeping her face from giving away her lie.
“Alright, well you seem a bit tense... how about a back rub? Maybe that’ll make your wing feel better?” Aero suggested.
Scootaloo, not thinking agreed. “Yeah, that actually sounds nice, since when did you offer back rubs Aero?” She asked.
“Only for you, and today, I can’t have my favorite filly walking around in pain now can I?” He said as Scootaloo moved so she was laying on her belly, now outside of the covers.
“Aha! She was right! You did get a cutie mark today!” Aero exclaimed.
“Wha- No!” Scootaloo yelled as she quickly dove under the covers again.
“It’s no use Scootaloo, I saw it while you were asleep... Why are you so afraid of other ponies seeing your cutie mark?” He asked.
Scootaloo poked herself back out from under the covers. “Oh, well, I guess you know then, It’s ok if you don’t want to be my colt friend anymore, Just don’t tell anypony else.” Scootaloo said as her ears fell to the sides of her head.
Aero put a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “Hey now, don’t go beating yourself up over a cutie mark, its a cool cutie mark, what in Equestria gave you the idea that I wouldn’t want to be your colt friend anymore?” He asked.
“Well...” She paused and stood up exposing her flank. On it was a tutu and two dance horseshoes. “Its a cutie mark in ballet... It’s... It’s kinda uncool...” She said.
“Scootaloo...” He paused and nuzzled her. “You need to relax, it’s a cutie mark, something you’ve wanted your entire life as far back as you can remember right?”
She nodded.
“Then why are you beating yourself up over it? Having a cutie mark, regardless of what it is, is a really cool thing. You have nothing to be afraid of, everypony will want to celebrate your cutie mark.” He said giving her a smile.
“B-but what if they don’t? I could try to cover it up... I thought about painting over it... but then I thought what if somepony see’s me? I could always just stay here for the rest of my life... No wait, that’s perfect Aero! I could just never leave the house again! Isn’t it just a great idea!?” She cheered.
“I don’t think that’s-” Aero managed to speak before being cut off.
“No Aero, don’t you see, if I never leave the house again, nopony will ever know I got my cutie mark, and then nopony will ever be able to make fun of me!” She said enthusiastically.
Aero simply brought a hoof to his face. ‘This is going to be a very, very long weekend.’ He thought to himself.
Written By: Secret_Shadows Proof Read By: Thunder_Chaser22 Edited By: Avorin
Scootaloo lay in her bed with a thermometer in her mouth that she conveniently held over a candle when Rainbow Dash turned around popping it back in her mouth the moment Dash turned to face her.
Rainbow took the thermometer out of Scootaloo’s mouth and looked at it for a moment before putting her hoof to Scootaloo’s forehead. “Well you don’t feel warm Scoots... but this thermometer says you’re burning up... I’ll have to get Fluttershy to come look at you and make sure you are ok.”
Scootaloo was horrified that she was going to have to face another pony who would undoubtedly see her cutie mark, and then she remembered that Fluttershy probably already knew. “Ok... I’ll just lay in bed then... do you think you can have Fluttershy bring Aero over?”
“Scootaloo, if you’re as sick as the Thermometer says you are... I don’t think its such a good-”
“Awww, Pleeeeeeeease Rainbow Dash! I really wanna see Aero!” Scootaloo pouted.
Rainbow Dash stood there for a moment. “Well... I guess, just, don’t let him get too close to you, I don’t want him ending up sick to.”
“Ok Dash!” Scootaloo said smiling.
“Now get some rest Scootaloo, you’ll want to be all rested for when Aero and Fluttershy get here, I bet you’re still all excited about your cutie mark after all, you’ll want to save your energy.” Rainbow said smiling as she exited the room.
Scootaloo let out a sigh in relief as she lay back in bed. ‘I guess I’ll just lay here, who knows, maybe a nap in the middle of the day can be fun...’ She thought before quickly drifting off to sleep.
****
As Aero walked up the steps to Scootaloo’s bedroom he could her Rainbow and Fluttershy’s conversation echo through the hallway.
“I don’t know Fluttershy, she just got her Cutie Mark... why would she be faking being sick?”
“Maybe she’s embarrassed that her cutie mark is in dance? Ballet is something she thinks is particularly frilly.”
The words started to fade as Aero opened the door to Scootaloo’s room finding Scootaloo sound asleep in her bed. A devilish grin appeared on his face as he tip-hoofed over to the bed and got onto it, he started to jump up and down.
“Wake Up! Wake Up! Scootaloo! Wake Up!” He cheered.
Scootaloo groaned and opened her eyes. “I don’t have school for another hour Dash, let me sleep a bit longer.” She said as she rolled over.
Aero stopped bouncing on her bed and pounced onto her. “Wake up Sleepy Head!”
Scootaloo nearly jumped out of bed when he jumped onto her. “A-aero?, sweet Celestia you scared me, don’t do that to me!”
“Aww, I just wanted to wake you up, I can’t spend time with my filly friend if she is asleep after all.” He said nuzzling her.
Scootaloo returned the nuzzle. “Aw, you’re so sweet Aero... but I’m suppose to be sick... if Dash comes up her and finds us nuzzling... she might think something is up...”
“Fluttershy already knows you are faking it... she’s telling Dash that right now...” Aero said getting off of her and jumping onto the floor.
Scootaloo lay in her bed silently for a moment. “Aero... if I decided to run away, would you go with me?”
“Why would you want to run away, She’s your sister, I’m sure she’ll underst-”
“Would you go with me?” Scootaloo said cutting Aero off. “Yes or no.”
“Scootaloo, think rationally here, if you run away...”
“Yes. or. No.”
Aero sighed. “Yes...”
“Alright, let me just..” She trailed off as she opened her journal and wrote in it before tearing out the page and putting it on her nightstand. She then took a blanket, a pillow, and a picture of her and Dash putting them into a saddle bag, and then proceeded to jump out of the window, gliding away from the sky home, Aero close behind.
“I still think this is stupid.” Aero said over the roar of the wind.
“Yes, but you still came with me.”
****
“Scootaloo, can I talk to you?” Rainbow asked as she pushed the door open to Scootaloo’s bedroom. She then spotted the window was open, and there was a note on her nightstand.
Rainbow Dash,
You were always there for me when I needed you, you were the best big sister I could ever hope to have, but, I am leaving now. Don’t bother looking for me, you won’t find me. I wish you all the best in becoming a Wonderbolt... I hope you don’t feel too upset. I don’t know where I am going, but its to someplace where nopony knows me and I won’t have to be embarrassed by my cutie mark, and I won’t ruin your coolness by being your sister with a lame cutie mark. I hope you can understand. I love you Rainbow Dash.
Your Little Sister,
~Scootaloo
Rainbow dropped the note onto the floor as a tear rolled off of her face, hitting the floor before the paper gently landed next to it.
Fluttershy stepped closer to Dash, she reached a hoof out onto Rainbow’s shoulder. “Dash? Are you okay?”
‘She left, just like that over something so stupid and trivial, she knows I’d NEVER think of her as uncool, she knows...’ Rainbow stood silent for a moment, staring down at the note that lay on the floor. “Y-yeah I’m just...” She paused and looked up at the empty bed and open window, the curtains fluttering in the breeze. ‘After all we have been through, I gave her a home! I gave her the love she had always wanted! And she just left... without a care for how it would make me feel!’
“You don’t seem like it, are you sure? Y-you should probably give Scootaloo some space, Aero is with her and he’ll probably bring her back... y-you know... i-if you w-want t-to give her space...”
“No, I’m going to find her right now.” Rainbow said, her expression changing from sadness, to anger, anger that Scootaloo would just leave her without even a goodbye, without even explaining why she felt this way to her, her only sister. As fast as she said it, Rainbow’s wings flew open and she lept out the window flying as fast as she could, tears streaming out of her eyes as she flew.
****
“This is where you lived for all that time Aero? It’s... nice?” Scootaloo said as she walked around the small makeshift shelter placed under a bridge near the outskirts of ponyville. It was small, the bridge was used as a roof and the sides were closed by boards leaned up against the opening.
Aero sighed. “It’s the best I could do, I wasn’t as lucky as you, I couldn’t find a treehouse.” He paused and laid down on a pile of hay. “Scootaloo...”
“Hmm?” Scootaloo asked as she gathered up some loose hay and made it into a pile so she could lay down.
“Are you sure you want to do this? I mean... really... you are running away from Rainbow Dash, your only sister! All of this over something so stupid as an embarrassing cutie mark!”
Scootaloo glared at Aero. “I don’t need you telling me what to do!” She snapped. “Just because you have a regular cutie mark, one that is not stupid and embarrassing doesn’t mean you can just say that!” She collapsed down into the pile of hay and tears started to stream down her face. “You don’t know what its like... to be an embarrassment to your family.”
Aero’s ear fell back level as Scootaloo yelled at him, “Scootaloo... I-”
“Don’t even say anything, I don’t want to hear it.” Scootaloo said as she turned her head away from Aero, tears dripping off of her face onto the dirt below.
Aero close his mouth and stood up, he took a few steps closer to Scootaloo and laid down next to her extending his wing over her. “I know...”
Scootaloo turned her head to him as he laid down next to her. “I’m sorry, I-”
Aero extended one of his forehooves up and touched it to Scootaloo’s mouth silencing her. “I know... you were upset... just let it out. It’s okay...” He said nuzzling the side of her head.
Scootaloo closed her eyes and accepted his nuzzle and continued to tear up, letting out her emotions.
****
“But what if he is hurt!? Or worse!?” Fluttershy said, breathing heavily into a paper bag. She was laying down on a daybed similar to Rarities ‘fainting bed’ in the middle of a field, Discord was sitting in a large chair next to her wearing a pair of glasses and holding a clipboard scribbling down notes as she spoke.
“Mhmm, and how does this make you feel?” He asked pointing the end of the pencil at her.
“How does it make me feel!? How Does It Make Me Feel!?” She shouted. “Uhm, I... worried.” Fluttershy said softly.
“Yes, indeed.” He said bringing his claw up to his chin rubbing his goatee. “I see, Fluttershy you need to learn to relax.” He said snapping his claws turning his chair into a cloud and his glasses into a pair of shades and he floated around fluttershy.
“But its Aero! He’s like a son to me!” Fluttershy protested.
Discord sighed and snapped his claws again turning the pencil into a straw and the clipboard into a drink. “Well fine then my dear Fluttershy... you really do know how to be a party pooper.” He said snapping his claws once more and in a bright light Fluttershy vanished.
Fluttershy found herself confronted with a bridge on the outskirts of Ponyville, it seemed to have been converted into a makeshift shelter. She stepped closer and peered through a hole finding Scootaloo and Aero inside, unsure of what to do Fluttershy flew off, quickly locating Rainbow Dash in the sky as she searched for Aero and Scootaloo. “Rainbow Dash, I’ve found them...”
