Chapter 4

Making Up For Lost Time

As the sun was setting, the three fillies knocked on the door of the Ponyville library. They heard from inside "Come in!" They walked inside, and they saw Spike reshelving some books.

Twilight was descending the stairs, and said "Oh, hello you three. What can I do for you?"

Scootaloo stepped forward and asked "Twilight, we need you to come with us. Can you?"

Twilight tilted her head, and asked "What for?"

Applebloom stated "Ya wouldn't believe us. Ya need to see it fer yerself."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, but said "Sure, I'll come. Spike? Can you handle the library for a little bit?"

He turned on his ladder and gave the thumbs-up. The group of four headed out, Twilight following the three fillies to this thing they needed her for.

It was night by the time they reached the dirt mound. Scootaloo went over to the dirt mound, and put her muzzle to it. A few seconds later, Fortuna walked out and smiled at her daughter. Twilight stood there, her mind reeling at seeing the apparition up close.

Scootaloo turned around and smiled at Twilight. "Twilight, meet my mother, Fortuna."

She seemed to be in a trance as she walked over to Fortuna. She stuttered a bit, before calming down and saying slowly.

"He... Hello, Fortuna."

Fortuna smiled, and said something.

Scootaloo responded "She's here to help. She can help you."

Twilight continued to stand still, before Scootaloo poked her shoulder. Twilight shook her head, and looked at Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"She can't move on, Twilight. She's cursed."

Twilight's eyes widened, and she seemed to be thinking of possible solutions. At last, she appeared to have thought of something.

"I think I know of a spell that can help. Its in a book back in the library. Back in a minute!"

At this, she teleported back to the library. About thirty seconds later, she reappeared levitating a book.

"Okay, I found a spell that will bind two souls together, one living, one dead, so when the living one moves on, the dead one will follow, bypassing all curses and charms. Only problem is, who to bind to?"

Scootaloo cleared her throat.

"Scootaloo, are you sure you'd be okay with this?" Scootaloo looked at Fortuna, and they nodded in unison.

"Okay, let me go over the 'side-effects' of this spell. One, the dead soul will always be in vicinity of the living one, like a leash.

Two, the two souls will be able to communicate with each other through thought.

Three, the dead soul can increase it's power and use it, if in agreement of both souls, and at the cost of some stamina of the living soul's body.

Four, the dead soul can posses and speak through the living soul's body, including agreement from both souls. The last one has been known to give the speaker a 'double-voice' effect when possessed, making it sound as if two ponies are speaking in unison.

"That seems to be it. You still want to go through with this?"

They both nodded in unison again.

"Okay, here goes." Twilight began reading allowed the chants from the spell, while her horn began to glow brighter and brighter. Scootaloo felt a tugging feeling inside her chest, and she saw her mother look at her nervously. When the spell reached it's climax, Twilight's horn released an incredible flash of light, and Scootaloo fainted.

Scootaloo slowly opened her eyes, and found herself back in her bedroom in the boutique. She stretched her wings, and yawned loudly.

Good morning, dear, did you sleep well? Scootaloo looked to her left, and saw her mother sitting on the edge of the bed.

Scootaloo smiled and said "So it worked?"

Fortuna nodded. Scootaloo asked "Say, am I the only one who can see you?"

Unless I choose otherwise.

"Good, stay invisible until I give the signal. I have an awesome idea in mind."

Scootaloo walked down the stairs into the kitchen where Rarity was cooking breakfast.

She looked over and exclaimed "Oh, Scootaloo, darling!  How are you this morning? I heard you were out quite late last night."

"It's alright. I feel fine. Hey Rarity, fun little fact. I found out what my mother named me. She named me Chella."

"Oh? She didn't name you Scootlaoo? Interesting, how did you come across this information?"

'Now!' Scootaloo thought to Fortuna.

Scootaloo pointed to the staircase, and sitting at the foot of the stairs was Fortuna, plain for any pony to see. Rarity looked ready to shriek. Scootaloo, thinking fast, put her hoof over Rarity's mouth.

"Rarity, meet my mother, Fortuna. She was the one walking through Ponville at night for the past month. As you can see, she's dead. Now, please don't shriek."

Scootaloo removed her hoof, and Rarity went 'eep', and slowly trotted over to the stairs.

"So, you're Scootaloo's mother?"

Fortuna nodded, and floated over to Scootaloo, wrapping her front hooves over Scootaloo's shoulders.

Scootaloo returned the hug as best she could, and stated "She's going to be where ever I am from now on. So get used to seeing her." R

arity took a deep breath, and nodded. She tried some humor. "So, should I set an extra plate?"

Everypony smiled at the joke, and Rarity called Sweetie Belle in, who seemed completely unphased at seeing Fortuna, which Rarity found odd. She just shrugged it off, and made a mental note to ask Twilight about Fortuna later.