Mother's Love

“So, Twilight still doesn't trust me?” Rarity said as she and Spike walked to the outskirts of Ponyville.

“Sorry,” Spike said with a sigh, “She's been through a lot sadly, so she finds it hard to trust anyone off hoof. Unicorns just get the brunt of her hatred.”

“What did this “Trixie” do to Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“Well, it sort of plays a major part in a lot of things. Twilight's...” Spike looked away slightly, “She's an orphan.”

That wasn't what Rarity expected to hear.

“An orphan?” Rarity asked.

“When she was six, she was in an accident. Her parents, her big brother, all of them were killed, just leaving her.”

“Oh dear,” Rarity said, starting to feel really bad for Twilight.

“Understandably, she was really depressed after that. Mom took her under her wing, and enrolled her into her school. Once she saw Twilight's magic potential though, she decided to instead make Twilight her personal student. Most of the other kids thought Twilight was getting special treatment, and she was...”

“But they resented her for it,” Rarity inquired.

Spike nodded, “She was just one of those lucky ones. The one percent of the one percent, you know? She learned the most basic spells with ease, studied up on more complicated spells, she even taught a class.”

“Sounds impressive,” Rarity said, “But, what does this have to do with Trixie?”

“Sometime after Twilight began being taught by Mom, Trixie approached her, asking if she could get some extra tutoring. At the time, Twilight was a much different pony. She was still neurotic, but she was a lot friendlier back then, nor was she afraid of being touched. Apparently, Trixie had lost her parents in a similar accident as well, so Twilight really bonded with her. They both knew the pain of loss, and they counted on each other for comfort. Twilight really loved Trixie, and I had thought that Trixie loved her just as much.”

“She didn't?” Rarity asked.

“You see, Trixie and Twilight were actually evenly skilled when it came to magic. Twilight was naturally good, but Trixie had become a truly powerful archmage through hard work and determination. Even still, Twilight was always given special marks, congratulated, and looked at as the future of Canterlot, while Trixie got left behind.

“It wasn't anyone's fault except for the people around them, but Trixie took it out on Twilight. She told Twilight that she hated her, and that she wanted Twilight to bow down to her as the greatest mage in Canterlot. Twilight tried to reason with Trixie, but when she tried to hug her, Trixie, who at one point was her best friend, cast a spell throwing Twilight across the room and into a wall.”

“That's why she's afraid of being touched...”

“It is,” Spike said gravely, “Trixie dropped out of school shortly after and vanished, and Twilight was never the same. She had lost somepony who she cherished, the only true friend she had besides Mom and I. It made Twilight wonder if they ever were friends.”

“For someone to go from loving you to hating you like that, I can see why she'd question that,” Rarity reasoned, “Especially if they suffered through the same pain as you.”

“She put a wall around herself and her heart,” Spike continued, “I've been trying to break that wall down, but she isn't making it easy.”

“Her problem is that she's looking for reasons to dislike ponies,” Rarity said, “She's not just keeping them from getting in, she's looking for reasons to keep them out. Until she stops doing that, she's going to be alone.”

“You'll keep helping her, right?” Spike asked hopefully, “Please. You're the only unicorn I can turn to with this.”

Rarity sighed, “She's important to you, so I'll keep trying to help,” Rarity said, “But she has to make an attempt too. I'm not going to coddle her or tolerate her negativity but so much.”

“That's fine,” Spike said with a sigh, “Like I said, that's sort of what she needs I think.”

Rarity could tell that Spike was hoping for more, but unlike him, she knew exactly what Twilight needed. She was beginning to see what her problem was, and if that was the case, what she needed wasn't a friend.

She actually did need a rival...

There was a tropical storm scheduled for Friday, so Rainbow Dash was needed at the weather center. She only worked here part time, but the pay was good enough where she was fine with just that. Besides, Soarin's pay with the Wonderbolts was pretty solid.

She had just finished setting up the cloud generator as her co-worker Cloud Kicker flew up to her.

“Hey, wanna take a break?” Cloud Kicker asked.

“Nah, my shift's almost over anyway,” Dash said, “I'm just gonna set up the date for the storm and then head on out.”

“Maybe we could hang out for a bit after work,” Cloud Kicker asked. She had been trying to get Dash to hang out with her ever since they started working together. She was nice, but she reminded Dash a little too much of how she used to be.

“I appreciate it, but I got other plans,” Dash partially lied, “I was gonna pick up a few things for tonight when I see my boyfriend.”

“Ooh, planning something for your boyfriend, huh?” Cloud Kicker asked giving Dash a suggestive smile, “I can help help you pick out something really sexy to wear, ya know.”

Rainbow Dash laughed, “Thanks, but I've got it covered.”

“Aw, come on Dash, please?” Cloud Kicker begged, “It'll be more fun.”

Dash placed her hooves on Cloud Kicker's shoulder, “Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not going right there anyway, and I need some time alone.”

Cloud Kicker sighed, “One day you won't be able to keep dodging me,” she said playfully, “I'll get you one of these days.”

“You'll just have to wait in line,” Dash said, “I've got a waiting list for ponies trying to bask in my sexiness.”

Cloud Kicker laughed out loud, “There's the Rainbow Dash I know and love. See you Thursday.”

“See ya,” Dash bumped hooves with Cloud Kicker, and went off to her terminal to input the date for the storm. Once she was done and all packed up, she clocked out and flew out of the weather center back to Ponyville. She wished sometimes she could have worked closer to home, but after her discharge this was the only place she could work.

Funny how I do good and I'm still a screw up.

As she flew back home, she looked down and saw a small pegasus filly riding a scooter slowly up the path. The filly had an orange coat and a short purple mane, but she looked scarred up, like she had just been in a fight. Rainbow Dash sighed and flew down to her, noticing that she looked like she was about to cry.

“Yo,” Dash said, catching the attention of the filly.

“Rainbow Dash!” the filly cried out happily. Dash smiled and landed near the filly hugging her.

“You don't look to hot. What happened, kid?” Dash asked.

“It's nothing...” she said looking away, “I just fell, that's all.”

“Scootaloo,” Dash said seriously, “Come on, talk to me.”

“You'll be mad,” Scootaloo said sadly.

“Doubt it,” Rainbow Dash said, “Trust me, I did some pretty fucked up stuff when I was your age. Unlike other grown ups in your life, I still remember how hard being a kid is.”

Scootaloo laughed, which made Dash smile. She had been called out numerous times for her language around Scootaloo, but she didn't feel a need to censor herself around her. She already knew what it was like in the world. Hiding it from her by pretending no one said “fuck” wasn't going to do her any good.

“Okay, I'll tell you,” Scootaloo said, “I... got in a fight at school today. Diamond Tiara called me a flightless chicken, and some other things...”

“Okay, like?” Dash asked, knowing that there was more than just being called a flightless chicken (which, weren't chickens already flightless?).

“She said that my Mom was a whore,” Scootaloo said darkly, “and that she threw me away because she knew how worthless I was.”

Dash grimaced looking away a bit, “Kids can be real mean, huh?”

“She's right though, isn't she?” Scootaloo asked, “My Mom didn't want a stupid, flightless pegasus like me, so she threw me away, right?!”

“No,” Dash said seriously, “Whoever you Mom is, I'm sure that she didn't throw you away. Why would she?” Dash smiled at Scootaloo, “You're the coolest filly I've ever seen. Any parent would die to raise a filly as awesome as you.”

“If that were true, I'd be with my Mom instead of being trapped in the foster program,” Scootaloo said somberly. Dash looked to the side slightly.

“Maybe... your Mom wasn't in the right place to take care of you,” Dash said, “Maybe she just wanted to get her life together first, you know? She doesn't think your worthless though.”

Scootaloo looked down, “I guess taking care of a kid isn't easy, huh?”

“If it was, everyone would be doing it,” Dash said, trying to liven up the mood, “I may not be able to do much about your Mom, but I can help you with flying.”

“Can you? Really?” Scootaloo asked hopefully.

“You just need to learn the basics, is all,” Dash trotted of a bit and spread her wings, “Flying is more than just flapping your wings really fast. What you gotta do first is get a feel for the wind.”

“Feel for the wind,” Scootaloo ran next to Dash and spread her tiny wings out just like her, “Like this?”

“Yeah, that's good,” Dash said, “Calm your mind, and feel the air around you. Understand that air is all around you, always ready to lift you up. Can you feel it?”

“I... think so...” Scootaloo said slowly.

“Alright, now instead of just flapping your wings, what you wanna do is grab the air with your wings, and use that momentum to lift yourself off the ground.”

“Grab the air with my wings, and lift my self off the ground...” Scootaloo said to herself. She knelt down, and then jumped up using the technique that Dash taught her, actually lifting herself up really high. She would have fallen face first on the ground, but Dash caught her just in time.

“Whoa!” Dash said, “See? You didn't fly, but I bet that was the highest you ever got off the ground.”

“Yeah it was!” Scootaloo said happily, “That was too cool! Thanks Dash! You're the best!”

“Aw, I know,” Dash bragged before hugging Scootaloo, “Listen, Diamond Tiara can't hurt you if you don't let her. You're an amazing filly, so don't forget that.”

“I won't,” Scootaloo said, “And I'll try not to let Diamond Tiara get to me.”

“Atta girl,” Dash said rubbing her mane.

“I'll see ya later Dash! Thanks again!” Scootaloo said riding off on her scooter. Dash smiled waving to her until she left her view. Her expression then changed to one of deep sadness as she thought about what Diamond Tiara had said.

“Whore huh?” Dash said to herself, “Well, she ain't lying, sadly...”

Still, she wished she could do something for Scootaloo. Give her something to hold onto, something to believe in. She thought about it, and then got a creative idea. She'd have to wait until late at night, which meant letting Soarin down again, but this was far too important.

He'd understand. He always understood.

After finishing her homework and eating dinner, Scootaloo went back to her room, claiming she was going to bed. She was, but she couldn't get to sleep until she looked at her good luck charm. It was the only thing of her Mom's she had. It was a pin shaped like a lightning bolt coming out of a cloud. The colors were worn out, but Scootaloo didn't care. She was just happy to have something that belonged to her.

Something to remind her that her Mother was out there somewhere.

“Mom...” Scootaloo said sadly, “I bet you're beautiful. Diamond Tiara called you a whore, but I don't believe it. You're an amazing mare, wherever you are.”

She closed her eyes, and was about to drift off, but a bright light from her window caught her attention. Scootaloo turned and saw a silhouette of a mare standing behind her curtain. She was slightly taller than most adults, she had a really long mane and tail, it seemed like she was wearing pieces of royal regalia and armor, but what struck Scootaloo as odd was that she had both wings and a horn.

“An... alicorn?” Scootaloo asked in shock, “Are you...”

“Scootaloo, honey, don't despair,” a soothing, slightly raspy voice said. Scootaloo felt like she had heard that voice before, but she couldn't figure out where.

“Wait... Mom...?” Scootaloo asked. When the alicorn nodded, Scootaloo's eyes were wide, “Mom... you're...”

“My sweet child... I wish I could be with you,” the alicorn said, sounding on the verge of tears, “Sadly... this is the best I can do for you...”

“I knew it...” Scootaloo said, “I knew you were out there! I believed in you, always!”

“Scootaloo...” the alicorn said, placing a hoof to her chest.

“Today, Diamond Tiara said you were a whore, but I knew you weren't. You're an alicorn, that means you're a princess! I can't wait to tell-”

“No, sweetheart, you can't tell anyone what I am,” the alicorn said sadly.

“I can't? Why not...?” Scootaloo asked.

“No one would believe you, and it could compromise my position,” she explained, “If anything were to happen to you because of me, I would die,” the alicorn looked down, and Scootaloo saw that she was trembling, crying, “I love you so much, Scootaloo. I wish things had been different, but...”

“Mom, it's okay,” Scootaloo said, “Just knowing you're there is enough. I won't tell Diamond Tiara that your an alicorn princess, but I'm not going to let anyone bad mouth anymore.”

“Oh Scootaloo!” the alicorn said, breaking down. The window opened up, and the alicorn galloped in, embracing Scootaloo. She never got to see her face, but she did see that her armor was silver, and on her chest was a red gemstone.

“Mom...” Scootaloo said embracing the alicorn.

“I love you Scootaloo,” the alicorn sobbed, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mom,” Scootaloo said smiling. They stayed like that for a long time, until Scootaloo began to feel sleepy. The alicorn lifted Scootaloo to her bed, tucked her in, and kissed her on the forehead. It was so dark in the room, and Scootaloo was so tired, that she still couldn't really see her mother's face.

But what she did see was beautiful.

“Good night, my beloved child,” the alicorn said softly.

“Good night... Mom...” Scootaloo said peacefully, drifting off to sleep.

Still transformed, Rainbow Dash walked away from the Orphanage, her heart feeling heavier and heavier with each step she took. Oh how she wished she could have stayed with Scootaloo, or taken her home with her.

She wished she could tell Scootaloo that she was her Mother.

Rainbow Dash stopped and looked down, trembling as her tears once again flooded out. At least now Scootaloo believed that her Mother was someone special and important, rather than the deadbeat mare she actually was.

“Scootaloo... I'm sorry...” Dash sobbed, breaking down completely, “This is... all I can do for you...”

Right as she was about to trot back home, she felt a sudden sense of dread nearby. The magic of harmony was reacting, and it was dangerously close to the Orphanage. To Scootaloo.

Time for the Element of Loyalty to get to work.

Though Rarity was enjoying her time sitting by the pond with Spike, she couldn't ignore the call when she sensed it. Immediately she stood up, catching Spike's attention.

“Nightmare?” Spike asked.

“Not sure,” Rarity said, “But it's near the Orphanage.”

“Let's go!” Spike said standing up. Rarity was taken aback, but she nodded smiling. As they ran to the scene, Rarity felt lighter somehow. She didn't dread this fight coming up. After all, Spike was with her now.

I can do this!

With Spike by my side, I can do anything!

This labyrinth took the form of a ruined city, and the nightmare was shaped like a large bird with dark blue feathers and red eyes. The bird's talons were bladed, and its beak was pure black.

Rainbow Dash was already engaging it, flying around it at lightning speed trying to hit it. She managed to get it's wing knocking it to the ground, but when she tried to charge at it again it shot a wing forward firing its feathers at her.

Rainbow Dash gasped in shock and flew around the attacks, all the while trying to get close enough to hit it.

Damn it! If this keeps up I'll...

She didn't notice yet, but Rarity and Spike had just entered the labyrinth and were looking at the scene.

“Dash!” Spike cried out, “Rarity, we have to help her!”

“Already on it!” Rarity said glowing, “Cover me!”

Rarity ascended to her alicorn state and flew up to Rainbow Dash's side while Spike charged over to the Nightmare. He shot his green fire at the giant bird making it fly off, and Rarity followed up by firing her lasers at it.

“Dash, now!” Spike shouted, “While it's open!”

Dash nodded and turned into a bolt of lightning, slashing the bird until it fell onto its back. Dash and Rarity landed near the beast and charged up their horns, casting their banishing spell at the monster. It took a few seconds with just the two of them, but soon it faded away as the space around them returned to normal Ponyville, just outside the Orphanage.

Dash fell to the ground exhausted, “Thank God. You have no idea how happy I am to see you guys.”

“I'm just glad we were in the area,” Spike said.

“It's a good think you were here,” Rarity said, “This Nightmare was too far out of Ponyville, so none of the others would have sensed it until it was too late.”

“Yeah, it is a good thing I was here,” Dash said, looking back at the Orphanage. If she hadn't been here, would the Nightmare have gotten Scootaloo?

“What were you doing here, anyway?” Rarity asked, “This is really out of your way.”

“I had to visit someone,” Dash dismissed.

“At eight o'clock at night?” Rarity asked raising an eyebrow.

“I have my reasons, okay?” Dash snapped, “Look, that Nightmare was going to target this place. Does that mean that more will be here?”

“Possibly,” Rarity said, “If that Nightmare came from a red type somewhere, then yes, the Orphanage will be attacked again.”

Dash's heart was pounding. She turned back to look at the Orphanage, looking at Scootaloo's room. That thing almost got her. If she hadn't decided to see Scootaloo right then and there...

“Dash, are you okay?” Spike asked, “You look pale for some reason.”

“I can't let anything attack this place,” Dash said, her voice shaking, “There's someone here... I have to protect... I'm responsible... for her safety.”

“Dash?” Spike asked, clearly getting worried about her.

Dash turned to Rarity intensely, “Please, you have to help me!” she said desperately, “I can't... I... just please help me protect this Orphanage!”

Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash intently, and then closed her eyes smiling, “Well, of course we'll help, darling. We're a team, remember?”

“Tomorrow, let's meet up at the Library and tell everyone,” Spike said, “If a red type does show up, then we'll need everyone.”

Rarity nodded to Spike and then turned to Dash placing a hoof on her shoulder, “I don't know what's going on, but if this place means that much to you, I promise to help you protect it.”

“Thanks Rarity,” Dash said, “That means a lot.”

Rarity smiled warmly and then trotted off with Spike, descending back to her unicorn state. Rainbow Dash wanted to stay, now more than ever, but another Nightmare wouldn't show up so soon, and she did need her rest.

She changed back to her pegasus form when she arrived at her house. She tried not to make soo much noise as to not wake Soarin up just in case he was home, but was surprised to see that he wasn't in yet.

“Huh, must have a late shift or something,” Dash said. Guess it all worked out, she thought with a shrug. At least she didn't have to see Soarin's disappointed face again. She hated disappointing him, which was something she had been doing a lot of these days.

At least he was understanding about it.

Dash plopped down on her bed and fell to sleep, silently praying for the safety of her child.

Please, keep Scootaloo safe tonight...

Author's Notes:

And here's part 2 of the Rainbow Dash character arc. For those who don't see what I'm deconstructing with her yet, the next chapter should reveal a bit more of it.

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