Believe

After that night with her mother, Scootaloo became obsessed with alicorns. She wanted to know more about them, where they came from, why there weren't more of them, and what exactly they were.

It was a good thing that she didn't have school today, because she was able to get to the Library early to find books on them. Ever since the Library got those two new librarians, it became more fun sitting there to read. At least when the dragon was there. He was surprisingly nice. The unicorn was a little intimidating, and Scootaloo didn't really like her too much.

Thankfully the dragon was there when she arrived. Apparently he and the other librarian (Twilight something) had some errands to take care of, so they'd be out for most of the day, but she was allowed to borrow a few books. Spike was awesome. If the unicorn had been there, she'd probably say no.

Scootaloo wondered if her Dad was as cool as Spike. Hey, her mother was an alicorn, so for all she knew her father was a dragon. She read in one book that dragons and alicorns had a very special relationship, and it wasn't uncommon to see a dragon in the service of one.

Did her mom have a dragon partner? Spike showed up a little before she saw her mother, and there were rumors of alicorns flying around Ponyville at night. Was Spike her mom's dragon partner?

“Man, there are so many questions I have,” Scootaloo said to herself, sitting in the clubhouse she shared with her friends Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, “I wish I could ask you directly, Mom.”

The door opened, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walked in.

“Heya Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said. She was a really cute Earth Pony filly with a yellow coat and a long red mane tied in a pink ribbon and a matching tail. She was a little more delicate than Scootaloo, but nowhere near as delicate as Sweetie Belle, who always had her stuffed bunny with her at the clubhouse.

“We weren't expecting to see you so early,” Sweetie Belle said.

“I got an early start,” Scootaloo said, “There was something I wanted to look up.”

Apple Bloom walked over to her pile of books and picked up one, surprised when she saw the title, “Mythology of Alicorns? Ah didn't take ya fer the myth... mytholo...”

“Mythological?” Sweetie Belle chimed in. It always amazed them how Sweetie Belle knew so many big words. She was really smart, but no one would notice with how immature she seemed.

“Yeah, that's the word! Ah didn't take ya fer... that... thing...” Apple Bloom said.

“Something happened two nights ago,” Scootaloo said looking away a bit. Her mother told her not to tell anyone, but she could trust these two. They were her best friends, after all, “Guys, can you keep a secret?”

“Ah don't know,” Apple Bloom said, “Ah know Ah can, but Sweetie Belle might not be able ta contain herself.”

“Hey! I can keep a secret!” Sweetie Belle retaliated before looking at her stuffed bunny, “Isn't that right, Persephone?”

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo shook their heads smiling at their friend.

“Guys, I'm serious,” Scootaloo said, “You have to promise not to tell anyone, not your parents, your siblings, the teachers, anyone, alright?”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other seriously, probably weighing their options. She knew she could trust them with this though. She loved these two, and trusted them with her life.

“Alright,” Apple Bloom said, “We won't tell anyone.”

“We promise,” Sweetie Belle added, “What's the huge secret?”

Scootaloo went to the window and looked around, making sure that no one was nearby. She then went to the door and checked before closing it and turning to her friends, “I met my mom.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo in confusion, “Um... what?” Apple Bloom asked.

“She came to me two nights ago,” Scootaloo explained, “Guys, she's an alicorn.”

They were both silent for a few seconds, and then burst out laughing. Scootaloo expected that reaction, but it still frustrated her.

“An alicorn? That's crazy even by my standards!” Sweetie Belle said.

“Guys, I'm being serious!” Scootaloo said, “I know how crazy this sounds, but I'm telling the truth! My mom... she's an alicorn princess.”

“What, yer sayin she's Princess Celestia or somethin,” Apple Bloom asked.

“No, I don't think so,” Scootaloo sat down by her books and pulled out a sketch she did, “It was dark so I couldn't really see her, but I caught a few things. Her coat wasn't bright like Princess Celestia's. It looked blue. Her mane was definitely multicolored, and it was really long, but it wasn't the same set of colors as Celestia. Finally, I saw bits of her regalia, and it looked sort of like knights armor. I drew it out as best as I could here.”

Her two friends looked at the sketch, and were clearly impressed. It wasn't really detailed, but it was still really good. Apple Bloom nodded and patted Scootaloo on the back.

“Hang on, alright?” she said. She then picked up a piece of paper, a pencil, and a few crayons, and went to work compiling a more detailed sketch. It took a few minutes, but when she was done, Scootaloo saw a very good drawing of a deep blue alicorn with a rainbow colored mane and tail, wearing armored hoof guards, a metallic chest piece with a red gem in the center, and a fancy tiara that matched her armor. Her expression was one of great strength, wisdom, and compassion.

“There,” Apple Bloom said, “When ya said that she was wearin armor, Ah figured that she was a soldier or some sort of fighter. Is what ya saw?”

“I think so,” Scootaloo said looking at the drawing and tearing up, “Think this is what she looks like?”

“It's just an estimate, but Ah figure this is somewhat close,” Apple Bloom said, “Yer sure ya didn't jus' dream her?”

“I'm positive,” Scootaloo said softly, “She sounded so sad, and she even broke down crying. Apple Bloom, my mom is out there somewhere, and she wants to be with me, but she can't. I think whatever her job is, it's too important to put me in danger.”

“Mah only question is how can she be an alicorn,” Apple Bloom said, “Yer a pegasus. Ah'd think if yer mother was an alicorn...”

“Actually, Apple Bloom, that's not to much of a stretch,” Sweetie Belle said. Her friends turned to see her surrounded by the books Scootaloo brought. Every one of them was open.

“What do ya mean?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Well, it 's believed that alicorns are the highest form of evolution in a pony,” Sweetie Belle explained, “Just like how a Cutie Mark appears on a pony who knows what their special talent is, alicorn evolution is said to occur as a response to a higher calling. So, it's possible that Scootaloo's mother had her before she evolved.”

“Sweetie Belle, ya really believe that Scootaloo's mom is-”

“I do,” Sweetie Belle said, “When I saw that sketch, I felt something familiar. I think... I dreamed about something like this...”

“Sweetie Belle-”

“Apple Bloom, if Scootaloo says that her mother is an alicorn, then I believe her,” Sweetie Belle walked over to Apple Bloom and whispered in her ear, “She needs this.”

Apple Bloom looked at Scootaloo, who was holding the picture smiling. She had tears in her eyes, thinking about her mother. She was special, so special that she became something beyond a normal pony's existence.

Apple Bloom sighed, “Well, Ah ain't sure Ah believe it, but if y'all believe it, then that's enough fer me.”

“Thanks, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said, rolling up the picture and running to the door.

“Where are you going?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“My mom is out there somewhere,” Scootaloo said, “I have to find her.”

“Why?” Apple Bloom asked.

“She's lonely,” Scootaloo said, “I need to be there with her.”

With that, Scootaloo galloped out of the clubhouse. She knew that she looked crazy, but something in her heart was screaming out. Her mother was crying right now, and wherever she was, she was alone. She didn't have anyone to hold her when she cried.

She'd be there. She'd find her mother, and help her.

She couldn't bring herself to get out of bed. After seeing what she saw, her entire world was crushed. Soarin and Fleetfoot, together. They were her friends at one point. She had sacrificed her position in the Wonderbolts for Fleetfoot, and she was a loyal girlfriend to Soarin. She was seeking something meaningful, and she thought that she finally had that.

But apparently, Soarin didn't feel the same way.

“I did good...” Dash said softly, “I was loyal. I loved him,” she broke down for the third time that morning, “Why are you doing this to me Soarin?!”

She screamed in devastation, letting her pain be known. She hadn't done anything to Soarin except try and be a loving girlfriend, but he betrayed her. She was fighting for him! She sacrificed her time to protect him, and this was the thanks she got?! She was always singing his praises, letting ponies know how loved she was, and how he understood, and he was sleeping around behind her back!

That was where he was yesterday, wasn't it? God, she had the audacity to be worried about him! She wished he would be attacked by a Nightmare now! Then she could look at him being consumed by the darkness, and he could feel how she felt right now!

“I HATE YOU!!! I HATE YOU!!!!!!” Dash screamed, sobbing into her pillow. She heard the door open, and someone trotting upstairs. It was Soarin, she knew it. She'd give him a piece of her mind the second he-

“Dash?” Fluttershy's voice called out from right outside.

“P-Partner...?” Dash asked. She turned to the door as it opened, seeing Fluttershy standing there. When she laid eyes on Dash, she looked horrified.

“Oh my... Dash!” Fluttershy galloped over to her and took her hoof, “You look terrible! What happened?”

Instead of answering her, Dash broke down and embraced Fluttershy tightly, surprising the cream colored mare. She returned the hug with a worried expression.

“Dash honey, what's wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“Dash!” Soarin's voice called out from downstairs. Dash tensed up hearing his voice. Before that voice would have brought elation, but now all Dash saw was red.

Soarin galloped into the bedroom and stopped when he saw Fluttershy embracing Dash.

“Who are you?” Soarin asked harshly.

“I'm a friend of Dash's,” Fluttershy explained, “I came to get her, but her door was opened and I got worried.”

Soarin walked over to them, “Dash, what's wrong babe?” he asked, reaching out to Dash. She reacted by slapping his hoof away, “Whoa! Dash, what's-”

“Get out...” Dash seethed.

“Dash?” Soarin asked.

“I said... get OUT!!!” Dash screamed, “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!!!! I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!!!”

“Dash, what did I do?!” Soarin asked, “Yesterday we were-”

“You know what you did!” Dash fussed, tears building up again, “Get out of my house right now!”

Soarin was about to say something, but Fluttershy put her hoof on his shoulder stopping him. She had her head down so her mane covered her eyes, and her entire air had changed.

“You need to leave, now,” Fluttershy said, her voice still calm and even, yet devoid of... something.

“Hold on! I need to know-”

“Right now, you need to leave,” Fluttershy cut him off, “I'll take care of Dash myself.”

“But-” Soarin was cut off by a low growl. It sounded like it came from some sort of canine, but it seemed like it came from Fluttershy. Soarin stepped back and turned to the door, “We'll talk later, Dash.”

He left the room, and after a few seconds the front door closed. Fluttershy took a deep breath as if to calm herself.

“Control yourself... Control yourself...” she said to herself before turning to Dash, perfectly normal now, “Dash, are you okay?”

“No, I'm not!” Dash cried, “He... he betrayed me!”

“Huh?” Fluttershy asked sitting down on the bed, “Tell me everything, Dash.”

After hearing everything, Fluttershy thought Dash should stay home and relax, but she had refused. She told Fluttershy that she needed to patrol Ponyville. Fluttershy didn't think it was a good idea, but as her partner, she wasn't going to stop her.

Once she was alone, Fluttershy landed near Ponyville and looked down, thinking about what Rainbow Dash told her. Rainbow Dash didn't hurt anyone. She was kind, loyal, and one of the few ponies that Fluttershy actually liked.

For Soarin to do that to someone as nice as Dash...

“You hurt Dash...” Fluttershy said softly, thinking about Soarin. He better hope that she never see him again. She might not be able to control herself around him.

Scootaloo was on her scooter riding all through Ponyville, trying to find any sign of her mother. She had read in her books that alicorns could sometimes take on the form of a normal pony, which was why ponies hadn't seen more wandering around. In fact, Princess Celestia was the only confirmed alicorn still alive, and she was ancient as far as Scootaloo knew.

If her mother was a soldier of some sort, then it made sense that she would probably be hiding in the form of a normal pony.

Scootaloo stopped in the middle of town and looked at the picture.

“Geez, she could be anyone,” Scootaloo sighed, “Mom, are you watching over me right now?”

“Hey look, it's the chicken!” a prissy voice called out from behind Scootaloo, making her groan. Scootaloo turned around to see Earth Pony fillies trotting over to her. One was a pink filly with a purple and white mane and tail, a tiara on her head, and a Cutie Mark matching her headpiece. The other filly was a gray filly with a silver mane, a pearl necklace, light blue glasses, and a Cutie Mark shaped like a silver spoon.

Their names were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

“What do you two want?” Scootaloo asked with a groan.

“You looked like you were looking for something,” Diamond Tiara said airily, “I figured we could lend a hoof.”

“I don't need any help,” Scootaloo said, “Least of all your help.”

“That's not nice,” Silver Spoon chimed in, “Diamond Tiara is trying to be nice, and you just attack her like that!”

“Now Silver Spoon, it's okay,” Diamond Tiara said, “She's probably just embarrassed. I'd be too if I were looking for my runaway Cutie Mark.”

The two bullies laughed, making Scootaloo tremble in frustration. Just because they got their Cutie Marks first didn't give them the right to put her down.

“Or maybe,” Diamond Tiara stopped and trotted around Scootaloo, “She's looking for her slut of a mother,” when Scootaloo grimaced, Diamond Tiara smirked, “That's it, isn't it? You're searching for Mommy, right?”

“Why? Hoping that she'll take you in?” Silver Spoon asked, “She abandoned you before. What makes you think she'll want you back now?”

“I bet she's nothing but a dirty whore anyway,” Diamond Tiara added, “That's assuming that she's even alive. She could be dead you know?”

“She probably is dead,” Silver Spoon added, “Caught some disease sleeping around, I bet.”

“Shut up...” Scootaloo seethed.

“What was that?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“I said SHUT UP!” Scootaloo shouted, surprising the two fillies, “My Mom isn't a slut! She's...” she stopped herself before she outed her mother, “She's an amazing pony, wherever she is, and I'm not going to let you badmouth her!”

Diamond Tiara's shocked expression turned into an arrogant sneer, “Oh, she's “amazing” huh? You don't know either, do you?”

“I...” Scootaloo wanted to tell her so badly what her mother was.

“You want her to be some amazing pony, because deep down you know that I'm right that she threw you away.”

“She... didn't... throw me away!” Scootaloo shouted.

“If I knew that my child was going to be talentless, I'd get rid of her too,” Silver Spoon stated, “I wouldn't want that blight on my name.”

“I mean, if she really wanted you, wouldn't she have come for you by now?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“She does want me!” Scootaloo defended, “If she could, she'd be here with me right now!”

“You say that, but you know that's not true,” Silver Spoon taunted, “That's why your searching for her right now, right?”

Was it? Wasn't she searching for her mother so she could help her? But then, help her with what? What would an alicorn hero like her mother need help with? Maybe she was actually trying to get validation for leaving her at the orphanage.

No... she believed in her mother. She had to believe in her mother. What happened that day was real, and her mother needed help.

“No, that's wrong,” Scootaloo said adamantly, “I'm searching for her because she needs me. I'm not going to listen to you badmouth my mother anymore.”

With that, Scootaloo hopped back on her scooter and rode off. She heard Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughing at her, probably thinking that she was just in denial. Those two were horrible. Did that happened from being rich? Sweetie Belle's sister was pretty wealthy, yet she wasn't mean like those two.

Their parents must have been horrible. Scootaloo as happy to know that at least her mother was a good pony.

As she rode off, she saw Rainbow Dash lying on a cloud. She looked really upset about something. Scootaloo was still searching for her mother, but Rainbow Dash was her friend, probably the only adult Scootaloo actually liked.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo called out, catching the attention of the older pegasus. She wiped her eyes and then flew down to Scootaloo.

“Hey kid,” Dash said trying to smile, “What's up?”

“I was gonna ask you that,” Scootaloo said, “You looked like you were crying. Is everything okay?”

“Y-yeah,” Dash said looking away, “Nothing to worry about.”

“Dash,” Scootaloo said seriously, “Talk to me.”

Probably realizing what she did, Dash laughed a bit shaking her head, “I guess I deserved that, huh?” she sighed, “Ya know, the one thing we all forget, no matter how old you are, life can be a real pain in the ass.”

“Did you have a bad day?” Scootaloo asked, “Did someone bully you too?”

“I wish,” Dash said ruefully, “No, I was... betrayed by someone... Someone I loved... Well, it's not like I don't deserve it, I guess...”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“I'm not as great as you think I am, kid,” Dash said turning away, “I'm messed up. I've tried making up for it, but all this showed me is that my crimes can't be forgiven,” she sighed, “Divine judgment I guess...”

“No way!” Scootaloo ran in front of Dash, “You're the coolest adult I know! You're nice, loyal, and you take care of me!”

“Scootaloo...” Dash said, looking like she was on the verge of tears. Something about this felt familiar. Also, why was she so emotional?

That didn't matter. Dash helped her, so she wanted to help Dash in return.

“Anyone who hurt you is a real dick,” Scootaloo said, “Tell me who they are so I can punch them in the gut!”

As Scootaloo got on her hind legs and began punching the air, Dash started laughing, tears falling from her eyes.

“Scootaloo, you're a great kid,” Dash said, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Scootaloo smiled at Dash, but then had an idea, “Oh! Maybe you could help me with something!”

“Uh... sure,” Dash said shrugging.

“I'm sorry if you're busy, Dash. If you are, I can-”

“No!” Dash said suddenly, “I... uh... I could use the company of... a friend...”

Scootaloo thought Dash was acting really odd, but she let it go. Whoever hurt her must have left a serious mark on her.

“She told me that I should keep this a secret,” Scootaloo said, “but I know I can trust you, Dash. Remember when we saw each other a few days ago?”

“Yeah, I remember,” Dash said, “Some bullies were talkin shit about your Mom, right?”

“Well, that night,” Scootaloo looked around and then motioned Dash to lean in closer to her, “I met her.”

Dash was wide eyed, “Wait, what?” she asked.

“My Mom. She came to me,” Scootaloo said smiling, “I couldn't believe it, but... she's an alicorn!”

Dash looked away slightly biting her lip, “You don't say...”

“She was beautiful,” Scootaloo said walking around, “She was wearing armor, and she sort of looked like the princess. I think she's a warrior or something,” Scootaloo turned to Dash, “Thing is, I think she's in trouble.”

“Why do you think that?” Dash asked slowly.

“I don't know, but last night I felt something within me cry out. All of a sudden, I couldn't get her out of my head. I have to find her.”

“You... want to find her?” Dash asked.

“Yeah! She needs me. That's why she came to me that night. She was crying out for me.”

Dash looked down somberly, “W-what if she isn't what you expect?” Dash asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe she is an alicorn, but she's not as magnificent as you think she is. What if she isn't this amazing hero?”

“I know that she is,” Scootaloo said, “I believe in my mother, wherever she is. Nothing is going to shake my faith in her,” Scootaloo walked over to Dash, “Can you help me find her?”

“Scootaloo, I...”

“Please, Dash. You're the only adult I can trust with this.”

Dash looked at Scootaloo intently, and if she didn't know better, she looked somewhat pained. That lasted for a few seconds until she sighed and once again forced a smile.

“Sure thing, kid. I don't know how helpful I'll be in finding an alicorn, but I'll help ya.”

“Thanks Dash,” Scootaloo said hugging Dash, “You're the best, you know that?”

“Heh, yeah...” Dash said softly, “I know...”

Author's Notes:

I'm working on the next chapter IMMEDIATELY after posting this one, so don't worry. You'll see this continue real soon. This is probably one of my favorite stories, sort of an anime version of MLP, ya know?

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