In case no one's figured it out yet, I'm a bit slow on the updates. My life is fairly busy, but I have plans for this story and will add chapters when I have free time.
I had a debate about calling Quarterback "Score," since that was what he was called in the tv series. But as a kid I remember calling him by the name that had been on his packaging, so I went with what was familiar to me. I hope I didn't confuse anyone!
Note: While I do own my Little Ponies, Hasbro owns the rights to them.
Sundance slowly exited the Lullaby Nursery while Lofty bolted in, almost knocking her over. Megan had been quick to make a rule of three mother ponies in the nursery at a time, to keep from overcrowding the baby ponies. Besides, the babies all seemed to be sleeping, so Sundance supposed her baby wouldn't know if she wasn't there anyway.
She sighed as she sat down beside the doorway, watching the sun go down. She didn't really know where else to go, not wanting to leave Baby Sundance completely. She decided to just wait her turn to go back in, along with the other mothers who were loitering around the nursery. There were other ponies hanging around too, including some of the Big Brothers, who stayed out of worry for the babies.
After a few minutes, Megan came out of the nursery and faced the ponies. "I've got an idea," she said. Sundance felt her ears prick up. "I don't know what's causing the baby ponies to be ill, but I have a feeling it might be some sort of magic. So I think we're going to have to go find help."
"The Moochick!" Glory cried. "He will know what to do!"
Megan nodded. "So we need some ponies to stay here and keep an eye on the babies, while some of you come with me to get the Moochick."
Firefly was the first to volunteer to go with Megan, followed by Lofty and Salty. "I'll go too!" Sundance chimed in. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Quarterback had raised his hoof, and Megan counted him in too.
"I think that's enough," Megan said. "If something happens while we're gone, send Wind Whistler with a message."
The blue pony nodded enthusiastically, her pink hair swinging around her face. "I'll get a message to you quick, Megan! I'm the fastest!" Wind Whistler said breathlessly.
Megan nodded, the ponies said some brief goodbyes, and the little party took off into the fading light. They weren't far into their trip when Quarterback came up alongside Sundance.
"That's pretty admirable of you," Quarterback said, "To come with, I mean."
Sundance looked at him. "If I can help, it's better than just sitting around and hoping Baby Sundance – and the other babies – will get better on their own."
But while she was talking, Sundance wasn't watching where she was going, and tripped over a rock that was in her way. She blushed as she stood back up, shaking the dust off.
"Um, I completely agree," Quarterback said, choosing to ignore her stumble. "I was just getting to know the little tyke. When she gets better, I'd like to show her how to carry a ball. She's got a lot of potential, you know!"
"I know," Sundance said, laughing. She was glad Quarterback was there, glad for a distraction from the scary reality they faced. After a few moments of silence, Sundance spoke again. "Thanks again for helping her come out of her shell a bit. You know, the other ponies used to tease me for being clumsy, until Megan helped me see my good traits too. I suppose it can take a while for us all to get some confidence sometimes."
Quarterback smiled. "You? Clumsy?" Sundance blushed furiously. "It's ok," he said quickly. "It's actually kind of cute, I think."
Before Sundance could respond, Lofty called out from up ahead. "There's something moving ahead of us!"
Megan hurried to the front while the other ponies crowded around Lofty. They all tried to peer through the darkness to the bush that wiggled in front of them. Suddenly, a brown rabbit burst through the foliage.
"Habbit?" Megan cried in surprise. The rabbit chattered in reply, and a small, round, man also came out of the bushes.
"Mr. Moochick?" Megan said, "What are you doing here? We were coming to find you!"
The Moochick looked just as surprised as they were. "Well, well…" he stuttered. "The fact is, I was just coming to find YOU!"
