Chapter three
Scootaloo's wings buzzed again as she rushed through Ponyville searching for Rainbow Dash. She had no idea what the time was- just how long had she spent at Twilight's house reading? She had managed to completely lose all track of time after the second chapter of the book pulled her in. She guessed that might be the reason Twilight could read so many books.
And now thanks to Twilight she knew she definitely had one interest she shared in common with Rainbow Dash. And a pretty awesome common interest she thought too! Her mind was running at full speed, just like her scooter passing through Ponyville. Perhaps she could do something to surprise Rainbow Dash later. Perhaps she could try and make her own costume- perhaps Rainbow Dash would find it cool to have a (pint sized) Daring Do turn up for the day. Or she could try and write her own story with Daring Do, and maybe Rainbow Dash as a character or even herself. That was right; she could try and write a story in which she was Daring Do's best and most trusted friend that would surely be a good idea never tried before!
But would Rainbow Dash be able to read her hoof-writing? And wouldn't writing a story be really hard and take a lot of time? That five paragraph story she had written for Cheerilee's class had taken the full two weeks to write after all. Then again maybe she could cheat and ask Twilight to write something for her…
No that just wouldn't be right; it would be cheating after all. No she would want to give Rainbow Dash something she had made herself, with her own four hooves. Maybe the costume idea would be best; she could be Rainbow Dash's own personal Daring Do for the day.
She brought the scooter to a screeching halt as something out of the corner of her eye snapped her out of her thoughts. She peered over at the field and quickly noticed Rainbow Dash sitting under a large tree, an open book resting in front of her. From this distance Scootaloo could tell she was only a couple of books behind Rainbow Dash now. That might make it easier to talk. And a lot easier to talk without having to worry about spoilers. She wanted to spend time with Rainbow Dash, but she didn't want the next book to be ruined either.
She approached Rainbow Dash on her scooter, going slowly this time as she didn't want to annoy or surprise Rainbow Dash. She was about to open her mouth to say hi when the other pony looked up from the book.
"Hi Scootaloo," said Rainbow Dash, who gave the briefest glance towards the book as though she intended to try and hide it…ignoring the fact it had already been seen.
"HeyisthatDaringDo? I'vebeenreadingthattoday!" said Scootaloo in one breath.
Rainbow Dash gave the filly a slightly puzzled look.
"And in my language that would mean what exactly?" she asked. "I've dared to do what? Did Pinkie Pie say something to you?"
"No, the book," said Scootaloo who now found herself oddly nervous having finally found something to talk about with Rainbow Dash.
"What about it?" asked Rainbow Dash, holding the book close to herself in an almost defensive manner.
"Well I was at Twilight Sparkle's house and I started reading the Daring Do books," said Scootaloo, neglecting to mention why she had visited Twilight in the first place.
"You visited Twilight?" asked Rainbow Dash. "By yourself? Have you ever gone to see her before?"
"Maybe, but anyway I started reading the Daring Do books, and they're really awesome and then Twilight said you liked them too."
Rainbow Dash stood up.
"You think Daring Do is awesome too?"
Scootaloo nodded her head eagerly.
"The most awesome pony ever," said Rainbow Dash. "When she used the sunlight to reflect off the water to show her the entrance was pretty cool! And she took on both guards by herself. With one kick!"
"That evil pony that pulled out other ponies hearts was pretty gross," said Scootaloo, "Not that I was scared or anything," she added quickly.
"Yeah I didn't know how she'd escape from the mind control in that book," said Rainbow Dash, "but I guess I underestimated her."
"And then she got stuck underground surrounded by all of those rats and none of them would show her which direction she should take," said Scootaloo. "And she found that dead Luna Knight pony with a shield."
"Yeah the third one was great too," said Rainbow Dash, "But the fourth one wasn't all that great, Twilight said it's probably the weakest in the series because-,"
"No spoilers, please no spoilers," pleaded Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash smiled.
"I wouldn't want to ruin it for you now would I?" said Rainbow Dash. "I was thinking of getting my own set so I wouldn't have to keep bothering Twilight."
"I have some bits, maybe we could work together and get our own set!" squeaked Scootaloo.
"Nah kid I wouldn't feel right taking bits off of you," said Rainbow Dash, "But I guess I wouldn't have any problem sharing them with a fellow fan."
"Cooool," said Scootaloo with stars in her eyes. "You know sometimes I think I should try and write my own Daring Do story with me as a character!"
Scootaloo paused, frozen with horror. She had been so excited, so caught up in the moment that she had allowed something she had wanted to keep secret to slip out.
"Oh write your own story huh?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Nah that doesn't sound like the type of thing for me, doesn't really sound like something I'd enjoy doing."
If anypony other than Scootaloo who was busy idolising Rainbow Dash had been present, they would instantly have known Rainbow Dash was actually lying. The glance of her eyes and tone of voice would have given her away. The piece of paper marked 'Daring Do's big adventure (by Rainbow Dash)' would have given further support to the lying theory.
"Oh just for school you know," lied Scootaloo. "Sometimes we have to do a creative…writing thingy and I just thought I could make homework cooler by using Daring Do."
"That could work," said Rainbow Dash, "She'd make any old piece of homework a lot cooler!"
"She'd make Ponyville cooler," said Scootaloo in support.
"If only other ponies read her books too," said Rainbow Dash, "These books aren't for eggheads."
"The clubhouse is normally free a few days each week," said Scootaloo, "If you wanted to read somewhere else without wanting to get wet if it was raining we could read together…if you wanted…I guess."
Silence fell over the duo for a moment.
"Clubhouse?" asked Rainbow Dash.
The two pony's eyes met and widened in excitement.
"I think I have an idea!" they both said in harmony.
Scootaloo approached the podium wearing her crude homemade Daring Do hat. She tapped one hoof on the wood. Rainbow Dash, holding brand new copies of the Daring Do books looked up excitedly. Besides her sat Twilight who was merely bemused by the fact Rainbow Dash was currently fully dressed in a Daring Do outfit (made after she pestered Rarity for a solid week). Just along from her sat Apple Bloom who was busy sleeping.
"*Ahem*," said Scootaloo. "I pronounce this to be the first meeting of the Daring Do fanclub!" she said excitedly. Though she had been hoping only Rainbow Dash would turn up.
"Oh yeah!" said Rainbow Dash, waking up Apple Bloom.
Scootaloo smiled as she stepped from the podium and joined her friends for what would be a long afternoon of talking, fun and laughter. Daring Do style!