Hiya! Thanks for all the reviews. Sorreh for the long wait again...but I tried to make it up with this looong chapter! Come to think of it, this is my longest chapter so far. huh. Oh, and I'd like to thank the same friend for helping me in this chapter. She really helped me out, so thank you. You know who you are. o3o

Crimson Banner: Um...yup...

Vinyl Beat: Wouldn't that be a bit too harsh? I say we go throw her in a black hole. *Grins*

Gummypuss: Thanks! :)

Scootaloo: Nice to know, Scoots.

feargamer: Thank you for understanding, and for the review.

Pikachu913: Sunny says thank you. :)

Ficta Scriptor: Don't worry, I'll be sure not to update this in a decade!

Rarity01: :3

Flutter Night: Thank you, and I'll be sure to write more chapters for your pleasure.

Elderscrolls Pony: Thanks!

RAINBOWDASHFAN: /) right back at you!

Chapter 16: Light and Dark

Scootaloo walked slowly out of the schoolhouse, her head drooping slightly when she saw Sweetie and Apple Bloom walk out together and glance at her. She shut her eyes and craned her head in the other direction, opening them only to see a sudden blur of light yellow and blue. She quickly realized that it was Sunny Shine, and she caught a glimpse of the yellow pony crying and galloping out of sight.

It all happened so fast that Scootaloo didn't even get a chance to think. Now that the swift sequence of events had passed, the purple-maned pegasus tilted her head curiously and put a hoof to her chin, rubbing it thoughtfully. Her deep thoughts were interrupted by a loud chatter of voices. She glanced up, irritated at the interruption, then saw that her classmates were all staring in amazement at the spot that Sunny had disappeared out of view.

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah!"

"I wonder what happened..."

"I don't know..."

"...Huh." Scootaloo still gazed at the spot Sunny Shine had once been. "Wonder what's up with Sunny...guess I'd better check on her to be safe." She trotted off in the direction she had witnessed the light cream pony galloping in. Her hooves thudded against the sandy dirt floor, sending up little puffs of dust that clung to her coat. She brushed the specks of dust off delicately and quickened her pace, following the long trail of hoof-steps that belonged to Sunny Shine and they eventually led to Fluttershy's cottage.

Scootaloo gazed at the familiar tiny house as she walked up to the door, which was swinging open carelessly. She stuck out a hoof to stop the door's swinging and hopped inside, slamming the door after her. She put a hoof to her ear and listened closely and carefully. She could hear the sound of faint crying and some soft murmurs.

Curious, Scootaloo set off to investigate. She drew closer to the stairs, where the noise could be heard more clearly. The spiky-maned pegasus sneaked up the stairs stealthily, creeping into the bedroom. She pushed the wooden door open a few inches and peered inside.

Fluttershy was perched on her bed, rubbing the back of the hunched figure of Sunny Shine. Scootaloo noticed that the soft sheets on the bed were soaked in front of Sunny, which indicated that she had been crying uncontrollably. Fluttershy murmured a few comforting words to Sunny, still rubbing her back soothingly.

Scootaloo pushed open the door further, causing it to emit a loud creaking noise. Fluttershy and Sunny both turned around to search for the source of the sound, spotting Scootaloo. Scootaloo forced a nervous grin, waving a hoof shakily. "Uh...hi."

The two pegasi stared at her, until Fluttershy finally spoke up. "Hello Scootaloo...um - I didn't think you'd be home so...early...?"

She shrugged. "Well, I'm here now, aren't I? So...what's up?" Her eyes wandered over to Sunny, who was still staring awkwardly at her.

"Nothing," said Sunny quickly.

"Nothing? You crying and running out of the school doesn't seem like nothing," Scootaloo blurted out. "Come on, tell me what really happened," she urged the blue-maned pony.

"I told you, nothing happened." Sunny's eyes began to water again, and she looked on the verge of crying again. Fluttershy flashed her a look of sympathy, but there was a firmness in her eyes telling her to keep her mouth shut.

"Go downstairs," she reassured her quietly. "I'll go down in a minute and prepare you a snack, okay?" She smiled softly at the younger filly.

"...Okay..." Scootaloo slipped out of the doorway, having one more glance at the two pegasi sitting on the bed before closing the door behind her. She trotted down the stairs, plopping down on the green couch. She stared around the room in an unfocused manner, sometimes spacing out and staring at one thing longer than usual.

She sighed. "I thought Fluttershy said she'd be down here in a minute! It's probably been an hour already! Agh!" snarled Scootaloo impatiently.

A few minutes ticked by. Still no Fluttershy or Sunny Shine.

Finally, Scootaloo caught a glimpse of Fluttershy's long pink mane, and saw her walking slowly down the staircase, followed by her cowering little sister.

"Finally!" The orange filly expressed by yelling out in frustration. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry," Fluttershy muttered, going over to the kitchen, her back turned from Scootaloo as she prepared an unknown snack. Sunny walked over to the couch, casting a nervous glance at Scootaloo before sinking into the soft material.

"...Hi Sunny," Scootaloo murmured, trying to start up a fresh conversation with the sullen filly.

"Hi," she squeaked in a barely audible whisper.

"Are you okay?" Scoots asked. "I mean, it took you and Fluttershy a while to get downstairs. What's up with that?"

"I'm fine," snapped Sunny. "You don't have to keep asking me, you know."

"I just want to know if you're fine!" she said, exasperated.

"Didn't I just say?" The yellow filly flashed her a look that would beat the North Pole's terribly cold climate.

Scootaloo backed away, startled by her sudden coldness. She was spared by Fluttershy, who called, "Snacks are ready!"

She leaped up from the couch gladly, rushing over to Fluttershy who was balancing one plate of carrot sticks and pieces of lettuce on her hoof and grasped another plateful in her teeth. She took one cautiously in her teeth, walking carefully over to the coffee table where she placed the plateful of vegetables. She spotted Sunny walked towards her, setting down the plate on the other end of the table. As she began digging into her food, she noticed Sunny edging away from her a bit, as if she were contagious with the feather flu.

A pounding on the front door interrupted Scootaloo who was midway through her eating. She glanced up as Fluttershy walked to the other and pulled the door open. As the door creaked aside, it revealed an anxious-looking colt standing in the doorway. He sported a light brown coat, with a chocolate-colored mane and eyes.

"Dark Chocolate!" she gasped, her purple eyes growing wide in surprise. How had Dark Chocolate known she was staying at Fluttershy's? And more importantly, why had he come to visit her?

"Scootaloo!" His brown eyes brightened when he spotted the orange foal sitting at the table. He started to advance toward her, but hesitated, stopping abruptly and twisting his head to gaze at Fluttershy for permission. The shy pegasus nodded her head, and Dark Chocolate began walking again, settling down next to Scootaloo.

"Er - hi," he said shyly, glancing at her snack. He seemed to be hungry, but didn't ask her whether he could have a carrot stick or lettuce though. Suddenly Scootaloo didn't feel hungry anymore.

"Want?" she said, pushing the plate in front of him. "I'm not hungry anymore."

The brown pony smiled. "Thanks!" he stated brightly, grabbing a carrot stick and chomping on it. Scootaloo watched as the light brown colt gobbled up the food on the plate, wiping his mouth with a hoof afterwards. "Scootaloo..." he began, seeming a bit nervous. "Er - I was hoping you'd like to take a walk outside...with - um...me."

His words caused her to tilt her head in surprise. "Uh - sure," replied Scootaloo, not wanting to disappoint the nice colt. She flashed a nervous glance over his shoulder at Sunny Shine, who was staring at the two of them with an odd expression on her face, as if she had been hurt and been given a treat at the same time.

Dark Chocolate's eyes gleamed in happiness. "Great!" he said, grinning. "Hey - you have a scooter, right? I've seen you riding around Ponyville on it!...You're really good, you know..."

Scootaloo smiled at this. "Thanks," she responded gratefully. "Yeah...I do have a scooter. I do awesome stunts on it!"

"Maybe you could ride on your scooter along with me. I - I brought my scooter too...I'm not as awesome as you, of course - but I can still ride it pretty well." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof.

"Sure. Let's go now." The orange pegasus rose, heading for the doorway. She looked over her shoulder to see that Dark Chocolate was following. She shifted her gaze back to the doorway, where she could see a blue scooter lying in the pathway. She reached the doorway, walking cheerfully outside on the path. Dark Chocolate trotted out the cottage as well, closing the door behind them.

"Come on!" The brown colt mounted his scooter, preparing to take off. Scootaloo stiffened, remembering something.

"My scooter's at home," she groaned, planting an orange hoof to her forehead in frustration. "I'll have to go all over there to get it!"

"Oh." Dark Chocolate's smile faltered, replaced by a miserable frown. "Well..." He dismounted the scooter. "Here. You can have my scooter for now." He smiled, raising a hoof to the scooter and another hoof to his chest in mock pride to acknowledge the blue vehicle.

Scootaloo released a small chuckle. "Thanks, prince," she joked, then clapped a hoof over her mouth when she realized the meaning of what she had just said. Dark Chocolate seemed to have noticed, too, as he was scraping the ground uncomfortably with a hoof. She mounted the scooter, putting on the black helmet hanging by one of the handlebars. She felt the grips in her hooves, smiling at the soft touch.

"Let's go!" she roared, tearing off on the scooter down the pathway. Dark Chocolate rushed to catch up, his dark mane blowing in the breeze.

"Hey! Wait up!" he called, panting a little as Scootaloo headed to the busy part of Ponyville. She slowed a little, allowing the colt to catch up and gallop along her without having to rush forward every few moments.

They entered the main part of Ponyville, gazing around at the familiar scene of ponies trotting by. The two foals were nearing Finest Chocolate's Shop, where Dark Chocolate abruptly stopped. Scootaloo halted too, glancing around at where Dark Chocolate was rooted to the soil. "Dark Chocolate?" she asked warily, going back in reverse so she was next to the brown colt.

"Scootaloo, wanna stop by Finest Chocolate's Shop for dessert?" His eyes were glittering with excitement as he gazed at the nearby store. Scootaloo looked too at the shop, trying not to recall the recent memories of the last time she had visited that place.

"Sure," she said quietly, speeding off to the shop with Dark Chocolate tailing her. She dismounted as soon as she'd reached the area, pulling off the black helmet and securing it safely on one of the handlebars. Dark Chocolate held the door open for her as she went inside, grasping a hoof on the scooter's handlebars and pushing it inside too. She laid the scooter carefully against the shining wall and turned to stare at inside of the shop, her eyes growing huge. The shop still looked as marvelous as it had been when she had visited last time.

"Dark Chocolate!"

The voice caused Scootaloo to jump a little. She cleared her throat quickly, hoping nopony had noticed her sudden scare. Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate's mother, was hurrying towards him from where she once stood at the counter. "I thought you were going out to visit one of your friends. Oh, is she it?" She turned her blue gaze on Scootaloo, scanning her carefully. "You've visited Finest Chocolate's Shop before, correct?" she questioned.

"Yes." She shuffled her front hooves awkwardly, not meeting her eyes. "I have."

"Alrighty then!" She turned away, trotting back to her place behind the counter. "Go help yourselves to a treat, then." She smiled, motioning a hoof toward the display of chocolate treats.

"Thanks, Mom!" Dark Chocolate called. He turned to his companion. "Come on!" he said, grabbing her hoof and rushing her to the shelves of chocolates. "You can pick. Any treats you want." He smiled at her, flicking his tail at the magnificent display.

"Oh, um..." Scootaloo looked up at the rows of chocolate goodies. "They all look so good." She raised a hoof to her chin, rubbing it thoughtfully.

"They are good." Dark Chocolate grinned even wider, his brown eyes gleaming.

"Don't make it even harder for me to choose." Scootaloo rolled her eyes playfully, still staring at the chocolate display. "Um...those!" She pointed to a large set of chocolate truffles.

"Good choice." He leaned forward and snatched up the chocolates quickly, balancing them carefully on his hoof as he walked over to the stools near the front counter where ponies could enjoy their treats. He set them carefully upon a plate which Milk Chocolate provided, then almost instantly grabbed a truffle and shoveled it in his mouth, chewing noisily. Scootaloo copied him, enjoying the truffles in a noisy manner.

The plate was empty in a mere minute; bits of chocolate remains scattered the plate. Dark Chocolate let out a burp, then covered his mouth, looking in embarrassment at Scootaloo. The orange filly grinned, then let out a burp as well. The two friends shared a laugh at this outcome; Scootaloo hadn't felt this happy since she'd played "Sunshine" with Sunny Shine. Somehow, Dark Chocolate's presence and sweet personality made her feel...appreciated.

"Do you want to go outside and hang out a little more?" The colt's voice was gentle as he spoke to Scootaloo.

"Yeah, sure." She got up and walked to the blue scooter lying against the wall, picking it up while Dark Chocolate pulled open the door to allow her an easy path outside. He headed out after her, smiling brightly. Scootaloo grabbed the helmet, pulling it on while mounting the scooter. She squeezed the handlebar grips, feeling the familiar grips on the scooter before taking off, Dark Chocolate running along her. Again, she slowed down to allow Dark Chocolate to catch his breath.

"Scootaloo," he said. "I've enjoyed our time hanging out. Suppose we could do this again another time?"

"Uh..." Scootaloo glanced at the colt's hopeful face; she just couldn't say no. "I - I'd be glad to."

Dark Chocolate's eyes shined with pleasure. "Great!" He closed his eyes and smiled happily. He opened them quickly afterward, then asked, "Free on Sunday?"

"Yeah, pretty sure," replied Scootaloo, a light smile on her face.

"I'll meet up with you then," he promised.

It was becoming darker every minute, and the town no longer was filled with ponies. Most ponies were going inside now, as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, causing the sky to be streaked with magnificent shades of red, orange, and pink. Scootaloo gazed around, her eyes resting upon Dark Chocolate, who was staring straight ahead, cherishing the moment.

"Scootaloo, I have to go now," Dark Chocolate muttered in disappointment. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, you can go. And here's your scooter back." The orange filly dismounted the scooter, unbuckling the helmet straps and pulling off the helmet.

"Thanks." The brown foal sounded relieved as he took the scooter and mounted it, also putting on the helmet. He rode away, looking over his shoulder and waving farewell. Scootaloo waved too, then whipped around to go back to the cottage. She bumped into another pony, the shock and collision making her fall over backwards. She sat up, closing her eyes and rubbing her head.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" she growled as she opened her eyes and saw a set of white hooves in front of her...hooves that she recognized.

"White Wind!" She jumped up, narrowing her eyes at the black-maned colt. "What are you doing here?" she questioned the white colt, who looked awkwardly at her.

"Nothing," he replied simply. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing," she repeated.

"I saw you with Dark Chocolate," said White Wind softly. "What were you doing?"

"Just hanging out. Is that a crime?" she retorted sharply.

The white pegasus shrugged. "Eh. Listen, I gotta go now...take care, okay?"

Take care? I thought he didn't like me? Scootaloo thought in confusion as he walked quickly away without looking back. She merely shrugged off the thought and continued walking to her destination, taking her time. The night sky was already shining with tiny bright stars by the time she had reached the cottage. She lumbered up the path, reaching the front door and knocking loudly three times in a row.

The door opened to reveal Fluttershy. She smiled as soon as she saw the orange foal, ushering her in silently. The cottage was dim in light; the source of light was only a few burning candle stubs. "Do you want to eat?" She gestured to Sunny who was gobbling up her dessert.

Scootaloo shook her head. "No thanks. I really just want to go to sleep..."

"Oh. That's all right then, too," said the yellow pegasus. "Up you go, then."

She walked up the staircase and entered the bedroom, where she settled into the blue sleeping bag comfortably. She dozed off quickly, her mind flashing images of the long day she had had.

She was awoken by some object poking her. She opened her eyes, looking around grumpily. "I'm here!" a voice hissed, the voice of Sunny Shine. Scootaloo turned to the side, where she saw Sunny staring at her.

"What do you want?" she murmured sleepily.

"You were hanging around with that chocolate pony," she said, squinting at her.

Scootaloo blinked. "Dark Chocolate? Yeah, so what?"

"Is something going on that I should know?" she said, half-smirking.

"No!" she snapped. "And even if there was something going on, it would be none of your business."

"Oh, so there is something going on?" Sunny smiled deviously at her.

Scootaloo was too tired to argue any longer. Her head fell back on the cushy pillow, and she drifted once again into a deep sleep.